Under-Pressure Rafa Benitez To Play Strongest Possible Liverpool Lineup Against Lyon

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has admitted that he must play his strongest lineup against Lyon, despite what is shaping up to be a must-win game against Manchester United next weekend.

The early-season optimism at Anfield is fading fast, with the Reds having already lost four of their nine Premier League matches this season, as well as suffering a surprise loss to Fiorentina in the Champions League.

That reversal to La Viola means that Benitez cannot afford to rest his key players in their next European outing against French club Lyon - who are sitting comfortably on top of their group with a maximum six points.

United, on the other hand, have the luxury of rotating their squad for the long midweek trip to play CSKA Moscow, ahead of their mouthwatering visit to Anfield.

Benitez said in The Daily Mirror: “We can’t do what United are doing. We have to take one at a time. We have to use the best players for each game."

Losing both games against Lyon and United would be disastrous for Liverpool - but the Spaniard is not entertaining such thoughts.

The Reds boss had no illusions over how important Tuesday's match was, however, and conceded he had no qualms over rushing Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres back from injury if required.

“People ask what happens if we lose against Lyon and United, but what about if we win both games? We feel we can win and everything can change in a positive way," he said.

“Our priority now is Lyon because we hopefully have players coming back from injury.

“I think Gerrard and Torres will be available. If they are, I don’t see any problem playing them before the United game because that will be five days later. If we win the first of these games it will be easier for the next one.

“We know the first half against Fiorentina wasn’t good enough. But the second half was really good. I think we had 12 attempts on goal to their one.

“We have enough quality, confidence and experience in the squad, so it’s a case of approaching every game thinking we have to win. We have had difficult games and difficult moments in the past and shown our character.

“Lyon are a good team, they play quality, attacking football and have experience of playing in the Champions League for many years. So they know what they are doing.

“But to play against Liverpool is not easy for anyone. You can lose, draw, but always any team in the world would say Liverpool is difficult to beat and, hopefully, it will be the same this time.

“Our fans know the Champions League is a special competition and for us it has been amazing.

“The atmosphere in the Champions League has always been good for our team, especially when we are under pressure.

“Anfield will be a key factor for us. We need the fans behind us. They are the best in the world.”

Carra gher Seeks Reds Response

Jamie Carragher has vowed Liverpool will stick together as they prepare for a crucial period that could decide their season.

The Reds saw their title hopes suffer a further blow on Saturday after going down 1-0 to Sunderland, thanks to a fortuitous goal from Darren Bent.

It was Liverpool's fourth defeat in the Premier League and their third in a row in all competitions as they prepare to tackle Lyon in the UEFA Champions League before league leaders Manchester United make the trip to Anfield next weekend.

Carragher, who captained Liverpool at the Stadium of Light, is confident Rafa Benitez's men can bounce back from their latest setback against Lyon.

"It was frustrating for us but Chelsea also lost so there is still a long way to go," said Carragher.

"Now is not the time to talk about the title. We are looking to the next game.

"We now have the Champions League tie against Lyon which will be in front of our own supporters at Anfield to restore some confidence before we take on Manchester United next Sunday.

"We will stick together and work hard on the training ground to put things right. We know we've got a good team, good players and a good manager so we've got to have belief in ourselves and keep going.

"We have the quality and the belief we will get back to winning ways soon, hopefully starting on Tuesday against Lyon."

Carragher also refused to blame the absence of star duo Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres for the insipid display at Sunderland.

"It's easy to say we missed Stevie and Fernando and yes they are world-class players, but we have a big squad and we have won without them before.

"Sunderland played well. We weren't at our best but we can bounce back and restore some confidence."

Former Ref Jeff Winter Blasts Goal Against Liverpool FC

Former Premier League referee Jeff Winter branded the decision to allow Sunderland’s winner against Liverpool FC on Saturday as "absolutely amazing".

Darren Bent’s strike beat Liverpool FC goalkeeper Jose Reina with the help of a sizeable deflection off a beach ball which had been thrown onto the Stadium of Light pitch by an away fan.

Referee Mike Jones conferred with his assistant but decided the goal should stand, helping Sunderland to a 1-0 win.

Winter said: "I’m absolutely amazed. It is basic law in football. The goal should just not have stood.

"The laws of the game state that if there’s an outside interference the game has to be stopped.

"Talk about an outside influence - the ball went in off the beach ball and completely deceived the Liverpool goalkeeper.

"I am absolutely amazed that for a referee at that level of football, that between him, his assistant, the fourth official, they didn’t see what had happened and give the correct decision."

Winter added he was surprised more focus had not been put on Jones.

He said: "I try to defend referees wherever possible having been there and knowing the problems they face but, on this particular occasion, everybody’s having a laugh and a joke about it, but this is far more serious in terms of the laws of the game than when the referee doesn’t see the ball go over the goal line.

"That is understandable with the pace of the modern game and being unsighted, but this is just basic law.

"An outside influence is any outside influence. It is anything other than the 22 maximum players on the field and the referee.

"If it hits the referee and goes in, he’s part of the game. If a spectator comes on the pitch and kicks the ball, the game must be stopped.

"It’s a basic law of the game - one that fortunately doesn’t come into practice too much - but it’s a basic law of the game that a referee would learn on his initial refereeing cause, not when you’re an established Premiership referee.

"The fact that the referee conferred with his assistant, they knew something was wrong, it’s just absolutely amazing the goal was allowed to stand."

Debt Could Force Sale Of Gerrard And Torres

A document actually nicknamed The Doomsday Book was prepared as Tom Hicks and George Gillett flirted with catastrophe last season.

It spelled out the consequences if the owners' failed to secure their £290million refinance deal.

And it was only because the Royal Bank of Scotland feared a massive backlash if they allowed one of the world's biggest clubs to go into administration that Liverpool were able to reject a £70m bid from Manchester City for Fernando Torres.

Unless the Americans sort out their differences and find investment before their next deadline, the threats will resurface.

Club officials have consistently dismissed criticism of the Americans' reign as "scaremongering".

But today Sport of the World can reveal it's scaremongering based on Liverpool going through the unprecedented, humiliating step of being forced to convince UEFA they qualified for a licence to play in the Champions League.

In the aftermath of last year's qualified audit report by KPMG which cast doubt on the parent company's "ability to continue as a growing concern" Liverpool were summoned to the Premier League to guarantee they would resolve their financial difficulties.

Both Liverpool and the Premier League agree it was a formality the Merseysiders' application would be successful, but the fact any questions were raised at all will shock the Kop.

Liverpool face the genuine prospect of having to offer similar reassurances ahead of next year's UEFA competitions, something they'll be unable to do without the promise of a massive injection of cash.

That explains why the club has been working overtime to present a healthier financial picture over the last few months, citing the £80m shirt sponsorship deal with Standard Chartered as a major step forward.

It also explains the increased urgency to find investors.

Privately, the club is adamant they will have new partners on board within six months. If they fail to do so, the consequences will be dire.

It's likely the Premier League underestimated exactly how fraught the last refinance negotiations were.

American bank Wachovia, now owned by Wells Fargo, was hesitant about agreeing its share of the loan, which amounted to around £62m. It needed a series of transatlantic flights ahead of the July 25 deadline to plead for an extension. RBS, the more enthusiastic of the lenders at the time, was initially only prepared to offer a six-month extension for the rest of the owners' loan.

That would not have been enough to satisfy UEFA guidelines, as the Premier League needed assurance funds would be in place to keep the club afloat for the whole season.

RBS made sure Liverpool dodged a bullet, but the gun is continually being reloaded.

The bank is understood to be increasingly twitchy about their ongoing relationship with the Merseysiders.

Hicks and Gillett maintained a united front to reassure their banks, but that has been exposed as a sham, with open hostilities resumed as the pair differ on the direction of the club. The Americans' accountants are trying to raise £100m for a 25 per cent stake in Anfield.

Rothschilds and Merill Lynch want to issue new shares which would reduce Hicks and Gillett's holding to 37.5 per cent each.

That injection would allow the owners to reduce debt levels and plough more funds towards one of the two Stanley Park plans or redeveloping Anfield.

But the Americans can't even agree on this.

Hicks is standing by a revised scheme which could lead to a 70,000-seater stadium.

Gillett is still open to the idea of extending the existing Anfield site.

Neither is likely at the moment.

The prospect of taking a back seat while the main shareholders fight on is hardly enticing to potential investors.

Recent interest from Saudi Prince Faisal exposed the massive rift.

Hicks has made it known he won't veto his partner selling his 50 per cent stake to the Saudi, but that has never been on the agenda as far as Gillett is concerned and Hicks' stance does nothing to mend divisions.

Gillett has often claimed he is not prepared to sell up unless it leads to both co-owners leaving Anfield.

There have been farcical scenes in the Middle East with each owner pursuing the same investors but presenting alternate visions for the future of Liverpool.

One City source said the owners were "virtually racing each other to get through the Saudi equivalent of Yellow Pages" in a desperate attempt to bring money into the club.

A year ago, Merrill Lynch even approached Birmingham's outgoing owner David Sullivan to see if he was interested in Liverpool.

An option explored by investors is to buy the debt directly off RBS.

If the Americans' couldn't pay it back, the club would pass into the hands of those who own the debt.

Liverpool have no shortage of suitors, but only at the right price.

Gillett and Hicks paid £5,000 a share for Liverpool in 2007.

Including £44.8m debts, this valued the club at £218.9m.

Even in 2007, the deal raised eyebrows given the value of previous offers.

The failed bid of Dubai International Capital (DIC) a month earlier valued Liverpool at £4,000 a share. In the summer of 2004, Wolves owner Steve Morgan valued Liverpool at £2,700 a share, equating to around £100m, and had shaken hands on a deal pending the outcome of due diligence.

When that revealed the true extent of the club's debts he revised his offer, which was turned down by then chairman David Moores.

Club officials insist comparisons between the club's value in 2004, 2007 and now are ridiculous, arguing Liverpool have vastly improved their revenue streams and value of their playing assets since then.

They say securing top names on long-term deals has enhanced the club's value.

Given the level of debt, convincing investors about this is proving a problem.

Amid all this, Rafa Benitez's side face a crucial period.

Euro progress and cash has been the key to Liverpool retaining their place as an elite club, making Tuesday's must-win clash with Lyon far more significant off the field than the clash with Manchester United next Sunday.

Hicks and Gillett know they're running out of time.

They're dreaming of a minority investor who's willing to pay off some of their debt and take a backseat while they continue to bicker on the way forward.

But as the pressure mounts from their banks, conceding majority shareholding remains the easiest and quickest way to safeguard Liverpool's future - and avoid their 'Doomsday' scenario.

Sunderland Boss Steve Bruce Dismisses Touchline Row With Liverpool's Rafael Benitez

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has brushed off his furious touchline clash with Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez, following his side's 1-0 victory at the Stadium of Light.

The Black Cats further dented the Reds' fast-fading title hopes, thanks to a controversial Darren Bent goal, his eighth of the season flying past goalkeeper Pepe Reina after taking a wicked deflection off a beach ball that had been thrown on to the pitch by a Liverpool fan.

Things got heated in the second half when Benitez complained about the length of time for which Kenwyne Jones was receiving treatment on the field, drawing a furious response from Bruce, with the two managers embroiled in a heated debate on the touchline. Both Jones and Lee Cattermole were carried off injured in a robust second half.

Bruce did not think much of the incident, but conceded, with the benefit of hindsight, he probably should not have confronted his rival manager.

"It was handbags. It's all over, it's done," Bruce said, according to The Daily Mirror.

"You do things in the heat of the moment which, when you look back at it, you think, 'Maybe I shouldn't have done that', but there you go."

Benitez suggested that the Sunderland boss had inflamed the situation.

The Spaniard said: "I didn't have any argument with him [Bruce]. I was just asking for time because three or four times they were on the ground - in 10 minutes, three or four times, the game was stopped.

"I was talking with the fourth official and he [Bruce] was coming and he wanted to argue with me.

"I was surprised because I was talking with the fourth official about the time."

Bruce insisted that the curious nature of Bent's goal should not overshadow his team's impressive performance. Sunderland outplayed Liverpool for the majority of the match, and striker Bent could easily have picked up a hat-trick on another day.

Bruce said: "I thought we deserved it, I hope that's not just going to be the headline [the goal].

"In the second half, we had three one-on-ones - Darren [Bent] went round the goalkeeper twice, he hit the post and Reina got back and made a great save, Steed [Malbranque] had a wonderful chance and I was just thinking, 'We need to take the second one'.

"But my goalkeeper [Craig Gordon] only had one save to make - it was a good one - and overall, I thought we thoroughly deserved the victory."

Bruce said of the goal: "Listen, I thought it was a deflection off a player. I have to say when I have just seen it there, if anybody knew that rule - that it is supposed to be a drop ball - then you are a saddo.

"They have got it on telly with the guy who threw it on and it's got Liverpool crests all over it. What a shame."

Husen: Carragher Crucial To Reds Success

Former Liverpool defender Glenn Hysen has paid tribute to Jamie Carragher as the Reds stalwart hones in on his 600th appearance for the club.

The vice-captain featured for the 589th time at Sunderland on Saturday and the Swede reckons the impending landmark is proof that he will go down as one of the club's finest defenders ever.

"I love watching Jamie play," Hysen told Liverpoolfc.tv. "He is such a fighter.

"Maybe he hasn't been at his very best this season, but he's so important to Liverpool and he'll be crucial in any success they have this season.

"Skrtel and Agger are both good players, but I see it as Carragher plus one of them. They are both young and have time to progress, but I still think Jamie is number one.

"I'd love to see him cap his Liverpool career with the title. It would be a disaster if both he and Gerrard don't win the league with Liverpool. They are both such good players.

"If you look at it now, Liverpool have got a good squad and I think they will be up there at the top come May - but I've been saying that for 19 years. We'll just have to wait and see."

Hysen also had words of praise for summer recruit, Glen Johnson who he regards as one the finest full-backs on the continent.

"For me he's one of the best in Europe," he said. "He's got everything.

"He's good with the ball and offers you so much both going forward and in defence. He's the perfect signing for Liverpool and will add a lot in the wide areas."

Manchester United's Michael Owen Expecting Hostile Anfield Reception

Michael Owen has accepted that he will get a hostile reception when he returns to Liverpool as a Manchester United player this weekend but insisted that he does not believe he let down his first club by joining their fiercest rivals.

Owen is acutely aware that many supporters at Anfield cannot forgive him for switching allegiances to United, but the striker considers it unfair for him to be accused of disloyalty. To illustrate the point, he said he planned to celebrate as normal if he scored in Sunday's game.

"I'm human," said Owen. "I'd prefer people to sit down and recognise what you did for them and for the team in years gone past but I'm pretty realistic as well. Now that I'm playing for their local rivals – I'm not holding my breath, put it that way.

"People talk about loyalty in football, and for a football supporter it's easy to preach about that. As a father and a brother and a son there's no one more loyal than me. But when you're a player, you're not a fan. I've got to earn a living, provide for my family. I supported Everton as a kid. I never supported Real Madrid, but I played for them. It's a job opportunity, just like anyone else's work.

"The longer you're at a team, if the fans make you feel welcome and the players take to you, then you build an affinity. So now obviously I look for Real Madrid results and Newcastle results, but it doesn't make me any less loyal to Manchester United."

Owen is still hopeful that his move to Old Trafford will lead to him going to the World Cup next summer and he pointed to his past international record as justification to be included in Fabio Capello's squad.

"I'm hopeful but the last thing I want is to be campaigning," he said. "Everyone can see how many games I've played, how many goals I've scored, how many World Cups I've been in, my record against strong opponents in big games.

"Everyone can see everything with their own eyes. There are no secrets with me – I've played 89 games, I've scored 40 goals. Everyone knows if I play I'm likely to score every other game. Playing in a World Cup wouldn't bother me. In fact, I'd raise my game, as has happened before in big games. I like big games. For some reason I find an extra certain percentage. Everyone knows these things."

Saudis Deny Reds Deal

Saudi sports investor F6 claim George Gillett's talks with them were not about buying his stake in Liverpool.

Liverpool co-owner Gillett visited Riyadh this week to discuss possible investment opportunities with reports suggesting Prince Faisal bin Fahd bin Abdullah could buy Gillett's 50 per cent stake in the English giants.

Gillett was in Riyadh mainly to discuss a project regarding the creation of Liverpool soccer academies around the region

And F6 deputy managing director Gassim Hamidaddin insists buying Gillett's share in the club was not on the agenda.

"That was the main purpose, and that's what happened during the visit. There were no talks on buying Liverpool," Hamidaddin told AFP.

Hamdaddin insisted Gillett's visit was aimed at building on the two sides' agreement to create the Liverpool academies in Saudi Arabia and northern Africa.

"Gillett visited three Saudi football clubs, and examined local facilities with Prince Faisal," added Hamdaddin.

Match Report: Sunderland 1 - 0 LiverpooL

Darren Bent staked a further claim for a place in England's World Cup squad as Sunderland heaped further misery on Liverpool.

However, he did so in controversial circumstances as the visitors were left fuming over the fifth-minute strike which secured the Black Cats' first victory over a 'top four' team since their return to the Barclays Premier League.

Bent's eighth goal of the season came when his shot was deflected past goalkeeper Pepe Reina by a red beach ball which had been thrown onto the pitch, although referee Mike Jones had little option but to award the goal.

But if the visitors felt aggrieved at the manner in which their third successive defeat in all competitions was sealed, they could have few complaints about the result in front of a crowd of 47,327 at the Stadium of Light.

With the injured Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres missing, they were a shadow of the side which pushed Manchester United so close last season as they slipped to their fourth league defeat of the campaign despite a late, late rally.

After their side's heroics at Old Trafford a fortnight ago, when only a late Anton Ferdinand own goal gave the reigning champions a point, the Wearside faithful arrived believing a win over one of the Premier League's traditional powers was a distinct possibility.

And if they needed further confirmation that it could be their day, they had to wait only five minutes.

There was nothing fortunate about the way Lee Cattermole and Andy Reid combined to open up the Reds down the right, and when the Irishman picked out leading scorer Bent beyond the far post, fate intervened.

Reina thought he had the striker's shot covered and could only look on in horror when it hit the beach ball and flew past him into the net.

Sunderland sensed an opportunity and could have been out of sight by half-time.

Bent might have completed a hat-trick but headed a 22nd-minute Reid cross straight at Reina and then glanced Phil Bardsley's driven ball wide of the far post seven minutes before the break.

Liverpool repeatedly found themselves under pressure as Reid, Cattermole and Steed Malbranque got forward to support strikers Bent and Kenwyne Jones as a back three of Jamie Carragher, Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger were swamped by red and white shirts.

But they managed to survive further mishap and gradually eased their way back into the game, although without ever putting Craig Gordon's goal under extreme pressure.

The Scotland international had to block Ryan Babel's 13th-minute shot on the turn at close quarters and was happy to see Fabio Aurelio's 27th-minute free-kick fly wide, but he was otherwise largely untroubled.

Bruce made a change at the break when his only specialist left-back, George McCartney, failed to re-appear, prompting a reshuffle.

Ferdinand moved across from centre-half as Lorik Cana dropped into central defence to accommodate teenage midfielder Jordan Henderson.

The newcomer almost made his mark within two minutes when his shot was blocked by Carragher, in the eyes of the home side with his arm, but Mr. Jones waved play on.

Reina kept his side in it with 55 minutes gone when he blocked Bent's effort after the striker had run onto Jones' pass and rounded him.

The goalkeeper needed the help of the woodwork six minutes later after Bent capitalised on more poor defending, but saw his shot come back off the foot of the post.

Bruce and Benitez became embroiled in an angry touchline spat as the injured Jones was treated at length on the pitch before, like Cattermole minutes earlier, leaving on a stretcher.

Malbranque was denied by Carragher's last-ditch block but Yossi Benayoun squandered a glorious opportunity to level two minutes later when he fired high and wide from 16 yards.

Benitez threw on strikers Andriy Voronin and David Ngog in a desperate effort to rescue a point, and deep into seven minutes of stoppage time Gordon had to make a fine double save from Dirk Kuyt and Ngog to deny Liverpool an undeserved point.

Liverpool Might Benefit If Rafa Benitez Learned To Accentuate The Positive

Rafael Benitez, the man who finds fault in the best of displays, is reportedly having trouble lifting the sombre mood at Liverpool.

As a manager, it is all very well concentrating on the negatives, on the one bad thing a player does in a game, say, rather than offering congratulations on a spectacular hat-trick.

That hard-line approach holds up if the team keep winning. Footballers will stomach their boss constantly nit-picking. They will overlook his aversion to pats on the back because spirit is good inside the camp. When the points are rolling in and confidence is high this relentless pursuit of perfection can be handled OK.

But that isn’t quite so easy when the tide turns, when performances dip and players lose form. All of a sudden, the gaffer’s continual carping doesn’t seem so quaint. The dressing room atmosphere gets a bit heavy, with more people than usual having a moan.

Some reckon that is happening at Liverpool following a couple of defeats on the spin. Rafael Benitez, the man who finds fault in the best of displays, is reportedly having trouble lifting the mood.

True or not, the Spaniard now faces an exacting week. After Saturday’s tricky trip to in-form Sunderland, Lyon visit Anfield on Tuesday for a Champions League tie that takes on added significance after that lame defeat to Fiorentina. And just to keep the tension going, Manchester United pitch up for a cracker next Sunday.

Not only that, Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres might miss the lot, having picked up injuries on international duty. All the best Rafa. Pick your way through that.

This might be a good time, then, to loosen up a bit, to start reminding his other charges of their strengths rather than weaknesses. Because over the next few days Benitez desperately needs everyone pulling in the same direction to stop Liverpool’s season from losing vital momentum.

Rafael Benitez Confirms Alberto Aquilani Is Close To First-Team Liverpool Return

Alberto Aquilani has undergone two training sessions with his Liverpool team-mates and all that is left to finalise his return is to improve his match fitness, according to Rafael Benitez, who confirmed the news to the club's official website on Saturday.

The Italian was bought in the summer, as a replacement for Real Madrid-bound Xabi Alonso, but has been sidelined since his transfer due to an ankle injury.

Benitez said: "Aquilani has been training - he's had two sessions with the team.

"Physically he can improve but at least now he can play football with the team. It's very positive."

Regarding a time-frame for a complete return, Benitez was hesitant about making any confirmation, but added: "It depends how he progresses physically.

"In terms of the problem he had with his ankle, he has to keep training. We'll be away this weekend so he has time to improve.

"Hopefully in the next week he'll continue with the team and then it's a question of his match fitness, nothing else."

Jose Hits Out At Wenger And Benitez

Inter Milan boss Jose Mourinho has stoked up old rivalries with former Premier League adversaries Arsene Wenger and Rafa Benitez, claiming he has to win trophies to keep his job.

The former Chelsea manager, speaking about the pressures of managing in Serie A, drew less than complimentary comparisons to the recent records of the Arsenal and Liverpool managers, saying:

"[Arsene] Wenger has been Arsenal's coach for 15 years but he hasn't won even a Carling Cup for six years. [Rafa] Benitez hasn't won a league title in six years but he continues to be Liverpool's coach.

"This is not the Italian mentality. To stay here I must continue winning and do well."

Mourinho guided Inter to the Serie A title last season, and has also lifted the Supercoppa Italiana since taking over the reigns of the Nerazzurri.

And in an interview with Inter Channel, Mourinho, whose inflammatory comments will no doubt be greeted tersely in London and Liverpool, admitted he is called a ‘bausica’ - a Milanese idiom for an arrogant, foul-mouthed person.

"Am I a 'bauscia'? Yes, I know what it means," he said.

"Certainly all the fans know I give everything for the club and also to them. I couldn't work any other way, that's how I am."

Mourinho has certainly lived up to that moniker since replacing former Inter coach Roberto Mancini, receiving three red cards and two touchline bans during his short tenure in Milan.

But after picking holes in Benitez and Wenger’s CVs, the two-time UEFA manager of the year did manage to find some kind words, for one of his own players.

Speaking ahead of the eagerly anticipated clash against Genoa, which sees two of Italian football’s most attack-minded sides go head to head, Mourinho heaped praise on midfielder Esteban Cambiasso.

“I would need two Cambiassos, one playing 10 meters further forward and the other 10 meters behind,” he said.

Saudi Firm Says Liverpool Stake Talks On Hold

Private Saudi sports investment firm F6 said on Saturday that talks with George Gillett, the American co-owner of English football club Liverpool, to buy a stake in the club are on hold.

Gillett arrived earlier this week to Riyadh sparking speculation that the visit will push towards the conclusion a deal with F6 owners, who include Saudi Prince Faisal bin Fahd bin Abdullah and Saudi businessman Majed al-Hugail.

"The purchase of a stake in Liverpool has not been discussed throughout Gillett's visit, not for even five minutes," F6 Deputy Managing Director Gassim Hamidaddin told Reuters.

"The discussions are now on hold. The idea of buying a stake in Liverpool was put on the table in September but since then nothing happened," he added.

Investors from Gulf Arab countries have shown growing interest in acquiring soccer clubs in the English Premier League.

In August, United Arab Emirates' investor Sulaiman al-Fahim completed a takeover of Portsmouth Football Club before reselling later a large stake in the club to a Saudi businessman.

Abu Dhabi United Group for Development and Investment bought Manchester City last year.

F6 is focusing on implementing the terms of a contract it signed last month with the George Gillett Group that would lead to opening Liverpool academies in the Middle East and North Africa and develop race tracks to introduce NASCAR motor racing to the Middle East.

"That's what was discussed during Gillett's visit," Hamidaddin said.

Liverpool are keen to raise fresh cash to help challenge for top footballing honours and fund the construction of the new stadium, as well as finance debt estimated at 245 million pounds.

Liverpool is England's most historically successful club, with 18 league titles and five European Cup triumphs.

Last month, Al-Riyadh newspaper quoted F6 Chairman Prince Faisal as saying he was willing to pay between 200 million and 350 million pounds ($318 million to $556.5 million) for between 25 and 50 percent of the Anfield Stadium side.

Gillett and fellow American Tom Hicks -- Liverpool's co-owner -- have had a stormy relationship since purchasing the club for 218.9 million pounds in 2007 and neither wants to sell his stake to the other.

The two men were in talks in January to sell the club for 500 million pounds including debt to investors from the region, including Kuwait, but talks broke down over price, one of those involved said.

Life's A Doss For Liverpool's Andrea Dossena

Andrea Dossena is extremely confident that Italian international Alberto Aquilani will make the difficult transition from Serie A to the Premier League.

"He has the quality to adapt because he is very clever. He understands the football here and knows how to make the right decision on the ball quickly," said the Italian international and former Serie A star, who is happy to accept being third-choice full-back at Anfield despite costing £8 million.

Which begs the question: Has a player ever been so open and honest about his own lack of intelligence or quality?

Benitez: Give Me A Break

Rafael Benitez has renewed his attack on the international calendar after his preparations for a crucial week in Liverpool’s season were thrown into chaos.

Talismanic duo Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard are both absent through injury when Benitez’s under-pressure side resume Premier League duties at Sunderland on Saturday.

“Both players were playing with us, and after they went to the international teams they came back injured,” said Benitez (pictured).

The Liverpool manager once more criticised the demands of an international schedule that he believes is weighted too heavily in favour of the national federations.

“I cannot change the situation,” he said. “The federations have the control more than the clubs.

There is a group of clubs – the G20 or the G200, I’m not sure how many – and still the federations have the control.

“I think that should change. I always say the same. But it’s not my job.

“I have spoken in the past about playing internationals on the Wednesday and Saturday, or maybe the Saturday and Tuesday. I try to explain why, but it doesn’t seem to matter.”

And Benitez has further concerns over the fitness of Argentine duo Javier Mascherano and Emiliano Insua following their World Cup exertions in South America during the past week.

While Brazil midfielder Lucas Leiva was back training at Melwood yesterday after appearing for his country, Mascherano and Insua only linked up with the squad in Wearside last night.

It must cast a question mark over their physical readiness for what is expected to be a bruising encounter at the Stadium of Light, where Liverpool can ill afford to lose any more ground having lost three of their first eight league games.

“All the things that can happen after an international break – injuries, playing the next game away and playing it on the Saturday – we knew might happen and now they’ve happened,” said Benitez.

“It’s not the ideal preparation. But you cannot change things. You have to adapt and then maybe try and do your best. Now we have to think about winning every single game. Sunderland will be the first one.”

Both Torres and Gerrard returned from international duty carrying groin problems, and although scans have shown no serious muscle damage, neither has recovered sufficiently to play today.

Benitez is hopeful the pair will be available for Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Lyon and the visit of Manchester United five days later.

“They have more or less the same problem with the adductor of the groin,” said the Spaniard. “It’s not a serious injury but it’s too early for them.”

It is the latest time Torres has returned from international duty with an injury, despite Liverpool liasing closely with the Spanish medical team during the past year, but Benitez chose to keep his counsel on the matter.

“I have my opinion, but I prefer to think about Sunderland because it’s the only thing I can do now,” he said. “We cannot change the situation now.”

There was some positive injury news, however, with scans revealing Sotriois Kyrgiakos is not facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Match Preview: Sunderland vs. LiverpooL

Liverpool have endured a tense start to the 2009-10 Premier League season, losing three of their eight games so far - not to mention their Champions League defeat at the hands of Fiorentina.

The Reds lost just twice in the league last term as they pushed Manchester United right until the final weeks, but their tame 2-0 reverse at Chelsea a fortnight ago has left pundits and punters alike wondering aloud whether the men from Merseyside can match it with their Big Four rivals.

Now, with an international break full of worry and contemplation behind him, Rafael Benitez leads his troops to Sunderland hoping to blast away the critics - but that could be easier said than done, especially given the news surrounding his captain and his star striker.

For so long the quintessential 'yo-yo' club, Steve Bruce's crew look like they may have finally got the hang of this top-flight business. The Black Cats sit eighth in the standings, just two points and as many places behind their visitors this weekend.

Thus, a win for the hosts would see them leapfrog the Reds in the standings - and they won't be short on confidence, as they were desperately unlucky not to claim all three points at Manchester United last time out.

However, the two teams' prior meetings places the advantage firmly with Liverpool, who have won the last six encounters and haven't conceded against the Mackems since 2002.


FORM GUIDE

Sunderland

Oct 3 Manchester United 2-2 Sunderland (Premier League)
Sep 27 Sunderland 5-2 Wolverhampton Wanderers (Premier League)
Sep 22 Sunderland 2-0 Birmingham City (League Cup)
Sep 19 Burnley 3-1 Sunderland (Premier League)
Sep 12 Sunderland 4-1 Hull City (Premier League)

Liverpool

Oct 4 Chelsea 2-0 Liverpool (Premier League)
Sep 29 Fiorentina 2-0 Liverpool (Champions League)
Sep 26 Liverpool 6-1 Hull City (Premier League)
Sep 22 Leeds United 0-1 Liverpool (League Cup)
Sep 19 West Ham United 2-3 Liverpool (Premier League)


TEAM NEWS

Sunderland

The big news for the Black Cats is the acquisition of Boudewjin Zenden on a free transfer. With George McCartney (foot) in doubt, Kieran Richardson suspended and Paolo da Silva returning late from international duty, the Dutchman could line up at left-back against his former club - assuming his move is cleared in time.

There is also concern over the fitness of Kenwyne Jones, whose commitments with Trinidad & Tobago mean he won't land on Wearside until Friday afternoon. Should the striker not feature, Fraizer Campbell will step in.

Possible Starting XI: Gordon, Bardsley, Ferdinand, Turner, McCartney, Malbranque, Cattermole, Cana, Reid, Jones, Bent.

Liverpool

Superstar duo Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres both limped out of the international break with groin injuries. Both have undergone treatment and are in serious danger of missing the trip to Wearside.

Gerrard's absence could prove particularly troublesome, as midfielders Lucas Leiva and Javier Mascherano - along with Emiliano Insua - could be short on fitness upon their return from South America.

The news only gets worse for Benitez, with centre-back Sotiris Kyrgiakos facing at least five weeks out after damaging his knee in Greece's clash with Luxembourg. Daniel Agger, however, is ready to make his long-awaited return in defence, while Dirk Kuyt is reported to have shrugged off the ankle injury sustained in Australia.

Possible Starting XI: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Aurelio, Benayoun, Lucas, Mascherano, Riera, Babel, Kuyt.


PLAYERS TO WATCH

Sunderland - Darren Bent

The former Tottenham Hotspur striker was in blinding form prior to the international break, his strike at Old Trafford taking his season's tally to seven goals. He'll be fresh too, having somehow failed to worm his way into Fabio Capello's England squad.

Liverpool - Yossi Benayoun

With the prospect of both Torres and Gerrard sitting on the sidelines this Saturday, Yossi will become the Reds' go-to guy. The Israeli is one of those players who can make top-flight defenders look like Sunday League hacks, so the Black Cats' back line had better pay attention.

Benitez: Reds Have Depth

Rafael Benitez insists Liverpool possess the quality which means they can cope without Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres.

But privately the Reds boss is fuming that his star men have returned from international duty with injuries.

The Spanish manager has had to revise his plans for the match at Sunderland on Saturday, with the unavailability of Gerrard and Torres coming at a bad time as Liverpool try to re-ignite their season.

Defeat at Chelsea in their last outing was a third of the season in the Barclays Premier League for Liverpool, and Sunderland will be determined to cause more misery for their visitors at the Stadium of Light.

Benitez will not go public with any criticism, but there is little doubt he feels the pressures of international football, with the World Cup finals only eight months away, are telling.

Benitez said: "I cannot change the situation, so I just prefer to concentrate on the players I do have and to prepare for the matches.

"What we do not have is control in such a situation. It does not matter whether teams have qualified or not, they will still insists that their players are released.

"The World Cup is coming, so we must wait and hope they all return. There is still one more international date next month so the same thing will happen again."

Liverpool have discovered with their own scan that Gerrard's groin injury is worse than England realised. Torres has a similar problem.

Benitez hopes the pair will have recovered to face Lyon at home in the Champions League on Tuesday, but clearly that is also in doubt.

The Reds manager said: "Both are not ready yet, but hopefully (they will be available) for the next game against Lyon. The physios are working very hard on them.

"We have quality in the squad and we will have to manage with different players and a different style.

"It is always difficult to keep all of your players fit in international breaks, but there is nothing we can do about the situation, we have to cope with the outcomes.

"I would prefer to see internationals played on a Tuesday to give players the chance to get back for the next Saturday, or if it is a double-header the games should be on Wednesday first with the second game on the Saturday. That gives everyone more chance."

Dirk Kuyt, recovered from an ankle injury he sustained on international duty with Holland in Australia, will probably lead the attack in Torres' absence, with compatriot Ryan Babel and Ukraine striker Andriy Voronin also in line for roles in the side.

Benitez believes Liverpool can handle the problem, saying: "We can win without them [Gerrard and Torres].

"We have good players in the squad who can come in, but we must show spirit and character now to overcome the problem.

"There are players who have been training well and waiting for their opportunity. Well now it has come and they can take their chance."

Less than 24 hours before the Sunderland match, Benitez was still waiting for South American trio Javier Mascherano, Lucas and Emiliano Insua to return from their internationals.

But with Argentina now confirmed as qualifiers for the finals, Benitez hopes that Mascherano's club performances will improve.

He said: "I feel that it will be good for Javier Mascherano now to know the Argentina have qualified. It is always difficult when you struggle and the whole country is watching, but now he can concentrate on Liverpool.

"Javier was under pressure as captain, and with Diego Maradona saying Argentina were Javier and 10 others.

"For the players who have now qualified, it is a weight off their minds."

Benitez also believes under-fire defender Jamie Carragher will also prove his critics wrong after a worrying start to the season.

Benitez said: "Jamie Carragher is fit; it is not a question of his physical condition, people talk about his age or his 'legs' but it is not a question of that.

"It is a question of confidence. When you make a mistake and the team is not doing well in defence then the centre-backs and the 'keeper suffer more than the others.

"I am sure that now with more competition in this position, with Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel too, it will be better for the team.

"He has character and thrives on pressure, so the only way to change things is to be on the pitch and prove that you are the right man for the job."

Liverpool Without Steven Gerrard And Fernando Torres At Sunderland

Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres have both been ruled out of Liverpool's trip to Sunderland on Saturday because of injuries picked up on international duty.

Gerrard, Liverpool's captain, suffered a groin injury in England's World Cup defeat to Ukraine last weekend and limped out of training two days later, subsequently missing the home win against Belarus.

Torres also suffered a groin injury, with Spain, and was an unused substitute for their final group match on Wednesday.

Both players have been unable to train with the Anfield club since returning from international duty, and neither will be involved at the Stadium of Light.

Liverpool's manager, Rafael Benítez, now faces the prospect of having to field those players who were involved in international matches in South America, something he has been loath to do in the past.

Javier Mascherano, Lucas Leiva and Emiliano Insua played in Argentina and Brazil's World Cup qualifying matches, and with Benítez short of midfield options, the three players are now expected to travel to Sunderland for Saturday’s 3pm kick-off at the Stadium of Light.

Benítez was more enthusiastic about Dirk Kuyt's chances of starting. Kuyt had picked up a knock in action for Holland. "He was training normally with the team and will be available," he said.

Dirk Kuyt Fit To Play In Liverpool FC's Clash At Sunderland

Dirk Kuyt has given Liverpool’s preparations for Saturday’s trip to Sunderland a much-needed lift by declaring himself fit for duty.

The Holland international picked up an ankle injury during his country’s trip to Australia last weekend and exacerbated the problem during the 0-0 draw in Sydney.

However, Kuyt has responded to treatment since returning to Melwood on Tuesday and he should keep his place in the starting line-up at the Stadium of Light.

That will come as a relief to boss Rafa Benitez, who has concerns over the fitness of Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres and who yesterday lost Sotirios Kyrgiakos for between four and six months.

Neither Gerrard – who had a scan on an adductor problem on Wednesday – or Torres trained at Melwood yesterday after returning from international duty but both will be given every chance to prove their wellbeing.

Similar sentiments apply to Argentine pair Javier Mascherano and Emiliano Insua, as well as Brazilian midfielder Lucas, who were not expected back at Melwood from South America until Friday afternoon.

The news, though, is not looking good for Kyrgiakos, who suffered a suspected rupture of his anterior cruciate ligament during Greece’s 2-1 win over Luxembourg in Athens on Wednesday night.

Kyrgiakos was examined by Liverpool’s medical staff at Melwood last night after arriving back from Greece but if scans realise the worst fears of both player and club, he could be out until March at the earliest.

That will leave Benitez short of experienced cover at the back but Andreas Dossena is determined to give his manager something to think about by forcing his way back into the fray.

The Italian defender has struggled to show his true form since arriving on Merseyside and was linked with a move away during the summer but he is adamant that he wants to stay and fight for his place.

“I want to play, but what is important for me is to work hard every day and be ready for when the boss calls on me,” he said. “It’s difficult, but I am a professional. I am a football player and sometimes you have to sit on the bench. That is part of my job.

“I want to work hard and keep a good mentality, which is important for all players, even those that play every game. You have to work hard and be ready.

“I have never said that I want to leave. I want to play, like every single other player, but I like it here and I like playing for Liverpool Football Club. The life here is perfect for me, the football is fantastic and I want to win something with Liverpool.”

Fabio Aurelio Recalls Famous Game That Changed The Fortunes Of Rafael Benitez And Valencia FC

There is a glint in Fabio Aurelio’s eye as he recalls the game that could have finished a reign but ended up sparking a dream.

While Istanbul and Cardiff are the places that Liverpudlians will forever associate with stirring comebacks masterminded by Rafa Benitez, Aurelio’s own memory of winning against the odds came in a small corner of Barcelona.

Back in December 2001, Aurelio – then of Valencia – remembers Benitez being under intense pressure, as Los Che had slipped off the pace in the race for La Liga after a stuttering start to the campaign.

Legend has it that Benitez would have been sacked had his team lost a crucial game against Espanyol and when his side trailed by two goals at half-time, it was claimed that Valencia’s press officer was called to start drafting the manager’s departure statement.

Then, though, the situation was turned on its head; a double blast from Francisco Rufete and another from Adrian Ilie, completed a turnaround to give Valencia an irresistible impetus that ultimately propelled them to their first La Liga title in 31 years.

Fast forward to the present day and Aurelio again finds himself in another side that is finding it difficult to match strides with the early pacesetters but he sees no reason why history cannot repeat itself – particularly if Liverpool win at Sunderland tomorrow.

“Before we played Espanyol that night, everyone said Rafa’s job was in danger if we lost,” Aurelio, twice at title winner at the Mestalla, recalled. “We were losing 2-0 at half-time but, by the final whistle, we had turned it around and won 3-2. After that, we put a good run together.

“With six games to go, we were six points behind Real Madrid but by the end we had gone six ahead of them. It’s the same all the time; if you want to get close to the top, you need a game to start it all off.

“In a different way, this could be the month that changes things for us. We are playing Sunderland now and we have to win to keep going in the Premier League, then there are Champions League and Carling Cup games too that must be won, too.

“But all you need is that one win to give you the confidence to go forward for the rest of the season. You just need to get it from somewhere, just like the night Valencia did that in Espanyol. Maybe Sunderland can be the one that does it for us.”

If Liverpool have been unable to build up a head of steam during the opening exchanges, the same is true for Aurelio, given he was ruled out for the first month due to the freak knee injury sustained during a family holiday in his homeland.

He has, though, played in five of the Reds’ last six matches and with Benitez sure to exercise caution with some of those players who have been away on international duty for much of the past fortnight, Aurelio is likely to figure tomorrow.

It should come as no surprise to learn, then, that he is relishing to the trip to the North East; having suffered wretched luck with injuries during his time at Anfield, all Aurelio wants now is the chance to start a sustained number of games.

“I feel ready to play,” said Aurelio, who is eager to impress so he can win a new contract.

“The only thing I need now is more matches. I haven’t played as many 90 minutes as the other players; the more you play, the more fit you feel and this is what I need now. I was carrying a problem from the end of last season. I was carrying on but getting treatment to get through. I then went on holiday and just playing with my brother-in-law and the kids when I felt something strange in the same knee.

“So I contacted the doctors here and after tests they realised that a piece of cartilage had come away, so I had to have arthroscopy to take the piece out that was blocking the joint. Now I feel OK. I haven’t missed too many games and I just want to get going again.”

Sentiments which apply to the squad in general; Melwood was deserted in the aftermath of the 2-0 defeat to Chelsea and that was a major frustration for those who had played at Stamford Bridge.

Today, however, normal service was resumed as the remaining international players returned to base and Aurelio is hoping that the squad can get a season-shaping fortnight off to the best possible start on the banks of the Wear.

“It’s always better when you have a full squad, so you can work hard to improve things,” said Aurelio.

“So it’s very different when there are only three or four of you; it hasn’t helped because we know we are facing a very important few weeks.

“When we face the big teams like Chelsea, Manchester United or Arsenal, it comes down to the small details. If you get them right, it changes the result at the end and we know we have to pay more attention to that if we want to improve.

“We are six points behind Chelsea and Sunderland is a difficult game to have after the break; then we have got United at home, so we know we will either be close (to the top) or much further away. We have to look at every step and focus on it. It‘s important that we win something this year. The team has been working really well and this could be the season that we step forward and get something to show for it. We didn’t start off well but we know we have got the time to improve.”