The news (and now confirmation) that NBC Sports has hired Seattle Sounders match commentator Arlo White as its lead man for MLS coverage is a loss for the Sounders and their fans but a much bigger boost to the state of American soccer commentary. White came over from the BBC but not without some familiarity with American sport as he had commentated a Super Bowl a few years before.

Photo by John Todd/ISIphotos.com

It's not uncommon for American soccer fans and pundits to debate on who is the better U.S. men's national team player between Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey, but one former U.S. international has weighed in on the matter and has created quite the stir in doing so.

Or so the BBC's Gossip Column would have you believe!

Brazilian footballing artist and legend Socrates has died it was announced on Sunday morning after a long struggle with intestinal problems as In The Stands salutes a true genius of the game. Socrates is said to have suffered a septic shock in the early hours of Sunday morning and the 57-year-old died at 04:30AM Brazilian [.

Liverpool v QPR

Preview followed by live coverage of Saturday's game between Liverpool and QPR in the Premier League.

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A news article on 2011-12-09 11:51:12 from: BBC

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The Big Interview Liverpool midfielder Charlie Adam

In an in-depth interview with Football Focus, Liverpool midfielder Charlie Adam discusses his "dream" summer move to Anfield, his relationship with Reds manager Kenny Dalglish and the club's form this season.

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A news article on 2011-12-10 12:35:57 from: BBC

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Aston Villa boos disappoint Liverpool's Stewart Downing

Liverpool midfielder Stewart Downing is pleased with his team's performance in the 2-0 win at Villa Park but disappointed by the reaction of some Aston Villa fans on his return to the club he left for Anfield in the summer.

Cliftonville striker Rory Donnelly set to finalise move

Cliftonville expect the future of striker Rory Donnelly to be sorted out by Friday with Swansea, Liverpool and Everton all hoping to sign the player.

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A news article on 2011-12-21 22:37:02 from: BBC

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By Chris Wright

In which, while presenting a post-match phone-in in front of a live audience on Monday evening, BBC Five Live presenter Mark 'Chappers' Chapman falls for one of the oldest, most stale tricks in the book hook, line and, indeed, sinker...

Video: 101GG

Liverpool v Newcastle

Preview followed by live coverage of Friday's game between Liverpool and Newcastle in the Premier League.

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A news article on 2011-12-29 14:11:46 from: BBC

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Liverpool's Lucas Leiva ruled out for rest of season

Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva is ruled out for the rest of the season after injuring the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

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A news article on 2011-12-01 15:40:01 from: BBC

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Today heralds the official second birthday of Stoppage Time International Football Blog and I am pleased to say that the number of visits to the blog has increased significantly over the last twelve months and I hope that the numbers will rise once again in 2012.

The first year of the blog, going from December 2009-November 2010 saw a decent number of 37,533 visits in its fledgling days.

Liverpool have announced the dates of their two-legged Carling Cup semi-final tie with Manchester City.
The first leg will take place at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday, January 11, 2012 with kick-off scheduled for 7.45pm.
The BBC will televise the game live.
The return leg will be played at Anfield on Wednesday, January 25, 2012 (kick-off 7.

Out of the blue Chelsea defender Sam Hutchinson has signed a new one-and-a-half year contract at Stamford Bridge despite retiring more than a year ago. The 22-year-old hung up his boots in August 2010 due to a knee injury. He had played four times for the Blues and had been singled out by Jose [...

Fulham v Liverpool

Preview followed by live coverage of Monday's game between Fulham and Liverpool in the Premier League.

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A news article on 2011-12-02 14:06:46 from: BBC

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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.

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

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England national team got themselves a pretty good draw in their Euro 2012 campaign, considering all the worse possibilities, being paired with Ukraine, France and Sweden obviously isn't the toughest group on paper.

This drawing result apparently gave confidence to the Union Jack's manager, Fabio Capello, who revealed that his team obviously got a pretty comfortable group on paper especially compared to Group B which consist the likes of Holland, Germany, Portugal and Denmark.

Former Brazil captain and World Cup 1982 legend Socrates has died it was announced on Sunday morning after a long struggle with intestinal problems as In The Stands salutes a true genius of the game. Socrates is said to have suffered a septic shock in the early hours of Sunday morning and the 57-year-old died [.

Fulham 1-0 Liverpool

Clint Dempsey's late winner ensures Fulham overcome 10-man Liverpool with a 1-0 win in the Premier League at Craven Cottage.

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A news article on 2011-12-05 21:57:04 from: BBC

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Kenny Dalglish considers appeal against Jay Spearing red at Fulham

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish is considering whether to appeal against the red card shown to Jay Spearing during their 1-0 defeat at Fulham.

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A news article on 2011-12-06 00:00:50 from: BBC

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Liverpool striker Luis Suarez's hand gesture looked at by FA

The Football Association is reviewing a hand gesture made by Liverpool striker Luis Suarez after their 1-0 defeat at Fulham on Monday.

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A news article on 2011-12-06 11:02:45 from: BBC

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Liverpool striker Luis Suarez charged by FA over hand gesture

Liverpool striker Luis Suarez is charged with improper conduct by the Football Association over an allegedly abusive hand gesture during the 1-0 defeat at Fulham.

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A news article on 2011-12-07 18:18:07 from: BBC

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It looks like our continued overhaul may get started a little early. A host of outlets, including BBC Sport, are reporting that Nicolas Anelka could agree a move to Shanghai Shenhua within the next week.

A sight not to be seen again

As you are well aware, Anelka will not be hanging around Cobham for much longer.

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish blasts Wayne Rooney appeal

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish says the Football Association has not set a good example in successfully appealing Wayne Rooney's three-match Euro 2012 ban.

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A news article on 2011-12-08 11:45:43 from: BBC

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Here is the BBC video of Alan Pardew talking about his first year at Newcastle United, in which he says it has flashed by. Alan talks about how he will keep his attacking ways and try to win every game at Newcastle. As we said yesterday, we think it's hard for any manager to have done any better than what [.

Good news for England fans today as UEFA has reduced Wayne Rooney's three match suspension has been reduced to two matches after a successful appeal by the FA.

The reduction means that Rooney , 26,will now be available for England's third Group D game, against Ukraine, but will miss the fixtures against France and Sweden.

What a year 2011 was for Football! We have had fireworks, management fallouts, enthralling top-of-the-table encounters, relegation scraps and transfer embargos to drive any football fan round the twist. So without wetting your appetite any further, here is In The Stands' top ten football moments of 2011.

Carroll needs time to settle at Liverpool Adam

Liverpool midfielder Charlie Adam tells Football Focus that young players, such as team-mate Andy Carroll, need time to settle in after signing for a new club.

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A news article on 2011-12-09 17:06:37 from: BBC

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Liverpool's Lucas Leiva undergoes successful surgery

Liverpool confirm midfielder Lucas Leiva has successfully undergone surgery on his injured knee.

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A news article on 2011-12-09 18:24:47 from: BBC

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Andy Carroll must be given time by Liverpool Adam

Charlie Adam says Andy Carroll and the rest of his Liverpool team-mates can only be judged at the end of the season.

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A news article on 2011-12-09 20:14:30 from: BBC

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Liverpool 1-0 QPR

Luis Suarez scores the only goal against QPR as a dominant Liverpool end their run of four successive home draws and climb to sixth in the Premier League.

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A news article on 2011-12-10 16:54:10 from: BBC

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'Fantastic' Liverpool football delights Kenny Dalglish

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish is delighted with his side's performance in the 1-0 win over QPR and says if they keep playing so well they are sure to start scoring more goals.

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A news article on 2011-12-10 19:06:43 from: BBC

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Charlie Adam has been fantastic for Liverpool since his summer signing, and he's already contributed two goals and seven assists for his new team. The Scot is happy at Anfield, but in a recent interview, he revealed that he has regrets about how things ended at Blackpool.Speaking to the BBC, Adam outlined how he still feels a sense of personal culpability over Blackpool's relegation from the

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish & QPR's Neil Warnock praise Luis Suarez

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish praises striker Luis Suarez for scoring the only goal against Queens Park Rangers.

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A news article on 2011-12-11 08:50:02 from: BBC

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Liverpool midfielder Charlie Adam says Andy Carroll will come good for the club following an indifferent start to life as Britain's most expensive ever player.
Carroll was signed from Newcastle last January for £35 million and has so far failed to reproduce the form he showed on Tyneside, though Adam says it is important to remember he is just 22 years old.

Football Focus pundit Garth Crooks has praised the performances of Liverpool centre-half Daniel Agger this season.
The Danish international has been keeping Liverpool hero Jamie Carragher out of the side, with Kenny Dalglish persisting instead with a centre-back partnership of Martin Skrtel and Agger.

Uefa has confirmed that the BBC and ITV will be the official UK broadcasters of Euro 2012.

The FA gives Liverpool more time to respond to two charges

Liverpool given more time by the Football Association to respond to the two charges that came out of last week's defeat at Fulham.

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A news article on 2011-12-12 17:45:00 from: BBC

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Landon Donovan returns to Everton. Some things you should know...

David Moyes' Everton has been struggling to compete in the Premier League once again as the club is strapped for cash, but today Evertonians can smile because American Landon Donovan has agreed to go back to Goodison Park in what will be his second loan spell with the club.

Liverpool's Jonjo Shelvey wins League's young player award

Liverpool midfielder Jonjo Shelvey sets his sights on a first-team spot at Anfield after a loan spell at Blackpool sees him scoop a Football League award.

View the full story here: BBC

A news article on 2011-12-16 08:56:18 from: BBC

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