The midfield. Currently viewed as the strength of the team. But is it really set right now? Let's break it down:

Defensive Midfielders: Pavel Pardo, Logan Pause, Daniel Paladini, Mike Videira

This is clearly the strength of the midfield. Pavel Pardo is in a class by himself.

Club captain Steven Gerrard has reiterated his confidence and belief in Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish, and although he acknowledges that the pressure is on at the moment, Gerrard has not doubt that Dalglish is the right man to lead Liverpool forward.In an interview with ITV Sport, Gerrard expressed his admiration for Dalglish's willingness to put his legendary status on the line:"It took some

By J Hutcherson - WASHINGTON, DC (Jan 24, 2012) US Soccer Players -- The National Team is one game into a two-game series that caps another January camp. This annual tradition gives a coach the opportunity to audition players over several weeks, a rarity in most countries. US coach Jurgen Klinsmann has already shown a willingness to experiment, using a different formation from what we've seen with his first choice roster.

...is another beginning. Sources close to the process have told ESPNLosAngeles.com that the Galaxy's willingness to accommodate Beckham if he were selected to play for Great Britain in the Olympic Games in London this summer was an important factor for the superstar, who was a key pitchman for Britain's bid.

Like the child whose parents have surreptitiously removed their much-loved comfort blanket in the night, we woke this morning missing the precious consolation of a game in hand, and soon discovered that we can manage perfectly well without it. For some it provided a welcome safety net, for others the promise of future delights.

That's the message delivered by Mark Verstegen, founder of Athletes' Performance, to the team as they depart Phoenix after nine days of training, fitness and strength exercises, and nutritional education.
The charismatic speaker spent nearly an hour counseling the players on a holistic approach to achieving success in their professional careers, summed up in the mantra 'Every Day is Game Day'.

By Jason Davis - WASHINGTON, DC (Jan 6, 2011) US Soccer Players -- A funny thing happened to Major League Soccer on the way to international relevancy. With so much going for it - apparent unlimited potential for growth, new stadiums providing verifiable soccer atmospheres, the high standard of living in the US and Canada, a willingness to spend when appropriate, a dash of anonymity some players might find attractive - MLS sat perched atop.

Having last week ruminated in full on the state of our rearguard this season; this week's column will meditate on the performance further up the pitch. Taking in the oily machinery of the midfield engine room, through to the leather upholstery and walnut gear knobs up top. (Or in some cases, those big seats on the bench that look like they've been half inched from the McLaren showroom).

Quite simply forwards need to score. Obviously one guy is. But for Seattle Sounders FC he did not have a regular partner up top. This has led some to think that this means that they need a new player. Still returning forwards scored 13 goals in all competitions adding 10 assists as well. Of course that Montero guy was the star of the bunch with his 17 and 11.

Image: Getty Images.

During a particularly heavy planning session in the Kickette office last night, it came to our attention that one of our staffers has been hiding an odd kind of crush from the rest of the group.

For the general purposes of fun and mockery, we set about her like coyotes on a cadaver, until she fessed up.

Photo: Paul Rudderow

Editor's note: At the end of the 2010 season, we posted a series of season reviews of every Philadelphia Union player. Over the next several weeks PSP continues with a review of the 2011 season.

The Freddy Adu redemption narrative began this year the same way such stories typically begin: At rock bottom.

The Manchester City manager, Roberto Mancini, recently accosted the Manchester City player Wayne Bridge for, apparently, seeming to be happy and content at being nothing more than a paid squad member at the Manchester club. Wayne Bridge never features, is rarely even on the bench, and is not highly valued by his coach.

Liverpool have taken more points off Aston Villa than any other team in the Premiership, 68 points to be exact. Villa have let in seven goals through opposition setpieces prior to their match against the mighty Reds. And so, it was inevitable that Liverpool would get three points against the toothless Villans and that the goals came from corners meant that Liverpool exploited Villa's weakness.

Kenny gets it right again – Villa 0 Liverpool 2

Aston Villa 0 Liverpool 2 Premier League – Result – December 18 2011 KENNY DALGLISH'S side came away from Villa Park with a 2-0 win that didn't do their performance justice but ensured they started the hectic festive fortnight with three points and ended the day three points from the Champions League places.

Like so much surrounding Fernando Torres in the past eighteen months, the sudden Twitter explosion about his possible return to Liverpool doesn't make much sense. A seemingly baseless rumor about his current club's willingness to sell for £30million less than he was purchased for eleven months ago, and all of a sudden there's legitimate-seeming people having legitimate-seeming conversations about the likelihood that Liverpool would make a move for him.

Like so much surrounding Fernando Torres in the past eighteen months, the sudden Twitter explosion about his possible return to Liverpool doesn't make much sense. A seemingly baseless rumor about his current club's willingness to sell for £30million less than he was purchased for eleven months ago, and all of a sudden there's legitimate-seeming people having legitimate-seeming conversations about the likelihood that Liverpool would make a move for him.

The past three league matches have seen Charlie Adam paired with three different midfield partners, with each new pairing leading to a slight shift in the focus of Adam's game. From a largely offensive effort when paired with Lucas against Manchester City through to a job as the deepest midfielder against Queens Park Rangers, it's meant an interesting—and surprisingly successful—progression.

It only takes one bad touch for the criticism to start. You know that it's coming as soon as Andy Carroll misplaces a pass or fails to control a ball; the comments that he's not worth the money spent on him, how he's a big mistake, that he's too lazy to try and make it work.
You can even sense some wanting him to fail so that they can tell everyone that they told you so.

With Lucas out for the rest of the season and Steven Gerrard out until January at the very earliest, Liverpool and Kenny Dalglish face an extended run with their two best midfielders sidelined. The club reacted by recalling Jonjo Shelvey on Wednesday, though few expect he's returning to regular starting minutes at Liverpool despite his success on loan with Blackpool, and even fewer would see him as a direct replacement for Lucas in any case.

Arlo White did not come to the Seattle Sounders with expectations of becoming an icon. Surely, he had expectations that he would be successful, but any hopes were far exceeded, as he said in Part 1 of our rather lengthy interview.

In Part 2 of the interview, we delve a little deeper into his relationship with the team and the fans and how that turned a virtual "no-brainer" decision to join NBC into what that required far more thought.

Chelsea defeat by Liverpool piles pressure on André Villas-Boas

• Manager insists he has Roman Abramovich's backing • 'We have set out to build something new at this club' André Villas-Boas has claimed he retains the support of the Chelsea owner, Roman Abramovich, after a third defeat in four Premier League matches cast his side further adrift in the title race.

Chelsea defeat to Liverpool piles pressure on André Villas-Boas

• Manager insists he has Roman Abramovich's backing • 'We have set out to build something new at this club' André Villas-Boas has claimed he retains the support of the Chelsea owner, Roman Abramovich, after a third defeat in four Premier League matches cast his side further adrift in the title race.

Daniel Agger is an oddity in English football: From his angry reaction to being marginalised by Roy Hodgson because he refused to stop trying to play football from the back, to his disgust at Fernando Torres going to play for a rival to the club's ambitions, to his at times brutally honest assessment of how Liverpool has played, there are few so willing to fully speak their mind.

Most sports in recent times have seen huge changes in power as athletes transform their role from minor pawns in the big game to major players in how their respective sports are run and administered. I have to admit that in most cases, it has not come a moment too soon as greedy owners have sought to pillage their sports on the backs of athletes who are restricted to just a small amount of time to make hay and have their day in the sun.

If you could choose one moment that best encapsulates the raw talent of Ravel Morrison, you'd go back a fortnight to a Manchester Senior Cup game against Bolton's Reserves. 93 minutes had passed on what was nothing more than a dour encounter and, with the score at 0-0, Morrison had shifted responsibility upon himself to put things right.

(Image: AP)

If you could choose one moment that best encapsulates the raw talent of Ravel Morrison, you'd go back a fortnight to a Manchester Senior Cup game against Bolton's Reserves. 93 minutes had passed on what was nothing more than a dour encounter and, with the score at 0-0, Morrison had shifted responsibility upon himself to put things right.

Photo by Howard C. Smith/ISIphotos.com

By FRANCO PANIZO

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. - If there was a list of Americans players abroad off to hot starts this season, DaMarcus Beasley would surely be near the top.

For the first time in years, Beasley has begun his club season in good form.

Photo by Howard C. Smith/ISIphotos.com

By FRANCO PANIZO

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. - The U.S. men's national team hit the practice field on Tuesday morning to begin preparations for its upcoming friendly against Honduras, and head coach Jurgen Klinsmann picked things up where he left off in September.

Wigan Athletic were finally beaten in the league at Villa Park in a comfortable win for the home side thanks to a goal in either half. The first, a brilliant effort from Gabby Agbonlahor, who then turned provider for the second; setting up an unmissable effort for Darren Bent in front of the Holte End.

Not since Franck Ribery started his underage prostitute charity program has one footballer seen his value drop so precipitously in such a short frame of time. From a staunch tag of somewhere in the £40m in the summer to, well, that poster on the left.

Home to all the greats, also known as the second division in Northern Ireland.

RVP plans his Emirates getaway if Arsenal scrape along

" I still have almost two years left, so for the moment that's fine. I'm happy with my contract. I can't look into the future. I can't see us talking now because we are so busy. "

What exactly in these words sets off the exit alarm?

Morning all,

there's not a lot needs to be said about today's game. Sometimes you might analyse our team, sometimes their team, sometimes what kind of approach we might take but today really doesn't merit any of that. With Arsenal 17th in the table, and if results conspire against us in a position where we could be bottom later on this afternoon, the only thing we need to look at is three points.

Bellamy takes second chance to impress

Craig Bellamy's previous life at Liverpool is best remembered for his attempts to improve his golf swing by taking a club to John Arne Riise on a team bonding exercise on the Algarve. Bellamy's willingness to make life difficult for.

Conceding late on only to a wonder-goal from Borussia Dortmund yesterday, Arsenal showed a new-found defensive solidity in their opening Champions League game of the season, and what might be the hardest of this group.

It's easy to forget that, with their nine-year absence from the competition, Dortmund are actually in it as German champions this year, and were never going to be easy to play away from home, with German grounds usually providing the best atmosphere in Europe.

Hi folks,
Welcome back to the blog, and it has been a long, long time. A lot has happened since this blog was last active, most it being very, very bad. What the hell has gone wrong?
Too much, and hopefully with a basically new team, that will change this season.
More on that in later blogs, but for now lets get into more current news.

Former Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo insists that although he is living his dream at Real Madrid, he would welcome a return to the Barclays Premier League in the later stages of his career.

Ronaldo's brilliant performances throughout last season guided Real to Copa Del Rey glory last season but considering that the challenge of overcoming Barcelona's overall dominance in Spain remains fresh, the Portuguese international is completely focused on La Liga for now.

Former Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo insists that although he is living his dream at Real Madrid, he would welcome a return to the Barclays Premier League in the later stages of his career.

Ronaldo's brilliant performances throughout last season guided Real to Copa Del Rey glory last season but considering that the challenge of overcoming Barcelona's overall dominance in Spain remains fresh, the Portuguese international is completely focused on La Liga for now.

Less than 90 minutes to go! Does Arsenal have the will and the willingness to splash the cash to end strongly? Mikel Arteta back on again with Jack Wilshere driving the negotiations it appears through his Twitter feed.

Btw, why can't all these negotiations be driven through Twitter? No need for reporters then.

"This is a club with a history in European competition and people throughout the world—at least our supporters—yearn for European nights. That's our first goal." —John Henry

Since arriving at Liverpool, John Henry and the rest of the Fenway Sports Group team have hardly put a foot wrong, immersing themselves in the club's history, bringing back a legend and giving him the support he needed to turn things around, and showing a willingness to invest in the playing staff in a way that hasn't been seen at the club in the Premier League era.

Diego Forlan has said goodbye to Atletico Madrid and he is set to sign for Inter Milan. The Uruguay striker is expected to travel to Milan today (Monday) and sign a two-year contract with Inter.

"It's difficult to say goodbye after four years here and three years at Villarreal," said Forlan in a press conference in Madrid.