Rafa Benitez In Fresh Warning Over Liverpool Transfer Policy

Rafa Benitez last night insisted he isn't a control freak - but reiterated that he wants full authority on transfer policy.

The Kop boss turned down a contract extension that would have kept him at Anfield for a further five years and was worth £20m as the boardroom split that has torn Liverpool apart over the last two years widened further.

Owner Tom Hicks is prepared to back the Spaniard, but he faces opposition from partner George Gillett and chief executive Rick Parry in a row that threatens to wreck Liverpool's title challenge.

Benitez, who has just 18 months left on his current deal, feels he should be allowed full control to spend his transfer budget on players he has identified.

His anger stems from Parry's failure to secure Aston Villa's £18m-rated Gareth Barry before agreeing to spend the club's £20m summer budget on Robbie Keane.

Then Xabi Alonso's proposed move to Juventus collapsed over the Italian club's refusal to pay more than £12m - leaving Liverpool with insufficient funds to buy Barry.

Benitez said: "I don't want 100 per cent control of everything, but a manager should be given a transfer budget and left to decide how to spend it.

"If he is given £20m he should be able to decide whether he brings in four players for £5m each or spends £20m on one.

"Who knows these things best? The manager. Who knows the value of players? The manager.

"The manager has to decide. It doesn't matter whether you have one chief executive or 20. It must be only the manager who decides how the budget is spent.

"I have to manage the team, so I should decide these things."

Sami To Stay At Anfield

Sami Hyypia has been earmarked for an Anfield player-coach role at the end of the season.

His contract ends in July and he is a target for several Premier League clubs but Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez wants Hyypia to remain in his plans on and off the pitch.

Benitez sees the 35-year-old as the ideal role model to younger players.

Hyypia’s Euro limbo is also set to be ended with a recall to Liverpool’s 25-man Champions League squad — but Benitez will have to axe Philipp Degen or Andrea Dossena to make room.

Reina - Judge Us On Trophies

Liverpool goalkeeper Jose Reina insists that the club can only be judged by how much silverware they have claimed come the end of the season.

The Reds stuttered to a 0-0 draw at Stoke last weekend and will be forced into second place for the first time in more than a month if Manchester United can claim three points on Saturday.

As a result, many are predicting that Liverpool's early season form will peter out over the final months of the Premier League campaign, but Reina is adamant that no judgments should be made until May.

"The end of the season is the best time to analyse the players and the team. Then we will have the trophies on our side - or they will be on the other side," the Spaniard told The Daily Express.

"It is important to win a trophy this season. If it can be the league then that would be unbelievable."

However, standing in the immediate way for Reina's side are consecutive Merseyside derbies that could well prove vital to Liverpool's hopes of silverware.

"These games against Everton are like two finals. In the one we fight for the cup, but the league game is a final too," added the keeper.

"We have to win. We cannot drop any more points at home. That will be difficult, but that has to be or target."

Though one man determined to undo The Reds' title hopes will be Reina's old friend Mikel Arteta, who has proved to be Everton's star player so far this season.

The two players used to bunk together as youngsters at Barcelona's academy, but, despite a close friendship, the Liverpool stopper expects that there will be no love lost when they meet on the pitch.

"He knows, and I know, that if he has to punish me with a free-kick or penalty he will do it. If I can save it I will," Reina added.

"Mikel looks out for his team and I will do the same. For 90 minutes we will not be friends."

Meanwhile, the Reds have offered Swedish midfielder Alexander Kacaniklic his first professional contract after impressing in the Liverpool under-18 team.

Kacaniklic was brought into the Reds Academy in the summer of 2007 from Helsingborg and has now signed a deal with the league leaders which runs until June 2010.

Pompey Hopeful Over Pennant

Portsmouth are still hopeful of signing Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant - despite the player's desire to stay at the Reds.

The two clubs agreed a fee for the out of favour player, who has since re-iterated his preference of wanting to stay with the league leaders and fight for his place.

But Reds boss Rafa Benitez believes the player will move, while Pompey executive chairman Peter Storrie is hopeful that the South Coast side could progress with the transfer this weekend.

He said on Friday night: "We spoke at length with his agent (on Thursday) and hopefully some time over the weekend we can move things forward."

Pompey have earned around £35million from selling Lassana Diarra to Real Madrid and Jermain Defoe to Tottenham, although the finances at Fratton Park mean boss Tony Adams cannot fully reinvest on signings.

He has identified four players he would like to strengthen with, but Pompey have failed in their efforts to sign Edu from Valencia and bring Gary O'Neil back from Middlesbrough.

However, they could have more luck with Real Madrid striker Javier Saviola.

Storrie said: "We're trying to bring four players in but the window is what it is and can be frustrating at times.

"We were hoping to bring Gary O'Neil back to club but Middlesbrough have put a full stop on that one.

"We were very hopeful of bringing Edu in from Valencia - but they decided not to sell at this stage.

"I have had quite a lot of discussions with Real (about Saviola). I'm sure there's a deal to be done but it will be down to Tony to decide if he wants to take that forward."

Benitez Believes Agger Will Stay

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is confident Danish international defender Daniel Agger will stay at Anfield.

The 24-year-old Dane, a £5.8m signing from Brondby in 2006, has been linked with a move to AC Milan.

"I had a conversation with Daniel two days ago," said Benitez. "He wants to stay - he's not thinking about money.

"I can guarantee his commitment to the club is 100%. I was talking with his agent and they are waiting for us. The player is really happy here."

Agger missed much of last season through injury and has faced competition for the central defensive positions from Martin Skrtel and Jamie Carragher.

"He knows we have a strong team and he wants to stay," Benitez told the Liverpool website.

Agger's contract with Liverpool expires at the end of June 2010.

Hansen Expecting Two Cracking Merseyside Derbies

A veteran of many Merseyside derbies, ex-Liverpool defender Alan Hansen thinks the Reds will have the upper hand in the two upcoming clashes between the Reds and Everton - especially as the Toffees will be without suspended Fellaini.

On Monday evening Liverpool host Everton, their neighbours from across Stanley Park, in what will be the 207th Merseyside derby. And six days later, on the following Sunday, the 208th will be contested in an FA Cup fourth round tie.

Former Liverpool great Alan Hansen played in many a Merseyside derby and is excited by the prospect of the imminent double-header. Now a leading pundit for the New Football Pools and BBC TV's Match of the Day, Hansen said:

"My old club Liverpool face two Merseyside derbies against in form Everton in the League and FA Cup in what should be cracking games.

"Both sides are playing well but the Toffees' loss of Marouane Fellaini is a massive blow to their ambitions. The big Belgian plays a big part in the way they currently play and offers size and physical strength to a relatively small Everton midfield. He also weighs in with goals which the Blues will struggle to replace with their lack of strength in depth in key areas.

"Despite the fact the match will be tense and no quarter given in any area of the pitch, I would perhaps unsurprisingly have to back my old club to win both games. Rafa’s side will have too much quality for Everton in both midfield and attack but it certainly won’t be easy.

"If David Moyes’ side could win either one of these two clashes it would set them up for the rest of the season but I personally can’t see it."

Police To Crackdown on Everton Fans Who Abuse Steven Gerrard

Merseyside Police are to target Everton fans who abuse Steven Gerrard during tomorrow night's Anfield derby.

The Liverpool force want to emulate their Hampshire colleagues, who handled the Sol Campbell affair by cracking down on any offensive chanting.

Extra officers will be on the beat with instructions to arrest anybody making crude gestures, or singing inappropriate songs.

Obscene chants have recently been aimed at Liverpool captain Gerrard and Merseyside police Chief Supt Dave Lewis said: "We will speak to the CPS to see if what is sung is viewed as abusive and we could arrest people and charge them. We won't be arresting hundreds as we haven't got the resources to do so and could prompt a melee.

Rafa Benitez Wants Long Liverpool Stay

It was recently confirmed that Rafael Benitez had rejected Liverpool's latest contract offer due to a disagreement over wages and the terms of the deal.

Press reports suggest that the Spanish manager hopes to be granted complete control in the transfer market, but club co-owner Tom Hicks yesterday declared that the main issue is the speed - or lack thereof - with which signings are made.

Hicks stressed that he was determined to work things out one way or another, and Benitez is similarly eager to reach an agreement when the American returns to Merseyside in February.

The former Valencia boss told the News of the World, "We will see what happens when Tom Hicks comes next month. Maybe we will talk again in the future.

"When the owners offered me a contract I said we needed to do it quickly as I wanted no distractions. We have been talking for two months and they know my idea. If we can’t progress, we finish the conversations.

"We were close. I have no problem talking with them and anyone else at the club. The phone still works both ways, but I will try to concentrate on the football."

Nevertheless, a sliver of doubt lingers over Benitez's future at Anfield, and a number of clubs - most notably Juventus and Real Madrid - are thought to be keeping tabs on his situation.

But Rafa said, "I’m linked with a lot of teams but I guarantee I’m focused on winning trophies for Liverpool. I want to stay at Liverpool for a long time. I’m signing young players because I’m thinking about the future. I’ve told the owners what I want and that’s it."

Liverpool Owner Still Confident Benitez Will Sign New Contract

Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks is adamant Rafael Benitez's contract dispute will be resolved, and believes the Spaniard will remain manager for the next five years.

Benitez today turned down the offer of a new deal because of an apparent disagreement with Hicks and his fellow owner George Gillett over his level of control.

Benitez explained: 'The owners feel the manager's decisions need to be subject to the chief executive.'

But Hicks says he has no worries about the situation, and sent a message to Liverpool fans that he expects Benitez to remain at Anfield for years to come.

'I'll be working with Rafa to get this resolved - and I am just not worried about it at all,' he said.

'Rafa is going to be coach of Liverpool for the next five years, and we will work through all this.'

Hicks concedes Benitez has had qualms about the details of his position - but the American is confident there is no reason to fear an impasse.

'Rafa has been frustrated for a long time at the length of time it has taken certain things to happen,' he said. 'We understand that and are committed to working with him.

'I think he's just trying to position himself to do his job better. We will work through it. We can fix it - and we will. Rafa wants to be the manager and will be the manager.'

Hicks expects to meet Benitez at the end of the month to discuss any outstanding issues but has made it clear the lines of communication have been open and cordial in recent times.

He is also delighted with Liverpool's success on the pitch this season.

'You can't complain being in first place (in the Premier League),' he added.

'I have had a great relationship with Rafa over this past year. We talk often and email even more often - and I have had a lot of fun watching him do a great job this year.

'There are certainly no issues between Rafa and the owners.'

While Hicks is urging Liverpool and their supporters to concentrate not on matters off the pitch but on the points to be won in Monday's derby at home to Everton, Benitez has left little room for doubt that he is far from happy.

With less than 18 months left on his contract, Benitez's claims that he is being asked to defer to chief executive Rick Parry on transfer issues appear to be the sticking point.

The 48-year-old said: 'This is solely about being allowed to manage Liverpool Football Club to the best of my abilities as I see them.

'I believe that this club has the potential to improve - and I just want to be able to help this to happen.

'I will continue to do my job as manager and concentrate on the thing that our fans want me to focus on - winning trophies for them.

'From the first day I came to the club, I have only ever given 100 per cent - and I will continue to do this.

'I know that I am subject to results and to our fans - and they are the best judges I will ever have.'

Portsmouth Set To Fail In Jermaine Pennant Bid

Portsmouth will fail in their attempts to sign Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant during the transfer window.

The two clubs have agreed a fee for the 26-year-old, who does not form part of Rafael Benitez’s long-term plans.

Portsmouth claimed yesterday that Pennant was due on the south coast to discuss personal terms “over the next few days”.

But Pennant is intent on staying at Anfield until the summer, when he can leave for nothing as and able to command greater wages and a possible signing-on fee as a free transfer.

The player, signed from Birmingham City for £6.7million in July 2006, has attracted interest from European giants AC Milan and Real Madrid during the past month, as well as Barclays Premier League sides Wigan Athletic, Hull City and Blackburn Rovers.

And the winger said yesterday: “My preference is to stay at Liverpool and I am still hoping to do so. There has been a lot of speculation about my future but I have always maintained my position of wanting to stay at the club.

“I am happy to compete for my place here and hope I am given the chance to do so.”

Pennant has made only two Premier League starts this season and has not featured since the home match against Portsmouth on October 28.

Pompey manager Tony Adams wants to make Pennant, a former Arsenal club-mate, his first signing since taking over at Fratton Park.

Adams said: “Jermaine is a player I have been tracking because he is not getting regular first-team football.

“I realised he wasn’t in the team at Liverpool, he was a bit-part player, and I said to (executive chairman) Peter Storrie we might be able to give him a platform to play football.

“We have had a bid accepted by Liverpool and we want to get him down here ASAP.

“But it’s down to the player.

“I knew him as Ashley Cole’s buddy as a kid. He has had a few, shall we say ‘different’ experiences through his career.

“Haven’t we all? But I think he is growing wiser with age.

“As a player, he has played in the Champions League final which is something that I never did.

“Maybe he has had a better career than me.”

Liverpool FC: Rafa Benitez Set To Walk Away In The Summer

RAFAEL BENITEZ could walk away from Liverpool at the end of the season if the club’s American owners do not allow him complete control over transfers.

The Spaniard has rejected the offer of a new contract at Anfield after failing to be granted the wide-ranging powers he was seeking as part of a new deal.

Co-owner Tom Hicks believes the problems can be ironed out and was yesterday confident Benitez will be Liverpool manager for the next five years. But unless Hicks and George Gillett meet Benitez’s demands of autonomy regarding transfers, the Spaniard, who has 18 months remaining on his present contract, is likely to leave Liverpool in the summer.

The length of the contract and the financial terms of the deal had already been agreed last month, with the scope of Benitez’s responsibility the sticking point.

The Spaniard, who insists he has no quarrel with the owners, does not want to depart and the Americans are keen for him to stay.

But Benitez demonstrated at Valencia in 2004, when he fell out with the club’s director of sport Jesus Garcia Pitarch over the failure to buy the players he had singled out and subsequently left, that he will not compromise on his stance.

Benitez has long been unhappy at the speed in which Liverpool deal in the market, but the desire for control over transfers stems from the failure to sign Gareth Barry from Aston Villa in the summer after the club refused to match the £18m asking price.

The Liverpool manager also wants greater influence over the Academy than his present contract allows.

With Premier League leaders Liverpool facing neighbours Everton on Monday and possibly usurped from top place by Manchester United later today, the timing of Benitez’s decision to reject the deal has surprised the Anfield hierarchy, as did the manager’s outburst against Sir Alex Ferguson last week.

Explaining his decision to reject the deal, Benitez said: “My relationship with the owners is better than people think. I have regular contact with them and especially with Tom Hicks who has always been very supportive.

“The talks between my agent and the advisers of the owners have been very positive and friendly and our differences are about my responsibilities.

“I have to say again that this is not about financial gain. This is solely about being allowed to manage Liverpool Football Club to the best of my abilities as I see them.

“I will continue to do my job as manager and concentrate on the thing that our fans want me to focus on – winning trophies for them.

“From the first day I came to the club I have only ever given 100% and I will continue to do this. We have a very important game coming up against Everton on Monday night and now I just want to be able to concentrate only on this.”

Hicks has revealed a meeting will take place later this month with Benitez in which the owner hopes an agreement can be thrashed out. And he said: “As Rafa says, we have a strong working relationship and are united behind the team. We understand his frustrations and are committed to working with him and his advisors to find a solution here, and we will keep talking. I am coming over for the Chelsea game. We already planned to get together on the 30th and 31st to talk over a number of issues and we will clear up everything we need to.

“Rafa’s been frustrated for a long time about the length of time it takes for certain things to happen. I think he’s trying to position himself to do the job better but there are balances that have to be done in English football, and we will work through this. We can fix that and we will.

“I do think it can be worked out. There are no issues between Rafa and the owners in any way. There are issues he wants to work out to make it better for this club.

“Rafa will be coaching Liverpool for the next five years and we will work through all these lawyer issues.”

However, it is understood Gillett was unhappy that, after a joint statement was put out from the owners concerning Benitez’s contract, Hicks held a further, separate interview.

Gillett is worried that the perception will be Hicks and Benitez are siding against Gillett and chief executive Rick Parry, which is not the case.

Threat To Liverpool's Title Chances Coming From Inside Anfield

WITH each passing day, it seems the greatest threat to Liverpool’s chances of silverware this season comes from within.

Forget Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal. The Anfield outfit are in danger of becoming their own worst enemy.

The news yesterday that Rafael Benitez has rejected the offer of a new contract will have been met with dismay from Liverpool supporters who have grown tired of the behind-the-scenes manoeuvring at Anfield being aired in public.

But the question on the lips of fans isn’t so much ‘why?’. Instead, they’ll be asking ‘why now?’.

Benitez’s timing was called into question last week when, with his team top of the table and well positioned to finally end a 19-year title drought, he launched an extraordinary broadside against Sir Alex Ferguson.

And if the Manchester United manager wasn’t rubbing his hands in delight then, he almost certainly will be now.

Yes, Benitez was completely within his rights to air his grievances about Manchester United and their manager, as he was to reject the contract offer from Anfield co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

But both actions are in danger of derailing a Liverpool championship challenge the Spaniard has impressively spearheaded this season. And ahead of a critical derby double header, too.

Should Liverpool’s season end in spectacular implosion, the last seven days are sure to be regarded as the point where matters began to unravel.

By turning down the new deal, the Spaniard is standing firm for what he believes is right, the granting of more wide-ranging powers that he is convinced can help Liverpool consistently challenge for major honours both home and abroad.

After admitting it was “with great regret” that he has declined the proposal, Benitez explained: “The owners feel that the manager’s decisions need to be subject to the chief executive but I know that I am subject to results and to our fans and they are the best judges I will ever have.

I have a lot of experience in football at different clubs and if you do not have a technical director and you are the manager you have to have control of the football decisions. But always within the confines of a budget which is controlled by the owners and the club.

“In this scenario the manager knows the amount money he has available to him and can decide how much he should spend on each player according to the needs of the team.

“The only person who can decide the value of a player to his squad is the manager because he knows what elements are needed to improve the squad.”

While these comments will once again raise questions about his working relationship with Rick Parry, the fact he didn’t mention Parry by name casts doubt over whether Benitez is prepared to work with any chief executive.

Certainly, the Spaniard doesn’t enjoy his judgement in the transfer market questioned by those in the corridors of power, as was apparently the case with Gareth Barry during the summer.

But when the fans did judge him on Barry during the pre-season friendly against Lazio, they were as damning as the Americans over the prospective transfer.

Past evidence suggests Benitez is desperate for almost complete control of football matters, with the chief executive instead concentrating on business concerns.

That virtual autonomy can be unhealthy for a club if left unmonitored, and the key to Benitez eventually agreeing to sign a new deal will be the “balance” that Hicks yesterday conceded must be achieved.

And which other club allows the manager the scope of responsibility Benitez is seeking? The link with Real Madrid does not go away, but presumably the Spaniard would have even less power at the Bernabeu than he enjoys at Anfield right now.

Of course, Benitez is no stranger to disagreements. He fell out with the board at Tenerife and, most famously, his disagreement with Valencia’s director of sport Jesus Garcia Pitarch over the signing of players – “I asked for a table and they bought me a lampshade,” bemoaned Benitez – accelerated his departure from the Mestalla to Anfield.

The Liverpool manager even parted ways with Pako Ayesteran, his right-hand man and trusted compatriot for so many years with whom Benitez ultimately felt he could no longer work alongside.

Benitez’s other bugbear is the Academy. The Spaniard wants a greater influence over the Kirkby-based facility than he is contractually obliged at present, a situation he hoped would be addressed in talks with Hicks and Gillett.

However, as with the transfers, the American owners have refused to meet with the manager’s demands.

“I believe the Academy is a very important part of the future of the club,” explained Benitez. “The length of the contract was already agreed and this showed my long term commitment to the club.

“I know the academies of Ajax, Real Madrid, Barcelona, AC Milan and Valencia and they are producing players regularly. The way the system works there means the manager has an input into development and I think this could be the way forward here and we would hope that this would help us make better use of local talent.”

Benitez is an incredibly single-minded, stubborn individual. Those very qualities are key elements to his success as a manager, yet they are also the very same attributes that have undermined his efforts in the past and continue to do so.

Last week, Ferguson dismissed Benitez’s criticisms as those of a “disturbed” man. Now Liverpool supporters must hope its not their team’s hopes of glory that have been disturbed by their manager’s latest actions.

Torres Closing In On Premier League Record

Fernando Torres heads into the Merseyside derby against Everton on Monday with the chance to become the fastest ever foreign player to score 30 Premier League goals.

The 24-year-old has scored 29 goals in 43 PL appearances since joining Liverpool.

He will become the fastest foreign player in PL history to reach 30 PL goals if he nets against the Toffees - one match ahead of Dutchman Ruud van Nistelrooy - who scored his first 30 PL goals in 45 PL appearances for Manchester United.

Torres would also become the fourth-fastest player to reach 30 PL goals behind Andy Cole, Kevin Phillips and Alan Shearer.

He has scored three goals in his last two Premier League derby matches against Everton.

Steven Gerrard Bar Brawl: Accrington Stanley Goalkeeper Is Arrested

The goalkeeper for Accrington Stanley Football Club has been arrested in connection with a bar brawl which allegedly involved Premier League footballer Steven Gerrard.

Ian Dunbavin, 28, was arrested on Friday morning on suspicion of assault and affray, according to police sources.

The brawl took place in the Lounge Inn bar in Southport, on December 29. Part-time DJ Marcus McGee allegedly lost a tooth and suffered a cut face.

Gerrard, the Liverpool FC captain, was celebrating the Reds' win over Newcastle when the trouble began.

The 28-year-old player was arrested and charged with assault and affray.

In the hours after the fracas, blood and broken glass were visible on the floor of the club.

Gerrard, of Formby, Merseyside, will appear at North Sefton Magistrates' Court on January 23 along with John Doran, 29, and Ian Gerard Smith, 19, both of Huyton.

They also face counts of assault and affray.

Coleen Rooney's 19-year-old brother, Anthony McLoughlin, was also arrested in connection with the brawl but was released pending further inquiries.

Accrington Stanley Football Club, based in Lancashire, was promoted from the Nationwide Conference to League Two in April 2006.

It is perhaps best known for being name-checked in a celebrated British milk advert from the 1980s.

The scene was between two boys with thick Liverpudlian accents dressed in Liverpool football shirts who were looking for something to drink after a game of football.

They opt for milk on the advice of former Liverpool player Ian Rush, believing it will help them to play for a better team than Accrington Stanley.

Gokhan Inler Interests The Reds?

Rumours have begun to surface that Liverpool may be interested in Udinese's holding midfielder Gokhan Inler. Inler, who has made 23 appearances for the Swiss national team, has supposedly been contacted from Liverpool officials over his availability. With Arsenal and Real Madrid also said to be credited with an interest in the 24 year old, if the rumours prove to be true then we could face a battle on our hands to land the player due to our financial state that we currently find ourselves in.

When quizzed over possible contact from clubs around Europe, Dino Lamberti (Inler's agent) told calciomercato.com; 'I was contacted by officials because the Spanish club Real Madrid was interested in taking him. In England, three out of the top four have asked about him. There is also a friend of his playing at Liverpool and there was a call to ask information about him'.

If this rumour does happen to be true then the question has to be asked, is this the area that we need strengthening? With Alonso finding his top form again this season and Mascherano being his usual hard working self, as well as Lucas forcing his way into the first team picture this season and of course not forgetting Gerrard then is another centre midfielder the area we need to strengthen? A good player never the less but in my opinion a new full back will be needed if we are to continue pushing for honours this season.

Former Real Madrid Midfielder McManaman Believes Liverpool Can Win League Title

Two time Champions League winner Steve McManaman believes Liverpool boast the credentials necessary to win the Premier League for the first time in 19 years.

Steve McManaman played for two of the most successful clubs in Europe: Liverpool and Real Madrid, and therefore has an expansive knowledge of what it takes to lift a trophy.

The Bootle-born winger won the FA Cup and the League Cup as a Red, and won La Liga twice and the Champions League twice as a Merengue.

The 36-year-old believes he has seen enough from Liverpool this season to convince him that they have an "outstanding" chance of lifting the Premier League crown in May.

"Put it this way," he told the club's official website. "I will be over the moon if Stevie [Gerrard] and Carra [Carragher] have got their hands on that trophy in May and I honestly believe they have an outstanding chance of doing it.

"People go on about them being ready to collapse but I just don't see it. Over the last three months, they have looked incredibly strong and have played the best football out of the top three. All Chelsea seem to be doing is be chugging along."

He continued: "Prior to last weekend, Manchester United had been poor in a number of games and hadn't been scoring too many goals. Can you say the same about Liverpool? No. Never mind what happened against Stoke.

"They've got the best player in the country in Gerrard and the best centre-forward in the country in Fernando Torres. He has been missing and if he comes back firing on all cylinders, what's stopping them?

"Pressure? That's nonsense," he claimed. "There's no pressure for Stevie – he's played in two European Cup finals.

"Is there any pressure for the Spanish lads who played in the Euro 2008 final? The games they have got coming up are like getting out of bed in the morning."

Steve McManaman is the most decorated Englishman in terms of medals won outside of England.

While playing for Liverpool, he was regarded as one of the finest dribblers of the football, and provided a century of assists for his team-mates.

Liverpool & Everton Fans Warned About Mersey Derby Chants

Fans of the two Merseyside clubs were warned today that inappropriate behaviour will not be tolerated at the two forthcoming Scouse derbies.

Police in Liverpool are asking both Everton and Liverpool fans to enjoy the upcoming Merseyside derbies in the right way and cut out any abusive chanting.

One song in particular is said to be of concern to police, who are anxious that the inappropriate chants heard from both sets of supporters at previous recent derbies will flare up again.

Anyone caught chanting anything deemed offensive faces ejection from the ground and the chance of receiving a Football Banning Order which would prevent them attending matches. Police are taking advice from the Crown Prosecution Service and are drawing up a dossier of unacceptable chants.

"We will speak to the CPS to see if what is sung is viewed as abusive," Football commander for Merseyside police Chief Supt Dave Lewis said earlier.

"We could arrest people and charge them. We won’t be arresting hundreds as we haven’t got the resources to do so and could prompt a mêlée.

"Some of the singing can be abhorrent and we have to draw a line under it."

The action follows the recent investigation by Hampshire police in to the alleged racist and homophobic chanting suffered by Portsmouth's Sol Campbell during his team's fixture with Tottenham Hotspur recently.

"We always urge our fans to behave appropriately, not just at derby games, but at every match," Ian Ross, a spokesman for Everton FC asserted.

"At a previous derby at Anfield there was some pretty unpleasant chanting from both sets of supporters, although it was not racist or homophobic."

The first of the two highly anticipated derbies takes place in the Premier League on Monday evening, and is followed by an FA Cup fourth round tie six days later. Both games take place at Anfield.

Portsmouth Join Queue For Jermaine Pennant

British tabloid The Daily Mail reports that Portsmouth are lining up a £2 million bid for Jermaine Pennant, the out-of-favour Liverpool midfielder.

Pompey boss Tony Adams is eager to add some high quality, cut-price options to his squad this winter, especially after losing Lassana Diarra and Jermaine Defoe.

But the FA Cup holders face stiff competition for Pennant, who has been courting interest from all over Europe in the past few weeks.

Real Madrid came close to sealing a deal for the former Arsenal player at the end of December, but their interest has faded after failing to agree personal terms.

Sevilla are now tracking the 26-year-old, who is interested in a switch to Spain, while AC Milan are hoping to wrap up a pre-contract which would see him move to Italy when his contract expires in the summer.

Thus, Portsmouth may have to up their offer considerably if they wish to land Pennant, and their current financial position means they may struggle to meet the Nottingham native's wage demands.

Hull City, Stoke City and Wigan Athletic have also been linked with the former Birmingham City star.

Lucas Inspired By Local Heroes

Liverpool midfielder Lucas claims the Reds players will draw inspiration from Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher ahead of Monday night's crucial Merseyside derby at Anfield.

Rafael Benitez's men know they will lose their position at the top of the Barclays Premier League on Saturday if Manchester United beat Bolton.

Whatever happens at the Reebok Stadium, however, the Red Devils' scintillating form has added extra spice to the already hotly-anticipated Everton match - which will be repeated six days later in a FA Cup fourth-round tie.

But Brazilian Lucas insists that regardless of the circumstances surrounding the game, one look at the Reds' Scouse leaders will be enough to get the whole team buzzing.

"It is always a massive game against Everton," Lucas told the club's official website.

"The preparation for a derby game is always different, especially with Stevie and Carra around. We can see in their faces how much they want to win this game and that inspires us.

"We know how important these games are for the club and the supporters as well. We want to stay at the top of the Premier League and we want to progress in the FA Cup so we don't need any motivation.

"It is good we can play them both at Anfield with our supporters behind us and it gives us a lot of confidence, so we have to try to make sure we win.

"Always the derby is a difficult game and it is also a different game. We had a good win at Everton earlier this season so we know what we need to do.

"These are two massive games and we have to be ready."

Despite his obvious relish for the occasion, Lucas may find himself omitted on Monday after Xabi Alonso declared himself fit for consideration.

The Spaniard suffered a badly-gashed foot during the cup win at Preston earlier this month but he said: "I am back training. I had the stitches taken out on Monday.

"I'm still a little bit sore in that area. Right now I am able to play with the inside of my foot but my instep will be okay for Monday."

Real Madrid Want Jermaine Pennant On Loan Until Cristiano Ronaldo Arrives In June

Real Madrid have made a fresh move to sign Jermaine Pennant - as a stopgap before landing Cristiano Ronaldo in the summer.

The Spanish giants believe they have clinched a deal sign the newly-crowned World Player of the Year the end of the season.

Real sporting director Predrag Mijatovic is so sure his club will get Manchester United Ronaldo that he wants to plans to make a big signing of a right-winger in January.

Real have agreed a £3.5million permanent deal for Pennant but are making a fresh bid to sign him on a six-month loan.

Pennant is a free agent in the summer and Liverpool are unlikely to allow him to go on loan unless he agrees to a 12-month contract extension at Anfield.

Pennant has also been offered a pre-contract with AC Milan.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson insists Ronaldo is not for sale - even in a deal which could be just as big as Manchester City's £100m offer to sign Kaka from AC Milan.

But Real have never given up on the Portuguese star who last summer only pledged his future to United for another year.

His promise to stay at Old Trafford after picking up his award in Zurich this week was less than convincing.

Privately, Real have already begun negotiations with Ronaldo's advisers.

A club insider said: "Everyone at the club sees Ronaldo as a done deal for next season."