SUNDAY 24
	Roy: Torres happier now Roy Hodgson believes Fernando Torres is starting to enjoy his football once more following his winner in the 2-1 victory over Blackburn. The striker found the net for the first time since August 29 to clinch the three points after a Jamie Carragher OG cancelled out Sotirios Kyrgiakos's opener. But it was not just the goal Hodgson was pleased with. "Fernando played well today, he played an awful lot better," said the boss. "That, in my opinion, was his best performance for the team this season." (LFC Official Website)    Nando nets as Reds see off Rovers Fernando Torres ended his six-match goal drought with the winner as Liverpool beat Blackburn 2-1 to provide a much-needed boost at Anfield. Goalkeeper Paul Robinson had kept the Reds at bay in Sunday's Premier League encounter until Sotirios Kyrgiakos' 48th-minute header and although a Jamie Carragher own goal quickly levelled things up, Torres struck only his second of the season soon after. It ended a run of seven matches without a victory in all competitions and although it was still not enough to lift Liverpool out of the bottom three, the result came as a welcome relief. (TEAMtalk)     Torres returns Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres return for Liverpool for this afternoon's clash with Blackburn. Roy Hodgson has made seven changes from the team that started against Napoli on Thursday. The team in full is: Reina, Konchesky, Carragher, Kyrgiakos, Skrtel, Lucas, Meireles, Maxi, Cole, Gerrard, Torres. Subs: Jones, Jovanovic, Babel, Ngog, Poulsen, Shelvey, Kelly. (LFC Official Website) Kuyt verdict hands Reds a boost Liverpool should have Dirk Kuyt back fit within four weeks after the forward was told he does not require surgery on his ankle injury. The Dutch international has given under-fire manager Roy Hodgson a timely boost after doctors allayed fears that the 30-year-old would miss a lengthy chunk of the season. Kuyt initially feared he could have faced five months on the sidelines after falling awkwardly during Holland's Euro 2012 qualifier against Sweden a fortnight ago. But the versatile Reds schemer hopes to be available for selection before the busy December schedule. Kuyt said: "I had a second scan and the doctor has now told me that they do not need to operate on my ankle. That is such a relief. "The doctor says I could be back in the Liverpool team within one month.' Kuyt, who injured his shoulder in Holland training earlier this season, added: "I can't wait to play again and help the team. The doctor says this injury needs a bit of rest and good physiotherapy will speed up my comeback on the pitch." (TEAMtalk) Scudamore: Reds 'never at risk' Liverpool's future was never at risk during its takeover in October, says Premier League chief Richard Scudamore. American company New England Sporting Ventures (NESV) took over from Tom Hicks and George Gillett in a lengthy saga which reached the High Court. "I'm satisfied the takeover went as smoothly as it could have done," Scudamore told BBC 5 live's Sportsweek. But Scudamore also admitted the Premier League is powerless to prevent "another Hicks and Gillett happening". "They passed our tests then and they would pass our current tests in terms of them as individuals," added the Premier League's chief executive. (BBC Sport Online)   Hodgson has swipe at Rijkaard over Liverpool link Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson has dismissed claims Frank Rijkaard could replace him at Anfield. Rijkaard, the Dutchman who guided Barcelona to two La Liga titles and the Champions League, is being linked to Liverpool following his sacking by Galatasaray this week. But Hodgson is not prepared to walk away from the Reds without a fight, saying: “I had two-and-a-half years of this kind of thing when I was at Inter when, every day, there would be stuff in the newspapers that someone was going to get my job. “If I took two and a half years of that in Milan I can take two and a half years of it here. “It ended up with my being offered a new contract by Inter when I left for Blackburn. “The doom and gloom that surrounds us is not coming from within the club, not from me and not from the players – it’s coming from people outside who are having a field day and delighting in the fact we are having a bad time. “Rijkaard has just been sacked from Galatasaray - he must be a great manager to have been sacked by Galatasaray! What you are talking about is Frank Rijkaard’s agent putting his name around. It is all speculation.” (tribalfootball.com)
	SATURDAY 23
	Two NESV members join Anfield board Two senior officials of New England Sports Ventures have been appointed as members of the Liverpool board and will be at the Blackburn game. David Ginsberg, one of NESV's two vice-chairmen, and investor Michael Gordon have been appointed as club directors and will be at the match alongside new co-owner Tom Werner. (TEAMtalk)   Sam urges Reds owners to back Hodgson Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce believes his Liverpool counterpart Roy Hodgson deserves time to address the Reds' on-field ills. The Merseysiders are in turmoil on the pitch, claiming just six points from their first eight games to lie second-bottom of the Premier League at the start of the weekend's fixtures, with Rovers next up at Anfield on Sunday. They have also finally completed a protracted change of ownership and Allardyce insists Hodgson cannot be blamed for all Liverpool's failings so far this season. "I always thought this would be a year of transition for a club that has sold off a lot of its players and Roy has a huge task, but I didn't think they would have as few points as they have at the moment," said the Blackburn manager. "All the pressure of the takeover and the money situation has obviously affected the team. "There's a healthy atmosphere in a football club that you can feel that there's something great and it's building, and there's the opposite which has created a knock to that normal Liverpool feeling. "It's one of the institutions of football made great by the late, great Bill Shankly and that has declined now, the feeling has been lost and it's a great shame, and that's what they must grasp back. "It's not just down to Roy Hodgson, it's the structure of the club as a whole, building the atmosphere back. "I feel for Roy, he seems to be bearing the brunt of the blame. If he gets enough time he will get it right." (TEAMtalk) Kelly praised Sotirios Kyrgiakos has praised Martin Kelly. The Greek centre-back, a cult figure amongst Liverpool fans, has been impressed with what he's seen of Kelly. "Kelly is a very good player," said Kyrgiakos. "He played several games last season before he got an injury but he's played more often this season and done very well. "He knows he can improve because he is a young player but he has a good attitude, always wants to learn, and if he can stay focused then he he can be a really good player for Liverpool." (LFC Online)
	FRIDAY 22
	PSV statement hints at January sale PSV Eindhoven star Ibrahim Afellay will not be signing an extension to his current contract which is due to expire at the end of the season, the Euredivisie side have confirmed. The prodigious 24-year-old has been linked with a host of Premier League clubs most notably Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal, and the Holland international recently suggested a move to either Anfield or Old Trafford would be favourable at this stage in his career, although Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid are also rumoured to be interested. A statement on PSV’s official website read: “PSV and Ibrahim Afellay have reached the conclusion that a contract extension is no longer a realistic option for various reasons, "PSV are disappointed that a successful collaboration will come to an end. However, the club is satisfied with the terms we've agreed with Ibrahim. “He has promised the club that he'll do his utmost to make sure he doesn't leave the club without a reasonable compensation." Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is a long time admirer of the attacking midfielder having coveted the player as a teenager, while Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City have also been mentioned as a potential suitor in recent weeks. Despite plenty of options, Afellay recently revealed an admiration for Manchester United and Liverpool. He said: “Playing in the Premier League would be best for my prestige. I'd like to play for Liverpool or Manchester United , the top-level prospect for any player.” (Sport.co.uk) Hodgson ready for Rovers test Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson insists reports of the club's demise have been greatly exaggerated and they are "far from dead". A woeful start to their Premier League campaign has left them mired in 19th place and they could face the ignominy of starting Sunday's home game against Blackburn bottom of the table. "What I am hoping for is a little bit luck so the result (against Blackburn) goes our way whether we play well or play badly. "That will give ourselves a bit of breathing space in order to start rebuilding and trying to move up the table rather than finding ourselves marooned." (TEAMtalk)  Big guns back for Liverpool Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson is set to revert to his strongest line-up for Sunday’s visit of Blackburn after resting a number of players in midweek. Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard, Raul Meireles and Lucas Leiva are all set to return after being left at home for the Europa goalless draw against Napoli in Italy. Defender Jamie Carragher came off at half-time in that game and needs to be given the all-clear to play but right-back Glen Johnson is set to return after missing the last two games with a hamstring problem. Centre-back Daniel Agger missed the trip because of illness but could come back into the squad. Forward Dirk Kuyt is still at least a couple of weeks away from returning from an ankle injury. Provisional squad: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Konchesky, Poulsen, Gerrard, Meireles, Cole, Torres, Ngog, Jones, Aurelio, Kyrgiakos, Lucas, Kelly, Jovanovic, Rodriguez, Babel, Agger. (Evening Echo) Allardyce to show no mercy Sam Allardyce has ordered Blackburn to take advantage of Liverpool's slump in form when they meet this weekend. Rovers head to Anfield on Sunday knowing they are unlikely to play Roy Hodgson's Reds at a better time, following the Reds' dismal start to the season. "Liverpool are below us and how often do you play Liverpool when they are below you? Very, very rarely," said the Rovers chief. "We have to take advantage of this situation while there's an opportunity." (Sky Sports)     Poulsen hails Reds starlets Christian Poulsen has praised the performance of Liverpool's youngsters against Napoli on Thursday. "Our young players battled well and you couldn't tell there was a lot of inexperience out there," he told the club's official website. "I think they had a really good game and it shows we have a strong squad at Liverpool." (Sky Sports)   Jonjo Shelvey today admitted he is hungry for more at Liverpool FC Jonjo Shelvey today admitted he is hungry for more as he reflected on his “memorable” first start for Liverpool. The young midfielder rose to the challenge in Stadio San Paolo last night as he played a key role in the Reds’ 0-0 draw with Napoli. “It’s a hostile place to come and you knew that with the way the crowd were,” said Shelvey. “They were banging on the bus when we were on the way to the stadium. “So it was very satisfying to get a result. It’s massive for everyone at the club. Personally I’m delighted as I’ve been waiting for my chance to show the Gaffer that I am good enough." (Liverpool Echo)   Dominic King sees the Reds make their point in Naples Just three weeks ago a European stalemate was the precursor for Liverpool's lowest ebb in 57 years; now, perhaps, a similar result might just provide the launchpad for recovery. Roy Hodgson may have admitted to taking a gamble with Liverpool's present to safeguard the club's future by leaving a number of star names at home but, happily, that gamble, to some extent, paid off last night in Naples – never before has a 0-0 draw been so welcome. Determined, dogged, disciplined and doughty throughout, the Reds rewarded those supporters who ran a gauntlet of hate to roar their team to a result that keeps them in control of Europa League Group K but, more importantly, has given everyone at Anfield a lift. (Dominic King - Liverpool Echo)   Babel coy on future Ryan Babel insists he is not concerned about people talking about his future at Liverpool. The Reds forward, who has struggled to establish himself at Anfield, was given a rare start on Thursday against Napoli in the Europa League. Babel failed to score in the 0-0 draw in Naples and looks set to return to the bench as Liverpool face Blackburn on Sunday. And the Dutchman is refusing to discuss whether his future lies at Anfield. "It is always the same story, this is your chance, this is your chance," he told Sky Sports News. "I don't see it like that any more, it is just another game and I do it for myself. "My situation is clear for everyone so I don't need to talk about it, I have said enough things in the past so I don't want to talk about it." (Sky Sports) Thor Zakariassen ©