Gerrard Has To Put His Club Before Country, Capello

Club versus country is a perennial struggle. I used to play for England, suffer an injury and the letters from Liverpool fans would question me for putting my country first.

It seemed harsh at the time, especially when I was nursing a broken ankle, but they had a point: I was being paid by Liverpool and missing matches through injuries collected in an England shirt. I estimate that I missed hundreds of Liverpool games. Their harsh words told me what I already knew - Liverpool was my day job.

Your club always has to come first. Not just because of the growth in prestige of the Champions League and the Barclays Premier League in the modern game, but because they are your paymasters. Club first, country second. It's how it has to be.

Liverpool's coaching staff would not have thought for one moment about England's World Cup issues in deciding on an operation for Steven Gerrard. A difficult away game in Zagreb is nothing more than a necessary distraction to them.

There is nothing wrong with them choosing the timing and sending Gerrard for his operation, if that is the advice of their medical staff. It's a loss to England but no club would act any differently.

He will be upset at missing the two World Cup qualifiers, but particularly that match away to Croatia. The England players will feel they have unfinished business against Slaven Bilic's team after the haunting experiences of the last meeting between the nations. You want a player like Gerrard in the trenches for a tricky game like that. England will do well to earn a draw there.

The best players want to play in the big games. This isn't about a player choosing the draw of the Champions League ahead of England duty. What more could he have done?

Gerrard wasn't himself against Standard Liege and nor was he a driving force for England against the Czech Republic, though starting him on the left side didn't exactly help.

So I can understand the need for him to have an operation. Go under the knife, get it right and come back on top of his game for the rest of the season and the qualifying campaign. It's better that he returns to full health, rather than playing on through the injury without being able to fully let himself go.

His absence is a loss for England but it makes the selection simple. If Fabio Capello wants to play with four in midfield, Joe Cole will come in on the left and he's played there before. He's also started the season well and will thrive on the responsibility of taking that position against Croatia.

It will leave Frank Lampard and Gareth Barry in the centre. Capello may choose to add Owen Hargreaves, too, if he is fit to play and England want to play with the 'belt-and-braces' tactic of two holding midfielders throwing a screen across the back four.

The other thing to remember is that England have more than enough quality players to emerge unscathed. Let's not start looking for excuses already.

Mascherao Set For Villa Return

Olympic gold medallist Javier Mascherano will almost certainly be plunged into Liverpool's tough away Barclays Premier League game at Aston Villa on Sunday.

The match has added spice after the summer of disagreement between Villa boss Martin O'Neill and Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez over the drawn-out saga of Gareth Barry's on-off move to Anfield.

And their confrontation will be the highlight of the afternoon at Villa Park under the eagle-eye of the TV cameras.

Benitez will go into the match without skipper Steven Gerrard, who has had an operation on a groin problem that will rule him out for a fortnight.

Therefore the game will miss out on a clash between Gerrard and Barry, with many thinking that by now the pair would be side by side in Liverpool's midfield.

The Villa man has been the subject of a summer-long transfer wrangle, only ended this week when the player opted to stay with Villa this season - although he was not prepared to discuss a new contract until the end of the campaign.

Mascherano's return from the Olympics, where he helped Argentina retain their crown, gives Benitez the obvious option to replace Gerrard in midfield.

Benitez said: "Mascherano is training well, Lucas likewise, so both of them will come into contention for the Aston Villa game. And we also have the young player, Damien Plessis.

"We have plenty of options now in the middle, but I have no problem considering Mascherano for the match after his trip to Beijing.

"Maybe having won a second gold medal he will be inspired to perform well for us.

"He has kept in contact with me during the Olympics and has been keen to know everything that has been going on at the club. Now he is back he is a welcomed addition to our playing strength."

Benitez will also expect another all-action display from Dirk Kuyt, who grabbed the late goal on Wednesday that made sure Liverpool reached the Champions League group stage.

Benitez said: "You must give credit to Dirk Kuyt. Sometimes he makes a mistake and people react, but he never lets it worry him.

"He goes again, he gives everything and he did just that for 120 minutes to make sure we qualified for the group stages.

"The key is that he never hides. He played on the right, on the left and then as a second striker with (Fernando) Torres.

"What he gives to the team is really important. You must judge over a full season - sometimes in one game it may not always be perfect.

"People call for more pace and special ability. But over a whole season he is always available, always ready and he is a fantastic professional."

Anfield Saviour Savours New Role

IT’S no wonder Dirk Kuyt isn’t making any demands to be restored to his favoured centre-forward role – as he’s become a Liverpool goal hero playing out of position.

The Dutchman proved to be their Champions League saviour once more on Wednesday when his extra-time goal ensured progression to the group stages at the expense of the battling Belgians from Liege.

Kuyt popped up in the penalty area for a classic poacher’s strike – even though he again spent the game playing wide on the right.

And although it might not be his natural position, it hasn’t affected his ability to find the net on the European stage.

He scored eight times in 12 Champions League games last season and his goal against Standard was the fourth consecutive two-legged tie in which he has netted for Liverpool.

For someone who hasn’t hit the target in a Premier League game since last November, the statistics are rather puzzling – but it’s not something Kuyt will waste his time worrying about.

“I was pleased to score again in Europe and I have a good record in the competition. But the fact that we won was the main thing,” he said.

“I’ve played on right for the last 10, 15 games for the team. I try to work really hard, also in defence, and do a lot of important things for the team as well as scoring goals. So I don’t mind playing on the right.

“I will play wherever the boss wants me to play. For me the most important thing is to win some trophies and I think we have a good enough squad to do something this year.”

Since a worryingly below-par performance yielded a goalless draw in the first leg in Liege, Liverpool have won three consecutive games.

But the displays have hardy got much better and Kuyt’s intervention on Wednesday was the fourth goal in three matches Liverpool have scored in the final 10 minutes to snatch those victories.

But far from being disheartened that they have had to do it the hard way, those inside Anfield are putting a more positive spin on things.

The results are gelling together even though the players aren’t, and at the moment that is the most important statistic.

Kuyt explains: “We know we’re not playing really well, but we’re good in defence and we always have the quality and belief that we can score in every game.

“And that’s the important thing. We can play better and things will come right.

“That’s the thing about the team. Speaking for myself, I didn’t give my best performance for Liverpool. But that’s not important.

“What is important is that we won the game and I did everything to make that happen. One chance can change everything and I was really happy to score.

“Sometimes things like this happen in football. I just said before you can’t find any bad sides in Europe and Standard Liege are a very tough side. They were really strong. In the end, we were really happy that it didn’t go to penalties.

“But this is the fun thing about football. We know how good the Champions League can be and we always want to be part of it, fighting until the end.

“The fans were great for us and they helped us keep going right to the end.”

But they were also deeply frustrated and although they were grateful for Kuyt’s late volley, they were also bemoaning the lack of natural width from both sides.

The left is likely to be the first flank where that problem is addressed with the capture of Albert Riera, while time is running out to find an adequate outlet for Kuyt’s side.

But he is not concerned that his manager Rafael Benitez is in the market for someone to challenge for the slot he has unexpectedly made his own since the back end of last season.

“We don’t know what’s going to happen about players coming in,” said Kuyt.

“We’ve got a good squad and every good player is welcome in our team. I want to win things and you can only win things with the best players.”

Before Kuyt struck, there was an inevitability starting to swell around Anfield that penalties could be imminent.

Which might not necessarily have been a problem in terms of Liverpool’s progress given that they have a goalkeeper who has such an impressive shoot-out record since arriving in England.

Pepe Reina’s saves have already got LIverpool to a Champions League final and won them an FA Cup and the importance of his early block from Brazilian full-back Dante in the first leg against Liege was underlined heavily on Wednesday.

But the Spaniard said: “We were a bit tired in extra time and we thought it might go to penalties – but thankfully it didn’t, Dirk scored and we are through.

“They were a good team over both legs. It was really tough. It was not the best game, but we are through. Dirk scored at the end for us, which was great. I don’t know how many goals he has scored now in Europe, but it is his competition.

“We are not playing our best and we need to do better. We are at the early part of the season and in a few months we will be at the top of our fitness. Every team is like this.

“But, yes, it would probably have been a disaster if we had missed out.”

Luck Will Run Out If We Don’t Improve – Dirk Kuyt

DIRK KUYT has warned that Liverpool’s luck will run out if they continue to under-perform – resulting in an early Champions League exit.

Yesterday’s draw for the group stages paired Fernando Torres with his former club, Atletico Madrid, who finished fourth in La Liga last season.

Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven are also in Group D as well as Marseille, who shocked Liverpool 1-0 in the group stages at Anfield last season.

In fact, it was only a victory in France in the final group game that saw Liverpool through to the knockout stages.

And Kuyt fears a similar struggle this time after it took his late extra-time goal to break the deadlock against Standard Liege in the third qualifying round this week, following another underwhelming Liverpool display.

“One day your luck will run out and then we will have to perform really well to win,” said Kuyt.

“Of course if we play like that in the group stages we will be in danger of not progressing.

“We all know what happened last year in the group stages and we just want to improve as quickly as possible.

“We know it was not the quality we want to show. Off the pitch we are speaking with each other about this because we want to improve.

“We are going to improve, but it has to be quickly because one time our luck will run out.”

The game with Atletico will also see a reunion for Luis Garcia with his former club, as he moved to Madrid shortly after Torres made the switch in the other direction in the summer of 2007.

Ex-Liverpool forward Florent Sinama-Pongolle is also in their squad as well as established internationals Maniche, Diego Forlan, captain Maxi Rodriguez, Tomas Ujfalusi and Simao.

Atletico haven’t played in the Champions League since they reached the quarter-finals in 1997 but showed their pedigree with a 4-0 win over Schalke 04 on Wednesday

to secure their place in the group stages with a 4-1 aggregate victory.

The group as whole should hold little fear, however. Liverpool brushed aside PSV in both the groups and the last 16 on their way to the 2007 final and Marseille were easily beaten 4-0 on their own turf once Liverpool had regained their foothold in the group.

But with Standard occasionally threatening to pull off another Anfield surprise on Wednesday, Kuyt is only too aware that Liverpool need to up their game once again.

However, he feels the character and belief they showed to ensure their progress can act as a platform for improvement – which is much-needed with a trip to Aston Villa in the Premier League looming on Sunday

“It was a very difficult match for us, but we showed belief in ourselves and kept working hard,” said Kuyt. “We got our goal and we’re in the Champions League.

“We all want to play really well as a team. We haven’t given our best performance so far, but we are working very hard in training every day to progress.

“We know we have to progress. Maybe we have had a lot of luck so far, but we know we are going to improve, but to do that we have to change things and quickly.

“We know that we have to get much better and we will. We know we have the quality. I think the good thing is that even when we are not playing well, we fight for each other.

“We just want to improve as quickly as possible, starting with Aston Villa on Sunday.”

Arbeloa Acknowledges Stiff Competition

Alvaro Arbeloa is refusing to get cozy in Liverpool's starting XI, as he is well aware of the competition he will face from his team-mates throughout the season.

Arbeloa has started all four of the Reds' competitive fixtures so far this season, leading some to declare that he has won the title of first-choice right-back.

But the Spaniard dismissed the notion that he has cemented his place in the team, saying in LFC Magazine: "No way. You can never say that you are a first choice at this football club.

"If you start to think like that then you can just about guarantee that you are about to lose your place.

"It's a big fight to get into the team – it's a bigger fight to stay there. I need to play to the best of my ability in every minute of every game I start to stand a chance."

Nonetheless, it seems clear that Rafael Benitez prefers his compatriot over the ageing Steve Finnan, who for so long owned that slot on the right-hand side of Liverpool's rearguard.

The other key challenger is Philipp Degen, the Swiss international who arrived at Anfield on a free transfer earlier in the summer, but his opportunities have been non-existent thus far due to injury.

But Arbeloa was full of praise for both Degen and Finnan, insisting each will prove tough competition as the campaign wears on.

"I don't know too much about Philipp Degen but what I have seen of him since he came to Liverpool you can see why the manager signed him. He is good going forward," the EURO 2008 winner continued.

"You also have Steve Finnan still at the club and any time he plays he plays well. He is very consistent and no-one ever seems to get the better of him.

"Degen has been injured but he has come here to compete and he will want to play. When he is fit then I know that I will have a bigger battle on my hands than ever before."

Thompson Satisfied With Reds' CL Draw

Phil Thompson believes Liverpool will have few problems negotiating their way to the Champions League knockout stages despite drawing one of the tougher groups.

Last night's official draw saw Rafael Benitez's men pitted against Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven, French giants Olympique Marseille and Spanish up-and-comers Atletico Madrid in Group D.

The Reds have met PSV and l'OM during their past two Champions League campaigns, but Atletico remain an unknown quantity as far as the Mersey men are concerned.

And while Thompson admitted that los Rojiblancos could be a stumbling block, he insisted that Liverpool should have no problem topping the group.

"Atletico are a tough draw, but we've got enough to get through," the man who won two European Cups during his playing days at Anfield told the club's official website.

"We have the know-how and the knowledge to get through this group - I can't see it being a problem.

"We know about PSV and Marseille and I can't see a problem there. Atletico, yes, that'll be difficult but we will go through.

"The important thing is making a good start. We took one point from the first three games last season and we've got to do better."

Benitez Will Try To Deliver Width With Riera And Milner

Liverpool are set to make Albert Riera and James Milner their priorities before the transfer window finally shuts on Monday.

Despite going into the summer with the wide positions at Anfield being a huge concern, the bulk of Benitez’s money has been spent on Irish striker Robbie Keane. This has created some discomfort amongst Liverpool fans, who weren’t too disappointed with Steven Gerrard’s and Fernando Torres’ contributions last season.

Despite picking up three wins and remaining unbeaten in all competitions so far, Liverpool’s performances have been poor at best and it took everything barring penalties to see off Standard Liege in the Champions League qualifiers.

The lottery of penalties was avoided only with a last gasp Dirk Kuyt effort against the tiring Belgians, who deserved to progress over the two legs.

Qualification for the Champions League proper is not only vital to avoiding depressing Thursday night football, but it massages egos / reputations and the money secured will mean that Benitez will have another attempt at adding the finishing touches to his squad, before he has to be happy with what he’s got.

These final jig-saw pieces (in what must be the biggest jig-saw ever...) have supposedly been sounded out in the form of Espanyol’s Albert Riera and Newcastle’s James Milner.

Negotiations with the Spaniard are at a very advanced stage, where as James Milner’s recent transfer request has meant a fury of activity from clubs who are eager to add a talented Englishman to their squad, namely Aston Villa and Everton among others.

Liverpool’s supposed interest in the former Leeds and Villa midfielder (Milner) is likely to frustrate David Moyes, who saw a heftier bid for Riera rebuffed as the player was not interested in moving to that half of Merseyside.

Milner’s written transfer request was allegedly sent on the 20th of August, yet it was only made public on Wednesday. From that, it is likely that Milner is confident of a move away from the club, despite Kevin Keegan’s reluctance to talk of his (Milner’s) possible departure.

As an English player, the Leeds-born winger may prove difficult to resist as Benitez rubs his last pennies together, given UEFA’s new rulings on English players.

Any move away from St James’ Park is likely to upset Newcastle fans. The Geordies have held high hopes for Milner, who despite his seemingly long career, remains only 22 years old.

Fans of Liverpool may be disappointed that these two players [should they join] are not of the Quaresma or Silva mould but Benitez is most likely doing the best he can with the funds remaining. I know I certainly wouldn’t be disappointed with the arrival of both, despite the boo-boos of a Man City loan, long in the memory.

Match Report: LiverpooL 1 - 0 Standard Liege

Dirk Kuyt struck the extra-time winner which will be worth millions to Liverpool as they secured their place in the Champions League group stages.

Kuyt has been Liverpool's lucky charm in such games, and this was his ninth goal in 15 European outings.

Last season he scored seven times as Liverpool reached the semi-finals, but none were worth more than the one he forced over the line tonight with two minutes of extra-time left.

Liverpool had stood on the brink of a shattering elimination from the competition as brave Liege pushed them to the very limits.

But somehow Liverpool held their nerve, winning through after another performance which left much to be desired.

Brazilian full-back Fabio Aurelio replaced new signing Andrea Dossena for Liverpool, the only change from the side that beat Middlesbrough on Saturday.

Such was the impact Liege made on Liverpool in the first leg, maybe that change was a reflection on the hounding Dossena suffered from Wilfried Dalmat a fortnight ago.

The Belgian champions, trying to reach the group stages for the first time, had American defender Oguchi Onyewu back from suspension and he came into coach Laszlo Boloni's side.

Roared on by 3,000 noisy Belgians, Liege went searching for the away goal which they knew would make Liverpool's task so much more difficult.

It took a fine, low save from Jose Reina after seven minutes from Dieumerci Mbokani's 20-yard shot to keep Standard from taking that early lead.

Liverpool responded with an Aurelio curling free-kick which was punched away by Aragon Espinoza, with Fernando Torres and Robbie Keane both failing to capitalise on the loose ball.

Then Steven Gerrard's instant pass into Yossi Benayoun's feet ended with the little midfielder mis-hitting his shot wide.

But Liege were intent on testing Liverpool. Marouane Fellaini forced Reina into another save, stretching full-length to his right, Mbokani having failed to connect seconds earlier as the ball dropped invitingly in the box.

In a very open game, Xabi Alonso saw a 25-yard strike skim away from goal with Espinoza beaten.

Liege were certainly not overawed by Anfield, and their pace and confidence increased by the minute.

They had run Liverpool ragged in the first game, and at times they achieved the same effect in this second match.

Fellaini and Steven Defour were again giving Liverpool plenty to worry them in midfield, picking up possession and breaking Liverpool's flow.

Another Aurelio effort saw Espinoza in action again, but Liverpool were not making genuine chances.

The talented Mbokani, with four goals already this season, was engaged in an uncompromising war with Martin Skrtel while Dalmat and Axel Witsel on the flanks stretched Alvaro Arbeloa and Aurelio.

Liverpool opportunities were rare. Kuyt, in his 100th game for the club, headed wide from Aurelio's corner after 40 minutes, but the game was not going according to the home side's script.

Belief was flooding through Liege's minds and bodies, and Liverpool were not playing well and making too many unforced errors.

Defour volleyed over the bar, and there was pressure and tension every time Liege got near Liverpool's area.

The longer it went on, the more mistakes were made. Alonso's passing often went astray, with Benayoun seemingly unable to find a red shirt while Keane was virtually anonymous.

Mohamed Sarr was booked after an hour for a foul on Torres, with Ryan Babel replacing Benayoun before the re-start.

Torres then worked his way through to see a shot blocked by Onyewu, who was having a fine game in defence to keep the Spaniard relatively quiet.

Alonso produced a rare shot after a quick-passing move, but Espinoza was equal to it.

Liverpool continued to labour, with Keane missing in the area after being set-up by Kuyt.

Gerrard fired over the bar soon afterward, and then saw an angled cross-shot fly well wide.

With seven minutes of the regulation 90 left, Benitez sent on youngster Nabil El Zhar for Keane, with Kuyt pushing forward to support Torres.

Igor De Camargo headed just wide in the closing minutes, Milan Jovanovic having replaced Dalmat, but extra-time was an inevitability.

The tension escalated, and Liverpool upset the Belgians by not returning the ball after it had been kicked out for a player to have treatment.

Then Bonfim Dante was booked for a foul on El Zhar, amid continued exchanges of views on the benches.

Liege sent on Salim Toama after 100 minutes for De Camargo, but still Liverpool were making bad errors while the visitors kept coming forward with confidence.

In the second period of extra-time, Espinoza was finally extended when he beat away a 30-yard shot from Arbeloa, with Torres heading wide soon after.

El Zhar should have had a penalty when he was sent tumbling in the box, but eventually Liverpool forced their way ahead.

Babel crossed from the left with just two minutes left, and Kuyt forced the ball home on the far post for the only goal of the tie, leaving Liege barely any time to regroup.

Can Liverpool Turn Luck Into Fortune?

In one sense, Liverpool have had a perfect start to their season. Six points from two Premier League games and successful passage into the next stage of the Champions League is the best they could have accomplished to date. They’ve been almost-perfect at the back, conceding just one goal in 390 minutes of football.

This, of course, is painting a picture so pretty that it would make Water Lillies look like a photo of horse dung. Liverpool have yet to face anything approaching the top class teams they’ll have to overcome if they’re to have a truely successful season. They have yet to score a goal in the first 80 minutes of any match. They have yet to win a game by more than a single goal.

If Liverpool are to continue to be lucky, rather than good, then their season is surely about to fall badly off the rails. Their upcoming Premier League fixtures involve a trip to Villa Park and a visit from Manchester United. They are also just three weeks away from the group stage of the Champions League. Their recent success in this competition means they will be the top seed in their group, but they can still expect to face much sterner opposition than Standard Liege.

And yet, a glorious opportunity awaits if they can kick their season out of first gear. Another two Premier League wins would see them eight points clear of Manchester United and looking down on every other team apart from, most likely, Chelsea. A kind draw from Mr Platini would pit them against Eindhoven, Basel and, I kid you not, Anorthosis Famagusta (who, interestingly enough, are managed by former Newcastle player Timur Ketsbaia).

Gareth Barry Deal Finally Over For Liverpool

GARETH BARRY’S agent has stated the England midfielder will stay with Aston Villa rather than make a late move before the transfer window closes.

Liverpool have been eager to sign Barry this summer but have been unwilling to match Villa’s £18million valuation of the 27-year-old.

Agent Alex Black said: “After much speculation I can confirm that Gareth Barry will not leave Aston Villa before the transfer window closes.

“Gareth made the decision to stay two weeks ago and informed Aston Villa of his intentions.

“During this time discussions have taken place to decide the best way forward for all parties.

“Any talks regarding potential new contracts at Aston Villa will not take place until the end of the season. Gareth wants to concentrate on playing on the best of his ability for Aston Villa, and we hope this draws a line under the matter.”

Meanwhile, Villa manager Martin O’Neill believes Barry has been in the right frame of mind mentally since returning to the side after the collapse of a move to Liverpool.

He said: “If Gareth stays with us for the foreseeable future, I will be really delighted.

“I would have said only a few weeks ago, I was resigned myself to the fact he would no longer be here – around about the time we played Reading in a friendly and when he didn’t come with us to Malaga.

“If he does stay, I will be delighted. It will be a really big bonus for us.

“I think Gareth has played four games in quick succession – with the one for England. Four in 12 days after a stop- start pre-season, which hasn’t helped him.

“He will have better days for us than on Saturday at Stoke with a bit of luck but Saturday might just have been a culmination of the four games in quick succession, the lack of any steady pre-season, and all of those things. I couldn’t have faulted him in any of the matches he had played for us before that.”

Liverpool FC Fans Get Minister's Backing

THE Liverpool fans group who want to buy the club last night received the backing of sports minister Andy Burnham.

The MP for Leigh, a life-long Everton fan, will put aside cross-city allegiances to back ShareLiverpoolFC’s dream of co-operative ownership of the Anfield club, eventually ousting American co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

Burnham was due to speak at a meeting with fans prior to the last nights Champions League qualifier with Standard Liege, at a pub near the stadium.

Also speaking will be officials of the Spirit of Shankly fans organisation to emphasise the solidarity of Liverpool supporters’ groups behind the scheme.

ShareLiverpoolFC founder member Dr Rogan Taylor will also address the meeting, aimed at re-establishing the group publicly as the current Liverpool owners try to raise money to re-finance their own loans as well as the £400m needed to build a new stadium.

Taylor, director of the Football Industry Group at Liverpool University, said: “We want to make sure everyone realises that we are serious and intend to be around and ready whatever happens.”

Taylor believes that financial pressures will soon call into question once again the Americans’ ability to continue as owners and prompt more interest from Dubai-based investors, who have been waiting in the wings to mount another takeover bid.

Taylor added: “Whoever takes over the club, they are going to need a local partnership. We are here to stay, and have people signed up to help and support the plans we have.

“We want to be around when the next roll of the dice comes, and that could be very soon.”

The grand idea is to have 100,000 people pledging £5,000 to create a financial base to fight for control of the club.

Currently the group have 9,500 who have signed up.

It is believed that ShareLiverpoolFC have held meetings with possible Dubai investors and members of the previous Anfield hierarchy.

Injured Steven Gerrard Will Miss England's Next Two World Cup Qualifiers

Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard is out of England's opening two World Cup qualifiers as he goes into hospital for surgery today.

Gerrard played through the pain barrier to see his side make the Champions League group stage, but he was at half power with a groin problem.

Boss Rafa Benitez revealed that the decision was taken to send Gerrard for surgery before the game with Standard Liege and his absence will hit England coach Fabio Capello for the ties against Andorra and Croatia next month.

Gerrard will also be absent from the Manchester United showdown on September 13 and Benitez said: "I'm disappointed because Steven Gerrard will have a groin operation.

"He will be out for 10 to 15 days - he needed to do it. He had pain and had to do it.

"It happened when he went with England. We spoke to the doctor, but Steve said he would play with pain. He kept going but will have surgery."

Liverpoool FC Wants Trophies Not Cash

RAFAEL BENITEZ insists silverware and not money is the motivating factor as Liverpool’s Champions League hopes go on the line tonight.

The Anfield outfit host Standard Liege in the second leg of their third qualifying round tie knowing only victory will guarantee them passage to the lucrative group stages.

Benitez’s side were grateful for Pepe Reina’s penalty save in the first leg a fortnight ago as they escaped with a goalless draw having been completely outplayed by the Belgian champions.

Liverpool’s failure to net an away goal means Standard need only a score draw tonight to eliminate the five-time European Cup winners while a second goalless match would send the game to a decisive penalty shoot-out.

Elimination would cost Liverpool an estimated £12m and potentially hamper Benitez’s future transfer plans.

But the Liverpool manager, who has guided his team to victory in all four previous encounters at this stage of the competition, instead regards the chance of lifting another trophy as the driving force behind his team.

“For me, the first thing is silverware,” said Benitez. “I like to talk about trophies, that is the main thing. But the Champions League is also about money and you have to take the two things together. But we are here to win titles, not to make money.

“I always tell my players that if they win games, they win trophies and then they will have higher wages and more money. We need to win silverware so we will be better in all of these areas.

“Do our finances in any way depend on getting through? No, I don’t think so. It is not about money, it is about winning.

“We know the Champions League is a fantastic competition and it is really, really important that we go through and that we can approach the game against Aston Villa with confidence.”

Liverpool experienced a hostile atmosphere in Liege’s intimate Stade Maurice Dufrasne two weeks ago.

And Benitez is confident the Belgians will receive a warm welcome of their own by a packed Anfield this evening.

“I don’t like to talk about the supporters in this case because when you say you need the supporters, it implies that you did not have the support before,” he said.

“We always have our supporters backing the team. They know how important this game is to the team so they will be supporting them from the first minute to the end.

“That is always their way. You cannot say anything about the fans – they are the best.

“If I’m asked 100 times whether we will win and go through to the Champions League, 100 times I will say yes.”

Sami Hyypia has beeen declared fit and Ryan Babel could start, but his fellow Olympians Javier Mascherano and Lucas Leiva won’t be considered.

Standard Liege Fear Liverpool FC Big Guns

STANDARD Liege boss Laszlo Boloni admits he fears the damage Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard’s partnership can do to his team.

The Belgian title holders will prepare for their Champions League third qualifying round second leg with confidence after their 0-0 draw in Liege a fortnight ago.

But at Anfield tonight Boloni sees Torres and Gerrard as the main obstacle to his club reaching the group stages for the first time.

Boloni won the European Cup 22 years ago in the infamous Steaua Bucharest side that overcame Barcelona in a boring goalless clash in Seville after which the Romanians were accused of playing for penalties from the start.

Boloni scored in that penalty shoot-out, and many feel Liege will need that level of defiance to survive against a chastened Liverpool.

Boloni said: “What does concern me is the relationship that Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard have achieved.

“They are two fine players and have a fine link, something they have struck up very quickly as players. It is very important to Liverpool, they know each other’s game very well.

“But then Liverpool can be dangerous from every part of the field, we will have to be very careful. If I was 30 years younger, I would love to be involved myself.”

And he sees coaching a victory at Anfield comparable to anything he achieved as a player.

Boloni said: “Over three or four years at Steaua, I cannot say to anyone that we were the best, but we were beating the best.

“For Standard to win here would be comparable to anything I achieved as a player at Steaua.”

Liege have defender Oguchi Onyewu, who had a spell at Newcastle, back from suspension.

CL Preview: Liverpool v Standard Liege

Liverpool will be aiming to avoid European disaster when they face Standard Liege in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League qualifier at Anfield.

The tie is delicately balanced following a goalless draw in Belgium two weeks ago, but the Reds rode their luck in the first leg.

Standard appeared to have a legitimate goal ruled out, while Jose Reina saved a penalty as the Belgian champions gave Liverpool an almighty scare in the first leg.

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has no fresh injury worries to contend with as he likes to guide his side into the lucrative group stages.

Sami Hyypia misses out again with a hamstring injury meaning Martin Skrtel is likely to partner Jamie Carragher in central defence.

Steven Gerrard, who started the first leg against Standard on the bench, is expected to start in midfield alongside Xabi Alonso.

Javier Mascherano and Lucas Levia will not be involved as Benitez does not feel they are ready having only recently returned from the Olympics.

Ryan Babel could be involved after making an appearance as a substitute against Middlesbrough last weekend.

Standard have former Newcastle defender Oguchi Onyewu available again after he was suspended for the first leg.

Steven Defour is set to return to the starting line-up after being used as a substitute last weekend against KVC Westerlo

Striker Milan Jovanovic, who missed the first leg, could be involved after a possible move to PSV Eindhoven stalled.

Rush: Time To Win With Style

Ian Rush has hailed Liverpool's ability to grind out results but is now calling for them to start winning in style.

The Reds legend is delighted Rafael Benitez's side have taken maximum points from their opening two league matches and now wants them to step it up a gear in terms of performance levels on the pitch.

"You can't ask for any more from a team than to take six points from their first two games of the season and that is exactly what Liverpool have done," said Rush.

"Sunderland and Middlesbrough are going to give a lot of teams problems this season but, despite being nowhere near their best, Liverpool have somehow managed to come up with a way to beat both of them.

"In this respect, you can't ask any more of Rafa Benitez and his players. They have done just what we all hoped they would do in terms of getting off to a good start.

"But there is no doubt they are going to have to improve if their winning run is going to continue because their opening two performances have not been of the standard expected."

Rush admits developing a habit of 'winning ugly' is essential if the Reds are to challenge for the title but believes it would be unwise to suggest they don't need to raise their game in the weeks ahead.

"Winning when you are not playing well is something you have to be able to do if you are going to challenge for the title but it isn't something that can be sustained too long," he said.

"If you're sloppy in possession and not creating many chances then it is inevitably winning matches is difficult.

"That's what happened against Middlesbrough on Saturday when Liverpool didn't get anywhere near hitting the kind of form they are capable of. They could so easily have dropped valuable points.

"The fact that they didn't though says a lot about the character of the team and I'm sure that's one of the big plus points that Benitez is taking from the game."

Liverpool needed two goals in the last five minutes to see off Middlesbrough on Saturday and Rush wasn't surprised that it was the club's home-grown duo who stepped up to the plate.

"When things aren't going well you need your big game players to pull something out of the bag and that's what Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard did.

"When things aren't going well it can sometimes be easy to just accept that it isn't going to be your day but that's never going to be the case with players like Carragher and Gerrard.

"In taking the initiative they led by example and it was thanks to their interventions towards the end of the game that Liverpool were able to come away with three points they might otherwise have missed out on.

"The concern is that Liverpool cannot continue to rely so heavily on their captain and vice captain and other players are going to have to start chipping in if the good start to the season is to be maintained.

"I know the fans will be concerned about Liverpool's current form but the most important thing at this stage is to get points on the board.

"If you do that then it breeds confidence and it sends out a message to the rest of the league that you are going to be hard to beat.

"But Liverpool need to get better and I believe that they will, especially if Benitez can add a bit of width to his side before the transfer window closes."

One of the major positives that came out of the 2-1 win over 'Boro' was the partnership of Robbie Keane and Fernando Torres.

The duo have begun to show signs that they could well develop an understanding to rival any in England and Rush is confident they will make it work in time.

"There were welcome signs against Middlesbrough that Fernando Torres is beginning to strike up an understanding with new strike partner Robbie Keane," he said.

"You could see that they were starting to get used to each other's movement and were picking up their running off the ball.

"There was one moment in the first half when Keane went on a little run and picked Torres out with a perfect pass with the outside of his right foot.

"Torres wasn't able to take the chance on this occasion but at least it showed that they are getting to know one another better and that bodes well for the future.

"If these two hit it off, and I've got no reason to doubt that they will, then it will really benefit the team as a whole and I'm sure they're both working really hard to make it happen."

Rafael Benitez and his side now head into tomorrow night's Champions League qualifier with Standard Liege determined to improve on their showing in the first-leg in Belgium.

Rush feels the Reds cannot take progress for granted and expects the Belgian champions to give them a tough test.

"Anyone who saw the first leg of Liverpool's Champions League qualifier against Standard Liege a fortnight ago will know the Belgians are no pushovers," he said.

"Standard are the champions of their country and that means they deserve respect, especially after the way they performed against the Reds in Liege.

"Had it not been for Pepe Reina's heroics then Standard would be coming to Anfield tomorrow night with a lead to protect and that would definitely have made the tie even more difficult than it already is for Rafa Benitez's men.

"As things stand, Liverpool do not have an away goal to fall back on so they will be looking to keep a clean sheet otherwise things could get very tricky.

"Obviously, Liverpool are big favourites to go through but they cannot take anything for granted because if they do Standard might just take advantage.

"Importantly though, Liverpool have encountered this kind of situation so many times in Europe in recent seasons so they know exactly what they have to do and how to go about it.

"I wouldn't be at all surprised if it is a tight affair because Standard looked a well organised and decent side in the first leg but Liverpool should have enough know how and experience to get through."

Espanyol Announce 72-hours Deadline for Albert Reira To Finalise Move To Liverpool

Espanyol have told their winger Albert Reira that he has just 72 hours before the decision regarding his switch to Liverpool will be made.

It seems that the Reds are ahead in the race to sign the Spanish International after claiming that talks between Rafael Benitez’s side and Espanyol were “going well", on their official website. This is despite Liverpool having offered less for Riera than their Merseyside rivals Everton

Earlier reports suggested that Liverpool had agreed to pay £8million (€10m) for the Spaniard. However, despite it looking like Riera's move to Anfield will happen, Espanyol sporting director Paco Herrera has revealed that before the deal can be done there were some issues to be taken care of.

'This is a sensitive time, and we need to make sure we reach a solution one way or another," he said.

"Everything is going well and a deal can be reached.

"The differences we have are ones we can solve and in the next two or three days there has to be a solution because there is no more time."

Liverpool Agree Albert Riera Fee

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is reported to have agreed a fee for Espanyol winger Albert Riera.

The Liverpool Echo understands that Liverpool have beaten rivals Everton in their attempt to land the player and agreed to the Spanish club's £12 million fee.

Espanyol were reluctant to allow the former Manchester City winger to leave the club, but after spending some considerable time yesterday in negotiations, Riera's wish to join Anfield now appears within reach.

Liverpool have been hunting for a left-sided midfielder for some time, but deals for targets such as Gareth Barry and Stewart Downing have not materialised.

Riera, 26, had expressed his desire to play under Benitez, with Espanyol adamant their £12m asking price would be met.

Everton counterpart David Moyes was hoping to make Rieira his second signing of the summer, following the deal for Lars Christian Jacobsen, and is understood to also have offered Espanyol their valuation.

Riera, though, was reluctant to join, with the prospect of playing Champions League football at Anfield too hard to resist.

Espanyol sporting director Paco Herrera, formerly a member of Liverpool's backroom staff, said: "One team is offering what we want and another one isn't.

"But the player is interested in the one that is offering the least."

However, Benitez appears to have used all of his connections at Espanyol to win the race for Riera's signature, satisfying the club's president, Daniel Sanchez Llibre, after he insisted he would not back down on the asking price.

Gerrard: Trio Will Make Big Difference

Steven Gerrard believes the return of Olympic trio Javier Mascherano, Lucas and Ryan Babel will have a massive impact on Liverpool's football.

The skipper accepts that while results have been excellent, the club's early season performances could have been better.

However, with three of the Premier League's most talented players now back at Melwood, Gerrard expects the Reds to step up a gear.

He said: "You can see the squad is now starting to look stronger, with the return of Ryan, Javier and Lucas. The manager has a lot more options now.

"There is still some time in the transfer window and I think in that time you will start to see our squad get to full strength.

"I think there will be another arrival before the deadline.

"The manager's obviously got his eye on two or three different players and I think it would help us if another new face came in."

Next up for the Reds is the return leg of our Champions League third qualifying round tie against Liege.

While some took qualification for granted when the draw was made, a hard-fought stalemate in Belgium means Gerrard and co still have much to do as the sides head for Anfield.

He said: "Sometimes you need the kick up the backside similar to the one we had against Liege. You don't want to go into the season a little bit complacent, and no one could argue against the fact Liege were the better team on the night.

"It was certainly a wake-up call for us, and the best thing about it was that we didn't get beat.

"We're still in the tie and know that at Anfield we will play a lot better. Liege will also find it more difficult."

Gerrard goes into the game on the back of yet more late heroics in the 2-1 victory over Middlesbrough on Saturday.

He hopes the character displayed to overturn a 1-0 deficit in the dying moments is a sign of things to come in 2008-09.

"Last season we only lost once at home but had too many draws, which isn't good enough," he said. "You need your home form to be immaculate.

"We have got maximum points from our two games and still haven't played anywhere near the level we are capable of. We know we can improve but we kept going until the end against Middlesbrough and showed great character."

Reina Does Not Expect More Heroics

Pepe Reina is confident it will not take more goalkeeping heroics for Liverpool to overcome Standard Liege on Wednesday.

The Spanish stopper had to be on top form to keep a clean sheet during the first leg in Belgium, thwarting a penalty just minutes after a superb goalline save.

His antics mean Liverpool remain well in the Champions League qualifying tie as the teams head to Anfield, where Reina expects a more comfortable evening.

"The team have forgotten the match in Liege," he told setantasports.com. "It was just a bad day and we are thinking about qualifying at Anfield.

"For Liverpool, the Champions League is a huge competition and it would be a disaster not to get through.

"Nobody in the squad is thinking about anything other than qualifying.

"I am always optimistic and I am convinced we will beat Standard.

"But there are no easy games in Europe and we are aware that this match is not decided."

Reina has forged a reputation as a master penalty saver but he played down his heroics in Belgium.

"I am not a hero for the penalty in the first match," said Reina. "I have just done my job. For me, the penalty was just a part of it."