Keane Could Miss Chlesea Match

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has confirmed that both Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso have won their respective fitness race in time for the top-of-the-table clash against Chelsea on Sunday, but expressed uncertainty about the status of Robbie Keane.

"Xabi and Steven both trained today and should be okay," he said on Friday. "It wasn't a hard session but I am confident they can play at Chelsea.

"We're still not sure about Robbie. He didn't train today and we will have to see how he is tomorrow. We will make a late decision."

The loss of Keane would be particularly be a big blow as the Reds will definitely be making the trip to Stamford Bridge without star striker Fernando Torres, as confirmed by Benitez.

"Fernando won't be involved. He is recovering well and should be fit again soon, but we have to be careful with the player," he was quoted as saying by Sky Sports News.

Liverpool travel to Stamford Bridge for the big one on Sunday buoyed by yet another comeback win last weekend, but also conscious of their poor record away to their tittle rivals under Benitez.

Rafa Benitez Insists: Liverpool Can Cope Without Fernando Torres

RAFAEL BENITEZ believes Liverpool have the squad to cope without Fernando Torres and banish their Stamford Bridge hoodoo tomorrow.

The only two remaining unbeaten records in the Premier League go on the line as leaders Chelsea entertain the Spaniard’s second-placed side.

Benitez is confident Robbie Keane will overcome a minor groin strain to lead an attack that will be missing Torres, who is again sidelined with a groin problem.

Liverpool have not won in 10 games at Stamford Bridge under Benitez and have gained only one victory in their last 24 visits, a sequence stretching back to 1990.

But with Keane finding the net against Atletico Madrid in midweek and Dirk Kuyt having scored four times in his last three starts, Benitez reckons his team have the firepower to end Chelsea’s 86-game unbeaten home run.

“I think we can beat them without Torres,” said the Liverpool manager. “We have been playing well and we have enough quality in the squad.

“I think it will be important for the squad to show that the team can do things without Torres. We showed this against United and that was very positive. If we want to be contenders it depends on the whole squad and not just one player.

“Keane is scoring now in the Champions League now so hopefully he can start in the Premier League. Kuyt has already started, and that is a positive. We know Torres is a key player for us, but we have enough quality in the squad.”

Liverpool beat Manchester United last month with Torres on the bench, and Benitez added: “We have new players with a good mentality and we have a lot of confidence. I think we have enough to beat a very good team like Chelsea.

“We have the confidence for beating anyone. “We will go to Stamford Bridge and try and win, but if we cannot we must not lose.

“It will be a good problem for me if I have to try and play down expectations.

“If you want to have a chance at the end you have to beat the top sides,” said.

“To beat the other teams is important as you get the points, but the games against the top sides can make the difference.

“The difference at the top can be just one point, so it’s important to beat these teams.”

If Liverpool avoid defeat tomorrow, they will have achieved their best start to a Premier League campaign.

Benitez has admired the impact Luiz Felipe Scolari has made since arriving at Chelsea but refused to be drawn into criticising former sparring partner Jose Mourinho.

“Scolari is improving the squad and team,” said the Liverpool manager.

“It is more or less the same idea but they are more offensive than before.

“I think they are a good team. I don’t want say they are better (than under Mourinho) because I don’t want to start a war of words, but they are more offensive, that is clear.

“Always you want to win against your rivals, our record is something we can change on Sunday.

“You have to leave the fans to enjoy the situation. But the responsibility is to keep things realistic and to make sure the fans are aware it will be difficult to win the title as there are a lot of good teams in England, particularly the top three.”

Kuyt and Fabio Aurelio could return to the starting line-up at the expense of Yossi Benayoun and Andrea Dossena.

George Gillett Promises Rafa Benitez New Contract

Benitez remains confident his contract situation will be resolved after receiving backing from George Gillett this week.

The American attended the midweek Champions League game at Atletico Madrid and, although Benitez did not meet the co-owner, he revealed contact was indirectly made.

“I have had some contact and some messages, saying congratulations, you are doing a fantastic job,” said the Spaniard.

“I am thinking about games and do my job as well as I can. But I think the contract will get sorted, yes."

Chelsea Won't Intimidate Liverpool

Liverpool forward Robbie Keane has warned Chelsea that the Reds will not be intimidated by the home side's record at Stamford Bridge.

Sunday's top of the table showdown at Stamford Bridge is arguably the fixture of the weekend as Liverpool look to spoil Chelsea's home record, and summer signing Robbie Keane has said that his side will not be intimidated by their opponents.

"We know it won’t be easy and Chelsea have made a good start, but that doesn’t mean we will be intimidated by them," Keane told the club's official website.

"It will be tough on Sunday, because they are doing well and haven’t been beaten for so long at home.

"But the way I look at it, records are there to be broken. We are doing well too and have to be confident we can go there and get a result," he concluded.

Rafa Looks To Take It To The Bridge

Rafael Benitez admires the attacking style that Luiz Felipe Scolari has introduced at Chelsea but still believes Liverpool can win in London.

The Anfield boss will be trying to mastermind the end of Chelsea's four-year, 86-game unbeaten home league record when the Premier League's top two clash at Stamford Bridge.

But Liverpool will have to do it without Fernando Torres, who has failed to recover from a hamstring injury.

Benitez said: "Robbie Keane has a groin strain, we are not sure about him yet, but we will have to wait until nearer the match before we decide.

"(Steven) Gerrard and (Xabi) Alonso will be fit, but Torres will not be available. He may be ready for next week, but for now there is no chance.

"We do not have Torres, but I believe we have the fire-power to beat Chelsea. We have been playing well and have good confidence.

"We have enough quality in the squad. We may have been more worried without Torres in the past, but we have improved, we have new players with a very good mentality.

"We have enough to beat a very good team, and that is what Chelsea are. It is too early to talk of titles, but we have the confidence to beat anyone.

"So we will go to Stamford Bridge and try to do our best. If we win it will be perfect and if we do not lose that too will be positive."

Benitez goes to Stamford Bridge without the added pressures caused by the now infamous war of words with former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho that marred previous encounters.

The Portuguese coach dominated Benitez in league matches, while Liverpool achieved notable victories in the FA Cup and Champions League.

Now, it seems, Benitez senses a more cordial welcome.

He would not go as far as to say Chelsea were better under Scolari, but he got very close.

"With Avram Grant the team was at the same level as with Mourinho, but maybe more offensive," Benitez said.

"And that is now the same with Scolari. He is improving the team and the squad, so it will be just as difficult. But we are playing against the team, not the manager.

"But maybe Chelsea are now more offensive. That just makes it more difficult because they have such good players.

"Chelsea are a very good team. I would not want to say better than under Mourinho because I do not want to start any war of words, but it is clear that they are more offensive.

"They have a more offensive mentality, a very good team with a good attacking policy.

"This game may be more open than previous ones between the clubs. Clearly they have a stronger attacking mentality. They will go forward, they score goals, and we will have a much more attacking match.

"They have quality all around. They have full-backs who go forward, good wide men and attacking players, they are a very good side. They do not have too many weaknesses, but if we can win it will be a real boost."

Rafael Benitez Cool On Premier League Title Talk Ahead Of Chelsea Clash

If Rafael Benitez wanted to play down his side’s chances of winning the championship, he should have picked somewhere other than Liverpool to manage.

This is a city where talk of a title has become almost a lost language and where any hint that Liverpool might regain a championship that a generation ago belonged to Merseyside almost by right is seized upon and pored over.

Last season, in a cry of despair and frustration, Steven Gerrard said he was sick of making optimistic predictions about Liverpool’s Premier League ambitions, only to see them ground into the dust by October. Well, October is here and Liverpool are matching Chelsea punch for punch.

After eight games they are two points better off than they were in the 1989-90 campaign, which finished with Anfield’s 18th and last title, although to listen to the Liverpool manager, you would hardly think so.

“It is clear that you have to allow the fans to enjoy the situation,” Benitez said. “But you have a responsibility to be realistic. In football it is better not to be talked about.”

That extends to speaking about Jose Mourinho, who began the season by predicting in his Daily Telegraph column that Liverpool would win the championship and that after five years at Anfield there was no excuse for Benitez not to. Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson might make up but not these two.

The Manchester United manager thought tomorrow’s contest in London would not be decisive. Ferguson argued that Liverpool lacked the firepower for anything more than a goalless draw. Arsenal, he said, had a far greater chance of breaking Chelsea’s stranglehold at Stamford Bridge.

Nevertheless, it seems almost perverse that on a day Benitez was making his final preparations for a game that could have a critical bearing on their title ambitions, a group of Merseyside MPs were tabling a motion urging the Government to put pressure on the Royal Bank of Scotland not to extend the repayments for a £350 million loan to the club’s owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillett, which could only damage Liverpool in the short term.

Gillett had been at the Vicente Calderon Stadium on Wednesday night to see Liverpool toss away a dominant position against Atletico Madrid, but any conversation with Benitez was second hand – relayed through the chief executive, Rick Parry. When asked if he had received any communication about a new contract – his present deal expires in 18 months – Benitez simply shook his head and smiled.

When Benitez last won a championship, with Valencia in 2004, it was by coming from behind. The focus was all on Real Madrid in the season when their love affair with the galacticos was at its most intense. The Real manager, Carlos Queiroz, had plenty of stars but a pitifully thin squad and, game by game, the Valencia machine wore him down.

“Generally, we were eight points behind Real Madrid and we finished eight points clear, so we were never really talked about until about April,” Benitez said. “It is easier that way because people can talk too much.”

To become the first team to win at Stamford Bridge in four years would create plenty of talk and be a dramatic statement of intent, especially if it was achieved without Fernando Torres, the kind of striker Luiz Filipe Scolari simply does not possess in the home dressing-room. Nevertheless, Gerrard and Robbie Keane should both be fit while Dirk Kuyt, who until the 3-2 victory at Manchester City had not managed a league goal in 11 months, has stepped up to fill the void left by Torres.

Last month’s victory over United was a significant turning point in that it showed Liverpool could overcome their great weakness under Benitez – an inability to beat the top sides in the Premier League, which amounted almost to an inferiority complex. Had their results against Chelsea been reversed, Liverpool would have won the title in 2006.

And something else has changed. The wild rotation that confused everyone at Anfield from the stands to the dressing-room has ceased. A website called fantasyrafa.com asks you to predict Benitez’s starting line-ups. Until recently the odds on winning were of National Lottery proportions. But as Benitez says: “Chelsea have used 24 players and we have used 22.” Fantasy Rafa has become a whole lot easier.

Robbie Keane Aims To Make An Impact

ROBBIE KEANE knows a thing or two about ruining Chelsea’s hopes of winning some silverware.

Twice already this year, the Republic of Ireland international has played a significant role in ensuring the efforts of the Stamford Bridge outfit went without any tangible reward.

Keane was part of the Tottenham Hotspur side that surprised their London rivals with a 2-1 victory in the Carling Cup final at Wembley in March.

Then, barely four weeks later, the striker was on hand to net a late equaliser in a remarkable 4-4 draw that went a long way to ensuring Chelsea’s championship chase of Manchester United ultimately fell short.

Keane will be looking to lodge another sizeable spanner in the works when he returns to the capital tomorrow afternoon.

But this time the Liverpool forward hopes victory will be of title-winning benefit to his own team as Rafael Benitez’s side aim to extend their unbeaten start to the season and claim only a second league win at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League era.

“My last game against Chelsea was the 4-4 draw,” says Keane. “Goals galore, it was phenomenal. It was attack versus attack and a great game to be involved in. I am sure it will go down in history as one of the great games in the Premier League.

“It was just great entertainment, great excitement. It was a bit like a schoolboy game in some ways because it just seemed like both teams were just attacking all the time. Probably wasn’t the best for defending, but for the neutrals it was a good game.

“I remember there was a long ball played forward and it came off someone’s back and luckily enough I was there. I connected with it and it went in the top corner.

“I think there were two minutes left. We could have actually nicked at right at the end – Berbatov had a chance with the last kick.

“Obviously it was a game Chelsea needed to win at the time and the result was a disappointment for them.

“It will be tough on Sunday. They are doing well and haven’t been beaten for so long at home, but the way I look it at records are there to be broken.

“We are doing well too. We have to confident we can go there and get a result.”

Keane is confident of recovering from the minor groin niggle that forced him off shortly after half-time of Liverpool’s 1-1 Champions League draw at Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.

The striker had given the visitors an early lead with his only second goal since a near £20million move from White Hart Lane in July.

Keane is still waiting to open his domestic account, and he says: “You don’t just settle into a club straight away. Sometimes it can take a bit of time to settle down. But I feel part of things here, I am happy and I just want to help us be successful.

“I tweaked my groin a bit in the first 20 minutes, but it was more of a precaution than anything else. Hopefully I will be okay.”

With Fernando Torres injured, Keane will be asked to lead the line as Liverpool attempt to end the most formidable home record in English football history.

Chelsea have not lost in their last 86 games at Stamford Bridge, a record that extends back to February 2004.

And Keane admits: “You know that there are no easy games in this league but this one is probably as tough as they come when you look at their home record over the last few seasons.

“We’ve just had a decent result away from home in the Champions League and we’ve got a couple of days in between to rest and train so we should go there in decent shape.

“Chelsea is a massive, massive game for us and Liverpool have done okay against them in the last couple of years so I’m sure we will go there believing that we can get a good result.

“Everyone knows that Chelsea haven’t been beaten at home for so long but records are there to be broken and our job is to make sure we give ourselves the best possible chance of doing just that.

“We know it won’t be easy and Chelsea have made a good start to the season themselves but that doesn’t mean we will be intimidated by them or anything like that.

“I think you have to be confident that you can go there and win because you can’t be going into games not confident or not believing that you can get a good result.

“Chelsea’s record is great, they have a great squad of players and we definitely respect that but if you are not confident going into a game like this one you’ve got no chance.”

Of Liverpool’s six Premier League wins, four have come after having fallen behind but Keane accepts Benitez’s side cannot afford to be so charitable tomorrow.

“We’ve certainly made hard work of our last couple of games and we definitely can’t keep doing that,” he says. “Last weekend we managed to get another good win after going behind.

“When you’re playing at home you expect to take the initiative and to take the game to them but you have to give Wigan credit because they played well and made things hard for us.

“But we ended up getting the win and we can take a lot of heart from that because it shows how much character there is in the side and how much we want to win games.

“But the more often you do that the more chance there is that you will come unstuck because games won’t always go your way after going behind.”

Liverpool Need To Be Perfect To Beat Chelsea

Rafa Benitez has warned that Liverpool will not beat Chelsea if they are not on top form.

Liverpool travel to Stamford Bridge on Sunday in a top of the table clash to take on Chelsea and Reds boss Rafa Benitez has warned that if his side play to anything less than 100 per cent of their capabilities then they will not leave London with a positive result.

Liverpool have often come from behind to sneak a win this season, but that task may prove impossible in a ground that is notorious for frustrating forwards for over 80 games and four years.

"Every manager is looking for the perfect 90 minutes... If they score first it will be really difficult for us so we have to do everything perfectly from the first whistle. When we get a chance we have to take it because we know they will have chances as well," Benitez told the club's official website.

"They have a lot of good players playing good football. They're passing the ball really well and scoring lots of goals. But we're going there with confidence, looking to work hard, play well and produce some nice football."

Hyypia Still Committed To Liverpool

Liverpool defender Sami Hyypia has declared that he is still ready to feature for the club, in spite of Rafa Benitez's continuing refusal to choose him.

The Finnish defender was delivered the ultimate snub by Benitez this season when he was omitted from the club's Champions League squad.

The 35 year-old has been one of Liverpool's best serving defenders over the past decade but has been cast into the shadows during this campaign.

The early season form of Martin Skrtel combined with the resurgence of Dan Agger has left Hyypia kicking his heels in the stands.

He admits to frustration at not being picked for the side but the former Liverpool skipper insists that he will be ready when called upon.

He told the club's official website: "I am always fit and ready to come into the side. It's very unfortunate what happened to Martin Skrtel because he was playing very well.

"Defensively it may take either Daniel [Agger)] or myself some time to get into the rhythm because we haven't played much, but hopefully it won't take too long.

"Of course all players want to play and I am no different. It can be frustrating when you train hard every day and then on a match day you are at home, in the stands or on the bench.

"That is something I have had to get used to, but I am feeling alright and waiting for my chance to play. When it comes along I want to be ready for playing well."

Anfield Legend Blasts 'Negative' Rafa

Liverpool legend Ronnie Whelan believes that the negative attitude of Rafa Benitez will continue to leave the Reds behind their traditional rivals.

Liverpool are enjoying their best ever start to a Premier League season under Rafa Benitez and go into this weekend's table-top clash against Chelsea with a real chance of ending the Pensioners' 86-game home streak without defeat.

However, an Anfield legend, Ronnie Whelan believes that the tactics favoured by Benitez will continue to hinder the side.

He compared the performances of the Reds' full-backs to those of their Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea counterparts and concluded that the Anfield side are found wanting.

Whelan believes that unless the ex-Valencia manager alters his mindset, then Liverpool's long wait for the League title will go on.

The ex-Irish international used the midweek Champions League encounter against Atlético Madrid to emphasise his claim.

He told the press: “The manager’s negative vibes don’t help Liverpool, especially in the second half [against Atlético on Wednesday].

"We’ve sat here many times and we’re looking for the [Liverpool] full back to get forward. If it was Manchester United, Chelsea or Arsenal the full back would have been flying down the wing.

“But Liverpool’s full backs are not allowed go forward, and it was killing them in the second half because so many times there was open space but they wouldn’t do it because they’re not allowed get forward.”

Key Reds Trio Should Face Blues

Liverpool expect all three of their stars who were substituted against Atletico Madrid to be fit for Sunday's Premier League clash at Chelsea.

Steven Gerrard, taken off on Wednesday with "tiredness", will lead the side while Robbie Keane (groin) and Xabi Alonso (knee) should also feature.

Striker Fernando Torres is losing his last-ditch battle for fitness following his hamstring injury and is more likely to return at home to Portsmouth on Wednesday.

Kick-off at Stamford Bridge is at 13.30 hours (GMT).

Probable Liverpool starting (from): Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Agger, Hyypia, Dossena, Aurelio, Babel, Benayoun, Gerrard, Mascherano, Alonso, Kuyt, Keane, Pennant, Riera, Lucas, Ngog, Cavalieri.

Keane Absence Would Be No Real Loss For Rafa As He Prepares To Stifle Chelsea

Robbie Keane scored a goal and hobbled off with a groin injury in Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night. But which occurrence was the most familiar?

Keane’s career has not exactly been characterised by injury but his time at Anfield has not been marked by a glut of goals either.

Keane doubled his Liverpool tally on Wednesday night from 14 appearances and has not yet scored for the club in the Premier League. Scoring is not his strength at the moment.

So if Rafael Benitez is genuinely concerned that the Irishman might not be fit to play at Chelsea on Sunday, he shouldn’t be.

Losing Fernando Torres to injury is a genuine blow but Keane’s possible absence is more of an irritation than a disappointment.

Even if neither are ready to play this weekend, it will not change the gameplan. Benitez usually tries to bore Chelsea into submission at Stamford Bridge and snatch a goal.

It doesn’t often work but that hasn’t put him off and regardless of improvements this season, not conceding rather than scoring was always going to be Liverpool’s priority.

Babel Admits Fitness Fears

Liverpool ace Ryan Babel admits he is not 100 per cent fit ahead of this weekend's clash with Chelsea.

The Dutchman made a brief appearance off the bench during Liverpool's 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Champions League.

Babel missed last weekend's win over Wigan with an ankle injury he suffered on international duty with Holland and concedes that he is still some way off peak fitness.

The former Ajax man believes the top-of-the-table clash at Stamford Bridge, live on Sky Sports 1 and HD1, will show how far Liverpool have come this season as they look to mount a serious title challenge.

"We will see how far we are now," Babel told Sky Sports News. "We are a little bit unlucky we do not have everybody fit of course, even myself I am not 100 per cent like I am supposed to be.

"No excuses, we will see what happens on Sunday."

Babel is unsure if he will be included from the start against Chelsea, but he insists he is ready and willing to do whatever Rafa Benitez wants.

"I am not sure [about starting] but of course if the boss needs me I will be 100 per cent," added Babel.

Babel admits Liverpool will make the trip to West London full of confidence after an unbeaten start to the season and knows a win at Chelsea would give them an even bigger lift.

"I think as a group the confidence is very high at the moment and if you can win at Chelsea it would be a good boost and we will see what happens," concluded Babel.

Barnes Tips Reds To Get Point At Chelsea

Former Liverpool wing-wizard John Barnes is sure his old club will prove they are genuine Premier League title contenders by taking a point off Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Liverpool hero John Barnes, currently the manager of Jamaica and a pundit for the New Football Pools, told the Metro: "Chelsea may be playing the more fluent football but Liverpool are showing all their determination and spirit which is leading to great results.

"Luiz Felipe Scolari has got Chelsea playing some wonderful stuff but I have a feeling my old side will get a result.

"Liverpool are defensively strong and I can see them getting a point.

"It looks as though Fernando Torres will miss the game, which is a blow, but Liverpool are now starting to show they don't have to rely on Steven Gerrard and Torres to get results."

Former Boss Roy Evans Backs Liverpool FC Against Chelsea

FORMER Liverpool manager Roy Evans is backing Rafael Benitez’s side to end Chelsea’s long unbeaten home record this weekend – even though he also feels the Reds have still to hit top gear this season.

Sunday’s clash at Stamford Bridge pits the top two teams in the Premier League against each other, with both Chelsea and Liverpool having taken 20 points from eight games.

Liverpool have been in fine form both domestically and in Europe recently, and extended their unbeaten run to 16 matches with Wednesday night’s 1-1 Champions League draw against Atletico Madrid.

When it comes to unbeaten streaks though, Chelsea’s takes some beating, with the Blues not having a lost a league match at home in 86 fixtures.

Despite that, Bootle-born Evans, who managed Liverpool from 1994 to 1998 and is now an assistant to John Toshack with Wales, believes his old club can be the ones to end that run this weekend, even if he feels they are not yet firing an all cylinders.

“Somebody’s got to do it sometime and although Liverpool have not been playing at their very best they’ve been getting some really good results,” Evans said.

“What they have shown this year, and perhaps not in previous years, is a real spirit.

“If they go behind they’ve come back and won games, for example recently against Wigan and Man City, and they’ve also shown they can beat the top teams by beating Man United, which over the last few years they haven’t done.

“Chelsea, down at Stamford Bridge, is a difficult game, they are playing some great stuff but I just feel that if Liverpool go down there and play at their very best they can come away with a result.”

He added: “I think it will be 2-1 to Liverpool, although I am slightly biased!”

“It will be difficult game and Chelsea, even with their injuries, have looked a very good side so I don’t think it will be a walkover, but I think Liverpool can come away with a positive result.”

Xabi Alonso Eyeing Points Not Revenge Mission

THE memories of recent past may remain fresh in the mind, but it’s the future that will be the only concern to Liverpool when they return to Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

A bitterly disappointing evening in April saw Rafael Benitez’s side denied a third Champions League final appearance in four years by a 3-2 win for Chelsea after extra-time.

The teams cross swords for the first time since on Sunday in a meeting of the early Premier League pace-setters.

And while the immediate stakes may not be quite as high this time around, the fixture represents an opportunity for either side to post a significant marker in the championship race.

“What happened against Chelsea last season won’t have an influence on this game, I am sure of that,” says Xabi Alonso, who will be expected to pull the strings in midfield for Liverpool on Sunday.

“This is a different season, there are different players on both sides, a different manager at Chelsea and we can only focus on what happens during this game.

“We won’t prepare for this game thinking about the Champions League semi-final or by using that for extra motivation.

“I don’t think you can compare this game with what happened at Stamford Bridge last season. This is a new season and both teams have new targets to concentrate on and because of that, anything can happen on Sunday.”

Both teams are looking to protect an unbeaten start to the season with Liverpool having lost only four of their last 47 league games.

“We won’t be going to Stamford Bridge with any fear,” says Alonso. “We respect them as a very good side but we are confident in our own ability and we believe we can win.

“They have shown great form in recent weeks and we expect a tough game, but we go into every game expecting to win now and Sunday will be no different.”

Four of Liverpool’s six league wins have come after the Anfield outfit had fallen behind, but Alonso admits Benitez’s side cannot afford a similarly slow start on Sunday.

“What we cannot afford to do against Chelsea though is start as slowly as we have done in some games,” he says. “We need to concentrate fully for 90 minutes because the quality of their players means they can punish you at any time.

“Fernando Torres will be a big loss against Chelsea but we know we can manage the situation, we have to, and we have more strength in depth and more confidence now than we have had before.

“After the results we have had this season we are right to be confident.”

Liverpool edged a step nearer qualification from the group stages of the Champions League with a 1-1 draw at Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night.

Robbie Keane’s early opener had looked set to earn the visitors victory until Anfield manager Benitez, with one eye on Sunday’s assignment, substituted Keane, Alonso and skipper Steven Gerrard and Atletico grabbed a late equaliser through Simao.

“We had a good 60 minutes against Atletico and we can take a lot of confidence from going to a difficult place like that and playing so well, but in the latter part of the game we did have a lot more problems,” says Alonso. “We were very pleased with how the first half had gone at half-time, we had managed the situation, we were in control of the game and we scored a good goal through Robbie.

“In the end we are disappointed with the draw but to be honest that was probably a fair result.”

Liverpool welcome Atletico on Tuesday week before entertaining Marseille, with two victories ensuring them top place with a game to spare.

But despite their strong position at the top of Group D – particularly given they had taken one point from nine at this stage of the competition last season – Keane reckons the Anfield outfit cannot rest on their laurels.

“We’ve got to be happy with where we are in the group because we’ve played three games, two of which have been away from home, and we’ve taken seven points,” says the Republic of Ireland international.

“We knew that Madrid would be a tough place to come to because Atletico are a good side, but we’ve managed to take a point which is definitely a good result.

“But there’s still work to be done. We know that and we have to focus now on the next game and not start thinking too far ahead.”

Keane’s goal was his second in successive Champions League games and, with Fernando Torres injured, the Irishman is expected to lead the line at Chelsea this weekend.

“It’s always nice to score, but it would have been even nicer if we’d managed to take the three points,” says the striker.

“Unfortunately, that wasn’t to be, but all in all we’ve got to be happy with a point because I suppose it could have gone either way. We had the better of things in the first half but they were always going to come out and have a go at us in the second, especially with their home crowd behind them, so I think a draw was a fair result.

“This is a great competition to be involved in and hopefully there’s still a lot more games to come for us.

“We can’t allow ourselves to become complacent or get too carried away. But, at the same time, we can be confident that we will go on to qualify.”

Liverpool MPs Demand Government Stop Americans

An unlikely repercussion from the banking has materialized in the Houses of Parliament after a group of Liverpool-based MPs urged government intervention to cripple George Gillett and Tom Hicks' ownership of Pool.

In an intervention that will be interpreted as a cynical vote-winning exercise rather than principled objection, five Merseyside MPs have joined forces to support the motion of Walton MP Peter Kilfoyle demanding that the government pressurize the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) into rejecting the Americans' request for a £350m loan.

Without the bank providing the loan, the tycoons' ownership of the Anfield club would be plunged into jeopardy with the credit crunch already causing long-established plans for stadium development to be downscaled and delayed.

Following the emergency £20bn bail-out funded by taxpayers' money, the government now holds a 60 per cent stake in RBS.

Blackburn To Make Move For Liverpool Reserve Astrit Adjarevic

Blackburn boss Paul Ince is looking at Liverpool's Swedish reserve midfielder Astrit Adjarevic after he was told he could leave Anfield.

The youngster was part of the FA Youth Cup-winning set-up but has failed to grab a place in the senior squad.

Ince is also chasing Egyptian star Ahmed Al-Muhammadi, 21, as he looks to fill David Bentley's boots in January.

The versatile Al-Muhammadi, capped eight times, has been invited to Ewood Park for a week's training and talks.

Liverpool Injury Update On Gerrard, Alonso And Keane

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is hopeful key trio Steven Gerrard, Xabi Alonso and Robbie Keane will be available for Sunday’s crunch showdown at Chelsea.

None of them finished Wednesday night’s 1-1 Champions League draw at Atletico Madrid, with striker Keane and midfielder Alonso both struggling with knocks, and captain Gerrard suffering from fatigue.

It will not be known until later today how serious the problems are but Benitez is keeping his fingers crossed there is nothing too serious to worry about.

“The three players have had some problems,” said Benitez, whose side are locked at the top of the Barclays Premier League with Chelsea on 20 points.

“It was a little bit of a muscle problem for Robbie. Gerrard is okay. He was really tired and Alonso has a knock on his knee.”

Keane, who had given Liverpool a 14th-minute lead at the Vicente Calderon before Simao Sabrosa earned Atletico a point with a late equaliser, was the first to be taken off when he was replaced by Dirk Kuyt just after half-time.

“We need to check with Keane. I don’t think it will be serious, but anyway we need to take care of him. He will see the doctor,” Benitez said.

“We are trying to keep players with fresh legs and 100% fit, so we were trying to protect all of them.”

When asked if he had any fitness concerns for the clash with Chelsea, Benitez answered: “I don’t know now, we will have to wait for tomorrow.”

Gerrard was the next to make way, being replaced by Ryan Babel in the 61st minute, before Alonso left the action with 15 minutes to go, Lucas taking his place.

Eight minutes after Alonso’s departure, Atletico managed to equalise, but when asked if the change had played a part in the goal, Benitez insisted he had no choice but to replace the Spain international.

“I explained the reason already, he was injured and he was asking for the substitution,” he said.

Liverpool were without the services of star striker Fernando Torres for the match, with the former Atletico hero remaining in England to continue his recovery from a hamstring injury.

Benitez admits things might have turned out differently if the prolific forward had played, but preferred not to dwell on the subject.

“Obviously he’s a special player and it could have been a different match. But he was unavailable so it doesn’t matter. He couldn’t play,” he said.

Liverpool had been good value for their half-time lead at the Vicente Calderon after limiting Atletico to just a couple of half-chances in the opening period.

However, the Rojiblancos looked a much better side after the break following the arrival of star striker Sergio Aguero, who had started the game on the bench due to concerns about his fitness.

Liverpool goalkeeper Jose Reina admitted the young Argentinian helped turn the game around for the Spanish side.

“He is a tricky player who you notice when he is on the pitch because he causes a lot of problems and is difficult to stop,” said Reina.

“What is really important now is to get to 10 points and not slip up at home.”

Wednesday’s result leaves Atletico and Liverpool locked at the top of Group D with seven points from their opening three games, with the pair meeting again at Anfield on November 4.

Match Report: Atletico Madrid 1 - 1 LiverpooL

Liverpool were denied a three-point haul from their Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid after conceding a late equaliser to Simao Sabrosa, a player once targeted by Reds boss Rafael Benitez.

The unmarked Simao drilled home a low shot with seven minutes remaining to cancel out Robbie Keane's early opener for Liverpool as the two sides, having each won their first two games, remained unbeaten in Group D.

Liverpool controlled the first half and held a deserved lead at the break but Atletico, who had been unbeaten in their previous six home meetings with English opposition, fought back to salvage a point which could ease the pressure on under-fire coach Javier Aguirre.

The Champions League anthem at the start of the match was greeted by jeers and whistles from the home fans, while the Atletico supporters behind the goal also turned their backs to the pitch in protest against the punishment handed out by UEFA last week.

Atletico were given a three-match stadium ban in Europe and fined by UEFA following crowd disturbances and accusations of racism during their Champions League home match against Marseille.

Atletico have appealed against the punishment, which is why Wednesday's match was able to go ahead at the Vicente Calderon and not at least 300 kilometres away from Madrid.

However, there was no obvious repeat of those crowd disturbances or racist chanting during Wednesday's clash, which saw Liverpool quickly settle into their stride.

Benitez's troops, unbeaten in their last 15 matches, could barely have asked for an easier opening 45 minutes as they took an early lead through Keane before comfortably containing a toothless Atletico.

Keane's goal came not long after young Atletico midfielder Ignacio Camacho had headed over the first chance of the match following a Simao free-kick.

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard created the chance with a superb pass through for Keane, who beat the Atletico offside trap before coolly slotting low past Leo Franco.

That was just the start Liverpool would have been hoping for and Gerrard and Xabi Alonso both then tried their luck from distance before Keane spurned a decent opening to double Liverpool's lead.

He again escaped the attentions of his markers to get on the end of Gerrard's right-wing cross, but the Irishman attempted an ambitious flick and ended up missing the ball.

At the other end a much-changed Atletico, who had lost their previous three league matches against Sevilla, Barcelona and arch rivals Real Madrid, looked devoid of ideas going forward in the first half.

The hosts finally gave their fans something to get excited about in the 40th minute when former Manchester United striker Diego Forlan unleashed a 25-yard drive that flew just wide of Jose Reina's far post.

Aside from that effort though, the Liverpool custodian, one of four Spanish players in the Liverpool line-up, had precious little to do before the break.

Atletico coach Aguirre, under pressure following three successive league defeats, decided it was time to change things around at the break and he sent on star striker Sergio Aguero for former Liverpool player Luis Garcia.

That change immediately appeared to give Atletico a lift as they twice came close to an equaliser soon after the break.

The first opening saw Maniche pick up a pass from Forlan on the far side of the area before firing in a shot that flew into the far corner of the net.

However, the Portuguese was left with his head in his hands - along with the majority of the stadium - as he noticed the offside flag had gone up.

From an almost identical position moments later Simao then drilled in a shot which Reina brilliantly helped onto the post and then gathered at the second attempt as Liverpool rode their luck.

Reina could do little about the goal that brought Atletico back on level terms in the 83rd minute however.

Simao was left in acres of space on the far side of the area and, after Forlan had picked him out, he drilled a low left-footed shot past the diving Reina to level the scores up at 1-1.

That goal set the stadium rocking and gave Atletico a huge boost, and Miguel then tested Reina with a well-struck volley soon afterwards.

Liverpool could have silenced the home crowd in the 89th minute though when substitute Ryan Babel sent a diving header just wide of the Atletico goal from close range, but the match would end up finishing all-square.