Match Preview: Debrecen vs. Liverpool

Liverpool travel to Budapest knowing that a victory over the Hungarian champions Debrecen may not be enough to secure their progression from Group E to the Champions League knock-out stages, and will no doubt be listening intensely to any news from the match between Fiorentina and Lyon.

Rafa Benitez’s side only managed an unconvincing 1-0 victory against Debrecen at Anfield, in a match in which the Hungarian champions showed glimpses of a potential threat.

As is common-knowledge amongst followers of Champions League, it is these away ties against the lesser-known European sides which can catch the elite sides off-guard, not to mention a team that has only mustered one victory in their last ten matches.


FORM GUIDE

Liverpool

Liverpool 2-2 Manchester City
Liverpool 2-2 Birmingham City
Lyon 1-1 Liverpool (Champions League)
Fulham 3-1 Liverpool
Arsenal 2-1 Liverpool (League Cup)

Debrecen - Champions League results

Fiorentina 5-2 Debrecen
Debrecen 3-4 Fiorentina
Debrecen 0-4 Lyon
Liverpool 1-0 Debrecen
Debrecen 2-0 Levski Sofia (Qualifier)


TEAM NEWS

Debrecen

Manager András Herczeg will be hoping his Debrecen side can impress during their final home match of this season’s Champions League campaign, and in light of Liverpool’s current form, may even be contemplating victory.

Starting XI from last league Champions League match: Pantics, Komlosi, Szelesi, Leandro, Bodnar, Laczko, Ramos, Varga, Fodor, Czvitkovics, Rudolf.

Liverpool

Disastrous form aside, the other my ingredient to Liverpool’s tepid start to the season has been the severity of their injury list.

With Ryan Babel having joined Fernando Torres and Albert Riera on Liverpool's injury list, Rafa Benitez faces some big decisions in terms of selection – albeit with limited options.

The Spanish boss will also be without defenders Glen Johnson (Calf Strain) and Daniel Agger (Concussion) for Tuesday match.

Fortunately, and perhaps decisively for Liverpool, is that captain fantastic Steven Gerrard is fit to play in Budapest, and he excels when the chips are down.

Starting XI from last match: Reina, Carragher, Skrtel, Agger, Insua, Mascerano, Lucas, Kuyt, Gerrard, Babel, Ngog.


PLAYERS TO WATCH

Debrecen – Peter Czvitkovics

The Hungarian midfielder was one of Debrecen’s more impressive players during the contest at Anfield in September, and Liverpool will need to be aware of his set piece deliveries and ambitious shooting.

Donning the number 77 shirt, Czvitkovics is not short on confidence, and with the Debrecen support behind him, the Hungarian international could be prove to be a damaging threat to Benitez’s side.

Liverpool – Steven Gerrard

Whenever the phoenix rises from the ashes for Liverpool, it generally resembles their invaluable captain. Steven Gerrard may not be 100% fit for this Champions League fixture, but rest assured that whilst he is on the pitch he’ll run his heart out for his side.

A more than capable match winner, a more than experience head, don’t be surprised if once again it is Gerrard that comes to Liverpool’s rescue.

Red Letter Day

Liverpool Football Club should not be in a position of hoping for a favour from Lyon or a bad day at the office from Fiorentina to keep them alive in the Champions League.

But that is exactly where Rafa Benitez and his team find themselves ahead of their game in Hungary - a home win for the Italians in Florence will put Liverpool out regardless of their result at Debrecen.

Even in their current state, you would hope Liverpool have enough to keep their part of the bargain on Tuesday night - though there are no guarantees just now.

Fernando Torres will be missing again, but the real concerns for Benitez are at the other end of the pitch, where he has been unable to field a settled defence all season.

Liverpool have been all over the place at the back, and while injuries are a mitigating circumstance they simply have to apply the work they are doing in training properly when it comes to matches.

You can argue about zonal marking being a good or bad idea, but if that is your preferred system you just have to work harder and harder to make sure it is successful. And it did not work at the weekend when Emmanuel Adebayor was left unmarked to score for Manchester City.

As long as goals like that keep going in there will always be a doubt in your mind about Liverpool's ability to see out games - look what happened in Lyon last time, when the home side were battered all game but still managed to kick Liverpool where it hurts right at the end.

Just as important to Liverpool tomorrow is Lyon's progress at Fiorentina. Their players are professionals, and let's hope they go about it in the right manner even though their team is already through.

You would hope that the integrity of the game will shine through, especially after the debacle we saw with the French national side's World Cup qualifier.

THOMMO'S CALL: Liverpool have a legendary reputation for doing things the hard way in this competition, and I still think qualification could happen. I'm going for a Reds win in Hungary and a draw for Lyon at Fiorentina, which would leave Liverpool needing to beat the Italians by three goals in their final game. What a great night at Anfield that would be!

Liverpool's Injury Worries Continue As Ryan Babel Ruled Out

Ryan Babel has been ruled out of Liverpool's Champions League Group E match with Debrecen in Hungary tomorrow. The Dutch striker has failed to recover after twisting his ankle in Saturday's draw with Manchester City. Striker Fernando Torres will also play no part following his groin problem but may be fit to face Everton on Sunday.

Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher, who were struggling with injuries at the end of the 2-2 draw with City, are in Liverpool's 18-man squad that travelled to Budapest today.

Glen Johnson, who missed the City game with a calf problem, was also in the party, while Albert Riera's hamstring injury meant he was left behind for further treatment. Daniel Agger has recovered from the head injury he sustained on Saturday.

Fiorentina's Poor Record Against Lyon Offers Hope To Liverpool

Liverpool's Champions League fate may be out of their hands but that is not to say it has already been decided. Fiorentina would need to beat Lyon at Stadio Artemio Franchi tomorrow night to be sure of reaching the knock-out stage at the Premier League side's expense and, if recent history is anything to go by, that is certainly not a foregone conclusion.

After being drawn in the same group last year, Fiorentina and Lyon have faced each other three times in this competition over the past 15 months, and so far the Italians' record reads: drawn one, lost two. When the two sides met in Florence in the fifth game of the group stage last season Fiorentina knew they needed a win to have any hopes of reaching the knock-out stages. They lost 2-1.

That was with something approaching a full-strength side, a luxury that the Fiorentina manager, Cesare Prandelli, has already acknowledged he will not have at his disposal tomorrow night. The former Chelsea striker Adrian Mutu, who tore the meniscus in his knee earlier this month, was ruled out of this game by his manager on Sunday, as was his most likely replacement, Stevan Jovetic – the scorer of both Fiorentina's goals against Liverpool in September – though the latter has since trained and still hopes to be involved. The centre-back Alessandro Gamberini is also out injured.

"We are better than last season, this squad has matured a great deal," said the Fiorentina captain, Dario Dainelli, when reminded of last year's defeat to Lyon. But in the league, at least, there has been scant evidence of improvement.

After a 3-2 defeat to newly-promoted Parma on Saturday, Fiorentina sit sixth, two points worse off than they were at the corresponding point last term. Many fans are frustrated at the club's failure to reinvest more than a fraction of the €20.5m they received when selling Felipe Melo to Juventus in the summer. A defence that had already given up five goals in two Champions League games against Debrecen was opened up far too easily by Parma, and Prandelli will be all too aware that Lyon have scored at least once in every Champions League game they have played since the 2007-08 season. That puts a lot of pressure on Gilardino – sent off in the first leg for what was ruled to be an elbow on Jérémy Toulalan – who is likely to play alone up front in the absence of Mutu and Jovetic.

Lyon, however, have injuries of their own to contend with, and are likely to be without midfielders Maxime Gonalons and Toulalan, full-backs Anthony Réveillère and François Clerc and centre-back Mathieu Bodmer. Although they sit third in Ligue 1, Claude Puel's side are also coming off a disappointing result, having conceded a late equaliser to draw 1-1 with a last-placed Grenoble team who had previously claimed one point from 12 games.

The French side has already qualified but their captain Cris insisted that did not mean they would take their foot off the pedal tomorrow. "The objective was to qualify, now we have the chance to get first place," said Cris. "It will be hard because Fiorentina want to book their place. We're expecting a very physical match."

Liverpool Captain Steven Gerrard Raring To Go Against Debrecen

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard cannot wait to have a go against Debrecen and salvage a season that has gone awry for his club.

The Reds have registered only one victory in their last ten outings in all competitions and are on the brink of bowing out of the Champions League, ahead of Tuesday's trip to Hungary.

"The mood in the camp is really good, although we know our position in the table isn't good enough," Gerrard is quoted by the Press Association as saying.

"But we have faith in our ability. We know we can put things right.

"It's been a frustrating few weeks because as soon as I was fit we had the international break. I've been desperate to play and can't wait to really get going properly again."

Only a win for Liverpool and a loss for Fiorentina against Olympique Lyonnais will ensure that the Merseysiders have their fate in their own hands.

Liverpool Can Make The Champions League Knock-Out Stage - Martin Skrtel

Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel believes that the Reds can make it through to the knock-out phase in the Champions League.

The Merseyside club do not have their fate in their own hands at the moment, as a win against Debrecen will have to be followed by a victory for Olympique Lyonnais away at Fiorentina to ensure that Rafael Benitez's charges remain in the running to reach the last 16.

Should the aforementioned outcomes come to pass, the Anfield outfit would still need to beat the Viola in the final game of the group stage in order to progress.

"We now have a big game coming up on Tuesday, and we have to forget about the [Manchester] City result [2-2 draw] and start thinking about Debrecen because it is a game we have to win," said Skrtel, according to the Press Association.

"I am looking forward to it and I will give my all to try and help us get a good result. We believe we can get to the last 16."

The Slovakia international scored his first goal in a red jersey in Saturday's stalemate at Anfield.

"I was very happy to score my first goal for Liverpool at the weekend," he said.

"I have been waiting a long time for it, so it was a good moment for me.

"I am in my third season here and hadn't managed to score until Saturday, but I hope this is the first of many.

"But we were frustrated to have drawn again and we are not happy because of that. But there is nothing we can do about the result now and we have to look forward to the next game and try to win."

Burnley And Liverpool Fans Outperforming Teams In Premier League

English soccer clubs Burnley and Liverpool may be some distance from the top of the Premier League table, but the two clubs' fans top the 'Behaviour of the Public' Fair Play League, putting them in line for a lucrative windfall.

£20,000 will be paid to the official supporters' club of the team that tops the table at the end of the season. A maximum of ten points per match are awarded for fan behaviour by match delegates.

Burnley and Liverpool fans have seen mixed fortunes on the pitch for their teams. Just three points separates seventh-place Liverpool from Burnley, in tenth, but the latter are likely to be far more satisfied in a season in which Burnley were expected to battle relegation and Liverpool to challenge for the title.

Back in the Behaviour of the Public table, Sunderland are the closest club behind second-place Liverpool, while Bolton Wanderers sit bottom of the table.

Benitez Hails Progress Liverpool Have Made Under His Guidance

Rafa Benitez, the coach of English soccer club Liverpool, has hailed the progress the club has made both on and off the pitch during the last five years.

Benitez and the club's owners, American businessmen Tom Hicks and George Gillett, have all faced criticism at various times for the club's failure to challenge effectively for the Premier League title. The current season has thrown up its own challenges; Benitez was speaking before the weekend's draw with Manchester City, which left the club seventh in the table after just one win in six Premier League games.

However, Benitez, who won the Champions League with the club in 2005 and reached the final again in 2007, insists the club is progressing. "There is a massive difference between five years ago and now," he told The Times newspaper. "The name of the club round the world is at the same level as it was in the 1980s. It's a fantastic achievement. Everybody talks about Liverpool in a good way. And we will get better."

The club's good reputation is showing on the balance sheet, with a record shirt sponsorship with Standard Chartered agreed this summer, and followed by a string of other lucrative commercial deals.

Benitez also dismissed fears for the current season, saying: "People are worried. But the team will improve. When we have key players on the pitch we are as good as anyone. We have proved this in the past."

Rafael Benitez 'Manipulates' Liverpool Fans To Hide The Fact His Team Are Going Nowhere, Blasts Anfield Legend Jamie Redknapp

Former Liverpool star Jamie Redknapp has questioned Rafael Benitez's management and claims that he manipulates the club's fans.

On the eve of Liverpool's crunch Champions League showdown in Hungary against Debrecen - where they could fail to reach the last 16 for the first time under Benitez - Redknapp offered a wide-ranging criticism of the Anfield boss.

Redknapp believes Benitez should abandon the controversial zonal marking system and questioned whether Fernando Torres will want to stay if Liverpool are only in the Europa League next season.

Redknapp, who played more than 300 games for the club between 1991 and 2002, said:

'They have won one in 10 now and fans will be thinking. They are firmly behind him, though, he manipulates the fans, he gets them how he wants them.

'But there comes a time, if they go out of Europe this week and then lose at Everton, that the fans are swayed and will say that we have to look at him now.

'That team is not really going anywhere. The problem you will get is that will Fernando Torres want to play in the Europa League? I don't think so.

'If they don't get into the top four at the end of this season, it will be a major problem.

'You have huge problems going on behind the scenes with the owners, but it is too easy to blame that. On the pitch the players are not playing well enough, that's a fact.'

On Liverpool's defensive problems, Redknapp was equally damning.

He added: 'A few years ago zonal marking was the best format because they were one of the best defenders from set pieces.

'But the reason for that was that they had Peter Crouch and Sami Hyypia, two guys who are 6ft 5in plus.

'It doesn't matter how you defend when the ball comes in, zonal or man to man, they will clear it.

'Now you have a situation where people are not taking responsibility.

'You might have to turn round and say that zonal isn't working, let's go man for man.

'At the moment he is giving players excuses, teams look at it and think they will score against Liverpool.'

Debrecen Can Deal Liverpool A Knockout Blow

French fair play could help keep Liverpool's Champions League hopes alive when they take on Debrecen in Hungary Tuesday.

Five times champions Liverpool must win to have any hope of reaching the last 16 but they also need France's Olympique Lyon, who are already through, not to lose against Fiorentina in Italy.

Lyon have 10 points from four matches in Group E, Fiorentina are on nine and Liverpool four.

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez suggested last week's World Cup qualifying furore, with France beating Ireland after Thierry Henry handled the ball before the crucial goal, could help his side's position.

"I don't know if the Henry incident will affect Lyon, but it could be good for us," British Sunday newspapers quoted the Spaniard as saying.

"If they want to show everyone in the world they are good professionals and want to win every game, it would be good," he added.

"It could be something that works out positively for Liverpool. Their coach said they would try to win. He is a professional. I know Lyon have a good group of professionals and a good manager."

Unless Liverpool overcome Debrecen, a side that have yet to score a point in Group E while conceding more goals (14) than anyone else in the competition, the Premier League side can forget about going any further.

Lyon and Fiorentina both put four goals past them in their away matches but Liverpool have won just once in their last 10 games and managed only a 1-0 victory over the Hungarians at Anfield.

Sunday's 2-2 domestic draw at home to Manchester City only added to Benitez's headache with Danish defender Daniel Agger needing five stitches for a head wound while Ryan Babel limped off with an ankle injury.

Liverpool, who can ill afford to miss out on the lucrative final stages, are already without key striker Fernando Torres but are confident England full-back Glen Johnson will have recovered from a calf injury by Tuesday.

Israeli Yossi Benayoun, who came back from a hamstring injury to score the equaliser Sunday, should also be fit while Benitez refused to rule out Babel and Agger.

Debrecen manager Andras Herczeg will be without key player Leandro, who is suffering from a partially torn knee ligament and could be out for a month or two. Either Zsolt Laczko or Marcell Fodor is likely to take the left back's position.

Norbert Meszaros had recovered from a groin injury but forward Robert Feczesin is still injured. Montenegro keeper Vukasin Poleksic was rested for Friday's 2-1 away win at Honved but should start.

Fernando Torres Absent From Budapest

Liverpool will try to keep their Champions League hopes alive without Fernando Torres.

The Spanish striker will again be absent when Liverpool head to Budapest today for the must win tie with Debrecen.

Torres is to continue his rehabilitation from a hernia problem on Merseyside and misses the game Liverpool have to win to have any chance to stay in the competition.

Kop boss Rafa Benitez also needs Fiorentina to be denied a home victory by Lyon, who has already qualified from Group E.

“We thought it would be two or three weeks for Fernando and he’s only about 12 or 13 days into that, so there is no point in him going,” said Benitez.

Skrtel Pleased To Score First Ever Liverpool Goal

Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel was happy to break his scoring duck in Saturday's 2-2 draw with Manchester City.

It was Skrtel's first for Liverpool in 65 appearances, but the final outcome of the contest ensured it was a bittersweet afternoon for the Slovakian.

He told Liverpoolfc.tv: "I was very happy to score my first goal for Liverpool. I have been waiting a long time for it, so it was a good moment for me.

"I am in my third season here and hadn't managed to score until today, but I hope this is the first of many more.

"But we are frustrated to have drawn again because we wanted to win. We couldn't in the end, and we are not happy because of this.

"There is nothing we can do about the result now and we have to look forward to the next game and try to win."

Liverpool Eye January Loan Move For Ruud Van Nistelrooy

The Dutchman has spoken recently of his desire to leave the Bernabeu, unless he can force his way back into the first team, as he wants to play his way back into the Dutch squad for next summer’s World Cup.

Yet with Real now possessing a glittering array of attacking talents, that looks unlikely meaning he could be set for a move in January, with Liverpool reportedly interested in signing the 33-year-old.

The tabloid claims manager Rafael Benitez is keen to add an extra striker to the ranks, and could take the Dutchman on loan until the end of the season.

The report adds that whilst both Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City are also interested in the Real man, he would prefer a move to Anfield, despite his strong connections with Manchester United.

The Dutch ace enjoyed phenomenal success in his five years Old Trafford, winning a Premier League and FA Cup and bagging 150 goals in 219 for the Red Devils.

Napoli Refuse To Rule Out Andrea Dossena Interest

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has refused to rule out a move for out of favour Liverpool defender Andrea Dossena.

The Italian has in the past been heavily linked with a move to the Partenopei, and the club has now indicated they are looking into the possibility of bringing the player back to the peninsula.

"I will not exclude a move for Dossena," De Laurentiis told the assembled press.

"We have also looked at [Cristian] Molinaro and [Antonio] Candreva, but I have to speak with [manager Walter] Mazzarri about it."

The top boss also shed some light on the talking point in football in recent times, as he called for video technology to be introduced into the sport so as to ensure that the 'Hand of Henry' incident is not repeated.

"I think we need replays on the pitch for these things," he concluded.

Rafa Benitez Still Believes In Zonal Marking

Rafael Benitez maintains his players still believe in zonal marking despite Liverpool’s continued failure to defend set-pieces costing them the chance of a morale-boosting victory at the weekend.

The Anfield outfit required a goal from substitute Yossi Benayoun to salvage a 2-2 home draw with fellow top-four aspirants Manchester City on Saturday.

After Martin Skrtel prodded Liverpool into the lead shortly after the interval, poor defending allowed Emmanuel Adebayor and then Stephen Ireland to put the visitors ahead.

Adebayor’s goal was a free header from a Craig Bellamy corner, the 12th goal Benitez’s side have conceded from a dead-ball situation this season.

It has led to criticism of Liverpool’s continued use of zonal marking, but while admitting there must be an improvement the Anfield manager has no plans to change his approach.

“When you’re using a zonal marking system you have to attack the ball and if there’s a player near you, you have to challenge,” said Benitez.

“We watched some set-pieces beforehand, and Richard Dunne scored against them when they were using man-to-man. In England, 35% of the goals come from set-pieces.

“But it is clear you have to attack the space or the player, it doesn’t mean you have to stand like a post.

“I think the majority of players believe in it, maybe you can find one or two who don’t. But we were one of the best – THE best – before.

“This year has been bad but it is still early in the season. We will see how things are at the end.

“We were improving at set-pieces, but it’s something we have to keep looking at.”

Liverpool have now won just one of their last 10 games and conceded 27 goals in 19 games in all competitions this season, and stand five points off the Champions League qualification places.

Their defence, disrupted by a calf injury to Glen Johnson before kick-off, was further affected by Daniel Agger being forced off after 11 minutes following a sickening clash of heads with Kolo Toure.

“We have had too many problems with defenders from the first game of the season,” said Benitez. “Like on Saturday, in the morning we thought ‘this is the team’, but then Glen Johnson couldn’t play.

“The understanding between the defenders is vital but it is a question of time.

“We had a shocking day with injuries. Glen was not happy with his calf and he had been limping a bit in training. Then we lose Agger.”

Placenta Doctor Mariana Kovacevic Wanted Over Possible Tax Evasion

Serb authorities investigating the mysterious housewife who uses placenta to treat Barclays Premier League players want to question her about possible tax evasion.

Mariana Kovacevic, whom they believe has at least three aliases and as many as four different addresses around Belgrade, is thought to charge 3,000 euros for sessions treating the likes of Robin van Persie and Frank Lampard.

That is six times the average monthly take-home pay in the Serb capital. She is not officially registered as a practising physiotherapist and the only Mariana Kovacevic in health authority records is listed at a pharmacy in Sarajevska Street.

When Sportsmail attempted to trace her at the pharmacy, we were told: ‘Ah, the woman that everybody in the city is looking for? No, I don’t know her. She doesn’t work here.’

In a case which is developing the sinister trappings of an underworld operation, Kovacevic has disappeared without trace. The players she is currently treating are also being kept hidden from view by a bewildering combination of subterfuge, private jets, fast cars and eagle-eyed surveillance.

Chelsea have admitted privately that Lampard flew to Belgrade on Friday for treatment on his damaged left thigh, yet he was not even seen at the airport, being funneled through the VIP arrivals terminal.

The authorities believe Kovacevic regularly changes her appearance, notably her style of dressing and her hair colour in a constant effort to avoid detection.

Now that the authorities have been alerted to her existence and her dubious medical practices - notably by van Persie, who unwittingly alerted the world at large last week - and the lack of unpaid tax, the fortysomething mother of three who is now thought to have spent time working for the Azerbaijan national side will be constantly sought by Serb Police.

Kovacevic has not been seen at her New Belgrade clinic since Wednesday when Van Persie, Glen Johnson and Fabio Aurelio arrived for treatment which is now understood to involve the use of electrical impulses and small metal sticks covered in placenta jelly penetrating the skin and then being fed back through it.

Seven days ago, Serb sportsmen happily spoke about their visits to see Kovacevic and the miracle cures she had performed on their injuries. Now it is almost impossible to find one who will even admit to visiting her.

Partizan Belgrade’s Portugal midfielder Almami Da Silva Moreira denied seeing her, in spite of being identified by the owner of the cafe bar directly opposite as having entered Kovacevic’s clinic earlier this season.

Speaking after Saturday’s 2-1 league win over Smederevo, Moreira said: ‘I haven’t been to see her and I hope I don’t need to see her in the future, but I would go. You must believe in life. If people believe in her it’s a good thing. She can help them.

‘Maybe the players who have seen her can’t explain to their club doctors what she is doing there. Maybe she is doing magic things with a magic potion. If she was stopped doing what she does by the authorities, it would be a pity for football players. It would be a shame for everybody because Belgrade is the centre of the Premiership just now.’

Match Report: LIverpooL 2 - 2 Manchester City

Liverpool proved they are not ready to be replaced in the top flight elite by Manchester City just yet as Yossi Benayoun's equaliser secured a draw at Anfield.

The mega-rich men from Eastlands arrived on Merseyside intent on proving they were top four material but they found a Liverpool side in defiant mood despite more injury problems.

Martin Skrtel put Liverpool in front but Emmanuel Adebayor and Stephen Ireland sent City ahead before Benayoun equalised.

Despite the furore over Liverpool's use of a Belgrade clinic to get players fit for a key week of vital matches in Europe and the Premier League, all four of the men sent to Serbia for treatment failed to make the starting line-up.

Glen Johnson was not even on the bench, where Benayoun, Albert Riera and Fabio Aurelio were initially named.

Liverpool had Steven Gerrard, Ryan Babel and Jamie Carragher, the latter after a ban, returning from the side that drew with Birmingham last time out.

Manchester City made one change from the side that were held at home by Burnley last time out, Nigel De Jong coming into the side in place of Carlos Tevez, who was a substitute.

Liverpool started well, Gerrard attacking the right flank of City's defence when the opportunity arose.

The first chance came after five minutes from a free-kick following a Gareth Barry foul on Dirk Kuyt.

Gerrard swung the set-piece in from the right, Daniel Agger flicked on and centre-back partner Skrtel saw a free header from the left brilliantly saved by Shay Givens.

Agger, though, was injured in the incident after clashing heads with Kolo Toure. The young Dane's legs buckled under him as he was receiving treatment and he was carried off suffering from concussion.

Greek defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos was soon on as substitute, a reshuffle Liverpool did not need against the pace of Emmanuel Adebayor, with Craig Bellamy itching to run at Carragher on the left.

Soon Liverpool suffered more injury trouble. Babel was hurt in a collision with De Jong, and needed treatment on the line.

Babel lasted only a couple of minutes more after his limping return and was replaced by Benayoun.

City was intent on containment and eventual control. De Jong effectively regained midfield possession to set in motion City's calm, thoughtful approach play.

Toure, suffering following an earlier tackle with Gerrard, was replaced at the break by Nedum Onuoha.

And Liverpool produced the lift the game needed with a goal after 49 minutes.

Pablo Zabaleta had given away a needless free-kick for holding Ngog on the left, and when Gerrard swung the set-play into the box, Skrtel was there first in front of Adebayor to stab home from six yards.

City needed to up their game now, and with the fire-power of Tevez and Roque Santa Cruz on the bench, they certainly had the ammunition.

And they waited until the hour mark to withdraw Barry and send on Tevez, who instantly drew a booking for Lucas following a tangle on the half-way line.

City cranked up the pressure as Liverpool fell deeper, and they were level after 69 minutes. Bellamy's corner swirled into the box and it was Adebayor's turn to lose Skrtel this time, heading the ball down into the turf from where it bounced high into the top corner.

City struck again after 76 minutes when Tevez and Wright-Phillips worked well to create a chance for Stephen Ireland to flick the ball past Reina.

Liverpool's response came within 60 seconds. Ngog crossed from the right, the ball deflecting to Benayoun who forced it home from a couple of yards out.

Rafa Happy With Character

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez praised his side's character after they fought back for a 2-2 draw with Manchester City.

Yossi Benayoun's goal earned Liverpool a draw after goals from Emmanuel Adebayor and Stephen Ireland cancelled out Martin Skrtel's opener for the home side.

The draw means Liverpool have only won once in their last ten games in all competitions, but Benitez was happy with the attitude of his players.

"We're a little bit disappointed, we had chances at the end. But with the problems we had, making two substitutions in the first 18 minutes, to still come back we showed very good character. Until the last minute we were still pushing," Benitez told Sky Sports 1.

"The players worked so hard. You could see that even with a lot of problems we were winning and even though we conceded the first goal then the second, you could still see the character of the team.

"In the circumstances I thought we were very good."

Benitez saw his injury problems increase after Daniel Agger and Ryan Babel were forced off with knocks in the opening 20 minutes.

Agger sustained a deep cut after a clash of heads, while Dutchman Babel limped off with an ankle injury.

Benitez is unsure if the duo will be fit for Liverpool's vital UEFA Champions League clash with Debrecen this week, but is hopeful Albert Riera, who was an unused substitute against City and Glen Johnson will be available for the trip to Hungary.

"Agger has five stitches and Babel has a problem with his ankle, but it's too early to say and we have to wait," noted Benitez.

"I think it was important for Yossi Benayoun to come through today. On the bench was Albert Riera and hopefully (Glen) Johnson (will return). Maybe we'll have some more coming back."

Despite dropping more points Benitez is confident his side can end their slump in form once all their players are back to full fitness.

"With some players available and fit we are much better," said Benitez. "We are still bringing players back from injury. Gerrard was tired, (David) Ngog was tired and we had to make two substitutes early on."

Benitez Sure Of Top-Four Finish

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez insisted his side will finish in the Champions League places following their 2-2 home draw with Manchester City.

The Reds have lost five and drawn two of their opening 13 Premier League matches and are now 13 points adrift of Premier League leaders Chelsea.

But a defiant Benitez said: "When we have all our players coming back I am confident we will start winning games.

"If we can improve and play at our level, we will finish in the top four."

Despite the draw against fellow Champions League-hopefuls City, Liverpool are still within two points of fourth-placed Aston Villa.

Injuries to Daniel Agger and Ryan Babbel during the game added to their ever-growing injury worries and Glen Johnson was ruled out before the game.

But Benitez, who is also without key striker Fernando Torres, expects a noticeable upturn in their fortunes when some of the sidelined stars return.

"We had a shocking day with injuries," said Liverpool's Spanish manager, whose side have managed just one win in 10 matches in all competitions.

"Glen was not happy with his calf and he had been limping a bit in training.

"Then we lose Agger and Babel. We had one problem after another. We had to use players who have not been training with the squad, but we still managed to score first.

"We felt we could hang on, then they scored twice and we had to show great character to hit back at them to get the equaliser.

"We then had a couple of great chances at the end and could have won the game.

"You cannot be happy with a home draw, but to lose three players is very difficult.

"And of course we had three players on the bench who have been for treatment in Belgrade and had not been training with the team.

"It is not easy to manage, but the reaction of the players was fantastic. You cannot ask for more from players in such a position."

Why Rafa Benitez Needs To Release The Handbrake - And Throw In Aquilani - To Save Liverpool's Season

Rafa Benitez needs to drop the handbrake and throw in Alberto Aquilani to put Liverpool’s season into top gear.

This is a crossroads fixture for both teams and already seen as crucial for Liverpool and Manchester City.

But City have missed the chance to put daylight between themselves and Liverpool in recent weeks.

City have got stuck in a rut with draws while Liverpool have stuttered badly but are still in touch with the top four.

Liverpool are unquestionably a different team with Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres fit and starting.

But the player that Benitez really starts to need pushing forward is Aquilani, all £20m worth of him.

Aquilani is an attack-minded player and maybe that is why Benitez has been very cautious about bringing him in and starting with him even after his lengthy injury lay-off.

But if you’re going to pay big money then surely sooner or later you have to try to reap the rewards.

Benitez was a bit more expansive with the style of football last season and yet this season, with bad results and low confidence, there has been a temptation not to take risks.

Liverpool desperately need a run of results and to start kicking on and there’s only one way to do that - really go for it in games.

The David Ngog dive rather deflected from Liverpool’s draw against a team tipped for relegation. But that was bad and now they need to win games.

Beating City would give the club such a lift and the belief that they can make the top four and also see off one of their main rivals.

A run of games with a few wins would really see them move up the table and Liverpool need their big players to deliver.

It’s not just all about Torres and Gerrard. Others must take responsibility. And when you cost £20m, Aquilani has to deliver.

It’s the same for City as there are big expectations for them this season. People say Mark Hughes must reach the Champions League but I feel fifth would be good progress.

After all, they have had to buy players who were largely not in teams in the Champions League but the next tier down.

When you do that, you get the next best and recent results have told us that City are still a work in progress.

Robinho is the exception to the rule and, with all his sulking and agitating, I would just sell him if I was City.

If Sheikh Mansour can get the money back they paid for him or even close then they should just cut their losses. Simple as that. You don’t want disruptions when you’re trying to build something.

City’s big problem is not the attacking players anyway. Craig Bellamy and Martin Petrov can give them better options to Robinho down the left.

It’s the problem that City have when they don’t have the ball. Gareth Barry and Nigel De Jong are good players but the trouble is the team don’t defend well enough as a unit yet.

It’s not just about the back four struggling but the whole team not giving the likes of Kolo Toure and Joleon Lescott protection.

You can be sure that City will kick on and spend big again in January to try and push for the top four.

But I’ve still got my doubts about whether City can make it and once Liverpool get back in their routine and groove then the top four will probably take on a rather familiar look again.