22 METROSPORT Thursday, November 26, 2009 D Torres injury cost us, says Benitez SOCCER CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Dreams over: Benitez and Reds captain Steven Gerrard show their disappointment Pool must finish with silverware, says Fabio FABIO AURELIO admits Liverpool want to win a trophy for their suffering fans after they crashed out of the Champions League on Tuesday. The 1-0 win at Debrecen, which saw Brazilian Aurelio deployed in midfield, was in vain as Fiorentina beat Lyon to ensure the Reds drop into the Europa League. And Aurelio said: It is difficult to know where this campaign has gone wrong. Against Lyon we lost goals in the last minute of both games and that has made the difference. Liverpool used to be more solid in defence and we have only scored four goals in five games in the group so we have to improve in all areas. It is a big disappointment to be out of the Champions League but we have to win a trophy. A big team like Liverpool must accept that. The Europa League is an opportunity to do that. Europa Leagues financial lifeline LIVERPOOL could offset the multi-million-euro impact of their Champions League exit with an extended run in the Europa League. Simon Chadwick, professor of sport business at Coventry University, has calculated the Reds will lose 20million in revenue for failing to reach the last 16. But he revealed: A successful run to the Europa League final would go a long way to offsetting the impact of elimination from the Champions League. By DaviD KenneDy Positive: Fabio aurelio SPORTDigest 5 named in fix probe UeFa has vowed to take stiff action against anyone found guilty of match-fixing, after naming five clubs involved in suspect fixtures. Bosses from Uefa yesterday met nine national football associations to discuss the massive investigation into domestic and continental matches and the roles of three referees and one other official in the case. The clubs named were KF Tirana and KS vllaznia of albania, FC Dinaburg of Latvia, nK iB Ljubljana of Slovenia, and Budapest Honved of Hungary. Lauda doubts on Schu FORMER Formula One world champion Niki Lauda does not believe Michael Schumacher will make a full-time return to the sport with Mercedes next season. Nico Rosberg has been confirmed as one of Mercedes drivers for next season, with speculation linking the retired seven-time champion with a comeback. But Lauda is not convinced. I dont believe there is one single grain of truth in it. I cannot believe he would be up for a full season, he said. Greg Bird no jail bird CATALANS DRAGONS may face stern competition to retain the services of out-of- contract captain Greg Bird. The Australian Rugby League player escaped jail after his conviction for reckless wounding was quashed yesterday. The 25-year-old was sentenced to eight months in jail earlier this year for glassing girlfriend Katie Milligan but appealed the ruling immeadiately. Dragons general manager Christophe Levy said: Were keeping a spot available for him. Pompey look to Grant avRaM GRanT is the clear favourite to succeed the sacked Paul Hart as Portsmouth manager. The former Chelsea boss would be a straightforward internal appointment, having returned to the club last month for a second spell as director of football. The israeli (pictured), expected to receive a UK work permit this week, was initially keen to remain behind the scenes at Fratton Park. However, he is now the no.1 choice for Pompeys embattled board and may face a first game in charge against champions Manchester United on Saturday. Rafael Benitez insists liv- erpool would have qualified for the last 16 of the Champions league if star striker fernando torres and Steven Gerrard had remained fit. theMerseysidersweredumped out of the group stage for the first time in six seasons under Benitez despite victory over Debrecen on tuesday night. fiorentinas win over lyon meant liverpool will definitely finish in third and be consigned to the europa league. Benitez maintains that his side would not be in their current po- sition had Spains torres still struggling with a serious groin injury been fit all season. He said: i have been talking with two or three senior players, they realise that to be in the final stages of the Champions league every season is not easy. However, i do believe that with torres fit, we would have got through into the last 16. it is the same with Steven Ger- rard, he has been injured, but when you see him back on the pitch you know that with him [fit] we would not now be in this position. the Spaniard also confirmed liverpool will prioritise their bid to make a swift return to the Champions league over a tilt for europa league glory. the key now is to finish in the top four to make sure we are in the Champions league group stages for the next season. Only then can we also think about the europa league and the fa Cup. GAA Soderling through to semi-finals in London ROBIN SODERLING became the first player through to the semi- finals of the ATP World Tour Finals in London. The Swede followed up his victory over Rafael Nadal with a 7-6 (7-5), 6-1 win against defending champion Novak Djokovic. Soderling only qualified for the tournament after Andy Roddick pulled out injured and had lost all five previous meetings against the world No.3. Djokovic said: He deserved to qualify. Meanwhile, Andy Mur- ray admits he needs to convert his good starts into victories after allowing Roger Federer to come back to win on Tuesday. Ive had letdowns in a lot of matches. Ive let guys back into matches straightaway in the second set, he said. Rockin Robin: Soderling after his win over novak Djokovic yesterday Rebel officials oppose formal GPA recognition COnSERVATIVE Cork officials have publicly opposed the GAAs formal recognition of the Gaelic Players Association. The GAA confirmed last weekend that it intends to recognise the GPA as its official players body and fund the association to the tune of about 1.6million. The arrangement needs to be rubberstamped by Central Council on December 5 but that should be a formality. But if other counties follow Corks lead it could throw a spanner in the works for the GPA. Cork club delegates met on Tuesday night to discuss the issue and just one of those present supported the development. A formal no vote by Cork would frustrate their hurling goalkeeper, Dnal g Cusack, who is chairman of the GPA. Cusack famously went to war with Cork officials last winter during the strike crisis following the reappointment of Gerald McCarthy against the players wishes. Lack of support: Cusack Referee Bannon wants rule change REFEREE John Bannon is leading the charge to reform one of GAAs most controversial rules. Bannons Legan Sarsfields club in Longford are calling for an end to the practice of referees being directed to review TV footage of controversial incidents after games. Bannon feels referees should not be put in such a position where, in an emotionally charged atmosphere, they are asked to review their own decisions. The motion is expected to be passed at Longfords Annual Convention in early December and go forward to next Aprils Annual Congress. Dublin must wait for title defence Wexford bosses hang onto posts DuBlin have been handed a lengthy nine-week wait between the league and their leinster championship opener next summer. the holders and their quarter-final opponents Wexford have the longest wait of all teams as June 13 is pencilled in for their championship opener. the first-round action begins on May 16 when Wicklow take on Carlow. a week later Meath face Offaly and louth take on longford. JaSOn Ryan and Colm Bonnar have been retained as Wexford senior managers for 2010 despite a disastrous season for the pair. Ryans footballers were relegated to Division 2 and suffered championship losses to Kildare and Roscommon last summer. Bonnars hurlers failed to gain promotion from Division 2 and lost all three championship games against Dublin, limerick and Clare. index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html24.html25.html26.html27.html