We thought that we would put Unirea to the sword in the first game and we never did and so one could argue that Unirea are more than capable of beating us this evening.

I do not believe that and that is not looking through rose tinted glasses.

We are renowned for pulling out a result when our backs are against the wall in Europe and while we are not up against it in the classic sense there is still a feeling in some quarters that we are there for the taking.

Again I don’t accept that

We never quite clicked in the first leg and that was down to our own performance and nothing Unirea did, the truth is that if we decide to play to our abilities then we will win, that is a cold hard fact.

We are far superior to Unirea and to think that they are equals to us is being silly, yes they can win and yes we can be knocked out, this has not been our most convincing season I agree but we have improved of late and our better players are coming back to form and back from injury.

As long as we hit the field this evening in a positive manner and play to our true form then we will this game, for me there is no two ways about that.

In fact I am so convinced we will win I am putting my money where my mouth is and will be backing Liverpool outright.

This sites sponsors and official Liverpool betting partners 188bet have excellent odds as to be expected and while 1.74 is odds on it is still a profit of £7.40 on every tenner I bet on us and for me that is like free money, that’s how confident I am in a win this evening

So to conclude Liverpool to win @ 1.74 with 188bet

Just click on the links and a new window will pop up with the preview

ESPN

BBC

SKYSPORTS

Uefa.com

Goal.com

Today The Sun (Yes I know, a rag) blasted the headline Kenywne has a Kop dream and went on to quote him, thing is the quotes don’t quite say that, this is what he apparently said,

“If one of the world’s big clubs comes in for you, it’s understandable a player might have the desire to go to that next level.

“Until you sign a contract with a new club it’s all just talk. January was a crazy time and now I have to focus on the games ahead.

“The manager spoke to me. The reassuring speech came out to let me know the club still wanted me. That is always nice to hear.

“But sometimes a big situation like the transfer story can make it hard for the manager to say anything.
“All I can do to prove I am committed to Sunderland by showing it in games.”

The last line I find compelling when he says he is committed to Sunderland, now we all know that is a load of crap from players most of the time but the fact that the press can take his quotes and turn it in to something else just goes to show that they (the press) are convinced he is coming to Anfield next season and will not let the story die down.

Personally I am of the opinion that Jones will be coming as well, just far too many rumours to simply dismiss the possibility.

The Times

Arsenal are closing in on the signing of Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh after his proposed move to Liverpool collapsed.

If this is true then we need to know why the deal collapsed from the club, it would be very disturbing if Benitez went for the player but the higher ups stopped the deal.

The Times

Liverpool have emerged as a takeover target for the seventh-richest man in the world, Indian Mukesh Ambani.

Now this would be good if it was true

AFP

India’s wealthiest man Mukesh Ambani has denied British newspaper reports on Tuesday that he is considering a takeover of Liverpool.

Then again maybe its not, make your own minds up

News of the World

Liverpool’s Martin Skrtel is an £8m summer target for Italian Serie A side Juventus.

Could be true until we see who printed the story therefore don’t believe it

Daily Mail

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini is prepared to let Stephen Ireland leave Eastlands in the summer, which will alert the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool and Spurs.

I like Ireland and if we can get him I reckon he would be a perfect replacement for Mascherano who could well be leaving in the summer anyway.

Sunday Mirror

Everton, Liverpool and Spurs are all in the chase for Hull’s 19-year-old midfield starlet Tom Cairney.

Who?

Daily Mirror

Liverpool are apparantly keeping an eye on Wolves Richard Stearman, the 22-year-old can play right-back and centre-half

Interesting, he would be cover for right back and centre half spots but his he good enough really?

Daily Star

Liverpool are interested in Kenwyne Jones who is valued at £11 Million

£11 Million, are they having a laugh, but knowing Rafa as we do anything is possible.

On another note it seems the Ryan Babel story has taken a death dive which is probably a good thing but sure that will rear its ugly head tomorrow morning in the Sunday tabloids.

The Guardian

Marouane Chamakh has been offered a pre contract by Liverpool.

Possible this one, The Guardian is not a tabloid and the fact is that Chamakh is out of contract at the end of the season and Liverpool have as good a chance as anyone of getting the player.

The Times

Maxi Rodriguez to sign within next 24 hours

Almost Certain this one, being reported across the media and seems to be just a matter of time before deal is concluded.

The Sun and Reading Chronicle

Goalkeeper Adam Federici is wanted by Rafa Benitez

Unlikely, Federici has just got the number 1 spot at Reading and with the World Cup coming hard to see the 24 year old goalkeeper wanting to sit on the bench.

The Telegraph

Liverpool set to offload Ryan Babel to Birmingham for £9 million

Depends on price, very likely that Babel will go, first off he wants out and secondly Liverpool want money to spend elsewhere.

Goal.com

Liverpool Defender Andrea Dossena Has Napoli Medical

Likely, Goal.com is no better than a tabloid on occasions but when it comes to Italian news they are quite accurate being an Italian run website.

News of the world

Chelsea or Man City to pay up to £140 Million in the Summer to get Fernando Torres
No Ruud Van Nistelrooy for Liverpool

Sunday Express

Inter Milan to make a shock move for Steven Gerrard

Mail on Sunday

Benitez keen to get Emile Heskey back at Anfield.

The Sun
Ruud Van Nistelrooy to sign next week
Rafael Van Der Vaart to come on loan
Voronin to Hertha Berlin on loan

Daily Telegraph

Van Nistelrooy again
Maxi Rodriguez on loan
Voronin to be sold to either CSKA Moscow or Dynamo Moscow

Daily Mail

Victor Moses of Crystal Palace watched by Liverpool

As more rumours filter in throughout the day we will update this page accordingly

The Sun claims that Liverpool will sign Ruud Van Nistelrooy next week and secure Rafael Van Der Vaart on Loan until the end of the season.

Now Nistelrooy is a certainly a strong possibility but Van Der Vaart?

It is common knowledge that Van Der Vaart was surplus to requirements at Madrid last summer but thing have changed since then and Van Der Vaart has been used regularly this season and so the question is asked would Real Madrid really let a player go that is a regular squad player.

Would Van Der Vaart who even when he had his shirt number taken from him in the summer and told by the manager Pellegrini that he was not in his plans refuse to leave back then but agree to move now in a World Cup year when he his playing regularly.

We think not

Van Nistelrooy, Possible, Van Der Vaart, forget it.