Liverpool

Houllier admits interest in Baros
Lyon boss Gerard Houllier has confirmed 23-year-old Liverpool striker Milan Baros is one of his transfer targets. Houllier signed the Czech Republic star in December 2001 while in charge of the Reds and watched him on Wednesday in a World Cup qualifier against Macedonia. The Frenchman is also eyeing Czech and Borussia Dortmund player Tomas Rosicky. "We are interested in Milan Baros and Tomas Rosicky who are among the top European players in their positions," Houllier told a Czech newspaper. Houllier is reported to have left the Czech Republic's convincing win before Baros scored the last of his country's goals in a 6-1 win. He added: "I also wanted to say hello to Vladimir Smicer and congratulate him and Milan (Baros) on their win in the Champions League." Houllier recently took over as manager of French champions Lyon and succeeded Paul le Guen.

Hamann agrees new Liverpool deal
Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann has agreed a new one-year deal at Anfield, with a further one-year option. The 31-year-old's contract ran out this summer and German side Hamburg and Bolton were interested in his services. But the German international, who started 30 league games this season, has agreed to remain with the Reds. Hamann told the Liverpool Echo newspaper: "Once Liverpool made me an offer, there was only one place I wanted to play my football." Hamann came off the bench to help Liverpool win the European Cup - breaking his foot in extra-time but still scoring in the penalty shoot-out. The midfielder, who joined the club in 1999, said: "I always said the first club I would speak to about my future was Liverpool because I wanted to stay. "The manager said we would wait until after the final before we had a meeting and that's what we did. We came to an agreement instantly. "I'm delighted the manager wanted to keep me. I read a lot about other clubs being interested, but I couldn't imagine playing for any club in England." Hamann was offered a new deal mid-season, but it was withdrawn by Benitez when he became disappointed that he was delaying a decision to re-sign. After their European triumph in Istanbul, Hamann has his heart set on adding a Premiership medal. Hamann, who has also picked up the FA Cup and League Cup since moving to Anfield, said: "It's going to be hard to challenge for the title in the next two seasons, but let's give it a go. "The Premiership is the only club competition I haven't won since I joined Liverpool. I'm desperate for us to do it. "The manager has achieved great things already by winning the Champions League and I know he's planning to bring in new players for next season. "If we can settle quickly and everyone starts working together tactically early on, who knows what can happen? "Who would have predicted we would win the Champions League a year ago? "Maybe we can surprise the top three. It's going to be tough to do that, but I think we'll improve a lot."

Ogrizovic backs Kirkland revival
Liverpool goalkeeper Chris Kirkland is being backed to revive his England ambitions if he agrees a season-long loan move to West Bromwich Albion. Baggies' boss Bryan Robson is keen to land the 24-year-old, and Kirkland's former Coventry mentor Steve Ogrizovic believes he will be a big success. Ogrizovic said: "I've no doubt that he can get right back to the top. "I have no doubt that Chris will play for England and he would be great for West Brom. He has a long career ahead." Kirkland looked destined to have a major role with his country after a £6m move to Anfield three years ago but he has been dogged by injuries. Now the emergence of Scott Carson - signed from Leeds during the January transfer window - has put further pressure on his place on Merseyside and in terms of his England aspirations. And with Jerzy Dudek still at Anfield and Villareal keeper Jose Reina set to arrive this summer, Kirkland's Anfield career looks over. But Ogrizovic is convinced a move to The Hawthorns could provide the catalyst for an upturn in Kirkland's fortunes. He said: "Chris would be a major asset to West Brom next season and I know he would become a real favourite with the fans. "The last few years have hardly been ideal for Chris but he has stayed strong. He has had to ensure the label 'injury prone' but all he needs is a season of first team football to prove to everyone once more just what he is capable of." If Kirkland does move to Albion, he would be reunited with Joe Corrigan who worked with him as a goalkeeping coach at Liverpool.

Liverpool get in Champions League
Liverpool have been given the chance to defend their Champions League crown after Uefa handed them a place in the first qualifying round for next season. The Reds beat AC Milan in last season's final but, because they finished out of the Premiership's top four, were not guaranteed entry in 2005-2006. Uefa's executive committee changed its rules on Friday to allow Liverpool in. The key points: Liverpool get the smallest share of England's television money if they reach the group stages. But any other English teams involved - from Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United and Everton - will still get less money than they would have done were Liverpool not involved. Liverpool get no "country protection" preventing them meeting other English clubs. But they are seeded. This means they could face Everton in the third qualifying round, but not Manchester United, and could be in a group with Chelsea, but not Arsenal. In future, the title holders will be entered automatically. Rafael Benitez's men will now face a first qualifying round first leg on 12 or 13 July and a second leg on 19 or 20 July. REDS FIXTURE CONGESTION Champions League 12-13 July: 1st round, 1st leg 19-20 July: 1st round, 2nd leg 26-27 July: 2nd round, 1st leg 2-3 Aug: 2nd round, 2nd leg 9-10 Aug: 3rd round, 1st leg 23-24 Aug: 3rd round, 2nd leg Pre-season 16 July: v Bayer Leverkusen 22 July: FC Cologne 27 July: Shimizu S-Pulse 30 July: Kashima Antlers Super Cup 26 Aug: v CSKA Moscow That means they will now probably have to cancel scheduled friendlies against Bayer Leverkusen and Cologne. And if successful in the first qualifying round, they will probably also have to cancel a pre-season tour of Japan, where they are due to play Shimizu S-Pulse and Kashima Antlers. Uefa chief executive Lars-Christer Olsson told BBC Radio Five Live the decision by the 14-man executive committee was unanimous. "Unanimous means that everybody is supporting it. By definition, that is also the case here. "There were no discussions actually on where they should enter the competition because everybody was of the opinion they should be given the opportunity but they have to start from the beginning. "They could not be allowed to get into the 32 for example." But while there is joy for Liverpool, there has been disappointment for Manchester City. Man City blow despite Reds U-turn The Uefa Cup spot which Liverpool had earned for finishing fifth in the Premiership will not transfer to another English club so City, who would have been next in line, will not be in Europe. And it is likely that Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United and Everton will be unhappy at potentially sharing the television money with one other club. Uefa spokesman William Gaillard admitted splitting the pot five ways rather than four will be "a burden on the other English-based clubs". If Manchester United or Everton fail to reach the group stage but Liverpool do the pot could go back to being split four ways - but anyone involved from England will still get less because of the Reds. If four English clubs reach the group stages, Chelsea will get 40%, Arsenal 30% and two out of Manchester United, Liverpool and Everton will get 15% each. If all five get through Uefa will think again. But while the others will feel hard done by, even Liverpool have suffered in comparison with other Champions League winners. Normally the title holders get 30% of the money for their country if they are not also the domestic champions. Meanwhile Uefa insists the saga which has dogged it since Liverpool finished fifth domestically and then won the Champions League will never be repeated. "The Uefa executive committee decided to amend the regulations for the future editions of the Champions League, so that the holders will have the right to defend their title and therefore qualify automatically," said a statement on the organisation's website. The new system is in marked contrast to 2000, when Real Madrid won the Champions League but finished outside of Spain's qualification positions. On that occasion fourth-placed Real Zaragoza were relegated to the Uefa Cup. Reacting to the news, Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann told BBC Radio Five Live: "It's tremendous news, great for the club. "We've still got two or three weeks to prepare, which should be enough to get in physical shape to cope with the pre-season schedule." And Football Association chief executive Brian Barwick added: "We thank the Uefa executive committee and especially its president Lennart Johansson for listening to the strength of the argument for Liverpool's entry. "We always said that this was an exceptional situation which required an exceptional solution. For the very first time, one country has five teams in the Champions League and we have to be delighted at that. "We believed there were very strong sporting reasons for Liverpool to defend their title, not least after that fantastic final in Istanbul. That view has prevailed, and rightly so." Sports minister Richard Caborn added: "I'm delighted that Uefa have decided to allow Liverpool to defend their trophy. "This is a triumph for common sense and the spirit of sport. I look forward to the start of the new season and the British clubs making a powerful impact again." But some Liverpool supporters are unhappy with the decision. Les Lawson, spokesman for the Liverpool International Supporters' Club, said: "Uefa has been caught with egg on their faces over this because the FA put the first four in the Premiership into next season's tournament. "It means Uefa has had to sort it out and they have done the minimum possible. They have treated their own champions with contempt. "It is a disgrace. Liverpool are the top team in Europe because they are the holders and have beaten Europe's best. They are being treated like TNS or other very small clubs. "To be told they have to start in the first qualifier is wrong and a real kick in the teeth." And Alan Kennedy, who scored the winning goal for the Reds in the 1981 final against Real Madrid, added: "Coming in at the early stages disregards where Liverpool finished in the Champions League. "They won it, so they should be entitled to be in at the third qualifying round."

Uefa defends Liverpool decision
Uefa president Lennart Johansson has defended his organisation's decision to change its rules to allow Liverpool a Champions League place. On Friday Uefa's executive committee handed Liverpool a place in the first qualifying round for next season. Johansson told BBC Radio Five Live: "We are like most people, we make mistakes. "When we formulated the regulations we didn't think of the possibility of a side outside the top four in the big nations winning the Champions League." Liverpool beat AC Milan in last season's final but, because they finished out of the Premiership's top four, Rafael Benitez's side had not guaranteed entry in 2005-2006. Now after Uefa's executive committee changed its rules on Friday - in future the holders will gain automatic entry - Liverpool will have the opportunity to defend their title. Johansson also insisted Uefa had not been embarrassed by its u-turn. He said: "No, not at all. We have tried to correct it for the future and took a decision which may be criticised but has been welcomed in most quarters. "If you make an error you try not to repeat it in the future - you try to correct it and take a decision which will be accepted by the absolute majority." "We thought in a situation like this we should not make too many changes. We had to find a possibility to let them in without hurting somebody else."

Cahill wants Kewell for Everton
Everton's Tim Cahill has urged boss David Moyes to move for Australia team-mate Harry Kewell if he leaves Liverpool in the close season. Kewell, 26, came under fire last season and limped off injured in the Carling Cup and the Champions League finals. But Cahill said: "I want to make it quite clear that Harry has nothing to prove to anyone and if Liverpool don't want him then we'll have him. "If Liverpool don't want him, there will be clubs lining up for him." Kewell was jeered by Liverpool fans when he came off with a groin injury early in the Champions League final win against AC Milan - and he has since undergone surgery. In contrast to Kewell's disappointment, Cahill had a magnificent first season at Everton after his £2m move from Millwall last summer. But he remains a committed Kewell supporter, insisting: "He's been injured and I think he's been too honest in coming back too early and wanting to play for his club and wanting to do a job for Liverpool. "The kid is a great footballer and everyone knows that. "What he has done in the game speaks for itself. But sometimes things don't happen for you and I think Harry just needs a bit of a break and he'll definitely come back with flying colours. "When you're injured, you're injured. You can't do anything about it, so I think it's easy to pick faults with players and look for scapegoats. "I think 'H' just needs to enjoy his summer and come back next year fit." Cahill is in Germany preparing for the Confederations Cup, with Kewell sidelined.

Parry says Reds must strengthen
Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry admits the Champions League winners must strengthen their squad. Parry said: "Wherever the best players are, we will be going. We will be looking for players of quality and players who have heart. "We need lads who are going to battle for 38 matches a season." He added: "Our first 11 is fine, but it's when you get below that and you have to battle for points. That's where we have fallen short." Liverpool's transfer plans will have to be brought forward after they were allowed back into the Champions League at the first qualifying round, which means their season will start on either the 12 or 13 July. They finished fifth last season and Parry said: "At the end of the season the league table doesn't lie. We need a better squad, we need more strength and depth. "How do you improve a team? You get better players of course."

Smicer seals switch to Bordeaux
Vladimir Smicer has completed a free transfer from Liverpool to Bordeaux after passing a medical on Monday. The 32-year-old has signed a two-year deal with the French club. "Vladimir underwent medical screening at Bordeaux today and he is 100% fit to play," said Dalibor Lacina, a spokesman from Smicer's management group. The Czech Republic international scored for Liverpool in the Champions League final against AC Milan and converted a penalty in the shoot-out. Smicer won the French league title with RC Lens in 1998. He was signed by former Reds boss Gerard Houllier for £4.2m from Lens in July 1999.

Reds must play in Japan - Blatter
Fifa president Sepp Blatter has told Liverpool they must play in December's Club World Championship in Japan. The Reds face a fixture pile-up after Uefa's decision to allow them to enter the Champions League next season at the first qualifying round stage in July. The Fifa event would add two games in Yokohama on 15 and 18 December. "It is binding for them. The cup is in Japan and they will have to travel. Do you think they won't play? They will play," Blatter told the Daily Mail. The six-team Club World Championship will pit Liverpool and the winners of South America's Copa Libertadores with four other clubs from federations in Asia, Africa, Central America and Australia. The previous event - in Brazil in 2000 - proved controversial, with England's representatives, Manchester United, withdrawing from the FA Cup to take part.

Reds 'face competition for Reina'
Jose Reina's agent says Liverpool are facing competition in their bid to sign the 22-year-old Villarreal goalkeeper. It had been thought that Reina's move to Anfield was a certainty, but Manuel Garcia Quilon says several other clubs across Europe are interested. "We are listening to the offers," Garcia Quilon said about the keeper, who Liverpool reportedly value at £8m. "Liverpool is one of the possibilities but the player also has other offers from England, Spain and Italy." Reina been linked with a move to the Champions League winners for the past two months. The Spanish goalkeeper, whose performances helped Villarreal reach the semi-finals of the Uefa Cup in 2004, signed an eight-year contract with the Valencian outfit last summer. Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has confirmed that Reina is one of his transfer targets. "There are various keepers we have been following. Reina is one of them. We're near but it's still to be confirmed," Benitez told Spanish news agency Efe. Benitez has until 6 July to sign players to play in the first qualifying round of the Champions League. The Reds won the competition in May and have been allowed by Uefa to defend their European crown, despite not qualifying automatically through their position in the Premiership. But they will have to go through three qualifying rounds to reach the group stages, which start in September. Reina would be the sixth Spaniard to join Liverpool since fellow countryman Benitez took over at Anfield last summer. His father was an international keeper with Spain and Reina signed for Villarreal in July 2002 from Barcelona. Reina told Liverpool's official website: "To transfer to the champions of Europe, and furthermore to a team with Liverpool's history, isn't something in everybody's reach. "My answer was clear and it could only be a positive one."

Gerrard keen to sort out future
Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard said he is hopeful of sorting out his future before the new season begins. The 25-year-old has repeatedly been linked with a move away from Anfield but said he would be holding talks at the end of June and beginning of July. "The ball is in Liverpool's court now. I'm ready to talk and am waiting for them to give me the nod," the England midfielder told Sky Sports News. Liverpool are currently refusing to comment on the future of Gerrard. Chelsea, AC Milan and Real Madrid are among the clubs who have been linked with Gerrard - but the player insisted he would like to stay at Anfield. "Of course, yes, I've still got two years left. We haven't spoken about a new contract yet and I don't know how long those talks will go on for," he said. "But the sooner they start the better because I want my future sorted before the start of the season." Gerrard insisted he was unconcerned about having to start the new season early after Uefa put Liverpool in to the first qualifying round of the Champions League - despite finishing fifth in the Premiership, outside the automatic qualification places. "It is very important for the champions to defend the trophy. I'm looking forward to a long season ahead," he said. "We can't complain about being in the first round because the rules stated we shouldn't be in it. "The European Cup has gone now. We've got to be just as hungry. We won the big one but it is important we forget about that and move on and try to do better in the Premiership." The early start to Gerrard's season - he could be in action as early as 12 July - means he could be in action for almost one year if England qualify and do well in the World Cup. But he brushed aside fears he may be tired, saying: "People think I'll be drained but I'll look after myself."

Baggies want Kirkland loan deal
West Brom manager Bryan Robson has confirmed that he is interested in taking Liverpool goalkeeper Chris Kirkland on a long-term loan deal. "We are interested in signing him for a certain amount of time," Robson told the Liverpool website. "I hope to have him over for training so we can assess his fitness. If all is all right there could be a loan deal. "I am hoping to have talks this week and a deal is something we are definitely looking at." Kirkland began his career in the West Midlands at Coventry before moving to Liverpool for £6m in August 2001 but he has been plagued by injuries in recent years.

Liverpool cash in on European win
Champions League winners Liverpool have earned £20.5m from their European run to top the tournament's earnings table. Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal made up three of the top four Champions League earners, with Manchester United in eighth place. Chelsea secured £18.8m from television money and performance bonuses, Arsenal were fourth with £15.7m, while Manchester United picked up £10.9m. Beaten finalists AC Milan were third with £17.5m and Celtic bagged £7m. The figures do not include gate receipts, another area where English clubs outperform their European rivals. 1: Liverpool £20.5m (winners) 2. Chelsea £18.8m (last four) 3. AC Milan £17.5 (runners-up) 4. Arsenal £15.7m (last 16) 8. Man Utd £10m (last 16) 19. Celtic £7m (group stage) Football consultant Alex Fynn told BBC Sport: "England is the richest TV pool - it has one of the largest markets in terms of population as well as the highest broadcasting fees because it has two broadcasters in Sky and ITV. "Most other countries just have one broadcaster. "That is why Chelsea, as semi-finalists, earned more than the beaten finalists AC Milan. "The Champions League is absolutely vital to the English clubs. "Liverpool would probably have earned as much from their European run as they would have from their Premiership broadcasting rights last season. It's a huge bonus for them." Fynn, who has advised clubs and federations on media and marketing, added that Liverpool would also be able to cash in on their Champions League qualifying games next season. "They should be able to clear in the region of £1.5m for each of their three home games in the qualifying rounds from matchday and broadcast revenue. "The only downside for them is the effort they've spent on ensuring they got into the tournament next season. "That's time they haven't been able to devote to capitalising on their newfound status as European Champions."

Essien sets sights on Premiership
Michael Essien's agent has admitted that the player is keen on a switch to the Premiership but fears Lyon's asking price could scupper any potential move. The French champions have so far resisted Chelsea's bid to sign the 22-year-old Ghana midfielder. Fabien Piveteau told BBC Sport: "The problem is that Chelsea want him but, for now, the bid is too small for Lyon. "If possible he would prefer to come to England. He speaks English, he likes English football." Essien has so far declined to sign a contract extension but Lyon are determined not to let him go without a fight. "Lyon want big, big money for the player," added Piveteau. "The problem for Chelsea is when they arrive for discussions with another club the price is doubled." Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal would interest him Essien's agent Fabien Piveteau Piveteau said Essien would consider a move elsewhere in England but feels the transfer fee is likely to put most clubs off. He added: "Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal would interest him. "I know the Arsenal coach likes him very well but, for now, there have been no discussions. "At Manchester I had discussions with their coach two months ago but after that there has been no news. "For Liverpool there could be a solution because Lyon want Milan Baros and it may be possible to organise for Baros to go to Lyon and Michael to go to Liverpool - and the same for Chelsea with Didier Drogba." Lyon dismissed a proposed swap deal involving Drogba on Monday. Their president Jean-Michel Aulas told sports newspaper l'Equipe: "If chief executive Peter Kenyon proposes a deal because Chelsea have signed Eto'o or Adriano, I would listen. "But I don't believe in Father Christmas." Last season Ghana international Essien was voted Player of the Year by France's National Union of Professional Footballers (UNFP). Meanwhile, Aulas has also confirmed their interested in Bordeaux's Marouane Chamakh and Baros. "We have already made one, big offer for Chamakh. We want him, he's our priority," he said. "We're waiting to hear from Baros and I plan to go to Prague to see him this week with coach Gerard Houllier."

Road death police quiz footballer
Liverpool footballer Steve Finnan has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. The defender, who played in the club's Champions League final win, was involved in a collision in his Range Rover which resulted in a man's death. Henry Nelson, 81, from Liverpool, suffered serious head injuries in January and died five weeks later. A spokeswoman for Merseyside Police said a 29-year-old man from Liverpool had been bailed until 29 June. The accident happened in the Tuebrook area of the city on 27 January but Mr Finnan, a Republic of Ireland international, was not arrested until more than two months later. The police spokeswoman said: "A 29-year-old man from Liverpool was arrested on 11 April on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. "He was bailed pending further inquiries to appear at a police station on Wednesday, 29 June." An inquest into Mr Nelson's death has been opened and adjourned until 4 July. Mr Finnan, who originally comes from Limerick, started his career at non-league Welling before moving into league football with Birmingham and Notts County. In November 1998 he was bought by Fulham for £600,000 before moving to Liverpool ahead of the 2003/04 season.

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