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The futures of Pepe Reina, Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard remain in doubt with deeply unpopular Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks attempting to gain sole control over the club and force through a £280m refinancing package with the Blackstone/GSO Group. If the situation at the club looks bad now, it could get even worse if Hicks succeeds with his plan.

In a desperate attempt to hang onto the club, Hicks is attempting to offset the club’s assets against a new loan from Blackstone, whose chairman, Steve Schwarzman, is a personal friend of Hicks. Co-owner George Gillett is reportedly struggling to pay back the £75m loan secured against his 50% stake in the club and Hicks will attempt to buy-out his partner with a loan from Blackstone.

Hicks revealed his devastating plans at a meeting with the club’s board, with chairman Martin Broughton, chief executive Christian Purslow, director Ian Ayre and finance director Philip Nash, all present. The American duo have been given an October 6 deadline to repay the £237m debt they owe to RBS or find a buyer for the club. A buyer looks increasingly unlikely and if the Texan manages to pull off the refinancing deal it will give him another two years in control of the club.

The prospect of having Hicks in charge for another two years will horrify Reds fans who have seen their club piled with debt during the Americans’ three-and-a-half years at the club. The Liverpool board will attempt to block any such move and are seeking legal advice. However they may not have the power to veto the proposal.

Fans have voiced their disapproval over the announcement by starting an e-mail campaign aimed at the Blackstone/GSO Group in an attempt to convince the investors not to provide Hicks with the funds he needs. James McKenna, spokesman for Spirit of Shankly, the Liverpool Supporters’ Union, believes fans will protest should Hicks get his way.

“This is the latest in an on-going soap opera but we don’t want either Hicks or Gillett involved in the club and these plans will be met with the fiercest of protests,” he said.

“These reports are a worry.”

It is believed Roy Hodgson convinced his star players, Torres and Gerrard, to stay over the summer with the promise of new owners who would bring fresh investment and start work on the club’s new stadium. In truth, this short term measure will add more debt onto the club and leave Hodgson without the funds to transform his squad after last season’s dismal seventh placed finish.  It would leave the club in limbo and their star players looking for a move away from Anfield.

The proposed deal is the worst case scenario for Liverpool ahead of the RBS deadline. With Hicks refusing to lower his asking price he is prepared to bide his time until he can sell at the price he wants. Liverpool fans will hope a saviour emerges to rescue their club with an 11th hour bid. If Hicks remains in charge the immediate future certainly seems to be a bleak one for The Reds.

A source close to the deal told ESPN Soccernet:

“If Hicks gets his way, it would be a catastrophe for Liverpool. Besides more debt, higher interest payments and no stadium, it won’t be a question of selling players but whether the players will want to go.

“The players were told by the board in the summer that there would be new owners and a new stadium, and that they would not be sold.

“If the top players can see what is happening, and if it happens, they will want to go, rather than the club wanting to sell them.”

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Liverpool old boy taking the Championship by storm

A look into the future of the Premier League

Arsenal are ready to make a shock move for out-of-favour Chelsea forward Salomon Kalou , according talkSPORT.

The 26-year-old Ivorian is out of contract at the end of the season and, with Andre Villas-Boas ’ blessing, is ready to speak to interested clubs.

Kalou has only managed to start four games for Chelsea this season under AVB and looks set to leave Stamford Bridge in the summer.

This has alerted the attention of Arsene Wenger , who is looking to add to his striking options despite bringing back Arsenal legend Thierry Henry on loan.

It is understood that Wenger will offload either Marouane Chamakh , who seems to have lost his way since the return of Robin van Persie last January, or Andrey Arshavin , who has become more and more ineffective as the years have rolled by since his big money move from Zenit in 2009.

Wenger, who has been linked with Kalou in the past, is thought to have made an enquiry about a proposed move this month, with the Frenchman readying a £3 million bid to land him.

However, Kalou’s reported £90,000-a-week wages could prove to be a problem for the Frenchman, and will have to fight off interest from Italian outfit Juventus if he wants to acquire the Ivory Coast international.

Article courtesy of  Tony Merakli from Gunnersphere

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Nicklas Bendtner, all footballers need an air of arrogance about them to succeed but the big Dane oversteps the mark more than John Terry on Chelsea’s version of ‘Wife Swap’. The striker has become a ridiculed figure after numerous, well lets not beat around the bush, remarkably egotistical comments about his ability and ambitions. ‘I’m very sorry to see Adebayor injured as we need him fit and to be playing in the league. But it does not really matter to me who is fit and available I should start every game, I should be playing every minute of every match and always be in the team.’ (four four two)

It is one thing talking the talk but walking the walk is a totally different matter and as of yet Bendtner’s progress at Arsenal has been more of a slow burn rather than a red hot inferno lighting up the Emirates and despite this the Arsenal man continues spouting absolute gems, such as “I want to be top scorer in the Premier League, top scorer at the World Cup and, within five years, I want to be among the best strikers in the world.” (mirror football) Ok so not the most ludicrous thing for an up and coming forward to say, however this was Bendtner bragging after winning Danish Player of the Year, with all due respect, what was his closest rival? A pastry.

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Even among Arsenal fans, Nicklas Bendtner will never top the popularity charts at the Emirates. I mean even Robbie ‘Everyone hates me but I don’t care’ Savage is embraced and loved by his own fans. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that Bendtner is the same man who missed a sitter in the final moments of Arsenal’s second leg clash against Barcelona costing them a place in Quarter Finals of the Champions League but goes on to justify his enormous weekly salary by saying “There is a price to pay as well for us players…the biggest thing I miss because of football is that I really, really love to go on a skiing holiday but as long as I have my career, I can’t do that because of the risk of being injured.” (The Hardly Normal Best eleven) Comedy gold right there; I’m sure in his retirement there will be enough in the bank to enjoy the odd ski trip but one thing is for sure Bendtner will no doubt be a pro on the slopes, well at least he will think he is.

This next bit is just so brilliant it sounds like it should be made up, in a recent psychological ‘self-percieved competence’ test at Arsenal, the Danish international scored 10, on a scale that only went up to 9, Bendtner is so assured of his ability, he scored off the charts, quite remarkable but probably oh so accurate, especially when you read in an interview from the end of last season with regards to Bendtner’s goal drought a journalist asked Arsene Wenger how would he boost the player’s confidence. The journalist added at the end: “Not that he needs a boost, of course.” The thing is with Arsenal’s ‘homegrown’ forward is that he is not a bad striker, he is just not nearly as good as he says he is. “If you ask me if I am one of the best strikers in the world, I say yes.” (Daily Mail)

Rant Over…kind of, despite his obvious arrogance in abundance, does the self proclaimed Great Dane really warrant the ‘abuse’ I have directed his way in the previous paragraphs? Well yes. The Danish international has been at the North London since 2004 and the signs were promising; with prolific performances in the reserves and impressive showings on loan at Birmingham, which subsequently forced his emergence into the first team squad in the season of 2007/08, Bendtner appeared to really have ‘the bit between his teeth’. But as Arsenal’s team have evolved, it has become apparent that their players need to be versatile, something which Bendtner is not. He is very much a specialist player, who can only offer one thing to the Arsenal side and that, coupled with squandered chances, an innate inability to beat players one-on-one and his lack of aerial prowess considering his height, really means that Arsenal should cash in on any move Bendtner creates for himself with his own media hyperbole.

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Listen to the third episode of our brand new podcast – The Football FanCast. – Featuring Razor Ruddock, Gary O’Reilly and singer/songwriter Alistair Griffin, who performs a live version of his cult tribute to Mark Viduka, with Razor on backing vocals!

When Manchester United won the league in 2008 and 2009, they played a formation that was quite different to the one they employed last season. The team played a 4-3-3 with Cristiano Ronaldo, Carlos Tevez and Wayne Rooney playing as three interchangeable forwards. With the loss of Ronaldo and Tevez at the start of last season, the formation changed largely to that of a 4-5-1, with three central midfielders and two wingers playing behind the lone front-man in the form of Wayne Rooney. The Ronaldo-Rooney-Tevez triumvirate brought great success to Man Utd, picking up two league titles and a Champions League triumph. This season, Sir Alex Ferguson may just have the personnel to replicate that formula, with Berbatov and Hernandez available for selection. Hernandez is obviously relatively unproven, and Berbatov is yet to find his true form for United, but this has the potential to form a devastating strikeline that would strike fear into the hearts of Premier League defences.

In Manchester United’s first game of the current season, a 4-4-2 formation was employed. It was one that Ferguson also used last season, with two central midfielders, two classic wingers in the form of Nani and Antonio Valencia, and two strikers in Berbatov and Rooney. This might well be the formation that Ferguson uses for the majority of the season, that is as long as Berbatov is firing. If he is not Hernandez could be brought in, or Ferguson could revert back to the 4-5-1 he used last season. The formation worked against Newcastle, but there will be much tougher tasks for Man Utd as they take on the top sides at home and abroad. In this case, and especially in away games, it is probable that Sir Alex will want to have three in the centre of midfield. In this case United could play a 4-5-1, or they could use a 4-3-3.

The latter formation could prove to be a potent attacking force for Man Utd this season. Javier Hernandez has pace to burn and could operate anywhere in a front three. Dimitar Berbatov is probably most suited to a central striking role, with his first touch and ability to hold up the ball a great asset going forward. The Bulgarian is no slouch however, and he has the ability to pick out killer passes so he could also interchange within a front three. In the Ronaldo-Rooney-Tevez trio, Rooney was given a free role, and although he scored less goals he also set more up, and was able to use his energy to greater effect. With three midfielders behind them, Rooney, Berbatov and Hernandez would have license to concentrate solely on attack, and few defences would fancy their chances of holding out.

The formation does have its drawbacks however. Tevez and Ronaldo were tremendously gifted players and are not easily replaced, there is no guarantee that the formation with different personnel would enjoy the same success. Hernandez looks a great talent but is still unproven, whilst Berbatov has tremendous ability but does not always perform. Rooney, playing as a lone striker last season, scored more goals in that position. The formation might also lack width, if Ferguson did select these three forwards it is unlikely that he would also pick Nani and Valencia and this could pose its own problems.

Sir Alex Ferguson has lots of options this season, something he perhaps lacked somewhat last term. As of yet we do not know what formation he is going to settle on, but the 4-3-3 will definitely be worth a try, if it plays as well as it looks on paper, Manchester United could have a fearsome frontline this season.

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Manchester City travel to the Midlands to face West Brom desperate to keep their noses ahead of rivals United at the top of the Premier League table.

They’ll be in for one of their tougher fixtures of the season against Roy Hodgson’s side who will be full of confidence after two successive wins on the road. The Baggies have soared up into the top half table on the back of those two victories and now sit seven points clear of the relegation zone. A mixed start to the season left Hodgson and his players facing a battle to pull themselves away from danger but after beating struggling Blackburn at Ewood Park last Saturday they emerged victorious from their trip to Newcastle four days later to fly into 10th. That win on Tyneside was arguably their finest performance of the campaign as they tore the Magpies apart on their own patch. Shane Long and Peter Odemwingie were the stars of the shower as they terrorised the Newcastle back four with their pace and movement with Odemwingie scoring for the second successive game. Those two will need to be on top form if Albion are to end 2011 on a high against the champions elect.

City have been simply delicious this year and will be hoping to end it in style starting with victory over West Brom to keep themselves ahead in the title race. Roberto Mancini delivered the FA Cup and Champions League football in 2011 but holding the Premier League title aloft in 2012 is the Italians primary objective. Their lead over fierce rivals United has been cut to just two points over the last month or so and maintaining that advantage will be tough going into the New Year. Defeat to Chelsea looked like it could possibly derail their challenge for the title but wins and clean sheets against Arsenal and Stoke in the space of four days has put them back on track. With a squad possessing players like Sergio Agüero and David Silva it’s inconceivable that City could throw away their chance at claiming Premier League glory. They’ll begin the second phase of their mission at the Hawthorns and will be confident of providing the Citizens faithful with a late Christmas present in the Midlands.

West Brom 10th : 21 points 

Team news: Albion will be without key players Youssuf Mulumbu and Steven Reid after both picked up injuries at Newcastle on Wednesday. James Morison could return after missing the trip to Tyneside.

Key Player: Shane Long

What a season it’s been for Albion’s record signing so far with his performance against Newcastle arguably his best since he joined the club. Long’s pace and movement made him unplayable and he’ll be eager to pit his wits against City’s world class back four.

Manchester City 1st : 44 points 

Team news: City are still without Micah Richards and Edin Dzeko but have no other injuries to report.

Key Player: Sergio Agüero

The Argentinean has been in stunning form since his big money summer move and with 16 goals to his name already he is already a shoe in for the Golden Boot. Will be expected to provide more goals in 2012 to ensure his debut season in England ends in success.

PREDICTION

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West Brom will be full of confidence after consecutive wins but come up against a City side who are desperate to keep their place on top of the league. Roberto Mancini’s side should have more than enough to see off Albion at the Hawthorns.

Score: 0-3 

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Premier League footballers are not always the most reasonable bunch and it often seems like their money goes to their head. There have been a whole host of players who have taken action when they have sought a move in order to ensure that they can go to a bigger club and earn a bit more money. One of the first players to do this in the modern game was Pierre Van Hooijdonk who was after a move to Nottingham Forest and said of his contract dispute with Celtic that “£7,000 a week may be good for the homeless, but not for an international striker.” The Dutch international has set the trend, are here are 10 more Premier League ‘Scallywags’ who forced their transfer moves…

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Click on the image below to see the TOP 10 PL ‘Scallywags’:

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Two teams that are at the heart of the history of English football, both Liverpool and Arsenal will be looking to put disappointing seasons behind them when they meet at Anfield in the Premier League on Sunday. Matches between the Reds and the Gunners have thrown up their fair share of classics in the past, here are a few of them…

Liverpool 0-2 Arsenal (1989): The final match of the 1988/89 season saw the top two teams in the league go head-to-head and arguably remains the most exciting conclusion to a football season in England. Arsenal needed to win the game by two goals to win the title and thanks to a last minute goal from Michael Thomas, they did just that…

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Liverpool 4-4 Arsenal (2009): What a game! Eight goals and bags of action. Both teams had the lead at one point in this topsy-turvy encounter, but it will be remembered as the match when Arsenal’s Andrey Arshavin netted an incredible four times. But it was left to Liverpool’s Yossi Benayoun to have the final say in the match…

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Liverpool 4-2 Arsenal (2008): An enthralling game, Emmanuel Adebayor had put Arsenal ahead on away goals after a storming run by Theo Walcott, but Ryan Babel ensured that the Anfield faithful would be going home happy. First the Dutchman won a penalty which Steven Gerrard converted, then he scored a forth to put the result beyond doubt…

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Arsenal 1-2 Liverpool (2001): This match will be remembered as Michael Owen’s final. Two late goals led to heartbreak for Arsene Wenger’s side as it ensured that Liverpool would lift the FA Cup in 2001. Here’s Owen’s late winner which left David Seaman grasping at thin air…

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Liverpool 3-6 Arsenal (2007): This League cup encounter had goals, goals and more goals! Julio Baptista netted an incredible four times and even though the Liverpool team wasn’t at full strength, scoring six goals at Anfield is still some feat. Here are the nine goals in all their glory…

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Summer signing Scott Parker has stated that if Tottenham’s form continues they can challenge for the title, and feels his current side are the best he has played for.

A comfortable 3-0 win over Bolton on Saturday makes it nine wins in ten games for Harry Redknapp’s men, who are currently third in the Premier League behind the Manchester clubs.

Parker wants the excellent run of form to continue, and for the White Hart Lane outfit to be in contention come May.

“At the moment our form suggests we can get up there and give it a go,” he told Sky Sports.

“There is still a long way for us to go. It is new for us but we are consistent at the moment and long may it continue.

“On our day we can beat anyone but you have got to realise that when you are at the top you have got to come out with three points even when you are not playing well by grinding out results, and on a couple of occasions this year we have done that,” he added.

The England international won the Premier League November player of the month award after impressive showings, and his doggedness in the centre of the park has released some of Spurs’ more attacking players.

Parker has hailed the ability of the forwards at the club, and feels this is the most able group of players that he has been a part of.

“I’ve probably not played in a team that plays better football than this one.

“We have an exceptional team and it is a joy to play in it every week. There are some very good players – not just in the team, but in the squad as well.

“At any moment in any game we have got players who can score goals and change a game,” he concluded.

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Parker’s battling qualities will be needed next Sunday, as Tottenham travel to take on Stoke at the Britannia Stadium.

By Gareth McKnight

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West Bromwich Albion manager Roy Hodgson bares no grudge against former employers Liverpool ahead of their clash on Saturday.Hodgson had a disappointing few months in charge of Liverpool before vacating the Anfield hot seat in January.

“There is no vindication factor with Liverpool at all. I enjoyed my time at Liverpool, well to say I enjoyed the time would not be strictly true. I respected my time there,” he said on Friday.

“I was treated correctly in every respect by the club. I had a very good relationship with the players, who I thought did their very best for me.”

“It did not work out either for them or for me during that period of time and I’m very pleased to see it is working out for them now.”

Kenny Dalglish has since taken over the reins at Anfield – a popular choice as he won three league championships in his previous stint in charge of the club.

Dalglish expressed an interest in taking over and Hodgson admitted it was tough having someone so well thought of waiting to jump in the lead role.

“It’s difficult to compete with an icon. I came into the right club but perhaps I didn’t come at the right time because Kenny did make it clear at the time that he wanted the job. When things didn’t go well, having him in the background wasn’t easy,” Hodgson admitted.

“It wouldn’t have been easy for any manager. There’s always someone in the wings who is a little bit of an icon ready to take over if the results don’t go their way.”

With West Brom just one point clear of the relegation zone, Hodgson stressed the importance of the fixture.

“It’s another game – but it means a lot because we only have eight games left and each one means a lot. Of course I desperately hope it is not going to work out for Liverpool tomorrow afternoon,” he said.

“After those 90 minutes I can go back to wishing them well and hoping they finish as high in the league as possible.”

“My time at Liverpool is over and I’m very happy in my job here. I’m disappointed of course that I did not get the full three years I was hoping for but I have been in football long enough to know sometimes that’s what happens – especially when there is a change of ownership during your time at the club.”

“I was realistic, I knew the risk and I am still disappointed it did not work out but I have no bad feelings about Liverpool as a city. Certainly I don’t have any bad feelings about the football club and the people I worked with.”

Midfielder Graham Dorrans (ankle) will definitely miss the game.

Benfica and Brazil midfielder Ramires has urged his current club's supporters to understand why he has chosen to leave Lisbon to join Chelsea.

The 23-year-old is poised to complete a big-money switch to Stamford Bridge, with a fee of around £18million having been agreed between the two clubs.

Ramires told A Bola after opting to leave the Portuguese champions:"I hope everyone understands this decision. This is football and this outcome is good for the club and for me.

"I love this club. I took Benfica into my heart. I am very happy. I will never forget how I got here, where I was a champion, where I improved and I was very happy. It was a wonderful year.

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"I hope that everyone understands that it was a very good opportunity for me on a personal, sporting and financial level."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email