Spanish press claim striker may not be back until December…
Diagnosis of Fernando Torres‘ recent trip to Spain, for a second opinion on his groin injury, proved fairly inconclusive in the English press this morning. The Spanish media, however, are confident the striker will be out until after Liverpool’s crucial Champions League clash with Debrecen.
According to AS, Torres hopped on a private jet to see Dr Ramon Cugat, a respected sports injury specialist, after medical staff at Liverpool’s Melwood training ground claimed surgery - which Benitez is desperate to avoid - was the only solution. Cugat is reported to have prescribed a ‘conservative treatment’ which will mean El Nino is laid up until the Reds’ game against Blackburn on December 5th.
Spoiler Bonus:El Mundo Deportivo are reporting a gentleman’s agreement is in place for Robinho to sign for Barcelona in the January transfer window now both the Man City chairman and Mark Hughes (who allegedly ‘has always been receptive to his departure’) are resigned to losing the Brazilian forward.
Things get even harder for Rafa, Arsenal stroll to victory…
Arsenal 4/ AZ Alkmaar 1
Cesc Fabregas (angrily) opened the scoring 25 minutes into Arsenal’s televised training match against the Dutch champions; Samir Nasri doubling the Gunners’ lead with an exquisite shoulder drop. Second half strikes from Fabregas and Abou Diaby wrapped up the win, although Alkmaar bagged a late consolation in the form of a Jeremain Lens toe punt.
At the final whistle, there was only one question on the lips of a half empty Emirates… what the f**k has happened to the Dutch league?
Lyon 1/ Liverpool 1
Last minute comebacks are meant to be reserved for Liverpool, although it seems Lisandro Lopez didn’t get the memo. The Argentinean striker took advantage of some suicidal injury time defending to cancel out Ryan Babel’s impressive 83rd minute strike, signaling most Reds fans to start checking which TV channels are still showing Europa League football.
In a game of stark contrasts, Andriy Voronin plumbed new depths of unacceptable wankery, while Lyon keeper Hugo Lloris did a lot more to justify his billing as Football Manager-endorsed Keeper of the Future than Igor Akinfeev had on Tuesday.
Liverpool star touts himself for reality TV cooking show
As a man with wife and child, Fernando Torres can’t use his fabulous wealth to indulge in some of the salacious extracurricular activities that his Premier League counterparts get up to. Hence, the Spaniard dedicates large portions of his time away from the pitch to the art of food preparation.
In February, he told us he was enjoying Japanese cooking lessons, and last month we learned of the cook-off that is taking place between Nando, Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher at the latter’s restaurant. Today, the Liverpool striker has told The Sun that he wants his skills to be appraised by a reality television audience:
“I could do a celebrity Masterchef or a celebrity Come Dine With Me.
“I would only do it if my team-mates Jamie Carragher and Stevie Gerrard were to do it with me though.
“We have been doing some cooking for a competition going on at Jamie’s restaurant.
Pick your favourite player who wears the revered squad number
Calendar enthusiasts will be aware that today is 09/09/09, which is easily the most significant day in the Gregorian system since 07/08/09. In celebration of this tremendous occasion, we’re asking you to pick the best current number nine in the Premier League.
It’s a fairly mixed bunch - which sees no representatives from nine-haters Fulham and Everton - and we suspect one of two names will dominate…
Spoiler promotion: Fancy a free punt? Of course you do, silly billy! Check out hundreds of pounds worth of free football bets at OLBG Sports
Today’s links come sprinkled with a generous helping of classic Weezer. The first person to identify the football kit in the video wins the prestigious ‘Incredibly Easy Competition’ competition
FIFA demand a gender test for Fernando Torres
[NewsArse]
Luis Figo really ought to leave the chest wax alone for a little while
[Kickette]
Professor Wenger is ready for Old Trafford
[Sky Sports]
Glenn Hoddle says David Beckham would ‘thrive at Chelsea’
[The Telegraph]
Portuguese star loves him some asymmetrical design
As a man who will never need a mortgage, one would expect Cristiano Ronaldo to buy a home in Madrid outright, butSportreveal that he is to rent an exclusive bachelor pad for €12,000-a-month. That seems like rather a lot, but it works out at approximately 0.1 per cent of his income [upon further consultation with a calculator, The Spoiler has decided it is actually around 1.4 per cent - Ed.].
Located on the exclusive La Finca Los Lagos resort, C-Ron will count team mate Raul and Fernando Torres among his neighbours. The 180 home complex is ideally located for Madrid’s training ground (although it’s not too convenient for the nightlife), and offers 24-hour security patrols, infrared biometric controls and perimeter security cameras. This may limit opportunities for al fresco WAG boffing, but will certainly keep paparazzi lenses at bay.
Joaquin Torres - the architect responsible for the luxury pad - says the Madrid star originally asked to purchase his house but settled on renting the property above, with the option of purchasing it for €5m. The five bedroom home contains two bathrooms, locker rooms, a cinema, a pool, a wine cellar, a garage that can hold six cars, a whirlpool and a jacuzzi with room for up to five prostitutes.
Spurs put in huge dent in The Red’s league campaign
Yesterday’s bout between Tottenham and Liverpool was certainly a spectacle: Rafa waved his glasses around like a mentalist, a rousing chant of “You’re supposed to be in jail” rang around White Hart Lane as Steven Gerrard took his penalty and Tottenham fans were left with an extremely familiar feeling of over-confidence concerning the season ahead.
While most of us are delighted to welcome the drama of the Premier League back into our lives, there are some pangs of discomfort on Merseyside right now. Last season, Liverpool lost out on the title by four points, having lost just two games. Thanks to Tottenham’s impressive performance, they now go into the remainder of the season on the back foot.
On Friday, Fernando Torres told us that “it is games like Sunday’s at Tottenham where we need to show our real title intentions”. Did they do exactly that? Or is there still league winning potential in the Spaniard’s side?
Loading ...