Steve Bruce Warns Emile Heskey: Liverpool Move Would Wreck Your England World Cup Hopes

Steve Bruce has warned wanted man Emile Heskey that signing for Liverpool would wreck his England World Cup chances.

Wigan manager Bruce is keen to keep his international striker and told him that leaving to return to the Kop could kill off his hopes of a sensational swan-song with Fabio Capello’s men in South Africa.

Heskey’s displays for The Latics and England have made him a wanted man – but Bruce reckons he puts that all at risk by moving.

With Heskey’s contract up at the end of the season – and his admission last night that a return to Liverpool would be ‘lovely’ – Bruce knows he has a battle to hold on to him.

He said: “We’ve not given up hope of keeping Emile. He is playing week-in and week-out and we play to his strengths.

“If Emile goes to Liverpool is he going to play week-in and week-out?

“The big thing Emile will have on his mind is to be in condition in 18 months to go to the World Cup. Why not stay here and do that?”

Heskey said: “When you are performing well, speculation will come around. A move to Liverpool would be lovely. Who knows what will happen?”

Benítez Calls For Torres Injuries With Spain To Be Analysed

Rafael Benítez is to ask his former Real Madrid mentor, Vicente Del Bosque, to reassess Fernando Torres' training methods with Spain following the Liverpool striker's latest hamstring injury while on international duty.

Torres will miss today's visit of Wigan Athletic to Anfield, Wednesday's emotive Champions League return to his former club, Atlético Madrid, and probably next Sunday's trip to Chelsea after lasting only 16 minutes of Spain's midweek World Cup qualifying win over Belgium. Liverpool's record signing has suffered three hamstring strains with Spain since he moved to Anfield and only one during that time for his club.

While Benítez has absolved Del Bosque, the Spanish national coach, of any blame for Torres' international injury record, he believes his compatriots must pinpoint the source of the discrepancy. The Liverpool manager said: "There is a new manager with a new fitness coach [with Spain]. They were asking Torres before the game how he felt and he told them, 'Better than ever', so I cannot blame them."

Benítez admitted the loss of Torres, Martin Skrtel, who suffered a cruciate injury against Manchester City, plus the international break, has left him "worried" about today's encounter but he refused to discuss reports linking him with a January move for the Wigan striker and Anfield old boy Emile Heskey.

Cerezo Sends VIP Invitation To Torres

Atlético Madrid president Enrique Cerezo has extended a special invitation to former local hero Fernando Torres, whom he wants to join him in the VIP box when the Spanish outfit take on Liverpool in the Champions League next week.

With UEFA’s decision to postpone Atlético Madrid’s home ground penalty, Fernando Torres would have been able to fulfil his highly anticipated homecoming.

However, the player was dealt a massive blow on Wednesday when he suffered a hamstring tear in his right leg whilst on World Cup qualifying duty with Spain. Thus, he's out of Liverpool’s visit to the Vicente Calderón and won't take on his boyhood team.

However, Atleti president Enrique Cerezo, who holds the 24 year old in high regard, has revealed that he still wants El Niño present in the stadium when the two teams collide on Wednesday.

“Torres is a player who was born and bred at Atlético Madrid and everyone here still admires him and we still follow his career,” the president said.

“The injury is very unfortunate and I would have liked to see him play.

“But we will invite him to the VIP box seat to watch the game because Atlético is his home,” Cerezo explained, before going on to add that he wishes to see both teams advance to the next round.

The president was then asked to give his views regarding UEFA’s decision to uphold the stadium ban, which will come into effect after the Liverpool game.

“We will do what we have to do to defend our honour and make sure this incident goes away.

“The logical thing for UEFA to do would have been to close down Marseille’s stadium, because it was their fans who started the trouble,” he explained.

He concluded by advising the Atlético fans not to travel to the Stade Vélodrome for the return fixture.

Liverpool Defender Nearing Return From Injury

Liverpool defender Phillipp Degen has revealed that he is nearing a return to the Liverpool first team after recovering from broken ribs and a punctured lung, which he sustained in September.

The 25 year-old signed on a Bosman from Borussia Dortmund over the summer and was expected to challenge Alvaro Arbeloa for a spot in the Liverpool defence.

However, injury has limited the Switzerland international to a single appearance for the club. During his one competitive start for the Reds, Degen suffered broken ribs and a lung puncture in the Carling Cup tie against Crewe Alexandria.

He has been out of contention since then as Liverpool have surged up the Premier League table and impressed in the Champions League.

Degen is now only weeks away from competing with Arbeloa for the right-back berth, and he is confident of pushing for a starting place.

He insists that the pain has cleared away and he is ready to put his recent injury woes behind him.

He told Liverpool's official website: "I hope I can soon be 100 per cent. I want to get on the pitch as quickly as possible - maybe it will be in the next one or two weeks.

"Last week it was not so good. I was in a lot of pain but at the moment I'm training very well. I had two fractured ribs and a punctured lung.

"It's been very tough. I just want to play for this club and in front of these fans.

"This is new to me. I had an injury for six months before I came to Liverpool, but up until that point I'd never been injured. I was the type of player who played every game.

"I hope the injuries are over now."

He went on: "I have to work hard every day and show the boss (Rafa Benitez) what I can do. We have a lot of games so I can play my part.

"I am different to Alvaro. I am maybe more offensive and so it's not a direct comparison. But first I have to get fit and do well in training - then we will see."

Rafa To Fork Out £8m For 'Kuba'?

Liverpool gaffer Rafael Benitez is said to be after Dortmund star Jakub Błaszczykowski, but the wily Germans are keen to quadruple what they paid for him less than two years ago.

Reportedly, Liverpool have already sounded out Bundesliga outfit Borussia Dortmund about their Polish winger Jakub Błaszczykowski.

Boss Rafael Benitez thought he would be able to pick up the 22-year-old, who can play anywhere on the right flank, for a maximum of £5m and made his intentions clear to the German club.

However, having mulled it over, The Schwarzgelben feel that the player they signed from Wisła Kraków in early 2007 for around £2m is now a £8m player and will hold the Reds to ransom.

Błaszczykowski, who wears 'Kuba' on his Dortmund shirt, has remained a fairly well-kept secret out side of Germany and Poland, due to the fact that he had to withdraw from his country's Euro 2008 squad through injury.

Still, Benitez is said to rate the player very highly and will hope his club's negotiators can come to an agreement in January.

Degen: I Don't Understand Scousers

Liverpool's Swiss full-back Philipp Degen admits that, whilst he settling into life on Merseyside, he can't make head nor tail of the Scouse dialect.

Things are looking up for Philipp Degen for the first time since he joined Liverpool on a Bosman from German side Borussia Dortmund over the summer.

The 25-year-old has almost recovered from the broken ribs and punctured lung he sustained during the Carling Cup tie against Crewe Alexandria in the early days of the season.

Now, as he eyes an imminent return to the squad, he admits that he's finally feeling positive about his recent move.

"I have seen a little bit of Liverpool and it's a great city," he told the club's official website.

"When I'm out I like to be open and try new things and sometimes the fans come over.

"There's a great respect, but sometimes it's difficult to understand Scousers.

"I have been taking lessons at Melwood. There's only one language here and that's English, so I am trying every day."

Seemingly the Reds' star-studded cast are all speaking Scouse at training, presumably with an international flair.

Steven Gerrard Proved Critics Wrong, Says David Beckham

David Beckham says Steven Gerrard proved a point to his detractors in Minsk last night, insisting the Liverpool midfielder remains one of the world's best players, both for club and country.

Beckham, who won his 107th cap in the 3-1 victory against Belarus, was baffled by the criticism of Gerrard and claimed the midfielder had played a pivotal role for England.

"It's amazing that Steven Gerrard gets criticised," Beckham said. "In a Liverpool shirt he's incredible and in an England shirt he's incredible. He proved that to a lot of people last night and for me he's one of the best midfielders in the world.

"So to see him perform like that and to see Frank Lampard play well was great. But it was a team performance. Wayne Rooney and Emile Heskey, they clicked really well last night and it's great to be in an England team that's so confident and enjoying it. Hopefully that's going to restore some confidence in the fans because we're thankful for all the support they give us."

Beckham was asked if he agreed with Rio Ferdinand's claim that the England camp during the World Cup in 2006 had resembled a circus.

"It has looked like that in the past," he said, "but I don't think that's down to the players or management. That was something that was going on at the time.

"The players have always gone into big competitions not worrying about anything other than success. We've not been worried about the circus that's going on around us, we've always gone into World Cups concentrating on the football.

"Rio is right in what he said but [Fabio Capello] has brought a more disciplined culture into the team. I know what this manager wants because he's a winner and all he believes in is winning games and players and teams working hard. When that happens there's success and there's a good togetherness with this team which is a pleasure to be around."

Beckham's appearance from the substitutes' bench in Minsk took him to within one cap of Bobby Moore's 108 for England. If he were to feature in the remaining World Cup qualifiers he will be just nine shy of Peter Shilton's 125-cap record, although this is not something the former captain has set in his sights.

"I am not looking that far ahead," he said. "I'm enjoying being part of this England team. We had a few players out but others came in and you saw the strength of our squad."

Gerrard Haunted By 'That' Miss

Steven Gerrard admits he is already getting stick for his incredible miss against Belarus - and fears it will come back to haunt him for years to come. Gerrard rounded the goalkeeper in Minsk with the score at 3-1 and incredibly hit the post from only two yards out.

In the end it didn't matter as England won comfortably to make it four World Cup victories in a row. But Gerrard, who scored England's opener from 30 yards, says his awful cock-up should act as a warning to young players.

The Liverpool man said: "I'm sure I will get a lot of stick for missing the chance of scoring a second. The texts were flooding in when I checked my phone after the match.

"It is a lesson to any kids watching that you have to keep working on your weaker foot. I should have used my left but tried my right instead."

Even so, Gerrard insists the embarrassment of his miss won't take anything away from a fantastic team performance in Minsk.

He said: "We played really well because we knew it would be difficult. Belarus are a good team with some fantastic results. It is very good result away from home. We knew beforehand that it was a very difficult tie. They are a good team and it is credit to us that we got a massive three points.

"It was important we respected them and after the first-half we needed to improve - and we did that. The main thing is we are sitting top of the group and we have made history."

Gerrard also felt he played well in the game, despite his late blunder, and is happy that England, who don't' play another competitive game until April 2009, have started their campaign so well.

He added: "We're top of the league going into the New Year, and that's great. You want to play all the time when you're winning, but the friendly against Germany on November 19 gives the manager the chance to try new things and different personnel, so I'm sure when qualifying comes round again we will be even better again.

"As for me, I think when you're playing for England you always have a point to prove. You're fighting for your shirt every game. It's nice to get a goal and a win. People always speak about me and Lampard and where we should play, but as long as I'm in the team I'm happy.

"I felt I played well. Every game is important for my country and I try to play as well as I can. I haven't always hit the heights id like to but I will always give my all for my country."

One player who did hit the heights, however, was Gerrard's great friend Wayne Rooney who scored twice to continue his remarkable form under Fabio Capello.

Gerrard said: "To have scored five goals in three games is superb. When we get Wayne in that kind of form he certainly improves our team.

"We are still building and we need to keep working hard.

"When Wayne is on form he's up there with the best in the world. He's such a special talent, his understanding and awareness are absolutely fantastic and it's great to play with him."

Alonso And Arbeloa Rue Torres Injury Blow

Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa have admitted it will be a big blow for Liverpool if star striker Fernando Torres is ruled out long term.

Torres was forced to hobble out of Spain's World Cup qualifier against Belgium after just 16 minutes with a muscle strain.

And he is now a major doubt for the Champions League tie at Atletico Madrid next week, as well as the crunch clash with Chelsea in the Premier League the following weekend.

The 24-year-old has scored four goals in his last three games after a slow start to the season.

And Alonso said: "It is bad news for Liverpool because from now until Christmas we do not have a break and we have some key games coming up against Atletico Madrid and Chelsea.

"I know he is disappointed because it is not the first time he has picked up an injury on international duty and he was also in a great run of form recently."

Meanwhile, Arbeloa added: "We hope that it's not too serious and that he will be able to play again soon because he would be a big loss for Liverpool.

"He looked upset because he was very excited about playing against his former team Atletico Madrid next week."

Rafa Benitez Furious As Fernando Torres Returns Injured From Spain Duty Yet Again

Rafa Benitez was left fuming last night after star striker Fernando Torres had his dream of a return to Madrid shattered.

The Liverpool manager hit the roof when his inspirational forward limped off just 16 minutes into Spain's World Cup qualifer in Belgium on Wednesday night and will be ruled out for up to 15 days.

Tests yesterday confirmed the hamstring problem will keep Torres out for at least three matches, causing him to miss the Premier Leagu games against Wigan and Chelsea, as well as the trip to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.

Torres was desperate to return to his former club Atletico, and he is sure to do everything he can to be fit for the tie in the Vicente Calderon stadium next week.

But Benitez could not hide his fury at what he says is an overcrowded international fixture list that has added to Torres' injury situation.

The striker has been injured THREE times playing for his country in the last year.

And Benitez blasted: "I am very disappointed about this because it now looks like we will lose Fernando for three very important games. There are too many international matches and the demands on the players are too much.

"Someone needs to analyse this because it is putting the players at risk of injury."

His mood was not improved when Ryan Babel picked up an ankle injury with Holland, and Israel skipper Yossi Benayoun aggravated a toe injury in the 1-1 Latvia draw.

The Anfield chief is a longstanding critic of the crowded international calendar, claiming that many games are meaningless due to the poor standard of some nations.

Rafa added: "There are too many games in the qualifiers which are not competitive.

"These fixtures are unnecessary - and maybe it would be better if the weaker countries played one another and the best of them went to play the stronger nations in the qualifiers."

Torres was devastated on Wednesday night, and his tears when he limped off with yet another hamstring injury showed just how disappointed he feels.

Liverpool Striker Torres Out For 15 Days

Liverpool have confirmed Fernando Torres will be out for 'between 10 and 15 days' after a scan on his right hamstring yesterday.

Torres was already expected to miss Saturday's Barclays Premier League match against Wigan, next week's trip to face Atletico Madrid in the Champions League and the following Sunday's crunch fixture at Chelsea.

And a scan today has confirmed he will be out for at least 10 days after doctors detected a tear in his right hamstring suffered in Spain's World Cup qualifier in Belgium on Wednesday night.

Liverpool also revealed Dutch attacker Ryan Babel is 'a major doubt' for the Wigan match after spraining his left ankle on international duty.

Reds spokesman Ian Cotton said: 'A scan on Fernando Torres has shown a tear in his right hamstring which will sideline the player for between 10 and 15 days.

'Ryan Babel has sprained his left ankle and is a major doubt for Wigan on Saturday.'

Earlier Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez said: 'I am very disappointed about this, because it now looks like we will lose Fernando for three very important games.

'We have Wigan at home and Chelsea away in the league and Atletico Madrid away in the Champions League, so to lose any players is a big blow.

'The initial reports say Fernando is likely to be out for around 10 days, and that would mean he would miss these games.'

Liverpool lost Torres for a spell last season after an injury on international duty, and Benitez is a firm supporter of a system that would see players involved in fewer games for their country.

He said: 'There are too many international games, and the demands on the players are too much. Someone needs to analyse this situation, because it is putting the players at risk of injury.

'Maybe the answer is for there to be a two-tier qualifying system, because there are too many games in the qualifiers for the World Cup and the European Championships which are not competitive but which still place great demands on the players.

'These fixtures are unnecessary, and maybe it would be better if the weaker countries played one another and the best of them went to play the stronger countries in the qualifiers.'

Benitez's mood was further darkened by Babel's injury in Holland's qualifier against Norway. With two key players out, Benitez wants his squad to show the strength witnessed against Manchester United - when victory was secured without the injured Torres and Steven Gerrard.

He said: 'It is important that we show our strength at times like this.

'We cannot do anything about the injuries, so it is up to the players to come in and do a good job if they are needed.'

Rafael Benitez Lines Up Emile Heskey Transfer To Liverpool

LIVERPOOL are considering a surprise move to bring Emile Heskey back to Anfield.

Rafael Benitez has been impressed with the renaissance of the 30-year-old at Wigan Athletic during the past 18 months.

Heskey’s form earned him a recall to the England squad last autumn and he has since cemented himself as first-choice under present national team coach Fabio Capello, playing a major role in the 3-1 win in Belarus on Wednesday.

Despite shelling out around £20million to bring Robbie Keane from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer, Benitez is contemplating further strengthening his forward options.

And with Heskey out of contract at the end of the season, he would most likely only cost a nominal fee should he leave the JJB Stadium during the January transfer window.

The England international would offer an alternative style to the strikers currently on Liverpool’s books, particularly in the Premier League with the Anfield outfit having made a strong start to the campaign.

And the lack of proven Premier League forwards Benitez has at his disposal is set to be cruelly exposed in forthcoming games after Fernando Torres was predicted to be out for “10 to 15 days” with a hamstring injury.

Following England’s game in Minsk, Heskey was quizzed on whether he fancied another crack at Champions League football – which would only be truly realistic with a move to a top four side.

“Everyone wants to be playing on these stages and for their club in the Champions League,” he said.

“It’s a nice situation that I’m in, but I’m still a Wigan player and I want to do my best for them.”

Heskey spent more than four years at Anfield after being signed by Gerard Houllier from Leicester City for a then club record fee of £11million in March 2000.

He scored 60 goals in 223 appearances and helped Liverpool win the FA Cup, the UEFA Cup and two League Cups before joining Birmingham City shortly before Benitez’s arrival in the summer of 2004.

Heskey, of course, will be in opposition to Liverpool tomorrow when his Wigan side visit Anfield.

Their manager Steve Bruce earlier this month conceded that holding on to a player of Heskey’s stature was all but out of his hands.

He said: “Life as the manager of Wigan means accepting that we’re always in danger of losing our players. We’ve created the nucleus of a really decent team but my biggest fear is can we keep it together? Because the vultures are already hovering.

“My chairman will back me to the hilt but how can I deny these lads the opportunity if one of the big boys comes knocking on our door? That’s the problem we are going to have to address this term.”

Pacheco Lifts Lid On Barca Departure

Liverpool youngster Daniel Pacheco has revealed the reasons behind his decision to leave Barcelona last year.

Pacheco was one of the hottest prospects in Barca's youth system, which has recently produced the likes of Lionel Messi, Bojan Krkic and Giovani Dos Santos.

But the 17-year-old waved goodbye to Catalunya in the summer of 2007 to embark on his English adventure, just as Cesc Fabregas did several years beforehand when he signed on for Arsenal.

And the prodigiously gifted forward confessed that he left Camp Nou for the same reasons as his fellow Spaniard: because he felt that some of the club's native talents were being marginalised by the influx of overseas prospects.

"It's a similar situation to the likes of Cesc Fabregas," Pacheco told Liverpool's official website. "Some Spanish clubs bring players in from South America then don't pay as much attention to the homegrown players.

"Barcelona was a fantastic place for me but it was an easy decision to come to Liverpool. I'd been there four years and my girlfriend was there but I wanted to come to England.

"I played every week at Barcelona but the problem was with the contract. The club kept saying I'd get a contract but I never saw it."

Pacheco has established himself as one of the most promising players in Liverpool's reserve set-up, especially after his stunning performances during pre-season.

The youngster revelled in the opportunity to play alongside the first-team regulars, and he revealed that he received some particularly encouraging words from a somewhat surprising source.

"You always learn a lot in every session with the first team. They are massive players but they always help you and give you advice," Pacheco said.

"In pre-season a lot of the Spanish players were away so I was spending time with Yossi Benayoun, Fabio Aurelio and Javier Mascherano. Everyone really, but these three speak Spanish.

"Yossi knows I like to play like him. He always tells me that I'm a good player and that when I have time I can run and take players on. But he tells me that when there is no time and opposition players are close I must pass and move."

Pacheco is just one of several young guns expected to make the grade at Anfield, with Hungarian striker Krisztian Nemeth and French forward David N'Gog also tipped for very bright futures.

I Joined Leeds Thinking I Would Become The Boss, Reveals Liverpool Legend Ian Rush

Liverpool legend Ian Rush has revealed that he joined Leeds United expecting to be groomed as their future manager when he realised his Anfield playing days were over.

The Welshman took up his new career at Elland Road in 1996 but the grand plan was scuppered when his mentor, Howard Wilkinson, was sacked less than a month into the season.

Rush, then 34, rejected offers from Manchester City and Sunderland when he realised his playing days were over at Liverpool because he felt there were better long-term opportunities at Leeds.

'What made the offer so appealing was that I would understudy Howard with a view to succeeding him as manager within two to three years,' the player reveals in Rush: The Autobiography.

'Having got over the emotion of the actual leaving, I felt strangely detached from Anfield and a loyalty to Leeds.

'My aim was to work towards gaining the UEFA Pro Licence. I felt I would learn a lot under Howard, who was widely respected throughout the game.

'Under Howard, Leeds won the League Championship in 1992. He remains the last Englishman to have steered a club to the title but, for me, his greatest achievement was the youth policy he had instigated at Elland Road.

Wilkinson got Rush involved with training the club's impressive academy, which at the time included Ian Harte, Harry Kewell, Paul Robinson and Jonathan Woodgate.

Things started to change when Wilkinson was replaced by George Graham and Rush left for Newcastle after just one season at the Leeds, where he scored three times in 36 Premiership games.

He eventually went on to manage Chester City in the 2004-05 season but resigned before the end of the campaign.

I Left Liverpool For Juve, Not For Benitez Problems - Sissoko

Juventus midfielder Momo Sissoko admits he never had any problems with Liverpool coach Rafa Benitez and he left the club because it was his dream to join Juventus and not because he didn't get along with everyone at Anfield.

The Mali international signed for the Old Lady in January in a €13m deal and his good performances since then saw him rewarded with a contract extension.

His move from Liverpool was not all smooth though, as speculation was rife that he left on bad terms.

However, Sissoko has now rubbished the rumours and he has set the record straight.

"It's not true that I left Liverpool because I had problems with the coach or because I didn't play much," Sissoko told Calcio 2000.

"I never had problems with Benitez. I have a great relationship with him and he still calls me to see how I get on.

"Juve was a choice from me. I have always admired the Bianconeri since I was young and I remember Zinedine Zidane when he played here. I fell in love with Juve then.

"I always new this was a great club and that it would get back to great levels. Juve have the will to win and never give up.

"I think we are stronger than last year as a result of the new players who came in and we have a more complete and robust squad. Poulsen? He is great and I have never played in a team with four great strikers like we have here."

Sissoko also believes Juve are stronger than bitter rivals Inter, despite the poor start to the season.

"On paper we are stronger than Inter but then things have been different on the pitch," added the midfielder.

"The Champions League? I won it with Liverpool and now I want to win it with Juventus."

The midfielder has established himself well with the Bianconeri but he has looked a little shaky at times this term.

The Old Lady has been struggling so far and a good result against Napoli on Saturday is the minimum neccessary to get their Scudetto hunt back up and running.

Alonso Quiet On Barca Rumours

Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso has refused to speculate on rumours claiming he is being lined up as a potential replacement for Yaya Toure at Barcelona.

Alonso was strongly linked with a transfer to Juventus over the summer, but a move to Serie A failed to materialise.

Reports emanating from Spain have suggested the 26-year-old could be a target of Barca with Ivory Coast international Toure unhappy with his inconsistent role at Camp Nou.

It is suggested Barca could swoop for Alonso if Toure, who has been linked with Arsenal and Juve in the past, demands a move in the January transfer window.

Alonso, who signed at Anfield from Real Sociedad in 2004, told the Spanish media: "I am content at Liverpool and I have still not decided on a concrete date for my return to Primera Liga."

Reds Must Not Relax Against Latics

RAFAEL BENITEZ has warned Liverpool to heed the lessons of last season when they entertain Wigan Athletic on Saturday.

As Premier League action resumes following the international break, the Anfield outfit are aiming to pick up where they left off by keeping pace with Chelsea at the top of the table.

Benitez’s side remain unbeaten and have lost just four of their last 46 top-flight matches, a run stretching back to the tail end of the 2006-07 campaign.

However, last season’s efforts to launch a credible championship challenge were undermined by a number of damaging draws, particularly at Anfield.

Wigan were responsible for one such outcome in January when Titus Bramble’s unlikely 80th-minute volley equalised an earlier Fernando Torres effort.

It’s a result that still rankles with Benitez and, after Liverpool were held to a goalless draw by Stoke City in their previous home league game, the Spaniard has urged his players to be on their guard at the weekend.

“We know not to take anything for granted against Wigan because two points slipped away against them last season of course,” said Benitez.

“It was a bad game. I think we deserved to win but anyway, you have to score a second goal and finish the game if you want to avoid these situations.

“We know the Premier League is very difficult and all the teams have something and can be strong in the air and play with determination. When they come to Anfield you know it will be really difficult so we have to be alert and be careful next time.

“But the team has more confidence now and I think we can approach the games thinking about just to finish it as soon as possible.”

Liverpool Will Play Champions League Tie In Madrid After Uefa U-turn

Uefa will bow to a storm of protest and scrap a decision to switch Liverpool's Champions League tie from Madrid next week.

European football's governing body had told Atletico Madrid their next two home games in the competition must be played 180 miles from their Vicente Calderon Stadium as a punishment for racist chanting.

But the ruling came after thousands of Reds fans had paid out for flights to the Spanish capital and booked hotels for Wednesday's match.

And late last night sources close to UEFA confirmed the ban will be delayed because it was imposed too late to make sensible alternative arrangements, particularly when it came to key security issues.

In a day of frantic negotiation, UEFA at first refused to budge, insisting the abuse aimed at Marseille players during a Champions League match at Atletico on October 1 warranted drastic action.

That effectively meant travelling fans might have only 24 hours to change plans.

Atletico's appeal was due to be heard on Sunday, with a decision on an alternative venue possibly being delayed until Monday.

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez, Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe and the FAall appealed for the ban on Atletico to start after the Reds' visit.

They all argued Liverpool fans would be hit hardest by being left out of pocket.

Atletico yesterday argued it was simply too late to make alternative arrangements to move the game 300km from Madrid because they would not be able to get adequate policing and security.

It seems UEFA have taken all the protests on board and are willing to delay the punishment. That is likely to be confirmed this morning.

Liverpool's role appears to have been the key to the decision.

Many in UEFA expected them to back the ban because it looked likely to make their visit easier without a hostile home crowd behind Atletico.

But despite that, Liverpool argued there was no time for their fans - with up to 5,000 travelling - to make alternative arrangements and without major financial loss.

Uefa also fined Atletico £120,000 for the racist abuse and banished their coach Javier Aquirre to the stands for two games for repeatedly swearing at Marseille midfielder Mathieu Valbuena.

That means he will not be in the dug-out against Liverpool.

The French club's team bus was also attacked on the way to the airport.

The ban will begin in two weeks' time when PSV Eindhoven are the visitors. It will be Atletico's final group game at home, so the punishment would carry over to the knockout stage should they get that far.

A repeat of the incident within the next five years would trigger a one-game home ban Benitez said: "Our supporters follow us all over Europe at great expense. That's why we were so worried by this ruling.

Torres Doubt For Atletico

Fernando Torres is a major doubt to face his former club Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Champions League next week.

The Liverpool striker limped out of Spain's win in Belgium after just 16 minutes and was visibly upset.

The injury is to his right leg with conflicting reports in Spain about whether it is his hamstring or thigh. If it is the former, then it may be the same injury he sustained against Aston Villa earlier in the season which saw him ruled out for two weeks.

Initial reports in Spain suggest that the injury, although not serious, is likely to sideline him for 10 days - which would rule him out of Saturday's home meeting with Wigan in the Premier League and the return to Atletico, his former club.

Spain boss Vicente del Bosque admitted Torres was upset with the injury.

"I am very sad for Torres," he said. "This is undoubtedly a very big blow for him."

Spain team doctor Oscar Celada confirmed Torres left the field in some distress.

"He has intense pain in the back part of the thigh," said Celada.

"It is difficult to diagnose now exactly the extent, if it is a question of a strain or a small tear.

"If it is a strain then he could be out for about a week."

Torres' Liverpool team-mates Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa admitted losing the striker, who has started the new Premier League season in fine style, is a big blow.

"For us it is undoubtedly bad news for both the international squad and Liverpool," said Alonso.

"We have to wait and see what the tests say, but we do not stop now until around Christmas, and we have a big calendar coming up with Atletico Madrid and Chelsea, and we cannot let up.

"It is not the first time this has happened for him with the national side, and it is a blow to have an injury when he is in such a good streak of form."

Arbeloa added: "It is bad news to have a new muscle injury at a time like this.

"We hope it is nothing too serious and hope he will soon be playing for Liverpool because he is very important."

Torres is now almost certainly out of the weekend Premier League clash with Wigan at Anfield, but it remains be seen whether he has enough time to recover for the Atletico clash.

Further bad news for Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez came from Scandinavia as Ryan Babel limped out of Holland's win against Norway after just 26 minutes.

As yet the Dutch authorities have not confirmed the extent of the injury to the forward.

Liverpool FC Stadium Will Still Go Ahead

LIVERPOOL have dismissed reports suggesting they are considering ditching plans to build a new stadium.

Speculation claimed the club had hired architects to consider redeveloping Anfield instead of going ahead with proposals to construct a new ground on nearby Stanley Park.

But a club spokesman said: “No-one has been asked to look at increasing the capacity of Anfield with a view to us staying at the present ground.

“Global market conditions may have delayed the project, but the club remains committed to building a new world class LFC stadium on the site in Stanley Park.”

The club’s American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett recently announced the Stanley Park plans have been delayed for another year because of the credit crunch.

But the Reds remain adamant the Stanley Park option is the only one being pursued.

Meanwhile, Fernando Torres has revealed how boss Rafa Benitez never allows him to rest on his laurels – even after the striker’s record-breaking first season in a Liverpool shirt.

Torres scored 33 goals during his debut season in English football and has another five to his name already this term.

But he admits that Benitez is always demanding that he reaches even greater heights.

“I am my own sternest critic, but my manager is just as demanding as I am,” said Torres.

“Rafa keeps reminding me I still have a long way to go.

“I’ll score a goal, but he won't tell me he is happy afterwards – I have him on my back for six hours every day.”

UEFA Sorry For Reds Disruption

UEFA admit Liverpool fans face major disruption after next week's Champions League tie away to Atletico Madrid was switched to a neutral venue.

Atletico have been fined 150,000 euros (£120,000) for racist abuse of Marseille players and handed a three-match stadium ban after crowd trouble and lack of organisation at the same match.

Liverpool have expressed strong concerns over the timing of the decision but UEFA defended the move saying there was "no alternative" and have pledged to minimise problems for the 3,000 fans who have already booked a trip.

The match cannot take place within 300 kilometres of Madrid under UEFA's ruling, but there are further problems in that Atletico are set to appeal against the punishment, and a final decision will not be known until the weekend.

UEFA communications director William Gaillard said: "We are in touch with Liverpool because we are concerned about the fans.

"We know they face hardship and disruption and we sympathise with that, but we needed to punish Atletico Madrid. We have no alternative.

"What would people have said if Liverpool went there and the players and fans suffered the same treatment?

"We know how sensitive the British public are about racism and violence - and rightly so.

"This is to protect Liverpool fans too - the police were harsh and violent against peaceful fans during the Marseille game and do we want the same story as that, or as happened to the Tottenham fans in Seville last year?"

Gaillard said they were already talking to the club about moving charter flights and UEFA would help in any way they could.

"We are looking at the logistics and seeing what help we can provide," he added.

Liverpool have written to UEFA over the timing of the decision.

"To say the decision is a bit late in the day is to put it mildly," said chief executive Rick Parry.

"We have 3,000 fans going to the game and we are extremely concerned for our supporters, the vast majority of whom have already made travel arrangements.

"If the match is played at least 300 kilometres from Madrid, it will cause major disruption, inconvenience and large additional expense for our fans.

"UEFA have to take their needs into account when making a final decision on the game."

Liverpool fans have also criticised the short notice.

A spokesman for the fans' group Spirit of Shankly said: "This is outrageous - this game was played two weeks ago and UEFA have waited until now to make a decision.

"It's crazy to do this now when everyone's travel plans have been booked."

The row has overshadowed a significant moment in football's campaign against racism - this was UEFA's toughest action for racist behaviour.

Atletico coach Javier Aguirre has also been banned for his club's home and away fixtures against Liverpool for insulting Marseille player Mathieu Valbuena.

Atletico were found guilty of a lack of organisation that led to a number of serious problems. Visiting fans were "victimised" by police, according to UEFA, and no police escort was provided for the team coach to and from the stadium - it was attacked by 'ultras' from the Spanish club.

Furthermore, black journalists in the press area were racially insulted by Atletico fans and no provision was made for disabled supporters who had bought tickets.

Monkey chants were then aimed at Marseille's black players, and Atletico coach Aguirre repeatedly swore at Valbuena, calling him 'a son of a whore' and other insults, and then held onto the ball to waste time at a throw-in.

Anti-racism campaigners have praised UEFA with former Chelsea defender Paul Elliott, ambassador for European campaigners FARE, saying: "This is a momentous decision.

"I and other leading players in the game - black and white - fully support the actions that UEFA have taken."

Lord Ouseley, chairman of Kick It Out, added: "The leadership that UEFA has demonstrated through these sanctions sends out a message that is loud and clear - racism will not be tolerated."

The Spanish side released a statement on their official website shortly after the punishment was imposed by UEFA.

It said Atletico's lawyers were looking into the matter and UEFA had informed the club they have until 12pm on Friday to appeal.

Sports minister Gerry Sutcliffe called on UEFA to use the money from Atletico's record fine to help Liverpool fans.

Sutcliffe said: "It's great to see UEFA taking a tough stance on racism as this is the only way we are going to kick this problem out of the game.

"But the decision to move the match at this late stage will play havoc with Liverpool fans' travel plans and put them out of pocket.

"These decisions need to be made more quickly to avoid this. I would like to see UEFA use the 150,000 euro fine paid by Atletico to help the Liverpool supporters get to the match."

Gary Neville Stirs Up Manchester United And Liverpool Rivalry

GARY NEVILLE knows the Premier League champions will come from the top four as usual – but the Manchester United skipper hopes it is not Liverpool.

It is 1995 since anyone except United, Chelsea or Arsenal last won the title – Blackburn pipped United – and you have to go back another five years for the last of Liverpool’s 18 successes, when Kenny Dalglish was still manager.

Since then, United have finished top on 10 occasions, reversing the old order under Sir Alex Ferguson and moving to within a single championship of Liverpool’s record mark.

But hope is growing in the red half of Merseyside the run will be brought to an end in May.

With Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard spearheading the Anfield challenge, Rafael Benitez’s side are in the slip-stream of early-season pacesetters Chelsea.

But Neville addressed the prospect of a Liverpool title win in typically forthright manner.

"I hope not," said the England defender.

"But we don’t know do we? They have started well and had some good results. They beat us, which was disappointing for us, but will obviously give them confidence.

"It will be Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and ourselves. We know the champions will be one of those four. It is a case of who puts the most consistent run together."

United are currently six points adrift in mid-table.

However, such statistics do not take into account their game in hand against Fulham, postponed at the end of August due to the European Super Cup encounter with Zenit St Petersburg.

In addition, United have also been to Liverpool and Chelsea, gaining a creditable draw at Stamford Bridge after being beaten at Anfield.

Neville is not too concerned. In fact, the two points he feels have to be made up were lost against Newcastle at Old Trafford on the opening day of the season.

"We will be three points behind if we win our game in hand, so we are still in contention," he said.

"We are probably not quite where we would like to be. But the most disappointing result was Newcastle at home.

"You can always lose to Liverpool away in the league even if you never accept it and it is always disappointing.

"We are two points behind because of that result against Newcastle.

"But it is a long season and we still have time to make it up."

Although he played against Chelsea, Neville missed the wins over Aalborg and Blackburn with a groin injury.

Young Brazilian Rafael Da Silva came in and did an excellent job in the Champions League tie before Wes Brown returned and helped keep a clean sheet against Blackburn, emphasising the strength of Ferguson’s squad.

So, although they have a dozen players on international duty this week, United have the likes of Ryan Giggs, Owen Hargreaves and Michael Carrick fresh, plus Neville if he is fit, for Saturday evening’s clash with West Brom.

"The squad is strong in terms of depth," said Neville. "But as we have seen, we need the numbers.

"Over the last couple of years the manager has built up a young, strong squad. It has a little bit of experience as well, so we are really happy with it."

Atletico Set To Appeal Stadium Ban

Atletico Madrid will appeal against the stadium ban handed out to them by UEFA for incidents during their Champions League tie with Marseille.

The Primera Liga club have issued a statement in which they said they are planning to appeal the punishment - the sternest issued by UEFA in their fight against racism - and wanted to make a public defence.

European football's governing body have ruled Atletico's next two Champions League home matches cannot not be played within 200 miles of Madrid, meaning Liverpool's clash there next Wednesday will now have to be moved - leaving the plans of thousands of Reds fans in tatters. The Spanish club have also been fined £120,000.

The third match ban will only be invoked if there is a repeat of crowd trouble or racist chanting within the next five years.

Atletico coach Javier Aguirre has also been banned for his club's home and away fixtures against Liverpool for insulting Marseille players.

"Regardless of the fact that the club is going to defend its rights by means of the filing of the corresponding appeal, it considers it necessary to put forward its position against the decision made by UEFA, both to its supporters as well as to the public opinion," said a statement on the club's official website.

"The club feels that the sanctions imposed are completely unfair and disproportionate.

"Concerning the accusation of racist insults, the club would like to state that at no time were insults of racist or xenophobic character directed at any Marseille player, as supported by the video of the match and in the record given by the UEFA delegate himself.

"It must be recorded that Atletico Madrid has no prior record with UEFA for equal or similar acts to those set out in the ban.

"In reference to the action attributed to our head coach, Javier Aguirre, for which he has been suspended for hurling insults at the players of the opposing team, the circumstance did not take place at any time, as is made quite clear in the report of the delegates designated to the match and from the fourth referee, who, at no time, mentioned such circumstances in his report."

Liverpool FC's Fernando Torres Disappointed At Ground Switch

LIVERPOOL striker Fernando Torres has spoken of his disappointment after hearing his much-anticipated return to the Vicente Calderon could be scuppered.

Torres had been due to face former club Atletico Madrid at the stadium in the Champions League next week, but that now looks unlikely after Uefa hit the Spanish club with a stadium ban yesterday morning.

The ruling saw Atletico fined 150,000 euros (£120,000) for their fans’ racist abuse of Marseille players earlier this month and handed a three-match stadium ban – one game suspended – after crowd trouble and lack of organisation at the same match.

Torres came up through the ranks at Atletico and quickly become a fans’ favourite before moving to Liverpool. in a big-money move a year ago, heard the news while on international duty with Spain in Belgium.

"After so much time waiting, it is the worst and most unexpected news that I could have heard this morning," the 24-year-old said.

"I’m eager to go back. I don’t know if it is definitive, I hope that a solution can be found.

"It is a shame that these incidents have forced the stadium to be closed, but if this is what happens then we have to accept it."

The sanctions against Atletico are Uefa’s toughest action on racist behaviour, and Rojiblancos’ coach Javier Aguirre has also been banned for his club’s home and away fixtures against Liverpool for insulting Marseille player Mathieu Valbuena.

Uefa confirmed the penalties yesterday and said the next two Champions League home games cannot be played within 300 kilometres of Madrid. The third match ban will be invoked only if there is a repeat of crowd trouble or racist chanting within the next five years.

Torres’ Liverpool team-mate and fellow Spain international Jose Reina added: "It’s a huge blow for us, the Spanish players at Liverpool. Above all for Fernando, who was the most eager of all of us to visit the Calderon.

"As well as that, we all had commitments, tickets agreed, and this changes all the plans."

Reina’s father, Miguel Reina Santos, played for Atletico in the 1970s.

Atletico: We Will Host Liverpool

Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo is confident his side's Champions League match with Liverpool will go ahead at the Vicente Calderon.

UEFA handed Atletico a three-match stadium ban, along with a fine of around £120,000, for incidents during their Champions League home match with Marseille on October 1.

Those incidents included outbreaks of violence between Marseille fans and Spanish police after the latter removed a banner that featured a prohibited symbol, as well as accusations from Marseille officials and players that they had been racially abused by the Atletico fans.

European football's governing body have ruled Atletico's next two Champions League home matches - with a third suspended - cannot be played within 200 miles of Madrid.

That means Liverpool's clash there next week will have to be moved - although Cerezo believes that will not happen.

"The Atleti-Liverpool game will be played at the Vicente Calderon," Cerezo was quoted as saying in Marca.

"We will appeal. I have faith that UEFA will do the right thing. I hope they will listen to both sides evenly."

Meanwhile, Atletico's local rivals Real Madrid have thrown their support behind their neighbours.

Real president Ramon Calderon, speaking to Spanish television while attending the Madrid Masters tennis on Tuesday night, said: "It seems unfair to me. The police do not report to Atletico Madrid. Those that caused the problems were the Marseille fans."

Real full-back Michel Salgado added: "You can't punish an entire fan base for the racist behaviour of a few people in the crowd.

"I think they've been too drastic in their decision. There's racism in every stadium due to a minority of the crowd. It has nothing to do with sport. This punishment sets a precedent.

"We'll have to wait to see what UEFA does whenever this happens again; if every stadium has to be shut down because of this, many games will be played behind closed doors."

Steven Gerrard Up Against Stewart Downing For England Place Against Belarus

Gerrard is expected to play on the left side of England's midfield here, but Fabio Capello stuck Middlesbrough's Stewart Downing in that role in yesterday's final training session at the stadium.

The Liverpool captain has admitted he is worried about his place - and last night will not have helped his confidence.

Gerrard played in the centre of midfield while Gareth Barry and Frank Lampard were in the middle for the opposing team.

It will be a surprise if Wayne Bridge doesn't replace the injured Ashley Cole at left - back, although Joleon Lescott is a rival contender.

Gabriel Agbonlahor, David Wheater and Joe Hart will fly out today - barring injury - to join up with the senior squad after they all played for the Under-21s last night.

Milan Ready To Offer Liverpool New Zidane In Chase For Daniel Agger

Milan are ready to offer Liverpool the 'new Zinedine Zidane' in a bid to beat Real Madrid to the signing of Daniel Agger.

The Italian giants see the Danish centre-back as the long-term replacement for Paolo Maldini.

And they side are willing to offer France midfielder Yoann Gourcuff as part of a deal.

The 22-year-old spent two unhappy years at the the San Siro but is now starring on a season-long loan at Bordeaux - and has quickly established himself in the France team.

Reds Crash To Mini-Derby Defeat

Liverpool Reserves threw away a two-goal advantage as they slumped to a third successive defeat in a pulsating mini-derby at The Halliwell Jones Stadium.

Gary Ablett's side had looked on course to get their Barclays Premier Reserve League North campaign back on track after storming into a 2-0 lead courtesy of second-half goals from Jordy Brouwer and Gerardo Bruna.

But any hopes they had of bringing their two-match losing run to a close were duly ended in a dramatic final quarter of the contest as the Toffees hit back to snatch a 3-2 victory.

The Reds had gone into the match determined to mark their first home game of the season with a win and after a scrappy opening they carved out the first opportunity of note when Dani Pacheco fired wide at the near post following good work down the left by Emiliano Insua.

It was the start of a passage of play in which the hosts took control and James McCarten was lucky not to put through his own net after a devilish cross from the right from Francisco Duran.

Mini-derbies are notorious for being full-blooded encounters and it was perhaps no surprise that three players were booked in the opening 18 minutes as both sides fought with the passion and desire you would expect of such an occasion.

The visitors were boasting an experienced line-up but it wasn't until the 20th minute that they troubled the Reds rearguard and even then Jose Baxter sliced well wide of Dean Bouzanis' goal.

The same player was again presented with an opportunity just three minutes later but he drilled a wayward volley over the top after a cross from the left found him free at the far post.

All of a sudden it was the visitors posing all the questions and the Reds were lucky not to concede a spot-kick just shy of the half hour mark when San Jose appeared to bring James Vaughan crashing to the ground in the area.

Half-time came and went with the game still goalless, although only Jordy Brouwer will know how he failed to turn Duran's cut back into the net just seconds after the restart.

However, the Dutchman made amends on 56 minutes when he gave the home side a deserved lead, bundling home the rebound after Spearing's low effort was spilled by Carlo Nash.

The goal gave the Reds the confidence boost they were in need of and they should have doubled their advantage on 72 minutes but Gerardo Bruna was unlucky to see his shot crash back off the post following good work from Brouwer.

It was a frustrating moment for the forward, but he didn't have long to wait before he was celebrating the Reds' second just minutes later when his free-kick from the right deceived everyone and flew straight in at the near post.

It seemed like job done for Ablett and his men, but their two goal advantage lasted all of three minutes as James Vaughan dived full length to reduce the arrears after Victor Anichebe's drilled cross found him at the far post.

The visitors sensed an anxiety in the Reds' ranks and all Liverpool's good work was undone on 80 minutes when Lee Molyneux crashed in a magnificent 25-yard free-kick.

Both sides piled forward in search of the winner but despite the home side's best efforts they could not make the most of their opportunities and Vaughan was on hand to punish them with his second of the game, seven minutes from time to cap a remarkable comeback for the Blues.

Ablett Revamps Training Before Derby

Gary Ablett has overhauled reserves training in a bid to get their season back on track.

The second string go into tonight's mini-derby – a game you can watch exclusively live online through LFC TV – on the back of more intense training designed to guard against complacency.

It comes after the Reds began the defence of their Premier League title by gaining just three points from a possible nine.

Ablett told Liverpoolfc.tv: "As a staff we've been trying to put a few things right because we only lost one game last year and we've lost two already this time round.

"We've had to look at ourselves and the training methods, and look at the attitude of the boys to see if that's any different.

"Every now and again the boys need geeing up. The attitude of the majority is absolutely fantastic but they need to perform to their maximum day in, day out in order to progress at Liverpool.

"We've got to guard against complacency creeping in and we're looking at doing that by making training more competitive and intensive. They can't afford to relax if they want to get into Rafa's plans.

"We're now trying to set different scenarios in training. For example, we might play a game as if we're 1-0 down, or 2-1 up with 10 minutes to go. They have to think about whether to defend or attack. Another way we can do it is reducing the size of the area we play in to make it more intensive.

"We are better than what we've shown so far. There's a massive amount of room for improvement but the boys have showed they want to put it right."

Ablett led his team to a satisfying double over Everton last term.

The former defender believes this trick will only be repeating if his young guns keep their heads.

He explained: "If you ask our local players, they'll say it's one of the games they look forward to most. But since last year we've had a lot of players who aren't local and don't get caught up in the Liverpool v Everton stuff.

"That helps in terms of approaching the game more intelligently and playing with our heads rather than our hearts.

"That's the key to winning these kind of games.

"We've got a lot of players who've experienced this game and know what it's all about, but we've got some new players who we hope will approach it in the same way and not be overawed by the occasion."

Credit Crunch Concerns Dossena

Andrea Dossena admits the financial crisis in Britain has given him cause for concern.

The Italian joined Liverpool from Udinese over the summer, before the credit crunch began to bite.

The economic meltdown currently inflicting the world's economy has threatened to infiltrate football of late.

Clubs are being encouraged to investigate cost-cutting measures, while the possibility a salary cap being introduced has been touted.

At present Premier League clubs remain fairly stable, although the financial worries of top flight sponsor Barclays could yet have significant implications.

"Barclays lost a lot of money in a few hours," Dossena told Gazzetta dello Sport.

"We are talking about one of the most important banks, and the sponsor of the Premiership.

"It is all difficult to understand.

"Had I known about certain things before I would have thought twice (about moving to England), I would have asked for more guarantees.

"But I feel good at Liverpool and I chose to move abroad because it was the best financial offer.

"Everything in England seemed secure, with the best organisation and club solidarity.

"But then you discover that West Ham are at risk and may have to sell and the big banks are in serious debt."

Lucas: Life Is Quiet Compared To Brazil

Lucas Leiva has spoken of his tough ordeal breaking into Liverpool's first team, and says life in England is quieter than in Brazil.

Lucas Leiva was considered hot property upon his arrival at Liverpool, along with Denilson the Brazilian pair were believed to have safeguarded the national team's midfield, but both have since been eclipsed by last season's form of Manchester United's Anderson.

Regarding his relationship with Denilson and Anderson, Leiva told Liverpool's official website: "I'm close to Anderson, because we used to play together at Gremio."

"I've not had much contact with Denilson, apart from when we've faced each other on the pitch. The fact we're all doing well over here reflects a change in the Brazilian mind-set."

Leiva also shared how different life is in England compared to his native Brazil: "Compared to Brazil, life is quiet here. We only train in the morning, and we can do what we want in the afternoons."

"On days off I try to visit new places. I've been to London, which reminds me of Sao Paulo, and to the Beatles museum. But the main focus is my career, so when one of our rivals is on TV, I stay at home to watch it," he said.

"I live with my girlfriend and a housekeeper I brought over from Brazil to help us cook - I didn't want to change my eating habits too much!"

"I also live near other Liverpool players - Fabio Aurelio, Alvaro Arbeloa, Yossi Benayoun, Pepe Reina and Fernando Torres - so it's a very good neighbourhood to live in."

On Liverpool's Champions League winning credentials, Leiva added: "It's too early to say at the moment, but we believe in our squad. The club have a great history in the Champions League, but a lot of other clubs think they can win it this season, too."

Gerrard Vows To Wow Capello

Steven Gerrard is determined to prove to Fabio Capello that he is England's top midfielder.

And the Liverpool captain has pledged to bring his club form to the international arena if coach Capello sticks by him.

"I'll be honest, I haven't always hit my Liverpool form for England but it's not through a lack of trying. I'm desperate to play well for England." said Gerrard.

"He (Capello) wants me to emulate my form for Liverpool for England and he is prepared to help me. That's what I want. I don't want a manager to give up on me for club or country. I want them to keep trying to make me better.

"I have delivered but I need to make that more consistent. That's the next challenge for me, to try to stay in the starting XI and perform as consistently for England as I do for Liverpool. But I believe we are getting to where we want to be."

Gerrard, who describes life under Capello as "not scary, but exciting", insists his preferred role is as an attacking midfielder, although he accepts there are times when he has to be more disciplined when playing in partnership with Frank Lampard.

He said: "While I've still got that burst of energy I want to make the most of it. I still feel I've got a lot of years in these legs yet.

"Long term, well into my 30s, I can see myself going further back, probably ending up at right-back or left-back where I started."

Liverpool For The Title - Cisse

Djibril Cisse is hoping that former club Liverpool can bag the Premier League title come May.

Djibril Cisse left Anfield in the summer of 2005 to sign for homeland club Marseille amidst claims that Rafa Benitez was forcing him out.

The injury-plagued, flamboyant hitman never did see eye-to-eye with the no-nonsense Spanish gaffer, but 27-year-old Cisse isn't bitter.

In fact, Cisse, loving life back in the Premier League with Sunderland, will be rooting for the Reds this term, hoping they can finally bag the Premiership crown.

“I would like Liverpool to win the league, for having played there,” he told Setanta, “But Chelsea are going to be tough adversaries for them.”

However, even though he understands the Blues' power, he isn't feeling blue himself. He's taken to Wearside and Black Cats gaffer Roy Keane, who reportedly wants to make the on-loan l'OM man his first £10m signing in the summer.

Gerrard: I Fear For My England Future

Steven Gerrard has appealed to England manager Fabio Capello not to give up on him.

The Liverpool captain admits he has struggled to bring his superlative club form to the international arena but believes he and Frank Lampard can still make a success of the midfield partnership which has struggled so often for England.

Gerrard, who is likely to start out wide on the left in the World Cup qualifier against Belarus on Wednesday, in a variation of the 4-4-2 formation which finished the 5-1 victory against Kazakhstan on Saturday, puts his lacklustre performances down to trying too hard.

But he believes Capello is the right man to unlock the real Gerrard, the one who single-handedly turned around the 2005 Champions League final and rescued Liverpool in the 2006 FA Cup final.

Gerrard said: 'He (Capello) has spoken to me before each game and told me what he wants me to do. He's said he wants me to emulate my form for Liverpool for England and he is prepared to help me.

'That's what I want. I don't want a manager to give up on me for club or country. I want them to keep trying to make me better.

'I've got every confidence in this manager and the set-up he's got behind him to improve my form.

'I'll be honest, I haven't always hit my Liverpool form for England, but it's not through a lack of trying.

'I'm desperate to play well for England. I believe we are getting to where we want to be.'

Gerrard accepts accusations, aimed at him in the past by Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez, which at times he has tried to be Roy of the Rovers, running around with huge energy but not always great focus.

He said: 'I have tried to improve that. That was a criticism from Rafa. He's helped me to become slightly more disciplined and I feel I can play either role - either attacking or if we're up against a good side when you need your two midfield players to be disciplined, I can do that now.

'You can't afford to be Roy of the Rovers all the time against top sides. If I'm wandering off all over the place my team-mates will come unstuck.'

The fact, however, is that Gerrard's inability to do for England what he does in the famous red shirt of Liverpool has become one of football's great conundrums.

It is one that weighs heavily with the 28-year-old. Is the answer simply that he is trying too hard?

'Maybe that's right,' Gerrard said. 'Sometimes I think I am thinking about it too much, trying too hard.

'Before the game you say you want to take the game by the scruff of the neck, be the main man, make it happen. And sometimes if it doesn't happen for you, you try to force passes and you get frustrated, that's normal.

'I think that's where I am at the moment. I am putting too much pressure on myself and trying too hard. Maybe I do have to relax.

'I'm more relaxed at Liverpool because maybe I can afford to have a one-off bad game for Liverpool because there'll be another game around the corner, whereas if you play badly for England it may be a long time before you can correct it.'

Casillas Hates Talk Of Torres Rivalry

Spain and Real Madrid shot-stopper extraordinaire Iker Casillas has revealed that he feels unhappy whenever there is discussion of his rivalry with Fernando Torres for this year’s Ballon d’Or.

The Spanish international goalkeeper is one of the hot favourites to scoop up the European Footballer of the Year accolade later this year and his case has been further boosted with continually impressive displays.

After helping La Furia Roja to a 0-3 win at Estonia last Saturday, the 27 year old has now kept 710 consecutive minutes worth of clean sheets – a new Spanish record – and he is only three games away from beating the current record held by a certain Gianluigi Buffon.

One of Casillas’ competition for the Ballon d’Or is expected to be fellow Spaniard and Liverpool hotshot, Fernando Torres and the campaigning that has been apparent in the media has made it look as though there’s a personal rivalry between the pair.

“I have spoken with Fernando regarding the Ballon d’Or. He is a teammate and a good friend of mine and there’s nothing more important than that,” he said during an interview with Spanish daily, As.

“We have clarified everything between us and that is the end of the controversy,” he continued.

Casillas was then asked if he fancied his chances of picking up the award.

“Man, all of us would like to win something like that and so would I.

“But for me, the Ballon d’Or is not an obsession. I believe in doing things well on the field and whatever happens after that, happens.

“The best thing is that this year, there are several Spaniards on the list. And after finally winning the Eurocopa after so many years, I would like to see someone from the national team win it because we deserve it,” he concluded.

Xabi Alonso Attracted By Move To Juventus

XABI ALONSO has left the door open for a possible summer move to Juventus.

The Liverpool midfielder came close to signing for the Serie A side in a £16million deal during the transfer window.

However, Juventus instead opted to sign Sevilla’s Christian Poulsen, with coach Claudio Ranieri last week claiming Alonso was “too slow” to accommodate the limitations of the Italian team’s other midfielders.

Coupled with Liverpool’s failure to prise Gareth Barry from Aston Villa, Alonso has subsequently played an integral part in the Anfield outfit’s unbeaten start but, quoted speaking in the Italian press yesterday, the 26-year-old has expressed his continued interest in Juventus.

“To be honest, for my part, the attraction has remained intact,” said Alonso.

“One thing I can say is that I personally appreciated the honesty of the club executives.

“They told me their tactics on the pitch were different and that is why they chose Poulsen and not me. These are things that happen in football and its fine. I could have gone but I didn’t because, in the end, they chose someone else.

“Juventus are Juventus, the most prestigious club in Italy, but you cannot be disappointed when you play for Liverpool.”

Dossena Relishes Azzurri Role

Liverpool full-back Andrea Dossena has finally broke into the Nazionale and played the full 90 minutes in Sofia. He explains to Tuttomercatoweb how he ended up in England this summer.

The 27-year-old moved to Anfield over the summer after a breakthrough season at Udinese and was given the nod by Marcello Lippi to control the left channel in the World Cup qualifier with Bulgaria at the Levski Stadium, due to a spate of injuries that have hit the national side, including Lyon's left-back Fabio Grosso.

"I strongly want to keep my place in this squad and keep movng on," he told the website specialized in transfer gossips.

Dossena has met up with several former Udinese teammates at Coverciano, as Lippi opted to put trust in the Friulani attacking trident, with Fabio Quagliarella now also joining debutant Simone Pepe and diminutive marksman Antonio Di Natale for the Stadio Via Del Mare game with Montenegro next Wednesday.

"Pepe has improved a lot and he has lots of qualities," he enthused.

"As for Totò [Di Natale], we linked up well at the Stadio Friuli, I know what he will be trying to do before the ball even gets to him."

It was suggested that other Italian clubs were in the frame to land Dossena over the summer, such as Fiorentina, but he plumped for an experience abroad in the end.

"Liverpool are a prestigious club and I was willing to try my hand in England," he asserted.

"I don't really think the Viola approached my agent, and to tell you the truth, I am somewhat astounded that Italian sides did not make a move for me."

Reds Rubbish Stadium Rumours

Liverpool have dismissed rumours they have shelved plans to move to a new stadium and are looking to expand Anfield.

Reports had suggested the club's American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett are struggling to raise the funds to finance a switch to a new ground in Stanley Park.

The Reds confess the New LFC Stadium has been affected by the current worldwide credit crunch, but a statement on the club's official website insists plans are still in place.

"The story is completely wrong" said a club spokesman.

"No-one has been asked to look at increasing the capacity of Anfield with a view to us staying at the present ground.

"Global market conditions may have delayed the project, but the club remains committed to building a new world class LFC stadium on the site in Stanley Park. Those plans have not changed."

Foreign Invasion Worries Carragher

Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has gone public with his concern at the growing number of foreign players coming through the academy ranks of professional clubs, believing that it could be demoralising for the home-grown talent hoping to make their way in the game.

Over the last decade the number of overseas players plying their trade in England has rocketed, and with an increasing number of clubs in the Premier League currently owned by foreign investors, that figure could continue to grow.

At Liverpool, Steven Gerrard is the last English player to break into - and earn a regular place - within the first-team, and Carragher believes that the almost 10-year drought will continue should clubs fail to look to develop players themselves rather than cashing in on overseas clubs’ hard work.

This is a view shared by Uefa President Michel Platini, while the head of Fifa, Sepp Blatter, is another to concur with the belief that clubs should look to produce home-grown players rather than importing them.

"The foreign player issue has to be addressed. At all clubs,” Carragher told the Sunday Times. "Don't get me wrong, good foreigners are great for the Premier League but what worries me is when we get foreign kids in at 16, 17.

"There has to be something to stop that, to help clubs keep their identities. I think about when I was that age. If I'd been 18 and Liverpool had brought the Spain Under 18 captain into my position it would have been deflating.

"I always thank my stars I came in just as the foreign invasion was starting. I wasn't Stevie (Gerrard) at 18. I was a very good player and would have always had the mental strength to take my opportunity, but I wonder whether I'd have been given it.

"I don't know when the next Liverpool lad will break into our first-team and I don't think the academy system is what it should be."

The experienced defender also took the opportunity to reiterate his desire to see out his career at Anfield, insisting that he only has ambitions to play for his home-town club.

"For someone to ask, 'Who did you play for?' and to be able to answer a single name, 'Liverpool', that would be brilliant. I don't think I'll ever leave," he added.

Carragher also shed some light on manager Rafe Benitez’s man-management style, insisting that the harsh nature of his control is for the benefit of the team.

"Rafa is always on your back," the former England international continued.

"Some players can't handle that. Me, I don't like it but I'm the sort of person who responds.

"You've always got that thing in the back of your mind with Rafa, 'Does he actually think I'm any good?' You're always wanting to prove yourself. He hasn't got much good to say about anyone, Rafa. . . even other managers.

"He's the person who always thinks he knows best for you - and is usually right. There are times you want to tell him to . . . but later you think, 'That was good for me'."

Carragher: We're Not Hull, Benitez Is Turning Liverpool Into Baresi's Milan

Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher is surprised at the reaction to the Reds start to the Premiership campaign, with the player insisting that the Merseyside club should expect them to be where they are.

Rafa Benitez’s side are joint-top of the Premiership with Chelsea on 17 points after seven games, which is Liverpool’s best ever start to a Premier League season and has seen them talked about as genuine title contenders.

However, while Carragher is happy with Liverpool’s good start the former England International has claimed that the Reds should be there and they are not surprise package Hull City.

“People should stop saying we've made a great start, though,” Carragher said on the club’s official website.

“I'm thinking, 'We've only played seven games and we're Liverpool. Shouldn't we be up there? Am I missing something?' We're not Hull.

“If we're still up there in March we can talk about it, until then we'll focus on doing our best in every game. Actions speak louder than words.”

Far away from being compared to the Tigers, Carragher reveals that Benitez has taken the defence at Anfield to a new level and is trying to impose the style of Franco Baresi’s AC Milan.

“Rafa has taken defence to another level," he added.

“He goes into every detail, tiny little things like body positions, how to react when the opposition use different formations. Basically, he's trying to copy the AC Milan of Franco Baresi.

“He can change systems five times in a game. In Robbie Keane's first match he ended up on the left wing because Rafa noticed something about Lazio which made him want three in the middle – and that was just a friendly.”

Agger Scores As 12 Reds Feature

Daniel Agger scored a penalty as Denmark beat Malta 3-0 in their latest World Cup qualifier.

The 23-year-old, who was one of 12 Reds involved in international action on Saturday night, netted on 28 minutes during a 90 minute outing.

Israel skipper Yossi Benayoun also converted a penalty as they beat Luxembourg 3-1.

Elsewhere, both Fernando Torres and Xabi Alonso lasted the pace in Estonia as Spain prevailed 3-0. Albert Riera came on for the last 12 minutes.

Dirk Kuyt and Ryan Babel started as supporting wingers for Holland, who won 2-0 in Iceland. The latter was replaced after 69 minutes.

Steven Gerrard played all 90 minutes of England's 5-1 victory over Kazakhstan, while midfield partner Javier Mascherano did the same as Argentina beat Uruguay 2-1.

Andrea Dossena also lasted the pace after starting for Italy in Bulgaria. The left-back helped keep a clean sheet but the evening ended in a disappointing goalless draw.

Sami Hyypia played the entire game as Finland recorded a 1-0 win over Azerbaijan, while Nabil El Zhar was substituted after 80 minutes as Morocco thrashed Mauritania 4-1.

'Pool Target Already Unsettled Bentley?

According to reports, Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is ready to raid Tottenham in January for David Bentley, a recent summer signing.

White Hart Lane was the place to be this summer, with several high-profile stars signing up for Juande Ramos' Lilywhites revolution.

Now, it's the place to leave after a shockingly poor start to a season which was supposed to end with Champions League football.

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez, though, is hoping to profit from his countryman Ramos' misfortune. He found David Bentley's £15million price-tag excessive in the summer and allowed the ambitious winger to move from Blackburn to Spurs.

However, according to The People, Rafa believes Spurs will be forced to give him up for less in January, especially considering the 24-year-old's unhappiness at present.

Underperforming Bentley was axed from the latest England squad as Spurs languish in the Premiership drop-zone. The man touted as the 'new David Beckham' is far from living his dream, it would appear.

In fact, Bentley has blamed Ramos for his England snub and has admitted to feeling humiliated by Spurs' dismal early form.

It remains to be seen whether Bentley will cut his losses and seek an Anfield switch, or show some character by helping to dig the capital side out of their rut.

Fernando Torres Speaks Of Delight At Awards Nomination

FERNANDO TORRES has declared his delight at being named among the favourites to win this year's European footballer of the year award – admitting he never thought it would happen.

Liverpool’s Spanish striker is among several of the world's best players up for the award, including Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo.

But Torres insists he thought the Ballon d'Or was for players “from another galaxy” and that winning the title would be like “climbing to the top of Everest and touching the sky”.

He said: “When I have watched the Ballon d'Or presentation on television I saw the likes of Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldinho and Kaka.

“I told myself that trophy was for players from another galaxy - now I am among the candidates, and I cannot believe it.

“Winning the award would be like climbing to the top of Everest and touching the sky.”

After scoring 33 goals in his debut season at Anfield, Torres said his form has been down to how well he has settled.

He added: “I am at ease in England. I wanted to play there so strongly, to discover the Premier League.

“At Liverpool I have started a second life. It is great.”

Torres also strengthened his claims with the starring role he played as Spain won Euro 2008, scoring the winning goal in the final against Germany.

Liverpool Owe Successful Start To Rafa Benitez, Says Alvaro Arbeloa

Alvaro Arbeloa believes Liverpool's success this term is down to Rafa Benitez's no-nonsense approach.

Defender Arbeloa insists the Reds' start - they are joint top on 17 points along with Chelsea - could not have happened without Benitez constantly getting on his players' backs to perform.

He said: "Although we are winning, Rafa asks us for more and more. He insists you cannot relax if you want to win a league as hard as this one."

Arbeloa was linked with a summer move, but he says he could not be happier that he opted to stay at Anfield. He added: "I am now living the best moments I have had since I came to Liverpool."

Carra: We Understand What It Takes

Jamie Carragher believes he and his teammates now have a better understanding of what it takes to win the league – but he wishes everyone would 'stop talking about our great start'.

The 30-year-old points to the way 10-man Liverpool launched a last-minute smash and grab on Man City as proof they now have the killer instinct to be contenders.

The result sealed our best ever start to a Premier League campaign but, despite recognising some positive signs, Carragher is keen to keep things in perspective.

"We scored the winning goal after Martin Skrtel went off and it was 10 v 10," said the vice-captain. "We had no centre-back, it was just me.

"We could easily have dropped Xabi Alonso back but a few lads said, 'No, we'll keep men forward and go for it. We're aware, now, you've got to go for wins in this league. Draws kill you.

"People should stop saying we've made a great start, though. I'm thinking, 'We've only played seven games and we're Liverpool. Shouldn't we be up there? Am I missing something?' We're not Hull. If we're still up there in March we can talk about it, until then focus on doing our best in every game. Actions speak louder than words."

Meanwhile, Carragher has revealed some of the defensive secrets which have helped Pepe Reina win the Golden Glove award for most Premier League clean sheets three times.

"Rafa has taken defence to another level," said the centre-back. "He goes into every detail, tiny little things like body positions, how to react when the opposition use different formations. Basically, he's trying to copy the AC Milan of Franco Baresi.

"He can change systems five times in a game. In Robbie Keane's first match he ended up on the left wing because Rafa noticed something about Lazio which made him want three in the middle – and that was just a friendly."

Rafa: Kuyt Is The Key

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has paid tribute to Dirk Kuyt who he has claimed is an integral part of his team.

The Dutchman is often criticised for his lack of goals, however he has been finding the back of the net in recent games, much to his manager's delight.

His last minute winner against Manchester City sealed an impressive comeback for the Reds and he also opened the scoring against PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League.

Yet speaking to Liverpoolfc.tv, the Reds manager explained he was a vital part of the team and how impressed he was by the hard work he put in.

“His teamwork is amazing,” said the Spaniard, “When you talk about a team, that's the most important thing.”

Kuyt’s goal against City was his first in the league since last November and Benitez admitted it was an important goal, not just for the team, but for the player too.

“He was scoring goals in the Champions League and now he's scored in the league. I think it was important for him and in the end it was important for us too,” admitted the Liverpool boss, “Everyone, especially all his teammates, will be really pleased for him because it is amazing how he works every day, every training session and every game.”

Whilst Kuyt was initially signed as a striker, Benitez has employed the Dutchman in a deeper role and he admitted it was a position he performed well. The Spaniard explained: “If you have players with offensive mentality, you need players who can do the ugly jobs. You need to work hard in defence. As a striker, Kuyt is doing his defensive work very well and also scoring important goals.”

Benitez also admitted that whilst Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard usually stole the headlines, Kuyt’s hard work was just as important. He concluded: “Players like Kuyt are key. You can use the quality of people like Fernando Torres or Steven Gerrard, but you always need players working really hard.”

Fernando Torres Could Leave Liverpool If Rafa Benitez Isn't Given New Deal

Liverpool's failure to offer Rafa Benitez a new contract is offering encouragement to rival clubs that Fernando Torres can be prised from Anfield.

Manchester City have been linked to a bid, following summer speculation that Chelsea also wanted Torres.

There hasn't been any hint from Torres or his advisers that he has any interest in a move. But there is concern among Liverpool's Spanish contingent that their manager's long-term future has not yet been secured.

Liverpool's fans also fear American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett may have to cash in on their most prized asset because of credit-crunch pressures and their failure to secure financing for the proposed new stadium at Stanley Park.

The Americans have to find about £20million every year just to service the £250m debts they took out to buy the club.

Sunday Mirror Sport reported last month that Liverpool had failed to deliver on Hicks's promise to hand Benitez (below) a new deal. In a strange twist to the saga, a source close to the Texan said all questions regarding the manager's future should now be directed to chief executive Rick Parry.

"Tom has asked me to pass back any enquiries regarding the manager to the club and Rick Parry," said the spokesman.

That represents a major U-turn on Hicks's stance earlier this year, when his call for Parry to step down from his position was backed up by the vow to extend Benitez's contract by a further 12 months.

One theory is that the Americans are now resigned to selling the club after months of fighting off interest from Dubai International Capital and want to leave Benitez's future in the hands of new owners.

But with Juventus now keeping tabs on Benitez's situation as the pressure on current coach Claudio Ranieri increases, which would be a major gamble to take.

It's a policy that also threatens to cause unrest in the dressing-room and undermine Liverpool's excellent start to the season.

Torres showed City last week what a reported £200,000-a-week salary would buy, scoring twice as the Reds came from 2-0 down to win at Eastlands.

City have since distanced themselves from claims in Spain that they made contact with Liverpool.

But agents claiming to be working on behalf of the Blues did make enquiries about Torres's availability - and were rebuffed by the player.

Yet while Benitez's future remains unclear it is likely that those clubs coveting Torres will not go away.