LFC stars' holiday scrapbook

Steve Hunter @Shunter77

Eight Liverpool players have had the eyes of the world on them this summer as they participated in the European Championships for their respective nations – but what have the rest of our lads been up to? Liverpoolfc.com investigates...

Almost seven weeks have passed since the Reds signed off from the 2011-12 season with a 1-0 defeat against a Swansea City side managed by a certain Brendan Rodgers.

We all know the Irishman has had a busy couple of months, re-locating to Liverpool after being installed at the Anfield helm.

Rodgers also revealed to Liverpoolfc.com that he met up with Joe Cole during a short holiday in Spain where they chatted about the midfielder's future after his loan deal with Lille expired.

"I met up with Joe Cole when I was in Spain," said the boss. "I certainly know he's looking to come back. I've got to assess all the players."

Likewise, it's fair to say the whereabouts of Steven Gerrard, Andy Carroll, Glen Johnson, Jordan Henderson, Stewart Downing, Martin Kelly, Daniel Agger and Pepe Reina have been well documented given their participation in the Euros.

But what about the Liverpool players who have not been involved in Poland and Ukraine?

Lucas Leiva has continued to work assiduously over the course of the summer as he maintains his rehabilitation programme.

The midfielder returned to Porto Alegre in his homeland of Brazil and was kindly allowed to use the facilities of former club Gremio.

He tweeted: "I would like to thank Gremio for allowing me to use their facilities. Special thanks to the physiotherapist." 

While in Brazil, Lucas was joined by LFC head of fitness and conditioning Darren Burgess to oversee his training. The pair took in Gremio's 2-0 success over Corinthians.

Lucas took a real interest in following the action from America's NBA while in Brazil - though he wasn't a fan of the cold nights back home, where temperatures dipped close to freezing.

Much like Lucas, it's fair to say Luis Suarez has been keeping himself busy. He scored for Uruguay against Russia in a pre-Euro 2012 friendly in Moscow on May 25, and starred in the World Cup qualifiers with Venezuela and Peru.

Meanwhile, Suarez's compatriot Sebastian Coates notched a crucial goal against Peru in Montevideo on June 10.

It wasn't quite as spectacular as his acrobatic QPR scissor-kick, but nonetheless it set his nation on their way to a crucial 4-2 victory.

You can enjoy the goal - and accompanying commentary - below.

Elsewhere, Suarez was one of the stars of the show as he, along with Barcelona's Lionel Messi, treated fans in Miami to a glimpse of their jaw-dropping talents by each firing a hat-trick in a World Soccer Masters match.

A thrilling encounter between the Red Stars and Black Masters was akin to a Harlem Globetrotters exhibition as it ended 7-7 in the rain. Watch the best of the action below.

Speaking of basketball, Suarez also took time out during his trip to Florida to watch LeBron James lead Miami Heat to the NBA title with a 4-1 series victory against Oklahoma City Thunder.

This picture was taken of El Pistolero and his family at the American Airlines Arena: 

Staying with the South American theme, there was a new addition to the Rodriguez household this summer with the arrival of Maxi's second daughter, Aitana, on June 7.

Our No.11 also paid tribute to international teammate Gabriel Milito with this Twitter message after the centre-back decided to call time on his playing career.

Back in Europe, Martin Skrtel may be renowned as one of Liverpool's toughest players -  if not one of the Premier League's hardest of hard men - but those who know him are aware the hulking centre-back does have a softer side.

Not least Barbora Lovasova, who married our No.37 in a ceremony in Slovakia earlier this month - and amongst the 60 guests at the wedding at the Castle of Cerenany was their son, Matteo.

Nevertheless, Skrtel didn't go to any excess with his celebrations as he revealed he already has one eye on making sure he's primed for pre-season training at Melwood.

"I started to get ready for next season basically the very next day," he admitted. "I am mostly in the gym these days, but I am also running and playing tennis."

Before getting married, Skrtel took time out to watch the ice hockey World Championships in Finland - a sport he used to keenly participate in as a youngster.

Another Red to get hitched was Charlie Adam, who tied the knot with Sophie-Leigh in Scotland before the newlyweds jetted off to Los Angeles on their honeymoon.

Their ceremony was attended by Charlie's Anfield teammate Brad Jones, as well as former X-Factor contestants Rebecca Ferguson and Ruth Lorenzo.

Afterwards, Adam Tweeted:

Prior to jetting off to Poland and Ukraine with England, Glen Johnson enjoyed a short break in the Spanish resort of Marbella.

Our full-back ate a meal at the popular Route 66 restaurant - and if his Twitter page is anything to go by, he was certainly left satisfied by his T-Bone steak.

Craig Bellamy was also off on his travels earlier this month. The Wales striker was named as an ambassador for our new kit manufacturer Warrior and he jetted off to Singapore to launch the Reds' 2012-13 home strip.

Watch the video here »

While there, Bellers kicked his way to a $25,000 charity donation for his foundation from Scafe, whose eco-friendly fabric was used in the design of the new LFC jersey.

The Anfield No.39 kicked footballs from the second floor of The Fullerton Hotel onto a bumboat stationed on the Singapore River. He managed to direct five balls on target and so the donation was paid in full.

And finally, wherever there's football to be found, you can be sure Jamie Carragher's not too far away - and this summer, the Liverpool defender has been providing his expert analysis on Euro 2012 games for ITV in Poland and Ukraine.

His approach is similar to his playing style, and Carra's no holds barred verdicts have won him plenty of admirers - as has his willingness to verbally spar with the likes of Roy Keane and Gareth Southgate.

Nonetheless, our No.23 is no doubt already itching to get back out onto the field himself and start getting ready for the new campaign.

More news