U.S. international DaMarcus Beasley has appealed for a one-way ticket out of Ibrox during the upcoming January transfer window, telling the Glasgow Evening Times that his lack of playing time with Rangers FC in recent months is severely hampering his chances of making the USMNT squad for the 2010 World Cup.

This Zlatan Ibrahimovic character is having quite the week for a substitute. After playing the hero in a substitute's appearance against slightly disliked opponent Real Madrid, he was left on the bench for the midweek trip to Andalusia and the fixture against Xerez, which is Spanish for "how are they in the top division again?

New Zealand have qualified for the 2010 World Cup, only their second appearance at the tournament with the first coming back in 1982. New Zealand have however qualified three times for the Confederations Cup but have never made it past the first round and have only had one point from ...

Santino Quaranta will make a special appearance at ESPN 1300's live broadcast today from Slainte Irish Pub in Fells Point, Md. The Jack of all Sports show will have Tino on a panel discussing the World Cup draw. Join the live broadcast at Slainte from 6-8 p.m. or listen in on ESPN 1300 AM Baltimore.

Steven Gerrard has admitted Liverpool must focus on finishing in the top four rather than trying to win the Premier League.
The Reds have made a dismal start to the season, dropping more points than would have been expected of them and crashing out of the UEFA Champions League as well.

Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard has affirmed his faith in the abilities of his Anfield team-mates, claiming that there is enough spirit and quality within the camp to see the side through their current bad patch.
"I have total belief in my team-mates. We have certainly under-achieved this season," he told his club's official website.

Swiss International Philippe Senderos is close to leave Arsenal after failing to make it into the first eleven of Arsene Wenger's side. With his only appearance coming in the Carling Cup, the 24-year old needs ...

Rafa Benitez was falling over himself to praise Steven Gerrard in the run-up to his skipper's 500th Liverpool appearance, against Blackburn on Saturday.

Ironic, that, as Stevie G was falling over himself to win the match for Rafa:

From the side angle, it certainly looks like a crafty dive by Gerrard it wouldn't be the first time he's gone down in the box despite minimal contact.

Has a nice ring to it for a reality telly show, no?

If only.

But... if our favourite fashion-minded WAG and her bestie did have their own show, the latest episode would have included a fun 48 hour+ period in which the pair headed to lunch at Liverpool's Neighbourhood Cafe (on the menu?

According to Colin Tattum at the Birmingham Mail, 21-year-old midfielder Giles Barnes has been given a chance to train with Birmingham after being released by Derby County.

Barnes played for Fulham last season on loan but failed to make an appearance with the club.

The match between Chelsea and Birmingham today not only acted as a good antidote for the after Christmas blues, but it also drew attention to the fact that Joe Hart is looking good.

In the first half Joe make a string of fantastic saves, denying Lampard and Sturridge from close range.

A Southend parent has begun a 28 day prison sentence for failing to ensure their childattended secondary school.
The parent, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, pleaded guilty and was jailed bySouthend Magistrates on Monday 30th November after a third appearance in court for the sameoffence in the past 20 months.

Avram Grant's stint with Portsmouth had the second loss in two matches as Aston Villa got the better of the former in the Carling Cup quarter finals on December 1, 2009 at the Fratton Park. Martin O'Neill made his seventh appearance at the Carling Cup in which he has a record winning it two times [..

After making his first National Team appearance as a 33-year-old, Jay Heaps has ended an eventful 2009 by announcing his retirement. The 1999 MLS Rookie of the Year started his career with the Miami Fusion before moving to New England where he was a 2007 US Open Cup and 2008 SuperLiga winner. "I can't imagine writing out a team sheet next year without Jay's name on it," Revolution head coach Steve Nicol said.

In a search for a video of Landon Donovan's appearance on Wednesday's episode of ESPN's "Outside The Lines," I came across a rather riveting piece recapping the Yanks' summer. Developed under the OTL/E-Ticket brand, Wayne Drehs offers readers an engaging game-by-game account of the team's trials and tribulations during the World Cup qualifiers.

Fernando Torres has been ruled out of Liverpool's Premier League trip to Blackburn on Saturday after failing to recover sufficiently quickly from the groin injury which has forced him to miss Rafael Benitez' side's last four fixtures.
The Spanish international striker returned to full training with his team-mates yesterday and took part today, but Benitez has confirmed he is not yet fit enough to be considered available, though the Liverpool manager is hoping Torres will be able to play some part against Fiorentina in the dead rubber Champions League game on Wednesday.

CAPE TOWN -- The moment everyone has been waiting for has come and gone, and the U.S. has emerged in good standing. Recipients of perhaps the most favorable draw (outside of England), going up against Algeria and Slovenia -- well, it can't get much better than that.

Only a few days after the pots revealed a tough draw, the three nations grouped with the U.

Liverpool face tough opposition in dogged Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park tomorrow afternoon.Rovers have only lost twice at home in 11 months under Big Sam.The man may only be in the stands to watch this one, but his deputy, Neill McDonald, guided the side to four points from three games and then a famous Carling Cup victory against Chelsea on penalties on Wednesday.

Swiss International Philippe Senderos is close to leave Arsenal after failing to make it into the first eleven of Arsene Wenger's side. With his only appearance coming in the Carling Cup, the 24-year old needs ...

DaMarcus Beasley's appearance as a second half substitute helped spark Rangers to a decisive victory over Falkirk on Saturday at Falkirk Stadium.

Has a nice ring to it for a reality telly show, no?

If only.

But... if they did have their own show, it would have included a fun 48 hour+ period in which the pair headed to lunch at Liverpool's Neighbourhood Cafe (on the menu? Designer labels, natch), and then followed it up with an appearance at the Juice FM Style Awards at the Hilton.

Wednesday night really is the ideal game for Alberto Aquilani. But it's certainly not the ideal game for Liverpool FC.
I can't remember a European match at Anfield which was effectively meaningless. But this one is and it's so frustrating.
The Italian though, will quite rightly see it differently and after sitting on the bench for so long he'll be bursting to get out there.

Let me start by saying this: I didn't watch the match, and I am thankful I didn't, as a 0-0 against a side like Blackburn is about as welcomed as a fart in church. But with that said, a third consecutive clean sheet IS welcomed, as is a 500th appearance as a Red from Captain [...]

Liverpool midfielder Alberto Aquilani has told boss Rafa Benitez that he has no concerns over his fitness as he hopes to keep his first-team place against Arsenal.
The Italy international played 86 minutes of the Reds' defeat to Fiorentina in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday in his maiden starting XI appearance.

No, don't get too excited. It won't happen before South Africa, and it may not happen ever but Goal.com is reporting that the FFF are trying to woo Blanc to replace Raymond after World Cup 2010 (when Domenech's contract is up). But will Blanc agree, particularly after he was passed up for the position in 2004 for Domenech?

On January 21st, pending a CBA agreement, the primary transfer window will open for Major League Soccer. As usual I will start to track those players that would be available on a Free. While the Designated Players get all the attention, there have been several free transfers and loans that have really helped the league step forward.

The next head coach of DC United will not be Caleb Porter. The Akron Beacon Journal is reporting that the University of Akron men's head coach has decided to remain with the school for at least the next half-decade and has signed a new five-year deal to coach the Zips.
Regarded as one of the best coaches in college soccer, 34-year-old Porter was repeatedly mentioned as one of two final candidates (along with Curt Onalfo) for the DC job.

The Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has been assessing the situation with his defence, and admits that by the summer he could lose three of his back line. Phillipe Senderos, the Switzerland defender, is very unhappy because he can't get in the team and is worried about not getting picked for his country's appearance at the World [.

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has affirmed his belief that striker Fernando Torres can be successful with the Reds.
As the Merseysiders' season stumbles along, many have speculated that Torres may consider leaving the club if the chances of winning silverware decrease.
There is also a real fear that the Reds won't qualify for next season's Champions League.

Javier Mascherano believes that Fernando Torres is the man to spur Liverpool to success, despite the disappointing nature of their campaign so far.

Torres came off the bench at Anfield last night to mark his 100th appearance for the Reds with the decisive goal in a 2-1 win over Wigan Athletic and Mascherano insists that the striker's fitness is key to the rest of the season.

Team manager Bert van Marwijk called Wesley Sneijder after his appearance at Studio Voetbal last Sunday night to explain to him what happened. Sneijder received several text-messages from mates telling him about the clash between Van Marwijk and Borst. Sneijder however, is not totally satisfied. The Inter playmaker wants a

The Uefa Champions League was revamped with effect from this season, the changes were supposed to give smaller European nations the chance to have representatives in the group phase and beyond. The charade was exposed with the trade-off made that in surrendering the possibility of one of the larger nations sides not progressing through the 'non-champions' qualifying round, those nations gained an extra place in the group phase by right.

Mini match report: A useful exercise for Everton, this, even if the result didn't go their way. With David Moyes' side already through to the last 32, he could afford to blood some of his youngsters and blood them he did, putting out a team whose average age would have been ridiculously low were it not for the appearance of 36-year-old keeper Carlo Nash.

Jamie Carragher hopes to remain a key part of Liverpool's plans for several years to come.
The defender will make his 600th appearance for the Reds when they travel to Fratton Park to face Portsmouth on Saturday lunchtime, having made his debut as a teenager back in 1997.
Carragher, now 31, has already admitted he would rather leave Liverpool than stay with his hometown side beyond his best years.

Mexico striker Carlos Vela made a small appearance for Arsenal this afternoon as the Gunners eased past Hull City by three goals to nil.

Coming in the 81st minute to replace Andrey Arshavin, Carlos produced a number of good runs making himself available for his team mates up front and also produced a cheeky backheel to set-up Mikael Silvestre in a move ended with Aaron Ramsey failing to hit the target.

Do you want to hear about Brent Cross Shopping Centre in London, on a snowy Monday afternoon? Didn't think you did. But it's part the reason for the late delivery of this week's La Liga piece. It never fails to amaze me in England, but the appearance of a few snowflakes seems to convert the county into a collective hissy-fit, as if it had never seen the stuff before.

I still believe in Rafa Benitez and I'm convinced he will secure a top four finish for Liverpool this season.
However, a number of his players have got to have a long, hard look at themselves.
When I saw Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard, Pepe Reina and Jamie Carragher walking off at Portsmouth on Saturday they looked upset and annoyed.

According to Salvatore Landolina at Goal.com, Il Corriere Dello Sport is reporting that that Roma is interested in signing Chelsea midfielder Yuri Zhirkov on loan for the rest of the season. Zhirkov has made just one appearance in the Premier League this year due to injury.

Leeds United have extended the loan deal of Liverpool goalkeeper David Martin until the end of January.
Martin joined the League One leaders at the end of November and was due to return to Anfield after Monday's game against Stockport County.
However, Whites boss Simon Grayson is keen to ensure he has sufficient cover after Shane Higgs encountered a setback in his recovery from injury.

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez may have his fair share of problems at Anfield at the moment, but he has hailed the first-team progression of a young player as a positive for the Reds.
Dani Pacheco made his Premier League debut against Wolverhampton Wanderers last week with a late cameo from the bench.