Liverpool's Robbie Keane chase steps up as Peter Crouch and Danny Guthrie departs
RAFAEL BENITEZ has continued his squad reshuffling by sanctioning the sale of Danny Guthrie to Newcastle United - as he prepares to step up his interest in Robbie Keane.
Guthrie held talks with the Magpies yesterday after Liverpool accepted their £2.25million offer for the player.
The 21-year-old impressed during a year-long loan spell at Bolton Wanderers last season and has acquired a taste for regular first-team action.
That is something Benitez cannot offer and, as with Peter Crouch - who yesterday completed his transfer to Portsmouth - the Anfield manager understands Guthrie's desire for senior football.
Scott Carson is another expected to imminently leave, with promoted Stoke City and West Bromwich Albion believed to have approached Liverpool about the England international.
However, neither departure is expected to impact greatly on Benitez's attempts to raise funds to sign Gareth Barry and Robbie Keane.
The Spaniard has been handed around £20m to spend, with the rest having to be raised through sales.
Meanwhile, Diego Cavalieri officially became Liverpool's third major signing of the summer yesterday after completing a £3m move from Brazilian outfit Palmeiras.
The 25-year-old, who has penned a four-year contract, will be understudy to first-choice keeper Pepe Reina, with Charles Itandje also on the way out. Cavalieri was born in Brazil but holds an Italian passport, bypassing any work permit issues.
And the keeper immediately set his long-time sights on usurping Reina from his position.
"I know it won't be easy to get into the team," said Cavalieri. "I watched some Liverpool games in both the Premier League and Champions League last year and I know Pepe is a very good goalkeeper.But everyone has to fight for their place and I'm sure we will have a healthy rivalry.
"I know I will have to be patient and work very hard to achieve my aims - but it is always like that when you come from another country.
"My confidence has got me where I am today and maybe people are aware of what I did at Palmeiras in Brazil. I am sure that one day I can get the number one position but that will only come with hard work."
Cavalieri, who becomes the third Brazilian at the club alongside Fabio Aurelio and Lucas, added: "It was a dream for me to come to Europe, though I was taken aback by how quickly everything happened. It's all been sorted out in one week.
"But I have been given a very good welcome from my team-mates and the manager, so I'm very happy to be here. I just hope I can respond to all this.
"Rafa and I spoke for a long time on the day I arrived. He explained to me how the football is here and the differences from Brazil. He also talked to me about the responsibilities of representing a club like Liverpool."
Meanwhile, reports are linking Blackburn with a bid for Jermaine Pennant.
Liverpool's first game of the season, the trip to Sunderland on Saturday, August 16, has been moved to a 5.30pm kick-off and will be shown live on Setanta. It is one of nine fixtures to have been rescheduled after the first raft of televised games was announced yesterday.
FULL LIST OF TELEVISED GAMES:
Sat Aug 16: Sunderland (A) (Setanta, 5.30pm),
Sun Aug 31: Aston Villa (A) (Sky, 4pm),
Sat Sep 13: Manchester United (H) (Sky, 12.45pm),
Sat Sep 27: Everton (A) (Sky, 12.45pm),
Sun Oct 26: Chelsea (A) (Sky, 4pm),
Sat Nov 1: Tottenham Hotspur (A) (Setanta, 5.30pm),
Sat Nov 8: West Bromwich Albion (H) (Setanta, 5.30pm),
Sat Nov 15: Bolton Wanderers (A) (Sky, 12.45pm),
Mon Dec 1: West Ham United (H) (Setanta, 8pm).
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