Europa League Qualifier Preview: Trabzonspor vs Liverpool

Liverpool visit Trabzonspor looking to protect a slender 1-0 advantage in this Europa League play-off second leg but they will have to do so without influential duo Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres.

A draw or win will see the Reds qualify for the group stages of the competition although the job becomes decidedly more difficult with both Gerrard and Torres out of contention, as well as a number of other first team members including the likes of Javier Mascherano, Maxi Rodriguez, Milan Jovanovic and Daniel Agger.

It's been something of an uncomfortable start to life in the Anfield hotseat for new boss Roy Hodgson with Liverpool having failed to register a win in their opening two Premier League games that included a dismal 3-0 defeat at the hands of Manchester City.

The Reds are undoubtedly still favourites to progress and avoid the humiliation of a pre-group stage exit after Ryan Babel's solitary strike in the first leg secured victory although, as Hodgson himself confessed, Liverpool still have it all to do having failed to kill off their Turkish opponents last week.

While the Merseyside outfit are stuck on one point in 17th place after two games in England's top flight, Trabzonspor have picked up maximum points in Turkey having won both their opening two league fixtures of the season, including an impressive 3-2 win over rivals Fenerbahce on Monday.

Defeat for Hodgson and his charges resulting in Europa League elimination would be a bitter pill to swallow after all the disappointment associated with Monday's visit to Eastlands although Trabzonspor will certainly fancy their chances of progression given the Reds' somewhat depleted squad.

TEAM NEWS

Trabzonspor

Having decided to switch things around for Monday's meeting with Fenerbahce, Trabzonspor coach Senol Gunes could be tempted to go with the same starting XI that only narrowly lost out at Anfield in the first leg.

After missing out on a starting spot against the Reds last week, Ibrahima Yattara will be desperate to get the nod having found the net against Fener.

Striker Umut Bulut will be hoping for a recall to the side while Burak Yilmaz will be another looking to be included having not featured on Monday night.

Possible Starting XI: Kivrak; Korkmaz, Glowacki, Gulselam, Cale; Yilmaz, Balci, Inan, Colman; Gutierrez, Bulut.

Liverpool

Roy Hodgson has confirmed that Liverpool will be without both captain Steven Gerarrd and Spanish striker Fernando Torres. England midfielder Gerrard is struggling with a back problem, while Hodgson is reluctant to field Torres for three consecutive games as he continues his recovery from last season's injury problems.

Wantaway Argentina international Javier Mascherano has again been left out of the Reds' squad heading for Turkey, while Daniel Agger (concussion) and Maxi Rodriguez (illness) are also absent.

Forward Milan Jovanovic has also been left out of the travelling party, seemingly being rested after the club's hectic start to the new season.

Possible Starting XI: Reina; Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Aurelio; Lucas, Poulsen; Kuyt, Cole, Babel; Ngog.

Joe Cole Looking To Make Up For Penalty Miss In Europa League Return Leg Against Trabzonspor

Joe Cole is looking to make amends for his missed penalty when Liverpool travel to take on Trabzonspor in their Europa League second leg on Thursday.

The England international will make his return for the Reds as he is in the midst of a three-match suspension for the red card he received in his Premier League debut for Liverpool against Arsenal.

Cole is hoping to make up for the penalty he missed in the first leg against the Turkish club, a miss that means that Liverpool will go into the return fixture with just a 1-0 lead.

The former Chelsea star admitted fault for his missed spot-kick, but Cole intends to own up to his mistake and help the Reds advance on Thursday.

“I’m not a penalty-taker,” Cole told the Daily Star.

“I haven’t taken a penalty for about 15 years and I might wait another 15 years before I take another.

“I hold my hands up and admit that it wasn’t good enough. I set my standards high and I want to do better.

“I feel there is a lot more to come from this team, too. I am anxious that we get the job done so it won’t matter.”

The midfielder is disappointed that the Reds were not able to build a more comfortable lead for the tough return leg, but Cole insists that Liverpool have to get the job done.

“It would have been nice to take a two-goal lead there, but we have got a job to do and we have got to make sure we do it. We’ve got to be ready to fight.

“They were two weeks away from winning the league last year and we probably got the toughest draw possible out of the pot we were in.

“They are a good side and it is always difficult playing in hostile atmospheres, but we have got to have confidence we can see it through.

“European games are notoriously tough, but we got the job done in the end at Anfield. Hopefully we can do the same here.”

Roy Hodgson Hands Barcelona Ultimatum Over Javier Mascherano Transfer

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has given Barcelona until Sunday to sign midfielder Javier Mascherano.

With the Argentina international having already declared that he is keen to leave Anfield before the close of the summer transfer window, Hodgson left him out of the squad in the 3-0 loss to Manchester City on Monday, declaring that the player was not in the right frame of mind to feature for the Reds.

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has expressed an inclination to sign Mascherano and now Hodgson has declared that he wants the player's future to be decided by Sunday.

"I wouldn't want to say he has played his last game for Liverpool," Hodgson said, according to Sky Sports. "The negotiations are ongoing between the two clubs and if he had played here it might have prejudiced the transfer and I didn't wish to do that to the player.

"I am seriously hoping that in the next couple of days it will be sorted out one way or another - although I have no idea which way that will be.

"Thursday night was out of the question but Sunday is very much a question because I think by then I should know one way or another whether he is going to play for Liverpool this season or Barcelona."

It is believed that Liverpool wants €30.5 million for the former River Plate midfielder.

Liverpool Open Real Madrid Talks For Diarra

The agent of Real Madrid midfielder Mahamadou Diarra has hinted at talks with Liverpool.

The 29-year-old is thought to be on the periphery of the Spanish side's squad under Jose Mourinho, and new Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson has lined-up the Malian international as a replacement for Javier Mascherano should he leave Anfield.

"Mahmadou is still a top player and he can do a great job in the Premier League. There is a lot of interest," said Frederic Guerra.

AS says that the Reds have begun negotiations with an emissary on behalf of Real Madrid with a view to signing Diarra before the close of the transfer window.

Kuyt Talks 'Ongoing'

Liverpool striker Dirk Kuyt is still in negotiations over a move to Inter Milan, according to his agent Rob Jansen.

The Holland international has been linked with a move to the reigning European champions, who have reportedly made an offer for the 30-year-old.

Kuyt's agent claims the clubs are still in negotiations, but are yet to reach an agreement over a deal thought to be worth in excess of £15million.

"The two clubs continue to talk, but things are moving slowly," claimed Jansen.

"The difference between demand and offer is important. It is something between the clubs but Dirk told Liverpool he no longer wants to be involved as this is something that regards his career and life.

"It doesn't mean he wants to leave at all costs, but when a club like Inter comes along it's normal to look into the situation further."

The former Utrecht and Feyenoord frontman was omitted from Liverpool's Europa League win against Trabzonspor at Anfield last week but did play in the Premier League defeat at Manchester City on Monday night.

Kuyt looks likely to be heading for a reunion with former Reds manager Rafa Benitez who is a known admirer of the hard-working Dutchman.

The player's current contract sees him tied to Liverpool until the end of next season, although he has yet to publicly confirm his desire to stay at Anfield.

Inter Milan Bid £20m For Javier Mascherano

Inter Milan have tabled an official £20-million bid for Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano, the Treble winners have confirmed.

"I sent an offer to Liverpool by fax on Tuesday and am waiting for a reply from them," said Inter sporting director Marco Branca.

"We're not speaking to the player at the moment because we want to do this in the right way and make sure that Liverpool is happy.

"Everybody knows that Mascherano would like to change team and to change country. He also has a good relationship with our manager Rafa Benitez.

"We've made a very good offer, around the amount they are asking for. We have a strong team here, the best in Europe, but we would like to add one or two players to make us even stronger."

Liverpool has turned down an offer from Barcelona of €15 million (£12.3 million) plus former Arsenal man Aleksandr Hleb for the holding midfielder.

Michael Klein Re-Emerges As Key Figure Behind Scenes At Liverpool

Michael Klein seems to have re-emerged as a key figure behind the scenes at Liverpool. The former Citibank grandee was instrumental in BarCap's acquisition of Lehman Bros two years ago and was the man who recommended the appointment of Martin Broughton as the Anfield chairman in April.

Klein and Broughton were, until 2008, co-chairmen of the Transatlantic Business Dialogue lobby and it was Broughton who confirmed that Liverpool's co-owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillett, "knew [Klein] from old".

Now Digger can reveal that a certain Klein Group – whose backer is unknown, but is more likely to be Michael Klein than the WalMart builder or the Dallas kids' clothing retailer by the same name – will earn up to $400,000 (£260,000) in fees from the setting up of the Hicks Acquisition Co II this column exposed yesterday.

That was set up at the time when BarCap drew up a refinancing proposal for Hicks and Gillett, and fans are worried the proximity of Klein both to Hicks and to BarCap will lead to Barclays assisting the Americans in retaining control of the club beyond Royal Bank of Scotland's 6 October refinancing deadline. The Kop Faithful pressure group yesterday sent an open letter to 40 BarCap staff demanding that they do not proceed with the refinancing plans. But it may never get that far in any case.

Although Broughton knows Klein well, he did oppose the refinancing scheme when it was presented to the board. And RBS, which as primary lender stands to lose most if BarCap were to deliver Liverpool to Hicks with reduced debt, told Digger: "We have full confidence in Barclays and the chairman to complete a sale."

Michael Owen To Play For Liverpool In Jamie Carragher's Testimonial

Michael Owen is to pull on the colours of Liverpool for the first time since leaving the club six years ago after agreeing to brave a potential backlash from Manchester United's supporters by playing for his old team in Jamie Carragher's testimonial match. Owen, reviled by some Liverpool fans after crossing one of the game's oldest divides, is said to be uncertain of the reaction he will get from the Anfield crowd but does not have great expectations considering the abuse when he returned last season for the first time since joining their rivals at Old Trafford.

The former England striker has given his word to Carragher, however, that he will play in the match at Anfield on Saturday week, swapping the red of United for that of the team where he began his career. Sir Alex Ferguson, the United manager, has given him permission to play for 45 minutes and Owen will be in attack for a Liverpool XI taking on an Everton XI.

Carragher has also persuaded Jamie Redknapp, Danny Murphy, Jason McAteer and Emile Heskey to play, but he had told Owen he would understand if he thought it was too delicate for him politically bearing in mind the rivalry between Liverpool and United.

There is also the distinct possibility that United's fans will not be too impressed about one of their players being willing to wear a Liverpool shirt, especially with their first encounter of the season to follow only two weekends later.

Owen, though, regards Carragher as one of his closest friends in football and the organisers hope the goodwill felt towards the long-serving Liverpool defender will persuade the Anfield crowd to go easy on their former player and maybe even demonstrate some warmth and appreciation for a man who scored over 200 goals for the club in eight years and has been described by Steven Gerrard as "the best striker in the history of Liverpool Football Club." Nonetheless, it is understood Owen will be given his own security on his way to and from the stadium.

Keith harris Claims Mysterious £500M Buyer For Liverpool

Keith Harris the Premier League’s top deal-maker, claims a mystery buyer is close to making a bid of up to £500million for Liverpool.

Harris, who has assisted in the sales of West Ham, Aston Villa and Manchester City, says he is representing a potential overseas buyer for the club who has already cleared the first hurdle of completing due diligence.

Moreover, he said it was different to any of the names that have already been bandied around, with current co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett making no secret of their need for outside investment.

The move comes just a week after Hong Kong businessman Kenny Huang pulled out of a bidding war.

However, Harris, who fronted an approach from Kuwaiti Nasser Al Khorafi two years ago before his client pulled out at the last minute, warned that this latest venture is also in danger of collapsing.

“The overseas buyer we represent has completed due diligence. A huge amount of work has been done,” he said. It is none of the groups mentioned in the press. The ball is now in our client’s court to make an offer. If the name of the prospective buyer comes out before the deal is done then probably it is never going to be done.

“In any takeover situation, when people resort to announcing it to the media, you have to question the seriousness of the offer.” Harris was in meetings yesterday afternoon and unable to comment on why, given the publicity-sensitive nature of negotiations, he had brought the possibility of a fresh bid to the attention of the wider world in the first place.

One suggestion is that it suits Liverpool that an authority such as Harris is hinting at a figure waiting in the wings just as the list of possible suitors has dried up. Huang was denied the chance to speak to the board exclusively about a deal and is understood to be holding on to negotiate in the absence of competition. Yahya Kirdi’s high-profile interest has been treated with scepticism from the outset.

But Harris pointed out that time is running out for Liverpool’s American owners. “I don’t think the deal will be done before the transfer window closes this month but the next pressure point is October, when some of the Royal Bank of Scotland loan of £237m has to be repaid,” he said. “It may happen then. But in the present climate these things are impossible to predict.”

Liverpool FC Targeting Loan Swoop For Bayern Munich's Mario Gomez

Liverpool has approached Bayern Munich about a possible loan for striker Mario Gomez.

Despite featuring in the Germany squad that finished third in this summer's World Cup, the 25-year-old finds himself behind compatriots Thomas Muller and Miroslav Klose as well as Ivica Olic in the pecking order at the Allianz Arena.

After PSV Eindhoven ended his pursuit of Ola Toivonen, Roy Hodgson is planning a move for Gomez and is hopeful of a move despite the player publicly ruling out any move away from the Bundesliga champions as he bids to prove his worth to Louis van Gaal.

He said: "I have made my position clear - there will be no transfer.

"I want to convince the coach that he will soon field me in his starting XI.

"Hard work will be rewarded, I am sure about that."

Reds Move For Konchesky

Skysports.com understands Liverpool is closing in on the signing of Fulham defender Paul Konchesky.

Reds bos Roy Hodgson has openly admitted bringing a new left-back is one of his top priorities this summer and it is believed he wants Konchesky to solve the problematic position.

Hodgson is a big admirer of Konchesy having worked with the 29-year-old for two-and-a-half-years prior to his switch to Anfield.

Liverpool is keen to bring in a new left-back before the close of the transfer window and had been linked with a move for PSV Eindhoven's Carlos Salicido.

However, it appears Liverpool have opted to go for Konchesky with the player having just a year to run on his contract at Fulham.

Konchesky's future at Fulham has been the subject of speculation all summer with Birmingham having seen one bid turned down eartlier this summer.

New Fulham boss Mark Hughes was keen to keep hold of the former Charlton man, but Konchesky is thought to have informed the Cottagers chief of his desire to be reunited with Hodgson at Anfield.

Liverpool are believed to be prepared to pay up to £3.5million to land Konchesky as Hodgson looks to finalise his rebuilding plans at the club.

Liverpool Make Shock Bid For England Striker

Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson has made a shock move for West Ham striker Carlton Cole - offering £6 million up front for the hit man.

The Kop chief has reacted swiftly to the meek and mediocre defeat by Manchester City by slapping in an offer for target man Cole that has surprised the Hammers.

The Anfield club is willing to pay a big chunk in one payment for Cole and odd up to another £6 million after games and achievements in the odd package.

Hodgson and Liverpool's money men are concerned about Cole's injury-hit past and would like to protect themselves with the offer, but also come up with a figure that will eventually suit the Hammers.

West Ham have already turned down bigger deals from Stoke and warned them off, but they may reluctantly let Cole go before the window shuts to give Avram Grant cash for other players.

In Liverpool's favour as the talks over figures begin Cole will be interested in joining them rather than the Potters - or potential rivals Sunderland.

Stoke still want Cole despite landing Kenwyne Jones but their chances are slim while Liverpool are heading the hunt for the England international.

Sunderland are in the same boat.

Cole could become a hero on Merseyside if he fills the striker's jersey, ideally beside Fernando Torres but possibly as his replacement if a massive bid comes in any time soon.

Hodgson wants to wheel and deal after a mixed start to the campaign.

Torres cannot be relied on to run the front line on his own again and some of the other options look short.

Kop Target New Mascherano

Liverpool will move for French ace Hatem Ben Arfa if Barcelona stump up £20m for Javier Mascherano.

Roy Hodgson would want to replace the Argentine before the transfer window closes and Marseille’s £7m-rated midfielder Ben Arfa is his top target. The new Anfield boss and his backroom staff are seething with Mascherano over his behaviour.

And they are prepared to tough it out if the Spanish champs do not meet their valuation. But Mascherano is believed to have already agreed a £5m-a-year wages deal with Barcelona president Sandro Rossell, who, according to reports, has spoken directly to the midfielder.

Werder Bremen has already made an offer for Ben Arfa, who Newcastle tried to nab on loan earlier this summer. And the midfielder said last night: “I want to play in the Premier League because my time in the French Ligue has passed.”

If Liverpool can get Barca to up their bid for Mascherano from £16m to £20m, then they could move swiftly for the 23-year-old Marseille star.

However, Hodgson would prefer to keep hold of Mascherano, despite the Argentine ace refusing to play in the 3-0 defeat at Manchester City on Monday.

An Anfield insider said: “He is clearly determined to join Barca, but Liverpool does not want to let him go on the cheap as the Spanish side want.”

Hodgson is certainly in no mood to be forced into selling, saying: “The fee we are being offered and the fee we think is the correct fee are very, very far apart.”

Liverpool Defender Sotiris Kyrgiakos Linked With Juventus

Liverpool defender Sotiris Kyrgiakos is the latest defender who's being linked with a move to Serie A side Juventus. A report in Corriere dello Sport claims that La Vecchia Signora are considering making a move for the Greek international before the end of the transfer window.

Juventus coach Luigi Del Neri is eager to add some more depth to his defence and the Turin side has been linked with players such as Andrea Barzagli, Salvatore Bocchetti and Thomas Manfredini in the past couple of weeks.

However, Juve have now apparently turned their attention to the relatively cheap Kyrgiakos. The 31-year-old defender joined Liverpool from AEK Athens in the summer of 2009, but has so far failed to secure regular first team action at the English side.

Kyrgiakos' current contract with Liverpool runs until the summer of 2011 and the Reds are supposedly ready to cash in on the defender during this transfer window in order to prevent him from leaving on a free transfer next year.

Barcelona Prepare Improved Bid For Liverpool's Javier Mascherano

Barcelona were preparing a renewed bid for Javier Mascherano after the coach Pep Guardiola admitted that he wanted to sign a defensive midfielder. The comment comes in light of Mascherano's refusal to play for Liverpool at Manchester City.

Barcelona's initial bid of €15m (£12.3m) with €5m more in add-ons was rejected by Liverpool. The Anfield club is understood to be holding out for a fee closer to €26m. That is a valuation Barcelona are reluctant to match but they remain hopeful of concluding a deal by offering players in return, and because of the determination of Mascherano who has made his position abundantly clear to leave.

Although Guardiola refused to name the Argentinian directly, he did admit: "If a defensive midfielder arrives the needs of the team will be resolved. If one arrives I will be satisfied. I will only speak about [Mascherano] when he's here, if he comes."

Barcelona believes that is likely despite the fact that they are not in the best of financial health. The signing of David Villa for €40m was carried out by the former president Joan Laporta, amid criticism from the new president Sandro Rosell at what he described as the club's "stratospheric" debt – which he calculated at more than €400m.

Rosell's first act when he was elected in July was to seek a bank loan for €150m to cover players' salaries. He also admitted defeat in the pursuit of Arsenal's Cesc Fábregas, unable to offer a fee much in excess of €40m, and forced through the sale of Dimitro Chygrynskiy, even though Guardiola wanted to keep him.

Barcelona is prepared to offer Liverpool Alexander Hleb and Martin Cáceres in part exchange, to increase the bid beyond the current €20m. Pressure is building on the new president and sporting director from Guardiola to get the deal done.

Politically, they cannot be seen to have failed to provide reinforcements. Barcelona also believes they have a huge advantage because of Mascherano's willingness to fight for a move. Their hand is stronger, certainly, than during the attempts to sign Fábregas, when their bullish confidence, both from the former regime and the current one, turned out to be misplaced. arcelona did not count on such stubborn resistance from Arsène Wenger and could not raise sufficient funds to persuade Arsenal to sell and although Fabregas told the Arsenal manager that he wanted to leave, he was unprepared to publicly rebel.

Mascherano has asked not to play for Liverpool, while his agent has openly spoken about his desire to depart England for Spain. Some are criticizing the club for letting Yaya Touré go and effectively replacing him with the same type of player for much the same price. Touré fetched £24m. In total, the fee for Mascherano looks like settling at a similar level.

The situation, though, has changed: when Barcelona sold Touré, the Ivorian's agent had repeatedly spoken out in public about his client's dissatisfaction at being a substituted and contract renewal talks had also stalled. Barcelona also sold him in the hope of raising the funds for a bid for Fabregas.

Having failed to secure the Arsenal captain they now have a vacant slot in central midfield that Guardiola believes has to be filled.

Barcelona may have one problem, though, with sources suggesting that a late bid from Internazionale should not be ruled out.

Sky Sports Pundit Slams Mascherano

Former Liverpool captain Jamie Redknapp has slammed the behaviour of Javier Mascherano, claiming the Argentine should not forget where he was prior to his move to Anfield.

The 26-year-old allegedly refused to play against Premier League rivals Manchester City on Monday night in an effort to engineer his move to Barcelona, but Redknapp believes the midfielder owes Liverpool, and not the other way round.

Mascherano was brought to Anfield in 2007 despite suffering an underwhelming spell at West Ham United that at times resulted in him playing for the Hammers’ reserves, and Redknapp believes the Argentina captain would do well to remember what Liverpool have done for him.

The Sky Sports pundit told the Daily Mail: “Maybe Javier Macherano must have forgotten where he was when Liverpool came to sign him - in West Ham's reserves.

“They salvaged his career. How does he repay them? By refusing to play on Monday night.

“He's a good player, not a great one, but he's certainly not a good man.”

The latest reports suggest Mascherano has already agree personal terms with Barcelona, over an £85,000 a week deal even though the two clubs remain someway apart in their respective valuations of the tough tackling star.

Match Report: Man City 3 - 0 LiverpooL

Manchester City flexed their enormous muscles at Eastlands to delight the man who made it all possible and deliver their biggest beating of Liverpool since 1937.

Sheikh Mansour could not have picked a better night to watch the team he has spent £1billion on in a league game for the first time.

With James Milner enjoying an outstanding debut, City were far too good for a Liverpool side who have a week to get themselves into some sort of shape given Javier Mascherano's absence seems like the next step in a big-money move to Barcelona.

Milner set up Gareth Barry for City's opener before Carlos Tevez claimed to have got a touch to Micah Richards' goalbound header just after half-time.

A brilliant double save from Joe Hart snuffed out any chance of a revival before Tevez sent Pepe Reina the wrong way from the spot after Martin Skrtel had fouled Adam Johnson.

It capped a performance that proves City have the credentials and the talent to win the biggest prize they can this season, if manager Roberto Mancini can keep his vast squad happy.

Had he so wished, Manchester City's immensely rich owner could have had his pre-match meal at the new 'City Square' on Joe Mercer Way, part of the £20million stadium revamp that has taken place since he took control from the discredited former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Rather more costly were the players he has helped assemble.

Nine of them were part of Roberto Mancini's starting line-up - Richards and Hart the two exceptions - a sign of the revolution that has taken place in the past two years.

Long-standing City fans are still pinching themselves at having the opportunity to watch the likes of Yaya Toure and Tevez.

But down the years, they have taken a huge amount of pride in their academy, which has produced so many first-team players, Richards among them.

The level City is operating at now means continuing that work is going to be tough. Instead, pleasure has to be derived in different ways.

So to have the stamp "Made in England" embossed on their first Premier League goal of the season was an achievement to be noted.

That the goal came about because of a momentary failure from Steven Gerrard just brought added poignancy.

Johnson spotted Milner advancing just beyond the Liverpool skipper and found him with a smart pass.

Milner delivered the perfect cut-back into an area he hoped a team-mate had filled.

Barry obliged and did the business from 10 yards with a neat side-footed finish.

It was the high point of a one-sided first-half.

Tevez and Johnson both found the side-netting from an acute angle. Johnson had earlier driven a fierce shot wide and Milner's running was intelligent and incisive.

Liverpool could certainly not have complained if they had been further adrift.

Roy Hodgson's men struggled to retain any source of possession, which just confirmed the gaping hole Mascherano will leave should he get his wish to start another phase of his career away from Anfield.

Liverpool appear too deficient in too many areas for Hodgson to waste much time persuading someone intent on leaving that his future remains on Merseyside.

In a meagre first-half, the visitors created just a single chance, which the returning Fernando Torres set up for Gerrard, who wasted it.

The only time Liverpool got any nearer after half-time was in the flurry of activity that followed Gerrard's explosive free-kick that thudded against the post.

Hart was beaten on that occasion but not when David Ngog had a go.

England's new number one palmed that away, straight into Torres' path. It seemed a certain goal but Hart stood firm again, repelling the Spain striker with a magnificent save with his left hand.

That this all came after a second City goal, which Tevez claimed even though any touch to a Richards header from Milner's corner was so faint as to render it impossible to spot.

Reina could not keep it out anyway.

Nor did the goalkeeper do any better when Tevez sent him the wrong way from the spot after Johnson had been fouled by Skrtel.

All summer, the football talk around these two clubs has centered around breaking into that top four.

On this evidence, only City are capable of that. And, thanks to Sheikh Mansour's largesse, they are capable of much more besides too.

Roy Hodgson Rues Defensive Display

Roy Hodgson was left to rue his side’s defensive display in Monday night’s crushing 3-0 defeat at Manchester City.

“We defended poorly for the goals and they took their chances when we defended poorly,” Hodgson said.

“I thought Man City played solidly and strongly throughout. They were strong physically and took charge.

“We were always fighting to get back into it and sometimes you have to accept that on the night we weren’t able to produce the level performance necessary to get a good result.

“But I didn’t think we were under the cost to the extent that 3-0 might suggest.

“We were a little bit unlucky with that wonderful double save from Joe Hart that we didn’t get back into the game at 2-0.

“You are talking about two teams of similar level. We were playing away from home tonight and Manchester City played well.”

Hodgson handed Fernando Torres his first start of the season following the groin injury he suffered in the World Cup final.

The Spaniard was denied by a stunning save from Hart and Hodgson admits he’s still searching for match fitness.

“Torres still has a way to go but we knew that,” he added. “He is still in the middle of a preparation period.”

Roy Hodgson Admits He Does Not Want To Sell Javier Mascherano After Manchester City Humbling

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson still hopes to keep Javier Mascherano at the club after the midfielder was left out of the club's 3-0 loss to Manchester City.

The Argentina international was not included in the squad and not present at Eastlands as Hodgson revealed prior to the game that his mind "isn't right" following speculation linking him with a move to Barcelona.

But Hodgson still wants to keep Mascherano on Merseyside, and hinted offers for the player are thus far below the club's valuation of one of their most prized assets.

"It'll get resolved as quick as it can get resolved, I would like Mascherano to stay, that's my wish, that's my hope," he told Sky Sports.

"We don't want to sell him, certainly we don't want to sell him for the type of fee that's being suggested at the moment.

"I'm hoping, maybe hoping against hope, but still hoping that Javier Mascherano will still play for us because he's such a good player and he'll make us into a better team."

One player definitely staying with the club for another season is Fernando Torres, who made his first start of the season in the disappointing away defeat.

Hodgson admitted the Spain striker is far from full fitness currently, and believes the best is yet to come from him.

He said: "We are forcing him [Torres] back into action earlier than we would have liked.

"He showed moments of what he's capable of but of course he's way below the type of performance he'd want to give and we know he can give, but we've got that to come."

On the game itself, in which Liverpool succumbed to two Carlos Tevez goals and a strike from Gareth Barry who nearly joined the club before settling for City, Hodgson felt his side did not deserve to lose by such a wide margin.

"I thought we were a little unlucky to get beaten so heavily," he said. "I don't think we really deserved to get beat by three goals.

"Pepe Reina wasn't called into action that often, I thought we had one or two good spells in the game and we played against a very strong and effective Manchester City side and of course they scored the goals at the right time.

"The second goal from the corner made it an uphill task for us. [Joe] Hart made that incredible double save, at 2-1 it might have put some more life back in the game.

"In the end of course we paid the price for conceding the penalty...and there's not much else to say but to congratulate Manchester City on a good performance and a good win.

"I thought we lacked the cutting edge in the box. I thought we passed the ball around quite well, I thought we lacked the cutting edge and unfortunately we lacked the organization I would have liked to prevent them getting through us down that left-hand side."

Despite the demoralizing defeat, the former Fulham boss insisted it is too early in the new Premier League season to start reading his players the riot act.

Muntari Rejects Reds Swap Deal

According to reports in the Italian press, Inter Milan midfielder Sulley Muntari has rejected the opportunity to move to Liverpool despite the reigning European champions offering the Ghanaian international in part exchange for Duch international Dirk Kuyt.

While speculation in the British tabloids has suggested that Roy Hodgson is unwilling to sell Kuyt, it appears that former boss Rafael Benitez has not given up hope of doing a deal for the versatile attack-minded midfielder and has come up with a variety of plausible deals to tempt the Reds into selling.

25-year-old Muntari had initially been dangled as bait in an attempt to appeal to Liverpool’s midfield squad shortage. However, the former Udinese and Porstmouth man still feels he has unfinished business at the San Siro having struggled to hold down a first team place under Jose Mourinho.

It is believed that Inter are now ready to offer approximately £8 million in cash for Kuyt although the Anfield hierarchy are eager to hold out for a fee in excess of £10 million. Last week the World Cup star’s representative Rob Jansen hinted that he was indeed considering his future on Merseyside with the prospect of testing himself in Italy obviously inviting.

Kuyt’s current contract sees him tied to Liverpool until the end of next season, although unlike Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard has yet to publically confirm his desire to stay at Anfield.