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Arsenal moved back into third in the table and dented Liverpool’s already faltering hopes of a top four finish by fighting back to win 2-1 at Anfield.

Andrey Arshavin’s spectacular goal seals a 2-1 win at Anfield that sees Arsenal go third and further dents Liverpool’s top-four hopes.

Auckland City’s Ivan Vicelich chatted to FIFA.com about his team’s reverse by Atlante, forthcoming fifth-place play-off and experience in Abu Dhabi.

STEVEN GERRARD has had a second painkilling injection to ensure he leads from the front as Liverpool begin another pivotal week.

The Kop skipper returned to the starting line-up for yesterday’s Premier League clash with Manchester City after recovering from a groin injury.

Now he’s hoping to inspire a Champions League revival against Debrecen on Tuesday.

There were fears the 30-year-old would need an operation to cure any lingering pain.

But another cortisone injection in midweek should prevent the need for surgery.

Gerrard has been desperate to help get Liverpool’s season back on track. An operation would only rule him out for three weeks, but with so many important games coming up he knows his club needs him.

“It’s been a frustrating few weeks,” admitted Gerrard.

“It’s been a strange month because as soon as I was fit we had the international break.

“I’ve been dying to play and can’t wait to get going again. Read more…

RAFA BENITEZ has dismissed suggestions he would ever sanction the sale of Fernando Torres to ease Liverpool’s debt.

Torres is one of the most-sought after players in the world and Liverpool could realistically expect to command a fee of £100m if they ever put the Spaniard on the market.

The manager, though, has insisted that will never happen and made it clear he would walk away from Anfield rather than see owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr cash in on Torres.

“I’m confident it will never happen – if it did, I’d resign,” he said.

Benitez is unlikely to be involved in the January sales when the transfer window opens and the only movement at Anfield will be that of fringe players being moved out.

His spending has attracted some severe criticism in recent months, given Liverpool’s struggles domestically and in the Champions League, but he has been quick defend his record. Read more…

Rafa Benitez fears both Albert Riera and Yossi Benayoun tore hamstrings in the 2-2 draw with Birmingham City.
Both wingers had to be withdrawn during a frustrating match which Liverpool dominated from start to finish.

Benitez said: “Riera had the same problem as before. The players are sometimes available but not 100 per cent ready. We thought he was okay but in the end you can see he wasn’t.

“Yossi has the same problem as Riera. Some players are playing too many games in a row. They are working very hard and so you always have this risk. I think both will have tears.

“Agger also had a problem with his back. It’s not serious but he felt it a little bit.”

Meanwhile, Benitez revealed Fernando Torres didn’t feel fit enough to play and so was left out of the squad.

“Torres had no confidence and said he couldn’t play, so we started the treatment yesterday,” said the boss.

“He has to work with the physios and try to improve and be ready. We are not talking about an operation at this moment, we’re talking about treating him properly. Read more…

John Terry recently pledged his future at Stamford Bridge after having showdown talks with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich during the club’s pre-season tour of the United States of America.

The 28-year-old flew to the US having second thoughts, according to the tabloids, as Manchester City appeared to have turned his head. But the England captain appeared to be convinced of his standing with the west London club after his meeting with the owner.

The Mirror claims that Abramovich persuaded the centre-back to stay by making the player believe that he is prepared to spend the mega-bucks in order to bring in the big names to Stamford Bridge.

The first target of the club is reportedly Franck Ribery, who has been valued at a whopping €57.8 million by Bavarian giants Bayern Munich. Read more…

The Franck Ribery transfer saga looks to have taken another swing, with Real Madrid set to offer Arjen Robben, Wesley Sneijder plus a heap of cash in order to land the signature of the Frenchman from Bayern Munich.

A host of European clubs continue to track the 26-year old midfielder, who recently stated that his preferred destination would be to join up with international teammate Karim Benzema at the Bernabeu next season.

Bayern Munich coach Luis Van Gaal has admitted that he hopes to have a decision on Ribery’s future soon to avoid transfer talk interrupting his pre-season preparations, although he remains hopeful that the player will remain in Germany.

The Daily Star reports that Madrid value the Dutch duo of Robben and Sneijder at around €47m and are willing to include a €17.5m cash supplement to reach an agreement with the Bundesliga giants. Read more…

Manchester United are reportedly interested in out-of-contract Newcastle United striker Michael Owen.

Owen is looking for a new club after allowing his Magpies deal to expire and a number of Premier League clubs are considering a move.

The likes of Hull City and Stoke City have signalled their intent to bring him in but it now seems Premier League champions Manchester United have also entered the chase.

Sky Bet have slashed their odds on the 29-year-old moving to Old Trafford amid claims that tentative talks have taken place between Owen’s representatives and United officials.

Sir Alex Ferguson is keen to bolster his strike-force following the departures of Carlos Tevez and Cristiano Ronaldo Read more…