LIVERPOOL manager Rafael Benitez’s persistence appears to have paid off after the club agreed a deal in principle to sign Brondby defender Daniel Agger.

West Ham manager Alan Pardew has apologised to Iain Dowie for revealing that Crystal Palace striker Andrew Johnson features on his wanted list.

Sweden will have to do without Everton’s competitive Tobias Linderoth in the Porto clash with Denmark because the midfielder is banned after being booked in both previous Group C matches against Bulgaria and Italy.

The ’Group of Death’ was ready to claim its second victim today with World Cup favourites Argentina facing a win-or-bust situation.