TORRES BELIEVES GERRARD IS CRUCIAL

 

Fernando Torres believes Steven Gerrard is one of a select group of players capable of dominating the World Cup. The Liverpool midfielder is currently struggling with a calf problem, raising fears over his involvement for England in South Africa.

 

The Three Lions will be desperate to have the influential midfielder available, as his experience and determination could be crucial. His Anfield team-mate Torres feels England should be praying Gerrard pulls through, as he is integral to any hope they have of securing global glory.

 

He rates the Liverpool skipper among the world's best and believes he could single-handedly lead Fabio Capello's men to glory.

 

BOLA BOYZ     WORLD CUP

 

CROUCH HAS DONE ALL HE CAN

 

England striker Peter Crouch believes he has done everything he can to make sure he is on the plane to South Africa. Boss Fabio Capello is set to trim down his preliminary 30-man World Cup squad to 23 by 1st June.

 

Crouch, currently involved in the England training camp in Austria, is one of five strikers in the squad, which some believe may be trimmed down to four for the finals. The Tottenham striker feels he has done everything possible for club and country this term to justify his selection in the final party.

 

This includes scoring the decisive goal which secured UEFA Champions League qualification for Spurs, while on the international stage the beanpole striker took his goal tally to 20 in just 37 internationals with his double against Egypt at Wembley in England's last international in March.

 

 

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CARRAGHER & COLE IN ENGLAND SQUAD

 

Jamie Carragher and Joe Cole have been included in Fabio Capello's provisional 30-man squad for this summer's World Cup in South Africa. It will be reduced to 23 players by June 1.

 

Liverpool stalwart Carragher, who announced his retirement in 2007, returns to provide cover in defence with Gary Neville overlooked entirely. Chelsea midfielder Cole has been plagued by injury for large parts of this season but his goal against Manchester United helped convince Capello he is worth another look.

 

Provisional Squad:

David James (Portsmouth), Robert Green (West Ham United), Joe Hart (Manchester City), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), John Terry (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Ledley King (Tottenham Hotspur), Jamie Carragher (Liverpool), Matthew Upson (West Ham United), Michael Dawson (Tottenham Hotspur), Leighton Baines (Everton), Stephen Warnock (Aston Villa), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), James Milner (Aston Villa), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Gareth Barry (Manchester City), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Tom Huddlestone (Tottenham Hotspur), Scott Parker (West Ham United), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham Hotspur), Adam Johnson (Manchester City), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Manchester City), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Peter Crouch (Tottenham Hotspur), Emile Heskey (Aston Villa), Darren Bent (Sunderland), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham Hotspur).

 

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BENITEZ WANTS TO STAY ON

 

Rafa Benitez last night insisted he does want to lead Liverpool into a new season. The fact it will start little more than two weeks after the World Cup ends shows exactly what a pig's ear they have made of the current one. A week or so ago, Benitez' six-year reign on Merseyside looked certain to be over, with Juventus knocking on his door, a nightmare campaign drawing to an end, the club up for sale and the futures of Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard in doubt.

 

Plenty of those doubts remain, after their worst campaign in a decade ended with a tame seventh spot, no Champions League place and Real Madrid, Manchester City, Chelsea and Co sure to test the loyalty of Anfield's big names in the coming months. But as far as Kop boss Benitez is concerned, he has no doubts about his own future any more.

 

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GERRARD DREAM ABOUT EPL & WORLD CUP

Steven Gerrard is already looking ahead to next season and has stated his desire to lift the World Cup after helping guide Liverpool to the Premier League title.

Gerrard and co have given Manchester United a run for their money in this season's title race, although the fans' favourite has conceded they will come up short this time around.

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STEVIE G IS WRITERS' CHOICE!

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has been voted England's Footballer of the Year by the Football Writers' Association (FWA). The England midfielder topped the poll of journalists ahead of Manchester United duo Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney to win the prestigious accolade, which has been running since 1948.

The 28-year-old Anfield hero has scored 23 goals in all competitions this season, the best tally of his career, and is leading Liverpool's continuing challenge to Premier League leaders Manchester United as the Reds bid to land their first league title for 19 years.

 

BOLA BOYZ  LIVERPOOL

GERRARD ALMOST A BLUES

Steven Gerrard admits he considered moving to Chelsea because he felt Liverpool were a long way from being title contenders.

 

The England midfielder was on the verge of a move to Stamford Bridge in 2005. However, the 28-year-old remained at Anfield. Gerrard admits he had considered going to Chelsea but is now relieved he chose to stay in the north-west.
 

BOLA BOYZ  LIVERPOOL

STOKE 0 - LIVERPOOL 0

 

Liverpool threw away the chance to go 6 points clear at the top of Premier League as they were held to a goalless draw at Stoke. Chelsea is now just 4 points behind, with the Blues to play away to Manchester United.

 

They failed to break down a Stoke side which had failed to win in their previous six league games. Steven Gerrard twice hit the woodwork in the last five minutes. Benitez must have been left speechless at his side's overall performance.

 

BOLA BOYZ  LIVERPOOL

LIVERPOOL 2 - PRESTON 0

Liverpool recorded a comfortable 2-0 victory over Preston and avoided the pitfalls that had befallen some of their Premier League rivals. Albert Riera opened the scoring with a superb solo effort in the 25th minute as the Reds dominated the first half, carving out several chances that went begging.

 

They were nearly made to rue those misses as Preston enjoyed a fine spell midway through the second period, with a Sean St Ledger goal disallowed and a confident penalty appeal turned down. However, substitute Fernando Torres, on his return from injury, tapped home a Steven Gerrard pass in the 90th minute for a late second goal.

 

 BOLA BOYZ  LIVERPOOL

LIVERPOOL WILL PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR GERRARD

 

Liverpool has assured that captain Steven Gerrard will get "all the support he needs" after the England star was charged with assault and affray on Tuesday. The 28-year-old midfielder was charged in relation to an incident at a Southport bar in the early hours of Monday morning that left the venue's DJ requiring hospital treatment. According to the club spokesman, Gerrard has been an outstanding servant to Liverpool for the last 10 years and the club will give him all the support he needs at this time.

 

However, Gerrard was released from Southport police station after been bailed together with three other men who were arrested in connection with the incident on Tuesday morning. Merseyside Police also confirmed that Steven Gerrard, 28 years, of Formby, Sefton, John Doran, 29, and Ian Smith, 19 years, both from Huyton, Liverpool, has been charged for assault occasioning actual bodily harm and affray following an incident at Bold Street in Southport in the early hours of Monday, December 29. The three men will be appearing at North Sefton Magistrates' Court on January 23.

 

BOLA BOYZ  LIVERPOOL

STEVEN GERRARD ARRESTED

Steven Gerrard was arrested on Monday after a brawl at a restaurant. The Liverpool captain was among six men arrested when officers were called to the Lounge Inn in Southport, Merseyside. A local man was taken to hospital with facial injuries, which are not thought to be serious. Police said the 28-year-old footballer and five other men were arrested on suspicion of assault.

 

Gerrard went out with friends just hours after his side's 5-1 victory over Newcastle at St James' Park. He was arrested after a disturbance at the Lounge Inn, a modern restaurant close to the junction of Bold Street and Stanley Street. The venue converts to a late-night club venue with live music and DJs. No one was available to comment on Monday. The seaside town is a popular destination for wealthy footballers looking for a night out. 

BOLA BOYZ LIVERPOOL

NEWCASTLE 1 - LIVERPOOL 5

Liverpool tightened their grip at the top of the Premier League with a superb 5-1 win at Newcastle. England midfielder, Steven Gerrard claimed a fine double as he got the ball rolling with a 31st-minute opener and then after Sami Hyypia and Ryan Babel had struck either side of David Edgar's header, he completed the job with a 66th-minute second.

 

Xabi Alonso also converted a 76th-minute penalty after fellow newcomer David Ngog had been tripped by Edgar to complete a miserable afternoon for Joe Kinnear's injury-ravaged side, for whom goalkeeper Shay Given made seven remarkable saves.

 

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LIVERPOOL DENY KEANE SALE ISSUE

Liverpool have issued a denial that Robbie Keane will be sold in the January transfer window, after former Anfield player Mark Lawrenson claimed the striker's future was in doubt. Lawrenson, who currently works as a TV pundit, told Irish radio station Today FM's The Last Word that Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard believes Keane could be set for a move in January.

 

The Guardian Liverpool later explained that Lawrenson's remarks are his interpretation of a private chat between the two of them. They do not accurately reflect Steven's opinion of Robbie Keane and they certainly do not tally with Steven's recollection of the conversation itself.

 

Last week 28-year-old Keane, who has scored just twice in the Premier League since his £20.3m move from Tottenham Hotspurs, dismissed claims that he would be leaving the club and insisted the goals would come.

 

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LIVERPOOL 2 - HULL CITY 2

 

Premier League new boys, Hull City denied Liverpool from collecting a full 3 points with another accomplished away performance in a 2-2 draw at Anfield. The Tigers would have ended Liverpool's season-long unbeaten home record, if not because of Steven Gerrard.

 

Hull were two ahead through Paul McShane and a Jamie Carragher own goal before  Gerrard scored twice in eight minutes, taking his tally for the season to 11. Gerrard was among the players returning after being rested from the Champions League win over Eindhoven in midweek, along with Jose Reina, Dirk Kuyt and Xabi Alonso.

 

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GERRARD HOPES TO TIGHTEN GRIPS

 

Steven Gerrard feels that the Christmas period could prove pivotal to the club's title hopes. Liverpool currently lead the Premier League by just one point but will be hoping that a fairly favourable fixture list, a trip to Emirates Stadium aside will allow them to cement their position at the top.

 

Anything less than nine points from games against Hull, Bolton and Newcastle will be unacceptable to the Anfield faithful, and Gerrard knows that entering the New Year as league leaders will send out a message of intent to their rivals.

 

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