Joe Cole Admits He Is Struggling To Find His Form

Joe Cole believes it is up to Liverpool's players to find a way to grind out a victory after admitting his lack of form and the club's struggles are unfamiliar territory for him.

The former Chelsea midfielder was expected to make a significant impact after his summer arrival but has found himself involved in the club's worst start to a season since 1953-54. Under that pressure, very few of the players have reached anywhere close to their best but Cole insists the squad are united behind the manager Roy Hodgson, who has endured a difficult time since replacing Rafael Benítez in July.

"The right thing to do is try to grind out the first win, then take it from there," Cole said after the 2-0 Merseyside derby defeat extended the run of matches in all competitions without a win to six.

"We are right behind the manager. We all believe in the team and in the club. We have just got to stick together. We are doing a lot of things right but we have got to cut out what we're doing wrong.

"It's disappointing to lose such a big game but in these situations, the worst thing you can do is start pointing fingers at each other. We have got to look at ourselves.

"It's encouraging now that the club has got a direction to go in [after the £300m takeover by New England Sports Ventures]. We are happy with that. The thing is to keep going and keep our heads. We have got to do better – everyone at the club."

Defeat at Goodison Park was Liverpool's fourth in eight Premier League matches, leaving them in 19th place with six points and only escaping the ignominy of being bottom by West Ham's inferior goal difference.

In his post-match comments, Hodgson said the second half against Everton was the best they had played in his short reign. But Cole admits the team – and him personally – are a long way short of what is expected.

"We are not playing well. I'm not playing well. I know that. I expect better from myself," he told the Liverpool Echo. "I'll just try to do what I can do to get back to it. I need to find my form somehow. I'm sure I will and it will come soon.

"Every minute of every day I'm thinking about how I can get there again. I'm desperate to do well for Liverpool. I've never had a period like this before and it is all new territory for me but it is a challenge and life is never easy."

How Much Time Will Liverpool's New Owners Give Roy Hodgson To Save His Job?

Liverpool's new owners insisted on Saturday that Roy Hodgson's job is safe and vowed he would be given time to turn around the club's dismal start to the season.

After hearing their manager describe Sunday's 2-0 defeat at Everton as "our best performance of the season", John W. Henry and Tom Werner could be forgiven for already changing their minds.

So much for the feel-good factor in the red half of Merseyside, so much for that fresh start and stability after the end of a courtroom drama to rival anything that could be dreamed up in Hollywood.

This was reality brought into sharp focus for everyone who cares about Liverpool. The club's dire straits on the pitch will take more than a change of ownership to resolve – certainly a change of playing personnel and maybe a new manager.

Werner, the chairman of New England Sports Ventures, who bought the Merseyside club for £300 million at the end of last week, has already talked about providing Hodgson with funds to invest in the side when the January transfer window opens.

But just how long does the former Fulham manager have to arrest a depressing slide that leaves his team 19th in the Premier League on six points, having recorded just one victory from their eight league outings this season.

The trope coming out of the NESV camp ever since their bid for the club was first made public just under two weeks ago is that they are 'winners', that second best is not enough. How does a relegation battle sound, then?

'Going down, going down' chanted the gleeful Everton supporters, all the more poignant a reminder to Henry as he sat in the stands of his new acquisition's bitter local rivals. Maybe he bought the wrong Merseyside club.

Nearly a quarter of the season gone and Liverpool are down there cavorting with the likes of West Ham, Wolves and Birmingham. Even a baseball fan must know they are in a relegation scrap.

When NESV bought the Boston Red Sox in 2002, they wasted little time in firing the general manager and the manager, a ruthless decision but one that set them on the path to two World Series victories after 86 years in the wilderness. More results like this and surely Henry's hand will start twitching on the trigger. The question is, how long can he afford to wait?

People say that little can be gleaned from local derbies, but it is not the result that will be worrying Liverpool supporters but the performance. No ideas, no inspiration, no guile and limited passion, despite a to-be-expected rally after they fell two behind.

What needs to be ascertained is who is more to blame; the manager or the players.

Hodgson certainly does himself no favors by suggesting that performances like Sunday's are in any way impressive. As individuals the players tried to battle, but as a collective team there was a distinct lack of passion, drive or spirit.

It was an approach to the game that allowed Everton to swarm all over their visitors in the first 30 minutes like bees after honey, denying the Liverpool players time to play the ball and build moves together. After a few half chances early on, Cahill's opener was almost inevitable.

That Hodgson cited his side's comparatively gung-ho approach in the second half also demonstrates a misunderstanding of the game. Everton were quite happy to sit deep, soak up the pressure and play on the counter-attack, asking Liverpool if they had a way past them. The answer was emphatic: they didn't. Never did Tim Howard's goal look under any serious threat as Steven Gerrard and Co. toiled to no avail.

To his credit, Hodgson made his substitutions earlier than in previous matches, but he needs to take note of what everyone keeps telling him; that Liverpool are not Fulham, that draws are not good enough, that uninspiring defensive tactics are not acceptable. He may be a veteran at 63, but the best managers, even the oldest and wisest, are able to adapt.

Not that it looks like happening any time soon. “It is insulting to suggest that because you move to a new club, your methods suddenly don’t work when they’ve held you in good stead for 35 years and made you one of the most respected coaches in Europe,” said Hodgson earlier this season. “It’s unbelievable.”

Hodgson will argue that he needs time – eight games is not enough to put his stamp on the team – and more importantly a transfer window to turn the club's fortunes around.

Liverpool ‘Flop’ Alberto Aquilani Is Reborn As Juventus Revival Continues

On the weekend where the crisis of England’s most successful club went from bad to worse with yet another defeat to Everton in the Merseyside Derby, a result that sees Liverpool floundering in the relegation zone, out-on-loan Reds midfielder Alberto Aquilani poured yet more salt into an already sore wound with an indomitable performance for an increasingly improving Juventus side.

While there is no doubt that Liverpool erred in splashing out €20 million on a player who has had more injuries than a Nigel De Jong torture victim, especially as he was signed as Xabi Alonso’s replacement, all this talk of the 26-year-old being an unmitigated ‘flop’ is rather, well, premfaced. Not only did Aquilani play very well in virtually all of his admittedly low number of 26 games for Liverpool last season, more importantly the 2007 Champions League finalists are crying out for a commanding midfielder of his ilk just now.

Juventus were already laughing all the way to the bank when they managed to sell the worst player to represent the Bianconeri for at least a decade – Christian Poulsen – to Liverpool for €5.5m, their merriment increased even further when they were handed Aquilani on loan in return, with the option to buy him permanently. In the space of a few months Liverpool have gone from a midfield of Mascherano-Aquilani-Gerrard to one including Poulsen, the equally awful Lucas and Raul Meireles. No wonder they are in the relegation zone.

The Roman has gradually been implemented into the Juventus starting XI, and the last few weeks has demonstrated that if he can stay fit he will be a top-class – potentially world class – midfielder for the Old Lady. He confirmed his impressive showing against Inter a fortnight ago with another super display in the 4-0 thrashing of Lecce yesterday afternoon. Aquilani opened the scoring with a 25-yard thunderbolt, and controlled the middle-of-the-park alongside fellow reborn team-mate Felipe Melo.

The Brazilian had an horrific first season in Turin last term, following his big-money move from Fiorentina where he had been the best midfielder in Serie A in 2008/09, but Luigi Del Neri has rediscovered the 27-year-old. Melo tucked away the non-existent penalty Juve were awarded yesterday with an impudent ‘Panenka’ chip down the middle of the goal, an execution that symbolised his form and confidence. As well as his renowned defensive work, Melo was even surprisingly spraying 50-yard Michel Platini raking-passes around the pitch.

With Milos Krasic once again unstoppable on the right flank, and centre-back duo Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci blossoming to earn a second clean sheet in a row, there is no doubt that Juventus are growing in stature. Finally, the Bianconeri have a recognizable system and style of play.

It is unlikely that the Old Lady will challenge for the Scudetto this season. There are still far too many weaknesses such as the full back positions, the left midfield role, and the absence of a top-class forward. But, if Juve maintain their current form then a top four spot at least should be a guarantee. And that will enable them to fill these holes with Edin Dzeko-calibre stars and really challenge for major honours from 2011/12.

Just like Liverpool now, Juventus recently hit rock bottom both on-and-off-the-pitch. But the signs are there, with a new president who shares his grandfather’s values, a new stadium on the way, a ‘new’ group of promising players such as Aquilani, Melo, Krasic and Bonucci, and a new, clear system, that Italy’s most successful team are on the road to success again sooner rather than later.

Match Report: Everton 2 - 0 Liverpool

Liverpool's new owners were left with no doubt about the size of the task ahead as Everton emerged victorious from the 214th Merseyside derby.

John Henry, head of New England Sports Ventures, was at Goodison Park to witness first-hand a fiery encounter which Everton dominated for long periods and deservedly won.

Goals from Tim Cahill and Mikel Arteta did the damage either side of half-time as the hosts outplayed and outfought their near-neighbours.

The defeat left Liverpool stuck in 19th place in the Barclays Premier League, with only a solitary victory over West Brom in eight games.

And their worst start to a season since 1953/54 - when they were relegated - undoubtedly got worse with defeat against a team who were only a place above them before the start of play.

One thing is certain and that is the new American owners, who invested heavily in the Boston Red Sox when they acquired the baseball team in 2001 prior to two World Series wins, will have to come up with funds for manager Roy Hodgson to strengthen in January.

All the focus, as it had been for the preceding week, will be on Liverpool's failure but Everton were worthy winners, ending a run of three successive derby defeats.

The opening 45 minutes were in keeping with most Merseyside derbies, with the first late tackle coming after just 11 seconds and several more proliferating the half.

Maxi Rodriguez and Raul Meireles earned themselves yellow cards while Cahill was booked for Everton as World Cup final referee Howard Webb tried to exercise restraint.

The actual football action was very limited with Arteta hitting a 20-yard free-kick into the wall and Everton centre-backs Phil Jagielka and Sylvain Distin both having half-chances with shots from inside the box.

Prior to Everton's opening goal it was the visitors who had come closest to scoring with their first attack - although it took them 23 minutes to create one.

Joe Cole's left-wing cross picked out the fit-again Fernando Torres at the near-post and his flicked header forced Tim Howard to tip over his crossbar.

Meireles had a 25-yard piledriver blocked by a wall of blue shirts from a half-cleared corner but that was the most Liverpool threatened.

It was just after their all-too-brief best spell of the first half that Liverpool went behind.

A slack piece of defending by Lucas Leiva and Paul Konchesky in the 34th minute allowed Seamus Coleman to run to the byline and cross for Cahill to hook home at the near post.

It immediately sparked chants of 'going down' from the home fans.

Diniyar Bilyaletdinov replaced Leon Osman for the second half, which was only four minutes old when Everton went 2-0 up.

Sotirios Kyrgiakos' headed clearance only reached the edge of the penalty area where Arteta was lurking to smash home a brilliant swerving volley.

Hodgson had spoken in the build-up of his hope of seeing his side not have to chase a game - which had cost them in previous matches - but now they had a mountain to climb.

Meireles' 30-yard shot failed to cause Howard any difficulty while Torres' effort from inside the area landed in the top tier of the Gwladys Street stand.

Joe Cole's inability to control a pass from Reina, allowing the ball to run out of play, summed up Liverpool's performance.

Everton continued to create the chances and Jagielka fired over from a corner in the last 15 minutes before substitute Jermain Beckford had claims for a penalty turned down after falling under a challenge from Martin Skrtel.

By contrast, Gerrard was woefully off target when teed up by substitute Ryan Babel on the edge of the penalty area while Torres shot straight at Howard when he should worked the goalkeeper more.

Beckford had chance to finish in style in added time but drilled his shot over.

This derby was billed as the most significant in three decades, considering the clubs' league positions.

Seasons do not succeed or fail on such occasions but it will prove a useful point of reference for Liverpool's new owners.

Hodgson Refuses To Panic

Roy Hodgson admitted after the defeat to Everton that the only way to shake off the term 'crisis' was to start winning games.

The ownership of Liverpool was finally resolved this week when New England Sports Ventures seized control from Tom Hicks and George Gillett, but there are still concerns on the pitch following a poor run.

The Reds remain in the relegation zone after going down 2-0 to Merseyside rivals Everton at Goodison Park, with Tim Cahill and Mikel Arteta scoring the decisive goals.

Hodgson is refusing to panic and saw signs of encouragement in Sunday's clash, but accepts that difficult questions will continue to be asked until results improve.

He told Sky Sports: "I don't think it is a crisis, I thought the way we played today was not the level of a team in the bottom three.

"On the other hand it is six points from eight games and that is a very poor return.

"We need to start winning to climb the table and until we do the word 'crisis' will continue to be bandied around."

The new owners were in attendance at Everton, having already given their backing to Hodgson as the right man to turn around the situation.

"It is always nice to get a vote of confidence," said Hodgson.

"Whenever you lose a couple of games in a row these days your position is going to be questioned, so the new owners making it clear they thought I was the right man to do the job, you are always very happy to hear that."

He added with a smile: "Whether that has changed after today I don't know."

Reflecting on the match itself, Hodgson was satisfied with the effort of his players despite the disappointing scoreline.

He said: "We fell behind to a deflected block which fell kindly for Cahill so

I thought at half-time we were a bit unlucky to be a goal down because we had got back into the game well.

"In the second half we did everything the team could possibly do, we played well, created chances, we limited them to very few and put them on the back foot."

Star striker Fernando Torres again drew a blank but Hodgson believes he is just low on confidence rather than suffering from a physical problem.

"I don't think he is physically unfit, I think he showed that today, he did plenty of work and we don't have any injury problems with him," said Hodgson.

"He got battered during the World Cup and mentally he is probably a bit low and he needs a goal or two to get it back. Certainly today I would have no qualms about his performance."

Liverpool's New Owners Rule Out Groundshare With Everton

Everton manager David Moyes might be interested in the option, but Liverpool's new owners have rejected the idea of a groundshare with their city rivals.

"Groundshare seems to be controversial. From what I have heard it does not look very appealing to most people," said new Liverpool co-owner Tom Warner.

"There is an option to redevelop Anfield but we have to explore everything."

Moyes said Friday that a groundshare was something Everton would seriously consider.

Torres Suffering Crisis Of Confidence, Says Hodgson

Liverpool have welcomed new owners to Anfield but until they find the Fernando Torres of old, England's most successful club are likely to continue to struggle on the pitch.

The Spain striker has scored once in 10 appearances this season, a statistic that goes some way to explaining why Liverpool are second from bottom of the Premier League after losing 2-0 at Merseyside rivals Everton Sunday.

Torres is by no means the team's only problem, but Liverpool are sorely missing his assured finishing and ability to create goals out of nothing.

He scored 22 times for the team last season but, after suffering injury problems returned only in time to play a bit-part in Spain's World Cup triumph.

"He got battered in the World Cup for his performances for Spain and I think mentally he's a little bit low and he needs a goal or two to get his confidence back," Hodgson told Sky Sports.

"Certainly I had no qualms about his performance (against Everton). The chance at the end, if that had gone in, maybe that's the catalyst he needs to take him over the edge and get him playing at his very best.

"Fernando is going through a bad time, his confidence is low, he needs a goal, so if you are talking about him, I would have to agree."

It contrasts sharply with previous seasons. In 2008-09, Liverpool finished second to Manchester United and Torres scored 14 times in the league.

Liverpool's new owners, John W Henry and Tom Werner of New England Sports Ventures, were at Goodison Park for the derby defeat and it might not be long before Hodgson is asking them to release funds for players.

"The January transfer window is still two and a half months away and there is a lot of football to be played before then," Hodgson told reporters.

"We have the squad of players we have and, hopefully, they will work and win some games."

Henry Walks Into The Storm

At the end of a week of legal victories, Liverpool lost in the people's court. As Goodison Park bayed with delight, Liverpool discovered to their horror that they had left all their silk in the English High Court.

The finest QCs in England couldn't overturn a result greeted with a verdict often heard in court. "Going down,'' chanted the ecstatic members of David Moyes' People's Club.

In football's jungle, there is no law that states such an august institution as Liverpool are exempt from the threat of relegation. They are in a dogfight and must start scrapping for their lives. Quickly. Up next are Blackburn, Bolton, Chelsea and Stoke.

The January transfer-window cavalry is a long way off but Liverpool must start planning. Pepe Reina, Jamie Carragher, Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres need proper support. At least four of Roy Hodgson's starting XI, Paul Konchesky, Sotirios Kyrgiakos, Lucas and Maxi simply don't deserve to wear the famous shirt.

Liverpool's new owner, John W Henry, once spent $50m on a pitcher for the Boston Red Sox and he needs to lavish a similar sum on a striker, a winger, a holding midfielder and a left-back. For starters. Otherwise his investment will atrophy.

Henry met with Hodgson after the match and the manager's position remains safe, although comments such as "I refuse to accept we were outplayed or in any way inferior'' are insulting to the eyesight of his new employer and to the Liverpool fans forced to endure this derby humiliation.

What yesterday really highlighted is that Henry must rebuild the squad before even considering rebuilding Anfield or constructing a new stadium.

On buying a property, it's always polite to pop across to see the neighbours and Henry was royally entertained by Everton's chairman, Bill Kenwright. That was as far as the hosts' largesse extended. Do have some tea, seemed the gist of Everton's welcome, while we have the points.

Welcome to Merseyside, welcome to the Premier League and welcome to Liverpool's myriad problems. Henry stood in the directors' box at half-time, surveying one of the grand old stages of English footballing theatre, home to some of the quickest wits in sport.

"John, John,'' shouted an Everton fan from the cheap seats.

Henry turned and waved politely. "You bought the wrong club, John!'' came the reply to general merriment. At the final whistle, Everton fans unfurled a banner that read 'God Bless America', chorused "going down'' at the vanquished and serenaded Hodgson with "you're getting sacked in the morning''.

Unlikely. He has meetings planned with Henry to discuss what the team needs. It won't be a short meeting.

Henry, who sounds sensible, has promised no knee-jerk reactions but he must have been horrified by this supine display and thoroughly deserved defeat. Liverpool lacked all the adrenalin and passion patently coursing through their opponents' veins.

Everton's spine was strong and unbreakable. Sylvain Distin was immense at centre-half, a mobile road-block in Torres' way.

Tim Cahill was everywhere, scoring Everton's first and selflessly dropping back from his role in the hole to assist midfield and defence. Yakubu, resembling a swarm of particularly muscular bees, was outstanding up front, constantly embarrassing Kyrgiakos and Martin Skrtel.

Powerful through the centre, Everton also impressed out wide. Seamus Coleman was terrific driving down right midfield, creating Cahill's goal, while Leighton Baines was tireless on the left, tackling and creating.

If Moyes engendered a far more competitive mood in his charges than Hodgson achieved with his, Everton's manager also comprehensively out-thought his Liverpool counterpart.

Gerrard had no room to move such was the pressing of Cahill and company. When Liverpool finally awoke with 20 minutes remaining, Moyes simply sent on Jermaine Beckford to make a nuisance of himself, harrying Liverpool.

If Henry wanted to observe the depth of the Premier League drama, as well as the breadth of Liverpool's problems, he succeeded. The floodlights were on at lunch-time on a sunny day, ladies in historic costumes threw confectionery into the crowd and the sound of 'Z Cars' filled the air, closely followed by caustic ditties about certain stars. Welcome to English football, John.

And then the match started, the tone set after 11 seconds when Yakubu flattened Kyrgiakos. The whole sturm und drang of the English game was on parade. Carragher and Torres exchanged angry words as Liverpool came under immediate pressure. Raul Meireles was racing around, putting out fires, putting in important tackles. Still Everton dominated, Phil Jagielka and Yakubu going close.

Uncertainty coloured Liverpool's actions. Gerrard caught Mikel Arteta and was fortunate to escape a caution, fortunate that Howard Webb sought to manage the passion play with a mixture of understanding and authority.

When Maxi dived in on Baines midway through the half, Webb reminded the players of the presence of his yellow card. Overall, Webb handled a traditionally tricky fixture well.

For a brief period, Liverpool seemed to have walked through the storm.

Gerrard released Joe Cole, who delivered his one decent ball, lifting in a cross that Torres met with a flicked header only to be denied by Tim Howard.

But the force remained with Everton.

Their industry was rewarded when Coleman embarked on a marvellous run, eluding the hapless Lucas and then Konchesky.

Coleman's cutback was met perfectly by Cahill, whose shot flew into the roof of the net, lifting the roof off Gwladys Street. In derby collisions, the very least fans expect is commitment. Hodgson is a good manager but he singularly failed to motivate his men at the break.

Instead, Everton extended their lead. When Diniyar Bilyaletdinov swung over a corner, Kyrgiakos headed out but Liverpool were too slow to deal with the continuing threat.

As Meireles and Carragher dived in vainfully, Arteta neatly controlled the dropping ball and then sent it flying past Reina. Mikel the Merciless.

Hodgson could point to absent friends, notably Dirk Kuyt and Glen Johnson, but Moyes could simply list the names of Jack Rodwell, Marouane Fellaini, Steven Pienaar and Louis Saha.

The emotion Everton stir in everyone from players to chairman to supporters was embodied as the injured Fellaini headed to the exit, hugging stewards and fans after a famous victory.

As Everton climb the table, Liverpool have some work to do -- a lot of work -- to stop the rot.

Liverpool’s New Owners To Discuss Future With Roy Hodgson And Fans Today

Two of the key figures in the company that now owns Liverpool, John W Henry and Tom Werner of NESV, will meet with Roy Hodgson today, Monday, to start planning for the future and reassure him that he will be given some time to turn around a poor start to the season that got worse with yesterday’s 2-0 defeat to Everton in the Merseyside derby.

As Werner, chairman of the Boston Red Sox, made clear on Radio 5 Live yesterday: “He needs to be given time. We have a lot of confidence in Roy. Obviously, no-one can be pleased about the start of the season but the club ought to gel and we have a lot of confidence in him, and had a nice chat with him yesterday and look forward to talking to him today.”

A transcript of the interview is below.

Though there is already dissatisfaction with Hodgson among a growing number of fans – not helped by his assertion that yesterday’s display was Liverpool’s best of the season – it seems NESV are committed for now.

Werner and Henry will also begin to meet fans’ groups today to establish contact between the ownership team and the supporters, although there will be no firm promises of a fan-owned chunk of the club at this stage.

In terms of investment, Werner has said he won’t be afraid to write cheques for the future, citing the $100m investment in fee and wages at the Red Sox in 2006 in pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka alone.

And Werner insisted that that NESV will “increase the payroll” at Liverpool, saying: “We certainly realize that there is in some ways a very strong correlation between success in the Premier League and wages.”

He may well have read this Wall Street Journal piece (citing sportingintelligence’s Global Sports Salaries research that explores the relationship in major sports around the world between money and success, also mentioned here).

Certainly Werner seems to realize that winning costs money, and that success tends to be self-perpetuating at the highest levels in English and European football. But it’s also known that NESV have been attracted to Liverpool now specifically because of Uefa’s incoming Financial Fair Play rules, which will almost certainly help perpetuate the advantage of the biggest clubs, like Liverpool, while preventing overspending as part of the rules that govern the game.

Liverpool Line Up Frank Rijkaard as Replacement for Roy Hodgson

Liverpool are reportedly preparing the ground for a move to bring in Galatasaray Manager Frank Rijkaard to replace under fire Anfield boss Roy Hodgson. The club’s new owners are ready to give the current Liverpool boss until January to turn things around but will then look to bring in the former Barcelona boss ahead of the re-opening of the transfer window.

The 48 year old former Ajax and AC Milan playing legend has not had the best of times in Turkey and after taking his side to a disappointing third placed finish last term has seen his Istanbul outfit slump to an even worse start this time around.

The signs are that the Dutchman is ready to leave Galatasaray and would jump at a high profile job and a move to Liverpool would be a useful way to reignite a managerial career that already has some notable achievements. During his five year reign at the Nou Camp he led the Catalan giants to two La Liga titles and the 2006 Champions League title.

The attack minded manager would be a marked contrast to the more defensive pragmatic approach employed by Roy Hodgson who has presided over a truly woeful start to the Premier League campaign which leaves Liverpool second from bottom in the Premier League table.

It seems that the new owner John W. Henry is willing to take the financial hit that would come from the termination of Hodgson’s contract which is believed would set the club back £3m.

Alberto Aquilani Expects To Sign Permanent Deal With Juventus In March Or April

The agent of Juventus midfielder Alberto Aquilani believes his client will only speak about a permanent move to the Bianconeri in March or April.

Franco Zavaglia admits Aquilani was not a bad choice when he joined the Turin giants on loan late in the transfer window.

"We will only speak with management in the Spring: March or April, and not any time prior" Zavaglia told TuttoJuve.com. "He is playing well, and as long as he does this, Liverpool will not be giving us a discount.

"I had told the press he was not a waste. Everyone has now realised how good a player he is.

"He has the ability to change a team, and am pleased not only for scoring, but also because of how he is playing. I also thank [Juventus coach Luigi] Del Neri for the words he spoke about Aquilani, which have given him motivation."

Zavaglia is also pleased that the former Roma midfielder is also in consideration for a national team call-up.

"It is certainly an objective, but an Italian national team jersey is only awarded after continuity," he concluded.

Premier League Preview: Everton vs. Liverpool

Never has a Merseyside derby been so important yet so little talked about. After an unprecedented week of boardroom drama at Liverpool finally finished on Friday, Everton will be keen to extend their misery on the pitch.

Both sides head into the fixture on six points and lurking at the foot of the table and with questions being raised over whether one of the Merseyside giants could end up in a relegation battle this season.

David Moyes’s hosts sit 17th in the table after finally notching their first win of the season at Birmingham last time out, in the process becoming the first team in more than a year to leave St Andrew’s with three points.

However, the Toffees are still without a win on home soil this season and have a dismal recent record against their bitter rivals at Goodison, losing six of the last eight Premier League fixtures between the sides.

Everton have struggled in front of goal this term, netting only six times in seven league games. If they are to record their first back-to-back wins since April, midfielder Tim Cahill could be the key. The Australian has scored four goals in Merseyside derbies, the same number as Steven Gerrard.

The positive vibe around Liverpool following the NESV takeover could quickly evaporate should they lose a match which has far more at stake than just local pride.

The Liverpool players have looked sorry for themselves so far this season and sit 18th in the Premier League, the first time they have been in the relegation zone in the top flight since October 1984.

The players can no longer blame the uncertainty over the club’s ownership for their worst start to a season in 56 years, a campaign that ended in relegation. Captain Steven Gerrard has been leading the calls for the men on the pitch to now drive the club forward. “We've all suffered in this, especially the supporters, and now it's time for us all to pull together and help move the club forward,” he said.

Manager Roy Hodgson is already asking new owners NESV for time to complete the ‘major job’ he has on his hands to turn Liverpool’s fortunes – but the jeers he received from the Kop during the 2-1 defeat to newly-promoted Blackpool last time out suggest he might not be afforded that luxury.

Hodgson will want his players to show spirit but will be wary that this hotly contested derby has seen 19 red cards in 36 Premier League meetings between the clubs – more than any other fixture in the division.

After the week Liverpool have had, predicting how the players will react in a Merseyside derby is the £300 million question.

TEAM NEWS

Everton

David Moyes will make a late decision on defender Phil Jagielka ahead of Everton's clash against city rivals Liverpool. Jagielka was forced out of England's Euro 2012 qualifier against Montenegro with a hamstring injury and is a major doubt for the match at Goodison Park.

The Scot will certainly be without midfielder Marouane Fellaini, who played on for Belgium with a hamstring injury and now faces six weeks on the sidelines. "I thought he should have come off immediately and he didn't,” fumed Moyes. “It's probably made his injury worse. I'll write a letter of disappointment to the Belgian FA.”

Striker Louis Saha (calf) is almost certain to miss out while Steven Pienaar is sidelined with a groin problem. Jack Rodwell is still more than two months away from returning from a long-term ankle injury.

Possible starting XI: Howard; Neville, Heitinga, Distin, Baines; Coleman, Heitinga, Arteta, Osman; Cahill; Yakubu.

Liverpool

The big news for the visitors is that star striker Fernando Torres has been declared fit to play in the 214th Merseyside derby. Roy Hodgson says the Spain forward has recovered from the adductor injury sustained in the 2-1 defeat to Blackpool just before the international break.

Full-back Paul Konchesky is also available after recovering from a hamstring strain while Fabio Aurelio is on the verge of returning from the Achilles injury that has kept him sidelined since August.

Dirk Kuyt is out for at least three weeks after suffering an ankle injury playing for the Netherlands while centre-back Daniel Agger is doubtful with a back complaint.

Possible starting XI: Reina; Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Konchesky; Lucas, Poulsen; Cole, Gerrard, Jovanovic; Torres.

New Reds Owners Meet With Players And Staff

Liverpool's new owner John W Henry visited Anfield on Saturday afternoon and then dropped in on training to give the players an insight into his plans to restore the team to one of the greatest in Europe.

Henry, along with fellow New England Sports Ventures chief Tom Werner, held their first meeting with Roy Hodgson's squad and said: "We want to make Liverpool a winning club again."

Henry and Werner made it clear that nothing was on the line in Sunday's Merseyside derby against Everton and reiterated their intention to repeat their feat of resurrecting the fortunes of a struggling club, as they did at the Boston Red Sox.

An inside source told ESPNsoccernet: "Everything was very positive in the first meeting with the players and the manager. The new owners had lunch with the players after their training sessions, and both John and Tom had their say, and made their ambitions for the club clear.

"It was very relaxing and there were some good conversations with the players. It had a getting- to-know-you type of feel to it, and the players were very responsive to what they heard, and in fact the players showed their appreciation; there was a warm reception for the new owners.

"There will be a much more workmanlike meeting going on, on Monday, with the new owners."

Henry will not be at Sunday's Merseyside derby but is expected to make his first appearance at a Liverpool match when they host Blackburn Rovers next Sunday.

Purslow Looking Forward To New Era

Liverpool's managing director Christian Purslow is adamant that New England Sports Ventures (NESV) are the perfect group to lead the club out of the doldrums and to the upper echelons of the Premier League.

Headed by John W Henry, NESV completed their long drawn-out purchase of the club on Friday when they finally ousted detested American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

Purslow has hailed chairman Martin Broughton's role in seeing the acquisition through and has also moved to pacify the sceptical Reds fans, who feel another American group may not be ideal to pull them out of the mire.

"We've sorted out our financial issues once and for all and we can now get back to football," he beamed.

"It was incredibly civilized and it's just a pleasure to work with people like Martin Broughton. We have the best lawyers in London, it was tranquillity.

"Where your passport comes from isn't a priority.

"The club now has virtually no debt and a lot of our competitors would love to say that."

All Eyes Now Fixed On Liverpool's Latest American Fling

Now that English football has leapt into bed with American sports owners, it is worth recalling the fit and proper person's test in the classic film Diner. Elyse, the fiancee of Steve Guttenberg's character Eddie, must prove her marital credentials by submitting to a quiz about his beloved Baltimore Colts. Elyse needs 65 points otherwise the dress goes back, the cake gets thrown to the ducks and two young lives are wrecked.

Eddie is a brutal Paxman, hitting the well-prepared but nervous Elyse with devilishly tricky Colts questions as his friends listen in. "What was the longest run from scrimmage by a rookie in his first game?'' he asks.

As Elyse pauses for thought, one of his mates whispers: "Alan Ameche". Eddie is apoplectic, disqualifying the question.

Midway through the interrogation, Elyse's mother phones to find out how her daughter is faring and whether she needs to stand down the caterers.

"The guys think it could go either way," comes the half-reassuring half-time view. Unfortunately, the Ameche controversy comes back to haunt Elyse as she finishes just short of the required 65 pass. "The marriage," Eddie announces gravely, "is off." Eventually he relinquishes when Elyse pleads she knew about Ameche and his friends confess it was the only answer they got right. The wedding duly goes ahead with a colour scheme of blue and white, including Elyse's dress.

"Colts' colours," Eddie reflects approvingly. "We all know most marriages depend on a firm grasp of football trivia," observes one of Eddie's elderly relatives sagely.

English football now embarks on another transatlantic marriage, Liverpool moving on from their acrimonious divorce from Hicks and Gillett by getting hitched to John W Henry. Would he pass an Eddie-style test on Liverpool's illustrious history? Although Henry has been well briefed by his PR people, and Friday night's sound bites were imbued with a sense of respect for Liverpool, not even the most ardent Kopite would expect their new owner to know his Alan Kennedy from his Ray Kennedy. An hour on the website LFChistory.net might help, though. Familiarity with the club's rich past would be nice -- a la Eddie from Diner -- but for the marriage to work Henry must prove his complete commitment to Liverpool's future.

Events at Anfield reverberate throughout the Premier League. What all supporters want is an owner with a plan that is long-term, a willingness to listen that is genuine and pockets that are deep. Henry seems to offer the first two. He keeps talking about the "long-term" while stating his desire to communicate with fans. New England Sports Ventures has wiped out the majority of the debt but how much will it now put into the squad and infrastructure? Henry has yet to commit to a new stadium in Stanley Park.

Of all the comments made by NESV on Friday, two from its chairman, Tom Werner, jumped out. "The new owners will begin to look at areas for greatest opportunity to increase the appeal of the club nationally and internationally," Werner said. Amid the exploding flashbulbs, didn't Werner see all the news crews from around the world clamouring for updates on the five-time European Cup-winners, the club of St John and Dalglish, Gerrard and Torres?

Message to NESV: Liverpool's global appeal comfortably eclipses anything the Boston Red Sox could dream of. To coin a phrase from the Harvard Business School, Liverpool can "make the brand sweat" more lucratively in overseas territories, but that "appeal" requires one quality to increase it: trophies.

It's not complicated. Silverware rules. "NESV will also begin to examine opportunities to enhance the match-day experience in the short-term," Werner adds. Getting Torres into top gear, bolstering the squad with heavyweight recruits and shedding lightweights such as Maxi Rodriguez is what's required to 'enhance the match-day experience'. Anfield, still home to one of the great atmospheres, doesn't need any fancy tricks from baseball arenas. Take me down to the Stanley Ball-Park? A seventh-inning stretch? Save that for Carra's bar afterwards.

Liverpool fans already sing their national anthem before kick-off. NESV must avoid gimmicks. The lesson of Anfield must be learned by the Premier League. The organization’s highly respected chief executive, Richard Scudamore, argues that he cannot pick who runs any of his 20 clubs provided they pass the fit and proper person test. Scudamore dismisses the idea of what he calls the 'we don't like the cut of your jib' door policy outside the VIP area of sport that is the Premier League.

But new proprietors must prove to the Premier League they have the finances to fund a club for a long period, for five years or more, and Scudamore must forbid any future leveraged buyouts such as the one Hicks and Gillett hoisted on Liverpool, almost ruinously, and the Glazers on Manchester United.

Old Trafford is a moneymaking machine, but so much of the profits go on interest payments it's little short of a scandal. Debt should become a four-letter word to the Premier League, particularly as Michel Platini's Uefa sounds determined to ban financially imbalanced clubs from Europe.

The current ownership debate should not be about nationality but about quality. There are good Americans and bad ones. Ellis Short is much admired at Sunderland. At Aston Villa, the breakdown in relations between Randy Lerner and Martin O'Neill was sad but the owner has recruited well, installing Gerard Houllier as O'Neill's successor. Stan Kroenke is well spoken of at Arsenal.

Just as there are good Americans and bad Americans, so there are good English owners such as Dave Whelan, the straight-talking, sense-making ruler of Wigan Athletic, and unpopular ones such as Mike Ashley at Newcastle United. Owners come in all shapes, sizes and motivations.

Maybe Scudamore could take the Eddie role, conducting a brief quiz at the new Premier League meeting with his 20 Elyses. And publish the results.

NESV Chairman Thomas Werner Expresses His Delight At Taking Over Liverpool

NESV chairman, Thomas Werner, has expressed his delight and relief after the American company completed a £300 million takeover of Liverpool.

The company, who also own American Baseball team Boston Red Sox, completed the deal on Friday after previous owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett dropped their injunction against The Reds chairman Martin Broughton.

Werner believes the club can move forward and NESV can help restore the club. He is also relieved that from the past couple of days, the company have managed to gain control of such a historic club.

“I think that Liverpool is one of the great clubs in all of sport.” Werner told liverpoolfc.tv.

“Its history, its tradition, its fans - in some ways - are similar to the fans of the Boston Red Sox in that they're loyal, they're passionate and it's our good fortune to be stewards and we hope that we will take care of this extraordinary club and provide it with the resources and the commitment to win in the near future and hopefully restore some of its lustre.

“I think it's been a very interesting rollercoaster but now our focus is on stabilizing the club.

"We've been with the players this morning and the manager and we introduced ourselves, told them that we're here to be supportive, to be constructive and we have a great history in Boston of providing the resources to win and we expect to do the same.

Werner also believes that Liverpool can challenge for the title again and says that NESV is on the side of the fans and will listen to them.

“I think one message I'd like to give is I'd rather under promise and over deliver,” he continued.

“But if you look at our track record in Boston - and the Boston Red Sox have some similarities with Liverpool - we came into a situation where the club had not won actually for 86 years and we hope to win much faster than that.

“It's an honour to be here, we're humbled by this and we just want to tell our fans that we're going to listen to them, we're on their side and finally it's about winning on the pitch.

“We are quietly confident but we would like to say to our fans that we are honest, we care, we're focused, we have brought great management into Boston and we look forward to doing whatever we can to strengthen the club. We can't wait to see everybody at Anfield.”

Roy Hodgson Comes Out Fighting For Merseyside Derby

Roy Hodgson says it would be "a sad day for Liverpool" if the club's new owners abandoned the Anfield tradition of loyalty to managers and dismissed him after the team's worst start to a season for 57 years. He called questions about his future "insulting" and revealed that senior figures from New England Sports Ventures had discussed a "tie-up" with Fulham when he was in charge at Craven Cottage.

Despite 35 years in club and international management Hodgson has been shocked by the antipathy of some Liverpool fans and the ferocity of the media inquisition on Merseyside. Before today's lunchtime derby at Everton, he said: "I think it would be a sad day for football and for Liverpool if someone who had been brought in with the pomp and circumstance, and the money it took them to release me from my previous contract, and being feted as one of England's best managers – if after eight games people are deciding this guy has got to go.

"It would be sad for me. These things happen in football. You can't have the years in football I've had without ever being sacked, but it would be a sad day for Liverpool because that isn't Liverpool's style. So I find that type of question insulting to me and even more insulting to the club.

"They didn't employ me lightly. It took them two months to make the decision, they interviewed a lot of people before they decided I was the right man and they paid Fulham the compensation they wanted. For me the job is not two and a half months, it's longer than that. But I'm aware that if we keep losing then people might say 'this is not the right man'."

Liverpool are 18th in the Premier League table with six points from seven games, one place below Everton. In his first interview since Friday's takeover, John W Henry, who engineered the purchase from Tom Hicks and George Gillett, said the club faces "real challenges".

Hodgson, who has a three-year contract, said: "I met them when I was at Fulham. They were interested in a tie-up. As far as I know Fulham were never for sale during my time there. Mohamed Al Fayed never wanted to sell Fulham. If they were trying to buy the club it is something only Al Fayed would know about."

Everton are without Marouane Fellaini and Phil Jagielka as well as Jack Rodwell, Louis Saha and Steven Pienaar for the 183rd league derby – and the 214th overall – while Liverpool's striker Fernando Torres has recovered from a muscle strain sustained 10 minutes into the home defeat to Blackpool two weeks ago.

Hodgson said: "I think his future is relatively secure at the club. The one thing we have to remember about Fernando Torres is that he's a human being who has come in for an enormous amount of criticism, not least during the World Cup from people in Spain and around the world.

"The cry goes up 'What's happened to Fernando Torres?' Maybe nothing's happened to Fernando Torres. Maybe he's not playing very well and he's not happy not playing well. Could it just be that? Maybe I see things too naively at times. He's trying very hard to play well but he's been hampered by one or two minor injuries. Certainly in training I see him trying to help our cause as best he can."

Of the extreme reaction to Liverpool's poor early season form, Hodgson says: "Like everyone else I get really immersed in the subject. I start looking through the eye of the microscope at the miniscule particles of dust, trying to see if there is an atom there. Maybe it is just a bit of dust."

Liverpool Linked With Move For £9m West Brom Winger Chris Brunt

Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson is apparently keen on West Brom winger Chris Brunt and is looking to bring the Baggies man to Anfield in January to give his side more natural width. The Northern Ireland international has been in sparkling form this season and has been linked with a move away from the Hawthorns and Roberto Di Matteo faces a fight to keep the former Sheffield Wednesday man.

The 25 year old was instrumental in helping his side back into the Premier League last term when his 13 goals and countless assists helped the side to a runner’s up spot in the Championship. This term he has continued where he left off and is part of a very attack minded West Brom side that has had a great deal of success, especially in matches against big team opposition such as Arsenal and Man United.

The Belfast born wide man can operate on the right but is more comfortable on the left and can also operate in a floating role in front oft the central midfielders. He has a great left foot and is a set piece specialist who scores his fair share of goals and is valued at around £9m, a fee that the Merseyside outfit should more easily afford now they have new owners in charge.

Liverpool Hope To Complete £10m January Move For “New Steven Gerrard”

Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson is reportedly looking to beat arch rivals to the signing of impressive Belgian international Steven Defour as the Anfield boss makes plans for January acquistions.

Sir Alex Ferguson famously sent the Standard Liege a letter during his long term injury lay off wishing him well and that started speculation that the Old Trafford boss wanted to snap up the talented young attack minded midfielder.

Now with the boost of new owners at the Merseyside club, Liverpool will look to sign a player that many have dubbed the “New Steven Gerrard” and whilst such comparisons are next to impossible to live up to the 22 year old does play in a similar style to the Liverpool captain and does have a great deal of potential that appears to eclipse what he can achieve with his Belgian side.

Despite strong links to Manchester United, Steven Defour could be on his way to Liverpool, who are suddenly reveling in monetary salvation at the eleventh hour.

NESV, the new owners of Liverpool, are apparently looking to make an immediate impact once the books become a little more balanced, aiming to sign three or four new players in the next transfer window. Roy Hodgson is also an admirer of Defour, and would willingly fork out £10m for the prodigious midfielder.

But if Hodgson is to be sacked (highly probable in the event that Liverpool lose the Merseyside Derby) then that situation may change, leaving Sir Alex Ferguson free to claim Defour with the promise of regular Champions League football.

Ultimately, United remain firm favourites to sign Defour as they look to revolutionize the under-performing midfield, and only by withdrawing interest (an impossibility itself) will Liverpool become the new favourites in the race to land one of Belgium’s few significant talents.