Liverpool CEO Ian Ayre buoyant over new Anfield stadium

Ian Ayre says the redevelopment of Anfield will allow Liverpool to "compete financially" with their major rivals at home and in Europe.

When complete, the renovated stadium will house close to 60,000 spectators and is on course to be ready for the start of the 2016/17 season.

Speaking to 92Live on Sky Sports News HQ the Liverpool chief executive said: “The stadium is vital to the health of the club and we want to compete at the highest level.

“And if you look at revenue at clubs, match day revenues are important, as well as the mix of commercial and media.

“If you look at Arsenal as an example, after building the Emirates, they generate around 40% of revenue on match day and we generate 20%.

“So this new stadium will get us back to that sort of level because we need to be on an equal level with our competitors.”

There had been speculation that Liverpool may have to leave Anfield and build a new stadium on another site, but Ayre says they are delighted to remain at a venue that has been their home since 1892.

“Since the new ownership group (Fenway Sports) came in, we took the decision to work hard to find the right solution," he said.

“It’s about finding something in keeping with this great stadium, keeps us at our spiritual home and delivers the sort of capacity which the fans and club deserve.

“It’s not just about the stadium. It’s also the regeneration of the whole area, the council, the housing group – a not-for-profit housing group in the area.

“And it was important to get a stadium design in keeping with the existing Anfield. As well as having excellent modern facilities, it will look like it’s always been part of this fantastic stadium.

“Staying here was so important. But also finding the right economic solution for the long term interest of the club and this does that.

“It gets us towards the capacity we want, and at a better cost than building a new stadium.”

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Gossip: United eye Pepe and still want Bale

Gareth Bale and Pepe: Linked with United moves

Man United remain keen on Gareth Bale and now want his team-mate Pepe, while Liverpool are close to Asier Illarramend, say Tuesday's papers.

UNITED TURN ATTENTIONS TO PEPE

Man United are reportedly set to turn their attentions to Real Madrid's Pepe after so far failing to sign a centre-half this summer.

With interest in Sergio Ramos and John Stones so far failing to yield positive results, the Daily Mirror claims United are to turn their attentions to Ramos' Bernabeu team-mate, Pepe.

The Portuguese defender appears to be third choice at the club having fallen behind Ramos and Raphael Varane under new boss Rafa Benitez.

That may tempt Real Madrid to move Pepe on before the end of the window and he is now being offered round potential interested clubs.

...AND STILL RETAIN BALE INTEREST

The Sun claims Man United have made two bids of £100million this summer to Real Madrid for Gareth Bale.

With Rafa Benitez insisting he expects to keep both Bale and his Real team-mate Karim Benzema, that has apparently still not dissuaded United, who are set to use the money banked from Angel Di Maria's sale to help fund a bid for Bale.

The Welshman joined Real from Tottenham two summers ago for a world-record fee, and even though United would have to top that to bring him back to the Premier League, it seems Real - if Benitez's comments are anything to go by - are determined to keep their man.

LIVERPOOL SET TO LAND ILLARREMENDI

Asier Illarramendi is set to move to Liverpool after the Anfield club reportedly came up with an improved offer of £14.2million.

The Daily Express reports that the bid is line with what Real are hoping to receive for the defensive midfielder, and a deal should be completed this week.

Illarramendi arrived at the Bernebeu two years ago, but has failed to establish himself as a regular starter and completed the 90 minutes in La Liga just seven times last season.

Should the Spaniard sign for Liverpool, he will be the club's ninth arrival of the summer, as Brendan Rodgers desperately tries to re-establish his team after a disappointing 2014-15 campaign.

AND THE REST

- Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola says Manchester United's new midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has not been fit for three years (The Sun)

- Man City can only begin to hold talks with Kevin de Bruyne if they meet his £50m valuation from Wolfsburg (Daily Mail)

- Angel Di Maria's move to PSG has been delayed as he was still feeling the effects after a 20-hour trip from Argentina to Doha for his medical (Daily Mail)

- Victor Valdes' kit has been moved to the Manchester United U21 dressing room, as his exit from the club draws near (Daily Mail)

Former Tottenham and Leicester defender Paul Konchesky is close to joining Championship newcomers Bristol City (Daily Mail)

- David Marshall remains in talks over a switch from Cardiff City to West Bromwich Albion (Daily Mail)

- Real Madrid have already begun choosing their replacements for Karim Benzema, leaving him clear to sign for Arsenal for £46m (Daily Telegraph)

- Chelsea have asked Tottenham to name their price for England left-back Danny Rose (Daily Mirror)

- Lazio have said they will take Liverpool misfit Mario Balotelli on loan next season if qualify for the Champions League (Daily Express)

- Angel Di Maria's proposed move to Paris Saint-Germain is being delayed because Manchester United are digging their heels in and demanding £45m-plus for the Argentine (Daily Mirror)

- Manchester United will sign Barcelona forward Pedro for £20m by Thursday before turning their attention to Real Madrid defender Pepe (Daily Mirror)

- Former England defender Rio Ferdinand has urged Everton centre-back John Stones to snub a move to Chelsea and sign for his former club Manchester United instead (The Guardian)

- Steven Caulker is aiming to use his loan to Southampton to force his way back into England contention (Southampton)

- Newcastle could turn to Bordeaux striker Diego Rolan instead of QPR's Charlie Austin (Daily Express)

- West Ham are set to ramp up their interest in Charlie Austin after Enner Valencia was confirmed to be out for 12 weeks through injury (Daily Express)

- Chelsea are in limbo over their proposed deal for Baba Rahman from Augsberg (Daily Express)

- Southampton have made a £7m bid for Celtic defender Virgil van Dijk (Daily Express)

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Liverpool confirm striker Christian Benteke will wear club's famous No 9 shirt

Christian Benteke: Will wear the iconic No 9 shirt this season

Liverpool have confirmed that striker Christian Benteke has been handed the club's iconic No 9 shirt ahead of the new season.

Belgium international Benteke made the move to Anfield from Aston Villa for £32.5million and made an immediate impact on his first appearance at the weekend, scoring a superb volley in the 2-1 win over Swindon at the County Ground.

The 24-year-old will now be given the same shirt number previously worn by the likes of Ian Rush, Robbie Fowler, Ian St John and Fernando Torres.

"Confirmed: @bentekechris20 is #LFC's new No.9," read the post from Liverpool's official Twitter account.

The No 9 shirt became available following the departure of Rickie Lambert, who joined West Brom in a £3million deal on Friday.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has brought in seven new players this summer as he attempts to guide the club back into the Champions League following their sixth-place finish last season.

The striker will be hoping to make his Liverpool debut in Sunday's clash with Stoke, despite doubts being expressed 

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Henderson: Stoke trip the perfect start

Jordan Henderson: Liverpool midfielder relishing return to Stoke

Jordan Henderson says a trip to Stoke is the perfect start to the season for Liverpool after the way they finished last term at the Britannia.

Liverpool were thrashed 6-1 by Stoke on the final day of the 2014-15 campaign but have a quick chance to make amends in north Staffordshire this weekend.

"There couldn't be a better place for us to start and put what happened there last season to bed once and for all," Henderson said.

"The lads who were playing that day will remember it for quite some time. It was a horrible day for everyone involved.

"We have a determination to do better and to improve as a team. We are focusing on the future and that is the first game at Stoke. They are a good team but so are we.

"We will be stronger with the new players that we have got. We are a young team but we have brought in quality. I think the quality we have added will make a big difference.

"I still think we need to work on a couple of things this week before Stoke but we will go there with a lot of confidence and belief that we can get a good result."

Martin Skrtel, who is expected to partner Dejan Lovren at the heart of the Liverpool defence, is also relishing the chance to put right last season's humiliation.

"That was a very bad day for each of us," Skrtel told the Liverpool Echo.

"It was embarrassing, not just because of the result but also because of the way we played.

"Obviously we can use that as motivation to drive us on into this season. However, this will be a different game and a different season.

"I am pretty sure we will be stronger and better this time. We have to forget about the last game there and start from the beginning again.

"You cannot do anything about who you are given to play in the first game. You have to accept it.

"We have to start the season somewhere so we must make sure we go to Stoke, start well and have a different outcome."

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Lambert waiting to spill Liverpool beans

Rickie Lambert: Joined West Brom from Liverpool on Friday

West Brom new boy Rickie Lambert says he has "a lot of feelings" about his time at Liverpool but is keeping his powder dry - for now.

Lambert completed a £3million move to Albion on Friday and scored twice in a friendly win over Bristol Rovers just hours later.

The 33-year-old started just seven Premier League games after joining from Southampton last summer - and has hinted he was not happy with his lack of chances.

He told The Sun: "I've got a lot of feelings, to be honest.

"But I'm not going to get into it right now. I don't think it's the right time.

"There is plenty of time to say exactly how I feel but at the minute, I'm just enjoying the fact I'm a West Brom player."

Lambert's lack of playing time for the Reds saw him lose his place in the England squad, but he has set his sights on winning a recall ahead of the Euro 2016 finals next summer.

"I will never give up," Lambert added. "My character and personality won't allow it. No one expects me to achieve that but you have to believe in yourself.

"If I have a season like I did at Southampton, there's no reason why I can't get back in.

"You've got to remember, it's only two years since I scored 15 league goals and then 13 goals in a season.

"I've just got to make sure I get back to that.

"I feel like I'm going to play here. If I do, I'll get chances. And if I get the chances, I think I will score goals."

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Mark Lawrenson feels Liverpool need a new left-back after doubting Alberto Moreno

Alberto Moreno: Has struggled in the big games, says Lawrenson

Mark Lawrenson has urged Liverpool to sign a new left-back - and feels Alberto Moreno has looked like "a little boy lost" in the big games.

The Reds have invested heavily in their squad this summer, with Christian Benteke and Roberto Firmino big-money arrivals, while Nathanial Clyne, James Milner and Danny Ings have further supplemented their squad.

But Lawrenson feels Brendan Rodgers must still strengthen the left side of defence, with Moreno likely to start the campaign in the position, and with Jose Enrique likely to move on.

Speaking in his column for the Liverpool Echo, Lawrenson said: "There were some rumours knocking around last week that Barcelona were sniffing around Alberto Moreno.

"I'd be surprised if they want to take the Spaniard, given how, since the New Year, has been really, really struggling for form.

"Moreno started the season well after coming in from Sevilla and scored that fine goal at White Hart Lane, but it all fell apart in the second half of the season.

"Worryingly, quite often he has looked a little boy lost in the big games."

Lawrenson added: "Moreno deserves another chance. But we need more competition in his position, because it's clear Brendan Rodgers no longer has any real faith in Jose Enrique.

"Joe Gomez is a possibility for Liverpool at left-back

You could argue left-back is the only position where the squad has an obvious weakness in terms of strength in depth.

Joe Gomez can play in the role but, to be honest, you wouldn't want to be relying on someone so young and new so early in the campaign.

"Generally, though, nearly all of the people in other positions are under pressure for their place. You don't want anyone sitting in the dressing room believing they are going to be playing every week."

There's been a few concerns expressed about Benteke's fitness going into the new campaign, but Lawrenson feels the £32.5million signing must start in Sunday's opener with Stoke.

"I’d be amazed if, should he stay fit, Benteke doesn’t start against Stoke City next weekend," he added.

"If Brendan Rodgers doesn’t think Benteke is sharp enough, then how is he going to get that?

"By playing games. And, with the friendlies now all over bar the trip to Swindon Town, the only way the big striker is going to get that fitness, and build an understanding with his new team-mates, is by being out on the field.

"Benteke may well love playing against Stoke. It’s a chance for him to become an instant hero.

"And if you’ve paid that much for a forward, you may as well play him from the off.

"Imagine if Rodgers starts with Danny Ings or Divock Origi up front and Liverpool are losing 2-0 with Benteke on the bench. People will just wonder why Benteke didn’t start.

"It’s best to chuck him in and see how he goes."

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Brendan Rodgers unsure over Liverpool defence, praises Christian Benteke

Brendan Rodgers has revealed he is still unsure over Liverpool's defensive set-up, but praised Christian Benteke after the 2-0 victory over Swindon.

Martin Skrtel seems certain to reprise his role at the heart of the Reds' defence for the Premier League opener against Stoke on Sunday, but his partner on the day and for the season remains a mystery.

Dejan Lovren was criticised for his performances in his debut season at Anfield last campaign, but he was handed a starting role by Rodgers in the 2-0 friendly win over HJK Helsinki on Saturday.

Mamadou Sakho was then given the opportunity to impress 24 hours later against Swindon alongside captain Kolo Toure, but Rodgers remains uncertain over who will start alongside Skrtel this season.

Speaking before Sunday's friendly win, Rodgers told the Liverpool Echo: "It's not something I've totally decided upon yet. I'll sit down with the staff and we'll look at it next week.

"The key is getting consistency in that area of the field.

"Your two centre-halves are critical. They are the tactical decision makers in the game. That balance is important for us this season.

"We had too many defensive changes last year and that's not something that I like. Hopefully this season we'll be more consistent as a back four."

A stunning volley from Benteke on his first appearance in a Reds shirt and a late Sheyi Ojo goal rounded off Liverpool's pre-season preparations in style in Wiltshire, and Rodgers was full of praise for new signings Benteke and Roberto Firmino.

Concerning his two most-expensive summer purchases, the Northern Irishman said: "They are obviously a couple of weeks behind, but we can see their quality.

"Christian's goal was incredible. It was wonderful technique from the big guy

"Firmino's quality on the ball is positive. In and around the box he looked a threat, like he could score and create."

Rodgers added that Brazilian Firmino was "OK" after suffering a slight knock, while he "more or less" knows the make-up of his side against Stoke. Benteke will be in contention to make his full debut after the manager confirmed he would know "by the end of the week" whether the striker would be in his starting XI.

Rodgers also revealed midfielder Joe Allen was a doubt for next weekend's trip to Britannia Stadium after suffering a suspected hamstring strain.

"Joe Allen's injury doesn't look a good one - he felt his hamstring."

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