Europa League Preview: Liverpool vs. Benfica

One goal down and with a place in the Europa League semi-finals at stake, Liverpool will be desperate to reverse the damage done in Portugal last week as they play host to Benfica.

A pair of second-half penalties from Oscar Cardozo gave the Eagles the first-leg spoils, but Daniel Agger's back-heeled opener in Lisbon means the Reds remain well and truly in this tie.

The Anfield giants' form is not all that encouraging, and nor was captain Steven Gerrard's much-publicised reaction to the surprise substitution of Fernando Torres at St Andrews.

With a top-four finish in the Premier League now looking only a remote possibility, Rafael Benitez and his men will be all the more determined to progress in Europe - but they face an opponent which has the smell of silverware in its nostrils.

Benfica already have the Taca da Liga under their belts and are closing on their first league title since 2005, and wouldn't they love to emphasise their return to the top by clinching a treble with a win in the inaugural Europa League?

That is but a dream for now, but Portugal's greatest club can take one step closer by reminding everyone that they know how to close out a tie against English opposition - for it was they who ended Liverpool's Champions League defence in 2006, after all.

FORM GUIDE

Liverpool

Apr 4: Birmingham City 1-1 Liverpool (Premier League)
Apr 1: Benfica 2-1 Liverpool (Europa League)
Mar 28: Liverpool 3-0 Sunderland (Premier League)
Mar 21: Manchester United 2-1 Liverpool (Premier League)
Mar 18: Liverpool 3-0 Lille (Europa League)

Benfica

Apr 5: Naval 2-4 Benfica (Portuguese Liga)
Apr 1: Benfica 2-1 Liverpool (Europa League)
Mar 27: Benfica 1-0 Braga (Portuguese Liga)
Mar 18: Olympique Marseille 1-2 Benfica (Europa League)
Mar 14: Nacional 0-1 Benfica (Portuguese Liga)

TEAM NEWS

Liverpool

Ryan Babel is unavailable after the Dutch winger received a highly controversial red card for his 'confrontation' with Luisao in the first leg. Left-back Emiliano Insua is also out of the tie after receiving a yellow card in the first leg.

Maxi Rodriguez is ineligible for the competition, while Alberto Aquilani (ankle), Martin Skrtel (foot), Fabio Aurelio (thigh) and Martin Kelly (knee) are injured.

Last starting XI (vs. Birmingham City): Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Kyrgiakos, Insua, Lucas, Gerrard, Maxi, Kuyt, Benayoun, Torres.

Benfica

Javier Saviola missed last week's clash at the Estadio da Luz through injury, and it has been confirmed that the Argentine forward will take no part in the return date at Anfield.

Strikers Weldon - who scored twice on Monday night - and Mantorras have also remained in Lisbon.

Last starting XI (vs. Naval): Quim, Pereira, Luisao, Luiz, Coentrao, Javi Garcia, Amorim, Aimar, Di Maria, Cardozo, Weldon.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Liverpool - Fernando Torres

The Reds need goals to go through, and this is the man most likely to provide them. The Spaniard has been left frustrated on his last two outings, and he will want to show his gaffer that he can be a danger every minute he's on the pitch.

Benfica - Angel di Maria

Cardozo may have put the ball in the net, but it was Di Maria who caused all the problems in the first leg. His pace, sharp turn and wicked left foot were all in evidence, and they will have to be once more if the Argentine is to help his side into the final four.

Liverpool Boss Rafael Benitez Looking To Avenge European Defeats To Benfica

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is confident his side can avenge the 2006 Champions League elimination to Benfica when they take on the Portuguese giants in the Europa League quarter-final on Thursday.

The Reds lost 2-1 at the Estadio da Luz in the first leg last week, and must overturn the deficit at Anfield to progress to the semi-final stage.

When quizzed on Liverpool's previous elimination at the hands of Benfica in the Champions League, Benitez was keen to point out that his side are in a much better position than four years ago, when a 1-0 loss in Portugal was followed by a 2-0 reversal at Anfield.

"The situation is totally different," Benitez told reporters.

"We've scored an away goal and we've got a much better squad now, so hopefully we can manage in a better way.

"They have balance. They can attack and defend well and they have confidence, so it'll be tough for us.

"But we are doing well at home, especially in the last games. So we know Benfica are a good team but we have confidence we can beat them.

"It's an opportunity we have to win silverware. It'll be important for all the people here, the fans and the club. So we'll try to do our best."

Benitez is anticipating a trademark European night atmosphere at Anfield.

"I hope so," he said.

"The fans know backing the team is the biggest way to get a result, so they will be behind the players."

Rafa Assesses Left-Back Slot

Rafa Benitez has hinted that Liverpool could swap formations against Benfica on Thursday in the absence of an established left-back.

With Emiliano Insua suspended and Fabio Aurelio injured, Benitez could shift to three at the back in the Europa League quarter-final decider.

Alternatively, the likes of Glen Johnson, Daniel Agger and Jamie Carragher have all operated on the left side of a back four in the past.

Benitez told his pre-match press conference: "We were practising on Wednesday with three defenders and with different players in different positions, so we will see how we'll manage on Thursday."

The boss was also quizzed on the fitness of his players, including Fernando Torres after he was seen with a precautionary ice-pack on his knee after being substituted against Birmingham on Sunday.

"He has to take care of his knee but he's okay, he's fine," said Benitez. "Insua is injured but he was suspended anyway. Fabio Aurelio, Skrtel and Kelly are still injured."

Reina Targets Europa Success

Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina admits they need to win the Europa League to make up for a disappointing season.

The Reds have endured a miserable Premier League campaign this term, failing to mount a title bid and are facing a real uphill battle to finish in the top four.

Reina, who has been one of Liverpool's top performers this season, is keen to end a four-year drought without silverware by lifting the Europa League in May.

"This is the only trophy we can lift this season," said Reina

"It is massively important. All the players here want to lift silverware and this is our last chance to do that.

"To win a trophy is always good. We, the players, are the first ones who know that the season hasn't been great. It hasn't been good enough. We should have done better.

"But as long as we have that opportunity to lift a trophy, it is always important for a club and it is for the players. Now it is up to us to lift it up and we have to be persistent."

To win the Europa League, Liverpool need to overturn a 2-1 deficit against Benfica in the second leg of their quarter-final on Thursday and Reina has called on the home fans at Anfield to roar the side to victory.

"We know it is going to be tough but there have been many times in the past when it has been tough and we have been able to manage," added Reina.

"With Anfield behind us and the supporters ready from the beginning, showing desire, passion and commitment, the effort will be 100 per cent. There is absolutely no doubt about that."

Reds Eye French Starlet

Liverpool have emerged as favourites to sign French starlet Moussa Kouyate.

The Reds are one of a host of clubs chasing the highly-rated 15-year-old, who is currently with Paris FC.

But now Liverpool have offered Kouyate a trial and skysports.com understands the young defender will link-up with the club later this week.

Both Manchester City and Fulham have also shown an interest in Kouyate, but Liverpool look to be heading the chase for his signature.

French champions Bordeaux, Paris Saint Germain and Lens are also believed to be keen.

Rafael Benitez Admits To Making Mistakes At Liverpool

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has admitted making "regrettable mistakes" during his six-year tenure at Anfield.

The Spaniard has come under pressure this season as the Reds struggle to finish in the Premier League's top four and secure a Champions League place.

When asked if he had made mistakes, without specifying, he replied: "Every manager makes mistakes," before adding he had "sometimes" made "big mistakes".

The Reds trail Benfica 2-1 going into Thursday's Europa League quarter-final.

At the start of the year Benitez had promised to deliver Champions League football, despite the Merseysiders finding themselves adrift of Manchester City and Tottenham in the race for fourth place in the Premier League.

With his side struggling to reach the highs of last year when they lost only two games as they finished runners-up to champions Manchester United, Benitez has found his decisions in games and in the transfer market questioned.

"The manager plays every game," he reflected.

"You lose, you win or you draw every game and some players play, some don't, but the manager is always there."

The former Valencia boss was most recently criticised for his decision to substitute Fernando Torres in the 1-1 draw with Birmingham last Saturday.

The draw left Liverpool in sixth place, four points behind fourth-place Manchester City having played one game more than both Roberto Mancini's men and Tottenham, who are three points clear in fifth place.

Meanwhile this season, the Reds failed to reach the Champions League's lucrative group stages for the first time in Benitez's reign and suffered a shock 2-1 FA Cup third-round replay defeat to Reading at Anfield.

The sale of midfielder Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid for £30m has also been widely criticised as Liverpool's difficult campaign has unfolded, with his £20m replacement Alberto Aquilani struggling for fitness all season to the frustration of Benitez.

Spain defender Alvaro Arbeloa also moved to the Bernabeu, while the experienced Sami Hyypia was allowed to join German side Bayer Leverkusen.

"If you can manage as a club with the mistakes you are ok," said Benitez, before admitting: "We signed one player that has had a problem for the whole season and we cannot manage."

Italian Report: Juventus Want Deal Closed For Liverpool Boss Benitez This Month

Italian daily Tuttosport claims that Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is still Juventus' number one target and that they want to conclude contract negotiations with him this month.

Benitez has been rumoured for some time to be a prime target to take charge of the Turin giants, who are planning a summer overhaul following a desperately disappointing season. Benitez’s Liverpool future has been under scrutiny for several months as the Reds have also endured a difficult season and the Anfield club is also experiencing financial difficulties.

Tuttosport claims that Benitez remains the preferred choice of Juventus chief Roberto Bettega with Bordeaux coach Laurent Blanc next in line. Apparently, Benitez's greater experience is the major factor in Juventus' pursuit of the Anfield boss.

Tuttosport also speculates that Juventus officials are eager to finalize a deal for Benitez this month, as early as 15 April. The Turin club wants their man in place as soon as possible, in order to plan for next season.

Steven Gerrard Tips Pepe Reina To Captain Liverpool In The Future

Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard believes that his successor to the Reds captain's armband should be goalkeeper Pepe Reina.

The England international feels that the 27-year-old Spaniard possesses all the qualities needed to be a good leader at Anfield.

Gerrard is also sure that time is on Reina's side as he is yet to reach his peak in goalkeeping terms.

"Pepe has proved this year that he is one of the best goalkeepers in the world," the midfielder told LFC Weekly.

"He's got a massive future here. He's a character and someone who is great to have around the dressing room.

"In training and on the pitch he's fantastic. He's always positive and helping his teammates. I can see a captain in him.

"As far as goalkeepers are concerned, he's still young. So I can see him captaining this club in the future.

"I certainly hope he does because he deserves it."

Fernando Torres: Liverpool FC Summer Eits 'Mssed Eerything U'

Fernando Torres admitted a spate of summer departures "messed everything up" for Liverpool FC.

The sale of midfielder Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid for a reported £30million has been widely criticised as Liverpool FC's difficult campaign has unfolded, with his £20million replacement Alberto Aquilani struggling for fitness all season to the frustration of manager Rafa Benitez.

Versatile Spain defender Alvaro Arbeloa joined Alonso in moving to the Bernabeu, while the experienced Sami Hyypia was allowed to join German side Bayer Leverkusen.

Liverpool FC were eliminated in the Champions League group stages for the first time in Benitez’s tenure and face an uphill task to return to the competition at all next season, lying as they do four points adrift of fourth-placed Manchester City having played a game more.

And a shock 2-1 FA Cup third-round replay defeat to Reading at Anfield left the Europa League - a consolation after their Champions League exit - their only remaining chance of a trophy. However, to progress in that they must overturn a 2-1 deficit to Benfica in Thursday’s quarter-final second leg.

Liverpool FC striker Torres said: "There have been various important factors, like being so far behind the top teams so quickly. That killed us psychologically.

"After that, injuries hit us hard and we have suffered a lot because of them.

"But after a good season last year, we needed certain reinforcements and we needed to keep the squad we had together. But circumstances dictated that we had to sell players and so everything got messed up.

"The sales of Arbeloa, Hyypia and Alonso were important losses.

"Alvaro always did a vital job for us, always played to a high level, and his flexibility was a huge bonus.

"Sami did not play every week but he was a 10 out of 10 on and off the pitch.

"And Xabi? Players like him are very rare. He was the team’s engine, and you know that when you change an engine, it takes time to work again."

Benitez Echoes Torres Concerns

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has called on the club's hierarchy to find some investment for new players after agreeing with Fernando Torres on the failings at Anfield.

Torres has let it be known that allowing the likes of Xabi Alonso, Alvaro Arbeloa and Sami Hyypia leave last summer has proved costly in the Reds' miserable campaign.

Having begun among the favourites for the Premier League title, Liverpool are looking increasingly unlikely to even finish fourth and will have to overcome a first leg defeat to Benfica in the Europa League quarter-finals.

A league draw at Birmingham on Sunday has left Liverpool sixth, four points adrift of that all-important UEFA Champions League-qualifying position, having played a game more than both Manchester City in fourth and Tottenham in fifth.

Benitez believes Torres was correct in his assessment of the club's disappointing performance, with the Reds boss saying: "I agree with Fernando about a lot of things.

"He talks about it being a pity we finished with 86 points last year and we couldn't progress.

"We need to sign some players, we need to bring in some money. We need an investor and then we can challenge in a better way.

"The players are working so hard and they feel they can do more.

"Fernando the other day (at Birmingham), he was feeling really tired. He was trying and the other players were trying but while we don't have the investor it will be difficult to go one step forward."

Benitez was speaking ahead of Thursday's second leg against Benfica at Anfield, with his side trailing 2-1 on aggregate.

"We will try to do our best on Thursday to win," he said. "Hopefully we can balance the books this year.

"We need now to perform on the pitch and create a better situation for the new investors."

Liverpool Co-Owners Tom Hicks And George Gillett In London To Discuss Refinancing

As Liverpool prepare to try and stay in the Europa League this week the club’s owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett have been in London discussing their next financial move, and considering the implications should Rafael Benitez fail to deliver on his promise to steer the club into next season’s Champions League.

I understand that the American owners, enjoying a rare joint visit to the UK, spent yesterday afternoon at the London client offices of leading City lawyers Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer. By co-incidence Freshfields partner Mark Rawlinson is one of the ‘Red Knights’ plotting the purchase of Manchester United from the Glazers.

Hicks and Gillett have faced similar supporter disquiet over their ownership of Liverpool and are attempting to re-finance the club’s £237m debts. RBS, their principle lender, has requested that they reduce the debt by £100m ahead of a refinancing deadline in the summer.

Rothschilds and Merryl Lynch, the advisors retained by Gillett and Hicks respectively, and club managing director Christian Purslow have been engaged in a global search for third-party investment for months but a deal is yet to be struck. The deadline for a £105m offer from New York-based investors the Rhone Group, who were hoping to secure a 40% stake in the club, passed on Monday.

Sources close to the owners say that yesterday’s talks were a general discussion of the owners’ options rather than focused on a specific deal. “There’s nothing imminent,” said one.

Purslow has previously said that five or six interested parties are still in play but it appears that all are some distance from meeting the Americans’ valuation. Hicks and Gillett have previously maintained that any third-party investor would have to pay a price that reflects the club’s potential increase in value after the new Anfield, which is yet to leave the drawing board, is built.

With the credit markets still depressed and the RBS deadline looming it may be harder for the owners to meet their valuation, but that does not mean refinancing will fail.

While RBS would like to see the debt come down it is still highly likely that the bank would offer the Americans a fresh deal. The downside for Hicks and Gillett, as they seek yet another short-term fix to their problems at Anfield, is that such a deal would cost significantly more in fees and interest.

If they succeed it will be the third time in as many years that they have had to strike a new deal with the banks, racking up fees every time. The need for a long-term solution that allows work on the new stadium to begin remains.

Steven Gerrard Rates Liverpool 'Underdogs' To Claim Fourth Place

Frustration was etched on Steven Gerrard's face when Fernando Torres was withdrawn at Birmingham City and his outlook has not changed after a result that left Liverpool "underdogs" in the race for the fourth Champions League qualification place. The Liverpool captain believes only a 100% record can preserve the club's place among the European elite but accepts the time for making promises at Anfield is over.

Rafael Benítez's team are four points adrift of Manchester City in fourth place following the draw at St Andrew's on Sunday, a contest Gerrard admits Liverpool had to win to increase their chances of salvaging their domestic campaign. The manager's decision to substitute the ineffective Torres raised eyebrows at Birmingham, Gerrard's included, but would have been vindicated had his replacement, David Ngog, taken one of several chances to seal victory late on. His failure to do so has prompted a sombre analysis from the England vice-captain and an admission that Liverpool are more reliant than ever on City and Tottenham Hotspur faltering on the run-in.

"To give ourselves a better chance we had to take maximum points here and it's going to be really difficult now," Gerrard said. "But the race for fourth place seems to change from week to week. You have to look at the teams above us, they're the favourites and we're the underdogs at the moment. But we'll keep fighting all the way to the end."

Gerrard believes Liverpool must win their five remaining league games. Their best league sequence this season is four consecutive victories at the start of the campaign – against Bolton, Burnley, West Ham United and Hull City, and they still have to play the last three.

The midfielder is wary of making further predictions. "It's OK saying we'll be all right if we win our last five games; we have to go out on to the pitch and win them rather than talk about it. It will be difficult but we have the experience and we're hoping that will be vital in the end but I think it'll go down to the wire. It's easy for me to stand here and say we have to win all our games, we have to go out and do it."

Benitez Refuses To Give Up On Champions League

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has urged his players to still believe they qualify for next season's Champions League.

Sunday's 1-1 draw at Birmingham further dented the Reds' hopes of finishing fourth in the Premier League and winning a place at Europe's top table next term.

Benitez's side trail fourth-placed Manchester City by four points, and fifth-placed Tottenham by three, and they have played a game more than their two rivals.

Other than an Anfield date with Chelsea on May 1, their other four matches appear on paper to be more straightforward - they are at home to Fulham and West Ham, and travel to Burnley and Hull. But when you consider their last away win in the league was at the end of December - a run of seven matches - nothing can be taken for granted.

Benitez, though, is convinced Champions League football is not beyond his players, and is demanding they do not lose heart.

"The players were disappointed after Birmingham because it was a good performance and we had some chances at the end,'' Benitez told the club's official website.”But I told them, 'There's still five games so we need to keep going'.

"If we play in the same way then we'll at least win our games, then we'll see what happens. They (City) have some difficult games, so we just have to win our fixtures. Football is so special. You think 'Oh we'll win there and maybe lose there', but then everything changes.

"We just have to think about getting three points against Fulham on Sunday and then see what happens. We have to keep the belief.''

Prior to that Liverpool face the small matter of trying to overturn a 2-1 first-leg deficit to Benfica in the return of their Europa League quarter-final at Anfield on Thursday.

"The Europa League now is a very, very important trophy for us and we have to win against Benfica,'' added Benitez.

Liverpool Sign Swindon Teenager

Liverpool have completed the signing of teenager Jamie Stephens from Swindon for an undisclosed fee.

The 16-year-old goalkeeper will join the Liverpool Academy until 2012 and sign a professional contract on his 17th birthday.

Stephens was invited to train with the Reds earlier this year and did enough to earn a permanent move to the Premier League giants.

The youngster is yet to make his senior debut and has only played a handful of games for Swindon's youth team this season.

"This is a great opportunity for Jamie," said Swindon chairman Andrew Fitton.

"George Wood (Swindon's goalkeeping coach) recognised his talent immediately and did a great job developing him.

"Being such a specialist position, the opportunity to go to an Academy like Liverpool is the right move for him and will give him the chance to play in tournaments all over the world."

Fitton believes the move shows Swindon's intention to build better relationships with top clubs which will benefit all parties.

The Robins already have young defender Stephen Darby on loan from Liverpool and Stephens himself could return in the future on a similar agreement.

"You can expect to see more interaction between Swindon and clubs such as Liverpool with talented players such as Stephen Darby coming on loan to help in their career development while we leverage the resources that only the big clubs have," said Fitton.

"I hope that one day Jamie Stephens may come back to Swindon, maybe on loan from Liverpool, and get his first taste of league football at the County Ground."

Stephens said after his earlier spell with Liverpool: "The Academy is unbelievable. They have so many staff, everyone is so polite and kind. It's really friendly, like a family club."

Kolarov Flattered By Reds Link

Lazio defender Aleksandar Kolarov is honoured to be linked with the likes of Liverpool and Real Madrid, but insists that he has not received a 'concrete' approach.

The full-back is hot property in Serie A and reports in the winter transfer window suggested that Inter's Goran Pandev had pleaded with the 24-year-old to move to the Giuseppe Meazza.

Liverpool are rumoured to be in the market for a left-back following the unimpressive season of Emiliano Insua and Kolarov has been mentioned as a target, while Real are also thought to want to reinforce their defence.

The Serbia international is pleased to be attracting such interest. However, he maintains that he has not been in official contact with either of the European giants.

"I open the newspapers on a daily basis and find that different clubs are interested in me," Kolarov told lalaziosiamonoi.it.

"The interest from Real Madrid, Liverpool and Inter cannot but flatter me. However, up until now there has never been anything concrete."

Asked about the speculation regarding Pandev, Kolarov added: "No, it's absolutely not true that he called me to ask that I move to Inter.

"We talk simply as two friends. We don't just speak about football."

Smith Hopes Wilson Will Stay

Rangers manager Walter Smith is hoping youngster Danny Wilson resists the lure of the Premier League.

Spurs and Liverpool have been linked with the youngster while the Reds' interest in the teenager has been confirmed.

Smith has denied that Gers have an offer on the table for the 18-year-old, who has made 13 SPL starts this season.

Rangers' boss believes Wilson is enjoying his chance of first-team football and hopes he wants to stay and continue his education with the SPL giants.

"I don't think contractual or transfer talk will affect him at all," he told Sky Sports News.

"He's a level-headed boy, he's shown the same temperament in terms of coming in and playing at 18 and playing in the manner that he has done.

"He's not got an offer yet. Liverpool have expressed an interest in him.

"We haven't said that we don't want to let the player go. So he hasn't got an offer yet. He's playing away here.

"I take it that when he joined Rangers that getting a first-team game is what he wanted to do.

"He's been getting a lot more games than I'd imagine he would this season, but he's deserved them and he's played exceptionally well for us."

Liverpool Unearth Their Answer To Ibrahimovic: Nikola Saric

Despite a disappointing season by their standards, with the team constantly blowing hot and cold both domestically and in Europe, Liverpool have a bright future ahead of them, particularly in the striking department. Dani Pacheco and Lauri Dalla Valle in particular, look to be excellent prospects but there is another striker with a bright future, who has not received the attention of the aforementioned duo. This is Nikola Saric, the 19 year old Bosnian/Danish prodigy whose ability and potential has earned comparisons with the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Fernando Torres.

Saric was signed by Liverpool from Danish club Herfolge in 2008, signing a three year deal at Anfield. Highly rated in Denmark, Saric and was voted the U-17 player of the year in 2007 and has represented his adopted country at U-16, U-17 and U-18 level.

Saric was born in Sarajevo, but left his home country when war broke out in Bosnia and his family fled to Denmark as refugees. The 19 year old made three league appearances for Herfolge and was regarded as one of the most exciting prospects in Danish football before being snapped up by Liverpool, who beat out the likes of Barcelona and Tottenham for his signature.

Unfortunately, the talented striker has been dogged by injuries in his time so far at Anfield. A persistent knee injury kept Saric out for most of last season, restricting him to a handful of reserve team games. The striker has returned to action recently though, scoring an injury-time equaliser for the reserves against Man City back in January and coming off the bench in the last three games for the reserves, who have only lost once this season in 12 games.

So what’s the fuss about Nikola Saric? Left footed, the 19 year old is extremely versatile and can play on the left or right wing or as a central striker. He is naturally gifted and has been described as one of Europe’s most promising talents. In terms of comparisons, Saric has been likened to Zlatan Ibrahimovic, purely because of the Balkan heritage he shares with the Barcelona star, (Ibrahimovic is of Bosnian and Croatian parentage). Saric has similar traits to Ibrahimovic, in terms of his ball skills, height and finishing in front of goal. The Danish prodigy has also been likened to teammate Fernando Torres, in terms of his playing style.

Saric is yet to make an appearance in Liverpool’s first team, mainly because he has been so injury-prone so far in his Liverpool career, but the youngster is remaining positive, saying back in February.

Saric will be competing with fellow striking prodigies Pacheco and Dalla Valle to break through into the first team at Anfield next season, but if he can manage to stay fit, then it is a possibility that we could see the Dane make a few substitute appearances next season for Liverpool, just like Pacheco has in this campaign. It all depends whether Saric can stay healthy and start showing Rafael Benitez some of that obvious potential that made the Liverpool boss sign him from Herfolge two years ago.

Reds Miss Out On £110 Million Investment

Liverpool FC appear to have rejected an offer of £110 million from New York-based fund management company Rhone Group for a controlling share in the Anfield club, with owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett failing to respond to the bid ahead of its deadline.

Liverpool are keen to secure new investment in order to pay off the club's debts and finance a move from Anfield to a new state of the art stadium in Liverpool's Stanley Park, but negotiations with Rhone appear to have fallen by the wayside.

'Though Rhone's investment is needed to pay down £100m of debt demanded of the club by Liverpool's bankers, Royal Bank of Scotland, the club seem to believe they can secure a better deal elsewhere,' reports The Independent. 'It does not seem that Rhone will go back to the club in the future and though further negotiations are possible if Liverpool re-establish contact, the valuation may have changed if Rafael Benitez's side are not playing Champions League football next season.'

Participation in the Uefa Champions League is worth tens of millions each season to participating clubs. Liverpool have been a fixture in the competition in recent seasons, winning it in 2005 and reaching the final again in 2007, but were eliminated ahead of the knock-out stages in this season's competition and are currently trailing in the race to qualify for next season's edition.

The Reds, who can point to a seemingly less difficult run-in than their rivals for fourth place, were held 1-1 by Birmingham City this weekend, with Liam Ridgewell cancelling out Steven Gerrard's opener. Liverpool are in sixth place, four points behind fourth-placed Manchester City.

Gerrard Deserves Better & A Fresh Challenge

Arsenal FC hero Ian Wright believes Liverpool FC should allow their captain Steven Gerrard to leave Anfield in the summer.

Wright claims the long time Liverpool FC talisman looks unhappy and disillusioned with life at Anfield and his adoring Kop fans should respect the service he has granted them for all these years by allowing him to leave the club in the summer.

The once prolific Arsenal FC forward suggests Gerrard would benefit from leaving Liverpool FC in search of a new challenge because on the verge of his thirtieth birthday, he may not get another chance. Wright suggests Birmingham City’s 1-1 draw with Liverpool, during which Rafa Benitez withdrew Fernando Torres with 20 minutes remaining, may have been the nail in the coffin for Gerrard’s Anfield career.

The Arsenal FC legend told the Sun: “It was the moment that may have broken the camel's back as far as Steven Gerrard's Liverpool love affair is concerned.”

“The look of dismay on the skipper's face when Rafa Benitez inexplicably substituted Fernando Torres with 25 minutes to go in Sunday's 1-1 draw at Birmingham said it all.”

“For the first time since he broke into the first team 11½ years ago, Stevie G looked like he wants out of Liverpool.”

“And, with the way things are at Anfield right now, who could blame him?”

“With Premier League and Champions League hopes having long disappeared, the consolation prizes of fourth place in the table and the Europa League are now even touch and go.”

“It appears the only certainties on the horizon at Liverpool this year are more in-fighting and uncertainty.”

Wright claims Steven Gerrard, one of the greatest players in Liverpool’s history, deserves better then the club’s current malaise.

He continued: “Gerrard deserves better. Much better.”

“He turns 30 at the end of next month. It's a milestone that is bound to make him take a long, hard look at himself and his career.”

“It would be totally understandable if he came to the conclusion that he needs a new club. I know the Kop will be up in arms at this view, as they were when their inspirational captain came close to joining Chelsea in 2004.”

“Gerrard turned down a reported £20million switch to join Jose Mourinho and it proved the right decision.”

“He led Liverpool to a Champions League triumph over Milan 12 months later, an incredible FA Cup final win over West Ham a year after that before another Champions League final appearance in 2007.”

“But things are totally different this time. Gerrard's body language as he trudged off at St Andrew's suggested he needs a new challenge and the Koppites should respect that.”

“As the old saying goes, if you love somebody set them free. That is how Liverpool fans should be with Gerrard.”

“Nobody has given more for the Reds cause, particularly in recent seasons. Torres has got the goals but Gerrard has carried the club, almost single-handedly at times.”

“But the time may have come where he needs to think about himself. Spending a career with one club - even one as good as Liverpool - is not always healthy and players can get stale.”

“He would thrive at a big club where there are more than two world-class stars expected to carry the burden week in, week out.”

“A fresh challenge would rejuvenate Gerrard after a draining season with Liverpool.”

“And we might see a smile back on the face of one of English football's genuine world-class talents. Instead of the dejected expression we saw on Sunday.”

Mark Lawrensen: Fernando Torres Treatment A Big Clue To How Rafa Benitez Sees His Liverpool Future

I wish I could answer the questions as to why Fernando Torres was taken off at Birmingham on Sunday – but I for one have given up trying to guess.

Preserving players early in the season is one thing – but doing it in April just doesn’t make sense.

No wonder Steven Gerrard was scratching his head.

I hate harking back to the old days because that’s exactly what they are – old. But if Rushie had been subbed after 65 minutes of a game we needed to win back in the 1980s there would have been a mutiny.

And Torres is the modern day Ian Rush – the one player who you need on the pitch when you are chasing a winning goal.

Yes, he might have been having an off day but looking at the way Liverpool pressed late on, he would have only needed to stand there and swing his leg at the ball to have an impact.

He would surely have buried the couple of chances David Ngog had when he came on to replace him.

But the most baffling thing about the decision to haul him off was, if you really need to wrap him in cotton wool and make sure he doesn’t do any long term damage, why didn’t that happen in Portugal on Thursday night?

There were only eight minutes left when Torres made way for David Ngog that night and by the time he came off he had been kicked from pillar to post.

Taking him off would have been justified on that occasion because he was getting no protection from the referee and the Benfica defenders were having a field day.

That would have been the time to give Torres the safety of the bench.

As it is, the 2-1 defeat Liverpool suffered still, for me, gives them a 60/40 chance of qualifying at Anfield, as long as they don’t concede an away goal.

One thing is for sure, after missing half an hour of action at St Andrew’s, Torres should be flying!

But the other thing I really don’t get about the whole tiredness argument is, why not send Ngog on for someone else and give Torres some help? Ease the burden on him a bit.

If you have someone who can do the running and occupy defenders, then Torres can just stand around and be as worn out as he likes, all he needs to be there for is to add a finishing touch.

That’s all you need in such a finely-balanced game and I’ve lost count of the times a decision by Benitez has jeopardised his side having the best chance of winning a game.

When your own captain is looking at the number board in utter disbelief, you know you’ve got problems.

Gerrard was playing really well, had scored a great goal and he knows that when he is in the mood he and Torres can destroy a team in an instant.

So what conclusions are we supposed to draw from all this? Is it that Benitez wants to go all out to win the Europa League rather than push for fourth place? A fourth place that he has already ‘guaranteed’?

After failing to deliver on that, success in Europe is an absolute must if you’re going to make sacrifices elsewhere for it.

Of course, if we do win the trophy then great, happy days. But how are we going to attract top quality players to the club for next year if we are not in the Champions League?

Or maybe Rafa knows that come the summer that won’t be his problem – and if he does go he will at least have gone out with some silverware.