Denmark striker Nicklas Bendtner has shaken off an ankle injury to start for his country in their World Cup Qualifier against Hungary tonight. Speedy winger Theo Walcott claims a surprising start in England's WCQ versus Andorra at the Olympic Stadium. Johan Djourou continues in defence for Switzerland v Israel while Arsenal's French trio Bacary Sagna, William Gallas [. Click to continue reading...

Now that is one very fine fake photo, don't you think? (It's actually an enhanced (in more way than one, if you ask me) version of the HDC, site of Dynamo's third championship postgame celebration.) Unfortunately, I can not take credit for it, which goes instead to the excellent blog The Original Winger. Click to continue reading...

After the delusion that was the Olympic games, the Azzurrini returned to the pitch to continue qualifying for the UEFA 2009 U21 Championships. The big story was the debut of Mario Balotelli, who after receiving Italian citizenship a few weeks ago was finally eligible to be called up. The Azzurrini needed a win to guarantee first place in the qualifying group, but anything less meant they would have to conquer qualification on Tuesday in Croatia.

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ALBERT RIERA is hoping to repeat his first experience of English football by helping Rafael Benitez finally break his Manchester United hoodoo.

The Spain international left-winger was unveiled at Melwood yesterday after arriving from Espanyol on Monday's transfer deadline day for an initial £5. Click to continue reading...

Jermaine Pennant is set to extend his contract with Liverpool, although questions remain over his future at the club.

According to The Times, the Reds will take up their option to add a fourth year to Pennant's current deal, which will expire at the end of the season.

However, there are still doubts over the 25-year-old's long-term prospects at Anfield, especially as he is yet to feature at all for the club this season. Click to continue reading...

Albert Riera believes that Liverpool will be able to challenge for all four trophies that they are competing for this season after joining the club at the end of the transfer window.

The former Espanyol winger knows that expectations at Anfield are high and is confident that the current squad has the ability to try and win the quadruple this term. Click to continue reading...

The Czech (who scored against Fiorentina) continues to dream of a Champions League title at his age (36): "I'm willing to give up everything -including golf- other than my family. The club did a great job with the new acquisitions. Our opponents will have to sweat to beat us"

VINOVO (Turin), 4 September 2008 - At 36 years of age, Pavel Nedved has not given up on his dream of winning a Champions League title. Click to continue reading...

RAFAEL BENITEZ has assured Jermaine Pennant he won't freeze him out at Liverpool.

The Anfield manager was prepared to let the winger leave the club during the recent transfer window.

Pennant had talks with both Stoke City and Blackburn Rovers but ultimately declined the advances of both clubs. Click to continue reading...

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez welcomed new signing Albert Riera to Anfield today - then admitted the player's former Premier League employers could be title contenders this season.

The Spanish winger spent six months on loan with Manchester City in his previous spell in English football and although it was an unmemorable stint for player and club, the prospects of both have flourished this week. Click to continue reading...

So Rafa ended the summer transfer window with a new winger signing in the form of Espanyol's Albert Riera, but should he have opted for one of these three instead of the former Manchester City loanee? Don't forget to check out Online Football Manager! Ricardo Quaresma Derided for filling too many rumour mill . Click to continue reading...

I don't really know too much about either player that Liverpool and Everton signed on the transfer deadline day, but I'll give my comments based upon what I've read.

Liverpool seemed to get the player they wanted in Albert Riera, a left winger who should provide a lot of ammunition for Fernando Torres, Robbie Keane, and the rest of Liverpool's goal scorers. Click to continue reading...

Chelsea forward Salomon Kalou is not often considered one of the elite players plying his trade in the Premier League. He is not a full-time starter for his club team, has been called an inconsistent performer and has yet to bless any big games with sensational performances.

Kalou first arrived in England during the tenure of Jose Mourinho. Click to continue reading...

Albert Riera did not consider joining another club after discovering he was a target of Liverpool.

The former Espanyol winger moved to Anfield on Monday as Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez paid an undisclosed fee ahead of the transfer window deadline.

And having completed his move to Merseyside, Reira, who had a loan spell at Manchester City in 2006, is looking forward to the challenge. Click to continue reading...

Hello all. I'm still alive if anyone was wondering, I just haven't had a good chance to write in ages. Since I last posted we won 3-0 against Newcastle which was a great result, and the transfer window closed last night. I waited up watching the news tickers on and off all day hoping for Xabi Alonso, or anyone else for that matter, and it just never happened. Click to continue reading...

Pick up a newspaper today and the chances are the back pages are filled with talk of Robinho, Berbatov and the many other players moving to new clubs before the Premier League transfer window closed last night.

Yet for all the players grabbing the headlines and milking the spotlight, there are those that have been shown the door to make way for them in recent weeks. Click to continue reading...

Liverpool have this evening completed the signings of Brazilian striker Vitor Flora and Spanish winger Albert Riera. Flora arrives at Anfield on a free transfer from Botafogo and Riera has completed his £8 million move from La Liga side Espanyol after weeks of speculation over his future.

Flora, 18, has an Italian passport and consequently didn't need a work permit to move to Liverpool. Click to continue reading...

The Daily Telegraph is reporting that Newcastle United manager Kevin Keegan has made an £8M transfer bid for Chelsea's French international winger, Florent Malouda. Florent Malouda - Toon have bid ? 8M We have been linked with Malouda for a couple of weeks but that the deal would only be made if Chelsea could secure the services [. Click to continue reading...

Liverpool have signed Spain winger Albert Riera from Espanyol for an undisclosed fee.

The 26-year-old has signed a four-year contract at Anfield after choosing Rafael Benitez's side over a host of other clubs including neighbours Everton.

Riera, who has been given the number 11 shirt at Anfield, has previously played in the Premier League in the 2005-06 season when he was on loan at Manchester City. Click to continue reading...

Liverpool have signed Brazilian striker Vitor Flora on a free transfer.

The 18-year-old spent last season playing in his homeland with Botafogo and has signed a contract until 2010.

He holds an Italian passport so he does not require a work permit, however, he will need to gain international clearance before playing for the Reds. Click to continue reading...

Notable arrivals: Ibrahima Sonko (Reading), Amdy Faye (Charlton), Abdoulaye Faye (Newcastle United), Thomas Sorensen (Aston Villa), Seyi Olofinjana (Wolves), Dave Kitson (Reading) Notable departures: Anthony Pulis (Southampton), Marlon Broomes (Blackpool) Potters ready to pry winger away from Liverpool Pulis has. Click to continue reading...

Underperforming Liverpool were lucky to escape the second city with a point on Sunday.  Gerrard is out recovering from surgery, likely back in a week or more.  Torres pulled up with a hamstring injury in the first third of the match.  Rafa crowded the midfield, neutralized the service to Carew and Agbonlahor, allowing the Reds to escape with a point. Click to continue reading...

Notable arrivals: Ibrahima Sonko (Reading), Amdy Faye (Charlton), Abdoulaye Faye (Newcastle United), Thomas Sorensen (Aston Villa), Seyi Olofinjana (Wolves), Dave Kitson (Reading) Notable departures: Anthony Pulis (Southampton), Marlon Broomes (Blackpool) Potters ready to pry winger away from Liverpool Pulis has. Click to continue reading...

It can't be much fun being told that you're surplus to requirements at your current club. However, this is appearently what's happened at Anfield, with Rafael Benitez kindly explaining to this Liverpool winger that his future lies elsewhere. Will he be moving to a new club on Monday? The Daily Mail . Click to continue reading...

Nobody can say this year's promoted clubs are sitting quietly this summer. Stoke City are believed to have a deal for Jermaine Pennant about to be finalized. The winger has been reportedly told that if he doesn't make the move... Click to continue reading...

Liverpool's chief executive Rick Parry insists that the fighting within Anfield is now over. Rows between Parry and Rafa Benitez over who would and wouldn't be signing for the Reds, along with the fallout between owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett, threatened to see chaos decent. However Parry says that stability has been restored and everyone is now pulling in the right direction, as he explained to Sky Sports:

'Everyone is working together. Click to continue reading...