Torres Looks Set To Start For Liverpool But Gerrard Will Miss Fulham Clash

Fernando Torres looks set to make his first Anfield start for almost two months when Liverpool seek to extend their unbeaten home league record in 2008 against revitalised Fulham tomorrow.

The last Anfield game he started was against PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League on November 1 before he was hit by a hamstring problem on international duty.

It is clear that sharp words from boss Rafael Benitez had some effect on the Spain management team this week, with Torres used only for the final 31 minutes of the 3-0 win over Chile.

Torres took the captain's armband when he came on in Villarreal and scored within two minutes.

Benitez had said before the game: 'I do not like the fact that Fernando has been called up after being out injured for so long, but there is nothing I can do about it.

'But we have spoken to the Spanish staff and asked them to protect him.'

Benitez will check on the fitness of the 13 Liverpool players away on international duty this week, but it is expected that Torres will start against the Londoners, having recovered from his hamstring problem.

Steven Gerrard, though, is likely to miss out. He withdrew from the England squad this week with a muscle tear, and Benitez believes that his skipper is doubtful for next Wednesday's Champions League home game with Marseille.

By then Liverpool hope to have extended their unbeaten home league record for the calendar year so far to 16. In fact, Liverpool have only lost one of 26 home games in all competitions in 2008.

Victory will also give Liverpool 35 points, three more than their previous best start to a Premier League season after 14 games, which was set in 2001-02.

Liverpool are already five points better off than they were at this stage last season.

Fulham have hauled themselves up to mid-table, and have the best away defensive record in the division outside the top four, conceding just six times on their travels.

Initial reports suggest Liverpool suffered no new injury worries in the week's international friendlies, when five players were involved for Spain.

Torres, Xabi Alonso, Albert Riera, Pepe Reina and Alvaro Arbeloa all appeared in the win over Chile.

Benitez is no lover of mid-season friendly internationals, but he was delighted to see a quintet of Liverpool players in the Spain team.

He said: 'It was good to see so many of our players involved because it shows how important Liverpool are. I was especially pleased for Arbeloa and Riera because they are getting their reward for working hard and doing a good job for a good club.

'Hopefully the players will come back and be fit and ready for the game against Fulham because that is the most important thing for us now.'

Liverpool’s Skrtel Warning To Agger & Hyypia

Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel is keen to make his comeback before Christmas, but is aware that he will have to fight to make his way back in Rafa Benitez’s side.

The Slovakian international is on the sidelines following a cruciate knee ligament injury during the 3-2 win over Manchester City on October 5. And since then, the Reds defence has been well served by Daniel Agger and occasionally by veteran Sami Hyypia.

However, Skrtel, who moved to Anfield from Zenit St Petersburg in January, is desperate to play his part for the Merseysiders as they continue to go strong in the title race where they are joint-leaders along with Chelsea, and says he can’t wait to start full training.

“I don’t know exactly the date, but the predictions were for before Christmas and I am hoping it is as soon as possible,” he said in the Daily Post.

“It has been a long time. I can’t wait to start kicking a ball again and resume full training.”

Before the injury, the 23-year-old had established himself as the regular partner for centre-back Jamie Carragher, but he will now have to come back and fight with Denmark international Agger and Finnish star Hyypia for place.

He said: “Daniel and Sami are excellent players and they are playing well.

“It will be difficult to get back into the team but I am working hard and I will do my best to impress the coach and fight for my place back.

“I am sad that I am not currently part of the team, but I am happy that we are winning and at the end of the day it is the goal of all of us to win matches.

“Being at the top of the Premier League gives us a lot of confidence. We are trying to win every game and hopefully our form can continue for as long as possible.

“Of course I would like to win some silverware, but it’s still early and there is a long time to go until the end of the season.”

Martin Skrtel Stays Here - Rafa Benitez

RAFA BENITEZ today rubbished claims that Martin Skrtel is unhappy with life at Anfield and is looking to leave Liverpool.

The Slovakian international defender is currently recovering from a serious knee injury and is hoping to be back in action in time for the Christmas fixtures.

But reports in the UK and Russian press suggest Skrtel is struggling to adjust to life on Merseyside and would welcome a return to former club Zenit St Petersburg.

Those claims have been dismissed out of hand by Reds boss Benitez, who insists the 24-year-old is settled and is enjoying life at Anfield.

“These sort of stories always tend to come out during an international week,” scoffed Benitez.

“I was talking with Martin at Melwood yesterday and it was clear that he is very happy and just wants to get back playing.

“He is working very hard to get himself fit again and he is very settled at Liverpool – both in the city and at the club.”

Skrtel is expected to return to action in around a month’s time after suffering knee ligament damage during Liverpool’s 3-2 win over Manchester City in early October.

Benitez was today awaiting the return of his international players ahead of Saturday’s home game against Fulham.

Initial reports suggest Liverpool suffered no new injury worries in last night’s round of international friendlies and the Reds boss was happy to see no fewer than five of his players feature for reigning European champions Spain.

Fernando Torres, Xabi Alonso, Albert Riera, Pepe Reina and Alvaro Arbeloa all appeared in Spain’s 3-0 win over Chile in Villarreal last night.

The Reds boss is notoriously cynical of the value of international friendlies at such a busy stage in the season, but was delighted to see a quintet of Redsl players in action for Europe’s best national team.

“It was good to see so many of our players involved because it shows how important Liverpool are,” he said. “I was especially pleased for Arbeloa and Riera because they are getting their reward for working hard and doing a good job for a good club.

“Hopefully the players will come back and be fit and ready for the game against Fulham because that is the most important thing for us now.”

Lazio Linked With Liverpool’s Javier Mascherano

Serie A outfit Lazio are reportedly set to make a swoop for Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano when the transfer window opens in January.

Lazio are currently in the Champions League and are looking to strengthen their midfield with the Argentina international captain reportedly being their top target.

According to sources in Italy, Macherano’s agent Walter Tamer has been informed about Lazio’s interest in the player where Tamer has reportedly said that the midfielder could make a switch to Italy.

Mascherano is getting frustrated about his lack of chances at Anfield, as Reds boss Rafa Benitez seems to prefer Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso to the Argentinean and Lazio are apparently looking to take full advantage of the situation.

Liverpool Give Up Attempt To Trademark Liver Bird

LIVERPOOL FC has agreed to withdraw its application to trade mark the Liverbird, after the city council told the club it would oppose the bid.

Intellectual property lawyers acting for the city council wrote to the club this week stating they planned to lodge an objection with the UK Intellectual Property Office before a deadline for doing so expired on Saturday.

Liverpool city council deputy leader Cllr Flo Clucas said: "I am delighted the owners of Liverpool FC have seen sense and withdrawn this controversial application.

"The outcry from residents and the threat of a legal challenge from the council has forced them to think again about registering the Liverbird as its own, exclusive trade mark.

"The Liverbird is and will always remain the proud symbol of the whole city.

"The city council has no objection to the football club registering its own badge, and this should be more than enough to prevent its shirts and merchandise from being counterfeited.

"There was never any justification for them attempting to claim ownership of the Liver Bird which would have prevented the council and hundreds of other organisations from using the city’s iconic emblem."

Aurelio Happy With Rotation

Fabio Aurelio believes Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez's rotation policy will prove crucial in the battle to secure Premier League glory.

Ahead of Saturday's visit of Fulham, the Reds sit level on points with table-topping Chelsea as they bid to end an 18-year wait for league silverware at Anfield.

And Aurelio, who worked under Benitez at former club Valencia when winning La Liga in 2002 and 2004, believes his boss' much-debated tactical changes could be a decisive factor.

The Brazilian left-back has struggled to hold down a place in Liverpool's first XI after being regularly swapped with Andrea Dossena, but he believes Benitez's decisions to rest players will bear fruit.

"There are similarities with what happened at Valencia in terms of the rotation of the players," Aurelio told Liverpool's official website.

"Rafa knows when to rest players and back in 2002 we were fresher than other teams at the end of the season because he'd rested players at the right times.

"Of course Rafa has experience of winning titles so he knows how to keep focused, but also how to keep the morale high within the squad.

"He and (assistant manager) Sammy Lee are good at motivating the players."

Aurelio, though, has warned his Merseyside colleagues that they must keep their feet on the ground.

"We have a good opportunity to do something great for the club this year, but there is still a long way to go and we have to keep focused," he concluded.

Henry: Why I'd Love To Play Alongside Stevie

In an exclusive interview with Liverpoolfc.tv to celebrate Steven Gerrard week, Thierry Henry reveals all about their close friendship and why his dream of playing alongside the Reds skipper could never come true.

Thierry Henry had been in England less than a month when he paid his first visit to Anfield in August 1999.

A stunning goal from Robbie Fowler helped Liverpool to a 2-0 win on the day, but it was the performance of another Scouser that caught the eye of Arsenal's new striker. One born in Huyton, not Toxteth.

As Dermot Gallagher blew the final whistle and both sides sloped down the tunnel, Henry tapped teammate Partick Vieira on the shoulder and asked, "Who was that kid in midfield?"

"Steven Gerrard," replied his countryman. "He's going to be a brilliant player."

Over the next few years Henry and Gerrard would learn a lot more about one another as each set about writing his name in Premier League history.

It wasn't long before a mutual respect prompted an exchange of phone numbers, and from there a friendship blossomed.

Before Henry left Arsenal for the Nou Camp, there were even rumours that Gerrard tried to woo him to Merseyside.

Here, in an exclusive interview with Liverpoolfc.tv, the French ace reveals all about that conversation and assesses how history will judge his mate...

You played against Steven so many times. Is there an occasion that stands out?

There are so many. Whenever you play Liverpool you know you have to get him out of the game. If not, it's all over for you. He's a midfielder and if you look at all the important goals he's scored - well I can't even think of a striker in the world who has scored as many important goals, never mind a midfielder. How many times has he done it in the dying seconds of a game? I am trying to think of a striker now who does it - there aren't any. Think about it.

Tell us about your friendship. How close did you become?

Yes, really close. I played against Liverpool and Stevie G so many times, and when you appreciate a player so much and see them at every game, you talk. I always told him how much I admired him and he said the same to me. We exchanged numbers and kept in touch from there.

And do you still speak these days now you're at Barcelona?

We haven't spoken for a little while. I think the last time was at the beginning of the season. I'll text him and he'll reply very quickly.

Is it right the pair of you talked about you coming to Liverpool when you were leaving Arsenal?

Well, it was mentioned but it would have been difficult for me to go to another Premier League club after Arsenal. We talked about it but nothing was in it, really. It was just us talking about our wishes.

Maybe you could come back to the Premier League one day…

No, I really don't think so. In life, you can never say never, right? But right now I really don't think so.

How much would you have liked to have played with him?

Oh, so much, so much. That's normal - I would have liked to have played with some others too, but he is an inspiration. He reminds me of Patrick Vieira in that he doesn't talk too much. He just does what he does. He inspires Liverpool without talking. I find it a disgrace that he didn't win European Football of the Year in 2005 after Istanbul. For me, he is one of the best ever.

How do they compare - Steven and Patrick?

They are different types of player. Patrick was a holding midfielder who also had the ability to go and score goals. Stevie G is someone who plays with the ball. He goes to put his name on the scoresheet every game. It is difficult to compare the two: it's like comparing Paul Scholes and Roy Keane. They are both great players but they don't do the same thing on the pitch.

Where does Steven rank in world football in your opinion?

For me, and I have always said this, he will be regarded as one of the greatest midfielders ever when he finishes his career. No doubt. Okay, he doesn't do the showboating thing. That doesn't matter. The guy is always putting his foot in, always scoring and doing what he has to do to make his team win. That is what football is all about. He is the guy who makes Liverpool spark.

What, for you, is his biggest attribute on the pitch?

Ah, where do you begin? Maybe I would say that when he needs to put his foot in, he does it. Look at Istanbul. He needed to go play at right-back and so he did it. And he did it well. He will put his head on the line and go to places other players won't. I don't know of a single word that describes Stevie G. Even if he is not playing at his best, you know you can count on him.

You don't get many players who play for their hometown club for 10 years, do you?

Well, it happens more in England than in other countries. There is a thing in England where people want to play for their hometown team and be the local hero - be like the people they used to look up to. But it is amazing what Stevie has done and is doing. It's not like he has relaxed for all this time. He has been everywhere for 10 years: putting his foot in, scoring goals, passing and being committed to his club. No one can ever doubt his commitment to Liverpool. He, for me, is Liverpool.

Agger Is Outstanding - Bellamy

Liverpool defender Daniel Agger has been hailed as the "the closest thing I have seen to Alan Hansen" by former team-mate Craig Bellamy.

Wales captain Bellamy crossed swords with the Danish centre-half in Copenhagen on Wednesday.

Bellamy came out trumps in the clash with 23-year-old Agger, netting the second-half winner in a friendly international against Denmark.

And in a week when it was being suggested that Agger's defensive rival Martin Skrtel was unhappy with life out of the side at Anfield, Bellamy underlined how tough the competition for places is now for the title chasers.

Bellamy, a lifelong Liverpool fan who achieved his ultimate career ambition when he had a year with the club after a £6million move from Blackburn in July 2006, rates Agger highly and understands the battle for a first-team shirt between the Dane and Skrtel.

Bellamy said: "Agger is outstanding. I have watched Liverpool a lot over the years and for me Agger is the closest thing I have seen to Alan Hansen.

"That's the best compliment I can give him. When he gets possession he can move confidently into midfield, he joins in the passing.

"He is comfortable on the ball and has really impressed me. I liked him a lot as a person, he is down-to-earth and level-headed.

"Nothing fazes him, nothing gets on top of him, he is an outstanding player."

Liverpool bought Skrtel last January because of the continued injury problems that had kept out Agger for months.

Bellamy said: "Agger was injured and that cost him his place to Martin Skrtel. Even when he was fit again he could not get back into the side, but at a place like Liverpool you have to earn the right to play.

"He had to bide his time and although it was bad luck for Skrtel when he got injured, Daniel has got his chance again.

"The same will happen when Skrtel is fit again. He will find it hard to get back into the team because Daniel is playing so well.

"The roles will be reversed. But that does not surprise me at a top club where the best players do hold down their places in the side."

There was a spell earlier in the season when Agger could not fight his way back into the side after injury with Skrtel then the man in possession of the shirt.

Captaining Country Was ‘Amazing’ – Mascherano

Javier Mascherano described skippering Argentina to victory in their first match under the Diego Maradona’s leadership as an “amazing” experience.

The Liverpool midfielder helped his country to a 1-0 win over Scotland at Hamp-den Park on Wednesday night as the new era under Maradona began smoothly.

Former West Ham United player Mascherano had already forced Allan McGregor into a diving save from a 25-yard volley when Argentina took the lead in the eighth minute.

Atletico Madrid winger Maxi Rodriguez finished off a superb passing move as Maradona’s men began in dominant fashion.

The South Americans failed to maintain their electric start and Scotland created half-chances but the visitors were well worthy of their controlled win.

It was an emotional occasion for Mascherano, who wore the armband for the first time since Maradona visited him at Liverpool’s training ground to offer him the role.

The 24-year-old took over from veteran Javier Zanetti, who also played at Hampden on Wednesday night.

“I couldn’t believe it was true,” Mascherano said of Maradona’s offer. “I’m very happy with my first game. It was a new experience and I’m really happy with the win. It was an amazing experience. I’m not just thinking about being captain, I’m thinking about the team.”

Each player was hugged by Maradona – who guaranteed Mascherano his place – as they left the park after the morale-boosting display, which followed last month’s World Cup qualifying defeat to Chile.

Maradona said: “Taking Mascherano aside, nobody has a place secured in my team. It doesn’t matter what his name is.”

Mascherano added: “We came back with a win,” Mascherano said. “We need to improve but it’s good to start to the new era. We will try to continue to improve and see what happens.”

While Mascherano is revelling in his role as national team captain, he admits the same honour at club level is “impossible” given the esteem Anfield skipper in which Steven Gerrard and his fellow Liverpudlian Jamie Carragher are held.

Referee Gets Death Threats Over Controversial Gerrard Penalty

Martin Hansson, the referee in Liverpool's Champions League game against Atlético Madrid a fortnight ago, has revealed he received death threats over his decision to award a late penalty to Steven Gerrard.

The Swede gave a spot-kick in the final minute of stoppage time for what he perceived to be a push on Liverpool's captain by Mariano Pernía. Gerrard, who scored the penalty to salvage a 1-1 draw, admitted he would have been "livid" had the decision been made against his team.

Hansson told the Swedish newspaper Sport-Expressen that he has given up his mobile telephone number and notified the police after getting a number of threatening calls and text messages.

"I have received death threats. It has been horrible and feels very uncomfortable," he said. "The phone rang all the time and I had a great many text messages. I am pretty used to this but now I've had enough. It has been very threatening. I feel completely fed up. I have always had my mobile phone on and my number has been on the network. Now it no longer works. I'm sad that I can't be as open as I once was. I have notified the police that there have been threats against my life but it is difficult for the police to prove."

Hansson said he would not follow the lead of his compatriot Anders Frisk, who quit as a referee in 2005 after receiving death threats following a Champions League game between Chelsea and Barcelona. "I'll keep on refereeing because I like it," he said. "I want to continue to believe that football can do a lot of good and it would be sad if these dark forces had any influence on me. I thought about quitting, absolutely, but I have made my decision to continue. But I never considered it [quitting] as much as right now."

Meanwhile the referee Andre Marriner is to sit out this weekend's Premier League and Football League programmes after mistakenly sending off Wigan Athletic's Emmerson Boyce last Saturday at Newcastle United. Marriner gave Boyce a second yellow card for a tackle on Shola Ameobi which replays showed to be clean. His temporary withdrawal shows that the error has been viewed as serious.

Howard Webb, acknowledged as England's top referee, is to help Stuart Attwell negotiate his comeback to the Premier League in Portsmouth's game at home to Hull on Saturday by acting as fourth official. This season Attwell has awarded Reading a phantom goal at Watford and his two questionable decisions punished Derby in a draw with Nottingham Forest.

Skrtel Aims To Return Soon

Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel is hoping to be back playing soon as his rehabilitation from a knee injury progresses well.

The Slovakian centre-back damaged his posterior cruciate ligament in Liverpool's 3-2 win at Manchester City in October.

He did not require surgery and is now working hard to return as soon as possible.

"I don't know exactly the date but the predictions were for before Christmas and I am hoping it is as soon as possible," said Skrtel.

"The injury is much better. It has been six weeks since the injury and I have stopped using the crutches, but obviously I have work to do in order to get the ligament back to what it was before."

Liverpool Boss Benitez Insists Arsenal's Premier League Hopes Not Over

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has claimed that he is not willing to accept that Arsenal are not threats to their Premier League title dreams this season, even though Arsene Wenger’s men have already lost four games in the Premiership this season.

Currently Chelsea lead the league table on goal difference followed by the Reds, with the Gunners nine points behind the league leaders, which have raised many doubts regarding their title ambitions.

However, the former Valencia coach insists that it too early to rule out Arsene Wenger's side and highlights the fact that Liverpool are still to play the North London club twice.

Benitez said: "It is too early for me. They have enough quality in the squad. We still have to play them (twice) and they have to play the other top sides in the second half of the season.

"It is a difficult situation for them because they have three teams ahead of them but it is too early to rule them out."

Liverpool Football Club Slammed By City Council For Bird-Brained Scheme To Trademark Emblem

Council leaders have hit out at Liverpool's owners over the club's bid to register the Liver bird as a trademark.

The Anfield club have applied to the UK Intellectual Property Office to trademark the iconic image for the sum of £450.

The club hope the move will stem the tide of counterfeit Liverpool merchandise bearing the famous Liver bird emblem.

However, the application has not been welcomed by Liverpool city council, who last week accused the club of attempting to 'steal' the city's crest.

'This is outrageous,' said deputy council leader Flo Clucas in quotes reported by the Guardian.

'The Liver bird belongs to all the people of Liverpool and not one company or organisation. It cannot be bought and sold for private profit.

'This is a symbol of the city and is used not only by the council but also by hundreds of organisations, charities, voluntary groups and sports clubs.'
Clucas revealed last week that the council are taking legal advice over the trademark application.

The club claim they are only attempting to trademark the version which appears on their jerseys, and are not seeking to encroach on the rights of the city council or any other major city organisations to use the Liver bird image.

Liverpool FC's Alvaro Arbeloa Not Signing Until Rafa Benitez Sorted

Liverpool are keen to open talks with Alvaro Arbeloa over a new contract to stave off interest from Atletico Madrid.

But the Spain international has intimated he will wait until the future of Rafael Benitez becomes clearer before reaffirming his commitment to the club.

Arbeloa, an arrival from Deportivo La Coruna in January 2007, has a little over 18 months remaining on his current contract.

The 25-year-old has emerged as a regular at right-back this season with his form since signing for Liverpool earning a place in Spain’s triumphant Euro 2008 squad.

That has alerted Atletico, who want to take the former Real Madrid defender back to the Spanish capital.

Arbeloa said: “I have a contract with Liverpool for one more year. We’ve not spoken about renewing it, not knowing if Benitez will continue, it seems to me a little soon to talk about this.”

Benitez revealed last week that preliminary talks have taken place between his agent and Liverpool’s American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett over a fresh deal for the Anfield manager.

Along with Arbeloa, both Dirk Kuyt and Daniel Agger will enter the final year of their current deals at the end of the season, with Benitez having previously admitted sorting out the long-term future of his players would be easier once his own contract situation is resolved.

Meanwhile, the Liverpool manager has praised a team effort among his backroom staff after being named Premier League manager of the month for October.

“I am really pleased to be named manager of the month, but the award is not just for me, it is good for the club and also my staff,” said Benitez. “I think that all managers need to have good backroom staff.

“Everyone is doing a very good job and that is important. It allows me to concentrate on different things because I know that they will do the job properly.”

Benitez had particular praise for Mauricio Pellegrino, who was brought back to Anfield in the summer as first-team coach after spending a short stint on the playing staff in 2005.

“When I decided to sign Pellegrino as a player it was because he is very clever and tactically he could help the other defenders,” said Benitez.

“He wasn’t at his best because he was at the end of his career, but he is showing now as a coach how brilliant he is tactically.

“I think everyone has been impressed by the things he has done since he arrived. He is a winner, he is very clever and he has a real passion for football.

“The only concern for me is maybe he will leave in the future because he can be a fantastic manager.”

Liverpool are enjoying their best-ever start to a Premier League campaign with only goal difference keeping them behind leaders Chelsea.

And Fernando Torres believes the Anfield outfit have laid the foundations of a genuine title challenge.

“This season has seen us get off to a good start, and that is very much appreciated here,” said the Spain international.

“If you are still up there by December, then you have serious options of staying there. The big name sides rarely slip up, especially during the first half of the season. If you fall too far behind, you leave yourself very few, if any, options.

“The Premier League is the title which everyone wants, even more than the Champions League, especially considering that the club lifted that one three seasons ago.

“The players who have been at the club for longer have won every title possible apart from the Premier League and the players here now, and especially the fans, want to win it.

“If they had to decide between the two, they would choose the Premier League.”

TOMMY SMITH: Liverpool Still Need Ruthless Touch

If there’s just one thing lacking with the current Liverpool side at present it is their failure to be ruthless.

They have made a terrific start to the season, are level pegging with Chelsea at the top, but they could make things a lot easier if they could take a few more chances.

That must be Rafa Benitez’s main concern after seeing his side achieve a great result at Bolton – not one of our favourite places in the past – and dominate for long periods.

But it required a Steven Gerrard header late on to clinch the points.

Early in the second half, with the Reds holding a slender lead given to them by a superb Dirk Kuyt header, Bolton finally threatened and could easily have scored with two good chances.

Even so, it would have been irrelevant had Robbie Keane converted what looked the simplest of chances in the first half.

What was he trying to do? Why try to use the wrong foot to score, and subsequently completely miss his kick, when it looked all over a simple tap in?

Gerrard also missed out from another pinpoint cross while Fernando Torres, making a welcome return, could also have scored a couple late on.

However, his pass with the outside of his foot to his skipper for the second was worth waiting for. It was brilliant and shows what a hell of a player he is.

Goals are vital – we all know that’s obvious. But if you score them you take the pressure off your midfield and defence, and get the opposition to play more openly.

But, overall, the Reds are looking good, have now got over that deflating result at Spurs, and have shown they are serious title contenders.

Fed Up Skrtel 'Ready To Quit Anfield And Return To St Petersburg'

Liverpool face losing Martin Skrtel after the Slovakian admitted he is struggling to adjust to life on Merseyside.

The 24-year-old defender is lonely and bored and would like to return to St Petersburg, according to his close friend, Zenit goalkeeper Kamil Contofalsky.

Contofalsky told Russia's 90 Minutes Magazines: 'I talk a lot to Martin on the phone and he said he would like to return to Zenit because it's very boring for him in England.

'He feels lonely there, doesn't have any friends. And also the local paparazzi follow him all the time.

'There's no such camera madness in Russia and Martin confessed to me that life in St Petersburg was better for him.

'But that doesn't mean he regrets his move to Liverpool. He made it into the main squad quickly and played top class football which is much better than in the Russian premiership.'

Should Liverpool And Everton Ground-Share?

Passion. Loyalty. Pride. The credit crunch. Ticket prices. Pragmatics. Which arguments are the most compelling in the ground-sharing debate? Kevin Garside and Jeremy Wilson go head to head with their respective arguments.

Kevin Garside - No to ground-sharing

Football, like all sports, is a form of escape, a fantasy, an adventure, a romance, an attachment. It conforms not to rational promptings but to emotional impulses. Yes, it is logical for Liverpool and Everton to ground-share. Yes, it makes fiscal sense. Why build two stadia to accommodate two teams housed either side of Stanley Park? It would be madness. Well yes, it would. For the fan, football is a form of madness. Necessarily so. It provides a subtext to our lives. It nourishes the parts work cannot reach. It allows us to drift legitimately for periods of time from the more prosaic conventions that govern us. From responsibility.

We do this in groups. It becomes a secondary identity. This is Dave. He's okay. He's a Liverpool fan. Hi Dave. Welcome to the club. You're in, one of us. Out of this simple commonality a relationship flows. Dave might eat insects, he might pierce his toes, he might do lots of things that would get him locked up, but we forgive him his eccentricities because he's a Liverpool fan; part of the family.

Dave and the boys convene once or twice a week at their ground. It's been their home for more than a hundred years. Their dads came before them, their granddads before them. They are bound by a set of shared beliefs that have evolved and made them what they are in football. This is Anfield.

Dave's cousin, John, is a blue. John's dad, Dave's uncle, went to Goodison Park as a kid to spite his old fella. John loves Everton like Dave loves the reds. John's bedroom wall is a shrine to Everton. He's even got a picture of Kendall, Ball and Harvey that his dad cut out of a Shoot magazine when he was 10.

Dave and John are not economists. They have no interest in balancing books. They are not clients of Anfield and Goodison Park. They are, in their imaginations, part owners of Liverpool and Everton. They turn up without fail in all weathers in their replica shirts bought at the club shops and stump up money they don't have to get their emotional fix.

Dave and John share blood but not teams. This part of their lives is experienced independently. They are mutually exclusive. This is the tradition in Merseyside, in England, in Britain; separate homes at the home of the game.


Jeremy Wilson - Yes to ground-sharing

Rick Parry, the Liverpool chief executive, struck a rather hopeful note earlier this week when he attempted to allay ever-growing fears about the viability of a new stadium. "It's a case of a delay while things settle down," he said.

A delay while things settle down? At a time when even the world's most eminent economists have little idea when confidence in the banking system will return, it was hardly a statement to reassure any Liverpool fan.

As for Everton, the club claims that it has funds for a new stadium, yet the council's objection to the retail element of their Kirkby project has ensured ongoing delays. Time, though, is hardly on the side of either football club.

On Saturday, Liverpool will host Fulham and can expect to earn around £1.4 million from the game, while a similar fixture for Everton would generate in the region of £800,000. Comparable matches at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium or Manchester United's Old Trafford would net the clubs around £3.5 million.

Over a season, it gives Arsenal and Manchester United an ongoing advantage in turnover in excess of £50 million over their Merseyside rivals.

And yet there is a simple solution. In Stanley Park, Liverpool have planning permission - but not the money - for a 60,000-seater ground that could potentially become a 75,000 capacity stadium. By contrast, Everton's difficulties surround the location for their ground. It is often said that a problem shared is a problem halved yet, in this case, an unlikely alliance would actually solve two problems.

A shared stadium would also provide a wider focal point for Liverpool that could represent the 'Wembley of the north' and attract other high profile events to Merseyside. A call to consider the idea from both council leader Warren Bradley and Steven Broomhead, the chief executive of the North West Regional Development Agency, also suggests that public bodies may look favourably on supporting a joint project that could serve to unite the community.

For all the understandable emotion about retaining each club's unique identity, it is a project that has been proven to work in other leading European football cities.

The San Siro is famously the base for both AC Milan and Inter, while the Olympic Stadium in Rome hosts Roma and Lazio. The Allianz Arena in Germany can even change colour from red to blue depending on whether Bayern Munich or TSV 1860 Munich are at home.
The lesson is clear. Football waits for nobody and, if Liverpool and Everton doggedly allow their hearts to rule their heads, they will continue to get left behind.

Fernando Torres Back To His Best - And Ready To Fire For Liverpool

Fernando Torres returned to goalscoring form last night in Spain’s 3-0 win over Chile.

It was the Liverpool forward’s first goal since his return from the hamstring injury that he sustained on international duty in early October.

And in a further boost to manager Rafael Benitez’s preparations for the visit of Fulham this Saturday, he saw all five of his Spanish internationals come through without picking up injuries.

Xabi Alonso and Albert Riera completed full 90 minutes while goalkeeper Pepe Reina played the second half after replacing Iker Casillas.

Right-back Alvaro Arbeloa also made an appearance just past the hour mark before Torres scored just nine minutes after replacing David Villa 12 minutes into the second half. But Benitez’s main concern was welcoming Torres back with his fitness intact after being injured on international duty three times during his Liverpool career.

Meanwhile, Martin Skrtel has revealed his determination to fight to regain his place in the Liverpool back line when he returns from injury.

The Slovakian defender has earmarked the Christmas period as a realistic target for his return following his spell on the sidelines with a knee injury.

He said: “Daniel and Sami are excellent players and they are playing well.

“It will be difficult to get back into the team but I am working hard and I will do my best to impress the coach and fight for my place back.

“I am sad that I am not currently part of the team but I am happy that we are winning and at the end of the day it is the goal of all of us to win matches.

“Being at the top of the Premier League gives us a lot of confidence. We are trying to win every game and hopefully our form can continue for as long as possible.

“Of course I would like to win some silverware but it’s still early and there is a long time to go until the end of the season.”

Skrtel, who joined Liverpool from Zenit St Petersburg in January, admits that he is happy with the schedule of his recovery – because the initial impact of the injury at Eastlands left him feeling he would be out for much longer.

“The injury is much better,” Skrtel said. “It has been six weeks since the injury and I have stopped using the crutches, but obviously I have work to do in order to get the ligament back to what it was before.

“The pain when it happened was huge and I thought it was much worse than it actually was. Once I was back in the changing room I realised it was not as serious as I first feared.

“The first week or two was the worst but then I started to look forward to doing exercises that helped me to heal and speed up the recovery process.”

As for a likely return date, the Slovakian international is still hopeful he will achieve his initial target of a run-out during the Christmas programme.

“I don’t know exactly the date but the predictions were for before Christmas and I am hoping it is as soon as possible.

“It has been a long time. I can’t wait to start kicking a ball again and resume full training,” he added.

Mascherano Talks Up Liverpool Solidarity

Liverpool’s midfield enforcer Javier Mascherano believes that the side’s team mentality can be cited as the primary reason for the club’s best start to a Premier League season.

Newly installed Argentina captain Javier Mascherano believes that the club’s togetherness has been of major importance to their impressive start to the current League campaign.

The Reds share top spot with London club Chelsea, and have only lost once in the Premier League – to lily white side Tottenham Hotspur.

Mascherano thinks that the squad is performing on the pitch because of their amicable relationships off of it.

"All the players are giving everything for us and that is very important," Mascherano told the club’s official website.

"This is why the team is playing so well at the moment, it is because of our teamwork which has been fantastic.

"We are all very happy after the Bolton game because we were able to win another game and go back to the top of the table.

"We know how difficult it is to win at the Reebok because they are a very strong and a very physical team,” he concluded.

Mascherano’s Argentina side play Scotland during the international break before Premier League business resumes on Saturday afternoon with a trip to west London to take on Fulham who, under the tutelage or Roy Hodgson, have turned Craven Cottage into a formidable arena.

Yossi Benayoun Moves Closer To Liverpool FC Exit

Yossi Benayoun has hinted he will consider leaving Anfield in the New Year if he remains a bit-part player for Liverpool.

The Israel international, a £6million signing from West Ham United 18 months ago, has always claimed he is content to stay and fight for his place in Rafael Benitez’s side.

But the 28-year-old, who was tracked by Ajax, Spartak Moscow, Manchester City and Roma during the summer, has admitted his patience is wearing thin at being left on the bench.

“If the situation remains the same over the next few months, and I’m not getting more time in the middle, I will not want to continue as a Liverpool player,” Benayoun told Israel’s Channel Five TV station.

“The fact that I have spent so much time on the bench, while there has been a winning formula on the pitch, tells you everything.

“I hope it changes for me, because I want to stay and prove myself, but it won’t be easy. I know I’m at one of the biggest clubs in the world, and that there are many good players like Ryan Babel and Jermaine Pennant who sometimes aren’t even in the squad, but it’s not much fun sitting on the bench all the time.

“I always wanted to prove myself good enough for Liverpool, and I thought I did well last season to contribute so many goals and assists. But there seems to be more competition for places this time, and if I continue to be on the sidelines, I would not want to stay, even though it is Liverpool.

“Maybe I will have to accept that and start learning another language, such as Italian or French or even Russian.”

Meanwhile, Liverpool are keen to open talks with Alvaro Arbeloa, whose current deal expires in 2010, over a new contract to stave off interest from Atletico Madrid.