Liverpool’s Reina Wants To Stay At Anfield And Not Return To Spain Just Yet

Liverpool’s first-choice goalkeeper Jose Manuel Reina insisted that he is going nowhere so soon after reports in Spain claimed that he was hoping to make his return to the La Liga by next season.

The former Villarreal goalkeeper was reported to be keen to return home after being linked with Atletico Madrid.

However the 26-year old who won three successive Premiership Golden Gloves awards insisted that he wants to stay in England for the next few years.

"I see myself continuing outside of Spain. You never know, but I would like to spend a few more years in England. The plan is to stay here," Reina told Marca.

Reina further went on to say that the spirit in the Reds camp is buoyed after their spectacular 2-1 win against Manchester United, insisting that they most definitely are in contention for lifting the Premier League title this season.

"The team has not played great football, apart from the game last weekend against Manchester United, but we are on the right path," he continued.

"We are playing with comfort and that has allowed us to push up to the near the top.

"People are saying it could be our season. The Premier League is always difficult as their are plenty of other teams, like Chelsea and Manchester United, that can do well.

"We have to reduce the difference at the top that has been there in the past few years."

Rafa: We Must Respect Stoke

Despite overcoming Manchester United in their last Premier League encounter, Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has issued a caveat to his side ahead of this weekend's clash with Stoke City.

Brazilian full-back Fabio Aurelio is set to remain sidelined with the calf injury that prevented him taking to the field in the midweek win over Marseille.

Instead, Rafa Benitez will deploy Andrea Dossena on the left side of defence as Aurelio continues his rehabilitation.

Confidence is brimming at Anfield with the hoodoo against Manchester United broken, but Benitez is not getting too carried away.

He believes that this weekend's opponents, Tony Pulis' Stoke City, are a side that deserve respect following their strong showings against Everton and Aston Villa.

The Potters defeated Villa by three goals to two at the Britannia Stadium before losing out by the same scoreline at the same venue to Everton last weekend.

Benitez is aware that the newly-promoted side will be keen to make an impression at Anfield and his side should be on the front foot.

He told the press: "We know that Stoke will be difficult opponents because they have just come into the Premier League and they will be keen to do well, particularly when they come to places like Anfield," he said.

"They have already had one good win against Aston Villa at home and they have been unfortunate in another couple of games so we know that they will be hard to beat."

"Beating Man United was a good achievement and it will improve our confidence but now we have to try to beat Stoke. They play with a different style to United and they cause different kinds of problems but we must treat them with the same respect."

David Prentice: Why Liverpool's Rafa Benitez Is A Master Tactician

WHAT constitutes a master tactician? The ability to make changes to the pattern of a match with influential substitutions is clearly one criterion.

And in Rafael Benitez, Liverpool possess the best Anfield has ever seen.

Ryan Babel’s goalscoring impact against Manchester United last Saturday was the 50th occasion Benitez has brought on a player who has scored.

Even given the increased number of substitutions in modern football, that’s a remarkable record.

To give that stat even greater resonance, on 12 separate occasions Benitez has made substitutions which have led to two or more goals – many from losing positions.

Cynics might suggest that the Reds boss sent out the wrong team in the first place. But I prefer the argument that there aren’t many better coaches in Europe at analysing the flow of a match and making the necessary switches which work.

Remember Olympiakos? Steven Gerrard’s late piledriver is the obvious memory, but without goals from supersubs Mellor and Pongolle that match-winner might have been meaningless.

Then there’s Kewell and Alonso scoring against Charlton to salvage a 2-2 draw, Crouch and Warnock against Fulham, Garcia and Cisse saving a draw at Birmingham, then Alonso and Biscan turning a 2-0 deficit at Fulham into a 4-2 win.

And none of them were even Benitez’s greatest switch.

Arguably the Reds’ manager’s most valuable intervention was the introduction of a player who didn’t score at all – not until a penalty shoot-out anyway.

Vladimir Smicer might have come on and scored in Istanbul, but it was Dietmar Hamann’s half-time introduction which swung the match back Liverpool’s way.

It’s just as easy to make a damaging switch as it is to introduce an effective change – as Sir Alf Ramsey discovered in Mexico, Howard Kendall at Wembley in 1986 and Gerard Houllier in Leverkusen.

But Benitez has, so far, managed to avoid that pitfall.

Even his controversial withdrawal of Steven Gerrard at Goodison Park for showing “too much passion” paid off.

The use of an impact substitute was a tactic whose effectiveness grew only stealthily.

It was first allowed in England in 1965, but only for injuries. Tactical switches were later allowed in 1967, increased to two changes 20 years later then, in 1995, increased to the current limit of three.

Predictably the influence of Anfield substitutes has grown with the times.

Bill Shankly made just 18 scoring switches in nine years, the last – in 1974 – resulting in a last-minute winner from Peter Cormack against Norwich.

Bob Paisley doubled that figure in eight years, but then he could call on the greatest Supersub of them all, David Fairclough, who scored 18 goals after stepping off the bench.

Joe Fagan did it three times, Dalglish 21, Souness 10 and Roy Evans 12, before the folly of a joint management team was exposed.

While Evans and Gerard Houllier argued amongst themselves about which subs to bring on, only Karl-Heinz Rieldle stepped off the bench to score during their joint stewardship.

Left to his own devices, Houllier introduced 40 scoring subs in five years, but that figure has already been eclipsed by Benitez in four years.

The Reds boss may have his faults, but the effective use of substitutes is not one of them.

Rafa Keen On Anthem Switch

Rafael Benitez is hopeful a tactical switch off the field of play will help Liverpool generate an atmosphere to send shivers down the spines of any side visiting Anfield this season.

The Reds boss believes the introduction of the Barclays Premier League anthem has curbed the impact of the club's anthem 'You'll Never Walk Alone' and feels that asking fans to sing the famous song just prior to kick-off will help give his side a psychological edge.

"Before this season we always played the Premier League anthem immediately before games, but some of the players, Sammy Lee and I spoke and we think it is better to have 'You'll Never Walk Alone' instead when the players are on the pitch," said Benitez.

"It used to be played five minutes before the kick-off and the team came out towards the end of the song, but we have reversed the order with the Premier League anthem now.

"We thought it would keep the atmosphere right up until the kick-off and that way the opposition is on the pitch when all the noise is in the ground.

"The supporters are always good, but this might be better. It is something we have been thinking about for a while and the atmosphere has been great when we start our matches."

Meanwhile, Daniel Agger has vowed to fight to regain his first-team place after spending much of the opening weeks out of the first team.

Agger, who spent the best part of a year injured with a metatarsal problem, didn't make the bench for the weekend win against United, but was back among the substitutes for the Champions League victory at Marseille on Tuesday and is eager to win his place back in the side.

He said: "I sat on the bench in Marseille, so that is an improvement.

"All I can do at the moment to get into the team is to work hard in training."

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez Tips Steven Gerrard To Score 150 Goals

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez paid tribute to much-criticised Premier League new-boys Stoke but warned: "We have the best midfield player in the world."

Benitez's unbeaten Reds face Tony Pulis' promoted Potters at Anfield intent on strengthening their position in the Barclays Premier League table, ahead of the clash between rivals Chelsea and Manchester United 24 hours later.

But Stoke have already embarrassed several of their new top-flight colleagues, and Benitez insists they will have to be on their guard against Rory Delap's massive long throws.

But with skipper Steven Gerrard needing one goal to reach a club century, Benitez has faith in the player he believes is the world's best to lead Liverpool to victory.

He said: "Steven has quality, he's a fantastic player and 99 goals is amazing for a midfielder.

"But he can score more. But once he has scored his 100th, then we will give him the objective of maybe 150.

"He scores great goals that few other players can manage. We are lucky to have the best midfielder in the world."

Coming straight after victories over champions Manchester United and then in Europe against Marseille, he said: "It is not easy to win every game. We know Stoke are tough, disciplined and well organised. They are very strong and play direct football.

"But I have been really impressed with their set-pieces, not just the long throws but also their corners and free-kicks and it shows that their manager has done a very good job.

"The key is not to give them too many opportunities for long throws close to our area.

It will be difficult, but there are a lot of teams who use long throws, so we have to be aware and be ready for what happens."

Liverpool have won their last 12 league meetings with Stoke at Anfield, the Potters last success there being in 1959.

Benitez Not Swayed By Title Talk As Liverpool Prepare To Face Stoke Following Victories Over Man United & Marseille

Rafa Benitez insists that Liverpool are taking one game at a time and not getting carried away by the good start they have got off to this season, as the Reds prepare to take on new-entrants Stoke City in the Premiership at Anfield on Saturday.

The Merseysiders boosted their confidence and self-belief as the real contenders for the title this season with a victory against their bitterest rivals and defending champions Manchester United before winning the UEFA Champions League group opener in Marseille in midweek.

Benitez however, is not swayed by the early title talk and stressed that he is focused on making step by step progress.

"Overall it's been a really good week," Benitez told Sky Sports News. "We've had two difficult and important games to play and we won them both so everyone is very happy here at Liverpool.

"But we are just looking at the next game and we are now ready to play Stoke. It is important to understand that we need to take one game at a time.

"If we keep winning then every game, little by little, we will be in a better position so we will talk about this maybe in two or three months time, but now it is game by game."

The Reds can go top of the table if they beat the Potters at the weekend, and it will also mean the best-ever start to the season for the Anfield side. And Benitez believes that his side can be lot better.

“Yes, I think we can improve," added the Spanish tactician.

"The pre-season was different from normal with a lot of players coming back from the Olympic Games and the European Championships late, so I think physically we can improve a lot and that means we can also do that technically and tactically too.

"We have a very good squad and the mentality is really good. We won against United without Torres and Gerrard on the pitch from the start so I think it is really good to see some members of the squad playing well and that means for rest of season we can maybe use different players in other competitions this season and keep the same level."

Keane - The Goals Will Come

Liverpool striker Robbie Keane insists he is too experienced to become anxious about his Anfield goal drought.

The Republic of Ireland international joined the Reds in July in a £20million move from Tottenham, but he has yet to find the back of the net for his new employers.

Keane has now gone seven games without breaking his Liverpool duck, and he also scored just once in his final eight games for Spurs.

However, the 28-year-old is confident he will soon rediscover the goalscoring touch and is hopeful he will net when Stoke visit Merseyside on Saturday.

"Obviously I realise I have not scored yet and that is something that I want to do, but it is also not something I am too worried about," said Keane.

"If I was a young lad and a bit naive, then I would probably be really worried about it, but as long as the team is winning and I keep working hard, then that is all I can do.

"I know I will get my reward for all the hard work I have put in. I think my first goal is just around the corner. Hopefully when that does come, many more will follow."

Manager Rafa Benitez is also eager for Keane to open his Liverpool account at the weekend, but has hinted that the forward is not guaranteed a place in his first XI.

Keane started among the substitutes in the mid-week UEFA Champions League victory over Marseille and Benitez is keeping his cards close to his chest ahead of the arrival of Stoke.

Benitez said: "We want Robbie to score soon, yes. And if he is selected against Stoke, maybe that will be the time.

"But I am not concerned about this, his effort and work for the team is outstanding."

Betting Recommendation: LiverpooL vs. Stoke City

An unbeaten start to the season sees Liverpool tied at the top of the table with Chelsea and they are 1/5 to secure another three points against the Potters.

It has been an excellent week for Rafa Benitez's side - backing up a 2-1 win over bitter rivals Manchester United with a successful start to the Champions League in Marseille.

What will have pleased those connected to the club most was the way they did not allow United to play for the much of the game - so could that be the springboard to finally launch a sustained challenge for an elusive Premier League crown?

Stoke gaffer Tony Pulis has been more than satisfied with his own side's efforts so far since promotion and if they go about this match with similar vigour to their performances against Aston Villa and Everton last week then they won't be disgraced at Anfield.

Perhaps it is time to be convinced that the home side are the real deal this season so nothing less than a solid home win will suffice against their plucky rivals.

Verdict: Liverpool 3 Stoke City 1

Match Preview: LiverpooL vs. Stoke City

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez hopes full-back Fabio Aurelio recovers from a calf injury to face Stoke having failed to make the midweek trip to Marseille.

Andrea Dossena was a less than convincing alternative at left-back in France, while Benitez must also decide whether to recall Robbie Keane to partner striker Fernando Torres.

Xabi Alonso will contest a midfield role with Lucas and veteran defender Sami Hyypia may be brought in to help contest Stoke's now famed long throws from Rory Delap.

Winger Albert Riera, who made his debut in last weekend's victory over Manchester United, could replace Ryan Babel.

Benitez paid tribute to much-criticised Premier League new-boys Stoke but warned: "We have the best midfield player in the world.''

Benitez's unbeaten Reds face Tony Pulis' promoted Potters at Anfield intent on strengthening their position in the Barclays Premier League table, ahead of the clash between rivals Chelsea and Manchester United 24 hours later.

But Stoke have already embarrassed several of their new top-flight colleagues, and Benitez insists they will have to be on their guard against Delap's massive long throws.

But with skipper Steven Gerrard needing one goal to reach a club century, Benitez has faith in the player he believes is the world's best to lead Liverpool to victory.

He said: "Steven has quality, he's a fantastic player and 99 goals is amazing for a midfielder.

"But he can score more. But once he has scored his 100th, then we will give him the objective of maybe 150.

"He scores great goals that few other players can manage. We are lucky to have the best midfielder in the world.''

Coming straight after victories over champions Manchester United and then in Europe against Marseille, he said: "It is not easy to win every game. We know Stoke are tough, disciplined and well organised. They are very strong and play direct football.

"But I have been really impressed with their set-pieces, not just the long throws but also their corners and free-kicks and it shows that their manager has done a very good job.''

Only Amdy Faye (suspended) and the injured Andrew Davies will be absent for Stoke.

Both players missed Sunday's defeat by Everton and Pulis' main selection headache may concern whether to move Abdoulaye Faye back into defence after he played as a midfield anchor last weekend.

Glenn Whelan will be hoping for a recall to the Stoke midfield following his fine performances for the Republic of Ireland and he could get the nod at Leon Cort's expense if Faye is switched.

Danny Higginbotham has played in a winning Southampton side at Liverpool and he will strain every sinew in an attempt to repeat the experience with Stoke.

It is almost five years since Higginbotham was in the Saints team which came away from Anfield with a shock 2-1 victory, courtesy of goals by Brett Ormerod and Thomas Svensson.

A late reply from Emile Heskey could not save Gerard Houllier's side and defender Higginbotham's memories of the occasion remain crystal clear.

"Brett scored in the first couple of minutes and that gave us a real boost. My current Stoke team-mate Rory Delap was also in our team and it was a terrific performance on the day,'' he said.

"It's something really special to play in front of the Kop, but if you can get the Liverpool fans frustrated it can work in your favour.

"It's going to be very important to start the game well by working very hard and keeping our concentration.

"We've got the players here to do that and we will give it our best shot.

"If there is any negativity before you go to places like Liverpool, you might as well not turn up.

Barnes Backs Pool Title Credentials

Former Liverpool player John Barnes feels his former side are showing championship-winning credentials so far this season.

Pool have not set the world alight with their standard of play so far this season, but results are going their way with recent victories picked up against Manchester United and Marseille.

Barnes admits that Pool’s form is not ideal, but stated the key to winning league titles is picking up results when you are not playing well, which the Anfield side are doing.

Speaking to Setanta Sports, Barnes said the current team had the mark of champions.

“It’s a great start for them, particularly from the results' perspective and we are in the results business,” he said.

“They haven’t played sparkling football but they did well against Manchester United and did well against Marseille so the pleasing thing is that they’re picking up points without really playing at the top of their form,” added Barnes.

“That’s the sign of champions. I’m not saying they’re going to be champions but they’ve got a chance.

“They have to pick up points against the so-called lesser teams which is where they’ve fallen down.”

Barnes also commented on the controversy raging at one of his other former clubs, Newcastle United. The ex-England winger backed Kevin Keegan’s decision to leave, adding that if the manager is not comfortable within a structure, it will never work.

“It is very similar to Curbishley, they’re the type of managers who have to have their final say as to who comes and who leaves the club,” Barnes said.

“There are clubs on the continent that operate that way but the important thing is for the manager to be happy with the structure,” he stated.

“If the manager isn’t happy, then it can’t work.”

Liverpool Can Challenge For Title, Says Steven Gerrard

Steven Gerrard believes that Liverpool can challenge for the league title this season.

The Merseyside-born midfielder, who is approaching his ten-year anniversary since making his debut for the club, says he is reluctant to raise expectation levels too high but expects the club to be near the top of the table at the end of the campaign.

Liverpool can achieve their best start to a Premier League season if they beat Stoke on Saturday.

"It's easy to get carried away at times, but it's too early to start making any sorts of statements,” Gerrard said.

"I've done it in the past, when I've said we have got a chance in this or that year, only to see us fall short.

"I think we are better equipped to go closer this season, but that's as far as I will go at the moment.

"I don't want to raise anyone's expectations too high in only the second month of the season.

"The plan is to still be in with a chance with five or 10 games to go. We have to be challenging."

Gerrard, who is one goal short of 100 for the club, is keen to add more medals to his collection and says the current Liverpool squad is "a lot stronger" than the one that reached two Champions League finals in recent seasons.

"I often reflect on what I have achieved in the game. I think about it every day and just hope that all those highlights, the trophies, the goals, the great wins and matches, are not the end of it,” Gerrard added.

"I want more of those experiences and memories. They are the best things that have happened to me in football. The joy you get from them is unbelievable.

"So over the next five years or so I want to get more cups under my belt and I am desperate to try to win this league.

"I feel the squad is a lot stronger than last season. There are certainly a lot more match-winners here."

Gerrard Calms Reds Expectations

Almost 10 years since his debut and one goal short of his century for Liverpool, Steven Gerrard is still searching for the holy grail of title glory.

The league championship is the only domestic medal that 28 year-old Gerrard does not possess.

And as he prepares to celebrate a decade in the Liverpool side since his debut in November 1998, Gerrard will surely by then have cracked the 100-goal mark for the club after moving to 99 with his Champions League double in Marseille.

Gerrard is aware that expectation in the red half of Liverpool has hardly been dampened by last weekend's victory over Premier League champions Manchester United and Tuesday's success in Provence.

And if Liverpool beat newly-promoted Stoke on Saturday it will be their best start to a Premier League season after five games, beating the 12 points they amassed back in 1993-94.

The 100th goal, when it comes, will see him equal Kevin Keegan's tally for the Anfield club.

Gerrard knows, however, that it is the league crown, not won since 1990 by Liverpool, which the fans, players and management crave.

But the boy from Huyton is not daft enough to start making wild predictions of success.

Speaking to LiverpoolFC magazine, he said: "It's easy to get carried away at times, but it's too early to start making any sorts of statements.

"I've done it in the past, when I've said we have got a chance in this or that year, only to see us fall short.

"I think we are better equipped to go closer this season, but that's as far as I will go at the moment.

"I don't want to raise anyone's expectations too high in only the second month of the season.

"The plan is to still be in with a chance with five or 10 games to go. We have to be challenging."

Liverpool, unbeaten this term, have lost only one league game since the defeat at West Ham in January. In all 36 matches so far in 2008, Liverpool have been beaten just four times.

It is the sort of form that gives Gerrard confidence that he can add to his own personal haul of medals over the coming years.

He said: I am hoping that the next three or four years will be very good for me. I hope people are right when they say you peak at 28 or 29.

"I often reflect on what I have achieved in the game. I think about it every day and just hope that all those highlights, the trophies, the goals, the great wins and matches, are not the end of it.

"I want more of those experiences and memories. They are the best things that have happened to me in football. The joy you get from them is unbelievable.

"So over the next five years or so I want to get more cups under my belt and I am desperate to try to win this league.

"I feel the squad is a lot stronger than last season. There are certainly a lot more match-winners here."

As for his approaching decade in the first team, Gerrard said: "I'm getting scared, the years are flying by.

"It has gone so quickly, and in November it will be 10 years since I broke into the first team.

"They say time flies when you are having fun, and it's true. Now I just want to make the most of the time I have got left playing football."

‘Fantastic’ Javier Mascherano Praised By Liverpool Legends John Barnes & Alan Hansen

Rafa Benitez wasted no time in acknowledging the importance of his Argentine midfielder Javier Mascherano at the weekend after a superb performance against arch-rivals Manchester United. However, he was not alone in praise as the New Football Pools Pundits and Liverpool legends John Barnes and Alan Hansen joined in with the plaudits.

Rafa Benitez had this to say, “The workrate of Javier Mascherano in the midfield is amazing.”

He then revealed just what the unselfish perfromances of the former West Ham player can give his team, “He can give the other midfield players more freedom. If you go with more offensive players you know he will be in a good defensive position, and that is very important for the team.”

Benitez then compared the little Argentinean favorably to a former Reds player, “The only player who covered more ground than Mascherano was Momo Sissoko. The difference is Javier has more experience. Momo was amazing and Mascherano is as good as Momo in terms of the workrate but also has better positions.”

Former Reds left winger and newly appointed Jamaica Coach John Barnes carried on the plaudits by summing up the Argentine’s performance. He said, “A special mention must go to the performance of Javier Mascherano in midfield. I felt he typified the Liverpool spirit on the day.”

Summing up the 24-year-old’s strengths, Barnes added, “He is incredibly hard working, is constantly up and down the pitch and I’m sure a monster to play against. He is a fantastic player.”

Alan Hansen was just as complimnentary about the midfielder that failed to get into the West Ham side on a regular basis. The former Scotland international said, “He may have let his compatriot Carlos Tevez run off him for United’s goal but he showed once again he’s a terrific little player.

“He is exceptionally quick, covers every blade of grass on the football pitch, is competitive but also extremely good on the ball.”

Hansen also emphasized the high regard he holds the two time Olympic Gold medal winner in compared to the rest of the Premier League when he added, “Mascherano has proven himself to be one of the best holding midfielders in England”.

Agger Bides His Time

After missing close to a year of first-team action due to a metatarsal injury, Liverpool defender Daniel Agger insists he is ready to bide his time to break back into Rafa Benitez's starting XI.

Agger's appearances in a Liverpool shirt have been few and far between over the past year. Last September, the Dane damaged a metatarsal that was expected to keep him sidelined for around four months.

However, the 23-year-old suffered an injury set-back in January when he damaged a different bone on the same foot.

Since making his Liverpool return in July during a friendly against Tranmere Rovers, Agger has found it difficult to force his way back into Rafa Benitez's plans.

Despite a Champions League appearance against Standard Liege, Agger has largely played third and even fourth fiddle to Jamie Carragher, Martin Skrtel and Sami Hyypia.

Indeed, Agger failed to be named among Liverpool's seven substitutes in their last league game at home to Manchester United.

Rumours in the press last week even suggested that he had considered the possibility of buying out the remainder of his Anfield contract via the controversial Webster ruling.

However, the centre-back is not too down-at-heart and is ready to work hard to ensure a first-team comeback.

With Sami Hyypia not named in the panel for the group stage of the Champions League, Agger may be afforded the opportunities to impress in that competition.

After watching from the bench on Tuesday night as his team-mates overcame Marseille, Agger told TV2: "I sat on the bench today so that is an improvement. All I can do at the moment to get into the team is to work hard in training."

Martin Jol: I Wanted Dirk Kuyt For Hamburg

HAMBURG boss Martin Jol has admitted he tried to sign Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt before the transfer window closed.

And speculation in Germany suggests he may try again in January.

The former Tottenham coach was linked with failed bids for Kuyt and Ajax striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar this summer, and admitted: “I would gladly have signed Kuyt and Huntelaar. Who could refuse the opportunity?

“I have no problem that the club was unable to get them. The quality of my attackers is more than enough, although with Huntelaar we would have had a real goal-getter.”

Kuyt is a confirmed admirer of Jol, but insists he is very happy at Anfield and has no desire to move.

“Martin Jol is one of the best Dutch coaches, someone who I want to work with possibly in the future,” he said “But I am happy at Liverpool. My contract still has two more years to run.”

Kuyt has started every match for Liverpool this season and appears to be more valued at Anfield than he is by his national team.

“At Liverpool I now have a strong position. At Liverpool I almost always play,” he said. “So it is hard to swallow when I end up on the bench at the Dutch team.

“At Liverpool I’ve achieved a high level under Rafa Benitez. It is such a high level that I would love to show that level in international matches with the Dutch team.

“I’d rather work my socks off for my club. I am not the kind of guy who starts having a go at the national team boss or at other players. I never show my frustrations in that way.

“I do admit I have spoken out to Marco van Basten when he was national coach.

“But only behind closed doors. Never in public. He told me I was a fair player in that way.

“It’s very simple. I am too good to be on the bench. The World Cup in South Africa will be my last chance in that tournament. Playing for Liverpool will help me get there.”

Smith Tips Keane To Be An Anfield Success

While midfielder Steven Gerrard anticipates his next goal for Liverpool - which will be his 100th for the club, striker Robbie Keane is still waiting to open his account for the Reds. But former Arsenal and England centre-forward Alan Smith is sure Keane will become a huge hit at Anfield.

Robbie Keane joined Liverpool - the club he supported as a boy - for £20million in the summer from Tottenham, but his Anfield career has yet to ignite properly.

Keane gives the impression of trying just a little too hard at the moment, which is understandable from a player whose game is based on enthusiasm and endeavour.

But Alan Smith, a highly-respected striker in a prolific career with Leicester City, Arsenal and England, reckons that if Keane can just relax a bit more he will make a big impression at his new club.

Writing for the Daily Telegraph, Smith knows from experience that every striker just needs a goal to kick-start any fallow period in his fortunes.

“Only then will he begin to loosen up and start showing his new public what he can really do. At the moment, there's a bit of tension to his game, especially when the goal comes within range,” said Smith.

“You could see it at the weekend in the way he snatched at one chance before reacting too slowly when Javier Mascherano’s pulled shot headed his way - nothing too serious, merely evidence of a player tightening up slightly.”

Smith continued: “As always with strikers starting out at new clubs, Keane just needs a break of the ball, a bit of luck in the penalty box, then the Republic of Ireland captain can start doing himself justice, whilst developing a better understanding with Fernando Torres.

“As yet, we haven't seen the pair click. A combination billed as potentially lethal has lain largely dormant over the first few weeks of the season.

“We can put that down to a few things. For a start, the early season internationals certainly haven't helped. With the best players disappearing to all four corners of the globe, the top club managers struggle for continuity.

“The Irishman and the Spaniard should dovetail beautifully to form the kind of potent attacking partnership Anfield hasn't seen in years.”

Keane has been working prodigiously, chasing lost causes and closing down opponents, excellent qualities in a team player that will endear him to the Liverpool fans - and impress manager Rafael Benitez.

Smith is sure Keane is a perfect fit for Liverpool, adding: “Just like the classy [Dimitar] Berbatov looks a perfect match for Manchester United, so the intelligent Keane seems made for the red half of Merseyside.

“In fact, I'd go as far to say that the famous No 7 shirt worn by Keegan and Dalglish rests in pretty safe hands. He's going to succeed - it's just a matter of time - and that moment, I'd guess, isn't too far away.”

Sunderland Reserves 2 - 1 Liverpool Reserves

GARY ABLETT'S title winning Liverpool reserves side suffered their first defeat in almost a year last night.

The Reds second string went down 2-1 at Sunderland in the FA Premier Reserve League North.

Sunderland were the last side to beat Liverpool when they inflicted the only defeat suffered by Gary Ablett’s side in the whole of last season.

And Liverpool could have no complaints about last night’s result, as they were second best throughout and but for an excellent display from keeper Dean Bouzanis could have lost by more.

The young Aussie keeper made two great saves inside the opening 10 minutes, and produced several more throughout the game. In attack Liverpool offered little, despite the hard work of David Ngog, who put himself about with very little support.

A Dani Pacheco free-kick that was clawed away from the top corner by Sunderland keeper Colgan was the closest Liverpool came to a goal in the opening half.

Nabil El Zhar and Ngog both volleyed wide in the second half, before Sunderland went in front through Michael Chopra. Liverpool hit back quickly through El Zhar, but Sunderland substitute Luscombe headed the winner from a Chopra cross five minutes from time.

"It’s difficult for me to say, but we have to be as honest as we can and be as honest with the players in the dressing room and so we must say the best team won on the night," said Ablett.

Pepe Reina Is Liverpool FC Saviour

IF Liverpool’s Champions League opponents are to be taken at face value, then the fates are suggesting a sixth European crown is on its way to Anfield.

After Standard Liege coach László Bölöni had berated his side’s supposed ill luck in their qualifying tie last month, on Tuesday night it was the turn of Marseille striker Mamadou Niang.

“Liverpool did not deserve to take three points,” said Niang after Rafael Benitez’s side left France with a 2-1 win. “If you look at the game it should have been a draw.

“It is true that Liverpool began with good rhythm and played well but they had many pieces of luck. We dominated the second half but their goalkeeper’s performance stopped us scoring again.”

Sour grapes? Perhaps. But while luck has admittedly played its part, there’s been nothing lucky in the main reason for the Reds’ unbeaten start to their European campaign.

Step forward Pepe Reina. The goalkeeper is often under-appreciated by those outside Merseyside who are happy to dismiss the Spaniard as little more than a penalty-save expert.

His team-mates, though, are more aware of the keeper’s value, which was on display with a string of fine stops as Marseille sought a second-half equaliser on Tuesday.

Steven Gerrard may have scored twice at the Stade Velodrome, but was quick to direct plaudits elsewhere.

“I’m sure people will mention the goals on my behalf, but for me the real heroes were the back four and especially Pepe,” says the skipper. “He made an absolutely superb save right at the end from Niang.

“We all have him down as the best keeper in the Premier League and one of the best in Europe, certainly. He’s immense. It’s at moments like that when you really need him.

“There are certain games when it’s been very quiet for the goalkeeper, but then you need him to come out and make a match-winning world class save.

“But that’s what he is capable of. His all-round game is superb and hopefully we can keep him for a long, long time because he is a big player for us.

“To progress in this competition you need to be strong defensively and you need your goalkeeper to be there – and we know we can certainly rely on ours. He is superb for us.”

For his part, Reina was quick to share the praise with his skipper while accepting Marseille’s speedy attackers had caused Liverpool consternation in defence.

“It was down to Stevie as well because he managed the pressure to take the penalty twice,” he says. “But, yes, Marseille had to go forward and it was difficult in the last 15 minutes. We were under a lot of pressure.

“It’s never easy against skilled players like they have between the lines and ability. It’s not always easy. To manage this kind of situation is very difficult and we’ve done very well, at least until the last 15 minutes.”

Liverpool had already come from behind to defeat Middlesbrough and Manchester United this season before repeating the trick on Tuesday for a winning start in Group D.

And Reina reckons it’s an example of the spirit that has been forged in players that refuse to be beaten.

“We talk about how we have been reacting to going behind,” says the goalkeeper. “There’s a lot of spirit and that's important.

“It’s really important to have that winning mentality and keep winning difficult games. It’s positive when you are thinking only about winning. We can’t think of anything but winning.

“It really helps to win a game like we did against United. It gives you belief and you don’t just lose that. You keep it with you.

“You keep every win with you and you build on it. You go out there knowing that you can do things. The atmosphere in the dressing room is special. We are in business of having to win.”

Gerrard’s goals and Reina’s saves ensured Liverpool didn’t have to wait until their fourth group game to register their first win, as happened last season.

PSV Eindhoven, thrashed 3-0 at home by Atletico Madrid in Group D’s other game on Tuesday, visit Anfield on Wednesday week where a win would put Benitez’s side in a strong position to progress to the knockout stages for a fifth successive season.

“We didn’t have the best start last season in the group, obviously we were under pressure after three results and we were really feeling that,” says Reina. “As soon as we get qualified we’ll get better. It makes us feel more relaxed when we’re winning and confident. That’s how we’re feeling at the moment.”

Liverpool would have been spared their late fright in France had Ryan Babel converted one of two late chances.

Babel says: “If we had a little bit more luck we could have scored more goals. I obviously had a couple of chances but unfortunately I didn’t hit the back of the net.

“I think Pepe saved us at the end. We were very lucky that they didn’t score the equaliser. We can be satisfied. I think you can see that goalkeepers are very important.”

Rafa Benitez: Liverpool FC Must Beat PSV

MANAGER Rafael Benitez now knows victory in their next group D match, at home to PSV Eindhoven on October 1, will send Liverpool to Atletico Madrid three weeks later with their destiny in their own hands.

The Reds got off to a winning start in Marseille on Tuesday, with Steven Gerrard scoring both their goals in a 2-1 win.

Madrid did even better, winning 3-0 at PSV to sit top of Group D.

Benitez said: “If we can win at home against PSV it will be good for our confidence. If we win that, maybe the next match away to Madrid will be the key to the group for us.”

But Reds winger Ryan Babel has warned Dutch outfit PSV will be no pushovers.

He said: “In Europe it is Eindhoven next at home for us, and being Dutch I know a good deal about them and they could be a lot more difficult than people expect.

“But if we can win that we will be really on the way to qualifying for the next stage.

“We remember how badly we started the Champions League last season. We knew that could not be allowed to happen again.

“So to win in Marseille against a difficult side, and that following our win over Manchester United, has given us all plenty of confidence.

“We have not lost this season and our confidence is improving with every game.

“But we are aware we have only just started. There is much to do, much to improve.”

Match Report: Marseille 1 - 2 LiverpooL

Steven Gerrard played a captain's role by taking his Liverpool goals tally to 99 as the Merseysiders opened their Champions League group campaign with a crucial win.

The Stade Velodrome had been the venue for Liverpool's European salvation last season, and Gerrard made sure it was a welcome return to the south of France.

Marseille had taken the lead early on through their skipper Lorik Cana, but Gerrard - already Liverpool's record scorer in Europe - grabbed a fine equaliser with an outstanding 25-yard curler.

Then six minutes later he cracked home a twice-taken penalty to give Liverpool something to hang on to.

And they needed to fight hard as the French side battled bravely in the second period, but Liverpool clinched their victory with a defiant rearguard action.

The Reds included both Gerrard and Fernando Torres in their starting line-up for the opening group D clash.

Both key players have been recovering from injury and their inclusion was a major boost for the Anfield club.

Andreas Dossena came into the side in place of calf-injury victim Fabio Arbeloa, while Lucas took over in midfield from Xabi Alonso.

Marseille, who won 1-0 in the Champions League last term at Anfield before losing the return 4-0, included Hatem Ben Arfa, their £10m signing from Lyon, who had recovered from an ankle problem.

Skipper Cana also returned, having been rested at the weekend in the draw at Bordeaux.

Liverpool had opted for caution with Robbie Keane and Albert Riera both on the bench. Gerrard was being used in the attacking midfield role that worked to such good effect last season, and several times early on Liverpool could have scored.

After just seven minutes, Steve Mandanda tipped over a Lucas header and soon afterwards Dirk Kuyt's pass set-up Ryan Babel.

The Dutchman created the space with his first touch but blasted a good opening high over. Then Gerrard forced Mandanda into a diving save before Torres saw a header clear the far angle.

Marseille had chances of their own. Mamadou Niang was clear on the left but wasted the opportunity, shooting high over. Martin Skrtel was booked for a late tackle on Niang after 20 minutes as the game became surprisingly open.

But after 23 minutes the French side were ahead when they caught Liverpool square and punished them with a fine goal.

Rarely are Liverpool exposed straight through the middle, but when Benoit Cheyrou's first-time ball sent Cana clear, his quality side-footed finish sent the Velodrome fans wild.

Liverpool's response was emphatic.

Two minutes later Torres won possession on the halfway line and presented Kuyt with a pass on the right that was instantly played into Gerrard's path.

The Liverpool skipper struck a first-time, curling effort from 25-yards that soared over Mandanda into the far corner for the equaliser.

And after 31 minutes Liverpool were ahead. Babel's sharp turn in the box ended with Ronald Zubar's trip and a penalty. Zubar was booked before Gerrard struck the ball past Mandanda off the post.

But Austrian referee Konrad Plautz ordered a re-take because Kuyt had encroached into the box. Gerrard kept his nerve and clinically netted a second time to put Liverpool ahead.

The double strike extended Gerrard's European goals record for the club. Last season, in the Anfield side's 4-0 win in Marseille, Gerrard's goal that night broke Michael Owen's benchmark of 23.

He extended that tally later in the competition to 25, and two more here in the opening half for the captain stretched his tally to 27, and 99 for the club in all competitions.

Marseille were stunned and soon sent on Mathieu Valbuena for the injured Modeste M'Bami after 41 minutes.

Ben Arfa lasted until the 56th minute before his ankle problem forced him off, Karim Ziani taking over.

The game was still very open. Babel almost forced the ball around Mandanda at one end, while Liverpool were making too many defensive errors at the other for Benitez to rest easy.

Marseille could easily have been level when Vitorino Hilton met a corner with a fierce downward header that Jose Reina managed to hold on to.

Liverpool sent on Riera after 64 minutes for Torres, who had looked short of pace after his spell out, before Ziani struck a 12-yarder over the bar as Marseille searched for parity.

The Reds then withdrew Gerrard after 68 minutes, sending on Yossi Benayoun with Babel now the lone striker.

Liverpool had got the most possible out of their recently-injured stars, and it was now left to their colleagues to withstand a mounting Marseille onslaught.

Ziani fired over again before Mamadou Samassa replaced Bakari Kone.

Babel saw a golden chance to finish the contest go to waste after 74 minutes when Riera and Benayoun set him up close in, only for Mandanda to save the point-blank effort.

The youngster then struck the post after 78 minutes as he surged through on the left. But still Marseille came forward searching for the equaliser as Liverpool sought to punish them on the break.

With five minutes left, Kuyt was replaced by Keane, fresh legs to the cause as Liverpool continued to hang on.

Niang saw a diving header go wide from a right-wing cross, Marseille still fighting for an equaliser.

Reina saved superbly in injury-time from Niang and Liverpool had their victory.