We’ve Got To Kill Off Games, Warns Liverpool FC Striker Dirk Kuyt

It was a moment that encapsulated the shortcoming that is threatening Liverpool’s hopes of silverware this season.

Beating away at the Everton door for almost the entire second half, Rafael Benitez’s side, having found an equaliser through Steven Gerrard, could sense a winner.

Then the moment arrived, the visiting defence for once out of position as Gerrard fed the ball into the path of the unmarked Dirk Kuyt with only Tim Howard to beat.

He missed. And that has been a recurring theme for Liverpool of late, a failure to capitalise when the opportunity has arisen to either kill off a game or open up a gap at the top of the Premier League table.

Now the Anfield side find themselves having to wedge yet another Merseyside derby into an already demanding fixture schedule.

Indeed, having led the table during the Christmas period, successive league draws mean Liverpool will be playing catch-up on champions Manchester United when they travel to Wigan Athletic this evening.

Kuyt, of course, hasn’t been alone with his wayward finishing. And the Dutchman acknowledges Liverpool cannot afford to waste many more presentable opportunities if they are to end a 19-year championship drought.

“We know we have the ability to win every game, but sometimes you are unlucky,” he says. “Against Everton on Sunday we had two good chances late on to kill the game off, one of them fell to me and one came to Fernando.

“Sometimes it happens like this. Last Monday we conceded a goal in the closing minutes, and a few months before we were scoring goals in the last minutes. That’s football. We just have to keep on going. Maybe we need a lucky break, in recent games we have been unlucky and maybe we could be lucky in our next one.

“We’re still in the FA Cup, we’re still up at the top of the league and we’re still in the Champions League, so we have got to remain positive. We’re doing really well this season.

“But yes, we know that the failure to kill off teams is going to have to be addressed if we want to stay in contention for the title.”

Kuyt - No Confidence Crisis

Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt insists confidence remains high in the squad despite three successive draws.

Sunday's FA Cup fourth-round tie with Everton ended all square, while the Reds have taken just two points from their last two Premier League matches allowing Manchester United to take over at the top of the table.

After scoring eight goals in two matches against Bolton and Newcastle after Christmas, Rafa Benitez's side have found the net just twice in three matches against Premier League opposition.

Both goals came from Steven Gerrard, and the rest of the squad are struggling to supplement their captain's efforts, with striker Fernando Torres still working his way back to full fitness after hamstring trouble.

However, Kuyt believes the situation is not as bad as some critics are making out.

"Confidence is okay. We know we have the ability to win every game but sometimes you are unlucky," said the Holland international.

"This is football. We just have to keep going and look forward.

"We dropped points that we didn't want to do - because if you are Liverpool you want to win every game - but there is no time to stand still and think about things.

"We showed against Everton we were the better team but sometimes we have to kill the game and we know we can.

"I'm sure it will come, it came before. Sometimes you are unlucky and the next time you will be lucky.

"We are still in the FA Cup, we are still near the top of the league and we are still in the Champions League so we are doing very well and we have to stay positive."

Liverpool meet seventh-placed Wigan on Wednesday knowing they face an equally tough test as they did against their Merseyside rivals at the weekend.

The Latics have just sold striker Emile Heskey to Aston Villa, as well as losing key midfielder Wilson Palacios to Tottenham, and Kuyt believes they will miss their target man.

"Heskey is a great player, an England international, so it will be a big loss for them but they still have some good players," he added.

"I think every game is difficult. We just have to believe in our own strength and we do that so we go for three points there.

"They have some good players and the manager (Steve Bruce) has done a really good job since he has come and we have respect for them."

Man Jailed Over Handling Goods Stolen From LFC Star Lucas Leiva's Home

A man was jailed for two-and-a-half years today for handling a haul of goods stolen from Premiership footballer Lucas Leiva.

Raiders took more than 150 items from the 22-year-old’s home in Woolton, Merseyside, while he was playing for Liverpool at Anfield on November 4 last year.

The haul included football shirts from his debut, a bronze Olympic medal and boots embossed with his name, along with computers, electrical equipment and a collection of jewellery and handbags belonging to Leiva’s girlfriend.

Unemployed Steven Jones, 21, was jailed at Liverpool Crown Court today after admitting his part in the burglary.

Jones, who has extensive form for offences of dishonesty, admitted handling stolen goods and driving while disqualified.

Geoff Fryar, prosecuting, said: "The complainant in this case is the Liverpool footballer Lucas Leiva.

"His premises were burgled while he, his partner and friends were away from the property.

"The complainant was playing at Anfield and his partner was watching him.

"His partner returned home first and found the premises had been burgled.

"A ladder was used to get into the house through the bathroom.

"An untidy search was made and a large quantity of property was stolen.

"In excess of 150 sports items and valuable pieces of jewellery and three computers were taken.

"A great deal of it was sporting memorabilia with great sentimental value, such as a bronze Olympic medal, and a variety of football shirts which were of particular value to the complainant because they commemorated his debut games for Liverpool."

Mr Fryar said police searched the two homes Jones shared with his grandparents in Deansburn Road, Tuebrook, and with his parents in Lowerson Crescent, Clubmoor.

In both properties and inside Jones’s Vauxhall Vectra were stashes of the Reds midfielder’s belongings.

Leiva, who has played for his native Brazil, and his girlfriend later identified their property at a police station.

Jones, who had previously served 16 months at a young offenders’ institution, told police he was simply minding the items for men he refused to name.

Jones refused to answer detectives' questions initially but later claimed his paymasters allowed him to keep a PlayStation from the raid and a pair of the star's boots.

His barrister, Vincent Dean, said of his client: "He admits he would be instrumental in trying to dispose of it.

"The defendant expresses regret to the victim of this offence and for the trauma it must have caused.

"He was fully aware from the nature of the property of the burglary but wasn’t involved in it."

But the judge, Brian Lewis, said he did not believe Jones was merely minding the stolen goods.

He told him: "You came into possession of the overwhelming bulk of the property taken from that house.

"In my view, you weren’t simply minding that property because the property was divided at three separate locations.

"I have to decide how close you were to the burglars and I come to the conclusion you were close to them.

"It is inevitable you knew where it had come from.

"You knew perfectly well a large amount of money could be made from selling the electrical and designer items.

"You have a bad record for offences involving dishonesty."

Jones was jailed for two years for handling stolen goods and six months for driving while disqualified, the sentences to run consecutively.

He was also banned from driving for two years.

In 2007, James Birch, 20, of Tuebrook, was jailed for two-and-a-half years for burgling the homes of ex-Liverpool goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek, defender Daniel Agger, England star Peter Crouch and former Reds striker Florent Sinama Pongolle.

The crimes were part of a series of raids on the homes of Liverpool and Everton FC aces during the last two years.

In December 2007 Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard’s mansion was broken into when he was away on Champions League duty but his wife, Alex Curran, was home.

And the homes of the club’s goalkeeper, Pepe Reina, and Holland forward Dirk Kuyt have also been targeted.

Itandje Desperate To Quit

Liverpool goalkeeper Charles Itandje is desperate to leave Anfield.

The Reds' No.1 has never played a Premier League game since joining from Lens in 2007.

He has played in a handful of cup games, but he clearly has little future at Anfield.

Itandje is hopeful of finding a move soon, but is not sure if he will be able to leave before the transfer window closes.

"Do I want to leave? That is very clear," he told Aujourd'hui Sport.

"I want to get away from here.

"I got the green light from my officials but they have set amazing conditions. One or two clubs wanted me on loan this winter, but Liverpool refused asking for a definitive transfer.

"I have not played for six months so it is difficult to understand.

"I have never played a single Premier League match. And this season I didn't play in the cups either. Last season I had two bad matches in the cup."

Itandje revealed that Middlesbrough tried to sign him last summer, but the deal was not agreed.

"Last summer Middlesbrough wanted to sign me on loan and a few French clubs contacted me, but Liverpool refused.

"The officials absolutely wanted me to go to Galatasaray. Finally both clubs could not find any agreement and the deal fell through. So I found myself here against my will, just to train."

Spurs Offer Lennon In Swap Deal For Keane

Rafael Benitez is weighing up an offer from Tottenham Hotspur of Aaron Lennon or Jermaine Jenas plus cash in exchange for his disaffected striker Robbie Keane. In what would be one of the most remarkable transfers in recent history, Harry Redknapp would be prepared to let one of his two young English players leave in return for bringing Keane back to Spurs.

There are still many variables at play, the most important being whether Keane, 28, wants to move back to the club that he left for a deal worth around £20.3m in the summer. The deal would mean that Liverpool would not have to pay the remaining balance, estimated at £11m, due for Keane in the original transfer. The two clubs first raised the possibility on Monday night.

Keane is in the Liverpool squad for tonight's Premier League game against Wigan Athletic, although Benitez was evasive yesterday when asked whether he believed the Irishman had a future at Anfield. Keane is known to want to stay and fight for his place at the club but increasingly it would appear that Benitez is prepared to use him as a bargaining chip to bolster his squad as the title race warms up.

Redknapp has met with the Lyons striker Fred – short for Frederico Chaves Guedes – but the Brazilian, who is out of contract in the summer, is still only a secondary target after Keane. The 25-year-old has a decent goalscoring record but Keane would be Redknapp's first choice. The deal for Keane would be complicated even if the two clubs can agree on terms. It would rely upon Keane and either Lennon or Jenas being prepared to make the move.

Should Keane have wanted clarification on his future from Benitez, he will have been interested to know that the Liverpool manager was given five opportunities to dismiss any doubt over the striker's future yesterday but opted to leave the issue open-ended.

"Clearly he is our player and in the squad for tonight, and that's it," was all Benitez would say. When asked whether he wanted to sell him in this transfer window, Benitez said: "I want to see him scoring goals. I don't need to sell any players. We are in the title race, I want to keep all the players. We don't need to sell anyone."

That contrasted with Benitez's response when Manchester City's new owners' former figurehead, Sulaiman Al-Fahim, listed Fernando Torres among those players Sheikh Mansour al-Nahyan coveted, back in September. Benitez said yesterday: "We have had four or five approaches from different teams for players and the answer's been the same for them all – no. We want all our players. We don't want to sell. Robbie could be one of the ones we had an approach about, I won't say."

Lennon and Jenas had both been acquired by Tottenham on the basis that they fitted the club's former policy of buying young English talent. Lennon was bought from Leeds United by Frank Arnesen when he was the club's director of football for the budget price of £1m. The winger has interested Benitez before and he would be an appealing alternative to Dirk Kuyt and Yossi Benayoun on the right wing. Jenas is currently injured.

Keane was stunned to be told that David Ngog, the young French striker who is yet to start a league game, would replace him in the squad for Sunday's FA Cup derby with Everton. But Benitez insisted that he did not see fit to explain his thinking to Keane, one-to-one, at Liverpool's Melwood training ground. "I talk to all the players," Benitez said. "When you sign a player, the price doesn't matter. The main thing is just that they work hard like the rest. It was clear we had Ryan Babel, Dirk Kuyt, Fernando Torres, Gerrard playing as a second striker and also David Ngog, so we had lots of options if we needed to change.

"He [Keane] knows he can play better. Everyone knows he's better than the one we are watching on the pitch sometimes," the Liverpool manager said. "When you sign them you have to give them time. Some take longer than others. Some just need a month, others a year."

Benitez Issues Challenge To Keane

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has urged Robbie Keane to work hard and become an important player for the club.

The striker was left out of the squad that drew with Everton on Sunday, sparking speculation over his future, but is set to face Wigan on Wednesday.

Benitez said: "Robbie is maybe not playing at his best level.

"But he wants to fight for his position. To do that he must work hard and then if we consider he can give us something then we will use him."

Keane, 28, has not hit his best form since his £20.3m move from Tottenham in July 2008, taking 11 games to score his first league goal for the club and notching only seven goals in all competitions.

And after the Republic of Ireland international was rested on Sunday, reports suggested his career at Anfield was in jeopardy.

Tottenham are believed to be interested in re-signing Keane, while Manchester City and Newcastle have also been linked with a move for the forward.

But Benitez has insisted that no-one will be leaving the club during the January transfer window.

"A lot of clubs have been asking about some players, to buy or loan, but we have said we do not need to lose anyone, we do not need to sell anyone now," stated the Spaniard.

"We do not want to lose players now if we cannot replace those players later. We need all of them for the race for the title."

Liverpool are second in the Premier League table, three points behind leaders Manchester United, and the Anfield outfit are also involved in the Champions League and the FA Cup, while their rivals from Old Trafford are also in both competitions - and the final of the Carling Cup.

Benitez made it clear he will need to call on all his resources if his side are to maintain a challenge for all three trophies, while also suggesting that players must accept the need for rotation.

He added: "We have a lot of games to play in the coming weeks, in the league, Cup and Europe.

"We will need everyone. People may not always play but two weeks later we may have an injury and then we need them.

"Everyone, including Robbie, is training well. He has experience and hopefully he will be an important player for us.

"When Fernando Torres was injured, Robbie was working hard and doing well. If he can continue to do this we will not have any doubts over his quality.

"People are talking too much about Keane. It was just one decision about one player, he wasn't in the squad.

"He is expensive and high profile, yes, but Manchester United have bought plenty of players who cost £20m or more every single year. Sometimes more than one player but nothing is said about them being left out.

"If you want to be in a top side then you must have this mentality. You have to accept that some players will play and some will not.

"Robbie will be in the squad to face Wigan and if he can score goals then I will be happy."

Ian Rush: Robbie Keane Still Has A Role To Play At Liverpool

Robbie Keane will have been gutted to be left out of Sunday’s FA Cup tie.

For him to not even be named on the bench for such a big game was a real surprise and it will be interesting to see what happens over the coming weeks.

The manager makes the decisions and only Rafa Benitez knows the ins and outs of the situation. But the fact is you can’t keep leaving out a player who cost £20million.

You either have to play him or, if Benitez doesn’t rate him, then he has to get rid of him.

I really hope Robbie still has a future at the club. He’s a great player and I believe he can play a major part in our pursuit of trophies.

He’s just got to keep his head down and keep working hard in training. Hopefully he’ll get the chance to show what he can do at Wigan tonight.

Meanwhile, there is a Rush back looking for goals after my son signed for League of Wales side Newi Cefn Druids.

Jonathan is 19 and has come on as sub in their last couple of games.

It’s a good chance for him and he will learn a lot under joint managers Lee Jones, who played a few first team games for Liverpool in the mid-90s, and ex-Wrexham player Waynne Phillips.

Like me, Jonathan is a striker but that’s where the similarities end. He’s a big lad and at 6ft 4ins he’s more like Peter Crouch. I’m looking forward to watching him in action.

Benitez Drops Keane Hint

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has dropped a hint that he has received an approach for striker Robbie Keane.

The former Tottenham player has failed to live up to expectations since making a £20million move to Anfield in the summer and has been linked with a return to White Hart Lane.

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp has admitted that he is an admirer of the Republic of Ireland star, who is set to return to Liverpool's squad for Wednesday's trip to Wigan after being dropped for the FA Cup draw with Everton at the weekend.

Benitez dodged questions regarding Keane's future when asked on Tuesday, but the Reds boss has offered a clue that he has received an enquiry regarding the ex-Inter Milan and Leeds player.

The Spaniard said in The Daily Post: "We've had four or five approaches for players and the answer has been the same - 'no'.

"We want all our players. We don't want to sell. Robbie could be one of the ones we had an approach about, I won't say.

"Is Keane one? I'm not saying, you can guess yourselves.

"For me when you sign a player the main thing is not the price, the main thing is that they just keep working.

"Keane is back in the squad now, so we can stop talking about him and his future."

Speculation has also been rife that defender Daniel Agger could be leaving Liverpool as the Denmark international's contract negotiations drag on.

And Benitez has revealed that he has been holding talks with two players - possibly Keane and Agger - urging the duo to remain willing to help Liverpool's Premier League, UEFA Champions League and FA Cup challenge.

"I have been talking with two very important players recently, I made it very clear that we must focus only on games and think about how to win every single game," added the former Valencia boss.

"We have a fantastic opportunity, we can win three trophies and any one would be good for our fans and ourselves. We must try to be professional and concentrate only on games.

"The players are not affected by things off the field. When we talk it is about football, not about other problems

"The only way to change things is on the pitch, not just talking and talking and talking."

Liverpool Owner Tom Hicks: I'm Not Selling - I Want A New Partner Instead

Tom Hicks has confirmed that he is looking for a new partner to invest in Liverpool.

The Mirror revealed at the weekend that Anfield's American owner was desperately searching for fresh investment in the club, to allow him to buy out current partner George Gillett.

Hicks has approached six potential investors with a proposal to form a fresh business alliance to run Liverpool.

Reports had suggested that Kuwaiti billionaire Nasser al Kharafi had been looking to buy the club, but these were wildly inaccurate, and as our report stated, Hicks is refusing to sell his stake.

Instead, he said at a banquet in his native Dallas on Sunday night: "Don't believe everything you read. I'm not selling. I'm bringing in a new partner to buy out my current partner."

Meanwhile, Sunday's fourth-round FA Cup tie between Liverpool and Everton drew a record-breaking television audience to Setanta. The 1-1 draw audience peaked at 1,462,000.

Liverpool's Reina Makes Everton Favourites For Mersey Cup Replay

The Reds' goalkeeper is ruing a missed opportunity at Anfield, and fears that the Toffees may now have the edge in the FA Cup fourth round replay at Goodison Park next week.

Liverpool's Spanish goalkeeper feels that his side may now have handed the initiative to their opponents in their FA Cup fourth round tie with Everton.

The Reds' city rivals managed to come away from Anfield yesterday with their second 1-1 draw in a week at the venue, forcing a replay at their own home ground on February 4, and now Pepe Reina feels that Liverpool will have to be at their best to beat an indomitable Everton outfit on their own patch.

"The tie is still wide open and we trust ourselves to get through at their stadium," the Spaniard told today's Liverpool Echo.

"I suppose now the advantage is with them because next time they will play as the home team. But this will also mean that at least they will have to play a bit more forward than they did yesterday."

Despite Everton's alleged 'negative tactics', highlighted by manager Rafa Benitez yesterday in a display of what less charitable observers have termed 'sour grapes', the Toffees still managed to expose the Reds' ongoing deficiency at defending set-pieces, with Liverpool once again conceding from a dead-ball situation. Joleon Lescott headed home from close range for Everton's opening goal of the game after Tim Cahill had been given the freedom of the far post by Liverpool's markers.

"It is disappointing to concede another goal like this and it is clear that we do have to improve from set-pieces," Reina admitted.

"That is the main thing for us and the good thing for us is that we will have plenty of training sessions in which we can improve on these kind of things."

Martin Skrtel Happy to Stay At Liverpool And Fight For The Title

The Reds' Slovak defender has insisted that he's happy in England, and wants to help Liverpool to the title.

Martin Skrtel feels that Liverpool, despite their recent stuttering form that has seen them surrender their lead at the top of the table to Manchester United, still have all the ingredients in place to claim the Premier League crown.

The defender has also insisted that he is happy at Liverpool, despite rumours linking him with a return to Russian outfit Zenit St-Petersburg.

"The team has played nearly long enough as one and with one coach,” he told Sport Express.

"Beginners like me are rare there. However, in the past, Liverpool have sometimes been very good but, after the New Year, something has happened – injuries or some other problem.

"I think that this time everything will be different. We will fight for the title and win it.

"That is because of the fact that we play as a team, and because we have Gerrard and Torres. Last season was Fernando’s first in England, and he scored so many goals!!"

As for whether Reds skipper Steven Gerrard's recent arrest had affected the England midfielder, Skrtel asserted that it had not, and that the squad was focusing on football.

"No. Outwardly, at least, he has been quiet about it. It is not really discussed within the team," Skrtel added.

"A lot of things have been written on this subject, but we pay no attention."

As for a possible return to Russian football, Skrtel was fairly equivocal in ruling it out, claiming that he had never expressed dissatisfaction with life in Liverpool.

"I said that I have many friends at Zenit and that I was happy there, but that I'm now here, and I did not say I wanted to return," he explained.

"I never said that I hate Liverpool. That is a lie. He asked if I would say that I hated the city and I said, ‘Of course not’. I am happy here. Negative things are written about a lot of players here, mainly in the tabloids.”

"I have a contract for four years, but I like this team and would like to stay here for as long as possible and to win many trophies.

"I always wanted to play in England, but I never thought that I would come to a team as great as Liverpool. To go to Anfield is the dream of any player."

A key factor in his staying at Anfield would seem to be manager Rafa Benitez, with whom he draws a favourable comparison to his manager at Zenit, Dutchman Dick Advocaat.

"He loves football," the player continued. "He thinks about it 24 hours a day. When we leave, Rafa is still at the club, watching videos of our rivals’ games – in doing that, he reminds me of Dick.

"He is always wondering if we are happy and would like to do different things. In all aspects of the game, Rafa is open to suggestions and ideas. I like that."

Gerrard-Torres Double Act Is Ready To Inspire Liverpool Again, Says Benítez

Rafael Benítez, the Liverpool manager, is banking on Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres to pull his side out of their worrying slide. The pair scored 53 goals between them last term but this season they have frequently been kept apart by the Spaniard's persistent injury problems.

However, Benítez believes his fellow Spaniard "is almost back to his best" and there was a glimpse of his talent in their FA Cup fourth-round draw with Everton to prove it. Torres's juggling act and backheel to send Gerrard through for the equaliser in the 1–1 draw was the high point of the 210th Merseyside derby.

Benítez knows he needs both his best players firing on all cylinders with Liverpool's season threatening to come off the rails. Liverpool have lost only two of 34 games this season and are unbeaten in their last 14, 11 of them in the Premier League. But six of those 11 have been draws and they have lost top spot to Manchester United.

"We know the understanding between both was crucial last season, it will be again this season now they are back together again," Benítez said. "In some games they can kill defenders with their skills. The goal they created was excellent against Everton in the Cup.

"The piece of skill from Torres to create the goal shows that he is getting very close to his best again. He showed that the understanding between him and Gerrard will be crucial for us for the rest of the season. What he did to send Gerrard away is something you do not see from many players. He certainly needed a good runner to get on the end of it.

"Fernando also needed to be aware of where Gerrard was, to see him and to find him with the ball. It was certainly something very special."

So far this term Gerrard has led the way in the scoring charts – his equaliser yesterday was his 15th of the campaign – while Torres has been restricted to six goals so far because of his injury problems.

Benítez also credited Gerrard for his focus after a recent court appearance. Another hearing is scheduled for 20 March. "Steven is such an important player. People have been asking a lot about him and how he is handling things, but on the pitch he is showing that he is focused only on showing how good he is."

Gerrard played down his own contribution in difficult circumstances – his two derby goals were separated by his court appearance on Friday to answer charges of assault and affray, which he denies.

He said: "It is not just my goals, I am pleased with my performances this week. I am a footballer and will focus on that, I will continue to show that."

Of his equaliser, Gerrard said: "The key was that piece of skill from Fernando Torres, which is what he is all about. He is not just a goalscorer, he has fantastic awareness. We can do without the replay, both sides probably feel the same, but if we play as well as we did in this game in the replay at Goodison Park, we will win."

Agger: The Ball Is In Liverpool's Court

Daniel Agger's long-term future at Liverpool has been under a cloud for quite some time.

Firstly, the emergence of Martin Skrtel has brought immense competition in central defence, combined with the apparent indestructibility of veteran stoppers Jamie Carragher and Sami Hyypia.

But the main source of the 24-year-old's unrest at Anfield is the confusion surrounding his contract, which expires in the summer of 2010.

Agger entered discussions with the Reds last year, but no progress has been made in nearly three months and a move to AC Milan is looking likelier by the day.

"The ball is in Liverpool's court. I've not heard from them about this since the beginning of November," the Danish star told members of the press last night.

"There is no reason to have high expectations and to be honest, I have no idea if they want to sign a new deal."

Agger isn't the only one upset by this, as manager Rafael Benitez recently expressed his frustration at Liverpool's delay in offering a contract extension to the talented centre-half.

Mark Lawrenson: Rafa Benitez Frustrated? Now He Knows How That Feels

Rafael Benitez expressed his disappointment that the opposition didn’t do enough to win game – well, at least now he knows how it feels.

It’s a similar frustration that most Liverpool fans have felt this season when they have seen their team struggle to yet another draw.

So it’s a bit rich Benitez criticising someone for not going for it, as it’s not as if it’s something he has done a regular basis this season, is it?

Seriously, what did he expect Everton to do? Stick Anichebe and Cahill in a 4-4-2 and go for it? Everton were always going to sit back and soak up Liverpool’s pressure because that’s always going to be their best chance of staying in the tie.

And, let’s face it, after the success other teams have had at Anfield in applying that tactic this season, why would you play any other way?

Stoke, West Ham, Hull, Fulham. All came away with points because they put the onus on Liverpool to go at the and find a way through.

And the fact is, Liverpool weren’t good enough to do it.

So it concerns me that Benitez takes it so badly when a team comes to primarily defend (although to be fair, I don’t actually think Everton were too negative overall and at least, like Hull, they gave themselves a lead to sit on).

But what Benitez has to get used to is sides playing that way against him. It will be that way for the rest of the season and it’s not going to change.

So what does have to change is the lack of cutting edge in trying to finish these teams off.

It’s no good letting yourself get frustrated because you have way more possession but then fail to make it count. Just like Everton on Sunday, teams who come away form Anfield without getting beaten will see it as an excellent result and offer no apologies.

But the problem is that once again you come away from a game, as we did after the league meeting on the Monday, saying the same thing.

Everton get the praise for making the most of their shortage of players and for Liverpool you still dread the prospect of them being without Torres and Gerrard for any sustained amount of time.

Their link-up for the goal only confirms just how much their team need them and how much they would be missed if they had to go without them.

As outstanding as Lescott and Jagielka were in dealing with everything thrown at them, even they couldn’t cope with having to defend on the turn. Torres and Gerrard were too quick for them.

And those players also had the bravery to take a chance and make a decisive move to break a stubborn defence down.

That’s the kind of action Benitez needs to encourage more of and he’ll only do that by focusing on his own team’s shortcomings rather than what he sees as the opposition’s.

Liverpool's FA Cup Equaliser Adds To Man Utd's Injury Worries

Steven Gerrard’s FA Cup derby leveller for Liverpool on Monday may have unwittingly handed Manchester United a problem.

United are without 12 senior players for tonight’s Barclays Premier League trip to West Brom, leaving Sir Alex Ferguson to pick through his squad for a team of fit players.

Ferguson was hoping the situation might have eased in time United’s next league game against Everton – with both Rio Ferdinand and Wes Brown tipped to be available after long-standing back and ankle problems respectively and Park Ji-sung on the brink of a comeback from a minor hamstring complaint.

But the Old Trafford encounter with David Moyes’s men will now be played 48 hours ahead of schedule – moving forward to Saturday January 31 from Monday February 2 to clear the way for Everton’s FA Cup replay with Liverpool on February 4.

It robs Ferdinand, Brown and Park, or anyone else among United’s walking wounded who might have had a chance of returning against Everton, of two extra days’ preparation.

The late change is part of a confusing February fixture list for United.

Their remaining outstanding game against Fulham - originally postponed in August because of the Red Devils’ presence in the European Super Cup - has been pencilled in for February 17. But that will be dependent on neither side requiring a fifth-round replay.

In addition, the Red Devils’ home match against Portsmouth on February 28 has been postponed because of their appearance in the Carling Cup Final the following day.

Liverpool Must Do Better, Insists Xabi Alonso

Xabi Alonso admits Liverpool will have to improve if they are to challenge for honours at the end of the season.

Monday’s 1-1 draw at home to Merseyside rivals Everton in the fourth round of the FA Cup was the club’s third successive share of the spoils.

The first two of those, against Stoke and then Everton last Monday, cost Rafael Benitez’s side top spot in the Barclays Premier League.

However, Alonso believes the players can work through their problems and get their campaign back on track.

“We have to keep going, that is the way we have to carry on if we are to have success this season,” he said. “Being critical of ourselves we need to improve in certain areas.

“The performance (against Everton) was better than Monday. We controlled the game much better.

“Of course we are not happy with the mistake we made (conceding the goal) but it was better.

“It was a good ball (from Fernando Torres for the goal) but we had a few more chances to score a second goal and it is something we have to work on and correct.”

Liverpool were undone by Tim Cahill at a set-piece for the second successive match as he escaped his marker to head Steven Pienaar’s corner into the path of Joleon Lescott who had only to divert it past Pepe Reina with his head from close range.

Cahill has been operating as a makeshift striker because of Everton’s injury crisis and Alonso knows he will remain a threat in the replay at Goodison Park a week on Wednesday.

“We are disappointed. We always expect to win home games but after they scored it was a difficult situation,” added the Spain midfielder.

“The team kept playing the same way and trying to score and we were unlucky.

“We know he (Cahill) is good in those situations and for the future we will have to get that right.

“We are confident we can go to Goodison and win. We don’t have to fear anyone. We respect them but you can’t fear anyone.”

Dirk Kuyt also reflected the mood of disappointment, coupled with determination to put it right and ensure a meeting with the winners of the Aston Villa v Doncaster Rovers replay.

He said: “We’re disappointed we haven’t won. We really wanted to win after what happened on Monday, and I thought we had the chances to kill the game but it didn’t happen for us. But we’ve got another chance in the replay.

“We don’t have fear, we’ve shown we can win at Goodison earlier this season, and we know that sometimes it’s easier for us to play away from home as it can give us much more space.

“You saw that Everton were playing very defensively. They are very tough to play against because they defend very well and had a lot of people behind the ball. Hopefully we can get more space in the replay.

“We don’t look at it as though the pressure is now off us a little going into the replay. The good thing from the game on Sunday is that we have another chance. We believe we can beat them.”

Coach Serves Up A Tactical Masterclass

It's not every day that a bunch of amateur players plying their trade in the Ormskirk and District Sunday League get a one-to-one session with a coach schooled in the 'Liverpool Way'.

But that's exactly what Maghull Community Association FC were treated to when Lucozade Sport provided them with a dream chance to be put through their paces by the Reds' Academy coach Stuart Gelling recently.

The non-league outfit won a competition to become one of 80 amateur side's across the country to take part in the Lucozade Sport Performance League and win a Barclays Premier League club-style sponsorship package for the season. And after being crowned the LSPL's team of the month, they were sent to Liverpool's youth base in Kirkby for a lesson in tactics.

"It was important that they enjoyed it and I think they did," said Gelling after a two hour session in which he instilled some added tactical nous into the Maghull players.

"It was nice to be able to share my experience with these lads, particularly as we all start out at amateur level somewhere along the line."

So what exactly did Gelling do to try and inspire improvement from a side already currently lying 25h in LSPL standings?

"Well, first of all I worked on defensive shape with them. This involved showing them where they should be in relation to the ball. We then developed it from there to their attacking play and how to play through a back four.

"I think it was great that they had the opportunity to come here. The Lucozade Sport Performance League is important because people who come to support Liverpool and other Premier League teams should feel part of the bigger picture.

"It's a pleasure to be involved with the project and be able to give something back to the supporters."

Maghull's bid to gain promotion to the Ormskirk and District League's Premier Division still remains on track despite a number of frustrating defeats over the past few games.

The Macca lie second in the table and with Gelling's advice now in their armoury, boss Neil Marten is confident the players can go on to reach new heights.

"We won a talkSport radio competition in the summer to play in the Lucozade Sport Performance League and receive all this top-flight support," he said when we asked him to explain his side's special appearance at the Academy.

"Fitness-wise the lads are already in good shape and they conduct themselves very well on and off the pitch. But I think the tactical pointers we have picked up from Stuart will give us a good idea of what to do and what not to do.

"The lads were dying to get up here and show what they can do. We've been doing okay in the league so far this year and hopefully this will give us the boost to go on and do even better in the second-half of the season."

Sami: Every Game Is A Must-Win Now

Sami Hyypia believes Liverpool can settle for nothing less than a win as they try to keep pace with the league leaders at the JJB on Wednesday night.

The Reds sit joint top with Manchester United with 16 fixtures remaining, though Alex Ferguson's men have a superior goal difference and a game in hand.

Both sides face tricky away trips this week, with United travelling to West Brom tonight before Liverpool meet Wigan.

All of the top teams have suffered shock results this season, but Hyypia believes it is getting to the stage where nothing less than a victory will do.

The 35-year-old told Liverpoolfc.tv: "If you want to be a champion you have to try to win every game. We are in second place, which makes it even more important."

Hyypia was on the bench when the Reds came from behind to beat Wigan 3-2 at Anfield earlier in the season.

He added: "Wigan played well that day. They passed the ball well and were very aggressive in the way they closed us down. That made it more difficult for us to play. But we showed character.

"You make your own luck - if you play well, you'll have luck on your side. And I think it evens itself out over the season."

Hyypia has made 16 appearances in all competitions this term, most of which in recent months.

The veteran admits it was hard watching from the sidelines at the start of the campaign before a combination of hard work and injuries got him back in the first XI.

"It was frustrating at the start of the season when I wasn't playing so much. Sometimes I was watching the games at home. Sometimes I wasn't in the squad," he said.

"Every player wants to play. Even at my age I enjoy playing each game.

"But I kept working hard, and when I got my chances on the pitch I tried to do the best I could. That's the only thing you can do.

"I'm happy now because I've played quite a lot recently. I am enjoying playing at the moment."

Another man fighting for one of two centre-back slots is Slovakian international Martin Skrtel.

The pair may be rivals, but the big Finn has nothing but respect for his young counterpart.

He said: "Martin showed when he came here a year ago that he was a quality player. He's aggressive, quick and comfortable on the ball as well. He is very easy to play alongside.

"I always try to talk to anyone playing in my position and help them improve their game if I can. Before every game we talk about a few things that might be important in the game and if that helps him then I am happy."

Liverpool's Crunch Week As Tom Hicks Arrives In Town

It is do-or-die time at Anfield, both on and off the pitch. After a month of contractual stalemates, boardroom wrangles, mooted sales, set-piece goals and dropped points, Liverpool now face one of the most critical weeks of their season.

The importance of the week is underlined by the expected presence of the club's co-owner, Tom Hicks, who will arrive on Merseyside ahead of Sunday's Premier League match with Chelsea.

Hicks is saddling up to ride to the rescue of manager Rafael Benitez, bearing promises to sort out a new long-term contract to tie him to the club until 2013 which would underline the American's own commitment to Liverpool.

That commitment was seemingly strengthened yesterday when sources at the Royal Bank of Scotland, with whom Hicks and his business partner George Gillett have a £350 million loan due for repayment or refinance in July, suggested the bank were not expecting any movement on the club's ownership until July.

Reports in Texas suggest that Hicks has reaffirmed his desire to remain involved with Liverpool, telling friends in Dallas they "shouldn't believe what they read" about his desire to sell up and that he was instead seeking investors who could buy out Gillett.

Such a deal is unlikely, with sources in the Gulf suggesting that any Arab buyer would want full control. Any hope of a deal with the Kuwaiti Al-Kharafi family seemingly ended when details of talks became public. Gillett, meanwhile, is unwilling to sell up unless Hicks does the same.

No doubt these issues will all be on the agenda when Hicks and Benitez meet, as well as the Spaniard's demand for full control over transfers, the sticking point in his contract talks. So too, possibly, will be Liverpool's stuttering form.

Benitez's side have beaten only Preston this month and face a daunting run of fixtures, taking in tomorrow's game at Wigan, the visit of Chelsea and the journey to Goodison Park for an FA Cup replay on Wednesday.

That this is a key week in shaping the nature of Liverpool's season is not lost on the players. Two derby draws with Everton have added to the doubts about their ability to compete on three fronts, but midfielder Xabi Alonso is confident the best is yet to come.

He said: "We had enough chances to score the second goal and that is something we have to correct. We have to keep on going as we have been this season but it is important to be critical of ourselves.

"We played better in the second game against Everton than in the first. We controlled the game on Sunday but we're not happy with the mistake we made for their goal. We never fear anyone, but we know we can improve in certain areas."

Reds Loan Out Strike Duo

Liverpool have allowed young duo Krisztian Nemeth and Craig Lindfield to leave the club on loan.

Hungarian striker Nemeth has joined Championship side Blackpool on loan for a month, while Lindfield has linked up with Accrington Stanley on loan until the end of the season.

Nemeth is highly rated at Anfield and helped the club's reserves win the title last season.

Lindfield, who has come through Liverpool's youth ranks, has enjoyed spells out on loan at Notts County, Chester and Bournemouth in the last few seasons.

Both players are well down the pecking order at Anfield and Reds boss Rafa Benitez is willing to loan them out so that they can get some valuable first-team experience under their belts.