Barcelona are past for the Argentine Skipper

The breakdown of a potential move to Barcelona hasn't adversely affected the Argentine star, who has simply protested that he has made a bad start to the campaign...

Javier Mascherano has hit out at critics who state he has not been at his best for Liverpool because his mind is still on a move to Barcelona.

The Argentine midfielder was linked with a switch to Camp Nou in the summer and only the sale of Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid ensured that he stayed at Anfield.

With fresh speculation that the Catalan giants will make a concrete move for him in the winter window or at the end of the campaign, pundits have said that he is focussed on that.

Mascherano has now hit back, stating that he has put the Blaugrana behind him and that he is simply in a poor patch.

"Everyone knows Barcelona were interested in me but that's in the past now," he was quoted as saying by The Daily Mail.

"Liverpool said 'no' and that's the end of it. Some might say I haven't been playing well because Barcelona tried to buy me.

"I agree I haven't been at my best, but it's not because of that. I just haven't started the season well."

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Mascherano realises Fulham threat

The Reds got their season back on track with a 2-0 win over Man Utd last Sunday but Mascherano says that will count for nothing if they don't beat Fulham tomorrow.

"We knew how important the game against United was and how much the fans enjoy it if we beat them," said the midfielder.

"We are really happy for all of the supporters because they have been behind us all the time.

"But it was just three points and we have to keep going. We can't afford to be thinking about beating United and then, in this instance, go to Fulham and not play at the same level.

"If we want to fight for trophies we need to carry on and maintain the same level."

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Rafa confirms Gerrard's injury concerns

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has admitted Steven Gerrard is struggling to recover from his groin injury.

Gerrard has missed Liverpool's last two games with the problem initially picked up on international duty with England earlier this month.

The Reds skipper is likely to be again missing for Saturday's trip to Fulham amid fears he could need surgery to solve the problem.

Better news on the injury front for Benitez is that Fernando Torres is likely to face Fulham despite struggling with a similar problem to Gerrard.

"Both have to keep going," said Benitez. "Gerrard is still working with the physio so we will see.

"Hopefully, Torres will be okay, but for Gerrard maybe it more difficult."

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Rafa & Mata both interested in a possible move

Valencia winger Juan Mata has revealed Rafa Benitez's interest in signing him while the player's father has hinted at problems within the Spanish club that could push Mata towards a £16.5million move to Liverpool.

Mata is in sensational form in Spain's La Liga but Valencia's financial problems mean the club could be forced to accept an offer for the 21-year-old midfielder.

Although the player in under contract until 2012, he is only earning around £10,000-a-week. Valencia have offered improved terms but the deal was not to the liking of Mata or his father, Juan Snr.

The player's father, also his agent, said: 'We want Valencia to recognise the kid's true quality, and it's not only a matter of money.'

Juan Jnr added: 'This matter is all down to the club and my agent. Benitez is a big coach but I just want to concentrate on my game without any distractions.'
Benitez's interest in Mata could spell the end of unfancied forward Ryan Babel's Anfield career.


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Silverware for Liverpool fades away

Teenager Fran Merida netted his first Arsenal goal as Arsene Wenger's young Gunners beat Liverpool 2-1 to reach the quarter-finals of the Carling Cup.

Just back from the Under-20 World Cup with Spain, the 19-year-old former Barcelona trainee drilled in a fine first-half strike as Wenger's faith in youth was once again justified.

Nicklas Bendtner, himself only 21 but now a regular in the side, produced a powerful finish after 50 minutes to put Arsenal into the last eight after Emiliano Insua had equalised.

As expected, Wenger had shaken things up in the team selection for his 750th game at the helm, naming an entirely different starting XI from the one which let a 2-0 lead slip during the closing stages at West Ham in the Barclays Premier League on Sunday.

There was, though, a more experienced look to this Gunners team, with veteran Mickael Silvestre captaining the side at the ripe old age of 32, while French midfielder Samir Nasri made his first appearance of the season after recovering from a fractured leg, while Croatia striker Eduardo was also in the team.

Only Dirk Kuyt, the Reds captain for the night, remained from the Liverpool side which had defeated Manchester United - although there was a welcome place on the bench for Alberto Aquilani, who had yet to play following his big-money summer move from Roma.

The hosts started well, and Merida - who almost went out on loan to Levante, only for Wenger to pull the plug on the deal at the last minute - fired a low effort just off target.

Liverpool created a decent opening when a clever backheel from David Ngog, on target at Anfield to help sink United, released Philipp Degen on the edge of the penalty area, but the Swiss defender dragged his shot across the face of goal.

On 10 minutes, Nasri was upended by Martin Skrtel just outside the Liverpool box, but chipped his free-kick over the wall and wide.

Bendtner then overcomplicated a one-two with Nasri, trying to stab the ball square to Aaron Ramsey, rather than just shoot when clear through.

Merida showed him just how it should be done with a fine strike on 19 minutes. Craig Eastmond, 18, stole possession on the right, and the ball broke for Merida, who promptly smashed a first-time, left-foot shot in off the post past Diego Cavalieri.

Arsenal, though, had their lead only until the 26th minute when Insua netted a fine equaliser. A long ball up field was knocked down by Ryan Babel, and it dropped perfectly for Insua, who drilled a looping shot up over Lukasz Fabianski from 25 yards for the Argentinian defender's first goal in English football.

Arsenal were soon back on the offensive, with Eduardo and Ramsey combining to set Merida clear on the left side of the penalty area, and the youngster did well to stay on his feet as Cavalieri charged out of goal.

There was another let-off for Liverpool when Cavalieri dropped the ball in a crowded six-yard box, but enough black shirts were around to clear.

Arsenal kept up their momentum following the restart, and went ahead again five minutes into the second period.

A sweeping move saw Merida feed the ball through to Bendtner on the penalty spot. The Denmark international held off Skrtel before smashing his shot into the roof of the net.

To their credit, Liverpool came back strongly. Fabianski had to get down to save a low, 25-yard free-kick from Babel which would have crept inside the keeper's right-hand post.

With 17 minutes left, Wenger made a change when 20-year-old Mark Randall and Hackney-born striker Sanchez Watt, 18, replaced Eastmond and Bendtner, while Liverpool sent on Yossi Benayoun for Ngog. Aquilani, the £20 million man coming back from knee surgery, also got a long-awaited run-out, Damien Plessis making way.

Liverpool almost snatched an equaliser when Kuyt swept the ball across the six-yard box, but Babel, sliding in, just could not make contact.

Eduardo drilled his shot wide of the far post, but Arsenal had done enough to secure a place in the last eight.

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Benitez expects Gerrard to be back for trip to Cottage

The skipper won't feature against Arsenal on Wednesday night due to a groin injury sustained on international duty.

ut Benitez told Liverpoolfc.tv: "Gerrard will not be available for this game but he is improving, so hopefully he can be ready for Saturday."

Martin Kelly (ankle) and Albert Riera (hamstring) are also out and will not be available for one or two weeks.

There is better news for Benitez in that both Andrea Dossena and Sotirios Kyrgiakos could feature in the Carling Cup fourth round clash after recovering from knocks.

Benitez added: "Dossena has been training and will be in the squad. It was one or two small things with him.

"Kyrgiakos has been training. We had bad news when everyone was talking about him being out for six months after the internationals. It wasn't that bad because now he's training and he's available too."

Meanwhile, both Glen Johnson and Fernando Torres came through Sunday's victory over Manchester United without troubling previous injuries.

Benitez said: "It was difficult for both especially because it was a tough game, but they were training and we were taking care of them.

"Now they are training and I think they'll be available for the next games."

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Aquilani to make his debut at the Emirates

Liverpool's £20 million summer signing Alberto Aquilani could make his long-awaited debut for the Anfield club against Arsenal in the Carling Cup on Wednesday.

he Italian midfielder, signed as a replacement for Xabi Alonso, who joined Real Madrid for £30 million in August, has been fully involved in Liverpool's training prior to the fourth round clash, and is set to feature from the substitutes bench at the Emirates Stadium.

Aquilani played for 15 minutes of a reserve match last week, having been recovering from a knee operation since his arrival at the club, and is now relishing a chance to show what he can do in the first team.

He said: "It was good to play for the reserves because I haven't played for a long time, but to play for the first team is something different again and I am looking forward to that.

"I really want to play, but I need to be patient, I know the time will come for me. I will be very happy when I make my debut. This is my job, it's what I am here to do, and I am looking forward to it."

With his first-team debut finally on the horizon, Aquilani was keen to thank his fellow players and the staff at the club's Melwood training ground for helping him settle into life on Merseyside.

He added: "I want to thank all the players and the people at the club because they have been very helpful to me since I arrived here.

"Obviously as Andrea Dossena is here and speaks Italian, he has helped me, but I want to take the opportunity to thank every player.

"It has been difficult, but now I want to build up my confidence and I hope to bring out the best of my game here."

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Masch wants to continue the winning habit

Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano insists his team's heroics against champions Manchester United will mean nothing unless they start winning "over and over again", starting with the Carling Cup tie at Arsenal.

Mascherano was red-carded during the stunning 2-0 victory over United and is banned from the fourth-round clash at the Emirates. But the Argentina skipper is certain Liverpool must not let up now they have found their form again.

He said: "Beating United was very important for our confidence, but it's just one win, we must do it again in the Carling Cup at Arsenal on Wednesday and then over and over again in the league and in Europe.''

Liverpool follow tomorrow's match with a trip back to the capital on Saturday to play Fulham, ahead of next Wednesday's Champions League clash in France against Lyon.

Neither Fernando Torres or Steven Gerrard are expected to be involved against Arsenal. Torres was only 80% fit after a groin injury against United, but still managed a cracking opening goal.

Gerrard sat in the stands with old team-mates Sami Hyypia and Dietmar Hamann, nursing his own groin problem. It is expected boss Rafael Benitez will give his two key players a week to get themselves ready for Fulham. Mascherano, though, knows the need to get Torres fully fit and Gerrard back soon.

"Fernando proved what a good player he is for us, and that he can be the difference and we are happy that he is back because we need him," he said. "We are waiting for Stevie (Gerrard) to be fit as well. We won against United without him, but we know he's really important and a key player for us and we want to have him back as soon as possible. We have to continue winning because we are six points behind Chelsea in the league.''

Benitez is likely to use fringe players at Arsenal, but is believed to be considering a role - probably from the bench - for midfielder Alberto Aquilani.

The Italian has been recovering from a knee injury since his £20million move in the summer from Roma, but had a 15-minute run-out for the reserves last week and looked ready for a first-team opportunity.

Otherwise Liverpool are likely to give goalkeeper Diego Cavalieri, Jay Spearing, Andriy Voronin, Ryan Babel and Philipp Degen starting roles.

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Torres admits he played through pain

Fernando Torres admitted he played through the pain barrier as Liverpool bounced back into the title hunt with a 2-0 victory over Manchester United on Sunday.

El Nino scored the opener on his return from an adductor injury on a day when the Reds were back to their best after four consecutive defeats.

But he confessed afterwards: "I wasn't really at my best. We knew before the game I couldn't play to 100 per cent because I had some pain in some actions, but in games like this the pain doesn't matter."

Torres took his tally for the season to nine midway through the second half after brushing off Rio Ferdinand and firing home at the near post.

He added: "I feel a bit of pain when I shoot across so I could only shoot towards the near post - it was the only thing I could do!"

The result leaves Liverpool just four points behind the champions and six adrift of league leaders Chelsea.

"I am really happy for the fans and the players and we will enjoy this," said Torres.

"We are in the race again. We knew before the game that we had to win and we did it. Now we have a bit of confidence but we have to keep it going on Wednesday in the Carling Cup against Arsenal.

"Then we have to be focused for Fulham. But we feel like a strong team again because we're working all together like in the past.

"We will see what happens and then look at things at the end."

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Ngog describes scoring against United his Best Moment

David Ngog admitted his injury-time goal against Manchester United was the best moment of his career so far.

The French striker came on as a substitute for Fernando Torres and netted a stoppage-time second goal at the Kop end in the 2-0 win over Manchester United.

It was a special moment for the Reds as not only did the result herald a return to winning ways, but it came in Rafael Benitez's 200th league game in charge.

"This was a fantastic moment for me and the team and I would say it's my best moment in football," the Reds No.24 told Liverpoolfc.tv.

"I have always dreamed of scoring a goal for Liverpool against Manchester United and now it has happened and it is a really good feeling.

"I dedicate this goal to my family who always support me and the Liverpool supporters. We know how much this victory means to our supporters.

"I also give thanks to my teammates and the manager for always showing faith in me.

"We know we have a lot of quality so this result means everything for the team. We have worked really hard together and I think we deserved to win."

The team spirit was epitomised when goalkeeper Pepe Reina joined in the celebrations for Ngog's goal when the three points were guaranteed Liverpool's way.

"I was surprised because the first person to celebrate with me was Pepe but that shows you just what this victory means for us," he added.

"This was a big moment for the team and everyone wanted this victory. It shows how good the team spirit and togetherness is."

Arsenal are up next in the Carling Cup and Ngog is hoping for a starting role after his match-winning exploits against Leeds United in the third round.

"We are looking forward to it and all I can do is keep working hard and show what I can do when I get the opportunity," said Ngog.

"I just want to do my best for the team."

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Rafa admits to taking late call of Torres

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has revealed that he only decided to start Fernando Torres against Manchester United when travelling to Anfield.

The Reds' ace striker had only taken part in two light training sessions in the build-up to the crucial match after being sidelined with a groin problem.

The Reds chief, who was without injured captain Steven Gerrard, said: "I talked with Fernando on the coach, and that was when I was really convinced that he could play.

"In the morning I had decided that he would be involved, but I needed convincing he could start rather than just be a substitute.

"Playing Fernando was a difficult decision. He was not training, the same as Steven Gerrard.

"But after talking with him we decided it was better to start the game with him.

"You could see he was not 100 per cent fit, but sometimes 80% of Fernando can make a difference.

"We had to be very careful with him, that is why we took him off near the end.

"You have to take care of him. But we were waiting for that final pass and when it came we knew he would score."

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Rafa and his men back to glory road after sinking down United

Fernando Torres eased the pressure on Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez as his sublime strike inspired a 2-0 win over arch rivals Manchester United on Sunday.

Benitez had endured a miserable week as Liverpool's losing run extended to four matches, their worst spell for 22 years, but Spanish striker Torres gave his compatriot a much-needed boost with a lethal second half finish before David Ngog's stoppage time goal secured a third successive win against United.

A chaotic closing period also saw both sides finish with 10 men as Nemanja Vidic was sent off for hauling down Dirk Kuyt - the United defender's third red card in his last three matches against Liverpool - and then Javier Mascherano was dismissed for a clumsy foul on Edwin van der Sar.

After being widely written off as also-rans ahead of the Anfield showdown, Liverpool have closed the gap on Premier League leaders Chelsea to six points and stopped United regaining top spot, as well as condemning the champions to their first defeat in 12 matches.

It was no more than Liverpool deserved for the kind of intelligent and passionate display that has been missing too often this season.

With Steven Gerrard's failure to recover from a groin injury in time to feature forced Benitez to gamble on Torres's fitness as he tried to avoid presiding over a fifth successive defeat and Liverpool's worst run for 56 years.

With so much at stake, it was hardly surprising that the pre-match fans' protest march against Liverpool owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett, who sat together in the directors' box, didn't carry on in the stadium.

But the fierce rivalry between the clubs means that no slip is too small to be gloated over.

United's travelling fans threw beach balls onto the Anfield pitch before kick-off in celebration of Darren Bent's infamous goal for Sunderland last weekend. although they had their thunder stolen by the Kop, who unleashed their own barrage of inflatable balls moments later.

Benitez would have appreciated Liverpool managing director Christian Purslow's declaration that the Spaniard's job was safe, but those words would count for nothing if United effectively killed off their title challenge.

Fabio Aurelio had van der Sar at full stretch to keep out a free-kick that was curling towards the top corner and the Dutch goalkeeper had to recover quickly to block Kuyt's follow-up.

Kuyt shoud have forced van der Sar into action soon after but shot wide after Lucas's pass picked out the Dutch forward in yards of space.

It took United 20 minutes to piece together their first really incisive attack as Rooney met Antonio Valencia's cross with a header that Jose Reina clutched low to his right.

Liverpool were showing the greater urgency and Aurelio tested van der Sar again, this time with a far-post header from Yossi Benayoun's cross, but his effort was too close to the United keeper.

Several United players, infuriated by Andre Marriner's failure to agree with two half-hearted penalty appeals, surrounded the referee at half-time.

United were content to maintain their surprisingly cautious approach again after the break, while centre backs Vidic and Rio Ferdinand singled out Torres for some crunching challenges.

Torres, who had tormented Vidic in Liverpool's 4-1 win at Old Trafford last season, had been relatively subdued. But he sprang to life in ruthless fashion in the 65th minute.

Yossi Benayoun slipped a perceptive pass to Torres in the United penalty area and he burst clear of Ferdinand, ignoring the defender's attempt to tug his shirt, before lashing a rising shot past van der Sar.

That prompted Sir Alex Ferguson to send on former Liverpool striker Michael Owen and he was greeted with a torrent of abuse from all four sides of Anfield.

Valencia was within a whisker of equalising in the 84th minute when he crashed a fierce strike against the crossbar.

United must have realised it wasn't to be their day when Jamie Carragher escaped with a booking after hauling down Owen as he burst through on goal in the closing moments.
Their misery was complete when Vidic was sent off in the last minute for a grabbing Kuyt and hauling him to the turf as he threatened to break clear.

After Mascherano's foolish second booking, Ngog, on for Torres, put the result beyond down when he surged through and slotted past van der Sar.

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Wenger feels sorry for Rafa

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has jumped to the defence of under-fire Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez, insisting the criticism levelled at the Spaniard is undeserved and "excessive".

The Reds are in their worst run of form for 22 years, with four defeats in the Premier League already, and face a crunch clash against league leaders Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday.

Wenger, though, feels the Spaniard - who won the Champions League against AC Milan in 2005, and reached the final again two years later - should be given more respect for what he has achieved.

"It is always excessive," said Wenger, who himself came in for criticism last season and has not won a trophy since Arsenal's FA Cup triumph in 2005. "We are, with a big club, in a job where you know that the moment the team goes through a difficult period, you get more stick than you should.

"I feel sorry that he gets that because he does not deserve it. But we all basically understand within this job, that it is part of the rules."

"In a big club, you need to be extremely strong because you get a lot of negative vibes," Wenger said. "When you do not start well in the race for the Premier League, it's all negative around you.

"What is happening to Liverpool today happened to us last year. Every single question is negative for the whole season. You need to be extremely strong inside the club to deal with that."

Benitez's future at Anfield has been the subject of much debate and on Friday Inter Milan manager Jose Mourinho told a news conference in Italy the chances of him leaving to join Liverpool were "impossible" following speculation that he was set to return to the Premier League.

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Liverpool V Manchester United early team news

Liverpool are unlikely to have all three of Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Glen Johnson fit for the home match with Manchester United.

Manchester United are sweating over the fitness of Wayne Rooney ahead of the trip to Liverpool because the striker has still not fully recovered from a calf injury picked up on international duty with England.

Gerrard is receiving treatment on his groin problem but he is rated as doubtful while Torres is expected to be fit.

England defender Johnson could also be involved but Spanish winger Albert Riera is missing with a hamstring injury.

Ryan Giggs looks set to start for the Red Devils after shaking off a knock although Darren Fletcher is doubtful with a knee injury.

Patrice Evra (heel) returns to the squad but Park Ji-Sung is out with a knee problem.

Teams:

Liverpool (from): Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Skrtel, Aurelio, Insua, Mascherano, Babel, Lucas, Kuyt, Benayoun, Gerrard, Torres, Voronin, Ngog, Spearing, Plessis, Dossena, Cavalieri.

Man Utd (from): Van der Sar, Foster, Kuszczak, Neville, O'Shea, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, J Evans, Evra, Valencia, Carrick, Scholes, Anderson, Giggs, Berbatov, Owen, Welbeck, Macheda, Nani, Fabio, Rafael, Fletcher, Rooney.

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Masch wants Liverpool to follow Argentina way

Argentina's dramatic qualification into the World Cup finals after an underwhelming and problematic campaign can be an inspiration to Liverpool, who have lost four games on the spin. That is the opinion of Albicelestes captain Javier Mascherano, who calls on the Reds to aid under-fire manager Rafael Benitez by ending their poor form when they host Manchester United on Sunday.

"I am relaxed now that Argentina have qualified for the World Cup finals, I can concentrate only on Liverpool," the 25-year-old defensive midfielder explained in British broadsheet The Telegraph.

"I can think of Liverpool and not Argentina. This is not a good situation at the club, and I want to give Liverpool my best.

"I am captain of my country, and we were really under pressure in the final two qualifying games; people said we were out, that was very difficult.

"But we won both those games. We have qualified. Maybe it will be the same for Liverpool now if we start to win, things will start to happen for us like they did for my country.

"We must not think of the past. We must beat United for ourselves, for our supporters, for the team. We must keep going. We have a very important game now with Manchester United. We must stop thinking and worrying about what happened against Lyon.

"If we can beat United then the confidence will be back, it is important to do that."

The rear-guard protector hopes that their recent form over the Premier League champions will play into their favour at Anfield.

"We beat them twice last season. We know what we are capable of. Hopefully our form will be like that on Sunday. We have to do the right things and put away our chances.

"It is a difficult situation, we have lost four in a row. But do not forget that is a team who last season were doing very well, we must keep going and working. We must win the next game, against Manchester United. If you have confidence you can do anything.

"The team is not playing well, and a lot of players are not in the best form. That is not good and we are losing confidence, but we have to believe that we can overcome this."

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Agger clueless about Liverpool defensive conditon

Danish defender Daniel Agger admits he "does not have a clue'' what has gone wrong with Liverpool's defending this season.

Liverpool's leaky defence has been blamed for the club's worst run of form for 22 years, with six defeats already this term and 17 goals conceded in their first 13 matches. Last season Liverpool let in just nine in their first 13 games, and were second in the Premier League at this stage.

Now they are eighth and aware that if they lost at home to Manchester United on Sunday, it will be their fifth successive defeat and their worst run since 1953. Injuries to Agger and Martin Skrtel, the departure of Sami Hyypia and a poor start to the season by Jamie Carragher has all contributed to the current crisis.

Agger said: "We must defend as a unit, it is not just about four men at the back. Conceding goals like we are is just not good enough. We are normally so strong and we don't concede goals like that. What is wrong? To be honest I haven't got a clue.

"I feel okay, but I am not 100% fit after my back problem. I need match fitness, but that will return slowly. Defeats do affect the team, but everyone just has to carry on, work hard, and things will be okay. We need to learn to play consistently through a game, that's simple really.

"We were at home against Lyon in the Champions League on Tuesday, we should have been able to finish the game off a long time before they scored. We were leading and missed good chances that could have wrapped things up. In the end it showed that we were not good enough. We have to address that. It is Manchester United next, so we have to raise ourselves for that.

"It is all about hard work. If you are not playing well that is the way to improve. Everyone must be focused now.''

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez will wait until the last moment before deciding on his team, giving Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Glen Johnson - all groin injury victims - every chance of proving their fitness.

On his own position, after four defeats on the trot, Benitez said: "I am relaxed. I know how we are working every day, the players know too. In the past we have been very good and the situation and players has not changed too much. It is about confidence and winning that first game. If we want to change things we must focus on football and not what is going on off the pitch here.

"We have done extra training sessions, the attitude of the players has been good and you could see how focused and positive they are. They know the situation. They know what they must do, and they will try to do everything we are asking of them. The team is not as bad as people think. We have beaten United without Gerrard and Torres and we know that we can beat anyone. We have total confidence in that.''

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Injury updates for Liverpool for United game

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is still unsure whether he’ll have the services of three key players for Sunday’s Premier League clash with Manchester United at Anfield.

As the Reds go looking to end their run of four consecutive defeats, there are doubts over the availability of Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Glen Johnson.

Torres and Johnson missed Tuesday’s 2-1 Champions League defeat to Lyon, whilst Gerrard limped off during the first half.

Speaking to the press ahead of this Sunday’s showdown fixture, Benitez said, “It’s the same situation for all the players.Fernando trained today and has been working to a specific programme.

“We will speak with the physios over the weekend before making a decision about Steven.

“Hopefully Glen will be available but we’ll have to wait and see. We will make late decisions with all of them.”

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Gerrard is the prime target for Real Madrid

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is already putting together a shortlist for next summer's transfer market, and it appears that his priority is a swoop for Liverpool's Steven Gerrard.

"It's no secret Gerrard is a player Perez and technical director Jorge Valdano admire," a source inside the club announced to British tabloid The Sun.

"There is a shortlist for next season and Gerrard is the first name on it."

Having signed Xabi Alonso from the Premier League side last summer for €30 million, los Blancos are looking to spend around the same amount on the 29-year-old.

Liverpool coach Rafael Benitez is already under heavy fire after an awful start to the season and he would be loath to lose his star midfielder.

Gerrard's loyalty to Liverpool has previously been tested by Real Madrid and Chelsea, who he was on the verge of joining in 2005 before a change of heart at the 11th hour.


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Some Relief as Torres to be Fit but doubts over gerrard continue

Liverpool are unlikely to have Steven Gerrard available for the visit of Manchester United on Sunday but Fernando Torres has recovered sufficiently from a groin strain to be almost certain to take his place in Rafael Benítez’s starting line-up.

Benítez has had mixed news on the injury front with Torres, the Spain forward, and Glen Johnson, the England right back who also has a groin strain, responding well to treatment on their injuries.

However, the chances of Gerrard being fit for action only five days after he trudged off the Anfield turf with a recurrence of his abdominal problem are considered remote.

The Liverpool manager is also likely to have to make do without the services of Albert Riera, who has a hamstring strain, Martin Kelly, who picked up an ankle injury in Tuesday’s defeat by Lyons, and Alberto Aquilani, who is expected to be given more time to prove his fitness having been out of action for seven months.

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Rafa sure of getting back to old good days against United

Rafa Benitez today backed his players to haul themselves back into the title race by beating Manchester United on Sunday.

The Reds can reduce their arrears to four points when Alex Ferguson's league leaders travel to Anfield.

espite a dip in form which has seen Liverpool lose four on the spin, Benitez has plenty of reasons to be confident ahead of the 2pm kick off.

His side completed the double over United last term, including a 2-1 home victory without either Fernando Torres or Steven Gerrard in the starting line-up.

Benitez will make a late fitness call on his influential duo as well as Glen Johnson, but if they are not fit he is confident the rest of his squad can step up to the plate.

"I am sure our squad is much better than people think. If you have three, four or five players who normally start out injured, then you can't talk about the squad not being strong enough," the Spaniard told his pre-match press conference.

"I am sure if you take four or five players from United, Chelsea or Arsenal, it would be very difficult for them to win some games.

"Beating United last season is something positive we can use. Without Gerrard and Torres, the team was really good and the fans enjoyed the day - especially because we were without two very important players.

"So, if we have to do the same in this situation now, we can do it."

Asked if a victory on Sunday was the only way Liverpool could get back in the title hunt, Benitez added: "It's the best way - but it's not the only one. We think we can win and we'll talk about four points at the next press conference."

The boss was also quizzed on whether he was feeling the pressure following recent results.

He said: "I am really relaxed in terms on my position because I know how we are working on the pitch every day. In the past we were doing really good things and we haven't changed too much.

"It's a question of confidence. We know we have to improve but it's about winning the first game now.

"As a manager you know you will have good moments and bad moments. At this moment we know we have to improve, we have to win and it's a question of time - I'm sure once we win the first game everything will change.

"This game against United could be the right opportunity for us because it's a massive game against our rivals and the fans will be behind the team from the first minute until the last. We can change everything.

"We just need to keep working hard and perhaps need a bit of luck on the pitch. The other day against Lyon we were winning 1-0 and then had two or three chances but couldn't score the second goal. Then we lost in the last minute.

"Sometimes you need to play a little bit better, that's clear - but you also need to keep working hard and that little bit of luck."

Reporters asked Benitez if he felt United were weaker this season having lost Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid.

"They are a good team with a lot of good players - not just one player," he said. "It will be a tough test for us but it's always like this."

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Dalglish gives full backing to Rafa

Kenny Dalglish has given his full backing to Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez following the club's worst run of form for 22 years.

Dalglish is currently employed by the club as a roving ambassador as well as the director of Liverpool's academy. He was appointed in the summer at Benitez's instigation.

Now the Liverpool legend is being talked off in some quarters as a potential safe pair of hands to replace Benitez, should the American owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks decide to axe the Spaniard.

Such a move is highly unlikely now that Gillett has openly supported Benitez, with the knowledge that the coach has a new four-year contract and it would cost more that £20million to get rid of him.

But Dalglish has chosen this moment to calm the speculation, saying: "I'm only here because Rafa wants me here.

"Everyone within the upper echelons of this club has no doubt whatsoever about Rafa - I know that for a fact.

"Everybody at Liverpool knows Rafa is the right man to get the club through this.

"No-one is pumped up and panicking in any way, shape or form. Everyone is being as helpful and supportive as they possibly can be to the manager.

"Obviously, whether you're a manager or a player, you have to retain your confidence and belief in what you are doing.

"You have also got to retain your belief in each other. The manager has to retain belief in his players and the players must retain their confidence in the manager.

"It's very important that everybody sticks together to get themselves through this."

Dalglish, who spent 14 years at Anfield as player and manager, added: "Of course it's not good for Liverpool - or any club - to lose four games in a row. It is a bad run and the supporters feel it equally as badly as everyone at the club does.

"Everybody's accountable. When you have success everybody takes their fair share of the credit - and rightly so. So when it goes badly the same thing must apply in reverse.

"People have made mistakes but it's how you react to them that's the most important thing.

"The other vitally important thing is that you must never allow other people to drive wedges between you and through various parts of the football club.

"Of course everyone must stand up and be counted - and then at least we'll be going in the right direction."

Dalglish, speaking in a liverpoolfc.tv interview, said: "If you lose four games on the spin you're not going to be getting praise.

"Yes, there's criticism. Some will be constructive and Rafa will look at this and take it under his wing and say maybe that's right. Other parts he will totally dismiss.

"But there's no way Liverpool and the majority of people would want Rafa to go anywhere.

"Remember last year we beat Manchester United with Steven Gerrard only playing 20 minutes and Fernando Torres not playing at all. So if we did it last year, why can't we do it this year?"

Dalglish was manager the last time Liverpool experienced such a dismal run, and he knows what it takes to emerge from a slump.

He added: "The players will need to stand up and be counted. But then everybody needs to do that.

"For anyone who has any affiliation to Liverpool, then it's time for them to rally round and channel all their efforts in the one direction.

"That is to help the manager and the players to get the one result everybody wants. That's the only way to do it."

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Support for Rafa from a very unusual source

Liverpool co-owner George Gillett remains fully behind manager Rafael Benitez, claiming the Spaniard is "absolutely as good as there is in the business".

The Reds' hopes of advancing from their Champions League group were severely dented by Tuesday's 2-1 home reverse to Lyon - their fourth consecutive defeat - while Benitez's decision to substitute Yossi Benayoun was booed by a segment of the Anfield faithful.

But Gillett insists the former Valencia boss still has his full backing. "We have just entered into a long-term agreement with Rafa,'' he said, recalling the improved deal Benitez signed in March to keep him on Merseyside until 2014.

While public displays of support for managers - the 'dreaded vote of confidence' - can often be a sure sign there is a sacking around the corner, Gillett seemed at pains to align himself wholy with Benitez.

"Our family is extraordinarily pleased with him, we believe he is absolutely as good as there is in the business," he said. "The run of results disappoints everybody. Certainly, it disappoints the fans and it disappoints Rafa. I have seen his television interview and I know he is disappointed. We are all disappointed, but we are in this together.''

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Mascherano backs Rafa after succesive defeats

Javier Mascherano has jumped to boss Rafael Benitez's defence by demanding that Liverpool's stars take responsibility for the club's current crisis.

The home Champions League defeat by Lyon on Tuesday has put Liverpool in grave danger of failing to qualify for the last 16 for the first time since the 2003-04 campaign.

A sixth defeat in all competitions this term also underlines the desperate run of form that has already damaged their Premier League dreams, perhaps irrevocably. Benitez has overseen Liverpool's worst run of defeats since 1987, but midfielder Mascherano puts the blame firmly on the players.

"It is easy for everyone to blame the manager and not the players," Mascherano said. "But the truth is that it is us out there on the pitch, the players. If we play badly it is not the manager's fault, it is ours and we must take the responsibility.

"The manager can tell us how to play but on the pitch it is down to the players. We need to keep going and to work harder. I do not believe that Sunday's league game with Manchester United will decide our season, but it is too early to say that. But for our confidence a win will be a massive boost.

"If we win on Sunday it will be a totally different Monday. We are not thinking about losing to United, we have done it before - twice last season - and we must do that again.''

Liverpool were leading through a Yossi Benayoun first-half goal against Lyon, before collapsing and conceding twice in the final 18 minutes through substitutes Maxime Gonalons and Cesar Delgado.

"We always seem to make it hard for ourselves in Europe," Mascherano said. "Now we have to win the last three games in the group. But we have done that before, we just have to do it again.

"We need to remember that. We can still qualify. People have said before that Liverpool are out after results like the one against Lyon, but we have hit back before and qualified, we can do it again. It is a must-win game now next in Lyon in a fortnight, a very important game for us.

"After the game the boss didn't talk too much, everyone was so disappointed. But we do need to review all the mistakes that we made, it is the players that made mistakes not the manager, so we must make sure we do not do the same things against United.

"It is a difficult situation, we have lost four in a row. But do not forget this a team who last season were doing very well, we must keep going and working. The team is not playing well, and a lot of players are not in the best form and we are losing confidence."

Brazilian team-mate Fabio Aurelio also believes the team, not the manager, must take the blame for Liverpool's worst run in 22 years.

"We must concentrate on winning our final three games in Europe, pressure is building on us," Aurelio said. "But the players know that we are the only people who can change what is going wrong. We know what we have to do. We have to change the feeling that we are not a strong team now, especially after what we achieved last season.''

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Benitez claims gerrard decision not a gaamble

afael Benitez insists he did not take an unwise gamble on Steven Gerrard's fitness in Liverpool's 2-1 Champions League defeat at home to Lyon.

The Spaniard believes too that the Reds can still reach the last 16, despite having only three points from three Group E matches so far. Lyon maintained their 100% record at the top, and Fiorentina's 4-3 victory against Debrecen tonight makes them favourites to grab the second qualification spot.

Liverpool - almost certainly needing to win their final three group games to progress - are away to Lyon in a fortnight, then travel to Budapest on November 24 before hosting Fiorentina on December 9.

They led at half-time against Lyon through Yossi Benayoun - before crumbling under pressure to concede goals to substitutes Maxime Gonalons and Cesar Delgado, in injury time. The loss of Gerrard after just 25 minutes with a recurrence of his groin injury was a savage blow, with Fernando Torres and Glen Johnson both also sidelined.

But Benitez said: "It was not a gamble to play Gerrard. He wanted to play and had trained normally for two games. He was given the all-clear by the doctor, and what happened was just bad luck. He felt something wrong in his groin, and it was wise to come off.''

Benitez will oversee a succession of scans for his injured stars before being able to start preparation for Sunday's visit of Premier League champions Manchester United. Liverpool have staged miracle survivals in the group stages of Europe before - and will need another one now.

Benitez recalled: "We have come back before - and we can do it again. We now must be ready for the next match. I have confidence that we have the quality to overcome these problems. We have to push players now, to keep working and to maintain our confidence.

"We just had too many problems before and during the game. Losing Glen Johnson before the match, and then Gerrard and Martin Kelly during the match, was just too much to contend with. It was a difficult game with all our problems, and we had done well to be leading at the break. Then we had two or three chances soon after the interval. Had we scored, it would have changed everything.''

Benitez also explained his decision to take off Benayoun and send on Andriy Voronin in the closing stages - a choice that was booed by the Kop. "The fans know Yossi is a good player, but I felt he was getting a little tired and I wanted to use some fresh legs,'' he said. "We needed to change something, to put a fresher man on - and it was a chance worth taking.''

Lyon chief Claude Puel was delighted with his side's victory, having had Brazilian defender Cris carried off in the second half with concussion. Puel said: "Cris has had scans on his head. He was unconscious, but he has improved. Despite that problem, it was an excellent performance. It was a tough match, decided by fine details.

"They put us under a lot of pressure with crosses and high balls into the box, and they took the lead. But we kept our organisation and our shape, and slowly maintained more possession. We were the better side in the second period - and we deserved the win.

"But I do not believe we have already qualified. Liverpool will have to win when they come to Lyon in a fortnight - that will be a very hard game for us, because Liverpool will be going for it and attacking.''

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Martin Kelly to start against Lyon

Rafael Benitez believes a fit-again Steven Gerrard can lead Liverpool out of the slump that has seen them lose three games in succession.

Meaningful involvement in both the Premier League and Europe is now under threat and boss Benitez is fully aware of the importance of a victory at Anfield tomorrow when Group E leaders Lyon must be overcome in the Champions League.

Anything else, and the balloon really will go up for Benitez, who is still shaking his head in despair at the freak goal that saw Liverpool lose at Sunderland.

That Darren Bent's winner went in off a red beach ball bought by a fan from Liverpool's own club megastore just about sums up Benitez's difficult season so far.

Now Liverpool face back-to-back Champions League clashes with the French league leaders, as well as a visit from champions Manchester United over the next fortnight.

The return of Gerrard from a groin injury, despite the fact Fernando Torres is still out with a similar injury, can be the boost Benitez believes his squad need.

He said: "With Steven around, it has an effect on the other players. He is an inspiration to them.

"Steven is a winner with the right mentality. But we have to see these players on the pitch, they cannot win games when they are injured.

"The team knows we are not playing at the right level, but they also know that we are good enough.

"They know we must start playing again at that level, their response in training has been positive and we must repeat that on the pitch. One good result will change everything.

"I am confident in my team, we are trying to improve and the response of the players this week has been very good and back to our best.

"We have gone from winning five on the trot to losing three in succession. We were scoring lots of goals and now we have not scored in three.

"But I do not believe there is much difference in all these games. We have played well, created chances and won praise for our attacking play.

"Hopefully we can start to win again, the atmosphere will be better and the mood will change as confidence improves.

"I hope that the Champions League will create a special atmosphere that will inspire the players, as it usually does in games like this at Anfield.''

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Gerrard boost for Liverpool

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez was full of relief when speaking to the press today at the news that he will have skipper Steven Gerrard fit for Tuesday night’s Champions League clash at home to Lyon.

Gerrard missed the Reds’ 1-0 defeat to Sunderland on Saturday with a groin injury, but has passed fitness tests for tomorrow’s game at Anfield.

“With Steven around, it has an effect on the other players. He is an inspiration to them,” he said.

“Steven is a winner with the right mentality. But we have to see these players on the pitch, they cannot win games when they are injured.

“The team knows we are not playing at the right level, but they also know that we are good enough.

“They know we must start playing again at that level, their response in training has been positive and we must repeat that on the pitch. One good result will change everything.

“It is important to have Steven back, we have had some problems with injuries right from the start of the season so it is a big boost for us to have him back.”

However Benitez will be without striker Fernando Torres again who is still struggling with a knock picked up whilst on international duty for Spain last week.

Benitez added that the club have had bad luck with a succession of first team injury problems this season.

“Torres is not ready so we will have to wait a little bit longer but hopefully he will be okay for the weekend against Manchester United.

“The problems we have had this season have been too many to solve. We have had problems with our centre-backs, then there was Gerrard unfit and now we also have forwards out.”

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Gerrard and Torres shortliseted for Ballon d’Or award

Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres are both on the shortlist for the prestigious Ballon d’Or award, presented by a French football magazine.

The award, first presented to Blackpool’s Stanley Matthews, awards the best players in European football and is very highly regarded.

Last year Torres came third for the prize, behind Lionel Messi and then Manchester Utd forward Christiano Ronaldo.

Steven Gerrard came third in 2005 after leading Liverpool to European Cup glory in Istanbul.

In 2001 Michael Owen won the award after an impressive season with Liverpool including two goals against Arsenal in the FA Cup Final. He is to date Liverpool’s only ever winner of the Ballon d’Or.

Kenny Dalglish came second behind now UEFA President Michel Platini in 1983.

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Gerrard and Torres injury doubts ahead of crucial fixtures

Liverpool head into Tuesday night's Champions League clash with Lyon and Sunday's visit of champions Manchester United to Anfield knowing their season could already be reaching crunch point.

Manager Rafael Benitez said: "I don't talk about the title. We have an important game on Tuesday, an important game on Sunday and that is the priority, not to talk about the table."

Whether or not Gerrard and Torres will be back to bolster their ailing challenge remains to be seen.

The Spaniard said: "They are both improving but still, it's too soon, so we will see tomorrow with the physios.

"We have three days and we will see how they progress. They are improving, but it is difficult to say if they will be available.

"We think they can be, but still it is too soon."

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Aquilani might make his Liverpool debut this week

Alberto Aquilani could make his playing debut for Liverpool this week.

This is good news for all the Liverpool fans that he is expected to play sooner than expected.Everyone is waiting to get a glimpse of him playing in the red shirt and proving his worth.

Aquilani, Liverpool’s £20 million summer signing from Roma, is edging closer to an appearance. The midfield player’s foot complaint has prevented him from making his Liverpool debut, but he will be considered for Wednesday’s reserve-team feature against Sunderland.

“Maybe he will have a chance,” Reds boss Rafa Benítez said.

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Liverpool old boy expecting hostile reception at Anfield

Former Liverpool striker Michael Owen says he knows to expect a volatile atmosphere when he returns to the club on Sunday (25th October) in Manchester Utd colours.

Owen, who left the Reds in the summer of 2004 when Rafa Benitez took over, signed Utd in the summer and scored in their 2-1 victory over Bolton on Saturday.

“I am human,” Owen said. “I would prefer people to sit down and recognise what you did for them and for the team in years gone past.

“But I am pretty realistic as well and now that I am playing for their arch rivals….I am not holding my breath, put it that way.”

Then the prat has the cheek to suggest he’s at Manchester Utd as a breadwinner for his family – as if he’s on the minimum wage.

He added, “People talk about loyalty in football. It is easy for a football supporter to preach about that.

“As a father, brother and son, there is no-one more loyal than me. But when you are a player, you are not a fan. I have got to earn a living, provide for my family.

“It is a job opportunity, just like anyone else’s work.”

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Darkness looms over Liverpool at the Stadium of Lights

Darren Bent staked a further claim for a place in England's World Cup squad as Sunderland heaped further misery on Liverpool.

However, he did so in controversial circumstances as the visitors were left fuming over the fifth-minute strike which secured the Black Cats' first victory over a 'top four' team since their return to the Premier League.

Bent's eighth goal of the season came when his shot was deflected past goalkeeper Pepe Reina by a red beach ball which had been thrown onto the pitch, although referee Mike Jones had little option but to award the goal.

But if the visitors felt aggrieved at the manner in which their third successive defeat in all competitions was sealed, they could have few complaints about the result in front of a crowd of 47,327 at the Stadium of Light.

With the injured Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres missing, they were a shadow of the side which pushed Manchester United so close last season as they slipped to their fourth league defeat of the campaign despite a late, late rally.

After their side's heroics at Old Trafford a fortnight ago, when only a late Anton Ferdinand own goal gave the reigning champions a point, the Wearside faithful arrived believing a win over one of the Premier League's traditional powers was a distinct possibility.

And if they needed further confirmation that it could be their day, they had to wait only five minutes.

There was nothing fortunate about the way Lee Cattermole and Andy Reid combined to open up the Reds down the right, and when the Irishman picked out leading scorer Bent beyond the far post, fate intervened.

Reina thought he had the striker's shot covered and could only look on in horror when it hit the beach ball and flew past him into the net.

Sunderland sensed an opportunity and could have been out of sight by half-time.

Bent might have completed a hat-trick but headed a 22nd-minute Reid cross straight at Reina and then glanced Phil Bardsley's driven ball wide of the far post seven minutes before the break.

Liverpool repeatedly found themselves under pressure as Reid, Cattermole and Steed Malbranque got forward to support strikers Bent and Kenwyne Jones as a back three of Jamie Carragher, Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger were swamped by red and white shirts.

But they managed to survive further mishap and gradually eased their way back into the game, although without ever putting Craig Gordon's goal under extreme pressure.

The Scotland international had to block Ryan Babel's 13th-minute shot on the turn at close quarters and was happy to see Fabio Aurelio's 27th-minute free-kick fly wide, but he was otherwise largely untroubled.

Bruce made a change at the break when his only specialist left-back, George McCartney, failed to re-appear, prompting a reshuffle.

Ferdinand moved across from centre-half as Lorik Cana dropped into central defence to accommodate teenage midfielder Jordan Henderson.

The newcomer almost made his mark within two minutes when his shot was blocked by Carragher, in the eyes of the home side with his arm, but Mr Jones waved play on.

Reina kept his side in it with 55 minutes gone when he blocked Bent's effort after the striker had run onto Jones' pass and rounded him.

The goalkeeper needed the help of the woodwork six minutes later after Bent capitalised on more poor defending, but saw his shot come back off the foot of the post.

Bruce and Benitez became embroiled in an angry touchline spat as the injured Jones was treated at length on the pitch before, like Cattermole minutes earlier, leaving on a stretcher.

Malbranque was denied by Carragher's last-ditch block but Yossi Benayoun squandered a glorious opportunity to level two minutes later when he fired high and wide from 16 yards.

Benitez threw on strikers Andriy Voronin and David Ngog in a desperate effort to rescue a point, and deep into seven minutes of stoppage time Gordon had to make a fine double save from Dirk Kuyt and Ngog to deny Liverpool an undeserved point.

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Rafa hopes Masch will be back to his best now

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez says World Cup qualification for Argentina will help Javier Mascherano's form.

Mascherano has struggled so far this season and been linked with Barcelona and Juventus.

He said: "I feel that it will be good for Javier Mascherano now to know the Argentina have qualified. It is always difficult when you struggle and the whole country is watching, but now he can concentrate on Liverpool.

"Javier was under pressure as captain, and with Diego Maradona saying Argentina were Javier and 10 others.

"For the players who have now qualified, it is a weight off their minds."

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Gerrard & Torres ruled out for trip to the Stadium of Lights

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has today confirmed that neither Steven Gerrard nor Fernando Torres will be fit to travel to face Sunderland on Saturday afternoon.

Both players picked up injuries whilst on international duty that will keep them on the sidelines.

"Stevie is the same as Torres. Both have some problems with the abductor, with the groin, so it's just a question of time," the Reds gaffer told reporters at his Friday press conference.

"It could be in the next week that they will be available, it's just a question of time. I think that both will be available [shortly], but this game is too soon for both."

Benitez did have some better news about other player carrying injuries at the club though.

He added: "[Dirk] Kuyt is okay. He's training, no problems. (Sotiris] Kyrgiakos was really bad news because they were saying that it could be six months. At the end, it will be ten days, one week, so really positive news.

"[Daniel] Agger is okay, he is training. [Alberto] Aquilani has been training twice with the team, so some positive news and some bad news."

Aquilani's debut in a Liverpool shirt is eagerly anticipated, and Benitez felt that the Italian was nearing making his first team bow.

"In terms of his physical problems and the injuries he's okay," he revealed. "He's training now. It's now about his fitness and condition. It will be a question of time and each player is different, but he is training well.

"He will be working during this weekend so hopefully he'll be fitter next week. It could be too soon for two important games.

"But we'll see. At least now he can train with the team and that is the most important thing."

As for whether Gerrard's injury had been spotted soon enough by the England medical staff, the Reds boss was reluctant to point the finger in any specific direction.

"We were talking with our medical staff and we were analysing all the problems that we have with different players because we have too many. But now we cannot change the situation, so I prefer to concentrate on Sunderland and keep being positive," he said.

"I prefer to be worried about the players I have at this moment and not the players whose situation I cannot at this moment change."

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Liverpool new signing Kyrgiakos injured and out

Liverpool centre-back Sotiris Kyrgiakos might not be sidelined for the four months originally suspected, according to sources in Greece.

Instead, tests on the Greek defender's knee would seem to indicate a five-week lay-off is more likely.

It had been suspected that he had ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament during Greece's World Cup qualifier with Luxembourg on Wednesday night.

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Gerrard injury concerns worsen

Liverpool are sweating over the fitness of skipper Steven Gerrard, after scans revealed his groin injury is worse than first feared.

There is anger within Anfield that the midfielder is now facing a fight to be ready for the weekend visit to Sunderland, after he was kept within the England training camp despite the extent of the injury.

Gerrard only returned to Merseyside yesterday, despite aggravating the problem in England's defeat at the hands of Ukraine on Saturday.

He was immediately booked for a scan, and that has revealed some minor tearing of the fibres in the adductor muscle, and a minor strain.

The initial diagnosis is that the injury will keep him out for a minimum of seven days, which would make him a major doubt for the visit to the Stadium of Light.

And there are fears that the player may have further aggravated a problem he has suffered three times in the past calender year, which would see him sidelined for longer.

Liverpool already have real problems for the trip to Sunderland, with midfielders Javier Mascherano and Lucas both not due back from international duty until Friday, which makes their availability unlikely.

If Gerrard is also ruled out, manager Rafa Benitez will have few options, given that even though new signing Alberto Aquilani is now back in training, he is at least a fortnight away from his first Liverpool appearance.

It will leave the Anfield boss rigorously questioning why his star player was allowed to train with England on Monday following the injury at the weekend, when the adductor tear should have necessitated a scan and extensive treatment.

Benitez must fear that Gerrard will be out for longer, given his record with the injury over the past year. The same problem kept him out of the Champions' League semi-final tie at Chelsea, and also forced him to miss the final day of the league campaign.

Liverpool have a massive week where their Premier League and Champions' League hopes will be put under scrutiny, with crucial games against Lyon and Manchester United as well as the tricky visit to Sunderland.

And if Gerrard is ruled out of those matches because of England's negligence, then the Reds boss will demand answers to some serious questions.

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Agger and Torres boost for the Reds

Daniel Agger is all set to return for the first team squad.Daniel Agger played another 90 minutes last night.

Fernando Torres was passed fit for last night's game.

The Reds striker was a doubt after picking up a slight muscle injury in training but was deemed fit enough to be part of the squad for Spain's 5-2 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina. Torres was on the bench but was an unused subsitute.

Albert Riera played the full 90 minutes while Pepe Reina didn't even make the bench.

The Liverpool defender proved his match fitness by playing the full game for Denmark as they lost 1-0 at home to Hungary in their final World Cup qualifier. The result was irrelevant as the Danes had already qualified for South Africa 2010.

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Prince Faisal confirms Liverpool deal in final stages

Saudi Prince Faisal bin Fahd bin Abdulla has said his F6 company hopes to finalise talks over a major Liverpool share deal.

Speaking to the press as Liverpool co-owner George Gillett visited Riyadh, Prince Faisal said: "Our negotiations to buy shares in Liverpool are ongoing, meetings are taking place and we might be in the final stages in the coming days."

Gillett, who owns Liverpool along with fellow American Tom Hicks, was in Riyadh to discuss a project regarding the creation of Liverpool football academies around the region, Prince Faisal said.

In recent weeks, both parties have admitted that potential investment from Faisal has been firmly on their agenda.
Gillett and Hicks have been seeking new investment in the Anfield club after refinancing some of its debt during the summer.
The two met with Prince Sultan bin Fahd, president of the Saudi Youth Welfare organisation and chairman of the Saudi League.

"The purpose of the visit of the owner of Liverpool Football Club to Saudi Arabia is to understand the sports industry and to learn about the facilities and the potential of the main clubs in order to set up the Liverpool Academy in Saudi Arabia," Prince Faisal said.

The agreement between Liverpool and F6, a sports marketing and investment firm controlled by Faisal, would also provide opportunities for young Saudi players to train at the Anfield club, he said.
Liverpool have yet to comment.

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Rafa escapes with warning

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has escaped with a warning as to his future conduct by the FA.

The Liverpool boss will not suffer the indignity of a touch-line ban, or even a fine - for his humorous escapade of taking off his glasses at a post-match press conference to indicate that referee Phil Dowd might have needed the aid of glasses.

Benitez was critical of Dowd's failure to award two penalties in Liverpool's defeat against Spurs on the opening day of the season, despite the referee having awarded Benitez'a side a spot-kick earlier in the game.

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Gerrard to miss Belarus match confirms boss

The Liverpool skipper has limped out of training and is out of Wednesday's final qualification game.

Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard today pulled out of a training session with England with an injury that will keep him out of Wednesday's clash with Belarus at Wembley.

Manager Fabio Capello was able to confirm that the player was returning to his club for treatment on the groin injury.

"He didn't finish training because the pain was the same as yesterday so he is going back to Liverpool," Capello told reporters at a press conference today.

Wayne Rooney is also out of Wendesday's game with a calf problem, meaning that Capello will look to experiment with his line-up somewhat as the Three Lions have already sealed a place in South Africa next summer.

"Rooney is a very important player for us but tomorrow we play a different style, we play with some different players and it will be a very interesting game for me," the Italian added.

"I will know some players better.

"The style of Rooney is the style I like in my team but we can win with or without Rooney. I have big confidence in other players and it's possible there will be a surprise tomorrow."

Meanwhile, Capello has also invited every player involved with England's successful qualifying campaign to the game on Wednesday night.

He explained: "It is the family of the England team."

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Emile's Anfield return on the cards

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez could be ready to step in and save Emile Heskey's World Cup dreams by offering him a move back to Anfield in January, but only on the cheap.

Heskey has admitted he will consider his future when the transfer window reopens, if he continues to warm the bench at Aston Villa, and he has also attracted the interest of Fulham after starting just one Premier League game this season.

According to a report in the Daily Star, Benitez is considering boosting his attacking options with a £1.5 million bid for the striker to compliment Fernando Torres and he is believed to have made a move for Heskey last year, only to see him opt for Wigan.

Heskey's place in Fabio Capello's England squad is certainly under threat unless he sees more match action, although Villa boss Martin O'Neill will be reluctant to part with the targetman cheaply.

Former Villa team-mate Gareth Barry, now at Manchester City, said: "He's done fantastic for England with his partnership with Wayne Rooney. He is probably thinking about how long it can go on without playing for his club.

"The manager has made it clear that you have to be playing regularly and I am sure Emile will need to think about. When I was there Emile worked hard for the team, just like he does for England. It's that time of year when you want to be playing regularly. The World Cup is in the back of everyone's mind."

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Spain assure Fernando won't be risked

Vicente Del Bosque has allayed Liverpool fans concerns over Fernando Torres – insisting that the player is in good hands with the Spanish national side.

Fernando did miss sunday's training but the national coach has said:

“Torres is in very good hands here.

“Sunday he stayed at the hotel and did not train because we went to a pitch in which there was no stretcher.

“He stayed at the hotel with the physios.

“Rafa Benitez has called me and I reassured him. We will care very much for Torres, like the rest.

“I told him that we will treat Torres as if he was at Liverpool.

“If the boy is well and wants to play, he will play against Bosnia. And if he has any problem, he will not play. It’s that simple.”

Liverpool will be praying to see a fully fit Torres return to Melwood on Thursday.

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Kuyt wants to be a Red for long as possible

Dutch international Dirk Kuyt has stressed how he is enjoying life on Merseyside with Liverpool despite the club’s poor start to the season. The striker, who played for his homeland in a friendly against the Socceroos in Australia this week, is expected to feature against Sunderland despite his long round-trip and hopes that the Reds can now focus on getting their title challenge back on track.

“I am a very happy person,” Kuyt told Fifa.com.
“I love the city of Liverpool, very nice, warm and respected people. I love Liverpool Football Club. Every day that I can be there, it makes me more than happy. I try to play as good and as long as possible for Liverpool.”
“To play in England is already unbelievable, when you look at all the supporters. If you play for Liverpool it is unbelievable and the supporters are an extra dimension. I have never seen such good supporters before I came to Anfield.
“I was used to playing at Feyenoord with a fantastic crowd, definitely the best in Holland, but when I came to Anfield it was another level. It really helps us and I'm sure it helps us when we are in difficult times, so the supporters are really important to us.”
Responding to suggestions that he may eventually return to Holland, Kuyt continued:
“I have just signed an extension of my Liverpool contract so I am more than happy. I am just trying to keep going (at Liverpool) for as long as possible, and we will see what the future brings. I will always have a special feeling for Feyenoord. It was, and still is a very important club for me, but at the moment I am very happy at Liverpool.”

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Klose reveals his admiration for Liverpool

Bayern Munich striker Miroslav Klose has spoken about his future in football, suggesting that should be leave the Bavarian giants, he would prefer to go to Inter or Liverpool.

If the 31-year-old were to join the Nerazzurri, he would be reuniting with former Bayern team-mate, Lucio.

"I am very happy at Bayern Munich and I intend to stay," the German international told Kicker newspaper.

"But it is normal that in Europe, there are other big clubs of the highest level.

"I have two teams that I follow with pleasure and curiosity.

"In England, it is Liverpool and in Italy, I like the Inter of [Jose] Mourinho, who I consider a great coach," Klose summed up.

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Hicks believes Gillet will sell

The disharmony plaguing the Liverpool boardroom has been laid bare again after Tom Hicks called the bluff of George Gillett Jr, his co-owner, by letting it be known that he would allow Gillett to sell his 50 per cent stake in the club.

The war of attrition between the Americans has been stepped up over the past fortnight, with Gillett playing host to Prince Faisal bin Fahd bin Abdullah al-Saud, a potential investor, during a rare visit to Anfield and scheduling talks with the Saudi in Jeddah this week, without discussing the negotiations with Hicks before them becoming public knowledge.

Hicks has responded by making it clear that he would be willing to forgo his right of veto should Gillett find a buyer for his half-share, while maintaining that he has no desire to give up his stake in the club.

Hicks has used his veto once, in March last year, when Dubai International Capital attempted to buy out Gillett only for the Texan to refuse to give the proposed deal his blessing.

The divisions between the pair are becoming increasingly pronounced and their latest posturings appear to amount to little more than a high-stakes game of bluff, with both attempting to use the media to strengthen their bargaining position while weakening that of their partner.

Just two weeks ago, Hicks and Gillett subscribed to an official statement in which they said that they have enlisted rival investment banks, Merrill Lynch and Rothschild, in an attempt to secure an injection of equity into the debt-ridden club. They have embarked on this search separately.

The latest evidence of their falling-out has been greeted with dismay by the Spirit Of Shankly (SOS) supporters’ group, which was set up in opposition to the Americans’ regime.

“Tom Hicks and George Gillett have once again shown that they are not the custodians they promised to be, or that the club needs,” SOS said. “Rather than work together to move Liverpool Football Club forward, they are more interested in their own egos and making as much money from the club as possible.”

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Gerrard shrugs off injury issues

Steven Gerrard has given both Liverpool and England a boost by shrugging off the groin injury that saw him substituted at half-time of the 1-0 defeat to Ukraine.

The Liverpool captain had been expected to be out for up to 10 days but an initial scan yesterday found no serious damage to his groin and just a minor pull.

Gerrard has remained with the England squad and could now play a part in the final World Cup qualifier against Belarus at Wembley on Wednesday.

He will undergo treatment for the next 24 hours although England manager Fabio Capello is unlikely to take any risks with Gerrard.

Liverpool face a hectic fixture list with crucial matches against Sunderland, Lyon and Manchester United in eight days, starting this coming Saturday.

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