Liverpool Defender Glen Johnson Out For At Least A Month

Liverpool defender Glen Johnson has been ruled out for at least a month with a medial ligament tear of his right knee.

The England international sustained the injury in Tuesday's 1-0 victory over Aston Villa.

Johnson will have to see a specialist again before a specific timescale will be put on how long he will be out of action for.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez told Liverpoolfc.tv: "Johnson has a problem, so he'll see a specialist and then we'll talk but we know he'll be out for at least one month.

"But we are waiting for another opinion and then we'll know how long."

The Reds are lacking cover for Johnson in the right-back berth, as Martin Kelly is also out for the next couple of weeks so centre-back Jamie Carragher may be forced to play out of position once again.

Fernando Torres Will Never Sign For Real Madrid, Insists Bernabeu Defender Alvaro Arbeloa

Alvaro Arbeloa believes Real Madrid have no chance of prising Fernando Torres from Liverpool.

Europe's top clubs are monitoring Spain striker Torres as Liverpool struggle to hold on to their Big Four status.

But Arbeloa, the defender who quit Anfield for Real Madrid in the summer, believes he won't be welcoming his compatriot to the Bernabeu any time soon.

'I think he is happy there and he just extended his contract. The Premier League suits him, he has adjusted well and he is scoring a lot of goals, so I doubt that he will come back. If he does I assume it would be to play for Atletico Madrid.'

Torres has often ruled out a move to the Bernabeu because of his ties to city rivals Atletico, where he came through the ranks before Liverpool signed him in a £21million deal in 2007.

But Real and Barcelona would both be interested if Torres's commitment to Liverpool shows any sign of wavering.

There is no suggestion the 25-year-old wants to leave Anfield and his goal in the 1-0 victory over Aston Villa on Tuesday night made him the fastest player in Liverpool history to score 50 League goals.

Arbeloa, who signed for Real in a £3.5m summer move, congratulated his former team-mate.

'What can I say? He speaks for himself,' said the full-back. 'Congratulations because it wasn't an easy feat at an historic club like Liverpool.'

Rafa Benitez Eyes Spending Spree As Liverpool Boss Prepares For The January Transfer Window

Rafa Benitez has revealed he is looking to boost his squad in the January transfer window.

The Liverpool boss is under serious pressure to finish in the top four and reclaim their place in the lucrative Champions League.

Aside from his star players Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard, the Reds have been short on attacking power this season and they are likely to pursue reinforcements up front.

'We are working hard and trying to do our jobs, and we'll see if we can do something,' said Benitez.

'We are looking in the market but it's not easy to find good players available because the majority of them are playing in top sides. But we are trying to find solutions if we can.

'We have some good players who people are interested in because they're not playing too many games, but we have to manage carefully.'

Benitez is interested in signing former Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy on a six-month loan deal.

It would be a controversial move to bring the Real Madrid veteran to Anfield but his huge wages could prove to be a stumbling block.

Another target is Tottenham outcast Roman Pavlyuchenko, who has been told he can leave White Hart Lane. A swap deal involving Liverpool misfit Ryan Babel is one possibility.

Meanwhile, Benitez has highlighted the importance of the FA Cup following Liverpool's shock exit from the Champions League group stages last month.

They travel to Championship strugglers Reading on Saturday desperate to land a piece of silverware this season.

'It's always been important but you know that when you're out of the Champions League, the people think about silverware and the FA Cup is very, very important for us,' Benitez added.

'We want to progress, we want to go as far as we can. We'll have to analyse and consider what to do and we still have another training session. We'll see how the players are but maybe we won't change too many.

'We know we're playing against Tottenham eight days later, so we'll have time. We can put a strong team out. Always in the FA Cup it's really important to do things right. Everyone wants to win and it's a massive competition, so we have to be ready.'

Why Rafa Benitez Most Certainly Does Know His Enemy

American rockers Green Day recently asked 'Do you know your enemy?' In Rafael Benitez's case, it is the media and their anti-Liverpool agenda.

Anyone who has been present at Melwood when the Spaniard holds court for pre-match press conferences knows the level of irritation the manager feels when asked lazy journalism questions, cleverly disguised as sensationalist probes.

Having been the subject of idle paper talk linking him with resigning from the Anfield hot seat should the Reds fail to secure Champions League qualification, a vindicated Benitez hit back on Tuesday night in his post-match interview at Villa Park.

He said: "I don't see any journalist making a mistake and resigning, so every time that you ask me the same, I will ask you the same."

Benitez has every reason to be upset.

The critics have been quick to attack Alberto Aquilani, just as they were Jamie Carragher earlier in the season, but the Italian has to be given time to find his feet in the Premier League and the signs have been there in the last two games that he is doing that.

Some sections of the press have also included Benitez in lists of the worst managers of the year, despite him steering Liverpool to a second-place finish in the Premier League last season, and anyone hoping that the media tide against Liverpool will finally turn in 2010 shouldn’t hold their breath if the previous 12 months are anything to go by.

With all the adversity flying in the face of the club, the manner in which the Reds snatched all three points was made all the sweeter. An equally pleasurable sight was seeing Villa boss Martin O’Neill looking inconsolable as Fernando Torres hit his 50th league goal, scored in a record 72 appearances, proving that form is temporary and class is still permanent.

The old adage of playing to the whistle was also given real meaning with several players looking strong against the top four pretenders, notably Carragher, Emiliano Insua and Lucas Leiva. Glen Johnson and Dirk Kuyt are still lacking in confidence but as we saw with Yossi Benayoun at the turn of the year, players of their ability will find that form.

Yesterday it was revealed that the club are planning to begin work on the proposed new stadium before the end of the first quarter of 2010 after George Gillett’s pledge of having “a shovel in the ground” within 60 days of the Americans’ takeover in 2007 failed to come to fruition. There will be a shovel in the ground on Stanley Park before the end of April but it is more likely to be that of Anfield Comprehensive students as part of an archaeological experiment rather than builders performing excavation work.

So what does the future hold for Liverpool Football Club at the dawn of a new decade? Crippling debts, non-existent transfer budgets and a lack of overall progress under the current ownership. This is the storm that Gerry Marsden once referenced and it looks set to be a lengthy one with Gillett and Hicks at the helm.

Benitez Must Take Gamble - Expert

Liverpool may have to spend heavily in the January transfer window if they are to protect their future income.

That is the view of Simon Chadwick, professor of sport business at Coventry University, who believes the financial implications of the club's failure to reach the knockout stage of this season's Champions League could minor compared to those of finishing the current Premier League campaign outside the top four.

The Reds ended 2009 off the pace with Tottenham providing the closest challenge to the remaining three members of the usual suspects at the top of the division, and with manager Rafael Benitez repeatedly finding himself under pressure.

And if they cannot improve upon that situation over the second half of the season, Prof Chadwick fears for their longer-term future.

He said: "They are faltering.

"For clubs like Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal, the business model is very much founded on qualification for the knockout phase of the Champions League.

"Liverpool have failed at that first hurdle - they didn't progress to the knockout phase - but potentially, they could fail at the second hurdle too, which means they don't qualify for next season's Champions League either.

"If Liverpool do not qualify for the Champions League next season, they are on a little bit of a slippery slope and it starts to impinge upon their business model.

"They have to qualify for the Champions League next season and as a consequence of that, they have to spend some money.

"But is the money there to spend? They are either going to have to sell people to find it, or there is talk of prospective investors coming in.

"Whether those prospective investors might potentially be in place by January, which would enable Liverpool to buy, we will have to wait and see.

"But they have got to spend and they haven't got the money to spend, so they will have to sell or bring in new investors."

Prof Chadwick expects few clubs to invest heavily next month, although it tipping Manchester United to spend some of the £80million they raked in, but did not spend, by selling Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid during the summer, while neighbours City have seemingly limitless funds upon which to call.

Instead, he is forecasting a rash of short-term deals as clubs jockey for position without over-committing themselves in the current economic climate.

He said: "I think by and large, the transfer window will be relatively quiet, and that comes out of concerns about money and continuing concerns about the downturn.

"In the main, I think it will be relatively quiet and if anything, the window will be characterised more by loan deals than transfers."

Liverpool And Benfica Chase Teenaged Slovenian Goalkeeper Jan Oblak

Liverpool, Benfica, and Aston Villa are locked in a battle to sign highly-rated Slovenian goalkeeper Jan Oblak.

The 16-year-old, who is first choice for Slovenian club Olimpija and a member of his country's U-21 side, is valued at around 2 million euros.

Oblak visited Anfield to watch the Reds 2-1 defeat to Arsenal in December and he was due to attend a trial with the club but he couldn’t train after picking up a slight muscle strain.

Olimpija's director of football Simon Seslar told Zurnal24: "Yes, we have numerous offers for Jan, there are clubs that are prepared to enter concrete talks with us. If we are satisfied and the player is satisfied as well, we can strike a deal.

"Some people have invited us to Anfield, where we watched the game, Liverpool versus Arsenal. But that's it. We flew home the following day."

Oblak has also been linked with moves to Aston Villa and Portuguese outfit Benfica but he refused to say where he is heading.

He said: "Yes, there is something going on, but I am not allowed to talk about it. If my transfer will help the club financially, I am willing to say yes to a transfer."

The Olimpija keeper has already featured for Slovenia Under-21s and he even captained his club side in their last match before the winter break against Maribor.

Mancini: I’ll Raid The Reds

Roberto Mancini will make a move for Fernando Torres and Co - if Liverpool finish outside the top four.

The Merseysiders face a cash crisis should they miss out on Champions League football next season.

And Manchester City chief Mancini has the mega-money to bag the Kop's crown jewels.

He said: "If they put Steven Gerrard, Javier Mascherano and Fernando Torres on the market, City will be interested.

"We at City will do everything possible to prevent Liverpool from finishing fourth."

Funds are already tight at Anfield and failure to make Europe's elite competition could force the club to sell their prized assets. There ]are worries striker Torres and talismanic skipper Gerrard may quit without the Champions League to play for.

While midfielder Javier Mascherano had looked to leave last summer to join Barcelona.

City would have to shell out more than £100million for Liverpool's biggest names.

But that would not be a problem for the club's billionaire Arab owners.

Mancini admits he needs to bolster his backline in the January window.

He said: "In defence I have so many out injured that there will be some coming and the same in midfield. In attack we don't have problems."

Mancini knows it will be easier to tempt the world's best stars to Eastlands if they qualify for the Champions League.

And he admitted he would love to have Inter Milan full-back Maicon and Barcelona striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic in his ranks after working with them at the San Siro.

Mancini told Italian website francorossi.com: "If City finish in the top four we will look for players of the highest level.

"I would like to have Maicon. With Ibra there's always been a rapport of great loyalty.

"He's world class. Which manager in the world wouldn't like Ibrahimovic?"

He added: "City is the best club in the world for an ambitious manager.

"There are very, very good players there but we must improve as it won't be easy to get to the top four."

Banega The Man To Fill The Boots Of Xabi Alonso?

He is one of the rising stars in La Liga – but who is Ever Banega? In my view he is the ideal replacement for the departed Xabi Alonso and just the man to bring that creative edge to Liverpool’s midfield.

Aged just 18, Banega came through the Boca Juniors ranks in early 2007, after the departure of Fernando Gago. After impressive displays it only took Valencia twenty-eight games of first team football to pay Boca Juniors some 18m euros for his services in January 2008.

Banega didn’t hit the ground running in Spain as perhaps the move was a little too soon and after failing to win over Ronald Koeman, Valencia’s new boss Unai Emery sent him out on loan to Atletico Madrid where he was an absolute revelation.

It remains to be seen as to whether Valencia would be so keen to offload him as they were prepared to do last summer, however, if they do, then I personally couldn’t think of a better player for Rafa to look to as a replacement for Xabi Alonso.

With an eclectic range of passing, two footed, silky skilled and excellence at one touch football, he is very reminiscent of a certain Xabi Alonso. Banega, like a lot of Argentines, is strong as a bull, possesses a low centre of gravity and is extremely difficult to knock off the ball when in possession.

His performances at Atletico saw Banega starting to fulfil the potential that first convinced Valencia to spend big to bring him to La Liga and although Emery may want to keep him at the Mestalla long term, their current financial plight is likely to see them having to cash in. My own view is that he’ll be a revelation at Anfield and would certainly provide a better foil for Mascherano in the middle, as opposed to Lucas and Alberto Aquilani; who for me is suited to Steven Gerrard role behind Torres anyway.

Church Praying For Strong Reds

Reading striker Simon Church is hoping Liverpool play their strongest team in this weekend's FA Cup tie at the Madejski Stadium.

Reds boss Rafa Benitez may use the Saturday evening clash to rest some of his star names, but Church is desperate to take on the likes of Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard.

"This type of game is what you want as a player," he told the Royals' official website.

"Hopefully they will have a strong team and personally I would love to play on the same pitch as Torres.

"He is one of the best in the world and it would be an amazing experience to be on the same pitch as him."

Fernando Torres Worth The £25m Liverpool Spent - Jamie Carragher

Fernando Torres struck his 50th League goal in Liverpool colours in the third minute of added time on Tuesday evening, when Rafael Benitez's Reds sealed a much-needed win against top-four rivals Aston Villa.

The swiftness with which Torres accumulated the half ton has impressed team-mate Jamie Carragher, who claimed the Spain international has already paid back the transfer fee that Benitez paid Atletico Madrid in order to secure his services.

"Fernando is a great player, a world-class striker, and to beat people like Ian Rush, Michael Owen, Robbie Fowler and Roger Hunt to 50 league goals says it all about him really," said Carragher to British tabloid The Daily Mail.

"To be top of that list shows what a great player he is and that's why we paid the money for him."

Despite struggling with injury this season, Torres, 25, has already established himself as one of the Premier League's top strikers. 'El Nino' has returned 12 goals in England's top-flight so far this term, and is in fifth place in the goalscoring charts.

Gerrard Up For Top-Four Fight

Steven Gerrard accepts Liverpool have a real battle on their hands to finish in the top four this season.

Liverpool boosted their hopes of claiming a top-four finish with a late win over rivals Aston Villa on Tuesday, thanks to Fernando Torres' last-gasp effort.

The win reduced the gap between the Reds and fourth-placed Tottenham to four points.

But Gerrard knows there is still a major fight ahead if Liverpool are to secure Champions League football in May.

"We've got to try and win as many games as we can. This means nothing. It all depends where you are at the end of the season," Gerrard told Sky Sports 1.

"We know Villa, Spurs and Man City are going to keep fighting all the way and we need to do the same.

"But it is important to keep the momentum going and build on this victory. I am sure we will gain a lot of confidence from this, like we did against Wolves.

"We've virtually got everyone back fit now so there are no excuses now. We need to go on a run of winning games.

"Can we secure a top-four spot? It is going to be difficult. There are a lot of fantastic teams about. I am sure teams will spend in January.

"It will be a race to the very end and we've got to make sure we are in it."

Liverpool Sweating On Johnson Knee Injury Scan

Liverpool’s dramatic 1-0 injury-time win over Aston Villa was overshadowed by an injury scare involving England defender Glen Johnson.

The right-back, 25, came off with two minutes left after suffering a suspected knee injury.

“We don't know, we have to do a scan – maybe he has a problem with his knee,” said manager Rafa Benitez afterwards.

Johnson has already missed three games with a calf problem as Liverpool have had an injury-plagued season – and the full-back left Villa Park on crutches last night.

That was a precaution, but Liverpool will still be sweating until the results of the scan are known.

Distraught Aston Villa boss Martin O’Neill, meanwhile, was left ruing Fernando Torres and the Premier League fixture list after Aston Villa’s top four hopes were hit.

It is a real blow to us,” said O’Neill, whose fifth-placed side lost 3-0 at Arsenal on Sunday.

“We have lost both games but tonight we should have won.

“It is hard to take as we restricted Liverpool but we will come again.

“Unfortunately we have played two games in three days and those extra hours Liverpool had might have made a difference.”

Carragher Hails Reds Statement

Jamie Carragher believes Liverpool's last gasp win over Aston Villa was a statement of intent to their rivals that they are still a major force in the battle for a Champions League spot.

The Reds closed the gap on fourth placed Tottenham to four points, and are now only two behind Villa, after Fernando Torres scored his 50th Premier League goal for the club in the third minute of injury-time.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez reiterated his "guarantee" of finishing in the top four in the aftermath of the Villa Park encounter.

And Carragher is confident they can now put together a decisive run of results in the New Year.

He said: "It was a big result. That brings us a lot closer to Aston Villa. If they had beaten us, it would have been a big points difference so the one game can make a difference.

"We realise what would have happened if we had lost. People would have said we were miles away and 'that was it' for the top four so we have given ourselves a fighting chance.

"I haven't looked at the table for a while so I am not sure how far or how close we are. When it's not going well, there is no point.

"But if we can win the next game against Tottenham as well, that can put us right in the mix. We've had a lot of ups and downs this season and hopefully we can go on a good run now."

Carragher added: "We've been up there for a long time. There are always people wanting to shoot you down, other teams.

"Over the last few years Villa have been one of those teams around the top six alongside Everton.

"But this time around Manchester City have really come on and Tottenham have done really well and I think they are all looking at us as the team they can take the place of.

"So it was more than just the three points at Villa. It was a statement to everyone that we are still fighting for that place."

The only worry for the Reds was a knee injury to defender Glen Johnson, with the Reds anxiously awaiting the result of a scan on the England player.

Villa were left to reflect on a dismal festive period which had also seen them beaten at another of their top four rivals in Arsenal.

But defender Luke Young is confident Villa will not suffer a long term hangover from their double setback ahead of FA Cup third round and Carling Cup semi-final meetings with Blackburn in the next week.

He said: "Everyone was disappointed in the dressing room but we can't let the last two results ruin the great run we've had.

"It's time to regroup now and look forward to the tough month we've got coming up. Let's get over this one and look forward to the weekend.

"We've got to look forward. If you start dwelling on results like the Liverpool one, it's the worst thing you can do. You can start beating yourself up.

"We've seen in the league this season that teams are taking points off each other left right and centre.

It's going to go all the way down to the end for this final Champions League spot and we hope to be right in among them. We want this to make us stronger."

Villa will be hoping striker Emile Heskey has recovered from illness in time for the first meeting with Sam Allardyce's side on Saturday.

Villa boss Martin O'Neill said: "Emile was ill on Sunday at Arsenal and he came off in the game and still wasn't feeling so bright so we didn't include him. We will see how he is."

Juventus Set Sights On Rafael Benitez & Javier Mascherano Of Liverpool

Juventus are following Liverpool coach Rafael Benitez, and midfielder Javier Mascherano with plans to entice both men into swapping Anfield for the Olimpico in Turin.

Il Corriere Dello Sport claims the Old Lady is ready to rekindle an interest in the currently injured Mascherano, and will hope to sign him in the summer.

They are planning early to avoid disappointment after having missed out on the Argentinian last summer. The report suggests Mascherano, whose contract expires in 2012 and entitles him to €1.6 million per season, is eager to quit the club.

His will to leave will be strengthened even further if the Reds continue to endure a troubled season and fail to qualify for next year's Champions League.

Juve, who are reportedly searching for a coach to replace the under-fire Ciro Ferrara, have also been linked with Benitez. Should the Spaniard arrive in Turin, a move for Masherano would be easier to execute.

Enthusiastic market rumours suggest the coach may even arrive as soon as January, but planned moves for both men for next summer seems more likely.

Despite the report, Juventus have recently made it clear on a number of occasions that they are not looking to replace Ferrara, despite their recent slump in form and exit from the Champions League.

Benitez Shock At Reaction

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez angrily explained his surprise at the reaction to his guarantee of a place in the top four of the Premier League this season.

The Reds boss saw his side grab a dramatically late victory at Aston Villa on Tuesday as Fernando Torres added another twist to the race for UEFA Champions League football with his 50th English league goal coming deep into stoppage time.

A narrow 1-0 win moved Liverpool to seventh position in the table and the Merseysiders now sit just two points behind Villa and four points adrift of fourth-placed Tottenham, who travel to Anfield on 10th January.

The win came as a major feather in the cap for Benitez, who has maintained throughout the campaign that his under-performing side will qualify for 2010/11's European Cup, and so he was shocked when his promise was questioned post-match.

His reaction was not on a par to last season's infamous 'Rafa rant', but it was almost as cold as a snowy night in the Midlands, as he told Sky Sports 1: "The manager has to have confidence in his team so he has to say that we will finish in the top four.
"I have to be the first one to believe so they (the players) will believe.

"I was really pleased because we couldn't give something to our fans when we played against Portsmouth so I am really pleased for them because it was bad weather and I think that they will come back to Liverpool and enjoy today."

When pushed further on his guarantee of a place in the top four, he said: "What do you have to do? As a manager of the team you have to believe in the players.

"I was really surprised a lot of people are talking about it like, 'oh Rafa is taking the pressure off his players'. You have to do it like this because I am the manager."

When asked about suggestions he would resign if Liverpool do not qualify for the Champions League, he said: "I don't see any journalist making a mistake and resigning, so every time that you ask me the same, I will ask you the same."

Torres still did not appear to be at full fitness following his long-standing groin injury, but Benitez was in no doubt regarding the predatory brilliance of his record signing.

The Liverpool boss said: "He is a very, very good player, a key player for us. His record is amazing so I am very pleased for him and very pleased for the team."

Rafa Benitez In Bid To Sign Ruud van Nistelrooy On Loan From Real Madrid

Liverpool are trying to thrash out a deal with Real Madrid to land Ruud van Nistelrooy on a six-month loan next week.

Rafael Benitez’s side, who beat Aston Villa in a snowstorm at Villa Park on Tuesday night, are keen to bring in an experienced striker after seeing their season crumble during Fernando Torres’s frequent stints in the treatment room.

Van Nistelrooy, 33, is keen to head to Anfield to prove his fitness for Holland ahead of next summer’s World Cup. But boss Benitez is worried about the Dutchman’s troubling injury record and has already ruled out paying £3m to take him on a permanent basis.

He is also refusing to agree to Real Madrid’s demands to pay the striker’s £100,000-a-week wages for the rest of the season if he joins on loan.

Benitez has limited funds available as a result of his inability to find takers for Dutchman Ryan Babel, Ukraine forward Andriy Voronin, Swiss right back Philipp Degen and Italian left back Andrea Dossena in the transfer window.

Instead, Benitez has asked the Spanish side to pay the majority of Van Nistelrooy’s wages during his time at Anfield.

But Madrid are holding out in the hope that another Premier League club make contact and force an auction for the ex-Manchester United forward.

Babel’s agent, meanwhile, says Liverpool are only interested in straight cash deals for the Dutch winger. Tottenham, Birmingham, Sunderland and Besiktas have all expressed interest but Benitez will not allow him to simply go out on loan.

Babel’s agent Winnie Haatrecht said: ‘It will be difficult for him to focus and remain focused. He will not be loaned.

‘I don’t know if he will be sold, I have had no contact about that. The only thing I know - no loan. There has been no talk about a sale.’

Dossena, meanwhile, is holding talks over a possible switch to Atletico Madrid.

Agent Slams Tabloid ‘Lies’ About Liverpool Star Alberto Aquilani

The representative of Liverpool midfielder Alberto Aquilani has rushed to stop the rumour mill after English tabloids alleged the 25-year-old had flown to Belgrade to receive treatment from ‘placenta doctor’ Marijana Kovacevic in a bid to put an end to his seemingly endless series of injury setbacks.

“So many lies have been told of late and the last one was the story about the sorceress…” agent Franco Zavaglia told Calciomercato.it.

“I stayed in England for ten days and travelled between Liverpool and Manchester. Alberto is on the right path to a full recovery.

“He endured eight troubled months because of his ankle injury. But we are not discovering Aquilani’s value today. He is a quality player with great potential.

“He just wants to play regularly now so that he will realize his dream, which is to go to the World Cup.

“If Alberto will be fit, it’s unlikely the Nazionale boss will do without him.”

Aquilani underwent ankle surgery last May before joining Liverpool from Roma and was only handed his first Premier League start last week as the Reds defeated Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-0 at Anfield. Last night he featured in the Reds' 1-0 win at Aston Villa.

'April Start' For New Liverpool Stadium, Says Council

Work on Liverpool's new stadium in Stanley Park could begin as early as April 2010, the leader of Liverpool City Council has told the BBC.

Warren Bradley said Liverpool have told the council they are "very close now to securing the finances".

He added it would be "in April that hopefully, fingers crossed, we'll see some activity on Stanley Park".

Bradley also revealed the council would hold talks with Everton about their plans for a new stadium on 11 January.

The government rejected Everton's plans for a 50,000-seater stadium in Kirkby, with Liverpool City Council one of the opponents of the plan.

Development of Liverpool Football Club's proposed new ground has been a casualty of the unstable global financial situation.

Construction on the new site in Stanley Park, which is next to the Reds' current Anfield Stadium and has a planned 60,000 capacity, was frozen in August 2008 after preliminary work because of the financial conditions.

But in September Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks insisted it would go ahead once the financial situation improved, and Liverpool City Council leader Bradley says the club is now confident of securing the required cash in the first three months of 2010.

"What they've said is they'll secure the finances in the first quarter, so that's between January and March," he told BBC Radio Liverpool.

He added that work on Liverpool's new stadium, which is part of England's proposed 2018 World Cup bid, could then begin in April.

"We've been pressing Liverpool Football Club to ensure that they deliver the stadium and if they're not going to deliver it, to come clean with the council so we can look at other options," said Bradley.

"Liverpool Football Club have come back to us and said they're very close now to securing the finances and they want to move on as quickly as possible, not only for the World Cup bid but also for Liverpool Football Club, who see a new stadium as being the heart of the business plan."

Everton To Meet Liverpool City Council To Discuss New Stadium Plans

Everton will enter into new talks with Liverpool City Council over a new stadium. A date of 11 January has been set aside for the two sides to meet following the rejection of a planning application for a new stadium in Kirkby.

That proposed £400m development of a 50,000-seater stadium, in partnership with Tesco, collapsed last month. Liverpool City Council was opposed to the project. It will send a high-ranking delegation to the 11 January meeting, which was promised after the Kirkby decision. It is considered that redeveloping Goodison Park is too expensive.

Everton's head of public relations, Ian Ross, said: "Throughout the Destination Kirkby process, Liverpool City Council always made it clear that if the project was to fail they would step forward and seek to help us. As a consequence, a working group is to be formed and meetings held to actively explore all the options and possibilities which are open to Everton.

"Despite the disappointment of seeing our proposed move to Kirkby collapse we as a club remain convinced that a move to a new home is not only the right way forward but the only way forward.

"Of course, it does remain to be seen if the City Council can provide us with the level of help and assistance which we will require if we are to [re]locate to any new stadium within the Liverpool boundaries but we will enter these preliminary talks with a measure of optimism."

The City Council leader, Warren Bradley – who is an Everton fan – said: "We have got a meeting with Everton where we will put all our cards on the table.

"I will be there as will be council chief executive Colin Hilton and executive director of regeneration John Kelly. We want to make sure that we can facilitate things for Everton."

Match Report: Aston Villa 0 - 1 Liverpool

Fernando Torres scored an injury-time 50th Premier League goal for Liverpool to give his side a Champions League lifeline against Aston Villa.

The Spaniard drilled a low shot across Villa keeper Brad Friedel in the 93rd minute to become the fastest player in Reds history to score a half century of league goals.

It means Rafael Benitez's side are only two points behind Villa and four adrift of fourth-placed Tottenham in the race for European places.

Liverpool keeper Jose Reina had earlier produced two crucial saves to deny Villa who were searching for their first home win over the Reds for nearly 12 years.

The Spaniard somehow kept out a close-range volley from Stewart Downing in the first half and then denied Villa's top scorer Gabriel Agbonlahor after he had broken clear midway through the second period.

And Liverpool appeared to have strong first half claims for a penalty after a challenge by Villa central defender Richard Dunne on Dirk Kuyt.

Villa lacked sharpness and perhaps having a day less than Liverpool to recover from their opening game of the festive program - a 3-0 reversal at Arsenal - may have taken its toll.

Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard tried to inspire his side in conditions that became increasingly difficult underfoot.

But it was Torres who produced the moment of magic after capitalising on a loose pass from former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock.

Villa, 3-1 winners at Anfield in August, made a promising start in the blizzard-like conditions.

Downing lined up a shot just outside the Reds box but his fierce drive was blocked by Alberto Aquilani.

Torres failed to make proper contact on an overhead kick from a deflected Gerrard centre.

Luke Young was out quickly to block a shot on the edge of the Villa box from Lucas Leiva after Dunne had headed clear a Gerrard corner.

Reina was called into meaningful action for the first time after 14 minutes in blocking a header at the far post from Dunne following another Downing corner.

Gerrard tried his luck with a 30-yard free-kick but his shot deflected off the Villa wall and out for a corner.

But it needed a fine save from Brad Friedel to deny Liverpool from taking the lead after 17 minutes.

Torres teed up Gerrard just outside the Villa area and his curling first time shot was tipped over the bar by the former Liverpool keeper.

Reina got his body behind a low drive from James Milner.

Villa skipper Stiliyan Petrov was off target with a bicycle kick after Nigel Reo-Coker had played the ball into the Liverpool area.

However, it needed a magnificent reflex save from Reina to prevent Downing from giving Villa the lead after 31 minutes.

Milner's corner was met at the far post by Downing and he could not have struck his volley more cleanly but Reina somehow managed to fist away his shot from close range.

Dunne became the first player to be booked after 41 minutes for a challenge on Lucas.

Then Lucas followed the Villa defender into the referee's notebook for a foul against Agbonlahor.

Liverpool appealed in vain for a penalty after a challenge by Dunne on the recalled Kuyt eight minutes before the interval.

Liverpool, unbeaten at Villa Park since February 1998, enjoyed the majority of possession at the start of the second period without seriously threatening the home goal.

There was a three minute delay wile Reina was allowed to change his footwear, much to the annoyance of the Villa fans in the Holte End.

Gerrard was on the receiving end of a knee high challenge from Carlos Cuellar just outside the Villa box but Aquilani's free-kick dipped over the bar.

Villa suddenly came to life with Reina producing his second excellent save of the night to deny Agbonlahor after he had shaken off the challenge of Jamie Carragher.

From Milner's inswinging centre, John Carew was inches wide of the far post with a flick header.

But that was effectively the end of the goalmouth incidents until Torres' dramatic finale.