Match Preview: Tottenham Hotspur vs. LiverpooL

Liverpool travel to North London on Saturday evening for the Premiership clash with a rejuvenated Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane.

While the Reds are flying high, three points clear at the top of the Premiership, Spurs are propping up the division, two points adrift.

However, last weekend's surprise arrival of Harry Redknapp from Portsmouth to replace Juande Ramos appears to have galvanised the North London club.

Redknapp's first game in charge saw Spurs win their first league game of the season against 19th placed Bolton Wanderers before a pulsating 4-4 draw with Arsenal at the Emirates on Wednesday, in which they recovered from 4-2 down to secure a point.

"They've had two games under Redknapp and when you change a manager you can see a difference," said Reds boss Rafael Benitez.

"The other day Portsmouth did better away from home than they were doing before. It's normal when you change a manager.

"When you play against Arsenal you know they will score, so if you are not strong in defence you know you will concede. After they fell behind they kept going forward and maybe one or two goals were lucky, but they still got level.

"We will try to win the game that will be idea. They will do the same so it could be an open game."

Liverpool's win over Portsmouth at Anfield in midweek kept the Reds three points clear of second-place Chelsea but Benitez has warned that he feels there is more to come from his side.

"I think we are in a good position, we are really pleased to be there but there is still a long way to go," he said.

"We are happy and we are doing well but we have to keep our concentration because it is a long race.

"It's better to be at the top of the table rather than playing catch up. We are doing well but there is plenty of room for improvement so I am still confident we can improve.

"Maybe we can improve our accuracy up front and do better defensively. It is not bad now but we can do both things better.

"I prefer to win playing well, but if you asked me what I would prefer, I would say just to win.

"But if you cannot play well you have to win in another way.

"I think we have done well in a number of games and sometimes it is necessary to win without playing well.

"When you talk about 38 games it is always important to do your job properly and these three points you get when you don't play well can make the difference.

"We have to keep the momentum, the team has confidence, and we are creating chances and not conceding too many. It is important to keep doing the things we are doing now."

Despite Liverpool's impressive start to the season, bookmakers still have the Reds as third favourites for the title behind Chelsea and Manchester United but Benitez is unconcerned by this.

He said: "I don't care about this. I just concentrate on our football and try to be there as much as we can.

"Chelsea won the league once with 95 points and another year with 92. But clearly you need at least 85 points.

"Chelsea are very strong and so are Man United and Arsenal. Aston Villa are also pushing. There are some strong teams putting pressure on at the top and it will be the same until the end of the season.

"I am just concentrating on making sure we are up there."

"We must keep the momentum," added Benitez. "We have confidence and we are creating chances and not conceding too many.

"It is important to keep the players doing things just as they are doing now.

"What pleases me is that we have been without three of our top players for maybe half the games we have played. Javier Mascherano, Fernando Torres and Martin Skrtel have all missed several games each but we are still unbeaten and now top.

"That shows the quality we have in the squad now, it has improved at Liverpool."

Benitez confirmed that Robbie Keane is available to face his former club after the Irishman had been struggling with a groin injury, and the Spaniard is hoping for a warm welcome from the Spurs fans for the forward.

"Keane is available," he said. "It is my decision in the end whether he plays, but he is another one who wants to play in every game and I'm sure he'd like to see their fans and say hello again.

"He was a key player for them for years. He is a fantastic professional and he always gave 100 per cent for them. He is now doing that for us but I'm sure their fans will appreciate him."

Benitez confirmed that he was weighing up the possibility of recalling Fernando Torres to the Liverpool squad for the clash at White Hart Lane.

The Spanish international has missed the Reds last four games with a hamstring injury he picked up on international duty and although Torres is nearing full fitness, Benitez is considering leaving the 24-year-old at Melwood to continue his recovery.

The Reds have won three and drew one of the four games without Torres and Benitez feels this is a sign of the strength in depth available at his disposal.

"In the past, perhaps we did not have the ability to cope because maybe we did not have the same quality," said Benitez.

"But now we have won some important games without some of our best players.

"We managed to beat Man United without Torres and Steven Gerrard was only fit enough to come on as a substitute late on in that game.

"Last week we won at Chelsea without Torres so that should give the players confidence that we can win games even when we have injuries.

"It could be better if Torres remains on Merseyside and does not travel with the squad for the Spurs game but we will see.

"The result against Portsmouth showed the depth and quality of our squad.

"We have competition for places and a great team spirit.

"On Wednesday we changed four players and still won the game which is a good sign.

"We were able to protect a couple of players but now it is a bit more difficult for me because the other players who came into their side did their job and we won the game.

"As a manager you always want competition for places and we have that."

Benitez is expected to recall Javier Mascherano, Daniel Agger, Albert Riera and Keane to the starting line-up after resting them against Portsmouth.

Ryan Babel, Sami Hyypia, Jermaine Pennant and Lucas Leiva are set to make way.

Spurs are hoping to have captain Ledley King available again after resting him against Arsenal. Jermaine Jenas is expected to recover from a toe injury but Michael Dawson is suspended.

Aaron Lennon and Giovanni Dos Santos are vying for starting berths while Darren Bent could replace Roman Pavlyuchenko in attack.


PROBABLE TEAMS:

Tottenham from: Gomes, Hutton, Corluka, Woodgate, Assou-Ekotto, Bentley, Jenas, Huddlestone, Bale, Modric, Pavlyuchenko, King, Bent, Gunter, Lennon, Cesar, Zokora, O'Hara, Campbell.

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

More To Come From Reds, Warns Rafa

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has warned his title rivals that his side are yet to reach top form.

Liverpool travel to Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday knowing they face a rejuvenated side coming off the back of four points in two games.

However, Rafa Benitez believes that his Reds are yet to peak, but is proud of his top of the table standing.

"I think we are in a good position, we are really pleased to be there but there is still a long way to go," he told the club's official website.

"We are happy and we are doing well but we have to keep our concentration because it is a long race.

"It's better to be at the top of the table rather than playing catch up. We are doing well but there is plenty of room for improvement so I am still confident we can improve," he said.

"Maybe we can improve our accuracy up front and do better defensively. It is not bad now but we can do both things better."

Even though Liverpool hold first place in England's Premier League, and are three points clear from the chasing pack, the bookies still rate them as third favourites to lift the crown in May, but this does not faze Rafa.

"I don't care about this... I just concentrate on our football and try to be there as much as we can.

"Chelsea won the league once with 95 points and another year with 92... But clearly you need at least 85 points.

"Chelsea are very strong and so are Man United and Arsenal. Aston Villa are also pushing. There are some strong teams putting pressure on at the top and it will be the same until the end of the season," he added.

"I am just concentrating on making sure we are up there."

Rafa Benitez Loving The Pressure Of Being Top Of The League

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is welcoming the pressures involved in taking his team to Tottenham as leaders of the Barclays Premier League.

But he believes former Tottenham skipper Robbie Keane, now in Liverpool’s ranks, has no reason to feel any extra burden as he prepares to return to the club he left for £20million in the summer.

Keane can expect a hot welcome from Tottenham fans who saw their idol defect to the club he supported as a boy.

Benitez insists he “enjoys the pressures of managing a team at the top of the table” and he also hopes that Keane is treated with respect by the Spurs supporters.

He compared Keane’s return to Peter Crouch’s arrival at Anfield in a Portsmouth shirt on Wednesday, just months after his move to Fratton Park.

Benitez said: “Peter came back to Liverpool this week and was given a great reception. He will always be a good player and he has the respect of our fans.

“I do not believe that Robbie has anything to prove, he has great quality. Hopefully Spurs fans will acknowledge this and what he did for them, and that he is now with another team.

“Keane is available after his slight (groin) injury, he wants to play every game anyway, but yes, this one is very important to him.

“He would like to see the Spurs fans and say ’hello’ again. He was a key player for them for some years, a fantastic professional and gave 100% all the time.

“But I think their fans will appreciate what Robbie gave them when he was there.”

But Benitez wants more from Keane, who has scored just twice in 16 matches at Liverpool.

He said: “Robbie is a very good player and is working hard, but we know he can play better and score more goals because he has that potential.

“Robbie has experience and is trying to do his job. He is not under pressure because he knows the team is winning, and his contribution to those victories has been very, very good.

“He is happy with that. People talk about his price but it does not worry him on the pitch, you do not think about that, only about how to do things well.

“We can see in every training session how hard Robbie works, and he is the same in games. He is doing well but he can improve.”

Liverpool, who will probably again be without Fernando Torres, have been top since Sunday’s win at Chelsea, while Tottenham are still bottom despite a dramatic change of fortune under new boss Harry Redknapp.

Rather than being among the chasing teams, Benitez said: “I prefer to be top. It is better for us because we can approach games with more confidence than when you are playing to catch-up at the top.

“If you make a mistake then, it can become very difficult because the gap gets bigger. When you are top there is some leeway. You know that you do have a cushion of some points to do that.

“My view on the season so far is that we are in a very good position, we are glad to be there, but there is still a long way to go.

“We are happy, we are doing well, but we must keep concentration because this is a very long race.

“The pressure does not bother me, it is better to be top than trying to catch-up.

“But we do still have plenty of room for improvement. We need to be more accurate up front and in defence a little more composed.

“We all know we can do it better, we are not bad, but we can be much better.”

Benitez is also well aware of the Redknapp factor, given the impact the former Portsmouth boss has made since the sacking of Juande Ramos.

He said: “I was surprised that Juande has gone, I said that he had good players when he was under pressure.

“Before he was sacked I felt that Spurs would finish a lot higher in the table, and I still have that view.

“When you fire a manager, for me it is never a good decision. For me it is always bad, it is important to keep calm and give managers time, because experience tells you that things are better when you do that.

“Now Spurs have had two games under Harry Redknapp and they have done well, the players have something different to concentrate on.

“When you change a manager, like you saw at Arsenal when Spurs drew 4-4, it can make an immediate difference, they were suddenly much better.

“But the key will be just how they are doing in two or three months’ time.

“They did well at Arsenal, maybe a couple of their goals were a bit lucky, but they still count and it was a good result for them.”

Benitez added: “As for us we must keep the momentum, we have confidence and we are creating chances and not conceding too many.

“It is important to keep the players doing things just as they are doing now.

“What pleases me is that we have been without three of our top players for maybe half the games we have played. Javier Mascherano, Torres and Martin Skrtel have all missed several games each but we are still unbeaten and now top.

“That shows the quality we have in the squad now, it has improved at Liverpool.”

Robbie Keane Fit To Face Spurs

Liverpool striker Robbie Keane has been declared fit for today’s return to his former club in the Barclays Premier League clash at Spurs.

Keane had been struggling with a groin problem and was only used as a last-minute substitute for Steven Gerrard in Wednesday’s 1-0 win over Portsmouth.

But Keane can expect to start the match at White Hart Lane, the club he left for £20million in the summer to move to Anfield.

Liverpool seem unlikely to risk fellow striker Fernando Torres, who is still only in light training after a hamstring problem. He is more likely to return for the Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.

Keane On A Medal Mission: Liverpool Striker Wants To Show Spurs What They're Missing

Robbie Keane can dream about title medals now he is a Liverpool player and, having been told he is starting at White Hart Lane today, he wants to show Tottenham fans what they are missing.

As Harry Redknapp urged the home support not to boo former captain Keane as he makes his first return since his £20.3million summer move to Anfield, Keane admitted: 'There's still a lot more to come.

'You haven't seen the best yet of me but we have a lot of games coming up and I'm looking forward to showing what I can do.

'Every player wants to win things no matter where they are from. You want to look back on your career and see medals.'

Although leaders Liverpool are playing down title talk after their recent back-to-back 1-0 victories over Chelsea and Portsmouth, Keane said: 'We don't talk about things like being top in the dressing room.

'It's there in the background because a lot of people talk about it but we have a lot of experienced players who've won the Champions League, the FA Cup and the UEFA Cup. They'll make sure we handle the pressure.

'We're lucky in that we don't have any players who are cocky or arrogant enough to think they've won anything at this stage of the season.'

In an interview with Liverpoolfc.tv, Keane said: 'Stevie (Gerrard) doesn't go on about it every day but there is a desire inside him and the likes of Jamie Carragher to win the league.

'Their determination rubs off on everyone at the club.'

Spurs boss Redknapp said: 'Robbie deserves a fantastic reception. He gave great service here.

'He stayed for six years and that doesn't happen very often these days. They bought him for £10million and sold him for £20m. That's great business.'

Tim Sherwood has agreed to a part-time role on Redknapp's coaching team, and the Spurs boss also wants Les Ferdinand to work part-time with his strikers.

Redknapp said: 'It's about time we got the younger guys involved. People like Tim and Les Ferdinand have a lot to offer.

'Tim's got a terrific football brain. I'd like to tap in to that and get him on the coaching ladder and see if he likes it.

'We've got to have English coaches coming in coaching at the top of the Premier League.'
Redknapp's positive vibe has infected Tottenham but Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez believes they were wrong to sack Juande Ramos after less than a year in the job.

'Tottenham have good players,' said Benitez. 'I said before, when Juande was under pressure, that they would finish higher than they are now and I still have the same idea.

'When you fire a manager it is never a good decision.'

And of the Redknapp effect he added: 'It is only two games. When you change managers you always notice something different.

'The question is whether in two or three months it will be the same.'

Liverpool Lifted By Riera Factor, Claims Hyypia

SAMI HYYPIA is better placed than most to pass judgment on Liverpool’s championship prospects, having witnessed more false dawns at Anfield than he cares to remember.

Yet, as he approaches a decade of unstinting service on Merseyside, veteran defender Sami Hyypia detects something different about his team-mates that he believes can underpin their pursuit of that elusive first title since 1990.

If the victories over Manchester United and Chelsea this season have dispelled the myth that Liverpool are reliant solely upon Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres for inspiration, then Hyypia also points to the strength of character Rafa Benitez’s side has displayed during an unbeaten start to the season as further cause for optimism.

“The difference from previous seasons I have been here is that in the summer we made some good signings that have settled very well straight away into the team,” said Hyypia, in reference to the instant impact Spanish winger Albert Riera has had since signing from Espanyol.

“We also now have a lot of competition for places, which is something we haven’t maybe had as much of in past seasons.

“And this season maybe we are a bit stronger mentally, too. You only have to look at the way in which we have won some games to see that.

“Every year it seems to be becoming more and more difficult to be on top, what with the other teams strengthening their squads.

“But so far, so good, and hopefully we can keep on going as we have done.”

The victory over Portsmouth on Wednesday underlined Liverpool’s determination that this will be their season, having spent too many recent campaigns watching from afar as the title race reaches a breathless conclusion.

It was a win which owed more to patience and perseverance than the panache they displayed at Stamford Bridge last Sunday in shattering Chelsea’s 86-match unbeaten run, but illustrated a versatility that was amply rewarded with Gerrard’s late spot-kick.

“The result is always more important than how you play. At the beginning of the season there were some games in which we didn’t perform brilliantly, but we got the result,” said Hyypia, a runner-up to Arsenal during Gerard Houllier’s reign in 2002.

“If come May we’re at the top of the league, then nobody will remember that we played bad football at the beginning of the season. They’ll just remember that we kept on getting the points and the result is more important than how you get it.

“It was important to keep the momentum going after our win at Chelsea. After the win over United we played Stoke and everybody expected us to win, but we slipped up by being held to a goalless draw. So we had to make sure we didn’t allow it to happen again on Wednesday.

“It’s still early days so we will keep our feet on the ground, take it game by game and just try to win every time.

“We are letting all the other people do the talking. We’re not ones to go shouting about what we are going to do. We are just trying to keep our cool and just keep putting in the good performances.”

A championship gong would complete Hyypia’s medal haul and be a fitting way for him to mark 10 years at Liverpool since a £2.5million move from Dutch side Willem II.

It is the lure of adding to a collection that includes FA Cup, League Cup, UEFA Cup and Champions League winners’ medals that is likely to ensure that 35-year-old Finnish defender Hyypia resists any overtures from a host of clubs trying to tempt him from Anfield in January.

Newcastle, Wigan and Stoke, to name but a few, would be prepared to offer Hyypia a king’s ransom to leave, but his ties with Liverpool – and Benitez’s faith in him – mean the offers will be rebuffed.

Benitez believes Hyypia’s team-first mentality makes him the perfect squad player and, having used him as a late sub specifically to combat John Terry’s aerial threat in the dying embers of the win at Chelsea, handed him a second start of the season against Portsmouth.

And as Portsmouth striker Peter Crouch could testify yesterday, Hyypia’s appetite for a challenge still remains undiminished. Increasingly, Hyypia believes the same can be said of Liverpool as a whole.

Steven Gerrard: Liverpool Role Is So Special

To mark his fifth anniversary as Liverpool skipper, Steven Gerrard has given his personal account of what it takes to wear the armband in the recently released My Captain's Book. Here, in exclusive extracts from the book, Gerrard tells of the highs, the lows and his ambitions for the future in a revealing insight into Liverpool's inspirational leader.

FIVE years ago this month, Steven Gerrard fulfilled a boyhood dream when he was made captain of the club he had supported all his life.

Following in the footsteps of Liverpool legends like Graeme Souness, Alan Hansen and Emlyn Hughes meant the captain's armband could have weighed heavy on a player who had only turned 23 less than five months earlier.

But through a combination of individual brilliance on the pitch and a growing awareness of what being a skipper is all about, Gerrard has gone on to make the captain's role his own.

In "My Captain's Book", the 28-year-old reveals just what it means to him to be Liverpool's leader on the pitch, why he regards it as one of the ultimate honours of his glittering career and his ambitions for the future.

"It's amazing to think that five years have passed since I was handed the full-time job of being Liverpool captain," writes Gerrard.

"I've been lucky in the time that I've been captain of Liverpool because we've enjoyed some real success – we've been to two Champions League finals and an FA Cup final, winning two out of three.

"I've enjoyed those successes as much as anyone – player or fan. But we want more, we want a hell of a lot more.

"I'd say I've learned more from being a captain when things haven't gone too well. You learn more in football from bad experiences really.

"Obviously, I've had some tremendous highs as captain with the trophies I've lifted.

"Every time we win a football match and I'm wearing that armband, the feeling and the buzz is unbelievable.

"And when you lead the team out . . .

"These are special feelings that I can only really describe because I've experienced them.

"But going out of competitions, bad defeats, losing in cup finals or falling short in the league, you remember and learn from all of that too.

"I think, as captain, I feel more responsible, particularly when we get beaten.

"I'm sure I can speak for Jamie Carragher here too. When we get on that bus after a defeat we know there are hundreds of thousands of people who are disappointed and upset that Liverpool lost.

"But I'd argue to death that there aren't two people who feel it more than me and Jamie.

"I suppose it's because we are captain and vice-captain that we feel this extra responsibility.

"We're out there and it's in our hands with the rest of the squad – but we are the leaders in the pack."

Gerrard's inspirational leadership is one of the main reasons why Liverpool fans are able to look back so fondly on the magical events that took place in Istanbul in 2005 and in Cardiff a year later.

On those never to be forgotten occasions, the Huyton-born midfielder helped drag his team back from the dead as the Reds faced almost certain defeat against AC Milan and then against West Ham United.

A fifth European Cup and a seventh FA Cup are testimony to what Gerrard and his Anfield team-mates achieved on those glorious days, but he insists he will not even begin to be satisfied until the League Championship trophy is back in its rightful home.

"I've still got big ambitions as captain of Liverpool Football Club," writes Gerrard.

"There's a lot I still have to learn and a lot I want to achieve – it's far from over.

"I was wearing the yellow Champions League armband when we won in Istanbul.

"Winning the Champions League has to be the biggest thing that has happened to me in football so far.

"To lift the title wearing the Premier League captain's armband would have to be up there with Istanbul without a shadow of a doubt.

"I'm confident it's going to come – we might have to be patient but I've got confidence it will happen.

"I grew up watching Liverpool teams, great teams with great players, winning title after title and you just expect that dynasty to continue.

"It's been too long away from Anfield and we're determined to start another legacy here in our time.

"We feel we've got the players here to do that."

Gillett Outlines Philosophy At Liverpool, Montreal

George Gillett Jr. has experienced the hostility of fans from Montreal to Liverpool but it never gets any easier.

The 70-year-old sports tycoon acknowledges the magnitude of his duty to supporters of the ice hockey, motorsport and football teams that rely on his investment.

"You feel a responsibility and an embarrassment on occasions when you haven't provided all that you might have,'' Gillett told The Associated Press. "There's a level of embarrassment and you want to correct that quickly.''

Not just at Premier League football club Liverpool, but also in the NHL with the Montreal Canadiens and in NASCAR with Gillett Evernham Motorsports.

Gillett has endured a torrid year of personal abuse at Liverpool, which he co-owns with Tom Hicks.

Much of the supporters' anger centers on the 18-time English champion's debt and the stalling of construction on a new stadium due to the credit crunch. However, crosstown rival Everton's hopes for a new stadium are in turmoil and the London Olympic 2012 project also shows that economic concerns aren't just Liverpool's domain.

"All the sports teams I know of are re-examining all of their futures, but I think it's a universal not just a sports issue,'' Gillett said.”People making this straight-line connection between the world financial crisis - and sports may be in trouble.

"It's more a story of needing to be cautious and it's not a time to be profligate and so forth as opposed to saying, 'World financial crisis sports must be in trouble.'''

In fact, Gillett entered the race this month to bring a Major League Soccer franchise to Montreal and Indian sports are on his radar after several trips to the subcontinent.

In the hockey rinks of North America and the football pitches of Europe, Gillett's assets are thriving.

Liverpool is on the crest of a wave. Not only have tensions thawed between Gillett and Hicks - the owner of the MLB's Texas Rangers and the NHL's Dallas Stars - but the Reds are top the Premier League, raising hopes of a first English league title since 1990.

Trophies would help heal the owners' relationship with fans.

Just 56 kilometers (35 miles) east of Anfield is Old Trafford, where Manchester United won Champions and Premier League titles not long after the Glazer family's acrimonious takeover caused fans to storm the ground and fight running battles with police.

Gillett takes comfort from his experiences in Montreal. The American crossed the border to take control of Quebec's sacred sports team to be face severe criticism.

"In Montreal, there was deep concern that I had bought the icon of a whole province, perhaps the icon of the sport in Montreal, and I was American and didn't speak the language,'' Gillett said. "There was a level of suspicion: how could someone end up with this kind of money - it must have been in an illegal or crooked way. My reaction was not to be upset with people who legitimately questioned us. That was fine and our comment at the time was, 'Let's let time be the judge and let's see if we can work together on it.'

"And it has worked. I don't think anybody is immune from criticism and I don't think anyone is immune from making mistakes, but I think that to have an individual family or a partnership accused by the media ...''

Gillett stops mid-sentence, aware it would be unwise to reopen old wounds while Liverpool is on a roll domestically and in Europe.

"With Montreal as an example, we proved that our intentions were pure, that we really were fans and that we had the club and fans' interests at heart,'' Gillett said. "Time is an important aspect of all this.''

In Montreal, fans have warmed to the Gillett family since its 2001 takeover. Last season's eastern conference title triumph raised hopes that their 100th season in 2009 produces a 25th Stanley Cup triumph and the first since 1993.

"We missed the playoffs a couple of times while we built a good, strong young team, and that meant stepping back while we developed a strategy of building from within,'' Gillett said.

Gillett will only discuss his general sporting philosophy that could apply equally to Liverpool or the Canadiens.

"We now have a club that will be successful in the long run, that can compete for the championship every year and doesn't depend on buying high-priced players every year,'' Gillett said. "We have a wonderful, built-from-within club that we supplement with superstars. We are not dependent on the superstars and that is a good system.

"It's a system that we believe in as a family. It's a system that we believe will sustain fans' support for the long run. That's important, that we have the fans happy and proud for the long run.''

George Gillett Won't Deny Sale Accusation

GEORGE GILLETT has refused to deny hiring a leading American bank to find a buyer for Liverpool.

In an interview with Canadian radio station Fan 590, Gillett was pressed on a number issues, including the ownership of the club, his relationship with co-owner Tom Hicks and the recent postponement of work on the planned new stadium on Stanley Park.

In response to questioning about speculation that Merrill Lynch have been hired to search for potential buyers, Gillett responded: "We would not have any comment on that.

“ There is too much speculation already," and insisted that a lot of the stories in the British media are "made up".

He was more forthcoming on his relationship with Hicks which has previously been strained.

"We are working together," he said. "Things are good. Tom is a great guy and he is smart as well.

"We got off on the wrong basis and we are a little embarrassed by that."

Gillett was not prepared to put forward his own thoughts on why he and Hicks remain so unpopular with the Liverpool fans, preferring to allow "the club to do the talking".

"I think you would have to ask the fans," he said. "I think there are some things that have happened that upset them.

"But I think they're at a point where they are allowing the boys to demonstrate their skill and allowing Rafa – one of the great coaches in the history of the sport – to do his thing so we just want to leave it that way.

Hicks and Gillett recently announced that plans to build a new stadium had been put on hold because of the credit crunch, but insists preparatory work is ongoing.

Home Wins Are Key For Liverpool's Title Push

Liverpool glovesman Pepe Reina believes his side can maintain their early season momentum if they carry on winning at home, and stay consistent away.

Liverpool stopper Pepe Reina kept another clean sheet on Wednesday night as the Reds narrowly beat visiting Pompey by a goal to nil.

Reina believes the key to keeping distance between themselves and the chasing pack is to win at home, and stay consistent when on the road.

"This was a hugely important three points for us because we have to keep on winning," Reina is quoted by the club's official website as saying.

"Once you are at the top of the table you have to do everything to defend that position and that means winning every game you can.

"We cannot afford to drop any points at home. It is important we keep winning at home and also be consistent away," he declared.

"We can only go step by step and the next game for us is Tottenham on Saturday, which is going to be tough. They had a great result against Arsenal on Wednesday night, so we know it will be difficult.

"But let's see if we can beat them and then after that we will think about qualifying from the Champions League group stages and hopefully being able to concentrate even more on the Premier League," the 26-year said.

"This is what we look for - to defend properly and not concede too many chances.

"Every time I go onto the pitch I am looking for a quiet game because it is better for me and better for the team if I am less busy."

Lucas Reflects On His Best Red Performance

Liverpool's young Brazilian midfielder Lucas Leiva believes his performance in last night's victory over visiting Portsmouth was his best in a Red shirt.

Liverpool needed a late Steven Gerrard penalty conversion to secure victory at Anfield over a stubborn Portsmouth side last night. But they achieved what they needed to, by adding a further three points to their league tally.

Lucas Leiva was gifted a rare start in Liverpool's midfield and the Brazilian put in a fine display in the centre of the park by breaking up play and contributing to the attack.

The 21-year old feels his Pompey showing was his finest in a 'Pool shirt, and the former Gremio ace told the liverpoolfc.tv:

"I feel I have adapted to English football and I can play much quicker in games now.

"I was getting into the box and also had a few chances to score against Portsmouth, so I am happy and I am trying to improve every day," he said.

"I think it was my best performance for the team."

Reina: We Don't Need 'Nando

Liverpool goalkeeper Jose 'Pepe' Reina has suggested that his side's excellent run of results in recent weeks demonstrates that they are no longer reliant on their superstar striker.

Fernando Torres burst onto the Premier League last season, scoring 33 goals and fully justifying the club's decision fork out £21million for his services.

And yet the Reds endured arguably their worst season under Rafael Benitez, finishing fourth, trophyless and even missing out on their customary appearance in the Champions League final.

While off-field issues concerning the club's ownership and the manager's future clearly played their part, many believe part of Liverpool's problem was their reliance on Torres.

The Merseysiders had often been accused of heaping too much burden upon Steven Gerrard in the past; and although he and Torres formed a formidable tandem, the only difference was that the team were relying on two irreplaceable players instead of one.

That seems to have changed, for Liverpool sit unbeaten at the top of the table despite Torres being injured for much of the campaign to date. He was absent from the win over Chelsea, and he warmed the pine when Manchester United fell at Anfield last month.

Pepe Reina believes this can only be a good sign. "The Man United game was a big moment for us. We already had a lot of belief but we had a big job ahead of us when they took the lead," he said in the Daily Mail.

"The way we responded told the Premier League a lot about us. It wasn’t just that we scored two goals, it was the way we controlled the game.

"That we achieved it without two of our better players Torres and Steven Gerrard, was also a confidence booster. We have built not only a strong team but a strong squad.

"It was the same at Chelsea. We did not have Fernando Torres but other players made their contribution to our victory.

"Over the course of a season these things are going to happen. We have proved we can cope without Martin Skrtel, Steven Gerrard and Fernando."

Torres is a possibility to return against Atletico Madrid next week, but he is expected to sit out this Saturday's clash against Tottenham.

Brazilian Hot-Shot To Liverpool?

Premier League leaders Liverpool have been linked with a January move for Brazilian teenager Keirrison.

The 19 year-old currently plays for Brazilian league side Coritiba but has already been linked with a move to La Liga with either Valencia or Barcelona.

The Daily Mirror reports that the forward has been offered to Liverpool and not to the Spanish pair, who are known to have been tracking Keirrison since he was drafted into the Coritiba squad in 2007.

The teenager has gone on to score over 50 goals in just over 100 matches and has now come to prominence across the Atlantic.

Liverpool now have an extensive scouting network across Brazil, with samba stars Lucas and Diego Cavalieri acquired by Rafa Benitez's side from their home land.

However, it is not stated whether Benitez would add the player in January but los Chés and Barça would allegedly be interested.

Liverpool Co-Owner George Gillett Urges Stability As Sami Hyypia Expresses Title Belief

As Liverpool co-owner George Gillett was vowing that he would "let the club do the talking", Sami Hyypia was doing the same following the win over Portsmouth while in the same breath explaining why he feels they have never been better placed to take the title in his 10 seasons at Anfield.

While the manner of Wednesday's 1-0 win that keeps Rafael Benitez's team three points clear at the top of the Premier League will be seen as further evidence that they will not stay the course, Hyypia believes the fact that they came away with three points actually demonstrates that they can.

Liverpool toiled at Anfield, as they have all season, where they have been held to a goalless draw by Stoke and have had to come from behind to take the points against Middlesbrough, Manchester United and Wigan.

However, Hyypia feels that the only fact of importance is that with 10 games gone, Liverpool, who travel to Tottenham on Saturday, have dropped just four points from their 10 matches this season.

Despite maintaining a level of caution in the face of growing excitement that the wait for a first league title since 1990, Hyypia, 35, feels Liverpool now have the quality and the character to sustain the level of performance they have shown in the first quarter of the season.

"It's still early days so we will keep our feet on the ground and take it game by game, and just try to win every game," the defender said. "We are letting all the other people do the talking. We're not ones to go shouting about what we're going to do.

"The difference from the previous seasons I have been here is that in the summer we made some good signings that have settled very well straight away into the team. We also have a lot of competition for places, which is something we haven't maybe had as much in past seasons.

"I think this season maybe we are a bit stronger mentally too. You only have to look at the way in which we have won some games to see that. The result is always more important than how you play. At the beginning of the season there were some games in which we didn't perform brilliantly, but we got the result.

"If, come May, we are at the top of the league, then nobody will remember that we played bad football at the beginning of the season."

Gillett must wish he was in a similarly simple situation but the American, who refused to comment on the proposed sale of the club yesterday, has insisted that plans to build a new stadium on Stanley Park are still ongoing despite the delay in the start of building.

He said: "We put it off on a temporary basis and we continued to invest substantial money every month in both engineering, architecture, planning, approving and zoning."

Gillett has pledged he will continue with a policy of not destabilising things at Anfield with controversial public statements and added: "I think they are at a point now where they are allowing the boys to demonstrate their skill. And also to allow Rafael Benitez, who is one of the great coaches, to do his thing and we just want to leave it that way and we will operate behind the scenes and let the club do the talking."

Gillett Speaks For Hicks In Declaring Liverpool Sound

George Gillett believes Liverpool are in a sound position to ride out their financial problems but has refused to comment on whether the club is up for sale.

There had been speculation that Gillett and his co-owner, Tom Hicks, are ready to sell their stake in the club, with the investment bank Merrill Lynch understood to have been contacted to find a buyer as the Americans need to restructure the £350m loan with the Royal Bank of Scotland that expires in January. However the RBS, about to be part nationalised, has now adopted more stringent policies.

"The stories feed on themselves and some are made up," Gillett claimed. "With regard to what we're doing, we would not have any comment on that - there has already been enough speculation."

Gillett is confident Liverpool - and Premier League clubs in general - are in a good position, despite their debts, to survive in these testing times. "What I read is not in the newspapers because it is an unreliable source - what I am looking at are other financial filings which I think are more reliable," he told Toronto's Sports Radio. "There are certain sports which have felt the impact. It's a good time to be cautious but it's a bit early to write the obituary of professional sports."

Gillett, also the owner of the Montreal Canadiens ice hockey franchise, added that plans for a new stadium in Liverpool have not been shelved permanently. "We put it off on a temporary basis and we continued to invest substantial money every month in engineering, architecture, planning, approving and zoning. There is still a substantial effort going on but the current situation in the financial world has made it prudent to delay it for an immediate period until the money market eases up.

"There are some things which have happened which have upset the fans and got them mad at Tom and myself. At this point, based on the media that we are seeing and an awful lot of the fan communication, I think they are at a point now where they are allowing the boys to demonstrate their skill; and also to allow Rafael Benítez, who is one of the great coaches, to do his thing. We just want to leave it that way and we will operate behind the scenes and let the club do the talking.

"Tom and I are talking and we are working together. They seem to have a measure over in England as to how well you're getting along as friends by whether you use first names to each other or not. And the answer to that is that we are talking to each other on a first-name basis. Things are good. Tom is a great guy and he is smart as hell. We got off on the wrong basis and I think we are a little embarrassed by that."

Sami Hyypia, meanwhile, maintains that he is unconcerned about the manner of Liverpool's victories, seven of the eight by the odd goal, as long as they remain at the top of the table. The 35-year-old Finn, now in his 10th season at the club and returned to the starting line-up for the 1-0 win over Portsmouth, claims they have never been better equipped.

"At the beginning of the season there were some games in which we didn't perform brilliantly but we got the result," he said. "If, come May, we are at the top of the league, then nobody will remember that we played bad football at the beginning of the season. The difference from the previous seasons is that in the summer we made some good signings that have settled straight into the team. We also have a lot of competition for places, which is something we haven't maybe had as much in past seasons. I think this season maybe we are a bit stronger mentally, too."

Mascherano Welcomes Maradona Move - But Does Not Want To Be Argentina Captain

Javier Mascherano has welcomed Maradona's appointment as Argentina boss - but has pleaded: "Don't make me captain."

Maradona is poised to take the national job next week and has long praised the Liverpool hardman - already saying the Argentina team will be "Mascherano and ten more.

"But it seems the 24-year-old does not want the responsibility of leading his country.

He said: "I do not have the charisma to be the captain of my country.

"I can put my determination and my strength on the pitch and that can spread, but being captain is not in my personality - it is something you are born with, not something you acquire."

Although Mascherano has shunned the captaincy, he says Maradona will be a success and that he cannot wait to play under him after getting a little taster before the 2008 Olympics.

Maradona joined the national side just before the tournament in Beijing for a kickaround and left Mascherano impressed.

He added: "I believe Maradona as coach will be really special. The experience around Beijing was spectacular.

"The day he came to Ezeiza, just before the trip, and requested permission to coach us, was impressive.

"I think it will be very positive to all be under the command of Diego."

Riera Senses Increasing Pressure

Liverpool new boy Albert Riera knows the club's rise to the Barclays Premier League summit will bring growing pressure for the Anfield men.

Winger Riera, already a big hit after only 10 games following his £8million summer move from Espanyol, thinks Liverpool will become the scalp everyone wants.

Tottenham, reborn under new boss Harry Redknapp, will provide the next test at White Hart Lane on Saturday.

Riera said: "We have to concentrate now even more, clubs will know that we are top and they will want to beat us even more.

"Before last weekend, everyone was talking about Chelsea and the fact that they were top of the league and unbeaten so far this season.

"But we are now in the same situation and under that sort of pressure. Maybe, though, people now know that we are a good team also and that we want to continue at the top of the league.

"But if this is to happen we know we have to keep on working hard in games and in training and doing the same things that have helped us get to the position we are in right now.

"We know it will be tough because the Premier League is very competitive and you have to work hard in every single game otherwise you can come unstuck."

Riera was only used as a late substitute in Wednesday's 1-0 win over Portsmouth, having picked up a minor muscle injury against Chelsea last weekend.

But he is expected to return to the front line at Spurs, as are Daniel Agger, Javier Mascherano and Robbie Keane, who were all rested on the bench in midweek.

Fernando Torres could also return after his hamstring injury, but Liverpool may well hold him back to face Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Riera said: "The win at Chelsea last weekend was a very big result, but it was only one result and the most important thing for us now is that we must build upon it.

"It was very important for us and for our confidence in ourselves but in football you can never afford to think that you have done enough, you always have to look ahead and try to keep on getting better.

"We are at a good moment but we cannot afford to stand still. And as for myself, I know I can still get better.

"The best way to progress is to believe that you can get better and give more to the team, and that is the way I am."

Boss Rafael Benitez wants his side to learn how to be leaders.

He said: "The expression in England I have learned is that we must keep our feet on the ground.

"That is the key for us from now on. We must learn to be patient, learn to handle the situation we are now in.

"The players know the position we are in, how to handle it is easy.

"Everyone must be calm, take their time in matches, with feet firmly on the ground."

Full Match Report: LiverpooL vs. Portsmouth

It needed a Steven Gerrard penalty to make sure Liverpool did not waste the tremendous victory they achieved at Chelsea at the weekend.

That win put Liverpool top of the Barclays Premier League, and a slip-up tonight against Portsmouth would have been a disaster for the Anfield men.

Tony Adams, in his first match in command of Pompey following Harry Redknapp's departure, saw his side push Liverpool all the way.

But Gerrard's spot-kick with 15 minutes left kept Liverpool top and extended their unbeaten run to 16 matches this season.

Liverpool made four changes from the side that claimed top spot in the Premier League by beating Chelsea on Sunday.

Daniel Agger, Javier Mascherano, Robbie Keane and Albert Riera were all rested to the bench, with Sami Hyypia, Jermaine Pennant, Ryan Babel and Lucas coming into the side.

New Pompey boss Tony Adams also made changes from the side that drew with Fulham last time out.

Jermain Defoe and Richard Hughes were on the bench, with Sean Davis and John Utaka in midfield and former Liverpool striker Peter Crouch on his own up front.

There was an air of expectancy around Anfield following the Stamford Bridge success and Liverpool had Pompey under pressure from the start with some fine, flowing, football - much of which was aimed at getting Pennant into space on the right.

The passing was quick and the movement the same, with Liverpool looking like they were going to grab the lead plenty of times in the opening spell.

After 10 minutes Pennant and Alvaro Arbeloa combined to find Dirk Kuyt just outside the box, and his fierce low drive was superbly turned away and onto a post by David James.

Lucas saw a header fly over the bar and Xabi Alonso sent a 20-yarder swerving wide of the left-hand post.

But slowly, Pompey's resilience took the edge from Liverpool's approach play.

Crouch was the sole target for much of Pompey's forward movement, winning consistently in the air but missing his strike-partner Defoe.

The visitors' first chance was headed wide by Younes Kaboul from Lassana Diarra's free-kick, and then Papa Bouba Diop missed a sitter.

Diarra's chip found the big midfielder unmarked six yards out, but he planted his free header straight into Jose Reina's grateful hands.

Liverpool responded with a Gerrard shot into the wall from a tapped free-kick, the ball dropping for Jamie Carragher to test James from 25 yards.

Kuyt had a couple more chances in the half, but Liverpool ended the first-half looking for inspiration.

Diarra was booked for a trip on Gerrard just outside the box after 49 minutes, but Alonso planted the free-kick into the wall.

Portsmouth were beginning to look comfortable, Sylvain Distin and Kaboul assured at the back.

Liverpool needed sharpness, urgency and accuracy with their passing. Hyypia saw a header flash wide and Lucas had an effort deflected past the target, but too many mistakes in possession from Ryan Babel and Pennant continuall hindered the home side's progress.

Liverpool sent on Yossi Benayoun for an increasingly frustrated Pennant and soon after Pompey introduced Niko Kranjcar for Armand Traore.

Next into the fray was Riera, for Babel - and Liverpool increased the tempo.

Distin's block stopped Benayoun when Steven Gerrard had put him clear, and then James saved superbly from Gerrard's 25-yard effort.

Then after 75 minutes Liverpool got their breakthrough. Hyypia's header from Fabio Aurelio's corner was goalbound before Bouba Diop threw two arms into the flight of the ball.

Somerset referee Steve Tanner booked the Pompey midfielder and pointed to the spot, before Gerrard drove home the penalty.

Hughes came on for Diarra with 10 minutes left and four minutes later Defoe replaced Utaka as the visitors sought a point.

Robbie Keane came on for Gerrard in injury-time and almost got on the scoresheet in the final seconds - but there was only one goal in the game.

Arsenal Join Liverpool, Chelsea, Man United, Bolton & Sunderland In Chase For League 1 Wonderkid?

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is ready to make another raid on the lower leagues of English football, with Leeds United starlet Fabian Delph on the radar of the Frenchman, according to reports.

18-year-old midfielder Delph has been at Leeds since making the short trip across Yorkshire from Bradford City in 2001 and made his senior debut for United earlier this season. Delph has been hailed as the most exciting prospect to come out of Elland Road since England International Aaron Lennon, who is now at Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur.

Wenger has already got recent history of signing young players from lower league football, with the Gunners boss bringing Theo Walcott from Championship side Southampton and Aaron Ramsey to the Emirates Stadium from Cardiff City. With the Frenchman now understood to be ready to test the water in League 1 and make a move for the young prodigy.

However, Arsenal will face competition from Premiership rivals Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, Bolton Wanderers and Sunderland for the England Under-19 International, who are all said to have expressed an interest in the talented midfielder.

Delph is under contract at Elland Road until 2012, with it believed that Leeds value the young starlet in the region of £5million, £1million of which would go to Bradford as part of the deal that took Delph to United as an 11-year-old.

Spurs Boss Redknapp: Bring On Liverpool

Tottenham Hotspur boss Harry Redknapp has said that his side will give a real go to Premiership leaders Liverpool at the weekend.

Spurs, who are still placed bottom of the table, have picked four points from two games since Redknapp replaced Juande Ramos in the White Hart Lane hot-seat. And the former Portsmouth manager has instilled a sense of belief in Spurs players that was evident last night as they pulled back two goals in the closing stages to hold bitter north-London rivals Arsenal to a 4-4 draw at the Emirates Stadium.

On Saturday, Spurs will face Rafa Benitez’s Reds, who are the only unbeaten side in the ongoing campaign, but Tottenham are ready for the test.

Redknapp said: "I've tried to make them believe in themselves. There's ability in the squad. Bring on Liverpool. We'll give them a good go on Saturday.

"I've not thought about points. I like to see us when we play and pass the ball. We had long spells in the first half where we passed the ball ever so well. We just encourage them to play."