Bad news for both Fernando Torres and Xabi Alonso.

Liverpool led for 73 minutes but it was Cesc Fabregas late second half equaliser that prevented the reds handing some serious damage to the Premiership leaders.

After a difficult week for Rafa, he has responded to the positive comments from co-chairman Tom Hicks and also backed Xabi Alonso to help the reds back to winning ways.

Liverpool’s major quartet of injured players – Torres, Alonso, Agger and Kewell – are all pushing ahead in their respective races for fitness.

Liverpool were reeling today from the news that both Daniel Agger and Xabi Alonso face substantial spells on the sidelines.

Liverpool hammered Toulouse 4-0 at Anfield earlier this week but this 6-0 annihilation of Derby County placed the reds at the top of the Premiership for the first time in 5 years and was a warning to the rest of the league.

Liverpool line up for today’s game

Rafa, Stevie G, Jamie Carragher, Xabi and Rick Parry have all give their verdicts on the proposed new Liverpool FC stadium.

Liverpool kept their 100% record in pre-season with a 3-1 win over South China in the Barclays Asia trophy in Hong Kong earlier today.

Xabi Alonso has backed fellow Spaniard Fernando Torres to make a success of his Liverpool career, just hours ahead of the players debut – expected tomorrow evening as the reds take on Werder Bremen in a friendly in Switzerland.

The Catalan giants appear to either be trying to up the asking price on Samuel Eto’o in light of Liverpool and Arsenal’s interest – or they really don’t want to lose their striker.

Ahead of the first leg clash at Stamford Bridge Jose Mourinho, classless manager of classless Chelsea, has once again let his bitterness rise to the fore. I do wonder sometimes if Chelsea fans actually cringe when he opens his mouth? Maybe not. Most of them probably started supporting them when Roman rode in to town, [...]

Man United took all three points at Anfield after an injury time winner from John O’Shea.

Team news Liverpool v Newcastle

Javier Mascherano, who is widely expected to complete his move to the reds shortly, has spoken of his desire to impress at Liverpool and put the West Ham months behind him.

Saturday’s victory against Chelsea was an enormous psychological boost for the reds according to Spaniard Xabi Alonso, but title talk is not on the players minds, he insists.

Liverpool’s classy Spanish central midfielder Xabi Alonso has been targeted by Athletico Madrid as their number one player to purchase.

As all 5 British clubs moved in to the next round of the Champions League (the draw is next Friday) the Reds boss and the midfield man Xabi Alonso both sounded the bells of caution for the rest of the campaign.