LIVERPOOL boss Gerard Houllier has promised four new players and no clear-out in the wake of the club’s failure to qualify for the Champions League.

CLAUDIO RANIERI has backed John Terry to become England’s defensive lynchpin for the next decade and then quipped: “He’s so good, I think he’s from Mars.”

EVERTON manager David Moyes yesterday challenged his squad to make sure all their hard work so far this season does not go to waste.

ROY KEANE was given a rapturous welcome by the Celtic supporters when he finally made his first appearance at Parkhead as a Hoops player yesterday.

EVER opened up a book and felt like you were looking in a mirror? Your correspondent had that experience this week and, no, before you ask, it wasn’t The Great Gatsby. Or even the latest Harry Potter.

FERNANDO MORIENTES is in line to make his debut against Manchester United tomorrow after completing his move from Real Madrid to Liverpool last night.

A SOCCER trip organiser had to pay almost €30,000 of his own money when the English match ticket agent he was dealing with ran off with the proceeds.

CLAUDIO RANIERI yesterday claimed to have cast off his tag as the tinker man of the Premiership 24 hours before his Chelsea team aim for the away victory over Middlesbrough which would take them top of the table.

BRIAN KERR yesterday saluted the huge contribution made to Ireland’s cause over the past six years by Shay Given as the goalkeeper prepared to make his 50th international appearance against Norway at Lansdowne Road tonight.

HOLDERS Real Madrid needed a last-ditch equaliser in Dortmund from Javier Portillo to keep their Champions League defence on course.

WEMBLEY officials are adamant the new £757m stadium will be the ‘greatest in the world’ - when it is eventually opened.

Chelsea 4 Everton 1

JOHN ALDRIDGE is emerging as favourite to succeed Mick McCarthy when Ireland's team manager decides to vacate the post.

Manchester United 0, Bolton 1

CHELSEA manager Jose Mourinho has warned Alex Ferguson his side will be out of the title race if Manchester United fail to beat Arsenal tomorrow.

CHELSEA’S Joe Cole insists there is no room for complacency as they embark on the sprint towards the Premiership finishing line.

FORMER Manchester United midfielder Karel Poborsky has been named general manager of Dynamo Ceske Budejovice in his native Czech Republic.

BLACKBURN striker Matt Jansen revealed he questioned whether he would ever be able to play top-flight football again after a serious road accident in Italy last summer.