John Aldridge: It’s Vital That Liverpool FC Go Fourth And Conquer

Portsmouth have been written off as relegation certainties already but I wouldn’t be so quick to condemn them to the drop.

With that in mind, Liverpool face a huge task this afternoon on the south coast at one of the most atmospheric, noisy stadiums in the country. Coming away from Fratton Park will prove easier said than done.

Though we managed to get back to winning ways against Wigan, I didn’t see any signs of confidence being restored and its a good job Charles NZogbia’s goal didn’t come five minutes earlier as the jitters would have well and truly set in.

Still, the victory was gratefully received and Rafa Benitez has got to start Fernando Torres this lunchtime to improve our chances of securing back-to-back wins for the first time in the league since September.

But if we can see off Portsmouth no easy task when you consider that Avram Grant has managed to get some improvement out of them and they acquitted themselves well at Chelsea then I think you will see a real difference.

Hopefully we would then be able to see off Wolves without too much fuss. It would be nice if my old mate Mick McCarthy brought the reserves again, or is he now too much of a Manchester United fan? We could then go into the Aston Villa game on a high.

The Reds cannot allow Villa to sneak too far away, as they are riding on the crest of a wave after beating Manchester United and Sunderland, and are probably the side who will come closest to getting into the top four.

Fortunately, given how badly we have played, we are not too far off fourth spot but we are miles behind in the race for the title and that goes to show that wool has been pulled over our eyes in terms of what we are fighting for.

All we wanted from this season was to challenge for the title, but that is not to be as things stand. We have to make the best of a bad situation and ensure we have Champions League football to look forward to next year its the least we expect.

Liverpool's Rafael Benitez Attacks Premier League For Fixture Failure

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has weighed into the fixture debate, criticizing the Premier League for handing his men a congested schedule.

Benitez joins both Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson in attacking the Premier League's fixture list that has the Reds playing Wigan Athletic on Wednesday night, before travelling to battle Portsmouth the following afternoon.

He is frustrated for fans who wish to attend both matches as they would most likely have to take the train to Fratton Park from Lime Street Station at no later than 6:45 am for a nine and a half hour return journey, during one of the busiest weeks of the year.

Telling the The Guardian: "It is the worst time to travel and it is something the authorities have to consider because a lot of fans will be on the road and maybe it will be snowing."

"But it is something that is very easy to change.

The Spaniard, who has already formally protested about the fixtures and match scheduling to the Premier League, says that he has a solution to the problem.

"My idea is simple, you draw the fixtures at the start of the season and you mirror it in the second half as they do in Spain. It would be a level playing field.

"In Spain they have the same number of teams in La Liga as they do in the Premier League, the same television rights issues and the same press. They can do it in Spain and the rest of Europe where the games are strictly home, away, home, away. I don't know why they cannot do that in England," he said.

Lucas Leiva Remains Confident Of Liverpool's Top Four Hopes

Liverpool's Brazilian midfielder Lucas Leiva has reiterated his hopes for a top four finish, despite the team struggling.

The Merseysiders remedied falling to a sixth Premier League defeat of the season last weekend by triumphing with a 2-1 win over Wigan Athletic on Wednesday, and the win has restored confidence in the Reds camp as burgeoning.

"We could feel the taste of victory again in midweek which was really important after the defeat by Arsenal," Lucas informed the club's official website, www.liverpoolfc.tv.

"It was an important win for us as we want to be as close as possible to the top four.

"We have to fight for every point and each game left for us will be like a final for the rest of the season.

"We are working really hard and hopefully the second part of the season will be even better.

"We have to think about each game and win some games in a row.

"That will give us a lot of confidence and I have confidence we will finish in the top-four."

Liverpool are currently sixth; five points behind Aston Villa in fourth.

Match Preview: Portsmouth vs. Liverpool

Pressure has become the key word for Liverpool in the past month, Jamie Carragher has even turned to the man upstairs, but Portsmouth are in a significantly worse situation as the pair prepare to meet this weekend.

Ahead of Saturday's lunchtime kick-off at Fratton Park, it is difficult to imagine two sides in the Premier League whose seasons have drifted so badly off course since the beginning of the campaign.

In truth, financially-stricken Pompey already appeared in dire straights in the summer and since that time they have managed to get through three owners and two managers, with current boss Avram Grant replacing Paul Hart.

Rafa Benitez's Liverpool, meanwhile, are not involved in Friday's draw for the UEFA Champions League knockout stages and they sit sixth in the table only on goal difference, five points adrift of fourth-placed Aston Villa.

Every match for the Reds now almost takes on a must-win status and Carragher, who is set to make his 600th appearance for Liverpool, has therefore resorted to praying to God for a reward at the end of the season.

Grant has only one win since succeeding the sacked Hart, a recent appointment at Queens Park Rangers, in November but he has overseen a marked improvement in performances of the league's bottom club.

If West Ham lose to Chelsea on Sunday, Pompey could climb the division and their boss will be desperate for three points against a club he earned a UEFA Champions League semi-final win against when in charge at Stamford Bridge in 2008.

Last season's meeting was an epic as Liverpool grabbed a late victory on the South Coast and Pompey, who lost at Chelsea in midweek, will want to avoid a repeat, with their cause boosted by the return from suspension of Younes Kaboul.

Kevin-Prince Boateng and ex-Liverpool defender Steve Finnan both overcame viruses to start against Chelsea and should keep their places.

Liverpool are set to restore Fernando Torres to their first XI after the Spaniard was rested on the bench before essentially turning matchwinner in the 2-1 midweek victory over Wigan at Anfield.

Full-back Glen Johnson is fit to face his former club after he missed Wednesday's match with a hamstring problem.

Winger Albert Riera still has a hamstring injury and is not available, but Ryan Babel returns to the squad after an ankle complaint.


Possible starting XIs

Portsmouth: James, Ben-Haim, Kaboul, Wilson, Hreidarsson, Piquionne, Yebda, Boateng, Brown, O'Hara, Dindane.

Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Agger, Carragher, Insua, Kuyt, Lucas, Mascherano, Aurelio, Gerrard, Torres.

Mascherano Coping With Pressure

Liverpool's Javier Mascherano is using the tense experience of only narrowly qualifying for the World Cup with Argentina to deal with pressure at club level.

The midfielder just reached next summer's international finals in South Africa after a nerve-shredding qualifying campaign with his country.

Mascherano is therefore using that experience to deal with the expectation as Liverpool struggle to meet the minimum target of a place in the Premier League's top four.

Rafa Benitez's Reds recorded only their third win in 10 league games to move sixth in the table with a victory over Wigan in midweek and the 25-year-old hopes for more ahead of Saturday lunchtime's trip to Portsmouth.

"We were talking about this (Argentina's struggles) and it has been good for me to have that experience," said Mascherano in the Daily Mirror.

"The pressure with Argentina to get them into the World Cup was worse. Not because it is my country and Liverpool is my club, but because here you have a little bit more time to do the right things.

"We know that we have to keep winning if we want to be in the top four, but we have a game every week to do that.

"With Argentina, I would go for two games then have three or four months to wait for the next one to put things right."

Mascherano also has high praise for David Ngog as the young striker continues to impress in his development this season after scoring the opener in the 2-1 win over Wigan when starting ahead of the rested Fernando Torres.

"David has taken his chances really well and it is very important for him," said Mascherano.

"It's not easy to play all the time if people are expecting David to do the same job Fernando does.

"That is just not possible, so he is under pressure all the time. But quietly he is doing a good job.

"When he has had to play, he has scored goals. He is trying to do the right thing and he is doing well for us and the manager."

Dalglish - Reds Respect Unirea

Kenny Dalglish insists Liverpool will not be under-estimating Unirea Urziceni after being pitted against the Romanians in the Europa League.

The Reds, like Unirea, dropped into the Europa League after failing to progress from the group stage of the Champions League.

Unirea finished third in Group G and picked up a memorable win over Rangers at Ibrox in the group.

Dalglish admitted Reds boss Rafa Benitez is likely to speak to Rangers counterpart Walter Smith to get the lowdown on their opponents.

"I think they got eight points in their Champions League group which included Rangers, Sevilla and Stuttgart so that's a decent number of points," Dalglish told Sky Sports News.

"Obviously there is plenty of coverage now, it's not as if you're going to get a team that won't have been on television so there's plenty of tape there for Rafa (Benitez) to have a look at.

"And also there's a phone call up the road to Walter Smith at Rangers, I'm sure he'll be happy to disclose any information he's got on them.

"It will be a difficult game. They go on a break until March now but whether the rest helps them or hinders them remains to be seen."

Liverpool could face a return to Istanbul, scene of their famous Champions League success of 2005, in the last 16 if they overcome Unirea with Fenerbahce or Lille waiting in the next round.

Dalglish admits the club would relish a return to Turkey, but insists they are not thinking too far ahead of themselves.

"We've got happy memories of Istanbul," added Dalglish. "But we've got to pay Unirea the respect they deserve."

Former Reds boss Dalglish conceded Liverpool would rather be still in the Champions League, but insisted they will be going all out to win the Europa League.

"We'd rather be in the Champions League," noted Dalglish.

"But we'll give it as good a go to win it, as we would the Champions League, I don't think the boys will let anyone down."

Rafa Targets Euro Success

Rafa Benitez has set his sights on claiming Europa League glory after Liverpool was drawn against Unirea Urziceni.

The Reds saw their UEFA Champions League hopes ended at the group stage and must now make do with the consolation of Europe's second-tier tournament.

Benitez knows his side faces a tough task against the Romanian champions, who have also been parachuted into the competition after finishing third in their Champions League group.

Anfield boss Benitez will not treat the Europa League as a distraction and will do his homework on the side who are managed by former Chelsea midfielder Dan Petrescu.

"For me it is too early [to talk about it] because we know we will play in February so we have plenty of time to prepare and learn about the other team," said the Spaniard.

"It will be tough. Unirea won the league in their country and were in a tough group with Sevilla and Stuttgart - I have some friends in Sevilla so maybe I'll be in touch with them.

"But it is important to have an option to win any trophy. The Europa League is different to the Champions League but there are some good teams in it.

"We have to progress if we can and then it is an opportunity to win a trophy and we will try to do it."

Liverpool, as an unseeded team after their poor Champions League display, will play the first leg at home on 18th February before travelling to Romania the following week.

"We would prefer to play the second game at home but we have to be ready. It will be interesting," added Benitez.

Carragher Reveals England Approach

Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has revealed he turned down an invitation from Fabio Capello to return to the England set-up.

Carragher, 31, won 34 caps for his country but announced his international retirement in the summer of 2007.

However, with encouragement from club captain Steven Gerrard he initially agreed to meet Capello's assistant Franco Baldini, but changed his mind at the last moment.

Carragher told The Times: "I was supposed to meet Franco Baldini for a chat a year ago and at the last minute I pulled out.

"It was more out of courtesy that I was going to do it. Stevie had mentioned it to me a couple of times, so I agreed to the meeting, but at the last minute I just didn't want to do it.

"I don't think my situation would change if I got back in the squad. John Terry and Rio Ferdinand are first choice and they are two of the best central defenders in the world.

"Maybe I would have won 10 more caps over the last couple of years because Rio and John have missed a few games, but you couldn't ask for a better centre-half pairing than those two going into the World Cup."

Carragher also said he would rather leave Liverpool than play for them when he is past his best.

"I wouldn't want to get to 34 or 35 with Liverpool and have people thinking, 'He's well gone."' he added.

"So I do think about whether it would be better to go while I'm still at a decent level and play out my days at another club.

"I do worry about maybe playing in big games for Liverpool and perhaps costing the side, and I also think about not playing every week and whether I could do that.

"Over the next year or two I'll probably have a decision to make. I'd love to stay at Liverpool - that's what I want to do - but there are different things that I think about that may compromise that."

Reds Promise £15m To Redevelop Anfield

Liverpool have insisted they are willing to invest the estimated £15m it would take to upgrade Anfield to a World Cup venue for 2018 or 2022 should the club not get their proposed new stadium off the ground in time.

The Football Association asked the city's bid team to include Anfield as a back-up option in case the proposed new stadium at Stanley Park does not materialise.

There have been doubts in some quarters in the city about the club's willingness to commit to the overhaul of car parking, corporate facilities and seating needed, when only a brand new stadium would enable the club to earn as much match-day revenue as Manchester United and Arsenal. But a senior Liverpool source said the investment would be made if necessary.

The FA said that the city's bid included undertakings committing Liverpool financially to such work on Anfield if the stadium were called upon.

Liverpool are anticipating having the new stadium in place, though. The key to that is the pursuit of investors which has been under way for several months with the aim of raising at least £100m by selling a 25 per cent share of the club to one or a number of equity holders.

The idea of having a number rather than just a single investor – a model resembling the institutional shareholders of a public company who are consulted at an AGM but are otherwise at arm's length to let the business develop under its management – has its attractions.

On the football front, Javier Mascherano, whose contribution in the 2-1 win over Wigan Athletic underlined his emergence back into form, has admitted that Liverpool's season is heavily dependent on the fitness of Fernando Torres. "It is so important for us that Fernando stays fit," he said. "We know that we can win games when he is not playing but, equally, when he is on the pitch you can see the respect that other teams give him."

The Argentine said he and manager Rafael Benitez had discussed Argentina's ultimately successful battle to qualify for the World Cup as a way of approaching Liverpool's struggle. "We have spoken a lot about that situation," he said. "The pressure with Argentina to put them in the World Cup was worse; not because it is my country and Liverpool is my club. Here you have a little bit more time to do the right things."

Jamie Carragher Is A Liverpool Legend - Steve McManaman

Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher is set to mark another career milestone at the weekend when the Reds travel south to face Portsmouth on Saturday.

Former Liverpool and Real Madrid winger Steve McManaman, who came through the Anfield academy system like Carragher, has paid warm tribute to the defender.

Carragher's leadership and versatility are just two of his fine qualities as a player, according to his former team-mate.

"My first real memory of Carra came from when he was playing in the team that won the FA Youth Cup in 1996," McManaman told the Reds' official website.

"I used to go with Jamie [Redknapp] and Robbie [Fowler] a lot to watch them and he always stood out, particularly in one game at West Ham.

"He was a great character - with that voice you could hear him coming from a mile away - but it was extra special for me and Robbie to see him come through, as it was another good young local lad.

"Over my period in the team, he must have played in four or five different positions but his attitude was impeccable; he was so determined that it didn't matter whether he played right-back, left-back or wherever.

"He was always eager to learn but, equally, Carra was never afraid to mix it with the older lads and he would put himself about in training - people always talk about his tackling but I wouldn't know about that; he was never quick enough to catch me!

"You sometimes wonder how hard it is going to be for a young, local lad coming into the team and whether the crowd will accept them; sometimes the pressure to succeed can be too much but with Carra it was never going to be an issue. It didn't bother him at all."

And McManaman feels that to play in such a massive total of games for one club is a special achievement in the modern game.

"To get to 600 games in this day and age is an outstanding achievement," he added.

"It shows how well he has looked after himself and why he has been at the top of his profession for such a long time - that he can still play three times a week is a testament to his ability.

"Carra has been a wonderful player for Liverpool, an absolute superstar and I've no doubt whatsoever there will be many more games to come in the future; he's as important to this team now as he's ever been."

Rafa Benitez Confident Liverpool's System Will Create Goals

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez will not be changing his tactics for this weekend's Premier League trip to Portsmouth.

The Spaniard also confirmed that striker Fernando Torres is likely to start on the south coast.

"With this system we have scored a lot of goals in the last three years so the system is good for us with the players we have," Benitez said, according to Press Association Sport.

"Sometimes you need to change things if it is necessary but at this moment I think it is good for us.

"We have to manage Torres carefully and I think he will be ready to face Portsmouth."

David Ngog has been an effective deputy for Torres in recent games and Benitez feels the 20-year-old Frenchman has the ability to function as a lone striker.

"Ngog has very good movement. He is always in a very good position and his running supports the midfielders going forward, so I think he has enough quality," he explained.

"Ngog did well [against Wigan Athletic in midweek]. I am really pleased with him because he is scoring goals."

Benitez also hailed the recent form of midfielder Javier Mascherano.

"Javier is doing well. He is working very hard and you can see on the pitch that it is the Javier we knew we had," said the Reds manager.

"He is doing better but I still think he can improve. He is working hard and is an inspiration for the other players.

"Everyone knows he is a key player for us."

Carra Milestone Momentous - Rafa

Rafael Benitez believes players like Jamie Carragher are part of a dying breed as the defender prepares to make his 600th Liverpool appearance.

The Bootle-born centre-back is set to reach the milestone for the club he joined as a schoolboy at Portsmouth on Saturday.

Carragher worked his way through the academy and an apprenticeship to make his debut on January 8 1997.

But with football having gone global in the intervening years, Benitez believes Carragher's achievements will be almost impossible to replicate.

"Maybe someone will do it but it will be very difficult. Now there is too much money around the world in football," said Liverpool manager Benitez.

"If you have a good player, normally someone will make a good offer and the agents have too much power.

"Modern football is more difficult so 600 games in a top side for a local player is a massive achievement."

Benitez has overhauled the academy at Liverpool in the hope the club can unearth more local prospects who can follow in the footsteps of Carragher - who is already the club's European appearance record holder - and captain Steven Gerrard.

He believes having home-grown, talented players is an addition bonus.

"For me as a manager - for any manager - to have local players coming through the system is easier and better but it is more difficult in modern football," he added.

"You have a lot of scouts watching games but it would be really good for us."

Benitez paid tribute to Carragher, who has played in both full-back positions and also as a defensive midfielder during his Liverpool career, for reaching the 600-game mark.

In doing so, he will become only the ninth Liverpool player to reach the appearance milestone.

"I think it is amazing. At this time with modern football, to play 600 times for the same team and be a local player is a fantastic achievement," said the Spaniard.

"He is a very good example for the younger players. He trains 100% in every session and that is good for the mentality of the team.

"Carra has a strong character, passion, he likes to win every game, and that is the type of player you are looking for.

"The last five and a half years have been really good. He was playing as a left-back, right-back and now he has settled down as a centre-back.

"He knows he can help the others and is always talking. That is now one of his main strengths as he can organise the defence.

"He has improved his game and, because he is a centre-back, he has time and he will play for a long time."

The 31-year-old Carragher has 18 months left on his current contract and, in an interview on Friday, said the club had not yet offered him a new deal.

However, Benitez played down the comments, insisting there was no issue between him and the player.

"He has 18 months left on his contract and he is clever; he knows that when a player is over 30 you have to manage them in a different way than when you sign a player who is 20 years old," said Benitez.

"I don't see any problem if he continues to play at the same level and we will talk about this in the future as we have a fantastic relationship with him and his agent.

"He is taking care of himself, he is a very good professional, and I think he can play a lot of years."

Benitez also thinks Carragher will make a good coach and, possibly, even manage Liverpool one day.

"He knows the game. We talk about football all the time and he is someone you have to listen to," said the current Reds boss.

"He is doing some practice in the academy, so I think he will be a manager - hopefully not the Liverpool manager in the next four or five years but in the future."

While much of the focus has been on Carragher's landmark appearance, Benitez has been concentrating on planning for victory at bottom side Portsmouth to maintain the momentum created by Wednesday's win over Wigan.

He has former Pompey full-back Glen Johnson back after injury and winger Ryan Babel returning following an ankle problem.

"Portsmouth is a tricky game because it is a Saturday early kick-off," said the Spaniard.

"They have had problems but now with Avram Grant they have a manager with experience and they did well against Chelsea (in a 2-1 midweek defeat)."

Reds Could Face Tricky Tie

Liverpool face the prospect of potentially tough opponents in their first experience of the Europa League after UEFA confirmed they will not be seeded for Friday's knockout stage draw.

Poor goal difference in the Champions League groups means Rafael Benitez's side miss out on being among the 16 top seeds for the new-look competition, which replaced the UEFA Cup.

It means Liverpool, along with Everton and Fulham who are also unseeded, may have to play strong teams including a trio from Germany - last season's UEFA Cup runners-up Wolfsburg and Hamburg - as well as Italian giants Juventus, Shakhtar Donetsk from Ukraine and Turkish club Galatasaray.

A UEFA spokesman said: "Liverpool will not be one of the seeded teams.

"The top seeds are the 12 group winners from the Europa League and the best four third-placed sides from the Champions League.

"Among the clubs dropping down from the Champions League, Juventus and Unirea Urziceni won more points than Liverpool, while Marseille and Wolfsburg had a better goal difference."

The seeded teams are also given the advantage of playing the second leg at home.

The round of 32 starts on February 16 with the final in Hamburg on May 12.

Rafa Benitez: We Must Build On Wigan Win

Rafael Benitez believes last night’s 2-1 victory over Wigan at Anfield will help restore his players’ confidence.

Goals from David Ngog and Fernando Torres lifted Liverpool up to sixth in the Premier League and they are now five points adrift of fourth placed Aston Villa.

Benitez has urged his side to build on the club’s first home win since late October when they travel to struggling Portsmouth on Saturday.

“It was very important to win tonight, and there were a lot of positives,” he said.

“We knew we had to win and it doesn't matter that we could have scored more – at the end of the day its three points.

"We got the victory, now we can relax a bit and be ready for the next one.

"The main thing for us now is winning a few in the row.

“We have to start with the next one, Portsmouth, and then we can talk of winning three.”

Benitez was delighted with the efforts of his two strikers with Ngog opening the scoring in the first half before Torres came off the bench to settle the contest late on.

Torres was making his 100th appearance for Liverpool and his close range finish took his goal tally to an impressive 61.

"It’s a fantastic achievement by Torres,” Benitez said.

“He was really tired after the last game, but I wanted to put him on at the end.

"Torres was not training for a month, and I wanted to protect him and if necessary not play him. But I think he will be ready for Portsmouth.

“As for Ngog he is improving and did really well too. He's a good option for us now if Torres can't play.”

Javier Mascherano was crucial to Liverpool’s triumph with a tireless performance in the centre of midfield.

Benitez said: “Javier is doing well, working really hard. He's the Javier we knew we had and he's doing better now, although he can still improve.

“He's an inspiration for the other players. Everyone knows he is a key player for us.”

The manager admitted it was vital Liverpool marked the 50th anniversary celebrations of Bill Shankly’s arrival with maximum points.

Legends from the club’s great sides of the 1960s and 1970s were out in force at Anfield last night to celebrate the Scot’s legacy.

They formed a guard of honour to applaud the current players on before the start and were introduced to the crowd on the pitch at half-time.

"I think everyone here knows how important Bill Shankly was for the club,” Benitez added.

“He's a legend and to see all the former players around tonight was fantastic.

“In a top side it's always difficult because usually you've won trophies and this club is one of the biggest in the world.

“We talk of having to win here but I prefer that to fighting against relegation.”

Torres Backed By Mascherano

Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano has paid tribute to team-mate Fernando Torres.

The Spaniard returned from a one-month lay-off in the weekend defeat to Arsenal before starting Wednesday's clash with Wigan on the substitutes' bench.

He came on to score the second goal in a 2-1 victory and Mascherano is delighted to have him back.

Mascherano is confident the Reds can enjoy a successful second half to the season if Torres and talismanic captain Gerrard both steer clear of injuries.

"It is so important for us that Fernando stays fit," the Argentine told Liverpool's official website.

"We know that we can win games when he is not playing but, equally, when he is on the pitch, you can see the respect that other teams give him.

"He causes them so many problems. With Fernando and Stevie (Gerrard) on the pitch, we know that there is always a chance something special can happen.

"It is so good for our team and the confidence they give us. When they are not in the squad, others have to do their job and David Ngog has been doing his job really well.

"But the key players are the key players and you cannot change that. We need to keep the key players fit for the rest of the season."

Liverpool is currently sixth in the Premier League table and Mascherano recognizes the significance of getting another good result against Portsmouth this Saturday.

"The most important thing was to win because we needed it," said Mascherano regarding the Wigan match.

"We want to play better and improve, so it is important that we keep going.

"We will see if we can win at Portsmouth and if we can do that, it will be three amazing points.

"There has been a little bit of pressure but top players have that all the time.

"We cannot forget that Stevie and Fernando have been coming back from injury and it is important to have them in the squad as they are important for us."

Kuyt Keen To Push On

Dirk Kuyt has urged Liverpool to build on their victory over Wigan and go on a winning run.

The Reds suffered a disappointing defeat at home to Arsenal on Sunday before bouncing back with three points in midweek.

Rafael Benitez's men showed glimpses of their best form as they overcame the Latics 2-1 thanks to goals for David Ngog and Fernando Torres.

Kuyt was pleased with the result and performance and has called for more of the same in Saturday's away game against Portsmouth.

"It's a really important win. We showed we wanted to win and played good football for most of the game," the Dutchman told Liverpool's official website.

"Maybe we could have scored a few more goals, and we are disappointed to have conceded, but the most important thing is winning and that's what we did.

"A victory will always lift confidence, but we live from game to game now and we just needed to make sure we beat Wigan.

"We can enjoy this result, and then we have to do the same again on Saturday and try to start a winning run of form."

Kuyt admits Liverpool cannot afford to look too far ahead as they strive to climb the table from their current position of sixth.

"We just wanted to win against Wigan and then take it from there," he explained.

"The situation for us now is to look from game to game, so we are very happy to have got the three points and now we can't wait to play again this weekend.

"For us, every game is very important, so in that respect nothing has changed, but we need a couple of victories and we definitely want another three points against Portsmouth."

Kuyt also praised the display of Wigan goalkeeper Chris Kirkland after twice being denied by brilliant saves from the former Liverpool man.

"Kirky is a very good goalkeeper and he made two great saves from me," said Kuyt.

"I was unlucky not to score, but winning the game was the most important thing."

Fernando Torres Must Take It Easy, Says Rafa Benitez

Liverpool FC manager Rafa Benitez is handling Fernando Torres' comeback from injury carefully as he intends to get the best out of his star striker over the coming months.

The Spain international was left on the bench for Wednesday night's 2-1 victory over Wigan, although his 64th appearance, off the bench, proved to be timely as he scored the crucial second goal 14 minutes later.

Torres' scrambled home his 61st Liverpool goal on his 100th appearance for the club after David Ngog had put his side ahead with a glancing 10th-minute header. Charles N'Zogbia's injury-time consolation caused some concern but the Reds held on for only their fourth win in 16 matches and just their second at Anfield since September 26.

"I wanted to keep him back because he was really tired after the last game (Sunday's defeat to Arsenal)," said the manager.

"I told him I wanted to protect him and it would be good for me to play him at the end and he was good too. I think he will be ready for Portsmouth."

Benitez admitted victory was the most important thing on an emotional night when the club marked the 50th anniversary of legendary boss Bill Shankly's first game in charge with a host of former stars were paraded at half-time.

"It was very important to win, to get three points, with a lot of positives," said Benitez.

"It does not matter if we couldn't score more goals and be more relaxed in the second half but, at the end of the day, three points is key.

"We needed to get these three points and be ready for the next game. We are thinking about one game at a time so now Portsmouth (on Saturday) is the target."

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez's side have now won only two of their last 10 matches and are just two points clear of the relegation zone, having conceded the most goals in the Premier League with 17 in their last four away games.

Martinez said: "I have mixed feelings. The first goal is really soft for our standards, it was a lapse in concentration. When you come to places like Anfield if you do that you are going to make things very difficult for yourself."

Should Rafael Benitez Be Judged By The Standards Of Bill Shankly?

When you have a history as rich and successful as Liverpool Football Club, the benefits are obvious.

The Reds have long traded off the power their incredible success in the 1960s, 70s and 80s afforded them. Their greatest player - Kenny Dalglish - welcomes new scholars to the club's academy. The walls of Anfield are covered with pictures of great players, great managers, and great success.

On Wednesday night, before the 2-1 home win over Wigan, Anfield honoured arguably its greatest ever. Bill Shankly transformed Liverpool between 1959 and 1974, turning a dilapidated shell of a club into one that would go on to dominate European football. The tributes - led by 15 of Shankly's ex-players - were moving and genuine.

For Rafa Benitez, the latest man to attempt to uphold the Shankly ethos, the night was about much more than just remembering the past. The present at Liverpool is something the Spaniard has good reason to be concerned with; the future is not something he dare think about.

It has become commonplace in recent weeks, as we approached the 50th anniversary of Shankly's arrival on Merseyside, to ponder what the gruff-voice from Glenbuck would make of Liverpool's current sequence of results (and performances).

Most tend to agree that Shankly would be sickened by a run which has seen the Reds pick up just four wins in 16 games, crash out of the Champions League and slip to sixth place in the Premier League. In doing so, they often venture the view that Benitez is somehow letting the club - and Shankly - down.

But is that the case? Can anyone live up to the standards set by Shankly, a man whose legend grows year on year? Liverpool's past may be one of its greatest weapons, but when times are hard, it can also become their biggest burden.

No manager can ever compare favourably with a man who helped paint the stands at Anfield, who addressed the public like a great orator, and who produced a litany of incredible soundbytes which will live on forever. No manager will ever do for Liverpool what Shankly did.

But then, Shankly and Benitez operated in different worlds, football-wise. When Shankly found opposition from the Liverpool hierarchy, he found a director willing to back his instincts with capital. How Benitez must long for a Mr. Eric Sawyer to breeze into the Anfield board room these days, armed with David Villa and Gareth Barry.

Shankly moulded unknown players and made them internationals. No one could argue with that, but the landscape of the transfer market was distinctly different. The foreign invasion was still more than a quarter of a century away when Shankly took charge at Anfield, and clubs had both the need, and the time, to blood such players. (Incidentally, Pepe Reina, Alvaro Arbeloa, Emiliano Insua, Lucas Leiva and Peter Crouch all became established international players under Benitez's tutelage).

Liverpool could, theoretically, take players from Bury, Motherwell and Scunthorpe - as Shankly did in Alec Lindsay, Ian St John and Kevin Keegan - and put them in the first team, but would the Anfield fans be prepared to stand by them if they were sub-standard at first? Especially knowing the open transfer market meant a more suitable foreign alternative would be out there?

Benitez is operating in a world where money rules. Coaching, scouting and preparation - all areas in which Shankly and his team excelled - pale into insignificance if a club does not have the financial wherewithal to compete with its big-money rivals. The top flight may have been more competitive in the late 1960s, but a closed safe is harder to crack than an open gate.

Liverpool earn less than half what Arsenal do in gate receipts every season, they pay their players almost £60 million less than Chelsea every year. These are issues that would be alien to Shankly, but which Benitez is battling every day.

Shankly enjoyed a fruitful relationship with the media, delighting them with his quirky and ingenious turns of phrase, and ensuring their pages were never in need of filling. In this day and age though, the chances are at some point the knife would have been stuck into him. Liverpool won nothing between 1966 and 1973, yet there were - quite rightly - few questions asked about Shankly's methods, or his suitability for the role.

No such luck for Benitez. The blanket coverage of the media means manager's positions are under scrutiny now more than ever before. Tenureships at clubs are usually measured in months rather than years, as impatience rules the roost.

Benitez must contend with lists deriding his record in the transfer market (even Shankly made mistakes, look at Alun Evans or Tony Hateley for example). He must field questions about his future, his tactics, his style of play, even his persona. It is hard to imagine Shankly facing the glare of a hundred ex-Liverpool players armed with strong opinions and short memories.

None of this is to belittle the achievements of Shankly, or to defend Liverpool's recent run. To do either would be lunacy.

The point is simply to highlight the problems of comparing eras like-for-like. As Liverpool honours the man who changed the face of their history, is it not time to give some support to the man who is trying to do the same, only in a much greater shadow?

Jamie Carragher Hoping To Break Ray Clemence's Appearance Record For Liverpool

Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has revealed that he is aiming to surpass Ray Clemence in the club's appearance list.

The 31-year-old will play his 600th game for the Reds on Saturday, when his side travels to play Portsmouth at Fratton Park.

Although the all-time record set by Ian Callaghan is a long way off at a mammoth 857 appearances, the defender feels second-placed Clemence's tally of 665 games is well within reach.

"When you're a Liverpool player, you never look too far ahead because if you do that you'll end up not focusing on what is immediately in front of you," Carragher told LFC Weekly.

"It's a cliché but it's true. My target at the beginning of each season is to play 50 games. If I don't do that, I'm disappointed.

"But I understand that I'm getting older and in a few years' time that may not be possible. I've got another 18 months left on my contract so I'd like to be playing regularly next season. That means potentially, I could finish this season on 620-25 then play another 40 odd games next season - taking me into second position in the all-time appearance list.

"Passing Ray Clemence would make me happy. It will prove that I've been up for the fight for a long time."

Liverpool's £62m Stake Looks Underdone

What a remarkable conjuring act that would be if George Gillett and Tom Hicks do somehow manage to secure £124m in return for a stake in Liverpool. The Daily Telegraph yesterday indicated that there are two or three parties interested in picking up one of two unspecified stakes in the club, each available for a mere £62m.

Apparently, despite all evidence to the contrary, the co-owners believe Liverpool to be worth of £500m to £600m. So for that £62m you can buy yourself a little over 10% of a club that still has to spend more than £300m on building a new stadium.

Now £62m, neatly, bought Randy Lerner 100% of Aston Villa and, unlike Liverpool, it was not making a loss of £11m a year. Nor, unlike Liverpool, had Villa's auditors said there was a "material uncertainty" casting "significant doubt on [the club's] ability to continue as a going concern".

That material uncertainty, deferred when Liverpool refinanced a £290m loan in July, could return when its repayment is required. A spokesman for the co-owners did not come back with answers yesterday about when that will be. Previously, the club's lenders have not extended their loans for more than a year. The current loan's maturity could well be only seven months away.

Nor did the spokesman say whether the £60m that is supposed to be repaid since that July refinancing has been handed over on schedule. Nor was there any response to a question about whether interest payments will rise next year. But with so much clarity about what £62m will buy, who could resist?

Anfield Makes Cut For England's World Cup 2018 Bid

Liverpool has been chosen as a candidate host city for England’s 2018 World Cup bid – but Derby, Leicester and Hull have missed out on selection.

Milton Keynes, Plymouth and several venues yet to be built were also on the final list as England 2018 deputy chairman Lord Mawhinney announced the successful candidates.

But Pride Park, the Walkers Stadium and KC Stadium will not host games if England’s bid to stage the tournament is successful.

Lord Mawhinney, the Football League chairman who headed the selection panel, said: ‘England is fortunate to have so many good stadiums. We have chosen cities which present the lowest possible risk to Fifa and its Fifa who will make the final decision.’

Lord Mawhinney named 16 venues across 12 different cities, with four in London.

However, Fifa regulations state only three stadium can be used in any one city, with a decision yet to be made between the new White Hart Lane and Olympic Stadium in East London.

Mawhinney also revealed Anfield or ‘new Anfield’ would be used. There had been fears Liverpool would miss out.

But Mawhinney added: ‘It would have been very hard to envisage an impressive World Cup bid with host cities that did not include iconic Liverpool.’

Liverpool Pay Tribute To Shankly

Liverpool paid tribute to late manager Bill Shankly on Wednesday to mark 50 years since the Scot arrived on Merseyside to transform the club into soccer superpowers.

Former players from Shankly's era in the 1960s and 1970s, as well as members of his family, paraded on the Anfield pitch at half time in the club's Premier League match against Wigan Athletic.

Shankly's favourite hymn 'Amazing Grace' was played as the likes of Tommy Smith, Kevin Keegan and Phil Thompson helped revive memories of the club's golden past.

"Everybody here knows how important Bill Shankly was to this club," current manager Rafa Benitez said on the club's website (www.liverpoolfc.tv).

"To see the former players around was very positive. We have a fantastic club with a great history."

Shankly, who died in 1981, took over at Liverpool when the club was a struggling second division side and spent the next 15 years establishing them at the top.

Under him, Liverpool won three league titles, two FA Cups and the UEFA Cup.

Wednesday's nervy 2-1 win moved them up to sixth in the Premier League, 13 points behind leaders Chelsea.

Match Report: Liverpool 2 - 1 Wigan

Liverpool's 2-1 victory over Wigan in the week of the 50th anniversary of Bill Shankly's first match at the club would not have impressed the legendary manager but it was a welcome relief for current boss Rafael Benitez.

Young French striker David Ngog's 10th-minute glancing header from Fabio Aurelio's cross and Fernando Torres' second-half scrambled effort proved enough to see off a Latics side, for whom Charles N'Zogbia scored an injury-time consolation.

It was only Liverpool's fourth win in 16 matches and just their second at Anfield since September 26 but it will do much for the team's shaky confidence.

Although Ngog impressed in the first half the crowd eagerly awaited the arrival of substitute Torres for his 100th appearance, which eventually came in the 64th minute. The striker duly delivered with his 61st goal for Liverpool to wrap up victory.

Wigan have won two of their last 10 outings and are just two points clear of the relegation zone, having conceded more goals than any other Premier League team, with 17 in their last four away games.

In the absence of Torres, who was dropped to the bench after Sunday's defeat to Arsenal, Benitez switched to a 4-4-2 formation with Steven Gerrard playing in central midfield and Dirk Kuyt playing alongside Ngog.

Centre-back Daniel Agger sliced a 25-yard shot wide in the fourth minute while Aurelio's poor contact prevented him opening the scoring from 12 yards.

However, the pressure was building and Wigan cracked in the 10th minute.

Aurelio's inswinging right-wing cross was met by Ngog just in front of Kirkland and he glanced a header past the former Liverpool goalkeeper and into the far corner.

Wigan midfielder Paul Scharner headed N'Zogbia's cross straight at Jose Reina before Kirkland redeemed himself for his misjudgement on the goal.

His brilliant 17th-minute reaction save from Kuyt after Yossi Benayoun's quick throw had released Ngog down the right prevented Liverpool adding a second.

But having taken the early advantage the home side laboured to extend it with Wigan happy to sit back and compress play into a 30-yard zone from the edge of their penalty area.

Javier Mascherano received the full force of Mohamed Diame's clearance square in the face and staggered around the centre-circle like a punch-drunk boxer for a few seconds but was able to continue after treatment.

Aurelio was the heart of most of Liverpool's chances and, after almost picking out Benayoun at the far post two minutes before half-time, he then set up a chance for Ngog.

The Brazilian's pass deflected off Hendry Thomas into the penalty area but the Frenchman's shot rolled inches wide of the far post.

To mark the Shankly anniversary Liverpool paraded a host of his former players during the interval, including the likes of Ian St John and Kevin Keegan.

If it was meant to inspire the current squad the impact was lost on Benayoun, who should have done better in trying to get to Aurelio's teasing left-wing cross.

Wigan counter-attacked quickly from Liverpool's corner and although Reina spilled N'Zogbia's shot he had time to recover.

In the 51st minute Kirkland again displayed the talent which, were it not for his injury problems, would probably have him in Fabio Capello's England squad as he somehow tipped over Kuyt's first-time shot on the run from Ngog's cross.

However, the arrival of Torres in the 64th minute for Ngog was to change things.

The Spain international immediately won a corner but Agger completely missed a five-yard header from Gerrard's cross.

Wigan should have equalised in the 74th minute when Hugo Rodallega and Scharner prevented Reina claiming NZogbia's free-kick but Scotland, still to open his account for the club he joined in the summer, smashed a left-footed volley on to the crossbar and over.

Liverpool were gradually going backwards and their opponents sensed a chance to snatch a point.

However, that was snuffed out in the 79th minute by Torres. He was put clean through by Boyce's back-header from Jamie Carragher's punt and should have beaten Kirkland comfortably.

However, he miss kicked and Titus Bramble half-stopped the ball on the goal line but somehow Torres scrambled it over for his 49th goal in 69 league appearances.

That statistic alone underlines how important he is to Liverpool.

However, in the second minute of injury time N'Zogbia ran across the penalty area to poke home a consolation to highlight just how shaky the Reds' defence has become.

Torres Expects Benitez To Stay

Fernando Torres has expressed his disappointment with Liverpool's season but backs Rafael Benitez to stay at the club and turn things around.

The Reds have failed to make it through to the last 16 of the Champions League, while they are also out of the Premier League title race after slipping 13 points behind leaders Chelsea.

Liverpool had been expected to mount a much stronger challenge for silverware on all fronts after an encouraging 2008/9 campaign and their miserable form has sparked speculation about the future of manager Benitez.

There have been suggestions that he could leave Anfield but Torres does not believe he would want to go out on such a low note.

"It looked like this was going to be our season, but it's turned out very differently from what we expected," the Spanish striker said in the Daily Star.

"I don't think Rafa will leave, especially halfway through the season.

"He still has four years to run on his contract, and he would not leave through the back door.

"Were he to leave, it would be with the team at the top. He's been given time, space and full control of every area of the club.

"Rafa wouldn't be able to enjoy the same benefits elsewhere."

Reports have also linked Torres with a move away from Liverpool but he has reiterated his commitment to the club.

The 25-year-old insists he will stay regardless of what happens with Benitez, although he would like to work under his current boss for as long as possible.

"I still have four years left on my contract and my future is here," he said.

"It's not linked to Rafa, but I hope that we can see out our contracts here together.

"Right now I don't see myself playing elsewhere.

"Now I just want to improve the side's current standing and hopefully we'll all remain here together."

Fernando Torres Can Win Trophies With Liverpool - Rafa Benitez

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has affirmed his belief that striker Fernando Torres can be successful with the Reds.

As the Merseysiders' season stumbles along, many have speculated that Torres may consider leaving the club if the chances of winning silverware decrease.

There is also a real fear that the Reds won't qualify for next season's Champions League.

But Benitez insists that the player is happy and as determined as ever to help turn things round at Anfield.

"Of course Fernando wants to win things, just as we all do, but I am sure he can fulfil his ambitions here," Benitez told his club's official website.

"He wants to be in the Champions League next season and I can guarantee he will, because I know we will finish in the top four.

"I am talking with Fernando and Stevie [Steven Gerrard] all the time and they know my idea for keeping this club going in the right direction.

"I have spoken at length with both players in the past week or two. We discussed how things are going and what we want to achieve this season, and both were very supportive and very positive.

"It was clear they share my determination to put this bad spell behind us and emerge as competitive as in previous seasons."

Torres is set to make his 100th Liverpool appearance against Wigan Athletic on Tuesday night. He has scored 60 goals for the Reds since joining from Atletico Madrid in 2007.

"I think he was an amazing signing for the club," the manager added.

"The first year was fantastic. The second year he had some injuries, but still did well. This year, hopefully, he will give us the same as in the first year now that he is back from injury.

"We have to manage him properly and it depends on the fitness of the player. After each game we have to talk with him and see if he can play one or two games in a week.

Liverpool's Rafa Benitez Wants Real Madrid's Ruud Van Nistelrooy To Cover For Fernando Torres

As reported by Marca, Real Madrid striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy is on Liverpool coach Rafa Benitez's Christmas wishlist to serve as Fernando Torres' understudy.

Despite announcing his international retirement after the Euro 2008 tournament, the Dutchman would like to make the international team for next summer's World Cup, but in order to do so, he must find playing time; with Cristiano Ronaldo, Gonzalo Higuain, Karim Benzema and Raul ahead of him, he is unlikely to find such minutes at Real Madrid.

Van Nistelrooy is still coming to terms with football again after a serious knee injury that ended his season after little over a month of play last year. The Dutchman has spent much of this season on the sidelines with varying ailments, the most recent of which was tonsilitis.

At the moment, Real Madrid has not expressed interest in selling any one of their players, although that could change should an attractive offer be put on the table. Chelsea, Blacburn Rovers, Arsenal, and Liga side Zaragoza have all reportedly expressed interest in the Dutch striker.

Andrea Dossena Unlikely To Leave Liverpool For Napoli - Agent

Liverpool defender Andrea Dossena is unlikely to leave Anfield for Napoli in January, according to his agent.

Dossena has not especially enjoyed his 18 month spell on Merseyside, struggling to make any impact on the first team.

A proposed move back to Serie A has been mooted for several months, with Napoli appearing to be favourites to land the Italian international.

However, Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis seems to be becoming a little impatient with how the proposed move is progressing and is ready to turn his attentions elsewhere, hinting at the player's wage demands being the snag which has halted the deal.

"I'm tired of hearing about Dossena. If they want to give him to us OK, otherwise nothing," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"What is the problem? If a player wants to relaunch, he cannot think only of money.

"However, I'm considering a number of names."

Dossena's agent Federico Pastorello also indicated that he is ready to bring negotiations to an end.

"I don't want controversy, I'm on good terms with the president," Pastorello told Sky Italia.

"I think there aren't conditions for continuing negotiations with Napoli."

Benitez Praises Higher Quality

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez believes the additional competition for Champions League places this season will actually help his stuttering side.

The Reds are currently seventh, five points outside the top four, after a dismal run of only two wins in their last nine Barclays Premier League matches.

However, despite their recent poor form, they have not been cut adrift from Aston Villa, Tottenham and Manchester City, the other teams realistically chasing Champions League qualification.

And, with leaders Chelsea having lost three times and United and Arsenal four, the Liverpool boss believes there will be plenty more opportunities to reclaim lost ground.

"It is easier to lose games for the top four because the other teams are stronger, too," said Benitez, whose side faces a must-win match at home to 14th-placed Wigan on Tuesday night.

"You can see Aston Villa, Tottenham or Manchester City can beat anyone, too, so maybe it will be better for the competition.

"Now we are in a bad position but it can help us because, if other teams continue to lose points, there are 22 games to play so we have to be positive."

Benitez believes his side is close to turning a corner but admits that confidence is the key.

Liverpool were well in control against Arsenal on Sunday, leading 1-0 at half-time, but an unfortunate Glen Johnson own goal sent shockwaves running through the players and the belief visibly drained from them as the Gunners fought back to win 2-1.

"If the confidence is not high a goal can affect the players and that is the situation now," said Benitez, who claimed the current mentality was the only difference between this season and the squad that finished second in the Barclays Premier League in May.

"You can do some things in training to send the right messages.

"People criticise the team and the squad but the majority of players were here last year.

"We have scored 22 goals at home (in eight matches this season) but we are conceding goals, too.

"We have to improve in attack if we can but we have to improve in defence.

"We had three clean sheets in a row and I was really pleased and then we conceded against Fiorentina and then Arsenal.

"But the team is much stronger now, we are stronger at set-pieces and we are defending set-pieces better."

Benitez is confident his side will improve in the last six months of the season, starting at home to the Latics on Tuesday night.

"Every game for us is a game we have to win," said the Spaniard.

"If Wigan come here, play well and get a point, maybe they will be happy but, for us, we will try to do our best and try to win.

"I have to have confidence in my team and I am sure we can do it because I know we are better than the team you are seeing on the pitch.

"I can guarantee we will finish in the top four."

Liverpool Co-Owners George Gillett And Tom Hicks To Gain Around £124m From Share Deal

Liverpool co-owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks are closing in on a deal that will see them sell a significant share in the club to a new investor for around £124 million, Telegraph Sport can disclose.

Gillett was in London last week to hold talks with potential investors, and Liverpool managing director Christian Purslow is understood to have held talks with a number of candidates interested in taking an equity stake in the club.

A long-list of around six serious investors has been compiled with two or three proposals thought to be particularly strong, offering the owners around $100 million (£62 million) each for a share in the club.

It is yet to be decided precisely what stake the two owners are willing to sign over to a new investor, but they are expected to each offer the same share so that they retain parity on the new board.

Hicks and Gillett have been searching for fresh equity all year but the process has gathered pace in recent weeks, with Gillett keen to strike a deal in the near future.

His visit to London last week was significant. Last month he sold his ice hockey franchise the Montreal Canadiens for C$575 million (£333 million), a windfall that should enable him to reduce the level of debt across the family businesses, although it is unlikely any of this money will go towards Liverpool.

In London last week he made it clear that he was keen to strike a deal soon, and urged any potential investors not yet at the table to make their interest know quickly.

A key issue in negotiations will be price and the share on offer. The American co-owners consider the club to be a massively undervalued asset and may seek a price above the current market valuation of around £500-£600million.

They are known to believe that the club's value and profitability could double when the new Anfield development, stalled by the credit crunch, is completed, and may demand a premium for investors who would enjoy the upside of that.

Since buying the club, revenue and pre-tax profits have increased threefold, evidence say the Americans of the attractiveness of the investment.

The new investors will also have to establish a working relationship with the co-owners, whose sometimes fractious relationship has been a distraction in recent seasons.

Both men are keen to break the deadlock with a fresh face at the boardroom table, but they will not want to relinquish control.

A key question for supporters will be what use the Americans put any fresh investment to. The owners have indicated in the past that the intention is to use the money to pay down some of the club's debt, which currently stands at around £240million, and kick-start work on the new stadium development.

The stadium plans have been drawn and planning permission has been granted, and the owners are waiting for a thaw in the credit markets before proceeding. New investment will help start that process, and may inspire some confidence among potential lenders.

Supporters will want to see at least some of the new money used to pay down debt, though there will be concerns that it might be diverted into more troubled parts of the Hicks and Gillett empires. Both men have considerable quantities of debt across their business empires.

The counter-argument from the owners is that actually Liverpool's debt burden is manageable in contrast to some of their rivals, most markedly Manchester United, which carries almost £700million secured against the club and Glazer family interests.

The proposed investment could also affect the future of Rafael Benítez, under huge pressure following a dismal run of results and elimination from the Champions League.

The Spaniard has played off the two Americans expertly during the last three years, securing a £20million new contract and unprecedented control at the club.

Failure to finish in the top four would be a huge blow to Liverpool's self-esteem and finances regardless of the new investment. He will hope that the new investor at the boardroom table has more faith in his abilities to turn the club round than some already there.

United Arab Emirates' Ruling Family Set To Buy Into Cash-Strapped Liverpool

Liverpool could be set for a badly-needed cash boost from the ruling family of the United Arab Emirates.

According to reports from the Middle East, members of the Ras al-Khaimah family are seeking talks with the club's owners to discuss possible investments.

They want American co-owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks to fly to the UAE to open negotiations about buying into the ailing club.

A senior official close to the Ras al-Khaimahs said representatives from Liverpool "may be coming next week".

Ian Cotton, Liverpool's director of communications, refused to be drawn on the reports, saying: "At the moment, we are not commenting on this speculation."

Liverpool would welcome investment as the club's borrowings stand at £313m.

Just last week manager Rafa Benitez had said that managing the club's huge debts was proving to be difficult.

Hicks and Gillett have been courting investment from the Middle East for months and Gillett recently visited Saudi Arabia.

Ras al-Khaimah's royal family is the latest Gulf investor to be linked with Liverpool and in September, Saudi Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Al Saud was said to be keen to invest, but nothing came of the interest.

Tom Hicks Club Takes Step Closer To Selling Major League Baseball Franchise

Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks today moved a step closer to selling his Major League Baseball franchise – in a move that could free up funds at Anfield.

Hicks found a number of interested bidders for the Texas Rangers, and late last night selected a group led by Pittsburgh lawyer Chuck Greenberg to enter exclusive negotiations.

Hicks now has 30 days to agree a deal with Greenberg before submitting plans to MLB for approval. The banks that hold Hicks’ debt must also approve.

The deal would see the Hicks family retain a small share of the team which could fetch up to £300m.

In a statement, Hicks said: “Our family has chosen to negotiate with the group we believe will be best to protect and ensure the long-term positive future of this franchise. We understand that this is more than a transaction. You never really own a baseball team; you just have the right to be the trustee of a public institution.”

Hicks has been working to sell the Rangers due to the debts held by his Hicks Sports Group, which defaulted on debts attached to the Rangers and Dallas Stars hockey back in May.

Earlier this month, Liverpool’s other co-owner George Gillett completed a deal to sell the Montreal Canadiens NHL franchise but is yet to invest any of the £333m into Liverpool.

Eccleston Agrees Reds Stay

Skysports.com understands Liverpool's promising striker Nathan Eccleston has agreed a new three-and-a-half year contract.

The former Bury trainee had been out of contract at the end of the season, but will now commit his long-term future to the Premier League giants.

The 18-year-old, who has been in impressive form with six goals in ten reserve team outings, is currently away with Liverpool's second string in Spain and will put pen-to-paper upon returning to England.

Eccleston had reportedly been attracting interest from Premier League rivals, but has ended fears he could jump ship by agreeing to stay until the summer of 2013.

The youngster has broken into Rafa Benitez's side this season after appearing in Carling Cup action against Arsenal while he also made his Premier League debut off the bench against Fulham.

Benitez is believed to be willing to loan out Eccleston in January in order to further his education with both Blackpool and Nottingham Forest keen on bringing him to the Championship.

Premier League Preview: Liverpool vs. Wigan Athletic

Liverpool head into their midweek Premier League clash against Wigan Athletic hoping to bounce back from a disappointing weekend - and not for the first time this season.

Rafael Benitez had touted Sunday's date with Arsenal as a chance for his side to start the season anew, and come half-time they certainly looked a team reborn. Then Glen Johnson put through his own net and Andrey Arshavin struck an unstoppable winner to send the Reds boss back to the drawing board.

The loss leaves Liverpool rooted in seventh spot, five points shy of the Champions League places, and it has become abundantly clear that they will have to work mighty hard to retain their membership to the so-called 'Big Four'.

Veteran defender Jamie Carragher said recently: "Wigan is a massive game for us. We'll just attempt to get three points and then move on to Portsmouth. We have to look at ourselves and realise we have to do much better."

The Latics, meanwhile, come into the clash on the back of a 2-2 draw at Stoke City; but one look at their results so far in this campaign will tell you that form means nothing when trying to gauge this team.

Roberto Martinez's men have shown themselves capable both of conquering the best in the business, and of succumbing to the most humiliating of thrashings.

They defeated league leaders Chelsea in September, only to lose at Hull City the week after; they became the first team to beat Burnley at Turf Moor this season, and followed up with a 4-0 drubbing by rock-bottom Portsmouth; and then there's that famous nine-goal implosion at Tottenham Hotspur, immediately after which they proceeded to down Sunderland.

It is impossible to say which Wigan will turn up on Merseyside this week, but the fact of the matter is that Liverpool cannot afford to lose to either – assuming they plan on playing among Europe's elite next term.


FORM GUIDE

Liverpool

Dec 13: Liverpool 1-2 Arsenal
Dec 9: Liverpool 1-2 Fiorentina (Champions League)
Dec 5: Blackburn Rovers 0-0 Liverpool
Nov 29: Everton 0-2 Liverpool
Nov 24: Debrecen 0-1 Liverpool (Champions League)

Wigan Athletic

Dec 12: Stoke City 2-2 Wigan Athletic
Dec 5: Wigan Athletic 2-3 Birmingham City
Nov 28: Wigan Athletic 1-0 Sunderland
Nov 22: Tottenham 9-1 Wigan Athletic
Nov 8: Wigan Athletic 1-1 Fulham


TEAM NEWS

Liverpool

Fernando Torres cleared the cobwebs off his boots to make his first start in over a month on Sunday, completing the full 90 minutes. He'll be expected to feature on Wednesday, unless boss Benitez has one of his infamous selection shocks in store.

Alberto Aquilani managed 20-odd minutes against Arsenal, coming on for Javier Mascherano in the second period. With the Argentine battered and bruised, 'Aquaman' has half a chance to make his maiden Premier League start.

Last starting XI (v Arsenal): Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Aurelio, Mascherano, Lucas, Kuyt, Gerrard, Benayoun, Torres.

Wigan Athletic

Former Liverpool goalkeeper Chris Kirkland should start in goal at his old hunting ground, having shrugged off back pain to reclaim his place between the posts on Saturday.

Meanwhile, midfielder Hendry Thomas returns the squad after missing the trip to Stoke through suspension.

Last starting XI (v Stoke City): Kirkland, Melchiot, Boyce, Bramble, Figueroa, N'Zogbia, Diame, Scharner, Koumas, Gomez, Rodallega.


PLAYERS TO WATCH

Liverpool - Glen Johnson

The England wing-back suffered his worst half in a Red shirt on Sunday evening, first conceding an own goal and then letting Arshavin have just enough room to fire a bullet past Pepe Reina. That was a blip in what has otherwise been a fine individual campaign, so every Kopite will be praying he bounces back in style on Wednesday.

Wigan Athletic - Hugo Rodallega

The Latics have had few constants this term, but this man's endeavour has been one of them. Possessing both ox-like strength and a penchant for the sublime, the Ecuadorian forward is the one Wigan will look to for that match-winning moment of magic.

Anfield To Remember Bill Shankly Before Liverpool FC's Match With Wigan Athletic

Liverpool are to stage an emotional parade of legends at Anfield tomorrow to mark the 50th anniversary of Bill Shankly’s first game in charge of the Reds.

Shankly Boys including Ian Callaghan, Kevin Keegan, Phil Thompson and many more will take to the pitch at half-time during the game against Wigan to pay homage to the Scot.

The game provides the nearest date to Shankly’s opening match, a 4-0 defeat to Cardiff on December 19, 1959.

The sounds of ‘Amazing Grace’ – Shankly’s favourite hymn – will reverberate around Anfield to mark the historic anniversary.

Fifteen former stars from the 1960s and 70s, along with nine members of Shankly’s family will be introduced at the interval and a mosaic on the Kop will be unveiled.

Club stalwart and former captain Tommy Smith, who played under Shankly throughout his time in the Liverpool hot-seat, says paying homage at Anfield to the man from Glenbuck is a fitting way to mark the anniversary.

The Anfield Iron admits it could be an emotional occasion for all involved – one he hopes will inspire the current squad.

Smith said: “It is something we should do every week as far as I am concerned.

“It is amazing how quickly Shanks turned things round at Liverpool Football Club and I can’t remember any other team winning as much as we did under him in so little time.

“Shanks was a great manager and I can’t say anything bad about him – the only thing was he didn’t like leaving anyone out and wouldn’t do it until the very last minute.

“He left me out of an Arsenal game and I wasn’t too pleased, but the next day it was forgotten.

“Shanks is the greatest manager football has ever produced and getting together to remember him like we are doing will be an honour for every one of us who were privileged to play under him.

“It will be fantastic to step back out at Anfield with so many great players from the club’s past – and so many great friends too.”

Other players who will once more step out in memory of their old manager will be 60s legends Tommy Lawrence, Roger Hunt, Ian St John, Gerry Byrne, Ron Yeats, Chris Lawler, Willie Stevenson, Geoff Strong, Ronnie Moran and from the 1970s, Keegan, Thompson, Steve Heighway, Gordon Milne and a member of the late Emlyn Hughes’ family.

No Liverpool Move For Barcelona Starlet Keirrison

The agent of Barcelona striker Keirrison has told ESPN Soccernet it is highly unlikely that his client will be joining Liverpool on loan in the January transfer window.

Recent reports in the English media had claimed that Keirrison, 21, could cancel his unproductive loan spell with Benfica in order to sign for Rafael Benitez, who was linked with a move for the striker before he joined Barcelona in July 2009.

The Spanish champions paid 14 million euros to recruit the highly-rated Keirrison from Palmeiras and quickly loaned him to Benfica. However, his progress has slowed and he has made only five appearances this season with Javier Saviola and Oscar Cardozo striking up a prolific partnership for the Portuguese club.

Keirrison's agent, Naor Malaquias, feels Fernando Torres would represent another formidable barrier to regular first-team football at Anfield, making it unlikely Barca would sanction the move, and in any case has heard nothing from the Liverpool hierarchy about a possible transfer.

"That would be a very nice place to go but I think that we should talk directly with Barcelona to see if they have the interest to loan him to Liverpool," Malaquias told ESPN Soccernet. "I don't have any information about [interest from] Liverpool but it could be a pleasure to play in this club.

"It is difficult because the position of Keirrison at Benfica is hard because Cardozo and Saviola are doing a very good job. He is young, he arrived at the club and now he doesn't have many opportunities to play.

"I don't think that going to Liverpool will change this position because Liverpool is a very big club with very good strikers so I think that the same situation could happen. So I don't think that for Barcelona that would be a very nice change. They want a club that he could have minutes to play and I don't think that Liverpool is this club."

Keirrison arrived in Europe with a burgeoning reputation after topping the goalscoring charts in Brazil in 2008 when scoring 21 times for former club Coritiba. At Palmeiras, he scored five times in seven league games before Barcelona came calling.

Both Santos and Vasco da Gama are believed to be interested in bringing the striker back to Brazil but Malaquias has explained that prising Keirrison from Benfica will prove a tricky prospect for any club.

"I think that is a difficult transfer right now because Keirrison has a contract with Benfica and Barcelona has a contact with Benfica," Malaquias said. "They don't have the interest right now to change the player. I think that it would be a very difficult transfer. There is no club that has made a real offer to Barcelona or to Benfica."

Benitez 'Guarantees' Top Four Finish

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez says he "guarantees" that they will finish in the top four despite their poor form so far this season.

Having begun hoping to challenge for the title Liverpool lie seventh in the table, 13 points behind leaders Chelsea and out of the Champions League.

"I am sure we can do it because I know we are better than the team you are seeing on the pitch," said Benitez.

"I can guarantee we will finish in the top four."

On Sunday, Liverpool lost 2-1 at home to Arsenal, despite scoring first.

That result, their sixth league defeat of the season, left them five points adrift of the Champions League places. And it extended their run of poor results to only three wins in the last 15 games, their last home victory having come against champions Manchester United on 25 October.

Benitez is facing the most difficult period of his five years in charge at Anfield, but insists he will not compromise his principles to get out of an uncomfortable situation.

"For five years I think we were doing well," he said. "So we have to keep going in the same way because the club is stronger now in everything: the squad, the value of the club is better than five years ago.

"Yes, it is a bad moment but I still think we can improve.

"I think it is very important for any manager, but especially here in England, to be strong.

"You have to show you have an idea, you have your own people that you can talk with and analyse things and say 'This is the way to do things' and we have to keep going.

"The main thing for me is to come here early in the morning, do my job, go home still working a little bit and try to be ready for the next day.

"That is the way to do things and that is an example for the players - and they are doing the same thing.

"Everything can be improved and if we make mistakes we keep going.

"There are still 22 games to play so we know we have to change our target. Now it is to get three points against Wigan and then start thinking about Portsmouth (at the weekend)."

Rafa Benitez ‘Set For Huge Transfer Market Boost’

The huge windfalls that George Gillett and Tom Hicks, the co-owners of Liverpool, will collect from the sales of their American sports properties could be pumped into the English soccer club, according to English press reports.

'Under-fire Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez could be handed substantial transfer funds next month thanks to a cash windfall for American co-owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks,' reports the Daily Express.

'Gillett has already banked a £180 million profit from the sale of his ice hockey team Montreal Canadiens. And Hicks is days away from being £150m richer after his baseball side Texas Rangers was put under the hammer.'

However, sources close to both men suggest the money is unlikely to be spent on Liverpool.

Indeed, Hicks has already stated that business at the Rangers will not affect his actions at Liverpool.

In a piece of good news for the club's fans, though, the American added last month that the club's Champions League exit will not force it to sell any of its players.

Liverpool Defender Jamie Carragher Prays For Good Times

Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher is praying that there are good times around the corner as the off-colour Reds look for an upturn in fortune.

Sunday's luckless 2-1 home defeat by Arsenal means that Liverpool have now won just three times in 15 matches.

"I pray that we win the FA Cup, Europa League and get in the top four," Carragher told BBC Radio Merseyside.

"But between now and the end of May it's going to be a grind at times and we have to stick together."

Liverpool have a good chance to get back in contention from their next three games.

Starting with Wednesday night's home clash with 14th-placed Wigan Athletic, they face successive games against teams currently in the bottom four - at backmarkers Portsmouth this Saturday (19 December) before the Boxing Day clash with Wolves (26 December).

They then round off the festive period with a trip to Birmingham to take on one of their main rivals for a Champions League place, Aston Villa (29 December, 1945 GMT).

And Carragher does not accept, despite all the flak they have received in the media for their poor run of results since the end of September, which the Reds are on their knees.

"Every night I'm praying that at the end of the season they'll be something worth what we've gone through," added the former England defender.

"Statistics like that are not good. But before the Fiorentina game we hadn't lost in six.

"Statistics can change quickly and we want to make sure we can start changing those stats, starting Wednesday.

"We've got to move on now. Wigan is a massive game but it's a perfect game for us.

"When you have a disappointing result you want to get back on the pitch as soon as possible."

Liverpool fought hard last season to finish Premier League runners-up as they failed to clinch what would have been a record 19th league title - instead allowing Manchester United to equal their haul of 18.

But the Reds vice captain believes that, despite Xabi Alonso's summer departure, they still have a strong enough squad to challenge.

"With the quality of the players we've got and the stature of the club we realise we should do better," said Carragher.

"It's tough at the moment for everyone associated with the club, but we've been here before.

"It's not always great times here at Liverpool. Part of playing for Liverpool is having big character and that's what's we need at the moment.

"Then we can dust ourselves down and at the end of the season say it wasn't so bad in the end."

Yossi Benayoun: Liverpool Must Get Winning Habit Back

Liverpool winger Yossi Benayoun has challenged himself and the rest of the Reds squad to rediscover their winning mentality and embark on a run of victories.

The Israeli feels that recording a few back-to-back wins would see the confidence return at Anfield, along with a more optimistic outlook.

"We need to win three or four games in a row and try to get our confidence back up," Benayoun told his club's official website.

"We always seem to win one, but then we don't follow it up with a result in the next match. We need to keep working hard in training and try to start winning, beginning against Wigan Athletic. We know we need to be in the top four and that is our target.

"If we can do that and have a good run in both cups our season will improve."

Liverpool welcome Wigan to Anfield on Wednesday night. They currently trail fourth-placed Aston Villa by five points in the Premier League table, with the prospect of Martin O'Neill's men extending that lead against Sunderland on Tuesday night.

Benayoun knows that a win is a must if Rafa Benitez's men are serious about a top-four finish this season.

"After you lose you want to play the next game as soon as possible," he added.

"We are lucky we have the game on Wednesday and we will try to play good football and win the game for our supporters. We owe them a lot because we haven't played well this season.

"There's never an easy game. We have already seen this season that anyone can beat anyone. The top four teams from last season have lost a lot of points. We know it will be difficult against Wigan at home, but we need all three points. Anything less would be a disappointment."

Mark Lawrenson: It’s Up To Rafael Benitez To Give Liverpool FC Players Their Belief Back

The belief seems to have gone from Liverpool at the moment – and it needs to come back quickly.

In short, the players need to realise how good they are again.

Rafael Benitez won’t find the answers to the current problems by looking for money in the January transfer window or by taking any notice of anything the likes of Jurgen Klinsmann or Graeme Souness say.

They are just pundits paid to give an opinion, it’s what they do.

What football managers do is pick their best team and send them out motivated and up for it.

That’s all Benitez needs to concentrate on now – don’t worry about anything else.

It seemed to have worked to a tee against Arsenal with the way Liverpool started against them on Sunday.

They were at it from the start and I think if the first half had been 10 minutes longer they would have more than one goal up.

But if it only takes one goal to completely knock you off your stride then a second goal is essential, but it also underlines the fact that there are definitely issues with confidence.

At 1-1 a game is still there for winning, but Liverpool seem to lack the conviction to recover from setbacks at the moment.

The Glen Johnson own goal is just the kind of scrappy, nothing goal they could benefit from themselves at the moment, but when those things aren’t going for you, you need to make them happen.

And Liverpool are still good enough to do that without a doubt.

Once the sharpness of Fernando Torres is back, Benitez has his strongest squad to choose from and now is the time to instill into them how good they are as players.

Even Torres and Steven Gerrard will need to be told that – just to give them that extra boost of inspiration and a spring in their step. Those things are important when the mood among the players is a bit down during a dodgy run of results.

It’s not a sign of weakness, it’s called good mean-management and Benitez needs to demonstrate that to his players now to start getting the best out of them again.

Come out against Wigan on Wednesday like they did on Sunday and the tide could finally turn.

One thing Benitez has in his favour – and perhaps one thing that some would argue mean he is lucky to be at Anfield – is that the crowd are understanding and want to back the team.

They know that this current Liverpool side is much better than the results this season indicate and they know the players have it in them to turn it round.

Those results need to be forgotten about now as does any other issue surrounding the club.

Benitez needs to pick his best players, look them in the eye and remind them how great they are.

Hosting Wigan gives them the perfect chance to prove it.

And sometimes it only takes one game and one good result and ‘bang!’ You’ve bounced back.

Suarez Reiterates Ajax Pledge

Uruguay striker Luis Suarez has reiterated that he will not be leaving Ajax before the World Cup finals.

The 22-year-old is the leading scorer in Holland by some margin, with 18 to his name already this term.

This has seen the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United linked with him, though Chelsea are believed to be leading the chase for his services.

But despite interest from Carlo Ancelotti, Suarez does not want to think about moving ahead of the World Cup finals.

"I am not going to move anywhere for the moment. I thank any team that is interested but my idea is to stay at Ajax at least until the end of the current season," said Suarez to Radio Carve.

"Maybe when this season ends I will accept a move somewhere.

"Chelsea? There is nothing at all.

"I don't know from where the press gets some information.

"If it's true, I thank them that they are interested.

"I have said to everyone at Ajax that I want to stay here because I nearly always play and I want to be in good shape for next year to play for Uruguay in South Africa. I am going to stay at Ajax at least until June."

Liverpool In £6m Swoop For West Ham United's Scott Parker

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is reportedly set to capitalise on the financial worries dogging West Ham United with a £6 million move for Scott Parker, according to The Sun.

The tabloid claims that the Reds are ready to seal the deal once the transfer window opens in January, particularly if the alleged takeover bid from David Gold and David Sullivan does not go through.

The 29-year-old midfielder - who was voted Player of the Year for the Upton Park outfit last season - is said to be a stop-gap replacement for Javier Mascherano, who is tipped to leave Anfield if the Merseyside club fail to finish in the top four this season.

Parker, who joined West Ham from Newcastle United in 2007, earns more than £50,000 a week plying his trade for Gianfranco Zola's side.