Friday: Trouble at Pool ..

Peter Crouch has pleaded with the press and public alike not to make Scott Carson a scapegoat after his blooper gifted Croatia the initiative at Wembley on Wednesday night. Check out The Liverpool Daily Post for the latest from the Reds camp.

Meanwhile, The Anfield Road Blog is calling for some clarity over the Rafa Benitez affair as matters behind the scenes at Liverpool seem to be becoming all the more worrying.

Hicks in a fix ..

Rumours abound that Tom Hicks is thinking of spreading his football influence by pitching in for Italian giants AS Roma, although any rumours have been swiftly rebuffed by the club.

And rightly so, if you'd seen them play against Manchester United in that 7-1 hammering last season!

Elsewhere, John Arne Riise has knocked back rumours of a January switch to Aston Villa, as Tribal Football reveals.

Monday: Mascherano Manchester-bound? ..

More scurrilous rumour-spreading by The People yesterday as they claimed that Manchester City were planning a January swoop for Javier Mascherano. Must be a quiet news week.

Elsewhere, the Hammy End Chronicle gives a nice appraisal of the 2-0 weekend win, which was also the final action for in-form Yossi Benayoun who will miss the next three weeks through injury, as Premier League.com explains.

Crouch reaction to dream night ...

Peter Crouch has been telling UEFA.com that there is still a huge amount of work to do if Liverpool aren't to make a mockery of their 8-0 demolition of Besiktas last night by failing to quality for next phase of the Champions League.

Meanwhile, the club's plans for a new stadium were finally granted approval yesterday - check out the BBC website for all of the details.

Wednesday AM: Liverpool Eight the Excitement ...

Liverpool may have set a Champions League record last night, but this morning the Reds are playing down their success, as Team Talk reports. Still work to do in the Group, particularly after Porto's defeat of Marseille.

If you haven't caught the goals yet, sit back and savour eight of the best. The last side to concede eight at Anfield without scoring?

Check back for the answer this afternoon.

Fabio back in action

Liverpool have welcomed Fabio Aurelio back to competitive action, after the full-back took part in a reserve game against Crewe reports Goal.com.

The 27 year-old Brazilian left-back has been out of action since April, when he ruptured his Achilles tendon in a Champions League game against PSV Eindhoven.

Crouch to leave Anfield?

Peter Crouch is set for a surprise departure from Anfield with Man City and Juventus waiting in the wings according to the Liverpool Daily Post

The England striker, who could be set for an England recall ahead of Emile Heskey for tomorrow's vital encounter against Russia, has stalled on signing a new deal at Liverpool.

Winger Jamie Pennant believes he is in the best form of his life. Talking to Liverpoolfc.tv Pennant, who is disappointed at missing out on Steve McClaren's squad said: "The team are playing well, we're scoring goals, winning games and I think we're all enjoying our football."

Carragher's happy return?

Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher could make a surprise rapid return from injury at the weekend, just two weeks after suffering a broken rib.

The Official Liverpool website says the 29 year-old could be available for Saturday's clash with Portsmouth.

"We must be careful with Carra, and we will wait until the end of the week to see how well he is," explained Reds boss Rafa Benitez.