John Barnes Hails Rafa Benitez For Closing Man United Gap

Liverpool legend John Barnes has hailed the progress of Rafael Benitez’s side this season even if they fail to win the Barclays Premier League title.

Liverpool’s recent quarter- final elimination from the Champions League by Chelsea left them focusing solely on overhauling leaders Manchester United.

The 4-4 draw with Arsenal allowed Sir Alex Ferguson’s side to stretch their lead to three points with a game in hand after their 2-0 win over Portsmouth last night.

But former England winger Barnes insists even pushing United close represents real progress. "They can now throw all their eggs into one basket, the league," Barnes said. "They have had a fantastic season even if they don’t win the league. To be pushing United this close after being 20 points behind them in recent years shows they have come a long way.

"For me, if they won the Champions League but were 20-25 points off Manchester United as they have been, I’m not interested in that.

"I’m interested in them winning the league or pushing them (United) close to show they are the best or, if not the best, very close to being the best team in the country."

Pepe Reina Calls For Liverpool To Tighten Up Defensively

Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina has suggested that their recent defensive frailties could cost them the chance of winning the Premier League title this season.

The Reds have received plenty of plaudits for their attacking play of late after scoring a magnificent 27 goals in their last eight fixtures.

However, at the other end of the pitch they have not been so spectacular, shipping 11 goals in their previous four outings.

The 13-time capped Spanish international admits he has been pleased to see his team-mates do so well when going forward, but has warned them not to neglect their defensive duties.

"We have never had a run like this - conceding 11 goals in four games," Reina told the club's official website.

"We are scoring a lot of goals but we have to try and improve in defence. Scoring goals is the most difficult thing in football but now we must sort some of the problems we're having in defence.

"We've always had the balance between attack and defence. That's why we're always there in the Champions League and cup competitions, because we are a team with balance. We have to get back to this way."

The former Barcelona and Villarreal man has also refused to rule out the possibility of winning the Premier League despite falling three points behind leaders Manchester United in the table.

"We knew it would be difficult for United to drop points in two games, and now it's even harder because they have to lose those games. But we have to still believe and keep going until the end," he explained.

"It's not worth looking at the fixture list. All we can do is win our games, so we don't look at United's fixtures. We just have to do our job and win our five remaining games.

"This club has been many, many years without being in this position going into the last five games. To be involved at this stage is beautiful, but to win the league would be massive, so we have to give our all."

Ryan Babel: I Must Start Regularly For Liverpool Next Season

Ryan Babel has hinted that he may well be considered as an expensive flop should he fail to become a regular name in the Liverpool starting XI from next season onwards.

The 30-time capped Netherlands international has made 88 appearances for the Reds since signing from Dutch giants Ajax for around €12.7 million (£11.5m) in 2007, however, 46 of those have come from the substitutes bench.

The versatile forward has said that he does not regret his move to Anfield, insisting he has developed as a player during his time with the Merseyside outfit, but he knows that the time has come for him to start proving that.

"In December I’ll be 23. When you reach that you aren’t a potential talent anymore," Babel is quoted as saying by The Sun.

"Next season age isn’t an excuse any more.

"My goal this season was to be in the starting line-up but they brought in another left forward. But I have patience, I work hard and I have to show I’ve earned the right to be picked.

"What I have learned in 18 months at Liverpool would have taken four years at Ajax. There are times when it isn’t going as well as I hoped but I see it as a test and it can only make me stronger."

Liverpool Enter Race For Manchester United's Carlos Tevez

According to a report in the British broadsheet The Times, Liverpool are preparing a bid for Carlos Tevez, whose loan deal at Manchester United is set to expire at the end of the season.

It seems that the Argentina international striker has resigned himself to departing Old Trafford this summer, after he revealed that he was frustrated by the lack of playing time he had been afforded this season.

Furthermore, the Red Devils appear to have shown reluctance to take up the offer put forward to them to acquire the economic rights of 'El Apache' from his owners.

However, it is claimed that United manager Alex Ferguson does want to keep hold of the 25-year-old and may urge the club to pay the alleged €24.5 million (£22m) they have been quoted.

Tevez has stated that he has several options should he decide to leave the European champions, and it is thought that as well as Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City and Inter are all keen to add him to their squads.

However, should the former Boca Juniors and Corinthians star opt to pursue a career away from Old Trafford, it is said that the club looking to land him will have to pay more than the figure Man United would.

Hughie McAuley Wants His Young Reds To Keep Blues Out Of Cup-Tie

Liverpool Academy coach Hughie McAuley says his side still have it all to do if they are to reach the final of the FA Youth Cup.

Holding a 3-0 lead over Birmingham City from the first leg, McAuley’s Under-18 side go into tomorrow evening’s deciding tie with a clear advantage but the boss is dismissing their ‘favourites’ tag.

Instead McAuley is demanding his young stars continue to practice the simple side of football as they look to secure a place in the final against Arsenal who beat Manchester City this week.

The Reds’ cause was helped in last week’s convincing win at St Andrews with a double strike from Finnish ace Lauri Dalla Valle and one from David Amoo, a player who has already featured in Gary Ablett’s reserve team set-up.

McAuley said: “The first half display was very, very good. It was 3-0 by half-time but in the second half it was not quite at the same tempo.

“That is certainly a normal reaction for many teams, including the top sides, but at the same time it is still not good enough, though we have got to be happy with the final scoreline.

“We have just got to repeat the scoreline on Friday and do the right things, that is the message to the players – basically it is only half-time in the game and we have to play again, keep the ball down and make Birmingham work.

“We have to put them under pressure because I am sure they will do the same to us.

“Hopefully we can create chances to score goals as well as keeping our shape to defend well – we have just got to play our normal game, that is the simple message.

“In the first leg it was a great all round team effort from everybody but naturally the stand out players included Joe Kennedy and David Amoo but more importantly we have the same squad available for tomorrow night which is pleasing.”

As much as cup success would delight McAuley, he continues to insist he true goal at Liverpool’s Academy is to help his fledgling stars move into the reserve and first team set-ups at Melwood.

He added: “My main objective, long term, is always to try and get these players to Melwood. We always try and create a winning mentality at the club but we also aware we are trying to build the experience of these young lads and accept that we have to take results as they come.”

Kenny Dalglish To Stage Anfield Game In Memory Of Hillsborough Victims

Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish is to take the lead in staging a charity match at Anfield next month to mark the 20th anniversary of the Hillsborough Disaster.

The game – involving legends from the Reds' illustrious past and an all-star celebrity team – will be played on the night of Thursday, May 14.

It is being staged by Dalglish and Liverpool FC in aid of the Marina Dalglish appeal, raising funds for a new radiotherapy unit at University Hospital, Aintree, while also remembering the Hillsborough 96.

The plan announced today includes a permanent memorial to the Leppings Lane victims at the Fazakerley hospital.

The Hillsborough Family Support Group has supported Marina Dalglish’s charity for the past few years, raising money through golf days with the support of her husband.

Details of the line ups will be announced at a press conference at Anfield next week. Tickets go on sale from Tuesday, April 28.

Dalglish, who is wanted back at Anfield by Reds boss Rafa Benitez as the ECHO revealed last week, said today: "This is a match we have been talking about staging for a while and it's brilliant we can now confirm it."

"The players who will be involved are all really keen to come together again and play for the fans who offered such support through the time of the Hillsborough disaster. I am sure it will be a great occasion with all of the money going towards the building of a badly-needed Radiotherapy facility on this side of the water."

Marina, who launched her charity after being diagnosed and treated for breast cancer, said: "We are looking to raise money for the Radiotherapy Unit.

“But we are also looking at different ideas for the setting up a memorial for the Hillsborough families somewhere in the hospital.

"The Hillsborough Family Support Group has been really helpful to us over the years.

“So it's nice for us to be able to stage this game in memory of those who lost their lives 20 years ago."

Calum Woods Profits From Leaving Liverpool

It was the summer of 2006 when Calum Woods decided his career needed a new direction. For a boy who had grown up in the shadow of Anfield, leaving Liverpool the city was almost as hard as leaving Liverpool FC.

At one point, the Melwood training ground rivalled John Lennon Airport for departures. Players left daily, as Rafael Benítez offloaded 24 in a frenetic pre-season. Blink and you would almost have missed Woods. He had plenty of prestigious company, with Djibril Cisse, Fernando Morientes, Scott Carson and Dietmar Hamman among those making an exit.

Rather than stay in his comfort zone of the north-west of England, Woods opted for a fresh start in Scotland. The young defender convinced Dunfermline Athletic that his football education at Liverpool's youth academy would make him a potential first-team player far quicker than if he had remained at Anfield.

Now, aged 22, he is on the verge of an appearance in the Homecoming Scottish Cup final if Dunfermline can overcome Falkirk in Sunday's semi-final at Hampden Park and Coca-Cola Championship clubs are tracking the pacy right-back. Woods was named the man of the match in Dunfermline's quarter-final replay triumph over Aberdeen by the Sky Television analyst, Davie Provan, which is quite an endorsement from a man who was a winger for Celtic and Scotland.

Many of the players who accompanied Woods though Liverpool's youth academy have dropped off the football radar in the three years that the young Scouser has been at East End Park. “Not many from my age group are still playing professionally,” Woods said. “There are only a couple. Lee Peltier is at Yeovil Town and Danny Guthrie is now at Newcastle United. The others packed it in.”

Woods's problem was not unique. Liverpool currently have 16 players out on loan, including Andrei Voronin, one of the top scorers in the Bundesliga with Hertha Berlin. “Liverpool are such a big club now that they can buy any top-class player they want, so it is harder for the players from the youth set-up to get noticed,” Woods said. “It's hard to even get a game for the reserve team.

“I saw the youth team on television last week and they had Tom Ince, whose dad, Paul, played for Liverpool when I was a kid. Even the youth academy attracts the best players from all round Europe now. It is an unbelievable set-up. I signed for Liverpool when I was ten and left when I was 19 and it was really special. It made my dad proud because he's a Liverpool fan.

“We lived in Anfield, close to the ground. Every kid from round there wants to play for Liverpool and I don't think the fact that the first team, or even the reserves, is full of foreign stars will put local youngsters off. They will still believe they can make it and come through the ranks like Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard have done. Michael Owen was my hero when I was a kid and he came through the Liverpool system.”

Woods has made more than 70 first-team appearances for Dunfermline and one of those would have included the 2007 Scottish Cup final if he had not been dropped from the squad by Stephen Kenny, the then-manager. “I did not discover I was out until the manager named the side and the substitutes in the hotel on the morning that we played Celtic,” Woods said.

“I did not think I would be in the starting line-up but I had played a few games in the cup run, including the round where we knocked out Rangers, and I was hoping to get on the bench. It was not a good experience but hopefully we can get to the final again and this time I will play.” Jim McIntyre, the Dunfermline manager, was so impressed with Woods's progress that he gave the right-back a new two-year contract earlier in the season.

He has lived in the Fife town for three years and if the accent is still more Stanley Park than East End Park, Woods understands how much another appearance in the final would mean to the club and its supporters after another season's exile in the Irn-Bru first division.

“We've missed out on promotion, so it would help the club's finances if we got to the final,” he said. “This is a great club to learn your trade. I really enjoy being here and I have been given the sort of first-team experience I would not get at Liverpool.”

A return to England would save Woods senior from clocking up the sort of mileage on the M6 that would put a trucker to shame. “My dad drives up to all my games,” Woods said. “Even though he has a Liverpool season ticket, he will be at Hampden with my mum. If he had to choose between coming to see me or Liverpool win the league, it would be me.”

Liverpool Should Sign Lionel Messi - Jan Molby

Jan Molby would sign Lionel Messi for Liverpool if the Reds were able to bring in any players in the world and would also take Samuel Eto'o from Barcelona while he was at it.

The great Dane, who made 218 appearances for the club in a 12-stay at Anfield, believes that the two Blaugrana stars are the best in the world at the moment.

Messi would be Molby's first choice if he could capture anyone to bolster the Liverpool ranks, while he feels that Eto'o up front with Fernando Torres would be incredible.

"I would start with Lionel Messi from Barcelona," he told the Merseyside club's official website. “He is simply sensational and the nearest thing we've seen to Diego Maradona. The way he plays, his awareness, first touch and ability to score goals is fantastic.

"The other one would be a team-mate of his and someone I've always been a fan of - Samuel Eto'o. I think he's a brilliant player who's back on song now, scoring goals for fun.

"Can you imagine Eto'o and Torres together upfront? It would be a defender's nightmare!"

While promoting the two Barca stars, Molby stated that he feels the club already have the best striker in the Premier League in the form of Torres.

"He's probably the best striker in the league,” he enthused. “The likes of [Arsenal’s] Emmanuel Adebayor and [Chelsea’s] Didier Drogba spring to mind as well, but they can sulk from time to time and Torres doesn't appear to have that in his make-up.

"He's a worker and just gets on with job. I think that's what puts him top of the pile.

"We knew how good he was from last season and it's fantastic to see him continue that form this campaign. Although his season has been a bit stop-start, the fact he has still been able to get goals is remarkable.

"There's no doubt in my mind he should be looking to get somewhere between 25-30 goals every season."

Why Sky Sports Needs Pundits Like Steven Gerrard Every Week

During Liverpool's eight goal thriller with Arsenal the Sky Sports commentator came out with something that made my ears prick up as I struggled to stay on the edge of my seat.

"I don't care what anybody says, you don't get games like this anywhere else in the world. That's why the world's broadcasters come to us."

I think Martin means that English football is so entertaining that every TV network in the world wants to buy rights from the Premier League.

They do, too. I remember waking up in Peru, switching on the telly and watching Southampton against Arsenal a few years ago.

I love South America and every time I go I end up watching some Premier League game or other on ESPN. My name's John and I'm a football-aholic.

Another time I went to Argentina, I went to see Boca Juniors play and it was a sensational experience. The game was a bit slow-quick-slow and it even made Juan Sebastian Veron look good in the match that I saw.

I've been fortunate enough to have seen games all over Europe. And I admit it. I'd love to be a purist and go on about the virtues of continental football, but English football is my number one.

It's fast, physical, there's goals and amazing drama like we saw in Liverpool's 4-4 draw with Arsenal - which takes me back to Martin Tyler.

My first thought when I heard Tyler say "us" was that the world's broadcasters come to Sky to buy their rights. I'm still not convinced that's what he didn't mean to say, either.

It should be the dog wagging the tail. But, in reality, it's the other way round. Sky pulls the Premier League's lead and Richard Scudamore comes running.

I'll declare an interest here. I do a lot of work for Setanta. But I think their presence has been healthy and has given Sky a kick up the backside.

Their coverage is excellent. Jon Champion and Craig Burley are a very good double act. They have also had some good pundits this season, Harry Redknapp for one.

Redknapp slaughtering England and Fabio Capello after the Czech game last August made for great television, whatever you think of his views.

Match of the Day has played a blinder getting rid of Alan Shearer for a few months. Give me Lee Dixon any day. At least he says it how he sees it without fear of upsetting old mates or anyone in the game.

No wonder he hasn't got the balls to drop a misfiring Michael Owen. He never even had the guts to put his head above the parapet to slag anyone off when he was a pundit.

But Sky have this habit of choosing their studio pundits to sit alongside the ultra smooth Richard Keys and excellent Jamie Redknapp based on a tenuous link with one of the two clubs he used to play for.

On Tuesday night, they surpassed themselves by having injured Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard in the studio.

Gerrard was excellent, eloquent and unmissable. He gave good insight from the heart and was honest.

But what is the point of having Dion Dublin in for Manchester United games? I just don't get it.

At the risk of sounding like Sam Allardyce when it comes to Rafa Benitez and foreign managers and being a little Englander, I will also never understand why you have pundits who don't make sense.

Peter Schmeichel was so bad that the BBC had no option but to get rid of him and his bizarre version of Denglish.

The same goes for Ruud Gullit. In a discussion after the Liverpool v Chelsea game and a debate over whether Benitez should have been more cautious, Gullit had Keys completely bemused with the following statement.

"Because he didn't get his most important players on the ball so what do you want then you have to take one a little bit more back, and he did, but by then it was already too late." My thoughts exactly, Ruud.

Sadly we don't get enough Clive Tyldesley on the telly as, in my humble opinion, he's the best commentator with Champion best newcomer, even though he's been around for years.

Sky does rule the roost because they can show amazing games like Liverpool v Arsenal.

But we also need better pundits and studio analysis. Gerrard was a breath of fresh air and brilliant. Sky needs his ilk on a regular basis.

Dalglish Would Welcome A Return To Anfield

Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish has admitted he would love a return to the club he served so well as a player and a manager.

Speculation at the weekend suggested the 58-year-old Scot was to be brought in to oversee youth development at the club.

Although Dalglish, who had a 14-year spell at Anfield before quitting as manager in 1991, said he had little knowledge of any possible approach, but stressed he would be happy to help out.

"I was as far removed from the weekend's speculation about me returning to a role at Liverpool Football Club as it was possible to be, but that's not to say the Sunday paper stories and TV debate escaped me," he told LFC Magazine.

"All I can say at the moment is what I've said many times; if I can help Liverpool Football Club in any way, shape or form then I'm in. That's not a new revelation.

"If I can be of help to the club I love in any capacity then I'm more than happy to play any part that I can.

"If the manager (Rafael Benitez] or the people running the club think there's a role for me then I'll fill it happily. Similarly, if the club think the best thing for the club is for me to stay out of the way then I'm not going to take offence at that either.

"At the moment there's not much more that I can say other than that if and when there's anything to say to the supporters – the people who keep this club alive – then they will be the first to know."

Former Liverpool and England winger John Barnes, who won two league titles under Dalglish's leadership at Anfield, said his former manager would be an inspiration to everyone. "He would bring togetherness to the club which can only enhance the current feel-good factor in a similar way to that of Alan Shearer's return to Newcastle," said the former Celtic manager.

"Kenny is revered like few others at Anfield after being voted the best player ever to play for Liverpool, as well as leading the club to their last league title (in 1990] and would be welcomed back into the fold by all the fans who still sing his name.

"If he is to work with the academy, then who better than Kenny to inspire the next generation of Anfield kids?"

Rafael Benitez Delighted With Liverpool's Goal Scoring Form

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez believes his side have finally moved into top gear when going forward in search of goals.

Since their 4-0 thrashing of Spanish giants Real Madrid on March 10, the Reds have only failed to score four goals or more in a single match on two occassions.

Although defensively they have not been as solid as they were at the beginning of the season, conceding 11 goals in their last three fixtures, they have thumped in 27 goals during their previous eight games.

The Spaniard believes the only key to their good record in front of goal is players hitting top form and beginning to realise their potential.

"There is not really a change of emphasis. The understanding between the players is better," Benitez told The Daily Post.

"This week we were talking in training sessions and we could see the team were playing with a lot of confidence.

"We didn’t need to say anything because they knew what to do. Because we have been practising so many times during the season the players know now what to do.

"For me we have the same mentality, the difference now is we play better. We have more confidence and we can score more goals.

"If we can keep [Fernando] Torres fit it will be much better and you can see [Yossi] Benayoun is on fire."

Dirk Kuyt: Liverpool Need A Miracle' To Overhaul Man Utd In Race For Title

Liverpool need "a miracle" if they are to end their 19-year wait for a League championship, according to striker Dirk Kuyt.

Prior to the dramatic 4-4 draw with Arsenal at Anfield on Tuesday, the message emanating from Merseyside was that, whatever Manchester United achieved in the title run-in, Liverpool had to be perfect to stand any chance of dethroning the champions.

Andrei Arshavin's four-goal intervention, though, coupled with some kamikaze defending, ended that ambition

With just five games left, Liverpool know their chances are running out and, while Kuyt insists that they will not stop believing until United are mathematically out of their reach, he admits they will fight on more in hope than expectation.

He said: "It is harder after the Arsenal match, because we knew before the match that we needed to win to keep the pressure on. But at least we got a point, rather than losing, and now we have to keep on fighting until the very end.

"We have to hope for a miracle now as it has become more difficult than it already was, but against Arsenal we proved we are a team that has not given up and we will never give up. So let's hope a miracle can happen.

"It will be hard but as long we win our remaining games then maybe they will struggle. It may be that they must lose twice for us to catch them, but that can happen. It is important that we took a point, because otherwise maybe that would have been impossible."

Milan Boss Carlo Ancelotti Can't See Steven Gerrard Leaving Liverpool

AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti showed himself to be highly sceptical of the possibility of seeing Liverpool star Steven Gerrard in a red-and-black jersey next season.

Liverpool's 'Captain Fantastic' has been linked to the Italian giants on and off for several years already, and his name has been brandished about again with increased intensity of late as Milan look to build a team capable of restoring their status as a dominant force in European football.

"I think Steven Gerrard is an outstanding player but I doubt that he'd leave Liverpool," Ancelotti said in a recent interview with Hungarian sports daily Nemzeti Sport in response to the new batch of rumours.

"We're eyeing many players but it would be too soon to mention any names before the end of the season."

Milan's own golden boy, Kaka, recently went on record as saying that if it were up to him, he would sign Gerrard above any other player.

Liverpool FC Must Rediscover Their Discipline To Stay In Race

There is a school of thought that suggests before a team can win a championship, they first have to lose one.

But it will be of little consolation to Rafael Benitez’s side right now that the lessons being learned in their quest for a first Premier League title since 1990 will stand them in good stead for future years.

Tuesday’s remarkable 4-4 draw against Arsenal dealt a damaging blow to Liverpool’s championship challenge in a manner that perhaps encapsulated their league campaign.

Here was a game in which Liverpool were vibrant going forward, created numerous chances but ultimately paid for not taking enough of them. A game at Anfield that should have been won but ended in an unnecessary draw. A game in which Benitez was without one of his most talismanic performers – this time Steven Gerrard – through injury.

There were glum faces among the home support at the final whistle. But given the rollercoaster nature of an engrossing scrap for the title, the only guarantee over the final month of the campaign is there will be further twists and turns to come.

Having twice led Valencia to the Spanish crown, Benitez knows exactly what to expect, and reassured his players in the immediate aftermath of Tuesday’s match to retain their confidence and ensure they capitalise on any United slip-ups.

But they will need to reprise the disciplined, controlled performances of earlier in the campaign rather than continue in the dramatic, carefree way that is gathering new friends if not silverware.

Witness Arsenal’s fourth goal, substitute Theo Walcott racing away on the counter-attack to feed Andrey Arshavin for a simple finish after Liverpool had criminally left only person back in defence in pursuit of a winner.

A Benitez side just doesn’t concede goals like that. It was evidence the Anfield outfit are currently playing more with their hearts and their heads, a situation the manager is always keen to avoid if possible.

Of course, such passion play isn’t always a bad thing, and allied to an unshakeable self-belief it helped Liverpool threaten a remarkable Champions League comeback at Chelsea and come from 1-0, 3-2 and 4-3 down to earn what could prove a vital point against Arsenal.

But Benitez would sooner his team had not put themselves in that position in the first place.

Suddenly, Liverpool are the great entertainers, United the pragmatic, dour results machine.

Benitez’s side have scored 27 goals in their last eight games, a run that started with the ruthless Champions League demolition of Real Madrid.

That, though, has come at the cost of defensive solidity, with a rearguard that had conceded only 11 goals in their previous 16 games having leaked the same amount in their last four.

Why the sudden change? Yes, Benitez has loosened the shackles a touch, and their attacking players are approaching peak form at the right time.

But the results, and the type of individual mistake that gifted Arshavin his first three goals on Tuesday, betray inevitable nerves at this stage of the season and the desperation to claim the club’s first title in 19 years and prevent United from drawing level with Liverpool on 18 championships.

Much emphasis has been made of the possible impact of the war of words between Benitez and Sir Alex Ferguson.

Yet mind games don’t win the title – it’s the strength of mind of the players in coping with the pressure and expectation during the run-in that makes the difference. United have that quality in abundance – Liverpool, by and large, do not. Yet.

With games against Hull City, Newcastle United, West Ham United, West Bromwich Albion and Tottenham Hotspur to come, there’s no way Benitez’s side will throw in the towel.

Reds Line Up Asian Tour

Liverpool will play two pre-season friendlies in south-east Asia this summer.

Rafael Benitez's side will face Thailand in Bangkok on July 22 before flying to Singapore to take on the national team on July 26. It will be the first time the Reds have visited Thailand since 2003, while they have not played in Singapore for eight years.

"We have a fantastic group of fans in both Thailand and Singapore and it will be great to take the lads out there again," said Benitez.

Ian Ayre, Liverpool's commercial director, added: "South-east Asia is clearly a key region for Liverpool.

"As we continue to develop our international plans, being able to allow fans all over the world to see the team live is paramount."

Dato Worawi Makudi, president of the Thai Football Association, said they were eagerly anticipating the match.

"Liverpool's return to the kingdom is long overdue," he said.

"The experience that our players will receive from this game will help in the development of Thai football."

Winston Lee, general secretary of the Football Association of Singapore, was also pleased to welcome back the Reds.

He said: "Inviting teams such as Liverpool, as well as Brazil and Australia last year, is part of our continued efforts to bring top-class football action to our shores.

"It will not only be a great experience for our fans but our players will get exposure to world-class teams and players."

Lindfield Eyes Stanley Return

Craig Lindfield is hoping Liverpool will allow him to return to Accrington Stanley on loan next season.

The striker has scored twice in 18 appearances since joining Accrington in January, having spent the first half of the campaign on loan at Bournemouth.

He has yet to make his first-team debut for Liverpool and is keen to build up his experience back in League Two with Stanley.

"I've definitely enjoyed my time here," he told the Lancashire Telegraph.

"I've got another season left on my contract at Liverpool, but I don't see any reason why I couldn't come for the first half of next season.

"At the moment I haven't looked at my long-term plans, but I'll definitely stay until January and see what happens then."

Match Report: LiverpooL 4 - 4 Arsenal

Four goals from Andrey Arshavin put a huge dent in Liverpool's Premier League title hopes as Arsenal drew 4-4 at Anfield.

The hosts went ahead of Manchester United on goal difference having come from behind three times, starting with Arshavin's first in the 36th minute.

Fernando Torres and Yossi Benayoun scored soon after the interval but three further goals from the Russian piled the pressure back on Rafael Benitez's side and even a second from Torres and an injury-time equaliser from Benayoun were not enough to force victory.

The result hands a huge advantage to United, who have two matches in hand with the first on Wednesday at home to Portsmouth.

Liverpool were architects of their own downfall as the first three Arsenal goals came from mistakes.

It was almost a carbon copy of their Champions League exit against Chelsea a week ago when a 4-4 draw at Stamford Bridge saw them miss out on the semi-finals.

It was also not the first time Arsenal had done serious damage to a Liverpool title challenge, it being 20 years since Michael Thomas scored on this ground with the last kick of the season to deny the Reds the championship.

Torres and Albert Riera should have done better with their early efforts to test the fragile confidence of Lucasz Fabianski but both fired straight at the goalkeeper.

Javier Mascherano fired wide after 15 minutes as Arsenal were content to soak up what Liverpool had to offer and swiftly counter-attack when the chance arose.

Those occasions were few and far between and Fabianski, who had looked shaky on a couple of occasions, had to be at his best to tip over Torres' shot from the right angle of the penalty area.

Referee Howard Webb waved away Liverpool appeals in the 26th minute when Mikael Silvestre appeared to catch Dirk Kuyt on the edge of the area.

Arsenal's first chance came when they broke quickly from a Liverpool corner and Cesc Fabregas volleyed wide after Daniel Agger, making his 50th league appearance, had got in Jose Reina's way as he tried to punch clear.

A smart turn by Torres on Kolo Toure saw the Spain striker fire in a 25-yard shot which Fabianski could only parry but Silvestre cleared the danger.

Samir Nasri then had to clear off the line at the far post after Agger flicked on Xabi Alonso's right-wing corner before the Gunners hit their hosts with a sucker punch in the 36th minute.

Mascherano lost the ball on the edge of the penalty area and Fabregas exchanged passes with Nasri before crossing for Arshavin to fire home off the underside of the crossbar.

Benayoun immediately brought a diving save from Fabianski and then headed over as Liverpool piled on the pressure leading up to the interval without reward.

Liverpool realistically had 45 minutes to keep their season alive and that realisation brought the equaliser within four minutes of the restart.

Alvaro Arbeloa's cross was poorly dealt with by Bacary Sagna and Kuyt collected the ball, got to the byline and crossed for Torres to head low into the left corner of Fabianski's goal.

Seven minutes later they were ahead. Fabianski and Kieren Gibbs both messed up their clearances and Kuyt crossed to the far post where Benayoun headed in.

The goalkeeper claimed to have clawed the ball out but it was clearly over the line.

In the 65th minute Arsene Wenger brought on Theo Walcott for Denilson to try to get back in the game but it was another mistake which brought their equaliser.

Arbeloa could not control Jamie Carragher's downward defensive header and Arshavin nipped in to fire past Reina's outstretched left hand.

Incredibly for a team which had conceded just eight goals in 16 home league matches a third error handed Arsenal the lead again.

Fabio Aurelio played a left-wing cross straight to Arshavin 10 yards out and he drilled a shot under Reina for his hat-trick in the 70th minute.

Amazingly Liverpool were level again two minutes later when Torres controlled Riera's cross, turned Silvestre and fired past Fabianski.

Torres had a header cleared off the line by Gibbs from Alonso's corner with nine minutes to go and Carragher fired over from Aurelio's cross as Liverpool desperately pushed for the winner.

And that cost them as Walcott broke from a corner and played in Arshavin to score his fourth in injury time.

Benayoun bundled home an equaliser even later on but it was too late to force a victory.

Realistic Rafa Admits United Have One Hand On The Title After Liverpool's Draw With Arsenal

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has admitted Manchester United are almost home and dry in the race for the Premier League title.

The Reds climbed to the top of the table on goal difference last night after the thrilling 4-4 draw with Arsenal but with United having two games in hand Benitez knows his side are long shots to be crowned champions.

Andrey Arshavin scored all four of the Gunners' goals in a remarkable night at Anfield in which the hosts came from behind three times, the last goal coming two minutes into added time.

Benitez, who has five games left, believes there are still plenty of twists to come with Sir Alex Ferguson's side facing Portsmouth tonight and Wigan in their other extra fixture.

But the Spaniard said: 'United are in the driving seat and we will see what happens.

'If they win it will be more difficult but they have to win and they also have to play against Arsenal so we will see.

'We have a point against a good team and we are top. We have to keep pushing until the last game. It's football, you never know.'

We Can Still Win The League, Insists Liverpool Skipper Gerrard

Steven Gerrard claims Liverpool can still win the Barclays Premier League despite watching his side drop a vital two points at Anfield in last night's 4-4 thriller against Arsenal.

The point lifted Rafa Benitez's side above defending champions Manchester United and into top place on goal difference.

But United have two games in hand on Liverpool and will return to the summit tonight if they beat Portsmouth.

The England midfielder said: 'United have a fantastic team and you look at their run-in, look to see where they are going to drop points - it would have been very difficult if we'd lost the game.

'But that point could be big. We'll have to wait and see how big it could be for us.

'Performance-wise, at times we were very good. Torres and Benayoun were frightening going forward. It's not like us to concede that many goals like we have tonight. We're normally sound defensively, especially at home.'

Now Gerrard is hoping Portsmouth can do Liverpool a favour by beating United at Old Trafford tonight.

The Liverpool captain said: 'Now we need United to get beaten which is difficult to do because they're a good team. But I still believe there will be twists and turns in this title race.'

Benayoun, who netted twice including the equaliser in added time, was in agreement with Gerrard.

'United are a strong side but we won't give up and we will continue to try and do our best,' he said. 'We will keep trying, look to win our remaining matches, and hopefully we can still do it.'

However the Israel striker says Liverpool must improve at the back after conceding eight goals in two goals and winning neither following the 4-4 draw against Chelsea in the Champions League last week.

The 28-year-old said: 'It was great game for the supporters to watch but not for us because we made too many mistakes. We should have won the game.

'We have the best defence in the league and the best goalkeeper too, but we didn't defend well as a team against Arsenal.

'We scored four goals and still didn't manage to pick up the three points so I think that shows we should have done better."

Lotito - Zarate Going Nowhere

Lazio president Claudio Lotito says Liverpool have "zero chance" of signing Mauro Zarate this summer.

The Argentine forward is thought to be interesting a whole host of clubs - including both Liverpool and Manchester City - after scoring 12 league goals this term.

But Lotito says the former Birmingham City striker - who is on a season-long loan at Lazio from Qatari side Al Sadd - will stay in Rome.

Lazio have until the end of this month to finalise a permanent deal for the player and Lotito says the club intend to do just this.

Speaking about the possibility of Liverpool signing the player, Lotito said: "There is zero chance. Lazio will exercise their option to buy Zarate and they will not sell Zarate to Liverpool, full stop."

His comments come after Sergio Zarate, who works as one of the agents for his brother, confirmed a number of clubs are asking about the Argentine.

"I cannot say which clubs, I can only say that two Italians, two Spaniards, two British and one German," he told Calciomercato.