In case you missed the game last week, here are the highlights of the game.

Germany won Liechtenstein 4-0.

Highlights: Germany vs. Liechtenstein…

Forward Mario Gomez has not scored in his last 13 appearances for Germany so a match against a Wales side who appear to have surrendered all hope of reaching the World Cup finals could be just what he needs.
Coach Joachim Löw has remained loyal to Gomez despite his lack of goals and looks set to retain him alongside Lukas Podolski in Cardiff on Wednesday in Group Four in the continued absence of injured striker Miroslav Klose.
Stuttgart’s Gomez could even benefit from the match being away after he was jeered by home fans in Leipzig on Saturday when he missed several chances in the 4-0 defeat of Leichtenstein which maintained Germany’s four-point lead.
“Of course, the whistles hurt,” Gomez said in an interview on Eurosport. “It is obvious that it wasn’t good, and if they are whistling me personally, then that isn’t nice. I know how it is and it would be different had I scored. I just need to start putting the ball over the line.”
Euro 2008 runners-up Germany are clear favourites to win the group although with second-placed Russia, who have a game in hand, up against whipping boys Liechtenstein on Wednesday, Löw will be wary of …

Germany opened a four-point lead over Group 4 rivals Russia with a convincing 4-0 win against Liechtenstein here in Saturday’s World Cup qualifier as captain Michael Ballack led the charge.

The Chelsea star was winning his 91st cap and guided his country to a comfortable victory which leaves Germany top of the group with 13 points ahead of second-placed Russia, who have nine points and face minnows Liechtenstein next Wednesday in Vaduz.

Germany were without several first-choice stars including striker Miroslav Klose – the top scorer at the 2006 World Cup – and back-injury victim defender Arne Friedrich, but the comfortable win was badly needed.

Home defeats to Norway in February and England last November had dented the team’s confidence and tiny Liechtenstein, ranked 151st in the world and rooted to the bottom of the group, were never going to test their hosts.

It was Ballack who opened the scoring after just four minutes. Bayern München’s midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger floated in a cross and Ballack drilled his shot past Liechtenstein goalkeeper Peter Jehle.

The Germans made it 2-0 five minutes later when Lukas Podolski’s shot was saved by Jehle, but midfielder Marcell Jansen won the race to the ball and …

Joachim Löw has nominated 21 players for the upcoming games against Liechtenstein in Leipzig on March 28 and in Cardiff on April 1 against Wales, both qualifying games for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The German coach has refilled some open slots with Arne Friedrich, Marcell Jansen and Lukas Podolski – all three players sat out the year’s opening game against Norway due to injury. On Sunday, Friedrich cancelled his participation due to an injury, suffered in Berlin’s 0-2 defeat at Stuttgart on Saturday.

Hannover’s Robert Enke, recently sidelined due to a fractured left hand, returns as one of three goalkeepers on the roster. “I felt that he has had a rather successful convalescence, he’s found his old form quickly”, said Löw about Enke. Löw also commented on Lukas Podolski’s reappearance in the ranks: “The fact that he battled back into Bayern’s starting line-up did not have an effect on our nomination. We’d have called upon him either way, as we rate him highly. Lukas is an excellent forward.”

Marcell Jansen from Hamburger SV is yet another returnee following a prolonged injury phase. “As Piotr Trochowski reports injured, we needed a midfield alternative. We will check back with the HSV …

Coach Fred Rutten is to leave Schalke 04 at the end of the season, he said on Thursday.

Schalke have had a disappointing season in the Dutchman’s first year in the Bundesliga and sacked general manager Andreas Mueller earlier this month.

“Managing director Peter Peters has told me there is no future for Fred Rutten at Schalke next season,” the coach told reporters.

The team finished third in the league last season but are now eighth, 12 points off the pace. They have also been eliminated from the German Cup and UEFA Cup.

“It is a pity because Schalke are a super club and has great potential with fans who are close to the team,” added the 46-year-old Rutten whose contract was due to end next year.

The supporters, however, have been demanding Rutten’s removal for some time. On Sunday, Schalke lost 2-1 at home to Hamburg SV.

The club are also searching for a replacement for Mueller and have held talks with several candidates including former Germany and Bayern Munich goalkeeper Oliver Kahn.…

Bayern Munich general manager Uli Hoeness has ruled out making any more signings in the summer, warning the club will have to make do with the strikers they have.

Lukas Podolski’s move to Cologne at the end of the season will leave the Bavarians with just three recognised frontmen in Luca Toni, Miroslav Klose and Ivica Olic, who will arrive from Hamburg in the summer.

Youth player Thomas Muller can also be called upon, but Hoeness insists there will be no further additions.

“I would rather have a few weeks with a shortage (of strikers) than go through the whole theatricals we had with Lukas Podolski all season,” said Hoeness.

Podolski’s on-off move to Cologne dominated the sporting headlines in Germany between August and February, when the two Bundesliga clubs finally reached an agreement over his transfer.

He made only a handful of appearances for Bayern during that time, but has now broken into the starting XI with Toni and Klose both injured.

Their injuries also provided Muller with his first-team debut in the Champions League win over Sporting Lisbon and Hoeness believes keeping a streamlined squad should allow the teenager to develop.

“We have decided to go into next …

Germany coach Joachim Low is sweating over the fitness of goalkeeper Rene Adler and playmaker Piotr Trochowski ahead of their World Cup qualifier against Liechtenstein.

The pair arrived at the national team’s hotel today carrying knocks and had to report to national team doctor Hans-Wilhelm Muller-Wohlfahrt for tests.

Adler has a swollen elbow while Trochowski sat out Hamburg’s 2-1 win at Schalke yesterday with a pulled muscle.

“There is still a question mark over Trochowski, but I hope he can start training in the next few days,” said Low. “Adler has bruising and swelling, but I am confident he can also train this week.”

Low is unlikely to call up any replacements, despite already losing Miroslav Klose, Torsten Frings and Arne Friedrich.

Germany host Liechtenstein in Leipzig on Saturday before travelling to Cardiff to face Wales four days later.…

Bayern Munich coach Jurgen Klinsmann claims he has already fulfilled the main target he was given when he took over at the German champions, but knows he cannot afford to rest on his laurels.

Klinsmann took over from Ottmar Hitzfeld last summer with success in the Champions League the priority and, having reached the last eight, where Bayern will face Barcelona, he has already achieved that.

Yet that no longer seems enough as Klinsmann still struggles to win over the critics.

“The task the board gave me was to get this team back among the best in Europe,” he revealed. “Together with Barcelona, we have so far made the most convincing impression.

“We are on an incredible streak in the Champions League and are playing quick, attacking football. If we can beat Barca now, then nobody will be moaning anymore.”

But the fans’ main gripe is with Bayern’s league form. They have yet to sit atop the Bundesliga this season and this is why Klinsmann, despite his successes in Europe, including a record 7-1 win over Sporting Lisbon in the last round, cannot feel so comfortable in his position.

“We cannot find consistency and the mental approach we need to …