WEDNESDAY 21
	Forlan: Reds are reeling Diego Forlan believes Atletico Madrid can compound Liverpool's misery this season by dumping them out of Europe. Former Manchester United forward Forlan believes the absence of the Spanish hit-man could be key to Atletico's hopes and feels they are more than capable of claiming a positive result at Vicente Calderon. "I won many times for United against Liverpool so I know they are not invincible - especially without Torres," the Uruguayan told The Sun. (Sky Sports) Babel back for Liverpool Forward Ryan Babel returns to Liverpool’s squad for their Europa League semi-final first leg against Atletico Madrid tomorrow. The Holland international has served a one-match suspension for his sending-off in the last-eight first leg against Benfica and provides a welcome boost to an injury-ravaged squad. Striker Fernando Torres has been ruled out for the rest of the season after a knee operation at the weekend while defenders Fabio Aurelio, Emiliano Insua (both thigh), Martin Skrtel (foot) and Martin Kelly (knee) were all left behind on Merseyside to continue their rehabilitation. Provisional squad: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Kyrgiakos, Agger, Lucas, Mascherano, Kuyt, Gerrard, Benayoun, Ngog, Cavalieri, Babel, Aquilani, Degen, El Zhar, Pacheco, Ayala, Plessis. (BreakingNews.ie) Benitez: Long journey has helped Liverpool FC team bonding Rafa Benitez today expressed confidence that his players will be primed to make the best of a bad situation by ensuring their arduous journey ends on a high. Liverpool spent last night in Paris after completing the first phase of their 1,200-mile trip to Madrid by train but had an early start in order to catch a flight to Spain from Bordeaux. “You have to try to find the positives when you are in this kind of situation and it is vital that everyone stays together when you have a problem,” said Benitez, stressing the importance of team bonding. “Of course this isn’t ideal and we would have preferred to have flown but, you never know, maybe something like this can work in your favour." (Liverpool Echo)   Jurado: Reds won't be travel weary Atletico Madrid's Jose Manuel Jurado says Liverpool will not show any ill-effects from their road trip to Spain when the teams meet tomorrow. "I'm sorry that they have to travel so many kilometres to get to Madrid, although I don't think it's something that will be noticed on the pitch," Jurado said. "I think, more than the journey, they could be more tired because they played on Monday, but in a semi-final like this you don't notice fatigue." (TEAMtalk)   Cahill rumours denied Bolton boss Owen Coyle has dismissed rumours linking Liverpool with a move for Gary Cahill and says he wants to keep hold of him. Cahill is attracting interest from the Premier League's top clubs after another impressive season for Wanderers and there had been suggestions that Liverpool had made an approach. However Coyle has played down such rumours and insists no-one from Liverpool has made contact regards the player's availability. "I don't know anything about it," he said. "No-one has spoken to me. There was also speculation about Liverpool and Chung-Yong Lee, wasn't there? "I can assure you there has been no dialogue (with Liverpool) at my level. And I hope I would have been told had it gone any higher." (Clubcall.com)
	TUESDAY 20
	Blues stun young Reds Jose Baxter struck a dramatic injury-time winner as Liverpool Reserves slumped to a 1-0 defeat against Everton in the mini-derby at Prenton Park on Tuesday evening. A tense contest saw little by way of clear cut chances, but the Reds' second-string turned in a battling display against a Blues side that contained several first-team fringe players. And it was one of those, Baxter, who fired home a volley in the 90th minute to harshly condemn Liverpool to a fourth successive defeat. The result means Liverpool's outside hopes of being crowned Barclays Premier Reserve League North champions are over, but John McMahon will no doubt be pleased by the character shown by his men after suffering three back-to-back losses which derailed their title charge. Liverpool Reserves: David Martin, John Flanagan, Alex Cooper, Jakub Sokolik, Victor Palsson, Steven Irwin, Gerardo Bruna, David Amoo, Lauri Dalla Valle, Nicolaj Kohlert, Alex Kacaniklic. Subs: Conor Coady, Chris Oldfield, Jordy Brouwer, Thomas Ince, Jack Robinson. (LFC Official Website) Del Bosque backs Torres Spain coach Vicente del Bosque does not think that Fernando Torres put country before club after undergoing surgery. He is also confident that all of his stars will be ready for this summer's World Cup in South Africa. The timing of Torres' operation has been questioned by some, as he will miss the end of the domestic season, but his international coach believes he had no alternative. "If he has decided to have an operation then it will have been with the consent of the club," Del Bosque explained. "It would have been because he could not have continued playing in the condition he was in." Whether Torres returns in time for the World Cup is a matter Del Bosque is monitoring closely, but he is not prepared to take any players to the finals that are not fully fit. "We cannot go with five or six players wrapped in cotton wool. In the case that some players are not able to come then we have other great players," he said. "But there is just over a month before we start to work and I think that is enough time for everyone to be fit. "Now we are at the crunch stage of the season and I think that everyone will join us in great condition." (Sky Sports) Yossi: We'll win it for Nando Yossi Benayoun today vowed to try and win the Europa League for the injured Fernando Torres. The Israeli star, who was on target in Monday night's 3-0 triumph over West Ham, admits he feels a deep disappointment for the loss of the Reds' no. 9 and has now set his sights on compensating him by securing a winners' medal in Hamburg. "I believe we can cause them problems, even without Fernando. He's the best striker in the world and with him things are much easier. Unfortunately he is injured and can't play. "I wanted him to play against his old club - he deserves to do it - as it would have been a special moment for him but we need to try and win the game for him." (LFC Official Website)   Trio shine on loan Three of Liverpool's promising youngsters celebated a memorable feat at the weekend. Jay Spearing, Stephen Darby and Robbie Threlfall all picked up the sponsors Man of the Match award for Leicester City, Swindon Town and Bradford City respectively. Wirral born Spearing netted his first Foxes goal in the 4-1 win over Watford and Nigel Pearson's side are currently fifth in the Championship. With two games left they are four points clear of fellow promotion play-off challengers Blackpool. Darby has been a regular performer for Danny Wilson's Swindon Town and they drew 1-1 with Walsall on Saturday. They are in fourth place in League One and with three games left they are just two points behind Leeds United in the race for the second automatic promotion spot. Meanwhile, Threlfall has been in impressive form for Peter Taylor's Bradford and he was excellent in Saturday's 2-1 win over Barnet. (LFC Official Website) Gerrard: Quality, not quantity, is key Steven Gerrard claims Liverpool need "three or four quality players" to challenge for the Premier League title next season. The Reds lifted themselves back into sixth place with a 3-0 victory over West Ham on Monday night but remain 18 points behind leaders Chelsea. Gerrard does not believe Rafa Benitez' squad needs an overhaul, but that quality players are needed to close that gap again. "There are teams that have grown significantly in recent times, like Chelsea. In addition, Manchester United have been too strong [for us] for many years," Gerrard is quoted as saying in the Daily Mail. "Last year we came close to beating them but it is very difficult to overcome such a powerful team. "Everyone knows that we must learn from this season. Some players have said we need a stronger squad and the key is to have better players and improve. I do not believe in profound changes or a revolution. Three or four quality players should be enough but more quality than quantity. "The Premier League is the food of this club. We haven't won it for such a long time and the crowd demand it. "They want us to win this more than any other competition. We must continue to fight for this, hopefully finishing fourth this season and having a real go next season. "After finishing second last year we started this season with the idea of winning the league and the Champions League. "After a series of bad results we had to change targets. Now the fans are desperate for us to win the Europa League. It's the only trophy left for us to fight for and we want to win it." (TEAMtalk)
	MONDAY 19
	Boss on Madrid travel plans Rafael Benitez admits Liverpool face an uncertain couple of days after their travel plans for the Europa League semi-final with Atletico Madrid were thrown into chaos following the closure of British air space. The cloud of volcanic ash has grounded all flights in and out of the UK, and the Reds will travel to Spain by planes, trains and automobiles. "We haven't too many days left now to be ready for the important game on Thursday but hopefully the journey will be good," said Benitez. (LFC Official Website)   Rafa happy with solid display Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez was pleased with side's solid display after the Reds easily beat West Ham 3-0 to keep their faint UEFA Champions League hopes alive. Afterwards Benitez said: "Everything was solid, they were trying to win from the start. "After we scored the first goal it was easier, we had more chances. We scored the second goal and the third goal killed the game." (Sky Sports)   Liverpool sink struggling Hammers Liverpool cruised to a comfortable 3-0 victory over West Ham at Anfield on Monday to keep their slim Champions League hopes alive. Former West Ham midfielder Yossi Benayoun and David Ngog gave the hosts a 2-0 lead in a low-key first half and goalkeeper Robert Green's unfortunate own goal finished off his side. However, both teams still have a great deal to do to achieve their aims as Liverpool are still five points adrift of fourth place while West Ham are only three above the drop zone. (TEAMtalk)     Kuyt returns Dirk Kuyt returns to Liverpool's starting line-up in the absence of the injured Fernando Torres against West Ham United at Anfield tonight. The Dutchman will support David Ngog in attack, while there are also starts for Lucas Leiva and Yossi Benayoun. Javier Mascherano, Alberto Aquilani and Ryan Babel drop to the bench. Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Kyrgiakos, Agger, Maxi, Gerrard, Lucas, Benayoun, Kuyt, Ngog. Subs: Cavalieri, Aquilani, Babel, Mascherano, Degen, El Zhar, Ayala. (LFC Official Website) Madrid game to go ahead Liverpool FC has been advised by UEFA that the Europa League semi-final tie with Atletico Madrid goes ahead at the Vincente Calderon Stadium on Thursday. The club is currently examining all travel options. (LFC Official Website) Torres: I didn't put Spain first Striker Fernando Torres has denied putting country before club after having a second knee operation which ended his Liverpool season. The Spain international had surgery in Barcelona on Sunday night to repair damaged cartilage in his right knee, a problem which resurfaced after a similar operation in January. That ruled him out of Liverpool's remaining four Barclays Premier League matches and their Europa League semi-final against former club Atletico Madrid but a six-week recovery period still gives him a good chance of going to the World Cup in South Africa. But Torres said safeguarding his international place was not the overriding factor in the decision to operate again. "It's not true. We exhausted all the possibilities before arriving at the final one," said the 26-year-old. "There were three options. One was that the meniscus was okay, the second was that the problem was not clear and the third that the meniscus was affected. "On Friday afternoon in Liverpool the scan I had cleared up the doubts and made us see that I would almost definitely have to have an operation. "The meniscus was affected and the doctors said they had to operate. "What's more, the injury happened in the second minute of the game (Europa League quarter-final second leg) against Benfica at Anfield and I played injured for 85 minutes. "If I had been thinking about the World Cup and Spain I would have asked for a change (substitution). "It wasn't like that, I wanted to get to the final of the Europa League with my team." The current restrictions on air travel because of the volcanic ash cloud meant Torres' planned return to Barcelona on Thursday to see specialist Dr Ramon Cugat was delayed until Saturday. When another flight was cancelled Torres decided to make the arduous road and rail trip with an overnight stop just outside Paris. "The trip was an adventure. I arrived exhausted at 8.30 on Sunday evening and barely had time to have a shower at the hotel before going to the clinic where Dr Cugat was waiting for me," he said. "Three hours after I had the meniscus operation." (Press Association Sport) Benitez targets Bolton defender Cahill Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is willing to offer £15 million for Bolton Wanderers defender Gary Cahill. The People says Benitez wants to beat off rivals Tottenham for the classy defender... (tribalfootball.com)   Reds may face long Madrid road trip Liverpool are looking at a contingency plan for alternative travel options to Madrid for Thursday's Europa League semi-final against Atletico. UEFA are yet to rule on whether the last-four first-leg clashes - Fulham also have to go to Hamburg - will go ahead because of the chaos caused by a cloud of volcanic ash which has grounded thousands of flights across the continent. However, having already insisted the Champions League semi-finals between Inter Milan and Barcelona and Bayern Munich and Lyon will go ahead, forcing the Spanish and French sides to make long journeys by coach, there is a real possibility UEFA will follow suit with the Europa League. But with the flying ban extended until Tuesday morning at the earliest Liverpool are having to plan for a worst-case scenario by tackling the 2,600-mile round trip overland. It is not an option the club are happy with but are wary of the precedent which appears to have been set by the decision to play the Champions League semis. Sources at the club have pointed out that, although arduous, it is easier for Barcelona and Lyon to get to their destinations in continental Europe than it is for the Merseysiders to make the trek from north-west England to central Spain. The journey by road would take an estimated 21 hours non-stop but that would be impractical, although the alternative of a two-day trip would mean the squad would have to leave just a few hours after Monday night's Premier League match at home to West Ham and get back shortly before an away game at Burnley on Sunday. A combination of road and rail travel is another potential option but any plans cannot be finalised until UEFA have made their decision. (TEAMtalk) Hicks claims he will sell the club for four times the price he paid Tom Hicks has said he expects to pocket £600m from the sale of Liverpool FC – making the deal his most profitable yet. The Texan businessman told the Wall Street Journal he expects the Anfield club to fetch £600m to £800m, four times what he and co-owner George Gillett paid for it. Industry experts believe the true sale price will probably be lower. (Liverpool Echo) Thor Zakariassen ©