Silly Season Rides Again!

All hail the silly season!

It's here again and more ready than ever to let our imagination run foul with who's in, who's out of Anfield.

Unfortunately, our financial woes have basically meant more bad news than good so far, even though that's all there's been to it, at least literally that is - news - especially of the tabloid kind.

It wasn't so long ago, just one season in fact, that English Premier League clubs were the supremo uno in Europe. One Champions League Final later, and as Barcelona FC complete their own unprecedented treble, La Liga is now the destination of choice, with both Ronaldo and Kaka having already made the switch.

It almost makes me wish the Mancs had defended successfully defended their UCL crown... alright who am I kidding...?

But what it all means is that Liverpool fans are in for another nerve wracking couple of months as speculation continues to link the spine of our side with moves away from the club.

It's heartbreaking really. To think Rafa had arguably assembled the best first eleven in the EPL last season, only to now risk losing them. It seems a trophyless two seasons may well have taken its toll - in spite of all the progress made.

At latest count, Real Madrid are eyeing Alonso and Arbeloa, while Barcelona have set their sights on Mascherano and this just in - Reina even. And the reports are quite compelling. Mascherano, or at least his wife, is unsettled and fancies a move to Spain. We all know Alonso would have felt slighted at our continual (and ultimately failed) interest in Gareth Barry. Arbeloa may not be part of our spine, but has been an invaluable squad player. And now we don't even know what Reina is thinking of the whole matter.

Is Liverpool supposed to be second choice to so many of our star players?

Rafa had already made clear that we needed just a couple additions to our squad, and also issued a hands off for our key players. But it remains to be seen if he can indeed convince the likes of Alonso and Masch from leaving. Best part of it is, Rafa's apparently away on holiday - not that I blame him - but that accounts for why we've been so quiet the past few days. And it could prove crucial as we fail to tie down our supposed bid for Pompey's Glen Johnson (now that Chelsea have muscled back in).

It's going to be quite an anxious week alright.... So much so that even Jamie Carragher has come out to say he hopes all the rumours aren't true, to urge Rafa to keep the squad together.

Is Glen Johnson coming to town?

In the midst of all the worries, there are at least just a bit of good news. First, it is good to hear from Torres his continued support for Liverpool.

"As long as Liverpool want me, I will stay," he said.

Endorsement doesn't get much bigger than that. Here's hoping that bit of loyalty and belief in the club filters down to the rest of the squad.

And we are apparently close to signing Glen Johnson, last season's best rightback in the EPL for a sum of around 17 million pounds.

That would be an improvement for sure, if Chelsea don't scupper the deal, and if we do hold on to Arby, it would mean the added squad depth that we so desperately cried out for last season.

So in the meantime, all we can do is to wait for rumours to run their course. It's early days yet. Players come and go, but for those that remain and believe - may we never walk alone....