liverpool football official updated news

Daniel Agger set to return for Liverpool FC’s trip to Bolton

2012-01-20T09:24:00.000+01:00

DANIEL AGGER is set to earn a recall to the Liverpool side for tomorrow’s trip to Bolton. The Danish defender missed last weekend’s 0-0 draw with Stoke City through injury but has returned to training. Midfielder Jay Spearing (hamstring) is boss Kenny Dalglish’s only fitness doubt. “Agger is okay,” Dalglish said. “I said the injury was on-going so we’ve just got to manage it. “We just need to have a look at Jay and see how he goes. I don’t think there’s anybody else we need to worry about.

Liverpool confirm interest in Joao Carlos Teixeira

2012-01-19T15:48:00.000+01:00

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has confirmed the club's interest in signing Sporting Lisbon midfielder Joao Carlos Teixeira. The Reds have been linked with the 19-year-old, who impressed against them playing for the Portuguese side in the NextGen series this season. Teixeira is out of contract in the summer and Liverpool are ahead of a number of top European clubs after reportedly making an £850,000 bid. "There might be something about that," Dalglish said. Asked whether the teenager would be a contender for a first-team squad place the Scot replied: "No, he's only a kid." Liverpool have also been linked with Ghana Under-20 midfielder Mumuni Abubakar but Dalglish denied any knowledge of that deal. "It must be the academy," was the Reds manager's response. "We are expecting a quiet (transfer) window - obviously the academy aren't but we are." Abubakar reportedly had a recent trial with the club and he told Joy Sports back in his homeland: "They were impressed by my performances during training and the match that I played. "The technical team like my style of play, so hopefully they will sign me. "When you go to trials, they talk to your agent and not you the player. "Liverpool is talking with my agent (Oliver Arthur) now. "They're impressed with my performances so we should get a Read more: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/premiership/liverpool-confirm-interest-in-joao-carlos-teixeira-16105894.html?r=RSS#ixzz1juq08Wt2

liverpool football official updated news: Suarez reminds me of Kenny

2011-07-20T16:57:00.000+01:00

liverpool football official updated news: Suarez reminds me of Kenny

Suarez reminds me of Kenny

2011-07-20T16:00:00.000+01:00

The Reds No.7 struck twice to send Uruguay into the Copa America final at the expense of Peru on Tuesday night.

It's form that's in keeping with Suarez's first few months at Anfield in which his all-action, vibrant displays made him a Kop favourite after his arrival from Ajax in January.

Lawrenson said: "Suarez is the big one for me. Lots of people have arrived at Liverpool and people have said they remind me of Dalglish - and they never were because he was so special, but Suarez might just be the closest.

"He's got all the ability in the world and a real mean streak. He is a top player.

"Kenny's eyes light up when he talks about him. He's got that little bit of everything and when you see goals like he scored at Sunderland last season you ask yourself 'how's he done that?', which was another trait Dalglish had.

"He's got great ability. He is very aware of everything, a real team player a handful to play against and like all South Americans can really look after himself. Players like Diego Maradona and Carlos Tevez found themselves getting booted on a regular basis but were tough and could give it back. Suarez is the same."

Meireles – The magic midfield maestro

2011-02-24T16:02:00.000+01:00

To say that Roy Hodgson was disliked by Liverpool supporters may be the biggest understatement of the season.

The 63-year old Londoner’s outdated tactics, meagre CV, uninspiring football and farcical media comments created a cataclysmic chasm between the manager and the Kop that has never been witnessed in the post-Shankly era. Hodgson’s inability to establish any semblance of form within the players paled into insignificance compared to his utter failure to connect with the Reds’ passionate fan base, and left new owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG) with no other choice but to fire the failing former Fulham manager.

However, the signing of dynamic Portugese midfielder Raul Meireles is perhaps the single ray of sunshine to emerge from the six-month period of doom and gloom that characterised Roy’s mercifully brief reign. Following a slow start Liverpool’s new number four has accelerated his development excitingly and now possesses a crucial role in our midfield. A sensational goal-scoring spree over recent weeks has seen Meireles bag an enviable five goals in six matches, as well as a special place in the hearts of Kopites, who have inevitably been impressed with the Iberian’s imperious form.

The 27-year old midfield maestro secured his first goal with an incisive and impressive strike in the Merseyside derby during Dalglish’s first game back at Anfield, and since then the floodgates have opened and a refreshing amount of goals have flown from the fulcrum of our midfield.

His breathtaking beauty against Mick McCarthy’s Wolverhampton Wanderers must surely be the Reds’ goal of the season, whilst his next strike at the Kop end proved crucial in unlocking Stoke City’s stubborn defence, allowing the Merseysiders to control the rest of the encounter and entertain the Anfield faithful with some expansive football

Unfazed by the media hype surrounding Fernando Torres’ Chelsea debut, Meireles defended resolutely at Stamford Bridge to deprive the Spanish striker of any joy, as he formed the side’s vital heart-beat with Brazilian team-mate Lucas Leiva, who patrolled the pitch diligently and sprayed passes all over the field of play. To top off the afternoon appropriately Raul intelligently anticipated where Steven Gerrard’s right wing cross would land before racing enthusiastically to reach the ball and net a fantastic left footed winner.

A further strike at home to Wigan Athletic has cemented Raul’s position in our midfield and, despite the disappointing 1-1 draw that eventually ensued, has led to comparisons with club captain Steven Gerrard, who has fulfilled a similar end-to-end role for the club previously.

Meireles’ ability to defend, pass, move and score means he performs a crucial function for the team and, although those abilities aren’t displayed to the same world class level of Steven Gerrard, possessing another quality all action player in the mould of our iconic Scouser skipper is more than welcome following years of dangerous over-reliance on Liverpool’s ageing number eight.

However, this type of scintillating form was rarely seen during his first few months at Anfield. Combative and strong, many expected Meireles to revel in the competitive, physical Premier League and anticipated a brief settling in spell, however he struggled to make an impact in our midfield due to the inconsistent way in which former manager Roy Hodgson employed him.

One week Raul would play on the right hand side of midfield and others he would start in an even more unfamiliar position on the left wing and, although the vast majority of supporters and pundits alike know that his best and preferred position is in the centre of midfield, Hodgson rarely played him there. When he did, for example during our comprehensive 3-0 home victory over West Ham United, Meireles demonstrated his obvious talent and apparent ability, however this never seemed to convince an uncertain Roy Hodgson as to his best position in the side.

It comes as no surprise then to learn that Meireles’ recent resurgence has corresponded with a change in manager, as Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish has returned to the Anfield managerial hot seat and has played Meireles extensively in a free, forward thinking role in the centre of midfield.

Incorporating him into the traditional philosophy of pass and move football has led to the thriving and flourishing Raul Meireles significantly contributing to our current run of good results, and has justified the sizeable fee of £11 million that was paid to secure his signing in the summer.

Making the most of underperforming stars was a key aspect of Roy Hodgson’s job description when Martin Broughton and Christian Purslow appointed him in the summer. His inability to improve the performance of misfiring players was a crucial reason behind his sacking, and this, alongside his failure to establish a rapport with the fans, made him incredibly unpopular with supporters. Conversely, Kenny Dalglish’s instant bond with the Kop and his immediate improvement of players such as Raul Meireles has already led to many calling for him to be given the job on a long-term basis.

In fact, that’s why to say that Kenny Dalglish’s return has saved the Reds’ season is possibly the second biggest understatement of the campaign.

Liverpool To Make A LoanMove For Chelsea StrikerDaniel Sturridge - Report

2010-12-19T17:31:00.002+01:00

The manager of the Merseyside club,
Roy Hodgson, has for some time
maintained that he needs to bolster
his strike force, so as to give
Fernando Torres some breathing
space.
And now The People claims that the
Reds are looking to take the 21-year-
old former Manchester City starlet on
loan, with a view to a £5 million
permanent transfer during the
summer.
Sturridge has not made a single
league start at the west London club
this term, and it is thought he could
be receptive to a move away from
Stamford Bridge to reignite his
career.

Roy Hodgson hopeful over January reinforcements at Liverpool

2010-12-19T10:09:00.001+01:00

Liverpool
manager Roy
Hodgson has
expressed his
hope that he
will be able to
strengthen his
squad next
month.
The Reds boss
had
discussions
with principal
owner John
Henry and Tom
Werner about
the squad and
what transfer
activity is
required when
the Americans
were on
Merseyside earlier this week.
However, the 63-year-old suggested
he was still not sure what the
January window would bring.
'I can only hope we get one or two
of the injured players back in certain
areas," said Hodgson.
'With injuries to Jamie Carragher
(shoulder), Daniel Agger (calf), Jay
Spearing (ankle) and Gerrard
(hamstring) we have been hit hard
in certain areas.
'I can only hope if there is any
possibility of transfers in the January
window that will help us and make
us a better team I will be given the
opportunity to take those players.
'My ambition to improve the squad
is shared by the owners but we will
have to wait and see what
possibilities are there - if any - and
what they would like to do.'
The positive signs emerging from
Melwood yesterday suggested
Gerrard would be fit to return from a
month-long absence from a
hamstring injury against Fulham -
the club Hodgson left in the summer
- at home this evening.
Liverpool have won the last four
Barclays Premier League matches at
Anfield and the return of their
captain would be a huge boost
heading into the busy festive period.
'Four home games out of six (in the
next month) is important because
Anfield has been good to us in recent
weeks,' added the Reds boss.
'We are playing a lot of those teams
who are around or below us in the
table so there is a lot of
responsibility [on the players].
'The problem these days is that there
is not a great deal of difference in
point between the sixth team and
ones at the bottom.'
Midfielder Lucas Leiva, who is set to
return as a number of changes from
the side which drew 0-0 with Utrecht
in the Europa League, believes they
are heading in the right direction
after a difficult start.
'We're doing better now than at the
start of the season,' said the Brazil
international.
'We had some players come and go,
and a new coaching staff arrived and
brought new methods with them.
'Sometimes these things take time
to gel, but we're on the right path.'

Barcelona in summerswoop for Torres andFabregas

2010-12-19T06:31:00.000+01:00

Barcelona are planning an audacious
£85million swoop next summer for
Cesc Fabregas and Fernando Torres.
The Catalan club are now boosted by
the massive cash injection from the
huge sponsorship deal with Qatar
Foundation which will be worth
£125million over five years.
And this will enable the club to make
sizeable offers for both Fabregas and
Torres.
The Arsenal captain Fabregas is a
native Catalan and was close to
moving back to his spiritual home in
the summer when Barcelona made
their interest known.
He was persuaded to stay after long
talks with manager Arsene Wenger–
but he is unlikely to resist should
Barcelona return in July.
Torres has had a strange season
with Liverpool.
At times he has looked back to his
best – as when he scored twice
when Chelsea were beaten at Anfield
this season.
But on other occasions, he has
looked disinterested and appears
disillusioned at Liverpool ’s lack of
progress while new manager Roy
Hodgson carries out his re-building
programme.
Torres is also wanted by Jose
Mourinho at Real Madrid – but Torres
would not go to the Bernabeu.
He grew up as an Atletico Madrid fan
and played for the club. He would
find it impossible to return to Spain
and play for Atletico ’s rivals.
Barca boss Pep Guardiola has
assembled a squad of fearsome
quality and are already hot
favourites to lift the Champions ’
League at Wembley next May.
But he has plans to maintain the
domination in Spain and in Europe
and already has a hit list of players
to bolster the squad for next season
– with Fabregas and Torres top of
the list.
And with the finance from Qatar,
money will be no object.

Fulham Clash Postponed

2010-12-18T22:04:00.001+01:00

Roy Hodgson will have to wait until
the snow clears to get a shot at his
former club after adverse weather
conditions forced officials to call off
the clash at Anfield.
A spokesman for the club said:
“Club officials met with the Police
this morning to assess the prevailing
weather conditions.
“The safety of all fans attending the
game is paramount and although
the Anfield pitch is playable, the
conditions around the stadium and
further afield for people travelling to
the match are such that the decision
was taken, following Police advice
on safety grounds, to postpone the
game.
“All existing tickets will remain valid
for the re-arranged fixture. We will
also offer refunds and publish a
deadline date for refunds once the
re-arranged game date is
announced, to enable us to re-sell
any returned seats to other
supporters.
“Any guests who have purchased
hospitality for the game are advised
to retain their tickets as they will be
valid for the new date. We will
advise all supporters of the new date
as soon as possible. ”
This could be a blessing in disguise
for the Reds as it allows skipper
Steven Gerrard the opportunity to
fully recuperate from a hamstring
injury before returning to action.
Liverpool’s next fixture is a boxing
day encounter with newly promoted
Blackpool, although this game could
also fall victim to the elements as the
Seasiders do not have undersoil
heating at Bloomfield Road.

Reds keen on Dortmund ace

2010-12-17T12:47:00.000+01:00

The German-born Turkey international has earned rave reviews for his displays for Bundesliga table-toppers Dortmund so far this season.
And his form has reportedly caught the eye of Serie A sides Juventus and Inter Milan, who are said to be preparing summer bids. But reports in Germany have revealed that Liverpool are now ready to rival any offer from Italy for the 22-year-old.
It is understood that Dortmund will refuse to sell in January, but could be ready to do business in the summer for a figure of around £13m.

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.

Inter Milan Make Liverpool's Fernando Torres And Manchester City's Carlos Tevez Their Top Summer Targets - Report

2010-05-04T17:10:00.000+01:00

Inter Milan are planning summer swoops for two of the Premier League's leading strikers, according to reports from Italy.

According to SportItalia, Inter chairman Massimo Moratti believes the recent confirmation that Liverpool will not be in the Champions League next season has opened the door for Fernando Torres to leave the club.

Despite the Spaniard's reported £70 million transfer tag, Moratti is not scared and will lodge a bid for a player he has long admired at the end of the season.

Meanwhile, according to Mediaset, Carlos Tevez's recent run-ins with Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini have alerted the Nerazzurri to his availability, and they will look to lure him to the Giuseppe Meazza in the summer.

The reports suggest that out-of-favour Inter forward Mario Balotelli might well be used as a makeweight in either deal, depending on which club they can persuade to take him.

Liverpool chief Purslow: Gerrard, Torres will not be sold

2010-02-02T15:22:00.001+01:00

Liverpool chief Christian Purslow has dismissed claims Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard will be sold if they fail to finish in the top four this season.

Purslow, a fluent Spanish speak, told AS that Liverpool "are not a selling club".

"It is not fair, it's ridiculous to say that," said Purslow. "We pay salaries and transfers at the level of the top four in the league. And that's the level I hope to continue at.

"We will be in the Champions League, for sure.

"We are not a selling club. That's for certain."

RAFA'S REDS GET INJURED IN MEANINGLESS MATCHES

2009-11-13T10:49:00.002+01:00

Rafael Benitez has revealed that he has been offered other jobs in Europe by clubs wishing to recruit him in the past 3 years.

Speaking to ITV journalists recently, the genial Liverpool boss said: " I have had offers from many clubs over the last three years, but I want to stay at Liverpool because it is a great club and because of the loyalty of the fans towards me."

After finishing 2nd to Man Utd last season with only two defeats in the League and amassing 86 points, it is no surprise that Rafa would have been coveted by Europe's big clubs.
Rafa was obviously feeling the heat when he gave this interview as our season has been poor so far: 11 points behind League leaders Chelsea, out of the Carling Cup and almost out of the Champions League.

He has been repeatedly linked with a return to Real Madrid who have always wanted him to return, one day, to manage the club.
I think Rafa was saying was that if he gets the sack, he has other options in football.

Athletico Madrid are also eyeing him up as they are having a poor season after qualifying for the Champions League last year but they are struggling for form this term.
I say, wait until the end of the season before we reach a verdict on Rafa's achievements, he hasn't suddenly become a bad Manager overnight.

YOSSI: TORRES CAN FIRE US TO VICTORY

2009-04-14T16:53:00.002+01:00

Yossi Benayoun believes the scintillating form of Fernando Torres should be enough to convince his teammates they can pull off a miraculous comeback at Chelsea tonight.

The Israeli regards El Nino as the best front man in the business and is hopeful the clinical number nine can continue his recent hot-streak with more goals at the Bridge.

"Fernando is the best striker in the world," he said. "Every game he plays for us he is unbelievable and he scores unbelievable goals. "He makes what he does seem so easy and that is what makes him such a special player. "If you look at the three goals he has scored this week each of them have been very different and this is one of the things which makes him such a great player. "We need him and Stevie (Gerrard) both to be at their best for this game and if they are then we might just do it. "We know that we are capable of scoring a lot of goals in a single game because we have showed this in quite a few matches already this season. "But we also know that Chelsea are one of the strongest teams in Europe with a lot of good players as they showed at Anfield last week. "So it will not be easy for us to get the kind of result we want but if we can press them more than we did at Anfield and maybe score another early goal then from there anything can happen." By his own admission, Benayoun is now playing the best football of his Liverpool career. His recent winner at Fulham is just one of a number of important contributions he has made so far this season and he would love to have the chance to make another significant impact tonight. "I have enjoyed my football from the very first moment that I came to Liverpool because I knew that I was joining a special club," he said. "I have tried to do my very best in every single game that I have played in and now that I have come back from injury I am feeling good again so hopefully when I get a chance to play I will do my best for the team again. "But this is probably the best spell I have had since coming to Liverpool. Over the past two months I have felt a lot better, my confidence has been higher and I have felt like I have been near to my best. "But I still need to work hard and keep on trying to improve and maybe I can give even more to the team. "First we will have to see who the manager chooses for this game but if he does pick me then I will give everything for the team. "I think we have a lot of players of quality who can score goals and who can create goals for others in this or any other game and we have showed this during the last few weeks when we have been playing really well and getting some really good results." Having conceded three away goals in the first-leg, most sides would have had their chances completely written off by now – but not Liverpool. Benayoun believes the Reds are one of the few sides capable of producing a huge shock and points to the club's European history as further evidence of what can be achieved. "Liverpool has proved over the last few years that they are a team who can never be written off," he said. "If you go back to the European Cup final in Istanbul in 2005 I don’t think anyone thought they would come back after going three goals down to AC Milan at half time. "But they did do it and that makes believe that if any club can do it it is Liverpool and we will do our best to make it happen. "We will all be giving 100 per cent and hopefully this will be enough."

GERRARD NOMINATED FOR PFA AWARD

2009-04-14T16:47:00.001+01:00

Steven Gerrard has been nominated for the PFA Players' Player of the Year.

The Liverpool skipper is the only non-Manchester United player on the six-man shortlist and joins Edwin van der Sar, Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand, Ryan Giggs and last year's winner Cristiano Ronaldo in the running for the honour. Gerrard, who won the award in 2006, has been in sensational form for the Reds this season, with the 28-year-old netting 21 goals. Speaking about Gerrard's nomination, PFA Chief Executive Gordon Taylor said: "Steven has been a personal favourite of mine for a long time now and I have the utmost respect and admiration for the way he continues to go about his business, as an influential midfield player, a talisman if you like, for club and country. "I remember when he won the Young Player of the Year award in 2001 he told me that, whilst he was proud to win that particular award, he would not be satisfied until he had won the main prize, and that said a lot about his ambition and dedication. "He went on to win the Players' Player award in 2006 and fully deserves to be amongst the nominees again this year. "He is not only a top class player and captain, he is a top class lad too and a credit to his profession. "He is a real Roy of the Rovers performer who, on so many occasions when Liverpool have perhaps looked down and out, he has pulled them through virtually single-handed and I don't think many people would argue with the comments made by Zinedine Zidane that Steve is the best midfield player in the world."

Gerrard faces late fitness test

2009-04-10T18:02:00.001+01:00

Steven Gerrard is in the squad to face Blackburn Rovers on Saturday and Rafael Benitez is set to make a late decision on the midfielder’s fitness.

The Liverpool skipper is likely to be rested to be fit to face Chelsea in the second-leg of the Champions League quarter-finals at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.

Benitez told www.liverpoolfc.tv: “Steven has some problems with his adductor. He will be in the squad but we still have to decide whether he will start.

“It is not very serious but we need to analyse the risk for the future as well. We know it’s a very important game, so we’ll decide tomorrow.

“We have to think about the best for Stevie and the team - both things together.

“This is a very important game, so we know it will be really good if he can play. But if we were to lose him for the next few weeks it could be a big risk.

“I will talk with him and the doctor on Saturday morning before deciding.”

Gerrard injury worry for Reds

2009-04-09T16:12:00.001+01:00

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is currently in hospital undergoing a scan on his groin after suffering an injury in yesterday’s 3-1 defeat against Chelsea.

The Reds midfielder complained about a pain in his groin following last night’s game and there are fears that he could be out for the rest of the season.
Our source at Anfield said: “Stevie is currently at the hospital and it’s feared it’s serious enough to write him off for several weeks.
“If it is serious the club will play it down to not give Manchester United and Chelsea a mental boost.”
However, there is no official confirmation at this time from the club.

Benitez keen on Barcelona striker

2009-04-01T15:55:00.001+01:00

Rafael Benitez is keen on signing Barcelona striker Samuel Eto’o in the summer, according to reports in Spain.

Benitez wants to lower the burden on Fernando Torres after the sale of Robbie Keane back to Tottenham.
Eto’o wants to remain at Camp Nou until 2010 and Benitez is ready to wait until his price comes down.
The Cameroon international was close to leaving Barcelona in the summer however, he has played a key role as the Catalan club look to finish the season off in style, winning the La Liga title.
Benitez has been promised a £30million transfer kitty and Eto’o is one of the names on the Spaniard’s wish list along with Aston Villa captain Gareth Barry.
The ex-Valencia manager will also look to sign a right-winger and a right-back in the summer.

Gerrard relishes forward thinking

2009-03-25T11:08:00.002+01:00

Steven Gerrard would jump at the chance to occupy the same roving role for England that he has carried out with such success at Liverpool.

Fabio Capello has yet to reveal how he intends to use Gerrard, who missed the last two internationals, when the Three Lions square up to Slovakia in a friendly at Wembley on Saturday.
But Gerrard is keen to continue the form that has powered Liverpool to within a point of Manchester United in the Premier League and that means operating behind a main striker.
"I would be very happy," revealed the Liverpool skipper.
"It is the manager's decision, of course, but I have played there all season for Liverpool and that would help me."
It is not that long ago Gerrard would have fretted at being made to play anywhere other than the central-midfield berth he made his name in.
Certainly the 28-year-old made his opposition to being picked on the right wing pretty plain in the Liverpool dressing room a few years ago as speculation increased about Gerrard's relationship with Rafael Benitez.
"I had a little moan that I was there every week," he said.
"Rafa said that when he got strong enough players to play out wide, he wanted me in a central position attacking.
"He felt that was my best position. But I had to sacrifice myself on the right."
Gerrard accepts his reaction might not have been ideal as he can now see the fruits of Benitez's labours.
"Maybe when I was a bit selfish when I was younger," he reflected.
"I used to think of myself a bit too much when he was playing me out of position.
"I should have taken a deep breath and realised it was for the team.
"But, at the moment, he is playing me in my favourite position, I am captain and we are winning. Our relationship has got stronger as time has gone by.
"For years and years I have moaned about not being involved in a title race and being far away from the others.
"At the moment, I am playing in a team that's capable of beating anyone in the league."

Reds interested in England midfielder

2009-03-22T14:38:00.001+01:00

Reds interested in England midfielder

Liverpool are set to show fresh interest in Aston Villa captain Gareth Barry in the summer.
Rafa Benitez was keen on signing the England international last summer however, the Anfield board opted for Robbie Keane instead.

Barry’s contract expires at the end of next season. Villa manager Martin O’Neill admits the player could leave the club in the close-season.

“Will Liverpool come back in for Barry? I don’t know,” said the Villa boss. “I don’t know what Liverpool are thinking and it is not my concern at the moment.

“If we qualify for the UEFA Champions League, then subject to the terms (of a new contract) being right, I think there would be a decent chance that Gareth Barry would stay.

“I don’t think anyone would begrudge him leaving the club having given almost 11 years’ service.”

The asking price is set to lower to £12million however, the Reds will face stiff competition from Arsenal and Manchester City.

Reds face Chelsea in Champions League

2009-03-20T15:48:00.001+01:00

Liverpool have been drawn with English side Chelsea in the quarter-finals of the Champions League this season.

The first-leg of the tie will be played at Anfield on April 8th while the second leg will be at Stamford Bridge on April 14th.
The winners of the match will face either FC Barcelona or Bayern Munchen in the semi-finals.
Liverpool will play the second leg of the semi-finals at Anfield while the first-leg will be away from home, if the Merseyside club go through to that stage of the competition.
The first-leg of the quarter finals will be on Sky Sports 1 while the second-leg will be on ITV 1.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUARTER-FINALS DRAW IN FULL

2009-03-20T15:21:00.002+01:00

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUARTER-FINALS DRAW IN FULL

Villarreal CF vs Arsenal

FCManchester United FC vs FC Porto

Liverpool FC vs Chelsea

FCFC Barcelona vs FC Bayern Munchen

Alonso unlikely to return against Villa

2009-03-19T09:00:00.001+01:00

Alonso unlikely to return against Villa

Rafael Benitez has revealed that Xabi Alonso is set to stay on the sidelines for another week after not recovering in time for the game against Aston Villa on Sunday.

The Spanish international returned to light training with the physios and is unlikely to play a part against Villa on the weekend.
“It will be difficult for Xabi Alonso to play against Aston Villa,” Benitez said.
“He was training but only with the physios.
“At the moment we are only definitely without Yossi Benayoun and Philipp Degen so it’s very good for us that most of the players are fit because it means we can change them when we need to.”

Benitez signs new Liverpool contract

2009-03-19T08:53:00.002+01:00

Benitez signs new Liverpool contract

Rafael Benitez has signed a new contract extension with Liverpool FC which will keep him at the club till 2014.

The Liverpool manager has extended his current contract by a further four years.
“My heart is with Liverpool Football Club, so I’m delighted to sign this new deal,” said Rafa. “I love the club, the fans and the city and with a club like this and supporters like this, I could never say no to staying. I always made clear I wanted to be here for a long time and when I complete my new contract it will mean I have spent over a decade in Liverpool.
“The club is greatly respected around the world due to its incredible history and tremendous heritage. It is my aim to uphold those values and help create a new chapter in our history.
“Throughout this process, I would like to thank the owners for their hard work in finalising the deal. All of us at the club want the same thing, which is to be successful by winning major trophies.”
Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks said: “It is wonderful news that Rafa has made a long-term commitment to the football club. Since he became manager in 2004, he has been responsible for the great progress we have made. I know he will continue to build on his achievements as he has a tremendous hunger and desire to bring more success to the club - success our fans and everyone connected with the club deserves.”
Co-owner George Gillett added: “With Rafa continuing to manage the team, we can look forward to more great football and success on the pitch. He has special abilities and qualities which are admired here at the club and around the world. Coming after our excellent wins over Real Madrid and Manchester United, this gives us great momentum going into the final stages of the season.”

Liverpool Defeat Hard To Take, Admits Sir Alex Ferguson

2009-03-14T19:38:00.002+01:00

Sir Alex Ferguson couldn't hide his dismay after watching Liverpool cruise to victory over his side.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson admitted he was bitterly disappointed after seeing his side thrashed 4-1 by bitter rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford.

The champions took the lead in the game courtesy of a Cristiano Ronaldo penalty.

However, goals by Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard, Fabio Aurelio and Andrea Dossena sealed Liverpool’s win.

Speaking to the club’s official website, Sir Alex conceded he was still smarting from the loss but insisted his side will bounce back.

“It’s a hard one to take,” said the United manager.

“But at this club it’s always about how you respond to a defeat. When you lose a game: respond. And that is what we will do.”

A mistake by Nemanja Vidic allowed Torres to equalise and the Serbian was later sent off for a foul on Steven Gerrard.

Yet Ferguson refused to point the finger of blame at his defender but conceded he had deserved to see red.

“Nemanja has been unbelievably consistent for us with his performances this season,” said the Scot.

“Players do have off days, and he’s made a mistake. He’s a human being, all players make mistakes. It’s just a costly one for us.

“It looked as if [Gerrard] was clear to have a shot at goal, whether Rio could have got across, I don’t know.

“I don’t think I could really argue with the decision to be honest. We’d have been looking for a red card if it was against us.”

The result reduces United’s gap at the top of the table to four points, albeit with a game in hand, and Sir Alex admitted it had been a bad day for the Red Devils.

“Quite rightly if you win 4-1 at Old Trafford you deserve all the plaudits, you can’t deny Liverpool that,” he said.

“But if the league was starting today, you’d take a four-point advantage with a game in hand.

“The goal difference is narrowed, it’s only five goals now. It was a bad day, but we have to kick on now. It was a bad day in terms of the goals we lost.”