Agent Denies Yossi Interest

Yossi Benayoun's agent, Ronen Katsav, insists his client is happy at Liverpool despite reported interest from Manchester City.

The Israel international has been linked with a move to Eastlands this weekend in a number of British newspapers but Katsav has denied that there is any truth behind the speculation.

The 29-year-old has impressed this term, scoring three goals in 10 games in all competitions - with all of them coming against Burnley.

However, Reds manager Rafa Benitez left the former West Ham favourite on the bench for the biggest clash of the season against Chelsea last week, giving the impression that Benayoun still has a way to go before he is classed as one of Liverpool's main men.

"Naturally a player playing well at Liverpool will always have other teams interested in him," Katsav told the Israeli press.

"It is a great compliment that there is interest from high level teams across Europe but Yossi is very happy at Liverpool and only in the summer agreed a new four-year contract for four more seasons."

Kenny Dalglish Delighted To See Daniel Agger Back For Liverpool

Liverpool hero Kenny Dalglish believes that the return of centre-back Daniel Agger from injury will provide a big boost to the Red line-up.

A back problem has seen the Danish international sidelined so far this season, but he returned to action for the reserves last week and played 90 minutes of Denmark's 1-0 win over Sweden on Saturday.

"While the first-team squad were in Italy recently, Daniel Agger was making his return from injury in the less romantic surroundings of the reserve league, but he will be delighted, as will the manager and the punters, to get back into action," Dalglish told LFC Weekly.

"It's a shame that he's missed so much football over the last couple of years because he's a top class defender, and with him nearing a return to the first-team reckoning then the manager has got good options and permutations in the centre of his defence with Carra [Jamie Carragher], [Martin] Skrtel, [Sotirios] Kyrgiakos and Agger back to health."

And Dalglish feels that Agger adds another varied option to those available at the back to Rafa Benitez.

He added: "They've all got their particular strengths and they're all internationals with a wealth of experience. Agger's a lovely silky footballer, in the way he brings the ball out of defence and commits teams who like to sit deep.

"Being able to call on him in the future will be important for the team."

Javier Mascherano Set For Showdown With Rafa Benitez Over New Liverpool Contract

Javier Mascherano is on a collision course with Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez.

The Argentine midfielder still harbours resentment over Benitez’s refusal to sell him to Barcelona in the summer and Liverpool’s subsequent refusal to hand him a pay rise that would bring him into line with the club’s top earners.

Benitez did claim in August there was a willingness at Anfield to offer Mascherano a new deal to ease his disappointment at missing out on a dream move to Barca.

But Mascherano has not come close to the form that made him one of Liverpool’s most consistent performers last season.

And there is a reluctance from the club to enter into negotiations about a new contract until the 25-year-old starts hitting the heights once more. The lack of progress has simply deepened Mascherano’s sense of frustration – and Juventus have now joined Barcelona in monitoring his situation on Merseyside.

But an Anfield insider said: “There is a feeling that Mascherano had his head turned by reports of Barcelona’s interest in the summer and that his form has been affected.

“Until his attitude changes there will be no talks about a new contract.”

There was never any prospect of Liverpool selling the Argentine hustler once Benitez allowed Xabi Alonso (right) to join Real Madrid in a £32million deal.

Mascherano feels his status as one of the club’s top earners should be rewarded with an improvement on his current £60,000-a-week wages.

With Alonso departed, Benitez has been relying on Mascherano to exert his influence even more.

With £20m new-boy Alberto Aquilani still to make his debut following his arrival from Roma – the Italian is expected to play against –Sunderland next week – the Liverpool boss has been forced to rely on Mascherano and young Brazilian Lucas Leiva.

But three defeats in eight Premier League games have already made it difficult to bring an end to a title drought now in its 20th year.

There was more frustration with Mascherano when his initial mistake led to Nicolas Anelka scoring Chelsea’s first goal in their 2-0 win over Liverpool at Stamford Bridge last week.

Liverpool Hit By Double Injury Blow As Steven Gerrard And Fernando Torres Limp Out Of Internationals

Liverpool are heading into a key fortnight in their season with injury doubts over their two biggest stars Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres.

Rafa Benitez will already have been alarmed when Gerrard was forced off at half-time of England's World Cup qualifier in Ukraine, and his mood would hardly have been improved when Torres limped off after 55 minutes of Spain's match in Armenia.

Gerrard is now a major doubt for England's final qualifier against Belarus at Wembley on Wednesday.

Torres appeared to be suffering a foot problem when he was replaced in Armenia, and Benitez will be eagerly awaiting an update.

Before the end of October, Liverpool face Premier League matches at Sunderland and Fulham, as well as a home clash with arch-rivals Manchester United.

They also will take on Lyon at Anfield in the Champions League, and travel to Arsenal in the Carling Cup.

Many pundits believe Liverpool would have pipped United to the title last season had Torres been fit throughout the campaign, and the Merseysiders will be desperate for him to be fit from now until next May.

Liverpool Stalemate Broken After Tom Hicks And George Gillett End Mutual Veto

Tom Hicks and George Gillett, Liverpool’s co-owners, have agreed to forego their mutual veto on the sale of each other’s shares in a bid to break the stalemate surrounding the future of the club.

Under their current ownership arrangement, each partner would have to seek the other’s blessing to sell all, or part, of their shareholdings.

The remaining partner would also be entitled to two per cent of the other’s shares, thus becoming majority partner with any new investor. However, it is believed that Hicks has given Gillett his blessing to seek a buyer for his half of the club, although the Texan is thought to be determined to retain his 50 per cent.

Gillett is due to meet the Saudi prince, Faisal Al Fahd bin Abdullah bin Saud in the Middle East next week, when he is expected to continue discussions over the prince’s potential investment in Liverpool.

The two have already struck up a deal to launch a number of club academies across the Middle East and north Africa, and sources close to the prince confirmed this week he could take a stake in the club despite concerns over the level of debt.

Sources close to Hicks and Gillett, though, insist he is just one of a number of possible partners identified by Merrill Lynch and Rothschild, the investment banks jointly appointed by the American duo.

No deal with the prince is believed to be imminent, with discussions due with a number of other parties, although Hicks’ decision not to veto the idea of Gillett finding an exit route suggests that both parties have accepted their days as partners are numbered.

Injury Setback For Liverpool's Dirk Kuyt On International Duty Will Ruffle Rafa

Rafael Benitez will be furious after Dirk Kuyt came off injured at half-time in Saturday’s friendly for Holland against Australia.

Liverpool were already less than happy that Kuyt and Ryan Babel had to play the match in Sydney in what was a commercially-driven deal done by the Holland FA.

Kuyt had missed training all week with an ankle injury yet despite that, Holland coach Bert van Marwijk started the game with the striker, who will now return to training having exacerbated his injury.

Worse, the 24-hour return flight is likely to increase the swelling on the ankle.

Holland claimed that the friendly was an important team-bonding exercise but Inter midfielder Wesley Sneijder picked up a flu virus on the flight out there.

Arsenal's Robin van Persie managed to avoid the trip as his wife is due to give birth this month.

Benitez And Ferguson Both Facing FA Hearings

Rafa Benitez and Sir Alex Ferguson face the wrath of an Football Association who do not see the funny side of the managers of Liverpool and Manchester United.

While many might have chuckled at Sir Alex questioning Alan Wiley's fitness, no one is laughing at the FA's headquarters.

And, while the spectacles joke of the Liverpool boss has badly backfired, the FA Commission are more likely to say "he should have gone to SpecSavers" when they hand out the punishment.

Benitez's case comes up on Tuesday morning, and the defence will be producing the audio and video evidence of how the Liverpool manager reached for his pocket and brought out his glasses for its case, when he was asked about the performance of referee Phil Dowd after the opening day of the season defeat by Spurs.

The FA chamber will resonate to the sound of laughter as the audio/video "evidence" shows the assembled media laughing their heads off at the Benitez joke.

The FA, however, feel it was at the referees' expense, but in terms of being a personal attack, and unless the FA have a sense of humor, then Benitez is going to be fit with a fine, and maybe even a touch-line ban.

Next case on the agenda is Sir Alex. And, if Benitez gets away with just a fine, then Sir Alex will expect a degree of consistency, and would not take too kindly to a touch-line ban.

However, if the FA hit Benitez with a touch line ban for his glasses jibe at the ref, then Sir Alex can expect the same sort of treatment.

Sir Alex has apologized but retained his right to question the fitness levels of the ref, indeed referees in general as a point that might concern the game. No-one else, though, has raised it before, at least publicly.

While the Sir Alex "I'm sorry" official statement has not gone down well with the refs union, who are out for blood, it will not be seen as more than "damage limitation" on behalf of the FA.

The FA have given Sir Alex an extension to provide his written explanation as he is currently in New York, apparently property-hunting, having watched the Manchester City-Villa Premier League game in a sports bar.

The Sir Alex "sorry" statement was produced with the United boss still in New York, but it will cut little ice with the FA, when he returns this week to hand in his letter of explanation by Friday's extended deadline.

Charges are sure to follow and it will then be at Sir Alex's discretion whether he seeks a personal hearing.

Michael Owen Will Get Slaughtered By Liverpool Fans At Anfield, Warns Jamie Carragher

Tevez was stunned by the stick he endured on his first outing in Manchester City’s colours at his former club.

And Jamie Carragher is predicting a similar unfriendly response for Owen from Liverpool fans when the former Kop idol heads back to Anfield on October 25 in a United shirt.

Carragher said: "Our fans are usually brilliant with former players but he might get a cool reception.

"You can understand the fans' point of view. He used to play for us and now he’s at the big rivals, so of course there will be some reaction.

"That’s football and Michael will know that. He has a very strong character so stick doesn't bother him."

Carragher is still good pals with Owen and backs his decision to sign up for Liverpool’s biggest rivals.

He added: "Michael’s got his career to think about. He wants to get his name back up there.

"He wants to play Champions League football and get into the World Cup squad. The move gives him that opportunity."

Liverpool Fans Need To Be Realistic About Alberto Aquilani, Warns Steve McManaman

Steve McManaman has warned Liverpool not to heap pressure on Roberto Aquilani to be the club’s saviour.

Aquilani has yet to play for the Reds after an operation on his right ankle in May.

But Liverpool legend McManaman fears too much pressure is already being placed on the 25-year-old Italian to rescue the club’s season.

He said: “We have to be careful here. Every single Liverpool fan hopes Aquiliani will be the answer and he’s got a good reputation. But he’s been injured a long time.

“Everybody wants him to hit the ground running and be fantastic from day one, which is going to be very difficult for the lad.

“He’s only young. Let’s hope he is the wonderful player we all want him to be. But I don’t think we should put undue pressure on him.

“Any foreign player coming into this country deserves a little time to gel with their teammates and get used to the new style of football. It’s such a tough and aggressive league.

“Liverpool have lost a fantastic player in Alonso. I was disappointed to see him go and he won’t be easy to replace.”

Plessis Eyeing Cup Action

Damien Plessis is hoping to secure his first senior appearance of the 2009-10 season when Liverpool do battle with Arsenal in the fourth round of the Carling Cup later this month.

The French midfielder was an unused substitute for the victory over Leeds United at the last stage of the competition, and is eager to be involved against the Gunners at the Emirates.

It's a venue that holds special significance for the 21-year-old as it was away to Arsenal in a Barclays Premier League encounter in April 2008 that manager Rafael Benitez handed Plessis his Reds debut.

"The Emirates is a fantastic place for any young player to make his debut, but maybe not the easiest of stadiums to play at," he told LFC Weekly. "It is very big and the atmosphere was different to what I had known in France.

"It was a great incentive though. I remember Rafa telling me to go out and keep it simple. That's what I did, I just went out and played my football to help the team get a result.

"I felt I played well that day. I saw in some of the papers that I was man of the match, which was nice."

The former Lyon starlet helped Liverpool to secure a 1-1 draw that afternoon and he is targeting another chance to shine against Arsene Wenger's charges, though he is well aware there has to be a winner this time around.

"This time it will be different because it is the Carling Cup and not the Premier League," he added.

"If we draw at the end of the 90 minutes in the cup, there will be extra time and maybe even penalties.

"Also, in the Carling Cup, you tend to get a lot of players who would not normally play all of the time. It is often a good chance for younger players like myself to come in and show what they can do.

"The Carling Cup is perhaps my best chance to get a game in the first-team at the moment. Young players may be on the bench for Champions League or Premier League games. You wait and wait but don't always play. The Carling Cup is different though.

"Maybe I will play against Arsenal, maybe I won't. I don't know yet, but I hope I do. Arsenal is a very big game whatever competition you play them in so, if you do play, you know you have to play well."

Why Rafa Benitez Is Confident Liverpool FC Will Win The League

Rafael Benitez is confident Liverpool can mount another Barclays Premier League title bid this season and remains calm despite his side's unconvincing start to the campaign.

Doubts have been raised over whether a sustained challenge can come from Anfield considering the team have already lost three times - one more than the whole of the previous campaign - to lie six points behind leaders Chelsea after eight games.

Benitez believes running champions and arch-rivals Manchester United close last term, finishing four points behind the Old Trafford club, has brought positives and negatives and he maintains the mounting criticism is unjustified.

"The most difficult thing this season is to manage expectation," the manager told liverpoolfc.tv.

"Last season we finished with 86 points and everyone was talking about this being the year.

"It's a long race and if we make mistakes and give up too early it will be impossible.

"So the main thing for everyone here is to try to be calm and keep working hard."

Despite those three defeats - to Tottenham, Aston Villa and Chelsea - Liverpool are a more open side this season with 22 goals in eight league matches to make them the Premier League's second-highest scorers behind Arsenal.

They have the same number of points as United had at the same stage 12 months ago and have yet to hit top form.

Defensively they have looked shaky, with just two league clean sheets compared to four from eight games last season.

However, Benitez is hopeful the return of centre-back Daniel Agger, who has not played a first-team game since the end of May after a summer back operation, and the inclusion of £20million former Roma midfielder Alberto Aquilani, who is yet to make his debut after ankle surgery, will provide a boost to the squad.

"We have some players coming back from injury, so we have time," added the Spaniard.

"We need to keep the mentality, keep scoring goals and we will see."

Benitez is also confident the greater competition seen in the league this season - with the likes of Burnley beating United and Wigan defeating Chelsea - means more points will be dropped by all the leading title contenders.

"I think it will be tough at the top of the table," he added.

"Chelsea are a good team but don't forget they will lose some players at the Africa Cup of Nations (in January) so we will see.

"Everyone is talking about Manchester United, Manchester City, Tottenham and Aston Villa, so I think it could be a very open race.

"That is why my message is the same - for us to keep doing our job properly."

Liverpool's Glen Johnson Places Club Over Country

Liverpool defender Glen Johnson is expected to play a part in tonight's fixture with Ukraine, but the 25-year-old insists that the 2010 World Cup sits at the back of his mind as he concentrates on securing silverware for the Merseysiders.

"It's every schoolboy's dream to play for their country at a World Cup," Johnson told the club's official website.

"I think with the players and the backroom staff we have, we can push on and do something in the tournament.

"But I am concentrating on Liverpool and we can think about the World Cup finals when they come around."

Johnson will line-up tonight alongside Liverpool team-mate Steven Gerrard admits it is an honour to play side-by-side the star midfielder.

"When Stevie wants to turn it on, he can make you think 'wow'," added Johnson.

"It's good for me to watch his quality close up in training with the brilliant touches he's got, his movement and the way you can see him thinking.

"Obviously there are a lot of great players here at Liverpool and to play with people like Stevie, Fernando and the other lads is just brilliant."

John Aldridge: Clean Sheets Key To Liverpool FC Closing In On Chelsea

It was nearly the most satisfying of afternoons at Stamford Bridge last Sunday – until Didier Drogba decided to intervene.

There has never been a debate about Drogba’s talent, the only question mark hanging over him, as we know, is his liking for acting the goat every now and again and there were signs of him doing the same again six days ago.

For some reason, though, he always seems to turn it on against Liverpool and by my estimation, Drogba has probably won six or seven games single-handedly during his time with Chelsea and Marseille.

The game, clearly, changed on one mistake from Javier Mascherano, which was so ironic as he had been the best player on the pitch up until that point but Drogba ruthlessly took advantage when he was eventually set free.

You have to say that his ball for Nicolas Anelka and the work he did to tee up Florent Malouda were two flashes of genius and it has left many people saying that a tilt at the Premier League title is now beyond the Reds.

I don’t, for one moment, think that is the case but there is no disputing we have left ourselves little margin for error now – at the very most, he can probably only afford to lose two more matches.

When you think we have got to play Everton, Arsenal, Manchester United and Manchester City twice, that is going to be some ask but you have got to take into account that the title will probably be won with fewer points this season.

The Premier League is ultra-competitive and the race to be crowned champions is bound to go right down to the wire but if we are going to be involved in the thick of it, we must work on the positives from Stamford Bridge.

Liverpool’s defence has been criticised on several occasions this season but there were signs of things clicking back together and clean sheets will give us a platform to build on; the sooner we start keeping them, the better it will be for everyone.

Benitez Hails Insua Progress

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez feels Emiliano Insua has thoroughly deserved his first international call-up.

The Argentine full-back has become a first-team regular at Anfield this season, helping him to catch the eye of Diego Maradona.

A number of impressive performances have seen him selected by his country for the first time and he will be hoping to be involved in crucial World Cup qualifiers against Peru and Uruguay.

Insua's rapid progress this term has been welcomed by his domestic boss Benitez, who has eased the 20-year-old into the fold on Merseyside following his arrival from Boca Juniors in January 2007.

He was initially brought in by the Reds on a long-term loan basis, but saw that deal made permanent just eight months into an 18-month agreement.

The potential spotted by Liverpool at that early stage is now being fulfilled, with the youngster seemingly set for a distinguished career at the very top of the game.

"It is very good news for him and for us," said Benitez on Insua's inclusion in the Argentina squad.

"He is a young player who is doing well for us. When you talk about young players, the idea is to try to promote them.

"Emiliano was a very good signing by our scouting department - a young player with potential and quality - and it was very good business because the price was good."

Gerrard Eager To Get Back To Best

Along with his iPod and passport, Steven Gerrard packed one more essential item in his suitcase for England’s trip to Ukraine.

The pain of Liverpool’s defeat by Chelsea last weekend may still be raw, and the chance to focus on impressing Fabio Capello should have been a welcome diversion, but Gerrard still made sure he headed into the club’s Melwood training ground before joining up for international duty.

There he picked up a specially devised DVD displaying his good and bad points from the reverse at Stamford Bridge which he could mull over with England.

The material was prepared by Liverpool’s technical analyst Dave McDonough at the behest of Reds boss Rafa Benitez. But any benefits its use intends to bring to Liverpool will also be welcomed by England.

The episode underlines Gerrard’s insatiable appetite to continue hitting the heights, a desire Benitez has saluted.

“It is a DVD of his strong points and his weaknesses, of his qualities and his faults, so he can make use of these few days and watch it before playing with the national side,” said Benitez.

“He went straight to Melwood to get the DVD before leaving because he was very interested in the idea of analysing his match and trying to correct his mistakes.

“Gerrard is a player who is always asking how he can improve. He never stops wanting to learn.’’

Gerrard spoke with Benitez about the footage on Wednesday and will be anxious to put the plan into practice during England’s World Cup qualifier in Ukraine on Saturday night.

Rafa Benitez Reveals Perfectionist Steven Gerrard Is Never Happy

Rafa Benitez has offered a unique insight into the driven nature of his skipper Steven Gerrard, which he believes makes the midfielder one of the best in the world.

The Liverpool manager revealed that Gerrard, even after playing at the very top for the past decade, and is still desperate to learn and take his game to the next level, and analyses his performances in microscopic detail.

The England international is considered to be at the peak of his craft as he approaches his 30th birthday, and could be forgiven for believing that he has nothing left to take on board.

But Benitez has illustrated the depth of passion, and incredible desire that his captain has, with an example of how he continually strives to add more dimensions to his play.

"Gerrard is a player who is always asking how he can improve, and that is a fundamental part of him - which is a huge benefit as a manager," Benitez explained.

"Even at the level he has reached, he knows that it's never over, he never stops wanting to learn. It is a part of his personality that he wants to work so hard."

Benitez is a perfectionist who always believes that there is a way to improve, and he admires the drive within his captain that makes him the same way.

And the Liverpool boss offered an example of that incredibly driven nature, which saw Gerrard this week making a round trip from London to ensure that he received the full data from his last performance before heading off on England duty.

"Let me tell you something - he left this week with the English national side, but before heading off he picked up a DVD, prepared by the person in charge of match analysis at the club," Benitez explained.

"It's a DVD of his strong points and his weaknesses, of his qualities and his faults, so he can make use of these few days on international duty and watch it before playing with the national side.

"When he left the team base in London, he went straight to the Liverpool training ground to get the DVD before leaving because he was very interested in the idea of analysing his match and trying to correct his mistakes.

"Then he wanted to go over it with me. We actually spoke on the phone on Wednesday, because he was in a hurry for us to talk about what he saw on the DVD and how he could benefit from it. That shows you how the desire is a fundamental part of him."

Rafa Benitez On Collision Course Over Daniel Agger

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is on a collision course with Denmark over the fitness of Daniel Agger.

The Reds centre half has managed just 68 minutes for the reserves this season so far, as he slowly returns from a back problem, but looks set to play for his country in two games over the next four days.

Benitez though, has warned his Denmark counterpart Morten Olsen not to push the defender too hard in the games against Sweden and Hungary as he continues his rehabilitation.

"Daniel wasn't fit enough to play against Chelsea, and Denmark have to be careful with him. They have to be sensible and also the player knows it will be tough for him to play both games in a row," Benitez said.

"It's good for him because he needs to play, but we have to be careful and they have to be careful too."

Latvia captain Vitalijs Astafjevs will become a record breaker today - but has more important landmarks on his mind.

His country are locked in a four way battle with Greece, who the meet today, favourites Switzerland and Israel.

Astafjevs is one cap away from matching the record for a European player of 157 held by Estonia's Martin Reim, but the 38-year-old also has his focus on helping his side edge closer to a spot in next year's World Cup finals in South Africa.

Astafjevs said: "My goal is to be at the top of the list, and I hope I get there because I have no plans to retire just yet."

If he does equal Reim's record, Astafjevs still has a way to go to match the world top mark for number of international caps.

That is currently held by former Saudi Arabia goalkeeper Mohamed Al-Deayea, who has 181.

Astafjevs will be up against Giourkas Seitaridis who has been handed a surprise international recall by Greece boss Otto Rehhagel for the crucial qualifier even though he has not played a match this season.

The Swiss travel to Luxembourg as the form team despite a poor start which saw them open their campaign with a draw and a defeat, including a 2-1 loss at home to today's opponents Luxembourg.

George Gillett's Liverpool Statements Don't Stack Up

A fan can accept football illiteracy from its owners because they know the vast majority are only in it for kudos or profit.

They can also excuse a lack of cash, if, like Bill Kenwright, they're in it mostly for love. Fans can even live with pig-headedness, aloofness and a poor knowledge of the club. But they cannot accept having the truth distorted or hidden from them.

Which is what George Gillett, and his estranged partner in crime, have been doing for almost three years.

This week alone, thanks to a leaked exchange with the fans group Spirit of Shankly, the former owner of Montreal Canadians ice-hockey team, came out with four statements which do not hold up to scrutiny.

(1) "The club's debt situation is very sound." It was £44.8 million when Hicks and Gillett took over. It's now £245 million.

(2) "It wasn't me who said we'd start building a new stadium in 60 days, it was Hicks." Check You Tube. It's you.

(3) "We've spent £128 million on top of what's come in over the past 18 months to buy players." Rafa Benitez's net spend in that time has been £20 million.

(4) "Liverpool is in an extraordinarily good financial position." So how come the banks have told you to find new investment, sell-up or they'll re-possess the club?

This opportunistic, former bit-part player in a small-time North American sport has been found to be totally out of his depth in English football. His deceit merely adds insult to injury.

As they say in ice-hockey, it's time to get the puck out of here.

Juve Line Up Masch Raid

Juventus are preparing to deepen Liverpool's misery with a January raid for Javier Mascherano.

Rafa Benitez's side are already six points behind Chelsea following their third defeat of the season at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Now Italians Juve are planning a fresh bid for Argentine midfielder Mascherano, 24, who they tried to sign from West Ham before he moved to Anfield in January 2007.

The Turin giants are ready to offer £23million as they seek to grab the Serie A title away from Inter Milan.

And club officials plan to open talks with their Anfield opposite numbers in the coming weeks.

Mascherano is already a target for Barcelona, with Liverpool rejecting an ]approach for him from the European champions during the summer.

Mascherano, who possesses an Italian passport, is tempted to move away from Merseyside even though he is under contract until 2012.

He is believed to be unhappy at the break-up of his partnership with Xabi Alonso, who joined Real Madrid in the summer.

And he was dismayed at criticism for his performance in the 2-0 defeat at Chelsea.

The Kop have got their own back on Chelsea by stealing Benfica wonderkid Toni Brito Sa from under their noses.

Benfica have accepted Liverpool's offer of £290,000 for one of the most highly-rated youngsters in Portugal.

Guinea-born Brito, 16, had a trial at Chelsea when Phil Scolari was boss and was ready to sign a six-year deal.

Keisuke Honda Not Ruling Out Move To Liverpool Or Everton

Keisuke Honda's agent has admitted the player would be interested in a move to the Premier League.

Both Liverpool and Everton are reported to be interested in the Japanese international, who has set the Eredivisie alight with his scintillating displays for VVV Venlo, scoring seven goals from nine appearances so far this season.

The Settsu-born star was instrumental in winning Venlo promotion to the Eredivisie last season and has also reportedly drawn interest from Dutch giants Ajax Amsterdam and PSV Eindhoven.

"There are a lot of clubs following him, but there is nothing concrete at the moment," the 23-year-old's agent, Kees Ploegsma, told Sky Sports.

"I don't know anything about Liverpool and Everton and we will wait and see what happens in January.

"Of course Keisuke would be interested in playing in England. England is a very good country for playing football.

"If a club makes an offer and Keisuke likes that club something could happen, but we will wait and see."

Honda has been capped seven times by Japan and is estimated to be worth £3 million.