MONDAY 15
	Barcelona agree Afellay deal Barcelona have confirmed they have agreed a deal with PSV Eindhoven for the January transfer of highly-rated midfielder Ibrahim Afellay. Afellay announced last month he would not be signing a new contract when his current deal expires at the end of the season with PSV. A number of clubs, including the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal were linked with the Holland international, but Barcelona have won the race for the 24-year-old's signature. The deal, which was announced on both clubs' websites on Monday evening, is still pending an agreement between the Spanish champions and the player, but if all goes to plan then the Holland international will move to the Nou Camp when the January transfer window opens. (TEAMtalk) Comolli reveals Liverpool's transfer strategy New Liverpool director of football strategy Damien Comolli insists that he will be working closely with Roy Hodgson to bring new faces to Anfield in the coming transfer windows and stressed that his position will not undermine the manager. Comolli joined Liverpool from Saint Etienne two weeks ago, and it has been suggested that the club's new owners appointed him as a result of doubts about Hodgson's transfer record since taking arriving at Anfield. Hodgson has brought Joe Cole, Paul Konchesky, Christian Poulsen and Raul Meireles to the club, but all have flattered to deceive thus far, and it is thought that John Henry sought out Comolli in a bid to improve the quality of new recruits. But Comolli has moved quickly to play down reports that he will have final say in any future transfers, insisting that he and Hodgson will work together to target new players. "I think it was just a feeling between the owners and Roy as well that they wanted someone to be in there and come and help on a daily basis, support Roy in terms of making sure there is the best structure around all the club in all the areas which are football related," Comolli told Liverpool's official website. (ESPNsoccernet staff) Roy tracking French talent Reports claim Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson was in Auxerre on Sunday scouting potential new recruits. The Reds manager is said to have attended Auxerre's Ligue 1 fixture with Rennes, which the hosts won 2-1. It is thought that a defensive midfielder will be towards the top of their shopping list, with Rennes' Yann M'Vila a possible candidate to fill such a role. Auxerre's Delvin Ndinga is another believed to have caught the eye, with a number of clubs from across Europe monitoring his situation. Another player to have been linked with Liverpool in the past is Slovenian striker Valter Birsa and Hodgson may have taken the opportunity to run the rule over him. (Sky Sports)  John Henry sets out his vision for the Reds Owner John W Henry has urged Liverpool’s players to give everything to help lead the club up the Premier League table. The American, who also revealed that his sports investment company New England Sports Ventures (NESV) will change its name to Fenway Sports Group, reiterated his promise to restore the Reds to their former glory. But he insists success will only come if everyone is pulling in the same direction. Speaking to the independent Liverpool FC website Red and White Kop, he said: “The club has gone through a very difficult period and the period has not ended. “It’s up to us to build a winner going forward. It’s up to them (the players) to determine to win now. We saw a certain team on the field against Chelsea last week that showed what they can do. “We also know how competitive the EPL is this year. There are no guaranteed matches any longer for any club. This club can be better." (Liverpool Daily Post)     Roy shutting out Dalglish chants Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson admits he will always face comparison to his predecessors after seeing his side's recent revival falter at Stoke. Hodgson had to listen to Liverpool fans chanting the name of former player and manager Kenny Dalglish as goals from Ricardo Fuller and Kenwyne Jones ended a six-match unbeaten run in Saturday evening's 2-0 Premier League defeat at the Britannia Stadium. Asked if the singing of Dalglish's name disappointed him, Hodgson said: "I suppose it does. That seems like it is going to be part of life at Liverpool. "I think we are trying to do the best job we can in the circumstances and I don't know that that type of singing helps anyone." "Fans make their frustrations felt every time we lose, but unfortunately they may have to do that a few more times, because I can't see us going through a season winning every game." (TEAMtalk) FC Twente striker tracked by Liverpool Young Dutch striker Luuk De Jong is being tracked by Liverpool. (tribalfootball.com)
	SUNDAY 14
	Reds confirm Torres injury blow Liverpool have confirmed that Fernando Torres sustained ankle ligament damage during their 2-0 loss at Stoke City on Saturday. However, the problem is only thought to be a strain and at the moment Torres is still set to link-up with Spain ahead of their international with Portugal next week. Liverpool have already been in touch with Spain's medical team and they have confirmed he will travel to Lisbon next week. A Liverpool statement read: "Fernando Torres sustained an ankle ligament strain during Saturday's clash with Stoke City - but the striker will still join up with the Spain squad for their international with Portugal. "The Reds' medical team have been in contact with their Spanish counterparts to keep them up to date on the 26-year-old's condition. "Torres will have the injury further assessed by the Spanish medical staff ahead of the friendly in Lisbon on Wednesday." (TEAMtalk) Hodgson plays down Johnson comments Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has admitted he was surprised his assessment of Glen Johnson's form had created such a fuss and apologised for any perceived criticism. The England defender has not been up to scratch this season but has been troubled by injury and missed the last three matches with a groin problem. After the midweek draw with Wigan Hodgson gave an honest assessment of how he thought the right-back had been playing, saying he had not yet reached the level which made him a regular in Fabio Capello's side. "We all want Glen Johnson to find his England form, but that has nothing to do with him being injured at the moment," he said. "That was just a general comment that I think I was entitled to make. We have a player with ability and we are hoping he is going to bring that ability to the team because we want to use it help us win matches. "It is no good being a player with great ability if you are not able to bring that on to the field of play. We know Glen can and will do that but first and foremost Glen has to get fit and I'm hoping that will be the case by next Sunday (at home to West Ham) because he has made good progress." (Virgin Media) Pulis pleased with improving Potters Stoke City boss Tony Pulis was delighted with his side's display in Saturday's hard-fought 2-0 victory against Liverpool. "We showed loads of passion, commitment and energy and they deserved their victory." (Sport.co.uk)   Gerrard named in squad Steven Gerrard has been named in the England squad for the international friendly with France at Wembley on Wednesday. The Liverpool captain is the Reds' sole representative in Fabio Capello's 23-man selection. England squad in full: Foster (Birmingham), Hart (Man City), Green (West Ham); Gibbs (Arsenal), Cole (Chelsea), Terry (Chelsea), Jagielka (Everton), Lescott (Man City), Richards (Man City), Ferdinand (Man Utd), Smalling (Man Utd); Walcott (Arsenal), Wilshere (Arsenal), Young (Aston Villa), Gerrard (Liverpool), Barry (Man City), Johnson (Man City), Milner (Man City), Henderson (Sunderland); Agbonlahor (Aston Villa), Bothroyd (Cardiff), Carroll (Newcastle), Crouch (Tottenham). (LFC Official Website) Liverpool youngster Wilson happy playing for Hodgson Liverpool defender Danny Wilson enjoys working for manager Roy Hodgson. Wilson is following in the illustrious footsteps of past Liverpool stoppers Gary Gillespie, Alan Hansen and Ron Yeats. Former Rangers stopper Wilson, just one competitive Reds game so far, told the Scottish Sun: "Roy's been brilliant with me since I joined Liverpool. "He's a top manager and has plenty of experience in the game - just like Walter Smith. "I'm certain the gaffer will be a big influence on my career. "I've only been at Liverpool for four months, but I've learned so much from him and everyone else at the club. "I'm more aware defensively than I've ever been. "My game is improving, but that's going to come from working with players like Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres. "I couldn't have wished for a better start at Rangers, training and playing alongside top pros like Davie Weir. Now I'm at one of the biggest clubs in the Premiership and Europe. So I can only continue to improve. "Roy is a senior figure in football, just as Walter is. "And I'm lucky that at 18 I have got the experience of working with them." (tribalfootball.com)
	SATURDAY 13
	Roy refuses to be critical Roy Hodgson dismissed suggestions that his players had lacked mental strength following Liverpool's 2-0 defeat to Stoke. The Reds went into the Britannia Stadium clash on a four-match unbeaten run but came unstuck as Ricardo Fuller and Kenwyne Jones scored second-half goals for Stoke. Lucas Leiva was sent off for a second bookable offence just before the final whistle and Hodgson was disappointed with the result. However, he refused to be too critical of his players, saying they coped with Stoke's physicality for the most part. "I'm sad a good run has come to an end," said the Liverpool manager. (Sky Sports) Super Stoke ruin Reds revival Second-half goals from Ricardo Fuller and Kenwyne Jones gave Stoke a 2-0 win over Liverpool, who finished with 10 men at the Britannia Stadium. The Reds' six-match unbeaten run came to end as they were outfought, outplayed and outmanoeuvred by Tony Pulis' side. Fuller opened the scoring just after half-time and Jones completed a comprehensive victory in the final minute before Lucas Leiva was sent off for a second bookable offence. The Potters were more than worth their win against a team who appear to have lost their way as quickly as they found it. They have won away from home only once this season and only three times since last November. Their first 45 minutes appeared to be a direct continuation of the second half at Wigan, where they had found themselves under almost constant pressure and were lucky to come away with a draw. Roy Hodgson's side appeared unprepared and unable to deal with their hosts' brash, energetic approach which allowed them to dominate the game from first to last. (TEAMtalk)  Soto returns Sotirios Kyrgiakos returns for Liverpool against Stoke City this evening. The Reds team in full is: Reina, Konchesky, Carragher, Skrtel, Kyrgiakos, Lucas, Gerrard, Maxi, Kuyt, Meireles, Torres. Subs: Jones, Kelly, Shelvey, Poulsen, Jovanovic, Babel, Ngog. (LFC Official Website)   Hodgson warns Johnson Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has warned Glen Johnson he needs to improve his performances for the Anfield outfit. The England defender, who has been out of action in recent weeks with a groin injury, has failed to impress the man who replaced Rafa Benitez in the summer. Johnson was signed for a reported £18million from Portsmouth in the summer of 2009 and has previously been regarded as the first choice right-back for club and country. But Hodgson has admitted that the former West Ham and Chelsea man has not been producing the kind of displays expected. Hodgson said: "He's the England right-back and, if he plays like that, one would expect him to come back in when he's fit. "But then he'd have to play like the England right-back and up to now, to be quite frank, he's not performed - very often at least - to the level I'd expect of him. "You would have to ask him 'do you think you're playing at top form and are you playing like the best right-back in the country for your club?' "If he says yes, obviously we will have to agree to differ and if he says no, then you'd have to ask the question 'why not?'" (Sky Sports) Skrtel hails Soto Martin Skrtel has again praised Sotirios Kyrgiakos. Kyrgiakos is set to return against Stoke this afternoon after missing the Reds' last two games with tonsilitis. Skrtel has welcomed the Greek's return and believes he adds another dimension to Liverpool's attacking play from set-pieces. "I think he's dangerous for every single set play, every single corner and free-kick. I think he's absolutely No.1 in the air at our club and maybe in the Premier League," said the centre-back. "He's showed he's a good player and that he could score a lot of goals for Liverpool. "I try to do it but it's not easy because our opponents always try to look after the centre-backs. I've been a bit unlucky but I'll try to improve and try to be more dangerous." (LFC Online) Thor Zakariassen ©