Liverpool Premiership Soccer

Liverpool's fans will finally get the chance to welcome £20 million Alberto Aquilani to Anfield on Monday. The Italy international, signed in August, has been recovering from a knee operation since. Now, having also overcome a recent virus problem, the 25-year-old seems certain to make his Premier League debut for the club against Birmingham. The fans have waited so long to see the man bought to replace Xabi Alonso, so he can expect a hero's reception. Certainly his appearance in the squad will give Liverpool's worried support something to cheer with fitness doubts surrounding Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard. Manager Rafael Benitez looks likely ... Read Full Story

PEPE Reina has promised there'll be no mass desertion of Anfield's sinking ship if Liverpool's catastrophic season gets any worse. Rafa Benitez's men are facing the humiliation of Europa League football following their midweek woe in Lyon. Failure to finish in the top four is sure to lead to fresh speculation about an Anfield exodus involving Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard and Javier Mascherano. They know their place is in the Champions League. But Reina wants to pledge his long-term future to Liverpool no matter what the rest of the season holds and is sure others will stick by the deals they signed a year ... Read Full Story

Rafael Benitez today revealed that he will give Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard late fitness tests before deciding whether the duo can face Birmingham City on Monday. The Reds boss has had to cope with a growing injury list in recent weeks but is hopeful he will be able to recall some key personnel when his side face Alex McLeish's men. "We are improving. We have some players doing light training again. At least they are training and hopefully today they will be a bit better," he told his pre-match press conference. "We will see if they can be available. There is a big ... Read Full Story

Rafa Benitez revealed he has held talks with Liverpool CEO Christian Purslow about the consequences of failure in the Champions League this season, about which Benitez said: "The first thing though is that we have confidence we can still reach the last 16 this season". That is going to need, already qualified, Lyon to beat Fiorentina away, not going to happen. But then Rafa virtually gave up on winning the League when he said: "I am confident the team will finish in the top four.." Dear oh dear, its only November and the Boss has hopes only of finishing in the top four. True, ... Read Full Story

Liverpool's hierarchy are piecing together a £100million rescue package to try to turn round a season that has been branded 'a disgrace' by one of their own players. Anfield bosses hope to have the cash injection in place by January and will be eager to avoid any delays after keeper Pepe Reina turned on his own team-mates and berated their Champions League failings. A 1-1 draw in Lyon has left Liverpool staring at a costly group stage elimination and Reina fumed: 'Disgracefully, it is not in our hands any more - we need Lyon to get something at Fiorentina.' As Liverpool braced themselves for ... Read Full Story

Common wisdom has Lionel Messi of Barcelona as a shoo-in for world soccer player of the year. But Fernando Torres of Liverpool wouldn't be a bad choice, either. If the Spaniard isn't yet the world's best striker, then he's getting close. His gift for scoring decisive goals at decisive times, often from the slenderest of openings, makes Spain a favorite heading for the World Cup in South Africa next June. Torres' latest mesmerizing goal, for his club against Manchester United, had the hypnotic effect of making us forget about the star whose orbit shifted from England's Premier League to Real Madrid this summer. Cristiano ... Read Full Story

Fernando Torres underwent tests on Thursday at a Liverpool hospital on the serious groin injury which is threatening to ruin his season. Torres played with pain throughout the match, before flying back with the Liverpool party on Thursday morning. This morning he went to a Liverpool hospital where more tests were carried out on his injury. A Liverpool spokesman said: “Fernando attended a Liverpool hospital today for further tests. It is nothing more dramatic than that, it is just further tests as part of his rehabilitation programme.” Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has said that he fears that Torres will eventually need an operation on ... Read Full Story