Monday’s biggest stories for the Reds.
Liverpool on alert as Real Madrid refuse to rule out selling Karim Benzema
Arsenal, Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain and the Reds are all keen on signing Benzema and Madrid may well sell the striker this summer.
According to the Daily Star, Los Blancos are considering cashing in on the France international when his value it at its peak – around £40m.
Benzema joined the Spanish giants in the summer of 2009 from Olympique Lyon and has since been in fine form, scoring 127 goals in 265 matches in all competitions.
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Liverpool Confident Of Landing Man City Midfielder as Steven Gerrard Replacement.
Liverpool Star Jordan Henderson Lifts The Lid On Chelsea Tunnel Bust-Up.
Liverpool Manager Admits That Playing Sturridge Against Chelsea Would Be a ‘Big Risk’.
Brendan Rodgers tells Mario Balotelli how to get back in the Liverpool lineup
Daniel Sturridge is back in training ahead of first team return
There is good news for Brendan Rodgers as Sturridge has returned to training and has an outside chance of facing Chelsea in the Capital One Cup on Tuesday, reports the Liverpool Echo.
However, it is more likely that the 25-year-old will play against West Ham United in the Premier League at the weekend as the Merseysiders continue to struggle for goals.
Sturridge has not played for the side since late August after suffering a string of injuries.
Jordan Henderson will be a great captain says Jason McAteer
With Steven Gerrard leaving Anfield for LA Galaxy this summer it looks almost certain that Henderson will be named the 34-year-old’s successor as captain.
The England international has become an integral part of Rodgers’ side since the Northern Irishman took charge in 2012 and former Red McAteer thinks the 24-year-old will make a fine skipper.
“He was really an unsung hero last year and the [captain’s] armband has done him the world of good because he’s grown in confidence and he looks like he’s going to go on and become a fantastic player for Liverpool for years to come,” the Irishman told talkSPORT.
Mario Balotelli ‘would be very welcome’ at Lazio
The future of the Italy international on Merseyside remains in doubt as Balotelli has struggled to establish himself following a £16m summer switch from AC Milan.
The 24-year-old is being heavily linked with a return to his home nation and Lazio midfielder Lucas Biglia says that the striker would be welcomed at the Stadio Olimpico.
“We’d be delighted to play with [Mario]. If he comes he would be very welcome,” Biglia was quoted by the Mirror.
Reds target Fabian Delph signs new Aston Villa deal
Any rumours that Rodgers is lining up Delph as a long-term successor to Gerrard have been quashed as the midfielder signs a new four-and-a-half year contract at Villa, reports the Mirror.
The 25-year-old was in the final year of his current deal and looked set to leave either this January or in the summer, but despite the speculation the Englishman has committed his future to the Birmingham club.
Delph has become recognised as a leading figure in English football with his performances in recent times.