Match Report: LiverpooL 4 - 0 Blackburn Rovers

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez's gut reaction was right, his side were good enough to beat relegation-haunted Blackburn without Steven Gerrard.

The club captain was left on the bench as Liverpool cruised to a victory that keeps their title hopes alive.

They wiped away the bitter memory of the midweek Champions League defeat by Chelsea, thanks to a couple of top-line goals from Fernando Torres, taking his total to the season to 14.

The first was a tremendous hooked volley after five minutes, the second a fine header from Xabi Alonso's free-kick.

And in the closing minutes Daniel Agger and substitute David Ngog wrapped up the points with further goals.

Gerrard was only named on the substitutes' bench, such was the concern over his groin injury, and he can now be expected to lead the side at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday in the Champions League quarter-final second leg .

Liverpool made four changes from the side that lost to Chelsea in the Champions League on Wednesday, with Agger, Yossi Benayoun, Javier Mascherano and Emiliano Insua replacing Gerrard, Martin Skrtel, Lucas Leiva and Fabio Aurelio.

Blackburn were without El-Hadji Diouf, Jason Roberts and Morten Gamst Pedersen from the side that beat Spurs last time out with Benni McCarthy only on the bench from that side.

Andre Ooijer, Tugay, David Dunn and Keith Treacy came into the team.

With the 20th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster on Wednesday, the match was preceded by a minutes' silence.

And Blackburn's former Liverpool player, Stephen Warnock, carried a wreath onto the pitch and laid it on the turf in front of the Kop prior to kick-off.

Blackburn started with five across the back and just Christopher Samba up front.

Liverpool have had trouble with this style of defence all season at Anfield, but Rovers' resistance was broken after just five minutes with a sensational Torres goal.

Jamie Carragher's long ball was taken down by Torres on his chest and with a turn and shot that had a touch of Marco van Basten about it, the Spaniard's stunning hooked volley flew past Paul Robinson into the far corner.

Agger was booked for body-checking Treacy a minute afterwards, but Liverpool continued to attack and it could have been two after 15 minutes.

Dirk Kuyt broke at pace from a Blackburn clearance and set up Mascherano for a shot that Robinson saved. However, Torres arrived first to the rebound and managed to lift his eight-yard effort over the bar.

Robinson then produced a great save to keep out a close-range Kuyt header from Insua's cross. Somehow Benayoun blazed over from the rebound.

Robinson saved again, this time from Mascherano before Keith Andrews was booked for a foul on Albert Riera after 33 minutes.

And from the resulting Alonso free-kick out on the left, Torres scored his second with a fierce header having run virtually unattended from the corner of the box to meet the set-play.

Blackburn sent on Aaron Doran at the break for Aaron Mokoena, but the pressure continued. Twice Riera saw long-ranger shots clear the far post as Liverpool went in search of more goals.

Liverpool tried to be over-elaborate, Kuyt firing over and Agger mis-hitting one wide from 20 yards before Blackburn sent on Carlos Villanueva for Dunn after 59 minutes.

Seven minutes later Tugay was withdrawn, with Vince Grella taking over.

But Liverpool had taken their foot off the pedal, not the best course of action against any top-flight side, but you sensed they had Chelsea on their minds.

Torres departed after 73 minutes to be replaced by Nabil El Zhar, again with Chelsea in mind.

Alonso was booked for a trip on Doran before Jose Reina - playing his 200th game for the club - was called into meaningful action.

He saved well from Warnock and Villanueva before diving to his left to claim a low Samba effort.

Warnock cleared off the line from Riera while Mascherano wasted a close-range opportunity.

But the third eventually arrived when Agger ran from 40 yards out to blast a swerving foot shot past Robinson from just outside the box.

Substitute Ngog scored the fourth when he headed home in the last minute.

Allardyce Backs Anfield Title Bid

Sam Allardyce insisted Liverpool can still win the title after seeing his side cut down at Anfield.

Liverpool were determined to keep the heat on Manchester United, regardless of the depression following the midweek Champions League defeat by Chelsea.

There was no Steven Gerrard, the Liverpool captain left on the bench to nurse his groin injury, but the plan worked as the home side won on cruise control.

Gerrard will now almost certainly be launched into Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final, second leg at Stamford Bridge in a last-ditch attempt to keep Liverpool's European dreams alive.

And they certainly kept their Barclays Premier League hopes on course with a fine display, Fernando Torres scoring two outstanding goals in the first half to set Liverpool on the way to their 27th successive unbeaten home game.

And Allardyce, a frequent critic of Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez, agreed that they could win the title.

He said: "They are certainly capable of winning the title, even if Manchester United have a game in hand.

"If Liverpool keep playing like that and continue with that pace and confidence, it is possible they can win it.

"There will be a lot of twists and turns yet and they certainly believe they can do it."

Benitez hailed Liverpool's "perfect response" to that mauling from Chelsea.

Two Torres goals in the first half put Liverpool in charge before Daniel Agger and substitute David Ngog added further goals near the end.

Benitez said: "We had plenty of very clear chances and in the end it was easy.

"After what happened in midweek against Chelsea, that was the perfect response.

"We had confidence and we were always in control. The first goal was very important, it opened the game up and we were able score more because we had more space.

"Torres' goals were special, we did not have Steven Gerrard but we know we can rely on our other top players. This was Fernando's day to show that."

Benitez, aware that Sir Alex Ferguson had continued their war of words 24 hours earlier by showing surprise that the Spaniard was thinking about him ahead of the Chelsea match, added: "Sir Alex is talking again about Liverpool, I do not mind that but he is maybe showing he is nervous.

"I was more concerned with the way we played, the chances we created and the goals that we scored.

"My only concern was that we did not score more. Goal difference will be very important if this title race goes to the wire.

"So I was pleased that we managed to get another couple near the end. I felt we were always in control and it just depended on whether we made any mistakes to let them back into the game."

Allardyce was critical of his own team.

He said: "I had watched how Didier Drogba had caused them so much trouble in midweek and decided to use Christopher Samba in that role.

"Obviously he is not that quality of player, but it was the same idea. The problem was that we did not support him at all and allowed Liverpool to pick up possession.

"We did not compete enough and they were deserved winners. Samba did okay but he had no help.

"Maybe a bit of fear crept into our lads. It is hard to come to Anfield with several top players out and get anything."

George Gillett In New Kop Bid

George Gillett is to make a last-ditch attempt to oust co-owner Tom Hicks from Liverpool.

The Anfield war betwen the two Americans is entering its final stages as the pair have three months to raise their share of a £350million debt to keep the club.

Both are desperately trying to get funds by selling shares in their other sporting franchises, while also keeping the door open to potential partnerships with Arab businessmen.

After looking the most financially vulnerable of the duo, Gillett is now increasingly confident the imminent £272m sale of his Montreal Canadiens hockey side will allow him to to pile the pressure on Hicks.

Gillett, who attended the Champions League clash with Chelsea at Anfield and is due in London for the second leg on Tuesday, believes Hicks has debts of £350-400m in the United States.

The Texan is trying to offload shares in the Texas Rangers baseball team and ice hockey's Dallas Stars. Despite that, Hicks has been pushing ahead with ambitious plans for Liverpool's future and has done nothing to suggest he's about to walk away.

Gillett made it clear earlier this season he'd leave Liverpool if Hicks went with him.

That stance appeared to soften after he became the prime target of criticism from some Kop fans and he took a back seat as Hicks played the pivotal role in securing manager Rafa Benitez's future.

There were fears Gillett was prepared to step aside and allow Hicks to pursue his own bid for power.

But the picture will change with the sale of the Montreal Canadiens. Now the duo are effectively embroiled in a high stakes race to see who can raise finance first and force the other out, ending what's been a tiresome and damaging power struggle.

Sources close to Gillett insist he's still ready to explore all options - either cutting his ties completely, taking a joint-ownership role with a new partner or remaining as a minority shareholder under a new board.

It's understood the only scenario Gillett won't accept is remaining at Anfield with Hicks. Waiting in the wings are Dubai and Kuwaiti investors, who think the Americans are more vulnerable by the week.

They are sure to make fresh bids at the end of the season.

Recent new deals for Benitez, Steven Gerrard and Dirk Kuyt, and the forthcoming securing of Fernando Torres on a five-year, £120,000-a-week contract, are designed to reassure the banks and potential investors of the long-term security of the club.

Martin O'Neill Doing Utmost To Prevent Gareth Barry Leaving Aston Villa

According to a report in the British tabloid The Daily Mirror, Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill is doing everything he can to persuade Gareth Barry to stay at Villa Park.

The England international was refused a transfer to Liverpool last summer, but it seems that he will be allowed to join the reds at the end of this season should the Villans fail to qualify for the Champions League.

With Arsenal, in fourth place, moving nine points clear of the Midlands based club on Saturday it is looking increasingly unlikely that Villa will be competing in Europe's elite competition for the 2009/10 campaign.

However, it is suggested that O'Neill is talking-up the 28-year-old in the hope that it will convince him to extend his current contract, which expires in 2010.

"Young Gareth has a heart the size of a lion," O'Neill is quoted as saying by The Daily Mail at a club dinner which Barry had also attended.

"He wants to play every single week and wouldn't take a break if you asked him.

"He doesn't get a break in the season and plays international matches. It is great for him, absolutely fantastic and he is very, very talented."

Rafa - Fergie Feeling Nervous

Rafa Benitez believes Sir Alex Ferguson is feeling 'nervous' as the Premier League title race hurtles towards a gripping climax.

Liverpool are breathing down Manchester United's necks at the top of the table having been galvanised by last month's 4-1 win at Old Trafford.

Benitez's side briefly dislodged United at the summit on Saturday after thrashing Blackburn Rovers 4-0 before the reigning champions laboured to a 2-1 win at Sunderland.

The rival managers have also been involved in a spot of verbal jousting, with Benitez and Ferguson questioning the motives for talking about each other.

But Liverpool chief Benitez says his United counterpart is trying to use his fabled mind games because he is feeling the pressure.

"Ferguson is always talking about us which shows they are really under pressure," said Benitez after Liverpool's win over Blackburn.

"I don't care, but I know he's nervous, so it's good. You can see he's under pressure."

Benitez added: "Mind games are against managers who are affected by them.

"I am focused just on my team before every single game. I don't see that what's said about my team will affect my team. I don't think so.

"Maybe once in every 10 times, but not every time. Anyway, I don't care. It doesn't matter.

"I prefer to talk about football, but sometimes you have to hit back."

Agger Still Hopes To Stay

Daniel Agger is hoping to stay at Anfield, but is unsure if he will still be a Liverpool player next season.

The Danish defender's contract expires in 2010 and the Premier League title chasers have been discussing an extension.

Reds boss Rafa Benitez has confirmed he has been holding talks with Agger and is optimistic about hanging on to the 24-year-old.

Agger, who has been linked with AC Milan and Juventus, did not go into detail about his contract talks, but confirmed he is keen to stay on Merseyside.

"I am at the stage of my career where I need to play - and want to play - but that situation has nothing to do with the contract talks," he said.

"It is nice to hear the manager wants to keep me, but the most important thing is what he tells me when I look him in the eyes.

"It's not what he says in the papers, it is what he says behind closed doors. I keep talks with the club confidential, so I cannot tell you what has been said.

"I don't know when things will be decided. I don't have a clue. In my heart, I hope I will be here next season. But, really, I don't know.

"I know there have been some reports in Denmark that my agent has spoken to clubs in Italy, but they were wrong."

Juventus Chase Sebastian Leto

Liverpool flop Sebastian Leto could be set for a shock move to Juventus.

The 22-year-old midfielder has spent the season on loan at Olympiakos and looks unlikely to return to Anfield in the summer with boss Rafael Benitez ready to offload the Argentine.

Leto had been linked with a switch to Paris Saint Germain. But Juventus boss Claudio Ranieri looks set to win the race for Leto, who is determined to kick-start his career.

And Blerim Dzemaili will end his Bolton misery by joining Torino for around £500,000 even though they could be relegated from Serie A.

The Swiss midfielder, 23, has not started a game for Bolton since he was signed in January 2007 and has been at Torino on loan.

Minute's Silence Marks Hillsborough Anniversary

Commemorations to mark the 20th anniversary of the Hillsborough stadium tragedy began Saturday with a minute's silence before Liverpool's 4-0 victory over Blackburn.

Before the kickoff at Anfield, Blackburn's former Liverpool player, Stephen Warnock, carried a wreath on to the pitch and laid it in front of the Kop.

The number 96 featured in red on the white floral tribute, marking the number of Liverpool fans who lost their lives after a crush in a fenced-in standing area of the Sheffield stadium. Liverpool was playing Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup semifinals on April 15, 1989.

Current Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard lost his 10-year-old cousin Jon-Paul Gilhooley at Hillsborough.

"The memory of Hillsborough is very central and very important to this club and the 96 will never be forgotten, as well as the people that got hurt," Gerrard said. "It is important these people get remembered individually and not just as a number of 96. This club has fought for justice ever since and will continue to do so."

Relatives of the victims and fans' groups have argued that police caused the disaster by herding spectators who arrived late for the match into overcrowded pens in a fenced-off area behind one of the goals. Most victims were crushed to death.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday's anniversary inside Anfield. At 3:06 p.m., the time the game was abandoned, there will be a two-minute silence across Liverpool.

"We have stuck together since that day like we always do at this club and that shows what kind of football club we are, sticking by each other when times are tough," said Gerrard, who was nine at the time of the disaster. "Time has gone by, but the scars will never ever be healed and the fans will never ever forget."

Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher said the response of Saturday's crowd to the commemoration had helped his side once the match was underway. Striker Fernando Torres scored twice to put the Reds 2-0 ahead inside 33 minutes.

"We've got our memorial on Wednesday and obviously it is the 20 year anniversary," Carragher said. "Whenever it is around that time we play at home.

"The crowd is probably a little bit more up for it and it certainly helps us. That's why we came together before the game. I'm sure it gave the crowd a lift and we got an early goal."

Match Preview: Liverpool vs. Blackburn Rovers

Liverpool were high on confidence heading into their Champions League clash with Chelsea on Tuesday. A last-gasp win over Fulham the weekend prior had extended their winning run to seven games and put them atop the Premier League table, if only briefly.

Then Guus Hiddink's Blues breached Pepe Reina's goal thrice to leave the Reds' European hopes hanging by a thread. That defeat has underlined the great anomaly of Liverpool's season to date; for while they are enjoying their finest league campaign in yonks, they have been less than fearsome on their own patch.

They are unbeaten at home in the Prem but, despite claiming crucial wins over Manchester United and Chelsea, they have drawn with the likes of Stoke City, Hull City, Fulham, West Ham United and Manchester City.

So this weekend's clash with Blackburn Rovers could prove a particularly tricky one for Rafa Benitez and his charges as they look to plaster over the cracks that were exposed by Branislav Ivanovic and Didier Drogba. They sit just one point behind United, but any slip-up at this stage of proceedings could prove costly.

This will be as big a test for 'Pool as they have had all season. They showed at Craven Cottage that they are now capable of snatching results even when things don't go their way, and they must build upon that performance this weekend - and put Wednesday's disappointment behind them - if they hope to continue their push for a maiden Premier League crown.

Blackburn have spent much of this season mired in the bottom three, following a disastrous six-month stint under rookie manager Paul Ince. At the turn of the year, it seemed they were destined for another spell in the second tier of English football.

However, things have improved since Sam Allardyce took the reins, and last weekend's win over Tottenham Hotspur shot them up to 14th place, five points clear of the relegation zone. But Allardyce, the man who transformed Bolton Wanderers into Premier League stalwarts, knows that his Rovers have plenty to do before they can even begin to contemplate another season in the top flight.

Speaking after the win over Spurs, 'Big Sam' said, "I don’t think that ends our relegation worries. Thirty-four points is nowhere near enough for this season."

Thus, Blackburn head to Merseyside this weekend still seeking sanctuary from the relegation dog-fight, but they are unlikely to be granted such a boon at Anfield. They haven't won a league game at Liverpool since Benitez's arrival back in 2004, and the hosts will be desperate to keep pressure on Manchester United.


FORM GUIDE

Liverpool

Apr 08 Liverpool 1-3 Chelsea (Champions League)
Apr 04 Fulham 0-1 Liverpool (Premier League)
Mar 22 Liverpool 5-0 Aston Villa (Premier League)
Mar 14 Manchester United 1-4 Liverpool (Premier League)
Mar 10 Liverpool 4-0 Real Madrid (Champions League)

Blackburn Rovers

Apr 04 Blackburn Rovers 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur (Premier League)
Mar 21 Blackburn Rovers 1-1 West Ham United (Premier League)
Mar 14 Arsenal 4-0 Blackburn Rovers (Premier League)
Mar 11 Fulham 1-2 Blackburn Rovers (Premier League)
Mar 04 Blackburn Rovers 0-0 Everton (Premier League)


TEAM NEWS

Liverpool

Javier Mascherano is available once more after missing the Reds' last two fixtures through a combination of fatigue and suspension. The Argentine should replace Lucas Leiva in the starting line-up.

Competition on the left flank is hotting up, as Fabio Aurelio and Albert Riera are being pushed by Emiliano Insua and Andrea Dossena, respectively. Neither of the former two were at their best against Chelsea, so a Rafa reshuffle could be on the cards.

Martin Skrtel's once-imperious form in central defence has tapered somewhat, meaning the fit-again Daniel Agger could be up for a rare start.

Probable XI: Reina - Arbeloa, Carragher, Agger, Insua - Alonso, Mascherano - Kuyt, Gerrard, Riera - Torres

Blackburn Rovers

Allardyce will be missing a whole host of first-team regulars for the short trip through Lancashire. Morten Gamst Pedersen has a calf problem, and Jason Roberts is out for at least three weeks with a stress fracture of the foot. Brett Emerton is a long-term absentee, Vince Grella is still not 100 per cent, and Roque Santa Cruz is battling through tendonitis.

Furthermore, Johann Vogel has left the club after having his contract terminated, leaving options in midfield rather scarce.

Keith Andrews deputised at right-back last week but could lose his place to the departing Dutchman, Andre Ooijer. Carlos Villanueva should be the default choice to fill out the team-sheet in attack.

Probable XI: Robinson - Ooijer, Samba, Nelsen, Givet - Diouf, Mokoena, Andrews, Warnock - Villanueva - McCarthy


PLAYERS TO WATCH

Liverpool

The only Red who managed to foil Petr Cech in midweek was Fernando Torres, and he will be hoping to exploit a fairly heavy-legged Rovers rearguard with his considerable pace and guile - not to mention finishing ability. The Spaniard has only started 14 league games this term, due to persistent injuries, but has notched up nine goals nonetheless.

Blackburn Rovers

Some thought Allardyce was having a bubble when he suggested Christopher Samba could be used as an auxiliary forward, but the former Bolton boss was as good as his word and stationed the Congolese giant up front in the second half against Tottenham last weekend. He surely won't start in attack, especially at Anfield, but he should get forward whenever possible and will be a huge threat from set-pieces.

League Is Priority, Says Carragher

Jamie Carragher has illustrated the significance of today's lunchtime encounter with Blackburn to Liverpool's pursuit of Manchester United, making the bold declaration that it is the most important league game of his 13-year career at Anfield. "I'm not just saying that because of what happened against Chelsea, but the league has always been the priority of everyone at this club," said Carragher, ahead of a game for which Rafael Benitez will delay a decision on Steven Gerrard until the last minute.

"In the 13 years I have been involved in the first team, this will be the biggest league game I have been involved in, it really is that important. If we win we can go top of the league with just six games to go, and if anyone had told us at the beginning of the season we would be in this position now, we would have been delighted." Rovers have whipped up some vitriol, midfielder David Dunn saying he wants Benitez to be "having a moan at us on Sunday" after a performance that is certain to physical.

"I don't think we give a toss what people think of us at the minute. It is whatever gets us results," Dunn said. Despite Rovers' physical threat, Gerrard's health is a more pressing concern. Liverpool were aware of his worsening groin problem before last weekend's win at Fulham and it seems he will have to be nursed through the final weeks of the season. Benitez admits the injury will not stand two games in four days and Blackburn appears to be a priority over Tuesday's Champions League tie against Chelsea.

John Aldridge: If Any Team Can Come Back Liverpool Can

One thing we have learned from watching Liverpool in Europe over the years is you can never write them off.

But I’m sure every Liverpool fan will admit Rafa Benitez’s side are faced with a massive mountain to climb if they are to continue their run in this season’s Champions League.

Chelsea are now odds on favourites to go through and it would take something really special from Liverpool – probably on a par with the magnificent comeback in Istanbul – for them to get through to the semi-finals.

It is hard to see Chelsea conceding three at home, particularly given the way they performed at Anfield, but every single Liverpool player must go to Stamford Bridge ready to play for pride and with a genuine belief they can turn things around.

It might be that Benitez has to do something to get a reaction from his players, something that gets them really wound up and ready to go out there with a desire to put the record straight.

I can remember when I was managing Tranmere and we were 3-0 down at home to Southampton in the FA Cup. At half-time I had some harsh words with the players and some cups got thrown around and they went out and won 4-3.

You don’t expect something like that to happen but you can never give up and you have to keep going no matter how bad the situation might be.

If Liverpool are looking for inspiration then their recent victory over Manchester United should do the trick.

Winning 4-1 at the home of the reigning champions is an incredible result and it proved that on their day Liverpool can produce the kind of performance which even the very best cannot live with.

Another positive is that while Chelsea will be without John Terry we will have Javier Mascherano back.

I don’t think you could overstate just how badly Mascherano was missed in the first leg and having him back will be a massive boost. While Chelsea are unlikely to be as solid at the back without Terry who is a big influence for them.

If Liverpool can get even a one goal lead by half time then who knows what might happen? But they will have to defend a hell of a lot better than they did at Anfield if they are to stand a chance.

It is up to Rafa to come up with a strategy and to instill a belief in the team that they can still win.

This Wednesday marks the 20th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster and as ever my thoughts will be with the families and friends of the 96 who lost their lives that terrible day.

I can’t believe that 20 years have passed and I’m sure Anfield will be packed for the annual memorial service because people have not forgotten what happened at Hillsborough and I’m sure they never will.

THE best way Liverpool can respond to what happened on Wednesday night would be to go out and beat Blackburn today.

We need three points to keep up the title challenge and if we get them then it will be interesting to see how Manchester United react.

They’re going through a bit of an iffy period just now and they’ve looked visibly tired of late so Liverpool have to try and put as much pressure on them as they can.

Blackburn will come to Anfield and try to get at us but if Liverpool get back to their best then they should have too much.

Rafa Benitez Goes On The Attack Against His Critics

RAFA Benitez has launched an impassioned defence of Liverpool’s zonal marking system, insisting their record of defending set pieces is comparable with anyone else in the Premier League.

Liverpool again came in for criticism following the midweek defeat to Chelsea in the Champions League in which Branislav Ivanovic scored two headers from corners.

One TV news channel even went as far as claiming Liverpool have the worst record in the top division for conceding from set pieces even though the statistics suggest otherwise.

Benitez has no plans to ditch his zonal marking system, believing it is the best one for his team and will simply ask his players to defend better against Blackburn today.

"I think that when you have statistics you can manage them in whatever way you want," said the Reds boss in a clear reference to his critics.

"But when you analyse our record at defending set pieces you will see that it is not bad.

"I think Arsenal have conceded seven goals from set pieces, Chelsea have also conceded seven, Man United have conceded six and we have conceded eight.

"So there is not a massive difference between the teams in the top four when it comes to this.

"Then you have Blackburn and Everton who have both conceded ten.

"You can talk about percentages, which depend on the total number of goals you concede, or you can talk about figures but it doesn’t matter.

"We are really pleased in the way that we are working. We know that this is the best system for us and we know that it has been good for us in the past and will hopefully be good for us in the future."

Steven Gerrard remains a major doubt for today’s game with Benitez yet to decide whether to take a chance on his skipper who is suffering from a groin strain.

Should Gerrard not make it, Yossi Benayoun is likely to be asked to play just off Fernando Torres.

The Reds boss is looking for his team to get back to the imperious form they were showing before Wednesday’s setback at the hands of Chelsea and he is confident his players will respond positively to that defeat.

He said: "Clearly we have to change something from the other night. Firstly, we will change the opponent which is very important and the mentality will also be different. People were very surprised because we lost against Chelsea but this is something you can analyse in a positive way because it means we were doing really well previously and it raised people’s expectations about us."So now we have to go back and start doing the same things that we were doing before.

"We have to play well and pass the ball and approach the game with a lot of confidence because we know the fans will be behind the players so hopefully it will be positive."

Should Liverpool win they will go back to the top of the Premier League at least until Man United take on Sunderland at the Stadium of Light later today and Benitez is looking for his team to put even more pressure on the reigning champions by collecting all three points against Blackburn.

"If we can win, they will be under pressure," he added. "They are in a better position now so it still depends on them, but we still have to do our job.

"We have to do everything almost perfectly, and that means winning almost every game."

Sir Alex Ferguson Delighted To Get Under Rafael Benitez's Skin

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has suggested that Liverpool's Rafael Benitez is becoming consumed by the war of words between the two.

He claims it was "fantastic" to hear his Liverpool counterpart renew hostilities while preparing for the Champions League quarter-final against Chelsea.

In what is becoming an increasingly bitter rally of verbal exchanges, the Liverpool manager's most recent contribution – the suggestion that Ferguson was "maybe a little bit scared" of his Anfield team – prompted a broad smile on Ferguson's face as he prepared for United's Premier League trip to Sunderland.

Liverpool have reduced United's seven-point lead at the top of the table to just one point since winning 4-1 at Old Trafford on March 14 and the faltering form of Ferguson's team has reignited a title race that, a month ago, appeared to be a United procession.

But with Benitez criticising Ferguson's tactic of commenting on Liverpool's performances and prospects, the United manager has now responded once more by seemingly questioning the Spaniard's focus.

Ferguson said: "If you ask me a question about other teams, I'll give you an opinion. There's no fault in that.

"Arsene Wenger was talking about Manchester United a couple of weeks ago when he was asked a question and he gave a fair answer.

"But the interesting thing as far as Rafa Benitez is concerned is that he's got a European tie [against Chelsea] and he's talking about Alex Ferguson. Fantastic. I didn't know I was that important."

When asked whether he felt he had successfully "got under Benitez's skin", Ferguson grinned before replying: "I have no more comment to make."

Regardless of the outcome of Liverpool's Anfield encounter with Blackburn this lunchtime, United can end the day in top spot with a victory on Wearside.

But having watched Chelsea's impressive 3-1 success at Anfield, Ferguson risked another riposte from Benitez by claiming that Guus Hiddink's team are now the real threat to United's title hopes.

Ferguson said: "Chelsea will be absolutely buoyed up [by the victory at Liverpool]. You saw the celebrations at the end. They knew it was an emphatic result and they will be flying at the moment.

"That was a good performance by them. I remember when we won the treble in 1999 that just lifted everyone and from then on we were unbeatable.

"It does that to you when you get a very important result, but hopefully Chelsea are beatable. I'd be happy with the race going down to the last day, though. It would do me fine because we're used to that. We've done it four times."

Although Rio Ferdinand and Jonny Evans (both groin) will miss the Sunderland fixture, Ferguson insisted that Wayne Rooney will play after dismissing reports that the forward suffered a rib injury against Porto on Tuesday evening.

And despite United's recent run of just one victory in four games, Ferguson is confident that his players can ride the storm and deliver the title.

He said: "We've lost two league games to Liverpool and Fulham and people are saying we're cracking up. So what I think I have got to do now is to remind the players where we are at the moment.

"It doesn't matter what happened against Porto, we're still in the European Cup with a chance, we're still in the FA Cup semi-final with a chance, we're top of the league with a chance – so what more can I do but just remind the players why we got here? We're in a fantastic position."

Robbie Fowler: I Tried To Win The Premier League Title For 15 Years - But This Time Liverpool Can Do It

Anfield legend Robbie Fowler believes Liverpool can upset the odds to produce the most dramatic title win of all time.

The former England international is backing his old club to claw back Manchester United’s lead at the top of the table and end their 20-year wait to become champions.

And Fowler admits he will be overjoyed to see the club he served for almost 20 years lift the Premier League trophy and fulfill the one dream he never achieved.

Many critics suggest Liverpool now have no chance of catching United after their disastrous Champions League result against Chelsea in midweek, with the conventional thinking suggesting their confidence will be shattered.

But Fowler has always been of unconventional mind and he believes that losing in Europe could just be the nudge Liverpool need to win the title the Kop craves.

"I know people are saying it’s all over for my old team now and I even heard that the United manager was saying Liverpool are out of the title race because of the Chelsea result," Fowler said.

"But I disagree and I think in a strange way it can help them because they will be able to concentrate every single ounce of their energy and concentration on winning the league.

"Let’s face it, they need a miracle to win 3-0 at Chelsea and stay in Europe but if they can put the result behind them, then they might even be favourites to win the title.

"You can’t under-estimate how draining a Champions League campaign can be and if you don’t have that distraction, then you’re much fitter and fresher.

"If Liverpool are out of Europe they will play once a week in the league and will be able to play their best team every single game – which is a massive advantage.

"United could be involved in Europe, in an FA Cup semi and the title race, and already that is beginning to show in some of their performances.

"They’ll have a lot of games to cram in and they already look shattered. It’s hard to keep it all together in so many competitions, especially when you’re being challenged by rivals who are much fitter, fresher and have more focus."

Fowler has just flown to Australia to join up with his new club North Queensland Fury, where he began pre-season training. He has a two-year contract with the newly-formed A-League club and will start the season in August.

But he has kept an eye on events back home and admits he is desperate to see his old club win the title that eluded him during his years at Anfield.

"I know how much winning the title means to the Liverpool fans - I spent 15 years desperately trying to bring it to them," he said.

"My biggest regret is that I couldn’t win the league with Liverpool. I won every other trophy and even went to the Champions’ League final with them but the league was painful for us.

"We got close and should have won it in 1997 when we were in a great position, but then blew it at Easter.

"It would mean so much to the fans there and I really believe that Liverpool have a great chance of doing it now, after all these years.

"I know they could be four points behind with only seven games to go if United win their game in hand, but there is an awful lot in their favour. United are faltering lately and look really vulnerable. Playing European games and the FA Cup will put them under even more pressure and Liverpool could well have the advantage of just having six matches left after next week’s Champions’ League tie.

"If Liverpool have a weakness, it’s when they have to rotate, because they don’t have the quality in their squad that United have.

"But if they are only playing once a week they can play their best side and Torres and Gerrard can destroy any team at any time.

"I fancy Liverpool to win all their remaining league matches and I don’t think United will, so they could easily be Champions."

Fowler is settling into life in Australia and plans to fly out his wife Kerry and four children shortly.

And he admits the challenge of joining a new franchise in the A League is an exciting one.

"I don’t feel ready to hang up my boots just yet and the quality out here has impressed me," he said.

"There are a good set of lads here and it’s going to be exciting trying to get a newly-formed team off the ground."

Liverpool Skipper Steven Gerrard: Hillsbrough Victims Will Never Be Forgotten

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard experienced for himself the bitter nature of the tragedy that occurred at Sheffield Wednesday's Hillsborough Stadium 20 years, when 96 fans died in a crush at the FA Cup semi-final between the Merseyside outfit and Nottingham Forest.

Gerrard's own cousin John-Paul was one of those who tragically lost their life that day, and he remembered receiving the terrible news of his death when discussing the tragedy with Liverpool's official website, and how it had driven him on to become the outstanding player he is today.

"I was still a baby. I was only nine years old at the time so I only have small memories from back then. But I've learned more about the actual events as I've got older," he explained.

"I was really shocked and deeply saddened when I watched the scenes live. I was completely and utterly shocked, whilst wondering if there was anyone we knew personally at the game.

"It was exactly the same for every Liverpool fan at the time because I'm sure everyone was wondering if they knew anyone who was at the game too. I remember going to bed that night, lying there praying, and keeping my fingers crossed that it didn't get any worse than what we had already heard.

"Unfortunately for myself and my family we got the dreaded knock the next morning to say that a member of our family was at the game and had been tragically killed.

"Obviously it was a difficult time to know that one of your cousins had been at the game and had been tragically crushed. Seeing the reaction of his Mum, Dad and family helped drive me on to become the player I have developed into today."

Gerrard went on to highlight the central place the tragedy now occupies in the history of both the city of Liverpool and Liverpool FC, and emphasised that the memory would not be forgotten, as he expressed his admiration for the way in which the families of the victims have conducted themselves over the last 20 years.

"It is central and very important to this club," he said.

"The 96 will never ever be forgotten, and nor will the people that got hurt. But it is important these people get remembered individually and not just as the number 96.

"This club has fought for justice ever since and will continue to do so. We have stuck together since that day, like we always do here and that shows what kind of football club we are, sticking by each other when times are tough. We are not just about what happens on the pitch but we are all one off it as well.

"They [the victims' families] have behaved impeccably and the club are very proud of them and the way they have handled this tragedy. The players will continue to be a support for them, I can guarantee that."

Biggest League Match Of My Life, Declares Carragher

Jamie Carragher has billed tomorrow's Anfield showdown with Blackburn as “the biggest league game of my career”.

But boss Rafa Benitez will have to decide whether or not to gamble on Steven Gerrard’s fitness for a match which could take the Reds back on top of the table – at least until Manchester United meet Sunderland at the Stadium of Light later in the day.

Carragher is in no doubt about the enormity of the occasion.

“I’m not just saying this because of what happened against Chelsea the other night but the league has always been the priority for everyone at the club,” said the Reds defender.

“In the 13 years I have been involved in the first team this will be the biggest league game I’ve played in – it really is that important.

“If we win we can go top of the league with just six games to go and if someone would have told us that we would be in this position when the season started we would have all been delighted.

“This is a massive chance for everyone at the club and I’m sure the fans will create a great atmosphere because they know what is at stake.”

Chelsea’s victory in the Champions League on Wednesday was the first time the Reds have been beaten by a fellow member of the big four this season.

Carragher added: “Sometimes you just have to hold your hands up and say that the other team played well on the night and this was one of those occasions.

“But it’s important to remember that we’ve now played them and Man United five times this season and we’ve won four of those games.

“That’s a record we can be proud of even though we are obviously disappointed about what happened the other night.

“We’ve played more than 40 games in the Premier League and the Champions League – the two biggest competitions – and we’ve only lost three times and one of the most important things is that when we have lost we’ve tended to respond in the right way by going on good runs.

“That’s what we’ll be looking to do again and no-one should be too downhearted about what happened against Chelsea because they are a good side who did well on the night and we’ve still got a hell of a lot to play for.

“The incentive is there for us to go back on top of the league and it may only be for a few hours until United play but you never know it could even be for longer than that.

“That’s how big this game is and that’s why I honestly believe it’s the biggest we’ve had in the league since I’ve been at the club and maybe for even longer than that.”

Skipper Gerrard's involvement is in doubt, however, after a scan yesterday revealed a minor groin strain. Though the injury is not considered serious it will need to be managed to ensure it does not become a bigger problem.

Should Gerrard be pitched in against Blackburn then it would be something of a calculated gamble by the Liverpool manager.

Benitez was set to discuss the situation with his captain and Liverpool’s medical staff today.

Big Sam: Benitez Loves To Whinge

Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce has taken a swipe at Rafael Benitez by claiming that the Liverpool manager loves to "whinge and moan".

Having clashed with the Spaniard during his tenure at Bolton, the Blackburn manager is now intent on ruffling Benitez and his side again when Rovers travel to Anfield in the Premier League on Saturday lunchtime.

"Bolton always used to batter them at the Reebok but we were never capable of reproducing that form at Anfield," Allardyce told The Sun.

"But you can't help him whingeing and moaning, can you? He loves it.

"It's great when a manager moans about the way my teams play, though.

"Irrespective of what label they might give me, if I can beat Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United home or away, then I am a major tactician and a very good manager.

On Benitez's feud with Sir Alex Ferguson, Allardyce had this to say: "You'd be foolish taking on Sir Alex because he knows every trick in the book.

"I've managed to psyche out a few managers in my time but nobody has ever psyched me out."

However, Allardyce, who was at Anfield on Wednesday night to see the Reds beaten in the Champions League, has defended Benitez's use of a zonal-marking system after Chelsea scored two of their three goals from corners.

"I went to watch what was probably the most in-form team in this country at the moment come a little unstuck on the night," said Allardyce.

"We can only hope that that knocks their confidence a little bit.

"It can happen to us all on occasions, but Chelsea got the tactics right and also used their outstanding ability to punish them very heavily in the end.

"I just want to get as many of my experienced players as fit as possible to go and pick a side who can combat a very good Liverpool team, and then try and expose one or two weaknesses that were shown up.

"But I thought there was a little of unfair criticism of the zonal marking system, because I don't think any system would have stopped those two goals on the night."

Benitez Urges Reds To Response

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has challenged his side to keep their Barclays Premier League title dreams alive.

The Anfield men were left reeling on Wednesday after their Champions League quarter-final first-leg 3-1 defeat by Chelsea.

But the Spaniard has urged his players to put disappointment aside and make sure they are ready to face a Blackburn team desperate to haul themselves away from the relegation zone on Saturday lunchtime.

Benitez said on Thursday: "We have an important league game next so we have to be ready. We have two full days to think and plan for the Blackburn game. That is the first priority now.

"Only after that will Chelsea be the priority in the Champions League second leg on Tuesday.

"We will have Javier Mascherano back from now on for both these games and the rest of the season. He is very important to us now.

"We have to believe anything can happen. Firstly we must do the right things against Blackburn and then go to Chelsea with confidence. If we score first there we will be in the game.

"But at Anfield this weekend I know our fans will be behind us again, that is always the case. They will know what the first priority is, and that is to win a league game.

"They know people make mistakes. But they will be determined to help us through this situation.

"To stop the result against Chelsea having a damaging effect on us, we must keep working really hard and prepare properly for the next game.

"We must find the form that we were showing in the recent weeks. We know we can do that."

Goalkeeper Jose Reina has also called for a positive reaction to the midweek mauling by Chelsea.

Reina could do little about any of Chelsea's goals at Anfield as Liverpool's zonal marking system was twice exploited by Branislav Ivanovic.

"It is Blackburn next, another competition, and we are very much alive in the title race," said Reina.

"It is an important game, and early kick-offs are never easy against a rested team so we have to be ready.

"It is our job to be ready. Whenever we lose games you have to come in the next day and forget about what happened so we can try to move forward and improve.

"We now have to prove to ourselves and our fans that we're still there in the league."

Mascherano will return to the side and there could be a place for central defender Daniel Agger, while full-back Andrea Dossena is also in line for a recall.

Liverpool Midfielder Xabi Alonso Insists Chelsea Defeat Must Be Forgotten

Liverpool's deep-lying ball-pinging midfielder Xabi Alonso has issued a plea to his Anfield team-mates indicating that the painful 3-1 midweek defeat against Chelsea needs to be put to bed, buried, and forgotten, so that it does not jeopardise their Premier League title ambitions.

Liverpool host Sam Allardyce's Blackburn Rovers in an early kick-off tie on Saturday that will introduce the latest round of domestic action. The Reds have an opportunity to usurp Manchester United at the head of the table should they claim a positive result, therefore keeping the pressure on the current league leaders, who do not get their own game underway until the afternoon.

Alonso told the club's official website, "It's very important for us. I hope it won't be tough to forget about Chelsea because we are professionals and this is another competition. We still have a chance to fight for the Premier League.

"At home this season we have dropped too many points - this time it has to be different. We have to start very well and play very well to win the game. It's important to do our job and that is to win this game. Of course I will be happy if we are still top after United's game but we have to wait."

Regarding the manner in which the side snuck a 1-0 win against Fulham last weekend, Alonso continued, "We enjoyed ourselves after Yossi Benayoun scored because it was reassuring after the international break that we were still in the title race. Obviously I could see the fans were enjoying it too.

"Of course, there is no doubt United are still favourites. They have the advantage and we respect that but our job is to try to go for it and fight."

On the prospect of facing a hard-working Allardyce unit, Alonso concluded by saying, "They work very well as a team and they got a great result against Tottenham last weekend from a difficult position.

"They are also fighting relegation, which will make it even more difficult."

Fabio Aurelio: It's Not Over Yet

Fabio Aurelio today insisted no-one at Liverpool is yet ready to give up the ghost on this season’s Champions League dream despite last night’s first leg setback at the hands of Chelsea.

Guus Hiddink’s side ran up a 3-1 lead to take back to Stamford Bridge for next week’s second leg on a night to forget for the Anfield men as a brace of headers from Branislav Ivanovic and a Didier Drogba strike from close range cancelled out Fernando Torres’ opener.

Though willing to concede that Liverpool now have a mountain to climb if they are to make it through to the semi-finals at Chelsea expense, Aurelio vowed that everyone in a red shirt will fight until the end in a bid to keep their European hopes alive.

“We are really disappointed, particularly after the good start we made to the game,” said the Brazilian left back.

“We scored a good goal and we were controlling the game but after they drew level we started to lose control of the game.

“Dirk (Kuyt) had a good chance when he went one on one but unfortunately he was not able to score and I think if that had gone in it might have changed the game.

“But you have to give credit to Chelsea because they played really well, especially in the second half, and they were more effective.

“After going behind we probably became a little bit desperate to score a goal to give ourselves a better chance for the second leg and we started to give the ball away easily and this meant they could use counter attacks which is one of their strengths.

“We know that it will be really difficult for us now because as last night showed we are playing against a really good team but we will not give up.

“We will fight until the very end because this season as shown that there have been many occasions when we have had setbacks but we have managed to turn things around.

“This means that we have to fight until the very end.”

He added: “We know it will be difficult but we want it really badly and we will try everything.”