Basle 1893 v Werder Bremen
Celtic or Artmedia Bratislava v Partizan Belgrade or FC Sheriff
Shakhtar Donetsk v Inter Milan
Steaua Bucharest or Shelbourne v Rosenborg
Manchester United v Hajduk Split or Debrecen
Malmo or Maccabi Haifa v Dynamo Kiev or FC Thun
Everton v Villarreal
Liverpool or Kaunas v CSKA Sofia or Tirana
Sporting Lisbon v Udinese
Valerenga or FC Haka v Club Brugges
Rapid Vienna or F91 Dudelange v Lokomotiv Moscow or Rabotnicki Kometal
Anderlecht or Neftchi v Slavia Prague
Trabzonspor or Anorthosis Famagusta v Rangers
Brondby or Dynamo Tbilisi v Ajax
Real Betis v Monaco
Wisla Krakow v Panathinaikos

In bringing the European Cup back home to Liverpool in May, Rafael Benitez might have achieved what the late great Bill Shankly never could but the Spaniard insists fans are wrong to ever compare him to the man from Glenbuck.

Such has been Benitez's astonishing start to his Anfield career, supporters from all over the globe have been quick to draw comparisons between the Spaniard and Liverpool's greatest ever manager but the former Valencia man believes that while it's an honour to be mentioned in the same breath as Shankly, he's his own man with his own ideas.

"Shankly is beyond anything," stressed Benitez ahead of the Champions League qualifier against FBK Kaunas. "He was above all the creator of an ideology. He changed the mentality of the team and produced an ambitious club with a new mentality.

"Bob Paisley won more titles, but Shankly laid the foundations as everybody knows. Those are big words - foundations, ideology - and I am miles away from that. In football everything changes at a fast pace. I am very pragmatic. I think day to day, I prefer to concentrate on improving things progressively and that is your real inheritance - to have the conscience that you have done your job. That is all. If you get the results and people thank you for it, then so much the better."

When quizzed about comments attributed to Chelsea Chief Executive Peter Kenyon on Monday morning claiming that the London club's rivals are all jealous of the Stamford Bridge outfit, Benitez laughed and said: "I don't waste my time worrying about other clubs and what other people say. We will see what happens over the course of the season. I'm only concerned with my team and what we achieve.

"I will try to do my best in the Premiership and we will see what happens. I don't think I am better now than I was six weeks ago. I prefer to concentrate on the job in hand rather than worrying about how people see me or what they say about me. I'd won two titles and the UEFA Cup before I joined Liverpool and just because I've added one more trophy to that list, it doesn't mean my job is done. It's only just started."

From: ynwa.tv

On this day in 1961, Bill Shankly signed Ron Yeats from Dundee United for £30,000. He was the rock at the centre of our defence for 454 games across a decade, helping us to our first ever FA Cup, two League titles and a Second Division championship. He then moved into management with Tranmere Rovers, but returned to Anfield in 1986 as Chief Scout.

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Jul 15 2005
EXCLUSIVE by Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo

MICHAEL OWEN is desperate to make a sensational return to Liverpool.

The former Reds striker wants to end his Real Madrid exile and Anfield officials have been alerted to Owen's fervent desire to rejoin the club he left last summer.

A dramatic swoop hasn't been ruled out.

However, Rafa Benitez has already made other arrangements in the transfer market and would need convincing to move for the 25-year-old striker.

The European Champions have not budgeted for a bid for Owen, who joined the club as a schoolboy but decided to leave for Spain in an £8m deal last year.

Although Benitez could be in the hunt for a proven goalscorer before the transfer window closes, that would depend on how much he could raise in player sales.

His first priority is a target man, with Southampton's Peter Crouch still top of his wish list.

Liverpool are interested in the possibility of arranging a year loan deal with Real Madrid for Owen, but that would require some skilful negotiation and appears to be an extremely optimistic option at this stage.

Owen left with the Real Madrid squad for a summer tour of America yesterday, but he's anxious to return to England before the start of the season - and Liverpool are currently the only club which interests him.

Model professional Owen has never publicly expressed any discontent about life in Madrid, but privately he's become increasingly disillusioned since leaving England.

On the pitch, Owen's goal record defies the accepted view he's failed to make an impact in Spain.

He scored 14 goals in 22 starts, but he's never completely settled and has found himself regularly on the bench, despite his impressive goal ratio.

Owen scored 158 goals in 298 appearances of an Anfield career which began in 1997 and is seventh on the list of the club's all time goalscorers.

Meanwhile, the Luis Figo saga should be resolved this weekend.

The only issue now is Figo's pay-off from Real Madrid.

The Spanish club are no longer demanding a fee for the Portuguese star.

The 32-year-old midfielder is in the United States but will leave the Madrid tour when he's decided between Liverpool and Inter Milan.

The Reds are now in Switzerland preparing for the clash with Bayer Leverkusen in Austria tomorrow night.

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Jul 13 2005
By Chris Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo

WHEN UEFA's executive committee confirmed the shortest summer holiday in Liverpool history, the initial reaction at Anfield was hardly enthusiastic.

Forcing the European champions to begin the defence of their title in July smacked of a fudge.

In the five weeks since, however, the sense of ingratitude has been vanquished as the Reds plot a clear route to the third qualifying round which, in theory, isn't as demanding as they had feared.

Midfielder Xabi Alonso insists the decision which offered a reprieve to Liverpool was fair.

Rather than complain at the timing of the earliest competitive game in the club's history, he's thankful an unlikely opportunity has arisen

"It's very early for us to start playing competitive football, but we know the calendar for the season so we have to accept it," said Alonso.

"At least this means we have a chance to play in the Champions League so we would rather be playing sooner rather than have no chance of qualifying at all.

"To be playing in the competition again so soon after the final is strange, but we must look ahead and try to focus on the future. We're all looking forward, not back. It's better for us to forget what happened six weeks ago and concentrate on winning more.

"A new season brings new opportunities.

"It's not easy to forget Istanbul, of course. I've watched replays of the game many times over the summer and everyone in Spain was talking about it when I was at home. But in football you can't afford to sit back and think of what you've won. It's more important now to think about beating TNS.

"Step by step we must start playing ourselves into form for a new season, beginning for us tonight."

TNS, who have adopted the alternative nickname 'The Welsh Minnows' since the draw was made, are expected to be more excited by the prospect of swopping jerseys than causing an upset.

But, having excelled in the role of underdogs themselves last season, Alonso is in no mood to be complacent.

"A lot of people will say this is an easy game, but we must be very professional and treat TNS with the same respect we'd show any team in the Champions League," he said.

"We are not fully fit yet so they may think they are playing Liverpool at a good time. It could be tricky for us.

"Im sure they will make life very difficult for us and defend a lot.

They will want to enjoy an opportunity to play at Anfield, which they would not have expected to happen to them.

"If we are not 100 per cent, we will have problems."

Manager Rafa Benitez will provide the first hints of the side he perceives as his strongest with his team selection tonight.

Alonso is expected to partner Steven Gerrard, with Fernando Morientes and Djibril Cisse paired in attack.

Bolo Zenden will sample the Anfield atmosphere for the first time, while John Arne Riise is likely to play left back, as Djimi Traore and Harry Kewell are on the injury list.

Pepe Reina will also be confirmed as the first choice goalkeeper, even if he'll have to wait to claim the number one jersey from Jerzy Dudek.

Alonso was heavily consulted by Reina as he pondered his switch from Villarreal.

"I know Jose very well from our time in the Spanish Under-21 side together. He is one of the best goal-keepers in Spain and when you sign a player who is talented and young, you know the club has made a good signing," said Alonso..

"His confidence will grow every day. It's not easy when you first arrive and don't know all your team-mates, but he will learn more each day.

"He asked me a lot of things about Liverpool. We met after the Champions League final when we joined up for the national team. He wanted to know about the club, the city and the supporters.

"I told him everything gets top marks and he will soon see this for himself, and the fans will see how good he is.

"He is quick, strong and is also good with his feet, which is more and more important these days. He is a great keeper."

Jul 12 2005
By Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo



MILAN BAROS will not figure in Liverpool's plans tomorrow.

The striker's omission from the Liverpool team for the Champions League qualifier with TNS will underline his uncertain future at Anfield.

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez doesn't want the Czech star cup-tied because it may scupper the player's chances of securing a transfer before the start of the season.

Baros finds himself in a similar position to Michael Owen last year.

The club don't want to make him an unattractive target for potential admirers so Baros will have to be content with a place on the bench.

The 24-year-old was destined for Valencia after reaching an agreement with the Spanish team in May.

However, that switch broke down in June, leaving Baros in limbo.

His two goals against Wrexham on Saturday suggested the forward is happy to try to regain the favour of Benitez, but it's a long road back.

Benitez certainly won't be rushing to cup-tie the striker against the Welsh side.

The Anfield boss won't be confirming his line-up until tomorrow, but he suggested Baros could be struggling to force his way into the team.

"With Morientes now fully fit and available in Europe, there are more options for us. We need to work out how many players we have and which are the right players for this game," he said.

Meanwhile, Antonio Nunez has been told he will leave Anfield if the Reds receive an acceptable bid.

"I've spoken to Nunez and explained we've tried to find a club for him, but at the moment we haven't had the right offer," said Benitez.

"Celta Vigo are interested but there are other options."

Meanwhile Mohamed Sissoko today revealed the prospect of teaming up once again with Rafael Benitez helped persuade him to turn down Everton.

The Mali midfielder is expected to finalise his move to Anfield in the next few days after completing his medical.

Everton thought they had secured a deal to take the 20-year-old to Goodison but Sissoko, who played under Benitez at Valencia, says that once Liverpool entered the race it was an easy decision to make.

He said: "I understand that the Everton fans are angry but I am going to be happier at Liverpool. I'm sure they will give me a hard time in the derby match.

"I appreciated the Everton offer but I was not convinced about everything.

"And when Rafa Benitez appeared, it made my mind up. I could never turn this offer down. If Rafa was not Liverpool boss it might have been different."

Benitez remains hopeful of adding Southmapton's Peter Crouch to his squad this week, though his hopes of landing Luis Figo he says are fading after Real Madrid suddenly reneged on their promise to give the Portuguese international a free transfer.

They are now demanding a £2m fee which Liverpool will not pay. Benitez is now looking for other options.

available August 4th.

Paul Eaton 08 July 2005
http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N149283050708-1304.htm



Liverpool received a major double boost today when both Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher signed new four year contracts with the club.
At the end of a dramatic week skipper Gerrard has officially committed his future to the Reds by penning a new deal which will keep him at Anfield until 2009.

And Carragher has been rewarded for his outstanding displays last season by also signing a four year deal.

"It's a massive weight off my mind," Gerrard told Liverpoolfc.tv minutes after signing the contract. "Over the last twelve months there has been a lot of speculation about my future and it hasn't helped my football. It's nice to sign a four year deal with no clauses to make sure this situation doesn't happen again.

"Next season you'll see a Steven Gerrard who has got a clear mind and who is focused on his football. I'll be a better player next season.

"I think the speculation has affected me, though not too much because I think at the right times I've still pulled out the big performances.

"It'll be different over the next four years because that speculation has gone and won't come back. I'm looking forward to playing with a free mind, relaxed and concentrated solely on football.

"Liverpool will get the best of Steven Gerrard because I feel ready to move into the prime years of my career. I'm only 25 and I think over the next few years you'll see me playing my best football and I hope to lead this club to more success and more silverware.

"I think the fans have put themselves in my shoes and they understand that it was difficult for me. Before it was too late I turned it around and decided I wanted to stay. I'm committed to the club, I always have been and I'll continue to show that over the next four years of my contract.

"I spoke to the manager and players and apologised to them for all the speculation thathas been going on.I don't think it's been helpful for the team or squad. If we have a fullyfit squad this year with Steven Gerrard on top form then we can bring more success tothefootball club."

Carragher's new deal will also delight Reds' fans who witnessed the Liverpool born defender enjoy his best ever season for the club last term as he deservedly won a number of Player of the Year awards.

Now we wants to build on last season's Champions League success and help the Reds achieve Premiership glory.

IMG"I'm absolutely delighted to have agreed this new contract," he said. "The club have always looked after me and it's so pleasing to have signed another deal.

"This is the best club in the world with the best fans, so I'm very proud to be a Liverpool player for the next four years and hopefully even longer.

"We've had some fantastic times recently and winning the Champions League was the biggest achievement of my career.

"Now we've done that, all of us have got that hunger to bring even more success to the club.

"Both Stevie and Didi mentioned in interviews recently how they have won every medal except one since 2001.

"I'm in the same situation. Now we're going to make winning the Premiership title our top priority. We're desperate to achieve that.

"We know how much it means to everyone here to get the Premiership trophy. I don't know how soon we'll be able to do it.

"It's going to be tough to close the gap, but there's no point us being defeatist about it. We proved in Europe what we can do on the big occasion and we've got to produce the same on a consistent basis in the league.

"The aim for this club at the start of the season has to be to win the league. We can't worry about other teams. We're Liverpool and I'm sure we'll be capable of challenging for the title. Forget the top four, we want to win the league."

Jul 7 2005
EXCLUSIVE by Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo

LIVERPOOL have agreed terms with Portuguese superstar Luis Figo - but the deal is on ice because Real Madrid have suddenly demanded a £2m transfer fee.

Figo secured a verbal agreement with the Spanish giants saying he could leave on a free if he found the right club.

But having concluded negotiations with the Reds, the 32-year-old midfielder is now livid with Real's u-turn. They now want a fee for his services.

Liverpool won't proceed with the transfer if they have to pay the Spanish club.

As the Figo deal faces deadlock, Benitez is edging closer to securing the services of Southampton's Peter Crouch and Valencia's Mohammed Sissoko.

No fee has been agreed with the Saints, but it now seems only a matter of time before the young striker moves to Anfield in a deal worth around £6.5m.

Saints chairman Rupert Lowe is at loggerheads with his player and manager over the negotiations.

Redknapp is realistic about the situation, recognising Crouch has his heart set on the move. The St Mary's boss wants to get on with rebuilding his side with the kitty he'll get.

Lowe, however, continues to increase his valuation of the recently capped international, which has led to the stalemate.

However, Anfield sources say there could be progress on a Crouch deal over the next 24 hours.

In a frantic week off the park, Djimi Traore and Didi Hamann have today penned the deals agreed in the aftermath of the European Cup win.

And goalkeeper Pepe Reina is now free to make his debut at Wrexham on Saturday after receiving international clearance.

Liverpool are also making progress with negotiations regarding Jamie Carragher's future and expect the defender to sign his four-year-contract with skipper Steven Gerrard tomorrow.

"We're delighted to have secured Steven, Djimi and Didi, and now the future of Jamie is at the top of our minds," said chief executive Rick Parry today.

"We're very hopeful this will be sorted out very quickly."

Carragher, Gerrard and Traore will stay at the club until at least 2009, while Hamann has signed a one-year-deal.

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Jul 6 2005
EXCLUSIVE by Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo

STEVEN GERRARD today reflected on today's dramatic developments at Anfield and explained: "I just couldn't leave the club I love".

Gerrard decided to reject Chelsea for the second consecutive summer and told club officials of his momentous u-turn last night.

The Reds skipper revealed today how 24 hours of agonising made him realise just what he'd be giving up if he walked out on the European champions.

An emotional Gerrard confirmed he'll be signing a new four year contract and hopes the speculation surrounding his future will now end for good.

"I had the whole of yesterday to think about my decision and what I was doing. I turned off my phone and my television and went through it all in my head again," said Gerrard.

"After considering everything that's gone on, I just couldn't go through with it and leave this club. I never said I wanted to leave in the first place, but I'd felt I was being backed into a corner and had to push things on.

"I know it was going to look as though I wanted to go, but at one stage I thought I had no choice. When I thought about it more, I just wanted to stay.

"I admitted I've made mistakes and the club has acknowledged they've made some mistakes as well. But now we've sorted it out and I'm doing what I wanted to do all along, which is stay at Liverpool."

The crisis began when Gerrard was concerned about the delay in contract negotiations, which finally started last Wednesday.

Gerrard was concerned manager Rafa Benitez secretly wanted to sell him because it took so long for talks to begin.

Matters were further complicated when false reports appeared in the Spanish Press claiming Gerrard fancied a move to Madrid - something he'd never said.

Liverpool spent the last 48 hours convincing their captain the conspiracy theory was the figment of someone's imagination.

Benitez also argued that the speed of Chelsea's bid on Monday was highly suspicious.

Anfield chief executive Rick Parry admitted the Reds may have underestimated the urgency of the situation to their skipper. At worst, Liverpool were guilty of failing to recognise how important it was for negotiations with the skipper to start immediately after the European Cup Final.

Thankfully for all sides, the situation has been recovered at the eleventh hour.

Liverpool convinced Gerrard there was no conspiracy on their part to engineer his transfer, spelt out just how much they want him and prompted the skipper to re-think after originally indicating the time had come to move on yesterday morning.

"I've now apologised to Liverpool and they've apologised to me, which is important," Gerrard continued. "I was left feeling so confused yesterday. I was receiving all kinds of advice and information from so many people, but I just had to sit down with my girlfriend and advisor and think it all through again for myself. I was just thinking 'how have we got into this mess and what's the best way out of it?'. I knew I had to do what I'd intended doing all along and sign a new contract.

"I made the decision last night that I couldn't leave this club. I love Liverpool so much. This is my club. My heart is with Liverpool. I don't need to tell anyone that. Everyone who knows me can see how I feel. The last thing I wanted to do was leave, I just couldn't do it."

The skipper realises many fans were deeply upset 24 hours ago, but his change of heart will be celebrated by those who couldn't bear the thought of Gerrard moving to Stamford Bridge.

"My relationship with the supporters has always been fantastic and I knew a lot of people would be disappointed if I'd decided to go. I thought about the fans and the future," Gerrard said..

"As I'd said all along, I never wanted to leave. I don't want to go into details now about what happened over the last few weeks because the most important thing now is we can sort it out.

"I'm going to sign a new contract and, like I've always done, will be doing everything possible to make Liverpool successful again.

"It's been a bit of a mess but now we can sort it out and move forward. As I've said, we can all learn things from this.

"Now we all want to look forward."