Champions League Preview: LiverpooL vs. Chelsea

The first of this week’s Champions League semi-finals is an all-English affair and sees Liverpool and Chelsea go head-to-head at this stage of the competition for the third time in four years. Can the Blues exact revenge for the previous two defeats?

Things are never calm at Chelsea football club and this has been made abundantly clear in the past week.

Monday night at Stamford Bridge – the Blues are 1-0 up and Emile Heskey pops up to net Wigan Athletic a late equaliser. Chelsea are done for, the title is United’s, Grant is a loser and it’s all his fault.

Fast forward to Thursday, where up on Merseyside Michael Essien snatches the all-important goal as Chelsea earn a vital win at Everton. By Saturday, United’s inability to claim all three points at Blackburn means the gap is once again three points. Avram Grant might have grumped his way through the post-match Press conference, but suddenly this is the guy who could lead Chelsea to an historic league and European Cup double.

This is the Blues’ fourth trip to the Champions League semi-finals in five years. They have yet to reach the final but it is perhaps fitting that they one again face Liverpool, twice the architects of Chelsea’s European demise at this stage.

With the showpiece event scheduled for Roman Abramovich’s homeland and the bitterness of 2005 and 2007 still evident in the Blues camp, there has never been a greater incentive to exact revenge. Avram Grant’s side made light work of Fenerbahçe at Stamford Bridge but stumbled to a defeat in the away leg. A similar result at Anfield is not an option against a Reds side who will likely not roll over like the Turks did in London.

Chelsea, meanwhile, know that they need to score on this trip to Anfield. They’ve failed to do so on any of their previous three Champions League games there, and recent profligacy in front of goal will be a concern. In cagey cup ties you must take what few chances you get.

Liverpool go into the semi-final as outsiders with the bookmakers and behind Chelsea in the league. Will that worry the Reds? It was exactly the same in 2005 and 2007. Blues fans have often pointed to Liverpool’s fortune in Europe (lucky penalties, goals that never were) but when you’ve reached two finals in three years and dispatched the likes of Arsenal, Inter Milan, AC Milan, Barcelona and Juventus – as well as Chelsea twice – you must be doing something right.

Going into this first leg it’s fair to say that the psychological advantage lies with Liverpool, not only because of what has transpired in years past, but also because of results in Europe this season. The confidence gained from eliminating Inter and Arsenal, where three games were won and one was drawn, will be far greater than that the Blues can yield from overcoming the relative minnows of Olympiacos and Fenerbahçe.

After a close call earlier in the campaign, the European mentality at Anfield is alive and well. Belief, tradition and a useful run of form (eleven wins and just one defeat in the last 14 games) give Rafa Benítez’ side every confidence of ruining Abramovich’s dream for a third time.

This Liverpool side is stronger than those fielded on those previous occasions, but this remains the Reds’ toughest task yet thanks to the second leg taking place down in London. The atmosphere at Anfield will still be tremendous, but without knowing their Stamford Bridge fate the Reds will not so easily be able to sit on a 1-0 or 0-0 like in those previous encounters. The search for a healthy home win carries with it the danger of exposure at the back, but that is a risk Liverpool must take: Stamford Bridge has been a miserable away ground for 20 years.

FORM GUIDE

Liverpool

Fulham - Liverpool 0 - 2 19/04/2008 PREMIER LEAGUE
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

Chelsea

Everton - Chelsea 0 - 1 17/04/2008 PREMIER LEAGUE
Chelsea - Wigan Athletic 1 - 1 14/04/2008 PREMIER LEAGUE
Chelsea - Fenerbahce 2 - 0 08/04/2008 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Manchester City - Chelsea 0 - 2 05/04/2008 PREMIER LEAGUE
Fenerbahce - Chelsea 2 - 1 02/04/2008 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Chelsea - Middlesbrough 1 - 0 30/03/2008 PREMIER LEAGUE



TEAM NEWS

Liverpool

Steven Gerrard is a doubt for Tuesday’s game after picking up a neck injury in training. A decision on the Reds skipper will be taken on Tuesday, with Lucas on standby. It remains to be seen whether Rafael Benítez will opt for the 4-4-2 used in the home quarter-final leg against Arsenal or stick to the mostly-used 4-2-3-1. Most clues will probably come from who didn’t play against Fulham.

Likely XI (4-2-3-1): Reina – Arbeloa, Carragher, Hyypia, Aurélio – Mascherano, Alonso – Kuyt, Gerrard, Babel – Torres

Chelsea

Frank Lampard will return having missed the last two Chelsea games on compassionate leave. He will probably start since Michael Essien is suspended. The Blues should be relatively fresh having had five days to prepare for this game and aren’t dealing with a lengthy casualty list. Wright-Phillips and Malouda will likely compete for a spot down the wing with Joe Cole set to get the other berth. It remains to be seen whether Didier Drogba will play an part but Michael Ballack (hamstring) looks set to miss out.

Likely XI (4-1-2-2-1): Cech – Ferreira, Carvalho, Terry, A Cole – Makélélé – Obi, Lampard – J Cole, Kalou – Anelka



PLAYERS TO WATCH

Liverpool – Fernando Torres

The Liverpool striker scored a beauty of a goal against Chelsea earlier in the season, a fine way to get off the mark at Anfield, and will he hoping for the same again. The Spanish striker netted in both previous knock-out rounds of this year’s Champions League tournament and is bang in form having notched in Liverpool’s last seven home matches.

Chelsea – Frank Lampard

With Michael Ballack and Michael Essien both out, Lampard will need to be a tower of strength at Anfield on Tuesday night. Whether he's mentally up to it after missing the last two games for family reasons, only time will tell. The England international has netted twice against the Reds already this season, breaking the deadlock with a deflected effort in the Carling Cup quarter-final and slotting home that controversial penalty at Anfield back in August.

Benitez: We Are Confident We Can Score At Chelsea

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez hailed his side’s ability to rise to the occasion ahead of their Champions League semi-final clash.

The Merseyside club have beaten their London rivals twice at this stage in the competition in recent years, however this time around Chelsea will host the all-important second leg at Stamford Bridge.

But Benitez dismissed claims that this small difference would be the deciding factor in which team progresses to the final in Moscow.

Speaking in a press conference in the build-up to Liverpool v Chelsea part III, the Spanish tactician reeled off a number of instances in which the Reds have been set seemingly insurmountable tasks only to scale the heights of achievement and pull off famous victories.

Olympiakos, AC Milan, Chelsea and Marseille were all teams that held an advantage over Liverpool in Europe's premier club competition only to be stunned into defeat, and Benitez insists his current side has the confidence to score at Stamford Bridge, something they have never done under the Spaniard, to ensure a third final in four years for the Reds.

"This year in Marseille we needed to win and we scored four goals. The team has enough confidence and quality to score and win in any stadium."

Furthermore, Benitez insisted a clean sheet at Anfield would be important.

"We prefer more than one goal but at the end of this kind of game, between two top sides at this level, a small difference can be a massive difference.

"We are playing well at home and away, we have confidence, but we know Chelsea are a very good team defensively so it will be difficult.

"We need to be patient, not make mistakes, keep control of the game and create chances.

"We know it's difficult to score there and it will be important to score here and not concede."

Gerrard: Stamford Bridge No Big Deal

Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard has every confidence in his side's ability to make it three Champions League finals in four years. Unlike other teams, the Reds have proved they don't crumble under intense European pressure. Gerrard also believes that Anfield will faze Chelsea far more than Stamford Bridge will his team.

Gerrard was surely referring to Chelsea's exploits in their three previous semi-finals, where the Blues have emerged empty handed every time and are yet to reach the European Cup final in their entire history.

After being dumped out by underdogs Monaco in the 2004 competition came the two defeats at Anfield, where Chelsea collapsed in the second legs having kept clean sheets in the 2005 and 2007 home ties.

But where Chelsea fell playing their return legs away from home, Gerrard is determined to succeed. “I have a lot of confidence in us doing what it takes to get to another final over the course of the 180 minutes," stated the midfielder.

“This team never knows when it’s beaten. Some teams wilt and chuck in the towel when the going gets tough. That’s not the case with us. We’ll battle and scrap and believe in our ability to do whatever it takes - here at Anfield or down there on their patch - to progress in the European Cup.

It’s the biggest trophy there is," the England international continued. "Look at some of the clubs who have competed in it over the years without winning it. There’s not a player, manager or fan of any team in Europe who wouldn’t say the Champions League is the pinnacle in football. That’s one of the reasons we are desperate to be there when the destiny of the trophy is decided.

A lot is being made of the fact that we’ve got to go down there and play the second leg," Gerrard added. "It’s suggested that it gives them a big advantage. But Stamford Bridge has nothing like the aura about it that Anfield does and it certainly won’t intimidate us in the slightest. If we have to go there to finish the job then we will.”

Lucas ays Tribute To The Knowledge Of Benitez

Lucas Leiva believes he is learning from the best at Anfield as he prepares for the biggest game of his fledgling career.

The young Brazilian midfielder has enjoyed an encouraging first season since arriving from Gremio in the summer.

Having made his debut in the second leg of the Champions League qualifier against Toulouse back in August, Lucas has made 29 appearances and become an integral part of Rafael Benitez’s squad.

Such is the manager’s confidence in the 21-year-old, Lucas started both legs of the win over Inter Milan in the Champions League earlier this year.

And the Brazil international reckons the influence of Benitez, along with fellow midfielders Javier Mascherano and Steven Gerrard, has helped him settle and become a better player.

“Benitez is the most knowledgeable manager in the world, he continues to prove his qualities,” said Lucas.

“I knew Mascherano before I came here because I played against him in Brazil. He is a young player but is improving with every match. He can be one of the best midfielders in the world.

“And what can you say about Gerrard? He is a fantastic player, he is our captain and is a very good player.

“I have enjoyed so much playing alongside Steven Gerrard. Every match, every training session, he shows what a wonderful player he is.

“I am learning so much from him. I am gaining so much experience playing alongside him, and I know he will score the goals that will send us through.”

Despite an impressive display during the 2-0 win at Fulham on Saturday, Lucas is likely to begin on the bench in tonight’s Champions League semi-final first leg against Chelsea at Anfield.

And the Brazilian said: “This is the biggest game I have ever been involved in. I have played in some big games in Brazil, like the Copa Libertadores final against Boca Juniors. We lost the final but for me it was a very good experience, but nothing as big as the European nights I have experienced at Liverpool.

“It’s always important to have players on the bench playing well. Crouch scored a lot of goals last season and scored against Arsenal in the league and was then in the team for the quarter-final against them.

I did a good job against Fulham. Hopefully I can have a chance of playing against Chelsea, but even if I am on the bench then I want to be ready to play well for the team. It’s not just about starting a game.”

Lucas added: “When you come to Liverpool you want to play in every game, but you know there are players here like Mascherano, Gerrard, Alonso and Sissoko before he left.

“You want to play, and I’ve played almost 30 games now. It’s not more than I thought I’d play.

“When I came here, I know I needed to adapt first, and I think I have adapted to the English game now.

“English football is totally different to Brazilian football, it is physical, the tempo is high and you don’t have much time to think. But I think my game now is more suited to that.”

Lucas reckons Liverpool and Benitez’s record in the European Cup can hold them in good stead tonight.

“The manager has a good record in the Champions League and Liverpool has a very good history in the competition,” he said.

“We need to trust in ourselves to have confidence in our squad and confidence in our manager.

There is no difference to how we are preparing the games. All the games are important to us, but you are always more excited when you are about to play in the Champions League.

“The players have confidence when we play at home because of the supporters. They always push us on, the atmosphere is amazing and it’s always good for us.

“But we know we are going to have to play well, because if we don’t then we won’t go through.”

Benitez Urges Fans To Crank Up Noise

Rafael Benitez has urged Anfield to crank up the volume tonight to expose Chelsea’s mental scars and roar Liverpool towards another Champions League final.

Another intense atmosphere is expected when the Londoners travel to Merseyside for their third semi-final meeting in this competition in four years.

Backed by a huge support, Benitez’s side eliminated Chelsea en route to lifting the European Cup in 2005 and then scored a repeat success against the Stamford Bridge outfit last year.

The Liverpool manager believes the home fans will have to generate an atmosphere to surpass even those two memorable Anfield occasions - and play on the minds of Avram Grant’s visitors.

“For me, it would be an incentive but for them maybe it is psychological problem,” said Benitez of Chelsea’s previous two defeats. “I think they have enough experience and quality in the squad.

“I don't think they will have a problem coming to Anfield and dealing with the atmosphere. They can manage, so we must create more problems for them and create a better atmosphere.

“I feel that our team is playing well and we have enough confidence. But we cannot think it will be easy.”

Benitez added: “I don't think the difference in these games is the tactical approach. The difference could be the atmosphere in Anfield, the commitment of the players, and the quality of some players.

“The key for us is the supporter atmosphere. We have fantastic atmosphere in every game. The supporters know we need the support because the second leg will be at Stamford Bridge, and it will be difficult.

“We have confidence that we can win, but we have respect for Chelsea. They are a good team, they have a balance between attack and defence, well-organised in defence and good at counter-attack and also in attack, and also in set-pieces.

“I prefer to feel the same as we felt before, that we were underdogs against a fantastic team.”

Steven Gerrard will lead Liverpool out this evening after recovering from a neck injury, with Daniel Agger (foot) and Harry Kewell (groin) the only definite absentees.

Benitez - Duo Are Key

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez says Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres are the backbone of his Reds line-up.

The pair will line up against Chelsea in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final with Gerrard fit again, while Torres will lead the attack.

Blues boss Avram Grant recently revealed his admiration for Gerrard, stating that he would love to have him at Stamford Bridge.

However, Benitez is looking forward to Gerrard showing Grant just how special he is when he scores the winner against the West Londoners.

Torres has been a revelation in his debut season in England and Benitez has so much faith and confidence in the striker due to his ability to create a goal out of nothing.

"Gerrard is a key player for us, and when he scores the winner in the semi-final maybe Chelsea will see even more how important he is for us," said Benitez.

"It is not just about one or two players. We have players of quality who can change a game, and we must play as a unit.

"But when you have Torres or Gerrard, and you are not playing well, the team know that these players can score to get you out of a problem.

"We have a lot of confidence because we know Torres can create something."

Liverpool has knocked Chelsea out of the Champions League at the semi-final stage twice in the last three seasons, although Benitez has conceded having the first leg at Anfield will be a strange situation.

Nevertheless he wants his troops to score on home soil and keep Chelsea off the scoreboard.

"When we have beaten Chelsea previously in two European semi-finals, the second leg has been at Anfield," he continued. "This time it will be the reverse situation, so we need to score and not concede here.

"I would prefer to play the second game at Anfield, but we just have to manage the situation.

"The difference will be key players in key moments, but our fans can score the first goal. And with the games being the other way around this time maybe the fans will concentrate even more for us.

"I am pleased with our form at home, but Chelsea are excellent. We must do our job, be patient and concentrate. We have to control the game and not concede possession.

"Our fans are clever, they know that it will be difficult at Stamford Bridge so they will know how much they must be behind us here.

"I know we have not scored at Stamford Bridge in the Champions League, but we are playing well and I know we can score in this tie in both matches.

"We have had difficult ties like this. In previous seasons we played away second against Juventus and Marseille, and we got through the ties. We can do it again. We have enough confidence to score in any stadium."

Fans Dream Of The Champions League Final

Officially no-one is thinking that far ahead. For the players and managers everything is about this tie. From the dressing rooms of the Champions League four semi-finalists over the past fortnight we have heard nothing but talk of focusing on the job in hand, taking each game as it comes, making sure bridges are crossed one at a time.

An adherence to such clichés is the way of the professional footballer. They all exhibit a narrowness of focus born of a mix of modern sports psychology and ancient superstition. None of them would ever admit publicly to counting so much as a single unhatched chicken.

For the fans, however, it is very different. They all have one eye on the conclusion. And ever since the draw was made, fantasy line-ups for the final have been filling the thoughts of those who spend most of the working day posting comments on their fan forums.

It is not just supporters of the four clubs involved, either. Neutrals too have been day-dreaming about final permutations, wondering who they would like to see make it to Moscow, their choices motivated largely by which set of supporters they would prefer to end up disappointed.

Not that there is much debate about Wednesday night's encounter in Catalonia. Apart from Manchester United and Real Madrid supporters, it is safe to suggest everyone else would like Barcelona to progress.

This is not solely a reflection of traditional antipathy to United. In Britain, Barcelona are the fantasy football side of choice, a club owned by its supporters, a team stuffed with the game's foremost entertainers.

Barca remain an outfit dusted with glamour. Besides, apart from a few patriots deluding themselves that an all-English final will somehow compensate for no English involvement at Euro 2008, everyone would prefer to see something different.

United play Chelsea and Liverpool twice a year anyhow; there's a game between the reds and the blues sandwiched between the two semi-final legs. It would not exactly be a special one if the encounter were repeated in Russia a month later.

It is much harder, though, to detect a neutrals' favourite emerging from tonight's tie. Chelsea have won few friends beyond Stamford Bridge with their elephantine spending and cautious, pragmatic football. And Liverpool's recent boardroom soap opera has not endeared the club to the wider world.

Manchester United fans, on the other hand, have no such dilemma: tonight, for them, the choice is an easy one. It has to be Chelsea. They would back their team on current form to beat anyone.

But there is always, lurking in the back of even the most optimistic mind, the possibility of defeat. And the thought of losing to Liverpool in a Champions League final is too painful to contemplate.

Never mind the retreat from Moscow, just imagine the witty banners unfurled in the Kop for years to come. Not even Napoleon had to put up with that.

Grant In Line For Kop Abuse

Liverpool are unlikely to report Avram Grant to the Premier League over the Chelsea coach's alleged attempt to tap up Steven Gerrard. Liverpool are known to be irritated by Grant's remarks about their captain, including the phrase "if you can bring him to me, I will be happy", but are likely to rise above a controversy of Grant's making.

The Israeli will receive some reaction from Anfield. Gerrard's manager, Rafa Benitez, will respond to Grant's covetous comments at lunch-time today when he looks forward to tomorrow's Champions League semi-final first leg with Chelsea. Grant can expect an even more ribald response from the Kop, who will also be busy directing their venom at co-owner Tom Hicks. The American is expected to make a rare visit to Anfield.

Liverpool have been down this road with Chelsea before. Gerrard was linked with move to the Bridge in 2004 and in 2005. Jose Mourinho was a huge admirer of Gerrard, and so is his successor as Chelsea manager.

"Gerrard is a great player and a great person," said Grant. "For me, he is the player of the year in England, and maybe in Europe, because of the influence he has on the team. I like him very much as a player and I know him. He is a nice guy and an example to others. He plays against me but he is still my favourite player. If you can bring him to me, I will be happy."

Even with so much chaos in the Anfield boardroom, and Liverpool again failing to bring home the leauge title, Gerrard is unlikely to crave a move to Chelsea as he is settled on his native Merseyside.

Liverpool's captain is expected to start against Chelsea despite missing Saturday's win at Fulham with a neck problem sustained heading balls in training. "The player will say he wants to play, but there's an easy way of finding out whether he's fit," said Benitez. "I will come up and tap him on the left shoulder and if he turns to face me without any pain, we will know he can play. Hopefully he will score with another header on Tuesday."

Sami Hyypia and Javier Mascherano have shaken off knocks, and Liverpool are expected to line up: Reina; Carragher, Skrtel, Hyypia, Aurelio; Mascherano, Alonso; Kuyt, Gerrard, Babel; Torres.

Rafael Benitez Has Liverpool Ready To Roll

Avram Grant has every right to look worried. Of all the unnerving prospects the Chelsea manager is facing ahead of tomorrow night's Champions League semi-final at Anfield, the sight of a relaxed Rafael Benitez laughing and joking must be the scariest of all. Liverpool's serial worrier suddenly has the air of a man who knows he has the measure of his opponent.

Europe is his chosen specialist subject, and the question of how to beat Chelsea in the Champions League is one he has got right every time so far. Brushing aside Fulham with their shadow squad on Saturday all but guaranteed Liverpool's participation in next season's competition, and Benitez responded with a disarming stand-up routine of wisecracks that contrasted sharply with Grant's recent morose mumblings.

Asked if he saw any differences from the Chelsea team that Liverpool knocked out at the same stage of last season's Champions League, Benitez replied: "Only in the press conferences. You miss Jose Mourinho, but not me. At the end of the day the players will be the key more than the managers. We are just important to say something. But the best thing for a manager to do is not create any mess, so the players can just play."

Liverpool's owners have created enough mess for one club already, but whatever the risk of his alliance with Tom Hicks, Benitez appears to be relishing the prospect of another strategic summit with Chelsea. "We want this game to be a Champions League game, not a Premier League game. We want that in our minds, playing the Champions League style," he added. In other words, he wants to face Chelsea on his own terms.

Resting seven of tomorrow's likely line-up while easing eight points clear of fifth-placed Everton in the race for the fourth enabled Benitez to beat Fulham on his terms. The huge Liverpool following greeted the occasional touch-line warm-up routines of substitute Fernando Torres as loudly as the two goals that Jermaine Pennant and Peter Crouch fired past a hapless Kasey Keller. The fans, like the manager, had their minds on other things. It was soon clear that Liverpool's second string would have too much punch and power for a fading Fulham.

Maybe the minds of many home supporters were more concerned with the credit crunch and falling house prices. Friendly suburban Fulham have looked a little too friendly for the Premier League this season. There were no passionate protests or tears at the end of a game that left them staring relegation in the face. The big worry is that a team who try to play attractive passing football could lack the muscle for a quick return to the top-flight.

After the match, manager Roy Hodgson admitted: "People regard a sign of fighting spirit as players flying round the field smashing into others and knocking them over. We are not that kind of team."

Two of Fulham's three remaining games are away from home, and they need to win them all. A better goalkeeper might have stopped both of the Liverpool goals, and Brede Hangeland and Danny Murphy wasted good chances at pivotal moments, but the core of the team in front of Keller lacked the necessary pace and power to hurt Liverpool. Benitez was barely out of the seat in his dug-out.

He voices a diplomatic public respect for Grant but that perhaps masks a hunch that he can outwit his opposite number in the coming week and record a third semi-final success over Chelsea in four years.

"I watched them at Everton on Thursday and they were playing more or less the same," Benitez said. "Avram is doing his job. I respect him because he is being correct. But, as I've said before, the key to them is Abramovich." Are you listening, Mr. Hicks?

Liverpool Chase £8m Swiss Star

Liverpool face a fierce battle with Manchester City to sign Swiss ace Gokhan Inler.

The Udinese midfielder, 23, has been a revelation in Serie A this season and has been watched by a host of Premier League clubs, most notably Liverpool and Manchester City.

And club president Giampaolo Pozzo said: "Many clubs have asked about him but a couple from England are particularly keen. But we would want at least £8million for him because he has been brilliant this season."

City boss Sven Goran Eriksson is desperate to bolster his squad but faces competition from the Kop.

Rafael Benitez Is Wary Of Home Tie

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has admitted that the loss of the "Anfield effect" could dent his side's chances of defeating Chelsea in the Champions League semi-final.

For the third time in four seasons Liverpool, who have doubts over the fitness of captain Steven Gerrard, must beat Chelsea to reach the European Cup final. But whereas Liverpool played at home in the second leg of the two previous encounters, this time they know they must make the most of home advantage tomorrow night ahead of next week's second leg at Stamford Bridge.

"It could be different to last year," Benitez said. "The key has been Anfield in the last year. Against Arsenal you could see a big difference. But we will try and do something important in the first game and the second will be easier.

"With Chelsea you need to score some goals and don't concede. Not conceding is important because they'll have chances.

"Chelsea have a better balance and are stronger in defence. They are not as offensive as Arsenal but stronger in defence. The challenge for us is hard. The difference now is we are in the semi-finals so it will be difficult."

Benitez added that Chelsea were just as formidable under Avram Grant as they were under Jose Mourinho.

"I haven't seen much difference to the team we beat last year," he said. "I have said, Avram is doing a good job."

According to Mourinho, Liverpool face the greater pressure going into the match. "Liverpool have to win at least a cup. If they don't, their season will be a failure."

Reds Banking On Hicks And Parry

Liverpool officials are hoping the feud between the club's co-owner Tom Hicks and chief executive Rick Parry will not affect the women's team.

The female Reds get backing of about £100,000 a year thanks in no small part to Parry, who has also sanctioned an Anfield match on May 10 when Northern Ireland ladies play Liverpool with proceeds going to the Women Against Lung Cancer campaign.

"We are just getting on with our own thing and, at the moment, it's planned to increase our budget next year," said the secretary Jane Campbell.

The manager, David Bradley, whose team lost 4-1 at Watford yesterday, said: "The extra funding we are due next season will mean we'll be able to put players on contracts for the first time and that will help us to compete more with the likes of Arsenal and Everton."

Arsenal's 2-0 win against Bristol Academy and Everton's 2-2 draw with Birmingham City means the Gunners can clinch the league title for a record fifth consecutive season when they entertain Chelsea on Thursday.

Nottingham Forest will be promoted following their 5-1 win against Sheffield Wednesday, a result that saw them complete the Northern Division season undefeated.

Kuyt Happy With Wide Role

Dirk Kuyt says he is happy to play in any position for Liverpool so long as he is able to help the team win trophies.

The Dutchman arrived in England with a reputation as an old fashioned centre-forward, but Rafael Benitez has been using him on the right recently as he settles on a winning formation that uses Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard as the central attacking threat.

But while many had felt it was a makeshift position for Kuyt, he insists he has plenty of experience playing out wide.

"I don't really like to be put in any specific bracket - a right midfielder, right winger, striker or second striker," he told the club's official website.

"I've probably got a bit of all these positions within my game. I can play as a striker, a second striker or on the right or on the left.

"Whatever that may be, I just like to do it my own way.

"But playing on the right is not exactly new to me. I've played there for two years in the Dutch national team and also for a year and a half when I started out at Utrecht.

"I know what to do out there, so it's not like I'm just learning the job."

Kuyt insists he is happy with the way he has played since his role was changed, but he knows it is the overall performance of the team that wins competitions.

"I'm quite happy with my performances since I've been out there. I've scored a few goals as well as provided assists and so I feel it's going well.

"No matter where I play, I like to work really hard for the team with the same main target of helping us win as many games as possible. That is what it is all about.

"It's a team sport and you win things together. That's what I like about football."

Fulham 0 - 2 LiverpooL

Fulham's survival hopes were virtually finished off by goals from Jermaine Pennant and Peter Crouch as Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez again sent out a virtual reserve side at Craven Cottage.

Benitez risked the wrath of Fulham's relegation rivals by fielding another weakened Liverpool team in west London - a gift which Fulham snapped up almost a year ago with a 1-0 win that ultimately saved them from the drop.

This time the Spaniard made eight changes but once Liverpool had seen off Fulham's inevitable early flurry and taken a 16th-minute lead through a cracking finish by Pennant they always looked likely to justify their manager's decision.

Pennant, who broke a leg in October, scored his second goal in 16 starts this season from a smart pass by Steven Gerrard's replacement Lucas Leiva and Fulham, for all their commitment and sweat, could have done with a little of that power in front of goal.

With Javier Mascherano, Martin Skrtel, Sami Hyypia, Peter Crouch, Andriy Voronin and Pennant, who was jeered mercilessly by the Craven Cottage crowd after winning an early free kick against Clint Dempsey, it was still a Liverpool line-up that could equal the strength of many of their Premier League opponents.

Jamie Carragher and Fernando Torres were on the bench but Carragher replaced Sami Hyypia at half-time and Xabi Alonso also came on in midfield.

Skipper Brian McBride recovered quickly from an early knock before Dempsey's determined progress down the left was halted by a crude challenge by Mascherano.

Jimmy Bullard swung in a testing free kick that curled into the six-yard box but keeper Jose Reina collected impressively.

Hyypia and Skrtel had their work cut out with timely interceptions as Fulham found width and movement for Simon Davies and Dempsey to provide a stream of crosses into the box but Fulham were almost caught out by their former right back Steve Finnan's run and cross in the 14th minute.

Defender Paul Stalteri did just enough to put off the towering Crouch who put his header just wide of the mark.

And three minutes later they paid the price for not picking up Leiva in midfield when he ran on to Voronin's pass and provided the perfect lay-off for Pennant to drill a thundering right-foot shot high inside keeper Kasey Keller's left-hand post.

As Fulham's early fire faded, Crouch was close to a second Liverpool goal when he just failed to convert a Pennant cross and the closest Fulham came to equalising before the break was Brede Hangeland's off-target header from another Bullard free kick.

Liverpool looked composed and comfortable throughout the second half even though Reina was left grasping thin air by a Davies cross from the left and a Dempsey snap-shot which both finished wide of the mark.

Russian striker Voronin lifted an overhead kick just too high from a Pennant corner as Liverpool looked for the killer second goal and Yossi Benayoun, enduring a patchy personal performance, twice finished off target from Pennant's assists.

With 20 minutes to go Dempsey's header from a David Healy cross finished just wide but seconds later Crouch sealed the points for Liverpool with a low finish from a Pennant pass which veteran keeper Keller will kick himself for not keeping out.

The ball, well struck though it was, appeared to go clean through the goalkeeper's grasp.

Danny Murphy missed a chance to put Fulham back in for a late shout when he fired his shot at Reina's legs when presented with a clear opening by the classy Bullard's pass.

Grant Admires Gerrard

Avram Grant admits he would love to take Steven Gerrard to Chelsea after revealing his admiration for the Liverpool captain.

The Chelsea manager is preparing to face Gerrard and Liverpool in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final at Anfield on Tuesday in what could be a key match for his future at Stamford Bridge.

However, the Israeli has turned the spotlight on Gerrard and claims the impact the 27-year-old has on the Merseyside team makes him the best player in England if not in Europe.

Grant said: "Gerrard is a great player and a great person.

"For me, he is the player of the year in England, and maybe in Europe, because of the influence he has on the team.

"I like him very much as a player and I know him.

"He is a nice guy and an example to others.

"He plays against me but he is still my favourite player."

Chelsea have previously tried to sign Gerrard and Grant added: "If you can bring him to me, I will be happy."

Torres Ready For Biggest Test Yet

Fernando Torres has admitted that reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League with Liverpool represents the pinnacle of his career.

The Reds are due to take on Chelsea in the first leg of their last four contest on Tuesday, and Torres feels that the games against the Blues are the biggest he has ever been involved in.

The Spanish striker will once again carry the weight of expectation in front of goal for the Reds at Anfield, but having already notched on 30 occasions this season he insists that he does feel under any added pressure.

"The emotion I felt after the Arsenal game (in the quarter-finals) was very, very strong. I have never felt like that before," Torres told the News of the World. "I was almost in tears at the end of the match when they crowd were singing.

"If that was a quarter-final, I can't imagine what it will be like playing Chelsea.

"Without doubt, these are the biggest matches of my career.

"I know football means so much and can give everyone strong feelings but it's still a new experience for me.

"I scored my first important Liverpool goal against Chelsea, and I want to do it again on Tuesday.

"That goal gave me confidence to believe I could score in the big matches."

Much has been made of Rafael Benitez's early season rotation which saw Torres frequently left out of the side.

However, the Spaniard believes that the rest has allowed him to remain fresh until the end of the current campaign.

"People ask me if I am getting tired now because I am coming to the end of my first season in England," he said. "Of course it is a hard league but I do not feel tired at all.

"When you are scoring goals and the team is winning games, you have more energy.

"It is only when the team is struggling and you are not playing well or scoring goals, that you don't feel your best.

"My legs are in good shape and my heart is ready for the matches to come."

Reds Waiting On Gerrard Fitness

Rafa Benitez will know if Steven Gerrard is fit for Liverpool's battle with Chelsea if the player looks him in the eye and gives him the nod.

Gerrard, the English heartbeat of the Liverpool team, remains a doubt with a painful neck injury for the first leg of the "all-English" semi-final in which Liverpool attempt to knock out their bitter rivals for a third time in five years.

And Liverpool boss Benitez is trying hard to hide his concern beneath a smile and a few jokes - not the Spaniard's usual public style.

But this, apparently, is the Benitez mood at the moment - despite being caught in the crossfire of the damaging feud between the club's American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett which is rocking Anfield.

Dependent on how the feud works out, Benitez could still be on his way at the end of the season, especially after the much-publicised "secret" meeting between Hicks, Gillett, chief executive Rick Parry and former Germany coach Jurgen Klinsmann earlier this season.

But Benitez, who insists he loves being at Liverpool and wants to stay, must be comforted by the knowledge he could probably have the pick of Europe's top clubs should he be back on the jobs market in the summer.

He had talks with Liverpool officials last week and claims: "Things seem a little better now but really we have been talking too long about these matters and I want to concentrate on football if it is possible."

And after the little matter of sending out a shadow side to defeat relegation-haunted Fulham 2-0 at Craven Cottage to practically ensure a fourth place finish in the Premier League, Benitez's football focus shifted firmly to Tuesday night's dust-up with Chelsea.

He has declared that centre-back Sami Hyypia will be fit to play despite coming off at Fulham with a head injury at half-time. And so will dominating midfielder Javier Mascherano even though he "is feeling several injuries" after a bone-crunching series of confrontations at Craven Cottage.

But being without Gerrard for such an encounter with Chelsea is almost unthinkable and Benitez admitted: "With a neck injury you never really know. We've had problems like this with a few players before and they did not play.

"I'll talk to the doctor and we will decide if he can play. If you ask the player he will say yes, of course, but Steven wanted to play against Fulham and he couldn't because when I talked to him his neck wouldn't let him look me.

"He is a bit better now than when he did it in training. We were doing patterns of play and crossing - and every cross seemed to go to him. He was heading the ball so much and after a while he couldn't move his head any more."

Even without Gerrard and £25million striker Fernando Torres, Liverpool won at a canter and Benitez said: "It's clear that the the squad is stronger this year than before, I have been saying this for the whole season.

"But I won't say we've got any psychological edge on Chelsea going into Tuesday night's game.

"They are aware we are a good team and that I would rest some players (against Fulham) but they have had a few extra days to rest and have great qualities, too.

"Clearly, I think we go into it fairly even. Chelsea were in the final of the Carling Cup, they are in the semi-finals of the Champions League and they are still in the race for the (Premier League) title. We have a lot of respect for them.

"The players will be the key to the result, more so than the managers. I don't often feel under pressure - and if I do have problems then I think about people who, in general life, are in worse positions than us."

Benitez claims his team's task will be made no easier against Chelsea's much-maligned new boss Avram Grant.

He said: "I don't think Chelsea under Grant are much different than Chelsea with (Jose) Mourinho - except maybe at a press conference.

"I saw them play Everton on Thursday night and they looked pretty much the same as always."

He added: "When you talk about Champions League or cup competitions it is just one-off games and perhaps the manager can do something with tactics or the style of football to make a difference.

"But when you talk about a competition that lasts nine months you need a big squad and maybe Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal are a little bit better than us there.

"Grant is doing his job well if you look at their results, but for me Roman Abramovich has always been the key for Chelsea.

"At the end of the day the key players can be a massive difference in games like Tuesday's game but also the whole team has to work very hard."

Unwanted Pennant To Sign For Newcastle

Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant is set to leave the Anfield club and move to Newcastle United where manager Kevin Keegan is said to be keen to sign the 25 year old.

Pennant, who scored and set up a goal in yesterday’s 2-0 victory for Liverpool over Fulham at Craven Cottage has become a bit-part player at Anfield, starting only 13 league games this season. His goal yesterday was his first in the league this season and only his third league goal for the club.

The former Birmingham City and Arsenal player has had a turbulent career both on and off the field but was looking to put that behind him when he signed for Liverpool in July 2006 for a fee close to £7million.

The extracurricular problems seem to have disappeard for good, but his Anfield career has never really taken off due to a combination of injuries, poor form and a raft of other midfielders being brought into the club.

More recently Pennant has found his place in the team taken by striker Dirk Kuyt who manager Rafael Benitez now appears to favour in that role and it seems that his future now lies away from Liverpool.

This has alerted Newcastle to his situation and Kevin Keegan would be keen to sign a wide player with pace and an attacking mindset to add some goals to his midfield for next season.

It is understood that the player himself is keen on the move, and will willingly put pen to paper if the Tynesiide club can reach an agreement with Liverpool.

Rafa Could Sue Warnock

Rafa Benitez is considering legal action after Crystal Palace manager Neil Warnock publicly questioned the Liverpool manager's integrity.

The Eagles boss was unhappy at Benitez at the back end of last season after he fielded a weakened Reds team that lost 1-0 at Fulham.

The result helped the Cottagers stay up at the expense of Sheffield United, who Warnock was in charge of last season.

Benitez made a host of changes for Saturday's game at Craven Cottage, prompting the Eagles manager to claim he gets off-field benefits from Harrods for his team selections.

However, the comments failed to amuse the former Valencia boss, who is now planning on having a word with his lawyer.

"Somebody told me [about Warnock's comments]," he said.

"We knew he was bad as a manager and prehistoric, but we didn't know he was a person like this.

"I will speak to my lawyer. We don't need to waste time with him."

Rafa Benitez Says One Summer Signing Has Already Been Completed

Rafa Benitez has confirmed that he has started Liverpool's recruitment drive for next season as he seeks the calibre of players necessary to mount a title challenge.

The 48-year-old revealed that a deal had been completed for one player for next season but only gave a few hints as to identity of the signing.

“We are working on trying to improve the squad for next season,” Benitez added.

“We have some movements for next season, so we will continue trying to do the same.

“We have some signings for the next season done. They are senior players for the first team and young players for the first team and reserve team.

“Two of them are really close, young players, and one senior player is done. He talks good English, but is not English.”

Benitez has also been linked with England stars Gareth Barry and David Bentley.