Betting Recommendations: West Ham United vs LiverpooL

Here are some betting recommendations for the West Ham United vs. Liverpool match:


From: Bettingzone UK

It's a little hard to understand why the bookies are siding so strongly with Liverpool in this.

Just four places and seven points separate the pair (both have played the same number of games) and while it's West Ham who are trailing, they undoubtedly come into this in better form and with home advantage in their favour too.

The Hammers have collected three wins and been beaten just once in their last six - decent enough by anyone's standards and all the more so given a hugely tricky fixture list which included games against top two Manchester United and Arsenal and a trip to a Manchester City side who are unbeaten on home turf.

In contrast, Liverpool have drawn their last four in the Premier League and even made hard work of seeing off Havant and Waterlooville and Luton in the FA Cup.

So while all the off-field comments suggest the pressure is easing on boss Rafa Benitez, the bottom line is that results need to pick up - and quickly.

In their favour is an excellent record against the Hammers as they've won the last six league games but we'd still argue that they should be bigger than evens for this latest trip to Upton Park.

The Hammers have already beaten Manchester United at theBoleyn Ground this season and are getting better all the time as their injury list continues to shorten.

The home win is tempting at 3/1 but we'll give ourselves a bit of insurance and go for West Ham at 2/1 in the 'draw no bet' market.

Verdict: West Ham 2 Liverpool 1




From: Mark Lawrenson, BBC Sport UK

Interesting. West Ham's home form is not great as they lack confidence at Upton Park. They are helped by the fact that their injured players are slowly coming back.

I don't know what to expect with Liverpool because no-one ever knows the team manager Rafael Benitez will pick. But he needs to start picking his strongest side as they need results.

Prediction: West Ham United 1 – 2 LiverpooL


From: Mathew Burt, Goal.com

Liverpool should finally get their first win of the year and finally give Rafa Benitez something to smile about after a tough couple of weeks. If Gerrard and Torres can perform to their abilities, and show that the recent rest has benefited them, then the West Ham defence could be in for a tough time. Then again who would bet against a draw?

Final Score: West Ham 1 - 2 Liverpool



From: Chris, tip-ex.com

West Ham vs. Liverpool 4.10 - 2.00

When West Ham drew their last match with Man City both D Ashton and M Etherington were missing. They will be available tomorrow but J Faubert is an injury doubt.

Liverpool have practically a fully fit squad with only D. Agger on their injury list.

Why they have been so lack lustre for weeks I cannot say. It seems like they constantly put themselves in trouble regardless which opponents they face.

Luton, Wigan even Havant became major obstacles for Liverpool. There is something about Benitez and low profile matches.

He is not happy playing these midweek fixtures but in Britain there are no easy wins and this should be obvious by now. Lots of character in the present West Ham side and they could earn a draw from this game.

The draw then (3.25).

Babel: Superstars Brought Me To Anfield

Liverpool star Ryan Babel has spoken of his admiration for Steven Gerrard And Fernando Torres, both of whom played a large part in bringing him to the Premier League in the summer.

Dutch international Ryan Babel admitted that the lure of playing with superstars like Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard at Anfield brought him to Merseyside from Ajax last summer.

The starlet revealed that he didn’t realise how “great” the Reds were until the club made a return to the business end of European competition, having rejected the chance to move there previously.

"Liverpool had expressed an interest two years ago, but at that time I didn't have a good feeling," Babel told Liverpool's official matchday programme.

"I didn't know anything about Liverpool and the club meant hardly anything to me, which was due to sheer ignorance on my part.

"This time it was different. Liverpool had reached the Champions League final twice and I was very much impressed by the performances that Steven Gerrard had put in.

"It would be wonderful to play in the same team with such a star, I thought.

"My agent also told me Liverpool had signed Fernando Torres and I got really interested. I want to win silverware. That's why I have joined this great club."

The jet-heeled 21-year-old respects gaffer Rafa Benitez’s much maligned squad rotation, but concedes that he would like to see more playing time in an ideal world.

Babel has scored seven goals in 31 appearances for the club. The fast paced Premiership action is, however, causing him some concern as Liverpool continue to toil in the league.

"I would obviously relish more playing time," he continued.

"I am ambitious and want to play. I am sometimes a bit disappointed not to play but I appreciate Benitez's ideas.

"He adopts a rotation policy, I knew that beforehand. He has his own special ideas. He announces his starting XI one hour before kick-off. He will never give a hint at training whether you start or not.

"But I don't think it is awkward for me not be on the pitch for the full 90 minutes.

"I can't physically cope with the terrific pace of the Premier League. I invariably face a tall task, even also against the so-called small teams.

"We play compact as a team and must be on the move constantly, closing down opponents all over the park. I must provide cover for the left-back but I never shirk my duties anymore and nobody will ever catch me napping."

Match Preview: West Ham United vs LiverpooL

West Ham host Liverpool in the Premier League on Wednesday hoping to increase the pressure on Rafa Benitez.

The Liverpool boss has endured a torrid season as the Reds - who were tipped to be major title contenders after heavy summer investment - have stuttered on the field, while uncertainty continues behind the scenes.

Reds owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks appear to be growing increasingly unwelcome on Merseyside amidst ongoing rumours that the Americans are keen to sell the club.

And West Ham will hope to make the most of the Reds' woes by collecting three points at Upton Park.

Hammers boss Alan Curbishley has spoken of his side's need to focus on a place in the top six this season and three points against Liverpool would certainly help this cause, while also severely denting their visitor's UEFA Champions League aspirations.

If Portsmouth slip up away to Manchester United, a victory for Curbishley would see his side quietly move to within one point of Pompey in ninth place.

And the Hammers will welcome back Dean Ashton and winger Matthew Etherington as they go in search of a rare victory against the Reds.

West Ham are on a run of 11 games without success against Liverpool, but Curbishley will hope star striker Ashton can produce a performance to mirror that of the 2006 FA Cup final when the forward terrorised the Reds backline in a narrow defeat in Cardiff.

Etherington will also return to the Hammers starting line-up after joining Ashton on the sidelines for the 1-1 draw with Manchester City, while former Red Craig Bellamy and Nolberto Solano have also regained match fitness.

However, summer signing Julien Faubert is set to miss out as the midfielder is struggling with a calf problem.

Benitez is expected to name a strong XI after watching his second string side flirt with the romance of the FA Cup and narrowly avoid a humiliating defeat to Havant & Waterlooville on Saturday.

The Reds were twice forced to come from behind in a hard-fought 5-2 victory against their non-league opponents and Benitez, who has yet to see his side record a league win in 2008, will be demanding improvements.

Andrei Voronin, Daniel Agger and Alvaro Arbeloa are all absent through injury, but Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres, Jose Reina and Jamie Carragher should return as Liverpool seek a victory which could see them reclaim fourth spot - should Everton fail to beat Tottenham.

Kraft Hints At Reds Bid

American businessman Robert Kraft admits he has not ruled out a possible takeover of Liverpool.

Kraft owns American football side New England Patriots and Major League Soccer outfit New England Revolution.

And Kraft - who is founder, chairman and chief executive of the Kraft Group - was strongly linked with a bid to buy the Reds before the Merseyside club was taken over by fellow Americans George Gillett and Tom Hicks for £470million in 2007.

However, Gillett and Hicks are rumoured to be unsettled on Merseyside following Liverpool's lacklustre form and a much publicised bust-up with manager Rafa Benitez regarding the club's January transfer policy.

Dubai International Capital are thought to remain interested in a bid to buy out Gillett and Hicks, after withdrawing from the race to own the Reds last year, and Kraft has now hinted that he could also consider a takeover at Anfield.

"We haven't ruled it out completely," Kraft told Sky Sports News.

"But I'm worried a little bit. I want to be able to win whatever we do. But there are no rules in terms of spending on players.

"We would never want to be in a business where we couldn't compete and right now some of the structure doesn't allow you to compete on a level playing field."

And Kraft admits he has met with David Moores, who was Liverpool chairman before selling his stake to Gillett and Hicks and is now a director at Anfield, in the past.

"I spent a lot of time with Mr. Moores and his group in Liverpool and we know something about building an opportunity," Kraft added.

"The fan base in Liverpool is a lot like the fan base of the Patriots when we bought them.

"They are dedicated fans if you give them a quality product and they know you are doing their best to win."

Fourth Spot Is Ours, Says Liverpool Coach

Not so long ago Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez was insisting his side could still mount a challenge for the Premier League title.

How times have changed.

Now having gone four league games without a win, Benitez has reassessed his team's credentials and believes his side can outmuscle their rivals to claim fourth spot instead.

The battle looks set to be a four-way tussle with Merseyside rivals Everton, Aston Villa and Manchester City.

Liverpool can reclaim fourth spot from Everton's grasp tonight with victory at West Ham - if other results go their way - and Benitez feels his squad are best prepared to finish in the final Champions League spot.

"We still believe we are best placed to finish fourth," he said.

"We are not happy that it has become difficult. But we have one game in hand and we must get back to fourth and then try to catch the third-placed team.

"I think we are the best equipped to be fourth, at least. Martin O'Neill at Villa and Sven (Goran Eriksson) at City may say different and Everton too, but I have confidence in my team.

"We feel we can do it and we must start winning again, which will take us higher again.

"We have enough quality and the experience of playing at this level. That could be crucial because we have been here before."

Returning to winning ways is easiest said than done given that Liverpool have drawn their last four league outings.

And aside from a 2-1 league win at Derby on Boxing Day they have not won on the road since a 3-0 success at Newcastle in November.

"The key is to focus on every game and not think about the rest. West Ham will be tough opposition, they have beaten Manchester United and have improved," Benitez said.

"Obviously away games are always more difficult, but we must win this one and beat Sunderland on Saturday ahead of going to Chelsea the following week.

"It is difficult to explain why we have not been getting the results, but we have been creating the chances. We just need to be more precise in our finishing and things will be okay."

New LiverpooL FC Shirts & Kits

The following have not yet been confirmed by Liverpool or adidas and as such may still be early prototypes.

The new LFC Home Shirt 2008/10



The new LFC Away Shirt 2008/09


The new LFC 3rd Shirt 2008/09

Mark Lawrenson: Results Must Ensure The Laughter Is Put To Bed

Mark Lawrenson got a depressing snapshot of the turmoil Liverpool are in at the JJB Stadium on Saturday. Lawrenson was in the Press room before the Wigan v Chelsea tie and the half-time score flashed up from Anfield – Liverpool 2 Havant & Waterlooville 2. Cue uproarious laughter.

He can’t ever remember Liverpool being a laughing stock, certainly not to the extent they are at the moment. It encapsulates just how much events off the field have made the club look and how much they need to be sorted out and quickly.

But more importantly, things on the field have to become the priority now, if only to avoid more embarrassing scorelines than we saw after the first 45 minutes of that FA Cup tie on Saturday. And it’s now down to Rafael Benitez to ensure that happens.

Benitez is probably no more convinced than Lawrenson is about what Tom Hicks said over the weekend. It’s all very well the American giving his backing but after the Jurgen Klinsmann episode, Benitez knows he can take that with a pinch of salt.

As for saying he wants him there for another two years, well who’s to say Hicks will still be there? No matter what he or George Gillett says (not that the latter is saying much of anything at the moment!) the Dubai group aren’t going to go away. And Lawrenson think it’s safe to say who the supporters will want in charge of their club when push comes to shove and concrete offers start appearing on the table.

So Lawrenson think the off-field uncertainly will rumble on for some time yet. But the difference this time is, Benitez and his players can’t let it affect them. They just have to accept it and get on with the business of getting the results back on track once again. The manager has to get his head down, pick his best team and really get this season back on the rails before Liverpool fall off them completely.

No wins in the league since Boxing Day isn’t good enough and things in the boardroom will hardly settle down if Champions League money isn’t guaranteed for next season. That fight for the top four is suddenly looking far more interesting than Liverpool ever wanted it to. It all needs to be put right and fast, starting tomorrow night at West Ham. Three points there will be the ideal confidence boost, especially with Sunderland to come to Anfield on Saturday.

And the FA Cup has also thrown up a genuine chance of a trophy. The draw on Monday has given Liverpool another home game against lower-league opposition and a great opportunity to get to the quarter-finals. Take into account the fact that one of Arsenal and Manchester United has to go in the next round and it’s suddenly opening up nicely.

If it all pans out successfully then Liverpool will be making headlines for the football they are playing – that’s the way it’s always been and it doesn’t seem right that they are in the news for anything else. That’s why a good run of results is now the immediate priority. Achieve this, and people will soon be laughing on the other side of their faces.

John Arne Riise Stays At Liverpool

John Arne Riise will not be joining the Kevin Keegan revolution at Newcastle.

The Liverpool defender has been linked with both Newcastle and Aston Villa during the January transfer window but the Norweigan's agent Jan Kvalheim insists his client will not move.

"There has been a lot of speculation, but Riise is not leaving Anfield," he said.

"He still has one-and-a-half years left on his contract."

Riise, 27, is in his seventh year on Merseyside but has increasingly found himself on the sidelines this season.

Lucas: Rafa Rant Turned Things Around

Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva has explained that Rafa Benitez read the riot act to his players during half-time of their FA Cup clash with Havant and Waterlooville on Saturday, and that it worked.

The Reds went in at the break being held 2-2 by the Conference South side at Anfield, with the home fans and manager hardly believing what they were seeing.

The Premiership giants eventually fought their way to a 5-2 victory, but all the plaudits went to the non-league side.

Brazilian midfielder Lucas began the Reds fight back in the first half with a well taken equaliser. But the 2006 signing from Gremio revealed that Rafa Benitez gave the players a rocket at the interval back in the dressing room.

"Rafa said a lot of hard things to us at half-time and told us clearly that we had to improve, because we had conceded goals too easily" Lucas told the Daily Mirror.

"We knew we had to win the game because we are in the top division and they are five divisions below us. We didn't play well enough in the first half.

"The manager told us that. He told us some hard words to make us understand we had to improve and not make any more mistakes.

"We know the first half wasn't good enough, but at least in the second we played much better and we won, so now we must prepare for the next one."

That next test is another home tie in the fifth round against Barnsley.

Juve To Go For Mascherano In The Summer

Juventus are considering trying to sign Javier Mascherano in the summer, according to Tuttosport.

The 23-year-old is undoubtedly one of the best defensive midfielders in world football, however it seems very likely that he will be leaving current club Liverpool at the end of the season.

Mascherano's contract is owned by the international fund of investors, Media Sports Investments (M.S.I), who are demanding a reported €27m for their client to stay at Liverpool permanently.

The Anfield club's owners Tom Hicks and George Gillet are refusing to pay such a sum, thus making it inevitable that the player will leave the club.

Tuttosport claims that Juve are weighing up their options, and may present an offer ahead of this summer.

Head of M.S.I, Kia Joorabchian, has put a starting price on offers at €20m, however the dynamics of the market will determine how high the eventual transfer fee will be.

Juventus have identified their midfield department as the area that most needs strengthening.

The signing of Momo Sissoko, also of Liverpool, is set to be announced any hour soon. The Malian international was in Turin on Sunday and Monday, and there are just a few minor details that need to be concluded before the deal becomes official.

A drawback to the Sissoko move for Juventus is that there are some reports that suggest that Liverpool may in fact use the €13m transfer fee they receive in order to meet M.S.I’s demands to sign Mascherano permanently.

Torres Reveals Rafa Relief

Spanish striker Fernando Torres has revealed that he and the rest of the Liverpool players are relieved that boss Rafa Benitez will be staying with the club following a period of uncertainty.

The summer signing from Atletico Madrid also admitted that he may have considered his own position had Benitez left the club.

Weeks of uncertainty reigned at Anfield following an alleged disagreement over philosophy between Benitez and the club’s American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillette.

With the problems now reportedly in the past, Torres has revealed his personal relief that the situation has been cleared up satisfactorily.

"I could not imagine a Liverpool without Rafael Benitez” Torres said.

“I do not know what would happen if he left.

"It is not just the Spanish players who were worried for Rafa.

"The manager has signed many players and has stood by them all. We hoped that everything would be resolved in the best way possible for him and the club - that is what we all wanted."

Tom Hicks Unable To Quell Whispers

Tom Hicks suggested yesterday that he intended to adopt a lower profile and to start winning over Liverpool’s supporters with actions rather than words, but there are whispers from within Anfield about the significance of the continuing silence from his co-chairman, George Gillett Jr.

Gillett, owner of the Montreal Canadiens ice hockey franchise, was the catalyst for the American duo’s takeover of Liverpool last February, but Hicks, who was widely regarded as the silent partner when he came on board late in the bidding process, has had a far more visible public presence during the club’s troubles of the past two months. Gillett’s name was absent from separate statements about the club’s £350 million refinancing deal and its proposed new stadium on Friday and, with Hicks admitting yesterday that “sometimes we don’t agree”, there are growing indications that the pair’s partnership is on borrowed time.

It emerged this month that Gillett has spoken to Dubai International Capital (DIC), the private-equity investment arm of the Dubai Government, about a partnership that would either lead to them buying out Hicks’s 50 per cent stake or the entire club. Hicks maintains that this is not on the agenda, despite confirming yesterday that he and Gillett held talks in October about a deal that would have led to the group becoming 15 per cent investors in the club, but while Friday’s refinancing deal appeared to have stabilised their regime for the immediate future, Anfield sources believe that the Hicks-Gillett partnership cannot survive in its present form. It remains possible that DIC will look to take over the club, either in a joint venture with Gillett or by buying out the two Americans, with the Arab group unconvinced by Hicks’s claim that he will not sell his stake at any price.

Doubts persist about the long-term future of Rafael BenÍtez for as long as Hicks is in place, but, after their very public fallout in November, the Texan is now at least offering the manager his backing in public. “We had a lot of consternation about Rafa,” Hicks said, “but after our meeting on December 16, where he really showed his strong intent to do the right things with us and by the club, we’ve had much better communication. He’s got our total backing. I’ve made that very clear.

We’ve funded transfer requests in January and we are talking about things for the summer. Rafa’s got a contract here for two more years and hopefully longer than that.”

BenÍtez will be allowed to pursue the signing of Javier Mascherano on a long-term deal once Mohamed Sissoko has completed his expected £9 million move to Juventus, while the Liverpool manager also hopes to proceed with a bid to sign Pablo Aimar, the former Valencia playmaker, from Real Zaragoza.

Celtic Interested in Hyypia

According to the Daily Mail, Celtic have made an enquiry about Liverpool's veteran centre-back Sami Hyypia.

The 34-year-old Finland international is out of contract at the end of the season and has not been offered a new deal by the Anfield club.

The defender is said to be frustrated by Liverpool's reluctance to give him another year at the club he has served for nine seasons as he was hoping to celebrate a decade in a red shirt in 2008/9.

This is not the first time Hyypia has been the subject of interest from other clubs.

At the start of this season, he admitted that he turned down big money offers from Newcastle and Wigan because he wanted to have one last tilt at winning the Premier League title with Liverpool.

He has since been linked with Kevin Keegan's Newcastle, Fulham and now the Scottish Champions.

Hyypia's chances of starting every game with Liverpool are diminishing, following Rafa Benitez signing of Slovakian international Martin Skrtel for £7 million and the, temporarily postponed, return from injury of Daniel Agger.

It now appears almost certain that the player will move on in the summer and the news of Gordon Strachan has made an enquiry will give him another possible destination when he considers his options.

Benitez Backed By Reds Co-Owner

Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks insists manager Rafael Benitez's job is safe for the remaining two years of his contract at the very least.

The Spaniard's position has been the subject of much speculation in recent weeks after Hicks admitted he and fellow American co-owner George Gillett had held discussions with former Germany coach Jurgen Klinsmann as an "insurance policy" after their relationship became strained.

Performances on the pitch have been lacklustre in recent weeks, with the Reds lying sixth in the Premier League, two points behind fourth-placed Merseyside rivals Everton in the race for Champions League qualification.

Hicks, however, is building bridges with Benitez after talks with the Spanish coach last month.

"Rafa has a contract for two more years. He will be here for at least the length of it and hopefully longer than that," said Hicks.

"He has our full support. Rafa has shown his strong intent to do the right thing with us about the club.

"He has been a gentleman and we have had much better communication. He has my total backing. I have made that very clear."

Benitez also seemed to be struggling at one stage to reach agreement with the owners over the club's transfer strategy in the January window, but Hicks insists the manager has the board's full support to pursue whomever he sees fit.

Asked if he would endorse a proposal from Benitez to sign Argentinian midfielder Javier Mascherano, Hicks told BBC Radio 5 Live's Sportsweek programme: "Absolutely. We have never turned down Rafa's request for money for any player he has asked for.

"We have funded his transfer request in January and are already having conversations about things in the summer."

On reports of a fall-out with Gillett, Hicks added: "George and I get along fine. Sometimes we do not agree but that is what business partners are all about."

Torres Reveals Rafa's English Rule

Liverpool's Fernando Torres has revealed that manager Rafael Benitez does not let players communicate in any language other than English, despite a large Spanish contingent at the club.

Torres and Benitez - Spaniards themselves - communicate in English at all times, as does everyone else in the Liverpool dressing room.

It is most likely a tactic employed not only to help foreigners learn the language, but to also create an environment where nobody feels alienated.

"There are 12 Spanish speakers but we try not to talk in Spanish because if he catches us, Rafa fines us," revealed Torres.

"He always speaks in English to the Spanish, except when there's something you don't understand. At the start it was difficult. But with every day, I'm getting to know the language and the city better."

Torres signed for Liverpool from Atletico Madrid on July 4, 2007 in a deal breaking the £20 million barrier.

Tom Hicks Admits To Holding Talks With DIC Over Liverpool FC

Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks has revealed he held talks with Dubai International Capital - but only about the company becoming a “minor investor” in the club.

DIC rejected the opportunity and Hicks insists that is the end of the matter.

Hicks, and fellow co-owner George Gillett, are now focusing on taking Liverpool forward after completing their £350 million refinancing package.

Of that, £105million will be debt tied to the club - £60million to kick-start the building of a new stadium and £45million for future transfers.

While Hicks said that there was never any intention to sell the club to DIC, he told Radio Five Live’s Sportsweek programme: “I did talk to them about a 10-15% participation but that was months ago.

“We gave them a valuation as a minority investor but they thought the price was too high. We have had no conversations since then.

“We would have used that capital towards the new stadium but we will find other ways.

“We have the capital. I have put in a lot of money and we will put in more in if need be. I am very excited about the future of the club.

“This will be the finest football stadium in the world. People should be very proud of it and I want to win the support of Liverpool fans with my actions.”

DIC 'Still Intent' On Liverpool Takeover

Dubai International Capital remain intent on a takeover of Liverpool, regardless of their disappointment with the nature of the £350million refinancing deal with which the club's American owners have secured their immediate tenure there.

Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr. announced the new 18-month 'market-rate' loan on Friday, the former describing it as 'a strong vote of confidence in the club's financial strength'. DIC, however, regard it as an expensive holding measure that will cost the club around £28m a year in interest, yet fail to solve Liverpool's requirement for significant new capital.

Underwritten by the Royal Bank of Scotland and US bank Wachovia, the loan provides limited additional resources for a club in need of significant investment in the playing staff and a new stadium expected to cost a further £300m. As Liverpool's total debt stood at £297m before the refinancing package was agreed, it delivers a maximum of £53m of new money. Around £20m is thought to have been used up by the arrangement fee on the new loan.

While concerned club officials insisted that £245m of the debt was placed against Hicks and Gillett's holding company Kop Football Limited, it is understood that interest payments will be made entirely from club income. As such these will swallow up almost all of Liverpool's projected profits for the 2007-08 financial year.

Though the banks required Hicks and Gillett to increase their personal guarantees on the debt to £225m, it is understood that the Americans have not spent any of their own money on the club with the £20m equity each had to inject into the new deal coming in the form of personal loans, repayable by the club to them in the event of a further takeover.

The new 71,000-capacity stadium at Stanley Park will not be realised without another large tranche of debt. Though the stadium design announced on Friday has been downgraded from architects HKS' original proposal, it is still expected to cost a total of £350m. A spokesman for Hicks said that £50m of that sum has already been spent on consultancy and design. Further planning permission is required on the new structure.

DIC consider the refinancing a waste of club money that could have been spent on the team or the stadium and attempted to prevent it by offering to buy the club for £500m last week. Sources at the Arab investment group insist that Hicks and Gillett indicated their intention to sell during takeover talks, but only after the new loan had gone through.

Led by Liverpool supporter Sameer Al Ansari, DIC thought it had agreed a deal to buy Liverpool in late 2006, only for majority shareholder David Moores to sell to Hicks and Gillett. The Americans paid £174.1m for the shares, taking on outstanding debts of £44.8m and undertaking not to borrow any money against the club. On Friday, Kop Football Limited restated that debt at £60m.

Hicks also moved to reassure Rafa Benítez of his 'continuing and enthusiastic support' as manager, after earlier admitting that he had talked with Jurgen Klinsmann about replacing the Spaniard. Benitez has said little about the refinancing, though he suggested his desired £17m full transfer of Javier Mascherano would have to be partially funded by Mohamed Sissoko's proposed sale to Juventus.

Asked last night if Hicks now intended to sell Liverpool, his spokesman said: 'Tom Hicks is not a seller of Liverpool Football Club and he is certainly in it for the long term.' He declined to comment on how interest payments on the £350m would be funded, how much new money would be available to Liverpool, or whether the owners had invested any of their own cash in the club. Gillett, unhappy with some of his partner's recent actions, has yet to comment publicly on the revised plans.

Liverpool 5 - 2 Havant & Waterlooville

Yossi Benayoun scored a 15-minute hat-trick to break the hearts of a remarkable Havant and Waterlooville side who produced a sensational display at Anfield.

Twice the Hampshire non-leaguers were ahead against a shell-shocked Liverpool in this FA Cup fourth round tie.

Richard Pacquette and a Martin Skrtel own goal had Havant fans in dreamland. Lucas and Benayoun clawed Liverpool level before the break, with two more from Benayoun and a last-minute Peter Crouch effort seeing Liverpool home.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez took some of the glamour out of the tie by leaving Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Jamie Carragher on the bench.

But the visitors still had to contend with Peter Crouch, Javier Mascherano and Jermaine Pennant, while while new boy Martin Skrtel made his full debut in central defence.

Havant boss Shaun Gale left assistant manager Charlie Oatway on the bench, while Tom Jordan - son of Portsmouth coach and former Manchester United striker Joe - started in front of a crowd which included around 6,000 fans from Hampshire.

Liverpool's fans applauded every single Havant player's name when they were announced, and the non-league club's fans sung happily along with 'You'll Never Walk Alone'.

Havant were undaunted early on - captain James Collins clattered Mascherano, Rocky Baptiste knocked over Sami Hyypia and Alfie Potter - Harry to his mates - saw a shot deflected wide.

Yossi Benayoun headed Pennant's cross wide, but Havant were intent on making their mark - and in the eighth minute they scored.

Richard Pacquette harassed Skrtel into conceding a corner, and when Mo Harkin planted it into the six-yard box, former QPR player Pacquette headed it powerfully past goalkeeper Charles Itandje.

Liverpool were stunned and while the Kop applauded loudly, the fans of the non-league club erupted.

For a while it was amusing for the home fans to see Liverpool embarrassed, but as the half wore on the Scousers started to lose patience.

John Arne Riise had two efforts blocked, Benayoun shot wide, but the anxiety grew as did Havant's confidence. Their set pieces constantly troubled Liverpool, goalkeeper Itandje was a bag of nerves and the tackles continued to thud in.

And Havant should have scored again after 23 minutes. Itandje twice fumbled as Harkin's free-kick flew wildly around the box and when the French goalkeeper fell over, Shaun Wilkinson hooked over an open goal from 10 yards.

Havant held their lead for 16 minutes of growing panic in Liverpool ranks. After 24 minutes, Ryan Babel laid the ball back to Lucas, and the Brazilian curled a fine goal into the top corner from 25 yards.

But incredibly, Havant were ahead again after half-an-hour. Steve Finnan stumbled over the ball on the right of the box and Potter, on loan from Peterborough, tore onto the ball and fired in a shot that Skrtel deflected wide of his own 'keeper.

Liverpool were a frightened shambles in defence, losing possession in midfield and seemingly incapable of passing the ball effectively.

Havant were magnificent. Organised at the back, they fought for every inch and outperformed their illustrious opponents. Carragher and Torres were soon warming up on the line.

Havant lost Phil Warner with a leg injury after 40 minutes they send on Tony Taggart, exchanging a binman for a plumber at the back.

A minute before the break Liverpool managed to claw themselves level. Pennant's pass set-up Benayoun, who created a yard of space to fire in a right-footer that gave Kevin Scriven no chance.

Havant started the second period deep in defence and they were giving Liverpool too much space.

And on 55 minutes they were punished. Mascherano surged through midfield before freeing Pennant on the right.

When his cross arrived in the box, Benayoun had time to turn and fire into the roof of the net.

Rocky Baptiste, the taxi-driving Liverpool fan, was withdrawn by Havant two minutes later, former Spurs youngster Jamie Slabber taking over.

Two minutes later Benayoun struck again to complete a hat-trick. Babel's shot came back off keeper Scriven and the Israeli was there to fire in the rebound.

After 72 minutes Dirk Kuyt replaced Benayoun and two minutes later Wilkinson went off, with Charlie Oatway taking over.

But the dream was over now for Havant.

Carragher eventually came on in place of Hyypia after 84 minutes, Gerrard following in place of Mascherano two minutes later.

There was still time for Neil Sharp to force a fine save from Itandje, but with a minute left Gerrard set-up Peter Crouch for a tap-in.

LiverpooL FC: Club Face Fresh Battle For Planning Permission

The revised stadium plan announced yesterday by Liverpool FC will require new planning applications, it was confirmed last night.

The club already has permission for HKS’s original 60,000-seater ground on Stanley Park, which was granted in November 2007.

That original stadium design envisaged 60,000 seats, with the option to later expand to 76,000 at a later date.

In January the Government decided not to “call in” those designs for further scrutiny.

However, because of changes to the stadium design – moving the underground car park, shrinking the concourses, and capacity rising to 71,000 – new permissions are needed.

It is understood the club will at first submit a variation to the existing permission, which could allow the work to start on the project within three months.

It would then submit a new application to get consent for the 71,000 seats, requiring an environmental impact study and transport plan.

Voronin Injury Means Liverpool FC Won't Sell Peter Crouch

Peter Crouch’s future at Liverpool seems secure – for now at least – due to Andriy Voronin’s injury.

The England international had been widely tipped to be heading for the Anfield exit door in the near future after slipping down Rafael Benitez’s pecking order.

Crouch has netted 35 times for Liverpool since his £7million move from Southampton two-and-a-half years ago but has started just four Premier League games all season despite Voronin not scoring in his last 11 matches and Dirk Kuyt failing to register in nine games.

However, with Voronin expected to be out for six weeks following confirmation that he needs an ankle operation to repair ligament damage, Benitez will not be prepared to let Crouch go despite the likes of Manchester City and Newcastle United believed to be monitoring his availability.

Ukrainian Voronin, a Bosman free transfer acquisition from Bayer Leverkusen last summer, will certainly miss the first leg of Liverpool’s Champions League clash with Internazionale next month.

Spanish full-back Alvaro Arbeloa is also expected to be out for the next three weeks with an abdominal injury while centre-back Daniel Agger is at least another two weeks away from a possible first team return.

Meanwhile, the Merseyside derby between Liverpool and Everton at Anfield has been put back from 3pm on Saturday, March 29 to 4pm on Sunday, March 30 to accommodate Sky TV coverage.

However, the game will revert back to Saturday (kick-off to be confirmed) in the event that Liverpool are involved in the Champions League on Tuesday, April 1.