Match Report: Preston North End 0 - 2 LiverpooL

Steven Gerrard rose to the occasion with a cool performance for Liverpool in their FA Cup third-round tie against Preston.

The Reds captain was charged with assault and affray earlier this week but was composure personified at Deepdale, producing an inspired display which ended with him creating the injury-time clincher for substitute Fernando Torres.

At the end Gerrard swapped shirts with Preston skipper Paul McKenna and pointedly marched towards the bank of Liverpool fans behind the goal, held his arms aloft and blew kisses to his followers.

Albert Riera had given Liverpool a first-half lead with his fourth goal of the season, but the Anfield men wasted a hatful of chances which gave Preston the belief that they could salvage something from the match.

That they did not had much to do with a class display from Gerrard.

Liverpool made four changes from the side which won so well at Newcastle last weekend.

With Steven Gerrard already confirmed in the side after his traumatic week, boss Rafael Benitez also recalled Robbie Keane, Albert Riera and Xabi Alonso to the starting line-up, with Diego Cavalieri taking over in goal.

Yossi Benayoun, Lucas, Dirk Kuyt and Jose Reina were all rested, while Preston brought in former Liverpool striker Neil Mellor, Jon Parkin and Chris Sedgwick from the side which drew at Barnsley last weekend.

Gerrard predictably found himself being booed by the home support whenever in possession, but Liverpool's 5,000 plus fans were treating him like a hero.

Preston's spirited start to the tie soon distracted their fans from what soon became mild barracking.

The home side's midfield of McKenna and Richard Chaplow were quick to harass Liverpool and force errors, and a 20-yard free-kick from Ross Wallace forced Cavalieri into a plunging save to his right.

Liverpool responded with as twisting run from Riera and a lay-off that Keane could not direct goalwards as he arrived in the six-yard box, the first of a succession of squandered opportunities for the Irishman.

Chaplow and Mellor both went close before Liverpool were ahead after 24 minutes.

Riera picked up a fortunate deflection on the right of the box, and although there was a clear opportunity to drill the ball into the danger area, the Spaniard opted to cut inside and crack the ball into the top corner with his left foot.

Gerrard, who was finding acres of space to operate in just behind Keane, had two long-range efforts which flew close.

Liverpool were slowly taking command, and Chaplow was booked for a late tackle on Alonso, who equally was constantly drifting into dangerous areas.

And Liverpool had a string of chances near the break to settle the issue. Keane should have made it two when he squirmed clear in the area, but Andy Lonergan saved bravely at his feet.

Then Keane produced an even worse effort, arriving in the box to meet a Gerrard cross, only to send his shot hopelessly wide.

Gerrard was in fine form by now and another glittering chance was created by the Liverpool skipper, but it was squandered by first Keane, who opted not to shoot. Instead he pushed the ball to Babel, who was equally wasteful.

Liverpool sent on Lucas for a limping Alonso at the break, and within minutes Daniel Agger had headed narrowly wide from a corner.

The sight of Torres warming up on the touchline had the Liverpool support bursting into song, a sight that would also have concentrated Keane's mind.

But without the cushion of a second goal, there was plenty of anxiety creeping into Liverpool's play and Preston were clearly encouraged.

Preston lost Callum Davidson with what looked to be an ankle injury after 56 minutes, Eddie Nolan coming on. Gerrard's free-kick gave Javier Mascherano the chance for a 25-yarder that flew just over.

Babel's touch gave Gerrard the opportunity for a dipping drive that Lonergan superbly turned over the crossbar at full stretch. Mellor, to a rousing ovation from both sets of fans, went off after 62 minutes to be replaced by Stephen Elliott.

Preston had an effort disallowed after 64 minutes when Sean St Ledger netted, only for Jon Parkin to be penalised for holding down Jamie Carragher.

Preston should have been out of the game by now, such had been Liverpool's string of missed chances but they were heartened by Liverpool's failures, so much so that Benitez appeared on the touchline.

And Torres soon appeared, after 73 minutes, to replace Keane.

Liverpool conceded a string of free-kicks, and there were a couple of loud shouts for penalties as the pressure from the home side heightened.

Gerrard saw a fierce shot on the turn blocked by St Ledger, before Preston sent on Barry Nicholson for Chaplow after 81 minutes.

Liverpool then pushed Gerrard back into central midfield, took off Mascherano and sent on Fabio Aurelio on the left, with Babel moved forward.

But in injury time Gerrard broke away to set up Torres for a simple tap-in to clinch the game.

Liverpool and Tottenham Target Lafita

Angel Lafita could be on the move soon, with two Premier League clubs joining a long list of clubs interested in him.

Deportivo winger Angel Lafita is a wanted man, with Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool being the latest sides to chase his signature.

According to The People, the two clubs are at the front of the queue to sign the winger, who has scored five goals so far in his second season at Deportivo.

Lafita has made no secret in recent times of his desire to move to a bigger club.

The player's contract is not due for expiry until the summer of 2012 but it is believed that Depor are willing to sell for a fee of around €3 million.

Liverpool: 58% Want Pennant Gone!

In the result of our poll, a comprehensive 58% of voters didn't think Jermaine Pennant would be leaving for Real Madrid, but did want to see him leave.

While I think the lad hasn't had all the credit he deserves during his time at Anfield (he was many people's man of the match in the 2007 CL final), I do agree.

With our current situation in terms of finance and squad, sentimentality must take a back-seat while we challenge on three fronts (or possibly two if things don't go well this evening).

As for the full result of the poll, 14% thought it was all pie in the sky. 12% of you sat on the fence and thought it was a possibility, nothing more. And 16% of you took pity on the lad and thought he should be in the team more.

Palsson Set For Anfield Arrival

Liverpool appear set to complete their first piece of New Year business by landing Icelandic starlet Victor Palsson.

The teenage sensation is currently on the books of Danish outfit Aarhus, where he has been attracting interest for some time.

He is yet to be handed a senior debut in the Superliga but is widely regarded as an exciting prospect for the future.

At just 18-years-old he is already viewed as being one of the brightest talents to emerge from Iceland in recent years.

Standing on the verge of a glamorous switch to Anfield, Palsson will be hoping to make the same impact on Europe's biggest stage as his countryman Eidur Gudjohnsson - a man who has represented Chelsea and Barcelona during his distinguished career.

"I expect it will all be settled and ready to be completed next week," said Palsson, in regards to his imminent arrival in England.

Reds Waiting On Alonso News

Liverpool are waiting to discover the extent of Xabi Alonso's injury after the Spaniard limped out of the Reds' 2-0 FA Cup success at Preston.

Alonso failed to reappear for the second half after colliding with a Preston defender in the closing seconds of the opening period, and assistant boss Sammy Lee revealed the club won't know the extent of any damage for at least 24 hours.

"Unfortunately Xabi has had seven stitches in his instep," he said after the game.

"We do not know the full extent of the injury, apart from the fact he will be very sore tonight.

"Hopefully there will be no damage but we won't know for the next 24 or 48 hours."

Meanwhile, Lee paid tribute to Steven Gerrard who put his recent troubles behind him to turn in a wonderful midfield display - capped by an injury time assist for substitute Fernando Torres.

"Steven is a top professional," he said. "He has the full support of this football club. You have seen what he is today, a footballer. He produced a terrific performance, he is a modern professional and we're all behind him. He's a great servant to this club, a terrific ambassador and we'll continue to support him throughout."

Torres' late goal finally killed off the challenge of Preston, who had fallen behind to a first half Albert Riera strike as Liverpool ensured they wouldn't be the victims of any Cup shock.

"Preston made it hard for us. We knew it was going to be a battle but we withstood the battle and withstood the challenge," added Lee.

Tony Barrett: Emlyn’s Eye For An Anfield Starlet

The official Liverpool Supporters Club held their annual awards dinner at Anfield during Christmas week and as usual it was a fantastic event.

Not surprisingly, Fernando Torres picked up the player of the year award with Steven Gerrard and Pepe Reina named in second and third places.

Promising right back Stephen Darby won the Ian Frodsham young player of the year award in recognition of both the progress he has made on the pitch during the last 12 months and the excellent way he conducts himself off it.

A pair of Anfield legends spoke of their pride at adding to their trophy collections with Jimmy Case being named this year's Tom Saunders award winner and Alan Hansen collecting the Billy Liddell award.

Along with Torres, the most popular winner of the night was Gerrard who was presented with the Emlyn Hughes award by his widow Barbara and daughter Emma.

Barbara made a moving speech in which she recalled watching a Liverpool game on TV with Emlyn featuring a teenage Gerrard and he told her: "This kid can be whatever he wants to be."

Taking in a later game together Emlyn again sang Gerrard's praises to his wife, insisting to her that "only him and Kenny (Dalglish) could have played in any of the great Liverpool teams".

After hearing such praise a humble Gerrard told guests that "to be mentioned in the same breath as Emlyn is really flattering.

"If I can win half of what he won in his career then I will be more than happy."

John Aldridge: Benayoun And Lucas Deserve Bags Of Praise

Liverpool were absolutely magnificent in their two victories over Christmas.

I haven’t seen a Liverpool side pass the ball as well as that since the team I played in back in the late 80s.

We were great against Bolton and the performance at Newcastle was the best I’ve seen for years.

Forget how poor Newcastle were, we were excellent and the thing that really impressed me was how creative we were.

We carved out so many opportunities and Newcastle just couldn’t handle us.

I’ve given Yossi Benayoun and Lucas a bit of stick this season but they deserve praise for the way they performed.

Benayoun looked very comfortable on the right and for the first time I saw why Rafa Benitez decided to pay £6million to bring Lucas to Anfield.

Lucas got a lot of space against Newcastle and that helped him but it was by far the Brazilian’s best game in a Liverpool shirt and he looked a real player.

I just hope he uses that as a springboard and consistently produces performances like that.

I saw a poll this week voted Jamie Carragher the best defender in the Premier League, Steven Gerrard the best midfielder and Fernando Torres the best striker.

That speaks volumes for how strong the spine of this Liverpool team is.

It was a great end to 2008 and there’s good reason to be optimistic about 2009.

Team selection will be very interesting and Rafa has some difficult decisions to make.

Obviously the Premier League and the Champions League are more important, but if we were to go out of Europe and lose our way in the league, we need to have the FA Cup on the back-burner.

Last season we were trophy-less and we don’t want that to happen again.

You would like to think the squad is strong enough to enable Rafa to make four or five changes but still ensure we get through.

It’s vital he gets the right balance between giving players a rest but avoiding an upset as we don’t want a repeat of what happened against Burnley or Barnsley.

Those players who get the nod have to be prepared for a scrap.

Lee Hails Tterrific' Gerrard As Torres Returns In Style

In front of the club president, Sir Tom Finney, proud Preston lived up to their tradition and reputation last night, though they did not quite have the quality or luck to prevent Liverpool reaching the fourth round of the FA Cup. The Premier League leaders, victims of a giant-killing twice in the past four seasons, were dominant for an hour but fell away to cause their supporters an anxious last period until the outstanding Steven Gerrard broke away to set up substitute Fernando Torres for a second goal to add to Albert Riera's.

In between Preston should have had a penalty when Jamie Carragher held down the local hero Jon Parkin. The ball finished in Liverpool's net but Parkin had fouled Carragher in return, so Sean St Ledger's header was disallowed.

Seventh in the Championship under the former Evertonian Alan Irvine and with 10 wins in their 13 home games, North End had gone into the tie on the back of a good run, but were unable to build on a smooth start. In attack, they relied on the strength of beefy Parkin and Neil Mellor rather than the pace necessary to trouble Sami Hyypia . There was little scope for either of them and Mellor was withdrawn just after the hour. For the remaining period, however, Liverpool lost the authority that Gerrard, Javier Mascherano and Xabi Alonso had provided as a formidable midfield triangle, abetted by Riera on the left. Alonso had to be replaced at half-time, requiring seven stitches to his instep, and the home side were able to press forward albeit without finding the final touch.

"We didn't make it hard for ourselves, Preston did," said Sammy Lee, who was again doing the media round instead of Rafa Benitez. The manager, who sat in the second row of the dug-out, must have been equally impressed by Gerrard, whose night in the cells appeared to have had no adverse effect; just the opposite in fact. Lee said: "He's a top professional. Things have been written about him this week, but he's gone out there and produced a terrific performance."

Four years ago Benitez underestimated both the importance of the FA Cup and the quality of Football League opposition, sending out a reserve team to lose at Burnley. In last season's home defeat by Barnsley he took fewer chances but still did not send Gerrard on until the final 15 minutes, so it was no surprise that his captain started here in his attacking midfield role, from where he immediately imposed himself on the game.

The one negative for Liverpool, apart from Alonso's injury, was the performance of Robbie Keane. Dropped last week after scoring three times in two games, he was restored in place of Dirk Kuyt but wasted three chances in the first half alone, the worst of them from four yards following Gerrard's perfect cross. Fortunately,Riera's aim was true midway through the half when Preston were unable to deal with a left-wing corner. Gerrard thought briefly about a spectacular volley, then settled for nudging the ball on for Riera, who came inside on to his favoured left foot and shot high into the net.

By half-time the home crowd were grateful not to be further behind, though after Mascherano, Gerrard and Riera had all gone close, there was an uncomfortable moment to emphasise the fragile nature of the lead.

Parkin, rightly convinced that he had been held by Carragher, unwisely grabbed the defender's leg just as St Ledger headed in. St Ledger later failed to make sufficient contact at close range, and his team were hopelessly outnumbered as Gerrard unselfishly squared for Keane's replacement Torres to tap in. "We've come out with our pride intact," Irvine said. Pride matters to Preston.

Jamie Carragher: We Made Life Difficult For Ourselves

Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher admitted the Reds made life difficult for themselves before sealing a 2-0 FA Cup third-round triumph at Preston.

Albert Riera gave the visitors the lead in the first half with a superb strike but the Coca-Cola Championship side came back into it in the second half and it was not until the last minute that Liverpool sealed victory through Fernando Torres.

Carragher told ITV1: “It was a tough game. We always seem to have problems against lower league opposition but thankfully we’ve come through. There were a couple of scares near the end and great credit to Preston.”

Carragher was at the centre of the most controversial moment of the game when Sean St Ledger’s header, which would have made it 1-1, was disallowed for a foul by Jon Parkin on Carragher. Preston were furious the defender had not been penalised for an initial foul on Parkin in the area.

“I wasn’t aware of the flag (to disallow the header) until the lad headed it in,” said Carragher.

“But he was trying to stop me getting up and I realised I was playing everyone onside.”

John Aldridge: Emiliano Insua Could Save Liverpool A Fortune

Emiliano Insua could save Liverpool a lot of money.

The young lad has done excellently since he came into the side and looks like he could be the solution to the left-back problem.

The only question mark over him is, can he defend against the top players in the really big games? Only time will tell but he hasn’t put a foot wrong so far.

I doubt Rafa Benitez will be looking to do much business in the transfer window but what the squad lacks is someone capable of coming off the bench to change a game.

Last season, teams would dread Peter Crouch coming on, especially in Europe.

However, this season there have been times, especially at Anfield, where we’ve struggled to make inroads but haven’t had anyone to bring on who offers a different kind of threat.

Fernando Torres and Robbie Keane are both great players but I really feel to push on during the second half of the season we need another option up front.

FA Cup Preview: Preston North End vs. Liverpool

Liverpool kick off their FA Cup with a short trip through Lancashire to face Preston North End. Rafael Benitez’s men have endured some notable stumbles against lower-league opposition in recent years, but their Premier League form has made a big impact at Deepdale.

The Reds finished off 2008 in style, handing Newcastle United 5-1 drubbing at St James’ Park to cement top spot heading into the New Year. Pundits England-wide declared that they were officially the team to beat in 2009, and that message was received loud and clear by the PNE squad.

“I reckon we could be in for a busy time judging by what we saw there,” said Sean St Ledger, Preston’s star defender. “We were watching it on the bus to Barnsley and when they got their third or fourth goal against Newcastle there was a stampede to get the remote control and switch it off.”

However, there is hope for the Lilywhites yet, and it is perhaps appropriate that they were on their way to Oakwell whilst watching Liverpool’s demolition of the Toon. Few could forget how the Anfield giants fell to the Tykes in last season’s FA Cup, with Brian Howard besting Xabi Alonso and Jamie Carragher to crack home a last-ditch winner in front of the Kop.

That wasn’t the first time the Merseysiders had missed a gimme in the world’s oldest football tournament. In 2005, during Benitez’s first term at the helm, they were ushered out by Burnley after losing 0-1 at Turf Moor in the third round.

So they are beatable, are the ‘Pool, even if they seem anything but after their comprehensive display on Tyneside. Indeed, they have lost just twice this term – both to Tottenham Hotspur – in all competitions. The drama concerning Steven Gerrard’s night in lock-up has threatened to burst their bubble, though, and they come up against a side in pretty decent nick themselves.

Preston have lost just twice in their last nine games and sit seventh in the Championship standings, just goal difference shy of the play-off places. They could only manage a draw against Barnsley last weekend, but the 1-1 result may have given Alan Irvine’s men a curious sense of confidence: that of being on level terms with a team who downed Liverpool (and Chelsea, for that matter).


FORM GUIDE

Preston North End

Dec 09 Preston North End 1 - 0 Doncaster Rovers
Dec 13 Preston North End 1 - 0 Birmingham
Dec 20 Queens Park Rangers 3 - 2 Preston North End
Dec 26 Preston North End 2 - 0 Derby County
Dec 28 Barnsley 1 - 1 Preston North End

Liverpool

Dec 09 PSV Eindhoven 1 - 3 Liverpool
Dec 13 Liverpool 2 - 2 Hull City
Dec 21 Arsenal 1 - 1 Liverpool
Dec 26 Liverpool 3 - 0 Bolton Wanderers
Dec 28 Newcastle United 1 - 5 Liverpool


TEAM NEWS

Preston North End

Defensive duo Liam Chilvers and Neal Trotman remain unavailable through injury, as does goalkeeper Wayne Henderson. On-loan Ross Wallace is expected to feature, however, after receiving clearance from his owners, Sunderland.

Meanwhile, Neil Mellor is a chance to line up against his former club. The striker, best known for his contribution to the Reds’ successful 2005 Champions League campaign, will tussle with Jon Parkin, Chris Brown and Stephen Elliott for a starting spot.

Liverpool

The big news is that Stevie G is expected to play, just days after being charged with assault and affray for brawling at a Southport nightclub. Equally exciting is the possibility of Fernando Torres’ return to action after a month out with a hamstring problem – the Spaniard should be named on the bench.

Some of Anfield’s young guns will get a run-out, with the likes of Damien Plessis, Lucas Leiva, David N’Gog and Nabil El Zhar all in contention to start. Robbie Keane, left out altogether against Newcastle, may also feature from the get-go.

Alvaro Arbeloa (hamstring) and Fabio Aurelio (calf) return to the squad after injury, while Martin Skrtel could make his first start in defence since suffering knee-ligament damage in October.


PLAYERS TO WATCH

Ross Wallace (Preston North End)

The young Scot impressed initially at Sunderland following his move from Celtic in 2006, but he drifted out of Roy Keane’s plans after suffering a serious knee injury 12 months ago. While most often used as a full-back at the Stadium of Light, the 23-year-old has played further up the pitch since arriving at Deepdale and has been very lively down the left flank.

Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)

A no-brainer. Captain Fantastic was not only in electric form on his last outing, but the spotlight is well and truly fixed on him after his late-night fight at the Lounge Inn. The England man will be desperate to get the press and the public focusing on his football once more, so Preston’s midfield could be in for a bit of a battering.

Fernando Torres And Martin Skrtel Ready To Start For Reds

Fernando Torres and Martin Skrtel have handed Liverpool a major double boost by declaring themselves fit to start tonight's FA Cup clash with Preston.

The star duo have missed large chunks of the season so far through injury but are now ready to return, and Reds boss Rafa Benitez will see how they fare in today’s final training session before deciding whether or not to pitch them in from the start at Deepdale.

Skrtel was given a brief 11 minute run-out in the closing stages of Liverpool’s 5-1 rout of Newcastle last Sunday and has taken a full part in training this week after recovering from a knee ligament injury sustained at Manchester City at the start of October.

In the three months the Slovakian has been missing, Sami Hyypia and Daniel Agger have taken it in turns to operate alongside Jamie Carragher.

But with Carragher currently playing at right back due to the absence of Alvaro Arbeloa because of a hamstring injury, the Liverpool manager will be delighted to have his central defensive options boosted by Skrtel’s return.

The 24-year-old has been a massive hit at Anfield since moving to Liverpool from Zenit St Petersburg in a £6.5m transfer a year ago.

Torres has not featured since Liverpool’s 1-0 win over Marseille in the Champions League at the end of November.

Persistent hamstring problems have meant the Spanish striker has only been able to play in half of the Reds fixtures so far this season, and having had to do without the services of last season’s top scorer on so many occasions Benitez will be keen to see Torres back in action.

The Reds boss must now decide whether to give his fit again stars immediate recalls to Liverpool’s starting eleven or to ease them back into action more gradually.

Having adopted a safety first approach with Torres in a bid to ensure he comes back injury free, Benitez will not be willing to risk Liverpool’s record signing unless he is 100% convinced that his latest hamstring injury has totally cleared up.

Liverpool's Emiliano Insua Dreaming Of Wembley

Memories of Argentinians in the FA Cup are inevitably dominated by images of Ricky Villa slaloming his way around a string of Manchester City players to score one of the competition’s most famous goals.

To this day, Villa’s name still resonates thanks to his Wembley wonder strike in 1981 and now one of his fellow countrymen is hoping to carve out his own niche in FA Cup history.

Having recently earned himself a place in Liverpool’s starting eleven, Emiliano Insua can now allow himself to dream of running out in the shadow of the twin towers where Villa made his name in the white shirt of Tottenham Hotspur.

Today, Insua will travel to Preston with the rest of the Reds squad as Liverpool enter the FA Cup at the third round stage and though he dreams of Wembley, for the time being he would be more than happy just to be involved against North End at Deepdale.

“I have never played in the FA Cup before but it is a competition I know a lot about because it is famous all over the world,” he said.

“I have played in the Carling Cup and I know that the cup competitions in England always produce special games and big occasions so it would be nice for me if I could play in the FA Cup also.

“Everyone at Liverpool has told me how important the FA Cup is and we must try to win it.

“It is very difficult to try and win three different tournaments but this is what you must try to do when you are at a club like Liverpool.

“It would be a dream for me to play at Wembley. It is a stadium that I have never been to but it is one which every player would love to play at.”

Before anyone at Anfield can even think about playing at Wembley though, Liverpool must first find a way past a Preston side which currently finds itself on the fringes of the play off places in the Championship.

Insua may only have been in this country for two years following his move to Anfield from Boca Juniors but in this time he has seen enough of the English game to know that teams from the tier just below the Premier League can cause problems for even the biggest of guns.

But with the tie taking place just four days before he turns 20, the left back is hoping to receive an early birthday present in the form of qualification for the next round.

“All teams in the Championship are very strong and very difficult to play against,” he said.

“We are playing away at Preston’s ground so we know it will be a tough game for us because they will be looking to try and knock us out.

“But we have to concentrate on our own game and try to play like we have been doing in the last couple of games and hopefully that will be enough.”

Those last couple of games have been hugely promising for Liverpool with a pair of impressive back to back wins against Bolton and Newcastle providing the perfect end to 2008.

The standard Rafa Benitez’s side set for itself in the 5-1 hammering of Newcastle at St James’ Park is one which Insua believes Liverpool must try to reach in every single game they play, even though he knows it is a big ask to do so.

He said: “I really enjoyed the game against Newcastle because the team played really well. We scored five goals and created a lot of chances so we could have won by even more than we did.

“We kept the ball really well and even after conceding a goal just before half time we kept pushing forward and looking for more goals so it was really good for me to be part of a performance as good as this one.

“It is not always possible to play to this level but this is what we must try to do.”

Since coming into the side at Blackburn a month ago, Insua has impressed everyone with his performances at full back.

So much so that he is now seen as a genuine contender to become Liverpool’s long term solution in the left back position which has been such a problem for so long.

In games against Arsenal, Bolton and Newcastle, the Buenos Aires-born youngster has won plaudits for his displays and now Insua is determined to get better still as he bids to nail down a regular starting place.

He said: “I am trying to do the same things in every single game – to work hard, do the simple things and defend well.

“The manager has given me a lot of confidence and I will keep training hard in every session and always give my best, because when you get your chance you have to take it.”

Not only has Insua received support from Benitez, he has also been given the total backing of his more senior team mates in Liverpool’s back four and he believes the advice and guidance he has been afforded by his colleagues has been a massive help.

“The senior players have helped me a lot,” he admitted. “They give me a lot of confidence by telling me I am doing well and supporting me on and off the pitch.

“I feel good about this because it means a lot for a young player to have such support from players like Sami Hyypia, Jamie Carragher and Daniel Agger.

“I am learning from them all the time. I watch them and try to copy the good things that they do because they are such good players and I know that if I can learn from them then I will become a better player.”

Leverkusen Issue Hands-Off Warning Over Renato Augusto

Bayer Leverkusen general manager Michael Reschke insists his club have no intent of cashing in on Renato Augusto.

The 20-year-old Brazilian midfielder arrived for just €5 million last summer and has been outstanding for his side and he has helped keep Leverkusen in the chase for the Bundesliga title.

Liverpool, Juventus and Inter are just three of the big names linked with the ex Flamengo standout, but Reschke has now insistied that it will be difficult for anyone to prise the Brazilian international away from The BayArena.

"The fact that a player like Renato Augusto awakens desire in other clubs was always clear," Reschke explained to Express.

"A transfer is not open to debate for us. I had a long chat with the player before Christmas.

"Renato feels happy about us at Bayer and wants to make the step up to the Brazilian national team.

"The boy is facing a great career ahead of him. Should he leave eventually, he can choose where he wants to go."

Rafa Benitez: I’m Up For The FA Cup

Anyone who believes the FA Cup means very little to Rafael Benitez should glance towards the directors’ box at Deepdale this evening.

The Liverpool manager will once again assume his temporary vantage point for his team’s third round clash against Coca-Cola Championship side Preston North End.

Benitez takes to the stands as he continues to recover from the two operations to remedy a kidney stones complaint.

While the Spaniard accepts staying at home would increase the rate of his return to full health, there is no chance of him watching on television and directing operations via a mobile phone as against Arsenal last month.

However, Benitez has revealed he is still being troubled by the after-effects of his surgery.

“I am improving,” says the Anfield manager. “I will need time. The first week was very, very painful. After the Arsenal game I was a little bit worse because you have more anxiety and stress. After the second operation I feel much better.

“I will not be in dug-out because I cannot move properly and shout. If you don’t have too much energy then maybe you cannot transmit everything so it is better to stay in the stands and leave it to Sammy Lee and Mauricio Pellegrino.

“In terms of my health if I stay at home it would be easier, I would be fit sooner rather than later. But I think it is important for me to be there.”

Having stayed away from the 1-1 draw at the Emirates, Benitez was in attendance for the 3-0 home win over Bolton Wanderers on Boxing Day and the resounding 5-1 triumph at Newcastle United two days later.

On both occasions the Anfield manager communicated with the bench from the directors’ box, but has no intention of making it a permanent feature of his matchday.

“I prefer to be on the bench because you can shout and transmit things quickly,” says Benitez. “Because you have experience of football you can see things clearly, and when you go to the stands you see football in a different way.

“Maybe you can see some things there but you cannot transmit it properly. Both positions can be good but I prefer to stay on the bench.

“The game against Bolton and Newcastle I was in the stands I was going into the dressing room at half-time and talking to them.

“You can show that you are there, you are analysing you are giving support to them. It shows we are taking it seriously.”

Despite guiding Liverpool to their seventh FA Cup triumph in 2006, the Spaniard has often been accused of undermining the competition.

Infamous defeats at Burnley and last season to Barnsley at Anfield came with Benitez having fielded under-strength sides, while non-league Havant and Waterlooville also gave Liverpool a major shock 12 months ago before succumbing 5-2.

Liverpool will once again make changes this evening but, with Steven Gerrard starting and Fernando Torres likely to appear as substitute, the visitors will have a strong starting line-up.

“We will try to progress,” says Benitez. “The FA Cup is a fantastic competition for us and we will try and win it.

“My mind hasn’t changed, but the squad has. If you improve your squad and have more quality then it is easier to progress and win games.

“Every single year the squad is better, so you can change players and maintain the level of the team.”

Jamie Carragher is also aware of Liverpool’s indifferent FA Cup showing in recent times. The Anfield outfit have only reached the quarter-finals five times in the last 19 years, although on four of those occasions they went on to reach the final and won the trophy three times.

“Over the years our record hasn’t been that good,” says Carragher. “We either seem to go all the way and win it, or get knocked out early.

“We’re never in the quarter-finals or semi-finals on a regular basis, which is what we should be doing.

“We do that in the Champions League nearly every year and have to start doing it in the FA Cup too.”

This season marks the 20th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster, and Carragher sees this new campaign as an opportunity to pay tribute to the 96 Liverpool fans who died.

“It will be 20 years since Hillsborough, and that is something we are all obviously aware of,” says the centre-back.

“Because of that there will be extra significance attached to the competition for us. Going on to win it would be the perfect tribute to those who died.”

As well as Torres, Benitez can again today call on Martin Skrtel, who made an 11-minute appearance as substitute at Newcastle after almost three months out with a serious knee injury.

Fabio Aurelio is also nearing a comeback and the Liverpool manager says: “I think that all the players will be important but when you have Fabio Aurelio, Martin Skrtel and Fernando Torres coming back, players who have not played too much in the first half of the season, it is like signing two or three new players.

“I think signing Aurelio, Skrtel and Torres has been very cheap because we haven’t spent money. We are not desperate to go to the market.

“If we need something we will try but we are in a good position so we can use the players we have back now and the players we had before. I think we have enough numbers.”

Important For Liverpool To Keep Up The Winning Habit

Liverpool enter 2009 in our most promising league position in the Premier League era.

As such, the arrival of the FA Cup feels something of a distraction from the real business of winning the league.

However, such thoughts should be banished come kick off. It’s important to maintain the winning habit, we have not played at the new Wembley yet and Deepdale is not just any ground. It’s at Deepdale that Bill Shankly spent much of his playing career and North End have named a stand in his honour.

His favourite player, Sir Tom Finney, should be attending the game too. As such, it would be heresy for Liverpool to not embrace the competition and the tie.

In Neil Mellor Preston also possess one of our more colourful ex-players who will be fondly remembered for his performance and goal against Olympiakos on the way to the glory of Istanbul. I’d expect Benitez to rest a few players but would hope he maintains a strong spine perhaps augmented by a couple of the younger players such as Darby and Spearing.

Of course it would also be great to see Fernando Torres playing a part. Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of our season is that it has been achieved largely without the world’s best centre-forward. A week ago I would not have expected to see our number eight playing but perhaps a starting place will help provide a useful focus away from other events. It would be good to see both Lucas and Insua continue their impressive run of form. Insua strikes me as the best left-back we have at the club and he deserves a run in the team.

It should a cracking match. Hard fought, fast, frenetic and very entertaining. Bill Shankly would be salivating in anticipation.

Carragher Wants Liverpool To Raise Their Game And Stop FA Cup Failures

Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher believes the club has to sharpen up their act in the FA Cup.

Carragher, 30, has two FA Cup winners' medals to his name from 2001 and 2006, but he accepts a club of Liverpool's stature should be contesting the final stages of the world's greatest club cup competition on a more regular basis.

Frequently under boss Rafael Benitez, Liverpool have fielded weakened sides in the tournament, and suffered as a consequence.

But generally over the past 18 years, there have been embarrassing defeats.

Since winning the cup in 1992 against Sunderland, Liverpool have been eliminated six times by teams from the division below.

These defeats were inflicted by Bolton (1993), Bristol City (1994), Blackburn (2000), Crystal Palace (2003), Burnley (2005) and last season Barnsley.

And in that time they have only had three final appearances, losing to Manchester United in '96, and winning the cup against Arsenal in 2001 and West Ham in 2006.

Carragher said: 'Over the years our record hasn't been that good.

'We either seem to go all the way and win it, or get knocked out early.

'We're never in the quarter-finals or semi-finals on a regular basis, which is what we should be doing.

'We do that in the Champions League nearly every year and have to start doing it in the FA Cup too.'

This season marks the 20th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster, and Carragher sees this new campaign as an opportunity to pay tribute to the 96 Liverpool fans who died in Sheffield on April 15, 1989 at the semi-final with Nottingham Forest.

He says: 'It will be 20 years since Hillsborough, and that is something we are all obviously aware of.

'Because of that there will be extra significance attached to the competition for us. Going on to win it would be the perfect tribute to those who died.'

Preston had lost their last 10 FA Cup meetings with top-flight opposition before defeating Derby County 4-1 at Pride Park last season.

Since the inception of the Premier League they have been beaten by Arsenal, Everton, Chelsea, West Brom, Middlesbrough and Manchester City. Seven of those 10 defeats have come in front of their home fans.

Liverpool Desperate Not To Be Distracted By Arrest Of Gerrard

Any other name and the arrest of a footballer after a bar brawl would not have registered on the Richter scale of Christmas surprises. But Steven Gerrard is not any other name and this is not any other Premier League season for Liverpool. His detention by Merseyside Police yesterday and subsequent charge for assault and affray is a distraction Rafael Benítez needs as much as another kidney stone.

"Remain humble, keep our feet on the ground and keep working hard" were Gerrard's words as he left St James' Park on Sunday afternoon after scoring twice in Liverpool's 5–1 destruction of Newcastle United. They sounded hollow when news of his arrest emerged and a calendar year of giant strides on the pitch and major tremors off it for Liverpool received a depressingly suitable finale.

What will have pained Benítez most of all is that the distraction from Liverpool's outstanding performance on Tyneside and their growing credibility as a title-winning team should come from a player he trusted implicitly.

It may be a slight consolation to the Spaniard that Gerrard's arrest did not impinge on his professional workload. Liverpool's first-team squad were given a belated two-day Christmas holiday after the Newcastle game. Although the wisdom of a high-profile England international ­staying out on the town until 2.30am is always open to question, Gerrard is not due back in training until tomorrow morning and is one of the key players Benítez is considering resting in the FA Cup third-round tie at Preston North End on Saturday evening.

The day spent in a police station intruded more on the 28-year-old's family life than on his other devotion: delivering to Liverpool their first league title since 1990. Perversely, and without playing down the assault charge in the Lounge Inn, Southport, the incident may concentrate Gerrard's energies on that challenge to a greater degree than they already are. The midfielder will be mortified at generating unwanted headlines hours after the club's finest performance of the season brought their championship credentials wider ­recognition and he will be wary of being involved in a repeat between now and May. He wouldn't be the first player to turn a siege mentality to his professional advantage.

Gerrard's nocturnal habits have not been an issue since he was hauled over the coals by Gérard Houllier early in his Anfield career. "If his mates want to go to a nightclub, let them. By the time he has finished he can buy one of his own," the former Liverpool manager famously remarked of the man he appointed the club's youngest-ever captain. That sage advice struck a chord with Gerrard, by and large, and an instantly recognisable face has consciously avoided inviting trouble in the goldfish bowl of Merseyside.

All of which adds to the shock of Gerrard's arrest. As Liverpool captain the midfielder has been at the forefront of the club's attempts to place a lid on controversy and concentrate entirely on the Premier League this season. Even Tom Hicks and George Gillett have heeded that lesson after the mess they made of their first full season as Liverpool's co-owners.

Despite the impact of the global credit crunch on their personal fortunes and plans to construct a 60,000-seat stadium on Stanley Park, delayed indefinitely to the chagrin of supporters, sponsors, local residents and councillors, the Americans have made quiet progress with extending their refinancing package with the Royal Bank of Scotland by six months from 25 January next year. Even the delicate subject of extending Benítez's contract, with the manager seeking a longer-term deal than they envisaged and greater control over transfers, has progressed relatively smoothly. Plans to complete a new 4½-year deal with Benítez before Christmas were delayed by a kidney stone operation he underwent on 15 December.

Further disruption lies in wait for Liverpool in the form of Daniel Agger as the Danish defender delays extending a contract that has only 18 months to run.

"I hope to stay," Agger said yesterday, but the Dane is wanted by several European clubs and is holding out for a significant pay increase from Liverpool. "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. 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."

With the exception of releasing Jermaine Pennant, now a loan-transfer target for Wigan Athletic after Juande Ramos thwarted his possible move to Real Madrid, Liverpool do not expect to be prominent in the January transfer window. The priority, as Gerrard knows only too well, is to lead the way in May.

Gerrard The Icon Of Liverpool's Drama

Steven Gerrard's life seems to be unusually beset with tragedy and trauma, particularly for a millionaire ostensibly ensconced in privilege. Amidst the routine of his working life there is an inescapable theme of potential unfulfilled and his personal world appears to suffer from an uncommonly high incurrence of conflict and misdemeanour. It is all the more melancholy to behold as, in keeping with his manager Rafa Benítez's description of him, Gerrard radiates "niceness".

One would struggle to begrudge him his talent, his success, his drive or his reassuringly low hairline because, as is often said and perennially apparent "Stevie G" is the fan's representative in heaven. After Liverpool's victory against Milan in Istanbul the breathlessly victorious captain was asked if he would still be joining Chelsea as rumoured.

"How can I, after this?" he beamed back, all puffed out and exhilarated like a toddler when indulged by an irresponsible uncle – you know, when they get a little clammy head and their fringe sticks to their forehead then their mum comes and calms them down and you (me, it's just been Christmas, I've been winding kids up) have to recede into adult manners and ask if they need any Calpol or the phone number of Supernanny. (Actually I'd like Supernanny's number for my own dubious reasons – they can't keep me on the naughty step forever.)

Consider, too, Alex Ferguson's comment regarding his reported interest in signing Gerrard – "the boy just won't come here," he said. Steven Gerrard could not countenance playing for Manchester United at any price because he is more than a Liverpool player and the Liverpool captain – he is a Liverpool fan and therefore hates United and 12 years in the game and friends in the United team who he plays with for England can do nothing to ease his congenital dislike of the Red Devils.

He is a decent and accomplished man yet somehow the quality that makes him so beloved of the Kop anchors him to proletarian strife. Do you remember some barmy Ayatollah once announcing after a needless massacre that the 2,000 dead would've died, regardless of the conflagration, at that exact moment, even had the event not occurred? That destiny would've nabbed them at the sink or while weeding the garden or jitterbugging by a jukebox in a Tehranian kasbah; it was their time to die and the act of terrorism, or anti‑terror, or freedom fighting or peace keeping or whatever it was at that time had merely provided an apposite context for their inevitable death.

This philosophical quirk appears pertinent to Gerrard's plight. He is a bloke from the Bluebell Estate in Huyton and there aren't enough Bentleys or Champions League medals on earth to bewilder the watching fates or convince them that ability can quench destinies craving for alignment. His battered face splayed pornographically across front pages is reluctant and contrite; the bruises on his face the material emblems of the bruises on his spirit. Twenty hours he spent in the cells after the fracas in the tediously named Lounge Inn in Southport – hardly a tax upon the imagination, the Lounge Inn; it may just as well've been called "Aspirational provincial pints" or the "Our velvet sofas disguise the inevitable, oncoming violence Inn" or "My Pubby Wub".

That 20 hours will've tick-tocked by with the unwilling sloth of the 19 years since Liverpool last won the title, each turgid second a requiem of clanging dissonance, assaulting his faculties like the impotent hectoring of Graeme Souness. Gerrard is the perfect talisman for the city of Liverpool with its juxtaposing wit and propensity for drama, the Liver bird, a phoenix by another name has had no better opportunity to soar than the one presented by this season's inconsistency at the top, but the proximity of triumph can singe even the most durable of wings.

I hope this will not be the moment when Liverpool's season begins to falter, not with United due to commence their traditional new year surge and if Liverpool are to succeed they would benefit from a fit Torres but need, NEED – like "All you need is love" – a focused Steven Gerrard. Gerrard is a living sign, he is all that is great about Liverpool and, truly, he shall never walk alone, but that which walks with him may not always be benevolent for he is accompanied at every step by the phantom of his birth.

Alonso Hoping To End Liverpool's Title Wait

Xabi Alonso admits that ending a 19-year wait for the league title remains the Liverpool's priority.

The Merseysiders, who kick-off their assault on the FA Cup at Preston on Saturday, are currently three points clear at the top of the Premier League. And Alonso, an FA Cup winner three years ago, says he and his team-mates cannot take anything for granted if they are to fulfil their "dreams".

He said: "All the staff at the club have dreams about winning the league title. It is a very tough competition but we can't take anything for granted even after the success we have had this season.

"Being a champion in England would be something unique. We are doing well and the win over Newcastle was a great blow to the authority of our rivals."