Home of the Kop

We want to stay top

2008-10-30T15:01:00.000+08:00

Rafa Benitez feels Liverpool have what it takes to stay top of the Premier League after their 1-0 win against Portsmouth. A late Steven Gerrard penalty proved enough to seal all three points for Rafa's men on a night when they maintained their three point lead at the summit of England's elite division.

In the wake of Sunday's high-octane win against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, Benitez made four changes to his starting eleven for the Pompey clash, a rotating of personnel that had little effect on Liverpool's stunning start to the season. Not surprisingly, a delighted Benitez was quick to fire a warning to the Anfield club's title rivals.

Often criticised for tinkering with his starting eleven on a far too regular basis, Benitez also admitted that given Liverpool's search for glory on several fronts, he would not be altering his managerial ways.

Kuyt Nicks it for Liverpool

2008-10-06T08:46:00.002+08:00

Dirk Kuyt scored a late winner as Liverpool fought back from 2-0 down to beat Manchester City 3-2 in an entertaining clash at the City of Manchester Stadium. The Reds needed two second-half golas from Torres to get back on level terms after a goal from Stephen Ireland and a Javier Garrido free-kick had given City a two-goal cushion at the break.

The home side had full-back Zabaleta sent off for a lunging tackle on Xabi Alonso and were hanging on at the death as Liverpool pushed hard for a late winner - with Kuyt firing home from close range in extra-time to maintain Liverpool's impressive start to the season. It was Kuyt's first league goal of the season. The Dutch international had a golden chance to open the scoring for Liverpool when Alberto Reira - Liverpool's chief attacking threat - pulled the ball back to him, only for the Dutchman to balloon his shot on the spin over the bar from eight yards out.

Torres bags brace in derby win

2008-09-29T08:25:00.007+08:00

Fernando Torres returned to goalscoring form with 2 goals as Liverpool beat Merseyside rivals Everton 2-0 at Goodison Park. The striker's first goals for over a month were enough to down an Everton side still looking for their first home win of the season, and continue Liverpool's impressive start to the season. Torres and Keane combined well to open the scoring on 59 minutes when the Irishman latched onto Alonso's ball to pull a cross back from the byline that was bound for Torres. Dirk Kuyt's run towards the near post took the defender with him and Torres had more than enough space to fire a low volley under American goalkeeper Tim Howard for his first goal since the winner at Sunderland on August 16.

After waiting 42 days for his second goal of the season, Torres would wait just three minutes for his third. With Everton clearly rattled by the opening goal Nigerian Yobo slid in to tackle Kuyt well but saw the ball roll to Torres, and Howard could only palm the Spaniard's solid shot into the roof of the net.

The introduction of Louis Saha just after that goal sparked a half-hearted comeback for Everton, but their hopes were all but extinguished when Aussie Tim Cahill received a red card - perhaps harshly - for his scissor-tackle on Alonso.

League Cup Win

2008-09-24T13:51:00.002+08:00

Rafael Benitez was satisfied with Liverpool's display after they secured beat Crewe 2-1 to progress. Jermaine Pennant was a constant menace on the right flank while Lucas and Daniel Agger produced assured performances to give Benitez a selection poser for the Merseyside derby at the weekend. Agger gave Liverpool a 15th-minute lead from a free-kick before Michael O'Connor's equaliser 10 minutes later after goalkeeper Diego Cavalieri blocked Calvin Zola's header from Billy Jones' corner.

Pennant supplied the cross for Liverpool's second goal, headed home by Lucas in the 58th minute, but the margin of the victory over the Coca-Cola League One side should have been greater. Benitez explained the decision to introduce Fernando Torres in the second half despite the Merseyside derby at the weekend was because they needed to secure a win with a third goal. The Spain international had an immediate impact and was twice denied by Crewe goalkeeper Steve Collis.

Champions League - Liverpool through but leave it late

2008-08-28T08:31:00.000+08:00

Penalties loomed after the tie went into extra-time deadlocked at 0-0 on aggregate after 180 fruitless minutes. But with just three minutes remaining, Kuyt stole in at the back post to knee home Ryan Babel's cross to ensure Liverpool would take their place in the draw for the group stages on Thursday afternoon.

With an estimated £25million jackpot on the line, the winner was met with absolute delirium from the Anfield crowd and a look of enormous relief from manager Rafael Benitez.

Reds close to signing David Silva

2008-08-25T16:57:00.001+08:00

Liverpool owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett have reportedly authorized a US$36 million deal to buy Valencia’s David Silva. Kop boss Rafa Benitez is raging after the Americans opposed the US$36 million move for Aston Villa skipper Barry, and the Spaniard’s angst has been compounded by the fact that the duo’s refusal to sanction the Barry transfer was not due to a lack of cash.

For once, the Anfield faithful have sided with the much hated Americans, with both parties stating that Barry’s arrival is unnecessary as the club already has Xabi Alonso in their ranks. Therefore, reports of being given the green light to sign the much vaunted Silva, who can play anywhere in the attacking third, would be music to the ears of Rafa, who will have no qualms about raiding his former club.

Reds set to sign Downing

2008-08-21T08:37:00.002+08:00

Liverpool look set to sign Boro winger Stewart Downing after Espanyol demanded £16million for Albert Riera.Having failed to raise the funds to buy Gareth Barry, the Reds were hoping to buy Riera for around £9m, but the Spanish club have reportedly invoked a £16m release clause for the winger.

That means that Liverpool are instead likely to turn back to Downing, who could be available for £12million.

Terrific Torres nets winner

2008-08-18T08:52:00.002+08:00

Fernando Torres fired Liverpool to victory over Sunderland in their Premier League opener at the Stadium of Light. Torres fired Liverpool to a scarcely deserved victory over Sunderland in their Premier League opener at the Stadium of Light. The striker, scorer of the winning goal in this year's European Championships final, was anonymous for much of the evening as his partnership with £20m new boy Robbie Keane continued to stutter, but he produced a vicious drive eight minutes from time to claim the points.

It was a bitter pill to swallow for a Sunderland side who had enjoyed the best of the play and all but negated the return of the Reds' fit-again skipper Steven Gerrard.

It's the start of the season! Are we ready for Sunderland?

2008-08-15T16:50:00.002+08:00

The Reds travel to the Stadium of Light after a disappointing midweek Champions League stalemate against Standard Liege, a result that could have been worse had Liverpool's Belgian hosts not missed a penalty. With the continental campaign well and truly in the balance, Liverpool simply must step up to the mark against Roy Keane's men.

Keane meanwhile, is relishing the Liverpool clash, despite the massive financial gulf that divides the two sides.

Home of the Kop score prediction - Sunderland 0 Liverpool 2

Keane joins Liverpool from Spurs

2008-07-29T08:30:00.002+08:00

Robbie Keane has joined Liverpool from Tottenham for £19 million on a four-year deal after passing a medical at Melwood. The deal could rise to £20.3m in total. Spurs withdrew their official complaint to the Premier League after Liverpool acknowledged their public interest in Keane was inappropriate, however, and it is understood the Merseyside club made a donation to one of Tottenham's preferred charities.

The 28-year-old Republic of Ireland striker had been linked with the Reds since the beginning of July and replaces Crouch, who was sold to Pompey for £11m earlier in the pre-season. Keane spent six years at Spurs, scoring over 100 goals for the North London club since joining from Leeds in 2002. The Ireland captain - who holds his country's record for international goals - started his professional career at Wolves before spending a season at Coventry and six months at Internazionale.

Keane is the fifth signing this summer for Rafa, joining David Ngog, Diego Cavalieri, Philipp Degen and Andrea Dossena at Anfield. A good buy for Liverpool!

Ngog Joins Liverpool

2008-07-25T10:30:00.002+08:00

Liverpool have signed highly-rated teenage striker David Ngog from Paris St Germain. The 19-year-old has repeatedly been linked to the Reds in recent weeks and has signed a four-year contract with the Barclays Premier League club.

He will go straight into the Merseysiders' first-team squad, joining fellow summer arrivals Dossena, Diego Cavalieri and Degen. Ngog, who is the cousin of former Rangers and Newcastle defender Boumsong, struggled in an under-performing Paris St Germain team last season as the French club barely maintained their Ligue 1 status.

He scored just once in 18 appearances but has been far more effective at various levels for France. The pacy forward has scored at every youth level for his country, including a brace against England Under-19s last season. His exit from the Parc des Princes seemed inevitable from the moment he refused to sign a new contract with Paul le Guen's side as he entered the final year of his deal, and Liverpool soon stepped in with a bid thought to be around the £1.5million mark.

Ngog's arrival adds welcome reinforcement to manager Rafael Benitez's strikeforce following the departure of Crouch for Pompey.

Crouch off to Portsmouth

2008-07-08T08:45:00.003+08:00

Liverpool have finally accepted a bid from Portsmouth. The English international has been the subject of several offers from his former club Pompey, who have finally struck a deal believed to be worth around £11m. Crouch made just nine EPL starts for the Reds last season, with Torres and Kuyt dominating as the first choice pairing. Despite using the six-foot-seven forward sparingly, Liverpool tagged a £15m price tag before settling for a reduced amount. Pompey manager, Redknapp has sold Crouch twice - first from Portsmouth to Villa and then from Southampton to Liverpool in 2005.

Udinese's Dossena landing at Anfield next week

2008-06-27T11:50:00.002+08:00

The Reds are expecting to complete the signing of Italian left back Andrea Dossena next week. The deal to take the 26 year old Udinese player to Anfield is close to being completed. Dossena has been capped once at senior level by Italy and has been targeted as a replacement for John Arne Riise who left for Roma earlier this month.

£50 Million to Fund Transfers

2008-06-25T09:32:00.001+08:00

Rafa is ready to ask the Liverpool board for £50 million to fund transfers for David Villa, Gareth Barry, David Silva and Dani Alves.

That last name will make interesting reading for Barcelona, who to all intents and purposes own the full-back after agreeing a monster £30 million fee with Sevilla, and the Brazilian himself has said: "I am immensely happy because it is a dream for me to become part of a great team and of a great club. It is such an important step in my professional career and in my life. It is difficult to express in words the feeling, but joining Barça is such a personal triumph."

One person whose dealings with Liverpool are very real is Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp. The first English boss to win a trophy since Alf Ramsey saw his £8 million bid for Peter Crouch laughed out of the Kop by Liverpool, who want close to double that amount, perhaps in reaction to UEFA's request for them to take a smaller slice of the Champions League revenue pie next season.

Reds look to Milner

2008-06-17T09:01:00.002+08:00

Newcastle winger James Milner is a reported target for Rafa, with the Liverpool boss keen to offload Pennant in part-exchange. Milner, has already racked up almost 100 appearances for the Magpies since his £5million switch from Leeds in July 2004. The hard-working midfielder, who is also interesting the Villans, has also been a key member of England's Under-21 side and is understood to be keen on a move to Anfield. Newcastle are desperate to keep hold of Milner, who netted three times for the Magpies last season, and boss Kevin Keegan has already rejected out-of-hand a swap deal involving former Birmingham winger Pennant. Midfielder Danny Guthrie, 21, has also been offered to Keegan, but the former England manager has set his sights on striker Peter Crouch.

Crouch, who is high on the hit-list of former club Portsmouth, has numerous admirers, but the £15million price tag is so far proving prohibitive.

First test up against the Black Cats

2008-06-17T08:59:00.001+08:00

The Reds will begin the new season with an away game against the Black Cats at the Stadium of Light on Saturday August 16.

Liverpool to sell Alonso?

2008-05-30T08:35:00.003+08:00

Juventus have revealed they are in talks to sign midfielder Xabi Alonso, and will meet the player's agent on Wednesday afternoon. Juventus club president Gigli warned, however, that Juve have not agreed a fee, and they are known to be reluctant to match Liverpool's £16 million valuation of the player. The Serie A side signed fellow Liverpool midfielder Mohamed Sissoko in January and have now set their sights on the 26-year-old Alonso, who was one of Rafa Benitez's first signings when he arrived at Anfield in 2004.

Degen first to arrive

2008-05-21T09:41:00.002+08:00

Rafa Benitez started his summer of change with the acquisition of defender Philipp Degen as new assistant boss Sammy Lee insisted the Reds are already "close" to a title-challenging team. The Anfield chief confirmed the Switzerland right-back will sign for the club on a free transfer from Borussia Dortmund when his contract with the Bundesliga club expires on July 1.

Benitez's next move would be to try to bring Udinese defender Andrea Dossena to the club for a fee of around £8million. Dossena, a left-back, was omitted from Italy's squad for the European Championship finals next month, having made his debut for his country last November against South Africa.

Benitez is still awaiting progress on his bid to sign Villan's skipper Gareth Barry. It seems likely Degen, 25, will be the first of a handful of significant new additions to the Anfield squad, rather than any wholesale changes.

Kewell to Pompey?

2008-05-21T09:31:00.003+08:00

Outgoing winger Harry Kewell has been reported to accept an offer from Portsmouth. The FA Cup winners have reportedly offered a lucrative contract to the winger, who has been released by the Reds after five injury-blighted years on Merseyside. A move to the south coast and a chance of UEFA Cup football next season would appeal the Aussie internation.

Kewell is in his homeland to play for the Socceroos in Friday night's friendly against Ghana before Australia embark on a run of World Cup qualifiers.

Liverpool line up bid for Abidal

2008-05-13T09:43:00.001+08:00

Rafa, always keen to add big name signings, has added another to his wish-list and this is one superstar who could prove very useful indeed at The Kop.

Liverpool have set their sights on Barcelona’s £12m rated French left-back Frank Abidal. Eric Abidal is a quality player who has been a regular at the Nou Camp since signing in the summer, however he (like many other players at the beleaguered club) seems to be on his way out of the La Liga club. The 28 year old is a international fixture for the French team and is at his peak and would surely be quite a coup if Rafa could snare him. What do Liverpool fans think of this potential signing?

Incoming Players for 2008/2009 Season

2008-05-13T09:32:00.003+08:00

Here's a list of incoming players for next season:

Gareth Barry (Aston Villa)
Rafinha (Schalke)
David Bentley (Blackburn)
Stephane Mbia (Rennes)
Maximiliano Rodriguez (Atletico Madrid)
Mancini (Roma)
Philipp Deggen (B. Dortmund)

Torres Sees of City

2008-05-05T09:36:00.001+08:00

Fernando Torres scored his 32nd goal of the season as Liverpool secured a thoroughly deserved 1-0 win against Manchester City at Anfield. In what was ultimately a match without consequence for either side, City were hopelessly bereft of attacking ambition and created little of note all afternoon. Sven-Goran Erikkson's team did little to further the cause of their manager.

Rush tips Reds to tunr the tide

2008-04-29T16:54:00.000+08:00

Former Liverpool FC striker Ian Rush insists Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard can produce the goal they need to turn the UEFA Champions League semi-final against Chelsea FC back in their favour. If John Arne Riise's stoppage-time own goal in the 1-1 draw at Anfield tipped the balance towards the Londoners, Rush, who scored 346 goals in 660 games for Liverpool and won the 1984 European Champion Clubs' Cup, believes the tie is far from over.

Riise OG gives Blues edge

2008-04-23T09:01:00.000+08:00

John Arne Riise's dramatic injury-time own goal secured Chelsea a 1-1 draw against Liverpool in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final at Anfield. Liverpool had been on course for a well-earned victory after Dirk Kuyt's first-half opener, but Riise's inadvertent last-gasp intervention now tips the tie firmly in Chelsea's favour.

Kuyt put Liverpool ahead towards the end of a first half in which Fernando Torres had spurned a good chance to put his side in front and Didier Drogba had seen a penalty appeal turned down after an unconvincing last-ditch challenge by Jamie Carragher.

Chelsea rallied briefly in the second half but were unable to really extend Liverpool goalkeeper Jose Reina until Riise - on as a second-half substitute for Fabio Aurelio - stunned the home fans by heading Salomon Kalou's cross into his own net right in front of the Kop in the dying seconds of the game.

Gillett Demands DIC Get Box Seats

2008-04-23T08:59:00.001+08:00

Co-owner George Gillett is so determined to make a statement of intent at Anfield on Tuesday night that he has insisted that his Dubai International Capital guests sit in the directors' box. Colorado-based Gillett will not be at the Champions League semi-final first leg with Chelsea due to ill health, but his entourage - including son and fellow director Foster - will be entertaining the DIC officials.

Senior negotiator Amanda Staveley and DIC chief executive Samir Al-Ansari are expected to attend. Initially there were concerns that their presence would be seen as a provocative move and plans were put in place for the DIC contingent to be housed in an executive box away from the view of fans and cameras. But Gillett, when he heard of the move, is believed to have insisted that DIC were his guests and they were entitled to be seated in the directors' box.

That could be confrontational if Gillett's estranged business partner Tom Hicks does, as expected, also attend the European tie with his own son Tom Jnr, also a director. All the warring parties in the drawn-out saga would then be seated in close proximity. Chief executive Rick Parry, who Hicks wants to remove from the club, and former owner and now director David Moores, will also be in their usual front-row seats.

Security will be high at the stadium and Hicks can expect anything but a friendly reception from the Kop, who have been chanting for the Americans to "get out of our club" for months.

Benitez vs Grant: A Head-to-Head

2008-04-22T17:19:00.002+08:00

The success of Benitez's reign at Liverpool has been intrinsically linked to the fortunes of his side in meetings with Chelsea - and their clash in this season's Champions League semi-final should prove no different. In 2005, he joined Liverpool's most successful manager - Bob Paisley - and Jose Mourinho as the only men to win the UEFA Cup and European Cup in successive seasons, when he took the Reds to glory in his first season at Anfield after leading Valencia to the lesser trophy in 2004.

A year later he won the FA Cup in equally dramatic circumstances, helped by Steven Gerrard's injury-time equaliser against West Ham, and in 2007 took Liverpool to the Champions League final again where they lost 2-1 to AC Milan. Benitez was a talented young midfielder with Real Madrid's youth sides, but injury saw him move into coaching with Real Madrid B in 1986.

After spells at various Spanish clubs including Real Valladolid, Osasuna and Tenerife, he moved to Valencia in 2001. While at the Mestalla he won the club's first title for three decades in 2002. In 2004 Valencia won La Liga for the second time in three seasons, and also beat Marseille to win UEFA Cup. And behind his success in cup competition with Liverpool is his ability to deliver against the team from west London, particularly in semi-finals.

In 2005 his Liverpool side avenged defeat in the League Cup final by winning a highly-charged Champions League semi-final with a disputed Luis Garcia goal. The following season Liverpool halted Chelsea's FA Cup challenge with another semi-final victory at Old Trafford .

And in 2007 Benitez completed a hat-trick of semi-final victories over Chelsea after Liverpool claimed a penalty shootout win to take their place in a second European Cup final in three seasons.

Chelsea manager Avram Grant, like Benitez, spent his early years studying tactics and formations and had a far from glittering playing career. In 1974 he became youth coach at Hapoel Petah Tikva at the young age of 19, and became the youngest ever manager in the Israeli top flight when he took charge of the first team in 1986.

Grant enjoyed domestic success with Maccabi Tel Aviv and Maccabi Haifa where he won two league titles with each and then was in charge of the latter when they became the first ever Israeli side in the Champions League. He took charge of the Israel national team in 2002 but missed out in qualification for Euro 2004 and narrowly missed a spot at the 2006 World Cup.

The 52-year-old has subsequently led Chelsea to the League Cup final, where they lost to Tottenham in extra-time. Chelsea do still have an outside chance of winning the Premier League although Grant showed signs of the pressure mounting in a bizarre post-match press conference after his side's 1-0 win over Everton at Goodison Park.

Realistically the Champions League remains the Israeli's best hope of silverware, and would probably save him from the ire of the Shed End as well as the axe of owner Roman Abramovich. Grant has locked horns with Benitez twice since taking over from 'The Special One' and his record reads won one, drawn one. In his first meeting with the Spaniard he steered Chelsea to a 2-0 home victory in the Carling Cup quarter-finals thanks to goals from Frank Lampard and Andriy Shevchenko followed by February's goalless draw in west London in the Premier League.

What Grant's meeting with Benitez in Europe may lack in entertainment, it will be more than compensated for by the drama with the stakes so high for both managers.

Liverpool Crush Blackburn

2008-04-14T09:45:00.001+08:00

Liverpool eased to a 3-1 win over Blackburn in the Premier League at Anfield thanks to goals by Gerrard , Torres and Andriy Voronin. All three strikes came in the second half and Torres's goal was his 30th in his debut season in the EPL. Roque Santa Cruz scored late on for Rovers, who stay ninth after the defeat.

Red win in style

2008-04-09T08:40:00.002+08:00

Liverpool marched into their third Champions League semi-final in four years after a stunning triumph over Arsenal at Anfield. With seven minutes left, Arsenal looked like were through as the score stood at 2-2. But Steven Gerrard became the first Liverpool player in history to score in four successive home European matches to send his side ahead again from the penalty spot, before Ryan Babel's breakaway goal sealed a victory which sets up another semi-final clash with Chelsea.

Arsenal scored first through Abou Diaby, before Sami Hyypia and then Fernando Torres forced Liverpool ahead. Another Adebayor strike with seven minutes left looked to have finished off the Anfield men. But Gerrard's penalty and Babel's late break sealed another sensational night at this emotional old stadium.

The end of the week-long trilogy between these English giants saw one surprise selection, with Benitez opting for Peter Crouch. Alexander Hleb, in a central role supporting Adebayor, was a constant danger and they were ahead in the 13th minute. Anfield was stunned into silence as Hleb threaded a ball down the right for Diaby to surge into the box before crashing home a shot between Jose Reina and his near post.

The disbelief from the Kop made you wonder for a second whether the ball had gone in. But the delayed roar from Arsenal fans at the other end soon confirmed Arsenal's deserved advantage. With Gerrard deployed on the left, Arsenal were destroying Liverpool's midfield, and flying at a frantic defence. For 30 minutes Arsenal had been magnificent and Liverpool mesmerised by the quality swirling around them.

Somehow they needed a foothold in the game, just to draw breath if nothing else, such was Arsenal's superiority. And it came from veteran Hyypia. The 34-year-old, with a newly-signed contract this week, produced a towering header from Gerrard's corner that crashed into the net on the half-hour off Manuel Almunia's post. Suddenly Liverpool were alive. Gerrard flashed a 30-yard shot wide, Dirk Kuyt's drive was charged down and Philippe Senderos - already booked for a foul on the Liverpool captain - started to struggle against Crouch's height.

Then Arsenal suffered the blow of Mathieu Flamini being carried off after looking to have fallen awkwardly on an ankle. Gilberto came on after 40 minutes. By now Liverpool looked a changed side; steaming forward, their confidence restored. It was the Spain striker, quiet up to that point, who forced Liverpool ahead. Crouch's flick-on reached the Liverpool goal machine in the box, he turned Senderos with ease before firing his shot into the top corner.

Anfield erupted. Benitez, tie askew, urged his men on while Wenger replaced Diaby and Emmanuel Eboue with Van Persie and Theo Walcott, knowing another Arsenal goal would put them through. Adebayor missed when clean through, the tension by now could be cut with a knife. Babel came on for Crouch, who left the field to a standing ovation.

Liverpool switched back to their preferred system, with Gerrard working behind Torres while two holding players protected the midfield. But Liverpool were caught searching for more, and Arsenal caught them cold on the break. Walcott embarked on an amazing run from his own half before pulling the ball back for Adebayor to drill in the equaliser after 83 minutes.

Hyypia collapsed in anguish, all around Liverpool players could see the end of their dream. But astonishingly they rallied. Straight from the restart, some Gunners still celebrating it seemed, Babel surged into the box and was brought down by Kolo Toure. Swedish referee Peter Frojdfeldt pointed to the spot, and with the Kop in hushed agony, Gerrard drove the penalty high into the net.

John Arne Riise came on for Torres, Liverpool desperate for the end now. Another Gunners goal would again see them through. But with Arsenal all up in Liverpool's box for a free-kick, the ball broke from the mass of players to be belted forward for Babel to outpace Fabregas to gloriously drive home the fourth.

Alvaro Arbeloa came on for a tired Kuyt, and there was nothing left now from Wenger's men as Anfield celebrated.

Meanwhile, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger refuses to accept defeat by blaming the referee as the cause of their loss. A controversial penalty award by Swedish referee Peter Frojdfeldt for a tug on Babel by Toure saw Gerrard score the crucial goal to put Liverpool 3-2 ahead with five minutes to play. To rub salt into Wenger's wounds, Arsenal had an identical appeal for a penalty dismissed in the first leg at the Emirates Stadium last week when Liverpool held them to a 1-1 draw in London.

Liverpool 1 - Arsenal 1 : A draw again.

2008-04-07T09:34:00.002+08:00

Peter Crouch admitted his frustration at a lack of action after helping his team to a 1-1 draw at Arsenal on Saturday. Both teams, with one eye on next week's second leg of their Champions League quarter-final, were much changed for the Barclays Premier League.

Recalled striker Crouch gave Liverpool the lead at the end of the first half, with Nicklas Bendtner equalising in the 53rd minute.

Crouch was making a rare start for the Reds as Benitez rang the changes following Wednesday's UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg draw and with next week's return meeting at Anfield in mind.

The forward - who is out of contract at the end of next season - took full advantage as he fired Liverpool in front on 42 minutes in North London, but Nicklas Bendtner headed Arsenal back into the contest in the second half to leave honours even.

Despite the draw, Benitez remains keen to praise Crouch - who has been offered a new deal on Merseyside - and insists the England international remains in his plans as a partner for star striker Fernando Torres.

A good draw

2008-04-03T09:17:00.002+08:00

Arsenal and Liverpool drew 1-1 in their Champions League quarter-final first leg encounter at the Emirates Stadium. Adebayor gave Arsenal a 23rd minute lead but Kuyt quickly equalised within three minutes to claim a vital away goal for Liverpool.

Rafa Benitez's side withstood strong second-half pressure, which included claims for a penalty by Alexander Hleb and also saw Niklas Bendtner inadvertently clear off the Liverpool goalline, to go back to Merseyside for the second leg next Tuesday on level terms. The first of three meetings between the sides in six days started cagily but after 20 minutes the Gunners suddenly sprang to life.

Why was Mascherano sent-off?

2008-03-25T17:27:00.000+08:00

Javier Mascherano still has no idea why he was sent off against Manchester United during Liverpool's 3-0 Premier League defeat at Old Trafford. While the possibility persists that the Argentinian could yet have to serve more than the mandatory one-match ban - because he failed to leave the pitch immediately after being red-carded - Mascherano remains non-plussed over the initial reason for yesterday's dismissal.

Referee Steve Bennett had already booked him for a foul when Mascherano sought to make his feelings known to the official after Fernando Torres had also been given a yellow card. It was then the referee gave the midfielder his second booking for dissent. But Mascherano claimed: 'I do not know why I was sent off. 'I asked the referee what was happening. I did not swear; I was not aggressive and I did not confront him. 'All I did was ask him what was happening, nothing else.' Mascherano, who subsequently lost his cool as he made his way off the field, told the Liverpool Echo: 'When he showed me the second yellow card and sent me off I could not believe it. 'I am sorry to my team-mates because that meant we went down to 10 men - and that made things even more difficult for us.'

Liverpool marches into last 8 of the Champions League

2008-03-12T11:46:00.001+08:00

Fernando Torres struck yet again for Liverpool to send them into the Champions League quarter-finals after a 1-0 win at Inter Milan. A stunned San Siro had seen their side reduced to 10 men in the second-half when Nicolas Burdisso was dismissed after a harsh second yellow card.

Marco Materazzi's red card changed the course of the first-leg at Anfield - and another Inter dismissal did the same here as the hosts fell to a 3-0 aggregate defeat. Thirteen minutes later Torres finished the tie with his 26th goal of the season, scoring from the edge of the box from Fabio Aurelio's pass.

Jamie Carragher played his 100th European match - a new Liverpool record - at right-back to allow Sami Hyypia to return in the centre alongside Martin Skrtel. Lucas Leiva played in central midfield in place of Xabi Alonso, who stayed on Merseyside to be with his pregnant girlfriend who had gone into labour, with Javier Mascherano also back after a groin problem and the pair turned in an outstanding defensive display.

For a while the gratitude Inter fans feel towards Liverpool shone through this vibrant, passionate occasion as a huge banner was hung above the 5,000 visiting contingent saying "Whatever happens, Istanbul 2005, thank you Liverpool'', in reference to that famous victory over hated rivals AC.

But once the banner was taken down the real battle began in an electric atmosphere amid deafening noise. A good win for Liverpool!

Hicks cuts DIC takeover talks short

2008-03-12T11:44:00.002+08:00

Liverpool's co-owner Tom Hicks tonight threw the future of the club back into turmoil by terminating discussions with the Dubai royal family. In a shock move, Hicks broke off talks with Dubai International Capital (DIC), who had been confident of sewing up a deal to buy out 49% of co-owner George Gillett's 50% stake.

Hicks had to give the go-ahead for that move - but instead he has exercised his right of veto, saying he was unwilling to manage the club with DIC 'by committee'. DIC said they had no comment to make, but sources close to the deal believe Hicks' statement does not necessarily mean the end of the story and the investment arm of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai, could yet clinch a stake in the club.

Hicks' statement read: 'Based on a meeting held earlier today in Dubai between my representatives and officials of Dubai International Capital LLC, as well as other recent contacts between us and them, I have decided to terminate any further discussions with DIC regarding their possible purchase of a minority stake in Kop and, in turn, in the club. 'DIC made it clear that if they invested in the club, they would want it to be managed by committee. 'Based on my 13 years of successful experience as an owner of professional sports teams, and based in particular on the situation at Liverpool Football Club over the past year, it is clear to me that such a committee approach would not be in the best interest of Kop, of the club or of the club's loyal and passionate supporters. 'Accordingly, I have decided to exercise my right under the Kop Football (Holdings) Limited partnership agreement to veto any sale of any portion of Kop and the club to DIC.'

Hicks added there were other alternatives to pursue. He said: 'I and my colleagues and representatives will continue to explore a number of other options with regard to the ownership of Kop and the club aimed at achieving an appropriate ownership, financial and organisational structure for Kop and the club over the long term.' The only chance of a deal being rekindled is if Hicks' statement is merely an attempt to force DIC and Gillett to accept his terms.

A DIC spokesman said only: 'We have no comment to make.' Either way, the relationship between the parties appears to have broken down - something that could be a problem if they were to be co-owners of the club in the future. As far as Liverpool are concerned however, it is back to square one with Hicks and Gillett at loggerheads - even more so now the Texan has vetoed the sale - and there are only 17 months until the £350million loan the Americans took out in January has to be refinanced again. Furthermore, another loan of around £300million will have to be taken out to finance the building of the new stadium at Stanley Park.

Come on now Hicks? What are you trying to do?

DIC takeover almost complete

2008-03-10T17:27:00.002+08:00

The proposed sale of Gillett's stake in Liverpool will not be derailed by co-owner Tom Hicks' fury over the alleged leaking of private letters over the deal. Hicks' representatives will meet Dubai International Capital executives in the middle-east state early next week to thrash out what will become a virtual joint ownership of the Anfield club.

Texan millionaire Hicks has reacted angrily to the publication of a letter - on Liverpool-headed note paper - which outlines the details of a potential buy-out of Gillett's stake in the club, with 1% being bought by Hicks to give him a 51% majority control of the club. But Hicks has been angered by leaked details of negotiations, and has blasted DIC's chief negotiator Amanda Staveley for an alleged involvement in the leak.

Hicks is clearly upset that there are suggestions that although he will buy 1% of Gillett's stake, that is the beginning of a process which will see DIC eventually buy-out the Texan owner of Dallas Stars basketball side and the Texas Rangers' baseball franchise. Sources accept that DIC do want to take full 100% control eventually, but in the short-term they are happy to accept Hicks' demands that he remains the majority share-holder.

Hicks claims that DIC are only one several possible investors, with the possibility of further American involvement. But Gillett wants to sell and will accept a deal next week which sees him getting an 80 million pounds profit on his stake, while selling 1% to Hicks for 500,000 pounds.

The Hicks' family staged a show of strength at Anfield today when a large party of Americans - including members of Hicks' family - took centre stage seats in the directors' box for the 3-0 Barclays Premier League win over Newcastle.

Reds march on...

2008-03-09T17:20:00.000+08:00

Newcastle misery deepened as they lose 3-0 to Liverpool. Keegan is now under pressure as the Newcastle outfit have now gone 12 EPL matches without a win. The Reds piled on more misery to Newcastle, cruising to their fourth consecutive league win. And they will head off to the Champions League return leg match against Inter high on confidence.

This was Liverpool's 300th Premier League victory, and they now have a firm grip on that elusive fourth spot. It was again the scoring double act of Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres who put victory beyond doubt before the captain was withdrawn on the hour to protect him for Tuesday's date in the San Siro.

Ten minutes later Torres was also withdrawn, the Spaniard - now with 25 goals in 34 games, 13 in his last 12 - certainly could not be risked any longer with Inter next up. Jermaine Pennant, very fortunately, deflected in the first goal while Torres and Gerrard created goals for each other.

Michael Owen, on his 250th Premier League appearance, was a pale shadow of the player who once electrified Anfield. Now Torres has taken that mantle. Liverpool were without injured pair Javier Mascherano and Steve Finnan, while Dirk Kuyt and Ryan Babel started on the bench - with Yossi Benayoun, Pennant and Lucas coming into the side. A good win for Liverpool!

El Nino Treble

2008-03-06T13:58:00.002+08:00

Fernando Torres pushed Liverpool back to fourth in the Barclays Premier League, on a night when the Kop made it clear they wanted the club's American ownership out of Anfield. Torres, the best performing striker of Liverpool's season, became only the fourth player in the club's history to score hat-tricks in successive home matches.

Before and at half-time fans all around the ground sung and chanted their anger at the American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

Liverpool were always a threat out wide, and West Ham struggled to deal with the resulting crosses. The Hammers lived dangerously through out the game and only a fine save from Green stopped Babel after Gerrard had cleverly played the Dutchman into the box.

Crouch and Hyypia set for new deals

2008-03-05T08:50:00.002+08:00

Liverpool are lining up a new one-year contract for veteran defender Sami Hyypia while also discussing a new deal for striker Peter Crouch. 35 in October, Hyypia sees his current deal expire in the summer and there has been reported interest from Newcastle and Fulham. Hyypia has publicly stated that he wished to complete 10 years at the club next term and sources have confirmed that his wish will be granted.

Hyypia was not expected to figure regularly this season with the emergence of Daniel Agger as a defensive partner for Jamie Carragher. But the Danish youngster has been out for five months with a metatarsal injury and only made his comeback in the reserves this week, meaning Hyypia has made 33 appearances this term.

The move to tie-up Crouch on a new deal may prove more difficult than the club are prepared to admit, although the England striker has said he wants to stay at Anfield. Crouch's situation is complicated as he in the last 18 months of his current deal. He will have to accept that he is third-choice at best and that he will be used very much in the way he has been this season, mainly from the bench.

Portsmouth and Manchester City have been trailing him, and he would certainly get more games at another club.

Babel Power

2008-03-05T08:47:00.001+08:00

Holland international Ryan Babel made the most of the wide open spaces at the Reebok Stadium. The winger scored his eighth goal of the season in Sunday`s 3-1 Barclays Premier League victory against Bolton. Babel was on target with a clinical finish after a bizarre own-goal from Jussi Jaaskelainen in the 12th minute.

Steven Gerrard's effort was going wide but the Bolton goalkeeper inexplicably helped it into his own net with his face. There was no way back for Wanderers after that and Fabio Aurelio added a spectacular third before Tamir Cohen scored a consolation for the struggling home side.

Liverpool now entertain West Ham on Wednesday in good heart after this comfortable victory.

Hicks Jnr walks alone in Anfield pub

2008-02-26T08:50:00.002+08:00

The son of Liverpool's co-owner Tom Hicks insisted yesterday that his abrupt exit from the Anfield pub he visited after the side's match against Middlesbrough on Saturday would not deter him from engaging with fans again. Tom Hicks Jnr's decision to step, besuited and surrounded by minders, into the Sandon pub on Anfield Road, where the club was founded, seemed reckless in the extreme and Hicks certainly made no attempt at maintaining a low profile when he arrived an hour after the match.

Stepping from a silver people carrier, he enjoyed a cigarette outside before pulling out a camera and taking pictures of the exterior of the pub. His attempts to talk to fans inside ended after he was showered with lager and spat at. Hicks avoided the crowded main bar and headed to the middle bar, where he had ordered a pint of lager for himself and soft drinks for his security guards before fans cottoned on to who he was. The suit – and the likeness he bears to his father – gave it away.

First, there were some questions from regulars about his father's intentions for the club and whether or not it was about to be sold to Dubai International Capital. But the approaches then became more indignant, and one of the anti-American protest songs which have become familiar in recent weeks was struck up. Insults had been flying at Hicks for several minutes before he found himself drenched by a pint.

Torres hat-trick does it for Liverpool

2008-02-24T11:06:00.003+08:00

Fernando Torres piled more agony on Middlesbrough as his splendid hat-trick won the game, adding to the stunning 30-yard effort that claimed a point at the Riverside last month.

The Spaniard has become the first Liverpool forward to hit 20 goals in a season for five years, his total now being 21 since his £20million move to Merseyside.

What a wonderful day !

2008-02-20T17:47:00.002+08:00

The Reds rediscovered their pride and gave themselves a wonderful chance of having a shot at The Champions League titles. Criticized from all quarters after three months of shocking form, The Reds grabbed two goals in the final five minutes in the first leg of their last 16 tie against Internazionale. They inflicted only the second defeat of the season on the Serie A leaders, with late goals from Dirk Kuyt and Steven Gerrard.

Inter fought and defended magnificently for an hour after defender Marco Materazzi was sent off on his return to Merseyside, having been an Everton player eight years ago. Liverpool dominated from then on and produced a victory that will also lift the intense pressure on boss Rafa Benitez.

Liverpool will go to the San Siro on March 11 with genuine hope that they can reach their 12th European Cup quarter-finals.

Viva Liverpool !

No EPL games allowed in Asia

2008-02-13T10:10:00.000+08:00

Asian Football Confederation president Mohammed bin Hammam has firmly rejected the idea of the Barclays Premier League staging games in Asia. The English Premier League last week announced an ambitious plan to play an extra 'international round' of matches in January from the 2010-11 season, extending the campaign to 39 games.

Several cities in Asia have been proposed as possible destinations to host some of the 10 fixtures, but Hammam was unequivocal in his stance that he would not endorse a proposal which was detrimental to Asian domestic leagues.

"I always welcome the exchange of knowledge and expertise between foreign football associations and clubs, and support matches organised between AFC and other confederations which benefit the development of our clubs here in Asia," he said in a statement.

"But at the present time, I can't see the wisdom in the proposed plans.

"My recommendation to the AFC executive committee would be to reject any initiatives of this nature.

"And we would urge the AFC member associations to protect their own national leagues and clubs within their territories. This is our position.

"With relation to the overall principle, it is my belief that it is not a good idea to organise domestic leagues in territories other than their own."

Hammam also mooted the idea that if the scheme does become a reality, other countries should be allowed to do the same in England.

"If this principle is accepted, then the FA Premier League must accept reciprocal arrangements within their own territory."

To the FAM...fancy playing a Super League game in Anfield? I bet our footballers are more then willing to take a "holiday"!

Dubai group takeover could spell the end of Benitez ?

2008-02-13T09:59:00.000+08:00

The Dubai sheikhs, who are bidding for Liverpool, are within two weeks of a takeover – leaving Rafa Benitez on a knife-edge. Dubai Investment Capital are closing in on American George Gillett’s 50 per cent stake in the club.

They are also confident they can strike a deal with Gillett’s Yank partner Tom Hicks for his 50 per cent – and that could spell the end for boss Benitez. If DIC finally seize control, Benitez will come under intense pressure to finish in the Premier League's top four and clinch a Champions League place for next season.

A source said: “The Dubai investors are not convinced Benitez is the right man for Liverpool.

“They have been far from impressed by his very public rows with the current owners and even less impressed with the way Liverpool are struggling for consistency in the Premier League.

Like all foreign owners, they crave Champions League football, for financial and emotional reasons. If Liverpool failed to qualify for next season’s tournament, they would regard it as catastrophic.”

Liverpool are currently struggling to pip Everton, Manchester City and Aston Villa to the key fourth spot. DIC’s long-running interest in capturing the Kop appeared doomed last month, as Hicks announced a £350mil refinancing deal.

Yet the name of Gillett was missing from the statement from Liverpool’s parent company, Kop Football Holdings, so the sheikhs made him their target. Benitez still enjoys massive fan support, after the 2005 Champions League triumph and reaching the 2007 final.

But despite a £55mil splash this season on stars like Fernando Torres, the 18-year wait for the league title looks no nearer ending.

Article Source – The Sun, London

Stamford stalemate helps no one

2008-02-11T09:21:00.000+08:00

A disappointing game, littered with sloppy passing and dominated at either end by uncompromising defences, provided for a forgettable stalemate. Avram Grant's side had been lifted by the return of midfielder Frank Lampard but his contribution was to end in the second half with the England international clearly not fully match-fit. Chelsea's early fire soon burnt itself out and it was Liverpool who began to dominate proceedings.

Back to our winning ways

2008-02-04T08:53:00.000+08:00

The Red's worrying league run came to an end as three second-half goals against Sunderland eased the pressure on the team and the manager. A shocking sequence of 5 league games wihtout a win - putting down any hopes of a title bid, was ended with goals from Crouch and Torres before Gerrard completed the scoring from a penalty. Sunderland proved to be a hard nut to crack within the first half and felt that they should have been awarded a penalty after Carragher has thought to have handled the ball.

Rafa's response to the midweek defeat at West Ham was to leave out Finnan, Benayoun, Alonso, Kewell and Kuyt. Crouch came in up front, Carragher moved to the right to allow centre-back Martin Skrtel to slot into the back four while Lucas Leiva, Jermaine Pennant and Javier Mascherano all returned.

Sunderland, who have not won at Anfield since 1983, were not to change history.

LFC owned by Kop Supporters ?

2008-01-31T17:06:00.000+08:00

A group of Liverpool supporters are trying to succeed where the financial might of Dubai International Capital (DIC) has so far failed and buy their beloved club from its American owners. The Americans may have, for the time being at least, seen off the threat to their Anfield reign from DIC, an international investment company, and recently completed a 350 million pounds re-financing deal that left Liverpool with interest payments of some 30 million pounds per year.

Rafa has been promised the arrangements won't affect his ability to sign new players at the end of the current season but financially, as well as in footballing terms, much depends upon Liverpool's ability to keep playing in the lucrative European Champions League. But, regardless of the club's on-field form, the boardroom set-up at Anfield remains a concern for a new organisation called 'Share Liverpool FC' which has now announced plans for a supporters co-operative to buy the club.

The plan is to produce a members-share scheme similar to the one already in existence at Spanish giants Barcelona, effectively owned by its fans, and raise 500 million pounds to buy the club and build a new stadium in Stanley Park, close to Liverpool's existing Anfield home ground.

Anyone fancy a share ?

West Ham stun Liverpool

2008-01-31T16:54:00.000+08:00

Mark Noble's 90th minute penalty earned West Ham a 1-0 home win and sent Liverpool slipping one place further down the table to seventh. Jamie Carragher brought Freddie Ljungberg down to the left of the penalty spot with just seconds left on the clock while Mark Noble, troublesome all night, stepped up to drill the ball past Jose Reina and into the bottom right corner.

Liverpool started the stronger of the two teams, shutting West Ham out in the early stages with Fernando Torres trying his luck from distance in just the second minute. West Ham took a good 20 minutes to settle into the match but looked the classier team when they finally did with Luis Boa Morte's shot from a Noble free kick cannoning off the far post having comfortably beaten Reina.

Liverpool breeze through with Benayoun Hat-trick

2008-01-27T22:06:00.000+08:00

Liverpool reached the last 16 of the FA Cup thanks to a Yossi Benayoun hat-trick. However, the non-leaguers twice went ahead in the first half thanks to a series of errors from the Liverpool defense.

Crouch to the rescue

2008-01-22T08:42:00.000+08:00

Peter Crouch's late equaliser rescued the Red's from defeat as they drew 2-2 with the Villans at Anfield. The result moved both teams up a place to fifth and sixth in the table respectively, but will be no consolation to Rafa, who now finds his side 14 points behind leaders Man Utd and with only one game in hand.

The Special One heading to The Kop ?

2008-01-14T14:12:00.000+08:00

It is reported that Jose Mourinho is now favorite to replace Rafa after The Reds dished out a disappointing display against Boro during the weekend. Liverpool's title hopes seem to be lost as the top 3 teams extended their leads. Mourinho has been linked with several high-profile positions since leaving Chelsea in September. Reports over the past few weeks have suggested Mourinho is interested in taking over from under-fire Rafael Benitez at Liverpool should the Spaniard get the sack.

So is The Special One really heading to The Kop ?

Sissoko close to Juventus move

2008-01-11T17:01:00.000+08:00

Latest news around town is that Momo Sissoko is close to joining Juventus on a loan deal. The 22-year-old moved to Liverpool in the summer of 2005 from Valencia and is under contract with the Merseyside club until June 2011. However, he has struggled to hold down a starting place in the team, making just nine EPL appearances this season.

The loan deal gives Juventus the option to buy him at the end of the season. The switch would see the Mali international link up with Claudio Ranieri, who he played under during his time in Spain.

Record deal for defender

2008-01-08T13:39:00.000+08:00

The Red's are on the verge of breaking their transfer record for a defender. Rafa is about to spend £6.5million on Zenit St Petersburg center-back Martin Skrtel, a Slovakian international. The player is due to have a medical soon after arriving on Merseyside last Sunday. Skrtel is rated as one of the most promising young defenders in Europe. The deal will mark the end of to searches for a new center-half that began with the unsuccessful pursuit of Gabriel Heinze and which became increasingly urgent in recent weeks following injuries to both Daniel Agger and Sami Hyypia.

Skrtel has 15 caps for his country and joined Zenit in 2004 and has gone on to make more than 100 appearances in the Russian league. The deal would need to go through as fast as possible to enable the defender to be added to the Liverpool squad, possibly even in time for the trip to Middlesbrough on Saturday. This guys should be able to shore up our defense and hopefully go on to be a great defensive partner with Agger.

Rafa, please keep Mascherano

2008-01-07T14:05:00.000+08:00

Rafa has vowed the club are doing all they can to keep midfielder Javier Mascherano at Anfield. This is heartening news. I see Mascherano as our answer to Roy Keane. We need a midfielder that can win balls in the middle of the field. The Argentine has been the subject of much speculation due to the complex nature of his deal on Merseyside, whereby the Reds have to pay a reported 17million pounds to buy him outright.

Riise does Luton a favour

2008-01-07T13:57:00.000+08:00

An own goal by John Arne Riise earned Luton a replay following a 1-1 third-round FA Cup clash at Kenilworth Road. The Red's were on the verge of winning the tie when Crouch scored in the 72nd minute due to defensive blunders from Luton. But Luton were level inside 3 minutes when Riise turned a cross into goal.

Crouch on the way out?

2008-01-04T16:12:00.000+08:00

A transfer rumour is going around involving Peter Crouch and Manchester City. Sven-Goran Eriksson is a known admirer of the Liverpool striker and could opt for a swap deal to entice Liverpool. It is believed that Rafa is interested in Michael johnson and Nedum Onuoha whom are both England Under 21 players.

Liverpool 1-1 Wigan

2008-01-03T08:22:00.000+08:00

Liverpool's title hopes took a turn for the worse after drawing 1-1 to struggling Wigan at Anfield. The draw, coupled with Manchester City's win at Newcastle, dropped the Red's to fifth in the Barclays Premier League and left them trailing leaders Arsenal by 12 points with a match in hand. Striker Fernando Torres had put the home side ahead in the 49th minute but they could not find the important second goal and Titus Bramble smashed in an 80th-minute equaliser. Manager Steve Bruce has long been the 'bogeyman' for Red's manager Benitez and now he has managed to frustrate the Liverpool boss twice in the same season at Anfield with different clubs. Bruce never lost a league match to Benitez while he was at former club Birmingham and earlier this season he masterminded a draw for the Blues at Anfield.

Are out title hopes getting slimmer by the day? Let's not put our hopes on it. At the start i've always expected Liverpool to not contend for the EPL title. Champions League qualification is good enough season. There's been a lot of changes to the squad this season. New players have been recruited and of course they'll need time to gel in with the others.

Wigan up next : We must win!

2008-01-02T15:58:00.000+08:00

Rafa enters the new year knowing Liverpool's destiny, and his own, rests on the next few months. The Reds boss sends his team out to face relegation-haunted Wigan at Anfield knowing only victory will keep his side in touch with the English Premier League leaders.

Just as important for the Merseysiders is keeping themselves clear of the chasing pack of Manchester City, Everton and Aston Villa, who want to grab fourth spot. If Liverpool fail to stay in the top four, Tom Hicks and George Gillett will see their already-strained financial plans seriously damaged. And that would see Benitez under even more pressure. He is not going to be allowed to spend big this month, with the future of Javier Mascherano no nearer a conclusion, with his loan ending in the summer.

Come on Reds!

Kuyt denied the winner

2007-12-31T19:03:00.000+08:00

Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart produced an 86th minute wonder save to deny Dirk Kuyt a late winner for Liverpool.

Gerrard to the rescue!

2007-12-27T08:40:00.000+08:00

Steven Gerrard scored a last-minute winner as Liverpool kept their Premier League title bid alive in dramatic fashion against bottom side Derby County. Jay McEveley's goal, in the 67th minute, looked to have salvaged an unlikely draw for Derby after Fernando Torres had opened the scoring in the 12th minute.

But a great finish by Gerrard from close range secured all three points for the Reds. The defeat stretched Derby's winless run to 12 games and left Jewell still searching for his first victory since succeeding Billy Davies last month. Benitez made four changes from the side that thrashed Portsmouth last weekend, among them recalling Xabi Alonso and Ryan Babel while Andriy Voronin partnered leading scorer Torres in attack.

Torres to the fore as Reds sink Pompey

2007-12-24T09:27:00.000+08:00

Fernando Torres maintained his scoring burst as Liverpool returned to winning ways with a 4-1 victory over Portsmouth at Anfield. Torres netted twice to take his tally to six goals in his last six club outings. Zimbabwe striker Benjani Mwaruwari had thrown Portsmouth a lifeline with his ninth goal of the campaign after Liverpool had established a commanding 2-0 half-time lead.

But Torres made sure Liverpool started their crucial four-match Christmas programme on a winning note with his 13th and 14th goals since moving from Spain in the summer. Having fielded an under-strength side for the League Cup quarter-final defeat to Chelsea three days earlier, Benitez wheeled out his big guns for a game Liverpool dared not lose. Portsmouth arrived at Anfield boasting the best away record in the Premier League. Having won six out of nine on the road, Redknapp's side have already accumulated more points away from home than they managed in the whole of last season when they achieved their highest league finish in 52 years.

Next up : Derby County...

Carragher's not coming out of retirement

2007-12-21T08:55:00.000+08:00

Jamie Carragher has insisted he 'cannot see' himself being talked out of his self-imposed international retirement. The 29-year-old centre-back told former England manager Steve McClaren not to select him after becoming disillusioned with a lack of opportunity in his favoured position, even when the squad was beset by injuries at the end of last season. Following McClaren's sacking and the appointment of Fabio Capello in his place, it was thought the Italian would attempt to persuade Carragher to change his mind. But, even though Capello is thought to be a keen admirer of his abilities, Carragher has reiterated his desire to concentrate on club duty.

Crouch sent off in Carling Cup Defeat

2007-12-20T08:42:00.000+08:00

Liverpool striker Peter Crouch saw red as Chelsea won 2-0 to progress to the semi-finals of the Carling Cup thanks to second-half strikes from Frank Lampard and Andriy Shevchenko. Lampard's deflected 59th minute opener was followed, seconds later, by a moment of madness from Crouch who was red-carded for a disgraceful two-footed lunge on Mikel John Obi. The referee immediately dismissed the striker who unleashed a four-letter tirade at Chelsea fans before disappearing down the tunnel. Crouch will now miss Liverpool's home clash with Portsmouth and the visits to Derby and Manchester City over the festive period.

The Carling Cup has never been high on Rafa's list and he underlined that by putting out a side which did not contain Steven Gerrard and Spanish striker Fernando Torres.

Updates on Stanley Park Stadium

2007-12-18T11:26:00.000+08:00

(photos courtesy of stadiumguide.com)

Liverpool’s new stadium is going to be downsized because of escalating costs says Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry. Although the capacity is still fixed at 70,000, the design of the facade will be altered to suit the budget. Target for completion is 2011.

Just plain unlucky!

2007-12-17T09:14:00.001+08:00

Hopes of wresting the Premier League title away from Manchester United suffered a major setback as Man Utd got away from Anfield with a 1-0 win. Carlos Tevez's goal just before half-time settled a contest that the Red's dominated for most of the 90 minutes and could, with better finishing, have had wrapped up by the time the Argentinian claimed his ninth goal of the season.

This defeat means that the Red's now trail United by nine points and, while they do have a game in hand, their margin for further error in the title race has been significantly reduced. From the outset, Liverpool had looked the sharper of the two sides and the predictably robust opening exchanges were punctuated by a couple of decent half-chances for a side that was unchanged from the line-up which started the 4-0 demolition of Marseille in the Champions League last week.

One word to sum it all: UNLUCKY!!

Next up: Man United

2007-12-14T10:17:00.000+08:00

After seeing off Marseille emphatically on Tuesday night in the Champions League, all eyes return to Anfield for Sunday’s mouthwatering Premier League clash against arch-rivals Manchester United. Last season this fixture finished in bitter dissapointment for Liverpool, conceding a last mintue winner from John O’Shea. The Reds currently sit six points behind United in the league table with a game in hand.

Recent encounters between the teams:
2006/2007	Sun 22 Oct	Man Utd.	2 - 0	Liverpool	PREM
2005/2006	Sat 18 Feb	Liverpool	1 - 0	Man Utd.	FAC
2005/2006	Sun 22 Jan	Man Utd.	1 - 0	Liverpool	PREM
2005/2006	Sun 18 Sep	Liverpool	0 - 0	Man Utd.	PREM
2004/2005	Sat 15 Jan	Liverpool	0 - 1	Man Utd.	PREM
2004/2005	Mon 20 Sep	Man Utd.	2 - 1	Liverpool	PREM
2003/2004	Sat 24 Apr	Man Utd.	0 - 1	Liverpool	PREM

Momo on his way out?

2007-12-14T08:43:00.000+08:00

Momo Sissoko has launched an astonishing attack on Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez. The Mali international was upset at being left out of the squad during the 4-0 win in Marseille. Sissoko says he plans to hold talks with Benitez about his future when the transfer window opens in January.

I think he's looking for a move now though as the writing is on the wall. Now that we have secured the money for the champions league, Mascherano will be staying and I think along with Lucas's fine start to his Liverpool career I think Rafa will offload Momo in the window. Only if he gets the right price because he is still a very good player.

Liverpool FC to up security

2007-12-14T08:31:00.000+08:00

Liverpool FC is to step up security at its players’ houses after Steven Gerrard became the club’s latest team member to be targeted by robbers during a football game. Police said the robbery was being linked to earlier break-ins at the homes of Dirk Kuyt and Pepe Reina. In the latest raid, Gerrard’s wife Alex Curran was confronted by four thieves wearing balaclavas or hoods as he led his team to victory against Marseille in the Champion’s League.

The robbery is the latest in a string of burglaries at the homes of Liverpool players during high-profile football games. Dirk Kuyt’s home in Woolton, was burgled last month while he was on international duty with Holland. The home of goalkeeper Reina, also in Woolton, was ransacked during last May’s Champions League semi-final. Earlier incidents took place in 2005 and 2006 at the homes of Jerzy Dudek, Daniel Agger, Peter Crouch and Florent Sinama-Pongolle.

When The Red's Go Marching In

2007-12-12T10:22:00.000+08:00

Liverpool marched into the knockout stages of the Champions League with a convincing 4-0 win over an outclassed Marseille. An early penalty strike from captain Steven Gerrard was followed by a superb solo effort from Fernando Torres, a Dirk Kuyt goal early in the second half and a stoppage time effort from substitute Ryan Babel as Liverpool became the first English club to win at the home of France's best-supported club.

Rafa's decision to start Kuyt instead of Peter Crouch was vindicated inside three minutes when the Dutch striker clipped a simple ball beyond a flat-heeled back four to send Gerrard steaming towards the Marseille goal. Fouled by a desperate Marseille defender, the Liverpool captain got up to take the resulting penalty himself. Marseille's goalkeeper, did well to block a rising strike but the rebound fell kindly for Gerrard, who easily side-footed the ball home.

Softened up by that the shock goal, Marseille were left reeling again seven minutes later by the brilliance of Torres. Retrieving a pass from Kewell on the left, the Spaniard swept past 2 defenders and coolly threaded his shot into the far corner of the net.

Marseille Beware!

2007-12-10T18:25:00.000+08:00

The Red's will be a far tougher proposition in Tuesday's Champions League crunch match than in their first meeting. The Red's will have to be patient and even more motivated than their match against Porto where they whipped the Portuguese side. The Red's can beat anyone!!

Beaten Red's focus is on Marseille

2007-12-09T08:31:00.000+08:00

Rafa refused to apologize for thinking of Liverpool's make-or-break Champions League clash with Marseille as the Reds slipped to a 3-1 defeat against Reading - their first loss in the Premier League this season. Benitez took off club captain Steven Gerrard, defender Jamie Carragher and top scorer Fernando Torres because he could not see a way back into the match for his side.

An annoyed Benitez said the penalty awarded by referee Andre Marriner for a foul by Carragher which led to Stephen Hunt's spot-kick opening goal for Reading was harsh. And he added Torres should was equally deserving of a penalty when he tangled with Ibrahima Sonko. Reading were given a controversial penalty in the 16th minute when Carragher was adjudged to have brought down Brynjar Gunnarrsson on the edge of the box. Liverpool got an equaliser just before the half hour mark through talisman Gerrard.

Man City after Javier Mascherano

2007-12-07T08:22:00.000+08:00

Manchester City are reportedly set to make a £17million move for the Argentine midfielder. The midfielder's future remains uncertain as the Reds continue to stall over making his deal permanent. Rafa has been urging the American owners to make funds available to keep the player but with no offer on the table, the door is now open for other clubs to make an approach.

Mascherano is owned by a consortium headed by Iranian, Kia Joorabchian and the deal which took him from West Ham to Liverpool is due to run out at the end of the season - at which point the Reds would have to come up with £17m to keep him at the club.

Mascherano is also wanted in Italy, although he is thought to prefer a switch to Barcelona in Spain if he does leave the Premier League.

Sack Rafa and you will lose players

2007-12-04T17:09:00.000+08:00

In-form striker Fernando Torres has warned US owners, George Gillett and Tom Hicks, that the club’s top players could leave if manager Rafael Benitez is sacked. Benitez fell out with the duo over the need to secure transfers early, ahead of the January transfer window, prompting Gillett and Hicks to say Rick Parry would be in charge of all deals. Red’s supporters chanted Benitez’s name throughout the recent Champions League win over Porto. The club should do everything they can to hold on to their manager.

The Red's hammer Bolton

2007-12-03T08:14:00.000+08:00

Fernando Torres underlined his growing importance to the Red's hopes of winning the Premier League with a stunning display as Liverpool hammered Bolton 4-0 at Anfield. Torres took his tally for the season to eleven goals in 17 appearances as Liverpool kept pace with leaders Arsenal by making easy work of Bolton. Hyypia's opener, a Steven Gerrard penalty early in the second-half and a late Ryan Babel tap-in completed the scoring for Liverpool, but it was Torres that made the difference with his pace and determination.

Torres-rising Porto

2007-11-29T08:42:00.000+08:00

Fernando Torres kept Liverpool's Champions League rescue mission on course as his double strike inspired a 4-1 win over Porto. He scored on either side of Porto's equaliser at Anfield before Steven Gerrard and Peter Crouch struck late on to clinch a victory that means the Red's can still reach the last 16.

The fear of losing out in the next transfer window

2007-11-26T13:46:00.000+08:00

Rafael Benitez has raised questions about the club's American owners' knowledge of the European transfer system. The Spaniard's relationship with Tom Hicks and George Gillett has reportedly come under strain because of Benitez's desire to strengthen the team.

Guess the Americans are still not familiar with the football transfer system.

Rafa's army make it 3-0

2007-11-25T08:17:00.002+08:00

Liverpool remain unbeaten in the Premier League after a 3-0 victory at Newcastle, whose manager Sam Allardyce is under increasing pressure after his team offered little resistance on the way to another alarming setback. Newcastle were embarrassed as Liverpool totally dominated Saturday's game and provided the perfect pick-me-up for Steven Gerrard in the wake of England's failure to qualify for the European Championships.

Gerrard certainly appeared to have something to prove as he produced a magnificent midfield show packed with energy, drive and a contribution to all three goals. His first from long-range and was involved as Dirk Kuyt and Ryan Babel added more goals but even that didn't fully reflect Liverpool's overwhelming superiority.

Let's hope the Englishmen put it behind

2007-11-23T17:17:00.000+08:00

I'm hoping that disappointed skipper Steven Gerrard, as well as Peter Crouch will bounce back through their club form. The Reds will be looking forward to the game against the Toons.

Kuyt - latest burglary victim

2007-11-22T09:16:00.000+08:00

Dirk Kuyt has become the latest Liverpool player to be burgled. Thieves broke into the striker's home in the Liverpool suburb of Woolton while he was on international duty. Earlier this year, the home of Red's keeper Pepe Reina was burgled as he helped the club reach the Champions League final. Team mates Jerzy Dudek, Daniel Agger, Peter Crouch and Florent Sinama-Pongolle, as well as Everton's Andy van der Meyde, were all burgled last year. My oh my...what's happening to this world...

Rafa ain't going anywhere

2007-11-20T08:36:00.000+08:00

Rafa has ruled out leaving the Reds for Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich. Speculation over the weekend suggested the Spaniard was top of the German side's wanted list.

Challenge for the young Reds

2007-11-19T08:33:00.000+08:00

Rafael Benitez is hoping that his young stars can step up to the plate as the Reds bid to find some consistency in their quest for silverware.Ryan Babel, Lucas Leiva, and Sebastian Leto have made a fair bit of appearances between them as part of Rafa's squad rotation system as the team sit fifth in the Premier league and are fighting for Champions League survival.

Tom Hicks to buy AS Roma ?

2007-11-13T14:30:00.000+08:00

There has been rumours going around recently that Liverpool owner Tom Hicks is interested in acquiring AS Roma. A spokesman for Tom Hicks has flatly denied the Liverpool co-owner has any interest in acquiring the Serie A giant.

The Italian club's share price rocketed by around eight per cent on Monday in the wake of widespread reports in the country that Hicks had held talks with Roma president Franco Sensi about buying a majority shareholding.

Hicks also owns the Dallas Stars ice hocky team from the NHL and Texas Rangers baseball franchise from the MLB in the United States.

Torres keeps Reds on track

2007-11-11T12:56:00.000+08:00

Rafa Benitez has underlined the importance of Fernando Torres to Liverpool's Premier League title bid after the 26.5-million-pound striker came off the bench to sink Fulham. The Cottagers got within nine minutes of securing a point with a dogged display at Anfield on Saturday, but their defences were breached by a brilliant solo goal from Torres before Steven Gerrard sealed the win with a penalty.

The victory lifted Liverpool into fourth place in the table, three points adrift of joint leaders Arsenal, who travel to Reading on Monday, and Manchester United, who were due to host Blackburn on Sunday.

Give me a permanent deal, or I'm off

2007-11-10T12:52:00.000+08:00

Javier Mascherano has informed Liverpool that he will leave the club - if the management doesn't sort out his long-term future at Anfield by November.

Liverpool's uncertainty to complete a long-term deal may force Mascherano to look for greener pastures outside the Premiership. Liverpool do not want to come up with the £17million wanted by Media Sports Investment.

Rafa is thought to value Mascherano closer to £10million.

Besiktas get a kicking

2007-11-07T09:11:00.000+08:00

Yossi Benayoun claimed a hat-trick as Liverpool kept their Champions League campaign alive with an 8-0 demolition of Besiktas, their biggest European win in 27 years. A trio of poacher's finishes from the Israeli midfielder was complemented by doubles for both Peter Crouch and substitute Ryan Babel and skipper Steven Gerrard also got on the scoresheet as Liverpool ran amok.

Despite the desperate situation Liverpool found themselves in at the start of the night, Benitez had declined the temptation to gamble on the fitness of Fernando Torres, opting instead to pair Crouch with Andriy Voronin at the sharp end of a line-up commited to, in Gerrard's phrase, going for the jugular of their opponents.

Carling Cup - Chelsea to face Reds in quarter-final

2007-11-04T10:17:00.000+08:00

Chelsea will host Liverpool in the stand out quarter-final tie in the Carling Cup. The cup holders only booked their place in the last eight after a Lampard hat-trick, including a scrambled effort in injury time, helped them overturn a 3-2 deficit and beat Leicester 4-3 in the fourth round. The match is a repeat of the 2005 final which Chelsea won 3-2 after extra-time, but Liverpool have had their cup successes over the Blues in the Champions League.

A draw yet again

2007-11-04T10:14:00.000+08:00

Liverpool could only play out a 0-0 stalemate with Blackburn at Ewood Park and remain six points behind Arsenal and Manchester United. The Reds are however, still unbeaten in the Premier League, but have now drawn five out of their last seven games. The Reds have dropped down to seventh in the table due to Portmouth's jump up to fourth thanks to their big win at Newcastle.

In truth however, neither side did enough over the course of 90 minutes to deserve the three points, and a draw was a fair result.

Carson eyes permanent deal

2007-11-03T10:11:00.000+08:00

Villan's on-loan liverpool keeper Scott Carson has declared that he would be happy to join the club on a permanent deal. Carson, 22, has been in fine form while on-loan from the Reds, first at Charlton last season and now at Aston Villa.

Riise's pay details hit Web

2007-11-01T10:33:00.000+08:00

Liverpool have launched an investigation after the pay details of Norwegian defender John Arne Riise appeared on the Internet. Photographs of a wages slip showing his monthly salary of 139,634 pounds were sent to email addresses around the Web and were shown on Internet forums.

The payslip also revealed the player's home address and national insurance number.

Where's Agger ?

2007-11-01T10:06:00.000+08:00

Defender Dan Agger has admitted he does not know when he will be able to return to action as he struggles to recover from a foot injury. The stopper suffered a stress fracture to the second metatarsal in his right foot while on international duty earlier this month. But after three weeks, the defender is struggling to see any light at the end of the tunnel after having failed in his attempts to take to the field again.

Agger's problems come at a bad time for Rafa Benitez, whose already substantial injury list was further lengthened at the weekend with the knock picked up by record signing Torres. The Spaniard joins Agger on the treatment table, alongside Xabi Alonso and Pennant, as Liverpool edge towards what is nearing an injury crisis.

Mascherano Wants Permanent Move

2007-10-29T08:59:00.002+08:00

Javier Mascherano hopes his loan deal can be turned into a permanent move at the end of the season. The midfielder arrived from West Ham during last season on an 18-month loan with the prospect of a permanent deal to be discussed later.

Mascherano's move to West Ham - along with countryman Tevez - caused the Hammers and the Premier League major problems last season due to third-party involvement in the deals. Liverpool will have to negotiate with those same third-party investors to sort out Mascherano's future, and already sources have started linking him with a move to Spain or Italy.

Liverpool 1 - Arsenal 1

2007-10-29T08:55:00.000+08:00

Liverpool and Arsenal, both undefeated in the league this season, served up a treat in the weekend's outstanding fixture which was seen as a major test of Arsenal's credentials. Liverpool, looking to hit back from a damaging 2-1 Champions League defeat by Besiktas on Wednesday, made a stirring start with Gerrard forcing a fine early save from goalkeeper Almunia.

A minute later they went ahead when Gerrard's fierce free kick from the edge of the area flew through a hole in the Arsenal wall into the bottom left corner. Gerrard stung Almunia's fingers with another shot soon after but Arsenal, seeking a 13th consecutive victory in all competitions, hogged possession for the rest of the half with their fluent passing game forcing Liverpool deep.

Fabregas wasted a glorious chance to equalise after 53 minutes when Eboue's low shot hit the base of the post and rebounded to him but he fired wide with the goal gaping. He made amends with 10 minutes remaining, however, running on to Hleb's pass before toe-poking a shot past Liverpool keeper Reina.

Double Injury Blow

2007-10-28T20:51:00.000+08:00

Double injury blow for Liverpool as both midfielder Xabi Alonso and striker Fernando Torres suffer foot injuries. Both players were substituted as they limped out of their 1-1 draw against Arsenal.

Xabi had just returned from a foot injury that had kept him out of the Liverpool side since mid-September but hobbled off after 68 minutes. It was later confirmed that Alonso had suffered another metatarsal injury and that striker Fernando Torres, who was replaced by Peter Crouch, also aggravated an adductor muscle injury.

Both now face lengthy spells on the sidelines.

Huge Euro task ahead

2007-10-26T09:26:00.000+08:00

Jamie Carragher believes last year's Champions League finalists can return from the brink after losing to Besiktas midweek. Liverpool is facing 'relegation' to the second-tier UEFA Cup competition after Wednesday's 2-1 defeat in Istanbul, where they beat AC Milan 3-2 two years ago to win the Champions League.

In 2005, Liverpool managed to lose two group games against Monaco and Olympiakos and claim a draw with Deportivo la Coruna. All seemed lost ahead of the final home game with Olympiakos, but a dramatic fight-back with goals from Florent Sinama-Pongolle, Neil Mellor and Gerrard produced an historic comeback.

They ended up winning the trophy that season. So all hope ain't lost after all! Liverpool now have the return with Besiktas in a fortnight, followed by Porto at Anfield and the last group grame in Marseille in December.

Rock bottom......is there any hope?

2007-10-25T16:22:00.000+08:00

Liverpool remain winless after three games and bottom of their group Wednesday with a 2-1 loss to Besiktas.

It started well for Liverpool, with Steven Gerrard taking a shot on goal in the first minute and Tello lucky to clear an Andriy Voronin ball off the Besiktas goal line just five minutes later after some sloppy defending.

But a defensive muddle made it 1-0 for the home side after only 13 minutes. Jamie Carragher wrestled the ball away from Bobo after a dangerous run by the Brazilian to the goal line, but his clearing shot bounced off Steve Finnan to fall in front of Serdar Ozkan whose kick took a deflection off Sami Hyppia to leave Pepe Reina wrong-footed.

Liverpool piled on the pressure in the final minutes of the half, with Ryan Babel in particular wreaking havoc with the Besiktas defence on the left, but to no avail. Besiktas were in a more defensive mode in the second half, but came close on 51 minutes when Reina blocked a close shot from Bobo after a fine deep pass into the penalty box.

Rafael Benitez put Yossi Benayoun in for Jermaine Pennant in the 59th and Liverpool again put the pressure on, but the equalizer failed to come. Andriy Voronin booted the ball in on 68 minutes after a moment of panic in the Besiktas defense, but was ruled off-side.

Gerrard came close in the 72nd only to have Hakan grab the ball from his feet on the six-yard line. Liverpool's hopes were dashed six minutes later when Bobo atoned, catching a deep pass from Besiktas captain Ibrahim Uzulmez on the left to knock the ball in between Reina's legs.

Benitez brought Peter Crouch on for Hyypia in the 83rd as Liverpool settled into the Besiktas half of the field, hoping to beat the Istanbul defence with high balls to the 2.02-metre striker. But it was a flying header by Gerrard on a badly cleared ball that made it 2-1 five minutes from time.

It was too little too late, however, as Besiktas survived five minutes of hell at the end of the game as Liverpool settled into their penalty box, the last serious threat a Crouch header slapped away for a corner by Hakan three minutes into extra time.

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2007-10-22T16:08:00.000+08:00

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Spanish pair to be fit for Besiktas tie

2007-10-22T08:59:00.000+08:00

Rafa is confident Spanish duo Xabi Alonso and Fernando Torres will be ready for this week's Champions League showdown with Besiktas in Turkey.

The duo missed Saturday's 2-1 defeat of Everton. The confidence boost of a controversial win at Goodison Park has come at just the right time for Liverpool, after a worrying spell had seen them win just two of their previous seven games.

The Group D match with bottom club Besiktas has become a must-win game, after Liverpool picked up just one point from their opening two matches against Porto and Marseille.

Kuyt spot on to sink Everton in dramatic derby

2007-10-22T08:52:00.000+08:00

Dirk Kuyt displayed nerves of steel to earn Liverpool a dramatic victory over nine-man Everton as a controversial Merseyside derby ended in a 2-1 win.

Liverpool looked to be heading for defeat against their neighbours when Sami Hyypia's astonishing own goal gave the hosts a first half lead.

But Kuyt kept his cool from the penalty spot to equalise after skipper Steven Gerrard had been fouled by Tony Hibbert.

Everton were forced to play the final 38 minutes with 10 men after Hibbert was dismissed by referee Mark Clattenburg for his foul on Gerrard.

Yet David Moyes's side looked like holding out for a point before Kuyt won it from the penalty spot with virtually the last kick of an absorbing game after Phil Neville had handled a goal-bound shot by Lucas which earned the Everton captain his marching orders.

The hosts had waited for this game since an ill-advised and graceless outburst from Benitez following February's goalless draw at Anfield.

Annoyed by what he saw as Everton's negativity, rather than focusing on his own team's impotence, Benitez made a reference to "small clubs", much to the fury of all at Goodison Park. The remarks have not been forgotten at Everton.

Stoking the fires ahead of the high stakes encounter, defender Alan Stubbs opted to pour scorn on Liverpool's title credentials, making pointed reference to Benitez's lavish pre-season spending.

Save these Liverpool Wallpapers on your desktop !

2007-10-18T14:12:00.000+08:00

Choose your wallpaper, then click on the images to open it. When you see the wallpaper expanded, right click on it and select "Save image as".

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Courtesy of http://liverpoolfctv.blogspot.com

Crouch on the move ?

2007-10-18T09:34:00.000+08:00

Crouch has been linked with a January switch to Manchester City after slipping down the pecking order at Liverpool since the arrivals of Fernando Torres and Andriy Voronin.

Spanish Armada

2007-10-16T17:27:00.000+08:00

Liverpool are reported to be lining up a move for Athletic Bilbao defender Fernando Amorebieta. Reports suggest Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is keeping tabs on the highly-rated defender.

The Reds are believed to have watched the 22-year-old on a couple of occasions this season as they ponder making some transfer forays in January.

Benitez has admitted he is considering adding to his squad when the transfer window reopens and defensive reinforcements are believed to be his top priority.

The Reds are short of cover in defence after failing in their pursuit of Gabriel Heinze and Amorebieta's versatility makes him an attractive proposition.

Bilbao are keen to keep hold of Amorebieta, but the player could find it hard to resist the opportunity to become the latest player to join the Spanish contingent at Anfield.

So will this become a reality ? Let's wait and see.