Match Report: LiverpooL 1 - 0 Marseille

Steven Gerrard's 30th goal in Europe sent Liverpool into the last 16 of the Champions League with a 1-0 win over Bordeaux.

The Anfield skipper returned after a torn groin muscle to continue his personal vendetta against the French side in this Group D clash.

Last season Marseille won at Anfield in this competition and started a crisis that almost cost boss Rafael Benitez his job.

Since then Liverpool have beaten Marseille three times, with Gerrard scoring four goals.

This time a first-half header gave him his eighth goal of the season, and fifth in Europe, but it was not a convincing Liverpool victory.

Marseille were the better side after the break and it needed the considerable defiance of Jamie Carragher and Daniel Agger to keep them out.

This game was Benitez's 66th European game in charge of Liverpool and produced his 39th victory in that run, equalling Bob Paisley's record.

As for Gerrard, there is no doubt about his love for European competition.

The man who has just passed a century of club goals - he now has 104 - has seen 30 of those in Europe from 98 games, roughly one in three. His league ratio is one in six.

Marseille needed to win to stay alive in the group, and they started with three up front - Mamadou Niang as the main attacker with width provided by Bakari Kone and Hatem Ben Arfa.

But although the French side had the right intentions, they seemed unsure about committing too many men forward.

It meant that for the opening phase, Marseille never quite got at a somewhat hesitant Liverpool, who struggled to get their own game going.

Benitez had fielded arguably his strongest available side, with Robbie Keane on the bench and Gerrard back in his supporting role for Torres.

Eventually the game spluttered into life when Torres got to the line and laid the ball back for Dirk Kuyt to see a good header fumbled away by Steve Mandanda.

And that, after 23 minutes, paved the way to Liverpool's opener. From the resulting corner by Gerrard the ball was half cleared away to Alvaro Arbeloa.

He guided the ball out to Xabi Alonso, who fired in a far-post cross allowing Gerrard - still moving into the box following his corner - to plant a firm header wide of Mandanda.

Albert Riera could have grabbed another from 20 yards just before the break, and that would have extinguished much of Marseille's desire.

As it was they still believed they had a chance and it needed a good save from Jose Reina to keep out Niang's low drive at the start of the second period.

Andrea Dossena replaced the injured Fabio Aurelio, and Yossi Benayoun was soon to take over from Riera as Liverpool sought to finish the contest.

But belief still coursed through Marseille, and Reina did well to turn away a fierce 25-yarder from Taye Taiwo, with Ronald Zubar going close with a header from the resulting corner.

And when the clever Ben Arfa's low cross flashed into the Liverpool box, Benoit Cheyrou was too close for comfort with his run into space.

Ben Arfa was now on the right to attack the erratic Dossena, and it was only inches that denied him a penalty from a lunge by the Italian.

And when Reina needed to hurl himself full stretch to keep out a swerving Ben Arfa free-kick, the alarm bells were clearly ringing.

And after 78 minutes a familiar foe arrived to give Liverpool more worries. Mathieu Valbuena had scored the winner here 13 months ago, and a knee injury was supposed to force him out for a month.

But on he trotted to replace Kone, and Liverpool continued to be under pressure. And when Javier Mascherano hauled down the midfielder, enraging the French team's players, he was rightly booked.

Niang was also cautioned for his part in the pushing and shoving that followed. Lucas replaced Kuyt as Liverpool tried to see out the game, but it was a nasty atmosphere now, with tackles flying in.

But Liverpool clung onto their victory to reach the knockout stages again.

Liverpool's Mascherano Wants His Picture On The Wall

After some re-decorating at Liverpool's training ground, Javier Mascherano wants to have his portrait painted.

The interior decoration has changed at Melwood, Liverpool's training ground, this week. Murals have been painted depicting the club's glory nights in Europe, and Javier Mascherano is impressed, but also a little jealous.

"Hopefully, in a few years, I will be here on the walls," said Argentina's new captain. "A picture of me and my teammates with the European Cup."

Mascherano is confident that this Reds side has the necessary quality and character to go far, not just in European competition, where Rafa Benitez has proved his management abilities time and again, but also domestically.

Mascherano knows that the true test for this Liverpool team is to recapture the league title that the Anfield side hasn't held for 19 long years. But he thinks he and his team-mates have every chance of ending the supporters' long wait.

"We are towards the top of the table in the Premier League, which is positive, and we are also going well in Europe," said the 24-year-old.

"The most important thing is the team and we know our target at the start of every game is to win our battles in all areas of the pitch. It doesn’t matter if you are playing away or at home, you have to try to play the same way and impose our game on our opponents.

"Our confidence is also good because we have not lost many games. This is good for all of the players."

He also feels that key to their success has been the way his hard, defensive qualities have complemented Xabi Alonso's assured passing game at the axis of Liverpool's midfield, although the Red's strength in depth in the central positions is a bonus.

"Xabi is playing really well at the moment and I enjoy playing with him," Mascherano added.

"It is not a surprise, though, because he is such a good player. He is one of the best midfielders in the world. We have been playing together for almost two years now so we have a good understanding with each other.

"The manager has different options and he can choose whichever players he needs for each game."

The return to full fitness of Fernando Torres is seen as a massive boost by Mascherano, who feels that the Spaniard adds valuable quality to the team and creates even more competition for places.

"It is good for all of us to have Fernando back. He played against Bolton and then a full game against Fulham. He is playing well, working hard all the time, pressing the opposition and doing well for the team," the midfielder explained.

"I think we are stronger than last season – maybe we have more options now.

"We have players who can play in different positions so the manager can move them around. Everyone is working really hard in training to be named in the side.

"We have improved our team. We are stronger now and working hard to progress. We have a number of players who have been together two or three years so the understanding is much better and we are showing this on the pitch."

And Mascherano concluded by praising Liverpool's match-going fans, who create a superb atmosphere on which the players thrive.

"When you feel your supporters behind you like they are here it gives you a lot of confidence. It makes you want to win every single game."

If Liverpool can just win the ones that matter, maybe Mascherano's portrait will be on the walls at Melwood sooner than even he expects.

Xabi Alonso Not Closing Door On Serie A

Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso talked about the club he almost joined last summer, Juventus, and does not exclude joining a Serie A club one day.

Last summer Liverpool star Xabi Alonso was very close to joining Juventus, but mostly due to economic reasons, the move did not go through. Today the Spanish international spoke to Sky about what happened and also sent message to

"Juventus were interested in me last summer, they even came to Liverpool, but they were normal summer negotiations," he said. "I generally don't give much importance to negotiations, until it's not certain anything can happen. In the end I stayed at Liverpool, which was my first choice anyway."

He then commented on Juve's current form: "Juve have gone through difficult times, but now they're doing much better, both in the league and the Champions League. They are a solid, compact team. That's their strength. And they also have extraordinary players, who can be decisive at the right times."

When Juve were struggling, some fans felt that the failure to sign Alonso was sorely felt.

"I did not know that some Juve fans felt my absence," he said on that. "In football it often works like that. When a team struggles it's normal to think about players who did not come or who left in the previous years.

"[Claudio] Ranieri said I'm slow? There's no problem, I respect his opinion. But I have a lot of confidence in my qualities, thanks to which I am playing with the national team and Liverpool. I don't think I'll ever be the fastest player in a team, but I have other qualities which are important for my role in the team."

On the eventuality of playing in Serie A, Alonso said: "I have not closed the door in Italy, I could also return to Spain, or I could end my career with Liverpool. We'll see in the future, but for now I have to think about the present and Liverpool."

Keane Could Be Heading For The Anfield Scrapheap - Rush

A man who knows a thing or two about scoring for Liverpool fears for the Anfield career of Ireland's captain as he struggles to hit the back of the net.

Liverpool goalscoring legend Ian Rush fears that Robbie Keane could be heading for the Anfield scrapheap, as the Irishman fails to live up to expectations at the club.

Keane set the Reds back a cool £20 million in a summer switch from Tottenham Hotspur, but has only managed two Premier League goals in almost four months of action.

Both his strikes came against bottom side West Bromwich Albion at Anfield, and the Ireland captain has only managed another two in the Champions League for a grand total of four in 19 outings.

With Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard both fit again for Rafa Benitez's side, the oft-substituted Keane may be facing the prospect of starting on the bench for tonight's clash with Marseille.

Rush believes that Keane needs to rediscover his goalscoring touch, or face being cast out by a club with high expectations.

He wrote in the Liverpool Echo: "Robbie Keane is finding out the hard way just how different it is to play for Liverpool.

"Playing up front for a club like Liverpool is totally different to playing for Tottenham, and I don’t mean any disrespect when I say that. The pressure is completely different.

"At a club like Tottenham you can get away with playing well in three of every six games. At Liverpool you have to perform five in every six. That’s the kind of pressure Robbie Keane is discovering for the first time, and he has to learn to live with it.

"The number of chances he is missing is now starting to be commented upon and that will only add to the pressure he is feeling. Some players have been unable to live with those unique pressures.

"I’m thinking of strikers like Craig Bellamy, who was a great player for Blackburn but struggled at Anfield, Fernando Morientes who couldn’t reproduce his Real Madrid form in the Premier League and Emile Heskey, who is still England’s first choice centre-forward, but couldn’t live up to what was expected of him at Anfield."

Gerrard Happy To Renew Torres Link-up

Steven Gerrard saluted Fernando Torres after Liverpool booked their place in the last 16 of the Champions League with a 1-0 win over Marseille.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez chose to play Gerrard in an advanced position just behind Torres and the move paid off as the England midfielder scored the Reds' winner after 23 minutes.

After the game, Gerrard said he had enjoyed playing alongside Torres and hoped Benitez would continue with the tactic in the future.

"He (Torres) is the key. Playing behind him is great for me," Gerrard told Sky Sports 2. "His runs are great. Tonight I scored the goal but I'm sure if the manager keeps playing us together I will provide him with a few."

Despite dominating the first half, Liverpool had to endure a nervy second period before they sealed the win.

Gerrard said he was disappointed with the second-half performance, but was glad the Reds had ensured their passage to the knockout stages of the competition.

"It was a nervy match but still a job well done. We wanted all three points and a clean sheet and we got both of those," he said.

"It was a frustrating second half for us. We lost control a bit and there are a few things that need looking at.

"They are organised and fighting to stay in the competition. We knew that it would be a difficult tie but we stuck together and hopefully in a few days the second-half performance will be forgotten."

Benitez admitted he was relieved to see his side come away with the victory. "The second half was a bit scary and it was definitely not the best game of football but the most important thing is that the job is done," the Spaniard told Sky Sports.

"We were a bit scared but we knew we had the quality to win and go through.

"We were giving the ball away too easy in the second half and we were failing with the final ball."

The Reds now travel to Eindhoven for their final group match against PSV in the knowledge a win would see them top the group.

Benitez refused to say whether he would field his first-choice side for the match.

"We know we have the quality to win the match," said Benitez.

"It's just about finishing the job now. I'm not sure what side I will play. We have won the group before and lost in the second round to Benfica so you never know."

UEFA To Study Reports After Missiles Thrown At Liverpool Skipper Gerrard

UEFA will today study reports on the missile-throwing incident involving Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard at Anfield last night.

Gerrard was hit by missiles thrown from the Marseille fans' section as he waited to take a corner in the first half of Liverpool's 1-0 victory that took them into the last 16 of the Champions League.

UEFA last night confirmed the incident will be included in Portuguese referee Olegario Benquerenca's report as well as the report from UEFA delegate Svein Johannessen.

Gerrard, who scored Liverpool's winner in the 1-0 victory over the French side, looked to have been hit by a small metal object.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez praised Gerrard's restraint in a month that has seen Chelsea's Didier Drogba punished by the FA for throwing a coin back into the crowd when the west Londoners lost in the Carling Cup to Burnley.

A Liverpool spokesman said: 'The UEFA delegate is aware of what happened to Steven and it is now in his hands.'

A spokesman for UEFA at the game said: 'The incident will be included in both the match delegate's report and the referee's report.

'UEFA are aware of what happened and any further comment will now come from them.'

It is also believed UEFA are aware the missiles came from the Marseille fans' enclosure, and any action will not involve Liverpool.

Benitez said: 'Gerrard was really good in that incident, maybe the UEFA delegate will notice what happened. Steven did well not to react.'

Skrtel To Stay

Martin Skrtel yesterday reassured Liverpool fans he has no plans to leave Anfield.

Skrtel’s future was brought into question earlier this week following quotes attributed to his former Zenit St Petersburg team-mate Kamil Contofalsky.

The goalkeeper claimed Skrtel was “lonely” in “boring” Liverpool, was unhappy because “the local paparazzi follow him all the time” and wanted a return to Russia.

But the 24-year-old centre-back, currently sidelined with a knee injury, yesterday said: “I am very happy here at Anfield. It was always my dream to play here in England and I’m with one of the biggest clubs in the world.

“I spoke to my friend in Russia and we talked about Zenit. I have great friends there but I never said I am not happy here, and I never said I didn’t like the city.

“I didn’t say the city is boring. That’s just not true and I’d like to repeat I am very happy here.

“This is a special club and a city with a lot of history. I have been made to feel very welcome here at Liverpool. I enjoy life in Liverpool.”

Skrtel is hopeful of a return to action before Christmas as he recovers from the knee injury suffered towards the end of Liverpool’s 3-2 win at Manchester City.

And the Slovakia international added: “The Liverpool fans are one of the best in the world.

“When I’m out in the city they always come up to me to shake my hand and wish me all the best in my recovery.

“I just want to get back as quickly as possible to help the team win trophies and repay the supporters faith in me.”

Meanwhile, on-loan Andriy Voronin has signaled he would like to stay at Hertha Berlin – provided his wage demands can be met.

Striker Voronin was shipped out to Germany until the end of the season after failing to impress at Anfield since arriving on a free transfer from Bayer Leverkusen 18 months ago.

And of a possible permanent switch to Berlin, he said: “Of course money is very important. I am not a 20-year-old kid anymore, anyway I have a long career ahead of me.

“If Hertha want to keep me, an agreement is possible. The aim remains qualifying for the Uefa Cup, which would be a massive success. But of course everyone wants to play Champions League football.”

Of the Bundesliga, Voronin added: “It is much slower and full of cry-babies compared to The Premier League. In Germany you can hear the whistle, but in England you are already bleeding.”

Tommy Smith: Liverpool Fans Were Right To Vent Their Feelings

No-one likes to hear boos ringing around Anfield. Myself included.

But I would fervently defend those Liverpool fans who made their feelings known during Saturday’s game with Fulham.

They were very frustrated and disappointed and clearly for once just couldn’t hold back.

What they saw, having paid their £36 or so, was a poor game of football and with it a chance to take three points against a side we should have beaten go down the pan.

The Liverpool fans have been absolutely brilliant over the last 50 years and very rarely do they have a go at what they are seeing on the pitch.

Quite the opposite, in fact.

Clearly, a lot of the frustration was over the performance – and, quite frankly, the selection – of Lucas Leiva in midfield.

The fans don’t have a right to pick the team – that’s what the manager is paid to do. But there were widespread concerns before kick-off, with Steven Gerrard being injured, at seeing Alonso also left out in favour of the young Brazilian.

But Lucas didn’t show the energy, the tenacity or the drive that is absolutely vital in the engine room of a title-chasing side in the Premier League.

The football here is so much faster and tougher than the game in Brazil and maybe he is finding it difficult to adapt.

There must be ability there, but all Liverpool fans have long since been hoping to see it.

Certainly, the least they expect is a player showing the passion that comes with pulling on the shirt in the first place.

Maybe Lucas’ confidence is a bit fragile, but my advice to him would be to stop worrying and next time he gets a chance, go out show people what he’s made of, and finally prove he is far better than this.

He may be still only 20 but he has got to take the bull by the horns now and really get much more involved.

That said, the lad must not be made a scapegoat for Saturday’s display. Very few players had good games and Robbie Keane was again far from the player we hoped to see for £20m.

So the frustration was in the air all afternoon, and the boos which came from all sides of the ground were probably aimed at the bench as much as in the direction of the players.

It doesn’t happen often, thankfully. And, as I say, no one likes to hear it.

But I’m not going to criticise the best supporters in the world for making their feelings known. They have every right.

Match Preview: LiverpooL vs. Marseille

Few managers can have enjoyed as much success in European competition as Liverpool boss Rafael Benítez. With Valencia, Benítez won a UEFA Cup, a triumph that would be pushed into the shade by his current side’s remarkable Champions League triumph in 2004/05. While the Reds could not quite match this achievement two seasons later, falling at the final hurdle, it is an impressive achievement to have taken a side few would have considered in the top two in Europe, to such a level.

As the Anfield club chase a hat-trick of finals, the obstacle of qualifying from Group D can be cleared on Wednesday night. All that is required is that Liverpool draw with Olympique de Marseille – failing that, a point against PSV Eindhoven in a fortnight would be enough to secure a berth in the last 16.

Progress has rarely been so smooth for Benítez and co, who have been, so far, relatively steady performers.

Of course, no Champions League campaign for the Reds would be complete without some kind of Steven Gerrard-inspired drama – whether his drive into the box a massive five minutes into stoppage-time against Atlético Madrid at Anfield, which proved the catalyst for an equalising penalty, was heroic or simply villainous is very much a matter for debate.

That point leaves Benítez’s side on the brink of qualification. A draw in Spain against Atlético coupled with victories over PSV and Marseille, have seen Liverpool enjoy an unbeaten run in the group stage that stretches back to last season and an impressive home European record that stands at eight games.

The last team to beat them at home Europe? Marseille – and the Frenchmen were certainly in a more beat-up state when they shocked the Kop by winning 1-0 in September 2007.

But Liverpool were also in a period of uneasy transition as Mathieu Valbuena’s stunning strike provided a rare moment of silence on a European night at the usually raucous Merseyside venue.

Joint top of the English Premier League, Liverpool should have confidence and swagger about their play on Wednesday evening, although this was not evident as they were held to a scoreless draw by Fulham on Saturday.

Goals should not be overly difficult to come by against a porous Marseille side. If Liverpool were to find the net just twice against the Provence club, they would reach a tally of 300 European goals.

His defence is certainly going to be the first port of call for Eric Gerets ahead of this fixture, as it has been nothing short of abysmal this season. Title rivals, Olympique Lyonnais, had their rearguard questioned earlier this season but they have conceded just ten goals in their 15 Ligue 1 matches in comparison to l’OM’s 20.

It is not just the quantity of goals that are being lost by Marseille that is worrying; it is also the manner in which they are being leaked. Take, for example, Sunday’s 2-2 draw against Lille, in which les Phocéens trailed by two goals at the interval.

Both goals came from set-plays that the defence could have coped better with. Goalkeeper Steve Mandanda should have been more positive with Michel Bastos’ (admittedly) vicious corner that provided Adil Rami with a platform to thump home a near-post header, while Lille’s second goal was a laughable breakdown in communication between goalkeeper and central defender Ronald Zubar.

If the Stade Vélodrome club continue to protect their goal in such a suicidal manner, Liverpool could well threaten the 8-0 triumph they inflicted upon Beşiktaş in Matchday 4 last season.

Thankfully from Gerets’ point of view, he can call upon the most prolific striking force in France. Generally deploying a front-three of Mamadou Niang, Hatem Ben Arfa and Bakari Koné in Ligue 1, the trio have managed 17 goals and eight assists between them.

All three are likely to be deployed at Anfield, albeit in a set-up considerably more defensive than they may be used to in league play. Ben Arfa and Koné will be asked to play wide roles, with Niang the hold-up man in attack.

Marseille will remain focused on this game as it could provide a route into the UEFA Cup, a competition they were only knocked out of last season by eventual winners, Zenit St. Petersborg, and even then, OM lost only on away goals.

Gerets’ side hold the upper-hand on PSV Eindhoven at present. Both sides only have three points but Marseille are better off due to their 3-2 aggregate success over the Dutchmen.


TEAM NEWS

Liverpool

Benítez will not necessarily be able to call upon the services of key midfielder Steven Gerrard for this fixture. The England international, who scored twice as Liverpool recorded a somewhat fortuitous victory over Marseille at the Stade Vélodrome on Matchday 1, has a groin problem but the Liverpool manager expects to have his captain available.

Also missing will be Philipp Degen and Martin Škrtel, who have metatarsal and knee problems, respectively.

Liverpool’s attacking options are widened by the return of Robbie Keane from injury. The Irishman, who has scored twice in four Champions League matches, had been suffering from a shoulder problem but returned to action last weekend.

Possible Starting XI: Reina; Agger, Arbeloa, Aurélio, Carragher; Mascherano, Alonso, Gerrard, Riera, Kuyt; Torres

Marseille

Gerets is boosted by the news that he will have virtually a full squad of players to select from in this encounter. Modeste M’Bami continues to miss out in the centre of the field while Algerian international El Amine Erbate is again sidelined. Squad player Renato Civelli is also missing.

Interestingly, all of the starting eleven who played against Liverpool in the 1-0 success at Anfield are still at the club. Indeed, only Gael Givet – frozen out of the first team – does not make the squad. Julien Rodriguez is making tentative steps back from injury and is not likely to be included in the starting eleven.

Mathieu Valbuena had been expected to be an absentee but last season’s match-winner is in l’OM’s squad of 19 to travel. Englishman Tyrone Mears, still looking for his debut since joining on loan from Derby County in August, makes a long-awaited return from a knee problem. Neither of these players is expected to feature – there would certainly be an issue if Mears was to play as he is not registered for the competition!

Possible Starting XI: Mandanda; Bonnart, Taiwo, Zubar, Hilton; Cana, Cheyrou, Kaboré, Koné, Ben Arfa; Niang


FORM GUIDE

Liverpool

22/11/08 D 0-0 vs. Fulham (h) Premier League

15/11/08 W 2-0 vs. Bolton Wanderers (a) Premier League

12/11/08 L 0-4 vs. Tottenham Hotspur (a) Carling Cup

08/11/08 W 3-0 vs. West Bromwich Albion (h) Premier League

04/11/08 D 1-1 vs. Atlético Madrid (a) Champions League

01/11/08 L 1-2 vs. Tottenham Hotspur (a) Premier League

Marseille

23/11/08 D 2-2 vs. Lille OSC (h) Ligue 1

15/11/08 L 2-3 vs. FC Lorient (h) Ligue 1

08/11/08 W 3-0 vs. Grenoble Foot38 (a) Ligue 1

04/11/08 W 3-0 vs. PSV Eindhoven (h) Champions League

01/11/08 W 3-1 vs. AS Saint-Étienne (h) Ligue 1

29/10/08 D 1-1 vs. FC Nantes (a) Ligue 1


PLAYERS TO WATCH

Liverpool

With the potential absence of Gerrard, striker Fernando Torres has to be the man to watch. Possessing electric pace and an eye for goal bettered by only a hanful of players in the world, even the meanest of defences have a hard time pinning the Spaniard down.

Against Marseille’s ramshackle back four, expected Torres to open his goal scoring account for this season’s competition.

Marseille

Les Phocéens have a number of dangerous attacking threats. Although many eyes will be fixed upon the potentially devastating presence of Hatem Ben Arfa, striker Mamadou Niang is Marseille’s most consistent offensive producer.

Five goals and the same number of assists in Ligue 1 represent a fine start to the season for the Senegalese star, who has also registered three goals in this season’s Champions League.

Benitez Unsure Of Marseille Approach

Rafael Benitez admits he does not know whether Champions League rivals Marseille will be brave or cautious at Anfield.

The Liverpool boss, who will overtake Bill Shankly for the most European matches overseen by an Anfield manager on Wednesday night, accepts the French side could surprise him with their approach to the crucial Group D match.

This will be Benitez's 66th European match in charge of the club, and he is aiming for victory number 39 to ensure that Liverpool reach the last 16 with one group match to spare.

He will have captain Steven Gerrard back from his torn groin muscle to lead the charge.

But Benitez said: "Marseille are a good side. But it will be interesting to see how the approach the game. They have good players on the counter-attack, and they may sit deep and concede possession to us.

"But they have to win so they may be more attack-minded and really go for it. We will see very quickly how they intend to approach this game.

"This is different to last season in this competition. After losing at home to Marseille we had one point from three games and had to win everything else. We had to fight right to the end.

"The season before, we were already qualified when we went to Galatasaray for the last match, and we were able to use other players.

"The atmosphere was so different. If we can go to PSV Eindhoven next for our final group match with our place in the knock-out stage decided, we can use young players."

On his personal milestone, Benitez expressed hope that he would go on to double his tally.

"I am really proud to be in such a position so hopefully the next 66 games I will be here as well," he said.

"This amount of European games is a good achievement for anyone, but especially when you are talking about a top side like Liverpool. That also means the team is doing well in Europe and that is very positive for the club.

"I am proud, but the game is more important. I do know the history and understand it."

Benitez added: "I can recall when I was at Madrid that Liverpool beat them 1-0 in the European Cup final. My friend was the goalkeeper and there were lot of former club-mates in that side, so from that long ago I have been affected by Liverpool results.

"So now to be here and to enjoy this club and the job I do is wonderful. But I must not let any personal thoughts distract me from this game.

"The Champions League is massive and we must progress. Hopefully we can make sure of our qualification in this match and then be able to concentrate on the Premier League."

Arbeloa Aims For Double Glory

Liverpool defender Alvaro Arbeloa has set his sights on a Premier League and UEFA Champions League double this season.

The Reds sit level on points with Chelsea at the summit of English football's top division, while a home win against Marseille on Wednesday would book a place in the last 16 of Europe.

Liverpool were forced to watch on as North West rivals Manchester United secured glory at home and abroad last term and Arbeloa is eager to replicate that triumph.

The 25-year-old recognises European and domestic success is a tough mission but he is optimistic manager Rafa Benitez has assembled an experienced squad which can rise to the challenge.

"It is always difficult to balance your ambitions in the Premier League and the Champions League," said Arbeloa.

"But we can do it. In other seasons we have been really focused on the Champions League because we have not had a good enough position in the league to fight for the title.

"We have the experience to handle both, I hope so. We want to win the two titles, and we want to be in there fighting right to the end in both."

Benitez Proud To Join Ranks Of Anfield Legends

Rafael Benítez has stated his intention to cement his place alongside Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley, the legendary Anfield managers, over the next decade as he prepares to rewrite the club’s history books against Marseille in the Champions League this evening.

Not only will Benítez surpass Shankly’s club record of 65 games in charge of Liverpool on the European stage, the 48-year-old will also equal Paisley’s club record of 39 European victories should his players secure the win at Anfield that will seal their passage into the first knockout round with one group game to spare.

The table may suggest that Liverpool’s penultimate game in group D is a routine exercise with the Merseyside club five points clear of Marseilles, but this is not a meaningless game for the Spaniard. “Hopefully I will still be here for the next 66 European games, then I will be really happy,” Benítez said. “I am really proud to be here because, when you talk about statistics or records, it means much more when you talk about the big sides.

This is Bill Shankly and Liverpool, so it is massive and I am proud, but to get the record means also that the team is doing well in the Champions League. Maybe in the future, people will talk about this being a fantastic time here, but I don’t think about this every day. I just think about winning the next game. I am really proud of what has happened, but I want to achieve more if possible.”

Negotiations are continuing between Benítez’s representatives and George Gillett Jr and Tom Hicks, Liverpool’s co-owners, about extending his contract, with the Spaniard excited about the club’s future.

With Liverpool level on points with Chelsea at the top of the Barclays Premier League and on the brink of qualifying for the knockout stage of the Champions League, Benítez found himself fending off questions about a European and domestic double yesterday. “If I am here in ten or 15 more years, it will be because we have been winning, so my idea is to create a team that can compete with everyone and win trophies every year,” Benítez, who is set to welcome back Steven Gerrard to the midfield after a groin injury, said. “Everybody knows the priority is the league, the Champions League and then the FA Cup.”

Fernando Torres, who has yet to score in the Champions League this season, has contributed to the feel-good factor sweeping through the club by stating his desire to help Liverpool to win the title for the first time since 1990. “It is fair to say the Premier League is in front of everything else for us,” the Spain striker said. “It is 18 years since Liverpool were last champions of England and the wait is enormous.”

Fernando Torres: I Thought Benitez's Call Was A Prank!

El Nino has revealed how he believed he was being hoodwinked when Rafa Benitez phoned him last year to ask if he wanted to join the Reds.

After weeks of negotiations between Liverpool and Atletico Madrid, Fernando Torres made the switch to England in the summer of 2007 for €25 million.

Many questioned Rafael Benitez's decision to spend so much money a player whose goalscoring record in the Primera Division was no more than decent - even Torres himself, as it turns out.

The Spain star revealed that, after his soon-to-be manager made his intentions known, he contacted Reds goalkeeper Pepe Reina to make sure it wasn't a joke.

"When Rafa phoned me on my mobile, at the start I was asking myself if this was some person imitating him," he told the press yesterday.

"So I called Reina to make sure it really was Rafa’s number. After that, I didn’t have to think for long. I knew that was the call I had been waiting for."

60 games and 38 goals later, there are no longer any queries as to the validity of Benitez's interest - or whether Torres was worth the money.

Ryan Babel: I Won't Leave Liverpool - But I Do Want To Play More

Ryan Babel is desperate for more first-team opportunities at Liverpool - but insists he is not thinking about leaving the club.

Manager Rafael Benitez has rotated his squad less often recently, meaning fringe players like Babel are getting fewer starts.

“The rotation system is a thing of the past and I’m one of the victims of that,” the 21-year-old told Dutch magazine Sportweek.

“The team is winning a lot, so you don’t alter things just like that.

“Each season has about 60 games. ’I must work hard and wait for my chance,’ is what you hear, but I’ve shown enough patience. I want to play.

“You get better and develop when you play. On the bench, nothing happens. Of course I’m disappointed when I don’t play, that seems clear to me.”

The Holland international has no intention of quitting Anfield, though.

“I don’t want to go,” he said. “My contract runs until 2012. I don’t give up that easily.”

Liverpool FC Leads The Way In Crackdown On Football Hooliganism

LIVERPOOL FC is leading the way in a nationwide crackdown on football hooliganism, handing out more banning orders than any other Premier League club.

Last night, Home Office minister Vernon Coaker praised police officers, clubs and fans for combining to tackle football-related violence.

Government statistics on arrests and banning orders up to October, 2008, published today, reveal there were 3,842 arrests last season at all international and domestic games, with no arrests at 67% of matches.

Liverpool dished out 35 banning orders last year – more than any other top-flight club, and more than double the number issued the year before.

Jed Poynton, Anfield’s head of operations, last night said: “One of the biggest tools in stadium management in recent years is the support we have had in the courts for banning orders.

“We don’t have a big problem with our fans at Liverpool by any means, but our motto is being firm, fair and friendly. And we’re fortunate to have a police force in Merseyside that is positive.”

The force has helped Everton FC and Tranmere Rovers FC bring more bans than ever before.

Everton banned 18, ten more than the year before, and Tranmere handed out 12 orders, after giving out just one in 2006-07.

Everton FC spokesman Ian Ross said: “We won’t tolerate any misbehaviour, hooliganism or any sort of disorder at the club.

“We’ve a good record with regards to our behaviour, and we don’t suffer the blight of hooliganism that other clubs have sometimes had to put up with in the past.

“But there are people who need to be banished from the club because football is an entertainment business and punters at a cinema or theatre wouldn’t put up with bad behaviour, and we’re equally determined to stamp it out.

“This is a family club and that is a reputation we’re proud to have.”

Bans have doubled or tripled, while the number of arrests has gone up at a slower rate.

About 96 Liverpool fans were arrested, compared with 81 the year before. Some 77 Everton fans were picked up by police, eight more than 06-07, and 25 Tranmere followers were taken in, just six more than in the previous 12 months.

Mr Coaker said: “Football violence and disorder has no place in the modern game, and we are determined to crack down on those who attempt to ruin the sport for the vast majority of genuine fans.

“I am delighted that the police, the clubs and the fans are working together to help clamp down on football violence in and out of the grounds.

Football banning orders have proved to be a great success – 94% of individuals whose banning order has expired have been assessed by police as no longer posing a risk of football disorder.

“Great progress has been achieved and we remain committed to preventing violence and criminality spoiling the sport.”

Torres Eager For Gerrard Reunion

Fernando Torres is relishing the return of Steven Gerrard to the Liverpool team tonight as the Reds go in search of the win which will secure their place in the knock-out phase of the Champions League.

Victory over Marseille would guarantee Rafael Benitez's men a place in the last sixteen, while they would also qualify with a draw if PSV Eindhoven fail to beat Atletico Madrid.

The return of Gerrard after a groin strain is a timely tonic for the Reds, who will be looking to bounce back from their frustrating goalless draw with Fulham at the weekend, and for Torres who is delighted to welcome his teammate back to action.

The pair have not been in the same starting eleven since the 3-2 win at Manchester City on October 5.

"I wanted to play for a club like Liverpool, where I could learn from players like Steven Gerrard, who I have always respected as a player and a leader," said Torres.

"A captain in England must lead by example. Steve Gerrard is someone everyone wants to be like – always the first at training, it is he who grafts the hardest in each exercise, who sacrifices himself during each match.

"You follow him blindly. Moreover, he is a star who decided to stay at Liverpool despite all the offers.

"It is a pleasure to receive the throughballs you get from Steven. He puts the ball where he wants, like Xavi (Hernandez) for the national team."

Torres, meanwhile, has also reiterated his love for both the club and the city of Liverpool as he embarks on the challenge of looking to replicate a stunning first season in English football.

"It isn’t easy to adapt but once you have, you would have trouble wanting to play anywhere else," he said.

"You go to play away at a team in the relegation zone and you find yourself playing on a perfect pitch, with the stands full to bursting and opponents who are there to play football.

"And even if they lose, the crowd are going to cheer them on until the death. You only see this in British football."

He added: "The club is a symbol of a city which fought to stay alive.

"Everyone is proud of the team. Players want to come here because they know that Liverpool is a truly great club.

"Anfield is the most English of all the grounds - people live and breathe football there.

"With just 45,000 fans there that roar they give makes you think you have wings on your feet."

Fabio Draws Inspiration From Valencia

Fabio Aurelio believes Liverpool can draw on the experience of Valencia's title-winning success of 2002 in their quest for Premier League glory.

With Rafa Benitez at the helm, the unfancied La Liga side overcame the might of Barcelona and Real Madrid to claim their first championship in 31 years.

It's this triumph that Aurelio, who made 15 league appearances for Los Che during the campaign, feels the Reds can learn from.

"We were running from the back in 2001 and that was good for us," said the 29-year-old.

"Nobody is expecting you to fight for the title so you don't have the pressure that the teams at the top of the table have – to win every game.

"If you're top, you have to win, or otherwise you come down one position, or two positions. That was good for us at Valencia and maybe there are lessons for us now at Liverpool."

The Brazilian full-back fondly recalls a half-time team-talk from Benitez during a clash with Espanyol in December 2001, where he helped inspire Valencia to a comeback that many believe gave them the momentum to go on and clinch the title.

Aurelio said: "We were playing the local side, Espanyol, and there were question marks because the team wasn't very good and we found ourselves losing 2-0.

"There was no shouting, nothing special I remember apart from, 'You can go out and do it" – but the events of the 45 minutes which followed changed everything.

"We won 3-2 and everybody remembers that, because after that we went up and away and won the league.

"The pressure on him [Benitez] was amazing and if you've overcome that maybe you can overcome anything."

Liverpool currently sit joint top of the Premier League with Chelsea but Aurelio warns that it is too early to start thinking of silverware.

"The fans here are amazing but it is a long way if you are fighting for the title," he added.

"We know the pressure we have because of the time Liverpool has waited, but we have to keep our feet on the floor as we are doing now – and wait."

Benitez Won't Be Drawn Into Future Talks

Speaking ahead of Liverpool's Champions League clash with Marseille, boss Rafael Benitez has sought to avoid talks regarding his own future.

It's well known that Rafael Benitez is keen to extend his stay at Anfield and reports suggested recently that he was in talks with club supremos, pen in hand and smile on face.

However, there have been suggestions that certain snags have been encountered during the meetings.

Either way, the Spanish boss wasn't giving anything away ahead of Wednesday's Group D clash with Ligue 1 side Marseille.

Asked if his new contract was still going to be sorted by the end of the month, as planned, he squirmed, before saying, "It could be... but I prefer to concentrate on the game."

Skipper Steven Gerrard is expected to return after recovering from a groin problem and training well on Tuesday, but he may not start and is very unlikely to last 90 minutes if he does.

Torres Loving Reds Life

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres believes the Premier League is the greatest domestic competition in the world.

The Spanish striker moved to Anfield from Atletico Madrid in 2007 and he admits he has fallen in love with the club and the English game.

The 24-year-old's second season with the Reds has been disrupted by some nagging injuries but he insists he would not want to play in any other league.

Torres has been particularly impressed by the level of support even smaller clubs get in the Premier League, while he feels honoured to play for Liverpool.

"It isn't easy to adapt but once you have, you would have trouble wanting to play anywhere else," said Torres.

"The Premier League is way ahead of the Spanish league.

"You go to play away at a team in the relegation zone and you find yourself playing on a perfect pitch, with the stands full to bursting and opponents who are there to play football.

"And even if they lose, the crowd are going to cheer them on until the death. You only see this in British football."

Torres added: "The club is a symbol of a city which fought to stay alive.

"Everyone is proud of the team. Players want to come here because they know that Liverpool is a truly great club.

"Anfield is the most English of all the grounds - people live and breathe football there.

"With just 45,000 fans there, that roar they give makes you think you have wings on your feet."

Torres wants to help Liverpool win their first league title since 1990, and he believes skipper Steven Gerrard can inspire the team to glory.

He said in France Football: "A captain in England must lead by example. Steve Gerrard is someone everyone wants to be like - always the first at training, it is he who grafts the hardest in each exercise, who sacrifices himself during each match.

"You follow him blindly. Moreover, he is a star who decided to stay at Liverpool despite all the offers.

"It is a pleasure to receive the through balls you get from Steven. He puts the ball where he wants, like Xavi for the national team.

"It is fair to say the Premier League is in front of everything else for us.

"It is 18 years since Liverpool were last champions of England and the wait is enormous."

Ian Rush: Robbie Keane Must Learn To Live With The Pressure

Robbie Keane is finding out the hard way just how different it is to play for Liverpool.

Playing up front for a club like Liverpool is totally different to playing for Tottenham, and I don’t mean any disrespect when I say that.

The pressure is completely different.

At a club like Tottenham you can get away with playing well in three of every six games. At Liverpool you have to perform five in every six.

That’s the kind of pressure Robbie Keane is discovering for the first time, and he has to learn to live with it.

I think he’s actually playing quite well – and certainly the team has performed well this season with him in it, Saturday’s match excepted.

But the number of chances he is missing is now starting to be commented upon and that will only add to the pressure he is feeling.

Some players have been unable to live with those unique pressures.

I’m thinking of strikers like Craig Bellamy, who was a great player for Blackburn but struggled at Anfield, Fernando Morientes who couldn’t reproduce his Real Madrid form in the Premier League and Emile Heskey, who is still England’s first choice centre-forward, but couldn’t live up to what was expected of him at Anfield.

In some situations I think Robbie has been trying too hard to prove himself, but it’s a difficult thing to do to ask players to relax when they find themselves in front of goal.

What Robbie has to do is to keep putting himself in those positions where he is getting goalscoring chances.