Premier League Preview: Fulham vs. LiverpooL

Liverpool look almost certain to pip Merseyside rivals Everton to the final Champions League place after Everton’s defeat to Chelsea on Thursday evening. Chelsea return to the city for the midweek Champions League semi-final, and Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez will surely have one eye on that game when he selects his side for this game at battling Fulham.

Benitez has managed to guide his side to a run of one defeat in thirteen, despite the club being in the news for all the wrong reason recently. The Spanish boss is one step away from a third Champions League final in four seasons but rumours persist that he may leave the club in the summer because he is sick and tired of all the power struggles that have kept the club in the news in the last few months.

Benitez was criticised strongly for choosing a weakened side last season at Craven Cottage, but he has his own club to think of, and do not be surprised if he again sends a second string to the Cottage. Gerrard, Torres and Mascherano among others can expect to sit this one out, but Liverpool will still beb ale to send out a side that is capable of beating Fulham.

Depending on the attitude of the Liverpool players, this game could go either way. Fulham may want it more, and that desire could overcome the difference in quality but with players such as Crouch, Benayoun and ex Fulham right back Finnan having to stake a claim for a more regular place in the Liverpool side, The Reds could effectively send the home side down.

Fulham gave themselves a fighting chance of retaining there Premier League status when they finally picked up three points away from the Cottage with the impressive 2-0 win at Reading last weekend. That win ending a run of 33 games without taking maximum points in the League on their travels, and rekindled the Cottagers' belief that they can still be playing top flight football next term.

That victory means the Cottagers are now four points from safety, although the run in has been quite kind to Roy Hodgson’s men. Fulham’s remaining fixtures start with this game against a Liverpool side that have been defeated here on each of their previous two visits.

Last season Benitez was criticised for sending a second string side to Craven Cottage ahead of the Champions League final, where Clint Dempsey’s winner virtually secured Fulham’s Premier League safety. Following Everton’s defeat to Chelsea, which virtually assures Liverpool of fourth place, The Reds may once again rest some regulars as they will undoubtedly be focusing on the Champions League semi-final against Chelsea in midweek.

A repeat of that win could set Fulham up for a run-in that sees them take on out of form Manchester City, fellow strugglers Birmingham and then Portsmouth on the last day, before the South Coast play in the FA Cup Final, all winnable games for a side that have improved there form since Hodgson took over from Lawrie Sanchez.


FORM GUIDE

Fulham

Reading - Fulham 0 - 2 12/04/2008 PREMIER LEAGUE
Fulham - Sunderland 1 - 3 05/04/2008 PREMIER LEAGUE
Derby - Fulham 2 - 2 29/03/2008 PREMIER LEAGUE
Newcastle - Fulham 2 - 0 22/03/2008 PREMIER LEAGUE
Fulham - Everton 1 - 0 16/03/2008 PREMIER LEAGUE
Blackburn - Fulham 1 - 1 08/03/2008 PREMIER LEAGUE

Liverpool

Liverpool - Blackburn 3 - 1 13/04/2008 PREMIER LEAGUE
Liverpool - Arsenal 4 - 2 08/04/2008 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Arsenal - Liverpool 1 - 1 05/04/2008 PREMIER LEAGUE
Arsenal - Liverpool 1 - 1 02/04/2008 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Liverpool - Everton 1 - 0 30/03/2008 PREMIER LEAGUE
Man Utd. - Liverpool 3 - 0 23/03/2008 PREMIER LEAGUE


TEAM NEWS

Fulham

Powerful American forward Eddie Johnson is doubtful through illness, and experienced Finnish internationals Anti Niemi (achilles) and Jari Litmanen (groin) will definitely not feature. Squad players Ian Pearce (ankle), Chrius Baird (knee), Aleksei Smertin (leg), Philippe Christanval (leg) and Simon Elliot (Achilles) are also sidelined for the home side.

Liverpool

Rafa’s rotation policy keeps his squad fresh, and the only players that are injured for the Red’s boss are reserve wingers Harry Kewell (hamstring) and Jermaine Pennant (hamstring) as well as classy Danish central defender Daniel Agger (foot operation). With fourth place almost sewn up, expect Benitez to shuffle his pack ahead of the Champions League semi-final against Chelsea next week.


PLAYERS TO WATCH

Fulham - Jimmy Bullard has returned from a horrendous injury lay-off and his prompting from midfield has inspired Fulham to some excellent results in recent months. Superb free-kicks against Villa and Blackburn show the technique that Bullard possesses and he will have to be at his energetic best if Fulham are to surprise the Reds once more at Craven Cottage this weekend.

Liverpool - Peter Crouch may get another run out on Saturday with Fernando Torres expected to be rested ahead of the Champions League semi. The tall England striker never lets his club or his country down, and he will hope to impress Benitez sufficiently to be rewarded with an extended run in the Liverpool side, although it appears unlikely that he will play in midweek, as Benitez seems to have settled on a 4-2-3-1 formation for his key games.

DIC Enter Liverpool Ownership Battle

Dubai International Capital are preparing to buy out George Gillett’s stake to seize co-ownership of Liverpool, in a long-sighted attempt to oust Gillett’s antagonistic business partner Tom Hicks.

Boardroom relations at Anfield have capitulated to the point of name-calling and gossiping over the last few weeks, as Hicks has amped up his attempts to exercise executive control of the club.

The Texan asked for Rick Parry to step down as Liverpool CEO last week, claiming he has been a ‘disaster’ who has let the Reds slip inexcusably far behind the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea on the commercial front.

But DIC are undeterred by the American’s antics, and await only the expiration of pre-emption rights that currently bar the sale of Gillett’s majority before they swoop in take a 50 per cent stake in the Merseyside giants.

It is believed the Arab firm will then attempt to implement a long-term plan to ease Hicks out of the club, which will involve providing significant funds for Liverpool’s new stadium at Stanley Park and then asking Hicks to do the same – a challenge they believe the American will be unable to match.

But Hicks is refusing to let DIC walk into the club without a fight. He has outlined a plan that involves buying out Gillett’s share – despite Gillett’s insistence that he would never sell to Hicks – and thus seizing sole ownership of the club, a venture that he hopes will be financially backed by a host of minority shareholders.

Meanwhile, Hicks has attempted sully the reputations of Parry and Gillett in an attempt to lure Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez into the fray, yesterday claimed that Parry had spent “three or four hours” in a private discussion with Jurgen Klinsmann, who was interviewed as a possible replacement for Benitez amid disagreements over Liverpool’s transfer policy.

However, Rafa has remained silent on the matter and the Liverpool fans seem to have wholly rejected Hicks’ approach and sided with Gillett and DIC, with many rally groups and petitions forming directed at ousting the Texas Rangers owner.

But even if DIC do succeed in taking part-control of the club, it will take time before they can attempt to fully overthrow Hicks. Hence, with no clear and immediate resolution in sight, it is possible that Benitez may choose to leave Merseyside at the end of the season – although a second Champions League triumph may sway him to stay, should it occur.

Liverpool May Have To Sell Torres And Babel

Fernando Torres and Ryan Babel could be forced out of Liverpool unless the club can prove they can repay a huge loan that they took out in order to help secure the transfers of the duo.

In an unusual move, the Anfield-based outfit borrowed money to sign Torres from Atletico de Madrid and then refinanced that debt in January, at the same time as they obtained a refinancing package of £350 million (€442m).

According to The Times, the smaller refinancing package helped buy Ryan Babel from Ajax and was an 18-month agreement with interest of nine percent, equating to around £2.8 million a year (€3.5m).

A letter of credit was signed whereby Liverpool agreed to pay that fee back at the end of the period, but should the club be unable to do so then banks could force them to sell the two players that they bought with the money.

Premier League clubs usually do deals that are funded by the huge television income in England and the Reds are playing a dangerous game already as the £350 million loan is set to cost them £30 million (€38m) per year in interest alone.

The news comes at a time when Liverpool are being rocked by the continuous public disagreements between the club's two American owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillett. The pair are at loggerheads with both describing their relationship as unworkable and that has meant that any forward planning has been stopped while their differences are sorted out.

On the pitch, Rafa Benítez is managing to keep the club on a track as they have qualified for the Champions League semi finals and look set to finish in the top four of the Premier League.

Torres: I Can't Imagine LiverpooL Without Benitez

Fernando Torres says he cannot imagine Liverpool without Rafael Benitez.

Boardroom quarrels at the club have led to speculation about the Spanish manager's future, but his star striker insists the former Valencia boss must remain at the helm.

Speaking to Eurosport, Torres said:

"I have learned a lot with [Benitez], he is someone with whom you can learn a great deal.

"He has a lot of experience in football and a great CV, and we all hope to do better for him. And I have to thank him because he helped me take the first step.

"I don't know about [rumours Benitez will be sacked]. I know that everything is magnificent here, and you can interpret that in whatever way you want. But for the moment I can't see Liverpool without Benitez."

Torres went on to discuss his remarkable first season on Merseyside, thanking his team mates and the fans for making it easy for him to adjust to life at Anfield.

He said:

"I am experiencing some very good moments. When I signed for Liverpool, it was to experience moments like that.

"But I just thought that I would need more time; that it would take some time to adapt. I didn't think I would get there quickly, and luckily everything has worked in the first year, and I have profited from that.

"When I signed here, I knew that people expected a lot from me. The club paid a lot of money, it was a big investment. I knew the requirements that people would have; the spectators, my team-mates and the manager.

"But I have to say that everybody helped me. When you arrive at a club and everyone does all they can for you to integrate, to make the transition easier on and off the pitch, it's not so hard.

"I have to thank Pepe, who helped me a lot, all my compatriots and the coach who is also Spanish, and who has been important for me.

"Above all, the love of the people from the first day. I was lucky enough to score at Anfield in my first game, and from that day the fans were behind me, and that still continues today."

The Spain striker also suggested that the faster football and slower way of life have been factors in his success.

"I think the main difference is the speed. It is a very quick style of football, with a high tempo. There are few interruptions.

"Maybe there is not as much tactical work as matches in Spain, including matches between the 'Big Four'. And that allows you more space, to play quickly with players who know how to take advantage of that space and who can give me scoring chances.

"It's a much calmer life. People respect your private life a lot, they don't hassle you in public places. It is a totally normal life - or nearly normal."

"You can think about football when you need to, and you can go to a shopping centre knowing that you can walk around peacefully. At the end of the day, football is your job and you can concentrate on it more easily."

Benitez Intends To Stay At Liverpool

Rafael Benitez has reiterated his determination to stay at Liverpool despite the boardroom fight between the club's two owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks.

"At this moment I have two years on my contract. I am really pleased and happy here and want to stay," he told reporters on Friday.

American co-owners Hicks and Gillett each own 50 percent of the club, winners of five European Cups and 18 League Championships, as a result of their 219 million pounds ($441 million) take over in Feb. 2007.

But they are no longer talking and Hicks's attempts to force Gillett to sell his share to the Texan have fallen flat.

Hicks blocked a move by Dubai International Capital (DIC) to buy Liverpool in a 400 million pound takeover last month and has called for Liverpool's chief executive Rick Parry to be sacked.

In return, Gillett has responded by backing Parry and added to the mudslinging by launching an attack on Hicks.

The latest war of words comes just days before Liverpool's Champions League semi-final tie with Chelsea, with Benitez likely to court more controversy with his team selection for Saturday's Premier League game at Fulham.

A win for Liverpool would edge them to within a point of securing a Champions League spot for next season, but the Spaniard will consider resting players with Tuesday's Champions League game in mind.

Captain Steven Gerrard is unlikely to play.

A year ago, Benitez sent out a virtual reserve team for the penultimate game of the season as he rested players ahead of the Champions League final against AC Milan.

They were beaten 1-0 by a Fulham side that needed victory to stay in the Premier League.

The move angered then Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock, whose team were relegated eight days later.

"My idea is to use a team that will win," Benitez said. "I will pick a strong team for winning because we want to guarantee fourth position as soon as possible.

"We will be eight points ahead of Everton if we can do it. After that we would need one more point and we want to do it as soon as possible because we want to be thinking about the Champions League."

Rafa Defends Team Selection Policy

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez will keep Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Chelsea in mind when he picks his starting eleven for Saturday’s Premier League match at Fulham, despite pleas from Bolton boss Gary Megson to field his strongest line-up.

The Bolton manager is echoing calls similar to those of Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock a year ago, who was upset that a weakened Liverpool team lost to Fulham late on in the season.

Megson wants a Liverpool victory at against relegation rivals Fulham at Craven Cottage on Saturday to ease his side’s relegation worries.

But Benitez insists his mind is focussed only on what’s best for his team, and that includes European commitments. He said, “I will be thinking a little about Chelsea. I have players I don’t want to risk and I’ve enough quality in the squad to win at Fulham.”

Benitez also recalled the criticisms of a year ago when Sheffield United were relegated from the Premier League and Fulham stayed up, defending his actions.

He added, “I know there was criticism last season when we did something similar at Fulham, coming from Sheffield United.

“But what did they do in their last game? They lost. So I feel it is sometimes better to look to yourself and what you do.

“Teams have 38 games to play each season, that is enough. So you are responsible for your own luck.”

The Spaniard also criticised Megson’s ordacity to request such a thing, reminding the press, “What did Bolton do in the Uefa Cup with their team selection? They left players out.

“I will use the players I believe will be good enough to win this game, and the next one and the next one. I believe 38 games is enough to be successful or not.

“Look at what all the teams in the middle of the table have been doing recently.

“They have been using different players, young players, and they have been preparing for the future.”

Liverpool take on Fulham at Craven Cottage in the league Saturday afternoon. Kick-off is 3pm.

Warnock Should Look At Himself Before Blaming Liverpool For Sheffield United's Relegation, Fumes Benitez

Rafa Benitez has responded to a vociferous attack from former Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock, who fumed: "I hope Liverpool never win another trophy under him."

Warnock still holds the Spaniard partly to blame for the Yorkshire club's relegation last season. Liverpool fielded a weakened team in the build-up to a Champions League Final last May and lost to Sheffield United's relegation rivals Fulham.

Warnock, now in charge of Crystal Palace, said: "I'm still very bitter about it. It's part of a big club's mentality. They look after themselves and they don't bother about anyone else.

Liverpool face relegation-threatened Fulham again on Saturday and Benitez is likely to name a weakened side, with skipper Steven Gerrard and full back Alvaro Arbeloa doubtful, and top scorer Fernando Torres set to be rested.

Bolton boss Gary Megson has expressed his desire that Benitez field a full side.

But Bentiez said: "Obviously I will be thinking a bit about playing key games in Europe after Fulham. But the key is to keep winning, we may do it with different players and we need to use other players.

"We have a big squad, good players to come in and we will treat this game just like we did at Arsenal."

The former Valencia boss claimed one side did not have a major bearing on the relegation battle.

"I know there was criticism last season when we did something similar at Fulham, coming from Sheffield United," he said. "But what did they do in their last game? They lost. So I feel it is sometimes better to look to yourself and what you do.

"Teams have 38 games to play each season, that is enough. So you are responsible for your own luck. Look at what all the teams in the middle of the table have been doing recently. They have been using different players, young players, and they have been preparing for the future.

"What did Bolton do in the UEFA Cup with their team selection?. They left players out. I will use the players I believe will be good enough to win this game, and the next one and the next one. I believe 38 games is enough to be successful or not.

"And clearly our squad is stronger than it was last season when we got to this stage. We should have won that game against Fulham then. And I will put out a team I believe can win this time.

"I will be thinking a little bit about Chelsea. I have players I do not want to risk, and I have enough quality in the squad to win at Fulham."

Crouch Insists There Will Be No Let-Up

Peter Crouch assured former Liverpool-now Fulham ace Danny Murphy that the Reds will be going full throttle, with or without key duo Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard, to take the visitors down this upcoming weekend.

Still a firm favourite with the Kop, Murphy cheekily suggested on Monday that his long-term friends Jamie Carragher and Gerrard may be rested, along with Torres, with a view to Tuesday's Champions League semi-final against Chelsea, but Crouch insisted there will be no complacency from anyone in a Red shirt against the West Londoners.

"I know Stevie and Carra are in contact with Danny a lot and I'm sure they will be speaking to him before the game," Crouch told Liverpoolfc.tv.

"Fulham are desperate to stay in the league but I can assure you neither Stevie or Carra will be taking their foot off the gas.

"The manager hasn't talked about the Chelsea game with us this week and we are fully focused on Fulham.

“It will be a tough game away from home against a team that really needs the three points but we will be focused.

"Fulham is very a very important game for us. They are scrapping for every point to guarantee their survival but we we want the win as well.

"Fourth place is still not cemented and we need to make sure we get the three points and get the confidence to take into Tuesday's massive Champions League game.

"We are in good form so hopefully we can continue that on Saturday."

Tom Hicks Set To Offer Rafael Benitez New Deal

As one prominent former Liverpool player expressed last night the belief that Rafael Benítez would not be at Anfield next season, Tom Hicks, the club's controversial American co-owner, is expected to reiterate his desire to offer the manager a contract extension today as the knives are sharpened in the bitter boardroom battle.

Hicks has made repeated attempts to emphasise his support for Benítez after claiming to have resolved his differences with the Liverpool manager in the wake of revelations that he and George Gillett Jr, his fellow owner, held talks with Jürgen Klinsmann last year about the former Germany coach taking charge at Anfield.

Having indicated over the weekend that he would extend Benítez's contract, which has two years to run, Hicks is expected to offer further explanations as to why in an interview with Sky Sports this morning, although the sceptics believe that such declarations are little more than an attempt to curry favour from supporters as he seeks to drive Rick Parry, the chief executive, out of the club.

Benítez retains the backing of the fans and, by siding with the manager, Hicks believes that he will strengthen his chances of removing Parry, who has resisted the Texan's calls to resign amid support from the majority of the board, including Gillett. Whether Benítez would sign a new deal, if the offer of one is forthcoming, is another matter. Dismayed by the civil war that has engulfed the club and aware that there may be no shortage of suitors at the end of the season, especially if he can guide Liverpool to a second Champions League triumph in four seasons, Benítez may opt to walk away.

Gillett would be unlikely to support Hicks's offer of a new contract, given that he was the one who instigated the talks with Klinsmann, and that Dubai International Capital (DIC), the Arab investment consortium that is confident of taking control at the club, may favour the appointment of its own manager.

What is certain, however, is that Benítez and Parry cannot continue to work together. The pair have not seen eye to eye for a long time and the revelation over the weekend that the chief executive was present at one of the two meetings with Klinsmann served only to undermine their relationship further. Unless DIC wins control soon, or Benítez or Parry steps down, it is difficult to see how the crisis can be resolved before the end of May, when the “first refusal” agreement between Hicks and Gillett, which dictates that one must offer the other his 50 per cent share before doing so to a third party and vice versa, comes to an end.

With that in mind, Mark Lawrenson, the former Liverpool defender, believes that Benítez may decide that enough is enough. “The problems off the pitch could give him an excuse to leave,” he said. “If they win the Champions League there would be no shortage of takers and he probably thinks, 'Why should I turn up and flog my guts out for this lot when I don't know what is going to happen next week?'”

Of more immediate concern is the Barclays Premier League match away to Fulham on Saturday. Benítez invited fierce criticism by playing a weakened team in the corresponding fixture last season, which Fulham won 1-0, a result that helped to seal Sheffield United's relegation.

But amid calls from Gary Megson, the Bolton Wanderers manager, for his Liverpool counterpart to “retain the integrity” of the league, Benítez intimated that he would not play a weakened team as he seeks to all but secure fourth place before the first leg of their Champions League semi-final against Chelsea at Anfield on Tuesday. “We will think about Chelsea, but for us to be in the top four is really important and we will have enough energy to play against Chelsea,” Benítez said.

Gerrard Approves Barry Move

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is fully behind Rafa Benitez’s plans to bring Gareth Barry to Anfield.

Benitez has consulted his skipper about the possibility of a summer move for the Aston Villa midfielder, and Gerrard has backed the plan all the way.

It is no secret that Gerrard and Barry are good friends off the pitch, and they seem to have formed a very useful midfield partnership at international level for England.

British tabloids this week reported that the Villa skipper was at the top of Benitez’s wish list, despite the abundance of talent Liverpool currently possess in central midfield.

It could be that the Liverpool boss is seeking a replacement for Xabi Alonso, as there have been rumours of a rift developing between the Spanish playmaker and Benitez.

Villa boss Martin O’Neill has been offered right of first refusal on Peter Crouch and John Arne Riise, both of whom the former Celtic manager has expressed interest in, in the hopes of reaching a player-exchange agreement.

However, with both Portsmouth and Manchester City keen on Crouch and Newcastle interested in Riise, Benitez may be willing to shell out the £12 million Villa are reportedly asking for Barry.

Liverpool have also been linked with Manchester City youngster Michael Johnson this week for the same amount.

Reds Forced To Release Final Plans

UEFA have instructed Liverpool to release ticket details for the Champions League final even before the semi-final has taken place.

Due to concerns over the processing of visa applications, European football's governing body have told all four semi-finalists to seek ticket requests from fans for the final in Moscow on May 21.

Manchester United have already made their ticket information available to their supporters and both Chelsea and Barcelona are expected to announce their plans over the coming days.

"The tickets have got to go on sale now because of UEFA visa requirements," said Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry.

"UEFA has insisted that we provide them with details the day after the second leg of the semi-final in order to process visas.

"There is no alternative for us but to start now, however uncomfortable we might feel.

"This is not the way we would prefer to do it because we do feel uncomfortable about it but we have no choice."

Liverpool have been advised they will be allocated 21,000 tickets if they progress to the final and requests for an increased number have already been rejected by UEFA.

Having been heavily criticised for the way tickets were distributed ahead of the Athens final last season, Liverpool have taken on board fans' concerns this time around.

Parry added: "All season ticket and fan card holders who have been to six Champions League games will definitely qualify for a ticket.

"And all season ticket holders who have been to five games are invited to apply for a ticket."

Supporters should note the qualifier against Toulouse and the forthcoming semi-final against Chelsea do not count as qualifying games for the final.

Parry said: "If there is a 100% take up, which there very rarely is, season ticket holders who have been to five games will have an 80% chance of getting a ticket, which is a massive improvement on last year.

"The two things that distinguish this time around from last year after taking into account the concerns of fans are that we have given priority to season ticket holders who have been to five games and we have introduced the extra step of seeking applications from fans because of the extra time that this situation has afforded us.

"Once we have received the applications they will not be taken first come first served because that would be unfair. Instead, we will have a random process.

"Having weighed up all the options and the concerns that fans had last year we feel that the system we have come up with is the best and fairest way of distributing tickets.

"But, as ever, it is unlikely that we will be able to satisfy everyone because of the allocation of tickets from UEFA."

Liverpool’s Torres Gets Kuyt’s Backing To Break Record

Liverpool striker Dirk Kuyt has rendered support to his star team mate Fernando Torres to break Ruud Van Nistelrooy’s record of 23 goals in the Premier League as a debutant.

The Spanish international has hit 22 Premiership goals and could possibly equal or even break the record, if he features against Fulham at the weekend.

Kuyt feels that the 24-year old scoring machine deserves to have the record to his credit as he has been exceptional all through the season.

"Yes, I think he deserves that," said Kuyt. "He has scored many goals already and is playing really well for us.

"We still have a few games to go and with Fernando on fire as he has been I see no reason why he won't reach that target and beat the record.

"We will have to wait and see but he definitely has the quality to score more than 23 league goals this season. Like I say, it seems like he can score in every game.

"To take the record from someone like Van Nistelrooy would be a great achievement. He was absolutely fabulous for Manchester United in that first season and most of the years to follow. Van Nistelrooy is a great striker but Fernando is only going to get better and better. I can only see him scoring more goals.”

"He is always a threat for opposing defenders. It is unbelievable just how well he has adapted to the Premier League and settled in so easily at Liverpool.”

"Speaking from my own experience I know how difficult it is to come to a big club from a new country.”

"For Dutch people, who often speak English already, it is probably much easier than for a Spanish player who may not know the language right away, as was the case with Fernando.”

"We've seen over the years that many players who don't know the language need a little more time to adapt. For example, someone like Lucas Leiva has needed a few more months than Fernando to get used to things here but that is a testament to just how quickly Fernando has taken to everything.”

"He is scoring in almost every game now, which is a pleasure for everyone else in the team. It means we are confident of scoring every time we play. If we get it right defensively this means we have a good chance of winning every game."

Liverpool’s Pepe Reina Tells Team Mates Not To Loose Focus In The Premier League

Liverpool’s first choice keeper Pepe Reina has asked his team mates not to take the task of securing the fourth place in the Premier League lightly, even though they are now five points clear of Everton after the 3-1 victory over Blackburn on Sunday.

The Reds are preparing for their Champions League semi final clash against Chelsea but the keeper feels that they should not loose focus in the Premier League which is equally important.

Rafael Benitez’s side will now face Fulham at the weekend and the Spanish is hoping to collect full points from the encounter.

Reina feels that the champions league quarter final victory over Arsenal has given must boost to the sides confidence.

"It was a fantastic win against Arsenal," he told LFC's Official Matchday programme.

"I'll never forget an amazing night in front of such passionate supporters that proved once again that they are the best in the game. When we needed a lift after they scored their goals they obliged.

"It has set us up for another interesting meeting with Chelsea in the semi-finals next week and although we are desperate for silverware and would love to play this tomorrow, we will have to concentrate on the business of the league.

"I said before our game with Inter Milan that we could not think about the final in Moscow until the final whistle sounded at the end of the second-leg of the semi-final. Until then we can only take one game at a time and one day at a time.

"It is important all of us - the players, the manager, the board and the supporters - remember always the important job we still have to do in the Premier League.

"In life, if you become complacent then you are already beaten before the fight begins. If we approach a league game with our focus on Europe we will lose.

"If we were to approach those Chelsea games thinking of who we can play in the final in Moscow then we will not be there either."

Hicks To Use Benítez As Pawn In Anfield Power Struggle

Tom Hicks is considering raising the stakes in the Liverpool power struggle by asking his co-owner George Gillett to place on record whether Rafael Benítez features in his long-term plans for Anfield.

The Liverpool manager has been in frequent email contact with the Americans since Hicks demanded the resignation of Rick Parry last week and revealed, to the alleged surprise of Benítez, that the chief executive had been present at a meeting with the manager's potential successor, the now Bayern Munich-bound Jürgen Klinsmann. Benítez has sought an explanation of Parry's role at the meeting in New York last November and will decide on his own position at the culmination of the club's Champions League campaign.

Benítez and Parry attended a memorial service at Anfield yesterday to commemorate the 96 supporters who died at Hillsborough and, though the chief executive has declared his willingness to discuss the issue with the manager, the rival factions at Liverpool honoured an agreement not to detract from the 19th anniversary of the disaster with further public debate. Hicks, however, intends to intensify efforts to oust Parry and secure majority control of Liverpool by pressuring Gillett to reveal his views on Benítez's continued presence at Anfield. The Spaniard, unsurprisingly, also wants clarification on the matter from the co-chairman before the ownership saga is resolved.

Thus far only Hicks has stated that Benítez will remain in charge should he gain control of Liverpool, and he is believed to be willing to give the manager the greater influence over transfers that he wants should his bid for control succeed. Gillett, by contrast, has offered support only for Parry since Hicks asked him to resign less than 48 hours after the club's Champions League quarter-final defeat of Arsenal and has remained silent on the manager's position were he to purchase Hicks's stake in Liverpool.

Both Benítez and Hicks are acutely aware of the manager's popularity at Anfield and how divisive it would be to Gillett's bid for control, or attempt to sell his share to Dubai International Capital, should his support for Parry come at the expense of the Spaniard. Hicks could formally request Gillett's approval for the chief executive's departure at boardroom level and is also due to appear on television today to reiterate his opposition to Parry, although it is understood Hicks gave the interview earlier this week on the condition it would be aired after the anniversary of Hillsborough.

Tom Hicks Set To Speak Out About Liverpool On TV

Liverpool are bracing themselves for the next saga in their boardroom war when Tom Hicks goes public on the current fallout once again today.

The Anfield co-owner was set to record a television interview last night which is being withheld for broadcast later today.

But the Texan’s recent track record of not holding back in his criticisms of fellow owner George Gillett or chief executive Rick Parry suggests more grenades in the battle for power will be thrown out into the open.

Hicks has already demanded Parry’s resignation in the past week, berating the club’s marketing record under his leadership as well as criticising him for not making it clear to manager Rafael Benitez that he attended a meeting with former Germany coach Jurgen Klinsmann.

That development forced Benitez to demand a meeting with Parry to clarify his position.

Hicks’s latest public statement will come just hours after the memorial service held to commemorate the19th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster, on a day when the in-fighting was put to one side.

Parry and Benitez did meet briefly before the service and sat three seats apart in the stands but the manager emphasised the importance of not letting anything overshadow the tribute to the 96 supporters who lost their lives in the 1989 tragedy.

“This is obviously an important day of the year for everybody connected with our club,” said Benitez yesterday.

“We must take time to remember those who lost their lives at Hillsborough and to be with their families and friends. We must give them our support and show that we are thinking of them.

“It’s important we pay our respects.”

Carragher In Awe Of Torres

Liverpool stalwart Jamie Carragher has waxed lyrical about the club's Spanish sensation Fernando Torres, proclaiming him to be "the stand out striker in world football".

“El Nino” has set the Premiership alight since signing from Atletico Madrid last summer for a club-record £23m fee, but the money seems to have been well spent as the striker has already scored 30 in all competitions is well placed to beat Ruud van Nistelrooy’s record of 23 goals scored in his first Premier League season.

"For me, Fernando is probably the stand out striker in world football and I'm just delighted that he's in a Liverpool shirt," said Carragher, who certainly knows a thing or two about what makes a world-class striker.

"To get 30 goals in your first season is a fantastic achievement and hopefully he can go on and get a few more goals this season.

"People said he didn't have his best game against Blackburn but he scored another important goal and that's his job," he added.

Carragher went on to echo his boss's calls for full focus on the next match against Fulham, despite the fact that the first-leg of the Champions League clash with Chelsea is looming large.

"We've got to concentrate on the Fulham game first," Carragher continued. "We can't afford to look ahead to games in the future.

"If we were to take our eye off the game against Fulham we could end up losing that and maybe losing a bit of confidence for when we do play Chelsea."

Benitez: Fourth Place A Priority

Liverpool have the little matter of a Champions League semi-final against habitual Euro-rivals Chelsea next week, but manager Rafa Benitez is unequivocal: securing fourth spot in the Premier League is the first priority.

Rafa Benitez insists that it is essential for Liverpool to clinch fourth place in the Premier League before his side go into their European showdown with Chelsea next Tuesday.

Liverpool are involved in a scrap with neighbours Everton for fourth place, which would also guarantee qualification for next season's Champions League.

But the Reds are also due to face Chelsea in the semi-finals of this year's Champions League, with the first leg at Anfield on 22nd April, and the return at Stamford Bridge the following week.

Benitez wants his squad to be able to focus fully on Chelsea after the weekend by reinforcing their hold on fourth spot. That means taking three points off struggling Fulham on Saturday.

"It's really important," Benitez told Liverpool's official website when asked about the significance of nailing down fourth place in the table.

"If we can guarantee the fourth position then it will be much better for us and we can focus on the Champions League.

"If we cannot then, okay, we need to use the squad and try to be strong in both competitions."

Liverpool currently hold a five-point advantage over their Merseyside rivals Everton, and a victory against Fulham would all but guarantee the Reds fourth place if the Toffees lose at home to Chelsea on Thursday.

Notorious for his rotation policy, Benitez admits he may be forced to use all members of his squad in order to achieve his aim.

"We will analyse our team and see how the players are," added Benitez. "We will also analyse Fulham.

"We will think about Chelsea but for us to be in the top four is really important and we will have enough energy to play against Chelsea on Tuesday."

Former Liverpool Chairman Moores 'Heartbroken' And 'Let Down' By American Owners

Liverpool's former chairman says he is heartbroken and feels let down by the Americans who bought the club from him last year.

David Moores, who retains his seat on the board, said Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr. misled him about not burdening the Reds with debt and warned that their feud risks turning English soccer's most decorated club into a laughing stock.

Breaking a year-long silence, Moores said he was enraged when the Anfield civil war intensified Thursday with Hicks demanding the resignation of long-serving chief executive Rick Parry.

Gillett came out in support of Parry, widening the public rift between the co-owners.

"It's heartbreaking. I'm almost lost for words about the damage that's being done to the club at the present time," Moores was quoted as telling Saturday's edition of the Liverpool Echo.

"I do feel let down. With everything that's going on, I have to feel let down. This is not how I foresaw it and I'm sure it's not how the fans foresaw it.

"If I could have afforded to take the club forward I would have done, but I couldn't. I didn't have the sort of money you need for a new stadium and 30-40 million pounds a year for new players.

"So I had no option. I would love to still be in charge but I would have held the club back."

Moores sold his controlling 51 percent stake in the club to the duo before last February and the club's remaining shareholders later sold their stock.

"They talked about putting the money in and the new stadium and having no debt on the club," he said. "At the time I think we all felt it would be a good deal but it's not all materialized."

Gillett and Hicks bought Liverpool for £218.9 million in March 2007, which included an agreement to pay off about £45m of debt and a pledge to build and finance a 60,000-seat stadium.

When the loan used to buy Liverpool was refinanced in January, the club was burdened with debt topping £105m.

Gillett wants to sell his 50 percent stake to an oil-rich Dubai consortium, but Hicks has threatened to veto the deal because he wants overall control. Dubai International Capital has been unsettled by the uncertainty and has halted talks for now.

"It needs to be resolved as quickly as possible," Moores said. "The two owners don't agree on a way forward and unity is essential.

"They have got to stop thinking of themselves and start thinking of the club, its values, its traditions and its heritage. They have to do what is best for the club and get it sorted as quickly as possible because what is happening at the moment is not doing it any good."

The strife is distracting attention from the bid to capture a sixth European Cup.

Liverpool beat Arsenal 5-3 on aggregate Tuesday to reach the semi-finals of the Champions League for the third time in four years.

"We should now be focusing on continuity, stability and working our socks off towards enjoying what will hopefully be a super night in Moscow," for the Champions League final, Moores said.

"But when things are played out like they are at present, it virtually makes the club a laughing stock and that's not acceptable."

Parry Insists Liverpool Will Patch It Up With Boss Rafa Benitez

Rick Parry stepped in as peacemaker yesterday after it emerged that Liverpool made two attempts to install Jurgen Klinsmann as their new manager.

A seething Rafa Benitez demanded answers from the Anfield board after learning over the weekend that Parry had been involved in one of the clandestine get-togethers with the former Germany coach.

Although clearly taken aback at becoming embroiled in an escalating war of words among Anfield's hierarchy, Liverpool's embattled chief executive attempted to take the sting out of the latest fall-out by promising Benitez clear-the-air talks in the next few days.

Parry's priority is attending today's memorial service to mark the anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster, but he intends trying to patch up his differences with Benitez at the earliest opportunity, saying: "I am more than happy to sit down and talk to Rafa about this."

Although there have been calls from co-owner Tom Hicks for Parry to stand down, Benitez could be on dangerous ground after questioning the former Premier League chief's conduct in an angry outburst after Sunday's 3-1 win over Blackburn.

Several well-placed Anfield observers are adamant Benitez would have been dismissed by now but for another outstanding European campaign which appeased George Gillett and, in particular, Hicks.

With doubts persisting about Hicks's financial muscle to take full control and Gillett thought to be exploring ways of raising the necessary funds for a buy-out of his own, Benitez could find his confrontational approach rebounding on him.

After admitting that the former Valencia manager had almost talked himself out of a job earlier in the season, Hicks now appears to have formed a solid alliance with him, possibly influenced by the popular Spaniard's standing with fans.

Hicks and his son, Tom Junior, are in a minority on the board, though, and Benitez may have left himself vulnerable by seeming to side with them and by taking on Parry in such public fashion.

Even so, Benitez's mood will not be helped by the revelation that Parry, Hicks, Gillett and other board members had already sounded out Klinsmann when they convened at the new Bayern Munich manager's holiday home in California last November.

The Liverpool boss claimed he had been undermined by the development and demanded clarification from the board about where he stood and why details of the initial meeting had been kept from him. It is understood he may even have fired off emails to Hicks and Gillett on Sunday night, underlining his displeasure.

Rumours are gathering pace that he could be on borrowed time, but there is another scenario. As he approaches his 48th birthday tomorrow, Benitez may yet beat his paymasters to the punch by walking away.

Benitez has form for packing up and leaving whenever boardroom conflict threatens to cramp his style and the outsmarting of Inter Milan's Roberto Mancini and Arsenal's Arsene Wenger will have sent his stock soaring in Italy and his native Spain.

Just as he quit Valencia in despair over a perceived lack of transfer backing, so his exasperated tone on Sunday hinted at a resignation that had nothing to do with calls for Parry's head.

Valencia are ready to welcome Benitez back after one or two significant boardroom changes and Atletico Madrid are also monitoring his availability.

Both Milan clubs are considering a change of manager, but it is the thought of Atletico winning the chase that will send a shudder through Fernando Torres.

Seeing Benitez take charge of his old club would be unbearable for the Spain striker.

"I think and hope Rafa is going to be at Liverpool for a long time," said Torres. "He is backed by the players and fans and his record is there for all to see."

Benitez And Parry Hold Brief Talks As Anfield Rows Continue To Rumble On

The futures of Rafael Benitez and Rick Parry remain in doubt after the two held a brief meeting prior to Tuesday's Hillsborough memorial service.

Benitez was furious when co-owner Tom Hicks revealed Parry was present at a meeting with Jurgen Klinsmann, a possible replacement for the Liverpool manager. Hicks has demanded the resignation of Parry but George Gillett, Hicks' feuding business partner, has backed the chief executive.

Benitez and Parry discussed the situation in private before the Anfield service on the 19th anniversary of the Hillsborough tragedy, which cost 96 Liverpool fans their lives. They sat a few seats apart at the service. Neither man commented.

Benitez, who led the first-team squad at the service, said: 'This is obviously an important day of the year for everybody connected with our club. We must take time to remember those who lost their lives at Hillsborough. We must give them our support and show that we are thinking of them.'

Hicks is certain to stir up more controversy today when he gives an interview to Sky TV.

Meanwhile, Bolton manager Gary Megson has urged Benitez to pick his best side to face Bolton's rivals Fulham and Birmingham. Benitez was criticised, particularly by Sheffield United's then manager Neil Warnock, when he rested players last May and lost 1-0 to relegation-haunted Fulham.

Liverpool travel to Fulham again on Saturday and visit Birmingham seven days later. Megson said: 'Liverpool are going to have a massive say in which teams go down. We would hope that Rafa Benitez will retain the integrity of the Premier League with his squad selection.'