Europa League Group K opponents and dates

Liverpool have been drawn alongside Steaua Bucharest, Napoli and Utrecht in Europa League Group K.

It means Roy Hodgson's men will face a reunion with Andrea Dossena in a first ever meeting with Diego Maradona's former club.

Liverpool took on Steaua back in the 2003-04 season when Gerard Houllier's men secured a 2-1 aggregate success in the UEFA Cup, second round.

Djimi Traore got the all-important away goal in Romania before Harry Kewell netted in a 1-0 triumph at Anfield as the Reds notched up a landmark 50^th victory in the competition.

The clash with Utrecht will also see us play our first competitive match against the Dutch side, for whom current goalkeeping coach John Achterberg featured for prior to his move to Tranmere Rovers.

Liverpool will start off their Europa League Group K campaign with an Anfield clash against Steaua Bucharest on Thursday, September 16.

The first away trip for Roy Hodgson's men will be Holland and a visit to Utrecht on Thursday, September 30.

The Reds will complete their Group with an Anfield return against Utrecht on Wednesday, December 15.

Europa League Group Group K fixtures

Thursday, September 16. Liverpool v Steaua Bucharest. Kick-off 8.05pm.

Thursday, September 30. Utrecht v Liverpool. Kick-off 6pm.

Thursday, October 21. Napoli v Liverpool. Kick-off 6pm.

Thursday, November 4. Liverpool v Napoli. Kick-off 8.05pm.

Thursday, December 2. Steaua Bucharest v Liverpool. Kick-off 6pm.

Wednesday, December 15. Liverpool v Utrecht. Kick-off 8.05pm.

The draw in full:

Group A: Juventus, Manchester City, FC Salzburg, Lech Poznan

Group B: Atletico Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, Rosenborg, Aris Thessaloniki FC

Group C: Sporting Lisbon, Lille, Levski Sofia, Gent

Group D: Villarreal, Club Brugge, Dinamo Zagreb, PAOK

Group E: AZ Alkmaar, Dynamo Kiev, FC Bate, FC Sheriff

Group F: CSKA Moscow, Palermo, Sparta Prague, Lausanne

Group G: Zenit St Petersburg, Anderlecht, AEK Athens, Hadjuk Split

Group H: VFB Stuttgart, Getafe, Odense BK, Young Boys

Group I: PSV Eindhoven, Sampdoria, FC Metalist Kharkviv, Debrecen

Group J: Sevilla, Paris St Germain, Borussia Dortmund, FC Karpaty Lviv

Group K: Liverpool, Steaua Bucharest, Napoli, Utrecht

Group L: FC Porto, Besiktas, CSKA Sofia, Rapid Vienna

Source: LiverpoolFc.tv

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Europa League: Trabzonspor 1-2 Liverpool goal highlights

Liverpool secured a safe passage into the group stage of the Europa League after grinding out a 2-1 win over Trabzonspor in Turkey as Roy Hodgson became the first Reds boss since Bill Shankly to win his first four European games in charge of the club.

The home side could not have wished for a better start as Teofilo Gutierrez converted inside the opening three minutes to void Ryan Babel's first-leg Anfield winner of one week ago.

Trabzonspor dominated the opening 45 and should have perhaps furthered their lead through captain Ibrahima Yattara, who was guilty of spurning an inviting headed opportunity.

Liverpool were much improved after the break, though David Ngog headed well when he perhaps should have found the back of the net with an unmarked header from inside the six-yard box.

However, their renewed vigour was rewarded when Remzi Giray Kacar put Glen Johnson's cross through his own net before Dirk Kuyt tapped home a winner with just seconds to spare to ensure the Reds' European adventure will continue this season and help Hodgson equal a milestone set by Shankly over four decades ago. [Read more…]

   

 

Sources: LiverpoolFC.tv, RUTube

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Michael Owen to pull on the colours of Liverpool

Michael Owen is back on Merseyside after leaving Liverpool six years ago. He will be wearing a Liverpool shirt again.

 

He will be featured in Jamie Carragher’s testimonial match against Everton XI at Anfield next weekend. Owen, reviled by some Liverpool fans after crossing one of the game's oldest divides, is said to be uncertain of the reaction he will get from the Anfield crowd but does not have great expectations considering the abuse when he returned last season for the first time since joining their rivals at Old Trafford.

Sir Alex Ferguson, the United manager, has given him permission to play for 45 minutes. Besides Owen, Carragher has also persuaded Jamie Redknapp, Danny Murphy, Jason McAteer, Robbie Fowler, Steve McManaman, Dietmar Hamann and Emile Heskey to play for Liverpool XI.

The Anfield match on Saturday, September 4 will celebrate Carragher's illustrious career to date and raise cash for Merseyside children's charities. Current Blues boss David Moyes is set to manage the Everton XI.

Welcome home, Michael. We will go easy on you. Enjoy your day at Anfield.

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Transfer rumours: Kuyt and Mascherano latest

Roy Hodgson has reiterated that Dik Kuyt is not for sale, insisting the Dutchman is a key part of his Liverpool plans.

It has been suggested in some quarters that the 30-year-old's future could lay elsewhere other than Anfield, but the manager was robust when answering questions from journalists about the forward's future.

   "We have not received any offer. Dirk Kuyt has not told me he wants to go.

"We don't want an offer and at this very late stage in transfer window it would be remarkably unusual for us to accept an offer for a player we don’t want to lose and for money we don't want.

"I need the player, I don't need money." Hodgson told a press conference in Turkey.

Hodgson continues to deny any knowledge of Kuyt wanting to leave despite suggestions by his agent that talks between the two clubs are continuing.

Meanwhile, Rob Jansen has claimed that the Dutch forward wants to leave the club and that talks are ongoing between Liverpool and Inter Milan, who former Reds boss Rafa Benitez departed for this summer.

Hodgson also revealed there have been no new developments in the future of Javier Mascherano, who continues to be linked with Barcelona.

The Argentina captain was left out of Monday's Barclays Premier League clash with Manchester City by the boss and did not join the squad in travelling to Turkey today.

But Hodgson said he hoped there would be a conclusion one way or the other in the next few days and did not rule out selecting the Argentina captain for Sunday's Premier League match at home to West Brom.

   "As far as I know there have been no further developments since the last time I spoke to the press.

"The fact he's not here is, I guess, because the negotiations are on going between the clubs. If he played here tomorrow it might prejudice the transfer.

"I don't wish to do anything like that to the player. I don't wish to prejudice his transfer by forcing him onto the field in a game which might make it difficult.

"But I am seriously hoping things will be sorted out in the next couple of days one way or another. I have no idea which way that will be.

"Going into Sunday's game (against West Brom), I think I am entitled to have the player available for selection if he is going to continue to be a Liverpool player.

"Tomorrow night was never a question, but Sunday is very much a question because I think that by Sunday I should know whether he is going to play for Liverpool this season or Barcelona." Hodgson told a press conference in Turkey.

Hodgson also quashed the press’ speculations on the multitude of strikers linked with Liverpool in recent days such as David Trezeguet, Mario Gomez and Carlton Cole. He simply answered the press, “None of those players are likely to be playing for Liverpool this season.”

Source: LiverpoolFC.tv

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No Gerrard, Torres and Jovanovic for Trabzon clash

Liverpool will be without star duo Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres for their Europa League trip to Trabzonspor, Roy Hodgson today confirmed.

Gerrard has a back problem while the club has decided not to risk Torres playing a third successive game following his injury troubles.

Both are expected to be fit for Sunday's clash with West Bromwich Albion. The recurrence of the back problem for Steven Gerrard and Hodgson needs to protect his star striker, Torres, has left Liverpool’s squad a little bit short of firepower.

Milan Jovanovic did not travel to Turkey for today's Europa League clash with Trabzonspor after figuring in all five of the Reds' fixtures so far this season.

However, Hodgson confirmed Jovanovic could return to face the Baggies.

Hodgson will also be without Daniel Agger (concussion) and Maxi Rodriguez (illness) for the jaunt to Turkey.

Liverpool squad v Trabzonspor: Reina, Gulacsi, Hansen, Johnson, Kelly, Skrtel, Carragher, Krygiakos, Aurelio, Cole, Spearing, Poulsen, Lucas, Pacheco, Shelvey, Babel, Kuyt, Ngog, Eccleston.

Source: LiverpoolFC.tv

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Duo leaves Anfield for loan move

Liverpool have confirmed Alberto Aquilani has completed the formalities of his loan switch to Juventus.

The Italian midfielder, who successfully completed his medical earlier this week, has put pen to paper on a one-year loan deal, with Juventus having the option of making the move permanent at the end of the season.

Juventus also announced that an agreement has been reached with Liverpool for the loan of Alberto Aquilani with the option to buy the player at the end of the season for £13million.

Meanwhile, Krisztian Nemeth has joined Greek outfit Olympiacos.

The Hungary international was signed from MTK Hungaria in 2007 but despite several pre-season first team appearances, he never made his bow at a competitive level.

Nemeth will now team up with former Reds winger Albert Riera at Olympiacos.

I wish them all the best in their footballing career.

Source: LiverpoolFC.tv

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Transfer rumours: Mascherano latest

Barcelona were understood to be renewing the bid for Javier Mascherano after the coach Pep Guardiola admitted that he wanted to sign a defensive midfielder. The comment comes in light of Mascherano's refusal to play for Liverpool at Manchester City.

The Catalan giants have now gone public on their interest, and the midfielder has openly expressed his desire to leave Anfield.

It has been reported that an initial bid of £12million, plus Alexander Hleb, was dismissed out of hand by Liverpool, but the first bid was closer to £18million - though that figure was still some way off Liverpool's £25million valuation.

Barcelona are prepared to offer Liverpool Alexander Hleb again plus Martin Cáceres in part exchange, to increase the bid beyond the current £25million. Pressure is building on the new president and sporting director from Guardiola to get the deal done.

Yaya Touré departure from Nou Camp on a similar price and having failed to secure the Arsenal captain they now have a vacant slot in central midfield that Guardiola believes has to be filled.

Barcelona may have one problem, though, with sources suggesting that a late bid from Internazionale should not be ruled out.

This story has been reproduced from the media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.

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Mystery investor to buyout Liverpool Football Club

Last week Hong Kong-based businessman Kenny Huang - whose interest was allied to the Chinese government - pulled out of the bidding process, while Syrian-Canadian Yahya Kirdi's much-publicised interest has been treated with scepticism.

Fresh news from the press has indicated that an overseas buyer is considering making an offer of between £400million and £500million for Liverpool. According to Keith Harris, a renowned deal-broker and former Football League chairman, who has had a hand in the sales of Aston Villa, West Ham and Manchester City in the past, said due diligence has already been done.

Harris also said the party he was representing was not one mentioned publicly before.

   ''The overseas buyer we represent has completed due diligence. A huge amount of work has been done.

''It is none of the groups mentioned in the press. The ball is now in our client's court to make an offer.

''I do not think the deal will be done before the transfer window closes this month but the next pressure point is October when some of the RBS loan of £237million has to be repaid.

''It may happen then. But in the present climate these things are impossible to predict.'' he told the media.

A spokesman for the Liverpool board's sales process declined to comment on any specifics but did say: "We can only reiterate what we said about ten days ago that the board are evaluating a number of bids."

Harris said history has taught him that those who went public before an agreement had been reached rarely succeeded.

Harris worked on a bid for Liverpool two years ago for Kuwaiti Nasser Al Khorafi, whom it is claimed agreed a deal for £300million up front and another £100million based on financial performance only to pull out at the last minute.

Onlookers wonder whether a deal is feasible that will meet the asking price of Tom Hicks and George Gillett so that new owners can revitalise Anfield. While Liverpool, in that regard, are in a state of suspended animation, the challenge of the Premier League is constant.

With the transfer windows closing in a week time, any possible recruitment for Liverpool seems impossible to materialised unless the successful sales of Mascherano is given to Hodgson.

Source: Liverpool Echo

This story has been reproduced from the media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.

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