Benitez Bidding To Save Reds Job

Rafa Benitez "hopes to stay" at Liverpool but reportedly may still lose his job despite trying to make peace with Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

The Liverpool Echo reports that Benitez is willing to make peace with Liverpool's American owners after repeatedly criticising their transfer policy over the weekend.

Benitez claimed that Hicks and Gillett didn't understand the European transfer system as he looks to add to his squad.

The owners refused to back Benitez in a statement issued on Sunday evening, leading to widespread reports that the Spaniard's sacking was a case of 'when' rather than 'if' on Monday morning.

However, the Echo reports that Benitez is 'ready to hold out an olive branch' to his superiors, but that may come too late to save his job.

The paper quotes a 'source close to Benitez' as saying: "Rafa loves it at Liverpool. He loves the people of the city, he loves the fans and he loves the club. All he wants is what's best for the fans - he gets frustrated when he feels he's not able to do that.

"But he is happy with Tom and George owning the club and he has enjoyed working with them since he came and he has no problem working with Rick (Parry) - all he wants is to be able to continue the job that he's started so he can continue improving the squad in a bid to deliver the title he knows Tom, George and Rick want just as badly as he does."

The source goes on to claim that the perceived reluctance of Liverpool to move on transfer targets has already cost the club at least one signing:

"The manager has got a few transfers that he wants to get done, one in January and two Bosmans in the summer but it looks like he is going to miss out on the first one now.

"That frustrated him because the first one was a centre half, a position he feels we really need back-up in. The frustration stems from the fact that communication has been so difficult with everyone being so far apart and in different time zones. But the fans should be reassured Rafa has no plans of walking away. He loves it here and his family are settled on Merseyside."

Reina: LiverpooL Will Progress

Jose Reina is convinced Liverpool can progress to the knockout stages of the Champions League.

Rafael Benitez's side need to beat Porto at Anfield on Wednesday and Marseille in France in a fortnight if they are to keep their hopes alive.

But Spain goalkeeper Reina is confident they can succeed in those demanding games.

"We are third in the group now and need to register two more wins," he told www.liverpoolfc.tv.

"That will not be easy but if we play our real game then we know it will be enough.

"We must win in Marseille but we must deal with Porto first. There is no point in looking further ahead than that."

Reina recalls that Liverpool struggled early on before winning the trophy in 2005.

"They managed to get to 10 points in the group stages and that was enough," he said.

"We must aim for that total again and that will also be enough.

"That run to the final should be a mirror for us. We can look at it as an example of how the situation can be resolved."

Reina was still at Villarreal when Liverpool defeated AC Milan in Turkey.

But he was around to share in the disappointment of last season against the same opposition in Athens.

It is an experience he does not want again.

"I have not really looked at that DVD, it is in the past, we lost it and we must forget it and keep going," he said.

"People say we were unlucky in Athens, but in the end Milan won. If we get to the final again we must make sure we do not finish with that same feeling.

"But before we can even think about things like that we must make sure we win these last two group games.

"We must reach the knockout rounds before thinking ahead to any more finals."

Rafa Plays Down Anfield Rift

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has reassured supporters that his row with the club's co-owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks is not serious.

The Spaniard's frustration at the American duo's unwillingness to release funds for new players in the January transfer window bubbled to the surface in a tense press conference earlier in the week.

However Benitez was in more conciliatory mood in the wake of his side's 3-0 win over Newcastle earlier today.

"I think they don't understand what the transfer window means in Europe," he told Sky Sports.

"When you sign a player he needs to settle down. They don't understand how difficult it is to sign players. When you have the possibility now that you are free, you must do it or lose players. I'm trying to explain it, so it's OK.

"We will keep calm and I will try to keep focused on winning games for my supporters. I think it's not serious. If they understand what the market means for football here in Europe, they will understand I am trying to do my best for the club."

Hicks had reacted to Benitez's first set of comments with a terse warning to "quit talking about new players and to coach the players we have".

It is also believed that discussions over a permanent deal for midfielder Javier Mascherano and a possible swoop for Racing Santander defender Ezequiel Marcelo Garay have been put on hold until the Reds' precarious Champions League position is decided.

Newcastle 0 - 3 Liverpool

Sam Allardyce was plunged deeper into crisis as sorry Newcastle were humiliated at home by Liverpool.

For the second game on the trot at St James' Park, the Magpies were taken apart by the visitors, and only Shay Given and good fortune prevented Rafael Benitez's men from bettering Portsmouth's 4-1 scoreline three weeks earlier.

Steven Gerrard, who was booed by the home fans for his part in England's Euro 2008 failure in midweek, opened the scoring with a 28th-minute piledriver and after the hugely impressive Fernando Torres hit the post on the stroke of half-time, Dirk Kuyt made it 2-0 within 60 seconds of the restart.

Substitute Ryan Babel capitalised on the mayhem in Newcastle's defence to make it 3-0 with 24 minutes remaining as the home fans chanted "You don't know what you are doing" and "Big Sam for England".

Allardyce's team were simply woeful and the fury with which the final whistle was greeted by a crowd of 52,307 after they failed to muster a single shot on target will not have gone unnoticed by grim-faced owner Mike Ashley.

By contrast Benitez, who has found himself at odds with owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett, was able to wear the satisfied smile of a man who had seen his team do all he had asked of them.

Allardyce rose this morning to read of apparent unrest in his dressing room, but that was nothing compared to the boos which greeted his players as they left the field after a desperately poor opening 45 minutes.

In truth, it could have been much worse with Torres having squandered the chance to double the Reds' lead in the final minute of the half after Kuyt had turned Charles N'Zogbia's kamikaze header into his path.

Given looked to have misjudged his sprint towards the ball, but managed to make a vital block, and he got his reward when the Spaniard picked up the loose ball and fired against the foot of the post with the goal at his mercy.

Newcastle were able to offer next to nothing in reply with Alan Smith's dipping 38th-minute volley, which dropped just wide, their only effort of any note.

More worryingly, the 3-5-2 system adopted by Allardyce in the face of a defensive injury crisis looked alien to his players, who found themselves repeatedly out-numbered as Liverpool simply passed the ball around them.

Strikers Mark Viduka and Obafemi Martins were painfully isolated with nominal wide men Geremi and N'Zogbia struggling to make anything of the sporadic possession they received.

Indeed, the biggest cheer of the afternoon to that point came when the first contestant in the half-time hit-the-crossbar challenge produced the most accurate ball of the day from a man in a black and white shirt to connect with the woodwork at the first attempt.

If the Magpies had escaped at the end of the first half, they were not to be so fortunate at the beginning of the second after Habib Beye was forced to concede a 46th-minute corner.

Sami Hyypia managed to get a flick on Gerrard's ball in at the near post and Kuyt bundled it home from close range to make it 2-0.

Allardyce did little to improve the mood at St James' when he replaced Emre with Joey Barton after 51 minutes with his side labouring.

Beye had to get in a block to deny Harry Kewell after 54 minutes after Torres had found space on the right and, although Smith volleyed high over at the end of a rare Magpies attack a minute later, there were cheers when James Milner emerged from the dug-out to warm up.

Milner duly arrived with 59 minutes gone, but Allardyce's decision to replace N'Zogbia was greeted with incredulity.

Newcastle were in complete disarray and after Torres had twice gone close, substitute Babel finally made them pay when he exchanged passes with Gerrard to fire home a third goal after 66 minutes.

Torres was tormenting the home defence and should really have added his name to the scoresheet, firing wide after 68 minutes with just the helpless Given to beat and then seeing another effort blocked by the Irishman seconds later.

Babel sent a stinging shot across Given's goal after 73 minutes and then laid a fourth on a plate for Kuyt, only to see the Dutchman scuff his effort straight at the goalkeeper, and the final whistle came as a merciful release.

Reds Owners To Meet Benitez

Liverpool owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks say talks with Rafa Benitez regarding squad improvement will take place in December.

Benitez invested heavily in his Anfield squad during the summer in a bid to turn the Reds into serious Premier League title contenders.

But there have been reports that the Liverpool boss is unhappy with the delay in finalising a permanent deal for on-loan midfielder Javier Mascherano.

Gillett and Hicks have now released a statement in an attempt to put the focus on the club's upcoming fixtures, starting with the weekend's game against Newcastle United.

"We made a significant investment in the playing squad during the summer and desperately want this team to succeed," read the co-chairmen's statement on the club's official website.

"There are some very important games coming up in the next couple of weeks and all of us need to focus on winning those games and getting the best out of the players we already have at the club.

"We will leave any talk of buying or selling players until we come across to Liverpool in December and sit down with the manager then."

Benitez spent a club record fee to bring Fernando Torres to Liverpool in the summer, and also splashed out on Yossi Benayoun and Ryan Babel.

Is LiverpooL In Crisis?

The civil war that has suddenly gripped Liverpool could determine whether they can ever rejoin the elite of English football, or be condemned to yet more years in the Premier League wilderness.

Manager Rafa Benitez launched an extraordinary offensive yesterday with what he sees as a ultimatum to the club's American owners that they can only interpret as back me or sack me.

In response, George Gillett and Tom Hicks offered a considered and cutting response, apparently designed to call the bluff of the manager who often reacts in an impulsive way to any perceived problems.

Benitez has become increasingly angry in recent weeks over what he believed was a complete lack of communication from the Americans.

He argued that since buying the club they had put their energies into other projects, left Liverpool on a back burner, and wondered whether the pair were working together as a team.

Both men have each been to only one game this season, and Benitez claims he has spoken to them just once in three months, while also exchanging the odd email.

Gillett's son Foster, installed at Anfield as a go-between, has flown back to the States for an extended period.

In particular, Benitez wants the £17million deal for Javier Mascherano wrapped up, after agreeing terms over both contract and fee. The Americans though, have delayed, insisting they have first option on the Argentina midfielder and that there is no need to rush.

Benitez also tried to negotiate deals to bring in two highly-rated young Brazilians, and wants funds to back a major offensive to sign £15m Argentina defender Ezequiel Garay.

All three proposals were met with indifference by a board increasingly sceptical about his constant pursuit of untried South Americans, believing it to be a high-risk strategy that could cost the club millions.

Benitez wants to move quickly, with Juventus interested in Mascherano, and Manchester United in Garay, who, along with the Brazilians, is also wanted by Real Madrid.

His frustration has grown to such a level Bayern Munich and Fenerbache made inquiries after word leaked out at Anfield of his discomfort.

That did nothing for relations between the manager and owners sides, with the Americans beginning to believe they may be better off without someone prone to such emotional outbursts.

There is still anger within the boardroom over Benitez's personal attack on Gillett, Hicks and chief executive Rick Parry over a lack of support after the Champions League Final.

Gillett and Hicks responded by making £50m available for transfers, and believe the manager now has a squad strong enough for a serious assault on the title.

However, the situation came to head yesterday when Benitez was told by the Americans to wait until they arrive in England on December 16, and until then to concentrate on getting the best out of a squad that has cost so much.

That enraged the Spanish, who immediately marched into a press conference conducted in a remarkable manner.

Virtually every question was answered with the same response: "As always, I am focused on coaching and training my team." He repeated the sentence - clearly meant as a response to the demands of the Americans and probably borrowing from a phrase they used - more than 25 times.

Their reaction was swift and significant. They issued a statement that robustly defended their position and also explained what had been happening behind the scenes.

"We made a significant investment in the playing squad during the summer and desperately want this team to succeed," it read. "There are some very important games coming up in the next couple of weeks and all of us need to focus on winning those games and getting the best out of the players we already have.

"We will leave any talk of buying or selling players until we come across to Liverpool in December and sit down with the manager then."

The question for Benitez is whether he can remain in charge until then. The owners have called his bluff, and he must mull over his position after being so publicly chastised.

He would receive a huge payoff - thought to be up to £6m - if sacked, even if he finds another job, but will forfeit that amount if he quits.

He has been bluntly told he has had significant backing and will have to earn further support through results on the field, which have been less than impressive despite major investment.

The ball in now in his court, but the US tycoons are hard-nosed businessmen and Benitez has suddenly found himself on extremely treacherous ground, that could conceivably lead to his departure.

Rafa Benitez has spent £122.7million in transfer fees on 17 players (not counting free transfers) since joining Liverpool in the summer of 2004. Here are his biggest buys.

F Torres (A Madrid) £26.5m

R Babel (Ajax) £11.5m

X Alonso (Valencia) £10.5m

D Kuyt (Feyenoord) £9m

P Crouch (S'pton) £7m

J Pennant (Arsenal) £6.7m

F Morientes (R Madrid) £6.3m

Benitez Fancies England Job

Rafael Benitez has sensationally declared his interest in the England job, fuelling rumours of an apparent rift with Liverpool's American owners.

The Spaniard has reportedly clashed with Tom Hicks and George Gillett over transfer budgets and says he is seriously considering going for the England job.

'Maybe I could be Steve McClaren's replacement if I improve my English,' said the 47-year-old.

'I was being serious. You never know what can happen in the future,' he added.

At a press conference on Thursday Benitez was unusually quiet, describing his week as 'not the best' amid rumours Hicks and Gillett had vetoed his plan to sign on-loan Javier Mascherano on a permanent basis.

The former Valencia boss responded to questions on a variety of issues with the stock answer: 'I am focused on training and coaching my team.'

Gillett and Hicks responded by saying transfer business would be discussed when they visit the club next month.

Football Association chief exeutive Bian Barwick will begin the search for a England new coach today following the sacking of Steve McClaren.

And with leading candidates already making themselves unavailable, calling Benitez may be high on his list of priorities.

Martin O'Neill and Sam Allardyce have both distanced themselves from the post while fans' favourite Jose Mourinho is also reported to have ruled himself out.

Benitez Distracted By Other Issues

Off-the-field issues have overtaken Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez's preparations for Saturday's early kick-off at Newcastle after the club's co-chairmen Tom Hicks and George Gillett laid down a marker on transfers.

After a fortnight without action because of the international break the Spaniard has had little time to get his players ready for the trip to Tyneside.

And his mood was not helped by an apparent disagreement with the club's American owners over how much money - if any - will be forthcoming in January.

Benitez patently had issues when he spoke to the press to preview the match and a few hours later the reason for his mood became clearer.

"We made a significant investment in the playing squad during the summer and desperately want this team to succeed," said a statement from Hicks and Gillett.

"There are some very important games coming up in the next couple of weeks and all of us need to focus on winning those games and getting the best out of the players we already have at the club.

"We will leave any talk of buying or selling players until we come across to Liverpool in December and sit down with the manager then."

It was a distraction Benitez did not need considering the limited amount of time he will have with his full squad once they all returned from international duty on Wednesday.

However, those players that were not involved with their countries have boosted the Spaniard's plans for Newcastle.

Daniel Agger, Harry Kewell and Fernando Torres are all in line for a return to the starting line-up with the latter the most significant of the trio.

Liverpool's record signing remained at Melwood this week, working on his match fitness, and has not been involved for Spain.

It seems Torres will regain his place in the starting line-up and will keep the shirt for next week's crucial Champions League crunch at home to Porto, a match Liverpool must win to stay in contention to qualify for the group stages.

Torres made his initial comeback a fortnight ago when he scored a fine goal as substitute against Fulham - and is likely to get the nod from Benitez at St James' Park.

Agger is close to full recovery from a broken metatarsal, while Kewell could also be in contention after a succession of groin-related problems.

He played a full 90 minutes for Australia last weekend, and Benitez described his return as like "having signed a new player".

It will be Torres, though, who will be in the spotlight.

"We have a confidence and a focus which will make us a very dangerous opponent for everyone who has to face us," he predicted.

"We have maybe not played as well as we are all capable of all the time this season - but look at how close we are to the teams at the top of the table.

"That is highly encouraging for us.

"From what I have seen so far in England, we do not have anything to fear from any of our opponents for the title. They are all great teams with a lot of experience and many very, very good players - but so are we."

Torres sees the title as a straight battle between the established top four clubs in this country.

"I am sure that as the season progresses it will come down to a fight between Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea - and we will be in there too.

"There is a winning mentality at Liverpool. I look around in the dressing room before a game, and in the face of ever player and every coach you see the winning expectation.

"They do not go out on to the pitch, either hoping they will or praying they will win - they expect it. They have such a belief in their ability that another outcome is just not something they consider.

"It is very new to me, but I enjoy that mentality very much and I am thinking this way too now."

Portsmouth Interested In Crouch

Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp has admitted he would be interested in signing Liverpool striker Peter Crouch.

Redknapp is a big fan of Crouch having worked with the England striker during his time in charge of Portsmouth and Southampton.

Crouch's long-term future at Liverpool looks uncertain with reports suggesting Rafa Benitez could be willing to cash in on the forward.

And should Crouch become available, Redknapp has indicated he would be at the front of the queue to sign the 26-year-old.

"You will always be interested in someone like him," Redknapp told The Mirror.

"He is a great player and can be unplayable at times. He is a great lad and great to work with.

"He was fantastic in that year he had at Portsmouth. The club owe him a massive debt for what he did.

"We bought him for £1million and sold him for £5million. He scored 19 goals and without those goals they would probably have gone down.

"He kept the club going and for me he has been one of the main players for the last six or seven years."

Rafa: We Will Come Good

Rafael Benitez believes that Liverpool's young lions will savage their title rivals in the second half of the season.

The Anfield boss is backing the likes of Fernando Torres, Ryan Babel and Lucas Leiva to show exactly why he spent so much money on them by inspiring an historic Premier League triumph.

Liverpool have secured a menacing position just behind the league pacesetters, and Benitez believes his meticulous planning over rest and recuperation through player rotation will give them the strength to become champions.

"Our squad is really good and hopefully the strength of the squad will become more clear as the season goes on - you will see how strong we can become," Benitez explained.

"Some young players, especially the likes of Leiva, Torres, Babel and Sebastian Leto, will play better and get stronger as the season progresses.

"I am not disappointed with them but I think they do have the potential to play better.

"We have more points than this time last season. I cannot be 100 per cent happy because I know we could have won the games against Birmingham, Chelsea and Tottenham. So there is plenty of room for improvement."

Reina Not Attracted By Atletico Madrid

Jose Reina claims he would not be interested in leaving Liverpool after reports linked him with a move to Atletico Madrid next summer.

The Spain international goalkeeper is said to be a target for Los Colchoneros next summer, who apparently thought he may fancy a move there.

Although no official contact has been made, Reina has spoken out to prevent any more stories as rumours continue to circulate.

"I am flattered," he said. "But at this moment it would not be good for me to move as my family is comfortable.

"I am feeling happy and valued. I have no reason to move."

Reina's father, Miguel, played for Atletico in the 1970's and was a member of the side that was beaten by Bayern Munich in Belgium.

Despite being born in Madrid, Reina junior rose through the ranks at Barcelona before moving to Villarreal in 2002.

After three seasons at El Madrigal, Rafa Benitez swooped to sign him for Liverpool and he replaced Jerzy Dudek as the club's number one.

Torres Unfazed By Rest Of ‘The Big Four’

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres declared the Reds have nothing to fear from their Premier League title rivals this season.

Rafael Benitez's side have made an inconsistent start to the season, with glorious 8-0 hammerings in Europe standing alongside disappointing 0-0 draws at home against ‘smaller’ clubs.

This patchy form has placed Liverpool six points behind leaders Arsenal, but Torres feels the fact that the Reds are still within touching distance with their rival’s in-spite of their inconsistency is a positive sign.

The £23m hitman insists Liverpool shall be firmly in the mix with Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United at the end of the season in the race for the title.

Speaking to the club's website, the Spaniard said: "We have a confidence and a focus which will make us a very dangerous opponent for everyone who has to face us.

"We have maybe not played as well as we are all capable of all the time this season but look at how close we are to the teams at the top of the table. That is highly encouraging for us.

"From what I have seen so far in England we do not have anything to fear from any of our opponents for the title. They are all great teams with a lot of experience and many very, very good players but so are we.

"I am sure that as the season progresses it will come down to a fight between Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea - and we will be in there too.

"There is a winning mentality at Liverpool," he said.

"I look around in the dressing room before a game and in the face of every player and every coach you see the winning expectation.

"They do not go out on to the pitch either hoping they will or praying they will win. They expect it. They have such a belief in their ability that another outcome is just not something they consider.

"It is very new to me but I enjoy that mentality very much and I am thinking this way too now.

"Hopefully we have had all the injuries that we are going to have and for the next few months we can really start to build a momentum that makes us very hard to stop.

"Any team that concedes as few goals as we concede is going to be tough to play against. If we begin to take the chances that we are creating in our games then I am sure those teams above us will start to fear us."

Reds Pursue Permanent Moves For Mascherano And Garay

January could be a busy month for Rafael Benitez, as the Liverpool manager attempts to secure the long-term services of Javier Mascherano and Racing Santander’s Ezequiel Garay.

Argentine Mascherano is currently entering his eleven month of a loan deal at Liverpool and his consistent performances in midfield have quickly gained him an army of admires on Merseyside.

Benitez is reported to be keen on making the ball-winner a permanent squad member in January rather than wait till the summer.

To this end, it is rumoured that the Spaniard has made a major breakthrough in his negotiations with MSI, the company that own Mascherano’s playing rights.

MSI, who also control Carlos Tevez's involvement with Manchester United, initially wanted a reported £17 million fee for the Argentinean international.

However, it is believed Liverpool have agreed for that £17 million fee to include the player’s wages over a five-year spell – beating off interest from Barcelona.

Clearly the confirmation of the player’s stay would please his team-mates, as goalkeeper Jose Reina stated: “It is quite important because Mascherano has been one of our best players so far.

“It was a loan, a clever loan, and we have to take the next step which is to get him for a few years.”

Meanwhile, Liverpool have been boosted in their pursuit of 21-year-old centre back Garay after he revealed he would love to play in England.

Benitez has been in the market for a young, capable defender who can operate at fullback as comfortably as in the centre, since losing out on Gabriel Heinze.

Garay was named in La Liga’s team of the season last year, and he currently has a £14.2 million buy-out clause at Racing Santander.

“To play in England is a dream,” he was quoted as saying in The News of the World.

“My head is in Racing but I would like to progress.”

But Liverpool may face stiff competition for the highly-rated stopper as Manchester United are also thought to be monitoring the defender.

Torres Set For LiverpooL Start

Fernando Torres looks set to make a return to the Liverpool starting line-up to face Newcastle at the weekend.

Liverpool's record signing has not started a game since breaking down in the 1-1 draw with Arsenal at the end of October, after picking up an abductor muscle injury with Spain.

Torres has remained in Liverpool over the international break to work on his fitness while the rest of Rafa Benitez's strikers have been away with their national sides.

Therefore, the Liverpool Echo claims that Torres is in pole position to make the starting line-up at St James' Park.

Harry Kewell is also in the running for a place in the Liverpool side after coming through 90 minutes of Australia's friendly with Nigeria on Saturday.

Benitez told the Echo: "It was good to see Harry get 90 minutes. I was talking with him and he said it wasn't a high tempo game so he was able to get through it.

"Physically he probably still needs to improve his pace and stamina but he is getting there.

"When you talk about Harry then you talk about a player of quality and ability who can make a big difference to our team. He can give different things to us, especially against teams who play deep and compact."

Liverpool’s Benitez Upbeat As Torres & Kewell Make Good Use Of International Break

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is upbeat as the international break has served to be timely for various reasons and has helped the likes of Fernando Torres, Daniel Agger, Yossi Benayoun and Harry Kewell.

Benitez is particularly happy that Kewell completed full 90 minutes with Australia in a friendly against Nigeria in London, which was the injury-troubled Reds winger’s first full match in more than a year.

The break came at the right time for Torres to recover fully from his thigh problem, and the Spain ace should be ready to start against Newcastle United at the weekend; but Daniel Agger and Yossi Benayoun may not be fully fit in time for the trip to St James’ Park.

Benitez said in the Liverpool Daily Post: “It was good to see Harry get 90 minutes. I was talking with him and he said it wasn't a high tempo game so he was able to get through it.

“Physically he probably still needs to improve his pace and stamina but he is getting there.

“When you talk about Harry then you talk about a player of quality and ability who can make a big difference to our team. He can give different things to us, especially against teams who play deep and compact.”

Double Boost For Benitez

Liverpool defender Daniel Agger could make his comeback at Newcastle in the club's first match after the international break.

The 22-year-old centre-back has been out since early September and has missed 13 matches with a broken metatarsal.

Agger was ruled out of the Denmark squad this week and said: "I'm not going off with my country but I would hope to be ready to play for Liverpool after the international break."

Manager Rafael Benitez is confident the defender is ready for a return at St James's Park in the lunch-time kick-off on November 24.

"Agger is improving a lot, and he has started running now," said the Spaniard.

Yossi Benayoun, who has been ruled out of Israel's clash with Russia on Saturday with a groin problem, also has a chance of facing Newcastle.

"Yossi is working with the physios now. We will have to see if he is fit for Newcastle, it's still too early to say," added the manager.

"He and Agger are maybes but perhaps it will be easier for Agger than for Benayoun."

However, Xabi Alonso, also out with a metatarsal problem, has already been ruled out of the visit to Newcastle.

Benitez added: "Xabi should start running in the next week but he is a 'no' for Newcastle, for sure."

Bayern Target Benitez Reaffirms Commitment To Liverpool

Manager Rafa Benitez has reaffirmed his commitment to Liverpool amid reports he has been sounded out by Bayern Munich about replacing under-pressure Ottmar Hitzfeld as manager.

The Spaniard has been made the No1 target for the German giants after it became clear that, despite topping the Bundesliga, Hitzfeld was unlikely to be offered a new contract, following growing tension behind the scenes.

But Benitez told CNN International's 'World Sport' he was committed to working with the club's American owners, George Gillett and Tom Hicks, and revealed his future plans.

"When we started talking about the future, we were very clear, we needed to have a plan," he said.

"We have this plan and we are progressing. The situation is positive in terms of things we wanted to do and what we are doing.

"When I signed the team wasn't winning much. They said to me try to win trophies in the future.

"To play seven finals and win four trophies I think is not bad in three years. So we need to see what happens this year, but we have confidence we can do it.

"We know that we are a top side, we play against a lot of teams that have power, money, and experience.

"Our vision is to be successful, have a new stadium, and trying to improve a little bit the structure of the club. We are going in the right direction."

Juventus To Bid For Peter Crouch?

Juventus are set to make a £10m bid for Liverpool striker Peter Crouch, according to the Daily Mail.

The giant marksman, who scored England’s winner in the 1-0 friendly win against Austria last night, has featured sparingly for Liverpool this season.

Reds boss Rafa Benitez is ready to let Crouch go during the January transfer window, providing interested parties meet the 26-year-old’s £10m price tag.

Juventus Coach Claudio Ranieri is a huge admirer of Crouch from his time spent managing Premiership club Chelsea.

The Bianconeri already have a good blend of strikers in their first-team squad in the form of David Trezeguet, Alessandro Del Piero, Vincenzo Iaquinta and Raffaele Palladino. However Ranieri believes that Crouch’s huge frame will offer them more of an aerial threat.

In other transfer news, Argentine midfielder Sergio Almiron could make a January move to AEK Athens.

Almiron has been hugely disappointing since signing from Empoli in the summer and currently finds himself behind Cristiano Zanetti, Antonio Nocerino and even Tiago Mendes in the centre-midfield pecking order.

AEK are prepared to spend €8m to bring the 27-year-old to Greece.

Bayern Interested In Benitez?

Bayern Munich have reportedly 'sounded Rafa Benitez out' about becoming their manager at the end of the season.

Coach Ottmar Hitzfeld is unlikely to remain in the job beyond the summer, despite some heavy spending on the likes of Luca Toni, Miroslav Klose and Franck Ribery, players that have taken Munich to the top of the Bundesliga.

The Daily Mail claims that tensions behind the scenes in Bavaria will mean Hitzfeld - in his second spell in charge of Bayern - will not have his contract renewed beyond the end of this season.

Indeed, Hitzfeld has reportedly told friends he will take over as coach of the Switzerland national side after Euro 2008.

The Mail reports that Bayern have already approached Benitez about taking over in Germany, but that the Liverpool manager is likely to rebuff the approach.

English Appeal For Reds Target

Liverpool target Javi Martinez admitted to skysports.com that he is attracted to the prospect of playing in England.

The 19-year-old Athletic Bilbao ace is one of the most highly-rated midfielders in Spain and he is being closely monitored by Rafa Benitez.

Martinez has risen to prominence over the last 18 months following his move from Osasuna's second string last year.

Now he is attracting interest from some of Europe's big hitters and, as skysports.com revealed earlier this week, Liverpool are one of those hot on Martinez's trail.

"I see Premier League matches on the television and the atmosphere is wonderful," he told skysports.com.

"But I don't really know anything [about the interest] as I haven't spoken with anyone.

"My sole mission at the moment is to work hard for Athletic and help the team.

"If an offer does arrive I would look at what is best for two parts, myself and Athletic."

Bilbao have admitted that they are aware of the interest in their prized asset - although they would appear to have few intentions of selling.

"We have not received any formal offers yet," a spokesman told skysports.com.

"We are calm about the situation."

Liverpool Hot On The Trail Of Bilbao Prospect

Rafael Benitez is reported to be tracking the progress of Athletic Bilbao's sensational young midfielder Javi Martinez, with a view to make a January transfer bid.

The Basque playmaker has been outstanding this term at San Mames, carrying on from his successful campaign last season - which was his first in La Liga.

Athletic raised a number of eyebrows in Spain when they splashed out 6 million euros (£4.2million) for him as an untested 18-year-old playing with Osasuna's second string.

But 18 months on, some of Europe's biggest hitters are now tracking the 19-year-old who is also a regular in Spain Under 21 side.

Liverpool are rumoured to heading the queue for the youngster’s services, however they face stiff competition from Fiorentina who have also sent scouts to assess Martinez during recent games.

Although the Basque player operates in midfield, an area that the Reds have an abundance of talent in, he nonetheless offers a distinct different type of quality.

Martinez prefers to roam free in midfield and operates best in the last third as a schemer and creator of goals, a player that perhaps Yossi Benayoun comes closest in comparison.

With whispers abound that the under-performing Momo Sissoko may be leaving Anfield, room may be freed-up soon for the arrival of Martinez.

But Benitez also knows he is not the only man looking to land Martinez - whose current get-out clause stands at 24 million euros (£17.1million) as he has more than four years remaining on his contract.

Fiorentina boss Cesare Prandelli was hugely impressed by Martinez in pre-season after the two sides met in a friendly and he has been following him closely ever since.

Now a battle could ensue, although Benitez would always be seen as favourite given his continued close links with his homeland.

Liverpool are also known to have been impressed by Martinez's team-mate Fernando Amorebieta and a double bid could yet be a possibility.

Benitez Looking For More From Leto, Leiva And Babel

With a hectic schedule of fixtures around the corner, Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has urged the younger players in his squad to hit top form sooner rather than later.

Benitez is well-aware of the packed period of football than comes at Christmas in the English calendar, and understands the demand for rotation in places on squads.

Therefore Benitez wants his fringe players to step their game up as they are more likely to be making appearances in the first team over the coming weeks.

Although the Spaniard is happy with the way the likes of Ryan Babel, Lucas Leiva and Sebastian Leto have adapted to the English game, he nonetheless is demanding more from them.

Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, Benitez said: “Our squad is really good and hopefully the strength of the squad will become more clear as the season goes on.

“Some young players, especially the likes of Sebastian Leto, Lucas Leiva and Ryan Babel, will grow and progress during the season and I am sure they will play better.

“I am not disappointed with them but I think they do have the potential to play better.”

The Reds, who are looking to win their first Premiership title for 18 years, are currently six points behind the leaders Arsenal.

He said: “I feel that we are in a much better position than we were at this time last season.

“We have more points but if you think about the games and analyse the matches against Birmingham City, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, they were three games that we could have won, so maybe we could be top of the table .

“You cannot be 100% happy because I know that we could have won these games, so there is plenty of room for improvement.”

Garay Fancies English Move

Ezequiel Garay has admitted that he would like to play in England after Manchester United and Liverpool were reported to be watching his progress at Racing Santander.

The Argentinian defender has attracted attention with some powerful display at the heart of the Cantabrian rearguard and would fancy trying his luck in the Premiership.

Racing admitted recently that they may have to let him leave next summer after Real Madrid were rumoured to be preparing an offer that would be difficult to turn down.

Now Garay has revealed that he would be open to a transfer, but admitted that he has heard nothing concrete about interest from any clubs.

"To play in England is a dream," he told Sky Sports. "But I insist that I do not want to talk about the hypothesis. I do not have any preferences about any clubs.

"My head is in Racing but like all professionals I would like to progress.

"But I have spoken with the directors of Racing only this week and there is no real news about me."

Crouch Can Leave Liverpool For £10m

Liverpool will spark a £10million transfer auction after deciding to sell Peter Crouch to the highest bidder in January.

Crouch's future has been the subject of intense speculation this season but now manager Rafa Benitez has finally lost patience after seeing a change in the striker's attitude.

The Liverpool manager believes Crouch's status as an England player has turned his head, to the detriment of the work ethic that made him such a valuable team player when he arrived from Southampton for £7m in 2005.

Benitez has instructed Anfield chiefs to secure the best possible price for 26-yearold Crouch. There will be no shortage of offers, with early signs of interest from Newcastle, Portsmouth and Aston Villa, one of his former clubs.

A move abroad is believed to appeal to Crouch, with Juventus in the market for a front-runner.

Casting an eye towards the Premier League, Liverpool's initial valuation could prove a stumbling block. Manchester City dropped out after being quoted £15m.

Sportsmail understands that Crouch is prepared to dig his heels in and see out the remaining 18 months of his contract if Liverpool insist on £15m. It seems likely the club will have to lower their sights to around £10m for a New Year deal to go through.
Crouch's expected departure may not be the only one after Momo Sissoko demanded showdown talks over his lack of opportunities this season.

The 22-year-old Mali midfielder has made only four Premier League starts and sees little hope of forcing his way back after slipping behind Javier Mascherano and Xabi Alonso for a place alongside Steven Gerrard.

He wants to grill Benitez over his standing and is ready to demand a move in January if the manager cannot convince him he will have a more active role in the second half of the season.

Liverpool only just pipped Everton to the former Valencia player's signature and there is certain to be strong interest from the Premier League as well as a host of foreign clubs, headed by Juventus, jostling for the chance to offer him a fresh start.

Daniel Agger has set his sights on a return to action against Newcastle a week tomorrow, following a 13-game absence with a broken metatarsal.

'I have had to miss out on Denmark's game in Northern Ireland, but I hope to be ready to play for Liverpool after the international break,' said the 22-year old centre-back.

Benitez, who will give Sami Hyypia an overdue rest if Agger is passed fit, says Yossi Benayoun has only an outside chance of making the lunchtime kick-off at St James' Park. He has been forced to rule out Alonso, who has suffered another foot injury.

Benitez said: 'Yossi is working with the physios now. We will have to see if he is fit for Newcastle; it's still too early to say.

'He and Agger are “maybes” but perhaps it will be easier for Agger than for Benayoun. Xabi should start running in the next week but he is a “no” for Newcastle, for sure.'

Benitez: I Like Having Selection Problems Because All My Strikers Are Fit

Rafael Benitez hailed Fernando Torres' stunning goal against Fulham and admitted he was looking forward to more selection posers.

Following Liverpool's 8-0 win over Besiktas, manager Benitez named an unchanged side for the first time this season as the Cottagers visited Anfield on Saturday.

But the Londoners proved a stubborn outfit and it was not until the introduction of injury-hit Torres that the Reds finally made the breakthrough after 81 minutes. Steven Gerrard then clinched a 2-0 win with a late penalty after Peter Crouch was tripped.
Benitez said: "It is good he is back fit, now I have the sort of problems I like with several fit strikers to choose from.

"It was important for Torres to be back and important that he can score goals like that.

"At the end I said well done to them all, not just Torres, his job is to score goals."

Reina: Benitez Driven On By Desperation To Win Premier League

Pepe Reina has revealed Rafa Benitez's desperation to end Liverpool's title drought as he admitted the Reds boss will do everything to bring the championship back to Anfield.

Despite an early-season wobble and a raft of injuries, Liverpool are just six points adrift of top spot with a game in hand over Manchester United.

And while the Spain keeper knows how much it would mean to the Kop to hail the best team in England for the first time in nearly two decades, he maintains Benitez wants it even more.

Reina, who has kept 10 clean sheets in 17 starts this season, told the Daily Mirror: "I know Rafa well and he will break his own head to find a solution to get the title for Liverpool.

"He has the experience of three seasons in England now and knows more of what is required.

"We are all aware of how desperate the fans are to win the championship.

After 18 years without doing so, for a club like Liverpool, that's only normal.

"We all wish to give them that chance to celebrate the title after so long. It's our biggest target for the season.

"Rafa has been successful in the last few years and shown at Liverpool how he can pick teams, change formations and win knock-out games.

"Look at how we've done in the Champions League, winning the FA Cup and getting to the Carling Cup Final as well. It's not easy to win a European Cup in your first season at a club and Rafa did that.

"That will serve him well in the future. He is someone who will always keep learning how English football is and learn from his 'mistakes' - if that's what you want to call them.

"But I wouldn't call them mistakes, because he doesn't make many at all. He is a really seasoned manager, who is always looking for the right solutions, and he will find them."

Reina, 25, insisted he is part of a Liverpool squad that has got what it takes to overhaul United, Arsenal and Chelsea and see Merseyside football back in control.

"People talk about prioritising, about maybe giving up the Champions League for the Premier League, and that's always difficult for a club like Liverpool to do," he added at the Paris launch of the new adidas Predator PowerSwerve boot.

"But if you were to say to me today - 'if you give up the Champions League you WILL win the title', then I'd say 'all right, let's do it now!'"

Gerrard: It's Been Difficult

Steven Gerrard admits it has been 'difficult' being an England player since the defeat in Russia, but is staying positive for the national team's Euro 2008 qualification hopes.

Last month's 2-1 loss in Moscow means England are relying on Israel to secure a result against Russia on Saturday to ensure Steve McClaren's men still have a chance to reach next summer's finals.

England face tournament co-hosts Austria in a friendly on Friday, but midfielder Gerrard intimated that the players' minds are on Israel's game with Russia 24 hours later.

"It's going to be a difficult week because we're all waiting for the Israel game," Gerrard told the Daily Mirror. "It's been difficult being an England player since the Russia result.

"We could all be going into one of the most meaningless internationals of our career, or one of the most important.

"But if we join up this week thinking it's all over and we've got no chance, it will make it impossible to prepare right for Wednesday if it suddenly becomes a massive game for us."

Gerrard also insists the players want to represent England and the stand-in skipper remains determined to be successful with the national team.

He added: "It's not aggravation to go out and play for your country. I still believe and have a dream of winning something with England, and that's worth any aggravation.

"If you look around the squad and see the players we've got, they should be capable of winning something. If we have to suffer this summer to have a successful World Cup in 2010, then that really would be worth the aggravation, if you want to call it that.

"Can you imagine this country if we have a successful tournament? And that's what I want to be part of.

"I have the same dream I had when I was a kid. Any young English player who doesn't have that dream shouldn't be playing for England.

"I can assure everyone on the outside that the players are frustrated and disappointed at the position we're in and are desperate to put it right."

Voronin Tips Kuyt To Find Best Form

Andriy Voronin has backed Dirk Kuyt to rediscover his best form "in the next few weeks" and win his place back in the Liverpool side.

Kuyt was left out of the side which faced Fulham at the weekend as Voronin, Peter Crouch and substitute Fernando Torres all featured, but the Ukraine frontman insists Kuyt will bounce back.

He said: "I have a very good relationship with the other strikers and it is up to the manager to decide who plays in any particular game.

"It's not about individuals, it's about the team, but Dirk is a very good striker. Sometimes strikers make mistakes, sometimes defenders do the same.

"But Dirk is a very good player and I am sure we'll see him back to his best in the next few weeks."

Mascherano Says He Will Only Play For Liverpool

Javier Mascherano will quit English football if he fails to agree a permanent move to Liverpool, the Argentina midfielder said on Sunday.

"I only want to play for Liverpool," Mascherano told newspapers. "I hope the situation will be sorted in the next month.

"If I cannot play for Liverpool I will not play for another club in England. Not even Chelsea, Arsenal or Manchester United."

Mascherano signed an 18-month loan deal with the Anfield club when he left Premier League rivals West Ham United in January.

Sissoko Rotation Frustration

Mohamed Sissoko has revealed his frustration at Rafa Benitez's rotation policy at Liverpool.

The Mali born midfielder has started just six games this season after some disappointing performances.

He failed to feature again in Liverpool's 2-0 victory over Fulham on Saturday and he admits he finds it difficult to not play a part in the action.

"It can be frustrating," Sissoko told the Daily Star Sunday.

"I played a lot in my first season and then again at the start of last season before I got injured.

"I am more relaxed when I'm in the starting line-up. That's only natural."

Liverpool Fearing Split As Gillett And Hicks Tussle

A tussle between owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks is threatening to derail Liverpool's development plans.

According to the News of the World, the difference in opinion seems to have stemmed from plans for the club's new stadium.

Tom Hicks wants to go for a grander and bigger new stadium at Stanley Park, shelving the existing plan which has already been approved.

That, in turn, will burden the club with a debt in excess of £500m, which is where George Gillett is concerned, having promised fans that the takeover would not mirror that of the Glazers, who heaped a lot of debt on Manchester United to finance their buy-out.

The loan would be secured against the club's assets, and any failure on the pitch could leave the club at the mercy of the banks.

While Gillett - the realist - is concerned, Hicks - thinking big, literally - has gone ahead and started securing money from investors in the US.

Insiders at Liverpool are uncertain over how this will be resolved, and wary that a power struggle could cast a huge shadow over the club's development.

One option is to go ahead with the existing plans for the stadium, which would keep the debt at manageable levels.

However, there is more to the situation. There is also some resentment in the Gillett camp that Hicks has increasingly become the public face, leaving the former in the background, and is becoming autocratic in pulling the strings at Anfield.

A crisis looms at Anfield, unless the two top men can sort it out and present a unified vision.

Benitez Welcomes Torres Omission

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez admits he is grateful striker Fernando Torres has not been called up by Spain for their Euro 2008 qualifiers.

Instead the club's record buy will work on his fitness during the international break.
Torres marked his return to action after a groin injury by scoring in the victory against Fulham at the weekend.

However the striker is not required by Spain for the qualifiers against Sweden and Northern Ireland.

"I'm not surprised he isn't in the squad because he has been injured," Benitez told the club's website.

"I'm pleased with the decision because it means he can stay with us and train and be ready for the next game. After a month without playing it's important he can work with us."

Liverpool’s Benitez & Gerrard Hail Pepe Reina

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez and skipper Steven Gerrard have hailed goalkeeper Pepe Reina.

The 25-year-old, who is an understudy to first-choice Iker Casillas in Spain side, played an important role in the Reds’ first goal that came from Fernando Torres in the hard-fought 2-0 win over Fulham on Saturday.

Benitez said on the club’s official website: "Reina is a goalkeeper with real game intelligence. He can read the game and play the kind of balls he delivered to Torres. He can play these passes to strikers if strikers move for the ball.

"A modern goalkeeper needs to be able to read the game like this. That is the difference.

"You can save 100 balls, but if you don't do something more you will be a good goalkeeper – not a top class goalkeeper."

Gerrard added: "He doesn't just kick it upfield and give us 50-50 balls. He passes it out from the back. He's a quality goalie."

Benayoun Doubtful For Israel

Yossi Benayoun is doubtful for Israel's Euro 2008 qualifier against Russia next Saturday.

The Liverpool midfielder suffered a groin problem during Liverpool's 2-0 victory over Fulham and Rafa Benitez does not expect him to be recover in time.

"Yossi has picked up an injury and it is very, very doubtful that he will join up with his country," said the Reds manager.

Benayoun is not required by Liverpool until the Premier League clash against Newcastle in a fortnight.

But he has cancelled the flight to link up with his international team-mates and will instead undergo a scan on Sunday.

If Benayoun is ruled out it will be a blow to not only Israel but also England, whose hopes of reaching Euro 2008 depend on Israel avoiding defeat against Russia.

If Russia beat Israel it is almost certain that England will miss out on a place in the finals, even if they beat Croatia the following Wednesday.

Israel cannot qualify for next summer's tournament in Austria and Switzerland.

Liverpool 2 - 0 Fulham

Fernando Torres returned to save Liverpool from another home disaster as brave Fulham had their hearts broken when they conceded twice in the final nine minutes.

For long spells it looked as if Lawrie Sanchez's resolute side would escape from Anfield with a point.

But Rafael Benitez sent on Torres with 20 minutes to go, and he broke the deadlock with a stunning individual goal before Steven Gerrard blasted home a late penalty after Peter Crouch had been tripped.

If Liverpool had slumped to yet another home draw - it would have been their fifth Premier League home stalemate - their title dreams would have been all but dead.

But Benitez paid £20m for Torres to score goals like this, and in the end Fulham just could not cope with the quality that kept appearing from Liverpool's bench.

There was an understandable air of expectation from both crowd and home players that there should be more goals almost on command following the 8-0 thumping of Besiktas in midweek, but Sanchez's men were intent on showing it is never as easy as that.

Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy tested Jose Reina after just 14 seconds from 20 yards, and the same player forced Reina into a diving save on 15 minutes.

Sami Hyypia forced Antti Niemi into a full-length save to his left and Steven Gerrard saw a dipping 25 yarder flash over.

But Fulham were sharp and determined, and a lot better organised than Besiktas had been.

Aaron Hughes produced a fine last-ditch tackle to take the ball away from Crouch in the act of shooting, and Liverpool were finding it hard to create clear openings.

Murphy and Steven Davis were allowing little room for Liverpool's midfield to work in, while Shefki Kuqi and David Healy tirelessly toiled in attack for the visitors.

Crouch came closest in the first period when he hit the crossbar with a looping header from a Fabio Aurelio free-kick seconds from the break.

Two minutes into the second-half and Andriy Voronin forced Niemi into a low save to his right.

But Fulham's tackles and interceptions were still biting, and friendship meant nothing when Murphy tripped Gerrard from behind in full flow and was booked.

From the free-kick, Aurelio saw his fierce effort clawed away by Niemi, with Voronin firing the rebound over the top. Voronin then combined superbly with Crouch to burst into the box and see Niemi make another fine save.

Fulham took off Healy and sent on Hameur Bouazza to fill in a left-sided midfield role to contest the flow from Yossi Benayoun and Aurelio down that flank.

Liverpool responded by sending on Ryan Babel for Riise on 62 minutes.

His first involvement was to find Benayoun in space, but Niemi made another fine save from the Isreal international's lob. Benayoun's next touch was a fine pass into Voronin's stride, the Ukrainian's shot going just wide of the far post.

Voronin left the field soon after, a frustrated man after so many opportunities, to be replaced by Torres.

Fulham were now trying to hit on the break, attempting to turn an unlikely point into a miraculous victory.

Liverpool sent on Lucas for Javier Mascherano with ten minutes left, and within a minute the home side were finally ahead.

There was nothing pretty about the build-up, a 60-yard clearance from Reina's hands.

But Torres took it down brilliantly, side-stepped his way into the box and cleverly clipped his shot inside Niemi's near post, leaving the 'keeper flat-footed.

Then on 85 minutes, Liverpool got their second. Bocanegra tripped Crouch in the box and Gerrard crashed home the spot-kick.

Match Preview: LiverpooL vs Fulham

Liverpool run out for Rafael Benitez' 200th game in charge, four days after thrashing Besiktas 8-0 - the biggest win in Champions League history. The Merseysiders put their unbeaten Premier League record on the line, against a Fulham side yet to win away, but one who also enjoyed their biggest win of the season last time out (3-1, home to Reading). This is a match between the draw specialists of the Premier League; six of Liverpool's 11 league games have finished all square, and 50% of Fulham's have also ended level (six of 12).

Rafa Benitez has been saying that the heavy defeat of Besiktas on Tuesday has had the effect of galvanising the confidence in the Red’s players who had been struggling for form though still unbeaten. Liverpool’s players have fired too many blanks of late, but the players on Tuesday seemed to have regained the “midas touch”.

Peter Crouch was recalled and repaid the manger’s faith and the backing of the fans by producing a superb striking performance and notching two goals. The much-maligned Ryan Babel also chipped in with a couple of goals. The second was fortuitous but the first was simply majestic – hopefully a glimpse of what this young lad is about.

The Cottagers have never won at Anfield in the Premier League. They probably won’t feel that they are tackling Liverpool at the most appropriate time with the Reds coming of an 8 –0 victory and Fernando Torres returning to the fray. Fulham will look to record their first back-to-back victories in the Premier league. Fulham will go for the Red’s jugular, they play an attacking brand of football, which has seen them notch up an impressive 16 goals – only one less than Liverpool. However, they do ship them in, conceding 18 goals. It’s clear if they want to take some points from Anfield that they will have to defend better. Fulham were the last team to beat Liverpool in the Premier league.

I think the only certain thing I can say about Benitez’s side is that it will not be the same one that played on Tuesday. That would go against the ideology he follows, so I don’t see why he will revert from his norm.

Crouch has staked his claim for a starting inclusion but it’s arguable that the whole team did on Tuesday; there were no poor performances on that night. However, Kewell, Torres, Finnan, Babel, and Kuyt will all be vying for starting spots after missing out from the starting against the Turks.



FORM GUIDE

Liverpool

Nov 6 v Besiktas (H) WON 8-0 (Champ League)
Nov 3 v Blackburn (A) DREW 0-0 (PREM)
Oct 31 v Cardiff (H) WON 2-1 (Carling)
Oct 28 v Arsenal (H) DREW 1-1 (PREM)
Oct 24 v Besiktas (A) LOST 2-1 (Champ League)


Fulham

Nov 3 v Reading (H) WON 3-1 (PREM)
Oct 27 v Sunderland (A) DREW 1-1 (PREM)
Oct 20 v Derby (H) DREW 0-0 (PREM)
Oct 7 v Portsmouth (H) LOST 2-0 (PREM)
Sept 29 v Chelsea (A) Drew 0-0 (PREM)



TEAM NEWS

Liverpool

The match has come to early for Alonso and Agger, both are still out with damaged metatarsals. Kuyt, Babel, Torres, Kewell and Finnan will all look to come back into the starting line-up.

Squad: Reina, Finnan, Arbeloa, Carragher, Hyypia, Hobbs, Aurelio, Riise, Babel, Benayoun, Gerrard, Mascherano, Sissoko, Kewell, Voronin, Kuyt, Crouch, Torres, Martin, Lucas.


Fulham

Paul Konchesky and Elliott Omozusi are both banned, but Carlos Bocanegra returns from a suspension. Shefki Kuqi could be given his full debut for the Cottagers.

Chris Baird is fit and will return to the starting line-up, but youngster Nathan Ashton has picked up a thigh injury and misses out. Jimmy Bullard is still out injured.

Squad: Niemi, Warner, Stefanovic, Hughes, Bocanegra, Baird, Leijer, Davis, Smertin, Murphy, Seol, Davies, Healy, Dempsey, Kamara, Kuqi.


PLAYERS TO WATCH

Liverpool

Fernando Torres will return to the fray, ready to join in on the goals.

Fulham

Simon Davies has been in good form and will be the Fulham danger man.

Reds Want Mascherano Deal

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez wants Javier Mascherano to remain at the club on a permanent basis.

The tough-tackling midfielder is midway through an 18-month loan deal following his arrival from West Ham United last January.

Mascherano had failed to settle at Upton Park where he made just three Premier League starts in five unhappy months.

But following his move to Merseyside last season, the Argentina international has started 22 games and caught the eye with a string of effective performances.

"Mascherano wants to stay, he is very happy here," Benitez told the Liverpool Post.

"He is a key player for us and I have been talking with him and he is really pleased to be at Liverpool.

"His family are settled here and his wife is learning English and he is very comfortable here.

"Javier also knows that the supporters like him and I think if everything is okay he will stay with us.

"We are happy with him so it would be good for everyone if he stayed at Liverpool."

Carson Set For £10m Move To Villa

Scott Carson is heading for a British record £10million transfer after Rafa Benitez revealed that Aston Villa had agreed an option to buy him.

The Liverpool manager was initially reluctant to sanction Carson's loan move to Villa Park but admitted yesterday that he had cleared the way for the England keeper to join Martin O'Neill's side on a permanent basis.

Villa have already paid £1.75m to cover his temporary stay and have been told they can keep him by parting with a further £8.25m.

Impressed with his contribution so far, O'Neill is expected to meet Carson, who has given up on trying to dislodge Pepe Reina at Anfield, in the next few weeks to discuss a long-term contract.

The Villa manager may have to move swiftly, though, after it emerged that other clubs are also monitoring the 22-year old's availability.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is known to be an admirer, but Benitez confirmed Villa were in pole position by saying: 'They have first option to buy him.'

The fee would eclipse the British record £9m Sunderland paid Hearts for Scotland's Craig Gordon.

Liverpool Eye First Win In Five Home Games Against Fulham

With an 8-0 Anfield victory against Besiktas still fresh in the memory, it would seem an odd time for Liverpool's home form to be called into question.

But with Rafael Benitez's team set to host Fulham in the Premier League today, the Merseyside club will be aiming to claim their first home league victory since a 6-0 thrashing of Derby on Sept 1.

In the four league games staged at Anfield since that emphatic victory, Liverpool have claimed just four points from a possible 12 after drawing with Chelsea, Birmingham, Tottenham and Arsenal.

And with Arsenal and Manchester United beginning to pull clear of the chasing pack at the top of the table, Benitez admits Liverpool can ill-afford to drop more points against Fulham.

Benitez said: “We cannot continue to draw games at home in the league. We must start winning now. If we want to get as close as possible to the top of the table, we have to win more often at Anfield.

“If you analyse the games we have drawn, the difference on each occasion has just been one goal and it could be the difference between where we are now and maybe being second in the table.

“We need to be as good at Anfield as we have been away from home and that needs to start against Fulham.”

Liverpool's Brazilian defender Fabio Aurelio has challenged his team-mates to forget about the record-breaking Champions League victory over Besiktas and focus on domestic priorities.

Aurelio said: “We did play very well against Besiktas and we can take a lot of confidence from that, but in football the most important game is the next one and for us that means Fulham, so we must now concentrate on that.

“When you have a result like the one on Tuesday night you have to take it in your stride and not get carried away because we have many important games coming up in the Premier League and in the Champions League and we cannot afford to be distracted.

“We have had a lot of draws in the Premier League and our form at home has not been as good as we would have liked.”

Fulham travel to Anfield still searching for their first away victory of the season and manager Lawrie Sanchez admits that the key for his team will be their ability to compete for the entire 90 minutes.

Sanchez said: “We're a top-seven team for 80 minutes and if we can lock off those last 10 minutes we'd be a top-seven team now.

“It's a bit like riding a bike to a certain extent. There's a falling off period between having stabilisers and being able to do it. Once you've done it, you wonder why you ever needed stabilisers.

“Because of the learning process that goes on and the new team shape we've put together, the group of players as a team haven't learnt to get over the last 10 minutes.

“But last Saturday against Reading was hopefully the first of many. The very fact that after 80 minutes we put ourselves into such great situations show we're a decent team.”

Liverpool's Confidence Is Back: Rafa Benitez

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has claimed that the Reds' record victory over Besiktas in the Champions League, will serve them as a morale booster.

The Reds hammered the Turkish club 8-0 at Anfield on Tuesday night in a must-win group game, following their poor start to the campaign with just one point from opening three games.

The Merseysiders are now hoping to take confidence further into the campaign as they need victories against Porto and Marseille to advance to the knock-out stage.

The Reds have a history of turning on a great performance when their backs are against the wall, and Benitez gave an example of the club's 3-1 win over Olympiacos and the final at Istanbul in 2005.

"I do not feel the players had on their minds that there was pressure on me and the club," said the Spaniard.

"I feel they only knew they needed to win, and they knew they have succeeded in different matches in the past.”

"I recall the game against Olympiacos a couple of years ago. We needed to win by two goals and could not afford to concede. But we let one in late in the first half and that gave us a real problem to qualify.”

"We had to go out and score three then in the second half. But we achieved that, and now my team has the experience of playing under great pressure and reaching their objectives, however hard it may seem.”

"The players knew they needed to win three games and they have set out to do that. Now we must do it twice more and we know our confidence is back.”

"Everybody can now believe we can beat Porto, and then Marseille. We have re-affirmed our strength in Europe, we can be there and qualify because we have done things like this before."

He added: "We have made a statement with the victory. The team showed character and quality, they showed they were hungry.”

"There were a lot of positive things. It was a good game with a lot of goals, different goals, from different players.”

"They were hungry, they wanted to win, they wanted to score goals. They produced the quality and the character we were looking for.”

"I did not expect eight, but we were trying to score a lot of goals, you don't get too many opportunities like this."

Benitez: No More Draws

Liverpool coach Rafa Benitez has warned his team about the series of draws being conceded, particularly in the League.

The 8-0 win over Besiktas has not papered over the (largely goalless) draws that Liverpool have been giving away, much like against Blackburn on Saturday.

They are still only six points off the top in the league, but continue to drop points with regularity.

"I think the key for us this year is to improve at home because away I think the team has confidence," said Benitez.

"But at home we have had some draws and it is clear we need to start winning."

Speaking about the game against Fulham on Saturday, he said: "I think in the Premier League you do not see easy games, so it will be a tough one.

"Normally it is more physical so we will try to use our quality.

"They are scoring some goals. When you are at the bottom of the table and you are scoring goals, it means you must be conceding goals, but also that you are dangerous in attack. For us especially on the counter attack we need to be aware.

"We now have more confidence and the strikers look like different players because they are scoring goals.

"I have my experience and it is better to not say anything until the end. So we need to wait, so maybe I will say yes I want to keep my team and then you have some problems in training sessions so it's better to wait and see what happens for Saturday."

He also returned to speak about the win over Besiktas, singling out a few players for special mention.

"Peter [Crouch] is very professional and he's a nice boy," said Benitez. "But I was surprised because everyone was asking about Benayoun, Babel and Crouch, but I think one of the best players was Voronin.

"He didn't score but he was amazing in assisting the other players, passing the ball and controlling the movements. So I prefer not to talk about one because we should talk about all of them, because all of them were magnificent."

More Rotation May Be In Store For Rafa’s Euro Heroes

Rafael Benitez refused to budge on his footballing philosophy, as he admitted he may tinker with the Liverpool side that thrashed Besiktas 8-0 in the Champions League on Tuesday.

The Reds arguably produced their best performance of the season that night with a score-line that registered the biggest win in UEFA Champions League history.

However, Benitez didn’t rule out rotating the side again if necessary, for the league game against Fulham at the weekend.

Speaking to Sky Sports News Benitez said: "Maybe I will say 'yes I want to keep my team' and then I will have problems in training, so it is better to wait and see what happens before Saturday."

Peter Crouch, Ryan Babel and Yossi Benayoun were among those to press their claims as they all found the target against Besiktas.

But Benitez was as impressed by Andriy Voronin as anyone else and admits the Ukrainian has given him a major selection dilemma in attack.

"I have been surprised because everybody has asked about Benayoun or Babel or Crouch, and I think one of the best players on the pitch was Voronin," said the Liverpool manager.

"He did not score but he was amazing, passing the ball and controlling the movements.

"So I prefer not to talk about just one, I think we should talk about all of them because they were all magnificent."

Fernando Torres missed the demolition of Besiktas but Benitez is confident the Spaniard will have recovered from his adductor muscle injury in time to face Fulham.

"Hopefully he'll be available. He was okay yesterday and if we don't have any problems he'll be fit," said Benitez.

"I think they can all play together, Torres and Crouch or Kuyt and Voronin, as you want."

Rafa Fires Euro Warning

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez says his side's record-breaking 8-0 annihilation of Besiktas will have the rest of Europe worried.

Benitez's side have been strangely struggling in the UEFA Champions League and were under pressure at Anfield with three wins needed from three games to sneak into the last 16.

Some of that pressure was eased as they ripped Besiktas apart and secured a Champions League record victory in front of a thrilled Anfield crowd.

After such a poor start, Liverpool still need to beat Porto at Anfield and Marseille away to get through, but Benitez says their 8-0 victory will serve as a warning to the whole competition.

"Porto now have to come to Anfield in the next match and they will be worried by this," said Benitez.

"The rest of Europe will also be aware of what we have done

"But in the end we still have to win those last two games, regardless of how many goals we scored this time."

Yossi Benayoun grabbed a hat-trick, while Peter Crouch scored twice on a rare start, Ryan Babel hit two from the bench and Steven Gerrard got his name on the scoresheet.

Benitez says the early goal helped, while the main difference to previous games was his strikers taking their chances.

"We have been creating a lot of chances in previous games, but not scoring them," added the Spaniard.

"Today we scored early and the game opened up. Besiktas also had to win to keep their chances of qualifying going so they had to come out and try to attack and that gave our forwards space to use.

"It made our movement easier, the space was there and our strikers were on very good form.

"But we still must win the next two and then wait to see if it is enough. But we have confidence that we can beat Porto next, and our supporters will also have confidence in us too.

"When you create chances, score hat-tricks and play that well, it gives all the front players - Yossi, Ryan and Peter - plenty of confidence that they can attack and be successful.

"If you score then you have confidence, that is the difference from the way we have played recently.

"But this was an all-round performance by the whole team. Voronin did not score but he was hugely influential in what went on, his play was unselfish and effective.

"He did a tremendous job, and the defence kept a clean sheet so there was very little for me to complain about, just a few minor things."

Besiktas coach Ertugrul Saglam made just a short statment to express his disappointment after the match - and to apologise to the club's fans.

"It was a very bad night for our team, and fans," said Saglam.

"The result was very upsetting for us and I would like to say sorry to all our fans.

"It is very difficult to accept this result, but life does go on and we have to work much harder now to improve in the future. I can promise our fans we will do that."

LiverpooL 8 - 0 Besiktas

Liverpool racked up the biggest-ever Champions League margin, blitzing Besiktas 8-0 at Anfield courtesy of Yossi Benayoun's clinical hat-trick.

The pressure was on Rafael Benitez's Reds after banking just a point from their first three Group A games - but first-half goals from Peter Crouch and Benayoun set them on course for a crucial three-point haul.

Far from backing off after the break, the hosts went goal crazy in the second half, with Benayoun bagging the second and third of his treble before seeing Steven Gerrard (69), Ryan Babel (79 and 81) and Crouch (89) also net.

Andriy Voronin and Crouch started up front, with Fernando Torres on the bench, and both looked lively early on, respectively dragging a shot and steering a header narrowly off target.

Mehmet Sedef sidefooted a good chance wide for this visitors, who fell behind on 19 minutes when Crouch reacted quickly to stab home a rebound after Hakan Arikan had saved his first left-footed effort.

The collective relief around Anfield was tangible and the Reds were 2-0 up on 32, when Benayoun controlled Voronin's left-wing cross and volleyed an unstoppable drive into the back of the net.

John Arne Riise had a goalbound header cleared off the line and Crouch flashed a shot narrowly wide as the Reds finished the half strongly.

Benayoun pounced on two clangers by reserve keeper Arikan, who fumbled Riise's blockbuster and Gerrard's free-kick, to collect his hat-trick (53 and 56) and that opened the floodgates, with Gerrard slotting after a superb one-two with the impressive Voronin.

Sub Babel bagged a cheeky sixth with a close-range backheel - and his second was very fortunate as a defensive clearance hit his back and looped over the keeper and under the crossbar.

Babel was denied a treble as his header rattled the crossbar - but the Reds still went after eight and the icing on the cake came when Benayoun crossed for Crouch to head home.

Crouch Told He Will Only Get Bit-part At Liverpool

Peter Crouch's future at Liverpool looks bleak after manager Rafael Benitez hinted that the striker may be more effective as a substitute.

Crouch has started only one Premier League game this season and was given just 19 minutes as a replacement to try to influence another disappointing Liverpool afternoon.

The England forward's presence coincided with his team's best spell of the game as Liverpool came close to scoring on a handful of occasions in the closing stages.

But Benitez refused to accept that Crouch had made the difference and reflected the 26-year-old may have to become used to life as a substitute.

"Maybe that's right," said Benitez, when the point was put to him. "Some players are like that.

"Some players, when they play for 20 minutes, are more important for the team that way.

"We did better towards the end but perhaps there were three reasons.

"Harry Kewell was on, Blackburn were getting tired and then there was Crouch, too. So there were three things together."

Benitez's assessment, which can't be faulted for honesty, will disappoint Crouch and the 8,000 Liverpool fans who called for his introduction long before he was told to take his tracksuit off.

His impact was profound, freeing Steven Gerrard from his role as second striker to Dirk Kuyt and giving Liverpool proper shape.

Crouch himself had a header cleared off the line, Gerrard went close with two left-foot shots, while the willing but out-of-sorts Kuyt fluffed two opportunities.

Blackburn, who had more than matched Liverpool until the last 20 minutes, had reason to feel relieved at the end.

Left back Stephen Warnock, once of Liverpool, said: "They brought on quality players in Kewell and Crouch and they changed the game.

"It made it more difficult for us. They went more direct with Crouch and it seemed to suit them.

"Crouchie is a great player. He's one of those that almost any team would love to have in their starting line-up. But they seem to use him in a different way and the manager there seems to think that works for him.

"But he's a real asset when he comes on and it must be frustrating for him when he's not starting."

Liverpool watchers will point out Crouch has been poor when given starts this season — in the Premier League and in Europe — and that is a view Benitez shares.

But in the absence of the injured Fernando Torres, it seems baffling he has not been given another chance.

Liverpool were moderate until late in the game as Benitez's tactics once again suffocated his team.

With two defensive midfielders in his line-up — Javier Mascherano and Momo Sissoko — Benitez was asking much of Gerrard, Ryan Babel and Yossi Benayoun. Only Gerrard delivered.

On this evidence, Liverpool would be nothing without their captain.

Blackburn, watched by their biggest crowd for five years, could have been in front at half-time.

David Bentley struck the post early on and David Dunn thundered a left-foot volley against the underside of the bar.

Mark Hughes' team could also have had a penalty when a shot from Andre Ooijer appeared to strike Jamie Carragher's arm in the second half and Blackburn will head to Manchester United next Sunday in good heart.

Hughes said: "We have played three of the top four now and haven't lost to any of them, so I am very pleased.

"Teams come here to nullify us — that is what Liverpool have done — and that's a mark of how far we have come.

"We have done OK so far but injuries will be key to us as the season goes on.

"Teams like Liverpool have big squads and that can make the difference."

Liverpool v Besiktas Preview

Liverpool are well aware that anything less than three points against Besiktas at Anfield on Tuesday could bring to an end this season's UEFA Champions League quest.

The Reds, who lifted Europe's top club prize in 2005, have yet to record a win in this season's competition following a draw with Porto and shock defeats at home to Marseille and away to Besiktas.

Liverpool's hopes are, therefore, hanging by a thread and a win is essential in their fourth game in Group A if they are to stand any chance of adding to their record of two Champions League final appearances in the past three seasons.

However, Besiktas are in a confident frame of mind and are looking to repeat their success in Istanbul a fortnight ago when they defeated Liverpool 2-1.

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has called for 'passion and cool heads' ahead of the meeting, but he is leaving it late before he makes an announcement on the fitness of Fernando Torres.

The Spanish striker missed Liverpool's goalless Premier League draw with Blackburn on Saturday after tearing an adductor muscle against Arsenal the previous week.

Torres, though, has been named in the Reds squad and it will be left until late before his match fitness is confirmed.

Benitez is definitely without midfielder Xabi Alonso and Daniel Agger as the pair continue their comebacks from dreaded metatarsal injuries.

Besiktas have been rocked by the recent injury of defender Gokhan Zan, who has been ruled out for a month after damaging ligaments in his foot.

The Turkish side are also without Rodrigo Tello (ankle) and Marcio Nobre, who is struggling with a hamstring problem as they seek a major upset.

Liverpool Set To Lure John Cofie

Liverpool are confident of beating Chelsea and Manchester United to the signature of John Cofie, a 15-year-old centre forward whose progress at Burnley has made him one of the most coveted young talents in the country.

Despite strong overtures from Stamford Bridge and Old Trafford, Cofie is understood to favour a move to Liverpool and accepted an invitation from the club to attend their Carling Cup fourth-round victory over Cardiff City at Anfield last week. Burnley hope to receive at least £1 million in compensation if the teenager leaves, but Liverpool believe they may secure his services for barely a quarter of that sum.

Although Liverpool have won the FA Youth Cup for the past two seasons with a squad made up largely of players brought through their own academy, Rafael BenÍtez, the manager, has overseen the acquisition of more than 20 teenagers over the past 2½ years, the vast majority of them from overseas.

BenÍtez and Piet Hamberg, the technical manager at the club’s youth academy, are lining up deals to sign at least four other teenagers in January in addition to Cofie. One is Lauri Dalla Valle, a 16-year-old Finnish midfield player, while Hamberg is also believed to be closing in on two highly-rated youngsters from the Netherlands and one from Germany.

Liverpool’s Torres In The Frame For Besiktas Clash

Fernando Torres has made a remarkable recovery from a thigh injury to return to training on Monday and Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez will wait until last minute to see if he can include the summer-signing in the squad for the must-win Champions League game against Besiktas at Anfield on Tuesday.

The Spain striker had suffered an adductor strain against Arsenal and subsequently ruled out for at least three weeks. Benitez had expressed hope that he might have the 23-year-old back in two weeks.

And as such the former Atletico Madrid ace has responded well to the treatment to return to training on Monday. He will have another session tomorrow and Benitez admitted that he is “very confident” of the player being able to play some part against the Turkish club.

Spain midfielder Xabi Alonso however will be out for a month with his metatarsal problem, which he picked against the Gunners, while defender Daniel Agger is three weeks away. Harry Kewell has meanwhile, come out unscathed from his recent outings after recovering from his groin injury.