Construction to continue when economic situation improves

When Billy Bob Gillett and Hank Hicks took control of Liverpool in 2007, plans to move the club to a new 60,000-seater stadium in nearby Stanley Park were put on hiatus, so that an architect from Hicks’ native Texas could draw up a more spectacular design (and boy howdy do they know how to make a stadium in the Lone Star State).

Thanks to the global financial apocalypse, and Liverpool’s precarious loan arrangements that could bring the house of cards down at any point, preliminary building work on the site was brought to a halt last August, and it will not continue until the recession is over.

Liverpool’s new managing director Christian Purslow said:

“Construction on the stadium will begin when the

There’s always next year, Rafa

A further helping of transfer gossip, rumours and damned lies

Samuel Eto’o is going to snub Manchester City
Today’s papers are filled with talk of Eto’o moving to Eastlands for a pay packet ranging between £180,000-a-week and £250,000 depending on which tabloid, if any, you choose to believe. However, the striker’s agent has said: ”If there is not a 180-degree turnaround then he will stay with Barcelona.”

The Spoiler truth-o-meter: It looks like the 28-year-old isn’t interested in missing out on Champions League football in favour of more money, which is impressive considering he was linked with a move to Uzbekistan last summer.

Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid
The Liverpool midfielder is keeping his cards close to his chest regarding his future. The Spaniard told Don Balon magazine that he is happy to stay at

Should he move to Chelsea or Liverpool or stay at Portsmouth?

Peter Storrie has confirmed that Portsmouth have accepted an offer from Chelsea for Glen Johnson, meaning that the England international has a big decision to make. Should he:

a) Go back to Chelsea
Johnson would get to play Champions League football again and settling in wouldn’t be a problem because he already knows the club and many of the players. However, he has said that he fell out of love with football during his first spell at Stamford Bridge and there is a danger that could happen again.

b) Move to Liverpool
Liverpool were the first team to stump up the cash for Johnson and at Anfield he would have the chance to both play in Europe and make Chelsea regret selling him. Rafael Benitez isn’t very patient with new signings though - see Robbie Keane - and full-back is the least secure position at the club, as Steve Finnan harshly discovered last summer.

c) Stay at Portsmouth
He has rediscovered his love of football at Fratton Park and is guaranteed first-team football there, which is a necessity ahead of the World Cup. With a new owner and manager set to arrive, there is potential for the club to grow, although if it all falls through they could face another relegation battle

Let us know what you think he should do with a vote and comment below:

Our pals at chickendinner hand Liverpool some straws to clutch

Paddy Power think the title race is over and offer just 1/14 on Manchester United winning for the third straight season. To stop them, Liverpool must win all their remaining games and hope that the Red Devils drop six points. It’s all very unlikely but rather than accepting a premature end to an exciting campaign, we decided to look at where the holders are most likely to slip up:

Tottenham (h)
Spurs are unbeaten in six league meetings with the Big Four sides and have lost just one away game against a top-half side. Harry Redknapp’s side have lost one of their last nine and he has won there with West Ham and Portsmouth. Spurs haven’t won an away league match against a Big Four side since August 1993 - when they beat Liverpool 2-1 at Anfield.
Verdict: United could drop two points here but three is unlikely.

Middlesbrough (a)
Boro have a deceptively good home record for a team in the bottom three and

Liverpool/Arsenal, Premier League, 8pm, Sky Sports 1

Arsenal may be unbeaten in eighteen Premier League games and have won their last five, but chickendinner believe Rafael Benitez could end both runs tonight to return Liverpool to the top of the table. Here’s why…

1. Liverpool have beaten every other top five side in the league at Anfield.

2. The Reds have won their last five Premier League matches, scoring sixteen and conceding just one - from the penalty spot.

3. They have won three and drawn one of their four home league

Like the last post, but the other way around innit

Liverpool’s preferred 4-2-3-1 formation has been scuppered by Macherano’s suspension. Therefore, rather than replacing him like-for-like with Lucas, we think Liverpool should bring in Benayoun, who has been brilliant recently, and switch to 4-4-2 with Kuyt up front.

L’pool/ Chelsea, UCL Quarter-final 1st leg, 7.45pm, Sky Sports 2

Liverpool and Chelsea will continue with their annual tradition of playing each other in the Champions League, and it’s a tight game to call. We think Hiddink will bring an attacking game to Anfield, but will probably start with one striker up front:

What do you think of our prediction? Should Ballack make the cut? Maybe they should field two up front? Let us know your preferred lineup below…