Premier League Preview: Liverpool vs. Wigan Athletic

Liverpool head into their midweek Premier League clash against Wigan Athletic hoping to bounce back from a disappointing weekend - and not for the first time this season.

Rafael Benitez had touted Sunday's date with Arsenal as a chance for his side to start the season anew, and come half-time they certainly looked a team reborn. Then Glen Johnson put through his own net and Andrey Arshavin struck an unstoppable winner to send the Reds boss back to the drawing board.

The loss leaves Liverpool rooted in seventh spot, five points shy of the Champions League places, and it has become abundantly clear that they will have to work mighty hard to retain their membership to the so-called 'Big Four'.

Veteran defender Jamie Carragher said recently: "Wigan is a massive game for us. We'll just attempt to get three points and then move on to Portsmouth. We have to look at ourselves and realise we have to do much better."

The Latics, meanwhile, come into the clash on the back of a 2-2 draw at Stoke City; but one look at their results so far in this campaign will tell you that form means nothing when trying to gauge this team.

Roberto Martinez's men have shown themselves capable both of conquering the best in the business, and of succumbing to the most humiliating of thrashings.

They defeated league leaders Chelsea in September, only to lose at Hull City the week after; they became the first team to beat Burnley at Turf Moor this season, and followed up with a 4-0 drubbing by rock-bottom Portsmouth; and then there's that famous nine-goal implosion at Tottenham Hotspur, immediately after which they proceeded to down Sunderland.

It is impossible to say which Wigan will turn up on Merseyside this week, but the fact of the matter is that Liverpool cannot afford to lose to either – assuming they plan on playing among Europe's elite next term.


FORM GUIDE

Liverpool

Dec 13: Liverpool 1-2 Arsenal
Dec 9: Liverpool 1-2 Fiorentina (Champions League)
Dec 5: Blackburn Rovers 0-0 Liverpool
Nov 29: Everton 0-2 Liverpool
Nov 24: Debrecen 0-1 Liverpool (Champions League)

Wigan Athletic

Dec 12: Stoke City 2-2 Wigan Athletic
Dec 5: Wigan Athletic 2-3 Birmingham City
Nov 28: Wigan Athletic 1-0 Sunderland
Nov 22: Tottenham 9-1 Wigan Athletic
Nov 8: Wigan Athletic 1-1 Fulham


TEAM NEWS

Liverpool

Fernando Torres cleared the cobwebs off his boots to make his first start in over a month on Sunday, completing the full 90 minutes. He'll be expected to feature on Wednesday, unless boss Benitez has one of his infamous selection shocks in store.

Alberto Aquilani managed 20-odd minutes against Arsenal, coming on for Javier Mascherano in the second period. With the Argentine battered and bruised, 'Aquaman' has half a chance to make his maiden Premier League start.

Last starting XI (v Arsenal): Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Aurelio, Mascherano, Lucas, Kuyt, Gerrard, Benayoun, Torres.

Wigan Athletic

Former Liverpool goalkeeper Chris Kirkland should start in goal at his old hunting ground, having shrugged off back pain to reclaim his place between the posts on Saturday.

Meanwhile, midfielder Hendry Thomas returns the squad after missing the trip to Stoke through suspension.

Last starting XI (v Stoke City): Kirkland, Melchiot, Boyce, Bramble, Figueroa, N'Zogbia, Diame, Scharner, Koumas, Gomez, Rodallega.


PLAYERS TO WATCH

Liverpool - Glen Johnson

The England wing-back suffered his worst half in a Red shirt on Sunday evening, first conceding an own goal and then letting Arshavin have just enough room to fire a bullet past Pepe Reina. That was a blip in what has otherwise been a fine individual campaign, so every Kopite will be praying he bounces back in style on Wednesday.

Wigan Athletic - Hugo Rodallega

The Latics have had few constants this term, but this man's endeavour has been one of them. Possessing both ox-like strength and a penchant for the sublime, the Ecuadorian forward is the one Wigan will look to for that match-winning moment of magic.

Anfield To Remember Bill Shankly Before Liverpool FC's Match With Wigan Athletic

Liverpool are to stage an emotional parade of legends at Anfield tomorrow to mark the 50th anniversary of Bill Shankly’s first game in charge of the Reds.

Shankly Boys including Ian Callaghan, Kevin Keegan, Phil Thompson and many more will take to the pitch at half-time during the game against Wigan to pay homage to the Scot.

The game provides the nearest date to Shankly’s opening match, a 4-0 defeat to Cardiff on December 19, 1959.

The sounds of ‘Amazing Grace’ – Shankly’s favourite hymn – will reverberate around Anfield to mark the historic anniversary.

Fifteen former stars from the 1960s and 70s, along with nine members of Shankly’s family will be introduced at the interval and a mosaic on the Kop will be unveiled.

Club stalwart and former captain Tommy Smith, who played under Shankly throughout his time in the Liverpool hot-seat, says paying homage at Anfield to the man from Glenbuck is a fitting way to mark the anniversary.

The Anfield Iron admits it could be an emotional occasion for all involved – one he hopes will inspire the current squad.

Smith said: “It is something we should do every week as far as I am concerned.

“It is amazing how quickly Shanks turned things round at Liverpool Football Club and I can’t remember any other team winning as much as we did under him in so little time.

“Shanks was a great manager and I can’t say anything bad about him – the only thing was he didn’t like leaving anyone out and wouldn’t do it until the very last minute.

“He left me out of an Arsenal game and I wasn’t too pleased, but the next day it was forgotten.

“Shanks is the greatest manager football has ever produced and getting together to remember him like we are doing will be an honour for every one of us who were privileged to play under him.

“It will be fantastic to step back out at Anfield with so many great players from the club’s past – and so many great friends too.”

Other players who will once more step out in memory of their old manager will be 60s legends Tommy Lawrence, Roger Hunt, Ian St John, Gerry Byrne, Ron Yeats, Chris Lawler, Willie Stevenson, Geoff Strong, Ronnie Moran and from the 1970s, Keegan, Thompson, Steve Heighway, Gordon Milne and a member of the late Emlyn Hughes’ family.

No Liverpool Move For Barcelona Starlet Keirrison

The agent of Barcelona striker Keirrison has told ESPN Soccernet it is highly unlikely that his client will be joining Liverpool on loan in the January transfer window.

Recent reports in the English media had claimed that Keirrison, 21, could cancel his unproductive loan spell with Benfica in order to sign for Rafael Benitez, who was linked with a move for the striker before he joined Barcelona in July 2009.

The Spanish champions paid 14 million euros to recruit the highly-rated Keirrison from Palmeiras and quickly loaned him to Benfica. However, his progress has slowed and he has made only five appearances this season with Javier Saviola and Oscar Cardozo striking up a prolific partnership for the Portuguese club.

Keirrison's agent, Naor Malaquias, feels Fernando Torres would represent another formidable barrier to regular first-team football at Anfield, making it unlikely Barca would sanction the move, and in any case has heard nothing from the Liverpool hierarchy about a possible transfer.

"That would be a very nice place to go but I think that we should talk directly with Barcelona to see if they have the interest to loan him to Liverpool," Malaquias told ESPN Soccernet. "I don't have any information about [interest from] Liverpool but it could be a pleasure to play in this club.

"It is difficult because the position of Keirrison at Benfica is hard because Cardozo and Saviola are doing a very good job. He is young, he arrived at the club and now he doesn't have many opportunities to play.

"I don't think that going to Liverpool will change this position because Liverpool is a very big club with very good strikers so I think that the same situation could happen. So I don't think that for Barcelona that would be a very nice change. They want a club that he could have minutes to play and I don't think that Liverpool is this club."

Keirrison arrived in Europe with a burgeoning reputation after topping the goalscoring charts in Brazil in 2008 when scoring 21 times for former club Coritiba. At Palmeiras, he scored five times in seven league games before Barcelona came calling.

Both Santos and Vasco da Gama are believed to be interested in bringing the striker back to Brazil but Malaquias has explained that prising Keirrison from Benfica will prove a tricky prospect for any club.

"I think that is a difficult transfer right now because Keirrison has a contract with Benfica and Barcelona has a contact with Benfica," Malaquias said. "They don't have the interest right now to change the player. I think that it would be a very difficult transfer. There is no club that has made a real offer to Barcelona or to Benfica."

Benitez 'Guarantees' Top Four Finish

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez says he "guarantees" that they will finish in the top four despite their poor form so far this season.

Having begun hoping to challenge for the title Liverpool lie seventh in the table, 13 points behind leaders Chelsea and out of the Champions League.

"I am sure we can do it because I know we are better than the team you are seeing on the pitch," said Benitez.

"I can guarantee we will finish in the top four."

On Sunday, Liverpool lost 2-1 at home to Arsenal, despite scoring first.

That result, their sixth league defeat of the season, left them five points adrift of the Champions League places. And it extended their run of poor results to only three wins in the last 15 games, their last home victory having come against champions Manchester United on 25 October.

Benitez is facing the most difficult period of his five years in charge at Anfield, but insists he will not compromise his principles to get out of an uncomfortable situation.

"For five years I think we were doing well," he said. "So we have to keep going in the same way because the club is stronger now in everything: the squad, the value of the club is better than five years ago.

"Yes, it is a bad moment but I still think we can improve.

"I think it is very important for any manager, but especially here in England, to be strong.

"You have to show you have an idea, you have your own people that you can talk with and analyse things and say 'This is the way to do things' and we have to keep going.

"The main thing for me is to come here early in the morning, do my job, go home still working a little bit and try to be ready for the next day.

"That is the way to do things and that is an example for the players - and they are doing the same thing.

"Everything can be improved and if we make mistakes we keep going.

"There are still 22 games to play so we know we have to change our target. Now it is to get three points against Wigan and then start thinking about Portsmouth (at the weekend)."

Rafa Benitez ‘Set For Huge Transfer Market Boost’

The huge windfalls that George Gillett and Tom Hicks, the co-owners of Liverpool, will collect from the sales of their American sports properties could be pumped into the English soccer club, according to English press reports.

'Under-fire Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez could be handed substantial transfer funds next month thanks to a cash windfall for American co-owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks,' reports the Daily Express.

'Gillett has already banked a £180 million profit from the sale of his ice hockey team Montreal Canadiens. And Hicks is days away from being £150m richer after his baseball side Texas Rangers was put under the hammer.'

However, sources close to both men suggest the money is unlikely to be spent on Liverpool.

Indeed, Hicks has already stated that business at the Rangers will not affect his actions at Liverpool.

In a piece of good news for the club's fans, though, the American added last month that the club's Champions League exit will not force it to sell any of its players.

Liverpool Defender Jamie Carragher Prays For Good Times

Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher is praying that there are good times around the corner as the off-colour Reds look for an upturn in fortune.

Sunday's luckless 2-1 home defeat by Arsenal means that Liverpool have now won just three times in 15 matches.

"I pray that we win the FA Cup, Europa League and get in the top four," Carragher told BBC Radio Merseyside.

"But between now and the end of May it's going to be a grind at times and we have to stick together."

Liverpool have a good chance to get back in contention from their next three games.

Starting with Wednesday night's home clash with 14th-placed Wigan Athletic, they face successive games against teams currently in the bottom four - at backmarkers Portsmouth this Saturday (19 December) before the Boxing Day clash with Wolves (26 December).

They then round off the festive period with a trip to Birmingham to take on one of their main rivals for a Champions League place, Aston Villa (29 December, 1945 GMT).

And Carragher does not accept, despite all the flak they have received in the media for their poor run of results since the end of September, which the Reds are on their knees.

"Every night I'm praying that at the end of the season they'll be something worth what we've gone through," added the former England defender.

"Statistics like that are not good. But before the Fiorentina game we hadn't lost in six.

"Statistics can change quickly and we want to make sure we can start changing those stats, starting Wednesday.

"We've got to move on now. Wigan is a massive game but it's a perfect game for us.

"When you have a disappointing result you want to get back on the pitch as soon as possible."

Liverpool fought hard last season to finish Premier League runners-up as they failed to clinch what would have been a record 19th league title - instead allowing Manchester United to equal their haul of 18.

But the Reds vice captain believes that, despite Xabi Alonso's summer departure, they still have a strong enough squad to challenge.

"With the quality of the players we've got and the stature of the club we realise we should do better," said Carragher.

"It's tough at the moment for everyone associated with the club, but we've been here before.

"It's not always great times here at Liverpool. Part of playing for Liverpool is having big character and that's what's we need at the moment.

"Then we can dust ourselves down and at the end of the season say it wasn't so bad in the end."

Yossi Benayoun: Liverpool Must Get Winning Habit Back

Liverpool winger Yossi Benayoun has challenged himself and the rest of the Reds squad to rediscover their winning mentality and embark on a run of victories.

The Israeli feels that recording a few back-to-back wins would see the confidence return at Anfield, along with a more optimistic outlook.

"We need to win three or four games in a row and try to get our confidence back up," Benayoun told his club's official website.

"We always seem to win one, but then we don't follow it up with a result in the next match. We need to keep working hard in training and try to start winning, beginning against Wigan Athletic. We know we need to be in the top four and that is our target.

"If we can do that and have a good run in both cups our season will improve."

Liverpool welcome Wigan to Anfield on Wednesday night. They currently trail fourth-placed Aston Villa by five points in the Premier League table, with the prospect of Martin O'Neill's men extending that lead against Sunderland on Tuesday night.

Benayoun knows that a win is a must if Rafa Benitez's men are serious about a top-four finish this season.

"After you lose you want to play the next game as soon as possible," he added.

"We are lucky we have the game on Wednesday and we will try to play good football and win the game for our supporters. We owe them a lot because we haven't played well this season.

"There's never an easy game. We have already seen this season that anyone can beat anyone. The top four teams from last season have lost a lot of points. We know it will be difficult against Wigan at home, but we need all three points. Anything less would be a disappointment."

Mark Lawrenson: It’s Up To Rafael Benitez To Give Liverpool FC Players Their Belief Back

The belief seems to have gone from Liverpool at the moment – and it needs to come back quickly.

In short, the players need to realise how good they are again.

Rafael Benitez won’t find the answers to the current problems by looking for money in the January transfer window or by taking any notice of anything the likes of Jurgen Klinsmann or Graeme Souness say.

They are just pundits paid to give an opinion, it’s what they do.

What football managers do is pick their best team and send them out motivated and up for it.

That’s all Benitez needs to concentrate on now – don’t worry about anything else.

It seemed to have worked to a tee against Arsenal with the way Liverpool started against them on Sunday.

They were at it from the start and I think if the first half had been 10 minutes longer they would have more than one goal up.

But if it only takes one goal to completely knock you off your stride then a second goal is essential, but it also underlines the fact that there are definitely issues with confidence.

At 1-1 a game is still there for winning, but Liverpool seem to lack the conviction to recover from setbacks at the moment.

The Glen Johnson own goal is just the kind of scrappy, nothing goal they could benefit from themselves at the moment, but when those things aren’t going for you, you need to make them happen.

And Liverpool are still good enough to do that without a doubt.

Once the sharpness of Fernando Torres is back, Benitez has his strongest squad to choose from and now is the time to instill into them how good they are as players.

Even Torres and Steven Gerrard will need to be told that – just to give them that extra boost of inspiration and a spring in their step. Those things are important when the mood among the players is a bit down during a dodgy run of results.

It’s not a sign of weakness, it’s called good mean-management and Benitez needs to demonstrate that to his players now to start getting the best out of them again.

Come out against Wigan on Wednesday like they did on Sunday and the tide could finally turn.

One thing Benitez has in his favour – and perhaps one thing that some would argue mean he is lucky to be at Anfield – is that the crowd are understanding and want to back the team.

They know that this current Liverpool side is much better than the results this season indicate and they know the players have it in them to turn it round.

Those results need to be forgotten about now as does any other issue surrounding the club.

Benitez needs to pick his best players, look them in the eye and remind them how great they are.

Hosting Wigan gives them the perfect chance to prove it.

And sometimes it only takes one game and one good result and ‘bang!’ You’ve bounced back.

Suarez Reiterates Ajax Pledge

Uruguay striker Luis Suarez has reiterated that he will not be leaving Ajax before the World Cup finals.

The 22-year-old is the leading scorer in Holland by some margin, with 18 to his name already this term.

This has seen the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United linked with him, though Chelsea are believed to be leading the chase for his services.

But despite interest from Carlo Ancelotti, Suarez does not want to think about moving ahead of the World Cup finals.

"I am not going to move anywhere for the moment. I thank any team that is interested but my idea is to stay at Ajax at least until the end of the current season," said Suarez to Radio Carve.

"Maybe when this season ends I will accept a move somewhere.

"Chelsea? There is nothing at all.

"I don't know from where the press gets some information.

"If it's true, I thank them that they are interested.

"I have said to everyone at Ajax that I want to stay here because I nearly always play and I want to be in good shape for next year to play for Uruguay in South Africa. I am going to stay at Ajax at least until June."

Liverpool In £6m Swoop For West Ham United's Scott Parker

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is reportedly set to capitalise on the financial worries dogging West Ham United with a £6 million move for Scott Parker, according to The Sun.

The tabloid claims that the Reds are ready to seal the deal once the transfer window opens in January, particularly if the alleged takeover bid from David Gold and David Sullivan does not go through.

The 29-year-old midfielder - who was voted Player of the Year for the Upton Park outfit last season - is said to be a stop-gap replacement for Javier Mascherano, who is tipped to leave Anfield if the Merseyside club fail to finish in the top four this season.

Parker, who joined West Ham from Newcastle United in 2007, earns more than £50,000 a week plying his trade for Gianfranco Zola's side.

Liverpool Boss Rafa Benitez Receives Support From Wigan's Roberto Martinez

Arsenal inflicted a sixth Premier League defeat on Liverpool at the weekend. The Gunners overcame a half-time 1-0 deficit to win 2-1, and despite the mounting criticism levelled at Rafa Benitez, Wigan Athletic boss Roberto Martinez insists his compatriot will "provide the answers".

Wigan travel to Anfield on Wednesday evening, and Martinez will be hoping for a further upset. However, the Latics manager predicts a top-four finish for the under-performing Reds.

"Rafael Benitez has huge experience," Martinez told Sky Sports. "He has been in this situation many times before and he will find the answers. It is just a matter of time.

"What tends to happen in these situations is that you get a little bit of a snowball effect because, before the start of the season, expectations were really high, but any squad would be damaged by the number of injuries they have suffered to key players.
"The quality is there," added Martinez. "They showed that in the first half against Arsenal yesterday. They have world-class players and they will turn the corner. I have no doubts about it."

Regarding the club's chances of qualifying for the Champions League - they face stiff competition from Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City - Martinez said: "I still feel Liverpool will finish in the top four. Look at their players. They have huge experience.

"You are not talking about young players or a young team. You are talking about Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres, Pepe Reina, and Jamie Carragher.

"It is probably the most experienced group of players in world football. What is happening at the moment will not affect them."

Rafael Benitez Feels One Half Of Football Is Not Enough

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez was left short of words after watching his side slump to another defeat, this time at the hands of Arsenal at Anfield.

The Spaniard had been encouraged by the start his charges had made to the game, but felt the game was transformed when defender Glen Johnson was unfortunate to turn the ball into his own net as the Reds were beaten 2-1.

"The first half was really really good," Benitez told Sky Sports.

"We were very pleased and we thought it could have been even better.

"I thought the own goal changed everything. We started making mistakes. The second half was totally different."

Liverpool could have been two goals to the good going into the break had they been awarded a penalty after William Gallas challenged Steven Gerrard in the penalty area, but appeals were waved away by referee Howard Webb, leaving Benitez to bemoan the decision.

He added: "It was a penalty. If you foul somebody in the box it's a penalty."

Besides the penalty which referee Howard Webb turned away, Benitez took responsibility for his side's defeat. "When you lose you have to be disappointed, especially if it is at home."

Looking forward, Benitez said that the game had not changed his overall goal for the season.

He continued: "It's the same target: top four. It's a long way so we have to keep going, and keep winning games."

Liverpool Striker Dirk Kuyt Looks For A Reds Fightback

Liverpool striker Dirk Kuyt says the Reds must pick themselves up quickly after the 2-1 home defeat by Arsenal.

Although the Premier League title race looks out of reach (they trail leaders Chelsea by 13 points), the Reds are still targeting a top-four finish.

And, going into Wednesday night's home clash with Wigan, a five-point gap has opened behind Aston Villa in fourth.

"We want a top four finish so we must change things as quickly as possible," Kuyt told BBC Radio Merseyside.

"That's our target. If you play for Liverpool Football Club you always have to focus on the next game and there is a lot to play for."

Liverpool have now won just three times in 15 matches in all competitions following Sunday's luckless defeat.

Coming on top of their early exit from the Champions League, the Reds' continued poor run of results in the league has seen the pressure rise on manager Rafa Benitez and his players.

And Kuyt, who hit his sixth goal of the season on Sunday, is urging the rest of the squad that finished runners-up to Manchester United last season to keep their chins up.

"This is my fourth season here," said 29-year-old Kuyt. "And the first few seasons we were quite close to big trophies.

"Last season we were second and we were almost there.

"This season we all wanted to go for the league trophy.

"We are far away from that now. And we are really disappointed.

"But from tomorrow we have to focus on the next game and that's Wigan."

Kuyt scored twice in last season's corresponding game against Wigan, a 3-2 home win.

And he also bagged a brace against the Latics in a 2-0 win at Anfield in April 2007.

Wigan were beaten 3-0 on their first league visit to Liverpool in December 2005.

And they have only once taken points off Benitez's side at Anfield - two seasons ago in a 1-1 draw.

Napoli Want Andrea Dossena, But It Depends On Liverpool

Napoli are keen to land Liverpool defender Andrea Dossena, but agent Roberto La Florio has warned a financial strait-jacket could scupper negotiations.

Dossena is said to be willing to return to Italy and the Partenopei have shown an interest. But they want the player on a loan deal, rather than a permanent contract as president Aurelio De Laurentiis docks transfer allowances, according to reports in Italy.

"The deal is on hold at the moment as the Reds will not let Dossena go unless they receive a good offer," La Florio told Pianetaazurro.it.

"We have to have patience because the situation may change. Napoli and Liverpool have to speak and reach a consensus.

"Napoli want the player, but we have to see what Liverpool say. Rafa Benitez could change his mind and agree to send Dossena on loan which is what De Laurentiis wants."

Rafa Benitez Wants Players To Show Backbone

Liverpool FC manager Rafa Benitez has pleaded with his players to show backbone as the Reds' crisis worsens.

The Anfield chief witnessed another distressing display as his side lost 2-1 at home to Arsenal, having been ahead at the break on Sunday after a vibrant first-half display.

Benitez was clearly shocked by the Liverpool FC capitulation when a Glen Johnson own goal wiped out Dirk Kuyt’s early goal before Andrey Arshavin cracked a stunning winner and the Anfield men crumbled under the pressure.

It is an increasingly worrying situation for Benitez, whose side have won just three of their last 15 matches in all competitions.

With Wednesday’s home clash with Wigan now taking the significance of a must-win match, Benitez called for unity and character from his shattered players.

The Spaniard said: "We were in control in the first-half and on top of them all the time.

"But after we conceded the own goal everything changed, it was their time then and every minute they had more confidence and we were more nervous.

"The main thing now is that we have to show confidence, we have to show character.

"They play for Liverpool. We have to improve, we have to show character when we have problems and we must keep our confidence high.

"The only way to change things is to keep working hard and in this situation, when you are making mistakes, you have to be strong and try to do things properly in the future.

"We kept giving the ball away against Arsenal, it is something we have to improve on.

"Now we play Wigan on Wednesday here and we know we have to do better.

"We were not bad against Arsenal, we just made a big mistake that changed everything. The only way to change things is to stick together.

"We cannot be complaining, we cannot be arguing about anything. We must keep going and try to discover why we were so bad in the second half in terms of confidence."

He added: "We must discover why we couldn’t do the same things in the second-half that we did so well in the first period.

"Everyone was expecting us to be higher in the table after the Arsenal game and a victory would have taken us to fifth place.

"It is difficult to explain what went wrong in the second-half, we were very poor and we have to improve on this.

"The target is just to be in the top four and to start winning matches we should be winning."

Anfield Legend Ian St John Says 'Shocking' Liverpool Not Good Enough For Top Four

Liverpool legend Ian St John has described the team's current form as "shocking" and called on manager Rafael Benitez to arrest the slide.

St John, now 71, said: "It is disappointing because we have been watching this for a number of weeks.

"We have won three in 15 and that is shocking for Liverpool, shocking.

"It is hard to argue a case. Rafa said the season starts today, so OK we have started the season again and we are bottom.

"It is just not good enough and that is our best team. There was no-one on the bench you'd say should be playing."

He added: "We have seen (Aston) Villa, Tottenham and Man City and they look better than us. I think one of them will pinch that fourth spot.

You look at the team at the moment and you say they are not good enough for the top four.

"It's really sad the way things are going at the moment.

"Rafa has got to turn it around before the end of the season. He has got to let the fans see that something is going to happen, that we are not just going to drip points away and end up being also-rans."

Rafael Benitez - You Are Lucky To Have Won More Than Graeme Souness At Liverpool

Graeme Souness, as Rafael Benitez pointed out, did not have a great record as Liverpool manager. There was one season when Liverpool looked potential title winners, but that challenge quickly fizzled out and, for the most part, he filled the squad with ordinary players, and won the FA Cup.

Notice any similarities? Take away an incredible first year culminating in Istanbul in arguably the greatest comeback in the history of club football and Benitez’s record is not really all that different over the last four years.

These are altered times and the wealth gap generated by the Champions League has largely cemented an elite four in place, but the circumstances are broadly alike. There was an FA Cup win, a procession of mediocre signings and, right now, Liverpool lie seventh, a position all too familiar to those who remember the Souness years (he came sixth in his two full seasons at the club).

A team who have won three matches in 15 can no longer be said to be experiencing a blip. The 2-0 win over Manchester United in October: that was the blip. That was the result that is still hard to explain. Liverpool have lost more matches in the Premier League than Stoke City this season and have the same number of points as Birmingham City.

So statistically, there was nothing in the least surprising in defeat by a weakened Arsenal team yesterday. Liverpool are living off a name, a reputation for invincibility, particularly in the big games at Anfield. They surrendered that in the Champions League this season, and now in the domestic championship, too.

Indeed, in the present climate, the less Benitez seeks comparison with the Souness era, the better. The period from April 1991 to January 1994 is not recalled with fondness at Anfield, and understandably so, but Souness did not work for Liverpool at a time when losers could enter the European Cup. And that is a big difference.

Failure was a lot easier to come by under the old rules of engagement. There was no thrilling battle for fourth place, as is being played out now. No popping of champagne corks at trawling in 21 points behind the league leaders, as Benitez did in 2006-07. Benitez finished 37 points off the pace in his first year, but won the European Cup. That route was not open to Souness.

Back then, the Champions’ Cup lived up to its name. In Souness’s first season — he only took over in April, mind you — Liverpool came second in the old First Division, but qualified for the UEFA Cup, a tricky tournament, full of ambitious, thrusting wannabes, not the moribund Thursday-night snore fest it became. Liverpool were removed by Genoa at the quarter-final stage.

So Souness had his chance and did not take it. Benitez got his with an inferior Liverpool team in the 2004-05 Champions League campaign, defeated AC Milan against all odds, and greatness was assured. Yet Liverpool only finished fourth under Gerard Houllier the previous season and in Souness’s day that would not necessarily have guaranteed European qualification, at any level. And no Champions League final, no Rafa the genius.

Benitez is sensitive right now. He sees Souness as his inferior, in coaching terms rightly so, and resents his criticism. Yet bristling defensively at every remark smacks of a man who knows his problems are mounting. Earlier this month he had a dig at Jamie Redknapp, claiming he was looking to undermine Liverpool for the benefit of his father, Harry, the manager of Tottenham Hotspur. Redknapp, like Souness, gave an honest opinion, which is what he was required to do.

And face it, Liverpool are not losing because of what is being said in television studios. They are losing because they sold Xabi Alonso and five years of frantic transfer traffic has left a pedestrian squad, emboldened by a sprinkling of exceptional individuals.

Souness assembled an ordinary group, too, but at least he left Liverpool with Steve McManaman and Robbie Fowler on the horizon. What is there to look forward to currently? A summer of speculation around Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres unless circumstances improve.

For all his faults as a manager, Souness still won three league championships and seven national cups across three countries. He was not a fool. More importantly, he was a wonderful midfield player for Liverpool and if they had more like him now, they wouldn’t have taken fewer points from eight home league games than Blackburn Rovers. In short, he is entitled to his view, just as Benitez is to his spiky response.

Always providing, of course, that in more reflective moments, he acknowledges that a lot of successful modern coaches would find the plaudits less forthcoming if they had been working at a time when first was first and second was nowhere; let alone fourth.

Carragher Calls For Character

Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has called on the side to show some character to bounce back from their latest setback.

The Reds slumped to their sixth defeat in the Premier League after going down 2-1 against Arsenal at Anfield on Sunday.

The latest loss leaves Liverpool in seventh spot, five points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa in the race to finish in the top four.

Carragher admits the Arsenal defeat was hard to take and concedes the Reds should be doing better than they are at present.

"We started off well in the first half and should have had a penalty but you have to give credit to Arsenal, they're a top side," Carragher told the club's official website.

"The manner of the goals we conceded were unfortunate but other than them scoring, I can't remember them having too much else, which is why it is so hard to take.

"We've just got to dust ourselves down now and move to Wednesday. For the quality of the players and the stature of the club, we should be doing better.

"Statistics can change quickly and we have got to do that. It's tough at the moment but part of playing for Liverpool is having big character.

"That's what we need now. Between now and May it is going to be a grind at times but we have got to stick together, get through it and, as I'm doing, pray to God that at the end of the season there will be something worthwhile for what we've gone through."

Carragher admits Wednesday's game at home to Wigan is a must-win encounter if they are to get their campaign back on track and he knows the team need to start improving quickly.

"We can't look for excuses," added Carragher. "That's the way it is at top-level football - we know that any little thing can get pounced upon and that's happening at the moment.

"Wigan is a massive game for us. I've tried too many times down the years trying to work things out, so there's no point looking further ahead than that.

"We'll just try and get three points on Wednesday and then move on to Portsmouth. We've got to look at ourselves and realise that we've got to do much better.

"There's still some lads who aren't 100 per cent fit yet, so there'll be improvement to come but we need to get this team playing regularly."

Match Report: Liverpool 1 - 2 Arsenal

Liverpool suffered their second home embarrassment in five days as Arsenal grabbed the points in a game which was supposed to be a new beginning for the Anfield men.

Manager Rafael Benitez had insisted the season started again after the midweek Champions League defeat to Fiorentina.

But he did not get his wish even though Liverpool led at the break through Dirk Kuyt and should have had a penalty when William Gallas felled Steven Gerrard.

Arsenal grabbed two quick goals through a Glen Johnson own goal and an outstanding winner from Andrey Arshavin to heap more misery on the men from Merseyside.

Arshavin hit four last season in a 4-4 draw, but this time one was enough.

Bill Shankly's first official day behind the manager's desk at Liverpool was 50 years ago this Monday, and Benitez will sit uncomfortably in that same office after this.

Liverpool made six changes from the side dumped out of the Champions League in midweek, with Fernando Torres back in the starting line-up for the first time since early November. Fabio Aurelio was brought in at left-back against the pace of Theo Walcott.

Arsenal were unrecognisable from the side that lost to Olympiacos in Greece, only Walcott being retained by manager Arsene Wenger.

With Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City and Spurs all dropping points 24 hours earlier, both sides were desperate to take advantage.

And at last Anfield was treated to a pulsating clash after weeks of insipid displays.

The tempo and passion came from both sides and Liverpool could have had two goals in the opening 13 minutes.

First Torres broke away, fed Gerrard to his right and then took the return before failing to lift the ball over Almunia when clear.

Two minutes later referee Howard Webb controversially denied Liverpool a penalty when Gallas felled Gerrard.

The Liverpool skipper may have pushed the ball too far, but Gallas clearly took Gerrard's legs.

Denilson was booked for a high tackle on Mascherano as Liverpool poured forward.

Arsenal survived, at times with difficulty, but still sought to play their intelligent, passing football out of defence.

Samir Nasri fired wide and Cesc Fabregas tested Jose Reina as the threat on the break from the Gunners became increasingly apparent.

But four minutes from the break Arsenal finally cracked.

Aurelio lifted a free-kick into the six-yard box, where Almunia, under intense pressure in the air, managed only a weak punch and Kuyt fired home from 10 yards.

Arsenal were furious with a supposed aerial assault on their goalkeeper, Wenger making the point angrily to fourth official Andre Marriner.

The Gunners' chief was even more upset two minutes later when it looked like Aurelio stopped Walcott's run with an arm across his face. Only a booking ensured.

Arsenal came out after the break fired up for the challenge and were level after 50 minutes.

Nasri tore down the right and fired in a low cross that Johnson turned past Reina for an own goal with Walcott lurking behind him.

Mascherano was soon booked for a foul on Fabregas and it was soon to get worse for Liverpool, and especially Johnson.

Fabregas' cross after 58 minutes eluded Johnson, who then failed to stop Arshavin turning to fire in off the post from 18 yards.

Benitez finally turned to Aquilani with 25 minutes left, Mascherano making way, and with the watching Xabi Alonso applauding from the directors' box as the man bought to replace him trotted on.

But Aquilani made little impact and finished the game limping.

As much as the first half had been so positive for an aggressive Liverpool, the second was becoming deeply frustrating.

Passes started going astray, Liverpool were no longer in Arsenal's faces, rather chasing their heels.

The passion had gone from Liverpool and the accomplished young Gunners had a measure of control they were not going to lose.

Arshavin was booked for one too many late challenges on defenders clearing the ball, then Fabregas for kicking the ball away from a free-kick.

David Ngog coming on for Yossi Benayoun and then Philipp Degen for a flagging, disconsolate Johnson did little to change the flow of the match and Liverpool now have just three wins in their last 15 games.

I Will Not Walk Away From Liverpool - Rafael Benitez

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez insists that he will not abandon the club and walk away from the crisis that they are facing.

The Reds have bowed out of the Champions League and are well off the pace in the Premier League, where they currently sit seventh in the standings.

There have been many questions asked of the Anfield giants' top-four credentials, while Benitez has come under harsh criticism for his selection policy and decision-making.

But despite all the perceived problems, the former Valencia manager has stressed that he intends to stay on Merseyside for the long haul and will not entertain offers from elsewhere.

"I am happy here and if another club wanted me I would once again say no," the Spaniard is quoted in The Mirror as saying.

"When I decided to sign my new contract I was very clear - that I was signing to stay for another five years.

"Nothing has changed in my mind. I thought we could improve and I still think that we will improve."

Liverpool have been struggling under the pressure of debt believed to be well over the £300 million mark, but Benitez stands firm.

"I knew at the start of the season that we would all have to work together to reduce the debts and at the same time try to keep the team doing well on the pitch," he said.

"It was something I understood and accepted. It is all part of the business of being the manager of this football club."