Match Report: LiverpooL 1 - 1 Everton

Everton stopped Liverpool in their tracks at Anfield with a late Tim Cahill equaliser that prevented their bitter rivals reclaiming the Barclay Premier League leadership.

When Steven Gerrard, captaining Liverpool for the 250th time, smashed home his 14th goal of the season mid-way through the second period, it looked as if the Reds were going to knock Manchester United off the top of the table.

But Everton have become a mean outfit this season, and they desperately wanted to put their local rivals in their place.

And when Cahill's late header flashed past Jose Reina, the Toffees secured a deserved point.

Fernando Torres was back in Liverpool's starting line-up for the first time since November following his hamstring problems, for this 209th Merseyside derby.

And Irish striker Robbie Keane, so often recently consigned to the bench, was also included, with Xabi Alonso another returned to the side that were so poor in drawing at Stoke last time out.

Everton, six games unbeaten going into this clash, were without the suspended Marouane Fellaini and young striker Victor Anichebe came into the side.

For Liverpool this was a test of their nerve after a difficult fortnight which included Benitez's outburst against Sir Alex Ferguson, and then the Anfield manager's contract wrangle.

These off-field distractions came while during a period when the Reds had been forced to sit and watch as Manchester United win three games in a week to claim the Barclays Premier League top spot for the first time this season.

This was the Reds' chance to reclaim the lead, and there was little doubt this was one of the most important derbies for years.

And it was important for Everton, too. They are in a European qualification spot despite a host of injuries, and they were intent on doing anything they could to ruin Liverpool's season, with the FA Cup fourth round clash back at Anfield on Sunday.

And they showed their intent inside 40 seconds when Anichebe struck a fierce, low 20-yarder that forced Jose Reina into a full-stretch save to his left.

Everton were not going to be out-muscled and three quick fouls on Gerrard had referee Howard Webb issuing lectures to Phil Neville, Joleon Lescott and Mikel Arteta.

Then Liverpool's first clear chance saw a 12th-minute drive from Kuyt blocked by Leighton Baines in the six-yard box.

Webb continued to be tolerant as the contest became heated, and fouls by Neville on Kuyt, Cahill on Martin Skrtel and Phil Jagielka on Keane failed to see a card produced.

Then Reina was again forced into action to keep out a fine header from Cahill following Anichebe's far post cross.

Everton were more than matching their neighbours, with the abrasive Cahill as confrontational as ever.

But Steven Pienaar pushed Webb too far and was booked for a block on Torres. Seconds later the Spanish striker surged between Lescott and Jagielka, only to lift his shot against a post and behind.

Cahill then almost punished Alonso for taking a quick free-kick, the Australian blocking the ball and lifting a shot over the crossbar from the half-way line.

Anichebe and Alonso both needed treatment after a clash of heads, before Leon Osman won possession in midfield and forced Reina into another save and Albert Riera then sent a 20-yarder flashing just wide of Tim Howard's right-hand post.

Referee Webb refused Liverpool a penalty two minutes after the break when Torres went down theatrically after being pushed by Jagielka.

Arteta was booked for a trip on Kuyt, Liverpool having the most sustained spell of pressure in the match. But still Baines got away down the left twice to test Reina with testing crosses.

And after Cahill had won a soft free-kick against Skrtel, Arteta fired in a low drive that Reina held with some difficulty.

Howard saved well from Gerrard and Baines was not to know Torres was offside as he produced a fine saving tackle to stop the striker scoring from the rebound.

Liverpool needed more guile to break down Everton's outstanding defence and Yossi Benayoun came on for Keane.

Everton felt they deserved a penalty when Skrtel looked to send Anichebe tumbling, and they may have had a case.

But the South Yorkshire referee waved away the appeals, and the complaints were still raging on the pitch - and the touchline - as Liverpool surged away for Gerrard to crash home a 30-yard drive to put the hosts ahead after 68 minutes.

It had been over 10 hours since Everton had previously conceded a goal.

Everton hit back with Osman firing a rising drive that Reina held. Such was Liverpool's desire to hang onto their lead that Torres was replaced by Lucas after 85 minutes, Kuyt now playing a lone role up front.

And Everton's defiance was rewarded when they forced themselves level after 87 minutes when Arteta's free-kick from the left was met by a powerful, flicked header by Cahill in the six-yard box.

Liverpool sent on Ryan Babel for Riera, but were unable to deny Everton their point.

Rafael Benitez Lined-Up For Real Madrid Appointment

Spanish giants Real Madrid are preparing to offer Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez the job of head-coach for next season, according to a report in British tabloid newspaper The Sun.

Former Tottenham Hotspur manager Juande Ramos currently occupies the position but Los Blancos have only handed him a contract which lasts until the summer.

It is reported that Benitez is being groomed to take over at the Bernabeu at the end of this campaign, which would explain his failure to sign a new contract at Liverpool.

The 48-year-old is a native of Madrid and made over 200 appearances for Real's reserve team Castilla between 1974 and 1981.

The former Valencia boss also coached various Real Madrid youth sides during the late 1980s and early 1990s and was assistant to Los Merengues' head coach Vicente Del Bosque in 1995.

It is also claimed that his recent attack on Alex Ferguson was conducted 'as a Madridista', with former President Ramon Calderon leading an anti-Manchester United campaign until he recently resigned.

Benitez: Reds Not Feeling Pressure

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez denied his side are wilting under the pressure after they threw away victory against Everton on Monday night.

The Reds had looked on course to collect the three points that would have moved them above Manchester United and back to the Premier League summit after Steven Gerrard's 35-yard drive after 68 minutes.

But a late equaliser from Tim Cahill, who headed home unmarked at the near post from a Mikel Arteta free-kick, meant Benitez's side remain behind United on goal difference having also played a game extra.

However, Benitez insists his side's title hopes are very much alive. He said: "The players believe they can challenge for the title.

You are not suffering from pressure after leading until three minutes from time.

"It is not pressure to be level on points with Manchester United in January.

"We are disappointed with how we defended against that late free-kick, and disappointed with giving a free-kick away at that stage so close to our box. It could have been avoided."

Yossi Benayoun had needlessly conceded that free-kick for a foul on Victor Anichebe.

"I will have to look at that incident again, but we had talked about not conceding free-kicks in that sort of area because Everton's set-plays are good," Benitez added.

"But we are still level with United and we know we can play better.

"We will improve as we get more of our injured players back, we still believe we can challenge for the title."

Everton boss David Moyes believed that his side deserved their goal and the hard-earned point.

It extended Everton's unbeaten run to seven games and Moyes said: "We showed what we have been doing now for a few weeks. We played with confidence and a draw was certainly a fair result.

"Maybe we could have had a penalty just before they scored, that was disappointing.

"We were still appealing for the penalty when Liverpool broke away and we allowed Steven Gerrard to walk into midfield and score.

"We turned off at that moment. We lost our concentration after not getting the penalty, and Liverpool took advantage."

Moyes refused to condemn referee Howard Webb for the decision not to award a spot-kick for Martin Skrtel's push on Anichebe.

Moyes said: "The referee had a very good game. There was a couple of penalty shouts at each end he didn't give them. I am more concerned with how we turned off at the moment we were denied a possible penalty rather than with the referee's decision."

But Moyes hailed his players for their spirited performance.

"Liverpool have been buying players to win titles, we are not in that league," he said.

"But we have showed the stability there is at our club, and how far we have come in the last few years.

"We were able to give Liverpool a really good game on their own pitch and we deserved the point, we earned it."

Evertonian Breaks Habit Of A Lifetime To Wear Red

No matter how well Benitez’s team play in last night’s Merseyside derby, one red-shirted fan won’t be cheering for Liverpool FC.

Lifelong Evertonian Ray Parr will break a habit of a lifetime by wearing a red Liverpool shirt at the match after he was auctioned for charity.

Mr. Parr, who runs a property development company in Kensington, agreed to the forfeit after friends pledged £2,000 for the Prince’s Trust.

The 63-year-old has been involved in fundraising for children’s charity Variety Club for 25 years and hosts Formby Hall Golf Club’s annual auction in aid of the Prince’s Trust.

He said after taking £12,000 in bids for items, his friend Gary Williams called him back to the stage and announced he would be auctioning Mr. Parr off in an extra lot.

Mr. Parr, who lives in Formby, said: “He knows I’m absolutely 1,000% Blue and I go once a year to Anfield for the derby.

“He said ‘come as my guest but you’ve got to wear the red shirt’. I said I’ll give you £1,000 not to.

“But then the bidding went around the room. I appreciate how hard it is to raise money for charity and, if someone wants to give £2,000 to the Prince’s Trust, I’ll do it.

“The work they do is fantastic – they help people set up businesses and it’s a good charity.”

After the bidding rose to £1,800, Mr Williams said he would round it up to £2,000 and buy Mr Parr for the event.

The pair will both watch the match tonight in Anfield’s famed trophy room.

Mr. Parr, who started supporting Everton, aged 10, said he is well-known among former players as a high-profile Evertonian.

He hosts them and other guests in a converted terraced house on Goodison Road on match days.

Known as the Strikers’ Suite, the downstairs of the property has been turned into a club house where 20 members meet for pre-match meals and post-match drinks.

The decor pays homage to Goodison heroes past and present and has been featured on Sky Sports and Setanta.

He added: “This is the very first time I’ve had something red next to my body.

“I will get slaughtered for this. Even Howard Kendall has had a chuckle.”

But, despite his apparent shift in loyalty, the father-of-two remains upbeat about the Blues’ chances of holding Liverpool, who are under pressure in the title race, to a score draw tonight.

He added: “Everton have a great away record and Liverpool have a poor home record. I think we will get a draw there.

“There’s a few little problems [at Liverpool].

“Steven Gerrard’s under pressure, as is Benitez, who’s not signed his contract.”

Pennant's Portsmouth Move Will Be A Loan From Liverpool

It was reported last week that Liverpool and Portsmouth had agreed a fee for winger Jermaine Pennant to make his move form Merseyside to Hampshire.

The 26-year-old is out of contract at Anfield at the end of the season, and Liverpool had invited offers for the player, resulting in interest from a clutch of clubs including Real Madrid, Sevilla, Wigan Athletic and Hull City.

It seemed that the player was definitely set to join Pompey manager Tony Adams down at Fratton Park, but now Setanta Sports are reporting that, should the deal actually go ahead, it is likely to be a loan move until the end of the season.

Questions seem to have been raised about Pennant's likely level of commitment to Pompey's cause and Adams has made it clear recently that he does not want passengers in his squad.

"I think the deal has been done with Liverpool and I'm going to speak to Jermaine at some stage and see how he feels about coming to Portsmouth," said Adams last week.

"If he doesn't want to, I won't take him on board. There are many players working hard, scrapping and holding it together."

The size of Pompey's reported bid is rumoured to have been around £3 million, but despite that being accepted, it now seems as though the player would really rather stay at Anfield.

Benitez Milking His Position As He Tries To Be The New Mourinho

He may not have the charisma, the style or the language skills, but when it comes to picking a fight, Rafael Benitez is looking more and more like the new Jose Mourinho.

The Liverpool manager is bringing to Anfield the 'creative tension' Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon once claimed was no bad thing at his club as internal battles threatened to tear them apart.

Benitez, having finally made Liverpool serious title contenders in the Premier League, knows he is in as strong a bargaining position as he will ever be at the club and is milking it for all it is worth.

After forcing owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett to agree to his salary demands on a new contract, Benitez is now insisting on control over transfers too, and taking pot-shots at those in charge.

Not only does he think he is a master manager, he also seems to believe he is a crack negotiator too.

The Spaniard is rapidly revealing himself as a kind of megalomaniac who likes nothing more than to confront anyone standing in his way. Remind you of anyone?

Wading deeply into hostilities with Sir Alex Ferguson clearly is not enough for Benitez, but at the rate he is going, something is bound to go against him.

With Liverpool facing Everton twice in a week and Steven Gerrard due in court in between, it could come sooner rather than later.

Adams Tells Pennant He Must Prove He Wants To Join Portsmouth

Portsmouth manager Tony Adams has told Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant to prove he wants to join the south coast club or the move is off.

The clubs have agreed a fee, believed to be around £2million for a player who is out of contract in the summer, but Adams is worried about Pennant's attitude towards a possible switch.

Adams will told talks with executive chairman Peter Storrie and said: "I need to find out what's happening. It's been said he doesn't want to come but I'm not convinced that is the case.

"The deal has been agreed with Liverpool and I need to speak with Jermaine and see how he feels about coming to Portsmouth.

"If he doesn't want to, then it's the same as Jermain Defoe or anybody who wants to leave the club.

"I only need players who are working hard and are all in it together. People have to want to come and play."

Liverpool would be prepared to let Pennant go out on loan and sell him in the summer if he signs a one-year extension to his contract, which would enable them to demand a fee.

Pennant, who has also attracted interest from Real Madrid, AC Milan and Wigan, may be set on running down his contract and moving on a Bosman free transfer in the summer, with a switch across Stanley Park to Everton a possibility.

Picky Pennant Is Moving Closer To Pompey Deal After Accepting His Time Is Up At Liverpool

Jermaine Pennant is due to hold further talks with Portsmouth today in a bid to resurrect a £2million move to the south coast.

Pennant had initially rejected overtures from Portsmouth manager Tony Adams but he has since been told by Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez that he does not figure in his plans and he will be unlikely to play again this season.

Pennant, who is out of contract in the summer, has had offers from Real Madrid, AC Milan, Hull, Stoke and Wigan but so far failed to agree a deal.

He wants to keep his options open in the summer and Portsmouth's proposal would still allow him to do that while playing in the Premier League. The 26-year-old is then likely to take stock of the offers on the table as a free agent.

Adams, who is also interested in Switzerland midfielder Tranquillo Barnetta, said: 'If Jermaine does not want to come, I will not take him on board. People have to come and want to play.'

Bayer Leverkusen star Barnetta, 23, who has also attracted interest from West Ham, was part of Switzerland's 2006 World Cup squad and scored in their group win over Togo.

Match Preview: Liverpool vs. Everton

Liverpool and Everton will clash Monday night in the first of two mouth-watering, back-to-back Merseyside derbies. Both have plenty to play for, and the hosts have a point to prove as well.

Even though the Reds sit top of the Premier League after 21 games, pundits across the country continue to question whether they have what it takes to keep Manchester United and Chelsea at bay until the middle of May.

Last weekend’s draw against Stoke City only offered the doubters more evidence to back up their argument. It was the second time this season that Rafa Benitez’s men had failed to score against the pre-season relegation favourites, as they endured a similarly frustrating stalemate when the Potters visited Anfield in September.

But that result four months ago kicked Liverpool into gear, sending them on a run of seven wins in their next eight league games – a streak that began with an impressive 2-0 win at Goodison Park. They will hope history repeats itself, but they are up against a much more confident side this time around.

Everton endured a difficult start to the season, as defensive issues – such as conceding 20 goals in their first 10 outings – saw them languish near the foot of the table. Just past the halfway point, however, they have clawed their way up to sixth place in the standings, with out-of-sorts Arsenal just three points above them in fifth.

So complete has been the Toffees’ turnaround that they skip across Stanley Park as the form side, having won five of their last six games in all competitions. Impressively, some key players have been unavailable in that time – midget midfielder Tim Cahill has been forced to deputise as a centre-forward, such is the length of the club’s injury list.

But David Moyes’ men are fighters by nature, and that hasn’t changed even though the squad’s technical level has improved in recent years. They will face their local rivals knowing that they are fully capable of claiming all three points, and the fact such a result could knock Liverpool off the top – pending the result of Manchester United’s clash with Bolton Wanderers – will only spur them on.


FORM GUIDE

Liverpool

Jan 10 Stoke City 0-0 Liverpool
Jan 03 Preston North End 0-2 Liverpool
Dec 28 Newcastle United 1-5 Liverpool
Dec 26 Liverpool 3-0 Bolton Wanderers
Dec 21 Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool

Everton

Jan 10 Everton 2-0 Hull City
Jan 03 Macclesfield Town 0-1 Everton
Dec 28 Everton 3-0 Sunderland
Dec 26 Middlesbrough 0-1 Everton
Dec 22 Everton 0-0 Chelsea


TEAM NEWS

Liverpool

The Reds have received a huge boost with the news that in-form playmaker Xabi Alonso will be available, after missing the Stoke draw with a foot injury picked up at Preston. Alvaro Arbeloa is also expected to return to the starting XI after recovering from a strained hamstring, while Daniel Agger has shrugged off a calf problem.

Meanwhile, Fernando Torres – another hamstring victim – is a chance to make his first start since November. The 24-year-old striker featured as a substitute in Liverpool’s last two outings and could reclaim the centre-forward slot from Dirk Kuyt, who would likely line up on the right.

Emiliano Insua is away with the Argentina Under-20s at the South American Youth Championships, so Fabio Aurelio will get another chance to stake a claim at left-back.

Possible XI: Reina – Arbeloa, Skrtel, Carragher, Aurelio – Alonso, Mascherano – Kuyt, Gerrard, Riera – Torres

Everton

The Blues will have to make do without Belgian midfielder Marouane Fellaini, who is suspended after picking up his 10th yellow card of the season last weekend.

The news is little better on the injury front, especially in the striking department. Yakubu is out for the season with a ruptured Achilles, while fellow forwards Louis Saha (hamstring) and James Vaughan (knee) are also sidelined.

Matters are almost as bad at the back, as Joseph Yobo (hamstring), Nuno Valente (knee) and Lars Jacobsen (shoulder) are all expected to miss out.

Possible XI: Howard – Hibbert, Jagielka, Lescott, Baines – Osman, Neville, Rodwell, Pienaar – Arteta – Cahill


PLAYERS TO WATCH

Liverpool

Fernando Torres did the damage when the two teams met at Goodison earlier in the season, scoring both goals in a 2-0 victory for the visitors. The Reds have sorely missed ‘El Nino’ at times, and if he starts on Monday he will be expected to find the net – he already has three goals from two Merseyside derby appearances, after all.

Everton

Continuing the Spanish theme, Mikel Arteta has been in excellent form for the Toffees. The Basque star has taken up a more classical playmaking role in recent weeks and has flourished, finding both his team-mates and the net with alarming regularity. Should give Javier Mascherano a proper work-out.

Rafa Benitez: My Contract Dispute Will HELP Liverpool Beat Everton

Rafa Benitez has insisted Liverpool’s derby preparations have been helped by his contract dispute.

The Anfield boss has been accused of sabotaging his side’s title chances by making public his dispute over a new deal.

The Spanish coach has been in belligerent mood in the past week, first taking on Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United with a stinging attack, then rejecting a new contract and turning his sights on his own board.

Benitez has thrown the club into turmoil by offering what amounts to a ‘back me or sack me’ ultimatum, but he argued that this will not undermine his side’s chances in tonight’s clash with Everton.

"I am 100% sure that the players are focused on games and on football. They are concentrating on their training sessions, nothing else, and that is how it should be,” he said.

"When I talk to them, they understand the position clearly and they understand what it will take to stay at the top of the table.

"What I have said and how we play are two different things, but I think what I have said will help us for the rest of the season for different reasons.”

The manager’s controversial outbursts over the last week have already been seen by many to have come at a price.

When he made his attack on Manchester United, his side were seven points clear of the Old Trafford club, but they go into tonight’s showdown now trailing the Champions.

Even more disturbing is the way that he has brought his contract fight into the open, and there are fears that such instability will have a catastrophic affect on their title challenge.

But Benitez is unmoved by such claims, and he insisted yesterday that he is easing the strain on his players by diverting the spotlight onto himself.

"I think that it will take some of the pressure off the players. I am only thinking about the best for my team and especially now, because we are title contenders,” he said.

"I was really pleased, for example, to see the TV cameras following Mr Ferguson and the referees at Old Trafford last week.

"But there are facts and there are results. They are two different things. When you win, you are right. When you don't win, you are not right.

"That is what people will say, but that is a very simple analysis and I would hope that people are cleverer than that. Facts are one thing, results are another.

"No-one was expecting us to be in this position in January, so if we can stay close to the top it means that in May we will have options to win the title."

Benitez has also claimed that he only chose to go public on his decision to reject the contract offer in order to put an end to persistent speculation about the process.

He believes that the constant talk was actually a distraction from Liverpool's title charge, and he added: "I don't know how difficult it will be to resolve. I only know I decided to finish the speculation because I think it is in the best interests of my club.

"It shouldn't be difficult to resolve though. I am only talking about working within a budget, not controlling everything.

"I wanted to finish with the speculation. There is no sense in talking about the contract from now until the end of the season."

Liverpool will have almost a full squad to choose from for the first time this season as they go into the derby match, and Benitez is likely to restore Fernando Torres and Xabi Alonso to the starting line up.

Juventus Chase Liverpool Duo To Replace Nedved

Czech Fury could again postpone his retirement at the end of the season, but the Old Lady will not take any risks and are reportedly tracking Kuyt and Babel.

Pavel Nedved was expected to hang up his boots next June, but his agent Mino Raiola revealed earlier this week that the 36-year-old could still change his mind and further extend his career.

However, the Corso Galileo Ferraris executives are already scouring the transfer market to find the right man who will be able to fill Nedved’s boots for the long-term at the Stadio Olimpico and La Gazzetta dello Sport claims this morning that director of sport Alessio Secco has already drawn up a shortlist.

Liverpool forwards Dirk Kuyt and Ryan Babel, capable of playing as wingers or strikers, seem to fit the bill. Kuyt is expected to command a fee of at least €12 million, but Juve consider him one of their primary targets.

The other ready-made option for the Bianconeri could be his competriot Babel, whose price would also well exceed the €10m mark.

United Going Top Of No Concern To Benitez

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is not worried that Manchester United have taken his team's top spot in the Premier League and maintains their title bid is still on track.

United's 1-0 victory over Bolton lifted them a point clear of Liverpool, who play Merseyside rivals Everton at Anfield on Monday.

Benitez's rant at United boss Sir Alex Ferguson and the row over his contract extension have raised questions over whether the Reds can handle the pressure of a title challenge.

However, the Liverpool boss insists their approach has not altered and they are unconcerned by the rise of United.

"The situation does not change, no matter what they do,'' said the Spaniard. "We have to get three points in every single game and especially in the derby.

"I think it is important to understand when people talk about the title and your position in the table that I didn't expect in August to win the title in January.

"No-one can expect this. If you keep calm and analyse the situation you will know if you want to win the title it has to be maybe in May and to have Chelsea, Arsenal, now Aston Villa, and United in the title race is normal.

"We will try to stay there and if we cannot be [top] one week then the next week we have to think about getting three points and getting ahead again.

"I have a lot of confidence in my team.''

Benitez insists the club being in contention - having not won the championship since 1990 - has given his players an extra lift as the matches begin to get more important.

They have also been boosted by the return to fitness of a number of key players and a sustained title bid remains on track.

"There is a little bit of anxiety because we in a fantastic position but we have to be calm and take one game at a time,'' he added.

"The position is very good and in May, if we are in this position, then we can be thinking it could be the year but now we have to analyse each game and try to improve.

"We have Fernando Torres, Martin Skrtel, Alvaro Arbeloa and Fabio Aurelio coming back so we are in a fantastic position and we hope to be there for a long time.''

If Liverpool are to regain top spot they face the not inconsiderable task of beating near-neighbours Everton.

David Moyes' injury-hit side have won four of their last five league matches - drawing with Chelsea - and have five successive clean sheets.

"Everton are in form and playing well, not conceding goals, so it will be important for us to play well against them and beat them,'' said Benitez, who shrugged off claims his contract wrangle would affect preparations.

"It is very difficult because they are defending well but I want to show our fans that we are really concentrated.

"The derby is very important so we can talk about football easily.''

Torres is expected to start following two substitute appearances after recovering from a hamstring injury while Xabi Alonso (foot) and Arbeloa (hamstring) are also fit again.

Moyes Hopes To End Mersey Jinx

Everton manager David Moyes is relishing the prospect of Monday night's Merseyside derby as he seeks a first win at Anfield.

The Scot cannot wait to face Liverpool and attempt to put to bed a poor record against his team's local rivals.

While Moyes has carved out a reputation as being one of the game's brightest coaches, he has not achieved a victory at Anfield since taking charge in March 2002.

Yet he will make the short trip with plenty of confidence, given that his side are in a rich vein of form and have chalked up six successive clean sheets.

He said: "I was involved in derbies with Rangers when I was a player at Celtic, so I know exactly what they mean.

"The Merseyside derbies are very similar to the ones in Glasgow with the tension around the games. You can never tell sometimes how they will go.

"The difference with the one in Scotland when I was a player was that the games were much tighter because the clubs were in similar positions in the league.

"They were also challenging to be one or two and the financial situations of the clubs were also much closer together.

"That is slightly different down here. Nevertheless it is a great derby and I am looking forward to being involved in another one."

Everton go into the match on the back of a 2-0 victory against Hull in which Mikel Arteta scored his fifth goal of the season.

The Spaniard is back to his best after an operation in the summer to correct a stomach injury and will play a key role against Liverpool with the clubs also due to meet in the FA Cup on Sunday.

Arteta said: "It will be strange playing them twice in seven days. It is a difficult task for us.

"But we will prepare for the games well and make it as hard for them as we can.

"I have talked to my friend Xabi (Alonso) about the games but he knows, as do all the Liverpool players, it will be tough."

Defender Joseph Yobo could come into contention after missing the last four matches because of a hamstring injury.

Midfielder Marouane Fellaini is ruled out through suspension after amassing 10 bookings for the season.

Focus On Football, Urges Benitez

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has told his players they must put everything which has happened in the last week behind them and focus on Monday night's Merseyside derby at home to Everton.

In the last nine days the Reds have been held to a goalless draw at Stoke, had to read about their manager rejecting a contract extension and watch Manchester United overtake them as Barclays Premier League leaders.

Victory over Everton would put the Anfield club back on top and Benitez believes that is the only thing the players should be concentrating on.

"We know we didn't play well (against Stoke)," said the Liverpool boss.

"It is a difficult stadium. You had to give credit to Stoke. They had won 21 points, 18 at home where they beat Arsenal and Aston Villa.

"But now we have to think about the derby, Anfield and a totally different scenario.

"The defenders, midfielders, strikers, the staff, we were not good enough.

"The team had to improve. If you want to win these kind of games you have to improve."

Benitez went public with his contract rejection on Friday.

The stumbling block appears to be his desire to have full control over transfers, including spending, wages and terms and conditions.

However, he does not believe the wrangle has overshadowed Monday night's match.

"It is not affecting preparations for the game," stressed the Spaniard, who last week had a third, and hopefully final, kidney stones operation.

"I want to be focused on the game because we know that is the most important thing.

"Playing against Everton is something different. The atmosphere in the stadium is really good.

"Every single year you can understand the rivalry more and what it means for everyone here so it is a game you want to win.

"Hopefully we will win and it will be a fantastic game and normally that means more confidence for the team."

Sixth-placed Everton have won four of their last five league matches, dropping points in a goalless draw at home to Chelsea.

They have not conceded a goal since Aston Villa put three past them on December 7.

"I think they have had some clean sheets and scored some good goals so they have confidence," said Benitez.

"But we have confidence too and quality and the (home) fans will be a massive difference."

Midfielder Xabi Alonso is set to return after missing the Stoke match with a foot injury while right-back Alvaro Arbeloa is in contention after missing four matches with a hamstring injury.

Compatriot Fernando Torres is in line for a place in the starting line-up after two substitute appearances following recovery from a similar problem.

Rafael Benitez Stands At Crossroads In Liverpool Power Struggle

More than any other who has passed through the boot room since 1974, Rafael Benitez walks in the shoes of Shanks.

Like the son of Ayrshire, the Spaniard's connection with the Liverpool fans is almost messianic.

Their unconditional love of the coach who delivered a fifth European Cup and, until Saturday evening, had positioned Liverpool at the summit of the Premier League is the basis of his strength at the club and allows him to fire bullets in any direction he chooses.

This team are the most convincing built at Anfield in his 4½-year reign and represents the best opportunity yet to end a championship famine that stretches back to 1990. Liverpool's emergence as genuine championship contenders coincides with a critical juncture in the Anfield power struggle.

Benitez is warring on two fronts. Unless hiskidney stones have passed into his brain, we must conclude that the fights he has picked most recently with Sir Alex Ferguson and subsequently with Rick Parry are strategic. The two men are intrinsically linked in the thinking of Benitez. In order to suppress the former he must subordinate the latter. Only one man can run Anfield is his premise, and that man is not chief executive Parry.

If Benitez pulls off the double coup the Shankly Gates will become part of a pair at any new stadium. Failure could see him on his way. The threads of this sporting and political drama have converged on a week of weeks for Merseyside. Liverpool host Everton in the Premiership on Monnight and the FA Cup at the weekend; two matches that threaten to wrench football's gaze temporarily from Manchester City's transfer policy and the Luis Felipe Scolari opera playing out at Chelsea.

The Premier League table tells us that the gamble Benitez took with Ferguson has not paid off. The talk has shifted to the importance of being top in May rather than January, which represents a shift in tone. Benitez was proud to tout Liverpool's standing over the festive period. If we are top at Christmas we are 80 per cent there was his boast.

Parry may prove less implacable than Ferguson. The memory of Liverpool's flirtation with Jurgen Klinsmann is all the fuel Benitez needs to up the ante with the club's American owners. Were Benitez to get what he wants – control of the transfer budget – Parry's role is emptied of importance at a stroke. His would be the signature on the cheque but that is not power. Influence in the decision-making is.

Whether it is desirable to invest absolute control in the hands of Benitez is something that will be exercising the minds of Tom Hicks and George Gillett before the proposed meeting with Benitez after the derby double. And the players. Many in the Liverpool squad have found it difficult to comprehend the manager's rational and judgment. One day in favour, out the next.

It took Steven Gerrard more time than he would have liked to convince Benitez that he was more than a right-sided midfielder. Xabi Alonso was almost the makeweight in a deal that would have brought Gareth Barry to the club. His performances at the hub of the Liverpool midfield since his return from injury make a nonsense of that equation. And the purchase of Andrea Dossena for £8 million hardly makes the case for Benitez to have blanket control of the company purse.

Benitez clearly has something. Like Ferguson at Aberdeen, Benitez took a regional force in Spain, Valencia, and shattered the duopoly of Real Madrid and Barcelona. When the good times roll, idiosyncrasies are seen as strengths. When the balance shifts those same characteristics are viewed as eccentricities, unreliable elements not to be trusted.

The arrival in pole position of United adds a twist Benitez could have done without. Ten days ago, when Benitez rolled out his charge sheet against Ferguson, United were eight points behind, albeit with three games in hand. That unsolicited leap from left field is looking none too bright now.

Silence would have served Benitez well enough after Ferguson's predictable observation about Liverpool's capacity or otherwise to handle the pressure of a championship run-in with a team packed with title virgins. Were he not sufficiently discomfited by Liverpool's position and consistency this season, Ferguson would not have bothered poking Benitez with his stick. He doesn't have much to say about Portsmouth, West Ham or Sunderland. It was therefore a compliment, not a slight.

Monday's game is the one Liverpool can least afford to lose. Everton are unbeaten since falling to a last-minute goal against Aston Villa in the first week of December, a run that includes four consecutive wins. Liverpool, unbeaten in 10, remain favourites, which at a crossroads such as this with the need for points paramount, only adds to the burden.

Benitez must handle expectation as well as hope. David Moyes enters Anfield under the radar. Few expect him to reverse a trend that has seen Everton win only two of the last 18 derbies. Signs mean something in this town. Anything other than victory will be seen as a bad omen in the red half.

Benitez Blasts Liverpool's American Owners Over Ongoing Agger Contract Saga

Rafa Benitez has risked angering Liverpool’s American owners again by accusing them of dragging their heels over defender Daniel Agger’s Anfield future.

Ahead of Monday’s Merseyside derby, Benitez — already at odds with Tom Hicks and George Gillett over his own contract — hit out over the growing threat of losing Agger to AC Milan by insisting: ‘The club have been too slow dealing with this and the player does not know where he stands.’

Agger’s agent Per Steffensen tried to play down the significance of meeting Milan sporting director Ariedo Braida in a city centre restaurant last week but admitted there had been no contact from Liverpool since the beginning of November.

The Denmark defender’s current deal runs out at the end of next season, and a summer move to the San Siro looks increasingly likely after Benitez poured out his frustration over the deadlock.

‘The club have been slow dealing with Agger,’ he said.

‘His situation is in the papers all the time now because we were not quick enough.

'I was talking with him and his agent, and it is clear that is the case.

‘Daniel told me he wants to stay, and there is no doubt he is 100 percent committed to the club. But they are waiting and waiting and do not know what is going on.’

Steffensen’s unauthorised meeting with Milan’s chief transfer negotiator caused dismay within Anfield, but he denied trying to set up a deal for Agger and dismissed reports that the 24-year old wants £70,000 a week to sign a new contract.

‘I am a proper agent and would not talk to another club when Daniel still has 18 months on his contract at Liverpool,’ he said.

‘I was in Milan to try and build up a relationship with people there.

‘It is not all about money with Daniel. I have had only one meeting with Liverpool, when they played Atletico Madrid at the start of November, and heard nothing from them since.

'It is very unfair on Daniel that there has been talk of £70,000 a week, because that isn’t the case.’

Benitez admitted his decision to walk away from his own contract negotiations could impact on other players.

There were no regrets, though, about taking such a stance or about his outburst against Manchester United earlier.

‘It is true we could face a similar situation with other players, not just Agger,’ he said.

‘I wanted to finish with my contract in one week, so I could deal with other things, but it has not been possible.

‘There was a problem with it, and I decided to stop the talks for the sake of the club and the team, so we could all concentrate on challenging for the title without any distractions.

‘I really don’t know whether it will prove difficult to resolve or not.

'For me, it should be easy, because I am not talking about controlling everything.

'I am talking about football matters, working within a budget and making sure we continue to progress. That is all.’

Benitez, who wants complete control over transfers, said: ‘Once a budget is set, there is only one person who can decide how it should be spent, and that is the manager.

‘I don’t have any personal problems with Rick Parry. If I have one chief executive or 20, it doesn’t matter.

'I will work with them. But it couldn’t be any clearer that the manager has to decide how money is spent on players.

‘I want to stay here many more years, if possible, but the talks had been going on for two months.

'I wanted it all tied up inside a week, ideally, so when we could not progress any further, I finished the conversation.

'It was in everyone’s best interests, better than carrying on with questions and speculation week after week.

‘It is the same with what I said about Mr. Ferguson. I was thinking about what is best for my club and my team, and a lot of people have agreed with me.

'You cannot wait until May, because it is too late then to find a solution.

‘Things needed saying now, and I think what I said is going to help us for the rest of the season.

'It will take some of the pressure off my players, for one thing, and also make people think about the things Mr. Ferguson gets up to.

‘When United played, a couple of days later, I was really pleased to see the television cameras were following him and the referee throughout.

Adams Still Keen On Pennant

Portsmouth boss Tony Adams remains optimistic that his pursuit of Jermaine Pennant will prove successful.

Pompey are keen to bolster their ranks during the January transfer window and have earmarked the Liverpool winger as a potential new recruit.

The South Coast club have already agreed terms with their Premier League rivals in regards to a deal, but the player has stated a desire to stay at Anfield.

Adams, though, has revealed that he is set to hold talks with a man that has also been linked with high-profile moves to AC Milan and Real Madrid.

The Portsmouth chief does, however, admit that he will not continue to track the 26-year-old should he not get full commitment from the former Birmingham man.

"If he doesn't want to then it is the same situation as Jermain Defoe - I won't take him on board if he doesn't want it," said Adams.

"I need players working hard and scrapping and in it together."

Rafa Benitez In Fresh Warning Over Liverpool Transfer Policy

Rafa Benitez last night insisted he isn't a control freak - but reiterated that he wants full authority on transfer policy.

The Kop boss turned down a contract extension that would have kept him at Anfield for a further five years and was worth £20m as the boardroom split that has torn Liverpool apart over the last two years widened further.

Owner Tom Hicks is prepared to back the Spaniard, but he faces opposition from partner George Gillett and chief executive Rick Parry in a row that threatens to wreck Liverpool's title challenge.

Benitez, who has just 18 months left on his current deal, feels he should be allowed full control to spend his transfer budget on players he has identified.

His anger stems from Parry's failure to secure Aston Villa's £18m-rated Gareth Barry before agreeing to spend the club's £20m summer budget on Robbie Keane.

Then Xabi Alonso's proposed move to Juventus collapsed over the Italian club's refusal to pay more than £12m - leaving Liverpool with insufficient funds to buy Barry.

Benitez said: "I don't want 100 per cent control of everything, but a manager should be given a transfer budget and left to decide how to spend it.

"If he is given £20m he should be able to decide whether he brings in four players for £5m each or spends £20m on one.

"Who knows these things best? The manager. Who knows the value of players? The manager.

"The manager has to decide. It doesn't matter whether you have one chief executive or 20. It must be only the manager who decides how the budget is spent.

"I have to manage the team, so I should decide these things."

Sami To Stay At Anfield

Sami Hyypia has been earmarked for an Anfield player-coach role at the end of the season.

His contract ends in July and he is a target for several Premier League clubs but Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez wants Hyypia to remain in his plans on and off the pitch.

Benitez sees the 35-year-old as the ideal role model to younger players.

Hyypia’s Euro limbo is also set to be ended with a recall to Liverpool’s 25-man Champions League squad — but Benitez will have to axe Philipp Degen or Andrea Dossena to make room.

Reina - Judge Us On Trophies

Liverpool goalkeeper Jose Reina insists that the club can only be judged by how much silverware they have claimed come the end of the season.

The Reds stuttered to a 0-0 draw at Stoke last weekend and will be forced into second place for the first time in more than a month if Manchester United can claim three points on Saturday.

As a result, many are predicting that Liverpool's early season form will peter out over the final months of the Premier League campaign, but Reina is adamant that no judgments should be made until May.

"The end of the season is the best time to analyse the players and the team. Then we will have the trophies on our side - or they will be on the other side," the Spaniard told The Daily Express.

"It is important to win a trophy this season. If it can be the league then that would be unbelievable."

However, standing in the immediate way for Reina's side are consecutive Merseyside derbies that could well prove vital to Liverpool's hopes of silverware.

"These games against Everton are like two finals. In the one we fight for the cup, but the league game is a final too," added the keeper.

"We have to win. We cannot drop any more points at home. That will be difficult, but that has to be or target."

Though one man determined to undo The Reds' title hopes will be Reina's old friend Mikel Arteta, who has proved to be Everton's star player so far this season.

The two players used to bunk together as youngsters at Barcelona's academy, but, despite a close friendship, the Liverpool stopper expects that there will be no love lost when they meet on the pitch.

"He knows, and I know, that if he has to punish me with a free-kick or penalty he will do it. If I can save it I will," Reina added.

"Mikel looks out for his team and I will do the same. For 90 minutes we will not be friends."

Meanwhile, the Reds have offered Swedish midfielder Alexander Kacaniklic his first professional contract after impressing in the Liverpool under-18 team.

Kacaniklic was brought into the Reds Academy in the summer of 2007 from Helsingborg and has now signed a deal with the league leaders which runs until June 2010.