Liverpool appoint Kevin Keen as first team coach

Liverpool appointed Kevin Keen as first team coach on Sunday as part of manager Kenny Dalglish's reorganisation of his backroom staff.

The arrival of the 44-year-old former West Ham United first team coach comes after assistant manager Sammy Lee's departure from Anfield by mutual consent on Friday.

Keen spent his playing days with West Ham, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Stoke City, Macclesfield Town and Wycombe Wanderers before going into coaching.

He was caretaker manager at West Ham in their final match of last season following Avram Grant's sacking after their relegation from the Premier League.

"I'm delighted that Kevin is joining us to work alongside Steve Clarke coaching the first team squad. He has previously worked with Steve at West Ham and has a good reputation and a good manner about him," Dalglish said on the club's website (www.liverpoolfc.tv).

FIFA's got it right this time

Have you heard that Ruud van Nistelrooy wants to leave Real Madrid in the January transfer window? The bigger news is that the Dutchman wants to snub Arsenal who have shown an interest in the striker to join Rafael Benitez's Liverpool.

If true, it could be a great move for Ruud. He excels in the English league as we saw during his time at Manchester United. His familiarity with the conditions and style of play will help him adapt pretty easily. Besides, since the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Kaka, Ruud hasn't featured in the starting line-up in Madrid and made brief appearance as a substitute.

Of course, after a knee surgery, Nistelrooy was out of the game for over six months last year and has been in and out since then.

Whether it will be a smart signing by Rafa, I am not too sure. Ruud will come in as a replacement for injured Spanish striker Fernando Torres. Ruud is 33 years old and nowhere near his best. His knee and ankle - both have been operated on - don't look strong enough to meet the demands of the physically challenging English game.

But that two top clubs -- Arsenal and Liverpool -- are interested in the player despite his trouble with injuries speaks volumes of the respect the Dutchman enjoys as a top striker. Yet, I don't think he is the answer for either clubs.

Another topic of discussion that has left me terribly amused is whether France should play a rematch of the World Cup 2010 qualifier against Ireland or not. Thierry Henry, the cheat, and Arsene Wenger, France's conscience-keeper, want the rematch.

To recap, the Irish were cheated out of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa by Thierry Henry's handball in the build-up to France's extra-time equaliser in the qualifier that ended 1-1. After the handball, unnoticed by the referee, Henry set up William Gallas who scored the decisive goal for France ensuring their passage to South Africa.

Of course it wasn't right. Henry cheated. Ireland deserved that berth in South Africa having outplayed France throughout the game. But does that call for a rematch? I don't think so. FIFA has ruled that the draw at the Stade de France cannot be changed and I am with the game's top body on this one.

There have been hundreds of instances where a team has won unfairly while the deserving has gotten cheated out. If one were to replay every match, there would be no end to it.
Handball is cheating, as is diving and may such offences. Sometimes the players get punished, sometimes such things go unnoticed. That's the nature of the game and part of what makes the sport so watchable. Else, Argentina shouldn't have been champions in 1986 nor Italy in 2006, who cheated out Australia in Germany.

Football is full of wonders, beauty, magic, skill, grit and flaws, cheats, pain, tragedy. It's all of it. Just like life. Ok, so Henry cheated. Just like 95 per cent other footballers, who have also cheated at some point or the other. End of story. No rematch please. Let's move on.

Benitez believes Liverpool still in Premier League title race

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez reckons his side can blow the Premier League title race wide open again when they visit Old Trafford next month.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has been so impressed by Manchester United's nine straight league wins that he admits that he cannot see anyone getting near them.

The bookies also clearly agree, with one already paying out on Alex Ferguson's outfit winning a domestic treble, The Sun reported.

Even Fergie himself believes it is a two-horse race, with only Liverpool placed to make a scrap of it.

But Benitez, whose side host Manchester City tomorrow, insisted: "When I speak of facts, one is that United are a very good team and I knew they could have a run of winning games in a row.

"They will win more than a lot of the other teams, but to say we can't beat them? I don't think so. I can only talk of my team, but I don't think they are untouchable. In football now, every game is tough, so anything can happen," Benitez said.

"We have reduced the gap very well and want to reduce it more. It will be difficult but, if we're in the same position going to Old Trafford, maybe that could be important."

Few men are better placed to talk of shattering the status quo than Benitez, whose Valencia side broke Real Madrid and Barcelona's stranglehold on the title in Spain.

Liverpool trail United by five points, but seven years ago Valencia was even further behind Real and still won the title.

Benitez added: "In Spain we were eight or nine points behind in January and finished seven ahead. It's a big gap, but we can reduce that by winning a few in a row."

Adebayor vents anger at Arbeloa

Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor has accused Liverpool defender Alvaro Arbeloa of play-acting in order to get him sent off in Sunday's 1-1 draw.

Adebayor was shown a second yellow card in the 62nd minute for a clumsy challenge but the Togo international believes the decision was harsh on him.

"I cannot say he [Arbeloa] cheated, but what he did was not fair play at all," said the 24-year-old.

"The defender threw himself on the floor as if I put a knife in him."

Manager Arsene Wenger believes the sending off cost his side victory and was furious with referee Howard Webb's decision.

"I am convinced we would have won with 11 players," said the Arsenal manager.

"We took control with 10 men, but imagine what it would have been like with 11?"

Robin van Persie had given the home side the lead with a brilliant finish after some excellent control, before Robbie Keane levelled the match with an equally good finish just before half-time.

Liverpool were on top after the interval, although chances were at a premium even before Adebayor went in high on Alvaro Arbeloa, prompting Webb to issue the striker his second yellow card.

"It was very soft," said Wenger of the second booking. "If we get red cards like that from opponents away from home then I'm very happy.

"It was not a red card, it was not a second yellow card. I don't know what it was for and I'm sure he (the referee) doesn't know.

"It's frustrating because we had a nervy first half as we were under pressure to win this game and I knew we would finish very strongly.

"We played high up in the second half and we could not take advantage of the fact we were slowly taking control of the game because we were down to 10 men."

Adebayor agreed with his manager's sentiments and believes Webb made a mistake.

"I don't think I deserved a yellow card and just want the referee to go back and watch it on TV again," he said.

"I just wanted to protect the ball. A striker like me, Robbie Keane, (Nicolas) Anelka or (Didier) Drogba always have to protect the ball and that's what happened.

"At the end of the end of the day he has made a mistake and he has to recognise that what he has done is a little mistake."

Liverpool were missing manager Rafael Benitez from the touchline after he underwent an operation to remove kidney stones during the week.

With the Spaniard at home recuperating, assistant boss Sammy Lee filled the void and revealed afterwards that Benitez had remained in regular contact.

"We have been in constant touch all week and we made sure we were in constant touch before and during the game," he said.

"He was at home and it is testimony to his professionalism because he has been in a lot of pain."

Liverpool are two points clear of Chelsea at the top with the west London club due to face Everton on Sunday and although happy with a point, Lee was disappointed not to come away from the Emirates with all three.

"This is Liverpool and we look to take three points everywhere we go," said the 49-year-old.

"The boys are disappointed but we have to accentuate the positives and we have got a good point at a very good club.

"Part of our disappointment is that we did not use our numerical advantage but credit to Arsenal, who worked hard when they were a man down."

Keane's goal was his third in the league for Liverpool this season and comes after criticism for recent below-par performances, but the 28-year-old believes he still has plenty to offer this season.

"It's always nice to score a goal as a striker," he said.

"We are judged on goals and not on everything else we do. It's always nice to score but what's important is that it's not about me it's about the team and not getting beat.

"I know I'll score a lot of goals for this club. It was nice to score today and I know there will be a lot more to come.

"I prefer to be judged at the end of the season and not in December."

English clubs handed tough task

England's chances of producing three semi-finalists in the Champions League for the third successive season were dented on Friday by a tough-looking last 16 draw.

Holders Manchester United were paired with Italian champions and Serie A leaders Inter Milan while Premier League leaders Liverpool take on nine-times champions Real Madrid after the draw made at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland.

Last year's runners-up Chelsea were paired with Juventus, managed by former Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri, while Arsenal, finalists in 2006, play AS Roma in a third Anglo-Italian clash.

The Manchester United tie will see another former Chelsea boss, Jose Mourinho, returning to face Premiership opposition in his new role in charge of Inter.

"Obviously Jose has put us out of the competition before," said United's communications director Phil Townsend in reference to Mourinho's success at the same stage in 2004 with eventual European champions Porto.

"But equally we put Inter out in 1999 when we went on to win the tournament so maybe that's a good omen for us."

Real Madrid's meeting with Liverpool will mark only the second time that the Spanish nine-time European champions have met the English five-time winners in the competition.

Their only previous encounter came in the final of the 1981 European Cup with Liverpool winning through 1-0.

Cristiano Ronaldo wins Golden Ball award

Cristiano Ronaldo won the Golden Ball awarded to the European Footballer of the Year on Tuesday, becoming the fourth Manchester United player to take the honour and the first since fellow winger George Best in 1968.

Ronaldo's brilliant scoring form helped him beat Barcelona striker Lionel Messi into second place, while Liverpool forward Fernando Torres was third in the poll results announced overnight by France Football magazine.

Ronaldo dominated the voting, tallying 446 points. Messi had 281 points and Torres had 179.

That gave Ronaldo two points more than Kaka won last year's award with.

Ronaldo was second last year with 277, while Messi was third with 255. Kaka, Milan's Brazilian playmaker, was eighth this time with only 31 points.

Ronaldo scored 42 goals in all competitions last season as United won the Premier League and Champions League trophies.

The 23-year-old Ronaldo adds the Ballon d'Or award to the FIFA Pro World Player of the Year trophy he won in October, and the Professional Footballers Association and the Football Writers awards.

He also becomes the first Premier League player to win since former Liverpool forward Michael Owen in 2001, and the first Portuguese player since winger Luis Figo won it with Real Madrid in 2000.

France Football's award was decided by an annual poll of football journalists with a short list of 30 players.

Following Portugal's disappointing showing at the European Championship in June, Ronaldo underwent an operation to his troublesome right ankle injury in July that then kept him sidelined until September 17.

Rooney’s 100th seals derby

Manchester United overcome a late surge from City to prevail 1-0; Cristiano Ronaldo is sent off for a hand ball

Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off for the third time in his Manchester United career as Wayne Rooney’s 100th goal in club football sealed a 1-0 victory for Sir Alex Ferguson’s men against Manchester City at Eastlands on Sunday. Rooney’s goal — his first in seven games — settled the 150th meeting between the Manchester neighbours and cemented United in third spot in the Premier League.

But United were forced to play the final twenty-one minutes with ten men after Ronaldo was dismissed for handling the ball from Rooney’s corner — his second booking in the space of nine minutes.

With five other players booked, United now face an FA fine for failing to control their players, but Ferguson will not be concerned by that having sealed a crucial victory. City hadn’t landed back in Manchester until early on Friday morning following their UEFA Cup tie against Schalke in Germany, and United went into this game with the advantage of having had an extra two days to prepare.

The extra freshness within the United ranks showed in the first half as the European champions dominated possession and created the best chances. Not for the first time this season, though, Ferguson’s team failed to capitalise on their early dominance and, just as happened at Liverpool, Everton and Arsenal earlier this campaign, United struggled to kill off their bitter rivals.

The visitors could have gone ahead as early as the eighth minute when City keeper Joe Hart fumbled a Rooney shot, but Darren Fletcher failed to convert the loose ball from six yards.

Anorthosis Famagusta dream of last 16

Cypriot underdogs Anorthosis Famagusta will reach the Champions League last 16 later on Wednesday if they beat Werder Bremen at home and Group B leaders Inter Milan defeat Panathinaikos.

The competition newcomers can seal their shock progression with a game in hand and will be confident after holding the Germans to a 0-0 draw in Bremen in their first group game.

Inter, who drew 3-3 at Anorthosis last time out, need just a point at the San Siro to go through but coach Jose Mourinho is keen to finish top of the group following Saturday's morale-boosting 1-0 Serie A win over Juventus.

Last season's runners-up Chelsea can ensure a place in the knockout stages with a victory at Bordeaux but they will be wary after the 3-1 defeat at AS Roma in their last Group A game.

Roma visit Romania's CFR Cluj, who beat the Italians 2-1 away in their group opener, but neither can progress just yet.

Liverpool will have inspirational midfielder Steven Gerrard back from injury for the visit of Marseille while fellow Group D leaders Atletico Madrid host PSV Eindhoven. Wins would put both sides through while draws for both would also suffice.

Sporting entertain Barcelona in Group C with the two clubs already through to February's last 16. A victory for Barca in Lisbon would make sure they finish top of the group.

Top four Premiership teams fire blanks

The top four failed to muster a goal Saturday as Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United drew 0-0 while Arsenal went down 3-0 at Manchester City.

Premier League leaders Chelsea could find no way through Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge. Liverpool had the same problem at home to Fulham and third-placed Manchester United were held 0-0 in a lively game at Aston Villa.

Troubled Arsenal's season went from bad to worse as they slid to fifth.

With captain William Gallas dropped for questioning the fighting spirit of his team mates, injury-hit Arsenal capitulated with Stephen Ireland, Robinho and Daniel Sturridge on target for City.

Arsenal are 10 points behind Chelsea and Liverpool who are locked together on 33 points from 14 matches although Chelsea have a superior goal difference. United are eight points behind with a game in hand while Villa rose to fourth.

Hull City twice came from behind to draw 2-2 at Portsmouth, Bolton Wanderers won 3-1 at Middlesbrough while bottom club West Bromwich Albion lost 1-0 at Stoke City.

Chelsea were frustrated by a gritty Newcastle performance. The leaders have now drawn three times at Stamford Bridge this season and also lost at home to Liverpool.

"Who won today? Newcastle because they came here to draw. The players tried but it is not the day for us," Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari told the BBC.

Liverpool to miss Gerrard

Liverpool will go into Saturday’s Premier League match against Fulham without captain Steven Gerrard who has failed to recover from a torn groin muscle that kept him out of England’s 2-1 victory at Germany on Wednesday.

Chelsea will also be without striker Didier Drogba who starts a three-match ban. Frank Lampard, who also did not play against Germany because of a rib injury, is set to play Saturday’s match against Newcastle.

Arsene Wenger has problems as Arsenal try to revive their title challenge at Manchester City.

Defender Kolo Toure is ruled out with a calf injury while Theo Walcott is sidelined for three months because of surgery on his dislocated shoulder.

Aaron Ramsey set to win first Wales cap

Wales manager John Toshack will turn to youth to solve his midfield injury problems for Wednesday's friendly with Denmark in Brondby.

Arsenal's Aaron Ramsey, 17, is set to win his first cap, while West Ham's Jack Collison, 20, will also start.

Senior midfielders Simon Davies and Jason Koumas lead a casualty list of five midfield withdrawals.

Midfielders Joe Ledley (dislocated finger), David Vaughan (calf) and Carl Fletcher (back) have also pulled out.

Koumas missed Wigan's 2-2 draw at Newcastle with a groin strain while Davies has an Achilles problem.

Collison will win his third senior cap after starting in the friendly win in Iceland and then coming on as a substitute in the defeat to the Netherlands.

Ramsey was also on the bench for that 2-0 friendly loss in Rotterdam but was not called into action.

The former Cardiff player - who Arsenal paid £5m for last June - has made his Champions League debut for the Gunners this season, with Ramsey also claiming a first European goal in that 5-2 win at Fenerbahce.

Collison is currently a regular for Arsenal's Premier League rivals West Ham after winning the confidence of Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola.

Swansea City midfield pair Owain Tudur Jones and Shaun MacDonald and Cardiff City's teenage full-back Darcy Blake have been called-up as late replacements to the squad.

Toshack now has only five fit midfielders in Collison, Ramsey, MacDonald, Tudur Jones and Wolves' David Edwards in his new 19-man squad that includes nine players aged 20 or under.

Key playmaker Koumas, the 32-times midfielder, is Wales' creative force but pulled a groin muscle in training for Wigan Athletic.

Fulham star Davies' withdrawal means Wales will be without two of their three most experienced players, with only captain Craig Bellamy remaining in an otherwise hugely inexperienced squad.

Ledley, 21, dislocated a finger moments before hitting Cardiff City's winner against Crystal Palace Palace at Ninian Park on Saturday.

"I was told Joe had broken his finger, but he actually dislocated it," confirmed Cardiff boss Dave Jones.

"So our medical team pulled it back into place and he was thrown back on."

Arsenal sensation Ramsey and West Ham starlet Collison are the two rising stars of Welsh football and will be part of the next generation who are following Ledley into Toshack's regular first-team team.

Talismanic striker Bellamy and 30-cap Hull City full-back Sam Ricketts are the two most experienced members of Toshack's squad.

Wales were already without injured West Ham defender Danny Gabbidon and Nottingham Forest striker Rob Earnshaw.

Boaz Myhill is expected to start in goal in an agreed rotation with regular stopper Wayne Hennessey, who is out of the first team at Wolves.

Denmark have made five changes from the side that beat Malta 3-0 in their World Cup qualifier last month.

It will also include Premier League stars Thomas Sorensen, of Stoke, Arsenal's Nicklas Bendtner and Liverpool's Daniel Agger.

Gerrard and Lampard join England absentees list

England coach Fabio Capello will be without at least six of his first-choice side for Wednesday's friendly against Germany in Berlin after midfielders Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard withdrew from the squad on Monday.

Manchester United's Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand were left out of the squad after missing their side's Premier League game on Saturday, while Chelsea's Joe Cole and Ashley Cole and Wigan Athletic's Emile Heskey are also unfit.

The only good news for Capello is that captain John Terry was declared fit enough to travel to Germany after a scan on his foot injury revealed nothing too serious.

Fulham midfielder Jimmy Bullard and West Ham United's Scott Parker have been called in by Capello in place of Lampard, who has a rib injury, and Gerrard who damaged a thigh muscle against Bolton Wanderers on Saturday.

"Both Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard reported to England camp on Sunday night and were assessed by the medical staff. Steven has a groin injury, Frank has a rib injury," an FA statement said on Monday.

"Both were scanned this morning and have now been sent back to their clubs for further treatment."

The pull-outs will raise inevitable questions about the timing of a midweek friendly in the middle of a crowded domestic programme. Only four players from England's top four clubs will be on duty for their country, as well as young Chelsea defender Michael Mancienne, currently on loan at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

However, Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick said the fixture was still important.

"I'm playing for England and this is the stuff of dreams," Carrick, the only United player in the squad, told a news conference at England's training camp.

"Germany versus England is a massive game and I've always dreamed to be part of one day. It's not a hindrance at all. I'm here and I want to play.

"The club versus country thing always pops up but as players we don't get involved in that. We want to be part of the England team. Germany versus England in Berlin is huge and we want to be part of that."

England are on a four-match winning streak under Capello and are well on the way to qualifying for the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa. They have played Germany just once since their memorable 5-1 victory in Munich in 2001, with Germany winning 2-1 at Wembley in 2007.

Capello 'calm' over withdrawals

England manager Fabio Capello is not angry with clubs over the loss of key players for Wednesday's friendly against Germany, the FA has claimed.

England will be without Steven Gerrard (groin injury) and Frank Lampard (rib) and both are said to be "gutted" to miss the match in Berlin.

Capello has previously been critical of player withdrawals.

But the FA's Adrian Bevington told BBC Radio 5 Live Capello "didn't seem to be fuming" and there was "no dispute".

Fulham's Jimmy Bullard and Scott Parker of West Ham have been added to the squad to replace Liverpool skipper Gerrard and Chelsea midfielder Lampard.

But England captain John Terry, who has been struggling with a foot injury, is expected to be available.

The Chelsea defender picked up the knock against West Brom at the weekend but completed a full England training session on Monday.

Gerrard reported for duty on Sunday despite his club saying he would be unavailable after picking up the injury at Bolton on Saturday.

But a check by the FA's medical staff has confirmed the extent of the injury and Gerrard has returned to the north-west.

"Gerrard reported for duty [Sunday] night, was assessed by the medics, scanned [Monday] morning, it's a legitimate injury and he goes back to his club for treatment," said Bevington.

"Obviously [Capello] is disappointed that he's losing players.

"I've spoken personally with both players [Monday] morning, they're gutted about it.

"I've spoken with Gary Lewin, our physio, and he has absolutely no issue - he's looked at them both and they go back having been scanned."

Gerrard played the full 90 minutes at the Reebok Stadium, but a Liverpool spokesman said: "A scan has confirmed a tear in the adductor magnus muscle in Steven's right leg, and he is expected to be out for between seven to 10 days."

Five Live's football correspondent, Jonathan Legard, said Capello was not impressed earlier this season when Liverpool withdrew Gerrard from the World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Croatia to have an operation on a groin injury.

Capello can now call upon just four of his likely first-choice line-up for England's first visit to the German capital since 1972.

Manchester United trio Wayne Rooney, Wes Brown and Rio Ferdinand, along with Chelsea team-mates Ashley and Joe Cole and Wigan striker Emile Heskey are all sidelined with injuries.

While some Premier League managers may see the friendly as an unnecessary distraction from an already busy fixture schedule, Manchester United's Michael Carrick has defended the match against the three-time World Cup winners, describing it as "the stuff of dreams".

"If you ask any player if they want to play in England against Germany they will tell you it is a massive game," said the midfielder.

"It is one I watched when I was growing up and wished that I would one day play in. It is not a hindrance at all, it is a massive honour.

"It is England versus Germany in Berlin at Olympic Stadium. The players are desperate to be a part of it."

Former skipper David Beckham, who is one cap away from equalling Bobby Moore's tally of 108 caps, has been left out of the squad. Beckham has not played since Los Angeles Galaxy's season finished on 26 October after they failed to make the Major League Soccer play-offs.

Capello has made it clear he will only pick players who are playing regularly, and the 33-year-old Beckham will be inactive until he joins Italian side AC Milan on loan in January.

Goalkeeper Joe Hart has an ankle injury and has been replaced by Paul Robinson.

Manchester City's Hart was hurt after falling awkwardly as Hull striker Daniel Cousin scored during Sunday's 2-2 draw at the KC Stadium. He will be sidelined for up to four weeks.

Blackburn's Robinson, who has 41 caps, joins fellow keepers David James of Portsmouth and West Brom's Scott Carson.

Despite the injuries to Heskey and Rooney, Capello has opted not to recall striker Michael Owen, who scored for Newcastle in their draw with Wigan on Saturday.


Mancienne has impressed playing for Championship leaders Wolves
Chelsea defender Michael Mancienne - currently on loan at Wolves - was a surprise inclusion in Capello's squad.

Mancienne, who is yet to play for the Chelsea first team, joins uncapped Aston Villa duo Curtis Davies, 23 and Gabriel Agbonlahor, 22, in a youthful England setup.

Capello said he will take a careful look at the youngsters in his new-look England squad in the international friendly at the Olympic Stadium, home of Hertha Berlin.

"Our opponents Germany are always a very strong team, and when they play at home even more so," he said.

"Everyone has told me that it is not a friendly game against Germany, but I think this will be a friendly game. We will do some experiments and after this game I will know better some different players."

Ton up for Ronaldo

Champions United leapfrogged Arsenal into third place and eradicated memories of last weekend’s defeat by knocking five goals past Stoke at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Cristiano Ronaldo book-ended the win with free-kicks right at the start and right at the end of a one-sided contest.

Michael Carrick claimed United’s second just before half-time, Dimitar Berbatov ended the contest four minutes after the break and, with United strolling, youngster Danny Welbeck came off the bench to score a memorable first goal for the club from well outside the box.

Arsenal’s title challenge suffered a hammer blow on Saturday as a 2-0 home defeat at the hands of Aston Villa left them nine points adrift of leaders Liverpool.

Arsene Wenger’s side suffered their first two-goal defeat at the Emirates Stadium. An own goal by Gael Clichy and a Gabriel Agbonlahor strike revived Villa’s hopes of Champions League football next season and it could have been worse for the Gunners if Manuel Almunia had not saved Ashley Young’s first-half penalty.

Liverpool’s win came courtesy of headers in either half from Dirk Kuyt and captain Steven Gerrard. Liverpool’s first-half dominance saw Kuyt give his side a 28th-minute lead with a looping header.

Steven Gerrard ruled out of Germany game

Steven Gerrard has been ruled out of England's friendly with Germany on Wednesday because of a torn leg muscle.

The Liverpool midfielder picked up the injury in Saturday's 2-0 win at Bolton and will be out for seven to 10 days.

Manchester United pair Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand are are also missing with calf and back injuries, respectively.

Chelsea defender Michael Mancienne was a surprise inclusion in Fabio Capello's squad, which also excluded LA Galaxy midfielder David Beckham.

Liverpool spokesman Ian Cotton confirmed the extent of Gerrard's injury: "Steven picked up an injury in yesterday's game at Bolton.

"A scan this morning has confirmed a tear in the adductor magnus muscle in his right leg, and he is expected to be out between seven to 10 days."

Beckham, who has not played since the Major League Soccer season finished on 26 October, misses the chance to equal Bobby Moore's tally of 108 caps with Capello making it clear he will only pick players who are playing regularly.

Beckham will be inactive until he joins Italian side AC Milan on loan in January.

Mancienne, who joined Wolves on a three-month loan deal in October, said the call-up had been unexpected.

"It's a great honour," he told Wolves's website: "I was expecting to join up with the under-21s and my head was focused on that but this is obviously great news.

"It's a great game to be picked for and just to be in and around the squad will be superb."

Mancienne, who is yet to play for the Chelsea first team, joins uncapped Aston Villa duo Curtis Davies, 23 and Gabriel Agbonlahor, 22, in a youthful England setup.

Martin O'Neill's team have four representatives in all, with Ashley Young and Gareth Barry completing the Villa quartet.

Ferdinand, who is suffering with a bad back, and Rooney, who has a chest infection and calf strain, both missed Manchester United's 5-0 drubbing of Stoke and leave Capello with shortages in defence and attack.

Ferdinand's England centre-back partner John Terry is included despite picking up an injury during the Blues' 3-0 win at West Brom on Saturday.

Should the captain's injury worsen in the coming days, Capello will go to Berlin without his entire first-choice defence and strikeforce.

Chelsea team-mates Ashley and Joe Cole are missing with hamstring injuries, and Manchester United defender Wes Brown is also missing with an injury.

Terry will have a scan on Sunday and Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari said: "The doctor told me that John needs to go to the hospital tomorrow (Sunday) for a scan.

"If he has a condition then he should not play but if he does not have a condition he must play."

Despite the injuries to Emile Heskey and Rooney, Capello has opted not to recall striker Michael Owen, who scored for Newcastle in their draw with Wigan on Saturday.

However, Spurs striker Bent, revitalised under new boss Harry Redknapp, earns a recall, while Manchester City's Joe Hart and Micah Richards also return.

The Manchester City pair, team-mate Shaun Wright-Phillips, plus Joleon Lescott and Stewart Downing must all come through Premier League fixtures for their clubs on Sunday first.

Capello said he will take a careful look at the youngsters in his new-look England squad in the international friendly at the Olympic Stadium, home of Hertha Berlin.

"Our opponents Germany are always a very strong team, and when they play at home even more so," he said.

"Everyone has told me that it is not a friendly game against Germany, but I think this will be a friendly game. We will do some experiments and after this game I will know better some different players."

Premier League talent line from Arsenal to Wigan Athletic

Guide to the Premier League academies

Arsenal

Opened in 1998, the Arsenal Academy is now in its 11th season, having been one of the first tier of English clubs to gain academy status.
Star pupil: David Bentley.

Aston Villa

Established in 1997, it replaced the former Centre of Excellence system in an attempt to introduce a more organised approach to youth development.
Star pupil: Gareth Barry.

Blackburn Rovers

Rovers are reviewing their academy in an attempt to develop a greater number of successful senior squad members at Ewood.
Star pupil: Matt Derbyshire.

Bolton Wanderers

The club replaced the older, more informal youth system in 1998.
Star pupil: Kevin Nolan.

Chelsea

The mission statement is "to produce home-grown professional footballers capable of competing with Europe's elite players with long-term loyalty to the club."
Star pupil: John Terry.

Everton

Academy has more than 20 full-time staff.Players from age six to 16 are coached three times a week.
Star pupil: Wayne Rooney.

Fulham

The Fulham Academy takes on players as young as nine years old.
Star pupil: Sean Davis.

Liverpool

Michael Owen, Steven Gerrard, Robbie Fowler, Steve McManaman and Jamie Carragher all trained at the state-of-the-art Youth Academy, opened in Kirkby in 1998. It has enabled the club to employ new techniques and FA standards.
Star pupil: Steven Gerrard.

Manchester City

The Academy was set up in 1998. By the end of last season no fewer than 26 players had passed through the Platt Lane gates and into the first team.
Star pupil: Micah Richards.

Manchester United

Academy players won the Champions Youth Cup last year. Recent alumni include Frazier Campbell and Johnny Evans.
Star pupil: Ryan Giggs.

Middlesbrough

One of the most productive academies in the country. Since 2003, Boro have produced the most graduates of all the academies to play in at least five first-team games a season. Star pupil: Stewart Downing

Newcastle United

Newly appointed director Richard Money presides over the Newcastle academy.
Star pupil: Stephen Taylor.

Portsmouth

The club were granted academy status at
the beginning of last season. Finished fourth in the Premier League Academy Group A last year.
Star pupil: Darren Anderton.

Stoke City

This academy, which costs £500,000 per year to run, trains more than 150 young players.
Star pupil: Martin Paterson.

Sunderland

The 'Academy of Light' cost over £10 million to build, and was the subject of protests from local residents angered at such a development on a green belt.
Star pupil: Martyn Waghorn.

Tottenham Hotspur

The Spurs academy coaches footballers from age eight to 18. The operation involves approximately 30 full-time and part-time staff.
Star pupil: Ledley King.

West Bromwich Albion

Run by former Manchester United midfielder Michael Appleton, the academy's home games are normally played at Albion's Great Barr Training Ground.

West Ham United
West Ham's academy has been highly successful in producing a number of players who have gone on to play at international level, including Frank Lampard.
Star pupil: Joe Cole.

Premier League clubs without academies:

Hull City (Centre of Excellence status) and Wigan Athletic (Centre of Excellence status).

Drogba faces police and FA probes

Didier Drogba is facing police and FA investigations after throwing a coin into the crowd during Chelsea's Carling Cup fourth round defeat to Burnley.

The Chelsea striker apologised for his actions which followed his 27th-minute goal but could still be in trouble.

In a statement on Chelsea's website, Drogba said: "I tried to celebrate the goal and I received some things at me.

"The big mistake I did was to throw it back so if someone was hurt I just want to apologise for it."

There were no reports of any spectators being injured. However, the Metropolitan Police confirmed on Thursday that it is looking into the incident.

A spokesman said: "An inquiry is being conducted by the Football Unit at Fulham police station. No-one has been arrested."

The incident happened after the Ivory Coast forward put the Blues ahead in his first match since returning from injury.

Drogba, 30, made a single-finger gesture before throwing a coin back into the Burnley section of the crowd.

He said: "This is not something I should show in a football match.

"It was an incident in the heat of the moment and I regret it. It was just a mistake and nothing more."

A Chelsea spokesman said: "We will deal with this in the usual way. We are aware there is an incident. But we will not discuss it further until we have seen the referee's report."

Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari said: "I have not spoken with Didier about any problem. The referee gave him a yellow card but I did not see what happened."

Burnley manager Owen Coyle said he did not see the incident.

It was part of a miserable night for Premier League leaders Chelsea, who suffered a surprise exit 5-4 on penalties following a 1-1 draw.

The FA may now decide to take action after examining referee Keith Stroud's report.

In 2002, Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher was sent off in an FA Cup tie against Arsenal at Highbury after throwing a coin back into the crowd. He received a mandatory three-match ban.

He was also interviewed by police but no further action was taken. However, Carragher was fined by the club and warned about his future conduct.

Tottenham 4-2 Liverpool

Carling Cup holders Tottenham strode into the quarter-finals with a clinical win over Liverpool in a thrilling tie.

Three goals in six first-half minutes put the hosts in control, Roman Pavlyuchenko drilling in the opener.

Fraizer Campbell then got his first goals in a Spurs shirt when he clipped home before heading in from 12 yards.

Damien Plessis and Sami Hyypia headed in replies for Liverpool after Heurelho Gomes errors, but Pavlyuchenko tapped in his second in between to wrap it up.

It was an excellent performance from a home side that have been rejuvenated almost beyond recognition under Harry Redknapp, and only three matches now stand between the north Londoners and a return to Wembley where they won the trophy last season.


Liverpool, with some justification, may point to the fact that their side featured 10 changes to the side that beat West Brom at the weekend - but then Spurs themselves had made seven changes to the team that overcame Manchester City on Sunday.

Still, from the off only one side appeared to be in it.

Spurs were effervescent, closing Liverpool down at every opportunity and stringing passes together with a confidence that was so absent under Juande Ramos's reign this season.

Ryan Babel was a bright spark for Liverpool, epitomised by an excellent run into the home box, dribbling past three players, before the attack petered out.

But that was it, with Fernando Torres ineffective on his return from injury, and Spurs took full advantage in a stunning six-minute spell to end the half.

Lennon had come closest to rewarding Tottenham's dominance in the first half hour when he cut inside and saw his shot blocked well by Daniel Agger - but few expected what was to come.

Pavlyuchenko and Campbell had also gone close early in the match and it was that combination that broke the deadlock, the latter latching onto Gareth Bale's pass, out-muscling Sami Hyypia and laying the ball back for the Russian to hammer home.

Three minutes later and it was 2-0 as Campbell made the most of a collision between Reds keeper Diego Cavalieri and Andrea Dossena to collect Jamie O'Hara's pass and roll home.

When Campbell headed in Lennon's far-post cross on the stroke of half time, Spurs fans were in dreamland, but Liverpool were thrown a lifeline at the start of the second 45 when Plessis caught Spurs keeper Gomes in no man's land and headed in Babel's corner.

Liverpool's renaissance lasted precisely four minutes, though, as Pavlyuchenko tapped into after Didier Zokora's shot had been deflected.

If Tottenham thought they could relax, they reckoned without another woeful spot of keeping from Gomes, Hyypia the one to benefit this time as the defender nodded in Babel's corner with the Brazilian flapping.

And the mood at White Hart Lane was further dampened minutes later when Gomes went down heavily under Phillipp Degen's challenge and had to be stretchered off after over seven minutes of treatment.

Liverpool sensed an opportunity to get back into the match but, despite Nabil El Zhar causing problems, the visitors' best hope appeared to be when Degen went down under Bale's challenge in the box late on - but replays showed the defender clearly got the ball.

As it was, Spurs saw out a deserved win - their second over Rafael Benitez's side in a fortnight - to make it five victories and a draw for the hosts under Redknapp so far.

Belarus 1-3 England

Wayne Rooney scored twice as England took a giant stride towards World Cup qualification by beating Belarus to make it maximum points from four games.

Steven Gerrard gave England the lead from 30 yards after 11 minutes, but Pavel Sitko headed a deserved leveller for Belarus before the break.

Rooney turned in a cross from Emile Heskey five minutes after the break.

And he lifted home a superb third from Gerrard's pass 16 minutes from time to give coach Fabio Capello another win.

It gives England a perfect record of 12 points so far, with Capello's huge reputation bolstered further by two convincing away wins against dangerous opposition in Croatia and Belarus.

And for Gerrard, a spectacular strike will increase his fragile self-confidence in an England shirt and silence any lingering doubts about his worth at international level.

Rooney's double also demonstrated his growing maturity as he provided a deadly spearhead to the attack, ably assisted by the powerful Heskey, who was winning his 50th England cap.

The Manchester United striker has now scored five goals in England's last three qualifiers as he plays a leading role in the new Capello era.

Gerrard had pleaded with coach Capello to keep faith with him after a low-key display in the win against Kazakhstan - and he repaid his confidence with a stunning opener.

He picked up the ball from Rooney before placing a perfect slide-rule finish into the bottom corner beyond Belarus keeper Yury Zhevnov from fully 30 yards.

Instead of settling England, the goal was the signal for a period of Belarus dominance, with keeper David James having to save from Dmitry Molosh and Vitaly Kutuzov.

Heskey was working tirelessly up front to keep the Belarus defence occupied, and his fine cross set up Rooney for a far post header, but he could not find the target.

Belarus were in the ascendancy, however, and it was no surprise when they drew level after 28 minutes at the end of a glorious 23-pass move.

Igor Stasevich was the creator, popping up an inviting cross to the far post for Sitko to arrived unmarked and head beyond the exposed James.

England needed to apply more pressure to the gifted Belarus attacking players after the break, and Rooney almost provided the perfect start with a great run that was only marred by a tame finish.

He made no mistake as England regained the lead after 50 minutes, but credit must go to Heskey again with a powerful run and perfect cross for Rooney to slide home from close range.

As Belarus attempted to force their way back into contention, Capello made two changes to his attacking personnel, sending on Shaun Wright-Phillips for Theo Walcott and Peter Crouch for the excellent Heskey, who was struggling with an injury.

It did not stop Rooney taking the game by the scruff of the neck and he scored his second, and England's third, with a goal of the highest class 16 minutes from time.

Gerrard slid a superb instant pass into his path, and Rooney dummied a defender before lifting a composed finish over Zhevnov.

The Liverpool captain should have added a fourth five minutes from time when he rounded Zhevnov, but carelessly shot again the outside of the post with the goal at his mercy.

It was not a costly miss as England entered new territory by winning their opening four World Cup qualifiers for the first time.

Fabio Capello may leave out David Beckham of England squad to face Germany

The England coach has a policy of omitting those who are not playing, and the Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder falls into that category.

Although Beckham has worked hard to retain Capello's faith, making a series of substitute appearances for England to close in on Bobby Moore's outfield record of 108 caps, he is already two weeks into the Galaxy's long winter break.

Beckham has agreed to join AC Milan on loan in January to maintain his fitness, before rejoining the Galaxy in March for the Major League Soccer season.

For the Germany game, Capello is more interested in studying the form of other England contenders, such as David Bentley and his Tottenham team-mate Bent.

Capello will be at White Hart Lane tomorrow to watch Bent, among others, play for Tottenham against Liverpool in the Carling Cup. Bent could replace Emile Heskey in next week's England squad after the Wigan striker was injured at the weekend.

Whether Bent starts against Liverpool remains to be seen, but having already staked a claim for this season's 'golden boot' with 11 goals, he is being backed by Tottenham captain Ledley King for an England call-up.

Bent has scored seven in the Premier League, adding two more in Sunday's 2-1 win over Manchester City to steer Tottenham out of the bottom three. The £16.5 million striker has not featured for his country since playing in the dying moments of the defeat to Croatia a year ago. But King urged Capello to consider giving Bent, who has three senior England caps, another opportunity.

"We're delighted with him at the moment," the centre-back said. "His finishing is superb and he deserves his chance to play for England. He is the top English scorer and that speaks for itself."