Crouch Comes Under Starter's Orders And May Prove A Stayer After Fine Display

Another chapter in Anfield's rich European history owed much to another hand expertly played in the Champions League by Rafael Benítez. Arsenal will rue the lapse in concentration that squandered this tie for as long as it takes to lift their first European Cup or the time it takes the Liverpool manager to display a weakness that compares. The former would appear the shorter wait.

On a night when even a brilliant execution from Fernando Torres was relegated to the margins by the dramatic shift in fortunes at Anfield, it was the Liverpool manager's cold, considered use of his occasional forwards which tipped the balance towards a third semi-final appearance in four seasons.

Abandoning the formation that had revived Liverpool's season to accommodate Peter Crouch, he later abandoned the England centre-forward's tireless effort in favour of the pace of Ryan Babel. The selections and the timing of the change worked to perfection for Liverpool. Here was an unexpectedly bold starting line-up and at no point in a fluctuating tie did Benítez try to protect a slender advantage.

"We knew Crouch had scored a hat-trick against Arsenal here last season and he was really good against them the other day," he said. "He scored against them again and was always a threat. We tried to use that threat and profit from his ability in the air, the pace of Torres and the movement of Steven Gerrard and Dirk Kuyt."

There was genuine shock at Crouch's inclusion inside the stadium when the teams were announced, and nowhere greater than in the Liverpool dressing room and inside the squad's No15 shirt. "It's pretty clear I probably won't start," said the 27-year-old after Saturday's man-of-the-match performance at the Emirates Stadium, his latest impressive display against a defence punctured five times by him in five previous starts. Though he agreed Torres had to be the choice to lead the line in Benítez's 4-2-3-1 formation, the surprise at finally earning reward from the manager must have been profound.

If there was unease at Benítez's selection before kick-off it centred on changing the system that repaired the club's campaign after the Cup defeat by Barnsley, Crouch's last start before the weekend, rather than the inclusion of the centre-forward whose frustration at starting only 18 times before last night announced itself at the weekend. "I would love to stay; it is a fantastic club and I love everything about it, but I have to be realistic," Crouch said on Saturday. "If I want to have aspirations of playing for England or furthering my career, I have to be playing and that doesn't seem to be the case at the moment."

Perhaps last night's return to the fold will influence that outlook but career decisions can wait. Crouch offered a remedy to the failings Benítez had identified in his team's first-leg display, with the Spaniard bemoaning the cheap possession given away in attack, goals conceded at set pieces and the relative comfort of William Gallas and Philippe Senderos in defence. They were never afforded that luxury here, Crouch unsettling Senderos instantly from José Reina's clearance and, though often moving into Torres's territorial domain, fashioning Liverpool's only chances until Sami Hyypia's header turned the momentum back in their favour.

Gerrard, Kuyt and Torres all nearly capitalised on Crouch's distribution before Benítez paid the £7m man his finest compliment by reverting to 4-2-3-1 and asking the Englishman, and not the Spaniard, to lead the line. A flick that gave Torres the chance for his outstanding strike returned the favour and, though his disappointment at being replaced was palpable, a standing ovation soothed it, along with the impact of his replacement.

"We needed pace and the ability to run at defenders in the final minutes because I could see that Torres was tiring," said Benítez. Again his decision was to be vindicated. Babel has shown flashes of excellence laced with erratic decision-making and distribution but he made that criticism redundant here, winning the penalty and scoring the fourth that sent Benítez onwards again.

Belief Pulled Reds Through, Says Relieved Benítez

Rafael Benítez claimed that Liverpool's greater belief, not penalty decisions or superior European experience, was the principal reason for their place in the Champions League semi-finals and Arsenal's demise at Anfield last night.

The Liverpool manager faces Chelsea for the fourth successive season in the Champions League after maintaining his own remarkable European record on a pulsating night at Anfield, a sequence he insisted was owed entirely to his players' refusal to wilt when Emmanuel Adebayor equalised six minutes from time.

"This was a victory for belief," said Benítez, in the semi-finals for a third time in four seasons. "I don't think our extra experience counted. Arsenal were in the final themselves two seasons ago, but the difference was in the belief of the players. The way they [Arsenal] scored their second goal was really disappointing but I am very happy with the reaction to it."

Benítez's initial reaction to Adebayor's strike was to bring on the Ukrainian forward Andriy Voronin. But, with the substitute Ryan Babel hauled to the ground by William Gallas 60 seconds later, he was able to savour an extraordinary finale.

"We are very relieved," he admitted. "It has been a really difficult tie. We started really bad tonight, but the second half was much better and we believed we had the quality even when they scored first. I am going to enjoy tonight before I think of Chelsea. That is going to be a tough, tough game."

Arsène Wenger's task now is to lift Arsenal after the prospect of a third trophyless season moved closer to realisation. "It'll be very difficult to lift the players because they are extremely disappointed because they feel hard done by over the two games," said the Arsenal manager. "We'll try to finish strongly. We have a feeling of disappointment and injustice tonight, which makes it doubly difficult."

The deflation clearly extended to the Frenchman himself, although he denied that Arsenal had lost their last realistic hope of silverware this season because of a lack of mental strength. "We should have scored before we equalised," he lamented. "We had a clear-cut chance, completely on our own in the box, to score a third and kill them off."

It's Liverpool v Chelsea Again

Steven Gerrard kept his nerve on a night of high drama to score an 86th-minute penalty as Liverpool beat Arsenal last night to set up a Champions League semi-final re-match with Chelsea.

Gerrard scored in front of the Kop two minutes after Emmanuel Adebayor had kept Arsenal's season alive by levelling on the night and putting his side ahead on the away goals rule. The striker's tap-in followed an electric 70-yard run from Theo Walcott.

But it was to be in vain as Kolo Toure brought down Ryan Babel for Gerrard's penalty. Gerrard said: "It's up there with the other great European nights at Anfield. I was confident I could score but it was one of my worst performances."

Arsenal's season, which had promised so much, now looks set to end without any silverware.

Liverpool finished with a goal by Babel as they won 4-2 to go through 5-3 on aggregate.

At Stamford Bridge, Michael Ballack and Frank Lampard scored as Chelsea beat Fenerbahce 2-0, to set up a third Champions League semi-final against Liverpool in four seasons. Liverpool won the previous two.

At Anfield last night, Abou Diaby had given Arsenal a 13th-minute lead, but Sami Hyypia equalised with a header. Fernando Torres fired Liverpool in front before Adebayor's goal heralded a dramatic finale.

Rafa's Anfield Aces Are 4-Some

Steve Gerrard scored the penalty which broke Arsenal’s hearts in a Champions League thriller at Anfield.

The Gunners, trailing 2-1 after a second-half strike from Fernando Torres, thought they had snatched a semi-final place when they equalised.

Theo Walcott ran past four defenders in a scintillating burst from his own area before squaring the ball for Emmanuel Adebayor to make it 2-2 after 84 minutes.

But a minute later Kolo Toure was ruled to have brought down Ryan Babel and skipper Gerrard confidently planted home the penalty to book a semi-final with Chelsea.

Babel then finished off Arsenal as they chased an equaliser when he broke clear with Cesc Fabregas trailing in his wake to make it 4-2 in the 90th minute.

Abou Diaby and Sami Hyypia had kept the game on a knife-edge with goals in the first half as Liverpool and Arsenal slugged out this European battle of the Premier League.

But after 69 minutes Torres broke the deadlock with a right-foot strike after turning Philippe Senderos. That was just the start of a gripping finale.

Arsene Wenger had talked about this being Arsenal’s ‘moment of truth’.

The Gunners manager faced the biggest challenge of his career with this third of three games against Liverpool, followed by a Premier League match against Manchester United on Sunday.

But after two 1-1 draws in a row against Liverpool, he had gone into this game knowing the Gunners’ season was on the verge of collapse.

Wenger’s response was to claim boldly that his team were still on course for an incredible League and European Cup double, despite the fact they had only won two out of their last 11 games.

Injury has recently hit the Arsenal team with Eduardo and Tomasz Rosicky ruled out for the season.

Robin van Persie was only on the bench after failing to recover fully from his thigh injury.

It meant Alexander Hleb started just behind Adebayor, who scored the opening goal in the first leg last week.

Wenger decided to keep Toure at right-back with Senderos alongside William Gallas.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez was adamant before kick-off that Arsenal were going to score.

It is the only thing that can explain why he took the bold decision to hand Peter Crouch his first start in the Champions League since November when Liverpool beat Besiktas 8-0.

Crouch played well against Arsenal at the weekend in the League game and Benitez obviously wanted him to repeat his performance last night alongside Torres.

It was only the fifth time this season that the pair had started together.

Given that Crouch talked after the game at the weekend about having to quit the club for more regular football, last night’s team selection was ironic.

Mind you, Gerrard would not have been happy. In his programme notes he talked about the team needing to get more out of whoever was on the left.

He would never have imagined that was where he would be starting the biggest game of Liverpool’s season.

For the past two months he has been operating just behind Torres, creating a partnership which has led to Liverpool running riot.

Benitez’s assumption that Arsenal were going to score seemed negative given that in two semi-finals against Chelsea at Anfield his side had not conceded a goal. But he was spot on as his side fell behind in the 13th minute.

The Gunners came flying out of the traps, perhaps spurred on by the wonderful Anfield atmosphere.

Wenger’s team swarmed all over Liverpool and it paid off immediately.

Adebayor stormed down the left and angled a ball back for Fabregas. Before he could take aim, the ball was poked away by fellow Spaniard Xabi Alonso.

It only came out to Mathieu Flamini, who chested it down and played on despite the Kop screaming handball.

Liverpool seemed to lose their concentration for a split second as the ball came out to Diaby on the right and he smashed his shot past Pepe Reina at the near post.

It was a great strike but the ball went in off Reina and there was no way Liverpool’s keeper should have been beaten so easily.

Arsenal had control and could have grabbed a second if Reina had not finally come to his senses Diaby crossed from the left for Adebayor and as the Togo ace looked ready to pounce, the keeper managed to punch the ball away.

Liverpool were struggling to get into the game with their altered set-up. Fabio Aurelio saw Liverpool’s first shot fly over the bar in the 24th minute but from the Reds’ next attack the full-back forced a corner.

Alonso swung the ball in and Hyypia rose to arc his header into the top right-hand corner of Almunia’s goal.

Senderos was at fault as he lost the veteran defender at the flag-kick and Fabregas, on the line, could not prevent the ball going in.

It was dreadful defending by the Swiss centre-half, but it was exactly what Liverpool needed as they were being passed to death in midfield.

Hyypia has now scored in three separate European Cup quarter-finals, having got on the scoresheet against Juventus and PSV Eindhoven. It was also a perfect way to celebrate signing a new one-year contract.

Wenger’s side suffered another blow as Flamini turned an ankle in a challenge with Gerrard and had to be carried off with three minutes of the first half left, to be replaced by Gilberto.

Dropped, Wins Penalty And Scores – A Crazy Evening For Babel

Ryan Babel has found Liverpool a bewildering kind of place in the past 12 months. He has often resorted to dodging the ice baths which his manger insists his players take after games and admits he has found rotation difficult to deal with.

But nothing could have prepared him for the crazy events of this crazy night. First he is dropped to allow Steven Gerrard the left wing birth he detests, then he watches Theo Walcott skip past five of his Liverpool team-mates to set up Emmanuel Adebayor's equaliser. Then he finishes off Arsenal single-handedly – winning a penalty in a tangle with Kolo Touré and running 20 yards to dispatch a goal of his own.

"Physically I'm not yet at the point that I'm able to play 90 minutes in the crazy tempo of the Premier League," Babel said recently. "Even against the smaller clubs it's difficult for me." But if every 10 minutes on the field gets results like this then Benitez will be more sparing with him again.

This was a priceless substitution made by a manager whose decision-making had proved rather less than convincing as the night wore on. Benitez decided he would fiddle, even in the game which would effectively end the season of one or other of the sides. So much for all the value of the legendary Anfield 12th man – the vocal Liverpool faithful which, even as the sides lined up, had Arsenal's players exchanging nervous glances. Benitez banked on his nearly man, Peter Crouch. For 10 minutes, the Spaniard appeared to have been vindicated.

That was the time it took Crouch to win half a dozen headers, reducing Philippe Senderos to pulp and even making William Gallas wonder whether it was really worth marking him. But Adebayor was threatening even more. Twice, he was narrowly ruled offside as he raced through the central channel off Sami Hyypia's shoulder. Then a turn of pace which took him past Jamie Carragher proved decisive in the move leading to Abou Diaby's thumping opener.

There were some anxious faces around Anfield in the half hour after that. When Mathieu Flamini was carried off with an ankle injury Benitez, notebook in hand, placed his hands on Alonso's shoulders to force his point.

Crouch had more than validated his appearance before setting up Liverpool's second goal, with another mighty jump which put Fernando Torres through. Torres then showed, with the exquisite two right-foot touches which he needed to swivel around Senderos and the third which sent an electrifying shot past Manuel Almunia, why Crouch might always struggle for a place here.

But a night whose closing stages defy much tactical talk belonged to Babel. "We needed pace and ability. I could see Torres was tired," Benitez said of the Dutchman's introduction last night and his late contribution assigns him a place in Anfield legend.

Champions League Preview: LiverpooL vs. Arsenal

Here we go again, onto Anfield and the third instalment of this fascinating trilogy. The sides have already played out two 1-1 draws at the Emirates in less than a week and now the action moves from north London to Liverpool where the home side look to hold a slight edge with an away goal in the bank and a fervent home support behind them.

The Premier League game on Saturday between the two sides saw both managers take the opportunity to rest players ahead of the second leg. Benitez surprised most people by making eight changes to his side and ensuring danger men Torres, Gerrard, Kuyt and Babel were well rested ahead of Tuesday night’s rematch.

For Arsenal, with the title still a possibility, there were less changes to the side. Hleb, Clichy and Adebayor all started on the bench but were forced into the fray after Liverpool had taken the lead.

As a much weakened Liverpool side managed to again hold Arsenal to a draw at the Emirates, it has been suggested that Liverpool hold the psychological advantage heading into the second leg. Certainly their superior European record and the fact they have an away goal will help the home side, as well the infamous Anfield crowd.

Arsenal’s youth has been much vaunted and praised this season but it may be their undoing in the second leg. Certainly they will need their more experienced players such as Gallas and Toure to be at their best if they are to make it into the semi-finals.

As the teams have already played each other three times this season and drawn on each occasion it is perhaps reasonable to assume the tie could end up honours even once again. This is something neither team will mind too much as, depending on the score line, a draw could send either side through to the next round.

Having scored at the Emirates, Liverpool will know that a 0-0 draw will be enough to take them through to the semi-finals. However Rafa Benitez will also know that that is a dangerous tactic to go for, especially against a team with the attacking prowess of Arsenal.

A 1-1 draw will take the tie into extra-time and possibly penalties and seeing as the sides have already played out this score line three times this season, it wouldn’t surprise anyone to see it again.

Anything more than a goal each and the tie suddenly swings in Arsenal’s favour. A 2-2 draw or above will see Liverpool’s one away goal at the Emirates all but forgotten and the Gunners triumph.

Of course if the match does go the way of the previous three then Arsene Wenger’s side will need to have practised their penalties. Liverpool’s record at penalty shoot-outs is nothing short of phenomenal having lost just once on penalties in 11 attempts (against Wimbledon in the League Cup in 1993).

Some of the Reds most recent triumphs have come from the penalty spot, as they took both the FA Cup Final against West Ham in 2006 and the Champions League final against AC Milan in 2005 on spot kicks. If after 120 minutes there is still nothing between the sides, Benitez’s men will not be afraid to win the tie from the penalty spot.

FORM GUIDE

Liverpool

5 April (Premier League) v Arsenal (A) DREW 1-1
2 April (Champions League) v Arsenal (A) DREW 1-0
30 Mar (Premier League) v Everton (H) WON 1-0
23 Mar (Premier League) v Man Utd (A) LOST 0-3
15 Mar (Premier League) v Reading (H) WON 2-1
11 Mar (Champions League) v Inter Milan (A) WON 1-0

Arsenal

5 April (Premier League) v Liverpool (h) DREW 1-1
2 April (Champions League) v Liverpool (h) DREW 1-0
29 Mar (Premier League) v Bolton (A) WON 3-2
23 Mar (Premier League) v Chelsea (A) LOST 1-2
16 Mar (Premier League) v Middlesbrough (H) DREW 1-1
09 Mar (Premier League) v Wigan (A) DREW 0-0

TEAM NEWS

Liverpool

Rafa Benitez surprised everyone by making eight changes for the league game at the Emirates but don’t expect him to keep the same team for the second leg. Torres, Gerrard, Alonso, Kuyt, Babel and Skrtel should all return after being rested at the weekend and expect Mascherano to return after suspension. Saturday’s goal scorer Peter Crouch may have to settle for a spot on the bench.

Liverpool last Starting XI (v Arsenal): Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Skrtel, Arbeloa, Plessis, Pennant, Benayoun, Lucas, Riise, Crouch

Arsenal

Arsene Wenger made five changes for the league game against Liverpool but expect his big hitters back for this match. Adebayor, Hleb and Clichy who all started on the bench on Saturday should be back in the first XI. Robin Van Persie is still struggling with injury so Bendtner may retain his place up front.

Arsenal last Starting XI (v Liverpool): Arsenal: Almunia, Justin Hoyte, Gallas, Toure, Traore, Eboue, Fabregas, Silva, Flamini, Bendtner, Walcott.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Liverpool: Dirk Kuyt

Whilst Fernando Torres has been, quite rightly, taking most of the plaudits the much-derided Dirk Kuyt could be the man to watch against Arsenal. He had an eventful first leg, scoring the equaliser and being lucky not to give away a penalty. However the Dutchman is the man to watch in Europe, not only is he Liverpool’s leading scorer in Europe this season with six goals he also has seven goals in his last ten European appearances.

Arsenal: Cesc Fabregas

The little Spaniard has looked tired in recent weeks but he is still probably one of the first names on the Arsenal team sheet. In the last round against AC Milan in the San Siro he produced a match-winning performance that took his team into the quarter finals. If the Gunners are going to triumph again, Wenger will need his midfield maestro to pull a similar performance out of the bag again.

Rafa: Winning Isn't Everything... It's The Only Thing

Rafael Benitez knows that tonight's Champions League showdown with Arsenal will make or break both clubs' seasons.

But the Liverpool manager says that should his side lose, and see a campaign that started with such hope crumble into a meaningless meander, he can not be judged on this one roll of the dice.

The Spaniard claims to see a bigger picture emerging at Anfield, a subtle masterpiece in which his side are developing the winning mentality that made the club great in the 70s and 80s, but was lost in the wilderness years of the 1990s.

And Benitez believes that his own 'win at all costs' mindset, created during his 20 years at Real Madrid, is beginning to filter through to his current players.

The coach revealed that even when playing games with his young daughters Claudia and Agnetha, he cannot bring himself to let them win.

"I have always been like that since I was little myself. I hated to lose. Ask my wife. She says to me 'you never let the girls win at anything', and it is true," Benitez explained. "Maybe sometimes I let the little one win once, but with the older one I always try to win.

"I was 10 years as a player and 10 years as a coach in the Real Madrid system, and finishing second there wasn't enough.

"I think that is why I have that mentality always to win. I am not nervous about pressure, I am not worried about having to win because it is part of the job. And I think we are introducing the same mentality back to the players here, where they used to have it always of course."

Benitez recognises that tonight's Champions League encounter with Arsenal will consign one of the sides to a season of relative failure, and the resulting ridicule that failing to match preseason expectations will bring.

He knows that much was expected of Liverpool during this campaign, but should they be left with only fourth place in the league to aim at, then it would be his side's worst performance during his four-year reign at the club.

But he claims that would be the wrong way to look at things. He believes he is developing the current crop of Anfield players into winners who can emulate their illustrious predecessors.

"You have to look at the bigger picture. Of course, if you win the Champions League then people will say fantastic, you are going in the right direction. And if you lose then they will say it is bad, you are not progressing, but it is not like that. Our future doesn't depend purely on this one game. Win or lose we are still progressing, we are bringing young players into the side with a winning mentality, our young reserve team is winning and our future is strong.

"You can see we have a winning mentality. We have won cups, we have got to finals, we have shown in the Champions League we are a side who can beat the best teams and we are a side that is feared. "And I believe that mentality is growing stronger every year.

"It is hard when you cannot take on Manchester United and Chelsea in the transfer market, but it is a question of finding the right players with the right mentality. We have some players with a clear winning mentality. If we want to keep that, then we have to win more trophies."

Benitez offered a revealing insight into his own outlook when he looked back on the Real Madrid European final that had the most impact on him, as a supporter, player and coach of the club.

For all their nine triumphs in the European Cup, he remembers their defeat to Liverpool in the Paris final of 1981 the most - when Alan Kennedy gave the Reds a 1-0 win.

"I still have that game on Betamax tape. Liverpool ruined my day then because I hate to lose. I hate it. The Real team had players I grew up with and played alongside and it was a sad moment," he explained.

"The keeper was Augustin Rodriguez who made the mistake. After 20 years of always winning, always having to win, you have a mentality and that influences my work as a coach.

"Because of the history of this club, the winning mentality they always used to have, people say we have to win more.

"But we need to understand that after some years of not winning trophies we are clearly rebuilding that," he explained.

"I think we can introduce it again - we are introducing it again - you can see the hunger of some of the players now and that is the key.

"Every day we analyse everything and every small detail and keep pushing, pushing the players if they make mistakes.

"It is the only way we can compete against the money of Manchester United and Chelsea, and we are becoming winners again."

TONIGHT'S BIG MATCH ODDS

Liverpool are 4/7 favourites, with Arsenal 5/4. The Gunners are 4/1 to be awarded a penalty - a bet Arsene Wenger might not want to take after the last two controversial games! The bookies offer 5/1 that the game again ends in a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes.

Rafa Happy With Progress

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez believes the club are moving in the right direction under his guidance.

Ahead of Tuesday's UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg clash with Arsenal, Benitez's future at Anfield has again come under the microscope with Europe's premier competition being Liverpool's only chance of silverware this season.

Benitez's future at Anfield has been the subject of speculation for some time after a much-publicised bust-up with the club's American owners last year.

Despite another disappointing Premier League campaign, Benitez feels Liverpool are progressing under him as they look to reach their third Champions League semi-final in four seasons.

"Really, when you are in this position, it means that something is good," Benitez told The Times. "It doesn't depend on one game - whether you are doing things good or bad. We know because we are here, we are not bad.

"We know we need to be more consistent in the Premier League, but the team now is fit. I am not the kind of manager who will change my opinion for one game.

"As a manager you must be consistent. I think we are going in the right direction, so one game will not change my idea."

Benitez also played down suggestions that the game against Arsenal could decide his future at the club.

"It's not easy to talk about the Champions League and what that means in terms of money for the big picture," added Benitez.

"But at least the professionals will need to know it's not one game that determines the idea and the future.

"We want to win, but not because we need to prove we are doing the right thing. It's clear we are moving in the right direction: the reserve team is winning the league, we have a lot of good young players coming in and, with players like Ryan Babel, Lucas Leiva, [Javier] Mascherano, [Daniel] Agger and [Martin] Skrtel, that is clear.

"If you win, everyone will say: 'Oh, fantastic, this is the right way' and if you lose they will say: 'It's not the right way', but I think everyone knows we are going in the right direction."

Rafa Benitez: We Can't Afford To Play It Safe Against Arsenal

Rafa Benitez fears Arsenal's goal threat at Anfield tonight and insists his side will go all out to reach the Champions League semi-final.

Benitez said yesterday that despite holding a vital away goal after the 1-1 draw at the Emirates, the Gunners' potency means his men cannot afford to be defensive. A goalless draw will be enough for the Reds to go through.

But Benitez wants his side to go for the throat. He said: "Arsenal usually score goals in the league," he said last night. "Manchester United's result helped a lot. If they had won, I'd have thought we couldn't, but now I still believe we'll do it.

"Defeat against Liverpool is not unthinkable. You have to accept you might lose, but what is important is that you can believe you can win. But if I didn't believe we could win the Champions League, I wouldn't be sitting here.

"We did have a dip recently, we can't deny that. But football is strange sometimes. We've dropped a few points, but we've been consistent since the beginning of the season.

"So it's possible we can win the last five games. I said that before the Liverpool game as well, but I said five games and one draw would make it. It's compulsory we win at Old Trafford on Sunday."

Arsenal need a near-miracle to save their once-promising season from collapse but Wenger clearly has faith his players can repeat the heroics that gave them victory at AC Milan in the last round.

He admitted he was becoming increasingly frustrated at his team's stuttering form, but insisted that despite his touchline histrionics against Liverpool on Saturday, he was not cracking up.

Wenger, whose side have not won a trophy for three years, said: "I'm physically agitated more because I want to score the goals rather than because I'm really nervous. It's not because I've not won anything for a long time. If I'd won every trophy last year, I'd be the same."

Arsenal will have to score in tonight's second leg, with Liverpool having left the Emirates with a 1-1 draw last week.

"We have belief we can win everywhere in the world," Wenger added. "We'll need a similar spirit to Milan. I believe we have to go into the game with the same positive attitude.

"Both teams will be under pressure, but that's normal at this stage of a season.

"I believe my team can win. I believe in the quality of my team and the quality of my players."

Striker Emmanuel Adebayor was also sure the team could rise to the occasion. "We still have big belief we can do it," said the Gunners star.

Reserves Crowned Champions, Thanks To Nemeth Strike

Congratulations go out to Liverpool Reserves after they secured the Barclays Premier Reserve League North title with a 1-0 win over Blackburn last night.

A real buzz of excitement has been growing among Reds fans who have been keeping a close eye on the excellent progress of Gary Ablett's young side this season.

Just last month a fine set of performances saw the young Reds return from America with the Dallas Cup and now they've secured the domestic league with two games to spare.

Ablett's side went into the game knowing victory would guarentee them the trophy and a stunning strike from Hungarian striker Krisztian Nemeth proved enough.

The presentation of the trophy will take place after Thursday's match against Manchester City at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.

Well done lads.

How pleased are you to see Liverpool's youngsters doing so well? Damien Plessis made his first-team bow at the weekend, but do you think we may see more debuts before the season's out? And, if so, who is next in line?

Rafa: Penalties? Not Just Yet

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has insisted his side won't be thinking about penalties going into the second leg of their Champions League quarterfinal clash against Arsenal.

The first leg ended in a 1-1 draw at the Emirates Stadium. Emmanuel Adebayor gave the home side the lead, heading home from a Cesc Fabregas corner.

The marking was dreadful, but Liverpool made amends minutes later when a magnificent Steven Gerrard run set up Dirk Kuyt to tap in the equaliser.

Arsenal were the dominant side, but Liverpool also had their chances, and Benitez will be looking to do the small things right going into the second leg on home soil.

“You know always that the small things can be the difference,” he said.

“When you play against the top sides, you know a player can change the game, or there can be a mistake in a free-kick, in a one-versus-one situation.

“At the end, the difference between the draws and the wins, or if you lose are the smaller things and the influence of the top-class players.”

The Spanish tactician will be hoping for heart from his players and, should there be penalties, he will be quietly confident that he has the players to do the job.

“I believe sometimes it is more the heart than the quality of the players,” he said, regarding potential penalty takers.

“We will have some good players taking penalties, so I do not think we will practise too much.

“You know which players will be good when they are called from the halfway line. It is not just quality. It is important to be calm and to know what to do.

“When you talk about top-class players, with quality and experience in these situations. Sometimes they can be really good at 18, sometimes at 31 a player is not cool on penalties, so it depends on each one.

“I will not be thinking about penalties. We will be trying to use our experience during the game and not go to penalties.

“If we need to go to penalties, then they have quality and we have quality too.

“The penalties are really a lottery.”

Rafa Benitez Insists Liverpool Will Seek To Score Against Arsenal

Rafael Benitez insists Liverpool have no intention of playing for a goalless stalemate when they complete their trilogy against Arsenal tomorrow night.

The teams, sporting much-changed line-ups, met in the Premier League on Saturday and played out a second 1-1 draw at the Emirates in four days.

They clash again at Anfield tomorrow for the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie.

With Dirk Kuyt’s away goal in the bag, Liverpool know a clean sheet would be enough to progress to the semi-final.

But manager Benitez said: “We have confidence, but know they have quality, can play well away and are dangerous.

“It is very difficult to play for a 0-0 draw. I don’t know how to do it.”

Liverpool’s draw at the weekend keeps them three points ahead of Everton in the race for fourth with just five games remaining.

Peter Crouch gave the visitors the lead on 41 minutes, with Nicklas Bendtner equalising nine minutes after the interval.

Benitez made eight changes from the team that faced the Gunners in the Champions League last Wednesday, handing a debut to 20-year-old French midfielder Damien Plessis.

And he praised his makeshift line-up, and said: “It was an open game at the end and we knew we had to work hard to control the game.

“We did that for long spells and scored a great goal, were well organised and in a good position.

“Crouch played really well, Benayoun, Riise too and the debut of Plessis. The work-rate was good from a lot of players who normally do not play. They all did well.

“We could have won because we had the chances, but then again we could also have lost as they had chances as well.

“At the end we are a little disappointed because we had one or two attacks towards the end to win the game – so it could have been better, but then again, it could have been worse.”

Of the wholesale team changes, Benitez added: “Arsene Wenger was trying to keep some players for the second leg, and we were trying to do the same. You could see that some of the players were tired.

“But they will play the next game with a lot of passion and I don’t think they will be tired.”

The result delivered a major blow to Arsenal’s faint hopes of winning the title.

But Benitez believes that could work against Liverpool, and said: “For both teams, Saturday was important – for us to be closer to the top four and for Arsenal to be in the race for the title.

“I think it will be difficult for them. I was asking Arsene before in the race for the title, you cannot lose points now.

“Maybe the only option now for them is the Champions League, which means they will be more dangerous for us.”

Liverpool Face Huge Test From Wounded Arsenal

Arsenal may be down but manager Arsene Wenger said they were very definitely not yet out of the hunt for major honours this season, which they can prove when they face Liverpool for the third time in a week on Tuesday.

Wenger takes his weary men to Anfield for the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final after two 1-1 draws with Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium in the last few days.
Wednesday's draw in the first leg of their Champions League tie was followed by another 1-1 draw in the Premier League there on Saturday that left Arsenal third in the table and six points behind Manchester United with five matches to play.

Admitting to the club's Web site (www.arsenal.com) that Emmanuel Adebayor, Gael Clichy and Aleksandr Hleb were all "feeling tired", Wenger also said Arsenal's Champions League adventure was far from over.

"It's a very important one for us and for them. We will play our game on Tuesday night and try to win the game, and give absolutely everything," he said.

"Anyway, our season has not been disastrous, you know. People expected us to be between 10th and 12th at the beginning of the season so we are beyond expectation."

Arsenal proved against AC Milan in the last round they could overcome the disadvantage of a home draw in the first leg and win away to advance, which they did with a 2-0 win at the San Siro after a 0-0 draw at the Emirates.

Midfielder Cesc Fabregas, talking to Spanish TV channel Antenna 3, said that playing in front of Liverpool's passionate crowd on a European night could also help their chances.

"It is incredible the passion with which Liverpool fans live their games," he said. "Even the smallest cup game has the greatest atmosphere there, it is as if they play with 12 men. The good thing about playing away is that we don't have the pressure from our own fans."

Liverpool tend to reserve their best football for their European matches and defended superbly against Arsenal last week after falling behind to an Adebayor goal, equalising soon afterwards through Dirk Kuyt.

If they keep a clean sheet on Tuesday they will advance to the last four, with coach Rafa Benitez likely to try to frustrate Arsenal's exciting approach play then look for a quick breakaway from his own team to score on the counter-attack.

"Arsenal have a style that everyone knows," Benitez said after last Wednesday's match.

"They can have plenty of possession, they can play long passes with Fabregas, they can play in between with (Robin) van Persie or Hleb. So we knew we needed to work hard.

"We knew they would have possession so we needed to control, regain and play counter-attack."

Few teams can survive an Arsenal onslaught for a whole match but that is probably what Liverpool will have to do to capitalise on their home advantage and reach a semi-final against either Chelsea or Fenerbahce.

Probable teams:

Liverpool: Pepe Reina; Jamie Carragher, Martin Skrtel, Sami Hyypia, John-Arne Riise; Fabio Aurelio, Steven Gerrard, Javier Mascherano, Xabi Alonso, Yossi Benayoun; Fernando Torres

Arsenal: Manuel Almunia; Kolo Toure, William Gallas, Phillipe Senderos, Gael Clichy; Emmanuel Eboue, Aleksandr Hleb, Matthieu Flamini, Cesc Fabregas; Theo Walcott, Emmanuel Adebayor.

Benitez Expects Tight Finish

Rafael Benitez knows there is a fine line between victory and failure - but remains convinced Liverpool have what it takes to make it through to the Champions League semi-finals next week.

The Reds secured a second 1-1 draw at Arsenal in the space of four days, which severely dented the Gunners' Barclays Premier League title hopes.

"You know always that the small things can be the difference," said the Spanish coach. "When you play against the top sides, you know a player can change the game, or there can be a mistake in a free-kick, in a one-versus-one situation. At the end, the difference between the draws and the wins, or if you lose are the smaller things and the influence of the top-class players."

Should the two sides draw 1-1 again on Tuesday night and remain unable to be separated after extra-time, then the right to play either Chelsea or Fenerbahce in the semi-finals of Europe's elite club competition would be decided on spot-kicks.

While the Liverpool manager - whose men knocked Chelsea out on penalties to reach the final last season - insists the shoot-out is a "lottery", Benitez feels it comes down as much to keeping a cool head under pressure as it does natural talent.

"I believe sometimes it is more the heart than the quality of the players," said the Liverpool manager. "We will have some good players taking penalties, so I do not think we will practise too much.

"You know which players will be good when they are called from the halfway line. It is not just quality. It is important to be calm and to know what to do.

"When you talk about top-class players, with quality and experience in these situations. Sometimes they can be really good at 18, sometimes at 31 a player is not cool on penalties, so it depends on each one.

"I will not be thinking about penalties. We will be trying to use our experience during the game and not go to penalties."

Crouch Hints At Anfield Departure

Liverpool striker Peter Crouch has given the biggest hint yet that he will quit Anfield this summer to save his international career.

England boss Fabio Capello has made it perfectly clear to his players that he won't pick individuals who don't get regular match action for their clubs.

And with Crouch now an almost permanent fixture on the Liverpool bench, the signs are he'll need to move to remain involved in the international set-up.

The tall striker started Saturday's game with Arsenal, looking threatening and notching the opening goal of the game. But judging by his comments afterwards, it seems that performance was more an advert for the shop window than a challenge to coach Rafa Benítez to pick him for the forthcoming Champions League quarter-final rematch against the Gunners.

"It's pretty clear I probably won't start," he said. “Obviously if the manager plays one up front, he is more than likely to go with Fernando [Torres] - and rightly so, he's been fantastic this season. Before, when Rafa was rotating at least I was getting a game here and there. But the manager's obviously stuck with a formation now that seems to be working, and credit to the players that have been playing in that system.

"I would love to stay," continued Crouch when asked about his future. "It is a fantastic club and I love everything about it, but I have got to be realistic. If I want to have any aspirations of playing for England, or furthering my career, then I have to be playing - and that doesn't seem to be the case at the moment. I will have to look at it - but that's certainly something I won't be doing now, I will be doing it at the end of the season."

Arsenal 1 - 1 LiverpooL

Emirates Stadium as a 1-1 draw dealt a near fatal blow to their fading Barclays Premier League title hopes.

Just three days after their European tie ended all square, both teams were back to do battle for league points.

Each manager made several changes, no doubt with one eye on next week's second leg of their Champions League quarter-final, but there was still more than enough talent on display to make for an entertaining encounter.

Recalled striker Peter Crouch gave Liverpool the lead at the end of the first half, with Nicklas Bendtner levelling on 53 minutes.

However, with Manchester United, who play at Middlesbrough tomorrow, still five points clear at the top of the table, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger knew only victory would have kept their slim hopes of the title alive.

The trip to Anfield on Tuesday night now takes on extra significance if a season which promised so much is not to end in disappointment.

Liverpool started well and Crouch soon tested Manuel Almunia, letting fly from 25 yards and forcing the Arsenal goalkeeper to make an acrobatic one-handed save to tip the ball over.

Crouch was involved again in the 17th minute, this time slipping an expert pass inside the Arsenal backline.

John Arne Riise ran onto the ball but, with William Gallas sliding in, the Norwegian lifted his 18-yard shot over the crossbar.

It was proving to be something of a chess match, with both teams happy to wait each other out and look for a quick counter-attack.

After 31 minutes, Liverpool broke down the right, with Yossi Benayoun getting in on the overlap.

However, his angled drive flashed across goal.

It should, though, have been 1-0 when, after 35 minutes, the Gunners broke quickly through Mathieu Flamini and Theo Walcott.

The ball fell to Bendtner just inside the area but the Dane's first-time shot was weak and straight at a grateful Reina.

Arsenal were clean in on goal again when Emmanuel Eboue beat the offside trap and got away down the right.

However, his low cutback towards Cesc Fabregas was cleared by the retreating Martin Skrtel.

The home side were made to pay with three minutes left to the break when Crouch put Liverpool ahead.

The England striker headed down a long clearance from keeper Pepe Reina, which Benayoun flicked on.

Crouch collected the ball on his chest and turned inside Arsenal captain William Gallas before drilling his shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the area.

After 51 minutes, a run and deflected shot from Walcott led to a corner for Arsenal.

Fabregas floated the ball over to Kolo Toure on the penalty spot, but the defender sent his free header wide.

Former Gunner Jermaine Pennant was booked on 53 minutes for bundling over Armand Traore as the full-back looked to get away down the left and Arsenal were level from the resulting free-kick.

Again Fabregas was the provider as he sent over a deep cross into the six-yard box where Bendtner timed his run towards the near post perfectly and powered a header into the net.

The relief around Emirates Stadium was clear as the Arsenal faithful suddenly found their voice.

Leading scorer Emanuel Adebayor was sent on, replacing full-back Justin Hoyte, for the final 33 minutes as the Gunners reshuffled.

Flamini tested Reina with a low, angled drive from the right side of the area, which the Liverpool goalkeeper held well.

Traore was replaced by Gael Clichy for the last 18 minutes before Almunia had to claw the ball away from under his own bar following Riise's left-wing cross.

Arsenal continued to press for a winner, but could have been caught out only for substitute Andriy Voronin to fire over from 10 yards.

Fernando Torres was introduced for the final 10 minutes, as was Arsenal's Alexander Hleb.

However, there was no way through for the home side, who had to settle for a point, which you suspect will not be enough to stay in the hunt for the title.

Hicks Aims To Take On Parry's Role At Anfield

Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks will seek to replace chief executive Rick Parry if he wins the power struggle at Anfield — but manager Rafa Benitez will be safe.

Hicks was unimpressed by an interview Parry gave last weekend which he regarded as a crude attempt to force through a quick sale of the club to Dubai International Capital.

The Texan has given himself until the end of the season to find investors who would buy George Gillett's shares and leave him in sole control of Liverpool. But he hopes to have some positive news for fans once the club's Champions League tie against Arsenal is completed on Tuesday.

Parry has been chief executive at Anfield for 10 years and went along with the decision of previous owner David Moores to sell the club to Hicks and Gillett rather than DIC.

He now wants the warring Americans to settle their differences and said: 'If they're not able to co-exist then there needs to be a solution where one buys and one sells, or both sell. The ideal would be to move to as speedy a resolution as possible.'

Parry is closer to Gillett, who wants to sell to DIC, than Hicks. He and Moores watched the Champions League 1-1 midweek draw against Arsenal with Gillett's son Foster rather than Hicks, who enjoys Benitez's support.

Rogan Taylor is to ask DIC if his Share Liverpool FC group can buy a minority stakeholding.

Hyypia Happy To Stay At Anfield

Sami Hyypia has agreed a new one-year contract with Liverpool FC that will keep him at Anfield until the summer of 2009.

The 34-year-old Finnish centre-back's previous contract was due to expire at the end of the season but he has now opted to extend his stay at Liverpool to ten years, saying: "I am very happy to have agreed a new deal.

This is a great club with fantastic supporters, so I'm delighted." Liverpool manager Rafael Benítez added: "This is great news for the club – Sami has a lot to offer.

He's a fantastic professional who is an example to all young footballers. He understands the game and is clever. All these things mean he can help other players. He has shown this year how important he is to us on the pitch and he can continue to do that next season."

Hyypiä moved to England from Willem II in 1999 and has since made 440 appearances for the Merseyside team, where he was a key component in the UEFA Champions League-winning side of 2005 and the victorious UEFA Cup team four years earlier.

He played every minute of 57 consecutive European games for the club from November 2001 to February 2006 and, having been rested for Saturday's Premier League match against Arsenal FC, is likely to return to the starting lineup for Tuesday's UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg against the same opponents.

Rafa - Rotation Paying Off

Rafa Benitez believes Liverpool are hitting their peak at the right time because he rested players earlier in the season.

Benitez has been criticised for his rotation policy but he feels it is unfair for him to be singled out.

"I have always said that when Sir Alex Ferguson rests players at Manchester United he is changing his team, yet when I do it I am rotating," he reasoned.

Liverpool have established a six-point lead over Everton in the race for fourth place in the Premier League, while they are also well placed to advance to the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League after a 1-1 draw at Arsenal in the first leg of their quarter-final tie.

Benitez insists the secret behind his side's good form is that his key players are all still fresh.

He said: "I explained earlier in the season that if a team wants to win trophies then it is important for a manager to use all his squad. I wanted us to be alive in all the competitions.

"We can only win the Champions League now, but we have a good chance because the players have all had a rest.

"I have used the same group of players now and our form has been good.

"There is some tiredness but physically we can manage.

"When we played Arsenal in the Champions League we got the result because the players were able to work at their peak until the last minute."

Benitez is confident that Liverpool will finish the job against Arsenal at Anfield on Tuesday, but is wary of the threat posed by Arsene Wenger's men.

"I think the hard part has been done, but also we know we have a lot of respect because Arsenal are a very good team and will be dangerous on the counter-attack.

"They showed in the last round, when they drew at home against Milan and won 2-0 at the San Siro, that they can win at difficult places."

Benitez also urged the Liverpool fans to play their part, adding: "It is natural for them to want us to attack because we are at home, but we will also have to be careful because of the way Arsenal play.

"We need the fans to make it a great atmosphere but we also need them to be patient.

"I have confidence in our supporters because they understand the game."

Jose Reina Targeted As Liverpool's Weakest Link

Following the first two evenly contested encounters in their series of three meetings, both the Arsenal and Liverpool managers will be thinking about making minor adjustments to give themselves the advantage in the second leg of their Champions League tie on Tuesday night.

The first leg gave us a far better indication of the strengths and weaknesses of both sides than the starting line-ups in yesterday's Premier League match. Wenger would have been encouraged to see that Liverpool's defensive line lacked cohesion. With Jamie Carragher playing at right-back, the centre-back partnership of Martin Skrtel and Sami Hyypia (who, at 34, has just agreed a contract extension until 2009) failed to gel. Too many times the distance between them, in width or depth, became too big. Although they got away with it, they would have been punished if Arsenal's passing been more precise.

Skrtel, in particular, was dragged into midfield areas, leaving Hyypia exposed. With neither having great pace, the space between them must be kept to a minimum. Whereas Carragher and Hyypia know exactly what each other is doing, Wednesday's partnership didn't have the same communication or telepathic understanding. Yesterday's pairing of Skrtel and Carragher looked better balanced with Steve Finnan at right-back.

Wenger had obviously seen something before these games that suggested that Liverpool were vulnerable to inswinging set-plays. In the first game, he deployed three players to stand on the goal-line to stop Jose Reina coming for the ball and then got them to move out towards the six-yard box as the ball was delivered with pace. While Liverpool's zonal marking should be able to deal with this, their inability to attack the ball has resulted in Emmanuel Adebayor scoring unchallenged in the first game and Nicklas Bendtner doing likewise yesterday. Reina's refusal to come for crosses leaves Liverpool very vulnerable.

Wenger, for his part, will need to decide how to deal with Steven Gerrard's threat. In the first leg, he made little effort to defend as Arsenal built up play but jogged into space so that he could be found as soon as Liverpool regained possession. His role allowed Arsenal's midfield to control the game, but it made him dangerous on the counter-attack as it did when he was sent on yesterday. At Anfield I believe he will move into wider areas so that Mathieu Flamini will not be able to stifle him.

Rafa Benitez will be hoping that Wenger continues to play Philippe Senderos and William Gallas as his centre-halves. Although they coped well with Fernando Torres in the first leg, the Spaniard was isolated for much of the game and will be a different proposition at Anfield. Neither Senderos nor Gallas is quick and, should Gerrard get time on the ball, his understanding with Torres is such that any positional indiscretion will be exploited.

I believe the pace of Kolo Toure will be invaluable to Arsenal and should be used in the centre of defence rather than at right-back. By playing him at full-back, it suggests Wenger has little faith in two of his other players. Emmanuel Eboue was considered a full-back until this season and, with Bacary Sagna injured, he should be the natural replacement - but not in Wenger's mind. Or does he not have faith in Theo Walcott starting important games in the position that Eboue would vacate if he returned to right-back? Neither player impressed yesterday.

Regardless of the 1-1 scoreline in the Champions League tie, I believe both sides will continue to play their natural games. Arsenal will attempt to control possession with their movement and passing ability while Liverpool will remain compact and hope that the quartet of Torres, Gerrard, Ryan Babel and Dirk Kuyt are capable of creating chances with their pace and desire.

Kewell Free To Join Juventus

It’s reported Claudio Ranieri has zeroed in on a summer bargain for Juventus – Harry Kewell could leave Liverpool on a free transfer.

His five-year contract with the Reds expires on June 30 and there are no plans to extend.

The Australian could follow in the footsteps of Hasan Salihamidzic, who was snapped up out of contract from Bayern Munich and has become a key player.

Kewell has made only a handful of appearances at Anfield this season and is struggling to overcome a series of injuries, although he is still only 29.

Confirmation of the Bianconeri’s attraction to Kewell comes from fellow Aussie and current Torino midfielder Vincenzo Grella.

"It hasn't been talked about that much but when I was at Parma with Ranieri he asked for a lot of information about Harry,” Grella told the Herald Sun newspaper in Australia.

"At that stage he didn't talk about a Kewell move to Juventus because he didn't know he was going to become the manager of Juventus.

"He was one of maybe three or four Aussies Ranieri asked me about.

"But he does know of the Aussie players and loves the mentality. He thinks that we're very underestimated as players. It could be an advantage for him."

Turin-based newspaper Tuttosport suggests that Kewell would be a tactically astute signing, as he can play wide left as an alternative to Pavel Nedved or further upfront when needed.

Carragher At Right Back Temporary - Rafinha’s Coming

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has insisted that Jamie Carragher’s recent conversion to a right-back is only a temporary measure, vowing that he will be bringing in a full back in the summer - believed to be Schalke’s Rafinha.

Carragher was employed by Benitez at right back lat week during Liverpool’s Champions League draw with Arsenal at the Emirates and is set to play there again on Tuesday in the crucial second leg.

The consummate professional Carragher continues to do a fine job at full back even though he has made no secret of his preference to play in the centre.

The move, however, is just a short-term one, promises Rafa Benitez as with Steve Finnan injured and Alvaro Arbeloa out of form.

"I wasn't nervous about asking Carra to play in the position, he knows my idea and also he knows that he needs to work for the team," said Benitez.

"In some games he needs to do this job and I think it is OK. We know that he likes, he prefers to play as a centre-back. But he knows that it is important now for the team his position as right full-back.

"He is the vice-captain so he knows he must be an example for the rest of the players. I was talking with him and he knows my idea about the future, so it is not a problem.

"His future is not as a right back. Finnan was injured and we were using Arbeloa, so I don't have any problem in this position. The only thing is the qualities and conditions of Carra are different to Arbeloa or Finnan.

"I was trying to use Carra because defensively he is more aggressive. That was the idea," Benitez added.

Rafinha could be the replacement, although he has recently penned a deal extension at Schalke. Still, with one immediate first-teamer set to join the fray at Anfield, his name has been mentioned more than once.

Premier League Preview: Arsenal vs. LiverpooL

Part one of the Arsenal-Liverpool trilogy finished all-square in the Champions League and now the focus shifts to the domestic stage and the quest for Premier League points. Unlike in Wednesday's game at the Emirates, the two sides will have rather different targets come Saturday lunchtime.

Liverpool are now favourites to secure fourth place in the Premier League after winning last weekend’s Merseyside derby 1-0. Another draw in North London would probably be seen as a good result for them. Arsenal, though, have to win on Saturday. Anything less and their title challenge may finally run out of steam, given that they are now six points behind Manchester United - whom they meet at Old Trafford next weekend - and one behind Chelsea.

Liverpool appear to be congratulating themselves for having achieved a 'near-perfect' outcome at the Emirates on Wednesday. Comments from Anfield have suggested that that the 1-1 draw was exactly what they were looking for, the feeling being that getting the away goal will have a huge influence on how the Reds approach the second leg in front of their own fans.

However, the Gunners were outstanding throughout the second half of the first leg of the European tie, pinning Liverpool back in their own half. It took a combination of resolute defending, some over-hasty finishing and a couple of large slices of luck to prevent an Arsenal victory.

Given that Liverpool set out to defend and showed limited attacking ambition, the fact that Arsenal created numerous chances should give the Gunners heart ahead of the next two matches between the sides.

Apart from the goals - within three minutes of each other - the main talking point from Wednesday's match was Arsenal's penalty appeal when Dirk Kuyt hauled down Alexander Hleb in the area. While Kuyt himself somewhat sheepishly sought to play down the incident, and former Liverpool striker David Fairclough accused Hleb of going down too easily, Tony Barrett of the Liverpool Echo offered a more realistic assessment.

"It was a penalty," he said. "As soon as I saw it, I watched Hleb come across Kuyt and his arm does come out and he catches Hleb. There is a tug there but the referee missed it. It is one of those you can say that Liverpool got away with it and I wouldn’t begin to contest that one."

Liverpool will be wary of Emmanuel Adebayor's aerial ability after the Togo striker put Arsenal briefly in front with a powerful header that asked questions of Liverpool's zonal marking system, and in particular of Sami Hyypia, who was caught flat-footed by Adebayor's movement. But equally, the way Steven Gerrard's driving run to set up Kuyt's equaliser left Arsenal defenders trailing in his wake was a lesson that Arsene Wenger will hope his players have quickly absorbed - though some would argue that not even the best-laid plans can stop Gerrard when he is in full flight.

Asked whether Benitez got his tactics spot-on, Barrett replied: "The result says he did. If you go to Arsenal at any time and get a draw you have done well. If you go there in Europe and get a draw and an away goal it sets us up perfectly, so I would say it was right. You will have to ride your luck because you won’t go to Arsenal and have it all your own way. I think he will be looking to do the same in the home leg because Liverpool don’t need to score now."

Regarding Saturday's game, though, another draw would be a decent result for Liverpool, given that Arsenal are still going for the title and can be expected to fight all the way again. Some of the Gunners looked a little leg-weary towards h end of Wednesday's clash, but Wenger will have less scope, if equal temptation, to rotate his squad than Benitez, because he has to go for the three points and to weaken his starting eleven could undermine that.

Liverpool's need is less acute, having put five points between themselves and fifth-placed Everton, so Benitez, who likes to rotate anyway, will probably do so with the aim of bringing back some of his big guns rested and refreshed for Tuesday's European decider.

Under the circumstances, the Champions League clash seems certain to take precedence in Benitez's thinking, although he will not want to cede Wenger a psychological advantage ahead of the return leg. On the other hand, Liverpool have previously sacrificed a domestic League match immediately prior to producing a top performance in Europe. As Barrett recalled: "One time against Crystal Palace, who were fighting relegation, Liverpool lost and came back strong to reach the European Final. There is a whole list of occasions when Liverpool have let themselves down in the League and them three or four days later they have proved people wrong. I don’t know how they do it because if you’re short of form you shouldn’t be able to pick yourselves up as easily as they do."

On the question of form, each club's results since both were eliminated from the FA Cup on 16th February - Arsenal at Manchester United and Liverpool by Barnsley at Anfield - offer a stark contrast. It has been Liverpool's most productive run of the season, their new-found consistency of selection being matched by improved results that have seen them win eight, lose one (to United at Old Trafford) and draw one (at the Emirates on Wednesday). Arsenal, though, have endured their worst spell of the season over the same period. The Gunners, who have played nine to Liverpool's ten in that time, have managed just two wins (away to AC Milan and Bolton), losing once (at Chelsea) and drawing six.

It is ironic that the thing which undermined Liverpool's Premier League challenge this season - too may drawn games - seems now to have sabotaged the Gunners title bid, after they'd led the table for so long. Ironically too, if Liverpool beat Arsenal on Saturday it would hand an advantage to the team Reds' fans would least like to see profit - their hated rivals Manchester United. But from a purely Liverpool perspective, three points at the Emirates would go a long way towards guaranteeing another Champions League adventure next season, irrespective of whether can progress past Arsenal in the current European campaign.

But although there is little doubt about who is in the better form going into Saturday's match, Arsenal were the better side on Wednesday, something Wenger will no doubt have stressed to his players.

Both sides did well to bounce back from defeats on 'Grand Slam Sunday' by securing morale-boosting wins in the Premier League last weekend. While Arsenal staged a remarkable comeback at Bolton, overturning a two-goal and one-man deficit in the second-half at The Reebok to win 3-2, Liverpool won the Merseyside derby 1-0 the following day.

Liverpool go back to London for what is only their second ever League visit to the Emirates. Their first trip to Arsenal's new home ended in a comfortable 3-0 win for the Gunners last season. Liverpool's last win on Arsenal turf was on 13th February 2000 at Highbury, when Gerard Houllier's side ran out 1-0 winners thanks to a Titi Camara goal. Three of the winning side that day are still at Anfield - Jamie Carragher, Sami Hyypia and Steven Gerrard. Since then Arsenal have won five and drawn two of their home League games against the Reds.

The Gunners have also enjoyed some success at Anfield, notably last season when, in the space of four days, they knocked Liverpool out of both domestic cup competitions, winning 3-1 on Merseyside in the FA Cup before thrashing the Reds 6-3 in the Carling Cup at Anfield. However, Benitez's side won 4-1 at Anfield in the League last season.

Earlier this season, on 28th October, the Gunners travelled to Merseyside having just thrashed Slavia Prague 7-0 in the Champions League. Liverpool had gone down 2-1 to Besiktas in Istanbul, but they took the lead against the Gunners after seven minutes through a superbly struck free-kick from Steven Gerrard. Arsenal took that set-back in their stride and continued to play their fluent passing game, threatening the Liverpool goal several times before finally being rewarded when Cesc Fabregas latched onto an Alexander Hleb through-ball to equalise ten minutes from time.

That was seen as a point gained by Liverpool and two dropped by Arsenal at the time: although both teams were unbeaten in the Premier League, Liverpool were struggling a little at Anfield while Arsenal went into the game on the back of 12 straight wins.

Since Benitez took over at Liverpool, Arsenal have had the better of the contests between the two clubs in all competitions, though there is not a great deal in it. At the Gunners' patch Arsenal have won three, drawn one and lost none. At Anfield, they've won two, drawn one, lost three. Remarkably, Liverpool have not beaten a fellow 'Big Four' club away from home under Benitez.

On the other hand, the Gunners have been beaten more times (14) by Liverpool in the Premier League than by any other club.

Overall, Saturday's will be the 201st meeting between the two teams in a major competition. So far, Arsenal have won 70, Liverpool have won 80, and 50 have been drawn, including last Wednesday's. In League games only, Liverpool have 68 wins to Arsenal's 58 wins, with 41 draws. At Arsenal, the record is Arsenal 37 wins, Liverpool 20 wins, and 26 draws.


FORM GUIDE

Arsenal

02 Apr (Champions League) v Liverpool (H) DREW 1-1
29 Mar (Premier League) v Bolton (A) WON 3-2
23 Mar (Premier League) v Chelsea (A) LOST 1-2
16 Mar (Premier League) v Middlesbrough (H) DREW 1-1
09 Mar (Premier League) v Wigan (A) DREW 0-0
04 Mar (Champions League) v AC Milan (A) WON 2-0

Liverpool

02 Apr (Champions League) v Arsenal (A) DREW 1-1
30 Mar (Premier League) v Everton (H) WON 1-0
23 Mar (Premier League) v Man Utd (A) LOST 0-3
15 Mar (Premier League) v Reading (H) WON 2-1
11 Mar (Champions League) v Inter Milan (A) WON 1-0
08 Mar (Premier League) v Newcastle (H) WON 3-0


TEAM NEWS

Arsenal

Arsene Wenger has injury concerns over his two main strikers ahead of Saturday's clash. Robin van Persie is a major doubt with a thigh problem, while Emmanuel Adebayor is expected to feature despite carrying an ankle injury.

Speaking to Arsenal TV Online on Thursday afternoon, Wenger gave van Persie only a 20 per cent chance of playing because of the thigh injury that forced him off at half time on Wednesday.

"If you ask for my gut feeling right now I would say no, Robin won't play," said Wenger. "At the moment it is 80 per cent no and 20 per cent yes. But he has a scan this afternoon and he is better today than he was last night. That is positive for a muscle problem. But we'll know much more about it on Friday morning."

"We also have Adebayor who has a little ankle problem. We'll see how he is tomorrow. I hope he'll be OK. But the time is so short between the games it is very difficult to make a decision the morning after a game. You don't know if it is a bruise or a little twist and the first 24 hours doesn't tell you a lot about that."

Bacary Sagna (ankle) and Tomas Rosicky (hamstring) are ruled out of Saturday's game as well as the Champions League quarter-final second leg at Anfield. But Wenger is optimistic about Sagna's chances of returning next weekend at Old Trafford.

"They will not be back for the Liverpool games," said Wenger. "But Sagna is making good progress. Manchester United is the earliest for him. We are trying everything we can to get him back for that game. But we'll know more when he starts to run outside and he has not begun that."

Meanwhile, midfielder Abou Diaby is suspended.

Last Starting XI (v Liverpool): Almunia, Toure, Gallas, Senderos, Clichy, Eboue (Bendtner 67), Flamini, Fabregas, Hleb, Van Persie (Walcott 46), Adebayor. Subs Not Used: Lehmann, Diaby, Song Billong, Silva, Justin Hoyte.

Squad: Almunia, Toure, Gallas, Senderos, Clichy, Eboue, Flamini, Fabregas, Hleb, van Persie, Adebayor, Lehmann, Walcott, Song, Gilberto, J Hoyte, Bendtner, Denilson.


Liverpool

Rafa Benitez could make changes for this second of three clashes between the sides within the space of a week. Javier Mascherano is definitely out suspended, but Benitez, keen to guard against tiredness and with Tuesday in mind, may decide to rest one or more of the likes of Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher.

Fabio Aurelio took a knock towards the end of Wednesday's match and Torres went off in that game, but probably as a precautionary measure. It is possible Benitez will field a fairly different Liverpool side from the one that played in midweek, with Peter Crouch in line for a rare start, possibly partnered by Andriy Voronin, who needs to get some playing time under his belt following his recent lay-off through injury. The Reds, still aiming to keep things tight and hit Arsenal on the counter, could set up with a 4-4-2 formation.

Last Starting XI (v Arsenal): Reina, Carragher, Skrtel, Hyypia, Aurelio, Mascherano, Alonso (Lucas 76), Kuyt, Gerrard, Babel (Benayoun 57), Torres (Voronin 85). Subs Not Used: Itandje, Riise, Crouch, Arbeloa.

Squad: Reina, Finnan, Arbeloa, Skrtel, Aurelio, Benayoun, Lucas, Alonso, Riise, Voronin, Crouch, Pennant, Babel, Hyypia, Gerrard, Torres, Carragher, Kuyt, Itandje.


PLAYERS TO WATCH

Arsenal

Emmanuel Adebayor troubled the Liverpool defence on Wednesday both in the air, where he headed home the Gunners' goal, and with his left-wing raids in the second-half that saw him cut in dangerously along the by-line several times to fizz dangerous low crosses into the middle. Alexander Hleb could also pose problems with his excellent close control, particularly if Wenger pushes him inside to the more central role the Belarussian seems to prefer. Meanwhile, Cesc Fabregas, who scored earlier this season at Anfield, will look to run the show in midfield, and may have more licence to do so given Mascherano's suspension.

Liverpool

Steven Gerrard showed again in midweek how important he is to the Liverpool set-up. If Benitez plays him, either from the start or subsequently from the bench, he will look to hurt Arsenal as he did on Wednesday with his superb driving run and cross on 26 minutes that set up Dirk Kuyt with the chance to equalise Adebayor's opener within three minutes.

Benitez said afterwards: "When you have top class players, they make the difference. Sometimes it is Torres, this time it was Gerrard. He is a player who can change a game on his own. And he certainly did that with his run into the box to create our goal. He changed the game. That goal we scored was the real difference for us, that one piece of quality, world class, which changed everything. Stevie can do such things. It was a run they could not stop. It could change the whole tie." Arsenal know what to expect, and it will be interesting to see how they attempt to counter it.

Hicks Seeks To Buy Out Gillett

Tom Hicks has sought the advice of American investment bank Merrill Lynch as he prepares to bid for full control of Liverpool Football Club by buying out his alienated co-owner George Gillett.

Hicks and Gillett seized joint ownership of Liverpool in February 2007 in a daring ₤218.9 million venture designed to lift the Merseyside club back to the pinnacle of English football.

However, things have not gone totally to plan, as Hicks has since strayed woefully offside of manager Rafael Benitez and the majority of the immense Liverpool fanbase.

Recently there have been reports of a strain in the relationship between the two American owners, and it has surfaced that over the past two days Hicks has been meeting with senior bankers from Merrill Lynch, among other institutions, to discuss options regarding the financing of a bid that would see Gillett ushered out of the club.

Such options include:

· An additional loan on top of Hicks’ recent ₤350 million refinancing with the Royal Bank of Scotland, which would allow him to buy out Gillett’s 50 per cent stake in the club

· Persuading a number of new private investors to collectively buy out Gillett’s share

· Engaging in another refinancing deal that would raise the ₤300 million required for Liverpool’s new stadium at Stanley Park

However, reports from the United States indicate that Gillett will not sell his stake to Hicks, regardless of whether he is able to raise the required funds.

Speaking with a Toronto radio station last week, Gillett outlined the hostility that has between him and Hicks, saying that his partner’s less than favourable standing with the Liverpool supporters has rendered the option of selling out to him an “untenable alternative”.

And it is believed that Gillett has already agreed to relinquish his stake to Dubai Investment Capital, the company which initially competed for Liverpool ownership over a year ago and has been constantly linked with a renewed takeover bid in recent months.

But Hicks cancelled discussions with DIC last month, vowing to block any potential deal between them and Gillett.

Benítez Ready To Rest Torres But Will Go Easy On Reds' Rotation

Rafael Benítez has insisted he will curb his squad rotation at Arsenal today because of a lingering threat to Liverpool's Champions League qualification prospects from their Merseyside rivals Everton.

Fernando Torres is among the high-profile talents expected to be rested when Liverpool return to the Emirates Stadium three days after holding Arsenal 1-1 in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.

Unlike Arsène Wenger, who still has an outside chance of taking the title from Manchester United, the Liverpool manager can afford to utilise his squad, with Tuesday's second leg at Anfield in mind. Victory over Everton last week has given Benítez's team a five-point lead with six games remaining but the Spaniard denies that the fight for fourth has ended.

Despite his protestations Benítez will make changes from the side that started on Wednesday. Torres's likely absence could give Peter Crouch or Andriy Voronin a rare start, and Steve Finnan and Jermaine Pennant are also in contention for a return. The veteran defender Sami Hyypia is another to be rested.

Meanwhile, Liverpool will appeal against the extra two-match ban handed to Javier Mascherano, who has served one game for his two yellow cards at Old Trafford and admitted a charge of improper conduct for his refusal to leave the field. "We have requested that the penalty not be set aside pending the outcome," the club said. "Consequently, Javier is suspended for Saturday’s game at Arsenal."

Forgotten Star Crouch Set For Recall

Peter Crouch is poised for a Liverpool recall at Arsenal today.

But it seems certain to be just a temporary measure by Anfield boss Rafa Benitez as he shuffles his pack ahead of Tuesday’s third meeting between the teams.

“When you are playing three games in seven days against a team as good as Arsenal, and with the high tempo the games will be played at, you know you are going to have to change players,” said the Liverpool manager.

“It’s impossible to use the same players for all three games.

“We’ll need to see the players in the training sessions to see which ones are ready for the challenge. But it could be a chance for the likes of Peter Crouch.”

The fact he is only being considered for a recall because Benitez is reverting back to his favoured policy of rotation shows just how far the 27-year-old England man has fallen out of favour at Anfield.

He has been offered a new deal, with a little over a year on the contract he signed when he moved from Southampton for £7m three years ago, but he seems unlikely to sign if the current regime stays in place.

After hitting 18 goals last season, Crouch has so far managed eight this term, with the switch to a 4-2-3-1 formation limiting his opportunities.

The embarrassing defeat to FA Cup semi-finalists Barnsley in February was the last time he started under the Spaniard, and he has played almost as long for his country as his club since then, 54 minutes in the red of Liverpool compared with 45 minutes during England’s defeat to France last week.

But an impressive display today would do little for his case, with Liverpool’s first-choice team now set in stone, although if Benitez chooses to ring the changes Crouch could find himself without the sort of support Fernando Torres usually gets.

Despite boasting a five-point advantage over Everton, Liverpool cannot take fourth place for granted.

Everton face relegated Derby tomorrow and could close the gap again, but even so Benitez seems unlikely to risk Torres, with skipper Steven Gerrard a possible absentee as well.

Benitez said: “It was important for us to beat Everton last week, but we know it’s important to win every game that we play.

“I don’t think the fact we have a five-point lead over Everton can give us any leeway over team selection against Arsenal.

“Everton are playing Derby and normally you would expect them to win that.

“So it’s important we get a win at Arsenal, or at least don’t get beaten.

“Arsenal will try to go on the attack as always, and we will try and do the same job as Wednesday by looking to control them and play on the counter-attack.

“I don’t think Arsenal will approach the game any differently either. They are in the race for the title and they know they need to win.”

Benitez Hints At Crouch Exit From Liverpool

Peter Crouch's Liverpool future was looking bleaker than ever yesterday after a clear sign that he has become an afterthought in Rafa Benitez's Anfield strategy.

The striker can expect a recall to the starting line-up at the Emirates today but only after a broad hint from Benitez that top scorer Fernando Torres will be rested ahead of Tuesday's Champions League return with Arsenal.

Torres looks certain to be withdrawn from the firing line after 10 successive appearances and Benitez inadvertently highlighted how Crouch has become a peripheral figure as he assessed the alternatives and said: 'Maybe this could turn out to be an opportunity for the likes of Peter.'

Crouch, 27, has been confined to the bench since Liverpool's FA Cup humiliation at the hands of Barnsley in February and will be on his way in the summer if Benitez is given the go-ahead to continue next season.

Though it suits the Liverpool manager to have an established England striker as cover, he will reluctantly grant Crouch's wish to leave, if only to prevent him going for nothing when his contract expires in just over a year.

The mounting uncertainty has alerted a number of clubs at home and abroad, with Manchester City, Portsmouth and Newcastle likely to lead the chase.

City manager Sven Goran Eriksson is in the market for more firepower, Portsmouth's Harry Redknapp admires the giant striker and Kevin Keegan is planning a massive transfer turnover in the summer.

As Benitez considered his options for the second of three games with Arsenal, he made it clear there would be changes and admitted Dirk Kuyt is now in front of Crouch.

'When you play three high tempo games in seven days against a side as good as Arsenal, you know you're going to have to change players,' he said.

'We have a few players with knocks, and Torres was tired after Wednesday. We will have to look at fitness levels and decide who has fresh legs to give us the quality we need on Saturday, but this could be a chance for the likes of Crouch.

'We still have something to play for in the Premier League because we want to qualify for the Champions League again next season, and we go into the game with confidence after Kuyt's equaliser the other night.

'He is the kind of player any manager would want in his team. He is amazing. He has a high work-rate, can score goals and does a fantastic job for the team.'

Liverpool have appealed against Javier Mascherano's additional two-match ban for dissent towards referee Steve Bennett and hope to have it reduced to one game.

With Arsenal trailing Manchester United by six points in the Premier League, and with a trip to Old Trafford to come on Sunday week, manager Arsene Wenger admitted defeat by Liverpool would end his side's hopes of the title.

He said: 'We are now in the final sprint which will define and decide our season. I will pick a team who can win the game against Liverpool. I feel we have a good chance in the championship and do not want to miss that.

'Some people say it is over but I do believe United will drop points — they play four times away from home. We have to win all our games. Five wins is a minimum and a draw, but that means we would have to win at Old Trafford. Six wins would be better.'

Liverpool Boss Rafa Plays Up Hicks Talks But Gillett's Plane Frustrated

One showdown that failed to materialise at Emirates Stadium last night was that involving Liverpool co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

Hicks saw his first game in three months but Gillett failed to make it to north London after his plane was delayed by heavy snow in Colorado.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez insisted he had held positive talks Hicks after the 1-1 draw against Arsenal.

"I've seen him [Hicks] and he said, 'Congratulations, well done, good job' — but then I had to come and see you," Benitez told reporters.

The match had threatened to be overshadowed by a visit by the club's pair of feuding American owners after Gillett said they could no longer work together.

Hicks, who has been threatening to block Gillett from selling his stake to a Dubai consortium, watched from the directors' box, where he wore a Liverpool/Arsenal scarf.

Hyypia Taking Nothing For Granted

Veteran defender Sami Hyypia has warned that the race for fourth spot in the Barclays Premier League is far from over despite last weekend's Merseyside derby success for Liverpool.

With the Reds' next top-flight clash back at Arsenal on Saturday, it underlines the fact that there is no room for complacency as they try to protect the five-point lead they have built up over Everton.

Hyypia was a key figure in Wednesday's 1-1 Champions League draw at Emirates Stadium, and he knows that Liverpool need to continue to pick up points if they are to hold off their neighbours and claim fourth spot.

Any slip-up at the Emirates - a more than difficult place to go at the best of times - will give Everton heart ahead of their home game with relegated Derby on Sunday, when Liverpool's lead could be cut to just two points.

Hyypia insists that Champions League qualification via the league is far from in the bag.

He said: "It's not over until May 11 (when Liverpool complete their league campaign with a trip to Tottenham).

"We need to make sure we get enough points to be in that fourth spot then."

Of that derby-day success, which leaves Liverpool five points ahead of Everton going into this weekend's games, Hyypia added: "Of course it was sweet. I know what it means to all the fans, so now they are all happy.

"It was a fair result. We had the game under control. It's a pity we didn't score more than one goal but one goal is enough."

The victory over Everton helped wipe away the bitter memories of the previous weekend's defeat by Manchester United.

Hyypia said: "That defeat by United brought us down a little bit. But we knew how important it was to take a five-point lead over Everton, and we had great confidence.

"Now we have Arsenal again next. They are a brilliant team at keeping the ball and passing it. They have great movement and are very dangerous, but I think we have enough quality in our team to be confident of containing them again."

Manager Rafael Benitez is likely to make changes for the second of three games against Arsenal, particularly after the effort his squad put in to claim Wednesday's draw.

It is possible he will rest Steven Gerrard or Fernando Torres, and it is likely that Hyypia will also have a day on the bench.

The likes of Yossi Benayoun, Peter Crouch, Andriy Voronin, John Arne Riise and Alvaro Arbeloa could also figure. Javier Mascherano must sit out the first match of an additional two-game ban he has been handed by the Football Association following his sending off at Old Trafford.

Dirk Kuyt: I DID Know Champions League Referee

Dirk Kuyt has ridiculed suggestions he was given preferential treatment during the Champions League showdown with Arsenal - even though he admits he does know the referee.

The Liverpool striker comes from the next village to where Dutch match official Pieter Vink lives, and grew up just two miles away.

Eyebrows were raised when Kuyt got away with what seemed like a blatant foul on Gunners forward Alex Hleb in the penalty area, which only the official seemed to think was not a spot-kick.

But Kuyt laughed off as ridiculous any thoughts that the ref acted favourably towards him. He said: "The penalty decision was right. It was close, sure, but I don't think it was a penalty, and it is definitely wrong to say that the referee did me a favour because I know him. That's ridiculous. He knows Robin Van Persie as well as he knows me. It was a fair decision."

Vink is from Noordwijkerhout, a village five kilometres from Katwijk, the home of Kuyt.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was fuming at the official's decision, insisting that the ref was just five yards away from the incident.

Kuyt added: "We both come from the same area. He comes from Leiden and that where I grew up also.

"I did touch Hleb, but I didn't pull his shirt or hold him.

"I played in Holland a lot of times when he was the referee, and he gave me some good decisions and some bad ones. So I don't think he favours me."

Liverpool Star Mascherano Says Sorry After Old Trafford Outburst

Javier Mascherano has publicly apologised for the furious reaction to his sending-off at Manchester United which saw him handed an additional two-game ban.

The Liverpool midfielder, who has already served a mandatory one-match suspension for his red card at Old Trafford almost two weeks ago, admitted a Football Association charge of improper conduct levied for his angry refusal to leave the field.

Following a personal hearing before a disciplinary panel yesterday, the 23-year-old Argentina international saw his ban extended and was fined £15,000.

Liverpool are pondering an appeal against the severity of the punishment and have until midday to lodge it with the FA.

Mascherano himself was full of remorse for his behaviour, telling the Daily Mail: 'I apologise to everyone. I made a mistake and I regret this mistake. It was my fault.

'I am not a dirty player, I do not make a habit of showing disrespect towards referees.

'I don't like this and I can only think the high intensity of the fixture, against Manchester United, affected my behaviour that day. It was out of character but I do not use that as an excuse.'

The red card was a first in English football for Mascherano.

Having already been cautioned by Steve Bennett, he was shown a second yellow card in the 44th minute after running 20 metres to question the booking of striker Fernando Torres.

The midfielder added: 'Looking back at that game, I was wrong to approach the referee. I approached him to talk to him but I understand this was not a good idea.

'I reacted badly to the red card because I could not believe what was happening to me.

'I must learn my lesson but move on from this and forget what has happened. I hope people know that I try to be fair and that I have no intention to be aggressive.

'Off the field, it has been a difficult time for me. My disciplinary record has been good until now but I have to show that again. I always try to respect decisions by the referee and this is important.'

Any Liverpool appeal would focus on Mascherano being made a scapegoat for some high-profile displays of petulance towards referees.

A club spokesman said yesterday: 'Although we received a fair hearing, we must now decide whether to appeal on the basis of inconsistency of sentencing for Javier based on past precedents.'

Those precedents could include the cases of Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor, who staged a long protest after being sent off in last season's Carling Cup final, and that of Watford's John Eustace, who showed a reluctance to leave the field after being dismissed last month.

Both players had their automatic bans extended by only one match.

Dirk Kuyt: New Role Has Saved My Season At Liverpool

Dirk Kuyt believes the new role handed to him by Rafael Benitez has helped salvage his season.

The Holland international has been operating on the right wing of the 4-2-3-1 formation preferred by the Liverpool manager in recent weeks.

And it has coincided with an improvement in form for Kuyt, whose man- of-the-match performance in the Champions League game with Arsenal on Wednesday was described as “unbelievable” and “amazing” by Benitez.

The 27-year-old netted a precious away goal as Liverpool exited the Emirates with a hugely creditable 1-1 draw to take into next Tuesday’s return leg at Anfield.

Kuyt came in for fierce criticism during the first half of the season as, hampered by a loss of form and mourning the loss of his father to cancer, he went 13 games without a goal.

But the forward has enjoyed a renaissance since being asked to mine the right flank

“I have had a difficult season and I have had to show character,” admits Kuyt. “I had a few problems in the early part of the season and everyone knows what it was.

“I just tried to come through it and in the second half of the season I have played in a different position and I have just tried to give everything I can. It has gone well. I have given assists and I have scored some goals.

“The manager didn’t need to persuade me over the position on the right. I have played in that position for years for Holland and when I started my career at Utrecht it was there also.

“I am not an out and out right-winger, I do it in my own way and that has helped me to continue scoring goals.”

Kuyt has become something of a talisman for Liverpool in the Champions League this season, with Wednesday’s goal his sixth in the competition.

However, the forward Kuyt has netted only four times in domestic football, and he added: “Last year I scored 13 goals in the league and only one in Europe. This season I have scored three in the league, one in the cup and six in Europe.

“I don’t really know why that is, but I cannot be happy with that. I just hope that I can go on and be involved in good moments with Liverpool.”

Kuyt was also involved in the game’s main talking point midway through the second half when he tussled with Aleksandr Hleb inside the area.

After Arsenal’s strong penalty claims were waved away by referee Pieter Vink, conspiracy theorists revelled in the fact both Kuyt and Vink hail from the same Rijnland region in the west of Holland in towns separated by a distance of five miles.

The Liverpool man, however, dismissed any suggestions of favouritism and claims the referee was correct not to award the spot-kick.

“I think the penalty decision was right,” says Kuyt.

“I touched Hleb but I never pulled his shirt, so I don’t think he deserved to get a penalty. It was close, to be fair, but not a penalty.

“I know the referee because I played in Holland a lot against him. When we played against Feyenoord in pre-season he was the referee as well. So I know him.

“He comes from close to where I grew up.

“It’s wrong to say that he did me a favour because I know him.

“I had him a few times in Holland against me.

“He made a good decision and to be fair he knows Robin van Persie too.”