Posts written by Kat_Agger5

Quartet declared fit

Fernando Torres, Glen Johnson, Dirk Kuyt and Martin Skrtel have all been declared fit for Saturday's tea-time encounter with West Ham United.

Kuyt (ankle) and Skrtel (knee and ankle) both withdrew from international duty as a precaution this week after their recent fitness troubles.

However, both are now vying for a place in Roy Hodgson's XI along with Fernando Torres, who came through 45 minutes of Spain's defeat to Portugal despite an ankle knock sustained at the weekend.

The trio could be joined by Glen Johnson, who is back in full training following an adductor problem.

Dr Peter Brukner said: "Fernando rolled his ankle against Stoke. We had a look at him and we didn't think it was too bad, so we were happy for him to report to Spain's training camp.

"We have a good relationship with the Spanish medical staff. They assessed him and he had a good day or two of treatment over there and didn't train. They felt he was okay to play 45 minutes (against Portugal) and he came through that okay. We fully expect him to be fine for the weekend.

"Dirk is coming back after a pretty severe ankle injury. We were pleased to get him back after only three weeks but he then played three games in a week so he was a little bit sore. We discussed it with Dirk and the Dutch team and agreed it would probably not be a good idea for him to play, so he sat out the Netherlands game.

"Martin got a knock against Stoke which wasn't too bad but we thought it wasn't a good idea for him to travel and play an international. But all three of these players will be fine for West Ham on Saturday.

"Glen is also available for selection. He's been training all week at Melwood and he's ready to play."

Two players who remain on the sidelines are Joe Cole and Daniel Agger - though the former could be back in time to face Tottenham in just over a week's time.

"Joe will need another week," said Dr Brukner. "He's nearly there but his hamstring just hasn't come good as quickly as we might have hoped.

"He'll be back in full training at the start of next week and we'd anticipate he'll be available for the Tottenham game on Sunday week."

He added: "Daniel's injury is an unusual one. In the last international game a month ago he got a kick on the calf.

"Sometimes when that happens you get some calcification and unfortunately that's happened in Daniel's case. It's taken a lot longer than you'd expect and the calcification takes about a month to dissolve.

"He's probably got another three or four weeks before he's back playing. It's a very disappointing and frustrating situation but there's nothing we can do about it. Time heels this kind of injury and we just have to be patient with Daniel."

All this follows news that Steven Gerrard could be out for three to four weeks with a hamstring injury sustained with England on Wednesday.

www.liverpoolfc.tv

Liverpool FC stars Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard will undergo tests at Melwood today to assess their chances of facing West Ham

FERNANDO TORRES and Steven Gerrard will undergo tests at Melwood today to assess their chances of facing West Ham United this weekend.

Gerrard hobbled off five minutes before the end of England’s 2-1 defeat against France at Wembley last night after damaging his hamstring in a sliding tackle.

And Torres failed to start Spain’s glamour meeting with Portugal in Lisbon, having strained his ankle ligaments in Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Stoke City. L

iverpool’s medical staff have been in constant contact with their Spanish counterparts since he reported for international duty and the club hoped that they would take a pragmatic view with regards how they used Torres.

Torres and Gerrard will be checked by the club’s Head of Sports Science, Dr Peter Brukner when they he get back to Melwood.

Reds boss Roy Hodgson will be desperate his dynamic duo are available for Saturday’s tussle with Avram Grant’s men, particularly as there are still concerns whether Dirk Kuyt will be involved.

Kuyt withdrew from the Holland squad that played Turkey in Amsterdam last night after complaining about pain in the ankle he damaged playing for the World Cup finalists five weeks ago.

Hodgson is already likely to be without Joe Cole, who has still not fully recovered from the hamstring problem he picked up in the 1-0 win at Bolton on October 31, while Martin Skrtel is also struggling with knee and ankle trouble.



Fabio Aurelio, though, is eager to banish the frustrations he has endured during his second stint at the club by staking his claim for a starting place against the Hammers, whom Liverpool beat home and away last season.

Aurelio has only played three times since Hodgson opted to plug his left-back problems by bringing the free agent back to Anfield in July due to a serious Achilles tendon problem.

But the Brazilian hopes those woes are behind him now so he can concentrate on helping Liverpool back to top form.

“It has been frustrating not to play but I have been working hard and kept my confidence up,” said Aurelio.

“I had an Achilles problem and then after I played for the reserves in a friendly at Huddersfield I suffered a small groin problem, but now I feel good and I'm ready to work hard for the manager.

Meanwhile, Juventus are considering making a bid to keep Alberto Aquilani on a permanent basis – and the midfielder wants Glen Johnson to join him in Turin.

Giuseppe Marotta – Juve’s Sporting Director – said of Aquilani, who moved to the Stadio Delli Allpi in August on loan: “From our side there is complete resolve. He's doing better than expected. We have until June next year to do the deal.”

Aquilani never settled on Merseyside but he did strike up a friendship with right-back Johnson and he said: “What former Liverpool team-mate would I bring to Juventus? I would take Glen Johnson.”



http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-f.../#ixzz15dVWIdOu

Portugal prove too much for Spain in last friendly fixture of 2010


The Iberian derby fell the way of Portugal as goals from Martins, a brace from Postiga, plus a stoppage-time strike from Almeida inflicted a 4-0 defeat on Spain. Fernando Torres, who had fully recovered from a slight ankle strain, came on for the second-half. The striker looked lively during the 45 minutes he was on the Stadium of Light pitch, but it wasn’t to be Spain’s evening in front of goal as Portugal outplayed their neighbours.

Portugal started the contest strongly with Casillas having to save from Nani in the second minute. Nani again tried his luck from range as Spain took time to settle at the Stadium of Light.

The World Cup winners’ first effort came from Iniesta. The midfielder turned Carvalho 25 yards from goal before letting fly with his right foot. The ball bounced just wide of the upright.

Spain’s best chance of the first-half fell to David Silva. Capdevila did well to get to the by-line cross before picking-out Silva in the box. The midfielder met Capdevila’s cross with a powerful header, but the ball flashed just wide.

Portugal thought they had gone ahead on 36 minutes. Cristiano Ronaldo turned Pique in the box but his clever chip over Casillas was met on the goal-line by Nani. The goal however was ruled out as the winger was in an off-side position.

Moments later the home side were on the attack again as Pique was forced to head a Martins shot off the line with Iker Casillas beaten.

The hosts grabbed the lead on the stroke of half-time. Iker saved a fierce Ronaldo shot but the ball broke to Martins who made no mistake from eight yards out.

Vicente Del Bosque made three substitutions for the second-half with Torres, Cesc Fabregas and Marchena coming on for Villa, Xavi and Pique.

Portugal doubled their lead four minutes after the break. A flick from Postiga deflected off Ramos and into the back of the net. There was very little the defender could do to divert the striker’s effort away from goal.

Cesc tried to pull one back for the visitors but his curling effort just missed the target, but it was Portugal who were to score again.

With just over twenty minutes remaining Postiga controlled a Moutinho pass in the box before rifling past Casillas.
Torres came close to assisting an unmarked Silva in the box, but the forward’s clever pass was cut out by the last man back for Portugal.

Fernando Llorente headed just wide as Spain tried to claw themselves back into the game.

There was still time for one more goal from Portugal as second-half substitute Hugo Almeida beat the off-side trap before shooting past Casillas.


- Match Stats: Portugal 4-0 Spain

Portugal: Eduardo (Rui Patricio, 50), Joao Pereira, Bruno Alves, Carvalho, Bosingwa, Meireles, Martins(Fernandes, 63), Moutinho, Nani (Machado, 88), Cristiano Ronaldo (Danni, 46), Postiga (Almeida, 76)

Booked: Ronaldo

Goals: Martins 45, Postiga 49, 67, Almeida 90+2

Spain: Casillas, Ramos, Puyol (Arbeloa, 73), Piqué (Marchena, 46), Capdevila, Busquets, Xabi Alonso (Llorente, 59), Xavi (Cesc Fabregas, 46), Silva, Iniesta (Cazorla, 59), Villa (Torres, 46)

Booked: Busquets, Cesc Fabregas

www.fernando9torres.com/index.php?p=4276

Spain and Portugal meet to promote the Iberian bid for the 2018 World Cup




The World Cup winners face neighbours Portugal on Wednesday night at the Stadium of Light, kick-off at 22:00 hours (local time). The match, a repeat of the meeting between the two teams at the knock-out stages in South Africa, will be beamed across the planet as the two countries aim to be selected joint hosts for the 2018 World Cup.

Fernando Torres could line up the team against whom he earned his first international cap. The striker has also faced Portugal at the 2004 European Championships, but his fondest memory comes from a clash back in September 2003. Casillas, Puyol, Marchena, Capdevila, Xavi and Xabi Alonso were in the same side as a 19 year old Fernando Torres, who became a full international in a friendly played in Guimaraes. The lively teenager was on the end of several strong challenges from the Portugal defenders. Fernando Couto was the main culprit as Torres lasted just 45 minutes of his debut after having to be substituted at half-time with a sprained ankle.

Despite joining up with the Spain squad with an ankle injury, Torres overcame the sprain after completing Tuesday's training session at the Stadium of Light.

This summer a solitary goal from David Villa was enough to see Spain through into the last eight in South Affrica. Portugal had finished second in their group behind Brazil, after drawing with Brazil and the Ivory Coast, and thrashing North Korea 7-0. Portugal however were outplayed by Spain in the next round, as Vicente Del Bosque's side charged towards the title.

The high-profile friendly will serve to promote the Iberian candidature for the 2018 World Cup as both Spain and Portugal will be vying to host football's main event in a joint bid. The winning bid will be announced by Fifa on December 2.

www.fernando9torres.com/index.php?p=4274

Spanish star is showing his commitment to the cause


Fernando Torres is working hard to shake off his latest injury in order to lead the Liverpool attack against West Ham at the weekend.

The World Cup winner was showing signs of returning to his devastating best, with three goals in two games, before picking up another knock against Stoke at the weekend.

Torres struggled at the Britannia Stadium but wanted to play on despite being in serious discomfort.

"We missed Fernando in the second half after the kick he took," said manager Roy Hodgson who was impressed with his star striker’s attitude.

"He didn't want to come off and I didn't want to take him off because you don't want to take your goalscorer off when you need a goal. But I don't think he was firing on all cylinders.

"I don't think it's too serious. It was a nasty knock he took but he wanted to carry on. We offered him the chance to come off but he wasn't interested in that."

Liverpool slipped to a fifth Premier League defeat of the campaign and Hodgson admitted he was frustrated to see a six-game unbeaten run come to an end.

"We've had a good run and played some good football in that run," he said. "It was a different type of game to the games we've played because of the way Stoke are set up to play the game poses certain problems for any team that comes here.

"We're realistic, we know we've got a lot of work to do, we've got to get some players back to fitness, we'll keep working at our game and we're very sad to lose the game and the good run."

http://www.givemefootball.com/premier-leag...ent-to-the-caus

Torres puts in a full training session at the Stadium of Light


The Spain team trained at Benfica's Stadium of Light in Lisbon ahead of Wednesday's friendly against Portugal. Fernando Torres took part in Vicente Del Bosque's training session along with his teammates before also playing in a practice match. The striker trained for the entire session on Tuesday and will be available for the Iberian derby after having recovered from a slight ankle strain. Torres had dedicated both sessions on Monday to a personalized training programme in the gym, which served to help the Spaniard back to full fitness.

The training session on Portuguese soil involved a series of ball work drills and shooting practice. The manager then split the group into two teams for a practice match played out on half a pitch. Torres lined up alongside Ramos, Puyol, Marchena, Capdevila, Busquets, Iniesta, Cesc, and Cazorla.

Iker Casillas and Pepe Reina then went in goal as the players took turns to test the keepers from all angles. Barcelona's Pedro Rodríguez was the only absentee from the session with a stomach bug.

www.fernando9torres.com/index.php?p=4273

RFEF pays homage to World Cup winners: "Thanks to all, the dream has become reality"


The Spanish football federation said thank-you on Monday to the heroes from South Africa at a ceremony held at Spain’s headquarters on the outskirts of Madrid. "Thanks to all of you, the dream has become reality," was the slogan of the event.

Fernando Torres was joined for the family photo by the full squad from South Africa, almost 400 former Spain internationals, Ángel María Villar, President of the Spanish football federation, and Fifa President Joseph Blatter.

The day started with a visit to the Spain national team’s museum, home to a large collection of football memorabilia and unique relics from the over 100 years of history of the RFEF. The eventful tour finished with a cocktail where footballers from several generations enjoyed the company or former teammates, managers and fellow Spain internationals.

The World Cup winning squad then paid homage to their predecessors by awarding a plaque to Alfredo Di Stefano, the President of the Association of Former International Footballers (AEFI), in recognition of the contribution they have made to the history of the Spanish national team.

Joseph Blatter presented the Spanish national football team with the Fifa World Champions Badge in recognition of their triumph at the World Cup in South Africa.

Monday all saw the unveiling of the new Spain shirt, which incorporates the world champion star presented to Ángel María Villar by the Fifa president.

www.fernando9torres.com/?p=4269

Torres spends training session in the gym


The Spain squad trained at the Las Rozas football complex on Monday ahead of the midweek Iberian derby in Lisbon. Fernando Torres worked-out in the gym during the afternoon session. The forward focused on recovering from a slight ankle strain he picked up during the Reds’ last Premier League outing. Torres was not alone in the gym as the striker was joined by Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos.

The remaining players trained for 50 minutes under the watchful eye of Vicente Del Bosque. The session started with a warm up before attentions turned to drills and ball-work exercises. The full squad will spend the night at a hotel close to Barajas Airport before flying out to Portugal on Tuesday. The players will prepare for Wednesday's game at the Stadium of Light in the Portuguese capital.

www.fernando9torres.com/?p=4270