Liverpool Rookie Set For Southampton Loan Switch

Liverpool’s rookie right-back Stephen Darby looks set to join Southampton on loan - but the 21-year-old is desperate for a return to Swindon.

Darby, a product of Liverpool's youth system, has made seven appearances for the club, with his latest coming against Rabotnicki in July's Europa League Qualifying third round.

Las season, Rafa Benitez allowed the cultured right-back to spend three months on loan at Swindon during their promotion push, which eventually ended at the hands of Millwall in the League One Play-off Final.

And, after a series of impressive performances, Darby endeared himself to the fans by scoring the decisive penalty in the Robins' play-off semi-final shoot-out victory over Charlton.

It is believed that Liverpool's new manager Roy Hodgson is willing to let Darby leave on loan again this term in a bid to gain further first-team experience.

But, although Darby is apparently very keen to rejoin Danny Wilson's Swindon, fellow League One side Southampton have emerged as the front-runners to land him.

De Gea Wants Torres To Return To Atletico Madrid

Manchester United target David De Gea hopes to one day play in the same side as Atletico Madrid hero Fernando Torres.

The promising Atletico keeper, 19, has been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford in recent weeks.

But De Gea has revealed that he would love to team up with Liverpool striker Torres, who left his boyhood club in 2007.

At the time, De Gea was only a youth teamer but he is now firmly part of Atletico's first team and Spain's Under-21s.

"If he returns one day I hope I will be here," De Gea told Radio Marca. "I hope he comes back.

"Fernando Torres is one of the best forwards in the world - any Atletico follower would like him to return."

Daniel Agger Set To Step Back Into Emergency Left-Back Role At Liverpool FC

Daniel Agger is ready to reprise his emergency left-back role in Holland tomorrow – with Paul Konchesky ruled out of Liverpool’s Europa League trip to FC Utrecht and manager Roy Hodgson refusing to put a date on Fabio Aurelio’s return from injury.

Centre-back Agger had already made four highly effective appearances at full-back this season, and came on in that position again against Sunderland last weekend when Konchesky limped off.

It is a position the Dane is almost certain to have to continue in against Blackpool on Sunday as well.

Konchesky has targeted the Merseyside derby on October 17 for his return from injury, but Aurelio’s comeback is still clouded in uncertainty. For the latest LFC news, click here to follow our Tritter account.

The Brazilian sustained an Achilles problem during the 1-0 success over Trabzonspor last month and manager Hodgson admits he is reluctant to rush him back too early.

“Where Fabio Aurelio is concerned, caution and prudence have to be the words that we use,” he said. “He is progressing all the time and his efforts are very commendable but we can't bring him back too early.

“We took him off against Trabzonspor as a precautionary measure, as we didn't want to run the risk of him sustaining a serious problem.”

Liverpool FC Royal Bank of Scotland Debt Deadline Looms Large For American Owners

Liverpool FC’s American co-owners may have just 17 days left in control at Anfield.

The deadline for repaying their £237m debt, the majority of which is held by Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), expires next month.

October 16 has long been the deadline day in many fans’ diaries for Tom Hicks and George Gillett to repay their debts. But the Daily Post understands that Friday, October 15, is the earliest date the Americans’ debt will be called in by chief creditor, RBS.

And even that provisional deadline is likely to slip a further seven days as the bank seeks to facilitate an orderly transition of power at the club.

It is understood that the bank would rather that the club is sold to a new owner by October 15.

But given the over-optimistic £600m- plus valuations that Hicks, in particular, has placed on the club, it remains likely that a sale will not be complete by that deadline.

Talks with two serious prospective bidders are thought to be at a relatively advanced stage, although formal offers are some way off. Chairman Martin Broughton, managing director Christian Purslow, and commercial director Ian Ayre are understood to be keen to not just accept the highest bid.

Instead the trio, who have a majority on the board, want to secure investment in the playing squad and a new stadium, as well as paying off the club’s debts.

Ultimately the bank could force the holding company which owns LFC into administration and seek to sell the club itself, but this is seen as a last resort.

The prospect of getting little or no profit from the sale of the club has led to Hicks carrying out a worldwide trawl in a bid to refinance the debt. It is feared the creation of an investment company, Hicks Acquisition II, is part of his plan to retain control.

Papers registered with the USA’s Securities and Exchange Commission, show Hicks Acquisition II is seeking to raise $230m (£145m).

Shares are being offered for $10 in the “newly organized blank cheque company formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses.”

The initial public offering papers also warn prospective investors that “investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk”.

Liverpool Set For £35m AC Milan Bid For Steven Gerrard

Ac Milan are readying a big money bid for Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard in January as the Serie A side look to wrestle domination from arch rivals Inter Milan. New San Siro boss Massimiliano Allegri is a big admirer of the Anfield skipper and is hoping that funds to make a bold move for the England international will be handed to him in January.

The 30 year old midfielder has previously been linked with moves away from the Merseyside club but has always stated his desire to land that long awaited Premier League title but under Roy Hodgson he seems no nearer to fulfilling that ambition.

The Italian giants are ready to offer up to £35m for the Whiston wonder and hope that the ability to offer a return to Champions League football and the chance of a new challenge may tempt Gerrard into pushing for an exit.

Now in his 13th season in the first team Liverpool can ill afford to lose their mercurial leader and the club will fight tooth and nail to prevent any sale, regardless of price.

Malaga Lining Up January Swoop For Liverpool Midfielder Lucas

Malaga want to take Lucas off Liverpool's hands and intend to snap up the midfielder in the New Year, according to talkSPORT.

Lucas, 23, has dropped out of the Reds' starting side after the arrivals of Christian Poulsen and Raul Meireles. The Brazil international is eager to find regular first team football and could be interested in a switch to the Primera Division.

Liverpool could also be persuaded to sell Lucas to raise funds for new players. Malaga owner Abdullah bin Nasser Al Thani splashed the cash during the summer and is understood to be prepared to sanction a January bid.

Despite recently being replaced in the Liverpool team, Lucas has risen 50 places in the latest edition of the Castrol Rankings. The midfielder is currently rated as the 246th best player plying his trade in one of the top five leagues in Europe.

League One Trio In Fight To Land Liverpool Starlet

Liverpool midfielder Victor Palsson has sparked a race amongst a number of League One teams wanting to take the youngster on loan.

Southampton are understood to be leading Peterborough and Swindon in a bid to sign the 19-year-old Liverpool reserve team captain on a short-term deal.

Palsson is unlikely to make a breakthrough into the Liverpool first-team this season and will be keen to pick up experience in the lower divisions having being capped by Iceland at under-17, 18 and 19 level.

The teenager joined the club on a two-and-a-half-year deal in 2009 from Danish outfit AGF Arhus.

Roy Hodgson Confirms Week-Long Lay-Off For Paul Konchesky

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has revealed left-back Paul Konchesky is set to be sidelined for at least a week with a hamstring strain.

Konchesky, 29, left the field in the early stages of the weekend 2-2 draw with Sunderland. Subsequent tests have revealed the ex-Fulham man is likely to miss the upcoming Europa League match against FC Utrecht and Premier League meeting with Blackpool.

Speaking to the club's official website, Hodgson stated: "He's got a hamstring strain. I couldn't tell you exactly how bad it is yet.

"I don't think it's extremely bad but I certainly think it would rule him out for Thursday and next Sunday.

"Hopefully it won't be much more problematic."

Reds Slump To Chelsea Loss

Liverpool Reserves suffered their first defeat of the season as they went down 3-1 at Chelsea on Monday afternoon.

The Reds paid the price for a sluggish start as Nathaniel Chalobah and Fabio Borini put the Blues in the driving seat with two goals inside the opening half hour.

Nathan Eccleston did give John McMahon's side hope with a deflected effort just before half-time but it wasn't enough to help rescue a point as substitute Adam Phillip steered in a third 12 minutes from time.

It was all the more disappointing given that the second-string had gone into the clash full of confidence after securing their first win of the campaign at home to Wolves last time out.

However, given the calibre of opposition, McMahon would have been well aware that a showdown with the Londoners represented a big step up in class.

The sight of Portugal international, Jose Bosingwa taking his place in the starting XI was further evidence of the strength the hosts had at their disposal and it was perhaps no surprise to see them take control from the off.

Indeed, a moment of individual brilliance almost got them off to a flyer on five minutes but Martin Hansen did well to gather low at his left-hand post after Gokhan Tore had followed up a dazzling run with a venomous 25 yard strike.

It set the tone for what evolved into a very one-sided half with the lively Barini proving to be a particularly prominent thorn in Liverpool's side.

First he saw his shot from a tight angle deflect to safety before Hansen produced an instinctive one-handed save to keep out the Italian's snap shot on the turn.

Liverpool had barely set foot in the Chelsea half but they almost snatched a goal against the run of play on the quarter of an hour mark when the combative Jonjo Shelvey sent a searching cross to the far post for Wilson, who could only nod his free header over the top.

It would prove to be a costly miss as the home side poured forward and after Wilson almost turned the ball into his own net they finally did take the lead on 19 minutes.

A corner from the left was whipped to the far post, allowing Chalobah to rise above two defenders and guide a header that bounced up off the turf and in off the crossbar.

It was no more than the hosts deserved and McMahon's afternoon took another turn for the worse on 29 minutes when Chelsea doubled their advantage.

A lightning break saw Jacopo Sala surge at the Reds' backline before slipping a beautifully weighted pass into the channel for Borini, who raced through and despatched a low shot beyond Hansen and into the bottom corner.

At this point it was looking like being a rout but in timely fashion the visitors grabbed a lifeline with a rare attack on 43 minutes.

Suso wreaked havoc down the left wing and sent in a low cross that was only half-cleared by the Chelsea defence, providing Eccleston with the chance to smash home via a deflection.

McMahon would no doubt have had a few choice words with his players at the interval and they should have levelled on 54 minutes when David Amoo contrived to head wide after Blues stopper Jan Sebek completely misjudged a corner.

The visitors appeared to have stepped up a gear and a delightful move involving Eccleston and Suso resulted in a free-kick that Dani Pacheco fizzed into the arms of Sebek.

With Liverpool pushing for the equaliser it was inevitable gaps would appear at the back and Hansen had to be at his best again on 65 minutes when he denied substitute Aliu Djalo following a fine run and cross from Borini.

The game clearly had another goal in it but unfortunately for McMahon and co it went the way of the home side, who sealed the points on 78 minutes when Philipp guided in from close range following more great play by Borini.

Kenwright Open To Ground Share With Liverpool

Everton chairman Bill Kenwright says he would consider a possible ground share opportunity with Liverpool after Anfield legend Kenny Dalglish claimed the two clubs should ''look at every possibility''.

English football has so far shied away from ground sharing between the biggest Premier League clubs and Liverpool have always been opposed to the possibility of ground sharing with their Merseyside rivals. But with both now desperate to build new stadia, sharing a newly constructed Stanley Park could be a solution that would suit both parties.

Dalglish opened the door to the idea this week with comments in his Mail on Sunday column and Kenwright responded in a positive way when asked about the proposals.

"In the past Liverpool have always been opposed so I am intrigued about what Kenny Dalglish has had to say about ground sharing,'' Kenwright told ESPNsoccernet. "It is more than likely we would sit down and have a descent discussion about ground sharing in Stanley Park with Liverpool."

Dalglish had claimed that a ground share would not be the ''ideal'' situation for either club, but maintained that in the current financial climate, it would be something that would be ''worth looking at''.

"It's probably true that more people are becoming sympathetic to a ground-share with Everton if a third party came forward able to build it, with the two clubs renting,'' he wrote in the Mail on Sunday. ''Again, it is not the ideal situation: that would be to keep the two clubs in two separate stadiums with vibrant atmospheres of their own.

"But this is not an ideal time for either club and I'm sure they would sit down and have a conversation with each other about it if there was a feeling it would be beneficial. It's not anyone's personal views that is important - it is about what is best thing for the club.

''I don't know if it will ever happen but maybe you need a few people to sit down and say that, although it's not what they want in a perfect world, it's worth looking at.

''Whoever is in a position of responsibility at Liverpool and Everton are only custodians for the next generation of supporter. They owe it to the fans to look at every possibility to help their respective clubs."

Restaurant To Open At Anfield

While football fans around the country have to be content with Bovril and a pie, Kopites will soon be enjoying a whole new culinary experience when the club opens a family-friendly restaurant at Anfield.

The Boot Room Sports Cafe will serve top quality steaks, salads, pasta, pizza and much more at competitive prices from 11am until 11pm seven days a week.

Diners will also be able to enjoy hot and cold drinks, cocktails and big-screen TVs when the restaurant opens for business above the club shop on October 14.

Head chef Chris McDowell has been signed from Gusto on the Albert Dock - but kids are allowed to snub our talented cook and prepare their own pizza!

There will be lots more to keep children entertained, including the chance to visit a state-of-the-art ice-cream machine.

Vegetarians are also well catered for - and we're happy to accommodate all other dietary needs as well as parties.

To make things even easier, the club is providing secure parking outside the Centenary Stand.

Christian Grall, Executive Head Chef at LFC, said: "The Boot Room restaurant will provide the local community and visitors to the stadium with a unique, fun and family-orientated experience.

"The food and service will be of the highest standards with some unique twists that will hopefully add a little theatre to guests' dining experience."

Christian has worked at the club for 10 years and has always been keen to open a restaurant within the stadium.

He added: "There has long been a demand from fans for us to provide a restaurant facility open outside of match days at the ground and along with my newly recruited team I am very excited about the upcoming opening."

The Boot Room Sports Cafe can meet the demand for up to 230 diners, so booking isn't essential.

However, we highly recommend you do so during our opening week due to the anticipated interest.

Online booking will soon be up and running but in the meantime call 0151 906 1892 to secure a table.

Credit Where It's Due As Liverpool Fans Save For A Stake In Anfield

The Liverpool fans' group Spirit of Shankly-ShareLiverpoolFC has taken its first step towards setting up a financial foundation for supporter-led investment in the club.

The society has teamed up with the Merseyside-based Partners Credit Union to provide a safe house for supporters to save towards the goal of taking up a stake in Liverpool. The Liverpool Supporters' Credit Union scheme was launched on Saturday with the aim of making investing in Liverpool more affordable.

Fans will now be able to save towards having a stake in their club, something that the current sums involved put out of the reach of all but investment institutions and the super‑rich. "If you have 100,000 people all contributing £500, you can have £50m," said Partners Credit Union's chief executive, Tracy Fletcher. "Some credit unions have 15,000 to 20,000 members, this could be much bigger."

One obstacle to the success of the union is that regulations restrict membership to people living and working on Merseyside.

However, the credit union movement hopes that legislation which may come into effect next year will permit wider membership – a development that would open the door to the Spirit of Shankly group's tens of thousands of members worldwide.

Kuyt: Torres Is Focused On Winning With Liverpool

Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt has dismissed speculation about Fernando Torres' state of mind and insisted the striker has an important role to play even if he is not scoring.

Torres has provided the assists for the Reds' last four goals; winning the penalty and free-kick against Manchester United which allowed Steven Gerrard to hit a double and then setting up Kuyt and the captain again in Saturday's 2-2 draw with Sunderland.

However, he has scored only once for Liverpool so far this season - the winner against West Brom - and has started to show signs of frustration on the pitch. Reports regularly claim the Spain international is unhappy and is considering leaving Anfield, as happened in the summer, but Kuyt said Torres' quality would see him through.

"Everyone is expecting goals from Fernando but he offers a lot more. Against Sunderland he was responsible for setting up the two goals,'' said the Holland international, who returned to action against the Black Cats earlier than expected after a shoulder injury earlier this month.

"He is very important for the team even if he is not scoring goals. I'm sure his goals will come. His mood has never changed. If you are a striker, and the type of striker Fernando is, you want to be involved in goals. But everyone could see how happy he was to have set up two goals.

"When you are one of the world's best strikers everyone is watching you so if they get a moment to blame him they will. And if you are not winning games he is not happy, I am not happy and the team is not happy. But we all know next week he could score a hat-trick and then everything changes.''

Kuyt, who is hoping to be picked to face his former club in Europe on Thursday, admits Liverpool have yet to get into gear after their worst start to a top-flight season for 18 years, with just six points from as many games.

"We are not at our level yet because if we were in our best shape we would win these games,'' he said. "Every day everyone is working very hard to get there, unfortunately against Sunderland it didn't happen but we can't wait for the next opportunity to change it.

"We as players want to win every game and challenge for trophies but the situation at the club we have to be patient. If you are at Liverpool expectations are always high and you are expected to win every game. If you lose or draw people are not happy and we are not happy and that is what we are at the moment.

"Things will come because we know we have quality and it just takes time. We all want to win and challenge for things and I am sure it will happen if we keep working. But we have to make sure we get some points in (against Blackpool) before we go away for the international break.''

Liverpool Interested In £8m Rated Newcastle United Attacker

Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson is considering a January move for Newcastle United winger Wayne Routledge and hopes that he is given sufficient funds by the club’s board to make an offer that might tempt the St James’ Park side into accepting.

The former Tottenham and Crystal Palace wide man was instrumental in helping Chris Hughton’s side to bounce back to the Premier League at the first attempt as his incisive running helped the Toon Army to the Championship title and the 25 year old has continued to impress this term.

Hodgson is known to be looking for some natural width to help balance his side and provide ammunition for his strikers and he hopes he can persuade the London born former England Under 21 international into making a move to the Merseyside club.

The pint sized speed merchant arrived at Newcastle United in January and is valued at around £8m but could prove tricky to land given that he is just over six months into a three and a half year contract.

Referees' Body Backs Stuart Attwell Over Liverpool FC Goal Against Sunderland

Refereeing chiefs said Stuart Attwell was right to award Liverpool FC their controversial opening goal in Saturday’s 2-2 draw against Sunderland.

The Professional Game Match Officials body, which provides match officials for all matches in the Premier League and Football League, issued a statement after Attwell faced criticism.

Attwell allowed Dirk Kuyt’s opening strike to count after ruling Michael Turner had taken a free-kick when he appeared to roll it back to goalkeeper Simon Mignolet. Fernando Torres nipped in, raced through on goal and played in Kuyt to score.

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce said at his press conference: "I’ve been in enough trouble so I don’t want to talk about it but you all witnessed it and he got it wrong."

However PGMO released a statement clarifying their view of the goal.

The statement read: "PGMO has reviewed the first goal scored between Liverpool and Sunderland and believe that the correct decisions were made.

"According to the Laws of the Game, having stopped the game for any infringement the referee is required to ’indicate the restart of the match’.

"In practice, in the majority of cases, referees indicate for the re-start by gesturing to players to take the kick. These gestures can be minimal. For the more important ’ceremonial’ free-kicks, which also involve control of the defensive wall, referees can indicate by using the whistle. However, there is no requirement by Law to use the whistle to make the indication.

"The ball is then in play when it is kicked and moves. So, in this case, the ball was in play as soon as it is kicked by a Sunderland player.

"Also, the Laws state that the free-kick must be taken from the place where the infringement occurred. Again, in this case, the referee correctly determined that the free-kick was played from the right place."

Pique Urges Torres To Leave

Gerard Pique claims Fernando Torres will be embarrassed having to play in the Europa League for Liverpool and has urged him to leave the club.

The Barcelona defender, who won the World Cup with the Reds striker, believes he needs to be winning trophies rather than settling for second best.

The former Manchester United player says the 26-year-old will have to leave the Anfield giants and seek success elsewhere.

Pique told the Daily Star Sunday: "There is no way this can go on for Nando. It's just impossible.

"I spoke with him before he committed to Liverpool and he told me he wanted to win things with Liverpool - but if the club didn't invest and show real intent, he would be forced to leave.

"It's really embarrassing for Nando to play in a team of that quality.

"You would not see Messi or Rooney playing in the Europa League - so there is no reason why Nando should be playing there.

"Along with David Villa, he is the best striker in the world.

"He needs to be winning things domestically like he does with Spain."

Pique completed a domestic treble with Barcelona last year and was a World Cup winner with Spain in South Africa this summer.

The defender claims Liverpool are not capable of winning trophies at the current time and has urged the striker to come and join him at Barcelona next season.

"Liverpool has shown already this season they are not capable of winning things - and that's it for him now," said Pique.

"Liverpool are really testing Nando's loyalty.

"For the last two seasons they have promised him they will challenge.

"They haven't delivered on it at all. The ownership of the club looks completely unstable.

"It doesn't look like the manager or the players have any faith in the club.

"There can be no questions when Nando leaves in the summer.

"Players of less quality would have left last summer.

"But he is a decent guy and believed it when they told him they would invest.

"I am not just saying this because I want him to join Barcelona.

"The truth is I don't know if he will.

"It might be Chelsea, it might be Real Madrid, it might be Barcelona.

"But I know he wants to join a club where he can win league titles and European Cups. I would love us to sign Nando in the summer."

Roy Hodgson Backs Fans’ Right To Protest Following Sunderland Draw

In Anfield’s stands, Liverpool’s fans shouted their defiance. Some 9,000 of them, according to Merseyside Police, remained in their seats long after referee Stuart Attwell had called time on another dispiriting afternoon to voice their displeasure at the continued ownership of Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

In his booth, George Sefton, the iconic voice of the club, seemed to offer tacit approval of the sit-in protest organised by Spirit of Shankly, the supporters’ union, instructing the demonstrators that stewards would be on hand to ensure order was maintained.

In the bowels of the stadium, the club’s manager, Roy Hodgson, sympathised with their cause. “You cannot criticise the fans for showing their displeasure about the ownership problem because, like ourselves, they want to see the club moving forward and not sort of stuck with owners who are trying to sell the club,” he said.

His thoughts were echoed by Steve Bruce, his Sunderland counterpart. “In my experience, it has always been the case that if it is unstable above you, with those who employ you, then it filters down,” he said, after watching his side earn a well-deserved point. “It is unbelievable, because this club has never had that sort of thing. It has been run properly. It is going to be a difficult time until it gets resolved.”

However, the most eloquent of the protests about the Hicks and Gillett regime, the clearest signal to the Royal Bank of Scotland why it should not countenance refinancing the £282 million debt laden on the club by its absentee landlords, came on the pitch. It was there in the listless display of Hodgson’s first-choice XI, even after Michael Turner — and, according to Bruce, Attwell — gifted Dirk Kuyt an opening goal mired in controversy, the defender insisting he had not taken the soft free-kick which released Fernando Torres to tee up the Dutchman.

All of Liverpool’s players are technically adept internationals with vast experience. Yet they seem uninspired, uncertain in their approach: Bruce’s observation that doubt at the top permeates right to the bottom writ large.

It came in the evident frustration of Torres and Steven Gerrard, whose delight at scoring an equaliser to cancel out Darren Bent’s two goals for Sunderland was almost equal to the fervour with which he celebrated his goal against Olympiakos in a Champions League group game in 2004 that put Liverpool on the road to winning the trophy.

And it also came in seeing Hodgson – a manager who won this job on his ability to work on limited resources, to get the best out of limited players, to find a way of helping underdogs bite the big beasts – continue to struggle to construct a team and to identify a tactic that will enable Liverpool to overpower their guests. Caught between evolution and revolution, he seems uncomfortable in his task. That mixed message manifests itself in Liverpool’s play.

Those fans pleading with the Americans to leave could not have hoped for a clearer illustration of the damage Hicks and Gillett, with their empty vows and wallets, have done. This ground holds no fears for visitors any more. This is not Anfield. Not as it was.

Roy Hopeful On Konchesky

Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson expects left-back Paul Konchesky to miss the club's fixtures this week due to a hamstring strain.

The former Fulham defender sustained the blow making an innocuous sliding challenge in Saturday's controversial 2-2 draw with Sunderland.

Hodgson is unsure as to the severity of the injury, although he does not think the 29-year-old stopper will require a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

However, Hodgson does believe he will miss Thursday's Europa League clash at Utrecht and their weekend Premier League fixture with newly-promoted Blackpool.

"He's got a hamstring strain," Hodgson told the club's official website.

"I couldn't tell you exactly how bad it is yet.

"I don't think it's extremely bad but I certainly think it would rule him out for Thursday and next Sunday.

"Hopefully it won't be much more problematic."

Hodgson Shows Signs Of Mounting Stress At Struggling Liverpool

One virtue that helped Roy Hodgson to become Liverpool's manager was a level of common sense which appeared to have eluded his two predecessors. Where Gérard Houllier seemed to exude paranoia towards the end of his reign, using the amount of corners his side had earned in games as a gauge of their success, and Rafael Benítez obsessed over feuds with the Anfield hierarchy, Hodgson was seen to be a wise figure who would spread calm through a club in distress.

In that regard, his demeanour after this match was concerning. Hodgson was prickly in response to the questions put to him and in one instance spoke in a manner that was almost alarmingly confusing.

"I'm sorry but I cannot see the drama you want to make of that," he replied, when asked if this draw had been particularly disappointing given Liverpool's desire for a morale-boosting win following their defeat by Northampton Town in the Carling Cup. "This group of players were not involved in the Carling Cup, I've explained that a dozen times, I don't know how many times I've got to go back to the Carling Cup." But then he added this: "But you're right, it was a disappointing night [against Northampton] and that disappointment could have carried over today."

To suggest Hodgson is exhausted after a spell in charge of Liverpool that has seen them win one of seven domestic games, lose to a side who are 13th in League Two and continue to endure a draining saga over the ownership of the club is perhaps extreme, but as autumn takes its grip the beaming 62-year-old who walked into Anfield on a sun-drenched July day and spoke of his "honour" in taking over at the club seems to have vanished.

Maybe that was no surprise after a match in which he had seen his team start brightly but then lose rhythm and cohesion against opponents who would have won through goals from Darren Bent either side of half-time had it not been for an equalising header from Steven Gerrard on 64 minutes.

Hodgson claimed that the chances Liverpool created after that, most notably from Daniel Agger, meant they were "worth a point", but he was in a minority and more agreement could be found in his assessment that Liverpool remain well short of challenging for a top-four place.

"At the moment our major problem is dealing with expectations," he said. "There are a lot of new players [and] uncertainty over the ownership of the club and the minute you are not top of the table people are saying this is not good enough. That anxiety will play upon us but we cannot do more than we are doing."

A call for patience was also expressed by the forward Dirk Kuyt – "It's only a matter of time before we are playing at our level" – and with Fernando Torres gaining more match sharpness (if not more goals), Joe Cole able to bed into the team and Gerrard playing close to his best, Liverpool should improve. It is even possible that the boardroom dramas, which on Saturday prompted a sit-in protest by supporters, could be drawing to an end. The deadline for the American owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillett, to refinance their loans to the banks is approaching.

But even at this early stage, Liverpool need to find some momentum. This is now their worst start to a season since 1953-54 and Sunderland will feel that their plight should be worse, given their display and the manner in which they fell behind.

"A joke" is how Steve Bruce, the Sunderland manager, described Kuyt's fifth-minute opener, which came after Torres intercepted a backpass from Michael Turner to his goalkeeper, Simon Mignolet, which the referee, Stuart Attwell, deemed to be the free-kick that he had just awarded the visitors.

Sunderland broke out in a rage, claiming Turner was simply moving the ball into position so Mignolet could take the set piece himself. Attwell consulted with his assistant but still gave the goal.

"I watched the incident and it's crazy, the referee had his back to the play," said Bruce of the official. Attwell was defended by the Premier League but he already had a reputation soured by his awarding of an infamous Reading "ghost goal" against Watford in 2008.

Hodgson had his own grumblings against the 27-year-old but for him it was a day to be thankful for small mercies.

Fans Worried As Website Calls For 'Hooliganism'

Irish supporters of Liverpool are concerned over article seeking to 'put the frighteners on' owners.

Irish supporters of Liverpool Football Club (LFC) have reacted with concern to an article on a well-known UK fan website urging them to "get the baseball bats and ski masks ready" to "put the frightners [sic] on" the club's beleaguered American owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks.

The article, posted on the popular Koptalk website by its editor, Duncan Oldham, is accompanied by a picture of a man in a black balaclava and holding what appears to be a crowbar.

A spokesman for Merseyside police has confirmed it is examining the content of the article to establish if it involves any public order offences.

The up-for-sale club is currently at the centre of a longstanding takeover battle which has led to numerous peaceful protests staged by fans encouraging Hicks and Gillett to sell their shares.

But supporters' groups here said they in "no way condone" the calls in the article for "every passionate Red out there who has a 'set' and who is capable of donning a ski mask and waving a baseball bat in a menacing manner, to step up to put the frighteners on these two and everyone they associate with including any companies that support them".

"Disruption, especially to financial institutions, is what they are scared of. And on a personal level, there's nobody in the world who's [sic] arse wouldn't collapse if someone peered over their bed in the middle of the night armed with a Texas Rangers baseball bat or two," it states. "I won't sign petitions, I won't send emails to journalists who don't care, but I will get stuck in via other methods best not written about. I don't care if I get into trouble with my words… I mean it. I mean every single word."

Oldham also stressed that while he does not believe in "anyone getting physically hurt", he acknowledged that this was "tempting" but not acceptable.

"They can cling on for as long as they want but something will give and that's why I'm fairly relaxed and confident that I won't have to do three months inside for threatening behaviour," he wrote. "Seriously, it's time to scare the shit out of them… People have died for our club. People have had their ashes scattered at Anfield."

Sarah Higgins, committee member of Tallaght LFC supporters' club, said many Irish fans of the Premier league club have taken part in peaceful demonstrations against its owners. She noted that Koptalk is an influential LFC site among supporters. "No one can condone violence of this sort at all," she told the Sunday Tribune. "I don't think it's the right message to put out at all. An awful lot of people would not get behind us if we did what is being suggested."

John Curtin, secretary of Cork-based Buttevant international LFC supporters' club agreed. "I wouldn't condone it in any way. It is bringing a violent hooliganism aspect back into something that the English FA has been working to eradicate," he said. "I can't see how any Liverpool fan would like to see that carry-on."