Rafa Benitez Has Every Reason To Cry Foul Over FA's Manchester United Favouritism

It is a little known fact that Charles n Eddie, that legendary duo who were widely regarded as the Lennon and McCartney of the 90s, were Crewe Alexandra fans. Now c'mon, would I lie to you baby?

Which is probably what the spokesman from the Football Association was nervously humming to himself, even as he was dialling the number for Anfield to inform Rafael Benitez that his skipper Steven Gerrard was, in fact, injured after all, and would be allowed to return to Merseyside.

You can probably guess that Rafa wasn't exactly thrilled on Monday morning when he discovered that Gerrard would be forced to stay with the England squad, despite picking up an injury that saw him limp out of the game against the Ukraine at half time.

And I'm sure you don't require a fevered imagination to realise that his mood darkened somewhat when he discovered that Wayne Rooney was allowed to leave the squad on Monday morning, despite playing the entire game in Kiev. That would be Wayne Rooney of Manchester United, by the way.

Now, I'm not one to induce paranoia, (though can anyone tell me how the internet knows your name?!), but maybe the Liverpool manager has a point when he suggests that a certain club not a million miles down the M62 seems to get preferential treatment from a certain governing body.

Benitez was up against the beak on Tuesday, answering a disciplinary charge because he happened to take off his glasses and clean then when asked about the performance of a referee. He didn't speak, mind, just cleaned his specks.

A certain rival manager, on the other hand, who operates not a million miles down the M62, has yet to be charged even after suggesting that the entire refereeing body in England is unfit to officiate matches. It is 10 days and counting without charge, by the way.

If Gerrard misses the weekend league programme, I think there might just be a certain anger down L4 way. And if Rooney happens to play this weekend, then I think the FA might just have a few more "facts" to contend with.

And when they answer, I think Mr Benitez may be entitled to quote another line from those gifted lyricists, Charles and Eddie. "Look into my eyes, can't you see they're open wide" they sang, like the sweet-voiced angels they were.

As Gerrard hobbles back to Merseyside, perhaps the FA might realise that all our eyes are open just a little bit wide at the moment, incredulous at their apparent favoritism towards a certain club at the eastern end of the M62.

Aquilani Reveals Kop Goal Motivation

Alberto Aquilani has revealed the motivation that has seen him through some tough times on his road to recovery.

The Italian midfielder has yet to appear for the Reds since signing from Roma in the summer, but he's told LFC Weekly Magazine the thought of scoring a goal in front of his new fans has spurred him on.

"It's not been easy for me," the 25-year-old said. "I moved to a new club in a different country and have been unable to play or train properly.

"When you are not involved with the team it is not a good feeling.

"It is my ambition to score at the Kop end though. I've thought about it a lot during my rehab here. Anfield is a great stadium with a superb atmosphere. I can't wait to play in front of that crowd."

Ian Rush: Rafa Benitez Needs International Stars To Return In Top Condition

International breaks are the bane of a manager’s life and never more was that evident in the weekend just gone – if anything, Rafa Benitez could not have scripted it to go any worse.

Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Dirk Kuyt all picked up injuries to some degree and with a crucial run of fixtures set to begin this Saturday, it goes without saying that all three men will be needed to play a part.

Kuyt, thankfully, will be back at Melwood in plenty of time to receive treatment on his damaged ankle but Benitez will be worried as to what happens to Gerrard and Torres tomorrow evening.

You would hope, therefore, that Fabio Capello and Vincente Del Bosque – both of whom have been club managers – will exercise some commonsense.

England and Spain are both assured of their place in South Africa and their games against Belarus and Bosnia have nothing riding on them, so why would they risk two star men?

There is a chance, after all, of it being counter productive.

Capello and Del Bosque will want Gerrard and Torres fit to fire their World Cup bids and they won’t want them exhausted by the time or out of condition before the tournament starts.

So, all being well, they will give Liverpool’s star men a chance to draw breath tomorrow and allow them to be in top form for the trip to the Stadium of Light, where a confident Sunderland side will be waiting.

It’s a game that Liverpool must win, to get a massive week off on the right note.

Big characters will be needed to turn the situation around and who are bigger than Gerrard and Torres?

Academy Football: Bolton Penalty Condemns Liverpool FC Under-18s To Defeat

An early penalty and late spot-kick miss condemned Liverpool under-18s to their fifth defeat of the season in the FA Premier Academy League at they lost 1-0 to Bolton Wanderers at the Kirkby Academy.

Liverpool had hoped they had turned a corner with the previous week’s 4-1 victory over West Bromwich Albion. But they failed to reproduce against the Trotters this weekend.

Despite having most of the possession Rodolfo Borrell’s side failed to create too many clear-cut opportunities.

Liverpool had started well and almost took the lead on three minutes when James Ellison saw a superb 20-yard strike come back off the post after being teed up by Krisztian Adorjan.

But two minutes later they found themselves behind through Chris Stokes’ spot-kick goal.

It was a big blow for Liverpool and despite having much of the play for the rest of the first half, they couldn’t make the breakthrough. There were not too many chances at either end and Bolton’s only rare opportunities came from set-pieces.

Deale Chamberlain saved quite comfortably from Jack Sampson’s long-range strike and Adorjan fired over the only real efforts on goal.

In the second half Liverpool were a bit better and came close to an equaliser 10 minutes in. Adorjan should have hit the target but headed over from close-range and after an excellent Ince’s free-kick.

Conor Coady was also off target with a free header following a corner with 20 minutes remaining. While the lively Adorjan had the chance to grab a point later on, but the 16-year-old Hungarian striker saw a late penalty saved.

Miroslav Klose Reveals His Admiration For Inter And Liverpool

Bayern Munich striker Miroslav Klose has spoken about his future in football, suggesting that should be leave the Bavarian giants, he would prefer to go to Inter or Liverpool.

If the 31-year-old were to join the Nerazzurri, he would be reuniting with former Bayern team-mate, Lucio.

"I am very happy at Bayern Munich and I intend to stay," the German international told Kicker newspaper.

"But it is normal that in Europe, there are other big clubs of the highest level.

"I have two teams that I follow with pleasure and curiosity.

"In England, it is Liverpool and in Italy, I like the Inter of [Jose] Mourinho, who I consider to be a great coach," Klose summed up.

Rafa Benitez Ready To Make A Move For Heskey In January?

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez could be ready to step in and save Emile Heskey's World Cup dreams by offering him a move back to Anfield in January, but only on the cheap.

Heskey has admitted he will consider his future when the transfer window reopens, if he continues to warm the bench at Aston Villa, and he has also attracted the interest of Fulham after starting just one Premier League game this season.

According to a report in the Daily Star, Benitez is considering boosting his attacking options with a £1.5 million bid for the striker to compliment Fernando Torres and he is believed to have made a move for Heskey last year, only to see him opt for Wigan.

Heskey's place in Fabio Capello's England squad is certainly under threat unless he sees more match action, although Villa boss Martin O'Neill will be reluctant to part with the targetman cheaply.

Former Villa team-mate Gareth Barry, now at Manchester City, said: "He's done fantastic for England with his partnership with Wayne Rooney. He is probably thinking about how long it can go on without playing for his club.

"The manager has made it clear that you have to be playing regularly and I am sure Emile will need to think about. When I was there Emile worked hard for the team, just like he does for England. It's that time of year when you want to be playing regularly. The World Cup is in the back of everyone's mind."

Hicks Raises Reds Stakes

The disharmony plaguing the Liverpool boardroom has been laid bare again after Tom Hicks called the bluff of George Gillett Jr., his co-owner, by letting it be known that he would allow Gillett to sell his 50pc stake in the club.

The war of attrition between the Americans has been stepped up over the past fortnight, with Gillett playing host to Prince Faisal bin Fahd bin Abdullah al-Saud, a potential investor, during a rare visit to Anfield and scheduling talks with the Saudi in Jeddah this week, without discussing the negotiations with Hicks before they became public knowledge.

Hicks has responded by making it clear that he will be willing to forgo his right of veto should Gillett find a buyer for his half-share, while maintaining that he has no desire to give up his stake in the club.

Hicks has used his veto once, in March last year, when Dubai International Capital attempted to buy out Gillett only for the Texan to refuse to give the proposed deal his blessing.

The divisions between the pair are becoming increasingly pronounced and their latest posturings appear to amount to little more than a high-stakes game of bluff, with both attempting to use the media to strengthen their bargaining position while weakening that of their partner.

The latest evidence of their falling-out has been greeted with dismay by the Spirit Of Shankly (SOS) supporters' group, which was set up in opposition to the Americans' regime.

"Tom Hicks and George Gillett have once again shown that they are not the custodians they promised to be, or that the club needs," SOS said. "Rather than work together to move Liverpool Football Club forward, they are more interested in their own egos and making as much money from the club as possible."

Kuyt: We Can Still Win The Title

Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt is confident they can still fight for the Premier League title despite their indifferent start to the season.

The Reds' title credentials have again been questioned after losing three of their opening eight games to leave them six points behind leaders Chelsea.

Kuyt was disappointed after losing to the Blues last time out, but the Dutchman believes Liverpool can still be up there challenging if they can go on a winning run.

"I was very disappointed in the beginning that we got beaten twice. After that we picked it up and we won a couple of games in a row," Kuyt told FIFA's official website.

"But then we had another defeat away at Stamford Bridge at Chelsea. It was a very difficult game, but I still think we could do something more in this game.

"It is a very tough league, it is a very long season and there are still chances for Liverpool.

"We have to keep coming as a team and concentrate on our own game and winning every upcoming game.

"I'm sure in a month or in a couple of months that we will be there. The games will be decided on small details and I think that is what happened at Chelsea."

Del Bosque Won't Risk Torres

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque insists he will not play Fernando Torres against Bosnia-Herzegovina if he is injured.

The Liverpool striker has been suffering from problems in his adductor muscle over the past week, although he did play 53 minutes in the victory over Armenia on Saturday.

With Spain having already qualified for the World Cup in South Africa next year, del Bosque has assured Reds boss Rafa Benitez that he will not risk Torres if there are any doubts over his fitness.

"Torres is in very good hands here," Del Bosque told AS.

"Yesterday (Sunday) he stayed at the hotel and did not train because we went to a pitch in which there was no stretcher. He stayed at the hotel with the physios.

"Rafael Benitez has called me and I reassured him. We will care very much for Torres, like the rest.

"I told him (Benitez) that we will treat Torres as if he was at Liverpool. If the boy is well and wants to play, he will play against Bosnia. And if he has any problem, he will not play. It's that simple."

Del Bosque has received criticism from some quarters that he is favouring Barcelona after he allowed Xavi, who is carrying a similar injury to Torres, to leave the squad.

"I insist that there is no preferential treatment and there is the best care for everyone," he added.

"I respect everyone but they have to respect the national team. We have a duty to win and to call up the best.

"I don't care if a player comes from (Real) Madrid, Barcelona or Fenerbahce. Taking a player along for the sake of it has never been my style."

A statement from the Spanish Football Federation said: "Fernando Torres will not abandon the Spain camp as several media outlets have said.

"The forward, who has been hindered by some adductor pain, underwent a scan after lunch which showed encouraging results.

"The player has improved thanks to the physiotherapy carried out by the medical staff and we are studying the possibility of the player participating in part of the afternoon training session."

Dutch Star: I Love Liverpool

Dutch international Dirk Kuyt has stressed how he is enjoying life on Merseyside with Liverpool despite the club’s poor start to the season.

The striker, who played for his homeland in a friendly against the Socceroos in Australia this week, is expected to feature against Sunderland despite his long round-trip and hopes that the Reds can now focus on getting their title challenge back on track.

“I am a very happy person,” Kuyt told Fifa.com.

“I love the city of Liverpool, very nice, warm and respected people. I love Liverpool Football Club. Every day that I can be there, it makes me more than happy. I try to play as good and as long as possible for Liverpool.”

“To play in England is already unbelievable, when you look at all the supporters. If you play for Liverpool it is unbelievable and the supporters are an extra dimension. I have never seen such good supporters before I came to Anfield.

“I was used to playing at Feyenoord with a fantastic crowd, definitely the best in Holland, but when I came to Anfield it was another level. It really helps us and I'm sure it helps us when we are in difficult times, so the supporters are really important to us.”

Responding to suggestions that he may eventually return to Holland, Kuyt continued:

“I have just signed an extension of my Liverpool contract so I am more than happy. I am just trying to keep going (at Liverpool) for as long as possible, and we will see what the future brings. I will always have a special feeling for Feyenoord. It was, and still is a very important club for me, but at the moment I am very happy at Liverpool.”

Daniel Agger On German Radar As Borussia Moenchengladbach Weigh Up Loan Move For Liverpool Defender

Borussia Moenchengladbach are lining up a cheeky bid to take Liverpool defender Daniel Agger on loan.

The Bundesliga side's sporting director Max Eberl confirmed he had sent scouts to watch Denmark beat Sweden 1-0 on Saturday, but refused to confirm they were looking at the centre half.

Agger, who has been dogged by a back injury, played 90 minutes for the Danes, impressing against Barcelona star Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

But he has yet to play for Liverpool so far this season and the Germans are prepared to pay half his wages to take him on loan and nurture him back to full fitness over the second half of the season, reports German newspaper Bild.

But Liverpool are themselves counting on the 24-year-old's return after an unconvincing start to the season that has seen them leak 12 goals in eight Premier League matches.

Agent Denies Yossi Interest

Yossi Benayoun's agent, Ronen Katsav, insists his client is happy at Liverpool despite reported interest from Manchester City.

The Israel international has been linked with a move to Eastlands this weekend in a number of British newspapers but Katsav has denied that there is any truth behind the speculation.

The 29-year-old has impressed this term, scoring three goals in 10 games in all competitions - with all of them coming against Burnley.

However, Reds manager Rafa Benitez left the former West Ham favourite on the bench for the biggest clash of the season against Chelsea last week, giving the impression that Benayoun still has a way to go before he is classed as one of Liverpool's main men.

"Naturally a player playing well at Liverpool will always have other teams interested in him," Katsav told the Israeli press.

"It is a great compliment that there is interest from high level teams across Europe but Yossi is very happy at Liverpool and only in the summer agreed a new four-year contract for four more seasons."

Kenny Dalglish Delighted To See Daniel Agger Back For Liverpool

Liverpool hero Kenny Dalglish believes that the return of centre-back Daniel Agger from injury will provide a big boost to the Red line-up.

A back problem has seen the Danish international sidelined so far this season, but he returned to action for the reserves last week and played 90 minutes of Denmark's 1-0 win over Sweden on Saturday.

"While the first-team squad were in Italy recently, Daniel Agger was making his return from injury in the less romantic surroundings of the reserve league, but he will be delighted, as will the manager and the punters, to get back into action," Dalglish told LFC Weekly.

"It's a shame that he's missed so much football over the last couple of years because he's a top class defender, and with him nearing a return to the first-team reckoning then the manager has got good options and permutations in the centre of his defence with Carra [Jamie Carragher], [Martin] Skrtel, [Sotirios] Kyrgiakos and Agger back to health."

And Dalglish feels that Agger adds another varied option to those available at the back to Rafa Benitez.

He added: "They've all got their particular strengths and they're all internationals with a wealth of experience. Agger's a lovely silky footballer, in the way he brings the ball out of defence and commits teams who like to sit deep.

"Being able to call on him in the future will be important for the team."

Javier Mascherano Set For Showdown With Rafa Benitez Over New Liverpool Contract

Javier Mascherano is on a collision course with Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez.

The Argentine midfielder still harbours resentment over Benitez’s refusal to sell him to Barcelona in the summer and Liverpool’s subsequent refusal to hand him a pay rise that would bring him into line with the club’s top earners.

Benitez did claim in August there was a willingness at Anfield to offer Mascherano a new deal to ease his disappointment at missing out on a dream move to Barca.

But Mascherano has not come close to the form that made him one of Liverpool’s most consistent performers last season.

And there is a reluctance from the club to enter into negotiations about a new contract until the 25-year-old starts hitting the heights once more. The lack of progress has simply deepened Mascherano’s sense of frustration – and Juventus have now joined Barcelona in monitoring his situation on Merseyside.

But an Anfield insider said: “There is a feeling that Mascherano had his head turned by reports of Barcelona’s interest in the summer and that his form has been affected.

“Until his attitude changes there will be no talks about a new contract.”

There was never any prospect of Liverpool selling the Argentine hustler once Benitez allowed Xabi Alonso (right) to join Real Madrid in a £32million deal.

Mascherano feels his status as one of the club’s top earners should be rewarded with an improvement on his current £60,000-a-week wages.

With Alonso departed, Benitez has been relying on Mascherano to exert his influence even more.

With £20m new-boy Alberto Aquilani still to make his debut following his arrival from Roma – the Italian is expected to play against –Sunderland next week – the Liverpool boss has been forced to rely on Mascherano and young Brazilian Lucas Leiva.

But three defeats in eight Premier League games have already made it difficult to bring an end to a title drought now in its 20th year.

There was more frustration with Mascherano when his initial mistake led to Nicolas Anelka scoring Chelsea’s first goal in their 2-0 win over Liverpool at Stamford Bridge last week.

Liverpool Hit By Double Injury Blow As Steven Gerrard And Fernando Torres Limp Out Of Internationals

Liverpool are heading into a key fortnight in their season with injury doubts over their two biggest stars Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres.

Rafa Benitez will already have been alarmed when Gerrard was forced off at half-time of England's World Cup qualifier in Ukraine, and his mood would hardly have been improved when Torres limped off after 55 minutes of Spain's match in Armenia.

Gerrard is now a major doubt for England's final qualifier against Belarus at Wembley on Wednesday.

Torres appeared to be suffering a foot problem when he was replaced in Armenia, and Benitez will be eagerly awaiting an update.

Before the end of October, Liverpool face Premier League matches at Sunderland and Fulham, as well as a home clash with arch-rivals Manchester United.

They also will take on Lyon at Anfield in the Champions League, and travel to Arsenal in the Carling Cup.

Many pundits believe Liverpool would have pipped United to the title last season had Torres been fit throughout the campaign, and the Merseysiders will be desperate for him to be fit from now until next May.

Liverpool Stalemate Broken After Tom Hicks And George Gillett End Mutual Veto

Tom Hicks and George Gillett, Liverpool’s co-owners, have agreed to forego their mutual veto on the sale of each other’s shares in a bid to break the stalemate surrounding the future of the club.

Under their current ownership arrangement, each partner would have to seek the other’s blessing to sell all, or part, of their shareholdings.

The remaining partner would also be entitled to two per cent of the other’s shares, thus becoming majority partner with any new investor. However, it is believed that Hicks has given Gillett his blessing to seek a buyer for his half of the club, although the Texan is thought to be determined to retain his 50 per cent.

Gillett is due to meet the Saudi prince, Faisal Al Fahd bin Abdullah bin Saud in the Middle East next week, when he is expected to continue discussions over the prince’s potential investment in Liverpool.

The two have already struck up a deal to launch a number of club academies across the Middle East and north Africa, and sources close to the prince confirmed this week he could take a stake in the club despite concerns over the level of debt.

Sources close to Hicks and Gillett, though, insist he is just one of a number of possible partners identified by Merrill Lynch and Rothschild, the investment banks jointly appointed by the American duo.

No deal with the prince is believed to be imminent, with discussions due with a number of other parties, although Hicks’ decision not to veto the idea of Gillett finding an exit route suggests that both parties have accepted their days as partners are numbered.

Injury Setback For Liverpool's Dirk Kuyt On International Duty Will Ruffle Rafa

Rafael Benitez will be furious after Dirk Kuyt came off injured at half-time in Saturday’s friendly for Holland against Australia.

Liverpool were already less than happy that Kuyt and Ryan Babel had to play the match in Sydney in what was a commercially-driven deal done by the Holland FA.

Kuyt had missed training all week with an ankle injury yet despite that, Holland coach Bert van Marwijk started the game with the striker, who will now return to training having exacerbated his injury.

Worse, the 24-hour return flight is likely to increase the swelling on the ankle.

Holland claimed that the friendly was an important team-bonding exercise but Inter midfielder Wesley Sneijder picked up a flu virus on the flight out there.

Arsenal's Robin van Persie managed to avoid the trip as his wife is due to give birth this month.

Benitez And Ferguson Both Facing FA Hearings

Rafa Benitez and Sir Alex Ferguson face the wrath of an Football Association who do not see the funny side of the managers of Liverpool and Manchester United.

While many might have chuckled at Sir Alex questioning Alan Wiley's fitness, no one is laughing at the FA's headquarters.

And, while the spectacles joke of the Liverpool boss has badly backfired, the FA Commission are more likely to say "he should have gone to SpecSavers" when they hand out the punishment.

Benitez's case comes up on Tuesday morning, and the defence will be producing the audio and video evidence of how the Liverpool manager reached for his pocket and brought out his glasses for its case, when he was asked about the performance of referee Phil Dowd after the opening day of the season defeat by Spurs.

The FA chamber will resonate to the sound of laughter as the audio/video "evidence" shows the assembled media laughing their heads off at the Benitez joke.

The FA, however, feel it was at the referees' expense, but in terms of being a personal attack, and unless the FA have a sense of humor, then Benitez is going to be fit with a fine, and maybe even a touch-line ban.

Next case on the agenda is Sir Alex. And, if Benitez gets away with just a fine, then Sir Alex will expect a degree of consistency, and would not take too kindly to a touch-line ban.

However, if the FA hit Benitez with a touch line ban for his glasses jibe at the ref, then Sir Alex can expect the same sort of treatment.

Sir Alex has apologized but retained his right to question the fitness levels of the ref, indeed referees in general as a point that might concern the game. No-one else, though, has raised it before, at least publicly.

While the Sir Alex "I'm sorry" official statement has not gone down well with the refs union, who are out for blood, it will not be seen as more than "damage limitation" on behalf of the FA.

The FA have given Sir Alex an extension to provide his written explanation as he is currently in New York, apparently property-hunting, having watched the Manchester City-Villa Premier League game in a sports bar.

The Sir Alex "sorry" statement was produced with the United boss still in New York, but it will cut little ice with the FA, when he returns this week to hand in his letter of explanation by Friday's extended deadline.

Charges are sure to follow and it will then be at Sir Alex's discretion whether he seeks a personal hearing.

Michael Owen Will Get Slaughtered By Liverpool Fans At Anfield, Warns Jamie Carragher

Tevez was stunned by the stick he endured on his first outing in Manchester City’s colours at his former club.

And Jamie Carragher is predicting a similar unfriendly response for Owen from Liverpool fans when the former Kop idol heads back to Anfield on October 25 in a United shirt.

Carragher said: "Our fans are usually brilliant with former players but he might get a cool reception.

"You can understand the fans' point of view. He used to play for us and now he’s at the big rivals, so of course there will be some reaction.

"That’s football and Michael will know that. He has a very strong character so stick doesn't bother him."

Carragher is still good pals with Owen and backs his decision to sign up for Liverpool’s biggest rivals.

He added: "Michael’s got his career to think about. He wants to get his name back up there.

"He wants to play Champions League football and get into the World Cup squad. The move gives him that opportunity."

Liverpool Fans Need To Be Realistic About Alberto Aquilani, Warns Steve McManaman

Steve McManaman has warned Liverpool not to heap pressure on Roberto Aquilani to be the club’s saviour.

Aquilani has yet to play for the Reds after an operation on his right ankle in May.

But Liverpool legend McManaman fears too much pressure is already being placed on the 25-year-old Italian to rescue the club’s season.

He said: “We have to be careful here. Every single Liverpool fan hopes Aquiliani will be the answer and he’s got a good reputation. But he’s been injured a long time.

“Everybody wants him to hit the ground running and be fantastic from day one, which is going to be very difficult for the lad.

“He’s only young. Let’s hope he is the wonderful player we all want him to be. But I don’t think we should put undue pressure on him.

“Any foreign player coming into this country deserves a little time to gel with their teammates and get used to the new style of football. It’s such a tough and aggressive league.

“Liverpool have lost a fantastic player in Alonso. I was disappointed to see him go and he won’t be easy to replace.”

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.