PFA Chief Demands Ref No-go Zones

Professional Footballers' Association chief executive Gordon Taylor has called for an exclusion zone around referees to stop players' dissent.

On Sunday, Liverpool's Javier Mascherano was sent off for talking back to Steve Bennett, just days after an incident involving Ashley Cole and Mike Riley.

Taylor believes more must be done to ensure players improve their conduct towards match officials.

"I have made it clear referees should be a no-go area," he told BBC 5 Live.

"It is time managers and players did accept a responsibility because what happens at the top level happens lower down.

"It is the bad points that get highlighted and the game has to be very much aware and do all it can to eradicate it."

Taylor also feels the Football Association has to do more as part of an orchestrated campaign to underline to clubs that attitudes must change.

"We have regular meetings with referees and the FA and when there are patterns developing like this then we need to take action.

"It can be done with sanctions and an educational process."

During Chelsea's 4-4 draw with Tottenham on Wednesday, defender Cole vented his anger at referee Riley when he was penalised for a bad tackle on Alan Hutton.

Cole then turned his back on the official when he was having his name taken.

Although Cole later apologised, the incident sparked a great deal of debate about players' behaviour.

then at the weekend, Argentine midfielder Mascherano was given his marching orders for questioning referee Bennett, who had seconds earlier booked Fernando Torres for a similar outburst.

Taylor admitted: "There has been a big campaign last week against dissent and respect for referees but in spite of that the message has not got through so it has to come out louder and clearer."

Mascherano Pleads Innocence But Faces Three-game Ban

Javier Mascherano continued to plead innocence yesterday over his controversial dismissal against Manchester United as the Football Association prepared to charge the Liverpool midfielder for his show of dissent at Old Trafford.

The FA is expected to charge the Argentina international with improper conduct today following his furious reaction to being sent off by the referee, Steve Bennett, on Sunday and his refusal to leave the field of play. The charge could bring an additional two-match ban for Mascherano, who is automatically suspended from this Sunday's Merseyside derby with Everton at Anfield, and may be fast-tracked to ensure the ban continues without interruption. That would suspend the £18.6m midfielder from Liverpool's league visit to Arsenal on April 5 and the following weekend's home game against Blackburn Rovers.

Mascherano is likely to request a personal hearing if charged by the FA as he believes he was more sinned against than sinning when questioning Bennett's decision to book Fernando Torres for dissent during Liverpool's 3-0 defeat. Though he has apologised to his team-mates, the Liverpool midfielder maintains he was dealt with harshly at Old Trafford.

Speaking from Egypt, where he is on international duty with Argentina, Mascherano insisted: "I do not know why I was sent off. I asked the referee what was happening. I did not swear, I was not aggressive and I did not confront him. All I did was ask him what was happening, nothing else. So when he showed me the second yellow card and sent me off I could not believe it. I am sorry to my team-mates because that meant we went down to 10 men and that made things even more difficult for us."

Torres, meanwhile, has reported for international duty with Spain despite suffering a rib injury during the United game. Liverpool have requested that the striker undergo a scan while in Spain should his discomfort continue.

Rafa Benitez Fumes Over Manchester United's Treatment Of Fernando Torres

Liverpool will await the results of scans today on injuries sustained by top scorer Fernando Torres in the controversial 3-0 Barclays Premier League defeat at Manchester United.

The match was marred by the first-half red card for Javier Mascherano, after his protracted dissent in a confrontation with referee Steve Bennett.

Many suggested yesterday’s dismissal was a product of the Ashley Cole incident in midweek at Spurs - when the Chelsea star showed dissent, and his back, to referee Mike Riley but received only a yellow card.

Bennett was the fourth official on the touchline at White Hart Lane that night.

It has emerged, however, that the root cause of Liverpool’s anger and frustration at Old Trafford was the treatment meted out to Torres by United defenders.

Torres was taken off near the end - according to Reds boss Rafael Benitez, “to protect him”, with the game already lost.

Wes Brown scored in the first period, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani adding late goals for the champions.

It was a great day for Sir Alex Ferguson’s men, who are now five points clear at the top - following Arsenal’s defeat at Chelsea yesterday.

But Benitez must now pick up the pieces before Sunday’s Merseyside derby with Everton, whom Liverpool lead by two points in the race for fourth spot.

Mascherano will miss that match, serving a one-match ban.

Benitez said: “Torres had some knocks on his ribs and ankle - a lot of knocks and a lot of kicks. I was just trying to protect him. The doctors will do a scan, and we will see.

“Was I disappointed by intimidation of Torres? Maybe I should ask others for their opinion. I have my own opinion, which was very clear.

“We have seen a lot of things and we do not need to talk about problems with referees. It was very clear.”

Benitez tried to defend Mascherano, who could even find himself the subject of further investigation by the Football Association for refusing to leave the pitch quickly.

“The player knows he has made a mistake - but in this kind of game to be sent off just for ’asking’ I find a difficult decision to understand.

“I don’t know whether it was anything to do with the Ashley Cole incident.

“Javier was sent off for dissent, but to be sent off for asking the official something is a surprise.

“He knows he made a mistake, but in a big game like this it is difficult to understand.

Ferguson was delighted with the victory.

On the sending-off, he said: “The boy had already been booked, and dissent is dissent. I feel he should not have got involved.

“He ran from centre-midfield to get involved with the referee. With things that happened in the week with the Ashley Cole incident, there is now a focus on dissent.”

DIC To Seal £400m Deal For Liverpool In 'Three To Four Weeks'

The long pursuit of Liverpool by Dubai International Capital is set to end within the next "three to four weeks" with the investment group taking full control of the Premier League club, according to a source close to the proposed deal.

DIC is understood to be confident that it will finally buy the club for £400m – and is looking to involve a "third party" investor, who would take a minority stake, as part of its business plan. The company is believed to already have an agreement in place with the club's co-owner George Gillett Jnr to buy his share.

It is also confident that Tom Hicks, who owns the other 50 per cent, is now close to agreeing to sell to them even though he cut off negotiations earlier this month insisting he would not sell even a minority stake. Hicks also said he would block any attempt by Gillett to sell.

Although DIC, which is the private equity investment arm of the Dubai government, realises it is paying a high price for Liverpool – Gillett and Hicks bought the club for £219m 13 months ago – such is its determination to succeed that it wants to push ahead. "It's not a cheap deal and Hicks is holding out but there is confidence that it will now finally happen," a source said. Matters have not been helped by the strained relationship between the two Americans.

DIC, whose chief executive Sameer Al-Ansari is a life-long fan of the club and who will join the board, has ambitious plans which could include involving some of its other investment vehicles in an attempt to raise its profile. The hotel group Jumeirah could be used as part of the development of a new stadium. A wide-ranging review of the club, and its revenue streams, will be conducted.

DIC came close to buying Liverpool before the Americans' acquisition and has tried to resume negotiations, on and off, ever since. The reason for the apparent confidence now could be that several of Hicks' loans are due for refinancing within two or three months. This may be the trigger for his main lender – believed to be JP Morgan – to force him back into talks with DIC and accept its offer for Liverpool.

The full level of the Texan's debt is unclear. But DIC sources believe he has been hit badly by the state of the financial markets in the United States, which has seen the value of assets which he has borrowed heavily against drop – in some cases by between 30 and 50 per cent.

Were Hicks unable to refinance loans when, at a time of severe anxiety among financial institutions, they are due, JP Morgan could take over the assets Hicks has borrowed against or force a sale. Since bankers would tend to sell on such assets anyway the presence of a prospective buyer like DIC would be attractive to them.

Given how far apart DIC and Hicks seem to be, it would appear that any chance of the Arab consortium having a future role at Anfield would be through a complete takeover, with or without a junior partner.

Liverpool’s Torres Doubtful For Spain

Fernando Torres joined up with the Spain squad yesterday ahead of their friendly with Italy on Wednesday.

But the Liverpool striker, who was substituted on Sunday after suffering knocks to his ribs and ankle, sat out the training session in Elche and is a doubt for the game.

Boss Rafa Benitez withdrew Torres from the field late on in the 3-0 defeat at Manchester United after becoming concerned at the the tough treatment he was receiving.

Torres had a scan on his ribs yesterday.

Javier Mascherano Facing Lengthy Ban After Manchester United Red Card

Javier Mascherano is facing a lengthy ban and hefty fine after his refusal to leave the pitch following his sending-off at Old Trafford yesterday.

Liverpool were already 1-0 down with Mascherano on one yellow card when he raced over to referee Steve Bennett to protest against Fernando Torres’s booking for dissent in the 44th minute.

Bennett showed no tolerance for further confrontation and promptly sent Mascherano off – sparking chaotic scenes by the touchline as the player and his team-mates surrounded the official.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez eventually had to calm Mascherano down and usher him away from the pitch – but he leapt to the defence of the midfielder, who will definitely miss the Merseyside derby next Sunday and possibly further games beyond that.

Benitez, who is set to withdraw Torres from the Spain squad this week after the top scorer picked up a rib injury yesterday, said: “The player told me he was just asking what happened (with Torres).

“A player who is as good a professional as Mascherano is really, really surprised – like I was.

“He couldn’t understand what happened as he was only asking.

“The player knows he made a mistake but in a big game like this, to leave one team with 10 players just for asking is a difficult decision to understand.”

Liverpool were trailing to Wes Brown’s opening goal beforebut were still in the contention when they were reduced to 10 men just before half-time.

Despite a brief spell of pressure in the second half late goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani completed a victory that moves United five points clear at the top of the Premier League following Chelsea’s

2-1 win over Arsenal and Benitez feels the final result was ultimately determined by the dismissal of Mascherano.

“We saw two games,” he added. “Before the sending-off we had a few chances, some counter-attacks and could have scored but we conceded from one mistake.

“But after the sending-off the game was almost finished.

“We pressed a bit in the second half but they have quality and ability so it was difficult and after the second goal everything was over. We could be in the game, but with 10 players? Forget it.”

Despite initially showing his fury with Bennett, Benitez eventually coaxed Mascherano away from the argument, although his intervention is unlikely to prevent the player receiving further punishment.

Benitez said: “I was speaking to him in Spanish and saying ‘finish!’ but he was saying he didn’t say anything, just asking. I said ‘listen, finish because you cannot change the situation’.

“But he was surprised. Javier has been a fantastic professional and has been for years, playing at the maximum level, so he couldn’t understand. And in these games you want to know why.

“You want to win and you have passion and you make mistakes but the sending-off was really difficult to understand. To ask the referee is not a big problem.

“All our people will be really disappointed and I’m the first to be disappointed but we know we cannot change anything now.

“We have an important game against Everton. We also have an international break which we cannot control but then we have Everton and it’s up to us.”

Torres was due to be in the Spanish side to play Italy in a friendly on Wednesday but a scan on his ribs is likely to rule him out and boost Benitez’s derby preparations.

Liverpool Waiting On Torres Scans After Being Subbed Against United 'For His Protection'

Liverpool will await the results of scans today on injuries sustained by top scorer Fernando Torres in the controversial 3-0 Barclays Premier League defeat at Manchester United.

The match was marred by the first-half red card for Javier Mascherano, after his protracted dissent in a confrontation with referee Steve Bennett.

Many suggested yesterday's dismissal was a product of the Ashley Cole incident in midweek at Spurs - when the Chelsea star showed dissent, and his back, to referee Mike Riley but received only a yellow card.

Bennett was the fourth official on the touchline at White Hart Lane that night.

It has emerged, however, that the root cause of Liverpool's anger and frustration at Old Trafford was the treatment meted out to Torres by United defenders.

Torres was taken off near the end - according to Reds boss Rafael Benitez, "to protect him", with the game already lost.

Wes Brown scored in the first period, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani adding late goals for the champions.

It was a great day for Sir Alex Ferguson's men, who are now five points clear at the top - following Arsenal's defeat at Chelsea yesterday.

But Benitez must now pick up the pieces before Sunday's Merseyside derby with Everton, whom Liverpool lead by two points in the race for fourth spot.

Mascherano will miss that match, serving a one-match ban.

Benitez said: "Torres had some knocks on his ribs and ankle - a lot of knocks and a lot of kicks. I was just trying to protect him. The doctors will do a scan, and we will see.

"Was I disappointed by intimidation of Torres? Maybe I should ask others for their opinion. I have my own opinion, which was very clear.

"We have seen a lot of things and we do not need to talk about problems with referees. It was very clear."

Benitez tried to defend Mascherano, who could even find himself the subject of further investigation by the Football Association for refusing to leave the pitch quickly.

"The player knows he has made a mistake - but in this kind of game to be sent off just for 'asking' I find a difficult decision to understand. I don't know whether it was anything to do with the Ashley Cole incident.

"Javier was sent off for dissent, but to be sent off for asking the official something is a surprise. He knows he made a mistake, but in a big game like this it is difficult to understand.

Ferguson was delighted with the victory. On the sending-off, he said: "The boy had already been booked, and dissent is dissent. I feel he should not have got involved.

"He ran from centre-midfield to get involved with the referee. With things that happened in the week with the Ashley Cole incident, there is now a focus on dissent."

James Lawton: Argentine's Brainstorm Mocks Value Of Benitez's Hard-won Investment

Javier Mascherano is rated as £17m worth of hard professional acumen. He is supposed to hold the keys of Liverpool's defence. He persuaded his manager, Rafa Benitez, that his permanent signing was crucial enough to risk everything in its pursuit. Right now, though, you wouldn't trust him to guide a pub team through a tumultuous Sunday morning. You wouldn't back him to preserve peace at the Last Supper.

But then, in the aftermath of Chelsea and England full-back Ashley Cole's anarchic contempt for the role of the referee, where would you look for a sense that big-time football has a clue about protecting its image? Not Liverpool, as they prod among the ashes of the belief that they might just finally make some impact on Manchester United's well nurtured assumption that they belong in a different, classier street.

Mascherano left Benitez in a fever of denial after a dismissal which could be attributed not so much to arrogance as relentless stupidity. "He was asking a question," Benitez protested weakly after the referee Steve Bennett, who had been a distinctly passive fourth official when Cole behaved so dismissively towards the referee Mike Riley at White Hart Lane, had shown a second yellow card to the Argentine. This was true enough, but perhaps not in the way the Liverpool manager intended.

Mascherano's question took us to the heart of football's latest public relations nightmare: how long can the authorities agonise over their free-falling reputation for maintaining even nominal respect for officials when players like Cole and now Mascherano make it so clear that they feel free to operate without a moment's reflection on possible consequences?

From the moment Mascherano was booked for his 11th-minute foul on Paul Scholes, he conducted a non-stop attempt to influence Bennett whenever United committed a transgression. This was not infrequently, but the greatest certainty of all was that Mascherano was pushing ever closer to breaking point. This came, quite irrevocably, a minute before half-time when Liverpool's Fernando Torres was booked for dissent.

Mascherano ran across the field to make his statement or, as Benitez would have it, ask his question. His eyes were wild. His face was filled with contempt. It was as though the Cole affair had never happened.

For the Football Association the point was being underlined in the most lurid colours. Anarchy was indeed marching through the first leg of what had been billed so extravagantly as Grand Slam Sunday – and was doing rather more than represent the case for a serious review of existing disciplinary measures.

As the regulation stands, Mascherano would expect an automatic one-match ban for such a sending-off, but it seems likely the case will be put in a special category. Certainly, Mascherano's behaviour made a competitive nonsense of the belief that Liverpool, a team of growing coherence in the wake of Benitez's apparent rejection of a strict rotation routine, might at last be ready to strike a winning blow at Old Trafford under Benitez. They couldn't even maintain their clean sheet against Cristiano Ronaldo, the lauded superstar who had yet to score against Liverpool or Chelsea.

Ronaldo profited from Nani's corner and a second defensive mistake by a Liverpool who had become steadily stretched in the absence of the Argentine. Mascherano, who like Ronaldo, though in a starkly different way, had been so impressive in the 2006 World Cup, had played sharply enough even as he pushed himself towards the brink.

Ronaldo? The man who the former United midfield general Pat Crerand claimed was on the point of passing George Best not just in a season's goals tally but in general genius-class accomplishment , was almost embarrassingly inconsequential but for his scoring intervention.

He went to ground with a dismaying ease and on several occasions threw up his arms when he was separated from the ball in a way which would have had Best's eyes blazing in anger and disbelief.

Still, Ronaldo will have other chances to prove that he can make an impact on more than the cannon fodder of the Premier League with coming Champions League action and, who knows, possibly significant collisions with Arsenal and Chelsea.

United's manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, will certainly be comforted by Wayne Rooney's willingness to battle on in the absence of good fortune and there were moments when the England forward seemed just a stride from reigniting some of the fires of a game which never lacks a high degree of commitment.

Ferguson was no doubt also encouraged by the growing assurance of Scholes. As Liverpool began to count the cost of Mascherano's brainstorm, the veteran midfielder increasingly found the soft spots in Liverpool's resolve. They grew at an alarming rate, and not least in the increasingly ineffective performance of Steve Gerrand.

Gerrard, notionally at least a candidate to lead Fabio Capello's England, was less than a dominant figure when Mascherano finally pushed Bennett too far – and the same was true of his general performance.

While Scholes grew in authority – and facility with a stream of accurate passing – Gerrard's presence slid almost to the point of oblivion. It was the best possible development for a Ferguson who had been anxious that Grand Slam Sunday might puncture the growing conviction that United were just a step or two from confirming the weight – and the inevitability – of their title defence.

As the dusk came to Old Trafford, and Didier Drogba moved into another gear at Stamford Bridge, those fears were dwindling at a remarkable rate.

For Rafa Benitez, though, there was the desperate hope that he might just conjure another improbable run to the peak of European football. It was something he could hold on to quite perilously, though. Javier Mascherano was supposed to be a rock of hard-eyed professionalism at the heart of his team. Instead, on a day of vast importance, he had betrayed both his club and his own reputation for being a man who knew how the game worked.

What price such men now? At least, it seems, £17m.

Manchester United 3 - 0 LiverpooL

Champions Manchester United crushed 10-man Liverpool 3-0 at Old Trafford in a controversial north-west derby.

United took a firmer grip on top spot in the Premier League, but it was the performance of referee Steve Bennett - and Javier Mascherano's lack of control - which will be the talking point.

Mascherano, already booked, was dismissed just before the break for blatant dissent which earned him a second yellow card - and then the red.

The Argentinian had to be hauled from the pitch, such was his anger, and his boss Rafael Benitez was equally unhappy with the incident.

Wes Brown had scored his first goal of the season - and only the third of his career - to give United control at the break, before Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani netted inside the last 11 minutes as Liverpool tired.

But in a week which has seen football infuriated by Chelsea's Ashley Cole's escape from dissent aimed at referee Mike Riley, it was hardly surprising Bennett was having none of the same.

Cole should have been sent off at Tottenham in midweek - and Mascherano felt the backlash.

The midfielder had been snipping away at Bennett throughout the first period, ably assisted by Fernando Torres.

If television viewers could see the dismissal coming, Mascherano could not.

Torres had been booked for arguing seconds earlier, so when the midfielder continued the debate there was going to be only one winner. Mascherano was incensed, and had to be virtually pulled off the pitch.

United brought back goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar and defender Rio Ferdinand after groin and back injuries respectively, while Paul Scholes and skipper Ryan Giggs also returned.

Liverpool were unchanged after seven straight victories - a run which was to end in the 150th league meeting between these clubs.

The opening tackles were sharp and Mascherano was booked for cutting down Scholes, before Wayne Rooney twice went close.

First the striker got behind Jamie Carragher, whose tackle could easily have produced a penalty had the former Everton man gone down. But the England striker kept his feet and forced Jose Reina into a save with his legs.

Then Scholes' lofted pass fell behind the Liverpool defence, and Reina scooped the ball away from Rooney.

Bennett decided not to book Anderson for a late challenge on Steven Gerrard, before Reina rushed out of his box quickly to clear the danger with Rooney homing in.

Ronaldo's shot hit the foot of a post before Reina half-stopped a 33rd-minute Giggs effort and needed to claw it back from under the bar.

The deadlock was broken a minute later when Rooney's curling cross into the box was met by the unlikely figure of Brown - who reached it before Reina and saw his header drop into the net.

Then Liverpool's frustrations with perceived injustices saw them implode.

First Torres was booked for dissent, and when Mascherano joined in Bennett produced another yellow - and then red.

Gerrard was pushed back into Mascherano's holding role for the second half, which started with Reina making a point-blank save to stop a Ronaldo effort.

Reina produced another improbable save from Rooney, six yards out, before Fabio Arbeloa became the next Liverpool player to be booked for tugging back Anderson.

Ferdinand was cautioned for a foul on Torres from behind, before Benitez sent on Yossi Benayoun for the ineffective Ryan Babel just before the half's midway mark.

Torres, clinical in recent matches, then missed a decent chance when Gerrard's free-kick found him unmarked at the far post.

United sent on Carlos Tevez and Nani for Giggs and Anderson after 73 minutes, and it took another wonder save from Reina to stop Tevez making it 2-0.

Liverpool were incensed by a Michael Carrick challenge on Torres - right in front of Benitez - which Bennett chose not to punish.

Reina denied Ronaldo with a block which hit the bar and went out for a corner - which proved decisive.

Nani's 79th-minute corner was headed home by Ronaldo - and two minutes later Nani created space for himself on the edge of the box to blast in the third.

A disgruntled Torres was immediately replaced by John Arne Riise - and there was no way back for Liverpool.

Sir Alex Ferguson felt his young Manchester United side found a new level of maturity as they beat Liverpool 3-0 at Old Trafford to stay in pole position in the Premier League.

Wes Brown was the unlikely scorer of United's first when he leapt to head in Wayne Rooney's cross and the visitors ended the first half with 10 men after Javier Mascherano was sent off for a second bookable offence after arguing with referee Steve Bennett.

Liverpool failed to make a period of second-half pressure tell, and Cristiano Ronaldo headed home the second from a corner in the 79th minute before Nani added a third two minutes later after good interplay with Rooney

Ferguson was hugely pleased with the display and told Sky Sports: 'It was a really good performance - a performance of maturity.

'We've seen a team mature over the last six months and today they hit their high peak.'

Asked to comment on the dismissal of Mascherano, the Scot added: 'He has been booked and kept badgering the referee. We've talked about dissent and I think that was dissent.'

Ferguson refused to accept the title was in the bag, and said: 'It's going to go right to the end, Chelsea and Arsenal going really well. We've beaten a strong Liverpool side playing good football.'

United striker Rooney said: 'It's always nice to beat Liverpool and it's opened up a bit of a gap now at the top of the league.

'I'm delighted with the win. I know the goals will come [for him personally] - I'm not too concerned with that.'

Asked whether he thought the red card was a turning point, Rooney said: 'We were always on top. The Liverpool players were tired at the end, but overall I don't think it would have made any difference.

'We know it's in our hands now - we have to try and win as many games as possible and stay top of the league. We've got a good mix in the dressing room and we know what we have to do between now and the end of the season.'

Rafael Benitez was adamant Mascherano had only asked Bennett why team-mate Fernando Torres had been booked.

The said: 'Clearly he didn't say anything. Ryan Babel was close to him, he didn't say anything, he was asking what happened.

'In these big games, to lose a player in this situation...it's strange because Javier Mascherano is a good professional and was really surprised with the sending-off.

Liverpool FC Rumour Mill: Anfield Moves For Bentley, Cattermole And Deco?

David Bentley is once again being linked with a move from Blackburn Rovers to Liverpool.

Web rumours say Rafa Benitez is confident of making Bentley a Liverpool player, so much so a £12million bid is being prepared for the 23-year-old.

However, if the rumours are to be belived, Atletico Madrid fancy their chances too.

Bentley could be a replacement for Harry Kewell, who looks set to leave in the summer.

* * *

Another player Liverpool are being linked with by the web gossips is £5million Middlesbrough starlet Lee Catermole.

The England Under-21 international, a product of the Middlesbrough academy, signed a new four-year contract at the Riverside Stadium in early 2007.

* * *

Liverpool are said to be chasing Deco, the Portugal international midfielder who plays to leave Barcelona in the summer.

DiarioSport says the Portugal international midfielder believes this will be his last season at the Nou Camp and is ready to move to England, though will seriously an offer from Atletico Madrid.

Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United or Liverpool have all been mentioned as potential destinations for Deco, who is currently getting his finances in order ahead of making a move out of Spain.

However, the midfielder also hasn't ruled out returning home to Brazil if the right European offer doesn't arrive.

* * *

And finally, good news for Dirk Kuyt in the wake of Sundays’ 3-0 defeat at old Trafford - he could yet force his way into the Holland squad.

Holland boss Marco van Basten insists the door remains open to Liverpool striker Kuyt.

"Can he do something to return to the squad? Absolutely: play good football," Van Basten is quoted as saying.

"He must make such an impression at his club that we cannot ignore him.

"We must make choices and at the moment our choices are different. Other players are doing better.

"But if Dirk can make himself an important player for Liverpool, it could be that he returns to the national squad."

Rafa Defends Mascherano

Rafa Benitez admitted he was shocked by referee Steve Bennett's decision to send off Javier Mascherano in Liverpool's 3-0 defeat at Manchester United.

Mascherano was shown a second yellow card for dissent just a minute before half-time with the score at 1-0.

The Argentine approached Bennett after Fernando Torres had been cautioned but Benitez insists he was merely asking the referee what had happened and was not looking to cause any trouble.

Benitez accepts that Mascherano should have been more careful but feels the dismissal killed off any chance of a Liverpool comeback.

"Clearly he didn't say anything," Benitez told Sky Sports. "I asked Ryan Babel, who was close to him. He didn't say anything, he was asking what happened.

"In a big game like this between the top four, a sending-off for asking is just a surprise."

"I was trying to say to him to calm down. Everybody knows he is fantastic professional so I was disappointed and the player was surprised.

"The player was not saying anything apart from 'what happened?'

"I have talked to him and he knows he has made a mistake."

Benitez also defended goalkeeper Jose Reina, who was at fault for Wes Brown's goal and also Cristiano Ronaldo's.

"Sometimes keepers make mistakes. These things happen," said Benitez.

"The game had finished. We had a 15-minute spell in the second half when they were feeling the pressure, but then they scored the second goal."

We Are At Our Best – Fabio Aurelio

Fabio Aurelio believes Liverpool head into their Sunday showdown with Man United in their best form since he joined the club.

The Brazilian left-back insists Liverpool's seven game winning run should give them great confidence as they prepare to take on the Premier League table toppers at Old Trafford.

United moved three points clear at the top of the league in midweek thanks to a 2-0 win over Bolton in which Cristiano Ronaldo scored for the fourth successive game.

But Aurelio says the Reds will not be intimidated by Alex Ferguson's side and will arrive at Old Trafford tomorrow looking for the three points which would allow them to close the gap on the league leaders.

"We are playing very well at the moment and we have to take our recent form into this game," he said. "Obviously, United are a good team and it will be a tough test for us but we have confidence because we have won our last seven games.

"Our form is very good, I think we are playing as well now as we have at any time during the last couple of seasons, and if we play as well as we can against United then of course we have a chance.”

If Aurelio is selected he will come up against 33-goal Ronaldo – the only United player to score for Ferguson's side in their last four games – but he insists he is not daunted by that prospect.

"Obviously, Ronaldo is a good player," he said. "We know that and we know also that United have other good players so we will have to be prepared.

"But, like I said, we are playing well so we won't have any fears.

"The confidence we have at the moment is very important because it means that even if we go a goal down, like we did against Reading last week, we still have the belief that we can change the situation.

"We have some big games coming up and we have to be ready. We know that our form over the last few weeks will not matter unless we win our next games.

"So we have to keep on working hard and doing what we have been doing so we are able to fight against the top teams."

Despite having been off the pace for much of the season, Xabi Alonso believes a win against United would give Liverpool an outside chance of mounting a late title challenge.

He said: "Now we are entering the decisive moments of the season.

"To be champions is difficult but not impossible. We are developing a sensational run and we have not given up on anything.

"Our match against United is key. A victory at Old Trafford would open up our chances for the end of season and it would be a big blow in the Premier League for United.

"Our objective is to go to Manchester and win and it would not surprise me if we did. We are playing our best football of the season."

Tom Hicks’ Odds On To Quit Anfield

Given the amount of speculation doing the rounds, it was always going to be only a matter of time before the bookies offered odds on who Liverpool's owners will be in the future.

Paddy Power is the first to spot the gap in the market with a series of special bets now available for anyone who fancies a punt on whether Tom Hicks and George Gillett will still be in charge or DIC will see them off.

The odds on Hicks leaving Liverpool are:

2/1 - Before the end of the season

9/4 - During the summer

9/2 - During the start of next season and the end of 2008

5/1 - Between the start of 2009 and the end of the 2008/09 season

Liverpool are also 13/2 to win the Premiership in 2009 under DIC and it is 6/1 for them to break the world transfer record under DIC in 2008/09.

Paddy Power spokesman Darren Haines said: "We have had a lot of interest from our customers in the onwership situation at Liverpool so in response to this demand we have decided to open a book.

"Our hunch is that Hicks will eventually quit Liverpool and the only question is when, so the book reflects that."

No doubt, Paddy Power will be refusing any large wagers from backers in Texas and Dubai.

Rafa Benitez: Time To Settle Score Against Manchester United

If there is any danger of anyone connected with Liverpool becoming over-confident about their chances of beating Manchester United tomorrow, the mere mention of John O'Shea's name should be enough to burst their bubble.

The Irish international utility man remains the only player to have scored a league goal for Liverpool against United during Rafa Benitez's four-year reign as Reds boss.

The scrappy own goal O'Shea scored at Old Trafford in September 2004 will not live long in the memory for anyone who witnessed it, nor will it inspire too many dreams of daring deeds when Liverpool visit the home of their north west rivals tomorrow.

This will be Benitez's eighth attempt to get one over on Alex Ferguson in Premier League combat and he is hoping Liverpool's fortunes finally change after a run of hard luck stories in a fixture which he believes is one of the biggest in world football.

"Every game is a big game at this stage of the season," said the Spaniard.

"But United is a massive game because of the rivalry between the two clubs and the fans and the history of the two clubs. We will be trying to do our best.

"When you play against United, you know that you are playing against very good players.

“Always in games like this I say the same thing, the small details can make a big difference.

"We have been good against United in some games but we have not managed to get the result we have wanted.

"As a manager you must be disappointed because every game that we play against them we are really close so we need to win.

"I remember one game when (Djibril) Cisse had a good chance when it was 0-0 but could not score and United scored late on.

"Then, a couple of seasons ago we again had chances but could not score and we conceded a last minute goal from a Rio Ferdinand header.

"Sometimes it has come down to a little bit of luck and sometimes it has come down to the fact that they are a good team.

"We are playing well and we have confidence, so if the team keeps on playing as well it has been and working as hard as it has been, then I feel we have a chance of scoring and winning.

"I think we can beat them. It will be difficult, but we will do our best."

As befitting a team which has won its last seven games on the run, confidence is one commodity which is certainly not in short supply at Liverpool.

Throughout the week leading up to tomorrow's game, several Reds stars have spoken of their belief that they can go to Old Trafford and come away with all three points.

Their belief has of course been fuelled by the form of Fernando Torres who became the first Liverpool player since Robbie Fowler to score 20 league goals in a season.

The £20m striker is on the hottest of hot streaks, as evidenced by the fact that he now trails Cristiano Ronaldo – arguably the player of the season – by just four goals.

In one of the strange quirks of football, despite the fact that he is scoring against pretty much everyone else in the game at the moment, Ronaldo is yet to get his name on the scoresheet against Liverpool, the team, incidentally, he supported as a boy.

The pair go head-to-head in tomorrow's battle of the north west giants and Benitez says there is no reason why Torres' scoring streak cannot continue against United.

He said: "I have had a couple of players who have had runs like the one Torres is on at the moment.

"There was a player when I was manager at Extremadura who scored 24 goals in one season when the year before he had scored just one or two goals.

"Also, at Valencia there was Mista who also got 24, including 19 in the league, so sometimes you do have a player who is on fire and they go into almost every game believing they can score a goal.

"That is the situation now with Fernando but it is clear that he cannot score goals without the players around him.

"He could not have scored the goals he has scored without Gerrard close to him or Babel or Kuyt, or without the likes of Mascherano, Alonso and Lucas doing their jobs behind him."

With the 4-2-3-1 formation serving him so well in recent weeks, Benitez is unlikely to make any changes to the structure of his team and with no new injury worries, the line-up is expected to have a familiar look.

The only decision the Reds boss has to conjure with is whether or not to offer a recall to Sami Hyypia and move Jamie Carragher across to right back.

After all the controversy – much of it ill-judged – about rotation, the Liverpool team now has a settled look about it with several players making starting positions their own thanks to improved performance levels.

Torres' will be one of the first names on the team sheet and should his hot streak continue, he will rid his club of the spectre of John O'Shea.

But no doubt Rafa Benitez and his players couldn't care less if the Irishman put through his own goal once more – as long as it gave them the win they so desperately want.

Liverpool Boss Benitez Monitoring Boro Boy Cattermole - The Next Stevie G

Liverpool are monitoring the progress of Middlesbrough's midfield teenage prodigy Lee Cattermole.

Sportsmail understands that Anfield boss Rafa Benitez has instructed his scouts to take a look at the £5million-rated 19-year-old with a view to a summer swoop.

Benitez is believed to admire Cattermole's tough-tackling approach and, wary of the need for an even bigger squad next season when he will be able to name seven substitutes, the Spanish manager appears keen to add some young, British talent to his multi-national squad.

Talismanic captain Steven Gerrard, 27, has about five years left before his legs will bring an end to his box-to-box game and Cattermole could use that time to learn from - and eventually fill the boots of - the England star.

Teesside-born Cattermole is one of an increasing line of talented youngsters to emerge from Middlesbrough's impressive Academy system.

England head coach Fabio Capello this week called up Cattermole's Boro team-mates Stewart Downing, 23, and David Wheater, 21, to his second full England squad.

That news was reportedly greeted with much celebration at the Riverside but Liverpool's interest in one of their rising stars will surely provoke a less warm welcome on Teesside.

Cattermole made his Boro debut in the Tyne-Tees derby against Newcastle United on January 2, 2006, and has since made 60 appearances, scoring three goals. He has been capped twice by England Under 21s.

Rafa Lauds Dangerous Duo

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has hailed the growing understanding between Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard.

Torres has made an incredible impact since he joined The Reds from Atletico Madrid for £26.5million last summer, netting 27 goals so far this campaign.

Gerrard, meanwhile, has formed an impressive understanding with the Spaniard, with the duo running riot in Liverpool's last seven victories.

And ahead their Grand Slam Sunday encounter against league leaders Manchester United, Benitez is sure that Gerrard and Torres propel him to his first win at Old Trafford.

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

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

"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."

On going seven league games without success over United, Benitez added: "As a manager I am disappointed that we cannot seem to beat them in the league. We get closer, and closer.

"But we are getting closer, we have confidence and know that we are capable of winning at Old Trafford. The team is playing well, and the difference could be a small detail or one fine player."

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.”