O'Neill Circles The Wagons Around Barry With Big Prize Slipping Away

Martin O’Neill is ready to fight Rafa Benitez over Gareth Barry if Liverpool renew their £18million interest in him this summer.

Benitez had to pull out of the deal seven months ago when he could not raise the money but now, with a new lengthy contract and £30m to spend, he is expected to be back. If Barry stars tomorrow at Anfield and Villa end Liverpool’s sensational run of results, it will only encourage Benitez to make another bid.

But O’Neill will not give up without a fight. If Villa can win a place in the Champions League next season – another reason why they need to end a run of four Premier League games without a victory – O’Neill believes Barry will stay. But he has not given up hope of Barry hanging around even if Villa only have the Premier League to play in.

“Benitez could be back for Barry now it looks as if he’s got some money to spend,” said O’Neill. “I don’t know what Liverpool are thinking and it’s not my concern at this minute.

“In the summertime, if we qualify for the Champions League, then there would be a decent chance Barry would stay. That’s what he has said.

My stance has not changed. If we didn’t make it, the chance for him to go and play in the Champions League is not something I would begrudge him.

“Liverpool might come in: Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea – I assume Barry would want to stay in this country. Only four clubs can play in the Champions League, so there’s a limited choice.” Barry has enjoyed his football this season and has won the fans over again after angering them by saying he wanted to go to Liverpool. And O’Neill admitted: “We’d love to keep Barry at Aston Villa.”

Steven Gerrard against Barry in midfield could be key to whether Liverpool can follow on from their four-goal wins over Real Madrid and Manchester United. “Barry is a very capable player,” said O’Neill. “We are capable of going to Anfield and getting a result.”

O’Neill fell out with Benitez when he attempted to buy Barry and although he says the row is forgotten, the relationship is still cool. “I’ve got the utmost respect for the coaches who are doing it,” said O’Neill.

“Benitez has won the Champions League with Liverpool and done exceptionally well with Valencia. I’m not constantly on the phone to Benitez, but the relationship is fine. It’s gone.”

But not totally forgotten, though? “You may be right.”

Aston Villa Defender Curties Davies Hails Jamie Carragher

Ahead of this weekend's Merseyside tussle with the Reds, the Villa centre-back has nothing but praise for one of his opponents.

Aston Villa centre-back Curtis Davies has today spoken of his admiration for Liverpool's iconic stalwart Jamie Carragher, whom the Villan feels offers real inspiration to younger players for his hard work and inspirational attitude to the game.

"He started as a full-back and played for Liverpool very early on his career, which was a massive achievement," Davies told The Birmingham Post.

"As he’s got older, he’s moved to centre-half. A lot of people say that small centre-halves are likely to struggle in the top flight, but he’s one of the toughest in the business.

"He’s like a rash. When someone takes him on one-on-one, there’s no-one better. When he wins the ball, he doesn’t just get rid of it either. He uses it sensibly."

And Carragher's devotion to the Reds is also something Davies finds worthy of comment, believing that his local 'scouse' roots are a central driving force behind the Liverpool man's high quality performances.

"A thing that comes across every week too is that it means a lot to him to play for his home-town club," Davies added.

"He is very passionate. I think that’s the way they are bred in Liverpool. They are football-crazy and kids love playing on the streets so I am sure it was a dream come true for Jamie to play for Liverpool."

Martin Skrtel Proving To Be Another Fine Rafael Benitez Signing

It is business as usual at Liverpool's Melwood training ground. Jamie Carragher breezes in to have a quick word with Ann, the receptionist, as Sammy Lee busies himself at the top of the stairs.

Meanwhile, Brian Hall, a former player from the 1970s but now the club's PR manager, accompanies a small group having a look around.

Nothing untoward here. Nothing to suggest Liverpool had just enjoyed a fantastic week, one that might well affect the next few years.

On the pitch, Real Madrid had been slain in the Champions League before Manchester United met a similar fate on their own patch. A few days later we hear Rafael Benitez has finally signed a new contract to end all the speculation.

It would be difficult to imagine a more healthy set of circumstances just as the season approaches its thrilling climax. Typically, though, no one was getting overexcited in this part of Liverpool, where counting chickens has never caught on.

The players, for instance, had come in earlier than usual to undergo a few tests with the medical staff. Gauging body fat was one, which was never likely to trouble the club's Slovakian centre-half, Martin Skrtel, who comes around the corner looking super-fit.

"It has been one of the best weeks in my career," Skrtel says straight away, his close-cropped hair topping a powerful 6ft 4in frame. "They were fantastic results for everyone. Before the game at Old Trafford the manager and all the players said this was our last chance to stay in the title race. We knew we had to win and I think we were better than them."

In the wake of those stirring results, much has been said – and rightly so – about the indispensable influence of Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres. Skrtel, however, has also played a key part by forging a strong bond with Jamie Carragher.

In fact, with Daniel Agger injured and Sami Hyypia used more sparingly these days, the 24-year-old has impressively answered the call since returning from a bad knee injury at the end of December. Strong, aggressive, good in the air, the lad looks excellent value for the £6.5 million Benitez paid Zenit St Petersburg in January 2008. Not surprisingly, Skrtel is pleased his manager has committed to a new contract.

"Rafa signing is perfect for us, perfect for the club," he says. "It's good for everyone that we know he's staying for a long time now. He brought me here and he has improved me as a player. When I arrived I hadn't been playing because it was the winter break in Russia, but Rafa gave me a chance straight away and since then he has brought my level up a lot."

Yet Skrtel rolls his eyes and smiles when I mention his full debut, a topsy-turvy FA Cup tie against Havant and Waterlooville. The new boy, in truth, had a bit of a nightmare.

"No, it wasn't a good game for me. It was my first game at Anfield and I was a little nervous. But Rafa kept with me for the next game against Sunderland and from then on it got better and better."

Skrtel was brought up in Raztocno, a small village two hours outside the Slovakian capital, Bratislava. Useful at ice hockey as a boy, he concentrated on football from the age of 10, though he took a few years to settle down in defence.

"I always played left wing or as a striker. But when I was 16 and playing for the Slovakia youth team our centre-backs were injured and suspended, so the manager asked if I could play there. I said I would try but I'd never done it before."

He was obviously pretty good because after a spell at Trencin, Skrtel left home at 19 to join Zenit. "That was very hard," he confirms. "Going from a small club and small city like Trencin to a big city like St Petersburg where five million people live – everything was new for me. I had to learn a lot of new things – a new language, a new style of football. Everything was totally different to Slovakia."

After falling out with his first manager, Dick Advocaat arrived to lend some belief and the youngster's performances soon started turning heads. Eventually, a host of clubs were keen on a player seemingly ready-made for the tough environs of the Premier League.

"I'm a centre-back so I have to be strong – win every header and tackle if I can. That's how I like it. When I was younger I'd pick up a lot of yellow cards but in our first meeting Rafa told me to be careful in England because it is easy to get booked. Now I try to play strong but without the fouls."

It is a successful approach that is going to be crucial over the next few weeks, seeing as Aston Villa's visit tomorrow kicks off a decisive run encompassing yet another Champions League clash with Chelsea.

Next Saturday, what's more, Skrtel lines up against England in a Wembley friendly, though the serious stuff starts the following Wednesday for a country topping its World Cup qualifying group.

"We play the Czech Republic," he explains. "That is a huge game. It's like Liverpool v Everton – a real derby. A lot of Czech people think they are better than us Slovaks. Before Czechoslovakia was broken up, there were 10 million Czechs in the country and only five million of us. Because of that they thought they were better."

Sounds a proper grudge match. Skrtel certainly isn't short of challenges just now.

Benitez Sums Don't Add Up, Says Ferguson

Sir Alex Ferguson underlined the way that Rafael Benitez has emerged as a potential nemesis yesterday by pulling apart the Spaniard's characterisation of Liverpool as a "little club" and accusing him of flawed mathematics in his claim that United had spent £100m more on players in his era at Anfield. "I was amazed when I saw that," Ferguson said of Benitez's claims, made after Liverpool's 4-1 win at Old Trafford. "I talked to some of the people in the sports technology department and said: 'Check that out'. I am sure I have not spent that much."

Ferguson has a point. The substantial question mark about Benitez surrounds his turnover of players and he has actually spent over £170m gross on players since he arrived at Anfield in 2004, against the £164m Ferguson has laid out on his 18 acquisitions.
Cutting straight to a perceived weakness in Benitez, he ridiculed the number of players the Spaniard has brought in – "The most amazing fact about them is that they have used 60 players in the reserves this season," he said and threw in another grenade on the issue of Benitez's foreign contingent and the absence of players developed by Liverpool's Academy.

"We have signed 18 players in the last five years. Eight of them are young players," Ferguson said. "We like to do develop our young players but other clubs are maybe different. Rafa has a different philosophy from me about producing players. But I worked out that in the last five years Liverpool have spent £24m more than Manchester United." Ferguson's attempt to deconstruct the idea of Liverpool as the poor relation included this prediction: "You will see Rafa produce an incredible spending spree – that is an absolute certainty now he has signed a new contract. They talk of a recession but there will not be one at Liverpool. He is well ahead of us in spending in the last five years. You can expect a big spending splurge at Liverpool."

That seems highly unlikely. Liverpool's owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks face uncertainty over whether the loans they took out to buy the club will be refinanced in July. Benitez might have spent more to date but the events of last summer – United laying out £30m on Dimitar Berbatov without needing to recoup cash from players' sales; Benitez having to offload players like John Arne Riise and Peter Crouch in order to purchase Robbie Keane – showed a gulf. It may be much the same this summer.

Benítez Quick To Give Liverpool Underdog Tag Against Chelsea

The unstinting wave of optimism that has surrounded Liverpool over the past two weeks seemed to have been turned back yesterday following a Champions League quarter-final draw which left Rafael Benítez struggling to find a positive.

For a fifth successive campaign, Liverpool will meet Chelsea and, despite completing a Premier League double over their rivals this season and the recent stunning successes against Real Madrid and Manchester United, Benítez declared his team distant underdogs.

Not even the recent announcement of the Spaniard's new contract, and his pledge yesterday that he is committed to the club whatever the status of their ownership, could improve Benítez's mood following the news that he must once more face Chelsea. "I don't see any advantage and I don't think we are favourites," said the Liverpool manager after learning that his side would have to play the first leg at home against the team that eliminated them at the semi-final stage last season.

"Chelsea are a good team and they are in form at the moment. For me it is always worse when you play the first leg at home and then the second leg away."

Although he is unwilling to admit it publicly, Benítez must be growing a little weary of facing Chelsea. Next month's two-leg contest will be the 23rd and 24th occasions the teams have met since the Spaniard breezed into Anfield in the ­summer of 2004.

The two most recent meetings have ended in 1-0 and 2-0 victories for Benítez on the Premier League stage, results he insists will have as little bearing on the European tie as the result of last season's semi-final when Chelsea won 4-3 on aggregate. "It's a different season and some of the players are different," he said. "It will be similar in terms of the rivalry between both teams – but totally different."

Before the first leg Anfield on 8 April, Liverpool face difficult league games, at Aston Villa on Sunday and Fulham, as they look to keep alive their faint title aspirations.

At least with his contract saga resolved, Benítez is hoping the feel-good factor around Anfield following recent events, on and off the field, continues on the pitch against Villa, with the manager moving quickly to quash rumours that his new five-year contract includes a get-out clause should Liverpool's co-owners, George Gillett and Tom Hicks, leave.

"That's not the case. I have signed because I am 100% committed to Liverpool," Benítez said. "Both have told me that they want the best for the club. For me, that's enough.

"I have signed the contract because I know we can improve. I will keep contact and have a very good relationship with the owners. It doesn't matter who is there because I will try to do my best to control the football operation."

Meanwhile, there were sighs of relief at Anfield and at Uefa's headquarters in Nyon after the logistics of the draw made it possible for Liverpool to avoid having to play on 15 April, the 20th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster. The Liverpool officials, players and fans had appealed to Uefa to avoid scheduling their Champions League quarter-final on that date.

Uefa president Michel Platini had been wary of creating a precedent by guaranteeing Liverpool that their tie would not be scheduled for April 15 but behind the scenes officials promised to do all they could to avoid the possibility. Liverpool chief executive, Rick Parry, said: "It's massively important and I'm delighted that's the outcome. It's a huge issue for the club and the fans and I'm pleased Uefa has recognised that."There had been concern at the prospect of a minority of fans engaging in unsavoury chanting if Manchester United and Liverpool were to meet around the time of the anniversary.

And while unpleasant Hillsborough-related chants have also been heard at Stamford Bridge on odd occasions during the many recent meetings of the teams, Parry said he was confident it would not be a problem when the two teams played on 14 April.

"I'm certainly hoping that's not going to be an issue," he said. "The key for us was the date and that's a good outcome."

Rafael Benitez Looks To See Off Chelsea Again

There are two sides to Rafael Benítez: the one that still seems to have trouble motivating his players for matches against lowly teams such as Stoke City and Middlesbrough, and the one seen yesterday.

Benítez momentarily let slip during a lengthy discourse that the Champions League was the “most important” trophy in his eyes, but while that may frustrate some at the club for whom the Barclays Premier League title remains the most precious prize, one can hardly criticise the Liverpool manager for the natural affinity he has with European football’s premier club competition.

Benítez has the kind of authority in the Champions League that Sir Alex Ferguson, his Manchester United counterpart, has established in the Premier League and as he looked ahead to a quarter-final against Chelsea next month that will bring the teams together for an unprecedented fifth successive season in Europe — Juventus and Deportivo La Coruña met four times between 2001 and 2004 — the air of calm surrounding the Spaniard was pointed.

It was almost easy to forget for a moment that Liverpool have a crucial league game at home to Aston Villa tomorrow, when the Merseyside club will hope to maintain the pressure on United, the leaders, after their remarkable 4-1 win at Old Trafford last weekend, but Benítez was far more comfortable and confident discussing Chelsea than Villa, which might help to explain why his team often take their eye off the ball domestically but never in Europe.

Chelsea finally exacted revenge on Liverpool last season for two previous defeats at the semi-final stage in 2005 and 2007, a 4-3 aggregate success enough to secure them a place in the final against United in Moscow, but Benítez dismissed claims that that result could hand Guus Hiddink’s team a psychological advantage.

He also brushed off suggestions that the first leg being at Anfield on April 8 and the second leg at Stamford Bridge six days later plays into Chelsea’s hands. Nor does it matter that he is coming up against Hiddink, who has won the European Cup with PSV Eindhoven. When it comes to Europe, Benítez has absolute faith in his abilities and those of his team, and while he did not say it, he knows that Chelsea will be the more fearful.

“The league depends on United — it will be difficult but not impossible [to win] — but to win the Champions League again would be massive,” Benítez said. “It means a lot to win trophies but maybe to win the Champions League is the most important.

“I don’t think we are favourites. I don’t see either club having an advantage. Chelsea are a very good team that are in form again and it will be tough for both teams. They are playing with more confidence [under Hiddink].

“The Champions League is in our own hands. It depends on us. That’s a massive difference to the league situation, but it will still be very difficult. You can’t change the draw now, but our side of it is more difficult. If we get through, Barcelona or Bayern Munich will be difficult and then there’s the final itself, but do I want to be in the same situation in the next five years? If we keep playing them in the final stages of the Champions League, then I will be happy, as it means we have reached that far.”

Having finally ended speculation about his future by signing a new five-year contract this week, Benítez is clearly looking to the long term. One of the sticking points had been his demand for Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr., the Liverpool owners, to provide him with guarantees about the future ownership of the club, but while they were unable to do that, the Spaniard is adamant that there is no clause in his contract that would allow him to leave if the owners changed.

“There’s no get-out clause,” he said. “I’ve signed the contract because I am 100 per cent committed to the club. Both owners signed my contract and said they want the best for the club and for me that’s enough.” Chelsea beware.

Rafa Benitez: Manchester United Are Favourites For Europe

Much has been made about Chelsea and Liverpool's re-acquaintance in the Champions League - their fifth successive meeting in continental competition - but Reds boss Rafael Benitez was keen to stress that the draw could have been kinder to them.

The Spaniard also offered clarity over his new long-term Liverpool contract.

"It will be difficult for both sides," Benitez said at a press conference today. "We've played each other so many times, sometimes its advantageous, sometimes its not.

"Villarreal, and FC Porto are good sides, but to draw against a team like Chelsea is tough," he warned. "Clearly Manchester United are favourites."

Regarding the news that UEFA are set to acquiesce to Liverpool's request of moving a Champions League tie so that it will not lie on their 20th anniversary commemorations, Benitez added, "We were trying to avoid the Hillsborough date for what it means for the club and the fans, but we are pleased with the decision."

He also clarified the complexities over his new contract, "I think every press conference for the past three months I have answered a question about this. There were uncertainties to sort out, those were the key, we had to clarify these.

"I am pleased with the answer. I have the same control that I had before with regard to transfers," he said.

Liverpool Co-Owner Tom Hicks Insists New Anfield Will Happen

Liverpool FC co-owner Tom Hicks insists new Anfield will happen – telling fans “we’re going to build that sucker”.

But the Texan was unable to say exactly when the new stadium would be ready.

He blamed delays on the closure of the world’s money markets.

The Americans need £400 million even to restart building work in Stanley Park.

Hicks has hinted at his ability to get cash together – claiming he will be at Liverpool for as long as Rafa Benitez.

The Spaniard’s new five-year deal keeps him at the club until 2014.

But for Hicks and co-owner George Gillett to stay in control they must re-finance £300m of loans in July.

Hicks could replace Gillett, thought to want to sell his stake, although he hinted his fellow American could stay.

He insisted the world’s financial markets would reopen and the pair would get the money.

“The stadium is very much something we plan to do. It is not being mothballed, it is going to happen.”

But fan groups have hit out at “more broken promises” from Hicks and Gillett, calling them “naive” to think Benitez’s new deal will win over supporters.

Last August the club said the new 60,000 stadium would be ready for 2012/13 – a year delay on previous dates.

When Hicks and George Gillett bought Liverpool two years ago they promised to start work within 60 days.

The club and the city council are yet to sign an agreed 999-year lease on Stanley Park.

Council leader Warren Bradley has warned the club to “sort itself out” or face losing the right to build on the park.

Chair of Liverpool’s Supporters’ Club Richard Pedder said: “I don’t believe a word Hicks says. He won’t be here as long as Rafa.

“I believe he’ll be forced to leave in July and it will be a hat-trick of success for Liverpool FC.”

Anfield councillor Brian Dowling said: “The people of Anfield deserve better than what they’re getting.

“Hicks living in his big house in America has no idea what it’s like for people in Anfield.”

Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks Never Doubted Rafael Benitez Would Stay

Tom Hicks, the Liverpool co-owner, says he never doubted that Rafael Benitez would commit his long-term future to the club.

The Liverpool manager ended months of bitter wrangling over his future by signing a new contract last night that will keep him at Anfield until 2014. Internal politics had led to doubts about his position at the club but Hicks believes there was never a real possibility of him leaving.

"I was never worried we would lose Rafa Benitez," Hicks said. Hicks added: "These things are complicated. A five-year contract is complicated, so I'm just relieved we finally got it done. Rafa has such a passion for Liverpool. I looked him in the eyes and I knew he'd sign.

"From the supporters' point of view, to have it done on top of such a great week on the pitch is great."

Hicks played down long-running reports that the delay was down to a power struggle - and in particular wrangling over transfer policy.

"That was in the media but it was never really true," he said. "I sat down with Rafa a couple of months ago and he made it very clear that he knows a manager can't have control over transfer budget.

"He has had his frustrations over the last five years and those are well chronicled but he will make the recommendations about which players we sign and the new CEO, the owners and the board will make the final financial commitment. And that is the way it needs to be."

The American is happy with the Reds' improvement in the Premier League and added: "We have a chance to catch Manchester United. It's not a great chance, but it's a chance."

Hicks said the club would continue to back Benitez in the transfer market. "We have signed Martin Skrtel, Fernando Torres, Javier Mascherano and Yossi Benayoun. We even signed Robbie Keane. But that didn't work out."

"I sat down with Rafa a couple of months ago and he made it very clear that he knows a manager can't have control over transfer budget," he said. "He has had his frustrations over the last five years and those are well chronicled but he will make the recommendations about which players we sign and the new CEO, the owners and the board will make the final financial commitment. And that is the way it needs to be."

Hicks dismissed the idea that the club was imminently going to be sold to businessmen in the middle-east and reaffirmed his commitment to staying at Anfield.

"I'm going to be here the next five years, Rafa will be here for five years," he said. "I think George will be here for the next five years, though I can't answer for him. We all want to be here for the new stadium."

Liverpool Meet Chelsea In Champions League Quarter-Finals

Liverpool and Chelsea will renew their Champions League rivalry after being drawn together in the quarter-finals today.

The Premier League sides have played each other five times in the past five seasons of the competition, most recently in the semi-finals last year when Chelsea won 4-3 on aggregate.

Manchester United, the holders, are likely to be happy with their draw against FC Porto, the Portuguese champions. Arsenal will play Villarreal, the Spanish club who finished fourth in La Liga.

The other tie pitches Barcelona, the joint favourites with United, against Bayern Munich. The draw took place in Nyon, Switzerland.


Quarter-final draw

Villarreal v Arsenal

Manchester United v Porto

Liverpool v Chelsea

Barcelona v Bayern Munich

Ties to be played on 7/8 April and 14/15 April.


Semi-final draw

Manchester United or Porto v Villarreal or Arsenal

Barcelona or Bayern Munich v Liverpool or Chelsea

Ties to be played on 28-29 April and 5-6 May.

Liverpool's Transfer Targets And Sales Now Rafa Benitez Has Signed On

After Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez ended speculation over his future in signing a four-year contract extension worth around £20 million that will keep him at Anfield until 2014. Telegraph Sport looks at five possible transfer targets and players on the way out.


FIVE OUT

Jermaine Pennant (Free)

The former Arsenal and Birmingham winger, currently on loan at Portsmouth, will not have his contract renewed after falling out with Benitez, with the manager concerned by his attitude in training.

Andriy Voronin (£2-3 million)

A flop in the Premier League, the Ukrainian has been in sparkling form since joining Hertha Berlin on loan. The Bundesliga remains his most likely destination, and Hertha his preferred move, should the Germans be able to find the cash.

Andrea Dossena (£4 million)

After early struggles at Anfield, Dossena’s two goals in two games suggest he is starting to find his feet, albeit as a left-winger and not a left-back. Benitez may be tempted to cash in, though, if a suitable offer from Italy arrives, with Juventus and Roma interested.

Philipp Degen (£1 million)

The Swiss full-back has featured just twice since his move from Borussia Dortmund after a succession of injuries. Benitez will surely move him on if he can find a buyer willing to take the risk.

Sami Hyypia (Free)

Benitez would be loathe to lose the former club captain, who proved at Old Trafford that he is more than capable of filling the breach when required. But the Finn, whose contract expires at the end of the season, may decide he wants one more year of playing regularly before hanging up his boots.


FIVE IN

Glen Johnson (Portsmouth, £8 million)

Liverpool’s most obvious weakness is at right back, where there is no natural cover for Alvaro Arbeloa. Johnson, an England international, would provide a more attacking alternative and is likely to be available as Portsmouth look to ease their financial concerns.

David Wheater (Middlesbrough, £5 million)

Should the ever-reliable Sami Hyypia leave, Benitez is likely to look at the Middlesbrough man as a young, English replacement. The Spaniard knows he has to boost his English contingent to meet UEFA regulations and, should Boro be relegated, Wheater would be an economic option.

Aaron Lennon (Tottenham, £10 million)

Benitez tried to include the wide man as part of the Robbie Keane deal but Harry Redknapp was unwilling to budge. There are suggestions that Liverpool may go back in the summer as Benitez tries to add natural width to a team which struggles to break down compact opponents.

Michael Mancienne (Chelsea, £4 million)

The England under-21 international has struggled to break in to Chelsea’s side and Benitez, on the lookout for English players, would be tempted to bring in a defender equally comfortable at centre back or full back.

Gareth Barry (Aston Villa, £15 million)

If Aston Villa fail to reach the Champions League, Barry may decide that he has to make the move he was dissuaded from last season. Benitez may choose to go back for the man who, ultimately, cost Rick Parry his job and is still keen on his dynamism and versatility.

Rafa Benitez: Pepe Reina Is The 'Complete Goalkeeper'

RAFA Benitez today hailed the “complete” Pepe Reina as he looks to break one of the club’s longest standing goalkeeping records.

Reina needs just one clean sheet to clock up a century of shut-outs and should he reach the landmark in his next three games he will eclipse a record set by the great Ray Clemence more than three decades ago.

Reds legend Clemence reached his century of clean sheets after 200 games, while Reina’s current total is 99 after 196.

Benitez is hoping that the keeper he brought to Anfield almost four years ago in a £6m deal with Villarreal can make another mark in Liverpool’s history books by getting the clean sheet he needs – perhaps even in Sunday’s home game with Aston Villa.

Though the Reds boss admits that Reina has needed the help of his team mates to be in with a shout of breaking Clemence’s record he insists the individual standards the Spanish international has set himself are the main factor behind his ongoing success.

“Clearly the team is defending well as a team,” said Benitez.

“I can remember a lot of situations when Pepe was one versus one with a striker and he has made some fantastic saves so I think that he deserves this record if he can break it because he is a very good goalkeeper.

“Hopefully it will happen this weekend because if it does it will mean that we have a better chance of winning.”

Reina’s shot stopping abilities and command of his own area have put him within touching distance of Clemence’s milestone, and Benitez is equally impressed by his ability to make things happen at the other end of the pitch.

Last week at Old Trafford, Reina’s distribution with his feet was one of the key factors behind Liverpool’s 4-1 win over Man United and his manager is keen to underline his knack of launching swift counter attacks once he takes possession of the ball – qualities which he believes make him a complete goalkeeper.

“I think that Pepe is a fantastic goalkeeper with a great character,” he added.

“He is very positive and he is very offensive in his play and that is very important when you talk about a goalkeeper because it means he is always looking to launch a counter attack.

“He also makes great saves and remains calm at the most important moments.

“For me he is a very good goalkeeper and he is very complete.”

Rafa To Shift Focus To Title Race

Rafa Benitez is pleased his contract dispute is now a thing of the past so his Liverpool team can concentrate on the title race.

Their first opportunity to build on last weekend's outstanding victory at Manchester United will be when Aston Villa, who are still fighting for a Champions League spot, visit Anfield on Sunday.

Liverpool are unlikely to have midfielder Xabi Alonso back after the Spain international missed the Old Trafford triumph with an ankle injury.

Full-back Alvaro Arbeloa, who injured his hamstring in the warm-up for that match, should play, but midfielder Yossi Benayoun is unlikely to be involved because of a knee problem. Fernando Torres, who battled through the Manchester United match with an ankle injury, will be fit.

Benitez believes everyone can now concentrate on the challenge of catching United at the top of the table.

He said: "I am really, really pleased. We have been talking about things for a long time, so it is good that it's been finalised and we can finish with the talks. Now we can start working with everything sorted."

He added: "It was a distraction in every single press conference because I was asked the same question. I was trying to concentrate on football and I think we were doing well."

Rafa Benitez Walking In Footsteps Of Anfield Giant Bill Shankly

For a player whose reputation was made as a title-winning rottweiler with Everton, Johnny Morrissey holds a significant place in Liverpool Football Club’s emergence as a footballing super power.

It was as a result of his controversial transfer in 1962 that Bill Shankly became the Anfield autocrat who founded a footballing empire.

And that experience has a relevance with what’s gone on at Anfield this week.

But first, a history lesson. In 1962 Morrissey was sold to deadly rivals Everton, without Bill Shankly’s knowledge.

Shankly was incandescent with rage.

So outraged was he by the slight to his authority that he hastily typed out his resignation.

If it was the moment Liverpool came closest to losing their trophy winning creator, it was also the moment he gained full control of Liverpool Football Club.

Historically, the buying and selling of footballers at Liverpool had been carried out by directors.

And that rankled with a man who was, perhaps, the original footballing control freak.

A dog-eared copy of Shankly’s autobiography sits on my bookshelf at home.

His philosophy is always refreshingly simple and direct.

And the battles he endured with the hierarchy at Anfield are illuminating.

“I used to fight and argue and fight and argue and fight and argue until I thought ‘Is it all worthwhile, all this fighting and arguing?” he wrote.

“It is bad enough fighting against the opposition to win points, but the internal fights to make people realise what we were working for took me close to leaving many times.”

Then he added his own managerial philosophy which – short of the words ‘this is my idea’ – might have come from Rafael Benitez himself.

“The manager is his own man,” he declared. “When he goes to a club he takes charge of the players and it is up to him to recommend the players to be bought and the players to be sold.

“If a manager is weak and makes mistakes then he will lose his authority and be kicked out.

“But even good managers have difficulties when they come up against businessmen with set ideas about how a club should be run.”

For Shankly, the Morrissey transfer was clearly a turning point.

After bashing out his resignation on the battered old typewriter which sat on his Melwood desk, he stormed out – and bumped into coaches Bob Paisley and Tom Bush.

Tom Bush’s son, Alan, recalled: “Bill told them he had resigned and they were shocked.

“They made him go back into the club and they persuaded him not to resign. My father removed the letter and destroyed it.

“They then spoke to the club secretary the following day, and TV Williams effectively relinquished his power. He never bought or sold another player.

“That was the moment that managers began really to manage, and it was because of the stand that Bill took.”

Shankly’s intentions that day were undoubtedly sincere.

But, maybe, just maybe, the master manipulator also spotted a way to gain the control of the club he felt was necessary to mould it in the way he saw fit.

Fast forward 47 years – and for Johnny Morrissey, read Gareth Barry.

Rafa Benitez wanted the Aston Villa skipper almost as badly as Shankly wanted Morrissey.

But behind the scenes machinations meant he ended up with Robbie Keane.

The Liverpool manager now has a computer screen rather than a typewriter on his Melwood desk, but while Benitez didn’t rush and rattle out an e-mail offering his instant resignation, he did the next best thing. He had a contract offer on his table. But he stalled, and stalled, then stalled some more – whilst demanding the control he feels is necessary to mould the club into a trophy winning vehicle.

Signing his contract this week suggests he now has the control of the club he desires.

He will control who is bought, he will dictate to the youth academy and he will decide who is sold – and that is how it should be with any successful football club.

Can he achieve the success of the deified Bill Shankly?

That’s highly unlikely, but there can be no excuses any more, and that’s just how Rafa Benitez wants it.

If Gareth Barry never kicks a ball for Liverpool Football Club, he might still have played a major part in their future.

Rafa Benitez: I Signed New Liverpool Deal For My Family & The Fans

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez signed a new five year contract with the club recently and revealed that his family life was a key factor in him deciding to remain on Merseyside.

"I am really pleased for me, for my family and hopefully for the fans," Benitez told The Liverpool Echo.

"It was a very easy decision for me to take because I only ever wanted to stay at this football club."

He went on to state that he was now hoping the saga of his new contract could be put behind the club, and that thoughts could now turn to the future with fresh optimism.

"We want to improve in all departments – the squad, the mentality – everything that we possibly can," he explained.

"For me and for my family it has been a fantastic week. My idea is always to win trophies, not just games.

"But to beat Real Madrid and Manchester United and then sign the contract makes this a perfect week. But now we must look ahead, not back.

"We must look to continue the work we have done and keep on trying to improve, because maybe then we can have even better weeks. My message to the fans is very clear – it is because of them that I am signing this contract. This is a fantastic club with fantastic fans – it is as simple as that."

And those fans were another compelling reason to stay, the Spaniard asserted, continuing, "Last week I met with a supporter who carries a flag to every game. The flag has a picture of me on it and the Spanish phrase ‘siempre es possible’ and it is flown at all our home games.

"I saw it at the Bernabeu also when we played Real Madrid and I met the supporter who owns the flag at Melwood last week.

"It was really funny because he was telling me ‘you must sign’ and saying ‘I hope it is for ten years' but then he was changing his mind ‘no, no twenty years’.

"It was really funny but it also showed the incredible passion of the Liverpool fans and the support that they give to their manager. I also remember the Porto game last season when the fans demonstrated for me. That is something I will never forget."

As for whether there had ever been any realistic chance of his departing Merseyside, Benitez insisted that it had only been very slight, even though he found the situation frustrating at times.

He added, "Because of the uncertainty it was a difficult time. The conversations went on for a long time and because of that I was a bit worried. But I never thought of leaving and in the end it has all been sorted out thanks to the hard work of everyone involved.

"From the very beginning everyone knew that I wanted to stay here. But it took a bit longer for everything to be concluded because there were certain issues that we needed clarified."

Now that his contract has been inked, the manager concluded by stating his next immediate intention, he said, "My priority now is to do the deals for my staff and for the players who will be important for this club in the future."

Diego Simeone Advises Inter To Sign Javier Mascherano

Former Inter star Diego Simeone travelled to Milan this week to take a closer look at Jose Mourinho’s coaching methods. He believes that, if the Milan club were to bolster their midfield, they should look no further than Liverpool man Javier Mascherano.

“I think Inter should keep hold of the midfielders they already have in the squad because they are excellent,” Simeone said to La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“But if they really have to get one, I would pour all my efforts into capturing Mascherano. He can do everything and he is world-class.

“Moreover, I want to advise all the Serie A clubs not to miss out on [Carlos] Tevez. He is a complete striker, has a great personality and is a true professional.”

Inter are in the driving seat to retain the Serie A title this term but have once again flopped in Europe, crashing out of the competition at the hands of Manchester United.

“I adore this club because it was the most important in my footballing career,” enthused the ex-River Plate boss.

“They have won the Scudetto for three years on the trot and are firmly top of the table this season.

“As for the Champions League, they were not knocked out by a small team. It is very tough to overcome English sides at the moment because they have improved a great deal thanks to foreign players and coaches.”

Soccer-Assault Charge Against Gerrard Dropped

Prosecutors dropped accusations of assault against England and Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard on Friday but the player will still face a charge of affray over a bar brawl.

The Liverpool captain was arrested in the early hours of Dec. 29 after police were called to the Lounge Bar nightclub in Southport, north of Liverpool in northwest England.

Company director Marcus McGee, 34, required hospital treatment after receiving facial injuries in the incident.

At North Sefton magistrates’ court on Friday, Gerrard, 28, was told he would no longer face a charge of assault occasioning bodily harm, the Press Association reported.

Prosecutor Nick Evans said after a review of the evidence it had been decided that Gerrard and the other six men accused of involvement in the brawl would only face lesser charges of affray.

The case was committed to Liverpool Crown Court for a hearing on April 3. Gerrard has not yet formally entered a plea but has said he intends to deny wrongdoing.

The incident occurred following Gerrard's man-of-the-match performance in a 5-1 win over Newcastle United in which he had scored twice.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has said the club are fully behind Gerrard whose court appearance comes the day before a Premier League game against Aston Villa.

Swedes Confirm Reds Starlet Move

Djurgardens have confirmed Liverpool starlet Robbie Threlfall is poised to join the club on loan.

As exclusively revealed by skysports.com earlier this week talented defender Threlfall is set to join the Swedes on loan as he searches for regular first-team action.

The 20-year-old has been given permission by Liverpool to fly out to the club's Portuguese training camp as the Swedes continue preparations for their new season.

Threlfall is regarded as one of the brightest prospects to come through the ranks at Liverpool having helped the club win the FA Youth Cup twice in recent seasons.

The left-back has yet to make his first-team debut for Liverpool, but Reds boss Rafa Benitez is keen to loan him out so that he can pick up some much-needed first-team experience.

"We hope to have him down as quickly as possible to train in Portugal," DIF's chief of communications Jonas Riedel told FotbollsExpressen.se.

Steven Gerrard Selling His Car On Auto Trader Website

Steven Gerrard, the Liverpool and England footballer, is selling his car on the Auto Trader website.

His decision to steer clear of glitzy showrooms and instead place an advertisement on the internet means any "ordinary" fan with £52,990 to spare could snap up a celebrity bargain.

Gerrard's 3.6 litre Range Rover Vogue boasts a host of extras and the number eight - the player's shirt number - hand-stitched into each of the leather armrests.

The 28-year-old Liverpool captain is thought to have paid £61,000 for the V8 diesel just over a year ago.

But he then spent another £22,000 on such extras as alloy wheels, a £1,880 DVD system and £700 wool rugs.

He and his wife, Alex Curran, 26, have clocked up nearly 20,000 miles in the car.

A club source said: "This is the dream car for any Liverpool fan. It's a collector's item."

The source added: "It's a snip compared to what he paid. I can't see it being on the market for too long."

Assuming he gets a buyer this will be the second Range Rover Gerrard has sold through Auto Trader.

Last year he posted his old Sport HST on the site, with an asking price of £46,490.

His previous cars have included a Bentley Continental GT, an Aston Martin Vanquish and a Ferrari.

Benitez Victorious As He Signs New Liverpool Deal

Rafael Benitez committed himself to Liverpool for the long-term last night, signing a new five-year contract which represents a victory in his battle to wield greater power at the club.

The Spaniard has been at odds since January with the club's owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks, demanding greater control over football issues including his transfer budget and the club's Academy. Benitez will by no means secure carte blanche to spend without his board's sanction. "Transfers will still be handled by the new CEO and owners, based on Rafa's recommendations," one executive familiar with the contract talks said last night. But the balance of power has clearly swung towards him and away from the chief executive's office – where incumbent Rick Parry's departure was announced last month. The exit of Parry may have helped secure 48-year-old Benitez's signature on a deal worth over £4m a year which should keep him at Anfield until June 2014 and extend his career at the club to a decade, should he see it out.

"My heart is with Liverpool Football Club, so I'm delighted to sign this new deal," said Benitez, who arrived from Valencia in the summer of 2004. "I love the club, the fans and the city and with a club like this and supporters like this, I could never say no to staying. I always made clear I wanted to be here for a long time and when I complete my new contract it will mean I have spent over a decade in Liverpool. The club is greatly respected around the world due to its incredible history and tremendous heritage. It is my aim to uphold those values and help create a new chapter in our history."

Though Hicks and Gillett believe in a chief executive holding the kind of powers David Gill enjoys at Manchester United, they were persuaded by Randy Lerner at Aston Villa that a deal allowing Benitez similar control to Martin O'Neill could work.

Amid the threat of Real Madrid seeking Benitez this summer, the Americans needed to retain a world-renowned manager to maintain the optimum financial value of a club for whom they seek investors. Hence a salary which takes Benitez from his current £3m-a-year wage to something like the figures commanded by Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsène Wenger.

It is an outcome which seemed highly unlikely in October 2007 when Hicks and Gillett, antagonised by Benitez's response to their demands that he work through Parry and dubious about his capabilities, sought out Jürgen Klinsmann as a possible successor. Hicks has since had a rapprochement with Benitez but the relationships with Parry and Benitez were damaged fatally.

Parry's announced departure does not seem to have lifted Benitez's mood of late. Even 10 days ago, before the home leg of Liverpool's Champions League tie with Real Madrid, he did not seem to be in high spirits and he is yet to express much pleasure at the prospect of working with a new chief executive. But the wins over Real and Manchester United have since cemented Benitez as the most serious challenger to Ferguson since Jose Mourinho's star began to wane. The new contract also paves the way to new deals for Daniel Agger, Dirk Kuyt, Alvaro Arbeloa and Fabio Aurelio, whose own contract talks had been on hold pending uncertainties about the manager's future being resolved.

Benitez hinted on the day Parry announced his departure that a new deal was dependent on him being granted the security of knowing who the future owners of the club might be. That appeared to be an impossible request, considering the uncertainty still surrounding the finances of the club and the Americans' as-yet putative search for buyers in the Middle East. Some assurances may have been given but Benitez, who has always insisted that the length of the contract and remuneration were not issues, appears to have concluded that the departure of Parry, bringing him the kind of autonomy he has been looking for, is enough.

Hicks, who has been actively courting a consortium including the Kuwaiti Al-Kharafi family to secure new invest in the club, said last night: "It is wonderful news that Rafa has made a long-term commitment to the football club. He has been responsible for the great progress we have made. I know he will continue to build on his achievements as he has a tremendous hunger and desire to bring more success to the club – success our fans and everyone connected with the club deserves."

Gillett, the more likely of the American pair to sell up, added: "With Rafa continuing to manage the team, we can look forward to more great football and success on the pitch. He has special abilities and qualities which are admired here at the club and around the world. Coming after our excellent wins over Real Madrid and Manchester United, this gives us great momentum going into the final stages of the season."