SUNDAY 18
	Torres surgery timing should suit Spain Fernando Torres will undergo knee surgery on Sunday, ending his season with Liverpool - but the Spain striker's World Cup dream is not over. Torres has been ruled out for the remainder of the Reds' campaign after it was confirmed he would have an operation on his troublesome knee injury. The procedure will rule the 26-year-old out of action for around six weeks, meaning he will miss not only the Premier League run-in but also the remainder of the club's Europa League campaign, which continues this week with a semi-final against Torres' former club Atletico Madrid. A Liverpool spokesman told the club's official website: "Fernando saw a specialist in Spain earlier today and it was decided that he would need surgery on a torn cartilage in his right knee. "This will be carried out later tonight." (TEAMtalk) Liverpool slip to 7th in the league Aston Villa’s 2-1 victory at Portsmouth this afternoon means that Liverpool now find themselves down in 7th place in the Premier League, with four games of the season to go. Despite Pompey taking the lead, goal from Carew and Delfouneso turned the game around for the visitors, who move two points ahead of the Reds in the table having both played 34 games. Liverpool have the chance to regain 6th place on Monday night when they face West Ham at Anfield whilst Villa travel to Hull on Wednesday night. Tottenham’s 2-1 victory over Chelsea yesterday means Liverpool are now 8 points behind Harry Redknapp’s men, who sit in the 4th Champions League spot. In this afternoon’s other Premier League game, Wigan stunned Arsenal by coming back from two goals down to win 3-2 and all but throw the Gunners out of the title race. (This is Anfield) Rafa desperate to end season on high Rafael Benitez accepts Liverpool have had a poor season regardless of how they finish it - but he wants the cherry of the Europa League trophy. A goalless draw at home to Fulham last Sunday dropped Liverpool further off the pace in the Premier League and they trail Tottenham by eight points heading into Monday night's match against West Ham at Anfield. It is now highly unlikely the Reds will fulfil Benitez's "guarantee" of a fourth-placed finish and, while the Spaniard will not give up hope of a Champions League spot completely, he seemed to hint the Europa League is now his only chance of success this term. (TEAMtalk) Middle Eastern group reveals Liverpool rejected takeover offer A Middle Eastern consortium say they have had an offer for Liverpool turned down. The Mirror says the group, backed by one of the UAE’s ruling royal families, says George Gillett’s partner Tom Hicks was ready to green-light the proposal until Gillett scuppered the ­agreement. Gillett and Hicks yesterday put Liverpool up for sale. And the Americans deny claims by the group – fronted by former Syria international Yahya Kirdi – that they nearly did a deal six weeks ago. Former Celtic captain Andy Lynch, who is the go-between for the consortium and the club, claims Kirdi and his backers remain interested. “It was all done and dusted until that late swing in events,” said Lynch. “Recent events, which have seen Liverpool put on the open market, prove they need new ­investment. “And there do not appear to be any other bidders bar ourselves. I’m ready to go at the drop of a hat.” (tribalfootball.com) Hicks: No cut-price deal Tom Hicks believes Liverpool have tripled in value under his co-ownership as he continues to search for a buyer. The Texas-based business tycoon joined forces with fellow American George Gillett to take over the Reds in 2007 in a deal worth a reported £218million. It was announced on Friday that Hicks and Gillett have finally agreed to put the club up for sale, but the former has indicated that they will not be prepared to accept any cut-price bids. Hicks said in the Sunday Mirror: "Liverpool football club has been a great investment. It has probably tripled in value. "We have doubled player spending, both gross and net, and the new stadium is now fully designed and permitted. With fresh capital from a new owner, the stadium will be operational by August 2014." (Sky Sports)  Ince strikes in Blades draw Tom Ince was on target as Liverpool under-18s claimed a hard-fought 1-1 draw at Sheffield United on Saturday afternoon. The young winger pulled the Reds level late in the second-half after the home side had opened the scoring with a long range drive. It means Rodolfo Borrell's side have now gone seven matches unbeaten, a run that the coach believes they can extend if they continue to show the right attitude. "It was a tough game and a difficult playing surface but we showed good character to come from behind and earn the draw," Borrell told Liverpoolfc.tv. Liverpool under-18s: Oldfield, Flanagan, Robinson, Wisdom, Sama, Coady, Sterling, Roddan, Ngoo (Silva 60), Adorjan, Ince. Unused subs: Emilsson, Chamberlain, Ihiekwe, Giglio. (LFC Official Website) Athletico beaten Athletico Madrid lost last night. Thursday's Europa League opponents warmed up for the game against the Reds with a 2-1 defeat at Villarreal. Sergio Aguero, who is suspended for the first leg, scored for Athletico. (LFC Online)
	SATURDAY 17
	Broughton: Stadium vital New Liverpool chairman Martin Broughton has revealed that any potential buyer for the club will have to commit to building a new stadium. Reds co-owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks confirmed their intention to sell Liverpool on Friday after a controversial spell at the club. Broughton has been appointed chairman and has the task of finding a buyer for the Anfield outfit, who are £237million in debt. The 63-year-old Chelsea fan hopes to oversee a quick sale process but insists a new ground is of utmost importance. "We want to do the right thing for Liverpool and a new stadium is doing the right thing," he told The Times. "It will add long-term value to the club and if we are looking for a new owner, that is something they will have to accept." (Sky Sports) Mascherano again insists he will stick with Liverpool Javier Mascherano has again declared he will be staying with Liverpool. The Argentina captain was linked with Juventus this week. But the midfielder told LFC Weekly: "Liverpool know that I want to stay. I will be really proud if I can spend another six or seven years playing for Liverpool. "I think there aren't too many clubs in the world with the history and supporters that Liverpool have. I am very aware of that. "All of the senior players still believe we can win trophies here and make the supporters proud." (tribalfootball.com) Reserves lose again Liverpool reserves lost 3-1 to Burnley last night. The reserves' title hopes are all but over as they fell to a third successive defeat. The 3-1 defeat at Turf Moor leaves the Reds nine points behind Man Utd with only one game in hand and three games remaining. Nikola Saric scored Liverpool's goal. (LFC Online)
	FRIDAY 16
	Rovers sign Reds keeper Tranmere Rovers have signed Liverpool goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi on an emergency seven-day loan deal. Gulacsi has moved to Prenton Park after Rovers' current keepers Luke Daniels and Joe Collister picked up injuries. Hungarian youngster Gulacsi will go straight into Les Parry's side for Saturday's crunch League One relegation battle against Exeter City. The 19-year-old has experience of playing League One football after making 18 appearances on loan at Hereford United last season. Gulacsi, who has yet to make a first-team appearance for Liverpool, played in Hereford's 2-1 defeat at Tranmere 12 months ago. (Sky Sports) Torres fitness worrying Reds boss Rafa Rafa Benitez says he is more concerned about the fitness of striker Fernando Torres than he is by the news Liverpool have been put up for sale. "I am sure we will have a very good conversation about the present and the future but at the moment I am more concerned about things like Torres." Torres' knee problem forced him to miss last weekend's goalless draw against Fulham as he flew to Barcelona to see Dr Ramon Cugat, the surgeon who operated on him in January. After returning for yesterday's Hillsborough memorial service he was due to return to Spain for a further examination only to be grounded by the closure of British airspace due to the cloud of volcanic dust. Benitez wants him to have another assessment before considering whether to use him against West Ham on Monday or save him for the Europa League semi-final first leg against Torres' former club Atletico Madrid on Thursday. (TEAMtalk)  Torres injury news Rafa Benitez is not ruling Fernando Torres out of featuring for Liverpool next week despite his troublesome knee. The striker is due to return to Spain to once again see a specialist - but has so far been unable to do so because UK flights are grounded. In the meantime, he will continue to train and receive rehabilitation at Melwood - and could yet feature in next week's crucial matches against West Ham and former club Atletico Madrid. Benitez explained: "Yesterday I was talking with him and the doctors and analysing how he feels. At this moment he is working hard with the physios and staying in the gym for a while, and we're seeing what happens. "We are waiting. We have some problems with the flights, so we're working with him here and after that he has to see another specialist to be sure everything is fine. "It's the doctor who did the operation in the past so he has a better knowledge of the knee. Now we're waiting and if he can go we'll have a better idea. "In my last conversation with him (Fernando) we spoke about him playing against West Ham. Now we have to wait and see how he progresses. He's fine. He can't be on the pitch now but he's fine." (LFC Official Website) Kuyt Juve link dismissed Dirk Kuyt's agent has played down talk linking the Liverpool striker with a move to Juventus. Reports in Italy have suggested Kuyt could be on his way to Turin if Rafa Benitez leaves Anfield for Juve this summer. Kuyt's representative, Karel Jansen, insists he has had no contact with the Italian giants and that the Dutch international was happy at Anfield. "At the moment there is nothing," Jansen told Calciomercato.it. "No-one has contacted me. Kuyt has an excellent relationship with Benitez, but it's also true that he is well at Liverpool, and has a contract there until 2012. "I think it's early to speak about the future." (Sky Sports) Rafa welcomes Reds changes Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez believes that the arrival of new chairman Martin Broughton is a sign that the club is making positive progress after being put up for sale. He said: "We have a new chairman and he is in charge of these issues. "At this moment, for me as a manager, I have to concentrate on the West Ham game. "I think the club is moving forward and that is positive. It is important for the club to move forward. It could be good news." (Sky Sports)  Tom Hicks and George Gillett, the best a fan can forget It is the news every Liverpool supporter has been waiting for: George Gillett and Tom Hicks are set to end their ill-judged, ill-fated, three-year association with the club. (Neil Jones - Goal.com)  Agent: Rafa rejected Juve in January Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez turned down Juventus in January but has not been contacted by the Italian club since, according to his agent. There have been reports this week in England and Italy suggesting Benitez will take the Juve reins in the summer. However, his agent Manuel Garcia Quilon said: "I have not received any interest (recently) from Juventus for Rafa Benitez. "I have received interest from Italian clubs for players but not for a coach. "Juve approached us back in January but we told them that the coach would not be leaving Liverpool this season." Juve sacked Ciro Ferrara in January and appointed Alberto Zaccheroni as interim boss. Zaccheroni's contract ends at the end of the campaign. When asked about the future and Benitez, Garcia Quilon added: "Those are internal matters." Benitez is under contract with Liverpool until June 2014. Benitez may be tempted to sit tight following the announcement from the club's owners that they intend to sell. Quilon admitted in an interview with Spanish newspaper AS that the club's financial situation could be key to Benitez's future. "The intention of Benitez is to fulfil the contract that he has with Liverpool until 2014 but it's true that the club is subject to fluctuations in their financial situation," said the Spaniard's agent. "They could influence the future of the club and therefore Benitez as well." (TEAMtalk) Liverpool put up for sale by American owners Liverpool owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett have confirmed their intention to sell the debt-ridden Premier League club by appointing a new chairman. British Airways boss Martin Broughton will oversee the sale of the Anfield club, which is £237m in debt. "They've recognised a complete sale is the right thing to do at this stage in time," Broughton told BBC Sport. (BBC Sport Online)  Syrian eyes Reds takeover Syrian businessman Yahya Kirdi claims he is in advanced talks about buying Liverpool. Liverpool co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett are reported to be finally willing to sell their stake in the club after hiring Barclays Capital to find new owners. A number of potential investors have been linked with a move for the Anfield outfit and now former Syria international Kirdi is ready to end Hicks and Gillett's time on Merseyside. (Sky Sports)  Thor Zakariassen ©