Match Report: LiverpooL 1 - 1 Atletico Madrid

Steven Gerrard drove home a controversial penalty four minutes into injury time to salvage a dramatic Champions League point for Liverpool.

Atletico will believe they were robbed of a confirmed place in the last 16 by referee Martin Hansson's hotly disputed penalty award for a debatable foul on Gerrard by Mariano Pernia.

The visitors had led from the 37th minute following a cleverly constructed Maxi Rodriguez goal and frustrated Liverpool at every turn.

But Gerrard never gave up and his penalty eventually spared Liverpool's blushes and both sides should advance to the last 16.

Fernando Torres failed to even make the bench, missing his sixth match since picking up a hamstring injury while on international duty last month.

He cut a disconsolate figure in the directors' box having also missed the chance to play at his former club a fortnight ago.

From that match Liverpool left out Andrea Dossena and Yossi Benayoun, bringing in Fabio Aurelio and Dirk Kuyt, while Luis Garcia and Florent Sinama-Pongolle were also left on the bench by Atletico boss Javier Aguirre.

Liverpool started with pace and desire and could have scored in the first minute when Kuyt's close-range effort was grabbed by Leo Franco.

Another chance went begging when Xabi Alonso's stunning 40-yard pass found Robbie Keane arriving at pace on the edge of the box, but the Irishman's fierce drive thudded into the side netting.

Madrid were not slow to hit back and should have scored four minutes later. Pernia got to the byline and pulled back a cross but Simao hooked it over the bar from six yards.

Two more Liverpool chances then went begging, Riera's touch into the box almost set-up Gerrard as he surged into the area and Keane denied by Franco when he tried to round the Argentinian goalkeeper.

Atletico were also producing some quality football and scored an outstanding goal after 37 minutes.

Antonio Lopez broke down the right, taking a long pass with a superb first touch to confound Daniel Agger.

His pass into the box found Rodriguez moving into space away from Jamie Carragher before firing a shot across Jose Reina and inside the far post.

Atletico had looked calm and controlled in the first period, but came out for the second half having to defend in front of the Kop.

Liverpool were instantly at their throats. After just 60 seconds Luis Perea flicked the ball away from Keane with his right hand in the box, but Swedish referee Martin Hansson ignored the appeals.

Agger saw a header drop onto the roof of the net as Liverpool cranked up the pressure.

Ryan Babel was now on for Riera, Liverpool almost camped in Madrid's half with Atletico looking for the break to settle it. Surging runs from Simao and Diego Forlan emphasised the dangers.

Liverpool almost grabbed the equaliser after 70 minutes when Arbeloa and Keane combined to set up Gerrard, but the captain's shot just cleared the angle.

Maniche was booked for a foul on Arbeloa before Liverpool sent on David N'Gog for Keane. But at the same time Madrid sent on their brilliant Argentinian striker, Sergio Aguero in place of Forlan.

Lucas replaced Javier Mascherano but the danger of a devastating Madrid break was there every time Aguero got the ball.

N'Gog's control let him down a couple of times, but he forced Franco into a near-post save that produced a corner from which Agger saw another header go agonisingly wide.

Carragher got in on the act with a run and drive that Franco touched over, before a minute from time Luis Garcia came on, to a great reception, for Simao.

Still Liverpool looked unable to break through, until the fourth minute of injury time when Gerrard went down in the box under an aerial challenge from Pernia.

He made no contact with the ball but it was a debatable decision and Gerrard picked himself up to drive home the penalty and ruin Madrid's night.

Luis Perea, Aguero and John Heitinga were all booked in the uproar that followed but Liverpool had their fortunate draw.

Liverpool Join Barcelona In Chase For Brazil Under 23 Striker Keirrison

Liverpool have been told they will not be able to pick up 19-year-old Brazilian striker Keirrison on the cheap.

Valencia and Barcelona have been tracking the teenager for a year and reports last week said Liverpool had entered the race to sign him.

His contract with Coritiba runs out in April and his representatives are thought to have offered Keirrison to a number of clubs.

But the player has now signed a contract with sports marketing firm Traffic, who will demand a hefty fee to transfer the player to Europe.

In the kind of carve-up typical in South America, Traffic have reached an agreement to 'own' 80 per cent of the player for the next four years, with the final 20 per cent yet to be secured from Coritiba.

Keirrison's new owners have close links with Palmeiras and hope to transfer him to the Sao Paulo club in time for the Paulista state championship in January - if they can agree a fee with Coritiba for the early release from his contract.

However, the move to third-party ownership could mean the 6ft striker is transfered to Europe soon enough as his new paymasters look to maximise the return on their investment.

Keirrison has scored 67 times in 101 games for Coritiba, helping them get promoted to Brazil's top division last season.

He has been called up to the Brazil Under 23 squad once but has yet to play international football and securing a work permit for a move to England may be difficult, unless he can prove European ancestry.

Potential Liverpool Buyers Mysteriously Lose Interest

Reports in the English media suggest that Liverpool's American owners recently came close to selling the club, until the potential buyers walked away with no explanation.

The ongoing ownership saga at Liverpool has had a new twist added to it with reports that suggest a Middle-Eastern investment group almost bought the club two weeks ago and then dropped its interest in strange circumstances.

Tom Hicks and George Gillet Jnr., the Anfield club's American owners, still deny that the club is up for sale. However, The Times reports that an Arab group, unrelated to Sheikh Mohammed, the ruler of Dubai, had made a firm offer for the club but then walked away with a deal imminent.

Interest had apparently been shown by a consortium from Kuwait, though it is not known whether this is the same group that walked away from the recent deal. Sheikh Mohammed, now operating separately from Dubai International Capital group rather than through them, also still has a £500 million offer on the table.

The American tycoons are expected to issue another public denial today that they want to sell the club, but it is an open secret in football financial circles that they are desperate to find a buyer after a series of high-profile and embarrassing incidents, such as the failure to provide a new stadium for the club in Stanley Park.

That particular project was quashed due to an inability by the Americans to raise funds.

With the club heavily in debt and looking unlikely to be able to restructure its £350 million debt to the Royal Bank of Scotland and Wachovia banks due to the Credit Crunch, Hicks and Gillett would like to sell sooner rather than later.

However, with the world in the grip of an economic recession, that process may not be as straightforward as they would like.

Liverpool's Position Delights Rafa

Rafa Benitez says both Liverpool and Atletico Madrid are now in a "fantastic position" to earn qualification for the Champions League last 16.

The sides drew 1-1 in controversial circumstances in a group D clash at Anfield on Tuesday night.

Liverpool equalised with a Steven Gerrard penalty in the fourth minute of injury time to cancel out a first-half goal from Maxi Rodriguez.

Madrid were furious with Swedish referee Martin Hansson for his spot-kick decision, but a point each now leaves both clubs one win away from qualification.

It could all now be decided on November 26 when Liverpool face Marseille while Madrid host PSV Eindhoven.

Had Madrid held on to their 1-0 lead on Tuesday night, they would already be in the knock-out stage by virtue of the French side's victory over PSV.

Benitez said: "Madrid and us are in a fantastic position now to both qualify, we both need one more win.

"We are disappointed we did not win. But we have one more point and that is positive.

"Madrid had one chance and scored, and in the second half they were dangerous on the counter-attack and at times they could have grabbed another goal.

"But we had so many chances, we should have won the match. Madrid were organised, but only had that one chance."

But the Anfield boss insisted that referee Hansson was right to award an injury-time penalty for a foul on Gerrard that enraged the Spanish team.

Gerrard was felled in an aerial collision with Mariano Pernia, before rapping home the spot-kick himself.

Gerrard himself conceded: "I was not sure it was a penalty, I got to the ball first, and I suppose if that was outside the area it would be a free-kick."

Benitez agreed, saying: "It was disappointing that it all came down to having to score from a penalty.

"There was a clear handball in the second-half that was not given, and had that offence against Steven taken place in the middle of the pitch it would have been a free-kick, so it was a penalty."

He added: "The key for us was not to lose in such a tight match. We are still right up at the top with them, we can both qualify."

Benitez also revealed that Fernando Torres had not been confident enough in his own fitness to be in the squad for the match.

He has now missed six games with a hamstring injury, and Benitez said: "Torres was very close, but he did not have the confidence to play so it was not worth the risk."

Atletico Madrid boss Javier Aguirre amazingly refused to attack referee Hansson for the late penalty decision that cost his side victory.

He said: "I was a long way from the incident, so I could not see properly. But how things change in one minute of football. We were in the last 16 and Marseille had beaten PSV, and then we concede a penalty and it is snatched away, but we just have to keep on fighting.

"But I was still very happy with team effort and the way we worked as a group, maybe we did not get the win we deserved.

"One point will help us, and we still believe we can to the group, we still need points to qualify with one home and one away game but we believe we can still finish on top of the group."

Rafa: We Deserved The Penalty

Rafael Benitez, the Liverpool manager, has expressed his disappointment with last night's draw against Atletico Madrid, although he did not complain about the dubious decision which gifted his side a late equaliser.

The Reds fell behind to an excellent first-half strike from Maxi Rodriguez and, despite their total dominance of possession, as the minutes ticked by it looked as though there would be no Kop comeback.

Then Steven Gerrard popped up - or rather, fell down. The skipper charged into the box to contest a bouncing ball and found himself on the floor after an innocuous brush with Mariano Pernia. However, much to the Atleti players' disgust, a penalty was awarded and Gerrard duly dispatched it to level the scores deep in stoppage time.

Benitez could not hide his annoyance at having to rely on a controversial call from the referee to earn a point at home, but he pointed out that his men suffered at the official's hands as well.

"We are disappointed because we needed the penalty at the end, but I think we deserved to score before that," the Spaniard told Liverpool's website.

"I thought we should have had a penalty earlier in the second half. It was clear they handled in the area."

Television replays suggested that Luis Amaranto Perea, Atletico's Colombian defender, did indeed flick the ball with his hand in his own penalty area. But neither Martin Hansson nor his assistants spotted it.

"If that would have been in the middle of the pitch then it would have been a free-kick, but it happened in the box and it was not a penalty," Benitez added.

Liverpool pressed their visitors deep throughout the second half, controlling the play through Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano in midfield while Steven Gerrard, Robbie Keane and Dirk Kuyt put together some lovely attacking moves which lacked only a clinical finish.

"We had some good chances, but they had one chance in the first half and scored from it," Benitez said.

"But it was really important for us not to lose today. OK, a win would be much better, but getting the point was very important because we are still near the top of the group.

"You could see that we were attacking and attacking, but they were very good in the counter-attack and had a lot of quality."

Both Atletico and Liverpool have tallied eight points from four Champions League games, with the Spaniards sitting top of Group D through goal difference.

Steven Gerrard Admits To Being Unsure About Penalty

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard admitted he had doubts over whether his injury-time penalty was a spot-kick but he was grateful for the chance to make it 1-1 in their Champions League clash at home to Atletico Madrid.

The England midfielder was harshly ruled to have been fouled by Mariano Pernia as they challenged for an aerial ball and he picked himself up to fire home.

Liverpool had dominated the game but had trailed Maxi Rodriguez’s 37th-minute opener, which made the equaliser all the more important.

“I think we controlled the game but first half we weren’t good enough,” said Gerrard.

“We raised it at half-time and it finally came in injury time. I’m not sure it was a penalty. I got their first and I think if that is outside the area you get a free-kick.”

The penalty award sparked huge protests from Atletico and Gerrard admitted he had some sympathy.

“If it happened at the other end we would be livid. That’s football. It’s a point and we move on,” Gerrard told ITV1, stressing it was important to produce a performance after losing their unbeaten record against Tottenham at the weekend.

“It is important because we have got a point. Good teams don’t usually lose two in a row and we showed a lot of character.”

Manager Rafael Benitez, who felt his side should have had at least one penalty earlier in the match for handball, was more sure of the penalty award.

“I think so, watching the replay,” was his assessment.

“I think it was the linesman who has given the penalty but it is better not to talk too much about the referee.”

Steven Gerrard Hails Liverpool FC’s Never-Say-Die Attitude

STEVEN GERRARD hailed Liverpool’s never-say-die attitude after his injury time penalty rescued a point against Atletico Madrid last night.

The captain was brought down by Luis Perea and converted the spot-kick just as Liverpool were poised for their first home defeat of the campaign.

But once again they produced another late fightback to leave them joint top with the Spaniards of their Champions League group and still in prime position to qualify for the knockout stages.

PSV Eindhoven failed to apply pressure on the Anfield outfit as they lost to Marseille and Gerrard said: “That was a big point for us. We showed a lot of character and that keeps us joint top of the group so now we move on. We controlled the game in the first half but credit to Atletico. We had to raise our again, which we did, and we controlled them in the second half so it was a deserved point.”

Swedish referee Martin Hansson had to consult his assistant in awarding the decisive penalty as he took his time over the decision.

It prompted furious protests from Atletico’s players, who were on the verge of a win that would have secured their place in the last 16 with two group games still to go.

But Gerrard said: “I got to the ball first and was caught. If that happened outside the area it would definitely have been a free-kick so a penalty was the right decision.”

Manager Rafael Benitez agreed, especially as Perea got away with a handball early in the second half. He said: “That was a clear penalty so we deserved the break to get us back in the game.

“We have that fighting spirit and it’s important that we keep it going, because that is what gets you results.

“We have come from behind five or six times this season but we do have problems. You still have to take your chances because at the weekend we missed some as well, and that is often the difference.”

Benitez also admitted his disappointment that his team still has work to do to make the next round when they could have assured their qualification with a win in either of their two games with Atletico.

Simao denied them victory in Madrid with a late equaliser two weeks ago and Maxi Rodriguez stalled their progress when he struck in the first half last night. Benitez added: “We have to be disappointed because we talked before about winning the game and how important that would be for us. But we have one more point than we had before we started so that is also positive.

“Atletico and ourselves are still in a fantastic position.”

Benitez revealed that Fernando Torres was close to making his comeback after a lay-off with hamstring injury.

However, he decided not to risk including the Spanish striker in the squad, but is confident he can be fit in time for the visit of West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League on Saturday.

Atletico Madrid manager Javier Aguirre refused to attack referee Hansson for the late penalty decision which cost his side victory.

He said: “I was a long way from the incident so I could not see properly. But how things change in one minute of football.

“We were in the last 16 and Marseille had beaten PSV, and then we concede a penalty and it is snatched away, but we just have to keep on fighting.

“But I was still very happy with the team effort and the way we worked as a group, maybe we did not get the win we deserved.

“But one point will help us, we have regained great self-esteem, we are recovering from damaging defeats in our league form and this was still an excellent performance.”

Proof That Liverpool Need The Fernando Torres Spark

WHEN the opposing supporters are sporting your name and number on their shirts and they’re as disappointed as their rival fans at your absence, you know you’ve made it.

And the fact that Fernando Torres failed to make last night’s reunion with his former employers was as big a blow to expectation and anticipation as the failure of Diego Maradona to grace Anfield with his presence.

Torres is indeed a big miss. For both the travelling hordes who idolised him for so many years and those who have inherited that hero-worship.

The key difference is, Liverpool’s anguish over his absence goes way beyond last night. The reason Liverpool were so keen to get qualification sewn up was so they could keep key players fresh for resuming their title challenge.

In fact, the only reason there was so much at stake last night was because a lack of a clinical and ruthless finisher cost them victory in Madrid two weeks ago.

It also cost them their unbeaten league record at the weekend, when for most of the game they made Spurs look like the bottom-of-the-table side they are and inexplicably failed to cast them further adrift.

With Torres around, it’s safe to say that wouldn’t have happened – and they might not have had to rely on an injury-time penalty to rescue a point last night either.

When the 24-year-old limped out of Spain’s game with Belgium last month, his club wasn’t just losing its star striker but a star striker bang in form.

His hot streak – that had yielded four goals from his last two Premier League – was frustratingly suspended in mid-air. The fact Liverpool’s ambitions haven’t yet suffered a similar fate since is testament to the players Benitez has at his disposal. They are still well placed in the league and should still sail through to the knockout stages if the evidence of earlier meetings with Marseille and PSV Eindhoven is anything to go by.

But this can’t go on for much longer, even if Liverpool’s run of games over the next month looks more like a Christmas list than a fixture list.

Last night’s struggles to break Atletico down weren’t confined to having nobody in the six-yard area to tap into an open goal. It was the lack of someone with the ability to make something happen out of nothing when it’s all as flat as a dud firework.

The early stages of last night’s encounter were just that, with the visitors diligently sticking to their defensive duties, sitting back and waiting for the counter-attacks to present themselves.

It worked to perfection when right-back Antonio Lopez’s sublime control led to Maxi Rodriguez’s opening goal and in terms of the tactical pattern of the game that only made Liverpool’s task of breaking their opponents down even harder.

Robbie Keane, as he did in the first game, perhaps best summed up the cutting edge missing in the absence of Torres when he found himself clean through on goalkeeper Franco but, as he did a fortnight ago, opted for the over-elaborate when just a straightforward blast at goal would have done.

The chronic lack of invention was such that many in the Kop must have wished they were cheering Luis Garcia’s touchline warm-up in anticipation of him entering the fray in a red shirt rather than a blue one.

His impact on European nights has clearly not been forgotten and it could certainly have come in useful on this particular one.

But it’s Torres’s return that is really longed for, which is little wonder given that Daniel Agger looked the most likely outlet for an equaliser for much of the second half.

His comeback is now more than a week overdue based on the original prognosis but it is worth remembering there have been times during his spell on the sidelines when the message from his team-mates has appeared to be: “Take your time, there’s no rush.”

Dirk Kuyt filled the void admirably with his double strike Wigan, while the whole team did likewise with their compelling performance at Stamford Bridge.

But the Dutchman can’t be expected to sustain the kind of strike rate that Torres has delivered since bursting on to the English football scene and it’s clear Benitez’s squad can’t sustain a successful campaign while he’s spending games closer to his girlfriend than his fellow strikers.

Although one of the biggest problems now is that there aren’t too many of them about. David Ngog is one for the future rather than the current unforgiving deep end of a vital Champions League game.

In the final analysis of it, defeat may have been avoided. But nobody can swerve the fact that the extra rehabilitation time that has denied Torres a reunion with his old pals had better start coming to fruition.

Because right now a reunion with his current team-mates is far more urgent.

Maradona Plans To Make Liverpool's Mascherano His New Captain

Diego Maradona wasted little time putting his stamp on the Argentina national team, confirming he wants Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano to be his new skipper.

Maradona, 48, made the announcement just hours after he was formally confirmed as Argentina coach, succeeding Alfio Basile who stood down on October 16.

Maradona's first game in charge will be against Scotland at Hampden Park on November 19, and the new man has in the main stayed loyal to the group of players assembled under Basile.

However, two high-profile players did miss out on a place in Maradona's inaugural 20-man selection, with Internazionale midfielder Esteban Cambiasso and Getafe goalkeeper Roberto Abbondanzieri failing to get the nod.

Maradona's wish to make Mascherano his captain appears to be his strongest statement of intent, with the combative 24-year-old set to wrest the armband from the vastly experienced Javier Zanetti.

Mascherano last week said he did not have the charisma to be captain of his country, but Maradona said: "I want Mascherano to be my captain because I believe he is the Argentinian player who is closest to the idea I have about the Argentinian shirt - sweat for it, sacrifice for it, being a professional, being close to the team-mate.

'I will convince him. He will be my captain.'

Star playmaker Lionel Messi has not been called up due to an agreement between the Argentinian Football Association and Barcelona president Joan Laporta, after the Spanish giants released him to play the Olympic Games in Beijing earlier this year.

'Messi is not in the list out of respect to Barcelona,' Maradona continued.

'When we met [AFA president Julio] Grondona, the verbal agreement was already set.

'Laporta was a gentleman by letting him play the Olympic Games so we decided to let him stay in Barcelona for this match. If Barcelona finally let him play, he will be included in the list.'

Maradona added that he will not be taking the friendly against the Scots lightly.

'In my national team, there are no friendly matches,' he insisted. 'They are international games and we must defend the shirt.'

Mascherano will be joined in Maradona's first squad by Newcastle pair Fabricio Coloccini and Jonas Gutierrez and Manchester United forward Carlos Tevez.

Match Preview: LiverpooL vs. Atletico Madrid

A fortnight ago, Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez retuned to his home town as the Reds took on Atlético Madrid at the Vicente Calderón, which was freed up for the contest despite concerns over crowd behaviour.

It wasn't exactly a classic, but both sides got what they wanted from the fixture in the end. Robbie Keane scored after 14 minutes despite hints of offside, but Simão Sabrosa – a player Benitez is a known admirer of – drove a low shot past Pepe Reina inside the last ten minutes.

The point leaves both sides sitting pretty in Group D ahead of the return leg in Liverpool...on paper at least. If Dutch side PSV Eindhoven were to beat Marseille in the other fixture, any loser in this game would all of a sudden be under massive pressure – just one point ahead in second with two games to go.

Since the last Champions League game much has been made of Liverpool's blossoming Premier League title challenge.

Before the first Atletico clash, they edged back-to-back games against upstarts Manchester City and Wigan, both to the tune of 3-2. Then, Benitez's troops completed Mission Improbable, beating Chelsea at The Fortress, AKA Stamford Bridge. A hard-fought win over Portsmouth followed and many started thinking that this Liverpool side could be for real.

Indeed, normally coy Rafa started to discuss his side's surge to the league summit with enthusiasm and confidence. He admitted that he was planning to 'lead from the front' and was oozing something of a 'told you so' attitude as the chip started to remove itself from his shoulder after several seasons of piloting an also-ran operation.

Then came the Tottenham acid test. Harry Redknapp's revitalised Spurs had shown Arsenal what they were made of, coming back to draw 4-4. However, even with that warning shot, the Reds couldn't fare any better and were beaten 2-1. It was very telling. Dirk Kuyt scored after three minutes, but Rafa's falterers missed a ridiculous amount of chances and allowed Spurs to steal their points.

One game on, Liverpool need to show that they're unflappable. Second in the Premiership only on goal difference, five time European Champions – they should cruise this one, right?

As for Atleti, Simão's strike in the first game probably kept his boss Javier Aguirre in his job. Simão's brace in their next game in Villarreal's El Madrigal, where they scored two late goals to draw 4-4 with the Yellow Submarine, made it that little bit safer.

An unconvincing win in the Copa del Ray followed. Diego Forlan gave Atleti an undeserved lead over Segunda División B outfit Orihuela just before the break and, although they did improve after the interval, Atleti failed to kill off the 'Skorpion' fully and still have a little work to do in the second leg.

Then came Real Mallorca and, finally, the performance Atleti were waiting for from the man they were waiting for – Sergio Agüero. Komeback kid Kun bagged a first half brace and looked pretty sharp in shrugging off the Balearic outfit, who were in dazzling form beforehand.

Boss Aguirre sees signs of improvement, but admits that his side are still wounded.

Relishing being up to sixth, he said, "We've come out of the intensive care unit, but we are still in hospital. We had gone four weeks without winning and we're aware that we have to improve."

On half-fit talisman Agüero, he warned, "He's still a couple of weeks away. I'm taking him to Liverpool, but we aren't reliant on him."

Maybe not, but like Liverpool superstar Fernando Torres, who's similarly unfit, few would disagree that having Kun in the starting XI would be a massive confidence boost.

Aguirre himself will be keeping a low profile on the night, as he begins a two match ban.

Atleti are travelling to Anfield, where the Reds have won eight of ten at home, losing none. In comparison, the Spanish side have won four of ten on the road, conceding ten in their last two Liga outings. However, Atleti have failed to score on just one of those away days, although it was the Champions League trip to Schalke.

Liverpool are three goals from scoring their 300th strike in the elite competition. However, they've not beaten a Spanish club in five attempts. Atleti's record in England includes one win – against Leicester of all teams – three draws and two losses.


FORM GUIDE

Liverpool

Nov 01, 2008 Tottenham 2-1 Liverpool EPL

Oct 29, 2008 Liverpool 1-0 Portsmouth EPL

Oct 26, 2008 Chelsea 0-1 Liverpool EPL

Oct 22, 2008 Atletico Madrid 1-1 Liverpool CL

Oct 18, 2008 Liverpool 3-2 Wigan EPL

Oct 05, 2008 Manchester City 2-3 Liverpool EPL

Atlético

Nov 01, 2008 Atletico 2-0 RCD Mallorca Primera

Oct 29, 2008 Orihuela 0-1 Atletico Copa

Oct 26, 2008 Villarreal 4-4 Atletico Madrid Primera

Oct 22, 2008 Atletico 1-1 Liverpool CL

Oct 18, 2008 Atletico 1-2 Real Madrid Primera

Oct 04, 2008 Barcelona 6-1 Atletico Primera


TEAM NEWS

Liverpool

The big fitness sweat, of course, is over the fitness of striker Fernando Torres, who has a 70% chance of recovering from his hamstring injury to feature against his former side, according to Benitez.

Otherwise, the decks are more or less clear.

Atlético

Luis García and Florent Sinama Pongolle would enjoy running out against their former employers on Merseyside.

However, the main news concerns the aforementioned Argentine Agüero, who has been strongly tipped to start despite Aguirre's public reservations.

'Keeper Gregory Coupet is back in the squad after injury. However, a pair of defenders in the shape of Giourkas Seitaridis and the influential Tomas Ujfalusi are out.

Diego Forlán will be relishing the “very special” trip, with the brace he scored for Manchester United at Anfield in 2002 sure to be in his mind.


PLAYERS TO WATCH

Liverpool

The Atleti camp has Fernando Torres firmly in mind when they contemplate the mission ahead. Boss Aguirre asserted, "I want him to be 100% fit and playing against us, as I want us to be challenged by the very best."

Former Red Luis García added: "When I was here we did not have player like Torres. He's given Liverpool that extra dimension and made them a better team."

Dirk Kuyt and Steven Gerrard are also match-winners, but all eyes will be on El Niño, whether he plays ninety minutes or six.

Atlético

Agüero starting would be a massive boost, but he can't be fit enough to dominate throughout. A man who can do that, however, is Simão Sabrosa.

The man will not give up and, as Spurs showed at the weekend, the Reds often struggle to kill off plucky sides like the one Simão will inspire.

Fitness Comes First For Fernando As Rafa Reveals 'Liverpool Have Not Missed Torres'

Rafael Benitez insists Liverpool have not missed Fernando Torres and is refusing to gamble on his fitness against Atletico Madrid tonight.

The manager will wait until after training today before deciding whether the striker will return from a five-game lay-off with a hamstring injury to face his former club at Anfield.

Torres is desperate to play, having missed the trip back to Atletico a fortnight ago when the sides drew 1-1 in the Group D match.

Despite Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Tottenham, which cost Liverpool top spot in the Premier League, Benitez insists Torres will only play if he is fully fit.

'We do not have to rush Torres back,' said the manager. 'He is a fantastic player, he can change games, but we have been playing so well we have not missed him.

'If he is confident and wants to play, he will play. If he is not ready then we will not take a risk.'

Benitez is confident his side can win tonight, which will see them through to the last 16 of the Champions League providing PSV Eindhoven lose in Marseille.

'We have nothing to prove, the main thing now is to just concentrate on what we know is right,' said the Reds boss. 'Since we drew in Madrid, they have drawn 4-4 with Villarreal and beaten Mallorca 2-0, with Sergio Aguero returning to score twice.

'Madrid are doing well but they do have problems. Their strengths and weakness are the same, but they do have Aguero back and he is a very good player.'

Luis Garcia Relishing Return

Former Liverpool forward Luis Garcia is looking forward to walking out at Anfield again - only this time in the colours of Atletico Madrid.

The Spanish club arrived on Merseyside on Monday ahead of their Champions League D clash with Rafael Benitez's side and Luis Garcia was immediately in familiar territory.

"This will be a special game for me personally, but it should be for anyone playing here at this stadium with such a fantastic atmosphere," he said.

"I spent several years here and enjoyed the time - it is a special occasion for me.

"I even had a big reception at the airport. I have had messages of goodwill from fans, letters and emails. It is great to come back and see these people again.

"A special part in my heart will always be with these people at this club and in this city.

"I still remember a lot of people from when I was here, fans and players."

The match could also see another reunion with Liverpool's former Atletico hero Fernando Torres poised to make a return from a hamstring injury.

Benitez said he will leave it to the player to make the final decision after training later today but Madrid boss Javier Aguirre insists he wants to see the player on the pitch facing his side.

He said: "We are aware that he has been injured, but I want him to be 100% fit and playing against us, I want us to be challenged by the very best."

The Mexican coach, now three years into his spell in Madrid, is conscious there could be a backlash from the hosts after they lost their unbeaten record for the season at Tottenham on Saturday.

He said: "They could well be angry. We will see, but they did not deserve to lose at Spurs. If you watched the game, you will understand. They should have won and had the best chances."

Aguirre has 20-year-old Argentina star Sergio Aguero back in the squad, after the highly-rated striker was only a half-time substitute in the 1-1 draw between these sides in Madrid a fortnight ago.

Aguero scored twice at the weekend in the 2-0 win over Mallorca, and he has been linked with a £30million move to Manchester City in January.

But Aguirre said: "He is very happy here, he is still a young lad and young player and because of that I know he will be with us for many years, despite the amounts of money I hear being mentioned for him."

Simao: Anfield Is Special

Simao Sabrosa admits he is relishing the prospect of playing on another European night at Anfield.

The Atletico Madrid winger scored a sublime goal for Benfica as the Portuguese outfit knocked the Reds out of the tournament back in 2006, and he is hopeful he can help produce a repeat when Group D's top two lock horns tonight.

"It is clear that this is a special stadium," he said. "Everyone knows the mystique that Anfield has but, above all, we want to win.

"It would be a very important victory for Atletico, because we'd practically be into the knockout round. We are having a great campaign and we want to continue on the same line."

Simao's sentiments are echoed by his coach Javier Aguirre who is hoping his side can overcome the Anfield factor and inflict a second successive defeat on Liverpool.

"The one thing we can learn from that game (Spurs) is that every football match lasts 90 minutes and I have to admit that they (Liverpool) did not deserve to lose that game," he said.

"But these things happen sometimes and I hope that we can take advantage of their slip-up and inflict more damage on them."

He added: "The crowd brings an extra level of sensation and intensity to the game and it will be a different feeling for us.

"But once the whistle goes, it’s eleven against eleven. The fans will show their support, but they won’t be playing".

Torres Should Win European Player Of The year Ahead Of Ronaldo, Says Rafa

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez says fit-again striker Fernando Torres should be named this year's Ballon D'Or winner.

Torres, who scored Spain's winner in the Euro 2008 final and 24 league goals in his debut season in England, trails Cristiano Ronaldo of Manchester United and Barcelona's Lionel Messi among the favourites for the December 2 gong formerly known as the European Player of the Year award.

'Fernando would be my selection,' Benitez said.

'He has scored a lot of goals and won the Euros with Spain. Ronaldo is also a very good player but I choose Fernando.'

Torres should return to the Liverpool starting line-up against his former club Atletico Madrid in Tuesday's Champions League Group D match at Anfield.

He has been out of action for three weeks after picking up a hamstring injury while on international duty.

'He's 70 per cent fit. We have to train tomorrow and I will talk to him,' Benitez said.

'He was training, but not a hard training session. He was doing almost everything. It's a decision between him and me.

'It depends in the confidence of the player. If the player is confident you can take a risk, if not you have to wait.

'Clearly he would like to be play against Atletico Madrid to show he is a very good player. He has a very good relationship with the players and the club.'

Liverpool currently top the group, level on seven points with Atletico. PSV Eindhoven, who play pointless Olympique Marseille on Tuesday, are third with three points.

Dirk Kuyt Eager To Be Part Of An Anfield Success Story

His honesty is such that he commands the complete trust of his manager. So when Dirk Kuyt senses a subtle change in mood around Anfield, it’s worth taking note.

The Liverpool striker has been at the heart of an encouraging start to the campaign for Rafael Benitez’s side that was checked only by an unlikely defeat at Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend.

That setback, though, has not altered Kuyt’s opinion that the Anfield outfit are on the verge of a renaissance of which he wants to remain very much part.

The 28-year-old has entered the final two years of his contract, with Benitez yesterday revealing talks will soon begin concerning a new deal.

And Kuyt has no intention of missing out on what he believes could be a trophy-laden future for Liverpool.

“I am enjoying every day here,” he says. “I knew it was a big club before I came here but now I know it is one of the biggest clubs in Europe and the world.

“My intention is to stay here for as long as possible. Hopefully the contract will come in the next couple of months. In football, you know the decision will be made before you enter the last year of your contract – but I definitely want to stay.

“I have been here now for three years and it is a great joy to play with so many great players.

“I am now in my third year, Torres is in his second and you have players like Gerrard, Carragher, Reina and Alonso that have been playing together for a while now.

“Fernando did very well last season but when you are at a club for a second season you feel even more settled in.

“In the time I have been here the team has been getting stronger and I still have the feeling we are getting stronger by the day. Hopefully, I will win trophies at Liverpool.”

Kuyt will again be on the right wing for this evening’s Champions League group game against Atletico Madrid, with Liverpool hoping to show they can bounce back from letting slip the Dutchman’s early opener at White Hart Lane on Saturday.

And Kuyt believes Benitez’s side have the mental resolve to avoid any adverse reaction to their first defeat since April.

“Everyone was disappointed with the result, especially as we were playing really well,” he says. “We had a lot of chances to kill the game and we didn’t do that. We were doing really well at the start of the season.

“We’ve still got the confidence and belief and even though we lost on Saturday we showed that we have the quality.

“I don’t think we have got anything to worry about. It becomes a worry if you are not playing well and you are losing.

“You have to make sure in the future that we take our chances and win those kind of games. We still have the feeling that it will be really difficult for teams to beat us. People are saying that how we do in the next game will be important now.

“But for us I don’t think anything has changed much.”

Kuyt, described by Benitez as “a player you can trust 100%,” has become a favourite with supporters who appreciate his relentless hard work and happy knack for chipping in with important goals.

The forward can claim a remarkable feat of having scored in every round of the Champions League and, having scored 10 goals in his last 17 games in the competition, will draw level with Kenny Dalglish in the club’s overall European goalscorers with another tonight.

While prospering abroad, Kuyt found goals more difficult to come by last season in the Premier League as his form suffered following the death of his father.

His last-gasp winner at Manchester City was his first league strike in 10 months but, as Liverpool’s top scorer this season with six goals, Kuyt is repaying the unshakeable faith shown in him by Benitez.

“As everyone knows, I had a really hard period at the beginning of last season with the loss of my dad and it is more difficult when you are in a different country,” he says.

“But lots of people helped me – my family, my friends and my team-mates and the people here at Liverpool.

“It’s important for a player to have the confidence of a manager. It’s always good when a manager says these things in public.

“I think he believes in my qualities and strengths and what I can do for the team – they know I am always going to be there for the full 90 minutes.

“When I am playing on the right I obviously know there are less chances to score but it doesn’t matter what position I play in.

“I am enjoying it on the right and I was enjoying it when I played up front against Portsmouth, Wigan and Man United. I will go wherever the manager needs me. I just want to play as often as possible.”

Kuyt adds: “I am not bothered about any criticism because that’s part of the game. The most important thing is when your manager and team-mates believe in you.

“They were always there through the difficult times and that’s what makes you stronger when you come back.

“I am feeling really well at the moment. I am playing in a different position on the right but I am enjoying it.

“I am now enjoying my football and am being involved in important moments and helping set up important goals.

“I have also scored some important goals myself and I want to keep on doing that. But for me the most important thing is to be giving my best for the team.”

Liverpool Will Move On From Tottenham Blip

All great sides have to lose games – but what makes them great is the way they react. But I think the overall public reaction to Liverpool’s first loss of the season already says a lot about the progress they are making this season.

In past years, they would have gone to somewhere like Tottenham and we’d be pulling them apart.

Maybe Rafael Benitez would have been questioned for his team selection. Maybe we would have been slating the players for not performing or bemoaning their lack of consistency.

And we would certainly have been writing Liverpool off as genuine title challengers for another year.

Not this time. It says everything about this current Liverpool side that the general consensus seems to be ‘let’s forget it and move on’.

For a start, you can’t blame the players for the defeat at Spurs. They absolutely battered them and if that game had finished 4-0 nobody would have batted an eyelid.

On Match of the Day I said Liverpool created enough chances to have won three games, never mind one, so you certainly wouldn’t criticise them after such a dominant performance. It was just one of those days when the ball would not go in.

As for Benitez, there’s not much he could have done really, is there? Mangers don’t miss the chances. Managers aren’t responsible for balls hitting posts and crossbars or indeed for Xabi Alonso missing free headers.

There was an eight-minute spell at the start of the second half when Liverpool had four great chances to make it 2-0 and that would have killed the game off, and if Fernando Torres had been fit it surely would have been.

But Benitez picked pretty much his best side and they played well, so what more could he do? How can you legislate for Jamie Carragher heading into his own net of all things?

The only worry for me overall was perhaps the performance of Pepe Reina, who seemed to want to come for everything but didn’t make it. But we all know any lapse in his form will only ever be temporary.

And that’s what Liverpool need to ensure Saturday was. Just a blip.

The best thing for them now is to have a game straight away.

If they can get back to winning ways tonight against Atletico Madrid and beat West Brom on Saturday then Tottenham is well and truly out of their system. Ancient history.

A bit like how the home defeat to Liverpool is to Chelsea.

They bounced straight back in midweek by beating Hull 3-0 then they hit five past Sunderland on Saturday.

I would also draw parallels with Manchester United’s experience at Everton. They could have been four or five by the early stages of the second half but, similar to Liverpool, they lost their way and in the end dropped some vital points. But it didn’t affect them. They easily beat West Ham then put four past Hull City to get themselves right back on track following a disappointing weekend.

Liverpool have already beaten United and Chelsea this season – now they have to match them again and respond to a bad result in the best way possible.

The fact that everyone seems to believe they can shows how much Benitez’s side have changed opinions so far this season.

Liverpool Reserves 1 - 2 Manchester City Reserves

LIVERPOOL Reserves slumped to a fourth defeat in a row as Manchester City the Halliwell Jones Stadium in the FA Premier Reserve League Northern Section last night.

The visitors went ahead on nine minutes when Marshall capitalised on a poor clearance from Damien Plessis and drilled in a low 18-yard shot.

Liverpool rallied and Nabil El Zhar was denied by the keeper after a neat pass by Dani Pacheco. The Moroccan fared better three minutes before the break when he scored with a fabulous individual effort, jinking away from several defenders before firing a shot into the bottom corner.

Liverpool’s joy was short-lived however, as City regained the lead through Benjani almost immediately. The experienced front-man netted at the second attempt after Peter Gulacsi had made a good save.

Liverpool never really looked like finding a way through, although Jordy Brouwer went close when he was put clean through by Ronald Huth but shot straight at the keeper.

City had chances to wrap the game up, but Gulacsi made some excellent saves to keep the score down.

LIVERPOOL RESERVES: Gulacsi, Darby, Insua, Ayala (San Jose 71), Huth, Plessis, El Zhar, Spearing (Weijl 71), Brouwer, Pacheco (Simon 81), Bruna. Subs: Bouzanis, Irwin.

MANCHESTER CITY RESERVES: Johansen, Logan, M Ball (Poole 46), Mee, McDonald, Clayton, Weiss, Marshall, Vassell (Williamson 46), Benjani (Daly 46), McDermott. Subs: Hartley, Kay.

Rafael Benitez Keen For Dirk Kuyt And Daniel Agger To Sign New Liverpool Deals

Rafael Benitez, the Liverpool manager, has called on the club's board to offer Daniel Agger and Dirk Kuyt new long-term contracts.

Both players have 18 months to run on their contracts and while Benitez, whose contract expires at the same time, says it is time the Anfield club secured both players' futures.

"Agger is very close and he is talking with the club," Benitez said. "There is no news yet with Kuyt but he is another player that I would like to get done as soon as possible. They have to be done before the new year.

"In each team you need people with quality, that work hard and with a good character.

"I want to do it as soon as possible because it is better for them and better for the club."

Kuyt is eager to ensure that he is a part of any future success at Anfield.

“I’m really happy here and I want to stay, but so far there has been no talk of a new contract,” he said. “Hopefully that will come in the next few months.”

Gillett Admits To Feeling 'Embarrassed' Over Liverpool

With his appetite for remaining as Liverpool's co-owner in serious doubt, George Gillett has revealed ambitions to invest in other sports, with India seemingly now a source of interest to him.

Gillett has taken several trips to India and any investment there would come on top of his entry this month into the race to bring a Major League Soccer franchise to Montreal, Canada.

The 70-year-old did not say how long he intends to remain at Anfield, with or without co-owner Tom Hicks. "You feel a responsibility and an embarrassment on occasions when you haven't provided all you might have," Gillett said. "There's a level of embarrassment and you want to correct it quickly."

Gillett said that the financial crisis is affecting his sports interests. "All the sports teams I know of are re-examining all of their futures." He claimed that his sports franchises do not necessarily need big-money superstars.

"We now have [clubs] that will be successful in the long run, that can compete for the championship every year and don't depend on buying high-priced players every year," he said.

Liverpool Must Sort Out Contracts Or Lose Rafa Benitez

Rafa Benitez fears history could repeat itself if Liverpool's owners fail to secure his future.

The Reds are facing the prospect of losing a man who stands just third behind Kenny Dalglish and Bob Paisley in an exclusive Sunday Mirror-PowerTable analysis of Anfield's managerial greats.

But unless American pair Tom Hicks and George Gillett deliver the new contract that Benitez craves after claiming to have healed the boardroom rift that tore the club apart last season, then the Spaniard could feel forced into making the kind of heartbreaking decision that saw him quit Valencia for Liverpool in the summer of 2004.

Just weeks after leading Valencia to a second La Liga title and the UEFA Cup, Benitez walked out on the final year of his Mestalla contract after becoming disillusioned by a string of broken promises.

He said: "I left Valencia because there were problems with my contract and other situations that meant I decided to leave.

"It wasn't my idea to leave because I had a list of names in place that would have improved the team. I believe Valencia would have gone on to win more trophies."

Benitez's patience had been tested the previous summer when the Spanish club refused to take up agreements he had secured to sign the then-unknown quartet of Cristiano Ronaldo, Didier Drogba, Florent Malouda and Ricardo Quaresma.

He finally walked away after leading Valencia to the finest hour in their history because they had failed to keep promises about a new deal.

Benitez's fate has turned full circle, with Liverpool's American owners yet to make contact about extending a contract that now has just 18 months to run.

"I spoke with George Gillett in London last week, but there was nothing about a new contract," Benitez revealed.

"That is OK because I want to concentrate on football.

But if the owners ask to talk about a new contract that would be good also.

"If not, I will continue to do my job for as long as I can and then we will see. I really want to stay at Liverpool and hopefully in the future the squad will be even better.

"I would like to be here a long time, so I am waiting. After improving the squad for the last five years I know we are very, very close to having a fantastic team and I want to be part of their future.

"I am also sure that this Liverpool team, with the staff I have also, will get better every year.

"The contract situation does not put me under more pressure to win either the title or the Champions League because in my mind I am just thinking about winning every game.

"I think we are close to having the team I want, but if I start thinking, 'We have to win this trophy' it is possible to lose focus."

It's ironic that Benitez will face his one-time Valencia nemesis Jesus Garcia Pitarch this week. Pitarch, the sporting director who was blamed for Benitez's departure four years ago, now holds the same position with Atletico Madrid, who arrive at Anfield on Tuesday.

During the week, Gillett (left) claimed his relationship with Hicks has improved. And Benitez said: "I have heard that the relationship between Liverpool's owners is better and that's good for the club.

"It is the same with me and Pitarch. We had our problems but they are solved."