Tag Archives: Reds

Wolves out to pile on Reds agony

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This weekend sees new signing Darren Bent make a possible debut for Aston Villa and Liverpool face a difficult away trip to take on Wolves in what promises to be another fascinating weekend of Premier League action.

Wolves v Liverpool (12.45)

Liverpool simply have to be opposed for what could be a very awkward assignment in the early Premier League game at Molineux against Wolves.

Second-from-bottom Wolves head into this crucial fixture on the back of a 5-0 thumping of Doncaster in the FA Cup and have influential club captains Karl Henry and Jody Craddock back in their ranks.

Wolves have five wins from 11 home games – including victories over Chelsea and Manchester City – against a side with eight defeats on the road already this season (the second-worst away record in the division) and missing Steven Gerrard.

Wolves have the momentum to take the three points and the 15/2 about the 1-0 correct score looks appealing.

Arsenal v Wigan

Arsenal are unbeaten in the Premier League since the end of November but defeats on home soil to West Brom and Newcastle make the 1/5 about an Emirates win unattractive.

They go into the match on the back of a gutsy away win in the FA Cup against Leeds so will have their tails up for the visit of the unpredictable Latics.

In-form France midfielder Samir Nasri is a realistic punt at 6/5 Anytime Goalscorer and Robin van Persie, wrapped in cotton wool at Elland Road before coming off the bench to score late on, offers value at 11/4 First Goalscorer if he gets the nod by manager Arsene Wenger.

Blackpool v Sunderland

A tumultuous week for Black Cats boss Steve Bruce could get worse on Saturday with this tricky trip to Bloomfield Road.

Bruce is still reeling from the loss of star striker Darren Bent to Aston Villa and has also lost Danny Wellbeck to injury in a week to forget, meaning he has just Asamoah Gyan to lead the line.

It is hard to pin down what affect Bent leaving will have on the Wearsiders and Blackpool – who have won three and drawn one of their last five at home, and beat Sunderland at the Stadium of Light last month – could take full advantage.

Blackpool can be backed at 6/4 to stick the knife in on a disenchanted Bruce or the 2-0 Correct Score is a generous 9/1.

Everton v West Ham

Not a fixture for the purists and the 1/2 quote about an Everton win looks skinny considering their best work has come away from home.

The Toffees have won just one of their last five at Goodison Park and West Ham have enough battling qualities to take a point here and the 0-0 correct score is available at 11/1.

True, West Ham’s away record is wretched – they have only won once in the league this season away from the Boleyn – but their resolve to beat the drop has been strengthened by recent controversies and Avram Grant may just fancy his chances.

Fulham v Stoke

Another head scratcher on the banks of the Thames from a betting viewpoint sees Stoke, who plan to sell Ricardo Fuller, arrive at Craven Cottage.

Draws have been killing the west Londoners and the 11/5 about another stalemate here offers the best value of the three outcomes.

Manchester United v Birmingham

Manchester United have looked imperious at Old Trafford this season and remain unbeaten on home soil without getting out of third gear.

West Brom remain the only team to have left M16 without nothing and even that came about because of a rare howler from Edwin van der Saar, so it is difficult to make a case for Birmingham on their travels.

A Goal in Both Halves is quoted at 1/2 and Man United-Man United is on offer at 8/15 in what looks like a one-sided book.

Dimitar Berbatov has scored 14 Premier League goals so far this season and the 3/1 price about the Bulgarian in the Enhanced First Goalscorer market may offer an alternative way in.

Newcastle v Tottenham

Newcastle have emerged as an unpredictable beast on home soil and handsome wins against the likes of Aston Villa, Sunderland and West Ham are offset by defeats against teams such as Blackpool, Blackburn and Stoke – not forgetting a scruffy draw with Wigan.

If pushed Tottenham should have enough for the north-east giants but, away from the outrights, Rafael van der Vaart and Gareth Bale have each found the net on 11 occasions in all competitions from behind the main striker.

The scorecast of Bale and Tottenham 2-1 win is quoted at a whopping 50/1 for value hawks in what could be an open game.

Aston Villa v Manchester City (17.30)

Aston Villa went unbeaten in their first seven home games of the league season but have now lost three of the last four at Villa Park to slip into deep trouble at the wrong end of the Premier League table ahead of the clash with Manchester City.

The signing of Darren Bent offers some indication of the urgency for the Midlanders to scrap their way out of a relegation dogfight and they should just have enough to beat the drop.

City have won seven of their last 10 Premier League engagements and have to be considered as genuine title threats.

The 9/4 quote about City-City half-time full-time outcome is realistic and would have landed in six of their last seven wins (City have won nine out of nine when leading at half-time this term) and Villa have trailed at the break in five of their last six defeats.

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Kenny can revive the Reds

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Liverpool head to the seaside this week (Blackpool 14/5, Draw 13/5, Liverpool 10/11 – Match Betting) looking for inspiration from a footballing great, with Kenny Dalglish already showing signs that he can wake them from their slumber – Blackpool, though, will provide a stern test for Dalglish and co.

Who would thought that almost two-thirds into the season, Blackpool would have been level on points with Liverpool – with one tipped to battle against the drop and the other fancied to push for a top four place.

But whilst the Tangerines have surprised many with their free-flowing football and attacking threat, the Reds (2-0 win – 7/1 Correct Score) have endured a woeful run away from Anfield – ultimately costing Roy Hodgson his job.

One away this season and just two wins on their travels – at Burnley and Bolton – in the whole of 2010.

There were some encouraging signs in Dalglish’s returning clash with Manchester United, but the visitors will have to produce the goods without their skipper as Steven Gerrard faces three games on the sidelines after his sending off at Old Trafford.

But Liverpool’s record is not as bad as you may think without their captain – wins over West Ham and Aston Villa and a decent showing at Spurs during his previous spell on the sidelines in November and December show that.

Joe Cole (5/2 to score at anytime) could be asked to step up to the plate in Gerrard’s absence at Bloomfield Road and the former Chelsea man certainly owes the Reds a big display after struggling to make an impact since his summer move.

A lack of goals will be a concern for Dalglish, but the open style of Blackpool could play into the hands of the visitors and, in particular, an out-of-sorts Fernando Torres.

The Tangerines (13/5 to be relegated) may have been on the end of an FA Cup shock at the weekend, but expect a whole host of changes for Wednesday’s Premier League fixture.

Ian Holloway’s men have only played seven games at home, mainly due to the harsh winter, and their form on home soil is not impressive. Only two wins have been secured at Bloomfield Road – with one of those coming against nine-man West Brom.

Just imagine the joy Blackpool would get from doing the double over Liverpool, following a 2-1 win at Anfield, but that result will also mean the Reds are even more determined to turn the tables.

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Blues and Reds have it all to do

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Newcastle host a Chelsea side on Sunday who are in unfamiliar territory and looking to get their season back on track after three defeats in four Premier League matches (Newcastle 4/1 to beat Chelsea).

It seems almost impossible to talk of this fixture being pivotal in the Blues season after the start they made to the campaign, but recent results and performances mean that, although they are still top of the table, the chasing pack have closed right in and a runway league success now seems just a pipe dream.

It is true that Carlo Ancelotti has had to deal with the loss of the likes of Frank Lampard and John Terry but such an expensively-assembled squad should be able to cope with injuries.

However, they are still capable of tearing teams apart on their day and should be good enough to get a draw at St James’ Park against a Newcastle side who have surprised many people this term.

Chris Hughton has got the Magpies playing as a unit and their 1-0 victory at Arsenal proved that they deserve their place back in the Premier League.

They will have to do without regular centre-backs Mike Williamson and Fabricio Coloccini, both of whom are beginning three-match suspensions, while Joey Barton still has one game of his own ban to serve.

Chelsea have already lost three times away from Stamford Bridge this term but we predict they will come away from the north east with a point on Sunday.

The other Sunday fixture sees Liverpool travel to Tottenham and the same applies to the Reds as to the Blues.

Defeat here and the knives will once again be out for Roy Hodgson, who has overseen a mini-revival in Liverpool’s season after the worst start in their Premier League history.

Four wins and a draw from their last six games has seen the Anfield outfit reach ninth spot and they are only three points behind Spurs and six points off  a Champions League spot.

But Harry Redknapp has got something going at White Hart Lane and there appears to be an air of confidence among the Tottenham players that they can beat anyone at present, and the European victory over Inter Milan will have gone a long way to instilling that belief in the players.

Rafael van der Vaart is a major doubt with an ankle problem while Jermaine Jenas could miss out with a calf injury, but Spurs have plenty of cover and look good in all areas of the pitch.

They also have the ‘Gareth Bale factor’ with opponents up and down the country now aware of just what the Welshman can achieve.

It is all right knowing what to expect – stopping him is another matter.

Joe Cole looks set to return for Liverpool after a hamstring injury but Steven Gerrard is still injured and a home win by at least two goals is forecast for this fixture in north London (Spurs 7/1 to win 2-0).

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Stubborn Reds set to march on

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Liverpool (11/1 Europa League Outright) may have struggled domestically this season but still look as solid as ever in Europe and should prove too strong for Napoli in the Europa League this week.

The two sides do battle again on Thursday having been involved in a closely fought contest two weeks ago, with a goalless draw in Italy.

Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson could be tempted to play a stronger side for this clash, having fielded a number of youngsters for the away game in Naples.

Jonjo Shelvey, Jay Spearing,  Martin Kelly  and David Ngog all played at the San Paolo Stadium, but the likes of Christian Poulsen and Milan Jovanovic could come into the starting eleven.

Liverpool are dealing with a number of injuries including England winger Joe Cole, who is expected to be sidelined for two weeks, and Greek defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos, who is also a doubt.

With a Premier League clash with defending champions Chelsea on Sunday and Liverpool still in the bottom half, several key players could still be rested.

The Reds have only conceded a single goal in the competition and they look a decent bet to win in front of their home fans without conceding a goal (Napoli 10/3 to score an away goal).

As for big spenders Manchester City, they travel to Poland to face Lech Poznan in what looks another tough test for Roberto Mancini’s men.

City have lost their last two league games and although they beat Lech 3-1 at home, the Polish outfit created several chances in the Eastlands clash.

The visitors will be without top goalscorer Carlos Tevez, who is not likely to return to action until his side’s derby clash with Manchester United on November 10.

Emanuel Adebayor is likely to start for City, after scoring a hat-trick in the last meeting, while Mario Balotelli is also available.

A fiery atmosphere at the Stadion Miejski will certainly aid the home side, who will feel they can cause a major upset (Poznan 9/2 to win) on Thursday.

The other stand-out fixtures this week see Italian giants Juventus taking on Salzburg at the Stadio Olimpico in City’s group. With the home side sitting fourth in the Serie A, they look too strong on paper for the Austrians.

Meanwhile, defending champions Athletico Madrid face Rosenburg and after a poor 1-1 draw with Almeria in La Liga, a difficult trip to Norway could see the Spanish side struggle (Rosenburg 13/5 to win).

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Carragher commits to Reds

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Liverpool (Evs – Top 6 Premier League Finish) have announced that Jamie Carragher has committed his future to the club, penning a new two-year deal at Anfield.

The 32-year-old was due to run out of contract at Anfield at the end of the season, putting into his doubt his run as a one-club man.

Carragher has made 641 appearances for the Reds, after making his debut back in January 1997, and always stated that he wanted to finish his career at Liverpool (10/1 – 2010-11 Europa League outright).

There were some doubts, under Rafa Benitez, last season as to whether the former England international would be offered a new deal.

But Roy Hodgson has always made it clear that he wants to keep the defender and Carragher has been more than happy to commit to the club.

The Bootle-born star has been a massive influence, winning 10 major honours during 15 years with the club, and now looks likely to see out his playing career with Liverpool.

After a week of court battles, Carragher’s new deal is the latest bit of good news for the Reds as they prepare for the Merseyside derby this weekend.

Fernando Torres (18/1 Premier League Top Scorer 2010-11) has been passed fit to start Sunday’s Premier League clash against Everton at Goodison Park, having recovered from an abductor muscle injury.

The Spanish international was forced to sit out his country’s Euro 2012 qualifiers against Lithuania and Scotland, but has returned to training this week.

Hodgson told the club’s website: “We see a livelier and a better Fernando every day. It was really unfortunate he got that injury against Blackpool but luckily it came in the international break.”

Liverpool could also have two defenders, Paul Konchesky and Fabio Aurelio, back in the squad for the short trip across Stanley Park (Everton 6/4, draw 11/5, Liverpool 17/10 – Match Betting).

Koncheskey missed the 2-1 defeat to Blackpool, while Aurelio is yet to feature this season having returned to the club in the summer.

Both left backs are under consideration though, and one is expected to start against Everton, with Daniel Agger a doubt with a back injury.

Liverpool will be without Dirk Kuyt for Sunday’s Merseyside derby, after the Dutch ace was ruled out for a month with an ankle injury picked up on international duty.

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Reds optimistic over duo’s return

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Bet on the Merseyside derbyLiverpool (17/10 to win the Merseyside derby) have received a double boost with the news that striker Fernando Torres and left-back Paul Konchesky could be fit for Sunday’s massive clash at Everton (6/4 to win, 11/5 the draw), although Dirk Kuyt could be out of action for some time.

Torres (5/1 to score the first goal at Goodison) suffered a groin strain during the shock defeat to Blackpool at Anfield last month, which ruled him out of Spain’s fixtures over the international break, but has responded well to treatment and could yet make the line-up on Sunday.

Liverpool’s head of sports science and sports medicine Peter Brukner told Liverpoolfc.tv: “Fernando is doing pretty well. He had a slight tear in one of his abductor muscles very early on in the game against Blackpool that prevented him going away with Spain in the internationals.

“He has had intense treatment over the last 10 days and responded very well to that treatment.

“He’s ready to resume training today and if we can build up his training and get through the next few days, then we are optimistic but not certain that he will be able to line up against Everton.

“He’ll join in the full training session on Thursday, then build up Friday and Saturday. If he gets through these sessions and he is able to stretch out fully and has no after effect from the sessions then he will be able to play.”

Defender Konchesky, who has missed the last two games for Liverpool with a hamstring injury suffered in the 2-2 draw against Sunderland at the end of last month, is also making excellent progress and could make his comeback against the Toffees.

“Paul is coming along well and will join in full training on Thursday for the first time,” he added.

“He’s done everything we have asked of him so far and he’s done a lot of running and a lot of strength work on his hamstring.

“Again, it’s a bit similar to Fernando that we are reasonably confident he will be available for Everton, but it just depends on how his body responds to training.”

However, there was some bad news on the fitness front with both Dirk Kuyt and Daniel Agger picking up injuries while on international duty.

The Liverpool midfielder was forced out of Holland’s Euro 2012 qualifier against Sweden after just 28 minutes and the initial prognosis is not good.

“Dirk wanted to play on but our doctor prevented that and told me to substitute him,” Netherlands coach Bert van Marwijk stated.

“He is now in a hospital but following the doctor’s first opinion it could be very serious and keep him sidelined for a long time.”

Defender Agger, who has been hindered by a groin problem of late, lasted only 39 minutes for Denmark on Tuesday night and will be assessed at Liverpool’s Melwood training ground.

It has been a nightmare start to the season for both Merseyside clubs, who have picked up just one win each from their opening seven games, with Liverpool (11/1 to be relegated) in the bottom three due to having an inferior goal difference to city rivals Everton (33/1 to go down).

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Roy revels in Reds takeover

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Roy Hodgson has welcomed the potential takeover of Liverpool by American company NESV amid reports the new owners are keen to keep him on as manager (Liverpool 7/1 – Top 4 finish).

The takeover is yet to officially go through and is subject to a legal battle from current owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett, who believe the £300m deal with the owners of the Boston Red Sox undervalues the club.

However, chairman Martin Broughton is confident the sale will be rubber-stamped, with the Premier League set to give it the green light as early as Friday, pending the legal challenge from Hicks and Gillett.

Hodgson has revealed he has been told to expect the club to be sold to NESV and is pleased a change of ownership is finally on the cards.

“It’s very positive and of course I’m delighted,” the Reds boss told the club’s website.

“It’s been going on a long time and I know how hard the board have worked to set things up.

“I know it’s not easy for them because the owners have other ideas in terms of the sale of the club and what is achievable.

“But I was delighted to hear the news and have it confirmed that it looks like it is going to go through.”

Hodgson’s position as manager has been called into question following Liverpool’s dismal start to the season but it is believed that when NESV do take over they will back the former Fulham chief to turn things around at Anfield (Liverpool 11/1 to be relegated).

The group, which also operates Fenway Sports Group and Roush Fenway Racing in the States, has claimed it plans to remove all the “acquisition debt” from the club and has a long-term aim to restore Liverpool to its former glories.

A statement said: “NESV wants to create a long-term financially solid foundation for Liverpool FC and is dedicated to ensuring that the club has the resources to build for the future, including the removal of all acquisition debt.

“Our objective is to stabilise the club and ultimately return Liverpool FC to its rightful place in English and European football, successfully competing for and winning trophies.

“Since 2001, New England Sports Ventures has made successful investments in sports and entertainment properties.

“Our portfolio of companies – including the Boston Red Sox and Fenway Park, New England Sports Network,- are all committed to one common goal: winning.

“NESV wants to help bring back the culture of winning to Liverpool FC.”

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Gerrard vows to get Reds going

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Steven Gerrard has promised Liverpool will come through their current slump and says everyone at Anfield is fully focused on getting three points against Sunderland (Liverpool 4/9, draw 14/5, Sunderland 7/1 – 90 minutes) in the Premier League on Saturday.

The Reds’ poor start to the season hit a new low on Wednesday evening when they were dumped out of the Carling Cup at home by League Two outfit Northampton on penalties.

The performance was way below what was expected of a side – containing six full internationals at the start – on a rain-soaked night on Merseyside and was the first time Liverpool have ever been beaten by a team from the lowest rung of the English football ladder in Cup competition.

First-team squad players Ryan Babel, Lucas, Sotirios Kyrgiakos, Daniel Agger and David Ngog all started the game while they were selected alongside youngsters Danny Wilson, Jay Spearing, Dani Pacheco and Martin Kelly.

However, Roy Hodgson’s side barely deserved to claim a 2-2 draw against the minnows following 120 minutes of football and it was left to club captain Gerrard to try and take the positives out of a shocking night for the club (Liverpool 2/1 – Top 4 Finish).

“They will learn from this experience. Football isn’t just about highs,” he told the club’s website.

“Throughout my career I have experienced both highs and lows and probably learnt more from the lows because you look at yourself first, look at what went wrong and try to learn from your mistakes. The players are allowed to be down today but it’s up to players like myself to pick them back up because playing for this club there are big games every two or three days and we need to get everyone’s head focused on Sunderland now.

“There are still some positives underneath the frustration. Although we’ve gone out and everyone is down and disappointed, the experience that would have given the lads in the dressing room might be vital for the future.”

Gerrard says the players must not dwell on the result and everyone must pull together for the Black Cats clash – a game that is likely to see a completely different line-up chosen by Hodgson.

“The last thing we want now is for people to be sulking with their heads down because there’s a massive game in three days,” he added.

“No-one is hurting more than the players who played. We’ve all been there and all experienced it. Everyone is disappointed and down but it’s not the end of the world. It’s gone now, it’s important we move on and think about Sunderland and try to get the three points.”

“What I would ask all the supporters is to trust the players and what the players are saying. I’ve been reading and listening to what they’ve been saying and they’ve all said we’ll get it right in the end – and we will.”

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Fergie unsurprised by Reds change

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Manchester United (8/11 favourites in the match betting) boss Sir Alex Ferguson has said that Rafael Benitez was lucky to last as long as he did at Anfield ahead of his side’s Premier League clash with arch-rivals Liverpool (4/1 to win, 5/2 the draw).

“I wasn’t surprised at all that Liverpool changed their manager in the summer. I think everyone expected it even though Benitez had signed a new contract,” Ferguson told The People

He added: “That was the only complication about it. If he hadn’t signed a contract the previous season then I am sure he would have gone before the end of the last season.”

Benitez signed a new five-year contract at Liverpool back in June of last year but his contract was terminated by mutual consent earlier in the summer and he left to take up the reins at Inter Milan in June of this year.

New Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson will welcome back captain Steven Gerrard and striker Fernando Torres, after the players were rested for the Europa League win over Steaua Bucharest in midweek, for the game at Old Trafford, while Joe Cole is able to return after serving his three-match ban for his red card picked up against Arsenal on the opening weekend.

Hodgson, who has seen his Liverpool side register just five points from four games in their opening fixtures of their current campaign, said ahead of the clash: “The first thing to do when you go to Old Trafford is to defend well because there are some very good attackers.

“They are very dangerous offensively so if your defensive set-up is wanting then they will punish you.”

United, who already trail title rivals Chelsea by four points, are likely to welcome back Rio Ferdinand for his first Premier League start of the season, with in-from Dimitar Berbatov partnering England striker Wayne Rooney (4/1 to score first goal) up front, but will be without Anderson, Michael Carrick and Owen Hargreaves as well as Antonio Valencia, who suffered a horrific injury in the draw with Rangers in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed though that Nemanja Vidic will get the captain’s armband back, despite Ferdinand skippering the side in midweek, and will be keeping it for the rest of the season.

“He started the campaign as captain and it will stay that way,” Ferguson said. “What we wanted was someone who was consistently available for us.

“Everyone recognises Nemanja Vidic would always be there. He has been fit all season and you don’t leave him out of the team unless you are going to rest him.”

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Duo claim Reds interest

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Liverpool missed out on international duo Rafael van der vaart and Mario Gomez during the summer transfer window, it has emerged (Liverpool 6/4 - Top 4 Finish).

New Reds boss Roy Hodgson was one of the busier managers  before  the window closed last Tuesday after drafting in the likes of Joe Cole, Paul Konchesky, Raul Meireles and Christian Poulsen, among others.

But the former Fulham chief also missed out on a couple of high-profile players as well, with Dutchman van der Vaart opting to join Tottenham and the Champions League, while interest in taking Gomez on loan ultimately came to nothing for the Merseysiders.

Van der Vaart told Sky Sports: “Liverpool were interested. Bayern (Munich) were not interested.

“In the end you have to have a good feeling, and with this manager I got a good feeling. I am happy and I am going to Spurs.

“I am going to give it my best and hopefully I will play a lot of games and be important for the team. I hope to get a lot of goals and have a lot of fun.”

Gomez has revealed that Bayern see him as a player for future despite the fact the 25-year-old Germany international struggled for first-team football last season (Bayern Munich 1/2 – Bundesliga Outright).

“I have said that if I leave Bayern I will go abroad,” Gomez told Bild.

“Then came this interesting offer from Liverpool. I took the loan offer seriously and discussed it with my family and girlfriend because I just want to play.

“But Bayern gave me the impression that they see a future for me. And therefore a change was not an issue anymore.”

Meanwhile, star striker Fernando Torres admits he is not yet 100 per cent fit but promises Liverpool fans the best is ahead of him (Torres 7/1 – Premiership Top Goalscorer).

The Spain ace’s start to the season has been hampered because of an injury sustained in the World Cup final, with the Reds refusing to rush him back.

The 26-year-old, though, is pleased with the way his recovery has been handled and optimistic over his fitness for the rest of the campaign.

The former Atletico Madrid captain 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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