Clubs Queue Up For Heskey

Speculation surrounding Emile Heskey’s future refuses to go away with Aston Villa and Liverpool the latest clubs to be linked with the Wigan striker.

Heskey had been linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur during the summer transfer window however a move failed to materialise and the striker remains at the JJB Stadium.

The striker has made a successful return to the international scene, coming on as a substitute against Andorra and playing a full part in England’s demolition of Croatia in midweek, which appears to have raised speculation about his future once again.

Wigan have already expressed their desire to keep hold of Heskey but they may have a battle on their hands to keep the England striker should the offers start to arrive for the seemingly in-demand front man.

According to the News of the World, both Aston Villa and Liverpool are interested in signing the striker with a fee of £3 million being considered.

Martin O’Neill has managed the striker before when they were both at Leicester and even sold the striker to Liverpool for £11 million in March 2000.

The striker spent four years at Liverpool winning two league cups, an FA Cup and the UEFA Cup with the Reds before being sold to Birmingham City in 2004.

Rafael Benitez is reportedly keen to bring Heskey back to Anfield as he seeks to bolster his attacking options, despite having already spent £20 million on Robbie Keane this summer.

Heskey, meanwhile, may be tempted to move as having regained his place in Fabio Capello’s England side, he is reportedly determined to keep it.

Liverpool Captain Gerrard Hails Alonso For Man-Of-The Match Performance Against Man United

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has words of praise for midfielder Xabi Alonso for his inspired performance in the 2-1 victory over defending champions Manchester United at Anfield on Saturday.

Alonso’s future was surrounded by speculation all summer where the Spain international was linked with a move out of Anfield even as the 26-year-old central midfielder was away doing national duty at the successful Euro 2008 finals.

He had however, maintained that he was happy with the Merseyside club all along but the speculation persisted until the transfer window deadline.

Gerrard, who started on the bench after recovering from a groin operation and made a late appearance, said: “I would also like to say a word for Xabi, this has been a very difficult time for him right up to the transfer window shutting.

“He didn’t know whether he was coming or going, but he got man of the match against United and that says a lot about him.”

Steven Gerrard: United Victory Can Be Liverpool's Platform For Season

Liverpool believe they have exorcised their Manchester United demons and proved that they can be genuine title candidates.

One win does not turn under-achievers into world-beaters overnight. But when that win is a 2-1 success over the champions of Europe and England, Liverpool can be forgiven for feeling on top of the world as they head into their Champions League group opener in Marseille on Tuesday.

Such has been their catalogue of horrors against United in recent years, it is no surprise that the likes of Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard believe yesterday’s effective, deserved Anfield victory can set the club up for the season.

The local heroes in Liverpool’s multi-national squad understand more than most the pain at Anfield from Manchester United’s march to within just one the club’s record number of title triumphs.

Carragher has voiced cutting views into all aspects of the club’s problems in his newly-published autobiography.

He has criticised the owners for being ruthless and boss Rafael Benitez for risking all in taking on the Americans, while also questioning the foreign invasion and the impact on the club’s academy.

It would be incendiary stuff from anyone, but Carragher is probably the only player who could seemingly get away with criticism of his bosses in public with impunity.

But dare anyone doubt his loyalty and passion.

On Liverpool’s current unbeaten run this term, he said: “The win over United puts us near the top of the league and it proves to the supporters that we can challenge for the title.

“I hope that is the message that people feel we are sending out. You can feel the belief and the confidence amongst the players that we can do it.

“It is a long season, but this will give us confidence that we can keep it going.

“United have world-class players and beforehand they were favourites. But we have risen to the challenge and credit should go to all the players.

“We showed character. United were great at the back last season, so for us to recover from going a goal behind and win like that is very pleasing.”

United were ahead early on through Carlos Tevez, and had Liverpool on the rack for the first half-hour.

But a calamitous own goal from Wes Brown put them back into the game and the second period was only going to produce one deserved winner.

United were poor after the break. Pinned back, they defended, claims boss Sir Alex Ferguson, “like a Conference side”.

Eventually substitute Ryan Babel grabbed a winner 23 minutes from time and there was only the red card for Nemanja Vidic for United to reflect on after that.

Steven Gerrard got into the action late on and said: “It was a great win but the most pleasing thing was the performance.

“They got an early goal and that was a blow, but the reaction from our side, the character shown and workrate, produced a lot of positives. We got even stronger.

“When you get a win against the best side in the league you know it will put you in good stead for the future. We realise it is only early days and of course it does not mean we will go on and win the league.

“Now the belief will be there when we go away to the other top sides like United and Chelsea because they know we are capable of beating them.

“We are only a few games in, but we believe we can be in the hunt come March and April. It means so much to the supporters, we want it really bad and the fans can see that.

“I would also like to say a word for Xabi (Alonso), this has been a very difficult time for him right up to the transfer window shutting.

“He didn’t know whether he was coming or going, but he got man of the match against United and that says a lot about him.”

Ferguson was scathing of United’s disappointing display, having won the previous five league games against Liverpool.

And captain Rio Ferdinand also did not mince words.

He said: “We never really got started. For the opening spell, we looked decent and passed the ball about well.

“But after that we did not get close to them and they managed to get two goals. They were fortunate on both occasions but I am sure they will be happy enough with that.

“All over the park they were first to the ball and you do not deserve to win if teams are doing that to you.”

Ferguson will not forget this one in a hurry.

He said: “Our defending was poor, we had a bad day, but their equaliser was a scabby goal. However, overall they were far the better team.

“We started well, we scored a wonderful goal and (Dimitar) Berbatov could have had one even earlier.

“But that is the time when you should establish yourself. But Liverpool made us make mistakes with their effort and tackling, and we did not cope with that at all well.”

Thousands Of LFC Fans In Tom Hicks Protest

THOUSANDS of Reds fans took part in a protest march against the club’s owners ahead of yesterday's big match at Anfield.

The march was organised by the Spirit of Shankly group with several thousand fans turning out to take part ahead of the clash with Manchester United.

The crowd marched from the Liverpool Supporters’ Club, Lower Breck Road, up to Anfield, in a show of strength against owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

Hicks, who has outraged fans consistently ever since he tried to line up a replacement for boss Rafa Benitez, was in the crowd for the game - the first time he has been at a match at Anfield this season.

And a Spirit of Shankly statement added: "What we need on Saturday is two resounding victories. Firstly, a march on a massive scale that tells the world that Liverpool has had enough of Gillett and Hicks.

"A march of passion, a march of anger, a march of Red solidarity that roars its message loud and proud: 'enough is enough, go now.'

"This is the biggest club game in football and the world will be watching. Our second victory on Saturday comes when we take all that passion and pride inside the ground."

Liverpool won the game against United 2-1, with substitute Ryan Babel scoring the winner in the second half.

Benitez Lifted For Euro Campaign

Liverpool gave themselves the perfect confidence boost ahead of the Champions League campaign by beating the title-holders.

The Anfield men start their group matches on Tuesday away to Marseille on a ground that has seen them suffer UEFA Cup heartache and - last season - Champions League survival.

Boss Rafael Benitez may well have skipper Steven Gerrard and top striker Fernando Torres ready to play from the start against the French side.

Both players were on the bench for the excellent 2-1 home Premier League victory over champions Manchester United, and only Gerrard - who has recovered well from a groin operation - got into the action for the final 22 minutes.

Now Benitez said: "We could not have asked for a better boost to our confidence than a victory over the best team in England, and the European champions.

"Now we will go to Marseille in a good frame of mind. That was our best performance of the season and we now feel we can go into a Champions League game in good heart and spirit."

And Benitez was delighted with the general form ahead of a tough away tie in Europe.

He said: "We are still unbeaten, but we had not been at our best. The victory against Manchester United has changed all that.

"We have made a statement about our form in domestic competition, and the victory will not go unnoticed in Europe.

"We did it without Torres and Gerrard, and we will have to wait and see how they are for Europe.

"We have a few training sessions now before the game in France, and both of them have been improving all the time."

Torres has been out with a hamstring injury, while Gerrard has made rapid improvement following a groin operation.

The trip to Marseille will rekindle memories of Liverpool's roller-coaster ride to the Champions League semi-finals last season.

Marseille became the first French side to win a European tie at Anfield with a shock 1-0 success 11 months ago.

That set in motion a shattering few weeks when Liverpool's form collapsed in Europe and they were under severe threat of not surviving the group stages.

Three weeks after the Marseille defeat, Liverpool lost 2-1 in Istanbul against Besiktas in another disastrous group A match.

From then on they needed to divert all their energies to reaching the knock-out stages. Failure would have cost millions and threatened Benitez's job.

They started the comeback with a stunning 8-0 win over Besiktas in the Anfield return, then thumped Porto 4-1 later in November.

Then came the winner-takes-all trip to the south of France to confront Marseille in their own backyard. Victory would have sent either side through at the other's expense.

But Liverpool stormed to a brilliant 4-0 victory at the beginning of December, with fine goals from Gerrard, Torres, Dirk Kuyt and Ryan Babel.

That win secured a trip to Inter Milan in the last 16, and memorable victories in both legs. Arsenal in the quarter-finals were the next side to suffer at Liverpool's hands to set-up that tense semi-final with Chelsea.

Liverpool lost that, only really because of a John Arne Riise own-goal in the first leg.

Now Liverpool want a good start to this season's group campaign. Benitez added: "It was not a good start last season, it will be a lot better this time."

Liverpool Striker Dirk Kuyt Fighting To Regain Holland Place

Dirk Kuyt accepts he's had to fight for recognition in football. And he knows another sterling Champions League campaign will not only enhance his status at Liverpool, it will help him reclaim his place in the Holland team.

In the countdown to Tuesday's trip to Marseille Kuyt said: "Training and playing with players like Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres has made me much stronger.

"Before the European Championship people wrote me off completely for the national team. But who was back in the starting line-up for the first two big matches against Italy and France?

"Of course that felt like a big victory for me. I fought my way back in the team and I will do so now.

With my willpower and spirit I always come back at the top of the mountain.

"It has been like that in my whole career. I have enough belief in my own qualities."

Kuyt now hopes he can clinch a new contract at Anfield. His current deal expires in 2010 and he wants to stay in England for the rest of his career.

"I hope we can reach an agreement soon," said Kuyt. "I'm really happy here and I want to stay for a long, long time."

Kuyt actually feels that Liverpool rate him more highly than the Dutch national team. In his home country he has lost his place to Klaas Jan Huntelaar of Ajax. He's frustrated that he is degraded to the substitutes' bench on international duty.

Match Report: LiverpooL 2 - 1 Manchester United

Rafael Benitez has finally got something to smile about after watching Liverpool beat Manchester United for the first time in his Anfield career thanks to an own goal from Wes Brown and Ryan Babel's winner.

The Liverpool boss had never beaten United in eight previous league games, with the champions having won the last five meetings between these two giants.

But United wilted under a relentless second-half pressure, had Nemanja Vidic sent-off and saw substitute Babel secure victory.

Carlos Tevez put United ahead early on. But after a torrid opening period, Liverpool were level with a Wes Brown own goal before Liverpool dominated the second half and grabbed a priceless win with 13 minutes left.

Liverpool gave new signing Albert Riera his debut but Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres were not risked any closer to the initial action than the bench.

For the champions, Michael Carrick returned after an ankle problem, but all eyes were on £30million striker Dimitar Berbatov on his first appearance for his new club.

Liverpool fans staged a march to the ground from a local pub to protest at the club's American owners.

But that did not stop co-owner George Gillett taking his place in the directors' box, although not in the front row close to the fans.

There was also a row of smartly-suited Americans, all singing along to "You'll never walk alone" - the anthem moved to seconds before kick-off rather than when the teams march out, presumably to unsettle United.

It did not work. The champions were ahead after just three minutes.

Berbatov was allowed to get to the line by some sloppy marking and covering, and Liverpool's defence was nowhere to be seen when his pulled back cross was lashed home by Tevez.

United were quicker and more mobile all over the pitch while Liverpool continually conceded possession.

But the Merseysiders should have scored after 13 minutes when Edwin van der Sar fumbled a corner and Kuyt's blast from three yards hit Paul Scholes on the line.

Liverpool at last started to get into the match as Tevez was booked for a foul on Alvaro Arbeloa and a succession of free-kicks pinned United back.

And they were level after 26 minutes. Xabi Alonso's curling, low shot into the area deflected off Patrice Evra and Van der Sar hurled himself forward.

But he only managed to push the ball on to Brown, who could do nothing about it cannoning off him and over the line. Riera followed the ball in, but it was the United man's last touch.

United sent on Ryan Giggs for Carrick at the break, the midfielder having taken a heavy blow on his ankle in the first half.

Liverpool started the second period in much sharper form, Benayoun almost saw a flicked effort evade Van der Sar and Alonso fired over from 20 yards.

Keane narrowly missed breaking his scoring duck when he failed by inches to connect with a Javier Mascherano cross-shot. United's reply came from Paul Scholes who drove wide.

United sent on Hargreaves for Scholes after 66 minutes, having been forced back for much of the second spell.

Two minutes later Liverpool introduced Gerrard in place of Benayoun as United started to come back into the game.

As if to underline the point, Jose Reina was forced into a fine save from a dipping Giggs volley.

Riera was taken off after 71 minutes and replaced by Babel having made a good impression after a shaky start.

And on 77 minutes, Liverpool's pressure paid off. Mascherano battled his way down the right and to the line, Kuyt took up possession and played the ball across for Babel to crack home.

Nani came on for Anderson, and Rio Ferdinand was booked for bringing down Keane as the Irishman looked to be bursting through on goal. Nani was next into the book for bringing down Mascherano.

Liverpool were going to replace Keane with David Ngog, but changed their minds at the last moment when it was clear Mascherano had injured his ankle. The Argentinian limped off and Sami Hyypia came on instead.

United had Nemanja Vidic pushed up front by now, and Liverpool needed three central defenders.

Vidic was then sent off for crashing his arm into Alonso's face after 89 minutes, a second yellow card swiftly followed by a red. He will now miss the visit to Chelsea on September 21.

Youngsters Edge Out Newcastle

Finnish striker Lauri Dalla Valle netted the winner as Liverpool's under-18s took the points in a thrilling clash with Newcastle United at the Academy.

The game appeared to be heading for deadlock with both sides level at 2-2 before Dalla Valle popped up with a smart finish to secure the points for Hughie McAuley's side.

The Reds had opened the scoring through a Newcastle own goal while Adam Pepper added a second for the home side. The Geordies kept hitting back to seemingly deny Liverpool victory until Dalla Valle netted to ensure a well deserved victory.

"We played some great football and fully deserved the win against a good Newcastle side," said McAuley.

Liverpool Unsure About Gerrard, Torres For Marseille Trip

Liverpool are sweating on the fitness of key players Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres ahead of Tuesday's Champions League encounter away to Marseille.

Gerrard managed 22 minutes of Saturday's confidence boosting 2-1 win over Manchester United on his return from a groin operation.

But Spanish international Torres remained on the bench after suffering a hamstring injury against Aston Villa on Aug. 31.

Javier Mascherano is also a doubt after pulling up with a calf problem in Saturday's game.

Liverpool are second in the Premier League and head to France on a high after manager Rafael Benitez saw his team record their first victory over United in his five-year reign at Anfield.

"Now we will go to Marseille in a good frame of mind," Benitez told reporters after Saturday's win.

"That was our best performance of the season and we now feel we can go into a Champions League in good heart and spirit."

Former European champions Marseille met Liverpool in the group stage last season, winning 1-0 at Anfield before being thrashed 4-0 at home.

Rafa Knows His Reds Can Improve

Liverpool made the sort of statement of intent that Rafa Benitez had been praying for on Saturday - but he insists his team can still improve.

Five successive defeats by Manchester United in the league and a succession of hard-luck stories against the Old Trafford men had meant that Benitez has never experienced league victory over Sir Alex Ferguson.

That all changed thanks to a vibrant comeback at a raucous Anfield which saw Liverpool over-power the best team in the country.

Behind early on through a Carlos Tevez strike, Liverpool struggled to initially contain Manchester United's pace and movement.

But when the outstanding Javier Mascherano and Xabi Alonso got a grip in midfield, Liverpool were on the way to a significant victory in the early weeks of the Barclays Premier League title chase.

An own goal from Wes Brown gave Liverpool their lifeline back into the match, and the longer the second period went on, there seemed only one winner.

The deciding goal came from substitute Ryan Babel with 13 minutes left, and there was time for Nemanja Vidic to be sent off for a second yellow card - he could easily have had a straight red - for a forearm crunch into Alonso's head in an aerial challenge.

Benitez experienced his first league win over United in nine attempts, and said: "This was my first win against Manchester United in the league, and that was important for the team and for the fans in terms of belief and confidence for the future.

"And we also showed character after conceding an early goal. It was really important to score the goals we did, and to improve so much in the second half.

"I do not want to talk about just one player, the team was very good, lots of players working very hard. Especially Robbie Keane and Dirk Kuyt, the strikers, who put in amazing work rate and performances.

"We are in a good position in terms of confidence rather than results, because it is too early to start talking about titles.

"What we have done is put ourselves in a good position in terms of confidence and where we are in the table.

"But if we want to stay where we are, we must continue to improve. We needed to improve our form, we had been winning but not playing too well, so we needed to play better for the future."

He added: "We have also shown improvement against one of the top sides. That has been our problem against other teams in the top four.

"But we have beaten the champions of England, and Europe, and that has given us already improvement on last season.

"We were losing against a good team, but we showed character and there were lots of positives."

Ferguson, who handed a debut to new signing Dimitar Berbatov, made no excuses for the defeat against arguably United's fiercest rivals.

He said: "Our defending was poor, we had a bad day. Overall they were far the better team.

"We started well, we scored a wonderful goal and Berbatov could have had one even earlier.

"But that is the time when you should establish yourself. But Liverpool made us make mistakes with their effort and tackling, and we did not cope with that at all well.

"It's hard to say why we were not able to respond to that, but we certainly could not cope with their strong tackling.

"They harassed us into mistakes, and they must take credit for how hard they pressed us when we had possession.

"We should be able to handle that better. There was nothing to take out of that performance in any way."

But Benitez ended the day knowing that Liverpool had proved a point at last.

Performances against the rest of the top four have been poor in his time at Anfield, but a win against the European champions has put that set of embarrassing statistics right at a stroke.

And they did it without Fernando Torres, and with Steven Gerrard only on as substitute for 22 minutes.

Benitez said: "We did not have key players, Gerrard for most of the game, and Torres. But we showed we had a good squad and players who could come in and show real quality.

"We will have to use all our players throughout this season, and we showed that there are people who can come in and produce performances like that.

"I was disappointed with the early goal we conceded, you do not want to give a team like United possession and control of the game.

"We had to change many things, but we were much better in the second half and we deserved to win. We were not more aggressive than them, but we played better in the second half."

Rafa Benitez: Don't Get Carried Away By Liverpool Win Over Manchester United

Rafa Benitez refused to get carried away with his first League win over Manchester United.

Ryan Babel stepped off the bench to fire the winner with 13 minutes remaining after Liverpool had come from behind having conceded after just three minutes.

But after Wes Brown put through his own goal in the 27th minute there was only one team that looked likely to take all three points.

While captain Jamie Carragher claimed it was a monumental win, Benitez was quick to apply the brakes on any tendency to get carried away.

He said: "It's nice to know we are momentarily top but to stay there we need to keep improving. It was an important win for the team and for the fans to give us confidence for the future.

"Obviously I was disappointed to concede early on because we wanted to dictate the tempo from the start. But we showed immense character to come back and overall we played better than them. But this is just the start.

Hopefully it will be the same when we play Chelsea and Arsenal."

In stark contrast, Sir Alex Ferguson blasted his team for their shocking defending and accused them of looking like a bunch of part-timers.

"We gave away two bad goals and you don't expect that from Manchester United," he said. "Liverpool were by far the better team. When you have bad days it is important to take something out of it but there was nothing positive to take out of that performance. Both goals were absolutely shocking."

Ferguson appeared none too pleased with the officiating of Howard Webb either, adding: "We are not a dirty side but we have had three bookings and a sending-off. But that is the disadvantage when you play away from home.

"Nemanja Vidic certainly led with the elbow but defenders do it all the time. Jamie Carragher leads with his elbow all the time but he never gets a free-kick given against him."

Ferguson immediately set his stall out opting to field three strikers and giving a debut to Dimitar Berbatov. And the Bulgarian marksman could have won a penalty inside two minutes when Martin Skrtel handled his shot on the turn from Brown's cross.

But barely 60 seconds later Berbatov's impressive cutback from the byline set up Carlos Tevez to fire home.

Liverpool recovered well from the early setback, and United keeper Edwin Van der Sar almost gifted them an equaliser. He flapped at a corner and when Dirk Kuyt volleyed the loose ball towards goal, Paul Scholes cleared off the line.

It was a stroke of luck that brought Liverpool level. Xabi Alonso's shot took a wicked deflection off Patrice Evra and when Van der Sar attempted to punch the ball clear it hit Brown's leg and went in.

Robbie Keane was doing his level best to try to capitalise on Liverpool's increasing possession. But he was getting short shrift out of a United defence marshaled by Rio Ferdinand.

Ferguson made a change at the break, bringing on Ryan Giggs for Michael Carrick. But it was Liverpool who nearly stole in front. Keane crossed from the right and when it looked to be reaching the unmarked Kuyt at the far post, Evra stuck out a leg and cleared.

Both sides looked to the bench as they attempted to win the game. Owen Hargreaves and Steven Gerrard came on in quick succession.

And a mistake by Gerrard, losing possession 25 yards out, could have proved costly. Giggs let fly with a sublime volley that Pepe Reina acrobatically tipped over his bar.

Yet it was Liverpool who looked more likely to score as they chased every ball.

And they were eventually rewarded when Javier Mascherano stole the ball from Giggs as he tried to shepherd it out of play. The Argentine passed to Kuyt and he found an unmarked Babel, whose shot bounced into the United goal to send the home crowd into raptures.

Nemanja Vidic's dismissal for a second bookable offence on 90 minutes compounded United's misery.

Rafa Still Waiting For New Deal

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has reportedly yet to receive the new deal that was promised to him by the club’s American owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks, reports the Sunday Mirror.

The Spaniard has enjoyed a turbulent relationship with the owners since their arrival at Anfield, yet recent reports had suggested that some kind of peace had broken out between the three on Merseyside.

The Americans appear to have angered Benitez in the past by approaching Jurgen Klinsman about replacing him as manager and there also appear to have been difficulties with the club’s proposed new stadium and the issue of making finances available for new signings.

However, according to the Sunday Mirror the owners and the manager may be set for more difficulties after the paper revealed that Benitez has yet to receive a new deal that he had been promised by the owners.

Gillett and Hicks are reportedly at odds over offering the Liverpool manager a new deal which is causing the delay. Benitez’s current contract has just under two years left to run.

The manager himself refuses to be drawn on the speculation surrounding his future, saying only: “I cannot talk to much about me or this situation. My priority is to talk about the team.”

Benitez enjoyed a memorable day at Anfield yesterday as he secured his first victory over Manchester United in nine attempts. Despite going a goal behind in the third minute, the Reds ran out 2-1 winners with Ryan Babel securing the win with just over ten minutes to go.

Exclusive: DIC Consortium Preparing New Bids For Liverpool And West Ham

Liverpool and West Ham are braced for takeover bids this month from DIC after the Dubai consortium appointed hot-shot British businessman Robin Binks to clinch a deal.

Dubai Investment Capital, the private equity fund of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum are determined to own a Premier League club - particularly after the £200million takeover of Manchester City by Abu Dhabi United Group.

Dic, advised by London investment firm PCP, have set-up 'PCP-DIC Seven Ltd' to complete a buy-out.

Binks' first target is Liverpool but they have also since sounded out the Hammers.

Carragher: We Mean Business Now

Liverpool stalwart Jamie Carragher says that the fact that they finally managed to get the better of Manchester United on Saturday should send out a warning to the rest of the league.

An own goal by Wes Brown combined with a opportunistic strike Ryan Babel snapped a terrible run for Liverpool against their arch rivals, and Carragher is now genuinely convinced that their 18 years title drought will finally come to an end by the time all is said and done this campaign.

"It's a great result for us," trumpeted Carragher on the club’s official website. "Not just for the three points, but for the belief and confidence it will give us. We've just beaten the best side in Europe and a team we have a lot of respect for. It should do wonders for our confidence.

"For too long we've been off the pace in the league and it's been all about Man United and Chelsea. Now we've gone to the top of the league and put a bit of breathing space between ourselves and United," added the ultra-reliable defender, who was a stand-in captain for Steven Gerrard who started on the bench.

"We'll see at the end of the season what this result has done for us but hopefully it will spur us on."

Rafa On The Road To Glory

THE Road to Hell’ which had flared out from the Anfield tannoy before the game was transformed into the road to redemption for Rafa Benitez and his Liverpool side.

Seven league defeats in eight games against Manchester United since Benitez took over the reins – the other one was a draw – meant the Spaniard could have been excused for looking forward to this game as eagerly as uncorking a bad bottle of Rioja.

Last night though it was United boss Sir Alex Ferguson whose glass of red would have had that bitter taste. He will also be without influential defender Nemanja Vidic for next week’s visit to Chelsea after his late sending off.

But by then his side were suffering a power cut of major proportions while for Liverpool, performing in front of much-criticised American co-owner George Gillett, it was all Yankee doodle dandy.

The last time he had faced United Javier Mascherano had to be manhandled off the pitch after being sent off, snarling away at the officials.

Yesterday he snapped and snarled – but it was all legal. United’s stars, including £30million Dimitar Berbatov, must have thought a rottweiler had been released.

Benitez’s side though were more than just dogs of war. They clawed their way back following Carlos Tevez’s early goal and eventually displayed a greater appetite for battle to impose their positive identity on the game.

Maybe, just maybe, Senor Benitez has grasped the heartbeat of The Kop who desire the Premier League title above everything else and that includes another Champions League triumph.

Benitez said: “Our position around the top of the league is good but we must still improve. But after this result we know we can beat anyone. To come back from a goal down was important. It showed real character.

“We knew at 1-1 that if we made a mistake United would kill us. They didn’t. This win has to give us tremendous satisfaction.”

Jamie Carragher, who has become sickened with United’s continued Premier League prowess, added: “That has put us top – at least for a few hours – and that’s where a team like Liverpool should be. It gives us a belief and confidence beating the best team in Europe. This was our best performance of the season.”

Earlier it hadn’t taken Berbatov too long to announce himself as a United presence – a delightful invitation for Tevez to puncture any Kop expectation inside three minutes.

Anderson played a ball to Berbatov inside the box and the Bulgarian held Carragher at bay before exposing Liverpool’s marking with an instinctive low cross for Tevez to confidently slam past Pepe Reina.

But just as United appeared to be on cruise control, breaking forward with confidence, Liverpool struck.

A long-range effort from Xabi Alonso ballooned off Patrice Evra inviting Liverpool new boy Albert Riera to chase it. Edwin van der Sar won the race but palmed the ball against Wes Brown and into his own goal.

Liverpool waited for the response. It didn’t materialise and when Steven Gerrard was sent on with 22 minutes to go it was Benitez’s side who looked the more likely winners.

And so it proved. Mascherano wriggled his way to the by-line and the equally hardworking Dirk Kuyt took over finding fellow Dutchman Ryan Babel who did the rest.

The joy around the red half of Merseyside which was compounded when Vidic received a second yellow card after clattering into Alonso. After a friendly exchange with Benitez at the final whistle Ferguson couldn’t help himself laying into the fourth official. That would have been nothing to what his side got later.

Premier League Preview: Liverpool vs. Manchester United

Mark Hughes may like to think that his Manchester City side’s clash with Chelsea later on Saturday takes star billing in this weekend’s Premier League fixture list, but some 45,000 fans inside Anfield - plus, no doubt, a global TV audience of millions - will beg to differ when Liverpool and Manchester United lock horns again in a lunch-time showdown that will inevitably offer clues about this season‘s title race.

The ‘Clash of the Cash’ at Eastlands in the early evening will be a fascinating encounter for all sports of reasons, but few would accept that a meeting between the North-West’s two red-clad armies is no longer the main event. And while City and Chelsea may boss the richest sugar-daddies in the League, neither Liverpool nor United can be accused of penny-pinching, having this summer alone sunk more than £50 million between them into parting Tottenham from their strike-force.

United‘s deadline-day swoop for Dimitar Berbatov followed Liverpool‘s earlier capture of the Bulgarian‘s erstwhile scoring partner at White Hart Lane, Robbie Keane. Typically, United boss Sir Alex Ferguson sought to lob a psychological doubt into the Liverpool camp by questioning the high price Rafa Benitez was prepared to pay for Keane, a player whose value he has previously implied is somewhat inflated. Fergie’s mischief-making with the press is unlikely to cut much ice at Anfield, where the only sensible response is to ram his words down his throat on the pitch, though that has proved to be easier said than done in recent seasons.

That’s underlined by the fact that United are chasing a sixth successive Premier League victory over their Merseyside rivals, and their third in a row at Anfield. Indeed, Liverpool have suffered more Premier League defeats (18), dropped more points (68) and conceded more goals (48) to Manchester United than to any other club.

Those statistics make painful reading for anyone associated with Liverpool, and one can only imagine what the ghosts of Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley have made of the last 18 seasons. Eighteen, of course, is a highly evocative number in the context of battles between these two giants, separated by 33 miles of East Lancs Road or, if you prefer, M62 motorway.

For while Liverpool can still proudly boast more top-flight English titles - 18 - than any other club, they haven’t added to their haul since 1990. And with consecutive triumphs in the last two seasons, United have closed to within one title of their bitter rivals. When you consider that, at the time Kenny Dalglish’s Reds lifted the club’s 18th title in 1990, United’s tally was a modest seven, the seismic nature of the power-shift in Lancashire can be graphically understood. If United successfully defend their title again this season, they will not only claim an unprecedented second hat-trick of championships, but also equal Liverpool’s record total of titles. That is a prospect almost too awful to contemplate for many Reds fans. Never has Liverpool’s quest for that elusive next title been more urgent.

The good news for Liverpool is that they can go three points clear at the top of the table - for two hours at least - if they can achieve their tenth successive home league victory. To do so at United’s expense would be sweet indeed. United are down in ninth at the moment, partly because they’ve played a game fewer than all except Fulham, their clash wityh the Cottagers having been postponed while they went to Monaco for their ill-fated Super Cup defeat by Zenit St Petersburg.

But United were the only opponents who left Anfield with all three points last season - and Ferguson boasts an unbeaten record against Benitez of seven wins and one draw. Rafa’s one success was in an FA Cup fifth round tie in February 2006.

The context for this match is that both sides have been without most of their squads for ten days because of the international break - and that both will be seeking the boost to morale of a win to carry them into their first Champions League group matches next week.

Inevitably in the build-up to such a big game there have been plenty of comments, and some verbal sniping, from both camps. As noted, Fergie has queried the wisdom of Liverpool’s purchase of Robbie Keane, the Irishman shrugging off the slight by insisting football is a game of opinions - and adding that in his, John O’Shea should start every game for United. Meanwhile, Liverpool defender Alvaro Arbeloa, reflecting on the bitter disappointment of last season’s home defeat by United, claimed that the game is worth much more than three points.

“If we beat Manchester United at home, we will have 10 points and much more confidence, but everyone will also be very, very happy.”

His team-mate Fabio Aurelio (famous among other things for the fact that his surname uses every available vowel), chipped in with: “We need to try and change the history. In recent years, it has been difficult against them, but we have a great opportunity to change that on Saturday.”

Argentine midfielder Javier Mascherano, who recklessly got himself sent off during last season’s showdown between the teams at Old Trafford, reckons: "It’s a match we need to win if we want to compete for the title. We can do that and push for honours. The fans deserve it."

The trick, of course, is walking the walk as well as talking the talk, as Reds defender Jamie Carragher knows only too well. He admits United have been better than Liverpool in recent derbies, and told BBC Radio Merseyside: "I'm not a great believer in being lucky or unlucky. I'm a big believer in 'you get what you deserve'.

"United over the last few years have probably edged it with us and small details in football make a difference. That's why they've been better than us and that's something we need to liven up.”

Meanwhile, from Old Trafford, there have been some bullish noises too, including former United defender Gary Pallister saying Liverpool will again fail to contest the title this season. He insists the Reds cannot sustain a challenge over the course of the whole season. He even suggests that things could quickly go pear-shaped for Benitez if he a loser again at Anfield.

"I can't see them challenging this year. I thought they might put together a sustained challenge last year and they didn't manage to do so. I don't feel as though they can this year either," he told the Daily Star. “Under Benitez they've been playing for fourth spot. That's not good enough for Liverpool fans. They expect to be up there fighting for league championships - and that hasn't happened. It would have a big effect on their season if they lose. If they lose badly it would be even more damaging. To lose at home to one of your main rivals is a huge blow."

The current United players have been fairly muted about Liverpool. Berbatov has been insisting he’s not lazy; Ryan Giggs has been predicting the Bulgarian will be an instant success for United; and Wayne Rooney has been talking more about resurgent England than the Premiership this week, having ended his 11-month goal drought for the Three Lions with an impressive performance.

But the other significant off-stage noise surrounding this gamer could well come from Liverpool fans planning to protest against the clubs two American owners, George Gillett and Tom Hicks. Will that strike a chord among United fans who wanted nothing to do with the Glazer-buy-out of their club? It should do, but parochial enmity could well mean United fans mocking rather than sympathising with their Scouse rivals.



FORM GUIDE

Liverpool have lost one of their last 16 games in all competitions - a 2-3 reverse at Stamford Bridge at the hands of Chelsea in the Champions League semi-final second leg. They are unbeaten in 10 Premier League matches, of which they’ve won seven and drawn three. Ironically, their last League defeat was a 3-0 loss to Manchester United at Old Trafford in March. And their last home defeat was also by United nine months ago. That 1-0 defeat, inflicted by a Carlos Tevez goal, was Liverpool’s only loss at Anfield in their last 24. But they’ve not beaten a fellow 'Big Four' club in six attempts. This season, the Reds have beaten Sunderland away, Middlesbrough at home and drawn with Aston Villa away in the League, while squeezing through in extra-time against Standard Liege in a Champions League qualifier to secure entry to the lucrative group stage.

United’s last outing was that 2-1 defeat by Zenit St Petersburg in the European Super Cup on 29th August. They’ve played only two Premier League fixtures to date, a 1-1 home draw against Newcastle United and a 1-09 win at Fratton Park against Portsmouth. They’ve won 10, drawn three and lost one of their last 14 Premier League games, collecting 10 points from the last 12 on offer since Chelsea beat the 2-1 away on 26th April. That was United’s first reverse in their last eight games against fellow 'Big Four' clubs.

Last Five Matches

Liverpool

31 Aug: Aston Villa 0-0 Liverpool (EPL)

27 Aug: Liverpool 1-0 Standard Liege (CLQ)

23 Aug: Liverpool 2-1 Middlesbrough (EPL)

16 Aug: Sunderland 0-1 Liverpool (EPL)

13 Aug: Standard Liege 0-0 Liverpool (CLQ)

Manchester United

29 Aug: Man Utd 1-2 Zenit St Petersburg (N) (Super Cup)

25 Aug: Portsmouth 0-1 Man Utd (EPL)

17 Aug: Man Utd 1-1 Newcastle Utd (EPL)

10 Aug: Man Utd 0-0 Portsmouth (N) (Community Shield) (Utd won 3-1 on pens)

04 Aug: Peterborough Utd 0-2 Man Utd (Friendly)




TEAM NEWS

Liverpool

Benitez was given a major boost today when two of his key players, Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres, were both declared fit to face United.

Gerrard missed England's 4-1 win in Croatia on Wednesday after undergoing a minor groin operation, and Torres has recovered from a hamstring tear, so both stars are included in Rafa’s squad after successfully completing Friday’s light training session.

"They are both much better," said Benitez. "They came through a full training session this morning. It's important for us to have these two players of quality who can change a game. I'm not surprised they are available because the medical staff have done a good job and the players have been working really hard with the physios to get fit."

Albert Riera is in line to make his Liverpool debut after joining the club from Espanyol on transfer deadline day. But Brazilian midfielder Lucas Leiva will miss the game after a long-haul flight back to Merseyside from international duty in South America. And both Sami Hyypia and Philipp Degen could miss out with hamstring and groin injuries, respectively.

Possible Starting XI: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Skrtel, Dossenaa, Kuyt, Mascherano, Gerrard, Riera, Keane, Torres.



Manchester United

The club’s expensive transfer deadline-day recruit, Dimitar Berbatov, will almost certainly make his debut for the club, despite his fitness levels having been questioned by United’s coaching staff following his arrival from Tottenham.

Ferguson had doubts about the fitness of three potentially key men, but has been boosted by the prospect of having the trio back in contention for United’s first Premier League game in almost three weeks.

Ryan Giggs, Rio Ferdinand and Michael Carrick all now look likely to be fit and available to face Liverpool. Ferdinand missed England's 2-0 victory over Andorra on Saturday because of neck and back injuries, but recovered to play his part in the Three Lions’ resounding 4-1 thrashing of Croatia in Zagreb last night.

Giggs, 34, had been suffering with a hamstring problem but could be involved if he comes through a late fitness test. And Carrick is now expected to be available following an ankle injury.

But Cristiano Ronaldo and Owen Hargreaves are still undergoing treatment.

Possible Starting XI: Van der Sar, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Anderson, Fletcher, Scholes, Tevez, Rooney, Berbatov.



PLAYERS TO WATCH

All eyes will inevitably be on former Tottenham strike partners Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov, now on opposite sides and keen to prove t5hey were worth their respective big fees. Keane has appeared over-anxious so far for the Reds, so a more measure approach to this titanic struggle could pay dividends for him. Trying too hard is not an accusation Berbatov has often had directed at him, but he show more than his usual economy of movement oh his debut for United. Like Keane on moving to Anfield, Berba described his switch to Old Trafford as a ’dream’ (cue yawns). It may well be a dream move for Rooney, whose game has cried out for some time for the sort of vision, touch and guile that Berbatov can provide in the form of telling assists. On the other hand, Jamie Carragher will be at his most dogged and determined in trying to turn the tide in these North-West derbies, and will neither ask nor give a quarter to either United front man.

Betting Recommendation: LiverpooL vs. Manchester United

Rafa Benitez has lined up against Sir Alex Ferguson five times at Anfield since becoming manager of Liverpool and the two sides have played out a 0-0 and four 1-0s - three of them going United's way in the Premier League and one going to the Merseysiders in the FA Cup.

But it's not just head-to-head history that points to a lack of goals on Saturday. Traditionally these are two of the tightest defences in the top flight and that's the case again this term with the pair conceding just two goals so far in a combined five PL matches.

But it's when you assess the goalscorers on each side that the argument grows even stronger. All the likely netbusters - Torres, Ronaldo, Gerrard, Keane, Berbatov - fall into the category of out injured, coming back from injury or bedding in with new teammates and that definitely tips the balance towards a 0-0 stalemate.

Liverpool's last two matches have been goalless at full-time so backing 'no goalscorer' at 15/2 has to be worth a play.

With a single goal settling four of the last five Anfield meetings between the two, backing 1-0 Liverpool at 8/1 and 1-0 Man Utd at 7/1 is also recommended.

Liverpool FC Name Steven Gerrard And Fernando Torres In Squad To Face Man Utd

Liverpool FC have named both Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard in their squad to face Manchester United at Anfield tomorrow.

The duo have been forced out in recent weeks with hamstring and groin problems respectively.

Boss Rafa Benitez is hopeful both may feature at some stage.

"They are both much better," manager Rafael Benitez said.

"They came through a full training session this morning. It wasn’t a very hard session, but they will both be in the squad.

"It’s important for us to have these two players of quality who can change a game.

"I’m not surprised they are available because the medical staff have done a good job and the players have been working really hard with the physios to get fit."

A debut will be handed to new winger Albert Riera, but midfielder Lucas will not be involved.

Provisional squad: Reina, Arbeloa, Aurelio, Carragher, Skrtel, Hyypia, Agger, Dossena, Benayoun, Babel, Riera, Gerrard, Alonso, Mascherano, Plessis, Kuyt, Keane, Torres, Ngog, Cavalieri, El Zhar.

Fan Protests Expected At Anfield & Gallowgate

In both Newcastle and Liverpool, thousands of supporters plan to march in protest against the owners of their respective clubs.

Members of a Liverpool supporters group named Spirit of Shankly intend to march to Anfield in protest against the club’s American co-owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillett. According to the group, it will be “a march of passion, a march of anger, a march of red solidarity that roars its message loud and proud.”

The Liverpool protesters plan to meet at the official supporters’ club on Lower Breck Road at 11:00 BST, ahead of the 12:45 kick-off against arch-rivals Manchester United which, it has been reported, Gillett may attend surrounded by tight security.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the country in Newcastle, two protests are planned against club owner Mike Ashley‘s regime. The first is by a group called Toon Ultras, who plan to demonstrate against Ashley from 14:00 outside the Milburn Reception.

The Ultras aren’t advocating a boycott of the match but say they “firmly believe that everyone should give their full support towards the players in a match [against Hull City] they should easily get three points from. The protest suggested will have flags, banners and of course non-stop singing, getting as much attention as possible.”

The unofficial Newcastle website TalkOfTheTyne.com has also organised a march, planned for 15:00 opposite Tilley’s Bar. The protesters will walk to St. James’ Park.

The protests are not expected to have a direct impact on Hicks and Gillett, or Ashley, but should put pressure on the owners to sell to more ‘suitable’ stewards, while raising awareness in the media about fans’ dissatisfaction with the way the present owners are running their respective clubs.

Mascherano: Fans Deserve Derby Win

Javier Mascherano is determined to help maintain Liverpool's unbeaten start to the season with a win against Manchester United this weekend.

The first of the Premier League's mega-derbies will take place this Saturday when Sir Alex Ferguson's men travel to Merseyside with the aim of reinforcing their recent superiority over their North West foes.

The Red Devils have been victorious on their last two visits to Anfield, winning 1-0 both times, and have not lost a league game against their rival Reds since February 2004.

Everyone at Liverpool is determined to reverse that trend, and Mascherano believes there is no better time for the club to stake their title claim.

"We have vital games coming up — especially the first one against United," said Argentine midfielder, who was infamously dismissed from last season's clash at Old Trafford.

Mascherano may only have been at Liverpool since January 2007, but his obvious passion and commitment to the club has well and truly won over the fans.

And the 24-year-old is desperate to repay the Kopites' support with a long-overdue victory against their most hated adversaries.

He added: "It’s a match we need to win if we want to compete for the title. We can do that and push for honours. The fans deserve it."