TORRES RETURN

With the return of El Nino iminent, here are the best bits from last season which saw him break record after record, enjoy....




YNWA...

REDS SHOW TRUE GRIT AGAINST POMPEY

AFTER the heroics against Chelsea on Sunday, it was important and perhaps just as difficult to take the tree points against a Portsmouth side under new reigns in Tony Adams.

Just as many predicted, it was a tight game, with Portsmouth clearly going for a 0-0 scoreline, with the decision to leave Defoe on the bench. But when the game is tight, you need your big players, your game winners, in this case we needed captain fantastic to keep us ahead of the chasing pack at the Premier League summit.

Gerrard delivered what Portsmouth had coming the entire match by drilling home a penalty after a comical superman handball from Papa Bouba Diop. Ther where no arguments for the awarding of the penalty as any protests would have been as embarrasing as the handball itself given the nature of it.

Stevie G slotted past James, who dove the right way, but couldn't get his hand to it, and with 15 minutes remaining, Liverpool soaked up the last of the Pompey attacks to take what was a very important three points.

The tricky games for Liverpool don't stop, as a trip to Spurs at the weekend (live on Setanta - 17:30) will provide yet another audition for Benitez and his men for the role of Champions. With the North Londoners fresh off a big result against rivals Arsenal, the confidence will be high especially under new manager Harry Redknapp.

Although the exertions midweekd against the Gunners could prove vital as Benitez proved his rotation policy by changing four players form the win against Chelsea. Mascherano, Agger, Keane and Riera were all rested and are all sure to start against Spurs, so don't be surprised if those are the players to prove the difference.

Oh, and if that Torres lad makes an appearance im sure it won't do us any harm.

YNWA....

TORRES OUT OF POMPEY CLASH

Fernando Torres is set to miss tomorrow evenings game with Portsmouth at Anfield as he is still struggling to shake off the troublesome hamstring injury he suffered on international duty with Spain nearly two weeks ago.

The injury which kept him out of a return to his former club in the Champions League and Sunday's win at Stamford Bridge has caused Benitez to rule out a rush return for the Spaniard.

Rafa said; "Fernando is very close. Maybe he'll be okay for the weekend, but he cannot play tomorrow."

"We will see how he is over the next two or three days and then make a decision for Saturday".

Benitez also confirmed that Xabi Alonso and Robbie Keane should be fit for the game despite both taking knocks in the deafeat of Chelsea.

He added; "We have some problems after the Chelsea game. You know Keane had an injury, while Alonso also had a knock. We will have to check on them but I think they will be okay for the Portsmouth game."

With Liverpool taking themselves three points clear of Chelsea at the top of the Premier League with the 1-0 win the players know the importance of pushing on by taking three points from the south coast side tomorrow night.

"We've won nothing yet. It was a massive win and three big points but if we slip up against Portsmouth then those points will be irrelevant". Steven Gerrard told liverpoolfc.tv.

"We've done superbly well so far, we're unbeaten, and we have to keep that going now, starting against Portsmouth." He added.

LIVERPOOL VS WIGAN 18.10.08 MATCH STATS

Liverpool - Wigan Athletic

3 - Goals - 2
1 -1st Half Goals - 2
7 - Shots on Target - 4
10 - Shots off Target - 4
4 - Blocked Shots - 2
5 - Corners - 2
11 - Fouls - 16
4 - Offsides - 1
1 - Yellow Cards - 0
0 - Red Cards - 1
82.5 - Passing Success - 73.2
29 - Tackles - 23
72.4 - Tackles Success - 60.9
63.7 - Possession - 36.3

GOALS: Liverpool... Kuyt 37, 85 Riera 80
Wigan... Zaki 29, 45 s/o Valencia 74

KUYT SEALS RED'S REVIVAL

Dirk Kuyt grabbed an 85th minute winner to seal yet another fine comeback for the reds.


Liverpool had to come from behind twice to seal the win at Anfield today to keep them level on points with Chelsea at the top of the table. A brace from in form Amr Zaki, twice gave Wigan the lead, but true to form, Rafa’s men never gave up and two goals from Kuyt and a first in a red shirt for Albert Riera gave Liverpool all three points.


Wigan started the game the brightest and were soon rewarded when after 29 minutes Zaki robbed Daniel Agger of the ball on the edge of the area and slotted past Pepe Reina.


The lead didn’t last long however when just eight minutes later Agger made up for his defensive mistake to roam forward and cut back for Kuyt to net his second league goal of the season.


The Anfield faithful expected Liverpool to push on and get a second, which nearly came courtesy of Kuyt again who pulled a fine finger tipped save from former red Chris Kirkland who pushed the effort on to the bar.


Wigan did not let the Liverpool dominance last for long as right before half time, Zaki netted his second of the game and his seventh of the season. It is fair to say it was a goal of the month contender as he spectacularly volleyed the ball into the top corner to stun Anfield.


Liverpool needed to emerge for the second half composed, and it was a similar sight to that when Stoke City came to town. Wigan put 10 men behind the ball and attempted to frustrate the life out of Liverpool just as Stoke did.


It seemed to be working, Riera, Kuyt and Agger coming close but not being able to finish off good moves, from a lively and impressive Jermaine Pennant.


The turning point of the half certainly came on 74 minutes when Valencia who had been booked five minutes earlier, received his second yellow card and his marching orders by Alan Whiley for a reckless challenge on Xabi Alonso.


Liverpool seized the intiative and after a fine dummy from Steven Gerrard, Riera drilled home the equaliser from 18 yards with just 10 minutes remaining.


Down to 10 men, Wigan were looking weary and Kuyt pounced to volley home a Pennant cross just five minutes from time to send Anfield into raptures and seal a third straight victory for Liverpool.



TRAWK Man of the Match: Dirk Kuyt

HESKEY FOR REDS RETURN?

Emile Heskey has today made it public that he would favour a return to Anfield should Benitez make an offer.


The Wigan Athletic striker has enjoyed a renewed international career due to his good club form under Steve Bruce. His run in the England side combined with the fact his contract at the JJB is up in the summer has aroused much speculation over his future.


Many papers and media organisations are linking him with a move back to L1, and he certainly didn’t dispel those rumours when asked about them.


“When you are performing well speculation will come around," Heskey told Radio Five Live.


“A move to Liverpool would be lovely. Who knows what will happen. Let's see how it goes. Everyone wants to play in Europe at the highest level”.


How would Reds fans react to a Heskey return? Do you think he is good enough to warrant a second chance?

Liverpool V Wigan Athletic Pre-Match Stats

Head to Head

At Anfield: Liverpool 2 wins, Wigan 0 wins, 1 draw.

Overall: Liverpool 5 wins, Wigan 0 wins, 1 draw.


Stat Attack

This will be the 2,500th game at Anfield in all competitions…winning 1,583…drawing 530… losing 386… 63.3% win ratio.


Dirk Kuyt is Liverpool's leading scorer in league games against Wigan with three goals. His last league goals at Anfield came against today's opponents in April 2007.


The recent win at Man City took Liverpool past the 300 points won mark in the Premier League under Rafa Benitez. In 159 games played we’ve won 301 points…1.8 points per game.


Steve Bruce was the last manager outside the ‘top four’ to leave Anfield with all three points, for Birmingham City in 2004.


Steve Bruce is unbeaten in his last four visits to Anfield and hasn’t lost in his last six league meetings home or away against Liverpool whilst Rafa Benitez has been in charge.


Emile Heskey made 223 appearances for Liverpool between 2000 and 2004 under Gerard Houllier, scoring 60 times (39 in the league).


In 25 appearances against the ‘big four’ Wigan have yet to come away with three points. They did take draws against Arsenal and Chelsea as well as Liverpool last season.


Wigan’s 5-0 thrashing of Hull was their biggest ever winning margin in the Premier League.


Wigan’s Egyptian striker Amr Zaki is joint top league goal scorer with Jermain Defoe and Fernando Torres on five.


Wigan danger man: Emile Heskey...Excellent for England against Belarus and always a physical threat especially on the counter attack and from set-pieces.

Liverpool Key Man: Robbie Keane... Big Match for the Irish man. A goal at the weekend for the Republic of Ireland will do his confidence the world of good, and without el nino we will need him at his best to get past a stubborn Latics rear guard.

TRAWK Prediction: 2-0