Liverpool 5 - 2 Havant & Waterlooville

Yossi Benayoun scored a 15-minute hat-trick to break the hearts of a remarkable Havant and Waterlooville side who produced a sensational display at Anfield.

Twice the Hampshire non-leaguers were ahead against a shell-shocked Liverpool in this FA Cup fourth round tie.

Richard Pacquette and a Martin Skrtel own goal had Havant fans in dreamland. Lucas and Benayoun clawed Liverpool level before the break, with two more from Benayoun and a last-minute Peter Crouch effort seeing Liverpool home.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez took some of the glamour out of the tie by leaving Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Jamie Carragher on the bench.

But the visitors still had to contend with Peter Crouch, Javier Mascherano and Jermaine Pennant, while while new boy Martin Skrtel made his full debut in central defence.

Havant boss Shaun Gale left assistant manager Charlie Oatway on the bench, while Tom Jordan - son of Portsmouth coach and former Manchester United striker Joe - started in front of a crowd which included around 6,000 fans from Hampshire.

Liverpool's fans applauded every single Havant player's name when they were announced, and the non-league club's fans sung happily along with 'You'll Never Walk Alone'.

Havant were undaunted early on - captain James Collins clattered Mascherano, Rocky Baptiste knocked over Sami Hyypia and Alfie Potter - Harry to his mates - saw a shot deflected wide.

Yossi Benayoun headed Pennant's cross wide, but Havant were intent on making their mark - and in the eighth minute they scored.

Richard Pacquette harassed Skrtel into conceding a corner, and when Mo Harkin planted it into the six-yard box, former QPR player Pacquette headed it powerfully past goalkeeper Charles Itandje.

Liverpool were stunned and while the Kop applauded loudly, the fans of the non-league club erupted.

For a while it was amusing for the home fans to see Liverpool embarrassed, but as the half wore on the Scousers started to lose patience.

John Arne Riise had two efforts blocked, Benayoun shot wide, but the anxiety grew as did Havant's confidence. Their set pieces constantly troubled Liverpool, goalkeeper Itandje was a bag of nerves and the tackles continued to thud in.

And Havant should have scored again after 23 minutes. Itandje twice fumbled as Harkin's free-kick flew wildly around the box and when the French goalkeeper fell over, Shaun Wilkinson hooked over an open goal from 10 yards.

Havant held their lead for 16 minutes of growing panic in Liverpool ranks. After 24 minutes, Ryan Babel laid the ball back to Lucas, and the Brazilian curled a fine goal into the top corner from 25 yards.

But incredibly, Havant were ahead again after half-an-hour. Steve Finnan stumbled over the ball on the right of the box and Potter, on loan from Peterborough, tore onto the ball and fired in a shot that Skrtel deflected wide of his own 'keeper.

Liverpool were a frightened shambles in defence, losing possession in midfield and seemingly incapable of passing the ball effectively.

Havant were magnificent. Organised at the back, they fought for every inch and outperformed their illustrious opponents. Carragher and Torres were soon warming up on the line.

Havant lost Phil Warner with a leg injury after 40 minutes they send on Tony Taggart, exchanging a binman for a plumber at the back.

A minute before the break Liverpool managed to claw themselves level. Pennant's pass set-up Benayoun, who created a yard of space to fire in a right-footer that gave Kevin Scriven no chance.

Havant started the second period deep in defence and they were giving Liverpool too much space.

And on 55 minutes they were punished. Mascherano surged through midfield before freeing Pennant on the right.

When his cross arrived in the box, Benayoun had time to turn and fire into the roof of the net.

Rocky Baptiste, the taxi-driving Liverpool fan, was withdrawn by Havant two minutes later, former Spurs youngster Jamie Slabber taking over.

Two minutes later Benayoun struck again to complete a hat-trick. Babel's shot came back off keeper Scriven and the Israeli was there to fire in the rebound.

After 72 minutes Dirk Kuyt replaced Benayoun and two minutes later Wilkinson went off, with Charlie Oatway taking over.

But the dream was over now for Havant.

Carragher eventually came on in place of Hyypia after 84 minutes, Gerrard following in place of Mascherano two minutes later.

There was still time for Neil Sharp to force a fine save from Itandje, but with a minute left Gerrard set-up Peter Crouch for a tap-in.

LiverpooL FC: Club Face Fresh Battle For Planning Permission

The revised stadium plan announced yesterday by Liverpool FC will require new planning applications, it was confirmed last night.

The club already has permission for HKS’s original 60,000-seater ground on Stanley Park, which was granted in November 2007.

That original stadium design envisaged 60,000 seats, with the option to later expand to 76,000 at a later date.

In January the Government decided not to “call in” those designs for further scrutiny.

However, because of changes to the stadium design – moving the underground car park, shrinking the concourses, and capacity rising to 71,000 – new permissions are needed.

It is understood the club will at first submit a variation to the existing permission, which could allow the work to start on the project within three months.

It would then submit a new application to get consent for the 71,000 seats, requiring an environmental impact study and transport plan.

Voronin Injury Means Liverpool FC Won't Sell Peter Crouch

Peter Crouch’s future at Liverpool seems secure – for now at least – due to Andriy Voronin’s injury.

The England international had been widely tipped to be heading for the Anfield exit door in the near future after slipping down Rafael Benitez’s pecking order.

Crouch has netted 35 times for Liverpool since his £7million move from Southampton two-and-a-half years ago but has started just four Premier League games all season despite Voronin not scoring in his last 11 matches and Dirk Kuyt failing to register in nine games.

However, with Voronin expected to be out for six weeks following confirmation that he needs an ankle operation to repair ligament damage, Benitez will not be prepared to let Crouch go despite the likes of Manchester City and Newcastle United believed to be monitoring his availability.

Ukrainian Voronin, a Bosman free transfer acquisition from Bayer Leverkusen last summer, will certainly miss the first leg of Liverpool’s Champions League clash with Internazionale next month.

Spanish full-back Alvaro Arbeloa is also expected to be out for the next three weeks with an abdominal injury while centre-back Daniel Agger is at least another two weeks away from a possible first team return.

Meanwhile, the Merseyside derby between Liverpool and Everton at Anfield has been put back from 3pm on Saturday, March 29 to 4pm on Sunday, March 30 to accommodate Sky TV coverage.

However, the game will revert back to Saturday (kick-off to be confirmed) in the event that Liverpool are involved in the Champions League on Tuesday, April 1.

Rafa Benitez Looking To Go All he Way In The FA Cup

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez wants to try to win the FA Cup after admitting that a Premier League title challenge may now be beyond his team.

Blue Square South team Havant & Waterlooville travel up to Anfield for today’s fourth round tie which will be the ultimate David versus Goliath clash.

However, Benitez, who yesterday received the full backing of the club’s US owners, insists that his side will not underestimate their opponents, particularly now that the FA Cup looks like Liverpool’s best chance for silverware this season.

The Spaniard, who will hand new signing Martin Skrtel his first start today, was accused of not taking football’s oldest competition seriously in his first season in England when a weakened Liverpool team crashed out in the third round but he went on to lift the trophy the following year.

With Liverpool now seemingly out of the title race, Benitez has earmarked the FA Cup as a major target.

He said: “For us it’s really important. We want to progress, we want to win this competition if possible.

“We must treat the other team with a lot of respect.

“I think it is very difficult (for Liverpool to win the Premier League this season), you must be realistic.

“I can say things for people who don’t want to lose their hope but I think it is important to know what there are two good teams (Manchester United and Arsenal) at the top of the table now with a lot of points and one behind them (Chelsea) and another one (Everton).

“So we must be realistic and try and win every game and see what the situation is every week, concentrating on all the games but one game at a time.”

Benitez added: “We have three competitions and I don’t want to say that we’re in a bad situation.

“We are in the Champions League, we are in the FA Cup and we are fifth in the table now.

“In the cup competitions you have to progress, in the league it’s simple – try to win the next game, try to be in the top four and after this try to be closer to the third position, then the second position.

“I’ve said before that if you want to score a lot of goals you need to score the first goal.

“If you want to talk about more things you need to be in the top four.

“I think the pressure (to finish in the top four) is more or less the same, every year with a top side you want to win trophies and finish as high possible in the league and progress in all the competitions.”

Liverpool’s title chances were written off earlier this week by Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson but Benitez, received some unexpected backing from his opposite number at Old Trafford.

But while the Spaniard was grateful for the support of the Scot who has won the Premier League nine times, he does not go along with his comments that Liverpool will struggle to attract top class players.

He said: “I must say thank you to Sir Alex Ferguson for his support, it’s not normal (you hear these things) so I’m really pleased.

“My personal relationship with him is good.

“In terms of the club I always want to win so to bring top class players here is our target so I think we can do it.”

Argentinian international Javier Mascherano would probably fit into that bracket and Benitez remains confident that he will sign a permanent deal with Liverpool after his loan spell at Anfield expires at the end of the season.

Speculation had mounted that the midfielder could leave the club at the end of the season if the US owners did not fund his transfer but Benitez believes that a deal will be struck with the impending sale of Momo Sissoko helping with the finances.

He said: “The contact I have with the owners has been positive and that means we are progressing with the situations of Sissoko and Mascherano have been positive.

“That’s a normal thing in this period of January.

“The player (Mascherano) wants to stay. When you talk with him it’s the same situation as me. You can feel the support of the fans.

“I think he is really happy here as he feels that support.”

Meanwhile, Benitez confirmed that Charles Itandje will play in goal and Jamie Carragher, Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres are all in the squad although the influential trio are expected to start on the bench.

Liverpool Weigh Up Swoop For Pablo Aimar

Rafa Benitez is weighing up a swoop for Argentinian playmaker Pablo Aimar.

The Liverpool boss is looking into the possibility of signing Aimar from Real Zaragoza after being alerted to his availability.

Benitez has managed Aimar previously when the pair worked together at Valencia – a time which Aimar openly admits was his most productive as a player.

Since then he has gone on to star for Zaragoza in La Liga after a £8.5m move from Valencia in July 2006.

Though a hugely popular figure among the Zaragoza fans, Aimar is believed to be ready to test himself in the Premiership and new Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan has already registered an interest in taking him to the north east.

But Benitez is monitoring the situation and could be prepared to make a move for Aimar – whom Diego Maradona once described as his "legitimate successor as the world's best player" – if the price is right.

With the transfer window set to close next Thursday, Liverpool would have to move fast if they are to secure a deal for the attacking midfielder. But with the club set to receive a fee in the region of £9m for Momo Sissoko, and Benitez having received the backing of co-owner Tom Hicks, there is nothing to stand in the way of them making an offer.

The 28-year-old has been linked with Liverpool before, shortly after Benitez quit Valencia to take over at Anfield, but no move transpired.

At the time Aimar said: "Rafa Benitez is an excellent coach who knows me very well and Liverpool would be an ideal place to go if I cannot sort out my future here.

"From what I can see, English football is the best in Europe next to Spain and I do not think I would have a problem adapting to the Premiership."

Mascherano: I Want To Leave Liverpool For Juventus

Javier Mascherano has declared that he wants to leave Liverpool, and has spoken about the possibility of a move to Juventus.

The Argentine is undoubtedly one of the best defensive midfielders in world football, however his future at Liverpool is clouded in uncertainty.

Mascherano's contract is owned by the international fund of investors, Media Sports Investments (M.S.I), who are demanding €24m for their client to stay at Liverpool permanently.

The Anfield club's owners Tom Hicks and George Gillet are refusing to pay such a sum, thus making it inevitable that the player will leave the club.

However Mascherano has now admitted himself that he is keen to depart England.

"At Liverpool I have found my home. I am committed and I cannot complain about how the city has accepted me since I came here,” the 23-year-old told an Argentinean radio station.

“However I feel that now the time has come to move on. I would like to leave the Premiership. A move to Juventus? Well I like to travel.”

Mascherano’s agent Walter Tamer fuelled speculation yesterday when he admitted that his client was likely to be playing in Italy next season.

“Liverpool have not made any offer at all to buy Javier and it is likely that he will go to Italy next season," Tamer stated.

Juventus will complete the transfer of Momo Sissoko this Sunday for €13m, and it now seems possible that Mascherano could join him in Turin.

The Bianconeri fans have been bitterly opposed to Sissoko’s transfer, however they are likely to be much more open to the possibility of Mascherano moving.

It remains to be seen if Juve’s sports director Alessio Secco will listen to Mascherano’s hint of a come-and-get-me plea.

Liverpool To Loan Leto Out To River Plate

According to reports from the Argentine press River Plate are on the verge of signing young left sided midfielder Sebastian Leto from Liverpool.

River Plate have announced that Liverpool midfielder Sebastian Leto is just a step away from joining the Buenos Aires club.

The Argentine giants have come to an agreement with the midfielder, and all they now need for the transfer to be complete is Liverpool's approval.

Leto is unable to play in England at the moment, because of a problem with his passport, and he thought that a loan deal with River Plate would be the best option.

Director's from the Argentine club told Telam that they came to an agreement with Leto and his agent, Ricardo Cosentino, for the young left sided midfielder to return to Argentine football.

Leto, who was formerly of Lanus, will be River's fourth new signing of the season, after Sebastian Abreu, Rodrigo Archubi, and Gustavo Cabral.

Reds Unveil New Stadium Plans

Liverpool have unveiled the latest plans for their new stadium on the day that an announcement is expected that co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett have completed the £350million refinancing deal which will secure their futures at Anfield.

The under-fire American duo have agreed the financial package which will help repay the near £220million they borrowed to take over the club last March and allow development on the proposed new stadium at Stanley Park to begin.

The club plan to build the 71,000-seat venue close to Anfield in time for the 2011-12 season and unveiled new plans for the stadium today. Hicks said: "HKS has developed a more efficient design that, at the same time, is just as stunning as the original one.

"Liverpool supporters should have high expectations for the future - a premier sporting experience at their new stadium and a winning club on the pitch for years to come."

However, the news of the refinancing deal is likely to be unpopular among fans who demonstrated against the Hicks and Gillett during Monday's Premier League clash with Aston Villa at Anfield.

Hicks in particular is unpopular on Merseyside after making it public knowledge that he sounded out Jurgen Klinsmann about the possibility of replacing current Reds boss Rafael Benitez.

But news of the refinancing deal could effectively end the interest in the club of the investment arm of the Dubai government, Dubai International Capital (DIC).

DIC came close to taking over at Anfield before Hicks and Gillett succeeded last year, but were reportedly set to launch a fresh bid should the Americans wish to put the club back on the market.

Meanwhile, on the field Benitez is hoping his players can use Saturday's FA Cup fourth round tie with Havant & Waterlooville to build some confidence.

Four successive draws has seen the Reds drop off the pace in the title race and the Spaniard is hoping for goals against the non-league side.

"Now we have a cup tie with a non-league team, it will be a great occasion for everyone but maybe we can score some goals to give us confidence," he said.

Arsenal Reject Liverpool Move For Theo Walcott

Arsene Wenger, the Arsenal manager, has turned down Liverpool's request to take Theo Walcott on loan.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez, who has been put under growing pressure by a series of disappointing results and a highly publicised fall-out with the club's owners, wanted to bring the striker to Anfield for the remainder of the season.

However, Wenger is unwilling to let the England international leave the Emirates Stadium, even on a temporary basis.

The Frenchman said that he would not be releasing any players on loan during the transfer window because Arsenal were "very short [of players]".

"We have 17 players at the moment, and you could see with the players who were on the bench at Tottenham that they should not have been on the bench there," he said.

Many Premier League managers thought that Arsenal's exit from the Carling Cup at the hands of Tottenham would a prompt an exodus of Arsenal's promising youngsters on loan deals, since Wenger primarily used the competition to blood his less experienced players.

As well as Benitez's interest, Sven-Goran Eriksson was keen to bring Walcott to Manchester City, while Blackburn manager Mark Hughes was also reportedly monitoring the forward's situation.

And outside of the Premier League, Championship club Stoke City were poised to launch an ambitious bid to secure Walcott's services.

Wenger paid a world record fee for a 16-year-old in the 2006 January transfer window when he signed Walcott - a deal that could rise to £12 million.

However, Walcott has so far failed to shine for Arsenal, making just 25 first-team starts over the past two years.

Reds Owners To Go Public Soon

Liverpool's American owners have again delayed an announcement of a successful refinancing deal but an agreement should be made public soon.

Co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett are on the verge of sealing a £350million package and had been expected to announce today that it had gone through.

There are no serious hitches however and it is understood the deal is all but signed off, and the announcement will include details of the chosen design for a new stadium at Stanley Park.

Of the £350million, more than £160million will be debt tied to Liverpool and around £190million covered by Hicks and Gillett's guarantees.

The £160million figure includes £105million new cash for the club - £65million to kick-start work on the new stadium, and a further sum of £45million of working capital including money for player acquisitions. The remainder is the existing debt the Americans inherited when they took over the club a year ago.

Hicks and Gillett are insisting however that the other £190million in the refinancing package - to cover their initial cost of buying the club - will not be loaded onto Liverpool.

Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry and former chairman David Moores, who is still a board member, have made it clear they oppose any of the takeover debt being loaded onto the club.

Now that doubts over the refinancing deal have evaporated, the Americans - particularly Hicks - face a struggle to win back the fans, not to mention manager Rafael Benitez.

Supporters staged protests against the owners at Anfield on Monday night, sparked by Hicks' revelation that he had sounded out Jurgen Klinsmann towards the end of last year as a possible successor for Benitez.

The supporters will also be watching carefully to see what happens to any profits Liverpool make - will they be used to service the club's debt or will a dividend be paid to the Americans' company Kop Holdings to service their debt?

Meanwhile, chances of Dubai Investment Capital (DIC) taking over Liverpool in the near future seem dead in the water.

It is understood Hicks spoke at length to DIC about selling up to them but they were unwilling to match his asking price.

Sissoko Deal Done, Official Confirmation On Sunday

Juventus have agreed a deal to sign Momo Sissoko from Liverpool for €13m and the transfer will become official this Sunday, according to the Gazzetta dello Sport.

The 23-year-old midfielder has been strongly associated with the Bianconeri for several weeks now, with the only question seemingly being whether he would arrive in Turin this month or in June.

Sissoko will touch down in Turin on Sunday, where he will complete a routine medical, complete the final signature, before flying back to Ghana for the African Cup of Nations, where he is representing his country Mali.

Theoretically Sissoko is already a Juventus player after an agreement was reached yesterday over both a transfer fee and wages.

Juve will pay Liverpool €13m, with €11m being paid immediately, and another €2m after a set number of league and cup appearances.

Sissoko has agreed a four-and-a-half-year contract, with an option of an extra year after this. The player will receive a healthy €2.5m a year, which works out at just under €50,000 a week.

Juventus have been desperate to sign a centre midfielder this month following the disastrous performances of Tiago Mendes and Sergio Almiron, who were signed for a combined €22m last summer.

Sissoko had the chance to join the Old Lady last summer but he rejected the transfer in favour of signing a new contract at Liverpool.

This season he has barely featured for the Merseyside-based club, and it seems he has had a change of heart over a move to Italy’s most successful club.

Javier Mascherano Nears Liverpool Exit

Javier Mascherano looks set to leave Liverpool for Italy this summer, according to the player's agent.

Liverpool need to pay £17 million to sign the Argentina international on a permanent deal after the 23-year-old joined on a long-term loan from West Ham last season.

The club's American owners have as yet failed to agree to the deal with the current furore surrounding their own futures at Anfield taking centre stage.

The fee for Mascherano could be paid in installments, but with the January transfer window door nearing a close, the midfielder is edging closer to the exit door.

"Liverpool have not made any offer at all to buy Javier and it is likely that he will go to Italy next season," Mascherano's agent, Walter Tamer said.

Mascherano is eager to stay at Liverpool but if a deal cannot be finalised this month he is likely to become a summer target for Juventus and AC Milan.

His exit would also add to Liverpool's turbulent season which has been hampered by the uncertainty concerning manager Rafa Benitez's future.

The club's American owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks have been caught up in a transfer row with Benitez and suggested that the Spaniard needs to sell some of his squad players before adding to it.

Benitez has made two signings this month, the £6.5m recruit of defender Martin Skrtel from Zenit St Petersburg, while 16-year-old Alex Cooper has joined from Ross County for £100,000.

Hicks Secures £350m Funds For Liverpool

Tom Hicks will strike a blow for his troubled Liverpool reign by announcing a £350million refinancing deal and unveiling detailed plans for a new stadium at nearby Stanley Park.

After weeks of uncertainty over whether the new funds could be secured and with the deadline for repaying an initial loan for the purchase of the club only a fortnight away, Hicks is convinced he is in a position to confirm a key breakthrough for himself and co-owner George Gillett.

Under the deal, around £190m will be taken on by Kop Investment, the holding company set up by Hicks and Gillett immediately after last year's takeover, rather than the whole amount being added to Liverpool's debt.

The Americans agreed to the split after being lobbied by former chairman David Moores and chief executive Rick Parry, who were anxious to prevent such a burden being placed on club finances.

Their stance was a key reason for completion of the restructuring arrangement taking so long, but the go-ahead from the Royal Bank of Scotland and U.S. investment bank Wachovia is imminent.

While Hicks and Gillett hope the latest development will underline their determination to retain control, there was a further setback for Rafa Benitez ahead of Saturday's FA Cup fourth round tie with Havant and Waterlooville.

Already reeling from a fourth Barclays Premier League draw in a row, the Liverpool manager has had to add striker Andriy Voronin and defender Alvaro Arbeloa to a lengthening injury list.

Voronin twisted an ankle in training on Wednesday while Arbeloa is facing three weeks on the sidelines after suffering an abdominal strain in Monday's2-2drawwith Aston Villa.

There are also fears that centre back Daniel Agger may not play again this season after heading to Spain for treatment on a persistent metatarsal problem.

Xabi Alonso Falls In Love With Magic Of The FA Cup

Xabi Alonso is fascinated by the fact that a club like Liverpool can face a non-league side in the FA Cup.

Back home in Spain, he says, Havant and Waterlooville would never have their moment in the sun.

“You can only play teams up to two divisions below you,” said the midfielder as the Blue Square South side prepared to visit Anfield in the fourth round on Saturday.

“But this is all part of the glamour and the prestige that the FA Cup has. This is why it is so interesting.

“It is the oldest football competition in history and it means so much to the supporters in this country.

“Every supporter, whether they follow a big or a small club, knows their team will be in it and that is important.”

Liverpool needed a replay before they were able to overcome League One Luton and Alonso insists Havant will be treated with respect.

He told liverpoolfc.tv: “Hopefully we’ll see some goals but before you score you have to take it step by step.

“You saw against Luton that it took a while to get the first goal. It was longer than expected.

“By reaching this round they deserve as much respect as we gave Aston Villa.

“It’s going to be a dream come true for some of them and it will be interesting.”

Alonso added: “Rafa Benitez always tells us about the opposition players and he won’t change that this time.

“He will briefly show us about the way they play and the players they have.”

Luis Fabiano Linked With Move To Liverpool FC

Sevilla striker Luis Fabiano could be on his way to the Premier League with the Brazil international claiming negotiations with an English club are at an “advanced” stage.

Although he did not name which club he is in talks with, Spanish media have been reporting that Manchester City, Liverpool and Everton are among those interested in signing the in-form hitman.

Luis Fabiano, who is the joint-leading goalscorer in La Liga this season with 13, reportedly told the Brazilian media that the possibility of moving to England was a “great opportunity” for him.

“It is very difficult for me to remain in Sevilla. The negotiations for me to go to England are very advanced. It is my great opportunity,” said the 27-year-old, who joined Sevilla from Porto in 2005.

“I am very happy at Sevilla and in Seville, who are a club and a city which I like very much. But it is my great opportunity and I will do what I think is most appropriate for me.”

Crouch: Just Finishing Fourth Is Going To Be A Fight For Liverpool

Peter Crouch underlined the extent of Liverpool's disarray yesterday by admitting they had a fight on their hands to qualify for next season's Champions League — let alone the Barclays Premier League title.

Liverpool's recent decline may not have been as pronounced as the nosedive on the world's financial markets that appeared to leave a question mark over Tom Hicks and George Gillett's hopes of pulling off a £350million refinancing deal.

Despite misgivings over another credit squeeze in America, though, the American owners remain confident of securing the rescue package in time to meet the early-February deadline for repaying loans.

Crouch, however, is more concerned with falling returns on the pitch that have forced Rafa Benitez's players to lower their sights and concentrate on salvaging fourth place.

Four successive draws in the League have left them 14 points behind leaders Manchester United and Jamie Carragher has already accepted that top spot has eluded them for another year.

But Crouch paints an even bleaker picture. The England striker said: 'First and foremost, we have to cement a Champions League spot. That is the minimum we have to strive for, but it is clear we are going to have to do better after the disappointments of the past few weeks.

'For a club like ours, with the sort of squad we've got, it is nothing like good enough. At the start of the season, we all felt we could mount a serious bid for the title, but it doesn't look like it's going to happen now.'

Milan Giants For Javier Duel?

Inter and Milan could do battle for Argentine ace Javier Mascherano after his agent revealed that Liverpool haven’t made a bid to keep him.

Mascherano joined the Reds on a long-term loan from West Ham last summer but Liverpool have been told they will need to pay around £17m to keep him.

While a deal in instalments could be arranged, the club’s owners seem to have other issues to deal with and have no agreement in place, leaving Mascherano looking for a new team.

“Liverpool haven’t made any offer at all for Javier and it is likely that he will move to Italy next season,” agent Walter Tamer stated.

Juventus had been favourites to table a summer bid for Mascherano, but the Old Lady have turned their attentions to Mohamed Sissoko, who is expected to join the Bianconeri within the next week.

Inter and Milan are reportedly watching the situation with interest and there may be some kind of bidding war between the two rivals.

While neither side will be keen to shell out £17m, Mascherano could become an alternative to Ronaldinho, should the Brazilian star decide to remain at Barcelona.

Reds Refinancing Deal 'Close'

Liverpool's co-owners are still hoping to finally seal a refinancing deal on Thursday, according to the Liverpool Echo.

Tom Hicks and George Gillett are attempting to restructure the loan agreement with the banks that helped them buy the club last March.

And after reports surfaced that the refinancing deal had hit the buffers, sources close to Hicks have told the paper: "Tom is in no doubt that the deal...is going through and he is looking forward to revealing the new stadium design which is every bit as spectacular as promised.

"There are a few minor glitches to be ironed out but nothing major - it's pretty much just standard procedure for a deal on this scale."

The Echo reports the deal will see the club take on £105million of debt with Kop Investment, the holding company set up by Hicks and Gillett in the immediate aftermath of last year's takeover, taking on £190million and the American duo putting up £55million of their own money.

Sissoko Hopes To Seal Juventus Move

Liverpool midfielder Mohamed Sissoko hopes his move to Juventus will be sealed by the end of this week.

The Serie A outfit hope to acquire the 23-year-old, who was signed by Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez from Valencia in the summer of 2005 for a reported 8million euros (£6million).

"It's a matter of a few days," Sissoko told Gazzetta dello Sport.

"Three days, a maximum of four, and then everything will be decided. I know there has been some movement but we have to wait."

The Mali international is currently with his national team at the African Nations Cup.

"I confess that wearing the Juventus shirt would be the maximum for me," he said.

"I have been a Juve fan since I was a child because when I was young I was fixated with (Zinedine) Zidane. Then, having followed this team, I have become a fan of (Juve captain Alessandro) Del Piero, a great player."

Sissoko would also like to work again under coach Claudio Ranieri, his boss in Spain.

"I've known Ranieri since my time at Valencia," said Sissoko. "I did really well with him."

Sissoko has struggled to keep a regular starting place at Anfield and wants to have more playing time.

"My reason is a very simple one, I am young and I want to play," he said.

"In Liverpool, I'm not playing.

"But I will also be grateful to Benitez for what he has given me. But in football, things change."

Terry: Carragher World's Best Defender

John Terry has shocked Chelsea fans by admitting that Liverpool's Jamie Carragher is the best defender in the world.

Asked who he thought was the best defender in world football, Chelsea captain John Terry produced a surprising answer: Liverpool's Jamie Carragher.

The pair have often been viewed as very similar players, both showing a willingness to be brave and throw themselves into last ditch tackles.

Both defensive rocks for their clubs, Terry has gone on to take the captain's armband for England while Carragher was overlooked by Steve McClaren in favour of the likes of Wes Brown, Ledley King and Sol Campbell.

The Anfield favourite decided to call it quits at international level, but Terry thinks it's a shame that Carragher was never given a real chance to make his mark as an England centre-back.

"I personally think that over the last four or five years he has been the best defender in the world,” said the Chelsea skipper.

"He has everything you need to be a world class defender and you also have to look at what he's achieved in the Champions League with Liverpool.

He's been consistent in The Premier League, he's never injured, he always gives one hundred per cent, he's a good reader of the game, he's quick and is good in the air,” Terry continued.

"For a centre half he's also great on the ground as well. He knows when to get the ball away, when to clear his lines. He also never stops talking to his team-mates and that's a great thing to have. Even when you watch games on the television it's always his voice you can hear."

Alan Hansen's View

The next two or three weeks will be critical in the history of Liverpool Football Club.

Speculation over whether owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett are committed to Liverpool or will sell the club to Dubai International Capital has reached fever pitch.

But whether the owners are Hicks and Gillett or DIC, it is vital that Liverpool are able to build a new stadium and still have funds to go into the transfer market.

Otherwise they will not be able to compete with Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea.

And that is exactly what is concerning the supporters, the players, the ex-players and anyone connected with Liverpool.

Should Liverpool stall now, it would be so counter-productive for the future of the club.

It is essential that a new stadium is built in the near future. At the moment Liverpool have attendances of about 44,000 at Anfield and they cannot compete with Manchester United, who pack in about 76,000 at Old Trafford.

However, the worrying thing is, if Liverpool's new stadium is going to be financed by debt, which could mean cash flow is stifled and new players cannot be brought in.

Liverpool fans want to know that is not going to happen.

The club did really well in the 1970s and 80s because they were successful on the pitch, the punters turned up en masse, the club made money and invested in better players.

That in turn brought more success... and so the cycle went on.

Although there has not been a Liverpool manager since then who has not had any money to spend, perhaps they have not had quite enough.

You have to put total faith in your manager, if you feel he is the man to take you forward, and back him with money. And to be successful in the modern game requires lots and lots of money. It is a simple as that.

Gillett and Hicks could defend themselves by saying they have given Rafael Benitez money to spend on new players.

Fernando Torres came in at the start of the season at a cost of £23m, and Benitez laid out £45-50m in total during the close season - although some money was recouped through players leaving.

But at the moment, the fact remains that Liverpool are a bit short of where they want to be.

I have met Gillett and he is a very, very affable character. I had dinner with him in July and he was so enthusiastic about Liverpool that I was really impressed.

But after all that has gone on, with the approach to Jurgen Klinsmann to replace Benitez and doubts about the American owners' long-term commitment to Liverpool, he and Hicks need to clear the air and be seen at Anfield.

They must make it absolutely clear that they are in it for the long term, if that is the case. If they are not in it for the long term, and they receive a reasonable offer from DIC, then they should sell up.

Especially if DIC can guarantee that it can make funds available for a new stadium and also provide funds for new players.

The vast of majority of people will want what is best for Liverpool - whether that is Gillett and Hicks or DIC remains to be seen.

But it is imperative that the ownership situation is sorted out quickly, one way or another. It must not be allowed to drag on.

Juventus Still Interested In Sissoko

Juventus coach Claudio Ranieri is hoping to resurrect a move for Liverpool midfielder Mohamed Sissoko.

Juve president Giovanni Cobolli Gigli revealed last week the club would not make any signings in the January transfer window - negating Sissoko's statement that he was "very close" to securing a move to the Bianconeri.

But Ranieri still hopes to be reunited with the Mali international after working with him at Valencia, saying on radio programme Anch'io lo Sport: "Sissoko could arrive. He is another piece of the jigsaw to add to my team."

Sissoko joined Liverpool in the summer of 2005 but has struggled to hold down a starting place and Rafael Benitez has confirmed the 22-year-old can leave if the right offer comes in.

One player who could make way for Sissoko is Tiago - who Ranieri shelled out £10million for in the summer.

The Portugal midfielder has started just four games for Juve since moving from Lyon, and Ranieri admits he is at a loss as to why the 26-year-old has failed to make an impact at the Stadio Olimpico.

"Certainly, people were expecting something more from certain players - that's undeniable," added Ranieri.

"But being unable to fulfil expectations is something that can happen when you pull on the Juventus shirt.

"Tiago? He is my biggest worry, he has class and he doesn't lack anything to do well. I'm very concerned by it."

Benitez Under Pressure Now

Liverpool's 2-2 home draw with Aston Villa has put manager Rafa Benitez's future with the club in further jeopardy and William Hill now offer 11/10 that he will be gone before the end of the season.

The Spaniard watched his side blow a lead at home once again and it could have been even worse if Peter Crouch had not struck with two minutes to go for a share of the spoils.

Hills make Benitez 4/6 to keep his job at least until the end of the current campaign.

The firm now offer 1/ 2 that Liverpool will finish in the top four at the end of the season and 6/4 that they will not while they are now 50/1 chances to claim the Premier League title.

Manchester United are the current 8/15 favourites with Arsenal 5/2 and Chelsea 11/2.

Gerrard: Off-field Drama Affecting Us

Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard made it abundantly clear after Monday's game against Aston Villa that the uncertainty at the club is affecting players.

Liverpool were held to their sixth draw in eleven home games in a game they could well have lost as Aston Villa came from behind to surge ahead 2-1.

In the end, it took a late goal from Peter Crouch to save face at Anfield, and skipper Steven Gerrard vented his frustration at the off field antics following the final whistle.

Asked if the uncertainty surrounding the future of Rafa Benitez, and indeed the club's owners, was affecting the team, he said: "Of course it is affecting us."

“It’s not just this week, it’s been going on for some time now,” he rapped.

“It’s certainly not helping the players, I’ve got to be careful about what I say on the situation.

"We know what the situation is, what is going on. Yes we try to get onto the pitch and play, and not let is affect us, but it is at the back of our minds."

“But it’s certainly not helping the team.

“We know what’s going on; as players you try to do your job on the pitch and put it to the back of your mind but sometimes it’s impossible when it’s every day.”

Most certainly words that will grab the headlines of Tuesday's newspapers!

Speaking of the game itself, he said: “Credit to Villa. They deserve their point today.

“We should have won but we should be winning every game at Anfield, particularly with the players and the squad we’ve got, we should be winning all our home games.

“It’s certainly not good enough. We’ll keep going, it’s not over until it’s over, but it’s certainly not good enough.”

LiverpooL 2 - 2 Aston Villa

Peter Crouch rescued a Barclays Premier League point for Liverpool with a late goal at Anfield on Monday.

Crouch hooked in right footed from 10 yards in the the 88th minute to avert a disastrous result for under-fire manager Rafael Benitez.

Yossi Benayoun gave the Reds a first-half lead but Marlon Harewood and a Fabio Aurelio own goal threatened to win it for Villa.

Although Crouch levelled - against his former team - Liverpool are now 14 points behind Manchester United and Arsenal.

Benitez fielded arguably his strongest side against Aston Villa - one of the club's main contenders for fourth spot - in a match which had plenty at stake.

There were six changes from the side that beat Luton in the FA Cup last week. Javier Mascherano was back in central midfield, Jose Reina returned in goal and new signing Martin Skrtel was on the bench.

Aston Villa were without the influential Gareth Barry - the England man missed out with a pelvic injury.

Olof Mellberg returned, while Scott Carson was ineligible under the terms of his loan from Liverpool. Stuart Taylor took his place.

As expected there was a high-profile display of support for Benitez from the Kop.

The fans were struggling to focus on the match itself. But they needed too, and fast.

Villa were quick on the break, attacking down the right, and with Gabriel Agbonlahor a constant threat.

Dirk Kuyt's cross presented Benayoun with a volleyed chance that flew over, and Craig Gardner charged down a Harry Kewell drive.

And Liverpool took the lead after 19 minutes. Steven Gerrard and Kuyt set up the close-range chance for Benayoun to net at the second attempt from six yards.

Villa hit back with accurate, long balls for Agbonlahor and Ashley Young - but Liverpool almost snatched a second goal in the 31st minute.

Again it was the impressive Gerrard, aided by Kuyt, who set up Fernando Torres from 15 yards - but the striker put his effort wide.

John Carew, playing deep, caused plenty of problems with his flick-ons, but Liverpool were defending well, and the ball was quickly shifted to Gerrard, who was dominating the midfield.

Watching Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini, who will face Liverpool in the Champions League in March, will have seen plenty to concern him in Gerrard's overall play.

Curtis Davies sliced wide of his own goal soon into the second half, before Kuyt wasted a great chance to put Liverpool further ahead.

Mascherano and Gerrard surged up field, exchanging passes, before the ball was laid into Kuyt's path, invitingly, on the right. But the Dutch striker skewed his effort into the Kop.

Torres almost got clear, Taylor saving at his feet, before the Spaniard turned on the edge of the box to fire inches over.

Liverpool were now producing their best spell of the game. Strong in the tackle, supporting and attacking with pace. Alvaro Arbeloa saw one clever chip clear the bar after more impressive play by Mascherano and Gerrard.

To their credit, Villa withstood this pressure and with 24 minutes left sent on striker Harewood for Gardner. His first involvement was a run and cross to set up Carew for an effort saved by Reina.

Arbeloa was booked for a foul on Stiliyan Petrov after 68 minutes, and from the free-kick, Villa were level. Martin Laursen headed the ball back across goal for Harewood to flick into the net.

Liverpool sent on Skrtel for Arbeloa, before Mascherano was booked for a foul on Young.

Villa launched another attack and were ahead when Mellberg's effort from the right was deflected into goal by Fabio Aurelio.

But Crouch averted a disastrous result for Benitez when he hooked in right footed from 10 yards after Laursen had failed to clear.

Match Preview: LiverpooL vs Aston Villa

Liverpool have been more miss than hit in front of their own fans this season but when they do win at Anfield it is usually in style.

It begs the question which Liverpool will turn up against Aston Villa on Monday night?

Looking at their home form in the Premier League Liverpool have won four out of 10 games - a dreadful win ratio for a team that won 14 out of 19 last campaign.

In those four victories they have won 6-0, 4-0, 4-1 and 2-0, suggesting that if they do get some breathing space they go on to put the result beyond doubt.

The trouble with Liverpool hasn't been getting the breakthrough. Only twice have they failed to score at home - in the 1-0 defeat to Manchester United and the 0-0 draw with Birmingham.

Their problem has been getting the killer second goal. Rafa Benitez's team led 1-0 against Arsenal, Chelsea and Wigan but all three games ended 1-1.

With Villa in town, there are plenty of reasons to think Liverpool will struggle to get the win again.

The obvious statistic to take note of is that Liverpool have drawn five out of 10 at home while Villa have drawn five out of 10 away.

Liverpool's inability to finish off games will also hearten an Aston Villa side who haven't done too badly at Anfield in recent years.

Okay they have lost on their last four visits, but between 2000-2003 Villa won twice and drew twice in league visits to Anfield.

Confidence increases in Villa when you consider they have lost just once on the road this season - and that was a 1-0 reverse at Manchester City who remain unbeaten at Eastlands.

On top of this Villa are also no strangers at coming from behind to get a result on their travels.

Villa fell a goal behind at Bolton, Sunderland, Chelsea and Wigan but managed to get results and though they were 4-1 up in the 4-4 draw at Tottenham they were originally 1-0 down.

Obviously losing a goal doesn't dent their confidence.

11/4 about a draw in the outright market is big enough for us to get involved while it is hard to resist a spectaculative punt on Liverpool-draw in the half-time/full-time market given Coral offer 18/1.


Verdict: Liverpool 1 Aston Villa 1


Match preview courtesy of By Ben Linfoot of www.bettingzone.co.uk

Rafa Aiming To Cut Gap

Rafa Benitez has urged his Liverpool side to focus on catching the top three in the Premier League.

Liverpool have slipped out of the top four and appear to be in a race with Everton, Aston Villa and Manchester City for the final UEFA Champions League place.

The Reds face Villa on Monday evening and Benitez believes it is time for his team to prove they are still a force to be reckoned with.

"Villa are closer to us now, as are Everton and Manchester City, so we know we cannot make any mistakes," said the Spaniard.

"The next target is to beat Aston Villa, then to beat West Ham and then the same against Sunderland. These are our next three league games.

"Then we go to Chelsea. That game will be the key; our targets must be short-term ones to win these games before we go to Stamford Bridge.

"Three wins and a cup win also on Saturday against Havant and Waterlooville, that is our immediate aim.

"The real key now is that if we want to reduce the gap at the top we must win the away games at Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United.

"Normally our performances in such games are not the best but if we really want to change something, the way the season is going, we must go into these away games with the teams above us knowing we still have a chance.

Liverpool's cause was not helped by victories for the top three on Saturday, with leaders Manchester United now 15 points clear and third-placed Chelsea 11 ahead.

Benitez said: "We are not thinking about the gap, we can see it. To change it we must win games in a row rather than to keep looking at the table and worrying.

"The problem for us this season has been the expectation. We were told we were spending big money and can be contenders but if you look at the last 10 years, the difference between Liverpool and the top has frequently been around 20 points.

"We need to gain some points now and see what situation we are in when we go to Chelsea next month."

Relief for Rafael Benitez

Speculation continued on Sunday morning in the newspapers about the future of Liverpool Football Club amid rumours that a Dubai-based group was prepared to launch another bid to the buy the club from American owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks.

Dubai Investment Capital (DIC), the company beaten to the purchase of Liverpool by Hicks and Gillett are reported to be back in town with a £500m bid for the club.

Not only might this bid appeal to the Americans, rumoured to be increasingly concerned about their needs to refinance the debt they took on to buy the club in order to continue plans to build a new stadium, it might also appeal to the manager, Rafael Benitez.

The relationship between the Americans and the Spaniard have been publicly shown to be strained but if the Gillett and Hicks are leaving Liverpool, the Benitez's long term future at the club could be secure once again, with the Arabs keen to keep Benitez on board.

That was the argument Paul Hetherington of the Daily Star on Sunday made on the Sunday Supplement this week that Sunday morning's headlines will have pleased Benitez.

"It has got to be good news for him," said Hetherington, "because his relationship with the American owners is fraught to say the least.

"Gillett and Hicks don't understand the way that football works and the Jurgen Klinsmann situation was an example of that. I am not saying that clubs don't go around tapping up managers to replace the guy that they have got if they don't want him but they don't come out and admit it publicly.

"You can admire their honesty, they haven't told a lie, they haven't ducked. They have done it the American way, they Americans like being up front and bold about things. That's obviously the way they see things being done and should be done but it is not the way things are done in English football.

"It is good news for Benitez and I am certain that he will be delighted. DIC looked like taking control of the club before the Americans seemed to come from nowhere to pip them, and it has to be good news for Benitez if there is a changed of ownership.

"He is aware of what they (Gillett and Hicks) have been doing, they have been playing games and he has wanted to get his message across."

Liverpool Fans Crave Dubai Ending To Nightmare

Liverpool fans planning what is likely to be the first in a series of anti-American protests at Anfield tonight are in no doubt. Having seen their bid dramatically trumped by Tom Hicks and George Gillett last year, Dubai International Capital are the only solution to a crisis distinctly out of keeping with the club's dignified and illustrious history.

At the same time as angry supporters were bombarding Hicks's New York-based public relations advisers, Kekst, with abusive emails last week, desperate electronic missives were being sent to DIC's Dubai offices urging the country's fabulously rich ruling al-Maktoum family to launch a rescue bid for Liverpool.

That bid, which could be worth around £350 million, remains on hold today following a refusal from Hicks to allow DIC access to talk to his bankers, Royal Bank of Scotland.

Hicks wants to wait until after a £350 million refinancing is concluded in the next few days, believing that he will then be able to ask DIC for more money.

But DIC are anxious to strike immediately, fearing the financial position of the club will only worsen if the refinancing goes through. In addition to around £25 million of 'rolled up' interest, the refinancing is set to cost £15 million in fees to the banks, RBS and Wachovia. DIC are likely to reduce the value of their offer to Hicks and Gillett in order to ensure that no more money is wasted. Another £20 million is thought to have been spent on fees to architects for the delayed new £400 million stadium at Stanley Park.

Despite threats that they will walk away if the refinancing goes through, DIC remain committed to buying Liverpool. That will be welcomed by supporters who, according to one online poll last week, overwhelmingly want to see Hicks and Gillett replaced by DIC. Just one per cent want to see the Americans remain in charge while 83 per cent want to see DIC take over.

But would DIC necessarily be the answer? In terms of financial muscle there can be no question that they are far more powerful.Although DIC chief executive Samir Al Ansari, a lifelong Liverpool supporter, will want to run the club along proper commercial lines, he is backed by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and will be able to call on tens of billions of pounds. Crucially, with the stadium plans on hold, DIC will be able to dodge the global credit crunch by borrowing from Dubai state funds at lower interest rates.

Gillett, the owner of the Montreal Canadiens ice hockey team, was never likely to be the sort of super-rich chairman Liverpool needed. That is why, as DIC stalled over the deal last December, he brought in Hicks to help him secure the club. Hicks, one of the pioneers of leveraged takeovers in the United States, has a wealth estimated at $1.3 billion (£665 million), according to last year's Forbes magazine 'Rich List'. But the Dallas Stars and Texas Rangers owner has been hit hard by the credit crunch.

There is also a question of will. Hicks and Gillett only put up £7.5 million each to secure the costly loans taken out with RBS last year to buy the club in a £220 million deal. And the new refinancing deal has stalled largely because of the Americans' attempt to load that debt on to the club's books and their reluctance to put up more of their own cash.

DIC sources, on the other hand, insist they have a true and long-term commitment to Liverpool - despite leaks of a sensitive City document last year which set out how they could reap a 25 per cent profit if they sold out by 2012. DIC sources insist there was never any intention to sell the club on so quickly.

In the absence of any serious rival bidder, DIC are seen as the only way of ending what has turned from an American dream into a nightmare.

Anfield Owners Holding Out For A Windfall

Tom Hicks last night insisted he would not sell his 50% stake in Liverpool, as a game of brinkmanship developed between the club's American owners and Dubai International Capital, the corporation which would usurp them.

DIC, the investment arm of the Dubai government, is prepared to lodge a formal takeover bid for Liverpool this week having come to doubt the reported determination of George Gillett, Hicks's co-chairman at Anfield, to oust his business partner from the club after 11 troubled months in charge. But the company is adamant it will not pay an inflated price for a club who may be saddled with major debt in the coming days and who still require significant investment for a new stadium.

For their part, and despite frequent public denials, Hicks and Gillett are understood to be receptive to DIC's interest in the entire company, but only for a price that would give them a huge profit on their initial £218.9m investment. It is believed DIC inquired informally whether a £300m bid might be acceptable approximately 10 days ago and were told the Americans were seeking a far greater return. DIC's formal bid for Liverpool would have to be in the region of £350m.

The Dubai company had proposed giving Gillett the financial backing he needs to purchase Hicks's stake in the club, Gillett having been enraged by his co-chairman's admission that they approached Jürgen Klinsmann about Rafael Benítez's job and by the amount of debt the Texan wants to put on to the club's books. But Gillett has not turned his doubts into a direct challenge to Hicks and is close to agreeing to a £350m loan with the Royal Bank of Scotland and US-bank Wachovia.

That would allow the Americans to refinance their original purchase of Liverpool last February, repay loans acquired to buy players in the summer and commence work on a 70,000-seat stadium. That in turn, the Americans believe, would allow them to name a higher price for Liverpool, although DIC doubts whether they can afford the £30m-a-year interest repayments and believes they will have to sell at a later date to avoid financial meltdown.

Until DIC raises its offer or the Americans lower theirs, the stand-off and the instability surrounding Liverpool will continue, though Hicks last night angrily denied reports that a deal to sell the club had already been struck.

"A report issued today claiming that the Liverpool Football Club has been sold to DIC is a complete fabrication," said Hicks in a statement. "I have not received any offer to purchase the club from the DIC or anyone else, much less accepted any such offer. Nor do I have any intention of doing so. The facts are that I and my family have always been, and remain, fully committed to co-owning the club; that no one in my family has ever indicated any intention or desire to sell our stake in the club; and that we expect and intend to be co-owners of the club and to actively and enthusiastically support the club's manager, players and fans for many years to come."

It is a turbulent background against which Liverpool face Aston Villa at Anfield tonight needing a win to break back into the top four, having been overtaken by Everton and Manchester City yesterday.

"Villa are closer to us now, as are Everton and Manchester City, so we know we cannot make any mistakes," said Benítez.

You're Not Fit To Run Our Club, Blast Liverpool Fans

Tom Hicks and George Gillett will be targeted by angry Liverpool fans on Monday in the first orchestrated show of dissent against their Anfield reign.

After weeks of voicing their support for Rafa Benitez, over the mounting threat to his position as Liverpool manager, Anfield followers are about to adopt a different approach by turning their fury on his bosses, Hicks and Gillett.

Influential website Reclaim The Kop, who organised the pro-Benitez demonstration prior to the Champions League tie with Porto two months ago, have launched a scathing attack on the Americans and urged a capacity Anfield crowd to follow suit against Aston Villa on Monday night.

In a press release, they claimed Hicks and Gillett were 'not fit to be associated with our club' and added that forcing them out might be the only way to save Benitez.

'We allowed ourselves to believe that they had a gut sense of Liverpool's specialness,' it said. 'They gave a good impression of understanding and cherishing The Liverpool Way, but the current situation is unworkable.

'There is a minimum acceptable standard of ownership and Hicks and Gillett have fallen badly short.

Rafa, with his ingrained sense of honour, dignity and morality, has been publicly humiliated by them and would have walked away by now but for one small thing the Americans will never get.

'He loves it here. He loves the club, the fans, the city and The Liverpool Way. More than anybody at the club, he is desperate to deliver for us that which we long for so badly.

'They will sack him in the summer. They have left themselves with no other option, so while it gives us no joy to recommend it, we have to drive them out.

'These are critical times for Liverpool FC. If Hicks stays, Rafa goes — simple as that. And if Rafa goes, the empire he is building crumbles. After giving Rafa a vote of no-confidence, he (Hicks) will have to sack him in the summer — unless the owners are not here. We have to give our answer loud and clear, starting on Monday night.'

Hicks denied on Thursday that he was considering selling his Anfield stake to Dubai International Capital but he may have second thoughts if vocal backing for Benitez turns into open hostility towards himself and Gillett.

Around 2,000 fans responded to a call from Reclaim The Kop in November and marched from a nearby pub to the ground, shouting slogans and carrying banners.

The protests were sparked by Benitez's fears that he was about to be ousted and his hold on power has been eroded still further by Hicks' recent admission that he offered the manager's job to Jurgen Klinsmann.

Doubts remain about Benitez's ability to survive beyond the end of the season. As he prepared for the Villa game, he insisted unity within the squad was a strong as ever and made light of an apparent refusal by Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher to back him publicly.

Gerrard shook his head when asked whether Tuesday's 5-0 FA Cup third round replay win was 'for the manager', while Carragher admitted he 'hadn't a clue' whether the 47-year old Spaniard could deliver the main prize of a Barclays Premier League title.

'I am not concerned about that one bit,' said Benitez. 'We have all spoken before about the importance of doing the right thing for the club, not individuals, and they were echoing what I have always believed.

'I have a fantastic relationship with the players, even if I wasn't invited to their Christmas party! The relationship is as good as ever, and Stevie and Carra know I have always supported them strongly.'

Racing Close On Leto And El Zhar Loans

Racing Santander are believed to be close to agreeing deals to take Liverpool youngsters Sebastián Leto and Nabil El Zhar on loan for the remainder of the season.

Racing are looking to build on their excellent first half of the La Liga campaign, which sees them lying sixth in the table and have identified Leto and El Zhar as players that can give them more strength in depth for the remainder of the season.

Francisco Pernia, chairman of Racing, confirmed that they were in discussions to take the two youngsters on loan.

"They are two players from Liverpool with whom we are conversing so that they can arrive at Racing for the rest of the season," he told Marca.

Leto, 21, was signed by Liverpool this summer from Lanús in Argentina for £1.85million and has featured four times in various cup competitions for Rafael Benitez's side. He plays on the left of midfield.

El Zhar is the same age as Leto, but has been a Liverpool a year longer, having signed from Saint-Étienne in 2006. He scored on his full debut against Cardiff City in the Carling Cup earlier this season and can play out wide or as a support striker.

Racing's coach Marcelino confessed that he has not seen the two players in action before.

"I do not know them. I do not know where either of them plays," he told a press conference on Friday.

However, he indicated that he was happy with the players provided to him thus far by Pernia and has no desire to take over the club's transfer dealings himself.

"Right now I do not have time to collect the sufficient information, analyse it and make decisions. I believe that it would result in rash decisions that are possibly incorrect."

Pernia concluded proceedings by saying that he would be working on potential targets until the end of the month "so that the final result at the end of the season is similar to the one we have now".

"As a fan I would like to sign Cristiano Ronaldo... But I am a manager," he concluded.

Mascherano Olympic Call-Up Sure To Anger Reds

Although there has been no official reaction from Liverpool, Javier Mascherano's call-up to represent Argentina in the Olympics in Beijing this summer will certainly not sit well with the powers that be at Anfield.

Argentinian Under-23 national team coach Sergio Batista has penciled in Mascherano in a list of players, which also includes Martin Demichelis and Juan Roman Riquelme from Bayern Munich and Boca Juniors respectively.

Batista said: "Riquelme is a player that I like very much. I spoke with him and he wants to be at the Olympic Games.

"I have also included Mascherano because he is very important for the midfield of any team and Martin Demichelis can give his experience to the defence.

"These three players will surely be in the friendly match that we will play on 6th February against Guatemala in Los Angeles.

"Then in August we will have to see if their clubs let us have them for playing in China."

If the Argentine FA get their way this would mean that Mascherano would be absent for the start of the Reds' next Premier League campaign, and one can be sure that Rafa Benitez and co. will not take this sitting down.

Dubai Group Now Want 'Both' Americans Out Of Anfield

After initially backing George Gillett to buy out Tom Hicks' share in the club, Dubai International Capital have now decided that they want both of Liverpool's American owners out.

Tom Hicks' stock has been in free fall at Anfield after declarations about a discussion with Jurgen Klinsmann, something that has seen more and more people side with the relatively quiet George Gillett.

Gillett has almost been relegated to a secondary role by Hicks - who has been having his way and doing much of the talking ever since the duo took over - and differences between the two have been growing for a few months now.

It all seems to have come to a head following the Klinsmann revelations, and there were suggestions that Gillett was looking to buy out Hicks' share, a move backed by Dubai International Capital (DIC).

However, DIC have realised that public sentiment is against both the Americans, and that as they continue to squabble for control, the distance between them and the club continues to grow.

That the owners want a re-financing - which would help them dump their £350m debt on Liverpool - has hardly helped raise their stock, and DIC have now backed down on their support of Gillett, and want to buy out both Americans and take control at Anfield.
The News of the World quotes a club insider as having revealed that club officials do not want the Americans in charge, even until the end of the season.

"In a strange way DIC may think it's worth waiting for the Americans' to refinance because it will lessen the value of the club because of the level of debt," the source is quoted as saying.

"But the best thing that can happen is for the pair of them to get out now. It's clear the old board has made a huge mistake selling to these two."

The Guardian reveals that a takeover bid of £500million is already on the table.

This rather generous offer would allow Hicks and Gillett to pay off their £350million debt, and make a cool profit of £75million each, something DIC will be lucrative enough for the owners.

The process could get underway as early as by the end of this week, various media sources are claiming.

Valencia Waiting On £7m Sissoko

Liverpool midfielder Momo Sissoko could be on his way back to Valencia for a knockdown £7million.

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has been asked by the club's owners to find a buyer for Sissoko to finance the £6m purchase of Slovakia defender Martin Skrtel.

American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett sanctioned the purchase of centre-back Skrtel believing that Sissoko's £10m move to Juventus was imminent. However, that fell through.

Benitez is now under pressure to get the best price while Sissoko is on Africa Cup of Nations duty for Mali.

I'm Staying At Pool, Insists Crouch

Peter Crouch has moved to put an end to rumours that he is on borrowed time at Liverpool.

The beanpole striker has been repeatedly linked with the likes of Portsmouth, Manchester City and Aston Villa ever since the arrival of Fernando Torres and Andriy Voronin, but despite having to get all too familiar with the feel of the Anfield pine, he insists that he has not thoughts of leaving.

Crouch said: "Everyone talks about me talking to clubs. Maybe it's because I'm not playing every game.

"But at a club like Liverpool you're not going to play every game.

"I've come to realise that this is the case at a club like this, whereas at somewhere else maybe you would play every game.

"But here we are competing for things and I certainly want to be a part of winning trophies.

"No-one's approached the club and no- one's approached me.

"There's a lot of speculation and, like I've said, that probably comes down to the fact that I'm not playing every game.

"But hopefully if I get a good run of games towards the end of the season then those rumours will go away."

Reds boss Rafa Benitez is eager to keep his squad together going into the business end of the season and has warned potential suitors that he is not looking to offload Crouch or any of his other players.

Skrtel Can't Wait To Play At Anfield

New Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel has expressed his delight at moving to Merseyside - all he wants now is to make his debut.

Martin Skrtel became Liverpool's most expensive defender ever after completing his £6.5m move from Russian champions Zenit St. Petersburg last week.

And although he wasn't a Liverpool fan growing up, the Slovak is delighted to have been offered the chance to come to Anfield.

"To be the first Slovak to play for Liverpool makes me very happy," the defender told Liverpool's official website.

"Not many Slovakian players have had the opportunity to play in the English league. I have and I will give it everything to succeed here."

The defender also revealed that Liverpool's history was a major factor in him choosing them as his next move. "I know about the great history of Liverpool FC and the tradition.

"Watching the Champions League final when Liverpool played AC Milan in Istanbul left a big impression on me. That type of game doesn't happen every day.

"I watched it on the television and I thought at half-time, 'that's it'. What happened in the second half was absolutely unbelievable," he recalled.

Skrtel is also more than pleased to have his style of play likened to Jamie Carragher's. "I knew about Jamie before I came here," he said. "He is a very good player and it's a compliment for me to be compared to him."

Liverpool have badly needed another centre-back, especially now Daniel Agger has suffered a recurrence of his foot injury, but coach Rafa Benítez hasn't opted to use Skrtel thus far. Nevertheless, the Slovak knows it's only a matter of time until he gets his chance to impress the Kop.

"I can't wait to play at Anfield," he said. "The stadium is beautiful and Liverpool have got the best supporters in England, if not the world. I can't wait to play there for the first time."

The former Zenit man is currently lacking match fitness as the Russian league finished almost two months ago, but Skrtel explained he'd been working hard at the Reds' training ground to regain peak form.

"The manager has told me he will give me time to improve my fitness and fit in and I know about how tough the competition for places is here," said Skrtel, who has been given the No37 shirt. "That is a good thing for a club to have and I will give it my very best. I will be working as hard as I can so I can get into the squad and I will also try to learn to speak English as soon as possible."

But while he feels moving to Liverpool and England was the right decision to progress, he admitted that it had been tough to tear himself away from St. Petersburg and a team he'd just helped to the Russian Premier League title. "I was at Zenit for three and a half years and I really enjoyed my time at the club," he said. "Leaving was quite sad for me because I had some good friends there but that is the life of a footballer and now I'm looking forward to a new challenge at Liverpool. I will always have good memories of my time at Zenit."

Argentina Pick Riquelme & Mascherano For Beijing

Playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme and midfielder Javier Mascherano will play for Argentina at the Beijing Olympics where the South American giants are the defending champions.

Coach Sergio Batista said Friday that Riquelme, who now plays at Boca Juniors, Liverpool's Javier Mascherano as well as Bayern Munich defender Martin Demichelis will be his over-age players.

Tournament rules allow three players over the age of 23 to be included in each squad for the Olympics which runs from August 8-24.

Riquelme is 29, Demichelis is 27 while Mascherano is 23.

Benitez: Focused On Football

Rafael Benitez believes his Liverpool players can put to the back of their minds the power battle raging at the club as they try to hang onto the coat-tails of the top three in the Barclays Premier League.

By the time Liverpool face Aston Villa on Monday at Anfield, they could be 15 points off top spot with Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea all playing against teams from the bottom half of the table today.

If that is not a big enough problem for Liverpool's stars, the very public disagreements about the future financing and even ownership of the club is also hanging over Anfield.

American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett are trying to negotiate a re-financing package with British and American banks, while Dubai International Capital wait in the wings with a potential new offer for the club.

Benitez said: "I am not finding it difficult to prepare for a game, I am trying to prepare for a game properly.

"The players are good professionals, they showed that with their performance against Luton in the FA Cup in midweek, and they also showed that the FA Cup is important for us.

"I do not think they are affected too much by things off the pitch, they are focused and they know we want to be as high as possible in the Premier League. They can continue to give their best."

Liverpool are in a battle with Villa, Everton and Manchester City for fourth spot, and Benitez expects Monday's challenge from the Midlanders to be strong.

He said: "There are four teams all very close, but we do have one game in hand. However, Villa are having a good season and they will have a lot of confidence.

"I have confidence in my team. We will fight for a good position at the top of the table, but I am not just thinking about fourth spot I am thinking much higher than that, as a target that is what we must be looking for.

"I have a responsibility, and especially now. That responsibility is to do the best for my club, to work hard and prepare well for every training session and every game.

"I am doing this and trying to concentrate. I am aiming to give the fans my best all the time and for the team to do the same."

Liverpool will be without Daniel Agger for the Villa game, the Danish defender having suffered a recurrence of his metatarsal injury.

Benitez said:"We are disappointed with what has happened to Daniel Agger. We felt he was ready.

"But when he was training last weekend, he felt something when he was tackling. It was right at the end of the session, it was not serious but enough to cause us concern.

"We have talked to specialists to try to find an answer. But he is now working hard again with the medical staff.

"He had been training well for two weeks, then he just had a little bit of bad luck and he is out again. Maybe it will be two weeks before he is ready again."

Meanwhile, Peter Crouch insists he is happy to stay at Anfield and fight for his place.

The 26-year-old has been the subject of much speculation having fallen down the pecking order after the summer arrival of club-record signing Fernando Torres.

However, he told the Liverpool Echo: "Everyone talks about me talking to clubs. Maybe it's because I'm not playing every game but at a club like Liverpool you're not going to play every game.

"I've come to realise that this is the case at a club like this."

George Gillett Ponders Over Hicks Buy-Out

Liverpool co-owner George Gillett is expected to spend the next few days deciding whether to buy-out partner Tom Hicks, despite the pair saying they remained committed to the club and that it would not be sold for the second time in the space of a year.

It is thought that Dubai International Capital (DIC) are preparing another bid to acquire a share of the club, and are prepared to back Gillett as he mulls over whether to make an offer to buy out the 50 per cent shareholding of his partner at Anfield.

According to reports, DIC is willing to join forces with Gillett and it is believed that he will weigh up his options over the next few days while persuading Hicks to sell his interest in Liverpool for a substantial profit.

However, it is believed that Gillett will not table the combined offer to Hicks and that he may instead approve a controversial £350 million refinancing plan for Liverpool's new stadium - a deal that is expected to be ratified sometime next week.

A source confirmed to the Guardian that a deal has been drafted which will then be presented to the Americans before they put their signatures to the £350m loan.

"It is a very delicate situation but DIC has reignited its interest," the source told the newspaper.

"The terms of the offer, which will be made to Tom Hicks, have been agreed and DIC are hopeful they will be finally be able to invest in Liverpool."

The latest twist in the Anfield saga could also have left the relationship further soured between the co-owners if the deal goes ahead.

However, a spokesman for the Americans yesterday said: "Any suggestion that Messrs Hicks and Gillett are contemplating a sale of the club or any portion thereof to DIC or anyone else is categorically untrue."

On the football front, Liverpool and Rafael Benitez will step out on Monday for their Premiership home game with Aston Villa with their minds focused on the pitch.

Five days later they will have to deal with non-league Havant and Waterlooville in the FA Cup.

Agger Suffers Fresh Foot Injury

Liverpool centre back Daniel Agger has suffered a recurrence of the metatarsal injury which has kept him out of action since September.

The Dane, who was days away from making a first team return, is now not expected to feature for the rest of January and could be out for longer.

"It's not easy to say when he will be back," said Reds manager Rafa Benitez.

"He is going to see different surgeons and then we'll be able to analyse the situation," Benitez added.

The news is a significant setback for Liverpool, as the 23-year-old has been their prefered partner for Jamie Carragher in central defence since he signed from Brondby in January 2006 for £5m.

Agger's absence means Benitez is likely to accelerate the introduction of new defensive signing Martin Skrtel into the team.

The Slovakian international replaced Agger as the most expensive defender in the club's history following his £6m from Zenit St Petersburg on Friday.

Specialists have yet to confirm how long Danish international Agger will be out of action.

He featured as an unused substitute at Middlesbrough on Saturday and has made 36 first team appearances for the club, scoring two goals.

Liverpool Are Not For Sale, Insists Hicks

Liverpool co-owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks insist they remain 'fully committed to the club' despite Dubai International Capital reportedly preparing another bid to acquire a share of the Anfield team.

A year ago this month DIC were stunned by the last-minute failure of their bid to take control of the club but it is believed they are now set to try to buy the American's 50% stake in Anfield.

DIC yesterday made no attempt to play down speculation when a spokesman said: 'We do not comment on such things, we have nothing to say on this.'

However, a spokesman for Hicks was less equivocal.

He said: 'Mr. Hicks and Mr. Gillett remain fully committed to the club.

'Any suggestion that Messrs Hicks and Gillett are contemplating a sale of the club or any portion thereof to DIC or anyone else is categorically untrue.'

Liverpool will step out on Monday for their Barclays Premier League home game with Aston Villa with their minds focused just as much on beating non-league Havant and Waterlooville five days later.

By the time the troubled Reds walk out at Anfield, they expect to be even further adrift of the top three.

Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea all play tomorrow away to teams in the bottom half of the table - Reading, Fulham and Birmingham respectively.

So no-one would be surprised if the gap between Liverpool and the top spot is a massive 15 points by then, with the Gunners and Chelsea also pulling further away from the Anfield men.

And that would even further reduce the chances of the Merseysiders making even a dramatic last-ditch bid to stay in the hunt.

But less than a week later, Liverpool are at home to the little Hampshire club in the FA Cup fourth round, a game they surely will win to keep themselves at least with the hope of one domestic honour this term.

The future ownership of the club will still hang like a dark cloud over Anfield, and boss Rafael Benitez knows that he must keep his side in with a chance of winning something.

But even the ever-optimistic Jamie Carragher, who made his 500th appearance for the club in the midweek cup win over Luton, knows time is up on the title bid.

He said: 'We are not stupid. You never throw the towel in, but for us to get back into contention for the title we would have to have an unbelievable second half to the season.

'And the rest would have to have an unbelievably bad second half to the campaign. We realize our best chance of silverware is the cup competitions. That is why they are so important.'

Liverpool need to beat Villa to maintain their hopes of a fourth-place finish and a Champions League spot, now clearly the minimum requirement for Benitez.

And Carragher insists that the players must not allow themselves to be affected by what is happening off the field at Liverpool. He said: 'You have to be strong mentally to play for Liverpool. Things happen off the pitch but you do not let it affect you.'

Miller: Liverpool's Subs Must Prove Themselves

Liverpool training coach Alex Miller has warned Liverpool's forgotten men that they'll need to improve on the practice pitch if they're to fight their way back into the team.

Speaking to LiverpoolFC.tv, first-team coach Alex Miller told Anfield's fringe players to do their utmost to get back into the side.

In the aftermath of the fine win over Luton Town, he said, "Confidence had definitely dipped in recent weeks because personal performance had dipped – when one goes the other goes. It takes a player of extremely strong mentality to retain their confidence when they are not playing well.

"The players who played in the 5-0 will now have a lot of their confidence back and the players within the pool have to realise that the team won 5-0 and they weren't in it. They have to now perform to the best of their abilities on the training ground."

Additionally, he spoke of the need for a coherent style of play.

"The important thing at this club has always been the football and hopefully that's the way it will remain," added Miller.

"I think the players responded very well to the manager on Tuesday with a 5-0 victory and it's nice to get a few goals for the fans after recent results.

"Is the FA Cup our best chance of silverware? No, I don't think that because it depends on who you draw and where you draw them.

"The important thing here is that we don't believe we are out of the championship race yet. If we win our game in hand it will help, and we've got all the other top teams to play and it is up to us how we do in these games."

Two players whose first team places are all but assured are Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres, who are battling it out for the top scorer accolade this season. Who will prevail?

"I think you'd have to bet on Fernando because he's a forward and will get more scoring opportunities," mused Miller.

"Stevie is coming from deeper positions and not getting so many chances. But he can score from any angle or distance, as everybody knows.

"He's fantastic at coming on to the ball and is within the top players in the world at that."

Liverpool, Chelsea, Madrid, After Caceres

Liverpool and Chelsea have joined Real Madrid in the chase to sign Uruguayan centre back Martin Caceres, who has been in outstanding form for Recreativo Huelva this season.

Caceres, who is 20 years of age, joined Villarreal last season and was immediately loaned out to Recreativo Huelva. At the Decano, his impressive performances have attracted interest from a number of top European clubs.

Earlier in the week The Sun revealed that Premier League giants Liverpool and Chelsea are fighting for the signature of the talented youngster, while La Liga league leaders Real Madrid are hoping to lure him to the Spanish capital.

The highly-rated charrua is aware of the interest, and has explained that, while he is comfortable at Recreativo at the moment, he would be interested in a move elsewhere if it will be an improvement for his career.

Although the English clubs have shown huge interest in Caceres, Real Madrid seem to be the front-runners to secure his services.

Sources indicate that the asking price for the former Defensor Sporting centre back is around 13 million euros.

Liverpool FC Deal Soon, Amount May Change

The keenly awaited refinancing of British soccer club Liverpool FC is set to be closed before the end of February, a source familiar with the deal said on Thursday.

The 300 million pound ($589 million) debt refinancing, expected to be completed by the end of November, has been delayed amid turmoil in the credit markets.

Banks, facing multi-billion pound losses linked to the U.S. sub-prime crisis, have tightened up lending, or are charging more to assume risk.

The deal will go ahead, although it may not include an additional amount, of about 40 million pounds, earmarked for the start of building a new stadium, the source said.

Liverpool's debt facility with Royal Bank of Scotland, taken out by U.S. billionaires Tom Hicks and George Gillett to acquire the club, expires in February.

Wachovia Corp, the fourth-largest U.S. bank, is arranging the refinancing.

Riise Firmly Behind Rafa

Liverpool star John Arne Riise has expressed his disappointment at the treatment being dished out on Rafa Benitez by the club's increasingly unpopular American owners.

The Spanish manager’s already tenuous relationship with his bosses was further fractured by the curious decision by Reds co-owner Tom Hicks to reveal that he had lined up Jürgen Klinsmann as a replacement back in November. Whatever the motivation behind the admission, it has only served to undermine Benitez publicly, as well as to rally the fans and players even more strongly behind their manager.

"It is sad that he (Benitez) has to experience what he has right now." said Riise. "The only way we can help him is by getting good results, to give him more confidence (from the owners)."

Benitez also would have been pleased and proud to receive the vociferous backing of an Anfield full house during the FA Cup third-round replay on Tuesday, as his name rang out before during and even a few minutes after the 5-0 demolition job.

The former Valencia coach's position at Liverpool has been the focal point of intense speculation over the last few months after his much-publicised row with the American owners over the club's transfer policy. It is now increasingly evident that clear-the-air talks held in December only resulted in temporarily sweeping the problem under the carpet.