Liverpool Manager Roy Hodgson Not Under Pressure To Sell Players In January

Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson has received a welcome boost after new owner John Henry insisted he will not be weakening the squad by selling any players in the January transfer window and will look to bring in reinforcements.

The American owner’s statement comes on the back of reported interest in Liverpool’s key Spanish duo Fernando Torres and Pepe Reina.

Both players have been linked with moves away from Anfield, with Reina reported to be attracting the interest of Manchester United.

But Hodgson, who has been in regular contact with the New England Sports Ventures group since their take-over, has been reassured that he is not under pressure to sell players.

However, he admits things could have been different had former co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett still been in charge.

He said: “The statements were totally self-explanatory and in line with everything John [Henry] and Tom [Werner, co-owner] have told me all along," Hodgson said.

"It is very much in line with our aims for the club.

"One of our aims for the club is to rebuild and restructure and get much stronger. The way we hope to do that is keeping our strong base of top players and adding more players to it.

"There have never been any discussions of the need to sell or get rid of players. All the talk has been of how we are going to make the team stronger.

He added: "It is a very different situation to the one I found myself in at the beginning. There was talk then of staving off administration and having to let players go.

"But the new owners coming in has completely changed the face of things and, as far as we are concerned, their statement is perfect. It is just what everyone wants to hear."

Gerrard's Groin Strain

Liverpool captain Gerrard, 28, has given gaffer Rafa Benitez a midfield headache by straining his groin during Liverpool's pre-season preparations for the new season.

The England international had to be substituted after only 25 minutes and, so far, the extent of the damage is unknown. Should the strain rule him out for more than a few weeks and Benitez may be reluctant to sell Alonso - the Spaniard may now be needed for cover. Likewise, any deal for Gareth Barry may now need to be hurried, so Liverpool's start to the new term can get off to the right start.

It is certain the former Champions League winner will not be risked at Anfield on Friday, as Liverpool take on Italian side Lazio.

Liverpool emerged victorious in the friendly against Valerenga after sealing a 4-1 win.

Mourinho In Liverpool ?

The Reds' title bid lies in ruins following their midweek home draw against lowly Wigan, and many believe that Rafa's future at the club could be in jeopardy given his shaky relationship with club owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

The Guardian report that Jose Mourinho is looking favourably at the position should it open up.

Jose has been frustrated in his search for a new club for his return to management, with the top jobs at Real Madrid, Barcelona and Milan all seemingly unavailable until the end of the season.

Barcelona and Milan were particularly close to parting company with their respective coaches, but have now decided against it.

Franz Beckenbauer has indicated that Bayern Munich are keen on him, but even that job will only be available only in June. Thus, Mourinho is looking at the Premiership again.

There is no report of a formal approach from Liverpool, but several names have already been linked with the Anfield job. However, his family's unwillingness to move to the cold and wet environs of North-West England coudl be a factor.

"Liverpool is not the same as London," a friend of Mourinho is quoted as saying. "But Liverpool is a big club and Jose loves English football. For now we have to wait."

Despite Rafa's own insistence that he's happy to continue at Anfield (see here), and no indication from the club owners that they will sack him, sources in the English press feel that a change in manager could come sooner rather than later.

The News of the World contradicts Benitez by quoting an anonymous source:

"There was no talk of a new contract when Rafa met with the owners last month.

"He also knows there will be very little money for him this month to buy the centre-half that he believes he needs.

"There is also the problem of Javier Mascherano. He will not sign because he does not know whether the manager is going to be there this season, let alone next.

"Manchester United and Arsenal are bringing in over £2m per home game, while Chelsea can turn to Roman Abramovich. Liverpool don't have the cash to live with them.

"Rafa wants to stay but now he believes he will be sacked because the owners have not shown they will back him."

Gerrard: "We Are Capable Of Winning Our Final Three Games."

Last year's runners-up lost at home to Marseille in their last match and now sit bottom of Group A with one point from three matches, but despite what seemed an abject display their captain felt his side deserved something from the game and were unlucky.

Gerrard, who scored what turned out to be the consolation goal, told Sky Sports: "We were unlucky, we created chances.

"We are pleased with how we played but disappointed with the result.

"We need to keep going and win the final three games and see what happens.

"We need to take the positives and learn from our mistakes.

"We are capable of winning our final three games."

He added: "They took both chances. We played well for long periods and felt we deserved something.

"It is the worst possible result. We had a mountain to climb but we have got an even bigger one to climb now."

Torres Save Liverpool From Lose

In a fairly open first half, Liverpool showed the greater care and class with their possession, whilst Tottenham although full of purpose and intent, did lack a certain flair and tempo in their play, resulting in them rarely looking a team that would break the Reds stubborn rear-guard.

Even so neither team threatened to open the scoring early on until the 15th minute when Jermaine Jenas was rather harshly adjudged to have pulled Steven Gerrard back just 25 yards out and slightly right to centre of Paul Robinson’s goal.

Gerrard and John-Arne Riise stood over the ball as Robinson lined up a solid looking wall, yet the keeper’s team-mates let him down badly as they allowed Gerrard’s shot to go straight through them and straight at Robinson.

However if Robinson is to be upset at his rather porous wall, then they have equal reason to be miffed at yet another error on Robinson’s part, for the burly stopper could only manage to rebuff Gerrard’s shot out into the open for Andriy Voronin to tap the ball into the net, rather than divert the ball out to the side and relative safety.

The current England no.1 has been under strained pressure due to a run of calamitous mistakes, and the manner in which he parried Gerrard’s fiercely hit free-kick into the path of Andriy Voronin will add voice to the increasing number of critics demanding his exclusion from not just the England first team, but also of Tottenham.

After what has worryingly become a routine script for Tottenham, the camera’s strained to get every angle of Martin Jol’s discomfort as well as the man perched in the executive box, David Levy, whose antics have created the burden being carried by the Dutchman’s broad shoulders. Nonetheless his side did not wilt, however nor did Liverpool really apply anymore significant pressure.

Only once did they fashion a chance in which Torres set up Voronin, who being 18 yards out elected to pass to Gerrard rather than shoot himself, allowing a prone Michael Dawson to unknowingly block Gerrard’s shot.

The Reds did find space in abundance in-between the Spurs midfield and backline, which once again highlights the lack of a real defensive shield for Tottenham, but they rarely made the most of it.

That being said, Fernando Torres did trouble Younnis Kaboul many a time and flashed a couple of shots just wide of the goal, but the Reds never really tested Robinson again.

Rafael Benitez was looking from a reaction from his players after a disappointing loss in midweek against Marseille, but he would have been scratching his head as to the ineffectiveness of his team to go for the kill, and in particular the lacklustre display of the usual talismanic Steven Gerrard in central midfield.

His midfield partner, Javier Mascherano, in contrast was the star performer in the pitch with his economic passing and stifling tendencies.

The Reds lack of real drive lent itself to a rather mooted Anfield crowd, and 2 minutes before the break their mood blackened as Spurs scored completely out of the blue.

Rather than coming from Tottenham’s usual slick passing, the goal arrived from a simple punt up the field in which an otherwise ineffectual Dimitar Berbatov flicked the ball on for Robbie Keane, who raced in-between Steven Finnan and Jamie Carragher and flicked the ball past the out-rushing Pepe Reina and into the net.

Reina will probably be upset that he didn’t get to the ball before Keane as he seemed to hesitate for a crucial second, but in reality the defence in-front of him should have dealt with the original long-ball.

Mark Halsey blew-up for the end of the first-half against a backdrop of stunned silence from the Kop.  

Whatever under-pressure boss Martin Jol said at half-time, it must have had more resonance with his players than Rafael Benitez’s chat had with the Reds, for Spurs raced out of the blocks at the restart and into a shocking lead within 5 minutes.

Once-again Keane got in-between the Reds back-line to score with a sublime chip, and once again it came from a Berbatov flick-on. Before Tottenham’s first goal Liverpool had played 500 league minutes without conceding, and everyone connected with the Reds must be furious that that record has been broken via two goals coming from simple ‘route one’ football.

The Kop barely had time to return to their seats with their pies before they were treated to a raucous wall of noise from the travelling Yid Army.

Instead of catalysing Liverpool into a response, the second-half goal seemed to stun the home team into a stumbling punch-drunk display. Tottenham pressed on with renewed confidence and vigour but an unusual unsteady partnership of Sami Hyypia and Carragher just about held a lively Keane off from grabbing a hat-trick.

As Benitez screamed at his side from the touchlines, and rather notably at his jaded captain Gerrard, Liverpool finally inserted some urgency into their play as Torres and Voronin lead the fight-back.

Firstly Torres flashed a shot wide of Robinson’s goal, and then Torres stretched the Spurs backline before squaring the ball for Voronin, who in-turn back-heeled the ball for Gerrard to shoot, but the under-performing midfielder could only blast the ball well over the bar.

The tempo was raised from both sides as Liverpool pressed on but Spurs continued to rebuff them with workman like performances from the likes of Gareth Bale and Didier Zakora.

Benitez by now had seen enough as he made three substitutions in just fewer than 10 minutes, with Ryan Babel came on for Alvaro Arebola, before Dirk Kuyt and Yossi Benayoun replaced Pennant and Voronin respectively.

But the changes made little effect as only a Robinson fumble from a Finnan shot followed by a decent stop from a Benayoun shot marked any chances for an equaliser from Liverpool.

With 8 minutes to go and the expected Liverpool onslaught failing to materialise, it looked a foregone conclusion that Spurs would register a fabulous result. But then, with 91min 30 secs on the clock, Mr. £23million man Fernando Torres rose in classic centre-forward fashion to head a cross into the ground and into the net from the near-post position.

The Anfield crowd and player’s exploded into joyous celebration, and the merriment was carried on as Mark Halsey blew the final whistle only a minute later.

The Tottenham players sank to the ground at the final whistle feeling very much beaten rather than equalled by Liverpool, for such was the graft they put into this game. Jol will be mightily upset his side could not hold-on for a win, but overall the spoils shared was well deserved from this game.

Benitez will have much to ponder on as the wheels seem to be slowly coming off their title challenge. There was a frightening flatness to Liverpool’s backline, with Sami Hyypia in particular clocking in with a poor performance as he allowed Berbatov to beat him to two crucial headers that set-up both of Keane’s goals.

But more worryingly, ‘captain marvel’ Steven Gerrard, looks significantly short of match fitness and sharpness. He was faced with bemusement from his manager as he not only contributed little to the game, but he also rarely drove his team on when needed, nor dominated a midfield area that he usually does week-in week-out. The Kop feel he is wrecked from his duty to the national team, and with England facing Estonia and Russia in a week’s time, it shall be interesting to see how he is used and what condition he returns in.

Reina: ,,We Need To Sort Out''

Pepe Reina finally had his record broken last night, being beaten by a wonder strike from Mathieu Valbuena as The Reds crashed to their first defeat of the season, against Marseille.

After early season promise, Liverpool have failed to put in an inspired performance for some time, apart from Fernando Torres’ glorious hat-trick at Reading in the Carling Cup.

For a campaign that promised much, the indication is that there’s still some work to be done at Anfield.

Reina had very few positives to take out of last night’s performance.

The Spaniard told Liverpoolfc.tv: "To lose at home is always difficult, especially for us because we're used to winning every game here. We have to sort it out.
"Everything went wrong. It was disappointing because we never play like this. We were late and almost always behind the ball.

"Last year we were brilliant in the Champions League but started the Premier League poorly. Today it looks like it's the other way round.
"I don't know if we are more focused on the league but we need to learn from these mistakes. We have to talk about it today, analyse and stay calm.
"There is pressure but there's pressure on any game – there's always pressure to win when you wear a Liverpool shirt.
"We have two tough games against Besiktas now and then we host Porto – we have to make sure we do better.
"Now we must think about Tottenham on Sunday. We need three points because we're at home and we will still be confident."

Rafa's Comment After Wigan-Liverpool's Game

However, the Spaniard is pleased with the strength he has in his squad as he managed to introduce Yossi Benayoun, who went on to win the game with a fantastic solo effort late on in the second half.

"You cannot say that the performance was really good,"

"But especially the first half we had control of everything and created chances.

"In the second half, we needed to change things and we used Benayoun and Andrei Voronin to try and keep the ball. Benayoun, between the lines, was a key player for us.

"The difference between one or two years ago is that we have more players with quality and they can change games.

"The team has the balance and defends well. We are attacking well too and that is the key."

Rafa Benitez's Comment After Game

Rafa Benitez insisted that Jermaine Pennant must learn from a foolish dismissal that almost cost Liverpool dear in Portugal last night.

But the Reds boss admitted: "We were really very bad in that first half, there are no excuses. We gave the ball away too easily and made too many mistakes."
Pennant was sent off for two rash challenges that earned yellow cards, the second an unwise lunge to try to keep the ball in play when he should have stayed on his feet. That put the out-of-sorts Merseysiders under intense pressure against Porto, who looked quicker, stronger and more determined.
But somehow they survived to steal a point that gets their Champions League group campaign off to a fortunate start. A relieved Benitez warned Pennant afterwards: "It was a correct red card. He made a mistake and he will learn from the experience so maybe it will be positive for him in the future.
"He didn't need to make a challenge in that area."
Benitez was puzzled by a poor display from his side, after a terrible start to the game where they simply failed to pass to each other. Porto were gifted the lead from the penalty spot, and the English club only clawed their way back into the contest through a Dirk Kuyt effort from a setpiece. But they were lucky, and even Kuyt admitted as much. "We have to be pleased with a draw, because the first half wasn't good at all.
"We had problems trying to pass to each other, and we couldn't string three or four passes together. But we have escaped with a point, and that is a good result, because they are a strong side, and this game may prove to be the toughest one we will face in the group."
Benitez added: "We cannot afford a performance like that again, but maybe that was our 'get out of jail card'."
Any team that creates just one opportunity to their opponents' 14, one corner to 10 and virtually no coherent forward play and yet gains a draw, must fancy their chances of progressing some distance in the competition.
Chastised for resting his 'star players' and dropping points at Portsmouth, Benitez restored the big guns to his starting line up, only to see them fire blanks.
From the start they were as edgy as the queue outside a branch of Northern Rock.
Keeper Pepe Reina rescued his back four with the rather painful use of his face to save.
Sami Hyypia was a surprise inclusion in the Liverpool defence, and perhaps his lack of games at the top level in recent times has blunted his match fitness.
The big Finn looked slow to respond when Ricardo Quaresma played a teasing ball in behind him, allowing Tarik Sektioui to steal into the box. Reina darted from his line to try to smother the danger, but only succeeded in dragging the little Turk to the ground for a penalty barely nine minutes into the game.
Local hero Lucho Gonzalez converted with ease to set the alarm bells ringing.
Yet Liverpool are nothing if not resilient in Europe.
And it was Hyypia who typified that spirit.
For all their sublime touch and audacious skill, Porto have a weakness at the back from set-pieces, and that was exploited ruthlessly by the centre-back.
On 17 minutes, Hyypia drifted away from his marker at the far post and headed back across goal, where Kuyt planted a header firmly above the keeper's despairing grasp into the roof of the net.

Liverpool (Eng)

Location: Liverpool, England
Year founded: 1892
Nickname: The Reds
Stadium: Anfield
Capacity: 45362
First Division/Premier League:
Winners (18) : 1900-01, 1905-06, 1921-22, 1922-23, 1946-47, 1963-64, 1965-66, 1972-73, 1975-76, 1976-77, 1978-79, 1979-80, 1981-82, 1982-83, 1983-84, 1985-86, 1987-88, 1989-90
Second Division/Championship:
Winners (4): 1893-94, 1895-96, 1904-05, 1961-62
FA Cup:
Winners (7): 1965, 1974, 1986, 1989, 1992, 2001, 2006
League Cup:
Winners (7): 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1995, 2001, 2003
UEFA Champions League:
Winners (5): 1977, 1978, 1981, 1984, 2005
UEFA Cups:
Winners (3): 1973, 1976, 2001
UEFA Super Cups:
Winners(3): 1977, 2001, 2005
Community Shields:
1964 , 1965 , 1966, 1974, 1976, 1977 , 1979, 1980, 1982, 1986 , 1988, 1989, 1990 , 2001, 2006
Screen Sport Super Cup:
Winners (1): 1986




Squad Information:

Staff:
Rafael Benitez
Xavi Valero
Angel Vales
Ron Yeats

Goalkeepers:
Jose Reina
Peter Gulacsi
Martin Hansen
David Martin

Defenders:
Steven Finan
Alvaro Arbeloa
John Arne Riise
Fabio Aurelio
Emiliano Insua
James Smith
Sami Hyypia
Daniel Agger
Jamie Carragher
Ronald Huth
Mikel San Jose

Midfielders:
Momo Sissoko
Steven Gerrard
Xabi Alonso
Francisco Manuel Duran
Yossi Benayoun
Charlie Barnett
Lucas Leiva
Gary Mackay Steven
Javier Mascherano
Besian Idrizaj
Jermaine Pennant
Harry Kewell
Ryan Crowther
Mark Gonzalez

Forwards:
Anthony Le Tallec
Krisztian Nemeth
Andriy Voronin
Fernando Torres
Peter Crouch
Dirk Kuyt
Ryan Babel
Jordy Brouwer
Michael Collins
Andras Simon

                                                   Team History

              If it wasn't for one man, Liverpool Football Club would never have been born. When Everton left Anfield in a dispute over rent in 1892, club chairman John Houlding stayed behind along with a handful of supporters and just three first-team players. But he was determined to see football continue at the ground. He formed a new club from scratch, chose the name Liverpool… and created a legend.
           Even John Houlding couldn't have predicted how successful it would become. More than 100 years on, no English club can match the LiverpoolFC roll of honour; League Champions 18 times, FA Cup winners seven times, League Cup winners seven times, European Cup winners five times and UEFA Cup winners three times.
              When it is completed, the History channel will chart the rise and rise of Liverpool FC to the very summit of the England game, from the struggles of the early years right up to Gerard Houllier's historic treble in 2001. This channel will recall glorious domestic victories and European triumphs and reflect on the tragedies of Heysel and Hillsborough.
               We've focused on 10 key dates in Liverpool Football Club's history to begin with but over time, we'll have over 100 chapters in this section alone as we present the ultimate history of England's greatest ever football club. This is a story of incredible passion and pride - a story that not only inspires Liverpool fans but football supporters the world over.