League Cup Preview: West Brom vs Liverpool

Liverpool's League Cup triumph last season was not enough to prevent a summer of major upheaval at Anfield.

But with the season barely a month old there are question marks over whether those changes have set them on the path to improvement or actually left them in an even more precarious position.

One of the consequences of the blood-letting on Merseyside was the departure of first-team coach Steve Clarke who seems to have settled nicely into his new role as head coach at The Hawthorns.

His masterminding of a 3-0 victory over his former employers on the opening day of the season suggested Liverpool's loss was most definitely West Brom's gain.

That result was no anomaly in the story of the season so far. For the Baggies it was the springboard to their best ever start in the Premier League. For Liverpool it signalled the beginning of their worst opening to a top flight season in more than a century.

As such it is the Baggies who will begin a clash with Liverpool in the unusual role of favourites.

This is the first meeting between the two sides in the League Cup since October 1997 when Liverpool won a third round tie 2-0 at The Hawthorns. West Brom has won three of the last four games between the two sides.

The Baggies have only made it past the third round once in the last six seasons, beating Manchester City 2-0 at this stage in 2010/11. Albion won the League Cup in the first season they entered it in 1965/66. Manager Steve Clarke won a League Cup winner's medal with Chelsea in 1998.

Current holders Liverpool have won the League Cup eight times - more than any other club. They beat three Premier League sides on the way to Wembley last season, Stoke, Chelsea and Manchester City. The Reds have scored in each of their last 12 League Cup ties.

West Brom boss Steve Clarke may choose to make changes to the side that beat Reading on Saturday.

Striker Shane Long is among those pushing for a return to the starting XI.

Liverpool defender Martin Kelly is out of action with a knee ligament injury, while Jonjo Shelvey is suspended.

Daniel Agger is also out with a bruised knee problem while Fabio Borini suffered a swollen ankle at the weekend.

Rodgers Wants Killer Instinct

Brendan Rodgers has urged his shot-shy Liverpool squad to show a killer instinct until he can bring in a goalscorer in January.

Since taking over from Kenny Dalglish in the summer, the Northern Irishman has been working on getting his squad adapted to a game-plan based around lots of possession.

In probably their best display so far, the Reds dominated Sunday's home match against Manchester United, even after Jonjo Shelvey was sent off before half-time, but ended up losing 2-1 having not taken advantage of their control.

Rodgers wants his players to threaten the goal more, especially as they have scored four times in five Premier League matches, but is happy with the way everything else is developing despite his side being in the bottom three.

"I said to them at half-time we have to be effective as well," said Rodgers, who is currently working to bring in a goalscorer to fit into his system in January.

"We have to hit the target. There is no point us getting into good areas in the field and twisting and turning and being bright if we don't shoot.

"You have to shoot otherwise you don't score - that is something we know across the board we need to improve on.

"There's no reticence to shoot but it is in the DNA of the player, the type of player. That is what we hoped we could bring in over the summer and we weren't able to do that.

"So we've got to go with what we've got until January and you bring in the certain type of player who can help that."

Despite the defeat to United, Rodgers believes the United match provided a watershed moment in his short tenure as Reds boss.

"I think we have seen enough in the team to see the improvement and the biggest thing for me to come out now is that control and domination," he added.

"We really dominated and controlled the ball against United, a top, experienced side, so for me that is a big moment from when I first came in."

Gerrard: Be Fair To Suarez

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has urged referees to be fair to Luis Suarez and not judge him on his reputation.

The Uruguay international was booked for diving during the Reds' draw at Sunderland earlier this month.

He was then denied a penalty by referee Mark Halsey in Sunday's defeat to Manchester United at Anfield despite appearing to be clipped by Jonny Evans in the box.

Gerrard believes the 25-year-old is suffering from the label given to him during a difficult period last season.

"I think even when Luis does get blatant penalties now he doesn't get them," said the skipper.

"It is down to referees to not judge him and give what they see - if it's not a penalty don't give him one but if it's clear give it. It's only fair.

"He was booked at Sunderland but against United it was a penalty."

Reds defender Glen Johnson conceded the match-winning spot-kick at Anfield after Antonio Valencia went down in the area.

He echoed the sentiments of his captain, adding: "Reputations go in front of people at times and because Valencia is not a known diver that is why he got the decision.

"I almost guarantee if it was exactly the same situation and it was Luis and not Valencia then it wouldn't be a penalty."

Agger & Borini Injuries Less Serious Than Feared

Concerns that Martin Kelly's injury on Sunday was a significant one and that the player would be out until at least the new year proved founded today when it was revealed that the young fullback had ruptured the ACL in his right knee. Unfortunately for Kelly, this injury will require his ACL be surgically reconstructed, and there's a good chance the player won't see action again this season—and that any kind of return to full fitness will be a long, difficult road for the 22-year-old.

Fortunately there's better news to report when it comes to Daniel Agger and Fabio Borini. Borini's bruised and swollen ankle was always considered the least serious of the three injuries suffered against Manchester United, and x-rays today confirmed that there was no fracture and signal a likely brief layoff.

Meanwhile for Daniel Agger the news is also encouraging. After he collided with teammate Glen Johnson and had to be stretchered off the pitch in the second half, and given his significant injury history, there had been concerns that Agger might miss months. Instead it has been confirmed that defender suffered a significant bone bruise to his knee, and with no ligament damage sustained his layoff should be nearly as short as Borini's.

Expecting either of Agger or Borini to be back over the next two weeks, a stretch that sees Liverpool face Norwich and Stoke in the league, Udinese in Europe, and West Brom in the League Cup might be overly optimistic, but both should be ready to return to action by the time Reading comes to town on October 20th following the international break.

Jones Keen To Prove Himself At Anfield

Brad Jones is aiming to make the most of a fresh start under Brendan Rodgers by kick-starting his Liverpool career.

The goalkeeper has made six senior appearances for the club since arriving from Middlesbrough in the summer of 2010. But Rodgers has indicated he is prepared to give Jones a chance in both the Europa League and the Capital One Cup this season.

The Australian has played in two of Liverpool's five European games this season, and is set for a League Cup run-out at West Brom on Wednesday night. Pepe Reina remains Liverpool's first choice keeper, but Jones has risen from third to second in the pecking order while Alexander Doni has been on leave in Brazil.

Jones has had a difficult time off the pitch over the last two years, with his son Luca dying last November after a long battle with leukemia. On the field, Jones feels the arrival of Rodgers from Swansea in June has given him a chance to start afresh.

The 30-year-old said: "It's settled down over time off the pitch. On the pitch, this season's been a lot better for me. The new manager involves me a lot more, which was difficult last year anyway with me being here and being away.

"I've started with a clean slate, fewer things to worry about this season, and a new manager coming in. It was a case of having to prove myself all over again but it's something I feel has gone well.

"I'm hoping the manager has been happy with the way things have been going, with the way I've trained and played in the few games I've had. It does feel like starting again, and that's probably a good thing, to be honest. I can start afresh and try to push on."

Jones paid tribute to Liverpool and their fans for supporting him and his family following the loss of his son. The goalkeeper has worked over the last two years to raise funds for the Anthony Nolan Trust cancer charity, for whom his partner Dani Lawrence ran in last year's London Marathon.

Jones feels that the volume of that support he received both during his son's illness and for his charity efforts has strengthened his bond with the club.

He said: "It's incredible, really. The club and the fans have been fantastic, not only with supporting me in general but in helping out with the charity stuff we do and supporting my girlfriend when she was doing the marathons and half-marathons for charity.

"It is a special place to be. It's one big family and nothing shows that more than the way I've been treated."

Rodgers Backs Excellent Wisdom

Brendan Rodgers believes Liverpool youngster Andre Wisdom has "all the qualities" needed to make a name for himself at the club.

The 19-year-old defender scored on his Reds debut in their thrilling 5-3 Europa League win over Young Boys and his talent has impressed the former Swansea boss, who thinks he could fit into the side's new style of play.

"It's always good when you put young players in and you see how they react," he told the club’s official website.

"I thought Andre Wisdom at right-back was excellent. He's got all the qualities that I believe will set him up to have a very good career.

"He's quick, he's strong and he passes the ball well, which is going to be important for us at this club and always has been. I thought he was a real positive note."

Wisdom played in a back-four containing Jamie Carragher against the Swiss side and Rodgers feels the veteran’s experience is key to young players coming into the team.

He added: "It is critical. The likes of Andre Wisdom look up so much to guys like Jamie Carragher, and to be on the same field as him and learning from his experience and leadership qualities is very, very important.

"Sometimes as a coach, you can coach players, you can talk with them, you can educate them, but when they go out onto the field, if they've got top players around them that can also help them manage the game from the inside.

"Guys like Carra are top class at that and, for me, your young players are only as good as your senior players."

Sahin With An Eye On Turkey Spot

Nuri Sahin has vowed to win a regular place in Liverpool's midfield and boost his chances of getting back into the Turkey starting line-up.

Sahin, 24, has made two starts for Brendan Rodgers' side since arriving on a season's loan from Real Madrid.

The midfielder is looking to rebuild his career at Anfield after a knee injury interrupted his progress in Spain last season.

The midfielder, who won the Bundesliga title with Borussia Dortmund two seasons ago before moving to Madrid, has fallen down the pecking order with his national team.

He was restricted to substitute appearances in Turkey's World Cup qualifiers against Netherlands and Estonia, but hopes that making an impression at Anfield will convince coach Abdullah Avci to give him a greater role in the Turkey side.

"First of all, I'll give everything to have a successful season at Liverpool and to play as many games as possible," Sahin told FIFA.com.

"Recently I've experienced how quickly an injury can set you back. And of course, I want to be in the starting 11 for Turkey. That's my main aim and I think I'm close to achieving it."

Darren Burgess Leaves Liverpool

News emerged that after finding his role at the club diminished under Brendan Rodgers, conditioning coach Darren Burgess had decided to leave Liverpool in order to return to Australia. His departure follows that of head of sports science Peter Bruckner, who left in April alongside Damien Comolli when Fenway Sports Group began their overhaul of the club's backroom staff, and in fact there were rumours that Burgess was leaving the club shortly after Bruckner's dismissal and again in the summer after Brendan Rodgers was hired—only those rumours never ended with an official announcement.

When Rodgers arrived, there was the suggestion that with the new manager looking to bring much of his support staff from Swansea along with him to Liverpool there would no longer be room for Burgess at the club. Now it appears that those rumours—and the reasoning that went along with them—were true, and that his departure has in fact long been on the cards. It does, however, appear that Rodgers convinced Burgess to at least stick around for a few months to see if could adjust to working alongside the new arrivals and in a slightly less prominent role.

"Brendan wanted to bring in some staff from Swansea," said Burgess following his departure from the club, "and Brendan has been fantastic, but my role has changed and it's not really worth living on the other side of the world for. It's tough, because I worked for 15 years to try to get into the Premier League—it was my dream. But I leave thinking it's the right thing for my family."

A diminished role and a job far from home for him and his family seem as good a reason as any for Burgess to move on, and we wish him all the best wherever he ends up back in Australia.

Margaret Aspinall Calls For Lifetime Bans

A Hillsborough campaigner has called for lifetime bans for people making offensive gestures or chanting about tragedies.

Margaret Aspinall, a member of the Hillsborough Families Support Group, was at Anfield on Sunday as the club paid tribute to the work done in the search for justice following the publication of the independent panel's report exonerating fans for the deaths of 96 people in the 1989 disaster.

Both sets of supporters acted respectfully throughout, until after the final whistle when a couple of Liverpool supporters goaded the Manchester United contingent with a Munich gesture in reference to the 1958 crash which killed eight United players and 15 others.

The response of the United fans to the taunts was depressingly predictable, chanting 'Always the victims' and 'Murderers' - reminders of the Merseyside club's own recent tragedies in Hillsborough and Heysel.

Aspinall did not witness the incident, stressing it would not have affected what was an "uplifting" day anyway, but felt it was time action was taken against the perpetrators.

"A couple of fans came up to me at the end and said they hoped I hadn't heard any of it, and I didn't but a lot were upset by it," said Aspinall.

"Even if I had heard it it wouldn't have mattered because there were only a few morons. They are not winning. You have to look at the vast majority.

"I hope it never creeps back in again. Any form of chanting about any disaster is appalling and it makes you ashamed.

"If they get caught on CCTV they should not get a second chance - ban them for life so they can never go to a match again.

"The Manchester United fans were very good. Obviously there were a few morons but you can't blame the majority."

Prior to the match on Sunday, United great Sir Bobby Charlton presented former Reds striker Ian Rush with flowers, later to be laid at the Hillsborough memorial, and captains Steven Gerrard and Ryan Giggs released 96 red balloons.

Mosaics on three sides of the ground reading '96', 'Justice' and 'The Truth' were displayed for the opening minute of the game.

Aspinall said the occasion had been a fitting tribute in recognition of the 23-year fight for justice, which will now continue off the field in the law courts.

"It was a very emotional day but also a very uplifting one," she added.

"We just felt very humbled by what the two clubs and fans did.

"It was a fabulous thing and it didn't matter who won at the end of the day because it was all about the 96.

"It was a wonderful tribute and I thought it was a lovely moment, a lovely gesture, when Sir Bobby Charlton presented flowers to Ian Rush on the pitch."

Match Report: Liverpool 1 - 2 Manchester Umited

Robin van Persie's late penalty secured Manchester United's first Anfield win since December 2007 against 10-man Liverpool on an emotional afternoon on Merseyside.

The hosts played 51 minutes with 10 men after Jonjo Shelvey's sending-off but still managed to take the lead through Steven Gerrard's volley seconds after the interval.

However, Rafael equalised soon after and Van Persie, one of three United players to miss from the spot already this term, scored his fourth goal in as many games against the Reds - although three of those had come for former side Arsenal - nine minutes from time.

In the end it was something of a relief the talking points were all generated on the pitch as Liverpool marked their first home match since the publication of the Hillsborough Independent Panel's report which exonerated fans in relation to the 1989 disaster.

Luis Suarez and Patrice Evra shook hands in a show of unity before the game - the Liverpool forward had refused to shake the United defender's hand in the league meeting between the sides at Old Trafford in February, having previously been found guilty of racially abusing Evra in the corresponding fixture at Anfield last season.

Thankfully there were none of the distasteful chants which have marred this fixture for years, although that did not mean there was not an edge to the game.

Evra was overlooked for the captaincy - some say diplomatically - in the absence of Nemanja Vidic so it was Ryan Giggs who released 96 red balloons with Gerrard prior to kick-off.

The result left Liverpool rooted in the bottom three as their worst start to a campaign for a century continues whereas United maintained their usual progress moving up to second.

It was harsh on Brendan Rodgers' side, who continued to take the game to their rivals despite being short on numbers as they desperately looked for their first league victory of the campaign.

United may have left Anfield wondering how they managed to win having hardly threatened in attack and failed to dominate midfield until the final quarter but those concerns will have been of little consequence.

For the first minute of the match three sides of Anfield held up 'The Truth', 'Justice' and '96' mosaics as representatives of the Hillsborough victims' families watched on from the directors' box.

Also present, for the first time since being sacked in May, was former manager Kenny Dalglish - intrinsically linked with the tragedy having played a major role in the aftermath during his first spell in charge.

What he saw in the first half would have been very familiar as for most of last season his sides dominated at home without scoring.

Once Giggs had flashed an early shot wide the momentum was all with the hosts as a Suarez cross-shot was stopped by Anders Lindegaard and headed away by Jonny Evans under pressure from Fabio Borini.

Gerrard drove a low effort from Shelvey's corner into the side-netting and Suarez looped a right-footed shot wide before a match which, possibly because of the all the pre-match commemorations, had lacked the usual hallmarks of a north-west derby ignited.

Shelvey robbed Giggs in midfield but as the ball broke free he launched himself at Evans and the inevitable outcome was a red card, though Evans also went in strongly.

The 20-year-old midfielder, who scored twice in Thursday's Europa League victory at Young Boys, departed down the tunnel having exchanged heated words with Sir Alex Ferguson.

Even with a numerical disadvantage Liverpool continued to pressurize United and Suarez drew Lindegaard into a low saw from his free-kick.

The visitors would have been pleased to reach the interval with their goal intact but it took just 50 seconds after the restart for that to change.

Second-half substitute Suso, making his Premier League debut three days after his first-team bow in Switzerland, saw his cross half-cleared to Glen Johnson.

A tackle from Paul Scholes, on for Nani at half-time, succeeded only in diverting the ball towards Gerrard who volleyed home left-footed in front of the Kop.

The Reds captain, whose 10-year-old cousin Jon-Paul Gilhooley was the youngest victim of the Hillsborough disaster, whirled away pointing both arms to the sky in celebration and remembrance.

It was short-lived, however, as within five minutes United were level when Shinji Kagawa laid the ball off for Rafael to brilliantly curl left-footed over Jose Reina and in off the far post.

Rodgers' determination not to just shut up shop and settle for a draw was reflected in the approach of his team who made light of the fact they were a man down with Suso having a shot tipped over by Lindegaard and Suarez continuing to trouble the visitors' defence.

But as the match entered the final 20 minutes United began to take more control, although their winner came from their opponents giving away possession on the halfway line.

Daniel Agger and Johnson collided to allow Antonio Valencia to race 50 yards into the area and although Johnson got back he could only bring down the Ecuador international.

Van Persie drilled home - although Reina went the right way and almost made the stop.

Rodgers - The Best Team Lost

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers was unhappy with some of the decisions that went against his 'heroic' side as they lost 2-1 to Manchester United at Anfield.

The Reds contributed a battling display on an emotionally-charged afternoon which marked their first home match since the publication of the Hillsborough Independent Panel's report which exonerated fans in relation to the 1989 disaster.

They were reduced to 10 men late in the first half when Jonjo Shelvey was handed his marching orders after a foul on Jonny Evans, but still took the advantage through Steven Gerrard when the influential captain scored soon after the break.

United managed to scrape their way back level through Rafael before Robin van Persie converted from the penalty spot after Antonio Valencia went down in the area following a Glen Johnson challenge.

Rodgers thought the result was unfair on his side and bemoaned some of the decisions made by referee Mark Halsey, particularly Shelvey's sending off.

The Reds boss feels the official was wrong in dismissing the Liverpool player but not Evans after the United man appeared to take both feet off the ground.

He told Sky Sports: "I thought the best team lost. I thought the players were heroic in terms of their performance and their spirit.

"Some of the decisions, I wouldn't want to go on too much, but if Jonjo Shelvey gets sent off then Jonny Evans has to go as well. I think both players' feet were off the floor.

"That was out of our control. I thought the players were brilliant and didn't get what they deserved."

Rodgers was also unimpressed by the penalty awarded to United, particularly after Luis Suarez was clipped in the box but nothing was given.

He added: "It was never a penalty and then Luis Suarez goes down the other end, gets a toe to the ball, the defender doesn't touch the ball, he goes down and it looks a penalty."

Neville - Fergie Won't Be Happy

Gary Neville says Sir Alex Ferguson will not be happy after Manchester United laboured to victory over 10-man Liverpool.

The home side played more than half the match with 10 men after Jonjo Shelvey was dismissed after 39 minutes, but claimed a surprise lead when Steven Gerrard struck shortly after the break.

A fine goal from Rafael and a Robin van Persie penalty saw the visitors turn the game around, but Sky Sports expert Neville felt his former team was below par for long periods of the match.

"I thought it was a poor performance," he told Ford Super Sunday.

"If ever there was a reminder of how difficult it is to play at Anfield it was today. They never got going in the first 50 minutes until Liverpool scored and it really wasn't good enough at all.

"Sir Alex Ferguson would have been absolutely livid, screaming the paint off the walls at half-time, I'm convinced of that. He made the change and Paul Scholes came on and even against 10 men and with Paul Scholes on the pitch they couldn't get control of the game.

"Even in the second half, Liverpool dominated possession which was incredible really. You never would have expected that.

"It's never easy to go to Anfield and Sunday was a huge reminder of that."

Both sides united to pay tribute to the victims of the Hillsborough disaster before kick-off, but tensions boiled over on the pitch when Shelvey was shown a red card for a high tackle on Jonny Evans shortly before the break.

Neville said it was sad to see a man sent off on such an emotional afternoon and argued that the referee could have been more lenient to the Liverpool midfielder because Evans had also made a dangerous attempt to win the ball.

"I didn't want a man to be sent off here today," he said.

"I think Shelvey went in over the top with his right foot and Jonny Evans came in and I don't think he was in control of the tackle.

"Personally, I think if he'd given both a yellow I don't think he'd have been out of order, although Shelvey went over the top and that's what Mark Halsey will have seen. I don't think Mark Halsey wanted to send him off, you could see his facials afterwards.

"But Jonny Evans came in with both studs showing and I'm not convinced that both players didn't come in out of control.

"That's where, as a referee, he might have said: 'Shelvey is out of control and it's a red. Evans is out of control and it's probably a red. I could give both a yellow or I could give one a yellow.'"

The home fans were also aggrieved when Halsey failed to award a penalty after Luis Suarez went down under an Evans challenge, but did point to the spot when Antonio Valencia was felled by Glen Johnson.

Neville said both incidents should have resulted in penalty awards, but says Suarez didn't help his case by falling theatrically to the ground.

"The problem is Suarez threw his head back and he didn't need to do that," he added.

"The referee thinks it's an unnatural movement and it's too much. That's his problem. I think it was a penalty.

"United's one is a penalty for me. The mistake Liverpool made is that Agger and Johnson should have taken Valencia out [on the half-way line]. That might sound a little bit cynical, but that's football unfortunately.

"Then Glen Johnson tackled from the wrong side. He's clipped his heel, there's a push in the back and Mark Halsey had no option other than to give a penalty."

Gerrard: Liverpool Fans Shouldn’t Panic

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has urged fans to remain calm following Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester United at Anfield.

The Reds, reduced to ten-men in the first-half following Jonjo Shelvey’s controversial dismissal, controlled possession for large spells and went ahead through Gerrard’s smart turn-and-shot from inside the box.

However, goals from Rafael and Robin Van Persie meant the points went back to Old Trafford, leaving the skipper disappointed but philosophical following a third loss of the season.

"We are not going to use any excuses; we know how many points we've got on the board and it's not good enough. A club like Liverpool, especially at home, should be looking to take maximum points off those sides – it doesn't matter how good they are,” said the England international post-match.

"But it is no time to panic. The fans can see what the manager is trying to do and they can see what the players are trying to do because they are educated supporters. We know if we keep applying that kind of effort and determination it will only be a matter of time before we go on a winning sequence. Not many sides will be able to live with us because we played some good stuff."

Gerrard was particularly disappointed to lose on a poignant day for Liverpool, with Brendan Rodgers’ side playing their first home game since the publication of the Hillsborough report, which cleared all fans of any wrong-doing when 96 innocent people lost their lives.

Jon-Paul Gilhooley, the youngest person to lose their life in the disaster, was Gerrard’s 10-year-old cousin, and winning the game would have had special significance for the 32-year-old.

"Playing against Manchester United and trying to get three points means a lot to me. But, because of the occasion and the timing, of course I'd have loved nothing better to get three points and dedicate it to all the families,” added Gerrard.

"So there is an extra disappointment but I thought both sets of fans behaved really well, which was important. Although we got beat I feel slightly different to usual because I am really pleased with how we played and we will win a lot of matches playing worse than that, so that is the positive we will take away."

Liverpool’s next match in the Premier League is against Norwich City, with Gerrard’s side travelling to Carrow Road on Saturday.

Liverpool Offer Ricardo Quaresma Second Chance

Ricardo Quaresma has cleared the way for a proposed move to Liverpool after rejecting Besiktas' latest contract offer.

The 28-year-old Portuguese winger has less than 12 months left to run on his current deal with Besiktas, with whom he has endured a fractious relationship following his £6 million move from Inter Milan in June 2010.

Quaresma is currently training with the club's youth team after an ugly spat with chairman Fikret Orman last week, in which Orman told the player he would 'finish his career' during a row over the winger's refusal to pen a contract extension.

It's just the latest in a long line of incidents troublesome Quaresma has been involved in, with his first year at Besiktas marred by an on-pitch fight with team-mate Nihat.

Three weeks later he was officially suspended after an altercation with then-manager Carlos Carvalhal in the dressing room following a Europa League defeat to Atletico Madrid.

The indiscipline has not put off Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers though, who tried to rescue the Sporting Libson product from his Turkish nightmare during the summer, only to baulk at Besiktas's £7 million asking price.

However, with Quaresma refusing to sign on after rejecting their latest contract offer over the weekend, Rodgers is ready to open talks over a pre-contract agreement in January.

Quaresma is desperate to try his luck in the Premier League once again, having failed to earn a permanent deal at Chelsea despite impressing during a six-month loan spell at Stamford Bridge in 2010.

The Reds could offer the winger attractive terms on a two-year-deal, with no transfer fee meaning they could match his current £80,000-a-week wages in Turkey.

Tottenham & Liverpool Lead The Race For Isco

Tottenham and Liverpool are leading the chase for Malaga’s Isco as they sent senior scouts to watch his Champions League debut on Tuesday.

Isco did not disappoint in the 3-0 victory with an impressive man of the match performance. He has four years left on his contract at Malaga, which has a £16 million buyout clause which could tempt the cash-strapped into negotiations with Manchester United, Arsenal and Juventus also interested.

Isco, still only 20, is a regular in the Spanish Under-21s and has been named in the senior squad but is yet to make his debut. He has made 32 appearances for Malaga this season, helping them to their best ever La Liga finish.

Malaga boss Manuel Pellegrini accepts Isco will be on his way and said: “He is a player who has a great future. Nobody knows what his limit is.”

Kelly Out Until 2013

Martin Kelly has been ruled out until 2013 after it was confirmed the Liverpool defender has ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.

The England international had feared the worst after limping out of Sunday's defeat by Manchester United and tests have now revealed the extent of the problem.

Kelly will undergo a reconstruction process of his ligament which Liverpool say will require a 'significant period' on the sidelines.

The defender's absence is another setback for boss Brendan Rodgers, who has yet to win in the Premier League since taking over at Anfield this summer.

Rodgers has also been hit by the injuries suffered by Daniel Agger and Fabio Borini in the 2-1 loss to United, which also saw Jonjo Shelvey sent off.

Agger sustained 'a significant bone bruise to the left knee' and, although there is no ligament damage, further tests will be required to discover when he will return to full fitness.

Italian forward Borini has 'considerable swelling' to his right ankle but an X-Ray did not find any fracture.

The summer signing will undergo an MRI scan on Tuesday to assess any soft tissue damage and determine when he may be able to return to playing.

Daniel Agger Facing Long Lay-Off

Liverpool defender Daniel Agger could have suffered a medial ligament injury, which could rule him out for the rest of the season, after being stretchered off in his side's defeat to Manchester United.

Following the controversial 2-1 loss, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers talked about the injuries sustained by two of his players.

He said: 'Fabio (Borini) had a badly swollen ankle. Agger's doesn't look good, the medics were saying it might be a medial ligament. We'll see.'

Robin van Persie's late penalty secured Manchester United's first victory at Anfield since December 2007.

But the home side had to play 51 minutes of the game with ten men after Jonjo Shelvey was sent off for a lunge against Johnny Evans.

Despite this, Liverpool managed to take the lead through Steven Gerrard just after half time, but the Reds were then pegged back through a Rafael da Silva wonder goal.

United took the lead when Robin van Persie scored a penalty after Antonio Valencia had been fouled by Glen Johnson in the area.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, who had a confrontation with Shelvey after he was sent off, admitted his team had been far from their best.

'A win's a win, so we've got to be pleased with the result, but not the performance,' he told Sky Sports 1.

Liverpool To End Stadium Saga

Liverpool's American owners will end the club's 10-year stadium saga by committing to develop Anfield as a refurbished 60,000-capacity venue, including 7,000 'corporate' seats.

The club publicly maintains that no final decision has yet been made between refurbishment and a new stadium but detailed plans are in place for a phased expansion of the Main Stand and then the Anfield Road stand.

The work is expected to cost about £150 million, a huge saving on the estimated £400m that a new stadium in Stanley Park would cost, although an estimated £50m has been spent by the club on designs and planning for a new stadium.

Naming rights might have helped to subsidize a new venue but no suitable deal has been found.

Liverpool City Council have been working closely with the club on stadium options for years and for a long time were in favour of a new stadium, to be shared with Everton.

The council now believes that official confirmation on the refurbishment is imminent from John W Henry's Fenway Sports Group.

A council spokesman said: 'It does seem to be the case that the club has decided to stay at Anfield and that Liverpool officials are preparing to confirm the decision'.

The importance of resolving the stadium situation is highlighted by Sunday's sell-out game against Manchester United at Anfield, which will generate about £1.5m in revenues for Liverpool.

The corresponding match at Old Trafford will generate more than £3m not just because United have more seats but better corporate facilities for which the club can charge more.

Anfield's 45,000-seat capacity and structure limits the extent to which Liverpool can mount a realistic challenge to rivals including United (who have 76,000 seats) and Arsenal (60,000) – on and off the pitch.

Henry himself has long been supportive of the idea that Liverpool's long-time home should remain their home.

He feels the club can develop without moving in the way that his baseball club, the Boston Red Sox, have done at their home, Fenway Park.

Henry dropped another heavy hint in June that a refurbished Anfield was his preference when tweeting a link to a blog by a Liverpool architect, Peter McGurk, that suggested Liverpool should stay put.

McGurk has no connection to the club or redevelopment.

Council regeneration plans for the area around Liverpool have provided a solution to the long-running problem of freeing up land for Anfield's expansion.

The council intend to acquire property for demolition and refurbishment - and crucially now have the option of applying for compulsory purchase orders if required.

The council will be hoping to avoid any drastic action by offering residents the full market values of their homes plus compensation and relocation costs.

Match Preview: Liverpool vs Man Utd

English football's fiercest rivalry will be renewed this weekend as Liverpool and Manchester United go head-to-head at Anfield.

The encounter promises to be an emotionally-charged affair, marking the Reds' first home game since the recent report into the 1989 Hillsborough tragedy in which 96 supporters lost their lives.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has already confirmed the Red Devils will offer any assistance possible in ensuring the day goes smoothly, calling for mutual respect from both sets of fans.

The reverse fixture at Old Trafford last season saw Liverpool's Luis Suarez refuse to shake the hand of Manchester United defender Patrice Evra following a much-publicised race storm, but reports ahead of Sunday's game suggest there will be no such incident at Anfield, with the players not expected to cause further controversy on such a sensitive occasion.

Red Devils midfielder Michael Carrick has urged for the focus to be on football ahead of the clash, with United coming into the match on the back of three back-to-back victories and sitting second in the fledgling table.

In contrast, Liverpool is yet to register a win in the Premier League this season under new manager Brendan Rodgers and will be desperate to break that duck against their rivals.

History is on their side, with the Reds having won four and lost none of their last five games in all competitions at home to United.

Both sides come into the clash on the back of European exploits in midweek, with the Red Devils beating Galatasaray 1-0 at Old Trafford in the UEFA Champions League and Liverpool claiming a 5-3 victory at Young Boys in the Europa League.

Rodgers is expected to bring his big names back into his Liverpool line-up for Sunday's visit, with Steven Gerrard and Luis Suarez among the stars rested for Thursday's European win.

Fabio Borini and Raheem Sterling were substitutes in that clash and could return, while midfielder Jonjo Shelvey staked his claim for a place with a two-goal cameo in the second half in Switzerland.

Joe Cole (hamstring) and Lucas (thigh) remain Rodgers' only injury concerns within his squad.

Wayne Rooney and Ashley Young could return to play some part for United as they close on fitness, but Robin van Persie is likely to lead the line.

Goalkeeper David de Gea kept a clean sheet against Galatasaray and could keep his place between the sticks ahead of Anders Lindegaard.

Alexander Buttner made a goalscoring debut at left-back against Wigan last weekend and Ferguson may choose to keep him in his side.

Rodgers Expects Peaceful Crowd

Brendan Rodgers expects this weekend's emotionally-charged clash between Liverpool and Manchester United to pass off without crowd trouble.

The mouth-watering Premier League encounter at Anfield on Sunday will be the Reds' first home match since the publication of an independent panel's report which absolved Liverpool fans of any blame following the 1989 Hillsborough disaster.

A minority of United fans reportedly sang tasteless chants about Hillsborough last week while songs about the Munich air crash have been heard sung by a section of Liverpool fans in the past.

Sir Alex Ferguson has also penned a letter appealing to the Red Devils faithful to show respect in light of the Hillsborough report which is to be distributed to supporters at the turnstile.

"Liverpool-Manchester United games are always very emotional," said Liverpool chief Rodgers.

"You add to that the findings of the last couple of weeks and it makes it even more emotional.

"First and foremost, we want to pay tribute to the families, the victims and the survivors. It is our chance to do that.

"After the fight of the last 23 years, it is the very least we can do.

"There has been dialogue all week, there is respect in terms of the traditions of both clubs.

"A lot of work has been done and hopefully Sunday will pass off peacefully and well and we can talk about the tributes and football."

One unwanted side issue has been speculation over whether Liverpool forward Luis Suarez will shake the hand of United defender Patrice Evra following last season's race row.

But Rodgers said he was "very" confident the pair would shake hands.

He added: "I think enough has been said and written about that over the last year.

"This has been ongoing and everything to say about this has been said. There is nothing else I can add other than you just move on."