Dalglish Praises Liverpool Season

Former Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish believes the Reds have closed the gap on champions Manchester United and can go one better next season.

Liverpool are set to finish runners-up to United this season.

He told BBC Radio Merseyside: "They've pushed them a lot harder than they have in the previous three or four years.

"They can certainly be proud of their efforts this season. This year there has been a lot of optimism and we can look forward to next year."

Dalglish added: "It would have been very positive to win the Premier League but I think there's a lot of stability at the football club now. Maybe that wasn't here in October and November.

"Rafa [Benitez, manager] has signed a new contract and have Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres, Dirk Kuyt, Daniel Agger and a lot of the younger players.

"I'm sure they'll be some people coming in and some going out. But the stronger [players] we get the better chance we will have."

Dalglish could have a role to play in the future success of the club as Benitez would like him involved in some way in the Liverpool set-up.

He said: "We'll just have to wait and see. If I can be of any help to this football club then I will be.

"If it's more helpful for me to be a supporter then fine. It's no problem, I don't have any grievances with anyone."

We Have The Spirit To Catch Manchester United Next Year, Says Liverpool Goalkeeper Pepe Reina

Pepe Reina believes that Liverpool's onfield bust-up was merely an example of the spirit that will be required to overhaul Manchester United.

The Anfield keeper watched in horror as team-mates Jamie Carragher and Alvaro Arbeloa almost came to blows after a heated exchange during the win at West Brom.

The pair have been criticised for the very public show of disharmony in the Reds camp but the Spaniard insisted they were just showing the passion needed to challenge at the top of the table.

"It showed our mentality and our motivation to win the game and not to concede a goal," said Reina.

"It is normal and it can happen on the pitch so let's forget it. We are trying our hardest to catch Manchester United and it just showed the mentality we have in trying to be the best."

Liverpool are desperately frustrated they failed to catch United despite a club record haul of points.

If they win their last match, they will finish on 86 - their biggest total ever, and will also become the only side to lose just two matches and not win the league.

Carragher's show of spirit threatened to spill over when he raged at Arbeloa for failing to get back to cover the right back position.

But Reina believes that Liverpool must continue to show that sort of desire if they are to take the final step and actually get past United and win the Premier League.

"We have already beaten the club record in terms of points but it wasn't enough," he said.

"United didn't slip at any time so we have to congratulate them and keep pushing for the next few years.

"We are really proud to be closer but we will be even prouder to win it. That's the next step.

"We are becoming a stronger team because when I first joined Liverpool we were something like 30 points behind them and now it is only three or four points."

Many people were surprised with the strength of feeling shown by the two Liverpool defenders in a game that didn't mean as much once United secured their third Premier League triumph in a row on the Saturday.

But Reina explained: "Knowing that Man United had become champions on Saturday meant that we had to give everything to try and finish second and also to be as professional as we can."

Olsson Plays Down Gerrard Spat

West Brom defender Jonas Olsson has played down his on-field spat with Steven Gerrard in Liverpool's 2-0 win at The Hawthorns.

Olsson hit out at the England international in first-half stoppage-time on Sunday as he thought the Reds' maestro had dived under a challenge in search of a penalty.

The 26-year-old Swedish stopper says the incident has not diminished his respect for the Liverpool playmaker, saying he still regards him as one of the world's best.

Olsson has conceded his display at the back end of the game was not quite up to scratch, although he feels defenders are always going to come off second best against the likes of Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Dirk Kuyt.

"I screamed at him, 'You're too good to dive like that'," Olsson told Aftonbladet. "He said that he didn't dive and that it was a penalty.

"There is always banter going on during the game, especially in the heat of the moment. But I have the utmost respect for Gerrard. He is one of the best players in the world.

"It is one-on-one at the end. During the last half hour, I faced Gerrard, Torres and Kuyt, that means there will be chances. When Kuyt made it 2-0 I wasn't perfect, but it is a tough situation."

We Will Aim For More Than 86 Points Next Season - Liverpool Midfielder Lucas Leiva

Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva has revealed that planning has already begun on Merseyside for next season, and has promised that the Reds will come back after the summer a much better and stronger outfit.

"We have showed that we have the quality to fight for the title and we will desperate to go one better and win it next season," he told the club's official website.

"We have 83 points and if we could finish the season with 86 points that would be a record for the club. Next season our challenge is to get more than 86 points and try to win the title."

Manchester United's title celebrations were obviously viewed somewhat enviously at Anfield as well, with Lucas going on to reveal that he had to switch the television off when the trophy was presented to the Red Devils.

"I watched the game but when they were about to receive the trophy I switched off my TV," he added.

"Manchester United deserve the title because they have been consistent but we know we can do it next season. Last year in January 2008 we were out of the fight for the race for the title but this year we were right up there challenging, so that shows we are a good team.

"We have to believe in ourselves next season and we have the quality to win the title."

Liverpool's downfall this season has not been their away performances but rather their displays at Anfield which have often lacked the discipline and vibrancy shown away from the Shankley Gates.

"Our away form has been really good," Lucas added.

"We have scored a lot of goals and won a lot of games, but the main disappointment for us this year was drawing too many games at home.

"We knew that drawing those games could be the key and cost us at the end of the season and unfortunately we were right. We dropped too many points against teams who came to Anfield playing really narrow and deep."

Sloppy Anfield Form Cost Us Title Challenge, Admits Dirk Kuyt

Dirk Kuyt has admitted Liverpool's home form undermined their title challenge even before they defeated Manchester United in March and that Rafael Benítez's team "were not quite good enough" to stop their fierce rivals drawing level on 18 league championships this season.

Liverpool have dropped only two points from a possible 30 since losing to Middlesbrough in February to deliver their strongest title challenge of the Premier League era and elevate expectations for next season. Their one slip in that sequence was the 4-4 draw with Arsenal at Anfield, but Kuyt believes the six stalemates at home before then – against the likes of Stoke City, Hull City and Manchester City – had left Benítez's men with an insurmountable task ahead of their 4-1 victory at Old Trafford on 14 March.

"It's a shame that the season is ending now," said the Dutch international, whose goal at West Bromwich Albion on Sunday ensured his highest return – 15 – as a Liverpool player. "The performances we have shown in the last couple of months have been very good. If the season had gone on for another month then maybe we could have been even closer to United. The problem was when we went into the game against United the gap was basically 10 points [seven points plus a game in hand]. We beat them and pushed them really, really hard but that was a very big gap for us to try and make up. If the gap had been closer then, the run-in might have been even more interesting but United won all their games anyway."

Swans' Bid For Winger Accepted

Liverpool have accepted a six-figure bid from Championship outfit Swansea City for 20-year-old winger Paul Anderson.

The Anfield prospect spent the 2007/08 campaign on loan with Roberto Martinez's side before joining newly-promoted Nottingham Forest last season.

Chairman Huw Jenkins is keen to agree personal terms with the youngster, but has stressed he is not the club's only target.

Anderson, who is believed to also be interesting Championship rivals Forest, will now travel to Swansea to discuss the move.

"We have had a six-figure sum with Liverpool accepted,'' chairman Huw Jenkins told the club's official website.”But I must stress that Paul is one of a number of options we are pursuing.

"Roberto has highlighted a number of players he is interested in and we have been pursuing them while he has been away scouting various players in various countries.

"The offer has been accepted by Liverpool, but it is still subject to us agreeing personal terms and Roberto sitting down with the player for further talks.

"Whoever we sign, we want players who want to play for Roberto and Swansea City. That attitude is vital - however good they are."

Dirk Kuyt: We Can’t Wait For Another Crack At The Title

Dirk Kuyt has warned newly-crowned champions Manchester United that Liverpool “really can’t wait” for the start of next season and another crack at the Premier League title.

And the Dutchman is convinced the Anfield outfit would have finished even closer to their bitter North West rivals had the current campaign a few more weeks left to run.

United equalled Liverpool’s record of 18 league titles over the weekend after holding off a strong challenge from Rafael Benitez’s side during the run-in.

Sunday’s 2-0 win at West Bromwich Albion moved Liverpool on to 83 points, their record tally in the Premier League era and their highest total since their championship season of 1987-88.

The Anfield outfit have won nine and drawn one of their last 10 league games, scoring 31 goals and conceding only six, four of which came in the home draw against Arsenal.

And Kuyt said: “In some ways it’s a shame that the season is ending now. The performances we have shown in the last couple of months have been very good.

“We tried and did everything we could, and we’ve shown the supporters that we really can’t wait for another go at the title next season. If the season had gone on for another month then maybe we could have been even closer to United.”

Kuyt admits that Liverpool had fallen too far behind the leaders by the time they travelled to Old Trafford in March and secured an historic 4-1 victory.

“The problem was when we went into the game against United in March the gap was basically 10 points (seven points plus a game in hand),” said the Dutchman.

“We beat them and pushed them really, really hard but that was a very big gap for us to try and make up. If the gap had been closer then, the run-in might have been even more interesting but United won all their games anyway.

“We tried to put them under pressure and I think we did that, but in the end it wasn’t quite enough.

“People might look back to the defeat at Middlesbrough, but the season always has moments like that. United dropped some points, we scored some last-minute goals, United did the same, but you get what you deserve and we weren’t quite good enough.

“But we’ve shown that we can challenge for the title next season and push harder than we have done this time.”

Kuyt netted his 15th goal of the season at the weekend, ensuring his best tally since arriving at Anfield in August 2006.

And he said: “I have really enjoyed this season. I’m glad I can play an important role for the team with goals and assists. My role in the team is different than the first season I was here, I’ve been playing mostly on the right and I really enjoy it there.”

Liverpool’s win at the Hawthorns on Sunday was the 13th on their league travels this season – equalling a club record set in 1905.

“That shows the strength of the team,” said Kuyt. “We’ve done really well away from home this season. I think the only area in which we can blame ourselves is that we have drawn too many games at home. But having said that, we haven’t lost a home game in the league.

“We’re happy with how we’ve played, but at the end of the day we want to win trophies and hopefully we can take this season into the next one and build on it.

We want to take our good form into next season because we have shown that we are progressing, and we can push hard again for the title next season.”

Agent: Alonso Future Up For Debate

Xabi Alonso's agent says Liverpool will decide the midfielder's future at the end of the season, amid claims Real Madrid are keen to sign him.

The Spanish international's future has been the subject of speculation in recent weeks with a number of clubs thought to be lining up summer moves for the player.

Real Madrid are thought to be leading the chase for Alonso with the 27-year-old thought to be one of presidental candidate Florentino Perez's top transfer targets if he gains control at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Alonso's agent Ignacio Ibanez has refused to confirm the player will remain at Anfield next season, admitting Liverpool will have the final say on any possible transfer.

"Many things could happen in the summer," Ibanez told the Daily Star.

"The first is to finish the season and after that to attend to other matters.

"Xabi has signed for three more years and his future depends on Liverpool."

Gunner Legend Tips Barry For Title Success With Liverpool

Former Arsenal, Aston Villa, Middlesbrough and Portsmouth star Paul Merson has tipped Rafael Benitez to bring title glory to Liverpool next season so long as he secures the signing of Gareth Barry.

The Reds look certain to pip Chelsea to second position behind Manchester United with only Tottenham Hostpur standing in the way of their best season since 2001-2002.

Speaking to Skysports.com, Merson revealed:

“As for Liverpool, I expect them to be a right force next season. It's been a long time since they've been in a title race and it takes a lot of getting used to.

“Last year a young Arsenal team capitulated when they had a chance of winning the league, but Liverpool have stayed there - and they have progressed in the Champions League too. They've done great.

“If they can get players like Gareth Barry in over the summer they could possibly nick the title next year.”

Match Report: West Bromwich 0 - 2 LiverpooL

West Brom's top-flight life was squeezed out of them by a Liverpool side who tightened their grip on second place in the Premier League.

Liverpool scored a goal in each half to extend their unbeaten run to 10 games, including nine victories.

But Liverpool were left with the hollow feeling of knowing that even the best points total in the club's history had failed to stop Manchester United equalling their record of 18 titles.

Albion, sticking to their attacking policy to the last, have been battling the drop all season and this was their third relegation from the top flight in seven years.

They fought to the end, and there were more cheers than tears from their defiant fans at the end.

But Liverpool were a class above as Steven Gerrard struck his 24th goal of the season - his best ever tally - in the first half and then set up Dirk Kuyt for the second just after the hour mark.

It was enough to take them to within one point of securing second spot.

West Brom made three changes from the side that beat Wigan last week and were rocked before kick-off by Sunday newspaper allegations against striker Roman Bednar, who was suspended pending a club investigation.

Boss Tony Mowbray brought in Robert Koren, Ryan Donk and Youssouf Mulumbu for Borja Valero, Marek Cech and Graham Dorrans, the latter out for the season with a broken foot.

Liverpool recalled Daniel Agger and Emiliano Insua for Martin Skrtel and Fabio Aurelio.

Initially the edge may well have been taken off Liverpool's challenge, but certainly not from Albion, who hurled themselves into the battle knowing that defeat would see them relegated.

And after just four minutes they were almost ahead. Chris Brunt's corner curled in from the right to Jonathan Greening on the far post who forced a stunning save from Jose Reina. The goalkeeper also blocked the follow-up.

Reina then pushed away another Greening effort, this time from the right, as corners and crosses rained in on the Liverpool defence.

And the tackles were flying in. Mulumbu caught Gerrard from behind, while Agger and Insua were both dispossessed.

Liverpool were not being allowed to play the game at their own pace and looked uncomfortable.

Liverpool needed to impose themselves on the game with a goal and it almost came when Fernando Torres had two efforts saved from Gerrard's free-kick, with Insua's follow-up being blocked by a mass of Albion bodies.

Greening was booked for a foul on Lucas after 25 minutes, before a shocking piece of defending gifted Liverpool the lead after 28 minutes.

Defender Shelton Martis, with plenty of time on his hands to clear, hesitated in possession and scuffed the ball straight to Gerrard.

The Liverpool skipper surged away and clipped the ball over Dean Kiely for his 24th goal of the season.

Liverpool were gaining a measure of control by now, and five minutes later Gerrard drove wide from a Kuyt lay-off before Kiely touched a Torres header onto the bar following a Gerrard chip into the box.

Then Jonas Olsson was booked for a foul on Torres before reacting furiously to what he considered was a Gerrard dive in the box.

Five minutes into the second half Liverpool replaced Javier Mascherano with Xabi Alonso, the Argentina captain having struggled with a thigh injury for much of the first period.

Albion were still showing great spirit, and Reina saved low to his left from a Juan Carlos Menseguez drive.

Albion then sent on an extra forward in Valero, replacing Martis, with attack now being the only thing that would save them.

They had strong claims for a penalty turned down after 60 minutes when Lucas' last ditch challenge sent Donk tumbling as he went for a Menseguez cross.

But after 63 minutes Liverpool struck again. Gerrard fed Kuyt and the Dutchmen surged at retreating defenders before drilling the ball past Kiely from the edge of the box.

Liverpool sent on Ryan Babel for Torres, with Albion replacing Mulumbu with another forward in Luke Moore.

Moore struck a post, Jamie Carragher hurled himself to block a Marc-Antoine Fortune effort and was involved in a remarkable exchange of words and pushes with colleague Alvaro Arbeloa.

Fortune then had an effort disallowed for offside while Babel and Lucas missed chances at the other end.

Albion kept going to the end, but this time the great escape was beyond them.

Carragher Explains Bust-Up

Jamie Carragher has explained his astonishing on-field bust-up with Alvaro Arbeloa at the Hawthorns on Sunday.

Liverpool were 2-0 up against West Brom when the pair were involved in a heated exchange after Carragher had to block Marc-Antoine Fortune's close-range shot.

The referee had to tell the pair to calm down, while Reds boss Rafa Benitez - while pleased with their character - was disappointed in the way their passion was shown.

Afterwards, Carragher admitted goalkeeper Jose Reina's bid for this season's Golden Glove award was behind the disagreement.

He told the club's official website: "We can't win the league now but there are a number of targets we can aim for.

"We want to keep a clean sheet and we want Pepe to have a chance of the Golden Glove for the third season running.

"Pepe is one behind (Edwin) Van der Sar now and there's a chance Van der Sar won't play next week, so we wanted to make sure he got a clean sheet today.

"To be honest we were a bit lackadaisical in our defending all through the game and they had too many chances.

"Maybe we took it a bit too easy and let them attack us too much, but that was one of the toughest games I've played in all season.

"We go all over Europe playing top teams and we play against the best sides in this country, but that was one of the hardest games we've had."

The Kop favourite is already looking forward to making another challenge on the Premier League title next year.

"It's hard to win the Premier League because our top four sides plus Barcelona probably make up the best five sides in Europe," he said. "That's the challenge we face.

"You can look at the statistics from this season and it's impressive that we've only lost two games and scored lots of goals, but United have got more points than us and credit to them because that's what matters.

"We have to make sure we finish second now and win our last game of the season next weekend."

Benitez In Fergie Title Snub

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has refused to end his on-going row with rival Sir Alex Ferguson despite Manchester United ending the clubs' on-pitch battle by retaining the Premier League title this weekend.

The Red Devils secured their third successive championship on Saturday to move level with the Anfield outfit's all-time English record of 18 titles and although Benitez offered reluctant congratulations to the team as a whole he pointedly refused to acknowledge Ferguson.

Benitez said: "I will say congratulations to Manchester United. They have done well, but I do not want to say too much. I prefer just to say well done to the club, a big club, a good club."

Benitez and Ferguson have rarely seen eye-to-eye this season, with the Liverpool boss launching an astonishing pre-meditated attack earlier in the season when he presented an A4 sheet of "facts" criticising United and their manager.

Ferguson responded by accusing Benitez of "arrogance" and "contempt" in his dealings with fellow managers and the duo have been sniping at each other all season.

Benitez added: "Normally you have to be polite and respect the other manager. During the season we have seen a lot of things that I didn't like, so that's it.

"I say congratulations to United because they have won. And that's it."

Liverpool assured themselves of second place with a 2-0 win over West Bromwich Albion on Sunday and Benitez feels he has laid down a marker by pushing United this season.

But the Reds boss could not resist a further dig at Ferguson when asked to define what have been the deciding factors in the title race.

"They have had better quality on the bench. When they played us they had [Paul] Scholes, [Ryan] Giggs and [Dimitar] Berbatov on the bench. I am really pleased that we have got 83 points with the squad we have.

"When you are prepared to pay £20m or £30m for players it is easier to win the title," he added.

Bruce To Beat Pompey For Pennant

Wigan Athletic boss Steve Bruce is set to beat Portsmouth in the race for Liverpool wingman Jermaine Pennant who is available on a free transfer.

The former Birmingham player has been on loan at Portsmouth but it`s his connections with Bruce from their days together at St. Andrews` that will swing a deal the way of the Latics.

With Antonio Valencia off to Manchester United at the end of the season there is a massive void down the Latics right that needs to be filled and Bruce sees Pennant as just the man to do it.

Bruce stuck by Pennant during troubled times and the former England under 21 star hasn`t forgotten that, the deal should be tied up in the next few weeks.

Rafa Targeting Shrewd Summer

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is targeting shrewd summer buys as he bids to close the gap on Manchester United.

The Reds have failed to win a Premier League title but this year came close - taking United almost to the wire.

Benitez knows he must strengthen his squad in the summer to bridge the gap - but as Liverpool lack the financial might of the Red Devils, he must buy wisely.

The Spaniard said: "Clearly they (Man United) have spent big, big money on top class players so they can make mistakes and change players and you don't notice.

"If you remember when we played them they had Giggs, Scholes and Berbatov on the bench - we can't do this.

"We are talking about Gerrard and Torres all the time and they can play Berbatov, Rooney, Ronaldo or Tevez - it doesn't matter.

"They can hold 35,000 more fans in their stadium and that means more money which is a big difference.

"So how can you reduce the gap? Now, on the pitch we are reducing the gap which is very important. So we have to do the right things during the summer and keep the same mentality on the pitch."

Benitez believes investing in a bigger squad will pay dividends at the business end of the season.

"I think we have performed really well during the season, but it is impossible to keep this level if you don't have a big squad," he said.

"Some Manchester United players have spoken about the value of having a big squad saying that you can notice the difference at the end of the season.

"On the pitch we must perform at the same level, but you need to bring in new players and maintain the same level and keep the competition between the players - with everybody working hard and trying to be positive because there is a big difference every year in terms of money."

Liverpool In Danger Of Being Left Behind By Manchester United

As the final whistle blew at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon, it was not coincidence that Gary Neville and Wayne Rooney were the first to jump off the bench to jump on the backs of their team-mates. The two team-mates were born ten years apart, in 1975 and 1985, but, growing up as rabid supporters of Manchester United and Everton respectively, they longed for this day, the day that every Liverpool supporter had come to dread.

They still have their five European Cups to United’s three — it might well be 5-4 by a week on Wednesday — but, when news reached Liverpool’s supporters on Saturday that their proud record of 18 league titles had finally been equalled by their fiercest rivals, it was if an almighty tremor had gone through their world.

A season that brought their most convincing title challenge of the Premier League era has ended with Liverpool joined on English football’s pedestal and the concern now is that, unless they can overcome the odds next season, they are in danger of being left behind by United as the battle for the nineteenth title gets under way. Perhaps it is why Jamie Carragher’s emotions were running so high yesterday, as he clashed with Álvaro Arbeloa, his team-mate, in the closing stages of a largely routine 2-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion. Perhaps it is why Rafael Benítez has been highlighting the poverty gap and the desperate need to build a new stadium that will allow Liverpool to compete financially with the rivals.

This was a moment that a Liverpool shareholder foretold during a testy annual meeting at Anfield almost a decade ago, daring to state the unspoken truth that United, having trailed by 18 titles to seven until 1993, were on course to catch up by the end of this decade.

Some have ventured in recent days that Benítez, having spent heavily since his arrival at Anfield in 2004 and having bemoaned the absences of Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres for large chunks of this season, has only himself to blame for Liverpool’s failure to widen the gap, in title terms, on United. It is a lazy assessment that ignores the fact that Benítez, like Ferguson when he arrived at Old Trafford in 1986, inherited a lousy squad that he has improved year by year.

Benítez has spent heavily in recent years, often with mixed results, but so has Ferguson. United’s latest success has had rather less to do with those players bought in the past two years — Dimitar Berbatov, Anderson, Nani, Owen Hargreaves, Carlos Tévez, signed at a projected outlay of almost £100 million — than previous signings, such as Rio Ferdinand, Michael Carrick, Patrice Evra, Nemanja Vidic, Cristiano Ronaldo and Rooney, and those who were brought through the ranks, such as Neville, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, John O’Shea and Darren Fletcher.

The same might easily be said of Liverpool this season. They have been far better served by their established players than by last summer’s intake — Andrea Dossena, Albert Riera or Robbie Keane (remember him?) — none of whom remotely threatened to be the elusive last piece in the Anfield jigsaw. When one of Benítez’s signings does not cut the mustard, such as Keane, he gets rid, often with indecent haste. Ferguson, faced with the same situation, as he may be with Berbatov as well as the disappointing Nani, indulges his player for as long as possible, partly because it is in his nature and partly because he can afford to.

Benítez will revive his bid to sign Gareth Barry from Aston Villa in the coming weeks — surely he will not make the mistake of selling Xabi Alonso, who has been arguably his most impressive performer this season — and he will also look to sign a central defender, but far more intriguing is his bid to capture Tévez from United or, to be more precise, from the companies that own the Argentina forward’s economic rights.

Tévez would give Liverpool a little of what they have been missing — a quality centre forward who would ease the goalscoring burden on Torres — but he would also bring a much-needed sense of devilment. It has come to that for Liverpool. Over the 19 years since their last league title, the tables have turned. It is not Benítez’s fault, but, as the battle for the nineteenth title begins, it is most certainly his problem.

Steven Gerrard Close To Signing New Liverpool Contract

Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard is set to sign his new contract with the club in the next few weeks, according to the player himself.

The Reds captain agreed to a new contract last month, stating that it would be signed once the season is over.

This now seems set to go through as the England international revealed he would sign a new four-year-contract in the next few weeks.

The 28-year-old also stated he has to sort a couple of minor details with the club before he signs, and is desperate for silverware with the club he has been with since he was nine.

Speaking to The People, Gerrard said, "I am on the verge of signing it now, there are just a couple of minor details, so I am hoping I can sign it before I go off on my holidays.
"This is a big contract for me and it's likely to be my final one. It takes me to 33, but I feel I'm in the prime of my footballing career at the moment. I feel confident and strong and I feel really good when I'm out on the pitch.

"The aim for me now is to stay fit for the next four years and try to play as many games as I can and win as many trophies as I can.

"I'm getting greedy when it comes to winning trophies because I know I have to win as many as I can before it's too late.''

The Reds skipper has played a total of 331 Premier League games for the club, scoring 70 goals.

Premier League Preview: West Bromwich Albion vs. Liverpool

When West Bromwich Albion crashed to a 4-2 defeat against Manchester City midway through April, it seemed that their Premier League season was officially a write-off. Dead last, nine points from safety, they were destined for an instant return to the Championship.

However, three games and two victories later, the Black Country outfit are still kicking. Having grabbed a surprise 3-1 win over Wigan Athletic last time out, they are now three points shy of 17th-placed Newcastle United (albeit with a considerably inferior goal difference) heading into the final two rounds of the campaign.

But whilst Newcastle face Fulham, Middlesbrough host Aston Villa and Hull City take on Bolton Wanderers this weekend, West Brom must attempt to slay a hugely in-form Liverpool side - a task which Tony Mowbray thinks his team are well capable of.

The Baggies boss said, "They have lost two games this season, one of those was against Middlesbrough, a team who are on the same number of points as us. We can take a little bit of belief from the fact that you can catch them on a day when they are not quite at it for whatever reason."

Mowbray and his men might be in luck, as results elsewhere could see Albion up against a team that have nothing left to play for.

Liverpool are presently perched in second place, but their dreams of ending a 19-year wait for the league title could be shattered before they even set out for the Hawthorns.

With their midweek win over Wigan Athletic, Manchester United jumped out to a six-point lead atop the standings. Thus, if they manage a draw or better against Arsenal on Saturday, they will clinch a third consecutive crown, dooming their north west rivals to another trophyless season.

Nevertheless, Rafael Benitez and his troops have not given up the ghost as they prepare for their trip to the West Midlands. The gaffer revealed this week that he was targeting victory in both of the club's remaining games, regardless of whether they are still in the hunt or not, but he acknowledged that West Brom would be no pushovers.

Benitez said, "It will be difficult because when you play against a team who are battling against relegation it is hard, but it is always tough in the Premier League. They are a team who like to play football. It's a pity they are a team at the bottom of the table because they have always tried to play good football."

The stats are in Liverpool's favour, though, as they have a 100 per cent record against the Baggies in the Premier League - seven meetings, seven wins and some 22 goals in the process.


FORM GUIDE

West Bromwich Albion

May 9 West Brom 3-1 Wigan
May 2 Tottenham 1-0 West Brom
Apr 25 West Brom 3-0 Sunderland
Apr 19 Man City 4-2 West Brom
Apr 11 Portsmouth 2-2 West Brom

Liverpool

May 9 West Ham 0-3 Liverpool
May 3 Liverpool 3-0 Newcastle
Apr 25 Hull City 1-3 Liverpool
Apr 21 Liverpool 4-4 Arsenal
Apr 14 Chelsea 4-4 Liverpool (Champions League)


TEAM NEWS

West Bromwich Albion

Scott Carson is hoping to reclaim his place in goal after recovering from a hand problem, but Dean Kiely's impressive efforts against Wigan could see the ex-Red benched.

Mowbray has a less friendly dilemma at left-back. Both Paul Robinson (ankle) and Marek Cech (cramp) are struggling for fitness. Centre-back Abdoulaye Meite is out with a hamstring injury.

James Morrison could also miss out. The Scotland midfielder is still suffering from a lingering heel problem.

Probable XI: Kiely; Zuiverloon, Martis, Olsson, Cech; Koren, Valero, Greening, Brunt; Menseguez, Fortune.

Liverpool

The Merseysiders have been boosted by the news that Xabi Alonso should return in midfield, having missed last weekend's victory over West Ham United with ankle trouble.

Otherwise, few changes are expected from the team that won 3-0 at Upton Park. However, if the title race comes to an end on Saturday afternoon, Benitez may start Sami Hyypia, who will leave for Bayer Leverkusen this summer after ten years of loyal service to the Kop.

Probable XI: Reina; Arbeloa, Carragher, Skrtel, Aurelio; Mascherano, Alonso; Kuyt, Gerrard, Benayoun; Torres.


PLAYERS TO WATCH

West Bromwich Albion

The Baggies will have to go toe-to-toe with Liverpool's mighty midfield if they are to pull off their eye-pleasing passing game, and that means plenty of work for Borja Valero. The Spaniard was in fine form against Wigan last weekend, breaking up and constructing moves with equal efficiency.

Liverpool

Despite having a penalty saved, Steven Gerrard netted twice as the Reds routed West Ham last time out. Recently named the FWA Footballer of the Year, he is the man you would expect to step up and take charge.

Rafa Hoping To Kop Car

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez wants Carlos Tevez – but he isn’t prepared to blow all of his transfer budget on the Argentinian striker.

Manchester United’s reluctance to turn their temporary capture of the popular Tevez into a permanent £26million deal has alerted other clubs, including Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea and Real Madrid.

Benitez would love nothing more than to snatch Tevez away from bitter rivals United.

The Spaniard’s hands are tied, however, when it comes to his spending power, even though a truce has been called between warring co-owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks.

Even if Liverpool were able to negotiate a fee of £20m for Tevez, it would leave Benitez with precious little cash for other transfer targets.

Sacrificing midfielder Xabi Alonso, who almost left for Juventus last summer, is an option but a large proportion of the cash from that deal is earmarked for bringing in Gareth Barry from Aston Villa.

Gerrard Confident Of Title Glory

Steven Gerrard has the taste for winning the Premier League title - and believes Liverpool now have the necessary experience to claim top spot.

The Reds have pushed Manchester United all the way this season but had to admit defeat when United picked up a point from a 0-0 draw with Arsenal on Saturday to seal a third successive crown.

Gerrard expects manager Rafael Benitez to add to his squad this summer and is optimistic about their chances for next term.

The 28-year-old told The People: "The couple of signings the manager will make this summer are really key to us getting over that final hurdle, because we know that maybe with a couple of per cent more we could have won it this time.

"This is the first time I've been involved in a title race that has lasted the distance and the buzz of running United really close has been so enjoyable that I want more of it.

"I'll have certain regrets when the season ends but I don't normally like looking back, to be honest.

"This time I'm going to use the experience to drive me on and try to win the title over the next few years. We certainly have the ability, as we've shown this year.

"It's a hard league to win and it's taught me that you do need the experience of being in title races to win them. I think because Chelsea and United both have that experience, maybe that's where we've come unstuck.

"Sometimes you just have to go for it and take big risks to win the kind of games that we have drawn. But we've learned a lot and I think next year could be our year - I'm really confident about that."

Gerrard has so far been a one-club player, and he expects it to stay that way.

The England midfielder agreed a two-year extension to his current deal last month, keeping him at the club until 2013.

He continued: "I am on the verge of signing it now, there are just a couple of minor details, so I am hoping I can sign it before I go off on my holidays.

"This is a big contract for me and it's likely to be my final one. It takes me to 33 but I feel I'm in the prime of my footballing career at the moment.

"I feel confident and strong and I feel really good when I'm out on the pitch. The aim for me now is to stay fit for the next four years and try to play as many games as I can and win as many trophies as I can.

"I'm getting greedy when it comes to winning trophies because I know I have to win as many as I can before it's too late."

This season has been far from smooth off the pitch with Gerrard facing a probable July court appearance after an incident in a Southport bar.

He added: "I've had to deal with a situation this season that's been difficult and if that had happened to me four or five years ago, it would have affected my form, I've no doubts about that.

"But, with age, experience and maturity, I have learned to park my problems or things on my mind until after a game. I have learned to deal with it in my own way and get on with life."

Javi Martinez Is Kop Target

Athletic Bilbao’s midfield sensation Javi Martinez is a summer target for Liverpool.

The Spain Under-21 star, 20, has a £24million buy-out clause but the Basque club will do business for closer to £12m.

Anfield boss Rafa Benitez has kept an eye on the rangy playmaker's meteoric rise to first-team regular and sent his spies to watch Martinez in Wednesday's 4-1 Spanish Cup final loss to Barcelona.

Rafa is also looking to recruit Shrewsbury No 2 John McMahon for his coaching staff.

He is the brother of Kop legend Steve and has impressed in developing young talent.