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Benitez saw his side surrender the advantage in the second-half after Steven Gerrard, Xabi Alonso and goalscorer Robbie Keane were all substituted with knocks. The Reds boss admitted it was not his intention to withdraw the trio and is hopeful that the precautionary measure will ensure the players are fit for Chelsea on Sunday. "The three players had some problems," he said. "Keane and Gerrard and Alonso were tired, so we were trying to use players with fresh legs. We were trying to protect all of them by substituting them. "I don't think they are serious. We will have to wait and see tomorrow. "It was a little bit of a muscle problem for Robbie. Gerrard is okay. He was really tired and Alonso has a knock on his knee. "We need to check with Keane. He will see the doctor."

SSN - Mark Hughes has confirmed City have had a bid accepted for Berbatov and he'll now meet the player!

Nievas Red card for another foul on Masch

Not sure they have money to sack him.. FFS. Jus when you think maybe..maybe them f****s have learnt..no they screw up again!

F*** Rafa has just lost it big time over Barry question on pre-game conference just now on sky. Asked about Barry Rafa said he was sick of getting blamed with transfers...global warming and oil prices and the journos better ask Rick Parry and the board what was happening. Didn't look good and I fear it's all gonna kick off again big style with our f***ers of owners.

Setanta are saying O'neil has admitted that a meeting after their statement with Barry and agent confirmed that Barry still wanted to leave. Doh!

Great stuff. Definitely a false rumour after reading Ablett's glowing report on him last season and how he was working with Insua to get better on his defensive game as Rafa wanted this in readiness for the first team.

Exciting young player. However he was bought last year for £10.5m by an MSI investment group. Reports suggest they want £18m+ for him. Big risk even if Rafa gets that sort of money.

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Juana Ramos has said 'players like Eto and Modric are needed to move us on to the next level'. A fee of £30m-£35m has been muted.

Modric's agent has confirmed he's agreed to join Spurs for a fee of just over £20m pounds!

I saw a lad playing for a lower league club on ITV's roundup show yesterday come running over and both both hands on the ref and start a heated debate over a decision but no card.

Rafa's sky post match interview http://link.brightcove.com/services/player...ctid=1078597755

Well the only 1 our club needs long term is Rafa...the rest can do one ASAP.

Rafa was absolutely steaming in the post match sky interview. Looked like he did when he came out with his famous 'coaching' quotes in November. What a f****** mess.

Sky saying Parry will be on shortly with a response.

A majority of shareholders can vote to remove a board member (ie Parry). However I can't see Gillett agreeing to Parry being removed. I agree Parry will be removed and isn't a great CEO but he's a red and without him there's less buffer between gillett and Hicks on votes etc.

Just watching Rafa after the match talking about masch saying he kept saying to him 'I just asked him what for' - presumably about Torres booking. Rafa said Masch couldn't understand his 2nd booking being an experienced international.

The kop ltd accounts are due on the 19th August with limited facts available the following month. Changing to ltd comapny means very little breakdown of figures will be available. Of course kop ltd is owned by an offshore company and their figures are near impossible to get.

Gary Ablett said today Spearing would be ou for tonight be hopefully back for next game away at Mancs I believe.

He played in the gerrard role for Gremio last season but more a holding role for Brazil. Rafa says he can do either.

Looks like he's scored 14 in 39 games since moving - which isn't too shabby for a link player.

Silva? Just turned 22 a day or so ago.

Oliver Kay in todays Times about Mascherano situation:- Benítez is prepared to sell players such as Mohamed Sissoko, John Arne Riise and Peter Crouch to raise the funds to sign Mascherano, but, with the manager’s long-term future in serious doubt, Hicks and Gillett are reluctant to sanction drastic changes in the transfer window.

From the Sunday Mirror last weekend mate - Benitez blasted: "I am surprised by this. I am the manager of the club and I will talk about my team. Mr Hicks wants the best for the club and so do I. I spent £40m but I also recouped £20m by selling players."