John W Henry Determined To Keep Fernando Torres And Pepe Reina

Liverpool’s new owner, New England Sports Ventures, is determined to prove its ambitions match those of its most valuable assets, Fernando Torres and Pepe Reina, to keep them at Anfield.

Though NESV has held initial talks with both Spanish internationals — as well as a number of other senior players — to discuss both their contractual status and any issues they have with the club, it knows that both goalkeeper and striker will need to see tangible evidence of change if they are to remain on Merseyside beyond next summer.

Clauses inserted into Reina and Torres’s contracts last summer would allow the former to leave should an offer of £20 million arrive next year, while it is believed the latter has a gentleman’s agreement that he would be permitted to depart should Liverpool remain out of the Champions League next season.

NESV is aware that both players’ disenchantment stems from a year of empty vows on forthcoming investment made by Liverpool’s previous hierarchy. While the consortium’s principal, John W Henry, has made clear he does not intend to keep unhappy players at the club, he is determined to use the next nine months to convince them not to activate those clauses.

That will require substantial investment in the playing resources at Roy Hodgson’s disposal in January — hence the rapid appointment of Damien Comolli as director of football strategy — while NESV’s cause will be helped by the improvement in results in recent weeks.

From the ignominy of sitting in the relegation zone after defeat in the Merseyside derby — a result which seemed to condemn Hodgson to the briefest of reigns at Anfield — Liverpool now stand just five points behind third-placed Arsenal after winning three Premier League games in a row.

“We are now moving in the right direction,” said Torres after the most recent of those successes, against Chelsea. The 26 year-old is keenly aware, though, that Liverpool must maintain those standards in forthcoming games against less illustrious opponents.

“I am really happy with the victory, just like all the fans,” he said. “It was a day we have to enjoy but now we have to be focused on our next game.

“We always play like that against the top teams. When we play Manchester United, Arsenal or Chelsea we often produce a great performance, but now we have to do the same against the teams in the middle of the table. If we do that we will be fighting for big things at the end of the season.”

The first of those tests comes against Wigan at the DW Stadium on Wednesday night, the stage for a 1-0 defeat that was arguably the most disappointing Liverpool performance in 18 months of almost ceaseless gloom. Hodgson’s side will make the journey up the M6 with rather more spring in their step than they might have done, though, thanks to their rejuvenated Spanish striker.

“This is the worst time to play Liverpool,” said Roberto Martinez, the Wigan manager. “On Sunday you could see the old Fernando Torres was back. That is a good sign for Liverpool, and a very bad sign for everybody else. He is part of that elite group of top strikers. There are only five or six in the world, but he is unique in the Premier League.

“Looking back at the amount of niggles and injuries he has had, as well as the fact that all the big players get to the World Cup and try and put extra energy into it, that affects the starts of the next season.

“But he is a clinical finisher and his movement is excellent. Like all the big players at Liverpool, he looks happy and like he is enjoying his football. He is a really focused boy, and if you look at how he was the youngest captain in Atletico Madrid’s history, it shows how mature he is.

“When he came out in the summer and made clear he wanted to stay, it was never in doubt he would get back to his best.”

He was helped against Chelsea, of course, by Hodgson’s decision to alter his system to suit the Spanish international’s strengths. Raul Meireles and Maxi Rodriguez were given licence to support him from the flanks, Steven Gerrard and Lucas attacked from midfield, while Dirk Kuyt was employed as a deep-lying forward to free the striker from defensive duties.

The most significant factor, though, according to the Dutchman, was that the confidence imbued in Liverpool by their recent run of impressive results manifested itself in a high-tempo, disciplined performance which created the sort of chances Torres thrives on after weeks of famine.

“We say in Holland that one and one is two,” Kuyt said. “It means that when the team plays well, the striker plays well. That is what happened with Fernando.”

Liverpool To Sell £4.5m Flop Christian Poulsen In January

Liverpool are ready to ditch Christian Poulsen just months after he signed for the club, Goal.com UK can reveal.

The Danish midfielder has failed to impress since his £4.5 million summer move from Juventus and could be on his way out of Anfield as soon as January.

New director of football strategy Damien Comolli does not believe Poulsen has a future at Liverpool and wants to bring in a younger replacement with more potential.

It is believed manager Roy Hodgson would back the sale of the former Sevilla star but only if an upgrade can be brought in as he is concerned by the small size of his squad.

Poulsen, 30, has lost his place in the Reds starting line-up over the last few weeks after a series of substandard performances at the start of the season.

Pepe Reina Warns Liverpool He May Leave At The End Of The Season

The Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina has indicated that he will consider leaving the club at the end of the season if he is not satisfied with their progress.

The Spaniard has ruled out asking for a move in January but said he wants to feel certain that the team will challenge for major honours under the club's new owners, New England Sports Ventures.

"I signed a six-year deal seven months ago and I'm happy at the club but every footballer wants to be competing for trophies and winning things," Reina was quoted by the Daily Mail. "I will stay at Liverpool until the end of the season. I know there are rumours of me leaving but I want to make it clear that I have no intention of going back to Spain."

Reina has won only one major trophy, the 2006 FA Cup, since he joined from Villarreal five years ago, although he did play in the 2007 Champions League final defeat by Milan.

He spoke glowingly of the club's former manager Rafael Benítez, who signed him. Benítez left last summer to take over at Internazionale and was succeeded by Roy Hodgson, who has overcome a difficult start at Anfield to record four straight wins, including Sunday's over the Premier League leaders and champions, Chelsea.

"Rafael Benítez was an essential person for this club and the reason I came to Liverpool," Reina said.

The goalkeeper recently held talks with Liverpool's new owner, John W Henry, as did the striker Fernando Torres, another player who has been linked with a possible move if the club's fortunes do not continue to pick up.

Henry said he had been "heartened by the response" of Reina and Torres and "the intelligence of these players". The American described himself as "upset" at suggestions they could leave in January.

Liverpool Ready To Sign Unhappy Aston Villa Midfielder Stephen Ireland

It is being reported that Roy Hodgson is monitoring Aston Villa playmaker Stephen Ireland with a view to making a move for the Irishman if he is indeed placed on the transfer list as some sources are stating will happen in time for the opening of the January transfer window.

The 24 year old has not had the best of starts at Villa Park and has started just three Premier League matches under the Gerard Houllier regime leaving many to believe the former Man City man may not be a player the Frenchman values.

Roy Hodgson has publicly stated his desire to bring in five or six players in to help improve his Anfield squad and the former Fulham boss is known to be an admirer of the talented attack minded midfielder. A move for Stephen Ireland is likely to set back Liverpool around £12m a figure the club’s new owners are more likely to accept now that they have seen the Merseyside club experience a sharp up turn in fortunes.

Liverpool Issued Warning Over French Midfield Maverick Bid

Liverpool have been warned over any potential bid for Saint-Etienne midfielder Dimitri Payet.

The 23-year-old has been linked with a move to Anfield by the Daily Mail after Damien Comolli took over as Director of Football strategy at Liverpool, with the Frenchman's links to Les Verts sighted as the reason for Reds being favourites.

Payet is wanted by a string of Europe's top clubs, with Inter Milan, Napoli and Aston Villa also thought to be chasing the player's signature. However, the Ligue 1 club's co-president insists there has been no contact from Liverpool or any other club.

"We have built a roster for the season. There will be no departures during the winter transfer window," Roland Romeyer told France Football.

"Should there be any movement, it would be the other way. Depending on injuries, for example, we could sign a player."

An attacking midfielder who can play on the wing, Payet has come to form this season at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, scoring eight goals in 12 games this season.

New Liverpool owners NESV have promised Hodgson money to spend in the January transfer window, with the former Fulham boss hoping to make 'five or six' additions at Anfield in the opening month of 2011.

The Merseyside outfit is thought to be in the market for a striker and attacking midfielder, with Liverpool linked to Juan Mata, Peter Crouch and Carlton Cole to name just three players in the last week.

Payet, a young French international, fits the mould of a rising star and is the type of player John W. Henry would like to see at the club. With the Comolli connection, the former Nantes starlet seems a viable transfer option for Liverpool despite the French club's comments.

Liverpool & Juventus Among Clubs Chasing Ajax Winger Urby Emanuelson

There appears to be little doubt about it that versatile winger Urby Emanuelson is on his way out of Eredivisie giants Ajax after clubs from England, Germany, Italy, Portugal and Spain have shown an interest in signing the Dutch international.

Emanuelson has an expiring contract with the Godenzonen and talks about a contract extension recently broke down, meaning that the left footed midfielder could leave Ajax on a free transfer and this hasn't gone unnoticed in Europe.

According to a report in De Telegraaf, fallen English giants Liverpool and Serie A titans Juventus are just two of the clubs that are closely monitoring the situation of the 24-year-old Emanuelson, but they're facing stiff competition in the race for the versatile player's services.

Clubs such as Genoa, Lazio, Villarreal, Malaga, Benfica, Porto, Hoffenheim, Borussia Dortmund, Wolfsburg and Hamburg are all eager to add Emanuelson to their squad ahead of the 2011-12 campaign.

"There are plenty of interest clubs. I won't confirm or deny any names though. However, I've told interested teams that Urby won't leave Ajax during the winter transfer window," Brian Berkleef, Emanuelson's agent, was quoted as saying.

Liverpool FC Eager For Martin Kelly To Sign New Contract

Liverpool have opened talks with Martin Kelly over a new contract as reward for the defender’s impressive breakthrough into the first-team fold.

Kelly’s current deal expires at the end of the season and Anfield officials are keen to tie the 20-year-old to a lengthy agreement.

The England under-21 international made his debut two years ago and has this season become a regular feature in Roy Hodgson’s matchday squad, making nine appearances.

However, his outing against Chelsea at the weekend was the first Premier League start of his career, with Kelly’s only other top-flight exposure coming as a substitute in the 4-1 win over Portsmouth in March.

Kelly stepped in at right-back against the champions at short notice after Sotirios Kyrgiakos and Glen Johnson were ruled out on the morning of the game, and the youngster’s performance earned the plaudits of his manager.

“If you are going to single out someone then Martin Kelly deserves a lot of praise,” said Hodgson.

“It was a tough game for him to come into because the left side of Chelsea’s attack is a very dangerous one and you have to make some very nuance decisions there and I think he did pretty well.

“He might not have been in the 18 had Sotirios Kyrgiakos and Glen Johnson not gone down with sickness and injury on the morning of the game.”

Hodgson also had words of encouragement for Lucas Leiva, the much-criticised Brazilian who produced arguably his best display in a Liverpool shirt by helping the home side dominate Chelsea’s midfield.

“Lucas has been strong mentally and he needs to be because he is a good footballer, like many of the other players who are getting stick or will get stick,” said Hodgson.

“We don’t have that many bad players here but it is a big arena to play in and people expect a lot from players.

“Where Lucas has been strong is to put the criticism he has been receiving over the last couple of years behind him and get out and show he is a very good player.

“I’ve always believed in him and to be fair my predecessor never doubted him, playing him on a regular basis, so he didn’t give the criticism any credence either.”

Having disposed of the champions and league leaders, Liverpool face three of the bottom four in the next 10 days with trips to Wigan Athletic and Stoke City followed by a home clash with West Ham United.

Match Report: Liverpool 2 - 0 Chelsea

Fernando Torres produced a striker's masterclass to score twice as Liverpool inflicted only a second defeat of the season on Barclays Premier League leaders Chelsea.

The Spain international has a liking for playing the Londoners at Anfield, as his six goals in five matches against them at home shows.

Chelsea were heavily linked with a summer bid for Torres but it never materialised and manager Carlo Ancelotti said he did not need to buy the striker as he was satisfied with his own forwards.

However, Torres was more than happy to give a display of his quality to the Blues boss, whose side had conceded only three goals in 10 league games prior to kick-off.

It was always likely the result would come down to who took their chances and with Didier Drogba left on the bench until the second half, Torres was given a head start.

He did not need a second invitation and in addition to his two expertly-taken first-half goals he was a constant threat to the Chelsea defence

Torres has been short of form this season but he has always been able to produce a performance against Chelsea at Anfield over the years and this was no different.

It took just 11 minutes for him to reopen old wounds with a classic piece of finishing courtesy of a cross from Dirk Kuyt, making a welcome return after a month's absence with an ankle injury, on the left.

The Dutchman chipped a pass over the head of John Terry and Torres took one touch before firing past Petr Cech.

Having looked short of confidence this season the 26-year-old appeared to spring to life, immediately going on a short run and firing wide.

Possession was fairly even but Liverpool created the best chances, having a penalty shout dismissed when Terry's clearance bounced up on to Yuri Zhirkov's arm from which Raul Meireles shot at Cech.

Torres did not give the goalkeeper any such chance with his second just before half-time with a strike even better than his opener and reminiscent of his first ever goal for the club - also against Chelsea.

Meireles dispossessed Ashley Cole in the centre of the pitch and rolled the ball out to the Spaniard on the left of the penalty area.

Cutting inside he curled a shot around Branislav Ivanovic and inside Terry and the far post.

It was a fitting end to undoubtedly Liverpool's best first half of the season, which was as much down to excellent organisation at the back as Torres' potency up front.

With Jamie Carragher, restored to centre-back, barking the orders the hosts limited Chelsea to one shot on target - and that a weak Salomon Kalou header straight at Jose Reina.

Drogba's arrival for the start of the second half was inevitable but the Ivory Coast international's first shooting opportunity saw him curl a 30-yard free-kick well wide.

Ramires headed over and Zhirkov's shot was turned around the post by Reina, who also produced a brilliant close-range stop to deny Florent Malouda.

Having got themselves into a winning position it was now a question of holding on to it for Liverpool as Chelsea ramped up the pressure.

Torres may be paid to score goals but the sight of him hoofing the ball into the upper tier of the Centenary Stand was testament to the determination of everyone to hang on at all costs.

Kuyt almost wrapped things up 15 minutes from time only for Cech's outstretched leg to divert the ball wide.

Chelsea knew it was not to be their day when Nicolas Anelka's shot squeezed under Reina, whose slight touch deflected the ball up on to the bar and then Carragher cleared from the lurking Drogba two yards out.

The win moved Liverpool into ninth, the first time they have been in the top half since the opening weekend of the season, after three successive Barclays Premier League victories.

They are still not in a position to challenge Chelsea at the top of the table - where they still have a two-point lead over Manchester United - but they proved, on their day and with Torres on form, they remain a match for any side.

It seems a corner has now been turned in Roy Hodgson's reign, and with matches to come against Wigan, Stoke and West Ham there is a real chance for them to restore some of the damage done by their poor start to the season.

Carlo Ancelotti: Fernando Torres Was ‘Fantastic’ And Liverpool Deserved To Win

Carlo Ancelotti admitted that Chelsea deserved to lose to Liverpool today but said his team are still in pole position to retain their Premier League crown.

The Stamford Bridge manager was measured in response to Chelsea’s second League defeat of the season following the 1-0 reverse at Manchester City in September.

“We knew it would be difficult to improve our gap here at the top of the league,” said Ancelotti. “We are in a better position compared to the other teams. We need to maintain our focus and not be worried.”

Ancelotti admitted his team were slow out of the blocks in the first half and then struggled to break down the resilient hosts.

He said: “We didn’t play quick enough in the first half. It took a lot of time to build the play from the back and we didn’t have the ability to find space in the opponent’s half. Also, Liverpool defended very well in the first half and on the counter-attack scored two fantastic goals through Torres.

“It was very difficult for us to come back in the second half. We tried and played with strong intensity but Liverpool defensively played very well for 90 minutes. Defensively, all the players played for the team. For this reason, they deserved to win.

“Obviously, the result is not good but the performance in the second half was better. I’m happy with how my team played in the second half. We had a strong pressure; we deserved to score but were not able to.”

Ancelotti paid tribute to Fernando Torres who showed “he is a fantastic striker” and said Liverpool can still squeeze into a Champions League position. “They have the opportunity to come back. They can come back to fourth place and fight for this,” said the Italian.

Didier Drogba did not start the game after coming down with a fever last night and came on at half-time even though he was “not 100 per cent fit”.

Ancelotti expects Michael Essien, who did not travel with the squad, to return from a toe injury on Wednesday against Fulham. “I hope that he will be able to play on Wednesday,” said the manager.

Roy Hodgson: Liverpool Need To Strengthen Squad In January Transfer Window

Roy Hodgson today sent out a message to Liverpool’s American owners by saying that it is essential the squad is strengthened in January.

In the aftermath of a convincing 2-0 victory over Premier League champions Chelsea, which secured his team’s fourth consecutive win, Hodgson said he “preached caution” and refused to get carried away.

“Our squad needs to be a lot stronger than it is today and that can only be done through the transfer window to come,” said the Liverpool manager in his post-match press conference.

“They [NESV, the American owners] have been very good for the club. For a long period of time we were heading in the wrong direction and there was a lot of concern and uncertainty. They are realistic people because they know we don’t turn things around with a magic wand.”

With Glen Johnson ruled out with a groin injury before kick-off and Sotiros Kyrgiakos suffering from tonsillitis, Hodgson had to reshuffle his defence before the game and could only field unproven youngsters on the substitutes’ bench.

“The squad is looking pretty small at the moment with the injuries and the sicknesses we are picking up,” he said. “I need some players back. If we can get through the next few games we can build.

“Now I prefer to try and keep my feet on the ground. We need to produce a lot more performances like that between now and May. The only trouble with this league is you can go back to 16th quickly.”

Nevertheless, Hodgson was in chirpy mood after his team produced arguably their best display under his fraught reign.

He said: “I’m pleased, of course. I prefer to talk about the team performance rather than individuals but Fernando Torres will get the plaudits. He has taken his share of criticism, some of which was exaggerated and not fully deserved.

“He was certainly back to his best today and played very well. One always hopes that playing at this level you have got that quality of front player. Chelsea have had a lot of success with the quality of their front players.”

Asked if it was his greatest high given the lows he has suffered during his four-month spell at Anfield, the former Fulham manager quipped: “What ups are you talking about? The most enjoyable day at Liverpool was the day I signed. It’s been all downhill since.”

Hodgson did not manage to beat Chelsea during his time at Fulham and said this gave today’s result an even greater resonance.

“It is very satisfying,” he explained. “They are a very good team and showed that in the second half. They aren’t going to lose many matches this season and I’m pleased we chalked one [win] up.

Dirk Kuyt's Work Ethic Defines Liverpool's Impressive Win Over Chelsea

It is only in retrospect that a possible defining moment emerges. But the changes that Roy Hodgson made, whether by accident or design due to injury (Glen Johnson) and availability (Dirk Kuyt), gave Liverpool the opportunity to play with a system that showed Steven Gerrard and Lucas Leiva in the best light. Fernando Torres, too, enjoyed the day.

I recall a situation in 1986-87 when at Tottenham Hotspur. Because of the transfer of Graham Roberts to Rangers, an injury to Tony Galvin and the need to negate Glenn Hoddle's down side, a 4-5-1 system was born that glowed for the whole season. Liverpool, I feel, may have done similarly at Anfield yesterday.

Kuyt lacks guile but his work-rate is often wasted, in my view, parading the touchline on the right side. Lucas has struggled to win admirers when trying to contain midfield runners and Gerrard, certainly the dynamo, needs to be both central and deeper so he can defend and attack when the opportunity arises.

Raul Meireles and Maxi Rodríguez, who have acclimatized slowly to Premier League football, were put to better use on the outside of the five-man midfield rather than further infield.

Kuyt was the most important figure in this hardworking display, particularly in the second half when they had to quell the tide of sharp passing attacks from Chelsea. When possession changed hands the Dutchman quickly moved into a position where he could help to stifle the influence of Mikel John Obi in the centre of Chelsea's midfield. He appeared to have three lungs as he worked and challenged, always putting team before self.

Although Chelsea had plenty of possession, Liverpool were strong and solid and must have given Hodgson great heart. At Fulham he had a system that replicated the way Liverpool played yesterday. In this rearrangement Jamie Carragher went from right-back to centre-back where he is far more comfortable because he does not have to face too many passing options from the advanced positions he is forced to take up when playing at full-back.

When the ball was wide Carragher and Martin Skrtel made sure they stayed firm on the edge of the area and were always in good positions to intercept typical Chelsea-style low crosses

Hodgson may have been quietly bewildered this week at the US owners' judgment in their choice for their director of football but he will have made several important points with this vibrant display.

Meireles and Rodríguez are yet to shine, but they still did an important job denying Branislav Ivanovic and Ashley Cole advanced attacking positions. This was important, too. Crucially, it was the industry of Kuyt when Liverpool lost possession that helped Lucas and Gerrard do their work with such efficiency.

Liverpool Owner Henry Happy With Chelsea Victory

Liverpool owner John W Henry was present to witness the Reds' best performance of the season against Chelsea on Sunday, and he later appeared to question whether Roy Hodgson's men had not been playing as a team at times this season.

Fernando Torres struck two first-half goals to send Liverpool level with a group of clubs including Tottenham on 15 points, as the champions were downed at Anfield. Having lost to Blackpool at the same ground earlier in the season, the change in mood in the red half of Merseyside has been vast over the past month.

Liverpool have dragged themselves out of the relegation zone with back-to-back wins against Blackburn, Bolton and Chelsea, and they are now targeting a return to the top four. And Henry, who witnessed his first game in the Merseyside derby defeat to Everton, seemed to hint that Hodgson now has his players pulling in the same direction for the first time.

"An indication of what can happen when this group comes together as one?'' he wrote on Twitter.”The second goal was perfection. Learned what a very clean sheet is.''

Liverpool Set Sights On Highly Rated Wolves Winger Matt Jarvis

Roy Hodgson is reportedly interested in signing Wolves highly rated winger Matt Jarvis as he looks to add more creativity to his improving Liverpool line up. The Anfield boss has earmarked a move for the 24 year old and hopes to funds to make a significant bid in January.

The former Gillingham man has been in excellent form over the past 18 months and some sources believe that Jarvis may be about to be considered for an England call up. Mick McCarthy will fight off any advance for one of his most prized asset but could find it hard to prevent the Middlesbrough born wide man from having his head turned by such interest.

Valued in the £8-10m bracket Matt Jarvis would add more natural width to the Liverpool side and appears to be a player that Hodgson greatly admires. Whilst clearly not a big name signing the Wolves man has greatly impressed this season and has apparently garnered interest from a number of top Premier League outfits.

John W. Henry Admits Gerrard Sale Threat

Liverpool owner John W Henry has admitted that Kop idol Steven Gerrard could have been sold in the summer if he had taken over the club sooner.

Henry and Anfield’s new chairman, Tom Werner, are committed to following the strategy which has underpinned their success at baseball club the Boston Red Sox.

That involves selling players who reach the 30-year-old mark and whose resale value is diminishing, in favour of bringing in younger players who have yet to reach their potential.

That would even have left Anfield talisman Gerrard, 30, vulnerable if Henry and Werner’s New England Sports Ventures (NESV) had been in situ during the summer. Another local hero, Jamie Carragher, would have struggled to have earned the lucrative new two-year deal he has just signed at the age of 32.

An NESV insider revealed: “You always have to plan for the future and if that means moving on big players, providing the transfer fee is right, then so be it.”

Liverpool under Henry and Werner would have seriously considered any substantial summer bids for England star Gerrard.

Henry was thankful that Gerrard is still around after watching him hit a 14-minute hat-trick in Thursday’s 3-1 Europa League win over Napoli.

In July 2009 Gerrard signed a new four-year contract worth £140,000 a week which keeps him at Liverpool until 2013.

Agger Blow For Reds

Liverpool have suffered a blow with the news that defender Daniel Agger is out of action through injury indefinitely.

The Danish stopper has been hampered by a calf injury this term and he was dispatched to see a specialist earlier this week.

Unfortunately for manager Roy Hodgson Agger's scans have not revealed good news with more rest needed for the 25-year-old.

Agger has been told he cannot train and Hodgson does not even have a date in which the talented stopper can work on his fitness.

The news was the only negative note on a superb Sunday for Liverpool after they beat leaders Chelsea 2-0 at Anfield.

"Agger is long-term. They can't put a date on it," said Hodgson. "So it could be very long-term.

"At the moment he can't train, he has just got to rest and wait for the next time he goes to see the specialist again.

"They are very anxious that bone doesn't form. It is a calcification issue and training would certainly accelerate the calcification.

"Now they have to wait and hope the body breaks down the calcifying elements before he can even think about training again."

Premier League Preview: Liverpool vs Chelsea

The visit of Chelsea to Anfield provides a painful reminder to Liverpool fans of how far they have fallen off the pedestal from which they used to dominate English football. The Blues are defending champions, while the Reds only moved out of the relegation zone a week ago.

Liverpool have been unable to add to their record 18 top-flight titles in the Premier League era, and have managed one FA Cup triumph in the last five years, a period in which Chelsea have collected eight major domestic trophies including three league titles.

Nevertheless, things are beginning to pick up for the fallen giants. The club are finally under new ownership, and beleaguered manager Roy Hodgson has the rare luxury of being able to reflect on three consecutive victories going into Sunday’s showdown.

And the midweek appointment of Damien Comolli as Liverpool's new director of football strategy will potentially allow the ex-Fulham boss to focus exclusively on coaching the best out of his squad.

Hodgson enjoyed what he described as his best 15 minutes in the job on Thursday as Liverpool came from behind to beat Napoli 3-1 in the Europa League. Yet that victory owed so much to second-half substitute Steven Gerrard, who scored a hat-trick, that despite the skipper’s insistence that it had been a fine collective performance, the Reds’ over-dependence on him was again plain to see.

The other world class player at Hodgson’s disposal, Fernando Torres, had been linked with a possible move to Sunday’s opponents until Carlo Ancelotti ruled out buying any new players in January unless injuries force a rethink, and specifically quashed rumors of a bid for Torres when citing the excellence of his own current strike force.

All Hodgson needs to do therefore is hope the Spaniard – who has scored four goals in as many matches against Chelsea at Anfield - can quickly recapture his imperious pre-World Cup form, match fitness and appetite.

Meanwhile, having not won any of his last six league matches against Chelsea (D1, L5), Hodgson knows that if he can take anything off the champions this weekend it could give his recovering side a massive shot in the arm and lend credence to the view that Liverpool could yet challenge for a top four place again.

However, if all results go against them this weekend, the Reds could find themselves back in the relegation mire by Sunday evening. And on the face of it, with just three wins from their 10 league games to date, Liverpool seem unlikely to trouble Chelsea over-much. Liverpool currently look miles away from the standard Chelsea have set, something Hodgson has not tried to gloss over when admitting that he and the club face a Herculean ask in restoring the Reds firstly to top four eminence and secondly to the glories that were commonplace at Anfield in the 1970s and 1980s.

Chelsea won 2-0 on their last visit to Anfield, in May in what was Liverpool’s final home fixture of the 2009-10 season, and took a decisive step closer to claiming their third league title in six seasons. But they have a mixed record at Anfield in recent years, winning four and losing four of their last 10 visits. The two clubs have met 26 times in all competitions since October 2004, Chelsea winning 12 of them and Liverpool seven.

The rivalry between these two teams reached a new level when Jose Mourinho and Rafael Benitez were the respective managers. Those two have moved on, and Liverpool have become less of a threat at the top of the table; but although relations between Ancelotti and Roy Hodgson are likely to be a lot less prickly than those between their predecessors, there will still be a keen rivalry between the teams.

And while Liverpool will be anxious to maintain their tentative revival, Chelsea will be no less determined to continue in the vein that has seen them establish a commanding five-point lead at the top of the table.

The Blues will be mindful that they came unstuck on their last but one trip to the North West, when Manchester City inflicted on them their only defeat of the season so far. They made up for that set-back by claiming all three points back in Lancashire last weekend when coming from behind to beat Blackburn Rovers 2-1.

If it was not their most convincing performance it was certainly a dogged and ultimately successful one that spoke volumes about their resilience. They are, after all, champions – a fact they underlined in the manner of an emphatic midweek thrashing of Spartak.

Chelsea have taken 10 points out of 12 and won six of their last seven matches in all competitions, and for good measure boast the best goalscoring and defensive records in the Premier League. Moreover, they have had a day extra to recover from European action and prepare for Sunday's match, having already done the hard work required to reach the Champions League knockout stage.

Chelsea represent a formidable challenge for any opponent at the moment, and are again the Premier League's best travelers, with three wins from five to their credit and a goal difference of plus eight on the road.

TEAM NEWS

Liverpool

Midfielder Joe Cole will miss Sunday's match against his former club Chelsea because of the hamstring strain that also ruled him out of the Reds’ midweek Europa Cup triumph over Napoli.

But another ex-Chelsea player, right-back Glen Johnson, shrugged off a thigh muscle injury in time to make his first appearance since October 3 in the Napoli game, and was one of six changes manager Roy Hodgson made to the side that beat Bolton last weekend. Johnson is set to face his previous employers, but it is likely that Christian Poulsen, Jay Spearing, Jonjo Shelvey, Milan Jovanovic and David Ngog could revert to the bench as the likes of Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres resume their places in the starting XI.

Dirk Kuyt may have recovered from an ankle injury in time to face Chelsea, while Ngog, who had to be substituted during the victory over Napoli, may have a sore shin after being the victim of an outrageous – and unpunished – over-the-ball tackle by the liability that was Salvatore Aronica.

Ryan Babel is doubtful with a rib injury; Daniel Agger (calf) and Fabio Aurelio (groin) are still recovering from their respective injury problems.

Possible starting XI: Reina; Johnson, Kyrgiakos, Carragher, Konchesky; Lucas, Meireles, Maxi Rodriguez, Gerrard, Kuyt, Torres.

Chelsea

Like Joe Cole, Yossi Benayoun will be denied the chance to face his former team-mates, the Israeli international being a long-term casualty with an Achilles injury.

For the Blues’ 4-1 midweek Champions League win over Spartak Moscow, manager Carlo Ancelotti brought back Ramires after three games out with an ankle injury but took the opportunity to rest midfield dynamo Michael Essien, who was nursing a minor toe problem.

He also rested captain John Terry , while Salomon Kalou replaced the injured Florent Malouda. For the trip to Liverpool, Terry is back in the heart of defense, and Malouda is expected to have recovered from his ankle strain, but Essien may need longer.

Ramires is standing by to start, as Frank Lampard will probably still not be ready to make his comeback from a hernia operation.

Possible starting XI: Cech; Ivanovic, Alex, Terry, A Cole; Ramires, Mikel, Zhirkov; Anelka, Drogba, Malouda.

Steven Gerrard Has No Regrets Having Previously Turned Down Chelsea To Remain At Liverpool

Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard insists that he has no regrets about turning down a move to Chelsea earlier in his career.

A few years ago the Reds captain had seriously considered the prospect of making a move to Stamford Bridge, when he had admitted that he had entertained thoughts concerning "the possibility of moving on".

But he eventually remained at the club and is still waiting to win his first Premier League title, whereas the Blues have gone from strength-to-strength and were crowned champions last term.

Ahead of the game between the two sides at Anfield, the Kop favorite insists that his wait for league success will be sweeter when it does arrive on Merseyside as opposed to west London.

"I don’t think sacrifice is the right word to stay at Liverpool," Gerrard said, according to The Mirror.

"Playing for Liverpool and being the captain, I wouldn’t call that a sacrifice – I would call that living a dream.

"Of course there have been opportunities in the past to move on – Chelsea and other times as well – but I love this club, I want to stay and be successful because when that day comes, I know it will mean an awful lot more to me."

The club has only recently been taken over by New England Sports Ventures, and the skipper hopes that they bring about a quick change to facilitate his need to achieve further glory at Liverpool.

"From a selfish point of view, I want a short-term fix from the new owners, but I’m not naive enough to think it is about me or the players coming to the final part of their careers.

"The Americans have got the right idea by trying to build a platform for this club for many years but I’m looking for the quick-fix because I have only got four or five years left at this level and I want to win trophies before I finish. That is what I go to work for."

He added: "The last 12 months have been the most difficult since I was 18 and broke into the first team.

"We finished seventh in the league and then there was all the stuff that went on off the pitch. Hopefully that is all behind us now – and we can move on."

Henry Demands Total Loyalty Or Players Will Be Sold

Liverpool's new owners, New England Sports Ventures, have issued a warning to any players not fully committed to the club that they will be sold. John W Henry, the club's principal owner, has been angered by reports that Fernando Torres and Pepe Reina would be leaving and has met the club's top players to reassure them of NESV's ambitions.

"It is a completely different system here to what we are used to," Henry said. "If a player has a contract in the United States they fulfil the contract. Over here, it seems players have much more say-so about where they are. Frankly, where we are, we don't want a player at the club who doesn't want to be at the club. It's really up to us to provide the kind of leadership, on and off the field, that any player at the club or who is coming to the club wants to be here."

Henry and Tom Werner, Liverpool's new chairman, are open to recruiting the right talent in January, following the appointment of Damien Comolli as director of football strategy. They are, however, determined to hang on to their best players, despite reports that Torres and Reina have contractual clauses that would facilitate their departure.

"I was upset about the assertion that they were leaving," Henry said. "There was one day when I read reports that we were not going to be involved in the transfer window because we do not have the funds. The next day I read that Torres and Reina were leaving.

"I have spoken with a number of our top players and was really heartened by the response. I was heartened by the intelligence of these players, who understand more about Liverpool than we do. They were good discussions."

Henry, who has been at Liverpool all week, was not so heartened by some of the discoveries he has made since taking over the club.

"There were a number of unpleasant surprises when we did our due diligence because the wage bill is high and it's going to be higher next year -- and we're not a young team," he said. "That was disappointing."

Henry arrived with some firm ideas about the transfer market of his own, including his belief that it is folly to pay out high fees and wages on players in their late 20s and 30s, who offer no resale value.

Comolli has arrived to help make the vision a reality. The 38-year-old Frenchman and Henry share a deep appreciation of the part statistical data can play in spending wisely on the best young players -- the science of sabermetrics. Comolli has developed a personal friendship with the Oakland baseball coach Billy Beane, who transformed his own sport with the method and who Henry once tried to hire for his Boston Red Sox.

Hence some of the telling body language in the directors' box on Thursday night. Henry shook his head when Raul Meireles swivelled into a right-foot effort against Napoli and put a golden opportunity wide and though Graham Taylor, from his commentator's position, observed drily that proprietors always think they might do better on the field of play, the owner had his reasons.

Meireles' struggles to adapt to the Premier League may have contributed to the new owner wondering precisely why Roy Hodgson spent £11.5m on him.

Liverpool's medical staff discovered that Meireles needed building up physically when he arrived at Liverpool and the club have also struggled to establish where he operates best. But he still has a lot to prove, almost as much as Christian Poulsen (£4.5m) and Paul Konchesky (£5m), the latter brought from Fulham by Hodgson. Poulsen's most significant contribution to Thursday's match was the misdirected header which set up the lead Napoli held for nearly an hour.

The brutal truth to date is that Poulsen and Konchesky are the kind of comfort-blanket players a new manager will sometimes turn to, in the knowledge that they have done a job elsewhere before. The impression given by Joe Cole and by Fabio Aurelio, re-signed this summer when Liverpool had shipped out nearly all of their serviceable left-backs, is little better. The average age of the new lot is 29.

Henry clearly did not consult with Hodgson before deciding to bring in Comolli.

"I really didn't talk that much with Roy over the week or so before we made the decision," he said. "I think he may have been surprised when I brought it up a couple of days before we brought in Damien. But he was fully supportive."

Hodgson seems to feel that Henry will grant him the second striker he needs, though his future appears heavily dependent on Steven Gerrard reaching the heights of Thursday.

Henry already knows Gerrard quite well. He sat with the captain at an informal lunch with the players on their first day at Anfield, last month. But though the 61-year-old stood and punched the Liverpool night air as the captain's 89th-minute penalty drove Liverpool into the lead against Napoli, Hodgson knows no amount of statistical work can buy you a younger version of that passion.

"More and more we bring players into our teams who are gifted individuals, but they don't always have that fight in them as well," Hodgson observed.

"Football has changed, and in (Jamie) Carragher and Gerrard we do have two of a dying breed. They are Liverpool through and through, and not only that but they have the quality, guts and desire to play for Liverpool. Most managers would say they are the type of player we really want, but they are much harder to find these days.

"United have their share with (Paul) Scholes and (Ryan) Giggs, but if you go through the Premier League these days, it's not so easy to name many of them. We recruit talent from abroad, but they might not have that burning heart which refuses to accept defeat, as Steven did against Napoli."

There is of course nothing to say that Meireles won't prosper and be taken to Anfield hearts. Maxi Rodriguez has recently shown that 29-year-olds, whatever their re-sale value, can deliver after a rocky start.

Rodriguez speaks of the need for Liverpool to play with "calmness" against Chelsea. It is part of the demand for instant results that both he and his manager have been granted so little of it in their respective Liverpool careers.

Should Liverpool win on Sunday, incidentally, they will be only three points worse off than they were after 11 games last season. Yet Hodgson badly needs others to follow where Rodriguez has led in the past fortnight.

Glen Johnson, who made his Chelsea debut against Liverpool at Anfield in 2003, has still to prove that the £80,000-a-week wages he arrived on are remotely good value. Liverpool's £120m wage bill is something else which will have had Henry shaking his head. Cole, the £90,000-a-week man who is 29 on Monday, will miss Sunday's game with a hamstring injury.

Hodgson has grounds to believe that Fernando Torres will rise to this occasion more than others this season, having scored five goals in seven games against Chelsea in all competitions. You suspect it will be Gerrard who will be the talisman once again, though. Only this time it will not be a suspect Napoli goalkeeper he is encountering but a side against whom he has managed only one goal for Liverpool in 30 appearances and even that one in a 4-1 Anfield defeat.

Henry's wife Linda Pizzuti revealed on her Twitter feed yesterday that the strains of "you're not singing any more", delivered to the Napoli fans, were a personal highlight of Thursday evening.

With the size of the task her husband is facing, she may not be hearing that kind of triumphalism too often.

Liverpool Desperately Need Damien Comolli To Be A Success

I’m sure I wasn’t the only one left scratching his head this week when I heard Liverpool had appointed a director of football strategy.

I’ve certainly never heard a job title like that.

The more I looked into what is expected of Damien Comolli at Anfield, the more I realized that it’s basically the role I always knew as chief scout.

Comolli’s job is to identify and recruit players for the Academy right up to the first team.

His arrival could be viewed as stepping on Roy Hodgson’s toes but the manager has come out and said he’s happy to have Comolli on board so hopefully they will work well together.

Comolli has an impressive CV having worked at Arsenal and Tottenham and he’s got a massive task facing him at Liverpool.

The bottom line is we don’t have enough quality players and the new owners have made it clear they aren’t going to give the manager a blank cheque book.

As a result it’s vital we’re able to identify talented youngsters and bring them to the club.

We’ve got such a good spine to the team with Reina, Carragher, Gerrard and Torres but we still need better players around them.

If Comolli is a success at Liverpool then he will actually save the club money.

I really hope he’s already got two wingers and a centre forward on his list of potential recruits.

Liverpool Fans Have Key Role To Play Against Chelsea

I admit that Chelsea are the best team in the Premier League and seem to be winning games very easily this season.

However, at Anfield today they will face a Liverpool side high on confidence after three straight wins.

We shouldn’t fear Chelsea and if our key players perform we can cause them problems.

When Jose Mourinho was in charge at Chelsea he admitted that his players were terrified by the Kop in full voice.

We need that kind of atmosphere again at Anfield today.

I’m sure the fans will be up for it and the players must start well with a high tempo and take the game to Chelsea.

If we do that we can keep this good run going.