Xabi Alonso netted twice as European champions Spain beat Daniel Agger's Denmark 3-0 on Wednesday night.
The midfielder volleyed home five minutes after coming on at half-time following an assist from Fernando Torres.

Torres then made way, while Pepe Reina entered the fray on 76 minutes before Alonso added his second as the final whistle loomed.

Meanwhile, Robbie Keane bagged his 34th international goal as the Republic of Ireland drew 1-1 with Norway. The game also saw Steve Finnan make his international return.

At Wembley, Steven Gerrard played 58 minutes as England drew 2-2 with Czech Republic in a final friendly before kicking off their World Cup 2010 qualifying campaign.

Elsewhere, Andrea Dossena won his second international cap when he came on at half-time during Italy's 2-2 draw with Austria.

Sami Hyypia and Yossi Benayoun both started in Finland as Israel were beaten 2-0.

Over in Ukraine, Andriy Voronin hit the bar during a first-half outing as Poland were dispatched 1-0.

The evening ended miserably for Martin Skrtel as Slovakia were beaten 2-0 at home to Greece, the Liverpool man playing 90 minutes.

And Dirk Kuyt came on for the last half an hour of Holland's 1-1 draw with Russia.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez will have two of his three Olympic stars back in the squad for Saturday's game with Middlesbrough.

Ryan Babel's Holland were beaten in the quarter-finals by Argentina at the weekend, which puts Javier Mascherano in with a shout of a second successive gold medal.

Argentina now face Brazil in the semi-finals tomorrow where Mascherano will clash with club-mate Lucas.

Benitez said: 'It has been good for the three players to be involved in the Olympics and we are proud of them.

'But it is also good for Liverpool that Argentina and Brazil clash in the last four, because only one of our lads will be in the final.'

5:11 PM
Categories: Robbie Keane, Xabi. Author: nik

The Reds boss has been pleased by what he has seen from the duo during their brief time together in pre-season and expects them to prove their quality in the forthcoming campaign - with the Spaniard hopeful that Standard Liege will be first on their hit-list. "I think the two strikers are top class and on the same level as anyone," he told reporters at a press conference ahead of Wednesday night's Champions League qualifier with Standard Liege at the Stade Maurice Dufrasne. "If they play together a lot I think they can go on and get better and better. "If you ask me, I would prefer them to have played together more in pre-season, but Torres came back late and we only signed Keane recently so it wasn't ideal. "Both players are clever and it is clear that if they play together for a long time, it will be easier for them to develop an understanding. I think they will be okay and can show their quality. "In the time they have had together they have played well and we have been scoring goals. They need time but we have confidence in them and I think we played well in the last game against Lazio." Standing in the way of Torres and co's progress to the Group stages of Europe's elite competition are Belgian champions Standard Liege. Benitez admits his side must be wary of any opponent they go head-to-head with in the Champions League but is confident his side will not fall to the same fate that saw last's season's UEFA Cup finalists, Rangers, come unstuck. "I have confidence in my players and you must always be careful of any team you come up against in Europe," he said. "I know Liege lost to St Etienne in a friendly but they also won the Belgian Super Cup the other day so we need to be careful. "Any top side competing in this competition must be aware of the quality of the teams involved. We must be focused every game and make sure we do not make any mistakes. "We know it's important to qualify every year and hopefully it will be the same this year." He continued: "We have been trying to learn a lot about Liege and have been watching the games they have been playing recently and of course analysing last season too. We have some information. "My staff have been watching games from last season but they have changed coach from then so to see them now is more important." Benitez also revealed that he would assess Steven Gerrard in tonight's training session at the Sclessin before making a decision on whether to field him in tomorrow's first-leg encounter. "He will train today so hopefully he will be okay for the match," he said. While the Reds captain looks likely to win his fitness battle, one player who won't feature is full-back Steve Finnan, who Benitez feels is still short of match practice. "He is not on the bench and has not travelled but we have Arbeloa in that position," said the Anfield manager. "He was injured at the beginning of pre-season and had an operation and although he is now training with the team, he is still a bit behind in fitness."

8:30 PM
Categories: Rafa Benitez, Robbie Keane, steven gerard, Torress. Author: nik

Robbie Keane missed the best chance of the night on his Liverpool debut, just 24 hours after his £20million move to Anfield. Keane played the first half of the friendly in Castellon, Spain, where his appearance was upstaged by the heroes' reception for the members of the Euro 2008 winners. In the end Liverpool maintained their unbeaten record in pre-season matches, aware that their chances of adding Gareth Barry to their ranks seem to be dead. Aston Villa's decision to end the negotiations over Barry earlier in the day was met with a strict 'no comment' from Liverpool but still dominated the pre-match discussions. Whether that is the end of the matter only time will tell. The game was held up for several minutes as seven of Spain's victorious Euro 2008 side received ovations and presentations. Four of those players were from Liverpool, Jose Reina, Alvaro Arbeloa, Xabi Alonso and Fernando Torres. Villarreal had Marcos Senna, Santi Cazorla and Joan Capdevila. All seven were amusingly given small yellow submarine toys to mark the occasion, due to Villarreal's nickname. Keane made his debut up front alongside another new boy, French teenager David Ngog, and both could have got their names on the scoresheet in the first period. First, Keane was set up by fine work from Steven Gerrard - back following injury - and Yossi Benayoun. The new £20million man beat two players but lifted his shot over the bar. Ngog, signed from Paris Saint Germain, saw a side-footed effort saved by Diego Lopez after Benayoun's pass. Lopez had saved well from a Gerrard curler, but Villarreal had their moments. The Spanish league runners-up forced Diego Cavalieri into good saves from Cani, ex-Arsenal man Robert Pires and Angel before Ariel Ibagaza hit a post with Joseba Llorente's follow-up deflected over by Stephen Darby. Liverpool made nine changes at the break, including two teenagers on up front, the excellent Spanish youngster Daniel Pacheco and Hungarian striker Krisztian Nemeth, the reserves' top scorer last term. Keane and Gerrard were among those taken off, leaving Benitez with a very youthful side including Jay Spearing and Emiliano Insua against Villarreal's experience. Liverpool were under a lot more pressure in the second period, but Pacheco should have scored when put clear, only to drag his shot wide. Then Nemeth fired over from 20-yards. With 20 minutes left Torres, Arbeloa and Alonso finally appeared - to a massive ovation from the home support. Then with 10 minutes left, former Villarreal goalkeeper Reina came on for a cameo appearance, having rushed to the Madrigal stadium after being at the birth of his second child. He too was given the hero treatment, the game now little more than an exhibition. Benitez evaded questions over the Barry saga. Benitez, though, insisted on his 'party line' response to questions about Barry, saying, 'I would prefer to concentrate on the game and my squad'. He added: 'I was really pleased with the situation on the pitch tonight. Robbie Keane did well, he had every chance to score but could not manage a goal.' And when questioned again on the Barry subject, he said: 'I think we have quality in the squad and I would prefer to concentrate on the game.' Benitez added: 'I feel the quality is improving, it is better than last season, and this match has been of benefit to the squad and for me to see several young players in action.'

12:23 PM
Categories: David Ngog, Robbie Keane, Villareal. Author: nik

Robbie Keane has spoken of his determination to fire Liverpool to a first league championship since 1990.
Click here to watch all eleven minutes of Robbie's press conference>>

Click here to watch exclusive interviews with both Robbie and Rafa>>

The new number seven is desperate to turn his solitary club medal – collected when Spurs beat Chelsea in the League Cup final last term - into a glittering collection here at Liverpool.

Asked at his unveiling this morning if he thought a title-winner's medal was realistic, Keane replied: "I certainly do think we can challenge Manchester United and Chelsea.

"If you look at the squad of players that were already here, along with the addition of a few more, then there is no reason we shouldn't be challenging for the Premier League and other trophies.

"Liverpool is a massive, massive club and people expect this of us. The fans expect it.

"I have come here to win things."

The lifelong Red was just nine years old last time the club won the league back at a time when he slept under Liverpool bedsheets and walked around in his club tracksuit.

Keane added: "I was a little bit too young to fully remember the last title. Hopefully I can contribute to changing that as part of this team. Obviously that would be great for the people of Liverpool.

"My whole family are Liverpool fans. I remember every Christmas asking for jerseys and tracksuits – it's great now that I get the tracksuits for free!"

Meanwhile, reporters quizzed the new boy on how he would deal with squad rotation.

Keane responded: "If you want to be the best, you have to have a big squad. In the last few seasons my managers have done it – Juande Ramos and Martin Jol. I still had some great seasons there.

"It is up to the manager what he wants to do but I am here for the team – not Robbie Keane."

Excerpt from http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N160691080729-1016.htm

10:32 AM
Categories: Robbie Keane. Author: nik