U-18s Ease To Forest Victory

Liverpool Under-18s maintained their impressive home form with a comfortable 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest in the FA Academy Premier League.

Hughie McAuley's team dominated for the majority of the contest against their East Midlands counterparts and deservedly claimed their second consecutive home triumph courtesy of a first-half header from Lauri Dalla Valle and a late pildriver from Astrit Adjarevic.

The Reds began the match at a hectic pace, as if determined to make ameds for last week's disappointing defeat at Coventry, and they could have opened the scoring as early as the fourth minute when an error by Forest centre back Matt Skyes gave Thomas Ince a clear sight of goal, but his stabbed effort was deflected to safety at the last second.

There was little sign of the visitors as an attacking threat and on 13 minutes a flowing one-touch move involving James Ellison, Dalla Valle and Ince resulted in the left winger slipping a delightful low cross across the face of goal, but unfortunately for Liverpool there was no one at the far post to give the move the finish it deserved.

A minute later and another chance went begging when Dalla Valle's acrobatic effort from the edge of the box flew way over the crossbar after a clever run and cross from David Amoo on the right.

Forest were in need of some respite and they nearly got it on 25 minutes when Nialle Rodney crashed home Tim Hopkinson's knock-down, only to see his celebrations cut short by the referee's assistant's flag.

That aside, it was all one way traffic in the first period and at times Liverpool's approach play was breathtaking, with Dalla Valle often instrumental with a series of deft flicks and clever touches.

The striker was enjoying an impressive afternoon and should have opened the scoring on 33 minutes when he seized on the loose ball 40 yards from goal, powered beyond two defenders before seeing his near post shot beaten away by Forest keeper Karl Darlow.

However, the Finn was not to be denied and from the resulting corner he rose majestically to bullet home a header to give the Reds a deserved interval lead.

The visitors inevitably improved in the second-half but Liverpool were still the side creating the better openings with Dalla Valle twice denied by Darlow.

Substitute Nathan Eccleston could have made the game safe 15 minutes from time but he saw his his audacious volley from the left wing crash back off the crossbar.

In truth the second 45 rarely lived up to the first in terms of the calibre of football, but the Reds were always in control and Adjarevic drilled in a magnificent late strike to ensure Hughie McAuley's side eased to their second win from three matches played this season.

Benitez Puts Title Prospects Into Perspective

Rafael Benitez has attempted to put into perspective the intensifying competition at the top of the Premier League - and the pressures on him and his team to deliver the title.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is aware that expectations are building again for the Reds to mount a sustained challenge to win the title that has eluded them since 1990.

The Reds have followed another summer of big spending by getting off to a winning - if not as yet wholly convincing - start to the campaign in both Premier League and Champions League.

But Benitez acknowledges that Liverpool’s rivals are all upping the ante too, making the competitive challenge stronger than ever.

He has said that Liverpool now have the strongest squad since he took over at Anfield in 2004, but is cautious in his assessment of prospects, telling journalists:

“We know we’re better than before, but maybe the other teams are better also. Look at [Manchester] City, for example.

“Sometimes you need to take gambles,” he added. “If we’re making mistakes it’s because we were taking gambles with players who were cheap while we tried to find the balance.”

Benitez says he will not be bowed by the pressure of trying to take the title back to Anfield, in a campaign which will see Manchester United attempt to equal Liverpool’s record haul of 18 English championships.

“As always, it also depends on the other teams,” he said.

“When you are at a top side, you need to be ready to challenge for titles or to be under pressure.

“I don’t have any problem with the pressure, but if people analyse the situation properly, it’s changed a lot because other teams are signing big players.

“People need to understand that to win trophies is really difficult. More and more teams are spending more and more money.

“We will try to be closer and have a lot of confidence because the squad is better, but you can’t guarantee anything. We must make sure we do our best every time.

“We want to win trophies, and to win the Premier League would be amazing. But it’s not easy.

“If the owners of the clubs keep on spending big, big money, then they will want more and more success.

“But how many teams can win the title? Just one.”

John Aldridge: Love For Your Country Is A Two-Way Thing

There’s been a lot of hot-air and hysteria since Jamie Carragher’s honest admission that he preferred winning with Liverpool above winning with England.

You’d think he’d said he deliberately thought about scoring an own goal for Germany against the national side the way some people have reacted. It’s ridiculous!

Jamie said he always gave his best for England and some people are forgetting that is exactly what he always did.

What’s also being conveniently forgotten is that Jamie didn’t love England as much as Liverpool because England didn’t love him.

He was messed around big time by both Sven Goran Ericsson and then Steve McLaren - and after being patient for so long he simply got to the point where he didn’t feel wanted or respected at international level.

He’d had enough and I don’t blame him for simply being honest in his new book about what he felt when wearing the England shirt as opposed to the red of Anfield.

My own experience with Ireland was completely different to Jamie’s with England. I may have got into the Irish side via the back door but Ireland manager Jack Charlton respected me and the Irish people were so supportive to me.

Playing for Ireland was like a second home for me and we had some great times. When I go there now I still get a wonderful reception.

But Jamie was never loved and wanted the way myself and some of the lads who got to the World Cup finals and enjoyed those wonderful memories were.

It’ s a pity Jamie didn’t get snapped up by Ireland like me - because he’d have been treated like a king and amassed 70 or 80 caps!

It’s strange but there are a few players who are legends at club level but who never got the recognition they deserved from their countries.

Alan Hansen is right up there in the Anfield hall of fame and rightly so. But how many times did Alan play for Scotland? Just 26 caps was ludicrous for a player of his stature and ability for the Scots.

Also, I wonder what John Terry would say if he was asked what he would prefer if he could turn the clock back - getting to Euro 2008 with England or scoring that winning penalty for Chelsea in the Champions League cup final against United this year.

I suspect an honest answer from John Terry to that one would give a few of Jamie’s critics food for thought.

Jamie’s so generous

Going back to Jamie Carragher, what an incredible gesture of his to propose an Everton versus Liverpool derby game for his testimonial - and then give all the money raised away to local charities.

Jamie’s testimonial, whenever staged, is sure to be a sell-out and a huge sum of money raised.

So for him to pass that all on to organisations who can help people and good causes in the community where he grew up and plies his trade, well it really is generous beyond words.

Put simply, it’s the measure of the man for me.

Football clubs? Or flash toy factories

What a week with the megabucks takeover of Manchester City by Abu Dhabi.

It’s left me shaking my head and while City fans are on cloud nine, I’ve concluded that English football is now just a toy factory for the world’s richest men.

The game’s changing and it is no longer what it was in so many ways.

People will know I’m a fervent backer of the ShareLiverpoolFC movement, along with Phil Thompson and John Barnes. And that’s because we all believe our clubs and this great game of ours must remain connected properly with the supporters.

But increasingly, it seems our clubs are simply playthings.

Jamie Carragher: What Really Happened At Half-Time In Istanbul

At half-time in the 2005 Champions League final in Istanbul, Jamie Carragher found himself staring into the abyss.

AC Milan had just produced a spell-binding 45 minutes of football to leave Liverpool trailing by three goals to nil.

All hopes of winning a fifth European Cup had seemingly been extinguished as Carragher and his team-mates walked into the dressing room for Rafa Benitez’s half-time team talk.

Here, in an exclusive extract from Carra: My Autobiography, Carragher talks for the first time about what exactly went on during that mythical 15 minutes and how Benitez’s inspirational intervention helped change the course of football history.

People ask what was going through my mind in those moments before half-time.

As I walked towards the dressing room, I was suffering from a depressing combination of despondency and humiliation.

I couldn't bear to lift my head up and glimpse the faces in the crowd, or the banners and red jerseys scattered around the Ataturk.

I looked towards the floor and saw nothing but endless dejection. My dreams had turned to dust.

I wasn't thinking about the game any more. My thoughts were with my family and friends. I was so sorry.

Daft, seemingly trivial ideas scattered themselves across my mind, such as 'What will everyone at home be saying about this?'

The thought of going home a laughing stock disturbed me. It would have felt like the whole city, the whole country, even the whole world was taking the mickey out of us.

There was a sense of shame to go with my sorrow. The Liverpool fans had taken over the stadium and there was nothing we could do to make amends.

I almost began to regret reaching the final. All defeating Juve and Chelsea had achieved, it seemed, was to allow AC Milan to outclass us and possibly secure the greatest ever margin of victory in a European Cup final.

They'd beaten Barcelona and Steaua Bucharest 4-0 in the 1994 and 1989 finals, and now I feared we'd create history for the wrong reasons, at the receiving end of a record defeat, by five or six. Keeping it at 3-0 and at the very least restoring some respectability was all that mattered to me now.

Nothing was said by the players as we returned to the dressing room. A mythical 15 minutes in the Liverpool legend was upon us, but it didn't feel that way.

The trickiest test in such circumstances is ensuring you don't give up.

It would have been easy for us to accept our ambitions were in tatters, which nine months of toil were going to end in catastrophe.

Mentally we were all over the place, but I knew it wasn't in my nature to accept this fate. No matter how bad it was, we were going to have to face up to our responsibilities.

Fortunately, there was at least one sane head in the room prepared to restore our battered spirits.

In that Ataturk dressing room Rafa Benitez cemented his place in Anfield folklore.

My admiration for his handling of the situation is unlimited. Rafa's conduct rarely changed, regardless of the circumstances. His calm demeanour was never required more than now.

Privately, he must have felt the same as us. He too couldn't have failed to think about his family, or what the people of Spain would be making of his side's battering.

Here he was, still struggling with his English, trying to instruct us to achieve the impossible.

“Good luck,” I thought to myself.

He showed few signs of emotion as he explained his changes, but the speed with which he made a series of tactical switches showed how sharp he still was.

First, he told Traore to get into the shower. That was the polite code for telling a player he's being subbed.

Djibril Cisse was told he'd be coming on to play on the right side and was already getting kitted out.

As Djimi removed his shirt, an argument was brewing between Steve Finnan and our physio Dave Galley. Finnan had damaged a groin and Dave told Rafa he thought he should be subbed.

Finnan was distraught and pleaded to stay on. Rafa wouldn't budge.

“We've only two subs left because we've already lost Kewell with an injury,” he explained. “I can't afford to make two now, and if you stay on I've lost my last sub.”

Traore was told to put his kit back on.

Then, as if struck by a moment of clarity, Benitez made an abrupt decision.

“Hamann will replace Finnan and we'll play 3-5-2,” he explained, displaying an assured conviction in his voice which, temporarily at least, gave me confidence.

“Pirlo is running the game from midfield, so I want Luis and Stevie to play around him and outnumber them in the middle so he can't pass the ball.”

The swiftness of this decision confirmed to me he may have considered this formation earlier. The same set-up had worked in Turin, although that had been a purely defensive strategy.

“OK,” part of me was thinking, “forty-five minutes too late, but we got there in the end.” Given the circumstances, it was still a brave move.

With both Cisse and Hamann now preparing to come on, there was only one problem.

“Rafa, I think we've 12 players out there now.”

Djibril would have to wait a while longer for his introduction.

When we emerged from our desolate dressing room, I wasn't encouraged by the look of steely determination on the face of Maldini as he led his side back out.

There were claims after the match of premature celebrations in the Milan camp at half-time.

I was upset on their behalf by that pack of lies. Traore gave an interview after the game suggesting the Italians were cocky at 3-0, but I think he was naive in his answers and it was twirled into a fairy story by the newspapers.

It simply didn't happen. Milan were far too professional for that. There was no way their captain, with all his experience, was going to allow anyone in his dressing room to take victory for granted.

Nothing I saw suggested Milan were already popping champagne. I have too much respect for them even to suggest it.

Even if they did, privately, believe they had both hands on the cup, who could blame them?

As I headed back into the arena, I was sure Milan were going to win, so were the forty thousand Scousers in Istanbul, so why shouldn't they have believed it?

I could hear “You'll Never Walk Alone” in the distance, and as I exited the tunnel it grew louder. It wasn't the usual version of our anthem, though.

There are different moments when The Kop summons Gerry Marsden's classic. Before every home game it's a deafening rallying cry, as if to inspire us to perform and frighten our opponents into submission.

If we're winning in the closing stages of a huge match, it will be sung again, this time in celebration.

But there are other occasions the words of the song have greater meaning, and at half-time in Istanbul the fans were singing it in sympathy more than belief.

There was a slow, sad sound to it, almost as if it was being sung as a hymn. The fans were certainly praying on our behalf.

To me, it was the supporters' way of saying, “We're still proud of what you've done, we're still with you, so don't let your heads drop.”

There was probably a hint of a warning in there too, as the walk back to my position felt like a guilt trip: “Don't let us down any more than you already have.”

Our coach Alex Miller's final instructions at half time were for us to “score a goal for those fans”.

That was the mindset we had. Get one and pride might be restored.

Rafa: Money Means Pressure For Bosses

Rafa Benitez fears that the latest influx of cash into the Premier League will pile more and more pressure on to managers.

The Liverpool manager fears that rich owners such as ADUG, the Abu Dhabi consortium who bought Manchester City last week, will skew the Premier League, and that they will become more and more impatient for success.

He said in The Guardian:

"If the owners of the clubs keep on spending big, big money, then they will want more and more success. But how many teams can win the title? Just one.

"So the rest of the teams who spend big money, the owners will realise they haven't won, so it could be more pressure and more problems for everyone.

"City will start the season under pressure from the first minute, but everyone knows you can't win every game. It will be a problem because four or five teams will spend big money, and only one can win.

"As a manager, you have to analyse things properly, because you aren't a fan. You can't just say what people want to hear.

"The Premier League is becoming more and more difficult because so many people are spending money.

"For us to qualify for the Champions League for five years in a row is important for a club of our stature. We want to win trophies, and to win the Premier League would be amazing. But it's not easy."

Poloskei Joins Liverpool

Following a successful trial spell, Liverpool have taken MTK Hungaria’s Zsolt Poloskei on a year-long loan.

Liverpool's link with Budapest outfit MTK Hungaria continues to bear fruit, with 17-year-old midfielder Zsolt Poloskei being handed a one-year loan spell.

Indeed, Peter Gulacsi, Krisztian Nemeth and Andras Simon have proved hits in the second string since joining from MTK last year, with the Merseyside club keen to pick up more Hungarian starlets.

Poloskei initially impressed Liverpool scouts while on international duty with Hungary Under 17s and will now have a further year in which to convince the club to make a permanent swoop.

The youngster will hope to follow in the footsteps of Nemeth, who has made a splash so far. The 19-year-old has been compared to Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler despite rececnt injury woes hampering his progress.

Poloskei's agent Tibor Pataky says Liverpool could exercise an option to sign the midfielder on a permanent basis.

Liverpool's Albert Riera Is Keen On Manchester United Repeat

ALBERT RIERA is hoping to repeat his first experience of English football by helping Rafael Benitez finally break his Manchester United hoodoo.

The Spain international left-winger was unveiled at Melwood yesterday after arriving from Espanyol on Monday’s transfer deadline day for an initial £5.5million fee.

Riera is in line for an immediate debut when Liverpool host champions United on Saturday week.

And, having started a loan spell at Manchester City in January 2006 with victory over the Old Trafford outfit, the 26-year-old is eager for a similarly impressive beginning to life at Anfield.

“It would be a dream to start in the same way,” said Riera. “It was maybe the perfect timing for me to go to City, to play in the derby.

“It was fantastic for City to win that game. We won 3-1 that day but we’d have settled for a 1-0, to beat United was great for the fans and the players.

“I know that games against United are very, very important for the supporters at Liverpool, I know how big a game it is in the Premier League. I hope that I can do the same again.”

Benitez has not yet beaten Sir Alex Ferguson’s side in the Premier League in eight previous attempts.

And when told of Riera’s fortunes against United, he said: “I’d like a similar start for sure. If he has that kind of luck, maybe I will always pick him against Manchester United!”

Riera spent six months at Eastlands on loan from Espanyol during the second half of the 2005-06 season, making 19 appearances and scoring one goal.

Benitez, though, is confident Liverpool have bought a player much-improved on the one who appeared for City.

“He has since played in the final of the UEFA Cup and been involved with the international team, and that has given him fantastic experience,” said the manager.

“That shows he is more mature and can manage the pressure better of playing here.

“But the expectations are clearly different here than when he was at City, because we’re trying to win trophies.”

While Liverpool had tracked Riera all summer, the winger attracted higher bids from a number of other clubs, including Everton.

And despite having only closed the deal hours before the transfer deadline, Benitez was always confident the player would arrive at Anfield.

“It wasn’t a big fight to get him here,” said the Liverpool manager. “He was very, very clear from the first day that he wanted to come here. It was easier than people thought. The chairman of Espanyol told him not to worry and that he’d go to Liverpool, and they just needed to sort out the conditions.”

Riera added: “Espanyol knew that I wanted to come to Liverpool. Liverpool made a big effort to get me here so I am very pleased with that.

“It’s true that Espanyol had better offers but they knew I only wanted to come here, I had repeated that 100 times.

“They were fighting for themselves to get a better fee and I was fighting for myself to get the move I wanted.

“That’s normal in football.”

And when asked if former club City’s new-found wealth would have turned his head had it been available earlier in the summer, Riera responded: “No. I was clear from a long time ago that I only wanted to come here.”

Benayoun Turned Down Moscow Riches To Stay With Liverpool

Yossi Benayoun rejected an astonishing £3.5million signing-on fee and double your money offer from Spartak Moscow to stay with Liverpool.

The Israel captain, currently on around £50,000 a week at Anfield, was the subject of a lucrative offer from the wealthy Russian side believed to be worth around £100,000 a week but Benayoun made it clear he wanted to further his career with Liverpool.

Manchester City had tabled a £6m bid for Benayoun with further interest from Tottenham and West Ham during the transfer window but manager Rafael Benitez was reluctant to sell — despite the need to raise cash for new signings.

Benitez has been a fan of the 28-year-old since his days in Spain with Racing Santander and sees him as a vital member of his squad. And sources in Israel say Benayoun wanted to repay Benitez's faith with an upturn in his form this season.

Pepe Reina Eyes Atlético Future

Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina has admitted that if he should return to Spain one day, Atlético Madrid would be his first choice destination.

The 26 year old shot stopper is back on his homeland this week to help his country prepare for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Bosnia-Herzegovina and Armenia.

While taking some time off from his gruelling training schedule, Reina gave an interview to radio program, Onda Cero Onda Deportiva, where he spoke about numerous subjects, namely his future.

“If I return to Spain someday, Atlético Madrid would be one of my top choices without doubt,” he confessed. “It is a club that I have a lot of affection for.”

However, he interjected quickly to make sure that his words are not being misinterpreted by the media.

“But at the moment, such a move is completely impossible. I am not considering leaving Liverpool for Atlético,” he declared.

But Reina will soon get a chance to feel what it’s like playing at the Vicente Calderón as the red half of Merseyside will clash with the red-and-white half of Madrid in the Champions League group stage. And he gave a quick analysis of his opponents.

“Atleti are getting better and better every year and no doubt it is going to be very difficult to beat them.

“I know Fernando (Torres) will be very excited with this match because he will return to the Calderón,” he added.

Although Reina never turned out for Atlético Madrid during his stint in Spain, his father, Miguel Reina Santos, was a famous ex-goalkeeper for Los Colchoneros.

Pennant To Pen New Reds Deal

Jermaine Pennant is set to extend his contract with Liverpool, although questions remain over his future at the club.

According to The Times, the Reds will take up their option to add a fourth year to Pennant's current deal, which will expire at the end of the season.

However, there are still doubts over the 25-year-old's long-term prospects at Anfield, especially as he is yet to feature at all for the club this season.

Injuries caused the former Watford winger to fall out of favour with Rafael Benitez last season, while the impact of Fernando Torres brought about a new formation that held no place for genuine widemen.

Blackburn Rovers were eager to tie up a deal during the summer, as manager Paul Ince pegged Pennant as an ideal replacement for his fellow Arsenal product, David Bentley.

Stoke City were also interested in the ex-Notts County man, and it is understood that Benitez attempted to push through a £4million sale on deadline day.

But Pennant turned down a move to Britannia Stadium and is desperate to work his way back into the Reds' starting XI - far from unreasonable, given their dearth of quality options on the right flank.

However, it is likely the Nottingham native will be in the shop window once more come January, and that his contract extension is designed to raise his market value.

Ablett Reveals Reserves Disappointment

Liverpool reserves manager Gary Ablett has spoken of the frustrations that three of his team-members feel having been promoted to the first team for pre-season, only to be drawn back into the reserves for the current campaign.

Gary Ablett has explained to the club's official website the tough time he has boosting the morale of young trident Stephen Darby, Jay Spearing and Daniel Pacheco, after they experienced life with the first team during pre-season, only to be demoted back to participate in the reserves league.

"It's nice to have them back but sometimes you can understand a level of disappointment for them having tasted pre-season with the first-team and having to come back, so it's a question of motivating them," he said.

"I have to make sure they respond in the right way and ten times out of ten they do because that's the type of character they have," he concluded.

Riera On Torres, Rafa and Expectations

New signing Albert Riera has revealed he will thrive on the challenge of creating goalscoring chances for 'one of the best strikers in the world'.

Firstly Albert, there was interest in you from a number of clubs so why was Liverpool your number one choice?

I had a clear idea from the first time Espanyol told me there were some offers. There was only club for me and I told them to only talk to Liverpool. Why? Because they are a very big team with a great history and they play in the Champions League. I like the supporters and the stadium and I can't wait to play at Anfield. I know the boss very well from when I was in Spain. He is a coach that brings the maximum level from all of his players and we all want to give 100 per cent for him.

Was it a concern for you that this transfer went right to the final day of the transfer window?

I would have preferred to be here from the first day of the season but it was difficult. Espanyol were asking for a lot of money for me. As well as Liverpool they had interest from other clubs offering more money, but they knew my clear idea was only to come here. They respected my position and accepted the offer.

Up until now people have been asking questions about the lack of width at Liverpool. Is there pressure on you to bring real quality to the left side?

I don't feel pressure. I will continue to play like I did at Espanyol. I will do what the boss wants from me and give my best at all times for the team. I promise to give 100 per cent in every single game and do my best.

Your spell at Manchester City was one of mixed success. Do you feel you have a point to prove to the supporters here at Liverpool?

I feel I am a better player now. I have three years more experience than when I was at Manchester City. Since then I have been a regular in the Espanyol team and played in a UEFA Cup final. I also played for Spain last year. I am still progressing and I am sure I can continue to do that here and help this club win some trophies.

Did you take advice from any of the Spanish players here at Liverpool before deciding to sign?

I talked to some of them. They will help me a lot and I want to help this team get success.

Does the prospect of crossing the ball to Fernando Torres give you a special feeling?

I can't wait to play alongside Fernando. To play with one of the best strikers in the world is perfect for somebody like me who likes to cross the ball. I am sure we will do well together and I hope to create many goals for Fernando and the team.

Rafa Benitez likes to use rotation. Is that something of a concern for you?

I will do my best in every game and I want to play in all of the matches. I want to stay fit and help this team. It's up to the boss whether I will play in every game and I will respect his decision always.

Have you set yourself any personal targets?

Well I can't promise that I'm going to score 20 or 30 goals every season. The only thing I can promise is I will do my best in every game and always give 100 per cent. I hope to show what I can do for the team and help create goals as well as scoring some myself.

Gareth Barry: Liverpool Summer Transfer Saga Hit Me Hard

Gareth Barry goes into England's World Cup qualifying campaign admitting he lost his focus over the summer.

The midfielder was at the centre of a bitter £18million tug-of-war between Aston Villa and Liverpool which became the summer's longest-running transfer saga.

It even led to England boss Fabio Capello admitting he was concerned at Barry's drop in form during last month's friendly with the Czech Republic at Wembley.

Capello claimed Barry was "not at his best" - his first public criticism of an England player.

Barry, who has lost the Villa captaincy to Martin Laursen, might have been sweating on his place against Andorra tomorrow had it not been for Steven Gerrard being injured. But Barry, 27, insists that is all behind him now as he has pledged his shortterm future to Villa.

Barry said: "It was a tough summer, a difficult summer for myself, but that is all in the past now. That's why I felt it was important I didn't wait until the last minute of the transfer deadline to make a statement on my future.

"I made it 10 days ago now to let everyone know my mind's focused on playing for Aston Villa and more importantly, obviously, for England.

"I didn't see too much of what was said (by Capello). As I've said, it was a tough summer and it may have played a bit on my mind.

"But I wasn't going into the game thinking about my situation at all. I was trying to do the best for my country.

"It's important now that the qualifying games are coming up and everyone knows what I'm focused on.

"I personally feel very good, very fit. I didn't have the ideal preseason but I'm personally fine and ready to go. It's early season and I feel as if I'm playing pretty well."

Barry's summer of discontent and Capello's doubts after the Czech Republic game were just about the only two black marks against the midfielder's incredible rise to prominence as an England regular in the past year or so.

Barry came to the fore in the second half of Steve McClaren's failed Euro 2008 qualifying campaign and - perhaps fortunately - he was a non-playing substitute when England last played Andorra in Barcelona 18 months ago.

England fans booed their own players, under-pressure McClaren flipped in the post-match press conference and all that after an unconvincing 3-0 win.

England go back to face Andorra under Capello's new regime yet it is still somewhat of a no-win situation - even a thumping victory will be dismissed as only against a bunch of part-time nohopers.

So far, the biggest difference in Capello's regime has been a strict dress code and new diets - including more pasta and less bolognese sauce-yet performances have been just as unappetising.

But Barry believes it is a fresh start for England. He said: "It's a clean slate, the first game of the campaign and three points is what we are going to be looking for."

Why So Many British Asians Choose LFC

The lifelong Red has spent the last year researching and writing a book on the subject.

The Asian Liverbird, which was commissioned by the club after an approach by Bhana, explores how immigrants from Asia came to choose LFC upon arriving in England in the Sixties and Seventies – and why, generations later, their children and grandchildren are still wearing red.

"LFC has been entrenched in Asian households since the 1960s," says the author. "But the question of why is incredibly across the board."

Bhana's search for answers took him first to Melwood, where he spoke to stars such as Steven Gerrard, Xabi Alonso and Nabil El Zhar.

Next he conducted a raft of interviews with Asian fans and journalists, each of whom gave their account of why Liverpool is in the blood.

Each story is as colourful as it is different, yet one name is present throughout – Bill Shankly.

"It's the Shankly way," explains Bhana, who spoke to the great Sir Tom Finney about our legendary manager. "He had this great family-orientated take on life.

"It wasn't just what he did for Liverpool on the pitch. You hear about him giving tickets to fans and helping get young kids on the straight and narrow.

"As a kid I could really relate to the great man and I still do. His magic will never fade."

This view is shared by one of our most recognisable ethnic fans, Mohammed Amin Loonat, whose face appeared in every tabloid newspaper after he invaded the pitch to kiss Stan Collymore during the striker's goalscoring debut back in 1995.

"Shankly didn't care about the colour of your skin, or what your name was, he just wanted the club to conquer the whole world," says Amin.

"He made the Kop believe that they were part of the club, and rightly so – we are all one. People all over the world wanted a piece of this club."

If Shanks planted the seeds of our incredible ethnic fanbase, another Kop icon ensured they blossomed throughout the modern era – John Barnes.

"He was the first high-profile black player at the club," says Bhana. "Asians didn't have a great role model in football at the time, so they took to Barnes - a man of colour who destroyed defences week in, week out.

"Asian fans came to Anfield in their droves because of him. It certainly helped the club create an affinity with this fanbase."

The legacy of Shankly and Barnes can be seen in Asian communities up and down the country.

Take Bhana's home town of Batley, for instance. About 70 miles east of Anfield, this old mill town has, on the face of it, little in common with the bright, Capital of Culture-funded lights of Liverpool.

But sit down on a bench outside Batley Town Hall and you won't have to wait long to see a Liverbird sitting proudly on someone's chest.

Liverpool shirts are au couture in this part of Yorkshire, where 30 per cent of the population is Asian.

Journalist Nazia Mogra, who covered the launch of The Asian Liverbird for BBC Radio Manchester, thinks it is a generational thing.

"When the first generations of Asian kids grew up, Liverpool were the best team," she explains.

"You see a lot of people wearing Liverpool shirts in places like Preston, Manchester, London, and Batley.

"It has come through the generations. In the Asian community, a lot of things are passed down, and supporting Liverpool is one of them."

And it's not just in England where the Kop legend is passed on.

Bhana explains: "You cannot discount the impact second and third generation Asians have had on relatives in Asia and the Middle East, who are joining the trend of supporting Liverpool FC.

"Nowadays you hear about relatives in those countries wearing Liverpool tops and watching games. Little did Liverpool Football Club realise that the brand is revered all over Asia with a tremendous increase in fans as far as Gujarat and Bombay.

"My parents returned from a holiday in India recently and they could not believe how many Liverpool fans there were over there. They even saw a Liverpool FC shop in one of the biggest cities in India. No other club can boast such a fanbase or has given so much back to the supporters."

One man who has witnessed this growth first hand is two-times European Cup winner Phil Thompson.

The Scouser visited Asia in his playing heyday before returning two decades later as assistant to Gerard Houllier.

"The way Liverpool Football Club has grown in Asia and the Asian community is unbelievable," says Thommo. "I saw it as a player and it was great then. But I went back twice as assistant manager and it was astonishing – the kind of thing you have to see to believe.

"Growing up as a lad in Kirkby, I would never have imagined in my wildest dreams that Liverpool would go on to be this global phenomenon. I didn't know we had supporters outside the city.

"It just goes to show what Shanks started all those years ago. Of course, he would have said he predicted it!

"Club like AC Milan and Bayern Munich can say what they like but they have nowhere near the level of worldwide support Liverpool have, and these fans live and breathe the club just as much as lads from Kirkby and Anfield."

The Reds' global appeal has only increased since Thompson left the backroom staff in 2004, not least because of the miracle that was Istanbul.

The Asian market is one the club is keen to tap into, an example of which is the launch of a Chinese version of the Official LFC Magazine in Hong Kong.

Back home, the club is taking a palpable lead in commissioning a book specific to our British Asian fans. London Evening Standard journalist Amar Singh believes its 220 pages could have a real impact.

"This book is a big step forward," he says. "It has already made a real impact. At the launch of the book, Ian Rush, Phil Thompson and Mohammed signed copies for fans from various backgrounds. It was just unbelievable.

"I see more and more Asian Liverpool fans each time I go. I recently traveled up to Anfield in a coach with about 50 mainly Asian fans. It was a great feeling.

"British Asians will make their mark in British football and it's great to see Liverpool Football Club leading the way."

Riera Wants Silverware At Anfield

Albert Riera believes that Liverpool will be able to challenge for all four trophies that they are competing for this season after joining the club at the end of the transfer window.

The former Espanyol winger knows that expectations at Anfield are high and is confident that the current squad has the ability to try and win the quadruple this term.

Liverpool have not won the league since 1990 and that is now the main ambition for the Merseyside club and Riera sees no reason why this cannot be their year.

"At Liverpool the most important thing is when you are on the pitch to think only about winning," he explained.

"It is important to fight for everything - to fight to win The Premier League, the Champions League and the two cups. I am sure we will enjoy fighting for all of these titles.

"We want to challenge for everything until the last minute of the last game."

Riera is reported to have chosen to join Liverpool ahead of their city rivals Everton and he revealed that he chose the Reds because he thinks that he will win more medals with them.

"I want to be in finals and to challenge for The Premier League as well because for this club it is very important to challenge for the league, he concluded.

Jermaine Pennant Still In Liverpool FC Plans

RAFAEL BENITEZ has assured Jermaine Pennant he won’t freeze him out at Liverpool.

The Anfield manager was prepared to let the winger leave the club during the recent transfer window.

Pennant had talks with both Stoke City and Blackburn Rovers but ultimately declined the advances of both clubs.

The winger has fallen down the pecking order at Liverpool and has not even made the bench since being an unused substitute in the opening game at Standard Liege.

However, Benitez believes Pennant could still prove a useful squad member and has pencilled in the 25-year-old for an appearance in the Carling Cup clash against Crewe on September 23.

Liverpool may also look to extend Pennant’s contract at Anfield. The winger has entered the final 12 months of the three-year deal he signed when he arrived from Birmingham City for £6.7m in July 2006.

Liverpool have the option to invoke a one-year extension, a course they may choose to follow to prevent Pennant walking out of the club on a free transfer at the end of the season.

Liverpool FC Fans Back Jamie Carragher: You've Got It Right Over England

LIVERPOOL fans have given Jamie Carragher their backing after the Reds star admitted he has always put club before country.

Carragher came in for a storm of criticism yesterday after extracts of his forthcoming autobiography were published in a national newspaper in which he revealed an England defeat “never hurt me in the same way as losing for my club”.

He even went as far as saying he “would rather miss for England than LFC”, when discussing his England penalty miss against Portugal in the 2006 World Cup.

Former Liverpool player Stan Collymore, who won a total of three England caps before retiring at the age of 30 having never fulfilled his potential, was among those who criticised Carragher for his stance.

But the Bootle-born defender won the backing of Reds fans with Les Lawson of the Liverpool Supporters Club saying: “I agree with Carra. My only thought when international breaks come around is that I hope the players come back uninjured.

“I couldn’t care less about England, I’m a Liverpool supporter. We are Scouse, not English!”

Lawson even went as far as admitting Liverpool fans prefer to show allegiance to Spain because of the large contingent of Spaniards at Anfield.

He said: “I have watched Liverpool reserves when England are playing. In fact, if England were playing Spain, you would probably find Liverpool fans supporting Spain.”

Carragher’s attitude has been met with disappointment but not surprise by England supporters.

Mark Perryman, of the England Fans’ Group, thinks that European Cup-winners like Carragher, who play regular Champions League football, don’t reach the pinnacle of their careers on the international stage.

He said: “You do not want to hear things like that, but I do understand where someone like Carragher is coming from.

“His view is no different to many fans, particularly those who support the big clubs.

“If you asked most fans whether they would want their club to win the title or England to win the World Cup, they would back their own clubs.

“It is an attitude that has arisen as the Champions League has got bigger and bigger. I know that as an England fan these days, I am in a minority.

“The Champions League provides international quality football from September to March to players like Carragher. Success in it is crucial to the big clubs, so I understand his view.”

Jamie Carragher: Winning The Premier League Is Now An Obsession

I stare at my medal collection and there's a gaping, lingering hole.

It's a void I fear will never be filled before that dreaded moment when I wear the red shirt for the last time.

Since I turned 30, the pain of having no title medal seems to have intensified. I can't even really argue we've come close to ending our Premier League drought.

It hurts more as you begin to appreciate time is as much a rival as the other top clubs.

I may only have the three years left on my current Liverpool contract to win the league and it will sicken me not to achieve it. I'm fixated by this goal, consumed by my determination to bring the title back to Anfield.

I don't just think about winning the title once a day, but sometimes as many as half a dozen times in an afternoon.

Winning the title has become Liverpool's obsession, but whereas the supporters have their lifetimes to realise the ambition, as a player I'm running out of opportunities.

Without wishing to sound negative, I've no choice but to prepare myself for the possibility it might not happen. If I never win a title, knowing the standards I've set myself, I suspect I'll consider my career a partial failure.

Benitez Welcomes Riera To Liverpool But Fears Market Inflation Due To City Cash Injection

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez welcomed new signing Albert Riera to Anfield today - then admitted the player's former Premier League employers could be title contenders this season.

The Spanish winger spent six months on loan with Manchester City in his previous spell in English football and although it was an unmemorable stint for player and club, the prospects of both have flourished this week.

Riera, 26, has signed a four-year deal with the Reds - where the company of Fernando Torres, Xabi Alonso and Jose Reina will surely do his international prospects no harm - while City have agreed a takeover with the mega-rich Abu Dhabi United Group.

And although Benitez believes his new signing from Espanyol may finally solve his long-standing problems on the left wing, he accepts that the grand designs of City's new investors could make his quest for title success even more difficult.

For Benitez, the stunning capture of Robinho for a British record transfer fee could have set in motion a chain of events that will blow the accepted 'big four' wide open.

'You cannot just win the title by spending money but Chelsea won for two years spending big, big money. Afterwards Manchester United won spending lots of money too,' Benitez said. 'If we are talking about spending money then maybe Manchester City will win the title this year.

'It is not just a question of money but if you have more money it is easier. If you don't have too much money, you must do the job as best you can.

'If we are talking now, maybe they (City) need time but if we talk in January maybe they will buy five players... then you never know.

'But it is not just a question of "I will invest more and I will win". You cannot guarantee anything.'

One consequence of the City takeover Benitez can see taking immediate effect is a hike in transfer fees involving English clubs.

A similar thing happened when Roman Abramovich took over at Chelsea as the billionaire flooded the market with cash - and early talk of a City bid in excess of £120million for Cristiano Ronaldo is unlikely to prevent history repeating itself this time.

'Prices could rise,' said Benitez, who is believed to have paid around £8million for Riera.

'That could be a problem. You cannot change these things but you try and get the players you want as cheap as possible, even when prices go higher.'

Reflecting on his own newest recruit, Benitez - who denied knowledge of a deadline day offer of £50million for Torres - predicted a bright Liverpool future.

'We were talking about wingers and he is winger with Premier League experience,' he said. 'That is a good thing because maybe he can settle down quickly.

'He was here (in England) three years ago but since then he has been capped by the national team and has the experience of playing in a UEFA Cup final.'

He added: 'He's the kind of player all managers like and the supporters will be very happy. He is good in the air, has a good delivery and a good left foot, he is also strong and he can be really good for us.'

Riera, who was also a reported target for Liverpool's Merseyside rivals Everton, insisted Anfield was the only place for him.

'I am very happy to be here, it was my first choice,' he confirmed. 'I only wanted to come here for a lot of reasons - the history of the club, the Champions League, the team-mates, the supporters.

'A lot of things make this the perfect club for me now.'

Riera: Don't Judge Me On City Spell

Albert Riera today vowed to prove his worth at Anfield and insisted fans shouldn't judge him on his last spell in English football with Manchester City.

On the day Rafael Benitez unveiled his deadline day signing to the media at Melwood, Riera insisted his game has developed during the three years he has since spent in Spain - and now he can't wait to make an impact on Merseyside.

"That was a different moment," reflected Riera. "I went to Manchester City in January and we were playing for a place in the middle of the table.

"I was 22 but now I have three years more experience and this is very important in football. Since then I have played in a UEFA Cup final and I have played for the national team.

"I am now more prepared to play for a big club like Liverpool and I also know the Premier League.

"I think I am better now. I have made good progress and I want to continue this progress here.

Liverpool beat off competition from rival clubs - including Everton - to land the 26-year old, but Riera insists Anfield was the only destination he was interested in moving to.

"I am happy to be here," he added. "This is the first day with my team-mates. I wanted to come here because of the history, the Champions League, Anfield, the supporters and my team-mates. This is the perfect club for me.

"Espanyol had other offers, not just from Everton, but I told them I wanted to go to Liverpool.

"The most important thing for any player is to go out there to try and win every game. We want to try and fight to win everything, the Champions League, the Premier League and the two cups. These are the things I want."

Competition for the top prizes could have increased following the takeover at Riera's former club on deadline day, but Riera insists everyone at Anfield should just concentrate on their own performances rather than cast an eye down the M62.

"I know what has happened at City but the most important thing for me now is Liverpool," he said.

"They are one team we need to be careful of but we need to look at ourselves. If we do good things we do not need to think about other teams."