Match Report: Liverpool 4 - 0 Stoke City

Liverpool put the misery of their opening day defeat at Tottenham firmly behind them with a convincing victory over Stoke at Anfield.

Last season Tony Pulis' men grabbed a 0-0 draw in this corresponding fixture, one of the results boss Rafael Benitez maintains cost Liverpool the title.

This time around there was no mistake. Steven Gerrard created two of the goals and new boy Glen Johnson had an outstanding game surging down the right at will.

Benitez bought Johnson, he claimed, to provide that extra adventure in difficult home games. And the England defender underlined just what his new manager meant.

He scored a close range goal on half-time on his home debut, to add to Fernando Torres' fourth-minute opener, and aided Gerrard's advance to set up the third for Dirk Kuyt.

Johnson's run and cross in injury-time presented substitute David Ngog with the fourth to cap an outstanding home debut for the new full-back.

Spanish youngster Daniel Ayala made his full Liverpool debut, with Martin Skrtel failing to recover from a damaged jaw sustained in Saturday's defeat at Spurs.

Ayala, 18, came on as a substitute at White Hart Lane for the injured Skrtel for his first senior appearance for Liverpool.

Yossi Benayoun replaced Ryan Babel, while Stoke made two changes from the side that beat Burnley - Glenn Whelan and Richard Cresswell replacing Liam Lawrence and Ricardo Fuller as Pulis reverted to a more defensive system.

Liverpool fans' group, the Spirit of Shankly, organised a mass distribution of red cards ahead of the game to be waved by supporters protesting at the George Gillett-Tom Hicks ownership of the club.

Resentment runs deep at Anfield at the financial mess the club are in and Benitez's limited transfer budget.

But it was his record signing, Torres, who struck quickly to give the Reds the lead.

Lucas Leiva had seen a skidding 20-yarder held by Thomas Sorensen before Liverpool were ahead after just four minutes.

Gerrard burst through on the right to pull the ball back for his Spanish side-kick to drill past a helpless Sorensen.

Dean Whitehead was booked for an ugly 12th-minute foul on Javier Mascherano and Liverpool should have been two goals up when they broke at pace from their own box.

Torres racing away on the right to fire over a cross that full-back Emiliano Insua sidefooted inches wide having made the same high-speed run down the other flank.

But Stoke maintained their determination and organisation, with Liverpool trying to hit them on the break. Much of the hosts' adventure was coming through Johnson.

Kuyt and Torres had shots saved and from a 44th minute corner they struck again. Kuyt's low header was blocked by Sorensen on the line and the ball fell for £17million signing Johnson to hook home from six yards.

Stoke came out after the break determined to get back into the game. A string of dangerous corners resulted in Jose Reina making an outstanding save to his right to keep out a fierce Delap drive.

Johnson then had to clear on the far post as a James Beattie cross-shot fizzed across the area.

But Liverpool increased the tempo of their game and were running at Stoke from all angles.

Gerrard fired in a 20-yard effort which Sorensen blocked, with Johnson now attacking down the right at every opportunity.

The Reds threatened to run away with things as Torres saw a lofted shot saved and Johnson cut into the box again to force Sorensen into a low save.

The third goal arrived after 78 minutes, with Johnson sending Gerrard into the box with a clever pass. The Liverpool captain powered on to drill in a low cross which Kuyt slid past Sorensen from close range.

Liverpool sent on Andriy Voronin and Albert Riera for Gerrard and Kuyt with nine minutes left, then three minutes later Ngog replaced Torres.

And it was Ngog who headed home from under the bar after another fine run and cross from Johnson had deflected into his path in injury-time.

Liverpool's Albert Riera And Andriy Voronin Not For Sale

Rafael Benítez is unlikely to approve any further sales of Liverpool players as his team struggles to cope with a growing injury list.

The Anfield manager has dismissed speculation that the winger Albert Riera and striker Andriy Voronin could be leaving, with Barcelona and Hertha Berlin, respectively, showing interest.

Riera was left out of the squad that lost 2-1 at Tottenham last Sunday, but Benítez maintains that was purely because of his lack of training last week due to a minor injury. Voronin, who came on as substitute at White Hart Lane, was on loan to Hertha last season and there have been suggestions the German club are preparing a £3m bid.

But Benítez's current squad has been weakened by injuries and it has been revealed he has not been able to spend the transfer budget this summer he was expecting.

Benítez said: "Nobody will be sold because we need all our players. We can't afford to lose anyone else. The Premier League is very difficult and we have to keep everyone we have at the moment."

Liverpool FC Star Torres Told To Shut Defenders Up With Goals

Liverpool FC striker Fernando Torres has been told by boss Rafa Benitez to shut defenders up by putting the ball in the back of the net.

The Spanish striker has become increasingly frustrated at his treatment by Premier League defenders and has been involved in a number of verbal spats.

Benitez said: "I have told him that he has to stop this. He knows he has to improve this aspect of his game and that the way forward is to respond to any intimidation by scoring."

He added: "Sometimes it is not easy to deal with everything opponents do but he knows he must deal with it in a different way.

"In his first season, he was really focused and I think he will be again now. He is a star now and defenders are really worried about him but that is part of his game these days."

Liverpool Snap Up Greek International Sotiris Kyrgiakos

Liverpool have today pulled off a surprise transfer coup, and swooped for Greek international Sotiris Kyrgiakos from AEK Athens, as manager Rafa Benitez looks to reinforce his rearguard, weakened by injury in recent days.

Kyrgiakos has spent only a year back in Greece, after a career which has seen him play in Germany for Eintracht Frankfurt and in Scotland with Rangers.

Goal.com Greece reports that the player has cost the Reds €3million, after they Merseysiders made an initial bid of €1.5million. AEK themselves began the negotiations holding out for €5million.

The move has seemingly emerged from out of the blue, surprising Greek observers who had little or no inkling that the swoop was on the cards.

Stoke City travel to Anfield on Wednesday night with doubts surrounding the fitness of Martin Skrtel, who has a jaw injury, though he could possibly play, and Daniel Agger, still sidelined with a back injury.

Liverpool FC Supporters Union Spirit of Shankly Protest Against Club's American Owners

Tonight’s first home game of the season at Anfield will see Liverpool FC supporters' union Spirit of Shankly leafleting outside the ground to garner support amongst Reds fans against the club's American owners.

The Union issued a statement yesterday blasting Tom Hicks and George Gillett for manager Rafa Benitez's apparent lack of a substantial transfer budget this summer, with the Spaniard seemingly not even permitted to have at his disposal the full amount he has raised himself in the transfer market.

The statement also accused former Chairman David Moores of 'sitting back and doing nothing while the fans fight for the club's life' and called on all Liverpool supporters to stand together to bring about change at the club.

The Union's call to arms aroused much debate on our LFC blog site, Liverpool Banter.

Bob described the Union as 'pseudo-militant idiots', saying

"Distributing leaflets?? Yeah that'll get rid of them.

"SOS want to help ShareLFC own the club, which would ultimately leave the club in a lot more debt than we are in now, it's a pipe dream which is so unfeasable i can't believe anyone would back it, let alone a group supposedly representing the best interests of Liverpool fans."

However the general mood of the comments was supportive towards the Union's position.

Jim said, "While there may be room for legitimate debate as to what form of action would be most effective it can't be an acceptable response to just sit back and do nothing while Hicks and Gillett drag us down to mid-table mediocrity at best or to the level of Newcastle/Leeds at worst. "There truly are fearful times for the Club."

Eddie added, "Why decry people who are actively trying to something useful and fight for the club we've had sold from under our feet by Moores and Parry.

"What do you suggest we do? Nothing?"

Other fans had their own suggestions of how fans could take action.

Red said, "The only way to get rid of them is to stop going to matches and, if necessary, to form picket lines to stop other people going to games.

"Leaflets won't work - only meaningful financial statements!"

Mitchell disagreed saying, "Avoiding the matches does nothing but hurt our chances of winning.

"Instead we should protest the Yank's presence at every opportunity before the game, half-time and at the end. Make them uncomfortable and unwelcome. We should also protest the club's board members for being ineffectual and useless.”

Liverpool's Lucas Leiva Admits It's Tough At The Top

Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva has admitted the club found it tough at the top of the league last season.

Lucas revealed that the pressure of the chasing pack has helped the Reds learn how to cope at the top of the league and believes the club have the ability to get back there.

The Brazilian international told Liverpool's official website, "It's difficult when you are at the top to stay there. We were there a long time and that gave us a lot of experience. We can learn from our mistakes. We know we can't give any team a chance.

"The big problem for us last season was drawing games at home. Away we had a good record but at Anfield the teams come to defend more. We have to be patient because we always get chances. We have to take them."

Leiva has scored just three goals for the Anfield outfit and is looking to become more of an attacking influence after the departure of Xabi Alonso.

"We know how important the midfield is for the team. I have the freedom to go forward sometimes. Hopefully I can help in attack as well as in defence," he explained.

"I want to score as many as I can, and of course I want to get more than the three I got last season. It's difficult to say how many you want to score but hopefully I'll improve on last season.

"Sometimes, with the way this team plays, there are good chances for the midfielders to score. Maybe you get chances outside the box, or players like Stevie [Gerrard], Fernando [Torres] and Yossi [Benayoun] make clever movements and open space for you."

Liverpool Youngster Ryan Crowther Leaves Anfield

Liverpool prospect Ryan Crowther has come to a mutual agreement with the Merseyside outfit that has allowed the 20-year-old to leave the club, according to Sky Sports.

The Reds beat an assortment of other high profile clubs to the highly rated winger's signature in 2007.

However, despite the hype and having become Stockport's youngest captain during his time at Edgeley Park, Crowther failed to break into Liverpool's first team - although was a regular feature for the reserves.

Both parties are said to have reached a friendly conclusion that will see Crowther depart ways with Liverpool in search of first team action elsewhere. It is unclear at this point if any other clubs are interested in signing the youngster.

FA Grill Liverpool Boss Rafa Benitez Over Ref Rage

The Sun claims that the Football Association (FA) could sanction Rafael Benitez over his antics following Liverpool's Premier League loss to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

The Spanish tactician made no attempt to hide his anger that the referee, Phil Dowd, failed to award a penalty for Benoit Assou-Ekotto's shoulder charge on Andriy Voronin.

Benitez's ire was compounded when, shortly after his first escape, Spurs' Cameroonian defender went unpunished for a possible handball in the 18-yard box.

During the post-match interview, the former Valencia coach took out his spectacles and pointed them at the assembled reporters when asked for his opinion of the officiating at White Hart Lane.

It is understood that the FA has asked Benitez to explain his actions, which could be interpreted as disrespectful in light of the governing body's crackdown on public criticism aimed at referees.

Rafael Benitez Tight-Lipped Over Liverpool's Reported £2m Transfer Budget

The fiscal ambiguity surrounding title-chasing Liverpool continues to dominate contemporary sports news, and Rafael Benitez's refusal to either confirm or deny the press reports released this morning that indicated the club have £2 million to play with in the summer market will do little to quell the speculation.

The Reds are believed to be struggling financially as parent company Kop Holdings Ltd. suffered losses in excess of £33 million recently, however, this was not believed to have implications on the club's recruitment policy.

Liverpool have made two high-profile summer transfers thus far, acquiring roaming right-back Glen Johnson for €20m (£17m) and Roman midfielder Alberto Aquilani for a similar price, yet they have also granted Xabi Alonso his €35m (£30m) Real Madrid switch.

Speaking at a press conference, Benitez bluntly refused to answer one journalist's probing questions about the club's budget.

"I don't want to talk about money, sorry," the Spaniard said.

"We are always analysing the market, it depends on the injuries sustained, and we will always work with the departments to see what is available."

Regarding the prospect of Argentinean battler Javier Mascherano's contract extension, Benitez said, "There is a possibility that we will talk with Javier Mascherano in private."

Skrtel Out With 'Cracked Jaw'

Martin Skrtel should return to action 'within two weeks', according to the Liverpool defender's agent.

Skrtel sustained a jaw injury in the 2-1 loss at Tottenham on Sunday after colliding with Reds team-mate Jamie Carragher.

The Slovakia international did not complete the 90 minutes versus Spurs and is now set for a period on the sidelines.

Skrtel's agent, Karol Csonto, told SITA: "It [the jaw] is not broken, just heavily cracked.

"According to the doctors, Martin should be back in action within two weeks and he should be wearing a special mask.

"I hope that they will find or create a new one for him."

Skrtel is keen to be available for Slovakia's World Cup qualifier versus Czech Republic on 5th September.

Csonto added: "He is not admitting the possibility of not playing in that game."

Fernando Torres Eager For A Strong Start At Stoke

Fernando Torres insists Liverpool must dominate Stoke from the start tomorrow or they could suffer the same frustrations against the Potters as last season.

Tony Pulis’ side managed a creditable 0-0 draw at Anfield last term, and repeated that result against the Reds at the Britannia stadium. Those two results cost Liverpool four points, the same number which separated them from champions Manchester United last term.

Torres, who looked off the pace in Sunday’s defeat at Tottenham, said: "We know them, we know last season we played against them and it was really difficult.

"We couldn’t win against them, so we are waiting for a very defensive team. They will try to score from set-pieces or from a long ball.

"But we have to be offensive and go from the first minute until the end to try to score. And if we can score in the first minute I am sure we can win.

"The best thing when you lose is having a game three days later because we have the chance to forget about Tottenham.

"It is disappointing when you cannot win, but we have to improve, we have to be positive. We can get three points and we are on our way."

Torres - who has scored 50 goals in 85 games for Liverpool - will be appearing at Anfield for the first time since signing his new contract last week, and said: "I’m very proud because when I came here from Atletico Madrid I just wanted to play some games and see if I could play in a top team like Liverpool.

"Now two years later I think I am improving a lot, and I think I can improve a lot yet. I am still young, just 25."

He added: "I’m really happy. I hope I have a lot of seasons to play here.

"Things have gone well for me, when I left Madrid I had never played in the Champions League before, and Liverpool gave me the opportunity to play against the best teams in the world.

"I am really happy to sign a new contract with Liverpool and I hope I can sign more contracts in the future here.

"I feel good because the fans are fantastic with me. Every week it is amazing to see all the fans singing my name and my song. I am very proud to play for Liverpool.

"It is one of the most important clubs in Europe, the club with the best fans in the world, I am sure about that; and one of the clubs with the most history in modern football."

Daniel Agger Out For Three More Weeks

Liverpool have confirmed they will be without defender Daniel Agger for three more weeks as he recovers from a back injury.

The Danish centre-back misses tomorrow’s home Barclays Premier League clash with Stoke, while fellow defender Martin Skrtel is still doubtful following the damaged jaw he sustained in the defeat at Tottenham on Sunday.

Skrtel trained today, but boss Rafael Benitez will make a late decision on whether the 24-year-old can be risked. Youngster Daniel Ayala could play alongside Jamie Carragher, who has recovered from the head injury he suffered at Spurs.

Barcelona And Real Madrid To Battle To Sign Liverpool's Albert Riera

Albert Riera has alerted the La Liga giants after being stunned at his exclusion from Liverpool's opening day squad.

Rafa Benitez claimed the Spanish winger was unavailable due to fitness issues but Riera has been left perplexed by his manager's decision.

Reports in The Mirror claim the 27-year-old has the World Cup in his sights and will not accept a place on the Reds' bench.

Riera believes he should be a regular starter and could not understand why Ryan Babel was picked ahead of him against Tottenham Hotspur.

Barcelona and Real Madrid were alerted to the possibility of snaring Riera when the Spanish international admitted, "I would like to come back to Spain at some point," whilst on duty with his country.

The former Espanyol star signed for Liverpool on transfer deadline day last summer for £8 million and had previously spent a spell on loan at Manchester City in 2006.

Riera has made 40 appearances for the Anfield outfit, scoring five goals.

Andrea Dossena: I Want To Stay At Liverpool

Liverpool defender Andrea Dossena has insisted he wants to remain at the club, despite rumours linking him with a move away from Anfield this summer.

The Italy international joined the Reds from Udinese last year but failed to cement a place in the first-team as he faced stiff competition from Fabio Aurelio.

It had been suggested Dossena would make a return to the country of his birth, with Napoli previously interested in his services.

However, it now appears he is determined to stay and fight for his place in the Reds' squad.

"I've heard a lot of rumours about my future this summer but the truth is I want to remain at Liverpool," the Italian told The Liverpool Echo.

"I'm happy with my team-mates, with my coach and with the club.

"I have never wanted to leave."

Dossena watched Liverpool's 2-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane from the bench, with manager Rafael Benitez fielding Emiliano Insua at left-back.

Liverpool Join Hunt For Newcastle's Steven Taylor

Newcastle United's much coveted centre-back Steven Taylor has gained another potential suitor in Premier League runners-up Liverpool.

The Newcastle Evening Chronicle claims the Reds are keen on the former England Under-21 captain, but will join Aston Villa and Everton in the battle for his signature.

Everton manager David Moyes has kept a close eye on Taylor as the Joleon Lescott transfer saga rumbles on but has also sounded out Arsenal over the availability of Swiss defender Philippe Senderos.

Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill has reportedly been alerted to Taylor's discontent with the situation at Newcastle by former Toon stars James Milner and Habib Beye.

Whilst Taylor has not expressed any desire to leave Newcastle he is widely regarded to be playing in a level below that of his ability.

Transfer turmoil has caused the departure of many players from Tyneside this summer as the appointment of manager-in-waiting Alan Shearer failed to materialise.

However Newcastle managing director Derek Llambias confirmed the club are in talks with local businessman Barry Moat and two other interested parties regarding the sale of the club.

A quick sale and immediate appointment of Shearer as manager could help the Magpies hold on to Taylor and other stars at the club.

Newcastle's staggering wage bill has been slashed with the exit of big earners Michael Owen, Obafemi Martins, Mark Viduka and Damien Duff, who completed a move to Fulham on Tuesday.

Reds In Shock Greek Link

Skysports.com understands Liverpool are closing in on a shock move for former Rangers defender Sotiris Kyrgiakos.

Liverpool are in the market for defensive reinforcements and it is believed they have lined up a move for AEK stopper Kyrgiakos.

The Reds have been linked with the likes of Stoke's Ryan Shawcross and Hull's Michael Turner, but Kyrgiakos appears to be a cheaper option for Rafa Benitez.

With reports of Benitez having his transfer budget restricted Liverpool have switched their attentions to Kyrgiakos and they are believed to have agreed a €3million (£2.5million) fee with AEK for the 30-year-old.

Kyrgiakos is understood to have said his goodbyes to his AEK team-mates and is now thought to be travelling to England to hold talks with Liverpool officials and undergo a medical.

Jay Spearing: My Friendship With Stephen Darby Will Help Our Liverpool Careers

Liverpool midfielder Jay Spearing is confident that he can develop into a first team regular at Anfield, with the friendship of fellow prospect Stephen Darby helping him along.

The two Merseysiders - Darby was born in Liverpool, Spearing just across the river in the Wirral - feel that having each other at the club providing mutual support gives them each a massive boost.

"We can always tell each other where we think the other one hasn't maybe had their best game or where they can improve," Spearing told the Reds' official website.

"Whoever is on the receiving end will take it on board and the friendship's always strong. We can have words and within about 90 seconds we're back to being great mates again."

Darby backed his team-mate's view, echoing the view that the honesty of the relationship was why they remained good friends, even if a few harsh words had been necessary on the field of play.

"Yeah, he can shout at me, or I can shout at him, and we just accept it and get on with it," he affirmed.

Both players made their senior debuts last season, with Spearing earning plaudits for a dynamic cameo appearance in Liverpool's 4-0 hammering of Real Madrid at Anfield in the Champions League.

Rafa Steps Up Centre-Back Hunt

Liverpool are eyeing Dynamo Kiev's Pape Diakhate and Athletic Bilbao's Fernando Amorebieta as Rafa Benitez searches for a centre-back.

Benitez has injury concerns at the back with Daniel Agger currently on the sidelines while Jamie Carragher and Martin Skrtel both required treatment after the pair were involved in an accidental collision in the Reds' 2-1 defeat at Spurs on Sunday.

Benitez has been linked with bids for Hull City's Michael Turner and Portsmouth's Sylvain Distin but now fresh reports say Kiev's Diakhate and Amorebieta of Bilbao are on his wish-list.

Senegal international Diakhate would cost at least £7million while it's thought Amorebieta is available for around £10million.

Benitez is waiting to see if Carragher and Skrtel will be fit for the Reds home clash with Stoke on Wednesday after both players, who were carrying injuries before Sunday's game, needed stitches during the defeat at White Hart Lane.

"Martin wanted to continue," the Liverpool boss added. "We were a little bit worried but he did well. We had to change him in the end because he had a problem. He has had stitches.

"Carra also needed stitches so we will have to see how they are for Wednesday's game."

Liverpool Eye Athletic Bilbao Defender Fernando Amorebieta

According to The Sun, Liverpool dispatched scouts to check on Fernando Amorebieta in Athletic Bilbao's 2-1 defeat to Barcelona in the first leg of the Supercopa de Espana on Sunday.

The Reds are reportedly keen to bolster their defensive options following a defeat at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur in their opening league fixture, and the 24-year-old appears to be well-placed on manager Rafael Benitez's shortlist.

It is believed that a fee of €11.5 million would be enough to capture Amorebieta, who is a product of Athletic Bilbao's youth ranks.

Hull City defender Michael Turner, who impressed in Saturday's league clash against Chelsea, is also rumoured to be a target of Liverpool, with the Tigers also rating him at €11.5m.

European Champions Barcelona Line Up Liverpool's Albert Riera

Barcelona are lining up a bid for Liverpool winger Albert Riera as time runs out to do deals for Arsenal duo Cesc Fabregas and Emmanuel Eboue.

Nou Camp boss Pep Guardiola conceded at the weekend that a move for Fabregas was unlikely to come off, but the club's deal-maker Txiki Begiristain has not ruled out snaring him before Tuesday night's Battle of Britain Champions League tie between Celtic and the Gunners.

Emirates boss Arsene Wenger insists his captain is not for sale and using him at Parkhead would cup-tie the 22-year-old from playing for anyone else in the Champions League this season and effectively crush a deal. The same goes for Eboue, who is seen by Barca as a candidate to provide defensive cover.

A deal for Fabregas seems almost impossible but technical secretary Begiristain has yet to concede defeat, saying only that a deal was 'very complicated'.

The Spain midfielder's versatility is attractive, but Barca will turn to cheaper options if, as expected, they fail to land him. Liverpool winger Riera has been floated by Begiristain as a left-sided reinforcement following difficulties in landing Juan Mata from Valencia.

Riera, 27, impressed at Anfield after signing from Espanyol for £8million last summer.

Barca has struggled to bring in the right players this summer, including Liverpool's Javier Mascherano, adding just Maxwell and Zlatan Ibrahimovic from Inter Milan.

Begiristain warns the quality of candidates he is looking at means they may ultimately make no more major signings before the close of the transfer window at the start of next month.

'The players we want are not cheap,' said Begiristain. 'We must look at alternatives and see what is better. The squad will be added to only if we value the player.'

Lucas: Liverpool FC Must Bounce Back Quickly From Spurs Defeat

Brazilian youngster Lucas Leiva admits Liverpool must bounce back quickly with two home wins in a week if they are to wipe away the memory of their losing start to the new Barclays Premier League campaign.

Liverpool went down 2-1 yesterday at Tottenham, a team who beat them twice last season in the league and Carling Cup.

The game ended with assistant manager Sammy Lee ’sent off’ after a touchline row with the fourth official, and boss Rafael Benitez complaining that Liverpool were robbed of two penalties.

Now Liverpool face two Anfield dates to put things right, against Stoke on Wednesday and Aston Villa next Monday.

Lucas said: “Everyone is very disappointed but we haven’t got time to think about this for long.

“We have another game on Wednesday, and then next Monday, and we have to put the defeat by Spurs behind us.

“We must look forward and we now have two games at home in front of our own fans. We must aim to get six points.”

Liverpool only lost two league games throughout last season, so another slip-up in the next week will see the club engulfed in criticism.

And Lucas has not forgotten how tough Stoke made it for Liverpool last season at Anfield by forcing a damaging goalless draw, one of the several poor home displays that ultimately cost Liverpool the title.

Lucas said: “It will not be easy against Stoke because they will get men behind the ball and they won’t give us space.

“We had two draws against them last season so we know what to expect.

“But at home we will have a lot more possession than we had at Spurs and hopefully we will create more and score more goals.”

He added: “We knew it would be a difficult match at Spurs for us but in the first half we did not play well.

“Spurs were pressing high and that made it difficult for us but we did not keep the ball well enough.

“We had a plan to play deep, to wait and then try to play on the counter-attack. But we only had a few promising attacks and did not create much.”

It was Liverpool’s first opening-weekend defeat for six years, with just a Steven Gerrard penalty to their credit. That cancelled out Benoit Assou-Ekotto’s brilliant opener for Spurs, who then won the match from a Sebastien Bassong header.

Lucas added: “We had more possession and more chances in the second period, but we were disappointed to concede twice to set-pieces.

“Maybe we should have had a penalty when Andriy Voronin was fouled, but we know that wasn’t good enough.

“It is only one game and there’s a long way to go, but that performance was not good enough.”

Benitez agrees that it is good that Liverpool are quickly back into action after the disappointment of White Hart Lane.

And has urged his players to turn things around quickly.

He said: “The positive thing is we have another game in three days, and you can change everything.

“We know we have to win the next game, and then everything will change.

“But we did not play well. We are disappointed. We showed more character in the second-half and we were a threat, but it was still not enough.”

Liverpool have serious injury problems. Daniel Agger missed the Spurs game with a back injury, and both Martin Skrtel and Jamie Carragher needed stitches in head wounds.

Fabio Aurelio is a long-term injury, while new boy Alberto Aquilani will not be fit for two months.

Midfielder Yossi Benayoun had missed training during the week with a rib injury, but did well enough when he came on as substitute to replace the ineffective Ryan Babel against Tottenham.

Benitez said: “Ryan was trying to do well. We decided to use him because Yossi had a problem with a (bruised) rib and during the week he was not training.

“So we decided to use the pace and ability of Ryan and he was trying to do well. Afterwards when the game was open Yossi was also a big influence for us.

“We had a lot of injury problems before and during the game, and we were not comfortable because we were not well organised. We were trying to adjust to new positions, too many of them.”

Xabi Alonso’s Absence Was There For All To See

WHEN Rafael Benitez said Liverpool were trying to manage expectations about the forthcoming season, this probably wasn’t quite what he had in mind.

A season in which many have tipped the Anfield outfit for the championship began in a manner that highlighted the shortcomings they must overcome if they are to end that long wait for the title.

This result may have been the same as last season’s visit here, but the circumstances were entirely different.

Last November, Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp admitted his side had been “slaughtered” before snatching a last-gasp victory.

Yesterday, however, only the heroics of Pepe Reina prevented Liverpool from being on the receiving end of a beating akin to their Carling Cup humiliation nine months ago.

Certainly, there must be something about the White Hart Lane air that has caused Liverpool to press the self-destruct button in such alarming fashion in recent visits.

But the reasons for this defeat are deep-rooted, a consequence of a summer of under-investment, significant departures and less than ideal preparation.

The sight of Benitez turning to Andriy Voronin to help rescue a point would have surely been a worrying sight to supporters, no matter how well the Ukrainian fared at Hertha Berlin last season.

As it was, Voronin should have been awarded a penalty in the closing moments that could have earned Liverpool an undeserved draw.

Steven Gerrard had already pulled the visitors level once from the spot after Benoit Assou-Ekotto fired Tottenham into a spectacular first-half lead, only for a towering Sebastien Bassong header to win the game moments later.

But given Liverpool’s patchy pre-season form, this early setback should not be regarded as a surprise. And that in itself should give cause for concern.

Benitez’s side started slowly last season but at least continued to eke out results. Now, just a weekend into the new season, they are already playing catch-up on all their main title rivals. Improvement must be immediate.

They have only themselves to blame. When they weren’t running into each other, Liverpool’s defenders were too often diving into last-ditch challenges when a touch more poise would have sufficed, and that recklessness led to the two free-kicks from which Tottenham ultimately scored.

Debutant Glen Johnson was a rare positive for Benitez, but that the full-back was often Liverpool’s most attacking outlet spoke volumes for a spluttering forward line in which Fernando Torres was hounded out by Bassong and Ledley King.

While Johnson attracted criticism for his performance in England’s 2-2 draw against Holland in midweek, Ryan Babel impressed against his Anfield team-mate in Amsterdam.

It was enough to earn the Dutchman a starting role but a dismal outing did little to strengthen his claims; his replacement Yossi Benayoun was infinitely more effective.

After a poor second season, Babel has entered the last-chance saloon at Liverpool and he will have to improve on this showing, although in mitigation he isn’t the only player for whom that applies.

With Xabi Alonso departed and new £20million signing Alberto Aquilani sidelined until at least October, opportunity is knocking for Lucas Leiva in central midfield.

The Brazilian often polarises opinion among the Liverpool support, but his performances during the closing months of the last campaign and pre-season form suggest a corner may have been turned.

Yet no matter how tidy and busy Lucas was for the most part, it’s clear the midfield is crying out for the composure and creativity of an Alonso.

Concerns over Liverpool’s central defence were allayed when both Jamie Carragher and Martin Skrtel were passed fit, but that situation was threatened after 15 minutes when the duo challenged for the same ball, leading to a sickening clash of heads.

Carragher returned after a brief trip to the dressing room for some stitches to a cut while Skrtel soldiered on until the 75th minute after a hefty blow to the jaw.

The collision disrupted what little rhythm Liverpool had gathered during a pedestrian first quarter, and allowed Tottenham to assume the initiative with only the reflexes of Reina preventing an embarrassing half-time scoreline.

Robbie Keane, surprisingly selected ahead of fellow former Liverpool striker Peter Crouch, helped justify Benitez’s wisdom in sending him back to London by twice spurning chances to open the scoring.

Unmarked and six yards from goal, Keane met a Luka Modric cross from the left with a header on the half-hour that, even allowing for Reina’s heroics in repelling the ball, was too close to the goalkeeper.

Keane was similarly at fault minutes later when put through by another Modric pass, Reina flinging out a left arm to deflect the ball to safety.

But the goalkeeper could do nothing to prevent Tottenham forging ahead a minute from the break. After Skrtel fouled Wilson Palacios 25 yards from goal, Tom Huddlestone drove the subsequent free-kick into the wall.

However, a fortunate ricochet off Emiliano Insua’s face presented the ball invitingly to Assou-Ekotto, who arrowed a venomous volley into the top corner from the edge of the area.

Liverpool at least showed a bit more fight in the second half. Dirk Kuyt and Torres combined to tee up Gerrard for a daisy-cutter that skimmed narrowly wide, but Reina had to be alert to turn over a dipping Palacios drive.

Benitez’s side were gifted a route back into the game on 56 minutes. Johnson, again marauding down the right, did well to work into the box after cutting between Assou-Ekotto and Huddlestone but was going nowhere when unwisely upended by Tottenham goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes.

Gerrard kept his nerve from the spot, but parity lasted just three minutes thanks to another self-inflicted wound.

Carragher fouled Jermaine Defoe on the Tottenham right and, from the resultant Modric free-kick, was beaten to the ball by Bassong, who looped a header into the top corner.

Voronin’s late penalty shout after being bumped over by Assou-Ekotto was too much to bear for Sammy Lee, the Liverpool assistant manager venting his spleen at fourth official Stuart Attwell to such an extent he was sent off by referee Phil Dowd. The midweek visit of Stoke City has already become a must-win for Benitez’s side.

We Must Improve All Round – Benitez

UNHAPPY Rafael Benitez admits his Liverpool side must improve after they opened their title challenge with a dismal defeat at Tottenham Hotspur.

A 56th-minute Steven Gerrard penalty was sandwiched by Benoit Assou-Ekotto’s spectacular opener and a towering Sebastien Bassong header to condemn Benitez’s side to a 2-1 loss, their third defeat at White Hart Lane inside a year.

It was only the fourth time Liverpool had lost in their last 34 opening day fixtures, with the most recent previous setback coming at home to Chelsea in 2003.

And Benitez accepts his players have to significantly raise their level for the visit of Stoke City on Wednesday, a game the Spaniard accepts his team “has to win”.

“We didn’t play well, especially in the first half,” said the Anfield manager. “We were much better in the second half, we pushed harder and had more options in the final third.

“But clearly we have to improve if we want to win these kind of games.

“We have to improve in the middle, both in keeping the ball and passing the ball, and understanding between the strikers and the midfielders have to be better.

“It’s too early to make too many judgements and we have another game on Wednesday, so we have to improve for then. We have to win the next game.”

Benitez dismissed suggestions his team had felt the pressure of being among the title contenders after seeing all of their main rivals win over the weekend.

“We knew that we were playing against a good team so we needed to perform and play well, but we didn’t lose because of any pressure,” added the Spaniard. “We were just not comfortable with the ball.

“The team were not comfortable in possession during the first half. It wasn’t one player, it was all of them. We were not doing our job. It’s difficult for one or two players if the rest aren’t at the level.”

Asked if Liverpool had missed the departed Xabi Alonso, Benitez responded: “We won a lot of games last year without him. We have enough quality in the squad and we have to prove this.”

Liverpool Should Have Had A Second Penalty – Rafael Benitez

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez was adamant his side should have been awarded a second penalty in their 2-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane.

Spurs won the game courtesy of goals by Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Sebastien Bassong with Steven Gerrard grabbing the Merseysiders’ goal from the spot.

However, the Spaniard believed the Reds should have had another penalty late on after Andriy Voronin appeared to be pushed off the ball by Assou-Ekotto.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Benitez insisted it was a definite spot-kick that his team had been denied.

“It was a penalty. It was 100 per cent. Everybody could see it was a penalty,” fumed the Liverpool boss.

“Anyway the first half was not the best for us, the second half much better.”

Benitez also rued Liverpool’s inability to stay on level terms, after Gerrard’s equaliser, but insisted he was happy with his side’s work rate.

“It’s a pity when you score, you draw and after you concede another from a free kick, it’s very difficult but I’m disappointed because I think second half we worked really hard,” he explained.

“I think second half we were much better, we had two or three situations when we were a threat, we were dangerous but still we had too many problems with the two centre backs.”

The Spaniard would not be drawn on whether his side had missed Xabi Alonso but insisted that they must improve for their next fixture.

“I think in some games we won without Xabi Alonso so it’s not fair to talk about this now,” he added.

“It’s too early, we have to improve, we think that the second half was positive so we will try and do the same things in the next game, we will try to play better football if we can.”

Match Report: Tottenham 2 - 1 Liverpool

Tottenham repeated their victory over Liverpool from last season as Sebastien Bassong clinched a 2-1 win.

Liverpool have been tipped to finally end their long wait for a title this term but they were unable to come away from White Hart Lane with even a single point as Spurs came out on top in an entertaining encounter.

Both sides struggled for fluency in the early stages but Tottenham settled towards the end of the first half and carved out a succession of good chances, with Robbie Keane twice denied by Pepe Reina as he looked to score against his former club.

The deadlock was then broken in sensational style just before the break as Benoit Assou-Ekotto struck a ferocious effort into the top corner from just outside the box that left Reina with no chance.

Spurs started the second half strongly as well but conceded an equaliser when the marauding Glen Johnson was brought down by Heurelho Gomes in the 56th minute and Steven Gerrard smashed home the penalty.

Tottenham shrugged off the disappointment to quickly restore their lead through Bassong's header and Liverpool could not force an equaliser as referee Phil Dowd turned away a late penalty appeal from Andriy Voronin

Japanese International Keisuke Honda Rules Out Liverpool Move

Japanese international Keisuke Honda is the absolute star player at Eredivisie side VVV at the moment, and his outstanding performances for the Dutch side haven't gone unnoticed by the rest of Europe.

The attacking midfielder is continually being linked with a number of clubs, with Wolfsburg, Liverpool, Ajax and PSV all reportedly interested in signing Honda.

However, the youngster has now made it clear that he is not yet ready to leave VVV for a move abroad, thus excluding Liverpool and Wolfsburg as his possible new destination.

"I'm extremely happy with life in the Netherlands. The people are friendly and it's nice and quiet over here. Therefore, I'm not leaving Holland for a club abroad," Honda quoted as saying by Eredivisie Live.

VVV aren't reluctant to let go of their star player, but have set a hefty €10 million asking price for the 23-year-old. The Venlo side's financial demands will probably prove to be too much for PSV and Ajax, meaning that Honda could stay at VVV after all.

Steven Gerrard Admits He Is ‘Desperate’ To Win Premier League With Liverpool

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has revealed that he is desperate to claim the league title with the Reds and has insisted that finishing top of the pile would mean the world to him.

“I'm desperate to get that photo of me with my teammates holding the Premier League trophy,” he told the News of the World.

“It does play on my mind how many years I've left to win it. I've turned 29 now, so I know time isn't on my side, but it's important I don't get obsessed by it.”

Rafael Benitez’s side will be hoping to build on last season’s second place finish and their skipper revealed what it would mean to him and the city of Liverpool to end the season as champions.

“You have to go into every new season prepared to do all you can to make it happen and I genuinely believe we can do it. This city would absolutely erupt if we did,” he explained.

“But because of the gap since we last won the title, if we achieve it, it would be bigger than the Champions League. Everyone at the club knows that and that's one of the incentives for doing everything to win it because we've seen what that kind of success means to the fans, and the players.

“It will just mean the world to me to win it at Liverpool. Moving to a different club and winning the league just doesn't enter my mind. I won't give up on it at Anfield.”

Although the Reds have lost Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid this summer, Gerrard is still confident they can challenge and insisted his side is very strong ahead of the new season.

“I honestly don't see a lot more changes being needed to the side, but we do have to find consistency from the first game. That showed last year when it was draws, not defeats which cost us,” he added.

"We are good enough to win it.

“Our keeper is the best in the world, defensively we're very solid and we've got matchwinners such as Fernando [Torres].”

Hertha Berlin Poised To Sign Liverpool’s Andriy Voronin For €3.5 Million

Liverpool striker Andriy Voronin is reportedly set to make his move to Bundesliga outfit Hertha Berlin permanent in a €3.5 million deal.

The Ukrainian spent last season on loan in Germany and enjoyed a successful spell, nettting 11 goals and finishing the season as the club’s top scorer.

Whilst Hertha were hopeful of making the signing permanent at the end of last season, talks broke down and the striker has since returned to Liverpool.

However, the News of the World reports that the German side have recently contacted the Reds and are now willing to match their €3.5 million valuation of Voronin.

The report also goes on to claim that Liverpool would be willing to cash in on Voronin, even though this would leave them with a possible lack of experienced striking options at Anfield.

The striker arrived on Merseyside from Bayer Leverkeusen in 2007 on a free transfer but failed to make much of an impact, thus leading to his loan spell at Hertha.

Liverpool Continue To Fail To Strike Right Balance In Bid To Win Premier League Title

What does it take to knock Sir Alex Ferguson off his perch? Only three men have managed that in 17 seasons: Kenny Dalglish once, Jose Mourinho twice and Arsene Wenger thrice.

Does Rafael Benitez have the capability to join that shortlist? Received wisdom dictates that defeating the belligerent Scot demands the mental fortitude to survive his campaign of psychological warfare.

Received wisdom also dictates that this is where Benitez failed last season, that his premeditated attack on Ferguson's influence over referees and the fixture list in January was an act of hubris followed immediately by the inevitable fall - in this case four straight draws.

Ferguson had got under his skin. The taunts came rolling down the stands: "Rafa's cracking up". Received wisdom is bunk. That Rafa's rant is the hinge on which Liverpool's season turned is a soap operatic way of telling the story: entertaining rubbish. Benitez was perhaps misguided – and, for the most part, inaccurate – when inducing his public spat but, Machiavellian to the marrow, he cannot stop himself. Benitez is hooked on intrigue, inside his club or out. He was trying to be political. The only surprising thing was its brazenness.

Did it mean his team lost all motivation to beat Stoke in their next game?

Did they suddenly think their manager had lost the plot? What if Steven Gerrard's two efforts that hit the woodwork in that game had been struck with marginally more accuracy? Had, perchance, the psychological turbulence affected the flight of the ball? It's all nonsense.

'Mind games' is a convenient catch-all. The only time Ferguson has psychologically crushed an opponent was in the 1995-96 season when his wind-ups reduced Kevin Keegan to tearful on-air humiliation. So it is no surprise that Benitez has said he we would take on Ferguson again this season, should he feel suitably provoked.

"If it's necessary for our club, for sure," he said. "If I have to defend my club I will do it. How to do that is something that you have to analyse in each situation and each situation will be different. I think that we are a top side and we have a history and we are very respectful of other teams and we try to manage in the same way and if we have to fight, we have to fight."

Benitez hardly looked cowed when his side went to Old Trafford in March and demolished Ferguson's team 4-1. The reason Benitez lost the title is boringly simple: they could not close out tight games. In the league, they only won three games 1-0; Manchester United won an astonishing nine by that score. United expected the winning goal to come – Liverpool did not.

Liverpool's edginess going forward is down to there not being enough attacking depth in the squad. When it came to the crunch, and he needed a change striker, a pinch hitter, he was forced to turn to the inexperienced David Ngog.

In many respects, Liverpool are well equipped for the new campaign. The core of the team has been retained and reinforced. Dan Agger and Dirk Kuyt have signed new contracts. Javier Mascherano's Catalan-induced wanderlust has been curbed and Benitez has indicated the club will shortly speak to him about a new deal. Most valuable of all has been Fernando Torres' contract extension, announced on Friday, which commits him to Anfield until 2014.

Doling out lucrative contracts is, of course, an expensive business. But while the recruitment of Glen Johnson and Alberto Aquilani is believed to have cost £34.5 million, some £35.5 million has been recouped by the sale of six players, including the sale of Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid. Which seems to put Benitez on a net transfer gain of £1 million for the summer.

At the end of last season Benitez said that United had 18-20 players of the same level, whereas at Liverpool he had only 15-18. Yet despite a summer in which he has effectively swapped Alvaro Arbeloa for Johnson and Alonso for Aquilani, he has declared himself satisfied with the numbers at his disposal.

"Maybe we need more experience in one position just in case but the squad is good. We're bringing in Andriy Voronin who is a player who can play between the lines and he has game intelligence and he proved in Germany that he's a good player.

"I think we have enough quality. We have players that maybe aren't so famous or weren't playing too many games in the Premier League. Players like Nabil El Zhar, Lucas, Emiliano Insua, Ryan Babel, they are growing and they have more experience in the Premier League."

Before last season, Benitez felt he needed a £20 million second striker to add subtlety to his attack, having sold a gangling target man who gave them a different attacking option.

In case you need reminding, Robbie Keane and Peter Crouch are in the Tottenham side on Sunday afternoon. If Benitez's change striker is really going to be Voronin then the same old frustrating problems will recur – barring Torres' hamstrings and Gerrard's groin developing miraculous durability.

Liverpool have the best starting XI in the country, and if they all stayed fit all season they would win the title. But the disparity with the second XI, especially in the attacking areas, is vast.

Imagine the various second strings competing in their own league: Liverpool's would struggle to get into the Europa League. And that, to use a memorable phrase, is a fact.

Where's the money?

According to Liverpool’s most recent accounts £21.7 million was injected into the club for transfers after July 2008. About £8m of this was spent on Albert Riera, but it is believed Rafa Benítez was promised £20m to spend when signing his new contract.

Liverpool’s sales since then total £47.5 m. Robbie Keane was returned to Tottenham for £12 m, Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa went to Real Madrid for a combined £33.5m

Benítez has spent £17m up front on Alberto Aquilani and £17.5 million on Glen Johnson.

Contract renewals, agents’ fees and signing-on fees may account for part of the remainder, but simple math suggests Benítez should have around £25m more to spend.

His pursuit of Barry and Tevez suggests he thought he did before Tom Hicks and George Gillett agreed to pay back £60m of their £290m loan this year.

Javier Mascherano Has Put Barcelona Behind Him, Says Liverpool Manager Rafa Benitez

Rafael Benitez insists Javier Mascherano will shrug off the disappointment of his aborted move to Barcelona to help spearhead Liverpool's title challenge.

Liverpool begin their Premier League campaign against Tottenham on Sunday and Benitez is relieved to be able to call upon Argentina captain Mascherano for the match, having lost fellow midfield lynchpin Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid.

While Alonso was eventually granted his dream £30 million move to Spain, Mascherano was told he would not be leaving Anfield despite expressing his preference for a switch to Barcelona.

Benitez admits now that there were many times during a fraught summer, during which he believes Mascherano's head was turned by his international colleague Lionel Messi.

But with the player still having more than three years left on his contract, Benitez was in a position of strength when refusing to do business.

Speaking about the saga, Benitez said: "Javier has a very good friend in the national team and that is Messi.

"Messi was on to him every day and that is not easy, but Javier knows what we think of him and he will be okay."

Now that Mascherano has opted to stay, Benitez is expected to work out a new contract for the player, who had appeared to fall out of love with life in England in the light of Barca's interest.

Benitez added: "I talked with Javier, his agent and Barca. It is normal they see him as such a good player, and an option for them.

"We told Javier he was so important for us and we wanted to keep him. We were not talking about any price.

"He was a bit disappointed as it was a fantastic opportunity with a big club. But he is happy here, and as a player and a person you can trust him 100 per cent."

Benitez, meanwhile, believes as many as six teams could be challenging for the top four places this season, potentially disrupting the traditional order.

He said: "We can always talk about the top four, but Manchester City are doing a very good job and have bought some excellent players. I can understand why Mr. Ferguson at Manchester United is a little bit worried.

"Aston Villa and Tottenham have also spent some money, so there will five, six or more fighting now.

"But we have signed Glen Johnson and Alberto Aquilani, that is all, we are different.

"The important thing was to try and extend the contracts of key players. And that is what we did.

"We had 86 points last season to finish second, and we have more or less the same squad, so maybe we can do the same again or better.

"But we will need to improve at home, and Johnson as an attacking full-back is the sort of player who can make the difference in difficult home matches when opponents are defending.

"We have lost Sami Hyypia, he will be a big loss because he was a good player, but if Skrtel and Carragher are fit I thought we could manage.

"As for our title chances, the players know we were very close last season and they want to improve. We know what this team can achieve and they will be ready."

Liverpool's Rafa Benítez Confident He Can Manage Merseyside Expectations

Rafa Benítez's six years in English football can be measured by buzzwords. If his first two years were dominated by "rotation" and zonal marking, his fifth will be best remembered for his "facts".

There are the old stalwarts of "possibilities" and "game intelligence." To that list, add his leitmotif for the coming season: "managing expectations."

It seems a phrase straight from the corporate jargon handbook, equal parts meaningful and meaningless. On Merseyside, though, it makes sense. Benítez, a victim of his own success, suddenly finds himself with plenty of expectations to manage.

Last season brought with it Liverpool's first genuine title challenge for seven years. For the last three months of the campaign, they were unquestionably the best team in the country, destroying Manchester United, the eventual champions, at Old Trafford, and humiliating Real Madrid. That is the barometer by which they will be judged.

"We have to manage the expectations," said Benítez. "We know the situation. If you talk about the title, everybody is saying that we have to win it this season. But I don't think so. I don't feel any extra pressure because we haven't won anything for three seasons. We have to be realistic, we want to be in the top four and to be contenders.

"I was asked the same questions this time last year, and I said we wanted to be in a good position come January. We were, and we stayed in a good position all the way through to the end of the season. We have to have that same approach this season."

It is hardly the optimism Liverpool's fans, laden with hope after the rousing crescendo to their last campaign, wish to hear from their manager.

Benítez, though, has hardly had the sort of pre-season to inspire such a mood. His team have failed to impress, he has sold Xabi Alonso, the conductor of the attacking orchestra that swept all before them from March until the end of last season, and his replacement, Alberto Aquilani, will not be fit until October.

The club were boosted on Friday by the news that Fernando Torres has signed the new, £110,000-a-week contract he agreed in May, tying him to Anfield until 2014, but that, along with Steven Gerrard's acquittal on a charge of affray last month and the £17.5 million signing of Glen Johnson, has been a rare fillip in a summer tempered by doubt.

Benítez has not received the financial backing he perhaps expected when he signed his own new contract in March. His side look short of options in defence and attack, the spectre of injury to Torres or Gerrard still unthinkable. There has been no marquee capture to complement his strike duo, to turn the draws that cost Liverpool so dearly last season into wins.

Benítez has thus far stopped short of criticising the club's owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillett, for their failure to provide a budget of any sort beyond what he himself has raised from sales. It is clearly an issue he is not prepared to go to war on, at least not yet.

"You have to sign the players you need," he said. "To bring in a big, big name, you often have to change everything. There aren't many managers in the world happy with the amount they have to spend, but to me that just mean you have to work harder. It does not impact on my commitment at all."

Liverpool To Hand Unsettled Javier Mascherano Pay Rise

Liverpool are reportedly set to hand midfielder Javier Mascherano a pay rise, after refusing to allow him to leave Anfield this summer.

It was widely documented that the 25-year-old was keen on a move to Spain, and Barcelona in particular, but manager Rafael Benitez would not sanction a deal, largely because of the expected departure of Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid.

Whilst that deal did indeed go through, Mascherano remains on Merseyside and, speaking to the Sunday Express, the Liverpool boss admitted his player may be disappointed to miss out on the chance to move to the European champions.

“I had to talk to Javier a little bit. Barcelona is a top side, so if a club like Barcelona, who won three trophies in the last year, are interested it’s not easy for any player,” explained Benitez.

“But we knew from day one that we didn’t want to sell him. He’s an important player for us.”

The Spaniard also revealed that with the midfielder now back from international duty, talks could begin over a potential new deal.

“He has come home now, after playing for his national team, and we will talk,” he added.

“It’s important that he sits down now and we have time to talk.”

The Sunday Express speculates that Mascherano can expect a “substantial hike” on his £80,000-a-week wages, as the Reds attempt to placate their midfield man.

Brown Warns Reds Over Turner Chase

Hull boss Phil Brown has once again warned Liverpool counterpart Rafa Benitez to forget about landing Michael Turner on the cheap this month.

The Tigers were narrowly beaten 2-1 at Chelsea on Saturday and while Brown was disappointed to lose so late on, his more immediate task is hanging on to Turner and Andy Dawson before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.

Liverpool have already made one bid for the centre-half but Brown insists it remains nowhere near City's valuation.

The 25-year-old had an awesome battle with Drogba but won the Chelsea striker's respect with a glowing performance and while Brown is realistic when it comes to the prospect of keeping his top stars, he insists they won't be sold on the cheap.

"You do desperately try and hang on to your better players," said Brown. "People have classed the price tag on Michael Turner as ridiculous at £10 million. I think he is worth that to us, it might not be worth that to somebody else, but he is to us.

"As far as we are concerned that is how big a player he is for us. Michael played 38 games for us last year and never missed a minute. He is being courted by bigger clubs because of the way he can defend.

"Against Chelsea there was another example of that, but not just from him but also from Anthony Gardner and Dawson. But I thought it was a good collective, defensive performance from us against Chelsea."

Premier League Preview: Tottenham Hotspur vs Liverpool

If one thing is for certain as Tottenham Hotspur prepare to embark on another Premier League campaign, it is that they will be desperate to get off to a better start than they did last season.

Under Juande Ramos, the Lilywhites went winless for the first eight games of the season, resulting in the Spaniard’s departure and the subsequent appointment of Harry Redknapp.

The former Portsmouth boss turned things around markedly, leading the London club from the bottom of the table to the brink of Europa League qualification.

This season, after some significant changes to the squad throughout the summer, Redknapp and his men have the Champions League in their sights.

First and foremost, however, they are aiming to kick-start the new term with a bang, as they host a Liverpool side with serious title ambitions.

"It's such a big game for everyone, especially at this early stage of the season. The lads can't wait for it and we all feel it's a game we can win," Jermain Defoe told the press.

"We're at home, we know the fans will be right behind us and it's all about our belief. We want to make a good start and we're after the three points."

The Reds enter the 2009-10 season off the back of their finest domestic campaign in many moons, having finished four points behind champions Manchester United last term.

There can be no question that Rafael Benitez’s crew aim to lift the Premier League trophy come next May, but there are kinks in their consistency which will have to be ironed for that to occur.

Liverpool were supreme against their fellow title challengers, doing the double over both United and Chelsea, but they often struggled against the less fearsome teams in the division.

No better can this be demonstrated than by the fact that their first loss of the 2008-09 campaign came at White Hart Lane, against a Tottenham outfit who were then sat in the relegation zone.

It is there, in Spurs’ domain, that the Merseysiders begin their push for a long-awaited 19th league triumph, and Fernando Torres knows that anything but victory will be considered a failure.

"We have no problem beating Manchester United or Chelsea, but it is games like Sunday's at Tottenham where we need to show our real title intentions," the Spanish striker said recently.

"Tottenham is not an easy place to go, but these are games we must be winning if this is to finally be our year."


FORM GUIDE

Tottenham

Aug 9 Tottenham 3-0 Olympiacos (Friendly)
Aug 2 South China 2-0 Tottenham (Friendly)
Jul 31 Hull City 0-3 Tottenham (Friendly)
Jul 29 West Ham United 0-2 Tottenham (Friendly)
Jul 26 Tottenham 0-2 Celtic (Friendly)

Liverpool

Aug 8 Liverpool 1-2 Atletico Madrid (Friendly)
Aug 5 FC Lyn 0-2 Liverpool (Friendly)
Aug 2 Espanyol 3-0 Liverpool (Friendly)
Jul 26 Singapore 0-5 Liverpool (Friendly)
Jul 22 Thailand 1-1 Liverpool (Friendly)


TEAM NEWS

Tottenham

Spurs have the usual injury problems right from the off: Jonathan Woodgate is out with a groin problem, and Ledley King is a doubt with back pain.

As Michael Dawson is also yet to prove his fitness, new boy Sebastien Bassong is likely to start in defence.

Meanwhile, at the other end of the park, Peter Crouch – who spent three years on Liverpool’s books – could also make his Lilywhites debut, having moved from Portsmouth.

Possible Starting XI: Gomes; Corluka, Bassong, King, Assou-Ekotto; Lennon, Jenas, Palacios, Modric; Defoe, Crouch

Liverpool

With Daniel Agger out injured, the Merseysiders face a nervous wait over the status of Martin Skrtel and Jamie Carragher, but both are expected to be pronounced fit. Emiliano Insua will step in for the oft-sidelined Fabio Aurelio at left-back.

Of even more concern is Steven Gerrard, who missed England’s midweek friendly against the Netherlands with a groin complaint. The skipper is 50-50 at this stage.

Italian import Alberto Aquilani is recovering from a lingering ankle problem, leaving Lucas Leiva to fill the void in midfield following Xabi Alonso’s big-money move to Real Madrid.

Possible Starting XI: Reina; Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Insua; Mascherano, Lucas; Kuyt, Gerrard, Riera; Torres


PLAYERS TO WATCH

Tottenham

Just as his career at White Hart Lane seemed to have stalled, Aaron Lennon kicked into overdrive midway through last season to re-establish himself as one of the most exciting young talents in the Premier League. The England man could have an interesting tussle with inexperienced, yet similarly promising, Insua.

Liverpool

In what was otherwise a disappointing pre-season for the Reds, one man shone. Lucas Leiva has copped his fair share of flak since joining the club from Gremio in 2007, and now – with Alonso gone and Aquilani out – is the time for the young Brazilian to stake his claim for a regular berth in midfield.

Rafa Benitez: Liverpool FC Have Come A Long Way In Five Years

Liverpool have come a long way since Rafa Benitez last took his side to White Hart Lane on the opening day of the Premier League season.

August 14 2004 was the Spaniard’s first competitive domestic assignment in the Anfield hot-seat but he headed to the capital with Gerard Houllier’s team.

Josemi and Djibril Cisse were the only new faces but even the later had been bought by Houllier before he got the bullet.

Cisse’s first half strike was cancelled out by Jermain Defoe in a 1-1 draw but early promise failed to blossom as four league defeats by early October dashed any hopes of a title challenge.

Of course European glory ultimately made it a season to remember but in the league the Reds finished a distant fifth – losing 14 games and securing a haul of just 58 points.

Fast forward five years and only skipper Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher remain.

Slowly but surely, Benitez has compiled a squad capable of challenging for the Premier League crown.

With third, third, fourth and second placed finishes, Liverpool have closed the gap and now the challenge is to take the hardest step of all.

“I remember that first game very clearly and a lot has changed since then,” Benitez admitted.

“Clearly the club has been going in the right direction.

“You can see the value of the squad we had back then compared to the value of the squad we have now.

“Now we have more players with quality and experience. But we also have exciting young players who are improving all the time.”

Benitez knows his side will be hard pressed to beat last season’s remarkable haul of 86 points, which left them four points adrift of champions Manchester United.

Alvaro Arbeloa, Xabi Alonso and Sami Hyypia have departed with the boss’ summer spending limited to £17million right-back Glen Johnson and £20million midfielder Alberto Aquilani.

However, Benitez insists the Reds are better equipped for domestic glory this time around.

“By selling Arbeloa and Alonso and bringing in Johnson and Aquilani I believe we are more or less in the same position but with different kind of players,” he said.

“Johnson is an attacking full-back who will hopefully help us turn draws into wins. Aquilani is also more attacking than Alonso.

“One really important thing for me was extending the contracts of our key players.

“We got 86 points with more or less this squad. We know what this team can achieve.

“We can talk about players who have gone and who have just arrived but we have young players already here like Insua, Lucas, Babel, El Zhar, Ngog, who can improve and make a big difference.

“The players know we were very close last year and everyone wants to improve.

“Pre-season has been difficult with a lot of players coming back late but we will be ready to face Tottenham.”

Tomorrow will be the sixth successive campaign Liverpool have started on their travels and Benitez is looking for his side to continue where they left off last season.

After losing at Middlesbrough in late February the Reds won 10 and drew one of their last 11 league matches, scoring 34 goals in the process.

Rafa Benitez: Lack Of Funds Won't Shake Our Title Challenge

Rafael Benitez is ready to do battle with Sir Alex Ferguson once again after insisting his commitment to Liverpool has not been shaken by a lack of transfer funds.

Benitez’s side begins their quest for a record-breaking 19th championship when they open their Premier League season at Tottenham Hotspur tomorrow.

Liverpool were the nearest rivals to Manchester United last season only to fall short in stopping their bitter North West neighbours from moving alongside them on 18 titles.

The emergence of Liverpool as strong contenders caused a deterioration in the relationship between Benitez and Old Trafford counterpart Ferguson.

And the United manager has already began stoking the flames by claiming Chelsea are the main threat to his team securing a fourth successive Premier League crown this season.

But Benitez has warned Ferguson he wants to further test the boundaries of his patience by pushing United all the way once again.

“I would like to win every game, so we will see how it affects the relationship,” said the Liverpool manager. “I want to win. If our fans are happy then I’m happy.”

Asked if Ferguson was already up to his old tricks with the comment on Chelsea, Benitez added: “I have no idea. There are a lot of top sides that can be very, very strong.

“We can always talk about the top four, but Manchester City are doing a very good job and have bought some excellent players. They will be a big problem to us, but mainly to United, as they are their neighbours.

“I can understand why Mr. Ferguson at Manchester United is a little bit worried.”

Benitez’s efforts to overhaul United have been hampered by a tightening of the purse strings by Liverpool’s American owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

Close to £37million has been spent on Glen Johnson and Alberto Aquilani, but that has been recouped by the sales of Xabi Alonso, Alvaro Arbeloa, Sebastian Leto, Adam Hammill, Paul Anderson and Jack Hobbs.

But Benitez has dismissed the notion the lack of major funds has made him have second thoughts after signing a new five-year contract in March.

“I don’t know too many managers happy with the money that they have to spend,” said the Spaniard. “There are two or three clubs around the world that have big, big money, but the rest of the managers I am sure will ask for more money.

“It is not impacting on my commitment. Always when you have some difficult, you have to work harder.

“We were doing a good job with the options that we had. We are happy with the additions, and if they can settle down quickly I will be really pleased because the rest of the squad is more or less the same.”

Liverpool, who have lost only two of their last 27 opening league games, are being tipped by many this season to end a title drought that stretches back to 1990, with many supporters similarly expectant.

But Benitez said: “I don’t feel any extra pressure because we haven’t won anything for three seasons.

“We have to manage the expectations. We know the situation. If you talk about the title, everybody is saying that we have to win it this season. But I don’t think so. We have to be realistic, we want to be in the top four and to be contenders.

“I was being asked the same questions this time last year, and I said we wanted to be in a good position come January. We were, and we stayed in a good position all the way through to the end of the season.

“We have tried to manage expectations but it’s not easy when we finished with 86 points last season and came so close, and people will now be talking about 20 years since winning the league.

“But that is the situation now. We have to work with the players, have confidence in the youngsters and try to improve the squad.

“How will we know if we are right or not? After three or four games you will see more or less where we are, and also where the other teams are.”

Johnson will make his debut at White Hart Lane tomorrow, while Benitez is hopeful Jamie Carragher, Martin Skrtel and Steven Gerrard will all overcome their injury niggles.

Liverpool Will Win Premier League Title This Year - Alan Hansen

Liverpool's former captain Alan Hansen reckons this will be the year that the Reds finally reclaim the title.

"I believe that this will be Liverpool's year," Hansen told Liverpool's official website.

"Draws at home against lesser teams cost Liverpool last season, but I think manager Rafael Benitez has learned how to play against them," he added.

Hansen believes Benitez has developed his style of play into a more attacking, up-tempo approach.

"Instead of waiting to see what they will do, he has gone for what Liverpool fans expect, which is to try to hem these teams in and batter them.

"It was a style of play that started when they thrashed Real Madrid 4-0 in the Champions League and continued from there," he said.

"It was great to see, and I can see it bringing the title back to Anfield for the first time in 20 years this season."

On Liverpool's closest rivals, Hansen was dismissive.

"I actually do not see United winning the title this year," he said.

"Ronaldo just won too many games for them."

Liverpool's History Cannot Be Ignored - Alberto Aquilani

New Liverpool signing Alberto Aquilani has spoken of his admiration for the club's history, after getting a lesson from Roma director Bruno Conti.

Liverpool won the 1984 European Cup, defeating Roma on penalties when Conti sent his spot-kick over the cross-bar.

"You cannot ignore the huge past of this club," Aquilani told Sky Sports.

"I grew up in Rome and knew about the final between Roma and Liverpool. It was a game I became very much aware of," he continued.

"Bruno Conti talked to me a lot about it, especially his big mistake.

Aquilani was reluctant to leave his home town club, but said he was delighted to move to Liverpool. The Italian also revealed that he spoke with his team-mate John Arne Riise before making the move.

"I knew I would only leave Roma for a club such as Liverpool. I hope to do the shirt proud and help them win more honours.

"Riise spoke highly of Rafael Benitez and said he would help me grow," Aquilani added.

"I am aware of the pressure the club is under and I will be under. But if you want to play for a big club, you have to handle the pressure."

The Italian said that he is eager to taste the atmosphere at Anfield.

"I have heard a lot about the unique atmosphere at Anfield, the Kop and the great fans. I am looking forward to getting fit and making my debut."

Aquilani is also hoping to cement a place in the Italy squad for the World Cup in South Africa in the summer.

"Going to the World Cup is a big objective for me, but in order to do that, I need to do well with Liverpool," he said.

"I spoke to Marcello Lippi before coming to England and he reassured me it will not be a problem."

Rafael Benítez Plans To End Liverpool's Long Wait For The Title By Going For Broke

A manager must build expectations but it is revealing how Rafael Benítez already speaks of "managing" them. The financial sands have shifted under the Spaniard this summer and yet, after five years of gradual and occasionally fraught progress, he knows the anticipation is that his building work is nearing completion at Liverpool. He cannot promise the club's first league title since 1990 but nor does he deny, to use a favoured word, its possibility.

Title predictions are peculiar this year given the leading contenders are judged not on how they have improved but how much they have weakened. On this score Benítez encourages Anfield's optimists with the assessment that his Liverpool squad is equal to that which finished second and four points behind Manchester United last season. And this despite the loss of Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid and the influential midfielder's replacement, Alberto Aquilani, being at least a month away from his Premier League debut due to ankle surgery.

In Aquilani, Benítez believes he has located one of the keys to improvement. The final step has proven the hardest for every Anfield manager since Kenny Dalglish left the club in 1991, and Benítez is confident the £20m Italian can remedy the seven home draws that, along with repeated hamstring injuries to Fernando Torres, cost Liverpool the title last season. More adventurous than Alonso, the former Roma playmaker has been designated a role in support of Steven Gerrard this term, leaving Javier Mascherano as the lone holding midfielder at home, with his goals and swift, incisive passing removing the handbrake from those teams intent on parking the bus. That is the theory at least.

Liverpool will stretch those same rigid defences to a greater degree with Glen Johnson raiding from right-back. Benítez has never been sold on the value of an out-and-out winger but the England international, while needing to improve defensively, can provide the width Liverpool have sorely lacked on occasion. So far, so encouraging for a team that added a swagger to its consistency as last season progressed and fielded Gerrard with Torres only 14 times in the league due to injury.

"If you analyse the two players we have signed, they are players with quality," Benítez insists. "We needed a little bit more quality at right-back and we got Johnson. Trying to find that extra quality is difficult. [Andriy] Voronin has come back and has done really well in pre-season and did really well at Hertha Berlin last season. Yes, we have lost something with Alonso, but we couldn't stop him from going. We have tried to manage that loss and have brought someone in, Aquilani, who we feel can help us win the games that we were drawing at home last season. Aquilani, Voronin and Johnson are three players with game intelligence and quality going forward that can all help in that manner."

Hold on. Voronin? Benítez is looking to Voronin to help Liverpool erase 20 years of desperation in May next May? Here is where concerns over Liverpool's title credentials surface. This scepticism is not a criticism of Voronin directly. He did, after all, score 11 goals in 23 games on loan with Hertha last season and would have signed permanently had they qualified for the Champions League. But if the answer is Voronin, who scored five league goals for Liverpool before being shipped back to Germany, then the question is what happened to the £20m Benítez was promised on top of the money he raised through player sales this summer?

The Liverpool manager had David Silva of Valencia in mind as the calibre of player who could improve his team's penetration. Now he is reliant on the reinvention of the 30-year-old Ukrainian or the penny finally dropping with Ryan Babel. Benítez's budget has been revised and is understood to have had to incorporate the lucrative contracts awarded this summer to Gerrard and Torres, who put pen to paper on a £110,000-a-week, four-year deal with the option of a fifth year yesterday. They are worth every penny, but strength in depth could prove a fundamental weakness at Anfield unless funds are forthcoming in the final weeks of the transfer window.

Benítez has resisted entering into another divisive confrontation with the Liverpool owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett over finance, but it is no surprise he enters the new campaign with characteristic caution. "I don't feel any extra pressure because we haven't won anything for three seasons. We have to manage the expectations," he said ahead of tomorrow's opener at Tottenham Hotspur.

"We know the situation. If you talk about the title, everybody is saying we have to win it [the title] this season. But I don't think so. We have to be realistic, we want to be in the top four and to be contenders. I was asked the same questions this time last year and I said we wanted to be in a good position come January. We were, and we stayed in a good position all the way through to the end of the season. We have to have that same approach this season, taking it one game at a time and seeing where we are at the end of each week. People will say I'm always saying the same thing, but it has to be like this."

John Aldridge: Liverpool FC Need More Options In Attack

Having come so close last season, we all desperately hope this is the year when Liverpool finally clinch the Premier League title.

It’s been a mixed summer with a couple of big signings but a few key players moving on.

We’ve lost Alvaro Arbeloa and Xabi Alonso but gained Glen Johnson and Alberto Aquilani so I would say the squad is about as strong as the one we had last season.

I’ve seen Aquilani play a few times and there’s no doubt he’s a very talented player.

The concern is we don’t know how long he is going to be out injured.

And we also don’t know how long he will take to adapt to the demands of the Premier League.

I was disappointed to see Arbeloa go and I thought £3.5m for him was a great bit of business for Real Madrid but Johnson is undoubtedly a better attacking full-back.

I would still like to see Rafa strengthen our attacking options by either signing a striker or a wide player.

Andriy Voronin has come back from a year on loan at Hertha Berlin but I can’t see him making much of an impression. I hope he can prove us all wrong but I doubt it.

The options up front are limited and the fear is we’re still short of one top quality player.

The worrying thing is it looks like the money has run out and that’s unbelievable considering how much Rafa Benitez has brought in by selling players.

Before the Americans arrived the manager would always have £20m to £25m to spend each summer plus whatever he could raise from sales.

Whether what’s happened this summer is a sign of how difficult things are behind the scenes I don’t know.

Our first XI is still as strong as any in the Premier League.

But we just have to hope and pray everyone stays fit because our second string is probably the poorest out of all the clubs in the top four.

Even Spurs probably have more in reserve than we have.

If we keep everyone fit then we will challenge but my fear is that if we have to rely on fringe players then we will struggle.

The first target has to be to get through to the international break at the start of September unscathed.

The Reds have got to be looking for 10 points out of 12.

Liverpool couldn’t have been handed a much tougher opener than a trip to Tottenham.

Harry Redknapp has done a great job and turned things around since taking over from Juande Ramos.

He has made some great buys and I’ve got no doubt Spurs are going to be one of those clubs, along with Manchester City, fighting to get into the top four this season.

Spurs have certainly got plenty of firepower. Robbie Keane and Peter Crouch will be desperate to do well against their old club, while Jermain Defoe will be flying after his two goals for England in midweek.

Defoe was excellent against Holland and the Reds will have to keep a close eye on him.

Of course we lost 2-1 at White Hart Lane last November but that was one of our best away performances of the season.

We battered them but missed so many chances and ending up paying the price.

If we can reproduce that display and be more clinical then I’m confident we’ll be celebrating a great start to the campaign.

Rafa In Milner Bid

Liverpool have made a cheeky enquiry about Aston Villa's young star James Milner.

Anfield boss Rafa Benitez is a big admirer of the emerging England winger but has received little in the way of encouragement.

Milner cost Villa £12million from Newcastle last August and has three years left on his contract.

And Villa manager Martin O'Neill has no intention of selling one of his prize assets.

Milner, 23, made his debut for the full England side against Holland on Wednesday and set up one of Jermain Defoe's two goals in the 2-2 draw.

Liverpool Youngster Mikel San Jose Sent On Loan To Athletic Bilbao

According to a report in The Daily Mail, young Liverpool centre-back Mikel San Jose has been loaned out to Spanish club Athletic Bilbao on a one-season basis in order to gain some experience.

The 20-year-old defender has spent two years at Merseyside playing for the reserves, but has not made a competitive appearance for the club yet.

The promising Spaniard has now been sent to his home country in order to ply his trade with los Leones, the club of his youth.

San Jose was a part of the Spain Under-19 squad that won the UEFA European U-19 Football Championship in 2007, and was an unused substitute when the Reds played Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last season.