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Hodgson relishing Man United trip


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Updated Jan 7, 2011 2:31 PM ET
Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson hopes this weekend's FA Cup action will bring some welcome relief from the pressure which has built up on him and his players because of their poor league form.
But even a win at the home of arch-rivals Manchester United on Sunday may not be enough to persuade owners New England Sports Ventures he remains the man to lead the club forward into a new era.

HISTORY LESSON

Take a look back at the ten most thrilling matches in recent memory between Manchester United and Liverpool.

In many respects a trip to Old Trafford may, strangely, be the best thing for the beleaguered Reds boss as no-one gives his side a chance considering their recent form.
But Hodgson describing a potential win against a team who have also been short of their best this season as a "remarkable coup" highlights why he has alienated many supporters, who have been highly critical of his perceived unnecessary negative demeanour and his style of play.
The 63-year-old's six-month reign at the club since taking over from Rafael Benitez in the summer has come under increasing scrutiny after a ninth Barclays Premier League defeat of the season at Blackburn on Wednesday.
Pressure was already building on Hodgson after it was reported NESV were already considering potential replacements after last week's home loss to Wolves.
A last-gasp win over Bolton and defeat at Ewood Park have hardly helped his cause and although he dodged more questions over his future when the club cancelled his pre-match press conference to try to limit further speculation, it will be only a short respite.
However, Hodgson hopes a change of competition will bring a change of luck.
"It gives us a chance in a really high-profile game to get back and put the bitter defeat against Blackburn behind us," he said.

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"It was a poor, poor defensive performance to let in the goals we did and we're all very disappointed about that.
"This game against our fiercest rivals gives us the chance to show we are better than we were on Wednesday.
"I don't think it's difficult to get the players focused on a team like Manchester United.
"I'll be preaching to the converted. They don't need to be told that.
"We've got quite an experienced bunch of players here and they know as well as I do how important this game is - in particular for the supporters of the club, who'd take enormous delight if we could knock Manchester United out of the cup on their home ground.
"It would be a remarkable coup.
"The important thing for me to do is make that point clear but also to emphasise that to win it will require a lot of intelligent football.
"We're not going to do it through heart alone. It needs to be a combination of endeavour and desire, but also people using their heads to play well tactically, negate Manchester United's strengths and take advantage of some of their weaknesses."
Having struggled to build a relationship with fans, with his now infamous comment of not having "the famous Anfield support" after the Wolves defeat last month, Hodgson has tried his best to empathise with those coming through the turnstiles, whose numbers have been markedly fewer in recent weeks.

FA Cup Scores | Stats | Fixtures

He apologised for any offence his "famous support" remarks may have caused and after the Blackburn defeat insisted he and his players were hurting as much as the fans.
And having been the subject of sarcastic "Hodgson for England" chants the former Fulham boss has taken the criticism on the chin.
"It's very painful when it's not happening and the fans make their views felt. We're all hurting in this situation," he told liverpoolfc.tv.
"It's very important the fans realise that we understand they have high hopes, expectations and ambitions for the club and the team.
"We have high hopes, expectations and ambitions as well. Every time we go on to the field we desperately want to see those dreams materialise and to produce the performances which bring you results."

Mancini pays tribute to "teacher and brother" Sven

Published 23:00 07/01/11 By James Nursey

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Roberto Mancini has described Sven Goran Eriksson as his "brother and teacher" ahead of their FA Cup showdown.
Mancini, who played under Eriksson at Lazio, takes his Manchester City side to Leicester tomorrow in the third round of the competition.
With Eriksson having managed City and Mancini having played for Leicester in the late 1990s, the encounter has been handed an extra edge.
And Mancini was full of praise for Eriksson for helping him to develop his football knowledge and understanding. "It will be a very interesting game," said Mancini.

"It will be the first time for me against Sven and a special day for me because 10 years ago I played at Leicester for around a month and I have good memories of it.
"I like to meet up with Sven. He is a fantastic coach and for me a fantastic man, I have know him for around 15 years. He is like my brother.
"Maybe [he has influenced me], because if you stay with one manager for 15 years he can help you improve. When Sven arrived in Italy, we played only 5-3-2.
"But Sven played 4-3-3 or 4-4-2, different tactical situations. For me that was important. As a man, he is also fantastic. Sven is older than me and is a teacher for me."
Mancini said Eriksson's decision to go take over at Leicester, after spells in charge of Notts County and Ivory Coast at the World Cup, was proof of his enduring love of football.
"Sven likes to work, he couldn't stay at home to watch the games on TV," said Mancini. "He had a good experience with Notts County and now with Leicester.
"For me the FA Cup is important. I won 10 cups in Italy when I was a player and a manager. I want to play always to win it, and here the FA Cup is really important.
"If it is possible, we want to get to the final, but also in the cup you have to play five games."

Bolton set to win Wheater race - but not at Cahill's expense

Published 23:00 07/01/11 By Alan Nixon

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Owen Coyle is set to win the £2.25m race for David Wheater – but NOT as Gary Cahill's instant replacement.
The Bolton boss has outbid rivals Wolves for the Middlesbrough centre-back, who is poised for talks and likely to be taken out of Tony Mowbray's FA Cup squad today.
Wheater would have to fight for his place in a Wanderers side where Coyle wants competition at the back for Cahill and Zat Knight after releasing Andy O'Brien to join Leeds.
Coyle hopes Wheater will take the chance of Premier League football - with the *possibility Cahill could move on in the summer.

Home-grown hero Wheater is being sold by Boro as they do not want to lose him for a small sum when his deal runs out at the end of the season.
Owner Steve Gibson is ready to sell this weekend but Mowbray is unlikely to see much of the proceeds.

Pires reveals Villa dressing room rifts and relegation fears

Published 23:00 07/01/11 By James Nursey

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Robert Pires has lifted the lid on Aston Villa's stormy dressing room and fears Gerard Houllier could get them relegated.
Houllier is under pressure after his Villa side slipped into the Premier League relegation zone after a 1-0 home defeat by Sunderland.
Villa fans taunted Houllier by singing "you're getting sacked in the morning", but he is backed by owner Randy Lerner.
Villa now face a tricky trip to Sheffield United today, having only won one league game in nine attempts.

Houllier's new regime has upset stars Richard Dunne, John Carew, Habib Beye and Stephen Ireland, prompting claims he has lost the dressing room. And Pires admits tensions run high behind the scenes.
The veteran French midfielder said: "I am afraid we will be relegated.
"The atmosphere in the dressing-room after the Sunderland game was very heated.
"Relationships between Gerard and certain players are strained and highly-charged. When you are used to a routine and it changes, you struggle to accept it."

Pires reveals Villa dressing room rifts and relegation fears

Published 23:00 07/01/11 By James Nursey

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Robert Pires has lifted the lid on Aston Villa’s stormy dressing room and fears Gerard Houllier could get them relegated.
Houllier is under pressure after his Villa side slipped into the Premier League relegation zone after a 1-0 home defeat by Sunderland.
Villa fans taunted Houllier by singing “you’re getting sacked in the morning”, but he is backed by owner Randy Lerner.
Villa now face a tricky trip to Sheffield United today, having only won one league game in nine attempts.

Houllier’s new regime has upset stars Richard Dunne, John Carew, Habib Beye and Stephen Ireland, prompting claims he has lost the dressing room. And Pires admits tensions run high behind the scenes.
The veteran French midfielder said: “I am afraid we will be relegated.
“The atmosphere in the dressing-room after the Sunderland game was very heated.
“Relationships between Gerard and certain players are strained and highly-charged. When you are used to a routine and it changes, you struggle to accept it.”

Sunday January 09, 2011 Sports
AFC bundled out Ruvu, JKT face off in ‘Uhai Cup' final

JKT Ruvu's Mohamed Taibu (right), attempts to dribble past Polisi Dodoma's Rajab Bilal in their encounter of the Premier League Under-20 tournament dubbed Uhai Cup at the Karume Memorial Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Saturday. JKT Ruvu won 1-0. (Photo by Yusuf Badi).




By EVANCE NG'INGO, 8th January 2011 @ 11:00, Total Comments: 0, Hits: 59

AFC Arusha were yesterday bundled out of the ongoing Under-20 Premier League youth tournament dubbed ‘Uhai Cup' after being beaten 2-0 by Ruvu Shooting in a clash at the Karume Memorial Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Saturday.

Ruvu Shooting will now face their brothers JKT Ruvu in the final match at the same venue. JKT Ruvu booked their final slot after defeating Polisi Dodoma 1-0 in the second semifinal match that was played at the same venue yesterday evening.

JKT's lone goal was scored by Frank Domoyo, who also sent pre tournament favourites Simba in the quarterfinal clash on Thursday.

In the first semifinal match, Ruvu broke the deadlock five minutes before the break after AFC defender Mollel Emanuel pumped the ball into his own net in an attempt to clear Abdul Monja's shot. Mollel deflected the ball past his keeper Makungu Daudi.

Ayubu Kitale made it 2-0 for Ruvu Shooting a minute before time. He strode past defenders before unleashing a screamer that left goalie Daudi sprawling on the turf.

AFC limped on up to the semifinals despite financial hardship. The team that started so well in the championships threatened to pull out of the race, because their players could hardly afford food to eat.

Stars bado yadorora Misri

Imeandikwa na Amir Mhando, Cairo; Tarehe: 8th January 2011 @ 23:59 Imesomwa na watu: 231; Jumla ya maoni: 0

Kikosi cha Taifa Stars





TIMU ya soka ya Taifa, Taifa Stars jana ilibanwa mbavu na kutoka sare ya bao 1-1 dhidi ya Burundi katika michuano ya Bonde la Mto Nile.

Burundi ilifunga bao la kuongoza katika dakika ya 49 kupitia kwa Tambwe Hamisi aliyefunga kwa kichwa cha chinichini baada ya kuunganisha mpira wa adhabu uliopigwa na Didier Kavumbabo.

Katika kipindi hicho cha pili, Stars ilicheza vibaya na mshambuliaji wake Mrisho Ngassa alionekana ‘kufichwa' wa Warundi.

Bao la kusawazisha la Stars lilifungwa katika dakika ya 74 kwa mkwaju wa penalti kupitia kwa Shadrack Nsajigwa.

Penalti hiyo ilitolewa baada ya Nizar Khalfani kuchezewa rafu. Kwa ujumla katika mechi hiyo, Stars ilikosa mabao kadhaa hasa lile la dakika ya sita ambapo Athumani Machuppa alikosa baada ya kupiga kichwa kilichopaa juu, alipewa krosi na Shadrack Nsajigwa.

Stars tena nusura ipate bao katika dakika ya tisa kupitia kwa Ngassa lakini akiwa kwenye nafasi nzuri ya kufunga, mabeki wa Burundi waliwahi kuokoa mpira.

Dakika ya 31 Stars ililazimika kufanya mabadiliko baada ya Stephano Mwasika kuumia na nafasi yake kuchukuliwa na Idrisa Rashid.

Pia dakika chache baada ya kuanza kipindi cha pili, Stars ilimtoa Machuppa na nafasi yake kuchukuliwa na Jerryson Tegete. Pia alitoka Rashidi Gumbo na kuingia Jabir Azizi.

Kipa Juma Kaseja ilimbidi afanye kazi ya ziada katika dakika ya 65 baada ya kuokoa shuti kali la Tambwe, ambapo dakika ya 68 kocha alimtoa Shaaban Nditi na kumuingiza Saidi Maulidi.

Kwa matokeo hayo, Stars sasa imeendelea kujiweka pabaya katika kundi lake kwani sasa ndio inashika mkia.

Misri inaongoza ikifuatiwa na Uganda zote zikiwa na pointi tatu, Burundi inashika nafasi ya tatu na Stars ni ya nne.

Katika mechi ya kwanza Jamhuri ya Kidemokrasia ya Kongo iliifunga Kenya bao 1-0 lililofungwa na Luofo Bongeli katika dakika ya 26.

Kikosi cha Stars: Juma Kaseja, Shadrack Nsajigwa, Stephano Mwasika/ Idrisa Rashid, Aggrey Morris, Nadir Haroub, Nurdin Bakari, Nizar Khalfani, Shaaban Nditi/ Saidi Maulidi, Mrisho Ngassa/ Salum Machaku, Athumani Machuppa/Jerryson Tegete, Rashidi Gumbo/ Jabir Azizi.

FA to investigate fan attack


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Updated Jan 8, 2011 7:35 PM ET
The Football Association will launch an investigation after a Stevenage player was punched by a fan while celebrating their shock FA Cup victory against Newcastle.
Defender Scott Laird was floored by the blow following the final whistle as the League Two side celebrated their 3-1 win over their Premier League opposition.

FA Cup Scores | Stats | Fixtures

Stevenage manager Graham Westley confirmed that Laird had been poleaxed by the blow in an incident which marred the most glorious night in their history.
Westley said: "Scott Laird was stood celebrating with the fans and a fan just came over and smashed him from the side. He went to the ground and it is a shame for the afternoon to end in that way.
"He is a bit bewildered. He (the fan) gave him a right-hander, just smashed him across the cheek and knocked him to the ground.
"He said to me, 'It's lucky I've got a big head to take it.' It was a sad way for things to end."
A video of the incident was swiftly posted on the internet and the FA are certain to study the evidence next week.
An FA spokesman said: "It's something that should be flagged up in our meeting on Monday. It might be that there was a stadium advisor at the game who'll be able to advise us on that."
Westley, however, was more concerned in ensuring that his players got the credit for one of the great FA Cup performances.
He said: "It's not my business to deal with those matters. It's in other people's hands.


"Look, Mark Roberts had his nose busted in the first half. Footballers take bangs, they take knocks. You can't suggest that is the right way for a football match to end with those things going on but balls get thrown at people, players get kicked, tackles get made.
"We're not people who spend our lives griping about bangs and knocks. I don't think it's the way things should be conducted, but let's leave it at that.
"I wouldn't want it to take the gloss off the players because they have put in a fantastic shift and the focus should be on the performance they have put in."
Newcastle manager Alan Pardew said he was not aware of the incident.

Wenger relieved to avoid shock


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Updated Jan 8, 2011 6:13 PM ET
Arsene Wenger admitted it would have been a real "shocker" had Arsenal crashed out of the FA Cup as a last-minute penalty from captain Cesc Fabregas denied npower Championship side Leeds a famous victory at the Emirates Stadium.
It had looked as if the Gunners were set for a third-round exit for the first time since 1996 after Robert Snodgrass' penalty early in the second half.

However, with just moments remaining, substitute Theo Walcott was tugged back by Ben Parker, and Fabregas stepped up to blast the spot-kick past Kasper Schmeichel, who had been in superb form.
"I must say at first that it was a very difficult game because it was a real cup game and Leeds were up for it, they played well," said Wenger.
"It was the kind of game where you felt that it was important not to go 1-0 down.
"When we were 1-0 down I felt that Wojciech [Szczesny] kept us in the game with a good save from [Luciano] Becchio's header.
"We looked like we would come back, but we were short of time and it was important to keep the momentum and not to go out today because that would have been a shocker."
Wenger continued: "Even when we equalised we still had three chances at 1-1, but we couldn't take them.
"At least we are still in the Cup and hopefully we can do it at Leeds."

FA Cup Scores | Stats | Fixtures

With a two-legged Carling Cup semi-final ahead, and also fighting for the Barclays Premier League ahead of the resumption of European action against Barcelona, Wenger will not have wanted to add another fixture to their congested schedule.
However, after again failing to make the most of first-half chances, notably through Andrey Arshavin who failed to convert when clean in on goal after 11 minutes, the final outcome could have been much worse.
"It was not exactly the wish I had before the game but it was the second worst wish," said Wenger, who had made some nine changes from the team which drew 0-0 with Manchester City. "The worst would have been to go out.
"We go to Ipswich on Wednesday, we play West Ham on Saturday and then the replay of the FA Cup is after that.
"It is a good warning that we got today, but we knew before the game that Leeds went to Old Trafford last year and won, and they had a draw at Tottenham.
"Overall this team have belief in that competition, from last year certainly.
"They did very well, very aggressive but in a good way, not a negative way, they closed us down everywhere and we had problems to pass through their lines.
"They were dangerous as well and it was important for us not to give a goal away, but we did.
"Leeds were well organised, they were quickly on us and maybe our game was not quick enough to get out of their pressure."

Ruvu Shooting, JKT Ruvu fainali Kombe la Uhai kesho

Imeandikwa na Evance Ng'ingo; Tarehe: 8th January 2011 @ 23:45 Imesomwa na watu: 46; Jumla ya maoni: 0

Wachezaji wa timu ya Ruvu JKT chini ya miaka 20 na mashabiki wakicheza ngoma ya Kiduku kusheherekea ushindi wao dhidi ya timu ya Polisi Tanzania katika mchezo nusu fainali wa Kombe la Uhai uliofanyika kwenye Uwanja wa Karume Dar es Salaam jana. JKT ilishinda bao 1-0 na kufanikiwa kucheza fainali dhidi ya Ruvu Shooting kesho. (Picha na Yusuf Badi).



TIMU ya vijana ya AFC jana ililazimika kuyaaga mashindano ya Kombe la Uhai baada ya kufungwa mabao 2-0 dhidi ya Ruvu Shooting kwenye Uwanja wa Karume, Ilala.

Matokeo hayo yanaifanya Ruvu Shooting kucheza fainali kesho dhidi ya ndugu zao wa JKT Ruvu ambao katika mechi ya nusu fainali ya pili waliifunga bao 1-0 Polisi Dodoma.

Bao hilo lilifungwa katika dakika ya 55 na Frank Domayo.

Katika mechi ya kwanza, Ruvu ilipata bao la kwanza dakika ya 40 baada ya mchezaji wa AFC, Mollel Emanuel kujifunga wakati akiokoa mpira uliopigwa na mchezaji wa Ruvu Abdul Monja.

Mollel alijikuta akiupiga mpira kuelekea langoni mwake huku kipa wake Makungu Daudi akishindwa kuuzuia.

Dakika ya 89 Ayub Kitale wa Ruvu Shooting aliwatoka mabeki wa AFC na kuingia akiwa karibu na kipa kisha kuachia shuti kali lililompita kipa wa AFC Daudi akiwa chini.

Katika mchezo huo wa jana Ruvu Shooting walionesha mchezo mkali na wa kuvutia ambapo walikuwa wakiingia katika lango la AFC kila mara na kufanya mashambulizi.

Tanzania kushiriki gofu British Open

Imeandikwa na Mwandishi Wetu, Moshi; Tarehe: 8th January 2011 @ 23:30 Imesomwa na watu: 15; Jumla ya maoni: 0







CHAMA cha Gofu Tanzania kimekusudia kupeleka wachezaji chipukizi wawili chini ya umri wa miaka 16 kwenye michuano ya kimataifa ya wazi ya gofu ya Uingereza itakayofanyika nchini humo Juni mwaka huu.

Kwa mujibu wa Mwenyekiti wa Chama cha Gofu Tanzania (TGU) Dioniz Malinzi mvulana na msichana chini ya umri huo wanatakiwa kushiriki michuano hiyo.

Alisema TGU ilidhamiria kufanya hivyo mwaka jana, lakini kukosekana kwa msichana wa umri huo kulikwamisha.

"Mwaka jana tulishindwa kupeleka wachezaji michuano hiyo kwa sababu hatukuwa na mtu, safari hii tunataka kutekeleza hilo na wajibu mkubwa upo kwa Chama cha Gofu cha Wanawake (TLGU) kuhakikisha anapatikana mchezaji mwenye sifa hiyo," alisema.

Malinzi chama chake kilijitahidi kuhakikisha michuano yote ya ndani inafanyika na kupeleka timu kwenye michuano ya kimataifa, lakini imekwama kwa chipukizi.

"Tunao wavulana wengi wa chini ya umri wa miaka 16, lakini ni lazima apatikane msichana, TLGU huo ni wajibu wenu, tusaidieni, hatutajali kiwango mradi anafahamu gofu," alisema.

Aliongeza kuwa ushiriki wa michuano hiyo mikubwa ni muhimu kwa nchi changa katika mchezo kama Tanzania.

Alisema inafaida kubwa katika kuitangaza Tanzania na kufungua milango ya misaada kimataifa.

Malinzi alitolea mfano kwamba ushiriki wa Tanzania kwenye michuano ya Timu ya Dunia iliyofanyika Buenos Aires, Argentina mwaka jana umeijengea heshima kubwa na kwa mara ya kwanza Machi Klabu ya Gofu ya Royal Ancient ya Scotland (R & A) ambao ndio baba wa gofu duniani wataleta mkufunzi ambaye atakuja kutoa mafunzo nchini.

Tanzania pia imeshapokea misaada ya mabegi ya mchezo huo 35 kutoka R & A mwaka jana.

Real prepare to exploit Kop crisis with Gerrard bid

Published 23:00 08/01/11 By Paul Smith

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Real Madrid want to exploit the Liverpool crisis by luring skipper Steven Gerrard.
The Spanish giants, coached by Jose Mourinho, are planning a £20million transfer coup this summer.
Mourinho came close to signing the England star when he was at Chelsea only for Gerrard to perform a dramatic U-turn just hours after handing in a written transfer request.
But sources inside Real believe Gerrard, 29, is losing patience with the problems engulfing Anfield and that his career will reach a crossroads this summer.

Gerrard, who earns around £120,000 a-week, is under contract to Liverpool until 2013.
But the Reds' inability to compete for major honours is a far bigger issue than money to Gerrard.
He resisted the growing temptation to seek a new challenge last summer when the club appointed Roy Hodgson in succession to Rafael Benitez.
But Hodgson's reign proved a disaster leaving Liverpool just four points above the relegation zone.
Spanish duo Fernando Torres and Pepe Reina could still quit the club even with Hodgson sacked.
Striker Torres, who is a target for the likes of Barcelona, Inter Milan and Bayern Munich, was widely expected to leave Liverpool last summer before he pledged his future to the club at the start of the season.
Reina, who was linked with a £12m move to Arsenal in the August transfer window, could also decide to quit amid the current chaos.

Kenny comes in as Roy exits Reds


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Updated Jan 8, 2011 7:06 PM ET
Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson has left his post by mutual consent, with Kenny Dalglish taking the managerial reins for the rest of the season.
Hodgson had been under huge pressure following poor results this season and the decision came as no surprise with the club 12th in the Premier League, just four points above the relegation zone.

HISTORY LESSON

Take a look back at the ten most thrilling matches in recent memory between Manchester United and Liverpool.

Dalglish will take control of team matters for the first time in Sunday's third round FA Cup tie with Manchester United at Old Trafford.
In a statement on the club's website, principal owner John Henry said: "We are grateful for Roy's efforts over the past six months, but both parties thought it in the best interests of the club that he stand down from his position as team manager.
"We wish him all the best for the future."
Hodgson added: "Being asked to manage Liverpool football club was a great privilege.
"Any manager would be honoured to manage a club with such an incredible history, such embedded tradition and such an amazing set of fans.
"Liverpool is one of the great clubs in world football. I have, however, found the last few months some of the most challenging of my career.
"I am very sad not to have been able to put my stamp on the squad, to be given the time to bring new players into the club in this transfer window and to have been able to be part of the rebuilding process at Liverpool.
"The club has some great, world-class players, with whom it has been a pleasure to work and I wish the entire squad well for the rest of the season.
"I thank those with whom I have built up a close working relationship at the club for their loyalty and support during very testing times, and finally of course to the Liverpool fans, your passion and dedication to the club will see Liverpool at the top of the game once more."
Speaking about the decision to put Dalglish in charge of the team for the rest of the season, Henry added: "We are delighted that Kenny Dalglish has agreed to step in and manage the team for Sunday's FA Cup tie at Old Trafford and for the remainder of the season.
"Kenny was not just a legendary footballer, he was the third of our three most successful managers - three giants. We are extraordinarily fortunate and grateful that he has decided to step in during the middle of this season."
Chairman Tom Werner said: "No one who cares for this great club has been happy with the way this season has unfolded and we have examined options and considered at length what is best for us going forward.
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"Kenny will bring considerable experience to the position and provide management and leadership for the rest of the season."
Hodgson was named Liverpool boss on July 1 last year, signing a three-year contract and looking to translate his success at Fulham onto a bigger stage.
But despite victories in the early stages of the Europa League, domestic results failed to live up to expectations, most memorably with a Carling Cup exit to League Two Northampton at Anfield.
The Reds even found themselves in the bottom three of the league with a 2-1 home defeat to promoted Blackpool, the first time since September 1964 they had ended a round of top-flight fixtures in such a position.
A run of three straight league wins, including over Chelsea at Anfield, eased the pressure, but Hodgson was forced to apologise to the club's fans for saying he "had never had the famous Anfield support" since taking over.
Those comments came after another home defeat, this time to bottom side Wolves, and the final straw came with Wednesday's 3-1 loss at Blackburn.

Harry excited by Becks arrival


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Updated Jan 8, 2011 9:16 AM ET
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp is confident David Beckham will be ready to play from the moment his loan move to White Hart Lane is wrapped up.
Negotiations between Tottenham and Beckham's parent club, Los Angeles Galaxy, were still far from completion on Friday night despite Redknapp being told by a club official that a deal was "going to happen" after almost a week of talks.

TRANSFER SPECIAL

Keep up with all the biggest moves around the globe with our 2011 January transfer gallery.

Tottenham are, however, confident of wrapping up an eight-week loan deal for Beckham in time for the former Manchester United midfielder to watch Spurs' FA Cup match against Charlton on Sunday.
The two parties are still some way off agreeing a deal on how Beckham's wages should be paid over the two-month period, but the move should go ahead.
Redknapp is confident that the fans will see past the inevitable media circus that would accompany the global superstar's arrival and recognise his worth to the team.
"They will be pleased to have him here." he said.
"Everyone respects him. He wants to play football. Most players would sit around thinking: 'That's OK. I've got eight weeks now to sit around the pool. Go and have a game of golf, or whatever.' But he wants to play.
"It tells you everything about him. That's why he's probably had such a great career. He's always worked hard. He always puts a shift in. He's a good trainer. You never hear anybody who ever played with him criticising him."
Beckham wants to move to England to prove to Fabio Capello that he deserves a chance to add to his 115-cap tally after being overlooked by the Italian since the end of 2009.
Despite entering the twilight of his career, Redknapp is adamant Beckham's arrival will improve his squad and allayed fears about the 35-year-old's fitness.
Redknapp said: "He wouldn't come if he wasn't fit. Have you ever seen him looking fat? He's not a punchdrunk heavyweight champion coming back, who's washed up, skint and comes and has another fight and gets knocked out.
"He can deliver that ball.
"It isn't any good having Peter Crouch if you can't get the ball to him in the air.
"Beckham will go, I'm sure, 'there you go, head that'. Not all the time, but he has the ability to do that. He will be a great asset I'm sure."

Liverpool set to press £20m Lukaku move

Published 23:00 08/01/11 By Steve Bates and Tom Hopkinson

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Liverpool are *pressing ahead with a £20million swoop for Belgian strike sensation Romelu Lukaku – despite Roy Hodgson being given the boot.
Kop talent-hunter Damien Comolli is understood to have approached Anderlecht about the 17-year-old *striker who already has eight caps for his country.
The 6ft 3in powerhouse hit 15 goals in 33 league games for Anerlecht last season despite starting on the bench for 12 of his appearances.
His performances for the Belgian club have attracted scouts from all of Europe's top clubs including both Manchester clubs, Arsenal, Chelsea and Spurs as well as the giants from Spain and Italy.

But it's Liverpool who are pulling out all the stops to sign him – with a £15m initial fee the starting point rising to more than £20m with *performance-related add-ons.
That's big money for Liverpool's new owner John Henry, head of the Fenway Sports Group, but the Anfield hierarchy recognise they have to start revamping their squad – and fast.
That's why Comolli has been busy identifying the brightest young stars in Europe and Lukaku now tops his list after Liverpool were told they have little chance of signing his *international team mate Eden Hazard from Lille.
Belgian winger Hazard, 19, is wanted by Sir Alex Ferguson as well as Jose Mourinho and sources in France say he's *likely to head for United or Real Madrid rather than risk a move to a club in transition.
Another player on Liverpool's radar is Valencia's Pablo *Hernandez.
The People revealed back in October that the Spanish *midfielder was a target and the Anfield club have now *enquired about his availability.
Despite David Silva's exit to Manchester City in the *summer, 25-year-old Hernandez has failed to pin down a regular starting place and has admitted he will look for a move if coach Unai Emeri doesn't give him a decent run. Tottenham have also *expressed an interest in the £15m-rated star.

AP: Argentina-USA likely at Meadowlands

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Updated Jan 7, 2011 2:40 PM ET
NEW YORK (AP)

The March 26 exhibition game between Argentina and the United States will likely be held at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Friday.

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The Argentina Football Association had announced the exhibition would be played at Seattle, but the sides instead decided on the Meadowlands and are in the late stages of negotiating a contract, the person said on condition of anonymity because negotiations are not yet complete.
Led by Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano, the Albiceleste are a top attraction. In 2008, the U.S. and Argentina played a 0-0 tie before 78,682 at old Giants Stadium in East Rutherford.
In the Americans' first match at the $1.6 billion New Meadowlands, they lost to Brazil 2-0 in August in front of a crowd of 77,223.
The U.S. is getting ready for June's CONCACAF Gold Cup, the championship of North and Central America and the Caribbean. The Americans play Chile on Jan. 22 at Carson, Calif., with a young roster, then will call in veterans for a Feb. 9 exhibition against Egypt in Cairo.
Argentina, preparing to host this summer's Copa America, also plays Portugal on Feb. 9 in Geneva and at Costa Rica on March 29, a match that will inaugurate a new 35,000-seat stadium in San Jose.