Gerrard Desperate For England Glory

Steven Gerrard has admitted to being worried that his chances to win a trophy with England are "running out", but he is confident that Fabio Capello is just the right man to lead the long suffering Three Lions to silverware.

“I feel the need to win something. I’m 28 in the summer and you would think the chances of being in a successful England team are running out", said Gerrard, who has just been confirmed as England's interim captain for Capello’s first game in charge against Switzerland tomorrow night.

“I’ve played in good teams but, in the end, teams that have been knocked out in the last eight of tournaments, or most recently failed to qualify for one.

“I want to make the most of it over the next four to six years so I can look back over my England career and think I played in a successful team.

“We will have to wait and see what the future brings in terms of results but there is certainly a big excitement in the squad that the new manager has been put in charge of.

“He has got a wonderful CV and, wherever he has been, he has been successful. England have got one of the best managers in the world.

“As a player, you think, ‘can he make these good players we have got into a successful winning team?’ – and I am confident that can happen.

“The players with ability are there and hopefully the manager can make us difficult to beat, exciting going forward and bring some successful results to the table.”

The Liverpool superstar then reiterated how impressed he has been with Capello, since the Italian success monger has assumed hands-on control of the team.

“Fabio has the aura all top managers have. When he walks in the room, he has got an aura about him and those are the type of managers you want to play for.

“When you look someone in the eye at a team meeting, you get a feel for someone straight away. I think about the third, fourth and fifth words which came out of his mouth were ‘winning football matches’ so he let us know early doors what he wanted from us.

“I wouldn’t say you have to intimidate the players but I think as a manager you have to get their respect and let them know who is the boss and what he says goes – and we as players have to adapt to that.”

Rush Backs Torres And Crouch Partnership

Liverpool legend Ian Rush has backed the partnership of Fernando Torres and Peter Crouch to come up with the goals needed to fire the Reds to glory.

The club’s all-time record goalscorer believes that the pair are the two on-form strikers at the Merseyside club as should be allowed the time to gel and develop a real partnership.

The duo both scored in Liverpool’s 3-0 in over Sunderland at the weekend, which was the club’s first league win of 2008.

"There's no doubt that they're the most in-form pairing at present, so I think now is the time to see if they can develop into a decent strike force" Rush said.

"Saturday's match against Sunderland was only the third time they've started a match together in the Premier League, and there were one or two signs that they could flourish.

"But the fact is we will never know unless we give them a chance to gel."

The former Welsh international forward is also of the opinion that Crouch is the ideal foil for Torres, who is well suited to playing off a taller target man.

"I've said before that Peter Crouch has done nothing wrong this season, and with three goals in his last three appearances he's flying, Rush added.

"But his presence can also help Fernando Torres.

"By virtue of his height alone, he occupies one or two defenders, giving Torres more room to operate in, and he showed with the flick-on that created Torres' goal that he can be very much a traditional target man.

"In situations like that it's important that one player is able to anticipate the flick-ons of the other, but Torres is a very intelligent striker and that will never be a problem to a player of his class."

LiverpooL's Dirk Kuyt Upset At Being Dropped

Liverpool striker Dirk Kuyt has revealed his disappointment at being dropped from the Dutch squad by Marco van Basten.

Kuyt has been left out of the Holland squad to face Croatia in a friendly on Wednesday after struggling for form this season.

The former Feyenoord hit-man now fears he will miss out on Euro 2008 after being left out by van Basten.

"I need some time to get over this blow. I am extremely disappointed to have been dropped from the squad," said Kuyt.

"I featured in 39 out of the 42 previous internationals for my country.

Meanwhile, former Liverpool hero Ian Rush is set to take up a coaching role with Malaysia.

Malaysia are set to appoint Rush as a striking coach to help their forwards.

Khairy Jamaluddin, deputy president of the Football Association of Malaysia, told local media that Rush will help the country's forwards.

"Rush will be here in March... we know that our strikers are not doing very well so they should learn from him," said Jamaluddin.

Steven Gerrard Handed England Captaincy

Steven Gerrard has been handed the captaincy for Fabio Capello’s first match as England manager.

The Liverpool midfielder will lead out the side for the friendly international with Switzerland at Wembley tomorrow night.

Gerrard has been made skipper in the absence of the injured Chelsea defender John Terry who had been appointed by Capello’s predecessor Steve McClaren.

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand was also thought to be in contention to be Capello’s on the field lieutenant against the Swiss.

But Capello has turned to the safe option in Gerrard who was also captain for McClaren’s last game in charge, the ill-fated Euro 2008 qualifier with Croatia at Wembley.

Capello said: “I have just informed my team before coming to see you that tomorrow’s captain against Switzerland will be Steven Gerrard.

“I have done it because I think he is an important player for England, according to my plans. He will be captain for this match.”

Capello has already made it clear he may experiment with other captaincy options before England launch their World Cup 2010 qualifying campaign in September.

Terry remains a contender for the role but has been given no assurances he will return as captain once he regains fitness.

Alvaro Arebeloa's Mixed Feelings At International Call Up

Injured Liverpool defender Alvaro Arbeloa admitted he was surprised but delighted to receive his first call-up to the Spain squad.

The defender, currently out of action with a stomach muscle injury, told Spanish radio station Onda Cero that it came as a shock when national team coach Luis Aragones announced the squad for the friendly against France in Malaga on Wednesday.

He said: “In the morning I was injured and in the afternoon I was injured but in the Spain squad.

“They’d never picked me before and Friday was my first call-up.”

Despite the elation at the prospect of his first international cap, Arbeloa was forced to withdraw because of an ongoing abdominal problem.

He said: “I spoke to him (Aragones) for 15 minutes after he’d announced the squad and told him that I couldn’t take part, but maybe next time we’d have more luck.”

Liverpool FC Fans Plan 'Gains Global Support'

A proposal for fans to seize control of Liverpool is gaining support from around the world, according to one of the main figures behind the plan.

Share Liverpool FC have proposed 100,000 supporters contribute £5,000 to a fund which will be used to buy the club and fund a £300million stadium.

The scheme was launched at a press conference at the University of Liverpool yesterday, when a website - www.shareliverpoolfc.co.uk - was unveiled as the focal point of initial discussions over the project’s feasibility.

One of the main figures behind the plan is football business lecturer and Liverpool fan Dr Rogan Taylor, who revealed: “Already I have enquiries from all round the world, from Norway to California - the fanbase of this club stretches all over the world.

“I think there is a broader appeal for this idea than any initially imagined. Of course, if the owners do not want to sell then there is nothing you can do to force them sell.

“But if you have two businessmen, faced with a takeover from a group backed by 100,000 supporters with a vested interest in the club, then they would have to look at it.

“At this stage it is just a test of the market, to see if there is a hunger for it, how far it is, how widespread and what is the intensity.”

Taylor explained that any takeover would not feature a majority shareholder, ruling out the involvement of Dubai International Capital group.

“This is not a pipe dream. We are serious and it is something we believe we can do,” Taylor told BBC Radio Merseyside.

“At the moment we want fans to just visit the website and give us an indication of how they feel.

“Once we get a feeling of how things lie we will decide how to progress but we can guarantee it will be a one member, one vote scheme.

“Nobody will ever own more than one share and they will have that share forever and be able to pass it on to their children.

“We’re not asking for money at this stage - we’re just testing the water and seeing if there is enthusiasm and commitment for the idea.”

Also involved in the Share Liverpool project is Phil French, formerly of the Premier League and now chief executive of Supporters Direct, and Kevin Jaquiss, from law firm Cobbetts, who has headed some of the country’s most successful sporting legal cases.
A statement on www.shareliverpoolfc.co.uk detailed that plans would be similar to the membership system run by a number of clubs in Europe.

The statement said: “We propose a model of ownership similar to that at Barcelona. This club is owned by their ’members’ where over 100,000 fans have bought single ’member’ shares, which entitle them to elect a board who will run the club until the next election.

“Is structure makes its sale to the next sporting conglomerate that fancies a Premiership football club a legal impossibility.

“The shares can never be sold - the club can never be sold. Let’s stop Liverpool Football Club becoming a trinket any rich man might like to wear around his neck. This club is close to the hearts of millions of people all over the world.”

Benitez Trying To Motivate Alonso

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is urging Spanish midfielder Xabi Alonso to raise his game.

Rafa Benitez has explained why he left Xabi Alonso out of the Liverpool squad for Saturday evening's 3-0 victory over Sunderland. Alonso did not not even make the bench for the Reds' first League win of 2008.

Benitez had Javier Mascherano back from suspension and paired him with captain Steven Gerrard in central midfield, bringing in Brazilian Lucas for a rare start.

And the Liverpool boss urged Alonso to improve his level of performance if he wants to reclaim his place.

Alonso was dropped after playing the full 90 minutes against West Ham last Wednesday, when Liverpool lost 0-1.

"Xabi needs to step it up. When you are not 100% fit, you want to play every game because you need to play more games to build up your fitness,” Benitez told Liverpool's official website.

"But if Gerrard, Mascherano or Lucas are playing well, it means there is competition for places which is good for the team.

"Xabi knows he needs to work harder if he wants to have a place in the team.

"Mascherano was back from suspension and he gives us balance in the middle and Gerrard can be more free going forward.

"Lucas was playing really well the other day so we had three midfielders, and we needed to have wingers or strikers on the bench. That's why Alonso was not in the squad on Saturday."

MP Gives His Backing To Liverpool Fans’ Buyout Plans

An early-day motion has been tabled in the House of Commons welcoming Rogan Taylor’s “Share Liverpool FC” concept.

MP John McDowell has signed the motion supporting the idea of 100,000 Liverpool fans putting in £5,000 each to take over the club.

The Liverpool-born MP said: “The Share Liverpool FC initiative could be an absolutely huge development for football in this country, and if it succeeds will show that there is an alternative route to the corporate takeover of clubs with all the attendant dangers for the clubs and fans.

“Football is rightly the property of those who go every week, commit their life’s savings and every second of their time and energy for the club they love.”

In response, Rogan Taylor said: “It gives us a lot of heart to hear this kind of encouragement and backing for our proposal. The website www.shareliverpoolfc.co.uk is receiving a tremendous number of visits and in a few days we should be able to put some figures on just how many fans have signed: Count me in!”

Asked about Saturday’s post-match Kop demonstration, Mr. Taylor said: “I knew it was coming. I would not like it to be confused with the shareholder group proposal, but I understand how they feel.

“With our proposal, you can sort the issue out for ever and the club can never be sold again.

“At the moment, we are renting the club from the Americans, but with this idea fans can own the club themselves – like you own your own home and do not have to pay rent.”

Hundreds of fans stayed behind on Saturday to call for the American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett to leave the club.

Skrtel Takes Slovakian Prize

Three weeks after concluding a dream move to Liverpool FC, defender Martin Skrtel has been named as Slovakia's Player of the Year.

The 23-year-old left FC Zenit St. Petersburg to join his new club but did enough in Russia in 2007 to convince a jury to name him as his nation's premier player, three years after being named as Slovakia's most promising young prospect at the same ceremony.

"I am grateful for this award," said the Handlova-born defender.

"I had a fantastic year but winning the Russian title with Zenit was more important for me."

Skrtel finished as runner-up to 1. FC Nurnberg forward Robert Vittek last year, and added: "This is my most valuable individual success."

Torres Goals Cost Liverpool

According to the News of the World, Liverpool striker Fernando Torres is costing the club £10,000 for every goal he scores.

The newspaper have revealed that one of the conditions of the deal that took him to Anfield from Atletico Madrid was that his old club are paid £150,000 for every 15 goals he scores in England.

Torres moved to Liverpool for a club record fee of around £22 million last summer, becoming the most expensive Spanish player of all time.

And fortunately for Atletico, the Spanish international has been on a red hot scoring streak of late and has scored 18 times in all competitions this season.

"I'm keeping everyone happy," said Torres. "Liverpool get the goals and Atletico get the money.

"I honestly did not think I would score as many goals as I have so soon. But things have gone well for me.

"Now I just want them to go better for the team in general so we can win the league or a cup to reward everyone's hard work."

Liverpool Star Steven Gerrard's "Garden Pavilion" Plan For House

Soccer star Stevie Gerrard is to have his own thatch of the day - on the spa at his mansion.

The England and Liverpool midfielder is installing a living "sedum roof" on the luxury gym and games building.

But unlike the Anfield pitch, it will not need careful daily tending - just weeding once a year.

Council planners in Formby, Merseyside, who gave Gerrard, 27, permission for the "garden pavilion" liked his plan for a "sedum roof".

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An increasing number of buildings are being constructed with "living roofs" of grass, mosses or other plants. They provide additional insulation, which helps cut fuel bills by keeping homes warmer in winter and cooler in summer.

They also help absorb pollutants, dust, greenhouse gases and noise and provide a haven for birds and insects.

Gerrard's project is expected to cost hundreds of thousands of pounds and work should begin within months. Plans show he and his wife, Mirror columnist Alex Curran, 25, will have space for running, weight and fitness machines.

There will be changing rooms, plunge pool, shower rooms, solarium, kitchenette, treatment area, games area with room for full size table tennis and snooker tables and large lounge looking across the garden towards the house.

Gerrard decided to press on with plans for the spa despite bad memories for Alex and daughters Lilly-Ella, three, and Lexie, one, who were victims of a terrifying raid by masked men at the £4.5million home last year.

Liverpool Agree Deal For Javier Mascherano

Javier Mascherano will complete a £17.1 million move to Liverpool in the summer.

Mascherano, 23, joined the club on an 18-month loan from West Ham, which expires in June.

Benitez's attempts to buy the player were recently blocked by Liverpool's owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks, adding to the growing tension between the Spaniard and the American duo.

However, after Hicks and Gillett's refinancing package was completed last week, a four-year contract will be formalized in the summer.

Rick Parry, the Liverpool chief executive, and Kia Joorabchian, who heads the Media Sports Investments consortium that 'owns' Mascherano, agreed a deal that should be ratified next week.

Liverpool had hoped to negotiate a lower fee for Mascherano, but with Manchester City monitoring the situation with interest, they had to settle for the sum that had already been agreed with Joorabchian a year ago.

The news of the imminent transfer, which will be the second most expensive in Liverpool's history, will be welcomed by Benitez, who has been rocked by bitter disputes over transfer policy and a run of poor form that has seen Liverpool drop out of contention for the Premier League title.

Sheikh Mohammed To Try Again

Sheikh Mohammed is ready to test the partnership between the joint owners of Liverpool by making a formal offer for the club.

The billionaire's investment company DIC has been studying closely the terms of a restructuring deal at Anfield that Americans Tom Hicks and George Gillett announced last week.

And now the investment arm of the Dubai government is primed to approach the pair with a fresh offer that will value the club in the region of £300million.

DIC's hopes of buying the club they first bid for a year ago seem to rest on exploitation of the uneasy relationship between the two US tycoons.

Hicks has taken the lead in recent weeks by announcing a refinancing deal with the banks that secures his grip on the club - and he also unveiled £300million plans for a new state-of-the-art stadium

Gillett, who has the option of selling his 50 per cent stake, has remained conspicuously silent during that fanfare - and his position is the key to success for the increasingly confident Sheikh.

Kewell Left Out Of Squad

New Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek has produced a massive selection shock, leaving Harry Kewell out of the squad for the World Cup qualifying opener against Qatar in Melbourne on Wednesday night.

Verbeek confirmed today Kewell had not been asked to fly back to Australia for the match, with Bristol City midfielder Nick Carle and German-based defender Michael Beauchamp also left behind in Europe.

Kewell had been available for selection and finally appears to be over a wretched run of injuries which have blighted his career for the best part of two years.

But Verbeek made it clear the 29-year-old Liverpool star - for so long the Socceroos' talisman - would not be needed.

"I have now had six days with the players in Melbourne and I have made the decision that those three players will not be required to travel to Australia," Verbeek said of Kewell, Carle and Beauchamp.

"Obviously, the three players are disappointed that I have not selected them, but I appreciate that they were available to come if I wanted them to."

Kewell did not play for Liverpool in their 3-0 English Premier League win over Sunderland overnight.

The other 12 European-based Socceroos Verbeek had selected in his initial squad, including Everton midfielder Tim Cahill, will start arriving in Melbourne from tomorrow.

Cahill, who had been nursing a hamstring problem, played the full 90 minutes in Everton's 0-0 Premier League draw with Blackburn.

With Verbeek expected to name his final 18-man squad on Tuesday, it would appear there are now just six places available for the mostly A-League players who have spent the past week at the Socceroos' training camp in Melbourne.

Few did anything to enhance their selection claims in the disappointing 1-1 draw with Melbourne Victory in a training match on Saturday.

But Sydney FC defender Mark Milligan, who probably would have been selected, will miss the Qatar game after breaking his nose during the training match.

Newcastle Jets attacker Joel Griffiths is also in doubt because of hamstring tightness.

Newcastle goalkeeper Ante Covic looks certain to take one of the available spots in the squad as back-up custodian to Mark Schwarzer, who will be the last man into camp on Tuesday after his English club match tomorrow.

Overseas players Michael Thwaite and Jacob Burns, who have been at the training camp, are also probable inclusions.

Verbeek is also likely to plump for experienced Queensland Roar defender Craig Moore in his final squad.

LiverpooL 3 - 0 Sunderland

Liverpool's wretched league run came to an end as three second-half goals against Sunderland eased the pressure on the team and manager Rafael Benitez.

The Anfield side had not won in the Barclays Premier League since Boxing Day and they had to fight hard to finally subdue the battling Black Cats.

A shocking sequence of five league games without a victory - effectively destroying any lingering hopes of a title bid - was ended with goals from Peter Crouch and Fernando Torres before Steven Gerrard completed the scoring from the spot.

Sunderland had worked hard and felt they should have had a penalty when Jamie Carragher appeared to handle.

But Liverpool pulled themselves together after a frustrating first half and moved back up to fifth in the table.

Benitez's response to the midweek defeat at West Ham was to leave out Steve Finnan, Yossi Benayoun, Xabi Alonso, Harry Kewell and Dirk Kuyt.

Crouch came in up front, Carragher moved to the right to allow centre-back Martin Skrtel to slot into the back four while Lucas Leiva, Jermaine Pennant and Javier Mascherano all returned.

Sunderland, who have not won at Anfield since 1983, were missing Dwight Yorke (knee) and Anthony Stokes from the side that beat Birmingham last time out as Michael Chopra returned from suspension and Kieran Richardson came back from injury.

But Richardson's suspect hamstring lasted just seven minutes before he was replaced by striker Rada Prica, with Daryl Murphy moving to the left of midfield.

Gerrard saw two long-range efforts charged down but that was as close as anyone got in the opening exchanges.

Slowly Liverpool seemed to run out of inspiration as the tackles continued to come in and Liam Miller, who had transgressed a couple of times, was booked for a foul on Gerrard.

Sunderland's determined defending kept Liverpool at bay and Nosworthy, despite a height disadvantage, did a solid job against Crouch.

Lucas was asked to play on the left for Liverpool with marginal success as Bardsley and Chopra were an effective pairing down that flank and Sunderland's confidence grew with every attack they broke down.

Liverpool finally created a chance after 38 minutes when Pennant's cross was met by Torres with a downward header that Craig Gordon scooped up.

A minute from the break Lucas' flick picked out Torres in the box for a shooting chance but Jonny Evans' produced a fine last-ditch block.

Liverpool replaced Fabio Aurelio with Finnan at half-time while, 10 minutes after the interval, Sunderland sent on Roy O'Donovan in place of Prica to bolster the midfield.

However, two minutes later Liverpool finally got themselves ahead.

Carragher got down the right and lifted a cross to the edge of the six-yard box where Crouch rose to head down and wide of Gordon's dive.

The goal lifted the hosts and Torres brought down a through-ball and flashed a drive Gordon did well to push into the Kop.

After 63 minutes Crouch saw a hooked shot blocked by Gordon, with Gerrard's follow-up deflected wide and from the resulting corner Crouch's towering header was cleared off the line by Dean Whitehead.

Six minutes later the second goal came when Torres surged on to a Crouch flick-on and hammered a right-foot shot past Gordon.

Sunderland were unfortunate not to get a penalty in the 73rd minute when Carragher threw himself at a Murphy shot and the ball struck his arm but Styles did nothing.

Evans had a header blocked by Jose Reina as Sunderland continued to power forward, with Finnan was booked for a foul on O'Donovan.

But two minutes from time Liverpool were awarded a penalty for a Nosworthy challenge on Pennant.

Gordon was booked for dissent before Gerrard scored from the spot with the Scotland goalkeeper almost keeping the ball out.

Match Preview: LiverpooL vs. Sunderland

No Liverpool fan with a shred of realism can now say that their club is still in the hunt for the league title. The Reds are locked in a battle for fourth-place, plain and simple. And it is an intense fight, contested between five teams, all of which at this moment could realistically claim the coveted Champions League qualifying spot come May.

Each match is now vital - and a nervous affair. Games such as Sunderland at home were previously seen as three-points banked on Merseyside, but now, considering the team’s present form, Liverpool fans everywhere are running more on hope than expectation as the final score comes through.

The spirit of brotherhood embedded in Liverpool’s mantra, “You’ll Never Walk Alone”, will always be conjured up in magnificent fashion to support one another during pressing times like this – but when one considers that the arrival of Fernando Torres was to herald a new successful dawn for the Reds, when-in fact the club could be staring at their worst season in recent years, it leaves one wondering where it all went wrong?

Whilst the club as a whole seems to be reeling, punch-drunk from all the shenanigans off the pitch, the players' performance levels have dipped to steeper lows every week, ultimately a bad cocktail for any club with lofty ambitions.

And while the arguments rage on as to who is too really blame for the club’s misfortune’s - Spaniard or American - an urgent need to arrest the poor form, home and away, needs full attention. Otherwise political struggles and power-play off-the-pitch could rumble on until the Reds are staring at a wreckage of a season in which a Uefa Cup spot is their only reward from 07/08.

That, of course, is the bleakest of views, although one that is perfectly possible. But at the other end of the spectrum lies only slightly more-happier times when one considers the hunger for a title run amongst the red half of Merseyside.

If Rafael Benitez was to get his men motivated again so that they stride onto a pitch full of beans, then the Reds could still secure fourth-place at a canter, and may even bag one of the two prestigious cups on offer. However, such an end needs a beginning, and that beginning needs to be now against Sunderland.

The Reds have, by their high standards, an appalling home record this season, in which of late they have struggled to overcome a part-time side and just about scraped a belated draw against a Villa outfit that they dominated for most of the game.

Nothing less than a win will do against Roy Keane’s men, and not only because of the visiting manager’s deep and heroic association with Liverpool’s bitter Manchester rivals. It's also vital because it seems that not only are certain individuals now playing for their futures at Anfield, they are also playing for the immediate future of the club itself.

Some may scoff that a visit from Sunderland provides the ideal treatment to the illness at Anfield, but in-truth the reverse is more accurate. Roy Keane will no doubt be telling his troops that their scheduled trip to Liverpool has come at the best possible time, and that the Reds are more of a scalded dog rather than a wounded animal, ready to run and hide rather than attack back.

To that extent, the Black Cats may come with their claws especially sharpened and ready to pounce on Liverpool from the opening whistle. If so then this game could be more open and livelier than first thought when the fixture list was complied back in August, and a shrewd punter may just back an in-form Sunderland to cause an upset on Saturday.

FORM GUIDE

Liverpool

30 January v West Ham (A) LOST 1-0

26 January v Havant & Waterlooville (H) WON 5-2 (FA Cup)

21 January v Aston Villa (H) DREW 2-2

15 January v Luton (H) WON 5-0 (FA Cup)

12 January v Middlesbrough (A) DREW 1-1

Sunderland

29 January v Birmingham (H) WON 2-0

19 January v Tottenham (A) LOST 2-0

13 January v Portsmouth (H) WON 2-0

05 January v Wigan (A) LOST 0-3 (FA Cup)

02 January v Blackburn (A) LOST 1-0

TEAM NEWS

The Reds have a strong squad to call on, with relatively few first-team players out injured. Alvaro Arebola will miss out with a muscle strain, meaning Fabio Aurelio will most likely continue at left-back in the Spaniard’s absence. After the laboured win over Havant in the FA Cup last weekend, a disappointed Benitez made seven changes for the midweek West Ham loss.

How the Spaniard will react to that game with his line-up for tomorrow’s match is, as always with Benitez, hard to predict. He may use the extra speed, penetration and athleticism of Ryan Babel and Jermaine Pennant over the more measured and creative Harry Kewell and Yossi Benayoun, while Kuyt may be rotated for the more in-form but under-used Peter Crouch.

Whispers emanating from the club suggest new signing Martin Skrtel may get his league debut to counter the aerial threat of Kenweyne Jones, Daryl Murphy and Radu Prica. Meanwhile, long-term absentees Daniel Agger (foot) and Andriy Voronin (ankle) will continue with their recuperation away from Anfield.

Keane will be hoping winger Kieran Richardson will be fit enough to return to the fold after recovering from a hamstring strain. The manager will need the pacey wide-man available as without Dwight Yorke (calf) and new signing Andy Reid (knee) he is lacking in creative players. Otherwise, Michael Chopra returns from suspension to bolster the attack. The £5 signing joins £2.5 Radu Prica and Murphy in a fight for a starting place alongside £6m-man Jones.


PLAYERS TO WATCH

Liverpool – Fernando Torres

They say that if Torres or Steven Gerrard don’t score then Liverpool are in trouble. Well, there is much to support that view, as the duo are way out in front in the goal-scoring charts, but recently Gerrard has struggled to bring his awesome match-winning form to the boil, making Torres the man fans will look too to make the difference against the visitors.

Sunderland – Kenweyne Jones

The striker has surprised nearly everyone since signing for a hefty £6m last summer. Whilst he isn’t quite in the “Thierry Henry” category as a delighted Keane once exclaimed he was after watching one of the forward’s match-winning displays, he nonetheless he has been under-estimated this season. He definitely is the spearhead of Sunderland’s attack and poses problems for any opponent.

Torres Backs Benítez To Succeed

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres believes boss Rafael Benítez can bring the league title to Anfield. Even if it's not this season. Asked to choose between the club's manager and owners, there's no question who Torres would opt for.

For those who refused to accept that Liverpool were out of this season's title race, Wednesday's 1-0 defeat at West Ham United definitely spelled the end.

A last minute penalty ensured the Reds left Upton Park empty handed while yet again all of the front three sides won.

Liverpool must face the prospect of another season without the league title on Merseyside, but nevertheless fans remain overwhelmingly in support of manager Rafa Benítez.

And another man who is giving the Spaniard his support is compatriot and Anfield striker Fernando Torres, who insists he owes the former Valencia coach a lot for the way he's helped him settled in to English football following his big money move from Atlético Madrid.

“Rafa has done so much for me as a player and also brought me DVDs, videos and books to teach me the history of this great club," said Torres, who has scored 17 times already this season.

"He taught me about the successes of Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley - I really didn’t know how fantastic the achievements of Liverpool had been.

"And it was Rafa who told me to lay my hand on the Liverpool badge as you go down the tunnel and on to the pitch. He taught me that Bill Shankly put the ‘This is Anfield’ sign there and why.

"Rafa lives and breathes Liverpool. It’s impossible for me to imagine this club without Rafa Benítez in charge," Torres added. "It’s just unthinkable what would happen if he should decide to leave. They have to let the boss just get on with it. It has been a difficult season for the club because, frankly, people expected us to win the title," he admitted. "It takes time for a squad to gel. Winning the Premier League is not easy, it’s a process of growing into it."

And what fans and journalists don't see is the manner in which Benítez runs the club on a day-to-day basis, insists Torres. "I’ve been surprised by just how good a coach Rafa is," he said. "What he manages to do in every training session is draw the very best out of each player. He’s right on top of every single detail and picks up on little things even you had no idea you might benefit from paying attention to.

"Then, suddenly, he’s shown you three or four things which you had no idea needed work. Rafa massively improves every player he works with. I’ve experienced many different coaches and managed to learn a bit from each one. But every day at training you see the benefit of the fact Rafa has been in charge of so many different teams, has won trophies everywhere he’s been and dealt with dressing rooms which are known to be problematic.”

And Torres has revealed he's not alone in backing the manager ahead of the owners in the public spat that developed between the two parties towards the end of last year. "It’s not just the Spanish players who feel caught in the middle of what happens between the boss and the owners," said Liverpool's record transfer signing.

"If you think about it, Rafa has brought a lot of the squad here and put his faith firmly in them. That’s why I’m not alone in the squad in hoping all the fuss can be solved as quickly and harmoniously as possible. That is when Liverpool will get the best out of everyone.”
And while the Spanish international admits off-the-pitch matters have been a downer in his first season at Anfield, he stressed that on a personal note his progress on the pitch has been excellent. "Even I didn’t expect to score as many goals as quickly as I have," he commented of his 17 strikes. "I thought it was going to take me some time to settle in. I knew I had sufficient quality and I knew I’d get there but for things to happen so smoothly and quickly has been a real thrill.

"Maybe the style of play here in England (has helped me)," he continued. "The power and pace is perfect for me. There seems to be a bit more space here. The big teams have so much extra individual quality it’s no wonder they win all the trophies. Perhaps the tackling is fiercer here - but it’s also more honest," he expressed in comparison to Spain. You’ll see a horror tackle when there’s a loose ball but generally, I find the football more honest here than in La Liga.”

Torres says his immediate aims are now to hit top form as the Reds trying to lift silverware in the FA Cup and Champions League. And top form will only come by sticking away more goals. "I need to give credit to players like Gerrard, Kewell and Pennant, who are always looking for me with passes," he said.

"If I don’t get as many chances as I did in Spain, I certainly get better-quality openings. I’m at the age when strikers start to blossom and marry their talent to their experience. I only pray that comes at the right time for the team and Liverpool start to punch their weight because winning the FA Cup or the Champions League is within our reach this season.”

Liverpool face Sunderland today in the Premiership's late kick-off.

Benitez Wants To Reward Fans

Rafael Benitez reckons Liverpool fans are not getting value for money as their team flounder in the Barclays Premier League title race.

The Liverpool boss, and senior star Jamie Carragher, have finally conceded this week that the league title is beyond an Anfield side who have not won a league game since Boxing Day.

Four points from the last 15 on offer - form that came to a head with the shattering 1-0 defeat at West Ham on Wednesday - has finished Liverpool's championship challenge.

It has left Benitez calling for pride from his players and a desire to improve on all fronts when they face Sunderland at Anfield.

Benitez will have Javier Mascherano back from suspension but is still without Alvaro Arbeloa - called into the Spain squad on Friday for the first time - Andriy Voronin and Daniel Agger, although the Danish defender is back in full training and near to a first-team return.

But Benitez concedes that the fans are being short-changed at the moment.

He said: "The confidence is low, but I do not like to criticise the players. If they work hard, that's OK. If you have to say anything to them it must be done in the dressing room.

"We know we need to improve and take our chances. We must be strong in defence and score more.

"The way to do this is for the staff, the players, everyone, to do our best every day and in every training session. Our supporters deserve more than they are seeing."

With the pressures increasing on Benitez and the club, he also accepts that the side's poor form must be addressed, and quickly, to avoid a disastrous season.

He added: "When you are not winning, especially a few league games on the trot, people talk about managers, the staff or individual players. So in this situation you must work together, work harder and improve.

"We have two cups we can still win, and in the Premier League we must concentrate on improving.

"We were thinking we were contenders and maybe we cannot be now, so we need to concentrate on each game and make sure we take three points, and then see where we are.

"The team has quality and now we need to show our supporters that the commitment is there and we want to progress. We will do it.

"We know we must beat Sunderland, it is clearly a must-win match for us."

He added: "We cannot talk about the title, only the next three points getting close to the top four.

"They are not the results we want and we are drawing games we should be able to win.

"But everything will change when we win two or three games. At the beginning of the season we won a lot of games, scored a lot of goals and everyone was happy.

"We have had some problems, but won against Besiktas, Porto and Marseille (in the Champions League group phase) and played some very good games and scored a lot of goals so we know what we are capable of."

Dubai Bid To Divide Liverpool FC’s American Owners

Dubai-based consortium DIC was last night set to join forces with Liverpool FC co-owner George Gillett in a bid to buy out his partner Tom Hicks.

Events could move forward within a matter of days, with figures close to the club anxious to see a rapid conclusion to what is seen as a damaging distraction at a crucial time in the season.

Relations between Gillett and Hicks are at an all time low, with Gillett remaining silent, but understood to be privately furious with his partner’s unsanctioned public statements over club affairs.

Gillett originally brokered the deal to buy Liverpool, but was forced to bring the significantly wealthier Hicks on board to be able to afford the buy-out.

Now, with the first anniversary of the takeover looming next week, relations have soured between the two men to such a degree that Gillett’s son Foster, who moved to Liverpool to represent the Americans and work alongside club chief executive Rick Parry, returned to the US 3½ weeks ago, and has not been seen at the club since.

The Daily Post understands that Foster Gillett and his wife have no plans to return to the city, despite having recently bought a £1m home in Woolton. The final twist of the knife for George Gillett came when Hicks went public last month with their approach in November to Jurgen Klinsmann as a possible replacement for beleaguered manager Rafael Benitez.

DIC (Dubai International Capital), led by Sameer Al Ansari whose £4,500 a share offer for Liverpool last year was trumped when Hicks helped Gillett to bankroll a successful £5,000 a share offer, are known to be keen to test the resolution of the Americans with a new offer.

Hicks has stated repeatedly that he has no intention of selling in the short term. It is believed he sees the potential to sell the club for well over £1bn in 2012, if the 70,000 seater stadium plan is delivered.

But Gillett is equally determined to hang on to his interest in the club, seeing the whole takeover as his deal, with Hicks merely providing the financial clout to make it happen.

With relations between the pair at such a low ebb, insiders doubt whether both of them can remain as co-owners. The Dubai proposal would allow Gillett to carry forward his plans, while allowing Hicks an exit-strategy with a healthy profit on his 12 months investment.

One source close to the negotiations told the Daily Post last night: “Discussions are still ongoing with DIC. They would be happy to take Hicks out and work with Gillett, or they would be happy to take both of them out.

“But DIC doesn’t want to pay Hicks a huge premium. The key is to get a deal done within days rather than weeks.

“All this has been a huge distraction at the club. Hicks insists on valuing the club at £1bn because he includes the valuation after the stadium is in place, yet it is not even built and doesn’t even have planning permission for the 70,000 seats.”

Hicks has matched Gillett’s £20m personal investment in the club following last week’s £350m refinancing deal, and is likely to be offered double that sum by the Dubai consortium to walk away.

No-one for DIC was available to comment last night while Mr Gillett’s office declined to discuss the matter.

Liverpool FC had no comment to make on the issue.

But a spokesman for Tom Hicks told the Daily Post he remained determined to stay at Liverpool FC.

He said: “As we have said previously and repeatedly, Liverpool Football Club is not for sale.

“Mr Hicks has been very clear in terms of the club not being for sale and that has not changed in any way, shape or form.”

Momo Sissoko Sends Letter Of Thanks To Liverpool Fans

Momo Sissoko, who quit Liverpool to sign for Juventus this week, has sent the club a letter for supporters thanking them for making his time on Merseyside enjoyable.

The letter, released by the club today, says:

Dear Liverpool fans,

As soon as I arrived in Liverpool I realised how much this team meant.

Now, after two and a half years I have to say goodbye and I can't hide the great sorrow I feel in leaving one of the best clubs in Europe.

Liverpool FC as a club, its fans, its coaches and my team-mates have together helped me to become a better player and, above all, a better person.

Liverpool FC is one of the greatest. The Liverpool fans never desert their team.

Even in the worst moments you have a strong sense that the fans are with you, supporting you as much as they can, never giving up, those fans make Liverpool even stronger. I really want to thank them for helping me to feel and to understand what football means in its purest form.

I also think Liverpool FC functions this way because of its leaders; Rafael Benitez works from dawn to dusk, and the players know they must fight for the red shirt in every second of every match.

Now I am beginning a new adventure in another big European Club in Juventus. They have also now put their faith in me.

I shall play to my best in every single match, I shall fight hard for my new shirt to the end, but when every match is finished, I know what I'll do first - I shall ask about the results of Liverpool FC.

Everybody knows the legend "You'll Never Walk Alone" and I shall never ever forget the experience and the team.

I want to thank everyone for the opportunity and wish everyone all the best for the future.

With my best regards,

Mohammed Sissoko