Kaka rules out a move to Madrid or the Premier League

Kaka reiterated his desire to stay with Milan when asked yet again about new rumours linking him with a move to either Real Madrid or Manchester United.The Brazilian superstar has had to state his intention to stay at the San Siro on several occasions since a move to Manchester City did not materialise in January.

The media have consistently claimed that Milan's willingness to speak to the Premier League club is a sign that they may consider another huge bid.

He is enjoying life at Milan and is not seeking a move away. Said Kaka:

“I have already said and already shown that I am committed to this club so there is nothing else to add,” Kaka told the Italian media.

“I truly enjoy myself at San Siro and I am happy with the support I receive here,” he concluded.

Former Red hails new 'Super Sub'

David Fairclough has praised Yossi Benayoun for his impressive form in recent weeks.

The Israeli international has come off the bench to turn around a few games of late and the legend who was nicknamed 'Super Sub' for his similar abilities in the 70's and 80's believes he is a key player in Rafael Benitez's side.

"People like Benayoun are weighing in with goals and playing a key part in winning us games," Fairclough told the lfconline.com.

"Yossi deserves a pat on the back. I think his form for us has been very impressive. He has scored some key goals and he looks like he is enjoying his football.

"He looks comfortable and he is a key part of our squad. It's a good sign that a lot of our players in the squad are looking comfortable and confident."

Carra to become Liverpool new League number thirteen

Jamie Carragher, the reds' current longest serving player, is set to move up one place for the number of League games played for the club to become Liverpool all-time #13, assuming he turns out against Arsenal at Anfield on Tuesday.

This will be his 393rd Premiership game for Liverpool - more than sixty outings ahead of his nearest current challenger, skipper Steven Gerrard. He has bagged just four goals in these League matches.

Jamie signed on as a pro in September 1996, and is currently contracted with the club until 2011. He made his League bow as a substitute in our goalless home draw with West Ham United in January 1997, having remained on the bench on four other occasions earlier that season. He played in just one more League game during that campaign, when he netted against Aston Villa in his first start.

After twenty League outings in 1997/98, he established himself as a regular, missing just eighteen League fixtures in the next five seasons. However, his 2003/04 was affected by a broken leg at Blackburn Rovers in September, and he could only turn out 22 times in the League.

He was an ever-present in the Premiership for the first time in 2004/05, and has since missed just eight League matches, with Rafael Benítez rarely rotating him out of the team.

Carra's 393rd League game will draw him level with left-back Donald Mackinlay in thirteenth place in the club's all-time League appearance ranking. He starred for the reds between 1910 and 1929, scoring 33 League goals, including one struck spectacularly from ten yards inside his own half at West Ham United in January 1926! He skippered us to two League titles, and also played in our first FA Cup Final in 1914.

It will take a further 37 Premiership games before the 31-year old Bootle lad can break into the club's all-time Top 10 League appearance holders, and he would then still be more than 200 League games behind Ian Callaghan, who is likely to forever remain the Liverpool player who tops the appearance charts.

Source: YNWA

Torres ready to commit to Liverpool

Fernando Torres has hinted he is ready to commit his long-term future to Liverpool after revealing how much he loves life at Anfield.

Torres has been touched by the affection shown to him by Liverpool fans since moving to Merseyside from Atletico Madrid in 2007. The 25-year-old, who has scored 47 times in almost two seasons with the Reds, is idolised just as much as local heroes Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher and is keen to repay their faith.

It is believed Torres is in the early stages of negotiations over a contract extension and a new deal could be concluded in the close-season. "I would love to remain at Liverpool for many seasons to come. I feel at home here. I still have this season plus another four years left to run on my contract," Torres said on his website F9T

Steven Gerrard on shortlist for PFA Footballer of the Year

Steven Gerrard is the only non-Manchester United player in the running for the Professional Footballers' Association player of the year award.

The Liverpool captain is joined on the shortlist by United's Nemanja Vidic, Ryan Giggs, Rio Ferdinand, Cristiano Ronaldo and Edwin van der Sar.

LFC

Premier League - Team of the week: Torres time

Fernando Torres leads the line for our Premier League team of the week, while West Brom, Hull and Manchester City make generous contributions to the flops XI.

Blackburn boss Allardyce: Liverpool can win title

Blackburn Rovers boss Sam Allardyce admits Liverpool can win the title after suffering a 4-0 defeat at Anfield.

He said: "They are certainly capable of winning the title, even if Manchester United have a game in hand.

"If Liverpool keep playing like that and continue with that pace and confidence, it is possible they can win it.

"There will be a lot of twists and turns yet and they certainly believe they can do it."

Pictures: 4 - 0 victory over Blackburn Rovers

The World’s 25 Most Valuable Soccer Teams

Forbes has once again produced its list of the 25 most valuable football clubs, and it’s no surprise which giants are at the top.

1 Value of team based on past transactions and current stadium deals (unless new stadium is pending) without deduction for debt.
2Includes stadium debt.
3Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.
NM: Not Meaningful.

Sources: Forbes.

Liverpool vs. Blackburn Rovers: Team news and statistics

Here is the latest team news and statistics for Saturday's early kick-off at Anfield.

Head to Head
> Liverpool and Blackburn Rovers have met 121 times in the league. Liverpool have won 50, Blackburn Rovers 34 and there have been 37 draws.
> Liverpool are looking to complete the PL double over Blackburn for the fifth time. They last won home and away against them in 2005-06.
> Liverpool are unbeaten in their last three PL matches against Blackburn, since losing 1-0 at Ewood Park on Boxing Day 2006.
> Blackburn have not won in their last 12 PL visits to Anfield. Their only ever PL victory at Liverpool was 1-0 in Sep 1993 - Mike Newell scored the only goal.

Liverpool
> Lost only two of their 31 Premier League matches. If they go undefeated for the remaining seven matches of the season they will become only the seventh team in top flight history to lose two or fewer matches in a single season. No team has ever lost two or fewer matches in a single top flight season and not won the title.
> The club have only lost six of 91 PL matches at Anfield under Rafael Benitez - five of which came against Big Four opposition. In total, the Spaniard has won 46 and drawn 20 of his 77 PL home matches in charge against non-Big Four teams, losing only once - 1-0 against Birmingham City in Nov 2004.
> Won their last four PL matches. If they win today it will equal their best winning run of the season - they won five consecutive PL matches from Sep 27 to Oct 29.
> Steven Gerrard has scored in each of the club's last two PL matches against Blackburn.

Team News
Line up (4-4-1-1): Reina; Arbeloa, Skrtel, Carragher, Aurelio; Kuyt, Alonso, Mascherano, Riera; Gerrard; Torres
Subs from: Cavalieri, Hyypia, Agger, Dossena, Insua, Benayoun, Spearing, Kelly, Babel, Lucas, Ngog, El Zhar
Form: LWWWW
Leading scorer: Gerrard 13
Injured: Degen (foot, ongoing)
Doubtful: Gerrard (groin)
Suspended: None
Colours: Red / White

Blackburn Rovers
> Lost their last five PL visits to Big Four opposition, conceding 13 goals and scoring only twice, since a goalless draw at Chelsea in Sep 2007. In total, they have not won in 13 PL matches at the Big Four clubs since a 2-1 victory at Manchester Utd in Sep 2005.
> Looking to win back-to-back PL matches for only the second time this season, and the first time in seven months since winning 1-0 at home against Fulham and 2-1 at Newcastle in Sep 2008.
> Anfield is one of only four current PL grounds where manager Sam Allardyce has never won a PL match. He lost five and drew one of his six PL visits at Bolton - his only point in a 1-1 draw, Jan 1 2002.

Team News
Line up (4-4-2): Robinson; Ooijer, Khizanishvili, Nelsen, Givet; Diouf, Mokoena, Andrews, Warnock; McCarthy, Samba
Subs from: Bunn, Simpson, Olsson, Dunn, Tugay, Grella, Treacy, Villanueva
Form: DWLDW
Leading scorer: McCarthy, Roberts 7
Injured: Roberts (foot, three weeks), Emerton (knee, season), Reid (knee, season)
Doubtful: Santa Cruz (knee), Pedersen (calf)
Suspended: None
Colours: Blue / White

Carlo Ancelotti to Chelsea

According to The Sun, the Italian has told Chelsea he is ready to take over from Guus Hiddink in the summer. A contract worth around £5.8m a year has been discussed, and should be signed and sealed in June. His daughter Katya has been spending time at Chelsea HQ working on her PhD, which compares the media and marketing relations between Chelsea and Milan. Ancelotti, who has already said “I won’t manage Milan forever”, has quipped that she was “getting his office ready” while in England.

Grant: Mourinho too arrogant to lead Chelsea to Liverpool victory

Avram Grant took another swipe at Jose Mourinho as he recalled how he led Chelsea to a Champions League victory over Liverpool last season.

"Tactically, Rafa Benitez is very good and that was something Mourinho did not quite appreciate," said Grant, who still hopes to return to the Barclays Premier League.

"He simply thought he was better than Benitez, and because he thought he was better he lost.

"One of Liverpool's great strengths is the way Benitez organises them as a team. They work for each other. But we applied some very simple ideas.

"You have to dominate them. That's the first thing. But we also focused on key areas and, more important, key individuals.

READ THE REST HERE..

Anelka: My best was at Liverpool

Chelsea forward Nicolas Anelka looks back on his time at Liverpool as the best in his career in terms of personal performance. Anelka is the Premier League’s leading scorer this season, a far cry from his 4 goals in 20 appearances for Liverpool after being signed by Gerrard Houllier in January 2002.

Anelka was signed to provide the impetus to drive Liverpool on to their first title since 1990 but when they only finished second, behind Manchester United, Houllier turned down an option to sign his countryman, Anelka instead joining newly promoted Manchester City the following season. However, despite his lack of goals and short time at Anfield, Anelka maintains that that spell saw the best football of his career.

READ THE REST HERE..

Rooney taunts Liverpool over title failures; he's a Harry Potter fan

Wayne Rooney has taunted Liverpool over their failure to win the title and revealed his desire to prolong their 19-year wait. Rooney, who grew up an Everton fan, was five years old the last time Liverpool were champions in 1990 and nothing would please him more than if leaders Manchester United wrecked their dreams for another season.

"Victory in the Premier League will definitely taste sweeter if we pip Liverpool to the title." said the United striker.

"That said, I've never had to endure much Liverpool success - the last time they won the league I was only a child."

HARRY POTTER FAN..

Wayne Rooney had revealed he's also in the club - the book club.

And as he backed a campaign to get children reading, the 23-year-old Manchester United and England ace named Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone as his favourite.

Roo, one of 20 Premiership players to recommend their top titles to schoolkids as part of a National Literacy Trust initiative, nominated JK Rowling's first novel about the boy wizard as the best in a series that "really gets your imagination going".

mirror.co.uk

Germans say Man Utd cannot afford €50 Million player

German media have laughed off claims that Man Utd are ready to table a huge bid for Frank Ribery, Bayern Munich’s attacking Midfielder. A visit to a number of German websites and it is easy to see that they think very little of the speculation surrounding Man Utd and Ribery, they are much more concerned at Barcelona’s interest rather than Man Utd’s.

READ THE REST HERE..

Liverpool beat the curse of the Cottage

Liverpool bag Player and Manager of the Month double for March

Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard and manager Rafa Benitez have landed the Barclays Player and Manager of the Month awards for Match.

Gerrard has become the first player to win his award for the fifth time after starring in emphatic wins over title rivals Manchester United and high-flying Aston Villa.

Gerrard was at his inspirational best over the course of the month, setting up David Ngog’s opener in the 2-0 win against Sunderland, before scoring in the 4-1 victory away at Old Trafford, which gave the Reds’ Barclays Premier League title challenge fresh impetus. Gerrard rounded off the month by netting a hat-trick in the 5-0 victory over Aston Villa at Anfield.

Benitez picks up the managerial award for the fifth time in his fifth season at the club. He joins only seven other managers to have won the award on five or more occasions, and is the only manager to have picked up the honour twice this season, having also won the award in October 2008.

mirror.co.uk

Gerrard and Kuyt agree new Liverpool contracts

Steven Gerrard has agreed a two-year extension to his current contract at Liverpool. The club captain, who had two years to run on his deal, will now stay at Anfield until at least 2013.

Dirk Kuyt has also agreed a two-year contract extension today, following Rafael Benitez, the manager, and key members of his backroom team in committing his future to the club.

"To have announced new deals for Steven and Dirk on the same day shows how hard everyone is working and that we are moving forward quickly as a club. These are very positive messages and I am very happy."

Benitez revealed that Gerrard was keen to stay at the club for the rest of his career.

Timeonline

Schwarzer: Fulham fear no-one at home

Mark Schwarzer has laughed off suggestions Fulham are favourites to beat Liverpool on Saturday - but is adamant Roy Hodgson's men fear no-one at Craven Cottage. Fulham's last home game saw them beat Manchester United 2-0, and they have already beaten Arsenal and drawn with Chelsea on the banks of the Thames. And the Australian goalkeeper believes Fulham have all the quality to trip up title-chasing Liverpool for the second time this season, having drawn 0-0 at Anfield back in November.

Footballnews

Fulham v Liverpool Preview

Liverpool go to Fulham, knowing that a point will knock Manchester United off the top of the table for at least 22 hours, and boost confidence ahead of Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final first leg, home to Chelsea.

The Merseysiders are chasing four wins on the bounce for the first time since October, which would put them two points ahead of the Red Devils with seven to play. United would then have two games in hand, beginning with Sunday's home fixture against Aston Villa.

Fulham are pursuing back-to-back wins against 'Big Four' clubs after pulling off one of the most amazing victories of the entire season; 2-0, home to Manchester United on 21 March. They're also hunting three wins on the spin for the first time since their sensational status-saving end to last season.

No club has scored more Premier League goals in stoppage time than Liverpool's seven; Fulham (and Bolton) have not scored any in added time.

Only Aston Villa have fielded fewer players in Premier League matches this season (21), than Liverpool (23) and Fulham (24).

Liverpool travel in search of their 25th league victory over Fulham . They've won three times as many Premier League games over the Cottagers as they lost; won nine, lost three, drawn three.