Rafa Wary Of Leeds Threat

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is expecting a tough test against Leeds in the Carling Cup on Tuesday night.

The Reds travel to Elland Road, live on Sky Sports 2, to renew old hostilities with the Yorkshire club in an eagerly-awaited third round tie.

Benitez knows Leeds will be up for the game as they pit their wits against their former Premier League rivals.

"I believe the game will be a sell-out, and it is a surprise to me that Leeds find themselves in League One these days," said Benitez.

"Leeds will be difficult, we know they are a big club and we respect their history.

"I have been watching DVDs of their games and it is clear that their supporters are very important to them. They back their team all the time and make it tough for their opponents.

"Those fans are amazing, such loyalty and support, and that has been very apparent to me in watching tapes from last season.

"We know it will be tough. It is a massive club despite the division they are in.

"I have no doubts that this will be a very difficult match. They have quality and they are a big club with great traditions.

"They will want to win this one because of the situation they find themselves in.

"They have passion, quality and the fans are always really behind their team.

"It is a shock and disappointment for everyone to see Leeds in the position they are in now. I am aware that back in previous years, there was a big rivalry between Leeds and Liverpool.

"In those days the clubs met in cup finals, and Leeds have not forgotten those days."

Benitez has confirmed he will ring the changes to his side with a number of fringe players given a chance to impress.

However, the Spaniard is determined to field a strong side as he has set his sights on reaching this year's final at Wembley.

"We will try to manage the squad for the match and use some different players," added Benitez.

"But we want to win and get to the final. In my first season we got to the Carling Cup final and were winning with 10 minutes to go before we conceded an own goal.

"I would like to go to the final again and make amends for that defeat (by Chelsea)."

Liverpool Goalkeeper Pepe Reina Hails Fernando Torres

Pepe Reina has joined his Liverpool teammates in hailing Fernando Torres after the striker scored a brace to help his side beat West Ham United 3-2 on Saturday.

The Reds striker scored two quality goals to silence his critics after doubts over his early-season form, but Reina was never in doubt that his fellow Spaniard would get back on track.

"We knew that Fernando would score," he told the Liverpool official website.

"We all have 100 per cent confidence in him and we trust him always. He is always working hard for the team and he always creates space for the other players for them to score.

"His first goal was unbelievable. His turn was fantastic and he showed his quality."

Rafael Benitez's men were twice pegged back by a determined Hammers outfit and Reina was in no doubt as to the importance of the result.

"This was a massive three points," he said.

"It really was an important victory and we showed how much we wanted the victory. West Ham came back twice but we wanted the three points and I think we deserved the three points.

"We now look forward and need to keep playing like this game after game. Our target is to work hard in every game. We always have the mentality to play every game like a final and we play every game to win."

The clash with West Ham was Reina’s 150th league appearance for Liverpool, and the goalkeeper took the opportunity to reiterate his love for the Reds.

"I hope to play 150 more games for this club," he said.

"I'm very happy that the team won and this is a special club. It's a pleasure and a privilege to play in front of the Kop and our wonderful supporters."

Babel Keen On Reds Stay

Ryan Babel has ruled out a loan move to Ajax, stating he is happy at Liverpool and keen to stay.

The Holland international winger has failed to hold down a regular first-team place during his time on Merseyside, with the bulk of his Premier League appearances coming as a substitute.

Earlier this month Babel reportedly revealed he would be interested in re-joining Ajax in the January transfer window in order to secure regular football ahead of the World Cup finals.

However, the 22-year-old has stated those comments were twisted beyond recognition and that he has told manager Rafa Benitez that he is not looking for a move.

"I didn't say any of those things," he told the Liverpool Echo. "I did an interview in Holland and I don't know who in England got hold of it but it was the worst translation I have ever seen.

"The fact is I'm very happy here and I don't want to leave to go anywhere. I just want to concentrate on playing.

"Yes, there is a lot of competition for places at Liverpool but that's the same at every top club. It was like that when I was at Ajax and that isn't a problem for me.

"I heard about what was being reported when I was away with Holland. When I got back to Liverpool I went straight to the manager and told him it wasn't true. He accepted that and there is no problem."

Babel impressed for The Reds out wide right in Saturday's 3-2 win over West Ham after delivering the cross for Fernando Torres to head home their winner.

The Dutchman says the outing has given him confidence, although it remains to be seen whether he starts Tuesday's Carling Cup clash against Leeds United at Elland Road.

"It was great to be out there and I'm really pleased I was able to help us get a crucial three points," he said.

"Before I came on the manager said I needed to bring some energy to the game and that I needed to run at them.

"I enjoyed it and that will give me some confidence. Now I hope to carry on like this.

"If I keep working hard then hopefully I can get some more minutes and in the end get a place back in the starting line-up."

Torres Targets Goal Glut

Liverpool star Fernando Torres hopes to go on a goalscoring spree after his double strike in the win over West Ham.

Torres, who admitted earlier this week he was not at his best so far this season, scored the winner for Liverpool against West Ham late on to earn his side all three points.

The Spaniard is determined to build on his performance at Upton Park and help Liverpool to success this season.

"I hope there will be many more goals," said Torres.

"I know when I'm working hard they will arrive so I have to keep working hard all the time for the team.”

Torres also paid tribute to team-mate Ryan Babel for setting up his winner against The Hammers.

Babel came off the bench to provide the cross for Torres' headed winner 15 minutes from time

"Everyone knows Ryan is a fantastic player," added Torres.

"He played on the right wing and he gave me a fantastic cross which was easy for me to attack the ball and score. It is easy for a striker when the cross is as good as that.

"He is a player with quality who can do things like this, so without Ryan I couldn't have scored. It's thanks to him I could score the goal to win it for us.

Late Krisztian Nemeth Goals Hands Reds The Liverpool Senior Cup

Merseyside’s most handsome football trophy will adorn an Anfield trophy cabinet for another season, after Krisztian Nemeth’s late strike saw Liverpool Reserves claim the Liverpool Senior Cup last night.

But the part-timers from the Liverpool County FA – champions Waterloo Dock – gave their illustrious full-time rivals all the trouble they could handle in a close contest at Marine’s Arriva Stadium.

Their resistance was broken in the 76th minute, when Hungarian international striker Nemeth stabbed home from close range.

The goal gave Liverpool the impressive piece of silverware for the 39th occasion, but Waterloo Dock won plenty of friends in their first appearance in the final of the 127 year old tournament.

The County FA champions had chances, but Mikel San Jose made a last ditch block to deny hero of the semi-final Leighton McGivern, then Dock skipper Anthony Battle guided the best chance of the half wide of the target. It was a free header from just outside the six yard box and the midfielder’s anguished expression as the ball flashed wide said it all.

The Reds reserves have endured an unhappy season but they made a bright start and could have gone ahead after just five minutes, Nemeth spurning a good chance.

Dutch youngster Vincent Weijl's surging run created another opening for Nemeth and the Hungarian tested Dock keeper Ryan Brookfield with a low 25 yarder.

The dangerous McGivern then forced Dean Bouzanis into action after a clever turn and shot.

As the opening half came to close Liverpool gave one last warning of their quality when Dani Pacheco, the highly rated young striker signed from Barcelona's youth academy, curled a clever free-kick inches past the right-hand post.

Reds reserve boss Gary Ablett urged his side to offer more in the second period and they were first to show on 50 minutes when Gerardo Bruna saw a goalbound shot deflected just wide.

The Argentine starlet then turned provider with a sublime through ball for Nemeth, but despite rounding the Dock goalkeeper, the Hungarian was denied by Garry Riley’s timely interception.

The Reds were looking the most creative outfit in open play, but Waterloo continued to pose moments of real danger and both Craig Sutherland and Joe Roberts both saw their attempts blocked by Godwin Antwi.

With time running out and extra-time looming, Liverpool pressed for a winner in normal time and after Nemeth had seen his low shot brilliantly stopped by Brookfield, the striker finally broke his goal drought with the only goal of the game on 76 minutes.

A neat move involving San Jose and Bruna led to Weijl crossing low for Nemeth to stab home from six yards and win the cup for Liverpool.

But Waterloo Dock's famous Cup run which started against Liverpool, the newly created AFC way back in the first round, and included victories over Burscough, Tranmere Rovers and County rivals East Villa, will be talked about for years to come.

Former Teammate Suggests Benitez Needs To Find Carragher Replacement

The former Aston Villa and Liverpool striker Stan Collymore believes his former Anfield teammate Jamie Carragher is on the wane, and Rafa Benitez should begin to consider replacing him.

Carragher has endured a troubled start to the Premier League season looking vulnerable during their defeats to Aston Villa and Tottenham, whilst also being culpable at Upton Park against West Ham on Saturday, and Collymore believes the defender is beginning to look past his best.

Collymore told mirrorfootball.co.uk: “As much as I respect Jamie Carragher and everything he's done for Liverpool, I do think he's starting to dip.”

“Carragher and Martin Skrtel have had a shaky start to the season and again at West Ham he didn't have the best of games.”

“Once again Liverpool conceded goals from set-pieces and Carragher does not look as solid as he did.”

“It makes me wonder if Rafa Benitez shouldn't take whatever transfer budget he will have in January and spend it all on a top-quality centre-half.”

“I'm not saying he should replace Carragher now or that he is finished - far from it.”

“But I do think you should strengthen your team from a position of strength so if Benitez brought the new Jamie Carragher in now, he would have time to bed him in over the next season or two.”

“Every player - no matter how good they are - dips at some point and it would make sense to have Carra's replacement groomed and ready to take over for when he finally has to go.”

“Carragher is 31 and can't go on forever, so it's better to think about these things in advance.”

Tom Hicks: Liverpool’s World Record Shirt Sponsorship Isn’t Enough

Tom Hicks, the co-owner of English soccer club Liverpool, has vowed that the club will not rest on its laurels after securing a world record shirt sponsorship deal with Standard Chartered worth more than US$130 million over the next four years.

Hicks expects that deal - which will see Standard Chartered sell Liverpool shirts in its branches throughout Asia - to be worth more than it is at first glance, while the club's managing director Christian Purslow is spearheading a number of other commercial sponsorships, including one with outgoing shirt sponsors Carlsberg.

"We are seeing for the first time the real power of the brand and the power of a well managed club," said Hicks. "I feel very good about the entire club. The total sponsorship contracts should probably bring in 25, 26 million pounds (US$42 million) of incremental revenue a year. It's a huge development for the club. It's not just the 21 million pounds (US$34 million) that we will develop from the new sponsorship agreement with Standard Chartered because we will have an additional two or three million pounds for the Infinity part of the deal."

Carlsberg, meanwhile, are expected to keep hold of the lucrative pouring rights at the club's Anfield stadium. "We have an existing contract with Carlsberg until the end of the season," said Hicks. "Between now and the end of the season we will finalize new arrangements where we will retain the Carlsberg special sponsorship packages and pour Carlsberg products in the stadium. They will be one of our key sponsors, just not on our shirts."

Torres Answers The Call For Goals

They were talking about it at the Burnley game last weekend, despite a four-goal win. They were asking Dirk Kuyt about it after the Dutchman had made himself the third-highest European Cup goalscorer in Liverpool's history midweek. Rafa Benitez fielded numerous questions about it yesterday at his press conference, and a few more pre-match. It was the topic for discussion as far as Liverpool were concerned. And now it can stop.

Fernando Torres had already scored three goals in four league games this season prior to today, yet still there was talk that the Spaniard was struggling. They were saying he was rattled by the increasingly close attentions of defenders, drained by a gruelling schedule which encompassed Euro 2008 last summer and the Confederations Cup this one, and frustrated by his side's stuttering start to the Premier League season. He hadn't scored in, wait for it, two games. Two whole games. Burnley at home and Debrecen at home; no goals for Fernando. Crisis.

Well, not quite. It took just twenty minutes for the Spaniard to end his micro-drought, and in typical fashion too. James Tomkins is fairly highly-rated as young defenders go, but Torres made him look amateurish with a drop of his shoulder, a burst of pace, and a powerful poked finish that flew past Robert Green on his near post. 1-0. Crisis over.

Liverpool were far from their best yesterday, especially in a first half that yielded two goals apiece, and saw the likes of Jamie Carragher and Martin Skrtel seriously unnerved by the pace and direct running of West Ham teenager Zavon Hines. But if the Reds defence still has question marks hanging over it, with zonal marking bound to be high on the agenda (again) following Carlton Cole's second equaliser, Torres was in the mood to erase just about every doubt that ever existed about his game.

His movement, so under-appreciated during his goal-less games, dragged West Ham's defence all over the pitch. His strength saw Tomkins, and Danny Gabbidon, bounced around like skittles, and he always looked likely to add to his tally as the game wore on and Liverpool monopolised possession. Where the likes of Yossi Benayoun & Lucas Leiva seemed reluctant to shoot when presented with the chance, Torres was always looking to pull the trigger. Only last-ditch defending prevented him from scoring a second.

That was, until the 75th minute, when substitute Ryan Babel, who had looked to get at the shaky Herita Ilunga from the moment he was introduced for Dirk Kuyt, clipped in an inviting cross from the right wing. Torres' eyes lit up, his spring was too much for Julien Faubert, his header too good for Green. 3-2. Crisis well and truly over.

Benitez had played down the significance of his striker's lack of goals - two games, may I remind you - by praising his all-round game; here he combined both. His performance was standard stuff, hard-work, energy, dedication, intelligence - the goals merely iced the cake. Benitez's belief in his fellow Spaniard has always been unwavering, and his contribution today shows why.

With Torres unable to collect his man-of-the-match award as he received treatment for a knock to his thigh - not serious, apparently - it was left to skipper Steven Gerrard to collect the champagne, and to sum up his team-mate: "We were never worried about it [the lack of goals]," said Gerrard. "We know how good Fernando is and he showed that yesterday."

Torres Targets Title In "Best Competition"

Fernando Torres is sure the English top flight is still the world's greatest league - and is determined to help Liverpool become its champions once again.

The division has changed beyond recognition since the last time Liverpool were crowned champions in 1990, with the influx of superstar foreigners like Spanish striker Torres placing it in the eyes of many above any other leagues across the globe.

Such feeling has cooled somewhat after a summer which has seen the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso arrive in Spain to boost the Primera Division's box office appeal.

But for Torres, who spent 12 years playing in his homeland with Atletico Madrid, there is no doubt that England is the place to be.

"As a competition it is the best one,'' Torres told the Press Association.

"When you are talking about organisation, respect, and having all the stadiums full every weekend, it is really nice to see that.

"In Spain they have some of the better players in the world, but as a competition, it is not as big as the Premier League.

"I was playing in Spain, and I can tell you honestly, the Premier League is a much better competition.''

Liverpool will be hoping for success both at home and abroad this year, but with the prospect lurking of Manchester United overtaking the record of 18 titles the two clubs jointly share, Torres admits that the Premier League may have to take priority.

"We know that for the fans, for the club and for the majority of the players, the Premier League is a fantastic competition and we have had plenty of years not winning it, so maybe it is the priority,'' he said.

"We don't feel the pressure, but we know it would not be the best for Liverpool fans to see Manchester United with more English titles than us.

"But I think we are on our way, we are doing everything in our power to win trophies and we will see what happens at the end of the season.''

The Spain striker said he was looking forward to giving the fans something to celebrate.

"I think the supporters cannot imagine what it would be like,'' Torres added.

"I saw when Liverpool won the Champions League, all the people around the city, and I remember when Spain won the European Championship and millions of people were in the street. I think it will be something similar.

"Twenty years with no trophy in the Premier League is a long time, so it is very exciting for all of us.''

Liverpool did not make the best start in their mission, suffering two defeats in their opening three league games.

But recent victories over Bolton, Burnley and West Ham, along with a winning start in last week’s Champions League match against Debrecen, has given the side some momentum and Torres believes they are heading in the right direction.

"We are recovering the confidence now after winning four games in a row,'' he said.

"We have to keep on like this, but also improve, and keep working hard because there are difficult games coming.

"But we are on our way. There are some players injured and they will come back soon to help the team, but we don't have time to think in terms of the recovery of players and improving then - we have to win now.

"If we lose points in the coming weeks it will be very difficult to stay at the top come January and February.''

Somebody likely to play a key role in the weeks to come is midfielder Lucas, who has been given a run of starts since Alonso's departure and who Torres believes is becoming an integral part of the first XI.

"He is an international from Brazil, and this is not easy,'' Torres said.

"He is a fantastic player and he has to make a step forward now because Xabi has gone.

"He has the responsibility to become an important player for Liverpool and he has a real chance this season.

"He is playing in almost every game and we have real confidence in him.

"I am sure that he will get better in the future because he is still young. I hope he can be one of the best players for us this season.''

Win's The Thing But Rafa Still Searches For Answers

So, Rafa Benitez kept Liverpool on the fringes of the title race and staved off any immediate backlash. Both the club and their supporters are demanding far more from their manager in terms of a domestic challenge for honors, notably the title.

But the signs are not good. Let's not kid ourselves. West Ham have made their worst start in the league for six years, had only scored three goals prior to this match, but still managed two comebacks against a Liverpool team that continues to show defensive frailties.

Twice the Hammers came back from behind, until Torres finished them off. It was not an impressive display, despite the positive post-match comments from captain and manager. There is plenty of work to be done behind the scenes to get it right.

Benitez made it a hat-trick of wins in the Premiership but he is still searching for answers. One of them is Fernando Torres. He was on fire with his two goals, and if he continues in this vein than Liverpool have hope. But are those hopes slim or realistic?

Benitez made copious amounts of notes, stroked his goatee, and lived on the very edge of his technical area for long periods of a game his team dominated but without really seeing off the Hammers. There is no more committed Liverpool fan than Kevin Keegan. But he is not convinced. Far from it.

As ESPN's studio analyst, Keegan mentioned the lack of strength in depth in comparison to their title rivals, but went into far greater detail about the dysfunctional zonal marking from set pieces.

Astonishingly this season, Liverpool have conceded all nine of their goals against from set pieces. Benitez refuses to switch his defensive system, and when he once tried to, it made it even worse. But it gives opponents encouragement, and makes his team nervous whenever there is a corner.

Before this match, I put forward the scenario, that should Benitez foul up in the title race then the American owners would run out of patience and review his position. I also ventured that Jose Mourinho would be the No.1 choice should that day arrive - of course it might not - when Benitez is replaced. That caused an almighty debate, and while some thought it might happen, many Liverpool fans have not lost faith in their manager.

Benitez was asked before the game what he wanted from the match at Upon Park and he remarked instantaneously "a win". In the modern game, that is all that counts...winning. How a team wins can almost becomes an irrelevance. But if you look beyond the result, then this wasn’t an impressive Liverpool, and nowhere near the standards of much of last season.

As for West Ham, I did agree with the view that Zola's main task is to keep them away from the relegation dog-fight. But I fear that will be hard to achieve. So, survival will be their priority and Zola will do well to keep them clear of such a nasty struggle.

There was one other major talking point for me, and that was the Hammers' two-touch penalty. Did Diamanti touch the ball when he slipped before striking the penalty for a second time? Kevin Keegan made the point that you could have looked at a video ten times and might still not come to the right conclusion, with only the professionals able to assess whether the peculiar flight of the ball was caused by a double hit.

It wouldn't have made such a decision any easier with fourteen refs on the pitch, let alone fourteen. But video playback at least provides the opportunity to re-assess several important issues on the field.

Benitez was rightly aggrieved because he had seen the TV replay; we were led to believe during commentary. However, didn't the Premier League ban TV monitors from he dug out or its vicinity to avoid managers being able to have a second view, something the referee is deprived of?

Personally, I think Sepp Blatter and his UEFA counterparts have got this wrong. It's time to have video playback seen by a professional in the stands to make a more valid judgement.

Liverpool Must Cut Out Defensive Mistakes To Win Title, Says Fernando Torres

Fernando Torres wants to write another chapter for his new autobiography covering a Liverpool title-winning season.

But after conceding two more sloppy goals at Upton Park, the Spanish striker admitted the Reds must first have another read of the old-school defensive manual.

Torres scored a magnificent double in a pulsating game which explains the worldwide popularity of the Premier League.

His opening salvo was a stunning individual effort, the second a perfect header at the end of flowing team move. The £26m forward, labelled “unstoppable” by West Ham centre-back James Tomkins, was the difference between two-attack minded teams.

But that gap should be greater for a club intent on winning the title. The enduring appeal of our top-flight is the helter-skelter nature of games and the frequent defensive shortcomings.

And Liverpool, who have now conceded nine goals in six matches without anchorman Xavi Alonso, again contributed fully to the non-stop entertainment at both ends.

The pace of West Ham winger Zavon Hines terrorised the visiting rearguard as the sluggish Jamie Carragher was robbed in possession before the 20-year-old hit the post and then brought him down for the penalty. The other members of the Big Four will have watched with interest.

Since losing two of three first three matches this season, Rafa Benitez’s side have responded by winning the next four on the bounce.

But Torres acknowledged the way to win titles is not the Harlem Globetrotter-style of scoring more than your opponents every week.

“We have to keep winning games which is the main thing but the next target is to keep more clean sheets,” he said.

“That will be good for the team and good for Pepe (Reina). We have to improve in defence and keep more clean sheets.”

Dirk Kuyt agreed. “I think the main problem for us was that we allowed them to come back in the game through our own mistakes,” said the Dutchman.

“That is something we have to be aware of for the next games.”

Yet this game provided the best 45 minutes of the season so far. After the dashing Hines spurned the first chance in the second minute, El Nino demonstrated the goalscorer’s art after 20 minutes by breezing past Tompkins and poking home a shot at the near post.

“My mind was to try to cross it as soon as possible because I was on my left foot,” Torres said.

“I was looking for a teammate but I didn’t see anyone so I just kept going and managed to score, which was nice for me but more important for the team.”

The lead only last nine minutes before Carragher attempted a shoulder nudge on Hines only to find the lightning West Ham winger was half a yard too quick and could only push him in the back.

Alessandro Diamanti converted from the spot. Liverpool regained the lead after when Kuyt got a touch to a Stevie Gerrard header but the Dutchman generously - and unusually for greedy strikers - wants the goal credited to his team-mate.

“I touched it but if it is possible I will give it to Steve,” he said. “It was a great header and I was there at the second post if the ball goes wide. If we can give it to Steve, I will be glad.”

In a day of giving away goals, Carlton Cole then rose above three Liverpool defenders to head home the second equaliser from a Mark Noble corner with again no player on the post.

After an hour, Benitez made a telling change when he replaced Kuyt with Ryan Babel. The Dutchman destroyed the tiring Herita Ilunga and floated over the 75th-minute cross for Torres to seal the three points.

“Maybe the second goal was my favourite,” said the Spaniard. “It’s a team game, not just individual play. A fantastic cross by Ryan Babel. It is easy for a striker when the cross is as good as that. It’s very pleasing to score two goals when the team work hard and the team win.

“We have not the best start of the season but we are in a good moment now. It’s four consecutive games of winning in a row, so we have to think that we can get more points and move forward because we have the Chelsea game coming soon. I hope there will be many more goals.”

Even on a day when the District Line was closed causing transport chaos, the longest queue of the evening was to praise Torres.

England Under-21 defender Tomkins said: “I played against him last year and when he is on top of his game, he is the best striker in the world. As a defender you know that and being young myself, I don’t think it gets any tougher than that. When he is on his game, he is unstoppable.

“He is clever with the runs that he makes. He is not just good technically; he is good in the air and strong as well. He has got all the attributes of a top striker.”

Kuyt said: “He is a great player. Some people were talking about him not scoring for a few games but he is one of the best strikers every week even if he doesn’t score.”

Reina added: “His first goal was unbelievable goal - out of this world. But it is no surprise to us - that is what he can do.”

Benitez, who has seen his compatriot score five goals in the last six games, warned his 25-year-old can only get better.

“It is too early to talk about him winning the Golden Boot this season, he has to keep playing at this level and we will see what happens,” he said.

“He clearly has pace and mobility and he can use these things. He has to improve some things but I am not going to say what they are.

“Our Spanish players were in the Confederations Cup and the other players were training for 19 days before they came back to train with us late.

“We had to be careful with them and Torres was the top scorer and we were pushing him a bit but now, with all the prevention work with the physios, we are taking care of him.”

Aston Villa’s Defenders The Best, Says Fernando Torres

Not since the days when footballs were made of head-me-if-you-dare heavy leather has something in the game caused so many defenders migraines. But even Superman has kryptonite. Fernando Torres can be neutralised — how to do so is the surprise.

You make him face a certain Premier League side and they are not Manchester United, not Chelsea and not Arsenal. There is one team the world’s deadliest centre-forward feels ineffective against: Aston Villa. During his brief but goal-studded career in English football, Torres has embarrassed Nemanja Vidic and got the better of the likes of Rio Ferdinand and John Terry, yet put him in with Curtis Davies and Carlos Cuellar and — in his own mind at least — the Spaniard becomes tame.

“Last season we won against Chelsea, United and Arsenal but always you have some defenders who are really hard for you. The Aston Villa defenders, for me, are really difficult. I don’t know why,” Torres said. “I have never had a good game against them because they are very, very aggressive and are doing man-to-man over almost the whole pitch. I hope we can win away against them because at home we lost 3-1 [this season]. They are probably the hardest defenders for me.”

The Spaniard made his confession when launching his autobiography (Torres: El Niño — My Story) at Anfield on Thursday. In the defeat last month that he mentioned, he got his first goal in five encounters against Villa. Until then, they were the only team in the Premier League Torres had faced more than once and failed to score against. He was marked by Davies and Cuellar, who were also his opponents when he drew a blank against Villa (albeit in a 5-0 Liverpool victory) in March. Martin Laursen, Olof Mellberg and Gary Cahill are the other Villa centre-backs Torres has faced since moving to England in 2007.

He has scored 53 times in 90 appearances for Liverpool (before the win against West Ham) and earned a level of affection from fans of rivals clubs in England which, despite his achievements, was not afforded to Cristiano Ronaldo during his spell in the Premier League and has also eluded another prodigious forward imported from abroad, Didier Drogba.

Asked for the reasons, Torres pointed to his onfield conduct. The Spaniard has not been involved in a diving scandal while playing in England and has seldom taxed the patience of match officials, being booked just once in the league last season, despite a committed style of playing. “I think players have to show respect to everyone, not just the fans of their own team,” he said in reference to himself, Ronaldo and Drogba. “That is where respect is important, being honest and trying to play football just like a sport to enjoy — not doing the other things.”

Having picked out England and Brazil as the sides he feels will present the biggest obstacles to Spain at next year’s World Cup, Torres strengthened the mutual admiration pact between himself and the English when he discussed styles of play. Despite nursing a black eye from a brawny encounter with Burnley’s Clarke Carlisle and Andre Bikey last Saturday, the striker said he loved the muscular dimension to football in the Premier League. “Here the defenders are more honest,” he said. “They’re fighting for the ball, but they are honest. They’re just trying to fight to keep the ball. Here in England you fight and I really like this type of football.”

Riera Rues Gruelling Pre-Season

Liverpool winger Albert Riera believes the Confederations Cup played a part in their stuttering start to the season.

The Reds are getting their season back on track with four wins on the trot after losing two of their opening three Premier League games, the same number of defeats they suffered throughout the whole of last season.

Liverpool's Spaniard-heavy squad looked disorientated in their early fixtures as defeats to Tottenham and Aston Villa threatened to de-rail their title bid almost immediately.

In the summer, Spain played five matches en-route to their third-place finish in the Confederations Cup in the summer, meaning a grueling pre-season regime for those involved.

With key players Fernando Torres, Pepe Reina and Riera himself a part of the Spain set-up, the winger believes the competition may have effected Liverpool's early performances.

"The pre-season was hard and sometimes you start the season in not the best condition and maybe we have had that this year with Liverpool," Riera told The People.

"But now things are becoming better and we have more confidence now.

"It could have been the Confederations Cup or it could have been because you have to work really hard in pre-season so the first games then won't be the best because you don't feel at 100 per cent.

"But the most important thing is the present and we are feeling really confident and things are coming like last year."

Liverpool are hoping to end a 20-year title drought this season and overtake rivals Manchester United in the record number of titles won after the Red Devils equaled their haul of 18 last season.

"We know we have to win the Premier League, definitely, and fans are behind that a lot," added Riera.

"But we want to fight for everything, not just the Premier League. We want to win everything."

Reds Ace Not For Sale - Benitez

Rafael Benitez has once again insisted that Javier Mascherano is not for sale and wants him to extend his stay at Liverpool.

The Argentina international was heavily linked with a move to Barcelona in the summer before Xabi Alonso completed his transfer to Real Madrid, ending any hopes Mascherano had of leaving Anfield.

Reports have been circulating Merseyside that the 25-year-old is unhappy with not being allowed to leave the club, resulting in him being confined to the bench for a few games this season.

However, Benitez has insisted the midfielder is happy at Liverpool and he is determined to keep Mascherano at the club for the foreseeable future.

"I have told the managing director that he is very important to us and we want to keep him, and we will look at his contract when the time is right," said Benitez.

"He is a key player for us and he will be a key player for us during the season.

"I think he is working very hard and in one or two games he was playing well but the team was not doing really well in the other two. It's more the team than just one player.

"He has to play at the level he was before, but he has enough time to do that, and we know he is a key player for us, and will be for a long time."

Hicks Emerges With Little Credit But City Still Bank On Bellers

The bullish noises coming from Anfield last week that Liverpool is now on course to be the richest, most popular club in the world were tempered a little bit by their timing.

Having worked so hard to seal one of the most lucrative sponsorship deals around, Liverpool's owners would surely have been eager to have announced it a few weeks ago when Rafael Benitez might have been able to find some way to spend some money.

Instead, to the dismay of everyone at the club, Benitez was left with £1.5m to spend at the end of the summer when he had again shown his mastery of the transfer market by selling Xabi Alonso for £30m. Then, amazingly, a few weeks later, Liverpool announce they will be bringing in £80m over the next four years in a deal with Standard Chartered, which, appropriately given the club's financial situation, is a bank.

Of course, it came too late for Benitez to strengthen his squad but there is always January, by which time Liverpool may need to strengthen given their unpromising start to the season. Benitez will, of course, be blamed for this, even by those who should know better like Ronnie Whelan, who claimed on RTE last week that the side facing Debrecen had cost £250m and wondered why the manager had replaced Alonso with Alberto Aquilani who, as far as anyone can tell, has always been injured. The man he should ask is Tom Hicks.

With the transfer window closed, Hicks showed up last week to purr optimistically in his soothing Texan drawl.

If the Liverpool credo used to be that the club "exists to be a source of pride to its supporters -- It has no other purpose," Hicks has modernised that too.

"Our goal is to have less debt than any of the top clubs and that's a commitment we have made and will continue to make," Hicks said last week, an interesting statement considering the club was saddled with their current massive debt when he and George Gillett took over.

But Tom reappeared last week to make some new promises. With some reports questioning if Liverpool's new stadium would be built by 2018, Hicks made the right noises but pointed out that the "global financial markets" were not conducive to building anything right now.

When Tom Hicks took over Liverpool, the global financial markets were in love with guys like Tom Hicks and the new owners promised that the stadium would begin almost immediately, before deciding that they needed some new and impressive plans before anything could happen.

As they were working on those plans, the global financial markets that had been so kind to Tom Hicks imploded, thanks to men like Tom Hicks.

Tom now says he "doesn't know about the dates", a departure from a previous statement when he was able to give the date when the stadium would be built but not when it would be started.

Most of us would have assumed things worked the other way where a start date is set with a rough idea following of when the thing could be finished.

But then again most of us had no idea of the world of Tom Hicks until he came along, swiftly followed by the sub-prime credit crunch and the collapse of everything that was built on the highly leveraged philosophy. We would have assumed that to buy a club like Liverpool, you had to have a lot of money and we would have been wrong about that too. So we should say nothing.

We thought clubs were bought by people like the men who bought Manchester City, but Tom now says their plans to buy every good player they can is "unsustainable". When it comes to things being unsustainable, we should probably listen to Tom Hicks.

Benitez - Torres Will Get Better

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez believes Fernando Torres can get even better after watching his deadly striker score twice in a 3-2 win over West Ham.

A pulsating game in East London was decided by the Spaniard's second half header with just fifteen minutes left on the clock.

Torres opened the scoring in the 20th minute before West Ham's Alessandro Diamanti was fortunate to level from the penalty spot after slipping as he struck the ball.

Dirk Kuyt put Liverpool back in front four minutes before the break only for Carlton Cole to equalise for a second time on the stroke of half-time.

It was, though, Torres who had the final say and at the end of the game Benitez had nothing but praise for his compatriot.

"If he continues to play like he did today, he can be one of the best," said Benitez. "When you talk about the Premier League you talk about a lot of players with quality so it is not easy to pick just one, but he is among the best.

"He is a very good player and it is easy to see his qualities. If he is keen to learn, he will improve.

"He is a very good player and hopefully he will be better in the future.

"I was really pleased with him in the Champions League game in midweek. He didn't score but he created chances and space for his team-mates and worked very hard.

"Today he was a threat and that means the rest of the team can work in a different way.

"He is now fit and we are working hard with him to prevent injuries. If he cannot play one or two games, we have Kuyt or Ryan Babel who can score goals.

"Hopefully he won't be injured and he can score a lot of goals for us but we have different options.

"We were in control of the game and the reaction of the team was very positive. I could see that Kuyt was tired and Ryan was really good. His pace was crucial for us and the key at the end."

Liverpool Fans' Fury At Being Moved To Make Way For Sponsors' Guests

The curse of the prawn sandwich has struck again – and left Liverpool fans choking with anger.

Hundreds of Anfield season ticket holders turned up for the Champions League against Debreceni on Wednesday to find they had been moved to accommodate sponsors’ guests.

Former Manchester United skipper Roy Keane was so incensed with corporate guests on one occasion, he dubbed them the “Prawn Sandwich Brigade”.

Keith Ross, from Caernarvon, a season ticket holder in the Lower Centenary Stand, said: “I was given a seat in the corner at the Anfield Road end and couldn’t see a thing. Lots of us were moved and we were all unhappy.

“There were a few angry scenes with the stewards.

“It’s the first time I’ve been moved and I had no idea I’d end up there.

“It was a restricted view and just not good enough.

“What made it worse was that there were a lot of empty seats in the corporate area.

“They were obviously more interested in the hospitality than the football.

“I’ve been a season ticket holder for nine years.

“I have two tickets that cost me £1,400-a-season.

“I go to every match home and away and follow the club all around the world.

“If this is what it’s going to be like from now on, I won’t be going to any more home games in the Champions League. In fact, I’m thinking of cancelling my season ticket for next season.”

Liverpool, in common with all Champions League clubs, have to provide seating and hospitality lounges for sponsors and their guests.

This season their demands have increased, forcing Liverpool to move 2,000 fans from their regular seats.

A club spokesperson said: “It’s the first time Mr Ross has been allocated another seat because UEFA have extended the number of seats they require this season.

“It’s a requirement of all clubs participating in the Champions League, as set out in the UEFA charter.”

Liverpool officials admit they are unlikely to find a satisfactory solution until they have a new stadium.

Liverpool Pursue £240m Deal

Liverpool are pursuing a £240million naming rights deal to finally kickstart their troubled move to Stanley Park.

Carlsberg's 18-year shirt sponsorship with the Reds ends next year.

But the Danish beer brewers are prepared to match the £100m Arsenal received for a 15-year deal with Emirates.

Yet Liverpool owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett want to smash existing records, asking far more than the Gunners got in 2004.

Hicks and Gillett see the numerous examples of US stadium sponsorship deals as the blueprint for the new Anfield.

The New York Mets baseball team and New Jersey Nets Basketball side currently claim the most lucrative naming rights deals.

They both secured a 20-year contract with Citi Group and Barclays worth £240m respectively.

Both Dallas Cowboys and the New York Giants are negotiating similar returns for their new arenas. Liverpool are confident they can at least match the £12m-a-year which the top US franchises have secured, and will be looking to top them.

The club wants new partners on board well before completion of the arena, which is on hold due to the recession, but which the owners insist is merely delayed rather than cancelled.

New Reds managing director Christian Purslow sealed a record- breaking £80m shirt deal with Standard Chartered - and Hicks and Gillett know such lucrative deals are key to restoring stability at Liverpool.

The underfire Kop owners have launched a serious charm offensive over the last few days to try to win back the trust of the supporters.

Until the levels of debt at the club are reduced, they will continue to be perceived cynically for the broken promises of the past.

Match Report: West Ham United 2 - 3 Liverpool

Fernando Torres scored twice as Liverpool held off a brave fightback from West Ham to earn a deserved 3-2 victory in a five-goal thriller at Upton Park.

Torres put the Reds in front in the 19th minute with a fine solo goal but debutant Alessandro Diamanti levelled from the penalty spot.

Dirk Kuyt restored Liverpool's lead in the 40th minute but Carlton Cole levelled again a minute before the interval.

But the irrepressible Torres settled a pulsating contest when he headed home from close range in the 75th minute.

The victory, Liverpool's fourth successive win, lifted Rafael Benitez's side into third place in the Barclays Premier League and left West Ham in 14th.

The first half was full of incident and it was the home side who squandered a great chance to take the lead in the second minute.

Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher dithered over Glen Johnson's pass and let Zavon Hines in.

The striker could not have asked for a simpler chance but although he beat Jose Reina, his shot hit the near post before the Spanish goalkeeper gratefully gathered the rebound.

Another Carragher mistake on the halfway line gave Cole room to run at the Liverpool goal but this time Martin Skrtel made a wonderful saving challenge.

In the 15th minute the home team had another chance, Cole bundling the ball to Hines from Julien Faubert's cross but the chance came too quickly and Hines' connection was minimal.

Torres, meanwhile, acrobatically volleyed wide after 17 minutes before opening the scoring three minutes later.

The Spaniard broke down the left flank, bamboozled James Tomkins and poked home at the near post.

Torres was proving to be a real thorn in West Ham's side and was confident enough to try his luck from 30 yards in the 26th minute but his shot was far too high and failed to trouble Green.

West Ham's woes continued moments later when Valon Behrami was forced out of the action through injury and replaced by Radoslav Kovac.

It was the second enforced change for Gianfranco Zola's side who lost Matthew Upson earlier in the opening half.

But the home side were back in the game in the 28th minute when referee Andre Marriner adjudged that Hines had been pushed by Carragher in the box.

Alessandro Diamanti stepped-up to take the penalty and even though he put the ball into the net, the striker appeared to slip as he connected with the ball and touched it twice.

Angry Liverpool players protested that the penalty should be ruled out as Diamanti had touched the ball more than once but Marriner rejected their protests.

But Liverpool went back in front five minutes before the end of an eventful opening 45 minutes.

An out-swinging corner from Yossi Benayoun was headed towards the far post by Steven Gerrard only for Kuyt to stick out a foot and poke the ball into the corner of the net in the 40th minute.

But a minute before the half-time whistle, England striker Cole rose highest in the six-yard box to meet Mark Noble's corner and head the Hammers level for the second time in the game.

Hines was giving Liverpool's defence a great deal of cause for concern.

Javier Mascherano could only bring the winger down in the 49th minute and his mistimed tackle earned the Liverpool player a yellow card.

A rare West Ham corner in the 59th minute almost caught out the Reds.

Debutant Diamanti sent an in-swinging corner into the Liverpool six-yard box and Reina had to tip the ball away for another flag-kick as it threatened to end up in the net.

Liverpool replaced goalscorer Kuyt with Ryan Babel on the hour as the Merseysiders searched for a winner.

A fabulous run into the West Ham penalty area by Benayoun almost brought Liverpool a third but the home defence cleared the ball at the last hurdle.

West Ham were suffering from the lack of a killer final ball. Kieron Dyer, on for Diamanti, made a superb run deep into the Liverpool half in the 68th minute but he could not supply the final ball to put Cole clear.

Liverpool's Babel tried his luck from 25 yards but his accuracy was found wanting as the ball went high over the bar and into the crowd.

But the Reds clinched the game in the 75th minute when Babel's cross was headed into the corner of the net by Torres from eight yards.

Kovac was then denied at the death by a brilliant Reina save.

Mascherano Should Show Some Loyalty, Claims Liverpool Boss Benitez

Liverpool's manager Rafa Benitez has bluntly warned his Argentine midfielder Javier Mascherano to put any distractions to one side and recapture his best form for Liverpool, if he wants to extend his Anfield stay.

Benitez revealed yesterday there had been initial discussions about Mascherano's future but made it clear conditions were attached to any promise about renewing a contract that has just over two years to run.

The main one concerns snapping out of his downbeat mood over Argentina's faltering World Cup campaign and forgetting about Barcelona's ongoing campaign to entice him to the Nou Camp.

Mindful that the current European champions have yet to abandon a pursuit that began months ago, Benitez admitted he had personally warned one of their top officials to call off the hunt.

He sees Mascherano as a key presence in Liverpool's midfield but is ready to get tough with the Argentina skipper after sensing he is fretting almost as much as Diego Maradona about the threat to his country's qualification.

Lucas has increasingly been held up as a prime example of the commitment and dedication Benitez is looking for in midfield, and Mascherano will have to follow suit to convince Liverpool's demanding boss he is worth a new deal.

Benitez even suggested Liverpool are owed a debt of loyalty by Mascherano.

He said: 'He has to forget about everything else, like other clubs or the World Cup. It is not easy, but that is where his professionalism has to come through. He has to come back, focus his mind and start thinking about Liverpool.'