Liverpool’s chances of winning the UEFA Champions League, and finishing 4th in the English Premier League have taken a blow after Daniel Agger was ruled out for the rest of the season.

The Danish international has only featured six times this season, and now manager Rafa Benitez has decided to operate on the injury. Agger has suffered the dreaded metatarsel injury which will see him ruled out for the rest of the season, although Benitez hopes to have Agger back for pre-season.

Agger’s place in the Liverpool back line has been taken by new £6 million signing Martin Skrtel, who arrived at the club in January.

Rafa Benitez told the club’s official website : “It’s a blow for Daniel but we want to get his problem sorted. We have defensive cover and Martin Skrtel is playing very well, Daniel will be back for next season.”

Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks has ended negotiations with Dubai International Capital (DIC) over acquiring a 49% stake in the club.

DIC had earlier announced it was in advanced talks to buy a stake in the Anfield side. But in a statement on the Liverpool website, Hicks said: “I have decided to terminate further discussions with DIC. I and my colleagues will continue to explore a number of other options with regard to the ownership of the club.”

George Gillett, Hicks’ co-owner, is understood to have agreed in principle to sell 49% of his 50% stake to DIC, and the other 1% to Hicks to give the Texan a controlling interest. DIC have accepted that Hicks, co-owner of Kop Football (Holdings) Limited, will not sell his share in Liverpool in the near future, but would insist on a clause giving them first refusal to buy his stake.

Hicks and fellow American Gillett took control in a deal worth £218.9m in February 2007. But their own relationship has broken down and the pair – Hicks in particular – have been the target for strong criticism from supporters. It is believed Gillett is willing to sell but the situation is further complicated by an agreement between him and Hicks that means one cannot sell his share without the agreement of the other.

Everton boss David Moyes has been named Barclays manager of the month, with Liverpool striker Fernando Torres winning the player award for February.

Everton were unbeaten in the league for the month as they put themselves in contention to land fourth place and a Champions League spot. It is the fourth time Moyes has won the award and last won it in January 2006.

Torres scored a hat-trick in a 3-2 win over Middlesbrough in a February which yielded four goals in two league games.

The Spaniard’s triple was his first in the Premier League and he added to the one he scored against Reading in the Carling Cup earlier on this season.

He is currently on 18 goals in the top-flight scoring charts, with Emmanuel Adebayor, who is on 19, and 21-goal Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of him.

Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks is unwilling to sell his share in the club to Dubai International Capital and aims to buy out partner George Gillett.

DIC has tabled a formal £400m bid to take control from the American duo. BBC sports editor Mihir Bose told BBC 5 Live: “Hicks has been willing to have DIC as a minority stakeholder. He’s not willing to sell a controlling interest.

“Tom Hicks is working on a plan where he would buy out his partner George Gillett, who is minded to sell to DIC.”

Hicks has not formally rejected the offer from DIC, the Government-run Dubai investment fund, but is still unwilling to sell out. DIC has insisted there is no deadline on its bid to buy out the Americans, who took control of the club in a deal worth £218.9m in February 2007.

Bose explained: “Gillett and Hicks have an informal understanding that one won’t sell without the other and DIC has never been interested in being a minority stakeholder, and would not be interested in getting into bed with Hicks with a 50-50 partnership. There is a bit more to go but some conclusion will be reached – either Hicks will raise the money to buy out Gillett and take total control, or there will be a sale of the club. I suspect it will be another couple of months at least before it is resolved.”

Javier Mascherano has put the speculation about his future to bed and has signed a four-year contract to stay with Liverpool on a permanent basis.

The Argentine midfielder told the club’s official website: “I am very, very happy and now I can concentrate just on playing football,” Mascherano told Liverpoolfc.tv.

“I said all along that I wanted to stay at Liverpool and now that I have signed I can say this is the best and the biggest moment in my career so far.

“From the first day I arrived at Liverpool the feeling was good and I knew this was where I wanted to play my football. It’s good news for me and my family that everything is sorted and I know where my future is going to be. I just want to do my best for the fans and the people of the club.”

Javier’s future with the English Premier League side has been of major speculation in recent times, after the rift between manager Rafa Benitez and owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

Aston Villa boss Martin O’Neill says Scott Carson’s permanent transfer to the club may yet be scuppered. The 22-year-old joined on a season-long loan from Liverpool but O’Neill has revealed that the decision over whether the keeper stays is out of his hands.

“There are a number of parties involved and things could be thwarted if Liverpool decide they want him back,” O’Neill told his club’s website. He’s on loan and Liverpool haven’t changed their stance in any aspect.”

Carson’s form has come under scrutiny since his high-profile blunder in England’s infamous Euro 2008 qualifier against Croatia.

But O’Neill has no doubts about his quality and has been delighted with his performances.

“He is a young kid who is learning and wanting to do very, very well,” he added.

“He has got a good attitude and I have been very pleased with him.”