Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez may be able to move forward more confidently in his quest for summer signings after two significant developments.
The first piece of good news came when midfielder Javier Mascherano, whom Benitez put a £50million price tag on to ward off interest from Barcelona and Real Madrid, spoke in glowing terms about the Spaniard.
And it appears the club's American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett are on the verge of successfully renegotiating the £350million loan they took out to buy the club two years ago.
With the formalities of the £17million signing of Portsmouth's England right-back Glen Johnson expected to be completed in the next couple of days it appears plans are back on track at Anfield.
The futures of midfielder Xabi Alonso and defender Alvaro Arbeloa - both attracting interest from Real - seem less clear.
Benitez has insisted he does not want to sell Mascherano or Alonso but if Real are reported to be ready to offer £30million for the 27-year-old Spaniard then the Reds boss may be tempted to cash in.
There have been noises from Mascherano's camp complaining about the fact the Argentina captain is not among the highest earners at Anfield but the player himself has spoken of his admiration for Benitez.
"(He is) excellent. He`s a perfectionist, working down to the smallest detail that you can imagine," said Mascherano, who has three years remaining on his Liverpool contract.
"Fortunately he has renewed his contract, meaning his ties to the club continue and this will give more calm to everybody."
On the reported interest from the European champions Mascherano told Spanish magazine Don Balon: "It`s really flattering. For me it means great recognition because we are talking about big clubs. I feel comfortable at Liverpool, but it`s always good to know that teams like Barca and Madrid are interested in you. I feel very grateful."
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reddevils_4life99 Look at old trafford an look for people from macnchester cos de way i see it you've got cheek to call liverpool fans gloryhunters i know a lad from vietnam who lived in London who supports united so enough said
both players our going ,,, as the deals have almost been done
theres only one liverpool and we are one of the best and you will all see we will be the best in the world this time so look about liverpool is about we will prove to you all we are the best of the best go on liverpool show them
liverpool liverpool liverpool...i'm missing the game- roll on the first match!!!!!!!
when are the press going to realize alonso is going no where he and rafa have both said he is staying but lies in papers all the time
well said chem.trails
reddevils_4life99, see you wa.ker you are the biggest n.bhead on here go and do what fergy should d.e your team will always look up to liverpool when will you get them 5 gold stars but never mind you can always come and see the cup at the best team in the world L.F.C
oi reddevils_forlife99 why are u even here or for that matter of fact why are u alive manc scum
MAN UNITED ONLY SCRAPED BY THIS SEASON OH RIGHT 90 POINTS YEAH THAT IS ONLY JUST WINNING THE LEAGUE
LIVERPOOO YOU TALK AND TALK ABOUT YOUR LOYALTY BUT YOU ARE JUST VILE AND ARRAGANT THAT IS NOT LOYALTY THAT IS A LACK OF RESPECT FOR OTHER TEAMS
MAN UNITED FANS ARE JUST AS LOYAL
WE HAVE AN EVEN MORE RICHER TRADITON AND HISTORY (THE BUSBY BABES, BEIGN THE FIRST ENGLISH SIDE TO LIFT THE EUROPEAN CUP, GEORGE BEST, ERIC CANTONA, SIR BOBBY CHARLTON, THE TREBLE AND SO ON)
YOU ARE PATHETIC FOR EVEN THINKING MAN UNITED SUPPORTS ARE GLORY SEEKERS I HAVE SUPPORTED THEM SINCE I WAS THREE (1991) IT IS NOT MY FAULT I HAPPENED TO SUPPORT THEM AND THEY WERE WINNING ALL THE TIME
OH BY THE WAY YOU LIVERPOO FANS DONT SAY WHY ARE MAN UNITED FANS ON HERE BECAUSE THAT IS SO DOUBLE STANDARD YOU SPEND YOUR WHOLE TIME BAD MOUTHING OTHER TEAMS IN FACT YOU SPEND THE WHOLE SEASON CONCENTRATING ON MAN UNITED BECAUSE YOU ARE S.H.I.T S.C.A.R.E.D PERHAPS IF YOU SUPPORTED YOUR OWN TEAM MAYBE YOU WOULD WIN MORE
LIVERPOO = CHILDREN OF GLORY SEEKING PLASTIC FANS WHO ARE NEVER GRACIUOS IN DEFEAT AND ARE NOT EVEN GRACIOUS IN VICTORY YOU DISGUST ENGLISH FOOTBALL
ha ha dream on liverpoo you wont win the league you havent even strengthened the squad
johnson is not that great
glory glory man united
Is only 1 Liverpool probably the best football team in the world!!!!
Nice one Rafa! Liverpool next EPL champs !?!?! ? !!
I know your watching, go on, post something, nerd.
You know what i hate, is when "muppets" tell you your spelling mistakes DOES it matter (Pauljudd6) and there is nothing wrong with with being scouse! as their more of a team than man u.right back to the article i think mascherano and xabi should stayand can't waitt for johnson to join.
I hope Mascherano and Alonso stay (I'd have liked Arbeloa to stay aswell but with 12 months left on his contract and the likelihood of him being second choice seems to signal his days are numbered), but if both Alonso and Masch were to ask to leave we could ask for some pretty good swaps as Barca have Toure, Gudjonsen, and Bojan who'd I'd be happy to see at Anfield whilst Madrid have Negredo, Saviola and Mahmadou Diarra....guess time will tell.
double his money now he's worth it and more in the current climate! lets face it he's captain of argentine, how many top international captains are on less than that? non i'm betting. he was one of the best signings we've made in years. all united fans i know would have him if they had the chance so why sell ouir best players
NO PROBS CHRIS *FAST CLAPS*
YOUS LOSERPOOL SUPPORTERS DONT LIKE THE TRUTH END OF!!!!
comment 21 . hes only on 30 grand a week (yes 30 grand) id play for the reds for b.u.g.g.e.r all and so would all our fans. mascherano should be grateful hes playing for one of the finest clubs in the world and not be such a greedy sod.. ynwa
Thanks for proving my point Wayne *slow claps*
mikejones07 - Im sorry I didnt realise I was writing up a dissertation, I though I was writing into a comments section. Still, if you had trouble reading that, maybe its you that needs to improve your reading. Before jumping in to defend this clown you should maybe check some of his comments. Unless you agree with him, then you would be just as bad.
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