Gerrard and Torres sidelined for Sunderland clash

Todays Premiership clash with Sunderland could prove a tougher test then first thought, now that news has emerged that both Liverpool's influential captain Steven Gerrard and Spanish marvel Fernando Torres have been sidelined for the match at Wearside.

Both players sustained injuries whilst on international duty in midweek. Gerrard missed England's win over Belarus on Wednesday after picking up a groin injury in the defeat by Ukraine. Torres suffered from an adductor problem in Spain's win over Armenia last weekend and he was rested for the midweek win over Bosnia-Herzegovina.

The duo are not the only casualties, as new signing Sotirios Kyrgiakos suffered a knee injury during Greece's 2-1 win over Luxembourg. Early indications suggested the former Rangers man may have sustained cruciate ligament damage, however a scan confirmed this not to be the case.

As if to compound Benitez's selection problems further, Javier Mascherano and Emiliano Insua, only arrived back on Merseyside after a fifteen hour flight from Buenos Aires yesterday.

Liverpool manager has increasingly become frustrated by his players sustaining injuries whilst away on international duty:

"Both Steven and Fernando still have some problems," Benitez confirmed during his pre match press conference yesterday.

"They will need more time and won't be available this weekend. I think they could be available for next week," reports Sky Sports.

"We were talking with our medical staff and analysing all the problems, but now we can't change the situation and would prefer to concentrate on Sunderland," he said.

"I need to worry about the players I have rather than those I don't."

Dirk Kuyt had also suffered from an ankle problem in midweek but Benitez confirmed it was not an issue and the Dutch international is likely to lead the forward line.

"Kuyt is okay. He was training normally with the team and will be available," added Benitez.

"With Kyrgiakos we were really worried because people were talking about maybe six months, but after the scan we think one week to ten days. That's very positive," he said.

The Reds boss also confirmed summer signing Alberto Aquilani is now training with the first team.

"His physical problems, he is okay and now he has to work on his condition and so hopefully he will be fitter next week," he said.

"But he is now training with the first team and that is the most important thing."

New signing Kyrgiakos says: Liverpool are the best in Europe

Liverpool's new signing Sotiris Kyrgiakos who signed a two year deal on Friday, say's he has joined the best club in Europe. Speaking at his press conference following his move from AEK Athens, the 30-year-old also hopes to help the Reds win the Premier League this season:

"It's something I would like very much. I am very happy to have this chance at Liverpool. I know I had just signed a new contract with AEK. But although it was a good contract, you never stop having ambitions in life, and that is why I am here," he said in the Telegraph.

"When you are approached by a club like Liverpool, it is an offer you just cannot refuse. I hope that I can bring my strength to this squad, I am good in the air and I have a lot of experience now, so I hope I can be of benefit to Liverpool."

"There are a lot of real quality players here, so I hope to add to their squad and I know they will help me settle down here."

The Greek international who only found out about the interest from Liverpool on Monday says it wasn't a hard decision to make:

"When I found out it was Liverpool I didn't have to think too hard about it. I'm 30 years-old now, so it's a fantastic opportunity for me to join a club like Liverpool," he said on the official site.

"Sure, it's a huge opportunity, but the important thing is to stay fit and try my best."

Kyrgiakos also says it will be easy to ft into the Premiership following his two years stint in the SPL

"It will help because it is a similar style of football in Scotland."

"I would say I am a physical player in the way I like to defend. I am aggressive in the way I jump to head the ball but I always aim to play within the rules of the game."

"First of all, I want to establish myself as a starting player. Then, I hope to help the club achieve the goals it has already set. I believe I am at the best age for me to take on this challenge because of the experience I now have."

"Everyone is aware of Liverpool's traditions. I have come here because I believe they are the best club in Europe."

"I didn't know Rafa before coming here, but like everyone else, I know he is a great manager. Yes, I am very proud of this achievement."

Reds complete Kyrgiakos deal

Liverpool football club have confirmed they have completed the signing of Greek international defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos from AEK Athens.

"The 30-year-old has put pen to paper on a two-year deal with the option of a further year after successfully completing a medical," reports the official site.

Trikala-born Kyrgiakos began his career at the Panathinaikos academy in 1996. The powerful centre-back quickly established himself as a regular member of the Panathinaikos first-team, helping them to a Greek league and cup double in 2004.

In 2005, Kyrgiakos joined Glasgow Rangers on loan. After clinching the Scottish title and League Cup, the deal was made permanent in the summer of the same year as the 6ft 4ins defender agreed a one-year contract at Ibrox.

The Bundesliga was his next destination with the tough-tackling stopper sealing a transfer to Eintracht Frankfurt in 2006, where he spent two seasons before joining AEK last summer.

A knee injury kept Kyrgiakos out of Greece's historic triumph at Euro 2004, although he started each of his country's three matches in the same tournament four years' later. In total, he has won 50 caps for the Greek national team.

Kyrgiakos to fly in for medical

Liverpool have today agreed a deal with AEK Athens for central defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos, subject to a medical, reports the official site.
The 30-year-old Greek international will arrive at Melwood for a medical examination within 24 hours. The fee is believed to be 3 million Euros.

Manager Rafael Benitez speaking to the official site said: "We have nearly done the deal subject to a medical. He is a player with experience who can hopefully help us in defence.

"He has experience in British football and Rangers. After that with Frankfurt and the national team. He's a good player in the air, strong and aggressive. We were looking for a player with experience.

"He will have the medical this week, it has to be before the weekend."

Young centre-backs Martin Kelly and Daniel Ayala, will be able to learn from the new signing says Benitez:

"The young players know they need experience and so to learn alongside people with this experience is better."

The player who prematurely announced his intended departure to the Reds via his own web site said: "On Monday night I received an offer from Liverpool, an offer which I have accepted."

AEK released the following : “We respect his decision and have repeatedly stated that we never keep any player against his will, for whatever reason. But the timing of the departure of Sotirios Kyrgiakos has come at the worst possible moment for our club,” reports the Times.

Reds sign Greek defender Kyrgiakos from AEK Athens

Liverpool have reportedly signed Greek defender Sotiris Kyrgiakos from AEK Athens. The player himself revealed the news via his official website. The statement appears to have been removed since, however it declared:

"I would like to inform the fans of AEK that on Monday night I received an offer from Liverpool, an offer which I have accepted," reports the Guardian.

"I understand this has come at the worst possible time ahead of the crucial games for qualification to the Europa League, but the fact that I will play for Liverpool is like a qualification in itself for me. I have taken my final decision which was accepted by the president and the coach."

"Never in my life have I hidden from the consequences of my choices."

"I said last week that I would be an AEK Athens player for the next four years and I meant what I said at the time."

"Today, however, I had to make the most important decision in my career. Going back on my word was difficult, but this is life, and life can bring about strange things."

Today's Telegraph reports: "The 30 year-old centre-back said farewell to his team-mates ahead of AEK's departure to Romania for the first leg of their Europa League play-off tie against SC Vaslui."

AEK have denied that a deal is complete however: "At this moment there is no final agreement between AEK and Liverpool FC," a club statement said.

Clearly the clubs have yet to agree a satisfactory fee for both parties, but it is understood that a figure in the region of 3 million euros has been tabled.