LiverpooL 1 - 0 Manchester City

Fernando Torres wrote another piece of history for himself with his 32nd goal of a stunning first season in English football.

Only Cristiano Ronaldo has stood between Torres and the PFA and Writers' Footballer of the Year awards this week, and yet another fine strike here underlined why.

The Spaniard has now scored in eight successive home league games which equals Roger Hunt's club record.

His 15th in his last 17 games shows the remarkable consistency of the front-man.

The winner came in the 58th minute when he cruised past Richard Dunne to beat Joe Hart with an angled drive.

Much of the game had been dominated by City fans venting their anger at the likely sacking of their manager Sven-Goran Eriksson, but it was Torres who again stole the show.

Liverpool's final home match of the campaign ended with a lap of honour, and Torres took much of the acclaim.

Boss Rafael Benitez also received his ovation. There will be no Champions League final this season, but the Kop made it clear that they don't want to see their manager go the same way as Eriksson.

Benitez made five changes from the side that lost at Chelsea in the Champions League semi-final in midweek, with Steve Finnan, Lucas, Sami Hyypia, Ryan Babel and youngster Emiliano Insua coming in.

Out went Xabi Alonso, Martin Skrtel, Yossi Benayoun, Alvaro Arbeloa and John Arne Riise.

And still Peter Crouch could not get a game, the lanky striker did not even make the bench.

Troubled Manchester City - who have lost four of their last five - recalled captain Richard Dunne, with Gelson Fernandes dropping to the bench.

For Liverpool, this was just a game for pride with nothing else now to play for with their European exit.

But for City, the game had taken on a whole new dimension. The future of manager Sven-Goran Eriksson was all that mattered to their fans packed into the Anfield Road end.

With owner Thaksin Shinawatra hell-bent on sacking the former England coach - seemingly against the wishes of virtually everyone else at Eastlands - those fans sang his name, hoisted 'Save our Sven' banners and made it perfectly clear who they were backing.

City fans even came up with an impressive version of a famous Pink Floyd song as 'Thaksin, leave our Sven alone' boomed across Anfield.

Eriksson waved obligingly, gave the thumbs up and bowed in appreciation to supporters who do not understand how a rare top-half finish in the Premier League is not good enough.

And their team, who are believed to be upset by developments, responded with a confident display. City were quicker and sharper in the opening stages, Michael Johnson and Stephen Ireland impressing in midfield.

Liverpool had plenty of possession, but initially created nothing of substance, apart from a Babel header over.

Fernando Torres then saw an angled cross-shot skid just wide on the far post, while Steven Gerrard - from 30 yards out - had goalkeeper Joe Hart flying across his box.

Liverpool were now improving. And when Insua's pass inside to Gerrard found his captain 20 yards out, a swerving shot forced Hart into an excellent save to his left.

After the break, only a fine interception from Vedran Corluka stopped Gerrard taking advantage of a clever Torres set-up, while Kuyt headed the resulting corner just wide.

Liverpool were much more positive now and Torres got away on the left from a superb Gerrard pass, but guided his shot just wide of the far post.

City responded with a fine Elano free-kick from 20-yards that hit Jose Reina's near post.

But in the 58th minute, Torres got his customary goal.

A poor Michael Ball clearance was headed back into the Spanish international's path, and he took on and beat Dunne before he angled his finish across Hart and into the far corner.

That goal meant Torres equalled the all-time Liverpool record of scoring in eighth successive home league game.

Roger Hunt, in Division Two in 1961-62, is the only other man to achieve the feat.

City then brought on ex-Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann, who was instrumental in their Champions League final victory in 2005, for Elano and the German received a standing ovation from the Anfield crowd.

Nery Castillo took over from Martin Petrov, with Liverpool replacing Babel with Benayoun.

Alonso and Andriy Voronin both got a late run-out in place of Lucas and Gerrard, but City made it clear this was not over when Benjani blasted in a 25-yard free-kick that Reina struggled to beat away.

City then sent on Javier Garrido for Darius Vassell. But Torres was looking for more, and having the beating for pace of Corluka and Dunne, he almost chipped Hart on the run.

Steven Gerrard Determined To Improve

A strange end to a turbulent season at Anfield. There was pride, but there were regrets. There were protest songs against meddling owners, but this time they came from the Manchester City supporters, rather than the locals. And as the Liverpool players embarked on the lap of honour after their final home game of the season, there was nothing so striking as the scowl on the features of Steven Gerrard.

This is not to suggest that Gerrard is having a repeat of the pangs that almost drove him to Chelsea, but, as Fernando Torres took a bow in front of the Kop, his captain had a face like thunder. Perhaps the pain of the Champions League semi-final defeat by Chelsea four days earlier had only just sunk in. Perhaps he was vowing that, three weeks short of his 28th birthday, he cannot allow another title race to pass Liverpool by.

This was supposed to be Sven-Göran Eriksson’s story, with City supporters giving their manager a show of support that will stay with him long after he has been evicted from office by Thaksin Shinawatra, the club’s Thai chairman. Or it could have been Torres’s story, given that the Liverpool forward had settled the match with his 32nd goal of an extraordinary first season in English football and, in doing so, had equalled Roger Hunt’s club record of scoring in eight consecutive home matches. But Gerrard’s scowl, as he pondered a summer without so much as the European Championship finals to look forward to, seemed to say more than anything.

John Arne Riise, Jermaine Pennant, Harry Kewell and Peter Crouch did not join their teammates on the lap of honour and may bid personal farewells as Liverpool look to sign players such as Gareth Barry, the Aston Villa captain, and Philipp Degen, the Borussia Dortmund full back.

Berger To Barry: Go To Liverpool

Aston Villa captain Gareth Barry has been urged to sign for Liverpool this summer – by one of his own team-mates!

In an incredible interview with the Daily Mail, Villa midfielder Patrik Berger stated that Barry would be foolish to turn down a move to the Merseyside Giants and urged his colleague not to let this opportunity pass.

Barry has persistently been linked as the main transfer target for Rafa Benitez this summer, and his sides tame defeat to Wigan on Saturday may have emphasised to him just how much progress is needed should the Villains want to compete on a par with the leagues top clubs.

Berger said: “If I was in Gareth’s position I would go there tomorrow. It is the opportunity of a lifetime and Liverpool certainly don’t come after you every year.

“He is the heart of our team at the moment and it would be a massive challenge for him. He would be in the Champions League and challenging to win trophies every year.”

Berger, a player who’s own future is currently unclear, says it is very hard for sides like Aston Villa to break into the top four.

“I think the gap – not just between Villa and the top four but the rest of the league – is big," he continued.

"To break into the top four you would really have to spend a lot of money. Everton have tried for the past few years but they only did it once, it is going to be very tough for Villa do to that.

“It will take time to reach the Champions League and to do that you would need to keep players like Gareth."

Barry, 27, has been an integral part of the Villa midfield this season, starting 36 of the 37 Premiership matches played so far. Former Czech international star Berger on the other hand, has been more of a fringe player - making just nine total appearances this season, all from the substitutes bench.

Villa owner Randy Lerner recently stated that he would give Martin O’Neil the finances required to secure Barry on a new long-term deal.

Torres: We'll Win It Next Season

Liverpool star Fernando Torres insists that the club can overcome their disappointing season without a trophy and win the Premiership title next season.

Despite an excellent personal season for Torres, Liverpool have failed to win any competitions – with Wednesday’s Champions League loss to Chelsea effectively ending their season.

Torres scored the winner today as the Anfield side battled to a 1-0 win over Manchester City and the Spaniard believes that more consistent League success is a possibility in the next campaign.

“We want to win trophies every season,” he told Sky Sports.

“For the fans the most important thing is the League. Maybe next season. We have a strong team and we can win every game.”

Torres, who was alarmingly substituted in extra-time during the Champions League semi-final defeat to Chelsea on Wednesday, was not expected to play any further part in this campaign after manager Rafa Benitez cited a hamstring injury. However, el Nino has revealed that there is no longer a problem.

“It was a problem for the Chelsea game but today I was fit," he said. "For the last game at Anfield everyone wants to play.”

Torres has scored 32 goals in total as part of an incredible first season in England, with 23 of those coming in the Premiership. With his winning goal against Manchester City, the twenty-four year old tied the club record of Roger Hunt by scoring in eight successive home games.

Benitez Wants To Buy Now

Liverpool fans could be welcoming their new Kop heroes sooner than later if boss Rafa Benitez has his way.

Time is of the essence to Benitez, who has revealed the Reds are trying to sign new players this month, and not wait until later in the summer.

Co-owner Tom Hicks has agreed to a summer spending spree of more than £30million, and Benitez has given chief executive Rick Parry a list of top targets.

The Reds have already been linked to Aston Villa captain Gareth Barry and Wigan's Antonio Valencia.

And any new faces will be coming quickly, hopes Benitez.

He told the Daily Star Sunday: "We will not be waiting until August to sign players. I think we will do things well before. Perhaps you will see some evidence in a few weeks.

"It will help me if the signings of new players are done early. It needs to be as soon as possible really, because then you know the situation and you can control the pre-season.

"Rick knows the necessity of early deals. Our conservation the other day was very positive.

"We are trying to fix the targets and progress. He knows that we want to sign the players right now.

"We aren't working on signing new players in June or July - but to sign them in May if that is possible."

After a trophy-less season this term, Benitez is determined to return to winning ways.

He said: "We want to win the next two games and we want to win silverware next season.

"We have Pepe Reina, who can be the best keeper for another year, with more clean sheets than anyone if he has one more.

"We have scored 116 goals. We want to be the best team in England - and people talk about us being defensive!"

Premier League Preview: Liverpool vs Manchester City

When these sides met at the City of Manchester Stadium just after Christmas, it was a staunch and stoic defence marshalled by Richard Dunne that kept Manchester City level at 0-0. The inspirational Irish captain will be absent due to injury this weekend and may well have played his last game for City, due to recent boardroom turmoil.

Dunne is one of a host of City players seemingly ready to down tools and mutiny as a result of Thaksin Shinawatra’s decision to bring to an end Sven Goran Eriksson’s ten month reign at Eastlands. The judgement of Shinawatra has been questioned from all quarters, supporter to shareholder, with everyone involved with the club baffled and bewildered at the former Thai PM’s premature assessment of Sven’s achievements.

A league double over their illustrious neighbours and a highest ever Premier League points tally has not been enough to prevent Sven inevitably becoming the league’s latest managerial casualty.

Before the season kicked off, Shinawatra declared a three-year plan for City. After the first year, he said, City were expected to be a top-ten club; after two, top six; and after three, Champions League contenders. Somewhere along the line this season however, the paradigm shifted.

Shinawatra, seemingly initially enthused by Sven’s credentials, decided to hastily change his three-year plan to something decidedly shorter. No longer was Sven untouchable and impervious to interference from a patient and pragmatic chairman, now he was under pressure for immediate outcomes. This policy may hold water at the Bernabeus of this world but sea changes at places like Eastland can reasonably be expected to take a little longer than one season.

City’s players, under pressure since the turn of the year and a mid-campaign slump, will be desperate to dispute their paymaster’s appraisal of their mentor’s accomplishments. Gelling a set of under whelmed and underachieving senior players with a band of hired guns imported from abroad into a liquid and capable outfit, Sven has created a worthy side with an hitherto air of gradual improvement.

Recently however, with a clutch of injuries to contend with, City have struggled. Despite winning two of their last three league games, City have taken only six of fifteen available points and are leaking goals. Elano, an auxiliary right back in the last two matches has flitted in and out of form capriciously since his star rose before Christmas, while the likes of Michael Johnson and Stephen Ireland have jaded as a long season unfolded.

A palpable absence of a genuine goal threat, with only the sporadic contributions of Benjani to turn to, has given City a blunt edge. The club are by no means in crisis, their improvement this season has been just a shade below laudable, but patience in the overlord’s office has worn thin. The chairman sits with his finger over the red button. Sven stands before him waiting for the trap-door to open.

Events at Anfield have mirrored those at Eastlands, with administrative disagreements being conducted with all the dignity of a drunk couple. George hates Tom who hates Rick who is confused, and all this leaves Rafa scratching his head and wishing the carousel of ignominy would end.

His position, by no means untenable, is somewhat unsteady with a palpable air of uncertainty over his head. The sword of Damocles which dangles over Sven hasn’t reached the Spaniard as yet but, to the detriment of the side he has moulded, it could in the wake of an ultimately barren campaign.

Champions League elimination came after two visits to two of the league’s relegation fodder in the shape of Fulham and Birmingham, which yielded four points for largely reserve line-ups. Indeed, Rafa Benitez had his authority questioned by various managers desperate to avoid the basement door with regard to his alleged compromise of the league’s integrity. Liverpool’s league campaign has petered out into futility with only a minor say in the relegation shake-up to influence, now that the fourth Champions League place is a certainty.

Rafa’s priorities laid with the Champions League this season ever since Liverpool reversed their horrendous early group form to become their usual rigid selves on the continent. However, with all his eggs in that basket, Benitez is now forced to contemplate a stilted league table in the aftermath of Chelsea’s semi final victory.

While the likes of Pennant and Crouch excelled in the league over the past two weeks, it was Gerrard and his ilk who disappointed on the big stage mid-week. The captain, a proud and effective motivator, will be desperate to see his supporters leave Anfield for the final time this season with a semblance of a smile on their faces.


FORM GUIDE

Liverpool

Apr 30 (Champions League) v Chelsea (A) LOST 3-2 (Extra Time)

Apr 26 (Premier League) v Birmingham (A) DREW 2-2

Apr 22 (Champions League) v Chelsea (H) DREW 1-1

Apr 19 (Premier League) v Fulham (A) WON 2-0

Apr 13 (Premier League) v Blackburn (H) WON 3-1

Manchester City

Apr 26 (Premier League) v Fulham (H) LOST 3-2

Apr 20 (Premier League) v Portsmouth (H) WON 3-1

Apr 12 (Premier League) v Sunderland (A) WON 2-1

Apr 5 (Premier League) v Chelsea (H) LOST 2-0

Mar 29 (Premier League) v Birmingham (A) LOST 3-1


TEAM NEWS

Liverpool

Rafa Benitez will be without Martin Skrtel, injured chasing Didier Drogba on Wednesday, as well as Fernando Torres due to a hamstring tweak. Daniel Agger, Fabio Aurelio and Harry Kewell remain sidelined.


Manchester City

City will be forced to retain a patched up defence as an almost entirely absent back-four give Sven selection headaches. Richard Dunne, Nedum Onuoha and Micah Richards are all still sidelined, meaning that Elano will probably continue to be deployed as the league’s least likely right back. Daniel Sturridge’s knee problem keeps him out.
Last Starting XI (v Fulham): Hart, Elano, Sun, Corluka, Ball, Johnson, Ireland, Gelson, Petrov, Vassell, Benjani.



PLAYERS TO WATCH

Liverpool: Peter Crouch

In the absence of Fernando Torres, the goal-scoring burden will fall onto the shoulders of the Englishman. Crouch, linked this week with Aston Villa, will be eager to retain the admiration of Rafa Benitez and spare himself from the Anfield cull. Two goals in his last two league starts means that Crouch is on fine form going into this encounter.

Manchester City: Michael Johnson

Lining up against the opposition he may well be representing next season, Johnson will be eager to impress. With Sven’s reign prematurely doomed, his young star midfielder will want to give the manager a fine send off. His form has dipped with that of his team but Johnson will want to pit himself against one of his idols, Steven Gerrard.

Rafa Thwarted By Rafinha No-Go?

One of the players whon Liverpoool manager Rafa Benitez has reportedly been tracking - Schalke's Brazilian full-back Rafinha - looks unlikely to be going anywhere this summer.

According to Bundesliga side Schalke, their Liverpool target Rafinha is not about to leave the club.

Although the Brazilian has been linked with a possible summer move to Anfield for some time, Schalke have reaffirmed that no offer has ever been made for the player - and they insist that they do not want him to leave.

Schalke's general manager, Andreas Muller, is adamant that the German club's prized assets - such as Rafinha and Jermaine Jones - will be staying in Gelsenkirchen.

"So far, I have not received any enquiries for the players," Muller told Bild.

"We want to try and win the Champions League next season with both Jermaine Jones and Rafinha."

Mascherano Targets Beijing

Javier Macherano, who should line up for Liverpool against Manchester City at Anfield today, has warned his manager, Rafael Benítez, of a potential showdown over playing in this summer's Beijing Olympics.

'It is a difficult situation,' Mascherano said of his wish to try to help Argentina retain the title won in Athens four years ago. 'It's very important for any footballer to win the Olympics.'

Fifa rules state that anyone selected must travel, even if they are one of the three over-23 players allowed. Didier Drogba, his Ivory Coast team-mate Salomon Kalou and Serbia's Branislav Ivanovic, all at Chelsea at present, have, like Mascherano, been selected for their country's preliminary squads. Additional players can be added, so Chelsea's Nigeria midfielder John Obi Mikel could also be absent for a competition that ends on 21 August.

Manchester United may lose Argentina's Carlos Tevez, while Arsenal could lose Kolo Touré to Ivory Coast and Gilberto to Brazil. Clubs can only stop players going by pleading with the respective national associations, but the clubs have accepted this is unlikely. Instead, one executive from a Big Four club told Observer Sport: 'We will try and hold players back for as long as possible.'

Mascherano, though, seems adamant he will play. 'I know that Liverpool has a big game around when I have to go, but we will decide with the manager.' And if Liverpool say no? 'We didn't talk about this because we had big games but now we have time. I want to play for my country.'

Other clubs that may suffer include Newcastle United - who have Nigeria's Obafemi Martins and Geremi of Cameroon - and Everton, who could lose Yakubu to Nigeria.

Mascherano's clubmate Jamie Carragher has begged for an end to the very public row between co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett, lest Benítez becomes disgruntled enough to quit during the summer. 'The best clubs are always the ones you don't hear much from behind the scenes,' he said. Is there concern in the Liverpool dressing room that Benítez may walk? 'Of course, he's done a great job - he was employed to take us to Champions League finals and semi-finals, and done that.'

Liverpool have been told to double their £3million bid for teenage midfielder Aaron Ramsey, who is part of Cardiff City's FA Cup final challenge.

Manchester City defender Micah Richards will not play today and is unlikely to be fit to appear against Middlesbrough on Sunday, so will miss England's summer friendlies. 'The club comes first. I'm just focused on getting fit,' he said.

Crouch Set For Summer Exit?

Liverpool's final home league game of the season against Manchester City on Sunday could be the last time the Anfield crowd see Peter Crouch in a red shirt.

Crouch may play against City, even with Fernando Torres likely to have recovered from a hamstring scare, but there is a summer of transfer speculation awaiting the England striker.

He has failed to hold down a regular place in the side since 31-goal Torres arrived, with boss Rafael Benitez happier to play Steven Gerrard as a support striker with Dirk Kuyt and Andriy Voronin as back-up.

Crouch has had to live off scraps all season and has already admitted he will need to review his career at the end of the campaign.

Benitez has been told he must sell as well as buy and wants Aston Villa's midfielder Gareth Barry, a long-term friend of Gerrard's.

Villa are believed to want Crouch and John Arne Riise, while Scott Carson's loan deal at Villa Park ends soon. Any of those players could be used as a bargaining tool to get Barry.

Crouch understands the scenario but for now said: "I know the summer is going to bring speculation about my future.

"It is something we always have to live with in this game, unfortunately.

"And when a player is not playing as often as he would like, then people will always say these things.

"I am just going to ignore it and concentrate on my football like I always have with this stuff in the past."

Crouch knows his situation is unlikely to get any better next term. Benitez has offered a new contract and "wants him to stay."

But Torres will always be first choice and Benitez's need to generate capital is clearly going to mean departures in the wake of the Champions League failure.

Fourth place in the Barclays Premier League is assured already but that is one place lower than last season's finish and that will be a significant factor in serious attempts this summer to bolster the squad.

If Benitez had countless millions to spend, Crouch may well be a luxury on the bench he could afford. But that is not the case, money must be generated and Crouch would clearly not be happy with another campaign on the sidelines.

There are many who feel Benitez has a blind spot when it comes to Crouch, who has hit 10 goals this term from limited opportunities.

Crouch added: "I have not played anything like as much football this season as some of the other lads. I feel fresh and it has been great to be involved again.

"I know when I signed there was no guarantee about starting games. No one has that divine right to be picked so it is down to how you do when you get your chance and whether you can hold a place down.

"I'd like to think I have shown what I can do, I was given my chance recently at Arsenal (and scored) and kept my place for the European game that followed."

Benitez: The Target Is Clear - Six Points From Six

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has insisted that his side are fully focussed on their remaining league fixtures, despite the trauma endured during their Champions League semi-final defeat to Chelsea.

With Manchester City the guests at Anfield today, the Spaniard is eager to give the Liverpool support a fond farewell by taking the maximum rewards on offer.

Liverpool have undergone an indignant campaign, with muted on-field performances exacerbated by off-field ownership wrangles.

However, the manager is aware that focus must be maintained and six points from the remaining six available is a priority.

Liverpool wind-up their season with a trip to White Hart Lane and Benitez is keen to see Spurs defeated in their last home game.

Whether the Liverpool players can match their managers enthusiasm for inconsequential league games remains to be seen but Benitez is eager to put the Chelsea disappointment to the back of his mind and move forward.

He said: "We were all really disappointed at going out of the Champions League in the semi-final because we were very close, but now we must think about the future because we still have two more games to play and I would like to win both of them.

"It is always important to win every game and I will try to do that and we will also try to play good football. The target is clear – to take six points out of six."

Carragher: Boardroom Drama Must End

Liverpool vice-captain Jamie Carragher has called for a stop to the constant public bickering between members of the club's boardroom staff in order to focus on the football.

The Reds have endured a season peppered with embarrassing moments and underachievement on the field, though after a dreadful near-elimination in the Champions League, they won back the fans with a run to the semi-finals in the competition.

However, what has constantly hounded the club and tarnished its reputation and integrity is the backroom drama. Co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett had a falling out after only being at the club for a year, with chief executive Rick Parry, manager Rafa Benitez and others dragged into the dispute.

Listing the various incidents over the past few months would be an exercise in futility. Suffices to say, the club has had enough, and Carragher is the latest to re-voice his opinion on the situation.

The hard-working stopper insists that to be a top club they need to keep behind the scenes matters where they belong: behind the scenes.

"The best clubs are the ones where you don't hear about things going on behind the scenes," explained Carragher. "That was always how Liverpool were run and that's what we want to get back to."

A spokesman for co-owner Tom Hicks has denied there were many problems with Hicks Sports Group which would force him to sell his stake, as had been suggested in recent reports.

Riise Out, Abidal In At Anfield?

Recent reports have suggested Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez will be looking to spend up to £10 million on Barcelona's Eric Abidal, to replace the troubled John Arne Riise, who may be on his way to Newcastle United.

With Liverpool constantly being linked with players to strengthen their full-back positions, Eric Abidal is the latest name to be thrown into the hat.

The French international has had a hit-and-miss debut season with Barcelona, and it is rumoured he could be allowed to leave, with the Blaugrana looking to bring in Dani Alves to play at right-back, and if Gianluca Zambrotta ends up staying at Camp Nou, then he would fill the void on the left.

The player himself did not dismiss the possibility of a move, and indeed suggested it could happen if it is what the club decides is best.

“There is change in all clubs and it’s correct we’ve not had an entirely successful season, for now I’m here, if ever the club chooses to sell me, we’ll see,” he is reported to have said.

Meanwhile John Arne Riise, whose form has declined in the past few seasons, seemingly put the nail in his coffin with the comical own goal in the final minute of the first leg of the Champions League semi-final against Chelsea, that arguably proved to be the turning point in the tie that saw the Blues through to the final in Moscow.

Newcastle, who are looking to rebuild their squad over the summer, are looking for a quality left-back, and are now being linked with Riise.

Claims are being made that a £4 million deal was reached six weeks ago, and that he will sign a three-year deal worth around £30,000 a week at the north-east club.

Mascherano Issues Call To Reds

Javier Mascherano wants Liverpool to start next season in the fine form they have shown towards the end of the current campaign.

The Reds have beaten Arsenal and Internazionale in the UEFA Champions League and won eight, drawn two and lost one of their last 11 Premier League games, including a derby victory over Everton.

Rafa Benitez's men have secured a spot in the Champions League next season, but despite their recent good run, poor league results in the early part of the campaign mean they are still 11 points adrift of the top spot.

And their most recent blow came as they were beaten in the Champions League semi-final by Chelsea midweek.

Midfielder Mascherano, however, is already looking ahead to next year and believes if they continue to play in the same way they will be in with a chance of winning silverware.

"Over the last two months we have gone very well in the Premier League and Europe," he told the Daily Star.

"We need to make sure we repeat it from the start of the season next time.

"We have the quality and the players who want to win and we will do everything we can to make it happen.

"Right now it is just so painful because we know we had a great chance to go all the way to the final again. We were up against a very good side.

"You have to take the positives from things and now that is all we can do."

He added: "At the moment I am very sad because we were so close to the final.

"We know we made some mistakes when it came to the Premier League earlier in the season.

"We need to lift ourselves and play to the end of the season, but what is very important is we make sure we start the next one in the right way.

"We need to make sure we play the way we have been doing for the past two or three months.

"If we can manage that, we will make the breakthrough and be fighting to win trophies."

Injury Boost For Liverpool's Benitez Ahead Of Sunday’s Clash v Manchester City As Torres, Kewell & Skrtel Train

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has received a major boost just before going into Sunday’s home match against Manchester City, with defender Martin Skrtel as well as striker Fernando Torres returning to training today.

Skrtel had to be replaced in the first-half itself during Wednesday's Champions League Semi Final loss to Chelsea after a clash with Didier Drogba.

Torres also made his way back to the bench during extra time after he started experiencing pain in his hamstring.

Australian winger Harry Kewell also made it to training after he recovered from a groin strain which he picked up during international duty last month.

"Kewell was training today, which is positive," said Benitez.

"Fernando was also training, Skrtel part of the training session and as you already knew, Agger and Fabio Aurelio are injured, so there is no bad news."

Plessis Eyes Anfield Debut

Liverpool midfielder Damien Plessis has revealed it would be a dream come true if he were to make his Anfield debut this weekend against Manchester City.

The Frenchman, in his first season at the club, has impressed hugely under Gary Ablett in the Reserves, helping them to the Premier Reserve League title for the northern division and a showdown with southern champions Aston Villa.

The 20-year-old was magnificent during his first-team debut away to Arsenal, and put in another promising performance against Birmingham City last week.

And Plessis is hungry to play in front of the Liverpool faithful at Anfield, and hopes he gets his chance before the end of the season.

"It would be a dream come true to get a chance to play in front of the Kop in a kind of mythical, famous stadium known all over the world," Plessis told Liverpoolfc.tv.

"Since I first saw the Stadium when I signed for the club, I've always harboured a desire to play in front of that crowd. It's something I'm preparing for.

"I'm hoping I get the chance. It would be great to play in the game against Manchester City or the final match of the season away to Tottenham, but I've got to be patient and wait and see.

"I've got the reserve final against Aston Villa coming up next week, so I'm also looking forward to that."

Plessis was a surprise starter at the Emirates last month, so much so that viewers and pundits alike failed to recognise him when the television cameras caught sight of him in the tunnel.

Perhaps even more surprising was the quality of his performance, although avid followers of Liverpool’s seconds will have been quietly expectant of seeing the level of maturity, discipline, awareness, technique and passing skill he has displayed in the Reserves all season.

Plessis was both thrilled and shocked at his inclusion against the Gunners, and admits it was a great learning experience.

"It was fantastic news and obviously I was very, very happy to start," he said.

"I suppose it was the culmination of all the hard work that we put into a season and coming towards the end of it was great to see the fruit of all your efforts really and fantastic to have a chance to play in the first-team.

"I learned a lot from playing alongside the likes of Jamie Carragher, Lucas Leiva and Peter Crouch.

"You don't realise how fast the game is at that level and you can't miss a pass because there is no margin for error in the first-team.

"You've got to be concentrated for the whole 90 minutes and you see how hard they work, so it was good for me to learn from them."

The young Frenchman has already been likened to compatriot Patrick Vieira, and while Plessis is flattered by the comparison, he insists it is premature.

"I'm flattered obviously," said Plessis.

"He's had a long, fantastic career and I'm just starting out in the game - my career is short in comparison.

"But he's Patrick and I'm Damien and at the end of the day, I've got to make my own path in football and hopefully that's what I'll do and be known for my own ability."

Riise: I Have Nothing To Prove

John Arne Riise has revealed his annoyance that Liverpool have yet to offer him a new contract, insisting he has nothing to prove to Rafa Benitez.

The Norwegian left-back has a year remaining on his current deal at Anfield, but his future at the club decidedly uncertain after an indifferent season.

And the 27-year-old, a key contributor in Liverpool’s 2005 UEFA Champions League and 2006 FA Cup triumphs, has vented his frustration at being left in the dark after seven years of loyal service.

"I don't feel that I have been treated badly, but I think that the club should have said something since I've been here seven years," Riise told Dagbladet.

"I've won everything that we have won and I've played everything that's worth playing. It's up to the boss to decide.

"It's disappointing that everything is so tight, with one year left on my contract and I haven't heard anything."

Riise has been strongly linked with a move away from Merseyside, rumours which have only intensified following his horror own-goal against Chelsea that proved decisive in knocking Liverpool out of the Champions League.

Aston Villa and Newcastle United have declared interest in the former Monaco man, who admits he would be open to a move if Reds boss Rafa Benitez fails to clarify his position at the end of the season.

"I don't know what the manager thinks, no-one does," Riise said. "I don't think about moving on but something has to happen this summer.

"It's hard to say anything for sure but I will consider a switch to another club this summer.

"There's two games left of the season, and I can get my 350th game for Liverpool. That's 50 games a season almost, I have nothing to prove."

Liverpool Bid For Barry Gives O'Neill A Headache

Martin O'Neill faces a major test of his powers of persuasion after he confirmed that Liverpool have made an offer for Gareth Barry, the England international he has sought to build a team around. Liverpool's interest has been mooted for some time but the Villa manager is deeply upset that details of the bid, which values Barry at around £10m, have been leaked on Merseyside. More worrying for O'Neill, however, is that Barry is likely to be attracted to the prospect of moving to Anfield.

O'Neill, who has aspirations of breaking the big-four stranglehold, insisted that Villa are "not a feeder club" although he will also be aware that, at the moment, he cannot offer Barry the Champions League football he craves. Two years ago the Villa manager was able to persuade Barry to stay at the club, when the 27-year-old was on the verge of joining Portsmouth after becoming disillusioned with the previous regime but this time, with Liverpool in pursuit, the task appears more difficult.

Liverpool have offered cash plus players for Barry, although it highly unlikely that Peter Crouch's name, a Villa target, is among those made available. Rafael Benítez, the Liverpool manager, would not comment on the offer for Barry yesterday but he did confirm that Crouch has been offered a new contract. The makeweights in the deal are more likely to include Scott Carson, who has been on loan at Villa this season, and John Arne Riise, who will leave Liverpool in the summer.

Neither player would be of great interest to O'Neill who, even if Crouch became available, would be reluctant to sacrifice Barry for the England striker. "Liverpool haven't made a straight cash offer," explained O'Neill. "They have made an offer involving a mishmash of nameless player exchanges. I'm particularly disappointed to hear that business is being conducted in public and I just want to be clear on this in that we're trying to build a side here and we're not a feeder club."

"We want to be trying to challenge," continued the Villa manager, whose side could move up to fifth with a victory over Wigan at Villa Park this afternoon. "At some stage we want to get to the position that this football club once held. That will demand an awful lot of effort. It will take a supreme effort and it will take very, very good players. I don't want to be in a position of letting really good players go. Gareth Barry is a really good player who still has two years left on his contract."

Villa will seek to improve Barry's current deal, something that was planned before Liverpool tabled their interest, although the talks will now need to focus on much more than a pay rise. Barry is expected to seek assurances that the club will recruit players capable of propelling the club into the top four and, even then, there can be no guarantee that he would reject the chance to join Liverpool.

"A couple of weeks ago Gareth said he would prefer to wait until the end of the season before we start discussing things and I think that would be the right thing to do," Villa's manager said. "It's particularly disappointing to find out that Liverpool have carried the story in their local paper. It's certainly not the way that the Liverpool of old conducted business. I prefer to do things with a bit or privacy and a bit of confidentiality. That's particularly disappointing, especially at this time."

O'Neill has played a key role in resurrecting Barry's career. The player's return to form coincided with O'Neill's arrival at the club, with Barry since going on to regain his England place and be touted as a future captain of his country.

Liverpool's Potential Line-up For 2008/9 Season

Liverpool's season is now over, the Premier League finish will be fourth (on a few more points than was needed to secure third last season) and there will be no consolations in the cups. A simple explanation of Liverpool's poor league showing (in a four horse race finishing fourth is poor) is that the first team can compete with anyone - but the back-up is inadequate.

Rafa Benitez has built a big squad at Anfield in his four years, but it is not quantity that is now needed but quality. If Liverpool move on ten fringe players in order to bring in four first-teamers a title challenge would have significantly more depth. The players that need to be moved on are easy to spot.

In goal Charles-Hubert Itandje has been given seven domestic cup games and has conceded goals against the likes of Cardiff, Luton, Havant and Barnsley; at 25 years-old he simply doesn't look good enough. In defence Sami Hyypia, like Didi Hamman before him, is now struggling, John Arne Riise is increasingly error prone and Steve Finnan's previously impeccable consistency has been undermined by niggling injuries. In midfield Harry Kewell will clearly be off this summer, with Sebastian Leto likely to join him. Up front Andriy Voronin is short of the required quality.

But those seven players are unlikely to generate much more than a nominal transfer pot; so players that are unsettled but plainly good enough may have to be considered. Peter Crouch is unhappy on the bench and is not pressuring Torres and doesn't really fit either of the two flanking roles - so is probably superfluous, the £10m he would generate is therefore great value. There must be a better right-sided midfielder available than Dirk Kuyt, who is willing but limited - but would still probably be worth £6m. Jermaine Pennant has not burst through at Anfield but would still yield a promising £7m. Scott Carson's value is probably somewhere around the £5m mark - but Liverpool need a decent understudy to Pepe Reina and there would be little value in selling and replacing.

The big potential sale is of course Xabi Alonso, who is regularly linked with a move to Spain; the continental sides don't tend to overpay for defensive midfielders (which was why Chelsea were able to buy Claude Makelele at his peak for barely £16m) so £15m would probably be the top price available - about the same that Gareth Barry could be acquired for.

So selling Alonso, Pennant, Kuyt, Crouch and six or seven fringe players would probably yield around £45m which if added to by £20m from the owners would give a transfer pot sufficient to land reinforcements in every major position: Daniel Alves to make a much needed progressive full-back, David Bentley and Gareth Barry would improve the midfield energy and creativity, a left-winger/striker like Roma's Mancini would encourage Babel and probably a young fourth striker could be bought and allowed to be brought through gradually.

The article is courtesy from SquareFootball.

_________________________________________________

Personally, I would prefer these players as Liverpool’s next season first eleven (should Benitez managed to buy them of course):

Formation: 4-3-3

GK – Reina
LB/LWB – Gareth Bale/Philip Lahm
RB/RWB – Dani Alves/Sergio Ramos
CB(left) – Agger/Skrtel
CB(right) – Carragher/Woodgate
CM(left) – Barry/Karim Benzema
DM – Mascherano/Yahya Toure
CM(right) – Gerrard/Alonso
LW – Babel/Downing
RW – Bentley/Lennon
ST – Torres/Bojan

Your views on this is highly appreciated. Thanks.

Redknapp: I Want Crouch, But He Won't Come

Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp has declared his admiration for Liverpool's want-away striker Peter Crouch, but doesn't believe he'll be able to land the player.

The 6'7 beanpole usually impresses when playing for Liverpool, but has never well and truly managed to win over manager Rafael Benitez, and finds it particularly hard to get in the team with the current system employing just one striker in Fernando Torres.

Though Benitez wishes to keep him as part of his squad, the player has voiced his concern at not playing regularly and regrettably feels he may have to leave.

Portsmouth manager Redknapp has stated his admiration for the player more than once in the past, and thus is being linked with a summer move for the player, who could join Jermain Defoe to form a potentially lethal all-English forward line.

"The problem is, we've moved on and we're not looking at players who can't get a regular game at their own clubs any more," explained Redknapp, explaining that Crouch may not be his primary target this summer.

"When I came back and we were struggling I took the three lads from Tottenham and they were fantastic for me, but they weren't getting a game there.

"Now, we've got so many good players, you're not looking for players who can't get in their own teams any more because we are a very good team."

So does that suggest Crouch is not good enough? Far from it, Redknapp continued: ''I love Crouchie, he's a terrific player, but I think there would be a lot of clubs in for him. In all honesty I don't see them letting him go, but you never know who they might bring in over the summer. Things might change."

Liverpool Doubts Over Stanley Park Stadium

Concern was growing on Merseyside last night over whether Liverpool's co-owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillett, will ever find the £300 million for the club's proposed new stadium.

With the season now effectively finished for Liverpool following Wednesday's exit from the Champions League, attention has turned to issues off the pitch and the battle for the club's future.

A fresh worry in Liverpool is that any delay on the new stadium in Stanley Park could threaten European funding for the wider economic regeneration of the Anfield area of the city. The new 71,000-seat stadium is scheduled to open for the 2011-12 season, but there is scepticism about that timetable.

City sources indicate that Hicks is no nearer securing the finance needed to actually begin the construction phase of the project. However, the next phase of the planning process is due to be approved next week and Hicks remains very confident in his ability to push the project through.

But among the fans, there is still a feeling frustration and uncertainty. "We have seen no evidence to suggest that they have any means to commence work on the stadium and every day that goes by puts the costs up," said Neil Atkinson, a spokesman for the Spirit of Shankly group.

"There is also concern about the wider impact of this inertia on the regeneration of the area. The entire local community is waiting to see what the club are going to do. Anfield needs regeneration and, until the stadium questions are answered, private investors are not going to make definite decisions.

"It's playing havoc with the area and it needs to be resolved. They are abdicating their responsibility as custodians of the area. If they can't build the stadium, they are wasting everyone's time, including their own. It's a vacuum of uncertainty."

Around £60 million of the £350 million refinancing deal that Hicks and Gillett negotiated earlier this year with the Royal Bank of Scotland and America's fourth largest bank, Wachovia, was made available for the stadium.

A further £45 million was set aside as working capital for, among other things, player acquisitions.

The remaining £245 million was split into two chunks: £60 million of club debt inherited at the time of last year's takeover and £185 million of acquisition debt, borrowed by Hicks and Gillett to complete their original buyout. It was unclear whether the interest would be taken on by the club.

Subsequent attempts by Hicks to secure substantial fresh capital are understood to have been unsuccessful and the financial uncertainty also extends to the transfer market this summer.

Manager Rafael Benitez has spoken with Hicks about the club's potential transfer budget and the American was in the dressing room at Stamford Bridge after Wednesday's 3-2 defeat against Chelsea to offer his support to the players.

Benitez also spoke in positive terms about his future at the club and talked about strengthening his squad. Chief executive Rick Parry has also held talks with Benitez about transfer targets.

However, any firm decisions will be difficult without any signs of unity between the club's two owners, and it is understood that there are still no plans for a board meeting following the recent public outbreak of civil war.

Hicks remains bullish about the future and still plans to buy out Gillett, build the stadium and offer Benitez an extended contract. Gillett, though, has made it clear that he will not sell to Hicks and admitted that their relationship has broken down.

Possible owners, Dubai International Company, remain patiently and confidently in the background. DIC have agreed a deal in principle with Gillett to buy his 50 per cent stake but have been told by Hicks that he has no interest in selling. He has pre-emption rights on Gillett's shares, though it is thought that this option may run out at the end of May. DIC, meanwhile, have reassured Benitez that his position as manager would be safe should they complete a takeover.