Benitez Irked By Fergie's Ref Tactics

Rafael Benitez has accused Sir Alex Ferguson of attempting to manipulate referee Steve Bennett ahead of Liverpool's trip to Manchester United on Sunday.

United boss Ferguson has repeatedly called for star player Cristiano Ronaldo to receive more protection from officials in the days leading up to this weekend's match.

The Scot insists he fears the Portugal winger will be driven out of the Barclays Premier League by the type of rough treatment Ferguson claims he witnessed in the recent FA Cup defeat to Portsmouth.

But Liverpool manager Benitez believes his opposite number is simply playing mind games.

"Ferguson is clever, that is clear," Benitez said. "After a difficult game, he was talking about referees and before an important game (against Liverpool) he is talking about protecting Ronaldo.

"The referees, though, have experience and they will know Ferguson. This kind of treatment must be the same for all the teams and all the players.

"I wasn't surprised last week to hear what he was saying. I just want to go into the game with the same situation as the other team."

Benitez is confident Bennett, who is due to officiate at Old Trafford on Sunday, will not be influenced by Ferguson.

"I think the referee has experience and is strong enough so I don't see it being a problem," said the Spaniard, who believes his own players deserve just as much protection as Ronaldo.

"Ferguson is very clever and has a lot of experience.

"I don't know what he was thinking about exactly, but if you need to protect Ronaldo, you also need to protect (Fernando) Torres and (Steven) Gerrard and all the skilful players in the league."

Meanwhile, Spanish defender Alvaro Arbeloa believes Liverpool's two Champions League victories over Inter Milan - in particular the triumph in the San Siro - gives them the confidence to produce a shock win at Manchester United.

Old Trafford is not a happy hunting ground for Benitez, who has never achieved a win there as manager.

His league record against United is six defeats and a draw, and his only success over the Red Devils was a 1-0 win in the FA Cup, two years ago.

But Arbeloa feels Liverpool's confidence is growing after seven successive victories.

He said: "We have won in the San Siro, so why not at Old Trafford? We are confident in ourselves and maybe things have improved in that respect for us.

"The two wins over Inter Milan have helped us, beforehand we were not playing consistently.

"And now we have Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard scoring in virtually every game, and that has given us all a boost."

The 25 year-old understands the importance of the game - the 150th top flight meeting between the two sides - to the fans.

He said: "Derby matches are the same the world over, in Spain and Italy, too. It is important for everyone, but more so for the fans.

"It seems more important for them than it is for us, but we know how important it is to win, no doubt.

"We have our big players happy and in form, that means we are all confident in such matches as derbies.

"We know we have to fight for every ball, these sort of games are that bit different."

Djibril Cisse Would Welcome Liverpool Return

Djibril Cisse has said he would welcome a return to English football and has not ruled out rejoining Liverpool.

The Marseille striker was sold by Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez to the French side two seasons ago, but the 26-year-old does not bear grudges against his former manager.

"I'm not unhappy with Rafa," Cisse said in the Sun. "I just respect his choice and it was his decision and I have to respect that."

Cisse was linked with a move back to the Premier League during January's transfer window with Manchester City and West Ham noting an interest in the French striker.

Although the former Auxerre frontman is committed to Marseille, he could be tempted to a return to England and even possibly a switch back to Anfield.

"You never know," Cisse said. "Things happen so fast and football is so unpredictable.

"Of course I would like to come back to the Premier League. For the moment I play for Marseille and I have to give 100 per cent."

Cisse feels he has unfinished business in the English game having seen his time at Liverpool marred by injury having broken his leg 19 matches into his Anfield career.

"Unfortunately I broke my leg when I was there and did not have a chance to prove myself."

Cisse managed 13 goals in 48 appearances for Liverpool before completing a £6 million switch to Marseille two years ago.

Tommy Smith: Liverpool Can Have The Edge On United

It was something of a “scruffy” win against Reading – and I would be more than happy if it was a similar type of game against Manchester United.

If it is, I can see us getting a point, and possibly three.

Over the last few weeks United have not been their fluent selves, while the Reds, with Fernando Torres in terrific goal scoring form, have had far more consistency.

After the great result against Inter Milan it would have been easy to slip up against Reading. But Rafa Benitez has been playing the same team more or less recently and that has been a big plus.

United will be wary of Torres, but, likewise, we will have to keep a watch on Ronaldo and Rooney.

It has become something like a “derby” match, in which United have been better than us. But they have struggled lately – the game at Derby being an example – and the Reds have certainly improved.

That, to a large extent, has been down to Torres and his ability to score regularly. His 20-goal league mark so far is a tremendous boost and the team would be in a far better position today if he had played all the games he had been available for.

I thought Steve Coppell’s side have improved greatly and acquitted themselves well at Anfield, putting us under pressure at times.

I was quite happy with 2-1 because it turned scrappy towards the end. But in those situations you just have to get stuck in for the result and that’s what we did.

League results lately have given an air of confidence missing in mid season and this has helped the Reds string a run together. But United will prove a different proposition.

Martin Skrtel has settled in well. He’s a big lad and that’s what we have needed. He just needs to concentrate for the 90 minutes.

The Premier League is all about power and character, having to dig in and fight – and that’s what the Reds will have to do.

In Javier Mascherano we have the perfect player to help stop United. He will feel better now he has opened his account, but his role in front of the back four is vital and we will need another big performance from him.

Will Benitez play a Euro-style game against United? There is no doubt they are extremely effective in Champions League games and the manager is meticulous with his preparation.

Let’s hope he is spot on come Sunday. What a tremendous lift a positive performance at Old Trafford would do ahead of the Arsenal showdowns.

I fancy our chances against the Gunners in the Champions League.

Don’t get me wrong, they are a good, young side. But I don’t think they have the strength to last the pace this season.

Recent results have shown vulnerability about Arsenal, who knows no other way to play than attack. But if you hit them on the counter, or crowd out their midfield, they don’t necessarily have the answers.

The more goals Fernando Torres scores, the greater he enjoys himself, and he will be a key figure.

But the other vital ingredient is the way the Reds are brought up on Euro football and tactics.

The draw underlined how strong the Premier League is with half the teams from England. The incentives for progress are there.

Rafa Benitez Tells Capello To Give Steven Gerrard Captaincy

Rafael Benitez believes Steven Gerrard should be England’s permanent new skipper because he has matured on and off the pitch.

The Liverpool manager is aware that his own Anfield captain could well lose the England armband for next Wednesday’s friendly international in Paris against France.

New England coach Fabio Capello has talked of experimenting with various options before making a decision ahead of the start of the World Cup qualifiers in September.

Gerrard, who was skipper for Capello’s first match last month against Switzerland because John Terry was injured, may well find himself sidelined in Paris.

But Benitez is sure who he would want to see leading England.

He said: “I feel he should be given the armband for England permanently. On and off the pitch now he is a far more mature player, he knows what to do and how to behave.

“He would be a very good selection, a good option. He is a key player for us and for the national team.

“He has become a better player over the years. When he was 21, 22, he had plenty of energy but not as much now.

“Now he knows more how to play. Between 25 and 30, players are better. They know when to run, they know when to tackle. Now Gerrard is in this period of his career.”

Capello is considering Terry, Rio Ferdinand and even Gareth Barry and he says he will not make a decision until the day of the match.

Whoever he chooses, Capello must be impressed with Gerrard’s current form. The 27-year-old needs one goal to reach 20 for only the second time in a season.

The understanding between Fernando Torres and Gerrard has given Benitez confidence that he can at last manage a winning side in the league against Sir Alex Ferguson’s men, after six previous defeats and one draw.

He said: “The understanding between players is always important, especially players up front. The partnership between Torres and Gerrard has made a massive difference, it is difficult for teams to stop them both. We are profiting from this.

“They have trained together for months, and now it is easier for them to work together.

“Both are scoring goals and things are easier because they are happy on the pitch.”

He added: “Steven is happy playing in this position, he is scoring goals and enjoying the way he is playing.

“We had some problems in which we could not control games we should have been controlling. So we decided on two holding players and Steven playing further forward with Torres, and it has worked really well.”

Liverpool must win to maintain their push for fourth spot in a straight fight now with Everton.

Benitez says: “This is one of the biggest games of the season, although we do have some other very important matches coming along. But because of the rivalry between the two clubs, this makes it special.

“This is a crucial time, and if we do (win) it takes us closer. If we keep winning we get closer and closer. But if we lose it will be very difficult to move closer to them in any way.

“If we win, and then beat Everton the following week, it will make things interesting.

“I know I have not won a league game against United, but we have been very close at times and only lost to last-minute goals.”

Rafa Benitez: ‘Ronaldo Is Not Getting Any Special Treatment’

Rafa Benitez today insisted he will not be making any special plans to deal with the threat posed by Cristiano Ronaldo when Liverpool meet Man United on Sunday.

The Portuguese winger has been imperious form this season and currently tops the scoring charts with 33 goals to his name.

Though he is a confirmed admirer of Ronaldo's talents and is well aware of his ability to win games almost single handed, Benitez does not want to distract his players from the capabilities of United as a team by focusing too much on a single individual.

He said: "We have no special plans because if you start thinking too much about Ronaldo you will forget about Carlos Tevez, Wayne Rooney, Paul Scholes or Ryan Giggs.

"The most important thing for us is to keep our own team working as a team and if we do that maybe United will have to worry about us.

"If you are just watching Ronaldo there is a danger you will lose the others.

"They are a good team with a lot of good players so we need to think about controlling all of them.

"And maybe they are already thinking about Fernando Torres or Steven Gerrard or some of our other players."

The showdown at Old Trafford brings together Torres and Ronaldo, arguably the two best performing players in Britain and beyond this season.

Benitez believes there is very little between the pair but insists he would not swop record signing Torres for anyone.

"They are both really good players and it is very good for the supporters to see them play because they must enjoy watching them," he said.

"But Torres is our player so I would not want to change him."

Meanwhile, Javier Mascherano says he cannot wait for Sunday's game which will be his first visit to Old Trafford as a Liverpool player.

He said: "I did not play in the away game for Liverpool last season because I was still at West Ham.

"I played against them at Anfield this season and I really enjoyed the game even though the result did not go our way.

"I am sure the game on Sunday will be just as tough because United are a good team, but hopefully we will get a better result this time."

Dirk Kuyt: ’We Will Show How Much We Have Improved’

Just over a month ago, the prospect of Liverpool going to Old Trafford with any great confidence of getting a positive result was only marginally more likely than the chances of the Stretford End singing Poor Scouser Tommy.

Having crashed out of the FA Cup at the hands of Barnsley, Liverpool were at a low ebb, having already found themselves pushed to the margins of the title race thanks to a poor run of form after New Year.

But on Sunday, they will turn up to face Alex Ferguson's men as the country's form team, having followed up their cup exit with a string of seven successive victories, including the vanquishing of Italian champions Inter Milan, home and away.

It is this dramatic upturn in fortunes which makes Dirk Kuyt believes there is every chance of Liverpool getting a result at Old Trafford in a game in which the Dutchman believes the reigning English champions will see just how much their North West rivals have improved.

"It's a game we are all looking forward to," he said. "We are on a good run, having won our last seven games in a row, so it's nice to have Man United at this moment.

"It is a big game so hopefully we will show how much we have improved over the last couple of months.

"Everybody, apart from Daniel Agger, is fit so that is very good for us.

"We feel very strong at the moment. Even when we played Reading last week we did not play at our best but you could still see there was quality in the team.

"It can only be a good sign when you are even winning the games you haven’t played well in and that give us great confidence for the weekend."

United have already beaten Liverpool once this season when Carlos Tevez scored the only goal of a disappointing game at Anfield.

On that occasion, United reinforced their title credentials by securing a vital victory, even though their level of performance was not at its highest.

Kuyt is in no doubt that the challenge will be just as difficult when the two sides meet again on Sunday, particularly with Cristiano Ronaldo in such outstanding form.

But he also believes United will face a different Liverpool to the one they came up against last December.

"United are obviously one of the toughest teams to play in the league," he said.

"They have got quality players in attack but they also have good players in defence and a great goalkeeper, so it will be a tough game. But we will be ready for it.

"Everybody knows that Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the best players in the league and he will be really tough, but they also have Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez, who are great players.

"But I think everyone at Liverpool is looking forward to it.

"We know we will have to work really hard but we have individual quality ourselves.

"We have players who can make and score goals and we have the confidence that we can do that."

While Liverpool have been unable to keep pace with United in the race for the title, Fernando Torres has been keeping up with Ronaldo in the race to be the country's top scorer.

As things currently stand, Ronaldo has 22 goals to his name, with Torres just two goals behind.

And Kuyt is backing his Anfield team-mate to grab another one on Sunday at one of the toughest venues in the Premier League to show that Liverpool are now a different proposition to the one which succumbed to Barnsley just five weeks ago.

He said: "It looks like Fernando is scoring a goal every game now so at least we will score on Sunday at the very least. That would be nice.

"We know that we can score in every game now and we have had quite a few clean sheets in the last few weeks as well, so we know that we are better than we were a month or so ago."

Liverpool took the advantage in the battle for that all important fourth spot last weekend when they recorded a vital 2-1 win over Reading the day before rivals Everton lost to Fulham.

Kuyt knows the only way Liverpool can guarantee that they hold off the challenge from their Mersey neighbours is if they win every game from now until the end of the season – and because of this he is adamant that they will be looking for nothing but a victory at Old Trafford.

He said: "It will be difficult but we know that we can beat them.

"We have to look for the win because we are trying to get fourth place in the league, so that means trying to win every game we play between now and the end of the season.

"So we will be going for the win and then we will see what happens."

Liverpool have come a long way in a very short space of time. Now they face the ultimate test of their renewed confidence and much improved form.

But at least they are going to Old Trafford with a genuine belief they can get a result – and that is progress in itself.

Liverpool FC Solve Daniel Agger's Injury Mystery

The operation to cure Daniel Agger's longstanding foot problem has been declared a success by surgeons.

The Danish international has been out of first team action for Liverpool since breaking a metatarsal last September.

He has attempted a comeback on two separate occasions but after training and playing for the reserves Agger told Liverpool's physios that he was still feeling pain in his foot and it was decided that surgery was the only option.

Agger went under the knife on Monday afternoon and surgeons discovered a piece of floating bone which they believe was the source of his ongoing discomfort.

The 23-year-old defender will now return to Melwood to begin his rehabilitation with a view to being fit in time for the start of next season, although a comeback ahead of schedule before the end of this season has not been ruled out.

Reds boss Rafa Benitez is delighted that the problem finally appears to have been solved.

He said: "Daniel was reporting some pain in his foot so it was decided that he would go for an operation.

"He has now had that operation and the surgeons believe they have found out what was causing him the pain.

"Daniel has more confidence now that the operation is over.

"The doctors have told me that in a normal situation his season is finished but that he will be back for next season. If he improves quickly and makes good progress then he could play before the end of this season, but I think we will wait for next year. It will be like having a new signing when he is back.

"I know he is happier now. He has been trying so hard to get back fit again but now he can look forward to next season knowing it will be a different situation for him.

"It has been a big blow to Daniel and to us that he has been out for so long but hopefully the problem has now been sorted out and he can start working towards being fit for the start of next season.

"Martin Skrtel has come into the side and done very well along with Carra and Sami Hyypia but it will obviously be good to have Daniel back because he is an important player for us."

Kewell Fights For Reds Future

Harry Kewell has vowed to fight to win a new contract at Liverpool.

The Australian international's current deal expires at the end of the season and he could leave Anfield for nothing in the summer.

Kewell has not featured for Liverpool since the shock FA Cup defeat to Barnsley and Reds boss Rafa Benitez has admitted the former Leeds star faces a battle to win a contract extension.

The 29-year-old will miss this weekend's clash with Manchester United as he has been given permission to join up with Australia this weekend for their training camp ahead of the World Cup qualifier with China next week.

Kewell, who has seen his time at Anfield blighted by injury, insists he will not give up on winning a new contract.

"I've got a contract until the end of the season and I'm still fighting for another one at Liverpool," Kewell told the Liverpool Daily Post.

"I've got the Aussie spirit of never say die and I'll take that all the way to the end. I won't give up until the final whistle.

"The best thing for me is to get some games so I can be fighting fit for Liverpool. There's a chance here to play two games and the manager was very happy for me to come across.

"I've just got to play football.

"I've been through some good times and bad times and I've realised now that just want to enjoy my football. That's the important thing."

Celtic have been linked with a possible move for Kewell in the summer, but the winger claims he is unaware of any interest from the Scottish champions.

"It's the first I've heard of it and I've heard a lot of things in my period in football," added Kewell.

"There's a lot of fantastic clubs out there, but for now my goal is on Saturday and then China."

Beware Liverpool’s TAG Team, Says John Arne Riise

John Arne Riise has warned Manchester United to beware the ‘TAG’ team that is wrestling Liverpool’s opponents into submission.

Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard have netted 12 of the 18 goals Rafael Benitez’s have accrued since embarking on a seven-game winning streak.

The pairing have struck up a prolific understanding reminiscent of the Alan Shearer and Chris Sutton ‘SAS’ combination that fired Blackburn Rovers to the Premier League title in 1995.

Liverpool travel to Old Trafford on Sunday hoping to break Benitez’s United duck in the Premier League and strengthen their claims for a top-four finish.

And Norway left-back Riise, who is hopeful of regaining the left-back role at the weekend, reckons the form of Torres and Gerrard can help Benitez’s men secure a first league win over their bitter North West rivals in four years.

“Gerrard and Torres have a partnership like I’ve never seen before,” said Riise. “The two of them are in unbelievable form at the moment, both looking strong and both scoring goals.

“I wouldn’t say I’m surprised with the way Torres is playing because we knew he was a top striker, but sometimes it can take a while to settle in English football. He hasn’t needed time at all. I know for a fact that defenders hate to play against him because he’s so quick and so strong.

“United will definitely be worried about us because we’re the form side at the moment, but at the same time we have to respect them because they are a top side also.”

Liverpool’s encouraging run of form will be put to the test over the next three weeks. After Sunday’s game at United, Everton visit Anfield a week later for the Merseyside derby before three games in seven days against Arsenal in both the league and the Champions League.

And Riise admits: “These next couple of weeks are going to be unbelievable. We are playing top games against top teams but we are looking strong at the moment and so we can’t wait for the matches to come around.

“This is the sort of run of games you train for and work towards during the season. There’s still a lot to play for for us as we look to secure fourth place and keep going in the Champions League.

“We’ve closed the gap on the top teams of late but we still need three teams to mess up if we’re going to get back into the title race.

“For now I think we have to look to finish fourth and that’s why the derby next weekend is going to be so crucial.”

Riise believes Benitez must take his share of the credit for the manner in which Liverpool have suddenly hit a rich vein of winning form.

“It’s down to the manager and his rotation,” he said. “Because he changed the team around earlier in the season we’re now seeing the rewards of that.

“When you have so many competitions to play in it’s important to rotate and that’s why the manager did it. He cares about the players.

“Now we don’t have as many competitions to go for, that’s why you’re seeing virtually the same players and the same system from game to game.”

Jamie Carragher concurs with the view of his defensive colleague.

“The first three years the manager has been here we have been to three finals so hopefully there will be another one this season in Moscow,” said the centre-back.

“He gets a lot of criticism for it but you have to look at his record, not just here at Valencia too, it does prove successful.

“The manager takes a lot of criticism but over the last few weeks we haven’t been changing too much as there hasn’t been as many games.

“But with these five games coming up, plus the international game, I’m sure there might be a few changes.

“At this time of the season there are maybe a few tired legs and things just need freshening up every now and again.”

Rafael Benitez May Be Forced To Rotate For Liverpool's Crucial Matches

Liverpool’s recent unbeaten run may have coincided with Rafael Benítez breaking from his infamous rotation policy, but Jamie Carragher believes that the manager will revert to his tried and trusted methods during a gruelling three-week period that could make or break the team’s season.

Since their humiliating exit at the hands of Barnsley in the FA Cup fifth round last month, Liverpool have won their past seven matches in all competitions, reaching the Champions League quarter-finals and regaining fourth place in the Barclays Premier League in the process.

Benítez has made 16 changes to his line-ups during that time at an average of a little less than 2.29 changes per match, but with Manchester United to play at Old Trafford on Sunday in the first of five mouthwatering fixtures over a 17-day period — not to mention next week’s international schedule — Carragher is adamant that the Spaniard will soon be ringing the changes once again.

“The manager takes a lot of criticism [for his rotation policy], but over the last few weeks we haven’t been changing too much as there hasn’t been as many games,” the defender said. “But with these five games coming up, plus the international games, I’m sure there might be a few changes. At this time of the season there are maybe a few tired legs and things just need freshening up every now and again.”

Benítez will lose many of his senior squad to international duty after the match against United, with the Liverpool manager particularly irked that Javier Mascherano, the midfield player, must travel to Cairo for Argentina’s friendly against Egypt on Wednesday, four days before a Merseyside derby against Everton at Anfield that is likely to have a huge bearing on the fight for fourth place in the Premier League.

Liverpool will then face Arsenal three times in seven days, with their league meeting at the Emirates Stadium on April 5 sandwiched between their two-leg Champions League quarter-final, and John Arne Riise is adamant that the club can maintain their fine form.

“These next couple of weeks are going to be unbelievable,” the defender said. “We are playing top games against top teams, but we are looking strong at the moment and so we can’t wait for the matches to come around. There’s still a lot to play for as we look to secure fourth place and keep going in the Champions League. That’s our one chance to win a trophy this season and we want to take it.

“The disappointing thing from our point of view is that we should have been up there fighting for the title. You won’t believe how disappointed we are with some of the points we have thrown away this season, especially at home.

“We’ve closed the gap on the top teams of late, but we still need three teams to mess up if we’re going to get back in the title race. For now, I think we have to look to finish fourth and that’s why the derby next weekend is going to be crucial.”

Riise believes that the form of Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres, who has 27 goals to his name in his debut season at the club, will be vital. “Gerrard and Torres have a partnership like I’ve never seen before,” Riise said. “The two of them are in unbelievable form at the moment, both looking strong and both scoring goals.

“Torres has needed no time at all [to settle in English football]. United will definitely be worried about us because we’re the form side at the moment.”

Torres is confident that he can maintain a spree in which he has found the net nine times in Liverpool’s past six matches. “I hope to score many more goals for Liverpool this season,” the Spain striker said. “I’ve been having a good year so far and I’m hoping the team can continue our good run of results until the end of the season.”

Lucas Outs Himself As Fan Of Rafa's Rotation Policy

Lucas Leiva has credited Rafa Benitez's much maligned rotation policy with allowing him to get a foothold in the Liverpool squad.

Benitez seems to finally have discovered the virtues of a first-choice lineup, but not before the former Gremio standout established himself as a steady compliment to the likes of Steven Gerrard, Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano, by impressing in almost all of his 20 appearances so far this season.

"The manager, Rafa Benitez, has a philosophy whereby he likes to rotate, sometimes four players from game to game. And this has worked to my advantage," admitted the 21-year-old, who captained the Brazilian U-20 team before making the graduation to the full Selecao.

"Gerrard is undoubtedly the face of Liverpool Football Club, possibly the face of English football," he added. "But we can play together and have already done so to good effect.

"I must admit I suffered a bit when I first came to England," he added. "But then I realised that there was nothing to be intimidated by, everybody had two legs, we were all equal.

"I managed to get over this when I realized what I had already achieved. I had done big things like being selected for Brazil. Now, I have settled in and everyone has treated me well since I arrived."

Lucas became the first Brazilian to score for Liverpool in January of this year when he struck against Havant and Waterlooville in the FA Cup.

Dalglish Praises Gerrard And Torres

Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish has heaped praise on current Anfield stars Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard, hailing them amongst the Anfield greats.

The pair are massive hits with the Kop, with Torres taking no time at all to win over fans following his big-money move from Atlético Madrid in the summer.

The Spaniard became the first player since Robbie Fowler to hit 20 league goals in a season for Liverpool, with many of his strikes thanks to great assist play from Gerrard.

"The understanding that has developed between Torres and Steven Gerrard is becoming telepathic," said Dalglish, who was at Liverpool in the glory years and as manager delivered the Reds' last league title.

"There were a couple of exchanges between them against Reading where one didn't even have to look for the other before a pass was played.

"They just seemed to be able to judge where the other wanted the ball played. It's going to be fascinating to watch over the next few seasons as they get better."

Riise Quiet On Toon Talk

Liverpool defender John Arne Riise has refused to comment on speculation linking him with a summer move to Newcastle, according to the player's representative.

The Norwegian international, who is also capable of playing in midfield, has fallen out of favour at Anfield this season with Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez preferring the pairing of Fabio Aurelio and Ryan Babel on the Reds' left-hand side.

However, Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan is rumoured to be an admirer of Riise, who joined Liverpool from Monaco in 2001 for £4.6million.

Keegan is understood to be keen to bolster his shaky defence in the summer after shipping 57 goals so far this term.

However, Riise's representative - Jan Kvalheim - insists the 27-year-old, who has also been linked with a move to Aston Villa, will not add weight to the speculation.

"This is just speculation and John Arne will not comment on this," Kvalheim told the Dagbladet website.

Xavi And Javier Ready To Lock Down United

Xabi Alonso hailed Rafa Benitez's latest tactical reshuffle and claimed one of its less spectacular spin-offs could prove the key to stifling Manchester United's title charge on Sunday.

Goals have been flowing since Benitez unleashed Steven Gerrard in an attacking role just behind Fernando Torres. This has helped resurgent Liverpool score 15 times in their last five Barclays Premier League games.

But as the title race approaches its most momentous 24 hours so far, with Chelsea facing Arsenal soon after Liverpool go to Old Trafford, Alonso described how his new role alongside Javier Mascherano could be just as influential in maintaining his side's recent revival.

Torres and Gerrard have proved a potent force up front but the way Alonso and Mascherano drop anchor behind them may have just as big a say in the outcome of one of the season's biggest clashes, according to the Spain midfielder.

'I am enjoying the partnership with Javier and feel it is working really well,' he said. 'Javier has so many great qualities that bring so much to the way we play. He holds his position really well, is very strong physically when he is challenging another player and is a great team player.

'It is new for us, playing together like this, but we are managing the situation quite well and building up a good understanding that should get even better as we go along.'

Alonso: Torres Loves The Big Stage

Xabi Alonso believes Fernando Torres can realise his full potential at Liverpool after being stifled by the goldfish bowl at Atletico Madrid.

Torres is enjoying a dream maiden season in the Barclays Premier League following his £20million-plus summer switch from the Spanish capital.

His winner against Reading on Saturday made him the first Reds player to score 20 league goals in a season since Robbie Fowler 12 years previously.

Club and international team-mate Alonso thinks the striker is getting better and better, and doubts whether he could have made such progress had he remained at his boyhood club.

"Fernando has improved,'' Alonso said on liverpoolfc.tv.”He has got rid of the pressure he had at Atletico Madrid.

"He is feeling really comfortable playing with his team-mates at Liverpool and because of this he is getting better and better each day, which is good news for the team.

"He has settled into the Premier League very quickly and that is encouraging because it can be difficult coming into a new league.

"He has shown he is not afraid of the physical contact here, with defenders trying to put him off, and that is really important.''

Reds boss Rafael Benitez believes Liverpool can still have an impact on the Premier League title race - and he is happy with them being forgotten for now.

Benitez's men are eight points behind the pace but still have Manchester United and Arsenal to play before the end of the campaign.

"How near we finish to the top now will be interesting,'' Benitez said.”We have been criticised this season, but let us see where we are in three or four weeks.

"We have important games and if we win them we will be a lot closer. If we can beat Manchester United we will be closer to the top, and that will give us more confidence.

"If we beat Everton after that then we will be closer still. Maybe, maybe we can be closer if we do not talk too much about it.

"Do we have a point to prove? Maybe, but only if we can keep winning three points.

We All Fear Special Fernando Torres, Admits Messi

Barcelona star Lionel Messi admits Liverpool’s Champions League rivals fear the “special” talent of Fernando Torres.

The Spaniard has been a major success since arriving at Anfield from Atletico Madrid in the summer, his weekend winner against Reading taking his season’s tally to 27 goals in 36 games.

Following last week’s draw for the quarter-finals and semi-finals, Barcelona and Liverpool cannot meet in the Champions League until the final in Moscow on May 21.

And Messi has pinpointed Torres, who scored the only goal of Liverpool’s triumph at Inter Milan last week, as a major threat.

“Manchester United are very good and Cristiano Ronaldo is a great player who I watch a lot,” said Messi. “The other top English teams – Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool – are capable of success too, because they have special players like Cesc Fabregas, Didier Drogba and Fernando Torres.

“The best Premier League clubs also have the experience of doing well in the Champions League.”

Torres has also been backed by compatriot and Liverpool team-mate Xabi Alonso.

“Fernando has improved,” said the midfielder. “He has got rid of the pressure he had at Atletico Madrid. He is feeling really comfortable playing with his team-mates at Liverpool and because of this he is getting better and better each day, which is good news for the team.

“He has settled into the Premier League very quickly and that is encouraging because it can be difficult coming into a new league.

“He has shown he is not afraid of the physical contact here, with defenders trying to put him off, and that is really important.”

Liverpool take on Arsenal in an all-English quarter-final tie next month, while Barcelona face off against German underdogs Schalke.

Before then, Rafael Benitez’s side have a pair of crucial Premier League outings against local rivals Manchester United and Everton as they strive to ensure a top-four finish and Champions League qualification for next season.

The Anfield outfit visit United on Sunday hoping to improve on a record under Benitez of drawing one and losing six of their previous seven league meetings against United. No Liverpool player has scored during those games, but having accrued seven straight victories, Alonso believes Benitez’s side are in good shape to end that duck.

“We are in a good moment, playing well and scoring goals, and now we have to think of the next game against Man United,” said the midfielder.

“It is going to be a big game, playing at Old Trafford, we know their qualities but we are really looking forward to it.”

Meanwhile, Lucas Leiva has jumped to the defence of Benitez’s rotation policy – and believes it has helped him settle in at Anfield.

The young Brazilian midfielder has enjoyed an encouraging first season since arriving from homeland club Gremio for £6million.

And Lucas said: “I must admit I suffered a bit when I first came to England. But then I realised that there was nothing to be intimidated by, everybody had two legs, we were all equal.

“I managed to get over this when I realised what I had already achieved. I had done big things like being selected for Brazil. Now, I have settled in and everyone has treated me well since I arrived. The manager, Rafa Benitez, has a philosophy whereby he likes to rotate, sometimes four players from game to game. And this has worked to my advantage.”

Liverpool FC Will Determine Outcome Of Premier League Race, Says Rafa Benitez

Rafael Benitez believes Liverpool can still have an impact on the Barclays Premier League title race - and he is happy with them being forgotten for now.

Benitez’s men are eight points behind the pace but still have Manchester United and Arsenal to play before the end of the campaign.

“How near we finish to the top now will be interesting,” the Reds boss told liverpoolfc.tv. “We have been criticised this season, but let us see where we are in three or four weeks.

“We have important games and if we win them we will be a lot closer. If we can beat Manchester United we will be closer to the top, and that will give us more confidence.

“If we beat Everton after that then we will be closer still. Maybe, maybe we can be closer if we do not talk too much about it.

“Do we have a point to prove? Maybe, but only if we can keep winning three points.”

Midfielder Xabi Alonso is also confident, particularly with striker Fernando Torres in good form.

“Fernando has improved,” Alonso said. “He has got rid of the pressure he had at Atletico Madrid.

“He is feeling really comfortable playing with his team-mates at Liverpool and because of this he is getting better and better each day, which is good news for the team.

“He has settled into the Premier League very quickly and that is encouraging because it can be difficult coming into a new league.

“He has shown he is not afraid of the physical contact here, with defenders trying to put him off, and that is really important.”

MARK LAWRENSON: Demoralised Arsenal Perfect Foe For Liverpool

AS each game passes, the feeling that Liverpool got a kind Champions League draw just gets stronger.

That’s what Arsenal is at the moment. Talk about there for the taking.

It’s the mentality there. I’m just not sure some of the players have it, certainly not the type you need to win leagues and European Cups.

They have had nothing but problems since the spat between Adebayor and Bendtner in the Carling Cup semi- final with Spurs.

Two players making it so obvious they don’t like each other is exposing inner weakness – and it’s hardly stopped since.

They went to Old Trafford in the FA Cup and didn’t play, then they went to pieces after Eduardo’s injury.

None more so than William Gallas, the captain and man who should have been pulling them up by their bootlaces – not staring down at his own and blubbing uncontrollably.

The feeble draws they have suffered since then proves they haven’t got a string enough mentality.

So you don’t need me to speculate about how a second leg at Anfield on a European Cup night will affect them...

Rafa Benitez Reveals Fears For International Liverpool Stars Ahead Of Derby

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has hit out at an international schedule which will see several of his players travelling around the world just days before the Merseyside derby.

A 2-1 victory over Reading at Anfield on Saturday, coupled with Everton’s 1-0 defeat to Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday has seen Liverpool edge three points ahead of their neighbours in the battle to secure the final Champions League qualification spot.

However, Benitez is seething over the prospect of sweating on the return of many of his star performers barely 48 hours before they lock horns with David Moyes’s side on March 30.

Like many Premier League managers, Benitez is frustrated by having to release his big names for effectively meaningless international friendly fixtures at a crucial stage of the season.

Benitez, who was without Fernando Torres for the trip to Chelsea this season after the striker was injured while playing for Spain, is particularly galled at in-form midfielder Javier Mascherano having to travel to Egypt with Argentina.

The 23-year-old, who completed his £18million move to Anfield earlier this month, has been one of Liverpool’s stellar performers in recent weeks and his combative style seems ideally suited to the upcoming derby tussle which could make or break either of the Mersey clubs’ hopes of sealing a place in European football’s elite club tournament next season.

A sarcastic Benitez said: “I’m really, really happy that Mascherano will go to Egypt to play a friendly – things like that you can’t understand. But the rules are rules, so the players must go.

“It’s the same problem for all the top sides. Normally the best players are in the top sides and they are playing Champions League or for the title. We’ve been talking about this 100 times.

“You can’t speak to the coach. You can say ‘be careful’ but they are thinking about themselves, and it makes it very difficult.”

Including the internationals, Liverpool face six games in 16 games, starting with a trip to Old Trafford on Sunday before the derby a week later and a hat- trick of clashes against Arsenal. Having opened up a three-point advantage over Everton, Liverpool will be eager to maintain the gap this weekend when they face a trip to Old Trafford to face the champions.

Rafael Benitez’s side have not won any of their last seven Premier League meetings against Manchester United, a run which has included six defeats, but Brazilian full-back Fabio Aurelio is convinced Liverpool can continue their run of seven straight wins by stunning Sir Alex Ferguson’s charges.

He said: “For sure it will be the real test of where we are at the moment.

“It is a really important game for us, and we must gain points.

“We know against top teams anything can happen but we need to be strong enough to go into these games with confidence.

“Or course playing in Old Trafford is really difficult but we have to believe that we can go and win also. And if we keep doing our job as we are, we will be much closer at the end of the season.”

Aurelio added: “When you get good results, the team starts to believe a bit more. We are in the quarter- finals of the Champions League again and it is really important for the confidence.

“But to be in it next season we have to finish fourth so we cannot forget the Premier League. We need to keep working harder in both competitions.”

Aurelio, who netted his first goal for Liverpool against Bolton earlier this month, is delighted that his fellow South American Mascherano also broke his scoring duck against Reading on Saturday.

He said: “Javier has been having a great season, working really well for the team and deserved to have a great moment like the one on Saturday. Everyone was happy for him.”

MARK LAWRENSON: Will The Mersey Derby Be Advantage Liverpool?

It seems at first glance that the pivotal weekend in the Merseyside battle to get into the top four has just passed.

And given what happened, you have to say it’s advantage Liverpool.

They are on a great run while you always had the feeling Everton’s own superb sequence of results would come to an end at some time.

The fact that they were so short of players at Fulham shows how much the season could be catching up with them and also suggests they’re not really getting the luck or run of the ball Liverpool are enjoying at the moment.

If that game at Craven Cottage was six weeks ago, you feel Everton would have won it, even with their awful record there.

Now things aren’t going their way – they’re going Liverpool’s. And yet.

I get the feeling all that could change again and that’s why I think David Moyes is dead right to insist his team can still break into that elite top bracket.

For starters, it can easily all swing back in Everton’s favour this weekend.

Just for a change, they won’t have the pressure of playing catch-up and they can shift it on to Liverpool instead by beating West Ham.

For Liverpool, going to the leaders away from home is always a tough ask, especially given their recent record.

You get the feeling a draw there would be a result they would take now.

But beyond this week comes the indication that Liverpool still have it all to do to keep Everton at bay.

Doing that at Anfield won’t be easy in the derby – but after that comes the massive triple header against Arsenal.

That period will be defining because it’s the time Liverpool really have to deliver results, rather than just breeze through the bunch of undoubtedly easier fixtures they’ve had over the past month.

And at the same time, whatever Liverpool do, Moyes has to stick to his belief that it’s what his side achieves that will determine their campaign.

And that’s why it’s vital he rallies round his troops and reminds them how they got in this situation in the first place.

Moyes can’t change his team at the moment given the injury situation so he has to look at the men he has got and get them up again following a hard week.

And although he knows that seven days don’t decide a season and it’s how he utilises this coming week that will be key to them engineering another resurgence.

This is a rare week in which Everton have no midweek games – the perfect time for a couple of days off.

Get them refreshed, get them rested and, most importantly, wrap them in cotton wool before the injury situation gets worse. It will make all the difference.

Then I reckon they will be ready to go on another run and stay well in contention in that race for fourth place.

Over the past weekend, Liverpool took a significant step towards it – but that doesn’t make next week’s derby any less intriguing.

It’s still set to go to the wire.