Betting Recommendation: LiverpooL vs. Middlesbrough

A quick quiz question……What connects Fernando Torres and the date January 21st 2008?

The answer is that it was the last time the Spaniard failed to score in a Premier League game at Anfield.

Since that blank against Villa, Torres has netted in eight successive Premier League home matches, scoring 12 goals.

It includes a hat-trick against Saturday's opponents while he also netted against Boro at the Riverside last season.

So having put four past Gareth Southgate's men last term and bagged the winner at Sunderland last week, the bookies should really be taking evasive action on the man whose goal settled the final of Euro 2008.

Offering 10/11 is asking for trouble and we won't let them get away with it.

Boro should be confident after their 2-1 home win over Spurs and pushed Liverpool in this fixture last season, losing 3-2, so might be able to nick a draw.

But stopping Torres wheeling away in celebration again may prove beyond them.

Verdict: Liverpool 2 Middlesbrough 1

Premier League Preview: Liverpool vs. Middlesbrough

Both sides come into this game hungry for another Premier League victory in order to maintain perfect starts to the season. Last week Liverpool lacked sharpness and struggled against Roy Keane’s lively Sunderland side. A moment of Fernando Torres magic snatched Liverpool a victory late on but Rafael Benitez will certainly demand more from his men this weekend. Analysis of Middlesbrough’s victory over Spurs will confirm that Liverpool will have to raise their game to beat a Boro’ side who were full value for their three points last week.

Gareth Southgate has assembled a youthful side, spearheaded by the impressive Afonso Alves. Alves plays with the hybrid style of part traditional English centre forward coupled with a touch of Brazilian flair. Centre back David Wheater deputised at full-back and shone last week, in effect scoring twice after his first goal was wrongly disallowed. Stewart Downing, as ever, is a creative force in midfield but Tuncay’s tireless work down the right flank, if he plays in that role, will also be crucial. A slim line Mido made an almost instant impact from the bench and will be pushing Jeremie Aliadiere for a starting berth.

Clear the air’ talks between Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez and chief executive Rick Parry took place this week in order to resolve issues over Liverpool’s transfer policy. Once again a united front has been presented for the cameras but whether these issues are truly resolved will remain to be seen. What this has meant is that Middlesbrough may have an off field distraction of their own as rumours mount once more that Liverpool are possibly looking to lure Stewart Downing from the Riverside. As much as Boro’ fans would normally want a class performance from their young winger, they may hope he remains a little bit quieter than normal at Anfield this Saturday.

FORM GUIDE – Last Five Results

Liverpool

Aug 2: Rangers 0 Liverpool 4

Aug 5: Valerenga 1 Liverpool 4

Aug 8: Liverpool 1 Lazio 0

Aug 13: Standard Liege 0 Liverpool 0

Aug 16: Sunderland 0 Liverpool 1

Middlesbrough:

Jul 29: Carlisle 1 Middlesbrough 2

Aug 2: Hibernian 2 Middlesbrough 3

Aug 5: Darlington 0 Middlesbrough 5

Aug 8: S. Rotterdam 1 Middlesbrough 6

Aug 16: Middlesbrough 2 Tottenham 1


TEAM NEWS

Liverpool

Ryan Babel has returned from the Olympics and is now available. He will probably start on the bench with Yossi Benayoun initially continuing on the left hand side. Javier Mascherano is still on Olympic duty and is thus unavailable. Xabi Alonso should be expected to be given an opportunity to prove his worth in the centre of midfield after impressing both as a substitute against Sunderland and whilst on international duty mid-week. A further change from last week could be that Daniel Agger slots in to the centre of Liverpool’s defence, replacing veteran Sami Hyypia.

Possible Starting XI: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Agger, Dossena, Kuyt, Gerrard, Alonso, Benayoun, Keane, Torres

Middlesbrough

Justin Hoyte is available to make his debut but will struggle to dislodge David Wheater at right-back. This will mean that Southgate has to decide whether to field the same back four who did so well against Spurs or reshuffle in order to award Hoyte a starting berth. If Southgate opts to change his winning formula then Wheater could move to centre-half to partner Huth. This will mean that skipper Emanuel Pogatetz will move to left back and Andrew Taylor will miss out. Summer signings Didier Degard and Martin Emnes look likely to continue on the bench. Another decision for the Boro’ gaffer will be whether Aliardiere, Tuncay or Mido partner Alves up front. After linking himself with a move to Wigan this week, Mido may have made his managers mind up for him and could well be on the bench again. If so, Tuncay will play on the right with Aliardiere partnering Alves.

Possible Starting XI: Jones, Wheater, Pogatetz, Huth, Taylor, Tuncay, Shawky, O'Neil, Downing, Aliardiere, Alves


PLAYERS TO WATCH

Liverpool

Xabi Alonso’s expected return after an influential second half display against Sunderland and two-goals for Spain mid-week will be eagerly awaited. Both of Liverpool’s expected strikers seem to enjoy playing against Middlesbrough. Last season Fernando Torres scored four times against them. Robbie Keane has scored seven times career goals against Boro’, scoring more against only one other club, Manchester City.

Middlesbrough

Afonso Alves will be the main threat up front, and will certainly keep the Liverpool defence on their toes. Potential Liverpool target Stewart Downing will also have more eyes on him than normal.

Benitez Reveals New Gerrard Injury Fears Ahead Of Anfield Opener

There may have been a welcome thaw behind the scenes at Anfield, but Rafa Benitez still wore an anxious look as he outlined new fitness worries over Steven Gerrard.

The Liverpool skipper returned from England duty amid more controversy over his role in the side, with Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp claiming it was ‘killing him’ playing him left midfield.

While national coach Fabio Capello accused Redknapp of misreading Gerrard’s true position, in the 2-2 draw with the Czech Republic, Benitez was more concerned about a nagging groin problem.

Fresh from clear-the-air talks with chief executive Rick Parry that he insisted were ‘positive’ and had ‘clarified several issues’, Benitez admitted Gerrard would need a late fitness check ahead of the visit of Middlesbrough.

He said: ‘Stevie first had this earlier in the year, and then he felt discomfort in his other leg, and it meant a couple of spells on the sidelines during the pre-season build-up.

'That is why he did not start against Standard Liege. It is clear he cannot be fully fit.

‘After missing so much preparation time, you would have to be superman to be 100 per cent.

'His fitness will improve, but at the moment he needs protecting a bit.

'With players like Stevie, though, even if he is not at his peak physically, he still has the quality to make an impact on games.

‘There has been debate at this club about his best position.

'We know he favours central midfield, but he has the ability to shine anywhere.’

Benitez hailed last Saturday’s unconvincing 1-0 win at Sunderland as evidence that Liverpool are finally ready to emulate the top teams’ knack of taking maximum points on an off day.

He said: ‘If you can win when you are playing badly, it makes all the difference. It keeps the points tally up and confidence levels high.’

Cherries Land Lindfield

Bournemouth have signed Liverpool's teenage striker Craig Lindfield on loan until the end of December.

Lindfield has yet to make a first-team appearance for Liverpool, but had loan spells at Notts County and Chester City last season.

He will be in Bournemouth's squad for Saturday's League Two game with Exeter City and Kevin Bond is happy with his new recruit.

"He's been out on loan before and sometimes they're an awful lot better with some experience," Bond told the club's official website.

"Craig has come through the ranks at Liverpool and is highly regarded. He's scored a lot of goals and they are looking for an opportunity to get him some games.

"This provides an ideal opportunity for him and I think it's a good signing for us too. He's here until the end of the year and is ready to perform this level and he's very keen to come and show us what he can do and I'm glad to have him."

The arrival of Lindfield could lead to Jo Kuffour's departure as Bournemouth had been reluctant to sell the wantaway striker until a replacement had been found.

We're Wasting The Special Talent That Is Steven Gerrard

England are wasting Steven Gerrard. They are ruining an outstanding talent. I've heard the word 'timid' being whispered as a reason for him not being a contender to take the captain's armband. Timid? You've got to be joking.

Here are some better words for him: Powerful. Explosive. Dynamic. Aggressive. Unique.

He needs to be given the run of midfield, in the centre, in his best position, not sent out to the left - or the right, for that matter.

Can you imagine the Germans sticking Michael Ballack on the left wing?

The shrinking of England's players when they pull on the white shirt is a problem that remains unresolved, and Gerrard is becoming the biggest problem.

Don't just take my word for it. Read what Fernando Torres says about him, or Javier Mascherano. They recognise him as a world-class footballer, so why doesn't this England manager see that?

Gerrard and Frank Lampard are match-winners for their clubs. With England, Gerrard has to play wide and Lampard has to endure 70,000 fans booing him!

What is that about … do these people think he isn't trying?

I say - again, because this is a subject we have visited before -that Gerrard and Lampard can play together in the centre. England can play another more defensive player with the pair, or trust Gerrard to play the disciplined role. It's not as if the midfield is functioning well without them being paired in the centre, is it? Or that there are so many candidates we can afford to look at alternatives for these two outstanding talents with their clubs.

Stevie G can play there, I've played for Liverpool with him alongside me. He first came into the team at right back and twice cleared off his own line on his Merseyside derby debut. He understands the defensive demands, he replaced Paul Ince in the Liverpool team and took on that role. He just needs to be trusted.

Rafa Benitez has played him in so many different areas it seems to have encouraged others to do the same. Stevie is such a willing lad, he will go wherever he is asked to play. I sense he is starting to doubt himself now, wondering if he is the player I think he is. And, when Fabio Capello plays him on the left and then substitutes him, it will not help his confidence.

He has such an engine, an ability to pass the ball, to break behind the strikers, to lurk around the edge of the box and he is also a terrific finisher.

England must get the best out of him. Even though he is close to Jamie Carragher, who retired from international football, there isn't a risk that Stevie will follow. He's not that sort of lad. But he is a better player than we saw on Wednesday night. And so is Lampard.

There was a lack of imagination from England, it was pedestrian through midfield, apart from one 10-minute spell before half-time, and there were too many long balls pumped in from wide to small strikers.

We need to work the ball, shift it around like Chelsea do by playing a similar system. This is the team who can get a result against Croatia (if all are fit), playing a versatile 4-5-1/4-3-3 formation.

James; G Neville, Terry, Ferdinand, A Cole; Barry, Lampard, Gerrard; Rooney, J Cole; Heskey.

Benitez Searching For New Names

Rafael Benitez is now hoping a summer of discontent amongst Liverpool's hierarchy can be consigned to the background.

He has admitted there were 'clear the air' talks with chief executive Rick Parry this week after acrimony over the proposed transfer of Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry.

"We talked about the players that we have, how to progress, and we both know it is important for the club that we work together," Benitez explained.

"We are working really hard, we are moving in the right direction and hopefully we can do something positive in the next few days.

"The talks were positive, we cannot discuss names but we are now both working to improve our squad.

"There was no friction, but some personal problems. Now things are clearer and that is positive. It was a private conversation."

Benitez also admitted there had been no further developments on a deal for Barry with the transfer window set to close shortly.

He continued: "I have had no word about Arsenal wanting Gareth Barry, and that is all I want to say on the subject. Other than that we are working towards improving our squad.

"Likewise there has been nothing more on Xabi Alonso. At the beginning of the summer we were looking at ways of raising money, but now we are happy with Xabi, he is a very good player.

"The offer we had was not good enough, so why would we want to sell him?"

Meanwhile Benitez is confident striker Fernando Torres can seal his place in the club's record books and has backed skipper Steven Gerrard to rediscover his fitness and form.

Torres will be aiming to score in his ninth successive home league match for the club when the Reds face Middlesbrough in the Barclays Premier League side at Anfield.

If the Spain international is able to find the net against Gareth Southgate's side he will break a record set by Roger Hunt back in the 1961/62 season.

Gerrard meanwhile was criticised by England boss Fabio Capello - who used the midfielder in a controversial left-sided role in the disappointing draw with the Czech Republic - for not being fit enough, but Benitez expects him to return to his best in the near future.

Benitez said: "We hope Fernando can create his piece of club history, and then maybe more in the future.

"Steven has had two injuries, he was 10-15 days without training, and then it happened again. That is why he did not start the match two weeks ago against Standard Liege.

"Clearly in a couple of weeks he will be back to his best. He has needed time to get fit after his injuries and it has been important to protect him.

"Steven has great game intelligence, and he can play anywhere. Gerrard played with intelligence and England drew, that is all I would want to say about it.

"We know what the best position for Gerrard is, but he is capable of playing in other positions.

"We know where he can play really well and we know where he likes to play. We will concentrate on using him to his strengths."

Lee: Fans Will Inspire Home Success

Sammy Lee is backing the Kop to rise to the occasion and help turn Anfield into a fortress once more during 2008-09.

Our assistant manager believes the fans will be in buoyant mood for the league clash against Middlesbrough on Saturday as the Reds attempt to draw a line under last season's mixed home form.

"It's massive, absolutely massive," Lee told Liverpoolfc.tv when asked about the importance of the first home match of the season.

"As always our fans will play their part and we don't make light of the fact that they are our 12th man.

"It'll be a cauldron and a fortress and a 12th man. All the players are looking forward to playing in front of this crowd. It can be a very intimidating place and we don't hope it will be a 12th man, we know it will be.

"We rely upon that because it's great to have home support. We came away from Liege where their support was terrific but we've also had great support there and at Sunderland.

"It's always nice to get back to Anfield and hear that roar and hopefully it can lift the players and they can put the frighteners up Middlesbrough.

"We know they had a great win on the opening day and it will be a difficult game for us. There are no easy games anymore. I know it's a cliché but the more I look at it the more I realise there aren't any easy games and we can expect a real test."

A victory against Middlesbrough would make it two league wins out of two for the Reds and while Lee would be delighted with another three points, he is unwilling to get carried away.

"It's all about winning," he said. "If you win regularly things fall into place but we must keep working hard and make sure we win the next game.

"We can't look any further than that. If we keep doing that hopefully we can get the success we feel we are capable of achieving.

"We want to improve on a daily basis. I'm not going to give false promises apart from saying that everyone is working tirelessly to get back to where we feel we belong and I think we all know where we belong.

"This is a great league. We know the difficulties but we also know the rewards and it would be a great league to win. Everyone has the ambition and desire to gain success and we all know what we have to do."

Lee also had words of praise for boss Rafa Benitez, who he feels has the tactical know-how to lead Liverpool to further glory.

"Rafa's fantastic to work with," he said.

"I knew about him beforehand and had a good relationship when I was at Bolton. He's a football man, he's a great man. His attention to detail is fantastic and he's a terrific guy to work with."

Reds Reject Stoke's Hyypia Bid

Liverpool have reportedly rejected a £2.5million offer from newly promoted Stoke City for Finnish defender Sami Hyypia.

Premier League newcomers Stoke have had a bid for Liverpool’s veteran centre-back Sami Hyypia turned down by the Anfield club.

The Liverpool Echo reports that Potters manager Tony Pulis - who has already signed two other defenders during the past week in Abdoulaye Faye from Newcastle and Southampton's Andrew Davies - wanted to bring in Hyypia to shore up a suspect back-four that Bolton ripped apart last Saturday.

However, Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez still sees Hyypia, 34, as integral to his own squad, despite the Finn having reached the veteran stage of a distinguished career.

He only recently awarded the Finland international a new contract at Anfield, and needed little time to turn Stoke down.

Hyypia is in competition with the likes of Jamie Carragher, Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel for a central defensive berth with the Reds.

But Pulis may yet test Liverpool’s resolve by coming back in with an improved offer.

Kuyt Sees Trait Of Champions

Dirk Kuyt believes Liverpool have gained a trait of league champions - the ability to win when playing badly.

The Dutch forward admits he and his teammates were not at their best during the Barclays Premier League opener at Sunderland, with Fernando Torres leaving it until the 83rd minute to secure the points.

Kuyt knows Liverpool will play much better over the coming months but claims they now have enough star quality to win without reaching fifth gear.

"When you are starting a new season you can't be at your best in the first game. It wasn't going to be easy and the important thing was just to work really hard and make sure we got the three points," said the 28-year-old.

"We know we will progress every game and get even better. But you could see we had a lot of quality in that game – players like Robbie Keane, Steven Gerrard and, of course, Torres. So, we know if we work hard and create chances we have the ability to score in every game.

"For us three points from the first game is just what we wanted.

"Now we don't have to look too much at other teams like Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal - we just have to look at ourselves.

"We have to work really hard in every game and the gap will be closer. We know that we have quality. The team is getting better and better and the most important thing is to look at ourselves."

Though the Premier League campaign is just one game old, early indications are that Torres will not suffer from any kind of second season hangover.

Kuyt for one was not surprised to see El Nino pick up where he left off in May.

"Fernando showed last year and in the Euros that he is the best striker in the world and he doesn't need much to score a goal," he said. "Against Sunderland, he was waiting for his chance and he got it. We knew when he got the ball he was going to score."

Reds Quartet Make UEFA Shortlist

Fernando Torres, Pepe Reina, Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard have been shortlisted for this year's UEFA European Club Footballer of the Year award.

Seventeen of the 25 nominees play in the Barclays Premier League, a reflection of the fact three English teams reached last season's Champions League semi-finals.

Torres is one of the favourites for the prize along with Cristiano Ronaldo, Frank Lampard and Lionel Messi.

The coaches of the 16 teams which reached the knockout stages of last year's Champions League will now cast their votes at next Thursday's group stage draw.

There are also awards for goalkeeper, defender, midfielder and forward of the year. The list of nominees, from which the overall winner will be selected, is:

UEFA club goalkeeper of the year: Manuel Almunia (Arsenal), Petr Cech (Chelsea), Manuel Neuer (FC Schalke 04), Pepe Reina (Liverpool), Edwin van der Sar (Manchester United).

UEFA club defender of the year: Jamie Carragher (Liverpool), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Carles Puyol (Barcelona), John Terry (Chelsea), Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United).

UEFA club midfielder of the year: Michael Essien (Chelsea), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Paul Scholes (Manchester United).

UEFA club forward of the year: Didier Drogba (Chelsea), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Fernando Torres (Liverpool).

Rafa Gives Up On Barry And Turns To Portugal's Harry Potter To Give Liverpool Extra Width

Liverpool have been linked with a move for a wing wizard nicknamed Harry Potter as they look for alternatives to signing Gareth Barry.

Rafael Benitez is weighing up a bid for Porto star Ricardo Quaresma, but the Anfield club face competition from Italian champions Inter Milan.

Benitez has become frustrated by the protracted move for versatile Villa midfielder Barry and is considering other options to strengthen his left flank.

Liverpool have also been linked with moves for Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing and Espanyol's Albert Riera.

But Quaresma may prove as difficult to sign as Barry after Porto put a prohibitive £31.7million price tag on the Portugal international.

Inter boss Jose Mourinho has been told to raise his £13.5m bid, while Liverpool are said to be willing to go no higher than £20m for the 24-year-old.

Steven Gerrard Holds The Answer To England’s Midfield Muddle

Wembley are currently promoting an “England versus the Rest of the World’’ game, which might be an even contest if it were cycling but at football it resembles a massive mismatch.

The event, on Sept 7, is in fact a fundraiser for Unicef, with the illustrious likes of Alan Shearer reviving old rivalries with Peter Schmeichel. What Fabio Capello would give for a line-leading centre-forward of Shearer’s marauding class or an English answer to Schmeichel, that imposing Danish goalkeeper.

As sadly witnessed during the dire 2-2 draw with the superior Czechs on Wednesday, England’s present malaise is one-third a problem of personnel, with no dazzling targetman or goalkeeper available, one-third tactical miscalculation and one-third crisis in confidence.

Until the Football Association sort out their youth development system, Capello can do nothing about the dearth of decent No 9s or No 1s but the Italian can introduce some balance and belief into the side. The rush in certain quarters to clamp Capello into the public stock and provide crates of rotting vegetables for the enraged replica-shirted masses must be resisted; only after England’s trip to Croatia on Sept 10 can Capello be judged correctly. Hold the lynch mob. Capello’s lengthy CV deserves respect and a touch more patience.

The Czech captain, Tomas Ujfalusi, formerly of Fiorentina, encountered Capello sides in Serie A and describes the coach as a “genius strategist and psychologist and very charismatic’’. Most pressingly, England need this “genius strategist’’ to re-configure their midfield, a mess against Ujfalusi’s team.

One of English football’s Champions League managers believes that England’s midfielders do not lack technique, as many contend, simply “balance’’ in the way they are set up, although he is too mindful of the difficulties of Capello’s job to repeat such a critique in public.

One way to improve England’s balance would be to reposition Steven Gerrard from a left flank which feels like Siberia to the Scouser. England will struggle to impose themselves on opponents of substance unless Gerrard is deployed in the centre.

If he needs to test support for that theory, Capello has only to ask any England fan or consult any England player who does not hail from Frank Lampard’s Chelsea. If Gerrard is off the pace, and he has had some international shockers, then replace him with Lampard, an able understudy. But not the two together.

Gerrard cannot work with Lampard. Fact. Gerrard is better than Lampard. Fact. Ergo start just with Gerrard. Simple.

Harry Redknapp’s debut as a Setanta pundit on Wednesday was as entertaining as it was illuminating and his scathing verdict on Capello’s misuse of Gerrard deserves re-visiting. “We’ve produced one of the finest midfield players in the world in Steven Gerrard, he is a colossus,’’ the Portsmouth manager said. “We stick him on the left wing?! He’s not a winger. He has got to be in the middle of the park where he can influence the game. We are killing him.’’

Blithely dismissing Redknapp’s comments, Capello insisted Gerrard enjoyed a free role against the Czechs, one practised in training, but the supposed freedom came with serious restrictions because Gerrard inevitably assumed similar positions to Lampard. With David Beckham also pushing inside alongside Gerrard, Lampard and Gareth Barry, England’s centre looked cramped, chaotic and shapeless.

If there was one image Capello should take from the first half it was of Gerrard, centrally stationed, on the ball, looking up, spying an opportunity and threading a pass through to Jermain Defoe. If there was one fact that Capello should scribble into his moleskin notebook it is that Gerrard and Wayne Rooney are on the same wavelength as footballers and friends. He should build around these talented Scousers.

If Gerrard and Rooney are England’s creative heartbeat, as Capello encouragingly accepts, he should construct the right platform for them, which means Barry and Owen Hargreaves deployed as holding midfielders, allowing Gerrard to push and link with Rooney.

Capello suggested that Barry, the Aston Villa captain, had reasons for a below-par display against the Czechs. “At the moment the Liverpool [potential transfer] situation means he is not at his best,’’ Capello observed. Barry can be forgiven an off-game; he remains an important player for England.

To general consternation, Capello argued that there was “progress’’ against the Czechs. “They played for the first time without fear at Wembley,’’ said Capello of his players, adding that international football was more demanding than the Premier League or Champions League because “the level is higher’’, a debatable point.

What was not debatable was that Gerrard and Rooney, John Terry and Rio Ferdinand seem bereft of their club verve when on England duty. “The players are not recognisable from the ones we see in the Premier League every Saturday and Sunday,’’ Redknapp added “They don’t look the same players.

“If Steve McClaren had been in charge of that team there would have been uproar. Wembley would have gone barmy. What I think is the problem is you get people who play for their clubs and they are loved. They play for Chelsea, like Frank Lampard, and the fans idolise them.”

Redknapp added: “They come off here and they are booed by 70,000 people.

“Football’s like life, it’s about confidence. If you have no confidence it’s very difficult, they come out here and make a mistake and they know they’re going to get slaughtered at every opportunity and they just don’t perform.’’

At least when the perennially bubbly Joe Cole came on, he tried to make things happen. Ditto David Bentley. Unfortunately for Tottenham Hotspur’s new boy, Beckham’s place on England’s right seems set in stone, appropriately given old Goldenballs’ lack of acceleration.

“Beckham played not only because he can take set-pieces and free-kicks but because he plays well,’’ stressed Capello, sounding alarmingly like Sven-Goran Eriksson.

With 2010 World Cup qualification looming, the time for experimentation has gone and Beckham, the tried and rusted, will sadly keep out Bentley, the new and ambitious.

Waving away criticism, Capello remained upbeat, insisting: “I have a lot of confidence.’’ If only his players did. If only the fans did.

Liverpool To Cap Riera Offer At €12.7m - Report

According to Spanish sports daily Marca, Liverpool will not offer a cent more than €12.7m to RCD Espanyol in exchange for winger Albert Riera.

Riera is allegedly viewed by Reds coach Rafael Benítez as an ideal candidate to provide competition out wide on the left for Ryan Babel.

However, with Espanyol yet to receive a former offer, it seems as though Liverpool have already made up their mind that the Mallorca native could cost them too much.

That said, should Espanyol relent and lower their demands somewhat then Benítez would submit a bid of €12.7m for the 26-year-old.

Riera previously stated that he wished to leave Espanyol after the fans turned on him towards the end of last season. Some supporters produced a large banner informing him and other squad members that they would do well not to return to Montjuïc after their summer break.

Nonetheless he has since then made his peace with the incidents of May, pledging to improve on the disastrous end to the last campaign that so enraged the fans in Barcelona. Thus unless the situation changes rapidly, or Liverpool prepare to offer more money, Tintín Márquez will have Riera at his disposal for the new campaign.

Rafa Benitez Makes Peace With Rick Parry

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez and chief executive Rick Parry have vowed to "move forward together" after holding clear the air talks at Anfield.

The working relationship between the two had come under pressure over Liverpool’s activity in the transfer market - particularly over the Gareth Barry transfer saga.

Benitez is thought to be frustrated over the club’s inability to secure one of his main targets for the summer.

But with the talks being described as "positive", Parry and Benitez are continuing to work on strengthening the squad before the window closes at the end of the month.

Benitez said: "Clear the air talks have taken place. It was a positive discussion and we will now move forward together."

Liverpool are currently focusing their attentions on bringing in a left-sided midfielder with both Albert Riera and Stewart Downing having been linked with the Reds.

Parry told www.liverpoolfc.tv: "I can confirm that we had a friendly and positive meeting and we’re moving forward."

Carra: League Has Never Been Tougher

Jamie Carragher believes the task of winning the league and claiming that elusive 'number 19' has never been tougher.

The club's vice-captain has won every domestic and European honour during 11 years in Liverpool's first team – except the Premier League.

It's a pill which becomes harder to swallow with each passing year, though Carra recently found comfort in the words of an Anfield icon who helped bring eight championship trophies home to Merseyside.

"I was reading something from Alan Hansen during the summer and it really brought it home to me," the 30-year-old told LFC Magazine.

"You can't criticise much of what Liverpool teams of the past did when Hansen was playing. Obviously they were the best team around but it was interesting to read him say that sometimes Liverpool won the league even though they didn't have a particularly great side.

"He went on to say that there is no possible way you could do that today. It struck a chord with me and I thought it was a fair point.

"I'm not saying bad Liverpool teams ever won the league – of course they didn't. But maybe a few years ago you could afford to carry a few players.

"I don't think that's possible now. Every position has got to be filled by a top player if you want to win things on a consistent basis.

"Look at the other top sides in the Premier League: even the full-back positions are filled with the best full-backs in the world now.

"Years ago you could probably get away with carrying the odd player here or there.

"It was good for me to hear that from someone who actually played back then rather than it coming from current players, where it'd probably just sound like an excuse.

"Basically what Hansen was saying was that it's more difficult to win the league now than in his day. The standards have been raised much higher over the past five to 10 years, especially with the Chelsea situation and what's happening there.

Xabi Alonso Hails “Unforgettable” Goals

Spain’s two goal hero in the 3-0 friendly win against Denmark, Xabi Alonso, hailed the match as a special occasion and described the brace that he scored as unforgettable.

Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso was brought on at half time in place of the unfit David Villa to take on an attacking midfield role. The normally defensive-minded player rose to the challenge and repaid the coach’s decision to bring him on by scoring two fantastic goals.

“It was a special game with a new coach and that was why it was so important to win and get off to a good start,” he said in the post match interview. “It is clear that I will never forget these two goals with La Selección.”

Alonso then heaped praise on the team as a whole and stressed that now that they have found the right balance and unity in the squad, it is essential “not to go crazy with making too many changes”.

One of the two debutantes who made it onto the pitch, Athletic Bilbao defender Andoni Iraola, also described the evening as unforgettable and acknowledged the team’s excellent fight back to dominate the second half.

But the other debutant and hero of the night, Diego Capel, remained modest despite his scintillating display that saw him chip in with two assists.

“I have been feeling very good recently and that’s why things have turned out well for me.

“But I will try to continue to work hard to build up the coach’s confidence in me,” the 20-year-old added.

Versatile Gerrard Is Left In The Lurch Yet Again

From link man to left midfielder, they will find a way to squeeze Steven Gerrard into this England team somehow.

They shoehorn the Liverpool midfielder into the side and encourage him to slide up and down the greasy pole that has become England's left midfield. Poor blighter.

Too good to leave out and too flexible to hold down his own position, he was stationed out there again last night. Good ol' Stevie G. Get him on the graveyard shift and let him get on with it.

Naturally he gave it his all, shuttling up and down the touchline in front of Ashley Cole and attempting to exert his authority on the game with those familiar, rampaging runs.

Never mind that England have players queuing up to play in The Problem Position, Fabio Capello is preparing the artillery for next month's game against Croatia in Zagreb.

A meeting of minds it is not. Instead, England's manager is planning to blitz Croatia opposite number Slaven Bilic with a brimful of big-name players.

One look at the names in England's midfield against the Czech Republic confirms that.

They don't come any bigger than David Beckham, of course, and he was joined by Frank Lampard, Gareth Barry and our man Gerrard.

Eight of the team who faced the Czech Republic have played in the Champions League Final, one believes he still could if he was allowed to join Liverpool (Barry) and two more will never set foot in the tournament (David James and Jermain Defoe).

Experience then over ingenuity. The tricksters were on the bench, relegated to a watching brief as the new England struggled to find another new dawn.

Timing is everything, of course. Just ask Stewart Downing, days after he memorably - and quite rightly - pointed out that the England team had been picked long before he made the 500-mile trip to join up with the squad under Steve McClaren. Groundhog Day for Middlesbrough's left winger.

What more does he have to do to get in this England team? He was majestic in Middlesbrough's 8-1 victory over Manchester City on the final day of last season and masterful during England's 3-0 victory over Trinidad & Tobago on June 1.

From Magic Touch to Out of Touch in the space of a couple of months? Come on. Perhaps Gerrard's goal against the USA at Wembley last May did for him.

He was out on the left that night and Capello deemed it such a success that he gave it another go against this willing Czech Republic team.

He responded, as he always does, with courage and commitment. He has copyrighted the swashbuckling run from deep for Liverpool and he applied that logic down the left.

He set up Defoe with a chance predictably blasted straight at Petr Cech, and generally made a nuisance of himself in a position that he has anything but perfected. A work in progress rather than a work of art.

At least Capello has surely called it quits when it comes to the thorny issue of Lampard and Gerrard. They cannot play in the same central midfield and they surely never will after Capello indulged one and threatened to isolate the other.

Gerrard is itching to play alongside Barry, the man he wants with him at Liverpool and alongside him in England's engine room.

He may have to wait. Owen Hargreaves, missing last night with tendinitis, is another favourite of the England manager, and he is expected to be fit for the squad to face Andorra and Croatia in next month's World Cup qualifiers.

Someone will have to be left out. Just don't expect it to be England's left winger.

Future Of Liverpool FC Target Gareth Barry 'Not Resolved'

Martin O’Neill believes Gareth Barry’s future is “not completely resolved”.

The Anfield hierarchy’s refusal to meet Villa’s £18m asking price has forced Benitez to look elsewhere.

But Villa manager O’Neill said: “We want him to stay I think that’s obvious. I think the fans want him to stay and for the length of time it has gone on it is hard to pre-empt anything. At this minute it’s not completely resolved.”

Benitez remains keen on bringing in another player before the transfer window slams shut on Monday week.

However, a move for Stewart Downing seems unlikely, while Espanyol are asking £16m for Albert Riera.

Reports in France claim Benitez is again keeping tabs on Grenoble’s Sofiane Feghouli.

Ryan Babel Ready To Step Up For Liverpool FC

Ryan Babel believes he is ready to take his game “to the next level” – with Rafael Benitez confident Liverpool will see the best of the Dutch forward this season.

Babel returned to Melwood this week after missing the start of the Premier League campaign while appearing for Holland in the Olympic Games.

The 21-year-old scored in the group stages and helped his country to the quarter-finals, where they were beaten by Javier Mascherano’s Argentina.

Babel experienced a testing debut campaign at Anfield after arriving from Ajax for £11.5m last summer, rarely playing a full 90 minutes and limited to just 15 league starts.

But with 12 months’ experience of English football behind him, Babel is eager to make a bigger impact this year.

“This will be my second season at Liverpool, and hopefully I can take my game to the next level,” said the Holland international.

“I’m just focusing now on getting my fitness levels back up to 100%. After that, we will see what players the manager brings in during the transfer market and what my role in the team could be.”

Babel will go straight into the first-team squad for Saturday’s home Premier League game against Middlesbrough.

And Rafael Benitez is expecting more from the player.

“We can maybe see the best from Ryan this season,” said the Liverpool manager. “I can see Babel emerging this season, we know his potential. With Babel improving, Daniel Agger coming back, the younger players coming through with the senior players of more experience, we have a good balance.

“Ryan’s a player that can change a game. He can be a second striker or a striker, or as a winger on either side. We can use his versatility. We know Ryan prefers to play as a striker, but it’s important to have experience in other positions, and it’s always better to play as a winger than be on the bench.

“He has been playing important games so I don’t think there will be any problems with his fitness, but our doctor and fitness coaches will check with him and then we will see about the weekend.

“I am sure he will be okay. If he trains normally then he can be available for Middlesbrough.”

Riise: I Had To Make Overseas Move

Roma defender John Arne Riise has admitted he could not have played for another English club after leaving Liverpool this summer.

The 27-year-old Norway international, who will line up for his country against the Republic of Ireland on Wednesday night, made a summer move to Roma after realising his chances at Anfield could be limited during the final year of his contract as manager Rafael Benitez strengthened his squad further.

He did so after rejecting the advances of a series of Barclays Premier League suitors.

Riise said: "Clubs like Liverpool are always looking round the world for players, and there is always going to be someone new challenging you.

"It was sudden. One day I was a Liverpool player, the next I was going to leave.

"I just wanted to make sure I got the best possible club. There was no way I was going to be comfortable playing for another English club, and I had plenty of offers from other clubs in the Premier League.

"I didn't have to leave because I had another year left, but I did want to be playing regularly and I didn't feel that would happen this season if I stayed.

"I spent seven years at Liverpool and played more than 250 games. The challenge in Italy was the right one for my career and the time was right to change to another country."

Riise's departure came as disquiet behind the scenes at Liverpool rumbled on with Benitez and the club's owners seemingly at odds at times.

However, the Norwegian is convinced the Reds are heading in the right direction.

He said: "Of course there are problems between the owners and the manager, but hopefully they can resolve those problems and settle down."

Whatever the differences behind the scenes, the manager was granted at least one of his wishes this summer when he landed £20million striker Robbie Keane from Tottenham.

The Ireland captain will find himself in direct competition with Riise and his defensive colleagues this evening, and the Molde-born player knows exactly what to expect.

He said: "He is a fantastic player and a fantastic signing for the club.

"I knew he was a Liverpool fan from his childhood and this is the best move of all those he has had in his career. He could be the reason Liverpool will challenge for a title.

"Over the last couple of years, his work-rate has really improved and he is difficult to mark because he is always on the move.

"He is a good link-up player and a very very good finisher inside the box. He is a smart intelligent player and playing behind (Fernando) Torres could be very crucial."