Rafa Benitez Has Confidence In Liverpool's Mental Strength

RAFAEL BENITEZ is confident his unbeaten Liverpool side have the mental strength to emerge triumphantly from two crucial games in five days.

The Liverpool manager knows his side’s 15-match unbeaten run will be tested severely in Madrid on Wednesday and then against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Against Atletico Madrid in the Vicente Calderon, Liverpool can virtually seal qualification from Champions League Group D with victory.

And if they can end Chelsea’s 86-match unbeaten home league record on Sunday they will lead the Premier League and make a dramatic statement of intent.

Benitez, whose side came from behind to beat Wigan on Saturday, said: “I am confident that my players can produce the right performances this week.

“We are showing character and the right mentality you need for a winning team.

“We have Atletico next, and then Chelsea, two very tough away matches.

“But with games like that to come, how can we start talking about what we can win this season?

“It is too early to be talking of titles and cups.

“We must just keep going the way we are.

“It has to be a case of concentrating on each game, not looking to the future.

“But our players are showing great character.”

Liverpool have lost just one of their last 24 games in all competitions and only two in 32.

Benitez continued: “The team showed great character to beat Wigan on Saturday, and we are showing the belief that we can win every game.

“The Premier League is very tough.

“To show the mental strength we have displayed this season is very positive. We did that again against Wigan and we must maintain it for the next games, particularly this week.

“My priority is now Atletico, not Chelsea just yet. But the games are very close together and we will see whether we can continue to show the character we have been showing.”

Liverpool have been forced to stage comebacks four times already this season after going behind, the last two being the 3-2 victories over Manchester City and Wigan Athletic.

At Eastlands they were 2-0 down, and at the weekend Wigan led twice before Liverpool surged back to again win the points.

Benitez said: “Comebacks like we are achieving gives us confidence, but the Champions League is another competition. We are away against a very good team, but we have the confidence and belief to handle this. But maybe it would be nice to get two or three goals in the first half so I can relax a little on the bench.”

Torres Declines Atleti Invite

Injured striker Fernando Torres has turned down the opportunity to watch Liverpool's Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid from the luxury of a VIP seat at the Vicente Calderon.

A hamstring tear has denied Torres the sensational homecoming that was planned for him by UEFA's Champions League draw.

The 24-year-old, who moved from Atleti to Anfield last year, was forced from the field early in Spain's World Cup qualifier against Belgium last week, and tests confirmed that he would be out of action for up to 15 days.

Thus, Torres will not face his former team-mates in Wednesday night's blockbuster in the Spanish capital, where he plied his trade for six years after graduating from Atletico's youth system in 2001.

'El Nino' was given the chance to view the game in style, however, as los Rojiblancos offered their former idol a place in the Calderon's VIP section.

But Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez told the Daily Mail: "We talked with the doctor and physios, and with the player himself, and we decided it was important for him to stay here and continue with his recovery."

Dirk Kuyt Ready To Rise To The Challenge And Fire Liverpool To Victory In Madrid

Dirk Kuyt believes Liverpool can make a major statement of intent for the rest of the season if they can win their Champions League clash away to Atletico Madrid.

Liverpool fly out to the Spanish capital for a Group D match, where victory in the Vicente Calderon would virtually clinch their progress into the knockout stages.

Dutch forward Kuyt, who scored twice to beat Wigan on Saturday as injured Fernando Torres' stand-in, can expect a similar role in Madrid.

But even without their Spanish star, Kuyt is confident Liverpool can become the first English side to win a European match in Atletico's intimidating stadium.

Kuyt said: 'This is the big one in our group, to win would be a very strong statement. We know Atletico are a very strong, tough side but it is another challenge and one we will rise to.

'If we get a win in Madrid it will take us a very big step closer to qualification for the next stage of the Champions League.

'This is a vital week for us, firstly in Madrid and then at Chelsea on Sunday. Players can get tired with all the club matches and the internationals, but that is the way it is at the top.

'When you are with a big club you have to play every three or four days, but we prepare well. We drink and eat properly, we have our ice baths. We are professional and go to bed early.'

Boss Rafael Benitez is confident Kuyt can continue his European scoring run, which stands at 10 goals in his last 17 Champions League games.

The Spaniard said: 'Without Fernando we know the option is to play Kuyt up front, and it works well for us.

'He can score goals, we always know that. He is a very important player for us, a special player who works so hard.

'He can play on the right very well, but now he may have to stand in again for Torres and I have every faith in him. He is a player with so much industry in his game, any manager would be happy to have him in their side.

'I am confident that my players can produce the right performances this week. We are showing character and the right mentality you need for a winning team. We have Atletico next and then Chelsea - two very tough away matches.

'It has to be a case of concentrating on each game, not looking to the future. But our players are showing great character.

'We can field a team good enough to beat Atletico, then we must think about how we play at Chelsea. But I am confident in my players that they can produce the right performances.

'We have a few minor injury problems to (Yossi) Benayoun, (Steven) Gerrard and (Robbie) Keane, but I do not expect them to be serious, they should all play on Wednesday.'

Gerrard - We Need To Dictate

Steven Gerrard insists Liverpool have to start 'dictating' games rather than relying on late comebacks.

The Reds are riding high in the Premier League, but they have had to come from behind on four different occasions to win and retain their unbeaten status.

Their latest comeback came against Wigan at the weekend, when they twice went behind to Amr Zaki goals, but they fought back to seal a 3-2 triumph.

Although Gerrard is pleased with the battling qualities shown by the side, he admits they need to start dominating teams from the start.

"In the past few weeks we have proved that you can never count us out in any situation, and the battling qualities we have shown are very important," he said in the Daily Mirror.

"But we know that we can not keep conceding the lead in games like we have done in the last two matches.

"Sooner or later it is going to catch up with us, and we'll pay the price.

"We have shown the grit, determination and belief that there is in this squad this season, but we have to start dictating games.

"However we are full of confidence after what we have achieved, and we believe that there is a lot more to come from this side than we have seen so far.

"We are ready to take it on to another level and the confidence we now have will help us."

Luis Garcia Tips Old Club Liverpool To Win Premier League

Atletico Madrid forward Luis Garcia believes his former club Liverpool are on the brink of Premier League title success and insists he will feel “no joy” if he scores against his old club in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Luis Garcia was a hero of Liverpool’s 2005 European Cup triumph in Istanbul and will come face to face with his old Anfield friends in the Vicente Calderon stadium later this week.

It will be his first meeting with the club he spent three happy years with, and he still admits to following all their matches.

Their form has impressed him, and the 30-year-old said: “The team and the squad is getting stronger each year, and I am sure that Rafa (Benitez) deep down believes he can take the team closer to the league this season even though he may never show it publicly.

“I have watched and you can see the team growing, If they continue in this way they could win the league.”

That would clearly delight Luis Garcia, but he is not sure of his emotions if he scores against Liverpool in the back-to-back Group D matches over the next fortnight.

He said: “I am always happy to score goals and I am an Atletico player now. In my heart I would feel strange, and I would say ’sorry’ because I wouldn’t feel any joy scoring against Liverpool.”

Luis Garcia is still remembered fondly on the Kop, and says: “It makes me happy that Liverpool fans look back and appreciate what I gave to the team.

“There were times last year when I wished I was back there, when I watched Liverpool games and thought I could add something to the team, I became frustrated just thinking about it.”

Luis Garcia left Liverpool when Fernando Torres moved from Atletico, although the deals were not formally linked.

Initially he struggled to get into Madrid’s first team regularly and has not always been a fixture in the side this term - he was only a late substitute in Saturday’s home defeat by Real Madrid - but has impressed in Europe.

He starred in the club’s win away to PSV Eindhoven in the opening group match, but he does not know whether Atletico boss Javier Aguirre will utilise his skills against Benitez’s men, saying: “I have played in a few positions so far this season, mainly on the right but the boss knows I can also play as a striker.

“There have been games that I have switched to that role and confused the opposition. It worked against PSV and I set up a goal.

“Whether we try that against Liverpool is different because Rafa understands my game and will know what to try if I do that.”

Luis Garcia has had a string of assists this season and also scored in the Champions League qualifier against Schalke.

He added: “When I first arrived things were not working out the way I expected when I decided to leave Liverpool.

“I was thinking all the time that I had made the wrong decision to come back to Spain. But this season things have been more positive, I feel a lot better about my game.”

Luis Garcia scored 10 vital goals for Liverpool in the Champions League, including that controversial winner against Chelsea in the 2005 semi-final, and can expect a warm reception from Liverpool’s travelling fans on Wednesday, and a hero’s reception on November 4 in the return.

He said: “The game in Liverpool will be very special for me, in terms of sentimentality, the biggest of my career.

“I was not able to say goodbye properly when I left because I was injured at the end of the season, it was the worst way possible to finish my career there.

“I was so happy there and am desperate to play one more game at Anfield.”

There will clearly be mixed emotions over the two games for the Spanish international, but none over his desire to see Liverpool crowned Premier League champions.

He said: “When I first joined, Chelsea were far better than us, the gap is closing and Liverpool can now win the league.”

MARK LAWRENSON: No Reason To Fear Chelsea, With Or Without Fernando Torres

BEING without Fernando Torres does not mean that Liverpool can’t realistically go to Stamford Bridge on Sunday and get something.

In fact, even a point would be another decent marker to put down in their efforts to finally prove they have what it takes to take a shot at the title.

It would make it four points out of six in two games against the other ‘top four’ sides this season and that mini-league is often key to the race for honours, simply because those sides don’t drop many points to rest of the teams in the Premier League. Least of all Chelsea.

The reason I think Liverpool are unconcerned about absentees is because whoever plays, they seem super-fit and able to keep up the tempo and pressure right to the final whistle.

I don’t know what’s been done differently this pre-season to make them like that but take the WIgan game on Saturday. Last season, a game like that would have been a draw and two points dropped.

No, they are still not playing particularly well. But at this stage, if the results are right, that won’t bother the players one little bit.

MARK LAWRENSON: Nothing Risky About Luring Emile Heskey Back

BRINGING back players who were discarded in the past is always a risky business in football – but one Liverpool should take with Emile Heskey.

Wigan already seem resigned to him leaving and pursuing his dream of returning to Champions League football and making England’s squad for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

And that is why Liverpool should find a way of doing whatever is necessary to tempt Heskey back to Anfield.

Let’s face it, that’s not really too much is it? Both terms of persuading him to return and coughing up the cash to make it happen.

The player has already hinted he would love to go back and why wouldn’t he? He has unfinished business here because he never had the opportunity to convince Rafael Benitez he was worthy of a place.

And when you think that Djibril Cisse, Milan Baros, Neil Mellor and Florent Sinama-Pongolle were all given chances in Benitez’s first season, then his offloading to Birmingham City seems even more hasty now.

It’s not as if buying Heskey would break the bank either.

Wigan chairman Dave Whelan is a businessman and knows it will be a bad move if Heskey is allowed to walk away at the end of the season when his contract runs out.

Why risk that when he’s already going misty-eyed at the thought of bearing down on the Kop end in red shirt once again?

If Wigan, as is looking likely on the evidence of their showing at Anfield on Saturday, seem safe from relegation by the time January ticks round, then they might as well take a couple of million for Heskey then. After all, they might not be in a position where they have to rush out and get a replacement.

However they want to play it is up to them and the player of course. But from Liverpool’s point of view, they certainly need a proven top flight striker to boost their numbers in that area of the field. It’s clear they haven’t got the four forwards that you generally need to have a squad strong enough to sustain a title challenge.

With Fernando Torres injured, Dirk Kuyt might be in form but nobody is convinced he can produce that kind of goalscoring week-in week-out.

Robbie Keane is still struggling to find his feet and David Ngog is too raw to know what you’re going to get from him – the exact opposite of Heskey in fact. But the most important thing about Heskey is that he gives you something different.

You don’t buy him and say: “Right, we want 16 goals from you.” He doesn’t do that.

However, you do know what you are going to get from him and, as England have found to their benefit in the past week, that is more than worth the amount of cash needed to prise him away when the window opens.

Dirk Kuyt: Liverpool FC Will Get 19th Title

DIRK KUYT reckons Liverpool “have what it takes” to end the club’s 19-year title wait.

The Reds have made their best ever start to a season since football’s top flight was re-branded.

With Rafael Benitez having been unable to mount a serious championship challenge since arriving from Valencia in 2004 and Manchester United now just one title shy of Liverpool’s all-time record of 18 wins, everyone at Anfield is determined to secure a first Premier League crown this season.

Saturday’s 3-2 victory over Wigan Athletic at Anfield, in which Kuyt scored an 85th-minute winner, saw Liverpool come from behind to claim three points and ensure they stay joint top with next Sunday’s opponents Chelsea.

Benitez, whose side had to come back twice after Wigan’s Amr Zaki netted a brace, said: “We showed plenty to pull it out of the fire like that.

“In a way, it showed how far we have come since last season.

“We have improved massively, and you can be sure we would only have drawn or maybe even lost a game like this 12 months ago.

“We passed a test with this win. We took another step forward by pulling it round and taking the points, despite not being at our best.

“We don't want to have to dig deep like that too often, but I don't think we will. No-one can say we haven't turned it on at times this season, but now we've shown we have what it takes when questions are asked of us.”

Two-goal Dirk Kuyt said: “I didn't feel any added pressure stepping in for Fernando up front. He was always going to be a big loss, but when the boss turned to me and asked me to fill in, I was more than pleased.

“People go on about my role in the team, but I can honestly say it doesn't concern me. All I am bothered about is playing and contributing, and I feel I have been doing both this season.

“It is important for the team to have Fernando back as soon as possible, and if that means a return to the right flank for me, I won't be complaining.

“Wherever the manager needs me to play, I'll be there, giving it my best. I don't see this as a chance to stake a claim for a place up front alongside him when he is fit. That has never crossed my mind.

“I have enjoyed my time on the right and feel I have contributed with a few goals and few assists. Honestly, it would be fine either way for me.”

Liverpool’s other goalscorer Albert Riera said: “The great thing about wins like this, and the one against Man City, is it demonstrates how good we are at reacting to adversity. That is so important and is the message that comes across loud and clear.

“We would love to win more comfortably and be in charge from the first minute, but it doesn't always go like that.”

He added: “Other teams lift their game against us, because we are up at the top, and we have to respond. We just don't know when we are beaten, and that is a quality that was apparent to me the moment I arrived here.”

Carra: Our team Spirit Is The Key

Jamie Carragher believes Liverpool's ability to mount second-half fightbacks has a lot to with the great team spirit in the dressing room.

The Reds have come from behind to record victories over Middlesbrough, Manchester United, Marseille, Manchester City and Wigan Athletic so far this season, and Carragher revealed the team are always confident of snatching a victory from the jaws of defeat.

"We were always confident about turning things around against Wigan because we've done it a few times this season now," Carragher told Liverpoolfc.tv.

"There's a really good team spirit at the moment and that makes a big difference. The crowd were right behind us as well, so we knew we had enough to get the three points."

But the vice-captain admitted Liverpool should not have to come back in many more matches this season and warned against leaving it too late in future.

"It's not something you want to be doing in every game of the season because eventually you're going to come unstuck," added Carragher.

"We were disappointed that we put ourselves in that position in the first place, but you've got to look at the positives and the strength of character we showed to come back and win the game.

"You're going to need a lot of character to challenge for the league title over the next few months.

"We know we're a good side but only time will tell if we're good enough to go on and win the title. At this stage we're just happy that we're up there and challenging

"The most important thing is to get the points on the board as soon as possible and that's what we're trying to do at the moment."

Rafa: Everybody Loves Amr

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has hinted at a potential move for Amr Zaki as interest in the Wigan Athletic striker continues to grow.

Zaki has been an undisputed hit since arriving in England during the summer on a season-long loan from Zamalek.

The 25-year-old currently leads the Premier League goalscoring charts with seven strikes from eight appearances, and his stock is rising rapidly.

Manchester City are reported to have already kicked off negotiations for Zaki, while a host of other clubs have also been tentatively linked with the Egyptian international.

Liverpool are the latest entrants into the race, having witnessed first-hand the former Lokomotiv Moscow man's talents as he bagged a brace at Anfield on Saturday.

"Everybody will be checking his situation now," Benítez said in The Times.

Wigan are eager to sign Zaki permanently for a pre-agreed fee of £3million at the end of the season, but Zamalek are likely to scrap that deal if a significantly higher bid comes in.

Benitez Rejected Aguero

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has admitted that he turned down the chance to sign Sergio Aguero.

Benitez has revealed that The Reds were offered the chance to sign Aguero in 2006 when he was 17.

However, the Spanish coach thought he was too young and did not want to pay what his club, at the time, Independiente were wanting.

Atletico did pay around £14million and now just two years on he is regarded as one of the best players in world football.

Benitez will face Aguero on Wednesday when The Reds travel to Madrid for their UEFA Champions League clash.

"Two years ago the agents were talking with us about players and he was one of those but he was too young," Benitez told The Times.

"Atletico paid big money for him, around 18million euros [about £14million] for a player who was a risk.

"In the Premier League it's different and sometimes players will need more time here to improve."

Another player who will come face-to-face with Benitez is Florent Sinama-Pongolle - who departed Anfield after he failed to impress during a three-year stay on Merseyside.

The Frenchman is now producing some good form and Benitez admits he was only sold because he had too many forwards.

"We had a lot of confidence in him, we knew that he's a good player but he needed to play games," Benitez said.

"We had Crouch, we were bringing in Torres, it was a question of space."

Gerrard And Torres Up For European Footballer Honour

FERNANDO TORRES and Steven Gerrard have both been shortlisted for this year’s European Footballer of the Year award.

The Liverpool pair are among 11 Barclays Premier League players still in the running for the Ballon d’Or after the list was condensed from 50 to 30 by France Football magazine.

Torres is among the favourites after netting 33 goals in his first season at Anfield and also scoring the winner for Spain in the Euro 2008 final against Germany in Austria this summer.

Liverpool captain Gerrard has continued to excel for Rafael Benitez’s side and was a driving force in their run to a third Champions League semi-final in the last three years in April.

Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo has been tipped to take the award on December 2 with Barcelona and Argentina talisman Lionel Messi and 2007 winner, Brazilian Kaka of AC Milan, also in contention.

Gerrard’s fellow England internationals Wayne Rooney and Frank Lampard have been shortlisted, with Michael Ballack and Didier Drogba (both Chelsea), Edwin van der Sar and Nemanja Vidic (both Manchester United) and Cesc Fabregas and Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal) are the other Premier League stars included.

Spain are represented by seven players after winning Euro 2008 in the summer – Torres and Fabregas being joined by team-mates Marcos Senna, Sergio Ramos, Iker Casillas, David Villa and Xavi in the list.

Only three Serie A players have been nominated – Kaka, Inter Milan’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon – with Spain’s La Liga matching the Premier League with 11 nominees.

The other players shortlisted are former Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, fellow Dutchman Rafael van der Vaart and Pepe (all Real Madrid), Samuel Eto’o (Barcelona), Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid), Franck Ribery and Luca Toni (both Bayern Munich), Andrei Arshavin (Zenit St Petersburg), Yuri Zhirkov (CSKA Moscow) and Karim Benzema (Lyon).

Kuyt Up Front About Role

Dirk Kuyt is willing to continue to lead the line for Liverpool in Fernando Torres' absence.

Prolific goalscorer Torres is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury that he sustained while on international duty with Spain.

Kuyt, often deployed on the right-hand side of midfield, slotted in as a striker against Wigan Athletic on Saturday and netted a vital double as the Reds claimed a 3-2 win.

The Dutchman is hopeful Torres will soon return to action but is happy to ply his trade in the striking role as Liverpool prepare for crunch clashes against Atletico Madrid and Chelsea.

He said: "Fernando is very important for us and it was a big blow that he wasn't on the pitch. But I tried to do my job when the boss put me up front, I just intended on scoring goals for the team.

"It does not concern me what position I play, I have enjoyed being played on the right, and I just want to be important for the team.

"I just hope Fernando is back quickly, but whenever the boss wants me up front, I will be ready.

"I do not think of where I play when Fernando is back. I feel I have been important on the right, scoring goals and with a few assists.

"The most joy for me is that we are winning more games and are at the top of the table."

Rafa Benitez: Contract Talks Won't Impact Liverpool

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has admitted he is yet to hold talks regarding a new contract at Anfield.

Benitez has spent over four years in the job and has 18 months to run on his current deal with Liverpool.

But Liverpool's American owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks have yet to open negotiations regarding an extension.

Reports have suggested that a delay in beginning talks with Benitez could lead to an exodus of several key players from Liverpool.

Former Valencia coach Benitez confirmed there have been no discussions, but he insists it will not affect his focus on the job in hand.

"I will not allow the situation to disturb my concentration because we have a lot of very important games coming up," said Benitez in The People.

"But I have not heard anything about a new contract."

Is Daniel Agger The New Alan Hansen For Liverpool?

WHAT did Agger ‘do do’ that for?

Didn’t he do well to make up for it, though?

On both counts, he was Hansen-esque. The great one was also prone to the odd lapse of concentration, as well as being Scotland’s answer to Franz Beckenbauer going forward.

In truth, we were put in trouble by a gift goal and a freak one, and managed to get out of it. Twice, without Torres, and no Roy of the Rovers stuff from Steven Gerrard – and a well-deserved brace from Dirk Kuyt to boot.

I regard all these as positives. The question is, though, how many times can we go to this particular well?

The extreme pressure we’re under is thrown into sharp relief by events at The Riverside.

Although like most of us I’m still hoping our uneven struggle may be brought to an end by the Dubai 7th Cavalry, I now hear that they may even be switching their attentions to the other side of Stanley Park!

Penny for Rick Parry’s thoughts. Which is a penny more than there should be in his pay-packet.

Regarding the game, I reckon too much is being made of this being a lucky win, influenced by the sending-off. One has to ask, how much time was left when Valencia got his marching orders? Not much, I think.

It’s not as if we got a penalty we didn’t deserve.

Anyway, it goes some way to evening up the perfectly good goal we had scratched off against Stoke, which would probably have opened the floodgates.

Steve Bruce, looking like a butch version of Stephen Fry, may have been apoplectic, but he could try reflecting on the good fortune he’s had against us over the last few years.

Big Steve may be sick of hearing of this Heskey thing fairly soon, too. Not sure this is really a good idea. Why not bring back Florent Sinama-Pongolle and Bruno Cheyrou while we’re at it? In truth, Houllier’s heroes were not all that heroic. Let’s give the rewind button a rest for a while.

Now, Zaki, that’s a different Wigan meat pie. At the reputed £6million, he may look a touch more appetizing than Robbie Keane at £20m.

Jamie Carragher Celebrates First Birthday Of His Restaurant

LIVERPOOL FC star Jamie Carragher was joined by family and friends last night to celebrate the first anniversary of his city centre restaurant.

Hundreds of people partied at Cafe Sports England including Olympians; boxer and Liverpool fan David Price and gymnast Beth Tweddle. Carragher was joined by his family, including wife Nicola and children James, five, and four- year-old Mia.

In its first 12 months the popular venue on Stanley Street has gone from strength to strength and expansion plans are well underway.

Liverpool businessman Paul Flanagan – whose Flanagan Group co-owns the venture with Carragher - said it had proved a successful partnership.

He said: "The last year has been great, the business has gone from success to success and we are opening Cafe Sports Express in Liverpool One next month.

"This cafe attracts Liverpool and Everton fans and Jamie’s no- nonsense approach and our dedication to create a family atmosphere that’s welcoming to kids has worked."

Carragher has spent the past year using the cafe bar and his footballing status to campaign against childhood obesity and promote healthy eating among youngsters. Last night he presented a cheque for £5,000 worth of Adidas sports equipment to the first winning school from a healthy smoothie voucher competition.

Ursuline School Catholic School in Crosby exchanged the greatest amount of smoothie vouchers with every meal purchased to win the proceeds of a memorabilia auction.

Carragher sold his first item, a signed, framed shirt from his 500th Liverpool appearance for £5,000.

He said: "It’s great to have so many of my friends and family here with their kids, and it’s a place they can come and enjoy themselves.

"I wanted to open a pub initially but I wanted to do something a bit different and I think we’ve achieved that."

LiverpooL 3 - 2 Wigan Athletic

Liverpool maintained their unbeaten home league record in 2008 with a stunning comeback victory, but how Wigan made them fight.

The Anfield men are specialising in dramatic comebacks, and after Chelsea's 5-0 win at Middlesbrough earlier in the day, they knew they could not afford to slip-up.

But they were twice behind to first-half goals from Egyptian striker Amr Zaki, his second an acrobatic volley at the Kop End.

Dirk Kuyt's first equaliser kept Liverpool in the game and they fought their way back to win 3-2, just as they had at Manchester City a fortnight ago.

Wigan battled for everything and the game turned on a red card for Antonio Valencia with 16 minutes left.

The Latics were down to 10 men and Liverpool powered forward, with Albert Riera grabbing the equaliser and Kuyt, with a slightly less clean version of Zaki's volley, secured maximum points for Rafael Benitez's side.

Liverpool were forced into four changes from the side which claimed a late fightback at Eastlands a fortnight ago with Daniel Agger, Robbie Keane, Andrea Dossena and Jermaine Pennant all coming in.

Fernando Torres, Javier Mascherano, Martin Skrtel and Fabio Aurelio were all out.

Emile Heskey, who revealed earlier in the week that a return to Liverpool would be "lovely" was missing for Wigan with a hamstring strain, so Dutchman Daniel de Ridder came in.

Tackles flew in, there was pace and desire from Wigan and they had the bulk of the early possession.

Zaki gave Agger and Jamie Carragher plenty to think about, and the collision between Lee Cattermole and Steven Gerrard in midfield was uncompromising.

Jose Reina needed to be at his best when he had to beat away a drive from Olivier Kapo after a clever pass from Wilson Palacios had put him through on the left of the box.

Liverpool had not really threatened to this point, but almost scored when Riera's ball put Keane in on the left after 28 minutes.

He was forced a yard wider than he would have liked, and saw his angled right-foot shot just clear the far post.

Then within a minute, Wigan were ahead after a terrible mistake from Agger.

Reina tapped a routine pass out to the Dane, who was far too casual. He allowed the ball to bounce away from him enough for Zaki to pounce, win the tackle, and stride into the box to beat Reina with a shot into the bottom corner.

Agger knew he had to do something after that howler and atoned after 37 minutes when he came out of defence down the left before exchanging passes with Dossena.

He then went past Cattermole in the box before crossing for Kuyt to fire in the equaliser, his first home league goal since scoring against the same opposition in April.

Kuyt then hit the crossbar and Riera's towering header cleared the top of bar.

But Zaki had the final word of the half with a stunning scissors-kick from a Valencia cross which flew past Reina for a sensational goal.

Liverpool went searching for a second equaliser straight from the restart and it took a fine save from former Liverpool goalkeeper Chris Kirkland after 57 minutes to keep Wigan ahead. Pennant jumped over Keane's low cross from the left, and Kuyt's instant shot was blocked by Kirkland's left leg.

Riera almost set up Keane in the six-yard box before Gerrard lashed a 30-yard shot wide.

Liverpool were now gambling by throwing men forward, risking more danger from the robust, physical Zaki, who was more than happy to take on Carragher at every opportunity.

Gerrard side-footed a free-kick wide after a Wigan wall had failed to retreat far enough, and Valencia was booked.

Wigan were furious because they believed that Xabi Alonso's touch sideways of about a yard meant the kick had been taken.

But worse was to follow for Valencia. Soon after he was in trouble again for a foul on Alonso, and referee Alan Wiley showed a yellow and then a red card to the Wigan man.

That just inspired Liverpool to launch a new wave of attacks, and when substitute Nabil El Zhar crossed from the right after 79 minutes, Gerrard dummied and Riera lashed home his first goal for the club.

Wigan deserved more, but with five minutes to go, Pennant crossed from the right and Kuyt hooked the ball down into the turf and up to clear Kirkland's stretching fingers.

Kuyt: We Never Stopped Believing

Two-goal hero Dirk Kuyt was understandably in effervescent mood following after his side produced another impressive late show to come from behind to beat Wigan 3-2 on Saturday.

Liverpool had to find some inspiration and dig deep in order to comeback twice over the Athletics after Amr Zaki took the lead on both occasions, only for Dirk Kuyt and then Albert Riera to level the scoreline. The Dutchman then popped up with five minutes to go to seal the winner.

"It was unbelievable," Kuyt trumpeted to Liverpoolfc.tv.

"I think we showed a lot of character today and it helped us come back from behind to win the game."

"We knew that if we kept trying and showed some of that character then we would be able to score goals, and that proved to be the case today. We always believed we could win.

"We didn't play very well at the start of the match, but at the end of the day the three points are the most important thing for us.

"We were always going to get a few more chances playing against 10 men, but I think it was our hard work that made the difference in the end," he added, suggesting that Antonio Valencia's 74th minute sending-off was not the turning point.

"We tried everything we could to beat them, and it's good to score the goals, but I think the most important thing today is winning the match - that is what makes me happy."

Liverpool thus retained their unbeaten start to the season and also maintain their early pace with last season's league runners up, Chelsea.

Rafa: We Must Make Life Easier

Rafa Benitez warned his players they must make life easier on themselves if their title charge is to remain on course after Liverpool again came from behind to win 3-2 against Wigan.

A Dirk Kuyt brace and another from Albert Riera secured a fifth comeback for the Reds this season.

It means Liverpool remain unbeaten in all competitions, but Benitez said: "I told the players at the end of the game that they had to make things easier for themselves.

"We started the game really badly. They were winning a lot of second balls and controlling the game. We started to get better but then they got the second goal.

"We needed to change a lot of things and the team showed a lot of character. We were pushing and pressing and passing the ball. In the end, thanks to this belief, we won the game."

Asked if his team could keep coming from behind, the boss joked: "I will talk with my doctor and we will see!

"No, I would like to score one, two or three goals in the first half. But the Premier League is very tough and when you show the kind of character we did today, it's important for the games ahead.

"We will see if we can show this kind of character against Chelsea next weekend, but I would like to be calmer on the bench!"

Goal hero Kuyt, whose winner against Wigan came on 85 minutes, has now found the net four times in three games.

Benitez added: "We were talking about Kuyt not scoring too many goals in the league but today, playing as a striker, he got two. The understanding between him and Robbie Keane was good.

"It is always the same. Kuyt is a player every manager would want in his squad. He showed again that he can score goals - something we know he can do."

Wigan twice took the lead through Amr Zaki, the first of which coming after a slip up from Daniel Agger.

Benitez said: "It was between Pepe Reina and Daniel. Daniel was not waiting for the pass and then he had to dribble quickly because Zaki was there. But his reaction was very positive. He kept going forward and created the first goal."

The Wigan result means Liverpool remain level top with Chelsea ahead of next week's trip to Stamford Bridge.

Benitez Cools Heskey Talk

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez admits he was 'surprised' to be linked with a bid for Wigan Athletic striker Emile Heskey.

The 30-year-old has been mooted for a return to Anfield, having previously left the Reds for Birmingham City in 2004.

Heskey is out of contract at the end of the season and speculation has suggested he could leave Wigan in a cut-price deal in January.

Aston Villa have been linked with a bid, while recent reports claim Benitez wants to hand Heskey a second spell on Merseyside.

On Friday, Heskey admitted that a move to Liverpool would be 'lovely' after revealing he is keen to play in the UEFA Champions League again.

Wigan boss Steve Bruce is hoping to persuade Heskey to sign a new contract, but the England international wants to keep his options open.

However, ahead of Wigan's trip to Anfield on Saturday, Liverpool chief Benitez did not want to go into detail regarding the speculation.

Benitez told a press conference: "You know my idea is not to talk about players playing for another team, especially before a game, so I was surprised."