Liverpool FC

[Ryan]

That looked like a blatent hand ball to me.

[LFCtorresLFC]

Originally Posted by Scouser_Dave

Okay maybe they were trying to run the yanks out at a potentially risky cost there. I think they knew that nothing would come of it tbh. It was probably more of a message to the yanks to leave rather the put the club in danger.

Most of what they have done has had an impact though, one of the the reasons the yanks are looking for new investors is to push on with the new stadium and give Rafa a budget that will rival the other top 4 teams before the fans get on the back again.

I agree with SOS' main goal for Liverpool, but I disagree with how they go about it. Seems a bit too idealistic rather than realistic which is understandable given the nature of the organisation.

[Dan]

1-0.. Ngog goal..

Great win, great performance.. Hope to see some of them playing against Leeds United in the League Cup on Tuesday..

[Scouser_Dave]

Get in! Love beating the mancs regardless of what level its on.

Thought Mavinga was boss tonight. Definitely MOTM for me. Seemed to be everywhere and kept it tight at the back.

Think McMahon has got the ressies back on track. Especially in the defence where we look far more tighter this season than we did last.

[Liverpöol]

good game, got to see the highlights

[Anima Flux]

What's with all these short corners these days? Starting to annoy me, pointless in even having defenders coming up?

Especially last night, was just wasting them.

[Liverpöol]

maybe just a new idea.

[Scouser_Dave]

Rafa won't risk Agger
Dane close to return after back problem

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has revealed he will not take any risks with Daniel Agger's fitness.

Agger is close to returning to action after undergoing a minor back operation last month.

The Dane has yet to feature this season due to the problem, but Benitez believes the classy central defender could be back in action next week.

Liverpool's injury problems are easing with Fabio Aurelio making his first appearance of the campaign as a late substitute against Debrecen in midweek and other long-term absentee Alberto Aquilani set to start training in the next few weeks.

"Aurelio is now ready for a comeback, Mascherano is also over his problem while Danny Agger is very close to a return and (Alberto) Aquilani is also getting close to being involved in full training," said Benitez.

"When the majority of our squad are fit, we can manage games with more confidence.

"Agger is a risk, he could play now, but he has been out for a long time and we have to be careful with him. But I believe that next week he could be available."

Sky Sports | Football | News | Rafa won't risk Agger

TORRES: MY DEBUT SEASON IS HISTORY

Fernando Torres wants to consign his record-breaking debut season to the history books by outdoing his 33-goal haul this term.

The 25-year-old saw his prolificacy interrupted by injury last season but, after starting the first six games of this campaign, he is confident about scaling the scoring charts once more.

"My first season does not matter now," said Torres. "I want this one to be better than that was. Three goals in six games is not bad, but I want more."

The Spain international is currently nursing his second black eye of the season - this one picked up on international duty.

El Nino admits he has had to adapt to the physical nature of football here in England. Not that he's complaining.

"It happens," he shrugs. "I have to adapt and protect myself because the referees cannot just try to protect three or four players. They have to look after everyone. England is a physical league, but we have to learn and adapt.

"The players here are strong and physical, but they are at least honest, much more so than in other leagues, including Spain. It is maybe not as physical there but people will try and kick you, or use their elbows. That does not happen here. The defenders are always fighting for the ball."

Torres has also vowed not to let his frustration at hefty challenges affect his game.

"I have spoken to Rafa a lot and he has told me to stop talking to referees, because they are just doing their job," he said. "We have watched clips of my first two seasons and I am just trying to do the things I was doing then. Scoring goals is always the best answer.

"If you get frustrated you cannot win the game. For the good of the team, I have to be focused and beat the defenders."

Meanwhile, Torres insists he does not need a rest following another busy summer in which he travelled to South Africa to star in the Confederations Cup.

"It was a really long season for me with so many games for Liverpool and then playing for Spain in the Confederations Cup," he said.

"I played a lot of minutes and I was a little bit tired. I haven't been at my best so far this season but I feel like I'm getting better.

"I'm focused on trying to get back to 100 per cent as soon as possible and I'm ready to play in every game.

"We have a lot of things to achieve for Liverpool this season and I want to stay fit. We have a lot of games coming up and then the World Cup at the end of the season."

Speaking at his book launch at Anfield yesterday, Torres also revealed why he feels at home here in Liverpool.

"The best thing for me about being in Liverpool is the relationship I have with the people," he said. "Liverpool's fans are incredible. They appreciate the effort you make and are quick to reward you for it.

"You return to the dressing room having given everything because they deserve it.

Torres on trophies

"When I came to Liverpool my target was to win trophies. But so far two years, no trophies and that's a long time for a club like Liverpool. We are building a strong squad here and we have to be patient. After we win the first trophy, I'm sure the next one will come soon after."
"The Kop is magical and generous. It transmits a kind of positive energy that fills you with confidence. It never lets you down. It never leaves you.

"Away from the pitch, the people respect my privacy. I can go around the Albert Dock, walk my dogs in the park or go to the seaside at Formby.

"In Spain it was difficult to go to a restaurant but in Liverpool I can do these things. It's only small details but they are really important to me.

"I'm only 25 and that's young to write a book but I know a lot of fans have been waiting for it and this is for them."

Torres has grabbed countless personal accolades since he arrived from Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2007.

His 90 appearances for the Reds have yielded 53 goals but as yet no silverware.

"I've already had some special moments in my career like winning the European Championships with Spain," he said. "After the Euros it was very special to go home because people treated us as heroes.

"I want to experience things like that here. I hope to stay at this club for a long time and my target is to be remembered here as one of the top players.

"When I came to Liverpool my target was to win trophies. But so far two years, no trophies, and that's a long time for a club like Liverpool.

"We are building a strong squad here and we have to be patient. After we win the first trophy, I'm sure the next one will come soon after.

"I hope my next book will be all about the many trophies I've won as a Liverpool player."

Torres is only too aware that there is one trophy Kopites yearn more than any other.

"I could feel from the first day I arrived here that the main thing was the Premier League, not the Champions League," he said.

"I know how important the league is to the fans and to be honest I would prefer to win the Premier League myself.

"Twenty years without winning it is a long time. I'm sure that day will come and when it does it will be fantastic for the players and the fans.

"I'll give everything to achieve that for the fans. I have to do more things for Liverpool and I know I can improve.

"I hope to come back in 20 years to watch games at Anfield as a supporter. When that happens I hope people will recognise me as a player who played in the team which ended the club's long wait to win the Premier League."

Torres's believes his transformation into one of the world's leading strikers is down in no small measure to the managerial skills of Rafa Benitez.

"He's so meticulous and he knows how to get the best out of his players," he said. "He's always trying to push you and improve everything about you.

"I have to say a big thank-you to him because in the last two years I've become a better player thanks to him."

Another hallmark relationship during Torres' two years on these shores has been with Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard.

"We have a fantastic relationship and it's amazing to play with someone like Stevie G," said El Nino.

"He has quality and pace and is the greatest player I've ever played with. I hope to play with him for many years.

"From my first day he was asking if I needed anything and he's been a great support to me."

Torres admits he has dared to dream about the possibility of lining up against his captain in South Africa next July.

"I want to play against Stevie in the World Cup final," he added. "England against Spain in the final would be special.

"If I could play against a friend like him that would be great because whatever happens one of us will be a winner."

TORRES: MY DEBUT SEASON IS HISTORY

GERRARD: AFRICAN NATIONS WILL HAVE IMPACT

Steven Gerrard predicts the Africa Cup of Nations will have a big impact on this season's Barclays Premier League title race.

The likes of Chelsea and Manchester City will lose key players when the tournament takes place in Angola between January 10-31.

Carlo Ancelotti will be without Didier Drogba, Michael Essien, John Obi Mikel and Salomon Kalou, while Mark Hughes will miss the services of summer signings Emmanuel Adebayor and Kolo Toure.

Elsewhere, Arsenal could be without duo Alex Song and Emmanuel Eboue for their showdown with Manchester United on January 30.

Gerrard, who has helped Liverpool to three successive wins after a mixed start to the campaign, told Liverpoolfc.tv: "Everyone will have blips and some of the teams lose important players with the African Nations. It's a long season - there are a lot of games and a lot football to be played yet.

"Chelsea, Tottenham and Man City have got off to good starts but there is a long way to go before you start predicting who will be up there at the end."

Next up for Liverpool is a potentially hazardous trip to Upton Park on Saturday tea-time.

Gerrard claims he and his teammates will travel south with their confidence restored following early defeats to Tottenham and Aston Villa.

However, the No.8 thinks there is far more to come from Liverpool as the season progresses.

"The confidence is slowly starting to filter back into the side," he said. "Obviously we were disappointed to lose those two games close together but we are building slowly.

"We know we are a good team, we know we have good players. It does take a while to get back to your best after losing two games you don't expect to lose but we're happy with the progression. Now we've got to go get a good win on Saturday.

"We know it's very early and we know when the prizes are given out - at the end of the season. But it was important to recover and get back to where we want to be - and now we're close to that.

"We've also got some players coming back from injury. Fabio Aurelio has a lot of quality and is a very experienced player, so it'll be nice to get him back. And Alberto Aquilani looks a very exciting player. It will be nice to have the option of playing him, though he's not ready just yet."

Victory for Liverpool would see them gain ground on some of the front-runners, with the Manchester derby being following by Tottenham versus Chelsea on Sunday.

Gerrard added: "There's a couple of big fixtures, so if we concentrate on our own performance and get a win, hopefully the table will look more in our favour come Monday.

"Upton Park has always been a tough place to go. We got a good win there last year when we were well organised and dangerous on the counter-attack. I'm sure that will be the plan again at the weekend."

GERRARD: AFRICAN NATIONS WILL HAVE IMPACT

MCMAHON DELIGHTED WITH NGOG

John McMahon praised the impact made by David Ngog after the French striker scored the only goal as Liverpool Reserves beat Manchester United 1-0 at Prenton Park on Thursday night.

The 20-year-old netted after just four minutes when he latched onto David Martin's huge clearance and kept his composure to glance a header into the net.

"David took his goal well and can be pleased with his performance," McMahon told Liverpoolfc.tv.

"It's not always easy for lads involved with the first team to come and play for the reserves but David showed a great attitude and worked really hard."

The second string had to play the majority of the game with 10 men after Damien Plessis was given a straight red kick for raising his boot to Magnus Eikrem - a decision the coach was far from happy with.

"I didn't think it was a sending-off," he said. "It was possibly a booking but I think the incident leading up to it might have influenced the referee.

"I'm happy with the victory but more pleased with the hard work and spirit the lads showed. It's always difficult when you go down to 10 men but they worked hard for the win.

"We are pleased with the manner in which we started. We always ask the lads to be bright and lively and they did that.

"In the second half we had to survive a bit of an onslaught but I thought David Martin did really well and the back four also did well."

MCMAHON DELIGHTED WITH NGOG

........

[Liverpöol]

Great work with the stories Dave, and also good to see Ngog doing very well.

[wowGEEKevl]

I know Torres wants to keep getting better but at the moment he doesn't seem right to me. He doesn't look too interested and he isn't going past players as easy as he was. I Can't see him beating the 33 goals this season

[AnfieldG8]

Originally Posted by wowGEEKevl

I know Torres wants to keep getting better but at the moment he doesn't seem right to me. He doesn't look too interested and he isn't going past players as easy as he was. I Can't see him beating the 33 goals this season

That's because in the first season people didn't really know how lethal in front of goal he could be. We all knew he was a good player for Atletico but no-one was sure if he could cut it in the premier league. Defenders didn't take him as seriously as they do these days. Now defenders are all over him, most of the time illegally

[Liverpöol]

Exactly. Now he gets the treatment of Gerrard/Ronaldo and Lampard.

He is one the best and the EPL Now knows it.

[D-Smith-LFC]

Liverpool starting 11 and ratings for FIFA10. Thought i'd post it.

----------------------------Riena 86

Johnson 80--------------Skrtel 83-----Carragher 84----------Aurelio 79
-------------------------------Mashcerano 86

Kuyt 82------------------Gerrard 88----------Aquilani 84--Riera 81
----------------------------------Torres 88.

Anyways off out to a party. Few JD an Cokes will do me nicely

[LFCtorresLFC]

Cheers. Like the look of them. Aurelio underrated again but apart from that can't complain.

That official yeah?

[Anima Flux]

Left side?

[D-Smith-LFC]

Originally Posted by LFCtorresLFC

Cheers. Like the look of them. Aurelio underrated again but apart from that can't complain.

That official yeah?

As far as I know yes, A data reviewer told me those.

5* Start team aswell this year. Finally lol

[Dan]

Not bad, although I would have thought Gerrard would have hit the 90's..

Aurelio should be higher..

[Lloydboiere]

Originally Posted by D-Smith-LFC

Liverpool starting 11 and ratings for FIFA10. Thought i'd post it.

----------------------------Riena 86

Johnson 80--------------Skrtel 83-----Carragher 84----------Aurelio 79
-------------------------------Mashcerano 86

Kuyt 82------------------Gerrard 88----------Aquilani 84--Riera 81
----------------------------------Torres 88.

Anyways off out to a party. Few JD an Cokes will do me nicely

Look's awsome

[Scouser_Dave]

Originally Posted by D-Smith-LFC

As far as I know yes, A data reviewer told me those.

5* Start team aswell this year. Finally lol

Really? because I got this emailed to me from me mate:

[steve1892]

Wasn't a data reviewer that told him.

It was someone on the Fifa10 section.

http://forums.electronicarts.co.uk/f...1-ratings.html

[Liverpöol]

I'm a data editor and the numbers above are pretty much right.

[Jimbosile]

I reckon Johnson should be higher. The best rb in the league last year and only 80.

[nzgangster]

i know so stupid.

Yet we play west ham tonight... i think we should win 2-0.

[AnfieldG8]

Originally Posted by nzgangster

i know so stupid.

Yet we play west ham tonight... i think we should win 2-0.

Got a feeling Gerrard will be the first scorer like last season. Might put some money on it.

[Liverpöol]

i reckon it will be Torres with a double