The OFFICIAL Liverpool Supporters thread

[GalwayBayBoy]

Daniel Agger nears Liverpool return

Nov 10 2007 by Tony Barrett, Liverpool Echo

DANIEL AGGER is back in training with Liverpool and could make his long awaited return to the first team squad for the trip to Newcastle United in a fortnight's time.

The Danish international has been out of action for seven weeks since suffering a broken metatarsal but the injury has now healed and he is now building up his fitness at Melwood.

Agger's return to training is a huge boost for Rafa Benitez who has had only two centre backs with Premiership experience to call on since mid-September in the form of Jamie Carragher and Sami Hyypia.

Rookie defender Jack Hobbs has made one appearance in the Carling Cup clash with Cardiff City during this period but at just 19 is still to make his Premiership debut.

So Agger's comeback has been given a cautious welcome by the Reds boss, who hopes he will shortly have three senior central defenders to pick from.

He said: "We don't have a definite date in mind for Daniel just yet but it is looking very positive for him at the moment.

"If he continues to progress the way he has been then maybe he will be back in one or two weeks.

"The thing we have to keep an eye on is that the player can be fit, but that is not necessarily the same thing as being ready for a match.

"If he can run this week without any problems then maybe he can be involved in games soon."

Meanwhile, the Liverpool manager has welcomed Harry Kewell's return to form of fitness, describing his comeback as "like having a very good new player".

But Benitez reacted to Kewell's selection for the Australian national squad after just three substitute appearances with caution and is calling on the Aussie football federation to take no risks with hisplayer.

He said: "Harry is a player who can score goals, beat players and is good in the air, as we saw against Blackburn when he set up that late chance for Dirk Kuyt.

"It is always good to see players coming back and in the last week we have seen Alvaro Arbeloa, Fabio Aurelio and Kewell all do that.

"Harry being back is like having a very good new player.

"Maybe it is good that he will go with the national team but I would like to see the player training with a proper programme so we need to talk to the Australian federation to see if we can maintain the progression of the player."

Steven Gerrard has received another accolade after he was named in the FIFpro World XI.

The Reds skipper was named as one of the top 11 players in the world over the past 12 months, following a vote by more than 57,000 professionals around the world.

Team in full: Buffon, Nesta, Cannavaro, Terry, Puyol, Christiano Ronaldo, Gerrard, Kaka, Messi, Drogba, Ronaldinho.

[Mentalman]

Daniel Agger nears Liverpool return

Great news, badly missed while out. Talk of spending 20 million on another striker during January maybe be wishful thinking, but another experienced centre half is a must, can't believe Rafa left his squad so exposed in that position after letting Paletta go back home.

[Over the Bar]

Kuyt and Hughes' scoring ratios are actually pretty similiar.

By that reckoning 3 goals in 3 games would be akin to 300 goals in 300 games.

[The Real Laoislad]

Maybe it's old news but i read today that Riise plus cash for Defoe in the January transfer window

[GalwayBayBoy]

Kuyt and Hughes' scoring ratios are actually pretty similiar.

By that reckoning 3 goals in 3 games would be akin to 300 goals in 300 games.

I'm just stating that both their scoring ratios are roughly 1 goal in every 3 games. That's just counting their respective careers with Man U and Liverpool. I'm leaving out Kuyt's record in Holland (as it's far better than that) and I'm leaving out Hughes' record with other clubs (which makes his average worse). Can't get fairer than that.

Obviously Hughes was over 12 years at Man U and Kuyt's only been at Liverpool a season and a half but you were the one who initially brought up the comparison.

[Over the Bar]

Maybe it's old news but i read today that Riise plus cash for Defoe in the January transfer window

That would be a prudent move although Defoe might just choose to stay and try to impress under Ramoz.  No point swapping one bench for another!

[Balboa]

The fact that he's the only Liverpool striker worth tuppence certainly makes him look good.  Kuyt and Voronin are akin to Championship standard versions of Mark Hughes, leaving you with no effective back up for Torres.  Don't expect him to dig you out of a hole at every time of asking.

Do you think Torres would get a game for Salford Reds?

[magpie seanie]

With Rooney injured he probably would.

[gawa316]

£10 milllion (if we get it) is great business, especially as we only paid £1 mil or so. I reckon we need to use this money to go and buy a player like Queresma (Sp?). Yes he can be a huffy get, but he can turn it on and make goals out of nothing. Something which could have came in handy so far this season

[The Real Laoislad]

Big game v Newcastle at week end especially with United and Arsenal likely to get 3 points each against Bolton and Wigan a win is a must for us but Newcastle are no easy side especially in St James's

[full back]

Dont think you will be getting £10 million for Carson now

[GalwayBayBoy]

Dont think you will be getting £10 million for Carson now

To be fair he's done very well for Villa.

Nowhere near as good as Reina though.

[J70]

Dont think you will be getting £10 million for Carson now

Whether he is, on the whole, worth 10 million has little to do with his mistake last night. There isn't a keeper around that hasn't done what he did at some point.

[Gabriel_Hurl]

Dont think you will be getting £10 million for Carson now

He's English - English clubs always pay over the odds for English players - well get 15 mill for him

[An Fear Rua]

mmmm

From Liverpools website:

Liverpool co-Chairmen Tom Hicks and George Gillett have today released the following statement.
"We made a significant investment in the playing squad during the summer and desperately want this team to succeed.

"There are some very important games coming up in the next couple of weeks and all of us need to focus on winning those games and getting the best out of the players we already have at the club.

"We will leave any talk of buying or selling players until we come across to Liverpool in December and sit down with the Manager then."


and at the same time from Sky Sports interview with Benitez:
And having been quizzed on any interest in replacing McClaren, the Spaniard admits he is keen to become an international coach in the future.

Benitez continued: "In the future, you never know what can happen. If I improve my English, maybe!"

or maybe learning German....

probably nothing