Reserves make it four out of five
Liverpool Reserves made it four wins out of five with a 2-0 win over Sheffield United at Saltergate in Chesterfield on Tuesday night.
Strikes from Jack Hobbs and trialist Reneil Sappleton clinched a well-earned victory against a strong United side which included former Toffees Paul Gerrard and Li Tie.
The win lifts Gary Ablett's men to fifth in the FA Premiership Reserves League Northern Division with two games to go.
Liverpool Reserves: Padelli, Darby, Insua, Huth, Hobbs (capt), Spearing, Anderson, Flynn, Lindfield (Sappleton 80), El Zhar, Threlfall (Brouwer 70).
(LFC Official Website) 
 
Villa reveals Reds liking
Valencia striker David Villa has revealed he would be interested in a move to England if the opportunity arose, with Liverpool his favourite club.
The Spanish international has been continually linked with a move to the Premiership with Chelsea and Liverpool among his suitors.
Villa, who says he follows Liverpool because of his friendship with Reds keeper Jose Reina, admits he would consider an offer to play in England.
"I never planned to play in England, but if an offer arrives I'll take a look at it," Villa told Zoo magazine.
"I'm a great follower of football all around the world and I watch lots of games from the Premiership.
"I don't have a favourite English team, but because of my friendships with some of their players, I follow Liverpool most. My favourite player there is my friend Pepe Reina."
Valencia are determined to keep hold of their prized asset and they inserted a buy-out clause of £85million in his contract.
Villa has admitted himself that the price tag on his head is "ludicrous".
"It seems like a ludicrous amount of money! I believe it is too much money," added Villa.
(Sky Sports) 
 
Agger willing to learn from Anfield old hands
Liverpool defender Daniel Agger reveals he is being driven towards European glory by the incessant barrage from centre back partner Jamie Carragher.
The 22-year-old Denmark international has only been at Anfield for 14 months after a £5.8million transfer, but already he has all-but ousted one of Liverpool's modern-day heroes from the side.
He puts his elevation to first-team regular down to the constant words of advice barked in his ear from Carragher, and the fatherly advice coming from Finnish star Hyypia, now approaching 400 games for the club.
Agger said: "I know I have found myself in the first team a lot this season, and maybe people are surprised. But I would not have joined Liverpool if I did not think I could have achieved what I have done.
"There are great players here, two excellent centre backs in Sami and Carra, and I have learned so much from both of them.
"I just try to listen to everything they say to me, and to use their knowledge.
"And I know that if I have anything I want to ask, then I will get all the help they can
give me."
(The Daily Mail)

Liverpool without Kuyt for return leg
Team news: Liverpool will be without the suspended Dirk Kuyt for their Champions League quarter-final second leg at home to PSV Eindhoven tomorrow.
Mohamed Sissoko, banned for the first leg, returns to the squad while Xabi Alonso - who missed Saturday's win at Reading with a calf injury - returns to the squad.
Manager Rafael Benitez has the problem of whether to use Jermaine Pennant in this match, with the winger one booking away from being banned for a potential semi-final tie.
Provisional squad: Reina, Finnan, Arbeloa, Carragher, Hyypia, Agger, Riise, Pennant, Gerrard, Alonso, Sissoko, Mascherano, Gonzalez, Zenden, Bellamy, Crouch,
Fowler, Dudek.
(Ireland.com)

Window box boys are really blooming
Rafa Benitez must be delighted with the contribution of his January signings.
It’s often said the mid-season transfer window is most difficult when trying to add quality to your squad, but Liverpool’s recent track record suggests otherwise.
Last year Benitez was cunning in his purchase of Daniel Agger and, of course, Robbie Fowler, and this season the arrival of Javier Mascherano and Alvaro Arbeloa has definitely pepped up his squad.
(Ian Rush - Liverpool Echo)

Papin backing under-fire Cisse
French legend Jean-Pierre Papin has urged Djibril Cisse's critics to be more patient, as speculation continues to grow that Marseille will decide against signing the striker in
the summer.
Cisse has been booed by l'OM fans in recent weeks and could only make Albert Emon's bench for the 4-1 victory over Lille at the weekend, with various reports stating that the French club will not pay the €12million (£8.2million) fee needed to make his stay permanent.
"Don't forget that this boy has suffered a six-month break twice over," Papin told L'Equipe.
"Normally, when you suffer such injuries you need one year to come back to peak form, but nobody says it.
"He lacks a little confidence - the last second, the last gesture, everything that makes a goalscorer - but he hasn't lost it.
"It is simple, he doesn't play with 100 per cent of his talent, maybe 70 per cent.
"People try to demolish him, that is unfair."
(Sky Sports)

Benitez may rest big guns
Rafa Benitez is considering resting his big guns for tomorrow’s visit of PSV Eindhoven.
The Liverpool boss will assess his options after training this afternoon, but he may be tempted to hand more fringe players an opportunity to protect the 3-0 lead.
However, Benitez is also cautious about presuming the tie is over.
“I haven’t decided which team to use yet, but we do have options,” said Benitez.
“The best idea is to approach the game to win, and then maybe we can look at the situation at half-time and decide whether we can change it.
“I must talk to the players and be sure they realise they must still work hard. We can approach the game with confidence, but I also remember what happened in Istanbul."
(Liverpool Echo) 

Cocu: We're not here for a holiday
PSV captain Phillip Cocu insists the Dutch champions aren't coming to Merseyside for
a holiday.
The midfielder says he and his teammates want at the very least to restore their pride following a 3-0 first-leg defeat on home soil.
"We need more than a miracle to beat Liverpool and reach the semi-finals but we are not going to England just for a holiday," said Cocu.
"It is obvious that in Eindhoven they were the better side, but I thought the 3-0 scoreline was harsh. We had some chances to score but we didn't take them.
"We are not going to throw this game because we are playing for pride and we don't want it to be ridiculous.
"Any kind of win at Anfield would leave a good taste in our mouths, so we will try to score a goal and see what happens."
(LFC Official Website)

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