Ferguson: Nerves Will Get To Liverpool In Title Challenge

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Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has fired the first shot to counterpart Rafa Benitez at Liverpool, with the United boss claiming that the Reds “will get nervous” as they look to close in on their first Premier League title this season.

Although the Red Devils trail Liverpool by 7 points as the Premiership enters into its first round of fixtures in 2009, Ferguson insists that the experience of bringing the title back to Old Trafford in the past two seasons will stand the Champions in good stead.

If Man United win their two games in hand they will be just a point behind the Merseyside club, with Ferguson knowing what it takes to win the Premier League from behind, having trailed Arsenal last season at this point and going on to win the Premiership.

Ferguson feels that the pressure of Liverpool trying to land their first top-flight title since 1990, will make the Anfield side nervous as they venture into the unknown and that if Benitez’s side make mistakes in the run-in they could be punished for them.

“There’s no doubt that in the second half of the season they will get nervous,” said Ferguson.

“With the experience we’ve got, having won a couple of titles in the past couple of years especially, it helps you.

“There’s no doubt about that. They’re going into the unknown, and if you make mistakes, then you get punished.”

Wenger: Babel Is A Diver

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With Arsenal due to face Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday at the Emirates Stadium for the first time since the Merseyside club knocked the Gunners out of the Champions League last season. Manager Arsene Wenger has accused Dutch International Ryan Babel of diving to earn the penalty that ultimately put the Reds through.

Arsenal were on the verge of making it through to the semi-finals after Emmanuel Adebayor equalised to make it 2-2 at Anfield on the night, which would have been enough to send the North London club into the last four on away goals.

However, Babel went down in the area just seconds later, with a penalty being given, which Liverpool scored and eventually won 4-2 on the night and 5-3 on aggregate. Now ahead of their crunch Premiership clash, Wenger is insisting that the Dutch winger dived and that perhaps it was the catalyst that ended Arsenal’s season.

“Perhaps our season died after we played Liverpool in those three games…yes,” said Wenger.

“At home in the Champions League, we had a penalty that was not given. But at Anfield a penalty was given — and that was the result of a dive.

“I can say that because Kolo did not touch him. Overall, we had bad luck and then more bad luck. But it’s part of the quality of the team to deal with that situation and not to allow that to happen.”

However, Wenger has claimed not to be annoyed by Babel, with the Frenchman even conceding that his own players have dived on occasion, with the Gunners boss, who is in favour of seeing video technology introduced once again raising the issue of video assistance for referees.

“It’s difficult to say you are annoyed about diving, because it can sometimes happen with your own players that they dive,” Wenger added.

“It is down to the players and the referee to get it sorted out, maybe with video assistance.

“They are talking about having a referee behind the goal now and that might help. But I am not convinced. Diving has improved, even though I can show you video replays from some 20 years ago when you had some good divers.

“I don’t feel any pain about it now. In football everyone can become crazy, as it never happens how you want it to.”

Walcott On Track For Arsenal Comeback

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Arsenal winger Theo Walcott is confident about making a return to action for the Gunners in February after dislocating his shoulder while training with England before the friendly against Germany in November.

England International Walcott had to undergo surgery on his right shoulder after dislocating it before the clash with Germany in Berlin, but the former Southampton player is confident that he will be back in February and is targeting the Premier League clubs Champions League last-16 tie, which is due to be played on February 24/25th.

This will come as a relief to Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who said at the time of the injury that he expected 19-year-old Walcott to feature again for the Premiership club in three-months and that the injury was not career threatening. Despite the young Gunner having a history of shoulder problems.

Now Walcott has confirmed that “everything is fine” and that a return for Arsenal in mid-February is a realistic target for his comeback.

“Everything is fine. I am expecting to be back mid-February,” Walcott said.

Keane: "Some Players Would Be Crying, But I'm Too Strong For That"

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Liverpool’s summer signing from Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur Robbie Keane, has claimed that he “will score a lot of goals” for the Reds, despite recent reports linking the Republic of Ireland International with a return to Spurs in January.

28-year-old Keane arrived at Anfield from White Hart Lane in a deal worth £20million, but has been misfiring since joining the Merseyside club, with the former Inter Milan player only managing to find the net twice in 15 Premiership matches for Rafa Benitez’s side so far this season.

Keane was an unused substitute for the 3-1 win against Blackburn Rovers on Saturday, which fuelled speculation that the Irishman was due foe a short stay on Merseyside, with Tottenham linked with a January move to bring Keane back to North London.

This led to Benitez, having to tell Keane that he would not be sold in January and that the striker had a future at Anfield, but just needed more time to settle in. Keane, who was restored to the starting line-up for the 3-1 win over PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League on Tuesday has also claimed that he wishes to remain at Liverpool and has vowed to repay Benitez’s faith in him by scoring lots of goals for the Reds.

Keane said of his performance against the Eredivisie Champions: “I am happy with my own performance, I was delighted to play in a position that I like, just off the striker.

“It meant that I was always involved, and I got an assist with the third goal. Yes, I like scoring, but I always like helping others get their goals too.

“My confidence has not been affected by things that have been said about me, things like that never get me down.

“I am confident that I will score a lot of goals for this club, I am not worried about the way things have gone, there is a lot more to come from me.

“Some players would let their heads go down and they would be crying, but I am too strong for that.

“I have only been here a few months, and it takes time to settle, so it is too early to judge me now.

“I am always confident in own ability, I have scored a lot of goals in the past, and that ability doesn't go away just like that.

“But I accept that at club like Liverpool, as a striker you are judged on the goals you score. I love scoring goals, but I also love being involved.

“I am just as pleased with assists so I will carry on doing that and it will be fine.”

Arsenal, Chelsea & Liverpool Warned Off Inter Prodigy

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Premier League clubs Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea have been warned off Italian Under-21 International Striker Mario Balotelli, with Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti insisting that the youngster will not be leaving the San Siro when the transfer window reopens in January.

18-year-old Balotelli, who was born to a Ghanaian family before being put up for adoption, passed up the opportunity to play for Ghana in the summer after receiving a call-up to the national squad.



The Nerazzurri striker is highly thought of in Italy, and was made an Italian citizen on his 18th birthday in August, with Pierluigi Casiraghi the Italy under-21 coach already handing Balotelli 4 caps, which has seen the Inter Milan starlet score three times.

Balotelli is valued at £19million by Inter and is understood to currently earn £1.1million-a-year at Jose Mourinho’s side, with it also believed that Balotelli is eager to remain at the Italian Champions.

However, Moratti has stated that Balotelli will not be sold, despite not being a regular starter under Jose Mourinho, with reports in Italy suggesting that the young striker could be sent out on loan next month to gain valuable first team experience.

“Someone will certainly depart,” he is quoted as saying in Tuttosport on Thursday.

“but I can assure you that Balotelli will not move.”

Liverpool Boss Benitez: New Deal "Could Be" Resolved By The End Of The Month

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez refused to be drawn on how negotiations are going on a new deal at Anfield, but indicated that “it could be” resolved by the end of the month.

Former Valencia coach Benitez revealed recently that talks were due to get underway regarding an extension to his current deal at the Merseyside Club, which runs out in 2010.

However, when asked about how close the talks were to a conclusion and the possibility of a resolution by the end of November, Benitez insisted that his focus was on the Reds Champions League clash against Marseille on Wednesday at Anfield.

Benitez replied: “It could be, but I prefer to concentrate on this game.”

Benitez also revealed that Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, will be fit to face Marseille after missing the Premier League match with Fulham on Saturday with a groin injury. Benitez also believed that England International Gerrard could start and might even play the full 90 minutes.

Benitez added: “Gerrard has trained today so he is available. I think he would be fit to last 90 minutes if he needed to.

”It depends on the player, but he is fit and he can start if necessary and after that, it depends on how he is feeling during the game.”

Wenger Reveals Double Injury Blow For Arsenal

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Arsenal have been dealt a double injury blow ahead of their Champions League clash with Dynamo Kiev on Tuesday, with Samir Nasri and Abou Diaby both out after picking up injuries in training.

Gunners, midfielder Diaby has an abdominal strain, while French International Nasri has a knee injury and both will now join a growing list of injured players at the Emirates Stadium. With Kolo Toure (calf), Theo Walcott (shoulder), Emmanuel Eboue (knee), Tomas Rosicky (hamstring) Bacary Sagana (ankle), Emmanuel Adebayor (ankle) and Eduardo (broken leg) already unavailable to Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.

However, Wenger is able to welcome back Cesc Fabregas, who missed the Premier League defeat to Manchester City on Sunday through suspension. Wenger has also revealed that William Gallas will be back in the squad after being dropped for the City game after comments made to the press last week.

“We have lost two but gained two,” said Wenger.

“Fabregas is back from suspension and William Gallas is back too. But they are the only two. We have lost Samir Nasri and Abou Diaby for tomorrow. Diaby has an abdominal strain and Samir Nasri has an inflammation in his knee again.”

Wenger is expected to promote some of his Carling Cup kids for the game with Kiev, with Jay Simpson and Fran Merida likely to be in the squad for the European tie.

Real Lining Up £15million January Bid For Liverpool Star?

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La Liga giants Real Madrid are lining up a £15million bid for Liverpool winger Ryan Babel as the Spanish Champions look to bolster their attacking options at the Bernabeu, with striker Ruud van Nistelrooy ruled out for the rest of the season, according to reports in Spain.

21-year-old Dutch International Babel arrived at Anfield in a £11.5million deal from Eredivisie side Ajax in 2007 and can play as a winger or second striker. Despite making 35 league appearances during his time at the Merseyside club, Babel has made only one start in the Premier League this season and could be tempted to leave the Reds in order to play more first team football.

Despite using Babel sparingly Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is a big admirer of the Dutchman and insists that the Premiership will see the best of Babel this year, with the Spaniard claiming that Babel is still learning the stresses and rigours of the Premier League.

“He's improving and he's working hard and trying to learn and have a proper understanding of the Premier League, and hopefully we will see the best of Babel this year,” Benitez told the Daily Express.

“But he is still a young player and he needs to change some things and he will be better. He knows that sometimes he can be a very good player for us and he is trying.”

However, with it well publicised that Benitez will have to sell players in January before he can bring fresh faces into Anfield. A £15million offer for a Babel, who is not a regular starter, might prove to tempting to turn down for the board at the Merseyside club.

Spurs, Arsenal & Newcastle Tracking French Under-21 Star?

Premier League clubs Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal and Newcastle United are all understood to be interested in Nice winger Loic Remy, according to reports.

21-year-old Remy has only been at Nice since signing from Ligue 1 Champions Olympique Lyonnais this summer and has made an impressive start to the campaign for Nice, with the winger, who can also operate as a secondary striker scoring 4 goals in 8 league appearances for Le Gym this term.

This form has alerted the Magpies, with Newcastle director of football Dennis Wise believed to have taken a close look at Remy last week after being heavily linked with a move to bring the winger to St James’ Park in the summer.

However, sources in France claim that Spurs and the Gunners have also had Remy watched, with a move to the Premiership likely in January for the former Lyon player, who has 2 goals in 4 caps for the French Under-21 side to his name.

Arsenal Boss Wenger To Gamble On Silvestre For United Clash?

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Aside from the form of his Arsenal team manager Arsene Wenger has many injury worries ahead of the Gunners must-win clash against Premier League Champions Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, with the Frenchman revealing that he may take a “gamble” by making summer signing Mikael Silvestre available against the defenders former club.

Silvestre broke his nose in the Champions League tie against Fenerbahce on Wednesday, but Wenger feels that he could play and will decide on whether to take a gamble with the French International over the next 48 hours.

“Mikael has a broken nose with an open wound on the side,” said Wenger.

“Basically he should be capable of playing. But in the next 48 hours I will have to decide what we do. You cannot rule him out and I feel he can play. But I have to decide whether I go for the gamble or not.”

Manuel Almunia, who missed the match with the Turkish side through illness, is expected to replace Lukas Fabianski in goal, while Theo Walcott (shoulder) and captain William Gallas (hamstring) are both major doubts, with Wenger to take a decision on the fitness of the duo on Friday afternoon.

“We will not know about Walcott and Gallas before tomorrow afternoon. It is 50:50 for both,” said Wenger.

“But Manuel Almunia was back in training today so he will be available.”

Wenger is definitely without striker Emmanuel Adebayor (ankle) and Emmanuel Eboue (knee) for the visit of the Red Devils, while Dutch International Robin van Persie will miss the game with United through suspension. Bacary Sagna, who was on the bench for the tie with Fenerbahce after also being injured at Stoke along with Adebayor and Walcott, is also a concern for Wenger.

Wenger continued: “As for Sagna, there was a gamble on him that I did not want to take [last night]. We could not take it today in training either. He still needed to be out of impact work.

“I think he should be OK for Saturday but there is still a slight concern.”

Arsenal: Adebayor A Doubt, But Walcott To Be Ready To Face Man United

England International Theo Walcott (below) will miss Arsenal’s Champions League clash with Fenerbahce on Wednesday, but Gunners manager Arsene Wenger is optimistic that the winger will be recover from a shoulder injury suffered against Stoke City on Saturday in time to face Premier League Champions Manchester United on Saturday at the Emirates Stadium.

Striker Emmanuel Adebayor will also miss the Champions League tie with the Turkish side, but unlike Walcott the Togolese International is a major doubt for the crunch game with United after limping off in the defeat to the Potters at the Britannia Stadium last Saturday, with an ankle problem.

Wenger feared at first that former Southampton player Walcott had dislocated his shoulder, which has had an operation in the past to cure a hereditary condition that had weakened ligaments in Walcott’s arm. However, it appears that the 19-year-old suffered nothing more than a spasm in the shoulder and that the previous surgery actually prevented a more serious injury.

The North London club will now assess Walcott on a daily basis before deciding whether to play him against the Red Devils in a must win Premiership game for Arsenal, with Walcott expected to be fit in time to face United.

Meanwhile, another Arsenal player to pick up a knock against Stoke, defender Bacary Sagna is expected to be fit in time for both the game against Fenerbahce and the weekend crunch match against Man United.

Arsenal & Man United To Lock Horns Over Fulham Schoolboy Vose

Premier League giants Arsenal and Manchester United are both interested in Fulham schoolboy Dominic Vose, with the young midfielder already being dubbed the ‘New Paul Scholes’ in some corners for his goalscoring from midfield.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger will run the rule over 15-year-old Vose at Arsenal’s London Colney training ground, with Wenger hoping that he can persuade the young starlet that the Emirates Stadium is the place where Vose will develop most as a footballer.

Vose spent his half-term break last week in Manchester, with United, manager Sir Alex Ferguson also keen to snatch up the midfielder and convince Vose that the Premiership Champions and Old Trafford is the right place for his footballing education.

Vose will not be able to sign his first professional contract until his 17th birthday, but should he choose to leave Craven Cottage to join Arsenal or the Red Devils, Fulham will almost certainly demand a huge amount of compensation from their Premier League rivals for their young prodigy

Man United To Make £7million January Raid For Real & Barca Target Douglas?

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Premier League Champions Manchester United are planning a £7million January swoop for teenage Brazilian sensation Douglas Costa at Gremio, according to The News of the World.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is reportedly ready to bring forward his plans and move for 18-year-old Douglas in January, but is sure to face competition from La Liga giants Real Madrid and Barcelona, who have also shown an interest in the talented Brazilian midfielder.

Douglas has been dubbed the ‘New Ronaldinho’ in his homeland after just a handful of appearances for Gremio, with the attacking-midfielder catching the eye of Ferguson as well as the Blaugrana and Los Merengues, while playing in the Junior Copa Santiago tournament in January.

The interest shown by Barca, Real and the Red Devils has led to Gremio quickly handing Douglas a new five-year deal at Olimpico Monumental, which runs until 2013 and inserting a £21million buyout clause for the Brazilian prodigy.

However, Gremio are believed to need money and it is understood that Ferguson could bring Douglas to Old Trafford for as little as £7million as he looks to fine tune a squad going for a hat-trick of Premiership titles.