Brendan Rodgers has indicated he will speak to Liverpool's forgotten stars Joe Cole and Alberto Aquilani before deciding on their future.
Rodgers was appointed as the Reds' new manager on Friday and is already running the rule over the talent at his disposal at Anfield.
Cole spent the season on loan at French club Lille, while Aquilani returned to his native Italy with AC Milan.

Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva Admits that he is expected to be fit for the start of pre-season training as he continues to recover well from a serious knee injury sustained last year.

"I'm in the final stage of my recovery. I've been recovering for six months,".

"I am currently in the physical stage, aiming to be back for pre-season, so that I can be back on the pitch as soon as possible.

Sky Sports sources understand that Liverpool have agreed a compensation fee with Swansea for Brendan Rodgers and three of his backroom staff.
The Anfield outfit now look to have removed the final obstacle in their search for a new boss with confirmation of Rodgers' appointment on a three-year deal expected to follow.

OTP gives you the lowdown on all the Euro 2012 teams. 10 word description: Tournament specialists make familiar trip to Poland with exciting generation. Coach: Joachim Low Jogi stepped out of Jurgen Klinsmann's shadow in 2006 and has left most people in no doubt that he was always the footballing brain behind the operation.

Roberto Martinez looks set to snub Liverpool in favour of a bumper new contract and large transfer kitty at Wigan.
Martinez has been Liverpool's number one choice to replace Kenny Dalglish and the Spaniard held talks with the Reds American owners in Miami last week.
There have already been rumours circulating that Martinez would turn down the chance to move to Anfield as he is unwilling to work under a Director of Football and now reports have claimed Latics chairman Dave Whelan has convinced him to stay.

Roy Keane pays Gary Neville a compliment - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

Roy Keane was a team-mate and captain to Gary Neville for many years at Manchester United at the same time that Ferguson brought Keane to Old Trafford, the young crop of players that included Gary Neville were making their mark in the youth team.

Pat Rice wanted to call it a day at the end of last season. Arsene, perhaps with a premonition of the tumultuous summer, persuaded him to stay one more year. With all the changes in the squad, another vital one in the backroom staff might have been too difficult to manage. This summer will hopefully be a more stable one as far as departures are concerned and that should give the new man some breathing space as he learns the ropes and establishes his own identity.

Today Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew was named Premier League Manager of the Year. I suspected this might happen in our post from last week, but was chuffed to bits today that the Premier League have recognized Pardew's work at Newcastle.

Undoubtedly, Pardew has impressed. No-one wanted him at Newcastle, other than Mike Ashley and Derek Llambias, and he walked into a bit of a no-win situation.

Disappointment that was the only feeling in the red half of Manchester after a boring 1-0 derby day defeat. Manchester City's team sheet suggested that they wanted it more than their rivals just to prove that the oft shunned Mancunian step brother is fast rising and will be a challenger for a few years from now.

By Chris Wright

Despite only joining the club in a playing capacity from Chelsea five months ago, it would appear that Nicolas Anelka has today been appointed as the player-coach of his Chinese side, Shanghai Shenhua with scurrilous rumours abound that Jean Tigana had been sacked after a torrid start to the season.

By Chris Wright

Despite only joining the club in a playing capacity from Chelsea five months ago, it would appear that Nicolas Anelka has today been appointed as the player-coach of his Chinese side, Shanghai Shenhua with scurrilous rumours abound that Jean Tigana had been sacked after a torrid start to the season.

Yo, it's 1997 all over again, friends. Puff Daddy & The Family are ruling the charts, Titanic is mastering modern cinema. Chelsea, meanwhile, are lifting the FA Cup after goals from Roberto Di Matteo and a man who strangely looks like Cory Glover of Living Colour.

Eddie Newton. That's right, Newton is back, joining Di Matteo once again as part of our caretaker manager's backroom staff.

As we all know, Harry Redknapp has not even thought about becoming England manager. Given that the possibility of him doing just that is on all major news bulletins, OTP wondered what exactly he is thinking about. 1. Business investments 'Arry's still not got round to investing that money that Milan Mandaric gave him to [.

54 years ago in Munich, 8 of Manchester United's brightest stars were killed when the aircraft that was bringing them back home crashed. Along with them, 3 of the backroom staff, 8 journalists and 2 other passengers also perished bringing the total casualty count to 21. Nothing could have prepared the city of Manchester and indeed the whole footballing world for a tragedy of that scale.

Luke Freeman was heavily involved in the winner

stevenage 1-0 notts county | stewart (og) 12
fa cup | lamex stadium | 4,439

A Damien Stewart own goal was enough to earn Stevenage a place in the 5th round of the FA Cup for the first time in their history and gave Gary Smith a winning start as Boro manager.

By Chris Wright

The Welsh FA have just confirmed that Chris Coleman will be the new manager of the Welsh national side, following the tragic death of former incumbent Gary Speed in November of last year.

Chief executive Jonathan Ford announced the decision a short while ago, admitted it had understandably been a tough few months for the FAW:

"This has been a very difficult process.

QPR have sacked manager Neil Warnock and his backroom staff have also left the club. Malaysian owner Tony Fernandes released this statement:
"This decision has been made in the best interests of the Club and I can assure everyone that this is not a decision that was made lightly."

"Sadly, our recent run of poor form has seen us slip alarmingly down the table and the Board felt it was the right time to make a change.

In the last year we've been joined by Arsenal supporters from Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America and South America only Antarctica to go. Whatever your beliefs, it is a good time to remember and be thankful for what unites us.

We are united by our love of The Arsenal and have forged friendships with people most of whom we are unlikely ever to meet; all made possible by the magic of the internet.

Phil Jones and Sir Alex Ferguson celebrated the wonderkid's first goal for Manchester United with a quick game of 'proud grandad at the school nativity'. The England international gave a quick salute in the direction of the dugout after scoring the winning goal against Aston Villa on Saturday. Fergie and his backroom staff responded with [.

Phil Jones and Sir Alex Ferguson celebrated the wonderkid's first goal for Manchester United with a quick game of 'proud grandad at the school nativity'. The England international gave a quick salute in the direction of the dugout after scoring the winning goal against Aston Villa on Saturday. Fergie and his backroom staff responded with [.

Phelan left out Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson celebrated 25 years in charge of the club on Saturday with a stand being renamed in his honour ahead of the match against Sunderland. But the unexpected mark of the occasion could signal the end of the Old Trafford career of one of his backroom staff.

Phelan left out Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson celebrated 25 years in charge of the club on Saturday with a stand being renamed in his honour ahead of the match against Sunderland. But the unexpected mark of the occasion could signal the end of the Old Trafford career of one of his backroom staff.

Despiteachieving an unprecedented treble in his first season in charge, Joe Faganremains something of a marginalised figure in Liverpool's history. For many his success was down to the team heinherited from Bob Paisley whereas his work in the backroom staff is oftenoverlooked.
A much moretruthful picture of Fagan's role both as a coach and as a manager is presentedby the recent biography titled Joe Fagan: A Reluctant Champion.

A good win against a spirited side in Wolves at Anfield following an impressive victory at Brighton mid-week gives grounds for real optimism this Season.
In Saturday's 2-1 defeat of the Wanderers we played some really good football, especially in the first-half with that man, Luis Suarez causing havoc up front time after time.

Kenny Dalglish has paid tribute to his backroom staff after several members of the Liverpool squad gave his training methods a huge thumbs-up.
The Reds boss admits he is delighted that his players are enjoying the Melwood sessions and reckons it is all down to the tireless work of an unsung duo.

Kenny Dalglish has paid tribute to his backroom staff after several members of the Liverpool squad gave his training methods a huge thumbs-up.
The Reds boss admits he is delighted that his players are enjoying the Melwood sessions and reckons it is all down to the tireless work of an unsung duo.

Secret to training joy revealed

Kenny Dalglish has paid tribute to his backroom staff after several members of the Liverpool squad gave his training methods a huge thumbs-up.

View the full story here: Liverpool FC

A news article on 2011-09-17 14:02:11 from: Liverpool FC

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

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has told the club's official website that he has no plans to quit the club, and is certain that Los Blancos are playing their best football in recent history.

Rumors have swirled around the media following a bust-up between Mourinho and some of Barcelona's backroom staff after last week's Spanish Super Cup clash, but the Special One is ready for a season-long battle.

Today the Daily Star are running a story detailing a bit of a bust-up between new captain Robin van Persie and Arsene Wenger regarding the current standard of the squad and the lack of purchases this summer.

Robin, who recently took on the agent of Clichy, Nasri and Cesc in Darren Dein, is no stranger to getting under the nose of the boss.

Ex-red joins Black Cats

Former Liverpool defender Steve Staunton has joined Sunderland's backroom staff.

View the full story here: Liverpool FC

A news article on 2011-08-23 09:09:38 from: Liverpool FC

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

Sunderland recruit Republic of Ireland legend Steve Staunton

Former Republic of Ireland boss Steve Staunton has joined Sunderland's backroom staff. The 42-year-old has been recruited as the club's match assessor.

View the full story here: The Mail

A news article on 2011-08-22 10:08:30 from: The Mail

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

An intriguing experiment begins tonight; an under-19 Champions League-style competition with some of the best academies in Europe. And the home-and-away group stage starts out with a bang for Liverpool, as they host what on paper looks set to be their toughest foe of that opening round when Sporting Lisbon comes to town.

Arsenal's team photo for the 2011-12 season is being taken this Thursday and you, and your junior Gunner, can be part of it.

Thanks to the Gunners' official membership schemes 'The Arsenal' and Junior Gunners, Arseblog is giving readers one adult plus a child the chance to sit in the Gunners' first team photocall at the Emirates this Thursday 4th August.

Perhaps he doesn't like pink?

I will not pretend to know the complications of football contracts. There is a lot of pleasing to be done for multiple parties, and striking that balance must be difficult. That said, the whispers that Jussi's contract talks are not going well are worrying. I think it will be time for him to move on (or retire) quite soon, but the fact is that right now we don't have reliable back up for him.

Spurs are due to be meeting up with some old acquaintances this weekend as they travel to the Falmer stadium to take on Gus Poyet's Brighton side.

Not only will they cross paths with fans favourite Poyet, his assistant and occasional full back Mauricio Taricco will also be attendance although our former Argentine defender has been ruled out of the game following an ankle injury,

"It's disappointing that I am not involved, because I like training and I like being fit.

There is something almost Riefenstahlian about the official site's daily descriptions of the squad's pre-season fitness regime; the luxuriating in the mundane minutiae of each training drill and the fetishistic depictions of lythe young bodies in the throws of physical exertion. So it is we learn that it was a mixture of work and play for West Ham United's players as the squad continued their pre-season training camp in Switzerland.

Don't be so gloomy. After all it's not that awful. Like the fella says, in Italy for 30 years under the Borgias they had warfare, terror, murder, and bloodshed, but they produced Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and the Renaissance. In Switzerland they had brotherly love - they had 500 years of democracy and peace, and what did that produce?

We've had Fletcher and Mackay and now West Ham are looking to add Baraclough to their growing list of Slade Prison namesakes. The club are reportedly close to appointing former Scunthorpe boss Ian Baraclough to their coaching staff, according to several sources. Sam Allardyce is keen to bolster his backroom team after seeing Kevin Keen leave for Liverpool earlier this week and has lined up a move for the highly-rated coach as he begins his plans for next season.

Ha ha ha.

FULHAM have got their revenge for Mark Hughes' walkout by ordering his old backroom staff to work with the kids.

Coaches Mark Bowen, Eddie Niedzwiecki and Kevin Hitchcock will be told to train Fulham's Academy rookies when they report back for work tomorrow.

The three, who joined the club along with ex-boss Hughes, remain under contract for another year as they did not have the same escape clause which allowed Sparky to quit without notice on June 2.

Villas Boas- What can we expect? - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

Yet another season gone by, and the post-season review brings back moments from the seasons long gone. Arsenal, living up to their tag of chokers, relinquishing yet another strong position in the league inspite of showing flashes of absolute ingenuity, Chelsea losing steam in the December period, (not because of the Cup of African Nations though) and then firing their manager for avoidable and trivial errors and then the Big 4 similar to the 2009-2010 season, were given a real run for their money by hugely improved sides like Tottenham and Manchester City.