Posts written by Kat_Agger5

Steaua test for a Liverpool side out to qualify for next round with a match to spare




With Torres, Gerrard and Carragher remaining on Merseyside, Liverpool travel to Romania intent on securing maximum points from Thursday’s Europa League trip to Steaua Bucarest, kick-off at 18:00 hours (GMT). Earlier in the week Hodgson confirmed Fernando would be rested for the midweek match in an interview with Liverpool FC TV. "Torres won't travel. I can leave maybe as many as six or seven players who I expect to start against Aston Villa out of the team.”

In addition to his number ‘9’ and his two club captains, Roy Hodgson has also left Kuyt and Meireles in England for the penultimate round of matches in Group K. The Kop boss however hopes that his young guns will help the Reds into the next round with a game to spare. "I have faith in the young players and whatever happens on Thursday night I won't lose faith in them."

A point for the Merseysiders would be enough to see them through, but the Reds will be looking for their first win on the road in this season’s Europa League after draws away to Napoli and Utrecht.

Steaua are the most successful team in Romanian football with one European Cup, one European Super Cup, 23 Romanian League titles, 20 National Cups and 5 Romanian Super Cups. Last season however the Romanian giants could only finish fourth in the league, seven points behind champions CFR Cluj.

After a defeat on matchday one away to Liverpool, Steaua Bucarest, have recovered to climb up to second in the table. The side coached by Ilie Dumitrescu are now in control of their own destiny and a victory would see the Romanians leap-frog the Reds at the summit of Group K.

Steaua Bucharest arrive for Thursday’s match on the back of a 2-2 draw with CFR Cluj, a result that leaves them seventh in the league, ten points behind leaders Otelul Galati.

In the first encounter at Anfield, Steaua’s Tanase cancelled out Cole’s first minute strike, but after the break David Ngog from the spot and a brilliant goal from Leiva sealed victory, before the French forward got his second of the evening in injury time.

www.fernando9torres.com/index.php?p=4294

Training
1st December 2010

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Fernando Torres rested for Europa League clash in Bucharest


Roy Hodgson has decided to leave his number ‘9’ on Merseyside for Liverpool’s Europa League match against Steaua at the Ghencea Stadium on Thursday. The Anfield boss wants to rest Torres ahead of Monday’s Premier League encounter with Aston Villa.

"Torres won't travel. I can leave maybe as many as six or seven players who I expect to start against Aston Villa out of the team,” commented Hodgson to the club tv channel.”

Hodgson hopes to give a chance to several squad players on Thursday night as Liverpool look to seal top spot in Group K. "It means on paper I'm taking a weakened team, but I believe people like Joe Cole, Ryan Babel, Milan Jovanovic, Danny Wilson, Christian Poulsen and Jonjo Shelvey are more than capable of doing a good job for Liverpool Football Club."

The Reds ran-out 4-1 winners when the teams last met. But since falling to the Merseysiders, Steaua Bucharest have climbed up to second in the group above both Napoles and Utrecht.

www.fernando9torres.com/?p=4292

Torres out but Scot starts

Fernando Torres will not travel to Bucharest for Thursday's Europa League clash with Steaua - while at the back Danny Wilson will deputise for the injured Jamie Carragher.

Our Spanish striker is to be rested ahead of Monday's Barclays Premier League encounter with Aston Villa.

Those who will definitely start include 18-year-old Wilson, whose only appearance since signing from Rangers this summer came in the League Cup defeat to Northampton.

He will partner Sotirios Kyrgiakos at the back - and the pair are likely to be joined in defence by Fabio Aurelio and Martin Kelly.

Hodgson told Liverpoolfc.tv: "Martin Kelly and Danny Wilson will start against Steaua Bucharest and it's a great opportunity for them to stake a claim to be in the first team.

"Not being able to take the points we deserved against Tottenham has kept us in a mid-table position so the next games coming up are going to be very important.

"I've got to be careful not to risk too many of the players I want out on the field against Aston Villa.

"Torres won't travel. I can leave maybe as many as six or seven players who I expect to start against Aston Villa out of the team.

"It means on paper I'm taking a weakened team, but I believe people like Joe Cole, Ryan Babel, Milan Jovanovic, Danny Wilson, Christian Poulsen and Jonjo Shelvey are more than capable of doing a good job for Liverpool Football Club."

Dani Pacheco is also expected to feature in Bucharest, where a point would ensure we progress to the knockout stages.

www.liverpoolfc.tv

Liverpool drawn away to Man Utd in mouthwatering third round FA Cup tie




Seven-time cup winners Liverpool were drawn away to Manchester United in the third round of the FA Cup. The tie between the two fierce rivals was the only all-Premier League clash in the draw carried out on Sunday.

The tie at Old Trafford will be the ninth post-war meeting between the two clubs in the FA Cup. Despite Man U wining seven of the last nine meetings, it was Liverpool who knocked out the Red Devils the last time the teams met in 2006. A solitary goal from Peter Crouch, now at Spurs, was enough to see Liverpool win the fifth-round tie.

For Fernando Torres it will be his second visit to the Theatre of Dreams this season after Liverpool slipped to defeat in the Premier League in a five goal thriller.

The FA Cup tie between Man United and Liverpool will be played over the weekend of 8/9 January 2011.


- Third round draw in full:

Burnley v Port Vale
Coventry City v Crystal Palace
Bristol City v Sheffield Wednesday
Fulham v Peterborough United
Doncaster Rovers v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Brighton & Hove Albion or FC United of Manchester v Portsmouth
Huddersfield Town v Dover Athletic
Crawley Town or Swindon Town v Derby County
West Ham United v Barnsley
Reading v West Bromwich Albion
Arsenal v Leeds United
Sheffield United v Aston Villa
Leicester City v Manchester City
Bolton Wanderers v York City
Blackburn Rovers v Queens Park Rangers
Swansea City v Colchester United
Wycombe Wanderers v Hereford United or Lincoln City
Stevenage v Newcastle United
Burton Albion v Middlesbrough
Millwall v Birmingham City
Southampton v Blackpool
Watford v Hartlepool United or Yeovil Town
Chelsea v Ipswich Town
Sunderland v Notts County or AFC Bournemouth
Scunthorpe United v Everton
Manchester United v Liverpool
Hull City v Wigan Athletic
Stoke City v Cardiff City
Tottenham Hotspur v Charlton Athletic or Luton Town
Preston North End v Nottingham Forest
Norwich City v Droylsden or Leyton Orient
Torquay United v Carlisle United

www.fernando9torres.com/index.php?p=4290

Hodgson's Torres belief


Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson insists that he still has full belief in striker Fernando Torres.

Torres was again far from his best on Sunday as Liverpool missed a number of good chances before succumbing 2-1 to Tottenham.

Earlier this season Hodgson admitted Torres was struggling with his confidence following an injury-hit World Cup.

But he looked to be back to his best when he scored a brilliant brace in their victory over champions Chelsea.

Torres then scored against Wigan, but three successive blanks have followed, leaving Hodgson to offer his backing to the Spaniard.

"I think 'crisis of confidence' may be too strong," said Hodgson.

"I was pleased with Fernando Torres.

"Fernando himself, because he sets very high standards, will be disappointed he didn't take one of the goal chances which his good play - to be fair - created."

www.skysports.com

Roy Hodgson insists he is happy with Liverpool striker Fernando Torres

Roy Hodgson insists Fernando Torres' crisis of confidence has not returned despite the striker's killer instinct appearing to desert him in Liverpool's 2-1 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur.

Torres twice hesitated when clean through either side of half-time while the visitors were leading at White Hart Lane in the Premier League yesterday. The delays allowed Sebastien Bassong to snuff out the danger and keep Spurs in a game that was in danger of slipping away from them.

Hodgson admitted last month that Torres was mentally "a bit low" following an injury-hit spell and a poor World Cup. He looked back to his best in Liverpool's victory over Chelsea but has now failed to score in his last three matches.

"I think 'crisis of confidence' may be too strong," said Hodgson after Torres' display yesterday. "I was pleased with Fernando Torres. Fernando himself, because he sets very high standards, will be disappointed he didn't take one of the goal chances which his good play – to be fair – created."

Hodgson also refused to be too harsh on the Spaniard's strike partner David Ngog after the latter inexplicably handled Gareth Bale's free-kick to gift Tottenham a penalty yesterday.

Ngog enjoyed a reprieve when Jermain Defoe missed from the spot and Hodgson said: "Players do these things. I don't think he jumped with his hands to actually stop the ball with his hands."

Ngog hobbled off in the second half but Hodgson's main concern was a serious injury to stand-in captain Jamie Carragher, who went off in the 87th minute with a suspected dislocated shoulder.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/no...rpool-tottenham

with liverpool fan Jacob Soar



Edited by OjosMágicos - 1/12/2010, 12:33

A last-gasp goal from Lennon send Merseysiders home empty-handed


Liverpool’s recent poor run of results at White Hart Land continued on Sunday as the Reds slipped to a 2-1 defeat- their fourth in a row away to Tottenham. Martin Skrtel scored at both ends before Lennon sealed all three points for Spurs with a goal in stoppage time.

Fernando Torres played the full 90 minutes, and despite not coming close to scoring, the Spaniard created three good chances to score for his teammates. His creativity and link-up proved a thorn in the side of the home defence, but despite a good performance from the Spain international, Liverpool fell to defeat away to the North Londoners.

Roy Hodgson made one change to the Liverpool side that beat West Ham last weekend handing Lucas Leiva a start in midfield ahead Christian Poulsen. Torres spearheaded the Red attack with Maxi, Ngog and Kuyt up in support.

Liverpool looked good early on as Fernando Torres found Maxi with a brilliant flick. The linesman’s flag however went up as Maxi surged towards goal.

The Spaniard was again at the heart of the visitor’s next move with a clever pass into an unmarked Kuyt. The Dutchman failed to control Torres’ pass, but the ball broke to Maxi who shot just wide of the far post.

Jamie Carragher produced an excellent goal-line block to deny Jermain Defoe. The Spurs’ forward looked certain to score from six yards out but the Liverpool defender diverted the danger with a timely interception.

The game wasn't lacking in rhythm, but chances were few and far between. Both sides were putting in the tackles as the game approached half-time.

And it was just before the break that the Reds opened the scoring. A header from Skrtel in the box struck Ngog before falling kindly back at his feet. The defender made no mistake with his second attempt as he cooly found the back of the net with a low shot.

The Merseysiders could have grabbed a second before the interval as Fernando Torres played Maxi clean through on goal. The Argentine controlled the Spaniard’s exquisite swivel pass but failed to beat Tottenham keeper Gomes with a tame shot.

The home side started the second-half strongly and were soon denied by another goal-line clearance. Raul Meireles was the Reds’ saviour as his header stopped Gareth Bale’s volley from flying into the roof of the net.

Spurs were awarded a penalty 13 minutes following the restart after a free-kick from Bale hit Ngog in the wall. The replay showed that the ball struck the striker’s arms, but it was still a harsh decision. Justice though was done as Defoe fired wide.

Tottenham were level with 25 minutes remaining. A cross from Modric deflected off Skrtel and into his own net.

Fernando Torres tried to beat Gomes with an audacious shot from inside the centre-circle, but the Tottenham number one gathered easily. Next it was the turn of Meireles to try his luck, but his drive from just outside the box flew inches wide of Gomes’ left-hand post.

The game looked to be headed for a draw, but deep into added time Lennon controlled a Crouch flick on before shooting past Reina. There was no time for a Liverpool to find an equaliser as Spurs held on for an unlikely win.


- Match Stats: Tottenham 2-1 Liverpool

Tottenham: Gomes, Hutton, Kaboul (Bassong, 36), Gallas, Assou-Ekotto, Lennon, Palacios, Modric, Bale, Van der Vaart (Defoe, 12) (Sandro, 90+3), Crouch

Goals: Skrtel 65 (og), Lennon 90+2

Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Carragher (Kyrgiakos, 86), Skrtel, Konchesky, Kuyt, Meireles, Lucas, Maxi, Torres, Ngog (Aurelio, 74)

Booked: Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Konchesky, Meireles

Goals: Skrtel 42

www.fernando9torres.com/?p=4288

Liverpool to fight Inter Milan for Torres new strike partner

The Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson is searching far and wide for a regular strike partner for Fernando Torres and one of the players that could become available very soon is the Sampdoria striker Antonio Cassano.

The Italian international has worked as a second striker for most of his carrer and would be perfect to play behind Torres, and the good news for Hodgson is that he is expected to become a free agent at any moment after falling out with his club president Riccardo Garrone.

Garrone has had enough of Cassano and is in the process of legally getting his contract with Sampdoria annulled, which would leave the 28 year-old free to sign for anyone he likes.

There have been rumours lately that Inter Milan were the front runners but now TuttoMercato have reported that Liverpool have decided to intervene and try and get him to move to Anfield. The new Liverpool owner has promised Hodgson funds for January to improve the squad, but if Hodgson can get Cassano for free so much the better!

http://www.footylatest.com/liverpool-to-fi...e-partner/18290

its a picture topic not a gif topic when u put gifs it messes up the topic and makes the loading slow

WORRY FERNANDO TORRES MAY GO


KOP legend Robbie Fowler reckons Fernando Torres will quit Liverpool next summer – if they fail to finish in the top-four.




The Spain striker has already said he wants to play Champions League football – and has attracted interest from a whole host of clubs including Barcelona, Inter Milan and Manchester City.




And former Reds star Fowler says Roy Hodgson’s men must ensure they qualify for the Champions League – or risk their star striker quitting the club.

Fowler, who now plays in Australia for Perth Glory, said: “I could see Fernando leaving.




“With Fernando, he has stated he wants to play Champions League football. He wants to play at a higher level and he has obviously missed out this year.




“If Liverpool were to fail again next year then I think they will struggle to keep him.




“He is a fantastic player. He had a tough start to the season and missed a lot of pre-season action.




“He has looked good and sharp and has been scoring some great goals and let’s hope that continues.”




Liverpool face a Spurs side who have hammered both Werder Bremen and European champions Inter Milan in the Champions League at White Hart Lane.




And Fowler says Liverpool manager Hodgson must be given the funds to strengthen in the new year if the Merseysiders are to challenge Europe’s elite once again. Fowler added: “The new owners have come in and said all the right stuff and I think the fans are quite happy at the minute.




“We will probably find out a lot more in January when the transfer window opens. By all accounts, they need to buy players.




“To build a good side you need a spine. They have a great keeper in Pepe Reina and then they have got Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres.




“They probably need a good centrre-half. The defenders aren’t bad but they could probably do with someone a bit more dominant.




“Jamie Carragher has been there but he’s coming towards the end of his career. He has been absolutely magnificent for Liverpool and I wouldn’t say a bad word against him.

“If they can get a dominant central defender in, I think the spine of the team will look very good.”

www.dailystar.co.uk/football/view/1...-Torres-may-go/



Edited by OjosMágicos - 28/11/2010, 21:48