Liverpool

New Reds boss Roy Hodgson was one of the busier managers  before  the window closed last Tuesday after drafting in the likes of Joe Cole, Paul Konchesky, Raul Meireles and Christian Poulsen, among others.

But the former Fulham chief also missed out on a couple of high-profile players as well, with Dutchman van der Vaart opting to join Tottenham and the Champions League, while interest in taking Gomez on loan ultimately came to nothing for the Merseysiders.

Van der Vaart told Sky Sports: “Liverpool were interested. Bayern (Munich) were not interested.

“In the end you have to have a good feeling, and with this manager I got a good feeling. I am happy and I am going to Spurs.

“I am going to give it my best and hopefully I will play a lot of games and be important for the team. I hope to get a lot of goals and have a lot of fun.”

Gomez has revealed that Bayern see him as a player for future despite the fact the 25-year-old Germany international struggled for first-team football last season (Bayern Munich 1/2 – Bundesliga Outright).

“I have said that if I leave Bayern I will go abroad,” Gomez told Bild.

“Then came this interesting offer from Liverpool. I took the loan offer seriously and discussed it with my family and girlfriend because I just want to play.

“But Bayern gave me the impression that they see a future for me. And therefore a change was not an issue anymore.”

Meanwhile, star striker Fernando Torres admits he is not yet 100 per cent fit but promises Liverpool fans the best is ahead of him (Torres 7/1 – Premiership Top Goalscorer).

The Spain ace’s start to the season has been hampered because of an injury sustained in the World Cup final, with the Reds refusing to rush him back.

The 26-year-old, though, is pleased with the way his recovery has been handled and optimistic over his fitness for the rest of the campaign.

The former Atletico Madrid captain said: “The recuperation is perfect and we have waited our time. I am still not 100 per cent, but the people will soon see the best Torres.

“Each time I am recuperating sensations and I hope to obtain success with Liverpool this season.”

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Chelsea

The Spain international pulled up with a problem towards the end of the World Cup 2010 final, and recent scans indicated that he had torn a thigh muscle that could keep him out for about three weeks.

This is believed to have left new boss Roy Hodgson mulling over a conundrum that often plagued his predecessor Rafael Benitez during his reign on Merseyside.

The former Reds manager often ushered the prolific goalscorer back onto the pitch early owing to a lack in depth of attacking options, which often meant that the forward would be playing in pain either through injury or through recovery.

Now reports are emerging claiming the west London club are plotting to capitalise on this, by making it clear to Torres that they would use him sparingly to give him as much time as possible to make a recovery from any injury that he may face if he should move to Stamford Bridge.

Liverpool, for their part, are believed to be in line to reject any offer that may come their way for the sale of the Spaniard, but it has been speculated that they may change their outlook if Torres should ask to be allowed to leave the club.

It’s understood Hodgson is desperate to meet with the Kop idol to thrash out his future, as he wants a firm answer to be able to plan for the future either with or without him.

Liverpool are believed to want as much as £50 million for the striker, despite his injury-riddled recent past and a relatively underwhelming World Cup campaign on a personal level.

Meanwhile, the Blues step up their pre-season preparations this evening with a friendly at Crystal Palace (Blues 7/2 for the victory).

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The 19-year-old has been out of favour at the San Siro despite club president Massimo Moratti stating that they would not want to lose the player.

City (5/1 to win the Premier League) look the most likely to sign the youngster as manager Roberto Mancini worked with the player when he coached at the Italian giants.

Balotelli has stated that he would only stay at Inter if he was guaranteed regular first-team football.

He said: “I expect an important year for my career. Now I’m on vacation, I am resting and recharging for a good start to the season. If you want to know more, ask my agent Mino Raiola.

“(President Massimo) Moratti? It is nice that the president considers me an important part of the club, but I need to play. I cannot be important and not play,” he added.

Balotelli has not had the easiest of times at Inter after having a turbulent relationship with former boss Jose Mourinho the player also has had mixed reactions from the club’s fans.

The Italian had positive things to say about both Manchester clubs and admitted that he is unsure where he will be playing football in the future.

He said: “Roberto Mancini? He’s a great coach, I debuted in Serie A with him because he is a great friend.

“If he and (Sir Alex) Ferguson want me, it means I’m not as bad as I thought.

“United is a great club. They have not seen the real Balotelli, for sure I need to learn and achieve more goals. I want to win the Golden Ball in 2011. As for the future, I always say I don’t know,” he added.

New Inter boss Rafa Benitez will be looking to continue the outstanding season the club had last season after winning the a domestic double and the coveted Champions League title.

The San Siro club are keen to keep hold of their key players with the likes of Wesley Sneijder being linked with a move away from the Serie A champions.

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Roberto Mancini

The Eastlands boss went public on Thursday with his admiration for Spain striker Torres and described him as belonging to the top bracket of the world’s best footballers.

The Italian said his capture would put City firmly in a position to challenge for the game’s big honours.

However, he did admit failure to qualify for the Champions League this season could affect the club’s chances of pulling off an audacious swoop for the 26-year-old.

“We are a top team and I think all the top teams are interested in Torres but sometimes it depends on the player because they want to play in the Champions League,” he said. “If we don’t get into the fourth position I think it will be difficult.”

City remain in the hunt for the coveted fourth spot but face another big test of their credentials when they travel to take on title-outsiders Arsenal (10/11 Arsenal 12/5 draw 11/4 Man City – match betting) at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

Mancini believes bringing in a player of Torres’ undisputed ability would give his club the lift it needs to move up to the next level.

He added: “For me, he is with Carlos [Tevez], [Wayne] Rooney, [Lionel] Messi, [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic, [Cristiano] Ronaldo as the best in Europe. Fernando is a fantastic striker; all the teams in Europe would like him.”

City are one of the few clubs – possibly the only club – in world football who could afford a move in excess of £50m and Mancini believes a summer of possible upheaval at Anfield could work in his favour.

The Merseysiders were recently put up for sale and uncertainty surrounds the future of manager Rafael Benitez off the back of a disappointing season in which winning the Europa League is his only chance of silverware.

The Spaniard was understandably defensive when asked about the prospect of Torres leaving after his side’s 1-0 semi-final first-leg defeat by Atletico Madrid on Thursday.

“We’ve said repeatedly that Fernando is not for sale and he still has three years of his contract remaining. So how can they sign a player who does not wish to leave?” he said.

Mancini is unlikely to be put off by Benitez and is adamant in his view that City must recruit a recognised world-class signing to shake up the stranglehold enjoyed by Chelsea and Manchester United at the summit of English football.

He added: “If we want to win the Premier League ahead of Chelsea and Manchester United we must sign some important players. All the top players want to play in the Champions League. But next season I want to win the Premier League; this is my desire even ahead of the Champions League, and I want players to understand that.”

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