Match Report: Birmingham City 0 - 0 Liverpool

Liverpool were indebted a superb display from goalkeeper Jose Reina for earning a point from a goalless draw with Birmingham in a Barclays Premier League clash at St Andrew's.

Reina produced excellent reflex saves to keep out point-blank range headers from Cameron Jerome and Craig Gardner.

The home side was also left to regret spurning a hat-trick of clear-cut chances and was the more impressive of the two sides.

But on this evidence new Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson has plenty of work to do to make the Merseysiders a force to be reckoned with.

Barry Ferguson and Gardner bossed the midfield while James McFadden and Cameron Jerome linked well up front.

Reds skipper Steven Gerrard tried to spark his side into life but Fernando Torres still looks short of full sharpness with Scott Dann excellent at the back for Birmingham.

The first decent chance fell to Torres after 12 minutes after Glen Johnson made a good break down the right flank before sending in a low cross.

But the Spaniard failed to make a clean contact on his attempted shot which he dragged a couple of yards wide.

Reina kept Liverpool on level terms with a superb reflex save away to his right to keep out Jerome's powerful header from Lee Bowyer's left-wing centre.

Blues midfielder Gardner became the first player to be yellow carded after 28 minutes for a challenge on Lucas.

Birmingham continued to look the more dangerous and Gardner dinked a shot over the bar after being teed up by Sebastian Larsson.

But Reina made another outstanding save to keep out a close range header from Gardner after another dangerous cross from Larsson.

In a rare threat to the home goal Roger Johnson's tackle prevented Torres from turning and shooting from inside the box although replays suggested he may have had claims for a penalty.

Roger Johnson missed a good chance when he turned a Ferguson cross over from close range.

Blues keeper Ben Foster made his first save in the opening minute of the second half in clinging onto a dipping drive from Gerrard.

But City was soon back on the attack and Liam Ridgewell had a powerful header blocked from a Larsson free-kick.

Paul Konchesky got forward to good effect for the first time and his pass almost played in Milan Jovanovic but he failed to take the ball in his stride.

But Liverpool continued to look uncomfortable at the back and Dann missed another good chance for the home side.

He found himself unmarked from a Larsson free-kick but his downward header bounced over the crossbar.

The Reds enjoyed their best spell of the game and Foster beat out a rising shot from a narrow angle by Torres after he had been found in space by Gerrard.

Another chance went begging for the home side when Jerome headed wide at the far post from Stephen Carr's cross after Konchesky had given the ball away.

Raul Meireles made his Liverpool debut after 76 minutes in place of Lucas. A minute later Konchesky limped off to be replaced by Daniel Agger.

Reina again did well in racing out of his area to chest clear from Jerome.

Foster went down to keep out a late drive from Torres although he failed to make full contact.

Roy Hodgson Refuses To Criticise His Side After Uninspiring Draw Against Birmingham City

Liverpool were held to a goalless draw against Birmingham City at St Andrew's on Sunday, and manager Roy Hodgson has praised his side's opposition in keeping the Reds attack quiet.

In the first half, Liverpool had Pepe Reina to thank for denying the home side the lead on a number of occasions, and Hodgson cited the pressure that the Blues were putting his side under as a factor in stopping his side playing their own game.

"They played extremely well the first half. We started well but around 15 minutes before half-time they really pressurized the ball well and made life very difficult for us," Hodgson told Sky Sports after the game.

"We were dependant on two very good saves from Pepe Reina, from two excellent crosses and headers, he made really good saves.

"I thought we kept our shape well during that period and kept working at it and I thought the longer the game went on, maybe the stronger we were getting.

"But I have got to say it was a good performance in particular from the Birmingham team but I'm not that disappointed with our performance either."

Hodgson added that he needs time to get his ideas across at Liverpool, with only four games into the season gone.

"It's early days for me, we have a lot of players coming into the team and trying to come to terms of what we are asking of them. But in the end I think it was a very entertaining nil-nil." Hodgson added.

Hodgson Defends Lacklustre Torres

Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson leapt to the defence of striker Fernando Torres after he was widely criticized for a disappointing display in the goalless draw with Birmingham on Sunday.

Torres tested Blues goalkeeper Ben Foster twice in the second half but looked off the pace as he continues his return from a groin injury sustained in the World Cup final.

Despite a largely uninspiring display at St Andrew's, Hodgson was satisfied with the contribution of the Spain frontman and believes he will continue to get "better and better.''

"Fernando came into the centre on a few occasions and, when he did that, he caused havoc," Hodgson said. "You've got to give the back four of Birmingham credit. They worked very hard to contain him and pressurize him.

"But he is looking much fitter with every game and I thought he looked dangerous and I thought, the longer the game went, the stronger he became. I think he is working hard for the team. He is a constant thorn in the side of defenders.

"We know he lacks match training. He missed matches at the end of last year and during the World Cup. But I'm not at all concerned about Fernando Torres. He will get better and better.''

Liverpool needed two superb first half saves from Pepe Reina to earn them a point but Hodgson was satisfied with his side's overall performance.

"I thought they really pressurized well for a spell in the first half and we were dependent on two exceptionally good saves from Pepe Reina. But we kept our shape well during that period and the longer the game went on, the stronger we were getting.

"It was a good performance from the Birmingham team but I was not that disappointed with our performance either. We kept to our task well. It is early days for me and the team. We've had players coming into the team trying to come to terms with what we are asking of them.

"A lot of teams will come here and find it very difficult. This is a tough place and they are unbeaten here for goodness knows how long (12 months). I've got to say my expectations were not that high anyway. I would have been disappointed to lose the game but certainly not that disappointed to draw it.''

Hodgson Looks To Take Advantage Of Poor West Ham Start

Liverpool will launch an £18m double West Ham swoop this January as Roy Hodgson hopes to take advantage of the poor start to the season the Hammers have experienced. The Anfield boss tried to lure Carlton Cole to Anfield last month but failed in a last ditch bid but will return with an offer for the England international striker as well as utility player Valon Behrami.

Hodgson will initially look to use some of his squad as part of a swap deal, an option that has even more credence given recent comments made by the Liverpool manager who questioned the quality (or lack thereof) of large chunks of his squad. Failing that he will hope to garner funds from whoever is controlling the purse strings by January, to help sign off on the deal.

The likes of Ryan Babel, Lucas and David Ngog may be used as potential make weights in such a deal but a lot depends on how they perform from now until January. Carlton Cole didn’t push for a move in the summer transfer window as he wanted to see what the new regime, headed by Avram Grant, would bring. Four defeats in four have left him wondering if he was right to stick around.

Former Lazio man Behrami was actively seeking a move back to Serie A but was told to stay put, much to his chagrin, and the 25 year old would jump at the chance of a move to the Merseyside club and Hodgson is said to be a big admirer of the adaptable Swiss international.

Again a lot could depend on whether the Hammers boss can pull the club out of it’s nosedive and that too depends on whether the Israeli is given the time to do so by co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold.

Xherdan Shaqiri Keen On Cut-Price Liverpool Move

Exciting Swiss winger Xherdan Shaqiri is hoping that Liverpool revive their interest in him and make a move to sign him during the January transfer window.

Shaqiri was one of the youngest players to go to the World Cup, testament to his potential. The 18-year-old's pace and dribbling ability helped FC Basel to the league and cup double last term as he contributed six goals and five assists in his debut season.

Liverpool was reportedly taking note of Shaqiri last season, but their interest faded with the Anfield exit of Rafa Benitez.

Now, the News of the World reports that Shaqiri hopes that his spectacular goal against England last week will be enough for Liverpool to revive their interest. He will reportedly be available for around £2million in January.

Current Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson will certainly have no problem doing his homework on Shaqiri, having previously coached the Swiss national team.

Stevie In The Shadows

Steven Gerrard is not forceful enough to be the England captain.

That was the verdict of The Sun's Shaun Custis as the Sunday Supplement looked at just who should lead the national side once Rio Ferdinand is fit again.

Gerrard was handed the armband for the first two Euro 2012 qualifiers and was instrumental in England picking up maximum points against Bulgaria and Switzerland.

But with Rio Ferdinand ready to return to action the Liverpool skipper is expected to step back down to vice-captain for the next qualifier, against Montenegro in October.

And Custis believes that is the right decision, simply because Gerrard is not comfortable taking charge of a dressing room that contains some of the biggest names - and egos - in the game.

"One of the feelings about why Steven Gerrard has been flourishing as captain at the moment is because Frank Lampard is not there, John Terry is not there, Rio Ferdinand is not actually there and he feels able to exert his authority if you like, when the big boys are not there," he told the Supplement.

"When they are not there of course, he is the major senior player; he is the one that can go round the dressing room saying do this, do that, to the other players. But when the others are there they have a massive standing in the game.

"When they're back in the squad - and they will be back in the squad - does Steven Gerrard go back slightly into his shell and think 'the big men are back in town'? I'm not sure he feels he is the man that can go round to Ferdinand, Terry, Lampard and say do this, do that. I think he feels intimidated.

"John Terry didn't have any qualms about that and Rio is similar when he's in charge - although there is also a feeling that he pulls everybody together, north and south, and there's a good spirit with him.

"I can see the argument for Steven Gerrard but I think you have to reserve judgement and see how he reacts when all the big players are back."

Terry was of course stripped off the captaincy before the World Cup, but still stunned the football world with his infamous press conference in South Africa.

Ferdinand was injured before a ball was kicked but has since said he expects to reclaim the armband when he is fit enough again.

And Custis pointed out that Gerrard himself has kept tellingly quiet on the whole issue.

"Do you see that he doesn't always exert himself?" he questioned.

"You could see in his leadership the other night, he was really bossing the game. But he's already opened the door for Capello to return to Rio.

"He was asked a question the other day about how he would deal with something and he said pretty much said 'It's alright, Rio will be back soon'.

"It's not like he said I want to keep this job; he could've said that but he didn't. Now when Rio was stand-in captain I seem to remember him saying 'I like being England captain'!"

Gerard Houllier: 'No Problem' With Old Liverpool Acquaintances

Gerard Houllier insists he’ll have no problem working with players he has managed previously when he finally takes charge at Aston Villa.

Defender Stephen Warnock and goalkeeper Brad Friedel played under Houllier at Liverpool, while the Frenchman managed striker John Carew at Lyon.

Warnock and Friedel’s first-team opportunities were limited at Anfield while Houllier allowed Carew to leave Lyon and join Villa.

Houllier said: ‘At Jamie Carragher’s testimonial last weekend, I came across a few players that had left during my time at Liverpool.

‘There was not a problem and there will be no problem here. Stephen Warnock was too young [at Liverpool]. Brad, I got on very well with. Don’t forget, Brad had to leave because we couldn’t renew his work permit. As for John Carew, he is an outstanding talent.’

Houllier was due to meet the Villa players yesterday before flying back home to tie up the loose ends with the French Football Federation after quitting as their technical director.

Caretaker boss Kevin MacDonald will, therefore, take charge for Monday’s league match at Stoke, for which midfielder Stephen Ireland (hamstring) is a doubt.

MacDonald will again be at the helm for next Saturday’s home match with Bolton, although Houllier hopes to attend that game.

Houllier revealed: ‘If all goes to plan the Carling Cup match [against Blackburn on Wednesday week] will be the first game I pick the team for.’

Former Liverpool Midfielder Jamie Redknapp Rips Through 'Diabolical' Fernando Torres

Jamie Redknapp has branded Liverpool striker Fernando Torres' performance against Birmingham City as "diabolical", while accusing the forward of not being committed to the club's cause.

The Reds favourite has the distinction of being the fastest in the history of the club to have hit the 50-goal mark, and is widely regarded as being one among the best marksmen in the world.

The 26-year-old has been in and out of the treatment room for some time now, as he saw a portion of last season playing through pain to push his side further up the table - in a season that eventually turned out to be a gloomy one on Merseyside.

Torres may have scored the only goal against West Bromwich Albion with a fantastic volley, and topped it with a strong performance for Spain by scoring twice against Liechtenstein.

But the recent goalless draw at St Andrew's somehow saw the footballer turned television pundit launch a stinging attack on the forward.

Redknapp is quoted by The Sun as saying: "Fans will suffer to a certain extent when you give the ball away, but they won't suffer from a lack of effort.

"For 45 minutes he was terrible. He didn't get hold of the ball, he didn't chase.

"He's been diabolical. I'm his biggest fan and I love seeing him.

"Of course you have to give the defenders credit but he's shown no appetite for the game. He has looked frustrated, sloppy and lethargic."

Match Preview: Birmingham City vs Liverpool

Second season syndrome? What second season syndrome?

Alex McLeish might have been concerned as the season began that his Birmingham City side couldn't possibly live up to last term's impressive finish, but with five points from their opening three fixtures already such a repeat performance doesn't look out of the question.

The Scot might not be resting easy just yet, however. Whereas last season the Blues impressed with their watertight defence, this season it has shown signs of being rather more porous. Luckily, a sharper attacking edge seems to have offset that change somewhat. Two 2-2 draws have bookended the club's fledgling Premier League campaign — a superb opening day fightback at Sunderland, and a somewhat disappointing finish against 10-man Bolton at the Reebok Stadium — with a comeback 2-1 win against Blackburn Rovers in between suggesting St Andrew's will once again be a fortress this season.

And that will be the aim for the club when Liverpool come to town on Sunday. McLeish will want to get a result, first and foremost, and if he can see an improvement in his side's defensive fortitude — no mean feat against one of the league's more threatening attacking sides — then so much the better.

With a 16-match unbeaten home run to rely on, and the knowledge that they haven't lost to the Reds in the league for six years, the side will go into the game feeling rightly confident they can come away with a point — at the minimum.

Liverpool, for their part, visit St Andrew's looking to push on after an only moderately encouraging start to the season. An opening draw with Arsenal was nearly so much more (but could equally have been so much less) and a subsequent defeat at the hands of Manchester City hardly helped lift the club's currently dark mood.

And while a 1-0 win against West Brom wouldn't normally be a cause for celebration, the return to goalscoring form of Fernando Torres at least allowed the Anfield faithful to begin to hope that a corner has perhaps been turned.

With the international break granting a further chance for Torres to work on his match fitness, hopes will be high the Spaniard gets himself on the scoresheet again on Sunday and fully announces a return to his best. But in truth, the club's supporters will happily take a win any way it comes.

Last season, of course, a 1-1 draw in the corresponding fixture all-but ended Liverpool's realistic hopes of retaining their Champions League place. On that occasion then-manager Rafa Benitez withdrew Torres early, to the visible chagrin of both the striker and Steven Gerrard.

Barely six months on from that dark day, it will be interesting to see just how much has changed.

Not a happy hunting ground for them or many top Premier League teams last season, a positive result for the Reds at St Andrew's might suggest they have the style and improving team spirit to regain something approaching former glories as the season continues to progress.

TEAM NEWS

Birmingham

New signing Alexander Hleb was ruled out of the game with a leg injury and then ruled back in by manager Alex McLeish, but is unlikely to do any better than a place on the bench. The match also probably comes too soon for Kevin Phillips, who is also making his way back after a lay-off.

The club's other deadline day signings, Martin Jiranek and Jean Beausejour, should be available to make their debuts.

Possible Starting XI: Foster; Carr, Dann, Johnson, Ridgewell; Larsson, Gardner, Ferguson, McFadden; Jerome, Zigic.

Liverpool

Dirk Kuyt will miss the game due to the freak shoulder injury he sustained while on international duty with the Netherlands, but new signings Raul Meireles and Paul Konchesky could both make their club bows.

Joe Cole sits out the last game of his three-match suspension, while David Ngog is a doubt after his withdrawal from France's Under-21 game in midweek, which might give Ryan Babel a chance to stake another claim for regular first-team inclusion.

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

Roy Hodgson Believes New Buyers Need To Move The Club If They Are To Succeed

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has called for any potential buyers to move the club to a new ground if they are to compete and win trophies.

The Royal Bank of Scotland have been rumoured to be ready to take control of the Merseyside club and Hodgson fears the bank will eventually sell to a bargain hunter, who will have no interest in moving away from Anfield.

Owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett are obliged to pay debts of around £280 million to RBS in October, and if no buyer is found the bank may choose to take control of the club rather than allow the American owners refinance their loans.

RBS taking control of the club would see Liverpool sold for less than £300m and without a new stadium, as the bank would be only willing to recoup the money that they would have lost.

But although Hodgson has admitted his knowledge of finance "could be written on a postage stamp", he knows that it would be a disaster for the club as they need a bigger stadium to compete with the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal in the Premier League.

“I hope [chairman] Martin Broughton finds an owner who first and foremost backs the club’s desire to build a new stadium, which would be tremendous for our long-term future.” Hodgson told the Daily Mail.

“If we want to be up there with other big clubs, we need to have a capacity to rival theirs.”

Liverpool currently have a capacity of 45,000 and generate £42m from matchday revenue, £30m less than Chelsea, who pull similar crowds but have more corporate boxes.

However Manchester United, with a capacity of 76,000, and Arsenal, who stadium holds 60,000, earn double the amount Liverpool do from their home games.

Roy Hodgson Is Reluctant To Play Fernando Torres In Every Game

Roy Hodgson insists Fernando Torres can handle three games in a week but admits he would prefer to use his star striker sparingly.

The Spaniard has failed to complete a season at Liverpool without sustaining an injury and the Anfield manager is mindful of the fragility of the 26-year-old.

"I think Torres can probably play three games in seven days - he is as capable as anyone else - but if you can spare your players you want to do that," Hodgson told Press Association Sport.

"Torres is nothing special in that respect. The thing about him is that he went to the World Cup with an injury, played without being fully fit and we are anxious to make sure that in this season he will be fully fit.

"I am hoping, with the size and quality of our squad, I won't have to use him three times a week, week after week.

"If that happens then what will happen to Liverpool is what happened to me at Fulham - I'll lose players because you can’t ask them to take on that workload at the level we are talking about."

Hodgson paid tribute to Spain’s World Cup-winning coach Vicente del Bosque for omitting Torres from Tuesday’s match against Argentina.

"I think it was good for him to go with Spain and score two goals against Liechtenstein but it was nice of Del Bosque to spare him for the Argentina [friendly] game because it will be good for his future not just for Liverpool.

"I realize he was obliged to take Fernando with him because he had to take all his star players with him [to South America] but it was good he did not have to use him in the game."

Torres is likely to start against Birmingham City on Sunday and Hodgson is satisfied with the way his side are progressing during the early part of his reign.

"We've only had one defeat. We've had some good results, won our four European games and we were unlucky to drop two points in the last minute against Arsenal," said Hodgson.

"I'm afraid defeats are going to come along. I can't sit here and say we won't lose matches because we will. Most teams in this league will.

"All we can do is work and prepare hard and try not to lose them.

"When a defeat comes along you have to analyze the reasons why, work at your game to become better and then you put the defeat behind you and concentrate on your next game."

Hong Kong Investor ‘Leads Liverpool Takeover Race’

A Hong Kong-based businessman is the main contender to takeover Liverpool Football Club, according to a source close to Barclays Capital.

The Royal Bank of Scotland set a deadline of 6 October for club chairman Martin Broughton and Barclays Capital to find a new owner and bring an end to Tom Hicks and George Gillett’s Anfield tenure.

With the deadline looming and a number of potential investors seemingly backing away from making an offer, many reports speculated the club was unlikely to find a new owner before the date.

But a senior source close to Barclays Capital believes there to be some interest in the club, with “as many as five bidders at in-depth stages of due diligence” and a “Hong Kong-based investor leading the race” to take over at Anfield.

The bank, however, appears unwilling to offer any financial support to the potential investors, with the source stating there is “no chance of BarCap becoming involved with the debt financing of any takeover”.

However, Barclays Capital are reported to be becoming increasingly frustrated with the current owners. “Unrealistic valuations are driving us [BarCap] insane,” said the source. The insider also accused the American duo of being “unreachable”.

Hodgson In Dark Over Funds

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson does not know what budget will be available to him in January despite making a profit on the club's summer transfers.

The 62-year-old was roughly £8million in profit thanks mainly to the £20million deal which took Javier Mascherano to Barcelona.

He had hoped to use the surplus to bring in a striker but with Mascherano's move to the Spanish champions not being completed until a couple of days before the deadline there was not the time.

With the club still up for sale and uncertainty surrounding what might happen early next month when owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett have to refinance or repay their £237million-plus loan to the Royal Bank of Scotland, Hodgson does not know whether that money will still be available in four months' time.

Asked whether he would still be able to spend the money which he did not use in August the Liverpool manager said: "I would hope so but I don't know. I don't know what funds I have for January.

"I don't know quite how much [was available in August] - but with the limited amount of time at our disposal and the very limited market it wouldn't have been possible for me to find the striker I wanted anyway.

"The situation with the club's funds is extremely complicated and it would be very foolish for me to start making statements on that front.

"Perhaps by January the club will be under new ownership and I'll have to see what the new ownership has in mind."

Hodgson knows the squad still needs improvement despite making strides in the summer but admits he has had to tailor his transfer dealings to solve specific problems rather than being able to strengthen across the board.

By bringing in the likes of Joe Cole, Paul Konchesky and Danny Wilson he boosted the English/home-grown quota while Denmark international Christian Poulsen and Portugal's Raul Meireles were brought in to fill holes left by Mascherano and Alberto Aquilani, now on loan at Juventus.

All the new arrivals are set to be included in the squad for Sunday’s match at Birmingham.

"[Buying] home-grown is nice and we have to think more about it because of the new rules that came into effect on September 2 with the 25-man squad," said the Reds boss.

"If you want to get the full benefit of your squad you have to fill your quota of eight, if you're talking about seniors.

"What is important when you are looking to bring in very high-profile players is realizing there is a definite place for them in the team and they are not going to clash with another high-profile player.

"Otherwise you find yourself having two wonderful players but you can't find a place for them in your team because they clash.

"With Joe we knew what we were getting and where we were going to use him and we knew exactly the jobs Poulsen and Konchesky were going to fill.

"The same goes for Meireles who, alongside Poulsen, is one of the midfield players replacing Mascherano and Aquilani.

"Cole, Poulsen, Meireles and Konchesky: each of those players fit very much into the profile of what we were looking for at the club.

"We thought we needed that type of player in that position and I am very pleased to welcome those.

"In our ideal world we may have had one or two other positions pencilled in to improve our squad but I am still pretty satisfied with the ones we got."

At St Andrew's on Sunday, Liverpool will seek to end a run of just one win in their last 10 Premier League away matches.

The two clubs have drawn their last six encounters and Hodgson is expecting another tough test from Alex McLeish's side.

"Birmingham will be similarly strong as last season, when they showed what a good team they were and how dangerous they were and their home form was very good.

"We know Sunday's match will provide a very stern test."

Defender Seals Loan Deal

Liverpool have confirmed Daniel Ayala has joined Hull City on loan.

The 19-year-old centre-back has signed a one-month deal with the Championship side.

Ayala moved to Anfield from Sevilla in August 2007 and made his first-team debut as a substitute on the opening day of the 2009-10 season at Tottenham Hotspur.

The talented Spaniard has notched up a further four appearances for the senior side and featured heavily during Liverpool's pre-season preparations this summer.

Lionel Messi: Hodgson Wronged Mascherano In Transfer Saga

Roy Hodgson has been blasted for his role in Javier Mascherano’s controversial move to Barcelona.

The Liverpool boss was forced to let the Argentina midfielder go to the Nou Camp for £20million after he refused to play at Anfield.

But Barca superstar Lionel Messi says Mascherano HAD to move to save his family from a private hell in England.

Messi said: “Javier has a clear conscience but I wonder if the Liverpool coach has.”

The striker, who is a close pal of Mascherano, 26, in the Argentina team, added: “We were in constant contact during his final nightmare year at Liverpool.

“His family was deeply unhappy in England.

“They struggled with the culture, had no friends and he told me he used to come home from training to find his wife crying.

“A man has to put his family first and Javier had to put his wife and his two daughters before football.

“Hodgson was fully aware that Javier needed to leave the country because of his family and told Javier that if the right offer came in he would be allowed to move.

“Barcelona matched Liverpool’s valuation and Javier got the move his family desperately needed.

“Now the coach is saying that Javier held Liverpool to ransom when it’s not true. They both agreed he could go for the right price. Javier will reveal the truth of the conversations in detail one day but for now he is just happy he is at the greatest club in the world where he can finally win things – and more importantly where his family can be happy.

“He is happy now he is in a Spanish-speaking country. With all the South American players at Barcelona, he is like a new person.

“I have been speaking with him and he wants the fans to know that they were great and Liverpool Football Club will always be in his heart.

Young Reds Silenced The Rams

Rodolfo Borrell's U18s continued their impressive start to the season as they came from behind to beat Derby County 3-2 in a five-goal thriller at the Academy on Saturday.

After making an impressive first start for the reserves at Newcastle on Tuesday and scoring on his debut for England U19s last week, Michael Ngoo led the line alongside Hungarian Krisztian Adorjan.

Former Swindon Town stopper Jamie Stephens started in goal while exciting youngsters Raheem Sterling and Toni Silva also featured.

The young Rams started brightly and were in front after 12 minutes through an unstoppable 25-yard strike from Alex Witham that gave Stephens no chance.

Four minutes later the Reds had a great chance to equalize. Adorjan's superb defence splitting pass sent Silva clear, but after rounding goalkeeper Mats Morch, from a tight angle his effort only found the side netting.

Sterling was causing the Derby County defence all sorts of problems down the left wing and one run saw him beat four players before being hacked down just outside the box.

The former QPR starlet had a wonderful chance after 26 minutes. Again Adorjan was the instigator with a perfectly placed through ball to send him clear. Unfortunately the U18s' No.7 took a heavy touch and Morch produced an excellent point blank save at his feet.

A strong run from left-back Brad Smith took him to the edge of the box, and his fierce low cross was just missed by the lurking Ngoo.

However, the pressure finally told and Borrell's side got a deserved equalizer 10 minutes from the break.

It owed much to superb play from Ngoo who chased down a loose ball down the right, won it and crossed for Silva to slot home into an empty net.

The visitors also had their moments and were dangerous on the counter-attack, but the game then changed just before half-time.

In first-half stoppage time skipper Conor Coady let fly with a stinging 25-yard blast but Morch was equal to it as he palmed the ball over the bar.

From the resulting corner Matthew Regan climbed high to make it 2-1. The Derby players tried to protest the ball didn't cross the line but the referee had a perfect view of it and the goal was given.

Indeed the protests were led too far and Derby were reduced to 10 men when Aaron Cole was sent off for disputing the goal.

It then almost became 3-1 in stoppage time when Sterling weaved his way past a couple of defenders before his curled effort was well saved by Morch.

Borrell's side started the second half intent on adding more goals to their tally and it became 3-1 on 51 minutes when Adorjan netted with a superb left footed strike beyond the reach of Morch.

Silva should have made it 4-1 after a lovely pass from Ngoo but his effort was tipped behind for a corner.

To their credit the 10 men of Derby battled on and got back into the game with a gift after 68 minutes. Stephens sliced his clearance straight to the Rams No.9 Callum Ball, who couldn't believe his luck as he rounded the 'keeper and slotted into the empty net.

Despite conceding a bad goal the away side never came close to an equaliser in the final stages of the game and Ngoo was unlucky not to make it 4-2 after a great run, but was denied at point blank range by Morch.

Fernando Torres Hoping To Make The Right Headlines At Birmingham City

It was the snapshot that perhaps signalled the beginning of the end for Rafael Benitez.

The number on the electronic scoreboard read ‘9’, and it meant Fernando Torres was being hauled off despite Liverpool, still in the hunt for Champions League qualification, having been pegged back to 1-1 by Birmingham City with 25 minutes still remaining.

There was an audible gasp among the travelling supporters, a confused hush in the commentary box, a momentary pause among the Liverpool players.

Then the camera swiftly panned to Steven Gerrard, whose brief shake of the head summed up the feelings of many.

The Anfield outfit would not go on to win the game and Torres would play only once more in a season that ended in disappointment, disillusionment and a departure for Benitez.

Now Liverpool return to St Andrews on Sunday for the first time since that damaging April draw with the fitness of their Spanish striker still high on the agenda.

However, rather than the seemingly haphazard approach towards the end of the Benitez era that almost certainly cost Torres his best form at the subsequent World Cup in South Africa, there appears to be a more methodical, cautious approach among the Liverpool sports science team.

Torres has started two games for Liverpool this season since recovering from an adductor problem, ending a four-month goal drought with the winner against West Bromwich Albion a fortnight ago.

He then scored twice for Spain in their Euro 2012 qualifying victory in Liechtenstein but was an unused substitute in his country’s glamour friendly in Argentina on Tuesday evening.

And Hodgson admits Liverpool have no intention of over-exerting Torres in the coming months.

“I think he will be able to play three games in seven or eight days,” says the Liverpool manager. “But if you can spare your players, you want to do that. He is as capable as anyone of doing it. But how fair is it to ask players to do that on a regular basis? It would be tough.

“The thing about Fernando is that he went to the World Cup with an injury, played throughout without being fully fit and we are anxious now to make sure through this season that he will be fully fit. When he is fully fit, he will be able to play three times a week.

“But I am hoping that won’t happen because if I am having to do that, week after week, I will lose players like I did at Fulham. You just can’t ask them to take on that work load at the level we are talking about.”

Sunday will be the latest chance for Liverpool to address the poor away form that has seen them register just one Premier League victory on their travels this calendar year.

They were soundly beaten at Manchester City last month with the Anfield outfit sitting 13th in the embryonic top-flight standings.

But Hodgson will not make any assessment on how well his side are

“I know how many points we have but I don’t know what that means in terms of the table,” he says. “I think tables are of no interest until at least 10 games have been played.

“Then you start looking to see how big a gap there is between yourself and the top teams or between yourself and the bottom teams. I don’t think you worry about that after three games.

“The program plays a big part in that and we’ve already played Arsenal at home and Manchester City away.

“Injuries play a part as well when teams don’t have their best team available early on but will do soon. After 10 games I will start worrying about the table but until then I’ll worry more about performances and results.”

Liverpool Prepare Bid For Spanish Wonderkid

Liverpool is reportedly preparing a bid for Spanish wonderkid Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta.

The Athletic Bilbao teenager has been linked with the cream of Europe after making his first senior appearance in pre-season, and the Basque club are readying themselves for an offer from Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson.

17-year-old De Galarretsa is thought to have been scouted by the Reds last season whilst playing for the youth team, with the player's vision and technique thought to be his biggest assets.

Bilbao boss Joaquin Caparros has high expectations for the player following his first team chance this summer, and the player is expected to be involved at La Liga level at some stage in the opening months of the season.

Spanish giants Barcelona are also thought to be keen on the player, but Tutto Mercato Web reports that Los Leones are bracing themselves for a potential from either Chelsea or Liverpool.

The Merseyside outfit is thought to be favourites thanks to the level of Spanish players at the Anfield club.

Liverpool have invested heavily in youth players over the past summer, with Jonjo Shelvey, Raheem Sterling and Suso three starlets making their names at the Melwood academy. De Galarreta would add to the crop of youngsters, although the Hodgson will have to fight if he's to land the player for the Reds.

Liverpool Youngster Jonjo Shelvey 'Honoured' By Anfield Debut

Liverpool starlet Jonjo Shelvey has revealed it was a "great honour" to play at Anfield for the first time in Jamie Carragher's testimonial.

Shelvey, 18, featured as the club celebrated the career of its veteran defender last weekend. While Carragher can boast a 20-year affiliation with the Reds, the ex-Charlton Athletic man is only just starting to make his mark since arriving this summer.

Speaking to Liverpool's official website, he revealed his pride at making his bow at the famous stadium.

"It was a great honour to play at Anfield in Jamie Carragher's testimonial. I'll be getting the shirt I wore on the day framed," Shelvey stated.

"You hear about the crowd and I've sat in the directors' box for a few games, but to actually be out there on the pitch, hearing the Kop - it's something that words can't describe. It is an unreal experience."

Liverpool FC To Back Roy Hodgson's Search For A New Striker

Liverpool will give Roy Hodgson every financial assistance if he chooses to pursue another striker when the transfer window re-opens on January 1.

The Reds received more than £20m for Javier Mascherano when they sold him to Barcelona last month and were subsequently able to bring in Paul Konchesky and Raul Meireles before deadline day.

An intensive search to bring in a forward though, came to no avail, PSV Eindhoven’s Ola Toivonen was regarded as being too similar to the players they already have and their attempts to lure Bayern Munich’s Mario Gomez on loan were rebuffed.

Hodgson, whose side return to Premier League duty on Sunday with a difficult assignment at Birmingham City, is happy to spend the next three months with David Ngog and Ryan Babel as Fernando Torres’ understudies.

But if he decides that changes need to be made in the New Year, Liverpool have made it clear they will back his judgement and there are still funds in place for the manager.

As Hodgson points out, though, finding a player of the sufficient quality who is available – and can make a difference – is a task that is easier said than done.

“I wasn’t too disappointed (that he never signed a striker) as, quite frankly, I don’t think there was a great choice of centre-forwards out there – we didn’t see much movement,” Hodgson explained.

“There are a lot of clubs chasing a particular type of player and, at the minute, that player doesn’t exist in many copies.

“The money that we would have needed to sign that type came to the club very late. Only after we had received the Mascherano money could we have done a transfer at a high enough level.

“I would have been a little concerned that we were jumping into something without researching it and, quite frankly, I didn’t see the players out there that made me want to spend.

“I prefer to put my weight behind David Ngog, Ryan Babel, who has never really been given a chance as a striker. We have good players who can operate behind a lone striker.

“Until Christmas, we will have ample quality and possibilities to see us through that period. In the mean time, we will have chance to do thorough scouting. So maybe then if money was available in January, we would be able to take a look at the situation once again.”

The Reds have not beaten Birmingham in the Premier League since running out comfortable 3-0 winners in May 2004 but have recorded victories in both the FA Cup and Carling Cup in the intervening years.

Yet if they are to rectify the league statistic, Hodgson has warned his side will need to be at the top of their game.

“I think Birmingham will be strong this year,” said Hodgson. “They showed what a good team they are last season and their home form was extremely good.

“We know that Sunday’s match will be a very stern test. They will want to win, we will want to win and that’s how it should be. That’s what makes it such a fascinating league.”