Joe Cole: Steven Gerrard Deserves To Win The Premier League

Liverpool midfielder Joe Cole believes Reds captain Steven Gerrard deserves to add 'Premier League champion' to his list of achievements at Anfield.

The former Chelsea player joined the Reds this summer on a free transfer after constant speculation linking him with moves to Arsenal and Tottenham.

The 28-year-old, who scored his first goal for the Reds during a 4-1 win against Steaua Bucharest in the Europa League this week, believes that Gerrard excels in his role for Liverpool.

"He's a tremendous player. I've known Steven since I was 17 or 18 and I obviously trained and played with him for England for 10 years so I know what he's all about, but when you see him in a Liverpool shirt he's even better,” Cole told talkSPORT.

"He's a fantastic player and if he plays well the team plays well and it's up to me now to assist him and try and help the club move on. A player like him deserves to win the Championship, I know that's what he wants over the next four to five years at the club.”

Liverpool go head to head with rivals Manchester United on Sunday, and Cole is expected to return to the side at Old Trafford after serving a three match ban after his sending off against Arsenal.

"All the lads here have got belief in what the manager wants us to do and the new signings have looked good. It's a re-build for us but we're doing alright, and we just need to keep improving slowly and gradually."

Lucas Bouyed By Cole's Return

Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva is looking forward to Joe Cole's return to domestic action just in time for one of the biggest matches of the season.

Cole has been suspended for the last three Barclays Premier League matches after his red card in the season-opening fixture against Arsenal.

However, the free-transfer summer signing from Chelsea will be thrust back into the team for the short trip to Manchester United on Sunday.

The 28-year-old warmed up for the occasion by scoring Liverpool's fastest European goal - after just 25 seconds - in Thursday night's 4-1 Europa League victory over Steaua Bucharest.

His reintroduction to the side will bring some much-needed creativity and is welcomed by Lucas, even if it means he will have to settle for a place on the bench.

"Having Joe back from suspension is a big advantage for us," said the Brazil international, who scored his best goal for the club with a 25-yard drive against the Romanians.

"He adds a lot of quality to the team and hopefully he can make the difference.

"We know it will be a more difficult game than Thursday when we go to Old Trafford, but we will go with confidence and try to win the game.

"After drawing our last game against Birmingham, we want to win this game.

"It won't be easy because it's a derby but hopefully we can do well."

Striker David Ngog will drop back down to the bench as the rested Fernando Torres returns but he does so with his confidence boosted after two goals against Steaua.

He now has six for the season, and five in as many Europa League matches.

"It is always nice for a striker to score and I was happy to get a couple and help the team," he said.

"It was a good performance and we are pleased to have got off to a good start in this group.

"We know United will be a tough game because they are strong at home but we can get a good result."

David Trezeguet Reveals Liverpool Wanted To Sign Him In The Summer

Hercules striker David Trezeguet has revealed that he snubbed an offer from Premier League outfit Liverpool in the summer to join the newly promoted Spanish Primera Division side instead.

The former World Cup winner joined Hercules on a free transfer after mutually terminating his contract with Juventus. The 32-year-old stated that he could have stayed in Italy or moved to the Premier League.

"Lazio and Liverpool were interested," Trezeguet told L'Equipe. "But things went on.

"The English club waited to sort out the transfer of [Javier] Mascherano before starting anything else.

"Anyway, after 10 years in Turin, above all I needed to find sun and sea again. And the fact that my wife is from the region also played a part in my decision."

Sir Alex Ferguson Denies Having Tried To Sign Joe Cole

Sir Alex Ferguson has insisted he had no interest in signing Joe Cole over the summer.

The England international left Chelsea in June after failing to negotiate a new contract with the Premier League champions. A host of clubs, including Manchester United, were linked with Cole, but the midfielder eventually decided to join Liverpool.

Yet Ferguson has revealed he was never in the hunt for the 28-year-old’s signature, despite reports.

"We were approached by Joe Cole's agent at one point but we didn't enter into it at all," Ferguson told reporters.

"It was complicated to get involved in that."

Ferguson has also shed light on his recent decision to remove the captain’s armband from Gary Neville and permanently hand the responsibility over to centre-back Nemanja Vidic.

"As I explained last week, what we wanted was someone who was consistently available for us," Ferguson told MUTV.

"Everyone recognizes Nemanja Vidic would always be there. He has been fit all season and you don't leave him out of the team unless you are going to rest him.

"He started the campaign as captain and it will stay that way."

Despite the two rival clubs harbouring different ambitions this season, the United manager is adamant Sunday’s encounter with Liverpool is still one of the Premier League’s showcase games.

"I sound like a parrot but this is the fixture. There is no question about that," said Ferguson.

"It doesn't change. The form fluctuates quite a bit but we won the last game so hopefully that turns it back towards us again."

Stopper Joins Rovers

Peter Gulacsi has taken a short journey across the Mersey to join Tranmere Rovers on an emergency loan.

The Hungarian stopper spent a successful loan spell with the Wirral club last season and played a major part in helping Les Parry's side regain their League One status.

Gulacsi joins on an emergency loan because Tranmere's two experienced 'keepers Gunnar Nielsen and Simon Miotto are both injured.

The reserve team stopper is expected to start in tomorrow's Prenton Park meeting with Charlton Athletic.

His emergency loan is due to expire on October 18.

Parry said: "Peter did really well for us last season so I'm pleased to be able to bring him back to the club.

"Peter showed his qualities in the five games he played for us last season and I'm sure he will do just as well this time."

Roy Hodgson Maintains Friendship With Manchester United Boss Sir Alex Ferguson Despite Club Rivalry

Roy Hodgson believes his long-term friendship with Sir Alex Ferguson has not been affected since he took charge at Liverpool.

Hodgson and Ferguson meet for the first time as managers of arch-rivals at Old Trafford on Sunday, but the Liverpool boss believes the occasion will be different from previous hostilities.

"I certainly regard him as a friend. Whether he regards me as a friend you'd have to ask him," Hodgson told reporters.

"I spoke to him in a jocular way, I asked him the question 'Does it mean now I've taken the Liverpool job that we don't speak to each other?' - he didn't put the phone down but he made some cutting remark.

"The friendship hasn't been affected by me becoming Liverpool manager.

"I'm sure he will offer me a glass of wine when I go to the game on Sunday and I'll offer him one when he comes here.

"But during the match there is no room for sentiment and I'll be hoping desperately things go our way and he'll be hoping things go his way."

Following the war of words between former Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez and Ferguson in previous seasons, Hodgson has bucked the trend by praising his opposite number.

"The crowd turn up to watch the 22 actors on the field, not Alex or myself," he added.

"But I think Sir Alex is the greatest of my generation, certainly within English football.

"It is always difficult to compare with foreign managers and what they have done in other countries, but for me, in my working lifetime as a coach, I regard him as the greatest British manager."

Hodgson has acknowledged he is aware of the intensity of Sunday’s game and admits his record in similar encounters overseas has not always been prosperous.

"I've been involved in some big derbies in my career and you know how much they mean to the fans," said the former Inter Milan coach.

"It compares with Inter v Juventus. The Milan derby was a big occasion but the derby d'Italia was the real killer one, as it were.

"I didn't like losing in those games, which I did quite often. I did poorly so it would be nice to change that.

"This game certainly compares with that in terms of the interest it generates not only in the two cities but in the rest of the country.

"It transcends the north-western rivalry and becomes even global because both clubs are so big outside of England."

Liverpool's Board Will Attempt To Block Tom Hicks' Attempts To Stay In Control At Anfield

Liverpool’s board is expected to attempt to block Tom Hicks’ efforts to remain in control at Anfield, but could be powerless to do so if the Texan refinances the club’s debt with Royal Bank of Scotland.

The board’s anticipated opposition to any proposal that involves continued debt and the involvement of the American owners signals that the club is effectively in a state of civil war.

As disclosed by Telegraph Sport, Hicks met Liverpool chairman Martin Broughton on Wednesday and told him that he was attempting to raise finance to buy out RBS, whose credit line to Hicks and co-owner George Gillett is understood to expire this month.

Sources said Hicks is understood to have been in talks with GSO Capital, a division of private equity giant Blackstone run by Bennett Goodman, about forming a consortium to buy out RBS.

Hicks’ move comes with Gillett attempting to retain control of his 50 per cent stake in the club after a $75 million (£48 million) loan secured against it was called in by lender Mill Financial.

Gillett is understood to maintain that he remains a controlling partner in the club and is supportive of Hicks’ refinancing efforts, but there are suggestions that any default by Gillett would leave Hicks in sole control of Liverpool’s Delaware-based holding company.

Any proposal that would mean Hicks remained in control using further debt would be resisted by Broughton and directors Ian Ayre and Christian Purslow. They blocked a refinancing attempt in June but if RBS is removed from the picture, their powers may be limited.

The board had to take independent legal advice in the summer before it opposed the owners, but it would have to have solid grounds for opposing the will of the shareholders.

Hicks and Gillett owe RBS at least £237 million, and Broughton has been engaged in a search for a buyer to remove them from the club. Thus far he has failed to find a credible bidder able to repay the debt, satisfy the Americans’ price expectations and put money into stadium investment and transfer fees.

Rafa Benitez Had To Leave Liverpool, Admits Dalglish

Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish has said it was right that Rafael Benitez left Liverpool in the summer and that he feels no sense of hurt that he was not chosen to succeed him as manager.

Dalglish, who has not managed since leaving Celtic a decade ago, put himself forward as a contender to return to the job he quit in February, 1991 when exhausted by the demands of constant success and the weight of the Hillsborough disaster.

“Rafa was right to go,” he said of the man who appointed him as club ambassador last year. “It was time for him to move onwards. He changed jobs, everyone changes jobs, and he changed when the time was right.

“He began magnificently here, winning the European Cup and the FA Cup but, like everything else, there is a sell-by date. His leaving was beneficial for both parties and that is not to undermine what he did or what he brought.”

Perhaps mindful that his return to Parkhead had not been a success, Dalglish's application was given short shrift by Christian Purslow. Liverpool's managing director said he wanted Dalglish, whose relationship with the Kop is that of an unalloyed hero, to continue to be the club's public face, advise the academy and be given more responsibility for player development. The latter is still to come to pass.

“I have not been given an extended role but that is not to say I wouldn't want one — but the delay is totally understandable when you see what Liverpool have been through recently with a new manager coming in and players being moved out,” said Dalglish, who yesterday launched his account of his 33-year relationship with the club, entitled My Liverpool Home.

Match Report: Liverpool 4 - 1 Steaua Bucharest

Midfielder Joe Cole scored the quickest European goal in Liverpool's illustrious history to set his under-strength side up for a 4-1 victory over Steaua Bucharest at Anfield.

The England international took just 25 seconds of their opening Europa League Group K match to find the net for his first strike since joining on a free transfer from Chelsea in the summer.

Cristian Tanase equalized for the Romanians in the 13th minute but David Ngog took his tally to five in as many games in this competition and substitute Lucas Leiva scored the other for a victory which was not as easy as the scoreline suggested.

Manager Roy Hodgson risked criticism with his team selection, which had just three survivors from the weekend's goalless draw at Birmingham with neither Fernando Torres nor Steven Gerrard in the squad.

The Reds boss' decision, with a huge game at Manchester United on Sunday, was ultimately justified but for a 30-minute period either side of half-time when the match hung in the balance.

Prior to the game Hodgson had stressed Steaua, the 1986 European Cup winners, would provide a tough test but it took precisely 25 seconds for his words to be disproved.

Octavian Abduran, under pressure from Cole, left his back-pass woefully short and the midfielder nipped in to sidefoot a shot past goalkeeper Ciprian Tatarusanu and in off the far post.

The Romanians were reeling and Sotirios Kyrgiakos had a downward header from Maxi Rodriguez's corner blocked by Eric Bicfalvi and Jay Spearing fired a long-range shot over.

But Liverpool could not press home their advantage and a defensive lapse in the 13th minute allowed Steaua to equalize.

Kyrgiakos and Kelly allowed Tanase to nip in between them to collect Bogdan Stancu's through-ball and he neatly chipped over Reina.

The goal gave the visitors the confidence they needed to start knocking the ball around as Liverpool lost their way.

Cole, released down the middle by Spearing, but with no-one in support, had to shoot from distance and that - and subsequent efforts from range from Ryan Babel and Rodriguez - failed to trouble the goalkeeper sufficiently.

It was a sign of the way things were going that when Spearing implored his team-mates to "pick it up" the call was heard all around a half-full Anfield, who responded with an encouraging round of applause.

Abduran's foul on Rodriguez earned him a booking and Liverpool a 25-yard free-kick just before the interval but Paul Konchesky shot well wide.

Cole was Liverpool's most inventive player, although he did not have much competition in that department, and his good work in holding the ball up early in the second half allowed Rodriguez to fire in a shot straight at Tatarusanu.

They were gifted the chance to go ahead in the 55th minute when Pantelis Kapetanos pulled back Kyrgiakos as he challenged for Rodriguez's corner.

When Ngog stepped up to take the spot-kick - the last one at Anfield was missed by Cole against Trabzonspor - there was an audible groan.

However, the young French striker shrugged off the concerns of the Kop to expertly dispatch the ball into the left-hand corner before wheeling away with a celebration which may have included a gesture towards his doubters.

It was the 21-year-old's fifth goal of the season and fourth in five European games so far.

Raul Meireles almost marked his first start since arriving from Porto last month with a goal as his 30-yard volley was kept out by Tatarusanu's low dive to his right.

Hodgson made his first change of the night when he sent Lucas Leiva on for Babel, moving Cole out to the left and pushing Meireles further forward.

The substitute has an instant impact as he picked up a weak clearance 20 yards out to drive a shot past Tatarusanu with nine minutes to go.

Hodgson was true to his word as he used the latter stages to give experience to youngsters Dani Pacheco and Nathan Eccleston, players who will have an important role to play in this competition.

Ngog fired home his second in injury time to give the scoreline a more convincing appearance.

It was a night when all the manager's decisions proved to be right.

However, making all the right calls at Old Trafford on Sunday will be a much bigger challenge.

Roy Hodgson Praises Second-String Team After Steaua Bucharest Rout

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson feels vindicated in his decision to rest players after a fringe Reds side secured a comfortable 4-1 victory over Steaua Bucharest in the Europa League.

The Reds secured three points in Group K at Anfield thanks to a brace from David Ngog, a Lucas Leiva thunderbolt and Joe Cole's first strike for the club.

And Hodgson, who is looking ahead to the mega-clash with Manchester United on Sunday in the Premier League, praised those players called upon to fill in front of the Kop on Thursday evening.

"I was delighted that those who stepped in ensured we still had the right result," Hodgson said, as quoted by Press Association Sport.

"I think it is important you make decisions and make them for the right reasons. I had no doubt that, given the fact we have so many players who play international football, this was the moment to give them a rest and allow them to prepare properly for Sunday's game.

"The ones who came in did a good job and got a good result and in my opinion the decision would have been just as valid even if we had not got a good result.

"They made us work hard to contain them but even in that period Joe showed some good touches. I'll start thinking about the weekend come tomorrow. I'll just enjoy the victory tonight."

Ngog has impressed this season, bagging six goals in just seven appearances for Liverpool, and Hodgson reserved special praise for the burgeoning 21-year-old talent, whilst also lauding a top performance from Cole.

"I thought Ngog's confidence grew after the penalty but I don't think he looked that confident in the first half," added the Reds boss.

"But certainly his confidence grew the longer the game went and we had so much possession in the second half that for forwards it is good when you have that much dominance in the midfield.

"It was nice for Joe Cole to get his first goal for the club, I thought he was lively. We substituted Lucas because we wanted to make certain we shored up the midfield and to give Ryan Babel a rest - the decision was made for defensive rather than offensive reasons, it is just a coincidence Lucas scored a great goal."

Joe Cole Delighted To Score His First Liverpool Goal

Liverpool’s Joe Cole admitted he was happy to open the scoring for the Reds on Thursday night in their 4-1 victory over Steaua Bucharest in the Europa League and hailed the result as “massive” for Roy Hodgson’s men.

The former Chelsea man opened the scoring after just 27 seconds and although the visitors equalized through Tanase in the first half, Liverpool went on to secure victory courtesy of a Lucas strike and a David Ngog brace.

Speaking to Channel Five after the game, Cole admitted he was simply happy to be on the pitch after sitting out recent games due to a domestic suspension picked up for a red card against Arsenal on the opening day of the Premier League season.

“I’ve been really a month without playing so I’m happy to get a first goal for the team and a great start in the Europa League,” he said.

“I think teams come here and try and sit back and they [Steaua Bucharest] put a lot of work in to stopping us playing in the first half and we managed to break them down more and more and the game opened up and we managed to get the goals.”

The win gives Liverpool a great start to their European campaign and they next face a trip to FC Utrecht at the end of the month with Cole knowing exactly what his team will need to do to qualify from the group.

“It’s massive [beating Steaua] you’ve got to win your home games it’s very important,” he added.

“If you can win your three home games and get one away draw that can see you through. It was a tough game tonight but a good result.”

Liverpool After Young Ghana Defender

Liverpool are monitoring young Ghana defender Isaac Vorsah who has been putting in some splendid performances for his German club side Hoffenheim this season. Roy Hodgson, Liverpool’s manager is particularly interested in the young International and according to reports in Germany has instructed the club scouts to keep an eye on the 22 year old.

Vorsah will however be closely tracked by quite a few clubs as his contract with Hoffenheim expires next June and he will be able to sign a pre contract deal as early as January and for a club like Liverpool, that are in serious debt, that is a huge attraction.

Vorsah has not been a regular with his national team having played just 15 times for Ghana in the last three years, however he was in the Ghana World Cup squad and only injury in his first game prevented him playing any further part in the competition.

Hodgson has made no secret of the fact that he will be over hauling the Liverpool squad and has already intimated that more players will be leaving Anfield in January and by the same token, further players will be brought in and Vorsah fits the bill when it comes to the sort of player Hodgson is looking for.

Udinese Chief Larini Hints At Liverpool Approach For Inler

Udinese chief Fabrizio Larini has confirmed Liverpool's interest in Gokhan Inler.

The Switzerland midfielder admitted Liverpool were keen on the player during the summer.

And Larini said last night: "His name never seems far from the transfer rumours. For Inler, there was involvement from a couple of big clubs, including foreigners. But it was talk only."

Udine sources say the foreign clubs involved were Liverpool and Steve McClaren's Wolfsburg.

Hull City Aim To Extend Ayala Loan Deal

Hull City are hoping to extend the loan spell of Liverpool's Spanish defender Daniel Ayala.

The 19-year-old scored his first goal for the Tigers in Tuesday's 2-0 win over Derby County in only his second appearance for the club.

Hull manager Nigel Pearson told BBC Radio Humberside: "I'll be doing everything I can to keep him.

"I think he's got off to a very good start, he's got an appetite to play and I'm pleased to have him here."

Ayala joined on an initial one-month emergency loan but Pearson is already exploring the chances of extending that until the end of the season.

Kuyt Hopeful Of Return Against Utrecht

Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt has admitted he is in the dark as to when he will be fit to return to action, but has not given up hope of getting the green light to face former club Utrecht in the Europa League at the end of the month.

The Dutchman damaged his shoulder on international duty and was told it could be six weeks before he is back in action.

He is working on a tailored rehabilitation program, but is in unsure as to when he will be allowed to take part in contact activities.

"I am very disappointed to be injured as you miss games like this [Steaua Bucharest] and the one coming up at the weekend [Manchester United]," Kuyt told Five.

"It is difficult to say how long it will take to heal. It is normally four to six weeks, but I am hoping to be back for the Utrecht game.

"So far it is going well and I am trying to work hard."

Kuyt began his career at Utrecht before moving to Feyenoord in 2003 and on to Anfield three years later.

Tom Hicks Set To Make A Move On George Gillett's Stake In Liverpool

Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks is thought to be ready to snap up George Gillett's stake in the club.

Gillett is believes to be struggling under financial pressure in the United States as next month's deadline on a £75 million loan that was taken against his stake in the club.

The American is reported to have taken a £75m from U.S. Hedge Fund Mill Financial when the two owners were pushed into reducing the debt with the RBS.

Now The Mirror claims that Hicks is now trying to push through a refinancing package and take control of the Merseyside club.

It has been reported that the former Corinthians top boss wants to pick up his partner's stake so as to buy some time to make a profit by selling the club.

Liverpool's are believed to be more than £350m in debt.

Europa League Preview: Liverpool vs Steaua Bucharest

After a stuttering start to the domestic campaign, Liverpool should look welcomely at the distraction of a Europa League group stage clash with Steaua Bucharest at Anfield.

An uninspiring goalless draw against Birmingham City precedes Thursday's European clash and in that Premier League fixture, star players Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard were criticized for failing to galvanize their team-mates in a limp display.

However, both stars will be denied redeeming themselves in front of the Kop against the Romanians as manager Roy Hodgson looks to spare his best players the ordeal of an early season slog through the Europa League foothills. That means Torres, Gerrard and even Jamie Carragher are likely to be rested, with new signing Raul Meireles set for a full debut and Joe Cole filling in as he looks to gain fitness upon his return from suspension.

Despite the refreshened player selection, Hodgson will want a good run in the competition after the Reds reached the semi-finals last season, where they were knocked out by eventual winners Atletico Madrid. Hope will be gleamed from the fact that in the only previous meeting between Liverpool and Steaua, during a Uefa Cup tie in 2003-04, the Reds came out on top with a 1-0 win at Anfield after a 1-1 draw in Romania. They can also boast a stretch of 10 unbeaten games in the Uefa Cup/Europa League itself at Anfield.

Meanwhile, Steaua head into this clash after a solid start to their league campaign. They currently sit in third place after seven games and are level on points with leaders and city rivals Dinamo. New boss Ilie Dumitrescu, club legend and former Spurs and West Ham player, will be hoping to end a barren few years for the most decorated club in the history of Romanian football.

The Romanian giants finished fourth last season but won the last of their record 23 league titles in 2005-06. And the match at Anfield comes at a somewhat difficult spell for the side who have failed to win in their last three matches. Last weekend they were beaten 1-0 at Unirea Urziceni, who Liverpool knocked out of the Europa League at the last 32 stage last season.

However, Steaua have pedigree in Europe and won the European Cup in their halcyon days in 1986 when they beat a Barcelona side managed by Terry Venables 2-0 on penalties after a goalless draw. They followed that up a couple of months later by defeating Dinamo Kiev to lift the European Super Cup. Steaua also reached the 1989 European Cup final but lost 4-0 to AC Milan. These achievements are long in the past though, and any unfounded optimism will be tempered by the fact that the Romanians have never beaten an English side on the road.

TEAM NEWS

Liverpool

New left-back Paul Konchesky should be fit to face Steaua despite failing to last 90 minutes against Birmingham City at the weekend.

Raul Meireles is set for a full debut alongside Joe Cole with Hodgson also giving a chance to youngster Daniel Pacheco.

Daniel Agger is set to return to his favoured position in central defence, while Dirk Kuyt is out with a long-term injury.

Possible starting XI: Reina; Johnson, Kyrgiakos, Agger, Konchesky; Poulsen, Meireles; Pacheco, Cole, Babel; N'Gog.

Steaua Bucharest

Striker Bogdan Stancu is likely to be given the nod to lead the line up front and is the side's leading scorer this season with six goals.

Defender George Galamaz is ineligible, as is left-back Pablo Brandan, and strikers Marius Onofras and Marius Bilasco. All have played in the Champions League qualifiers for Unirea before joining Steaua and are thus ruled out.

Possible starting XI: Lungu; Latovlevici, Alves, Martinovic, Bonfim; Radut, Tanase, Angelov, Vilana, Matei; Stancu.

Roy Hodgson Underlines The Importance Of The Europa League

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson says that although the Europa League is not on a par with the Champions League, its significance in European club football cannot be undermined.

The Premier League giants commence their European adventure with a game against Steaua Bucuresti at Anfield in Group K on Thursday. Last season Hodgson led modest English side Fulham to the final of the Europa League and now expresses his admiration at the way UEFA have refurbished the old UEFA Cup.

"I agree entirely with those who say the Europa League is already a good quality version of the Champions League which provides some extraordinary matches," Hodgson told Uefa.com. "We can't pretend the Europa League is quite as prestigious as the Champions League [which] will always be the biggest.

"However, it's pleasing the Europa League is now a very good second. There are so many quality sides around in the leading leagues that if you reach the group stage, you'll normally face top teams from Italy, Spain, Germany and England."

Looking ahead to the Reds' task in the group stage, Hodgson said, "We have drawn big-name clubs but with the good fortune of not having to travel too far. We played Trabzonspor in qualifying, a good team but a difficult place to get to – a long, long way away.

"When the season is in full swing you are grateful if the trips are shorter. I think the team will carry good support at Napoli and Utrecht.

"They won't be difficult for our supporters to get to – we'll look forward to those trips. Fulham is not traditionally a club where the fans follow the team all over the world.

"But somehow the European adventure last year entered into everyone's heart and soul and we had incredible support wherever we went. Liverpool traditionally have great fans and I expect that will continue."

Phil Thompson: Top Four Finish Is Liverpool FC’s Ultimate Aim

There have been a lot of people keen to knock the Europa League, but if you look at some of the groups, some of the game’s greatest names are involved.

It will certainly be difficult to win the tournament this season but, for the moment, I don’t think Liverpool can be looking that far ahead – there are other objectives to achieve first.

Top of the list of priorities is getting back into the top four and, like every other Red, I am desperate to see us play Champions League football again; it has been hard watching the group stages begin.

I’d expect Roy Hodgson to make changes this evening against Steaua Bucharest, with Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard likely to be those in the frame to be ‘managed.’

Hopefully those who come in will do the job expected of them and if we can get three points in our first game, it will give us scope further down the line to make more changes.

Liverpool Set Sights On Giant £12m Forward

Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson is planning a January move for Cluj forward Lacina Traore as he looks to improve his threadbare attacking options. The Anfield club attempted to sign Carlton Cole and Roman Pavlyuchenko last month and are desperate to offer under fire Fernando Torres more support to help shoulder his goalscoring burden.

The giant Ivorian has been a massive success since his move to the Romanian champions and has been linked with a move to the Premier League for some time with the likes of Tottenham and Everton previously reportedly interested in signing the 6ft 8in striker.

Hodgson is hoping to bring in a big striker who he can play as a foil for Spanish international Torres and a move for Traore would reportedly cost around £12m and if a bid was placed for the 20 year old he would surely be very tempted at a move to Merseyside.