Hicks Makes His Presence Felt But Is Confined To Margins

A smooth procession ruined by an inexplicable decision to stick one's neck out; the parallels between Tom Hicks' Liverpool reign and John Arne Riise's own goal were unavoidable at Anfield. For months the Liverpool co-owner has sought common ground with the club's disgruntled supporters and while both were united in disbelief last night, it may be the Texan who ultimately has cause to rue the Norwegian's aberration more than most.

Without the distraction of a Champions League final appearance in Moscow, the focus of Liverpool's season will turn on Hicks' inability to resolve his ownership stand-off with co-owner George Gillett. Without additional riches from Russia, his ability to support Rafael Benítez in the transfer market will also be reduced this summer unless a breakthrough with Gillett or Dubai International Capital is forthcoming. No wonder he took the opportunity to hasten that process yesterday.

Before ignoring the advice of Merseyside Police and attending last night's semi-final, taking a front row seat in the directors' box instead, Hicks visited Benítez at Liverpool's Melwood training complex to discuss a possible meeting between all the warring Anfield factions. "I spoke with Mr Hicks. We spoke about maybe having a meeting together, the owners and everyone," said the Liverpool manager. "It was positive and just to say hello and to arrange to meet. That will be a positive meeting. We will all be together. The idea is to meet with everyone."

Post-Melwood, Hicks was ushered into Anfield by Liverpool security staff shortly after 5pm and, mercifully, remained only a prelude to a Champions League story and not the headline itself. Not one song that resonated from the Kop last night related to the club's torrid politics as supporters focused on further European glory.

Hicks took his place three rows in front of the man whose head he has requested on a plate recently, the club's chief executive Rick Parry. Adding to the intrigue was the sight of Samir Al-Ansari, the chief executive of Dubai International Capital and Liverpool fan, taking a seat two rows behind the co-owner he would love to oust.

The attention lavished on the sideshow underlined the ludicrousness of Liverpool's season but it was apt that Hicks and representatives of Gillett should be here to witness the club's third semi-final in four years. The competition has been integral to their involvement with Liverpool.

It was victory in the Champions League in 2005 that revived Liverpool's search for new investment, and the commercial "disaster" that Hicks insists Parry has overseen would have been greater but for the triumph and the trappings of Istanbul. Passage to last season's final enabled the Americans to ride into Anfield on a wave of optimism and minus the organised antagonism that greeted the Glazers' entry at Manchester United. To think it was only 12 months ago that Hicks and Gillett were sat together for this corresponding fixture.

After Hicks confirmed he and Gillett had approached Jürgen Klinsmann about Benítez's job they were besieged with pleas to quit. Within 15 minutes of the kick off a police constable and steward had moved into the seats in front of Hicks to instruct a supporter to direct his passions towards the pitch. That isolated moment apart, it was reaffirming that directors were ignored and a capacity crowd looked for drama and controversy on the pitch.

Hicks and his entourage were on their feet, red scarves aloft, when Dirk Kuyt swept Liverpool ahead and were in no rush to vacate their seats at full or half-time. In keeping with his Texan front, the Liverpool co-chairman appeared determined to make his presence felt at Anfield, the first time he has visited the premises since December 16 last year. He remains determined to adopt a similar policy towards DIC.

Despite their proximity there were no talks scheduled last night between the American and the Arab investment company which has, through its advisor Amanda Staveley of PCP Capital Partners, been spelling out its intentions for the club to supporters groups in recent days.

Gillett's invitation to Staveley and Al-Ansari has raised hope among the club's support that a breakthrough is in sight and yet the absent American has still not agreed a price for his 50% stake with DIC. The ownership saga, like Liverpool's passage in the Champions League, remains far from certain.

Reina Will Leave Reds If Benítez Is Forced Out Of Anfield

Liverpool's goalkeeper Jose Reina has said he would consider leaving Liverpool if Rafael Benítez departs in the summer. "I can't imagine being at Liverpool without Rafael Benítez," Reina said.

He added that, although his contract was with Liverpool, he owed "a lot to Rafa because he was the one who trusted me, brought me to Liverpool and supported me, and of course the mutual affection is there. We will have to wait. Like I say, my contract is with Liverpool but, if the coach moves and there is the possibility of me joining him, if he coaches another team, of course I would think about that."

The manager's future has been in doubt since it was revealed that meetings were held with the former Germany coach Jürgen Klinsmann with a view to him replacing Benítez at the end of the season. The situation worsened recently when Benítez, who arrived at the club in 2003, discovered that Liverpool's chief executive, Rick Parry, had been involved in what he believed were meetings held behind his back.

Reina joined Liverpool in 2005 from Villarreal and helped the club win the FA Cup that season. He atoned for earlier errors in the final at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff to deny West Ham United a winner in the 119th minute. His effort took the match, which ended 3-3, to a penalty shoot-out which Liverpool won 3-1 with Reina making three saves.

Reina added that Benítez should remain at Anfield as he was building something big, proved by the fact that the club are fighting to play in their third Champions League final in four years.

"The Liverpool project is based upon the way of working of the coach," he said. "Rafa is building something that is growing each year and the results are there. We will have reached three finals in four years if we are lucky against Chelsea, which is very impressive. Every year we have a better team and are more competitive. With an idea and philosophy of the game he has tried to find the best players. It is a project for the medium or long term."

Champions League Preview: LiverpooL vs. Chelsea

The first of this week’s Champions League semi-finals is an all-English affair and sees Liverpool and Chelsea go head-to-head at this stage of the competition for the third time in four years. Can the Blues exact revenge for the previous two defeats?

Things are never calm at Chelsea football club and this has been made abundantly clear in the past week.

Monday night at Stamford Bridge – the Blues are 1-0 up and Emile Heskey pops up to net Wigan Athletic a late equaliser. Chelsea are done for, the title is United’s, Grant is a loser and it’s all his fault.

Fast forward to Thursday, where up on Merseyside Michael Essien snatches the all-important goal as Chelsea earn a vital win at Everton. By Saturday, United’s inability to claim all three points at Blackburn means the gap is once again three points. Avram Grant might have grumped his way through the post-match Press conference, but suddenly this is the guy who could lead Chelsea to an historic league and European Cup double.

This is the Blues’ fourth trip to the Champions League semi-finals in five years. They have yet to reach the final but it is perhaps fitting that they one again face Liverpool, twice the architects of Chelsea’s European demise at this stage.

With the showpiece event scheduled for Roman Abramovich’s homeland and the bitterness of 2005 and 2007 still evident in the Blues camp, there has never been a greater incentive to exact revenge. Avram Grant’s side made light work of Fenerbahçe at Stamford Bridge but stumbled to a defeat in the away leg. A similar result at Anfield is not an option against a Reds side who will likely not roll over like the Turks did in London.

Chelsea, meanwhile, know that they need to score on this trip to Anfield. They’ve failed to do so on any of their previous three Champions League games there, and recent profligacy in front of goal will be a concern. In cagey cup ties you must take what few chances you get.

Liverpool go into the semi-final as outsiders with the bookmakers and behind Chelsea in the league. Will that worry the Reds? It was exactly the same in 2005 and 2007. Blues fans have often pointed to Liverpool’s fortune in Europe (lucky penalties, goals that never were) but when you’ve reached two finals in three years and dispatched the likes of Arsenal, Inter Milan, AC Milan, Barcelona and Juventus – as well as Chelsea twice – you must be doing something right.

Going into this first leg it’s fair to say that the psychological advantage lies with Liverpool, not only because of what has transpired in years past, but also because of results in Europe this season. The confidence gained from eliminating Inter and Arsenal, where three games were won and one was drawn, will be far greater than that the Blues can yield from overcoming the relative minnows of Olympiacos and Fenerbahçe.

After a close call earlier in the campaign, the European mentality at Anfield is alive and well. Belief, tradition and a useful run of form (eleven wins and just one defeat in the last 14 games) give Rafa Benítez’ side every confidence of ruining Abramovich’s dream for a third time.

This Liverpool side is stronger than those fielded on those previous occasions, but this remains the Reds’ toughest task yet thanks to the second leg taking place down in London. The atmosphere at Anfield will still be tremendous, but without knowing their Stamford Bridge fate the Reds will not so easily be able to sit on a 1-0 or 0-0 like in those previous encounters. The search for a healthy home win carries with it the danger of exposure at the back, but that is a risk Liverpool must take: Stamford Bridge has been a miserable away ground for 20 years.

FORM GUIDE

Liverpool

Fulham - Liverpool 0 - 2 19/04/2008 PREMIER LEAGUE
Liverpool - Blackburn 3 - 1 13/04/2008 PREMIER LEAGUE
Liverpool - Arsenal 4 - 2 08/04/2008 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Arsenal - Liverpool 1 - 1 05/04/2008 PREMIER LEAGUE
Arsenal - Liverpool 1 - 1 02/04/2008 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Liverpool - Everton 1 - 0 30/03/2008 PREMIER LEAGUE

Chelsea

Everton - Chelsea 0 - 1 17/04/2008 PREMIER LEAGUE
Chelsea - Wigan Athletic 1 - 1 14/04/2008 PREMIER LEAGUE
Chelsea - Fenerbahce 2 - 0 08/04/2008 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Manchester City - Chelsea 0 - 2 05/04/2008 PREMIER LEAGUE
Fenerbahce - Chelsea 2 - 1 02/04/2008 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Chelsea - Middlesbrough 1 - 0 30/03/2008 PREMIER LEAGUE



TEAM NEWS

Liverpool

Steven Gerrard is a doubt for Tuesday’s game after picking up a neck injury in training. A decision on the Reds skipper will be taken on Tuesday, with Lucas on standby. It remains to be seen whether Rafael Benítez will opt for the 4-4-2 used in the home quarter-final leg against Arsenal or stick to the mostly-used 4-2-3-1. Most clues will probably come from who didn’t play against Fulham.

Likely XI (4-2-3-1): Reina – Arbeloa, Carragher, Hyypia, Aurélio – Mascherano, Alonso – Kuyt, Gerrard, Babel – Torres

Chelsea

Frank Lampard will return having missed the last two Chelsea games on compassionate leave. He will probably start since Michael Essien is suspended. The Blues should be relatively fresh having had five days to prepare for this game and aren’t dealing with a lengthy casualty list. Wright-Phillips and Malouda will likely compete for a spot down the wing with Joe Cole set to get the other berth. It remains to be seen whether Didier Drogba will play an part but Michael Ballack (hamstring) looks set to miss out.

Likely XI (4-1-2-2-1): Cech – Ferreira, Carvalho, Terry, A Cole – Makélélé – Obi, Lampard – J Cole, Kalou – Anelka



PLAYERS TO WATCH

Liverpool – Fernando Torres

The Liverpool striker scored a beauty of a goal against Chelsea earlier in the season, a fine way to get off the mark at Anfield, and will he hoping for the same again. The Spanish striker netted in both previous knock-out rounds of this year’s Champions League tournament and is bang in form having notched in Liverpool’s last seven home matches.

Chelsea – Frank Lampard

With Michael Ballack and Michael Essien both out, Lampard will need to be a tower of strength at Anfield on Tuesday night. Whether he's mentally up to it after missing the last two games for family reasons, only time will tell. The England international has netted twice against the Reds already this season, breaking the deadlock with a deflected effort in the Carling Cup quarter-final and slotting home that controversial penalty at Anfield back in August.

Benitez: We Are Confident We Can Score At Chelsea

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez hailed his side’s ability to rise to the occasion ahead of their Champions League semi-final clash.

The Merseyside club have beaten their London rivals twice at this stage in the competition in recent years, however this time around Chelsea will host the all-important second leg at Stamford Bridge.

But Benitez dismissed claims that this small difference would be the deciding factor in which team progresses to the final in Moscow.

Speaking in a press conference in the build-up to Liverpool v Chelsea part III, the Spanish tactician reeled off a number of instances in which the Reds have been set seemingly insurmountable tasks only to scale the heights of achievement and pull off famous victories.

Olympiakos, AC Milan, Chelsea and Marseille were all teams that held an advantage over Liverpool in Europe's premier club competition only to be stunned into defeat, and Benitez insists his current side has the confidence to score at Stamford Bridge, something they have never done under the Spaniard, to ensure a third final in four years for the Reds.

"This year in Marseille we needed to win and we scored four goals. The team has enough confidence and quality to score and win in any stadium."

Furthermore, Benitez insisted a clean sheet at Anfield would be important.

"We prefer more than one goal but at the end of this kind of game, between two top sides at this level, a small difference can be a massive difference.

"We are playing well at home and away, we have confidence, but we know Chelsea are a very good team defensively so it will be difficult.

"We need to be patient, not make mistakes, keep control of the game and create chances.

"We know it's difficult to score there and it will be important to score here and not concede."

Gerrard: Stamford Bridge No Big Deal

Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard has every confidence in his side's ability to make it three Champions League finals in four years. Unlike other teams, the Reds have proved they don't crumble under intense European pressure. Gerrard also believes that Anfield will faze Chelsea far more than Stamford Bridge will his team.

Gerrard was surely referring to Chelsea's exploits in their three previous semi-finals, where the Blues have emerged empty handed every time and are yet to reach the European Cup final in their entire history.

After being dumped out by underdogs Monaco in the 2004 competition came the two defeats at Anfield, where Chelsea collapsed in the second legs having kept clean sheets in the 2005 and 2007 home ties.

But where Chelsea fell playing their return legs away from home, Gerrard is determined to succeed. “I have a lot of confidence in us doing what it takes to get to another final over the course of the 180 minutes," stated the midfielder.

“This team never knows when it’s beaten. Some teams wilt and chuck in the towel when the going gets tough. That’s not the case with us. We’ll battle and scrap and believe in our ability to do whatever it takes - here at Anfield or down there on their patch - to progress in the European Cup.

It’s the biggest trophy there is," the England international continued. "Look at some of the clubs who have competed in it over the years without winning it. There’s not a player, manager or fan of any team in Europe who wouldn’t say the Champions League is the pinnacle in football. That’s one of the reasons we are desperate to be there when the destiny of the trophy is decided.

A lot is being made of the fact that we’ve got to go down there and play the second leg," Gerrard added. "It’s suggested that it gives them a big advantage. But Stamford Bridge has nothing like the aura about it that Anfield does and it certainly won’t intimidate us in the slightest. If we have to go there to finish the job then we will.”

Lucas ays Tribute To The Knowledge Of Benitez

Lucas Leiva believes he is learning from the best at Anfield as he prepares for the biggest game of his fledgling career.

The young Brazilian midfielder has enjoyed an encouraging first season since arriving from Gremio in the summer.

Having made his debut in the second leg of the Champions League qualifier against Toulouse back in August, Lucas has made 29 appearances and become an integral part of Rafael Benitez’s squad.

Such is the manager’s confidence in the 21-year-old, Lucas started both legs of the win over Inter Milan in the Champions League earlier this year.

And the Brazil international reckons the influence of Benitez, along with fellow midfielders Javier Mascherano and Steven Gerrard, has helped him settle and become a better player.

“Benitez is the most knowledgeable manager in the world, he continues to prove his qualities,” said Lucas.

“I knew Mascherano before I came here because I played against him in Brazil. He is a young player but is improving with every match. He can be one of the best midfielders in the world.

“And what can you say about Gerrard? He is a fantastic player, he is our captain and is a very good player.

“I have enjoyed so much playing alongside Steven Gerrard. Every match, every training session, he shows what a wonderful player he is.

“I am learning so much from him. I am gaining so much experience playing alongside him, and I know he will score the goals that will send us through.”

Despite an impressive display during the 2-0 win at Fulham on Saturday, Lucas is likely to begin on the bench in tonight’s Champions League semi-final first leg against Chelsea at Anfield.

And the Brazilian said: “This is the biggest game I have ever been involved in. I have played in some big games in Brazil, like the Copa Libertadores final against Boca Juniors. We lost the final but for me it was a very good experience, but nothing as big as the European nights I have experienced at Liverpool.

“It’s always important to have players on the bench playing well. Crouch scored a lot of goals last season and scored against Arsenal in the league and was then in the team for the quarter-final against them.

I did a good job against Fulham. Hopefully I can have a chance of playing against Chelsea, but even if I am on the bench then I want to be ready to play well for the team. It’s not just about starting a game.”

Lucas added: “When you come to Liverpool you want to play in every game, but you know there are players here like Mascherano, Gerrard, Alonso and Sissoko before he left.

“You want to play, and I’ve played almost 30 games now. It’s not more than I thought I’d play.

“When I came here, I know I needed to adapt first, and I think I have adapted to the English game now.

“English football is totally different to Brazilian football, it is physical, the tempo is high and you don’t have much time to think. But I think my game now is more suited to that.”

Lucas reckons Liverpool and Benitez’s record in the European Cup can hold them in good stead tonight.

“The manager has a good record in the Champions League and Liverpool has a very good history in the competition,” he said.

“We need to trust in ourselves to have confidence in our squad and confidence in our manager.

There is no difference to how we are preparing the games. All the games are important to us, but you are always more excited when you are about to play in the Champions League.

“The players have confidence when we play at home because of the supporters. They always push us on, the atmosphere is amazing and it’s always good for us.

“But we know we are going to have to play well, because if we don’t then we won’t go through.”

Benitez Urges Fans To Crank Up Noise

Rafael Benitez has urged Anfield to crank up the volume tonight to expose Chelsea’s mental scars and roar Liverpool towards another Champions League final.

Another intense atmosphere is expected when the Londoners travel to Merseyside for their third semi-final meeting in this competition in four years.

Backed by a huge support, Benitez’s side eliminated Chelsea en route to lifting the European Cup in 2005 and then scored a repeat success against the Stamford Bridge outfit last year.

The Liverpool manager believes the home fans will have to generate an atmosphere to surpass even those two memorable Anfield occasions - and play on the minds of Avram Grant’s visitors.

“For me, it would be an incentive but for them maybe it is psychological problem,” said Benitez of Chelsea’s previous two defeats. “I think they have enough experience and quality in the squad.

“I don't think they will have a problem coming to Anfield and dealing with the atmosphere. They can manage, so we must create more problems for them and create a better atmosphere.

“I feel that our team is playing well and we have enough confidence. But we cannot think it will be easy.”

Benitez added: “I don't think the difference in these games is the tactical approach. The difference could be the atmosphere in Anfield, the commitment of the players, and the quality of some players.

“The key for us is the supporter atmosphere. We have fantastic atmosphere in every game. The supporters know we need the support because the second leg will be at Stamford Bridge, and it will be difficult.

“We have confidence that we can win, but we have respect for Chelsea. They are a good team, they have a balance between attack and defence, well-organised in defence and good at counter-attack and also in attack, and also in set-pieces.

“I prefer to feel the same as we felt before, that we were underdogs against a fantastic team.”

Steven Gerrard will lead Liverpool out this evening after recovering from a neck injury, with Daniel Agger (foot) and Harry Kewell (groin) the only definite absentees.

Benitez - Duo Are Key

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez says Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres are the backbone of his Reds line-up.

The pair will line up against Chelsea in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final with Gerrard fit again, while Torres will lead the attack.

Blues boss Avram Grant recently revealed his admiration for Gerrard, stating that he would love to have him at Stamford Bridge.

However, Benitez is looking forward to Gerrard showing Grant just how special he is when he scores the winner against the West Londoners.

Torres has been a revelation in his debut season in England and Benitez has so much faith and confidence in the striker due to his ability to create a goal out of nothing.

"Gerrard is a key player for us, and when he scores the winner in the semi-final maybe Chelsea will see even more how important he is for us," said Benitez.

"It is not just about one or two players. We have players of quality who can change a game, and we must play as a unit.

"But when you have Torres or Gerrard, and you are not playing well, the team know that these players can score to get you out of a problem.

"We have a lot of confidence because we know Torres can create something."

Liverpool has knocked Chelsea out of the Champions League at the semi-final stage twice in the last three seasons, although Benitez has conceded having the first leg at Anfield will be a strange situation.

Nevertheless he wants his troops to score on home soil and keep Chelsea off the scoreboard.

"When we have beaten Chelsea previously in two European semi-finals, the second leg has been at Anfield," he continued. "This time it will be the reverse situation, so we need to score and not concede here.

"I would prefer to play the second game at Anfield, but we just have to manage the situation.

"The difference will be key players in key moments, but our fans can score the first goal. And with the games being the other way around this time maybe the fans will concentrate even more for us.

"I am pleased with our form at home, but Chelsea are excellent. We must do our job, be patient and concentrate. We have to control the game and not concede possession.

"Our fans are clever, they know that it will be difficult at Stamford Bridge so they will know how much they must be behind us here.

"I know we have not scored at Stamford Bridge in the Champions League, but we are playing well and I know we can score in this tie in both matches.

"We have had difficult ties like this. In previous seasons we played away second against Juventus and Marseille, and we got through the ties. We can do it again. We have enough confidence to score in any stadium."

Fans Dream Of The Champions League Final

Officially no-one is thinking that far ahead. For the players and managers everything is about this tie. From the dressing rooms of the Champions League four semi-finalists over the past fortnight we have heard nothing but talk of focusing on the job in hand, taking each game as it comes, making sure bridges are crossed one at a time.

An adherence to such clichés is the way of the professional footballer. They all exhibit a narrowness of focus born of a mix of modern sports psychology and ancient superstition. None of them would ever admit publicly to counting so much as a single unhatched chicken.

For the fans, however, it is very different. They all have one eye on the conclusion. And ever since the draw was made, fantasy line-ups for the final have been filling the thoughts of those who spend most of the working day posting comments on their fan forums.

It is not just supporters of the four clubs involved, either. Neutrals too have been day-dreaming about final permutations, wondering who they would like to see make it to Moscow, their choices motivated largely by which set of supporters they would prefer to end up disappointed.

Not that there is much debate about Wednesday night's encounter in Catalonia. Apart from Manchester United and Real Madrid supporters, it is safe to suggest everyone else would like Barcelona to progress.

This is not solely a reflection of traditional antipathy to United. In Britain, Barcelona are the fantasy football side of choice, a club owned by its supporters, a team stuffed with the game's foremost entertainers.

Barca remain an outfit dusted with glamour. Besides, apart from a few patriots deluding themselves that an all-English final will somehow compensate for no English involvement at Euro 2008, everyone would prefer to see something different.

United play Chelsea and Liverpool twice a year anyhow; there's a game between the reds and the blues sandwiched between the two semi-final legs. It would not exactly be a special one if the encounter were repeated in Russia a month later.

It is much harder, though, to detect a neutrals' favourite emerging from tonight's tie. Chelsea have won few friends beyond Stamford Bridge with their elephantine spending and cautious, pragmatic football. And Liverpool's recent boardroom soap opera has not endeared the club to the wider world.

Manchester United fans, on the other hand, have no such dilemma: tonight, for them, the choice is an easy one. It has to be Chelsea. They would back their team on current form to beat anyone.

But there is always, lurking in the back of even the most optimistic mind, the possibility of defeat. And the thought of losing to Liverpool in a Champions League final is too painful to contemplate.

Never mind the retreat from Moscow, just imagine the witty banners unfurled in the Kop for years to come. Not even Napoleon had to put up with that.

Grant In Line For Kop Abuse

Liverpool are unlikely to report Avram Grant to the Premier League over the Chelsea coach's alleged attempt to tap up Steven Gerrard. Liverpool are known to be irritated by Grant's remarks about their captain, including the phrase "if you can bring him to me, I will be happy", but are likely to rise above a controversy of Grant's making.

The Israeli will receive some reaction from Anfield. Gerrard's manager, Rafa Benitez, will respond to Grant's covetous comments at lunch-time today when he looks forward to tomorrow's Champions League semi-final first leg with Chelsea. Grant can expect an even more ribald response from the Kop, who will also be busy directing their venom at co-owner Tom Hicks. The American is expected to make a rare visit to Anfield.

Liverpool have been down this road with Chelsea before. Gerrard was linked with move to the Bridge in 2004 and in 2005. Jose Mourinho was a huge admirer of Gerrard, and so is his successor as Chelsea manager.

"Gerrard is a great player and a great person," said Grant. "For me, he is the player of the year in England, and maybe in Europe, because of the influence he has on the team. I like him very much as a player and I know him. He is a nice guy and an example to others. He plays against me but he is still my favourite player. If you can bring him to me, I will be happy."

Even with so much chaos in the Anfield boardroom, and Liverpool again failing to bring home the leauge title, Gerrard is unlikely to crave a move to Chelsea as he is settled on his native Merseyside.

Liverpool's captain is expected to start against Chelsea despite missing Saturday's win at Fulham with a neck problem sustained heading balls in training. "The player will say he wants to play, but there's an easy way of finding out whether he's fit," said Benitez. "I will come up and tap him on the left shoulder and if he turns to face me without any pain, we will know he can play. Hopefully he will score with another header on Tuesday."

Sami Hyypia and Javier Mascherano have shaken off knocks, and Liverpool are expected to line up: Reina; Carragher, Skrtel, Hyypia, Aurelio; Mascherano, Alonso; Kuyt, Gerrard, Babel; Torres.

Rafael Benitez Has Liverpool Ready To Roll

Avram Grant has every right to look worried. Of all the unnerving prospects the Chelsea manager is facing ahead of tomorrow night's Champions League semi-final at Anfield, the sight of a relaxed Rafael Benitez laughing and joking must be the scariest of all. Liverpool's serial worrier suddenly has the air of a man who knows he has the measure of his opponent.

Europe is his chosen specialist subject, and the question of how to beat Chelsea in the Champions League is one he has got right every time so far. Brushing aside Fulham with their shadow squad on Saturday all but guaranteed Liverpool's participation in next season's competition, and Benitez responded with a disarming stand-up routine of wisecracks that contrasted sharply with Grant's recent morose mumblings.

Asked if he saw any differences from the Chelsea team that Liverpool knocked out at the same stage of last season's Champions League, Benitez replied: "Only in the press conferences. You miss Jose Mourinho, but not me. At the end of the day the players will be the key more than the managers. We are just important to say something. But the best thing for a manager to do is not create any mess, so the players can just play."

Liverpool's owners have created enough mess for one club already, but whatever the risk of his alliance with Tom Hicks, Benitez appears to be relishing the prospect of another strategic summit with Chelsea. "We want this game to be a Champions League game, not a Premier League game. We want that in our minds, playing the Champions League style," he added. In other words, he wants to face Chelsea on his own terms.

Resting seven of tomorrow's likely line-up while easing eight points clear of fifth-placed Everton in the race for the fourth enabled Benitez to beat Fulham on his terms. The huge Liverpool following greeted the occasional touch-line warm-up routines of substitute Fernando Torres as loudly as the two goals that Jermaine Pennant and Peter Crouch fired past a hapless Kasey Keller. The fans, like the manager, had their minds on other things. It was soon clear that Liverpool's second string would have too much punch and power for a fading Fulham.

Maybe the minds of many home supporters were more concerned with the credit crunch and falling house prices. Friendly suburban Fulham have looked a little too friendly for the Premier League this season. There were no passionate protests or tears at the end of a game that left them staring relegation in the face. The big worry is that a team who try to play attractive passing football could lack the muscle for a quick return to the top-flight.

After the match, manager Roy Hodgson admitted: "People regard a sign of fighting spirit as players flying round the field smashing into others and knocking them over. We are not that kind of team."

Two of Fulham's three remaining games are away from home, and they need to win them all. A better goalkeeper might have stopped both of the Liverpool goals, and Brede Hangeland and Danny Murphy wasted good chances at pivotal moments, but the core of the team in front of Keller lacked the necessary pace and power to hurt Liverpool. Benitez was barely out of the seat in his dug-out.

He voices a diplomatic public respect for Grant but that perhaps masks a hunch that he can outwit his opposite number in the coming week and record a third semi-final success over Chelsea in four years.

"I watched them at Everton on Thursday and they were playing more or less the same," Benitez said. "Avram is doing his job. I respect him because he is being correct. But, as I've said before, the key to them is Abramovich." Are you listening, Mr. Hicks?

Liverpool Chase £8m Swiss Star

Liverpool face a fierce battle with Manchester City to sign Swiss ace Gokhan Inler.

The Udinese midfielder, 23, has been a revelation in Serie A this season and has been watched by a host of Premier League clubs, most notably Liverpool and Manchester City.

And club president Giampaolo Pozzo said: "Many clubs have asked about him but a couple from England are particularly keen. But we would want at least £8million for him because he has been brilliant this season."

City boss Sven Goran Eriksson is desperate to bolster his squad but faces competition from the Kop.

Rafael Benitez Is Wary Of Home Tie

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has admitted that the loss of the "Anfield effect" could dent his side's chances of defeating Chelsea in the Champions League semi-final.

For the third time in four seasons Liverpool, who have doubts over the fitness of captain Steven Gerrard, must beat Chelsea to reach the European Cup final. But whereas Liverpool played at home in the second leg of the two previous encounters, this time they know they must make the most of home advantage tomorrow night ahead of next week's second leg at Stamford Bridge.

"It could be different to last year," Benitez said. "The key has been Anfield in the last year. Against Arsenal you could see a big difference. But we will try and do something important in the first game and the second will be easier.

"With Chelsea you need to score some goals and don't concede. Not conceding is important because they'll have chances.

"Chelsea have a better balance and are stronger in defence. They are not as offensive as Arsenal but stronger in defence. The challenge for us is hard. The difference now is we are in the semi-finals so it will be difficult."

Benitez added that Chelsea were just as formidable under Avram Grant as they were under Jose Mourinho.

"I haven't seen much difference to the team we beat last year," he said. "I have said, Avram is doing a good job."

According to Mourinho, Liverpool face the greater pressure going into the match. "Liverpool have to win at least a cup. If they don't, their season will be a failure."

Reds Banking On Hicks And Parry

Liverpool officials are hoping the feud between the club's co-owner Tom Hicks and chief executive Rick Parry will not affect the women's team.

The female Reds get backing of about £100,000 a year thanks in no small part to Parry, who has also sanctioned an Anfield match on May 10 when Northern Ireland ladies play Liverpool with proceeds going to the Women Against Lung Cancer campaign.

"We are just getting on with our own thing and, at the moment, it's planned to increase our budget next year," said the secretary Jane Campbell.

The manager, David Bradley, whose team lost 4-1 at Watford yesterday, said: "The extra funding we are due next season will mean we'll be able to put players on contracts for the first time and that will help us to compete more with the likes of Arsenal and Everton."

Arsenal's 2-0 win against Bristol Academy and Everton's 2-2 draw with Birmingham City means the Gunners can clinch the league title for a record fifth consecutive season when they entertain Chelsea on Thursday.

Nottingham Forest will be promoted following their 5-1 win against Sheffield Wednesday, a result that saw them complete the Northern Division season undefeated.

Kuyt Happy With Wide Role

Dirk Kuyt says he is happy to play in any position for Liverpool so long as he is able to help the team win trophies.

The Dutchman arrived in England with a reputation as an old fashioned centre-forward, but Rafael Benitez has been using him on the right recently as he settles on a winning formation that uses Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard as the central attacking threat.

But while many had felt it was a makeshift position for Kuyt, he insists he has plenty of experience playing out wide.

"I don't really like to be put in any specific bracket - a right midfielder, right winger, striker or second striker," he told the club's official website.

"I've probably got a bit of all these positions within my game. I can play as a striker, a second striker or on the right or on the left.

"Whatever that may be, I just like to do it my own way.

"But playing on the right is not exactly new to me. I've played there for two years in the Dutch national team and also for a year and a half when I started out at Utrecht.

"I know what to do out there, so it's not like I'm just learning the job."

Kuyt insists he is happy with the way he has played since his role was changed, but he knows it is the overall performance of the team that wins competitions.

"I'm quite happy with my performances since I've been out there. I've scored a few goals as well as provided assists and so I feel it's going well.

"No matter where I play, I like to work really hard for the team with the same main target of helping us win as many games as possible. That is what it is all about.

"It's a team sport and you win things together. That's what I like about football."

Fulham 0 - 2 LiverpooL

Fulham's survival hopes were virtually finished off by goals from Jermaine Pennant and Peter Crouch as Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez again sent out a virtual reserve side at Craven Cottage.

Benitez risked the wrath of Fulham's relegation rivals by fielding another weakened Liverpool team in west London - a gift which Fulham snapped up almost a year ago with a 1-0 win that ultimately saved them from the drop.

This time the Spaniard made eight changes but once Liverpool had seen off Fulham's inevitable early flurry and taken a 16th-minute lead through a cracking finish by Pennant they always looked likely to justify their manager's decision.

Pennant, who broke a leg in October, scored his second goal in 16 starts this season from a smart pass by Steven Gerrard's replacement Lucas Leiva and Fulham, for all their commitment and sweat, could have done with a little of that power in front of goal.

With Javier Mascherano, Martin Skrtel, Sami Hyypia, Peter Crouch, Andriy Voronin and Pennant, who was jeered mercilessly by the Craven Cottage crowd after winning an early free kick against Clint Dempsey, it was still a Liverpool line-up that could equal the strength of many of their Premier League opponents.

Jamie Carragher and Fernando Torres were on the bench but Carragher replaced Sami Hyypia at half-time and Xabi Alonso also came on in midfield.

Skipper Brian McBride recovered quickly from an early knock before Dempsey's determined progress down the left was halted by a crude challenge by Mascherano.

Jimmy Bullard swung in a testing free kick that curled into the six-yard box but keeper Jose Reina collected impressively.

Hyypia and Skrtel had their work cut out with timely interceptions as Fulham found width and movement for Simon Davies and Dempsey to provide a stream of crosses into the box but Fulham were almost caught out by their former right back Steve Finnan's run and cross in the 14th minute.

Defender Paul Stalteri did just enough to put off the towering Crouch who put his header just wide of the mark.

And three minutes later they paid the price for not picking up Leiva in midfield when he ran on to Voronin's pass and provided the perfect lay-off for Pennant to drill a thundering right-foot shot high inside keeper Kasey Keller's left-hand post.

As Fulham's early fire faded, Crouch was close to a second Liverpool goal when he just failed to convert a Pennant cross and the closest Fulham came to equalising before the break was Brede Hangeland's off-target header from another Bullard free kick.

Liverpool looked composed and comfortable throughout the second half even though Reina was left grasping thin air by a Davies cross from the left and a Dempsey snap-shot which both finished wide of the mark.

Russian striker Voronin lifted an overhead kick just too high from a Pennant corner as Liverpool looked for the killer second goal and Yossi Benayoun, enduring a patchy personal performance, twice finished off target from Pennant's assists.

With 20 minutes to go Dempsey's header from a David Healy cross finished just wide but seconds later Crouch sealed the points for Liverpool with a low finish from a Pennant pass which veteran keeper Keller will kick himself for not keeping out.

The ball, well struck though it was, appeared to go clean through the goalkeeper's grasp.

Danny Murphy missed a chance to put Fulham back in for a late shout when he fired his shot at Reina's legs when presented with a clear opening by the classy Bullard's pass.

Grant Admires Gerrard

Avram Grant admits he would love to take Steven Gerrard to Chelsea after revealing his admiration for the Liverpool captain.

The Chelsea manager is preparing to face Gerrard and Liverpool in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final at Anfield on Tuesday in what could be a key match for his future at Stamford Bridge.

However, the Israeli has turned the spotlight on Gerrard and claims the impact the 27-year-old has on the Merseyside team makes him the best player in England if not in Europe.

Grant said: "Gerrard is a great player and a great person.

"For me, he is the player of the year in England, and maybe in Europe, because of the influence he has on the team.

"I like him very much as a player and I know him.

"He is a nice guy and an example to others.

"He plays against me but he is still my favourite player."

Chelsea have previously tried to sign Gerrard and Grant added: "If you can bring him to me, I will be happy."

Torres Ready For Biggest Test Yet

Fernando Torres has admitted that reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League with Liverpool represents the pinnacle of his career.

The Reds are due to take on Chelsea in the first leg of their last four contest on Tuesday, and Torres feels that the games against the Blues are the biggest he has ever been involved in.

The Spanish striker will once again carry the weight of expectation in front of goal for the Reds at Anfield, but having already notched on 30 occasions this season he insists that he does feel under any added pressure.

"The emotion I felt after the Arsenal game (in the quarter-finals) was very, very strong. I have never felt like that before," Torres told the News of the World. "I was almost in tears at the end of the match when they crowd were singing.

"If that was a quarter-final, I can't imagine what it will be like playing Chelsea.

"Without doubt, these are the biggest matches of my career.

"I know football means so much and can give everyone strong feelings but it's still a new experience for me.

"I scored my first important Liverpool goal against Chelsea, and I want to do it again on Tuesday.

"That goal gave me confidence to believe I could score in the big matches."

Much has been made of Rafael Benitez's early season rotation which saw Torres frequently left out of the side.

However, the Spaniard believes that the rest has allowed him to remain fresh until the end of the current campaign.

"People ask me if I am getting tired now because I am coming to the end of my first season in England," he said. "Of course it is a hard league but I do not feel tired at all.

"When you are scoring goals and the team is winning games, you have more energy.

"It is only when the team is struggling and you are not playing well or scoring goals, that you don't feel your best.

"My legs are in good shape and my heart is ready for the matches to come."

Reds Waiting On Gerrard Fitness

Rafa Benitez will know if Steven Gerrard is fit for Liverpool's battle with Chelsea if the player looks him in the eye and gives him the nod.

Gerrard, the English heartbeat of the Liverpool team, remains a doubt with a painful neck injury for the first leg of the "all-English" semi-final in which Liverpool attempt to knock out their bitter rivals for a third time in five years.

And Liverpool boss Benitez is trying hard to hide his concern beneath a smile and a few jokes - not the Spaniard's usual public style.

But this, apparently, is the Benitez mood at the moment - despite being caught in the crossfire of the damaging feud between the club's American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett which is rocking Anfield.

Dependent on how the feud works out, Benitez could still be on his way at the end of the season, especially after the much-publicised "secret" meeting between Hicks, Gillett, chief executive Rick Parry and former Germany coach Jurgen Klinsmann earlier this season.

But Benitez, who insists he loves being at Liverpool and wants to stay, must be comforted by the knowledge he could probably have the pick of Europe's top clubs should he be back on the jobs market in the summer.

He had talks with Liverpool officials last week and claims: "Things seem a little better now but really we have been talking too long about these matters and I want to concentrate on football if it is possible."

And after the little matter of sending out a shadow side to defeat relegation-haunted Fulham 2-0 at Craven Cottage to practically ensure a fourth place finish in the Premier League, Benitez's football focus shifted firmly to Tuesday night's dust-up with Chelsea.

He has declared that centre-back Sami Hyypia will be fit to play despite coming off at Fulham with a head injury at half-time. And so will dominating midfielder Javier Mascherano even though he "is feeling several injuries" after a bone-crunching series of confrontations at Craven Cottage.

But being without Gerrard for such an encounter with Chelsea is almost unthinkable and Benitez admitted: "With a neck injury you never really know. We've had problems like this with a few players before and they did not play.

"I'll talk to the doctor and we will decide if he can play. If you ask the player he will say yes, of course, but Steven wanted to play against Fulham and he couldn't because when I talked to him his neck wouldn't let him look me.

"He is a bit better now than when he did it in training. We were doing patterns of play and crossing - and every cross seemed to go to him. He was heading the ball so much and after a while he couldn't move his head any more."

Even without Gerrard and £25million striker Fernando Torres, Liverpool won at a canter and Benitez said: "It's clear that the the squad is stronger this year than before, I have been saying this for the whole season.

"But I won't say we've got any psychological edge on Chelsea going into Tuesday night's game.

"They are aware we are a good team and that I would rest some players (against Fulham) but they have had a few extra days to rest and have great qualities, too.

"Clearly, I think we go into it fairly even. Chelsea were in the final of the Carling Cup, they are in the semi-finals of the Champions League and they are still in the race for the (Premier League) title. We have a lot of respect for them.

"The players will be the key to the result, more so than the managers. I don't often feel under pressure - and if I do have problems then I think about people who, in general life, are in worse positions than us."

Benitez claims his team's task will be made no easier against Chelsea's much-maligned new boss Avram Grant.

He said: "I don't think Chelsea under Grant are much different than Chelsea with (Jose) Mourinho - except maybe at a press conference.

"I saw them play Everton on Thursday night and they looked pretty much the same as always."

He added: "When you talk about Champions League or cup competitions it is just one-off games and perhaps the manager can do something with tactics or the style of football to make a difference.

"But when you talk about a competition that lasts nine months you need a big squad and maybe Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal are a little bit better than us there.

"Grant is doing his job well if you look at their results, but for me Roman Abramovich has always been the key for Chelsea.

"At the end of the day the key players can be a massive difference in games like Tuesday's game but also the whole team has to work very hard."

Unwanted Pennant To Sign For Newcastle

Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant is set to leave the Anfield club and move to Newcastle United where manager Kevin Keegan is said to be keen to sign the 25 year old.

Pennant, who scored and set up a goal in yesterday’s 2-0 victory for Liverpool over Fulham at Craven Cottage has become a bit-part player at Anfield, starting only 13 league games this season. His goal yesterday was his first in the league this season and only his third league goal for the club.

The former Birmingham City and Arsenal player has had a turbulent career both on and off the field but was looking to put that behind him when he signed for Liverpool in July 2006 for a fee close to £7million.

The extracurricular problems seem to have disappeard for good, but his Anfield career has never really taken off due to a combination of injuries, poor form and a raft of other midfielders being brought into the club.

More recently Pennant has found his place in the team taken by striker Dirk Kuyt who manager Rafael Benitez now appears to favour in that role and it seems that his future now lies away from Liverpool.

This has alerted Newcastle to his situation and Kevin Keegan would be keen to sign a wide player with pace and an attacking mindset to add some goals to his midfield for next season.

It is understood that the player himself is keen on the move, and will willingly put pen to paper if the Tynesiide club can reach an agreement with Liverpool.

Rafa Could Sue Warnock

Rafa Benitez is considering legal action after Crystal Palace manager Neil Warnock publicly questioned the Liverpool manager's integrity.

The Eagles boss was unhappy at Benitez at the back end of last season after he fielded a weakened Reds team that lost 1-0 at Fulham.

The result helped the Cottagers stay up at the expense of Sheffield United, who Warnock was in charge of last season.

Benitez made a host of changes for Saturday's game at Craven Cottage, prompting the Eagles manager to claim he gets off-field benefits from Harrods for his team selections.

However, the comments failed to amuse the former Valencia boss, who is now planning on having a word with his lawyer.

"Somebody told me [about Warnock's comments]," he said.

"We knew he was bad as a manager and prehistoric, but we didn't know he was a person like this.

"I will speak to my lawyer. We don't need to waste time with him."

Rafa Benitez Says One Summer Signing Has Already Been Completed

Rafa Benitez has confirmed that he has started Liverpool's recruitment drive for next season as he seeks the calibre of players necessary to mount a title challenge.

The 48-year-old revealed that a deal had been completed for one player for next season but only gave a few hints as to identity of the signing.

“We are working on trying to improve the squad for next season,” Benitez added.

“We have some movements for next season, so we will continue trying to do the same.

“We have some signings for the next season done. They are senior players for the first team and young players for the first team and reserve team.

“Two of them are really close, young players, and one senior player is done. He talks good English, but is not English.”

Benitez has also been linked with England stars Gareth Barry and David Bentley.

Rafael Benitez Thriving In Anfield Tug-Of-War

Rafael Benitez wore a training top to his press conference on Friday, supped from a bottle of water and beamed through the difficult questions. He succeeded in giving the two impressions he wanted to. Here was a humble employee, fresh from his practice-ground work, happy with his lot. It was a good week for Benitez. He celebrated his 48th birthday on Wednesday by taking some Spanish journalists for a bite in West Kirby. Liverpool supporters kept approaching the table. “They were coming up and saying, ‘Come on, Rafa’,” the manager smiled.

A good week for Benitez? Those unfamiliar with Anfield politics might have imagined not. After all, Liverpool’s boardroom has brought to mind TV writer Phil Redmond’s description of the City of Culture steering company, wracked by infighting before he arrived to clean things up. “It was like a scouse wedding,” Redmond said. It had been supposed that Benitez would despair about the off-field manoeuvring which saw one owner, Tom Hicks, call for the resignation of Rick Parry, the chief executive, and the other owner, George Gillett, purport to be above all the “washing of dirty linen in public” – while, very publicly, telling Hicks to shut up. Far from it. Issues such as transfer policy and his own future are now being aired which Benitez has wanted dealt with for some time – and the answers all sides are giving appear to favour the Spaniard.

Put simply, the battle for Anfield has become a popularity contest where only Benitez can hand out the prize. Hicks needs to boost his standing, in order to counter what he sees as a campaign of spin against him, and meet parallel objectives. He is trying to raise money to buy out Gillett and wants to show investors that he knows what he accuses Parry of being ignorant of – what Liverpool FC needs. If he succeeds, the club’s new sole owner will at the very least have to reduce fans’ disdain to the point he can actually visit Merseyside, something he feels unsafe doing right now. The key to both is demonstrating backing for Benitez. If the status quo remains (Gillett has stopped even pretending he will try and buy out Hicks) and the Americans, with their 50%-50% shares continue to cancel each other out, somebody is going to have to run Liverpool. That might have been Parry but, now, sullied by Hicks’s revelation that he took part in the approach to Jurgen Klinsmann, and wounded by Hicks’s arguments about the shortcomings of his commercial strategy – backed by business experts and one of the few issues fans agree with Hicks on – the chief executive is compromised. So who else would emerge as the dominant figure but Benitez?

If Hicks is forced to sell to Dubai International Capital (DIC), who already have an agreement to buy from Gillett, the Arab investors would need to start on the right footing with supporters and would require Benitez’s patronage. Why should he give it unless DIC support him as much as Hicks? If Hicks says he would extend Benitez’s contract by a year, DIC must offer the same. If Hicks would allow Benitez to make a further round of big signings, so must DIC. It is understood, incidentally, that DIC would have little problem with either of these. The final scenario is that Benitez gets offered another of the best managerial jobs in Europe this summer. He now knows he could walk away from Anfield with nobody blaming him.

Benitez has fought political battles at most clubs he has managed and always won. He is not only good at plotting football tactics. Explaining his good mood, he mentioned having just tied up deals to bring three players – one senior, two youth – to Liverpool next season. He had complained to Hicks and Gillett that his poor relationship with Parry was fouling up transfers. “Since Sunday, we (the club) have progressed,” Benitez smiled, suggesting he is now in total control of signings.

Let the others fight and damage each other, and build your empire in the meantime. The strategy seems sound as long as the team keeps winning – and there is evident confidence they will against Chelsea in the Champions League. Has Klinsmann been in touch, in the spirit of solidarity as a fellow manager? “For preparing the game against Fulham or Chelsea?” Benitez cackled. “No.”

Rafa sure to come out smiling . . .

Whichever way the Anfield power struggle is to settle, it seems manager Rafa Benitez, inset, will be happy

Scenario One: Tom Hicks buys out George Gillett and assumes total control. ‘I would give Rafa a contract extension. It’s time for Liverpool to have one strong owner that can give Rafa the support he needs to win trophies.’

Scenario Two: DIC take over the club. The Arab investors want to show they care about Liverpool FC more than Tom Hicks and know what Koppites want. That means keeping Benitez.

Scenario Three: Stalemate between Hicks and Gillett remains, no DIC buy-out. With nobody above him able to wield power and take Liverpool forward, it falls to Benitez. Rick Parry, with whom he has a flawed working relationship, no longer has the authority to challenge him.

Scenario Four: Real Madrid/Inter Milan/ Barcelona/Juventus offer Benitez a job. Rafa could walk away from Anfield with his head held high. Who would now blame him after all this season’s infighting?

Premier League Preview: Fulham vs. LiverpooL

Liverpool look almost certain to pip Merseyside rivals Everton to the final Champions League place after Everton’s defeat to Chelsea on Thursday evening. Chelsea return to the city for the midweek Champions League semi-final, and Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez will surely have one eye on that game when he selects his side for this game at battling Fulham.

Benitez has managed to guide his side to a run of one defeat in thirteen, despite the club being in the news for all the wrong reason recently. The Spanish boss is one step away from a third Champions League final in four seasons but rumours persist that he may leave the club in the summer because he is sick and tired of all the power struggles that have kept the club in the news in the last few months.

Benitez was criticised strongly for choosing a weakened side last season at Craven Cottage, but he has his own club to think of, and do not be surprised if he again sends a second string to the Cottage. Gerrard, Torres and Mascherano among others can expect to sit this one out, but Liverpool will still beb ale to send out a side that is capable of beating Fulham.

Depending on the attitude of the Liverpool players, this game could go either way. Fulham may want it more, and that desire could overcome the difference in quality but with players such as Crouch, Benayoun and ex Fulham right back Finnan having to stake a claim for a more regular place in the Liverpool side, The Reds could effectively send the home side down.

Fulham gave themselves a fighting chance of retaining there Premier League status when they finally picked up three points away from the Cottage with the impressive 2-0 win at Reading last weekend. That win ending a run of 33 games without taking maximum points in the League on their travels, and rekindled the Cottagers' belief that they can still be playing top flight football next term.

That victory means the Cottagers are now four points from safety, although the run in has been quite kind to Roy Hodgson’s men. Fulham’s remaining fixtures start with this game against a Liverpool side that have been defeated here on each of their previous two visits.

Last season Benitez was criticised for sending a second string side to Craven Cottage ahead of the Champions League final, where Clint Dempsey’s winner virtually secured Fulham’s Premier League safety. Following Everton’s defeat to Chelsea, which virtually assures Liverpool of fourth place, The Reds may once again rest some regulars as they will undoubtedly be focusing on the Champions League semi-final against Chelsea in midweek.

A repeat of that win could set Fulham up for a run-in that sees them take on out of form Manchester City, fellow strugglers Birmingham and then Portsmouth on the last day, before the South Coast play in the FA Cup Final, all winnable games for a side that have improved there form since Hodgson took over from Lawrie Sanchez.


FORM GUIDE

Fulham

Reading - Fulham 0 - 2 12/04/2008 PREMIER LEAGUE
Fulham - Sunderland 1 - 3 05/04/2008 PREMIER LEAGUE
Derby - Fulham 2 - 2 29/03/2008 PREMIER LEAGUE
Newcastle - Fulham 2 - 0 22/03/2008 PREMIER LEAGUE
Fulham - Everton 1 - 0 16/03/2008 PREMIER LEAGUE
Blackburn - Fulham 1 - 1 08/03/2008 PREMIER LEAGUE

Liverpool

Liverpool - Blackburn 3 - 1 13/04/2008 PREMIER LEAGUE
Liverpool - Arsenal 4 - 2 08/04/2008 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Arsenal - Liverpool 1 - 1 05/04/2008 PREMIER LEAGUE
Arsenal - Liverpool 1 - 1 02/04/2008 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Liverpool - Everton 1 - 0 30/03/2008 PREMIER LEAGUE
Man Utd. - Liverpool 3 - 0 23/03/2008 PREMIER LEAGUE


TEAM NEWS

Fulham

Powerful American forward Eddie Johnson is doubtful through illness, and experienced Finnish internationals Anti Niemi (achilles) and Jari Litmanen (groin) will definitely not feature. Squad players Ian Pearce (ankle), Chrius Baird (knee), Aleksei Smertin (leg), Philippe Christanval (leg) and Simon Elliot (Achilles) are also sidelined for the home side.

Liverpool

Rafa’s rotation policy keeps his squad fresh, and the only players that are injured for the Red’s boss are reserve wingers Harry Kewell (hamstring) and Jermaine Pennant (hamstring) as well as classy Danish central defender Daniel Agger (foot operation). With fourth place almost sewn up, expect Benitez to shuffle his pack ahead of the Champions League semi-final against Chelsea next week.


PLAYERS TO WATCH

Fulham - Jimmy Bullard has returned from a horrendous injury lay-off and his prompting from midfield has inspired Fulham to some excellent results in recent months. Superb free-kicks against Villa and Blackburn show the technique that Bullard possesses and he will have to be at his energetic best if Fulham are to surprise the Reds once more at Craven Cottage this weekend.

Liverpool - Peter Crouch may get another run out on Saturday with Fernando Torres expected to be rested ahead of the Champions League semi. The tall England striker never lets his club or his country down, and he will hope to impress Benitez sufficiently to be rewarded with an extended run in the Liverpool side, although it appears unlikely that he will play in midweek, as Benitez seems to have settled on a 4-2-3-1 formation for his key games.

DIC Enter Liverpool Ownership Battle

Dubai International Capital are preparing to buy out George Gillett’s stake to seize co-ownership of Liverpool, in a long-sighted attempt to oust Gillett’s antagonistic business partner Tom Hicks.

Boardroom relations at Anfield have capitulated to the point of name-calling and gossiping over the last few weeks, as Hicks has amped up his attempts to exercise executive control of the club.

The Texan asked for Rick Parry to step down as Liverpool CEO last week, claiming he has been a ‘disaster’ who has let the Reds slip inexcusably far behind the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea on the commercial front.

But DIC are undeterred by the American’s antics, and await only the expiration of pre-emption rights that currently bar the sale of Gillett’s majority before they swoop in take a 50 per cent stake in the Merseyside giants.

It is believed the Arab firm will then attempt to implement a long-term plan to ease Hicks out of the club, which will involve providing significant funds for Liverpool’s new stadium at Stanley Park and then asking Hicks to do the same – a challenge they believe the American will be unable to match.

But Hicks is refusing to let DIC walk into the club without a fight. He has outlined a plan that involves buying out Gillett’s share – despite Gillett’s insistence that he would never sell to Hicks – and thus seizing sole ownership of the club, a venture that he hopes will be financially backed by a host of minority shareholders.

Meanwhile, Hicks has attempted sully the reputations of Parry and Gillett in an attempt to lure Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez into the fray, yesterday claimed that Parry had spent “three or four hours” in a private discussion with Jurgen Klinsmann, who was interviewed as a possible replacement for Benitez amid disagreements over Liverpool’s transfer policy.

However, Rafa has remained silent on the matter and the Liverpool fans seem to have wholly rejected Hicks’ approach and sided with Gillett and DIC, with many rally groups and petitions forming directed at ousting the Texas Rangers owner.

But even if DIC do succeed in taking part-control of the club, it will take time before they can attempt to fully overthrow Hicks. Hence, with no clear and immediate resolution in sight, it is possible that Benitez may choose to leave Merseyside at the end of the season – although a second Champions League triumph may sway him to stay, should it occur.

Liverpool May Have To Sell Torres And Babel

Fernando Torres and Ryan Babel could be forced out of Liverpool unless the club can prove they can repay a huge loan that they took out in order to help secure the transfers of the duo.

In an unusual move, the Anfield-based outfit borrowed money to sign Torres from Atletico de Madrid and then refinanced that debt in January, at the same time as they obtained a refinancing package of £350 million (€442m).

According to The Times, the smaller refinancing package helped buy Ryan Babel from Ajax and was an 18-month agreement with interest of nine percent, equating to around £2.8 million a year (€3.5m).

A letter of credit was signed whereby Liverpool agreed to pay that fee back at the end of the period, but should the club be unable to do so then banks could force them to sell the two players that they bought with the money.

Premier League clubs usually do deals that are funded by the huge television income in England and the Reds are playing a dangerous game already as the £350 million loan is set to cost them £30 million (€38m) per year in interest alone.

The news comes at a time when Liverpool are being rocked by the continuous public disagreements between the club's two American owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillett. The pair are at loggerheads with both describing their relationship as unworkable and that has meant that any forward planning has been stopped while their differences are sorted out.

On the pitch, Rafa Benítez is managing to keep the club on a track as they have qualified for the Champions League semi finals and look set to finish in the top four of the Premier League.

Torres: I Can't Imagine LiverpooL Without Benitez

Fernando Torres says he cannot imagine Liverpool without Rafael Benitez.

Boardroom quarrels at the club have led to speculation about the Spanish manager's future, but his star striker insists the former Valencia boss must remain at the helm.

Speaking to Eurosport, Torres said:

"I have learned a lot with [Benitez], he is someone with whom you can learn a great deal.

"He has a lot of experience in football and a great CV, and we all hope to do better for him. And I have to thank him because he helped me take the first step.

"I don't know about [rumours Benitez will be sacked]. I know that everything is magnificent here, and you can interpret that in whatever way you want. But for the moment I can't see Liverpool without Benitez."

Torres went on to discuss his remarkable first season on Merseyside, thanking his team mates and the fans for making it easy for him to adjust to life at Anfield.

He said:

"I am experiencing some very good moments. When I signed for Liverpool, it was to experience moments like that.

"But I just thought that I would need more time; that it would take some time to adapt. I didn't think I would get there quickly, and luckily everything has worked in the first year, and I have profited from that.

"When I signed here, I knew that people expected a lot from me. The club paid a lot of money, it was a big investment. I knew the requirements that people would have; the spectators, my team-mates and the manager.

"But I have to say that everybody helped me. When you arrive at a club and everyone does all they can for you to integrate, to make the transition easier on and off the pitch, it's not so hard.

"I have to thank Pepe, who helped me a lot, all my compatriots and the coach who is also Spanish, and who has been important for me.

"Above all, the love of the people from the first day. I was lucky enough to score at Anfield in my first game, and from that day the fans were behind me, and that still continues today."

The Spain striker also suggested that the faster football and slower way of life have been factors in his success.

"I think the main difference is the speed. It is a very quick style of football, with a high tempo. There are few interruptions.

"Maybe there is not as much tactical work as matches in Spain, including matches between the 'Big Four'. And that allows you more space, to play quickly with players who know how to take advantage of that space and who can give me scoring chances.

"It's a much calmer life. People respect your private life a lot, they don't hassle you in public places. It is a totally normal life - or nearly normal."

"You can think about football when you need to, and you can go to a shopping centre knowing that you can walk around peacefully. At the end of the day, football is your job and you can concentrate on it more easily."

Benitez Intends To Stay At Liverpool

Rafael Benitez has reiterated his determination to stay at Liverpool despite the boardroom fight between the club's two owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks.

"At this moment I have two years on my contract. I am really pleased and happy here and want to stay," he told reporters on Friday.

American co-owners Hicks and Gillett each own 50 percent of the club, winners of five European Cups and 18 League Championships, as a result of their 219 million pounds ($441 million) take over in Feb. 2007.

But they are no longer talking and Hicks's attempts to force Gillett to sell his share to the Texan have fallen flat.

Hicks blocked a move by Dubai International Capital (DIC) to buy Liverpool in a 400 million pound takeover last month and has called for Liverpool's chief executive Rick Parry to be sacked.

In return, Gillett has responded by backing Parry and added to the mudslinging by launching an attack on Hicks.

The latest war of words comes just days before Liverpool's Champions League semi-final tie with Chelsea, with Benitez likely to court more controversy with his team selection for Saturday's Premier League game at Fulham.

A win for Liverpool would edge them to within a point of securing a Champions League spot for next season, but the Spaniard will consider resting players with Tuesday's Champions League game in mind.

Captain Steven Gerrard is unlikely to play.

A year ago, Benitez sent out a virtual reserve team for the penultimate game of the season as he rested players ahead of the Champions League final against AC Milan.

They were beaten 1-0 by a Fulham side that needed victory to stay in the Premier League.

The move angered then Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock, whose team were relegated eight days later.

"My idea is to use a team that will win," Benitez said. "I will pick a strong team for winning because we want to guarantee fourth position as soon as possible.

"We will be eight points ahead of Everton if we can do it. After that we would need one more point and we want to do it as soon as possible because we want to be thinking about the Champions League."

Rafa Defends Team Selection Policy

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez will keep Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Chelsea in mind when he picks his starting eleven for Saturday’s Premier League match at Fulham, despite pleas from Bolton boss Gary Megson to field his strongest line-up.

The Bolton manager is echoing calls similar to those of Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock a year ago, who was upset that a weakened Liverpool team lost to Fulham late on in the season.

Megson wants a Liverpool victory at against relegation rivals Fulham at Craven Cottage on Saturday to ease his side’s relegation worries.

But Benitez insists his mind is focussed only on what’s best for his team, and that includes European commitments. He said, “I will be thinking a little about Chelsea. I have players I don’t want to risk and I’ve enough quality in the squad to win at Fulham.”

Benitez also recalled the criticisms of a year ago when Sheffield United were relegated from the Premier League and Fulham stayed up, defending his actions.

He added, “I know there was criticism last season when we did something similar at Fulham, coming from Sheffield United.

“But what did they do in their last game? They lost. So I feel it is sometimes better to look to yourself and what you do.

“Teams have 38 games to play each season, that is enough. So you are responsible for your own luck.”

The Spaniard also criticised Megson’s ordacity to request such a thing, reminding the press, “What did Bolton do in the Uefa Cup with their team selection? They left players out.

“I will use the players I believe will be good enough to win this game, and the next one and the next one. I believe 38 games is enough to be successful or not.

“Look at what all the teams in the middle of the table have been doing recently.

“They have been using different players, young players, and they have been preparing for the future.”

Liverpool take on Fulham at Craven Cottage in the league Saturday afternoon. Kick-off is 3pm.

Warnock Should Look At Himself Before Blaming Liverpool For Sheffield United's Relegation, Fumes Benitez

Rafa Benitez has responded to a vociferous attack from former Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock, who fumed: "I hope Liverpool never win another trophy under him."

Warnock still holds the Spaniard partly to blame for the Yorkshire club's relegation last season. Liverpool fielded a weakened team in the build-up to a Champions League Final last May and lost to Sheffield United's relegation rivals Fulham.

Warnock, now in charge of Crystal Palace, said: "I'm still very bitter about it. It's part of a big club's mentality. They look after themselves and they don't bother about anyone else.

Liverpool face relegation-threatened Fulham again on Saturday and Benitez is likely to name a weakened side, with skipper Steven Gerrard and full back Alvaro Arbeloa doubtful, and top scorer Fernando Torres set to be rested.

Bolton boss Gary Megson has expressed his desire that Benitez field a full side.

But Bentiez said: "Obviously I will be thinking a bit about playing key games in Europe after Fulham. But the key is to keep winning, we may do it with different players and we need to use other players.

"We have a big squad, good players to come in and we will treat this game just like we did at Arsenal."

The former Valencia boss claimed one side did not have a major bearing on the relegation battle.

"I know there was criticism last season when we did something similar at Fulham, coming from Sheffield United," he said. "But what did they do in their last game? They lost. So I feel it is sometimes better to look to yourself and what you do.

"Teams have 38 games to play each season, that is enough. So you are responsible for your own luck. Look at what all the teams in the middle of the table have been doing recently. They have been using different players, young players, and they have been preparing for the future.

"What did Bolton do in the UEFA Cup with their team selection?. They left players out. I will use the players I believe will be good enough to win this game, and the next one and the next one. I believe 38 games is enough to be successful or not.

"And clearly our squad is stronger than it was last season when we got to this stage. We should have won that game against Fulham then. And I will put out a team I believe can win this time.

"I will be thinking a little bit about Chelsea. I have players I do not want to risk, and I have enough quality in the squad to win at Fulham."

Crouch Insists There Will Be No Let-Up

Peter Crouch assured former Liverpool-now Fulham ace Danny Murphy that the Reds will be going full throttle, with or without key duo Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard, to take the visitors down this upcoming weekend.

Still a firm favourite with the Kop, Murphy cheekily suggested on Monday that his long-term friends Jamie Carragher and Gerrard may be rested, along with Torres, with a view to Tuesday's Champions League semi-final against Chelsea, but Crouch insisted there will be no complacency from anyone in a Red shirt against the West Londoners.

"I know Stevie and Carra are in contact with Danny a lot and I'm sure they will be speaking to him before the game," Crouch told Liverpoolfc.tv.

"Fulham are desperate to stay in the league but I can assure you neither Stevie or Carra will be taking their foot off the gas.

"The manager hasn't talked about the Chelsea game with us this week and we are fully focused on Fulham.

“It will be a tough game away from home against a team that really needs the three points but we will be focused.

"Fulham is very a very important game for us. They are scrapping for every point to guarantee their survival but we we want the win as well.

"Fourth place is still not cemented and we need to make sure we get the three points and get the confidence to take into Tuesday's massive Champions League game.

"We are in good form so hopefully we can continue that on Saturday."

Tom Hicks Set To Offer Rafael Benitez New Deal

As one prominent former Liverpool player expressed last night the belief that Rafael Benítez would not be at Anfield next season, Tom Hicks, the club's controversial American co-owner, is expected to reiterate his desire to offer the manager a contract extension today as the knives are sharpened in the bitter boardroom battle.

Hicks has made repeated attempts to emphasise his support for Benítez after claiming to have resolved his differences with the Liverpool manager in the wake of revelations that he and George Gillett Jr, his fellow owner, held talks with Jürgen Klinsmann last year about the former Germany coach taking charge at Anfield.

Having indicated over the weekend that he would extend Benítez's contract, which has two years to run, Hicks is expected to offer further explanations as to why in an interview with Sky Sports this morning, although the sceptics believe that such declarations are little more than an attempt to curry favour from supporters as he seeks to drive Rick Parry, the chief executive, out of the club.

Benítez retains the backing of the fans and, by siding with the manager, Hicks believes that he will strengthen his chances of removing Parry, who has resisted the Texan's calls to resign amid support from the majority of the board, including Gillett. Whether Benítez would sign a new deal, if the offer of one is forthcoming, is another matter. Dismayed by the civil war that has engulfed the club and aware that there may be no shortage of suitors at the end of the season, especially if he can guide Liverpool to a second Champions League triumph in four seasons, Benítez may opt to walk away.

Gillett would be unlikely to support Hicks's offer of a new contract, given that he was the one who instigated the talks with Klinsmann, and that Dubai International Capital (DIC), the Arab investment consortium that is confident of taking control at the club, may favour the appointment of its own manager.

What is certain, however, is that Benítez and Parry cannot continue to work together. The pair have not seen eye to eye for a long time and the revelation over the weekend that the chief executive was present at one of the two meetings with Klinsmann served only to undermine their relationship further. Unless DIC wins control soon, or Benítez or Parry steps down, it is difficult to see how the crisis can be resolved before the end of May, when the “first refusal” agreement between Hicks and Gillett, which dictates that one must offer the other his 50 per cent share before doing so to a third party and vice versa, comes to an end.

With that in mind, Mark Lawrenson, the former Liverpool defender, believes that Benítez may decide that enough is enough. “The problems off the pitch could give him an excuse to leave,” he said. “If they win the Champions League there would be no shortage of takers and he probably thinks, 'Why should I turn up and flog my guts out for this lot when I don't know what is going to happen next week?'”

Of more immediate concern is the Barclays Premier League match away to Fulham on Saturday. Benítez invited fierce criticism by playing a weakened team in the corresponding fixture last season, which Fulham won 1-0, a result that helped to seal Sheffield United's relegation.

But amid calls from Gary Megson, the Bolton Wanderers manager, for his Liverpool counterpart to “retain the integrity” of the league, Benítez intimated that he would not play a weakened team as he seeks to all but secure fourth place before the first leg of their Champions League semi-final against Chelsea at Anfield on Tuesday. “We will think about Chelsea, but for us to be in the top four is really important and we will have enough energy to play against Chelsea,” Benítez said.

Gerrard Approves Barry Move

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is fully behind Rafa Benitez’s plans to bring Gareth Barry to Anfield.

Benitez has consulted his skipper about the possibility of a summer move for the Aston Villa midfielder, and Gerrard has backed the plan all the way.

It is no secret that Gerrard and Barry are good friends off the pitch, and they seem to have formed a very useful midfield partnership at international level for England.

British tabloids this week reported that the Villa skipper was at the top of Benitez’s wish list, despite the abundance of talent Liverpool currently possess in central midfield.

It could be that the Liverpool boss is seeking a replacement for Xabi Alonso, as there have been rumours of a rift developing between the Spanish playmaker and Benitez.

Villa boss Martin O’Neill has been offered right of first refusal on Peter Crouch and John Arne Riise, both of whom the former Celtic manager has expressed interest in, in the hopes of reaching a player-exchange agreement.

However, with both Portsmouth and Manchester City keen on Crouch and Newcastle interested in Riise, Benitez may be willing to shell out the £12 million Villa are reportedly asking for Barry.

Liverpool have also been linked with Manchester City youngster Michael Johnson this week for the same amount.

Reds Forced To Release Final Plans

UEFA have instructed Liverpool to release ticket details for the Champions League final even before the semi-final has taken place.

Due to concerns over the processing of visa applications, European football's governing body have told all four semi-finalists to seek ticket requests from fans for the final in Moscow on May 21.

Manchester United have already made their ticket information available to their supporters and both Chelsea and Barcelona are expected to announce their plans over the coming days.

"The tickets have got to go on sale now because of UEFA visa requirements," said Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry.

"UEFA has insisted that we provide them with details the day after the second leg of the semi-final in order to process visas.

"There is no alternative for us but to start now, however uncomfortable we might feel.

"This is not the way we would prefer to do it because we do feel uncomfortable about it but we have no choice."

Liverpool have been advised they will be allocated 21,000 tickets if they progress to the final and requests for an increased number have already been rejected by UEFA.

Having been heavily criticised for the way tickets were distributed ahead of the Athens final last season, Liverpool have taken on board fans' concerns this time around.

Parry added: "All season ticket and fan card holders who have been to six Champions League games will definitely qualify for a ticket.

"And all season ticket holders who have been to five games are invited to apply for a ticket."

Supporters should note the qualifier against Toulouse and the forthcoming semi-final against Chelsea do not count as qualifying games for the final.

Parry said: "If there is a 100% take up, which there very rarely is, season ticket holders who have been to five games will have an 80% chance of getting a ticket, which is a massive improvement on last year.

"The two things that distinguish this time around from last year after taking into account the concerns of fans are that we have given priority to season ticket holders who have been to five games and we have introduced the extra step of seeking applications from fans because of the extra time that this situation has afforded us.

"Once we have received the applications they will not be taken first come first served because that would be unfair. Instead, we will have a random process.

"Having weighed up all the options and the concerns that fans had last year we feel that the system we have come up with is the best and fairest way of distributing tickets.

"But, as ever, it is unlikely that we will be able to satisfy everyone because of the allocation of tickets from UEFA."

Liverpool’s Torres Gets Kuyt’s Backing To Break Record

Liverpool striker Dirk Kuyt has rendered support to his star team mate Fernando Torres to break Ruud Van Nistelrooy’s record of 23 goals in the Premier League as a debutant.

The Spanish international has hit 22 Premiership goals and could possibly equal or even break the record, if he features against Fulham at the weekend.

Kuyt feels that the 24-year old scoring machine deserves to have the record to his credit as he has been exceptional all through the season.

"Yes, I think he deserves that," said Kuyt. "He has scored many goals already and is playing really well for us.

"We still have a few games to go and with Fernando on fire as he has been I see no reason why he won't reach that target and beat the record.

"We will have to wait and see but he definitely has the quality to score more than 23 league goals this season. Like I say, it seems like he can score in every game.

"To take the record from someone like Van Nistelrooy would be a great achievement. He was absolutely fabulous for Manchester United in that first season and most of the years to follow. Van Nistelrooy is a great striker but Fernando is only going to get better and better. I can only see him scoring more goals.”

"He is always a threat for opposing defenders. It is unbelievable just how well he has adapted to the Premier League and settled in so easily at Liverpool.”

"Speaking from my own experience I know how difficult it is to come to a big club from a new country.”

"For Dutch people, who often speak English already, it is probably much easier than for a Spanish player who may not know the language right away, as was the case with Fernando.”

"We've seen over the years that many players who don't know the language need a little more time to adapt. For example, someone like Lucas Leiva has needed a few more months than Fernando to get used to things here but that is a testament to just how quickly Fernando has taken to everything.”

"He is scoring in almost every game now, which is a pleasure for everyone else in the team. It means we are confident of scoring every time we play. If we get it right defensively this means we have a good chance of winning every game."

Liverpool’s Pepe Reina Tells Team Mates Not To Loose Focus In The Premier League

Liverpool’s first choice keeper Pepe Reina has asked his team mates not to take the task of securing the fourth place in the Premier League lightly, even though they are now five points clear of Everton after the 3-1 victory over Blackburn on Sunday.

The Reds are preparing for their Champions League semi final clash against Chelsea but the keeper feels that they should not loose focus in the Premier League which is equally important.

Rafael Benitez’s side will now face Fulham at the weekend and the Spanish is hoping to collect full points from the encounter.

Reina feels that the champions league quarter final victory over Arsenal has given must boost to the sides confidence.

"It was a fantastic win against Arsenal," he told LFC's Official Matchday programme.

"I'll never forget an amazing night in front of such passionate supporters that proved once again that they are the best in the game. When we needed a lift after they scored their goals they obliged.

"It has set us up for another interesting meeting with Chelsea in the semi-finals next week and although we are desperate for silverware and would love to play this tomorrow, we will have to concentrate on the business of the league.

"I said before our game with Inter Milan that we could not think about the final in Moscow until the final whistle sounded at the end of the second-leg of the semi-final. Until then we can only take one game at a time and one day at a time.

"It is important all of us - the players, the manager, the board and the supporters - remember always the important job we still have to do in the Premier League.

"In life, if you become complacent then you are already beaten before the fight begins. If we approach a league game with our focus on Europe we will lose.

"If we were to approach those Chelsea games thinking of who we can play in the final in Moscow then we will not be there either."