Joe Cole insists he has unfinished business at Liverpool despite being linked with a return to boyhood club West Ham this summer.
Cole has made a big impact in Ligue 1 this term on a season-long loan at Lille from Anfield and the French club are thought to be open to taking him back for another 12 months.

Smart movement, keeping the ball moving, always making himself available as an outlet, and more committed defensively than many give him credit for. That and a knack for finding space in dangerous areas that seems as though it should be simple except few other players manage to do it quite so well.

Some consternation among the fourth estate as Hibs announce that their media open day ahead of the Scottish Cup final will be held in Ireland.
An away media open day.
With budgets being squeezed across the land, sports editors might be loathe to send journalists off on a Ryanair adventure.

After watching his home-town club win their second Europa League Trophy in two years, former Liverpool striker, Fernando Torres must be regretting his decision to ever leave Spain.
The player, disillusioned by years of failure at Athletico Madrid, where he was made Captain in his teens, moved to Liverpool, England in 2007 for £26 million.

From a colleague north of the border...
"A troubling thought.
"I'm hearing mixed messages from people with good connections to the board. There is no question that there will be a massive number of Celtic die-hards who will not renew their season tickets if the board do anything other than oppose NewHuns in the SPL.

By Chris Wright

Still reeling in the wake of Piermario Morosini's fatal heart attack while playing for Livorno a weekend ago, the subject of heart monitoring and pitchside resuscitation has understandably been at the forefront of Italian football's collective mind for the last ten days.

Arsenal's own Batman (who doesn't need a cape to show off what he's got!) Robin van Persie received the PFA Player of the Year Award in London yesterday. Gefeliciteerd, Robin! It's the highest honour for a Premiership player because the win is only possible through votes from professional footballers and colleagues.

'A flop; useless'. Just two of the descriptions applied to Andy Carroll during his time at Liverpool. That is, until his week of "glory", when he managed to snatch two late winners for the Reds, much to the delight of fans who like to watch football live.
Andy Carroll may well have just enjoyed one of the best weeks of his torrid spell on Merseyside, following his high-profile and widely ridiculed £35 million transfer from his boyhood club, Newcastle, where he was thought of as the long-term number nine for the team.

Mikel Arteta is gradually winning over more and more Gooners as one of their favourite, if not THE favourite, Gunner(s) in the current squad. There is something about Arteta that appeals to most, if not all of us: something that we can easily associate with as supporters of Arsenal. It is difficult to describe what this is in just a few words.

Mikel Arteta is gradually winning over more and more Gooners as one of their favourite, if not THE favourite, Gunner(s) in the current squad. There is something about Arteta that appeals to most, if not all of us: something that we can easily associate with as supporters of Arsenal. It is difficult to describe what this is in just a few words.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has praised the versatility and professionalism of Spanish midfielder Mikel Arteta, who was signed from Everton in a £10 million deal on the transfer deadline day last summer.

Arteta's consistency has been impressive throughout the Gunners' roller-coaster season and on the evening of the Spaniard's return to Goodison Park to face the Toffees, Wenger has reflected proudly on signing the Spaniard, who will turn 30 on Monday.

Fabio Borini was born in Bentivoglio, Italy, on 29th March 1991. His father had brought him up to be an avid Bologna supporter. He joined his boyhood side, aged 9 years old, in 2001 and played for their youth sides. Premier League side Chelsea came hunting for the young Borini's signature in the summer of 2007; managing to convince the Italian to enhance his development in London.

Scattered amongst the news articles this week in the soccer world were two disturbing stories of financial failure involving top clubs in both England and Scotland. Sadly, fans of Rangers and Portsmouth awoke to the news that their clubs had entered "administration" due to overwhelming financial debts which, according to the rules of their respective Leagues, means that both teams receive a 10-point deduction for the current season.

Arsenal: The season that promised so little duly delivers - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

Cesc Fabregas was overtly forthcoming in his love and admiration for Arsenal as he left for boyhood club Barcelona. His sentiments were admirable and no doubt appreciated by many an Arsenal fan sympathetic with his situation, but ultimately it was of little consolation as their club lost a genuinely world class player.

Before I launch into not writing the preview of a game that is barely 8 hours away at the time this is published, I'd like to say What the whaaaaat?

The purple is to make sure the extent of shock is clear. The girl is incidental. Really.

It was ok when Henry lumbered on against Leeds (don't get all self-righteous-Arsenal fan on me now, you know he looked slower.

Images: PIERRE ANDRIEU/AFP/Getty Images, AFP PHOTO / ANDREW YATES.

Ludovic Obraniak was a Lille player until yesterday when he signed a three-and-a-half year contract with Bordeaux.

All of our further research regarding his career, life and propensity towards nudity was abandoned as soon as we laid eyes on his.

By Chris Wright

Thirteen years after coming this close you should see how close I'm holding my fingers right now to joining Villa from Wolves (a financial snag saw him toddle off to Coventry instead) in 1999, Robbie Keane has finally made the move to Villa Park on a two-month loan deal from LA Galaxy.

::: FistedAway welcomes a guest post from Mark Patterson :::

Ireland striker Robbie Keane intends to fulfil the last major ambition of his career by making a January switch to a club for which he feels absolutely nothing.

Keane, 31, has played for nine different clubs since he left Crumlin United as a bright-eyed youngster for the bright lights and orange shirts of Wolves, but told Fisted Away that he had set his heart on a new challenge.

Goal: Jonjo Shelvey reveals Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard broke his heart five years ago when boyhood team West Ham lost FA Cup final

The young Reds midfielder is expected to start against Oldham in the third round of the competition and hopes the journey leads to him lifting the world's oldest domestic cup

View the full story here: Goal

A news article on 2012-01-06 12:16:00 from: Goal

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

Goal: Jonjo Shelvey reveals Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard broke his heart five years ago when boyhood team West Ham lost FA Cup final

The young Reds midfielder is expected to start against Oldham in the third round of the competition and hopes the journey leads to him lifting the world's oldest domestic cup

View the full story here: Goal

A news article on 2012-01-06 12:16:00 from: Goal

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

Goal: Jonjo Shelvey reveals Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard broke his heart five years ago when boyhood team West Ham lost FA Cup final

The young Reds midfielder is expected to start against Oldham in the third round of the competition and hopes the journey leads to him lifting the world's oldest domestic cup

View the full story here: Goal

A news article on 2012-01-06 12:16:00 from: Goal

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

Goal: Jonjo Shelvey reveals Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard broke his heart five years ago when boyhood team West Ham lost FA Cup final

The young Reds midfielder is expected to start against Oldham in the third round of the competition and hopes the journey leads to him lifting the world's oldest domestic cup

View the full story here: Goal

A news article on 2012-01-06 12:16:00 from: Goal

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

Goal: Jonjo Shelvey reveals Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard broke his heart five years ago when boyhood team West Ham lost FA Cup final

The young Reds midfielder is expected to start against Oldham in the third round of the competition and hopes the journey leads to him lifting the world's oldest domestic cup

View the full story here: Goal

A news article on 2012-01-06 12:16:00 from: Goal

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

Goal: Jonjo Shelvey reveals Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard broke his heart five years ago when boyhood team West Ham lost FA Cup final

The young Reds midfielder is expected to start against Oldham in the third round of the competition and hopes the journey leads to him lifting the world's oldest domestic cup

View the full story here: Goal

A news article on 2012-01-06 12:16:00 from: Goal

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

Goal: Jonjo Shelvey reveals Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard broke his heart five years ago when boyhood team West Ham lost FA Cup final

The young Reds midfielder is expected to start against Oldham in the third round of the competition and hopes the journey leads to him lifting the world's oldest domestic cup

View the full story here: Goal

A news article on 2012-01-06 12:16:00 from: Goal

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

Oldham have recently updated their badge, what do you think? Wise decision? Hahaha... Owl? Wise?... Ohh nevermind!...Ahh, the magic of the FA Cup. 6 years now since the last time we got our hands on it, feels longer doesn't it? Well Liverpool have Oldham standing in their way at the moment and if they have any aspirations of reaching the final, they will need to deal with Paul Dickov's side first.

Liver Bird: Oldham Make Short Trip To Merseyside

Oldham have recently updated their badge, what do you think? Wise decision? Hahaha... Owl? Wise?... Ohh nevermind!... Ahh, the magic of the FA Cup. 6 years now since the last time we got our hands on it, feels longer doesn't it?

Like Gerard Pique and Cesc Fabregas before him it seems that Oriol Romeu is already flirting with a return to his boyhood club. Despite only signing for Chelsea in the summer of 2011, just a few months ago, his rise has been well noted. Last season he was in the Barcelona B side and this year he is a first team starter for Andre Villas-Boas' Chelsea side.

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QPR defender Bradley Orr has described Luis Suarez as 'unplayable' after the Liverpool striker capped another sublime display with the winning goal on Saturday afternoon.
The Uruguay ace was a constant menace throughout the Reds' 1-0 triumph over the Hoops and Orr admits he has become a huge fan of the No.

I keep seeing these rumours Arsenal are in the hunt for Lukas Podolski and I have to admit that it excites me a little.
Of course, they are only rumours, but if there was some truth in the talk around town, then he would be an ideal acquisition to the squad.
He has plenty of experience at the top-level in football and can play as striker or as a wide player.

When Cesc Fabregas betrayed Arsenal to return to his boyhood club, many thought it would spell trouble for the Gunners as they had lost their inspirational skipper. Then, Van Persie stepped up. Goals, assists, flair and leadership were provided by the Dutchman. More importantly, Van Persie gave Arsenal his heart and loyalty.

Who next for Sunderland? All the runners and riders for the Stadium of Light job

After Steve Bruce's departure from the Stadium of Light, a number of managers will already have their eye on replacing him as Sunderland boss. Here are the early runners and riders. Martin O'Neill UnemployedFormer Celtic boss O'Neill was a boyhood Sunderland fan and has often been linked with the job.

Some shocking news for you today. Former Inter Milan and AC Milan Brazilian winger Mancini has been sentenced to 2 years and 8 months in prison after he was found guilty of rape.

Not many will remember Mancini as a Milan player because he only made 7 appearances for the club before returning to his boyhood club Atletico Mineiro, however, his stint with capital club Roma is where his skill was brought to the fore.

Craig Bellamy has revealed how he turned down the chance to join Tottenham this summer to return to Liverpool.
The Welsh striker was in-demand during the off season with his career at Manchester City hanging in the balance. He spent last season on loan at Championship - and boyhood - club Cardiff, but a permanent move to a Premier League outfit was always expected.

Carl Jenkinson: the more I ponder his position as a player for the Arsenal, the more I grow to admire him. Not position as in right-back, you understand. No, his position as a 19-year-old footballer who only last season was propping up a part-time, non-league outfit on freezing nights in front of a handful of fans.

Liverpool have fallen behind AC Milan in the race to sign highly-rated Sao Paulo midfielder Lucas.
The Serie A side's technical director Marco Branco has reportedly met with the 19-year-old's agent, Juan Figer, to discuss a move to the San Siro, taking the Italian club to the head of the queue for the prospect's signature.

Liverpool have opened contract negotiations with captain Steven Gerrard as the club's American owners look to reinforce his long-term role at Anfield.
Despite his absence through injury, owners Fenway Sports Group have already held discussions with Gerrard's representatives about lengthening his current deal.

By Alan Duffy

After choosing to follow the big bucks and move to Flamengo rather than his boyhood club of Gremio, Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho was always going to get a rather interesting reception from the Gremio fans when the two clubs finally met.

Wayne Rooney has been subject to intense scrutiny after his controversial sending off against Montenegro last week earned him a three-match suspension for England. However, that has not stopped the striker from expressing his hatred for Liverpool.

In the last six days, the entire country has waited to hear Rooney's international fate and although his potential exclusion from England's Euro 2012 squad is poised to remain the talk of the town, all that will matter on Saturday is how he helps Manchester United cope with a revamped Reds side at Anfield.