LIVERPOOL 4 - BURNLEY 0

In 2008/09 the Reds' Premier League title challenge was undermined by home draws against supposedly lesser opposition, but they had no such problems on Saturday as three goals from Yossi Benayoun sandwiched around a Dirk Kuyt strike earned the points.

 

Benayoun helped himself to a hat-trick as Liverpool produced a devastating performance to crush Burnley 4-0 at Anfield. Benayoun opened the scoring for the Reds and netted twice in the second half after Dirk Kuyt had also got in on the act.

BOLA BOYZ  LIVERPOOL

LIVERPOOL 1 - ASTON VILLA 3

Liverpool slumped to their second Premier League defeat in nine days as they lost 3-1 to Aston Villa to put their title credentials firmly on the line.

 

Villa produced a defiant, organised display and deserved their first win at Anfield since 2001.

 

Lucas own goal and a Curtis Davies header saw Villa 2-0 up at the break. Fernando Torres pulled one back but an Ashley Young penalty settled the points.

BOLA BOYZ  LIVERPOOL

JOHNSON PROUD TO BE REDS

Glen Johnson believes Liverpool can steal the title from Manchester United next season.

 

The Anfield club's new £17m full-back is supremely confident his new employers have the quality to go one better than last season, when they finished as runners-up to the men from Old Trafford.

 

The England defender was unveiled on Thursday as Liverpool's first major signing of the summer.

BOLA BOYZ  LIVERPOOL

MASCHERANO PROUD TO BE LINK WITH BARCA

Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano has revealed he is "proud" to hear he is attracting interest from Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid.

 

The Argentina international has been tracked amid rumours that Liverpool maneger Rafael Benitez needs sell to buy over the course of the summer, coupled with Liverpool's need to secure extra finance ahead of a scheduled £350m debt payment on July 24.

 

Even so, it is unlikely that speculation over Mascherano's future will go away while he is giving lip service to the rumours.

BOLA BOYZ  LIVERPOOL

SOUTH AFRICA 2 - SPAIN 3

 

Xabi Alonso's free-kick in extra-time enabled Spain to see off the plucky challenge of South Africa and clinch third place in the Confederations Cup.

 

European champions Spain, whose 35-match unbeaten run came to a shock end against the United States in the semi-finals, were lethargic for much of the encounter and appeared to be heading for another defeat when Katlego Mphela put Bafana Bafana ahead after 73 minutes.

 

But two goals in the final three minutes from substitute Daniel Guiza turned the match around only for Mphela to send the game into extra-time with a blistering free-kick.

 

Spain sealed it when Liverpool midfielder Alonso curled a 107th-minute free-kick from the left into the area which eluded everyone and ended up in the bottom right-hand corner.

 

MAN UTD   ARSENAL  LIVERPOOL CHELSEA

ARBELOA KEEN TO QUIT REDS

 

Álvaro Arbeloa is desperate to quit Liverpool and join Real Madrid - according to his agent. The 26-year-old's future is in doubt, with Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez confirming the signing of Portsmouth right-back Glen Johnson and Real are ready to offer up to £8m for Arbeloa, who is unlikely to figure on Merseyside next season.

 

BOLA BOYZ  LIVERPOOL

NOW CHELSEA WANTS TORRES-VILLA

 

Chelsea are ready to test Liverpool's resolve with a £50 million bid for Fernando Torres. They have also offered Valencia £35m for the spanish striking partner David Villa.

 

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is worried the huge sum offered by Chelsea could tempt American owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks. Liverpool's true financial state will be revealed soon, and Benitez is beginning to fear the worst.

 

Benitez was hopeful of landing 27-year-old Villa. Now he not only has to face up to Chelsea signing Villa but also possibility of losing Torres. Chelsea's bid for Villa is £4m higher than Real Madrid's and preferred by debt-ridden Valencia.

Roman Abramovich is prepared to take advantage of Liverpool's own money worries by making the sort of offer he hopes Gillett and Hicks will not be able to refuse. 

BOLA BOYZ  LIVERPOOL

TORRES TO STAY AT ANFIELD

 

Fernando Torres has brushed off transfer speculation by insisting he will stay at Liverpool for as long as he is wanted. He is not greedy to leave Anfield just to earn a little more somewhere else.

 

The 25-year-old has been linked with Manchester United following their acceptance of Real Madrid's £80m bid for Cristiano Ronaldo and will be sad to see the Portuguese leave the Premier League, but insists Liverpool will not win the title by default.

 

BOLA BOYZ  LIVERPOOL

TEVEZ SAYS NO TO ANFIELD

Carlos Tevez has reportedly ruled out a summer move to Liverpool. The Argentina international has spent the last two seasons on loan with Manchester United, but has made his desire to quit the club this summer clear after failing to start games as regularly as he would like.

A trio of Premier League clubs have shown an interest in the bullish forward - with Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea reported to be considering bids of around £25m - but the player has himself ruled out a move to Anfield because of 'emotional ties'.

 

The Argentine international isn't prepared to make a move that would strengthen the side that was the biggest threat to the Old Trafford supremacy last season, despite pleas from international team-mate Javier Mascherano to join him at the club. Manchester City are now favourites to land his much coveted signature before the start of next season.

BOLA BOYZ  LIVERPOOL

SPAIN 5 - NEW ZEALAND 0

Spain opened their Confederations Cup campaign with a smashing win over New Zealand. The win extended their unbeaten run to 33 matches.

 

The top team in Oceania were no match for the European Champions, who were 4-0 up inside 24 minutes with Liverpool striker Fernando Torres grabbing a hat-trick.

 

Cesc Fabregas was also on the scoresheet with David Villa netting a fifth in front of a sparse crowd in the mining town of Rustenburg.

BOLA BOYZ  LIVERPOOL