Liverpool

Owen return to Liverpool on cards
England and Real Madrid striker Michael Owen is set for a return to Liverpool, according to reports. Owen, 25, has been linked with a move to Manchester United and Newcastle while Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has insisted he is not after a striker. But forwards Milan Baros and Djibril Cisse may leave Anfield and pave the way for an Owen comeback. Baros could move to Aston Villa and Cisse is understood to be the subject of interest from French club Lyon. Lyon will be flush with cash with the £26m transfer from Michael Essien's expected switch to Chelsea and their manager Gerard Houllier signed Cisse for Liverpool when in charge of the Merseysiders. Houllier was rumoured to be eyeing Owen but the player appears to favour a move back to the Premiership. Owen's future at Real is in doubt after the Spanish giants signed Robinho and Julio Baptista to complement an attacking force already boasting Raul and Ronaldo. And, with Owen seemingly fifth choice, he has been linked with a leaving the Bernabeu for more regular first-team football in World Cup year. Liverpool received £8m and Antonio Nunez for Owen when they sold him last summer and Real are believed to want £10m for the hitman. But, with Benitez after a right midfielder and centre-back, a loan deal has been muted, despite Real not being too keen on the idea. It may, however, be their main option if Manchester United do not make a firm bid for Owen.

Clubs await Champions League draw
Liverpool and Chelsea could end up in the same group in Thursday's draw for the Champions League group stages. Uefa altered its rules to allow holders Liverpool to defend their title, but the governing body is not keeping them apart from the English champions. However, Uefa rankings mean the Reds will not be drawn in the same group as Arsenal or Manchester United. Rangers are also in the draw at 1500 BST after Wednesday's qualifying win over Anorthosis Famagusta of Cyprus. England have four teams in the group stages, a total matched by Italy and Spain, while Germany have three. With the exception of Liverpool, Uefa will ensure that no two clubs from the same country will be drawn in the same group. Chelsea and Arsenal were the automatic qualifiers from England after finishing first and second in the Premiership. Manchester United eased through with a 6-0 aggregate win over Hungarian side Debrecen in the third qualifying round. Holders Liverpool saw off Total Network Solutions in the first qualifying round and Kaunas in the second - before squeezing past CSKA Sofia 3-2 on aggreagate in the third. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Champions League qualifiers: AC Milan Ajax Anderlecht Arsenal Artmedia Bratislava Barcelona Bayern Munich Benfica Chelsea Club Brugge Fenerbahce Inter Milan Juventus Lille Liverpool Lyon Manchester United Olympiakos Panathinaikos Porto PSV Eindhoven Rangers Rapid Vienna Real Betis Real Madrid Rosenborg Schalke Sparta Prague Thun Udinese Villarreal Werder Bremen

Liverpool miss out on Mexes move
Liverpool have failed in a bid to sign Roma's French international defender Phillipe Mexes. The Reds last week made four attempts to sign the 23-year-old centre-half, either on loan or as a permanent deal. But Roma coach Luciano Spalletti wants to keep the French defender, who joined the Serie A club on a four-year deal last summer from French club Auxerre. Before joining Roma, Mexes had been heavily linked with a move to Liverpool during Gerard Houllier's spell as boss.

Carragher defends Reds over Owen
Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has defended manager Rafael Benitez after the Reds lost out to Newcastle in their attempt to re-sign Michael Owen. The European champions baulked at Real Madrid's £17m asking price for Owen. "I'm not sure if there will be a bit of criticism because we haven't signed him but we've spent a lot of money on strikers," said Carragher. Liverpool also failed to bring in Benfica winger Simao Sabrosa before the transfer window closed on Wednesday. The move for the 25-year-old broke down after the two clubs failed to agree a deal. Benitez's hopes of signing a central defender were also frustrated. Carragher tipped Owen to make a "huge impact" at Newcastle, and said he was surprised the striker had not been able to hold down a regular place at Real Madrid. "You don't want to criticise a club like Real Madrid, but it's unbelievable not to play him when you look at his goal ratio," said Carragher. "I'm sure you won't see Robinho or (Julio) Baptista doing more than he did in the time that he had. Maybe it's because he doesn't do backheels or flick the ball over people's heads. "But the most important thing in the team is putting the ball in the back of the net and Newcastle have got one of the best around at doing that. "He's a great fighter and I'm sure he'll show that at Newcastle. With him and Shearer together, it's going to be tough playing at St James' Park with the crowd behind them." Liverpool's failure to secure Owen, combined with the departure of Milan Baros to Aston Villa, leaves Benitez with just three main strikers to choose from - Djibril Cisse, Fernando Morientes and Peter Crouch. But Carragher said: "We've got to have respect for the players at our club and hopefully they can do the damage for us. We've got a lot of good strikers."

Ferry across the Mersey to Madrid and then back home to Newcastle......

Did owen just give up??
To be honest Al I dont understand the point of going abroad for 1 season then returning...its almost as if he gave up contending for a place in the team..premadona??

I agree with that, and I also agree that he wanted to go to Liverpool before the Toon, but since he will score 20+ goals per year it make no differance to the Toon Army

Good point mate 20 + goals is superb just as long as the rest of the side midfiled defence etc can cope too

Benitez explains Gerrard decision
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has revealed that tiredness prevented Steven Gerrard from starting the Champions League game at Real Betis. He said after the 2-1 win: "We tried to protect Steven, there were a few players in the same condition. "I felt we needed fresh legs for a very difficult match. "Some people were tired, including Steven, and we needed to rest players for this match. We must use all our squad to compete in top competitions." Benitez admitted his side had to surivive difficult moments before sealing a crucial opening win in the Champions League group stage. Early goals from Florent Sinama Pongolle and Luis Garcia put Liverpool on the path to victory. Benitez said: "We started really well with two goals and good counter-attacks - but after we conceded it was hard. "We created good positions and had chances as well. But the most important thing is to start with a win." On his decision to play Peter Crouch up front, the Spaniard added: "We know Peter can keep the ball and give time to the others to go forward." Liverpool captain Gerrard, who came on as a late substitute, was delighted with the result. He said: "We've got a big squad of fantastic players and I think you'll see the manager use them throughout the season. "They were surprised by what we went with - they may have expected Djibril Cisse to start - but Luis Garcia played behind Peter Crouch and it worked well, he popped up with a goal. "The idea is to pick points up and we've got three so we're happy."

Liverpool 0-0 Man Utd
Liverpool avoided a fourth consecutive home defeat by Manchester United but failed to find a killer blow despite a determined display at Anfield. Steven Gerrard saw a long free-kick bounce just wide in the first half, while United's Ruud van Nistelrooy went close with a chip over the bar. Liverpool continued to push after the break, with Gerrard heading over and Edwin van der Sar saving his drive. But United held firm as both sides kept their unbeaten records alive. Liverpool fans held up a banner declaring "European Cup owners" before kick-off, but they were all too aware of their poor recent domestic record against their rivals at Anfield. Rafael Benitez' side set about putting the record straight in a frantic opening period which saw United's Paul Scholes booked for a late tackle on Xabi Alonso. Gerrard went crashing into Van der Sar early on after just failing to get on the end of a through ball from Luis Garcia. And the Reds captain, pitched back into battle with fit-again United captain Roy Keane, then saw his looping free-kick from the left elude everyone in the area and bounce just wide. United soaked up the pressure and earned a rare chance when Wayne Rooney was fouled by Steve Finnan just outside the box, but Van Nistelrooy sent the free-kick straight into the arms of Jose Reina. Van Nistelrooy almost broke the deadlock just before half-time when Rio Ferdinand found him in space on the right of the area, but the Dutchman's chip drifted just over the bar. United came out strongly after the break, with Rooney pulled up for a push on Jamie Carragher which would have left him with just Reina to beat. But Liverpool seized back the initiative almost immediately as Peter Crouch - making his first Premiership start for the club - saw one effort blocked on the edge of the area and then shot weakly at Van der Sar. Gerrard went close with a header over the bar after a one-two with John Arne Riise, and then forced Van der Sar into a fine diving save with a fierce drive after 66 minutes. The Reds captain was at the heart of the action again soon after when he played Garcia in on the left, but the midfielder dragged his shot wide of the far post. Substitute Mohamed Sissoko failed to make good contact when unmarked at a corner, and Garcia headed a Gerrard cross wide. United kept their rivals at bay and earned the final chance of the match when substitute Ryan Giggs fired a free-kick over the Liverpool bar, but the draw saw both sides lose ground on leaders Chelsea. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez: "It's a good point. Manchester United are strong and good in defence, so it was difficult. "I think the teams are similar, although you will always get opportunities to win these types of games. "You can't win if you don't score but it's better to have clean sheets. We can improve but we are now controlling games and going forward." Man Utd boss Sir Alex Ferguson: "You could see it had 0-0 written all over it from early on. "Maybe this game it just too important now. There's maybe pressure on players that makes it difficult for them to relax. That could be a reason. "I thought we had enough of the ball to win it. We showed good professionalism, good composure and we just lacked a cutting edge. "Players are superbly fit at the moment and its difficult to get time on the ball. That will relax itself once we get to November and the pitches get a bit softer." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Liverpool: Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Warnock (Traore 84), Luis Garcia, Gerrard, Alonso, Riise, Crouch (Cisse 79), Sinama Pongolle (Sissoko 71). Subs Not Used: Josemi, Carson. Booked: Carragher, Traore. Man Utd: Van der Sar, O'Shea, Ferdinand, Silvestre, Richardson, Smith, Scholes, Keane (Giggs 88), Ronaldo (Park 90), Rooney (Fletcher 88), van Nistelrooy. Subs Not Used: Howard, Bardsley. Booked: Scholes, Keane. Att: 44,917 Ref: R Styles (Hampshire).

Crouch defends Liverpool tactics
Peter Crouch has dismissed criticism that his arrival has turned Liverpool into a long-ball team. Manchester United fans taunted Liverpool and the £7m buy from Southampton with chants of "Wimbledon" during Sunday's 0-0 draw at Anfield. But Crouch said: "The United fans are always going to take the mickey, but we know we don't play like that. "When you've got Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso, who are great ball players, we can play a good style." The giant striker added: "We know we can mix it up too, and sometimes you need to hit a long ball and feed off the seconds. "I take a lot of the stick as a compliment. I wasn't going to let Rio Ferdinand have an easy time. When you play against world class players like that you want to unsettle them and that's my job done. I thought I did that well. "Maybe we were a touch deep at times. It worked well against Betis but not so well yesterday in the final third. But the result in Betis shows there's no problem. There's enough quality to get goals."

Parry quashes new Benitez rumours
Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry has quickly quashed more rumours linking manager Rafael Benitez with a switch to struggling Real Madrid. The Spanish giants were reportedly lining up Benitez, a former youth coach at the Bernabeu, as a replacement for under-pressure Wanderley Luxemburgo. "We are extremely happy with Benitez and want him to stay," Parry told the club's official website. "There is a great opportunity for Rafa to fulfil his burning ambitions here." Benitez has been repeatedly linked with Real Madrid - where he began his playing and coaching career. Real have lost three games in a row - two in their domestic league and one in the Champions League - and lie in 15th place in the Primera Liga, which has prompted rumours of Benitez's return to surface again. But the 45-year-old Spaniard has consistently stated his desire to stay at Liverpool since his arrival in June 2004. And Parry has backed the Champions League winning boss to stay at the Anfield helm. "Bringing trophies back to Anfield is all we are concerned with," added Parry. "Without underestimating the size of the challenge, we are very confident we can achieve that aim together. "The club and Rafa are working on a shared vision of sustained success on the pitch."

Taylor scotches Reds Anderson bid
Hull boss Peter Taylor has denied receiving an approach from Liverpool to sign Tigers winger Paul Anderson. Taylor had allowed the 17-year-old to train with Liverpool, prompting speculation Rafael Benitez was poised to pounce for the player Taylor said: "I do not know about any move to Liverpool." During the summer Liverpool signed another young lower league player, snapping up Lincoln defender Jack Hobbs, who has just turned 17. Anderson has yet to make his professional debut for Hull.

Liverpool 0-0 Chelsea
Liverpool and Chelsea cancelled each other out in a Champions League stalemate at Anfield. Rafael Benitez's side enjoyed more possession, but Liverpool's Jose Reina was the busier goalkeeper. He saved well from Frank Lampard and Arjen Robben in the first half, while Liverpool were angry a succession of penalty appeals were rejected. Xabi Alonso tested Chelsea's Petr Cech with a long-range drive late on, but failed to break the deadlock. Liverpool played a more attacking formation than in recent times, drafting in Djibril Cisse to provide support for Peter Crouch up front. But it was a cagey first half containing few chances, with Liverpool taking the early initiative but Chelsea battling back as the interval approached. Liverpool keeper Reina needed to be alert, diving to his right to divert Lampard's free-kick before the England midfield man dragged a left-foot shot wide from a good position. The holders enjoyed plenty of possession but failed to open up the Chelsea rearguard, although they were unhappy appeals for a penalty were waved away when Sami Hyypia went down under challenge from Didier Drogba. Reina was in action again after 32 minutes as Robben embarrassed Hyypia for pace, diving acrobatically to turn a rising drive over the bar. Liverpool had further claims for a spot-kick waved away by Italian referee Massimo de Santis six minutes after the break when Luis Garcia appeared to be tugged by Paulo Ferreira, but contact was minimal. And there were similar appeals minutes later when William Gallas stopped Jamie Carragher's goalbound header with his hand, but the referee ruled it was accidental. Liverpool were dominating, and Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho made a move to stem the tide after 64 minutes, sending on Shaun Wright-Phillips for the disappointing Robben. A mix-up between Carragher and Hyypia almost let in Damien Duff, but Reina came to the rescue. Chelsea then made another change, sending on Hernan Crespo - on the losing side for AC Milan against Liverpool in last season's final - for Duff. Xabi Alonso gave Petr Cech a rare moment of serious anxiety with seven minutes left, but his volley flew straight into the arms of the Chelsea keeper. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Liverpool: Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Traore, Hamann, Luis Garcia, Gerrard, Alonso, Crouch, Cisse (Sinama Pongolle 78). Subs Not Used: Carson, Riise, Josemi, Warnock, Zenden, Potter. Booked: Alonso. Chelsea: Cech, Paulo Ferreira, Ricardo Carvalho, Terry, Gallas, Essien, Makelele, Lampard, Duff (Crespo 75), Drogba (Huth 90), Robben (Wright-Phillips 65). Subs Not Used: Cudicini, Joe Cole, Geremi, Gudjohnsen. b Makelele, Robben, Lampard, Terry. Att: 42,743 Ref: Massimo De Santis (Italy).

We scare Chelsea, claims Benitez
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez claims Chelsea are afraid of playing against the Europeans champions. The teams meet in the Premiership on Sunday, four days after Wednesday's 0-0 draw in the Champions League ended Chelsea's run of nine straight wins. "I am sure Chelsea do not like playing Liverpool. When they are talking and talking and talking before the game it means they are worried," he said. "Maybe they're afraid, I don't know. I hope it's the case after the weekend." Liverpool host the London side on Sunday lying 14 points behind Jose Mourinho's runaway early leaders. Mourinho says the Reds will be "finished" in the title race if the Londoners win at Anfield. But Benitez said his team is capable of getting the better of the champions. "We played better than them on Wednesday. They are at the top of the league with a squad maybe as good as anyone in the world and we played at the same level as them," he said. "We had control in midfield, defence and attack." Reds defender Jamie Carragher has also hit out at Chelsea's claims that Liverpool are just a long ball team. "There is no side more direct than Chelsea," he said. "We watched videos of Chelsea before the game and when we saw their match against Bayern Munich from last season's Champions League. "I couldn't remember seeing so many long balls in a match since I started watching football in the 80s."

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