Benitez knows he will have to box clever to land his transfer targets

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has conceded he will have to sell players to help fund any summer transfer moves.

The Reds have been linked with a second attempt to sign Aston Villa's Gareth Barry, as well as Valencia's David Villa and Portsmouth's Glen Johnson.

Benitez said: "I will have an idea of how much we will have to spend.

"I think we'd have to sell players to increase the money we'll need but at the moment we're not talking about names and money."

The Spaniard added: "We are working on targets and we will try to do things as quickly and cheaply as possible."

Liverpool are currently chasing their first top-flight title since 1990 but are in second place, three points behind Manchester United, who also have a game in hand.

Liverpool launched an unsuccessful bid for England midfielder Barry last season but were unwilling to meet Villa's reported £18m valuation.

The 28-year-old said he wanted to move to Anfield but in the end he remained with Villa, the club he joined as a youngster and the only one has played for.

Spain and Valencia striker David Villa, 27, was the top scorer at Euro 2008, while 24-year-old England defender Johnson has rediscovered his best form since moving from Chelsea to Portsmouth in 2007.

Aurelio is hoping Manchester United will slip up in the title race

Liverpool defender Fabio Aurelio says his team-mates will "fight until the end" to win the Premier League title.

The Reds' 4-4 draw with Arsenal on Tuesday took them level on points with Manchester United having played two games more than the reigning champions.

"I think the same belief and hope we had on the pitch (against Arsenal) we have for the league title," said the 29-year-old Brazilian.

"We have to fight until the end and that is what we will do."

Manchester United are now in pole position to win their third Premier League title in a row.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side could even lose two of their remaining seven matches, subject to goal difference, and still be crowned champions.

Aurelio says he is not ready to give up on his dream of winning the Premier League title just yet: "There has been a lot of difficult games for everyone.

"We have seen our games not being easy. We hope that Manchester United can struggle again with their opposition and we can guarantee we will fight until the end."

If Liverpool's title challenge is to be in vain, Aurelio believes the Reds can take positives from the recent run of high-scoring form, which has seen them take the scalps of Manchester United, Real Madrid, Aston Villa and score four away to Chelsea.

"The boss is always telling us 'high-tempo' and I think (the results have come) because of the confidence of the team.

"We have seen in most of the games that we can change things if it's not going right so the belief now that everyone has is making the team more aggressive and more attacking during the games.

"We like to score a lot of goals but we are not happy conceding," said Aurelio.

Benitez believes players will find it hard to say no to Liverpool

Rafael Benitez believes Liverpool are in a better position than their rivals to challenge Manchester United for the league title during the coming seasons.

And the Reds manager said that building a settled squad was a key factor in the club's on-pitch improvement.

"Stability is good for any club and because the squad is better it means you don't need to change many players.

"I think we are better placed than the others for challenging United in the long term," Benitez said.

The 49-year-old, who has been at the club since 2004, added that the "spine of the team" was in place and just a couple more players were needed to take the team to a higher level.

"Now it will be easier. We can say to players 'come to Liverpool as you will win trophies in the future' and I think they will come," he said.

"We need some quality players to take us forward. If we can keep the consistency of this year then one or two players could make a massive difference."

Under Benitez, Liverpool have won the Champions League and FA Cup, although the highest they have finished in the Premier League is third.

The Anfield club have not won the league title since 1990 and are currently three points behind leaders United, although they have played one more game.

Gerrard beat Giggs by 10 votes

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has said it is a "great privilege" to be named the 2009 Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year.

The 28-year-old England midfielder pipped Manchester United duo Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney in the poll voted for by journalists.

Gerrard has scored 23 goals this season as Liverpool have been battling to land their first league title since 1990.

"I'm delighted but I'm a little bit surprised," he told his club's website.

"When you look at the quality of the players there are in this league, it's a great privilege to win this kind of award.

"It's made even more special for me because I am following in the footsteps of Liverpool players like John Barnes, Steve Nicol and Kenny Dalglish who were heroes of mine.

"Then further back players like Ian Callaghan and Terry McDermott who were heroes to my dad and so many other Liverpool fans."

Gerrard will receive the award, the oldest of its type in Europe and running since 1948, at the FWA's gala dinner in London on 29 May.

"Steven's performances this season have been of the highest quality," said chairman of the FWA Steve Bates.

Under Gerrard's captaincy, Liverpool have pushed Manchester United all the way this season for the Premier League crown - and the title may go down to the final round of matches on 24 May.

Bates added: "His drive and desire have underpinned Liverpool's Premier League title challenge and ensured a tight finish to the season.

"Steven is clearly in his prime and quite rightly rated one of the finest midfield players of his generation and the FWA are delighted to honour his contribution to club and country."

Gerrard is the first Liverpool player to win it since Barnes in 1990, the last time the Anfield club won the top-flight title.

Only forwards Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United) and Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea) have hit more league goals this season than Gerrard, who has even out-scored team-mate Fernando Torres.

Second-placed Giggs was named the Professional Footballers' Association Player of the Year in April.

"I'm really pleased for Steven," said Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez.

"It is fantastic for him because he was competing with a lot of good players.

"For him to be named player of the year is massive credit to him and shows just how much he has achieved."

Tevez has been at Old Trafford for nearly two years

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson says he has spoken to Carlos Tevez about staying at Old Trafford after his loan expires in the summer.

Tevez, 25, has hinted he will leave as he has not been offered a permanent deal but Ferguson said talks had begun.

"He knows I want him to stay. We spoke today and chief executive David Gill has had meetings with him," he said.

Tevez's advisor Kia Joorabchian admitted talks had taken place but said no contractual offer had been made.

The Argentine proved his worth to United on Wednesday night as he scored in the 2-1 win over Wigan, a victory that moved the club to within one point of a third consecutive Premier League title.

United insist the main stumbling block preventing a permanent deal is that Tevez is owned by a company, rather than another club.

"I'm sorry I have to keep on going on about this, it has never changed," said Ferguson.

"(The fact) we're not negotiating with a football club is the problem - we'll see."

But Joorabchian told Sky Sports News he did not think that was holding up any potential transfer.

"Two years ago when we made a deal with United, it was a two year loan deal with an option to purchase," he said.

"If they decided to, it would be a permanent deal. The terms of that contract were fixed in the paperwork so at any point in the two years if they wanted to take him, they could, as long as Carlos agreed - we haven't had that."

At the weekend, Tevez told newspapers he expected to be leaving Old Trafford in the summer because he had not yet received the offer of a contract, and Joorabchian backed up the player's comments.

"He's been disappointed at the way he's been treated - he shouldn't be in this situation," said Joorabchian.

"He did enough to warrant a contract last year, but they decided not to do that and to go for other players, and in January he felt he might be offered a contract and he wasn't, so now I think he feels not as good as when he first joined.

"The fact of the matter is Carlos hasn't asked for any amount of money and hasn't been offered any amount of money - that's where we are at the moment."

Tevez has fallen down the pecking order with Dimitar Berbatov's arrival

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson does not believe striker Carlos Tevez wants to leave the club.

On-loan Tevez, 24, has been regularly left out of the starting line-up in the past month, but Ferguson said the Argentine striker understands his role.

"He is happy here," said Ferguson. "The players and fans love him.

"Just because I have left him out for a couple of games, doesn't mean it should be a negative part of negotiations to get him here in a full-time capacity."

Tevez joined the Old Trafford outfit on a two-year loan that is due to expire next summer.

It had been expected he would sign a permanent contract before the end of the season.

The forward has been subsequently linked with a move away from Old Trafford, with Real Madrid and cash-rich Manchester City mentioned as possible destinations, but Ferguson said Tevez wanted to remain at the club.

"Obviously there is always the language barrier with Carlos but it is quite straightforward. He wants to play," said Ferguson.

"That is fine. I have just reminded him of how we operate here. He understands that. It is the same for Rooney. They are not happy but that is the way it is."

Ferguson admitted it was tricky keeping all of his strikers happy, comparing his current dilemma to the 1999 Manchester United side, where Andy Cole, Dwight Yorke, Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer were vying for a place in the team.

"It is much more delicate handling the striking situation now," he said.

"None of them were happy when they didn't play but they understood and it wasn't an issue.

"I sat Wayne down the other day and told him I had to find out how Dimitar Berbatov and Carlos played together. He understood that, but I don't think he would be too impressed if I left him out of two or three games. However, I don't think it is unmanageable."

Meanwhile, Diego Maradona, who is due to be confirmed as head coach of Argentina on Tuesday, has abandoned plans to fly to England this weekend and meet with Tevez and Javier Mascherano.

The 48-year-old former Napoli and Barcelona forward will stay in Argentina to formulate his squad for the upcoming friendly against Scotland.

Tevez was in typically hard-working mood against former club West Ham

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson insists Carlos Tevez is still a key player for the club after handing the striker his first start in a month.

Tevez, 24, has suffered since £31m Dimitar Berbatov arrived but partnered him in Wednesday's win over West Ham.

"He has not started as many games as he would like but he is just as important to us as the guys who have hogged the headlines of late," said Ferguson.

"I stressed to him last week that our faith in him remains absolute."

The Argentine is still effectively on loan at United, having arrived on a two-year-deal from West Ham in 2007, but says he hopes to agree terms on a permanent contract at Old Trafford before the end of the season.

"He remains a top player in the eyes of myself, the players and our supporters," he said.

"But three players will not fit into two positions and my job is to balance the team.

"Carlos worked really hard in the first half but I felt in the second he was feeling the effects of playing his first game for so long."

The languid Bulgarian forward produced a superb piece of skill to take the ball past West Ham defender James Collins on his way to creating the game's second goal for Cristiano Ronaldo.

"Dimitar's play for the second goal was absolutely magnificent," added Ferguson.

"You would pay a lot of money to watch that. He has such fantastic control and balance. It truly was marvellous."

Wenger's Arsenal will play Atletico Madrid and Rangers in July

Hosts Arsenal will be joined by Rangers, Paris Saint-Germain and Atletico Madrid in July's Emirates Cup.

PSG will take on Rangers in the tournament's opening fixture on Saturday 1 August, with Arsenal playing Atletico hours later.

The following day, Atletico and PSG will meet before Arsenal face Rangers.

"Rangers, Atletico Madrid and PSG will contribute to an exciting weekend of pre-season football," said Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis.

"The tournament will provide a very competitive level of preparation for all the teams ahead of the 2009/2010 season."

Rangers manager Walter Smith added: "The Emirates Cup will capture the imagination of our supporters and everyone at the club is looking forward to competing against Arsenal and PSG.

"Arsene Wenger's side are one of the best in Europe and their young team will provide a stiff test for our players.

"However, it is a challenge they will all relish and our fans will enjoy both matches at the state-of-the-art Emirates Stadium."

PSG will not be managed by former Rangers boss Paul Le Guen, who is to leave the French club at the end of the current season.

But former Ibrox midfielder Jeremy Clement could feature in the meeting of the two sides.

Arsenal will not risk Clichy in their three remaining fixtures

Arsenal left-back Gael Clichy will not play again this season after injuring his back last month.

Clichy last played in the Champions League on 7 April and with Arsenal now out of the competition, they will not rush him back into first-team action.

The Gunners have already secured their place in next season's competition.

"We would have put some pressure on the recovery if we'd reached the Champions League Final but now we will not take a gamble," said boss Arsene Wenger.

Teenage defender Kieran Gibbs has filled the left-back slot in 23-year-old Clichy's absence.

The 19-year-old had impressed in the role before his critical slip on Tuesday presented Manchester United midfielder Park Ji-Sung with an early away goal in their second leg tie at the Emirates.

The Gunners lost 3-1 on aggregate to the reigning champions but secured fourth place in the Premier League and a Champions League spot after their 3-0 win at Portsmouth on Saturday.

Arsenal are already without centre-back William Gallas, while fellow defender Mikael Silvestre missed Tuesday's match through injury.

Bendtner was a second-half substitute on Tuesday

Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner has apologised for his behaviour after being pictured leaving a London nightclub at 0400 BST on Wednesday.

The 21-year-old was shown leaving the venue hours after Arsenal's 3-1 home defeat by Manchester United in the Champions League semi-final.

Bendtner was pictured with his belt undone and jeans pulled down.

"I may be young, but my actions were a poor error of judgment and something I deeply regret," said the Dane.

Bendtner was a second-half substitute for Arsenal, who lost 4-1 on aggregate to defending champions United.

"I love this club and was so disappointed to lose against Manchester United," Bendtner said in a statement.

"Reaching a Champions League final is one of my biggest dreams and getting knocked out was a massive blow. However, no matter how disappointed I was, it does not excuse my behaviour later in the evening.

"I want to apologise to the club and the fans for letting them and myself down.

"I cannot change the past, but will learn from my mistakes. Tuesday is behind me now and I want to use my energy to fully focus on our three remaining games this season - starting with Chelsea on Sunday."

Adebayor has scored 16 times in 36 appearances this season

Striker Emmanuel Adebayor says he will not leave Arsenal until he has helped fill the club's trophy cabinet.

Arsenal have won no silverware since Adebayor's arrival in 2006 and missed out on the Champions League final after losing to Manchester United on Tuesday.

But Adebayor, linked with a move to AC Milan last year, said: "Next season, 100%, I am an Arsenal footballer.

Meanwhile, midfielder Cesc Fabregas has said a fourth-place Premier League finish is not good enough for Arsenal.

The Spain international was outplayed in midfield as Arsenal were overwhelmed 3-1 by Manchester United in the second leg of the Champions League semi-final at the Emirates on Tuesday, going out 4-1 on aggregate.

But while the Gunners are currently unbeaten in 21 Premier League matches, Fabregas said another season without trophies is not acceptable.

"When you play in these sort of competitions you have to be at your best and we have not been at our best," said the Spain international.

"Fourth spot for Arsenal, I do not think is good enough.

"We have not been at the level that everyone expected for Arsenal Football Club, that is for sure.

"We have to try to finish the season as well as we can and be ready for next summer because as we have seen this year the start of the season is really important."

Team-mate Adebayor, who signed a new contract at the end of last season, said he would only consider leaving Arsenal after they have broken their four-year run without a trophy.

"Arsenal put me where I am today - they made me one of the biggest strikers in the world," said the 25-year-old. "I have to pay them back.

"How am I going to pay them back? Make them win trophies. That is what I am here for and I have to fight for that.

"I do not have any reason for leaving until I get the trophies that I came here for."

Arsenal are secure in fourth place in the Premier League but trail third-placed Chelsea by six points, a deficit they can cut to three when the two teams meet on Sunday.

Fourth place would give see the Gunners enter the final qualifying round for the Champions League proper next season, while third place guarantees Champions League qualification for the 2009-10 campaign.

And Adebayor, who has scored 16 goals from 36 appearances this season, believes Arsenal can still overhaul their London rivals.

"We just have to play for our dignity, show character and hopefully come back," he said.

O'Neill saw his side concede twice in the last 15 minutes

Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill has been warned by the Football Association about his future conduct after comments made at Manchester United last month.

O'Neill admitted a charge of improper conduct relating to his behaviour towards referee Mike Riley at the end of Villa's 3-2 defeat on 5 April.

He was particularly angry about Riley's decision not to give a foul in the build-up to Federico Macheda's winner.

The FA said O'Neill's immediate apology had been taken into account.

As well as being unhappy about the goal, O'Neill also alleged the officials had got three off-side decisions wrong as his side suffered a fourth consecutive defeat.

"What was it? Five minutes added time? I'm sure we wouldn't have got it at Villa Park," he said after Macheda's 93rd-minute strike.

The fact O'Neill pleaded guilty and his previous good record were taken into account by the disciplinary commission, but although he escaped a fine he was ordered to pay the costs of the hearing.

Ancelotti is contracted to AC Milan until June 2010

AC Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti has played down rumours that he is to become Chelsea's next manager.

BBC Sport understands that Ancelotti is Chelsea's number one target to replace interim manager Guus Hiddink, who is at the club until the end of the season.

Hiddink, who took over from Luis Felipe Scolari in February, returns to his job as Russia manager in May.

"I don't have to give my availability. The time has not yet come for me to be replaced at Milan," said Ancelotti.

Ancelotti also said that the constant speculation surrounding his future at the Italian giants was not something that he worried about.

"It is not a problem that concerns me," added the 49-year-old.

Chelsea were reported to be interested in Ancelotti last year after previous boss Avram Grant left the club, but Milan prevented any approach.

Former Barcelona boss Frank Rjikaard is also thought to be a Chelsea target, although Hiddink could also decide to stay on permanently at the end of the season.

But Italian Ancelotti, who is contracted to Milan until June 2010, is committed to the Serie A club.

He is also desperate to complete a hat-trick of Champions League victories with Milan.

"It's easier to win in Europe with Milan than with other clubs so I am staying here," he added.

Ancelotti is the longest-serving manager in Italy's top flight after joining the Rossoneri in 2001.

He led Milan to success in the Champions League in 2003 and 2007 and Serie A in 2004 after joining them in 2001 from Juventus.

CVs can be deceptive though and are by no means a guarantee success will be achieved - just ask Luiz Felipe Scolari.

But it is hard to argue against Hiddink's record that includes the European Cup, the World Club Cup, six league championships and three domestic cup final victories.

Hiddink is highly respected in his native Netherlands, where he helped PSV Eindhoven punch above their weight, while his record in international management is equally impressive.

He took Netherlands to the quarter-finals in Euro 96 and the semi-finals of the 1998 World Cup, though on both occasions the Dutch went out on penalties.

Perhaps even more impressive was his stint as manager of South Korea when the World Cup minnows reached the semi-finals of the 2002 tournament.

Four years later, Hiddink, while coaching PSV at the same time, took Australia to their first World Cup for 32 years, where they reached the last 16, before going out to Italy.

More recently, Russia reached the semi-finals of Euro 2008 under Hiddink's guidance.

HIDDINK'S MANAGERIAL CAREER 1982-84: De Graafschap 1984-87: PSV Eindhoven (assistant) 1987-90: PSV Eindhoven 1990-91: Fenerbahce 1991-94: Valencia 1995-98: Holland 1998-99: Real Madrid 1999-00: Real Betis 2000-02: South Korea 2002-06: PSV Eindhoven 2005-06: Australia 2006-Present: Russia Present: Chelsea

Importantly for Chelsea, Hiddink already enjoys a close relationship with owner Roman Abramovich, who has been paying his salary as Russia coach.

Abramovich tried to tempt Hiddink to Stamford Bridge once before, in 2007, when Jose Mourinho left the club. Then Hiddink said no, but Abramovich finally has his man.

"Abramovich does so much for Russian football that I wanted to do something back," said Hiddink.

One of Hiddink's strengths is his willingness to make bold tactical changes as England found to their cost in a Euro 2008 qualifier when the Dutchman's introduction of Dmitry Torbinsky and Roman Pavlyuchenko changed the game, with the latter going on to score twice in Russia's 2-1 win over Steve McClaren's side.

"The most important thing is, he never panics," said PSV football manager Stan Valckx.

But it is his man-management skills that are most likely to be in demand when Hiddink finally arrives at Stamford Bridge with captain John Terry hinting that some players had not been fully supportive of Scolari.

Throughout the Dutchman's managerial career he has had to deal with plenty of big egos - just ask Edgar Davids, who was ejected from the Netherlands' Euro 96 squad, with Hiddink believing team unity was being fatally disrupted.

"Hiddink is one of the most respected managers in the world. He has done extremely well in the last couple of years," Artur Numan, who played under Hiddink for the Dutch, told BBC Sport.

"Hiddink knows exactly what's going on in the dressing room. That's his big quality and why he has been so successful in all the different countries in which he has worked.

"The pressure will be on him and everybody will expect him to do well, but his quality is his man-management."

Manchester City defender Michael Ball played under Hiddink at PSV in 2005 and he warned the Chelsea players that Hiddink can crack the whip if necessary.

HIDDINK'S MANAGERIAL HONOURS PSV Eindhoven: 6 League Championships - (1986-87, 87-88, 88-89, 02-03, 04-05, 05-06) PSV Eindhoven: 3 National Cups - (1998, 89, 90, 05) PSV Eindhoven: 1 European Cup - (1988) Real Madrid: World Club Cup - (1998) Holland: Quarter-finals (Euro 1996), semi-finals (World Cup 1998) South Korea: Semi-finals (World Cup 20002) Australia: Second-round (World Cup 2006) Russia: Semi-finals (Euro 2008

"He commands respect and is very determined," said Ball.

"He can get angry, but is always prepared to listen. Training sessions are long as he focuses on the same things but he always makes sense."

And former Chelsea midfielder Pat Nevin is certain that Chelsea have made a shrewd appointment.

"He is a fantastic manager and this is what Chelsea should have done all along," said Nevin.

"He's got flamboyance that can get the best out of players.

"He is a special coach and I rate him as one of the best two or three on the planet."

Four months may be a relatively short period of time in football, but you can be sure that by the time Hiddink's time as Chelsea manager is over, the Dutchman will have more than made his mark.

Howard joined Everton from Manchester United in 2006

Everton keeper Tim Howard has paid tribute to his defence for their role in helping him break the club's clean-sheet record on Saturday.

Neville Southall held the Everton record for 15 clean sheets during the 1995/96 season, but Howard now has 16.

"I'd take those guys to battle with me any day," Howard told BBC Radio Merseyside after breaking the record.

"We've got every aspect of what you want in defenders. It's been a great defensive unit."

Despite the Blues breaking new ground, the squad has had to battle throughout the season with injures to key players.

Striker Yakubu, midfielder Mikel Arteta and defender Phil Jagielka form the backbone of the Everton team and while they have been out of action other players have had to step in.

Howard says league league position has been down to the hard work by the players and manager David Moyes to overcome their bad fortune.

"I think it's a testament to not only our players but to our manager," Howard continued.

"He stood up publically and said we're not going to fold. Guys have been asked to play out of position for long periods of time and never complained or moaned.

"They just got after it and we saw the rewards in some of the goals we scored without a striker. So hats off to the guys."

Alves has scored four goals in the Premier League this season

Afonso Alves will miss Middlesbrough's two remaining games this season after breaking his foot in Monday night's 3-1 defeat by Newcastle.

The Brazilian striker was tripped by Nicky Butt after 31 minutes and had to be carried off moments later.

Butt received a yellow card but Boro manager Gareth Southgate pointed to the incident as the game's turning point.

"It was a deliberate foul, it looks like he's broken his foot, it was a big moment in the game," said Southgate.

Alves, who joined Boro from Dutch Eredivisie side Heerenveen for £10m in January 2008, has struggled for form this season but is the club's top scorer with four goals in the Premier League and three in the FA Cup.

Marlon King came on for Alves at St James' Park and is likely to fill the void against Aston Villa on Saturday, and for the trip to West Ham on the last day of the season.

The loss of Alves will be a further blow to a side who are already without captain Emanuel Pogatetz, who will miss the end of the season after knee surgery.

David Wheater (knee) and Didier Digard (groin) are also fitness doubts after missing the Newcastle game.

Boro are now three points from safety with an inferior goal difference to Hull and Newcastle as they look to extend their 11-year stay in the top flight.