Champions League Preview: Liverpool vs. Fiorentina

It looks like a big clash at first glance, but neither Liverpool nor Fiorentina will have much to fight for when they cross swords in the final fixture of Champions League Group E.

For the Reds, it is the deadest of dead rubbers. The last round's results dashed their hopes of advancing to the knock-out phase - despite a 1-0 win at Debrecen - and thus Wednesday's game will serve as little more than a dress rehearsal for the Europa League.

However, following their goalless draw at Blackburn Rovers on Saturday, even a meaningless three points would give Rafael Benitez's men a much-needed confidence boost.

La Viola fared decidedly better over the weekend, their 2-0 victory against Atalanta launching them into fifth place in what is a congested-looking Serie A table.

The Tuscan side are already through to the last 16 in Europe's elite club competition, and any sort of result at Liverpool will see them finish top of the group.

So with a seeding in the knock-out draw on offer, it is Fiorentina who edge it in the motivation stakes as they head to Anfield hoping to pile more misery on the Mersey men.


FORM GUIDE

Liverpool

Dec 5 Blackburn Rovers 0-0 Liverpool
Nov 29 Everton 0-2 Liverpool
Nov 24 Debrecen 0-1 Liverpool (Champions League)
Nov 21 Liverpool 2-2 Manchester City
Nov 9 Liverpool 2-2 Birmingham City

Fiorentina

Dec 6 Fiorentina 2-0 Atalanta
Nov 29 Inter 1-0 Fiorentina
Nov 24 Fiorentina 1-0 Olympique Lyonnais (Champions League)
Nov 21 Fiorentina 2-3 Parma
Nov 8 Udinese 0-1 Fiorentina


TEAM NEWS

Liverpool

With his side's fate already sealed, boss Benitez will no doubt ring in the changes and take the opportunity the rest some of his regulars.

Fernando Torres was tipped to make his return against Blackburn at the weekend but was left out of the matchday squad altogether. He could, however, feature in some capacity against Cesare Prandelli's invaders.

Alberto Aquilani didn't get so much as a minute on Saturday, and the Kop faithful (not to mention the midfielder's father) will surely kick up a fuss if he doesn't get on the park here.

Last starting XI (vs. Blackburn Rovers): Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Insua, Mascherano, Lucas, Benayoun, Gerrard, Riera, Kuyt.

Fiorentina

Wonderkid Stevan Jovetic returned to the first XI at the weekend, while Marco Marchionni - another who tormented the Reds in Tuscany - is pushing for fitness after picking up a muscle strain in the 1-0 defeat to Inter on November 29.

Former Chelsea forward Adrian Mutu is still recovering from minor knee surgery.

Last starting XI (vs. Atalanta): Frey, De Silvestri, Dainelli, Kroldrup, Pasqual, Santana, Donadel, Montolivo, Vargas, Jovetic, Gilardino.


PLAYERS TO WATCH

Liverpool - Lucas Leiva

The Brazilian continues to divide opinion on Merseyside, in spite (or perhaps because) of the fact he's been an ever-present in the starting XI this season. With the result irrelevant, this is the sort of game in which he must shrug off the shackles and show that he has the quality to match his enthusiasm.

Fiorentina - Juan Manuel Vargas

Jovetic would be the obvious choice, but this man has been in red-hot form. It was the Peruvian wide-man's goal against Lyon that knocked the Reds down to the Europa League, and, having scored again on Sunday, he will no doubt fancy himself to snag another at Anfield - if he's not rested, of course.

Rafa - No Aquilani Row

Rafa Benitez has played down reports of a row with Alberto Aquilani and confirmed he will make his full Liverpool debut on Wednesday.

The Italian international has yet to start at game for the club since joining from Roma for £20million in the summer.

Reports on Tuesday from Italy suggested that Aquilani was becoming frustrated at his lack of playing time, with his father claiming he has been fully recovered from his knee injury for over a month.

But Benitez insisted that there was no issue with Aquilani and he would be starting their final UEFA Champions League group stage clash against Fiorentina on Wednesday.

"I was talking with Alberto this morning and he was surprised too," Benitez said of the reports.

"Match fitness is something you can only improve on in games and we had the plan for him to play in reserve games, now is the right time - it is a Champions League game but we cannot qualify so we can play him from the beginning, he will have minutes and we will see how he reacts."

Benitez confirmed that Fernando Torres, who has been nursing a groin problem, would be involved but he will not be risked from the start.

"He [Torres] has been without playing for three-and-a-half, four weeks, so it would be a risk," said Benitez.

"We are starting with Aquilani after not too many games so at any point if you have to change it is important you have players who are out there who can play 90 minutes if you have a few who you are not sure about it could be trouble."

He did confirm that there are no issues over captain Steven Gerrard.

"Some players will need to play, some we will need to manage," he said.

"We will have a training session on Wednesday and analyse it but Gerrard can play, that is not a problem."

Rafa Benitez Set To Rest, Rotate And Replenish Ahead Of Fiorentina Dead-Rubber

If someone had told Rafael Benitez back in September that Liverpool's final Champions League Group E match would be a dead-rubber, it is not unreasonable to suggest his response would have been along the lines of a satisfied smile.

Of course, like most, that would have been to assume that the Reds would have sealed qualification from a useful, but hardly terrifying, group with a game to spare. A not unreasonable assumption, especially given their 1-0 opening-week success over Hungarian minnows Debrecen at Anfield.

Since then, Liverpool's season has unravelled alarmingly. And the origins of their collapse may well lie in their previous meeting with Wednesday night's opponents, Fiorentina.

When Benitez took his side to Florence on September 29, they were on a run of six straight victories, having seemingly bounced back from losing two of their first three league matches. They had just smashed six goals past Hull City at Anfield, and Fernando Torres appeared to be back to his very best form, with five goals in two matches.

Optimism was high. Liverpool were not playing especially fluently, but they were winning games. Just as they had in 2008/09.

It took just 45 minutes for reality to give optimism a good kicking. An experimental Reds line-up, with Fabio Aurelio in central midfield, received a first-half battering, in which two goals from Fiorentina's classy Montenegrin forward Stevan Jovetic put the game out of reach. The Reds lost 2-0, and pretty comfortably too.

Five days later, Benitez saw his side go down by the same scoreline at Chelsea, and the Reds have won just three of the dozen games since their Florence thrashing - a run of form which has seen them slide to seventh place in the Premier League, and crash out of the Champions League.

Wednesday represents a chance for Benitez and his side to restore some pride to the club, though even a heavy win over Cesare Prandelli's effervescent side would leave only tinges of regret amongst the Anfield faithful. A dead-rubber it might be, but Liverpool cannot afford to treat it as such.

Despite a run of six games unbeaten, and with three clean sheets on the spin, Benitez is set to ring the changes for the Viola's visit, with one eye surely on another critical Premier League fixture - at home to Arsenal on Sunday.

On the face of it, his squad is as fit as it has been all season. Ryan Babel was the only absentee as Benitez put his side through a rigorous training session at Melwood on Tuesday morning, and both Fernando Torres and Alberto Aquilani are expected to feature from the start at Anfield on Wednesday, the latter for his first start in Liverpool's colours.

Others - Steven Gerrard, Dirk Kuyt, Emiliano Insua and Javier Mascherano - are likely to be rested for the Arsenal clash, with players such as Andrea Dossena, Philipp Degen and, perhaps, Dani Pacheco, given rare outings. Benitez's squad has long been lambasted for its lack of depth; Wednesday offers a chance to answer back.

Aquilani's presence should ensure that the Anfield atmosphere is in attendance on Wednesday night, and the importance of momentum - even if the Reds' recent performances have remained below the standards set last season - should not be underestimated.

It might have been a game against Fiorentina which began Liverpool's poor spell, but the return fixture offers a chance to show that that run, as autumn turns to winter, has been left behind with conkers and bonfires.

Benitez Makes Champions League Vow

Rafael Benitez has vowed to take Liverpool back into the Champions League as they prepare for the embarrassment of a dead rubber against Fiorentina on Wednesday.

Liverpool are already out of this season's competition having failed to finish in the top two in Group E, a humiliating experience for the five-time European Cup winners.

That will truly hit home at Anfield against an impressive Italian side who beat the Reds 2-0 in September at the start of a terrible run for Benitez and his side.

Liverpool had won six on the trot ahead of the match in Florence, but have managed just two wins in 13 since.

Benitez will finally give £20million midfielder Alberto Aquilani his full debut, four months after he arrived at the club, but that could well be the only thing to brighten the night for the Liverpool fans.

Benitez knows that the only way to get back into next season's Champions League is to finish in the top four of the Barclays Premier League, on current form not an easy task.

But he said: "I am convinced we will have Champions League football back here next season.

"We have a good team, a good squad and we can win games in a row now. We have not lost in six and kept three consecutive clean sheets, that is positive and an improvement on what was happening a few weeks ago.

"We know what it means to play in the Champions League. The players certainly understand.

"We have the right experience and I am confident we will finish in the top four, at least, so we must concentrate on our league games to achieve that.

"We have Arsenal next, then Wigan in midweek before Portsmouth away the following Saturday. We must win those games to get ourselves back into a strong position to make sure we do qualify for the tournament next season."

Benitez may rest Jose Reina, Dirk Kuyt and Yossi Benayoun and added: "Some players will get the chance of a game to impress, people like Aquilani who will start the match. There could be others who have not played yet in the first team.

"Alberto understands. When a player has been out for a long time you must keep building his fitness. We have tried to play him in reserve games but they have been cancelled because of the weather.

"He has trained well now for a few weeks, but it is not the same as matches and we have had to be careful with him because of the ankle operation he had.

"It was wrong to play him in difficult, physical, games against Everton and Blackburn. We have been waiting for the right moment.

"Games that are tough and tight would have been difficult. Now he can play in a game where the pressure is not the same.

"He has understood the problems, he can see his match fitness is not right. He has waited for his chance and now it has arrived.

"This game will be good for him and the team. We can play without pressure, play well and score goals."

Striker Fernando Torres will also return to the squad but will start on the bench after his lengthy recovery from a groin problem.

Benitez said: "Fernando will not start the match, he has not been involved for a few weeks so it would be a risk to put him straight into the side.

"He will play some minutes, I am not sure yet how many, then he may be involved against Arsenal on Sunday.

"We want to win every game in front of our fans at Anfield, we must do well and then win against Arsenal here on Sunday.

"Of course I am disappointed with this situation. Over the last five years we have always qualified for the last 16, sometimes before the last group game.

"Now we are experiencing totally different feelings, but it is done now, we cannot change the position we are in.

"We now must think about the future, to do our best in the Premier League and the Europa League. We must do our best in whatever competition we are in."

Ngog Reveals Reds' Intent

Liverpool are determined to use the rest of this season to demonstrate to Europe that they are a team of UEFA Champions League quality, according to David Ngog.

The Reds have suffered a campaign to forget after being dumped out of the European Cup at the group stages, while they are also flailing in the Premier League.

Such poor form has led doubters to realistically predict that Rafa Benitez's side may not qualify for next season's Champions League.

But Ngog has revealed that there is a steely determination among the Liverpool squad to deliver a signal of ability across the continent.

The France Under 21 international said: "We are a Champions League team, we all believe that. It is the club's status.

"Now we must all keep going, improving and make sure we do well enough in the Premier League to qualify for next season.

"We know we have the quality, and we are confident. We aim to show from now on that we should be in the Champions League."

Ngog is still dogged by the 'diving' allegation which has followed him since the penalty awarded against Birmingham at Anfield in November.

But he has brushed that aside, saying: "I am not that kind of player, people should know that. I felt the criticism was unfair, but I want to put it all behind me now."

Ngog has earned an extended run of games in Benitez's first XI during Fernando Torres' injury-enforced absence and he was showing signs of genuine promise.

A glaring miss in Saturday's stalemate at Blackburn, when the former Paris St Germain player hit the crossbar from point-blank range, has earned criticism.

But he remains keen to impress, saying: "I am enjoying my football here, I have been given my chance to show what I can do and I will always do that when an opportunity comes along again.

"All I can do is to continue to work hard and do my best for the team when I do get selected."

Keirrison: Liverpool to Rescue Barca Striking Starlet from Lisbon Hell

Barcelona beat Liverpool to the signing of Brazilian striker Keirrison last summer in a deal worth £12m. However, reports in both Brazil and Portugal suggest the player on loan at Benfica may well be moving to Anfield in January in a 6-month loan deal. Barca’s summer move disappointed Rafa Benitez who had been tracking the youngster for some time had failed with a move in the last January transfer window.

Keirrison’s season-long move to Benfica was supposed to allow the player to get used to a more European style of play but the young strikers chances in the first team have been limited thanks to the performances of fellow South Americans Oscar Cardozo and Radamel Falcao. Barca are reported to be unhappy at their striker’s lack of action at Benfica and are willing to loan him to another club in Europe or back to Brazil where Santos are one of the clubs targeting the player.

Rafa Benitez made a late failed January deadline day earlier this year for the young Brazilian striker known as Keirrison de Souza Carneiro or just plain Keirrison for short. He was seen as a direct replacement for Tottenham bound Robbie Keane but the move failed to come off so Liverpool returned to wrap up a deal in the summer. However, it was Barcelona that signed the talented marksman leaving the Reds short of striking options for the first half of the 2009/10 season.

A move to Benfica was supposed to allow the starlet the necessary game time in a weaker European league but after just one league start, four substitute appearances and no goals, Barca are ready to move the player on.

The 21-year-old star has enjoyed a prolific record in Brazil’s Serie A with Coritiba prior to joining Palmeiras. His record in his homeland speaks for itself so it’s of no surprise that a number of European clubs had been alerted to his talent.

Despite Keirrison’s tender age he has already shown just how prolific he can be. Last season alone he has scored an impressive 20 goals in just 31 League appearances (30 starts). This is a remarkable feat since this was only his 2nd League season after scoring 12 goals in 32 League appearances (18 starts) in his first campaign. Few youngsters in world football can boast such an impressive strike tally as 37 goals in 70 League appearances (54 starts), so it’s no surprise he is attracting such attention.

After joining Palmerias the striker also scored 5 goals in 7 league matches (6 starts) as well as a further five goals in the Copa Libertadores.

Keirrison broke into the Coritiba first team in 2007 helping the club to promotion from Serie B but it was his impressive arrival in the top division that has underlined his incredible potential. The 5 ft 11 forward is renowned for his pace and finishing ability and his 20 League goals left him 1 strike behind the League’s top scorer. His goals helped Coritiba to a comfortable 9th place in the 20-team Serie A after an excellent return to the top flight. He had since proven himself at Palmeiras that he could score goals but failed to win over all the fans as he is more of a predator than a flamboyant striker.

Liverpool were one of a list of interested clubs last summer that included Arsenal, Olympiakos, Real Madrid and Valencia. Rafa Benitez has reportedly declared his interest in bringing the Brazilian to Anfield in a short-term loan deal to provide competition for both Fernando Torres and David N’gog. However, a number of Brazilian clubs are also looking to bring Keirrison back to Brazil including Santos.

Jose Paulo Fernandes takes over as Santos president in late December and has targeted the striker.
He told Globosporte, “Keirrison is on loan at Benfica, but he is not being used in Portugal, and it is clear we would be interested.”

“But we cannot forget that he is in Europe and is very expensive and is not something simple.”

A loan deal may well suit Liverpool with less fees to pay and a hungry striker who is looking to prove himself in Europe would be a good addition to a Reds team that is looking to close the gap on the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal.

Dossena Eyeing Exit Door

Liverpool full-back Andrea Dossena has once again hinted at his desire to leave the club.

The Italian defender has found first-team opportunities hard to come by so far this season and is widely expected to leave Anfield when the transfer window opens in January.

Napoli are being touted as Dossena's most likely next club as he looks to secure a place in the Italy squad for next year's World Cup in South Africa.

The Reds play Fiorentina on Wednesday in the UEFA Champions League, although they can not make the knockout stages of the competition.

"I hope to play (against Fiorentina) but the situation is not good, now we will evaluate everything," he told Gazzetta dello Sport.

"It's clear that staying on the edge is not good and it might be better to find another solution."

Dossena has only made three appearances for Liverpool this term, against Debrecen in the Champions League, Bolton in the Premier League and Leeds in the Carling Cup.

Steven Gerrard: I'm No Liverpool Legend Yet

Steven Gerrard has rejected the tag of 'Liverpool legend', insisting that his decorated career will be incomplete if it ends without a Premier League title to show for it.

The England star made his 500th appearance for the Anfield giants in Saturday's 0-0 draw at Blackburn Rovers; a milestone that brought with it praise and testimony from all over the country.

However, Gerrard refutes the notion that his contribution to the Kop matches that of past greats such as Kenny Dalgish, Alan Hansen and Ian Rush.

"I don't think I'm a Liverpool legend," he said in The Mirror. "You can only call players legends when they've finished and you look back on their careers and they have been successful or a top player throughout.

"A lot of people give the legendary status out too early for my liking. I don't see myself as a legend - I see the likes of Dalglish, Hansen and Rush as legends.

"They have been there and done it. Hopefully one day I can look back on what I've achieved and can say I'm a part of the legends at this club, but I certainly wouldn't put myself in that bracket now."

The Reds haven't won the English championship since 1990, and many thought that hoodoo was nearing an end after they finished a close second to Manchester United last season.

However, 2009-10 has been a disaster to date, on both the domestic and European fronts, and Gerrard couldn't hide his annoyance at the way things have panned out.

"It's frustrating to be where we are in the league now because this was meant to be the year where we were going to be right up there all the way through," he said.

"It would mean everything to win it. It's frustrating not to have it already and I've come close on a couple of occasions.

"I will continue to fight for the Premier League from now until I stop playing. Hopefully I can add it to my collection because it would round a fantastic career off.

"It would be extra special if I could do it as captain in the next couple of years. I'm not sure how long I'm going to be captain for - probably another two or three years. If not as captain, then hopefully I can still lift it as a Liverpool player.

"Now, though, it's important for us to try to get back up to the top of the table."

At 29, Gerrard knows all too well that time is the enemy in his quest for a league winner's medal - especially if he wishes to fulfil his dream of winning it as captain.

He continued: "I've been around for 11 years and I'm getting towards the 30 years of age mark now, so I'm running out of time. I want to make the most of the next four or five years.

"I've still got many more ambitions and dreams that I want to fulfill before I finish."

Rafa Benitez Set To Tie Up Deal For Icelandic Starlet Kristjan Gauti Emilsson

Iceland wonderkid Kristján Gauti Emilsson, 16, is set to sign for Liverpool later this week.

The centre back, who also had trials with Manchester United and Rangers, was offered a contract after impressing Rafa Benitez.

Emilsson, who plays for Icelandic champions FH, has always supported Liverpool and described the move to Anfield as a 'dream come true'.

Snore-draw Not The Answer To Rafa’s Current Problems

The match of the day producers didn’t fancy it, but with the DVD of this match they may have just stumbled across a best-selling cure for insomnia.

The fact that Liverpool were relegated to the final slot on Saturday night’s highlights programme will have come as no surprise to anyone who had the misfortune to be at Ewood Park.

In fact it was shocking they decided to give it any air time at all.

After the high of their triumph at Goodison Park, this was a reality check.

What’s clear is that it’s going to take a lot more than a solitary derby victory to truly kick-start a hugely disappointing campaign.

Confidence and belief are still in desperately short supply. Too many players are stuck in a rut and Rafael Benitez doesn’t have the strength in depth at his disposal to be able to ring the changes.

Skipper Steven Gerrard did his best to rally the troops on his 500th appearance for the club and looks to be regaining his sharpness. Right-back Glen Johnson also impressed but there were few positives.

The return of striker Fernando Torres can’t come soon enough.

The Spaniard was sorely missed on Saturday as Liverpool’s lack of firepower was exposed for all to see.

Benitez insisted afterwards this was another step in the right direction for his side following the troubles of recent months.

Their unbeaten run stands at six matches and for all their defensive woes this season Liverpool have now gone nearly five hours of football without conceding a goal.

Of course a point at Ewood Park is hardly a disaster.

After all Blackburn haven’t lost at home since Manchester City visited on the opening day of the season. And Rovers have only tasted defeat twice in 23 home games since Sam Allardyce took over nearly a year ago.

However, there is no escaping the fact that this was another in a long list of missed opportunities.

The emphasis was placed firmly on keeping things tight, but the problem was Blackburn were more than happy to settle for a share of the spoils.

When Liverpool finally began to force the issue in the second half they couldn’t make their pressure pay and in a frantic finish they could easily have ended up with nothing.

Blackburn are well-organised but their deficiencies have been routinely exposed by title contenders this season. Arsenal stuck six past them, Chelsea helped themselves to five and Manchester United cruised to a 2-0 victory.

But Liverpool didn’t have the guile or the quality to unlock them and for long periods of the afternoon goalkeeper Paul Robinson was merely a spectator.

One man who may have been able to make the difference spent the afternoon warming the substitutes’ bench and jogging up and down the touchline.

Benitez said Saturday wasn’t the right kind of game for Alberto Aquilani.

In such a tight, physical contest he insisted it would have been unfair to introduce a player with so little football under his belt this season.

The manager is desperate to keep his big money signing wrapped in cotton wool, but how else can Aquilani get match-fit unless he plays? Surely the £18m man has been brought in to turn the tables in tight games like this?

His continued absence is a source of much frustration among fans who will finally see the Italian start a game in a red shirt when he lines up against Fiorentina on Wednesday night.

But a meaningless European game will hardly help him get accustomed to the hustle and bustle of Premier League football.

Benitez recalled Albert Riera and Yossi Benayoun on Saturday at the expense of David Ngog and Fabio Aurelio with Dirk Kuyt pushed up front as the lone striker.

It didn’t work with Kuyt isolated and out-muscled by Ryan Nelsen and the outstanding Chris Samba.

Riera was a major disappointment on the left flank and the only surprise was that Benitez left him on until early in the second half.

Blackburn were on a high following their Carling Cup victory over Chelsea and they welcomed back Allardyce following heart surgery.

It was the perfect contest for the boss to ease his way back in with excitement painfully thin on the ground.

Gerrard had a shot deflected behind early on but it was 36 minutes before either keeper had a save to make.

Robinson’s long punt downfield was met by Samba but his header was straight at Pepe Reina.

Liverpool defended stoutly amid an aerial bombardment from the hosts who grabbed every opportunity they got to pump the ball into the visitors’ penalty box.

But going forward there was little invention and Benitez’s side ran out of ideas in the final third.

Before the break Lucas’ pass set Gerrard clear on the left side of the penalty box but Samba was across quickly to deny the captain.

The game improved after the break but in truth it could hardly have got any worse.

Liverpool enjoyed a major let-off when Steven Nzonzi put Franco Di Santo through. The striker, who is on loan from Chelsea, dallied and allowed Javier Mascherano time to get back and dispossess him.

It took the introduction of rookie frontman Ngog to finally get Liverpool going. Robinson had to keep out Gerrard’s 25-yarder and he also had another effort deflected over.

The skipper was at the heart of everything and just before the hour mark he had pleas for a spot-kick waved away after he tumbled over Nzonzi’s challenge in the box following good work from Lucas.

With the tempo finally raised, the game opened up and with 20 minutes to go Liverpool were just inches away from breaking the deadlock.

Johnson embarked on one of his lung-bursting forward runs and raced into the box before picking out Ngog.

The Frenchman looked destined to score but a cruel bobble meant he miscued his shot which cannoned back off the bar.

The rebound kindly dropped into the path of Kuyt but his goal-bound effort was forced behind by Samba.

However, this was no hard luck story with Blackburn giving as good as they got in the closing stages.

Benni McCarthy fired wastefully wide when well-placed and Vince Grella also went close as the home side hit Liverpool on the counter-attack.

Daniel Agger stung Robinson’s palms from long range and Kuyt’s blistering strike just cleared the bar, but it was Rovers who looked the more likely to steal the points.

Substitute Nikola Kalinic blazed one chance over and in stoppage time David Hoilett’s pass left Kalinic with just Reina to beat.

The Liverpool keeper raced out to meet him and the Croatian international’s composure deserted him.

Lucas Tips Aquilani To Shine

Lucas Leiva is confident Alberto Aquilani will be a hit at Liverpool once he settles into life at Anfield.

The Italian has endured a frustrating opening to his Reds career, with a long-standing injury carried over from his time at Roma hindering his early opportunities to make an impression.

However, with Rafa Benitez having spent big over the summer in order to acquire his services, the Liverpool faithful are expecting great things from the £17million man.

He has been charged with filling the void created by Xabi Alonso's sale to Real Madrid, but has been limited to just 21 minutes of action so far.

Aquilani will, however, be awarded his first start against Fiorentina in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday and his fellow midfielder Lucas is backing him to prove his worth and silence the doubters.

"It is exciting that Alberto is going to get his first chance and we are all looking forward to it - we will give him all the support and respect he needs," Lucas declared in the Liverpool Echo.

"Hopefully he will do a really good job for us. When you have been out for a long time injured, it takes a while for you to get your rhythm back.

"But it is easy to see in training that he has got quality on the ball and we hope he is going to help us.

"People will make comparisons but he is a different player to Xabi; he is more attacking and we can all see that he is going to play in a more advanced role.

"Obviously he came to replace Xabi but he is going to need some time to settle and we will do everything to make that happen quickly."

Rafa Benitez Challenges Javier Mascherano To Score More Goals For Liverpool

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez wants Javier Mascherano to start finding the net more often after his deflected effort at Everton.

That strike is set to go before the dubious goals panel to determine if it can be credited to the midfielder.

Benitez is giving the goal to Mascherano though and now wants to see more from the holding midfielder.

"Since the first day when we signed Javier we've talked about goals because he's not bad at shooting from outside the box," the manager told the Reds' official website.

"He can do well on this, so he has to keep trying. If he does, he'll score more goals.

"He tries in training. He doesn't score too many when you compare it to Gerrard but still it's a good and a different option for us.

"For everyone, if you're at the edge of the box you have to try. It doesn't matter what position you play - if you're a centre-back or left-back or midfielder, you must try.

"The main thing is to try. You might get a deflection. For me, Mascherano's goal [against Everton] was a deflection, not an own goal."

Benitez also revealed that Mascherano would not be travelling with the Argentina squad for their unofficial friendly with Catalunya later this month.

"It's a friendly game that comes during Christmas time, and we have a game on the 26th and 28th. It's too much for us, so the best thing for us is if he doesn't go and doesn't play," the Spaniard added.

"He is coming back to the level we know. He had some problems at the beginning of the season but he's now playing really well.

"We're really pleased because we have the Mascherano we signed."

Reina Set For New Liverpool Deal

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is hoping negotiations over a new contract for goalkeeper Pepe Reina can be wrapped up over the coming months.

The Reds boss revealed over the weekend that the club had begun talks over a new contract for Javier Mascherano, with Benitez also keen to tie down the Spanish stopper.

"We are very happy with him," Benitez said. "He has been improving every single year and he will improve more because goalkeepers have more time in their career.

"He's always positive and he's one of the best in the training sessions because his attitude is always good.

"It depends on the agent and what the player wants but Pepe is very happy here in Liverpool so I don't see a big problem.

"The team-mates love him because he's a very good example."

Samba Adds To Reds Criticism

Chris Samba claims Liverpool's fall from grace this season has been so substantial that Blackburn were disappointed they did not collect all three points on Saturday.

In years gone by this Millennium the Ewood Park outfit would likely have accepted a 0-0 home draw with the perennially labelled title-challenging Reds.

However, this campaign sees Rafa Benitez's side well off the leading pack in the Premier League as the Merseysiders sit 12 points behind table-topping Chelsea.

After Saturday's stalemate Liverpool also trail second-placed Manchester United by 10 points and Samba is annoyed Blackburn did not pile more pressure on Benitez.

The centre-back said: "It's easier defending against Liverpool this season than in previous ones.

"They didn't impress me as much as Chelsea and Manchester United especially. I don't think they are as good as them now.

"In a way it's a good point but we're a bit disappointed not to get all three because we should have won."

Rafa Benitez Says Liverpool FC Are Heading Down The Right Road

Manager Rafael Benitez insists Saturday’s point at Blackburn was another step in the right direction for Liverpool.

Chances were at a minimum during a frustrating afternoon at Ewood Park, but the Spaniard was delighted with a third successive clean sheet which extended his side’s unbeaten run in all competitions to six games.

“It was a difficult game against a team that is very physical and direct,” Benitez said.

“They were pushing in the first half with a lot of long balls and free-kicks deep into our box.

“To defend this style of football is not easy but I thought we did well and the clean sheet is the positive thing against this kind of team.

“The second half was much better. We were attacking with (David) Ngog and Nabil (El Zhar).

“We were creating more chances, had better possession, and the other positive thing about today is that we played better than we did against Everton.

“We’re disappointed because we were pushing very hard and we had chances to win. But at least we are improving and playing a little bit better.

“It’s another clean sheet, and you saw that we are reacting and trying to do things well.”

After a poor first half Liverpool improved after the break but Benitez was cursing his luck when David Ngog’s effort came back off the bar.

“I was convinced it was a goal,” Benitez said.

“And after that Kuyt had the rebound but it was well blocked.

“We could have won the game because we had the chances in the second-half and we were pushing and attacking all the time. But we could have lost because they had one or two chances on the counter-attack.

“If you analyse, the game was too open near the end but we had plenty of possession. The team played much better in the second-half.”

Benitez defended his decision not to bring on Alberto Aquilani and revealed he expects the Italian to make his first start for the club against Fiorentina on Wednesday night.

“We were thinking about giving him some minutes but the problem was which player to take off,” he said.

“We had balance in midfield and we were concerned we might lose control.

“It was a difficult and tough game and when a player doesn’t have match fitness to put him on the pitch in that situation is a risk.

“I know he can only get match-fitness from playing. He was ready to play with the reserves the other day but the game was postponed.

“He will have his chance against Fiorentina. At home with our fans it will be easier for him.”

Stan Collymore: Why Steven Gerrard Must Quit Liverpool FC

Former Liverpool FC striker Stan Collymore is calling on Steven Gerrard to leave Anfield "in search of the Premier League".

Collymore believes the Reds ace will never win the ultimate goal while with Liverpool and he says many players in the current squad are not good enough to play alongside Gerrard.

"It's time for Steven Gerrard to put his loyalty to Liverpool to one side and go in search of the one honour that has eluded him - the Premier League," he writes in his latest column for MirrorFootball.co.uk.

"He's not going to see that day while he's wearing a red shirt and as sad as it is for me to say this as a former Liverpool player, I think it is time for him to leave Anfield.

"I was at Blackburn on Saturday and players like Lucas, Rieira and Kuyt don't deserve to play with him to be honest."

Collymore thinks Gerrard has more chance of winning a domestic title with Chelsea, Real Madrid, Barcelona, AC Milan and Inter Milan.

He said: "I've seen him lift the European Cup and I'd love to see him lift the Premier League trophy, but it won't be as a Rafa Benitez player and I'm not sure it will ever happen for him as a Liverpool player.

"I'm not saying this to try and wind up Liverpool fans. I just think it would be a tragedy if after seeing inferior players to him like Darren Fletcher and Michael Carrick win the title, he didn't.

"I know he says he wants to stay at Liverpool, but the only thing that is keeping him there is the fact that he's a Scouser and that he has the club in his blood.

"Ultimately, he owes Liverpool b***er all. He's done more than any other player over the last decade to bring success to Liverpool.

"It's time for someone else, like Alberto Aquilani, to take on that pressure and free him to go.

"He shouldn't feel that he has to stay to pacify the fans and they should let him go and win the title he deserves before it's too late."

Steven Gerrard Gets Ferocious Guard Dog To Protect Home

Stevie Gerrard cautiously admires his latest home security device – a ferocious-looking guard dog.

The Liverpool and England footie hero has enlisted the help of Quinn, a fearsome four-year-old German

Shepherd, to patrol the grounds of his family’s £3million mansion while he is away over Christmas.

And the security-conscious midfielder, 29, is said to be delighted with his new No1 fang.

Quinn and his handler, ex-prison officer Alan Sedley, will guard the star’s house in Formby, Merseyside.

The Anfield skipper first introduced round the clock security after a terrifying break-in two years ago. His wife Alex, 27, was confronted by four masked raiders as the couple’s two young daughters slept.

They ransacked the place and stole jewellery worth thousands of pounds.

In the past three years 15 Premiership stars have been targeted.

Security chief Frank Firth said: “Steven and Alex have both met the dog and are very happy with him.”

Babel Denies Benitez Criticism

Ryan Babel has denied giving a disparaging interview to The Sun on the day of the Champions League game against Debrecen.

The Dutchman was quoted by the tabloid criticising Rafa Benitez' management, suggesting cliques exist at the club and claiming he will leave the club in January.

He has now set the record straight via the club's official website, saying: "I was very disappointed when it came out because I never gave an interview here in England - I never gave an interview to The Sun.

"I did give an interview in Holland a month ago when I was with the national team, and I think they took some bits out of it and added some of their own opinions.

"They wrote that I'd talked about other players - and I would never talk about players like that.

"The funniest thing was them publishing that I'm not friends with Dirk Kuyt. Come on! Dirk will tell you how our relationship is.

"It has to be made clear. Who published this? The Sun - I wouldn't talk to The Sun.

"I am very happy that the boss made it clear straight away that he had confidence in me and believed that I didn't do the interview.

"I hope people understand. It is easy to read papers and believe it's true, and so I was disappointed with the situation and the fact it was published on the day of a very important game.

"I have spoken to a few of my teammates and they were clear that it was The Sun and so it was nothing."

Babel claims he still sees his future at Liverpool, saying: "I have given a lot of interviews about my feelings and how I am but the situation is the same for every player who likes to play games and thinks he is good enough to start.

"I feel confident that I'm good enough to play a lot of games for Liverpool. I keep saying this. Hopefully I'll get chances to show this."

Midfielder Alberto Aquilani And Forward Fernando Torres Poised To Return For Liverpool

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has confirmed that injured duo Alberto Aquilani and Fernando Torres are ready to return to action and should play some part in Wednesday’s Champions League tie with Fiorentina.

Aquilani’s continued presence on the Reds bench has been the source of much frustration for Liverpool fans in recent weeks. However, speaking to BBC Sport, Benitez admitted the former Roma man could start the game against the Viola and revealed why he did not face Blackburn Rovers yesterday.

"Aquilani will maybe start the game [against Fiorentina], we are considering this,” explained the Spaniard.

“I feel this [Blackburn] was a difficult, physical place to come and not the right time to throw him on.

"He will be better getting his chance in a home match with our fans behind him. It is a difficult decision when someone is not fully match fit, he could make a mistake and it would set him back."

The Italian could be joined in the starting line up by Torres who is fit again after missing the last five matches for the Reds.

"Hopefully Torres will be ready this week - I don't know if he will play or be on the bench," added Benitez.

"He's a player who everybody knows is really good. He is important for us and would be for any top side in the world.

"Hopefully he will be ready this week and maybe we will see different things. I don't know if he will play or be on the bench and we can give him some minutes.

"It depends on his progression in the coming days."

Ugly Blackburn Tough To Beat, Says Liverpool FC Glen Johnson

Glen Johnson believes Blackburn play "an ugly game very well" as Liverpool FC slipped further behind in the race for a place in next season's Champions League.

Twelve points behind Premier League leaders Chelsea and in seventh place, any thought of the title apparently disappeared long ago. A top-four spot is also looking a big ask after Saturday's 0-0 draw at Ewood Park.

Despite labelling Blackburn's game as "ugly", Johnson admitted the Lancashire side is difficult to play against, saying: "It's always difficult against Blackburn because they don't play much football and just launch the ball forward at every opportunity. They play an ugly game very well and play to their strengths. It makes life difficult for the opposition at times."

He added: "We knew what to expect and we tried to get the ball down on the floor and play. The pitch wasn't great and we took a while to get used to it, but that's football and you have to live with things like this."

The Liverpool defender produced the one piece of quality in a dreadful match by surging past four men to set up David Ngog, whose effort from six yards crashed against the bar.

He added: "We deserved to win, especially after our second-half performance.

"I thought we'd scored when I crossed for David but the ball hit the worst bobble I've ever seen before his effort came back off the bar.

"Sometimes luck doesn't go for you but I thought we played the best football and did enough to win the game.

"We were pushing and pushing and it was so frustrating we couldn't get that goal our play deserved."