Benitez Backing Carragher

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has jumped to the defence of under-fire Reds defender Jamie Carragher.

Carragher's form so far has come in for scrutiny after some below-par performances from Liverpool's defensive linchpin.

Liverpool have conceded nine goals in six Premier League matches and Carragher came in for criticism following last weekend's showing against West Ham.

Benitez insists he is happy with Carragher's form and stressed it was the whole side's responsibility to improve their defending.

"We have conceded some goals and he has made some mistakes but Carra is okay," said Benitez.

"It is a question of the team defending better, not just one or two players."

Liverpool face Hull City at Anfield on Saturday and Benitez is refusing to under-estimate the visitors despite their poor start to the campaign.

Hull earned a 2-2 draw at Liverpool last season, taking a two-goal lead before The Reds pegged them back and Benitez is not taking anything for granted against Phil Brown's struggling Tigers.

"We have to respect Hull because they were really good last year," added Benitez.

"The comeback against them last year showed our character but we cannot make mistakes at the beginning of the game."

Aquilani Begins Running

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez hopes summer signing Alberto Aquilani's return from injury may 'go a bit faster' now the Italian has started running in his rehabilitation.

The former Roma player arrived at Anfield in August after Benitez paid £20million for a player viewed as an ideal replacement for Xabi Alonso, who joined Real Madrid.

However, Aquilani, who has a reputation for being susceptible to injury, has yet to play this season as he was signed when recovering from an ankle operation.

Benitez, though, has confirmed that the Italy international has stepped up his rehabilitation by beginning running at the Reds' Melwood training ground.

The Liverpool boss has now hinted Aquilani could return ahead of schedule, telling the club's official website: "He's going forward, progressing and he started running. If that goes okay then everything will go a bit faster.

But Benitez has not set a timescale for Aquilani's comeback, despite reports that the midfielder could be ready to face Sunderland in mid-October.

"We have not set a target or any time, but he's doing well," said the Spaniard.

Liverpool Owner To Meet Gulf Royals To Discuss Joint Program

Liverpool co-owner George Gillett plans to meet with members of a Gulf royal family to discuss developing soccer academies in the Middle East and North Africa.

Gillett, a part-owner of Nascar’s Richard Petty Motorsports, told Bloomberg News that the sides will also talk at Saturday’s Premier League match with Hull about building Nascar-style race tracks in the Middle East.

“We are constantly looking for ways to expand our presence throughout the world and this is one step we are considering,” Gillett said in a telephone interview.

Gillett and his partner Tom Hicks are looking to raise funds to restart work on a new stadium for the 18-time English league champion and reduce debt of 240 million pounds ($386 million) with Royal Bank of Scotland Plc and Wachovia Corp. It’s unclear if a future equity investment will be discussed with the Mideast group.

Earlier this week, Bloomberg News revealed details of a March 2009 document prepared by the club’s bankers Rothschild and Merrill Lynch that proposed raising 100 million pounds, through an equity sale and new loans, to pay down existing debts. In July, the owners used 50 million pounds of their own money to refinance the debt.

The document also revealed a number of revenue-boosting plans, which included converting 1,000 regular seats into corporate seating and a push to build branded academies overseas. Some of the best young players from the foreign training centers will be invited to practice at Liverpool’s main development facility.

Benitez Facing Struggle To Keep Pace As £20m Transfer Limit Revealed

Rafael Benitez’s struggle to keep pace with the Premier League elite is revealed in documents which suggest Liverpool's net summer spending will be locked at £20m until 2014 -- a figure which will also include wage increases accruing from contract renewals.

The figures, which suggest the manager must continue to sell before he can buy, are contained in a prospectus published in March by investment banks Rothschild and Merrill Lynch to attract potential investors.

The prospectus, which provides a sense of how desperately Liverpool's owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett need new finance, reveals the Americans were considering increasing the average ticket price by 8pc to help ease the club's debt problems. They were also seeking to raise £100m from investors and loans as pressure built to refinance a debt of £290m.

Gillett and Hicks paid £50m four months later, in July, to get a year's extension to the debt facility they have used to purchase and run the club since their takeover in February 2007.

This season they have secured a new £20m-a-year sponsorship deal with Standard Chartered Bank, a major improvement on the previous £14.6m Carlsberg deal and hope to retain a role for Carlsberg, the club revealed yesterday.

Yet the underlying lack of finance for Benitez remains a problem. It might not be as dire a position for the club as suggested by the banner unveiled by Liverpool fans before the Carling Cup tie with Leeds at Elland Road on Tuesday -- "We are the new Leeds" it read -- but Benitez is clearly limited in his options in the transfer market.

The section of the Rothschild/Merrill Lynch document relating to "player transfer payments" states: "Management believes that the normalised long-run level of new net player capital expenditure is £20m." The accompanying data suggests "long-run" means the next five years. This figure "will grow together with increases in media broadcasting revenues," the bankers promise.

Though revenues from British broadcasters are expected to drop, overseas rights should grow before 2014. This summer, the £30m sale of Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid helped offset the outlay on Glen Johnson and Alberto Aquilani.

The need to generate cash to finance future purchases next summer may make it more difficult to resist selling Javier Mascherano.

The Argentinian, who was yesterday cleared by the FA over the incident in which he appeared to swing a forearm at Leeds' Jermaine Beckford at Elland Road on Tuesday night, has been strongly linked with a move to Barcelona.

Liverpool FC Fans Put Off Sponsors, Says Managing Director

Despite Liverpool concluding a world record shirt sponsorship deal with Standard Chartered earlier this month - a partnership the bank put down to the club's huge global fan-base - managing director Christian Purslow has warned that those same fans could put off other sponsors.

There has been great discontent at Anfield over the club's management by owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett, which has manifested itself in a number of fan protests. However, Purslow has called on the fans to cease those protests, warning them that their actions harm the club's commercial development, and have made it more difficult to conclude deals.

"Specific protest action at games made the financial and commercial part of the development of LFC more difficult as it can put off potential sponsors and business partners if they think there will be hassle," said Purslow in a meeting with the Spirit of Shankly (SOS) group.

Meanwhile, the club has again stated its desire for outgoing shirt sponsor Carlsberg to remain a club partner. "We see lots of opportunities for Carlsberg to continue with us - as do they," said Liverpool commercial director Ian Ayre. "Fans think of it as part of our family."

Kuyt: Johnson One Of The Best

Striker Dirk Kuyt believes summer signing Glen Johnson has provided Liverpool with a different emphasis this season.

The England defender, who moved from Portsmouth in the summer, has probably been the Merseysiders' best player so far, scoring twice and providing a much-needed cutting edge from right-back.

Johnson, 25, may yet have to win over critics who are skeptical about his defensive strengths but there are no doubts over his ability as an attacking force.

"I think Glen has done really well," said Kuyt.

"He was a big signing for us but he has shown straight from the start that he is very important - both defensively and in attack.

"He has scored some very good goals and provided some assists. He is probably one of the best players in the team so far this season.

"He is still young and I think he will only get better and better."

Kuyt's fellow striker David Ngog is prepared to play a waiting game as he tries to force his way into the starting line-up.

Tuesday's Carling Cup match-winner at Leeds accepts he is behind Fernando Torres, Kuyt and probably even Andriy Voronin in the Anfield centre-forward pecking order.

However, he hopes scoring the only goal at Elland Road will have given manager Rafael Benitez another glimpse of his talents.

"I think I played okay. The intensity of the game made it difficult and I was very happy to score," said the 20-year-old, who joined Liverpool from Paris St Germain in the summer of 2008. "When you are a striker, scoring is always the best thing. That is our job and what we work for.

"Of course I know that I'm not going to play every game so when the coach gives me a chance, I want to do my best for the team and try to score.

"I know I have to be patient and all I can do is when I get a chance, try to take it and show the manager what I can do.

"I hope I have done that and shown the manager my qualities and that I can be another possibility in attack."

No FA Rap For Javier Mascherano

Javier Mascherano has escaped disciplinary action following his clash with Jermain Beckford at Elland Road on Tuesday night.

The Liverpool midfielder appeared to strike his Leeds opponent with his arm as they tangled during the Carling Cup third round tie, which the Reds won 1-0.

However, the contact has been deemed accidental and Mascherano will not face a ban for the incident.

Referee Alan Whiley claimed that he didn’t see the altercation but on viewing a replay decided he would not have penalised the Argentinian for his part in the incident.

Had it been viewed as a red card offence, Mascherano could have been hit with a three-match ban but is now free to face Hull City at Anfield in the Premier League on Saturday.

An FA spokesman said: “No further action will be taken against Javier Mascherano.”

Liverpool have also been handed a disciplinary boost by UEFA, who have banned Fiorentina’s Alberto Gilardino for two Champions League games.

It will rule the World Cup-winning striker out of the group game with Liverpool on Wednesday.

Gilardinho was sent off during the Viola’s opening game at Lyon, where they lost 1-0.

A statement on the Fiorentina’s website said: “UEFA’s disciplinary commission has given Alberto Gilardino a two-match suspension after his sending off against Lyon.

The player will be able to play on November 4 at the Artemio Franchi against Debrecen.”

Marking Needs To Change - Lawrenson

Former Liverpool defender and BBC pundit Mark Lawrenson says the Reds need to choose a defensive system which suits their players and the rigours of Premier League football.

Liverpool have often been criticised for employing a zonal making system when defending set-pieces and Lawrenson believes it is now time manager Rafa Benitez used a hybrid way of defending.

The former Republic of Ireland international, who made 332 appearances in his time in Liverpool, says a hybrid system is not too dissimilar to how the Reds defended when he graced the Anfield turf.

"You need a system which is a hybrid and means you have certain players in certain positions," Lawrenson told BBC Radio Merseyside.

"I remember in my day, Ronnie Whelan would mark the middle of the six-yard box and never pick anybody up - that was his job. Then we'd have two people on the post and the rest of us just picked our men up.

"Basically in many ways its fool-proof. If you mark your man and you stop him from getting the ball or you make it difficult for him, if you all do that job, it's very difficult for teams to score against you.

"Whereas nowadays, with the zonal thing, somebody just gets half a yard on the marker, and because of the way the balls are delivered into the box now, it's good night. It's a goal again.

"I do think it's a hybrid thing. If you're [Martin] Skrtel, [Daniel] Agger and [Jamie] Carragher, you mark their best headers of the ball and you make sure they don't get onto the ball. So I don't really get it.

"It's just a mixture of man marking and zonal and I think it can be done."

Despite having suffered two league defeats this season by Tottenham and Aston Villa, Lawrenson believes his former side can still challenge for the Premier League title.

"I think the top four teams Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United - it may well be a season were you can afford to lose a couple more games," he continued. "I think that's the way it started, Chelsea apart.

"I think it looks like we're a little taken a back by Xabi Alonso leaving [to Real Madrid] and we started a bit sluggishly. But the results since have been very good."

Mystery Of The Ditched Rotation Policy At Liverpool

It was late Saturday night, and the two guys at the bar, who had enjoyed more than one or two scoops to celebrate Fernando Torres’s return to form, were creating their own version of a famous Two Ronnies sketch.

“Whatever happened to...” said one. “Baby Jane?” replied the other.

“No, no, whatever happened to...” the first bloke tried again, this time to be met by “the Likely Lads?”

“No, no”, he persisted,” whatever happened to”...”The Heroes?” came a last desperate reply.

“No, no” the first guy cried in exasperation, “Rotation! Rotation! Whatever happened to rotation?”

A fair question indeed. Just when exactly did Rafa Benitez metamorphose into Bill Shankly?

“Same as last season”, Shankly used to reply when asked to name his team for any particular game.

Before Tuesday night’s match, just 15 players had started for Rafa in the seven competitive games to date, and three of those had played just one game each, meaning that just 12 have borne the burden of these early season fixtures (I knew that Maths ‘O’ Level would show its worth one day).

This compares to 17 in the same period last season; and 19 and 17 in the first seven league games of the two previous seasons. So has Rafa had an epiphany, the ghost of Mark Lawrenson’s moustache appearing to him in chains, moaning “you should always play your best side”?

Or are there other dark forces at work, such as those that bend time at Old Trafford, so that otherwise fastidious referees become befuddled when looking at their own watches?

The answer, I suspect, is that he has been blown off course by, as Harold MacMillan put it, “events, dear boy, events”.

The loss of Alonso and the injuries to Aurelio, Aquilani and Agger (watch out Babel and Benayoun) have reduced the numbers at his disposal certainly, shrinking the pool of talent available.

This pool is of course shrunk even further by the evaporation known as Voronin, Degen and Dossena, whose status as fringe players must surely owe more to their haircuts than any aspiration to first team standing.

But the real reason why Rafa has chosen to ignore one of his most devout canons, the rotation of players to preserve their energy for later in the season, is the seismic ramifications of those two early defeats, immediately plunging us six points adrift of the Chelsea arrivistes.

For despite the obvious clichés of it being a long season, plenty of points to play for etc., any further deficit incurred before we travel to Stamford Bridge a week on Sunday would put us at risk of being 10-12 points behind should our dire record at the Home of No History prior to last season return to haunt us.

Putting on a brave face in this situation would require the combined acting skills of John Gielgud and Ralph Richardson, aided by the entire staff of the BBC Make-up Department.

So while there may appear to be plenty of time available for us to claw our way back to the top, the reality is that Rafa has been unable to take the risks inherent in rotation, and has sensibly opted to delay any radical changes until the situation improves.

Our aim now must surely be to stay in contention until Christmas at the earliest, and reappraise the position then.

Anything less and it might not be just Goodnight from him, but quite possibly Goodnight from him.

Jamie Carragher Predicts Cool Anfield Reception For Man Utd’s Michael Owen

Jamie Carragher has told Michael Owen to expect a frosty reception when he returns to Anfield next month.

And the Liverpool defender admits he was taken aback by his former team-mate’s move to Manchester United in the summer.

Owen made the shock switch to Old Trafford after declining the opportunity to renew his contract with relegated Newcastle United.

There is no love lost between the two bitter North West rivals, with Owen the first player in recent memory to have played for United having earlier appeared regularly in Liverpool’s first team.

And Carragher said: “It was a bit of a surprise. Not because I had any doubts about Michael’s ability but it was just so out of the blue and it happened so quickly.

“One minute you are wondering where he will end up and the next he is at Old Trafford.”

United visit Anfield for the first time since Owen’s arrival when the two teams clash on October 25.

And Carragher believes the home support will make clear their displeasure at the striker’s perceived betrayal – despite expecting his former colleague to shrug off any abuse.

“Our fans are usually brilliant with former players but he might get a cool reception,” said Carragher. “That won’t bother him though.

“I can understand the fans point of view, he used to play for us and now he is at our big rivals so of course there will be some reaction. That’s football and Michael will know that.

“At the same time, Michael has got his own career to think about. He wants to play Champions League football and get back into the World Cup squad.

“The move gives him that opportunity. It will upset some fans but that’s football. He is a mate of mine so I suppose I have to wish him well but only to a certain extent.”

Agent: Lavezzi Happy At Napoli

Ezequiel Lavezzi's agent has insisted the striker is happy at Napoli after being linked with a move away from the club over the summer.

The Argentine claimed during the transfer window that Liverpool had lodged a bid for his services, although Rafa Benitez never confirmed his interest.

Napoli warned Lavezzi over his conduct and his relationship with manager Roberto Donadoni quickly improved.

There have nevertheless been suggestions that the striker could seek a winter departure from Napoli due to their lack of involvement in European competition.

However, Lavezzi's representative Alejandro Mazzoni maintains that the 24-year-old will not be going anywhere.

"Lavezzi doesn't have any problem with staying at Napoli because he is part of the project of the team and not playing in the Europa League will not be a problem.

"Ezequiel is OK. He got very well prepared in Austria and I think he will have a very good season together with his team."

Mazzoni admits Lavezzi is happy to be playing in his preferred centre-forward position under Donadoni.

"When he plays more as a striker he is more important so that's the place in which he should be," said Mazzoni.

"Between Lavezzi and Roberto Donadoni there is a good relationship because he asks him to play more as a striker."

Match Report: Leeds United 0 -1 Liverpool

David Ngog struck the only goal as a much-changed Liverpool side sneaked past a fired-up Leeds in the Carling Cup on Tuesday night.

The Premier League giants were outplayed by the League One leaders for much of the third-round tie but Ngog netted against the run of play after 65 minutes.

Leeds spurned a number of chances as Elland Road enjoyed a big-game atmosphere once again, but a lack of composure in front of goal cost them.

Leeds striker Jermaine Beckford endured a particularly frustrating night as he missed several good chances and had a goal in the first half disallowed.

It was Liverpool's first visit to Leeds since their hosts were relegated from the top flight in 2004 but the atmosphere generated by the 38,168 crowd rekindled memories of a once intense rivalry.

Leeds, looking upwards again after an unbeaten start to the season, played like they had a point to prove against a Liverpool side showing nine changes.

Jamie Carragher, who took over the captaincy, and Javier Mascherano were the only survivors from the Reds side which won at West Ham last weekend.

Manager Rafael Benitez, however, had big guns Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Glen Johnson on the bench in case not all went according to plan.

It seemed a sensible insurance policy as for large parts Leeds, with Robert Snodgrass a constant danger on the right, exploited the unfamiliarity in the Liverpool ranks.

There was a huge roar inside the opening minutes when Beckford went down in the area but referee Alan Wiley gave nothing.

Leeds were keen to attack and gave warning when Snodgrass broke free, although his cross was easily claimed by Liverpool keeper Diego Cavalieri.

Ngog, starting up front alone, then got into the game with a couple of breaks but saw a long-range shot after a neat turn blocked.

Leeds then missed a glorious chance to take the lead when Snodgrass delivered a perfect cross but Michael Doyle headed wide from about eight yards.

The Yorkshire side had the ball in the net after 11 minutes when Beckford turned in Michalik's goalbound header from close range but Wiley ruled the striker offside.

Luciano Becchio also tried his luck for Leeds but curled wide from 20 yards.

Ryan Babel, hoping to stake a claim for a regular place, created Liverpool's first serious chance after a run from deep but Shane Higgs dealt comfortably with his tame shot.

Snodgrass caused further alarm in the Liverpool defence with another deep cross from a clever Beckford flick but Cavalieri just did enough to frustrate Becchio.

Albert Riera should have given Liverpool the lead, against the run of play, on the stroke of half-time after meeting a Fabio Aurelio free-kick but Higgs saved his firm header.

The outstanding Snodgrass weaved his way into the Liverpool box soon after the restart but the visitors eventually managed to crowd him out.

Leeds continued to look the most likely side but Liverpool youngster Jay Spearing got a shooting chance from a Riera lay-off, only to fire well over.

Beckford then raced on to a long bouncing ball but scuffed his shot when any firm contact might have beaten Cavalieri.

The Leeds striker had another gilt-edged opportunity when Bradley Johnson crossed from the byline after 63 minutes but, after turning brilliantly, he sent his shot over.

Leeds paid the price as Liverpool went ahead two minutes later.

Mascherano mis-hit a shot from the edge of the area but Ngog reacted quickly and seized on the ball to tuck past Higgs.

Leeds tried to respond as Johnson controlled a Michalik long ball outside the area but shot straight at Cavalieri.

Liverpool brought on Johnson and Gerrard in an attempt to see out the game but Leeds continued to push.

Johnson needed to intervene to head back to Cavalieri as Liverpool struggled to clear another Leeds attack.

Liverpool did break out again with Babel winning a free-kick on the edge of the area but Aurelio's shot was deflected wide.

Gerrard almost made doubly sure of victory as time ran down but fired into the side-netting and then straight at Cavalieri after powerful runs.

Benitez Heaps Praises On Whites

Leeds turned the clock back to the start of the decade as they gave Liverpool a stern examination in third round Carling Cup action last night.

A second-half goal from French striker David Ngog eventually settled the third-round tie in the Barclays Premier League side's favour but it was the fallen Yorkshire giants who took most of the plaudits.

"The atmosphere was fantastic, Leeds were really good," admitted Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez.

"They are good team with good players and they worked really hard."

The League One leaders, roared on by the majority of a raucous 38,168 crowd, dominated large parts of game and spurned a number of good opportunities.

Striker Jermaine Beckford endured a particularly frustrating night with several clear-cut chances wasted and a goal disallowed.

It was Liverpool's first visit to Elland Road since Leeds were relegated from the top flight in 2004 but the passion of the occasion rekindled memories of a once intense rivalry.

Benitez Backing For Ngog

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez believes David Ngog has a big role to play for the side this season.

Ngog helped Liverpool reach the fourth round of the Carling Cup with the winning goal in the 1-0 victory over Leeds on Tuesday night.

The Frenchman has found first-team chances limited at Anfield with most of his appearances coming off the bench.

Benitez feels Ngog, who joined Liverpool from Paris St Germain in the summer of 2008, is making steady progress at Anfield and he believes he has the quality to be a success on Merseyside.

"He is a young player, but he has quality," said Benitez. "That is something we knew. He showed character.

"He was trying to keep the ball and get into positions. He was really tired at the end but he did a fantastic job.

"He knows the Premier League is very difficult but here he showed he can do it.

"Cup competitions are always very difficult. You have to win, everyone is working so hard.

"He is still a young player, he has quality."

Spearing Revels In Reds Start

Liverpool starlet Jay Spearing has hailed his first start for the club against Leeds as a 'special night'.

Highly-rated midfielder Spearing played the full 90 minutes of Liverpool's Carling Cup victory over Leeds at Elland Road.

Spearing impressed against Leeds and he is hoping to earn a regular run in Rafa Benitez's plans.

"It was a very special night for me to make my first start for the club," Spearing told the Liverpool Echo.

"To play the full 90 minutes was fantastic and we had to work hard for the win.

"The atmosphere was unbelievable and it was a great cup tie to play in.

"When I was warming up it was more excitement than nerves to be honest.

"We trained in the formation we used on the night on Monday so I thought I might have a chance of starting, and then when we got to the hotel the boss told me I was playing.

"It has been a long time coming waiting for my first start but I've had to keep grafting hard and wait for my chance. I knew it was going to come soon and thankfully we got the result we needed.

"I thought we battled well and it was a team effort. We wanted to get through so we can play more games in this competition.

"I felt I did alright and hopefully I've proved to the boss and the supporters that I can do it for the first team.

"I worked hard and just tried to show the manager what I'm capable of. Hopefully I will get another chance but I have just got to keep working hard and then take the chance when it comes."

Liverpool's Mascherano Could Face Three-Game Ban For Jermaine Beckford Clash

Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano could face an FA charge of violent conduct, after appearing to catch Leeds United's Jermaine Beckford on the back of the head with his elbow at Elland Road last night.

The Reds made hard work of beating the League One outfit 1-0 in the League Cup third round tie, thanks to a David Ngog strike, but Mascherano could be in trouble after Beckford appeared to pull him back at a throw in. The Argentine swivelled and his arm seemed to strike Beckford's head.

The striker tumbled to the ground clutching his head, but referee Alan Wiley took no action and the game continued. It was unclear whether Wiley had seen the incident or not.

Should Wiley report to the FA that he saw the incident then no further action can be taken. However, should Wiley's report state that he didn't see it, then video evidence can be used to review what happened.

That could leave Mascherano looking at a charge of violent conduct and a likely three-game ban.

His manager, Rafa Benitez, claimed that too much was being made of the incident, saying, according to The Guardian: "I think it is just nothing."

Leeds boss Simon Grayson saw things a little differently, and felt that the Liverpool midfielder might well be in trouble. He said: "Mascherano's turned and put his arm up; it went a bit too high. I've looked at replays. I'm not saying it's malicious and I'm not saying it's not, you can't really tell. Some players have been sent off for that, some haven't, sometimes these things go your way, sometimes they don't."

Torres: How Rafa Has Improved Me

Liverpool's No.9, who was in blistering form against West Ham at the weekend, told LFC Weekly magazine: "Under Rafa I've started to play much more in the middle. I've scored a lot of goals from this position, rather than playing further out towards the wings.

"I like to play between the centre-backs and keep them busy and leave some space for the midfielders. That can make it easier for me to receive a pass when we attack.

"You have to play to your strengths. I don't know how to play in another position. Striker is the right position for me.

"Maybe I don't have the same qualities as Stevie to play between the lines or like Yossi to come in from the wing through the middle.

"I guess it is the same for players like Emmanuel Adebayor or Didier Drogba. If they were to play on the wing or in between or behind the lines, they may not be the same players as when they play as a striker.

"But from the first day I arrived here, I have always been improving.

"I am a better player now than when I was at Atletico. I hope to continue to keep improving with the manager and my teammates who can all help me get better and better."

Liverpool: Standard Chartered Explain Backing Of Club With ‘Huge Following’

Standard Chartered, the bank that has signed a world record sponsorship deal with English soccer club Liverpool, has moved to explain the reasoning behind its move into soccer.

The bank will pay Liverpool more than US$130 million over the next four years as it seeks to increase its business. Its sponsorship of Liverpool, who has been the English champions 18 times and European champions five times, is tailored not at either of those regions, but at Asia.

"From a Standard Chartered perspective, Asia is our home," senior group brand manager Nicola Apostolis told Asia Sponsorship News. "We opened our first branches in 1858 in Shanghai and Mumbai; and in Hong Kong and Singapore in 1859. Today, 80 per cent of our business is done in Asia.

"The Liverpool sponsorship is a perfect match in terms of geographic footprint, as the club has a huge following in many of our markets, particularly across Asia."

Liverpool claim to have 58 million fans in China, the country identified by many analysts as the next key market for the English Premier League. Asia Sponsorship News quotes a study reporting that 90 per cent of Asian sports fans identified the Premier League as the sports competition they follow most closely.

The bank has confirmed it will sell Liverpool shirts in its Asian branches, providing another revenue stream for the club.

Liverpool Owners Planned Ticket Rise As Debt Refinancing Loomed

Liverpool’s owners proposed increasing the soccer club’s average ticket price by 8 percent and raising 100 million pounds ($163 million) from investors and loans as pressure built to refinance debt of 290 million pounds.

The team’s U.S. owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks considered selling equity in the 18-time English league champion to pay down their debts with Royal Bank of Scotland Plc and Wachovia Corp., according to documents prepared by the club’s bankers and obtained by Bloomberg News. Jonathon Brill, a spokesman for Liverpool’s owners, declined to comment. He confirmed the documents.

Gillett and Hicks paid 50 million pounds in July to get a year’s extension to the debt facility they used to purchase and run the club since their February 2007 takeover. Liverpool owes about 240 million pounds to the banks. Fans of the five-time European champion have criticized the owners for backtracking on a pledge not to raise the club’s debt and delaying work on a new 72,000-seat stadium. Ticket prices stayed the same in the end.

“It would have been a very unpopular move” to increase prices, said Rogan Taylor, director of the Football Industry Group at Liverpool University and a member of a supporter-led group trying to acquire the club. “It looks like they took some wise advice not to do it.”

The proposed hike, which came as the majority of the 20 English Premier League clubs decided to freeze or reduce the price of some tickets for the 2009-2010 season, was one of a number of revenue-boosting plans outlined in the document. Liverpool may convert 1,000 regular seats into corporate seating by July 2011 and establish its own soccer academies.

The March 2009 prospectus drawn up by investment banks Rothschild and Merrill Lynch tells potential investors that for 50 million pounds they would get a minority stake in “one of the world’s most successful football clubs.” The document says Liverpool was considering raising another 50 million pounds in high-interest payment-in-kind loans that would’ve ended up costing 104.4 million pounds by the end of a five-year term.

In June, Kop Football (Holdings) Ltd., the club’s parent company, reported a loss of 42.6 million pounds for the year ended July 2008 on interest charges of 36.5 million pounds.

According to the document, all but 5 million pounds of the new 100 million pounds the club was trying to access would have gone toward reducing its debts. U.K. media have reported that the new money would kick-start the stadium project.

Liverpool last week announced a record sponsorship with Standard Chartered Plc, which will pay about 20 million pounds a season to replace Carlsberg A/S on the front of the players’ shirts. The document reveals Liverpool had forecast that it would retain the brewer by charging it 14.2 million pounds a season. Other forecasts in the prospectus include player wages and manager Rafael Benitez’s transfer budget until 2014.

According to management, Benitez would have about 20 million pounds a season to spend on new players, a figure that “will grow together with increases in broadcast revenues,” the document said.

Liverpool made a profit in the last transfer window after the purchase of defender Glen Johnson was offset by the 30 million euro ($44 million) sale of Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid. Player wages will increase to 115.2 million pounds from the current level of 81.7 million, the club estimates.

Other details of Liverpool’s future commercial strategy are outlined in the document alongside the increased corporate seating and Liverpool-branded academies. New secondary sponsors will be targeted and catering facilities improved to increase commercial revenue to 111.4 million pounds from 59 million pounds in the next five years.

Mark Lawrenson: Liverpool FC’s Fernando Torres Scores Goals That Nobody Else Could

A week ago I said that Rafael Benitez will have been looking for more of his side other that Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres to join Yossi Benayoun as match-winners but the Liverpool manager will still be delighted with his star striker’s two-goal blast at West Ham.

It’s not like the Spanish international has been struggling in front of goal so far this season – he netted in three consecutive Premier League games against Stoke, Aston Villa and Bolton last month – but his brace at Upton Park signalled a return to the kind of devastating form he is capable of.

Like so many of the great strikers, you can seemingly keep Torres quiet for long periods of the game only for him to hit you with a sucker punch.

I don’t know how anybody else could have scored that first goal like he did on Saturday.

The way he slowed down James Tomkins before finishing was sensational.

His second goal was also a tough one to score but if you give Torres a mere half a yard he will absolutely kill you.

Again it was a topsy-turvy affair away from home before Liverpool again came out on top but Upton Park was always going to be a tough place to go to.

You never get any space down there and the way Gianfranco Zola has got West Ham playing I bet there are a few ‘top sides’ who go there this season and don’t come away with a win.

On a positive note for Ryan Babel, he came off the bench to set up Torres’s winner.

However, if the Dutchman thinks that playing one ball through has saved his Anfield career then he better think again because he must start to do much more.

After being brought on for the last half an hour, Babel spent most of the time giving the ball away and he needs to realise that without hard work he will not be a Liverpool player for much longer.

He’s just not justified his fee or fulfilled his potential since his move from Ajax and instead of moaning and then going on about how he’s been misquoted he needs to put up or shut up and show Benitez that he’s worth his place in the side.

Benayoun has been playing well and Albert Riera has done okay so Babel will remain down the pecking order unless he can improve on his consistency dramatically. Who knows, he may well get another chance on Tuesday night when Liverpool travel to Leeds for their Carling Cup tie.

Not too long ago, this match-up was a top Premier League fixture but even though the Yorkshire side has fallen on hard times in recent years, they’re bound to be backed by a large and passionate home crowd.

Chelsea Plan To Rest Didier Drogba Until Critical Liverpool Test

Didier Drogba is facing a spell on the sidelines regardless of the results of a scan on the Chelsea striker’s right calf last night.

Carlo Ancelotti hopes that Drogba is merely suffering from severe cramp after being carried off on a stretcher during the second half of Sunday’s 3-0 win at home to Tottenham Hotspur, but the manager was planning on resting him for the next three matches in any case.

The Ivory Coast forward will take no part in tomorrow’s Carling Cup tie against Queens Park Rangers, is unlikely to be involved in Saturday’s Barclays Premier League match away to Wigan Athletic and is suspended from next week’s Champions League game against Apoel Nicosia. Ancelotti is focusing on getting him fit for Liverpool’s visit to Stamford Bridge in a fortnight instead, although Chelsea insist the scan was precautionary.

Drogba’s absence against Liverpool, in what promises to be Chelsea’s biggest test of the season to date, would be a huge blow to Ancelotti, but the Italian has a more than capable striker in Nicolas Anelka. The France player acknowledged yesterday that Chelsea are a better side when Drogba is involved, but expressed his confidence that they can continue to win matches without him.

Liverpool Owner Hicks Promises To Better Chelsea, Manchester United & Arsenal

Tom Hicks, the co-owner of English Premier League soccer club Liverpool, has vowed to reduce the club's debt, created when he bought the team with his co-owner George Gillett, and insists the club will have less debt than any of its rivals in England's 'big four' - Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal.

There were worries this summer that the banks RBS and Wachovia would refuse to refinance the club's loans, while the club's accountants issued a public warning about its finances despite record revenues. However, Hicks has dismissed those concerns.

"You have to look cash flow rather than accounting," insisted Hicks in an interview with Associated Press, "and we intend to operate Liverpool where it has a very strong positive cash flow so we have the resources to be as competitive as possible on the pitch - that's our commitment.

"We had strong, positive cash flows last year. Our debts levels are at a very comfortable level and we are going to continue bringing it down. Our goal is to have less debt than any of the top clubs and that's a commitment we have made and will continue to make."

Earlier this month the club secured a world record shirt sponsorship deal with Standard Chartered worth more than US$130 million over the next four years.

Rafa Benitez Challenges Liverpool FC Fringe Players To Fight For The Shirt

Rafa Benitez has challenged his fringe players to show their “fight” in Tuesday night’s Carling Cup third round tie at Leeds United.

The Liverpool boss is set to make wholesale changes for the clash with the high-flying League One club.

And the Spaniard insists it is a golden opportunity for those who have been out of favour to impress him.

“In these kind of games you can manage with different players and we are considering making some changes,” he admitted.

“We say to the players ‘Listen, you have an opportunity. If we progress in the Carling Cup you will have more chances’.

“This is an important competition for us and everyone can be involved.

“Some players don’t have too many chances in the Premier League, but they can fight for their position here. It makes it easier for me and the staff to analyse if they are ready or not.”

The Reds have won the trophy a record seven times but since losing the 2005 final to Chelsea they haven’t got beyond the last eight.

The last four seasons have seen weakened Liverpool sides meekly bow out to Crystal Palace, Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham.

This time Benitez wants to go all the way and secure the club’s first trip to the new Wembley.

“In my first year here I was really disappointed because we were 10 minutes away from winning the final – losing that was difficult to take,” he said.

“I would like to go to the final again and make amends for that.

“We want to win silverware and this is an option. We will try to do our best in the Carling Cup.

“Sometimes motivation is harder if a player is playing a lot of games. Maybe they won’t consider the Carling Cup as being important.

“But it is important and for the players who aren’t playing at the moment maybe it is the most important competition.

“The main thing is mentality – not just of the team but of the squad.

“If we can have a winning mentality in the cup competitions it will be good because it will make it harder for me to pick the team.”

Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres, Dirk Kuyt and Glen Johnson are among those expected to be rested on Tuesday night.

Diego Cavalieri is set to replace Pepe Reina in goal, while Sotirios Kyrgiakos, Fabio Aurelio, Philipp Degen, Andrea Dossena, Ryan Babel, Jay Spearing, Andriy Voronin and David Ngog are all vying for a starting spot.

It’s a 38,000 sell-out at Elland Road and Benitez is wary of the fallen giants who are top of League One.

“We have a lot of respect for Leeds and we know it will be tough,” Benitez said. “They are a massive club and it’s a surprise to see them in the division they are in now.

“Their fans are passionate and really get behind the players.”

Ian Rush: Chance For Ryan Babel To Stake His Claim

Tuesday night’s Carling Cup tie at Leeds United represents a great opportunity for some of Liverpool’s fringe players to make a point to Rafa Benitez.

I’m sure there will be a number of changes from the weekend win at West Ham.

That was a tough test and with the quick turnaround Liverpool will be in need of some fresh legs.

With the game against Hull at Anfield on Saturday and then the European clash away to Fiorentina next Tuesday, it’s a chance to give key players a night off and see what others can do.

One player I expect to start is Ryan Babel after his impressive substitute appearances at Upton Park.

The Dutchman’s pace caused the Hammers problems and produced a great cross for Fernando Torres to head home the winner.

Babel deserves a start and this is the ideal match for him to stake a claim for a more regular place.

When a chance comes along you have to take it because you only get so many at Liverpool before you have to start looking for another club.

There are a number of players in that category and we will see what they are made of on that night.

It’s vital these players produce the goods against Leeds and their aim has to be to give the manager a headache ahead of the game against Hull.

It’s got the makings of a cracking tie.

Leeds may be two divisions below but they are flying at the moment and manager Simon Grayson is doing a very good job.

They have a great home record and this will be the first full house they have had at Elland Road for a long time.

There will be 38,000 fans packed in and I know from my playing days there that Elland Road can be a real cauldron.

Leeds are a big club who fell on hard times due to their well documented financial problems but it looks like they are on the way back up.

Their confidence will be high after an unbeaten start to the season and their fans will really get behind them.

Leeds will be fired up but it’s the kind of game every Liverpool player should relish being involved in.

It’s a game we should win but only if the attitude is spot on.

Returning Liverpool FC Star Fabio Aurelio hHoping Injury Hell Is Over

The Carling Cup may lie a distant fourth in Liverpool’s list of priorities but as far as Fabio Aurelio is concerned all that glitters is gold.

The Brazilian is set to make his first start of the season when the Reds face Leeds United in a mouth-watering third-round clash at Elland Road on Tuesday night.

Aurelio missed all of pre-season and the opening five matches of the campaign after injuring his knee while back home in South America this summer.

But the 29-year-old has battled his way back to fitness and after brief substitute appearances against Debrecen and West Ham he is relishing the chance to get 90 minutes under his belt.

Aurelio knows the Carling Cup offers an opportunity for those currently on the fringes to stake a claim for a place in Rafa Benitez’s first choice line up.

And the left-back is determined to ensure the Reds enjoy an extended run in this season’s competition.

“I’m really happy to be back playing and to be part of the squad for matches again is great,” he said.

“I hope to start at Leeds and I’m sure there will be opportunities in this game for players who haven’t been used in Premier League games much recently.

“Every opportunity you get you need to show something to the boss and I have to take this chance. Hopefully I can do my job and help us get through.

“We want to progress in every competition we’re involved in. The Carling Cup offers a possibility for us to win a trophy and we can’t allow that chance to pass easily.

“It might not be the most prestigious competition but it’s still very important to us and we want to go all the way.”

Aurelio has been playing catch-up since he underwent surgery in Brazil during the close season.

He damaged cartilage in his left knee while playing football with his family on holiday and it’s been a long road to recovery.

“It has been a tough few months for me but at least I haven’t missed many games,” he said.

“I’ve been training hard at Melwood and to finally get back out there on the pitch was a moment of happiness for me.

“My knee is fine now and I just need to build up my match fitness.

“I’m not yet back to the level I was at last season but the game against Leeds is a chance to get some more minutes under my belt.”

In Aurelio’s absence, Argentine youngster Emiliano Insua has made the left-back slot his own this season.

Insua is likely to be rested tonight but Aurelio knows he faces a real battle over the coming months to regain his number one billing.

“Emiliano has been doing really well,” he said.

“Everyone knows his ability and since the start of the season he has done a very good job for the team.

“It will be a hard fight for that place this season but the fact we have more options now helps the team to be stronger.

“If we all keep working hard then it will be a difficult decision for the manager.”

Benitez Wants Cup Of Joy

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez already has his sights set on the Carling Cup final as his team prepare for their opening test against Leeds.

Benitez is eyeing the showpiece at Wembley on February 28, considering it is a competition he has not won and this is his sixth tilt at the trophy.

Liverpool's team for the clash at Elland Road, which has been the stage for several memorable clashes between the teams down the years, is likely to show many changes as Benitez gives his fringe players a chance to impress against the League One leaders.

The former Valencia coach, whose Reds team went close to winning the competition in 2005 when they lost 3-2 to Chelsea, said: "We will try to manage the squad for the match and use some different players.

"But we want to win and get to the final. In my first season we got to the Carling Cup final and were winning with 10 minutes to go before we conceded an own goal.

"I would like to go to the final again and make amends for that defeat."

Even though he is looking beyond Tuesday night's match, Benitez believes his team will have to work hard in West Yorkshire.

Leeds have won 15 home games in succession and Benitez said: "Their striker Jermaine Beckford has impressed a lot of people, and there is a view that he is the best striker in the Football League.

"He has pace and ability. He scores a lot of goals and will be a danger.

"It is a real surprise to me that they have fallen so far. I recall one of the first games I saw in England was between Leeds and Manchester United with Harry Kewell playing against Jaap Stam, which was not so long ago."

The Spaniard explained: "I have no doubts that this will be a very difficult match. They have quality and they are a big club with great traditions.

"They will want to win this one because of the situation they find themselves in.

"They have passion, quality and the fans are always really behind their team."

Liverpool are likely to include second-choice goalkeeper Diego Cavalieri, new Greece defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos, Swiss defender Philipp Degen, Italian full-back Andreas Dossena and Holland winger Ryan Babel.

Ukrainian striker Andriy Voronin and French youngster David Ngog, who scored the winner for the reserves last week against Manchester United, could also start the game.

Benitez may also take the chance to give full-back Fabio Aurelio his first start of the season following a knee injury while centre-back Daniel Agger is also being considered after a back operation.

But Liverpool could have the likes of Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Dirk Kuyt on the bench in case they are needed.

Rafa Wary Of Leeds Threat

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is expecting a tough test against Leeds in the Carling Cup on Tuesday night.

The Reds travel to Elland Road, live on Sky Sports 2, to renew old hostilities with the Yorkshire club in an eagerly-awaited third round tie.

Benitez knows Leeds will be up for the game as they pit their wits against their former Premier League rivals.

"I believe the game will be a sell-out, and it is a surprise to me that Leeds find themselves in League One these days," said Benitez.

"Leeds will be difficult, we know they are a big club and we respect their history.

"I have been watching DVDs of their games and it is clear that their supporters are very important to them. They back their team all the time and make it tough for their opponents.

"Those fans are amazing, such loyalty and support, and that has been very apparent to me in watching tapes from last season.

"We know it will be tough. It is a massive club despite the division they are in.

"I have no doubts that this will be a very difficult match. They have quality and they are a big club with great traditions.

"They will want to win this one because of the situation they find themselves in.

"They have passion, quality and the fans are always really behind their team.

"It is a shock and disappointment for everyone to see Leeds in the position they are in now. I am aware that back in previous years, there was a big rivalry between Leeds and Liverpool.

"In those days the clubs met in cup finals, and Leeds have not forgotten those days."

Benitez has confirmed he will ring the changes to his side with a number of fringe players given a chance to impress.

However, the Spaniard is determined to field a strong side as he has set his sights on reaching this year's final at Wembley.

"We will try to manage the squad for the match and use some different players," added Benitez.

"But we want to win and get to the final. In my first season we got to the Carling Cup final and were winning with 10 minutes to go before we conceded an own goal.

"I would like to go to the final again and make amends for that defeat (by Chelsea)."

Liverpool Goalkeeper Pepe Reina Hails Fernando Torres

Pepe Reina has joined his Liverpool teammates in hailing Fernando Torres after the striker scored a brace to help his side beat West Ham United 3-2 on Saturday.

The Reds striker scored two quality goals to silence his critics after doubts over his early-season form, but Reina was never in doubt that his fellow Spaniard would get back on track.

"We knew that Fernando would score," he told the Liverpool official website.

"We all have 100 per cent confidence in him and we trust him always. He is always working hard for the team and he always creates space for the other players for them to score.

"His first goal was unbelievable. His turn was fantastic and he showed his quality."

Rafael Benitez's men were twice pegged back by a determined Hammers outfit and Reina was in no doubt as to the importance of the result.

"This was a massive three points," he said.

"It really was an important victory and we showed how much we wanted the victory. West Ham came back twice but we wanted the three points and I think we deserved the three points.

"We now look forward and need to keep playing like this game after game. Our target is to work hard in every game. We always have the mentality to play every game like a final and we play every game to win."

The clash with West Ham was Reina’s 150th league appearance for Liverpool, and the goalkeeper took the opportunity to reiterate his love for the Reds.

"I hope to play 150 more games for this club," he said.

"I'm very happy that the team won and this is a special club. It's a pleasure and a privilege to play in front of the Kop and our wonderful supporters."

Babel Keen On Reds Stay

Ryan Babel has ruled out a loan move to Ajax, stating he is happy at Liverpool and keen to stay.

The Holland international winger has failed to hold down a regular first-team place during his time on Merseyside, with the bulk of his Premier League appearances coming as a substitute.

Earlier this month Babel reportedly revealed he would be interested in re-joining Ajax in the January transfer window in order to secure regular football ahead of the World Cup finals.

However, the 22-year-old has stated those comments were twisted beyond recognition and that he has told manager Rafa Benitez that he is not looking for a move.

"I didn't say any of those things," he told the Liverpool Echo. "I did an interview in Holland and I don't know who in England got hold of it but it was the worst translation I have ever seen.

"The fact is I'm very happy here and I don't want to leave to go anywhere. I just want to concentrate on playing.

"Yes, there is a lot of competition for places at Liverpool but that's the same at every top club. It was like that when I was at Ajax and that isn't a problem for me.

"I heard about what was being reported when I was away with Holland. When I got back to Liverpool I went straight to the manager and told him it wasn't true. He accepted that and there is no problem."

Babel impressed for The Reds out wide right in Saturday's 3-2 win over West Ham after delivering the cross for Fernando Torres to head home their winner.

The Dutchman says the outing has given him confidence, although it remains to be seen whether he starts Tuesday's Carling Cup clash against Leeds United at Elland Road.

"It was great to be out there and I'm really pleased I was able to help us get a crucial three points," he said.

"Before I came on the manager said I needed to bring some energy to the game and that I needed to run at them.

"I enjoyed it and that will give me some confidence. Now I hope to carry on like this.

"If I keep working hard then hopefully I can get some more minutes and in the end get a place back in the starting line-up."

Torres Targets Goal Glut

Liverpool star Fernando Torres hopes to go on a goalscoring spree after his double strike in the win over West Ham.

Torres, who admitted earlier this week he was not at his best so far this season, scored the winner for Liverpool against West Ham late on to earn his side all three points.

The Spaniard is determined to build on his performance at Upton Park and help Liverpool to success this season.

"I hope there will be many more goals," said Torres.

"I know when I'm working hard they will arrive so I have to keep working hard all the time for the team.”

Torres also paid tribute to team-mate Ryan Babel for setting up his winner against The Hammers.

Babel came off the bench to provide the cross for Torres' headed winner 15 minutes from time

"Everyone knows Ryan is a fantastic player," added Torres.

"He played on the right wing and he gave me a fantastic cross which was easy for me to attack the ball and score. It is easy for a striker when the cross is as good as that.

"He is a player with quality who can do things like this, so without Ryan I couldn't have scored. It's thanks to him I could score the goal to win it for us.

Late Krisztian Nemeth Goals Hands Reds The Liverpool Senior Cup

Merseyside’s most handsome football trophy will adorn an Anfield trophy cabinet for another season, after Krisztian Nemeth’s late strike saw Liverpool Reserves claim the Liverpool Senior Cup last night.

But the part-timers from the Liverpool County FA – champions Waterloo Dock – gave their illustrious full-time rivals all the trouble they could handle in a close contest at Marine’s Arriva Stadium.

Their resistance was broken in the 76th minute, when Hungarian international striker Nemeth stabbed home from close range.

The goal gave Liverpool the impressive piece of silverware for the 39th occasion, but Waterloo Dock won plenty of friends in their first appearance in the final of the 127 year old tournament.

The County FA champions had chances, but Mikel San Jose made a last ditch block to deny hero of the semi-final Leighton McGivern, then Dock skipper Anthony Battle guided the best chance of the half wide of the target. It was a free header from just outside the six yard box and the midfielder’s anguished expression as the ball flashed wide said it all.

The Reds reserves have endured an unhappy season but they made a bright start and could have gone ahead after just five minutes, Nemeth spurning a good chance.

Dutch youngster Vincent Weijl's surging run created another opening for Nemeth and the Hungarian tested Dock keeper Ryan Brookfield with a low 25 yarder.

The dangerous McGivern then forced Dean Bouzanis into action after a clever turn and shot.

As the opening half came to close Liverpool gave one last warning of their quality when Dani Pacheco, the highly rated young striker signed from Barcelona's youth academy, curled a clever free-kick inches past the right-hand post.

Reds reserve boss Gary Ablett urged his side to offer more in the second period and they were first to show on 50 minutes when Gerardo Bruna saw a goalbound shot deflected just wide.

The Argentine starlet then turned provider with a sublime through ball for Nemeth, but despite rounding the Dock goalkeeper, the Hungarian was denied by Garry Riley’s timely interception.

The Reds were looking the most creative outfit in open play, but Waterloo continued to pose moments of real danger and both Craig Sutherland and Joe Roberts both saw their attempts blocked by Godwin Antwi.

With time running out and extra-time looming, Liverpool pressed for a winner in normal time and after Nemeth had seen his low shot brilliantly stopped by Brookfield, the striker finally broke his goal drought with the only goal of the game on 76 minutes.

A neat move involving San Jose and Bruna led to Weijl crossing low for Nemeth to stab home from six yards and win the cup for Liverpool.

But Waterloo Dock's famous Cup run which started against Liverpool, the newly created AFC way back in the first round, and included victories over Burscough, Tranmere Rovers and County rivals East Villa, will be talked about for years to come.

Former Teammate Suggests Benitez Needs To Find Carragher Replacement

The former Aston Villa and Liverpool striker Stan Collymore believes his former Anfield teammate Jamie Carragher is on the wane, and Rafa Benitez should begin to consider replacing him.

Carragher has endured a troubled start to the Premier League season looking vulnerable during their defeats to Aston Villa and Tottenham, whilst also being culpable at Upton Park against West Ham on Saturday, and Collymore believes the defender is beginning to look past his best.

Collymore told mirrorfootball.co.uk: “As much as I respect Jamie Carragher and everything he's done for Liverpool, I do think he's starting to dip.”

“Carragher and Martin Skrtel have had a shaky start to the season and again at West Ham he didn't have the best of games.”

“Once again Liverpool conceded goals from set-pieces and Carragher does not look as solid as he did.”

“It makes me wonder if Rafa Benitez shouldn't take whatever transfer budget he will have in January and spend it all on a top-quality centre-half.”

“I'm not saying he should replace Carragher now or that he is finished - far from it.”

“But I do think you should strengthen your team from a position of strength so if Benitez brought the new Jamie Carragher in now, he would have time to bed him in over the next season or two.”

“Every player - no matter how good they are - dips at some point and it would make sense to have Carra's replacement groomed and ready to take over for when he finally has to go.”

“Carragher is 31 and can't go on forever, so it's better to think about these things in advance.”

Tom Hicks: Liverpool’s World Record Shirt Sponsorship Isn’t Enough

Tom Hicks, the co-owner of English soccer club Liverpool, has vowed that the club will not rest on its laurels after securing a world record shirt sponsorship deal with Standard Chartered worth more than US$130 million over the next four years.

Hicks expects that deal - which will see Standard Chartered sell Liverpool shirts in its branches throughout Asia - to be worth more than it is at first glance, while the club's managing director Christian Purslow is spearheading a number of other commercial sponsorships, including one with outgoing shirt sponsors Carlsberg.

"We are seeing for the first time the real power of the brand and the power of a well managed club," said Hicks. "I feel very good about the entire club. The total sponsorship contracts should probably bring in 25, 26 million pounds (US$42 million) of incremental revenue a year. It's a huge development for the club. It's not just the 21 million pounds (US$34 million) that we will develop from the new sponsorship agreement with Standard Chartered because we will have an additional two or three million pounds for the Infinity part of the deal."

Carlsberg, meanwhile, are expected to keep hold of the lucrative pouring rights at the club's Anfield stadium. "We have an existing contract with Carlsberg until the end of the season," said Hicks. "Between now and the end of the season we will finalize new arrangements where we will retain the Carlsberg special sponsorship packages and pour Carlsberg products in the stadium. They will be one of our key sponsors, just not on our shirts."

Torres Answers The Call For Goals

They were talking about it at the Burnley game last weekend, despite a four-goal win. They were asking Dirk Kuyt about it after the Dutchman had made himself the third-highest European Cup goalscorer in Liverpool's history midweek. Rafa Benitez fielded numerous questions about it yesterday at his press conference, and a few more pre-match. It was the topic for discussion as far as Liverpool were concerned. And now it can stop.

Fernando Torres had already scored three goals in four league games this season prior to today, yet still there was talk that the Spaniard was struggling. They were saying he was rattled by the increasingly close attentions of defenders, drained by a gruelling schedule which encompassed Euro 2008 last summer and the Confederations Cup this one, and frustrated by his side's stuttering start to the Premier League season. He hadn't scored in, wait for it, two games. Two whole games. Burnley at home and Debrecen at home; no goals for Fernando. Crisis.

Well, not quite. It took just twenty minutes for the Spaniard to end his micro-drought, and in typical fashion too. James Tomkins is fairly highly-rated as young defenders go, but Torres made him look amateurish with a drop of his shoulder, a burst of pace, and a powerful poked finish that flew past Robert Green on his near post. 1-0. Crisis over.

Liverpool were far from their best yesterday, especially in a first half that yielded two goals apiece, and saw the likes of Jamie Carragher and Martin Skrtel seriously unnerved by the pace and direct running of West Ham teenager Zavon Hines. But if the Reds defence still has question marks hanging over it, with zonal marking bound to be high on the agenda (again) following Carlton Cole's second equaliser, Torres was in the mood to erase just about every doubt that ever existed about his game.

His movement, so under-appreciated during his goal-less games, dragged West Ham's defence all over the pitch. His strength saw Tomkins, and Danny Gabbidon, bounced around like skittles, and he always looked likely to add to his tally as the game wore on and Liverpool monopolised possession. Where the likes of Yossi Benayoun & Lucas Leiva seemed reluctant to shoot when presented with the chance, Torres was always looking to pull the trigger. Only last-ditch defending prevented him from scoring a second.

That was, until the 75th minute, when substitute Ryan Babel, who had looked to get at the shaky Herita Ilunga from the moment he was introduced for Dirk Kuyt, clipped in an inviting cross from the right wing. Torres' eyes lit up, his spring was too much for Julien Faubert, his header too good for Green. 3-2. Crisis well and truly over.

Benitez had played down the significance of his striker's lack of goals - two games, may I remind you - by praising his all-round game; here he combined both. His performance was standard stuff, hard-work, energy, dedication, intelligence - the goals merely iced the cake. Benitez's belief in his fellow Spaniard has always been unwavering, and his contribution today shows why.

With Torres unable to collect his man-of-the-match award as he received treatment for a knock to his thigh - not serious, apparently - it was left to skipper Steven Gerrard to collect the champagne, and to sum up his team-mate: "We were never worried about it [the lack of goals]," said Gerrard. "We know how good Fernando is and he showed that yesterday."

Torres Targets Title In "Best Competition"

Fernando Torres is sure the English top flight is still the world's greatest league - and is determined to help Liverpool become its champions once again.

The division has changed beyond recognition since the last time Liverpool were crowned champions in 1990, with the influx of superstar foreigners like Spanish striker Torres placing it in the eyes of many above any other leagues across the globe.

Such feeling has cooled somewhat after a summer which has seen the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso arrive in Spain to boost the Primera Division's box office appeal.

But for Torres, who spent 12 years playing in his homeland with Atletico Madrid, there is no doubt that England is the place to be.

"As a competition it is the best one,'' Torres told the Press Association.

"When you are talking about organisation, respect, and having all the stadiums full every weekend, it is really nice to see that.

"In Spain they have some of the better players in the world, but as a competition, it is not as big as the Premier League.

"I was playing in Spain, and I can tell you honestly, the Premier League is a much better competition.''

Liverpool will be hoping for success both at home and abroad this year, but with the prospect lurking of Manchester United overtaking the record of 18 titles the two clubs jointly share, Torres admits that the Premier League may have to take priority.

"We know that for the fans, for the club and for the majority of the players, the Premier League is a fantastic competition and we have had plenty of years not winning it, so maybe it is the priority,'' he said.

"We don't feel the pressure, but we know it would not be the best for Liverpool fans to see Manchester United with more English titles than us.

"But I think we are on our way, we are doing everything in our power to win trophies and we will see what happens at the end of the season.''

The Spain striker said he was looking forward to giving the fans something to celebrate.

"I think the supporters cannot imagine what it would be like,'' Torres added.

"I saw when Liverpool won the Champions League, all the people around the city, and I remember when Spain won the European Championship and millions of people were in the street. I think it will be something similar.

"Twenty years with no trophy in the Premier League is a long time, so it is very exciting for all of us.''

Liverpool did not make the best start in their mission, suffering two defeats in their opening three league games.

But recent victories over Bolton, Burnley and West Ham, along with a winning start in last week’s Champions League match against Debrecen, has given the side some momentum and Torres believes they are heading in the right direction.

"We are recovering the confidence now after winning four games in a row,'' he said.

"We have to keep on like this, but also improve, and keep working hard because there are difficult games coming.

"But we are on our way. There are some players injured and they will come back soon to help the team, but we don't have time to think in terms of the recovery of players and improving then - we have to win now.

"If we lose points in the coming weeks it will be very difficult to stay at the top come January and February.''

Somebody likely to play a key role in the weeks to come is midfielder Lucas, who has been given a run of starts since Alonso's departure and who Torres believes is becoming an integral part of the first XI.

"He is an international from Brazil, and this is not easy,'' Torres said.

"He is a fantastic player and he has to make a step forward now because Xabi has gone.

"He has the responsibility to become an important player for Liverpool and he has a real chance this season.

"He is playing in almost every game and we have real confidence in him.

"I am sure that he will get better in the future because he is still young. I hope he can be one of the best players for us this season.''

Win's The Thing But Rafa Still Searches For Answers

So, Rafa Benitez kept Liverpool on the fringes of the title race and staved off any immediate backlash. Both the club and their supporters are demanding far more from their manager in terms of a domestic challenge for honors, notably the title.

But the signs are not good. Let's not kid ourselves. West Ham have made their worst start in the league for six years, had only scored three goals prior to this match, but still managed two comebacks against a Liverpool team that continues to show defensive frailties.

Twice the Hammers came back from behind, until Torres finished them off. It was not an impressive display, despite the positive post-match comments from captain and manager. There is plenty of work to be done behind the scenes to get it right.

Benitez made it a hat-trick of wins in the Premiership but he is still searching for answers. One of them is Fernando Torres. He was on fire with his two goals, and if he continues in this vein than Liverpool have hope. But are those hopes slim or realistic?

Benitez made copious amounts of notes, stroked his goatee, and lived on the very edge of his technical area for long periods of a game his team dominated but without really seeing off the Hammers. There is no more committed Liverpool fan than Kevin Keegan. But he is not convinced. Far from it.

As ESPN's studio analyst, Keegan mentioned the lack of strength in depth in comparison to their title rivals, but went into far greater detail about the dysfunctional zonal marking from set pieces.

Astonishingly this season, Liverpool have conceded all nine of their goals against from set pieces. Benitez refuses to switch his defensive system, and when he once tried to, it made it even worse. But it gives opponents encouragement, and makes his team nervous whenever there is a corner.

Before this match, I put forward the scenario, that should Benitez foul up in the title race then the American owners would run out of patience and review his position. I also ventured that Jose Mourinho would be the No.1 choice should that day arrive - of course it might not - when Benitez is replaced. That caused an almighty debate, and while some thought it might happen, many Liverpool fans have not lost faith in their manager.

Benitez was asked before the game what he wanted from the match at Upon Park and he remarked instantaneously "a win". In the modern game, that is all that counts...winning. How a team wins can almost becomes an irrelevance. But if you look beyond the result, then this wasn’t an impressive Liverpool, and nowhere near the standards of much of last season.

As for West Ham, I did agree with the view that Zola's main task is to keep them away from the relegation dog-fight. But I fear that will be hard to achieve. So, survival will be their priority and Zola will do well to keep them clear of such a nasty struggle.

There was one other major talking point for me, and that was the Hammers' two-touch penalty. Did Diamanti touch the ball when he slipped before striking the penalty for a second time? Kevin Keegan made the point that you could have looked at a video ten times and might still not come to the right conclusion, with only the professionals able to assess whether the peculiar flight of the ball was caused by a double hit.

It wouldn't have made such a decision any easier with fourteen refs on the pitch, let alone fourteen. But video playback at least provides the opportunity to re-assess several important issues on the field.

Benitez was rightly aggrieved because he had seen the TV replay; we were led to believe during commentary. However, didn't the Premier League ban TV monitors from he dug out or its vicinity to avoid managers being able to have a second view, something the referee is deprived of?

Personally, I think Sepp Blatter and his UEFA counterparts have got this wrong. It's time to have video playback seen by a professional in the stands to make a more valid judgement.

Liverpool Must Cut Out Defensive Mistakes To Win Title, Says Fernando Torres

Fernando Torres wants to write another chapter for his new autobiography covering a Liverpool title-winning season.

But after conceding two more sloppy goals at Upton Park, the Spanish striker admitted the Reds must first have another read of the old-school defensive manual.

Torres scored a magnificent double in a pulsating game which explains the worldwide popularity of the Premier League.

His opening salvo was a stunning individual effort, the second a perfect header at the end of flowing team move. The £26m forward, labelled “unstoppable” by West Ham centre-back James Tomkins, was the difference between two-attack minded teams.

But that gap should be greater for a club intent on winning the title. The enduring appeal of our top-flight is the helter-skelter nature of games and the frequent defensive shortcomings.

And Liverpool, who have now conceded nine goals in six matches without anchorman Xavi Alonso, again contributed fully to the non-stop entertainment at both ends.

The pace of West Ham winger Zavon Hines terrorised the visiting rearguard as the sluggish Jamie Carragher was robbed in possession before the 20-year-old hit the post and then brought him down for the penalty. The other members of the Big Four will have watched with interest.

Since losing two of three first three matches this season, Rafa Benitez’s side have responded by winning the next four on the bounce.

But Torres acknowledged the way to win titles is not the Harlem Globetrotter-style of scoring more than your opponents every week.

“We have to keep winning games which is the main thing but the next target is to keep more clean sheets,” he said.

“That will be good for the team and good for Pepe (Reina). We have to improve in defence and keep more clean sheets.”

Dirk Kuyt agreed. “I think the main problem for us was that we allowed them to come back in the game through our own mistakes,” said the Dutchman.

“That is something we have to be aware of for the next games.”

Yet this game provided the best 45 minutes of the season so far. After the dashing Hines spurned the first chance in the second minute, El Nino demonstrated the goalscorer’s art after 20 minutes by breezing past Tompkins and poking home a shot at the near post.

“My mind was to try to cross it as soon as possible because I was on my left foot,” Torres said.

“I was looking for a teammate but I didn’t see anyone so I just kept going and managed to score, which was nice for me but more important for the team.”

The lead only last nine minutes before Carragher attempted a shoulder nudge on Hines only to find the lightning West Ham winger was half a yard too quick and could only push him in the back.

Alessandro Diamanti converted from the spot. Liverpool regained the lead after when Kuyt got a touch to a Stevie Gerrard header but the Dutchman generously - and unusually for greedy strikers - wants the goal credited to his team-mate.

“I touched it but if it is possible I will give it to Steve,” he said. “It was a great header and I was there at the second post if the ball goes wide. If we can give it to Steve, I will be glad.”

In a day of giving away goals, Carlton Cole then rose above three Liverpool defenders to head home the second equaliser from a Mark Noble corner with again no player on the post.

After an hour, Benitez made a telling change when he replaced Kuyt with Ryan Babel. The Dutchman destroyed the tiring Herita Ilunga and floated over the 75th-minute cross for Torres to seal the three points.

“Maybe the second goal was my favourite,” said the Spaniard. “It’s a team game, not just individual play. A fantastic cross by Ryan Babel. It is easy for a striker when the cross is as good as that. It’s very pleasing to score two goals when the team work hard and the team win.

“We have not the best start of the season but we are in a good moment now. It’s four consecutive games of winning in a row, so we have to think that we can get more points and move forward because we have the Chelsea game coming soon. I hope there will be many more goals.”

Even on a day when the District Line was closed causing transport chaos, the longest queue of the evening was to praise Torres.

England Under-21 defender Tomkins said: “I played against him last year and when he is on top of his game, he is the best striker in the world. As a defender you know that and being young myself, I don’t think it gets any tougher than that. When he is on his game, he is unstoppable.

“He is clever with the runs that he makes. He is not just good technically; he is good in the air and strong as well. He has got all the attributes of a top striker.”

Kuyt said: “He is a great player. Some people were talking about him not scoring for a few games but he is one of the best strikers every week even if he doesn’t score.”

Reina added: “His first goal was unbelievable goal - out of this world. But it is no surprise to us - that is what he can do.”

Benitez, who has seen his compatriot score five goals in the last six games, warned his 25-year-old can only get better.

“It is too early to talk about him winning the Golden Boot this season, he has to keep playing at this level and we will see what happens,” he said.

“He clearly has pace and mobility and he can use these things. He has to improve some things but I am not going to say what they are.

“Our Spanish players were in the Confederations Cup and the other players were training for 19 days before they came back to train with us late.

“We had to be careful with them and Torres was the top scorer and we were pushing him a bit but now, with all the prevention work with the physios, we are taking care of him.”

Aston Villa’s Defenders The Best, Says Fernando Torres

Not since the days when footballs were made of head-me-if-you-dare heavy leather has something in the game caused so many defenders migraines. But even Superman has kryptonite. Fernando Torres can be neutralised — how to do so is the surprise.

You make him face a certain Premier League side and they are not Manchester United, not Chelsea and not Arsenal. There is one team the world’s deadliest centre-forward feels ineffective against: Aston Villa. During his brief but goal-studded career in English football, Torres has embarrassed Nemanja Vidic and got the better of the likes of Rio Ferdinand and John Terry, yet put him in with Curtis Davies and Carlos Cuellar and — in his own mind at least — the Spaniard becomes tame.

“Last season we won against Chelsea, United and Arsenal but always you have some defenders who are really hard for you. The Aston Villa defenders, for me, are really difficult. I don’t know why,” Torres said. “I have never had a good game against them because they are very, very aggressive and are doing man-to-man over almost the whole pitch. I hope we can win away against them because at home we lost 3-1 [this season]. They are probably the hardest defenders for me.”

The Spaniard made his confession when launching his autobiography (Torres: El Niño — My Story) at Anfield on Thursday. In the defeat last month that he mentioned, he got his first goal in five encounters against Villa. Until then, they were the only team in the Premier League Torres had faced more than once and failed to score against. He was marked by Davies and Cuellar, who were also his opponents when he drew a blank against Villa (albeit in a 5-0 Liverpool victory) in March. Martin Laursen, Olof Mellberg and Gary Cahill are the other Villa centre-backs Torres has faced since moving to England in 2007.

He has scored 53 times in 90 appearances for Liverpool (before the win against West Ham) and earned a level of affection from fans of rivals clubs in England which, despite his achievements, was not afforded to Cristiano Ronaldo during his spell in the Premier League and has also eluded another prodigious forward imported from abroad, Didier Drogba.

Asked for the reasons, Torres pointed to his onfield conduct. The Spaniard has not been involved in a diving scandal while playing in England and has seldom taxed the patience of match officials, being booked just once in the league last season, despite a committed style of playing. “I think players have to show respect to everyone, not just the fans of their own team,” he said in reference to himself, Ronaldo and Drogba. “That is where respect is important, being honest and trying to play football just like a sport to enjoy — not doing the other things.”

Having picked out England and Brazil as the sides he feels will present the biggest obstacles to Spain at next year’s World Cup, Torres strengthened the mutual admiration pact between himself and the English when he discussed styles of play. Despite nursing a black eye from a brawny encounter with Burnley’s Clarke Carlisle and Andre Bikey last Saturday, the striker said he loved the muscular dimension to football in the Premier League. “Here the defenders are more honest,” he said. “They’re fighting for the ball, but they are honest. They’re just trying to fight to keep the ball. Here in England you fight and I really like this type of football.”

Riera Rues Gruelling Pre-Season

Liverpool winger Albert Riera believes the Confederations Cup played a part in their stuttering start to the season.

The Reds are getting their season back on track with four wins on the trot after losing two of their opening three Premier League games, the same number of defeats they suffered throughout the whole of last season.

Liverpool's Spaniard-heavy squad looked disorientated in their early fixtures as defeats to Tottenham and Aston Villa threatened to de-rail their title bid almost immediately.

In the summer, Spain played five matches en-route to their third-place finish in the Confederations Cup in the summer, meaning a grueling pre-season regime for those involved.

With key players Fernando Torres, Pepe Reina and Riera himself a part of the Spain set-up, the winger believes the competition may have effected Liverpool's early performances.

"The pre-season was hard and sometimes you start the season in not the best condition and maybe we have had that this year with Liverpool," Riera told The People.

"But now things are becoming better and we have more confidence now.

"It could have been the Confederations Cup or it could have been because you have to work really hard in pre-season so the first games then won't be the best because you don't feel at 100 per cent.

"But the most important thing is the present and we are feeling really confident and things are coming like last year."

Liverpool are hoping to end a 20-year title drought this season and overtake rivals Manchester United in the record number of titles won after the Red Devils equaled their haul of 18 last season.

"We know we have to win the Premier League, definitely, and fans are behind that a lot," added Riera.

"But we want to fight for everything, not just the Premier League. We want to win everything."

Reds Ace Not For Sale - Benitez

Rafael Benitez has once again insisted that Javier Mascherano is not for sale and wants him to extend his stay at Liverpool.

The Argentina international was heavily linked with a move to Barcelona in the summer before Xabi Alonso completed his transfer to Real Madrid, ending any hopes Mascherano had of leaving Anfield.

Reports have been circulating Merseyside that the 25-year-old is unhappy with not being allowed to leave the club, resulting in him being confined to the bench for a few games this season.

However, Benitez has insisted the midfielder is happy at Liverpool and he is determined to keep Mascherano at the club for the foreseeable future.

"I have told the managing director that he is very important to us and we want to keep him, and we will look at his contract when the time is right," said Benitez.

"He is a key player for us and he will be a key player for us during the season.

"I think he is working very hard and in one or two games he was playing well but the team was not doing really well in the other two. It's more the team than just one player.

"He has to play at the level he was before, but he has enough time to do that, and we know he is a key player for us, and will be for a long time."