SUNDAY 15
	Roy on Arsenal, Masch and Joe Roy Hodgson was full of praise for the battling performance of his Liverpool players - but admitted to being left frustrated by the manner of the 1-1 draw with Arsenal at Anfield. Hodgson told a post-match press conference: "It was a fantastic effort but points are hard to come by in the Premier League and when you get so close, you can't avoid the feeling of disappointment. "Maybe that second-half performance deserved all three points and not just one, albeit if at half-time someone had said we'd get a 0-0 or 1-1 draw I probably would have accepted that. "But to concede so close to the end to a rather scrappy goal was tough on us. The boys did everything they could do and it was an excellent game of football. I hope the fans enjoyed the spectacle." (LFC Official Website)  Carragher won't blame Reina Jamie Carragher offered his backing to Jose Reina after the goalkeeper's mistake cost Liverpool three points against Arsenal. Reina failed to collect a cross from the left and, after the ball hit Marouane Chamakh and bounced back off the post, the Spaniard spilled it over the line. However, Carragher refused to point the finger of blame at Reina and insists his team-mate is still the best keeper in the game. "I'd have to have a look at it again, but a lot of time you get a foul for that," Carragher told Sky Sports 1. "I know they say they're protected. "I'd have to see it again, but he's the best goalkeeper in the world and you saw that last year." (Sky Sports)     Reina gaffe ruins Roy's day Jose Reina's comical gaffe gifted Arsenal a 1-1 draw at Liverpool after the hosts had battled manfully to recover from Joe Cole's first-half sending-off. Liverpool's new signing Cole was shown the red card just before half-time for a lunge on Laurent Koscielny, but David Ngog's thumping drive appeared set to give Roy Hodgson three points in his first Premier League game in charge. However, in the final minute, Reds keeper Reina first made a mess of a cross into the box and then fumbled the ball over his own line after it had bounced back off the post. (Sky Sports)   Masch starts Javier Mascherano starts for Liverpool in their season opener against Arsenal this afternoon. The Argentina skipper partners Steven Gerrard in the middle of the park, while the other major team news is that Fernando Torres starts on the bench following his adductor injury. The team in full is: Reina, Johnson, Agger, Skrtel, Carragher, Mascherano, Gerrard, Cole, Jovanovic, Kuyt, Ngog. Subs: Cavalieri, Lucas, Babel, Torres, Kelly, Maxi, Aurelio. (LFC Official Website) RBS may step in at Liverpool The state-owned bank Royal Bank of Scotland may step in to take control of Liverpool FC after none of the prospective bidders could show that they had the funds needed to ensure the development of the club. The bank has set an unofficial deadline of the end of the month for a credible bidder to be found. RBS has no interest in running a football club and would initiate a new bidding round. They would only need to recoup their loan of £237m whereas Tom Hicks and George Gillett have been looking for £600m. Hicks and Gillett would then receive nothing. If the loan is not repaid by October 6th, a penalty fee of £60m will be due. (The Political Economy of Football) Purslow frustrated with public bids Managing director Christian Purslow has commented on the potential sale of Liverpool Football Club. "It is a source of great frustration and mystification that so many people who may or may not be interested in buying Liverpool prefer to tell newspapers rather than the board of the club," said Purslow in a radio interview on Sunday morning. (LFC Online)   Cole raring to go Joe Cole is eager for his Liverpool league debut. Cole made his competitive debut for the Reds in the Europa League qualifier against Rabotnicki and said it was a special night. Now he's hoping for another special day as Liverpool kick-off their league season against Arsenal. "Arsenal is a tough game for anybody, especially early on in the season because they've got a young team," said the midfielder. "Younger players get fitter and sharper quicker so it's a very tough game for us." (LFC Online)
	SATURDAY 14
	Silva strikes as Reds lose thriller Toni Silva was on target as Liverpool U18s went down to a 4-2 defeat against a highly experienced MK Dons side on Saturday afternoon. The Portuguese ace looked to have fired the Reds towards what would have been an impressive friendly success after Matty Regan's opener had been cancelled out just before the interval. However, the home side's greater know-how eventually told and they went on to strike three goals without reply. Liverpool U18s: Stephens (Belford), Poor (Rafferty), Smith (King), Regan (Aylmer), Sama (McGiveron), Coady (Ihiekwe), Roddan, Sterling (Walsh), Silva, Adorjan (Sumner), Ngoo (Morgan). (LFC Official Website) Wenger eyes early Reds scalp Arsene Wenger hopes Arsenal can use their opening Premier League fixture at Anfield to signal their title credentials. The Gunners were in the mix in the title race last term before falling away in the closing stages, but registered a double over Sunday's opponents Liverpool. Wenger has once again managed to retain the services of captain Cesc Fabregas, the subject of intense transfer speculation this summer, and has made additions to his squad. The Frenchman believes his latest side is better equipped to win the title than in recent years and a win over Roy Hodgson on his league debut as Reds manager would be the perfect start to their bid. "I am hopeful we can continue our progress, we have kept our captain and overall the team has improved since two years ago," Wenger told Arsenal TV Online. "Liverpool is a good opportunity to show we are ready to fight for the Premier League. You know you will go into a game where maximum concentration will be demanded." (Sky Sports) Poulsen sounded out Agger before inking Liverpool deal Christian Poulsen admits he sounded out Dan Agger before joining Liverpool. Former Juventus midfielder Poulsen asked his Denmark teammate about life on Merseyside before agreeing to join the Reds. "I've spoken to Daniel Agger over the years and he has only good things to say about Liverpool, so I was sure I wanted to make this change and I'm also looking forward to playing with Danny," he said. (tribalfootball.com) Hodgson rules out Liverpool return for Villa fullback Warnock Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson has poured cold water on the prospect of re-signing a former Red. Aston Villa fullback Stephen Warnock has been linked with an Anfield return as Hodgson seeks a new left-back signing. Asked if he was trying to bring Warnock back to provide reinforcements at left-back, Hodgson said: "No." (tribalfootball.com) Hodgson dampens Reds hopes Roy Hodgson has warned Liverpool fans the club are not at the same level as their rivals. The Reds kick off their Premier League campaign against Arsenal on Sunday and hopes are high on Merseyside of a promising season under new manager Hodgson. The former Fulham boss has already brought the likes of Joe Cole and Christian Poulsen to the club and more could follow before the transfer window shuts. But Hodgson has attempted to dampen expectations at Anfield by claiming his side need to improve to be able to challenge for major trophies. He said: "After seven training sessions with what I regard as the key players, it is pretty obvious to all that we are a long, long way from being a team like Manchester United, Arsenal or Chelsea. "I don't even pretend that the team, after six or seven training sessions, are going to be anything like the team we want to be. "It would be ridiculous to suggest that we can be at the top of our game now in terms of how I want the team to play." (Sky Sports)
	FRIDAY 13
	Liverpool FC Statement Liverpool FC statement regarding the proposed sale of the club. The Liverpool FC Board has reviewed a number of proposed bids for the club at a meeting held today. The Board will continue to act in the best interests of Liverpool Football Club and its supporters, doing all that it can to ensure that the Club is ultimately sold to a buyer who has the resources and real commitment to give it a long-term, stable and secure funding position for its plans. The sale process is continuing. However, its timing and outcome remain uncertain. In the meantime, we will not comment on rumour and speculation. (LFC Official Website) Hodgson confident of Jones deal Liverpool are confident of completing the signing of Middlesbrough's Australian international goalkeeper Brad Jones in the next twenty-four hours. Anfield boss Roy Hodgson has lodged an increased £2.5m offer for the 28-year-old and a deal is now believed to be imminent. And Jones is ready to travel to Merseyside to undergo a medical once Boro have allowed him permission to talk with the Reds. Meanwhile, Hodgson hopes to have him in his squad for Sunday afternoon's Premier League opener with Arsenal, as well as available for their midweek Europa League qualifier against Trabzonspor. Meanwhile, Boro boss Gordon Strachan is close to agreeing a loan deal with Sunderland for defender Matthew Kilgallon. (Vital Football) Hodgson keen to avoid Masch dash Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson insists new signing Christian Poulsen has not been brought in as a replacement for wantaway Javier Mascherano. Poulsen was presented to the media on Friday after signing a three-year contract following his £4.5million move from Juventus. "I don't want to let Javier Mascherano go. At the moment, Javier has shown no signs of going," he said. "I work with him whenever I can. He came back fairly late from the World Cup and has been away on international duty but I suppose I've had seven or eight training sessions with him now." (TEAMtalk) Babel back on Blues radar Skysports.com understands Birmingham are stepping up their interest in Liverpool's Ryan Babel. The Reds are ready to offload the former Ajax ace so that they can fund some of their own signings before the close of the transfer window. (Sky Sports) Arsenal face injury crisis ahead of Liverpool test Arsenal will start the new Premier League season with the same old injury problems as Arsene Wenger faces up to a selection headache ahead of Sunday's trip to Liverpool. Wenger will leave it as late as possible to decide whether World Cup final duo Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie are fit enough to feature at Anfield. However, the Gunners are already without centre-half Johan Djourou (hamstring) and striker Nicklas Bendtner (groin). Midfielder Alex Song (calf) is doubtful while Denilson (abdominal) and Abou Diaby (calf) face fitness tests. (ESPN Soccernet) Defender announces retirement Sotirios Kyrgiakos has announced his retirement from international football with Greece. Speaking on his official website, Liverpool's No.16 said: "The Greek National Team was one of the most important chapters in my career. "At this time I would like to close this chapter. I want to wish all the best to the Greek National Team." Kyrgiakos represented Greece during this summer's World Cup in South Africa. (LFC Official Website) Torres in line to face Gunners Striker Fernando Torres is in contention for a place in the Liverpool squad to face Arsenal at Anfield on Sunday (kick-off 4pm). The Spain international sustained an adductor injury in their World Cup final victory but has made good progress in his rehabilitation and could feature in the Premier League opener. Wantaway midfielder Javier Mascherano could also play as the club have not received any bids for the Argentina captain, who has impressed Hodgson with his attitude in training. The match may be too early for Christian Poulsen, who only signed on Thursday. Liverpool (from): Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Agger, Aurelio, Lucas, Mascherano, Gerrard, Kuyt, Cole, Jovanovic, Torres, Babel, Cavalieri, Kyrgiakos, Rodriguez, Kelly, Pacheco, Aquilani, Poulsen. (TEAMtalk) Aurelio welcomes new Liverpool trio Fabio Aurelio has welcomed new Liverpool signings Milan Jovanovic, Danny Wilson and Joe Cole. Aurelio admits he has already been impressed by what he has seen of the trio in training and is convinced they can each play an important role for the club this season. "Joe Cole has arrived from Chelsea and he is quality - no one doubts that," Aurelio told liverpoolfc.tv. "You can see it in training already and I think he can be very positive for us. He is very good between the lines and that could mean we could move Stevie back a little bit. I think he will make us much stronger in the attacking third. "I also think Wilson will be a great defender. He will learn a lot from the defenders we already have. "As for Jovanovic, all the signs suggest he will do really well for us. He played well in the Europa League and can play on the left and right as well as up front. "All the players that have been signed will improve the squad and I think the rest of the lads feel that too." (tribalfootball.com) Thor Zakariassen ©