SATURDAY 24
	Ngoo strikes as U18s sink Boro' Liverpool under-18s continued their superb run-in to the season courtesy of an emphatic 3-0 victory at home to Middlesbrough on Saturday afternoon. Rodolfo Borrell's side produced a dominant display against the North-East outfit and deservedly took the spoils courtesy of goals from Michael Ngoo, Tom Ince and Krisztian Adorjan. It means the Reds have now stretched their unbeaten run to eight matches and will head into next Thursday's clash at home to Leeds United in buoyant mood. Liverpool under-18s: Oldfield, Flanagan, Robinson, Sama, Wisdom, Coady, Roddan, Silva (Sterling 73), Ince, Adorjan, Ngoo (Emilsson 80). Unused subs: Chamberlain, McGiveron, Ihiekwe. (LFC Official Website) Reds eyes Swedish starlet Liverpool are lining up a move for talented Swedish teenager Kristoffer Peterson. The 15-year-old, who currently plies his trade with Swedish minnows Savedalens IF, enjoyed a trial on Merseyside earlier this month. Peterson impressed Liverpool's coaching team during his time training at the club and they are now ready to push through a move for the youngster. The teenager is excited at the prospect of making the move to the English titans. "I am no longer just toying with the dream. It feels like the club really want to give me a chance," Peterson told Expressen. The player's advisor, Robert Bengtsson Barkroth, confirmed Liverpool are planning to offer Peterson a deal at Anfield. "We understand that Liverpool are willing to offer an education package, that will include school and studies," said Bengtsson Barkroth. (Sky Sports) Reina: Burnley a must-win game Liverpool goalkeeper Jose Reina has called on the team to focus on winning tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League match at Burnley despite a crucial European semi-final second leg looming in the background. “We are still playing for a European place, it is a must-win game because we have to guarantee at least seventh place and then think about something else,” said Reina. “They (Burnley) are playing for their survival and for us, in five days, we’ve been travelling around Europe on trains, planes and buses so it has been very tough but it is a massive three points.” (BreakingNews.ie)  Benitez welcomes Rodriguez back Rafa Benitez has predicted Liverpool’s play will dramatically improve at Burnley tomorrow – thanks to the return of the man who has started to make them tick. After a slow start to life on Merseyside, Maxi Rodriguez has blossomed in the last six weeks and again played a starring role in Monday night’s 3-0 dismissal of West Ham. “Maxi has become a very important player for us,” said Benitez, who needs to assess David Ngog’s fitness. “He can keep the ball, he can pass it and his energy is good. “He is always working very hard and it was a pity that we could not have him with us against Atletico; hopefully we will play well with him in the league." (Liverpool Echo)  Lee expecting tough game Sammy Lee is expecting a difficult game tomorrow. The assistant manager has warned the Reds to expect a tough game at Turf Moor as Burnley fight for their Premiership survival. "At the end of the day we are still fighting for what we want. We've said on many occasions that each game presents its own degree of difficulty and none more so than Burnley," said Lee. "It's a very difficult place to go. The pitch won't be great but we'll have to adapt to it. "We know they have Fletcher who has scored some goals for them this season, but they also have Nugent and we know he can be a threat for us. At the end of the day it's about how we approach the game and we have to make sure we do everything right from our end." (LFC Online) Liverpool tempted by move for Rafael van der Vaart Liverpool are considering a summer move for Rafael van der Vaart, having been offered the chance to sign the Holland international by Real Madrid. Club officials met in the Spanish capital before Liverpool's Europa League semi-final against Atlético Madrid on Thursday, with Real taking the opportunity to try to offload several players deemed surplus to requirements by the club president, Florentino Perez. (guardian.co.uk)
	FRIDAY 23
	Forlan plays down favourites tag Diego Forlan refuses to concede that Atletico Madrid's first-leg victory over Liverpool makes them favourites to reach the Europa League final. Forlan struck the only goal of Thursday night's semi-final opener at the Estadio Vicente Calderon to put Atletico in the box seat ahead of next week's return leg at Anfield. The Uruguayan said: "I don't think we are favourites, we did a good job here, we won the game and they didn't score, but they are a strong team with good players and we know it's going to be a difficult game." (TEAMtalk) Smith cool on Wilson's Reds link Rangers manager Walter Smith has played down reports that Danny Wilson will be sold to Liverpool and then return to Ibrox on loan next season. The Scottish champions have confirmed the Premier League giants made an enquiry about the highly-rated 18-year-old defender. The youngster, who has made 24 appearances this season, has 14 months left on his existing deal and has yet to agree a new contract with Rangers. Reports today suggested the Ibrox side could now strike a deal with Liverpool that would see them sell Wilson in the summer before bringing him back on loan for the new term. But Smith - who confirmed the player could be sidelined for the next couple of weeks with a thigh strain - felt such a scenario was unlikely. "I don't think that's the case," he said. "I don't think in any circumstances would we allow that to happen." (TEAMtalk) Ngog emerges as Reds injury doubt Liverpool's injury problems has worsened ahead of Sunday's trip to Burnley after David Ngog picked up a back injury against Atletico Madrid. The 21-year-old Frenchman was substituted in the second half of Thursday's Europa League tie as a precaution but Rafa Benitez will be hoping he recoveres with Fernando Torres out for the season. Ngog will be assessed on Saturday to see whether he is fit enough to take part at Turf Moor, having scored in the Premier League victory over West Ham on Monday. Midfielder Maxi Rodriguez returns after being ineligible in Europe but defenders Emiliano Insua, Fabio Aurelio, Martin Skrtel and Martin Kelly are all still injured. Reds (from): Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Kyrgiakos, Agger, Lucas, Mascherano, Kuyt, Gerrard, Rodriguez, Benayoun, Ngog, Cavalieri, Babel, Aquilani, Degen, El Zhar, Pacheco, Ayala, Plessis. (TEAMtalk) Carra: We might need three Jamie Carragher believes Liverpool's Hamburg dream remains very much alive but has warned of the threat Atletico Madrid will pose at Anfield. "It's going to be a tough at Anfield now and the way they play on the counterattack, the demands will suit them," said Carragher. "If they score, that will leave us needing three. "We know what they will be trying to do. It is up to us to stop them doing that. Hopefully the atmosphere will play a big part and it will be enough." (LFC Official Website)     Aquilani exit talk dismissed Alberto Aquilani's agent has refuted talk that the midfielder could leave Liverpool at the end of the season. Rumours have been rife that Aquilani could be on his way out of Anfield this summer after just one season on Merseyside. The Italian international has failed to hit the heights at Liverpool since his arrival from Roma and due to fitness and form has been unable to establish himself as a regular in Rafa Benitez's first-team plans. However, Aquilani's representative Franco Zavaglia insists the proposed sale of the club will have no bearing on the midfielder's future at Anfield. "I don't think Liverpool will dismantle the team because they are in an economic crisis," Zavaglia told Tuttomercatoweb.com. "Plus, Alberto has a five-year deal there. How can people say that he will be sold?" (Sky Sports)  Rafa considers Clarets options Rafa Benitez maybe tempted to rest some players for the clash with Burnley and Fernando Torres is obviously out. Benitez's side have had a mammoth journey too and from Madrid for their Europa League cup semi-final first leg clash and with the second leg looming on Thursday, where they need to overturn a goal deficit, Benitez maybe tempted to rest some players. Maxi Rodriguez will come back into the squad after being ineligible on Thursday night but Emiliano Insua, Fabio Aurelio and Martin Skrtel all remain on the injured list and are unlikely to feature, while Albert Riera appears to be out of the picture all together. (Clubcall.com) Rafa: Torres is happy Rafa Benitez insists Fernando Torres is happy at Liverpool after the striker was linked with a big-money move to Premier League rivals Manchester City. Reports on Thursday had claimed that City were lining up a £60million bid for Torres in the summer as Roberto Mancini looks to improve his squad. Mancini acknowledged his admiration for the Spain international and stated every club in Europe would be interested in Torres, but confirmed any transfer talks would be on hold until the end of the season. However, speaking after Liverpool's 1-0 defeat by Atletico Madrid in the first leg of the Europa League semi-final, Benitez played down talk the 26-year-old could be sold. "Torres is happy," stressed Benitez. "The thing he's thinking about now is being ready as soon as possible and that's it. "From the beginning he's said he's been very happy at Anfield." (Sky Sports) Reina happy to escape only one goal down Liverpool goalkeeper Jose Reina insisted "it could have been worse" despite his side's 1-0 defeat at Atletico Madrid in their Europa League semi-final first leg. The Spaniard said: "We were a little unlucky (with the goal) because Soto slipped. "(The saves were) important to keep the tie alive - there is still a long 90 minutes to go at Anfield. "We are behind now and it is very difficult but if there is one team who can do it with their fans behind them, it is Liverpool." (ITV Football)  Stevie ready for 'big, big night' Steven Gerrard believes Atletico Madrid will fear coming to Anfield next week regardless of their one-goal lead. Gerrard accepts he and his teammates will have to up their game - but he is confident they can still reach the final in Hamburg. "This was a game of very few chances but I think it'll be more exciting next week with the supporters behind us. If we get the first goal it could be a big, big night." (LFC Official Website)  Benitez confident of making final Rafa Benitez is confident Liverpool can win their Europa League semi-final tie at Anfield after a narrow first-leg defeat at Atletico Madrid. Liverpool slipped to a 1-0 loss at the Vicente Calderon on Thursday night after Diego Forlan netted the only goal of a tight game in the eighth minute. "I have a lot of confidence of playing at Anfield, in our players and in our fans. Today we had a lot of fans behind the team and that was very positive, and at Anfield we will have more of them," said Benitez. "We've been in the same situation before and we've found out we can win, so hopefully it will be the same again," added Benitez. (TEAMtalk)
	THURSDAY 22
	Forlan thwarts Reds in Spain Diego Forlan came back to haunt Liverpool to give Atletico Madrid a 1-0 advantage in their Europa League semi-final. The former Manchester United striker gave the Primera Liga side a narrow edge going into the return leg at Anfield next Thursday after capitalising on some hopeless defending in the ninth minute. Jose Manuel Jurado's ball into the box was met by Forlan, who was offered two bites at the cherry to give the Spanish outfit the perfect start on home soil. Liverpool recovered and saw Yossi Benayoun disallowed what appeared a legitimate goal after being flagged offside midway through the first-half but in a match that failed to inspire, Rafa Benitez's side require a typical effort on Merseyside to reach the Hamburg showpiece on 12th May. (Sky Sports)  Masch starts Javier Mascherano returns to Liverpool's starting XI for tonight's Europa League semi-final, first leg clash with Atletico Madrid. The Argentina captain replaces the ineligible Maxi Rodriguez at the Vicente Calderon as Rafael Benitez makes one change to the side that beat West Ham on Monday. Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Kyrgiakos, Agger, Kuyt, Lucas, Mascherano, Benayoun, Gerrard, Ngog. Subs: Cavalieri, Aquilani, Degen, El Zhar, Ayala, Pacheco, Babel. (LFC Official Website) Italian press: Juve begin recruiting of Benitez's backroom staff According to reports in Italy, Serie A giants Juventus are closing in on a deal for Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez and have begun the process of recruiting a number of his Anfield backroom staff at his request. The Liverpool manager has been earmarked by Juventus as the ideal candidate to succeed current incumbent Alberto Zaccheroni, and the club’s chief-executive John Elkann is in the process of ensuring the Spaniard makes a smooth transition from the Premier League to Serie A by approaching selected members of his backroom staff. (Sport.co.uk)     Mancini delays Torres talk Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has admitted his admiration of Liverpool striker Fernando Torres, but has put off all transfer talk until end the of the season. The world's richest club have been heavily linked with the Spain ace for several weeks and it is thought City could make a bid for the currently injured star once the season is over. But while Mancini has admitted his admiration of the player, he believes all the top clubs in Europe would love to sign the striker. And instead of transfer talk, the City boss is concentrating on securing UEFA Champions League football next term. Mancini said: "Fernando Torres is a fantastic striker. "But all the teams in Europe are interested in him. "We must get the rest of the matches out of the way first, then we will decide about other players." (Sky Sports) Atletico ace determined to dash Liverpool's European dreams Simao feels it is imperative Atletico Madrid take a positive result from their home date with Liverpool. The Spaniards welcome the Reds to Vicente Calderon on Thursday in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final. Both sides feel they are equipped to go on and take the crown, but know they will need to be at their best to safely negotiate a route through the last four. "These games against Liverpool will not be easy and I expect two tough matches between two evenly matched sides," the Portuguese playmaker told skysports.com. "I think the tie will be settled on the smallest details. "For us the main objective is to score at home and to give ourselves a chance in England." (Sky Sports)   Benitez: We must pressure Atletico Madrid from the start Rafa Benitez will urge his players to put Atletico Madrid under pressure from the word go tonight as Liverpool aim to take a giant step towards the Europa League final. “It is true there has been a big difference between our games at home and away this season,” said Benitez, who is expected to hand Dirk Kuyt the role of lone striker. “We have scored lots of goals at Anfield but away we have to improve. How can we improve? By showing character and making ourselves difficult to beat. If we show good character, we have got the quality to beat anyone." (Liverpool Echo)   Mascherano: Tonight is Liverpool’s biggest game of season Javier Mascherano says tonight's Europa League semi at Atletico Madrid is Liverpool's biggest game of the season. It has been a largely disappointing season for the Reds, who have also played a game more than Spurs, and Benitez's men are determined to try and end it on a high note with victory in the Europa League. When asked about the importance of tomorrow's game, Mascherano said: "Trophies are the main thing. I said this a few weeks ago. This is the biggest game of this season for us. "We will come to the stadium and we will try to do our best. After a long trip we are together, we are thinking of the game and we know if our mindset is right we can get a good result." (tribalfootball.com) Thor Zakariassen ©