FRIDAY 3
	Torres at the double for Spain Fernando Torres scored twice as Spain turned on the style to win 4-0 in Liechtenstein in the European Championship qualifier. El Nino played for 57 minutes before being replaced by Manchester City star David Silva. Pepe Reina was an unused substitute. Dirk Kuyt netted a penalty as Holland turned in a five-star display to win 5-0 in San Marino. Liverpool's No.18 played for 68 minutes before he made way for Ruud van Nistelrooy. Meanwhile Steven Gerrard and Glen Johnson played the full 90 minutes as England beat Bulgaria 4-0 at Wembley in their opening Euro 2012 qualifying game. Jermain Defoe netted a hat-trick and Adam Johnson was also on the mark. Liverpool's No.14 Milan Jovanovic played the full 90 minutes as Serbia won 4-0 in the Faroe Islands. Our new signing Raul Meireles was on the mark for Portugal as they were held to a 4-4 draw by Cyprus in an incredible eight goal thriller. Cyprus found their equaliser two minutes from time. Martin Skrtel played the full 90 minutes as Slovakia beat Macedonia 1-0. Elsewhere on Friday night Martin Kelly was an an unused substitute as England U21s won 1-0 in Portugal. Danny Wilson played the full 90 minutes as Scotland U21s drew 1-1 in Belarus. (LFC Official Website) Carra hailed as Liverpool 'great' Steven Gerrard believes Liverpool team-mate Jamie Carragher is a "one-off" and paid tribute to the stalwart defender ahead of his testimonial. The 32-year-old centre-back will mark a 14-year professional career with the Reds with a fundraising game for his 23 Foundation against an Everton XI. Gerrard, who hopes to be able to make a brief appearance after England's European qualifier on Friday night, said Carragher's influence on the team during that time should not be under-estimated. "You tend to associate players these days moving around a lot but Carra is, in many ways, a one-off and nobody deserves to celebrate their career more," said the Reds captain, who along with Carragher makes up the team's Scouse heartbeat. "He has put so much effort in to his career, has shown so much desire and sweated blood for the club. "It's great I'm going to have chance to celebrate with him. He's been a big influence on me ever since I arrived at Melwood on day one. "We come from similar backgrounds, so it was easy bouncing ideas off each other and I've got nothing but the utmost respect for him as a player and person." Gerrard added in the Liverpool Echo: "Every successful team needs a player like Carra. "It doesn't matter what type of game it is, he leaves everything out on the pitch. "He has worked so hard for everything he has achieved. There have been times when he has had his fair share of criticism but we all go through that. "What is important is how you come through it and Carra has shown consistently in recent years he has been one of the best defenders in the world. "He is a brilliant organiser and leads by example. He deserves to be called a Liverpool great." (TEAMtalk) Torres close to full fitness Liverpool expect Fernando Torres to be back to his peak fitness next month as he is ahead of schedule in his fitness programme. Torres endured an injury-ravaged season last term, being forced to undergo two knee operations and then he picked up an adductor injury in Spain's World Cup final victory in July. Reds boss Roy Hodgson has been trying to nurse Torres back into action slowly and he has started Liverpool's last two games in the Premier League. Liverpool's head of sports science Peter Brukner believes Torres, who scored his first goal for the club since April in last weekend's win over West Brom, will soon be back in top condition. "He's actually slightly ahead of schedule - he played a game earlier than we thought," said Brukner, referring to the substitute appearance against Arsenal on the opening weekend of the season. "He started off with a few minutes, then a few more minutes and then started the last couple of [Premier League] games. "But for a kick on the shin against West Brom he would have played the whole game. "We're now at the stage where he can play the whole game. "He's still not at his physical peak, that will take another three or four weeks, but I think you can see in every game he's played he's improving. "I don't think it will be too long before the old Fernando Torres is back - and I'm looking forward to that." (Sky Sports) Carragher close to new deal Jamie Carragher has revealed he expects to sign a new deal at Liverpool in the near future. The 32-year-old put contract talks on hold earlier this year, but new Reds boss Roy Hodgson has made it one of his top priorities to sort out Carragher's situation. Carragher, who celebrates his testimonial this weekend against Everton, has held positive talks with the club's hierarchy and is hopeful it will get resolved later this month. "I have spoken to the managing director, Christian Purslow, and we've had a good chat about the new contract," said Carragher "I'm sure it will happen. "The most important thing was for the club to get the ins and outs sorted before the transfer deadline. "That's done now so I'm sure we will have something sorted out in the next week or two." (Sky Sports)
	THURSDAY 2
	Ngoo & Shelvey on target Liverpool pair Michael Ngoo and Jonjo Shelvey scored for England under 19's as they beat Slovakia 2-0 on Thursday night. Midfielder Shelvey, signed from Charlton in the summer, captained the side at Gresty Road, Crewe. Striker Ngoo, an academy graduate, opened the scoring on 16 minutes, before Shelvey doubled the lead midway through the second half with a free kick from the edge of the box. Shelvey had earlier attempted a long range lob from inside the centre circle after spotting the keeper off his line. Unfortunately, it just dropped wide of the target. The England senior team play Bulgaria at Wembley on Friday night, with Steven Gerrard captaining the side. (This is Anfield) Carragher: No chance of Liverpool title this season Jamie Carragher accepts the best chance of Liverpool silverware this campaign is in the cup competitions. The Reds slipped to their lowest Barclays Premier League finish - seventh - for a decade last season – and have too much ground to make up on Chelsea and Manchester United. A championship title, which Carragher has never won in his 14-year professional career at Anfield, will probably have to wait. "People have said 'You've done this and that for Liverpool' but we've not won a trophy for four years and that is annoying me a little bit," said the 32-year-old defender. "I certainly don't want to go on another couple of years not winning one before I finish at Liverpool. "I don't see any reason why we can't win a trophy this season or the next couple. "The one I haven't won is the league but I suppose that will be very difficult this season going from seventh last season. "But I see no reason why we can't have a good go and have a trip to Wembley." Carragher is confident the fitness of Fernando Torres, who has yet to get through an entire Liverpool season without any injury. "If you take into account the changes at the club in the sports science department I think up to now we have done quite well at the start of the season with injuries," said the Reds vice-captain. "We are looking for Fernando to stay as fit as possible but I think David Ngog in the last 12 months is a completely different player, and his start to the season has been fantastic. "We've also got Dirk Kuyt and Ryan Babel as well." (tribalfootball.com) Kuyt: Liverpool support convinced me to stay Liverpool attacker Dirk Kuyt admits he was aware of interest from Inter Milan. Kuyt knows Liverpool rejected an approach from Inter for his services during the summer. "I have heard that there was interest from Inter Milan," he said. "It's a big club, but Liverpool let me know that I am a key player for them. "That to me is very important." (tribalfootball.com) Poulsen looking for strong start Christian Poulsen believes that Liverpool can make the most of their busy schedule and have a strong first half to the season. "We have a lot of games so with Mascherano and Aquilani leaving we need quality players for the team because for the next six months we will have a game every four days," said the Danish midfielder. "It is important for a club who wants to play at the top of the Premier League and fighting for the Europa League to have strong players. "I hope after the international break we can come strong again and pick up a lot of points up in the coming months." (LFC Online) Fowler hails impact of Liverpool veteran Carragher Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler believes Jamie Carragher is the ideal role model for local youngsters. Reds defender Jamie Carragher will have his testimonial on Saturday against Everton. Fowler, now playing in Australia with Perth Glory, told liverpoolfc.tv: "It's hard to compare people to previous players because we are talking about different eras and everyone has their own attributes. Let's talk about the future and hopefully we will have youngsters aspiring to be the new Jamie Carragher instead of referring to a 'new' Alan Hansen or a 'new' Mark Lawrenson. "Jamie's done very well at Liverpool and there's no higher compliment for him than for parents of young lads going into the game hoping that he can go on and be the next Jamie Carragher because he's definitely up there with the Hansen's of this world." (tribalfootball.com)
	WEDNESDAY 1
	Reserves held in season opener Liverpool Reserves were held to a goalless draw by Wigan in their first Barclays Premier Reserve League North outing of 2010-11 on Wednesday afternoon. The game - which was switched from an evening kick-off at Prenton Park to an afternoon clash at the Academy - turned out to be a low-key affair. McMahon had to start the season without the likes of Andre Wisdom, Jonjo Shelvey and Michael Ngoo, who are all away with various England youth teams. The injured Tom Ince and Daniel Ayala were also absent, as well as the talented young Spaniard Suso, who hasn't yet got international clearance to play in the league. Liverpool Reserves: Hansen, Flanagan, Robinson, Irwin, (cap), Mavinga, Darby, Amoo (Mendy 65), Spearing, Saric (Cooper 43), Pacheco, Eccleston (Palsson 79). Subs not used: Bouzanis, Roberts. (LFC Official Website) Torres demands new Anfield owners Liverpool striker Fernando Torres is desperate for the club to find new owners in order to bring the glory days back to Anfield. Star striker Torres, who ignored interest from Chelsea and Manchester City in the summer to voice his commitment to Roy Hodgson's new-look Liverpool, hopes a solution can be found quickly. "It is fundamental new owners arrive that can make us a competitive side," he told Spanish radio station Cadena Cope. "We're not that far behind. We had an appalling season last time around, but the year before we were just four points from Manchester United. "Hopefully we can find a consortium that buys the club and can make Liverpool able to fight financially with Chelsea and United. "Then let's see what we're capable of doing this season. Liverpool kept Steven Gerrard which is fundamental. It's still a great team. "It's a delicate situation because we are not in the Champions League, but it is still the biggest club in England and to play at Anfield every week is a privilege. "That's how I see it. I like to have targets, and to be able to help bring Liverpool back where they deserve is a beautiful target. "It is always complicated when you start with a new manager and new players, but we'll see what we are capable of." Torres has also revealed that Liverpool rejected bids for his services in the summer transfer market. "The club received offers and decided to reject them," he said. "That's where it ends. Everyone thought I was leaving for Spain during the World Cup when there was nothing in it. "I said the day I returned to train that my future was at Liverpool. I have a contract until 2013. "This year our target has to be the top four. Like every team-mate, we all want to improve and win titles and for that it is fundamental we get new owners." (TEAMtalk) Liverpool snap up MTK Budapest youngster Adam Hajdu Liverpool have continued their relationship with MTK Budapest with the capture of another young Hungarian. Hungary Under-17 international Adam Hajdu has signed for Liverpool on-loan for the season, subject to an international clearance. Liverpool and Hungarian football have enjoyed a strong alliance for three years resulting in several young players coming through the Reds youth system. (tribalfootball.com) Reds confirm El Zhar loan Liverpool have confirmed Nabil El Zhar has joined Greek side PAOK on loan until the end of the season. The Moroccan international will spend the 2010-11 campaign at the Toumba Stadium after failing to figure for the Reds so far this term. El Zhar arrived on Merseyside from St Etienne in 2006 and has played on 32 occasions for the club, with his most memorable moment coming when he struck a sensational goal in a 2-1 success over Robbie Fowler's Cardiff City in the Carling Cup. Meanwhile, the Reds have also announced Dutch winger Vincent Weijl has completed a transfer to Spanish outfit SD Eibar. (LFC Official Website) Thor Zakariassen ©