Plessis Eyeing Cup Action

Damien Plessis is hoping to secure his first senior appearance of the 2009-10 season when Liverpool do battle with Arsenal in the fourth round of the Carling Cup later this month.

The French midfielder was an unused substitute for the victory over Leeds United at the last stage of the competition, and is eager to be involved against the Gunners at the Emirates.

It's a venue that holds special significance for the 21-year-old as it was away to Arsenal in a Barclays Premier League encounter in April 2008 that manager Rafael Benitez handed Plessis his Reds debut.

"The Emirates is a fantastic place for any young player to make his debut, but maybe not the easiest of stadiums to play at," he told LFC Weekly. "It is very big and the atmosphere was different to what I had known in France.

"It was a great incentive though. I remember Rafa telling me to go out and keep it simple. That's what I did, I just went out and played my football to help the team get a result.

"I felt I played well that day. I saw in some of the papers that I was man of the match, which was nice."

The former Lyon starlet helped Liverpool to secure a 1-1 draw that afternoon and he is targeting another chance to shine against Arsene Wenger's charges, though he is well aware there has to be a winner this time around.

"This time it will be different because it is the Carling Cup and not the Premier League," he added.

"If we draw at the end of the 90 minutes in the cup, there will be extra time and maybe even penalties.

"Also, in the Carling Cup, you tend to get a lot of players who would not normally play all of the time. It is often a good chance for younger players like myself to come in and show what they can do.

"The Carling Cup is perhaps my best chance to get a game in the first-team at the moment. Young players may be on the bench for Champions League or Premier League games. You wait and wait but don't always play. The Carling Cup is different though.

"Maybe I will play against Arsenal, maybe I won't. I don't know yet, but I hope I do. Arsenal is a very big game whatever competition you play them in so, if you do play, you know you have to play well."

Why Rafa Benitez Is Confident Liverpool FC Will Win The League

Rafael Benitez is confident Liverpool can mount another Barclays Premier League title bid this season and remains calm despite his side's unconvincing start to the campaign.

Doubts have been raised over whether a sustained challenge can come from Anfield considering the team have already lost three times - one more than the whole of the previous campaign - to lie six points behind leaders Chelsea after eight games.

Benitez believes running champions and arch-rivals Manchester United close last term, finishing four points behind the Old Trafford club, has brought positives and negatives and he maintains the mounting criticism is unjustified.

"The most difficult thing this season is to manage expectation," the manager told liverpoolfc.tv.

"Last season we finished with 86 points and everyone was talking about this being the year.

"It's a long race and if we make mistakes and give up too early it will be impossible.

"So the main thing for everyone here is to try to be calm and keep working hard."

Despite those three defeats - to Tottenham, Aston Villa and Chelsea - Liverpool are a more open side this season with 22 goals in eight league matches to make them the Premier League's second-highest scorers behind Arsenal.

They have the same number of points as United had at the same stage 12 months ago and have yet to hit top form.

Defensively they have looked shaky, with just two league clean sheets compared to four from eight games last season.

However, Benitez is hopeful the return of centre-back Daniel Agger, who has not played a first-team game since the end of May after a summer back operation, and the inclusion of £20million former Roma midfielder Alberto Aquilani, who is yet to make his debut after ankle surgery, will provide a boost to the squad.

"We have some players coming back from injury, so we have time," added the Spaniard.

"We need to keep the mentality, keep scoring goals and we will see."

Benitez is also confident the greater competition seen in the league this season - with the likes of Burnley beating United and Wigan defeating Chelsea - means more points will be dropped by all the leading title contenders.

"I think it will be tough at the top of the table," he added.

"Chelsea are a good team but don't forget they will lose some players at the Africa Cup of Nations (in January) so we will see.

"Everyone is talking about Manchester United, Manchester City, Tottenham and Aston Villa, so I think it could be a very open race.

"That is why my message is the same - for us to keep doing our job properly."

Liverpool's Glen Johnson Places Club Over Country

Liverpool defender Glen Johnson is expected to play a part in tonight's fixture with Ukraine, but the 25-year-old insists that the 2010 World Cup sits at the back of his mind as he concentrates on securing silverware for the Merseysiders.

"It's every schoolboy's dream to play for their country at a World Cup," Johnson told the club's official website.

"I think with the players and the backroom staff we have, we can push on and do something in the tournament.

"But I am concentrating on Liverpool and we can think about the World Cup finals when they come around."

Johnson will line-up tonight alongside Liverpool team-mate Steven Gerrard admits it is an honour to play side-by-side the star midfielder.

"When Stevie wants to turn it on, he can make you think 'wow'," added Johnson.

"It's good for me to watch his quality close up in training with the brilliant touches he's got, his movement and the way you can see him thinking.

"Obviously there are a lot of great players here at Liverpool and to play with people like Stevie, Fernando and the other lads is just brilliant."

John Aldridge: Clean Sheets Key To Liverpool FC Closing In On Chelsea

It was nearly the most satisfying of afternoons at Stamford Bridge last Sunday – until Didier Drogba decided to intervene.

There has never been a debate about Drogba’s talent, the only question mark hanging over him, as we know, is his liking for acting the goat every now and again and there were signs of him doing the same again six days ago.

For some reason, though, he always seems to turn it on against Liverpool and by my estimation, Drogba has probably won six or seven games single-handedly during his time with Chelsea and Marseille.

The game, clearly, changed on one mistake from Javier Mascherano, which was so ironic as he had been the best player on the pitch up until that point but Drogba ruthlessly took advantage when he was eventually set free.

You have to say that his ball for Nicolas Anelka and the work he did to tee up Florent Malouda were two flashes of genius and it has left many people saying that a tilt at the Premier League title is now beyond the Reds.

I don’t, for one moment, think that is the case but there is no disputing we have left ourselves little margin for error now – at the very most, he can probably only afford to lose two more matches.

When you think we have got to play Everton, Arsenal, Manchester United and Manchester City twice, that is going to be some ask but you have got to take into account that the title will probably be won with fewer points this season.

The Premier League is ultra-competitive and the race to be crowned champions is bound to go right down to the wire but if we are going to be involved in the thick of it, we must work on the positives from Stamford Bridge.

Liverpool’s defence has been criticised on several occasions this season but there were signs of things clicking back together and clean sheets will give us a platform to build on; the sooner we start keeping them, the better it will be for everyone.

Benitez Hails Insua Progress

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez feels Emiliano Insua has thoroughly deserved his first international call-up.

The Argentine full-back has become a first-team regular at Anfield this season, helping him to catch the eye of Diego Maradona.

A number of impressive performances have seen him selected by his country for the first time and he will be hoping to be involved in crucial World Cup qualifiers against Peru and Uruguay.

Insua's rapid progress this term has been welcomed by his domestic boss Benitez, who has eased the 20-year-old into the fold on Merseyside following his arrival from Boca Juniors in January 2007.

He was initially brought in by the Reds on a long-term loan basis, but saw that deal made permanent just eight months into an 18-month agreement.

The potential spotted by Liverpool at that early stage is now being fulfilled, with the youngster seemingly set for a distinguished career at the very top of the game.

"It is very good news for him and for us," said Benitez on Insua's inclusion in the Argentina squad.

"He is a young player who is doing well for us. When you talk about young players, the idea is to try to promote them.

"Emiliano was a very good signing by our scouting department - a young player with potential and quality - and it was very good business because the price was good."

Gerrard Eager To Get Back To Best

Along with his iPod and passport, Steven Gerrard packed one more essential item in his suitcase for England’s trip to Ukraine.

The pain of Liverpool’s defeat by Chelsea last weekend may still be raw, and the chance to focus on impressing Fabio Capello should have been a welcome diversion, but Gerrard still made sure he headed into the club’s Melwood training ground before joining up for international duty.

There he picked up a specially devised DVD displaying his good and bad points from the reverse at Stamford Bridge which he could mull over with England.

The material was prepared by Liverpool’s technical analyst Dave McDonough at the behest of Reds boss Rafa Benitez. But any benefits its use intends to bring to Liverpool will also be welcomed by England.

The episode underlines Gerrard’s insatiable appetite to continue hitting the heights, a desire Benitez has saluted.

“It is a DVD of his strong points and his weaknesses, of his qualities and his faults, so he can make use of these few days and watch it before playing with the national side,” said Benitez.

“He went straight to Melwood to get the DVD before leaving because he was very interested in the idea of analysing his match and trying to correct his mistakes.

“Gerrard is a player who is always asking how he can improve. He never stops wanting to learn.’’

Gerrard spoke with Benitez about the footage on Wednesday and will be anxious to put the plan into practice during England’s World Cup qualifier in Ukraine on Saturday night.

Rafa Benitez Reveals Perfectionist Steven Gerrard Is Never Happy

Rafa Benitez has offered a unique insight into the driven nature of his skipper Steven Gerrard, which he believes makes the midfielder one of the best in the world.

The Liverpool manager revealed that Gerrard, even after playing at the very top for the past decade, and is still desperate to learn and take his game to the next level, and analyses his performances in microscopic detail.

The England international is considered to be at the peak of his craft as he approaches his 30th birthday, and could be forgiven for believing that he has nothing left to take on board.

But Benitez has illustrated the depth of passion, and incredible desire that his captain has, with an example of how he continually strives to add more dimensions to his play.

"Gerrard is a player who is always asking how he can improve, and that is a fundamental part of him - which is a huge benefit as a manager," Benitez explained.

"Even at the level he has reached, he knows that it's never over, he never stops wanting to learn. It is a part of his personality that he wants to work so hard."

Benitez is a perfectionist who always believes that there is a way to improve, and he admires the drive within his captain that makes him the same way.

And the Liverpool boss offered an example of that incredibly driven nature, which saw Gerrard this week making a round trip from London to ensure that he received the full data from his last performance before heading off on England duty.

"Let me tell you something - he left this week with the English national side, but before heading off he picked up a DVD, prepared by the person in charge of match analysis at the club," Benitez explained.

"It's a DVD of his strong points and his weaknesses, of his qualities and his faults, so he can make use of these few days on international duty and watch it before playing with the national side.

"When he left the team base in London, he went straight to the Liverpool training ground to get the DVD before leaving because he was very interested in the idea of analysing his match and trying to correct his mistakes.

"Then he wanted to go over it with me. We actually spoke on the phone on Wednesday, because he was in a hurry for us to talk about what he saw on the DVD and how he could benefit from it. That shows you how the desire is a fundamental part of him."

Rafa Benitez On Collision Course Over Daniel Agger

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is on a collision course with Denmark over the fitness of Daniel Agger.

The Reds centre half has managed just 68 minutes for the reserves this season so far, as he slowly returns from a back problem, but looks set to play for his country in two games over the next four days.

Benitez though, has warned his Denmark counterpart Morten Olsen not to push the defender too hard in the games against Sweden and Hungary as he continues his rehabilitation.

"Daniel wasn't fit enough to play against Chelsea, and Denmark have to be careful with him. They have to be sensible and also the player knows it will be tough for him to play both games in a row," Benitez said.

"It's good for him because he needs to play, but we have to be careful and they have to be careful too."

Latvia captain Vitalijs Astafjevs will become a record breaker today - but has more important landmarks on his mind.

His country are locked in a four way battle with Greece, who the meet today, favourites Switzerland and Israel.

Astafjevs is one cap away from matching the record for a European player of 157 held by Estonia's Martin Reim, but the 38-year-old also has his focus on helping his side edge closer to a spot in next year's World Cup finals in South Africa.

Astafjevs said: "My goal is to be at the top of the list, and I hope I get there because I have no plans to retire just yet."

If he does equal Reim's record, Astafjevs still has a way to go to match the world top mark for number of international caps.

That is currently held by former Saudi Arabia goalkeeper Mohamed Al-Deayea, who has 181.

Astafjevs will be up against Giourkas Seitaridis who has been handed a surprise international recall by Greece boss Otto Rehhagel for the crucial qualifier even though he has not played a match this season.

The Swiss travel to Luxembourg as the form team despite a poor start which saw them open their campaign with a draw and a defeat, including a 2-1 loss at home to today's opponents Luxembourg.

George Gillett's Liverpool Statements Don't Stack Up

A fan can accept football illiteracy from its owners because they know the vast majority are only in it for kudos or profit.

They can also excuse a lack of cash, if, like Bill Kenwright, they're in it mostly for love. Fans can even live with pig-headedness, aloofness and a poor knowledge of the club. But they cannot accept having the truth distorted or hidden from them.

Which is what George Gillett, and his estranged partner in crime, have been doing for almost three years.

This week alone, thanks to a leaked exchange with the fans group Spirit of Shankly, the former owner of Montreal Canadians ice-hockey team, came out with four statements which do not hold up to scrutiny.

(1) "The club's debt situation is very sound." It was £44.8 million when Hicks and Gillett took over. It's now £245 million.

(2) "It wasn't me who said we'd start building a new stadium in 60 days, it was Hicks." Check You Tube. It's you.

(3) "We've spent £128 million on top of what's come in over the past 18 months to buy players." Rafa Benitez's net spend in that time has been £20 million.

(4) "Liverpool is in an extraordinarily good financial position." So how come the banks have told you to find new investment, sell-up or they'll re-possess the club?

This opportunistic, former bit-part player in a small-time North American sport has been found to be totally out of his depth in English football. His deceit merely adds insult to injury.

As they say in ice-hockey, it's time to get the puck out of here.

Juve Line Up Masch Raid

Juventus are preparing to deepen Liverpool's misery with a January raid for Javier Mascherano.

Rafa Benitez's side are already six points behind Chelsea following their third defeat of the season at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Now Italians Juve are planning a fresh bid for Argentine midfielder Mascherano, 24, who they tried to sign from West Ham before he moved to Anfield in January 2007.

The Turin giants are ready to offer £23million as they seek to grab the Serie A title away from Inter Milan.

And club officials plan to open talks with their Anfield opposite numbers in the coming weeks.

Mascherano is already a target for Barcelona, with Liverpool rejecting an ]approach for him from the European champions during the summer.

Mascherano, who possesses an Italian passport, is tempted to move away from Merseyside even though he is under contract until 2012.

He is believed to be unhappy at the break-up of his partnership with Xabi Alonso, who joined Real Madrid in the summer.

And he was dismayed at criticism for his performance in the 2-0 defeat at Chelsea.

The Kop have got their own back on Chelsea by stealing Benfica wonderkid Toni Brito Sa from under their noses.

Benfica have accepted Liverpool's offer of £290,000 for one of the most highly-rated youngsters in Portugal.

Guinea-born Brito, 16, had a trial at Chelsea when Phil Scolari was boss and was ready to sign a six-year deal.

Keisuke Honda Not Ruling Out Move To Liverpool Or Everton

Keisuke Honda's agent has admitted the player would be interested in a move to the Premier League.

Both Liverpool and Everton are reported to be interested in the Japanese international, who has set the Eredivisie alight with his scintillating displays for VVV Venlo, scoring seven goals from nine appearances so far this season.

The Settsu-born star was instrumental in winning Venlo promotion to the Eredivisie last season and has also reportedly drawn interest from Dutch giants Ajax Amsterdam and PSV Eindhoven.

"There are a lot of clubs following him, but there is nothing concrete at the moment," the 23-year-old's agent, Kees Ploegsma, told Sky Sports.

"I don't know anything about Liverpool and Everton and we will wait and see what happens in January.

"Of course Keisuke would be interested in playing in England. England is a very good country for playing football.

"If a club makes an offer and Keisuke likes that club something could happen, but we will wait and see."

Honda has been capped seven times by Japan and is estimated to be worth £3 million.

Phil Thompson Urges George Gillett To Sell Up At Liverpool

Phil Thompson believes that Liverpool co-owner George Gillett should sell his stake in the Anfield outfit to Prince Faisal bin Fahed, the Saudi Arabian prince whose company F6 are believed to be in talks with the American.

Thompson, a former Reds defender who captained the club and won a host of honours in the 1970s and '80s, thinks that should Gillett sell then it would trigger his co-owner Tom Hicks into selling his stake in the club as well.

"The two guys bought the club, I'd like to think they bought it with all great faith and everything, but they've realised that 'soccer' as they call it is a little bit tougher than what they think," he told Sky Sports News.

"We're very patriotic towards our own, we're very tribal in this country. We love our football club and we believe we are different.

"They've not got to grips with that bond between fans and their ownership.

"I think it would be absolutely ideal if George Gillett can find a buyer. That'll maybe then trigger the motion from Tom Hicks to relinquish his fifty per cent.

"Because you can see by George doing that Tom is probably thinking 'this is the beginning of the end for us'.

"I think that would be best for all concerned. I wouldn't like to be in a position like that.

"So do the honourable thing."

Benitez Calm Over Dutch Duo

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez does not believe Dirk Kuyt and Ryan Babel's trip to Australia with Holland will hamper their preparations for facing Sunderland.

The Dutch duo have made the long trip to Sydney with their country for Saturday's friendly with the Socceroos.

Benitez would rather Kuyt and Babel did not have to travel, but he is confident the pair will have ample time to recover ahead of the game at Sunderland on 17th October.

"We tried to talk with the Dutch Federation about Dirk and Ryan having to travel so far but they have the right to call the players up for these games," the Reds boss told the club's official website.

"We tried to find some kind of solution but it was impossible and it is not an ideal situation for them to travel to Australia for a friendly.

"But it is not so bad. They only have to play the one game, there is another seven days until we play Sunderland and we will see them again early next week.

"Both Dirk and Ryan know that I do not see a problem with them travelling and it is not going to be a bad situation.

"They will be back at least two or three days before the players who have gone to South America and I'm sure they will be okay for Sunderland."

The South American players to which Benitez refers are Lucas Leiva, Javier Mascherano and Emiliano Insua, who are involved with Argentina.

They are a part of Diego Maradona's squad for the must-win World Cup qualifier with Peru on Saturday, which can be seen live on Sky Sports 1.

Benitez said: "We know Lucas, Mascherano and Insua will not be back until Friday afternoon and we will have to manage them carefully."

Carragher Backs Liverpool FC To Get Tough

Jamie Carragher has held his hands up over a poor start to the season – but vowed to help Liverpool toughen up their soft centre.

Having gained a reputation for their defensive mean streak in recent years, Rafael Benitez’s side have kept just four clean sheets in 11 games this season. Only two shut-outs have come in eight Premier League games, with Liverpool shipping 12 goals in that period.

Carragher himself has attracted some fierce criticism following a series of below-par performances.

But the 31-year-old is adamant he and the defence as a whole will improve over the coming weeks.

He said: “We aren’t playing well as a back four and I’m not playing well personally.

“I need to hit better form and hopefully that will come in the next few games. Over the last five or six years we have been renowned as a team who have kept a lot of clean sheets and for keeping it tight. I think that’s why we get a bit more criticism because people don’t expect it of Liverpool – and rightly so.

“We take the plaudits when things are going well so you have to take the criticism when it’s not going well.

“I know I need to improve myself and we also need to improve as a team.”

Benitez believes he saw signs during Sunday’s 2-0 defeat at Chelsea that Carragher and centre-back partner Martin Skrtel are close to recapturing their form.

“If you analyse the performance of the centre-backs, it was clear to see they were much better at Chelsea and that was the positive thing to take from the game,” said Benitez. “Skrtel is a really good player and Carra was doing better again. Maybe you could say something about the second goal but the signs, for me, were much better.

“It was a difficult game for the central defenders to play and you know that when you come up against the top sides you must keep it tight.

“We paid for one mistake (in midfield) but, in the main, I was very pleased with the performances of Skrtel and Carra and they were doing the right things.”

Liverpool resume after this week’s international break with a trip to Sunderland on Saturday week, with Benitez keeping his fingers crossed his players return back from their national teams without injury.

Rafa Benitez Pleads With Denmark To Go Easy On Returning Liverpool Crock Daniel Agger

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has warned Denmark coach Morten Olsen he needs to be 'sensible' with defender Daniel Agger.

The 24-year-old centre-back has only just recovered from a back operation and has yet to feature for the first team, although he played 68 minutes for the reserves last week and made the bench for Sunday's defeat at Chelsea.

He is in Denmark's squad for World Cup qualifiers against Sweden and Hungary, but Benitez has warned Olsen against over-using the defender.

'It was a difficult decision to bring Agger back into the squad, because he wasn't fit enough to start against Chelsea,' said the Liverpool boss.

'He is now with Denmark, and I hope they will be careful with him. They have to be sensible. It's good for him, because he needs to play, but he knows it will be tough for him to play both games in a row.'

Benitez admits he has mixed feelings about players going away for the current international break.

The Spaniard is delighted young left-back Emiliano Insua's form for the club this season has been recognised with a first call-up for Argentina.

But he is less enamoured with the prospect of Holland internationals Dirk Kuyt and Ryan Babel having to travel halfway around the world for a friendly against Australia in Sydney.

insua has been first choice at left-back this season, starting every Barclays Premier League and Champions League match.

Having started to fulfil the promise which persuaded Benitez to sign him permanently from Boca Juniors in August 2007 - he was previously on loan as a 17-year-old - he has now attracted the attention of Argentina boss Diego Maradona.

'It is very good news for him and for us,' said Benitez on Insua's selection for crucial World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Peru.

'He is a young player who is doing well for us. When you talk about young players, the idea is to try to promote them. Emiliano was a very good signing by our scouting department - a young player with potential and quality - and it was very good business because the price was good.

'Last year we had three or four clubs asking about him. But we said 'no', because we want to keep him.'

Benitez would have liked to keep Kuyt and Babel on Merseyside, and Liverpool even approached the Dutch Football Association about the situation.

'We tried to talk with the Dutch Federation about Dirk and Ryan having to travel so far, but they have the right to call the players up for these games,' said the Reds boss.

'We tried to find some kind of solution. But it was impossible and it is not an ideal situation for them to travel to Australia for a friendly.'

On the plus side, the pair will return to Melwood early next week - while the likes of Insua and compatriot Javier Mascherano and Brazil midfielder Lucas do not arrive back from South America until Friday - just 24 hours before the trip to Sunderland.

Rafa Has Four Games To Save Liverpool Career

If under-fire Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez had been hoping for a break in the form of a return to match fitness for his big summer signing Alberto Aquilani, he was sadly mistaken if he thought that fate would throw him a six.

The Spaniard gave an optimistic report on the 25-year-old Italian midfielder's status, saying that the £19m signing from Roma could make it on to the subs bench for the Merseysiders within the fortnight, although a full debut was still some way off.

"Two to three weeks", Benitez estimated. "I have been speaking to the doctors and things are going well with him. Alberto is progressing all the time. It could be two to three weeks before he is back. But we need to use caution." Aquilani has not played a competitive game for more than half a year, having been signed by Liverpool while injured.

"If it is two weeks everyone will say 'that is fantastic' but if it is three, everyone will say it is not a problem," Benitez continued. "We will take it one step at a time and we have the international break to look forward to now. That will be good for him, as he will have some more time."

How Benitez could do with the boost though of being able to field the visionary Italian for the crucial eleven days of football that face Liverpool after the international break and which could decide the manager's future at the club.

Saturday 17th sees a visit to the Stadium of Light to take on Steve Bruce's confident Sunderland, fresh from hold Manchester United at Old Trafford and enjoying one of their best starts to a season for years.

Then French champions Lyon visit Anfield just three days later in the Champions League. Lyon top Group E with six points from two games, and a defeat would leave Liverpool facing a make-or-break return trip to France in early November where they would have to win to stay in Europe.

The next visitors to Anfield on Sunday 25th are Manchester United in the Premier League, and while last season saw Benitez break a seven-year winless sequence against Alex Ferguson's team, the context of their position (unbeaten last season, not so this year) will make for a tense time on the bench.

Finally the club travel to the Emirates for the fourth round game in the Carling Cup against Arsenal. Arsene Wenger may field teams of youngsters in this competition, but a defeat by the second string would surely herald the end of the Benitez era at Anfield.

Rafa Deserves Better Treatment By Liverpool

On May 17, 1990, Manchester United beat Crystal Palace 1-0 in the FA Cup Final replay to win the first silverware of Sir Alex Ferguson's 22-year reign at Old Trafford. It had taken the Scot three-and-a-half years to achieve it, but 32 trophies later the adoring Mancunian fans have no qualms about the bedding-down period Ferguson was granted.

Admittedly we live in different times, but consider Rafa Benitez's statistics for a second. From joining the club in June 2004 to Boxing Day 2007 - about the same time it took Fergie to win his single FA Cup - Liverpool won three trophies: the European Cup in 2005 was followed by the Uefa Super Cup in the same year, and an FA Cup in 2006, when the Reds dramatically beat West Ham on penalties after one of the greatest finals ever.

Add to this a further Champions League final appearance, in 2007, and the runners-up spot in the Premier League last year - one of the most competitive seasons since the inception of the league - and you'd be questioning the sanity of those fans and sports writers now calling for Benitez's head because Liverpool can only manage sixth place in the league.

But the reality of the Spaniard's predicament is that he has yet to realise the one, burning ambition that drives everyone in the club: to break the 19-year drought since Kenny Dalglish's team lifted the old Football League trophy in 1990. That triumph was the club's 18th league title - a record they held alone until last season when arch-rivals Manchester United joined them on that mark.

Despite coming closer last season than any of the intervening permanent managers (Graeme Souness, Roy Jones and Gerard Houllier), missing out by just four points in a season when they were beaten only twice, Benitez will remain a prisoner of the club's illustrious history until that hoodoo is broken.

Benitez's position has been further undermined by the boardroom battle between the club's two American owners, George Gillett and Tom Hicks.

The pair bought into Liverpool together in February 2007, paying £229m to former chairman David Moores to take on the club and its debt. Since then they have alienated the fanbase with their perceived unwillingness to invest in the club - allowing the move to a 60,000-seater stadium in Stanley Park to stagnate, for example - and have publicly squabbled.

They have also actively unsettled their own manager. Just this week, Gillett gave an interview to a fans' group in which he blamed the Spaniard for the lacklustre start to the season, and in November 2007 the Americans offered Benitez's job to the former German manager Jurgen Klinsmann.

After trying to hawk the club around the Middle East, with Dubai International Capital being a rumoured buyer, Gillett now looks likely to sell his 50 per cent stake to Saudi Prince Faisal, at least removing one obstacle from the manager's path.

Ultimately, though, it will be Benitez's relationship with the Kop that seals his future. Liverpool supporters will never forget the magical night in Istanbul in May 2005 when the team came back from a three-goal deficit at half-time to beat AC Milan to win the club's fifth European Cup, bragging rights they hold supreme in English football.

The wellspring of support generated by his early success at the club has not evaporated. "We love Rafa, although it's slightly tempered by dismay at some of his decisons," an Anfield regular told The First Post, citing his decision this summer to sell Xabi Alonso, a firm favourite of the fans.

"We loved Houllier [Benitez's immediate predecessor] too, but it's more intense for Rafa. The starting point for supporters has always been to offer unconditional love to the team and the manager to spur them on."

With four games in eleven days coming up after the international break - the results of which hold the key to Liverpool's chances of silverware this season - Benitez will need all the support he can get.

George Gillett To Sell Half His Stake In Liverpool To Arab Investor

Liverpool co-owner George Gillett is flying to Saudi Arabia next week for talks in a bid to sell his 50 per cent stake to Prince Faisal bin Fahd.

Gillett is due to arrive in the Middle East on Wednesday and is scheduled for a three-day stay to sort out the deal with the Prince's advisers and his financial company F6 Sports.

Prince Faisal has been at Anfield as a guest of Gillett and - despite the American's denials - a sale is top of the agenda to be done rather than just an investment.

Gillett can sell his half of the Kop and leave the Arabs to deal with his partner Tom Hicks if they want complete control – or they may prefer to work with the Texan.

The 70-year-old Gillett is so keen to sell up that he is going to travel to the Arab's territory to conclude the transaction - with sources in the Middle East convinced that this will happen.

Prince Faisal's investment company has allies in the banking world and they would look at Liverpool as a club to make their name - and with potential for development down the line.

The Arab is looking to become a major player and building a new Anfield would make the business world look up to him. He certainly has the cash behind him to fulfil the plans that the Americans gave up on.

There are no figures being released on what Gillett is looking to get for his share in Liverpool but it is anticipated that the deal will be good enough to get him out of his current hole.

Gillett has tried to appease the club's fans but he knows that his lack of funds leaves Liverpool's support frustrated - and puts a strain on their bid to stay as a top four force.

Juventus Keep Tabs On Liverpool Midfielder Javier Mascherano

Juventus are about to rekindle their interest in Liverpool's Javier Mascherano for next summer's transfer window.

According to Il Corriere Dello Sport, the Bianconeri are drawing up early plans for the winter, but the idea is likely to materialise later on next year.

The report suggests Mascherano had considered leaving the Reds during the summer for Spanish giants Barcelona, but the move never took off the ground. Voices claim the Argentine is unsettled at Anfield, and the club could consider a major offer should it arrive.

The Old Lady are said to be keen, but signing him will not be cheap. Liverpool would not accept anything less than €25million for their man and having already shelled out a considerable fee for Felipe Melo in the summer, they may be reluctant to add yet more expensive muscle to the midfield.

Juve have not confirmed the report

Torres Suffers Injury Scare

Fernando Torres limped out of training with the Spain squad but his injury is not thought to be serious.

The Liverpool striker abandoned the training session as a precautionary measure when he pulled up with a groin problem, but was later able to exercise on his own in the gym.

Torres should be fit for Spain's World Cup qualifying double header which is good news for coach Vicente del Bosque, who is already without Valencia forward David Villa who pulled out of the squad earlier this week with a hamstring injury.

With Spain having already booked their ticket to South Africa, Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez will hope La Roja do not risk Torres, who has scored eight goals in seven league games this season.

Spain face Armenia on Saturday before visiting Bosnia-Herzegovina four days later as they aim to see out their qualifying campaign with a 100% record.

Rafa Benitez Must Stop Hiding Behind Hicks And Gillett And Start Taking Liverpool Forward

Rafa Benitez bought himself some time and patience by winning the Champions League in his first season.

But Liverpool fans are an incredible bunch for sticking by Rafa ever since, showing loyalty beyond compare in the Premier League. They are magnificent supporters.

You hear this argument that Benitez has only had £12million net to spend during his reign at Anfield. That is some defence, bearing in mind that Benitez seems to thrive on a boom-and-bust philosophy.

Buy one dodgy full back, sell him and get another. Andrea Dossena was bought for £7million, given the number two shirt and has now been relegated to 38 after the arrival of right back Glen Johnson.

Now, who's fault is that?

Then you have Xabi Alonso, one of the best midfielders in Europe. Benitez falls out with him, sells him and buys in Alberto Aquilani, an injury prone Italian who has yet to make his debut because he's, er, injured.

Is that good management? No.

Every summer, Benitez's revolving door transfer policy rarely shows much sign of building on the foundations of Reina, Carragher, Gerrard and Torres. Yes, he's added Skrtel, Johnson and, er, Lucas.

It's little wonder that George Gillett this week openly questioned Benitez's methods. Shame him and the other half of the American comedy act have made such a complete mess of running the club themselves. People in glass houses, George...

But this has to be a pivotal season for Rafa. I'll be honest, I wanted Liverpool to win the title last season. I think it would have been good for the Premier League.

Manchester United were worthy champions in the end, but it's great to have competition. United will be pushed all the way this season. But by Chelsea and not Liverpool.

Benitez has proved to be a good manager. But after that Champions League glory, we thought he was going to be a great manager.

Only Liverpool fans with all their loyalty and passion for their club could defend him quite so vigorously.

But Liverpool fans deserve more and it's time that Benitez stopped hiding behind that net spend and the ownership issues and got on with pushing the club forward.

Otherwise he might lose the backing of those amazing fans.

Owen Plays Down 'Big Club' Label

Michael Owen has attempted to diffuse his remarks that Manchester United are the biggest club in the world ahead of their trip to Liverpool.

The former Real Madrid and Newcastle striker hinted earlier this week that the Old Trafford outfit were the biggest in the world when commenting on how he was settling at the club.

Owen - who spent eight years with Liverpool until 2004, scoring more than 100 goals for the illustrious club - is expected to receive a frosty welcome from Reds fans on 25th October, live on Sky Sports.

The 29-year-old insists he did not set out to offend his formerly-adoring faithful and that the likes of Liverpool are behind United in some areas, but level pegging in others.

Owen, who has recovered from a groin strain, has been back to Anfield as an opposing player for Newcastle and concedes he is looking forward to returning to his old ground.

"I didn't set out to offend anyone," explained the 29-year-old.

"What I said was, in terms of support, revenue and stadium, Man United are probably the biggest in the world but Madrid, Barcelona and Liverpool are up there with them in other areas.

"In saying that, I'm sure things I've said at different times over the last 20 years will be dredged up and turned into back-page stories over the next two weeks.

"I've been back before with Newcastle a couple of times, so I've played there for an opposing team, but I'm certainly looking forward to this game.

"It will be different, it'll be a bit noisier."

Although United are four points clear of Liverpool in the table, Owen expects the Anfield clash to be keenly contested.

"As usual between United and Liverpool, it'll be a competitive game between two of the world's top teams," he added.

"The teams are more equally matched perhaps than when I went back with Newcastle, so it should be a good game and an exciting day."

Carra Vows To Find Form

Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has conceded he has not been playing to his best so far this season, but has vowed to recapture his peak form.

Carragher has come under fire from some critics following some below-par performances by the normally reliable defender.

The Reds have struggled to keep clean sheets this season and have conceded 12 goals in eight Premier League games this term.

Carragher is determined to get back to his best and help Liverpool rediscover their defensive strength in the next few weeks

"We aren't playing well as a back four and I'm not playing well personally," Carragher told the club's official website. "I need to hit better form and hopefully that will come in the next few games.

"Over the last five or six years we have been renowned as a team who have kept a lot of clean sheets and for keeping it tight. I think that's why we get a bit more criticism because people don't expect it of Liverpool - and rightly so.

"We take the plaudits when things are going well so you have to take the criticism when it's not going well.

"I know I need to improve myself and we also need to improve as a team."

Liverpool have endured a difficult start to the season, losing three of their opening eight games and Carragher admits it has made their bid to win the Premier League title even tougher.

No side has won the championship after losing three of the first eight league games since Manchester United in 1967, but Carragher is refusing to be pessimistic about Liverpool's chances of finally ending their long wait for the title.

"You can shape statistics to make them look however you want them to," added Carragher.

"We've now got the same points as Manchester United had at this point last season. That's another statistic you could look at because they went on to win the league with 90-odd points.

"Whatever statistic you throw at us, we know we haven't made a good start. We don't need to look at them because we know ourselves that we haven't performed as well as we would have liked in certain games. We now have to put that right.

"Points are what matter and how many you end up with at the end of the season. We've lost six games in our previous two Premier League seasons.

"To lose that many in 76 games - that's some achievement and yet we still haven't won the league. Man United have lost more than us and won the league for the past two years.

"So as far as we are concerned it's now all about getting points on the board."

Pacheco Stunner Sinks Burnley

Daniel Pacheco hit a stunning stoppage-time free-kick to fire Liverpool Reserves to a 1-0 win against Burnley on Wednesday night.

The Reds controlled the majority of a hard-fought encounter at Prenton Park and deservedly took the points courtesy of the Spaniard's 90th minute wonder goal.

It means John McMahon's men have extended their winning streak to four matches and have moved level with leaders Manchester United on 12 points, after the Red Devils prevailed against Everton 24 hours earlier.

With first-team action suspended until after the international break, Burnley boss Owen Coyle took the opportunity to dust off his boots and take a surprise place in the Clarets' starting XI.

The 43-year-old was a prolific scorer during his playing days and promised to be a testing opponent for the Reds' centre back pairing of Daniel Ayala and Stephen Darby.

His presence had been the highlight of the pre-match team news, but in the opening stages it was the hosts who looked the more dangerous with Nathan Eccleston rasping a goalbound shot against Christopher Anderson before Ayala's stabbed effort was hacked clear from the resulting corner.

Alex-Ray Harvey then crashed a 20-yarder over as the visitors threatened briefly.

At the other end, McMahon's side continued to probe and Vincent Weijl's thunderbolt was bravely blocked by Benjamin Hoskin following good work from David Amoo down the right flank.

The Clarets were offering little in the attacking third and they were carved apart again on 25 minutes when Pacheco's invention sent Eccleston clear, but the Manchester-born forward saw his right foot shot well saved by Jonathan Lund.

It seemed that the Burnley stopper was enjoying one of his better nights, and he did well to foil Eccleston with a smart parry from the striker's ferocious drive before producing the best save of the half to keep out a blistering volley from Weijl.

In terms of chances there was only one side in it during the first 45 but at the interval the deadlock remained unbroken.

The pattern of play continued after the break with the Reds on top, but they repeatedly misfired when presented with a sight of goal.

First Weijl crashed over from a tight angle before Amoo contrived to power a free header inches wide after he was left unmarked at a left-wing corner.

Martin Hansen had been a virtual spectator in the Liverpool goal but he was eventually forced to make a meaningful save on 65 minutes when he got down well to palm a low effort from Harvey just past the post.

On 70 minutes Coyle's night came to an end when he was replaced by Michael King. It was a largely forgettable run-out for the former Bolton forward who failed to fire a single shot in anger.

With five minutes to go the away side were reduced to 10-men when Nikolaus Kudiersky received a second yellow card and the Reds finally made them pay deep into stoppage time, when Pacheco curled home from 20 yards.

Rafa: Future Is Bright For Duo

Rafael Benitez is confident he has seen signs that both Martin Skrtel and Jamie Carragher are on the verge of recapturing top form.

By their own admission, the Reds duo have not been at their imperious best this season, but the boss is convinced they will soon show what they are made of.

"If you analyse the performance of the centre-backs, it was clear to see they were much better at Chelsea and that was the positive thing to take from the game," said Benitez.

"Skrtel is a really good player and 'Carra' was doing better again; maybe you could say something about the second goal but the signs, for me, were much better.

"It was a difficult game for the central defenders to play and you know that when you come up against the top sides you must keep it tight.

"We paid for one mistake (in midfield) but, in the main, I was very pleased with the performances of Skrtel and 'Carra' and they were doing the right things."

Benitez must now wait for the majority of his squad to return from international duty next week.

The break in the fixture list could leave some to dwell on the defeat at Stamford Bridge, but Benitez remains upbeat ahead of an important period for the club.

"It was very difficult after the game as you know the time will be slow during an international break when you have lost," said Benitez.

"We have got an important week coming up when the international players come back but I have taken positives.

"By the end we had control of the game and Chelsea were playing on the counterattack.

"We showed a lot of character in the last 20 minutes and that was a positive."

Steven Gerrard: Liverpool FC Must Dig Deep To Rebuild Title Challenge

Steven Gerrard admits Liverpool will have to dig deep as they aim to resurrect their championship challenge.

The 2-0 loss at Chelsea on Sunday was already a third defeat of the Premier League season for Rafael Benitez’s side, compared to two during the entire previous campaign.

It has left Liverpool six points adrift of the Londoners and outside the Champions League qualification places, and came just days after the dismal 2-0 reverse at Fiorentina.

And while Gerrard has warned their title rivals the Anfield outfit have plenty of room for improvement, he accepts Liverpool must gain the momentum of another winning run quickly.

“There is so much more to come from us and a hell of a lot of football still to play between now and May, and we’re up for the challenges that lie ahead,” said the skipper.

“It will come down to who wants it the most and who is prepared to dig deepest.

"When the manager demands a reaction from us he gets it, and that’s going to come in the games between now and the next Champions League match too.

“Momentum is vitally important in football. When you start to win consistently and go onto the pitch expecting to, it all becomes easier.”

Gerrard is six games short of reaching a landmark 500 appearances for Liverpool, but believes that, thanks for the constant badgering of Anfield manager Benitez, he can still become a better player.

“You cannot ever think that you can’t improve,” said the 29-year-old. “No-one at Liverpool will ever be allowed to think that way because it’s not the way the manager operates.

“You might have played well – a defender keeping a clean sheet, a midfielder with a couple of assists or a striker with a hat-trick – but the manager will always find room for improvement.

“There’s no relaxing under Rafa because he sets his standards so high. That’s the Liverpool way and talking to players from previous eras, that’s the same message they used to get to. You can always do better – collectively and as individuals. If you think you’re on top of your game you can still improve. That’s what we get drummed into us every single day and it really does help.”

Saudi Prince Warns Liverpool Over His Investment If Debts Too High

Liverpool have been warned that prospective new major investor Prince Faisal bin Fahad bin Abdulla would be unwilling to buy into the club if its debts are high.

Barry Didato, director of strategic investments for the Saudi prince's investment vehicle F6, has indicated that Prince Faisal may consider buying out the shareholdings of co-owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks in full.

He is reportedly only talking to Gillett currently.

But Prince Faisal is said to have no interest in becoming involved in the relationship between the American pair, which has not always run smoothly, and a club loaded with debt would hold no appeal.

Didato told BBC Sport: "His Highness's shareholding could go from anything from none to 100 per cent.

"But he cannot be seen as a solution to the debt or problems in the existing relationship between the owners.

"His Highness would not want to get involved in the (problems between the pair), he is not a marriage counsellor."

Didato added: "The debt has to be at a manageable level before Prince Faisal would invest and the current level is high.

"He cannot be looked to as someone who is going to clean up the balance sheet - Gillett has to deal with this."

Gillett and Hicks last week issued a joint statement, stressing that any talks to bring in new investment were "at an early stage".

Gillett stated earlier this week that Liverpool are in an "extraordinarily good financial condition", better than Manchester United, Chelsea or Arsenal.

Rafa Benitez To Be Given £12m Transfer Budget To Rescue Fading Title Dreams

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez will be handed a £12million New Year transfer budget after all, but that is still well short of what he would need to attract top players as he bids to salvage the club's fading Premier League title dream.

The Liverpool manager’s spending power has been a contentious issue since the arrival of Tom Hicks and George Gillett, but Anfield’s American owners will back him with more funds when the window reopens in January.

With three defeats from their first eight league games leaving little scope for more slip-ups, Benitez will welcome the chance to bolster his squad and is already scouring the market for potential recruits.

Several emerging Spanish players are under review, as well as Lazio striker Goran Pandev, as he looks to strengthen on the flanks and up front.

For all the owners’ support, though, he could face further frustration. Macedonia front-runner Pandev was rated at £17m when Arsenal and Tottenham were linked with him in the summer.

Inter Milan are favourites to sign him in January.

Even so, Benitez still views the funds as an encouraging step forward after playing down the defeats by Tottenham, Aston Villa and Chelsea.

Gillett is believed to be unhappy that a supposedly private conversation between him and a member of a supporters’ group, which found its way on to a fans’ website, portrayed his thoughts as being anti-Benitez when he also referred to his ‘genius’.

Gillett responded to a question about Liverpool’s start to this season by saying: ‘In the last 18 months, we have invested £128m, on top of what has come in. That means it should be getting better. If it is not getting better, it’s not Gillett and Hicks. It’s the manager, it’s the scouting.’

Benitez, who prides himself on his coaching network, is thought to be not unduly perturbed by the comments and is more concerned about proving his theory that the League is open enough this season for a side to absorb three early defeats.

O'Shea - Reds Still In Race

Manchester United defender John O'Shea has not ruled Liverpool out of the title race despite losing their third game of the season at Chelsea on Sunday.

The Reds fell to a 2-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge leaving Rafa Benitez's side collecting more reverses from their first eight Premier League games than their entire 2008/2009 campaign.

But Red Devils defender believes United's bitter rivals are more than capable of turning things around.

When asked if Liverpool were no longer title contenders, O'Shea told Sky Sports News: "No, it's still too early.

"Liverpool are, as you could see from last season, able to put a run together and it wouldn't surprise me if they get on a huge run of unbeaten games and get back into contention."

O'Shea, whose side now trail Chelsea by two points at the top of the table after their weekend success, expects both Carlo Ancelotti's Blues and Arsenal to challenge for the top honour this term.

"Chelsea are going to be there and Arsenal with the way they are playing - we were quite fortunate against them when we played at home," he added.

"They dominated the game quite a bit but to be fair we were more clinical and I think they will be there or there-about as well."

O'Shea believes United's form has been excellent since their shock defeat at Burnley in August and the Republic of Ireland international reckons Saturday's draw with Sunderland is a point gained rather than two dropped.

"We've had a lot of tough games, especially after the Burnley result and we went on a very good run of winning games," he said.

"We had two tough games in Europe to start the Champions League campaign and we've had two wins there.

"(It's) disappointing, obviously, against Sunderland but to be fair it looked as if we were going to get beat, but we pulled something out of it. We got a point and that point could be crucial at the end of the season."

Alberto Aquilani: Medical Treatment At Liverpool Is Better Than Roma

Liverpool midfielder Alberto Aquilani has given a stinging assessment of Roma's medical staff, accusing his former club of failing to meet his needs in the treatment room.

The Italian is on the verge of making his debut for Liverpool. He may feature in their next game, which is against Sunderland, after recovering from a long-term ankle injury.

"I changed many doctors at Roma and there was never any consistency in the treatment to cure me," Aquilani is quoted as saying in Il Corriere Dello Sport.

"I have noted a big difference here [at Liverpool]. From the first moment I was told I would not be rushed back into action to avoid further problems.

"Now I cannot wait to put all my physical problems behind me."

Aquilani joined Liverpool in the summer following Xabi Alonso's departure to Real Madrid.

Liverpool FC Deny Interest In Werder Bremen Star Aaron Hunt

Liverpool today distanced themselves from reports linking them with Werder Bremen hot-shot Aaron Hunt.

It had been claimed in the German media the Reds are planning a January swoop for the 23-year-old, who has scored three goals in his last three Bundesliga appearances.

Hunt – who is a German Under-21 international – is out of contract at the end of the current campaign and has caught the eye of a number of clubs across Europe.

The same reports also suggested Rafa Benitez was preparing to tempt Bremen into doing business early by using Ryan Babel as part of a swop deal.

However, he is not on Benitez’s January shopping list and the club does not anticipate conducting any major business when the transfer window opens in the new year.

Benitez was expected back at Melwood today following the 2-0 defeat to Chelsea but the next week will be quiet for the manager, given that so many of his squad are on international duty.

However, he will be keeping a close eye on Alberto Aquilani, as the £20m midfielder continues to edge closer to making his first team debut.

Aquilani had major ankle surgery earlier in the summer but he has revealed the level of care he has received on Merseyside is light years ahead of the attention he was given in Roma.

“I changed many doctors at Roma and there was never any consistency in the treatment to cure me,” Aquilani said.

“I have noted a big difference here (at Liverpool). From the first moment I was told I would not be rushed back into action to avoid further problems.

“Now I cannot wait to put all my physical problems behind me, so I can finally get my career started with Liverpool.”

Steven Gerrard, meanwhile, has made it clear he is being driven by the motivation of winning medals as he closes in on another major milestone.

The Liverpool captain could make his 500th appearance for the club against Birmingham on November 9 and would join exalted company.

But though it would a massive achievement to reach 500, he is desperate to add to his medal haul – sooner rather than later.

“When the people above you on the list of appearances are people like Kenny Dalglish then it's special to be in that kind of company.

“Kenny is a legend, one of the greatest footballers of all time so to have played for this club as many times as he has is extra special.

“But Kenny won league titles, European Cups and every other kind of honour in his career and that’s what I want for myself and for the team.”

Tommy Smith: Javier Mascherano Is No Scapegoat!

Nobody is happy with losing at Chelsea. But some of the doom and gloom and rubbish being spouted in Liverpool’s direction is well over the top.

If you’re asking me whether I think we can still win the league, the answer is simple.

Yes. Of course we can. We definitely can.

And as for people blaming Javier Mascherano for their first and decisive goal – well I just don’t buy it.

Okay, he lost possession but the little fella is a really good player and had a smashing game otherwise.

Chelsea still had 60 yards to go to get that ball into our net from the moment they began moving forward from their own half, and while it was a good ball in from Drogba, we should have defended better than we did.

So making the Argentinian the scapegoat is way out of order.

As is writing off Liverpool’s title chances long before the leaves have finished falling.

Chelsea themselves have been turned over by Wigan, while Manchester United struggled on Saturday to get a point at home to Sunderland.

It’s clearly a much more open race this season and there’ll be more shocks to come across the board, I’m sure.

I’m not saying losing three games in the first eight is good news. There’s no disguising the fact we’ve slipped up early on this season.

But at Chelsea we could well have had a draw or even sneaked a win. It was a far better performance all round than against Fiorentina – I just thought they looked a little bit stronger in defence and in attack than us – and that was what edged it.

But if Liverpool can keep beating sides – and we have won our other five league games very well don’t forget - then anything is possible.

Remember – no one at Liverpool ever gives up. Let alone in October!

NOW I’m not one to defend referees too readily. Far from it.

But Alex Ferguson’s attack on Alan Wiley after the Sunderland game was personal and way over the top.

The United boss was ranting and raving at fourth official Mike Dean on the touchline like a spoiled child. It was embarrassing.

And what he said afterwards about Wiley was simply beneath the belt. I’m glad the FA are looking into it and I hope for once they’ve got the bottle to stand up to Ferguson and deal with him the way they would with any other manager.

Ferguson claimed Wiley was not fit enough to officiate - but at the same time stats showed he ran further than the players!

Ex-ref Graham Poll has accused him of a cheap shot and this time he’s dead right.

Essentially calling people fat so and so’s at football matches normally comes from the stands - not from club managers.

So Ferguson owes Wiley an apology and he should give him one. He should have been taking his anger out on his players, instead of picking on someone who wasn’t there to defend himself.

It’s one thing criticising referees over bad decisions - they deserve the flak when they get them wrong.

But Ferguson has stepped over the line and must be dealt with.

Fernando Torres Is Top Class But Liverpool Must Get Him Some Help

Fernando Torres has now scored 33 goals in 34 games at Anfield for Liverpool.

It is a quite astonishing statistic and he walked off with the match ball after Liverpool trashed Hull 6-1.

But sadly I do believe Liverpool are becoming a two-man show, with Steven Gerrard and Torres running things for Rafa Benitez's side.

I had a few callers at the weekend saying Liverpool play a better, faster attacking style of football without Xabi Alonso.

But I disagree, as apart from Gerrard and Torres, Alonso was arguably Liverpool's only other world class performer before he quit for Real Madrid.

Now he has gone, Liverpool's squad looks weaker and more reliant than ever on Torres and Gerrard.

In the past Liverpool always used to buy from a position of strength, but they have not done so this summer.

They still have Alberto Aquilani to come back from injury in the next few weeks following his £20million move from Roma.

But Liverpool badly need to buy some more players to do the business for them away from home.

We know Anfield is a fortress but they need another striker to supplement Torres and take the burden off the forward.

Once Rock-Solid Jamie Carragher Is Starting To Dip

As much as I respect Jamie Carragher and everything he's done for Liverpool, I do think he's starting to dip.

Him 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.

George Gillett's Words Will Ring Alarm Bells At Old Trafford

In a series of exchanges with a supporters' representative, Liverpool co-owner George Gillett Jr gave more credence to something that has been worrying Manchester United followers.

Bullish about Liverpool's financial situation, he pointed out the £30m from the sale of Xabi Alonso was made available to Rafa Benitez.

"We didn't do like Man U did," Gillett said. "They took all the money they got from player sales and they owed so much money, they had to use it to pay down the debt."

Maybe you would expect one of the men in charge of Liverpool to level that kind of allegation at the Glazer brothers who run the club.

But until Sir Alex Ferguson is allowed to spend at least some of the £80m United got from the sale of Cristiano Ronaldo, Gillett's words will ring alarm bells at Old Trafford.

Kuwaiti Royal Family Keen Viewers At Chelsea vs Liverpool

The Kuwaiti royal family, long since linked with a move to buy an English soccer club, attended Chelsea's match with Liverpool this weekend, which ended in a 2-0 victory for the London team.

Though Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is not believed to be seeking any investment in his team, the same cannot be said of Liverpool's co-owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillett, who have appointed Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Rothschild to advise on possible investments.

Last week Prince Faisal bin Fahd bin Abdullah, a member of the ruling family of Saudi Arabia, claimed that he was close to agreeing a deal to invest in Liverpool. He attended the match against Hull last weekend to discuss tie-ups between F6, his investment company, and Gillett's Richard Petty Motorsports Nascar franchise, as well as the possibility of establishing Liverpool-supported youth academies in Saudi Arabia.

This weekend also saw more controversy for Liverpool, with Gillett reportedly criticising both Hicks and coach Rafa Benitez in an interview with a representative of the fans' union Spirit of Shankly.

Alberto Aquilani Hands Rafa Benitez Fitness Boost

Alberto Aquilani could finally get his Liverpool career up and running within a fortnight after Rafa Benitez today issued a positive fitness bulletin.

The Italian international has yet to kick a ball in anger for the Reds since his £20m move from Roma in August but his manager hopes that will all change within the month.

Benitez has been delighted with the way Aquilani has responded to treatment on the ankle which required surgery in the summer and is now tentatively looking for a suitable starting point to take the wraps off the 25-year-old.

An optimistic target would be for the playmaker to be involved in the squad for the first time in two weeks – when Lyon are due at Anfield for a crucial Champions League fixture – but Benitez is erring on the side of caution.

A more realistic target is likely to be the Carling Cup clash against Arsenal on October 28 and Benitez hopes he will see Aquilani take another big step forward with his rehabilitation during the international break.

“I have been speaking to the doctors and things are going well with him,” said Benitez.

“Alberto is progressing all the time. It could be two to three weeks before he is back.

“But we need to use caution. If it is two weeks everyone will say ‘that is fantastic’ but if it is three, everyone will say it is not a problem. I think that we have to be careful.

“We will take it one step at a time and we have the international break to look forward to now. That will be good for him, as he will have some more time (to recover without missing any games).”

Aquilani arrived at Anfield during the first week of August following Xabi Alonso’s departure to Real Madrid and there is little doubt his cunning and guile in the engine room will make him a welcome addition.

Clearly, though, it is going to take a period for Aquilani to get adjusted to the hustle and bustle of the Premier League and Benitez will, understandably, look to ease him to the team initially.

“He is running and swimming – I think he will have the record in the swimming pool by the end of his program – and he is working in the gym,” said Benitez.

“He is doing almost everything and he is doing some things with the team. The only thing he is not doing is kick a ball – not yet anyway.”

Liverpool Interested In Werder Bremen Forward Aaron Hunt

Premier League powerhouse Liverpool are considering making a move for versatile Werder Bremen forward Aaron Hunt, according to English paper The People.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is desperate to add another striker to his squad to support Fernando Torres, and the Spanish manager has reportedly made Hunt his primary target.

The 23-year-old attacker is a product of the Werder Bremen youth academy and has made well over 80 league appearances for the Hanseaten since making his official debut in September 2004.

Hunt has represented Germany at Under-21 level, but he also qualifies to play for England because of his English mother.

The attacker's current Werder Bremen deal is due to expire in the summer of 2010 and the Europa League contenders could be tempted to cash in on Hunt this winter if a good offer comes in.

Ian Rush: Martin Skrtel Is Looking Back To His Best For Liverpool FC

Martin Skrtel will have been as disappointed as anyone to have lost at Chelsea.

He’s had his moments this season in a back four which hasn’t been water-tight. But on Sunday the Slovakian had a terrific game, right back on form.

He has just needed games and now that he has them he’s improved his match fitness and sharpness.

Sunday was his best performance this season without question.

If he and the lads felt a bit down by the result they should remember one stat I heard as Liverpool’s title chances were being written off by some.

Liverpool have 15 points from eight games. Guess who had the same total at this stage last season?

Steve Bruce has done a really good job at Sunderland already this season.

He knows English football and the Premier League so well by now – and I’m sure he’ll have them safely in the top half of the table come the end of the campaign.

The fact Sunderland were bitterly disappointed not to bag all three points at Old Trafford on Saturday tells you they are a capable outfit.

So when we go there for our next league game it will be a stiff test.

But it’s clearly a test this Liverpool side is more than capable of passing.

Of course the international break means we will have to wait a while for our chance at Sunderland.

But if everyone comes back fit and on the day we can keep the Stadium of Light crowd quiet, then three very good points are there to win.

Morecambe Look At Lindfield

Morecambe have taken former Liverpool youngster Craig Lindfield on trial, skysports.com understands.

Lindfield is looking for a new club after having his contract at Liverpool cancelled by mutual consent.

The 21-year-old came through the ranks with the Reds and helped them win the FA Youth Cup in 2006 and 2007.

However, Lindfield failed to make the breakthrough into the Anfield first-team being sent out on loan to the likes of Notts County, Bournemouth, Chester City and Accrington Stanley in the last few years.

Lindfield had been on trial at Carlisle last month, but a deal failed to materialise.

Morecambe have now offered the talented striker the chance to win a move to Christie Park and Shrimps boss Sammy McIllroy will cast an eye over him in training before deciding whether or not to pursue his interest.

Glen Johnson Can Make England Place His Own, Says 66 Star George Cohen

The England World Cup winner George Cohen believes Fabio Capello has more or less settled on his defence for South Africa and believes Glen Johnson can make the right-back slot his own.

Cohen, who turns 70 later this month, believes a solid rearguard is key to success at next summer's finals. "Fabio Capello has still got to bring some more players into his squad, but he should know what his defence is now," said the former Fulham right-back who is an ambassador for the official England team sponsors Nationwide Building Society.

"Alf Ramsey had the same situation – the defence was marked out nine months before the World Cup finals, which was tried out against very good teams.

"We beat West Germany twice, Portugal, Spain, all those top teams before we actually won the World Cup, playing with a defence which was settled."

Much has been made of whether Johnson, 25, is up to the task at international level. The full-back, who left Portsmouth for Liverpool in a £17m summer move, has at times been caught out of position when linking up with the England attack.

Cohen believes the former West Ham trainee can be a potent weapon going forwards but should not forget his main duties at the other end. "Johnson has got a lot to think about," Cohen reflected. "He has got to get forward, and he is pretty good at that. He has got good distribution is fast and strong.

"Perhaps his positional play is not what it should be, but he should be learning all this right up until the day you finish playing football.

"As a youngster, I was taught through the old 'WM' formation, where you swivelled around just one centre-half, in what ever situation. But you go back, up, over and across as a team, keeping width and depth.

"Johnson does get caught out occasionally, but he will learn and learn very fast."

Cohen added: "The idea is to make sure the ball is in front of you and make sure you know where your man is. You are a defender first, and if an attack breaks down because of you, you are responsible and have to get back. Johnson is strong enough and powerful enough to do that.

"But why put yourself in that situation in the first place? That is the difference. I think he will learn and has got some time yet."

Capello has tried Manchester United's Wes Brown on the right side of defence, with his team-mate Gary Neville, who was at one time first choice for the role, admitting that, at 34, his international chances are probably over.

Cohen, though, feels Johnson now has the chance to establish himself in the role. "Gary Neville may come into the squad, but they have Brown who can fill in," he said. "Brown does not do badly there, but he is not necessarily a right full-back, so I think this kid [Johnson] will be OK."

George Gillett 'Blames Rafael Benítez' For Liverpool's Poor Start

Liverpool's co-owner George Gillett has reportedly defended his and Tom Hicks's reign at Liverpool and pointed the finger at the manager, Rafael Benítez, after a disappointing start to the season.

Liverpool's defeat at Chelsea on Sunday was their third in the Premier League this season and followed a 2-0 reverse at Fiorentina in the Champions League. According to a report in the Daily Telegraph, Gillett pointed to the investment he and Hicks have made when saying the owners were not responsible for any shortcomings.

"We have invested more money than our competitors, in keeping with the history of the club," he is quoted as telling a representative of the fans' group Spirit of Shankly last week. "In the last 18 months, we have invested £128m on top of what has come in.

"That means it should be getting better. Now if it's not getting better, it's not Gillett and Hicks; it's the manager; it's the scouting. You have to make sure you balance out your analysis. There was plenty of money, so if you have any complaints, take a look at the ins and outs."

Gillett said the £30m from Xabi Alonso's sale to Real Madrid "went straight back" into Bénitez's kitty and added to funds of "£22-23m as part of our budgets".

The American also claimed that Liverpool are "in an extraordinarily good financial position. Far better than Manchester United, Chelsea or Arsenal."

Agger - I Could Have Quit

Liverpool defender Daniel Agger has revealed that he considered retiring during his injury nightmare.

The Denmark international underwent an operation on a back problem during pre-season and only returned to the Reds' bench for Sunday's defeat at Chelsea.

Agger's career has been disrupted by a number of fitness setbacks and the 24-year-old has revealed that he considered quitting during his most recent injury.

"My back was hurting so badly that I considered stopping playing," he told Jyllandsposten.

"I asked myself if it was worth continuing playing. When you can't even lift your own child out of bed, then something is terribly wrong."

Agger has been named in Denmark's squad for the World Cup qualifier with Sweden on Saturday, a selection which has earned criticism from Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez.

Martin Samuel: It's Tough At The Top For Benitez After Losing His Alonso X-Factor

The last English team to lose three of their first eight League games and go on to win the title were Manchester United in season 1966-67. We all know what happened next.

For those who believe in lucky omens, it stands to reason that from here Liverpool will collect their first title of the modern era in May and lift the European Cup at Wembley the following season. Leaving Stamford Bridge, however, Rafael Benitez did not look much like a man who was sensing a golden destiny in the stars.

He may have been contemplating another run dating back to March 22 last season when Liverpool defeated Aston Villa 5-0 at Anfield.

With the title race still very much alive at the time, Villa were, arguably, the last good team Liverpool beat in a match that mattered. On that day, anything seemed possible, certainly the imminent lifting of the Premier League trophy. Liverpool were coming off a 4-1 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford, having already beaten Chelsea home and away. Steven Gerrard was in blistering form and his relationship with Xabi Alonso and Fernando Torres was being hailed as the tactical masterstroke of the season.

Things change. Gerrard and Torres are still in situ, but Alonso is long gone and, suddenly, Liverpool are struggling against the best. This season they have lost to every good team they have played: Tottenham, Villa, Fiorentina and now Chelsea.

It is happening too often to be dismissed as a blip. On Sunday, Liverpool were inferior against a Chelsea team who had every reason to be fearful, coming off the back of defeat at Wigan and an unconvincing victory over APOEL Nicosia.

It was this fixture last season that put Luiz Felipe Scolari on the slippery slope to Uzbekistan and judgment was being reserved on his successor Carlo Ancelotti until it was over. Simply, he won: the match and the tactical battle.

This was a vindication of Ancelotti's diamond midfield and the subtle changes he has made to Chelsea's style of play. Liverpool, by contrast, looked predictable and threatened rarely.

The caution that has often been a flaw in Benitez's thinking returned. Yossi Benayoun, one of their most effective players this season, remained stranded on the bench until the 66th minute. Only when Chelsea were two clear did Liverpool spring to life and force a save from stand-in goalkeeper Henrique Hilario.

This was an opportunity lost and for 43 years of history to be overcome, Benitez must first solve the problem caused by Alonso's absence.

His task is made more complex by the fact it will not be an issue every week. Against weaker teams, the deep midfield partnership of Lucas and Javier Mascherano is perfectly adequate. Cutting the supply line to Gerrard is vital in beating Liverpool, but inferior teams cannot sustain it and the games against Hull, Stoke, West Ham, Burnley and Bolton have yielded five wins and 20 goals as a result.

The better sides, though, will usually deploy an expert defensive screen. Wilson Palacios was outstanding for Tottenham on the opening day of the season. At Stamford Bridge, Chelsea's tight midfield four squeezed the life out of Liverpool's middle men.

The move for the first goal began with Frank Lampard nailing Mascherano and while it was the earliness of Didier Drogba's cross for Nicolas Anelka that was the defining element, the build-up, which also involved Michael Essien and Deco, demonstrated the significance of Chelsea's superiority in midfield.

Lucas is young and does not deserve to be made the scapegoat - he was probably superior to Mascherano - but the fact is that Alonso was key to Liverpool's resurgence last season and without him they miss the urgency of his passes to Gerrard.

'Xabi Alonso was priceless for me,' Steven Gerrard explained when we met last month. 'The speed of his delivery was essential because it gave us the advantage over the defenders. I really miss him because I scored a lot of goals that were down to his speed of thought.

'The service, the way he controlled games, to lose that was big for us. He is one of the best in the world in that position.

He reminded me of Claude Makelele, one of those players who are only really appreciated by their team-mates. The Chelsea players would pay tribute to Makelele, Zinedine Zidane talked about him at Real Madrid, too. The speed those guys play the ball is scary.'

There was little scary about Liverpool. They were ponderous compared to Chelsea and even Torres suffered in comparison to Drogba. He set up both Chelsea goals and, despite the usual irksome antics, admiration won the day. With Deco at the forward point of Ancelotti's diamond and Lampard restored to his deeper role, Chelsea's mechanism is working again.

The fault in Liverpool's apparatus is simply identified, too; they have a missing part and it is not one that can be easily placed on order.

Sampdoria Starlet Andrea Poli Inspired By Liverpool Captain Steven Gerrard

One of Sampdoria's protagonists in the early part of 2009-10 has been midfielder Andrea Poli, who has revealed he draws inspiration from Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard.

"I know I'm young and still need to improve," he explained to La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"I'm also sure that Samp is the best club to help me achieve this goal. Here I have found people who are available to me and a trainer who is keen to teach talented players."

Asked who his role models are, he replied, "In Italy, I am inspired by [Daniele] De Rossi, [Andrea] Pirlo and [Angelo] Palombo. Looking abroad I like [Cesc] Fabregas, [Frank] Lampard and [Steven] Gerrard, who for me is the best midfielder in the world.

"One day I'd like to meet him and ask for his autograph."

The 20-year-old had a successful spell on-loan at Sassuolo last year and has been touted as a star of the future.

Don't Write Off Liverpool, Says Carlo Ancelotti

Carlo Ancelotti has refused to write off Liverpool despite helping land a further blow to their title challenge.

Ancelotti led Chelsea to a 2-0 victory over their championship rivals at Stamford Bridge yesterday.

Goals from former Anfield striker Nicolas Anelka and substitute Florent Malouda sent Liverpool tumbling to their third defeat in just eight Premier League games this season.

But Ancelotti said: “I think it’s a long way to the end of the season and Liverpool has the quality to do a very good season.

“We played against a strong team and it was a difficult game until the very end. We got a very good three points against a very good team.”

Kjaer Refuses To Rule Out Utd

Palermo defender Simon Kjaer says he would not turn down a move to Manchester United just because he is a Liverpool fan.

The Red Devils are reportedly keeping tabs on the Denmark international, who has been linked with a number of top clubs in the past, including Real Madrid and Liverpool.

While the centre-back and is a huge Reds fan, he has admitted that if his chances to play regularly at Old Trafford were greater he would opt for the Red Devils.

The 20-year-old told Tipsbladet: "If United just had two defenders whilst Liverpool had three, I would choose United without hesitation.

"It does not help to choose with the heart in that kind of situation. I am a professional."