Referee Gets Death Threats Over Controversial Gerrard Penalty

Martin Hansson, the referee in Liverpool's Champions League game against Atlético Madrid a fortnight ago, has revealed he received death threats over his decision to award a late penalty to Steven Gerrard.

The Swede gave a spot-kick in the final minute of stoppage time for what he perceived to be a push on Liverpool's captain by Mariano Pernía. Gerrard, who scored the penalty to salvage a 1-1 draw, admitted he would have been "livid" had the decision been made against his team.

Hansson told the Swedish newspaper Sport-Expressen that he has given up his mobile telephone number and notified the police after getting a number of threatening calls and text messages.

"I have received death threats. It has been horrible and feels very uncomfortable," he said. "The phone rang all the time and I had a great many text messages. I am pretty used to this but now I've had enough. It has been very threatening. I feel completely fed up. I have always had my mobile phone on and my number has been on the network. Now it no longer works. I'm sad that I can't be as open as I once was. I have notified the police that there have been threats against my life but it is difficult for the police to prove."

Hansson said he would not follow the lead of his compatriot Anders Frisk, who quit as a referee in 2005 after receiving death threats following a Champions League game between Chelsea and Barcelona. "I'll keep on refereeing because I like it," he said. "I want to continue to believe that football can do a lot of good and it would be sad if these dark forces had any influence on me. I thought about quitting, absolutely, but I have made my decision to continue. But I never considered it [quitting] as much as right now."

Meanwhile the referee Andre Marriner is to sit out this weekend's Premier League and Football League programmes after mistakenly sending off Wigan Athletic's Emmerson Boyce last Saturday at Newcastle United. Marriner gave Boyce a second yellow card for a tackle on Shola Ameobi which replays showed to be clean. His temporary withdrawal shows that the error has been viewed as serious.

Howard Webb, acknowledged as England's top referee, is to help Stuart Attwell negotiate his comeback to the Premier League in Portsmouth's game at home to Hull on Saturday by acting as fourth official. This season Attwell has awarded Reading a phantom goal at Watford and his two questionable decisions punished Derby in a draw with Nottingham Forest.

Skrtel Aims To Return Soon

Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel is hoping to be back playing soon as his rehabilitation from a knee injury progresses well.

The Slovakian centre-back damaged his posterior cruciate ligament in Liverpool's 3-2 win at Manchester City in October.

He did not require surgery and is now working hard to return as soon as possible.

"I don't know exactly the date but the predictions were for before Christmas and I am hoping it is as soon as possible," said Skrtel.

"The injury is much better. It has been six weeks since the injury and I have stopped using the crutches, but obviously I have work to do in order to get the ligament back to what it was before."

Liverpool Boss Benitez Insists Arsenal's Premier League Hopes Not Over

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has claimed that he is not willing to accept that Arsenal are not threats to their Premier League title dreams this season, even though Arsene Wenger’s men have already lost four games in the Premiership this season.

Currently Chelsea lead the league table on goal difference followed by the Reds, with the Gunners nine points behind the league leaders, which have raised many doubts regarding their title ambitions.

However, the former Valencia coach insists that it too early to rule out Arsene Wenger's side and highlights the fact that Liverpool are still to play the North London club twice.

Benitez said: "It is too early for me. They have enough quality in the squad. We still have to play them (twice) and they have to play the other top sides in the second half of the season.

"It is a difficult situation for them because they have three teams ahead of them but it is too early to rule them out."

Liverpool Football Club Slammed By City Council For Bird-Brained Scheme To Trademark Emblem

Council leaders have hit out at Liverpool's owners over the club's bid to register the Liver bird as a trademark.

The Anfield club have applied to the UK Intellectual Property Office to trademark the iconic image for the sum of £450.

The club hope the move will stem the tide of counterfeit Liverpool merchandise bearing the famous Liver bird emblem.

However, the application has not been welcomed by Liverpool city council, who last week accused the club of attempting to 'steal' the city's crest.

'This is outrageous,' said deputy council leader Flo Clucas in quotes reported by the Guardian.

'The Liver bird belongs to all the people of Liverpool and not one company or organisation. It cannot be bought and sold for private profit.

'This is a symbol of the city and is used not only by the council but also by hundreds of organisations, charities, voluntary groups and sports clubs.'
Clucas revealed last week that the council are taking legal advice over the trademark application.

The club claim they are only attempting to trademark the version which appears on their jerseys, and are not seeking to encroach on the rights of the city council or any other major city organisations to use the Liver bird image.

Liverpool FC's Alvaro Arbeloa Not Signing Until Rafa Benitez Sorted

Liverpool are keen to open talks with Alvaro Arbeloa over a new contract to stave off interest from Atletico Madrid.

But the Spain international has intimated he will wait until the future of Rafael Benitez becomes clearer before reaffirming his commitment to the club.

Arbeloa, an arrival from Deportivo La Coruna in January 2007, has a little over 18 months remaining on his current contract.

The 25-year-old has emerged as a regular at right-back this season with his form since signing for Liverpool earning a place in Spain’s triumphant Euro 2008 squad.

That has alerted Atletico, who want to take the former Real Madrid defender back to the Spanish capital.

Arbeloa said: “I have a contract with Liverpool for one more year. We’ve not spoken about renewing it, not knowing if Benitez will continue, it seems to me a little soon to talk about this.”

Benitez revealed last week that preliminary talks have taken place between his agent and Liverpool’s American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett over a fresh deal for the Anfield manager.

Along with Arbeloa, both Dirk Kuyt and Daniel Agger will enter the final year of their current deals at the end of the season, with Benitez having previously admitted sorting out the long-term future of his players would be easier once his own contract situation is resolved.

Meanwhile, the Liverpool manager has praised a team effort among his backroom staff after being named Premier League manager of the month for October.

“I am really pleased to be named manager of the month, but the award is not just for me, it is good for the club and also my staff,” said Benitez. “I think that all managers need to have good backroom staff.

“Everyone is doing a very good job and that is important. It allows me to concentrate on different things because I know that they will do the job properly.”

Benitez had particular praise for Mauricio Pellegrino, who was brought back to Anfield in the summer as first-team coach after spending a short stint on the playing staff in 2005.

“When I decided to sign Pellegrino as a player it was because he is very clever and tactically he could help the other defenders,” said Benitez.

“He wasn’t at his best because he was at the end of his career, but he is showing now as a coach how brilliant he is tactically.

“I think everyone has been impressed by the things he has done since he arrived. He is a winner, he is very clever and he has a real passion for football.

“The only concern for me is maybe he will leave in the future because he can be a fantastic manager.”

Liverpool are enjoying their best-ever start to a Premier League campaign with only goal difference keeping them behind leaders Chelsea.

And Fernando Torres believes the Anfield outfit have laid the foundations of a genuine title challenge.

“This season has seen us get off to a good start, and that is very much appreciated here,” said the Spain international.

“If you are still up there by December, then you have serious options of staying there. The big name sides rarely slip up, especially during the first half of the season. If you fall too far behind, you leave yourself very few, if any, options.

“The Premier League is the title which everyone wants, even more than the Champions League, especially considering that the club lifted that one three seasons ago.

“The players who have been at the club for longer have won every title possible apart from the Premier League and the players here now, and especially the fans, want to win it.

“If they had to decide between the two, they would choose the Premier League.”

TOMMY SMITH: Liverpool Still Need Ruthless Touch

If there’s just one thing lacking with the current Liverpool side at present it is their failure to be ruthless.

They have made a terrific start to the season, are level pegging with Chelsea at the top, but they could make things a lot easier if they could take a few more chances.

That must be Rafa Benitez’s main concern after seeing his side achieve a great result at Bolton – not one of our favourite places in the past – and dominate for long periods.

But it required a Steven Gerrard header late on to clinch the points.

Early in the second half, with the Reds holding a slender lead given to them by a superb Dirk Kuyt header, Bolton finally threatened and could easily have scored with two good chances.

Even so, it would have been irrelevant had Robbie Keane converted what looked the simplest of chances in the first half.

What was he trying to do? Why try to use the wrong foot to score, and subsequently completely miss his kick, when it looked all over a simple tap in?

Gerrard also missed out from another pinpoint cross while Fernando Torres, making a welcome return, could also have scored a couple late on.

However, his pass with the outside of his foot to his skipper for the second was worth waiting for. It was brilliant and shows what a hell of a player he is.

Goals are vital – we all know that’s obvious. But if you score them you take the pressure off your midfield and defence, and get the opposition to play more openly.

But, overall, the Reds are looking good, have now got over that deflating result at Spurs, and have shown they are serious title contenders.

Fed Up Skrtel 'Ready To Quit Anfield And Return To St Petersburg'

Liverpool face losing Martin Skrtel after the Slovakian admitted he is struggling to adjust to life on Merseyside.

The 24-year-old defender is lonely and bored and would like to return to St Petersburg, according to his close friend, Zenit goalkeeper Kamil Contofalsky.

Contofalsky told Russia's 90 Minutes Magazines: 'I talk a lot to Martin on the phone and he said he would like to return to Zenit because it's very boring for him in England.

'He feels lonely there, doesn't have any friends. And also the local paparazzi follow him all the time.

'There's no such camera madness in Russia and Martin confessed to me that life in St Petersburg was better for him.

'But that doesn't mean he regrets his move to Liverpool. He made it into the main squad quickly and played top class football which is much better than in the Russian premiership.'

Should Liverpool And Everton Ground-Share?

Passion. Loyalty. Pride. The credit crunch. Ticket prices. Pragmatics. Which arguments are the most compelling in the ground-sharing debate? Kevin Garside and Jeremy Wilson go head to head with their respective arguments.

Kevin Garside - No to ground-sharing

Football, like all sports, is a form of escape, a fantasy, an adventure, a romance, an attachment. It conforms not to rational promptings but to emotional impulses. Yes, it is logical for Liverpool and Everton to ground-share. Yes, it makes fiscal sense. Why build two stadia to accommodate two teams housed either side of Stanley Park? It would be madness. Well yes, it would. For the fan, football is a form of madness. Necessarily so. It provides a subtext to our lives. It nourishes the parts work cannot reach. It allows us to drift legitimately for periods of time from the more prosaic conventions that govern us. From responsibility.

We do this in groups. It becomes a secondary identity. This is Dave. He's okay. He's a Liverpool fan. Hi Dave. Welcome to the club. You're in, one of us. Out of this simple commonality a relationship flows. Dave might eat insects, he might pierce his toes, he might do lots of things that would get him locked up, but we forgive him his eccentricities because he's a Liverpool fan; part of the family.

Dave and the boys convene once or twice a week at their ground. It's been their home for more than a hundred years. Their dads came before them, their granddads before them. They are bound by a set of shared beliefs that have evolved and made them what they are in football. This is Anfield.

Dave's cousin, John, is a blue. John's dad, Dave's uncle, went to Goodison Park as a kid to spite his old fella. John loves Everton like Dave loves the reds. John's bedroom wall is a shrine to Everton. He's even got a picture of Kendall, Ball and Harvey that his dad cut out of a Shoot magazine when he was 10.

Dave and John are not economists. They have no interest in balancing books. They are not clients of Anfield and Goodison Park. They are, in their imaginations, part owners of Liverpool and Everton. They turn up without fail in all weathers in their replica shirts bought at the club shops and stump up money they don't have to get their emotional fix.

Dave and John share blood but not teams. This part of their lives is experienced independently. They are mutually exclusive. This is the tradition in Merseyside, in England, in Britain; separate homes at the home of the game.


Jeremy Wilson - Yes to ground-sharing

Rick Parry, the Liverpool chief executive, struck a rather hopeful note earlier this week when he attempted to allay ever-growing fears about the viability of a new stadium. "It's a case of a delay while things settle down," he said.

A delay while things settle down? At a time when even the world's most eminent economists have little idea when confidence in the banking system will return, it was hardly a statement to reassure any Liverpool fan.

As for Everton, the club claims that it has funds for a new stadium, yet the council's objection to the retail element of their Kirkby project has ensured ongoing delays. Time, though, is hardly on the side of either football club.

On Saturday, Liverpool will host Fulham and can expect to earn around £1.4 million from the game, while a similar fixture for Everton would generate in the region of £800,000. Comparable matches at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium or Manchester United's Old Trafford would net the clubs around £3.5 million.

Over a season, it gives Arsenal and Manchester United an ongoing advantage in turnover in excess of £50 million over their Merseyside rivals.

And yet there is a simple solution. In Stanley Park, Liverpool have planning permission - but not the money - for a 60,000-seater ground that could potentially become a 75,000 capacity stadium. By contrast, Everton's difficulties surround the location for their ground. It is often said that a problem shared is a problem halved yet, in this case, an unlikely alliance would actually solve two problems.

A shared stadium would also provide a wider focal point for Liverpool that could represent the 'Wembley of the north' and attract other high profile events to Merseyside. A call to consider the idea from both council leader Warren Bradley and Steven Broomhead, the chief executive of the North West Regional Development Agency, also suggests that public bodies may look favourably on supporting a joint project that could serve to unite the community.

For all the understandable emotion about retaining each club's unique identity, it is a project that has been proven to work in other leading European football cities.

The San Siro is famously the base for both AC Milan and Inter, while the Olympic Stadium in Rome hosts Roma and Lazio. The Allianz Arena in Germany can even change colour from red to blue depending on whether Bayern Munich or TSV 1860 Munich are at home.
The lesson is clear. Football waits for nobody and, if Liverpool and Everton doggedly allow their hearts to rule their heads, they will continue to get left behind.

Fernando Torres Back To His Best - And Ready To Fire For Liverpool

Fernando Torres returned to goalscoring form last night in Spain’s 3-0 win over Chile.

It was the Liverpool forward’s first goal since his return from the hamstring injury that he sustained on international duty in early October.

And in a further boost to manager Rafael Benitez’s preparations for the visit of Fulham this Saturday, he saw all five of his Spanish internationals come through without picking up injuries.

Xabi Alonso and Albert Riera completed full 90 minutes while goalkeeper Pepe Reina played the second half after replacing Iker Casillas.

Right-back Alvaro Arbeloa also made an appearance just past the hour mark before Torres scored just nine minutes after replacing David Villa 12 minutes into the second half. But Benitez’s main concern was welcoming Torres back with his fitness intact after being injured on international duty three times during his Liverpool career.

Meanwhile, Martin Skrtel has revealed his determination to fight to regain his place in the Liverpool back line when he returns from injury.

The Slovakian defender has earmarked the Christmas period as a realistic target for his return following his spell on the sidelines with a knee injury.

He said: “Daniel and Sami are excellent players and they are playing well.

“It will be difficult to get back into the team but I am working hard and I will do my best to impress the coach and fight for my place back.

“I am sad that I am not currently part of the team but I am happy that we are winning and at the end of the day it is the goal of all of us to win matches.

“Being at the top of the Premier League gives us a lot of confidence. We are trying to win every game and hopefully our form can continue for as long as possible.

“Of course I would like to win some silverware but it’s still early and there is a long time to go until the end of the season.”

Skrtel, who joined Liverpool from Zenit St Petersburg in January, admits that he is happy with the schedule of his recovery – because the initial impact of the injury at Eastlands left him feeling he would be out for much longer.

“The injury is much better,” Skrtel said. “It has been six weeks since the injury and I have stopped using the crutches, but obviously I have work to do in order to get the ligament back to what it was before.

“The pain when it happened was huge and I thought it was much worse than it actually was. Once I was back in the changing room I realised it was not as serious as I first feared.

“The first week or two was the worst but then I started to look forward to doing exercises that helped me to heal and speed up the recovery process.”

As for a likely return date, the Slovakian international is still hopeful he will achieve his initial target of a run-out during the Christmas programme.

“I don’t know exactly the date but the predictions were for before Christmas and I am hoping it is as soon as possible.

“It has been a long time. I can’t wait to start kicking a ball again and resume full training,” he added.

Mascherano Talks Up Liverpool Solidarity

Liverpool’s midfield enforcer Javier Mascherano believes that the side’s team mentality can be cited as the primary reason for the club’s best start to a Premier League season.

Newly installed Argentina captain Javier Mascherano believes that the club’s togetherness has been of major importance to their impressive start to the current League campaign.

The Reds share top spot with London club Chelsea, and have only lost once in the Premier League – to lily white side Tottenham Hotspur.

Mascherano thinks that the squad is performing on the pitch because of their amicable relationships off of it.

"All the players are giving everything for us and that is very important," Mascherano told the club’s official website.

"This is why the team is playing so well at the moment, it is because of our teamwork which has been fantastic.

"We are all very happy after the Bolton game because we were able to win another game and go back to the top of the table.

"We know how difficult it is to win at the Reebok because they are a very strong and a very physical team,” he concluded.

Mascherano’s Argentina side play Scotland during the international break before Premier League business resumes on Saturday afternoon with a trip to west London to take on Fulham who, under the tutelage or Roy Hodgson, have turned Craven Cottage into a formidable arena.

Yossi Benayoun Moves Closer To Liverpool FC Exit

Yossi Benayoun has hinted he will consider leaving Anfield in the New Year if he remains a bit-part player for Liverpool.

The Israel international, a £6million signing from West Ham United 18 months ago, has always claimed he is content to stay and fight for his place in Rafael Benitez’s side.

But the 28-year-old, who was tracked by Ajax, Spartak Moscow, Manchester City and Roma during the summer, has admitted his patience is wearing thin at being left on the bench.

“If the situation remains the same over the next few months, and I’m not getting more time in the middle, I will not want to continue as a Liverpool player,” Benayoun told Israel’s Channel Five TV station.

“The fact that I have spent so much time on the bench, while there has been a winning formula on the pitch, tells you everything.

“I hope it changes for me, because I want to stay and prove myself, but it won’t be easy. I know I’m at one of the biggest clubs in the world, and that there are many good players like Ryan Babel and Jermaine Pennant who sometimes aren’t even in the squad, but it’s not much fun sitting on the bench all the time.

“I always wanted to prove myself good enough for Liverpool, and I thought I did well last season to contribute so many goals and assists. But there seems to be more competition for places this time, and if I continue to be on the sidelines, I would not want to stay, even though it is Liverpool.

“Maybe I will have to accept that and start learning another language, such as Italian or French or even Russian.”

Meanwhile, Liverpool are keen to open talks with Alvaro Arbeloa, whose current deal expires in 2010, over a new contract to stave off interest from Atletico Madrid.

Rafa Benitez Reveals Secret To Liverpool’s Success

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has praised a team effort among his backroom staff after being named Barclays Premier League manager of the month for October.

“I am really pleased to be named manager of the month but the award is not just for me, it is good for the club and also my staff,” said Benitez. “I think that all managers need to have good backroom staff.

“Everyone is doing a very good job and that is important. It allows me to concentrate on different things because I know that they will do the job properly.”

Benitez had particular praise for Mauricio Pellegrino, who was brought back to Anfield in the summer as first-team coach after spending a short stint on the playing staff in 2005.

“When I decided to sign Pellegrino as a player it was because he is very clever and tactically he could help the other defenders,” said Benitez.

“He wasn’t at his best because he was at the end of his career but he is showing now as a coach how brilliant he is tactically.

“I think everyone has been impressed by the things he has done since he arrived. He is a winner, he is very clever and he has a real passion for football.

“The only concern for me is maybe he will leave in the future because he can be a fantastic manager.”

Liverpool are enjoying their best-ever start to a Premier League campaign with only goal difference keeping them behind leaders Chelsea.

And Fernando Torres believes the Anfield outfit have laid the foundations of a genuine title challenge.

“This season has seen us get off to a good start, and that is very much appreciated here,” said the Spain international.

“If you are still up there by December, then you have serious options of staying there.

“The big name sides rarely slip up, especially during the first half of the season.

“If you fall too far behind, you leave yourself very few, if any options.

“The Premier League is the title which everyone wants, even more than the Champions League, especially considering that the club lifted the title three seasons ago.

“The players who have been at the club for longer have won every title possible apart from the Premier League, and the players and all also especially the fans want to win it.”

Styles Was Right, Rafa Was Wrong

KEEP CALM’ is the mantra coming out of Anfield these days; players and fans alike have been urged by Snr. Benitez to focus solely on winning the next game, and not to get too excited about beating Manchester United and Chelsea and opening up an eight-point gap over the former.

Yet listening to the ‘Rafatollah’ after last weekend’s win over Bolton, it would appear that the man himself might shortly be reaching for the Tamazepan.

How else to explain his extraordinary exposition of an imaginary Law of the game, the one apparently stating that goalkeepers cannot be challenged in the six-yard box, which ‘belongs’ to them? According to Rafa, this is clearly set out ‘in the rules’.

Presumably this is the same rule book which makes it compulsory for managers to wear goatee beards, and to play without wingers for four years.

Gary Megson also blotted his copybook by claiming a penalty for Reina’s push on Nolan, even though the ball was not yet in play.

Leaving aside for the moment the curious ignorance of the Laws of the game displayed by almost all who make a living from it, this incident did raise an interesting point (at least for those of us who care about this sort of thing) about the correctness of Rob Styles’ decision to disallow Cahill’s ‘goal’.

Nolan clearly did just stand his ground, and in theory there’s nothing wrong with that. On the other hand, it was a clear attempt to impede Reina, with no attempt to play the ball. So which way to blow?

The truth is that most of the Laws of the game are open to interpretation – hence the endless analysis of decisions we see on the TV all the time.

And though they might be technically permissible, some tactics cannot be allowed to stand for the good of the game as a spectator sport.

If what Nolan did was legal, then every time there’s a corner we’d be treated to the unedifying sight of players clustered and jostling round the goalkeeper. I’m not paying to watch that.

It’s a similar situation to the practice of nicking the ball off the goalkeeper’s toe just as he’s released it to clear upfield, as memorably demonstrated by George Best against Gordon Banks so many years ago. Let this go, and we’d never see the ball in play again.

So, dislike Styles as you may, on this occasion he got it right, and we’re all the better for it. And we don’t need to make up rules to justify it.

Those of us who are fortunate (that’s not the word my missus uses) to follow Liverpool up and down the country may have cause to doubt the alleged commercial culture which saturates our game, respecting our rights as ‘customers’ first and foremost.

In the last few weeks I’ve been frisked for concealed weapons despite being ‘of a certain age’ and, I like to think, of mature countenance; paid over the odds because I support Liverpool rather than, say, Stoke; and been presented with half-time highlights on a large video screen which seemed to be have been purged of any Liverpool activity at all (even the goal we had scored). Forgive me if I don’t feel valued for parting with my hard-earned cash.

And it really doesn’t help when the likes of Gordon Taylor, the PFA chief executive, pleads for the end of the recent spate of coin-throwing, saying we don’t want to ‘return to the 80s when fans were searched entering the ground’. Perish the thought.

Liverpool Boss Benitez On Robbie Keane Reaction

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez claimed that he did not mind the way that Robbie Keane reacted after being replaced in their 2-0 draw to Bolton in their Premier League fixture.

The Reds won the match after scoring once in each half, with Dirk Kuyt opening the account in the 28th minute of play and then skipper Steven Gerrard scored in the 73rd minute.

Keane had a disappointing day at the Reebok Stadium and was replaced by Fernando Torres in the second half, which angered the former Tottenham Hotspur star.

Benitez said: "A player has to be disappointed at coming off, which is what I want to see. The response always has to be that you work even harder for the next game.

"It has to be like that in a winning team, you have to compete for the positions and that is a positive thing. Robbie knows the team will always be the important thing so I don't need to speak to him about it (being substituted)."

Carragher Key To Title Bid

Former Liverpool midfielder John Wark believes keeping Jamie Carragher fit will be key to the Reds maintaining their Premier League title challenge.

Carragher, 30, along with keeper Pepe Reina, has played every minute of the Anfield club's league campaign so far.

Wark told BBC Radio Merseyside: "Jamie Carragher has been so consistent it's unreal, for me he deserves all the accolades he gets.

"He's our main defender and when he is not playing we will struggle."

"He's a great organiser, he gives his all and the fans love him," said Wark.

Due to fellow centre-half Martin Skrtel's knee injury and Alvaro Arbeloas' suspension last weekend Carragher filled in at right-back for the 2-0 win at Bolton on Saturday.

Carraghers' commitment to the cause pleases Wark.

"He throws his body into some tackles, I just love the way he plays football and the spirit he plays it with."

Manchester United Target Only Has Eyes For Liverpool

Mohammed 'Moa' Abdellaoue has revealed that he is an ardent Liverpool supporter after Manchester United were credited with an interest in him.

The Valerenga striker has been linked with a move to Old Trafford in some quarters after being compared to Red Devils great Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

The fact that Solskjaer was also a Liverpool fan is not lost on the Norwegian media but Moa has not heard of any prospect of a trial in Manchester with the European champions.

"It's nice to be noticed," the 23-year-old told Nettavisen. "It means I am doing a lot right with my football.

"Liverpool are my club. I am a Liverpool supporter, although not a member of the supporters' club.

"Of course it is great to be compared to Solskjaer but I am only Moa.

"I am the person I am. I play football and enjoy myself.

"I have not heard anything directly from United and got the news through the Norwegian media. I have not received any information from my adviser and do not know anything about the trial.

"But I cannot go around thinking about that sort of thing."

Rafa Tips Keane To Tackle Cottagers

Rafael Benitez expects Robbie Keane to be fit for the clash with Fulham, but says it is too early to know if Steven Gerrard will be available.

Keane was forced to withdraw from the Republic of Ireland squad to face Poland after sustaining a shoulder injury in last weekend's win over Bolton.

Benitez insists the injury is not serious and admits his withdrawal from international duty was more of a precaution.

"Robbie Keane's injury is not serious," Benitez told the club's official website. "He had a problem but [withdrawing from the international duty] was just a case of prevention. I think he will be okay."

Gerrard is expected to be sidelined for between seven to 10 days with a groin problem, which forced him to pull out of the England squad to tackle Germany.

Benitez is unsure when Gerrard will be available for action, but it is expected he will miss the Fulham clash and return for next week's Champions League tie with Marseille.

"Steven had a scan and he will be out for seven to ten days, depending on how he progresses," added Benitez.

"He could be back for the Marseille game but each player is different. We have to start working with him and see how he does."

Benitez also revealed that he had spoken with the medical staff of the Spanish national team in an attempt to prevent further injuries for Fernando Torres.

Torres has only recently returned to action after picking up a hamstring strain on international duty and Benitez is keen to avoid a recurrence this week.

"We have spoken to the Spanish medical staff and they know our idea and we know that they will take care of him. They know it could be a small risk so they will try to protect him," concluded Benitez.

Rafael Benitez Watches Liverpool Reserves Defeat Wigan Athletic At Warrington

Rafael Benitez joined Gary Ablett on the bench at The Halliwell Jones Stadium this evening as Liverpool Reserves ended their run of four successive defeats with a 1-0 win over Wigan Athletic.

Ablett revealed that the Reds’ first team boss offered some words of encouragement at half time and the Spaniard would have been delighted to see his compatriot Daniel Pacheco score the only goal of the game in the 66th minute, after converting an inviting cross from Vincent Weijl.

The Dutch winger was a constant thorn in Wigan’s side, linking up effectively with the impressive Argentine left back Emiliano Insua and supplying a steady stream of accurate crosses and shots on goal.

Yet it was Wigan who threatened to take all three points in the first half of the Barclays Premier Reserve League North clash, forcing Liverpool’s Australian goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis to make a string of vital interceptions including a point-blank save from Joe Hart.

Despite the Latics’ early dominance Liverpool had enjoyed plenty of possession and they carved out their best opportunity of the half in the 33rd minute.

Weijl tore down the left wing, planting a cross on Jordy Brouwer’s head only to see the former Ajax star head weakly into the arms of veteran custodian Mike Pollitt.

Ablett was forced to withdraw his captain Stephen Derby at the end of the first period after he picked up a knock – an injury which may cause some concern for Benitez as the Liverpudlian right back provides the only natural cover to Alvaro Arbeloa in his squad following the long term injury to Swiss fullback Philip Degen.

The managerial duo’s halftime pep talk certainly galvanised the young side, with Liverpool taking command after the break.

Weijl continued to shine, seeing a shot deflected just wide on 51 minutes, and Insua was unlucky not to open the scoring four minutes later with a 35-yard piledriver that sailed just inches high of Pollitt’s goal.

Brouwer missed another golden opportunity on the hour, failing to score from close range after brilliant work from Pacheco.

Fortunately for Liverpool the pint-sized playmaker was not so merciful moments later as he finished a move of his own instigation.

Driving into the box Liverpool’s number 10 found Weijl with a pass that bobbled into the winger’s path.

The 18-year-old managed to control the ball before delivering a dangerous cross that Wigan were unable to deal with and Pacheco slammed the ball home.

Liverpool squandered several further openings, Pacheco and substitute Andras Simon, on for the disappointing Brouwer, somehow contriving to waste a two-on-one situation.

But the Reds held on to secure their second league victory of the season, providing an early birthday present for Gary Ablett, who turns 43 tomorrow, in front of 785 fans.

Liverpool Reserves: Dean Bouzanis, Stephen Darby (Daniel Ayala 45), Emiliano Insua, Mikel San Jose Dominguez, Martin Kelly, Damien Plessis, Gerardo Bruna (Francisco Duran 65), Jay Spearing, Jordy Brouwer (Andras Simon, 73), Daniel Pacheco, Vincent Weijl. Unused subs: Peter Gulacsi, Steven Irwin

Wigan Athletic Reserves: Mike Pollitt, Lewis Field, Adam Buxton, Jon Routledge (Callum McManaman 80), Andrew Pearson, Luke Ashworth, Craig Mahon, Matty Hampson, Tomasz Cywka, Joe Holt, Tomasz Kupisz. Unused subs: Jonathan Breeze, Keenan Gracey, Daniel Barrie, Stephen Chiocchi.

Warrington Guardian man of the match: Vincent Weijl. A name to watch over the coming year - he bewitched Wigan’s defence for 90 minutes.

Rafa Eyes Swift Gerrard Return

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is hopeful Steven Gerrard's return from injury will be swift after the Football Association was 'satisfied' the problem was legitimate.

The Reds announced on Sunday that Gerrard would be unavailable for England's friendly with Germany after he sustained a groin injury at Bolton Wanderers the day before.

However, the midfielder was instructed by manager Fabio Capello to report and be assessed by England's own medical team in London.

Gerrard made the trip from Merseyside on Monday and it was later confirmed he was unfit to travel to Berlin for Wednesday's encounter.

The sequence of events has sparked rumours of a rift between Capello and Benitez, but the Spaniard has yet to publicly voice his side of the reported tension.

Benitez said in The Times: "We had to do a scan after the Bolton game because Steven said he had some pain in his groin.

"It is not a massive problem and we hope he will be ready to return in seven to 10 days."

FA director of communications Adrian Bevington added: "It's just very unfortunate that we've got a lot of players who are regulars in the squad who are not around.

"The fact is that players have been down and have been assessed and we are satisfied that these players have legitimate injuries.

"The medical scans show it up, so there shouldn't be any suggestion or innuendo otherwise. The players are absolutely gutted that they are not able to play for England in Berlin on Wednesday night."

We Dare Not Get Complacent In Bid For Title, Admits Liverpool Striker Kuyt

Striker Dirk Kuyt admits Liverpool dare not take their foot off the gas in their hunt for a first Barclays Premier League title in 19 years.

The Dutchman also insists Rafael Benitez' side must not look upon a favourable run of fixtures before the New Year as in any way easy.

Liverpool's next seven league matches include only one against a top-four side - Arsenal away on December 21 - and only one other against a team currently in the top nine, Hull at home on December 13.

The rest are against 10th-placed Fulham, on Saturday, West Ham, Blackburn, Bolton and Newcastle.

This run could be considered a golden opportunity to establish a genuine title-winning position with Liverpool's start to the campaign already their best for six years but Kuyt warned against complacency.

The Dutch frontman said: 'People say that we are facing a run of games that we should be capable of winning,' he said.

'But we know that we can beat the top sides and still lose to the clubs lower down.

'We do not want to look too far ahead, all the games are difficult.

'We have shown that by beating Manchester United and then drawing with Stoke in the next match. We beat Chelsea but then lost at Spurs soon after.

'We are aware it is really difficult every time in the Premier League, we must be right on top of our game for every match.'

Kuyt grabbed his seventh goal of the season in Saturday's 2-0 win at Bolton, where captain Steven Gerrard also took his tally to seven.

'We are still in touch at the top, but we just look to the next game and making sure we take the points,' added Kuyt.

'Every game is difficult and every team can make things hard for us.

'You only have to look at the teams who come to Anfield and then defend deep all game.

'That has happened several times, and I am sure that Fulham next weekend will do the same. That will be another difficult game.'

Kuyt had enjoyed a return to form having endured a testing time in last season after being shifted to an unfamiliar wide position on the right.

'I am still enjoying playing wide on the right, it means I am in the team. It is going well and we are winning games with this system,' he added.

'It does not matter to me whether I am playing on the right of midfield or up front. The most important thing is to win the games and score goals. it is going well.'

Midfielder Javier Mascherano, prior to joining up with the Argentina squad for their friendly with Scotland in Glasgow, underlined the determination at Anfield.

He said: 'All the players are giving everything for us and that is very important.

'This is why the team is playing so well at the moment, it is because of our teamwork which has been fantastic.'

But Benitez is still concerned by the amount of clear opportunities Liverpool are squandering, including four at the Reebok from Robbie Keane, Fernando Torres, Gerrard and Lucas Leiva that could have sealed the win earlier.

'At least we are creating chances; if you do not do that then you are worried,' said the Spaniard.

'But now we must improve our finishing. We are practising, but it depends on a lot of things you cannot control.

'Keeping ourselves up at the top is important for us, and for our fans who were not happy with the way we went out of the Carling Cup last week (to Tottenham).

'Now we have put that defeat behind us and kept ourselves in the race at the top.'