Liverpool

The Reds have endured a difficult campaign and the pressure has mounted on Hodgson after they recently dropped into the Premier League’s relegation zone.

However, second half goals from Sotirios Kyrgiakos and Fernando Torres (14/1 Premiership Top Scorer) – his first since August – ensured Jamie Carragher’s unfortunate own goal sandwiched in between did not prevent them from dropping more points.

Liverpool remain in the Premier League’s drop zone on goal difference, but they will have been boosted to finally get a much-needed win under their belts.

A relieved Hodgson felt his players deserved the win on the balance of play in which they dominated the opening 70 minutes.

He said: “I thought the passing and movement was as good, if not better than it’s been but we were more incisive. We got in more crosses, got more bodies into the box for crosses, we had an enormous number of corner kicks and looked dangerous from those corner kicks, which is nice to see.”

The former Blackburn boss will also have been heartened by the news Dutch hitman Kuyt could be back in action for the Reds within a month.

It was feared that the 30-year-old would be missing for up to five months with an ankle injury he picked up on international duty in the Netherlands’ Euro 2012 qualifier against Sweden a fortnight ago. However, he is hoping to be back in time for the busy schedule of games in December.

Kuyt said: “I had a second scan and the doctor has now told me that they do not need to operate on my ankle. That is such a relief.

“The doctor says I could be back in the Liverpool team within one month.”

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Liverpool

The Reds have endured a difficult campaign and the pressure has mounted on Hodgson after they recently dropped into the Premier League’s relegation zone.

However, second half goals from Sotirios Kyrgiakos and Fernando Torres (14/1 Premiership Top Scorer) – his first since August – ensured Jamie Carragher’s unfortunate own goal sandwiched in between did not prevent them from dropping more points.

Liverpool remain in the Premier League’s drop zone on goal difference, but they will have been boosted to finally get a much-needed win under their belts.

A relieved Hodgson felt his players deserved the win on the balance of play in which they dominated the opening 70 minutes.

He said: “I thought the passing and movement was as good, if not better than it’s been but we were more incisive. We got in more crosses, got more bodies into the box for crosses, we had an enormous number of corner kicks and looked dangerous from those corner kicks, which is nice to see.”

The former Blackburn boss will also have been heartened by the news Dutch hitman Kuyt could be back in action for the Reds within a month.

It was feared that the 30-year-old would be missing for up to five months with an ankle injury he picked up on international duty in the Netherlands’ Euro 2012 qualifier against Sweden a fortnight ago. However, he is hoping to be back in time for the busy schedule of games in December.

Kuyt said: “I had a second scan and the doctor has now told me that they do not need to operate on my ankle. That is such a relief.

“The doctor says I could be back in the Liverpool team within one month.”

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Dirk Kuyt

Liverpool were held to a 2-2 draw by Sunderland at Anfield on Saturday and have now managed just one win in their opening six fixtures of the Premier League season, which sees them nine points off the pace in the title race in sixteenth place in the table – their worst start to a season for 18 years – while they have already been dumped out of the Carling Cup by League Two minnows Northampton.

Torres has managed just one goal in the campaign to date, scoring the winner against West Bromwich Albion, but Kuyt has been quick to point out that he helped set up both goals against the Black Cats.

The first goal was surrounded by controversy as Torres picked up a back-heeled free kick from Michael Turner to run through unimpeded on goal before squaring for Kuyt to slide home, and the Spain international supplied the cross from which captain Steven Gerrard scored the equaliser.

Kuyt, who made an earlier-than-expected comeback from a shoulder injury on Saturday, said: “Everyone is expecting goals from Fernando but he offers a lot more. Against Sunderland he was responsible for setting up the two goals.

“He is very important for the team even if he is not scoring goals. I’m sure his goals will come.

“His mood has never changed. If you are a striker, and the type of striker Fernando is, you want to be involved in goals.

“But everyone could see how happy he was to have set up two goals.

“When you are one of the world’s best strikers everyone is watching you so if they get a moment to blame him they will.

“And if you are not winning games he is not happy, I am not happy and the team is not happy.

“But we all know next week he could score a hat-trick and then everything changes.”

Liverpool (2/5 favourites to win the group) are next in action on Thursday in the Europa League and will be looking to consolidate their position at the top of Group K, following their opening 4-1 success against Steaua Bucharest, with Napoli and FC Utrecht playing out a goalless draw in the other game.

Liverpool (Evens favourites in the match betting) travel to Netherlands on Thursday to take on FC Utrecht (23/10 to win, 9/4 the draw) but whether Torres plays in the match is open to question as he was left out of the squad that won the opening Group K fixture.

The former Atletico Madrid has been struggling for with injury since the World Cup and is slowly working his way back back into full fitness.

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Liverpool

The Reds forward picked up the problem during training with the Netherlands squad (2/7f – to win Euro 2012 Group E) on Monday and was flown back to the UK for further treatment.

The 30-year-old underwent tests and the Liverpool club doctor Peter Brukner confirmed that Kuyt is likely to be missing for a month.

Having suffered “damage to the A-C joint”, the Dutchman is set to miss several big games for his club over the coming weeks.

Kuyt, who scored in the Netherlands 5-0 win over San Marino on Friday, looks set to be sidelined for six Liverpool (11/1 – to win 2010-11 Europa League) matches.

The former Feyenoord man is expected to miss the Premier League games against Birmingham, Manchester United and Sunderland, the Europa League fixtures with Steaua Bucharest and FC Utrecht, as well as the Carling Cup tie against Northampton.

The absence of Kuyt, who had been linked with a summer move to Inter Milan, will be a major blow to Roy Hodgson, who is already short of attacking options.

There has been some welcome news though for the Reds boss, regarding the fitness of Fernando Torres.

The Spaniard’s start to the season has been sporadic because of an injury sustained in this summer?s World Cup final.

The Reds’ medical team were keen to make sure that he is not rushed back too soon, despite the fans eagerness to see Torres firing in the goals.

But the striker showed in the recent win over West Brom, when he scored the only goal, that he is making good progress and has promised the supporters that the best is yet to come.

The 26-year-old said: “The recuperation is perfect and we have waited our time. I am still not 100 per cent, but the people will soon see the best Torres.

“Each time I am recuperating sensations and I hope to obtain success with Liverpool this season.”

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Liverpool

The Reds have given the Argentina captain permission to speak to the La Liga champions Barcelona after agreeing a fee for the 26-year-old combative midfielder with the Catalans.

Mascherano was also wanted by former Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez – who is now at Inter Milan – but Pep Guardiola appears to have won the battle for the former West Ham man (Barca 4/5f – La Liga Outright).

Kuyt was also believed to be in Benitez’s transfer plans for the summer window and although the hard-working Holland international was interested in who was in for him, he has been assured he has a big future on Merseyside.

Kuyt said: “My future is at Liverpool. I have had four great years at the club.

“Unfortunately we have not won any trophies but hopefully I will in future.

“The point for me was that I am 30 years old and I wanted to know if there was any interest from any other club in the world.

“Liverpool spoke to me and explained everything. They said I was really important.

“That made me very proud and at that point I focused my thoughts on Liverpool.”

But Mascherano’s days as a Liverpool player are coming to an end as he gets his wish of a move away, with his family failing to settle in the north west.

A Liverpool statement read: “Liverpool Football Club have agreed terms for the transfer of Javier Mascherano to FC Barcelona.

“The Spanish club have now been given permission to speak to the Argentina midfielder.”

Barcelona claim Mascherano will sign a four-year deal subject to a medical although he will not be on board for Sunday’s trip to Racing Santander.

A Barca statement confirmed: “FC Barcelona and Liverpool FC have reached an agreement in principle for the transfer of Javier Mascherano to the club for the next four seasons.

“The deal was closed after intensive efforts made by the club in the final hours and through the player himself in the negotiations.

“Barcelona will report the details of the operation once the player passes the medical and the transfer is concluded.

“It is hoped Javier Mascherano will arrive in Barcelona this weekend.”

Barcelona turned to Mascherano after being frustrated in their efforts to repatriate Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas (Barca 13/5f – Champions League Outright).

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Liverpool are on the look out for a new manager following the departure of Rafa Benitez with Roy Hodgson the 3/10 favourite to take charge, but in the meantime speculation is rife that a host of players could be on the move.

Star duo Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard have been strongly linked with the exit door but a number of others including Kuyt are said to be considering their future.

Liverpool need to get a new manager on board as soon as possible if they want to keep the squad together but Kuyt says he will not be making any decision until after the World Cup and would be happy to stay at Anfield nonetheless.

“We have to see what happens,” he revealed. “I also have a great time at Liverpool and I still have a two-year contract. My focus is on the World Cup but I’m still happy to play at Liverpool.

“But who knows what happens in the future? We have to see. If the possibility is there, we have to see what happens with the new manager at Liverpool. Hopefully we’ll get new players but we’ll see what the future is for me.”

It seems as though Liverpool’s big names will want assurances over which players will be brought in over the summer before committing their futures, but they need a new boss first.

The fact that Liverpool are not in the Champions League next season will make things even harder but Torres and the rest may be willing to stay on if they believe they have a serious chance of challenging for the title.

For that to happen serious money will have to be spent but with the ownership of the club still up in the air the manager will not have any guarantees and that could lead to an exodus on Merseyside.

Liverpool are 10/1 to win the title but with no manager in place, players considering their futures and boardroom wranglings, it looks a tall order.

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