Torres fit for Real big ones

FERNANDO TORRES has handed Liverpool a major fitness boost ahead of the two matches which could define their season.

The Spanish striker picked up an ankle injury in the 1-0 win at Real Madrid last week and did not play against Middlesbrough and Sunderland.

But he is confident he will be fit for the second leg of the Champions League tie with Real at Anfield on Tuesday.

And barring any setbacks, that would also see him in the line-up for the crucial trip to Manchester United a week tomorrow.

Torres said: “The injury has been giving me trouble and the recovery is taking longer than I hoped.

“I am optimistic I will be ready for Real and if the ankle holds out, I will also be at Old Trafford.”

Kop team-mate Javier Mascherano reckons Liverpool have three games to save their season.

After Real and United, they host top-four rivals Aston Villa. The Argie said: “It’s important we do not slip away in the table.

“Let’s not talk about the title, let’s make sure we win our matches.”

BOSS: SHOW ME YOU'RE THE REAL DEAL

Rafa Benitez has challenged his players to earn their places against Real Madrid when Sunderland visit Anfield tonight.

The boss is hoping for a reaction against Ricky Sbragia's side following the 2-0 defeat in Middlesbrough.

A victory this evening could elevate Liverpool back above second-placed Chelsea, who travel to Portsmouth, while it would also lift spirits at Melwood ahead of next Tuesday's Champions League second round return against Real.

Benitez said: "I think that it is important for the players to understand that we are now checking everyone and analysing everything so they have to prove in every training session and in every game that they are ready for playing against Real Madrid.

"We are thinking about the Champions League as a major opportunity to win a trophy and the game coming up against Madrid as a chance to be in the next round where we want to be."

He added: "The important thing is always about getting three points from the next game and in this case it is at home against Sunderland.

"If we do win then we can see what the situation is in the table but for us the challenge is to approach every game thinking about winning.

"I think we have improved but we need to show this and we need to prove this until the end of the season.

"We have to keep on going and see if we can take three points in this game and then see what happens with United.

"The fact that this game has come very, very soon is positive for us."

Gerrard is in a Mad rush

STEVEN GERRARD is still battling to make the Champions League crunch with Real Madrid.

Skipper Gerrard is in the squad jetting off this morning, after missing Liverpool’s last two games with a torn hamstring.

But after returning to full training only late last week, boss Rafa Benitez will give Gerrard as long as possible to make tomorrow’s game.

Benitez said yesterday: “Steven was OK in training this morning. But it was a special training session, so we were not testing him fully.”

If Liverpool take a chance on the England midfielder and it backfires, they risk adding to the three weeks he has already been absent.

Meanwhile, Benitez wants to create a new Kop dynasty and possibly remain at the club as long as Alex Ferguson has been at Manchester United.

Despite the protracted wrangle over his new contract, the Spaniard insisted he would stay on to become the longest-serving manager in Kop history.

Asked if he would remain as long as Fergie — more than 22 years — he said: “Why not? Why not? If you keep winning titles, it can be good.”

Carragher: Forget about it, Chelsea

JAMIE CARRAGHER has told Chelsea to forget about winning the Premier League.

Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson last night claimed Chelsea had blown their title chances by sacking manager Phil Scolari.

And Liverpool defender Carragher agrees, insisting the race is now down to the Reds and United.

He said: "We finished fourth last season but we have overtaken Chelsea and Arsenal.

"Just overtaking Chelsea and Arsenal in the challenge is an achievement in itself already so everyone should be proud of that.

"Even though everyone at the club understands that it's not over yet by a long way, it looks like it is going to be us and Manchester United for the title.

"A lot of people said at the start of the season that we needed to be in the title race at the end and at least be in with a fighting chance.

"Now hopefully we can go one step further and win this title.

"There are still a lot of games to go, so it's important everyone at the club remains calm."

Fernando Torres

Euro 2008 and Offensive Oranje

Hola!

Its been a long time since the last post..hehehe..im pretty tired lately.. having working until the dawn..when i met my beloved bed, no one can possibly wake me up..hahahaha..ok..working is working but now is the Euro Fever in Austria-Swiss...very2 interesting tournament in Europe when England isnt there...no more Beckhamania..slipped John Terry and Rooney the Predator..hahaha..now the focus on the teams which are being considered as favorites in the tournament as Greece,Spain,Germany and lads in the "Death Group" -France,Italy and Holland..not to mention Romania leads by Chivu and Mutu..a lot of drama happened and will take place soon as the co-host was the first to be eliminated..the Swiss is rolled out(i prefer Swiss roll..hahaha) and stunning performance by Luka Modric and lads from croatia when the destroyed ballack and co with 2-1 winner...and the very biggest surprise is the Oranje or should i called the Offensive Oranje..hehehe... i saw them playing last night against france led by henry..what a stunning performance..marco van basten is the man..with the inspiration of fielding five midfielders and van nistelrooy as a lone striker, they sink france by 3 goals margin and the opener is kuyt from liverpool...hahahahaha..what a man!!! i love to see them playing..passing the ball around and create rooms for the attacking mids and the striker to test the goalkeeper-coupet..the outfield the france mids!! very2 cool performance...and the france lead by the creative ribery also posed a lot of threats...also a good displays by ribery..the formation displayed by the oranje was absolutely brilliant..im looking forward to see the fielding that formation again...and maybe they have the biggest chance to lift the europe this time!

Man Utd vs Chelsea - Final Champions League

Unfortunate Night for Stars

UEFA Champions League Final in Moscow is over...finally Man.Utd (i hate this club!!) being crowned as European Champions after a lot of controversial scenes during the match influenced by the officials especially the referee and those two linesman....they are sucks!!! Luboš Michĕl is the suck-est man on the pitch!!! his decisions on the pitch were entirely on Man Utd's side..bola Evra yang sepak pn die ckp Joe Cole yg wat..pastu dpat goal kick kat Man Utd...bnyk kali jadi...Ronaldo sepak bola melayang pn die bagi corner kick..die ckp kne kaki Joe Cole..padahal Ronaldo sepak bola tu tah ke mane..bengong la ref!! tackle bodoh pn bnyk die wat x tahu...tu yg ferdinand S**L angkat kaki smpai kepala pn die wat xtau...tibe2 drogba kne kad merah sbb cuit pipi Vidic pn satu hal..padahal skit je sentuh...trus dapat kad merah...xde nk bg amaran dlu...heeeee!!! s**l punye ref!! kalo man u yg men mesti jadi cmni!!! ref not fair!!!

pastu..penalti..ronaldo x score!! hahahahahaha....bodoh btol...belagak je lebih..xde nasib kate penyokong mu..padahal dah mmg xleh nk score...hahahaha...drogba pn xde luck..kne buang padang sbb cuit pipi vidic..ref punye pasal la...msti ade scandal ni...dah tu terry...cian die..hahaha..terpeleot mcam beckham dlu jugek mase amek penalti..semua star players ade bad luck mlm tu..hahahaha..cian die...ape2 pn..tahniah chelsea...kalah pn kalah penalty..sbb ref yg x adil..kalo suh subkidin yg jadi ref pn ok ape..hahaha...to man u..watch out for THE REDS!! season depan korang xkn duk selesa!!!!