Liverpool FC Price Tag Too High

The attempt by Liverpool FC’s owners to sell up to a Kuwaiti consortium have stalled because Tom Hicks and George Gillett are putting too high a value on the club, it has been claimed.

“Things are going really badly because they are asking for too much,” said Abdulla Al-Sager, who’s among the potential investors headed by Kuwait’s Al-Kharafi family.

Al- Sager and Rafed Al-Kharafi were guests of the Americans at Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Chelsea last month.

Tom Hicks and George Gillett have valued the club at around £500m, but may yet have to lower their expectations.

The impetus to sell increases by the day, as the pair’s current re-financing loan of £350m with Royal Bank of Scotland, taken out when they bought the club two years ago, expires in July.

“I don’t think anything will happen unless we get a better price, but we are still talking,” Al-Sager added.

A spokesman for Mr Hicks has declined to comment.

The Al-Kharafis, one of oil-rich Kuwait’s wealthiest families, are not the only investors Hicks and Gillett are talking to.

They are also understood to have been discussing a full or partial sale with another investment group in the Middle East and one in the USA.

Hyypia Issues Euro Warning

Sami Hyypia has warned his Liverpool team-mates not to underestimate Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League.

The Reds defender is wary of complacency seeping into the squad following their impressive 1-0 win in Spain during the first leg of their last-16 encounter.

A dramatic late goal from Yossi Benayoun handed Rafa Benitez's men a priceless advantage at Santiago Bernabeu.

Hyypia believes Liverpool can take plenty of positives from that memorable night, but has reminded his colleagues that their task is only half done.

"We have got a lead to protect which is important and we know that if we play as well at Anfield as we did over there then we should be okay," the Finnish defender said in the Liverpool Echo.

"It will still be difficult because it is just half-time in the tie so there is still a lot of football to be played.

"Real are a top side and they will be looking forward to coming to Anfield and hoping to get an away goal of their own, so we will have to be very careful."

Sean McGuire: One Battle That Rick Parry Just Didn’t Budget For

Rafael Benitez secured his first back-to-back victories at Anfield on Tuesday night since October’s wins against Wigan and Portsmouth.

But Liverpool fans should only be cheering one of the wins. His defeat of Rick Parry is a clear sign that the mantra of no man being bigger than the club can be consigned – like classy Scottish centre-backs and midfielders with moustaches – to a bygone age.

It has been suggested that Benitez had wanted a bigger say in one or two budgetary matters at Anfield, and that his request was denied.

In this regard he is following Bill Shankly who once said: “At a football club, there’s a holy trinity – the players, the manager and the supporters. Directors don’t come into it. They are only there to sign the cheques.”

But times have changed. Chairmen are now businessmen not philanthropists. And the sums involved aren’t significant, they are monumental.

And that is why club managers should be given a budget. That is, a finite amount of money to spend on the acquisition of new players, the support staff they employ, the recruitment of junior players and all the other bits and pieces they need to prepare the team to play.

If they had a better grip on the quite incredible costs of maintaining a first class professional sports club – and I am talking only of the playing side – I think they would develop a much harder attitude towards the level of performance they require, on a weekly basis, from some extremely highly paid and very cosseted athletes.

On top of all that, if disastrous deals like the sale of Robbie Keane at a huge loss where then done, the manager would quickly see the effects of that in his budget.

He would have less money in the kitty, just like any other business budget holder, and he would have to exercise great care in his dealings in the transfer market in the future.

If that is the kind of budget control that Rafa, and other managers want, then I say to club bosses, let them have it without delay.

But if it is the other type of budget they want, the one common among teenagers who want their own money and then some more whenever they want to buy something they want but can’t afford, and for the money to be handed over without comment on how wisely it’s spent, then clubs should say no.

However, the manner of the Parry’s departure means the next chief executive is unlikely to feel able to exercise that level of cost control – and for that, the club will be poorer.

Mascherano Wants Reds Consistency

Argentine midfielder Javier Mascherano says Liverpool need to improve their form before they can think of a Premier League title challenge this season.

The Reds are seven points behind leaders Manchester United.

"We are not too close to Manchester United but we have to still fight to see what happens," said Mascherano.

"It’s important we don't look at the league classification. We need to concentrate and try to win games and see what happens."

Liverpool beat Sunderland 2-0 at Anfield on Tuesday with the 24-year-old filling in at right-back.

But the 24-year-old says he will play in any position as long as it is in the best interest of the squad.

"I try to think about the team," added Masherano. "If the team need me in that position I will try to do my best.

"Where I play the best is in the centre of midfield, but you never know if we are going to have injuries to players like Alvaro Arbeloa and Phillipe Degan.

"We don't have any players who can play on the right of defence, so I don't have any problems playing there."

Torres: I Won't Quit Liverpool If Benitez Leaves

Fernando Torres has insisted his future is at Liverpool even if Rafael Benitez does leave the club at the end of the season.

Benitez hopes to sign a new deal at Anfield but is yet to put pen to paper - even though he has less than 18 months of his current contract to run.

Chief executive Rick Parry's exit and the fact Liverpool's co-owners have been told it will make the club easier to sell if Benitez stays makes it more likely the Spaniard will prolong his Anfield tenure.

But, even if Benitez does go, Spain forward Torres insists his own future at Anfield was not tied to that of manager.

'My future is tied with Liverpool, because I still have four years left to run on my contract,' he said.

'Therefore, should Rafa leave, I will stay on and fulfill my contract with the club. My wish is that Rafa extends his contract with Liverpool. I cannot think about how a possible departure might affect me, because it hasn't happened yet, and I don't like wasting time thinking about ifs and buts.'

Torres is also confident he will be fit for the club's crucial clashes in Europe and at home in the next 10 days.

The Reds take on Real Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League last 16 tie looking to progress with a 1-0 advantage from the first leg at the Bernabeu, and then face Manchester United in the Premier League in a match they have to win to have any hope of catching their bitter north-west rivals.

Torres has not played since he suffered an ankle injury in that Madrid victory, but revealed last night he is optimistic about returning next week.

'I hope to be available for both of the matches because they will be two great games,' he said.

'The ankle injury has been giving me some trouble and the recovery process is taking longer than I hoped.

'However, I am quite optimistic that I will be ready for the match versus Real Madrid, and if the ankle holds out, I will also be at Old Trafford.'

Torres does not accept the claim that his injury problems this season have cost Liverpool their chance of winning the Premier League title, adding: 'I don't think that I'm to blame for the injuries, it forms part of the game. I have suffered three muscular injuries during the first three months of the competition, and now I have picked up an ankle injury.

'I don't think that my injury should be considered as a reason for Liverpool not winning the league. Although following a couple of poor results we have lost touch with Manchester United at the top, the team has done well this season. The league though is still alive, but Man United are looking strong and they are not dropping points.'

Youngster Seeking Loan Move

Robbie Threlfall is looking to get himself another loan move away from Liverpool before the closure of the Football League loan transfer window.

The young defender is highly thought of at Anfield but after a loan spell already this season the left back is looking for another spell away to get more first team football, as Robbie explained to skysports.com:

'I would be interested in going out on loan again if the opportunity arises. I am back training at Liverpool and I just want to play football on a regular basis.

'I enjoyed my time at Stockport and I would like the chance to go out and get some experience under my belt.'

A month long loan spell with Stockport has recently ended but sending Threlfall out on loan to a Championship, League One or League Two side for the rest of the season could be the best thing that the Reds could do for his future development.

The full back areas are areas that we have struggled with, and in particular the left back position, so maybe in time Threlfall can prove the answer?

Being one of our own products coming through would make his success, if that were the case, even better.

Emiliano Insua: I Now Have To Prove Myself Again At Liverpool FC

Emiliano Insua admits he will have to prove himself all over again if he is to regain his left-back slot on a permanent basis.

The 20-year-old made his first appearance since returning from the South American Under-20 Championships in the 2-0 Premier League win over Sunderland on Tuesday.

Before he flew out to Venezuela to represent Argentina in the tournament Insua had made the left-back slot his own with a series of solid performances.

Liverpool won four of the five games he appeared in and drew the other at Arsenal – but Insua insists he had no option but to abandon his flourishing club career.

And now he is back in the first team picture he is aware of the need to step up his work-rate to re-establish himself in a position that Fabio Aurielo and Andrea Dossena are ready to fight for.

“It’s a tough level because it’s the best league in the world,” Insua said. “Playing for Liverpool is even tougher because this team always has to play to win. You also have many players who play for their national teams.

“But I came back from the tournament in South America two weeks ago and I’m back training with the first team.

“I’ll just keep training hard and keep trying to show the boss that I’m good enough.

“It was a difficult decision for me to go away because I’d played four consecutive games but you have to say yes to the national team. I spoke with Rafa and he told me to go.

“I missed some important games like Everton and Chelsea but now I have to think about the future.

“I’ve had a few games and I think I’ve done quite well. Playing with the first team has given me a chance to improve.

“The manager gave me a lot of confidence. He told me to keep calm when I play and afterwards he encouraged me to keep going.”

I'm Not To Blame For Liverpool's Slump, Claims Torres

Fernando Torres has rejected the suggestions of his Liverpool manager, Rafael Benítez, that his injuries have cost Liverpool their chance of winning the Premier League title this season.

The striker, who hopes to be fit to face Real Madrid in the Champions League at Anfield on Tuesday with Liverpool holding a one-goal advantage from the first leg, said: "I don't think that my injury should be considered as a reason for Liverpool not winning the league.

Although following a couple of poor results we have lost touch with Manchester United at the top, the team has done well this season.

The league though is still alive, but United are looking strong and they are not dropping points. [But] I don't think that I'm to blame for the injuries, it forms part of the game."

The Spain forward insisted his future on Merseyside was not dependent on Benítez remaining at the club.

"My future is tied with Liverpool, because I still have four years left to run on my contract," he said. "Therefore, should Rafa leave, I will stay on and fulfill my contract with the club.

My wish is that Rafa extends his contract with Liverpool. I cannot think about how a possible departure might affect me, because it hasn't happened yet, and I don't like wasting time thinking about ifs and buts."

New Sponsorship Plans For Liverpool FC

Ian Ayre, a candidate to be Liverpool’s next chief executive, has revealed new sponsorship plans and a desire to push the club higher in the football world’s rich list.

Ayre, 45, was appointed, primarily, by Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks as the club’s new commercial director 18 months ago.

And with Rick Parry announcing he will be quitting as the Anfield club’s chief executive this summer after 12 years in the job, Ayre is already being touted for the job along with former FA chief Brian Barwick.

Now Ayre has confirmed a new sponsorship with the Bank of America, the prospect of three other sponsorships soon and a summer tour to the Far East for Rafael Benitez’s team.

Liverpool have extended their agreement with the BoA for a further four years, a deal worth £5m to the Anfield club.

BoA is the parent company of Chester-based credit card firm MBNA who supply Liverpool’s credit card for fans, and they announced major redundancies in December for their world-wide operation.

Ayre, in an interview with Bloomberg, the financial news agency, said: “Other transactions are under discussion.” They could involve the consumer electronics, gaming and automotive sectors.

The Far East tour has been set for July 17 to 26, and will involve matches in Hong Kong, Singapore and Bangkok.

With Liverpool not involved in the newly-formatted Champions League competition next season until, at the earliest, a play-off round scheduled for August 18 or 19 and August 25 or 26 - rather than the current format of a third qualifying round -they will be able to fit in a lucrative trip to the Far East where they have millions of fans.

Liverpool, currently third in the Barclays Premier League, could well benefit from the new UEFA rule that allows the first three clubs in the Premier League to go straight into the group stages, as opposed to the current top two. The fourth finishing club will compete in the play-off stage.

Ayre clearly aims to exploit the world-wide market. According to a Deloitte report released last month, Liverpool is the seventh-richest club in the world with revenues of over £200m (210.9 million euros).

Liverpool had risen one place from the year before and Ayre says sponsorship gains made in the past 12 months mean he “would be shocked if we did not climb further.”

On the decision to tour in the Far East, Ayre said: “If you are going to build a business overseas a key part is to allow people to touch and feel the product on a regular basis.

“What is clear is that there is an opportunity for Liverpool to do much better (financially) than they had in the past.”

Asked about his possible elevation to chief executive, Ayre was non-committal. He said: “At this stage I am just committed to driving forward the commercial operations of this football club.”

Prior to joining Liverpool, Ayre had been chief executive of Total Sports Asia, who advised companies on sports and entertainment campaigns in Asia.

Prior to that he was managing director of Virgin/NTL subsidiary Premium TV having joined from Huddersfield Town where he had been chief executive and chairman for three years.

Outgoing Chief Rick Parry Wants To Stay In Football After Liverpool FC Exit

Outgoing Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry wants to stay in football and maintain his involvement in the European game.

The 54-year-old will leave Anfield at the end of the season after 12 years at the club after a breakdown in his relationship with co-owner Tom Hicks.

Now Parry is considering his future, and cannot imagine it will not be involved in the sport in some way.

Parry said: “Do I think I (still) have something to offer? Yes. I think it is inconceivable I will not have something to do with the game.”

Parry had been linked with the position of Football Association chief executive, although admits he has so far had no offers.

He is also a board member of the European Club Association - a lobby group that was started last year and represents more than 130 teams.

The organisation will next meet on March 17, where Parry’s imminent departure will be discussed.

The ECA also need to find a replacement for former Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon, who resigned in January.

Parry would like to stay on until the end of his Liverpool tenure and would be interested in remaining on the ECA board “under the right circumstances”. For that to happen, he would need to be affiliated to another of the group’s 137 member clubs.

He said: “The organisation has real potential. It is fledgling but it is a kind of new beginning towards a better relationship (with football’s authorities).”

Parry confirmed that he has no plans to leave his Liverpool post early.

He said: “I am staying as long as the owners want me and that is until the end of this season. I have got no plans to leave earlier than that.”

Rafael Benitez Did Not Congratulate Liverpool For Real Madrid Victory

Yossi Benayoun has revealed Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez did not even congratulate his team after their famous first-leg Champions League win over Real Madrid at the Bernabeu last month.

The Israeli international's 82nd-minute header was enough to secure yet another European giantkilling for a Liverpool side who started without captain Steven Gerrard and finished without Fernando Torres after the Spaniard succumbed to an ankle injury.

But even gaining a crucial advantage going into next week's Anfield return leg was not enough to impress Benitez, who did not so much as shake his players' hands as they celebrated in the dressing room.

Benayoun said: "It was madness in our changing rooms and I had to take my mobile phone into the toilets to call my family. It was the only way I could make myself heard. Everyone was screaming and shouting, except for the manager, of course. He was his usual calm self.

"He didn't even congratulate us or shake hands, never mind join in all the hugs and backslapping that was going on. That's just how he is. He is very professional and he wants us to be the same all the time.

"He won't stand for any of us getting carried away or feeling we are superior to anyone else. My wife and young children had been jumping up and down with excitement, watching at home, but he didn't say a word to me about the goal."

Benitez's cold, unemotional approach has not always been universally welcomed by his players, with Gerrard even admitting that "a well done off Rafa" was one of the things he wanted most in his career.

But it is an approach which the Spaniard firmly believes in and Benayoun is growing to appreciate, despite clashes earlier this season when he found his first-team chances limited.

He said: "He likes keeping you on your toes. But I have come to appreciate that at a club like Liverpool you can't take anything for granted. I am learning how things work here.

"You can score a very famous goal, an absolutely crucial one, and it will all be forgotten the following day, as far as the manager is concerned. He only thinks of the next challenge, and that is how it should be."

He added: "It has taught me you can't rest on your laurels, and I am already looking at my goal in Madrid that way. For me, it will only be important if we go all the way and win the Champions League. Otherwise, it will count for nothing."

Benayoun No Longer In A Spin Over Benítez's Squad Rotation

Yossi Benayoun has revised his opinion on leaving Liverpool after finally coming to terms with Rafael Benítez's managerial style at Anfield. The Israel captain appeared destined for the Liverpool exit last summer after a debut season spent mostly on the margins of the squad. Manchester City, before the Abu Dhabi takeover, Spartak Moscow, Roma and Ajax all inquired about signing the 28-year-old before the start of this season and the Russians tried again in January as the midfielder's frustration with life at Anfield continued.

Benayoun spoke to Benítez in December about the prospect of leaving in the last transfer window but, with that inquiry rebuffed, has responded with the most productive spell of his two-year Anfield career. Until December the midfielder started in only seven of 23 games for Liverpool. Since then, however, he has started 11 of 19 and followed his match-winning performance at the Bernabéu with the goal that secured Liverpool's return to winning ways in the Premier League against Sunderland on Tuesday.

"I have come to appreciate that, at a big club like Liverpool, you can't take anything for granted," said Benayoun. "With the number of top players we've got, you accept you are not always going to be playing and that you have to give it everything when your chance comes along. That is fine with me. If I found myself going three or four months without setting foot on the pitch, it might be different. But as things stand, that is not an issue with me.

"I feel settled and I'm happy to be contributing. I am also learning how things work here. You can score a very famous goal, an absolutely crucial one, and it will all be forgotten the following day as far as the manager is concerned. He only thinks of the next challenge and that is how it should be. It has taught me you can't celebrate too long and I am already looking at my goal in Madrid that way. For me it will only be important if we go all the way and win the Champions League. Otherwise it will count for nothing."

It was following his winner against Real Madrid in the Champions League last week that Benayoun experienced the methods that prompted Steven Gerrard to admit one of his remaining ambitions at Liverpool is to receive congratulations from Benítez.

The Liverpool midfielder explained: "It was madness in our changing rooms after we won in Madrid last week and I had to take my mobile phone into the toilets to call my family. It was the only way I could make myself heard. Everyone was screaming and shouting, except for the manager, of course. He was his usual calm self.

"He didn't even congratulate us or shake hands. That's just how he is, and I am beginning to understand why. He is very professional, and he wants us to be the same all the time. He won't stand for any of us getting carried away or feeling we are superior to anyone else. My wife and young children had been jumping up and down with excitement, watching at home, but he didn't say a word to me about the goal. That's how it is with him. He likes keeping you on your toes."

Liverpool FC's Season Not Over Yet, Says Javier Mascherano

Javier Mascherano believes Liverpool can save their season from collapse over the next three crucial matches.

Liverpool, who brought some respectability to their fading title challenge with Tuesday’s 2-0 home win over Sunderland, now face three of their toughest games of the campaign.

On Tuesday they can reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League if they see off Real Madrid at Anfield, already holding a 1-0 lead from the first leg at the Bernabeu.

Then the following Saturday they have a lunchtime showdown with Manchester United at Old Trafford in the Premier League, followed by a home game with fourth-placed Aston Villa on March 22.

Mascherano, who played at right-back against Sunderland as cover for the injured Alvaro Arbeloa, is acutely aware of the importance of all three games, for differing reasons.

“It is important that we do not slip away in the table,” he said. “We must keep concentrating and see if we can get closer.

“We must keep fighting. We are in a competition with Chelsea for second, but we still must not give up on the chase to catch Manchester United.

“We won’t give up. Let’s not talk about the title, let’s make sure we win our matches.

“We have a very important Champions League game with Real Madrid next week and then we go to Manchester United before Aston Villa are at Anfield next.

“We must take it step by step, try to get to the Champions League quarter-finals and then turn our attention to the next two league games. The next three matches are very, very important for us.”

Liverpool needed victory over Sunderland to sweep away the gloom which had descended on Anfield following the defeat at Middlesbrough on Saturday.

Boss Rafael Benitez’s own grim demeanour only emphasised how damaging that result had been to confidence around the club.

But Mascherano’s defiance summed up the players’ own determination not to let the season slip away.

He said: “The boss asked me to play at right-back, and I tried to do my best. I don’t know if it was good or not but I just tried to do my best.

“I have played as a right-winger in Argentina, but I am a central midfielder and that is where I am best.

“I knew the new role was just for one game, and I am prepared to do that for the team.

“I always try to think about the team. For this game and with the injuries we knew we had nobody else.”

He added: “We knew we had to win after what happened on Saturday. We are not too close to Manchester United, but we have to keep fighting to see what happens next.

“The supporters were nervous. We have not been taking our chances. But if they see the team playing well they will understand and help us.”

Liverpool were also lifted by the displays of 19-year-old rookie striker David Ngog and Israeli midfielder Yossi Benayoun, who hit the second-half goals which clinched victory.

Mascherano said: “We were all pleased for David. He is young and will be a very important player, and you can see how hard he works in training.

“It is important for him that when he does get a chance to play, he makes the most of it.”

Benitez said: “I was really pleased with the reaction of the players after the disappointment at the weekend.

“Yossi is playing well, he is a clever player. So when you cannot find space, players with good movement and game intelligence can be crucial, and in the last few games he has been very good for us.

“But I was also pleased with Ngog. I had told him beforehand I knew he would score. Sometimes you say things to give players confidence and on this occasion he was also able to show the quality I know he has.

“He is a very young player in his first season here coming from France – that is not easy for him.

“He has talent and great pace. Maybe now people will see that he can have a great future here.”

Benitez added: “We needed to lift confidence, in particular after the Middlesbrough defeat. It was also important to win at home considering the amount of draws we have had at Anfield.

“We must get three points every single game now, and I can guarantee if we can win our next league match (at Old Trafford), the race will be very, very close.

“Belief is always important.

“As for the title, let’s wait and see. If we can beat them (Manchester United), why not?”

Javier Mascherano Hails David Ngog As New Liverpool FC Star

Javier Mascherano today heaped praise on David Ngog for kick starting Liverpool’s improbable bid to haul themselves back to the forefront of this season’s title race.

The French youngster scored Liverpool’s opener in Tuesday night’s 2-0 home win over Sunderland and also helped set up the Reds’ second for the in form Yossi Benayoun.

Mascherano hailed Ngog’s impact on the team in what was his first league start and backed the 19-year-old to build on his second goal in a red shirt.

“It was very important for David to score because he is a young player and this goal will give him more confidence,” said Mascherano.

“You can see in every training session that he is working very hard and when he is given his chance in the team he has to try and take it and by scoring a goal and doing a good job for the team he can be happy with his performance.

“It is really good for him and I am very happy for him because he deserved his goal.”

After a goalless first 45 minutes Liverpool struck twice in the second half to ease the tension at Anfield and put themselves within four points of Man United who have two games in hand.

Though Mascherano admits it will be extremely tough to get back into a position to really threaten the league leaders he insists Liverpool will not be giving up on doing just that.

He said: “Obviously, we were really disappointed with the result at Middlesbrough and we knew that we needed to win against Sunderland.

“We are not as close to Man United as we would like to be but we have to carry on fighting to see what happens.

“There is no point in looking at the standings in the league table, all we can do is concentrate on every game, try to win them and then see what happens.

We had some chances in the first half but could not score and maybe the supporters and ourselves were a little bit nervous because in the last game we could not take our chances.

“This made it important that we scored in the second half because we knew this would help the team to play well and allow the people to go home happy.

“It was an important victory for us and we are still fighting. At the time being we are fighting for second place with Chelsea and after that we will see what happens.”

Mascherano played at right back for the first time in his career on Tuesday night as Rafa Benitez sought a new temporary solution to fill that position as the Reds boss again had to make do without injured duo Alvaro Arbeloa and Philipp Degen.

The Argentinian midfielder reckons it was only a one off but insists he is happy to play anywhere required for the good of the team.

“The boss told me that he needed someone to play in that position so I tried to do my best,” he said.

“I don’t know if I was good or not but I tried to give the team as much as possible.

“Everyone knows that I am a central midfielder but sometimes I have played on the right hand side for the national team but never before at right back.

“It was a new experience but I hope that I helped the team because that is the most important thing.

“I always try to think about the team and if the team needs me to play in that position I will try to do my best.

“I know that I am at my best in the centre of midfield but you never know what can happen and if we have some players with injuries – like we did on Tuesday night with Arbeloa and Degen – then I do not have a problem with filling in for them.”

Tommy Smith: Looking Forward To Real Madrid Night Of Cup Glory

If the atmosphere at Anfield was flat last night then it certainly won’t be next week when Real Madrid arrive for their first game ever in Liverpool.

It should be a unique occasion and one which I‘m really looking forward to.

Everyone’s delighted we are in the lead at half way with that away goal, but we’ve still got a lot of work to do.

It’s clear to me that Rafael Benitez excels in European football, whereas he has yet to master the League.

Part of the problem is that perhaps these days winning the English league doesn’t matter as much as it used to. It’s simply getting into the Champions League which counts and you only have to finish in the top four for that.

Don’t get me wrong – I desperately want to see us winning our own league like everyone else. But the only difference between finishing first and fourth these days is that you get a medal.

All the top sides get Champions League football so maybe that is a factor. But whatever, Tuesday will be a cracking occasion.

Match Report: LiverpooL 2 - 0 Sunderland

Liverpool discovered an unlikely new hero as they finally gave manager Rafael Benitez something to smile about.

French teenager David Ngog, making his full home debut, scored one goal and helped create the second for Yossi Benayoun as Liverpool cut Manchester United's lead at the top to four points.

Of course Chelsea did the same by winning at Portsmouth, but what was Liverpool's second home league win since Boxing Day lifted the gloom that has descended on Anfield following the shambles at Middlesbrough at the weekend.

Benitez had looked like a man with a huge weight on his shoulders before this match, but he found some comfort in a decent display ahead of next week's Champions League showdown with Real Madrid.

Manchester United may well have two games in hand on Liverpool, but at least the title race is not a procession just yet.

Benitez made four changes from the side that lost to Middlesbrough.

And he chose to use Argentina midfielder Javier Mascherano at right-back.

Left out were Sami Hyypia, Fabio Aurelio, Ryan Babel and Nabil El Zhar, with Albert Riera, Yossi Benayoun, Emiliano Insua and David Ngog in the starting line-up.

Sunderland made only one change from the side that drew at Arsenal last time out, with Grant Leadbitter taking over from the injured Teemu Tainio.

Benitez is clearly running out of options at right-back with Alvaro Arbeloa still injured. Jamie Carragher seems not to fancy the job any more so Mascherano was removed from his critical ball-winning midfield role to fill the void.

It left Liverpool with almost a 4-4-2, with Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso in centre of midfield. Dirk Kuyt's roving role behind Ngog meant the French youngster was left on his own against Danny Collins and Anton Ferdinand.

And he did pretty well at times. His pace and energy not quite able to make up for the loss of Fernando Torres' brilliance, but Ngog certainly showed spirit.

Sunderland should have been ahead after just four minutes when Kenwyne Jones ran clear after Martin Skrtel's slip, but Jose Reina saved well to his right.

Gerrard, twice, Ngog and Riera all had shots charged down, while Marton Fulop saved well to his left to keep out a Dirk Kuyt drive.

Ngog's enthusiasm got the better of him when he was then booked after 15 minutes for a foul on Tal Ben Haim.

Fulop made an outstanding save after 31 minutes, finger-tipping the ball away at full-stretch from his right post, when Riera's low drive was deflected off Leadbitter.

Mascherano then saw a dipping 30-yard effort graze the bar, before Insua, Xabi Alonso and Gerrard all tried their luck with Sunderland increasingly forced back into their box on defence.

One break inspired by a fine Gerrard tackle on Kieran Richardson allowed Ngog to set up Mascherano on the right, but his drive was into the side-netting.

Liverpool started the second period at a higher tempo, with Benayoun willing to run at defenders.

And it was Benayoun who swept the ball out to Riera on the left to pave the way for Liverpool to take the lead after 52 minutes.

Riera sent over a deep cross that Gerrard headed back into the six-yard box for Ngog fire home his first league goal for the club.

Sunderland were forced to come forward, and Steed Malbranque saw a shot from the right fly over the bar.

After 62 minutes Sunderland brought on Djibril Cisse for Leadbitter, the former Liverpool man getting a rousing reception from the Anfield crowd.

Four minutes later Liverpool got their second. Again Ngog was involved, hooking the ball back across goal for Fulop to palm away only as far as Benayoun, who punished the error.

The next ovation was for Ngog. He had been struggling with cramp and was replaced by Lucas after 71 minutes.

Lucas, with a header, and Babel - shooting from the edge of the box - threatened to extend the lead, before El Zhar came on for Benayoun in the final minute.

Sunderland Boss: Kenwyne Jones Let Liverpool Off The Hook

Sunderland had a glorious opportunity to take the lead early on in their encounter against Liverpool but their star man Kenwyne Jones for once opted for the wrong option when one-on-one with Reds 'keeper Jose Reina. David Ngog and Yossi Benayoun left the Trinidad & Tobago international and the rest of the Mackems camp ruing the missed opportunity.

"Jones should have scored - and on any other day, he probably would have done so," Sky Sports 2 quoted Ricky Sbragia, the Black Cats' manager, as saying after the game.

"If we had scored then the game would have been very different. Liverpool would have become anxious and we would have given ourselves something to hang on to.

"Liverpool would have been under pressure. We did okay in the first half - but once they went ahead, it was always going to be difficult."

Sunderland remain rooted in 12th position as a result of the loss, with just five points separating them from the relegation zone.

When pressed on how many points they likely need in order to ensure survival, Sbragia responded, "Maybe nine or ten. We have got the points in the bag. It is up to others to catch us as well. I think ten points probably."

Rafa Benitez: Liverpool Won't Throw In Towel In Title Tilt

The Spaniard, despite writing off his sides chances earlier in the week, feels Liverpool have been rejuvenated by their win over Sunderland.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has insisted that his side have not given up hope of hunting down Manchester United in the battle for the Premier League Championship.

The Reds' eventually saw off Sunderland 2-0 at Anfield this evening, just their thired win in eight league matches, after a maiden home goal from David Ngog and and a clincher from Yossi Benayoun cut Manchester United's lead at the top of the title to four points.

The Red Devils still have two games in hand however, including a trip to St. James' Park tomorrow night to face Newcastle United, and are still firmly in pole position to secure their third successive title.

However, Benitez believes that sealing the three points tonight against a lacklustre Sunderland outfit has given their chances of returning to the summit a welcome jolt.

Sky Sports reports that the former Valencia coach commented, "They [Manchester United] have a good team and a good squad, but this is football so you never know.

"We have to keep going and approach every game thinking about the three points and we will see what happens. Old Trafford will be crucial. We need to reduce the gap."

Benitez also took time out to praise the display of his stand in striker, David Ngog, who replaced Fernando Torres this season and found the target to boot.

He added, "He [Ngog] showed he has quality tonight. He is a young player who has just arrived and I think he has a great future here."

Liverpool make their crunch visit to face their arch-rivals Manchester United on 14 March.

Rafa Hails Reds Reaction

Rafa Benitez heaped praise on his Liverpool charges after bouncing back from Saturday's defeat to Middlesbrough with a convincing 2-0 victory over Sunderland at Anfield.

David Ngog finished off an excellent attacking move from close range on 51 minutes before Yossi Benayoun tapped home from a weak Marton Fulop save to seal the comfortable victory over Ricky Sbragia's men 14 minutes later.

Benitez told reporters after the match that the win was the perfect tonic to lift the players' confidence.

He said: "Clearly after the defeat of the other day it was very important to get three points and try to play a good game.

"It was difficult in the first half - they had a very good chance to go in front but after that we were keeping the ball and the game became more open after we scored the goal in the second half.

"We needed to win because we knew that we were in a very good position before the Middlesbrough game. We were very disappointed after that defeat so we had to show a lot of character to win against Sunderland.

"I think that David Ngog did a very good job, he had a good game. Yossi Benayoun also played well and Pepe Reina was also very important for us when he saved early on in the game.

"But the whole team was always trying to pass the ball, we were very well organised. They were very good on the counter attack so we had to keep calm - we created a lot of chances.

"The reaction of the players was very good."

With the Reds now lying four points behind league leaders Manchester United - who have played two less games - Benitez admitted he will be watching Alex Ferguson's men take on Newcastle at St James' Park on Wednesday and hoping for the Magpies to do Liverpool a favour.

"We have to approach each game with confidence and just think about ourselves," said Benitez.

"But it also depends on what happens with the other results and we have to wait and see what happens with United on Wednesday.

"If United cannot win then it will be very good for us, clearly it will be very good if Newcastle can win."

Benitez: Winger Can Be Secret Weapon

Rafa Benitez insists he was not surprised when Yossi Benayoun headed the winning goal in the Bernabeu - and claims the diminutive Israeli can be Liverpool's secret weapon from set pieces.

The 28-year-old scored arguably the biggest goal of his Reds career following a cross from Fabio Aurelio to secure a 1-0 win against Real Madrid last week.

Benitez does not believe it was a one off, and hopes the header will fill his in-form winger with confidence as Liverpool enter the business end of 2008-09.

"Clearly Yossi will take confidence from this goal because it was the winning goal in such an important game," said the gaffer.

"It was funny because after the game we were on the coach and we were watching it again on video, and some of the players were laughing because they had not expected Yossi to score this kind of goal.

"But I was not surprised about it because I know that he can do this type of thing.

"I was talking to him recently because he is really good when we are defending corners and it is clear that he is able to win headers.

"He is also a very clever player with good movements, so there is no reason why he cannot also be a threat in the opposition box when we have set plays."

Benayoun's form has been one of the plusses of 2009 so far.

Benitez added: "I have been talking with my staff about Yossi and we all agree that he has been playing very well recently.

"When you get to this stage of the season it can sometimes be that players are getting tired but in Yossi's case we have been able to see in training and in games that he is looking good and doing well.

"Yossi is an intelligent player who makes good movements.

"He can beat players, he can keep the ball between the lines and he is very good at spotting the opportunity for the final pass.

"He can provide assists for the other players and he can also score important goals, as we saw against Real Madrid last week.

"Like I said, he is a player with quality and game intelligence.

"He can change games. Hopefully he will be a key player for the rest of the season.

"We always talk about the importance of a squad – the players on the bench and those who are not involved in every game. Yossi is a very good example. Everyone has to be ready."