Liverpool-born Manchester City midfielder Joey Barton has stunned the club by handing in a transfer request.

City opened contract talks with the 23-year-old midfielder last week and manager Stuart Pearce has said he is determined to hang on to him

After a match victory that was more frustrating than would have been expected, the Reds have been handed a home tie against ManU in the fifth round of the FA Cup.

In other news, there are concerns the new Wembley will not be ready on schedule for this year's FA Cup Final.

Djibril Cisse has been cautioned by police over an assault involving his pregnant wife, police said today.

The 24-year-old France international, who was married last June, was arrested at his home in Frodsham, Cheshire, last night.

Robbie Fowler has joined The Reds until the end of the season, with his City contract due to expire in the summer.

The 30-year-old bagged over 170 goals in his nine-year spell from 1992 to 2001 - and he will now get the chance to add to that tally.

The last time Fowler scored for Liverpool was a hat-trick against Leicester in October 2001 - before he signed for Leeds.

Ashley Cole has failed to get the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to rule on his £75,000 fine imposed for breaking Premier League rules.

The Arsenal defender, 25, was issued the fine after discussing a possible move to Chelsea while under contract.

A CAS statement said the Premier League's regulations 'do not contain any reference to a right of appeal to the CAS'.

Jose Mourinho was also fined.

Liverpool will have their own opinions on Sunday's match but what did the journalists from the national press make of the clash between the two giants of the North West? [ Read On ! ]

Legends of Soccer are bringing over 2 teams from Masters Football in the UK.
This year will feature an English All- Star Team and a Scottish All-Star
Team. The events will be held out west this year, with the first being held
at the Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver on February 17th (games start at
7:00pm)and in Calgary Alberta on February 19th (games start at 1:30pm)

It will again be a four team Round Robin event, with the Vancouver Selects
(master's Div) and Calgary All-stars (master's div) rounding out the field.
Tickets will go on sale early next week through Ticketmaster and the Westin
Hotel in Calgary has a weekend rate for guests coming to the event of $89.00
per night (plus taxes). There will be a link on the Master's Website to the
Westin to make reservations probably by Monday - in case anyone would like
to come to Calgary over the long weekend.

Here's who will be coming this year (roster subject to change!)

LEGENDS OF SOCCER
TOUR OF CANADA
TEAM SQUADS 19.1.06

England Masters (Clubs)

1 Bob Bolder Liverpool,Charlton
2 Viv Anderson Man U/Arsenal
3 Warren Barton Newcastle
4
5 Jason Cundy Chelsea/Spurs
6 Dale Gordon Norwich/Rangers
7 Mark Walters Liverpool/Rangers
8 Paul Walsh Liverpool/Spurs
9 Lee Sharpe Man Utd
10 Kerry Dixon Chelsea

Scotland Masters (Clubs)
1 Nicky Walker Rangers
2 Tommy Boyd Celtic
3 John Wark Liverpool/Ipswich
4 Kevin McAllister Chelsea
5 Tommy Wright Leeds/Leicester
6 Darren Jackson Celtic
7 Robert Fleck Chelsea/Rangers
8 Kevin Gallagher Blackburn
9 Frank McAvennie Celtic/West Ham
10 Gordon Durie Chelsea/Rangers

For 73 years, the FA Cup remained a notable absentee on Liverpool Football Club’s roll of honour. Between 1892 and 1965, the Anfield trophy cabinet welcomed the arrival of no less than six First Division titles.

Yet, in their quest for success in the world’s greatest knockout competition, the Reds endured nothing but heartache and frustration.

That changed on the unforgettable afternoon of 1 May 1965 - a day forever remembered as the greatest in the club’s history. It was a day that many supporters thought they would never see. Year after year, they saw Liverpool’s cup aspirations flounder, be it at the first or final hurdle and some genuinely believed there was a mystic jinx blocking the Reds’ path to FA Cup glory.

You can hear former LFC Captain Ron Yeats talk about the Club's first FA Cup Victory on March 18th at Scallywags.

Ron Yeats, a true Liverpool FC Legend, the player described as "a Colossus" and the backbone of the defence that Shankly built his team around, will be visiting the Toronto Branch!

Ron will be visiting our Club at Scallywags on Saturday, March 18th at 9pm. Tickets will be available from members of the Branch Executive at the cost of $10 for members and $15 for non-members.

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp has signed Tottenham trio Pedro Mendes, Sean Davis and Noe Pamarot.

The triple swoop is thought to have cost 7.5m and will take Pompey's spending this month to nearly 12m.
'I'm delighted to get three quality players I really needed and wanted,' said Redknapp.

It will be interesting to see what kind of side the Reds will face this weekend!

Denmark defender Daniel Agger - regarded as one of the most promising defenders in Europe -arrived at Liverpool on Wednesday to discuss personal terms on his move from Brondby, according to reports.
Liverpool have refused to comment but the Danish club told BBC Sport that Agger did not join his team-mates at a training camp on Wednesday.

The 21-year-old is a long-time Reds target.

Reports are still that Scallyways will be showing the Luton Town match at Noon on Saturday. It's being shown on Setanta PPV - cost at the door will be $10.

Regarding the match, Rafa has vowed to field a strong side at Luton this weekend as he bids to ensure there is no repeat of last season's third round exit at Burnley.

Although Jeff is yet to 100% confirm, it sounds like Scallywag's will be showing Saturday's FA Cup match - Luton v Liverpool - 12pm ET (12.30pm ET kick-off). Updates will be posted as details come available.

CNN today reports that English Premier League club Portsmouth are to bring in millionaire Russian businessman Alexandre Gaydamak as joint owner in a move which could turn the club into one of the wealthiest in the country.