Reina set to seal a new deal

Liverpool will agree a new £25million contract with goalkeeper Pepe Reina to discourage increasing interest from Barcelona.

Pepe Reina, 27, wants to stay at Anfield but is seeking parity on pay with Liverpool’s top earners – Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres.

And sources close to the Anfield dressing room have revealed the interest of Champions League winners Barca in Reina, Spain’s No.2 keeper behind Real Madrid’s Iker Casillas.

Reina, also a target for Atletico Madrid, signed a new contract until 2012 only two years ago.

That put him on £60,000 a week but he’s now seeking another five-year deal on nearer £100,000 a week.

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez will urge the club to reach agreement on a new deal for his highly- rated keeper.

Reina, who has been with Barcelona before, is regarded as one of the best in the business.

He was signed from Villarreal four years ago for £6m and goes into today’s vital Merseyside Derby at Everton, stressing that he wants to commit his future to Liverpool.


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Liverpool finally pull a win and go fifth

Liverpool produced a smash and grab Merseyside derby victory to claim fifth place in the Premier League on a day of raw tension at Goodison Park.

But they will have sighed with relief after being pounded for almost all of this very local showdown, but somehow emerged with the points. An own goal from Joseph Yobo, deflecting a Javier Mascherano effort past Tim Howard saw Liverpool ahead at the break despite being almost permanently on the back foot as Everton poured forward.
But their eighth win in their last ten visits to Goodison Park was secured with ten minutes to go when Dirk Kuyt scored from close range after another Yobo error.

Everton were the dominant force, but could not turn their pressure into goals, with Liverpool now having lost just two of their last 20 league games against the old enemy.

Rarely can a Merseyside derby have been played out with both rival managers - David Moyes and Rafael Benitez -having had to handle questions over their longevity in their jobs.

The 212th clash between these bitterest of rivals certainly held the immediate futures of both seriously under-achieving clubs. Everton, fighting to get away from the relegation zone and Liverpool desperate to put their distressing season back on track.

Everton made four changes from the side that lost so poorly at Hull in midweek, Tony Hibbert, Jo, Marouane Fellaini and Diniyar Bilyaletdinov all returning with youngster Jack Rodwell the most notable omission with a groin injury. Liverpool fielded the side that had won in Hungary against Debrecen, but could not save the Reds' Champions League lives.

And again there was no Fernando Torres in the squad, leaving young striker David Ngog to continue his Premier League education in the unforgiving glare of a derby battlefield.

With so much at stake, the opening exchanges were even more ferocious than usual. Mascherano and Tim Cahill traded kicks and warnings from referee Alan Wiley, with Cahill finding himself dumped on the track by the Argentina captain.

But it was Mascherano who was soon celebrating, having had a major part in Liverpool's 12th-minute lead. Everton criminally allowed the midfielder to advance towards their box, where he lashed in a 20-yarder that deflected off Yobo and into the opposite corner than had been intended with Howard hopelessly wrongfooted.

It was the lead Liverpool had craved, but one that ignited a fierce and sustained response from Everton. Twice they had the ball in the net before the break, but two efforts by Jo were ruled out for offside, the second when Fellaini blocked Jose Reina right on the line. But there were other chances for Everton, with Bilyaletdinov managing to mis-hit wide from six yards when it would have been easier to score.

Reina saved from the Russian winger, while the excellent Steven Pienaar was twice close as Everton surged forward in search of an equaliser they fully deserved.

Liverpool were barely noticeable up front, although Kuyt fired over and Howard made a fine save from Emiliano Insua's close-range header. But they were rare excursions into enemy territory for Liverpool in a one-sided first-half.

Everton came out after the break intent on more of the same. They hurled themselves at Liverpool's creaking defence in which Jamie Carragher and Daniel Agger were working overtime to keep the blue waves at bay.

Liverpool were hanging on under the most searching of examinations. Saha replaced Jo after 66 minutes, still Everton rolling relentlessly forward. Yobo managed to deflect an Ngog effort wide, but that was a rare venture out by Liverpool.

Reina produced a stunning double-save from Cahill and then Fellaini, Liverpool penned back and defending with increasing desperation.

In all of this, Steven Gerrard was a peripheral figure. Clearly short of pace and movement he was unable to influence what was going on all around him, until taking a hand in the critical second goal.

Ngog was finally withdrawn with 15 minutes to go, Yossi Benayoun arriving to play on the right with Kuyt taking the central attacking role. Albert Riera was next into the fray, in place of Fabio Aurelio, somehow Liverpool still ahead.

But with ten minutes left, all Everton's brave efforts came to nothing as Liverpool dealt them a sickening blow.

Reina's long clearance was headed down by Kuyt with Yobo slashing wildly at the ball. It fell to Gerrard who set up Riera for a shot that Howard pushed into the path of Kuyt, who stabbed home the second.

Ayegbeni Yakubu came off for Cahill, and Lucas Neill for a crestfallen Yobo. But it was all over for Everton, who will never know how they lost this one.

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Liverpool linked with another 33 year old

Liverpool are looking to sign French midfielder and former Arsenal star Patrick Vieira.

The 33-year-old is struggling to hold his place in the Inter Milan side and was dropped for the World Cup play-offs against the Republic of Ireland.

Vieira, who wants to be on the plane to South Africa in 2010, believes a move to a club where he can get more first-team football can reignite his international career.

Tottenham were linked with the ex-Arsenal man in the summer and have once again emerged as a possible destination for the midfielder.

However, Liverpool are believed to be favourites and reports in Italy claim Rafa Benitez is lining up a move in January for the 1998 World Cup winner.

Summer signing Alberto Aquilani is still returning from injury and with Javier Mascherano and Lucas Leiva struggling for form, a loan move for Vieira is rumoured to go ahead.

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Masch completely backs Rafa

Javier Mascherano has claimed it would be madness for Liverpool to part company with Rafa Benitez.

The Reds lock horns with Everton in the biggest Merseyside derby for years today looking to resurrect their season after their exit from the Champions League.

Mascherano has been linked to a New Year move to long-time admirers Barcelona – but he insists the players and fans are right behind Benitez in his hour of need.

Mascherano said: “You can’t talk about changing the manager, that would be crazy. The fans are right behind Rafa Benitez – and I know the players definitely are.

“We know you can’t just take recent results into account. Liverpool have improved a lot over the last five years – and that is all down to Rafa. Remember, the club didn’t qualify for the Champions League every year before he came to the club.

“The fact that people think it is normal for us to be in the Champions League and challenging for trophies is down to one man – the manager.

“There is a big disappointment that we suffered in Europe, but now we must start winning games in the league.

“Rafa signed a new contract only a few months ago. I think the players, the fans, the owners all believe in him.”

Mascherano says it is crucial that Liverpool produce the form that will enable them to claim a place in the top four once again. The Argentina captain insists he still hasn’t given up on the title – but knows that a victory at Goodison is vital.

Mascherano said: “It is still not impossible to win the league, but our first job is to get back into the top four and qualify for the Champions League. When you see Chelsea winning all the time you have to accept that getting to the top will be very difficult for us, but our first job is to start winning games regularly and see what the future brings.

“It sounds stupid to talk about winning the League, but if Chelsea start to lose some games then maybe we will be given a chance to get back into it. At the moment, though, the aim must be the top four and it is down to the players to show we are the right players for Liverpool.”

He added: “Liverpool expect to win every game because we are a top club. We cannot think of going to Everton to just draw. That would not be a good result for us in our position.

“We have to go there and win. We can’t think about injuries or off-the-field distractions.

“We want to win for the fans and for Rafa Benitez. We know how special it is to beat Everton.”

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Man City will bid for Torres if Liverpool fail to qualify

Manchester City will make a £50million bid for Liverpool striker Fernando Torres.

Man City’s billionaire owners believe if Liverpool fail to qualify for next season’s Champions League, an offer for their star striker will be hard to refuse

However, if City do want to sign the Spanish striker, qualifying for the Champions League is a must and following Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Hull, finishing in the top four can’t be taken for granted as the Blues lie sixth in the table, 2 points ahead of Liverpool.

A source said: “Make no mistake about it, this club is ambitious. They believe there is not a player in the world who is outside their budget and that includes Torres.

“The owners are in it for the long haul. Initially, their number one target is the Champions League next season. But they see that only as the launching pad for greater things.

“They are now probably the wealthiest club on the globe – now they want to be the best.”

However, Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez insisted he would quit if Torres was sold to balance the books and pay off the growing debt on the club.

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Fabregas can see that something special in Gerrard

Real Madrid and Barcelona publicly declaring they want to bring him back to Spain in the summer, Cesc declares he wants to lead the Gunners long-term.

Cesc has compared his situation to the one Gerrard was in when Chelsea had come calling for him.

"When Steven Gerrard had the opportunity to go somewhere else he chose to stay with the club of his life, and I don’t think he will ever regret that. He made a decision to stay and he has to believe that it was the right one.

"And he’s still young, young enough to achieve so much more. For me he is one of the best midfielders in the world. He looks like such a nice guy but he has this side to his game that comes through in important moments, when he makes an impact. Frank Lampard is a great player too, but for me I see something very special in Steven Gerrard."

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Gerrard admits Liverpool owe a win to their fans

Steven Gerrard set his sights on Mersey rivals Everton and said: We owe our fans a win.

Everton host Liverpool at the end of a week which has seen their season collapse. Kop skipper Gerrard says he can feel the pain of Liverpool fans following their exit from the Champions League and the end of their Premier League hopes.

“We owe it to the club, ourselves and most importantly to our fans, as their support has been magnificent at a time when things haven’t gone as well as we’d all like,” he said.

Liverpool have won only two of their last 11 games, against Manchester United, and Debrecen on Tuesday when Fiorentina’s win over Lyon knocked Rafa Benitez’s side out of the Champions League.

Liverpool face a battle just to finish in the top four and qualify for Champions League football next season.

Only the Europa League and FA Cup offer any hope of silverware, and defeat to Everton at Goodison would increase the gloom hanging over the club.

Gerrard added: “We’re all aware the season isn’t going the way we would want it to and we’re really disappointed to go out of the Champions League.

“We’re far from happy with our form in the Premier League as well but the only way to turn things around is by sticking together.

“We’ve shown in the past what we can achieve when we do that and if there’s one positive about the difficult time we’ve been having, it’s that we’ve all pulled together.

“The manager, the staff and the players are all working as hard as we can to try and get the improvement we’ve been looking for.

“It won’t be easy, as we’ve given ourselves plenty to do, but we still have the confidence and belief that we can finish in the top four.

“Getting some of our injured players back playing regularly will make a big difference and give everyone a boost. The key is to keep working together.”


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Liverpool interested in Fiorentina defender

Liverpool are among the clubs that have shown an interest in Fiorentina defender Juan Vargas.

Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United, Barcelona, Inter and Milan are among the clubs interested in signing the 26-year-old in the January transfer window.

The newspaper says Fiorentina could decide to make a move for Real Madrid defender Royston Drenthe should Vargas decide to leave the club.

The highly-rated defender has previously also been linked with a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid.

Reports say Fiorentina could demand a fee of around €20million for Vargas.

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Aquilani set for Sub role for clash against Everton

Aquilani will be hopeful of getting on the field after just three substitute appearances totalling just 22 minutes since returning to fitness after his £20 million summer move from Roma.

Manager Rafael Benitez will not throw the Italian in from the start in what is likely to be another tempestuous clash between the two near-neighbours, but the 25-year-old should play some part.

Manager Rafael Benitez will not throw the Italian in from the start in what is likely to be another tempestuous clash between the two near-neighbours, but the 25-year-old should play some part.

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Late call on Torres fitness ahead of Derby

Fernando Torres will face a late fitness test ahead of Sunday's 212th Merseyside derby.

The striker has not featured since our trip to Lyon on November 4 following a groin problem which originated on international duty.

Having gone through two to three weeks of recuperation, Torres is nearing fitness.

"We will check him tomorrow. He's training well, he's been with the physios and we'll check after the training session," Benitez told Liverpoolfc.tv.

Elsewhere, Benitez has just two other injury doubts for the trip to Goodison.

He said: "Ryan Babel will not be available and Martin Kelly is still training with the physios.

"Albert Riera has been training so we'll have to decide. I don't see any other problems. Everyone is training."


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