Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers may have left eight players at home but he remains confident what remains of his squad can get the job done against Besiktas.

Premier League

Jose Mourinho’s previous visits to Anfield would offer some of the juiciest parts of any future autobiography, but the Portuguese clearly has no willingness to do such a book just yet.

Champions League Play-off, First Leg

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will let others be the judge of what it means should his side qualify again for the lucrative group stages of the Champions League – but knows all too well the cost of failing to beat Besiktas.

Arsene Wenger admits Arsenal are “desperate” to qualify for the lucrative group stages of the Champions League – and challenged his side to beat Besiktas “no matter what it costs”.

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has expressed his delight at the news that Reds “icon” Steven Gerrard has signed a contract extension with the club.

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has signed a contract extension, the club have announced.

PREMIER LEAGUE:

Rafael Benitez focused only on the immediate future and not his past with Liverpool as he prepared to take his Chelsea side to Anfield in the Barclays Premier League on Sunday.

England midfielder Steven Gerrard believes Roy Hodgson took the Liverpool manager’s job at the wrong time but has given the 64-year-old his full backing as national team boss.

Man of the match Jonathan Sexton was like “a man possessed” at half-time as he delivered the words that inspired Leinster to stage the greatest comeback in Heineken Cup final history.

Liverpool have set no deadline on their search for a new manager following the departure of Rafael Benitez.

Liverpool have made comebacks something of a trademark in recent seasons and manager Rafael Benitez is confident his side can turn things around having lost their Europa League semi-final first leg 1-0 to Atletico Madrid.

Liverpool goalkeeper Jose Reina has signed a new six-year contract, the club have confirmed.

PARDONED football fan Michael Shields thanked his tireless supporters last night and declared: “Today is the first day of the rest of my life.”

Rafael Benitez will invoke the spirit of Istanbul as he prepares to gamble on the fitness of skipper Steven Gerrard in tomorrow’s Champions League quarter-final second leg at Stamford Bridge.

RAFAEL BENITEZ is intent on writing his own chapter in Liverpool’s history as he eclipses the great Bill Shankly in tonight’s Champions League clash with Marseille.

Tottenham 4 Liverpool 2

Stewart Downing has warned Middlesbrough that he may have to look for a move away from the Riverside Stadium if the club cannot fulfil his ambition of playing in the Champions League.

Xabi Alonso could be on the brink of a £12m move to Italians giants Juventus.

Chelsea and Manchester United have been warned that the Luzhniki Stadium pitch is dangerous and not fit to host the final of the Champions League.

PSV Eindhoven are interested in taking Tottenham full-back Lee Young-Pyo back to the Dutch club, according to technical director Stan Valckx.

GARY MEGSON doubts that Bolton’s 1-0 lead over Atletico Madrid will be enough to see his side through to the next round of the UEFA Cup and has targeted an early Trotters goal in the away leg tonight.

Croke Park's financial controller is swapping his account books for walking boots in a bid to raise money for Concern - and has put his connections to good use by compiling an impressive list of sports items for an online auction.

AC Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso is not letting the memories of the most harrowing defeat of his football career bother him days before his chance for revenge.

The home of Liverpool goalkeeper Jose Reina was burgled last night while he played in last night’s Champions League semi-final against Chelsea.

LIVERPOOL boss Rafael Benitez is unconcerned by comments from Jerzy Dudek that the goalkeeper could leave when his contract ends in the summer.

Milan Baros has left Aston Villa to join French champions Lyon.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has prepared his side for another test of their resolve against Bolton after coming through a trying second half in their 1-0 win over Tottenham on Saturday.

Liverpool goalkeeper Jose Reina has all but conceded the Premiership title race is over for them and admitted the players are now concentrating on securing a Champions League spot.

Jan Kromkamp will set out to prove a point when his new team PSV Eindhoven meet Liverpool tomorrow night after surviving less than a season at Anfield before being shipped out to PSV on transfer deadline day.

A BUSINESSMAN found with more than £23,000 (about €34,000)) worth of football medals and shirts burgled from the home of a Premiership player walked free from court yesterday.

Charlton tonight were on the brink of signing defender Djimi Traore from Liverpool, according to the player’s agent.

DIETMAR HAMANN will complete one of the shortest transfers in Premiership history today when he joins Manchester City from Bolton.

World Cup referees chiefs will decide tomorrow which match officials are to be kept on for the quarter-finals - and Graham Poll is set to be among those told their services are no longer required.