Fiorentina - Liverpool

Champions League football is back on the menu again on Tuesday as Liverpool travel to the Stadio Artemio Franchi for the Group E match against Fiorentina, who had a poor record in last season CL at home last season as they picked up only two points.

Fiorentina will be without Alberto Gilardino as the striker begins a two match suspension for an elbow on Jeremy Toulalan in the match with Lyon two weeks ago. Stevan Jovetic and Adrian Mutu are set to lead the line for the Italians.

Mutu has struggled so far this season, due mostly to the fact that his £15m plus compensation payment to Chelsea needs to be met, but we can't afford to take the Romanian lightly.

Javier Mascherano hasn't travelled with the squad to Italy due to a tight hamstring, with Rafa opting not to risk the midfielder. Despite rumours to the contrary Yossi Benayoun has travelled to Tuscany. Yossi picked up a dead leg against Hull so might miss out but the Israeli is in Italy with the 18 man squad. Daniel Agger will return for the Reds on Tuesday, however this will be in a reserve outing against Man City.

Could it be anyone else? The Spanish international is on fire at the moment and if he continues his form against Fiorentina Nando should return with at least one goal and the Reds with hopefully three points.

The Reds last six matches: Liverpool 6-1 Hull Leeds 0-1 Liverpool West Ham 2-3 Liverpool Liverpool 1-0 Debrecen Liverpool 4-0 Burnley Bolton 2-3 Liverpool Fiorentina's last six matches: Livorno 0-1 Fiorentina Fiorentina 2-0 Sampdoria Roma 3-1Fiorentina Lyon 1-0 Fiorentina Fiorentina 1-0 Cagliari Fiorentina 1-0 Palermo

Felix Brych from Germany will officiate.

We're riding on the crest of a wave at the moment so how could you bet against anything but another Reds win? So Fiorentina 1 Liverpool 2 is my prediction.

Labels: dirk kuyt

LIVERPOOL FC co-owner George Gillett faced protests from angry fans as he made a rare trip to the city over the weekend.

Supporters from Reds’ union Spirit of Shankly (SOS) gave the US businessman a hostile reception as he visited training ground Melwood, the LFC academy and Anfield.

Gillett was at Anfield to watch the Reds 6-1 drubbing of Hull on Saturday.

And he was accompanied by a Saudi billionaire.

Prince Faisal bin Fahad Bin Abdullah al Saud, who owns Sports Investment company F6, was pictured sitting alongside Gillett in the directors’ box.

Their appearance sparked reports the Prince and Liverpool were on the verge of a massive deal that could see the Saudi take control of up to 50% of club shares in return for investment ranging from £200m to £350m.

But sources claimed talk of the wealthy Saudi ploughing cash into the Reds was not on the agenda.

Instead it was suggested Gillett invited Faisal in a bid to rubberstamp plans to set up Liverpool FC academies in the Middle East.

Anfield bosses stressed privately talk of high-level investment and selling of club shares was wide of the mark.

According to Liverpool sources matters of sponsorship and global branding were uppermost in the businessmen’s minds.

Asked directly about speculation involving possible Saudi investment, a spokesman for the owners declined to comment.

Relations between co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett who have had several major fall-outs since they took over in February 2007, are said to be more cordial than they were 18 months ago.

And sources insisted the meeting between Gillett and the Prince was arranged with Hicks’s backing.

Over the weekend Saudi-based Al-Riyadh newspaper quoted Al Faisal as having said: “We are currently seeking to buy 50% of the shares in the club {Liverpool} which is now suffering debts worth £245m.

“The transaction, upon which a decision is close to being reached, will be worth £200m to £350m.”

On Saturday Prince Faisal, flanked by bodyguards, was given a tour of Melwood and the academy facilities in Kirkby where he was greeted by demonstrating fans.

One member of Spirit of Shankly asked to speak to Gillett about the club’s finances and was granted a one-on-one meeting with the American owner.

SOS’s Paul Rice told the ECHO: “He came out with all the usual lines about why the stadium wasn’t being built yet because of the credit crunch.

“He said again how Liverpool was in a better state than most of its rivals and the budget available to manager Rafa Benitez was acceptable.

“Amazingly he said it wasn’t him who promised the ‘spade would be in the ground within 60 days’, when they discussed the stadium at that first press conference.

“He said Hicks had said that.

“If it’s correct that Rafa has just £20m to spend each year it was ironic to see Gillett jumping up and down after Torres scored his three goals.

“Under that regime he wouldn’t be able to buy a player like him as he would simply cost too much.”

Up to 200 supporters assembled around the directors entrance at the Main Stand on Saturday to protest.

SOS also alleged that some fans were threatened with eviction from Anfield by stewards if anti-Gillett and Hicks banners were not taken down.

A SOS spokesman said: “We will be seeking clarification on this matter.”

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez will launch a staggering £45million bid for Valencia striker David Villa in the January transfer window, according to reports today.

Reports in newspapers in both Spain and England suggest Benitez is now desperate to unite international teammates Villa with Fernando Torres at Anfield to become the most dangerous strike force in English football.

Rumours circulated at the end of the summer transfer window in August that Benitez has around £19million of transfer kitty left, after a failed attempt to capture Atletico Madrid winger Simao Sambrosa. Other reports speculate he doesn’t have a penny left to spend.

Villa has publicly announced his frustrations at Valencia this season after a rocky start has left them seventh in La Liga after five games.

The Reds however face stiff competition from the likes of Manchester Utd for the Spanish striker’s signature, although the lure of Benitez, Torres and fellow international teammates Pepe Reina and Albert Riera may be enough to tempt him to Anfield.