Fernando Torres

Fernando Torres set to sign for Liverpool today
Jul 3 2007
by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo


FERNANDO TORRES was due on Merseyside today to complete his £26.5m signing for Liverpool.
But Peter Crouch will not be the man to make way for the Spaniard in Rafa Benitez’s squad.
The England striker’s Anfield future was cast in doubt at the weekend when it was reported that he was the only Liverpool player with two years remaining on his contract who has NOT been invited to open talks about a new deal.
But Reds chief executive Rick Parry rubbished the report.
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“It is not true that he is the only player not to have been approached about a new deal and he is very much part of Rafa Benitez’s future plans,” he said.
But with Torres now joining Crouch, Dirk Kuyt, Andriy Voronin and Craig Bellamy on Liverpool’s striking roster, one forward is likely to make way – with Bellamy the favourite.
Torres was due to have a medical today and could be unveiled as Liverpool’s record signing tomorrow.
But the likelihood of Gabriel Heinze joining him at Anfield receded as Manchester United reacted with horror at the prospect of their Argentinean defender joining their fiercest rivals.
There is no get-out clause in Heinze’s contract, and United have made it clear they will make it difficult for the player to leave.
Heinze is currently on Copa America duty in Venezuela – he played alongside Javier Mascherano in Argentina’s 4-2 defeat of Colombia last night – and no decision is expected on his future until Argentina’s tournament has ended.
But while Heinze has told Anfield officials he would relish the chance to become the first player since Phil Chisnall in 1964 to move directly from United to Liverpool, United will resist all efforts to prise him away.
After Patrice Evra took Heinze’s place at Old Trafford last season and the Argentinean was seeking a much improved contract offer, United let it be known they would be open to offers for the player.
The player has either convinced Alex Ferguson of his form and fitness, or United are mortified at Liverpool snatching one of their defensive stars.
Fernando Torres factfile
* Born March 20, 1984 - the week of the all-Mersey Milk Cup Final at Wembley.
* He was pictured wearing an armband with ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ printed on the inside.
* He was nicknamed El Nino, which means The Kid, because of his youthful appearance.
* He is Atletico Madrid and Spain’s youngest player and youngest goalscorer.
* He missed a penalty on his full international debut.
* He was made Atletico captain at the age of 19.
* The £26.5m transfer fee makes him Spain’s most expensive export ever. Gaizka Mendieta was the previous highest when he left Valencia for Lazio.
* He scored Spain’s winning goal in Uefa Under-16 Championship final in 2001 and the Under-19 Championship a year later.
* He scored 91 goals in 243 Atletico appearances.

Crouch doesn't want to leave Anfield

Crouch doesn't want to leave Anfield

LIVERPOOL v PSV

PSV Eindhoven 0-3 Liverpool
By Mandeep Sanghera

Gerrard is now Liverpool's leading goalscorer in the European CupLiverpool powered to a resounding win over PSV Eindhoven to all but book their place in the semi-finals of the Champions League.
Steven Gerrard thumped in a header from Steve Finnan's cross to put the Reds ahead and become Liverpool's leading scorer in European Cup competition.
PSV were ripe for the taking and the Reds showed no mercy as John Arne Riise thundered in a long-range strike.
Peter Crouch put the gloss on the win when he nodded in another Finnan cross.
News conference: Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez
Liverpool had to be patient at the start of the first leg of the quarter-final and probe for an opening as PSV adopted a conservative approach despite being at home.
606: DEBATE
Well done, lads! Brilliant performance, brilliant result
WI
The Dutch side's approach seemed to stem from losing 5-1 in their last league fixture at the Philips Stadion during a poor run which has seen them fail to win in their last four outings.
The Reds were allowed to dominate possession and almost took advantage from a corner.

Crouch (left) and Gerrard (right) were both set up by Finnan (centre)
Jamie Carragher made good contact with a header and PSV keeper Heurelho Gomes had to dive at full stretch to palm the ball round the post.
PSV sprang a rare attack to surprise Liverpool and an unmarked Mika Varynen at the far post had his angled volley deflected over.
Liverpool heeded the warning and Finnan made a bursting run on the right before crossing for Gerrard to power a header low into the corner of the net.
The goal was Gerrard's 15th in the European Cup and he overtook Ian Rush as the club's record goalscorer in the competition.
Gerrard's landmark effort also forced PSV into a change of plan and attempt a more attacking game.
But Liverpool comfortably kept their out-of-form rivals at arm's length and were nearly gifted a second straight after the break.
A misunderstanding between keeper Gomes and his defender gave Xabi Alonso a sight of goal from 18 yards only for the Spaniard to slice his shot off target.
PSV were uncertain and nervous in defence and a stray backpass let Riise unleash a trademark left-foot thunderbolt into the top corner.
Striker Patrick Kluivert came on for PSV as they tried to salvage something from the game but Crouch headed in from eight yards from Finnan's pin-point delivery.
Liverpool controlled the rest of the game after building up an apparently unassailable lead and the only setback for the visitors was a serious-looking injury to left midfielder Fabio Aurelio.
PSV: Gomes, Kromkamp (Feher 68), Da Costa, Simons, Salcido, Mendez (Kluivert 51), Vayrynen, Cocu, Culina, Farfan (Sun 46), Tardelli.Subs Not Used: Moens, Addo, Marcellis.
Booked: Kluivert, Feher.
Liverpool: Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Agger, Riise (Zenden 65), Gerrard, Mascherano, Alonso, Aurelio (Gonzalez 75), Crouch (Pennant 85), Kuyt.Subs Not Used: Dudek, Arbeloa, Hyypia, Bellamy.
Booked: Mascherano, Kuyt.
Goals: Gerrard 27, Riise 49, Crouch 63.
Att: 36,500.
Ref: Bertrand Layec (France).

Liverpool Photo

liverpool v villa

Liv'pool v Manu

Chelsea, MU, Liverpool are the favorites Updated Odds

Chelsea, MU, Liverpool are the favorites Updated Odds by ecobika

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PROPHECY – WIN MORE!Chelsea, MU, Liverpool are the favorites Updated Odds on Outright Winner of Champions League . Brought to you By Ecobika Soccer Betting. 2006/07 UEFA Champions League quarter-finals 1st leg: 03/04 April 2nd leg: 10/11 April.Milan v Bayern MünchenAbsolute favorite is: Milan (click to bet), even if Bayern beat out Real Madrid and Celtic was a hero in MilanPSV Eindhoven v LiverpoolThe easiest possible opponent for Pool! Liverpool away win here (click to bet)Roma v Manchester UnitedThis is a much more tricky game, as you may think for the first sight. Roma defeated Lyon on the away match. Under 2.5 goals with these excellent oddsChelsea v ValenciaMore or less the second best team for Chelsea, Valencia is the second weakest team! Chelsea to win (bet with the best oddsTo Win Outright UEFA Champions League 2006/07Chelsea 4.00 BetMan Utd 4.33Liverpool 5.50AC Milan 7.00Valencia 9.00Bayern Munich 9.00Roma 11.00PSV 19.00Copyright Ecobika sportsbetting.
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Chelsea, MU, Liverpool are the favorites Updated Odds on Outright Winner of Champions League . Brought to you By Ecobika Soccer Betting. 2006/07 UEFA Champions League quarter-finals 1st leg: 03/04 April 2nd leg: 10/11 April.