Hodgson Hopes To Keep Duo

Roy Hodgson has told Manchester United and Arsenal that Jose Reina is not for sale and is hopeful of convincing Fernando Torres to remain with Liverpool, despite both Spanish internationals having release clauses in their Anfield contracts.

Reina only signed a six-year deal with Liverpool in April while Torres, who is under contract until 2013, pledged to stay at Anfield following extensive talks with the club’s then managing director, Christian Purslow, in the summer.

The pair have get-out clauses in their existing contracts but, although Reina and Torres are concerned over Liverpool’s ability to return to the Champions League, the club are unperturbed at claims the clauses could be invoked in January.

New England Sports Ventures’ €340 million takeover has removed pressure to sell players and the new owners are adamant they will improve the squad, not diminish it, during their first transfer window in charge.

Hodgson conceded last week that his club could be vulnerable to a January bid from United for Torres, albeit before Wayne Rooney signed a five-year contract. But the Liverpool manager also said: “I don’t believe we will lose him. We will do our best to ensure he stays.”

United are looking, too, for a replacement for Edwin van der Sar and Arsenal are keen on the €23 million-rated Reina but the Liverpool manager has insisted the 28-year-old will remain.

“Pepe is fantastic here, he is lifeblood of this team,” Hodgson said. “Everything he does around the club is excellent. He is always lively in the dressing room, he is always first class in training and he always wants to do more to improve. He demands better from those around him, he is always pushing people on. He is a player who we hold in the highest esteem.

“We have heard nothing from Manchester United and, more to the point, we don’t want to hear anything from Manchester United. If (Alex) Ferguson is looking around at the end of the season and he has got lots of money to replace Van der Sar, he might very well want Pepe Reina because he is the best around. But we do not want to sell him. I would like to think we are going to become a successful club once again and Pepe is crucial to that.”

Dirk Kuyt could be fit for Chelsea’s visit to Anfield on Sunday week, having made good progress in his recovery from an ankle injury. The Dutch forward feared he could be sidelined until January but Hodgson said: “He shouldn’t be as far advanced as he is but he’s looking good. I don’t think he’ll be fit for the weekend (at Bolton Wanderers) but maybe the weekend after.”

Glen Johnson has an outside chance of returning for Sunday’s trip to the Reebok Stadium following a thigh strain.

Liverpool Ready To Raid Roma For Wantaway Striker

Liverpool are ready to offer Roma's wantaway striker Mirko Vucinic an escape route in January, according to reports in Italy.

Montenegro international Vucinic, 27, has reportedly clashed with Roma manager Claudio Ranieri in recent weeks and reacted badly to being substituted after only 57 minutes of the goalless draw against Parma at the weekend.

Vucinic, who recently hit the headlines with a bizarre goal celebration where he took his shorts off and put them on his head after scoring on international duty with Montenegro, is contracted to Roma until 2013.

He is currently valued at around £16.5m but reports in Italy have suggested that Vucinic is available for a cut-price £13m because he is unhappy, with Liverpool interested in the striker.

Reds boss Roy Hodgson has been short of options up front this season and is bidding to buy a forward in January to ease the burden on Fernando Torres.

Liverpool Boss Keen On Move For Charlie Adam

Liverpool are rumoured to be lining up a January move for Blackpool star Charlie Adam. Roy Hodgson has reportedly been scouting the former Rangers man this season and after the 24 year old put in a great performance to help his side to a famous win at Anfield the chances of a bid from the Merseyside club have significantly increased.

The attacking midfielder has also apparently fallen out with his Bloomfield Road club over unpaid bonuses which could give the talented Scot the excuse he needs to leave the club he helped to a surprise promotion to the Premier League last season.

Charlie Adam clearly realizes that he has become the focal point for Ian Holloway’s side but also knows that the chance of a move to high profile club such as Liverpool does not come around very often and his unhappiness with the club’s attitude towards a £20k owed payment could spark his desire to leave the club.

Roy Hodgson has been looking for ways to add creativity to his brittle side and could well feel that the in form Dundee born midfielder could be just the man for the job. Adam netted 17 goals last season and helped create just as many and his vision and flair appear to have led to his being placed on the under fire Liverpool boss’s transfer wish-list.

Liverpool Offered Argentinian Lopez

Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson is being offered Lyon striker Lisandro Lopez.

Lyon may be willing to allow the Argentinian forward to leave and clubs are being sounded out.

Hodgson is eager to strengthen his strike force and give his squad more options as they are relying heavily on Fernando Torres.

But it remains to be seen whether Liverpool will be afforded transfer cash by the club's new owners to go and buy new players.

Former Porto striker Lopez's agent Fernando Hidalgo said: "He is happy in Lyon but a big offer could change that."

Liverpool Youngster Jonjo Shelvey Can Learn From Steven Gerrard

Roy Hodgson has given Liverpool youngster Jonjo Shelvey a boost by likening him to captain Steven Gerrard.

The Reds boss believes the starlet has the perfect role model at Melwood in his quest to become one of the country's top midfielders.

And the experienced Hodgson says that Shelvey should look at Gerrard and learn from him in training.

Liverpool signed the 18-year-old from Charlton Athletic in the summer and he has impressed fans with his dynamic style during appearances against Northampton Town and Napoli.

He has also become England Under-19 captain and Hodgson doesn't believe there is any danger of the youngster resting on his laurels.

"He's very good. He's a player who's come here with the right attitude and humility," he told the club's official website.

"He realizes it's a massive step from getting in the Charlton first team early on and receiving a lot of plaudits.

"Those things earned him a move to Liverpool and he's come in and worked very hard.

"He's got a lot of players around him who can help and be an inspiration to him. With the way he likes to play, the level of his passing and technical ability, I'm sure he's looking at Steven Gerrard and thinking, 'Could I become as good as that?' It's nice to have that kind of role model.

"Jonjo is also a team player, as he has shown on several occasions by playing in different positions."

Roy Hodgson Confident Raul Meireles Will Get On Scoresheet For Liverpool Soon

Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson is confident Raul Meireles will soon show his worth to the fans as the club look to climb the Premier League table.

Hodgson signed the Portuguese international from Porto and Meireles arrived with a big reputation as an all-action midfielder.

He has yet to score for his new club but Hodgson insists it's only a matter of time before he hits the net.

The Reds boss told the club's official website: "Meireles is a very good player and is a good striker of the ball.

"I'm sure his first goal for the club won't be too far away.

"He will get goals for us and he is a class act that gives this team something different.

"Meireles is the type of player we need to bring more of to this club in the future."

'We Want World's Top Starlets'

It's fair to say a lot has happened at Liverpool Football Club since Rodolfo Borrell breezed through the Academy entrance in the summer of 2009.

A new first-team manager and a change in ownership represent just two of the seismic ripples in the club's timeline; the result, an altogether different environment for the former Barcelona man.

The dawn of a new era is very much underway in L4, but while all around him seems to have shifted, Borrell has remained a constant, tirelessly applying the principles that served him so well during his time in Catalonia.

And few could argue with a CV that boasts the names of Cesc Fabregas, Lionel Messi, Gerard Pique and Andres Iniesta; testament to the Spaniard's innate knack for moulding players into first-team stars.

Alongside Frank McParland, Kenny Dalglish and Pep Segura, he has spearheaded a new approach to the club's youth system, one that has already begun to pay dividends.

Last season Jack Robinson became the youngest player in Liverpool history while this year the likes of Tom Ince and David Amoo have had brief flirtations with Roy Hodgson's starting XI.

Borrell admits he is pleased with the progress they have made so far but insists there is still much work to do if Liverpool are to achieve their goal of having one of the best youth systems in Europe.

"When you look at the level of the Academy when I arrived here and the level at Barcelona then you can see that it takes time to get anywhere near that," he told Liverpoolfc.tv when we caught up with him at the Academy earlier this week.

"In the 15 months we have been here players have developed. That is obvious, everyone is talking about that.

"The new owners will have plans for the first-team and that is a priority, but my own opinion is that if we got a little bit more investment we could make the squad more competitive and ensure the very best young talent is found in Kirkby."

Borrell clearly has well defined ideas on how to take Liverpool's Academy to the next step, but that's not to say he underestimates the strides they've made so far.

"We have been working very hard," he continued.

"It's not just what myself and Pep Segura have done. Frank McParland and Kenny Dalglish have been massive in the progress since I arrived and, on a personal note, they have been tremendously helpful in helping me to settle into life here.

"That's important because all of the people involved in our youth set-up must share a vision. That is essential if we are to develop young players that are of the quality that Liverpool's first-team demands. It's impossible if there is a division.

"I think you can see the unity here and the result is the great progress we have made. All of the teams play with the same style, the same philosophy.

"This ensures continuity from team to team and coach to coach."

The summer departure of Rafael Benitez, the man who tasked Borrell with revamping the U18s, could have resulted in a complete change of emphasis.

However, the charismatic Spaniard has been delighted by the input of Hodgson and feels that the youth system in place will continue to improve under the new regime.

"Obviously Roy's main focus is the first-team and the majority of his time is spent planning with his squad," said Borrell.

"But I do speak to him regularly. Sometimes here, sometimes at Melwood.

"He knows we've got some good players coming through.

"Andre Wisdom is showing big standards and then there are the likes of John Flanagan, Jack Robinson and Tom Ince. There are several players making progress towards the first-team. Of course, I'm pleased about that because my main target is to develop players.

"That is what I have been doing all of my life and that is why Liverpool brought me here."

Under the leadership of Borrell, Liverpool's U18s have emerged as one of the most stylish sides in the FA Premier Academy League.

An unbeaten 10 match run at the end of the 2009-10 season was followed by a bright opening this time around.

Such success inevitably leads to call-ups to the international scene and the prospect of a lull in results, a situation that the Reds coach sees as a double-edged sword.

"Sometimes we are struggling because we have had players called up. This does not mean that those that come in aren't very good," he said.

"It just means you have younger players and the opposition are much stronger physically. It was the situation we faced at the beginning of last season and the one we have had over the last few weeks.

"When you are Liverpool, the other teams put everything into it. In the last league game versus West Brom, they included a reserve goalkeeper as one of their over-age players.

"This was the first time he featured for them - why? Because they are playing Liverpool.

"It's not an excuse, it's just the reality we face when players are called up for the international team.

"The more success we have and the more we bring through talented players, then the more call-ups we will have. This is something for the club to be proud of, great for the players and myself, but not so good for the squad.

"You are losing these players and still being asked to play league matches. That is not the case at first-team level, so I do not understand why we do it with the Academy teams.

"If we are helping the national team then I think the FA must protect them. In Spain you have the right to postpone the game. I think this makes sense and I would like someone to think about implementing a similar system here."

The cosmopolitan nature of the modern game means that the search for young talent has taken on a global scale.

However, Borrell believes that the successful ingredients Liverpool are looking for are more likely to be unearthed nearer to Southport, rather than South America.

"I don't know all of the players across the country, but I admire the characteristics of a Scouse player, he has something special," he said.

"He is a player that learns quickly, is very competitive, aggressive and disciplined. He is always ready to fight for his team. I don't think that is the case for every player in England, I think there is something different about Scouse players.

"We are investing a lot more in players from around Liverpool.

"I am happy with all of our Scousers - but if you ask me if I see players with that extra special talent, like Lionel Messi, then I have to be honest. I do not see anyone of that calibre.

"But we have players with some good ingredients that with the right focus and hard work, will go through and be competitive for the first-team of Liverpool."

Borrell's passionate analysis of what he feels makes the archetypal Liverpool player shows he has a clear affinity with the club, one that has seen him immerse himself in the local culture.

His track record and success on the pitch is well documented but what of his life away from football?

"Sometimes if I have two days off - which doesn't happen often - I like to get out and see some of the country," he said. "I've been to York, Conwy, the Lake District...

"Many years ago I visited Britain for 25 days and went to the Isle of Sky, Glasgow and Inverness among other places. It was me and three friends who drove here in a car from Barcelona.

"As you can see, I'm not a typical Spaniard. I don't desire to go home when I have time off. Last season, I only went home for one week to see my family over Christmas. I think that shows how happy I am here.

"I have recently had a son and I wanted him to be born in Liverpool so that I will always remember my time here. I'm really proud I have a Scouser as a son!

"I spoke with my wife and we did discuss the possibility of him being born in Barcelona. But we finally decided to have him here. It was more my decision I suppose but I am really happy with it.

"I want my son to always remind me that I have been a part of a club that has one of the greatest histories in football."

Such words are expressed with endearing enthusiasm and it is obvious Borrell seems more than content with life on Merseyside - both on and off the pitch.

But what of the future? Does he see himself at Liverpool further down the line?

"I hope so," he added.

"I love Liverpool and want to ensure the future is bright for this great club. I hope I can help to bring through players that the fans are going to appreciate and, most importantly, lead the club to more trophy success."

Standard Chartered Defends Its Record-Breaking Deal With Liverpool

Liverpool Football Club's shirt sponsor, Standard Chartered, has defended its record-breaking partnership with the beleaguered soccer club.

In September 2009 the bank signed a record US$132.6 million sponsorship deal with Liverpool, a club that is currently languishing in the lower reaches of the Premier League table. "To have attracted a partner of the calibre of Standard Chartered Bank says everything about where we are trying to take this football club," said Liverpool's managing director, Christian Purslow, at the time of the deal.

Since that time Liverpool Football Club has endured a lengthy and controversial sale period and, despite being successfully taken over by New England Sports Ventures (NESV) earlier in the month, the team has suffered its worst start to a Premier League season for 57 years.

However, speaking at the Brand Finance Forum 2010 in London, Standard Chartered's group head of corporate affairs, Gavin Laws, has defended the decision to enter a four-year sponsorship deal with the English soccer club.

Adopting the 'any publicity is good publicity' approach Laws has announced that the deal has paid a "significant" role in improving the bank's exposure, particular in its Asian-targeted markets where Liverpool has a large fanbase, declaring that the first US$33.15 million installment has already been recouped through media exposure.

Laws added that it was, "almost a shame that [Liverpool] had sorted out the ownership issue, as they're no longer on the front page of the Financial Times."

Torres And Reina Ready To Use Secret Escape Clauses To Quit Liverpool In January

Fernando Torres and Pepe Reina are ready to quit Liverpool in January thanks to secret escape clauses in their contracts.

The Spain internationals made the get-out agreements with their Anfield bosses in the summer when they were persuaded to stay despite the departure of Spanish boss Rafa Benitez.

Now Torres and Reina, key to Roy Hodgson’s attempts to steer the club away from the relegation zone, want out after promises of major team investment went unfulfilled.

Mirror Sport understands the pair will tell the club in December they wish to leave, with Manchester City keen on £50 million Torres and Manchester United and Arsenal pursuing £20m Reina.

The double whammy will devastate Liverpool fans who hoped John W Henry’s purchase of the club would bring the glory days back to Anfield.

Instead, the American has made it clear there will be no major spending in January, and with many players unhappy with the direction the club is taking under Hodgson, Torres and Reina are ready to make a move.

Torres was talked into staying in the summer when a three man delegation flew to Madrid for secret talks with with the striker’s representatives on July 14 - three days after the World Cup Final.

It is understood Torres lawyer Margarita Pilar Garay-Bret and Jose Antonio Martin were present at the meeting.

One member of the delegation remained in Madrid to speak directly with Torres before returning to Liverpool confident the Spaniard would stay.

Torres and Spanish teammate Reina - a powerful voice in the dressing room - were both poised to quit Liverpool at the time with Chelsea having tabled a £50 million bid for Torres while Arsenal had offered £20 million for Reina.

Both were upset at the lack of investment, the club’s failure to secure Champions League status and the grim reality of their Premiership title hopes.

Torres was eventually persuaded to remain at Liverpool after three days of talks - during which the delegation described in detail plans laid out specifically by Christian Purslow, the club’s chief executive who quit last week following the sale of the club.

Torres was told the new owners - that were not identified to him - were in place and ‘days’ away from completing the Liverpool takeover.

It is claimed he was told Roy Hodgson’s appointment was a temporary measure and a big name manager was already lined up - armed with a £100 million transfer kitty offered as a ‘quick fix’ to drag the club back on terms with Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City.

It is understood Liverpool planned to spend £50 million in the summer with a further £50 million available in January for targets no longer chasing Champions League ambitions.

Torres and Reina reluctantly agreed to stay at Anfield - but only on condition they each had an escape clause written into their contracts.

Mirror Sport can reveal the pair are now furious at the subsequent takeover - not directly with new American owner John W Henry or New England Sports Venture - but with the management team they feel misled them over the club’s future.

Hodgson has been told there will be no marquee signings in the January transfer window leaving Torres and Reina feeling they have wasted a season.

Insiders at Anfield fear that without Champions League qualification the club will struggle to make a profit - but crucially then have nothing to offer potential big name signings.

Mirror Sport revealed on Tuesday that Reina has been targeted by Sir Alex Ferguson for a sensational switch to Manchester United - and that now could happen in January.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will resume his quest to sign the keeper and the immediate lure of Champions League football will prove a massive draw for the World Cup winner.

Torres will have his pick of clubs - even though the ‘big’ clubs very rarely make marquee signings in January because most major players are cup tied - thanks to Liverpool’s failure to qualify for this season’s Champions League.

Representatives of Torres and Reina did not respond to attempts to contact them yesterday.

Liverpool Block Eccleston Loan Exit

Liverpool's teenage hotshot Nathan Eccleston will have to wait for another loan move because of the current striker shortage at Anfield.

Eccleston,19, impressed on loan at League One Huddersfield during the second half of last season playing 11 games and scoring one goal.

And following two first-team appearances for Liverpool last term, the highly-rated striker has already appeared three times under new manager Roy Hodgson since the summer.

But Eccleston looked set for another loan move to gain further first-team experience in the rough-and-tumble of League One, with Plymouth Argyle reportedly favourites to land him.

But talkSPORT understands Hodgson is keen to put any temporary switch on ice, because he is currently light of options in attack.

Dirk Kuyt is unavailable until at least mid-November with an ankle injury while summer-signing Milan Jovanovic has been used mainly in midfield by Hodgson this season. That has left Fernando Torres and David Ngog as the only senior strikers at Anfield.

But it is thought that Eccleston will be made available for loan again in January should Hodgson land a new forward when the transfer window re-opens.

Liverpool Target £22m Benfica Pair

Liverpool are preparing a January move for Benfica pair Fabio Coentrao and Oscar Cardozo. Roy Hodgson is keen to bring in new additions when the transfer window reopens and has set his sights on the Lisbon based duo but knows that he may struggle to persuade both to make the move unless by the time the transfer is open they are firmly back in the hunt for a top six spot.

Fabio Coentrao was one of the few bright spots of Portugal’s World Cup campaign and the left wing-back helped Benfica to the Portuguese title last term and has been targeted by a number of Europe’s elite and the 22 year old appears to be a player Hodgson greatly admires.

The second Benfica player earmarked as a target may well be a very tricky signing secure. Paraguayan international Cardozo has been a huge success at the club since his move to the Stadium of Light in the summer of 2007. Last term the rangy striker netted an astonishing 38 goals in all competitions. including three against Liverpool in the Europa League.

Hodgson has been looking to sign a target man to play alongside Fernando Torres but failed in last ditch moves to sign Roman Pavlyuchenko and Carlton Cole in August. He may see the tall 27 year old as an ideal foil for Fernando Torres.

The pair would set the Merseyside club back around £20-22m to secure and the Anfield boss has reportedly been promised a significant injection of funds to improve his decidedly average squad.

Bayern Munich Ready To Offload Liverpool Target Gomez

Bayern Munich have launched a £40m bid to rival Manchester City for Edin Dzeko.

The German giants have struggled domestically this season and want to freshen up their attack by splashing out on the Wolfsburg striker.

Sportsmail revealed City are determined to land their long-term target in January but they now face a fight with Bayern, who believe they have the pulling power and finances to better City.

Manchester United are also admirers of Dzeko, 24, but are reluctant to spend such a vast sum.

Bayern, though, can offset their spending by offloading Liverpool target Mario Gomez.

Diego Forlan Keen On January Move To Liverpool Or Tottenham

Liverpool and Tottenham are set to battle for Atletico Madrid star Diego Forlan in January after the striker revealed he would be interested in moving to either club.

Goal.com UK has learned that the Uruguayan striker is targeting a move to England after setting his heart on a return to the Premier League when the transfer window re-opens.

It is understood Atletico are reluctant to sell the former Manchester United flop but both Liverpool and Spurs have been made aware of the €17 million-rated striker's availability.

New England Sports Ventures, the new owners of Liverpool, will back manager Roy Hodgson in January with funds to strengthen the squad and the former Fulham boss has made signing a striker to partner Fernando Torres his priority.

Tottenham are also in the market for a top class striker as their four frontmen – Jermain Defoe, Peter Crouch, Roman Pavlyuchenko and Robbie Keane – have scored just two Premier League goals between them this season.

Goal.com UK understands Spurs made a summer enquiry for Forlan but were put off by the €27m asking price.

Chairman Daniel Levy felt the price tag offered no value for a 31-year-old but he could be €11.5m cheaper in January after privately indicating he wants to leave the Spanish capital.

While Spurs are determined to make a marquee signing in January, NESV are believed to be hesitant about splashing large sums on older players and want to focus on bringing young talent to Anfield.

Both clubs could struggle to meet Forlan’s wage demands of around €115,000-a-week but will be heartened that one of the world’s most lethal strikers has publicly flirted with a return to England.

"Everybody says things, that maybe you don't want to go back," said Forlan earlier this month. "The time I had in England was great and I enjoyed it and if I had the chance to go back I would be really happy."

Forlan’s stock has never been higher after he starred at the World Cup in South Africa, scoring five goals and being awarded the Golden Ball for the best player in the tournament. This week he was named on the 23-man shortlist for the Ballon d'Or.

His performances attracted interested from clubs across Europe including Manchester City and Inter.

Hodgson has suffered at the hands of Forlan’s eye for goal as he struck twice in Atletico’s 2-1 win over Fulham in the Europa League final last season.

Forlan has twice won the Pichichi Trophy for being the top scorer in the Primera Division and would take the pressure off Torres, who has felt the strain since coming in for criticism in South Africa.

The striker wants to prove himself in England following a nightmare two-year spell in Manchester after his £6.9m transfer from Argentine side Independiente in January 2002.

He scored just 10 goals in 63 league appearances for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side before signing for Villarreal in August 2004.

Martin Skrtel Admits Focus 'Has To Be All About Winning'

Liverpool's Slovakian centre-back Martin Skrtel has called on his teammates to carry on their winning form into the rest of the season, starting with the Premier League clash with Bolton Wanderers this coming weekend.

Liverpool had suffered a bad run of form from the start of the season as manager Roy Hodgson found the pressure and the expectation mounting with his side sat in the relegation zone. But, following the side's solid 2-1 win over Blackburn Rovers at the weekend, Skrtel believes that Liverpool's season will start to begin in earnest.

"A team like Liverpool has to be all about winning and I hope that we will carry it on from Blackburn on to the Bolton game," Skrtel told the Liverpool Echo.

The Slovakian defender also cited the problems with the club's ownership as a reason for the poor performances on the pitch but indicated that the new ownership of NESV will help drive the club forward.

"I think our performances will get better and better now. In the past few months there has been some trouble around the club [with the owners] and now we know the situation is done," he noted.

"That means it is all about the players now. We have got to carry on and work hard on the pitch for the club. We have got to show our quality and our heart and keep going so we can improve."

Kuyt And Johnson Injury News

Dirk Kuyt could be in contention for an early return from injury against Chelsea a week on Sunday, Roy Hodgson today revealed.

Liverpoolfc.tv reported on October 15 that Kuyt would be out for a month with an ankle injury sustained on international duty.

However, the Dutchman has been making a speedy recovery at Melwood.

Hodgson told us: "Dirk Kuyt is making incredible progress. He shouldn't be as far advanced as he is with his ankle but he's looking good. I don't think he'll be fit for the weekend but maybe the weekend after."

Meanwhile, Glen Johnson is a doubt for Sunday's trip to Bolton with a muscle injury which has seen him miss our last three fixtures.

"With Glen Johnson it's one of those things that will be touch and go for the weekend," said Hodgson. "He's making strides but he's not 100 per cent."

In other injury news, Ryan Babel and Fabio Aurelio both featured in a reserve friendly with Huddersfield on Tuesday - though the former was forced off after a knock to the ribs.

Hospital scans have since discovered no serious damage.

Hodgson said: "Ryan got a nasty knock in the friendly match with Huddersfield, which is unfortunate. A player landed on him and his knee went into Ryan's ribs. Fortunately nothing is broken or cracked. That's good news but it's still a painful blow.

"It's a question of how quickly the pain subsides and whether he can tolerate it. It's not a major injury but it might take a couple of days.

"Fabio's fine. We wanted to give him some game time because, unfortunately, after the Trabzonspor game he played he missed a lot of football again. The sports science team were building him up and he did well against Napoli when he came on for 20 minutes.

"He played for an hour yesterday, so he's definitely making strides."

Elsewhere, Hodgson confirmed Daniel Agger was still some way short of full fitness.

Pepe Saluted By German Reds

Pepe Reina was named Player of the Year for 2009-2010 by the German Reds at their third annual meeting in Liverpool.

Supporters of Liverpool and Borussia Moenchengladbach have built up a great relationship since the famous meeting of the two teams in the 1977 European Cup final in Rome.

This year's event was once again held at the award winning Ship and Mitre Public House in Liverpool City Centre on Saturday, October 23, and German Reds branch secretary Graham Agg declared the evening "an outstanding success".

It is a unique gathering between supporters of two great teams and Agg is extremely proud of the friendly relations that exist and led to the formation of the German Reds.

Highlight of the night was the awards and members named Reina as their Player of the Year.

Meanwhile, David Ngog was also recognized for the contribution he made last campaign when he was named German Reds Young Player of the Season 2009-10.

After sampling one or two of the fine real ales the Ship and Mitre have on offer, the German Reds members were entertained during the evening by three guest speakers.

First to speak to the assembled audience was lecturer and Chorley based author Chris Shaw who has just published a fantastic new book titled "Our Liverpool" which explains all about Liverpool FC's worldwide fan base. The book is now available to buy in all good book shops and retail outlets.

Next to speak was German national Tommy Keiner, official committee member of the Spirit of Shankly Supporters Union.

Last but by no means least to address the German Reds members was John Mooney, spokesman for Jamie Carragher's "23 Foundation".

John spoke about the aims and aspirations of the "23 Foundation" and presented the German Reds LFC Official Supporter's Club (AIB) with signed shirts after Agg and his members made a substantial donation to the Foundation.

The committee of the German Reds would like to thank the guest speakers for giving up their time to address our members and also thank the Ship and Mitre staff for their help in hosting the event and making it such an outstanding success.

Thanks must also go to all the members who travelled to Liverpool from all parts of Germany and also to the members who travelled from as far afield as Austria and Switzerland.

Liverpool To Stay Clear Of Big-Money Signings In January Transfer Window

Roy Hodgson will not target any marquee signings in the January transfer window as Liverpool's new owner, New England Sports Ventures, looks to put a stop to the profligate spending which it believes has hampered the club's progress in recent years.

NESV is believed to have been concerned by the millions of pounds haemorrhaged on transfer fees and wages by the club in recent years as it examined Liverpool's finances as part of the due diligence process carried out before the £300 million purchase of the Anfield side was completed.

Under Rafael Benítez, Liverpool spent more than £230 million in six years on fees alone – though much of that was recouped in sales – while the purchases of the likes of Raul Meireles, Christian Poulsen, Brad Jones and Paul Konchesky totalled £25 million in Hodgson's first summer at the club.

Though NESV's takeover freed up £36 million a year of revenue that had previously been used to service Liverpool's £282 million debts to be reinvested into the club, and though its offer did make provision for an immediate injection of funds into the playing staff, the American consortium has made it clear it expects value for money, both from fees and salaries.

"We have to be smart," John W Henry, NESV's principal backer, who will assume a place on Liverpool's board, said after the deal was completed.

"We have to be more efficient. When we spend a dollar it has to be wisely. We cannot afford player contracts that do not make long-term sense. We have to be smart, bold, aggressive. It's a great challenge."

Henry will take an active role in football matters at Anfield, assessing both Hodgson's suggested transfer targets and setting budgets for contract renegotiations of players already at the club.

The 61 year-old has already expressed his concern at the wages earned by older players on long-term, high-value contracts.

NESV's approach – applied with great success at the Boston Red Sox – is likely to rule Liverpool out of the glamour signings which many fans hoped would follow the eviction of previous owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

Instead, the club's recent scouting activity suggests they intend to follow the Arsenal model – for which NESV has been keen to stress its admiration – or, perhaps more pertinently, institute on an informal basis the transfer policy employed at Manchester United, where premium fees are only paid for younger players with resale potential.

"At the Boston Red Sox, we invested a lot in management and the scouting system," said NESV chairman Tom Werner.

"We believe the foundation of any good sports club has to be the experience, valuation and understanding of scouting, so we will invest in that as well."

Those players assessed by Hodgson and his scouting team in recent weeks include Steven Defour, the Standard Liège captain and a long-term target for the Liverpool manager.

At 22, and around £12 million, Defour represents minimum risk for maximum reward.

Likewise Ibrahim Afellay, the PSV Eindhoven winger Liverpool whom have assessed on several occasions.

Already a Dutch international at 24 and heralded for several years as one of the brightest prospects in Europe, Afellay would fall within Liverpool's budget, while his wage demands would remain comparatively modest.

More expensive would be Eden Hazard, Defour's Belgian international team-mate, currently with Lille.

The 19 year-old has attracted interest from Barcelona, Real Madrid, Arsenal, Chelsea and United, and could cost as much as £18 million.

However, Liverpool believe they can tempt the player – who is likely to be advised by his agent to seek a move to a club where he will play regular first-team football – and Kenny Dalglish was watching when the French side played Levski Sofia in the Europa League last Thursday.

Hodgson will not be allowed to add any players, though, without first trimming the squad. Liverpool boast the fourth-highest wage bill in the Premier League – standing at £107 million in 2009, according to football finance analysts Deloitte – but find themselves marooned in 18th place in the table, having finished seventh in Benítez's last campaign.

NESV does not blame Hodgson for that poor performance so far this season, but rather interprets it as evidence that many of the squad do not warrant either their reputations or their earnings.

Henry's experience as a futures trader, as well as his noted obsession with both sporting and financial statistics, put him in a perfect position to analyze such information.

He is acutely aware that figures suggest that, with almost unerring accuracy, a club's league position is defined by their wage bill. That Liverpool's key statistics are so discordant suggests the money is not being spent wisely.

He is also a devotee of Sabermetrics, the statistical analysis of the value of baseball players, pioneered by Bill James and which led Henry to appoint Theo Epstein as a general manager of the Boston Red Sox in 2002 at the age of 28.

Epstein applied James's principles – which are designed to help poorer teams identify value-for-money acquisitions – to lead the franchise to two World Series with a squad largely composed of bargain purchases.

Initial impressions of his time at Liverpool suggest he retains his faith in the method.

Liverpool Want Benfica Star Fabio Coentrao

According to a report in Record, Europa League hopefuls Liverpool are considering making a move for highly rated wing-back Fabio Coentrao, currently under contract with reigning Portuguese champions Benfica.

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson is reportedly unhappy with the performances of new signing Paul Konchesky and is therefore looking for a new wing-back. The 63-year-old gaffer supposedly sees Coentrao as the perfect replacement.

Coentrao joined Benfica from Rio Ave in the summer of 2007 and has developed into a key player at the Aguias in the past two seasons. The 22-year-old also impressed with his good performances for Portugal at the 2010 World Cup.

The left-back's current contract with Benfica runs until 2016, but Coentrao could leave the Lisbon giants if a club matches his €30 million release clause.

Bayern Munich and Milan are also believed to be keeping tabs on the versatile youngster.

Liverpool Join Race For PSV Star Ibrahim Afellay

Versatile PSV midfielder Ibrahim Afellay is continually being linked with a move away from the Eredivisie giants and clubs such as Inter, Atletico Madrid and Manchester United are all believed to be eager to sign the Dutch international.

However, a report in Voetbal International now claims that the aforementioned teams face stiff competition from beleaguered Premier League side Liverpool in the race for the creative midfielder's services.

Liverpool are desperate to add some more creativity to their squad in the January transfer window and manager Roy Hodgson supposedly sees the 24-year-old Afellay as the perfect addition to his team.

Afellay is a product of the PSV youth academy and has developed into the absolute star player of the Eindhoven titans in the past couple of years.

The attacking midfielder's current contract runs until the summer of 2011 and Afellay is reluctant to sign a new deal. Therefore, PSV are eager to cash in on their star player in the January transfer window.

Tranmere Join Loan Race For Liverpool Starlet

Tranmere have joined the chase to take highly-rated Liverpool midfielder Victor Palsson on loan.

The 19-year-old is the captain of the reserve team at Anfield but could be about to make a temporary move away to experience League One action.

The versatile Icelander can play in the centre of defence or midfield but a lack of first-team opportunities means he is looking to get competitive football elsewhere.

The teenager joined Liverpool on a two-and-a-half-year deal in 2009 from Danish outfit AGF Aarhus and has represented his country at youth levels.

Peterborough have also been linked with a move for Palsson but Tranmere will be hoping the prospect of staying on Merseyside will convince the teenager to join them instead.