Lucas Dreaming Of Wembley

Lucas Leiva admits the prospect of playing at the new Wembley stadium will drive him on when Liverpool face Tottenham in the fourth round of the Carling Cup on Wednesday.

The Reds beat Spurs en route to their last League Cup final in 2005 back when the fixture was staged at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.

A repeat performance on Wednesday would put Lucas and co in the quarter-finals, just two ties away from a first trip to Wembley since 1996.

"I have never played at Wembley and hopefully I will get the opportunity, but we are only at the start of the Carling Cup," the Brazilian told Liverpoolfc.tv.

"I know it's a very famous stadium. Some of the Brazil internationals are played there but I have never had the opportunity to play in one of them, so hopefully I can play in the final!"

The Carling Cup third round victory over Crewe provided an opportunity for several fringe players to show Rafa Benitez what they could do.

Lucas grasped the nettle with a fine headed goal to add to Daniel Agger's long-range effort.

The 21-year-old is hoping for more of the same on Wednesday night.

"In Brazil I scored goals. I got eight in my best season," said Lucas. "I couldn't get into the box as much last season because I was adapting to the game here. It's totally different here with the pace of the game. But this season I can get into the box more and hopefully get some goals.

"The Carling Cup is an opportunity for us to show what we can do.

"It's an opportunity not just for me but for all the players and the club. The Carling Cup is not as important as the Premier League, but when you play for a club like Liverpool you want to win all the trophies."

Alonso: Euro Success Inspired Me

Xabi Alonso claims victory in Euro 2008 made him and his fellow Spaniards even hungrier for club success.

The 26-year-old was one of four Liverpool players in the squad as Spain won their first trophy since 1964.

Now back on Merseyside, Alonso insists that he, Fernando Torres, Alvaro Arbeloa and Pepe Reina have no intention of resting on their laurels.

The midfielder told the official LFC Magazine: "I have taken a lot of confidence from our success with Spain in the summer. I might not have started the games because the coach had a pre-defined team in his mind and it worked really well.

"But I was an important substitute and I felt I was able to play my own part in that success. I helped close games out and made some contributions.

"Winning becomes a habit. I never understand the idea that winning trophies can somehow make players less hungry.

"I want more. I listen to Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher talking and they have won more things than I have won. They say it makes them hungrier for more and I am the same.

"I came home and put away my medal in the drawer alongside the FA Cup and Champions League ones, then started thinking immediately about winning trophies and medals with Liverpool."

Alonso notched up three substitute appearances during Euro 2008 and captained Spain in their final group game against Greece.

His form since returning to Anfield has had the Kop purring.

He added: "Personally, I am happy with my present form. But I can improve and that's my focus.

"I am a midfielder. I prefer to be thought of not as a defensive midfielder but as a central midfielder. That means I should be trying to get into more scoring positions and influencing the game higher up the pitch when the chance presents itself.

"You can always improve in football. You can never believe that you can't because pretty soon you will find yourself out of the team."

Mark Lawrenson: Robbie Keane Will Prove He’s Not Just A Support Star

IN the summer I must admit I had my doubts about Robbie Keane. When he signed from Spurs for £20million I described him as a streaky scorer – one who will get you 10 in 10 but then might go 10 games without getting a sniff of a goal.

I still think that’s a fair description of Keane, because that’s just the way some players – Wayne Rooney included – are and it’s very difficult for them to break that pattern.

However, I honestly feels that doesn’t matter in this current Liverpool team. As long as Keane gets his fair share over the course of the campaign, his overall contribution will make it look like money well spent.

Of course, as a striker, it’s all about goals and I don’t buy any of this nonsense forwards sometimes come out with about not caring if they score or not, as long as the team wins.

Because no matter how many chances you create for others, how high your work-rate is or how slick your link-up play with your with team-mates might be, scoring goals is your job. And you can’t be happy if you’re not doing it.

While Keane can’t be expected to net as many as Fernando Torres, he is at last starting to show that he can give the Spaniard some competition for his place.

And you can only do that by scoring goals. And even if Keane does continue his habit of getting a load all at once before another lean spell, that kind of form usually bags him 20 goals anyway.

And would be an ideal total for a man who will largely used as a supporting act to the main event, especially as Torres is now back in the fold.

I’m not sure if I would have been saying that with as much conviction had he not bagged those two against the Baggies at the weekend, however.

The fact that Keane hadn’t managed a league goal for Liverpool before Saturday and had struggled to complete a full 90 minutes hardly affected his team’s results.

But it doesn’t alter the fact that, despite what he says, he has been a little bit distracted by the burden of trying to get off the mark. He has been under pressure and sometimes it has shown.

One goal, however, and he becomes a different player. Look at his second – he had a similar chance against Atletico Madrid last week but looked a bit ponderous and hesitant. On Saturday he just swept past Scott Carson and fired it into the net without messing about.

That’s what happens when you have confidence – you do it without thinking.

And that’s the key thing. I know Robbie and he is a great lad to have in the dressing room with great leadership qualities.

And now he has his first league goals under his belt, I’m sure his true character will start to emerge.

Steven Gerrard Given The Freedom Of Knowsley Borough

STEVEN Gerrard was last night given the highest honour his home town could bestow – the Freedom of Knowsley Borough.

Liverpool FC’s superstar captain and England regular, dressed in a grey suit, spoke with pride of his upbringing on Huyton’s Bluebell estate during the ceremony at Knowsley Council’s Huyton Suite.

The 28-year-old is only the fourth person to be granted the title of Honorary Freeman.

Speaking briefly at the ceremony, he said: “This is a very special honour for me and even more so as it is awarded so rarely, so I’d like to thank Knowsley Council.

“I’m very proud of the area that I grew up in and proud of the community I came from. Growing up on the streets of Huyton helped me get to where I am today.

“These are the family and friends who have been with me since I dreamt as a boy of being a professional footballer.”

Gerrard follows in the footsteps of former Labour Prime Minister Harold Wilson, who was the first to accept the honour in 1977.

Last night’s honour was the first in 20 years and it came in recognition of “his outstanding contribution to national and international football and his position as a role model to young people”.

Gerrard’s stellar career kicked off at Whiston Juniors, before being spotted by a Liverpool scout at age eight. This season he has notched up his 100th goal for the club and he is set to mark 10 years since his first team debut.

Leader of the Council Cllr Ron Round, said: “Steven is one of the greatest individual success stories to come out of Knowsley in recent years. Knowsley has a long and celebrated history of nurturing footballing talent and long may this continue.”

The high-profile crop of players from Huyton includes Everton legend Peter Reid, Craig Hignett and Tony Hibbert.

Neighbouring Kirkby has produced Phil Thompson, Alan Stubbs, Kevin Nolan and Terry McDermott, but Gerrard is the only player to have been granted such an honour.

At the ceremony, Gerrard and 120 guests were treated to the Knowsley Singers and Street Feet street dance group.

Gerrard made his Oath of Allegiance to Knowsley before signing the Roll of Honour.

At the end of the ceremony the Mayor of Knowsley, Cllr Michael Foulkes, presented the 28-year-old star with an Honorary Freeman Medallion and scroll.

Cllr Round said: “He is an excel-lent ambassador for Knowsley and a great role model. His story is one of talent, commitment and passion which has seen him grow into a world-class player.

“It sends a message out to young people everywhere that with hard work and persistence, they too can realise their dreams.”

He aimed his comments at the young footballers at the ceremony who acted as guard of honour.

Opinion: Rafa Benitez Doesn't Deserve A New Liverpool Contract Yet

Liverpool are joint top of the Premier League but I fear that the opening of new contract talks with manager Rafa Benitez is a big mistake.

Spaniard Benitez, 48, has guided my old team to the summit in a bid to end an 18- year title drought but the Liverpool board should wait until the end of the season to negotiate a new deal.

The club won nothing last season, which was totally unacceptable. And Benitez has yet to prove he can satisfy the club's huge craving for a Premier League crown.

Liverpool have finished fifth, third, third and fourth under Benitez, who has 18 months left on his existing contract.

And with 26 games left this term, the Anfield club could easily end up 11 points off the pace again, just like last season.

Premier League success is the benchmark at Liverpool but it's only now that Benitez seems to be appreciating that fact after being preoccupied with the Champions League for so long.

Anfield fans are usually very loyal to their managers but if the board gives Benitez a new four year deal now, only for Liverpool's challenge to peter out, then what?

As someone who wants to see Liverpool triumph in the Premier League in the near future, all I care about is winning, not who is at the helm.

I'd put Benitez on probation until the end of the campaign - then tell him: "Deal or no deal."

Gap Won't Cause Rafa To Gloat

Rafael Benitez has warned Liverpool fans about gloating too soon over the Anfield side's eight-point lead over champions Manchester United.

For many Anfield fans, such an advantage over their greatest rivals with the season almost a third over, is cause for celebration.

But boss Benitez said: "I don't think I will be celebrating until the gap is 20 points."

The end product of a weekend of frantic action at the top of the Premier League is that Manchester United sit eight points behind leaders Chelsea and second-placed Liverpool - who have a whopping 14-goal difference deficit to make up on the west Londoners.

Both clubs are on 29 points, with United's defeat away to Arsenal leaving them in fourth spot.

Benitez said: "We were aware before we played West Brom on Saturday that Manchester United had lost, but it was not something that we allowed to affect how we played.

"If you spend the whole time with a calculator considering what others are doing, it will drive you crazy.

"You must concentrate on what you are doing. United may be trailing us, but we are not looking at what they are doing, only ourselves."

Liverpool were top after the 3-0 win over West Brom for just 24 hours before Chelsea regained the leadership after a 2-0 win at Blackburn.

Benitez, who welcomed back striker Fernando Torres after a hamstring injury, said: "Manchester United still have a game in hand and the ability to make up points in just two other games is not that difficult for them.

"When the gap is 20 points, then I will relax. But with just this small difference all I can say is we must keep going all the time and not think about what other teams are doing."

He added: "We have confidence and are playing well, so we know we can be up there at the top. We know it is a long race and must keep going.

"It is still too soon to be thinking in those terms about other teams. There are too many games, in league and cups, and many things can happen.

"But things are very positive. We were top before and we wanted to be top again. The win over West Brom put us back up at the top and we must continue to put pressure on our rivals.

"We are playing well, scoring goals, but it could be better even though we are pleased."

Benitez is expected to rest several senior men for Wednesday's Carling Cup trip to face revitalised Spurs at White Hart Lane.

It seems certain that skipper Steven Gerrard, Dirk Kuyt, Javier Mascherano and keeper Jose Reina will be rested.

Diego Cavalieri, Jermaine Pennant, Lucas, Nabil El Zhar, Andrea Dossena, Ryan Babel, David Ngog and Sami Hyypia are expected to figure in north London.

Benitez will make a late decision on whether Torres continues his comeback with a place in the starting line-up against Harry Redknapp's men.

Benitez said: "He needs games, but we will assess the situation only after a couple more training sessions."

But it is clear that Benitez is keen to re-form the partnership between Torres and Robbie Keane, who scored his first league goals for the club in the win over West Brom.

Whether Keane will be involved from the start against his former club is also debatable, with Babel and Ngog likely to figure up front.

But Benitez said: "It was good to see Keane scoring, and then to have Torres back on the pitch.

"The understanding will be good again, and if they both continue to work hard they will be very dangerous for any opponent."

Rafael Benitez Warns Manchester United Are Still A Threat

Rafael Benitez has warned Liverpool supporters not to get carried away by the club's impressive start to the season or their eight point gap over Manchester United.

The Liverpool manager struck a note of caution after their 3-0 victory over West Bromich Albion took them well clear of the champions who lost 2-1 to Arsenal. However, Benitez says United, who have a game in hand, are far from out of the title race.

"When the gap is 20 points, then I will relax," he said. "But with just this small difference all I can say is we must keep going all the time and not think about what other teams are doing.

"We were aware before we played West Brom on Saturday that Manchester United had lost, but it was not something that we allowed to effect how we played.

"If you spend the whole time with a calculator considering what others are doing, it will drive you crazy. You must concentrate on what you are doing. United may be trailing us, but we are not looking at what they are doing, only ourselves."

Benitez, who welcomed back striker Fernando Torres after a hamstring injury, added. "Manchester United still have a game in hand and the ability to make up points in just two other games is not that difficult for them.

"But with just this small difference all I can say is we must keep going all the time and not think about what other teams are doing."

He added: "We have confidence and are playing well, so we know we can be up there at the top. We know it is a long race and must keep going.

"It is still too soon to be thinking in those terms about other teams. There are too many games, in league and cups, and many things can happen. But things are very positive. We were top before and we wanted to be top again. The win over West Brom put us back up at the top and we must continue to put pressure on our rivals.

"We are playing well, scoring goals, but it could be better even though we are pleased."

Benitez is expected to rest several big name players for Wednesday's Carling Cup trip to face revitalised Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane. It seems certain that skipper Steven Gerrard, Dirk Kuyt, Javier Mascherano and keeper Jose Reina will be rested.

Diego Cavalieri, Jermaine Pennant, Lucas, Nabil El Zhar, Andrea Dossena, Ryan Babel, David Ngog and Sami Hyypia are expected to figure in north London.

Benitez will make a late decision on whether Torres continues his comeback with a place in the starting line-up against Harry Redknapp's men.

"He needs games, but we will assess the situation only after a couple more training sessions," Benitez said.

Rafa: A Goal-Scoring Run Beckons For Keane

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez believes that now Robbie Keane has opened his Premier League account, he can go on a goal-scoring run.

Liverpool's 3-0 weekend win over West Bromwich Albion was significant not only because it took the Reds to the top of the table, albeit only for 24 hours, but also because summer signing Robbie Keane opened his Premier League account for his new club.

Keane bagged a first-half brace, and boss Rafa Benitez now feels the floodgates will open for his Republic of Ireland international, enabling him to start justifying his £20 million price tag.

"Robbie was working hard and has been playing well but it is massively important for a striker to score, so it’s both good news for him and for us," Benitez told the Liverpool Daily Post.

"I think you’ll see him get a lot more now. If the team keeps playing well and creating chances there is no reason why he won’t get a lot more. It was just a question of time.

"You could see the difference in Keane as soon as he scored the first goal. It made a massive difference to him," he said.

"I remember talking about Peter Crouch when he first arrived and we were waiting for his first goal. Once he got off the mark, a lot more came and it will be the same with Robbie.

"I spoke to Robbie before the game, he was under pressure to score but I told him that he had to stay calm because he has been playing well for the team.

"He told me that he was fine, that he had no problems, but you know a striker is always thinking about scoring goals and so it was very important for him to get his first in the league for us," he added.

"Hopefully we will see him scoring a lot more every week now. I wanted to reassure him because it has been difficult for him."

A Carling Cup clash against his former club Tottenham Hotspur is next for Keane and Liverpool, before Premier League business resumes on Saturday as the Reds introduce the weekend fixtures with a Saturday lunchtime kick-off against Greater Manchester side Bolton Wanderers.

Aston Villa’s Barry & Liverpool’s Alonso Long-Term Future In Doubt?

Aston Villa’s Gareth Barry and Liverpool’s Xabi Alonso are back in news with regards to their long-term futures.

England international Barry was keen to move to Anfield in the summer, but the Reds did not meet the asking price reported to be around £18m and the midfielder stayed back at Martin O’Neill’s side.

Latest reports claim that the 27-year-old may buy out his contract on the lines of Webster ruling, to fulfil his dream of playing Champions League football with the Reds and Arsenal having showed interest in the summer.

“I really do not know enough about the Webster situation,” said Villa boss O’Neill. “I don’t know where we stand politically in all that. All I do know is that if he doesn’t sign his contract, he has one year definitely left to run by the time we get to next June or July time.”

On Reds midfielder Alonso, who looked set to leave the Merseysiders in close season but boss Rafa Benitez did not get the offer of £16m that he was looking for; reports in Italy claim that Juventus are still interested in the Spain international.

The Serie A giants had been put off by the asking price in the summer, but are said to be hoping that they may get the 26-year-old for a lesser fee.

Gerrard Rested For Spurs Tie

Steven Gerrard will miss Liverpool's Carling Cup tie against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane tomorrow night after Rafael Benítez confirmed that his captain needs to be spared for the club's pursuit of the title.

The Liverpool midfielder has appeared in every Premier League and Champions League game for his club when fit this season, missing only the goalless draw at Aston Villa due to a groin problem that hindered his pre-season programme, but will head a cast of senior players Benítez is expected to leave out of the fourth-round contest.

"Stevie needs a bit of rest," said the Liverpool manager, who has to decide whether to field Fernando Torres against Spurs following his return from a hamstring injury. "He was injured during the international break and it is important to try and keep players fit all the time."

Benítez has also insisted Liverpool's eight-point advantage over Manchester United with a third of the title race gone is not a cause for premature celebration. The Spaniard said: "I don't think I will be celebrating until the gap is 20 points. If you spend the whole time with a calculator considering what others are doing, it will drive you crazy. You must concentrate on what you are doing. United still have a game in hand and the ability to make up points in just two other games is not that difficult for them."

He added: "We have confidence and are playing well, so we know we can be up there at the top. We know it is a long race and must keep going. It is still too soon to be thinking in those terms about other teams. There are too many games, in league and cups, and many things can happen.

"But things are very positive. We were top before and we wanted to be top again. The win over West Brom put us back up at the top and we must continue to put pressure on our rivals. We are playing well, scoring goals, but it could be better even though we are pleased."

Liverpool Midfielder Mascherano Agrees To Become Maradona's New Captain

Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano has agreed to captain Argentina under new coach Diego Maradona.

The 24-year-old initially told Maradona he was unsure about taking on the responsibility of leading his country but was persuaded after the Argentina legend visited him last week.

'I've convinced him,' Maradona told Argentinian press after returning from his six-day trip to Europe, during which he visited a number of his top players, including Manchester United's Carlos Tevez and Barcelona's Lionel Messi.

'I explained to him what I thought about him and told him what I thought he could give the team,' the former Napoli and Barcelona star added.

Mascherano's first game as captain will most likely be against Scotland next Wednesday at Hampden Park.

The Liverpool midfielder has always matured earlier than expected on the international stage, making his debut for the national team before he had even played a game at club level.