WEDNESDAY 24
	Hodgson: Gerrard targeting speedy recovery Steven Gerrard is embracing his rehabilitation process from a hamstring injury with great determination, according to Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson. Gerrard will be missing for up to a month after suffering the injury in England’s defeat by France last week. Hodgson said: “He’s straight into it and he’s anxious to get back as quickly as possible. “He’s not letting any dust settle but I don’t think there’s so much he can do at the moment. “First of all he has to let the injury quieten down and then really start to work on it.” Hodgson has also hailed the work being carried out by Liverpool’s new medical team. The sports science and sports medicine staff recruited in the summer have introduced pre-training exercises designed to prevent pulls and strains. Only Gerrard (hamstring), Jay Spearing (ankle) and Daniel Agger (calf) occupy the treatment room. (Evening Echo) Liverpool FC confirm Asia pre-season tour Liverpool will tour the Far East as part of preparations for the 2011/12 season, the club confirmed today. The tour, of which details and opposition are yet to be finalised, follows the club’s games against Thailand and Singapore in the summer of 2009. Banking giants Standard Chartered, the club’s new sponsor, will arrange the tour with a big presence across Asia. A club spokesman confirmed, “The club will tour Asia next summer but the dates and venues for the matches are to be confirmed. “The last tour there in 2009 worked very well and we have a huge fan base there who will relish the chance to see the team in action. “We also have a partner in Standard Chartered who have a huge presence across that continent. “The fact that next summer there is no World Cup or European Championship gives us the opportunity to spend more time further afield.” (This is Anfield) Toivonen cools Reds link PSV Eindhoven ace Ola Toivonen has played down reports linking him with a move to Liverpool in the January transfer window. Liverpool have held a long-term interest in Toivonen having made enquiries for the Swede during the summer transfer window. It has been suggested they could make a new move for the 24-year-old to add to their attacking options when the transfer window reopens in the New Year, but Toivonen expects to stay in Holland. "I am set to set stay at PSV. We're losing Afellay (to Barcelona) and I have no plans to leave," Toivonen told Aftonbladet. "I know that there are clubs looking at every game so rumours are something that I have to live with." Asked if he felt a move away from PSV in the summer was more likely, Toivonen said: "I don't know. "The most important is that I get to play every game like I do now and play in a team that has the chance to win the league. "It would be fun to get a gold with PSV. We have a perfect harmony in the club." (Sky Sports) Hansen: Raul role is key Alan Hansen believes finding Raul Meireles's best position could be key to filling the void left by Steven Gerrard's absence. The Portugal international has featured in a variety of positions for the Reds so far this season but produced arguably his finest display yet when he played in central midfield against West Ham. Hansen feels the former Porto man has yet to show Kopites his true value and is eager for him to build upon his Hammers performance when Roy Hodgson's side visit Tottenham on Sunday afternoon. "If Meireles gets another chance to play in the middle on Sunday at Tottenham then it is imperative that he does well. "He'll want to show Liverpool supporters what he is all about, as he did against West Ham." (LFC Official Website)  Agger closing in on Liverpool FC return Daniel Agger's injury nightmare will soon be over with the Liverpool defender expected to return to action before Christmas. Agger has become something of a forgotten man with his last appearance for the Anfield outfit coming almost two months ago as a substitute in the 2-2 home draw with Sunderland on September 25. The centre-back missed Liverpool’s next two games with a groin problem but nevertheless joined up with the Denmark squad for a Euro 2012 qualifying double header. Agger then lasted just 39 minutes of the victory against Cyprus on October 12 before being replaced after receiving a kick in the calf. Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson revealed earlier this month that Agger’s absence would be “long term”, but the club’s Head of Sports Science, Dr Peter Brukner, is confident the defender should be back in time for the hectic festive schedule. “Daniel’s injury is an unusual one,” said Brukner. “In the international game a month ago, he got a kick on the calf, and sometimes when that happens you get some calcification in the blood clot that forms there, and unfortunately that has happened in Daniel’s case. “It’s just taken a lot longer than you would expect for something like that. The calcification, once it appears, takes about a month to dissolve and fully recover. “Daniel has probably got another three weeks before he is back playing. It’s a very disappointing and frustrating situation but there’s not a lot we can do about it. “Only time heals this sort of injury, so we just have to be patient with Daniel. But he’ll definitely be back before Christmas.” (Daily Post) Liverpool youngster Spearing grateful for Gerrard guidance Liverpool midfielder Jay Spearing admits he's learning plenty working with skipper Steven Gerrard. Spearing admits he's grateful to Gerrard for taking him under his wing. Spearing told liverpoolfc.tv: "He's one of the greatest midfielders in the world, and I can't thank him enough for what he's done for me over the years. "He took me under his wing from the moment I came up from the Academy. He talks to me quite a bit in training sessions. In games, like against Napoli, he had a quiet word with me and said, 'Let's get everyone going and get the game won." (tribalfootball.com)
	TUESDAY 23
	Pacheco nets in derby draw Liverpool Reserves maintained their three-point lead over Everton at the top of the Barclays Premier Reserve League after the two teams played out a 1-1 draw in the mini derby on Tuesday night. Dani Pacheco's wonderful solo effort capped an impressive start by the Reds on 21 minutes, but the Blues quickly drew level through Victor Anichebe's close-range finish in an end-to-end encounter. The contest remained open in the second half, but chances proved much more difficult to come by and both sides were forced to settle for a share of the spoils. Liverpoolfc.tv man of the match: Dani Pacheco Liverpool Reserves: Hansen, Flanagan, Robinson, Irwin (Coady 71), Mendy, Wilson, Amoo (Ngoo 55), Suso, Eccleston, Pacheco, Bruna (Roberts 77). Subs: Belford, McGiveron. (LFC Official Website)   Ian Rush still interested in becoming Wales manager Wales legend Ian Rush is still interested in becoming the national team's new manager, according to reports. Previous reports suggested that the former Liverpool FC striker had ruled himself out of the running to succeed John Toshack. However a source close to Rush said that wasn’t the case and the 49-year-old was waiting to see what the Football Association of Wales (FAW) have in mind over the next couple of weeks. That is when the governing body are expected to invite candidates for interview. Rush, whose only spell in management came with Chester City, is currently involved in grassroots football. He is McDonald’s head of Welsh football, which works in conjunction with the Welsh Football Trust. Wales find themselves bottom of Group G after three defeats with their next qualifier the small matter of a match against England in Cardiff in March. (Daily Post) Dalglish excited by talent coming through Liverpool academy Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish says Reds fans can be excited about the talent coming through the system. Dalglish claims the emerging talent coming through Liverpool's Academy is proof that English football has a bright future. He told liverpoolfc.tv: "Through my work at the Liverpool Academy, I do have a fair idea of what is coming through, not just at my club but in general. "And while I'm not saying the standard can't improve, there isn't any cause for alarm. "At Liverpool, we have a couple of Spanish coaches at the academy and we are getting the fusion right between technique, tactical awareness and a strong mentality. "What is heartening is when I watch U9s, U10s and U11s play, I see the boys trying to use what they've been coached in matches. "Last summer, the England U17s became European champions. And who did they beat in the final? Spain. So they are capable of it." (tribalfootball.com) Liverpool linked with ex-Newcastle playmaker Emre Liverpool are being linked with former Newcastle United midfielder Emre. (tribalfootball.com)
	MONDAY 22
	Poulsen pleads for patience Midfielder Christian Poulsen believes Liverpool are improving with every game, but their true level may not be reached for another four months. The Reds returned to winning ways with a comfortable victory over West Ham at the weekend, bouncing back immediately from the end of their six-match unbeaten run at Stoke the previous week. Poulsen believes, given time, they can close that gap. "I hope and I think that we will be better from game to game," he said. "If we work hard and keep listening to the things that the boss wants to do, I'm sure that we will be a much better team when we come to the games in February and March." (TEAMtalk)  Cole primed for Reds return Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has confirmed that Joe Cole should be fit and available for selection for Sunday's trip to Tottenham. The ex-Chelsea playmaker has been missing for The Reds of late after sustaining a hamstring injury in their 1-0 win at Bolton. Cole has missed the club's last four Premier League matches, including Saturday's 3-0 win against former club West Ham. With Steven Gerrard and Lucas currently unavailable the return of Cole from injury comes as a welcome boost for Hodgson. "Joe should be back for Sunday," confirmed Hodgson. "We were hoping he would be back to face West Ham, but it has taken that little bit longer. "Joe is not that far away really, so hopefully he will have recovered in time for Tottenham. "Hamstring injuries are tricky and I'm afraid we can only rely on what the sports science people tell us, and if they say he needs more time we just have to wait." (Sky Sports) Spain ace signs pro at Liverpool Spanish youngster Suso has signed his first professional contract to keep him at Liverpool until 2013. The forward - who can also play in midfield - put pen to paper after turning 17 on Friday. The news will be welcomed by anyone who has watched the reserves this season, with Suso excelling against older and more experienced pros. A highlight of his fledgling career to date came with a 25-yard belter against Newcastle Reserves. Noted for his fine first touch and ability to pick out a pass, Suso featured briefly in our pre-season friendly against Borussia Monchengladbach and got his first taste of playing at Anfield in the second half of Jamie Carragher's testimonial. (LFC Official Website) Johnson and Roy clear the air Glen Johnson has held clear-the-air talks with Roy Hodgson, but the Liverpool defender says he did not need to be told how poor his form was. Hodgson publicly criticised Johnson's form this season claiming the full-back had yet to show why he was England's first-choice at right-back. Johnson has spoken to Hodgson about his comments and he admits he has yet to find his best form so far this campaign. "Believe me, no-one wants me to find my best form more than me, and I was aware of what I had to do," admitted Johnson. "It was a little reminder from the boss, he told me that was what he meant by it. "We spoke, and he explained he wanted it to help me, to push me and I said to him then, I don't need people to tell me, I know where I'm at in terms of form, and I knew it all already." (TEAMtalk)     Raul feels more comfortable Raul Meireles admits he has needed to raise his game to cope with the competitive nature of English football. The 27-year-old's three months on Merseyside have seen him display glimpses of the class which earned him four championship medals and 42 international caps during his time with Porto. Liverpool fans witnessed perhaps Meireles's best all-round display so far in Saturday's 3-0 win over West Ham, after which he was named the Liverpoolfc.tv journalists' man of the match. Now he is eyeing further improvement. "The Premier League is difficult and it has been difficult playing in England because all the teams you come up against are good," said the midfielder. "This is more competitive but I am feeling more comfortable. When you are winning, things are always better and all the players are helping me." (LFC Official Website)   Thor Zakariassen ©