Make some tea or crack a can of lager, and read the preview.

Our kids and fringe players (and Vermaelen and Santos) are in Greece, looking to get some experience against a good side that needs to win to ensure they get anything out of the group stage.

I'm really looking forward to seeing more of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (not to be mistaken for Coquelin), Frimpong and Coquelin, as well as Yennaris and Miquel, who I thought played fairly well out-of-position against a strong City side in the Carling Cup.

Having just suffered their first defeat in the league against Chelsea last Monday, another important challenge must be faced by Manchester City this weekend as an in-form Arsenal are coming to Etihad stadium.

Despite the difficulty of the upcoming match, City's manager, Roberto Mancini apparently isn't worrying that much especially since they have a big boost with the potential return of Micah Richards for this Sunday.

Kenny's reaction to Lucas injury

Kenny Dalglish today admitted Lucas Leiva's injury has come as a blow – but insisted Liverpool have a squad capable of dealing with his absence.

View the full story here: Liverpool FC

A news article on 2011-12-02 14:56:16 from: Liverpool FC

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

Kenny Dalgish: We'll be tested by Lucas absence

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish admits the club will be tested by the absence of injured midfielder Lucas Leiva. The Brazil international's season has been curtailed by a cruciate knee ligament injury.

View the full story here: The Mail

A news article on 2011-12-02 16:56:31 from: The Mail

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

Liverpool will be tested by Lucas injury blow Kenny Dalglish

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish says the club will be tested by midfielder Lucas Leiva's absence with a knee injury.

View the full story here: BBC

A news article on 2011-12-02 18:11:52 from: BBC

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva will miss the rest of the season through injury, and there have been suggestions that the club will have to buy someone in January as direct cover for the Brazilian. However, according to Kenny Dalglish, spending money on a Lucas replacement is not a realistic option.

It is an unfortunate reality of the game of football, one which dictates that an injury to one player means an opportunity for another. So it will be for Jay Spearing who seems to be the player within Liverpool's squad who can best replicate the job that Lucas Leiva carried out and which someone else will now have to do in the Brazilian's injury forced absence.

Pressure on Charlie Adam in Lucas' absence

Liverpool's Charlie Adam will run out in the Barclays Premier League at Fulham without his central midfield partner Lucas Leiva for only the second time this season.

View the full story here: The Mail

A news article on 2011-12-05 09:18:48 from: The Mail

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

JC: No one will worry about Jay

Jamie Carragher claims he always believed Jay Spearing would make the grade at Anfield and is backing the midfielder to shine in the absence of Lucas Leiva.

View the full story here: Liverpool FC

A news article on 2011-12-05 10:28:05 from: Liverpool FC

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

Lucas' absence and Liverpool's subsequent change in formation altered the position of two of Liverpool's key players against Fulham: whoever the holding midfielder is and Luis Suarez.
Jay Spearing often played further up the pitch than Lucas usually defends, while far more static in general.

With everyone scrambling to buy just the right gift for the holidays, we thought it worth revisiting we did a few months back on the MLS shopping experience.

We have repeatedly posted about the MLS shopping experience. From a shortage of gear at brick and mortar retailers, to the absence of infant sized Galaxy items to the improved online experience, we have repeatedly written about procuring MLS items.

By J Hutcherson - WASHINGTON, DC (Dec 8, 2011) US Soccer Players -- Before those rooting for a better story get too excited, let's consider for a moment what the absence of Manchester United in the knockout stage of the Champions League really means. For American fans, it's easy enough. This is a heavily supported team with worldwide appeal failing to advance in the playoffs.

Daniel Agger has urged Liverpool to maintain their top-four pursuit by bouncing back from the Fulham defeat by beating QPR.
The Red host Rangers on Saturday mindful they have slipped up at home to promoted sides Swansea and Norwich already this season.
Monday's controversial 1-0 defeat at Fulham has left Kenny Dalglish's side five points off Chelsea in fourth, but Agger believes they can still break back into the Champions League places this season and wants a win this weekend.

It's quite obvious that the absence of Newcastle three first choice center-backs on Saturday was why we conceded four goals, the most this season in the league, and why we looked hopeless at the back at Norwich City. Alan Pardew three center-backs missing last Saturday It does show that Newcastle do not have the usual four [.

Raul Meireles has taken time out to speak of Didier Drogba this week and believes that he is key to Chelsea's challenge this season. The thing is I'm not 100% certain.
He said:

"Drogba is the key to this team, We need Didier and his goals. He scored twice against Valencia last week and another against Newcastle and both times he demonstrated his quality at the decisive moment.

Steve Gerrard could make Christmas return for Liverpool

Liverpool are confident that they will soon have Steven Gerrard back in the side as the Reds skippers steps up his recovery from his two-month injury absence.

View the full story here: The Mail

A news article on 2011-12-15 11:14:00 from: The Mail

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

If Edson Buddle's absence from FC Ingolstadt's match-day roster this past weekend didn't raise eyebrows, what has transpired since surely will.

According to German outlet Kicker, Ingolstadt manager Tomas Oral has dismissed Buddle from the relegation-threatened team until after the winter break.

Liverpool defender Fabio Aurelio rues Lucas Leiva's season-ending injury

The Brazilian has admitted his countryman's absence will come as a blow for the Reds, but has revealed the midfielder is already looking ahead to next term at Anfield

View the full story here: Goal

A news article on 2011-12-15 19:03:00 from: Goal

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel has hailed his partnership with Daniel Agger, stating the Dane is easy to play alongside.
The Reds have conceded three goals in six games since the Slovakian stopper was paired with Agger during Jamie Carragher's absence.
Uruguayan Sebastian Coates is also vying to start for Liverpool and Skrtel believes competition for places is healthy.

The absence of the top five or six clubs from much of the schedule for yesterday's Premier League fixtures may have meant that the eyes of many may have drifted towards the bottom of the table instead. As has been the case for the previous couple of seasons, the bottom half of the Premier League table is starting to look rather congested, with just six points separating the team in tenth place in the table from the relegation places.

After a disappointing week the only thing that really counted yesterday was a win. The absence of Bale and the early departure of Aaron Lennon took away much of our flowing football and potent threat and while Sunderland offered little in the way of goal scoring chances, the 1-0 victory wasn't one of our best.

Many of the newspapers and websites are giving the nod to VDV this morning for his all round contribution to yesterday's win. Rafa linked up with the two strikers well after Harry shuffled the pack on 27 minutes and his neat pass let in Pavlyuchenko for the goal.

Pav could conceivably be a contender too while elsewhere, Scott Parker made his usual telling contribution.

Spurs done a win; the other team didnae. That would by my conclusion of Sunday's meeting with the floundering Wearsiders. And if that's not enough woodbine for your mind-pipe then I don't know if we can go on meeting like this.

But, it's the festive season, I suppose, and I'm a generous sort.

Exclusive – Staunton: Gerrard return will make up for Suarez absence

Former Liverpool star says return of skipper will ensure hitman is not badly missed by club

View the full story here: Talksport

A news article on 2011-12-21 12:20:18 from: Talksport

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

While Aaron Lennon is definitely out of tomorrow's match with Chelsea, Gareth Bale is also rated as very doubtful for the clash.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of the game, Spurs manager Harry Redknapp gave his comments on how the two wide men are progressing and the news on Lennon is a little more encouraging than first thought,

"Gareth's struggling at the moment," reported Harry.

Reds monitor Gerrard

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard could return from his two-month injury absence against Blackburn on Boxing Day.

View the full story here: Sky Sports

A news article on 2011-12-23 11:15:57 from: Sky Sports

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

Liverpool v BLACKBURN: Under-fire Steve Kean may be without keeper Paul Robinson for Anfield test

Beleaguered Blackburn manager Steve Kean is hoping his defence will not be further weakened by the absence of goalkeeper Paul Robinson for their Boxing Day clash at Liverpool.

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard could return from his two-month injury absence against Blackburn on Boxing Day.
The England international has not featured since the draw with Norwich at the end of October after sustaining an ankle infection having already missed a large chunk of the season.
Gerrard, 31, has appeared in just five matches this campaign as a result of injuries, but he is back in training and stands a chance of facing Blackburn at Anfield.

Following Manchester United's 5-0 win over Wigan, Patrice Evra, our captain in the absence of Nemanja Vidic, has hailed the spirit of the players at Manchester United.

Due to injuries, Valencia played at right back, Michael Carrick played in the centre of defence, and after Jonny Evans went off at half time, Evra moved to the centre too.

Untold Arsenal on Twitter @UntoldArsenal

By Walter Broeckx

The Wolverhampton match was a tin can-game. More on that later when we come to the analyzing part. First unpleasant thing was the absence of Walcott. I know some fans don't appreciate him and say he is a waste of place. I disagree on [.