Rafa Benitez Urges Liverpool To Forget About Real Madrid

The Liverpool boss wants his men to focus on the Premier League for the moment, and let the Champions League take care of itself.

Liverpool seem to have made domestic success their priority this season, with the ending of a 19-year wait for an English league title their main target rather than winning another Champions League.

Manager Rafa Benitez has today given weight to that supposition by urging his men to forget about next week's Champions League opponents Real Madrid for the moment, and keep their focus on the weekend's Premier League adversaries, Manchester City.

"The main thing for us right now is the game against Manchester City – that is very clear," Benitez told The Liverpool Echo today.

"This game has to be the priority because it is in the Premier League and we are in a good position and want to take three points.

"We have three days after we have played City in which we can look forward to Madrid but for now our focus must only be on the league."

Many of Benitez's squad were away on international duty last week, and the Spaniard feels that, coupled with a weekend of inactivity due to their recent elimination from the FA Cup by city rivals Everton, may have freshened them up a little, as they move into a crucial phase of the season.

"It was important for us that in our last game before the break we managed to get a win against Portsmouth because it is always good to produce a positive result in such situations," the coach added.

"Some of the players have been away with their countries since then and we have also had some time off with the break so this should mean that they will return with more energy.

"We are in a good position and our confidence is high, now we must look to build on what we have done."

Gerrard May Face Manchester City

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard could make his return from a hamstring injury against Manchester City on Sunday.

The England midfielder suffered the tear in the Merseyside derby on February 4 and was initially expected to be out for three weeks - with the Champions League clash with Real Madrid thought to be his most likely target.

Now Reds manager Rafael Benitez, whose side rely on Gerrard's surging runs and goals from behind the striker, has opened the door for a potential return from the bench at the weekend.

The Spaniard said Gerrard had reacted well to treatment and was eager to get back on the pitch as soon as possible.

"He is improving. In these situations each day is important. He is working with the medical staff and is progressing.

"Normally he is a player who recovers quickly. He needs less time than other players," Benitez told www.liverpoolfc.tv.

"I was surprised because the Spanish press said he'd play some minutes this weekend and then play against Real Madrid, but the truth is we don't know yet.

"Maybe he could be on the bench against City but we don't know.

"He wants to play every single game. He knows the game against City will be very important, and also the Real Madrid one too."

Carragher Eyes Top Spot

Jamie Carragher believes Liverpool deserve a pat on the back for emerging as the main challengers to Premier League champions Manchester United but insists the Reds will not be satisfied with second place.

Carragher and his team-mates finished fourth in the table last season, behind United, Chelsea and Arsenal, but this term Rafa Benitez's side have emerged as genuine contenders to end a title drought which stretches back to 1990.

The Anfield outfit, however, will fall five points behind European and world champions United if the Red Devils secure home victory over Fulham on Wednesday night.

But with Liverpool still to travel to Old Trafford on 14th March, live on Sky Sports 1 and HD 1, Carragher feels the club remains well placed for a push at league silverware and insists overhauling Chelsea and Arsenal deserves high praise.

"There are still a lot of games to go so it's important everyone at the club remains calm," Carragher said in the Daily Express.

"United have got a bit of a lead on us at the moment, but if we can close that gap before we go to Old Trafford that would put us in a great position, especially if we are in form at the time of that game.

"A lot of people said at the start of the season that we needed to be in the title race at the end and at the very least be in with a fighting chance.

"We finished fourth last season, but we have risen to the challenge by overtaking Chelsea and Arsenal.

"Even though everyone at the club understands that it is not over by a long way, at the moment it looks as if it is going to be between us and Manchester United for the title.

"Overtaking Chelsea and Arsenal in the race is an achievement in itself already, and everyone should be proud of that.

"Now, hopefully, we can go one step further and win this title."

Liverpool Could Lose Seven Stars In Summer

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is set to face another summer without some of his top players with Spain and Brazil set to take part in the Confederations Cup in June.

Fernando Torres, Xabi Alonso, Alvaro Arbeloa, Albert Riera and Pepe Reina are expected to be selected by Vincente del Bosque while Lucas Leiva and Fabio Aurelio are possible candidates for Dunga’s Brazil.

Arsenal are also likely to lose captain Cesc Fabregas for the South Africa based tournament which acts as a build up to the World Cup in 2010.

Egypt, New Zealand, Iraq, South Africa, Italy and the USA will also take part in the tournament which is scheduled for June.

Arranged every four years, the Confederations Cup is organised by FIFA and features the winners of each of the six FIFA confederation championships (CAF, CONMEBOL, UEFA, AFC, OFC, CONCACAF), along with the FIFA World Cup winner and the host country, to bring the number of teams up to eight.

Speaking to FIFA.com, Godfrey Nkwane, one of the tournament coordinators stated:

"For us it is really mouth-watering to have the FIFA World Cup champions Italy, as well as Brazil coming to our city. It will bring excitement to the city and will really help our promotion of the tournament. You couldn't ask for better matches and our supporters will definitely fill the stadiums.”

Why Steven Gerrard Struggles To Have The Complete Love Of The Kop

Those who don’t go to Anfield on a regular basis are often surprised to see the matchgoing Liverpool fans’ attitude to Steven Gerrard. They expect admiration, love, a fawning devotion to the Liverpool captain.

Instead, there is an unsettling undercurrent of antagonism towards Gerrard, one that is fading as the years go by but can still rise up into hostility at the slightest excuse.

When they come across it, outsiders attribute the griping to Gerrard’s double flirtation with Chelsea - but the doubts in the Kopites’ minds go back farther.

Almost from the beginning, more than ten years back now, there were those who found Gerrard’s demeanour irritating. As soon as it became clear that here was a prodigious talent, the critics in the stands saw room for complaint. At times, the youngster appeared to be looking for the flashy ‘Hollywood’ pass when an easy ball was the preferred option.

It got worse after he was part of England’s 5-1 victory over Germany. Suddenly he was a national hero. Scouse supremacists are always naturally suspicious of English heroes.

Gerrard was earning the nickname ‘Stevie Me’. When he scored, he pointed to his chest frantically. When he was used on the right of midfield - which the Kop, almost to a man considered his best position - he seemed to sulk, yearning for the central role the media demanded.

And, in the big games, the alehouse tittle-tattle said, he disappeared. That meant, in simplest terms, he'd never destroyed Manchester United single-handedly. Yet, by the time Benitez arrived, he seemed to feel he was the dominant power at the club.

The perfect example of ambivalence to Gerrard came in Istanbul. After he scored Liverpool’s opening goal, he turned to rouse the crowd, gesturing with his arms for fans to turn up the volume. The volume rose, for sure, but there was an irritated growl behind it: we didn’t need lesson in support from him. Afterwards, he hogged the cup, with only Jamie Carragher wresting it away for any length of time. Not the Liverpool way. Not the work of a captain, either.

Then there was the flirtation with Chelsea. It was almost too much to bear to see a Scouser apparently determined to take Roman’s roubles. But he stayed. And since then, things have got better.

He’s matured. The arrival of Fernando Torres has removed some of the expectation and burden from him. He’s had more bounce about him on the pitch. Plus, his recent arrest has made this aloof and seemingly troubled lad from Huyton simpatico at last.

All things considered, he deserves the place at No 2 in the list of Liverpool’s greatest players - if you need a goal with the time running out, where else would you want to see the ball but at Gerrard’s feet. But he also deserves the acclaim and adoration of the Kop. It’s coming, it’s coming.

Everton Reserves 1 - 1 Liverpool Reserves

It was honours even in the mini-derby at the Halton Stadium last night.

Andy Holden’s side had been looking to complete a club hat-trick of wins following recent victories for David Moyes’s first team and Neil Dewsnip’s under-18s.

It looked possible when Scott Spencer scored a freak opener midway through the first half, but the visitors hit back immediately with the unfortunate Hope Akpan heading in at the wrong end.

With Jack Rodwell and Dan Gosling now fighting for first-team places and Lukas Jutkiewicz and John Paul Kissock away on loan, Holden was deprived of experience.

It gave the bulk of Everton’s Under-18s side the chance to impress, alongside lone old-head Carlo Nash.

Three minutes in a neat interchange between Liverpool’s Dani Pacheco and Gerardo Bruna fashioned an opening for Victor Palsson. The right-sided midfielder beat Carlo Nash but James McCarten was well positioned to hack off the line.

Nathan Craig and Jay Spearing then took it in turns to lash speculative volleys off target.

A neat backheel from Spencer allowed Craig to cross from the left, but when the ball eventually fell for James Wallace, Reds keeper Martin Hansen did well to smother.

At the other end Dani Pacheco found Andras Simon unmarked in the box soon after but the save for Carlo Nash was simple.

However, as the half-hour mark approached the strangest of goals gave Everton the breakthrough. Receiving the ball from Spencer following an injury stoppage, Martin Hansen contrived to miss-control and allow the ball to trickle across the line.

But Everton’s lead was short-lived, Akpan glancing Pacheco’s free-kick into his own net just four minutes later.

Luke Powell, handed a late start following Tom McCready’s withdrawal looked to keen to make the most of the opportunity, providing a constant outlet down the right.

But the visitors continued to threaten, Pacheco cutting in onto his right foot early in the second half and fizzing a shot inches wide of the post.

Half-time appeared to have galvanised the hosts and Eunan O’Kane saw a bullet header tipped onto the crossbar by Hansen.

At the back the unfamiliar centre back pairing of McCarten and John Irving proved water-tight, while Seamus Coleman looked solid on his reserves home debut.

Twice Irving went close from Craig set pieces as Everton continued to probe. But the game petered out, both sides tiring, and understandably so, given the nature of the occasion.

And tired legs perhaps accounted for late openings for either side. With four minutes remaining Simon produced a fearsome shot on the turn only for Nash to muster a stunning reaction save.

It allowed Everton to launch a counter which resulted in the impressive Luke Powell hitting the upright – the woodwork forcing Everton to settle for just a share of the spoils.

Robben On A Revenge Mission Against Liverpool

Arjen Robben has some old scores to settle when Real Madrid meet Liverpool in the first knockout round of the Champions League, which returns next week.

The former Chelsea winger will come up against a side he has twice lost to in the semi-finals of the competition, with Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina saved his penalty in a shootout two years ago.

The Dutch international is eager to get revenge for the heartache suffered in 2005 and 2007, starting iith the first leg in the Bernabeu on February 25 before Real make the trip to Anfield 13 days later.

The game at Anfield in 2005 was infamous for the "ghost goal" scored by Spanish midfielder Luis Garcia - then-Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho still refuses to concede the ball crossed the line - and two years later the Premier League clubs could only be separated by penalty kicks. After the tie ended 1-1 on aggregate, Reina saved from Robben and Geremi as Liverpool took the shootout 4-1 on Merseyside.

"I want to beat Liverpool because I've lost against them twice in the semi-finals," Robben told Radio Marca. "Also (Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe) Reina saved a penalty of mine and I would like to take another and score this time."

Robben is in the form of his career at the moment after finally settling in Spain and is expected to be a crucial figure in the Round of 16 tie, although he missed the 4-0 hammering of Sporting Gijon on Sunday with a slight muscle strain.

"Liverpool are a very strong team, they have a coach who is very good tactically, and they know how they have to play in particular games," he added. "The most important thing will be to score goals at the Bernabeu.

"We have to win by more than two goals because the return at Anfield will be tough."

Reds Register Brazilian Interest

The agent of Brazilian wonderkid Keirrison has claimed that Liverpool have enquired about the Palmeiras forward.

Keirrison, 20, has been on the radar of a number of top European clubs after finishing as joint top scorer in the Brazilian championship last season with 21 goals.

This season he has only underlined his growing reputation by scoring eight times in five appearances in all competitions, including three in the prestigious Copa Libertadores.

The reigning Brazilian Young Player of the Year currently plays for Palmeiras but his rights are owned by a company called Traffic Sports Marketing in a similar arrangement to the one that saw both Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano owned by Media Sports Investment.

Now a representative of TSM has claimed that The Reds have made an enquiry as to Keirrison’s availability, even if the latest talent to roll off the Brazilian production line will not be moving to Europe until the end of the year.

“We agree with Palmeiras that Keirrison will stay in Brazil until the end of 2009 because we want Palmeiras to fight for the Brazilian championship and the Copa Libertadores,” Roberto Benevides told the Italian press.

“We believe the technical merit and market price of the player may also double in this period.

“Major European clubs have asked about him: I am referring to Liverpool, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.

“Roma? No, we have never received any call from the Giallorossi.”

More Charges In Gerrard Bar Case

Two footballers have been charged over the same incident in a Merseyside bar which saw Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard accused of assault.

Accrington Stanley's goalkeeper Ian Dunbavin, 28, and midfielder Robert Grant, 18, have both been charged with affray, said police.

Gerrard, 28, was charged over the attack in the Lounge Inn in Southport in the early hours of 29 December.

The England player is on bail and due to re-appear in court on 20 March.

Gerrard appeared before magistrates last month, where he said he intended to plead not guilty to the charge.

Two other men, John Doran, 29, and Ian Smith, 19, both from Huyton, face the same charges as the midfielder.

Merseyside Police have also charged Paul McGrattan, of Linden Drive, Huyton, with affray and assaulting a police officer.

Mr. Grattan, along with the two League Two players will appear before North Sefton Magistrates Court on Monday.

Two other men, a 33-year-old from Huyton and an 18-year-old from Roby, Merseyside, remain on bail pending further inquiries.

A 34-year-old man from Southport suffered facial injuries in the incident at the Lounge Inn.

Liverpool FC Can Win Premier League Title Battle - Mauricio Pellegrino

Three-time title winner Mauricio Pellegrino believes Liverpool have the character to battle back and win the Barclays Premier League.

The club’s first team coach dismisses the notion they are out of the race as almost a third of the fixtures have still to be played.

Yet when Liverpool line-up against Manchester City on Sunday they could be eight points adrift of Manchester United.

The leaders host their game in hand tomorrow against Fulham and then welcome Blackburn to Old Trafford on Saturday.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s side are building up a head of steam but Pellegrino - who won La Liga with Valencia (twice) and Barcelona - is adamant the picture could change.

"Everyone in our squad has personality. We have shown in difficult moments this season that we have character," he told www.liverpoolfc.tv.

"We have a very good squad - all of them are very professional. I think the players are strong enough.

"They have to prove something in every single game but I am not worried about the pressure. For me, the best thing you can do in professional sport is fight for titles.

"I am sure we can get to the last two or three weeks and still have possibilities. In the end, the difference between first and second will be the small details.

"For me, the most important thing is to stay calm. We have to think about the next game, not the last game in May."

Asked if he was confident manager Rafael Benitez would eventually end Liverpool’s long wait for a title, Pellegrino added: "Why not?

"We can’t predict the future but I am sure that Rafa is one of the best trainers in the world and he is here at Liverpool.

"I am really happy here because the atmosphere at Melwood is very good. The most important thing is that Rafa is open minded.

"He listens to the opinions of every one of his staff, and he’s also a hard worker."

Ian Rush: Lay-Off Will Prove The Perfect Lift For Liverpool

By the time Liverpool kick off against Manchester City on Sunday it will have been more than a fortnight since their last game – and for me those two weeks may be the most important of the season so far.

As a player you love the games to come thick and fast, especially at this stage of the season because the more matches you play the more likely it is that you are doing well.

But it is absolutely vital that you get some rest at the right times and this is exactly what Liverpool have just had.

They would much rather have been involved in FA Cup action at the weekend, there is no question about that, and I am sure all the players and staff at Anfield did not enjoy looking on as other teams took part in round five.

But you have to take the positives from every situation, and in this case the benefit to Liverpool was clear in that the cup weekend came hot on the heels of an international break and this has allowed them to recharge their batteries.

Even though several of Rafa Benitez’s players went off on international duty this could still be beneficial because sometimes you just need a change of scenery and a different environment before getting back to the daily grind at Melwood.

The two biggest plus points for me are that the break will have allowed Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres to work on their fitness.

Gerrard, in particular, will have been delighted that there has only been one match since he picked up a hamstring tear against Everton.

At almost any other stage of the season Liverpool’s captain would have expected to miss several matches with that kind of injury.

So if it turns out that he only ends up missing one then it will be more than welcome both for him and for the team.

Torres had been looking a little short of his absolute sharpest after coming back from his own hamstring problems and this was why Benitez only brought him on during the final stages of Liverpool’s 3-2 win at Portsmouth.

So the fact that he has since played an hour for Spain and has also had the opportunity to work on his overall fitness at Melwood is another boost to Liverpool.

The challenge now is to make the most of the recovery time that the last fortnight has afforded them.

There can be no excuses about tiredness when Manchester City come to Anfield because the Liverpool players should be as fresh as they have been at any other time this season.

Rafa 'Eyes' New Rosicky

Liverpool and Chelsea are leading the chase for Czech wonderkid Vaclav Kadlec.

The 16-year-old striker, who has already been dubbed the 'next Tomas Rosicky', has been watched by a whole host of top European clubs while playing for Sparta Prague.

Kadlec, who is already a member of the Czech under-19 side, had a trial at Anfield as a child before stating his desire to return home to be with his family.

But the Merseysiders are keen to lure Kadlec back to England before Chelsea get their hands on the promising forward.

And Rafa Benitez is expected to make a move for the player when the transfer window opens at the end of the season.

Rafa Benitez Slams Liverpool Bosses But Will Sign New Contract

Rafa Benitez has accused his Liverpool bosses of leaving him "dead" because of their agonising contract dispute.

Mirror Sport understands the Spaniard is finally ready to end the discord that has threatened to rip the club apart and sign a new contract. But it only comes after the Kop manager went public on the tortured negotiations.

Benitez insisted: “Anyone who has just a year left on his contract does not have anything at all and I have only got a year-and a- half left.

When people, either within the club or from outside it, realise that the manager only has that much time left then he is dead. "I've got 10 or 12 assistants whose contracts are up in June.

How can a manager lead a project properly if the continuity of his staff is not secure for two or three years?" Rafa could not resist having one final swipe at Anfield's American owners, even though he is ready to sign a contract until 2013.

Benitez has been in dispute about the terms of the deal, and has also fought the Americans over control of all football matters, including the final say on transfers and the running of the club's academy.

That led to fiery exchanges which seemed to affect the team as they slipped off the top of the Premier League, and led to criticism of the coach from owner George Gillett.

Liverpool FC Boss Benitez A Great Mentor – Fernando Torres

LIVERPOOL striker Fernando Torres has thanked manager Rafael Benitez for bringing him to England and making him a better player.

The Spanish international scored 33 goals in a brilliant debut campaign after becoming the club’s record signing in July 2007.

This season he has struggled with hamstring injuries and has found the net just nine times in sporadic bursts.

But despite the troubles in his difficult second season, Torres has no regrets about leaving Atletico Madrid.

“English football has been good to me because of its characteristics: it’s fast, direct and there are very few stoppages, and that suits my game more than Spanish football,” said the 24-year-old.

“My natural qualities – the speed, the power – fit the Premier League.

“I play as a number nine up alongside the centre-backs.

“If I played there in Spain, maybe it wouldn’t suit me as I would hardly see the ball.

“Rafa was looking for a striker with my characteristics – someone quick who could surprise defenders and get behind them – but I had to learn too.

“For a lot of coaches the tactical side of the game doesn’t matter that much.

“But for Rafa it is fundamental; he is conscious of the way we set up, the movement, the organisation.

“I’ve learnt a lot. It’s been a real pleasure for me to work with Rafa.”

Torres added: “At Atletico I played more on instinct, doing my own thing; here I have to learn about movement and positioning, about the team.

“Liverpool’s game is based on the team, on strategy. Hitting other teams on the counter-attack with space in front of us suits me perfectly.

“And having Rafa made it easier to grasp the tactical side of things.”

Liverpool will need Torres to rediscover his best form if they are to maintain their bid for a first championship since 1990.

The club trail defending champions Manchester United, who have a match in hand, by two points.

And the two sides have yet to meet in what could be a title decider at Old Trafford in March.

Three goals in his last four matches suggest he is starting to rediscover his sharpness, but Torres knows if Liverpool are to be successful in overhauling United they need captain Steven Gerrard to stay fit.

Liverpool Can't Compete With Manchester United And Chelsea, Says Rafael Benitez

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez claims the club cannot compete with the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea when it comes to money.

With United likely to go five points cleat at the top of the Premier League table when they play Fulham this week, Benitez insists Liverpool have not lost sight of the title and are in fact over achieving given their monetary situation.

"Every year United collect £60 million more than us - that means they can buy three £20 million players each season," he told the Mirror. "Chelsea will have spent £500 million over the last five years.

"We've made a team that can compete with them but economically we're inferiors and can't afford the players they can. I have enough data to bore you with but if you look at United it wasn't just spending £31m on Dimitar Berbatov - they can spend whatever it takes for what they need every year.

"Last year it was £17m on Owen Hargreaves, £18m on Nani and £20m on Anderson. In my five years I've paid less in transfer fees than I've received, even though I bought Fernando Torres and Robbie Keane."

Benitez, set to sign a new contract, added that while he always looks for the positives that come out of losses and poor performances, one factor both he and his players are trying to conquer is the pressure coming from Liverpool fans and their desperation to see the title brought back to Merseyside.

"Now we're out of the FA Cup it's necessary to look for the positives and those are that we will play fewer games and be able to concentrate more on the Premier League and the Champions League," he said.

"The title in England is very competitive, more so than in Spain, because every opponent you face will make it hard for you.

"Our biggest problem is in the great expectations of the success that surrounds us. All we ever hear from the fans is 'The League the League, it's 19 years since we had it'. Since I've been at the club we've won four trophies.

"I feel we're where we need to be but the problem for us now is the anxiety around us - we must handle it and that's not easy."

Benitez concluded by insisting his rant earlier this year directed at Sir Alex Ferguson was entirely justified and long overdue.

"Ferguson controls everything in this country," he added.

"These are the facts as everyone knows. When he decided to talk about Liverpool I knew I had to respond to him."

Juventus The Latest To Move For Liverpool’s Agger

The Bianconeri have become the third Italian side to be linked with a move for the Danish defender.

According to The Daily Mail, Juventus are the latest Serie A club to express their interest in Liverpool’s 24-year-old defender, Daniel Agger. The future of the Danish player continues to be shrouded in confusion, as now Milan, Inter and Juve are all lining up for his services.

The battle for Agger’s signature has been between the two Milan clubs over the past few days, but the recent inclusion of the Bianconeri in this race is sure to heat things up.

Delays over a new contract, as well as a lack of first-team action this season due to the good form of Jamie Carragher and Martin Skrtel, has led to the defender declaring he wants out of Anfield.

Nothing came of his desire to leave in January, though, but it is highly likely that Agger could be leaving Liverpool at season’s end.

There have been no suggestions as to how much Juventus are willing to offer the Reds for the centre-half, although Milan reportedly were unsuccessful with an €8.5 million bid back in January.

Gerrard On Course For Euro Return

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is on course to appear in next week's Champions League tie with Real Madrid after returning to training.

Originally ruled out for three weeks after suffering a hamstring injury against Everton at the start of the month, Gerrard made his comeback in training on Monday.

According to the Guardian, the midfielder is 'optimistic' of meeting his scheduled recovery date at the Bernaéu next Wednesday.

Hereford Land Reds Starlet

Skysports.com understands Hereford have tied up an emergency loan deal for Liverpool defender Godwin Antwi.

The promising stopper spent the first half of the season on loan at League One club Tranmere, making six starts for Ronnie Moore's Rovers.

In a bid to garner more first-team experience he has agreed a switch to Edgar Street, initially on a one-month deal with Graham Turner's side.

Antwi was part of Liverpool's FA Youth Cup-winning side in 2006 after joining the Reds from Spanish side Real Zaragoza the year before.

He spent time with Accrington Stanley before enjoying a season-long loan at Hartlepool last term, where he scored one goal in 27 appearances.

Voronin Reveals Hertha Talks

Andriy Voronin claims he has opened talks with Hertha Berlin over extending his loan spell from Liverpool.

The Ukrainian is on a season-long loan deal from the Anfield club and scored twice in the 2-1 win over Bayern Munich at the weekend which sent Hertha top of the Bundesliga.

Voronin reportedly met with club officials, including general manager Dieter Hoeness and head of player licence Michael Preetz, on Sunday to discuss the possibility of him staying at the Olympiastadion beyond the end of the campaign.

"Yes, we have spoken for the first time," Voronin told the Bild newspaper.

"It was a good talk. I think we are on a positive path," his agent Andrey Golowasch added.

Hoeness admits Hertha would like to keep hold of the forward.

"There is a willingness on both sides to continue further," he said. "We value Andriy's performances very much - his goals, presence and experience.

"He also says Hertha are his top priority because he feels very happy with us and in Berlin. Now we have to look for solutions together."

Fernando Torres: Liverpool Need Steven Gerrard

The Spain striker thinks that the England midfielder is absolutely vital to Liverpool's title challenge this season.

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres thinks that Steven Gerrard is "irreplaceable" for the Reds and hopes that his skipper makes a swift return from the hamstring injury that is currently keeping him on the sidelines.

Gerrard suffered a slight tear in his hamstring during Liverpool's recent FA Cup exit at the hands of Everton at Goodison Park, and it is suspected that he will miss around 21 days of action. The Spaniard is hoping that Gerrard's return to fitness will be swifter than that.

"The news was that he would be out for three weeks, but we hope that he’ll be back playing again sooner," Torres told The Liverpool Echo today.

"But you never know how things can turn out with a hamstring injury – and I speak from experience.

"It was a good sign that he asked to be substituted as soon as he felt the twinge. If a hamstring goes completely, you don’t get to walk off the pitch."

Gerrard returned to training at the end of last week, and the initial prognosis of three weeks for his period of absence looks like being correct. The Reds’ Champions League tie with Real Madrid on February 25 has been pencilled in as a possible return date for the 28-year old, whom Torres admits brings more to the Liverpool team than merely his awesome skills.

"I hope and wish that he will be back soon," the Spaniard continued.

"He has no natural replacement. Every side has a main reference, a home-grown player, someone who lives and breathes the club.

"Other players come and go, but that player remains. Here, our reference player is Gerrard. Liverpool FC is Gerrard plus ten more. He’s irreplaceable."