We Cracked Under The Pressure In 1997, But Rafa's Liverpool Are Equipped To Take It To The Wire This Time

The date was Sunday, April 6, 1997 and Liverpool were going for their first league championship in what had been a long seven years.

We were two weeks from playing Manchester United in what was scheduled as one of those classic 'title deciders', although Arsenal were also in the running. Through January, we had been the leaders, but United were the team ahead now. All we had to do was win games, stay close and hope they lost their nerve.

Instead, we lost at home to Coventry. Dion Dublin scored the winner (he reminded me of it when I met up with him at Anfield for Sky at the weekend). Coventry were in the bottom three but won 2-1 that day.

I can remember us being gripped by tension; the pressure of needing to win games, score free-kicks, make every chance count. The anxiety got to us. We were still good players, but those good players stopped playing. It feels like the prize is right in front of you, then it is gone.

Players suddenly make the wrong decisions. Goalkeepers will lose faith in their defenders, they will come for crosses when they should stay at home. Midfielders will try long passes when they should be short and simple as they will try to force openings.
Strikers will snatch at chances and miss when it might have been easier to score. Instead of penalties and free-kicks being given in your favour, they are given against you.

United won the league that year with 75 points, followed by Newcastle, Arsenal and Liverpool fourth, all on 68 points. The good news is that a sudden loss of form and momentum can be over as soon as it started. When you have players like Cristiano Ronaldo in your team, a moment of genius - when he's on top of his game - can end a bad run and start another good run.

Pressure changes you. Just like United now, we stopped playing with freedom and started playing with fear. In Sir Alex Ferguson's favour, nobody is better at reversing a poor run than a group that includes players like the immaculate Ryan Giggs, Rio Ferdinand and Paul Scholes.

United are the modern-day masters of winning a league from here, though Liverpool certainly have the momentum now and are playing with confidence.

Steven Gerrard is the best player in the country and Xabi Alonso has also enjoyed a wonderful season. Now Javier Mascherano is back on his game.

I have been critical of Rafa Benitez, but he made the right choices against Aston Villa. He picked his best team, regardless of the fact that he had to make two changes from the side who won 4-1 at Old Trafford. If he does that for the run-in, Liverpool have a chance. It will be interesting to see if either team is distracted by the Champions League.

Benitez has been guilty of changing his team, moving Jamie Carragher to right back unnecessarily. Now he must be consistent in his selection, as well as hoping Gerrard and Fernando Torres return from this ill-timed international break injury free.

Sir Alex Ferguson won't be happy with the delay until United's next game, but at least it is against a Villa team in sharp decline.

There is still a great deal of football to play and Arsenal have to play both clubs, as well as Chelsea.

We have a title race again. So who will crack first?

Gillett Ponders Franchise Sale

The future of Liverpool co-owner George Gillett may once again come into the spotlight after reports claim he is considering selling the Montreal Canadiens NHL franchise.

Gillett’s fellow owner at Liverpool, Tom Hicks, has made it clear that he wants to stay at Anfield for the long term, but nothing has been heard from Gillett on his plans.

According to reports, Gillett has called in financial advisors to take stock of his assets, and is considering anything from restructuring of his interests to a sell-off.

“The process has been started but we’re only at the beginning,” Canadiens team president Pierre Boivin told La Presse.

“We’re not hiding it; we’re going through a very difficult economic period.”

A new stadium for Liverpool has been put on hold due to the credit crunch with Gillett and Hicks engaging in a public spat before claiming their relationship has been repaired.

Rafa Benitez Looking To Bring Arjen Robben To Liverpool

Rafael Benitez is apparently looking to bring Arjen Robben back to England as he plans his summer spending with Liverpool.

Having recently signed a new deal at the club, the former Valencia coach is thought to be looking at the future and already wants to build for next season.

Both AS and Marca, citing English sources, claim that his top priority is Robben, who has been in excellent form for Real Madrid, leading them to within just six points of Barcelona in La Primera.

The Dutch international joined the Spanish side from Chelsea and whilst he has struggled with injuries, he could be the natural winger than Benitez is after.

At the moment Liverpool are using both Albert Riera and Dirk Kuyt on the flanks, but suffice to say that - despite their recent productivity in front of goal - neither appear to have the speed and trickery of Robben.

According to the Daily Star, Benitez will have around £30 million to spend next summer and he could well make a bid of around £20 million for Robben.

The problems with him leaving Real Madrid are clear though: firstly; the club would be reluctant to sell the winger due to his sparkling form and secondly; with a new president coming in, it would surely be foolhardy to sell one of the best players to a European rival.

Even at the price of £20 million it seems highly unlikely that Real Madrid would be tempted as Robben has become one of their most important players this season.

Alvaro Arbeloa Lauds Liverpool Captain Steven Gerrard

Spanish defender Alvaro Arbeloa has heaped praised on team-mate Steven Gerrard after watching him score three of Liverpool's five goals against Aston Villa on Sunday.

The Spain international suggested that the Reds captain should claim plenty of individual awards for his performances throughout the 2008/09 campaign.

"Stevie was excellent. He deserves all the credit he gets because he is a key player for us and performs like a true captain," Arbeloa is quoted as saying in The Sun.

"I think he is having an amazing season. He deserves to be the best."

The Merseyside based outfit moved to within one point of Premier League leaders Manchester United after their latest victory.

Liverpool were a goal to the good just eight minutes into Sunday's fixture, and the 26-year-old feels scoring early goals could be the key to success.

"We had a really good start to the game and I think that kind of first-half display is the key.

"If we can start really well it can be important because an early goal can open up a tight match.

"We have to keep going, build on the momentum of the past week or so and make sure we fight right up until the end of the season."

Carragher Fires Title Warning

Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher believes Manchester United will be feeling the heat in the Premier League title race after a perfect weekend for the Anfield outfit.

United's 2-0 loss to Fulham on Saturday was swiftly followed by Liverpool's 5-0 demolition of Aston Villa 24 hours later, a result which saw Rafael Benitez's side move to within a point of the leaders at the summit.

Liverpool's bulldozing display at Anfield came after comprehensive wins over United and Real Madrid in domestic and European competition respectively, and Carragher believes his side is coming into form at just the right time.

"This will have sent a message out to United and Chelsea," said the 31-year-old.

"Let's not kid ourselves, they'd have been watching the game.

"When you play Real Madrid and Manchester United and score so many goals, you know in the back of your mind that can't happen every week so to get five against Villa was a magnificent achievement.

"If we'd have dropped points against Villa, United's defeat at Fulham wouldn't have made that much of a difference but we've capitalised on it.

"Now United will realise they are in a fight for the league."

Carragher believes Liverpool have recovered well from a wobble at the turn of the year which saw United displace them at the Premier League summit.

"We are maturing and getting used to the demands of fighting for a title," he said.

"We were there earlier in the season but, having not been in that position before, maybe we didn't know how to deal with it.

"We've probably found it difficult a few times this season to cope with that.

"We're well aware that the title is in Manchester United's hands, but we're trying to put them under as much pressure as possible."

Bruce: Reina Knows The Score

Liverpool legend Bruce Grobbelaar would not be surprised to see Jose Reina add a goalscoring threat to his list of attributes.

Former goalkeeper Grobbelaar, who was a member of Liverpool's 1990 championship-winning squad, has been so impressed by Spanish shot-stopper Reina he considers him an attacking weapon for Rafael Benitez.

It was Reina's long kick which set up Albert Riera to score against Aston Villa on Sunday, and Grobbelaar claims opposition goalkeepers need to be aware of his potential menace.

"I've always said Reina has the best distribution out of the continental 'keepers," Grobbelaar told BBC Radio Five Live.

"His kicking out and throwing is absolutely superb.

"He might actually score from a kick one day, either out of his hands or he'll come 35 yards out and have a go at goal."

Grobbelaar has been thrilled to see Liverpool revive their Barclays Premier League title challenge, as they attempt to end a 19-year wait to be champions of England again.

The 5-0 home victory over Villa took Liverpool to just one point behind leaders Manchester United, who have a game in hand but have lost back-to-back league games.

"It's brilliant," said Grobbelaar. "It's come at a great time."

He added: "We know we have got to win every single game we play.

"Our away form has been better than our home form, despite the Villa match, so we know what we have got to do.

"United, on the other hand, have had this little hiccup.

"They've got to go away on international duty and come back and regroup.

"Believe me, this is not over by a long way."

Liverpool will go top before United play their next game if they win at Fulham on April 4, 24 hours before the Red Devils face Villa at Old Trafford.

Manager Benitez has stressed there is "real belief" among his squad that they "can beat anyone".

Benitez added: "But we must be calm, win the next game, get the points and keep going until the end. Otherwise everything will be wasted.

"Clearly we have confidence and the team is playing well. But we must just wait to see what happens next to United, while we must keep going and keep the team playing at this level."

Real Madrid Give Up On Liverpool Ace Steven Gerrard

Real Madrid will not be pursuing Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard during the summer transfer window as the Spanish giants have given up on the Englishman.

The Daily Mail claims Real Madrid presidential candidate Florentino Perez has been told by sources close to the player that he has no intention of leaving Anfield, no matter how much cash is tabled.

Reports suggest the Spaniard is promising big-money signings in an attempt to help his election campaign, and return to power this summer.

However, despite talk of an €80 million bid from the Bernabeu club, voices in England are confident that the Reds captain will stay under Rafael Benitez's wings.

Fernando Torres and Xabi Alonso have also been touted as potential Real Madrid targets, but neither move is likely to materialise.

With Gerrard seemingly out of the picture, the English publication believes Perez will still try for Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo, despite both players insisting they will stay at their respective clubs.

Milan have always stated that their man was not for sale, and many will remember the Manchester City outcome when they tried to land the Brazilian. In addition, Real have already tried and failed to sign Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United last year.

Match Report: LiverpooL 5 - 0 Aston Villa

Liverpool are breathing down Manchester United's necks in the Premier League title race after destroying fifth-placed Aston Villa.

It was the third stunning Liverpool victory in 12 days, having previously put four past Real Madrid and Manchester United.

The champions' lead is now one point - they also have a game in hand - but Liverpool have now scored more goals than Sir Alex Ferguson's men and have also wiped out their goal-difference advantage.

Villa had no answer to a side with a driven desire to take the title from under United's noses.

Steven Gerrard scored a hat-trick with a free-kick and two penalties, with the latter one following the dismissal of goalkeeper Brad Friedel for bringing down Reds striker Fernando Torres.

In the first-half Dirk Kuyt and Albert Riera had scored, before Gerrard took over with his set-piece onslaught.

Liverpool had Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa back from respective ankle and hamstring injuries that ruled them out of last weekend's win at Manchester United, with Sami Hyypia and Lucas relegated to the bench.

They were joined there by defender Daniel Agger, who has only played one game since mid-December after a variety of injury problems.

Villa boss Martin O'Neill left out striker Gabriel Agbonlahor, who has scored only twice since before Christmas and was booed by his club's own fans last weekend. Defender Zat Knight was also on the bench, with John Carew and Curtis Davies back in the side.

There was still a solemn start to the proceedings, with a minute's silence following the death on Saturday of 56-year-old club secretary Bryce Morrison, after he had flown back from the Champions League draw in Switzerland.

Morrison, who had worked at Anfield for 17 years, suffered a heart attack at home. Both teams wore black armbands.

The game got off to a blistering start, and after eight minutes Liverpool were ahead.

Alonso's header from Gerrard's free-kick cracked against the bar, and Dirk Kuyt reacted quickest to blast the ball home from 12 yards.

At the other end Ashley Young's cross arrowed in from the left and Carew's flick at the near post almost caught out Jose Reina - but the goalkeeper tipped the ball over the angle.

The contest was ferocious, and Gerrard was then rightly booked for a fierce, late, challenge on Davies.

Then Reina made another outstanding save to his left to claw away a towering header from Carew - who played under Benitez at Valencia.

Liverpool were relentless and after 33 minutes they claimed a second goal.

Reina's 80-yard clearance was allowed to bounce once on the edge of the area by a Villa defence pre-occupied with Torres and Riera took full advantage by smashing the dropping ball high into the net.

It could have been three when Arbeloa intercepted a bad Friedel clearance inside the Villa box, but he chose to pass to Torres rather than shooting himself.

But the third was not long coming. After 39 minutes Riera controlled a searching crossfield pass from Kuyt, and was brought down in the box by Nigel Reo-Coker. Gerrard smashed home the spot-kick.

Any thoughts of a Villa revival were crushed after 50 minutes when Carlos Cuellar brought down Kuyt on the edge of the box and Gerrard drilled the free-kick low to Friedel's left and into the bottom corner.

Former Reds striker Emile Heskey had a header held by Reina, but was by now being employed on the left trying to halt Arbeloa and Kuyt's flow down the flank - with Young switched to a central attacking role.

The ploy did not last long - Agbonlahor replaced Heskey after 58 minutes, with Young back on the line- but things got worse for Villa after 63 minutes when Friedel was dismissed for clashing with Torres and Gerrard drilled home the fifth past Villa's reserve keeper Brad Guzan.

Lucas, Agger and David Ngog replaced Alonso, Arbeloa and Gerrard in the closing minutes of a comprehensive victory.

O'Neill Praises In-Form Reds

Martin O'Neill admitted that his side were beaten by an 'exceptional' Liverpool side after they crashed to a 5-0 defeat at Anfield on Sunday.

The Aston Villa boss added that although their opponents were superior his side had contributed to their own downfall.

A Steven Gerrard hat-trick and goals from Dirk Kuyt and Albert Riera compounded Villa's misery as they slipped three points behind Arsenal in the race for fourth spot.

O'Neill will have to make do without first choice goalkeeper Brad Friedel when his side travel to Manchester United next time out after he conceded a penalty and was sent off for bringing down Fernando Torres in the area with the score at 4-0.

"We were well beaten by an exceptional Liverpool side," he said.

"But we did contribute to our own downfall. At 1-0 down, we gave away an unbelievably bad goal. It was a shocking mistake.

"Liverpool have had two remarkable results before this game, beating Real Madrid and Manchester United - and they certainly did not need any help from us to achieve what they wanted."

The former Leicester and Celtic boss confirmed that his side played poorly but was confident that they could get back on track sooner rather than later.

"We played poorly. We gave away some lousy goals and we have to get back on track," he highlighted.

"We were doing fine four or five weeks ago, but we were well beaten by a better side. But we are a better side than we showed in this game."

Gerrard Ready To Pounce

Steven Gerrard has insisted that Liverpool are not getting carried away despite closing the gap on Manchester United at the top of the Premier League.

Reds skipper Gerrard inspired his side once again as he fired his first Premier League hat-trick in the 5-0 romp over Aston Villa on Sunday.

The title race is now firmly back on after successive wins over Villa and United the week before, but Gerrard is adamant they cannot presume that the defending champions' bid to reclaim their title has floundered.

"I think it is important not to get carried away. They are capable of winning all their remaining games," Gerrard told Sky Sports.

"It is important we focus on what we're doing and keep winning, keep on their shoulders, keep piling that pressure on them and whilst they are going into games knowing we are ready to pounce on any mistakes that they make it will be more difficult for them."

England star Gerrard, like most of Liverpool's squad, is now linking up with his national squad but he insists the international break is not a negative.

"It is a good break. We go away with our international teams, get some wins for our countries and come back ready to play again," he concluded.

Rafa Wanted More Goals From Reds

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez wanted more despite the 5-0 thumping of Aston Villa on Sunday which moved the Reds closer to Manchester United.

Benitez was disappointed from the point that Villa goalkeeper Brad Friedel was sent off for conceding Liverpool's second penalty - which resulted in their final goal.

From then on, with 25 minutes left, the Anfield men took their foot off the gas.

They had already overhauled United's once superior goal difference, have now scored more times than the champions this season - and now sit just one point behind their deadly rivals, who remain top of the table.

"There were times after the fifth goal when we should have gone on and scored more," said Benitez.

"We should have kept going, scored more and made sure that our goal difference was better when we were playing against 10 men.

"You never know what we will need, how many more goals we could have scored during that period.

"Don't get me wrong. I was happy with the performance and the result, but we should have gone on and scored more."

Albert Riera and Dirk Kuyt scored in the first period, before Steven Gerrard got the first of his dead-ball hat-trick.

The first came from the spot after a foul on Riera, and the second was a 20-yard free-kick after Kuyt had been felled. Gerrard then netted the fifth from the spot, after Friedel had been dismissed for bringing down Fernando Torres.

Benitez is content now that Liverpool have put themselves back into a position from which they can help shape their own destiny.

"As far as the title chase is concerned, we just have to keep doing our job - we must not be concerned about United's results and how they are playing," he believes.

"If United do make mistakes we must be ready, and that means carrying on doing what we are doing and winning points.

"We are playing well, and they will see that we are playing well and trying to win every game. We have eight games left, and every one must be won - and be treated as a cup final.

"Certainly we must maintain this momentum, and when we are playing well it just increases confidence.

"We now have an international break, so the players must come back from that, re-group and start playing again just as we are at the moment."

Benitez paid tribute to Liverpool secretary Bryce Morrison, who died on Saturday morning.

"Bryce is a big loss to this club, and this has been a big week for us. But this is a very sad day," he said.

Rafael Benitez Warns No Slip-Ups Allowed

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez warned his side must maintain their momentum if they are going to snatch the league title from under Manchester United's noses.

Benitez witnessed the 5-0 demolition of 10-man Aston Villa at Anfield that sees the Reds close to within one point of the champions, who have a game in hand.

He said: "As far as the title chase is concerned, we just have to keep doing our job, we must not be concerned about United's results and how they are playing."

Steven Gerrard scored a dead-ball hat-trick while Albert Riera and Dirk Kuyt added the others as Liverpool made it three stunning wins in 12 days having beaten Manchester United and Real Madrid 4-1 and 4-0 respectively.

Benitez added: "If United do make mistakes, we must be ready, and that means carrying on doing what we are doing and winning points.

"We are playing well and they will see that we are playing well and trying to win every game. We have eight games left and every one must be won and be treated as a cup final.

"Certainly we must maintain this momentum and, when we are playing well, it just increases confidence.

"We now have an international break so the players must come back from that, re-group and start playing again just as we are at the moment."

Gareth Barry Snubs Villa Over New Contract And Could Join Liverpool At Last

Gareth Barry has rejected talks with Aston Villa over a new deal according to Sunday newspaper reports, which would seem to pave the way for a summer move to Liverpool.

The 28-year-old will only have a year left on his current contract at the end of the season, and his stalling over an extension could be good news for Rafa Benitez.

The Liverpool manager was keen to buy Barry last year, but after a saga that lasted months Anfield chief executive Rick Parry failed to complete the deal.

And with Benitez now in a stronger position than he has ever been in, having signed a new five year deal and Parry set to leave the club, Barry looks set to finally get his wish.

Villa have enjoyed a fine season under Martin O'Neill, and are still challenging to win a place in the Champions League, but Barry will still be tempted by the size of Liverpool, who are currently chasing both the league title and European Cup.

Red Card Was Harsh, Moans Friedel

Aston Villa goalkeeper Brad Friedel has insisted he should not have been sent off for bringing down Fernando Torres at Anfield on Sunday.

The American shot-stopper was dismissed in the second half and Steven Gerrard converted the resulting penalty to make it 5-0 to Liverpool.

But Friedel was far from happy with referee Martin Atkinson, who he insisted got it wrong as he feels Nigel Reo-Coker was level with Torres - thus not making him the last man.

"I just stood my ground, and as the cameras show I turned my shoulders to show that I didn't try to make contact - he (Torres) is the one who ran in and made contact with me," Friedel told Sky Sports.

"Does he have an argument for a penalty sure, does he have an argument for a booking sure, but a sending off is very harsh considering he had a defender alongside him."

Friedel is now set to miss Villa's next match at Manchester United.

Villa Give Anfield's Central Force A Free Rein

Liverpool began at an intense pace with fast, accurate one-touch passing. Somewhat surprisingly, Martin O'Neill persisted with his 4-4-2 formation, accommodating John Carew and Emile Heskey as a front pairing and sacrificing Gabriel Agbonlahor. But more importantly Villa needed a third central midfield player or one of their front two to drop back to help compensate for Liverpool's clear superiority.

Teams who have drawn at Anfield, such as Stoke, West Ham and Hull, have resisted the temptation to open up centrally. Stilian Petrov and Gareth Barry, so influential in the first half against Spurs last week, desperately needed help as Liverpool flocked forward and countered too quickly for the Midlanders.

Carew and Heskey looked like a pair of lumberjacks compared with the wiles and cunning of Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres. The Villa front two played square with each other. For Liverpool Gerrard dropped off and oozed class as he drifted into acres of free space to terrorise Villa. Even early on it was essential that Villa tried to mirror Liverpool's system. Villa were overly brave, keeping James Milner (not as quick as Aaron Lennon but a more accurate crosser) and Ashley Young as their wide targets. But Liverpool's trio, with Javier Mascherano and the superb passing of Xabi Alonso at the base of the triangle and Gerrard at the apex, never gave Villa a second to dictate. Petrov and Barry strived vainly with their beleaguered colleagues but whenever they tried to stand up to Liverpool the hosts were in command.

Brad Friedel's sending off was harsh but with Gerrard celebrating another penalty success Villa still refused to go for damage limitation. Alonso left the field to deserved, sustained applause but it was an easy afternoon for him to display his talents. However, it was Gerrard who was the key who unlocked Villa so readily.

He floated into free space and enjoyed the freedom of the centre of Anfield. Villa were guilty of not marking him or closing him down or making his life difficult. The best current English player has given Liverpool a huge lift and left the Villa manager searching for the aspirins. At least O'Neill is one of the best at recovering from headaches.

Liverpool To Bid For Gareth Barry, David Villa & David Silva

According to a report in the British tabloid The Sunday Mirror, Liverpool are preparing to launch a triple end-of-season offer for Aston Villa's Gareth Barry, and Valencia duo David Villa and David Silva.

Apparently, the Reds' American owners are ready to back their manager Rafa Benitez with €106.3 million (£100m) in order to land the transfer targets.

It is also claimed that should the Spaniard decide to cash-in on any of his squad members at Anfield, he will be allowed to invest those funds in new acquisitions.

It is thought that Benitez has also identified Wigan Athletic's right-sided winger Antonio Valencia, although recent speculation has linked the Ecuador international with a move to Manchester United.

Liverpool's Fabio Aurelio Hopeful Of Brazil Call-Up

The Liverpool full-back still has high hopes that he could be in line for a Selecao call-up, after suffering badly on the international front in the past.

Liverpool left-back Fabio Aurelio has hinted that he would love to represent his country in the Confederations Cup at the end of the season.

The Brazilian defender has had extremely bad luck in the past, when been called up for international duty, but hopes now are the time for him.

The former Valencia man has been called up twice by Brazil, and both times has been stopped by serious injury.

Firstly, he suffered a serious knee injury just a day after he got the nod. Then, during the 2006/7 season, he damaged his Achilles and was once again unable to take part.

The 29-year-old has been a big part of his country's youth and Olympics squads, having played a total of 42 times, but is yet to play for the senior side.

However, there are rumours that he is to receive a call-up in the not-too-distant future by Brazil coach Dunga, and the former Sao Paulo player has his heart set on featuring at the end of the season.

Speaking to The Sunday Times, Aurelio said, "They say left-back is not a position which is closed and there's a Confederations Cup at the end of the season, so it would be a good time to get involved.

"It's a big frustration I got injured before and I'd like to have at least one chance. I think I could take my opportunity."

Aurelio joined the Liverpool in 2006 from Valencia, and has since played 80 Premier League games for the club, scoring three times in the process.

Premier League Preview: Liverpool vs. Aston Villa

Liverpool are feeling pretty darn pleased with themselves at the minute - and well they should, considering they put four goals past Manchester United last Saturday to launch themselves back into the Premier League title race. The gap at the top is now just four points, although the Red Devils have a game in hand and Rafael Benitez's men sit in third place due to Chelsea's superior goal difference.

It was the perfect end to a week that saw the Reds trounce Real Madrid to book their place in the Champions League quarter-finals, where they will meet Guus Hiddink's Blues, but the Anfield boss - who penned a new five-year deal in midweek - knows that his side cannot afford to drop any more points in the run home.

Benitez said, “Realistically, we have to win all of our games. But part of winning the war is winning football matches. We have more belief and more confidence now. It will be difficult but we can do it.”

This weekend, the Mersey men come up against a flailing Aston Villa side determined to rediscover their best form - and a team against which they could only manage a 0-0 draw back in September. Clearly, they must manage a better return this time around.

While the Reds were the Premier League frontrunners at the turn of the year, so were Villa the dark horse to challenge for the title. However, since storming into a seemingly sealed top-four position, things have taken a nasty turn for the West Midlands club.

Suddenly, after a run of just one win in their last six league games, Martin O'Neill's men find themselves in fifth spot, shunted out of the Champions League places by a resurgent Arsenal. They have scored just five times during that stretch, and much of the blame has fallen on the misfiring Gabriel Agbonlahor - although the young striker expects to find his scoring touch again sooner rather than later.

“If you look at last season, I went through a similar run and ended up in double figures. The goals will come. They always do. I am not worried at all,” Agbonlahor said.

Nevertheless, the England hopeful and his fellow attackers could be hard pressed against a Liverpool defence that conceded just once against Real Madrid and Man United over the course of three games. But it just may be that they have to gain some sort of result on Merseyside if they wish to keep their CL dreams alive.


FORM GUIDE

Liverpool

Mar 14 Manchester United 1-4 Liverpool (Premier League)
Mar 10 Liverpool 4-0 Real Madrid (Champions League)
Mar 03 Liverpool 2-0 Sunderland (Premier League)
Feb 28 Middlesbrough 2-0 Liverpool (Premier League)
Feb 25 Real Madrid 0-1 Liverpool (Champions League)

Aston Villa

Mar 15 Aston Villa 1-2 Tottenham Hotspur (Premier League)
Mar 04 Manchester City 2-0 Aston Villa (Premier League)
Mar 01 Aston Villa 2-2 Stoke City (Premier League)
Feb 26 CSKA Moscow 2-0 Aston Villa (UEFA Cup)
Feb 21 Aston Villa 0-1 Chelsea (Premier League)


TEAM NEWS

Liverpool

Only good news for Benitez, as Alvaro Arbeloa (hamstring) and Xabi Alonso (ankle) - both of whom missed the 4-1 win at Old Trafford - are in with a real chance of starting this weekend. Yossi Benayoun, another hamstring victim, has also returned to training and could be available. Daniel Agger, too, is back in the fold.

Liverpool squad: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Hyypia, Skrtel, Dossena, Aurelio, Babel, Benayoun, Mascherano, Riera, Gerrard, Alonso, Torres, Kuyt, Agger, Cavalieri, Lucas, Ngog.

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

Aston Villa

A selection dilemma for O'Neill, as John Carew is nearing full fitness after a back injury and may force either Agbonlahor or Emile Heskey to the bench. Steve Sidwell is also in contention, while long-term absentee Wilfred Bouma - who hasn't played since having his ankle broken in pre-season - has been included on the roster.

Aston Villa squad: Friedel, Guzan, Reo-Coker, L. Young, Knight, Cuellar, Davies, Shorey, Bouma, Milner, Gardner, Petrov, Barry, Sidwell, Salifou, A. Young, Agbonlahor, Carew, Heskey, Delfouneso, Harewood.

Possible XI: Friedel - Reo-Coker, Davies, Knight, L. Young - Milner, Barry, Petrov, A. Young - Carew, Agbonlahor


PLAYERS TO WATCH

Liverpool

The Villa Park faithful didn't see the best of Fernando Torres earlier in the season, as he limped off with a hamstring strain in the first half of that stalemate. The Spaniard has scored in each of his last two outings - against Real Madrid and Man United, no less - and should cause the Villans' rearguard all manner of problems.

Aston Villa

If there is one player in the Birmingham club's squad who is capable of flummoxing the Reds' rearguard, it is Ashley Young. His last visit to Merseyside saw him almost single-handedly lead his side to a thrilling victory over Everton (with a little help from Phil Jagielka), and he may fancy himself against either an ageing Jamie Carragher or a not-quite-right Arbeloa on the flank.

Liverpool Are Obsessed With Winning Premier League

Steven Gerrard has admitted he is desperate to win the Premier League and would rather claim domestic glory that pick up another Champions League title.

Liverpool have hit a hot run of form, thrashing Real Madrid and Manchester United in succession, and entertain Aston Villa today hoping for a win that would close the gap at the top of the league table.

Defeats for both United and Chelsea yesterday mean that a victory at Anfield this afternoon would see Rafael Benitez’s men move to within a point of leaders United.

And speaking to the News of the World, Gerrard has insisted that having gone 19 years without a league title the Anfield outfit can think about little else.

“There is an obsession with the league here and there always will be until we win it, but it can be a healthy one,” he explained.

"We all think about it all the time. I know it's something I'll be thinking about until we finally do it.

“That's why I’ll always put the league before the Champions League. I’m sure every Liverpool fan will say exactly the same.”

Last weekend’s 4-1 win over Sir Alex Ferguson’s side has breathed new life into the title race, and Gerrard admitted that the Merseysiders were buzzing.

“I sense everyone is really looking forward to every game between now and the end of the season. There’s a buzz around here I can’t remember for a long, long time,” he confessed.

“Don’t get me wrong, I’d rather be in United’s position than ours, but now people aren’t expecting us to win the league it could have worked to our advantage.”

The 28-year-old also insisted that confidence was high at Anfield and the club were aiming to win all of their remaining games and pile the pressure on the leaders.

"I get the feeling there’s a confidence around Liverpool with everyone just wanting to give everything for the last nine league games,” he admitted.

“We can do no more than try to win every match. It still might not be enough, but at least we can make sure United have to work hard to win this title and keep breathing down their necks.”

Reina Set To Beat Liverpool FC Clean Sheet Record

Rafa Benitez has 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 tonight’s home game with Aston Villa.

“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.”

“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.”