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Liverpool coasted into the 4th round of the FA Cup with a comprehensive 5-1 victory against Oldham Athletic. It was Steven Gerrard’s first start of the season and his presence reinvigorated a Liverpool side still reeling from last week’s defeat against City.

At FFC this week it’s there has been plenty of Liverpool blogs that include an open letter to Torres; transfer necessity for Dalglish, while Bellamy fast becoming Kenny’s most valuable signing.

We also look at other Liverpool articles from around the Web:

Caption Competition: Have Liverpool or Newcastle had the last laugh?

Liverpool’s top TEN ‘most famous’ fans

An Open Letter to Fernando Torres

The transfer necessity for Kenny Dalglish

Dalglish’s worst bit of transfer business to date?

Are Villas-Boas and Dalglish really doing enough?

Transfer dealings at Liverpool FC?

Liverpool’s most important signing of the season?

A £24m gamble worth taking by Kenny Dalglish?

Jelavic keen on Premier League amid Liverpool’s interest

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Best of WEB

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Have the Reds wasted £100million? – Live4Liverpool

All Spanish Speakers Are Racist – Tomkins Times

The Stats Behind Shooting & Creativity for Liverpool FC – Anfield Index

Could Luis Suarez’s suspension be a blessing in disguise? – This is Anfield

€15M Price Tag Represents Huge Value: Top Flight Premiership Old Hand On The Move – Transfer Tavern

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Click on Wayne Bridge’s current lady below to unveil our WAG XI of the season

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Luigi Delneri has played down talk of a Champions League place, insisting Juventus are focusing on their Serie A clash with Fiorentina.The Turin club are six points from Lazio in fourth on the league table, but have hit form in the run home to the end of the season.

Victory over Fiorentina would be Juventus’ fourth league win in succession, and Delneri stated that extending his side’s positive run was his main focus – not a Champions League spot.

“All the games have hidden dangers, so it will be a complicated and difficult match with Fiorentina,” he said.

“It’s going to be an important game and our recent wins have allowed us to remain in the hunt for an objective right to the end.”

“If you don’t set targets week by week, then you won’t achieve them. I don’t believe you can think long-term, so focusing only on Fiorentina must be our plan right now.”

Juventus are missing defender Giorgio Chiellini, midfielder Momo Sissoko and strike duo Vincenzo Iaquinta and Fabio Quagliarella, though Gianluigi Buffon is back after illness and should replace Marco Storari in goal.

“I understand Marco Storari wanted to make his mark during Buffon’s absence and has worked hard in training,” Delneri said.

“I understand him, but I make the decisions.”

As the curtains are finally drawn on the long running Cesc Fabregas saga this summer, it appears that one man has emerged with at least some credit.

Pep Guardiola has remained relatively unobtrusive this summer whilst his players and president have persistently tested Arsenal’s resolve and the latest admission that the North London side were right to keep hold of their star man is quite frankly a breath of fresh air.

Guardiola said: “I understand Arsenal and I understand Wenger, I wouldn’t have let him leave either,” which contrasts greatly with the immense pressure his squad trying to exert over a stubborn Arsene Wenger. Perhaps if the Nou Camp boss had a spoke sooner, the mind-numbing transfer saga would have long since run its course.

However, any credit that is lavished upon the Spaniard for this latest twist must be paralleled with that of Arsene Wenger who took a stance which he felt best for his football club and did not move an inch in the face of blatant provocation.

Fabregas himself admitted that he has only remained at Arsenal because the Frenchman “forced” him to do so, but it is with this understanding that I only feel further compelled to feel admiration for the Arsenal chief as it is too often that player power conquests the clubs desire to keep him.

The fact he signed a five-year deal not so long ago acts in accordance with Arsenal’s right to retain his services and it could be argued that Fabregas himself denied himself the move by putting pen to paper on such a long deal which is vindicated even more by Guardiola’s agreement.

There is no doubt that the admission of another top coach that “he would have done same” makes the unremitting chase for Fabregas and the forcing of a Barcelona shirt over his head during Spain’s World Cup celebration seem all the more irrational and only intensifies the lack of respect shown to Arsenal from some of the players and hierarchy at the Nou Camp.

For now, the resilience of Arsenal has prevailed and Guardiola’s latest comments contribute to re-building a reputation that has been slightly tarnished by their seemingly desperate attempts to capture the Gunners skipper.

Wenger concluded that “It is important for football that players do not move away. That nobody can just come in and say ‘we want him and you go.”

Fabregas will undoubtedly be watched with interest next year as he tries to acclimatize himself to the fact his “dream” move will not realised for at least another season and the Arsenal fans will hope his heart is now set on winning their first trophy in years as opposed to a move to the Spanish capital.

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With the PL season nearly upon us, let’s see the WAGS that will be keeping the players on their toes. Click on image to VIEW gallery

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has stated that despite AC Milan claiming to have agreed the terms of a loan deal with Carlos Tevez, the Premier League club will not accept the deal, as they want to sell him.

The Argentina international has not played for City in months after refusing to come off the bench against Bayern Munich in September, and then going AWOL and returning to his homeland without the permission of the club.

The current Premier League leaders are paying the South American attacker’s huge wages despite the fact that he is playing no role at the club, and are keen to show him the door come January, recuperating money from his sale.

Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani stated yesterday that they were keen on a temporary deal initially, but this does not seem to interest the Etihad Stadium outfit.

“I don’t know exactly what is happening with Carlos, but we want to sell him,” the Italian coach stated to The Daily Mail.

“Nothing has happened yet, but it may do in the next few days. But they can’t take him on loan,” he clarified.

The news will come as a boost for Corinthians and Boca Juniors, who both are set to launch January bids for Tevez.

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By Gareth McKnight

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The Blues are top of the Premier League form table and on the path to secure a top 4 place come the end of the season with an outside chance of catching Arsenal in 2nd or even United at the top if either of the teams are to slip up.

Despite super signing Fernando Torres not scoring a single goal since his arrival, Chelsea have been performing incredibly well since their form at mid-way through the season. They’ve won their last 3 games back-to-back with other new signing David Luiz already making a name for himself since his arrival with 2 goals.

Stoke on the other hand seem safe in 10th position and safe for Premier League football next season. Tony Pulis’ men have a semi-final at Wembley in the FA Cup to look forward to but the manager will be looking to turn over a poor record against Chelsea as the Potters have not picked up a single point against them in their last five attempts.

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City have a good home record and will make it tough for the visit of the side from south west London, but Chelsea being in such good form of late will use their class to make the difference in this game depending on the formation that Carlo Ancelotti uses.

Prediction: Stoke City 0-1 Chelsea

Watch Jason Cundy & Scott Minto on Scoreboard and see their pre-match predictions

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French teenager Francis Coquelin has signed a new long-term contract with Arsenal who have confirmed that the 19-year-old will spend the 2010-11 campaign on loan with Lorient.

The midfielder made three first-team appearances for the Gunners last season when he was a regular in the reserve side.

Coquelin told Arsenal's official website:"I feel really happy to sign a new contract. I've had two great years already and now I will carry on and hopefully it will continue going well.

"Arsenal is the right club for me because Arsene Wenger trusts young players and we can learn quickly at a high level. That's why I went there in the first place.

"The first six months were quite hard for me because of the language but now I have learned English, now I have my house, my friends in England, and I feel comfortable.

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"They have given me a new contract so obviously they are counting on me and I am really pleased with that. I will give that back by working hard."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email

Manchester United is not a place you associate with slavery but this week Tomasz Kuszczak accused Sir Alex Ferguson of just that. Having realised his foolish ways the stopper has tried to deny reports that he said that but it is unlikely to have helped his chances of getting a game.

At FFC this week there’s been plenty of talk about the mindlessness of the keeper, the coincidence of last weekend’s celebratory fixture and why Paul Pogba should think twice before jumping ship.

We also have a selection of the best United blogs from across the web.

Caption Competition: Oooh…suits you Rio!

Too good to be on the periphery at Old Trafford

United starlet should accept the grass isn’t always greener

The contrasting fortunes of Fergie and Terry

The more I read, the more I like Michael Owen

Aysal confirms interest in Manchester United ace

“Manchester United is a dream club for me”

United outburst makes you question Tomasz’s ambitions

 Best of WEB

Forget Midfield, This Is The Real Priority For United In January- Red Flag Flying High

How to lose fans and alienate your manager – United Rant

Sir Alex Ferguson’s Greatest Masterstroke As A Manager – The United Religion

VIDEO: BBC’s tribute to Sir Alex Ferguson – The Busby Way

Phil Jones – a man for all positions – SEA

£6M Is For Nothing & Sir Alex Knows It: Barca Youth Star Old Trafford Bound? – Transfer Tavern

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Click on Miss Yespica below to see her in all her glory

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Porto are within reach of a Europa League quarter-finals berth with a 1-0 win at CSKA Moscow, while Spartak Moscow stunned Ajax.Colombian midfielder Fredy Guarin was on hand to nab an invaluable away goal for Porto, cutting inside at the edge of the area and firing a well-directed effort beyond CSKA goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev in the 70th minute.The result was just reward for the Portuguese club, who dominated the opening leg of their last-16 tie in freezing conditions at the Luzhniki Stadium.Porto will take a handy aggregate into their home leg next Thursday, where – if their intimidating Liga Sagres form this season is any indication – they will prove very difficult to defeat.Elsewhere, Spartak Moscow were surprise 1-0 winners at Eredivisie runners-up Ajax, with Brazilian midfielder Alex finding the net in the 57th minute.The former Internacional playmaker took possession on the right flank and worked his way inside two Ajax defenders before dipping a left-footed shot into the top-left corner.Ajax were unable to find a reply despite a spirited showing in the final half hour, and face an uphill battle to secure their passage to the last eight when they travel to the Russian capital next Thursday.Fellow Russian club Zenit St Petersburg face their own struggle in next week’s home leg after they fell 3-0 at Dutch club Twente.Netherlands international Luuk de Jong scored a brace either side of veteran midfielder Denny Landzaat’s 56th-minute goal, leaving Twente well-placed for a trip to the quarter-finals.Paris Saint-Germain’s tie with Benfica is evenly poised after the French club fell 2-1 in Lisbon.Congolese attacker Peguy Luyindula nabbed a valuable away goal in the 15th minute, but Maximiliano Pereira levelled in the shadows of half-time and Franco Jara saved Benfica’s blushes with an 82nd-minute winner.Spanish side Villarreal can thank Nilmar for their surprise 3-2 win at Bayer Leverkusen, with the Brazilian ace netting an injury-time winner to put Villarreal in a strong position ahead of their home tie.Michal Kadlec had opened the scoring for Bayer after the half hour, before strike duo Giuseppe Rossi and Nilmar put Villarreal up 2-1 by the 70th minute.Gonzalo Castro looked to have secured a draw for the hosts two minutes later, but Nilmar struck again to bag a brace and keep Villarreal in the hunt for the quarter-finals.Elsewhere, Scottish side Rangers held Dutch club PSV Eindhoven to a 0-0 draw in the Netherlands, Liverpool fell 1-0 at Sporting Braga and Dynamo Kiev defeated Manchester City 2-0.

Newcastle United are back where many would believe they deserve to be, in the top-flight of English football…the Premier League.

The Magpies immediately bounced back into the Premier League after suffering relegation in the 2008/09 season by winning the Championship title last year.

Chris Hughton has done a remarkable job since officially becoming the Newcastle manager in October 2009. The Magpie boss faces his toughest task yet, tying to strengthen his squad before the new season kicks-off and to cement their rightful place in the Premier League once again. However, it has already been announced that Hughton will have minimal transfer funds to work with this summer.

So, taking this into consideration, will the Newcastle boss have to sell one or two of his big names in order to accommodate for other areas that supposedly needs reinforcing?

Undoubtedly, Houghton will be acting as somewhat a vulture in the market this summer, in the sense that he will be picking off any potential deals and bargains he can get his hands on. Free transfers signings and acquiring players on loan will probably be Newcastle’s best bet when the window re-opens, of course this can change with a big name being sold for a reasonable price.

If Newcastle wish to have transfer funds available this summer, then they will have to sell one of their senior players in order to gain some. Defender Steven Taylor and re-born striker Andy Carroll are reported to be the main two Newcastle players linked with moves away from St. James Park. The two players have been inspirational figures in the squad and their contribution no doubt helped the Toon and its army back into the big time. Whilst Taylor was keeping strikers at bay, Carroll was smashing them in; can Newcastle really afford to let them go…especially now they are back in the Premier League? Well, Hughton has stated that their have been no bids for any of his players as of yet. Speaking to the Newcastle chronicle earlier this week, the magpie manager said:

“I can categorically say that we have not had one bid or any interest in any of our first team players and we wouldn’t welcome any either.”

The Toon have already shown an interest in Slavia Sofia’s keeper Rais M’Bohli and reportedly failed in a £1 million bid for Bolton’s Jllyod Samuel.

The club and their fans may feel that they need a few new additions added for this season’s campaign in order to stay clear of the relegation places. Their current squad look adequate for the Premier League, with several players having experience in the top-flight, Alan Smith, Shola Ameobi and Kevin Nolan are to name just a few. Maybe one or two new signings would be ideal for squad depth, but if it means selling a star player, then maybe it’s not worth the risk for Hughton and Newcastle United to take.

A majority of the Toon fans may feel that some areas of the team do need strengthening before the season gets underway, but with no financial backing this summer fans may have to deal with what they have already. Would they like to see a good player come in whilst one of their best moves on? Very doubtful, however, this will be up to Hughton to decide within the next month or so. Even if nothing does transpire in the market this summer, many (along with me) feel that Newcastle United will be as safe as houses by the end of May next year…and hopefully, a long time after that as well.

Follow me on Twitter – http://twitter.com/TMer4kl1

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Click image below to see a gallery of the German babes at the World Cup:

After this Saturday’s Champions League final, Liverpool will turn their attention to the transfer window, and a new goalkeeper should be on the agenda.

Simon Mignolet has lost his position as number one at Anfield, being forced down the pecking order at the start of 2018.

Manager Jurgen Klopp decided to promote Loris Karius, but he has also shown shaky moments in between the sticks.

Despite this, the stopper could end up being crowned European champion this weekend if Liverpool overcome Real Madrid in the Champions League final in Kiev.

If the Merseyside outfit claim their sixth trophy in the competition, then their ability to land transfer targets will surely be boosted.

Gianluigi Buffon will be available this summer after ending a 17-year spell at Juventus, where he won 19 trophies, including nine Serie A titles.

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The 40-year-old is experienced at the top level, so could be a decent stop-gap for a season until Liverpool recruit a long-term option.

We asked you if the Premier League club should make a move, and the majority believe that Buffon is worth it.