TUESDAY 21
	Agger denies bust up Daniel Agger has moved quickly to set the record straight over his weekend comments and maintains he is happy at the club. Agger's quotes were everywhere following the weekend defeat to Manchester United as he seemed to question Roy Hodgson's tactics and suggested he would not be changing his style of play to suit the new boss. "I spoke to Danish TV after the game on Sunday and answered the questions that were put to me. I didn't speak to the papers. "The problem was the questions never appeared on TV, only the answers did, and then the newspapers put their own questions in. What came out was one hundred per cent wrong and that is why I am very disappointed." (Clubcall.com)  Kuyt injury tonic for Hodgson Roy Hodgson today revealed how Dirk Kuyt could return from injury earlier than expected - either against Sunderland at the weekend or Utrecht next Thursday. Liverpoolfc.tv reported a fortnight ago that the Dutchman would be out for up to a month with a shoulder injury sustained on international duty. However, the 30-year-old has made a faster-than-expected recover and is already back in training. Hodgson said: "Dirk has trained the last couple of days. We're trying to protect him a little bit but he's made a remarkable recovery, so it'll be interesting to see how he progresses on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday in relation to Saturday's game and the game next Thursday. "We thought three to five weeks, so we're at the quick end of the scale." Kuyt will be desperate to make the trip to Utrecht, the club where his professional career got up and running. Meanwhile, the only other fitness concern for the Liverpool boss is Fabio Aurelio, who is out with an Achilles problem. Hodgson added: "With Fabio it's a little more tricky. The sports science people are very anxious they get him 100 per cent right before they throw him back in because they don't want a situation where he's dropping out again. But he's making very good progress and if push came to shove we could use him." (LFC Official Website) Jones poised to make Reds debut Goalkeeper Brad Jones could make his Liverpool debut against Northampton in the third round of the Carling Cup at Anfield on Wednesday. The Australia international has sat on the bench for four matches since his late-August move from Middlesbrough to become Jose Reina's deputy but he is set to be given an outing against the League Two side. Manager Roy Hodgson will make numerous changes with many of his first team stars rested, giving fringe and reserve team players - some of whom featured in the Europa League victory against Steaua Bucharest last week - another chance. Reds (from): Jones, Kelly, Agger, Kyrgiakos, Wilson, Lucas, Spearing, Pacheco, Babel, Jovanovic, Ngog, Bouzanis, Darby, Amoo, Eccleston, Shelvey, Ince, Suso. (TEAMtalk) Liverpool directors 'knew nothing about soccer', says Rafael Benítez Rafael Benítez has spoken of his relief to be working with Internazionale's president, Massimo Moratti, instead of Liverpool's directors who "knew nothing about soccer". Benítez joined the European and Italian champions in the close season having left Liverpool after six years in charge of the Premier League club. "The last year at Liverpool I had directors who knew nothing about soccer and you couldn't talk about soccer with them," he said. "My relationship with president Moratti is good, he is a man who knows his soccer." His working relationship with Liverpool's American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett, who put the indebted club up for sale in April, was strained at times but Benítez had previously stayed silent about his Anfield exit. Benítez, whose new side are joint top and host Bari on Wednesday in their fourth Serie A outing of the season, took over from José Mourinho after Inter sealed an unprecedented Italian treble last season. (guardian.co.uk) Meireles places Gerrard in Essien & Iniesta bracket New Liverpool signing Raul Meireles believes his Anfield colleague Steven Gerrard is one of the best three midfielders in the world alongside Chelsea’s Michael Essien and Barcelona’s Andres Iniesta. The Portuguese international dovetailed well with Gerrard during the second half of Liverpool’s defeat at Old Trafford on Sunday, and the former FC Porto star admits he is looking forward to playing with a player he holds in the highest regard. Meireles suggests Gerrard is up there with Michael Essien, who has started the season in superb form for Chelsea, and Iniesta, who was perhaps the best player on show at the World Cup finals. Meireles told LFC Weekly: "For a long time, I have said that Gerrard is one of the top three midfielders in the European game. “Along with Michael Essien of Chelsea and Andres Iniesta of Barcelona. "Now I am his team-mate. I think we can combine well together." (Sport.co.uk) Liverpool SOS fans plan new protests Liverpool supporters' group Spirit of Shankly are planning two-day long protests against the club's owners. The broken promises of Tom Hicks and George Gillet have caused so much anger on Merseyside that protests at games have become common. However this time the group have gone one step further by encouraging all fans to take part in a sit down protest after Saturday's match with Sunderland. A statement from the association said: "We would like as many supporters as possible, to make their feelings known towards the owners during the Sunderland match, using banners, flags and songs. "We ask everyone in the ground to make their voices heard – let everyone know you will no longer tolerate the current owners. "Following the match, irrespective of the result, we intend to hold a sit in protest. Regardless of where you sit, remain in the ground and make your views heard. Gather at the front of the stand you are in, with flags and banners, and make your voices heard." Spirit of Shankly have urged supporters to follow a similar course of action the following week, when Blackpool visit Anfield. (tribalfootball.com) Wilson set for first Liverpool start in Cup Danny Wilson is set for a first Liverpool start tomorrow night in the Carling Cup against Northampton. The teenage defender signed from Scottish champions Rangers in the summer and could be in line to make his Reds debut in the Carling Cup third-round clash. Wilson said: "To start a game for the first time would be special and I just hope the manager thinks I am ready. If not I will work even harder to try and make it happen." (tribalfootball.com)  Amoo's Kop dream David Amoo is hoping his impressive start to the 2010-11 campaign will earn him a chance in Wednesday's Carling Cup clash with Northampton Town. The right winger made his full debut for the Reds in the Europa League third qualifying round against FK Rabotnicki back in July and has since starred for John McMahon's reserves, netting three goals in three games. He admits he has thought about the prospect of featuring in the third round tie with the Cobblers and hopes he can continue to impress in the months ahead. "It was a great experience to play in Macedonia in front of such a big crowd and it would be even better to play at Anfield for the first team," Amoo told Liverpoolfc.tv. "Obviously I've played there in the Youth Cup but this would be another level up. It would be great to be involved in some capacity. "Fingers crossed, I can get into the squad. If I can do that, it would be great." (LFC Official Website)
	MONDAY 20
	Agger won't alter style Daniel Agger finds himself out of favour at Liverpool, but insists he will not be changing his ways. The Danish defender was overlooked for the Reds' 0-0 draw at Birmingham and was only awarded a late cameo in their 3-2 defeat to Manchester United on Sunday. A lack of activity has left him frustrated, with new boss Roy Hodgson currently favouring other options. Agger believes the former Fulham boss continues to snub him because his game does not suit the new-look Liverpool. (Sky Sports)  Roy keen to solve Meireles mystery Roy Hodgson believes Raul Meireles and Steven Gerrard can provide the midfield axis on which Liverpool can regain Champions League status. Meireles, a £10.7million signing from Porto, was brought in on the weekend before the closing of the transfer window with some of the proceeds of the sale of Javier Mascherano to Barcelona. The majority of his time on the pitch has been spent in the advanced role behind Fernando Torres usually occupied by Steven Gerrard and Hodgson hopes, given time, the pair will strike up a useful partnership. He has admitted, however, he is still not sure where Meireles' best position is. "They (he and Gerrard) are certainly interchangeable," said the 62-year-old. "We signed Meireles and the day after he went for 10 days away with Portugal and then came back for two days and made a substitute appearance against Birmingham. "He had two training sessions and played on Thursday night and he played again on Sunday so it is very early for me to make very strong judgements about where his best position is. (TEAMtalk)  Blackstone walk away from Hicks refinancing Tom Hicks latest attempt to refinance Liverpool’s enormous debt in return for an equity share in the club has been sunk following a weekend of Liverpool FC fans campaigning. According to The Guardian, GSO Capital Partners (a subsidiary of Blackstone Investments) have walked away from discussions with Tom Hicks. (Anfield Online)   City extend Ayala loan deal Hull City have extended the loan of Liverpool defender Daniel Ayala. The centre-back has impressed during his three displays for the club so far, being instrumental in consecutive clean-sheets at home alongside Anthony Gerrard. City have moved swiftly to extend Ayala`s current loan deal until 1st January 2011, at which point City will re-assess the possibility of seeing the defender stay at the KC until the end of the season. Ayala has already found the net this season, scoring on his home debut during a 2-0 win over Derby County. (Vital Football) Cole calls for patience Joe Cole is refusing to panic despite Liverpool's worst start in the Premier League in 18 years. Liverpool have won just won of their opening five games after going down 3-2 to old rivals Manchester United on Sunday. Cole, who joined Liverpool on a free transfer in the summer, has called for patience and is confident Roy Hodgson's side will soon turn things around. "Judge us in May where we are," Cole told Sky Sports News. "We have had a tough start to the season with the fixture list and with Fernando [Torres] not being match fit, 100 per cent up until the last couple of weeks and also the change of personnel with the change of manager. (Sky Sports) Gerrard's four key fixtures Steven Gerrard believes Liverpool are already showing signs of improvement under Roy Hodgson - and he hopes to prove it with a four-match winning spree in the coming weeks. The skipper was speaking after his two goals almost earned the Reds a share of the spoils at Old Trafford on Sunday. Gerrard said: "It's going to take time before the new manager gets his feet in the door and gets his ideas over. "Of course we're improving and the performance was really good. If we play like that every week we'll beat most of the teams in the league. But here we came up against a man in form and he was the difference. "We've got a League Cup game against Northampton - and that competition is very important to us - before we play Sunderland next week. "Nobody will be sulking because we want to make sure we go into the next international break next month having won all our games." (LFC Official Website)  Carragher: Liverpool FC fighting spirit at Man Utd shows we are on the right track Jamie Carragher today claimed Liverpool’s spirited second half showing at Old Trafford points to a bright future – as he held his hands up to the goal that cost them a point. Though the Reds vice-captain was content with the way the Reds acquitted themselves for long periods of yesterday’s tussle with Manchester United, his positive mood was significantly tempered by events in the final six minutes. “Any time you lose a big game, you are always bitterly disappointed,” said Carragher. “To come back from two goals down was a fantastic effort from the lads but I thought we did well for the 90 minutes. “We were not really asked too many questions and there are not too many teams who can say that after going to Old Trafford." (Liverpool Echo)  Berbatov enjoys best United day Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov happily accepted the praise after his hat-trick inspired the 3-2 triumph over Premier League rivals Liverpool on Sunday. "It was probably my best day in a United shirt," said Berbatov. (Sport.co.uk)
	SUNDAY 19
	Hicks planning finance deal Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks is reportedly launching another bid to keep hold of the club by securing financing from a private equity company. The Reds co-owner and partner George Gillett put the club up for sale in April and Barclays Capital was appointed to oversee the deal. However, sufficient interest has failed to materialise as problems both on and off the pitch continue to derail England's most successful club. The lack of interest has prompted Hicks to pursue other options and the American is now believed to be putting together his own financing deal. Hicks and compatriot Gillett, who are increasingly unpopular with the Anfield faithful, had been eager to cut their losses and return to their homeland. Debts of up to £237million have restricted the club's progression, angering supporters, who may be forced to furter endure the duo's ownership should Hicks' latest business move prove successful. (Sky Sports) Hodgson: It's not a catastrophe Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has dismissed Manchester United counterpart Sir Alex Ferguson's assertion that their 3-2 defeat at Old Trafford is a "catastrophe" for the Merseysiders. He did accept, however, that any potential bid for a Barclays Premier League title was already looking remote. "We have had a remarkably hard start to the season," said the Liverpool boss. "Our performance today was clearly a lot better than our last two Barclays Premier League performances (a 1-0 win over West Brom and a goalless draw at Birmingham). "We were playing against a top team and we can take a lot of credit from the way we went about our business and got ourselves back into the game." (Football 365) United boss applauds 'great result' Sir Alex Ferguson admitted he feared Manchester United would not get anything from Sunday's thrilling 3-2 win over Liverpool at Old Trafford. The Scot said: "From thinking to myself 'it's going to be 10' we ended up at 2-2. It was a travesty of a scoreline then - but a great result at the end. "They (Liverpool) didn't offer anything and depended on decisions from the linesman to get back in the game. "Edwin van der Sar had no saves to make, Paul Scholes controlled the midfield and we looked dangerous up front with Dimitar and Nani - I couldn't see us losing the game." (TEAMtalk) A tale of two strikers at OT TEAMtalk feels the dramatic North-West clash between Manchester United and Liverpool at Old Trafford was decided by a tale of two strikers. The North-West clash between England's two most successful clubs was decided by a tale of two strikers and highlighted just where Liverpool have to improve if they are to catch up with Manchester United. Dimitar Berbatov was at his clinical and brilliant best as he scored a hat-trick. By contrast, Liverpool counterpart Fernando Torres barely had a clear-cut chance all afternoon. Character may not be an issue for the Merseysiders as they fought back from 2-0 down only to concede again late on - but manager Roy Hodgson still has plenty to do to make his side feared once again. In Torres they possess one of the most lethal strikers in world football but at the moment they are just not getting the best out of him. He may not be at his sharpest but he was starved of opportunities at Old Trafford. (TEAMtalk)  Berba treble sinks Reds Dimitar Berbatov scored a hat-trick as Manchester United enjoyed a thrilling 3-2 victory over old rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford. United appeared in danger of throwing away a winning position for the third time this season when Steven Gerrard's brace had cancelled out Berbatov's double either side of half-time. However, with six minutes to go, the Bulgarian striker became the first United player to net a hat-trick against Liverpool in 64 years as he headed home John O'Shea's cross. (Sky Sports)  Meireles, Poulsen and Cole to start against Man United Christian Poulsen, Raul Meireles and Joe Cole will start today against Manchester United, according to the teamsheet we have received. Pepe Reina will be in goal once again, with Brad Jones on the bench. Glen Johnson, Jamie Carragher and Martin Skrtel return and join Paul Konchesky to form the back four. Christian Poulsen also returns to the side and will team up with Raul Meireles in the centre of midfield. Maxi Rodriguez will be on the right, with Steven Gerrard in the hole and a new position for Joe Cole, who starts on the left. Fernando Torres replaces David Ngog, who scored two goals against Steaua Bucharest in midweek. The line-up may change due to any late decisions or injuries suffered by the players in the warm-up. Starting: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Konchesky, Poulsen, Meireles; Maxi, Gerrard, Cole, Torres. (LFC Globe) Ferguson: Rafa lucky to last so long Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson claims Rafael Benitez was fortunate not to lose his job at Liverpool before the end of last season. Ferguson's side face a new-look Liverpool at Old Trafford today bidding to register a convincing win after a number of below-par displays at the start of the season. Victory against their biggest rivals, now under the guidance of Roy Hodgson, would be a timely lift for United, and Ferguson turned up the heat ahead of the contest by insisting Benitez was only given a stay of execution at Anfield due to his contractual situation. The Spaniard, who penned a new five-year deal at Anfield in 2009, eventually left the club in June having guided the reds to a disappointing seventh-placed finish in the top flight. "I wasn't surprised at all that Liverpool changed their manager in the summer. I think everyone expected it even though Benitez had signed a new contract," Ferguson said in quotes reported by The People. "That was the only complication about it. If he hadn't signed a contract the previous season then I am sure he would have gone before the end of the last season. "But the fact he had signed a new contract brings its own complications in terms of compensation and that type of thing, so they waited. "Obviously, the directors at the club had come to the stage where they had to discuss the manager's future because of the performances. Then I think everybody expected it to happen and for him to go." (TEAMtalk) Thor Zakariassen ©