Benitez Wary Of Craig Bellamy Return

Rafa Benitez is hoping Craig Bellamy will not come back to haunt Liverpool tomorrow night at Anfield.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has warned his side to keep an eye out for Craig Bellamy as the former Reds striker returns to Anfield on Monday night with West Ham United.

Bellamy joined Liverpool from Blackburn Rovers in 2006, but failed to make enough of an impact on Merseyside and only lasted one season before moving to Upton Park last summer.

The Welshman has struggled with injury during his time in East London so far, although he has started the last seven Premier League games for the Hammers and should again be fit to face his former side on Monday night.

Whilst Bellamy has only one league goal this season, scored on the opening day against Blackburn Rovers, he will surely be hoping to double his tally at Anfield and make a point to Benitez.

Speaking to the club's official website, Benitez revealed he is expecting a tough game on Monday and acknowledged the threat posted by Bellamy.

“We have experience of teams coming here very well prepared and defending, and I think it will be the same situation with West Ham - they will be organised and have some good players with Bellamy up front, so they will be a threat,” he said.

“Bellamy is a good player and was a very good professional when he was with us - he worked very hard,” explained the Reds’ boss.

“We had a lot of confidence in him, he was a good player for us and he is a winner, but some players prefer to play every week and it's something you need to understand.”

Liverpool will be hoping to bounce back from the disappointment of being held to a goalless draw at Anfield by Fulham last time out and keep pace at the top of the table.

West Ham, meanwhile, are only two points away from relegation and will want to follow up last weekend’s victory against Sunderland with another away win.

Whilst the Hammers have a poor record at Anfield they did beat Liverpool at home in January and Benitez is clearly expecting another difficult challenge.

He concluded, “It will be difficult for them to take something away from Anfield, but it will be hard for us too because it is the Premier League and it's always tough.”

Benitez Welcomes UEFA Action

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has welcomed UEFA's decisive action after they charged Marseille following an incident at Anfield when an object was thrown at Steven Gerrard.

The Reds skipper appeared to be hit by a missile thrown from the Marseille fans' section as he went to take a corner in the first half of Liverpool's 1-0 Champions League victory.

European football's governing body today confirmed to PA Sport that Marseille will answer the charge at a meeting of UEFA's control and disciplinary panel on December 11.

UEFA also confirmed the French club have been fined 15,000 euros (£12,378) following a near identical incident at the Stade Velodrome in September when Liverpool were also the opponents.

While welcoming UEFA's decisiveness, Benitez has some sympathy with the French club.

He said: "It is good that UEFA have acted. But the problem is that it is just one person out of thousands who decides to do something like that, so how can you control it? It is not easy to stop these things.

"It is difficult to control everyone, if someone wants to do something like this then it is hard to stop.

"You can fine the club and look for solutions afterwards, but you cannot control everything. But the response of Gerrard was very good."

Gerrard's only reaction was to fix a withering look on the Marseille section and then turn away to take a corner.

Benitez Set To Sign New Liverpool Deal

The Reds' gaffer is poised to end speculation over his future by putting pen to paper on a long-awaited contract extension.

Liverpool are flying higher this season than they have for the best part of a decade. Only goal difference separates them from the Premier League leaders, Chelsea, and they secured their spot in the Champions League knockout rounds with Wednesday's win over Olympique Marseille.

And still, there has been considerable doubt as to whether Rafael Benitez will remain the club's manager beyond the end of the current campaign.

The Spanish tactician was promised a contract extension at the start of the year but, after a series of false starts, negotiations only kicked earlier this month.

Liverpool co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett have seemed curiously reluctant to reward Benitez with a new deal, perhaps due to lingering uneasiness between the two parties after the boardroom antics that plagued the club last season.

However, Real Madrid's increasing interest in Rafa appears to have spurred the American investors into action, as a two-year extension is expected to be wrapped up by Christmas.

Benitez said in the News of the World: “My advisers were in contact with them and we are waiting for a new contract right now. Sooner rather than later we will have another communication.”

NOTW's Liverpudlian journalist, Chris Bascombe, also reports that Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres will receive new deals in 2009.

Benitez Backing For Dossena

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has called for patience over Andrea Dossena as the defender adapts to the physicality of the Premier League.

Dossena has made 13 appearances for the Reds this season since signing from Serie A side Udinese in the summer.

The left-back has competed with Fabio Aurelio for a place in Benitez's starting XI and has sometimes struggled for form.

Benitez, though, is content with the 27-year-old's development at Anfield and feels he will eventually prove a success for the club.

"The main thing for me is that he is working very, very hard," Benitez told the club's official website.

"The other day against Marseille he was trying to impress. He was going forward well and, okay, he made some mistakes in defence, but he also blocked some shots.

"He is working very hard but maybe he needs to be a little bit calmer and relaxed when he plays because he's a little bit anxious now."

Benitez added: "It's difficult because Italian football is very tactical. Everyone is together and they don't play too many long balls - it's less physical than English football.

"So, he will need time - but the main thing for me is that he wants to improve, that's clear.

"He needs to know the system here and he will improve. You never know how long it will take but hopefully he'll be better in the next game."

No Date Put On Torres Return

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has warned fans not to expect a swift return of striker Fernando Torres after his latest injury setback.

The Spanish striker pulled up with the hamstring injury that has plagued him this season during Wednesday night’s 1-0 victory over Marseille in the Champions League at Anfield.

Although Torres played the full 90 minutes, tests after the match showed he had sustained more damage to the injury and reports last night suggested he will be out until the festive fixtures.

But Benitez told the club’s official web site today, “You cannot guarantee when he’ll be back. I was with him and the physios two minutes ago and he’s already working. But it always depends on the player.

“It’s a blow especially because we lost him before and we’ve been talking about the understanding between him and Robbie Keane, and him and Steven Gerrard.

“It’s important not to put too much pressure on it and for him to keep working.”

Steven Gerrard Plays Golf To Avoid Being A Football Obsessive

Steven Gerrard has revealed how he handles the obsession for football he believes overwhelms his Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez and team-mate Jamie Carragher.

Gerrard prepares to celebrate 10 years in the Reds' first team as he leads Liverpool into action against West Ham at Anfield on Monday.

The 28-year-old wants to win the title even more than the Champions League and Liverpool – without a league title for 18 years – acknowledge the manic desire from their fans to win the Barclays Premier League puts increasing pressure on the side.

Gerrard watches the way football dominates every waking hour for Benitez and Carragher, and just has to get away from it all.

"Football is the priority, but not an obsession," Gerrard said. "I love it, I make sacrifices for my job and I wouldn't put anything before it.

"But there are times when you have to get football out of your system.

"I don't know how Rafa and Carra do it. You have to take your hat off to them, they are obsessed 24/7.

"I have to get away from it to help my game, maybe Rafa and Jamie need it all the time to help theirs.

"I find it helps me to get on to a golf course for four hours, and don't talk or think about football. I spend half my time looking in the trees for my ball, but at least I am not thinking about football."

Gerrard is single-minded when he has to be, however, saying: "I can understand why people are saying we have title credentials, it is because when we have gone a goal down in games we just haven't given up. We have managed to turn things around.

"So now everyone says we have title credentials. That is the sort of pressure I suppose we expect.

"It is nice, but it raises expectations so it is important for us to stay humble.

"We know we are a good team, we know we are getting close to a title challenge. We know we can say that.

"But we have now got to prove we can stay in the race right to the end.

"The longer we go without delivering the title the more the pressure comes. But this is Liverpool, you have to expect that and deal with it. Every single game we play there is pressure to win.

"Even more so now because the wait for the 'bread and butter', as Bill Shankly used to describe the title, is getting longer.

"I have lived with it since I broke into the first team 10 years ago, but we are always under pressure.

"Making the Champions League every year is the minimum target, you have to earn the right to be in it.

"But with our history, and the number of cups we have won in Europe, we know it is our stage, it is where we want to be.

"We see how successful the club has been, players before our generation delivered, and fans expect the same today."

Liverpool are still unbeaten in the league at home in 2008, and it would be a major shock if West Ham – who have not won at Anfield since 1963 – were to wreck that record.

They will be without striker Fernando Torres again – he has a recurrence of his hamstring injury - and also Fabio Aurelio, who has a calf problem.

Steven Gerrard's Best Years With Liverpool Are Still To Come, Says Rafael Benitez

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has told Steven Gerrard that the best years of his career still lie in front of him after claiming that the 10th anniversary of the midfielder's Premier League debut today is merely a milestone on the route to him becoming an even more influential player at Anfield.

The 28-year-old, who will captain Liverpool against West Ham on Monday night, took his first steps in the Premier League as an 89th-minute replacement for Vegard Heggem during the 2-0 win over Blackburn on Nov 29, 1998.

Gerrard has since become one of the most celebrated players in Liverpool history and Benitez believes there is more to come.

Benitez said: "Stevie is still young and 28 is the best age for a player. He can only improve because he will read the game better as he gets older. I don't know how long he will be as strong as he is, but if he can stay like this for three or four years, he will just get better and better."

Meanwhile, striker Fernando Torres faces his third hamstring injury lay-off of the season. Benitez has revealed that the Spaniard will be subjected to rigorous testing in an effort to resolve the problem.

He said: "Sometimes it is a problem with your back or how you walk, so you need to analyse everything. It's not a question of what the players do every day, but there may be one or two things that are important.

"We need to check all the things. I have a lot of confidence that we can find a solution sooner rather than later."

UEFA Charge Marseille, Roma Over Liverpool, Chelsea Incidents

Europe's governing body UEFA have charged Marseille and Roma over the misbehavior of their fans during Champions League matches.

The misdeeds of French Ligue 1 side Marseille's fans have not gone unnoticed by UEFA.

Projectile throwing from the l'OM faithful occurred during both the home and away clashes with Liverpool.

Les Phocéens have been fined €15,000 for the antics which took place during the September visit of the Reds to the Stade Vélodrome.

Now, on December 11, they'll answer to even more serious charges after 'Pool captain Steven Gerrard was struck by an object - believed to be a cigarette lighter - at Anfield on Wednesday. Referee Olegario Benquerenca has detailed the incident in a report requested by the UEFA disciplinary panel.

Italian giants Roma are also in hot water after fireworks were set off at the Stadio Olimpico when The Giallorossi hosted another English Premier League side, Chelsea.

UEFA have slammed the Serie A club for "insufficient organisation" and will hear what they have to say on the matter on the same day Marseille explain why Gerrard was targeted.

Roma don't have much hope as far as their case is concerned, as their fans were also reportedly fighting before the game, drawing attention to themselves even before the fireworks fiasco.

Benitez: Liverpool Have Done Everything To Protect Fernando Torres

Rafa Benitez insists that Liverpool did everything they could to protect star striker Fernando Torres, who is crocked once more.

Fernando Torres seemed to be getting up to match speed having recovered from the hamstring injury which recently kept him out for six games.

However, El Niño is straight back into the Melwood treatment room after again tweaking his right hamstring whilst playing in the Champions League against Marseille - a match edged 1-0 by the Reds.

The 24-year-old is officially out for two or three weeks, but boss Rafael Benitez could hold him back even longer. He insists that the club did everything by the book since he was crocked on international duty for Spain, so extra precautions will be taken this time.

Thus, the hitman may not be back for what could be a crunch festive clash with Arsenal on Sunday, December 21.

The boss explained to the press: "We were taking care of him and the timing was under control.

"The doctors were working really hard, but it's happened again. It's not exactly the same injury, but it's the same muscle."

Looking forward, he added: "We are working with the medical staff again, trying to analyse the reason why and trying to prevent it happening again.

"He was sharp, so it was a surprise. We have to check the balance of the player to prevent it from happening. Anyway, we won't rush him back now.

"Meanwhile, we have [Robbie] Keane, Dirk Kuyt, David Ngog and Ryan Babel. Hopefully they can score enough goals and we can talk about Fernando again in three weeks' time."

Babel Frustrated With Bench Life - Lawyer

The Ajax academy graduate is doing all he can to impress Rafa Benitez, but still cannot get a game at Anfield.

The lawyer of Dutch international Ryan Babel has revealed the forward's frustration at being on the fringes of the Liverpool squad.

The 21-year-old has scarcely featured for the Reds throughout this campaign, his second full term at the club since moving from Amsterdam.

After being eased into life at Anfield last year with sporadic appearances, the former Ajax star was expected to push for a starting berth this time around.

However, with the signings of Albert Riera and Robbie Keane, combined with the form of compatriot Dirk Kuyt, Babel has been unable to claim a spot in the starting XI, either up front alongside Fernando Torres or on the wings.

The £11.5 million signing has made as many Carling Cup appearances as Premier League appearances this season and has taken to venting his frustration in the press.

His unhappiness at being constantly benched was emphasised today by lawyer Winnie Haatrecht, who fails to understand where the forward is going wrong.

The lawyer is quoted as saying by the press: "He has had fewer minutes than a year ago. While we saw last year as a development year, this season was to be his 'breakthrough year'.

"Of course, you look at yourself as a player first. But Ryan believes the things he's doing is everything that manager Benitez is demanding of him."

Rafa Benitez Confident Fernando Torres Will Be Back In Action For Liverpool FC

RAFAEL BENITEZ is determined to get to the bottom of Fernando Torres’ hamstring crisis and welcome the striker back to action in a matter of weeks.

The Liverpool manager is confident that his record signing can shake off the persistent problems that have severely disrupted his second season in English football.

Torres has already missed seven Liverpool games this season following the hamstring tear he initially sustained playing for Spain in a World Cup qualifier with Belgium in September.

And he will be out for a further three weeks after he aggravated the same muscle in Wednesday’s Champions League win over Marseille.

Benitez is sure there will be no long-term effects for the player but he has admitted he and his staff are back to square one in trying to identify exactly what is causing his agony.

Former Liverpool forward Michael Owen’s career was blighted by constant hamstring problems when he was at Anfield, but Benitez isn’t anticipating similar problems for Torres.

“In a few weeks Torres will be okay,” said the manager. “Each player is different so now I have a lot of confidence that we can find a solution sooner rather than later. When you get two or three injuries in the same muscle it’s something you have to consider.

“Sometimes it is a problem with your back or how you walk so you need to analyse everything because small things can change everything.

“It’s not a question of what the players do every day, but there may be one or two things that are important.

“We need to check all the things that they were doing before and change things if necessary.”

Benitez insists Torres was not rushed back into action too early after his second setback last month, which he also sustained on international duty.

He was eased back into action as a sub against West Brom and Bolton, starting the League Cup defeat to Spurs in between before once again coming on as a sub for Spain against Chile in a friendly last week.

The striker then played 90 minutes of the 0-0 draw with Fulham last Saturday and also completed the 1-0 victory over Marseille on Wednesday – with Benitez insisting Torres was in good condition to play ahead of all those games.

“We have been doing some prevention work but now we need to look at maybe changing the way we do things and analyse more things,” said Benitez. “We were doing everything right and the player was sharp. You could see that he was ready but he has the same problem now and we have to analyse and change things if necessary.

“All the players do specific work, and normally with injuries you know the weakness of the player and work with the physios and fitness coach and you do different exercises to prevent certain things.

“We played him at Tottenham in the Carling Cup for 55 minutes so we had an idea, a timing and everything was under control. So he was training really well and you could see he was sharp – that’s why he played the other day because he had lot of confidence.

“And I can guarantee you that the other day we were training and we were really pleased with him and Steven Gerrard, because both were working very hard and you could see the sharpness of both.”

Torres will miss Monday’s home game with West Ham, along with Fabio Aurelio who is out for two weeks with a calf problem.

Liverpool Set On Discovering The Cause Of Torres' Injury

Liverpool are planning a total overhaul of Fernando Torres's medical care to try to discover the reason for his fifth hamstring injury in 16 months. The Spanish striker broke down again during Wednesday's Champions League victory over Marseilles and scans have revealed a repetition of the injury that could rule him out for three weeks, with the trip to Arsenal on 21 December being the tentative target for his comeback.

Torres has had three similar injuries on international duty, and two now with Liverpool, since his arrival from Atletico Madrid. His manager, Rafael Benitez, revealed that Torres has no history of such an injury in Spain, which further deepens the concerns over his fitness.

"Fernando had no such muscle or hamstring problems while with Atletico Madrid," Benitez said. Torres is also concerned by the problem. "I am a little disappointed, but all I can do is move forward," the 24-year-old striker said. "It is worrying because it has happened a few times. After this latest injury the important thing is to recover without rushing a comeback date and trying to make sure it does not happen again."

Torres will miss Monday's game at home to West Ham United, and could also be out for the matches against Blackburn Rovers, PSV Eindhoven and Hull City.

"We are very disappointed with the situation," Benitez said. "We have to analyse why it has happened. We have been working with prevention exercises in the past, and still we have the same problem.

"We were taking time with him, he wasn't being rushed back. The time and training was all under control, as was all the exercises. The doctor and the physio were both working very hard with Fernando and they are both first class, but now it is the same situation. We will now not be taking any risks with his comeback. If he is fit then he will play, if he is not fit then he won't, it is simple."

Torres had short spells against West Bromwich Albion, Tottenham Hotspur and Bolton Wanderers, plus a substitute appearance for Spain against Chile. Then he played two full games and broke down again.

"Everything was under control," Benitez said. "But maybe against Marseilles he was tired towards the end of the match and that is when it happened again. He went on a sprint and pulled something.

"Now we will have to start all over again to try to solve this problem. I have talked to Fernando looking for a solution, and also with the doctor and physio staff. We must solve this, it is not a serious injury, more one that is difficult to cure."

Liverpool FC's Steven Gerrard Shows No Signs Of Letting Up

A DECADE into his Anfield career, skipper Steven Gerrard is showing no signs of letting up on just exactly what he does best.

By directing a header past Marseille goalkeeper Steve Mandanda on Wednesday, the Liverpool skipper added yet another important goal to his bulging collection by easing Rafael Benitez’s into the knockout stages of the Champions League.

For one member of the backroom staff watching from the Anfield dugout in midweek, the midfielder was merely giving more affirmation of a talent apparent at an early age.

Sammy Lee was the reserve team coach when a certain teenager from Huyton began making his mark in the youth ranks at Liverpool.

Tomorrow marks the 10th anniversary of Gerrard making his debut as a late substitute in the home Premier League win against Blackburn.

And Lee, having returned to Anfield this summer as assistant to Benitez, says: “I saw him come through as a kid at the club, and the first memory I have of him is not of any one game where he suddenly stood out, but just of the talent he always had.

“From the start, you saw him around the place, and he had a great effect on people, because he was a young lad who had the right attitude.

“At every club, when you have young talent developing and coming through, it always has a positive effect on people, it’s what you’re there for, what the club is there for, and to see it happen always gives everyone a buzz.”

As a homegrown talent that forced his own way into the trophy-winning side of the late 1970s, Lee appreciates more than most what is required for a local boy to make good at Liverpool.

“Liverpool is a great environment for young players to develop, to learn what it takes to become a professional, and every time some one like Steven comes through and achieves that, it makes every one here feel great,” he says.

“I’m sure you’ll get an awful lot of people trying to claim that they were responsible for his development in some way, but I won’t be one of those. The truth is, the lad should take all the acclaim himself.

“It is the hard work he put in from the very start, and attitude he showed, the desire he had to succeed that got him where he is, and he should take all of the credit.

“Of course he’s got incredible ability. But it’s not just about the ability, it’s about the attitude too, and believe me, his has always been absolutely right.”

It’s an attitude that Lee believes has taken Gerrard to such heights. And, while loth to compare the player with those of a different era, it’s an attitude that the assistant also recognised in some of Liverpool’s finest-ever servants.

“I played 10 years at Liverpool with some of the great players, people like Graeme Souness and Kenny Dalglish, and I’ve coached some of them too, and for me, all the world class players have one thing in common, and that is their attitude,” he says.

“Personally, I don’t think it serves any purpose to compare players over different eras, because, for me, it’s impossible. So it’s not for me to say Gerrard is better or worse than Souness. But like Graeme and Kenny, he shares the same approach to the game.

“All the world class players I’ve seen, they go into training every day, not complacent about their talent, not thinking they’ve made it and they’re the best. Every day they go in there determined to be the best – and importantly, to be even better.

“Steven had that mentality, that steely determination to do his best and become better, and he still has that now. I can’t say he’ll get even better, but I can say he’ll still be thinking that now, even after 10 years, that he can still improve on what he has already achieved.

“That’s what marks him out as up there with the great players.”

Gerrard has made 458 appearances for Liverpool and, since being made captain by former manager Gerard Houllier, has lifted the European Cup and the FA Cup as well as being named PFA Player of the Year in 2006.

And saluting Gerrard’s longevity and loyalty, Lee says: “For him to be at a club like Liverpool for 10 years is an incredible achievement, especially these days in football. You see it in all the top sportsmen across all different sports. They sacrifice so much these days, and they are determined to improve on a daily basis no matter what stage they are in their career.

“These days, 10 years is such a long time to stay at the top with one club. Steven must have found it even harder, because he’s always had other clubs making offers, trying to take him away from Liverpool – there have always been temptations for him. And yet he has stayed, which shows his character.

“I look back on the 10 years since he made his debut, and the club has moved on, the game has moved on... and so has he. You need an incredible amount of commitment, desire. You need to be a special person.

“He’s a great professional, and – believe me – a great ambassador, not just for Liverpool Football Club, but for football. What he has done over those 10 years is a fine example for any young kid, and that’s why I say he’s the only one who deserves credit for what he has achieved.”

Skrtel Set For December Return

Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel hopes to return from his knee ligament injury in December.

The centre-back sustained the serious problem in the Premier League victory at Manchester City in October after becoming a permanent fixture in the Reds first-team.

However, the Slovakia international now expects to be fully recovered in time to help Liverpool through the hectic festive period fixture list.

"I hope I will be back in action next month, hopefully in the middle of next month," Skrtel told the club's official website. "But I will have to be guided by the medical team at Liverpool.

"I have been lucky because I could have been facing eight or nine months out of the game.

"It's the worst injury of my career, but if I play for the next 10 years, I am sure I might have one worse."

The no-nonsense 23-year-old is also confident that he will return to his best form as Liverpool chase the league title.

"I will be the same player when I am fully fit again," he added.

"I will make tackles like I always have and will stand up physically to the challenges that I face.

"It will take me a few games to get back to the level that I was at before the injury, which is only natural.

"But I won't be a different player when I come back - I won't allow that to happen."

Gerrard: Liverpool Need To Move Away From Anfield To Compete With Our Rivals

Steven Gerrard has admitted Liverpool need to move to a new ground in order to compete with Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea for the top honours.

The Liverpool midfielder has however said that leaving the club's legendary home Anfield will be an emotional moment for players and supporters alike.

Gerrard said: 'As a player I want to be up there competing for every single trophy we can win.

'When you look at Chelsea, Arsenal and United they are all pulling more punters into the ground than we are and it makes a difference to our revenue over the season. We’re playing catch up every year.

'I can see the pros and cons in the move but for financial reasons, and to win things, the time’s probably come to go for it.

'It will also be a proud moment for me if I get the chance to lead Liverpool into the new era as captain in a new stadium'

Liverpool are desperate for the league title, with their last success nearly two decades ago, while their great rivals Manchester United have won ten titles in the meantime.

But after three months of the season, they are joint leaders of the Premier League with Chelsea, leading many supporters to dream that this could finally be their year.

And Gerrard has insisted Rafa Benitez is still the man to lead Liverpool to title glory.

'That’s all we want as players, to be successful long-term.

'That’s what the manager wants and we’ve got the right man for the job in Rafa. The supporters are used to success and they want more.

'We’ll be working hard to bring as much of that to Anfield between now and whatever date we move on.'

Liverpool have played at Anfield since 1892, and Gerrard is well aware of its history and tradition.

Writing in 'My Captains Book', Gerrard said: 'The big stadium move has been a topic on everyone’s lips ever since the club announced their plans.

'In an ideal world, I wouldn’t want to move away from Anfield because it’s where I used to come to watch Liverpool and it’s a ground that has so many happy memories for me as a player too. I’ve seen and been part of some magical nights there.

'It’ll be a sad moment for me when the gates close on the old place.

'The Liverpool supporter in me says I want to stay at Anfield because it’s the spiritual home. It’s where I came to watch my heroes as a kid and it’s where I always dreamed of playing when I was young and kicking a ball about in Huyton.

'It’s got this sense of history and tradition about it, and I still feel the same walking down and then up the steps on to the pitch as captain today as I did when I made my first start for the team.

'I don't care who you are. This stadium, when it's rocking, affects visiting players – every team to play here in Europe said the same.'

'So with that head on, I’d love us to stay at Anfield, but you’ve got to look at the bigger picture.'

Mascherano Has No Love For Hammers

Javier Mascherano insists he has no feelings about former club West Ham as Liverpool prepare to face The Hammers.

Mascherano joined West Ham along with countryman Carlos Tevez - who went on to play a major role in keeping The Hammers in the Premier League in 2007.

Tevez's controversial participation in West Ham's season is now leading to court battles - but Mascherano's Upton Park career passed off without anywhere near as much controversy.

Indeed the combative midfielder managed just seven games for The Hammers before joining Liverpool in January 2007 - and the player admits he has little feeling for West Ham given how little he played for them.

"West Ham brought me to England. That was very good for me, but I still could not play there, it was not like at River Plate or Corinthians when I could play and win titles," he said.

"I only played a few games, so I do not have a big feeling for the club.

"But I was very pleased that they brought me to England, and happy with the welcome I got there. They did give me the chance to play in England, which is clear.

"But I do not feel a big passion for the club because I couldn't play there. I was there for four months, I did not have a feeling with the people.

"I don't feel anything about them. My club is Liverpool, and I do the best for the people here, my team-mates and supporters.

"I do not think about anything now at West Ham. West Ham is nothing in my life now because I was not able to play there.

"It is just another team in the Premier League. I do not feel anything else.

"The important thing now for me is to win with Liverpool and to keep going. We want to be top of the table and we must just keep going."

Quiet Liverpool Can Win The Title - Ian Wright

Arsenal's former strike hero believes the Reds are odds-on for glory because they don't have any 'moaners', unlike their counterparts.

The newspapers and airwaves have been dominated by player-related fiascos in recent weeks. William Gallas has landed himself in hot water by blasting his Arsenal team-mates; Didier Drogba's future at Chelsea continues to look uncertain; and nobody knows whether Carlos Tevez and Cristiano Ronaldo will still be at Manchester United next season.

Meanwhile, at Liverpool, rumblings about manager Rafael Benitez's contractual situation have triggered only gentle ripples over the club's otherwise calm surface. And why shouldn't the Reds be content when they have put together their best start to a season in years and, for once, look capable of contesting the Premier League crown?

Xabi Alonso's unsure footing at Anfield, combined with Benitez's unfulfilled interest in Gareth Barry, threatened to engulf the club during the off-season, but the Spanish midfielder's scintillating form has quashed any doubts - even if the Italian media, and Juventus, would like to think otherwise.

Controversy has been minimal on Merseyside after a turbulent couple of seasons, and Ian Wright believes this could be the secret to Liverpool pushing for a long-awaited 19th title.

"No team has ever won a league title when there has been disharmony in the dressing room," he said in The Sun.

"It’s difficult when a team-mate doesn’t want to be at a club or has been causing problems. It’s hard to train alongside him knowing he’s not pulling in the same direction as everyone else.

"When a team is happy, all scrapping for each other every minute of every game, that’s when they have the extra edge over their rivals.

"For that reason, Liverpool are currently my favourites for the title. While you will always get the odd player moaning if they are left out, the stars that really matter at Anfield - such as Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher - are doing everything they can to be a positive influence."

It has been 18 years since Liverpool won their last English championship, and Wright warned that their drought could stretch for many more years if they fail to claim top honours this season.

The ex-Gunners said: "If Liverpool don’t do it this term, it could be a very long time before they get another chance this good. Elsewhere, not everything is quite so settled."

Steven Gerrard Regrets Wanting To Leave Liverpool For Chelsea

The Reds' talisman rues ever trying to force a move from his beloved club to the billionaire Blues.

Liverpool finally look like a Premier League force. Their stunning start to the season has propelled them into contention after several years as domestic also-rans.

Captain Amazing Steven Gerrard is, of course, the heartbeat of their surge, as they go toe-to-toe with Chelsea.

However, it could all have been so different. The England international may have reached these heights years ago had he managed to force his way to Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea bid £20 million for him in 2004 and then £32m in 2005, at which point Gerrard handed in a transfer request, leading to outrage on Merseyside.

The botched Gareth Barry move from Aston Villa to the Reds had similar undercurrents. Martin O'Neill thinks Barry is best to stay put and Gerrard certainly believes he was right to stay at Anfield.

"It's only as you get older though that you realise how important playing for Liverpool is," he admitted.

"You cannot grasp that when you are setting out, so maybe that is why I look at things a bit differently.

"Looking back, I'm pleased how I have reacted. From the bad tackles and sending offs, to all the talk of a Chelsea move, which I regret getting involved in, and the own goal in the cup final.

"Without the setbacks, I don't think I'd have achieved as much as I have."

Now, he'll want to come full circle by pipping the Blues to the Premier League title.

Attitude And Desire Key To Steven Gerrard's Decade Of Excellence

A DECADE into his Anfield career, Steven Gerrard is showing no signs of letting up on what he does best.

By directing a header past Marseille goalkeeper Steve Mandanda on Wednesday, the Liverpool skipper added yet another important goal to his bulging collection by easing Rafael Benitez’s into the knockout stages of the Champions League.

It was Gerrard’s 104th strike for the club and his 30th in Europe, moving him further clear at the top of Liverpool’s goal-scoring charts in Continental combat.

For one member of the backroom staff watching from the Anfield dugout in midweek, the midfielder was merely giving more affirmation of a talent apparent at an early age.

Sammy Lee was the reserve team coach when a certain teenager from Huyton began making his mark in the youth ranks at Liverpool.

Tomorrow marks the 10th anniversary of Gerrard making his debut as a late substitute in the home Premier League win against Blackburn Rovers.

And Lee, having returned to Anfield this summer as assistant to Benitez, says: “I saw him come through as a kid at the club, and the first memory I have of him is not of any one game where he suddenly stood out, but just of the talent he always had.

“From the start, you saw him around the place, and he had a great effect on people, because he was a young lad who had the right attitude.

“At every club, when you have young talent developing and coming through, it always has a positive effect on people, it’s what you’re there for, what the club is there for, and to see it happen always gives everyone a buzz.”

As a homegrown talent that forced his own way into the trophy-winning side of the late 1970s, Lee appreciates more than most what is required for a local boy to make good at Liverpool.

“Liverpool is a great environment for young players to develop, to learn what it takes to become a professional, and every time someone like Steven comes through and achieves that, it makes every one here feel great,” he says.

“I’m sure you’ll get an awful lot of people trying to claim that they were responsible for his development in some way, but I won’t be one of those. The truth is, the lad should take all the acclaim himself.

“It is the hard work he put in from the very start, and attitude he showed, the desire he had to succeed that got him where he is, and he should take all of the credit.

“Of course he’s got incredible ability. But it’s not just about the ability, it’s about the attitude too, and believe me, his has always been absolutely right.”
It’s an attitude that Lee believes has taken Gerrard to such heights. And, while loathe to compare the player with those of a different era, it’s an attitude that the assistant manager also recognised in some of Liverpool’s finest-ever servants.

“I played 10 years at Liverpool with some of the great players, people like Graeme Souness and Kenny Dalglish, and I’ve coached some of them too, and for me, all the world class players have one thing in common, and that is their attitude,” he says.

Personally, I don’t think it serves any purpose to compare players over different eras, because, for me, it’s impossible. So it’s not for me to say Gerrard is better or worse than Souness. But like Graeme and Kenny, he shares the same approach to the game.

“All the world class players I’ve seen, they go into training every day, not complacent about their talent, not thinking they’ve made it and they’re the best. Every day they go in there determined to BE the best – and importantly, to be even better.

“Steven had that mentality, that steely determination to do his best and become better, and he still has that now. I can’t say he’ll get even better, but I can say he’ll still be thinking that now, even after 10 years, that he can still improve on what he has already achieved.

“That’s what marks him out as up there with the great players.”

Gerrard has made 458 appearances for Liverpool and, since being made captain by former manager Gerard Houllier, has lifted the European Cup and the FA Cup as well as being named PFA Player of the Year in 2006.

With Liverpool keeping pace with Chelsea at the top of the Premier League, the 28-year-old has as great a chance as ever this season at filling the one glaring omission from his medal collection.

And saluting Gerrard’s longevity and loyalty, Lee says: “For him to be at a club like Liverpool for 10 years is an incredible achievement, especially these days in football. You see it is all the top sportsmen across all different sports. They sacrifice so much these days, and they are determined to improve on a daily basis no matter what stage they are in their career.”

He added: “These days, 10 years is such a long time to stay at the top with one club. Steven must have found it even harder, because he’s always had other clubs making offers, trying to take him away from Liverpool – there have always been temptations for him. And yet he has stayed, which shows his character.

“I look back on the 10 years since he made his debut, and the club has moved on, the game has moved on... and so has he. You need an incredible amount of commitment, an incredible amount of desire. You need to be a special person.

“He’s a great professional, and – believe me – a great ambassador, not just for Liverpool Football Club, but for football.

“What he has done over those 10 years is a fine example for any young kid, and that’s why I say he’s the only one who deserves credit for what he has achieved.”

Fernando Torres Hamstring Jinx Hits Liverpool

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres will be out of action for two to three weeks with a hamstring strain picked up in the Champions League win over Marseille on Wednesday.

The Spaniard completed 90 minutes at Anfield but underwent a scan on Thursday and is now due for another spell on the sidelines having only just returned from five weeks out with a similar problem.

Defender Fabio Aurelio will be out for a fortnight after picking up a calf problem in the same match.

A club spokesman said: "Fernando has a strain in his right hamstring and will be out of action for between two and three weeks. Fabio has a calf strain in his left leg and will be out for two weeks."

Torres' latest setback will be a blow to manager Rafael Benitez, who was hoping the 24-year-old would be able to re-establish the partnership with captain Steven Gerrard that worked well last season.

Gerrard scored the winner against Marseille in the 1-0 Group D victory that ensured Liverpool will be in the last 16.

But Benitez revealed after the game that Torres' role in his tactics was not working to the level of last season, when the Spaniard hit 33 goals and Gerrard chipped in with 21.

If Liverpool are still in this form come February, their participation in the knockout stages could be a short one.

Benitez said: "Clearly the main thing was to do the job and progress. But we didn't control the game or play well.

"We were too excited, we wanted to score the second goal with one pass. We should have passed more and been patient, and then find Torres.

"But we were trying to use him too quickly, the ball was hit straight up to him, and meant we kept conceding possession.

"We were giving the ball away and having to run back into defence, then doing the same thing over. It's difficult to control a game like that."

Benitez added: "We are concerned with our home performances. But we could have beaten Fulham on Saturday even though we were not playing well.

"Against Marseille some things were not possible. But at least we now have the chance to look at what went wrong. We have time before the next stage to put right what has been going wrong."

Pepe Reina: We Still Want An Eindhoven Victory

PEPE REINA believes Liverpool must aim for the final group victory that could make life easier in the knockout stages of the Champions League.

Rafael Benitez’s side secured qualification to the last 16 with a game to spare after a narrow 1-0 win over Marseille on Wednesday night.

However, the Anfield outfit still trail Group D leaders Atletico Madrid on goal difference after the Spaniards defeated PSV Eindhoven 2-1.

Liverpool journey to Holland while Atletico travel to southern France on Tuesday week for the final round of group games.

Finishing ahead of Atletico would mean Benitez’s side avoid the other seven group winners in first knockout round and play the second leg at Anfield.

And Reina said: “First place in the group is important. Not so much because you avoid the better teams but because the second leg is at home and that is important.

“You want to play in front of your own supporters in the second leg but any team you face then is going to be tough.”

Liverpool were far from convincing in seeing off Marseille, with Reina required to make a fine save from Hatem Ben Arfa to ensure his first clean sheet of the group stage.

“We are still winning, we are still a tough team to beat,” said the goalkeeper.

“We have not been great lately but we are still top of the league and going well in the Champions League.

“Let us see if we can improve a little bit more and keep winning. It is a sign of a good team that you win when you are not playing at your best.

“I think the match in Marseille was a good one and we played really well at home against PSV Eindhoven.

“The games against Atletico Madrid were sort of all right and we didn’t play at our best on Wednesday but we are through and that is all that counts.”

Steven Gerrard returned from injury to net the only goal on Wednesday to join Barcelona’s Argentinian play-maker Lionel Messi as leading goalscorer in this season’s Champions League.

And Reina added: “We are very confident with him in our side – you must be.

“It is important that he keeps in the team and keeps scoring.

“When he is on the pitch you have a chance, a better chance of winning but we are Liverpool and if we depend on only one player there is something wrong.

“He is a great players but there are 10 others who are prepared to kill themselves for the team.

“But when he doesn’t play, I don’t worry that much because we still have some other good players.”

Liverpool Can Improve In Champions League, Says Agger

Liverpool defender Daniel Agger believes his side's performance against Marseille wasn't good enough - even though it helped them into the knockout stages of the Champions League.

A goal from Steven Gerrrard clinched victory for the Reds at Anfield but their visitors dominated the second half.Agger said: "It was disappointing. We're through but we could have done it in a better way.

We definitely have to do better in future than we did tonight. We didn't play a good game, it wasn't good enough.

"We're losing too many balls and allowing teams to counter-attack.

"But we got the right result and we have to take something from that at least. It was also a clean sheet at that's always important. Hopefully now we can improve in future games, we know we have to do that."

Reds Starlet Set For Dragons

Liverpool starlet Ryan Flynn is in line for a move to Wrexham, skysports.com understands.

Flynn, who has yet to make his senior debut, is highly-regarded within the corridors of Anfield.

The midfielder is a regular in the Liverpool reserves after coming through the club's academy and helping them win the FA Youth Cup in successive seasons in 2006 and 2007.

Flynn is well down the pecking order at Liverpool and Reds boss Rafa Benitez is keen to loan out the Scot so that he can gain valuable first-team experience.

Dragons boss Dean Saunders is keen to bolster his squad before the close of the loan transfer deadline and is hoping to seal a deal for Flynn until January.

Match Report: LiverpooL 1 - 0 Marseille

Steven Gerrard's 30th goal in Europe sent Liverpool into the last 16 of the Champions League with a 1-0 win over Bordeaux.

The Anfield skipper returned after a torn groin muscle to continue his personal vendetta against the French side in this Group D clash.

Last season Marseille won at Anfield in this competition and started a crisis that almost cost boss Rafael Benitez his job.

Since then Liverpool have beaten Marseille three times, with Gerrard scoring four goals.

This time a first-half header gave him his eighth goal of the season, and fifth in Europe, but it was not a convincing Liverpool victory.

Marseille were the better side after the break and it needed the considerable defiance of Jamie Carragher and Daniel Agger to keep them out.

This game was Benitez's 66th European game in charge of Liverpool and produced his 39th victory in that run, equalling Bob Paisley's record.

As for Gerrard, there is no doubt about his love for European competition.

The man who has just passed a century of club goals - he now has 104 - has seen 30 of those in Europe from 98 games, roughly one in three. His league ratio is one in six.

Marseille needed to win to stay alive in the group, and they started with three up front - Mamadou Niang as the main attacker with width provided by Bakari Kone and Hatem Ben Arfa.

But although the French side had the right intentions, they seemed unsure about committing too many men forward.

It meant that for the opening phase, Marseille never quite got at a somewhat hesitant Liverpool, who struggled to get their own game going.

Benitez had fielded arguably his strongest available side, with Robbie Keane on the bench and Gerrard back in his supporting role for Torres.

Eventually the game spluttered into life when Torres got to the line and laid the ball back for Dirk Kuyt to see a good header fumbled away by Steve Mandanda.

And that, after 23 minutes, paved the way to Liverpool's opener. From the resulting corner by Gerrard the ball was half cleared away to Alvaro Arbeloa.

He guided the ball out to Xabi Alonso, who fired in a far-post cross allowing Gerrard - still moving into the box following his corner - to plant a firm header wide of Mandanda.

Albert Riera could have grabbed another from 20 yards just before the break, and that would have extinguished much of Marseille's desire.

As it was they still believed they had a chance and it needed a good save from Jose Reina to keep out Niang's low drive at the start of the second period.

Andrea Dossena replaced the injured Fabio Aurelio, and Yossi Benayoun was soon to take over from Riera as Liverpool sought to finish the contest.

But belief still coursed through Marseille, and Reina did well to turn away a fierce 25-yarder from Taye Taiwo, with Ronald Zubar going close with a header from the resulting corner.

And when the clever Ben Arfa's low cross flashed into the Liverpool box, Benoit Cheyrou was too close for comfort with his run into space.

Ben Arfa was now on the right to attack the erratic Dossena, and it was only inches that denied him a penalty from a lunge by the Italian.

And when Reina needed to hurl himself full stretch to keep out a swerving Ben Arfa free-kick, the alarm bells were clearly ringing.

And after 78 minutes a familiar foe arrived to give Liverpool more worries. Mathieu Valbuena had scored the winner here 13 months ago, and a knee injury was supposed to force him out for a month.

But on he trotted to replace Kone, and Liverpool continued to be under pressure. And when Javier Mascherano hauled down the midfielder, enraging the French team's players, he was rightly booked.

Niang was also cautioned for his part in the pushing and shoving that followed. Lucas replaced Kuyt as Liverpool tried to see out the game, but it was a nasty atmosphere now, with tackles flying in.

But Liverpool clung onto their victory to reach the knockout stages again.

Liverpool's Mascherano Wants His Picture On The Wall

After some re-decorating at Liverpool's training ground, Javier Mascherano wants to have his portrait painted.

The interior decoration has changed at Melwood, Liverpool's training ground, this week. Murals have been painted depicting the club's glory nights in Europe, and Javier Mascherano is impressed, but also a little jealous.

"Hopefully, in a few years, I will be here on the walls," said Argentina's new captain. "A picture of me and my teammates with the European Cup."

Mascherano is confident that this Reds side has the necessary quality and character to go far, not just in European competition, where Rafa Benitez has proved his management abilities time and again, but also domestically.

Mascherano knows that the true test for this Liverpool team is to recapture the league title that the Anfield side hasn't held for 19 long years. But he thinks he and his team-mates have every chance of ending the supporters' long wait.

"We are towards the top of the table in the Premier League, which is positive, and we are also going well in Europe," said the 24-year-old.

"The most important thing is the team and we know our target at the start of every game is to win our battles in all areas of the pitch. It doesn’t matter if you are playing away or at home, you have to try to play the same way and impose our game on our opponents.

"Our confidence is also good because we have not lost many games. This is good for all of the players."

He also feels that key to their success has been the way his hard, defensive qualities have complemented Xabi Alonso's assured passing game at the axis of Liverpool's midfield, although the Red's strength in depth in the central positions is a bonus.

"Xabi is playing really well at the moment and I enjoy playing with him," Mascherano added.

"It is not a surprise, though, because he is such a good player. He is one of the best midfielders in the world. We have been playing together for almost two years now so we have a good understanding with each other.

"The manager has different options and he can choose whichever players he needs for each game."

The return to full fitness of Fernando Torres is seen as a massive boost by Mascherano, who feels that the Spaniard adds valuable quality to the team and creates even more competition for places.

"It is good for all of us to have Fernando back. He played against Bolton and then a full game against Fulham. He is playing well, working hard all the time, pressing the opposition and doing well for the team," the midfielder explained.

"I think we are stronger than last season – maybe we have more options now.

"We have players who can play in different positions so the manager can move them around. Everyone is working really hard in training to be named in the side.

"We have improved our team. We are stronger now and working hard to progress. We have a number of players who have been together two or three years so the understanding is much better and we are showing this on the pitch."

And Mascherano concluded by praising Liverpool's match-going fans, who create a superb atmosphere on which the players thrive.

"When you feel your supporters behind you like they are here it gives you a lot of confidence. It makes you want to win every single game."

If Liverpool can just win the ones that matter, maybe Mascherano's portrait will be on the walls at Melwood sooner than even he expects.

Xabi Alonso Not Closing Door On Serie A

Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso talked about the club he almost joined last summer, Juventus, and does not exclude joining a Serie A club one day.

Last summer Liverpool star Xabi Alonso was very close to joining Juventus, but mostly due to economic reasons, the move did not go through. Today the Spanish international spoke to Sky about what happened and also sent message to

"Juventus were interested in me last summer, they even came to Liverpool, but they were normal summer negotiations," he said. "I generally don't give much importance to negotiations, until it's not certain anything can happen. In the end I stayed at Liverpool, which was my first choice anyway."

He then commented on Juve's current form: "Juve have gone through difficult times, but now they're doing much better, both in the league and the Champions League. They are a solid, compact team. That's their strength. And they also have extraordinary players, who can be decisive at the right times."

When Juve were struggling, some fans felt that the failure to sign Alonso was sorely felt.

"I did not know that some Juve fans felt my absence," he said on that. "In football it often works like that. When a team struggles it's normal to think about players who did not come or who left in the previous years.

"[Claudio] Ranieri said I'm slow? There's no problem, I respect his opinion. But I have a lot of confidence in my qualities, thanks to which I am playing with the national team and Liverpool. I don't think I'll ever be the fastest player in a team, but I have other qualities which are important for my role in the team."

On the eventuality of playing in Serie A, Alonso said: "I have not closed the door in Italy, I could also return to Spain, or I could end my career with Liverpool. We'll see in the future, but for now I have to think about the present and Liverpool."

Keane Could Be Heading For The Anfield Scrapheap - Rush

A man who knows a thing or two about scoring for Liverpool fears for the Anfield career of Ireland's captain as he struggles to hit the back of the net.

Liverpool goalscoring legend Ian Rush fears that Robbie Keane could be heading for the Anfield scrapheap, as the Irishman fails to live up to expectations at the club.

Keane set the Reds back a cool £20 million in a summer switch from Tottenham Hotspur, but has only managed two Premier League goals in almost four months of action.

Both his strikes came against bottom side West Bromwich Albion at Anfield, and the Ireland captain has only managed another two in the Champions League for a grand total of four in 19 outings.

With Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard both fit again for Rafa Benitez's side, the oft-substituted Keane may be facing the prospect of starting on the bench for tonight's clash with Marseille.

Rush believes that Keane needs to rediscover his goalscoring touch, or face being cast out by a club with high expectations.

He wrote in the Liverpool Echo: "Robbie Keane is finding out the hard way just how different it is to play for Liverpool.

"Playing up front for a club like Liverpool is totally different to playing for Tottenham, and I don’t mean any disrespect when I say that. The pressure is completely different.

"At a club like Tottenham you can get away with playing well in three of every six games. At Liverpool you have to perform five in every six. That’s the kind of pressure Robbie Keane is discovering for the first time, and he has to learn to live with it.

"The number of chances he is missing is now starting to be commented upon and that will only add to the pressure he is feeling. Some players have been unable to live with those unique pressures.

"I’m thinking of strikers like Craig Bellamy, who was a great player for Blackburn but struggled at Anfield, Fernando Morientes who couldn’t reproduce his Real Madrid form in the Premier League and Emile Heskey, who is still England’s first choice centre-forward, but couldn’t live up to what was expected of him at Anfield."

Gerrard Happy To Renew Torres Link-up

Steven Gerrard saluted Fernando Torres after Liverpool booked their place in the last 16 of the Champions League with a 1-0 win over Marseille.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez chose to play Gerrard in an advanced position just behind Torres and the move paid off as the England midfielder scored the Reds' winner after 23 minutes.

After the game, Gerrard said he had enjoyed playing alongside Torres and hoped Benitez would continue with the tactic in the future.

"He (Torres) is the key. Playing behind him is great for me," Gerrard told Sky Sports 2. "His runs are great. Tonight I scored the goal but I'm sure if the manager keeps playing us together I will provide him with a few."

Despite dominating the first half, Liverpool had to endure a nervy second period before they sealed the win.

Gerrard said he was disappointed with the second-half performance, but was glad the Reds had ensured their passage to the knockout stages of the competition.

"It was a nervy match but still a job well done. We wanted all three points and a clean sheet and we got both of those," he said.

"It was a frustrating second half for us. We lost control a bit and there are a few things that need looking at.

"They are organised and fighting to stay in the competition. We knew that it would be a difficult tie but we stuck together and hopefully in a few days the second-half performance will be forgotten."

Benitez admitted he was relieved to see his side come away with the victory. "The second half was a bit scary and it was definitely not the best game of football but the most important thing is that the job is done," the Spaniard told Sky Sports.

"We were a bit scared but we knew we had the quality to win and go through.

"We were giving the ball away too easy in the second half and we were failing with the final ball."

The Reds now travel to Eindhoven for their final group match against PSV in the knowledge a win would see them top the group.

Benitez refused to say whether he would field his first-choice side for the match.

"We know we have the quality to win the match," said Benitez.

"It's just about finishing the job now. I'm not sure what side I will play. We have won the group before and lost in the second round to Benfica so you never know."

UEFA To Study Reports After Missiles Thrown At Liverpool Skipper Gerrard

UEFA will today study reports on the missile-throwing incident involving Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard at Anfield last night.

Gerrard was hit by missiles thrown from the Marseille fans' section as he waited to take a corner in the first half of Liverpool's 1-0 victory that took them into the last 16 of the Champions League.

UEFA last night confirmed the incident will be included in Portuguese referee Olegario Benquerenca's report as well as the report from UEFA delegate Svein Johannessen.

Gerrard, who scored Liverpool's winner in the 1-0 victory over the French side, looked to have been hit by a small metal object.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez praised Gerrard's restraint in a month that has seen Chelsea's Didier Drogba punished by the FA for throwing a coin back into the crowd when the west Londoners lost in the Carling Cup to Burnley.

A Liverpool spokesman said: 'The UEFA delegate is aware of what happened to Steven and it is now in his hands.'

A spokesman for UEFA at the game said: 'The incident will be included in both the match delegate's report and the referee's report.

'UEFA are aware of what happened and any further comment will now come from them.'

It is also believed UEFA are aware the missiles came from the Marseille fans' enclosure, and any action will not involve Liverpool.

Benitez said: 'Gerrard was really good in that incident, maybe the UEFA delegate will notice what happened. Steven did well not to react.'

Skrtel To Stay

Martin Skrtel yesterday reassured Liverpool fans he has no plans to leave Anfield.

Skrtel’s future was brought into question earlier this week following quotes attributed to his former Zenit St Petersburg team-mate Kamil Contofalsky.

The goalkeeper claimed Skrtel was “lonely” in “boring” Liverpool, was unhappy because “the local paparazzi follow him all the time” and wanted a return to Russia.

But the 24-year-old centre-back, currently sidelined with a knee injury, yesterday said: “I am very happy here at Anfield. It was always my dream to play here in England and I’m with one of the biggest clubs in the world.

“I spoke to my friend in Russia and we talked about Zenit. I have great friends there but I never said I am not happy here, and I never said I didn’t like the city.

“I didn’t say the city is boring. That’s just not true and I’d like to repeat I am very happy here.

“This is a special club and a city with a lot of history. I have been made to feel very welcome here at Liverpool. I enjoy life in Liverpool.”

Skrtel is hopeful of a return to action before Christmas as he recovers from the knee injury suffered towards the end of Liverpool’s 3-2 win at Manchester City.

And the Slovakia international added: “The Liverpool fans are one of the best in the world.

“When I’m out in the city they always come up to me to shake my hand and wish me all the best in my recovery.

“I just want to get back as quickly as possible to help the team win trophies and repay the supporters faith in me.”

Meanwhile, on-loan Andriy Voronin has signaled he would like to stay at Hertha Berlin – provided his wage demands can be met.

Striker Voronin was shipped out to Germany until the end of the season after failing to impress at Anfield since arriving on a free transfer from Bayer Leverkusen 18 months ago.

And of a possible permanent switch to Berlin, he said: “Of course money is very important. I am not a 20-year-old kid anymore, anyway I have a long career ahead of me.

“If Hertha want to keep me, an agreement is possible. The aim remains qualifying for the Uefa Cup, which would be a massive success. But of course everyone wants to play Champions League football.”

Of the Bundesliga, Voronin added: “It is much slower and full of cry-babies compared to The Premier League. In Germany you can hear the whistle, but in England you are already bleeding.”

Tommy Smith: Liverpool Fans Were Right To Vent Their Feelings

No-one likes to hear boos ringing around Anfield. Myself included.

But I would fervently defend those Liverpool fans who made their feelings known during Saturday’s game with Fulham.

They were very frustrated and disappointed and clearly for once just couldn’t hold back.

What they saw, having paid their £36 or so, was a poor game of football and with it a chance to take three points against a side we should have beaten go down the pan.

The Liverpool fans have been absolutely brilliant over the last 50 years and very rarely do they have a go at what they are seeing on the pitch.

Quite the opposite, in fact.

Clearly, a lot of the frustration was over the performance – and, quite frankly, the selection – of Lucas Leiva in midfield.

The fans don’t have a right to pick the team – that’s what the manager is paid to do. But there were widespread concerns before kick-off, with Steven Gerrard being injured, at seeing Alonso also left out in favour of the young Brazilian.

But Lucas didn’t show the energy, the tenacity or the drive that is absolutely vital in the engine room of a title-chasing side in the Premier League.

The football here is so much faster and tougher than the game in Brazil and maybe he is finding it difficult to adapt.

There must be ability there, but all Liverpool fans have long since been hoping to see it.

Certainly, the least they expect is a player showing the passion that comes with pulling on the shirt in the first place.

Maybe Lucas’ confidence is a bit fragile, but my advice to him would be to stop worrying and next time he gets a chance, go out show people what he’s made of, and finally prove he is far better than this.

He may be still only 20 but he has got to take the bull by the horns now and really get much more involved.

That said, the lad must not be made a scapegoat for Saturday’s display. Very few players had good games and Robbie Keane was again far from the player we hoped to see for £20m.

So the frustration was in the air all afternoon, and the boos which came from all sides of the ground were probably aimed at the bench as much as in the direction of the players.

It doesn’t happen often, thankfully. And, as I say, no one likes to hear it.

But I’m not going to criticise the best supporters in the world for making their feelings known. They have every right.

Match Preview: LiverpooL vs. Marseille

Few managers can have enjoyed as much success in European competition as Liverpool boss Rafael Benítez. With Valencia, Benítez won a UEFA Cup, a triumph that would be pushed into the shade by his current side’s remarkable Champions League triumph in 2004/05. While the Reds could not quite match this achievement two seasons later, falling at the final hurdle, it is an impressive achievement to have taken a side few would have considered in the top two in Europe, to such a level.

As the Anfield club chase a hat-trick of finals, the obstacle of qualifying from Group D can be cleared on Wednesday night. All that is required is that Liverpool draw with Olympique de Marseille – failing that, a point against PSV Eindhoven in a fortnight would be enough to secure a berth in the last 16.

Progress has rarely been so smooth for Benítez and co, who have been, so far, relatively steady performers.

Of course, no Champions League campaign for the Reds would be complete without some kind of Steven Gerrard-inspired drama – whether his drive into the box a massive five minutes into stoppage-time against Atlético Madrid at Anfield, which proved the catalyst for an equalising penalty, was heroic or simply villainous is very much a matter for debate.

That point leaves Benítez’s side on the brink of qualification. A draw in Spain against Atlético coupled with victories over PSV and Marseille, have seen Liverpool enjoy an unbeaten run in the group stage that stretches back to last season and an impressive home European record that stands at eight games.

The last team to beat them at home Europe? Marseille – and the Frenchmen were certainly in a more beat-up state when they shocked the Kop by winning 1-0 in September 2007.

But Liverpool were also in a period of uneasy transition as Mathieu Valbuena’s stunning strike provided a rare moment of silence on a European night at the usually raucous Merseyside venue.

Joint top of the English Premier League, Liverpool should have confidence and swagger about their play on Wednesday evening, although this was not evident as they were held to a scoreless draw by Fulham on Saturday.

Goals should not be overly difficult to come by against a porous Marseille side. If Liverpool were to find the net just twice against the Provence club, they would reach a tally of 300 European goals.

His defence is certainly going to be the first port of call for Eric Gerets ahead of this fixture, as it has been nothing short of abysmal this season. Title rivals, Olympique Lyonnais, had their rearguard questioned earlier this season but they have conceded just ten goals in their 15 Ligue 1 matches in comparison to l’OM’s 20.

It is not just the quantity of goals that are being lost by Marseille that is worrying; it is also the manner in which they are being leaked. Take, for example, Sunday’s 2-2 draw against Lille, in which les Phocéens trailed by two goals at the interval.

Both goals came from set-plays that the defence could have coped better with. Goalkeeper Steve Mandanda should have been more positive with Michel Bastos’ (admittedly) vicious corner that provided Adil Rami with a platform to thump home a near-post header, while Lille’s second goal was a laughable breakdown in communication between goalkeeper and central defender Ronald Zubar.

If the Stade Vélodrome club continue to protect their goal in such a suicidal manner, Liverpool could well threaten the 8-0 triumph they inflicted upon Beşiktaş in Matchday 4 last season.

Thankfully from Gerets’ point of view, he can call upon the most prolific striking force in France. Generally deploying a front-three of Mamadou Niang, Hatem Ben Arfa and Bakari Koné in Ligue 1, the trio have managed 17 goals and eight assists between them.

All three are likely to be deployed at Anfield, albeit in a set-up considerably more defensive than they may be used to in league play. Ben Arfa and Koné will be asked to play wide roles, with Niang the hold-up man in attack.

Marseille will remain focused on this game as it could provide a route into the UEFA Cup, a competition they were only knocked out of last season by eventual winners, Zenit St. Petersborg, and even then, OM lost only on away goals.

Gerets’ side hold the upper-hand on PSV Eindhoven at present. Both sides only have three points but Marseille are better off due to their 3-2 aggregate success over the Dutchmen.


TEAM NEWS

Liverpool

Benítez will not necessarily be able to call upon the services of key midfielder Steven Gerrard for this fixture. The England international, who scored twice as Liverpool recorded a somewhat fortuitous victory over Marseille at the Stade Vélodrome on Matchday 1, has a groin problem but the Liverpool manager expects to have his captain available.

Also missing will be Philipp Degen and Martin Škrtel, who have metatarsal and knee problems, respectively.

Liverpool’s attacking options are widened by the return of Robbie Keane from injury. The Irishman, who has scored twice in four Champions League matches, had been suffering from a shoulder problem but returned to action last weekend.

Possible Starting XI: Reina; Agger, Arbeloa, Aurélio, Carragher; Mascherano, Alonso, Gerrard, Riera, Kuyt; Torres

Marseille

Gerets is boosted by the news that he will have virtually a full squad of players to select from in this encounter. Modeste M’Bami continues to miss out in the centre of the field while Algerian international El Amine Erbate is again sidelined. Squad player Renato Civelli is also missing.

Interestingly, all of the starting eleven who played against Liverpool in the 1-0 success at Anfield are still at the club. Indeed, only Gael Givet – frozen out of the first team – does not make the squad. Julien Rodriguez is making tentative steps back from injury and is not likely to be included in the starting eleven.

Mathieu Valbuena had been expected to be an absentee but last season’s match-winner is in l’OM’s squad of 19 to travel. Englishman Tyrone Mears, still looking for his debut since joining on loan from Derby County in August, makes a long-awaited return from a knee problem. Neither of these players is expected to feature – there would certainly be an issue if Mears was to play as he is not registered for the competition!

Possible Starting XI: Mandanda; Bonnart, Taiwo, Zubar, Hilton; Cana, Cheyrou, Kaboré, Koné, Ben Arfa; Niang


FORM GUIDE

Liverpool

22/11/08 D 0-0 vs. Fulham (h) Premier League

15/11/08 W 2-0 vs. Bolton Wanderers (a) Premier League

12/11/08 L 0-4 vs. Tottenham Hotspur (a) Carling Cup

08/11/08 W 3-0 vs. West Bromwich Albion (h) Premier League

04/11/08 D 1-1 vs. Atlético Madrid (a) Champions League

01/11/08 L 1-2 vs. Tottenham Hotspur (a) Premier League

Marseille

23/11/08 D 2-2 vs. Lille OSC (h) Ligue 1

15/11/08 L 2-3 vs. FC Lorient (h) Ligue 1

08/11/08 W 3-0 vs. Grenoble Foot38 (a) Ligue 1

04/11/08 W 3-0 vs. PSV Eindhoven (h) Champions League

01/11/08 W 3-1 vs. AS Saint-Étienne (h) Ligue 1

29/10/08 D 1-1 vs. FC Nantes (a) Ligue 1


PLAYERS TO WATCH

Liverpool

With the potential absence of Gerrard, striker Fernando Torres has to be the man to watch. Possessing electric pace and an eye for goal bettered by only a hanful of players in the world, even the meanest of defences have a hard time pinning the Spaniard down.

Against Marseille’s ramshackle back four, expected Torres to open his goal scoring account for this season’s competition.

Marseille

Les Phocéens have a number of dangerous attacking threats. Although many eyes will be fixed upon the potentially devastating presence of Hatem Ben Arfa, striker Mamadou Niang is Marseille’s most consistent offensive producer.

Five goals and the same number of assists in Ligue 1 represent a fine start to the season for the Senegalese star, who has also registered three goals in this season’s Champions League.

Benitez Unsure Of Marseille Approach

Rafael Benitez admits he does not know whether Champions League rivals Marseille will be brave or cautious at Anfield.

The Liverpool boss, who will overtake Bill Shankly for the most European matches overseen by an Anfield manager on Wednesday night, accepts the French side could surprise him with their approach to the crucial Group D match.

This will be Benitez's 66th European match in charge of the club, and he is aiming for victory number 39 to ensure that Liverpool reach the last 16 with one group match to spare.

He will have captain Steven Gerrard back from his torn groin muscle to lead the charge.

But Benitez said: "Marseille are a good side. But it will be interesting to see how the approach the game. They have good players on the counter-attack, and they may sit deep and concede possession to us.

"But they have to win so they may be more attack-minded and really go for it. We will see very quickly how they intend to approach this game.

"This is different to last season in this competition. After losing at home to Marseille we had one point from three games and had to win everything else. We had to fight right to the end.

"The season before, we were already qualified when we went to Galatasaray for the last match, and we were able to use other players.

"The atmosphere was so different. If we can go to PSV Eindhoven next for our final group match with our place in the knock-out stage decided, we can use young players."

On his personal milestone, Benitez expressed hope that he would go on to double his tally.

"I am really proud to be in such a position so hopefully the next 66 games I will be here as well," he said.

"This amount of European games is a good achievement for anyone, but especially when you are talking about a top side like Liverpool. That also means the team is doing well in Europe and that is very positive for the club.

"I am proud, but the game is more important. I do know the history and understand it."

Benitez added: "I can recall when I was at Madrid that Liverpool beat them 1-0 in the European Cup final. My friend was the goalkeeper and there were lot of former club-mates in that side, so from that long ago I have been affected by Liverpool results.

"So now to be here and to enjoy this club and the job I do is wonderful. But I must not let any personal thoughts distract me from this game.

"The Champions League is massive and we must progress. Hopefully we can make sure of our qualification in this match and then be able to concentrate on the Premier League."

Arbeloa Aims For Double Glory

Liverpool defender Alvaro Arbeloa has set his sights on a Premier League and UEFA Champions League double this season.

The Reds sit level on points with Chelsea at the summit of English football's top division, while a home win against Marseille on Wednesday would book a place in the last 16 of Europe.

Liverpool were forced to watch on as North West rivals Manchester United secured glory at home and abroad last term and Arbeloa is eager to replicate that triumph.

The 25-year-old recognises European and domestic success is a tough mission but he is optimistic manager Rafa Benitez has assembled an experienced squad which can rise to the challenge.

"It is always difficult to balance your ambitions in the Premier League and the Champions League," said Arbeloa.

"But we can do it. In other seasons we have been really focused on the Champions League because we have not had a good enough position in the league to fight for the title.

"We have the experience to handle both, I hope so. We want to win the two titles, and we want to be in there fighting right to the end in both."

Benitez Proud To Join Ranks Of Anfield Legends

Rafael Benítez has stated his intention to cement his place alongside Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley, the legendary Anfield managers, over the next decade as he prepares to rewrite the club’s history books against Marseille in the Champions League this evening.

Not only will Benítez surpass Shankly’s club record of 65 games in charge of Liverpool on the European stage, the 48-year-old will also equal Paisley’s club record of 39 European victories should his players secure the win at Anfield that will seal their passage into the first knockout round with one group game to spare.

The table may suggest that Liverpool’s penultimate game in group D is a routine exercise with the Merseyside club five points clear of Marseilles, but this is not a meaningless game for the Spaniard. “Hopefully I will still be here for the next 66 European games, then I will be really happy,” Benítez said. “I am really proud to be here because, when you talk about statistics or records, it means much more when you talk about the big sides.

This is Bill Shankly and Liverpool, so it is massive and I am proud, but to get the record means also that the team is doing well in the Champions League. Maybe in the future, people will talk about this being a fantastic time here, but I don’t think about this every day. I just think about winning the next game. I am really proud of what has happened, but I want to achieve more if possible.”

Negotiations are continuing between Benítez’s representatives and George Gillett Jr and Tom Hicks, Liverpool’s co-owners, about extending his contract, with the Spaniard excited about the club’s future.

With Liverpool level on points with Chelsea at the top of the Barclays Premier League and on the brink of qualifying for the knockout stage of the Champions League, Benítez found himself fending off questions about a European and domestic double yesterday. “If I am here in ten or 15 more years, it will be because we have been winning, so my idea is to create a team that can compete with everyone and win trophies every year,” Benítez, who is set to welcome back Steven Gerrard to the midfield after a groin injury, said. “Everybody knows the priority is the league, the Champions League and then the FA Cup.”

Fernando Torres, who has yet to score in the Champions League this season, has contributed to the feel-good factor sweeping through the club by stating his desire to help Liverpool to win the title for the first time since 1990. “It is fair to say the Premier League is in front of everything else for us,” the Spain striker said. “It is 18 years since Liverpool were last champions of England and the wait is enormous.”

Fernando Torres: I Thought Benitez's Call Was A Prank!

El Nino has revealed how he believed he was being hoodwinked when Rafa Benitez phoned him last year to ask if he wanted to join the Reds.

After weeks of negotiations between Liverpool and Atletico Madrid, Fernando Torres made the switch to England in the summer of 2007 for €25 million.

Many questioned Rafael Benitez's decision to spend so much money a player whose goalscoring record in the Primera Division was no more than decent - even Torres himself, as it turns out.

The Spain star revealed that, after his soon-to-be manager made his intentions known, he contacted Reds goalkeeper Pepe Reina to make sure it wasn't a joke.

"When Rafa phoned me on my mobile, at the start I was asking myself if this was some person imitating him," he told the press yesterday.

"So I called Reina to make sure it really was Rafa’s number. After that, I didn’t have to think for long. I knew that was the call I had been waiting for."

60 games and 38 goals later, there are no longer any queries as to the validity of Benitez's interest - or whether Torres was worth the money.

Ryan Babel: I Won't Leave Liverpool - But I Do Want To Play More

Ryan Babel is desperate for more first-team opportunities at Liverpool - but insists he is not thinking about leaving the club.

Manager Rafael Benitez has rotated his squad less often recently, meaning fringe players like Babel are getting fewer starts.

“The rotation system is a thing of the past and I’m one of the victims of that,” the 21-year-old told Dutch magazine Sportweek.

“The team is winning a lot, so you don’t alter things just like that.

“Each season has about 60 games. ’I must work hard and wait for my chance,’ is what you hear, but I’ve shown enough patience. I want to play.

“You get better and develop when you play. On the bench, nothing happens. Of course I’m disappointed when I don’t play, that seems clear to me.”

The Holland international has no intention of quitting Anfield, though.

“I don’t want to go,” he said. “My contract runs until 2012. I don’t give up that easily.”

Liverpool FC Leads The Way In Crackdown On Football Hooliganism

LIVERPOOL FC is leading the way in a nationwide crackdown on football hooliganism, handing out more banning orders than any other Premier League club.

Last night, Home Office minister Vernon Coaker praised police officers, clubs and fans for combining to tackle football-related violence.

Government statistics on arrests and banning orders up to October, 2008, published today, reveal there were 3,842 arrests last season at all international and domestic games, with no arrests at 67% of matches.

Liverpool dished out 35 banning orders last year – more than any other top-flight club, and more than double the number issued the year before.

Jed Poynton, Anfield’s head of operations, last night said: “One of the biggest tools in stadium management in recent years is the support we have had in the courts for banning orders.

“We don’t have a big problem with our fans at Liverpool by any means, but our motto is being firm, fair and friendly. And we’re fortunate to have a police force in Merseyside that is positive.”

The force has helped Everton FC and Tranmere Rovers FC bring more bans than ever before.

Everton banned 18, ten more than the year before, and Tranmere handed out 12 orders, after giving out just one in 2006-07.

Everton FC spokesman Ian Ross said: “We won’t tolerate any misbehaviour, hooliganism or any sort of disorder at the club.

“We’ve a good record with regards to our behaviour, and we don’t suffer the blight of hooliganism that other clubs have sometimes had to put up with in the past.

“But there are people who need to be banished from the club because football is an entertainment business and punters at a cinema or theatre wouldn’t put up with bad behaviour, and we’re equally determined to stamp it out.

“This is a family club and that is a reputation we’re proud to have.”

Bans have doubled or tripled, while the number of arrests has gone up at a slower rate.

About 96 Liverpool fans were arrested, compared with 81 the year before. Some 77 Everton fans were picked up by police, eight more than 06-07, and 25 Tranmere followers were taken in, just six more than in the previous 12 months.

Mr Coaker said: “Football violence and disorder has no place in the modern game, and we are determined to crack down on those who attempt to ruin the sport for the vast majority of genuine fans.

“I am delighted that the police, the clubs and the fans are working together to help clamp down on football violence in and out of the grounds.

Football banning orders have proved to be a great success – 94% of individuals whose banning order has expired have been assessed by police as no longer posing a risk of football disorder.

“Great progress has been achieved and we remain committed to preventing violence and criminality spoiling the sport.”