STEVEN GERRARD ARRESTED

Steven Gerrard was arrested on Monday after a brawl at a restaurant. The Liverpool captain was among six men arrested when officers were called to the Lounge Inn in Southport, Merseyside. A local man was taken to hospital with facial injuries, which are not thought to be serious. Police said the 28-year-old footballer and five other men were arrested on suspicion of assault.

 

Gerrard went out with friends just hours after his side's 5-1 victory over Newcastle at St James' Park. He was arrested after a disturbance at the Lounge Inn, a modern restaurant close to the junction of Bold Street and Stanley Street. The venue converts to a late-night club venue with live music and DJs. No one was available to comment on Monday. The seaside town is a popular destination for wealthy footballers looking for a night out. 

BOLA BOYZ LIVERPOOL

NEWCASTLE 1 - LIVERPOOL 5

Liverpool tightened their grip at the top of the Premier League with a superb 5-1 win at Newcastle. England midfielder, Steven Gerrard claimed a fine double as he got the ball rolling with a 31st-minute opener and then after Sami Hyypia and Ryan Babel had struck either side of David Edgar's header, he completed the job with a 66th-minute second.

 

Xabi Alonso also converted a 76th-minute penalty after fellow newcomer David Ngog had been tripped by Edgar to complete a miserable afternoon for Joe Kinnear's injury-ravaged side, for whom goalkeeper Shay Given made seven remarkable saves.

 

BOLA BOYZ  LIVERPOOL 

LIVERPOOL 3 - BOLTON 0

Liverpool reclaimed the top spot of the Premier League with a 3-0 victory over Bolton at Anfield. Chelsea's victory earlier in the day put the London side in pole position until Robbie Keane's double and a goal from Albert Riera ensured the Reds went back to the head of the pack.

 

The win meant Liverpool have completed all of 2008 unbeaten at home in the league. Missing Alvaro Arbeloa with a hamstring injury, manager Rafael Benitez re-jigged his back line, moving Jamie Carragher to right-back with Sami Hyypia slotting into the centre of defence. Liverpool also restored Yossi Benayoun to midfield at the expense of Lucas, who was joined on the bench by fit-again Javier Mascherano.
 

BOLA BOYZ  LIVERPOOL

REAL MADRID WANTS PENNANT

Sky Sports News sources understand Liverpool are considering a bid from Real Madrid for Jermaine Pennant. As revealed by skysports.com, Pennant was attracting interest from La Liga and now Real have made a bid for Liverpool man as they look to bring in a new winger in the January transfer window.

 

New Real coach Juande Ramos has made a new right-sided winger one of his top priorites and they have been linked with a host of players including Ashley Young, Aaron Lennon and CSKA Moscow's Milos Krasic. Real have been priced out of the move for the trio and now they have turned their attentions to forgotten Liverpool man Pennant. Pennant has made just four appearances for Liverpool this season and it appears he does not figure in Rafa Benitez's long-term plans.

 

BOLA BOYZ  LIVERPOOL

ARSENAL 1 - LIVERPOOL 1

Striker Robbie Keane dealt a fresh blow to Arsenal's fading title hopes as he secured a point for Barclays Premier League leaders Liverpool in a 1-1 draw at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal had striker Emmanuel Adebayor sent off in the second half, which hampered their hopes of finding a winner after Keane's goal had cancelled out Robin van Persie's strike.

 

Arsene Wenger's men went into the match eight points off the pace, and perhaps more significantly they were - and remain - out of the top four following Aston Villa's win at West Ham. Despite taking the lead through a fine strike from Van Persie after 24 minutes, it proved a false dawn as the Reds levelled before the break when Keane latched onto a long ball up-field and lashed in a thunderous shot.

 

Arsenal were forced to play the final 30 minutes with only 10 men after referee Howard Webb showed Adebayor his second yellow card for a clumsy challenge on Alvaro Arbeloa.

 

BOLA BOYZ   ARSENAL   LIVERPOOL 

TIME IS RIGHT FOR ARSENAL VS LIVERPOOL

Jose Reina is confident that his team will be able to steal 3 points from Arsenal as they travel to the Emirates Stadium. The Liverpool goalkeeper reckons the time is right for the Premier League leaders to clinch their first win at the Emirates Stadium as they look to extend their advantage at the summit to four points.

 

The Reds head into Sunday's game a point clear of Chelsea, who do not travel to Everton until Monday, and knowing a first win at Arsenal's new ground would open up a healthy cushion.

 

BOLA BOYZ   LIVERPOOL 

LIVERPOOL DENY KEANE SALE ISSUE

Liverpool have issued a denial that Robbie Keane will be sold in the January transfer window, after former Anfield player Mark Lawrenson claimed the striker's future was in doubt. Lawrenson, who currently works as a TV pundit, told Irish radio station Today FM's The Last Word that Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard believes Keane could be set for a move in January.

 

The Guardian Liverpool later explained that Lawrenson's remarks are his interpretation of a private chat between the two of them. They do not accurately reflect Steven's opinion of Robbie Keane and they certainly do not tally with Steven's recollection of the conversation itself.

 

Last week 28-year-old Keane, who has scored just twice in the Premier League since his £20.3m move from Tottenham Hotspurs, dismissed claims that he would be leaving the club and insisted the goals would come.

 

BOLA BOYZ  LIVERPOOL 

HYYPIA BELIEVES TITLE WILL COME

Sami Hyypia insists Liverpool's recent wobble is not a direct result of added pressure placed on the side. The Reds continue to set the pace in the Premier League title race, but three draws in their last four games has allowed the chasing pack to remain hot on their heels.

 

Rafa Benitez will also be concerned by the fact that his troops are struggling to grind out results at Anfield. Goalless stalemates against West Ham and Stoke were followed by a 2-2 draw with Hull on Saturday, ensuring their lead over closest challengers Chelsea remains at only a solitary point.

 

Veteran centre-half Hyypia claims Liverpool remain on course to end their 19-year wait for a top-flight crown, but admits there are issues which need to be addressed ahead of Sunday's clash with Arsenal.

 

BOLA BOYZ   LIVERPOOL 

LIVERPOOL 2 - HULL CITY 2

 

Premier League new boys, Hull City denied Liverpool from collecting a full 3 points with another accomplished away performance in a 2-2 draw at Anfield. The Tigers would have ended Liverpool's season-long unbeaten home record, if not because of Steven Gerrard.

 

Hull were two ahead through Paul McShane and a Jamie Carragher own goal before  Gerrard scored twice in eight minutes, taking his tally for the season to 11. Gerrard was among the players returning after being rested from the Champions League win over Eindhoven in midweek, along with Jose Reina, Dirk Kuyt and Xabi Alonso.

 

BOLA BOYZ  LIVERPOOL 

GERRARD HOPES TO TIGHTEN GRIPS

 

Steven Gerrard feels that the Christmas period could prove pivotal to the club's title hopes. Liverpool currently lead the Premier League by just one point but will be hoping that a fairly favourable fixture list, a trip to Emirates Stadium aside will allow them to cement their position at the top.

 

Anything less than nine points from games against Hull, Bolton and Newcastle will be unacceptable to the Anfield faithful, and Gerrard knows that entering the New Year as league leaders will send out a message of intent to their rivals.

 

BOLA BOYZ   LIVERPOOL 

AC MILAN WANTS AGGER

Adriano Galliani has revealed that AC Milan are keeping tabs on Liverpool defender Daniel Agger. The Danish centre-back, who moved to Anfield in 2006, has been in fine form this season.

 

Rafa Benitez recently rubbished reports suggesting Agger wants to leave Liverpool, although the 23-year-old has yet to put pen-to-paper on a new deal. Milan have been monitoring the situation with interest and have now confirmed that Agger is one of their targets for the January transfer window.

BOLA BOYZ    LIVERPOOL 

BABEL REQUESTED FOR LOAN MOVE

Ryan Babel revealed that he did ask Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez about a loan move to Ajax. However, despite having that turned down, the Reds boss gave him no assurances about a regular starting place. The young Dutchman scored in Liverpool's 3-1 Champions League victory over PSV Eindhoven amid his agent's claims he had tried to get a loan move back to Ajax.

 

But Liverpool have made it very clear Babel is going nowhere and must knuckle down to his role in the squad, having been unable to convince Benitez he should be a regular in the starting line-up. Ajax had been keen on the idea, but have been told there is no chance of such a move while Liverpool are fighting for the Premier League title.

BOLA BOYZ    LIVERPOOL 

PSV EINDHOVEN 1 - LIVERPOOL 3

Liverpool had to come from behind against PSV Eindhoven to clinch top place in Group D. Boss Rafael Benitez rested Steven Gerrard and sent out a much-changed side against the Dutch champions and found themselves behind when Danko Lazovic struck after 36 minutes.

 

Dutchman Ryan Babel found an equaliser just before the break and from then on there was only ever going to be one winner. Albert Riera belted home a 30-yarder for the second before French youngster David Ngog added a third to ensure the night ended comfortably for the Reds.

 

Stephen Darby, Jay Spearing and Martin Kelly all getting their first taste of Champions league football. Liverpool left out Gerrard, Xabi Alonso and Jose Reina with Robbie Keane recalled to play up front alongside Ngog. Babel was included on the wing while Lucas started in midfield.

BOLA BOYZ    LIVERPOOL 

BLACKBURN 1- LIVERPOOL 3

Liverpool recorded an unconvincing 3-1 victory over Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park to increase the pressure on manager Paul Ince. Xabi Alonso opened the scoring for the away side in the 68th minute and Yossi Benayoun looked to have secured the points just ten minutes later.

 

Roque Santa Cruz got a consolation goal in the 86th minute only for Steven Gerrard to have the last word in stoppage time. The first half had promised very little, except a fantastic 30-yard drive from Morten Gamst Pedersen that struck the bar.

 

BOLA BOYZ   LIVERPOOL  

GERRARD EYES TITLE GLORY

Steven Gerrard believes Liverpool's unwavering support is deserving of
a Premier League title. The Reds have gone 18 long years since they
last claimed the top-flight crown, with countless false dawns failing
to bring the desired result.

However, with the club leading the way 15 games into the current
campaign, there is a growing sense of optimism on Merseyside that this
may be the year that barren spell comes to an end. Influential club
captain Gerrard is certainly hoping that proves to be the case, with
the England international desperate to give the Anfield faithful
something to shout about.

LIVERPOOL 0 - WEST HAM 0

Liverpool failed to take full advantage on the stumbles by Chelsea
after being held to a 0-0 draw with West Ham at Anfield. Striker
Fernando Torres was sidelined again with injury, the Reds seem
struggling to get the goal that they needed.

The homeside started well with more posessions but striker Robbie
Keane and Dirk Kuyt just couldn't find the net. Former Liverpool
player, Craig Bellamy also showed that he is still dangerous in West
Ham colours. Ryan Babel was brought in after 78th minutes, but failed
to produce the goal for the league leader. West Ham Robert Green was
outstanding to deny a series of Liverpool's goal attemps. Despite the
draw, Reds are now leading the Premier League with 1 point over
Chelsea.