Steven Gerrard To Miss Liverpool's Premier League Clash Against Arsenal

According to a report in the British tabloid The Sun, Liverpool will be without their influential captain Steven Gerrard for Tuesday's Premier League clash with Arsenal at Anfield.

The news, if true, will come as a major blow to the Reds' title challenge as they may have to win every remaining game this season to stand a chance of overhauling Manchester United.

Apparently, the England international midfielder aggravated the groin injury he had been suffering from in a training session before the Champions League quarter-final second leg against Chelsea, which he was hoping to make an appearance in.

It is claimed that the Merseyside outfit now fear they may have to challenge for the league title without the 28-year-old, who could also miss the trip to Hull City four days after the Arsenal match.

"In the training session before the Champions League game with Chelsea, Steven aggravated a strain he had previously suffered in his adductor muscle," an inside source at Liverpool is quoted as saying in The Sun.

"A scan has since confirmed our medical team’s initial diagnosis and the player is expected to be out for between seven and ten days."

Ferguson Turns Up Heat On Benitez

Sir Alex Ferguson is showing no sign of letting up in his war of words with Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez.

The two have been verbally sparring since January and in Ferguson's latest outburst the Scot blasted Benitez for labelling Everton as a "small club".

"Everton are a big club, not a small one which Benitez arrogantly said," said the Manchester United boss.

Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce has also criticised Benitez, but the Spaniard has "laughed off" the duo's attacks.

Ferguson was unhappy about the way Benitez appeared to dismiss Blackburn once Liverpool scored their second goal in their 4-0 win on Saturday.

"Arrogance is one thing. You cannot forgive contempt, which is what he showed Sam Allardyce last weekend," said Ferguson, speaking ahead of United's FA Cup semi-final with Everton at Wembley on Sunday.

"When Liverpool scored their second goal he signalled as if the game was finished. I do not think Sam deserved that.

"Sam has worked so hard for the LMA (League Managers' Association) and he's had a weakened team. I just thought it showed contempt.

"In my experience no Liverpool manager has ever done that. It was beyond the pale."

Allardyce, preparing his team for a visit to Stoke this weekend, expressed his displeasure with Benitez, describing his actions as "unfortunate gestures after Liverpool's second goal".

The Blackburn boss saw the incident as "pretty dismissive to me and Blackburn - disrespectful and quite humiliating".

Allardyce added: "The game is hard enough without a fellow manager making an undermining gesture."

Following Liverpool's victory over Rovers, the Reds temporarily sat at the summit of the Premier League ahead of United, with Benitez claiming Ferguson was "nervous".

However, the Red Devils bounced back to defeat Sunderland 2-1 thanks to a late Federico Macheda winner, helping them to return to top spot with seven games remaining - one more than Liverpool.

After being dumped out of the Champions League by Chelsea in midweek, Liverpool's next league game is against Arsenal on Tuesday, while United play Portsmouth the following day.

Sam - Rafa Humiliated Us

Sam Allardyce has launched a scathing attack on Rafa Benitez in the wake of Blackburn's 4-0 defeat by Liverpool at Anfield last Saturday.

Allardyce has accused the Spaniard of being 'disrespectful' and 'humiliating' over gestures he made on the touchline after Fernando Torres had headed the home side into a two-goal lead before the interval.

Television replays showed Benitez shrugged his shoulders and then crossed his hands, which Allardyce has taken to mean that the Reds boss felt the game was already over, even though there was almost an hour still to play.

Relegation-threatened Rovers, who were second best throughout the match, were missing several players through injury and employed centre-back Chris Samba in a lone striking role.

Allardyce claims he attempted to speak to Benitez about his actions after the game but could not make contact with the Spaniard and has been left fuming by the incident.

He told Sky Sports News: "It's not out of our system for two reasons. One is the disappointment at the way the team performed. I know we had a lot of injuries on the day, but I still felt that we should have gone there and done better than we did.

"And two, is the unfortunate gestures from Rafa Benitez after the second goal. I wanted to clarify his gestures. I think you'll see them as pretty dismissive to me and to Blackburn Rovers' team as a whole.

"I think they are disrespectful and quite humiliating.

"I waited to have a word with Rafa Benitez in his room after the game but as usual, and unfortunately, he didn't turn up.

"I was hugely disappointed by those gestures and having re-looked at them this week I think I'm right and I think everyone will see why I'm complaining."

When asked if he felt Benitez was writing his side off, Allardyce replied: "That was the feeling by the gestures. It was an open arms and a cross-over of arms as if that was it.

"The game is hard enough as it is without a fellow manager trying to do, what seemed to be, an undermining gesture."

Liverpool FC Boss Rafa Benitez Shrugs Off Latest Alex Ferguson Attack

Rafael Benitez has shrugged off what he believes is a “co-ordinated attack” by Sir Alex Ferguson and Sam Allardyce after the duo attempted to sully his reputation.

Close friends Ferguson and Allardyce joined forces yesterday in launching a curious broadside at the Liverpool manager over an incident during his team’s 4-0 win over the Allardyce’s Blackburn Rovers last Saturday.

But the pair were left even more red-faced than usual after it emerged they had completely misunderstood Benitez’s actions.

After Fernando Torres headed Liverpool’s second against Blackburn, television replays showed Benitez smiling before making a seemingly innocent hand gesture towards his own players.

However, that was enough for Manchester United manager Ferguson to continue his unremitting assault on his title rival by describing the signal as an unforgivable show of contempt towards a fellow Premier League manager.

A clearly distressed Allardyce, speaking at a separate media conference yesterday, believes it was a “disrespectful” and “humiliating” gesture that “typifies the man”.

Benitez, though, has dismissed the furore the pair were creating, and a source close to the Liverpool manager said: “Rafa has laughed off what is clearly a co-ordinated attack on him.”

Emiliano Insua and Xabi Alonso were stood over the free-kick and the understanding is that after Benitez told the deliver the set-piece in a certain way, Alonso ignored the request and struck the cross from which Torres scored.

Benitez’s subsequent reaction was merely to show the pair that perhaps the manager doesn’t always know best, and the players were right.

The fall-out from the incident underlines how Benitez has become marginalised among the region’s managers, with many of his North West counterparts having forged strong relationships with Ferguson over the years.

Liverpool’s emergence as United’s main rivals for the championship has prompted Ferguson to become increasingly vindictive with his verbal tirades against Benitez.

No Hertha Deal For Voronin

On-loan Liverpool striker Andriy Voronin has admitted that he expects to return to the Premier League club at the end of the season.

Voronin - currently enjoying a season-long spell in Germany with Hertha Berlin - had been expected to make a permanent switch to the Bundesliga title chasers at the end of the campaign.

However, Hertha were unable to come to an agreement with Liverpool over a fee and the deal now looks dead in the water.

"On the matter of my contract there has been no movement in Berlin," he told Bild newspaper.

"Liverpool made a good offer which Hertha did not accept. It is a shame that it may not go through.

"I have already ordered the boxes and am moving out of the apartment within a month-and-a-half."

Hertha may yet be able to conclude a transfer for the 11-goal striker, but the capital club are believed to be waiting to see whether they can secure the windfall of Champions League football before returning to negotiations.

Liverpool To Offload Charles Itandje After His Hillsborough Service Antics

Liverpool will intensify their efforts to off-load Charles Itandje this summer after the reserve goalkeeper behaved offensively during the Hillsborough memorial service at Anfield on Wednesday.

The French goalkeeper was spotted laughing and acting the fool by TV cameras at the service to mark the 20th anniversary of the deaths of 96 Liverpool supporters at Hillsborough. Members of the congregation afterwards complained about Itandje's behaviour, which was in stark contrast to the solemn occasion and that of the rest of the Liverpool squad. Rafael Benítez, the team manager, is understood to be livid with the 26-year-old having studied the complaints and the footage.

Anfield officials have described Itandje's behaviour as "wholly unacceptable" and are exploring the maximum punishment they can impose on the player with their legal advisers. He is unlikely to play for the club again.

Itandje has made seven first-team appearances since joining Liverpool on a free transfer from Lens in 2007, but has not started a senior game since the FA Cup defeat by Barnsley last season. He does, however, remain a registered member of the first-team squad and still has over two years to run on his Liverpool contract.

Attempts to sell Itandje to several clubs last summer, including Galatasaray, were thwarted by the goalkeeper's personal demands, but Benítez will renew efforts to part with Itandje at the next available opportunity.

Chelsea Result Evidence Of Something Stirring At Anfield

When Eddie Futch placed a paternal arm around Joe Frazier’s shoulder and said: “Sit down, son; it's all over. No-one will ever forget what you did here today,” he was talking about a monumental effort in a losing cause.

Liverpool deserved the Eddie Futch treatment on Tuesday night – after their heavyweight performance at Stamford Bridge ended with them out, but not down.

They had the character, the class and the mental strength to shock Chelsea – and maybe even stun their own boss who had surely given up the tie when he withdrew Fernando Torres.

Not for the first time this season, the Reds have sparkled without their two best players on the pitch – and that has to say something about their long term title prospects.

Even if this season’s pursuit of Manchester United proves fruitless, there’s something stirring down Anfield Road – and there was evidence of it at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night.

Rafa Benitez Wants Kenny Dalglish Back At Liverpool FC

Kenny Dalglish is set for a sensational return to Liverpool Football Club.

Reds boss Rafa Benitez wants his legendary predecessor as a key new part of his backroom staff and moves are already afoot to create a position for Dalglish.

Benitez has raised the matter with American club owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett and would like to tie up a deal at the earliest possible opportunity.

The ECHO understands preliminary talks have already taken place between Benitez and Dalglish and although nothing has been finalised the discussions are believed to have gone well.

Benitez would like to give Dalglish a roving role which would see the 58-year-old divide his time between the Academy in Kirkby, Melwood and Anfield but with a particular emphasis on an advisorial role on youth development.

The Liverpool manager recently ordered a review of the Academy which is being headed up by former chief scout Frank McParland as he seeks to ensure more young players of potential first team standard are produced than is currently the case.

Should Dalglish be recruited it would provide a shot in the arm for the Academy which has come in for plenty of criticism in recent years.

Dalglish has not been employed in a senior football role since leaving his position as director of football at Celtic in July 2000.

The Kop hero has been linked with several managerial jobs since then but his strong links with Merseyside and his charity work on behalf of his wife’s Marina Dalglish Appeal have meant he has not been enticed into taking employment at any of the clubs which have shown an interest in acquiring his services.

But the lure of Liverpool would be strong for Dalglish who served the club as both player and manager from 1977 until 1991.

When he quit Anfield in February 1991 saying he needed to take a break from football the shockwaves reverberated throughout the sport with Liverpool fans being distraught at the loss of the man they refer to as “King Kenny”.

He later admitted his regret that he was not offered a return to Liverpool in the immediate aftermath of his sudden departure but 18 years later he could now finally be given the opportunity to reignite his love affair with the club he joined from Celtic.

It is now up to Hicks and Gillett to approve the proposed move and should this happen it would require only the agreement of personal terms for Dalglish to complete a sensational return to Anfield.

How Simple Gesture Of Hillsborough Solidarity Says So Much

Like countless others at Anfield last Saturday, I made my way to the Hillsborough memorial which resides beside the Shankly Gates to pay my respects to the 96 Liverpool fans who lost their lives in British sport’s worst ever disaster.

The match against Blackburn had ended over an hour earlier but there was still a queue of like minded people, some clutching bunches of flowers to lay in front of the eternal flame and others with scarves to adorn the marble monument.

In front of me was an Irishman and his son of no more than six or seven who minutes later would bless themselves and say a silent prayer in front of the memorial before father embraced son in a way which parents tend to following such emotional and tender shared moments.

Behind me was a middle aged Everton fan who stood out because he was wearing his distinctive blue and white shirt as he proudly represented the club he loves. In his hands was a single rose which, like almost everything else in view post match, was the kind of red which Bill Shankly wanted his players dressed in from head to toe.

The passing of 20 years means memories of April 15, 1989 and the immediate aftermath have been bubbling to the surface with increasing regularity in recent days and the sight of this sole Everton supporter will undoubtedly have struck a chord with anyone who joined similar queues at Anfield two decades ago.

It certainly did that for me as I recalled patiently waiting for the time to come when I would get the opportunity to pay my respects to the Hillsborough dead.

Stood next to me in the queue on that day was an Evertonian. He wasn’t wearing any colours for me to know that but he didn’t need to because he was one of my closest childhood friends who just days earlier had seen his team get through to another Wembley FA Cup Final.

Like all other Blues, his celebrations were curtailed by the tragic events over in Sheffield where so many of their brothers and sisters from this city had seen their lives cut short in such terrible circumstances.

Behind me in the queue was another Everton supporter who had come to pay his respects. In his hands was a half and half scarf from the 1986 all Merseyside FA Cup Final which he wanted to lay down in front of the Kop along with the sea of floral tributes which had been steadily growing ever since Reds chief executive Peter Robinson had taken the decision to open the Anfield gates to give fans a communal place to grieve.

It wasn’t just Everton supporters either, as then manager Colin Harvey recalled this week:

“On the Friday before our first game after Hillsborough, which was away at Spurs, we all went to Anfield to lay a wreath,” he said.

“It was something all the players really wanted to do.”

The tragedy may have befallen Liverpool and its fans but the response of Everton Football Club and its supporters could not have been more impressive.

This was a city united in tragedy in a way which no-one would have wanted but also in a fashion which typified the incredible bonds which can transcend even the most passionate of football rivalries.

The unity of the people of Liverpool was perhaps best symbolized by a mile long chain of Everton and Liverpool scarves which connected Anfield with Goodison, an initiative thought up by two local taxi drivers Tommy Atkinson and Jimmy Plunkett.

Another example of the solidarity came in Liverpool’s first competitive outing following Hillsborough, a Merseyside derby at the home of their great rivals.

As usual there was plenty of red visible on the terraces, particularly just to the left of the Gwladys Street goal where Liverpool supporters had traditionally congregated.

Before the game kicked off, a group of Liverpool supporters paraded a banner around the perimeter of the pitch. The banner carried a simple message: “LFC fans thank EFC fans”.

While in the away end another flag was unfurled which read: “The Kop Thanks You All We Never Walked Alone.”

The applause which greeted these heartfelt gestures underlined the feelings of solidarity which everyone on Merseyside felt in the aftermath of Hillsborough.

This was a tragedy for Liverpool as a city, not just Liverpool the football club, and the outpouring of emotion from all of its citizens no matter what team they supported reflected this.

On Tuesday afternoon, David Moyes followed in the footsteps of his predecessor Harvey by crossing Stanley Park to pay his respects to those who perished in the death trap that was the Leppings Lane terrace.

The Everton manager was rightly applauded as he took his seat on the Kop and the handshake of thanks he received from opposite number Rafa Benitez was clearly heartfelt and genuine.

Over at Goodison, the Everton flag was flown at half mast while the club also commemorated Hillsborough on its own website and by taking out a full page tribute to the 96 victims in the Echo.

Such official gestures were totally in keeping with the way Everton Football Club conducted itself 20 years ago and the homemade blue and white Justice For The 96 banner which a group of Evertonians displayed at Villa Park last Sunday was equally apt.

This weekend of all weekends, it is appropriate that Everton find themselves in another FA Cup semi-final, representing Merseyside’s hopes of having one of our teams grace a Wembley final.

In fact, it is difficult to think of anything more fitting.

Dirk Kuyt Warns Manchester United Liverpool Will Not Give Up Title Chase

Liverpool striker Dirk Kuyt has warned Sir Alex Ferguson the title challenge is far from over.

The Manchester United boss pointedly suggested last week that whoever lost the Champions' League tie between the Reds and Chelsea would have their confidence shattered in the Premier League.

But despite crashing out of Europe, Kuyt believes the heroic performance of his side at Stamford Bridge will inspire Liverpool.

"There is far more to come from us and we will be giving everything to win the league," said Kuyt. "It is not over yet, far from it.

"If United struggle at all, they know we will be there, right behind them. We showed against Chelsea that we never give up the fight - ever.

"We showed a lot of character and this team proved that we can do that in the league too. We really believe we can bounce back after that performance."

Kuyt's battling words have been echoed by many of the Liverpool squad after the thrilling 4-4 draw at Chelsea.

Defender Fabio Aurelio, who scored one of the cheekiest goals of all time with a near-post free-kick, added: "We didn't win at Chelsea, but we did show that almost everything is possible in football, and so we can keep believing we can win the title.

"Now, we have only one competition to focus on, and even though we are behind we won't have any distractions, so who knows."

Liverpool FC's Charles Itandje In Hillsborough Storm

Charles Itandje’s Liverpool career could be in jeopardy following allegations that he behaved inappropriately at Wednesday’s Hillsborough memorial service.

Television footage of the event appeared to show the out of favour keeper fooling around during the ceremony and senior officials at Liverpool are already looking into the incident with a view to taking disciplinary action against him.

Hundreds of outraged Liverpool supporters have complained about Itandje’s behaviour on internet message boards with most pointing out that his behaviour was totally at odds with the solemn occasion which commemorated the 20th anniversary of the Hillsborough tragedy in which 96 Reds fans lost their lives.

The rest of the Liverpool squad conducted themselves impeccably during the service, as did members of the youth and reserve teams who were also present.

A senior Anfield figure who has viewed the footage from Wednesday’s service admitted to the ECHO that Itandje’s behaviour on Wednesday was “wholly unacceptable” and confirmed that the club is looking into the possibility of taking appropriate action against the 26-year-old.

Rafa Benitez is also said to be disgusted having seen the images himself having been alerted to the issue and has moved swiftly to seek action against the player.

Itandje joined Liverpool on a free transfer in the summer of 2007 and the former Lens man has only featured in seven first team games since then with his last appearance coming in last season’s shock FA Cup exit at the hands of Barnsley.

Though he retains a squad number, Itandje has not been included in Benitez’s first team squad all season and unsuccessful attempts have been made to offload him in the last two transfer windows.

Reina: We Can Still Win The Title For Rafa

Pepe Reina has told Liverpool to use their ­heroics in Europe to inspire them to the Premier League title.

Rafa Benitez’s side crashed out of the Champions League at Chelsea after an epic 4-4 draw saw them lose the tie 7-5 on aggregate.

But keeper Reina reckons the Kop boys must now turn their disappointment into a title charge for their boss and the fans.

Liverpool trail leaders Manchester United by a point with six games to go, although Sir Alex Ferguson’s side crucially have a game in hand.

The Reds are next in action in five days’ time when Arsenal visit Anfield, but Reina has told his team-mates they are still well and truly in the ­trophy hunt.

“We are still positive for the Premier League,” said a defiant Reina.

“There are six games remaining and we have to win them all. It’s in United’s hands. We must try to win them and wait.

“But we will never give up. We are Liverpool – that’s our character and the way we are.

“We will continue to fight until the end.”

Recalling the thrilling night at Stamford Bridge, Reina said: “We tried everything to turn it around, but in the end it was a pity.

“We are disappointed because we didn’t get through – but to be honest the lads are really proud of themselves.

“We have to be because we gave it our all, but we just ­couldn’t manage to do it.

“Whoever plays for Liverpool always plays with his heart and soul.

“All we could give was passion with commitment and effort.” Reina accepts being at fault for the own-goal which put Chelsea back in control in the quarter-final second leg.

The Spaniard was caught out in the 52nd minute by Didier Drogba’s faint touch on a Nicolas Anelka cross and fumbled the ball over the line to make the score 2-1 on the night.

“It was bad positioning by me,” he said. “I was too in the middle of the goal.

“I should have been closer to the near post. It was my mistake.

“I have to recognise it – that’s the life of a goalkeeper.”

Midfielder Xabi Alonso added: “It will be very difficult to win the league, but we have to have a go and try to win all our games.

“We keep fighting when in difficult situations. We showed that again.”

Liverpool FC's Fernando Torres Promises Title

Fernando Torres has promised to repay the Liverpool fans who “treat me like one of their own” by delivering the Premier League title.

But despite insisting he wants to remain for “many years to come” at the Anfield club, the Spain star has revealed he will one day return to La Liga.

The 25-year-old has made an incredible impact at Liverpool since signing for £21m in 2007, scoring a record-breaking 33 goals in his first season in England.

And Torres, who is believed to be in the early stages of negotiating a new deal, has revealed how the club’s supporters helped him settle.

“I would love to remain at Liverpool for many seasons to come,” he said. “I feel at home here. I still have this season plus another four years left to run on my contract.

“The club has been brilliant with me and I owe the fans a lot. They took to me as if I was one of their own. They treat me in the same way they do Gerrard or Carragher... it is unbelievable.

“I hope to repay their warmth by giving them a Premier League title because it has been a long time since the club last won the league.

“I do not have a buy-out clause in my contract; you do not get them in England. Both teams have to reach an agreement before a player can leave his club to sign for another.”

Torres also has a view on the continued speculation linking Real Madrid with Ronaldo, whose wonder goal last night sent Manchester United into the Champions League semi-finals only 24 hours after Liverpool went out of the competition at Chelsea after a heroic battle.

Torres said: “I cannot see Cristiano Ronaldo playing outside the Premier League for a while to come; you also have to take into account how well Manchester United are playing.

“Ronaldo is a devil on the pitch, the way he carries the ball towards the opponent’s goal is amazing. I am sure that, if he were to play in Spain, he would get more time on the ball and his individual qualities would stand out even more.

“He could handle playing in La Liga. But I don’t think that it would be any better for him to play there, as the way the game is played in England suits him down to the ground.”

And Torres, an Atletico Madrid icon, dismissed any suggestion he could one day play for Real.

He said: “Real Madrid are not the biggest team in the game. They are a big club but so are Barcelona, AC Milan, Bayern Munich and Inter Milan.

“It is not a team that interests me and, because of the time I spent at Atletico Madrid, the opposite could be said. I just cannot see myself playing for Real Madrid.

“In a few years’ time I would like to play in Serie A. I would then have played in the three biggest leagues in European football: Spain, England and Italy.”

Liverpool have to wait until Tuesday for their first chance to get over their European disappointment, when Champions League semi-finalists Arsenal are at Anfield for a crucial Barclays Premier League match.

Rafael Benitez: Liverpool Are No Longer Willing To Sell Xabi Alonso

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has issued a hands off warning to any clubs interested in signing Xabi Alonso at the end of the season.

The Spain international midfielder has been in terrific form for the Reds this campaign, so it is unsurprising that speculation has linked him with a move to Primera Division giants Barcelona and Real Madrid.

However, Benitez is adamant that the 27-year-old, who came close to leaving Anfield last summer, will still be a Reds player in the 2009-10 season.

"We had an offer from Juventus and asked a big price as he is a big player. They couldn’t meet it," Benitez is quoted as saying in The Sun.

"Xabi is having a good season and is a key player. He’s a player we want to keep."

Since moving to Liverpool for €11.8 million (£10.5m) from Real Sociedad in 2004, Alonso has scored 17 goals in 205 appearances.

I Want To Play For Milan Or Inter - Liverpool Star Fernando Torres

Spain and Liverpool star Fernando Torres is considered one of the best strikers in the world as he finished third behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in the battle for last year's Ballon d'Or.

He has also been a dream target for many top-drawer Italian clubs, with Milan in particular being hot on his heels before he joined Liverpool from Atletico Madrid. However, if the player's latest claims are anything to go by, this dream could soon become a reality.

"I have already played in La Liga and the Premier League," he said to Spanish magazine Don Balon. "Now it would be nice to try Serie A, perhaps in a club like Milan or Inter. It would be nice to be able to say one day that I managed to play in the three most important leagues, and perhaps I will also try the Bundesliga."

However, the 25-year-old has no intention of leaving Anfield anytime soon.

"I am very happy at Liverpool and I still have a contract for four years," he added. "I am treated very well and I want to repay them by winning the Premier League title, which they have been waiting for a long time here."

Sean McGuire: Lessons Learnt Through Hillsborough Tragedy

The remembrance of the tragic events at Hillsborough has shown just how much the reputation of football fans have been rehabilitated in the last 20 years.

The messages and lessons have been painful but have also been slowly accepted by most people.

But it is also a time to reflect on whether there is still more that needs to be achieved within football grounds.

Facilities and atmosphere at football games are far more family-friendly than they were but there is still a lot that can be done, especially in the way opposing fans react to each other.

Football fans have come together this week in remembering those that died at a football match.

It would be fitting if this weekend the same level of respect was shown with fans supporting their team rather abusing their opponents.

Spanish Giants Turn Attention From Arsenal To Liverpool

Real Madrid and Barcelona have given up their pursuit of Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas and have set their sights on luring Liverpool’s Xabi Alonso instead.

The Anfield midfielder nearly left the club last summer as Rafa Benitez chose to pursue Aston Villa’s Gareth Barry as a potential replacement. Juventus had a concrete bid rejected having failed to meet Liverpool’s asking price, and the player has since flourished, emerging as one of their key players.

Alonso’s ever improving form has alerted Spanish juggernauts Barcelona and Real Madrid, and with the latter soon to experience Presidential elections Alonso has seen his name emerge a potential big money signing at the Bernabeu.

Pep Guardiola had initially targeted Gunners captain Cesc Fabregas as the final piece in an increasingly potent jigsaw, but Arsenal’s unwillingness to sell means the Catalan giants will make Alonso their number one transfer target.

The baying queue of European clubs after Alonso’s signature has led Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez to issue a hands off warning.

The former Valencia coach said: “Xabi is having a good season and is a key player. He’s a player we want to keep.”

Overriding Emotion Of Liverpool FC Is Defiance

Among the poetic banners draped from the away end at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night was one consisting of just a single word: defiance.

It has been the overriding emotion both on and off the field for Liverpool during a week in which they have remembered the past while underlining the promise of the future.

The refusal to give in was astonishingly apparent at Chelsea when Rafael Benitez’s side came close to pulling off one of the most remarkable comebacks in European Cup history.

And Liverpool’s players, beaten but unbowed, were together in the belief their show of character can bolster their efforts to chase down Manchester United in the quest for the coveted Premier League crown.

“There are six games remaining and we must win them all,” says goalkeeper Pepe Reina. “Of course it's in Manchester United’s hands and doesn't just depend on us but I hope United will drop points.

“It seems like they're not playing at their best but neither are we. We'll have to see what happens.

“They are under a lot of pressure. They are leaders and are in a great situation. All we can do is try to win every game.

“We played for Liverpool with heart. All we could give was passion and commitment. To be a Liverpool player is a pleasure.

“We will never give up, we are Liverpool and that's our character, it's the way we are. We will fight until the very end.”

While trailing leader’s United by a point and the Old Trafford side possessing a game in hand, it will be a tough ask for Liverpool.

But few are now willing to dismiss the chances of the Anfield outfit ending their 19-year wait for the championship.

Liverpool have played 44 games in the Premier League and Champions League combined so far this season, and lost only three.

In fact, Benitez’s side have been beaten just six times in almost two years of top-flight action, a remarkable statistic that highlights both their consistency and the achievement of United to remain ahead of their Merseyside rivals throughout that period.

The force, though, is with Liverpool, who have netted at least four goals in five of their last seven games at venues that have included Old Trafford and Stamford Bridge.

That tally wasn’t enough on Tuesday, however, despite Benitez’s men racing into a 2-0 lead at half-time to level the aggregate scores.

The evening’s pivotal moment came shortly after half-time when Reina fumbled Didier Drogba’s near-post touch over his own line for a goal that revitalised Chelsea.

And Reina admits: “It was bad positioning in my case. I was too in the middle and should have been closer to the near post. It was my mistake and I have to recognise that. That’s the life of the keeper. We are very disappointed but we must be proud of ourselves. We gave it all but we couldn't manage to turn them over.

“We had plenty of chances in the first half and there was just one team in it – Liverpool. It could have been more than 2-0.

“At Stamford Bridge we were better, at Anfield they were. But it doesn't matter who was better, only who goes through.

“In the first half I thought we were going through, we were playing fantastic football and dominating.”

Having faced each other 24 times in less than five years, familiarity has bred contempt between Liverpool and Chelsea.

But there was a new-found respect in light of a game that is already being touted as a modern classic.

“Liverpool are a fantastic team and play with no fear,” says Drogba. “They did everything to try and go through. It takes two teams to make big games like this and we saw two great teams.”

Florent Malouda adds: “We scored the goals at the right moments, but you have to say that Liverpool were really good. They kept pushing us until the end, it was a fantastic match for the supporters.”

Dirk Kuyt was among the Liverpool goalscorers on Tuesday, and the Dutchman says: “The team can be proud of the effort we gave. We tried everything we could and it was great to be 2-0 up at half-time.

“We played for the supporters and everybody together did everything they could. The supporters were really good. We tried everything we could. We’re disappointed, but we are very proud.”

One dream may have been dashed for Liverpool, but another still remains.

Liverpool Youngsters On Course For Youth Cup Final After Victory

Liverpool Youth team virtually secured their place in a third FA Youth Cup final in the past four years with a superb 3-0 victory over Birmingham City at St Andrews last night.

Hugh McAuley’s side will hope to complete the job in the second leg of the semi-final at Anfield next Friday night to book a place in the two-legged final against either Arsenal or Manchester City.

While McAuley was delighted with the win, he said: “I am very pleased with the result. I thought in the first 45 minutes we created chances, scored good goals and there was a lot of good football.

“But I was a little disappointed in the second half. I felt we didn’t pass the ball well enough and our all-round game wasn’t good enough. But it is only half-time and there is another game at Anfield next week.”

Valencia Ruined Their Big Chance Of Selling Silva To Us, Claims Liverpool Boss Benitez

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has hinted Valencia have wrecked any potential deal for Spanish forward David Silva.

Sportsmail revealed last month that Liverpool's chief scout Eduardo Macia had held talks with cash-strapped Valencia but the Spanish side wanted over £20m for the Spain international.

However, Benitez claims the 23-year-old is no longer a target for Liverpool because officials leaked his interest in the player to the media.

Benitez said: 'Our chief scout, Eduardo [Macia], was in Valencia and was talking with different people from the club, but someone was talking too much.

'So, at this moment, Silva is not a target. He is a good player, but not our target.

'If we are going to look for someone we will not announce it to the press - we will try to do it properly and secretly.

'We have a very good relationship with Valencia. It was just one person who was talking too much. Things have to be done in the right way and now you know we are not thinking about Silva.’

However, Benitez says he is unconcerned at missing out on Silva as he has a long list of potential targets to choose from to try and bring to Anfield.

He added: 'People are OK. I am more worried about the number we are signing. We have a list of 95 players - more or less - players that we could sign this year.'