Match Report: Everton 1 - 0 LiverpooL

Teenager Dan Gosling won the Merseyside FA Cup battle with a winner deep into extra-time.

The 19-year-old from Plymouth, in only his fifth appearance for the club, scored in the 118th minute to finally break the spirit of 10-man Liverpool.

Everton now face Aston Villa in the fifth round on February 15.

Liverpool ended in disarray. Robbie Keane sold, Steven Gerrard limping away after just 16 minutes, while Fernando Torres was withdrawn, exhausted, in extra-time.

They had been facing defeat from the moment Lucas was sent-off with 14 minutes of normal time left.

The Brazilian midfielder became the 23rd player to be dismissed in Merseyside derbies, with 16 of those coming in the last 10 years.

It summed up a fourth-round replay that was a war of attrition from the start between sides meeting for the third time in 17 days.

Everton had Marouane Fellaini back from suspension after missing the two derbies last month, while Liverpool left out Javier Mascherano and Fabio Aurelio, utilising Lucas and Andrea Dossena.

A simmering disdain was obvious. A match that was once the friendly derby turned into a nasty, spiteful one.

Neither manager had helped in the build-up as they sniped away at each other.

Reds boss Rafael Benitez had moaned about Everton's defensive tactics and physical approach while David Moyes claimed Liverpool were treated leniently by officials while asking for referee Alan Wiley to take a firm stance.

On the pitch the atmosphere was no better, and the Staffordshire official needed to be right on top of things.

He booked Tim Cahill after just 19 minutes for a flaying arm into Jamie Carragher's face, and lectures were dished out to Xabi Alonso, Lucas, Fellaini and Steven Pienaar.

There had been disruption for both sides beforehand.

Everton left out Victor Anichebe from their squad following his training-ground bust-up with Moyes, while Liverpool were surely distracted by the Keane saga.

And with the ink barely dry on transfer forms that had taken him back to Spurs, it was predictable that Liverpool found need for the Irishman after just 16 minutes.

They suffered the a savage blow when Gerrard pulled up with a hamstring problem and was replaced by Yossi Benayoun. If Keane had been around he would have been the ideal replacement to play behind Torres.

As it was Dirk Kuyt was shifted into a more central role, and Liverpool had lost their driving inspiration.

Liverpool tried to impose their passing game on Everton, who responded in their usual way.

Pienaar was booked a foul on Lucas, while the only genuine shots in the first half came from Alonso with a 25-yarder that skidded wide, while Leon Osman volleyed over from the edge of the box.

The second period started with Benayoun and Kuyt switching roles while Phil Neville and Lucas both picked up bookings.

Everton were soon to lose the injured Fellaini, teenager Gosling taking over.

That left Everton without any real threat in the air, and they were forced into another change when Pienaar - who had seemed to be struggling with a hamstring problem - was replaced by youngster Jack Rodwell.

Tim Howard needed to make a decent smothering save when Alonso's angled pass sent Albert Riera into the box.

Mikel Arteta had been pushed forward to help Cahill, Everton's resources stretched almost to breaking point.

Chances were rare. A Gosling shot failed to worry Jose Reina, while Howard pulled down a Kuyt header.

Liverpool's own sloppiness eventually allowed Everton the best chance so far.

Possession was squandered and Arteta passed for Leon Osman to hit a post.

Arteta was booked for a foul on Riera, but after 76 minutes Liverpool were reduced to 10 men when Lucas's daft trip on Joleon Lescott gave Wiley no choice but to brandish a second yellow and then red.

Mascherano was soon sent on to shore up the centre, Riera being sacrificed.

The flow of cards continued. Alonso being cautioned for a foul on Tony Hibbert with a minute of normal time to go.

In the first period of extra-time, Everton penned Liverpool back, Cahill having two efforts wide and missing a Leighton Baines cross.

Osman also went close twice before Liverpool took off Torres - played off the park by Phil Jagielka - and sent on Ryan Babel.

Andy van der Meyde came on for Neville, Everton searching for the moment to break Liverpool's resistance. Hibbert became Everton's fifth booking for a foul on Alonso.

And in the 118th minute, Everton went ahead.

Van Der Meyde's cross from the right was controlled by Gosling on the left, and his deflected shot went in off the far post.

Cue mass hysteria.

West Ham Fend Off Liverpool Interest To Complete Herita Ilunga Signing

According to a report in British tabloid newspaper The Sun, left-back Herita Ilunga is set to extend his stay with east London-based outfit West Ham United.

It is reported that Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez had been impressed with the full-back’s performances since joining the Hammers on loan from Toulouse at the beginning of the season; however, the Irons appear to have persuaded the former Espanyol and Saint-Etienne defender to stay at Upton Park.

Apparently, West Ham will pay le Tefece €2.25 million (£2m) to complete the transfer on a permanent basis, with the 26-year-old poised to sign a four-year contract.

Scott Duxburry, the Hammers' CEO, told the club's official website, "[West Ham have] exercised the option to keep Herita Ilunga at the club [on a] long-term [basis]. We are very happy with the business we have done."

Manager Gianfranco Zola is quoted by The Sun as having said, "We really wanted to keep Ilunga; he has done fantastically well."

The 26-year-old has played in 21 of West Ham's 24 Premier League fixtures this season, in addition to two FA Cup appearances.

Liverpool Must Focus On Premier League & Europe, Fernando Torres Needs Games - Rafa Benitez

The Reds' cup dreams were shattered last night, and Rafa wants his troops - especially the sluggish 'El Nino' - to concentrate unwaveringly on their remaining chances of silverware.

Dan Gosling's 119th minute strike saw Everton dump Liverpool out of the FA Cup last night, thus ending the Anfield side's hopes of adding another domestic knock-out title to their haul.

That leaves the Reds alive in just two competitions: the Premier League, in which they trail Manchester United by two points; and the Champions League, in which they will face Real Madrid in the last 16.

And Rafael Benitez has urged his charges to buckle down and lift their game as they continue their quest to end a two-year trophy less streak.

"We now have to concentrate on the Premier League and the Champions League so there is still a lot to play for," the Liverpool manager told the club's official website.

"They are two massive competitions and we are in a very good position."

Fernando Torres will be vital to Liverpool's chances of contesting each title to the bitter end, especially now that Steven Gerrard looks set to miss a few weeks at least through injury.

However, the Spanish striker is yet to fully recover from his own hamstring problems, and he seemed a yard off the pace at Goodison Park last night.

Benitez conceded that Torres is yet to find his touch, but he is confident that the 24-year-old will back to his very best sooner or later.

"He needs to keep playing games and keep training because his match fitness is not the best but that will come," added the former Valencia boss.

Keane Not Treated Fairly - Staunton

Former Liverpool defender Steve Staunton says Robbie Keane wasn't given a fair crack of the whip at Anfield. Keane has headed back to Tottenham just six months after moving to Merseyside in a £20.3m deal - with Rafa Benitez suggesting he couldn't cope with the pressure of playing at such a big club. But Staunton, who spent two spells at Liverpool and also managed Keane for the Republic Of Ireland, is astonished at the way the striker has been treated.

"It's a surprise what has happened because as a lover of Liverpool I thought he was a good signing for them when he went there," he said.

"It was his dream move to Liverpool and you'll have to ask Rafa Benitez why it didn't work out because I don't know myself. Rafa has his own ideas, how he plays his system, and I don't think Robbie fitted into that system.

"Rafa has a system he plays and the main guy in it is Fernando Torres with Steven Gerrard behind him, so there was no room for Robbie and he never had the opportunity.

"I don't think he was given a fair crack of the whip to be honest. He had a few games but he never had a level playing field.

"Robbie is one of these guys who needs to be playing every week to get the best out of them and he didn't get that at Liverpool. But he'll get it at Spurs."

Staunton is certain Tottenham have bought themselves a top-quality player who will prove crucial in their bid to escape relegation from the Premiership and win the Carling and Uefa Cups this season.

He said: "I would say Harry Redknapp has got a gem of a player in the deal. Robbie is a leader as well as a very good goalscorer. He's a top bloke and he'll sort the dressing room out as well.

"He will play regular football and will get back to his best very quickly. He's one of those guys that want to play football every week. He gets very frustrated otherwise.

"I don't know about the politics at Liverpool, it obviously didn't work out. But he's lucky to have got away quickly. Time will tell if it costs Liverpool or not but it's certainly good for Spurs."

Robbie Keane Could Cost Himself A Premier League Winners' Medal

Tottenham Hotspur striker Robbie Keane could score the goal that costs him a Premier League winners' medal.

The former Liverpool player returned this week to Spurs, and the Premier League confirmed that if Liverpool win the title, Keane will qualify for a medal.

With the Premier League race still wide open, the title could go to the final game – when Liverpool face Tottenham at Anfield. Liverpool are just two points behind leaders Manchester United.

Premier League rules state that the champions will receive 21 medals for the players, manager and staff. The qualification rule for players is that they must have appeared in a minimum of 10 league games.

Already this season 17 players have featured in at least 10 games for Liverpool. That figure includes Keane, who arrived in the summer from Spurs for £20 million, and went on to start 16 games, coming on in a further three. He managed to score just five league goals before returning to North London on deadline day for £12 million.

Keane starts for a second time in a Tottenham shirt against Arsenal on Sunday, when he will be captain, after manager Harry Redknapp confirmed he will wear the armband. Ledley King, who has struggled with knee and hamstring injuries, will remain as club captain.

Still So Much To Play For - Liverpool FC Boss Rafa Benitez

Rafa Benitez urged his players to focus on Premier League and Champions League glory after their FA Cup agony at Goodison.

Benitez was crestfallen at Dan Gosling’s last-gasp winner but insisted he was proud that his players battled on after Lucas Leiva’s second half dismissal.

Benitez said: “To play for so long with 10 players and then to concede right at the end to a deflection you have to be disappointed.

“The players worked so hard and then we had some bad luck at the end - we have to accept this.

“I don’t think our confidence will take a blow. The players showed great character and when you lose in this way it won’t affect the confidence of the team.

“It’s very disappointing to be out of the Cup but now we have to concentrate on the league and the Champions League so there is still a lot to play for.

“They are two massive competitions and we are in a very good position.”

Liverpool’s hopes suffered a major blow when skipper Steven Gerrard was forced off with a hamstring injury after just 16 minutes.

The midfielder will undergo a scan today but is a major doubt for Saturday’s league trip to Portsmouth.

“I don’t know how long Steven will be out for,” said Benitez.

“He was injured and he asked to come off. He will have a scan and we will have to wait and see.

“When I took him off last week, people were saying he should be playing every single minute. Well now you see the consequences of that.”

Benitez was clearly unhappy with referee Alan Wiley’s decision to dismiss Brazilian Lucas for a second bookable offence 14 minutes from the end of normal time but bit his lip.

“The sending off was the turning point but I prefer not to say anything,” he said.

“It doesn’t matter.”

Benitez also defended his decision to replace Fernando Torres with Ryan Babel in extra time.

“Torres was really tired and that’s why I took him off,” he added.

“Clearly he needs to keep playing games and keep training because his match fitness is not the best. He’s not really sharp yet.”

Liverpool Fans Mock Everton's 'Sock-Robbers'

Some football supporters throw coins, others the odd bottle. In the old days it used to be toilet rolls. But at Goodison Park on Wednesday night, Liverpool fans targeted the Everton players with rolled-up socks.

Socks? Why socks? Was it a goodwill gesture from the richer half of Merseyside to their hard-up neighbours? Or an easy way of getting rid of unwanted Christmas presents?

None of the above - in reality it was a dig at Everton’s proposed move to a new stadium in Kirkby on the outskirts of Liverpool.

Residents of Kirkby, a mainly working class area whose famous sons include boxer John Conteh, former Liverpool captain Phil Thompson and playwright Alan Bleasdale, are sometimes derided as “sock-robbers.” This is a rather cruel reference to the way that burglars from the area allegedly put socks over their hands to avoid leaving behind finger-prints.

What started as a joke on a Liverpool supporters’ internet forum mushroomed into Wednesday night’s carefully-organised stunt, which was embellished with a raucous chant of “sock-robbers.”

It is not the first such dig. In last season’s league derby at Goodison, Liverpool fans released onto the pitch Tesco carrier bags filled with balloons - a jibe at Everton’s reliance on the supermarket chain to part fund the new stadium project. They also used Tesco’s slogan on a banner to taunt their blue rivals: “Every Little Helps.”

And older fans will remember the time in the 1960s when a Kopite ran onto the Anfield pitch to present Everton goalkeeper Gordon West with a handbag.

Gerrard Injury Doubt For England

Steven Gerrard is likely to miss England's friendly against Spain with a hamstring injury.

The midfielder limped off in the first half of Liverpool's 1-0 extra-time defeat at Everton in an fourth round fourth round replay.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez claims tiredness was to blame and he will send his captain for a scan.

He said: "Steven was tired, and he gets injured. He was tired, too, at Wigan but when I took him off there everyone was saying he had to play every single minute of every match. Now you have seen the consequences.

"He asked to be taken off, you could see at Wigan he was struggling and the same thing happened here."

Gerrard will miss the Premier League game against Portsmouth on Saturday but Fabio Capello could still name in his squad for the trip to Spain.

That might anger Benitez because Liverpool decided Gerrard was not fit enough to play for England in a friendly against Germany in November but he was summoned to London so he could be assessed by Fabio Capello's medical staff.

Benitez said: "Maybe he will have go down to London again like last time for a scan to prove he is injured."

Liverpool Boss Benitez Admits He Has No Idea How Long Gerrard Will Be Out

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has admitted he has no idea how long captain Steve Gerrard will be sidelined after limping off at Everton on Wednesday night.

Gerrard was replaced by Yossi Benayoun after just 16 minutes and will have a scan on his hamstring today to determine the extent of the damage.

And Benitez insisted the injury to his talismanic skipper proves his decision to replace him against Wigan last week was justified.

'I don't know how long Steven will be out for,' Benitez said. 'He was injured and he asked to come off. He will have a scan and we will have to wait and see.

'Steven was tired, and he gets injured. He was tired too at Wigan but when I took him off there everyone was saying he had to play every single minute of every match. Now you have seen the consequences.

'He asked to be taken off, you could see at Wigan he was struggling and the same thing happened here.'

Liverpool Must Tighten Up Ahead Of FA Youth Cup Clash

Coach Hughie McAuley has urged his youngsters to tighten up ahead of tonight’s FA Youth Cup fifth round clash with Chelsea at Anfield.

The Reds will be looking to bounce back from last weekend’s 3-2 defeat to Everton in the Premier Academy League at Finch Farm.

McAuley’s side had looked on course for victory after Finnish striker Lauri Dalla Valle’s brace had cancelled out Tom McCready’s opener but James McCarten levelled before the break and Shane Duffy headed home a second-half winner.

“We lost the game to three set-pieces, which is always disappointing,” McAuley said.

“We were the best side, that is for sure, and dominated the game for large periods.

“We played very well and created some good chances. We scored two good goals from Dalla Valle and had more chances to equalise but we didn’t take them.

“But part of the game is defending and at set-pieces we didn’t do that and consequently that cost us.”

If McAuley’s youngsters beat Chelsea tonight they will earn another home tie at Anfield in the quarter-finals against Bolton.

The last time the two clubs met in the FA Youth Cup was in the fourth round two years ago when goals from Jimmy Ryan and Ray Putterill consigned Chelsea to a 2-0 defeat at Anfield.

Due to tonight’s tie Liverpool’s scheduled Academy League fixture with Stoke City on Saturday has been postponed.

Match Preview: Everton vs. LiverpooL

Everton and Liverpool meet for the fourth time this season as the Merseyside rivals battle to reach the last 16 of the FA Cup.

The two North-West neighbours could not be separated in the original fixture of this fourth-round tie, drawing 1-1 on 25th January, and they require a replay at Goodison Park.

Liverpool have already returned from the short trip across Stanley Park with three Premier League points this season, but Everton have held the Reds to draws on two occasions at Anfield.

The 211th Merseyside derby is, therefore, tantalisingly poised and extra-time, and even penalties, could be required, with a definite opponent for either Aston Villa or Doncaster set to be established.

Drama is never far away in these fixtures and the last time the two sides met in an FA Cup tie provides perfect evidence as a 1991 fifth-round meeting took three matches to resolve, while former Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish famously resigned between the first and second matches.

Neither manager is likely to quit following Wednesday night's result, but Everton boss David Moyes is in the more comfortable position as Rafa Benitez's contract debate rumbles on and the Liverpool chief is preparing for his first game since controversially selling Robbie Keane back to Tottenham.

Moyes, though, could have to make a decision on whether to play forward Victor Anichebe after the Nigeria international was reportedly thrown out of training following a bust-up with his manager.

Everton already have attacking problems and Moyes is not spoilt for choice for possible replacements for Anichebe, with Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Louis Saha and James Vaughan injured and new loan signing Jo cup tied.

Liverpool will definitely be without defender Philipp Degen, who has been ruled out for a number of weeks with a metatarsal injury, but the Switzerland international was unlikely to feature.

Fernando Torres should keep a place in attack following his match-winning brace against Chelsea on Sunday, while Steven Gerrard is set to continue as captain as Benitez has no other new fitness problems.

Juventus Linked With Move For Liverpool Boss Benitez

Juventus want to hire Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez as their new manager in the summer, according to reports in Italy.

Juve's title hopes are fading after three matches without a victory and the board are losing patience with boss Claudio Ranieri, claims today's Il Giornale.

Chief executive Jean Claude Blanc is desperate to land some silverware but has made the Champions League his top priority.

Blanc has been impressed by Benitez's excellent record in the competition and could take advantage of the fact contract talks between the Spaniard and Liverpool board have stalled.

However, no move for Benitez would take place until the summer.

Degen Faces Long Injury Lay-Off

Liverpool defender Philipp Degen has been ruled out of action for up to five weeks with a metatarsal injury.

The 25-year-old Switzerland international picked up the problem during a reserve team match against Manchester United last week.

Although a scan revealed the bone was unbroken, he is expected to require at least a month to recover.

It is the latest in a string of setbacks that have kept Degen sidelined for most of his time at Anfield.

The right-back was making a comeback appearance for the Reds' second string when he picked up the knock and limped off at half-time.

Since arriving on a free transfer from Borussia Dortmund last summer he has made just two appearances for the Merseysiders.

Manager Rafael Benitez's other options at right-back are Spain international Alvaro Arbeloa, youngster Stephen Darby or to redeploy centre-back Jamie Carragher to the position.

Rafa - No News On Contract

Rafa Benitez has revealed that he has had talks with Liverpool owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett, but not over his contract.

Both Hicks and Gillett were at Anfield on Sunday to see the Reds overcome Chelsea and reaffirm their title challenge.

The joint owners, whose off-field differences is public knowledge, sat at different ends of the directors' box and have now returned to their native America.

The Liverpool tactician revealed that the three of them held discussions twice over the weekend, although the Spaniard offered no update on his impending contract.

"I have had a conversation with both owners. Before the game (against Chelsea) those talks were positive, after the game they were even more positive," Benitez said.

"I was happy with those conversations, but I know no more about my contract."

Liverpool lock horns with local rivals Everton in the FA Cup on Wednesday and the Reds boss feels his side have been boosted by their latest victory.

A fifth-round tie against Aston Villa or Doncaster awaits the winners of the fourth round replay, where the Merseyside pair will square off at Goodison Park in what will be the third clash between the two clubs in 16 days.

Benitez accepts that Liverpool's form had been patchy during the past few weeks, despite the fact that they have gone 16 matches unbeaten in all competitions.

But the Spaniard feels that Sunday's victory over Chelsea has been a major boost to team morale.

He said: "Everything was positive against Chelsea, so going into the derby we are very confident.

"In the first game, the league match, we did not play well. In the second game we were much better, so hopefully this replay will see us play like we did in the first cup tie.

"The players needed to show their character, and now we know we can beat anyone. It will be difficult at Goodison Park, but we can do it. The win over Chelsea has given everyone a lift.

"Now we have a really big cup tie at Everton, one I believe we can win and one that will give the fans something to be excited about after our win over Chelsea.

"Our win over Chelsea gave everyone a lift, especially as it was against a side at the top of the table with us."

Rafa Benitez: Chelsea Win Will Give Us A Boost Against Everton

Liverpool’s chances of beating local rivals Everton in the FA Cup tomorrow have been boosted by their victory over Chelsea at the weekend, claims manager Rafael Benitez.

The Anfield men face a fourth-round replay at a hostile Goodison Park, with a home tie against Aston Villa or Doncaster awaiting the winners.

Benitez accepts that Liverpool’s form had been patchy during the past few weeks, despite the fact that they have gone 16 matches unbeaten in all competitions.

A string of draws, including two against Everton last month, underlined Liverpool’s inconsistency.

They were held 1-1 twice on their own ground by the Toffees, once in the league and once in the Cup.

But Benitez feels that the victory over Chelsea on Sunday has been a major boost to team morale.

He said: "Everything was positive against Chelsea, so going into the derby we are very confident.

"In the first game, the league match, we did not play well. In the second game we were much better, so hopefully this replay will see us play like we did in the first cup tie.

"The players needed to show their character, and now we know we can beat anyone. It will be difficult at Goodison Park, but we can do it. The win over Chelsea has given everyone a lift.

"Now we have a really big cup tie at Everton, one I believe we can win and one that will given the fans something to be excited about after our win over Chelsea.

"Our win over Chelsea gave everyone a lift, especially as it was against a side at the top of the table with us."

Benitez was critical of Everton’s defensive tactics in both recent games at Anfield, but he would not be drawn into further comment on the subject on the eve of the replay.

He said: "I do not know how Everton will play, whether they will attack more. But maybe in front of their own fans they will have to be more offensive.

"We have done well at Goodison Park of late, and we have enough confidence. But we know it is a derby and very, very difficult.

"We will have to approach the game carefully and we know it will be really tough. Anything can happen in this type of game."

Reina Dreaming Of Double Glory

Liverpool goalkeeper Jose Reina is dreaming of a 'magic week' as the Reds go in search of double domestic glory.

Rafa Benitez's side defeated Premier League rivals Chelsea on Sunday to reinvigorate their title challenge and on Wednesday they face derby foes Everton in a fourth-round FA Cup replay.

Reina is, understandably, keen to eliminate the Toffees from the cup, but the Spanish shot-stopper is eager for further icing on the cake.

The 26-year-old admits that if FA Cup progression was booked and league leaders Manchester United slipped up at West Ham on Sunday, a perfect seven days would be secured.

"I dream of a magic week after our victory over Chelsea," Reina told skysports.com. "I dream of eliminating Everton, and United failing against West Ham.

"Each match is a psychological battle because we have entered a decisive moment of the season."

Reina acknowledges Liverpool make the short trip to Goodison Park facing a tough task, but the former Villarreal player is desperate to again go all the way in the cup.

The 12-time Spain cap was a hero in 2006 as his penalty shoot-out saves earned victory over West Ham, and he is eager for further success in football's oldest knockout competition.

"Everton are never easy in their stadium," said Reina. "For us, the derby is a big match because we want to win the FA Cup.

"I remember the final at Cardiff and that was a sensational success. The competition is beautiful and I want to repeat the experience."

Benitez Failed In Signing Keirrison As Keane Replacement

Sport.co.uk can reveal that Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez failed in a deadline day bid to sign Brazilian U-21 international Keirrison de Souza due to his complicated contract situation.

Sport.co.uk exclusively revealed during the January transfer window that Benitez was interested in signing the player, however the Liverpool boss found it impossible to conclude a deal for the young starlet due his complicated transfer situation.Click here to read the first Keirrison exclusive.

Current club Coritiba own 20 % of the player, while business partnership Traffic, a partner of Brazilian club Palmeiras, own 80% of the player.

Palmeiras football director Toninho Cecilio had previously claimed that the player will move to Palmeiras before making a move to Europe:

“Keirrison cannot play in Europe without the consent of Palmeiras,” he told Globo Esporte. “He cannot move as soon as he agrees it. All the players have a contractual agreement with the club.

“He will only leave if there is a joint decision. We intend to count on Keirrison next season. The striker has contract with Coritiba until April 2009, and, if he does not have an agreement with our partner, he will fulfil the deal and later he will be presented at Palmeiras.”

Benitez is also rumoured to have failed in a bid to sign Portsmouth target and Real Madrid forward Javier Saviola on loan.

Ian Rush: Robbie Keane Was Unlucky At Liverpool

I feel sorry for Robbie Keane because I don’t think he was given enough of a chance to make it at Anfield.

As a striker you need to have a run of games and the absolute confidence of your manager. I’m not sure Keane ever really had either.

Some moves just don’t work out. Players look perfect for a particular club when they are signed, but for some reason it doesn’t turn out that way.

At least Rafa Benitez has taken a decision on Keane at the earliest possible opportunity and has moved him on.

I’m sure everyone at Liverpool will be wishing Keane good luck as he tries to get back on track at Spurs.

It was great to see Fernando Torres back in goalscoring form against Chelsea because Liverpool need him to be at his very best if they are to challenge for the title.

It had been some time since Torres last scored at Anfield but when the goals finally came they were well worth the wait and could not have been more timely.

He had looked sluggish in his previous game at Wigan so getting back on the score sheet will have lifted his confidence no end.

He also got through more than 90 minutes of the game, only being taken off when the match was all but over so he could get a standing ovation.

This will be as important to Torres as the goals he scored because he will now have even more faith in his own physical condition.

Mike Riley didn’t cover himself in any glory with his performance at Anfield on Sunday and I don’t think he should be given any big games after his latest poor display.

Sending off Frank Lampard was bad enough because I don’t think anyone in the ground thought it was a red card offence.

But even worse than that was his failure to spot Jose Bosingwa’s kung fu kick on Yossi Benayoun.

How a referee can miss something as blatant as this is beyond me. If players can be suspended for getting things wrong I think referees should do so as well.

There is a lot of talk about respect in football, but it must go both ways and referees have to be accountable for errors.

Liverpool One Injury Away From Goal-Scoring Crisis After Robbie Keane's Exit

Rafael Benitez's decision to sell Robbie Keane back to Tottenham Hotspur could come back to haunt him.

It is one thing to sell a £20 million striker at an £8 million loss after six months, 28 games and five league goals. It is quite another to sell a £20 million striker at an £8 million loss and not bring in a replacement.

Robbie Keane's short, unhappy stay at Anfield may have seen him relegated to backup for Fernando Torres, but at least he indicated a strength in depth to Liverpool's squad missing since 1990. Now he has returned to White Hart Lane, every Liverpool fan will be asking the same thing: what happens if Torres' hamstrings go again?

The Spanish international has already suffered three muscular injuries this campaign and a fourth cannot be ruled out. Where, exactly, would that leave Liverpool? Who would lead the line as Rafael Benitez's side bid to end their 20 years in the title wilderness?

Benitez essentially has three options. Dirk Kuyt was brought to the club as a striker, thanks to his prolific record for Feyenoord, but his early promise has worn off. He manages a dozen or so a season, mainly in the Champions League, from his new berth on the right flank and it is hard to see Benitez undoing all his work in converting him into a wide player now.

Kuyt's compatriot, Ryan Babel, also enjoyed a bright start to his Liverpool career in what might be termed the Henry position, the right-footed left wing spot the Frenchman exploited mercilessly. But Babel has always insisted he sees himself as a forward and, thanks to patchy displays and the form of Albert Riera, could now find his wish granted.

The young Frenchman David Ngog, a £1.5 million signing from Paris Saint-Germain last summer, is now the only member of the senior squad who could be considered an out-and-out striker, but despite evident power, height and pace, he remains raw. His presence on the bench signalled the end for Keane, but he is not yet ready to step into the breach full-time.

In an emergency, no doubt Benitez could look to the prodigiously gifted youth team striker Dani Pacheco, or even draft in midfielder Lucas Leiva as an emergency forward. Steven Gerrard is the best right back in the league, so why could he not be a top class striker?

Liverpool are short on firepower, suddenly, should Torres's hamstrings buckle under the strain of Anfield's expectation. What looks like a power play by Benitez is one injury away from backfiring. The fans, though, remain upbeat. After all, as several forum visitors mentioned on Monday, the club could always recall Andriy Voronin from Hertha Berlin.

Liverpool Have Plenty In Reserve, Insists Benitez

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez insists the Reds will not be reliant on Fernando Torres for the remainder of the season following Robbie Keane's return to Tottenham.

The Republic of Ireland striker went back to White Hart Lane on transfer deadline day in a reported £12million initial deal, just six months after he had gone the other way for around £8million more.

His departure has led some to question how Benitez's team would cope with the prolonged absence of Torres, given the apparent paucity of alternatives in the Anfield striking department.

But the Liverpool boss insists he has the resources in his squad to cope without his fellow Spaniard.

'I do not think it was a gamble to sell Robbie,' Benitez said.

'If Fernando Torres is injured we have Dirk Kuyt, Ryan Babel, David Ngog and if we need other players we have good youngsters in the reserves, Dani Pacheco and Krisztian Nemeth, while Yossi Benayoun can play as a second striker.

'We did not have time to sign a replacement so we have not got a new, big name, but we do have quality.'

Benitez - who is likely to field the same XI who defeated Chelsea 2-0 on Sunday in tonight's FA Cup fourth-round replay with Everton at Goodison Park - defended his decision to let the Irishman leave.

He said: 'Robbie needed to play, he needed to have confidence and he was not playing at the level that we know.

'He may not have settled down working with other players and systems. Sometimes a good player cannot perform in a different team. He was not doing as well as he could do.

'Maybe he did not have the understanding with other players, and sometimes it is difficult to play in a top side.'

Benitez added: 'We had to make decisions. We had to do it at this moment. If we had waited until the summer it would have been bad for him and bad for the club because the fee would have dropped.

'He did not ask to leave, and leaving Liverpool is not easy. But we were talking with his agent and people at Tottenham, in the end we knew it had to be done.'