Former Liverpool winger John Barnes has agreed to manage one of the 'franchise' teams in India's first professional football tournament. The tournament - scheduled to begin on th 24th March — will contain six 'franchises', and will be organised by Celebrity Management Group and the Indian Football Association.

Before the January transfer window closed, Liverpool legend John Barnes urged the club to sign 'classic centre-forward' Gonzalo Higuain, a player who has been regularly linked to Anfield over the last six months. The Real Madrid forward seems settled at the Bernabeau, but his Agent has now revealed that there are two circumstances that would make the striker think about leaving Madrid.

During his four years in charge at Anfield, Roy Evans produced one of the most exciting and entertaining Liverpool teams of the last thirty years. With the likes of Robbie Fowler and Steve McManaman playing alongside club legends John Barnes and Ian Rush, it was pure joy being a fan in the mid-1990s.

Former team-mates and current professionals were among the mourners who attended the funeral of former Liverpool and Everton defender Gary Ablett.
The 46-year-old died on New Year's Day after a 16-month battle with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish and Everton boss David Moyes were present at the city's Anglican Cathedral along with many of Ablett's team-mates – including John Barnes, Alan Hansen, Mark Lawrenson, Duncan Ferguson, Matt Jackson and David Unsworth – and other contemporaries from the 1980s and early 1990s.

Despite the disappointing home draw with Stoke last Saturday, Liverpool legend John Barnes is still confident that Liverpool can finish in the top four this season. Speaking on Soccer AM, Barnes - who scored 108 goals for Liverpool during his Anfield career - said:"I never expected them [Liverpool] to be in the running for the title; I expected them to be in the running for the Champions League,

Anfield legend John Barnes has shown regular public support for Liverpool during the Luis-Suarez-Patrice Evra saga, and he still insists that the club was right to back the Uruguayan to the hilt. However, Barnes now accepts that T-shirt stunt was probably not the best idea.On Saturday's edition of Soccer AM, Barnes was asked if he thought that wearing Luis Suarez T-shirts was a 'good idea'.

Lille's Eden Hazard has regularly (and laughably) been linked with a move to Merseyside over the last six months, and I'm sure Liverpool fans would love to see the Belgian international at Anfield. However, Lille have now emphatically slammed the door shut on any move away from France in the January transfer window.

Anfield legend John Barnes has slammed Manchester City's poor performance against his old club earlier tonight, arguing that Liverpool were 'well worth the victory'.Summarising the game for LFC TV, Barnes observed:"Man City had nothing to offer at all until Nasri came on and they changed the dynamic of it, but the way they started from the first minutes, they took the game to Man City"They [

It's a bit of an unexpected grab-bag today, with plenty of newsworthy tidbits but not a whole lot to really sink our teeth into, so we've got a few highlights to hit before getting to the video that might normally round out a lazy Sunday here on the Liverpool Offside:

* The third round is done, the fourth round is drawn, and because it simply had to happen it means that Liverpool will host Manchester United in the FA Cup on either January 28th or 29th.

John Barnes spoke out in defence of Liverpool Football Club on Saturday, telling ESPN that the Merseyside club are no more racist than any other in the country.
Liverpool have seen their reputation damaged by the drawn-out Luis Suarez saga, which has seen the Reds defend their player despite a guilty verdict of racial abuse delivered by the FA.

John Barnes spoke out in defence of Liverpool Football Club on Saturday, telling ESPN that the Merseyside club are no more racist than any other in the country.
Liverpool have seen their reputation damaged by the drawn-out Luis Suarez saga, which has seen the Reds defend their player despite a guilty verdict of racial abuse delivered by the FA.

Liverpool legend John Barnes recently urged the club to sign 'classic centre-forward' Gonzalo Higuain, a player who has been regularly linked to Anfield over the last six months. The Real Madrid forward seems settled at the Bernabeau, but his Agent has now confirmed that there is a slim chance that the striker could leave.

Following the un-timely death of former Liverpool title winning defender Gary Ablett (46), we've decided to track down the where abouts of the Merseyside clubs last title winning squad in 1989-90.

Bruce Grobbelaar (54): Liverpool's most famous keeper currently resides in Canada and sometimes appears as a pundit on Norwegian TV channel TV-2.

Gary Ablett was a cultured player and a pure gent Jamie Redknapp

John Barnes and Gary Ablett extended a welcome to me on my first Liverpool bus journey and Gary often kept an eye out for me after that.

View the full story here: The Mail

A news article on 2012-01-02 23:00:18 from: The Mail

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

Gary Ablett obituary

Defender who won the FA Cup with both Everton and Liverpool Such is the rivalry between Liverpool and Everton that footballers rarely play for both Merseyside clubs, but Gary Ablett, who has died aged 46 of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, enjoyed long and happy spells with the two sides.

Liverpool desperately need to sign a goalscorer in the January transfer window, and the latest striker to be linked with the club is Aston Villa's Darren Bent. I'm sure many fans - myself included - would love to see him at Anfield, but Liverpool legend John Barnes is not convinced Bent is the answer.

Former Anfield star John Barnes says Aston Villa striker Darren Bent does not fit the bill for Liverpool, as the Reds consider goalscoring reinforcements in January.
The Merseysiders have scored only 18 times in as many Barclays Premier League fixtures this season and, with Luis Suarez set to begin an eight-game ban in the New Year, Kenny Dalglish has been tipped to bolster his attack.

Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain would be an ideal January signing for Liverpool, according to former Anfield star John Barnes.
The Reds have been tipped to reinforce their goalscoring department during the transfer window, having found the net only 18 times in as many league outings so far this season.

• Kop That: Glen Johnson should have refused to wear 'shameful' Luis Suarez T-shirt, says Paul McGrath http://t.co/c2rVVjTr 23:59:09, 2011-12-22
• Kop That: Paul Elliott happy to back FA's message of zero-tolerance over Luis Suárez affair http://t.co/rikQgBJS 23:59:02, 2011-12-22
• Kop That: Cultural differences is no defence for Liverpool striker Luis Suarez, says PFA chief Gordon Taylor http://t.

Festive Fun: Guess The Liverpool Players

Merry Christmas to all my readers out there! I just thought for a laugh and to get us all into the Christmas spirit i'd make a short and sweet post giving you the chance to have a bit of fun. Below are ten Liverpool players from past and present but Santa, baubles, stars and all sorts of things have got in the way, can you guess who they are?

Merry Christmas to all my readers out there!
I just thought for a laugh and to get us all into the Christmas spirit i'd make a short and sweet post giving you the chance to have a bit of fun.
Below are ten Liverpool players from past and present but Santa, baubles, stars and all sorts of things have got in the way, can you guess who they are?

Former Liverpool and England footballer John Barnes has attacked a "witch hunt" against Luis Suarez after he was banned for racially abusing another player.
The Liverpool striker was banned by the FA for eight games for using "insulting words" in reference to Manchester United defender Patrice Evra's colour.

Luis Suarez has been victim of a witch hunt, says former Liverpool striker John Barnes

"Ignorance can excuse the actions of Luiz Suarez", according to former Liverpool and England striker.

View the full story here: The Telegraph

A news article on 2011-12-23 12:05:45 from: The Telegraph

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

Former Liverpool star John Barnes hits out at Luis Suarez racism 'witch hunt'

The retired Reds midfielder suffered numerous incidents of racial abuse throughout his career but insisted that cultural differences need to be taken into account in this case

View the full story here: Goal

A news article on 2011-12-22 22:53:00 from: Goal

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

John Barnes blasts Luis Suarez 'witch hunt'

Liverpool legend John Barnes attacks what he has called a "witch hunt" against Luis Suarez, after the Uruguayan was banned for racially abusing another player.

View the full story here: BBC

A news article on 2011-12-22 21:04:39 from: BBC

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

Kop legend John Barnes has spoken of his pride after taking over the presidency of Liverpool's Disabled Supporters Association.
At a gala Christmas dinner at Anfield last week, attended by first team defender Sebastian Coates and outgoing president Alan Kennedy, Barnes addressed over 200 members of the LDSA and revealed the huge sense of honour he feels at being asked to assume such a prestigious position.

FA makes powerful statement with Luis Suárez's suspension

The Luis Suárez-Patrice Evra case was not a simple one but the FA made a bold statement by banning him for eight games Rightly or wrongly, there was a feeling before the verdict was announced, that if Luis Suárez was found guilty, it was an opportunity for the Football Association to send out a powerful message.

Barnes pride at new LFC role

Kop legend John Barnes has spoken of his pride after taking over the presidency of Liverpool's Disabled Supporters Association.

View the full story here: Liverpool FC

A news article on 2011-12-20 18:03:38 from: Liverpool FC

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

Aston Villa v Liverpool – as it happened

Liverpool scored from two early corners and strolled to victory against a poor, pretty much attack-free Aston Villa side Preamble: Aston Villa must carry particularly good memories for Liverpool fans. I'm not even a Liverpool fan, but I can remember half a dozen stonking moments between these two clubs.

Aston Villa v Liverpool minute-by-minute report

• Refresh this page for all the latest action • Ping your emails to simon.burnton@guardian.co.uk • Follow today's other live scores • Follow Simon on Twitter Preamble: Aston Villa must carry particularly good memories for Liverpool fans.

Gerard Houllier and Rafa Benitez were very different managers in many ways but one thing they shared was a preference for hard-work and stamina over unpredictable flair and creativity. Players like Dirk Kuyt and Emile Heskey symbolised the footballing philosophy of both managers, and Liverpool legend John Barnes believes that Liverpool are still suffering as a result of prioritising hard-work

Liverpool legend John Aldridge has staunchly defended summer signing Stewart Downing all season, arguing that the former Villa winger will come good at some stage. However, after yet another game yesterday without a goal or assist, Aldo's confidence in Downing appears to be waning a little.

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Flashback to QPR's Famed (and sole!) Win at Anfield
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- Throughout the day, the QPR Report Messageboard has news updates, comments and perspectives - even links to other board comments of interest re QPR matters (on and off the field) along with football (and ONLY football) topics in general.

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Flashback to QPR's Famed (and sole!) Win at Anfield
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- Throughout the day, the QPR Report Messageboard has news updates, comments and perspectives - even links to other board comments of interest re QPR matters (on and off the field) along with football (and ONLY football) topics in general.

THIS BLOG HAS BEEN VERY SLOW FOR THE PAST TWO WEEKS
IT WAS TAKING A NAP, AFTER A LOT OF HECTIC DAYS.
WILL BE BACK SOON :)
For now, something old and nice, from the 1990 friendly before the WC festival, Uruguay beat England at Wembly 2-1.
All goals were very nice, especially that John Barnes goal for England, I was looking for it since very long time,

How would Kenny Dalglish's superb team of 1987-1991 stack up against the current Barcelona team? Liverpool legend John Barnes was recently asked that question, and despite being a huge fan of Pep Guardiola's team, he questioned whether the likes of Messi and Iniesta would be able to cut it in an era where players hardly got any protection at all from referees.

John Barnes recently argued that Liverpool fans should 'move on' and stop wasting 'negative energy' on Fernando Torres, but despite the acrimony towards the Spaniard, there are still lots of fans - myself included - who would love to see El Nino back at Anfield. LFC Legends Ray Houghton and Gary Gillespie are not so sure though.

In a sport where players are increasingly deified, Fernando Torres was a God-like figure at Liverpool; the fans worshipped the ground he walked on, and in the eyes of his fawning disciples, he could no wrong. That all changed when El Nino left for Chelsea - he instantly became a traitor; an Anfield Judas, worthy of nothing but contempt and ridicule.

A chance to play at Anfield

IT'S that time of year again: the Christmas tree is up or at least threatening to be, the snow is falling or at least threatening to, and the streets are packed with frantic shoppers threatening to do things to the next person to get in their way as they search frantically for the ideal pressie for their loved ones, never quite sure if the loved one in question already has that particular one anyway.

Countless websites across the net manufacture dubious Liverpool transfer stories on a daily basis (GiveMeFootball.com anyone?), and in the last couple of months, the club has been linked with some very high profile names. Liverpool legend John Barnes has dismissed the ridiculous speculation over three players in particular, and has urged Liverpool fans to be 'realistic' with their expectations.