Rafael Benitez

Rafa Benitez has laughed off speculation that he had a bust-up with Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard during the FA Cup defeat by Reading.

But, speaking ahead of a crunch Premier League game on Wednesday night against Tottenham Hotspur, Benitez brushed off the rumours of a falling-out with the influential midfielder.

“We have been joking about the rumours in the media that there was a fight,” said the Liverpool boss.

Gerrard will miss the visit of Spurs due to a hamstring injury, while Fernando Torres, Yossi Benayoun and Glen Johnson are also absent.

Daniel Agger could be available after a groin complaint as Benitez provided the latest update on the club’s injury situation.

acmilan.com

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar consider the possibility of leaving AC Milan in order to secure the chance to appear in the World Cup with the Netherlands.

Striker bought from Real Madrid last summer’s fight is enough to get a place in the main team but he failed to compete.

Huntelaar is now considering the possibility of loan to another club for an opportunity to the world cup with the Netherlands remain open.

“I’m thinking of going,” he said.

“I want to stay in the league is important to show that I could be a Milan player. I wish to be lent and then back again.”

AFP

Ghana suffered a collossal blow to their hopes of qualifying for the CAF Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals when their star player, Michael Essien, was ruled out of Tuesday’s game against Burkina Faso.

Chelsea’s star midfielder misses the final Group B game in Luanda after injuring his right knee in training on Saturday. Reports suggest he has torn the medial collateral ligament in his right knee and damage to his meniscus leaving him facing at least one month on the sidelines.

The 27-year-old is walking with the aid of crutches. FIFA World Cup™ qualifiers Ghana are one point behind Burkina Faso and the four-time champions need a win to avoid being eliminated after the first round of the biennial African football showpiece.

A fully fit Essien would have given Ghana strength and experience in midfield against a Burkina Faso side that was good enough to hold Côte d’Ivoire to a goalless draw in their opening Group C game.

Ghana striker Matthew Amoah told BBC Sport: “This is a big blow because Michael is so important to our team. We’ve lost the motor in our midfield, and this is very bad.”

AP

It’s no secret that Juventus are close to Guus Hiddink associated with poor performance coach Ciro Ferrara who suffer lost five times last six games old lady lived.

Mentioned that there would be talks between the parties with Juve Hiddink after Hiddink’s future with the Russian team decided next week.

Hiddink himself failed to bring ‘Team Red Bear’ escape to the 2010 World Cup. That’s what caused his future in Russia can not be guaranteed.

However, speculation is still disputed by Hiddink’s camp. They emphatically said no talks with Juventus camp so far.

French international players are often linked to flee from the Allianz Arena, although he was still bound by contract until 2011.

Ribery could be sold in the next season if they are not willing to do a new contract extension. Even President Bayern, Uli Hoeness said that the two big clubs like Real Madrid and Chelsea are interested in Ribery.

“It will be faster. We’ll know before the end of the season. At about two, two and a half months away. I want to know before the World Cup.”

Ribery lost most of the first half of the season because of a series of injuries and in 2010 started the year with back injuries.

This is the City of fourth victory in four games since dealt with Mancini. These additional three points to make City surged to a big four sequence positions, the position of the target at the beginning of their minilal this season.

Mancini said the team would not talk too much about the title associated with distance from the head of the league, Chelsea are still relatively far: seven points and four points from Arsenal who are in third position. However, he would dare to speak after two months in advance.

“We’re not going to see the standings for the time being. There are 17 action that must be lived and we will see later on. We’re just going to talk about the standings at one or two months,” he said.

Xinhua/Reuters Photo

Shooting incident carried out against a group of separatist Angola Togo national team bus before the African Cup seems to make the South Africans come to talk.

President Jacob Zuma to ensure that the country will host the 2010 World Cup is completely safe. He assured that the shooting incident would not affect Angola to South Africa.

From Angola’s tragedy, cause loss of life and a number of people injured from the Togo national team. They even threatened to resign from the African Cup.

He said sorry for the incident. He also expects Angola provide tight security for a similar incident does not happen again.

acmilan.com

Fantastic game that was exhibited AC Milan appeared to be difficult to overcome. In fact, club Vice President Adriano Galliani gave his team credit for the victory against Juventus with a 3-0 score.

Leonardo’s top achievements as a coach, who had criticized in the early season, could well bring the first praise Rossoneri opportunity to compete with champions Inter in Serie A. stairs

Praise given to the defender especially Alesandro Nesta Milan scored the first goal. Thus even with Ronaldinho who bought up the remaining two goals in the second half.

In addition, Galliani also would ensure that would continue to maintain the time Filippo Inzaghi was preferred by dispekulasikan other clubs, as well as David Beckham who was on loan from LA Galaxy and contributing role in the victory over Juve.

Juventus need more victory to restore confidence to the team. From seven games last ‘Old Lady’ new sipping two victories, the rest is lost.

Juve won final victory went to the cage when Parma two days ago. In the early weeks of 2010 Series A are, Juve managed to bring home three points after a 2-1 win.

This weekend, Juventus will entertain heavy opponent, Milan. The visitors recorded a track record better. City club this mode to record four victories, two series and only one defeat in his last seven games.

Juve midfielder, Diego confessed satisfied with his team’s performance against Parma at the time this weekend. However, against Milan will be far more difficult and would like the final fight for Juve.

“Now we face Milan and it would be like the final fight for us. If we win, we will return to the order of two.”

Victory over Milan Juventus must accomplish if they want to cut the distance with Inter Milan and returned to the track struggles scudetto.

Getty Images

Patrick Vieira claims Manchester City could still compete for Premier League title when delivering himself in front of City fans at Eastlands.

French defensive midfielder has signed a deal worth £ 100,000 from Inter Milan with a contract for six months.

Vieira admitted the move was partly motivated by a desire to secure his position in the French squad ahead of the World Cup in June. “I hope that the club will also give me a chance to return to the French national team,” he added.

33-year-old player was going to wear number 24 and going back to make his debut against Blackburn Rovers on Monday at Eastlands.