UEFA Champions League Preview: Marseille vs LiverpooL

Put simply, ninety minutes separate Liverpool and Marseille from ecstasy or agony. The winner is guaranteed to qualify for the knock-out stages of Europe’s premier club competition.

However, things are never that simple in football, and if a draw is reached on Tuesday night then the door concealing many permutations shall be flung open: honours even means the French outfit prevail due to a superior head-to-head record, courtesy of a 1-0 victory at Anfield on Matchday 2.

If Porto lose at home to Besiktas, however, matters become complicated yet further. Should the Turks register a shock victory at the Stadio Dragao, they will qualify, and Liverpool would join them thanks to a better goal difference in the head-to-heads between the Reds, Marseille and Porto, all of whom would finish on 8 points.

Of course (if only to avoid such complicated equations) the noises emanating from Merseyside have predominately focused solely on winning the tie. Steven Gerrard has already issued a battle-cry and the Liverpool fans have heeded their captain’s call as thousands upon thousands of Kopites are expected to flock to the south of France.

The stakes could not be higher for Liverpool, as many feel that with a very public rift between manager and owners apparent, failure to qualify for the final stages of the Champions League may signal Rafael Benitez' Anfield exit.

American custodians of Liverpool FC, Tom Hicks and George Gillett, have been deeply entrenched in all things financial, from reconstructing the expenditure on the new stadium to quenching Benitez’s thirst for big transfer buys. With the lucrative income-stream from the Champions League under serious threat of being hastily cut-off, Hicks and Gillett may see adequate justification to sack the Spaniard and bring in a less-demanding manager.

FORM GUIDE

Marseille

08 December v Monaco (H) WON 2-0

01 December v Lille(A) DREW 1-1

28 November v Besiktas (H) WON 2-0 (CL)

24 November v Metz (H) WON 3-1

11 November v Lyon (A) WON 1-2

Liverpool

08 December v Reading (A) LOST 3-1

02 December v Bolton (H) WON 4-0

28 November v Porto (H) WON 4-1 (CL)

24 November v Newcastle (A) WON 0-3

10 November v Fulham (H) WON 2-0

TEAM NEWS

Marseille

Eric Gerets didn’t have the luxury of being able to rest his players against Monaco, instead he named his strongest line-up in the 2-0 victory. But there will be no complaints over tiredness from the French side, as the players themselves have billed this game as the most important of their season so far.

When the group was announced, many felt Marseille would become the whipping boys, but after their stylish victory at Anfield the French have emerged as strong candidates for qualification. Ex-Red Bolo Zenden is likely to feature against his former paymasters and will be looking to pull the strings for Gerets’ side.

Meanwhile, another ex-Red, Dijbril Cissé, may have fallen off the tracks this season but has shown that he can be an effective substitute.

Liverpool

Rafael Benitez has denied accusations that he cut his losses in the 3-1 defeat by Reading after substituting Gerrard in the 70th minute. Either way, Liverpool’s captain was afforded twenty minutes extra rest and will definitely lead the Reds out in the Stade Velodrome.

Who shall play alongside him is another question. Both holding midfielders, Momo Sissoko and Javier Mascherano started at the Madejski on Saturday, and with the result so crucial on Tuesday, Benitez may opt for a conservative formation and field the two again.

Otherwise, Daniel Agger is training again following his lengthy lay-off, but Benitez will probably not risk the Dane in such a high-profile game, and will most likely start Jamie Carragher and Sami Hyypia. Fernando Torres seems to have recovered from a slight knock picked up against Reading and will be included in the squad.


PLAYERS TO WATCH

Marseille – Niang

The explosive striker has been Marseille’s only real threat in front of goal this season. With 8 goals he comfortably leads the club’s scoring charts and will be the main threat against Liverpool. Although not much of a team player, the striker has pace, power and desire to keep any backline occupied.

Liverpool – Steven Gerrard

Once again the stage is set for Liverpool’s favourite son to shine. His abilities are world-class and well-known, the only question remaining is whether he can drag his team from the brink of despair and into triumph as he did against Olympiacos and AC Milan in the glorious Champions League run of 2005.

Steven Gerrard Must Be Given More Space

Steven Gerrard has had a habit of seizing the moment to become Liverpool's saviour during the Rafael Benitez era but if our country's most dynamic midfielder is going to come to the rescue once again in Marseille tonight, he badly needs help from his manager.

The Liverpool captain needs space to thrive at the Stade Velodrome but for that to happen Benitez must make sure that he sends out a team with plenty of width and that means reverting to the 4-4-2 formation. At Reading, he went with a narrower 4-3-3 shape and it backfired badly, as you would expect if you have Peter Crouch playing at outside-left when he should never stray from being a centre-forward.

The absence of orthodox wingers means that the midfield becomes too congested and players of the stature of Gerrard do not get the chance to stamp their authority on the game.

A tight three-against-three battle in midfield will negate Gerrard's influence and that could spell the end of Liverpool's Champions League ambitions, because they need their captain to be given every opportunity to break forward and put his excellent shooting ability to good use.

The 4-4-2 system seems to suit Gerrard better than others and while I know he is no shirker when it comes to being in the thick of the action in the midfield trenches, two wingers will make space for attack-minded players like him because they will pull opponents out of his way.

Wingers will ensure that the game is stretched and that Marseille can be pulled this way and that as Liverpool go for what will probably be an all-important win. Wide men will also ensure that there is a regular supply of crosses to Crouch and Fernando Torres.

Unfortunately, the pair have not had the chance to polish their double act because of Benitez's tinkering, which means they would have to do plenty of work on the training ground to compensate.

I get the impression that Benitez remains uncertain as to whether Crouch and Torres can hit it off but, with the right delivery, I would back them to get the better of the French club's defence, especially as the England striker's strength in the air is bound to result in knockdowns for his Spanish partner.

Defensively, deploying two wingers would also help Liverpool. It would mean that the opposing full-backs would be kept on the back foot and not allowed to push forward and make dangerous overlapping runs.

The funny thing is, earlier on in the season, Benitez said that playing with wingers helped his team in terms of attacking and defending. He seemed to forget all that when he took his side to Reading and he was punished as they suffered their first Premier League defeat of the season.

They say every cloud has a silver lining, so let's hope that the painful lessons he learned in Berkshire will ensure that Benitez sees sense and goes with a 4-4-2 formation. It's simple and straightforward and will guarantee Liverpool are well-organised for what I expect to be an aggressive atmosphere on the shores of the Mediterranean.

Liverpool Must Turn Silly Crisis Into Profitable Triumph Or Benítez May Walk Alone

If ever an occasion required Rafael Benítez to remain "focused on training and coaching my team", it is the Champions League reckoning that awaits Liverpool here tonight. So volatile are the sub-plots surrounding the club's final appearance in Group A, and their last in the tournament should results conspire against them at Stade Vélodrome and in Oporto, that the winds and stormy waters that met them in Marseille yesterday made for an appropriate welcome. Benítez must ensure the storm does not follow him home.

Confirmation that George Gillett plans to watch his asset in the flesh against Marseille underlined the magnitude of this fixture in Liverpool's season, if not quite the significance it may have on the manager's future.

The American co-chairman is in Europe for a scheduled business appointment and the luxury of a private jet means he can stop off in the south of France. He is not racing across the Atlantic in rage at Benítez's substitution policy in the defeat at Reading although that may crop up when Gillett plus Tom Hicks meet the Spaniard when they attend Manchester United's visit to Anfield on Sunday.

The countdown to Benítez's confrontation with his American employers for the first time since lambasting their transfer restrictions has inflated the importance of tonight's fixture, as if it were necessary.

"This is the most important match since I joined the club," said Fernando Torres, the Liverpool striker who has done most to answer the co-chairmen's suspicions of Benítez since their rift erupted - on the pitch and now off it. "It would be a huge mistake to think about changing the manager if we do not get the win we need," Torres said yesterday. "Rafa Benítez has done so much for this club and the staff, the fans and the players are behind him. We all need to be united to get a result in France. The match must be the only thing we think of at this time."

Liverpool did not lose sight of their objectives when Benítez responded with public contempt for his co-chairmen's refusal to sanction a £4m bid for the Milan defender Kakha Kaladze, two Bosman signings, the £17m permanent transfer of Javier Mascherano and the £10m sale of Scott Carson to Aston Villa. Newcastle, Porto and Bolton were all dispatched during the initial furore but the loss of an unbeaten Premier League record on Saturday has weakened the manager's hand at an inopportune moment.

Without a firm declaration of support from the club's owners Benítez remains one defeat shy of fresh interrogation. The admission that he withdrew the spine of his side while trailing at Reading with Marseille in mind - Torres moments after going 2-1 down, then Steven Gerrard and finally Jamie Carragher - encouraged the portrait of a Liverpool surrender and provided new rope for the manager's critics. Benítez could argue he had no choice but to concentrate on the minimum £12m shortfall facing the club if they do not progress in the Champions League. That is if he were in a position to speak his mind.

Irrespective of events at the Madejski Stadium Liverpool are equipped to repay their manager's gamble with the victory needed against Marseille to guarantee qualification for the knockout phase (a draw would suffice should Besiktas beat Porto at Estadio do Dragao).

Liverpool's capacity for turning a crisis into a triumph is well proven and Benítez will not show the same complacency in his selection against Eric Gerets' improving side as he did in the 1-0 defeat at Anfield, when Mathieu Valbuena scored the game's only goal after 77 minutes.

"Marseille changed their manager before the first game and didn't have a game for 10 days and had all that time to prepare for it. Everybody was saying it would be an easy game but we didn't think that," claimed Benítez disingenuously, given that he started with Sebastián Leto and Fabio Aurelio as a makeshift left flank with Mohamed Sissoko preferred to Mascherano in central midfield.

"It was clear Marseille played a fantastic game on the night. It's clear now that we are in a much better situation than in the first game against Marseille. We are playing much better and have more confidence, so things will be different. I don't think defeat to Reading will affect us. This is another competition now. We are still in a good moment."

It was at Stade Vélodrome where Gérard Houllier took charge of his last European tie as Liverpool manager, a Uefa Cup fourth-round defeat in 2004 when Igor Biscan was dismissed for a professional foul on Didier Drogba, El Hadji Diouf celebrated the defeat with the Marseille fans in expectation of a summer move to the club and the assistant manager, Phil Thompson, gestured that his hosts had bribed their way to victory.

Whatever Gillett and Hicks think of Benítez's Liverpool, they cannot deny the club have had it worse.

KEY CLASHES THAT WILL SHAPE THE MATCH:

Sami Hyypia v Mamadou Niang

The veteran Finn's importance was underlined at Reading where he spent 82 minutes on the bench in readiness for Marseille. Benítez took no chances with Hyypia's problems in playing two matches in quick succession. His energy will be invaluable against the Senegal striker Niang, rejuvenated since being moved from the wings.

Fernando Torres v Gaël Givet

Torres has mirrored Liverpool's performance in the Champions League so far - anonymous to begin with, now destructive in front of goal. The striker has been in outstanding form and against the respected France international Givet, who emerged at Monaco before signing for Marseille in the summer, he faces an intriguing duel.

Steven Gerrard v Lorik Cana

The Liverpool captain has built his reputation on delivering when his club are in dire need and tonight is no exception. Should Gerrard be deployed in central midfield, he faces a similarly motivational leader. Cana injured an ankle at the weekend but Eric Gerets, his manager, said: "He would have to have a broken leg not to play."

Torres: Back Benitez, Whatever The Result

Fernando Torres defended manager Rafael Benitez before Liverpool’s herculean clash against Olympique Marseille on Tuesday evening.

Tensions have been rising on Merseyside ever since the loss to Reading on Saturday afternoon and Liverpool’s under fire manager hopes his team can secure their passage to the lucrative round of 16 in the Champions League.

Failure is not an option for Benitez, and Spanish sensation Fernando Torres echoed the importance of the match on Tuesday evening. However, he also advised for caution against rash decision.

“It is the most important match since I joined the club and it will be a huge mistake to even think about changing the manager if we don't get the win we need," he said.

The Spanish tactician has spent a great deal of money in the summer and American owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks expect results.

Rumours have persisted that after his clash with the club’s owners over money and transfers, Rafa’s days at Merseyside could be numbered, but Torres went on the record explaining his adulation for his manager.

“Rafa Benitez has done so much for this club and the staff, the fans and the players are all behind him,” he stated.

“We all need to be united to get a result in France and this match has to be the only thing we can think about at this time.

"We cannot be distracted by anything else."

Peter Crouch Believes Liverpool Will Go All The Way In Marseille

Peter Crouch today backed Liverpool to banish the memory of Saturday's defeat at Reading with victory over Marseille in Tuesday night's Champions League decider.

The Reds warmed up for the biggest week of their season in the worst possible way as they were beaten 3-1 at the Madejski Stadium.

But the striker insists the Reds can shrug off losing their unbeaten league record and keep their European dream alive.

“We are not used to losing but we have had many a setback in our time and we’ve recovered well from them," Crouch said.

"We have got enough characters in the dressing room that we can bounce back from this and get a great result against Marseille.

“The belief is still there. It was a blip against Reading but hopefully we’ll overcome that. If you look at the last few games we’ve played some great football and scored a lot of goals and won games convincingly.

“It’s a massive game and I think all of us are looking at it as a game that we have to win to progress.

"We’ve had a fantastic record in the Champions League over the last three seasons. We’ve got to two finals and we want to continue that. That starts with Marseille.

“We’ve got enough quality in our squad to beat whoever we come up against and obviously there’s a few tests coming up. We’ve got Manchester United and that will certainly test us."

Crouch shrugged off suggestions that the Reds were guilty of losing their focus ahead of the trip to France.

“None of the players were looking ahead to any fixture beyond Reading," he insisted.

"These things happen sometimes and Reading is a tough place to go. The manager has got them playing well and I think the credit has to go to them."

The Reds fell behind to Stephen Hunt's controversial penalty, but Steven Gerrard soon equalised with a cool finish.

In the second half Kevin Doyle's glancing header put Reading back in front and James Harper piled on the misery for the Reds.

Crouch found himself out on the left as part of boss Rafa Benitez's 4-3-3- formation, but insists tactics were not to blame.

He said: "It’s a formation that we have played before. I remember playing there at Blackburn and Watford and it has worked previously.

"Against Reading it didn’t quite go right, but if we had taken some of our chances and maybe had a penalty and a decision here and there we would have won the game.

“For their penalty, we could see with the marks on the pitch that it was clearly outside the box. We told the linesman and the referee, but I don’t think they were ever going to change their minds.

“Stevie got us back in it with a great goal and I thought we would go on and win it from there but it wasn’t to be.

"It was disappointing today but we will certainly make amends in the league if we get three points against Manchester United next Sunday."

Arsenal's 2-1 defeat at Middlesbrough yesterday means the fourth placed Reds remain seven points behind.

Jurgen Klinsmann Tipped To Take Over At Liverpool

Once a speculation starts, it is indeed immensely difficult to rub it off. Since Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez’s ill-advised coming out with the differences that he fosters with the club’s co-owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks over January signings, the theory that the Spaniard could lose his job before long has been steadily circulating in the press. Even after compatriot and Spanish international striker Fernando Torres came out and defended his manger last week, the future is looking far from rosy for Rafael Benitez.

Of course the Liverpool supporters, at least the majority of them, want Rafa to stay on as the manager of Liverpool but the American duo Gillett and Hicks (at least as the press would have it) seem to want someone else. And former Germany national coach Jurgen Klinsmann is being touted as that someone to take over from Rafael Benitez.

Klinsmann is based in California but for some time, the German has been said to be interested in returning to Europe and to management once again. Klinsmann accomplished a marvelous feat in taking unfancied Germany to the semi-finals of the 2006 World Cup and has been tipped to take charge of a top European football team ever since.

Klinsmann is of course one of the candidates that the English FA are monitoring for the England job but with Liverpool’s relationship with manager Rafael Benitez not looking so rosy after all, things could alter in the course of the next few weeks.

Whether Rafael Benitez’s future at Liverpool is secure or not would be decided this week. On Tuesday, the Reds take on Olympique de Marseille in the UEFA Champions League in a clash that could see last season’s beaten finalists being dumped out of the most elite club football competition in the world. Liverpool then play Manchester United in the weekend and having suffered their first defeat in the English Premiership on Saturday, when they were rattled 3-1 by Reading away from home, they would be looking to bounce back.

Klinsmann to Liverpool - more dung-spreading by an overexcited media or is there some truth to it?

Rafa Benitez: I Had To Protect Players For Tuesday

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez was in little doubt the penalty from which Reading scored their first goal should not have been awarded, because the foul was outside the area.

He was equally convinced his team should have been given a chance to score from the spot too.

“I think it was outside,” he said of the first turning point.

“Then it should have been a penalty for us.”

Liverpool, who have a very important week in prospect in the Champions League and Premier League, finished the game with Steven Gerrard on the substitutes’ bench - after Benitez decided it was time the captain had a rest.

“We knew it was tough, because some of our players were playing a lot of games in a row,” he explained.

“At 3-1 (down), you have to protect your good players.”

The Reds had several opportunities to get back in the match, and Benitez added: “It was a strange game. We had a few chances but did not take them.

“After some decisions which we didn’t get, we couldn’t change the result.

“The ’positives’ are no injuries and no yellow cards.”

Gillett Set For Marseille Showdown

George Gillett is expected to fly in to witness Liverpool's night of European destiny in Marseille.

The Anfield club's co-owner has made a surprise decision to be at the Stade Velodrome to see for himself whether Liverpool can pull off the great escape and force their way into the last 16.

Gillett and Tom Hicks were not expected on this side of the Atlantic until later in the week for their much-heralded meeting with boss Rafael Benitez, following the fall-out over the new American owners' transfer policy.

The pair were due to be on Merseyside at the weekend for the Barclays Premier League clash with Manchester United, but Gillett will now have the chance for a low-key chat with Benitez in the south of France first.

Gillett will hope to witness Liverpool's third successive group victory, this time against the French side, which will ensure a remarkable qualification for the knock-out stages few expected after the Reds' dreadful start to the campaign.

That included a 1-0 defeat by Marseille at Anfield in October, a result that eventually plunged Benitez and the club into a crisis few could have predicted, with the manager's own position under threat.

There has been a considerable thaw in the relationship between owners and manager of late, brokered by chief executive Rick Parry and Gillett's son Foster, who has been installed to work alongside Parry at the club.

Victory in Marseille would make serious talks later in the week far more convivial.

And Benitez is fully aware of the task against the French. Impressive home wins over Besiktas and Porto were largely expected, but a victory in Marseille in a winner-takes-all clash is a totally different matter.

The game has been reduced to a straight knock-out cup tie with the winners sure of progression to the last 16.

Marseille's boss Eric Gerets has spelt out how his own side will approach the dramatic tie.

He said: "We will fight to the death to get into the next round.

"We know Liverpool must win too, but our victory at Anfield was a big blow for them and it also shows that we can beat them.

"We really have not played any bad matches in the competition, any we have lost have been because of positional or individual mistakes by young players. Generally we have done well in this group."

The group is finely balanced with all four clubs having a chance of qualifying.

Porto and Besiktas clash in the Dragao Stadium at the same time on what will be a nail-biting night.

The odds favour the French club reaching the next stage because a draw, coupled with a Porto win, would send Marseille through due to their victory at Anfield on October 3.

If Besiktas triumph in Portugal then a draw would be enough for Liverpool. Then the Turkish side would finish as winners of the group while Porto, Liverpool and Marseille would all have eight points with the English side progressing by virtue of their superior record against the other two teams.

That would be a heavy blow to the French who must have thought they had the edge over the Merseysiders after that win at Anfield in Gerets' first game in charge, thanks to a Mathieu Valbuena strike 13 minutes from time.

It was their second successive victory and gave them top spot in the section.

However, since then Marseille have gained only one point - at home to Porto - and have lost their last two games at Porto and Besiktas by the same 2-1 score.

Benitez will attempt to send out a calm, controlled Liverpool for the vital tie.

He has a showdown with Manchester United in the league five days later, and a Carling Cup tie at Chelsea the following week.

Clearly a make-or-break spell for manager and club, but Benitez believes his players can handle the situation.

He said: "The players have experience of playing several important competitions at the same time so they will know how to handle this, they can do it.

"What is important is that we approach every game knowing we are playing well, we have confidence and then you only think about the next game when you have won the first one."

Benitez is hoping that Danish defender Daniel Agger will be back from a metatarsal injury to contest a centre-back role with Sami Hyypia, while Fabio Aurelio and Xabi Alonso are also in contention.

Champions League Exit Could Spark Fresh DIC Bid For Liverpool

Despite the tough talk coming out of Texas, Liverpool's long-term ownership remains in doubt and much could still rest on Tuesday's Champions League showdown in Marseille.

Tom Hicks, friend of George Bush and a man you just know Bill Shankly would have loved to work for, has rubbished suggestions that a breakdown in his relationships with co-owner George Gillett and manager Rafa Benitez led him to make it known in the City he would consider selling up.

Dubai International Capital, the state-sponsored investment company dramatically beaten to the Liverpool deal by Hicks and Gillett in February, would like the opportunity to show that they would have been the better choice all along.

For now, DIC are likely to maintain a dignified silence, but having conducted an investigation into who leaked sensitive documents which derailed their initial bid, they have watched events at Anfield with mixed feelings of frustration and vindication.

The £1 billion valuation Hicks has placed on a club he and Gillett bought for under £220 million is ridiculous, but if a more sensible price were set, a renewed DIC bid, led by Liverpool fan Sameer al-Ansari, would be a distinct possibility.

Reading 3 - 1 LiverpooL

Liverpool began their most important week of the season with a defeat at Reading which suggests the Barclays Premier League title will once again be heading away from Anfield this season.

Rafael Benitez's side must now fight for their Champions League lives in Marseille on Tuesday night before having their domestic credentials put under intense scrutiny again by Manchester United at the weekend.

Reading recorded their first victory against one of the so-called 'big four' thanks to a Stephen Hunt penalty and second-half strikes from Kevin Doyle and James Harper.

All Liverpool had to take away from Berkshire was Steven Gerrard's equaliser but referee Andre Marriner also had a big part to play in the proceedings.

The official - who had sent off Chelsea's Michael Essien at Derby in his previous top-flight game - appeared to have called the Reading penalty incorrectly and also failed to spot two occasions when Liverpool should have been awarded spot-kicks.

Liverpool should have been ahead in the seventh minute and it was a surprise when Fernando Torres, who had hit a hat-trick on this ground in a Carling Cup tie in September, could not accept a simple chance.

John Arne Riise's long-throw eluded Ibrahima Sonko as he jumped with Peter Crouch and the Spaniard was left with the simple task of slotting past goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann. Instead he allowed the American to parry.

Reading seized on the let-off and produced their finest 20 minutes of the season so far, attacking their opponents with the verve that had served them so well in the previous two campaigns but had been replaced by self-doubt during this one.

Their goal needed a large slice of fortune, however, as referee Marriner, having consulted a flag-waving linesman, called Jamie Carragher's felling of Brynjar Gunnarsson wrongly as the pair thundered to the brink of the Liverpool box.

There was no question that the Icelander had been impeded but replays suggested contact had been made just outside the box and Carragher howled his displeasure.

Hunt despatched the penalty with panache, however, and Reading continued to attack, with a Bobby Convey drive beating Jose Reina and only just clearing his crossbar.

Reading's previous frailties were not long in reappearing and Gerrard took full advantage to put his side on level terms in the 28th minute.

Torres eluded Sonko to take down a long ball and quickly set up his skipper with a sideways pass. Gerrard had little difficulty shrugging off Hunt's challenge to reach the box and slot past the exposed Hahnemann.

That deflated Reading but fortune favoured them again when Liverpool were denied a much stronger penalty shout than the one previously given to the hosts.

Ivar Ingimarsson's header straight to Gerrard not only surrendered possession cheaply but also allowed Torres to move swiftly into space and when Sonko stuck out a boot in the box he tumbled. But play was allowed to continue.

Andriy Voronin fired in a couple of snapshots from the right of the box as Liverpool ended the half in the ascendancy, but when Momo Sissoko went down in the box under yet another strong Sonko challenge, again no penalty was awarded.

Reading began the second period on the back foot and there was a let-off when Torres sent a diving header across goal after Nicky Shorey's error had allowed Crouch to fire in a cross from the right.

The home defence then made a hash of their offside trap before yet another penalty decision went their way.

Torres's trailing leg was clearly caught by Sonko and this time the Spaniard also appeared to have been hurt. Again television replays confirmed contact had been made.

If the home fans sensed it was to be their night, Doyle gave them concrete proof on the hour by sending a glancing header past Reina to put Reading back in front.

Gerrard had been booked for felling Hunt on the run and when Shorey swung in the free-kick the Republic of Ireland striker lost his marker to produce a slight but perfectly-aimed deflection.

Doyle then fired just over but again Reading were in luck when Gerrard saw a drive smack off the bar seconds before Harper made it 3-1 at the other end.

Convey's pass enabled the hyperactive midfielder to scamper clear of the defence and any fears the home support had that he would be unable to finish were wiped away by a cool side-step to get past Reina and a shot into the empty net.

Harry Kewell, who had come on for Torres, fired a good chance across goal and just wide at the other end.

It just was not Liverpool's day - as Crouch proved again in stoppage time with a drive that beat Hahnemann but rebounded back to the goalkeeper off a post.

Marseille Swayed Rafa'sTthoughts

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez admitted his mind was already on Marseille after his side slipped to a 3-1 defeat at Reading.

The Spaniard took off skipper Steven Gerrard and star striker Fernando Torres to make sure they were not ruled out of Tuesday night's must-win Champions League game in France.

Torres was hurt during the match but Benitez claimed he expected the former Atletico Madrid man to be available for a game that will go a long way towards shaping Liverpool's season.

Benitez said: "We were losing 3-1 and we knew it was really difficult so I was trying to protect the key players for the next game.

"We tried to change it with different players with pace and fresh legs. The Champions League is important. Marseille is the target now.

"Torres had a kick on his ankle so was at risk. He will be okay."

Benitez was convinced referee Andre Marriner had blundered when he had to make penalty decisions at either end of the pitch - awarding Reading one that appeared to be outside the box and denying his side two stronger shouts.

He said: "I am not happy with the decisions but we didn't take our chances and that was maybe the key. We should have had two penalties."

Reading manager Steve Coppell was determined to enjoy his side's first success against one of the so-called 'big four' clubs.

And he insisted his players deserved plaudits for their contributions rather than everyone focusing on Liverpool's shortcomings.

He said: "Wins now, because we are not having as many as last year, they are treasured. Any team in the bottom half of the table would say that. We fully intend to enjoy it tonight.

"For our penalty I would say it was more of a penalty than not. It's not fair to say we won a game but it was on a dodgy penalty - they played a crap team because they were looking for Tuesday's game and, PS: Reading played as well."

But Coppell, a boyhood Liverpool fan, made it clear he sympathised with Benitez.

He said: "In terms of priorities of the games this week I would say we were third (Liverpool play Manchester United next weekend).

"I don't want to put words into Rafa's mouth but Marseille has got to be the number-one priority."

Liverpool Kicks Off Crucial Week Of Premier League And European Action With Vvisit To Reading

The Reds have a must-win Champions League match at Marseille followed by a clash with fierce rival and defending Premier League champion Manchester United, but first has to defend its unbeaten start to the English season at Reading.

Fortunately for Liverpool, it appears to have overcome a rocky spell that included a cluster of drawn matches and has hit 21 goals in its past five games, while conceding just once.

Liverpool is seven points behind leader Arsenal, which is at Middlesbrough on Sunday, and manager Rafa Benitez is eager for another three points as he seeks to end Liverpool's 17-year streak without an English league title.

"I always think of one game at a time and the players know how important this match at Reading is,'' Benitez said. “We need to be focused in every game and we want to keep the pressure up on the other teams.''

And Liverpool should be confident of doing just that.

It has already beaten Reading this season, with Fernando Torres hitting a hat trick for a 4-2 League Cup win.

With Liverpool scoring whoever is in the team, Benitez may rest the Spain striker for the upcoming matches and field Peter Crouch up front.

Benitez also has to decide whether to bring Xabi Alonso, Daniel Agger and Fabio Aurelio back into the team after they returned to training after injuries, while Jamie Carragher has recovered from bruised ribs and is set to play.

With a 10-point gap having developed between ninth and 12th, Reading is marooned in the bottom half of the standings and keen to put distance between itself and the relegation zone - which is just three points back.

"It will be a tough game against a side with a very good team spirit,'' Benitez said.

Reading will be without John Oster because he needs ankle surgery, while defender Michael Duberry is not ready to return even though he has resumed training following cracked ribs.

Victory for Liverpool is even more important because Manchester United, which is three points ahead in second place, has a home match against last-place Derby.

Reading v Liverpool - Reds' Benitez Has Dilemma On Carragher - Royals Miss Oster

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez will be looking to maintain the club's unbeaten record in the Premiership this season and eyeing a victory over Reading at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday.

While The Royals have picked just one point from the last four games, The Reds are in a blazing form having won their last three league games, five in all competitions.

Steve Coppell's side are without winger John Oster who has to undergo an ankle surgery, while defender Michael Duberry has joined in training after recovering from cracked ribs but apparently is not fit to play.

Benitez however has a dilemma whether to play Jamie Carragher if the defender recovers fully from the blow to his ribs. The former England international is just a booking away from a suspension and given that Reds next play Manchester United in the league, Carragher could well not be risked.

Daniel Agger may return from his long absence due to a metatarsal problem while Jack Hobbs is also an option.

Teams:

Reading (from): Hahnemann, Federici, Murty, de la Cruz, Ingimarsson, Sonko, Bikey, Cisse, Shorey, Rosenior, Gunnarsson, Harper, Fae, Hunt, Convey, Doyle, Kitson, Long, Lita.

Liverpool (from): Reina, Arbeloa, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Hobbs, Riise, Benayoun, Gerrard, Mascherano, Lucas, Sissoko, Kewell, Babel, Kuyt, Voronin, Crouch, Torres, Itandje.

Benitez Set To Gamble

Rafa Benitez is prepared to gamble with Fernando Torres’ fitness ahead of a landmark week in Liverpool’s season.

The in-form forward was subjected to a physical battering at Reading in the Carling Cup earlier this season.

But the Anfield boss would be happy to push his top scorer back into the front line on Saturday, even with the must-win Champions League clash at Marseille looming just three days later.

Benitez admitted yesterday he hadn’t decided on his starting line up for Saturday's tea-time trip to the Madejski Stadium, but said he would have no qualms about handing Torres his fourth start in succession, matching the longest run of games he has had since joining the club.

“I think it will be difficult for all our players because Reading are physical and they are strong,” explained Benitez.

“It is especially difficult for the strikers. But Torres is strong enough and he also has ability and good movement, so if the team is playing well he can manage with the physical game.

“I think Torres can produce good movement and it will be difficult to control him.

“He has been resting for one month so he is fresh and we can use him more often now.

“The key for me is when you have two games in a week, with only two or three days in between, it makes a big difference in how you play.

“But Torres is fit and we don't have any problems about him playing two or three games now.”

Benitez added that some players are better suited to the demands of back to back fixtures.

“We try to manage the players, but some players can handle the games better than others,” he added.

“If we can talk about one – Momo Sissoko – he can play at a very high tempo and be fit in two or three days. Other players who are older or who play in another position may need four or five days. So you need to know all these things.

“Torres is a player who can work for the team, but I am pleased with all our strikers.

“Voronin can do the job, Crouch can do the job and Kuyt can do the job, too. All of them work hard to defend for the team and all of them can go forward and score goals.

“So I am really pleased with the forwards.”

Rafael Benitez Wants His Players Fighting Fit For Marseilles

In dressing-rooms at football clubs up and down the country, the hottest topic of the moment is Ricky Hatton’s WBC welterweight title contest against Floyd Mayweather Jr. in the early hours of Sunday, but woe betide any Liverpool player who intends to stay up until 4am to watch the action live on Sky Box Office.

With a critical Champions League encounter away to Marseilles on Tuesday evening, Rafael Benítez, the manager, has told his players that they cannot risk disrupting their sleep patterns by watching the Hatton bout. This may sound like a typical instance of megalomania from a manager who upset his players at Valencia by banning paella, ice cream and olives from the canteen at the training ground, but Benítez feels it is necessary. After their 5.15pm kick-off for the Barclays Premier League match away to Reading on Saturday, they will fly back to Mer-seyside and have a meal together before being sent home under strict instruction to get a good night’s sleep.

“We try to control these things,” BenÍtez said yesterday. “After the game the players will have dinner and we take care of these things. Some players need more time than others, but it’s really important to rest, especially in this situation, where we are playing late away and then away again soon after. I don’t think the players will be staying up to watch the fight. Anyway, they have DVDs.”

With a light training session planned at Melwood on Sunday before a 10am flight out of John Lennon International Airport on Monday, BenÍtez is determined that his team will be in peak condition for the challenges that lie ahead next week. With that in mind, he was delighted to report yesterday that Daniel Agger and Xabi Alonso could be in the squad that travels to France after being given the all-clear to step up their training after being sidelined by metatarsal fractures, and that Jamie Carragher is fit to play at Reading, having recovered from a rib injury.

As well as the match in Marseilles, which they must win in order to guarantee their progress to the Champions League knockout stage, Liverpool have a crucial league match at home to Manchester United on December 16. Somewhere in the midst of this BenÍtez must also find time to sit down with Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr., the club’s owners, in the hope of resolving the disagreements that have cast serious doubts about his long-term future at Anfield.

BenÍtez, fully aware how his position has been compromised by his recent fall-outs with the board, has been far more contrite over the past ten days as he has sought to repair his relationship with Hicks and Gillett, but he is eager to press his case with regard to strengthening the squad during the January transfer window. A new central defender to cover for Carragher, Agger and Sami Hyypia remains a priority, as does securing a permanent deal to sign Javier Mascherano, whose contract at Anfield expires on June 30.

BenÍtez antagonised Liverpool’s owners last month by negotiating a £17 million deal directly with Kia Joorabchian, the head of the companies that own Mascherano’s economic rights. Hicks and Gillett effectively vetoed that deal, feeling that BenÍtez was wrong to commit to such a sum, but the Spaniard is eager to impress on them the importance of securing a long-term deal for the Argentina midfield player, who, concerned by the lack of reassurances from the board about BenÍtez’s long-term future, is attracting rival interest from Barcelona and Manchester City.

“Clearly, I hope Mascherano stays here,” BenÍtez said yesterday. “We are talking now about this but I have confidence because he tells me he wants to stay. I am confident he can be persuaded to stay here. He is playing well and everyone knows he is a good player and there are not too many world-class holding midfielders around. He wants to stay, our supporters like him and we will try to keep him.”

Mascherano The Priority As Benitez Ends Rift At Liverpool

Rafael Benitez insists he will sign Javier Mascherano permanently despite growing speculation linking the on-loan midfielder with a move away from Liverpool.

The Anfield manager is upbeat about the prospects of completing a £17million deal for the midfielder but is fully aware he has no control over a third-party's ownership of the Argentine and any desire they might have to tout the player around Europe's richest clubs.

Mascherano, who caused West Ham so much trouble with his contract there, has a similar loan deal at Liverpool, the key difference being that the Anfield club's agreement is within the regulations the London club breached last term.

But that means Mascherano is now being linked with Barcelona, Juventus and Manchester City, while Benitez's own attempts to buy the player were blocked by Liverpool's American owners in their well-publicised recent fall-out.

However, Benitez remains confident the 23-year-old will eventually sign a permanent deal at Anfield. He said: "Clearly, I hope Mascherano stays here. We are talking now about this but I have confidence because he tells me he wants to stay.

"I am confident he can be persuaded to stay here. When I spoke to Javier, he told me he wants that, so I have confidence that we will sign him.

"He is playing well and everyone knows he is a good player and there are not too many world-class holding midfielders around. He wants to stay, our supporters like him and we will try to keep him."

Benitez's renewed confidence could have sprung from what is a clear thawing of his relationship with Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

The fact the Spaniard watched his reserves win over Everton earlier in the week, with Gillett's son Foster by his side, underlines that normal service has resumed.

Foster was installed at Anfield to work alongside chief executive Rick Parry, and it would be inconceivable now to suggest discussions about January transfer targets are not ongoing.

Mascherano, rested for last weekend's 4-0 win over Bolton, is now set to play a key part in a critical week that will define Liverpool's season. After Saturday's Barclays Premier League trip to Reading, Liverpool face a make-or-break Champions League tie in Marseille on Tuesday, where only a win will keep them in the competition.

The following Sunday, Manchester United visit Anfield, while a trip to Chelsea in the Carling Cup quarter-finals comes three days later.

Benitez will be boosted by the likely return from injury of four key stars for some or all of those four vital games. Jamie Carragher, Daniel Agger, Xabi Alonso and Fabio Aurelio are all back in training and are likely to be involved at some stage soon.

Triple Injury Boost For Benitez

Rafael Benitez has been handed a triple injury boost with the news that Xabi Alonso, Daniel Agger and Fabio Aurelio could be back for what promises to be one of the biggest weeks in the club's season so far.

The Reds boss revealed the trio are close to a return and added the club's medical staff will be assessing their fitness at Melwood on a daily basis. Jamie Carragher has also recovered from his bruised ribs and is line to play at Reading on Saturday.

"Alonso trained today and is very close to a return. Agger is closer as well and Fabio could be back," commented Benitez.

"Carra is okay and he can play at the weekend."

Despite crunch matches coming up against Marseille and Manchester United, Benitez is adamant his players will be fully focused on keeping up the pressure at the top of the table when they visit Reading this weekend.

Having scored 21 goals in their last five matches Liverpool are in a rich vein of form, and the boss admits he would be more than happy with a repeat of the scoreline that saw Fernando Torres fire a hat-trick in the Carling Cup tie back in September.

"I always think of one game at a time and the players know how important this match at Reading is," added the Reds boss.

"We need to be focused in every game and we want to keep the pressure up on the other teams.

"We have experience against Reading. I remember when we won 4-2 at Reading in the Carling Cup this season and people said it was an easy game. It wasn't. I remember watching the video of the game after the game and they gave us some problems, and it won't be easy. It will be a tough game against a side with a very good team spirit."

Liverpool’s Kuyt Prepared For Reading’s Physical Challenge

Liverpool striker Dirk Kuyt is prepared for the physical challenge of Reading and is hoping boss Rafa Benitez selects him for Saturday’s away fixture in the Premiership.

The Dutch international saw his team-mate Fernando Torres being dished out a barrage of crunching tackles when the Reds took on the Royals in the Carling Cup in September. But the Spain ace had the last laugh as he scored a fine hat-trick.

Kuyt told Liverpoolfc.tv: "That is what the Premier League is all about. There are quality players but you also have to get used to the physical challenge.

"Fernando did really well. He kept getting kicked but kept getting back up and scored goals – that's always the best answer.

"I like the physical side of the game in England but sometimes you get the feeling defenders get more protection than attackers."

He added: "Rafa didn't pick me for the Carling Cup but hopefully he will on Saturday. I will be ready and hopefully I can go on scoring goals against them."

Rafa Issues Reds Challenge

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has challenged his side to maintain their rich vein of form as they look to keep pace with the leaders at the top of the table.

The Reds have won their last five games, scoring 21 goals and conceding just one in the process.

Liverpool travel to Reading this weekend before vital games against Marseille and Manchester United and Benitez is demanding more from his players.

"I'm really pleased at the moment because we are creating chances, scoring goals, not conceding and we're winning games. There are lots of positives for me to look at right now," Benitez told the club's official website.

"When you've scored 21 goals in five games and only conceded one then it would be easy to say that's enough, but as a manager you always want to improve.

"We have a lot of players still to come back like Fabio Aurelio, Xabi Alonso, Jermaine Pennant, Daniel Agger and Steve Finnan and so when they're all fit and available we can be better still.

"We've a big period coming up and we know that in football one result can change everything.

"Our confidence is high at the moment but we have to keep going and keep winning.

"There are lots of big games to look forward to - starting this weekend at Reading - and we have to show the right mentality in each of them."

Gerrard: Hard Working Torres Makes A 'Big Difference'

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has praised the contribution that Fernando Torres makes to the side - and not only in a goalscoring sense.

Despite the hefty price tag, few could argue against Fernando Torres thus far proving Liverpool's most successful summer signing.

The 23-year-old has already netted 11 times for the Reds even though he has been used sparingly by coach Rafa Benítez.

A firm favourite with the Kop just a few months after moving from Spain, Torres has also earned the respect of Anfield skipper Steven Gerrard.

"Fernando is getting a lot of praise at the moment and rightly so because the way he has settled into English football has been amazing and the way he has played is frightening," Gerrard told the Liverpool Echo.

"It can be difficult for players from abroad to settle into English football but at the moment Fernando looks like he's been playing here for years.

Everyone is talking about the goals he has scored and the way he has scored them but I don't think we should lose sight of all the hard work he is putting in off the ball as well.

He defends from the front and doesn't allow defenders to have a second on the ball. If they even think of dwelling on it he is on to them straight away. He is always looking to help the midfielders and the defenders and that makes a big difference. I've got to be honest, I'm made up to have him in our team."

With the likes of Crouch and Kuyt spearheading the attack for the majority of last season, Liverpool were often criticised for lacking pace up front. Gerrard agrees that Torres' pace and skill in running at defences is a useful weapon.

"It is great to have someone who gives us that different option. Fernando loves running in behind defenders and that gives us the option of hitting him early before defences have even had a chance to react. He's had a great start to his career and long may it continue."