Van Basten: Kuyt Not Good Enough

Holland coach Marco van Basten has claimed Liverpool striker Dirk Kuyt was not worthy of a place in his latest Dutch squad.

The 27-year-old has been omitted from the 21-man party named on Friday for the friendly against Croatia on February 6.

Van Basten, who will step down from his post after Euro 2008, had named Kuyt in a provisional squad of 27, but the former Feyenoord forward did not make the cut for the clash at the Poljud Stadium in Split.

The coach criticised his performances for Liverpool which have seen him score just seven times this season and fail to find the net in his last 11 games.

Van Basten told reporters: "The system we had can be compared with Liverpool's... and his performances are not good enough."

The AC Milan legend gave Kuyt, who has racked up 35 caps, his debut in 2004, but his omission signals a change of system for Holland.

"We will now move on with a sort of 4-2-3-1 system," van Basten added.

Holland have four further friendlies - against Austria, Ukraine, Denmark and Wales - before they kick off their European Championship campaign, but with Van Basten opting to go for just up one front, Kuyt's chances of an international return before the summer look bleak.

There was though good news for Ibrahim Afellay, Denny Landzaat and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, who are all back in the squad after lengthy absences.

PSV Eindhoven star Afellay and Feyenoord's Landzaat return after five-month absences, while Celtic striker Vennegoor of Hesselink has been out of favour for six months.

Afellay and Vennegoor of Hesselink were last part of the national set-up in September for their Euro 2008 qualifying double-header against Bulgaria and Albania, while Landzaat, who moved back to his homeland from Premier League side Wigan in the transfer window, was last involved in a friendly with Switzerland in August.

But with Holland drawn in the toughest group at Euro 2008 alongside France, Italy and Romania, Van Basten does not see the Croatia game as a chance to experiment.

He told uefa.com: "Croatia's a friendly match so in that sense the result is of less importance, but obviously we want to practice as well as we can so we have to take this match seriously."

Other members of the provisional party who have not been called up by Van Basten are Danny Koevermans, Urby Emanuelson, Kew Jaliens, Hedwiges Maduro and Henk Timmer

Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben were not included because of injury.

Benitez Demands Passion And Pride

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has urged his players to show the passion and pride the shirt deserves when they face Sunderland at the weekend.

Benitez says that the players need to recognise that it is an honour to play for such a “special” club, and has urged them to show the fighting spirit required in order to gain their first win of 2008 against Roy Keane’s Sunderland.

"This is a very, very special club and we are really lucky because we have the support of the best fans in the world" Benitez said.

"Whenever I speak to my friends who work in football in Spain they tell me how lucky I am to be manager of such a great club with such fans and I know that.

"So when things are not going so well it is vital that everyone at the club does everything we can to make things better. We have to have pride in the shirt, pride in the club that we work for and pride in the fans that we represent.

"We cannot feel sorry for ourselves or wish that things were different because that changes nothing. The only way things will get better for us is if we make it happen."

Two FA Cup wins over lesser sides Luton and Havant & Waterlooville have not creased over the cracks of their poor league form.

"I have confidence in my players and in my staff and we have shown what we can achieve together so many times" Benitez continued.

"Things have not gone our way in the last few games but you do not always get what you deserve. The key when this happens is to train harder, to work harder in training and to play better in matches.

"If you do all of those things then we will soon get back to winning ways" he added.

Heat Is All On Liverpool, Insists Moyes

Everton boss David Moyes is quietly confident that his team can defy the odds to secure a place in the Champions League, and insists they hold an important psychological advantage over their bitter rivals Liverpool.

Before the start of this season, hardly anyone would have favoured Everton over Liverpool in the increasingly cutthroat battle to qualify for Europe's elite club competition, but a couple of games past the halfway mark already and it is the blue half of Merseyside who find themselves in the inside lane.

“There is certainly less pressure on us than on Liverpool now, because we are not expected to make the Champions League," reasoned Moyes. "When people talk of the top four they do not mention Everton but I would back my team against any of our rivals.

“For us to finish fourth would be outstanding, but I do not see any point talking about it until there is a month to go and we are still in a strong position.”

Everton's hard-earned draw against resurgent Tottenham combined with Liverpool's shock defeat to West Ham meant that Moyes' side will go into round 25 still in fourth while their neighbours, who are yet to win in the league in 2008, languish in seventh.

“I did not know Liverpool had lost until after the game, maybe people will think I should be overjoyed," he added.

"Of course it helps us when they lose, but I do not want to get too carried away with the current situation. Come the end of the season we will see how things are.”

Rafa Frustrated By Profligacy

Liverpool manager pointed to his side’s lack of a scoring touch as the main reason they lost at Upton Park.

West Ham collected all three points via a last-minute penalty, only after however, Liverpool has wasted numerous chances.

“I am disappointed about the manner in which we lost”, admitted Benitez.

“We played well and worked hard, but we couldn’t score and they came back.”

Former Hammer Yossi Benyaoun had the best of a bunch of chances, but managed to spoon his shot over the bar from ten yards out, leaving Benitez a frustrated manager.

"We had chances but couldn’t take them.

"We started really well and in the second half we had a lot of possession and to lose following a counter attack in the final minute is disappointing.

"For them to score from a penalty so late on was terrible. We now need to think about the next game."

Odds Shorten For Benitez Sacking

Bookies have dramatically shortened odds on Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez's seemingly inevitable dismissal from his post at Liverpool following another shock defeat.

Liverpool lacked inspiration and paid the price when Jamie Carragher conceded a 90th minute penalty which Mark Noble duly converted to hand West Ham a priceless victory and Liverpool an almost embarrassing and soul-destroying defeat.

The embarrassment has been registered nationwide already, with the odds receding at William Hill, with Benitez 4/7 to not be Liverpool's manager at the start of next season and just 5/4 to stay at Anfield.

It is thought that next month's Champions League second round knockout encounter against Internazionale will make or break Benitez's immediate future, and the signs are not good for the Spaniard.

Inter are proving unstoppable domestically and will no doubt look to finally transform that success to European glory, but Benitez knows he will provide at least a quarter or semi-final finish for the Merseyside men as well as a fourth place finish in the Premier League as an absolute minimum - both of which are currently looking in severe jeopardy.

Title odds see Liverpool out at an embarrassing 150/1, with Manchester United 4/7 favourites, Arsenal at 5/2 and Chelsea at 4/1 - Benitez's one reprieve is that Liverpool still remain favourites to finish fourth at odds of 8/14.

Betfair's odds paint a similarly grim picture, with Liverpool distant outsiders for the title at 260/1, Manchester United again favourites at 5/7, Arsenal at 3/1 and Chelsea at 5/1, and Rafa is 5/6 to lose his job, with Liverpool remaining at 4/5 to finish fourth.

When questioned on the possibility of his dismissal, the former Valencia boss was understandably reluctant to divulge in any speculation.

"I'm thinking just about the next game and I will try to win the next three points against Sunderland," he answered. "Our next game is more realistic to think about."

When asked on what the owners may have thought of the calamitous defeat, he responded sarcastically, saying, "I don't know if they have a TV.

"Everything is behind (us) and we will start thinking about winning games."

Liverpool have dropped to seventh in the Premier League, though they have a game in hand that, if won, will bring them up to fourth place ahead of Everton on goal difference, who missed an opportunity this evening to put daylight between themselves and their bitter local rivals.

Rafa Confident On Euro Qualification

Rafael Benitez insists Liverpool can still qualify for next season's Champions League, despite another Barclays Premier League defeat at West Ham on Wednesday night.

Mark Noble struck deep in stoppage-time at Upton Park to give the hosts a 1-0 victory, leaving Benitez's men without a league win since Boxing Day and virtually out of the title race.

They are 17 points off the pace in seventh place, only four points ahead of West Ham after Noble held his nerve.

But Benitez believes his side will at least qualify for Europe.

"Yes," said the Spaniard.

"Champions League."

When asked if he believes he will be given the time by Liverpool's owners to turn it around, he said: "Yes. We will improve - because we can improve."

Luis Boa Morte wasted two glorious opportunities for the hosts either side of half-time, and West Ham also hit the bar when Noble's free-kick was glanced on by Steve Finnan.

However, Benitez still felt defeat was harsh - and he also wanted a penalty when the ball struck Lucas Neill in the second half.

"Did we deserve to lose? I think we deserved to win," he said.

"If you analyse the game, you can talk about the game. If you analyse the result, you can talk about the result.

"I am a manager, so I have some experience. We must think about how to improve, how to take our chances and how to win games."

Benitez is not thinking about where Liverpool stand in the title race.

"I'm thinking just about the next game and I will try to win the next three points against Sunderland," he said.

"Our next game is more realistic to think about."

Asked if the American owners of Liverpool will be analysing the game, he said: "I don't know if they have a TV.

"Everything is behind (us), and we will start thinking about winning games."

The Hammers, meanwhile, are quietly staking their claim for a European place - despite their injury problems this season.

"We've got to win our home games and keep the run going," said manager Alan Curbishley.

"We've lost three (league) games in 15 - and those were to Arsenal, Chelsea and Everton.

"We've had to use everything we've got. We've had players playing out of position - and we've had to change players during games - but we've shown great character. The fans should be pleased with that attitude."

Liverpool Fans Plan To Buy Out Club

A group of Liverpool supporters will on Thursday unveil an ambitious plan to buy the troubled Anfield club from its US owners.

A group calling themselves Share Liverpool FC aim to create a stakeholder base of 100,000 fans to raise enough cash to oust Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

Rogan Taylor, a Kop season ticket holder leads the buy-out campaign and said: "It is time to answer the concerns that football fans have about the patterns of ownership developing at our major football clubs. Thousands of Liverpool fans have already demonstrated their dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs."

He added: "Large amounts of debt is often laden onto newly-bought clubs and the fans know that in the end, it will be them who will have to pay it off through increased ticket prices and other schemes.

"In such a case, why not simply buy the club yourselves?"

It comes after weeks of worry about the financial future of Liverpool, sparked when the pair took out a £350 million re-financing loan.

There have also been tensions between the owners and club manager Rafa Benitez, who last year criticised them over their financing of transfers.

The model proposed by Share Liverpool FC will be a 'member-share' scheme, aimed at raising £500 million to purchase the club from Hicks and Gillett and build a new stadium.

The group have pointed to Barcelona as an example of how the system works. Barca currently has more than 150,000 culis - members who own the club.

Mr Taylor added: "What many don't realise is that there are other ways of financing and taking ownership of big clubs. In Germany and Spain, most top-level football clubs are simply 'Not For Sale'. They are owned by many thousands of 'member fans'."

Liverpool's Title Challenge All Over, Admits Carragher

Jamie Carragher has accepted defeat in Liverpool's Premier League title bid and believes the club are now fighting to earn a Champions League place this season.

Defeat at West Ham last night left them 17 points off the pace in seventh, still without a win in the league since Boxing Day.

Boss Rafael Benitez is confident they can earn a top-four place but Carragher is ready for a fight to get back into Europe's elite for the next campaign.

'I think the league has gone and we've got to realise that we're fighting with Everton, Aston Villa and Man City for that top-four place,' said Carragher.

Carragher conceded the injury-time penalty at Upton Park, although it was problems elsewhere that led to Liverpool failing to earn their first league win of 2008.

Hammers goalkeeper Robert Green had a quiet evening and the only save he was required to make, from Fernando Torres, may have been going wide.

'I don't think it's down to luck or anything like that - I've always said you get what you deserve in football and if results aren't going well like they're not at the moment that's something we've got to turn around quickly,' Carragher said.

'The teams at the top are a long way away and we've got to just focus on the Sunderland game on Saturday and try and get three points from that.

'It's been a few games now since we got all three points and we need to get more points on the board.

'West Ham is a tough place to go and obviously we're not playing great and confidence is a bit low but if we'd got a point there it would have been a step in the right direction.'

The dip in form in the league means the Champions League or the FA Cup is a more likely route for success.

'It's not all doom and gloom,' Carragher added.

'We're still in two very big cup competitions and, as I say, we want to do well in them, but the league form isn't good enough and the sooner we sort that out the better.

'At the moment things aren't going for us, but I don't think it's about luck.'

West Ham United 1 - 0 LiverpooL

Liverpool's hopes of getting back in the Premier League title race took another blow after Mark Noble grabbed a stoppage-time winner for West Ham at Upton Park.

With better finishing from Luis Boa Morte, the Hammers would have had their first win over Liverpool since 1999 sealed before Noble struck from the spot.

But Boa Morte wasted two sitters either side of half-time before home fans cruelly cheered him off when he was substituted.

Even a draw would have left Rafael Benitez's men still well off the pace for the title and they remain without a win in the league since Boxing Day.

It was billed as a match between two teams with contrasting styles of ownership - Alan Curbishley is left to get on with it by his Icelandic bosses, while the Americans at Anfield have created a stir since taking over.

On the pitch, only Noble's penalty was to choose between them.

West Ham knew victory or defeat would not have moved them from 10th, yet their display suggested they were trying to prove they could rub shoulders with those chasing Europe.

Their fans had a point to prove as well, jeering Yossi Benayoun following his departure in the summer.

"We were hoping he would sign a long-term contract with us, but that didn't happen," wrote Hammers boss Curbishley in his programme notes.

Benayoun, Steve Finnan and Sami Hyypia were the only survivors from the nervous victory over Havant and Waterlooville at the weekend - and it was Benayoun who had the first chance when he almost took advantage of a mishap from Robert Green.

The goalkeeper's slice was worked to Dirk Kuyt and then Benayoun, but his chip drifted over the crossbar.

From a relatively promising start, with Kuyt seeing the ball playing just off Fernando Torres, it was the hosts who then gathered momentum as the first half unravelled.

Curbishley used Carlton Cole as the focal point of his attack, and the striker almost embarrassed Jose Reina early on when the goalkeeper dwelt on the ball.

Cole helped create West Ham's first genuine opening, midway through the opening half.

The striker flicked on George McCartney's long throw, Liverpool were seized by panic as Lee Bowyer tussled but Boa Morte rushed his shot and blazed over when the ball fell to him.

The hosts got even closer in the 26th minute when a free-kick was awarded on the left flank for Jamie Carragher's foul on Cole. Noble took the set-piece, which was glanced by Finnan and cannoned off the crossbar.

Noble and Steven Gerrard battled in the middle of the park - England central midfielder against his under-21 counterpart - and the senior man was fortunate to escape a booking for one of his challenges. Fabio Aurelio, though, picked up a caution for his foul on Freddie Ljungberg.

Cole had a sight of goal in stoppage-time in the opening period but Benayoun slid in to block and Liverpool went into the break level.

They were marginally brighter in the second half.

Kuyt created the first chance, three minutes in, when he found room on the right flank and drove a cross into the danger area, but Harry Kewell could not wrap his foot around the ball to finish.

Matthew Upson then flashed a backpass right across Green's goal, which the goalkeeper had to watch drift wide.

Torres also ran at pace into the penalty box but was outnumbered when he looked to find a team-mate.

At the other end, Boa Morte fluffed his finish when Noble's free-kick was headed into his path. Then came the ironic cheers for Boa Morte's departure, with Bowyer also coming off for Matthew Etherington and Dean Ashton, both back from injury.

Liverpool midfielder Lucas came on for Kewell and he was just wide with his finish after releasing Torres down the right and getting on the end of the cross.

Lucas also went wide when he got on the end of a driving run from Gerrard.

Torres, who was booked for dissent, was denied by Green at the near post from Ryan Babel's cross, while Lucas Neill flashed wide for West Ham before the end.

With injury-time just about over, Carragher brought down Ljungberg in the penalty area. Noble converted the spot-kick.

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."