Injury Problems Mount For Troubled Boss Benitez

Rafael Benitez will be a relieved man that the international break has finally arrived, hopeful that some of his injured players will return to fitness ahead of a crucial clash against Manchester City at Anfield on November 21.

Liverpool suffered more injury woe in the disappointing 2-2 draw at home to Birmingham City on Monday, with Albert Riera and Yossi Benayoun both forced off.

Riera has suffered a stop-start season for the Reds, with his appearance against Blues being his first in a Liverpool shirt for over a month with a hamstring injury. The Spain international suffered a recurrance of the problem when stretching for a ball in the box and faces weeks on the sidelines.

More troublesome to Benitez is the injury suffered to Benayoun, one of the few bright spots this season and a player who has done much to try and fill the void left by Steven Gerrard. Benayoun also injured his hamstring late in the game and must be extremely doubtful to face City.

Fernando Torres, who declared himself unfit to face Birmingham, is also rated no better than doubtful to make a game which, if Liverpool were to lose, could have long-term implications on their ability to qualify for the Champions League next season.

Gerrard, although looking well short of match fitness, made a huge difference after being introduced for Riera just before half-time and, after a further two weeks of training and treatment, he should improve for the City game.

And Denmark defender Daniel Agger has withdrawn from November friendlies against South Korea and the United States with a back injury.

Liverpool face a hugely testing week once the international break is over.

Three days after facing City, Liverpool must travel to Hungary to play Debrecen in a must-win Champions League game which would be rendered meaningless by a Fiorentina win over Lyon in the other group game that night. Then, the following Sunday, comes the Merseyside derby at Everton's Goodison Park home.

Benitez hopes the international break has come at the right time, but is taking nothing for granted. He told the club's official website: "I will tell you after the break because every time we lose one or two players. I'm touching wood.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez Rules Out Fernando Torres Operation

Rafael Benitez is unsure when Liverpool striker Fernando Torres will recover from his problematic groin injury but has said the Spaniard does not need surgery.

Torres missed Liverpool's 2-2 draw with Birmingham last night with Benitez confirming afterwards that he remains a doubt for their next game against Manchester City on Nov 21.

"Torres had no confidence and said he couldn't play (against Birmingham), so we started the treatment yesterday," Benitez said.

"He has to work with the physios and try to improve and be ready. We are not talking about an operation at this moment.

"I don't know if he will be ready for Man City."

David Ngog And Liverpool Caught In ‘Cheat’ Row

Birmingham City left Anfield seething with injustice last night after being denied victory over Liverpool because of a controversial penalty won by David Ngog, who they accused of “an embarrassing case of cheating”.

Liverpool were trailing when Ngog went down in the penalty area under a challenge by Lee Carsley. It appeared that no contact had been made but Peter Walton, the referee, awarded a penalty. Steven Gerrard scored from the spot to secure a 2-2 draw, to the outrage of Carsley and Alex McLeish, the Birmingham manager.

“I was absolutely nowhere near him,” an enraged Carsley said. “It’s a joke. I knew I didn’t touch him and I said to the referee to book me or send me off, it would have made me feel better. I’m sure he [Ngog] has got a family, well if I went home having done that, I’d be embarrassed. You’re supposed to be teaching your kids an example and that is just an embarrassing case of cheating.

“But the lad’s taken a chance and got his team a point so I’m sure they’ll be patting him on the back.”

Even Rafael Benítez did not attempt to protect his player after Ngog admitted that it probably was not a penalty. But the Liverpool manager claimed that the result was a fair one even if the manner in which it was earned was not.

“It was a pity to score from a penalty that maybe wasn’t a penalty but we deserved to score more goals in the second half,” Benítez said. “It could be a dive, but it wasn’t a penalty. But we have had a lot of situations this year that have gone against us, and this was one for us from a game where we deserved more. It’s important to be honest about these things.

“If it’s clear, then it is clear. Sometimes you have to accept it. We were attacking and attacking and deserved to win, but maybe it wasn’t a penalty. I haven’t seen the replay. I asked David and he said maybe it wasn’t a penalty.”

The draw leaves Liverpool with only one win from their past nine matches and 11 points behind Chelsea, the Barclays Premier League leaders. Their form will do little to relieve the pressure on Benítez.

Ngog had earlier given Liverpool the lead only for Birmingham to storm in front thanks to goals from Christian Benítez and Cameron Jerome, but the penalty incident was the big talking point long after the final whistle.

McLeish said the final scoreline left a sour taste in his mouth.

He also claimed that Walton will acknowledge that he made a mistake in awarding the controversial penalty once he has had the opportunity to watch the game again.

“It is a great point and I’d have taken that before the game but circumstances in the game change your outlook and I feel we were unlucky not to get three,” McLeish said. “It is a clear dive by Ngog and he’s won his team a penalty. It has happened for centuries and we have to take it on the chin.

“He [Peter Walton] is a top referee but he didn’t get that one right and I’m sure when he looks at it again he’ll see that Ngog dived. It was a terrific dive. Lee didn’t touch him. Lee dived in and when you dive in you are always at risk but there was no contact.

“Sometimes there is a debate over a penalty when there is contact but there was none here. It was not even close to being a penalty. We had to weather a storm, Gerrard hit a post and had a few late runs into the box but I thought my team and my defenders were awesome. It was backs to the wall but I didn’t feel we were going to lose a goal.

“Maybe I’ll look back on it tomorrow and think we’ll never have a better chance of getting three points at Anfield. The pressure Liverpool put on means they’ll claim they deserved at least a draw but you also need luck and it seems the bigger clubs get more over a season.”

Match Report: Liverpool 2 - 2 Birmingham City

Steven Gerrard's hotly-disputed second-half penalty rescued a point for Liverpool but did little to lift the pressure on boss Rafael Benitez.

It is just one win now in nine matches for the Reds and they must be grateful for the two-week international break which will allow the dust to settle on their faltering season.

It had started so well for the hosts with youngster David Ngog firing them into an early lead.

But Ecuadorian Christian Benitez's nodded equaliser and Cameron Jerome's thunderous 35-yarder had Birmingham ahead at the break.

And only a hotly-contested spot-kick - which TV replays showed should not have been awarded as Lee Carsley made no contact with Ngog with his attempted tackle - gave Liverpool their lifeline, Gerrard sliding it home.

Fernando Torres did not even get a substitutes' role, the Spain striker now clearly being given a lengthy rest to recover from his groin problem.

Gerrard, with a similar if less severe injury, was named on the bench along with Alberto Aquilani.

Glen Johnson, Albert Riera and Martin Skrtel all returned from injury, with Jamie Carragher suspended.

Birmingham had Joe Hart back in goal while they were without Barry Ferguson, also suspended, so Teemu Tainio came into the side.

Liverpool went with the 20-year-old Ngog up front and Dirk Kuyt, captain for the night, in a central supporting role.

Of all Liverpool's young imports, Ngog has looked the most likely to make the breakthrough this season, and his balance and clever control were soon in evidence.

Hart saved one Ngog effort before the France Under-21 striker gave Liverpool a 13th-minute lead. Johnson surged down the right, cutting between two defenders before crossing for Ngog who saw his first effort blocked by Hart.

The ball flew to Kuyt only for Hart to again get his legs in the way, but when the rebound dropped for Ngog he made no mistake with a fierce a close-range volley into the roof of the net.

Tainio limped of two minutes later, former Everton midfielder Carsley coming on in his place.

Liverpool had been cruising up till now, but Birmingham struck back with an impressive set-piece, and once again Liverpool's susceptibility in the air was evident.

James McFadden fired a free-kick into the area and Roger Johnson headed back across goal where Scott Dann nodded on for Benitez to head past Jose Reina from close range.

Hart touched over a Javier Mascherano drive, and Daniel Agger saw a low shot following a corner kicked off the line by Carsley as Liverpool tried to hit back.

A minute from the break Riera, who had appeared to be on a solo bid to score from outside the box at almost every opportunity, suffered a recurrence of a hamstring injury, and Gerrard was brought into the fray as a substitute.

His arrival was met with huge cheers from the Kop, but the home crowd was silenced within seconds as Birmingham took the lead.

Jerome shook off the attentions of Mascherano to lash a swerving 35-yard effort into the top corner.

The confidence Liverpool had shown in the first half hour evaporated and, with the crowd's anxiety growing, errors in possession increased.

Gerrard saw a low header hit Hart's left-hand post from Johnson's cross from the right as Liverpool at last produced some sustained pressure.

McFadden was booked for a foul on Johnson, the Scot being substituted soon after to be replaced by former Red Gregory Vignal.

Liverpool were then awarded the highly-contentious 71st-minute penalty.

Ngog did well to get to the byline and went sprawling to the turf as Carsley came in with a sliding challenge, even though the Birmingham man's leg did not touch the Liverpool youngster.

Carsley and Ngog exchanged views and pushes, and referee Peter Walton booked both before Gerrard stepped up to drill home the spot kick.

Liverpool then lost Benayoun with a hamstring complaint, Ryan Babel coming on.

Gerrard fired over a cross for Ngog to hit wide at the near post before sending an 18-yarder just wide.

With nine minutes left Aquilani finally made his Anfield debut as a substitute for Lucas.

The visitors were forced to defend desperately in the final minutes but they clung on valiantly for a point.

Liverpool Confident Of Reaching Champions League Last 16

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has not given up hope of qualifying for the later stages of the Champions League this season.

Escaping the group stages is looking like an uphill struggle for the Reds after losses to both Lyon and Fiorentina, who currently occupy the top two places in the group.

But the Spaniard still believes Liverpool can seize the possibility and, even if they fail to go beyond their group, will not be affected financially.

"I spoke to Christian Purslow [Liverpool's managing director] the other day about the finances," he said, according to skysports.com.

"The first thing, though, is that we have confidence we can still reach the last 16 of the Champions League this season.

"But whatever happens, the budget was done for this season based on us only qualifying for the group stages. And we did that, which is complete.

"Whether we can still bring in more money, we will wait and see. The commercial department is working very hard, for the next season [in Europe] it is a question of time."

Benitez is also sure his team will qualify for Europe's most prestigious competition again next year, despite currently sitting a long way outside the top four.

He added: "The Premier League is a long race, we must keep going. I am confident the team will finish in the top four and we are able to continue to do well in Europe, so let's start against Birmingham [on Monday] with the right result.

"We have to do our job against Birmingham, and then I can guarantee that things will start to get easier."

Liverpool Consider Move For Unsettled Real Madrid Star Lassana Diarra

Liverpool could make a January bid to prise Lassana Diarra away from Real Madrid after being told that he is unsettled at the Spanish club, according to a report in The People.

Reds manager Rafael Benitez wants to add to his midfield options and he believes that the former Chelsea and Arsenal star could be the answer.

Since joining Madrid in January from Portsmouth, Diarra has been a revelation in La Liga and is a regular alongside Xabi Alonso in Manuel Pellegrini's team.

Despite that, the British newspaper believes that he is not happy in Spain and has told friends that he would welcome a return to English football, with Anfield providing the perfect platform.

The report suggests that Diarra would make up for the loss of Alonso in the summer and may even allow Benitez to cash in on want-away Javier Mascherano.

While the French midfielder is more defensive than creative, his attacking side has shone at Madrid. Meanwhile, his tackling and tracking back have seen him become a firm favourite at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Barcelona still want Mascherano and if they make their interest concrete then Liverpool may contact Madrid about Diarra, who has played for four clubs in four seasons.

Rafael Benítez Confident Liverpool Will Start To Climb Back Up The Table

Rafael Benítez believes that Liverpool have been the victims of bad luck this season and has spoken of his conviction that the club will have significantly improved their league position within "one or two months". The Liverpool manager, who has presided over six defeats in the last eight matches ahead of Birmingham City's visit tonight, claimed he was "100% sure" his team would start to climb the table.

"You can see the table and it is not a big, big difference," said Benítez, whose side are four points adrift of a place in the top four. "The main thing for me is we need to analyse our position and ask ourselves: How can we improve? We have to keep working and in one month or two months' time I am 100% sure that we will be higher in the table and it will be totally different."

The Liverpool manager hopes to start with Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard, who have been struggling with a hernia and groin problem respectively, while Alberto Aquilani is expected to make his Anfield debut from the bench. The Italy international, who was bought as a replacement for Xabi Alonso, has overcome a virus after initially being sidelined with a knee injury. "It could be the time to let the Anfield fans see Aquilani at last," said Benítez.

Liverpool are desperate for three points, although Benítez feels that some good fortune is also long overdue. Asked whether he felt Liverpool had been unlucky this season, he replied: "Yes, in some games. It's very clear. Against Tottenham and Aston Villa we scored and after we conceded one minute later. Too many things have happened like the beach ball, or the late goals we have conceded against Lyon. But hopefully that will change for the rest of the season."

Torres has the better chance of being involved against the Midlanders. Gerrard has barely trained for a fortnight, but Benítez was pleased with his involvement in a training session yesterday. Fábio Aurélio, Martin Skrtel and Albert Riera are also likely to return from injuries. Glen Johnson has also improved his after training this weekend, but he and Martin Kelly are still struggling.

Benítez at least needs Torres on the pitch for a game Liverpool must win. "We hope to be able to keep going with Fernando. Maybe he can be available for Birmingham, we will see how it goes. It was a risk to play him against Manchester United, but he scored a fantastic goal and everyone was saying what a massive difference he makes.

"He played, and scored, at Fulham and I was criticised by a lot of 'experts' because he was taken off in the second half. They can see that he has a problem, but the same thing happened in Lyon when I took him off.

"Fernando will play if he continues to have less pain than before. Does he need an operation? Nobody really knows, we'll wait and see. I have had many players with this problem over the years. They carried on, and sometimes you can play for the whole season with such a problem.

"But I have been surprised at what some critics have said about Torres' involvement. People who have played football for years seem not to understand that the manager has more information."

Torres Closing In On Legendary Status

Fernando Torres could take another step towards securing his credentials as one of Liverpool’s greatest ever scorers by notching the two Premier League goals which would take him to a half-century for the Anfield outfit.

If the Spaniard manages the total in the coming matches he’ll have reached the target faster than any player in the Merseyside club’s history; a feat which manager Rafael Benitez believes would put him on the path to legendary status.

Liverpool host Birmingham City this evening with Benitez talking up his prized asset to the club’s official website:

"I think it shows the quality of Fernando," Benitez stressed.

"He has been doing well and it also shows the team has been doing well.

"The list of players shows some big names, legends, and if Fernando can do it he will be a legend too."

Fabio Capello Leaves Out Steven Gerrard For England's Long-Term Health

There is proof at last that Fabio Capello is capable of compromise. The England manager has listened to Liverpool's plea that Steven Gerrard should not be involved in Saturday's friendly with Brazil in Doha. There is a chance, however, that the midfielder will play a part in his club's game against Birmingham City despite his recent adductor muscle injury.

These are circumstances in which Capello could have earned easy applause by frogmarching him to the departures lounge and on to the flight for Qatar. It has, after all, been his mission to demonstrate that international games, including friendlies, count for at least as much as club fixtures. In addition, he would have wanted Gerrard for a game against a country ranked first in the world.

It has been made clear that there has not been any sort of deal, because Capello will be uneasy about Premier League managers seeking a "Gerrard dispensation", particularly since Chelsea's Ashley Cole and Portsmouth's David James have both been omitted due to fitness concerns.

There may be some self-interest in Capello's actions. He will see that it is to his own long-term advantage that the Liverpool midfielder should be restored to health. Even his club may not call on Gerrard from the start against Birmingham despite the fact that Rafael Benítez has to revive his faltering side.

Capello's sidelining of footballers, however, is not necessarily founded on compassion. Once again Michael Owen has been overlooked, putting his World Cup hopes in terminal condition. The manager recently called the Manchester United forward his "tormentor" because of the endless public discussion of the striker's involvement or lack of it.

The Italian's beef is not so much with Owen as with those who do not see the logic of his stance. Capello demands evidence before he will enlist anyone and, despite the injury that ruled out Dimitar Berbatov, United still did not have any use for the striker until they had fallen behind to Chelsea yesterday. He was brought on with seven minutes remaining.

Given Capello's general policy, there was inevitability about the call-up for Darren Bent, who missed a penalty against his former club Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday but has scored eight goals for Sunderland this season. Forwards do remain an issue for Capello and that is underlined now that the injured Emile Heskey will not be on the scene to enjoy the so far fruitful partnership with Wayne Roney in Doha.

With the stature of Brazil in mind, Capello has not been too experimental in his selections. Stephen Warnock, however, is included in the absence of Cole. There is also a berth for Tom Huddlestone, who scored spectacularly for Tottenham before the watching manager on Saturday. David Beckham is included and could win his 116th cap, although the midfielder will be pulled out of the squad should LA Galaxy qualify for the MLS Conference final.

Liverpool Beat Tottenham To Lift First Trophy Of The Season

Liverpool FC secured its first trophy of the season in Spain at the weekend, but it was on the track rather than on the pitch.

A motorsport team backed and financed by the English soccer club won the 2009 Superleague Formula title, seeing off the challenge of Tottenham Hotspur. Liverpool's driver, Adrian Valles, secured a fourth-place finish in the final race, won by Anderlecht, to take the series.

Superleague Formula features motorsport teams backed by professional soccer clubs. Going into the final race of the six-race season - which has already announced that it will have an extra four races in 2010 - the championship statistically remained a four-horse race with Olympiacos and FC Basel 91 trailing Liverpool and Tottenham.

"It's fantastic to have won the championship and I'd like to thank the whole team for the great job they've done this season," said Valles. "We have been competitive at every round, yet we’ve never had any problems with reliability. To win the Superleague Formula title is a great honour for a driver because the level of competition is so high and the cars are all the same.

"I'm also really pleased for Liverpool. I met all the players and staff last week and they wished me good luck so I am so happy to have clinched this title for them. They've won a lot of trophies in their history so it is nice to have added another one to that list."

Craig Dolby, driving for Tottenham, added: "I'm obviously very disappointed not to win the championship, but I pushed as hard as I could and had a lot of fun. We've had some bad luck here and there without which things could have been different, but overall it has been a great year."

Benayoun Asked To Excel

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has challenged Yossi Benayoun to fill the probable void left by the ongoing injury problems of Steven Gerrard.

The Reds are again expected to be without captain Gerrard for Monday's match with Birmingham at Anfield as the England ace continues to struggle with the groin problem sustained against Ukraine in October.

Benitez is therefore expected to ask Benayoun to operate in the playmaking role against Alex McLeish's Blues as Liverpool attempt to end a run of one win in eight games in all competitions.

Benitez has suffered the wrath of some fans for substituting the former West Ham man in recent weeks, with the Israel captain having transformed his reputation since a questioned £5million arrival on Merseyside in 2007.

But he is now calling for Benayoun, who has arguably been the Reds' best player this season, to continue a run of consistent form, saying in the Liverpool Echo: "Yossi is a key player for us.

"There was a time before when people had some doubts about him but we knew he always had quality.

"We knew he could have an influence and change a game. He is intelligent and players don't know what he is going to do the next time he gets the ball.

"That's a big difference and when you don't have Steven on the pitch, it's important we have Yossi and we hope he will keep doing that in this game."

Match Preview: Liverpool vs. Birming City

It's a sad and sorry looking Liverpool side that play host to Birmingham City on Monday night as round 12 of the Premier League draws to a close.

The Reds' 3-1 reverse at Fulham last weekend took their tally to five losses in 11 league games this season - an alarming figure, considering that they suffered just two defeats in the entirety of the previous campaign.

And their woes aren't confined to the domestic scene, as Lisandro Lopez's late equaliser for Olympique Lyonnais on Wednesday night has left the Merseyside club relying on Fiorentina's results as the two teams battle for a place in the Champions League knockout round.

Rafael Benitez and his crew have collected just one win - against Manchester United, no less - from their last eight games in all competitions, and they simply cannot afford another slip-up when Brum come to visit.

Alex McLeish's side boast an indifferent record on the road this season, although their spirited display at home to a Shay Given-inspired Manchester City last week showed that they are well capable of mixing it with the big boys.

Still, the Blues sit just one point above the relegation zone, and the one thing Liverpool have got right this season is dispatching the 'lesser' teams when they visit Anfield - as Stoke City (4-0), Burnley (4-0) and Hull City (6-1) all found out the hard way.


FORM GUIDE

Liverpool

Nov 4 Olympique Lyonnais 1-1 Liverpool (Champions League)
Oct 31 Fulham 3-1 Liverpool
Oct 28 Arsenal 2-1 Liverpool (League Cup)
Oct 25 Liverpool 2-0 Manchester United
Oct 20 Liverpool 1-2 Olympique Lyonnais (Champions League)

Birmingham City

Nov 1 Birmingham City 0-0 Manchester City
Oct 24 Birmingham City 2-1 Sunderland
Oct 17 Arsenal 3-1 Birmingham City
Oct 3 Burnley 2-1 Birmingham City
Sep 26 Birmingham City 1-2 Bolton Wanderers


TEAM NEWS

Liverpool

Jamie Carragher and Philipp Degen are both suspended after picking up red cards in the defeat at Craven Cottage last weekend, leaving Benitez with something of a problem in defence. With Glen Johnson and Martin Kelly both battling injury, young Stephen Darby looks like the only option at right-back.

However, Martin Skrtel and Fabio Aurelio are available once more after shaking off their respective problems, while Alberto Aquilani could make his long-awaited Premier League debut from the bench.

Fernando Torres is expected to start despite his well-documented hernia troubles, but neither Steven Gerrard nor Albert Riera will feature.

Last starting XI (vs. Olympique Lyonnais): Reina, Carragher, Kyrgiakos, Agger, Insua, Kuyt, Lucas, Mascherano, Benayoun, Voronin, Torres.

Birmingham City

The visitors' chances will be hampered by the absence of Barry Ferguson, who foolishly bought a second booking late on against Man City for impeding a throw-in. Lee Carsley could replace the Scot in midfield.

Irish wide-man Keith Fahey picked up a knee knock in training and faces a race to pass fit in time, while Garry O'Connor is struggling with a groin problem.

Joe Hart wasn't eligible to face his parent club last time out, but the young goalkeeper is in danger of sitting out once again after Maik Taylor's heroics against the Citizens.

Last starting XI (vs. Manchester City): Taylor, Carr, Johnson, Dann, Ridgewell, Larsson, Bowyer, Ferguson, McFadden, Benitez, Jerome.


PLAYERS TO WATCH

Liverpool - Fernando Torres

The Spaniard is nowhere near full fitness but has vowed to play through the pain for the time being. Hernia or no, 'El Nino' is a threat - it's that simple. It's just a matter of whether or not he gets the service.

Birmingham City - James McFadden

The twinkle-toed Scot ran riot in spells against Man City (brilliantly saved penalty aside), pulling out the sort of mercurial moves that leaves one wondering why he's never managed to take that next step in his career. If he gets it right, the Reds' rearguard will be in for a busy night.

Injury Crisis At Liverpool Is Lifting - Rafael Benitez

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez believes that the injury plague that has struck his squad is finally beginning to show signs of abatement.

Fabio Aurelio, Albert Riera and Martin Skrtel have returned to training, as has Steven Gerrard after being unable to train for a fortnight owing to his groin injury.

Benitez also explained the situation with Fernando Torres, who has been playing despite reports that he may require surgery to cure a hernia problem.

"The injury situation is improving," he is quoted by FIFA.com as saying.

"Several players have been in light training. But there is a big difference, though, between being fit and being available.

"Gerrard has trained after being unable to do so for 15 days. He cannot be considered to be fit.

"Torres is a little better. He will train and work with the physios, but whether he will be okay to play against Birmingham [City, on Monday], we do not know yet.

"He could play and we must be careful with him.

"We will look at the situation after every training session. The experience I have had for many years with this sort of problem is to carry on and see how players react. Some can play all season with the problem, some need to stop and rest. They are all different."

The former Valencia coach explained that Torres had put aside his own discomfort to continue leading the line for the Reds, whose lack of attacking alternatives has been cruelly exposed this term.

"Torres is the one who can play," he said.

"He has been in pain, but he wants to play for the team - he has a great mentality. I believe we can carry on with him.

"Let us see how we do in the next game, then they will have 15 days of the international break to get fit, then let's see how they are after that."

Aquilani Set For Anfield

Rafa Benitez says Alberto Aquilani will finally get his Anfield debut against Birmingham on Monday.

The Italy international was signed for £20 million man in August but has since been recovering from a knee operation and latterly a recent virus problem.

But the 25-year-old - who played for a few minutes in the Carling Cup defeat at Arsenal - now looks set to be thrown on from the bench against the Blues.

Benitez said: "It could be the time to let the Anfield fans see Aquilani at last.

"He has been getting fitter and had a short spell in a reserve game and then a few minutes at Arsenal in the Carling Cup.

"We had him with us in Lyon last week and I did want to bring him on. But Lucas and Javier Mascherano were controlling the game.

"So we waited a bit, we did not want to change the way the side were playing, even though he could have come on. Then we scored and there was no need to use him, it was just a shame we conceded so late.

"He was almost over the virus and he will certainly be much better on Monday.

"He has trained well. He does not have match fitness, but the only way to improve that is to play him in games.

"We have more players available now, so maybe he can be on the bench and then come on to change the game if necessary. He will certainly be involved."

Fernando Torres also looks set to play against the Midlanders despite struggles with a groin problem.

Benitez added: "We hope to be able to keep going with Fernando. Maybe he can be available for Birmingham, we will see how it goes.

"It was a risk to play him against Manchester United, but he scored a fantastic goal and everyone was saying what a massive difference he makes.

"He played, and scored, at Fulham and I was criticised by a lot of 'experts' because he was taken off in the second half.

"They can see that he has a problem, but the same thing happened in Lyon when I took him off.

"You cannot win. It does not matter what you do, someone will always criticise you. It is too easy.

"Fernando will play if he continues to have less pain than before. Does he need an operation? Nobody really knows, we'll wait and see.

"I have had many players with this problem under my management over the years. They carried on, and sometimes you can play for the whole season with such a problem.

"But I have been surprised at what some critics have said about Torres' involvement. People who have played football for years seem not to understand that the manager has more information.

"So when they are on TV, they just talk and they do not really know the situation."

Rafa Benitez In Talks With Bosses Over Liverpool FC's Champions League Situation

Rafael Benitez has held talks with his Liverpool bosses over the implications if the club fail to reach the last 16 of this season’s Champions League.

Discussions were also held on if the club fail to qualify for next season’s lucrative European competition.

The Liverpool manager revealed today that the club did not budget this term for anything beyond the group stages.

And Benitez insisted he was confident that financial problems next season will be avoided “because we will achieve a top four finish”.

Liverpool have never failed to reach the last 16 under Benitez’s management, but they are in grave danger of that eventuality now with qualification from Group E out of their hands after the midweek draw in Lyon.

They must hope that Lyon win their next match away to Fiorentina, and that Liverpool win their final two group games to produce the “miracle” Benitez admits they need now.

Reaching the Champions League next season is also under threat with them currently sixth in the Barclays Premier League, a point behind fourth-placed Manchester City, who are at Anfield on November 21.

Before that Liverpool face Birmingham at Anfield on Monday, needing to get their current form back on track.

Liverpool face earning £10million less from their European campaign this season if they do not reach the last 16, with another £10million lost if they do not qualify for next season’s group stages.

Benitez says: “I spoke to Christian Purslow (Liverpool’s managing director) the other day about the finances.

“The first thing, though, is that we have confidence we can still reach the last 16 of the Champions League this season.

“But whatever happens, the budget was done for this season based on us only qualifying for the group stages. And we did that, that is complete.

“Whether we can still bring in more money, we will wait and see. The commercial department is working very hard, for the next season (in Europe) it is a question of time.

“The Premier League is a long race, we must keep going. I am confident the team will finish in the top four and we are able to continue to do well in Europe, so let’s start against Birmingham with the right result.

“We have to do our job against Birmingham, and then I can guarantee that things will start to get easier.”

Improving their league position would be easier if Benitez could get Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard fit following groin problems.

Gerrard seems unlikely to be available for the Birmingham game, while Torres has a much better chance.

Benitez is likely to risk Torres again, following the striker’s trip to visit a Spanish specialist on Thursday who is believed to have suggested a three-week break for the club’s top scorer.

Benitez also hopes that neither Spain or England will select Torres and Gerrard for international friendlies next weekend.

He wants the pair to have intensive treatment throughout the two week international break ahead of Manchester City’s visit to Anfield.

Benitez has held discussions with Spanish FA officials and believes he has a gentleman’s agreement that Torres will not be called up for Spain’s home friendly with Argentina next Saturday.

Benitez has not held similar conversations with England over Gerrard’s fitness.

England play Brazil in Doha next weekend, and Benitez would be furious if Gerrard was selected.

Dossena Wants Reds Exit

Liverpool defender Andrea Dossena says he is looking to leave Anfield in January and return to Italy.

The Italian full-back has only made two appearances for Liverpool so far this season against Bolton in the Premier League and Leeds in the Carling Cup, despite moving for a hefty £7million in July last year.

Dossena is worried that being frozen out by Rafa Benitez will severely harm his chances of going to next year's World Cup with Italy, and admits he would like to return to his homeland.

"I know that three big Serie A clubs - Napoli, Juventus and Milan - are looking at me," he said in the News of the World.

"In August they just made other choices. I was very close to going to Juventus in the summer but they signed Fabio Grosso.

"I am now worried I will miss the World Cup."

Dossena became the first ever Italian player to sign for Liverpool last year, but has found first-team chances hard to come by this term.

However, the left-sided player insists that he has not fallen out with manager Benitez, and is just disappointed with his performances since his arrival on Merseyside.

"I'm not disappointed with the treatment I've had," he added.

"I know how things work and I've always behaved correctly. Benitez chooses the line-up, and I'm paid to respect his choices.

"In truth I am a little bit unhappy with my performances. They have not seen the 'real' Dossena at Anfield."

Liverpool Chiefs Wants O'Neill

Martin O'Neill has emerged as the man to replace Rafa Benitez.

American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett have identified O'Neill to succeed the Spaniard if Liverpool fail to qualify for next season's Champions League.

Hicks, Gillett, and managing director Christian Purslow are standing by beleaguered Benitez despite Liverpool's woeful recent run of form.

But behind the scenes the mood of staunch support for Benitez has shifted as Liverpool's season has lurched towards chaos, with six defeats, one draw and just one win in their last eight games.

The club are wary of making a knee-jerk reaction but recognise that unless results improve dramatically - and soon - they will have to consider replacing Benitez during the season rather than next summer.

Kenny Dalglish has been tipped to hold the Anfield fort if Benitez IS sacked before May but he would only be keeping the seat warm for O'Neill (left).

Wednesday's 1-1 draw with Lyon leaves Liverpool's Champions League campaign in a precarious position and five Premier League defeats already this season means their first title since 1990 is a pipedream.

Failing to qualify for the Champions League next season would have a huge effect on Liverpool's already shaky financial position.

The club's budget is based largely on Champions League qualification and an absence from the top four would badly damage any chances of Hicks and Gillett refinancing the club's debt.

That is why Benitez's position is now being discussed by the club's hierarchy and they have come to the conclusion that O'Neill is the best suited and best placed to take the club forward.

Twenty months ago, when things were wobbling under Benitez, the club flirted with the idea of recruiting Jurgen Klinsmann. But the initial interest came to nothing and despite having done a good job as German national manager at the 2006 World Cup, Klinsmann's lack of credentials at club level were exposed last season at Bayern Munich, where he was sacked in April. Since then Liverpool have flirted with the idea of luring Jose Mourinho back to England to take up the one job the 'Special One' has consistently said would lure him back to the Premier League.

Given the current confused state of Liverpool's finances, however, it is unlikely the Inter Milan boss would want to take on the job at this stage of his career.

Certainly he would not be persuaded to leave Inter mid-season. And come next summer, it is more likely that he will be lured by Spanish giants Real Madrid.

O'Neill has always honoured his contracts at previous clubs but has become increasingly frustrated by how quickly the fans at Aston Villa have turned on him.

He took over at Villa in 2006 when the club was in turmoil following the reign of David O'Leary.

And he rapidly revived their fortunes and has led them into European football and even flirted with breaking in to the top four.

To most, O'Neill has done a fine job at re-establishing Villa as one of the country's top eight clubs. And so O'Neill can't understand why he can become so quickly subject to criticism from the stands.

He has worked well under the ownership of American Randy Lerner and the business model that has gone along with it.

O'Neill's ability to manage in that way has further impressed Yanks Hicks and Gillett, who have become increasingly wary of how quickly Benitez blames his inability to push Liverpool to the next level on a lack of transfer funds.

Last year, Benitez won a significant political battle when chief executive Rick Parry was ousted after the Spaniard had complained he should have total control of transfer business.

But it is understood that Gillett and Hicks are now sceptical of Benitez's ability in the transfer market - but have admired how well O'Neill has worked within budgets and in tandem with Villa owner Lerner's requirements.

Liverpool Will Not Sell Key Players - Hicks

Liverpool will not be forced to sell off key players if the club make an early exit from the Champions League, co-owner Tom Hicks said.

"None of our star players will be sold, regardless of results," the American told the Sunday Mirror. "The club is doing very well due to rapidly growing commercial revenues.

"We have significant investor interest and want to make sure that we pick high-quality partners.

"We are happy with the way things are going financially but we hoped things would be better on the pitch."

The five-times European champions are in danger of being eliminated from the group stage of the Champions League despite having players such as England's Steven Gerrard and Spain's Fernando Torres.

They have also lost five of their first 11 games in the Premier League and are seventh in the standings, nine points adrift of leaders Chelsea before Sunday's games.

Liverpool have been keen to raise fresh cash to help challenge for top honours and fund the construction of a new stadium, as well as finance debt estimated at 245 million pounds.

Liverpool Plan £250m Field Of Dreams

Liverpool will brush off the controversy over England’s top clubs selling naming rights to their stadiums and chase the most expensive naming rights deal in the history of sport. Despite the recession, the Merseyside club’s hierarchy are convinced they can raise a mammoth £250m by persuading a leading global firm to buy the rights to name Liverpool’s proposed ground.

Liverpool’s owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillett, have been buoyed by their record £20m-per-season shirt sponsorship agreement signed recently with Standard Chartered, taking it as proof of the world-wide appeal of the club and the Premier League. These factors have persuaded Hicks and Gillett to revisit stadium-building plans, shelved due to Liverpool’s debts. The two Americans now believe they can underwrite more than 50% of the cost of building a new ground on a site earmarked on Stanley Park through a world-record naming rights sale.

The benchmark they have set Liverpool’s commercial team is the deal signed between the New York Mets baseball franchise and Citigroup. The American financial services giant paid $20m (£12m) a year over 20 years to have a new stadium, Citi Field, opened by the Mets early in 2009. Liverpool believe they can outstrip that. “Naming rights are a global market,” said Hicks. “We likely will partner with someone wanting global branding, unlike the US stadiums, which only worry about TV appeal in the States, similar to why Standard Chartered chose to partner with us on our shirts.”

Despite debts approaching £300m and Liverpool’s onfield worries, Hicks remains bullish about the outlook for his club. He said Rafael Benitez would not be forced to sell star players even if Liverpool fail to qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League. Hicks and Gillett are seeking new investors, in the hope of raising money to reduce the club’s debt by diluting their shareholding, and spoke of “significant interest”. They are undeterred by protests by Newcastle fans in response to their club’s stadium being renamed sportsdirect.com@St James’ Park Stadium and criticism of Chelsea, who last week announced they were looking to sell off naming rights to Stamford Bridge in the hope of raising £150m.

Liverpool believe their situation is different, because they are building a new stadium rather than renaming an existing one. They regard as a precedent Arsenal, who signed a £100m 15-year deal with Emirates, which also included shirt sponsorship, when they moved from Highbury in 2006. Manchester United are the only Big Four club for whom a naming rights sale does not appear an option. A club source said a rights sale involving Old Trafford is “not on our agenda”. Sir Alex Ferguson said Chelsea’s plans were driven by money. “It is the only reason I can think of. But it does not really concern me. I wouldn’t have thought [it would happen at United].”

Guus Hiddink Would Be Perfect For Liverpool

When Guus Hiddink sneezes, Roman Abramovich catches a cold and Vladimir Putin develops a nervous cough.

They’d better order additional supplies of extra strength tissues for Manchester United’s visit to Stamford Bridge today.

Hiddink – like another student of socialism, Sir Alex Ferguson – understands how to use the cult of personality, welded around strong leaders.

They revere authority figures in Russia, a land trying to convince itself that Joseph Stalin was not so bad for a dictator who killed untold millions.

Putin may ignore David Miliband, the British Foreign Secretary when he pitches up in Moscow, but he’ll take the Dutchman’s calls 24/7.

Hiddink’s remarkable ability to win friends and influence important people ensures he will be conspicuous by his absence from the most significant match of the Premier League season so far.

He is way too cute to swan into West London, imply disrespect to Carlo Ancelotti and provide a diversion for a Chelsea team that, deep down, he must still consider his own.

Hiddink plans to be in Moscow, on media duties before his Russia squad assembles for World Cup play off matches against Slovenia.

The pressure on him to extend his contract until the 2012 European Championship is being applied from the Kremlin downwards. Hiddink has yet to enter negotiations with the Russian FA beyond an impish suggestion that, at 62: “I’m not getting any younger.”

The latest set of multi-millionaires to respond to his human qualities has been queuing up to eulogise him.

Arsenal and Russia striker Andrey Arshavin captured the mood when he suggested that: “Without Guus, there is no team.”

Russia should qualify for South Africa, and postpone the panic prompted by any hint from Hiddink it is time to move on. Should they lose to Slovenia, a small nation punching above its weight, big men have big decisions to make.

Hiddink has the knack of never outstaying his welcome.

Unattached, even in spirit, he’s the most attractive manager in world football.

United, remember, need a huge personality to succeed Fergie.

They need someone who is not cowed by legend or intimidated by a once-in-a-generation opportunity.

If I were Tom Hicks or George Gillett – football’s answer to Dick Dastardly and Muttley – I’d make plans to sack Rafa Benitez and offer to sell the last remaining sliver of my soul.

Hiddink would be perfect for Liverpool.

He would take a warm bath in the club’s history, cleanse himself with Shankly’s spirit.

Then he’d win round Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher, in the way he convinced Frank Lampard and John Terry he was The Man.

Abramovich takes loyalty deadly seriously. He will not want to lose someone in whom he has invested so much faith.

Hiddink’s spell as caretaker-manager, ruthlessly engineered but undeniably necessary, marked a turning point in Chelsea’s development.

He set about changing attitudes to a regime that lacked humility, class, and sheer common sense.

Whisper it, in the way you might admit Take That can hold a tune, but it may now be socially acceptable to admire Chelsea.

Peter Kenyon and his PR man have left the building. New chief executive Ron Gourlay has been understated, realistic. Even the impending abomination of selling naming rights to Stamford Bridge smacks of commercial expedience. Chelsea are flirting with the real world.

My best guess is that, eventually, Hiddink will return as technical director.

Few will mourn Frank Arnesen’s passing.

Hiddink doesn’t need the limitations of the manager’s role. He will be in the background, pulling the strings.

Just like his new best friend, Vladimir Putin, the man who really runs Russia, rather than President Medvedev.

Ngog Eyeing More Goals

Liverpool striker David Ngog wants to score more goals for Rafa Benitez to repay the Spaniard for improving his game.

The 20-year-old has netted twice in the Premier League this term - against Stoke City and Manchester United - in four substitute appearances.

The France Under-21 international has also scored in the Carling Cup against Leeds and for the reserves.

But Ngog, who signed from Paris St Germain in July 2008, is hungry for more.

He told Liverpoolfc.tv: "Rafa has improved me.

"I've learnt a lot at this club and the manager has given me a lot of confidence. I thank him for that and now I have to give my best for him.

"I just want to score and do my best for the team, and I know I have the qualities to do these things.

"Every player has to improve some things and I know with time and experience I will be better.

"I have to be patient, work every day in training and do my best when I get a chance."

Ngog received a big boost with his goal against United in Liverpool's 2-0 success at Anfield.

"I will keep this moment with me for the rest of my career," he said. "The goal went really fast - I didn't have time to think.

"Of course it's made me hungry for more. I know I can give a lot to this club and it's given me confidence."

Ngog believes Benitez is the right man to turn things around at Anfield after a difficult start to the campaign.

"He is a really good coach with experience," said the French striker.

"He knows what to do in these kinds of situations. He is a good person for the club and he's helped this club be one of the best in Europe again. We continue to trust and believe in him.

"I don't really read the papers. We know people like to talk but we have to stay focused, stay together and work together. We believe we have a good team.

"We know we can do better and win games."

Barcelona Planning Winter Raid For Liverpool Midfielder Javier Mascherano

Barcelona are reportedly preparing a bid for Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano, who the Merseyside club are preparing to offload during the winter transfer window according to Spanish publication El Mundo Deportivo.

The Argentine central midfielder, who holds an Italian passport, was a summer target for the Blaugrana and had showed signs of a desire to make the switch before Reds boss Rafael Benitez insisted he would not be leaving.

Now however the Merseyside club are understood to be ready to cash in on Mascherano and use the cash to strengthen their attacking options and put an end to their over reliance on Fernando Torres for goals.

Barca are reportedly waiting to see how the market plays out during the winter window before making a bid but should another club declare their interest in signing the 25-year-old the Catalan giants are ready to show their hand.

The report also suggests that any approach for Mascherano would have no effect on Barca's intention to add a forward to their ranks with Robinho and Luis Suarez topping the list of possible signings.

Should Mascherano make the switch, he will join Dmytro Chygrynskiy on the cup-tied list for the UEFA Champions League.

Fabio Aurelio Winning Injury Battle Ahead Of Liverpool FC's Clash With Birmingham

Fabio Aurelio is winning his battle to be fit to return to action on Monday – and to take his place in the Brazil squad for the first time.

Aurelio, who is in the last year of his current contract, has missed Liverpool’s last two games against Fulham and Lyon with a calf problem.

His form before that, though, had been good enough to catch the eye of Brazil coach Dunga, who will take Aurelio and Reds midfielder Lucas to Qatar for next Saturday’s friendly with England.

Benitez is thrilled Aurelio’s consistency has been recognised and has confirmed talks are planned with the 30-year-old about extending his stay at Anfield.

First, however, the Liverpool boss wants to see Aurelio up and running again and hopes the Anfield clash against Birmingham will provide an ideal opportunity.

“We are really happy for Fabio to have received the call up because he it is a fantastic opportunity for him,” said Benitez.

“We are not so happy that the game is in Qatar but there you go! I think he is a very good player, a really nice person to have around the club and very professional.

“He is someone that we are continuing to analyse how he is playing and how he is doing; we offered him an extension before but his agents did not accept it.

“Then he had the problem with his knee, so we have to analyse again because he has had so many injuries and we know things might have to be done in a different way.

“But we still have it in our minds to talk with him again because of what we know he can do and what he adds to the squad.”

Talks had started during the summer with Aurelio’s agent about extending his stay on Merseyside beyond the end of this season, as he is a player Benitez knows and trusts from their time together with Valencia.

Provided he comes through the weekend training sessions, he will come into contention for a place on the left side against Alex McLeish’s men and Benitez hopes Aurelio has seen the back of the Melwood treatment room for some time.

“You can always count him to give his best,” said Benitez. “Fabio is a very good professional, top class in terms of quality.

“The only problem is that he has had some injuries and we have got to be careful.”

Torres To Defy Doc

Fernando Torres will defy doctor's orders to try to haul Liverpool out of their slump.

Groin-strain victim Torres wants to play against Birmingham on Monday despite being told not to play for THREE weeks.

It could spark a row with Spain who agreed not to pick Torres, 25, for their prestige date with Argentina.

The Reds striker was advised to rest when he flew to Valencia in the club's jet to consult Dr Ramon Cugat, who saw Torres last season on boss Rafa Benitez's recommendation.

Cugat appears to have assured Torres he would not need surgery if he paced himself properly.

He was back at the Liverpool training ground yesterday and all the signs are he will continue to play through the pain as the Reds seek to halt their disastrous eight-game run with just one win.

Kop skipper Steven Gerrard - another groin strain casualty - also managed light training yesterday after being given a pain-killing injection.

Gerrard's fitness will be closely monitored over the weekend and he too could be patched up and sent out to face Birmingham.

Central defender Daniel Agger, feeling his way back after back surgery, said: "We have just got to look forward to the Birmingham game to get going.

"If we keep playing with the effort we have shown we hope the situation will turn for us."

Carlo Ancelotti Writes Off Liverpool's Title Chances

Carlo Ancelotti claimed yesterday that Liverpool can no longer win the Barclays Premier League title, although such a dismissive attitude will not stop him seeking to follow their example when Chelsea face Manchester United on Sunday.

Chelsea can open a five-point gap at the top of table by beating United at Stamford Bridge and victory would put them 12 points clear of sixth-placed Liverpool, who host Birmingham City on Monday night.

Ancelotti insists that the battle for the title is not yet a two-horse race between Chelsea and United, claiming that Arsenal could win the trophy for the first time in six years, but he does not believe that Liverpool will stay the pace. Liverpool have won only one of their past eight matches in all competitions, a 2-0 victory over United a fortnight ago.

“It’s not just between us and United, I think Arsenal have good possibilities to arrive in first place,” the Chelsea manager said. “We can’t think about Liverpool because they are behind, but Arsenal have a very good team and a very good chance to win.”

For all his doubts about Liverpool’s pedigree, Ancelotti believes their victory over United two weeks ago has shown them the way to beat the champions. The Italian is convinced that United have a weakness in central midfield, which Liverpool exploited at Anfield, and will attempt to do the same by fielding a powerful trio of Michael Essien, Michael Ballack and Frank Lampard tomorrow, with Deco in a more advanced role at the top of the diamond. José Bosingwa is Chelsea’s only injury concern, with Branislav Ivanovic likely to fill in at right back.

“Liverpool had a fantastic match, a strong match, and put a lot of pressure on the pitch,” Ancelotti said. “That’s why they won. They didn’t give United any possibility to play like they want to play. It was a good lesson for us because Manchester can suffer when there’s pressure on their midfielders. Every team has a weakness. But I don’t want to play against other teams’ weaknesses; we want to put our own qualities on the pitch.”

Ancelotti claimed that he had yet to decide whether to enter the transfer market in January after the Court of Arbitration for Sport confirmed yesterday that Fifa’s transfer ban for allegedly inducing Gaël Kakuta to sign from Lens, the French club, will be frozen pending their appeal.

The Times revealed in September that Chelsea would seek to delay their hearing to enable them to strengthen their squad in January and it is inconceivable that they will not recruit more players despite Ancelotti’s apparent ambivalence to the idea.

“I’m very happy with this squad,” he said. “I have enough experience not to have problems with old players. I’ve trained some players until they’re in their forties, so these players have a lot of time yet.”

Lucas Will Continue To Improve - Rafa Benitez

The shrill of Franck de Bleeckere’s final whistle had barely subsided when the phone-ins started, looking to apportion blame for Liverpool’s Champions League struggles.

Predictably, the names were the same. Angry of Anfield and Worried of Woolton all knew which players were culpable for stopping Liverpool securing a win in Lyon which would have kept them in control of their European destiny.

It was, of course, easy to see where many were coming from on certain individuals; yet that some felt Lucas should be included in the rogue’s gallery which was being assembled was a source of utter bewilderment to Rafa Benitez.

Though it is true to say Lucas missed a glorious chance to give Liverpool the lead midway through the second half in the Stade Gerland, it was the only blot on an otherwise spotless copybook.

Neat and tidy in possession, diligent in his work and desperate to help the Reds get back on course, Lucas played with a confidence that suggests he is now starting to get fully attuned to the Liverpool way of life.

While it is improbable he will ever enjoy mass popularity on the terraces, that is unlikely to ever cause Benitez to lose sleep, especially if the Brazilian’s form continues to move on upward trajectory, as has been the case for most of this season.

An impressive figure in the win over Manchester United last month – his efforts glossed when he put David Ngog through to score the crucial second – Lucas again showed he is coming of age in France earlier this week.

Lucas will be part of the side that faces Birmingham City at Anfield on Monday evening and Benitez is backing the man he signed from Gremio in 2007 to build on recent efforts with another solid performance.

“When we played Manchester United, some people came up to me and said Lucas was really good,” said Benitez, clearly shocked that some people were surprised his efforts.

“But when you analyse the situation, you will see that he is a young player who came to a big club like ours. It was different to anything he had ever known and he had no other option but to adapt.

“He has also had to get used to the language, the way of life and it was a problem for someone who had spent all their life initially in Brazil. Yet he shows character every single game and every single day when he is training.

“He works hard, he is always trying to improve. Now we are watching him and we can see he is playing well at this moment in time but we know he is going to keep getting better in the future.”

Given the way he trains and conducts himself, it is almost inevitable that Lucas – who is still only 22 yet a regular in Brazil’s national side – will continue to progress and Benitez believes the benefits will be two-fold.

“He is a very good professional and I think that a lot of our fans realise he is someone who gives everything on the pitch for them,” said Benitez.

“His confidence is growing, he’s trying to take responsibility and he is doing everything. I’m pleased for him and pleased for us because the club is the most important thing.”

The most important thing on Monday, clearly, is to get three points to restore a sense of calm again following one of the most difficult and demoralising spells the club has been through during the past decade.

Lisandro’s goal in the dying seconds of the Lyon game invoked the kind of feelings teams usually suffer after losing in cup finals and the flight home from France was, not surprisingly, a very subdued affair.

But having had two days to reflect on their efforts, it has registered with the squad that the performance was much better than anything they had produced in more than a month and maintain such standards will spark a transformation in results.

More than anything, however, Lucas – who next Saturday will play for Brazil against England in Qatar – recognises there is a need to take three points off Birmingham to relieve some of the pressure on Benitez.

“We are in a difficult moment, but we are the ones on the pitch and it is up to us to improve,” Lucas said. “Rafa is a really good manager and now we have to try to win for ourselves, but also for him because he has been really good for us and me in particular.

“He gave me opportunities and he gave me confidence, so now I want to pay him back by playing well, working really hard and performing as he expects me to. Maybe I was low last year when I got booed at Anfield.

“But that is in the past. The supporters, especially the Kop, have been really good with me this season. They are helping me all the time and giving me confidence. I have heard my name being sung and it made me feel really good. It is special when the Kop sings your name, and I appreciate that so much.

“I feel I’m growing in confidence this season. I’m a totally different player to the one who arrived at Liverpool. Now I have a good relationship with them, but the most important thing is about what is best for Liverpool – not what is best for me.”

Rafa Benitez Makes International Friendlies Plea Over Fernando Torres And Steven Gerrard

Rafa Benitez has urged the Spanish and English Football Associations to exercise commonsense when naming their squads for their international friendlies next week.

Spain will play Argentina at Atletico Madrid’s Vicente Calderon stadium next Saturday, while on the same evening England face Brazil in a glamour friendly in Qatar.

In normal circumstances, both Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard would figure prominently in those matches but they have both had well documented fitness problems.

That’s why Benitez has spoken with the Spanish FA to explain the situation surrounding Torres and hopes the English FA will be sympathetic with regards Gerrard.

“I have spoken with the Spanish technical director, the fitness coach and (head coach) Vicente Del Bosque about Fernando,” said the Liverpool manager today.

“I have explained the situation and they know he is not fit at this moment and he needs to work hard with the physios for a while. It’s a similar situation with Steven.

“When you have a player who has only been working with the physios and after there is an international break, it makes no sense to call these players when they are not fit.

“At this moment, I think both will be in a difficult situation (physically) for the next two weeks and the Spanish know this.”

Torres trained at Melwood this morning along with the rest of the squad ahead of Monday’s home clash with Birmingham following his whistle stop visit to Valencia.

The Reds sought a second opinion on his ‘sportsman’s hernia’ on Thursday and Benitez revealed that the injury which has troubled for a month has started to improve gradually.

“He is a little bit better than he was before but he still has some problems and is working with the physios,” said Benitez. “Can he play against Birmingham? We will see. We have to manage the situation.

“The experience I have with similar problems is to keep going and see how he reacts. Some players can keep going for the whole season, others need to stop and start again. Torres has a positive mentality and wants to play for the team.

“I was really surprised with a lot of the critics after some games, as you could see the player was not 100 per cent fit. When will we decide if we carry on or we have to stop? Again, it depends on the reaction of the players.

“At this moment he is playing and trying to do his best. He is improving. He was much better after Fulham than he was after Manchester United. And he was much better after Lyon than he was after Fulham.”

Gerrard, though, is not at Torres’ level and, having only played for 25 minutes in the last four weeks, is desperately short of match fitness.

“Stevie is different because he hasn’t trained with the team for 15 days,” said Benitez. “He is working with the physios but, clearly, he is not fully fit and needs time.”

Benitez, however, expects have some more bodies back for the Birmingham game and is hoping they will help secure three priceless points.

“They have got a good manager and they know what it means to play in the Premier League,” said Benitez. “They are a good team and they will have a good season but we hope that it is going to be after Monday night.”

Glen Johnson Hoping Liverpool FC's Luck Will Turn

Defender Glen Johnson may be struggling to be fit for Liverpool’s home clash with Birmingham on Monday but he is convinced he is part of a squad good enough to turn around recent disastrous form.

The England man is still a major doubt with a calf injury that kept him out of the midweek Champions League draw in Lyon, and he is not expected to be fit to face the midlanders.

But he maintains the current Liverpool squad can still win major honours despite an erratic start to the season.

Johnson said: “People keep talking about us losing the title, they were doing it after we lost the first game of the season.

“We have got a fantastic group of players here. Everyone has been disappointed with the performances and results because we’ve got enough about us to do a lot better.

“There has always been a belief that we are equipped to beat any team we face but a lot has gone against us, especially luck, and it has cost us games.”

Liverpool will play a waiting game with the fitness of a string of top stars, including Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard, as they prepare for Monday’s match.

Striker Torres returned to the club’s Melwood training ground yesterday after his whistle-stop trip to Valencia.

The Spaniard had sought a second opinion on his groin injury from specialist Ramon Cugat, who he has worked with before, and is also favoured by manager Rafael Benitez from his time at Valencia.

Spanish sources suggest Torres has been told to rest for three weeks, but Liverpool’s top scorer is still being considered for Monday’s match.

Torres is believed not to want to take that course of action, and has been in light training and will have further careful sessions over the weekend before a decision is made about his availability to face Birmingham.

Gerrard, with a lesser groin problem than Torres, has had another pain killing injection this week and also done some light training. He will continue in the same vein this weekend, when Benitez will also consider his fitness levels.

Liverpool also have Albert Riera (hamstring), Fabio Aurelio (calf) and Martin Skrtel (virus) likely to be back in action.

It is a match Liverpool must win if they are to continue their fight for what realistically is a top-four finish, with the title seemingly out of reach.

Benitez will be without the suspended Jamie Carragher and Philipp Degen for the clash with Birmingham.

Alex McLeish Understands Liverpool Counterpart Rafa Benitez's Situation

Aside from the Manchester United scalp, Liverpool are winless since late September - a feat Birmingham City manager Alex McLeish hopes won't be remedied when his side take on Rafael Benitez's Reds on Monday evening.

McLeish, however, empathises with Benitez over the situation that has engulfed Anfield.

Liverpool have fallen down the Premier League rankings; nine points behind Chelsea, they are also facing a likely Champions League exit following their inability to defeat Olympique Lyonnais.

McLeish compared his experience at Rangers to the one Rafa is currently going through. He told the official website of the Premier League: "I think Rafa Benitez is a smart guy who has been in the game a long time and knows the expectation levels at a club like Liverpool, the same as I did at Rangers.

"We are not daft. When you have some results that are against expectations of the fans and what people expect of Liverpool, then you are always going to be under pressure.

"I was no different with the Rangers job but you have just got to keep your focus, your dignity and keep working as best as you know in the game," concluded the Blues' boss.

Daniel Agger Wants Liverpool To Find Self-Belief Ahead Of Birmingham City Clash

Liverpool defender Daniel Agger is taking heart from the Reds' positive performance against Olympique Lyonnais this week, despite the disappointing result – a 1-1 draw placed the Merseysiders' hopes of progress in the Champions League in severe doubt.

"You get what you deserve in football and you have to look at closing the game down otherwise you get punished in the way we did in Lyon," he told the club's official website.

"Now we have just got to look forward to the Birmingham game to get going. If we keep playing with the effort we did in Lyon, we hope the situation will turn for us.

"It's always so difficult to accept when you lose two points in the manner we did so late in a game.

"We were all so disappointed. We might have controlled the game but it's no consolation; you've got to keep working hard until the last minute.

"But we have to keep believing. We have got to go into the next two games, make sure that we win them and then take it from there."

Liverpool welcome Birmingham City to Anfield on Monday night and Agger is expecting to be fit for the game after playing in Lyon.

He added: "Physically I feel okay. I wanted to play [in Lyon] and I do all I can to play in every match, as all the lads do here. But sometimes it's not going to happen."

Liverpool Planning Transfer Swoop For Dutch Midfield Star

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is looking at Hamburg’s Dutch midfielder Eljero Elia to help solve his Anfield crisis.

Benitez has sent scouts to watch the 22-year-old midfielder this season and is desperate to strengthen his squad, despite him being under pressure to save his job.

Under-fire Benitez has suggested agreeing a deal for Elia - who joined Hamburg from FC Twente for £7m in August - and then allowing him to stay in Germany until next summer as he is so keen to get him.

Elia has already broken into the Dutch national team and is being backed to be a regular in their World Cup line-up.

Reina: Champions League Exit Would Not Be A Disaster For Liverpool

Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina has said that he does not believe an early European exit for the club would be a complete disaster.

Reina knows that his side must win their two remaining games and hope already-qualified Lyon can do them a favour against Italian side Fiorentina, but maintains that the Reds' rich European history makes up for this season's woes.

"I do not accept that not going through will be a disaster for the club," he said. "We have been in the Champions League now for several years, one failure is not a disaster.

"Not many teams have reached the semi-finals twice and two finals - including a title victory - in the last few seasons. It can happen again, we get closer to our real form with every game.

Any team would miss the quality of the players who are injured at the moment, but we have others who can play and who can produce the right performances to get us out of this mess."

Liverpool's next game in the tournament is a must-win trip to Debrecen on November 24, and Reina believes his team have to dig deep if they are going to pick themselves up.

"We must show heart, passion and belief," he added. "If anyone can do this, Liverpool can. But now it (qualification) is not in our own hands, it does not only depend on what we do.

"Now it is very, very difficult for us. But we must show strong character and fight right to the end. We know we have enough good players to sort this out."

Gerrard: LFC Has Exciting Kids At Academy

Steven Gerrard believes there are several exciting prospects at the Academy who could one day take the Premier League by storm.

Not since Gerrard broke on to the scene in 1998 has Liverpool produced a world-class star.

The skipper, though, thinks all that could soon change as the new-look Academy led by Frank McParland and Kenny Dalglish looks to get players into Rafa Benitez's first team.

He told FourFourTwo magazine: "Don't forget Stephen Warnock, who's been a great player for Blackburn and Villa. But yeah, it's true (players haven't come through).

"That's why there have been a lot of changes at the club recently, because we want to see another Robbie Fowler, another Michael Owen, another Jamie Carragher coming through.

"But I've had a couple of chats to Kenny since he's been back and he's very excited about certain players.

"I won't name them because that's pressure the kids don't need. Their only pressure should come from making sacrifices and pushing themselves hard to get into the first team."

Jamie Carragher Launches New Charity, The 23 Foundation

Reds star Jamie Carragher officially launched his new young people’s charity in Liverpool.

The Liverpool defender set up The 23 Foundation earlier this year to provide grants to young people on Merseyside.

The 23 Foundation, which takes its name from Carragher’s team shirt number, aims to give children a better chance in life.

The footballing star says he plans to give the proceeds from his Liverpool testimonial to the Foundation.

He said: “I was in Alder Hey as a child myself when I was first born and I hope The 23 Foundation can help children like people did for me when I was growing up.

“I’ve got my own kids and I don’t think there’s anything better than making a child happy.

“I was very fortunate to go to a good youth club and I’ve been very fortunate to be where I am playing for Liverpool.

“I’d like to think that maybe if I put something back, we’ll have someone else going on to play for Liverpool or Everton, or getting involved in other sports. There are a lot of youth clubs out there helping kids to keep fit and stay interested in sport.

“I want the charity to help those clubs buy equipment and keep kids off the streets.”

The LFC star invited friends to his Cafe Sports England restaurant yesterday to celebrate the start of the charity’s new website. The website will give fans the chance to find out more about the charity and bid for signed Liverpool FC memorabilia.

The 31-year-old footballer, who is from Bootle, said: “Hopefully we will try to raise £100,000 each year for the Foundation.

“We have set up the website so people can bid for things like signed pictures, which I will dedicate to them.

“This is my 14th season with Liverpool and a testimonial has been mentioned. I would like to look into arranging a testimonial game and everything would go to the charity.”

Fernando Torres Should Be Playing In Spain With The Rest Of The Best Players, Insists Former Liverpool Star Xabi Alonso

Xabi Alonso has risked angering the Liverpool fans who used to idolise him by claiming that Fernando Torres 'deserves' to play in Spain.

Alonso left Merseyside for Real Madrid in a £30million move this summer after telling Rafa Benitez that he wanted to join the Bernabeu revolution.

And now he hopes that former Atletico Madrid star Torres joins him in by returning across the Bay of Biscay.

'La Liga deserves players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and Lionel Messi,' Alonso told Sport magazine. 'Now we are only missing my good friend Fernando Torres.

'I hope to see him back in Spain one day, but I don't think he will come to Real Madrid. I think he has too big a heart for Atletico for that, sadly.'

Alonso insists he has no regrets about leaving Liverpool and says he has a clear conscience over the move, particularly after Rafa Benitez's botched attempt to offload him to Juventus a year before.

'It was a reason (the Juve episode), but not the only one,' said Alonso. 'I needed to start afresh.

'When I heard about the new Real Madrid project, I knew I wanted to be a part of it.

'Looking at the names in the squad, it makes you think that this is some kind of computer game. It is almost not realistic that you can have so many star players on the same team.

'I'm very happy to be back (in Spain) and enjoying every minute of it. I had five great years in Liverpool, but it is only healthy for every footballer to change environment after a period of time at the same club, so I'm very pleased I came here.

'Maybe some of the fans or people at the club don't agree or don't understand my motivations for leaving.

'But I think that I can look at myself in the mirror and know that I did everything possible for Liverpool, and I was committed throughout.

'I left Liverpool in a far better condition than when I came in 2004.'

Alonso insists that his relationship with Benitez was not as frosty as has been claimed and speaks glowingly of his compatriot.

'Rafa is a fantastic manager and also a fantastic person who understands management and how to motivate players,' he said. 'We still have a warm relationship and I think he respects my decision to try new challenges.

'We have a mutual respect for each other and we still have the same relationship as always.

'We had a good long talk before I left and I think we told each other what we needed to say before parting ways. I have always admitted Rafa and always will do.'

The former Real Sociedad player believes his time in England made him a better player, but he won't miss the food.

'I actually liked the British culture,' he said. 'I don't appreciate the cooking very much, but a lot of other aspects are great.

'The British are very kind people and they respect you for what you've achieved.

'I also like their humour and the whole culture surrounding football: so many fans go to away games, which is something you don't see very often in Spanish football.

'And the Liverpool fans are amazing. When you enter Anfield and they sing You'll Never Walk Alone, you get something that you will take with you for the rest of your life.'

I Will Never Regret Joining Liverpool

Xabi Alonso will never regret joining Liverpool in 2004, despite having the option to join his current club Real Madrid.

The Spanish international was coveted by the La Liga giants prior to leaving Real Sociedad, but chose to join the Premier League side instead.

The midfielder has great memories of his time at Anfield, and admits the fans will always hold a special place in his heart.

Alonso told Sport Magazine: “There was an opportunity for me to join Real Madrid, but it never got serious before I chose Liverpool.”

“I will never regret joining Liverpool because I learned a lot and developed as a footballer and experienced another country, a different lifestyle and a different league.”

“I have also matured, and have a stronger belief in my qualities.”

“I know what I can do and I don’t let anything from outside remove my focus, like earlier in my career.”

Alonso suggested he loved living in England and embraced the Scouse culture like it were his own.

He continued: “I actually like the British culture. I don’t appreciate the cooking very much, but a lot of other aspects are great.”

“The British are very kind people and they respect you for you’ve achieved. I also like their humour and the whole culture surrounding football – so many fans go to away games, which is not something you see very often in Spanish football.”

“And the Liverpool fans are amazing.”

“When you enter Anfield and they sing You’ll Never Walk Alone, you get something that you will take with you for the rest of your life.”

Xabi Alonso Saddened By Liverpool's Struggles In Champions League

Devastated is the word that Steven Gerrard used to describe how he felt when Xabi Alonso left Liverpool. It is a strong word. “Gutted” is trotted out routinely by footballers, but “devastated” cuts far deeper, revealing the kind of pain that has been all too apparent in the turbulent five-week spell that has turned Liverpool’s season into something already approaching a write-off.

There was a time in the opening weeks of this troubled season when Alonso’s departure to Real Madrid for £30 million was identified as the reason why Liverpool had receded from a title-challenging team into one that had lost four Barclays Premier League games by the middle of last month.

It is only as the results have worsened — one win, one draw and six defeats in the past eight games, leaving them out of the Carling Cup, all but out of the Champions League and nine points adrift in the Premier League — that the focus has shifted away from the gap in midfield and on to deeper, underlying problems.

It is a predicament that brought a sad look to Alonso’s face as he stopped to chat on the way out of the San Siro stadium on Tuesday evening. He had just produced a highly assured performance in Real’s 1-1 draw with AC Milan, but that did not stop him looking ahead to Liverpool’s date with Lyons the night after, backing them to invoke the spirit they have summoned so often in the Champions League — as they seemed to have done again until Lisandro López’s last-minute equaliser left them in need of a “miracle”, as Rafael Benítez conceded.

“It’s a difficult situation,” Alonso said. “They have had injuries, they’ve had some bizarre moments like the one at Sunderland [when Darren Bent’s winning goal bounced in off a stray beach ball]. Liverpool will always be in my mind. I keep in contact with my former team-mates, I look for their results and, whenever I can, I watch their games on TV.”

What of Gerrard’s claim that Alonso’s departure left the captain — and thus quite possibly the team — devastated? While the points in Lyons were frittered away in attack, where opportunities were wasted in the 1-1 draw, and defence, where Sotiris Kyrgiakos and Daniel Agger were dragged out of position before López’s goal, few could look at Liverpool’s midfield in recent weeks and claim that they are not missing Alonso. Quite apart from his range of passing, he brought a composure and a tactical discipline that have not been apparent in Javier Mascherano and Lucas Leiva.

“Everyone knows that in football, when things aren’t right, the best player is always the one who isn’t there, whether they’re injured, suspended or no longer at the club,” Alonso said. “They still have a lot of good players. Alberto Aquilani [the midfield player signed from Roma to replace him] will hopefully be fit soon.”

This is when the conversation turned to Benítez, with whom his relationship changed perceptibly during the 2007-08 campaign. After the manager tried and failed to replace him with Gareth Barry, Alonso went on to become an influential figure in last season’s title challenge but, the damage done, he was vigorous in pursuing the opportunity to join Real when the summer came.

It was an acrimonious split, but even if his name has become taboo around Anfield — it was not his choice that he did not publish an open letter to the supporters on the club’s website, as John Arne Riise and Luis García had upon leaving — Alonso backed Benítez to drag Liverpool out of their slump.

“I still have great respect for him,” Alonso said. “I’m very grateful to him for the five great years I had at Liverpool. Of course the situation isn’t the best right now, but he knows how to turn it around. It’s not the Liverpool way to sack a manager after a few bad results early in the season. He is the right man for the club. It wouldn’t be a good decision to change the manager. He’s a great manager.”

Those words will resonate with Liverpool’s supporters, as will the class with which they were delivered by a man who plans to return to Anfield one day to sit among them. At the San Siro on Tuesday his name was jeered by the Milanese in recognition of his role in Liverpool’s Champions League triumph in 2005 — although not quite so loudly as that of Jerzy Dudek, Real’s reserve goalkeeper.

Alonso is linked to Liverpool’s recent past, troubled by their present, but hopeful about their future.

'Disgrace' In Lyon Sparks £100m Reds Rescue Plan With Liverpool Nearing Champions League Exit

Liverpool's hierarchy are piecing together a £100million rescue package to try to turn round a season that has been branded 'a disgrace' by one of their own players.

Anfield bosses hope to have the cash injection in place by January and will be eager to avoid any delays after keeper Pepe Reina turned on his own team-mates and berated their Champions League failings.

A 1-1 draw in Lyon has left Liverpool staring at a costly group stage elimination and Reina fumed: 'Disgracefully, it is not in our hands any more - we need Lyon to get something at Fiorentina.'

As Liverpool braced themselves for a shortfall of up to £18m on their latest Champions League takings, it emerged they have been working feverishly behind the scenes to ensure there is no repeat next season.

Co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett have been courting potential investors in recent weeks and are now ready to press ahead with a rights issue of shares that would dilute their holding but, crucially, generate extra income of around £100m.

After being vilified by fans over alleged broken promises, the Americans view surrendering some of their power as a price worth paying for being able to kick-start their much-delayed stadium project and provide transfer funds for the January window

It is understood managing director Christian Purslow has already had negotiations with interested parties and that Hicks and Gillett, while retaining a majority stake, are prepared to reduce their holding to around 35 per cent each to secure the necessary investment.

The rights issue has echoes of David Moores' appointment as chairman 18 years ago, when he bought over 50 per cent of the club for £12m, and heaps even more pressure on manager Rafa Benitez.

While building a new ground a stone's throw away at Stanley Park remains the priority for Hicks and Gillett, they are acutely aware of their squad's shortcomings and keen to release transfer funds in the New Year.

Whether Benitez will be trusted with them evidently depends on what happens between now and then. The promise of new investment could give Hicks and Gillett the financial muscle needed to dispense with their under-fire manager, even at a cost of £20m in compensation.

It is bound to be given serious consideration if Liverpool continue to falter and risk missing out on the Champions League altogether next season. They will forfeit up to £18m if they fail to overhaul Fiorentina in the next few weeks and face being out of pocket by almost twice as much if they finish outside the Barclays Premier League's top four next May.

As an added concern, such a nightmare scenario would also cast doubt over the futures of key players such as Fernando Torres, Reina, Javier Mascherano and even Steven Gerrard. Torres, Reina and Mascherano all see the Champions League as an essential showcase for their talents, while Gerrard would be just as dismayed, even if he is unlikely to turn his back on his home club, at this late stage, after twice pulling out of moves to Chelsea.

A return of one win from eight games has surely put paid to Liverpool's title hopes, but Reina was just as perturbed by the way they have been left lagging five points behind Fiorentina in Group E, with just two games to go.

But he argued: 'We can handle the pressure. We can trust in ourselves, and we will turn this situation around - I am sure of that.' Ronnie Whelan blamed Benitez's transfer dealings for Liverpool's plight.

'I don't doubt Benitez's passion for Liverpool or his hunger to win for the fans, but his judgement in the transfer market has been awful and that's why the Kop will be watching Europa Cup games before too long,' said the former Liverpool midfielder.

Ex-Liverpool skipper Graeme Souness said: 'If Rafa had been at any other big club - Arsenal, Chelsea or Manchester United - he would not still be manager, because their supporters are not like Liverpool's. Liverpool fans are a bit more patient.'