Benayoun Doubtful For Israel

Yossi Benayoun is doubtful for Israel's Euro 2008 qualifier against Russia next Saturday.

The Liverpool midfielder suffered a groin problem during Liverpool's 2-0 victory over Fulham and Rafa Benitez does not expect him to be recover in time.

"Yossi has picked up an injury and it is very, very doubtful that he will join up with his country," said the Reds manager.

Benayoun is not required by Liverpool until the Premier League clash against Newcastle in a fortnight.

But he has cancelled the flight to link up with his international team-mates and will instead undergo a scan on Sunday.

If Benayoun is ruled out it will be a blow to not only Israel but also England, whose hopes of reaching Euro 2008 depend on Israel avoiding defeat against Russia.

If Russia beat Israel it is almost certain that England will miss out on a place in the finals, even if they beat Croatia the following Wednesday.

Israel cannot qualify for next summer's tournament in Austria and Switzerland.

Liverpool 2 - 0 Fulham

Fernando Torres returned to save Liverpool from another home disaster as brave Fulham had their hearts broken when they conceded twice in the final nine minutes.

For long spells it looked as if Lawrie Sanchez's resolute side would escape from Anfield with a point.

But Rafael Benitez sent on Torres with 20 minutes to go, and he broke the deadlock with a stunning individual goal before Steven Gerrard blasted home a late penalty after Peter Crouch had been tripped.

If Liverpool had slumped to yet another home draw - it would have been their fifth Premier League home stalemate - their title dreams would have been all but dead.

But Benitez paid £20m for Torres to score goals like this, and in the end Fulham just could not cope with the quality that kept appearing from Liverpool's bench.

There was an understandable air of expectation from both crowd and home players that there should be more goals almost on command following the 8-0 thumping of Besiktas in midweek, but Sanchez's men were intent on showing it is never as easy as that.

Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy tested Jose Reina after just 14 seconds from 20 yards, and the same player forced Reina into a diving save on 15 minutes.

Sami Hyypia forced Antti Niemi into a full-length save to his left and Steven Gerrard saw a dipping 25 yarder flash over.

But Fulham were sharp and determined, and a lot better organised than Besiktas had been.

Aaron Hughes produced a fine last-ditch tackle to take the ball away from Crouch in the act of shooting, and Liverpool were finding it hard to create clear openings.

Murphy and Steven Davis were allowing little room for Liverpool's midfield to work in, while Shefki Kuqi and David Healy tirelessly toiled in attack for the visitors.

Crouch came closest in the first period when he hit the crossbar with a looping header from a Fabio Aurelio free-kick seconds from the break.

Two minutes into the second-half and Andriy Voronin forced Niemi into a low save to his right.

But Fulham's tackles and interceptions were still biting, and friendship meant nothing when Murphy tripped Gerrard from behind in full flow and was booked.

From the free-kick, Aurelio saw his fierce effort clawed away by Niemi, with Voronin firing the rebound over the top. Voronin then combined superbly with Crouch to burst into the box and see Niemi make another fine save.

Fulham took off Healy and sent on Hameur Bouazza to fill in a left-sided midfield role to contest the flow from Yossi Benayoun and Aurelio down that flank.

Liverpool responded by sending on Ryan Babel for Riise on 62 minutes.

His first involvement was to find Benayoun in space, but Niemi made another fine save from the Isreal international's lob. Benayoun's next touch was a fine pass into Voronin's stride, the Ukrainian's shot going just wide of the far post.

Voronin left the field soon after, a frustrated man after so many opportunities, to be replaced by Torres.

Fulham were now trying to hit on the break, attempting to turn an unlikely point into a miraculous victory.

Liverpool sent on Lucas for Javier Mascherano with ten minutes left, and within a minute the home side were finally ahead.

There was nothing pretty about the build-up, a 60-yard clearance from Reina's hands.

But Torres took it down brilliantly, side-stepped his way into the box and cleverly clipped his shot inside Niemi's near post, leaving the 'keeper flat-footed.

Then on 85 minutes, Liverpool got their second. Bocanegra tripped Crouch in the box and Gerrard crashed home the spot-kick.

Match Preview: LiverpooL vs Fulham

Liverpool run out for Rafael Benitez' 200th game in charge, four days after thrashing Besiktas 8-0 - the biggest win in Champions League history. The Merseysiders put their unbeaten Premier League record on the line, against a Fulham side yet to win away, but one who also enjoyed their biggest win of the season last time out (3-1, home to Reading). This is a match between the draw specialists of the Premier League; six of Liverpool's 11 league games have finished all square, and 50% of Fulham's have also ended level (six of 12).

Rafa Benitez has been saying that the heavy defeat of Besiktas on Tuesday has had the effect of galvanising the confidence in the Red’s players who had been struggling for form though still unbeaten. Liverpool’s players have fired too many blanks of late, but the players on Tuesday seemed to have regained the “midas touch”.

Peter Crouch was recalled and repaid the manger’s faith and the backing of the fans by producing a superb striking performance and notching two goals. The much-maligned Ryan Babel also chipped in with a couple of goals. The second was fortuitous but the first was simply majestic – hopefully a glimpse of what this young lad is about.

The Cottagers have never won at Anfield in the Premier League. They probably won’t feel that they are tackling Liverpool at the most appropriate time with the Reds coming of an 8 –0 victory and Fernando Torres returning to the fray. Fulham will look to record their first back-to-back victories in the Premier league. Fulham will go for the Red’s jugular, they play an attacking brand of football, which has seen them notch up an impressive 16 goals – only one less than Liverpool. However, they do ship them in, conceding 18 goals. It’s clear if they want to take some points from Anfield that they will have to defend better. Fulham were the last team to beat Liverpool in the Premier league.

I think the only certain thing I can say about Benitez’s side is that it will not be the same one that played on Tuesday. That would go against the ideology he follows, so I don’t see why he will revert from his norm.

Crouch has staked his claim for a starting inclusion but it’s arguable that the whole team did on Tuesday; there were no poor performances on that night. However, Kewell, Torres, Finnan, Babel, and Kuyt will all be vying for starting spots after missing out from the starting against the Turks.



FORM GUIDE

Liverpool

Nov 6 v Besiktas (H) WON 8-0 (Champ League)
Nov 3 v Blackburn (A) DREW 0-0 (PREM)
Oct 31 v Cardiff (H) WON 2-1 (Carling)
Oct 28 v Arsenal (H) DREW 1-1 (PREM)
Oct 24 v Besiktas (A) LOST 2-1 (Champ League)


Fulham

Nov 3 v Reading (H) WON 3-1 (PREM)
Oct 27 v Sunderland (A) DREW 1-1 (PREM)
Oct 20 v Derby (H) DREW 0-0 (PREM)
Oct 7 v Portsmouth (H) LOST 2-0 (PREM)
Sept 29 v Chelsea (A) Drew 0-0 (PREM)



TEAM NEWS

Liverpool

The match has come to early for Alonso and Agger, both are still out with damaged metatarsals. Kuyt, Babel, Torres, Kewell and Finnan will all look to come back into the starting line-up.

Squad: Reina, Finnan, Arbeloa, Carragher, Hyypia, Hobbs, Aurelio, Riise, Babel, Benayoun, Gerrard, Mascherano, Sissoko, Kewell, Voronin, Kuyt, Crouch, Torres, Martin, Lucas.


Fulham

Paul Konchesky and Elliott Omozusi are both banned, but Carlos Bocanegra returns from a suspension. Shefki Kuqi could be given his full debut for the Cottagers.

Chris Baird is fit and will return to the starting line-up, but youngster Nathan Ashton has picked up a thigh injury and misses out. Jimmy Bullard is still out injured.

Squad: Niemi, Warner, Stefanovic, Hughes, Bocanegra, Baird, Leijer, Davis, Smertin, Murphy, Seol, Davies, Healy, Dempsey, Kamara, Kuqi.


PLAYERS TO WATCH

Liverpool

Fernando Torres will return to the fray, ready to join in on the goals.

Fulham

Simon Davies has been in good form and will be the Fulham danger man.

Reds Want Mascherano Deal

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez wants Javier Mascherano to remain at the club on a permanent basis.

The tough-tackling midfielder is midway through an 18-month loan deal following his arrival from West Ham United last January.

Mascherano had failed to settle at Upton Park where he made just three Premier League starts in five unhappy months.

But following his move to Merseyside last season, the Argentina international has started 22 games and caught the eye with a string of effective performances.

"Mascherano wants to stay, he is very happy here," Benitez told the Liverpool Post.

"He is a key player for us and I have been talking with him and he is really pleased to be at Liverpool.

"His family are settled here and his wife is learning English and he is very comfortable here.

"Javier also knows that the supporters like him and I think if everything is okay he will stay with us.

"We are happy with him so it would be good for everyone if he stayed at Liverpool."

Carson Set For £10m Move To Villa

Scott Carson is heading for a British record £10million transfer after Rafa Benitez revealed that Aston Villa had agreed an option to buy him.

The Liverpool manager was initially reluctant to sanction Carson's loan move to Villa Park but admitted yesterday that he had cleared the way for the England keeper to join Martin O'Neill's side on a permanent basis.

Villa have already paid £1.75m to cover his temporary stay and have been told they can keep him by parting with a further £8.25m.

Impressed with his contribution so far, O'Neill is expected to meet Carson, who has given up on trying to dislodge Pepe Reina at Anfield, in the next few weeks to discuss a long-term contract.

The Villa manager may have to move swiftly, though, after it emerged that other clubs are also monitoring the 22-year old's availability.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is known to be an admirer, but Benitez confirmed Villa were in pole position by saying: 'They have first option to buy him.'

The fee would eclipse the British record £9m Sunderland paid Hearts for Scotland's Craig Gordon.

Liverpool Eye First Win In Five Home Games Against Fulham

With an 8-0 Anfield victory against Besiktas still fresh in the memory, it would seem an odd time for Liverpool's home form to be called into question.

But with Rafael Benitez's team set to host Fulham in the Premier League today, the Merseyside club will be aiming to claim their first home league victory since a 6-0 thrashing of Derby on Sept 1.

In the four league games staged at Anfield since that emphatic victory, Liverpool have claimed just four points from a possible 12 after drawing with Chelsea, Birmingham, Tottenham and Arsenal.

And with Arsenal and Manchester United beginning to pull clear of the chasing pack at the top of the table, Benitez admits Liverpool can ill-afford to drop more points against Fulham.

Benitez said: “We cannot continue to draw games at home in the league. We must start winning now. If we want to get as close as possible to the top of the table, we have to win more often at Anfield.

“If you analyse the games we have drawn, the difference on each occasion has just been one goal and it could be the difference between where we are now and maybe being second in the table.

“We need to be as good at Anfield as we have been away from home and that needs to start against Fulham.”

Liverpool's Brazilian defender Fabio Aurelio has challenged his team-mates to forget about the record-breaking Champions League victory over Besiktas and focus on domestic priorities.

Aurelio said: “We did play very well against Besiktas and we can take a lot of confidence from that, but in football the most important game is the next one and for us that means Fulham, so we must now concentrate on that.

“When you have a result like the one on Tuesday night you have to take it in your stride and not get carried away because we have many important games coming up in the Premier League and in the Champions League and we cannot afford to be distracted.

“We have had a lot of draws in the Premier League and our form at home has not been as good as we would have liked.”

Fulham travel to Anfield still searching for their first away victory of the season and manager Lawrie Sanchez admits that the key for his team will be their ability to compete for the entire 90 minutes.

Sanchez said: “We're a top-seven team for 80 minutes and if we can lock off those last 10 minutes we'd be a top-seven team now.

“It's a bit like riding a bike to a certain extent. There's a falling off period between having stabilisers and being able to do it. Once you've done it, you wonder why you ever needed stabilisers.

“Because of the learning process that goes on and the new team shape we've put together, the group of players as a team haven't learnt to get over the last 10 minutes.

“But last Saturday against Reading was hopefully the first of many. The very fact that after 80 minutes we put ourselves into such great situations show we're a decent team.”

Liverpool's Confidence Is Back: Rafa Benitez

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has claimed that the Reds' record victory over Besiktas in the Champions League, will serve them as a morale booster.

The Reds hammered the Turkish club 8-0 at Anfield on Tuesday night in a must-win group game, following their poor start to the campaign with just one point from opening three games.

The Merseysiders are now hoping to take confidence further into the campaign as they need victories against Porto and Marseille to advance to the knock-out stage.

The Reds have a history of turning on a great performance when their backs are against the wall, and Benitez gave an example of the club's 3-1 win over Olympiacos and the final at Istanbul in 2005.

"I do not feel the players had on their minds that there was pressure on me and the club," said the Spaniard.

"I feel they only knew they needed to win, and they knew they have succeeded in different matches in the past.”

"I recall the game against Olympiacos a couple of years ago. We needed to win by two goals and could not afford to concede. But we let one in late in the first half and that gave us a real problem to qualify.”

"We had to go out and score three then in the second half. But we achieved that, and now my team has the experience of playing under great pressure and reaching their objectives, however hard it may seem.”

"The players knew they needed to win three games and they have set out to do that. Now we must do it twice more and we know our confidence is back.”

"Everybody can now believe we can beat Porto, and then Marseille. We have re-affirmed our strength in Europe, we can be there and qualify because we have done things like this before."

He added: "We have made a statement with the victory. The team showed character and quality, they showed they were hungry.”

"There were a lot of positive things. It was a good game with a lot of goals, different goals, from different players.”

"They were hungry, they wanted to win, they wanted to score goals. They produced the quality and the character we were looking for.”

"I did not expect eight, but we were trying to score a lot of goals, you don't get too many opportunities like this."

Benitez: No More Draws

Liverpool coach Rafa Benitez has warned his team about the series of draws being conceded, particularly in the League.

The 8-0 win over Besiktas has not papered over the (largely goalless) draws that Liverpool have been giving away, much like against Blackburn on Saturday.

They are still only six points off the top in the league, but continue to drop points with regularity.

"I think the key for us this year is to improve at home because away I think the team has confidence," said Benitez.

"But at home we have had some draws and it is clear we need to start winning."

Speaking about the game against Fulham on Saturday, he said: "I think in the Premier League you do not see easy games, so it will be a tough one.

"Normally it is more physical so we will try to use our quality.

"They are scoring some goals. When you are at the bottom of the table and you are scoring goals, it means you must be conceding goals, but also that you are dangerous in attack. For us especially on the counter attack we need to be aware.

"We now have more confidence and the strikers look like different players because they are scoring goals.

"I have my experience and it is better to not say anything until the end. So we need to wait, so maybe I will say yes I want to keep my team and then you have some problems in training sessions so it's better to wait and see what happens for Saturday."

He also returned to speak about the win over Besiktas, singling out a few players for special mention.

"Peter [Crouch] is very professional and he's a nice boy," said Benitez. "But I was surprised because everyone was asking about Benayoun, Babel and Crouch, but I think one of the best players was Voronin.

"He didn't score but he was amazing in assisting the other players, passing the ball and controlling the movements. So I prefer not to talk about one because we should talk about all of them, because all of them were magnificent."

More Rotation May Be In Store For Rafa’s Euro Heroes

Rafael Benitez refused to budge on his footballing philosophy, as he admitted he may tinker with the Liverpool side that thrashed Besiktas 8-0 in the Champions League on Tuesday.

The Reds arguably produced their best performance of the season that night with a score-line that registered the biggest win in UEFA Champions League history.

However, Benitez didn’t rule out rotating the side again if necessary, for the league game against Fulham at the weekend.

Speaking to Sky Sports News Benitez said: "Maybe I will say 'yes I want to keep my team' and then I will have problems in training, so it is better to wait and see what happens before Saturday."

Peter Crouch, Ryan Babel and Yossi Benayoun were among those to press their claims as they all found the target against Besiktas.

But Benitez was as impressed by Andriy Voronin as anyone else and admits the Ukrainian has given him a major selection dilemma in attack.

"I have been surprised because everybody has asked about Benayoun or Babel or Crouch, and I think one of the best players on the pitch was Voronin," said the Liverpool manager.

"He did not score but he was amazing, passing the ball and controlling the movements.

"So I prefer not to talk about just one, I think we should talk about all of them because they were all magnificent."

Fernando Torres missed the demolition of Besiktas but Benitez is confident the Spaniard will have recovered from his adductor muscle injury in time to face Fulham.

"Hopefully he'll be available. He was okay yesterday and if we don't have any problems he'll be fit," said Benitez.

"I think they can all play together, Torres and Crouch or Kuyt and Voronin, as you want."

Rafa Fires Euro Warning

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez says his side's record-breaking 8-0 annihilation of Besiktas will have the rest of Europe worried.

Benitez's side have been strangely struggling in the UEFA Champions League and were under pressure at Anfield with three wins needed from three games to sneak into the last 16.

Some of that pressure was eased as they ripped Besiktas apart and secured a Champions League record victory in front of a thrilled Anfield crowd.

After such a poor start, Liverpool still need to beat Porto at Anfield and Marseille away to get through, but Benitez says their 8-0 victory will serve as a warning to the whole competition.

"Porto now have to come to Anfield in the next match and they will be worried by this," said Benitez.

"The rest of Europe will also be aware of what we have done

"But in the end we still have to win those last two games, regardless of how many goals we scored this time."

Yossi Benayoun grabbed a hat-trick, while Peter Crouch scored twice on a rare start, Ryan Babel hit two from the bench and Steven Gerrard got his name on the scoresheet.

Benitez says the early goal helped, while the main difference to previous games was his strikers taking their chances.

"We have been creating a lot of chances in previous games, but not scoring them," added the Spaniard.

"Today we scored early and the game opened up. Besiktas also had to win to keep their chances of qualifying going so they had to come out and try to attack and that gave our forwards space to use.

"It made our movement easier, the space was there and our strikers were on very good form.

"But we still must win the next two and then wait to see if it is enough. But we have confidence that we can beat Porto next, and our supporters will also have confidence in us too.

"When you create chances, score hat-tricks and play that well, it gives all the front players - Yossi, Ryan and Peter - plenty of confidence that they can attack and be successful.

"If you score then you have confidence, that is the difference from the way we have played recently.

"But this was an all-round performance by the whole team. Voronin did not score but he was hugely influential in what went on, his play was unselfish and effective.

"He did a tremendous job, and the defence kept a clean sheet so there was very little for me to complain about, just a few minor things."

Besiktas coach Ertugrul Saglam made just a short statment to express his disappointment after the match - and to apologise to the club's fans.

"It was a very bad night for our team, and fans," said Saglam.

"The result was very upsetting for us and I would like to say sorry to all our fans.

"It is very difficult to accept this result, but life does go on and we have to work much harder now to improve in the future. I can promise our fans we will do that."

LiverpooL 8 - 0 Besiktas

Liverpool racked up the biggest-ever Champions League margin, blitzing Besiktas 8-0 at Anfield courtesy of Yossi Benayoun's clinical hat-trick.

The pressure was on Rafael Benitez's Reds after banking just a point from their first three Group A games - but first-half goals from Peter Crouch and Benayoun set them on course for a crucial three-point haul.

Far from backing off after the break, the hosts went goal crazy in the second half, with Benayoun bagging the second and third of his treble before seeing Steven Gerrard (69), Ryan Babel (79 and 81) and Crouch (89) also net.

Andriy Voronin and Crouch started up front, with Fernando Torres on the bench, and both looked lively early on, respectively dragging a shot and steering a header narrowly off target.

Mehmet Sedef sidefooted a good chance wide for this visitors, who fell behind on 19 minutes when Crouch reacted quickly to stab home a rebound after Hakan Arikan had saved his first left-footed effort.

The collective relief around Anfield was tangible and the Reds were 2-0 up on 32, when Benayoun controlled Voronin's left-wing cross and volleyed an unstoppable drive into the back of the net.

John Arne Riise had a goalbound header cleared off the line and Crouch flashed a shot narrowly wide as the Reds finished the half strongly.

Benayoun pounced on two clangers by reserve keeper Arikan, who fumbled Riise's blockbuster and Gerrard's free-kick, to collect his hat-trick (53 and 56) and that opened the floodgates, with Gerrard slotting after a superb one-two with the impressive Voronin.

Sub Babel bagged a cheeky sixth with a close-range backheel - and his second was very fortunate as a defensive clearance hit his back and looped over the keeper and under the crossbar.

Babel was denied a treble as his header rattled the crossbar - but the Reds still went after eight and the icing on the cake came when Benayoun crossed for Crouch to head home.

Crouch Told He Will Only Get Bit-part At Liverpool

Peter Crouch's future at Liverpool looks bleak after manager Rafael Benitez hinted that the striker may be more effective as a substitute.

Crouch has started only one Premier League game this season and was given just 19 minutes as a replacement to try to influence another disappointing Liverpool afternoon.

The England forward's presence coincided with his team's best spell of the game as Liverpool came close to scoring on a handful of occasions in the closing stages.

But Benitez refused to accept that Crouch had made the difference and reflected the 26-year-old may have to become used to life as a substitute.

"Maybe that's right," said Benitez, when the point was put to him. "Some players are like that.

"Some players, when they play for 20 minutes, are more important for the team that way.

"We did better towards the end but perhaps there were three reasons.

"Harry Kewell was on, Blackburn were getting tired and then there was Crouch, too. So there were three things together."

Benitez's assessment, which can't be faulted for honesty, will disappoint Crouch and the 8,000 Liverpool fans who called for his introduction long before he was told to take his tracksuit off.

His impact was profound, freeing Steven Gerrard from his role as second striker to Dirk Kuyt and giving Liverpool proper shape.

Crouch himself had a header cleared off the line, Gerrard went close with two left-foot shots, while the willing but out-of-sorts Kuyt fluffed two opportunities.

Blackburn, who had more than matched Liverpool until the last 20 minutes, had reason to feel relieved at the end.

Left back Stephen Warnock, once of Liverpool, said: "They brought on quality players in Kewell and Crouch and they changed the game.

"It made it more difficult for us. They went more direct with Crouch and it seemed to suit them.

"Crouchie is a great player. He's one of those that almost any team would love to have in their starting line-up. But they seem to use him in a different way and the manager there seems to think that works for him.

"But he's a real asset when he comes on and it must be frustrating for him when he's not starting."

Liverpool watchers will point out Crouch has been poor when given starts this season — in the Premier League and in Europe — and that is a view Benitez shares.

But in the absence of the injured Fernando Torres, it seems baffling he has not been given another chance.

Liverpool were moderate until late in the game as Benitez's tactics once again suffocated his team.

With two defensive midfielders in his line-up — Javier Mascherano and Momo Sissoko — Benitez was asking much of Gerrard, Ryan Babel and Yossi Benayoun. Only Gerrard delivered.

On this evidence, Liverpool would be nothing without their captain.

Blackburn, watched by their biggest crowd for five years, could have been in front at half-time.

David Bentley struck the post early on and David Dunn thundered a left-foot volley against the underside of the bar.

Mark Hughes' team could also have had a penalty when a shot from Andre Ooijer appeared to strike Jamie Carragher's arm in the second half and Blackburn will head to Manchester United next Sunday in good heart.

Hughes said: "We have played three of the top four now and haven't lost to any of them, so I am very pleased.

"Teams come here to nullify us — that is what Liverpool have done — and that's a mark of how far we have come.

"We have done OK so far but injuries will be key to us as the season goes on.

"Teams like Liverpool have big squads and that can make the difference."

Liverpool v Besiktas Preview

Liverpool are well aware that anything less than three points against Besiktas at Anfield on Tuesday could bring to an end this season's UEFA Champions League quest.

The Reds, who lifted Europe's top club prize in 2005, have yet to record a win in this season's competition following a draw with Porto and shock defeats at home to Marseille and away to Besiktas.

Liverpool's hopes are, therefore, hanging by a thread and a win is essential in their fourth game in Group A if they are to stand any chance of adding to their record of two Champions League final appearances in the past three seasons.

However, Besiktas are in a confident frame of mind and are looking to repeat their success in Istanbul a fortnight ago when they defeated Liverpool 2-1.

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has called for 'passion and cool heads' ahead of the meeting, but he is leaving it late before he makes an announcement on the fitness of Fernando Torres.

The Spanish striker missed Liverpool's goalless Premier League draw with Blackburn on Saturday after tearing an adductor muscle against Arsenal the previous week.

Torres, though, has been named in the Reds squad and it will be left until late before his match fitness is confirmed.

Benitez is definitely without midfielder Xabi Alonso and Daniel Agger as the pair continue their comebacks from dreaded metatarsal injuries.

Besiktas have been rocked by the recent injury of defender Gokhan Zan, who has been ruled out for a month after damaging ligaments in his foot.

The Turkish side are also without Rodrigo Tello (ankle) and Marcio Nobre, who is struggling with a hamstring problem as they seek a major upset.

Liverpool Set To Lure John Cofie

Liverpool are confident of beating Chelsea and Manchester United to the signature of John Cofie, a 15-year-old centre forward whose progress at Burnley has made him one of the most coveted young talents in the country.

Despite strong overtures from Stamford Bridge and Old Trafford, Cofie is understood to favour a move to Liverpool and accepted an invitation from the club to attend their Carling Cup fourth-round victory over Cardiff City at Anfield last week. Burnley hope to receive at least £1 million in compensation if the teenager leaves, but Liverpool believe they may secure his services for barely a quarter of that sum.

Although Liverpool have won the FA Youth Cup for the past two seasons with a squad made up largely of players brought through their own academy, Rafael BenÍtez, the manager, has overseen the acquisition of more than 20 teenagers over the past 2½ years, the vast majority of them from overseas.

BenÍtez and Piet Hamberg, the technical manager at the club’s youth academy, are lining up deals to sign at least four other teenagers in January in addition to Cofie. One is Lauri Dalla Valle, a 16-year-old Finnish midfield player, while Hamberg is also believed to be closing in on two highly-rated youngsters from the Netherlands and one from Germany.

Liverpool’s Torres In The Frame For Besiktas Clash

Fernando Torres has made a remarkable recovery from a thigh injury to return to training on Monday and Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez will wait until last minute to see if he can include the summer-signing in the squad for the must-win Champions League game against Besiktas at Anfield on Tuesday.

The Spain striker had suffered an adductor strain against Arsenal and subsequently ruled out for at least three weeks. Benitez had expressed hope that he might have the 23-year-old back in two weeks.

And as such the former Atletico Madrid ace has responded well to the treatment to return to training on Monday. He will have another session tomorrow and Benitez admitted that he is “very confident” of the player being able to play some part against the Turkish club.

Spain midfielder Xabi Alonso however will be out for a month with his metatarsal problem, which he picked against the Gunners, while defender Daniel Agger is three weeks away. Harry Kewell has meanwhile, come out unscathed from his recent outings after recovering from his groin injury.

Steven Gerrard: We Need To Go For The Jugular

Steven Gerrard has urged Liverpool to “go for the jugular” as they aim to keep their Champions League dream alive this evening.

Rafael Benitez’s side entertain Besiktas knowing anything other than victory will almost certainly mean failure to qualify for the knockout stages of the competition for the first time under the Spaniard.

Liverpool were surprisingly beaten 2-1 in Istanbul by the Turkish side a fortnight ago, a result which means they effectively need to win their remaining three Group A games to progress. And Gerrard believes the Anfield outfit, who could have Fernando Torres available this evening, have no option but to attack from the off and ensure another famous European night at the stadium.

“I said after the game in Istanbul that we face three massive games, cup finals in effect, in our remaining Champions League group games and I have not changed my mind since then,” said Gerrard.

“We have to make a fast start and rock Besiktas early on. I don’t think we have anything to fear from them coming over here.

“We need to go for the jugular from the first whistle. We know we need a night like Juventus, Chelsea and Olympiakos, which was probably the last time we were in a similar position to now. Our backs were against the wall, and unfortunately that’s where we are again.

“But we know we can do it. On these European nights, everyone has to work together. We have to give the fans something to believe and get them going from the first whistle. Besiktas will sit back and break the game up, so we might need to be patient and then make sure our quality tells. If we get our performance right, then there are very few teams, if any, can live with us. We have got to get it right tonight.”

Liverpool were guilty of some profligate finishing against Besiktas two weeks ago before a late Gerrard goal gave hope of an equaliser after the Turks had led 2-0. And the skipper reckons the performance that night was an indicator Benitez’s side are capable of a morale-boosting triumph this evening.

“Despite the fact they got a good result in their own stadium, even they would admit we had more than enough chances to win the game over there,” added Gerrard.

“We believe in ourselves and our ability to go and get the job done. It would be great to send a message to the rest of the teams in our group that we are back, but we have to get the result on Tuesday.

“In the past we have saved some of our best games for this competition, but this season we have just not got going.

“We battled for a point in Porto without playing well and got what we deserved against Marseille. We didn’t take enough of our chances in Turkey and we won’t make the same mistake again here. We cannot afford to now we have left ourselves with no margin for error.”

Liverpool could have Torres in the squad tonight after the Span-iard made a quicker than expected recovery from his adductor problem.

The striker was in training yesterday and Benitez is considering taking a risk on the player given his team’s goal-scoring woes that were again illustrated against Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.

Benitez said: “We will talk with the doctor, the physios and the player, but he is much better than last time. We must be really positive but we also have to be careful.

“He wanted to play last time and it was a very important game, so perhaps he wasn’t really fit, but players always want to play and think they are fit in those situations. I think we have enough power up front without Torres, but this is also a game when we might have to take a risk.”

Harry Kewell is likely to be restricted to bench duty again following impressive substitute appearances against Cardiff City and Blackburn in the last week. However, both Xabi Alonso and Daniel Agger will remain sidelined for the next three weeks as they recover from their metatarsal injuries.

Rafa Benitez Dismisses Europe Pressure

Rafael Benitez has dismissed the financial implications should Liverpool fail to progress from the Champions League group stage – and believes he is not under any extra pressure from the club’s American owners.

Anything but victory at home to Besiktas this evening would leave the Anfield outfit facing an early exit from the competition and missing out on a minimum of £14million in revenue.

However, Benitez reveals the club’s financial situation was not on the agenda during a meeting with Tom Hicks and George Gillett last week.

And the Liverpool manager is confident the Americans share his long-term view at Anfield of putting on-field success ahead of off-field gains.

“When you talk about a £400m stadium and the amount you get for reaching the final, then an extra £10m or so is not a big difference,” said Benitez. “What is important is that we progress in this competition. Football is the most important thing. We want to win because we want to win trophies, not because we want to save the financial situation. Of course, the owners want the money but is there a big difference between £400m and £410m?

“Every penny is important, but I don’t think the Champions League will make a big difference. We want to win and we want to progress, but it would be a big mistake to think about it only in terms of money.”

Benitez added: “I don’t know if not qualifying will make a difference to my transfer budget. I was reading some papers at the weekend that said I had no money, £20m and £25m.

“We didn’t talk about how much I’ve got to spend when I met Tom and George last week. We talked about the situation with the team, their plans for the future, the stadium, everything.

“I don’t feel there is any extra pressure on me after the meeting. When I spoke to them about my plan they were really pleased with it. Now we just have to keep doing the right things and the plan will be successful.

“Everything is good. They have been supportive from the first time I met them. They are nice people.”

Benitez believes that time rather than money is now the key factor to turning Liverpool into a team capable of regularly challenging for honours both home and abroad. The Spaniard said: “For a manager, when you are progressing and changing things, it cannot be done in one minute. You need time, but it is the same for all managers. I think we are improving and going in the right direction.

“The money is not the most important thing because of the position of the squad. The squad is strong. We need to improve two or three things but I am happy with the squad. We have better players now, the value of the players is much higher than before, so we are in a much better position.

“What are the two or three things? The owners know but now is not the moment to talk about them in public.”

Benitez has called for passion and cool heads from his players this evening, with Liverpool hoping to continue their record of having never lost at home to Turkish opposition.

“Win or lose I try to stay calm,” he said. “I can be disappointed, but I try to stay calm. If we cannot win I am the first one to analyse why and think about what we have to do, so I don’t need too many people telling me. I am always analysing and trying to improve with my staff.”

Benitez Keeps Faith In Kuyt

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is backing misfiring striker Dirk Kuyt to come good despite the Holland international being woefully out of form.

Kuyt could easily have had a second half hat-trick in Saturday's goalless draw at Blackburn and his current malaise was summed up two minutes from time when he blazed over from six yards with just goalkeeper Brad Friedel to beat.

The 27-year-old scored 14 times after his £9million transfer from Feyenoord in August last year but has struggled this season.

And although his work-rate remains among the best in the Barclays Premier League, his touch appears to have deserted him.

He has three goals in 13 matches this campaign but two of those were penalties in the Merseyside derby victory and the Dutchman is patently struggling.

However, with record signing Fernando Torres expected to be out for at least another couple of weeks with a torn adductor and Peter Crouch out of favour, Benitez has little option but to persist with Kuyt.

"When you miss chances and you have two or three, it means you are there. If you are not there, you cannot miss the chance," said the Spaniard after watching his side waste numerous opportunities in the second half at Ewood Park.

"I will not criticise Kuyt because he plays a lot of games and over 90 minutes his work rate is fantastic.

"He is creating chances. When you have a player who can create three or four chances for himself, normally sometimes he will score so I think I must be pleased and positive with Kuyt.

"We need to profit from the work he is doing up front and it will be easier for him to score if his team-mates can score the first goal."

Unfortunately his team-mates were in no better form when it came to beating Friedel, who denied Steven Gerrard twice and Ryan Babel before Crouch saw a header cleared off the line by David Bentley.

And to be fair to Kuyt, until Crouch's 72nd-minute arrival, he spent much of the match isolated up front as Benitez's tactic of playing Gerrard in a supporting role did not come off.

The draw - Liverpool's fifth in seven matches since they briefly went top of the table with a 6-0 win over Derby in early September - dropped the Anfield side to seventh.

However, they are only six points behind leaders Arsenal and have a match in hand of many of their rivals.

Benitez remains confident he can re-ignite the Reds as they head into the potentially-damaging November to January period.

"I said at the start of the season this one would be more difficult for everyone and you can see it is not easy to win games in a row," he added.

"With one game in hand, we can keep the team close to the top of the table. We have Daniel Agger, Xabi Alonso (both broken metatarsals), Fernando Torres coming back and I think we will be stronger in the next few months."

In contrast, Blackburn are exceeding expectations, one place above Liverpool having lost just one of their last 17 league matches.

With more good fortune, they could have been in the top four today as the woodwork twice denied them in the first half, while they had a shout for a penalty after the interval when Andre Ooijer's shot hit Jamie Carragher's outstretched arm.

In-form strikers Benni McCarthy and Roque Santa Cruz proved a handful throughout but it was Bentley who almost broke the deadlock with a shot that hit the outside of a post in the 35th minute.

Just seconds before the break, David Dunn's 20-yard strike with his weaker left foot bounced away to safety off the underside of the crossbar.

Had either of those chances gone in, the result could have been different but Rovers ended up clinging on to a point in a frenzied last 10 minutes.

"We have gone up against three of the top four (Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool) and we are unbeaten against them," said satisfied manager Mark Hughes.

"We have got Manchester United at the weekend and hopefully we can get the full set."

Hughes realistically admits his side will probably not sustain their challenge long enough to be in contention for Champions League places at the end of the season.

However, that will not stop him dreaming.

"It is a long season and we just have to be fortunate with injuries. We will be in the mix-up," Hughes said.

"Whether we will actually get one (a top-four place) is open to debate but we will be very much in the make up of the games to affect who gets in the Champions League.

"It is very difficult to break into the top four. Last year, Manchester United were champions of the Premier League and they go out and spend £50million."

Liverpool Investigate John Arne Riise Payslip

Merseyside Police have said they will not look into how Liverpool defender John Arne Riise's payslip was published on the internet.

Riise's home address, national insurance number and other personal details were circulated on Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal supporters' websites.

Liverpool will launch an investigation into how the 27-year-old's details, including his £139, 634 monthly pay packet were leaked into the public domain. Police will not take the matter any further as no complaint has been made.

"We are taking the matter extremely seriously and we are investigating," a Liverpool spokesman said.

"It must have been stolen but the player simply doesn't know how it has happened," a club insider said.

"I can assure you that John Arne Riise is not in the habit of throwing payslips out. It's clearly been stolen and taken without his permission. Nobody would want their details put all over the internet."

The Norwegian defender will be concerned that his home address has been released given that four of his Liverpool team-mates, José Manuel Reina, Peter Crouch, Jerzy Dudek and Daniel Agger have been burgled this year.

A source said: "There is a lot of delicate information about John now widely available on the net and it’s circulating like wildfire.

"John is particularly worried his address is out there in the open. There's the added concern that his national insurance number could be misused by fraudsters."

A quick search on the internet can see details of Riise's payslip which shows he was paid a basic monthly salary of £120,000, received £4,000 in appearance bonuses and a £250 "points bonus".

He was also awarded a Champions League salary increase of £15,384.62.

Rafa Benitez Backed By Owners' Game Plan

Rafael Benitez says that Liverpool’s American owners, George Gillett and Tom Hicks, have reassured him he has their confidence to pursue his team development strategy irrespective of their fate in this year’s Champions League.

“I don’t think our spending longer term will depend on what we do in the Champions League,” Benitez said. “My meetings with the Americans – and we have talked about everything – has been about the plan we have. If we win more games it will be easier with more money, but the plan does not depend on this competition.

“The owners are very supportive. When you prepare a plan for a club it is not for one year, it is for a number of years. We have brought in new players and re-signed players as part of that plan. We have not talked about money but ideas and I think they are pleased with my ideas.

” Despite that backing, Benitez knows life will be easier if his team turn around their Champions League form and take the maximum points they seek from their remaining fixtures, starting with the Group A match with Besiktas on Tuesday.

Injuries deny him some of his better players, including Fernando Torres, but the Spaniard’s loss could be Peter Crouch’s gain. The Englishman, frustrated at his limited opportunities this season, could have an important role to play in Liverpool’s salvage job.

Benitez said: “All the players who are not playing regularly need to show that they want to play. When you’re in a top side and you are a winner you must show that mentality. Crouch is one of these players. “It’s important for us to win on Tuesday but sometimes the problem is that you set high standards, as we have done in the Champions League.

“We have confidence we can beat Besiktas and then progress. But this is the Champions League and you cannot be surprised we are in the position we are in.”