Liverpool boss Benitez won't give up on Barry

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez refuses to accept defeat in his pursuit of Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry.
Asked whether he had made any contact with owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett to discuss the current crisis, Benitez would only say: "I am not thinking about signing players at the moment, because they cannot play against (Standard) Liege tomorrow. I am only concentrating on this game.

"And I have not needed to contact the owners because they cannot help with the preparation for this match. I prefer not to say anything else."

His mood was remarkably serene considering the embarrassment of how the owners put the block on the Barry deal, and he said: "I was really calm last week, and I am concentrating on the game. We did not have big problems.

"I have not been distracted, I have been focusing on this game and getting to the Champions League group stages."

Now Liverpool Linked With Chelsea's Cole

England midfielder Joe Cole could soon achieve what another, Gareth Barry, apparently can’t: join Liverpool. At least, that is the latest transfer market rumour.

There were reports yesterday that Aston Villa might make a bid for Cole, but now it seems Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has shown an interest, and given the Reds’ Champions League involvement, it may be a rumour to take more seriously.

It is said that Cole has become unsettled at Stamford Bridge following the Blues’; signing of Deco and the possible arrival of Robinho, and is seeking reassurance from new manager Luiz Felipe Scolari that he figures in the Brazilian’s plans for the new season - especially as his opportunities in pre-season have been decidedly limited.

Cole, 26, is competing with Frank Lampard, Michael Ballack, Deco, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Florent Malouda, Michael Essien and John Obi Mikel for a place in the Chelsea midfield when the Blues kick-off their season at home to Portsmouth on Sunday.

And Scolari's pursuit of Real Madrid’s Robinho is not making Cole feel any more secure, given the two players‘ similar roles. Robinho is keen to move to Chelsea and Scolari is clearly keen to snare him: the club had a bid of £19.7 million for the Brazilian rejected last week but are unlikely to be deterred by price, though Madrid don‘t want to sell.

Meanwhile Liverpool manager Benitez is seeking width for his squad, and the apparent impasse over the protracted Barry saga, with Liverpool refusing to match Aston Villa's £18million valuation for the player, could persuade the Reds to move for Cole - though he is likely to cost even more.

Meanwhile, Liverpool are also being linked with another young Hungarian in 17-year old defender Otikba Kenneth.

REDS PRICED OUT OF RIERA DEAL

Liverpool look set to renew their interest in Stewart Downing after Espanyol demanded £16m for Albert Riera.

Having failed to raise the funds to buy Gareth Barry from Aston Villa, the Reds were hoping to buy Riera for around £9m, but the Spanish club have reportedly invoked a £16m release clause for the winger.

Riera's agent, Magico Diaz, told the Liverpool Echo: "Liverpool want Riera but are reluctant to meet Espanyol's demands."

That means that Liverpool are instead likely to turn back to Downing, who could be available for a more realistic £12m.

Liverpool Join Inter In Quaresma Race

Liverpool have joined Inter in the race to sign Porto winger Ricardo Quaresma, according to the Corriere dello Sport.
The Italian club have been in negotiations to sign the skilful wideman all summer, and it was even, wrongly, reported last month that the transfer had been completed.

However, over the past few weeks talk about a transfer had died down, with Inter unprepared to pay the reported €40m that Porto were demanding.

Earlier this week it was reported in the Italian press that the transfer could be back on after Porto dropped their demands by almost half, and Inter upped their own offer from €17m to €20m.

However, the Corriere dello Sport today claims that the Italian champions now face competition from Premiership giants Liverpool, who have entered the race for Quaresma late in the day.

Reds manager Rafa Benitez wants to make one exciting signing before the end of the transfer window on August 31, and he has now almost given up on primary target Gareth Barry. Instead he will now move for Quaresma, a player he admires greatly, and has been linked with in the past.

Quaresma is desperate to leave Porto, and last week was left out of the squad for the Supercup match against Sporting Lisbon, despite not being injured.

The 25-year-old has won 23 caps for Portugal, and was part of his country’s Euro 2008 squad.


- sumber: goal.com

Alonso 'Could Move' In January

Uncertainty remains over Xabi Alonso's future at Liverpool after his agent admitted that a January transfer is not out of the question..

Alonso was dogged by transfer speculation all summer after it became clear that manager Rafael Benitez did not see him as an essential component of his midfield.

The Basque playmaker looked set to sign for Juventus early in the summer, but that deal collapsed when the Reds refused to lower their £16million asking price.

Arsenal's interest in the EURO 2008 winner was also stunted by monetary issues, although it has since emerged that the Gunners had a last-ditch bid rejected.

Benitez's failure to prise Gareth Barry away from Aston Villa means Alonso, a Kop favourite, remains at Anfield for the time being.

The 26-year-old has carried his fine off-season form into the competitive campaign, yet it is unclear what role he will play once Steven Gerrard returns to fitness.

And Iñaki Ibáñez, Alonso's agent, hinted that the former Real Sociedad star could leave Merseyside during the winter if an appropriate offer should come along.

“We will see what happens in January,” Ibáñez said in The Times.

“At the moment Xabi is concentrating on playing well for Liverpool. No agreement was reached to sell him, so mentally he is a Liverpool player.

“January is a long time away.”

Alonso is currently with the Spain squad preparing for Wednesday's World Cup qualifier against Armenia.