Liverpool Must Sort Out Contracts Or Lose Rafa Benitez

Rafa Benitez fears history could repeat itself if Liverpool's owners fail to secure his future.

The Reds are facing the prospect of losing a man who stands just third behind Kenny Dalglish and Bob Paisley in an exclusive Sunday Mirror-PowerTable analysis of Anfield's managerial greats.

But unless American pair Tom Hicks and George Gillett deliver the new contract that Benitez craves after claiming to have healed the boardroom rift that tore the club apart last season, then the Spaniard could feel forced into making the kind of heartbreaking decision that saw him quit Valencia for Liverpool in the summer of 2004.

Just weeks after leading Valencia to a second La Liga title and the UEFA Cup, Benitez walked out on the final year of his Mestalla contract after becoming disillusioned by a string of broken promises.

He said: "I left Valencia because there were problems with my contract and other situations that meant I decided to leave.

"It wasn't my idea to leave because I had a list of names in place that would have improved the team. I believe Valencia would have gone on to win more trophies."

Benitez's patience had been tested the previous summer when the Spanish club refused to take up agreements he had secured to sign the then-unknown quartet of Cristiano Ronaldo, Didier Drogba, Florent Malouda and Ricardo Quaresma.

He finally walked away after leading Valencia to the finest hour in their history because they had failed to keep promises about a new deal.

Benitez's fate has turned full circle, with Liverpool's American owners yet to make contact about extending a contract that now has just 18 months to run.

"I spoke with George Gillett in London last week, but there was nothing about a new contract," Benitez revealed.

"That is OK because I want to concentrate on football.

But if the owners ask to talk about a new contract that would be good also.

"If not, I will continue to do my job for as long as I can and then we will see. I really want to stay at Liverpool and hopefully in the future the squad will be even better.

"I would like to be here a long time, so I am waiting. After improving the squad for the last five years I know we are very, very close to having a fantastic team and I want to be part of their future.

"I am also sure that this Liverpool team, with the staff I have also, will get better every year.

"The contract situation does not put me under more pressure to win either the title or the Champions League because in my mind I am just thinking about winning every game.

"I think we are close to having the team I want, but if I start thinking, 'We have to win this trophy' it is possible to lose focus."

It's ironic that Benitez will face his one-time Valencia nemesis Jesus Garcia Pitarch this week. Pitarch, the sporting director who was blamed for Benitez's departure four years ago, now holds the same position with Atletico Madrid, who arrive at Anfield on Tuesday.

During the week, Gillett (left) claimed his relationship with Hicks has improved. And Benitez said: "I have heard that the relationship between Liverpool's owners is better and that's good for the club.

"It is the same with me and Pitarch. We had our problems but they are solved."

Agger Happy To Be Back

Liverpool defender Daniel Agger has spoken of his relief at finally being back in the Liverpool fold after a year out injured.

The Liverpool centre back has been plagued by injuries for the past 12 months and has finally managed to free himself of those problems and gain match fitness once more.

He has also managed to secure a place in the Liverpool side, but this was only due to the horrific injury suffered by fellow defender Martin Skrtel.

Speaking to kop-tv.com, Agger said, "It’s never easy to get into the team when you have a squad like we have at Liverpool.

"Things have been very hard for me after the best part of a year out and then missing out at the start of the season. I’m glad to put the last 12 months behind me.

"But being left out of the team after a long time out is just part of football. Now I want to show the fans what I can do again.

"It feels good to get back out there and I feel I’ve had some good games against Crewe in the Carling Cup and Wigan [Athletic] in the league."

Despite this, Agger knows that he will have to work harder to obtain full match fitness.

"I found it hard coming back into the team for the Wigan match. I was very tired early in the second half and could really feel that I hadn’t for a long time," he continued.

"There’s being fit and then there is match fitness - there is a big difference between the two and you can only obtain match fitness by playing in many games.

"Although I want to impress everyone again, I know I have to just play my own game. If the way you play is good enough then you will be in the team and hopefully I can get a good run now.”

"It feels good to be back."

Reds Ready - Dalglish

Kenny Dalglish believes Liverpool have got what it takes to win the Premier League.

The man who won eight league titles as both a player and manager at Anfield says Rafa Benitez's side may have been knocked off top spot by Chelsea, but can still go all the way this season.

He admits that the Blues superior firepower is something Liverpool will have to compete with in the transfer window and that champions Manchester United are a "fantastic side", but is convinced the current Reds crop have it what it takes to end an 18-year wait for the league title.

Dalglish was at the helm the last time Liverpool ruled the land and told Goals on Sunday that this season it is a case of so far, so good.

"I would go for Liverpool, but Man United are a fantastic side," he told Goals on Sunday. "But it doesn't matter what number title Man United are going for, Liverpool can only look after themselves.

"If they have got ambitions of winning the championship - which they have - they have got to beat Man United and they have got to beat Chelsea. And they've done that.

"They've beaten them twice, so they've got a lot more points from the top two teams than they did last year.

"For me, I think they've got enough to hang on, but it's whether they can get over the line or not. I think it's going to be really tight.

"Chelsea are a fantastic team. They looked really ordinary against Liverpool but as we saw yesterday, they're a fantastic team and they've got a huge goal difference. Between them and Liverpool that could be vital at the end of the season. They do have a greater goalscoring threart than Liverpool."

Dalglish hailed Robbie Keane as a "big, big signing" in the summer and backed him and Fernando Torres to form the sort of partnership he and fellow Goals on Sunday guest Ian Rush enjoyed during the club's most succesful period.

Torres was missing as Liverpool lost their first league game of the season at Tottenham on Saturday and with Keane still struggling, their former boss expects Benitez to reinforce his frontline in the New Year.

But, he believes they have the defensive durabilty to finish the season as champions.

"I think they need to start looking at scoring goals and that's something for the January transfer window," he said.

"But the good thing about Liverpool this year - and it happened in the first half at Tottenham until they maybe took their foot off the gas a wee bit - is they're winning a lot more possession in the opposition's half. They're pressing them a lot higher up the pitch.

"When they do that Liverpool are a real threat and it really gets the crowd going when they close down in the other half of the pitch, especially at home. And they are good enough to do that.

"(Jamie) Carragher and (Daniel) Agger are good enough to go one-on-one at the back and they can close down higher up the pitch.

"Man United have been the better team, simple as that. But Rafa has won the European Cup, he's got to another final and lost that and Gerard Houllier won the UEFA Cup and something like five other trophies, so they have had relative success.

"But they've not won the championship and that's the thing they are all craving - and Rushy and I are the same!"

Torres Set For Reds Return

Rafa Benitez is hoping Fernando Torres will be fit to return to the Liverpool team against his former club Atletico Madrid.

Torres has missed the Reds' last five matches after suffering a hamstring injury on international duty with Spain last month.

He failed to recover in time to take a place on the bench in Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Tottenham, but could be involved in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday.

Liverpool welcome Atletico to Anfield and Benitez is keen to have Torres back in his plans after his attack stuttered in recent games.

"Hopefully he will be ready," said Benitez on the club's official website.

"If he cannot start the game then he will be on the bench if everything is okay.

"Clearly when you have a striker with the quality and potential of Torres, and he is available, it's a very good option.

"We have an important match against Atletico Madrid and having Fernando starting or on the bench is a good option for us.

"Clearly he really wants to play as he hasn't played for a while. And he was very frustrated not to play in the first game against them."

Alex Ferguson Wary Of Liverpool's Real Push For Title

THE last time Alex Ferguson wanted Liverpool to win any game it was only because Manchester United's title hopes were resting on it.

On the final day of the 1994/95 season Fergie was relying on a favour from Liverpool to stand any chance of guiding United to the championship.

A win for the Reds against Blackburn at Anfield would have been enough to hand the title to United as long as they kept their side of the bargain by beating West Ham at Upton Park.

In the days leading up to Sky's original "Super Sunday" Ferguson kept banging on to the press about Liverpool having to do right by the competition by doing their level best to inflict defeat on Blackburn - even though there was nothing riding on the outcome for Roy Evans' side and Rovers were managed by Anfield legend Kenny Dalglish.

Liverpool won the game but, thankfully, United could only draw theirs. Blackburn were crowned champions and Liverpool's honour was left intact.

More than 13 years have passed since then but at the start of this week Ferguson was again delighted to see Liverpool win a game – or so he said.

"That was the result I wanted," insisted the United boss and with those six words he basically admitted for the first time in far too long that Liverpool are a genuine threat.

Ferguson only ever says nice things about teams that don't concern him, that's the nature of the beast.

In the weird and wonderful world of Premier League mind games, put downs are seen as an effective way of gaining a psychological advantage over your rivals and Ferguson has used them time and time again.

The year after Blackburn pipped his team to the post, Newcastle were United's big rivals in the title race and as the pair edged closer to the finishing line Ferguson indulged in the kind of mind games which have become his trademark.

With Newcastle set to meet Nottingham Forest at the City Ground, Ferguson told the media he doubted Frank Clark's team would make the same kind of effort against the Magpies as they would if they were facing his own.

Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan exploded with his infamous "I'd love it" rant, Newcastle went on to only draw with Forest and the title was Old Trafford bound. Easy.

Ferguson is not stupid, he knows full well that given the way Liverpool have started this season that they have their best chance of mounting a genuine title challenge in years.

He also knows that were they to go all the way his hopes of "knocking them off their perch" as England's most successful club before he retires would be put in serious jeopardy.

That's why the mind games have already begun.

And Liverpool should take his insistence that a victory by the club he still regards as United's biggest rivals was the result he wanted as the biggest backhanded compliment they could ever receive.

A draw at Stamford Bridge would have suited Ferguson down to the ground because United going eight points behind Liverpool has never and will never be viewed as a good thing at Old Trafford.

It remains to be seen whether or not Liverpool have got what it takes to go the distance in this season's title race but one thing's for sure – Ferguson is already worried that they can and it's doubtful in the extreme that he will "want" them to win any more games in the coming months.

Benitez: Liverpool FC Have To Bounce Back After Tottenham Defeat

LIVERPOOL manager Rafael Benitez believes that his side must follow Chelsea’s example by showing the character to bounce back after a first Premier League defeat of the season.

A shock last-minute 2-1 defeat to bottom club Tottenham on Saturday saw Liverpool surrender both the last unbeaten record in the Premier League and first place in the table as Chelsea returned to the summit on goal difference.

Liverpool had taken the lead through Dirk Kuyt in the second minute and dominated proceedings for long periods – hitting the Tottenham woodwork on three occasions when leading 1-0.

However, a Jamie Carragher own goal gifted the hosts an unlikely equaliser and substitute Roman Pavlyuchenko snatched victory for Harry Redknapp’s side in the final minute.

The loss came just six days after Liverpool had climbed to top spot in the capital courtesy of a 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge which ended Chelsea’s 86-game unbeaten home record.

Since then, Luiz Felipe Scolari’s side have recovered to win 3-0 at Hull City in midweek and then crush Sunderland 5-0 on Saturday, to reclaim pole position thanks to a goal difference of plus 23 which is 15 better than Liverpool’s current total of 8.

Benitez believes that his own team must now follow their title rivals’ example by showing the mental strength to immediately recover from their setback.

He said: “Chelsea have shown that they’re a good team and we have to show the same. We have to show the same character now.

“It’s football – sometimes you can win, you can lose but after this last game we don’t need to be worried about the performance of the team, their character or quality.

“The key is to keep the confidence in the team and keep working as hard as we did against Tottenham and we will be there.”

Liverpool were on top for such long periods at White Hart Lane with Steven Gerrard striking the crossbar, a Darren Bent miss-clearance hitting an upright and Xabi Alonso missing a golden opportunity with a free header. Benitez was at a loss to try and explain where it all went wrong.

He said: “It’s not easy for me to define where the turning point was in Spanish – and it’s even more difficult in English!

“We were so dominant. We were controlling the game, we were controlling everything. It was a surprise. At half time we were talking about how we needed to score a second goal to finish the game.

“It’s really difficult to explain how we conceded two goals and lost this game.

“Harry said ‘Sometimes you need luck’ and I agree with him.

“I have had some experience here in England of playing well, creating chances and conceding goals in the last minute but that’s the Premier League.

“It’s very difficult to win every game now because some of the other teams are really good.”

However, after a collection of dropped points, mostly from a series of home draws in games they dominated, prevented any serious title challenge from Liverpool last season, the Spaniard emphasised how important it is to be clinical in front of goal.

He said: “We could see that the team is really good, the players have quality and the mentality is good but sometimes it’s the last pass. Taking your chances is the key mentality for winning titles.

“I think we have a good mentality but we still need to take our chances.

“We’ve been winning without Fernando (Torres). We know when we have Fernando we have another option which is different.

“But (Robbie) Keane was doing well with Gerrard and after that (Ryan) Babel with Kuyt – it was always a threat.

“You cannot talk about Torres because the rest of the players were doing so well it would not be fair.

“Clearly when you have a striker with the quality and potential of Torres he will be a good addition for us.”

Benitez’s big summer recruit, £20m striker Keane emerged from his first return to White Hart Lane still waiting to score his first Premier League goal for Liverpool having been withdrawn midway through the second half but the striker laid on Kuyt’s opener.

“Robbie was okay. He was doing a good job keeping the centre-back busy and Gerrard had space so he was doing his job properly”, said Benitez.

“I was thinking about changing things (by substituting Keane) because we were so dominant I wanted to control the pace more. They were attacking and they were high but Babel has pace.”

Dossena Should Be Left Behind, Not Left-Back

TO describe that result as a disappointment is the understatement of the century.

Early goal by Kuyt and then total dominance, enough chances to win two matches but eventually the same old problem rears its head again.

We dominate a game but fail to capitalise.

Chelsea had responded to our victory there last week with two resounding wins.

We won with a penalty during the week and then on Saturday blow a lead against the team that’s bottom of the table.

Carragher had a rare off day but maybe he has to spend too much of his time compensating for Dossena at left back.

Left back? He should be left behind. An old joke I know but the Italian continually fails to impress.

He could have done more to stop Bent’s cross for Spurs’ winner and looks permanently a yard off the pace.

Reina too looked a bundle of nerves. Rafa usually manages to change a game with his subs but on this occasion we just got worse.

Riera and Keane went off and Babel and Benayoun did little. We miss a Crouch-type player up front in games like these and in conditions like that.

All Spurs did was pick up the pace and look for opportunities to whip the ball into the box and eventually they got lucky. We didn’t.

We are off the top now and Chelsea’s goal difference is already nearly three times better than ours.

That statistic alone demonstrates the problem.

We need Torres back yes, but we also need more options up front.

Carragher Demands Instant Response From Liverpool

Jamie Carragher has demanded an instant return to winning ways as Liverpool negotiate what he views as an increasingly unforgiving Premier League title race.

The Reds slipped off the summit of the table with their 2-1 defeat at White Hart Lane yesterday, Carragher's own goal letting Tottenham back into the match.

Chelsea responded to last weekend's home defeat to Liverpool by putting eight goals past Hull and Sunderland and Carragher wants a similar response from his team-mates.

'Look how Chelsea have reacted since we beat them and how Manchester United reacted when they lost to us,' he said.

'They've been on a great run since. It's how you come back from your setbacks that counts. This will be a test for us now.

'If you want to show you're championship contenders it's how you bounce back that matters.

'Before Jose Mourinho came to Chelsea you could get away with losing five or six but now it seems to be three or four.

'The standards are so high. You can't afford to lose too many.'

Fixtures against the likes of West Brom, Bolton and Fulham mean Liverpool face, at least on paper, a kind November but Carragher is taking nothing for granted.

'It's a different test in itself playing against the teams lower down,' he said.

'Portsmouth was a very difficult game and we didn't score until late on.

'If we play as well as we can we should go on to win the next six games but in the past we've come unstuck in those matches and it's important we get maximum points now.'

Fernando Torres should be back for Tuesday's Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid after recovering from a hamstring injury.

Carragher admits Torres has been missed but insists the squad should be able to cope in his absence.

'You'll always miss Torres. He's probably the best striker in the world of his type," he said.

'Even if we'd won here we would have still missed him because he's such a great player. That's what squads are for.

'That's why the manager talks every year about big squads and good benches.

'Everyone misses players. Chelsea are without Didier Drogba at the moment. You've just got to adapt to it.'

Liverpool could have done with Torres' clinical touch as they let a series of chances go begging against Spurs before Carragher's own goal changed the match.

'That's the Premier League for you. Credit to Spurs but we were in total control,' said Carragher.

'We should have got a second or third goal but if you don't do that Spurs have definitely got quality going forward.

'I'm disappointed to score the own goal. I don't know what happened. I don't know if I was unlucky - I'll have to see it again.

'Even then 1-1 isn't too bad at Spurs. It's not an easy place to go, even though they're in a bad situation.

'We're more than disappointed to concede a goal in the last minute. We missed a couple of chances we would normally score.

'Normally when you're in such control you go on to win the game but you have to give credit to Tottenham for showing character and sticking in there.' "Harry Redknapp is having quite an effect there."

Match Report: Tottenham Hotspur 2 -1 LiverpooL

Roman Pavlyuchenko pounced on the stroke of full-time to lift Tottenham off the foot of Barclays Premier League.

Liverpool took the lead with just two minutes on the clock through a magnificent finish by Dirk Kuyt that saw Heurelho Gomes exposed yet again.

Jamie Carragher's own goal appeared to have salvaged a point for Spurs but Harry Redknapp's side had grander ideas.

With injury time approaching, Pavlyuchenko tucked home a Darren Bent pass to deny the Reds their return to the summit of the table and end the top flight's last unbeaten record.

Liverpool allowed a flurry of chances to slip by, with Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso missing the pick of them, until Carragher rose high in the 69th minute to nod into his own net.

They should have been out of sight before Carragher struck while Spurs displayed more of the fighting spirit which served them so well against Arsenal in midweek.

The victory rung up Redknapp's seventh point in three games since replacing Juande Ramos a week ago, a remarkable return given Spurs' dismal position until his arrival.

It was three points dropped for Liverpool, who had Robbie Keane to thank for setting up the opening goal.

Much of the pre-match build-up focussed on Keane's first appearance against the club he left for £20.3million during the summer and the match had barely started when he made his presence felt.

The Republic of Ireland striker continued some slick build-up play by finding the unmarked Kuyt down the right - and the Dutchman found the net from a tight angle with a brilliant finish.

Keane's celebrations, however, were muted out of respect for the club he led as skipper.

Spurs' defensive woes continued with an inswinging Gerrard free-kick scrambled away by Gomes and moments later Bent nearly turned the ball into his own net.

Bent tried to make amends at the other end when he chased an astute looping ball by Tom Huddlestone but Pepe Reina raced off his line to clear the danger.

The sting had been taken out of Liverpool's early onslaught as Spurs began to retain possession, but their opponents' constant harrying in dreadful conditions made life difficult.

Vedran Corluka tried his luck from out wide on the left after being teed up by David Bentley but his effort sailed wide.

The Spurs defence was opened up in the 29th minute when Kuyt nodded the ball down to Gerrard, who expertly weaved his way into the penalty area - however, his shot lacked the quality of the approaching run.

A desperate pass from Alvaro Arbeloa gave possession back to Spurs and the home side were holding their own in a keenly contested midfield battle.

But a dangerous run by Albert Riera underlined the threat posed by Liverpool as the ball was worked to Keane, who saw his shot easily blocked by a small posse of white shirts.

Reina was presented with a far tougher challenge at the other end in the 41st minute when he pushed aside Luka Modric's impressive effort from the edge of the area.

The ball slipped under the legs of Xabi Alonso's legs, leaving Reina with little time to react, but the Spaniard's reflexes were equal to the task.

Harry Redknapp brought on Pavlyuchenko at the interval and the second half was just moments old when the Russian dragged a shot wide.

Spurs were concerned when Kuyt charged towards the goal, with the ball popping up to Gerrard - whose shot was tipped onto the right corner of the woodwork by Gomes.

The England midfielder, spotting Gomes was stranded, then tried a looping shot from out wide but only found the top of the net.

Gomes flapped as Alonso sneaked in at the far post but the Spaniard's header slipped wide when he should have hit the target.

Liverpool should have been out of sight as the match but the visitors equalised against the run of play when Carragher, under pressure from Ledley King, headed a corner into his own net.

And the majority of the White Hart Lane supporters were delighted when Pavlyuchenko tucked home Darren Bent's pass to complete the comeback.

Rafa: We Missed Too Many Chances

Rafa Benitez expressed his disappointment after the 2-1 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur saying that he cannot believe Liverpool lost the game at White Hart Lane.

The Reds dominated large period of the game and after taking an early lead through Dirk Kuyt, were denied by the woodwork twice with skipper Steven Gerrard unlucky on both occasions plus there were other chances that went begging, while Spurs got the equaliser in the second half through Jamie Carragher own-goal and substitute Roman Pavlyuchenko scored the winner for Harry Redknapp's side in the closing stages.

It was the first defeat of the season for the Reds, who now are displaced to second place in the Premiership table with Chelsea at the top due to better goal-difference.

"I can't believe we have lost this game," Reds boss Benitez is quoted as saying on the club’s official website.

"After playing well in the first half we started the second half with four clear chances. We hit the bar and Kuyt and Alonso had great chances that we didn't take.

"Always it's important to create chances but you have to score from them. We were going forward, controlling the game and were dominant.

"I am really disappointed but it was really bad luck because everybody could see we were better than them.

"We were talking on the bench saying we have to score the second goal to finish the match off. I made some changes and thought the pace of Babel could make a difference, but to concede the two goals is something that is difficult to explain.

"As a team we were really good but we need to take our chances. That makes the difference in a game like this.

"Everybody was really disappointed in the dressing room because we know we had the game in our hands, but sometimes in football you need luck. It was a game we easily could have won 4-0."

Torres Set For Atleti Encounter

Having missed his homecoming against his former club at the Vicente Calderon, Fernando Torres is set to play some part in the return fixture this week.

Torres has been out of action for Liverpool since suffering a hamstring injury during Spain's World Cup qualifier against Belgium earlier in the month.

It was rumoured that the 24-year-old striker might have made the bench for yesterday's trip to Tottenham, but he was left at home once more as the Reds crashed to their first defeat of the season.

However, Rafa Benitez has confirmed that Fernando Torres will make the squad for Tuesday's Champions League Matchday 4 clash with Atletico Madrid.

"Fortunately, Fernando is ready to play," said Benitez. "I don't know if he will start, but he will definitely be on the bench, barring anything unexpected."

Liverpool and Atletico Madrid currently sit atop Group D with seven points each, making the match a vital encounter. If Torres does participate, it will be the first time he has played against the club that gave him his debut as a 16-year-old.

Liverpool Fans Reject George Gillett's Olive Branch Offer

LIVERPOOL FC supporters’ group Spirit of Shankly last night hit out at George Gillett’s claims that he had repaired his relationship with both the club’s fans and co-owner Tom Hicks.

A statement released by the group said Gillett and Hicks were “sadly mistaken” if they believed the anger towards them has in any way subsided “following the recent success on the pitch for Liverpool”.

It said: “Anger towards the owners has remained as high as ever. Gillett and Hicks should not mistake satisfaction with the performance of the team and manager (the renewal of whose contract remains one more undelivered promise) for fans softening their stance on wanting to rid the club of them.”

Yesterday’s Daily Post reported remarks Gillett made in an interview with a Toronto radio station in which the Canadian admitted he and Hicks got off on the “wrong basis” and are “embarrassed” by it.

He also suggested his relationship with the fans had improved.

Last night Spirit of Shankly said the comments had not helped repair the rift with the fans.

The statement added: “Where is their admission that they have got off on the wrong basis with Liverpool Football Club, the fans and manager?

“Where is their apology for the embarrassment they have caused the football club and those associated with it, through their inept running of the club, and their petty squabbles played out in the public domain?

“George Gillett seems to think he can win fans over by hailing Rafael Benitez, as ‘one of the great coaches’. Fans have had this opinion for a long time.

“George Gillett and Tom Hicks should think again if they believe fans are going to be taken in by their PR spin.

“Those running the football club are inept and need to go now to allow this club to move forward on and off the pitch.”

Spirit of Shankly said it reiterated its message to Hicks and Gillett to get out of the club. The group claimed the pair have no money, credibility, honesty, integrity, or dignity.

‘I Could Never Leave Anfield’

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 "Captain's Book”. Here, in an exclusive extract from the book, Gerrard tells of the moment he offered to give up the captain's role he cherishes and how he could never quit Anfield.

AFTER winning the European Cup in Istanbul in May 2005, Steven Gerrard ended up spending most of the summer agonising over his future.

Chelsea had come calling for the second time in little more than a year and the Huyton-born midfielder came perilously close to joining Jose Mourinho’s squad.

But having pulled back from the brink because, when it came down to it, he simply could not bear to leave the club he had supported all his life, Gerrard thought it only right that he should offer to give up the club captaincy.

“In my heart, this is my club and I want to bring success here for the supporters,” he writes.

“For their sake as well as my own, I never want to go through the events of July 2005 ever again.

“That was when I told Liverpool I wanted to leave (to go to Chelsea). But I just didn’t want to let go of what I’ve worked so hard for and as everyone knows by now, I could never leave this club.

“I’ve been here since I was eight years of age. I’d worked so hard to become captain and had so many great times and have got great relationships with people here.

“I knew the club deserved the next five to ten years of my career and I didn’t – and don’t – want to give those years to any other club. I want to give them to Liverpool.

“Winning the league is what I want more than anything and Liverpool is the only place I ever wanted to win it.

“I think that those few days in early July, 2005 where the most difficult days of my life.

“I’m not proud of them. I wanted it all to blow over and for it all to be forgotten about. I just wanted to get on with my football.

“At times, I thought I’d played my last game. I did a lot of thinking and I became really confused.

“It was difficult and I wouldn’t wish what I went through on any other player or any other person.

“I know I hurt the fans at the time and they were entitled to their opinion.

“I had to explain why I was turning Chelsea down at a press conference in June 2004 and I had to put them through it all again a year or so later.

“After it all happened, I said to the manager I would like to speak to the players on my own because I knew some of them had been frustrated with what had gone on, just like the fans.

“I offered to give up the armband which would have broken my heart but it was right to make the offer.”

Fortunately for Liverpool, the offer was turned down and Gerrard remains Reds skipper to this day.

Florent Sinama-Pongolle Eyes Happy Return

TUESDAY would, said Florent Sinama-Pongolle in the understated manner that is his style, feel “a very special night”. He had known one or two at Anfield during his four years there - fewer than he would have liked - and one memorable enough that he can foresee his name being applauded on Tuesday night. Without Sinama-Pongolle, Liverpool would not have won the European Cup in 2005. Without his equalising goal on a dramatic December evening against Olympiakos, Liverpool would not have reached the knockout stage.

At Liverpool, Sinama-Pongolle - “Flo” to his friends - had a career of cameos, no more. In Spain, where he has spent the past two seasons, joining Atletico Madrid at the beginning of this, his third in La Liga, he can boast much better. Indeed, last month, Sinama-Pongolle made his senior international debut for France. He did not turn 24 until 11 days ago. Still to reach his prime, he has already been on quite a zigzag of a journey.

Flo Sinama-Pongolle was discovered by Gerard Houllier, Liverpool manager at the time, playing for France at the 2001 under-17 world championships, where he emerged the outstanding player. Although he and his contemporary, Anthony Le Tallec, from Le Havre, made a big noise, neither broke through to establish first-team status and Sinama-Pongolle was subsequently lent to Blackburn Rovers by Houllier’s successor, Rafa Benitez. Still, it was Benitez who helped make the deal that relaunched him.

He joined newly promoted Recreativo de Huelva in the summer of 2006 and from there his career flew, his goals helping Recre to a healthy eighth in La Liga. The next season, he contributed as effectively. Benfica wanted him; so did Paris St Germain. Atletico had lost a striker, Fernando Torres, and they paid £5m for Sinama-Pongolle in July 2008 and after a month of this season, he was La Liga’s highest scorer. “It was a great run, everything I tried went in,” he says. “But I am mature enough to know I wouldn’t always be like that.”

Despite his success, Sinama-Pongolle had been sad to leave Liverpool. “They gave me so much, but by the end I needed to play first-team football,” he added. “Coming to Spain has been good. I’ve worked hard for this, pushed myself.”

Come Tuesday, Sinama-Pongolle will have a special interest in shining. “It’s a big night for me. For players like Torres and Pepe Reina, it was special coming to Madrid. Me, I’ve been looking forward to going back to Anfield.”

Rafa's Repeat Fear

Rafa Benitez hopes Liverpool's owners will sort out his future and avoid a Valencia style crash.

Benitez's Reds have made a flying start in the Premier League despite the Spaniard's future still being in major doubt.

His contract expires in the summer of 2010 and even though he met co-owner George Gillett in London there have stil been no discussions about an extension.

Benitez has been here before and his old club Valencia suffered bitterly from this kind uncertainty.

He had guided the unfancied side to a La Liga title in 2002. But there were no talks about his own future and having won another title and the Uefa Cup in 2004, a frustrated Benitez left for Anfield that summer.

Since then Valencia have had four permanent managers and have failed to build on success.

Benitez said of his current position: "After improving the squad for five years we know that we are very, very close to having a fantastic team and I want to be part of the future."

Benitez Keen To Seal The Deal

Rafael Benitez wants Liverpool's progress into the Champions League knockout stages secured as quickly as possible so he can concentrate on the Barclays Premier League.

Benitez sees Tuesday's Group D match at home to Atletico Madrid as the opportunity to settle one issue and give himself the luxury of qualifying for the last 16 with two games to spare for the first time.

That would mean Liverpool can focus their energy on their attempt to win the league title for the first time in 18 years.

If Liverpool beat Atletico and PSV Eindhoven lose in Marseille, the five-time European champions will be guaranteed a place in the knockout phase in February.

Their final two group matches against Marseille at Anfield on November 26 and away to Eindhoven on December 9 would allow Benitez to rest senior men and give squad players valuable European experience.

That is par for the course at Manchester United, but not something Benitez has managed at Anfield.

Benitez, whose side were held to a 1-1 draw in Madrid last month, said: "Clearly we want to be qualified for the knockout stages as quickly as we can, and a win on Tuesday will almost certainly settle that.

"But Madrid are a fine side, and away from home they are very dangerous on the counter-attack with some outstanding players of pace and quality.

"If we can win it will be a massive result for us. If we can get the points to qualify as soon as possible it will take a lot of pressure from us.

"It will mean that we can use other players in the final group matches and be able to concentrate our strengths and efforts in the Premier League to maintain our position in the title race.

"But I am sure that Atletico Madrid is thinking just the same thing, they will want to ensure their qualification as quickly as possible, too."

Atletico would also ensure a place in the last 16 if they won at Anfield and PSV lost in the south of France.

"The incentive for both clubs is clear, the winners would have 10 points and that could well be enough," Benitez added.

Benitez expects to have former Atletico striker Fernando Torres back on Tuesday, the Spanish international having missed the trip to the Vicente Calderon last month with a hamstring injury suffered on international duty.

"Torres is very, very close. But we have still been winning without him so we will not take any risks," added Benitez.

"But clearly he is very important to us. He can win games when we are not playing well. He can change games.

"Always you miss a player like that, but I am really pleased with the performances of the other players without him.

"We have good quality, so when one or two big players are not available we have handled that situation.

"What pleases me is that we have been without three of our top players for maybe half the games we have played this season.

"Javier Mascherano, Torres and Martin Skrtel have all missed several games each but we are still doing okay.

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

The game will be an emotional one for Torres, a boyhood Atletico fan who scored 102 goals in 243 appearances for the club between 2001 and 2007.

But it will also see a return to Anfield for former Liverpool stars Luis Garcia - a hero of the Champions League Final victory in Istanbul three years ago - and Florent Sinama Pongolle.

Garcia left Liverpool for Atletico in 2007 after three seasons in which he made 77 league appearances, scoring 18 goals. His most significant strike in a red shirt came when he got the only goal in the 2005 semi-final against Chelsea.

Sinama Pongolle also made a telling contribution to that Liverpool campaign, scoring the first of three second-half goals which rescued them from elimination against Olympiacos in December 2004.

Messi Tips Liverpool To Win Champions League

Barcelona’s Lionel Messi has revealed that Rafael Benitez’s Liverpool are his pick to claim Champions League glory this season.

The Reds are currently second in the Premier League and head Champions League Group D where they look odds on to qualify for the knock-out stages.

The club have famously claimed European glory on five previous occasions, most recently in 2005, and were also runners-up in 2007.

As reported by clubcall.com, the Argentinean admitted he fancied their chances again this season. He said: “If I had to choose anyone to win the Champions League then it would be Liverpool.”

The Barca ace highlighted several of their players to back up his claim and also alluded to the fact that their great strength makes them a difficult side to break down. Messi explained: “They have great players like Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard, Dirk Kuyt and Javier Mascherano, and they are difficult to play against.”

The Argentinean and Barcelona star tasted defeat by Manchester United in the semi-final of the Champions League last season but Barca are currently unbeaten in Group C where they top the standings and look certain to progress.

Yet Messi also knows Liverpool well from the last time the two sides met in the competition, back in 2007. Although the two legs ended with the teams level, the score being 2-2, Liverpool progressed on away goals.

Whilst Messi admitted Liverpool did not always play the most attractive football, he did concede that they were effective - and that might see them into the final next May. He concluded: “Maybe there are teams that play better football, but I can see them getting to the final in Rome.”

Liverpool are in Champions League action in midweek as they welcome Atletico Madrid to Anfield, whilst Barcelona face Basel at home.

Heskey Set To Leave Wigan In Summer? Liverpool, Spurs & Aston Villa Linked

Emile Heskey has revealed that he is ambitious to win silverware and as such suggested that he is ready to leave Wigan Athletic, while Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa have been linked with the England striker.

The 30-year-old former Leicester City and Birmingham City star had a trophy-laden spell at Liverpool earlier in his career, and is now keen to add to his medals.

Heskey told the Daily Telegraph: "Am I ambitious? Playing football, you've got to be.

"I've won trophies, played at the highest level, won the Uefa Cup, the FA Cup, league cups and the Super Cup with Liverpool.

"That's why you come into football. But I want to win more."

He also revealed that he will consider his options in the summer as fair bit of interest is generated in the powerful forward following his recent performances that were inspiring for Three Lions as well as the Latics.

"At this stage of my career, I’ll sit down in the summer and sit down and think. Until then I'm just concentrating on getting things right at Wigan," he added.

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."