Liverpool’s Kuyt Praises Torres, Eyes Win At Bolton

Dirk Kuyt has hailed team-mate Fernando Torres as the Liverpool striker aims for a victory at Bolton Wanderers on Sunday.

Under Rafa Benitez, the Reds have failed to beat the Trotters at the Reebok Stadium, where they lost 2-0 last season.

Spain striker Torres has been in a remarkable form for most part of the season, after having joined in the summer from Atletico Madrid, and helped the Reds with a hat-trick in league win over Middlesbrough last weekend at Anfield to take his season’s goal tally to 21.

With that win coming after the Champions League last-16 first-leg success over Inter Milan, Benitez’s side are looking to continue their winning run and get themselves back in the top-four in the league table.

“It was very important to get the win against Middlesbrough because we still want to do something in the league and we definitely want to play in the Champions League next season,” Kuyt said in the Liverpool Echo.

“We did our job and got the three points and now we have to get as many points as we can from the league games we have coming up.

“We didn’t make a good start in that game but having beaten Inter Milan a few days before we had the confidence to go and turn it around.

“Fernando got us back into it and from then on we went on to control things, even though we had a bit of a scare late on.

“I was happy with the two wins we had against Inter Milan and Middlesbrough and now we have to look to get another one on Sunday against Bolton.”

The Dutch international hailed the 23-year-old Torres, saying: “He is unbelievable, a really good player.

“I have never seen someone who is that quick with the ball. I don’t think anyone is as quick as Fernando is with the ball at his feet.

“He showed it again against Middlesbrough and if you have a player like that in your team you have to be really happy.”

Torres Calls For Consistency

Fernando Torres believes Liverpool must become more consistent and show more self-belief if they are to challenge for the Premier League title.

The Reds were expected to push the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea this season following the big-money capture of the Spain striker last summer.

However, it has been a familiar story for Liverpool fans with numerous disappointing results despite a promising start to their league campaign.

Torres has proved a fine addition with an impressive 15-goal haul in the Premier League to date, although he believes the team lack the confidence in their own ability to be crowned champions.

The striker's comments come after Steven Gerrard admitted the team's league form simply has not been up to scratch and that even winning the UEFA Champions League would not make up

"We need to be consistent, but we also have to convince ourselves that we can do it," Torres told Sport magazine.

"The only way to get out of a situation like this is to have confidence in yourselves - to talk it over and then maybe string three or four wins together.

"We haven't reached the standards expected of us. We've been inconsistent. When you consider the history of the club and the coach and the squad we have, we really need to improve if we are to fulfil expectations."

Torres has also highlighted the need for stability at Anfield and has praised under-fire manager Rafa Benitez.

"He's one of the most respected coaches in England. Since he came here and won the Champions League in 2005 - especially the way in which he won it," he continued.

"The spirit in the team is good - all we need now is to find some stability and put some better results together."

Reds Rejected Lucas Offers

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has revealed a host of clubs have expressed an interest in midfielder Lucas Leiva.

As revealed by skysports.com, Serie A side Palermo were one of several sides who made an enquiry for Lucas during the January transfer window.

Liverpool rejected all overtures for the 21-year-old, with Benitez tipping him for a big future at Anfield.

"We have received offers for Lucas," Benitez told the club's official website.

"Maybe 10 clubs in Spain and Italy want to take him.

"That is how good he is. I have faith in Lucas.

"He has a very good mentality and is a player of top quality.

"He will be a top player, that is certain.

"But he already is a top player, he was captain of Brazil Under 21s and has won two caps with the national team."

Liverpool star Carragher Arrested And Cautioned For Common Assault

Liverpool's star defender Jamie Carragher has been arrested and cautioned by police for common assault.

The Anfield player, 30, attended at a Merseyside police station yesterday to be questioned over an incident on a busy road close to the player's home.

Carragher assaulted another man on Liverpool Road, Crosby, at around 9am on Tuesday as he made his way to training at Melwood.

A witness called police to report two men were arguing by the side of the road and named the Bootle-born player, who is also Liverpool's vice-captain, as one of the men.

Later that day, police received a complaint from the second man and Carragher was informed officers wanted to speak to him.

An appointment was made for him to see the police and when he went to a police station yesterday with his solicitor, Carragher was formally interviewed and accepted his caution. Accepting a caution is an admission of guilt in the eyes of the law.

Common assault can include anything from spitting to shoving.

A Merseyside Police spokesman said: "We can confirm that a 30-year-old man from the Blundellsands area received a police caution for common assault in relation to an incident on Liverpool Road, Crosby, on Tuesday February 26."

Desperate Kewell Goes The Extra Mile

Harry Kewell is doing extra training with Liverpool reserves in a last, desperate bid to earn another contract at Anfield.

The injury-plagued Australia winger is out of contract at the end of the season and has little chance of another deal at his current £70,000 a week after making only nine starts and failing to last 90 minutes in any of them this season.

He is hoping to negotiate a pay-as-you-play extension and has spoken to manager Rafa Benitez in an effort to win over the Liverpool boss.

Benitez confirmed: "It is true that Harry came to see me and that it was his idea to do extra training with the reserves to build up his fitness. He has a professional mentality and his approach is very positive. He must carry on working hard and making sure he is ready for any opportunity, but I have no problem with him at all."

Kewell, signed from Leeds for £5million by former Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier, faces an uphill task to stay at Anfield beyond this season after making only one appearance as substitute in the past month.

But he pushed his claims for a recall by scoring the second goal in Liverpool reserves' 2-0 win over Manchester United.

"He is a typical Aussie who doesn't know the meaning of giving up," said a close friend.

"There have been approaches from other clubs, but his only interest is winning over Benitez and staying at Anfield."

Hicks Moves For Complete Control Of Liverpool

Tom Hicks served notice of his intention to retain control at Liverpool last night when he warned he may block George Gillett's attempts to sell to Dubai International Capital. As a game of brinkmanship develops over the future of Liverpool, Hicks also indicated he could gain total control with a buyout of his co-chairman.

Liverpool's co-owners have both held negotiations about a possible takeover with the investment arm of the Dubai government in recent months. However, under the terms of their joint takeover last February, Hicks and Gillett have first refusal on each other's 50% stake and must give their consent to any sale by the partner.

Although Gillett has been receptive to DIC and the prospect of a quick profit on his troubled 12-month investment, Hicks remains a major obstacle to the Dubai group's ambitions of a complete takeover. The Texan has told DIC he would grant it permission to purchase Gillett's holding on the condition he remained in control of the management structure. He is also keen to retain the lead role in the development of a new stadium on Stanley Park.

DIC has rejected Hicks' conditions and is reluctant to replicate the 50-50 venture that has proved so problematic for Liverpool. It will invest only on the understanding that Hicks is willing to allow it to become the dominant party and is prepared to walk away if the current impasse continues. In response to this stand-off Hicks gave the first public indication of the breakdown in his relationship with Gillett last night when he reaffirmed his determination not to relinquish power at Anfield.

"Not only am I not going to sell, my partner cannot sell without my approval," Hicks said in an interview with the Fort Worth Star-Telegram yesterday. "So I kind of have the ability to determine the outcome of what is going to happen and I am right in the middle of that."

Alarmingly for Liverpool supporters opposed to the Americans' regime, Hicks suggested one way of resolving the problems with Gillett would be to purchase his stake and become the outright owner. "For a lot of reasons I can't discuss I haven't been able to fix it yet. But I am preparing to be in a position to fix it," he added.

It is debatable, however, whether Hicks could afford to buy out his co-chairman given the impact of the credit crunch on his Hicks Holdings company and the current financial problems with his US sports franchises, the Texas Rangers baseball team and the NHL's Dallas Stars.

There were further off-pitch distractions for Liverpool yesterday when it was revealed that their vice-captain, Jamie Carragher, had been arrested and cautioned by police for common assault.

The former England international, 30, was formally interviewed at a Merseyside police station and accepted the caution - an admission of guilt in the eyes of the law - following an altercation near his home in Blundellsands on Tuesday morning. Carragher had been driving to training at Liverpool's Melwood complex when he became embroiled in a row with a man with whom it is believed he has endured a long-running dispute.

A witness called police to report two men arguing by the roadside and named the Liverpool defender as one of those involved. Later that day the apparent victim also filed a complaint against Carragher, who was given an appointment to be interviewed by officers and accepted the caution for common assault, the lowest form of assault, in the company of his solicitor.

A spokesperson for Merseyside Police said: "We can confirm that a 30-year-old man from the Blundellsands area received a police caution for common assault in relation to an incident on Liverpool Road, Crosby, on Tuesday, February 26." The club declined to comment.

Confirmation of Carragher's arrest came as Rafael Benítez was compelled to stress that Steven Gerrard is not alone in harbouring deep frustrations at this season's domestic under-achievement.

"Everyone at Liverpool shares Steven's sentiments, there is no question about that," the Liverpool manager said. "We wanted to be further up the table and the fact that we are not is a disappointment to everyone."

Rafa Hints At Less Rotation

Recent comments made by Rafael Benitez suggest that he is considering giving his much maligned rotation policy a rest.

Uncharacteristically, the Liverpool boss made only one change to the side for Saturday's 3-2 victory over Middlesbrough from the one that beat Inter, and he hinted that this would be a sign of things to come.

"I think so. It will depend on the players in the end, but we can keep some players playing more games now," said Benitez, speaking shortly after Everton's 2-0 victory away to Manchester City seriously upped the pressure on his side in the race for the final Champions League place,

"Everton have a lot of confidence right now and it was a good win for them (on Monday), but it's a long race," the Spaniard added.

"Portsmouth, Villa, Everton, City and us will all be there. I'm not sure if it will go to the final game but I think a lot will depend on these three games we have in a row."

Benitez Won't Rush Hyypia Decision

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez will decide on the future of defender Sami Hyypia later in the season.

The 34 year-old has been outstanding in the continued absence of Danish centre-back Daniel Agger through injury, and intimated that he would like a new contract when his current deal runs out in the summer.

Benitez had planned to use Hyypia as cover for Agger and Jamie Carragher this term but has been forced to use the Finland international 33 times as Liverpool's defensive strength has been stretched.

Agger made his comeback from a five-month absence with metatarsal injury in the reserves against Manchester United's second string last night and is almost ready for a return to first-team action.

Hyypia, linked with both Fulham and Newcastle in recent months, expressed a desire to stay at the club and complete 10 years at Anfield in 2009.

Benitez, who has also bought Slovakian 23-year-old Martin Skrtel for £6.5million from Zenit St Petersburg, insists Hyypia "has nothing to prove" - and a decision on his long-term future will be delayed until near the end of the season.

The Spaniard said: "I was talking with him, but he knows we have to wait a little bit.

"I am really pleased with him. The question now is to see how he progresses, but he knows my thoughts.

"He doesn't have to prove anything. We know him, and he knows why we have to analyse the situation. "Every year he has been a key player for us. He's a centre-back with experience who's good in the air and who can play the ball.

"He is playing more games than we maybe expected this season - but every game his performance is good."

Hyypia has spent almost a decade at Anfield after being signed from Willem II by Gerard Houllier in May 1999, and is regarded by Liverpool fans as one of the club's greatest servants.

Hyypia added: "My priority would be to stay at Liverpool, but it's not only up to me. I haven't got any offers yet from here or any other clubs, so I am just trying to focus on the matches.

"I am enjoying playing, and I have played more games than maybe I thought I would this season because of all the injuries. The only thing I can do is try to play well. It would be very nice to get to 10 years at the club, but I am just concentrating on playing well.

"Whether I stay wouldn't depend on how many games I play. I am not like that. I'm not interested in somebody promising me something.

"If we have four centre-backs then everyone fights for their place, and performances should determine who plays. If I keep playing well then it will be difficult for the manager to change things."

Lucas: I'm Learning From Gerrard And Xavi

Liverpool's Lucas Leiva has won over manager Rafael Benitez in recent weeks, having displaced fan favourite Xabi Alonso from the starting line-up...The midfielder has revealed he is learning a lot from the man's place he has taken, as well as his captain.

Speaking to the club's official website, Lucas explained what motivates him to perform.

"Whenever I play, in each game, I know I have to play well in order to stay in the team. Gerrard, Xabi and Mascherano are very good players," he said.

"I am learning a lot from them because they have played a lot of time in Europe, especially Gerrard and Xabi. They have won the European Cup.

"I am still young but I know I have potential to fight for a place in the team. Liverpool brought me here and Liverpool have confidence in me. I respect all the players but I need to fight for my position.

"Rafa always asks for a little bit more. He always says, 'you can improve' or 'you can play better'. And it's true. But he has confidence in me."

The 21-year-old also revealed how has been settling in in his new surroundings, insisting it is not as different as many may think. He has also extended thanks to countryman and team-mate Fabio Aurelio for helping him settle into the country and learn the language.

"My life is the Brazil life: very relaxed," declared the former Gremio starlet. "I like to stay home, not go out. The weather in the winter is more or less the same, though the nights are longer here. But I like Liverpool and all the people try to help me.

"Fabio [Aurelio] has been the most important player for me because he speaks the language, but everyone helps a lot.

"If I had a problem I would have called Fabio, but now I speak English quite well and can try to sort things myself.

Mascherano Nears Permanent Switch

Argentina midfielder Javier Mascherano has revealed he is close to finally making his move to Liverpool a permament one.

The Reds have been locked in talks with the former West Ham player for the last few months as they look to secure his future.

Mascherano is currently on loan at Anfield until the end of the season after joining the Reds in the 2007 January transfer window.

The Argentina international has been a revelation at Anfield since his arrival after an ill-fated spell with the Hammers.

Mascherano is hopeful he will put pen-to-paper on a contract in the next few days to end speculation over his future.

"We are really close," Mascherano told the club's official website. "Maybe this week or next week we will be able to say everything's finished. We can't say it just yet but hopefully in a few days everything will be okay.

"There are no problems with the fee or with the contract, it's just getting the papers finished.

"I have always said I want to stay here and so it hasn't been a difficult time for me. I have wanted it to be finished because I have my family behind me and I want to know what my future is going to be. I am calm and relaxed because I know that everything is almost over.

"I am very happy that in the next week I will be able to say I have signed for Liverpool. It will be the best moment of my career to be able to say I will be playing my football with Liverpool."

Mascherano also outlined the importance of the club finishing fourth and qualifying for next season's UEFA Champions League.

The Reds currently sit in fifth spot three points behind local rivals Everton in the battle to finish fourth and Mascherano insists they must keep up their pursuit of finishing fourth by beating Bolton this weekend.

"We have to finish in the top four because we want to be playing in the Champions League next season," added Mascherano.

"We have to win the games we have coming up before we go to Milan and so it's not difficult to stay focused at all.

"We had a good win against Middlesbrough on Saturday and now we have to go and try to win at Bolton. We beat them easily at Anfield earlier in the season but we know it's going to be harder this weekend because they're a difficult side to play on their own pitch."

Gerrard: No Prizes For Fourth

Steven Gerrard says this season is a failure for Liverpool - fans wouldn't have wanted second place in the league, never mind fourth.

Steven Gerrard has admitted his frustration with Liverpool's season.

The Reds may be in the Champions League still, but another season of hype and failure in the Premier League has really got the Anfield skipper down.

"You don’t get any prizes for finishing in second place - never mind fourth - in football," Gerrard said. "I don’t think the fans would accept it as an accomplishment and, for me, it’s not nearly good enough.

In the position we find ourselves in, fourth is the least that is acceptable between now and May - but we have bigger ambitions than that.

"I still believe we have the squad to be a hell of a lot more competitive than we are right now," he continued. "I’m a Liverpool fan and I believe the league is the most important trophy going.

"I’m pretty gutted every time I look at the table and see the gap between us and the top three. We believed we had the players to challenge for the title. We wanted that trophy more than any other one available to us. We’ve simply got to improve.”

Daniel Agger Returns To Bolster Liverpool’s Defence

Daniel Agger is ready to bolster Liverpool’s defence after ending more than five months of injury torment with a run-out for the reserves.

The Denmark international, whose season has been ruined by a metatarsal injury, played 45 minutes for the second string in their 2-0 win against Manchester United at Warrington’s Halliwell Jones Stadium last night.

It was the 23-year-old’s first competitive action of any sort since the goalless draw at Portsmouth on September 15.

Under the watchful gaze of Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez, Agger – wearing a pair of specially-modified boots – came through unscathed and could now be in the frame for Sunday’s visit to Bolton Wanderers.

Agger was replaced at half-time by fellow centre-back Martin Skrtel, who was stepping his own recovery after suffering a calf problem in training a fortnight ago.

Harry Kewell and Xabi Alonso were also given 90 minutes against United, for whom a surprisingly portly Gary Neville returned from a lengthy injury absence with a 60-minute appearance.

In front of 10,546 fans, Alonso scored the opening goal from the spot in the 12th minute after Krisztian Nemeth was fouled by Gerard Pique.

Richard Eckersley was dismissed late on for United before Kewell sealed the 2-0 win with a breakaway goal in the final minute.

Meanwhile, Sami Hyypia is hopeful of earning a new contract to take him to 10 years at Anfield.

A number of clubs, including Fulham and Newcastle United, are thought to be monitoring Hyypia’s situation with his current contract due to expire in the summer.

But the 34-year-old admits clinching a new contract at Liverpool is his priority.

“My priority would be to stay at Liverpool, but it’s not only up to me,” said Hyypia.

“I haven’t got any offers yet from here or any other clubs, so I’m just trying to focus on the matches.

“I’m enjoying playing. I’ve played more games than I maybe thought I would this season because of all the injuries.

“The only thing I can do is try to play well, and when it’s time to sit down see what happens.

“It would be very nice to get to 10 years at the club but I’m just concentrating on playing well.”

Hyypia has made 33 appearances for Liverpool this season, although he faces competition for his place with Jamie Carragher now free from suspension and Skrtel and Agger both fit.

But the defender added: “Whether I stay wouldn’t depend on how many games I play. I’m not like that. I’m not interested in someone promising me anything. If we have four centre-backs, then everyone fights for their place and performances should determine who plays. If I keep playing well then it’ll be very difficult for the manager to change things.”

Future Remains Unclear Despite Hicks’ Sale Denial

The future of Liverpool FC last night remained dogged by uncertainty despite co-owner Tom Hicks insisting he was not planning to sell his stake in the club.

Hicks moved quickly to dismiss reports he had invited Dubai International Capital (DIC) to inspect the club’s accounts in preparation for a takeover.

A source last night told the Daily Post the reports were “wide of the mark”.

It is understood Hicks has had talks with DIC even after a £350million refinancing package was announced on January 25.

The Daily Post also understands there has been a breakdown in relations between Hicks and co-owner George Gillett.

The pair are thought to have fallen out over Hicks insistence to make the details of the £350m refinancing package public – Gillett refused to put his name to it.

DIC are understood to be considering making an offer for Gillett’s 50% stake, but also want a slice of Hicks’ holding to gain a controlling interest.

The latest speculation follows Hicks’s son being chased out a the Sandon pub after Saturday’s match against Middlesborough.

Yesterday Hicks released a statement. It read: “Reports that I am about to sell my stake in the Liverpool Football Club, or to invite DIC to examine the club’s books in preparation for such a sale – like other such reports planted in the UK press in recent weeks by parties with their own self-interested agenda – are absolutely and categorically false.

“The reality is that I am personally, professionally and financially committed to the club and its supporters and that I will continue to honour that commitment to the best of my ability now and in the future.”

It appears no takeover by DIC is imminent but that the Dubai company, the investment arm of the Maktoum royal family, are keeping their options open.

The main problem preventing a takeover remains the price DIC are willing to pay.

It has been nowhere near the amount of money Hicks has been asking for – he would want to make a substantial sum out of selling the club.

Another hurdle to overcome is that the refinancing package announced on January 25 has loaded £105m of debt on to the club.

Of that, £60m is earmarked to kick-start the new stadium development plus £45m for future player transfers and to meet the club’s working capital needs.

Even if Gillett is willing to sell his 50% to DIC, they would still not have a controlling share so would want to buy some or all of Hicks’ stake to ensure they had a majority holding.

The takeover talk is being driven by the fact that the refinancing deal only lasts for 18 months and so Hicks and Gillett are soon going to have to start renegotiating the debts.

Furthermore, they are shortly going to have to go back to the banks to ask for a further £300m in loans to finance the rest of the new stadium at Stanley Park.

Tom Hicks In Denial But Liverpool Are Braced For Dubai Takeover

Discussions will continue between Tom Hicks and Dubai International Capital (DIC) over the coming weeks, despite the Liverpool co-chairman’s vehement insistence last night that he is not about to sell his stake in the club. The Arab investment group is expected to become a co-owner of the Merseyside club next month by purchasing the 50 per cent stake held by George Gillett Jr. in the first phase of a takeover process that will test the strength of Hicks’s latest denials.

The Times reported yesterday that, although Hicks intends to retain some of his shares and influence at the club for the immediate future, he and Gillett, his co-owner, are willing to grant DIC permission to examine Liverpool’s accounts with a view to launching a takeover bid next month. Hicks denied those reports yesterday, claiming that they had been “planted . . . by parties with their own self- interested agenda” and that he is “personally, professionally and financially committed to the club and its supporters”, but numerous sources insist that his partnership with Gillett is finished and that DIC will start the first phase of its takeover within weeks.

Hicks’s latest statement did not deny that discussions are taking place. DIC’s interest never went away after it was gazumped by Hicks and Gillett a little more than 12 months ago and, although DIC turned down the Americans’ invitation to buy a 15 per cent stake in the club after a meeting in October, discussions have taken place behind the scenes since the start of this year, particularly since January 25, when Hicks announced a £350 million refinancing deal that brought them stability in the immediate future but left their regime looking all but unsustainable in the longer term.

Gillett, who was the catalyst behind the initial takeover, with Hicks arriving on the scene late in the process, conceded some time ago that the joint partnership was not working. Gillett, the owner of the Montreal Canadiens ice hockey team, has subsequently “all but disappeared”, according to sources, declining to put his name to Hicks’s frequent statements and making clear to DIC his willingness to sell his 50 per cent stake.

His son, Foster, who was initially dispatched to Merseyside as a “link man” between the owners and Rafael Benítez, the manager, has spent the past month in Montreal, apparently with no plans to return to Britain.

Hicks, who was originally seen as the silent partner, has proved to be anything but. Even if he and Benítez have tried to build bridges since their infamous falling-out in November — when Hicks declared that it was “time for Rafa to quit talking and concentrate on coaching the players we have” — the Texan has made himself deeply unpopular at Anfield.

Tom Hicks Jr, his son, has at least shown willing to ingratiate himself with the locals, but his attempts to do so backfired on Saturday, when he was confronted by supporters in a pub near Anfield after the 3-2 victory over Middlesbrough.

While Gillett is expected to sell up within weeks, Hicks is determined to retain the majority of his stake for the immediate future, but DIC is looking for guarantees that he will sell out completely at a later date. Hicks spoke to DIC officials on a trip to Dubai last week and talked to their financial advisers on Thursday and Friday. The two parties remain some way apart on various issues, not least on Hicks’s wish to be seen as the senior partner in any coalition, but a variety of sources — by no means all of them with self-interested agendas — indicate that the Anfield investment saga is about to enter a new chapter.

Dubai International Capital To Oown Half Of LFC Within A Month'

Dubai International Capital may own at least half of Liverpool Football Club within the next three weeks.

After months of negotiations George Gillett has reportedly indicated a willingness to sell his 50% stake in the club and a fee is believed to have been agreed.

A specialist team of bankers and solicitors have been put in place by the investment arm of the Dubai government as it awaits permission to study the club's books.

That permission is expected to be granted in the next couple of days and should everything be found to be in order, DIC could complete the deal with Gillett, who is ready to relinquish his stake having had a massive fall-out with Reds co-owner Tom Hicks.

The relationship between the two Americans has reached an all-time low and Gillett believes it is now beyond repair.

Hicks, though, is not prepared to give up his stake in Liverpool and DIC are prepared to enter into shared ownership with the Texan, in the short term at least.

Hicks has expressed a desire to retain control of the club but DIC are not interested in being a silent partner and want to start making decisions regarding the club's future as and when they complete the proposed deal with Gillett.

Hicks had tried to secure the funding to buy Gillett but with the credit crunch biting hard has been unable to do so and is now resigned to the fact he is likely to have a new partner shortly.

DIC are also looking to buy part of Hicks' stake as they look to secure a majority shareholding in the club, which they tried to buy outright last year.

Despite losing out to the Americans in February 2007, their interest has never faded and they have now successfully negotiated themselves a position which could see them take part-ownership by mid-March.

Should that happen, it would, in all likelihood, be greeted with enthusiasm by Liverpool's fans after a series of protests against Hicks and Gillett.

Atletico Want Liverpool Coach Benitez On Board

Liverpool coach Rafa Benitez will be offered an escape route from Anfield this summer by Atletico Madrid.

The Spanish outfit have indentified the under-fire Liverpool coach as their No 1 target to replace Javier Aguirre, who is expected to be sacked at the end of the season in wake of their Uefa Cup exit to Bolton last week.

Benitez's own future hangs in the balance following Liverpool's cup failings which saw them crash out of the FA Cup to a last-gasp winner at home to Barnsley earlier this month.

The Spaniard would go a long way of preserving his position with a successful Champions League campaign and fourth-place league finish, but even that would not safeguard his job with Dubai International Capital holding out hopes of completing a takeover of the club.

Although Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks dismissed speculation that he is ready to sell his stake in the club to the investment arm of the Dubai royal family, his comments yesterday are unlikely to draw a line under the episode.

The turmoil has already affected Liverpool's season on the pitch and while Benitez might be given one-last chance to turn things around in the summer, he could be tempted by a fresh challenge back in his homeland.

Officials from Atletico, including club president Enrique Cerezo and sporting director Jesus Garcia Pitarch, are thought to have discussed the possibility of luring Benitez to the Vicente Calderon earlier this week with a view of making a move for the former Valencia coach at the end of the season.

"We know it might be difficult but we will fight for the chance," a club source says in the Star.

As Benitez maintains his focus to on-the-field matters at Anfield, he will have been pleased to see Daniel Agger continue his comeback from injury in Liverpool reserves' 2-0 win over Manchester United last night.

The Denmark international lasted 45 minutes before being replaced by Martin Skrtel having been sidelined with a broken metatarsal since September.

A Xabi Alonso penalty and Harry Kewell strike sealed the win which saw Liverpool extend their lead at the top of the Premier Reserve League North to nine points.

ACADEMY: Liverpool Lack A Finishing Touch

Several missed chances meant Liverpool under-18s had to settle for a goalless draw at Newcastle United on Saturday.

Hugh McAuley’s side created enough opportunities to claim all three Premier Academy League points, but couldn’t take them.

Marvin Pourie and Nathan Eccleston were both denied by the Newcastle keeper, while Sean Highdale also went close but couldn’t find the net in the first half. While at the other end Liverpool were glad Martin Hansen was at his best in the second half, with the Danish keeper saving well on a couple of occasions.

McAuley said: “It was very windy and the conditions were very difficult. It wasn’t a good day to pass the ball. Although having said that despite playing into the wind, we created good chances in the first half.

“As the game wore on we dominated and with David Amoo and Alex Kacaniklic, who came on for his first action in a few weeks, we played some decent stuff. It was only going to be one goal that was going to win the game. And although we had a lot of possession and generally played well we didn’t capitalise on that.”

He added: “We lacked a real cutting edge in the penalty area. It was not a bad performance, but it is one where we should have capitalised on the possession we had.”

Liverpool face Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Kirkby Academy this Saturday (kick-off 11am) and will be looking to get back to winning ways.

McAuley said: “We have been going through one of those spells when we have drawn four or five games that we could have won.

“At Blackburn we scored, at Newcastle we didn’t. It is frustrating but we just need to keep working on it and creating the chances. Finishing generally hasn’t been a problem, but we just need to kill teams off.

“It is a measure of our progress, though, that we are disappointed when we are not beating teams like Newcastle and others.

“We just need to turn that domination in matches in goals and victories.”

Liverpool have a full squad to choose from.

Scott Carson Begs Liverpool To Sort Out His Future

Liverpool goalkeeper Scott Carson - currently on loan at Aston Villa - wants to sort out his long-term future for the sake of his family.

Carson has three years left of his contract with the Reds and is keen to commit himself to one club after previously having loan spells with Sheffield Wednesday and Charlton.

The 22-year-old is enjoying his season-long loan spell at Villa and has helped them maintain their push for a European spot, helped by yesterday’s 2-1 win at Reading.

But Carson has no definite idea as to whether manager Martin O’Neill is keen to make the move permanent in the summer - or before then if all parties could reach an agreement.

Carson said: “I’d like to know what is happening because I’ve got my girlfriend and my son to think about.

“My son turned two last week and he’s started going to nursery school so we need to get settled.

“I’ve still got a contract with Liverpool and. until someone does a deal with them, I can’t do anything.

“It’s not a done deal (with Liverpool). Villa paid a loan fee for me until the end of the season and anytime from now until then, they could make it permanent.”

Carson added: “I can’t really say where I’d like to be because I’m still under contract at Liverpool and I don’t know what is going to happen there.

“I like it at Villa and I want to get settled for next season.

“There’s not a lot I can do. I’ve got three years left at Liverpool and I don’t know what Aston Villa are thinking. I don’t know if there is anything else in the pipe-line. We will have to wait and see.”

Tom Hicks Jnr: Angry Fans Won't Drive Us Out Of Liverpool

Tom Hicks Jnr. today spoke for the first time about being forced to leave an Anfield pub by a group of Liverpool fans.

The son of Liverpool’s co-owner beat a hasty retreat from the Sandon pub after being confronted by supporters angry at the way his father is running the club.

After being swilled with lager and spat at, Hicks Jnr. was shepherded to safety by a team of burly bodyguards.

But today he insisted such incidents “come with the territory” and vowed to return to Liverpool in the near future.

He said: “I went to Sandon with some friends because I have wanted to go for quite some time to see the birthplace of the club.

“I also wanted the opportunity to have a direct talk with some of the supporters.

“I respect that some patrons have major disagreement with us, but that comes with the territory.

“I did have several constructive conversations in my short visit and look forward to following up with them next time I am in Liverpool.”

Hicks Jnr. turned up at the Sandon on Saturday evening after Liverpool’s game against Middlesbrough at Anfield.

He took pictures of the exterior of the pub before going inside with the security staff who have shadowed him throughout his stay on Merseyside.

He ordered drinks at the bar and stood chatting with his bodyguards before fans in the packed pub began to recognise him.

At first, the conversations were cordial with one Liverpool supporter approaching him to register his disquiet about the way Liverpool Football Club is being run.

But as an increasing number of fans recognised the 6ft 4ins Texan, the atmosphere soon turned ugly and Mr Hicks and his bodyguards quickly became nervous.

Mr Hicks decided to evacuate, but not before he was spat at by one fan and swilled with lager by another.

He was surrounded by his bodyguards and rushed out of the establishment and into a waiting people carrier which sped away from the scene as angry fans spilled out of the pub.

Reports the vehicle suffered £1,000 worth of damage seemed to be unfounded.

The people carrier had left before any supporters even made it onto the street.

Mr. Hicks has not made a complaint to Merseyside police and is looking to play down the incident.

Afterwards he was taken back to the city centre Malmaison hotel where he mixed with tourists and had at least one pre-arranged meeting with one group of Liverpool supporters.

Yesterday he watched the Carling Cup final between Tottenham and Chelsea at Wembley.

Americans On Verge Of Selling Liverpool

Liverpool's American owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr, are understood to be just weeks from agreeing a deal with Dubai International Capital which could see the club change hands for the second time in just over a year.

After months of fraught talks, DIC are increasingly confident that they will not only reach an agreement soon with the Americans but also with the two banks, Royal Bank of Scotland and Wachovia, who have just completed a £350 million refinancing of the club.

DIC's advisers have set themselves a deadline of the middle of next month to conclude the first part of a two-stage takeover process which, when complete, will be worth between £400m and £450m and includes provision for the club's increased debts.

In the next few days bankers working for DIC, the investment arm of the Maktoum royal family, are expected to be granted permission to start examining Liverpool's books with a view to tabling a formal offer.

Gillett, whose relationship with Hicks has broken down, will be first to sell out and is understood to have already agreed in principle to offload his 50 per cent stake.

But Hicks is refusing to sell out in one go. In the short term, at least, he is expected to remain on the board.

DIC plan to dilute his holding, initially by injecting further funds into the club to not only cover the new 18-month bank loan but also to help pay for the proposed new stadium and buy players. DIC want to secure a deal where Hicks sells out completely later on.

Having spent the first part of last week in Dubai, where he was seeking new backers for his US investment company, Hicks Holdings, he then flew to London on Thursday for two days of talks with DIC's advisers.

One potential stumbling block is the exact nature of the initial shareholder agreement between DIC and Hicks. It is understood his demands to retain control of the club following Gillett's exit have been rebuffed.

Under the terms of the £220m takeover deal concluded by Hicks and Gillett last February, no partner can sell out without first offering his 50 per cent stake to the other. Hicks has tried to raise the money to seize complete control but with the credit crunch hitting his businesses, he has failed.

If DIC succeed, they will aim to restore stability to a club after a period of unprecedented turbulence.