Liverpool FC set to host Atletico Madrid in pre-season curtain raiser

Jun 12 2008 by David Prentice

Anfield 198

LIVERPOOL are hoping to host Atletico Madrid in a pre-season curtain raiser at Anfield.

The Reds have pencilled in Friday, August 8 – the weekend before the Premier League kick-off – for the clash with Fernando Torres’ old club.

And with Atletico having qualified for the Champions League for the first time the clash will give Liverpool an ideal preparation for their own Champions League qualifier just a few days later.

The friendly has still not been confirmed, but Reds chief executive Rick Parry revealed today that the clubs have been in discussions and were hoping to reach an agreement soon.

It is five years since Liverpool have played an Anfield friendly, when ironically Rafa Benitez was in the opposing dug-out as Valencia manager, plotting a 2-0 win.

More than 43,000 watched that clash, and another Anfield sell-out would be virtually guaranteed with several new faces likely to be included in the Reds line-up.

One is likely to be Gareth Barry, although Aston Villa today claimed they had rejected the Reds’ latest bid for their skipper.

The Reds had previously offered Villa £12million for the midfielder.

A Villa club spokesman said: “The offer was a slight improvement on a previous bid but our position on the issue remains unchanged and Liverpool have been informed.”

The Reds have also dismissed reports that Jermaine Pennant will be the makeweight in a player plus cash deal for Newcastle’s James Milner.

Newcastle have been in touch with Anfield officials, expressing interest in a couple of the Reds’ fringe players, but the Geordies are not interested in taking Pennant to the north east.

There is concrete interest, however, from AS Roma in Liverpool left-back John Arne Riise.

Roma boss Luciano Spalletti said: “A player like Riise can give a different kind of dimension. Considering the challenges that await us in the coming season, Riise has the qualities that we are looking for.

“However, we have to look for other players as well and not make any mistakes in forming the new squad, such as losing the balance of the side.

“All we need is to add a little extra quality to our ranks so that we can compete in all competitions again.”

After Liverpool’s imminent capture of Andreas Dossena rendered the Norwegian surplus to requirements, the Reds look like recouping £4m for the man who joined for £4.6m seven years ago.

Riise’s agent, Jan Kvalheim, however, claimed there were “many clubs” interested in the Norwegian.

“There are many clubs who have been interested in the last few weeks, but it’s nothing I want to comment on,” he said.