Alonso

On BBC Score Carlton Plamer says it looks as if he's broken his ankle.

Lawrenson's prediction Prediction: 2-2 I think it'll be quite an entertaining game because Liverpool will field a weakened team with a view to FA Cup final. Portsmouth have enjoyed a fantastic recovery and, having moved clear of relegation a week before the end of the season, there might be a carnival atmosphere at Fratton Park. Can't see that being the case what with Rafa's comments about still be in the race for 2nd: Rafael Benitez today insisted Liverpool are back in the running to secure automatic Champions League qualification by winning the race for second place this weekend. Victory over Portsmouth on Sunday coupled with Manchester United's failure to beat Charlton at Old Trafford will see the Reds end the season as runners-up to Chelsea with a highly impressive 82 points - 24 more than last season. Benitez is delighted Liverpool have taken their quest for second place down to the last day of the season and he believes they go into their clash at Fratton Park with nothing to lose and potentially everything to gain. "We know it's still going to be difficult, but at least now we no longer have to think about the goal difference," said Benitez. "At one point it looked like we would not only have to win, but also score a lot of goals to catch them even if they lost. That would have been very difficult. "Now it's straightforward. As long as we concentrate on winning the game, that's all we can do. We don't need to think of goals we'll need. "The advantage is still with them, but we have a chance. We can go into the game feeling no pressure. If we win, we already know there are some good records to achieve. We have already played a good season and can be happy with what we've done so far." Offal

Wonder why that was?

From what fyds has been reporting and the strong links to him this year and last. Agreed, definitely Fowler over Nando.

I think it's between Morientes and Fowler. We all seem pretty certain Cisse's gone and Kuyt seems pretty nailed on. If that happens that would leave us with a very pedestrian foward line with little "possibilities". If we are to bring in another quicker striker who fits the bill of a "20 goal a season man" then it'll be either to replace Fowler (who's contract expires) or Morientes (who would be sold). IMO I'd prefer to see Morinetes go as he offers similar things to Crouch and Kuyt who would be the "big guy holding things up". You'd then have Fowler for his finishing and predetory instincts (not to mention his link up play) along with AN Other (Owen?) who offers pace in behind the defence with an eye for goal.

This taken from BBC: This season Apps As sub Goals Yellow Red Total (Club) 32 (6) 17 8 0 League 27 (5) 13 5 0 FA Cup 1 (0) 2 0 0 League Cup 4 (1) 2 3 0 Still better than 1 in 2 in all comps tho.

Joaquin woud give more balance to the squad as he'd be the only right footed winger/attacking midfielder. If you took Vicente that would mean that there'd be him, Reyes and Garcia as left footers even tho Garcia could/would play on the right. If Joaquin's coming back to form and Vicente is struggling with injury then it must be Joaquin.

Lowlight: Fearing Sissoko's carrer was over Highlight: Sissoko's return

You call that a slap, this is a SLAP

Good point.

Well if he's not gonna get a deal then surely the fans would like to give him a send off at Anfield as a farewell, a proper one this time unlike the last tim he left. If he is gonna get one then that will lift the crowd and make the last game of the season at Anfield extra special. Plus it's Fowler's penultimate game of the season so there's not much more evidence that Rafa can get if he still needs to make up his mind which I'm sure is already made up. I can't see us buying 3 strikers (which we would have to do if Fowler, Nando and Cisse left) due to the money situation and also I'm pretty sure that Nando has more of a future at the club that Cisse. I was thinking more like the pre-match interview or via a press statement before the game.

Fowler's agent eyes Anfield deal Friday, 28 April 2006, 10:45 GMT 11:45 UK Robbie Fowler's agent is optimistic the veteran Liverpool striker will be offered a new contract at Anfield. Fowler rejoined the club from Manchester City on a short-term deal in January, which is due to end in July. The 31-year-old is still waiting to hear from boss Rafael Benitez on whether he will be offered an extended deal at Anfield. But his representative George Scott told BBC Sport: "Robbie wants to stay and I've got a good feeling about it." Benitez hinted earlier this week that he may be ready to offer Fowler a new deal if he shapes up well during the summer. The Liverpool manager said: "We cannot expect to see the best of Robbie now, perhaps in pre-season we will see him progress." And Scott is now hopeful the former England striker will be given a chance to prove himself further when he reports back for training in July. "He loves the club and with a really good pre-season under his belt Robbie is hoping to be even sharper for next season. "It's a case of wait and see but I hoping something can be sorted out and I know Robbie is very keen to stay at Anfield. "He is very happy being back 'home', he's scoring goals and training hard and I'm sure it's helping him playing again at his boyhood club." Meanwhile, Bolton are among a group of top Premiership clubs monitoring Fowler's situation if Benitez decides to let him go. And Scott admitted: "We know there is interest from elsewhere and I think any team in the Premiership would be happy to have him. "He's only 31 and when you think of what he can do at this level I'd expect someone to come in. "But Robbie's priority is to get a new deal with Liverpool and hopefully the club may feel it's a case of 'we know what we've got in him'. "You never know sometimes how new players will settle in - but with Robbie they've got someone who's eager to play for them. "He may not have be happy to sit on the bench elsewhere but at Liverpool, he would be still be glad to come on and do a job - that's how much it means to him being there." Scott revealed that the Liverpool supporters' reaction to Fowler's return to Anfield was the inspiration behind his excellent goalscoring form. Prior to Wednesday's 2-1 victory at West Ham, he had netted four goals in his previous five games. "You only had to see the welcome he received when he returned to the club in January and I know that has really spurred Robbie on. "I'm sure the fans would love to see him stay for a while longer. "He was out injured for a long time while at Manchester City but he's getting back to full fitness and he feels that there is a lot more to come." Sauce What with Rafa's comments earlier in the week and now this from Robbie's agent I wonder if that means an announcement before the Villa game what with that our last home game?

Dunno if it has but here's one from You Tube with his goal and best moments: HERE

Not likely, even if he's got one leg I'm sure he'll start!

Hyypia has made 52 appearances for us this season, all starts. Carragher has 50, followed by Gerrard on 48 (4 as sub)

See HERE (pdf file) for rule 2.10 taken from the take over panel. On Page 4 of 6 BTW.

Sky Sports 22 March Fabio Aurelio's agent has confirmed to skysports.com that Liverpool are in talks to complete the signing of the Brazilian full back. The 26-year-old is out of contract at La Mestalla this summer and Valencia have, thus far, failed to persuade him to sign a new deal. "In this moment, we have presented an offer to player and, until now, we have not had a response," said Valencia's sporting director Javier Subirats. Liverpool have taken advantage of Aurelio's Bosman status and opened talks, and a deal now looks imminent. Speaking exclusively to skysports.com, agent Juan Figger has revealed talks are ongoing - but denied a deal was already in place, as some Spanish sources suggested on Tuesday. "The contacts are open with Liverpool and things are going well, but still the operation is not closed," confirmed Figger. Aurelio added that his future is in the hands of his representative, saying: "This subject is with my agent, he knows everything." Aurelio's capture would be a major coup for Liverpool and would bolster their left sided-options - with the South American able to play comfortably in defence and midfield. Rafa Benitez knows Aurelio well from his time at Valencia and obviously feels that he is a player who can add some extra quality to his squad.

If it's a trasnlation from his native tongue then it could mean that we have to sell a striker before we will buy a striker?

Doesn't stop them putting in a ludicrous tho. Would Inter turn down £40-50m+ for him?

Unless deals are already being put in place now or were sorted during January ready for the summer? It's already happened with Paletta so why not others?

Well I'd go with Victor as one of them as he's on a free and would be good back up to the first choice. Does anyone think that Aurelio would go straight into the team or would Riise still be first choice?

At last!

Agreed completely. Again agreed but how many times in the last few games have we had the opportunity to score a few yet failed and come away with either a point or ended up being knocked out of the CL? It's just annoying that we didn't manage to get a break and snatch a spawny point like others have have done against us.

Thanks for that, didn't know Riise's was that serious. What's his injury? I'd personally go with Warnock then at LB altho I wonder whether Rafa would be tempted to play Agger there if Sami's fit? I hope Sami is ok, after all he was on the bench v Benfica.

I'd have said it would have been between him and Barragan unless we went with 2 GKs on the bench