Riera Can’t Wait For Torres’ Liverpool Return

Liverpool winger Albert Riera believes the table-topping Merseyside club will push on in the New Year and confirm their position as the best with the return of Fernando Torres from injury.

The Reds go into 2009 as Premier League leaders after demolishing Newcastle 5-1 on Sunday. That victory, coupled with a win and draw against Arsenal and Bolton over the Christmas period, were achieved without talismanic striker Fernando Torres, to the surprise of some.

But fellow Spaniard Albert Riera is convinced the club can perform even better with the Spanish goal-getter returns from injury.

"All wingers, in fact all players, would want to play with Fernando because he is such a good player," Riera told the club’s official magazine.

"He's so important for our team - scoring 33 goals last season. It's not easy to score that many goals at this level. It will be great news for us when he's fit again and I'm sure we'll play a lot of times together and form a good understanding.

"I know Fernando well from playing with him some years ago at U18 level with Spain. We know each other from back then and we can now help each other again here at Liverpool.

"It's no excuse for us when we don't have Fernando - we have to use our other strikers. We have good attacking players at the club who can come in," he said.

"It is up to us to read their games and adapt to suit each other, whether that be playing balls into their feet, to their head or into space. All strikers have different characteristics and movements. You have to read each moment in the game."

Wigan Open Door For Emile Heskey Departure

Wigan Athletic striker Emile Heskey has been told he can leave the club in January if he wishes to do so, according to a report in the British tabloid the Sun.

The England international forward has been linked with a return to former club Liverpool, who he played for between 2000-2004, with Reds manager Rafa Benitez reportedly willing to offer £4 million for his services in the new year.

While the 30-year-old's contract is set to expire at the end of the season, it had been claimed that Wigan would not let him leave for less than £10 million in January, and subsequently that the former Birmingham City
striker wanted to stay at the JJB stadium for the rest of the campaign.

However, with Colombian international Hugo Rodallega expected to join the Latics as early as next week, Wigan are now ready to cash in, although it appears no formal offers have been lodged as yet.

"Everybody knows Emile Heskey’s future is hanging in the balance ahead of the coming transfer window," Whelan is quoted as saying in the Sun.

"He is out of contract at the end of the season but so far, there have been no approaches for him. We totally respect Emile and it all depends on what he wants to do.

"I honestly feel this could be his last career move. But, obviously, we’d love to see him stay at Wigan."

Gerrard Arrested In Assault Probe

England and Liverpool footballer Steven Gerrard is under arrest following an assault at a nightclub.

Police were called to the Lounge Inn in Southport, Merseyside after reports of a disturbance at 0230 GMT. Six men were detained later in a nearby street.

The men, four from Huyton, one from Formby and one from Litherland, remain in police custody.

A 34-year-old man from Southport was taken to hospital with facial injuries, not thought to be life-threatening.

The incident is alleged to have taken place at the restaurant and bar - which turns into a nightclub - on Bold Street.

Four men aged 33, 31, 29 and 19, all from Huyton, a 28-year-old from Formby and an 18-year-old from Litherland were arrested a short time later on nearby Lord Street.

The Lounge Inn remained closed on Monday.

Midfielder Gerrard, 28, is Liverpool captain and scored twice in his team's 5-1 victory over Newcastle on Sunday.

A police spokesman said: "Merseyside Police is investigating an assault that took place in the early hours of Monday December 29 on Bold Street in Southport.

"At around 2.30am this morning officers attended a disturbance at a licensed premises on Bold Street.

"Six men were arrested on suspicion of section 20 assault, on Lord Street."

The spokesman added all six currently remained in custody. It is believed no other Liverpool footballers are among those being held.

Gerrard was born and grew up on Huyton's Bluebell Estate.

Last month the Premier League star was given the freedom of his home borough of Knowsley in recognition of his contribution to football.

Liverpool FC said it would not be commenting.

Gerrard's England Future Safe - For Now

Liverpool star Steven Gerrard has been told his England future is safe for now after he was charged with assault following an alleged nightclub brawl.

However, should the Reds captain be charged with a serious criminal assault he could be dumped from Fabio Capello's squad.

Gerrard was charged this morning along with two other men who had also been arrested after a 'disturbance' outside a late-night bar in Southport, Merseyside in the early hours of yesterday morning.

The venue's DJ, a 34-year-old local man, required hospital treatment after suffering facial injuries.

Gerrard, 28, was released from Southport police station early this morning.

He was at the restaurant and bar - which turns into a nightclub - with friends to celebrate Liverpool's 5-1 win over Newcastle.

But an FA spokesman insisted: 'No one knows the full facts so we are not even discussing this matter.

'No player is banned from representing England while they are the subject of a police inquiry.

'That position would only change in the case of a conviction for a serious criminal offence. Then the case would be considered on its individual merits.'

Gerrard has been capped by England 70 times and has captained his country on four occasions.

He was made an MBE last year and received an honorary fellowship from Liverpool John Moores University.

However, unless he is found guilt of a serious criminal offence the incident is unlikely to affect Liverpool's title pursuit.

Gerrard is not due back to training until tomorrow morning and was unlikely to play this weekend anyway – boss Rafa Benitez was already considering resting his skipper for the FA Cup clash with Preston.

Liverpool Must Not Let Steven Gerrard Arrest Upset Title Quest

Steven Gerrard won't let his night in the cells arrest Liverpool's title charge.

Gerrard endured a crazy 24 hours - after inspiring Liverpool to a 5-1 thrashing of Newcastle on Sunday with a brilliant performance, he woke up yesterday in a police cell on Merseyside.

The Reds skipper was arrested along with five other men on suspicion of assault and spent most of the day in custody as he was quizzed by detectives before being released late last night.

Gerrard, 28, was due back at Melwood this morning after what was officially a day off for the players yesterday and team-mate Dirk Kuyt has come out in support of him.

Kuyt claims Gerrard is a great captain and is backing him to keep spearheading their title challenge.

"Stevie was great against Newcastle, but then he always is," said the Dutch international.

"He scored two goals and got two assists for us. He's a great captain and showed once again how he likes to lead by example. Like I said, it's not just this game that he does it, he does it every game. He's very important to us."

Gerrard's brush with the law came as he unwound with a few mates on a night out in Southport after the Newcastle win and, ironically, he claims the secret behind Liverpool's great form is because they are relaxed.

The midfielder felt they let the pressure of being league leaders get to them in recent games at Anfield where they dropped points to Hull and West Ham.

"I think we've got to enjoy it," he said, speaking before his arrest.

"We'll play our best football if we are relaxed and composed.

"There have probably been times when we've been a bit anxious, particularly at home, because we're top and we're trying to win games in the first 15 or 20 minutes. But I think the win against Bolton on Boxing Day showed the importance of being relaxed because we got our rewards for a composed passing display.

"The message to all of us is to relax, to keep working hard and to enjoy it. We're top of the league so confidence should be high. The table doesn't lie so we've got to be very pleased.

"Our performance against Newcastle illustrates how good our away form is at the moment. It's first class and if we continue that and improve slightly at home, then it could be an interesting end of season."

Liverpool's thrashing of Newcastle gives them a three point lead at the top of the Premier League, but the perfectionist Gerrard cannot help but reflect on those dropped points at home.

"Our points tally is decent, but I'm still disappointed because it could have been better still," he said.

"We've had a few slip-ups at home against Hull, Stoke and Fulham. They were games we had expected to win and should have won.

"It was a good team performance against Newcastle with a lot of goals. We could have scored even more if you're going to be picky and fussy.

"You have got to look at the work we do on the training ground. We work on passing and possession day in and day out, so much so that you almost become sick of it.

"You are seeing the fruits of the work we are doing out on the pitch.

"We are keeping the ball very well, defensively we look solid and we're scoring a lot of goals."

Liverpool fans are beginning to believe that Rafa Benitez can bring them their first title since 1990 - but Gerrard, who was only 10 then, urged caution.

"I think it's important for us to remain humble, keep our feet on the ground and keep working hard," he said.

"We know that if we keep performing to this level, we will come very close.

"But it's still early and there are a lot of big challenges still ahead, so we certainly won't be getting carried away."

Revealed: Alleged Victim Of Brawl Which Triggered Liverpool Captain's Arrest

The alleged victim of a nightclub brawl for which footballer Steven Gerrard was arrested is a DJ there, police sources confirmed today.

The Liverpool FC and England star remains in police custody after the 34-year-old Southport man was taken to hospital with facial injuries.

Sources confirmed the man was an employee of the Lounge Inn, in Southport, Merseyside, where the midfielder and five other men were arrested on suspicion of assault in the early hours of today.

Gerrard, 28, was at the restaurant and bar - which turns into a nightclub - with friends to celebrate Liverpool's 5-1 destruction of Newcastle United.

But trouble began and an altercation took place outside the premises in Bold Street.

The town centre premises remained shut today but evidence of a fight inside could be seen through the windows.

Spots of blood were clearly visible on the floor, and shards of broken glass.

A Bentley car, which is believed to have been parked overnight, remained outside the club with a parking ticket attached.

Today Gerrard’s wife Alex Curran, 26, left a coffee shop close to the police station where the father of her two children was being questioned.

She refused to answer reporters’ questions as she walked to her Bentley car and drove off in the opposite direction from the police station, heading towards Liverpool.

The sister of the Lounge Inn co-owner, Dario Curcillo, said the footballer was in the club to celebrate his team’s win over Newcastle United earlier in the day.

She said: “As far as I know he comes here regularly and it was just a normal night at the bar.

“I don’t know anything about what happened last night.”

She added that her brother was unavailable for comment.

A Liverpool FC spokesman said the club would not be commenting on their captain’s arrest.

A police spokesman said: “Merseyside Police are investigating an assault that took place in the early hours of Monday December 29 on Bold Street in Southport.

“At around 2.30am this morning officers attended a disturbance at a licensed premises on Bold Street.

“Six men were arrested on suspicion of section 20 assault on Lord Street.

“The men, four aged 33, 31, 29 and 19, who all come from the Huyton area, a 28-year-old man from Formby and an 18-year-old man from Litherland remain in police custody.

“A 34-year-old man from Southport was taken to hospital with facial injuries which are not believed to be life-threatening.

A man, who said he was a friend of Gerrard, later drove off in the Bentley parked outside the bar in Bold Street.

He said the car did not belong to the footballer and added he did not want to comment on last night’s incident.

Alan Hansen - Liverpool FC Can Win Title

Liverpool legend Alan Hansen is starting to believe his former club are serious title contenders.

The Reds have not been domestic champions since 1990 but top the Premier League at the halfway stage with a three-point lead over second-placed Chelsea.

And former centre-back Hansen said: “I have been tipping Chelsea for the championship all along, but the longer the season goes on the better chance that I think Liverpool have got.”

Liverpool looked in championship form as they beat Newcastle 5-1 on Sunday, while Chelsea struggled to a 2-2 draw with Fulham.

The Cottagers also took a point from Liverpool recently, as did West Ham and Hull, but Hansen reckons it is the ability to recover from such setbacks which shows Rafael Benitez’s men have improved from previous seasons.

“Certainly Liverpool have a better chance of winning than they had last season,” he said.

“They are more resilient than at the same time last season, they have more strength in depth and, crucially, they are able to create impetus and momentum.

“In the last month they have had three draws against lesser teams and it has not affected them.

“The most important thing is that they are not getting beaten.

“Mentally, the difference between drawing and losing is massive, even if the gap in points between winning and drawing is greater.

“As a title contender a defeat places unbelievable pressure on you, so it is when you lose two games in four or five that you find out what you are made of.

“This is where Manchester United and Chelsea have become brilliant; it is the aptitude test of a championship-winning side.”

Daniel Agger Keen To Stay At Anfield

Daniel Agger has reiterated his desire to stay at Liverpool – but admits there remains a possibility he may move away from Anfield.

Talks are still continuing over a new contract for the Denmark international, whose present deal has 18 months remaining.

Agger was sidelined for almost 12 months with a metatarsal problem and, after returning to full fitness in the summer, struggled to regain his place in the starting line-up before Martin Skrtel suffered a knee injury in October.

Agger had expressed his frustration at being on the sidelines, with reports in his homeland hinting the 24-year-old was considering buying out his contract.

It led to speculation both Real Madrid and AC Milan are considering making a bid for the centre-back in the forthcoming January transfer window.

And when asked if he will stay at Anfield, Agger said: “I hope so. I don’t know what the hold-up is. I let the club do the talking and I will try and do mine on the pitch.

“I am trying to improve. I feel it is getting better and better in every game. I am feeling more comfortable and trying to improve in every game.

“Of course I want to stay if it is possible.

“As I say, the club is dealing with my contract talks and we will take it from there.”

Hammill Returns To Reds

Adam Hammill has been recalled by Liverpool following his successful loan spell at Blackpool.

The 20-year-old is now waiting to see if he will remain at Liverpool for the second half of the season or go out on loan again.

The skilful winger is highly regarded by the Liverpool coaching staff and he was rewarded with a new three-year deal before he was sent out on loan to Blackpool last August.

Hammill impressed during his time at Bloomfield Road with a number of eye-catching performances, including a stunning strike in the local derby with Preston.

Reds boss Rafa Benitez has been keeping tabs on Hammill's progress and the Spaniard will now cast an eye over him in training in the next few weeks before deciding whether to keep him in the Liverpool squad or allow him to go out on loan again for regular first-team action.

Benitez could decide to give Hammill his chance in the side as he has shown he is prepared to give young members of his squad a chance to impress this term after using Nabil El Zhar and David Ngog as impact players off the bench in a number of games.

Blackpool were believed to be interested in extending Hammill's loan deal until the end of the season, but the uncertain management situation at Bloomfield Road following Simon Grayson's departure to Leeds has put that move up in the air.

Hammill has revealed he enjoyed his time at Blackpool and will now wait and see what Liverpool decide is the best option for him in the next few weeks.

"I would like to thank everyone at Blackpool and the fans for their support during my loan spell," Hammill told skysports.com.

"It's a great club with a good group of players and I really enjoyed my time there.

"I signed a new contract with Liverpool in the summer and I will see what they want to do next with me.

"If they wanted to loan me out again I would always be interested in a return to Bloomfield Road in the future."

Jermaine Pennant Chooses Wigan Over Real Madrid

Jermaine Pennant, having turned his back on the opportunity to join Real Madrid, is being lined up instead for a move to Wigan Athletic to fill the void left by Luis Antonio Valencia, who is poised to join the Spanish champions.

Juande Ramos, the Real coach, has been weighing up a number of Barclays Premier League players in his search for a new right winger, but having been priced out of a move for Ashley Young, of Aston Villa, and been put off by Pennant’s wage demands, it emerged last night that he is on course to complete a £14 million deal to bring Valencia to the Bernabéu shortly after the transfer window opens on Thursday.

Pennant, the Liverpool winger, has been accused in some quarters of blowing the opportunity of a lifetime, but as well as being unhappy at the personal terms on offer in Madrid, he was not convinced that he would play regularly for Real or that Ramos truly wanted him. Despite being restricted to only three Premier League appearances for Liverpool this season after falling out with Rafael Benítez, the manager, he is in no rush to leave, but Wigan hope to persuade him to move to the JJB Stadium for £2.5 million.

A complication is Liverpool’s determination to re-sign Emile Heskey, the Wigan forward, another player about to enter the final six months of his contract. Liverpool are confident that a deal for Heskey can be done, and whether the forward departs in January or in the summer, Steve Bruce, the Wigan manager, is already working on a deal to replace him with Hugo Rodallega, the Colombia striker who plays in Mexico for Necaxa.

Meanwhile, Mike Ashley faces an immediate examination of his credibility as Newcastle United’s owner after renewing his commitment to the club, with Joe Kinnear warning that his first-team squad requires an overhaul in January. Kinnear was already searching for cover in both full-back positions, at centre half and in central midfield before the names of Habib Beye (knee) and Mark Viduka (groin) were added to a lengthy injury list, but Ashley has previously shown a marked reluctance to invest heavily in new players. While Shay Given and Michael Owen are attracting interest from elsewhere, losing such experience in return for a fee would surely be counter-productive.

As far as Kinnear is concerned, there is a pressing need for reinforcements. “We need to address that situation immediately,” the manager said. “If we want to go forward, we must strengthen.”

Match Report: Newcastle 1 - 5 LiverpooL

Steven Gerrard claimed a fine double as Liverpool tightened their grip at the top of the Barclays Premier League with a superb display at Newcastle.

The England midfielder got the ball rolling with a 31st-minute opener and then after Sami Hyypia and Ryan Babel had struck either side of David Edgar's header, he completed the job with a 66th-minute second.

There was still time for substitute Xabi Alonso to convert a 76th-minute penalty after fellow newcomer David Ngog had been tripped by Edgar to complete a miserable afternoon for Joe Kinnear's injury-ravaged side, for whom goalkeeper Shay Given made seven remarkable saves.

Rafael Benitez, sitting in the stands at St James' Park, was even able to leave striker Robbie Keane on the bench and withdraw Gerrard to warm applause from both sets of fans as a crowd of 52,114, the biggest of the season, gained an insight into the Reds' title credentials.

The win sent them four points clear at the top, for a few hours at least, and left the Magpies in some disarray on the day owner Mike Ashley announced he would not be selling the club after all and is ready to press ahead with his masterplan once again.

On a day earmarked by the Newcastle supporters to pay tribute to former manager Sir Bobby Robson, the gulf between the side he created and the one on show here could hardly have been wider.

Writing in the match program, Ashley said: "With the January transfer window approaching, we will be working closely with Joe to see what can be done to strengthen the squad."

Kinnear's list of potential targets will have grown significantly by half-time after his side were torn apart by the visitors in a breathtaking first 45 minutes which demonstrated once again just how important Given is to the club.

The Irishman was one of three Magpies, along with Steven Taylor and Charles N'Zogbia, to be linked with a January move to Arsenal by one newspaper, but had it not been for him, his side could have conceded at least eight by the time they headed back into the dressing room.

In the space of four minutes, he parried Dirk Kuyt's drive at the near post, blocked Gerrard's audacious flick and then pulled off a stunning one-handed save to deny the Reds skipper.

But his work was not done and he had twice thwarted Lucas by the time the clock ticked around to the 20-minute mark before keeping out Hyypia's 42nd-minute header with the help of N'Zogbia on the line.

However, by that point, he had been beaten twice as the rampant visitors finally made the pressure tell, Gerrard sweeping the ball home from Yossi Benayoun's 31st-minute cut-back before Hyypia headed home his captain's corner five minutes later.

Liverpool were simply irresistible, and a rout seemed on the cards.

But the Magpies rallied and after Taylor had headed a Danny Guthrie corner wide, Edgar proved the man for the big occasion once again.

Just short of two years ago, the Canadian marked his home debut with a stunning equaliser against Manchester United, and when he headed another Guthrie set-piece home in injury time his side at least had hope.

Jose Enrique, who had passed a fitness test on a calf injury just before kick-off, failed to re-appear after the break and Shola Ameobi's arrival prompted a reshuffle which saw N'Zogbia drop into the back four and Damien Duff move into midfield.

Ameobi almost made an immediate impact when Michael Owen only just failed to meet his 48th-minute cross with a diving header, but Liverpool's advantage was restored within two minutes.

Referee Mark Halsey was simply not interested in the home side's appeals for handball after Hyypia and then Lucas had helped on Gerrard's corner, and Babel stabbed the loose ball home to make it 3-1.

Kinnear's resources were stretched further with 56 minutes gone when Nicky Butt limped off to be replaced by Geremi, although the Cameroon international almost dragged his side back into the game on the hour.

After Owen had been cynically tripped by Javier Mascherano, he drove the resulting free-kick against the bar with goalkeeper Jose Reina beaten.

But if the game was not already over, the result was put beyond doubt with 24 minutes remaining when Gerrard ran on to Lucas' pass and lifted the ball nonchalantly over Given to make it 4-1.

Alonso made it five from the penalty spot after Edgar had tripped Ngog with 76 minutes gone, and although Guthrie and Taylor both went close, Given had to make a superb double stop to deny Lucas and then Babel at the death.

Juande Ramos Steps In To Stop Mijatovic Signing Liverpool's Pennant For Real Madrid

The Spanish champions' quest for a new winger has seen Juande Ramos challenge Predrag Mijatovic for the first time in a bid to stop the club wrapping up a deal to sign Jermaine Pennant, a report claims.

Juande Ramos has confronted Predrag Mijatovic and told him that he does not want Real Madrid to sign Jermaine Pennant from Liverpool and would rather focus on prising Antonio Valencia away from Wigan Athletic, according to Sport.

Los Merengues' new coach has opted to step in to prevent the club's sporting director continuing the chase for a player that he does not believe would fit in at the Bernabéu.

Mijatovic is believed to have not realised if the UEFA rules that mean that both Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Lassana Diarrà cannot be registered for the Champions League and Ramos does not want another mistake to be made.

The two winter arrivals have played for their previous clubs in the UEFA Cup and only one can play for Madrid in Europe and now the Spanish giants are weighing up whether to contest the law.

Ramos has made it clear that he wants to add a new right winger to his ranks, but he does not agree with Mijatovic's choice and has now said his piece in order to prevent a transfer going through.

Pennant is seen as a cheap option by Mijatovic and talks over a €3 million transfer have already taken place, with Reds' manager Rafa Benítez keen to see the back of a player he has used only three times this term.

Madrid's coach, though, is said to have concerns about the player's goalscoring record as well as matters concerning his life off the field that have seen him have several brushes with the police.

The report concludes that Antonio Valencia is Ramos' preferred option after Ashley Young was ruled out of the equation - having already played for Aston Villa in Europe - and he will ask the board to press ahead with an offer to Wigan instead.

Milan Shift Up A Gear In Race To Sign Agger From Liverpool

Milan are keeping their eyes on Anfield as they follow Liverpool defender Daniel Agger.

The Danish stopper is currently awaiting a contract extension at the club, but if that is not forthcoming, then Milan are thought to be in pole position to prise him away from Anfield.

Earlier this month, Goal.com exclusively revealed the player was at a crossroads when his agent Per Steffensen said he was unsure as to whether Agger would remain on Merseyside.

Reports in Italy have been rife with speculation and now Sportmediaset has jumped on the rumour bandwagon by claiming Agger could arrive at San Siro in January.

The Italians are currently on the hunt for a solid defender to cover for a number of injuries at the back. The Rossoneri cannot risk relying heavily on the injured Alessandro Nesta and thus Vice-president Adriano Galliani could take a gamble in the winter market.

Reports suggest Milan are ready to make an offer and this could see Agger's agents hold out in an attempt to procure competition for whichever club offers more cash.

Despite the stopper's current deal not expiring until 2010, Liverpool appear to have a fight on to convince him to remain a Red.

Galliani has already stated that he will be scouring the market for a defender in January and many sources are insistant that Agger is most likely to join Milan next month.

Carragher Ready For Mind Games

Jamie Carragher is hoping that Liverpool will still be in contention for the title when the mind games start in the spring.

Liverpool currently lead the table after the club put together their best start to a Premier League season.

However, the Reds have yet to sustain a challenge for the title under Rafa Benitez as the club look for a first top-flight crown since 1990.

Carragher is disappointed to have never been involved in a title race in the past, but is optimistic Liverpool will be in the mix this season.

"In my career, we've never been in contention around March or April," said Carragher on the club's official website. "The best teams pace themselves and get into the right position by then.

"When the mind games start, I want us to be in everyone's thoughts. It will tell us that we've been doing something right, and that we're in with a good shout of winning the Premier League.

"I love all that and it's always been disappointing that it's other teams that have been involved rather than us. We've always been outside the race watching and reading about it, but now we've a great chance to be in the thick of it.

"I've always felt the time to really get into the mix is when there are 10 games to go."

Long-serving defender Carragher also believes it is a testament to the strength of the squad at Anfield that Liverpool are top, despite playing much of the season without Fernando Torres.

He added: "To have done as well as we have without Fernando Torres has also been a fantastic achievement. If you'd have said at the start of the season we'd be top on Christmas Day and Fernando would have missed so many games, no one would have believed that possible.

"It's a tribute to the players and to the manager for coping so well without him.

"When you take a player like Torres out of our side, or Cristiano Ronaldo out of United's, it inevitably has an impact. He's our most outstanding attacking player and if he'd been fit he'd have been worth possibly 10 more goals to us.

"I hope it turns out to be blessing because he probably needed a rest after Euro 2008. If he's fit and fresh for the rest of the season he'll add an extra dimension to our team."

Joe Kinnear Insists Liverpool Are The Premier League’s Best Side

Newcastle United manager Joe Kinnear believes Liverpool will end their long wait for the championship after watching his team torn apart by the Anfield outfit yesterday.

Liverpool romped to a 5-1 win at St James’ Park to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League.

The Anfield outfit go into 2009 three points clear of Chelsea having taken 45 points from 20 games.

And as well as backing Rafael Benitez’s side for the title, Kinnear hailed a “magnificent” individual performance from Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard, who scored twice and had a hand in two other goals.

“I think we have just seen the title winners,” said the Magpies manager. “And I think we’ve seen the best performance I’ve seen from a single player for a long time in Gerrard, he was magnificent.

“Without a shadow of doubt they are the best team we’ve played this season. They were head and shoulders above us. They are an exceptionally good side.”

Kinnear believes Newcastle would have put up a better fight had their squad not been decimated by injury, particularly in defence where three first-team regulars were absent.

“With all the injuries we have had and three of the regular back four out, whatever problems we had Liverpool took full advantage,” he said.

“Had we had half of the players missing available, then maybe the result could have been different.

“But it was such a one-sided game because they are a world-class team. You have to take your hat off to Liverpool.

“Without Shay it would have been even worse. The only positive from the game is that he has proven he is the best goalkeeper in the league by a mile.”

Kinnear added: “We had a lot of players missing. We had no Joey Barton, no Habib Beye, no Oba Martins, no Mark Viduka.

“We had no Sebastien Bassong, and without his height at centre-back we couldn’t deal with Hyypia at set-plays.”

Before the game, Newcastle owner Mike Ashley had announced he was no longer seeking a buyer and had withdrawn the club from the market.

Kuyt Calls For Repeat Displays From Liverpool

Liverpool striker Dirk Kuyt says the table-toppers need reproduce their superb Sunday performance every week if they are serious about finally winning the Premier League title.

Rafael Benitez's side crushed Newcastle 5-1 away at the weekend to stretch their lead over Chelsea to three points.Liverpool turned on the style as two strikes from captain Steven Gerrard - along with goals from Sami Hyypia, Ryan Babel and Xabi Alonso - helped stun the Magpies at St James' Park.

But Kuyt says the real hard work starts now as Liverpool head into 2009 looking to end their 19-year wait to be crowned champions.

"It's great to be top at the end of the year. But it's just the beginning for us. We need to step up every week and in every game and try to perform as well as that in the next match," the Dutchman said.

"I really enjoyed the game and it caps a good Christmas period in which we have picked up six very important points and scored eight goals along the way."

Gerrard Backs Liverpool To Win The Title

Club captain Steven Gerrard has hailed the current Liverpool side as the he has played in and is backing them to clinch a first Premier League title.

Rafael Benitez's side will start 2009 three points clear of the chasing pack following Sunday's 5-1 thrashing of Newcastle United and are well placed to win their first top-flight title since 1990.

Captain Gerrard, who scored twice at St James' Park, said: ''We have given ourselves a great chance. We have to remain consistent, that is the key.

''If we want to stay at the top and be involved in this title race, we have got to deal with the pressure.

''We have big players here and we will have a lot of tests and challenges to come, but if we keep playing like this then we will be there.

''This is the best team I have played with,'' said England midfielder Gerrard. ''You look around the dressing room and, from the keeper to the forwards, we have some fantastic players. There is a confidence that we can get over the big hurdles.''

Liverpool have won 18 League titles in their illustrious history but the last time the Reds were top of the Premier League at New Year they finished the season in fourth.

Meanwhile, Liverpool legend Alan Hansen is starting to believe his former club are serious title contenders.

''I have been tipping Chelsea for the championship all along, but the longer the season goes on the better chance that I think Liverpool have got,'' said Hansen.

''Certainly Liverpool have a better chance of winning than they had least season,'' he wrote in his column in The Daily Telegraph. ''They are more resilient than at the same time last season, they have more strength in depth and, crucially, they are able to create impetus and momentum.

''In the last month they have had three draws against lesser teams and it has not affected them. The most important thing is that they are not getting beaten.

''Mentally, the difference between drawing and losing is massive, even if the gap in points between winning and drawing is greater. As a title contender a defeat places unbelievable pressure on you, so it is when you lose two games in four or five that you find out what you are made of.

''This is where Manchester United and Chelsea have become brilliant; it is the aptitude test of a championship-winning side.''

Danny Guthrie Quit Liverpool Due To Steven Gerrard's Brilliance

Steven Gerrard is among the best Premier League midfielders of this or any other campaign, according to former colleague Danny Guthrie.

And Magpies midfielder Guthrie has revealed that Gerrard's brilliance was the reason he decided his future lay away from Liverpool.

A £2.5million summer move to Newcastle followed the realisation that, with Gerrard commanding the engine-room, Guthrie was never going to be anything more than a bit-part player at Anfield.

Guthrie, 21, who made only a handful of first-team appearances for Liverpool, goes head-to-head with the England star today determined to show that he has become an accomplished Premier League star.

Guthrie said: "Steven Gerrard is the top man. He came through the youth system the same way I did.

"Liverpool are very strong in midfield and it's difficult to get a game for a young lad so I made the decision to move on and play games. When Newcastle came in I saw that as a great opportunity.

"It kills me not to play.

Even though Liverpool was my club I couldn't stay there playing 10 games a season and still playing in the reserves at 21.

"From my youth team not one single player is still there now.

That is how difficult it is to make it at Liverpool.

"I have no regrets.

I learned a lot from Steven Gerrard. I was only 18 when I went with the first team so it was a massive step up.

They've got top-class players all over the team and I learned my trade there.

"I think Stevie G is up there with Roy Keane and Patrick Vieira as the best ever Premier League midfielder.

He could be THE best, because he gets goals as well. For a midfielder to score as many goals as he does is incredible."

Guthrie, on target for Newcastle in Friday's defeat at Wigan, insists there was no rift with Reds boss Rafa Benitez.

He added: "Rafa said he thought it would be a good move for me because I wasn't going to play as much as I wanted at Liverpool.

He wished me all the best and he was great. I have total respect for him.

I took his advice, but I'd already made my decision.

"It's always disappointing when you've been at a club for years but every young player knows it might not work out. Going to Newcastle helped soften the blow."

Guthrie (below) believes a win over the title-chasing Reds would confirm their revival under Joe Kinnear.

But he believes dropped home points could come back to haunt his old club.

He said: "A good result against Liverpool will underline our improvement.

We've turned the corner in terms of putting some decent results together.

"I still think Liverpool can win the league. But they've let themselves down with dropped home points.

"After Christmas Manchester United and Chelsea will up the pace. I hope Liverpool can stay with them because this is the best chance they've had to win it for years."

Liverpool In £9 Million Bid For Glen Johnson

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is reported to have successfully lured Glen Johnson away from Portsmouth with a £9 million offer.

Benitez has been eager to bring the 24-year-old to Anfield for some time in a bid to bolster his back four, and according to the People, the 24-year-old was given a tour of the club's Melwood training complex in the build-up to Christmas.

His rumoured presence at the club's facility has added fuel to speculation that the real reason he missed Portsmouth's Boxing Day thrashing by West Ham is because a deal is done - contrary to the official line claiming he was injured.

And if the rumours prove true it may be tough for Portsmouth to hold on to Johnson due to their ever increasing debts. Manager Tony Adams already faces losing key players to other big clubs.

A return to a big four club would signify a milestone in Johnson's career.

During his time with Chelsea he failed to live up to the promise he had shown at West Ham and was soon spending a lot of time on the bench before being sold to Portsmouth.

Having revitalised his career at Fratton Park under former manager Harry Redknapp, Johnson was finally granted a return to the England squad.

Tottenham winger Aaron Lennon has also caught the attention of Benitez this season, and he is reported to be willing to offer a cash-plus-player deal involving Jermain Pennant to see it go through.

Xabi Alonso is being linked with a move to Arsenal and Pennant has also been linked with a move to Real Madrid.

Match Preview: Newcastle United vs. LiverpooL

Liverpool and Newcastle United will face-off this weekend in their final fixture of 2008. While the away side are sitting pretty at the top of the Barclays Premier League table, their hosts are in decent, if not dazzling, touch themselves.

When Joe Kinnear took the reins at Newcastle in September, it appeared they were headed for an embarrassing relegation battle. In the period between Kevin Keegan’s controversial departure and the arrival of his interim successor, the Toon had sunk well into the drop zone. Indeed, only Tottenham Hotspur endured a more disastrous start to the season, when one considers that both sides were aiming for European football at season’s start.

Under Kinnear’s guidance, however, the Magpies have slowly regained confidence to the point where they might actually be called a Premier League-standard club once more. They have ground out results against dangerous and in-form teams – most notably Chelsea, at Stamford Bridge, just over a month ago – and have shown that, despite adopting a more workman-like approach than in previous years, they are still well capable of entertaining the Toon Army.

Newcastle’s Boxing Day defeat to Wigan Athletic was just their second loss in their last nine outings, and they currently sit 12th in the standings. However, they are still just two points above the relegation places, and some seven points shy of a potential UEFA Cup spot. Failure against the league leaders on Sunday could leave them brushing against the bottom three heading into the New Year, and frankly that’s a distinct possibility given both the quality of their opposition and the results of their last few encounters.

Liverpool’s recent record against the sleeping giants of Tyneside reads pretty darn well. Their last visit to St James’ Park culminated in a 3-0 win, but that scoreline doesn’t show just how comprehensively the Merseysiders beat their beleaguered and bedraggled hosts on a day that marked the beginning of the end of Sam Allardyce’s tenure. In all honesty, it could so easily have been 8-0 if Fernando Torres had brought his shooting boots.

And that was when Rafael Benitez’s job was in jeopardy amid a boardroom crisis that threatened to ruin the Anfield club. Now, circling at the summit of the standings, the Kop is rocking as they edge ever closer to what would be their very first Premier League crown, and their first English championship since 1990. They are refusing to get ahead of themselves, though, as the more seasoned Reds have seen more than their fair share of false dawns.

Nevertheless, Liverpool have a golden opportunity to claim pole position heading into 2009. They have been let off the hook by fellow front-runners Chelsea in recent weeks, as draws against Hull City and a 10-man Arsenal went unpunished. But after an impressive return to form against Bolton Wanderers on Friday, they will be pumped up and hoping to round out in style what has been their best start to a campaign in many a moon.


FORM GUIDE

Newcastle United

Nov 29 Middlesbrough 0-0 Newcastle United (Premier League)
Dec 06 Newcastle United 2-2 Stoke City (Premier League)
Dec 14 Portsmouth 0-3 Newcastle United (Premier League)
Dec 21 Newcastle United 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur (Premier League)
Dec 26 Wigan Athletic 2-1 Newcastle United (Premier League)

Liverpool

Dec 06 Blackburn Rovers 1-3 Liverpool (Premier League)
Dec 09 PSV Eindhoven 1-3 Liverpool (Champions League)
Dec 13 Hull City 2-2 Liverpool (Premier League)
Dec 21 Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool (Premier League)
Dec 26 Liverpool 3-0 Bolton Wanderers (Premier League)


TEAM NEWS

Newcastle United

Jose Enrique injured his calf during the warm-up at Wigan and will sit out. The Spanish defender will be joined on the sidelines by fellow full-back Habib Beye (leg) and Australian striker Mark Viduka (groin).

Sebastien Bassong is suspended, meaning midfielders David Edgar and Charles N’Zogbia are likely to line up at the back.

Newcastle squad: Given, Coloccini, Gutierrez, Butt, Guthrie, N'Zogbia, Duff, Owen, Harper, Taylor, Geremi, Edgar, Xisco, Carroll, Ameobi, LuaLua, Gonzalez.

Liverpool

Alvaro Arbeloa will miss out again due to a hamstring injury, but Javier Mascherano is expected to slot back into midfield after suffering a bout of the flu – the Argentine battler was an unused substitute against Bolton.

The big news, however, is that Torres has been named in the travelling party and could make the bench. The EURO 2008-winning striker has been undergoing extensive treatment for a recurring hamstring problem.

Liverpool squad: Reina, Carragher, Agger, Hyypia, Insua, Alonso, Mascherano, Kuyt, Gerrard, Keane, Cavalieri, Darby, Babel, Benayoun, Lucas, Ngog, El Zhar, Torres.


PLAYERS TO WATCH

Michael Owen (Newcastle United)

Even if he wasn’t facing the club with whom he rose to fame as a teenager, there’s no denying that the England exile would draw more attention than anyone else on the home team. He has netted seven times this season, although he will need to put on a fine display if injury-hit Toon are to hold off the table-toppers.

Robbie Keane (Liverpool)

Is the impish Irishman finally finding his feet with the Reds? Keane followed up his superb strike against Arsenal by bagging a Boxing Day brace against Bolton, and it would be far from surprising if he continued that scoring run on his trip to the North East.