Can Reds make City blue?

Liverpool will contest their first away game of the 2010-11 Barclays Premier League season this evening when they make the short journey to Eastlands to tackle Manchester City.

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A busy start to life under Roy Hodgson's stewardship means the Reds' clash with the Citizens is their fifth competitive fixture of the fledgling campaign so far.

With three wins and a highly-spirited draw with Arsenal under their belts, Liverpool head into battle in buoyant mood - and history certainly seems to suggest they should be optimistic of obtaining a positive result.

The Reds have not suffered defeat against City since the historic 2004-05 campaign when, with one eye on the Champions League, they went down 1-0 in Manchester.

Recent encounters between the sides have typically been close-fought affairs - three of the four games have ended in a draw, while Liverpool overturned a two-goal deficit to clinch a 3-2 victory at Eastlands in 2008.

Like the Reds, Roberto Mancini's contingent got their league campaign up and running with a draw against north London opposition as they played out a goalless stalemate with Tottenham at White Hart Lane.

However, City's sizeable spending power has led many to believe they will muscle into contention at the top of the table in 2010-11.

After narrowly missing out on a Champions League berth last term, the Blues have enjoyed a fruitful summer in the transfer market as they bolstered their ranks ready for a renewed assault on the top four.

Nonetheless, Mancini admits he is wary of Liverpool's threat.

He said: "Liverpool are a strong team. They did not sell any players from last season.

"We want to win but I have a lot of respect for them and a lot of respect for Roy Hodgson. It should be a good match."

The big-money additions of James Milner, Aleksandar Kolarov, Jerome Boateng, David Silva, Yaya Toure and Mario Balotelli have lodged City firmly in the running for honours this term.

Balotelli's protracted signing has already bore fruit for Mancini, with the jet-heeled 20-year-old marking his debut with the only goal of the game in a Europa League success against FC Timisoara in Romania.

The Italian international also sustained an injury in that contest - but he doesn't expect to sit out tonight's game.

"It was the kind of debut I dreamed of," said Balotelli. "But my right leg aches.

"I think it may be a cartilage thing and the problem is I do not have much muscle on this side.

"It wasn't the result of a tackle, nobody touched me, I simply over-extended the knee.

"It's a bit of a problem, but I'm sure it will go away fast and that I will be available against Liverpool."

As well as deciding whether to pitch the striker into action against Liverpool, Mancini is facing several other selection dilemmas.

Milner is expected to be handed his City bow, though fellow new boys Kolarov (ankle) and Boateng (leg) are likely to join Wayne Bridge (toe) on the sidelines.

Meanwhile, Liverpool are set to welcome a clutch of stars back into their squad after Hodgson afforded the likes of Steven Gerrard, Glen Johnson, Martin Skrtel and Dirk Kuyt rests against Trabzonspor.

"We've got seven top quality players to come back," he said. "Thursday gave me the chance to play a number of players who don't often play for the first team.

"We were able to rest a few players from top competitive football after all they have done."

The boss will also assess Daniel Agger and Javier Mascherano before deciding whether to include them in his Eastlands blueprint.

Hodgson added: "Javier had a slight strain in his calf but I have great faith that he will play. Luckily it's not pulled. We think within a week he will recover from that and he did some light training on Thursday.

"Agger is more complicated. Daniel was concussed so it's taken out of the hands of coaches and physios and goes into the realm of doctors who will decide if enough time has gone by for him to play.

"Daniel is very positive. He feels a lot better and has done some running."

Joe Cole misses out tonight as he begins a three-match suspension.

Click the image below to watch Roy's pre-match press conference

Hodgson on strike duo

Roy Hodgson today revealed he isn't surprised by David Ngog's early-season scoring spree - because he tried to take the striker on loan to former club Fulham last season.

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The 21-year-old has netted four goals in three first-team appearances so far this term, including a thunderous finish in Sunday's Barclays Premier League opener with Arsenal at Anfield.

It means Ngog has already halved his tally for the entire of the 2009-10 campaign - but such scoring exploits have not come as a shock to Hodgson, who insists he has always been an admirer of qualities possessed by the Reds' No.24.

The boss told a press conference at Anfield: "I wouldn't say he has surprised me. He is performing pretty much in the way I thought he could and should perform.

"In terms of judgement of front players, there's often a dual judgement - the judgement of the coach and the players who appreciate what he's doing, but if he's not scoring goals that won't be appreciated by other people such as fans and the mass media.

"I tried to loan him when I was at Fulham, but we were not allowed to because Liverpool didn't want to loan him out.

"We ended up taking Stefano Okaka from Roma, but when we were looking for some help up front we enquired about David Ngog and were told he wasn't available.

"So obviously I've always had some consideration for him."

In addition to breaching the Arsenal net on Sunday, Ngog was a constant menace to the Gunners' rearguard before he was afforded a standing ovation by the Kop after making way for Fernando Torres on 74 minutes.

Hodgson added: "At the moment he's scoring goals so everything in the garden is rosy. It's not certain for me everything in the garden was not rosy when he wasn't scoring goals - he might have still been doing a lot of other good things.

"But front players need goals, there is no question of that, and when they get them their tails are up, they get good reviews from everybody and feel so much better about themselves.

"At the moment his situation is very positive because he is not only playing well and doing a good job for us in leading the line, he's scoring goals as well."

Though buoyed by Ngog's early-season form, Hodgson is refusing to set his young striker any goal targets for the season.

Instead, he is hoping to see the Frenchman's all-round game continue to improve over the course of 2010-11.

"To get 20-25 goals a season you have to be playing in the region of 50-60 games," he said. "In reality, I wouldn't want that at the moment because that would possibly mean Torres isn't playing a lot of games.

"I don't set targets for him in terms of number of goals, my target for him is to be good enough to play in the Liverpool first team so that if I decided just to play with one forward, he could do what he has been doing for us so far."

The return of Torres to action against Arsenal on Sunday has further bolstered Hodgson's attacking options as he prepares to lead his contingent into a busy period of domestic and European fixtures.

However, the boss will continue to err on the side of caution with the fitness of the World Cup winner.

"The Sports Science people are concerned that we don't rush him back too early and that we don't prejudice his fitness or situation with the injury he took him to the World Cup," he said.

"We don't want to prejudice anything by throwing him into the fray too early, but he is very, very keen to get back in.

"I thought he handled himself well in the 15 minutes he played against Arsenal, so I am hoping he will play a part in tomorrow night's game (against Trabzonspor) and then be ready for Manchester City."

Meanwhile, Hodgson has confirmed Liverpool decided not to appeal the red card Joe Cole received in the 1-1 draw with Arsenal in case his automatic three-match ban was further extended by the FA.

Although the gaffer admits to still holding a sense of frustration at the decision, he decided against pursuing the matter.

Hodgson said: "In an ideal world you would have a case for an appeal on the basis of anyone looking at it would probably agree with me the decision to send him off was harsh.

"But of course, with the way the rules are set up and the way disciplinary committees deal with these matters, you have got very strict codes on which you can appeal. We were concerned if we appealed it might increase the ban, which would be even worse for us, so we decided not to."

He added: "It is disappointing. You want to start off flying and you hope at the start of a season you get all your players fit, well and ready to go, as well as the chance to bed them down into team.

"But these things happen in football. We are very disappointed for him, but on the other hand it was a brave and somewhat reckless challenge because the ball could have been allowed to be played down the line without him trying to block it and then there would have been no danger of him colliding with the player."

Cole's dismissal and Pepe Reina's uncharacteristic 90^th-minute own-goal soured what was an otherwise highly-encouraging afternoon for Hodgson in his first Barclays Premier League game in charge of Liverpool.

The stopper bundled the ball into the back of his own net to ensure Arsenal took a share of the spoils back to north London with a 1-1 draw - but the manager has no doubts the Spaniard will bounce back.

He revealed: "Pepe's fine. If you're a goalkeeper and can't live with a mistake that you make then you'll never have a career at any level.

"The fact is there is only one certainty in football if you're a goalkeeper and that is one day you'll make a mistake which is going to let in a goal that may cost your team some points. When you put the gloves on, you know that.

"If you're a good goalkeeper it doesn't very happen often, and more often than not you'll come off the field with people congratulating you on winning points for the team because you've made so many good saves.

"But the day is going to come when you will make a mistake.

"It was a mistake, of course, and he understands that. We all feel very sorry for him because he took it very hard after such a good performance from him and the team.

"But he's a strong character and as far as I am concerned, I have not mentioned it to him and he has not mentioned it to me. In training this morning he was very good so let's hope he's forgotten it as quickly as I've forgotten it."

No Masch versus Trabzonspor

Javier Mascherano and Daniel Agger will not feature against Trabzonspor on Thursday night after picking up injuries against Arsenal.

Mascherano sustained a pull in his calf while Agger is still suffering from concussion after a ball to the face which has left him with no recollection of Sunday's clash.

Both players now face a race against time to be fit for Monday's match at Manchester City.

Asked by reporters whether Mascherano was in his plans for the Europa League play-off, Roy Hodgson said: "Javier will always be in my plans until the day comes when he leaves the club. And for me that will be a long time in the future if I can get my wish. But he's injured at the moment and won't play tomorrow.

"He came off after about 80 minutes on Sunday with a slight pull in his calf muscles and has only just started to jog today.

"The worry for us is that he won't be fit for Monday.

"Daniel got concussed so he's not doing that well. We're three days after the incident and he's still suffering from concussion and has got no memory of the game.

"We can only hope that it settles down in time for Monday's match with Manchester City. There was never any question he'd be fit for tomorrow.

"He is resting. He was at the club this morning, I was talking to him, but he's not able to do much at the moment because he's suffering from headaches. Even something as simple as reading a newspaper or watching TV can give him a headache so he needs to take it easy. I know how he feels doing all these press conferences!"

Mascherano's absence could open the door for new boy Christian Poulsen to make his Liverpool bow.

Hodgson added: "He's in the squad. I haven't picked the team yet but he's in the squad and there's a chance he'll appear tomorrow.

"We'll only find out when he plays if he's fit. He's only played 20-25 minutes in a friendly match for Juventus. He's done a lot of physical training so in that respect he's right up there with the rest of the players but he hasn't played a lot of football and so is not match fit.

"But he's a quality player. He's been at Schalke, Seville, Juventus and now Liverpool. The players here are like the ones he's played with in the past and his quality is Liverpool quality."

Click on the image below to watch the boss talking about the latest injury news

Pics: Reds set for Trabzon test

The Liverpool players were put through their paces at Melwood this morning ahead of the Europa League clash with Trabzonspor - and our photographer was there to take some great snaps of the lads in action.

SG: I'll prove myself to Roy

Steven Gerrard is confident Liverpool will rise to the challenge of re-establishing themselves as a Barclays Premier League force and admits he can't wait to lead the Reds out against Arsenal amidst a fresh wave of optimism.

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The skipper feels there is a real buzz reverberating around Melwood at the moment and reckons the 2010-11 campaign will provide the players with the perfect opportunity to show their true worth.

"When you are captain of Liverpool, every single day you have got something to prove," said Gerrard.

"When you have a new manager and new players coming in, the demands on you to prove yourself intensify.

"Jamie Carragher, Pepe Reina and Fernando Torres are the same. At Liverpool Football Club there is no time to relax. You are expected to win every game you play and perform to your maximum every time you pull on a Red shirt.

"There is lots to be positive about and you have got to give credit to the people high up in the club. They have made a lot of changes to the staff and the players and sometimes that just needs to happen.

"When things like that happen, you get a freshness around the place and that leads to people having smiles on their faces. I'm just glad I'm going into the season feeling positive and with confidence that we can be successful.

"Everybody is going into training feeling good and the fans are looking forward to it."

During the World Cup Gerrard refused to discuss club issues as he looked to focus on England's bid for glory.

However, he continued to watch developments at Anfield with interest and is excited by the prospect of getting the Roy Hodgson era off to a solid start.

"It was just a question of forgetting about Liverpool for the time being, having a holiday, sitting back and watching what happened," explained Gerrard.

"I kept in touch with (Managing Director) Christian Purslow throughout the summer and to be fair he has backed up his words with actions.

"Now I've got three years left on my contract and I'm looking forward to the challenge.

"And what a game to start off with. It is a tough but it if we can win, we can put a strong early statement out. We are not going to be at our peak straight away but, at the same time, Arsenal will know they have been in a game."

To watch Roy Hodgson's first league press conference in full click on the play button below>>

A midweek brace in England's 2-1 friendly win over Hungary was evidence that the skipper is already primed for the season ahead.

Indeed, Wembley was treated to a glimpse of Gerrard at his irrepressible best and he admits there would be no better way to end Hodgson's first season in charge than to lift silverware at English football's spiritual home.

"I am hungry for that," he said. "I know how proud it would make my family, my team-mates and all our supporters. When you play football, winning trophies is what it is all about and you want to be successful.

"We've had some highs in the last couple of years but no trophies and that needs to change.

"Every time I play at Wembley for England, I think of what it would like to do it for us. It would be three-quarters full of Liverpool fans and an amazing occasion."

He added: "Last season was one of those long seasons that you just could not wait to finish."We didn't have a final to play in, we were out of contention for the league and there were a lot of long faces but it goes to show how quickly things can change.

"On a personal level, I was really frustrated with the way I played last season and I am determined to put that right."

On the subject of Liverpool's ownership, Gerrard insisted that it is not for the players to deliberate over but remains confident the club's hierarchy will find a positive outcome.

"You have got to leave that to the right people. All we can hope is that it happens soon," he said. "What is important is that the bigger picture gets looked at and the decisions benefits the club for years to come."

Liverpool host Arsenal in a mouthwatering opening day clash at Anfield this afternoon - but how have we fared in our last 10 first day matches?

We took a trip down memory lane to see just how the Reds have started over the course of the last decade.

Spurs 2-1 Liverpool - Barclays Premier League - August 2009

A Steven Gerrard penalty wasn't enough to prevent Liverpool from slumping to a 2-1 reversal in what many have since identified as a key encounter in the battle for a top four finish at White Hart Lane.

The Skipper looked to have got the Reds back on track when he levelled from the spot after debutant Glen Johnson's marauding run had been brought to an unceremonious halt by home stopper Heurelho Gomes.

However, Sebastien Bassong nodded home a deserved winner just three minutes later after Benoit Assou-Ekotto had given Harry Redknapp's side the lead with a blockbuster on the strike of half-time.

Liverpool's cause wasn't helped by a central defensive injury crisis that was made worse when Martin Skrtel had to make way following a collision with Jamie Carragher. It meant 18-year-old Daniel Ayala was forced into the fray for his league debut on an otherwise forgettable day for those in red.

Sunderland 0-1 Liverpool - Barclays Premier League - August 2008

Fernando Torres drilled home a magnificent solo effort to provide Liverpool with the perfect start at the Stadium of Light.

The Spanish striker snatched a hard-fought victory from the jaws of a yawning bore draw when he collected Xabi Alonso's incisive pass just outside the centre circle and sizzled a 25 yard shot beyond the despairing dive of Craig Gordon.

It was the highlight of an insipid opening day clash in which the hosts enjoyed the better of the play until Nando struck seven minutes from time.

Aston Villa 1-2 Liverpool - Barclays Premier League - August 2007

Liverpool ended a run of four opening day fixtures without a victory courtesy of Steven Gerrard's sensational late free-kick at Villa Park.

The skipper curled home a dramatic 87^th minute winner via the crossbar after the home side had threatened to snatch a draw through Gareth Barry's penalty.

It capped an impressive overall performance from the visitors who dominated throughout and should have had more than Martin Laursen's first-half own goal to show for their endeavour.

Rafael Benitez handed a trio of new recruits their debuts with Fernando Torres looking particularly sharp in attack. Ryan Babel and Andriy Voronin featured as substitutes.

Sheffield United 1-1 Liverpool - Barclays Premier League - August 2006

Robbie Fowler saved Liverpool's blushes after the newly-promoted Blades had threatened an opening day shock at Bramall Lane.

Rob Hulse put the Yorkshire outfit in front with a close range header before the man the fans nicknamed 'God' steered home a controversial second-half penalty and ended the home side's hopes of marking their topflight return with a victory.

Debutant Fabio Aurelio did go close to nicking it for Rafael Benitez's men but his clever free-kick crashed back off the woodwork.

Liverpool would have to wait a further seven games for their first away win of the season.

Middlesbrough 0-0 Liverpool - Barclays Premier League - August 2005

Liverpool endured a frustrating afternoon at the Riverside after failing to mark a dominant performance with a victory.

Steven Gerrard was the Reds' star man, continuously tormenting the Boro' defence, only to find that fate was conspiring against him.

A typical burst from midfield could have seen him open the scoring in the first 45, but Ugo Ehiogu had other ideas, bringing the No.8 crashing to floor and duly receiving his marching orders.

However, the visitors could not make their numerical advantage count and Middlesbrough held on for a point.

Spurs 1-1 Liverpool - Barclays Premier League - August 2004

Djibril Cisse struck his first league goal for Liverpool but it wasn't enough to claim a victory for Rafael Benitez on his Barclays Premier League bow in the dugout.

The club's record signing at the time stabbed home the opener from close range but was denied a winner by Jermaine Defoe's clincial finish 19 minutes from time.

Liverpool 1-2 Chelsea - Premiership - August 2003

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink ensured a new era at Chelsea Football Club got off to a winning start at the expense of Liverpool back in 2003.

The Dutch forward jinked his way into the area and fizzed a shot into the bottom corner as a Reds side that was missing Steven Gerrard through suspension, struggled to impose themselves.

Juan Sebastien Veron had given the Blues a dream start in front of the Kop and the hosts rarely looked like getting back into the contest until they were awarded a penalty in the second-half.

Michael Owen missed his cue but made no mistake second time around, after referee Steve Bennett ordered a retake.

It wasn't enough though, as Hasselbaink pounced soon after to send the travelling support - and Roman Abramovich - into raptures.

Aston Villa 0-1 Liverpool - Premiership - August 2002

John Arne Riise emerged as Liverpool's hero against the Villans after the Reds had contrived to miss a whole host of chances at Villa Park.

The Norwegian coolly slotted home a near post winner after Gerard Houllier's team had dominated throughout.

It was a day to forget for Michael Owen, however, after he followed up a profligate performance with a missed penalty.

Liverpool 2-1 West Ham - Premiership - August 2001

Michael Owen struck a superb brace as Gerard Houllier's treble winners got the league campaign off to a winning start at Anfield.

The diminutive forward took his tally to six in three matches - including the Champions League qualifier and Charity Shield match - to help the home side see off a stubborn Hammers outfit.

The Reds' No.10 opened the scoring with a crisp finish on 19 minutes after Gary McAllister's neat flick had sent him racing in on Shaka Hislop's goal.

However, West Ham fought back and were level at the interval thanks to Paolo Di Canio's cheeky penalty.

It looked the home side would be forced to settle for a frustrating draw until a moment of brilliance saw Owen side step two and smash a shot in off the far post with just 12 minutes left on the clock.

Liverpool 1-0 Bradford - Premiership - August 2000

Emile Heskey got Gerard Houllier's new-look Reds off to a flyer with a devastating solo goal to sink Bradford City at a sun-drenched Anfield.

The former Leicester forward turned his man in the area before thundering an unstoppable drive into the top corner on 67 minutes.

It was no more than the Reds deserved on an afternoon when Houllier blooded Markus Babbel, Nick Barmby and Gary McAllister.

It was a solid showing from the hosts but not a performance that would have many predicting that they would go on to have one of the most significant seasons of the modern era.

Ngog earns first day point

10-man Liverpool ensured Roy Hodgson's first Barclays Premier League game in charge was one to remember as they drew 1-1 with Arsenal in an absorbing contest at Anfield on Sunday afternoon.

The Reds turned in a battling performance against the Gunners after Joe Cole was sent off 45 minutes into his league debut following a challenge on Laurent Koscielny - the first time he has been dismissed in his professional career.

But the decision only served to fire-up Liverpool and, seconds after the restart, David Ngog drilled the hosts into the lead with a well-taken strike that arrowed into the back of the net.

Arsenal pressed in search of an equaliser in the latter stages, but it arrived in extremely fortunate circumstances as Pepe Reina fumbled into the back of his own net under the challenge of Marouane Chamakh on 90 minutes.

It was harsh on the hosts, who had performed with real grit and determination throughout, though their display will have given the new boss much encouragement for 2010-11.

Hodgson's team selection was anything but routine for his league bow at the helm of the Reds - and there were starts for World Cup finalists Reina and Dirk Kuyt, despite the duo having only recently returned to Melwood following an extended summer break.

Meanwhile, Fernando Torres was named on the substitutes' bench, but perhaps even more intriguingly, there was a starting berth for Javier Mascherano in the centre of the park.

The boss had indicated at his pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon that he would have no qualms about pitching the Argentina captain into battle against the Gunners, despite having last month revealed the midfield's desire to seek pastures new.

Also named in Hodgson's team were new signings Cole and Milan Jovanovic - two players whose arrivals in L4 had served to well the feel-good factor that had resounded around the walls of Anfield in the lead up to the big kick-off.

With the Kop in full cry, Liverpool made a promising start in the Merseyside sunshine - though Reina had to extend himself to beat away Thomas Vermaelen's thumping free-kick in the opening exchanges.

That proved to be the only chance of note in a tense first 20 minutes of the contest, though two tempting Glen Johnson crosses had to be frantically defended by the Arsenal rearguard while Samir Nasri clattered the Reds wall with a set piece.

Arsenal, though, were beginning to find their footing and set about probing the Reds backline, though chances remained thin on the ground with Gael Clichy striking an effort over from range on the half-hour mark.

With seven minutes of the half remaining, Liverpool carved out their best opportunity of the game so far when Jovanovic sprung the Arsenal offside trap to latch onto Jamie Carragher's lofted ball forward. However, the Serb's half-volley from the left channel of the box swerved high into the Anfield Road.

Johnson then forced Manuel Almunia into his first save of the afternoon with a curling left-foot shot from the edge of the box that the visiting goalkeeper had to claw over the crossbar on the stretch.

From Gerrard's resulting corner, Ngog's header was hacked off the line by Clichy.

The impetus was finally with Liverpool - but their plans were dealt a major blow on the stroke of half-time as Cole was harshly sent off by referee Martin Atkinson.

There could be no denying the playmaker caught Koscielny as the centre-back attempted to clear the ball forward from the right-back position, but TV replays indicated the instant red card raised in the mystified 28-year-old's direction was too severe a punishment.

The whistle sounded seconds later with Anfield in a state of shock and leaving Hodgson with much to ponder during the interval.

But, within a matter of seconds into the second period, Liverpool turned Anfield's howls of derision into cries of joy as they took the lead.

Collecting possession 25 yards from goal, Mascherano fed the ball into Ngog inside the right-hand channel of the box. The Frenchman held off the challenge of Vermaelen before crashing an unstoppable drive beyond Almunia at his near post and into the roof of the Kop end net.

It almost got even better for the revved-up Reds soon after as Martin Skrtel glanced Gerrard's inviting free-kick inches over the bar.

Despite Arsenal's numerical advantage, Liverpool were firmly in the ascendancy - Ngog powered a header over with the captain again the provider from a set piece on 56 minutes.

Kuyt's industry on the right then almost carved out a chance for the striker after he outfoxed Clichy, but the cross narrowly evaded everyone in the centre, while Arsenal saw Vermaelen glance wide from substitute Tomas Rosicky's delivery.

With the time beginning to ebb away, Arsenal were starting to apply more pressure to the home side's goal. Theo Walcott went close with a curling free-kick, but the England winger saw the effort pushed around the base of the post by Reina's dive.

With just shy of 20 minutes remaining, Hodgson summoned Torres from the bench to take the place of Ngog, who himself earned a standing ovation after working diligently all afternoon.

Of course, the appearance of the No.9 in a Reds shirt for the first time since he reaffirmed his commitment to club helped crank up the decibel levels a notch or two.

But Arsenal were pushing hard and only a genuine world-class save from Reina kept Liverpool in the lead as the Spaniard repelled Rosicky's seemingly goal-bound attempt on 86 minutes.

However, home hearts were broken in 90^th minute as Reina fumbled the ball into the back of his own net under the challenge of Chamakh and the visitors rescued a point they scarcely deserved.

Liverpool went close to claiming a dramatic stoppage-time winner, but Almunia turned Gerrard's stinging free-kick around the post and Arsenal had Koscielny sent off for a second bookable offence in a frantic finale.

Redknapp: Watch out for Joe

Jamie Redknapp has backed Joe Cole to have a massive impact on the Barclays Premier League next season.

The former Reds midfielder selected our new boy when the Daily Mail asked for his 'Top 10 to Watch' in 2010-11.

Redknapp said: "Joe has made a great career move by joining Liverpool and it should rejuvenate his career so he can be taken seriously again.

"Anfield fans love to see someone open up a defence with a run or a pass and too often it has only been Torres or Gerrard who could do it.

"Too often, Rafa Benitez bought average players. Roy Hodgson knows Joe's anything but average."

Aurelio gets new shirt number

Fabio Aurelio will wear the No.6 on the back of his shirt next season.

The Brazilian re-signed at Anfield last week after initially failing to renegotiate his contract under Rafael Benitez.

But instead of reclaiming his old No.12 shirt, Aurelio has plumped for a number worn in the past by the likes of Emlyn Hughes, Alan Hansen, Markus Babbel and John Arne Riise.

Stay logged on to Liverpoolfc.tv for an in-depth chat with the left-back.

Lucas: Joe's got the X-Factor

Lucas Leiva believes Joe Cole's title-winning experience could prove invaluable to Liverpool's bid for success this season.

The No.10 won the Barclays Premier League crown three times during his spell with Chelsea and has already shown signs that he will be a Kop star, according to the Brazilian.

"Even before he joined us we knew he was a good player," Lucas exclusively told LFC Weekly.

"Having trained with him now we have seen his qualities up close.

"He is a very clever player who has great skills and produces great turns. He can create opportunities and score goals. If he plays as he did at Chelsea he'll be a very good signing.

"Bringing him here is great for the club. He's an England international who has won the league a few times with Chelsea.

"He is experienced and knows better than any of us what we need to do to be successful."

Read the full Lucas interview is in this week's LFC Weekly - out on Tuesday. The magazine comes with a free high quality print of LFC's Seventies Masters - the first of a four-part giveaway. Superb subscriptions offer also available.

'Vidic hailed Liverpool'

Milan Jovanovic has spoken about how quickly he and his family have settled into Liverpool and revealed how proud he would be for his children to pick up the Scouse accent.

The Serbia international made his Anfield debut during Thursday's 2-0 Europa League victory over FK Rabotnicki, and he is determined to make the most of his chance in front of the Kop.

"I have two sons, aged three and two, and the eldest one is beginning to understand what it means to have a father who is a professional footballer.

"He is already a Liverpool fan and he loves football. He plays like me, favouring his left side, and he even sleeps with the ball.

"I hope that watching me play for a great club like Liverpool will help him fall in love with the game even more.

"Maybe one day he will even talk like Jamie Carragher!

"When I knew I was signing for Liverpool I felt it was very important to learn as much as I could about the club, the city and the people.

"I have always know about Liverpool's great history. Eighteen times champions of England, five times winners of the Champions League. This history makes Liverpool the biggest club in England and one of the biggest clubs in the world.

"I think we can make more history in the next few years.

"But I also learned about the culture of Liverpool. Things like the Beatles and the famous accent that the people have.

"I know about the Kop, about You'll Never Walk Alone, and these years can be the best of my career, when I achieve things that my family can be proud of."

Liverpool's No.14 also spoke about his honour of playing alongside captain Steven Gerrard and revealed how an unlikely source recommended the Anfield club.

Stevie, Joe, Nando or Roy?

What's been the best piece of LFC news of the summer so far? Watch what the fans have to say in our online video now.

We went out onto the streets of Liverpool city centre to get the supporters views on the major events at Anfield so far this summer.

The fans have their say on the signing of Joe Cole and Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres reaffirming their commitment to the club.

To watch our clip click on the play button below>>

Reds duo called up

Steven Gerrard and Glen Johnson have both been named in Fabio Capello's England squad for Wednesday's friendly international against Hungary at Wembley.

However, Liverpool's No.10 Joe Cole has been left out.

England squad to face Hungary:

Goalkeepers: Ben Foster (Birmingham), Joe Hart (Manchester City)

Defenders: Wes Brown (Manchester United), Gary Cahill (Bolton), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Michael Dawson (Tottenham Hotspur), Kieran Gibbs (Arsenal), Phil Jagielka (Everton), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), John Terry (Chelsea)

Midfielders: Gareth Barry (Manchester City), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Adam Johnson (Manchester City), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), James Milner (Aston Villa), Ashley Young (Aston Villa), Theo Walcott (Arsenal), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal)

LFC celebrate icon

The great grandchildren of historic British Prime Minister Sir William, Francis and Penny Gladstone visited Liverpool's iconic Isla Gladstone Conservatory as part of celebrations for the venue's first anniversary.

The Isla Gladstone Conservatory opened in August 2009 following the £14m regeneration of Stanley Park by Liverpool City Council and Liverpool Football Club, and Managing Director of LFC, Christian Purslow was guest of honour.

Pictured below are Steve Rotherham, MP for Walton, Liverpool FC Managing Director Christian Purslow, Francis Gladstone (son of Isla Gladstone and great grandson of William Ewart Gladstone, 4 times Prime Minister in the 19th century) and Cllr. Tim Moore, Cabinet Member for the Environment for Liverpool City Council.

The historic Victorian glasshouse, which underwent a two-year restoration programme, is named after textiles designer, Isla Gladstone and has selected examples of her artwork incorporated into the interior of the building.

Three generations of the Gladstone family continued the legacy of the Victorian statesman and four-times Prime Minister with the unveiling of a plaque to celebrate both the venue's and the city's links with the Gladstone family.

The Gladstones were joined by Christian Purslow, Managing Director of Liverpool Football Club, Councillor Tim Moore, Cabinet Member for the Environment for Liverpool City Council, Steve Rotherham, M.P. for Walton, and Gemma Hindley, Managing Director of the Isla Gladstone Conservatory to mark the occasion.

Liverpool FC Managing Director Christian Purslow said: "It is an absolute honour and privilege to be invited to the Isla Gladstone Conservatory.

"The club is committed as ever to the local community and it is fantastic that such an architecturally magnificent building has been restored as a beacon of beauty in the city and Liverpool Football Club was glad to be a partner in the restoration project."

Francis Gladstone, one Isla Gladstone's sons, continues to keep the legacy of his mother's work alive, having developed catalogues of her life and work with his wife, Josephine Elwyn-Jones Gladstone. The Isla Gladstone Project to revive and reprint the fabrics she designed between 1963 and the early 1980s is also underway.

He said: "It is a profound honour to be here today, along with representatives of each of Isla Gladstone's six children (including two younger Islas!).

"It is a great honour that the building has been named after Isla. The building means so much to the people of Liverpool and through its restoration more and more people are seeing what she achieved in her lifetime. It is fantastic that this can now live on in future generations."

Gemma Hindley, Managing Director at The Isla Gladstone Conservatory, who recently won a Daily Post Woman Achieving in Business Award, commented: "We were extremely honoured to welcome the Gladstones, along with special guests from the local community to unveil a plaque at the Isla Gladstone Conservatory.

"It is a fantastic way to commemorate the legacy of the Gladstone family and its links with the venue.

"The venue has proved to be a great attraction for both local residents and visitors to the city over the past year. I never would have dreamed what myself and the team have managed to achieve.

"The future is looking very good for us. We have the good support of the local community, which makes it a very happy place to work."

The Isla Gladstone Conservatory will also be hosting a first anniversary fun day on Monday, August 30 between 11am and 4pm.

There will be various activities throughout the day including hot air balloon rides, climbing wall, cooking demonstrations and much more. The event is free but there will be a small fee for the activities. Kemps Bistro will also be open throughout the day for food and refreshments.

'We've won more than a trophy'

When Liverpool's 'Ability Counts' side secured European success on Swiss soil it really was a case of T.E.A.M work.

The Reds emerged triumphant following some outstanding displays in the four team tournament held in Zurich on Saturday and it all stemmed from the foundations of their very own personal mantra.

"For us the word 'team' has a whole other meaning," Disability Liaison Officer, Colin McCall explained to Liverpoolfc.tv.

(Click on the play button below to watch more from the trip to Switzerland).

"We always say that it stands for, 'together each achieves more' and I think that was very evident in the way we played throughout the competition.

"The lads all worked hard for each other and the success they achieved was no more than they deserved."

The tournament was held in conjunction with the Swiss U16 Cup as a means to help promote awareness of disabled sport and social equality to youngsters.

The event is an evolution of the European Friendship camp that Liverpool's community team have attended over the course of the past four years.

"When we come to Switzerland it is never just about the football," continued McCall.

"We don't focus on being competitive - even though it was a competitive tournament. It's more about fun and participation. That's what we try to get across, but we know it's hard because our lads have a hunger to succeed.

"You could see the interaction between the four teams and that's vital for us. We really do like to emphasise how important the social side of things is.

"Hans-Peter Rothman arranged the competition to run alongside the Swiss U16 Cup and he's someone we know well at Liverpool because he helps to host the pre-season training camp at Bad Ragaz.

"He's always keen to work on social projects and while the Swiss Cup is an elite tournament, his number one target is to work with the disabled children and adults.

"It was his idea to integrate a disabled tournament into the able-bodied one and that was just brilliant. That's something we would like to build on ourselves by developing some kind of integration programme."

The trophy triumph and bonds that were developed during the four day stay in Switzerland conclude what has been a more than satisfactory European adventure for the 'Ability Counts' squad.

'We have made a statement'

Glen Johnson believes that Liverpool have made a real statement to the rest of the Barclays Premier League with the signing of Joe Cole and Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres reaffirming their commitment to the club.

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The England international, who has been called up to Fabio Capello's squad for Wednesday's friendly with Hungary, claims that the Reds will be a much stronger outfit this season under new boss Roy Hodgson.

"I was always hoping Fernando would stay," said Johnson.

"Liverpool stayed strong and we have kept our best players. That's a statement in itself.

"I've known Coley for years and it's nice to have another Cockney voice around the place. He opens defences and I think he will be a great player for Liverpool.

"It definitely feels like a new start. We are hoping it will be better this year - everybody wants to get back into the top four. Fourth is the benchmark."

Liverpool's No.2 also spoke about how much he is enjoying working under new boss Hodgson.

"Roy is putting his thoughts to the team and knows what he wants," he added,

"He concentrates on the organisation and how we defend."

Liverpool's Philipp Degen seals season long loan move to Stuttgart

Defender switches to Bundesliga to reignite career....

Philip Degen is aiming to get his career back on track after completing his transfer from Liverpool to Bundesliga side Stuttgart on a season long loan.

The Swiss international defender moved to Anfield in 2008 on a free transfer from Borussia Dortmund but has rarely been given an opportunity in the Red's first-team.

Degen was one of former manager Rafael Benitez’s signings, but is now deemed surplus to requirements under new boss Roy Hodgson.

The full-back will link-up with former Tottenham Hotspur manager Christian Gross at the Bundesliga outfit, a coach he's previously worked under while at Swiss side FC Basel.

"I'm looking forward to the challenge and the wonderful VfB fans,” Degen told the Press Association.

"I really want to make use of my chance. It's fantastic to be working together with Christian Gross again. I had a very successful time with him in Basel."

Gross, who has been manager of Stuttgart since December 2009, was happy to enhance his squad with a proven international player.

"I know Philipp [Degen] very well and rate him highly, both as a football player and as a person,” said Gross.

"He is a very athletic and fast player, who often looks to push forward. Philipp wants to take his chance at VfB."

Ngoo at the double

Michael Ngoo struck a brace as Liverpool U18s beat Cardiff City 2-0 in a pre-season friendly at the Academy on Saturday afternoon.

The striker netted twice before half-time, including a sublime individual opener in which he strode beyond the challenges of four visiting defenders before slotting into the corner.

Ngoo then doubled his tally with a neat finish from a cross as Rodolfo Borrell's men claimed a well-deserved win against a talented Cardiff side.

The U18s return to action next Saturday with a friendly against Southampton at the Academy.

Liverpool U18s: Belford, Poor, Sama, Regan, McGiveron (King), Rodden, Aylmer, Silva (Walsh), Sterling (Clare), Adorjan (Sumner), Ngoo (Emilsson).

Lucas's Trabzon target

Lucas Leiva is hoping Liverpool can secure a healthy first-leg advantage to take to Turkey when they tackle Trabzonspor in the Europa League play-off round later this month.

The Reds will play host to the Bordo-Mavililer at Anfield on August 19 before journeying to Trabzon for the return meeting a week later.

Lucas is well aware of the boisterous atmosphere Liverpool are likely to face at the Huseyin Avni Aker stadium, but he is hoping a positive first-leg result in front of the Kop will dampen the mood of the Trabzonspor crowd.

He told Liverpoolfc.tv: "It will be another tough game. Hopefully we can do well again, keep going and try to win the Europa League.

"We know they are an important club in Turkey and they have won a lot of trophies. It will be difficult, but we have to make sure we beat them and keep going in the competition.

"We have to make sure we get a good result at home because we know it is always a difficult atmosphere to play in over in Turkey."

Liverpool's first-leg encounter is sandwiched between a Barclays Premier League clash with Arsenal at Anfield and a trip to Eastlands to face Manchester City.

However, Lucas believes the minimal travel requirements will stand the Reds in good stead for the trio of fixtures.

"If you look at the games we have, Arsenal and then Manchester City, we will play at home between those games," he said. "That is good for us. We won't have to travel too far and we can keep resting.

"We don't know what will happen, but we have to make sure we get a good result here and take an advantage to Turkey."

Thursday's 2-0 win over FK Rabotnicki means Roy Hodgson's first two competitive games in charge of Liverpool have yielded two victories, four goals and two clean sheets.

Lucas added: "Everyone is happy at the way we are playing. We still have to improve, but two games, two wins and two clean sheets is very important.

"Next we have a good but difficult game against Arsenal. We will try to show more quality and it will be a great test."

Click the image to watch our exclusive interview with Lucas

Photos: Reds ready for cup

Liverpool Football Club's 'Ability Counts' team have been put through their paces ahead of Saturday's four team tournament in Zurich - and our photographer was in Switzerland to catch the best of the action.

The Reds spent the morning training at the brand new Heerenschurli Stadium before being treated to a specially arranged tour of FIFA Headquarters. Here's their day in pictures.

Click here to watch a FREE video of the lads in Swiss action>>