News: Liverpool have reacted to Real Madrid's persistent interest in Steven Gerrard by bringing forward talks with the player's representative in the hope that they can tie the captain down to a new deal before the resumption of pre-season training.
Gerrard is on holiday and not due to report back until June 27th, but his agent Struan Marshall, of SFX, returns from honeymoon today and the Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry hopes to open talks over an extension to the 25-year-old's deal - on improved terms - as early as next week.
The director of football at the Bernabeu, Arrigo Sacchi, has twice contacted Rafael Benitez to inquire after the midfielder's availability in recent weeks.
"We're not going to put a time scale on talks," Parry said. "But, like Steve, we would like the situation resolved sooner rather than later. We hope to be talking in the very near future."
They moved one player on yesterday, selling El Hadji Diouf to Bolton for a fee that could amount to £3 million depending upon appearances and honours while the 24-year-old Senegalese - who cost £10 million from Lens three years ago - is at the Reebok.
However, the chances of selling Milan Baros to Gerard Houllier at Lyon appear to be waning.
Liverpool's participation in the qualifying stages of the Uefa Champions League has forced them, as expected, to cancel a pre-season visit to Japan.
Fifa has launched an investigation into Harry Kewell's transfer from Leeds United to Liverpool as a result of his libel action against Gary Lineker.
The case ended without a verdict being reached yesterday after the judge discharged the jury when it became clear it would be unable to reach agreement over whether an article by Lineker in the Sunday Telegraph defamed Kewell.
Lineker argued in court that the deal, in which the unlicensed agent Bernie Mandic was paid £2 million of a £5 million transfer fee, brought the game of soccer into disrepute.
Kewell is considering whether to take the case to a retrial, but Fifa may well take action after it has examined the details which emerged in the high court.
The FA passed papers relating to the Australian's transfer in the summer of 2003, but the court case shed more light on one of the most controversial transfers of recent times.
Fifa, the body that licenses agents, is expected to focus on the conduct of Mandic, who has acted as Kewell's personal manager since 1999, although he does not hold a licence.
Newcastle's manager Graeme Souness has been found guilty of bringing the game into disrepute through his comments about the referee Barry Knight.
The Scot has been fined £20,000 and given a two-match ban, suspended for 12 months, as a result of his assessment of the official's performance in their 2-0 defeat at Everton last month.
Everton, meanwhile, have been told to find around £7 million by the Danish club Brondby for Johan Elmander and Daniel Agger. Elmander, a 24-year-old Swedish striker scored in the 4-0 win over Esbjerg last month, which was watched by David Moyes. Agger (20), who has also interested Manchester United, made his debut at centre half for Denmark in a friendly win in Finland on June 2nd.
There were two Confederations Cup ties last night, with World Cup holders Brazil defeating European champions Greece 3-0 at Leipzig - Adriano, Robinho and Juninho all hitting the target.
In Hanover, Mexico came from behind with goals from Antonio Naelson and Francisco Fonseca to beat Japan 2-1 in their Group B opener. Atsushi Yanagisawa had opened the scoring. - Guardian Service
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