GERRARD TOLD TO TAKE IT EASY

Kenny Dalglish has told Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard to put his feet up on Thursday night – and enjoy life as a fan!

Gerrard will be rested for the Europa League clash with Sparta Prague at Anfield as he recovers from a groin injury.

The England star has sat out Liverpool’s last two games and Dalglish is in no hurry to rush him back.

“Steven is almost there. Whether he gets there in time or not remains to be seen, but we’re not going to push somebody into a game that’s not quite ready,” said Dalglish.

“As much as Steven would love to play and we’d love to have him, I think we’ve got to think a bit longer term than just one game.

“But if he’s fit and well, he’ll come under consideration like everybody else.

“We’ve got to be consistent in our approach to things and if there is any doubt whatsoever, if we can get by without Steven then we will do.”

Liverpool were held to a scoreless draw in the Czech Republic but will start Thursday night’s second leg as clear favorites to advance to the last 16 of the tournament.

Dalglish also confirmed that record signing Andy Carroll is still some way off a return after his thigh injury.

“Andy has done everything that has been expected of him up to this time,” said Dalglish.

“The medical people and ourselves on the football side are delighted with his progress.

“He’s still got a bit to go before he’ll be considered for a match, but he’s probably a little bit ahead of schedule rather than behind schedule.

“It’s great for him and it’s great for us. He wants to get a game but obviously patience is again a word that we need to adopt for him and for us.”
 
SPURS RUE MISSED CHANCES

Spurs became the latest Premier League hotshots to be tangoed at Blackpool on Tuesday night – and manager Harry Redknapp was far from pleased.

Ian Holloway’s Tangerines were full value for their 3-1 EPL win after Charlie Adam, DJ Campbell and Brett Ormerod put them 3-0 up on the night.

Russian striker Roman Pavlyuchenko hit a consolation for Spurs who wasted opportunities galore at Bloomfield Road as their top four hopes were severely dented.

“We missed chance after chance after chance,” admitted Redknapp, just a week after his side had beaten AC Milan in the San Siro.

“I’ve never seen so many open goals missed in my life. You can’t miss eight open goals and expect to win.

“We missed chances - second half it was chance after chance. We just needed a goal, if we had scored one I think we’d have gone on and probably won.

“But we kept missing open goals - three yards out, four yards out, missing, missing, missing. I’ve never seen a game with so many chances.

“It’s obviously damaging. Tonight was a game I thought we would win but you can’t miss chances like that. It was unreal - you had to see it to believe it.”
 
BRIEFS

Manchester City captain Carlos Tevez is wanted by his old club Corinthians of Brazil but agent Kia Joorabchian says the move won’t happen for at least another couple of years.
 
West Ham striker Benni McCarthy and defender Herita Ilunga are on their way to Sheffield Wednesday on loan.
 
Hammers boss Avram Grant wants to make Inter Milan striker Victor Obinna’s loan deal permanent in the summer.
 
Spurs have again stated their interest in Blackpool captain Charlie Adam.
 
AC Milan bad boy Gennaro Gattuso has decided not to travel to London for the Champions League return clash with Spurs after he was banned for four games for head-butting Tottenham coach Joe Jordan after the first leg game.
 
Liverpool will rest captain Steven Gerrard for Thursday night’s Europa League tie against Sparta Prague at Anfield.
 
Arsenal will tour Japan next summer in a deal brokered by manager Arsene Wenger that could net the club £15million.
 
Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn has warned he may have to sell star striker Asamoah Gyan to balance the books at the Stadium of Light.
 
Arsenal won’t extend Aaron Ramsey’s loan deal at Championship promotion hopefuls Cardiff City.
 
Alexander Hleb is still a doubt for Birmingham ahead of Sunday’s Carling Cup final against Arsenal.
 
Defender Martin Skrtel says he wants to stay at Liverpool despite reported interest from German side Wolfsburg.
 
Robin van Persie and Laurent Koscielny have both been ruled out of Arsenal’s EPL game against Stoke on Wednesday night.
 
Manchester United winger Antonio Valencia could be back in action after injury next week but Brazilian midfielder Anderson is still some way off a return after another knee injury.
 
Sunderland boss Steve Bruce wants to keep on-loan defender John Mensah.