Liverpool’s steady but far from spectacular resurgence returned with a 3-0 victory following a disappointing 2-0 defeat by the Potters. Surely a sign of how far Liverpool have fallen in recent times, the upcoming trip to North London sees them as rank outsiders in the betting. With talismanic captain out for the trip, reds fans will be hoping Torres will be able to show some of his best form, like he did so devastatingly against the Champions.

At FFC we have seen a variety of blogs this week highlighting Comolli’s arrival and having to get his homework right, 7 strikers linked heavily with Liverpool move and Is Gerrard’s absence a blessing in disguise?

Plus we look at the best Liverpool blogs on the web this week.

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Hallå Underbar – Christian’s lady puts Premiership WAGS in the shade

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Time for Liverpool to cut their losses and CASH in?

Comolli must get homework right HERE before spending Liverpool’s millions

Can Liverpool FC look to succeed where so many have failed before?

7 strikers heavily linked with Liverpool move

Is Gerrard’s absence a blessing in disguise?

Liverpool’s Loan Watch

Liverpool top TEN Midfielders of all time?

Liverpool’s challenge is far from over…isn’t it?

Would Wendt signing provide a better option for Hodgson?

Where do Liverpool and Johnson go from here?

Good to see NESV getting a head start on the Academy front

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Click here to see the Best LIVERPOOL BLOGS around the Web this week

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Is it good news that Roy might not be spending in January? – Live4Liverpool

10 disastrous quotes of Roy Hodgson’s LFC reign – This is Anfield

Exclusive Robbie Fowler interview – Mirror

Nice Move NESV, Bad Move Roy – Kopblog

Top 3 Out of Favour Strikers for the Reds to look at – Live4Liverpool

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After jumping on ‘my high horse’ last week about the dangers of respect being lost for managers, maybe I didn’t go far enough. Maybe in fact it isn’t just the managers that are being disrespected by certain players – but the fans, as well as their fellow professionals. What a week it has been for Manchester City. They have propelled themselves into a great position to challenge for the Premier League crown. They showed the strength of their squad in Europe and Carlos Tevez has sensationally declared he wants to leave Manchester City. There is never a dull moment at Eastlands.

Mario Balotelli showed what he was all about against West Ham. He was having a very good game up until he lost out in a challenge and should have been awarded a free kick. Cue tantrum – he kicks up a dramatic fuss and for ten minutes, Manchester City were playing with ten men. Manchester City knew the risk when they signed him. They knew that Jose Mourinho couldn’t get Mario Balotelli’s mind focused so what chance does Roberto Mancini have? Does Balotelli’s potential out way this risk? He is without doubt a very talented footballer who could be as good as wants to be. Will he ever reach that potential? So far, injuries have prevented the Premier League from inspecting the Italian. Will Balotelli only add to the infighting at City, remember this is a man who believed it acceptable to sport an AC Milan shirt on Italian television.

Before anyone jumps on this writer and accuses him of attacking Manchester City, it is simply not the case. Manchester City are a great team who at the start of the season I predicted to win the league. The infighting will cost them this season. That is the point being made, nothing else. It has to be addressed. Manchester City can’t continue to add to the simmering tensions at Eastlands. Something has to give.

As I look down from my high horse, what I see is a very disheartened Carlos Tevez. He lives and breathes football. His family are living in Argentina, he is homesick but he still puts in performances like he has for Manchester City. He has been phenomenal and if he says he wants to leave for family reasons, I am sure the majority of City fans would accept that – as long as he moved to Boca Juniors. In a recent interview with Argentinian television, his frustrations were clear.

In an interview with Argentinian station TyC Sports, Tevez reportedly said: “If you ask me, I would love to have my old life back in my neighbourhood of Fuerte Apache. I don’t want to play any more. “I’m tired of football but I’m also tired of people who work in football. Football is only about money and I don’t like it.”

Tevez also admitted that he was disillusioned with the attitude of young players in the game. “The young players think they have won something in football because they have two cell phones and a house,” he said. “Today there are many bad people in the football business and you have to fight with them all the time. I’m going to play football for three or four years in Europe then I will quit. “Today the young players have no education at all and I don’t want to listen to them.”

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When a player like Tevez who has won 13 titles in his career looks around and examines what football has become who can blame him for wanting out. Maybe its an Argentinian belief, but Juan Roman Riquelme and Martin Palermo were the same. They played for the love of the game, not the big houses and the fast cars. Players like Emannuel Adebayor – who clearly left Arsenal for a pay check and Mario Balotelli must drive Tevez up the wall. Look at what he does week in week out for Manchester City. Tevez has very real problems and all his strike partners want to do is inflame situations and cause trouble.

Manchester City can win the league this season (as I have said so many times) but the off field attention seeking struggles have to stop. You would have to be a very deluded individual if you believe that everything is peachy off the field at Manchester City. Sure, recently there have been some top notch performances – but without Tevez where would this squad be. Player power at City could cost them so much this season.

Arsenal are well and truly in the title mix as we enter 2011, in what promises to be the most open title race in years. Arsene Wenger has suggested that he isn’t looking to make any big signings in the January window, much to the frustration of Arsenal supporters.

At FFC we have seen a mixed bag of articles which includes McLintock speaks out about Arsenal’s defence; Wenger pulls out a transfer masterstroke, while Arsene shouldn’t be tempted to cash in.

We also look at the best Arsenal articles around the web this week.

[VIDEO] The 2010 ‘Goal Of The Year’…take your pick

TEN things we’ve learnt about Arsenal in 2010

Is Wenger right about Jack Wilshere?

Is Arsenal legend only stating what most supporters are thinking

If I could only sign one player for Arsenal this January, make it him

Arsenal Awards 2010…and the winner is?

Why Arsene Wenger should not be tempted to cash in

Arsenal lack the firepower to compete? I’m not so sure!

Top TEN Whizzkids who promised so much but delivered little

Another Wenger transfer masterstroke or a shrewd commercial move?

TEN things we have learnt about the first half of the Premiership season

*Best of Web*

Top 10 predictions for 2011 – Sulky players – The worst decision against Wigan – Le Grove

Out for twelve months but life went on in grass roots football, are those days over? – Highbury House

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Have I really misplaced my faith? – Online Gooner

Halfway Point Reached – Can 2011 Deliver? – A Cultured Left Foot

Wenger spotted with big gun shooting himself in the foot… again – Le Grove

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Arsene Wenger believes his tired Arsenal side have all the gritty qualities required to get through the fixture-congested English winter.

The north London club were in action in the FA Cup on Sunday and face a visit from Everton in the English Premier League on Tuesday without in-form Samir Nasri, who picked up a hamstring injury in the fourth-round win over Huddersfield.

The Premier League’s second-placed club made no significant signings in the January transfer window, despite being hit by injury and suspension.

But Wenger believes his side have mastered the art of winning against the odds.

“It is television’s choice (that we are playing on Tuesday) and we wanted as well to protect the Newcastle game, which we play four days later,” Wenger said.

“It is a big ask for the players but it happened to us over Christmas – we were the only team who had that programme and we could cope with it.”

“We won on Sunday without being at our best. That’s one part of the good news and the other is that even with our backs against the wall, we found the resources to win. The team has hunger, ambition and togetherness and we have seen that.”

Arsenal are five points behind league leaders Manchester United, who host Aston Villa on Tuesday.

If results go the Gunners’ way, they could reduce the deficit to two.

In their way are an Everton side that struggled in the early part of the season, due largely to the number of games they drew.

But Wenger is aware of the threat they pose.

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“If you look at Everton’s record it is surprising because they have lost only six games and we lost five,” Wenger said.

“We are at the top of the table and they lost six and are at the bottom of the table. The difference is they made so many draws. So it shows they are a team that is difficult to beat but this season they didn’t win as many games as they usually do. They have not had bad results but a draw in this league punishes you.”

Arsenal have central defender Sebastien Squillaci suspended after his red card against Huddersfield. Brazilian midfielder Denilson picked up a hamstring injury in the same game and was forced to carry on as Wenger had used all his substitutes.

An emphatic win by Chelsea finally brought a smile to Carlo Ancelotti’s face, after weeks of poor form. John Terry still doesn’t believe they are out of the title race as yet and believes this result will give their title push the kick-start it needs.

In the papers this morning there has been a mixed bag of stories including more from the fallout of Andy Gray and Richard Keys sexist remarks; Sir Alex Ferguson looking to hijack Chamberlain bid, while Ian Holloway tells Liverpool to put up or shut up over Charlie Adam.

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Ferdinand slams ‘prehistoric’ Sky pair over comments – Guardian

Gray comes under increasing pressure – Daily Telegraph

Ollie warns Reds: Cough up for Adam, or shut up! – Mirror

Decision over Olympic Stadium on hold – Guardian

Fergie hijacks £10m Alex bid – Sun

Van der Sar snubs Manchester United over coaching role at Old Trafford – Daily Mail

Hearn joins Olympic war – Sun

West Ham close in on O’Neil and Tuncay – Daily Telegraph

Liverpool’s Babel is off to Hoffenheim – Daily Mail

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Redknapp agonises over including King in 25 – Guardian

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If there is one player that divides opinion amongst football fans then it is none other than winger, Wayne Routledge. When my beloved Queens Park Rangers sold him to fellow Championship side Newcastle United last January – I was deeply disappointed. However, a year later and Routledge has made a return to the R’s on loan after failing to establish himself for the Toon Army in the Premier League. It begs the question, is Routledge just an effective Championship player or can he become an established in the top flight?

South London born Routledge first came on the scene at Crystal Palace as an exciting young winger making his debut at only 16 years of age back in 2001. After four seasons at the club, Wayne enjoyed promotion to the Premier League where he was able to test his skills down the flanks against some of the best defenders. It did enough to attract interest from Tottenham Hotspur who signed him in 2005 but his big move took a blow after suffering a broken foot on his league debut.

He struggled to break into the Spurs side after that injury and was loaned out to Portsmouth and Fulham over the next season and a half. His impressive displays on loan earned him another move to Aston Villa but yet again failed to break into the first team and another loan move, this time to Cardiff, helped him pick up his career again.

Rangers were able to out bid Cardiff in signing Routledge on a permanent deal and it was at QPR in the Championship that Routledge was able to establish himself as a first team regular for the first time since his days at Palace. However, his move a season and half later to Newcastle re-started the trend that suggests Routledge may not be cut out for the Premier League.

He has failed to score a single goal in the top flight despite playing for six clubs. He has also signed for three big clubs like Villa, Spurs and Newcastle and has not been able to become a first team regular. However, Wayne is only 26 and still has some of his best years ahead of him. He was unlucky to not be given a better chance at Spurs with the immergence of Aaron Lennon, perhaps his former Chairman at Palace, Simon Jordan, was right when he told the player to stay at Palace for more experience instead of the big money move to North London.

Since his return to Loftus Road, Routledge has made an immediate impact by scoring two crucial winners against Coventry and Reading, to keep the Super Hoops at the top of the Championship. When he was sold to Newcastle a year ago, the player did not make any sounds that he wanted to leave and perhaps this is the reason his return has brought out the best in him. He is back at a club that not only feels like home, but is leading the race for promotion to the top flight. Personally, I hope we sign him on a permanent basis in the summer and give him a proper chance to prove himself.

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More than bragging rights are at stake when local rivals West Bromwich Albion and Wolves meet in a relegation battle on Sunday.Wolves secured a famous 2-1 win over Manchester United at Molineux earlier this month, inflicting a first league defeat of the season on the Premier League title challengers. But it also happened to be Wolves’ only victory in their last six league matches. They lost 2-0 away to Arsenal in their most recent league outing.Mick McCarthy’s side defeated reigning champions Chelsea and also upset Liverpool earlier in the season, but have struggled to record vital wins against their fellow relegation candidates.Defeats to the likes of West Ham United, Blackpool and Wigan have left Wolves bottom of the table with 24 points.West Brom are 17th, clear of the drop zone on goal difference only and just three points better off than Wolves. The two sides have also played one match fewer than the teams between them – Wigan and West Ham in 18th and 19th place – adding yet more significance to Sunday’s meeting at the Hawthorns.West Brom have fared little better than Wolves in 2011 – they beat Blackpool and drew with Wigan, but have also lost to Blackburn, Manchester City and Fulham in a run that cost Roberto Di Matteo his position as manager.New boss Roy Hodgson was in the stands to see the team throw away a three-goal lead to draw 3-3 at home to West Ham in their last outing. The former Liverpool boss will be in charge on the touchline for his first time on Sunday.West Brom will be without midfielder Youssouf Mulumbu, while defender Marek Cech and midfielder Steven Reid are doubtful but could still feature.Wolves’ long-term absentees Adlene Guedioura and Michael Kightly are likely to be out for some time yet, but defender Michael Mancienne is expected to return in the near future.Midfielder Stephen Hunt is a doubt with a calf injury.

If ever I’ve seen a manager shoot himself in the foot quite so readily, it was Gerard Houllier after his side’s 3-0 defeat in the FA Cup last week. Aston Villa bowed out of the only competition they had left in their season thanks to an average display against Manchester City. Houllier picked a weakened side and Villa looked as though they didn’t want to be there – something the manager has taken a lot of stick for. It was a worrying display of negativity from the Frenchman and supporters are already questioning whether he is the right man to take the club forward.

It’s a tough one. At times, Houllier has got his team playing the kind of football the Villa fans have been craving for years. Former boss Martin O’Neill used to get criticised for being too one-dimensional and tactically naïve. Houllier certainly isn’t either of those things. He has rejuvenated Ashley Young, signed some very good players and looks as though he’s salvaged a very poor season.

But then he goes and does something like this. Eight changes were made for an FA Cup tie away at Manchester City. Villa have nothing else to play for, really, and they were two games away from a Wembley semi-final. Okay, so fatigue, injuries and suspensions means squad rotation is vital, but surely he could have gone with a stronger, more experienced side than what he did? In his post-match interview, Houllier suggested that even his best eleven couldn’t have beaten Roberto Mancini’s men. Off the back of that, you can forgive the fans for wondering if the Frenchman has already outstayed his welcome in the Midlands. Imagine if Crawley went to Manchester United with that attitude – they would have got humiliated. It just goes to show what a little bit of passion and pride can do.

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Maybe Gerard Houllier needs reminding of some old clichés: Football’s a funny old game, there are no certainties in football – that sort of thing. We’ve seen managers play weakened teams in the League Cup and even the Europa League to concentrate on more pressing issues in the league, but Villa have very little else to play for now. Houllier would have us believe that his side are still very much in a relegation fight. But how many of us seriously think Villa Park will be a Championship stadium next season? Considering Wigan, Wolves, West Brom, Blackburn and Blackpool, to name but a few, are facing the drop, I’m quietly confident Villa won’t get themselves tangled up in that affair come the end of the season. So why not at least try to give the fans something to look forward to with a trip to Wembley in the FA Cup? They must be craving some success, and seeing their cross-city rivals Birmingham lift a trophy would only add to that feeling.

Houllier now has to work very hard to win the fans over – again. He will be given the time, but any more of these stunts and the Frenchman’s own fans will become his biggest enemy. He has the pedigree to take Villa forward, there’s no question about that. But he needs to understand what the fans want before he starts to field weakened teams in big cup games. There’s a lesson to be learnt, Mr Houllier.

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Willing to make a decision on Houllier’s future? Tell me what you think on Twitter

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Chelsea have agreed a deal to sign Sao Paolo starlet Lucas Piazon but will have to wait nine months to welcome him to Stamford Bridge.Piazon, 17, cannot complete his transfer to the English Premier League until his 18th birthday, but Chelsea are confident the attacking midfielder will sign a long-term deal once he arrives in January.

“The player has signed a pre-contract agreement and is expected to join us in January 2012 on a long-term deal,” a statement said on Chelsea’s website.

Piazon has yet to play for Sao Paolo but has been in terrific form at the South American Under-17 Championships with Brazil’s youth team.

He first came to attention at the Under-15 Championships in 2009, where he finished on top of the goal-scorers’ table with 10 strikes for Brazil.

Reports suggest Chelsea have paid a fee of up to 10 million pounds to secure highly rated youth, who was believed to have attracted interest from Serie A club Juventus, among others.

Manchester United extended their lead at the top of the Premier League thanks to a last gasp winner by Dimitar Berbatov. Fergie’s men find themselves 5pts clear with eight games to go and a record 19th title is simply in their hands, although Arsene Wenger firmly believes that Arsenal will pip them to the finishing line and believes that yesterday’s comeback has given the players the confidence that they need to succeed.

In the papers this morning there have been a mixed bag of stories that includes Capello handing the England captaincy to John Terry; Henry set to unveil his Liverpool plans, while Redknapp insists he can bring the title to Spurs in the coming years.

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Capello hands captaincy back to Terry – Guardian

Capello – Wilshere has arrived – Sky Sports

Ferdinand ‘appalled’ by Capello’s behaviour – Daily Telegraph

Houllier remains defiant in face of fans’ hostility – Mirror

City to entice Mourinho with £10m-a-year deal, but Jose wants dream job at United – Daily Mail

Liverpool signings will get wide berth in summer – Mirror

Henry back to watch Liverpool and unveil his Anfield plan – Daily Mail

Redknapp insists he can bring the title to Spurs – Mirror

United looking at Costa – Daily Telegraph

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We don’t want revenge, says Ancelotti – Guardian

City’s Mancini fears Balotelli will be the ruin of him – Mirror

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