Rafael Benitez Blames Squad's Lack Of Depth For Liverpool's Poor Season

Liverpool have struggled this season due to the squad's lack of strength in depth, according to manager Rafael Benitez.

The Reds have struggled for much of the season in both the Premier League and European competition but, after beating Sunderland 3-0 at the week in an impressive performance from a near full-strength XI, Benitez believes injuries have taken their toll.

"Everyone knows we have a good 11. You can see some good players on the bench but also others with less experience," said Benitez ahead of their Europa League clash against Benfica on Thursday.

"When you talk about the league the depth in your squad is very important and we have had problems with injuries.

"It has been a difficult season for young players as well because they have had to perform on the pitch when the team is not doing well.

"The majority of the players have been fighting from the beginning but the problem in football is you can be working very hard but if you don't win people say you are not doing enough."

With the first leg of the quarter-final against the Portuguese league leaders taking place away from home, Benitez is reluctant to look too far ahead in a competition he believes the club can win.

"We have to have confidence that we can win but my idea is to take it one game at a time," he said.

"We have a very difficult tie and if we can progress Valencia or Atletico will be dangerous but you never know - we are in form now too so hopefully we can do well, be in the final and win.

"If we can keep this spirit and mentality we can beat anyone."

Inter Give Up On Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas & Turn Transfer Effort To Liverpool's Steven Gerrard

Inter have kicked the plan to sign Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas into long grass and they will focus their transfer efforts into landing Steven Gerrard from Liverpool instead, according to Tuttosport.

Fabregas has been the number one objective on Jose Mourinho's transfer list, but Inter have realised that signing him will be difficult. Mourinho's relationship with Arsene Wenger is not the best, and Fabregas has made it clear his dream is to go back to Barcelona in the future.

With that in mind, the Nerazzurri have set out an approach for Gerrard. His name has been floated around Massimo Moratti's office for the past two weeks, suggesting a move is still in its development stage.

Signing the England international will be less than easy. However, Inter are hoping to press for the best deal and they are expected to make a €35 million bid for him.

Mourinho will attempt to raise funds for the deal by offloading players, and his recent spat with Mario Balotelli will see the Italian as first on the list to go.

Balotelli has a €70 million release clause in his deal. Inter are aware they will not get such a figure for their player, but they will attempt to sell him for €40million, meaning they would have enough allowances to fund a move for Gerrard.

Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea and Barcelona have all been linked with the Inter forward.

Alberto Aquilani Could Miss The Rest Of Season

Rafa Benitez is about to discover the full extent of Alberto Aquilani's latest fitness setback after refusing to rule out fears his injury-jinxed midfielder could be out for the rest of the season.

The £20million signing from Roma damaged an ankle in training and failed to make the trip to Lisbon for Thursday's Europa League quarter-final first leg with Benfica after being booked in for a scan on Merseyside.

Benitez initially played down concerns that the Italy midfielder faced another lengthy lay-off but would not be drawn on the possibility that his season may already have ended.

'We have to check on Alberto and find out exactly what he has done,' said the Liverpool manager, after touching down in Lisbon and hosting a late-night press conference in the team hotel at nearly 10pm.

'We should have an answer to that sometime tomorrow and can only hope for the best in the meantime. I don't think it is too serious, but it is clear he has a problem with his ankle.

'Is that the end of his season? We have to check tomorrow. We will see then.'

Aquilani was still recuperating from ankle surgery when he signed for Liverpool and was kept waiting for his debut after his recovery went on longer than expected.

He has made few appearances in the starting line-up since, amid increasing misgivings that he is struggling to cope with the physical demands of the Barclays Premier League.

Liverpool Winger Albert Riera Claims Move To Spartak Moscow Has Broken Down

Liverpool midfielder Albert Riera has revealed that his proposed loan move to Spartak Moscow has broken down and he will now consider his options in the summer.

The Spaniard had looked a certainty to move to Russia after publicly slamming Reds manager Rafael Benitez.

However, it now seems that he will have to wait a while longer before exiting Anfield.

"Negotiations with Spartak Moscow are stalled. My intention is to decide my future in the summer," he told Spanish newspaper Marca.

"I want to continue my career at Liverpool because it is one of the best clubs in the world.

"The feeling is spectacular, we have a great stadium and I feel very good at Liverpool.

"I speak with Fernando Torres and (Jose) Reina and agree on the greatness of Liverpool."

Juventus Cling Onto Hope Of Landing Liverpool Coach Rafael Benitez

Juventus will not concede defeat in the race for Liverpool coach Rafael Benitez, as they cling onto a line of hope to reel him in.

Il Corriere Dello Sport claims Juventus have been left with just one main target - Benitez - after Fiorentina coach Cesare Prandelli pledged his allegiance to the Tuscan side.

Bianconeri vice-general director Roberto Bettega will now use the Easter period for some reflection before he flies out to Liverpool next week to open up a new line of communication with the Spaniard.

Benitez is under contract at Anfield until 2013, but top chiefs at Juventus have promised significant action, and they are prepared to pay any penalties they incur from signing the coach should the deal take off.

Also, Juventus have allocated an extra budget to help pay for Benitez's top coaching staff, who he would bring to Turin with him.

The Bianconeri are now set to act quickly to help speed up the move.

Alan Hansen Says Jamie Carragher Has Got Many Years Left Playing For Liverpool

When Jamie Carragher made his Liverpool debut more than 13 years ago, he could only dream of one day being spoken of in the same breath as Alan Hansen.

As two very different defenders, it is unfair to compare them.

What is clear, though, is that they’ve both produced the quality required to join an elite band of players who can say they’ve played over 600 times for Liverpool.

In their case it’s 620 apiece.

Carragher, who will usurp Hansen against Benfica in Lisbon on Thursday, will be shifting himself back to ninth on the all time list of total number of appearances for Liverpool.

While injury forced Hansen to retire, the former club captain believes Carragher will continue to clock up many more games for the club.

“In modern day football it’s a hell of an achievement to play over 600 games as Jamie has, especially for one club,” said Hansen.

“Every year since 1977 when I was at Liverpool there seemed to be a testimonial. Players used to stay around for a long time whereas nowadays to stay 10 years in one place is an achievement in itself.

“But to be 10 years and play so consistently well to reach the number of games Carragher has is absolutely phenomenal. The level of consistency in his performance and how he has conducted himself is a tribute to Jamie Carragher.”

His consistency has been such that Carragher has played in 50-plus games in eight of the last nine seasons for Liverpool and looks set to do so again this year.

That doesn’t happen if you’re not playing well and Hansen places the Bootle-born defender among the Liverpool greats.

“It’s fantastic for Liverpool Football Club and the fans too,” he says. “In a long line of centre-backs who have stood out for the club, here they have another one. You can go through eight or nine of them who have been sensational since big Ron Yeats came in under Bill Shankly. Jamie is up there with the best of them.

“To play 621 games – and counting – is absolutely sensational.”

On his own admission, Carragher did not have the best start to this season.

He turned 32 in January providing an easy target for critics to begin to write him off.

Hansen says this is inevitable for players of a certain age. It’s how you bounce back that counts.

The Match Of The Day pundit believes Carragher has worked hard to address his form and is back to his best again.

“The last six weeks or so would sum Carragher up,” says Hansen. “He’s not had the best season by his standards, and looked to be struggling at times. But he’s played really well lately. He had a great game against Wayne Rooney at Old Trafford but, even before that, was getting back to the level he’s been at for a number of seasons now.”

Hansen insists Carragher has plenty left in the tank before it’s time to hang up his boots.

“The way he’s playing now I’d say he’s definitely got a few more years in him at the top level. For me, he’s as good as ever.

“It doesn’t matter what age you are. I was 35 when I packed in but that was because I had a bad right knee.

“The last season I played, in 1990, I only missed four or five matches and was going as good as ever.

“But the problem is that, once you hit 30 and have a period of trouble, people just point to your age and say you’re finished.

“It’s difficult to come back from that but Jamie has done exceptionally well, particularly to play as he is in the latter stages of the season when players tend to tire. It doesn’t matter who you are, whether you’ve been a model of consistency and the best central defender of your generation or whatever. People don’t take any prisoners.

“Once you get to a certain age and have a bad run they will write you off.

“But Jamie has got enough mental strength to deal with that.

“He’s proven it by overcoming the critics.

“Among all the things that have changed in football over the years, the only way you can answer any critic is by doing it on the pitch.

“That’s what he’s done and that’s full credit to him.

“He’s come back strong again and that’s simply because he wants to play for Liverpool.”

As Carragher makes his 621st appearance on Thursday night, Hansen has no qualms about making way for the Reds stalwart.

“When I retired I must have had about 20 different records,” he says.

“Things like being the only player to have a Championship winners medal from three different decades. That’s gone.

“We had the most games unbeaten at home. Now that’s gone too.

“I look at some of the records now that people like Ryan Giggs have got and they’re incredible.

“Obviously you wish it was a Liverpool player every time but Jamie’s record to play that amount of games at a time when people are moving on left, right and centre is an unbelievable show of loyalty too.

“For that alone, Liverpool supporters should be eternally grateful.”

Liverpool's Ambitions Shrink To Fourth Place

A room set aside at the trophy-packed Liverpool Football Club museum at Anfield is devoted to endless replays of an astonishing night of European football.

Seemingly down and out after trailing 3-0 at halftime to AC Milan in the 2005 Champions League final in Istanbul, Liverpool came back to tie the match and win the penalty shootout.

Although the memories are enshrined forever in the red section of Merseyside, manager Rafa Benitez's ambitions five years on have shrunk to securing fourth place in the Premier League and a spot in the Champions League.

"We know that we have to keep going," the Spaniard said after Liverpool romped to a 3-0 win over Sunderland last Sunday, courtesy of two goals from his compatriot Fernando Torres.

"It will be difficult. If Torres can stay fit he will be very important. If a striker is scoring goals he is a very important player and in trying to keep him happy the first thing we can do is win the games this year and try to be in the top four."

The spring-heeled Spaniard has scored four goals in his last seven games, to bring his season's tally to 20, but Liverpool still remain four points adrift of fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur and the north London side have a game in hand.

In an interview with a Spanish newspaper, Torres threatened to leave Liverpool if the club did not invest in some quality players and, even though Liverpool are still involved in European competition this season through the Europa League, fifth place might persuade him it is time to leave.

Torres, 26, would then be the target of richer and more successful English clubs and the Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona. Reports from Italy say AC Milan are also interested.

Both through word and deed, Torres appears at the moment committed to the Liverpool cause.

"When you get injuries it is frustrating because every player wants to be able to play in every game," he said.

"Playing in less than 30 games is not too many for a footballer, especially a Liverpool player, but I am playing now and scoring goals and I just want to help the team.

"The main thing is that I am close to my best now. I feel strong, I have stamina. If I can keep scoring goals until the end of the season we can do good things for Liverpool.

"We have got 18 points to play for and all we can do is try to get them and wait to see what the results of the other teams ahead of us are."

Then there is captain Steven Gerrard, an England mainstay but a player who has scored only six league goals for his club this season.

Benitez, who has been criticised for playing Gerrard in a variety of positions, mounted a robust defence after the Sunderland match.

"Gerrard can play everywhere," Benitez said. "It depends on the team. I told him before the Sunderland game he was playing in the middle and he was happy. He can help the team and that is the main thing."

Gerrard, who turns 30 next month, concedes he has not been at his best this season. However, the man who at his peak epitomises the best qualities of a combative English footballer, thinks the spur of a place in Europe and the World Cup in South Africa can turn his year around.

"It's a big time for me, I am aware of my age and what I want out of the remainder of my career," he said.

"I look after myself, and I'm in good shape physically so I believe I've still got five years to fight for all the big prizes in football. I'll do everything I can to keep going.

"You have to accept that as a team we have underachieved and I have to accept that there have been times when my form hasn't been good. We deal with that and move forward.

"There's a chance to finish the season on a high with Liverpool now, by finishing fourth and going to (the Europa League) final. It would be fantastic if we could achieve both of those things. Then you focus on the World Cup. Things change quickly in football."

Liverpool FC Supporters Demand Premier League Probe Into Gillett And Hicks Ownership

Liverpool supporters have stepped up their efforts against owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks by questioning the thoroughness of the Premier League's 'fit and proper' person test

In an open letter to senior figureheads, the Liverpool Supporters' Union - Spirit of Shankly have called on League chiefs to investigate the Americans' dealings that contravene the guidelines of the probe, which was unveiled two years after the duo took control at Anfield.

Pledges made by the pair in February 2007, during which they claimed they would ensure that the club remained debt-free and begin work on a new stadium within 60 days of their takeover have been cited by the group in the letter to Chief Executive Richard Scudamore.

The proposed takeover by the Rhone Group has also come under scrutiny following previous dealings with surfwear brand Quiksilver amidst claims that John Muse, a former business partner of Hicks when he owned Brazilian outfit Corinithians, is involved with the bid.

Christian Purslow, Liverpool's managing director, is currently scouring the global market for a £100 million investment to reduce repayments owed to the Royal Bank of Scotland on the club's £237 million debt in order to negotiate an extension before this summer's deadline.

James McKenna, a spokesman for Spirit of Shankly, said: “Tom and George promised us heaven and have delivered hell.

"Who would have thought that three years ago we would be where we are now, owners with no money, a desperate search for investment to pay down debt, and fans having to seek and fight for answers about what is going on at their club?

"Questions must be asked of those who are meant to regulate the game, the Premier League. They are seemingly turning a blind eye to what is happened to us and other clubs, in favour of selling the brand.

"What brand will they have to sell if it carries on like this? If we don’t get the answers we want from them, then we will see if they will listen to us when we turn up at their offices and demand answers.”

He added: “Questions must also be asked, and the same mistakes not allowed to happen again, regarding who will invest in LFC now. We don’t want to be jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire.

"Until we know what is happening at our club, we will continue to seek answers to protect the club, as the fans after all are the true custodians.

"Tom Hicks and George Gillett need to get the message – They aren’t welcome at Anfield and neither are any other investors looking to make a quick buck at the expense of doing it properly.”

Supporters have been encouraged to send a copy of the email, which can be found on the group's website, to Scudamore, chief spokesman Dan Johnson and Cathy Long, Head of Supporter Relations.

A joint protest with financially-strung Portsmouth took place before the game between the two sides at Anfield last month to call for more stringent measures to be taken when investigating owners of Premier League clubs.

Centenary Stand Collapses! Anfield In Danger!

Liverpool FC's season couldn't really have gone any worse, but this morning they are reeling from the shock that part of the Centenary stand suddenly collapsed in the early hours last night.

A mild earth tremour in the Irish sea is reported to be the cause, as there is widespread minor damage to buildings all around the Merseyside area, but a previously unseen crack in the Anfield foundations broke apart to leave half the stand in ruins, and the whole stadium declared a no-go zone by officials until the safety of the other three sides and assorted other buildings can be ascertained.

Liverpool have yet to make any official announcement, but this catastrophe is sure to increase the long-standing calls for a new stadium.

Liverpool have no home game this week, but rumours abound that the return leg of the Benfica match will probably have to be moved to the nearest available substitute, which is good news for Benfica as the last time they played at Goodison they won 2-0.

Europa League Preview: Benfica vs. Liverpool

Liverpool will be hoping for a repeat of their latest outing as they travel to Iberia this Thursday to take on Benfica in the first leg of the Europa League quarter-finals.

The Reds answered their many critics as they blitzed a shell-shocked Sunderland on their way to an easy 3-0 win on Sunday which keeps them in the hunt for a top-four finish in the Premier League.

Much of the talk surrounding Anfield since then has centred on whether or not Rafael Benitez will adopt similar tactics for the trip to Portugal, with fans howling for more of the high-octane football which humiliated a normally stubborn Black Cats side.

However, it would be no surprise if the Spanish tactician were more conservative at the Estadio da Luz - especially when you consider his last encounter with the Aguilas.

It was Benfica who ruined Liverpool's Champions League defence in 2005-06, ousting the five-time winners in the first knockout round - and the Portuguese side are a far more impressive unit now than they were then.

The Lisbon giants have already conquered Merseyside this season, beating Everton 2-0 at Goodison Park before thrashing them 5-0 at home, and are easing their way to domestic honours in some style.

And with a reputation as one of Europe's most forward-thinking teams to uphold, Jorge Jesus and his charges will be determined to put on a show against one of England's traditional powerhouses.

FORM GUIDE

Benfica

Mar 27: Benfica 1-0 Braga (Portuguese Liga)
Mar 18: Olympique Marseille 1-2 Benfica (Europa League)
Mar 14: Nacional 0-1 Benfica (Portuguese Liga)
Mar 11: Benfica 1-1 Olympique Marseille (Europa League)
Mar 7: Benfica 3-1 Pacos de Ferreira (Portuguese Liga)

Liverpool

Mar 28: Liverpool 3-0 Sunderland (Premier League)
Mar 21: Manchester United 2-1 Liverpool (Premier League)
Mar 18: Liverpool 3-0 Lille (Europa League)
Mar 15: Liverpool 4-1 Portsmouth (Premier League)
Mar 11: Lille 1-0 Liverpool (Europa League)

TEAM NEWS

Benfica

There is little to report from Lisbon, except that playmaker Pablo Aimar - one of Reds boss Benitez's former favourites at Valencia - is in line to start after a couple of games on the substitutes bench.

Last starting XI (vs. Sporting Braga): Julio Cesar, Pereira, Luiz, Falcao, Coentrao, Garcia, Ramires, Martins, Di Maria, Cardozo, Saviola.

Liverpool

Alberto Aquilani joins defenders Martin Skrtel (foot), Fabio Aurelio (thigh) and Martin Kelly (knee) on sidelines after injuring his ankle in training, while midfielder Maxi Rodriguez is ineligible.

Last starting XI (vs. Sunderland): Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Insua, Mascherano, Gerrard, Maxi, Kuyt, Babel, Torres.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Benfica

Where to begin? Angel di Maria is one of the most sought-after young wingers in Europe; Oscar Cardozo has been netting goals for a laugh; and the experienced Argentine duo of Javier Saviola and Pablo Aimar have rediscovered themselves since crossing the border from Spain. Throw in Brazilian international Ramires, and that's plenty for the visitors to think about.

Liverpool

Fernando Torres' form since returning from injury has been irresistible, with his two remarkable finishes at the weekend underlining just why he is considered one of the world's greatest strikers. Steven Gerrard also starred in that game, and many will be curious to see whether the skipper stays in central midfield or is pushed up to partner 'El Nino'.

Liverpool Midfielder Alberto Aquilani Out Of Europa League Clash With Benfica

After being plagued with injuries for the most part of his career in England Alberto Aquilani will now miss Liverpool's Europa League quarter-final against Benfica with an another injury.

The Italian midfielder will not fly to Portugal with the rest of the squad for Thursday's game due to an ankle problem, although manager Rafa Benitez does not believe the 25-year-old has a long-term injury.

"He will not be available for this game," Benitez told the press on Wednesday.

"He had a problem with his ankle this morning and we have to fix it.

"It doesn't seem too serious but it's the same ankle as before and so we'll have to analyse the situation carefully."

Aquilani has endured an injury-ravaged time at Anfield since joining the club from Roma in the summer, making just eight starts in all competitions for the Reds.

Liverpool To Launch Bid For Real Madrid Legend Raul

Premier League side Liverpool are willing to sign Spain legend Raul from Real Madrid at the end of the 2009-10 season, according to latest reports.

The Mirror speculates that Reds manager Rafael Benitez will attempt to convince the three-time Champions League winner to leave the Spanish capital and move to Merseyside, where he would partner Spain international striker Fernando Torres in attack. The Daily Mail adds that Liverpool will offer Raul a two-year contract.

Raul is thought to have expressed a desire to play in the English top flight, and with him falling in the pecking order under coach Manuel Pellegrini this season, there has been speculation that he could leave Madrid in the summer.

The 32-year-old has also been linked with a move to the MLS. Raul has started just eight times in the Spanish Primera Division so far this season and has scored four times. He featured in seven Champions League games and was on the scoresheet twice.

Liverpool Line Up Transfer Bid For Danny

Liverpool are lining up a £3million summer swoop for Rangers kid Danny Wilson.

SunSport can reveal the Kop giants have been monitoring the brilliant 18-year-old defender's progress this season.

Now they have decided they will wade in with a bid for the centre-back, who is in the frame to be Scotland's Young Player of the Year.

That will rock reigning champs Gers, who were desperate to tie Wilson up on a long-term deal this week.

The youngster - also being tracked by Spurs, Manchester City and Aston Villa - has just 15 months to run on his current deal.

The Gers hierarchy tied up his team-mate John Fleck until 2013 earlier this week.

Wilson's contract, though, remains unsigned and Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is ready to test Rangers' resolve in the summer.

If the hot property has not put pen to paper on a new deal by then it seems certain the champs will elect to cash in on a talent developed at Murray Park rather than watch him quit for buttons.

Wilson suffered a setback earlier this month with a red card in the Co-operative Insurance Cup Final triumph over St Mirren but he has been in sparkling form for Gers as crocked Madjid Bougherra's stand-in.

Now the Kop interest throws those crunch contract talks into focus as Rangers gear up for the run-in to two-in-a-row.

Liverpool's Riera In Talks With Spartak Moscow

Liverpool's Spanish winger Albert Riera considering a possible transfer to Spartak Moscow, the Premier League club said on Wednesday.

"He is talking with Spartak and we have to wait and see," Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez told the club website (www.liverpoolfc.tv).

Riera, 27, who signed from Espanyol in 2008, has been frozen out at the club since criticising Benitez in an interview with Spanish radio before Liverpool's second leg Europa League clash with Lille on March 18.

Liverpool's Italian midfielder Alberto Aquilani will miss Thursday's Europa League quarter-final first leg clash at Benfica after injuring his ankle in training.

Steven Gerrard Mustn't Get Used To Centre Midfield Says Rafa Benitez

Liverpool FC boss Rafa Benitez has welcomed the return to form of Steven Gerrard but told his captain not to get too comfortable in his favoured central midfield role.

The Liverpool FC captain was dropped back to a more orthodox position against Sunderland on Sunday and responded with an improved personal display in the Reds' 3-0 win.

For a long time critics have been urging Benitez to deploy Gerrard in what they feel is his best position but the Liverpool FC manager said what was more important was the overall game plan.

"I remember discussions with England about Gerrard and Frank Lampard not being able to play in the middle but they can," said the Reds boss ahead of Liverpool FC's Europa League quarter-final trip to play Benfica in Lisbon.

"He can play everywhere because he knows what to do in every position.

"He was keen to do the best for the team and the best for the team the other day was for him to play in this role with Javier Mascherano.

"For me it is not the player and the system but altogether.

"In the last year with the same system we were quite offensive and this year we have scored a lot of goals, especially at Anfield, with the same system.

"It has been Lucas-Mascherano, Lucas-Aquilani, Lucas-Gerrard, Mascherano-Aquilani - we can mix and match.

"It gives us more options."

Liverpool The Only Top Club To Fall Short Says Jamie Carragher

Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher reckons the Reds are the only top seven Barclays Premier League side to have underachieved this season.

Early exits from the title race, Champions League and FA Cup have left Liverpool FC looking for consolation in the form of securing fourth place and winning the Europa League.

Their problems this season have partly been due to injuries to key Liverpool FC players like Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard, Yossi Benayoun and Glen Johnson but Carragher said they could not use that as an excuse.

"I think the other teams have probably done what you’d expect, I just think we haven’t done what we expected to do," said the 32-year-old.

"People presumed the likes of Aston Villa and Tottenham could mount a top four challenge but I think people thought we would already be in there challenging for the league.

"We’ve disappointed ourselves a little. I don’t put it down to bad luck - that’s football.

"We all have injuries here and there and that’s just part of football and you deal with it.

"I just think at the start of the season we didn’t do particularly well and then we realised we weren’t going to be in the title race, which was what we had all built ourselves up for.

"It was a disappointment at that early stage, whereas the other teams were excited about the prospect of getting into the top four.

"Maybe it took us a while to get our heads around the fact that we wouldn’t be playing for the title, but a top-four finish is vitally important now for next season and that’s something we’re certainly capable of."

Carragher also hopes Liverpool FC can still lift some silverware in the Europa League.

Liverpool FC face Benfica in Lisbon on Thursday in the first leg of their quarter-final tie and should Carragher play he will make his 621st appearance for the club, lifting him above Alan Hansen to eighth on the all-time list.

"We’re still in the Europa League and we’re desperate to get our hands on some silverware - we haven’t done that for a few years," the Liverpool FC vice-captain said.

"That’s vitally important and success in that competition could change how the season has been looked upon - in the next few weeks it could all turn around."

Rafael Benitez Expects Liverpool Defender Daniel Agger To Get Even Better

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has been impressed with the recent displays from Daniel Agger at the heart of the Reds' defence, and has challenged the Dane to improve further.

Benitez believes that Agger can go on to establish himself as one of Anfield's great names if he continues to show application and effort.

"Daniel is a player who will be even better in the future because he is eager to learn and working hard in training all the time," said Benitez, according to The Liverpool Echo.

"You saw the other day that he is a defender who likes to play the ball and he is going to become a very important player for us in the future.

"When you want to play well as a team, it is important you start with the defenders, and to do that, you need someone who can defend but also you need to rely on them in possession.

"For this club to progress, we need important players like him. He can pass it short, he can play it long, he can switch play and can score goals. His form is very good.

"We will have to keep working with him with his fitness. He has had some problems this year and also had a virus. It has been difficult in the last month as he played too many games."

Meanwhile, Benitez is hopeful that a good end to the season can help introduce a more positive mentality into matters at Anfield.

The Reds face Benfica in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final on Thursday evening, and the Spaniard is hoping that his side can go all the way in the competition.

“Everybody wants to see attacking football – even the manager," he quipped.

"If we can keep progressing in the Europa League and finish well in the Premier League, it will be easy to talk about the future.

"Liverpool is a massive club and there are lots of players thinking about coming here. That’s why it is important for the future that we perform now.

"The effort has been good but we need to keep pushing. We know we have not done well this season and that has had an impact on our confidence.

"But you cannot change what has happened in the past. The only thing we can do is keep moving forward and try our best until the end of the season – that is the message."

Young Guns Triumph In Greece

Liverpool's Academy added another trophy to their growing collection after the under-12s claimed victory at a tournament in Greece on Wednesday morning.

The youngsters held off the challenge of Olympiakos, PAOK, Panathinaikos and AEK Athens to emerge triumphant and leave the Academy's Head of U12-U16 age groups, Steve Cooper, delighted.

He said: "We haven't played many tournaments in Greece over the years, but because of 'Pep' Segura's previous involvement with Olympiakos, we were offered this opportunity and decided to take it.

"It's always good to win any competition and it's great for the young lads to experience playing in different countries, against a different style of football.

"We are really pleased for everyone."

Youngsters Key As Benitez Plans Prosperous Liverpool Future

Rafa Benitez is planning for the Reds’ future, despite doubts over his Anfield future and says that youth development will be key to success.

Benitez has secured the future of important players such as Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard and hopes to tie up deals with Pepe Reina and Javier Mascherano next month.

Liverpool boss Benitez said, "It was the idea last year to extend contracts,

"It is the same this year to guarantee the spine of the team is there and, afterwards, try to bring in some good players to hopefully improve.

"With some players we are looking two or three years ahead, you have to be ready and prepare more or less the squad.

"In terms of the first team, to guarantee the extension of some players is enough to bring in the right players.

"We are always planning for the future. You can make mistakes but at least you have a plan.

"So if we don't make mistakes in the transfer window or if the [new] players settle down with this group of players we have at the moment we will improve."

As part of the contract that Benitez signed last summer to keep him at Anfield, he will also oversee the entire youth development of the club. It is a critical part of Liverpool’s future success in the eyes of the Spaniard.

Benitez continued, "This is the first year I am in charge of the academy and we are trying to improve and bring players from the academy," he added.

"We need some time. The reserve team are doing well so these players will be the future of the club."

Return Of Injured Stars Gives Benitez Confidence Of European Success

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez was upbeat about the Reds’ chances going into Thursday’s Europa League clash with Benfica having seen the successful return from injury of Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard and Glen Johnson.

The Europa League represents Liverpool’s only remaining chance of silverware this season. They go into the quarter-final clash with Portuguese giants Benfica having beaten Sunderland 3-0 with goals from Torres and Johnson who have only recently returned from a spell on the sidelines.

With captain Steven Gerrard also coming back to form after a spell out, Benitez is happy with his options.

The Spanish boss said, "If they can stay fit I think it will be very important because you have more options,

"When you have two games a week it is important to have different players available so you can change the system and you can keep the tempo.

"It is really important to have Fernando, Gerrard and Maxi available.”

Focusing in particular on Liverpool's scorers against Sunderland, Benitez continued, "I can see Fernando is focused and he wants to do well. We are surprised sometimes by what he can do but my idea is that he can improve.

"He knows how to get better. Two goals and a great performance again against Sunderland is what the team needed.

"Johnson is an attacking defender and sometimes when you have the team playing well at home and everyone is going forward he can be a real threat.

"He had one or two chances against Sunderland and he was very dangerous down the right side."

Liverpool Line Up Summer Bid For Spanish Star

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has stepped up the chase for Athletic Bilbao midfielder Javi Martinez.

Martinez, 21, has been on Liverpool's radar for the past two seasons but Benitez is putting together his hit-list for next season.

Liverpool sent a scout to watch Martinez at Atletico Madrid last Thursday and Bilbao are well aware of Benitez's interest.

Bilbao coach Joaquin Caparros said: "Javier is a monster of a player and can go very far."

Alberto Aquilani: I Love Everything About Liverpool & England Except The Weather

Liverpool midfielder Alberto Aquilani is settling quickly on Merseyside and is very happy playing his football in England, but has one major gripe: the weather.

But that hasn't put him off his new life in England, after switching from the sunny Italian capital last summer.

"I like everything in England, I just don't like the weather," he told LFC Magazine.

"I like the people, the supporters, the city and playing here. And I want to play well here."

The Italian is also hoping that he continues to make progress with his improving English.

"But I don't speak English very well. Now I understand more than I did before but I have to improve," he explained.

"At first I had regular English lessons but it has been difficult more recently and my English teacher is angry about this!

"It has been difficult because at one time my family were here so I couldn't do the lesson, another time we had too many games."

Benitez Ser To Utilize All His Weapons

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is looking forward to utilizing all his attacking options for their crucial Barclays Premier League run-in.

The team rightly received plaudits for their performance, particularly in the first half, against Sunderland at the weekend when they played a brand of football which had been missing for most of the season.

Deploying Steven Gerrard in a more orthodox central midfield position but with license to roam forward allowed Benitez to field Maxi Rodriguez, Dirk Kuyt, Ryan Babel and Fernando Torres in front of the Reds captain.

And with full-backs Glen Johnson and Emiliano Insua providing more width down the flanks the Black Cats were torn apart with a high-tempo passing game which could have produced half a dozen goals.

It is unlikely Benitez will be so bold in all six of their remaining league matches - particularly at Birmingham on Sunday and at home to Chelsea on the penultimate weekend of the season - but the Reds boss feels having plenty of choices could be key to them securing fourth place.

"If they can stay fit I think it will be very important because you have more options," said Benitez, whose side travel to Lisbon on Wednesday for the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final against Benfica on Thursday.

"When you have two games a week it is important to have different players available so you can change the system and you can keep the tempo.

"It is really important to have Fernando, Gerrard and Maxi available.

"I can see Fernando is focused and he wants to do well. We are surprised sometimes by what he can do but my idea is that he can improve.

"He knows how to get better. Two goals and a great performance again against Sunderland is what the team needed.

"Johnson is an attacking defender and sometimes when you have the team playing well at home and everyone is going forward he can be a real threat.

"He had one or two chances against Sunderland and he was very dangerous down the right side."

Liverpool have the easiest-looking run-in of all the Champions League-chasing sides but they are still four points behind fourth-placed Tottenham having played more matches than their rivals.

Benitez knows Liverpool's fate is currently out of their hands but he expects that to change, especially with Spurs having to play Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United in a 10-day spell and City still to face the Gunners, United, Spurs and Aston Villa.

"At this moment we have to concentrate on what we can change now - to play well on the pitch and try to be as close as possible to the top four and progress in the Europa League and the other things will come," said the Spaniard.

"I think it depends on us. If we keep winning our games - there are difficult games - we will be closer and every week will be different.

"Sunday at Birmingham will be tough but if we can win our games I think they (Tottenham, City and Villa) will lose some points and I think we can be there."

The Liverpool manager has complete belief in the players which struggled earlier this season on the way to 10 Barclays Premier League defeats - eight more than in the previous campaign.

"Always you can have a bad season but you can see from the reaction of the players they are fighting and trying," he said.

"The players are focused and training well and the preparation was similar so it is just trying to get the confidence higher.

"The players knew before the Sunderland victory (that their remaining games would be crucial) but when you are trying to play well and trying to win and cannot then the confidence is a little bit low.

"But we didn't change too many things [against Sunderland]. It was because everyone was doing well and at the end that was positive because it was contagious.

"It is very important the players are playing well together and a clean sheet meant everything was positive.

"We have had some good games in the past but maybe this one, when you put together the first half and part of the second half, it was maybe one of the best performances this season."

Glen Johnson: I'm Getting Back To My Best

Liverpool defender Glen Johnson believes he is getting back to his best after his goal-scoring display in Sunday’s 3-0 triumph over Sunderland.

The England right-back missed two-and-a-half months of the season with a knee injury and has taken time to rediscover his form since returning to action in the defeat at Wigan earlier this month.

However, Johnson starred against the Black Cats as he scored for the first time in front of the Kop and created the Reds’ third for Fernando Torres.

“It was a fantastic feeling to score my first goal in front of the Kop,” he said, according to the Liverpool Echo.

“I cut inside and wanted to get a clean strike at goal and it was nice to see it go in with my left foot.

“I’m feeling good again. It’s not easy to come back when you’ve been out for so long but with every game my fitness is getting better.”

Victory kept Liverpool’s hopes of Champions League qualification alive and with six games to play they are four points adrift of fourth placed Tottenham, who have a game in hand.

Dirk: Fitness Key To Success

Dirk Kuyt believes a fit and firing squad can propel Liverpool to a successful conclusion to 2009-10.

Sunday's 3-0 dismantling of Sunderland was arguably one of Reds' most fluent performances of the season so far.

And Kuyt feels the return of key players from injury has been instrumental in helping Rafa Benitez's side produce the kind of attacking verve that has seen 10 goals scored in their last three Anfield matches.

"It's hard to explain why we can't play like we did against Sunderland every week, but now more or less everyone is fit," said the Holland forward.

"There are no injuries. Fernando is back, Stevie is over his injuries and that makes a lot of difference. For any top side it would be very difficult without these top players in your side.

"They are coming back and scoring very important goals and that helps the team as well."

Liverpool are currently sixth in the Barclays Premier League table, four points behind fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur having played a game more.

The Reds have just six league fixtures remaining in the race for Champions League football, and Kuyt reckons their current form gives them a good chance of securing a top four finish.

"We have to try and push to finish fourth. We are behind and we know it will be hard but what we have to do is win our own games and keep going from there," he said.

"The most important thing is last season around this time the team was playing very well, the results were good and this season everyone knows what has happened.

"Every player in this team has had bad moments and we are all trying to leave these moments behind us and keep going. We struggled a bit during the season, but we don't have time to look back on these things - we have to look forward."

Kuyt added: "These are six very important games now. Hopefully we can win those and at the end of the day it will be enough.

"I think the whole team has shown character. You cannot blame the team for not showing that. We have shown it many, many times."

For the moment, attentions will now turn to the Europa League and Thursday's quarter-final, first leg clash with Benfica in Portugal.

"All the games between now and the end of the season will be very important. We want to win something but we also want to play Champions League football next season," said Kuyt.

"Benfica are a very good team, they are top of league in Portugal. They have good forwards. Hopefully we can finish fourth and win a trophy this season."

Boss Hails Stopper

John McMahon hailed the performance of goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi after the Hungarian made a number of crucial saves during the Reserves' 2-1 win over Bolton Wanderers on Monday night.

Both the goals came in the second half through substitute David Ngog and an OG from Bolton skipper Rhys Bennett, but Gulacsi made several important stops when the scoreline was still 0-0.

"Peter is fantastic to have in the team," McMahon told Liverpoolfc.tv.

"He is very reliable and he made some great saves for us. I felt for him at the end when we conceded a late goal because he prides himself on clean sheets and to be honest he deserved one.

"We had to work very hard for the three points. We kept going and showed a good attitude. We tried to do the right things but Bolton made it tough for us. Full credit to them, they were competitive and worked really hard.

"Dani Pacheco was man marked throughout the game and it was a good learning curve for him how to cope in different situations."

The Reds extended their unbeaten run to 16 games and moved to within three points of leaders Manchester United at the top of the Barclays Premier Reserve League North with the win.

"We had a better mentality and desire than we showed against Wigan so that was pleasing, but some of our play still needs to improve," added McMahon.

"We are on a really good run so full credit to the lads but we need to keep it going."

McMahon also had words of encouragement for Academy starlet Alex Cooper who made a great impact when he came off the bench to set up the opening goal for Ngog.

"Alex came on and was strong," he said. "He used the ball intelligently and full credit to him because he did really well for the goal."

Ngog Downs Trotters

Liverpool Reserves moved to within three points of leaders Manchester United at the top of the Barclays Premier Reserve League North after a 2-1 victory over Bolton Wanderers at the County Ground on Monday evening.

First-team striker David Ngog, on as a half-time substitute, netted with 18 minutes remaining to break the deadlock in a tense contest in Lancashire.

And the Reds' advantage was doubled soon after as Bolton captain Rhys Bennett deflected Gerardo Bruna's free-kick beyond his own goalkeeper.

Zoltan Harsanyi reduced the arrears in stoppage time, but John McMahon's men held out to cut the gap on pacesetters United at the top of the table - and the Reds still have two games in hand.

Liverpool kicked off in Leyland looking to extend their incredible 15-game unbeaten run and complete a hat-trick of victories over the Trotters this season, having already beaten them in the league and the Lancashire Senior Cup.

And the team selection reflected this as Nabil El Zhar was included in the starting XI alongside the likes of Dani Pacheco, Daniel Ayala and fit-again David Amoo, with a place on the bench for Ngog.

But Bolton made a lively start and had an early penalty appeal waved away after Michael O'Halloran went down under the challenge of Chris Mavinga inside the area.

The pacey winger brought a stop out of Liverpool goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi soon after, driving towards goal from a tight angle.

However, the visitors fired a warning shot on 10 minutes when a crisp move involving Pacheco, Amoo and Lauri Dalla Valle resulted in El Zhar drilling a low effort narrowly wide of the far post.

The Reds went closer still as Amoo powered a header goalwards from Pacheco's corner, with McMahon's charges beginning to assert themselves after a bright opening from the home side.

But Gulacsi was called into action once more on 21 minutes, the Hungarian having to dive at full stretch to thwart Aaron Mooy's long-range free-kick before Bennett blazed over the rebound.

Play quickly swung to the other end of the pitch, and Dalla Valle clipped over on the spin after good approach play by Amoo down the right.

As the half hour mark approached, Sam Sheridan's low cross picked out Mooy in space inside the box, but his side-footed effort from 15 yards was collected by Gulacsi to further frustrate the Bolton midfielder.

There was a real open feel to proceedings as the rain pelted down in Lancashire, though a congested midfield battle ensured neither side had much time to dictate play.

Amoo's powerful raids down the right wing appeared to be Liverpool's best chance of breaking down the Trotters' rearguard and the 18-year-old warmed the palms of Bolton stopper Adam Bogdan with a run and shot.

McMahon opted to introduce Ngog into the action at the start of the second half at the expense of El Zhar and the Frenchman looped a header well over soon after the restart.

But the Reds' attacking options suffered a blow nine minutes into the second period when Dalla Valle was forced from the field after failing to recover from a challenge. Dutchman Jordy Brouwer was his replacement.

And the visitors could have fallen behind moments later as Sheridan's stinging effort was palmed away by Gulacsi. Three Bolton attackers lurked ready to pounce on the loose ball, but Steven Irwin was thankfully on hand to avert the danger.

Just after the hour mark, Ngog collected Amoo's flick and powered a strike into the hoardings from the edge of the area with 'keeper Bogdan never worried, before Damien Plessis flashed over from distance.

Liverpool had enjoyed the lions' share of possession in the second period and they finally made the breakthrough on 72 minutes.

Substitute Alex Cooper claimed an impressive assist, with the Academy youngster's inviting low ball across the face of goal from the left leaving Ngog with the simple task of tapping over the line from point blank range.

And the Reds doubled their advantage moments later as Bennett inadvertently diverted Bruna's wicked free-kick from the right wing into his own net on 78 minutes.

The quick-fire brace left Bolton stunned, and Liverpool pressed in search of a third in the dying moments with Ngog, Amoo and Bruna all trying their luck.

Slovakian youngster Harsanyi netted a stoppage-time consolation for Bolton, but the home side were unable to muster an equaliser as the Reds stretched their unbeaten run to 16 matches with a hard-fought win.

Ian Rush: We Should Attack Teams More Often

Liverpool's legendary goal-scorer Ian Rush knows a thing or two about attacking, so was pleased to see his beloved Reds offensive mindset in the 3-0 victory against Sunderland on Sunday.

The Kop idol also believes Liverpool should take the game to their opposition more, especially when playing at Anfield.

"It was a fantastic to watch Liverpool make such light work of Sunderland. We did everything right from start to finish," he told the Liverpool Echo.

"I was pleased to see us playing 20 yards further up the pitch.

"It made a difference to the way we played, helping the players close the opposition down quicker and get the ball moving well.

"That was all a consequence of deploying just one holding midfielder and bringing Steven Gerrard further back but with a license to roam.

"Previously, when we’ve been winning games, we’ve had a tendency to drop off and invite teams on to us. But on Sunday we just kept attacking.

"The 3-0 scoreline actually flattered Sunderland. It could have been much more with Daniel Agger, Gerrard and Fernando Torres all going close.

"I’d like to see us play like this more often."

Playing in such an offensive way against the strongest sides in the league is difficult, but against the weaker sides at home it is an approach that pays off, Rush reckons.

"Of course, you won’t get away with it against some of the stronger sides like Man United, Chelsea and Arsenal," he added.

"But I see no reason why we shouldn’t be playing like this against the teams we’re expected to beat, especially at Anfield where we should be taking the game to the opposition.

"It’s entertaining and we know it’s certainly effective." he concluded.

Glen Johnson Says Liverpool Will Keep Chipping Away

Glen Johnson insists Liverpool are only concerned with themselves as the race for fourth place hot ups.

Sunday's 3-0 win over Sunderland saw the Reds leapfrog Manchester City into fifth place to move within four points of fourth placed Tottenham who have a game in hand on Liverpool.

However, City can go two points ahead of Liverpool if they beat Wigan on Monday in what is one of their two games in hand on Rafa Benitez's side.

Liverpool have the kindest run-in of the clubs challenging for fourth, but Johnson says nobody at Anfield is concerning themselves with the fixure list.

"It's not something we've been thinking about," said the England international. "We're trying to take each game as it comes and trying to pick up three points in every one.

"We also know goal difference could be vital for us at the end of the season, so we're looking to keep as many clean sheets as we can and keep chipping in with goals."

Aston Villa's 7-1 defeat at Chelsea has hit their goal difference hard. Liverpool are on plus 21, seven goals behind Spurs and five ahead of City.

Johnson's third goal of the season gave the Reds a two-goal cushion at half-time against Sunderland. His left-footed shot from outside the area took a deflection off defender Michael Turner to beat Black Cats keeper Craig Gordon.

"It's something I've always been comfortable doing, coming inside and shooting on my left," he said. "I'm happy with the way it came off here."

With six league games remaining Johnson is confident everyone is pulling in the right direction to try and claim fourth place. "The belief is there," he said. "If it wasn't it'd be pointless playing.

"The lads are sticking close together with the staff, everyone's pulling together. I think we can do it."

Kuyt Delight At Torres Return

Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt admits that the return to goalscoring form of Fernando Torres has given all at Anfield a huge lift in the battle for a top-four place.

The Reds have experienced a terrible season and qualification for the UEFA Champions League via a fourth-placed finish in the Premier League would now be viewed as a significant achievement.

Liverpool, who are also hopeful of winning the Europa League, have been boosted in their quest by the return of superstar striker Fernando Torres after a knee operation.

A top-four spot is still far from certain, but the Spain international scored twice in his club's 3-0 win over Sunderland on Sunday to record his seventh goal in his last four matches and raise morale among his team-mates.

"Not only against Sunderland but since he has been back from his injury he has done a great job for the team," said Kuyt.

"He has scored some great goals and has played really well. It makes things a lot easier for the team.

"Every player in this team has bad moments but we are all trying to leave this behind us.

"We need to keep going. We have struggled a bit during the season but we don't have time to worry about these things as we have to look forward.

"With Fernando in this form, and also with the team playing a lot better, hopefully we have a chance."

Kuyt also played down suggestions unhappiness within the squad had contributed to some poor results.

"Always during a season during games you have arguments with players but I've never had this feeling towards me or other players," he added.

Lee Chung-Yong Is Not Leaving Bolton Wanderers For Liverpool - Agent

Bolton Wanderers winger Lee Chung-Yong will not be swapping the Trotters for Liverpool in the summer, according to his agent.

The South Korean has been linked with the Reds in reports in his homeland, with the Merseysiders said to be keen to exploit the commercial potential of signing such a well-known Asian player.

Dong-A Ilbo claimed that the player was being linked with Liverpool in the wake of the Merseysiders having concluded a sponsorship deal with Standard Chartered Bank, as they look to boost revenue streams in the Far East.

However, a spokesperson from TI Sports, Lee's representatives, quelled talk of a possible switch.

"I never received the offer from Liverpool, there was absolutely no contact. Speculation about the future is not helpful," he told reporters.

"[The link is] in a word, absurd. Liverpool did not have any discussion.

"Next season will be a lot easier [for Lee], but there is still much to learn in terms of player development.

"Lee wants to be a regular at Bolton next season, this is important [for him]. It is important that Bolton stay in the Premier League, that is the biggest objective."

TI Sports also confirmed that talks are in the pipeline at Bolton about a new contract for the winger following a steady season at the Reebok for him.

Lee joined Bolton from FC Seoul for a reported £2.2 million in summer 2009 and has hit five goals so far this season.

Milan Want Liverpool Hitman Fernando Torres - Report

Milan are ready to make an audacious move for Liverpool striker Fernando Torres, reports Il Giorno.

Torres, who has been a Milan objective for some time, is being monitored by club chiefs who are looking at making a serious move for him in the summer.

The report suggests Torres has become less than satisfied with the lack of silverware at Anfield, and he has already expressed his desire to play for Milan.

Furthermore, he is allegedly ready to take a pay-cut so he can complete a future switch to Italy.

Il Giorno's claims have not been verified by Milan, Liverpool or Torres.

Wolfsburg's Edin Dzeko continues to be linked with a move to the Rossoneri, but his €40 million price tag is standing in the way of progress.

Rafa Benitez Hits Back At Redknapp Criticism

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has hit back at the continued criticism aimed at him mostly by ex-players who are now pundits.

Plenty of former Reds stars have secured work in the media and Benitez has had to listen to them giving their opinion on what has been a disappointing season.

However, he felt the need to respond to the comments of former Liverpool captain Jamie Redknapp after the 2-1 defeat at Manchester United.

Redknapp, a close friend of Steven Gerrard, criticised Benitez for moving the England midfielder to different positions as they chased an equaliser late on.

To back up his assertion that Liverpool were a weaker team than the previous season he referenced the influence of Xabi Alonso, sold to Real Madrid in the summer, in the 4-1 win at Old Trafford last March. That finally prompted Benitez into a response.

"I was surprised to see some comments by some experts talking about how they could see Alonso playing in the 4-1 win against United - he didn't play,'' Benitez said, referring to the fact the Spain midfielder was injured.

"This expert said he (Gerrard) cannot play on the left but he is playing with the national team on the left. He was playing here on the right and scoring 23 goals so Gerrard can play everywhere. It depends on the team.

"I told him before the Sunderland game he was playing in the middle and he was happy. He can help the team and that is the main thing.''

Despite the praise for their first-half performance in the 3-0 win over Sunderland Benitez said his tactics had not changed much. Playing Gerrard in a more orthodox central midfield position is something he has done before this season but Sunday was just one of those days when all the players hit top form.

"With the same tactics we scored more goals than anyone in the Premier League last year and more goals than anyone in England two years ago,'' Benitez said. "It is a question sometimes of accuracy, pass completion or just a little bit of luck.''

Fernando Torres: Liverpool Must Improve Away Form

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres has claimed that there is a new spirit in the Reds' dressing room after Sunday's convincing 3-0 win over Sunderland at Anfield.

Rafael Benitez's men have stumbled through a disappointing campaign so far which has seen them exit the Champions League early and drop well out of the race for the Premier League title.

But Torres, who notched a further two goals against the Black Cats, claims that the enjoyment is back in the Reds' football now.

"The main thing is I got my goals because the team is playing really well, giving me good assists," he told his club's official website.

"The second goal by Glen [Johnson] was amazing. We'll keep enjoying and keep scoring - that's my job.

"We have been much better in this last part of the season and now we have six games to play. We have to keep playing like this and make sure we're as strong away as we are at home.

"From the first minute you could see the team was different from the first part of the season."

Liverpool Announce Appointment Of Leading Australian Sports Physician Peter Brukner

Liverpool have announced the appointment of leading Australian sports physician Peter Brukner as head of sports medicine and sports science.

Dr Brukner, who is the current Australian football team doctor, will take up the full-time position after this summer’s World Cup in South Africa.

Managing director Christian Purslow said: "Dr Brukner is recognised across the globe as one of the leading figures in this field.

"He will play a vital, strategic, role in adding a new dimension to our sports medicine and sports science services."

Dr Brukner is the founding partner of Olympic Park Sports Medicine Centre in Melbourne, the largest sports medicine clinic in Australia.

He was instrumental in the development and recognition of sports medicine as a specialty in Australia, which culminated in the recent announcement of specialty status by the Minister for Health.

Formerly an Australian Football League (AFL) club doctor with Melbourne and Collingwood, Dr Brukner looked after various Australian national teams including swimming, athletics and hockey.

He has been Australian team doctor at Olympic and Commonwealth Games as well as numerous World Championships.

He is the co-author of the best selling sports medicine text book, Clinical Sports Medicine.

"The appointment is an indication of the high regard in which Australian sports medicine is held throughout the world", said Dr Brukner, who will spend the next month at Liverpool observing the set up before returning to Melbourne in May to help prepare the Socceroos for the World Cup.

"The prospect of working at one of the world’s great sporting clubs is very exciting and once the World Cup is over I will be devoting all my energies to improving the performance of the team."

Cascarino: Torres Wasted In Mediocre Liverpool Side

Former Chelsea FC and Aston Villa star Tony Cascarino believes Fernando Torres is wasted in the current Liverpool FC side and suggests the Spaniard could well leave Anfield in the summer.

The prolific Spaniard scored his 40th goal in 41 Anfield appearances for Liverpool FC during their 3-0 win over Sunderland on Sunday, and the ex-Aston Villa and Chelsea FC forward believes Rafa Benitez must sign a host of big-name players in the summer or Torres should leave the club.

Liverpool FC are currently embroiled in a four-way fight for a position in the top four this season alongside Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa, and Cascarino claims Torres is too good to spend another season at Anfield without new recruits.

In his Times column, this week titled ‘Torres wasted in mediocre Liverpool side’ the former Aston Villa and Chelsea striker writes: “Fernando Torres says he’s staying at Liverpool next season? I’m sceptical.”

“Anyway, I don’t think he should unless the club signs a number of big players in the summer.”

“He’s too good to spend another season wasted in an average Liverpool team.”

“At least playing Dirk Kuyt up front with Torres and sacrificing Lucas Leiva was a step in the right direction on Sunday.”

Match Report: LiverpooL 3 - 0 Sunderland

A scintillating first-half performance set the tone for a one-sided Liverpool victory over Sunderland at Anfield which kept the Reds in the race for Champions League qualification.

Fernando Torres struck a brilliant opener in the third minute and Glen Johnson's deflected strike made it 2-0 at the end of a first half in which the hosts could easily have scored six.

Torres scored his seventh goal in four matches, and his 18th in 21 Premier League appearances this season, midway through the second half before Liverpool coasted in the latter stages.

For Liverpool this was an eighth successive home league win, their best run at Anfield since winning eight in a row towards the end of the 2007/08 season.

More importantly it kept Rafael Benitez's side within four points of Tottenham, whose win over Portsmouth on Saturday cranked up the pressure in the race for fourth.

Liverpool responded accordingly and within 55 seconds defender Daniel Agger smashed a left-footed volley straight at goalkeeper Craig Gordon after Dirk Kuyt had flicked on Steven Gerrard's free-kick.

That the Denmark centre-back had a further two good goalscoring opportunities before half-time gave an indication of how dominant Liverpool were.

However, when it comes to goalscoring there are few to equal Torres and his third-minute strike was a piece of individual brilliance.

Goalkeeper Jose Reina picked him out wide on the left touchline and he dribbled inside Michael Turner to curl a shot over Gordon and perfectly into the far top corner.

In what was the best 45 minutes of football in Liverpool's season, Javier Mascherano had two long-range shots, one headed clear by Kieran Richardson and the other skewed wide, while Torres was just off target with a near-post effort following intricate passing between Maxi Rodriguez and Gerrard.

Ball retention, the pace of the passes, and the general attacking intent made for an exhilarating half.

More chances came and went as Gerrard's run and shot in the penalty area ended in a deflection behind and Rodriguez's near-post header from his captain's corner was superbly tipped over by Gordon.

Had Liverpool been 5-0 up after 30 minutes it would not have flattered them, but they had to settle for just the two goals at the interval.

The second came from Johnson in the 32nd minute when Gerrard's inswinging corner was only cleared to the edge of the penalty area and the defender touched the ball inside on to his left foot and unleashed a shot which took a slight deflection off Turner to beat Gordon.

Torres hit a post and then bundled the rebound wide before the break as Sunderland almost imploded under the pressure.

Liverpool's biggest problem in the second half was the expectation on them to reproduce the football they had displayed before the break.

While it did not reach those heights, they were hardly troubled.

Ryan Babel fired well over after Gerrard's driving run from halfway while Torres had an eight-yard shot blocked by Paulo da Silva, on at half-time for Lee Cattermole.

But the Spain international was not to be denied much longer and on the hour he scored his second goal, which was as simple as his first was brilliant.

Babel's far-post cross to Rodriguez dropped to Johnson who slipped a pass inside where Torres spun on the penalty spot to turn the ball past Gordon.

Alberto Aquilani replaced Kuyt with 20 minutes to go, with Torres making way for David Ngog to another standing ovation 12 minutes from time.

Richardson probably went closest to scoring for Sunderland when he flashed a left-footed shot just wide of Reina's right-hand post.

Gerrard's removal for winger Nabil El Zhar late on signalled that Benitez was more interested in saving his players for Thursday's Europa League quarter-final against Benfica in Lisbon.

What the Liverpool players must now prove in their remaining six league matches is that this performance was not a one-off.

If they can, then Benitez's guarantee of fourth place may yet hold good.

Steven Gerrard Looks To Win World Cup And Premier League In Next Five Years

Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard hopes to accomplish the two principal goals of his career in the next five years by winning a World Cup with England and a Premier League title with the Reds.

Gerrard will turn 30 years old when England face Japan in a friendly on May 30, just a few days before the Three Lions travel to South Africa for the World Cup.

With a career that has included 78 international appearances for England and a starring role with Liverpool over the last 12 season, Gerrard knows that he only has a couple of years left to achieve some of footballs top honours.

“It’s a big time for me – I am aware of my age and what I want out of the remainder of my career,” Gerrard told The Mirror.

“I look after myself, and I’m in good shape physically so I believe I’ve still got five years to fight for all the big prizes in football. I’ll do everything I can to keep going.”

The last year has been one of international success mixed with club disappointment, but Gerrard knows that in football things change quickly.

“It’s fair to say it’s been a mixed season for me.

“It’s been positive for England, because we’ve qualified for the World Cup and we’ve been winning football matches. But at Liverpool there have been times when it has been tough. But that’s football, you have to deal with that.

“There’s a chance to finish the season on a high with Liverpool now, by finishing fourth and going to a cup final. It would be fantastic if we could achieve both of those things. Then you focus on the World Cup.

“That will give me a big lift going to the World Cup, and then I’ll be going feeling ­positive that I can achieve something really important with England.”

Jamie Redknapp Lifts Lid On Benitez And Gerrard Feud

Jamie Redknapp has lifted the lid on the increasing friction between Kop boss Rafa Benitez and Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard, hinting the England star could quit the club after the World Cup finals.

Redknapp says the pair are heading for a bitter bust-up over tactics.

And he said last Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester United is a prime example of where it’s all going wrong between Benitez and Gerro, 29.

Sky TV pundit Redknapp, who played with friend Gerrard at Anfield during his 11 years at the club, said: “Gerrard is at his best in central midfield.

“But with 12 minutes to go and Liverpool chasing the game at Old Trafford, Benitez brings Alberto Aquilani on and pushes Steven wide left.

“That will have infuriated Steven. He doesn’t want to be out there. He’s less effective there. Then Benitez switches him again when he brings Yossi Benayoun on and he moves him over to the right.

“Why? Liverpool were losing 2-1 and needed Steven to be in his best position and at his most effective.

“I have played with Steven and that will have infuriated him.

“That’s where Benitez gets it wrong.”

Redknapp said Benitez’s tactics also had a similar effect on striker Fernando Torres.

The world-class hitman signalled his frustration at Old Trafford last week by destroying the penalty spot before Wayne Rooney put United level with the spot-kick. Redknapp claimed: “Gerrard and Torres make Liverpool tick – but Benitez just doesn’t use them properly.

And in a bitter parting shot, he added: “You don’t see Sir Alex Ferguson doing that with his best players.”

Benitez himself, though, has looked to smooth things over after a meeting with Gerrard and his senior stars to paint more financially sound, future for Liverpool for next season and beyond.

And Managing Director Christian Purslow also paid a visit to Liverpool’s Melwood training ground on Wednesday to address the Kop stars and inform them officially about the possible £110million investment from the Rhone Group.

The players have also been informed that £25m-plus will be injected by the same global SDHp investment firm to go towards buying new players this summer. Now­ ­pressure will be mounted on co-­owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett to back the Rhone move.

Liverpool’s debt is currently £237m with RBS – and the bank has given the club until the end of the season to slash that by £100m.

Hicks and Gillett have been looking themselves for extra capital but time is now pressing for them to agree to this outside cashpot.

Benitez said: “We are working behind the scenes and I have confidence we can move forward because I know we’re trying to do that in a good SDHp direction. I’m quite positive.

“My last conversation with Stevie was very positive and he has a great determination to improve and play. “Stevie is the captain. He knows we have to improve on the pitch and then it will be easier to change things."

Kenwyne Jones: The Striker Who Got Away From Liverpool And Rafael Benítez

If Rafael Benítez had had his way in January then Kenwyne Jones would be emerging from Anfield's famous tunnel on Sunday in the red shirt of Liverpool.

What with Fernando Torres's problems with injury and the lack of quality strikers in his squad, the Liverpool manager wanted to sign Jones in the transfer window but the club did not want to meet Sunderland's £10 million valuation.

For Sunderland the projected transfer was like a bad New Year's hangover that just got worse by the day and with a week left before the close of the window Steve Bruce, the Sunderland manager, snapped, describing the manner of Benítez's pursuit of his player as "hugely disrespectful".

"What happened is that January was January and now it's March and it's all over," Jones said. "That's all that happened. However long the transfer windows have been in effect there has always been something like that happening at some club. It's nothing new, the same old script."

Jones's desire to put the whole episode behind him is understandable. The speculation came halfway through a winless streak of 14 games for Sunderland, a sequence that pushed them towards relegation. "It was like we started tripping down some stairs and we just kept falling down and down until we hit the floor," he said.

Jones has helped lift the team off the floor and get them climbing again. For the last two months he had started to show the kind of form that brought him to Benítez's attention last season. A hip injury has kept him out of the last two games but he is optimistic of returning to the side on Sunday, a side who, after five games without defeat, are finally beginning to move in the right direction again.

Not that the wings of Jones's ambition have been clipped. "Like any footballer you don't want to be a fixture," he said. "What you want is to achieve something. You want to be one of the greats of football and win something. Some people, like me so far, have not been able to win anything throughout their career. You want to be in the place where you can win the big trophies and all the stuff that matters.

"All the attention? It's a pat on the back for me that I'm doing something that people recognise and they want. That itself propels me to keep working harder and keep doing the things I've been doing. Hopefully I can continue that until my knees go bad and I can't play any more, that I can fulfil the dream of playing at the highest level, winning things."

At 25 Jones has learned to seize every opportunity. As a promising Trinidad youth international his life was completely changed by the birth of his son Isaiah, when he was still just 18. "Having a kid on its own is an experience but having a kid at that age when you think you have your whole life ahead of you... it doesn't stop your life, it just propels you in a direction. It propelled me in a direction and I thank God for that."

Jones – "decently smart" – had full scholarship offers from some 20 American universities but feared college life would kill his hunger for football. So he went on a punishing series of trials with European clubs, even spending a week with Manchester United. "David Beckham was still there, Juan Sebastian Veron, Dwight Yorke, Laurent Blanc, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Roy Keane – it was the biggest experience I'd had in my career so far."

Like so many other trials, it did not work out and, with the responsibility towards his family, Jones imposed a deadline to get a contract. If not he would go into the army, like his schoolfriend and former Sunderland team-mate Carlos Edwards.

"I'd been on trial at a lot of places, probably three months at a time. It wasn't nice being away from home for that long at that age and living out of my suitcase. I didn't want it to drag on for me. I wanted to make a decision and have something steady happening. For me it was do or die, now or never."

That determination resulted in a move to Southampton in 2004. It took a while for Jones to get into the kind of physical shape needed in English football but when he did, catalysed by a productive loan move to Sheffield Wednesday, he emerged as an intimidatingly powerful striker. In 2007 Keane took him to Sunderland for £6 million, where his rapid progress continued, John Terry describing him as the best he had faced in the air in the Premier League.

His playing style has earned comparisons with Didier Drogba and it is the paucity of players with those kind of capabilities that make Jones a coveted player. "Thankfully I'm 25 and not 32 [Drogba's age]. I guess it's good to be in that mode because it fits me into a certain script: necessity to demand. You don't want to be superfluous. You don't want to be like everyone else. Thankfully I'm different. That's what people want and I hope it will stay like that for a long time."

Rafa Benitez In Talks With Liverpool Takeover Rivals From Rhone Group

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is understood to have met representatives of potential investors the Rhone Group.

He has also briefed senior players, including Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres, about a future beyond the current boardroom stalemate.

The New York-based fund management firm wants to invest £100 million – to be put towards the club’s £237 million debt – for a stake of around 40 per cent, as well as putting in a further £25million to be spent on transfers. Talks with the Spaniard were constructive and positive.

Key men Gerrard and Torres, who has claimed that Benitez needs to be able to add “four or five top-class signings” this summer, have appeared particularly disaffected as Liverpool have been reduced to scrapping for fourth place.

But Benitez and managing director Christian Purslow met with senior members of the squad on Wednesday to discuss on potential future developments in an attempt to persuade them that good times are ahead for the Anfield club.

Liverpool co-owners Tom Hicks, who is particularly resistant to the prospect of his stake being diluted, and George Gillett need to find £100 million in order to refinance loans from the Royal Bank of Scotland in July. If they are unable to do so, they will have little choice but to accept the offer from the Rhone Group, or another investor, and have their power decreased.

Purslow has kept Benitez updated on the Rhone Group’s interest, as well as that of several other interested parties. Having previously insisted he wanted all potential offers on the table by Easter, the managing director is now prepared to wait until the end of the season.

After pushing Manchester United all the way last season, Benitez does not attempt to deny that Liverpool have been blown off course this time around but is adamant that it can prove to be just a temporary set-back.

He said: “I have confidence we can move forward because I know that we’re trying to move forward in a good direction. I am quite positive.’’

Torres has repeated his claim that Liverpool need to spend heavily this summer but said: “My place is at Liverpool and in England. I’ve got three years to run on my contract.

“The most important thing is for the club to try to sign quality players, footballers who improve the quality of the squad. Next season we want to be challenging for the Premier League title and the Champions League or the Europa League but for that to happen we need some new signings.”

Liverpool Deal For Milan Jovanovic In Doubt

Liverpool’s move for Serbian striker Milan Jovanovic has stalled, according to a report in the News of the World.

The 28-year-old striker has been widely tipped to join Liverpool in the summer with his contract expiring at the end of 2009/2010.

In January reports claimed Jovanovic had undergone a medical at Anfield but Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has refused to confirm this.

Benitez said: "I won't talk about him now. We are working behind the scenes."

In 2009/2010 Jovanovic has scored 13 goals and provided four assists for Standard Liege in 32 appearances.

Jovanovic would be a useful signing for Liverpool as he can play up front, behind a striker or on the left.

Christian Purslow Held Meeting To Reassure Players Over Club's Finances - Report

Liverpool Managing Director Christian Purslow has reportedly held talks with players to alleviate concerns regarding the club's coffers.

The Reds' well documented crisis with respect to their finances, coupled with below par performances on the pitch, has seen them go from title chasers to top-four hopefuls this season.

Heavy speculation surrounding the future of star striker Fernando Torres is also believed to have been discussed at the meeting, with the Managing Director believed to have reassured players the Anfield outfit is still heading in the right direction.

According to the Sunday Mirror, the disillusionment concerning the club's fortunes this term had left skipper Steven Gerrard and Torres considering their future at the Merseyside club.

However, after being assured that fresh investment is close to being secured, both of the Reds' stellar performers are believed to have been convinced to continue plying their trade for the Kopites.

Purslow announced that a deal with the Rhone Group is in place for a 40 per cent stake to be sold to the New York based investment company for a price of £100 million, with a further £25m being made available to replenish the squad during the summer.

An unnamed source close to the club is quoted as saying: "Christian Purslow informed the players on the direction the club will be taking.

"He was able to give them the answers they were looking for about new investment and how the club will move forward. It was a very positive meeting."

Tom Hicks Unwilling To Sell 40 Per Cent Stake In Liverpool - Report

Tom Hicks is reportedly not interested in selling a 40 per cent stake in Liverpool, which could potentially derail any investment into the squad during the summer.

The boardroom battle is believed to have reached fever pitch, as the pressure is reportedly back on co-owners Hicks and Geroge Gillett to let go of their control of the club.

According to the News of the World, Reds managing director Christian Purslow believes he will secure sufficient investment to rebuild the squad in the summer should the Americans insist on holding the reins to the Merseyside club.

There has also been speculation concerning the future of striker Fernando Torres, who has called on the club to bring in "four or five new signings" to bolster the squad and consequently challenge for domestic and European honours.

It is claimed that any hope of hanging on to 'El Nino' will largely depend on whether Hick and Gillett remain in power after June.

Recent reports pointed toward Purslow negotiating an equity sale with the Rhone Group, who would gain 40 per cent control of the club should a deal reach fruition. But Hicks is believed to have vetoed the idea, as he would make no money from the potential takeover.

Rival investors, including the Sahara group from India, are said to be interested in a full buyout of the club, but face a similar conundrum due to Hicks' unwillingness to let go of his stake in the Premier League outfit.

It is claimed that co-owner Gillett is in line with reducing his stake for the greater good of the Reds, but Hicks' rock-solid stance is believed to be causing tension in the club's upper echelon.