Cruyff: Everyone Now Fears Liverpool

Barcelona legend Johan Cruyff has admitted the club would fear facing Liverpool in the Champions League after their exploits this week.

Liverpool’s season had been threatening to end in disappointment after some disappointing results, but last week’s 4-0 demolition of Real Madrid was followed by a 4-1 victory over Manchester United and there is now a renewed sense of optimism at Anfield.
Bayern Munich general manager Uli Hoeness admitted recently that he felt Liverpool were the team to avoid in the quarter-finals, and Cruyff has now said that no one will want to be drawn against Rafa Benitez’s side.

“For sure, many of those who feared playing against Manchester [United] don’t want to face Liverpool from now on because of the way their demolished Madrid and then hammered United,” he wrote in his blog for El Periodico.

“They were two convincing and prestigious victories, but each was different.

“Against Madrid, Liverpool went on the pitch to attack and press them. Against Manchester, they went shoulder to shoulder and the game finally turned their way thanks to one incident: Vidic’s dismissal and the direct free-kick.

“Against Manchester United, Benitez felt comfortable with a more defensive team that was always together so that they could intercept the ball and play fast on the break.”

However, while Cruyff is particularly keen to avoid Liverpool, he admits there could be serious problems whoever they face.

“Playing against Manchester United, Liverpool or Chelsea won’t be easy, especially since Hiddink arrived,” he said.

“Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Villarreal and Porto are put in the ‘if we play them, we go through for sure’ box, but we should be careful of this idea in the dressing room, because no second-rate clubs are remaining.”

Benitez Hails Liverpool As 'Best In Europe'

The Spaniard believes that recent giant-killing results, together with his side's track-record in the Champions League, prove that Liverpool are the best of the best.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is not fazed by the fact that the Premier League crown, Champions League trophy, and FIFA World Club championship are all proudly on display in Manchester United's trophy cabinet.

The FIFA World Player of the Year and individual accolade accumulator - Cristiano Ronaldo - is also on the books there, yet Benitez believes his Liverpool side are the "best in Europe" following his club's 4-1 mauling of United at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Despite Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo opening the scoring in favour of the Mancunians, Liverpool pegged United back through a flurry of goals from Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard, Fabio Aurelio, and Andrea Dossena.

The win capped a triumphant week for Benitez's men as they also slayed Spanish heavyweight opposition Real Madrid by four goals to nil and, had it not been for Iker Casillas, the scoreline could have been even more emphatic.

Given the Reds' track record in the Champions League - they have made two finals in the past five years, winning it on one of those occasions to add to the club's previous four triumphs - Benitez believes it is his side, not Sir Alex Ferguson's, who can claim to be the cream of the crop on the continent.

He is quoted by The Sun as saying, "I believe Liverpool have been the best team in Europe for the last five years. We have beaten Real Madrid and Manchester United in the same week - if we can beat them, we can beat anybody."

Talismanic captain Steven Gerrard is hoping that other sides will take heed from the manner in which Liverpool overcame Manchester United.

Gerrard said, "We will need a little bit of luck along the way but hopefully that gives teams that are going to play against Manchester United a bit of belief that they can be beaten."

Manchester United's heavy defeat against Liverpool was the worst inflicted upon them at Old Trafford by their north-west rivals since the 1930s.

Uefa Looks To Avoid Liverpool FC Clash On Hillsborough Anniversary

Michel Platini has promised Liverpool that Uefa are keen to avoid forcing the club to play the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final on the 20th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster.

The anniversary falls on April 15, which is one of the two dates set aside for the second legs of the quarter-finals, the other being the previous day.

Uefa president Platini has not guaranteed Liverpool will not be asked to play on April 15 but said European’s governing body would “do our utmost” to avoid the scenario.

Uefa yesterday issued a statement reacting to reports claiming they had rejected an appeal by Liverpool to avoid playing on the anniversary date.

Platini said: “We are aware of the huge significance of the April 15 date for Liverpool FC and their fans, and that is why we will do our utmost to make sure the club does not have to play on that day.

“I have been in regular correspondence with Liverpool FC for some time now and fully sympathise with the club’s feelings as to the importance of respecting the date of April 15 for those who lost their lives at Hillsborough.

“This being the 20th anniversary of that tragic disaster in 1989 makes it even more relevant and we will take this into account.”

The Champions League quarter-final draw takes place on Friday.

Alan Hansen's Column

Liverpool's magnificent victory at Old Trafford may not have totally turned the tide of the Premier League title race - but it has achieved a major objective of at least making Manchester United think.

It was a result and, just as significantly, a performance that will give everybody at Liverpool total belief in what manager Rafael Benitez is doing and huge optimism that the club is genuinely moving forward.

The title is still Manchester United's to lose and they remain overwhelming favourites. We must not forget how well they have played this season before Saturday, so to suggest one defeat is suddenly going to send them off the rails is nonsense.

From the point of view of United and manager Sir Alex Ferguson, there will be a mixture of emotions contained within what will be an uneasy week of inactivity for the side chasing an historic quintuple.

They are lucky that they have some recovery time because they have looked a little weary in their last couple of games but they are also unlucky in that after a defeat on such a scale, you want to get out there as quickly as possible to try to put it right.

If United beat Fulham in their next game everything goes away but if they do not - and I am only speaking from experience - then we all know things can change quickly in big-time football. United, however, are still right there in pole position, with the smart money going on them to retain their crown.

As I said, Liverpool's win hardly balances the title on a knife-edge but if you are chasing the leaders all you can do is keep putting pressure on them and they did that in the most emphatic fashion imaginable on Saturday.

It was a triumph for Benitez - as was the 4-0 victory against Real Madrid in the Champions League - and let me tell you no-one will want to draw Liverpool in that competition. These games also illustrated that Liverpool are at their best, their most formidable, when they impose themselves on opposition rather than wait to see what they do first.

And in Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard, Liverpool had two truly world-class performers delivering at the highest level. Liverpool have really missed them in their injury absences this season.

The truly outstanding performers in any team are missed when they can score a crucial goal or play a killer pass that changes a game but when those two players also have the lightning pace that Torres and Gerrard provide, then that increases the problems.

When you look at the great players English football has produced, I think many people are now realising just how good Gerrard is and Saturday was simply another demonstration of that fact.

Gerrard has been an unbelievable player for Liverpool for five or six years now, almost a one-man team at times. It is not only his ability and consistency, it is his priceless knack of winning and saving matches and the sheer energy he puts into every game.

Torres is also a fantastic footballer but when you are starting with any player at Liverpool there is only one - and that is Gerrard every time.

What we saw from Torres at Old Trafford was a superb example of the striker's art and how even the world's best defenders can be unsettled by the speed of thought and limb that he can produce. In this instance, Nemanja Vidic was the unfortunate man to suffer.

Just like my old colleague Ian Rush used to do, Torres forces defenders into mistakes and you are talking about a world-class player here in Vidic.

Liverpool's equaliser was a case in point. Vidic normally just goes and eats everything up, gets every ball but the presence of Torres made him think for a split second about how he would deal with a speculative long clearance. It was a fatal hesitation and Torres pounced to score a crucial goal.

Vidic started to think about what he was doing instead of just doing it - and as a former defender I sympathise with him because I know exactly how he feels.

You start watching the man instead of the ball, wondering where he is and what he is going to do. It affects your decision-making and this was what Torres and Liverpool exploited so ruthlessly.

Rush used to do it to me in training all the time. I would be looking at him rather than the ball - it has a psychological as well as footballing affect on your game because suddenly the seeds of doubt have been planted in your mind.

Chelsea also took advantage of Liverpool beating United, with their win against Manchester City on Sunday putting them back into second place and, just like Liverpool, they will still harbour hopes of winning the title.

Coach Guus Hiddink has got them back doing what they do best. They are very methodical, very well-disciplined and well-marshalled. They have got Ricardo Carvalho back in central defence and the return of Michael Essien is huge for them.

The race for fourth place has now switched back in Arsenal's favour after they beat Blackburn and Aston Villa lost at home to Tottenham.

One of the main talking points of Villa's defeat was the fact that striker Gabriel Agbonlahor was booed by some of his own fans when he was substituted in the second half. Martin O'Neill has publicly declared his unhappiness about the incident and I have to say I sympathise totally with both manager and player.

It is not just the fact Agbonlahor got stick that is disappointing, it is the irony that he has played such a major part in getting them where they are in the Premier League.

He has looked a little jaded recently but he worked tirelessly in the early months of the season to try to keep Villa's bid for a Champions League place on track.

I think it is very harsh but is a symptom of the fact that when you give any football fans a taste of success they want more. It becomes like a drug to them and they become frustrated when things do not go as they wish.

O'Neill will be lifting Agbonlahor and his players after a disappointing spell. He has done a magnificent job at Villa Park and if there is a manager who can rally that team, it is Martin.

I would have to say, though, that I fancy Arsenal to clinch that fourth Champions League place now because they are starting to play well and get big players back.

Hyypia: 'Liverpool FC Still Believe The Title Can Be Ours'

Sami Hyypia believes Liverpool would have thrown in the towel if they didn’t believe they could still win the title.

The Anfield outfit breathed new life into the championship race with their emphatic 4-1 win at leaders Manchester United over the weekend.

Despite the defeat, United hold a healthy four-point advantage over both second-placed Chelsea and Liverpool with a game in hand.

With Rafael Benitez’s side having only nine Premier League games left, time is running out to overhaul the champions. But Hyypia is convinced nobody in the Liverpool squad will surrender their title dream until it is mathematically impossible.

“We needed to win this game and we did,” said the 35-year-old. “Everyone is happy with the result and I’m sure a few of the other teams will be happy too.

“But United are still four points ahead with a game in hand. It’s going to be difficult to think about the title but we’ll keep fighting until the end and see what happens.

“We can’t control how they do so we just need to concentrate on ourselves and hope they drop some points.

“If we didn’t believe then we might as well stop the season now. You have to believe you still have a chance. We have to do our best and win our games, and maybe Man United will drop points in some of their games and we can take advantage.”

Hyypia was a star performer on Saturday despite revealing he had just 60 seconds to prepare for Liverpool’s biggest game of the season.

An injury to Alvaro Arbeloa in the warm-up at Old Trafford has prompted Benitez into an emergency reshuffle with Jamie Carragher moving across to right-back and Hyypia coming in to partner Martin Skrtel at centre-back.

And Hyypia added: “Five minutes before kick-off I did not know that I would be playing but the manager made the decision that I would start one minute before we came out because Arbeloa had a problem with his hamstring.

“He felt it in the warm up and they said to me to be ready because maybe I would have to go on but I hadn’t really done a good warm up and I was wondering how the first few minutes would go.

“But I got into the game quite quickly and it was okay after that.”

Liverpool’s historic win at Old Trafford – their biggest win at United since 1936 – came just four days after Real Madrid were thrashed 4-0 in the Champions League.

And Hyypia admits he has not experienced as enjoyable a week since the FA Cup and Uefa Cup were won eight years ago.

“It’s been a good week,” said the veteran, who arrived at Anfield in 1999. “I can’t think of a week like this since in 2001 when we won a few cups in one week.”

Arbeloa and Xabi Alonso, whose calf problem ruled him out at the weekend, are both expected to be available for Sunday’s visit of Aston Villa.

Manchester United Are In Danger Of Blowing Title Race, Says Liverpool Legend Phil Thompson

Liverpool legend Phil Thompson believes that Manchester United are in real danger of blowing the title.

The former Anfield No.2 says Liverpool can still win the Premier League after their thumping win at Old Trafford showed United have "chinks in their armour".

Thompson insists United have no chance of winning the Quintuple and says Liverpool have an easier run-in, giving Rafa Benitez a genuine chance of clawing back Sir Alex Ferguson's lead at the top.

Thompson said: "It was comfortable. Sir Alex was right when he said it was not a 4-1 defeat, it wasn't - maybe it was only 3-1.

"Liverpool have had two wins over United and beaten Chelsea. It's been fantastic and now we just have to get our home form sorted out.

"But it gives not only Liverpool the chance to say 'we have got a small chance of winning the title' but everybody else as well because Manchester United look as though they are cracking up. You look at it from a professional point of view and it was the things that happened in the Inter Milan game.

"Defensively, United have been so strong but there were chinks in the armour in midweek against Inter and I think those frailties were there then and that's what sets doubts.

"That maybe leaves you thinking 'well, maybe these things add up' and Sir Alex will have been looking at that and Liverpool took full advantage.

"They were hot. There was a love - in with Fernando Torres.

"Manchester United are an excellent side but just looking at what's happened in the past week gives a glimmer of hope to, dare I say it, Chelsea, and definitely Liverpool.

"We've got Aston Villa next week then after that the last eight games are extremely kind to Liverpool.

"Yes, we've got Arsenal at home but it's fantastic and if things can just change a little, Liverpool can win their games and take advantage.

"But it's those home games against the lesser teams - Liverpool have got to take advantage.

"When the teams see the 'This is Anfield' sign, they should know that they are going to be put under pressure from the first second, let alone the first minute, and that's what they have got to do."

Thompson has called on Liverpool boss Benitez to sign a new contract after weeks of stalling and he claims that boost could push his former club over the finishing line.

Thompson told talk-SPORT: "I've said it for quite a while but it would be extremely difficult for United to win them all.

"I don't think you can win all five and that's not with my red nose on.

"It will be a tall order for Liverpool now but that's why they had to win at Old Trafford and it's given them a glimmer of hope.

Manchester United are still in the box seat and it's theirs to lose.

"But Rafa has had a fantastic week and wouldn't it be great if, seven days on from the win over Real Madrid, for him to sign his contract.

"I think and I hope that he will sign. But he should get it done and let common sense prevail.

"Yes, it's his contract but this is Liverpool Football Club and he needs to do it ASAP."

Spearing Set For Contract Talks

Liverpool midfielder Jay Spearing is to hold discussions at Anfield regarding a contract extension, skysports.com understands.

The 20-year-old impressed as a second-half substitute in last week's thrashing of Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League, offering a sign of his potential.

And that form is thought to have made manager Rafa Benitez keen to secure Spearing's long-term future.

The youngster made his competitive first-team debut in December 2008, coming on as a substitute in a 3-1 Champions League win against PSV Eindhoven.

Spearing was the captain of the Liverpool Under-18 side who won the FA Youth Cup in 2007.

Lucas Ponders Liverpool Departure

Brazilian Lucas Leiva admits he might not be able to continue being a squad player at Liverpool as he wants his international place back.

The 22-year-old midfielder is very highly regarded in his homeland and already has three full caps to his name.

But his displays for Liverpool have not endeared him to the Anfield faithful and many do not consider him to be capable of competing with the likes of Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano for a central midfield berth.

Whilst Rafa Benitez looks to have a great deal of faith in the former Gremio star, the player himself admits he cannot afford to be kicking his heels on the sidelines if he wants to cement his place in Dunga's Brazil squad.

"I think I have played a lot, but the competition for places here is very high," he told Folha online. "The situation doesn't really worry me, but my objective has always been to play in order to make sure I am back with the national side.

"Once the season is over, I will have to see what is the best option for me.

"It is the World Cup next year and I will have to push to get this chance and you have to be playing to get called up."

Lucas has seen himself drop out of Brazil squad and he admits he does not know why Dunga axed him.

"I can't really explain what happened, but Dunga makes his own decisions," he said. "I was in the squad in the last four World Cup qualifiers and played against Bolivia, when the team didn't play well.

"I believe that I'm part of a list of 30 or 40 players, but I'm out of the 22-men squad."

Liverpool's Adam Pepper Nets Xabi Alonso-Style Goal

Adam Pepper'S lob from the half-way line was only enough to earn Liverpool under-18s a point as they drew 2-2 with Blackburn Rovers at the Kirkby Academy on Saturday.

Captain Joe Kennedy had leveled for Liverpool level after Blackburn had taken the lead. Then 17-year-old midfielder Pepper put Hugh McAuley's side 2-1 ahead on 55 minutes with a Xabi Alonso-style effort that deserved to be a match-winning strike. Sadly Blackburn hit back to earn a point.

Blackburn took the lead on 35 minutes when Michael Hall fired in after a quick breakaway.

Three minutes after the break, though, Kennedy came in at the back post to head in the equaliser from Pepper's corner. And soon after McAuley's side took the lead when the Liverpool-born Pepper scored his superb effort to deceive the keeper with a lob from around 45 yards.

But on 64 minutes Rovers equalised when Tom Hitchcock pounced to score.

McAuley felt his side should have won, but he said: "It was a good game and a good performance. It was a decent game of football because I thought they played well also.

"We were 1-0 down but came back and led. The goals were two individual mistakes and that cost us the result. It was a game we should have won. We had a lot of the possession and created some decent chances."

Liverpool will look to return to winning ways at Leeds United this Saturday (kick-off 11am) and will play Birmingham City in the semi-finals of the FA Youth Cup. Birmingham went through courtesy of a 1-0 win at St Andrews last night.

The first leg will be at Anfield with the second leg in Birmingham, but not dates have been finalised.

The other two-legged semi-final will see holders Manchester City take on six-time winners Arsenal, with the first leg at Eastlands tomorrow.

LIVERPOOL UNDER-18s: Hansen; Scott, Wisdom, Kennedy, Buchtmann; Amoo, Roberts, Pepper, Ince; Eccleston, Clair (Robinson 66). Subs: Cooper, Chamberlain, Roberts-Nurse.

Liverpool's Fernando Torres Tells Real Madrid To Forget About Signing Steven Gerrard

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres has warned Steven Gerrard’s many admirers that the skipper could never be persuaded to leave the club.

Media speculation is mounting that Real Madrid have made the midfielder their top transfer target and reports have even suggested that they are willing to offer £80 million for Gerrard.

However, Torres is adamant that his team-mate is going nowhere and that nothing could tempt him to leave Merseyside.

“There isn't a team in the world that Steven wouldn't get into - so yes, I am sure he has his admirers,” the striker told the Sunday Mirror.

“But there are some players who love their club so much that they won't leave no matter what money is thrown around.

“We saw Kaka stay at AC Milan and that was nice to see in these times.

“Like Stevie, Kaka is one of the best players and in the same way he loves Milan, Stevie loves Liverpool.

“It's not about how we would get him to stay, he would never leave.

“The fans love him, the manager loves him, and he is our captain. Trust me when I say he is going nowhere.”

Gerrard scored twice in midweek at Anfield as Rafael Benitez’s Reds sunk Real 4-0, and his display even meant that Madrid fans were singing the midfielder’s name at the end of the game.

Yet Torres insisted that this would not sway the England international whose heart belongs to the Kop.

The former Atletico Madrid man explained, “They may have been chanting his name, but nobody will chant his name louder than the Liverpool fans and I know the relationship he has with our supporters. They are his family.”

Torres also insisted that Gerrard is without doubt one of the greatest players in the world.

“He is the best player I have ever played with, and I have played with some great players with Spain and Liverpool,” added the Spaniard.

“He could easily be the best player in the world.”

The 24-year-old also took time out to pledge his future to Liverpool and insisted that the win over Real Madrid had vindicated his decision to join the Merseysiders.

“This is the reason why I came to Liverpool,” he added.

“I made it clear the only club I'd leave Atletico for was Liverpool and now I can see why.

“Tuesday was a statement we are not be taken lightly. We know the defeat of Madrid means nothing now. It doesn't matter who we draw now - there is no easy game - but there is serious belief in the Liverpool dressing room we can win a sixth European Cup.”

Liverpool Prepare Move For Middlesbrough's David Wheater

Liverpool are looking to shore up their defence for the future and are now being linked with a reported move for Middlesbrough's powerful defender David Wheater, according to The Mirror.

The young centre-back has been a revelation over the past couple of seasons for Boro and has been attracting interest from England's top four.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is looking for a long term replacement for ageing central defender Sami Hyypia, and seems to feel that Boro's young and rapidly developing defender is the answer.

The Teessiders' boss Gareth Southgate has stated that he does not want to sell the England Under-21 international, but could be forced into a deal as the club have racked up £93 million worth of debt, and the sale of Wheater could ease that financial strain.

The 22-year-old would command a transfer fee of around £10 million, and as the Teeside club are in real danger of being relegated from the Premier League this season, Southgate might be forced to cash in on his defender in the summer.

The Redcar born player is a proud product of Boro's famed youth academy, and his talent has been realised at international level, with England coach Fabio Capello calling him up to the full England squad last October when John Terry and Ashley Cole withdrew due to injury.

Wheater has been a first team player at the Riverside since 2004 when he was promoted from the club's youth academy, and he has gone on to make 63 Premier League appearances for the club, scoring five goals in the process.

Liverpool Boss Benitez Urges Teams To Attack Manchester United

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez thinks that his side's 4-1 mauling of Manchester United at Old Trafford yesterday has given a guiding a light for the rest of the Premier League to follow. Benitez says his team have shown that the Red Devils are vulnerable and can be unsettled.

He argues that if sides attack United, as Liverpool did yesterday, then they will enjoy more success than they thought possible. United's defenders, he states, are rarely put under serious pressure but when they are, Ferdinand and Vidic do have a tendancy to wobble.

"We have shown the way," the Reds manager told The Manchester Evening News.

"United have been playing with so much confidence. At least people will now see that they can lose.

"The message is there for everyone. In attack they are fantastic. You can see the quality they have. But, in defence, they have some weaknesses and we tried to exploit them."

Despite recording their biggest victory at Old Trafford since 1936, Liverpool will still need United to falter significantly for them to have a realistic hope of taking the title this season. There is still a four point deficit to United, who also have a game in hand.

Liverpool FC Legend Barnes Backs Benitez

Liverpool great John Barnes believes Rafael Benitez remains the right man to lead the Reds forward.

Despite a successful week, Benitez’s future is uncertain, with a new contract still to be agreed despite protracted negotiations.

But Barnes, now coach of the Jamaica national side, said: “I think he is as good as anybody else. I don’t think a new manager coming in would win the league for Liverpool necessarily.

“We all know United have a stronger squad – they are better placed than Liverpool are at the moment.

“So a new manager coming in isn’t necessarily going to improve that situation. I think Rafa’s the right person, definitely.”

Rafa Benitez: Man Utd Must Now See Liverpool As Contenders

Rafael Benitez reckons Sir Alex Ferguson must now accept Liverpool as a major threat to Manchester United’s domestic supremacy.

And the Spaniard feels his team have shown the rest of the Premier League how to beat the leaders.

United were subjected to a 4-1 home humiliation on Saturday as Liverpool notched their biggest win at Old Trafford in 73 years to give them renewed hope of catching the Premier League leaders.

It was the first time Benitez had come face-to-face with Sir Alex Ferguson since his fact-filled attack on the United manager in January.

But the Spaniard dismissed any suggestion it played a part in their weekend walloping of the European and World champions – and that United will now regard Liverpool as serious challengers.

“I can guarantee you that I was calm and I am calm,” said Benitez. “The players on the pitch can win and they can lose and the manager can affect things but I didn’t see a big difference when I was talking about the facts and I don’t now.

“Ferguson’s a fantastic manager with a very good team and we will try to improve and be as close as possible. Hopefully he will see Liverpool as a new contender.”

Asked if he spoke to Ferguson after the game, Benitez added: “No, I shook hands and that’s it. He was not talking about bad blood.

“Maybe sometimes my English is not good enough or I don’t understand the Scottish accent.”

It was Benitez’s first triumph away at United since taking charge at Anfield in the summer of 2004 and marked the 100th victory of his tenure.

For United, the defeat was their first in the league since November and ended their unbeaten home record and a run of 11 consecutive top-flight wins.

And Benitez believes Liverpool’s win – which ensured their first double over United since the 2001-02 season – has demonstrated how the Old Trafford side can be beaten.

“We have shown the way,” said Benitez. “United have been playing with so much confidence. At least people will now see that they can lose.

“The message is there for everyone. In attack they are fantastic. You can see the quality they have. But in defence they have some weaknesses and we tried to exploit them.

“They have a lot of quality in attack, they are strong in defence and they have plenty of possession. But when they don’t have the ball and you move the ball quickly and play behind the defenders, you know you can beat them.

“We knew that they are really good at playing between the lines with penetrating passes so we needed to stop these passes, and put the midfielders under pressure every time they were going to receive the ball.

“Then we tried to play simple and go forward quickly, because it’s an offensive team and they are always high.

“Targeting Vidic was one of the ideas. We knew that maybe with the movement of Torres we could create problems for the defenders.”

Benitez added: “Now we have confidence we are playing well so we have to enjoy this situation and try to get three points in every game until the end of the season.

“I don’t think we can talk about different philosophies compared to United. The mentality of our club it to win, to win everything and I think United have the same mentality.

“You can play in a different way if you have different players, the money is a massive difference. You have to try to get the best from your players but if you have these resources sometimes it’s easier.

“If you cannot spend big money on players you have to work hard as a team. This is the mentality we have now. If we can add some good players in the future we will improve and maybe we can maybe we can get closer or overtake them.”

Manchester United Fall Into Liverpool's Trap

In the eyes of Rafael Benítez, it is war; not his rivalry with Sir Alex Ferguson, but sport in general. Long before the writings of Sun Tzu, the Chinese philosopher, became required reading for more enlightened managers, Benítez devoted his teenage years to finding common strands between his twin passions of football and Stratego, a military board game at which he was devilishly proficient.

Four days after Liverpool stunned Real Madrid, Benítez and his players achieved another remarkable four-goal success, this time storming the fortress of Old Trafford with a barrage of surface-to-surface missiles. Three of their four goals on Saturday stemmed from the kind of up-and-under clearances that seemed to belong firmly in the “hit and hope” category — at least until the Liverpool manager, more than a little eager afterwards to share his battle plan with anyone who was listening, suggested that he had successfully identified and exposed Manchester United’s Achilles’ heel.

Ferguson will snort at the idea, having lavished praise on a defence that recently kept clean sheets in 14 consecutive Barclays Premier League matches, but was this really, as the United manager suggested, “just one of those days”? The initial assessment suggested so, with Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic just happening to make more mistakes in a single afternoon than they have all season, but Benítez’s explanation of a simple approach to the game, one that involved cutting off United’s supply and then getting the ball forward quickly to try to turn around the central defenders, brought thoughts of cause and effect to mind.

Goal one: Martin Skrtel, in his own penalty area, clears the danger with a huge punt that goes so high that Vidic, waiting just beyond the halfway line, misjudges its flight in the sun. Now chasing back towards goal, Vidic panics under pressure from Fernando Torres, who marches through and clips a shot past Edwin van der Sar, equalising for Liverpool just five minutes after Cristiano Ronaldo, with a penalty, had given United the lead.

Goal two: Sami Hyypia elegantly brings down the ball and passes back to José Manuel Reina, who instantly kicks a clearance high into the United half. Steven Gerrard, left unattended in the no man’s land between the United midfield and back four, flicks it on to Torres, who turns and sends the ball forward into the path of Gerrard, by now in full flight down the inside-right channel.

As Gerrard bursts past Patrice Evra into the penalty area, he is brought down, to inevitable consequence. Gerrard keeps his nerve from the penalty spot to put Liverpool 2-1 up at half-time. Goal three: not an upand-under this time, but still a long pass as Lucas Leiva chips a diagonal ball from the left-hand touchline to Dirk Kuyt, whose clever header takes Evra out of position and leaves Vidic isolated in support of Gerrard. The Liverpool captain gets to the ball first and is wrestled to the floor. Vidic, having denied a clear goalscoring opportunity, ends his abysmal afternoon with a red card, his third of the season. United’s punishment is compounded when Fábio Aurélio beats Van der Sar with the free kick.

Goal four: with the game in stoppage time, Reina hits another long kick, which, with the help of a strong wind, is misjudged by Ferdinand and John O’Shea and carries almost as far as the United penalty area. Andrea Dossena, the substitute, races through to lob Van der Sar in front of what is now a half-empty Stretford End and crown Liverpool’s biggest win at Old Trafford since November 1936, when the Merseyside club had Matt Busby at right half.

It was a hugely impressive result, but Benítez, always looking beyond the battle just won, pondered whether it may prove even more significant in the war — in terms of its impact on United’s mindset and, importantly, that of their forthcoming opponents.

When Liverpool ended Chelsea’s 4½ unbeaten home sequence in the Premier League in October, Ferguson predicted — correctly as it turned out — that the West London club, stripped of their aura of impregnability, would run into problems.

Benítez will hope that this result has a similar effect on a United team, who, despite remaining strong favourites to retain the title, may have a few doubts where previously there was the confidence accumulated from 11 consecutive wins in the league.

United were made to look awful on Saturday, with Vidic, a leading contender for the PFA Player of the Year award, the worst of a bad lot. Opponents — Fulham, Aston Villa and Sunderland in the Premier League and Everton in the FA Cup semi-final — may also examine how Aurélio stood up to the threat of Ronaldo, who, his penalty aside, offered nothing; how Michael Carrick was knocked from his stride by Javier Mascherano; how ordinary Carlos Tévez and Wayne Rooney can look when starved of service and space in which to run.

Tévez, like the disappointing Anderson, seems better as an impact substitute in games such as these. As it was, the simultaneous introduction of Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Dimitar Berbatov in the second half seemed to calm Liverpool’s nerves, such was the loss of energy that it brought about.

“I think they have weaknesses,” Benítez said matter-of-factly. “They have a lot of quality in attack, which is the main thing. They are strong in defence because they have plenty of possession, but when they don’t have the ball and you move the ball quickly and play behind the defenders, you know you can beat them.

“We knew that they are really good at playing between the lines with penetrating passes, so we needed to stop these passes and put the midfielders under pressure every time they were going to receive the ball and, after, try to play simple and go forward quickly because it’s an offensive team and they always [defend] high.”

There you go, then. Further details are available, free of charge, on application to Señor Benítez at Anfield, Liverpool, L4 0TH. Mercifully for United, though, no other club have players of the calibre of Gerrard and Torres to expose the chinks in their armour.

Manchester United (4-4-2): E van der Sar 4 - J O’Shea 4, R Ferdinand 4, N Vidic 3, P Evra 4 - C Ronaldo 4, M Carrick 5, Anderson 4, Park Ji Sung 6 - C Tévez 4, W Rooney 6. Substitutes: P Scholes (for Anderson, 74min), R Giggs (for Carrick, 74), D Berbatov (for Park, 74). Not used: B Foster, J Evans, D Fletcher, Nani. Next: Fulham (a)

Liverpool (4-2-3-1): J M Reina 4 - J Carragher 7, S Hyypia 8, M Skrtel 7, F Aurélio 8 - J Mascherano 7, Lucas Leiva 6 - D Kuyt 6, S Gerrard 8, A Riera 4 - F Torres 8. Substitutes: A Dossena 6 (for Riera, 68), R Babel (for Torres, 82), N El-Zhar (for Gerrard, 90). Not used: D Cavalieri, E Insua, D Ngog. Next: Aston Villa (h)

Liverpool Sweat On Fitness Of Fernando Torres The Tormentor

Most footballers, when they are shown the red card, shuffle disconsolately off the field, perhaps making a detour to take out their frustration on a water bottle standing innocently on the touchline.

When Nemanja Vidic was sent off by Alan Wiley midway through the second half of Manchester United's game against Liverpool, there was no slow walk of shame for him.

Rather he sprinted away, apparently keen to break the all-comers' record for the Old Trafford tunnel dash. And no wonder. The foresquare Serbian defender, many judges' choice as Footballer of the Year, was given the most embarrassing afternoon of his United career by Fernando Torres. Distracted, discomforted, disoriented and responsible for two of Liverpool's goals, he ended up looking like someone who could not wait to get away and bury his head in a towel. Indeed, at the pace he ran off, it was the first time he had got anywhere ahead of Torres all afternoon.

If nothing else, Sir Alex Ferguson's analysis after this rout that his was the better team suggests that his powers of self-deception are not on the wane. Liverpool were as dominant here as they had been against Real Madrid the previous Tuesday.

Eight goals in five days against Europe's most elevated powers: their manager Rafael Benitez must be looking forward to the next round of contract negotiations now. The reason for all this was Torres. The way he bore down on Vidic as he attempted to control a hit-and-hope clearance dropping over his shoulder resembled something from a David Attenborough documentary: the injured wildebeest targeted by the electric-heeled cheetah. And, as Torres arrived on his heels, the conclusion of the drama was never in doubt.

Sadly for Benitez's ambition, the sudden realisation that he has at his disposal a team that can destroy the very best may have come too late for the Premier League title. United still remain four points ahead with a game in hand, and whatever Steven Gerrard's artful insistence that this result might give United's forthcoming opponents heart and hope to do Liverpool a favour, it is unlikely to happen. The run-in is not sufficiently laced with traps to suggest United will falter. They can even afford another accident like Saturday against Arsenal on May 16, and still do it.

Where Liverpool might be able to stifle Mancunian ambition, however, is in Europe. Should the two clubs meet in the Champions League – either in the next round or further down the path to Rome – Benitez will be convinced he holds the upper hand. Frankly, with Torres in form like this, he knows they can beat anyone.

Muscular, brave and so quick he must set speed cameras flashing when he takes the dog for a walk, he has emerged rested from his lengthy injury lay-off. However much Ferguson has been able to maintain his squad's freshness by shrewd rotation, players like Vidic, Patrice Evra and Michael Carrick are beginning to show the effects of a lengthy season.

Here, Evra was horribly compromised by Gerrard and gave away a penalty, while Carrick rarely moved the ball with the intelligence he was displaying a month ago. Torres, on the other hand, looks as if he has just emerged from his summer break. What we saw on Saturday was vindication of what Benitez has maintained throughout this most fractured of seasons on Merseyside: with Torres on this form he has a side to beat anyone.

Liverpool's problem will now be keeping him fit. They have no one else even close to his quality in reserve. However much the crowing Anfield throng enjoyed their moment (I was texted the first smirking gag two minutes after the final whistle) they will be entirely aware of this truth: rarely in their history have Liverpool been so dependent on the health of one man.

Liverpool Praised By Wesley Sneijder After Stunning Champions League Performance

Wesley Sneijder, the Real Madrid midfielder, has delivered a stunning verdict on Liverpool after their Champions League demolition of the Spanish giants.

The devastated Holland international said: "I've never been shown up so much in a team I've played for and that hurts."

The 4-0 rout at Anfield was Real's worst ever Champions League result. Sneijder added: "We were shown up. We could not match the Liverpool players. They were better, faster and had more aggression.

"They were right at the top of form for any club in Europe judging by last Tuesday's performance."

The travelling army of Madrid fans were stunned by their capitulation.

Sneijder added: "In terms of international football, Liverpool are superior in every way. I could go on and on. All we can do is go back to the drawing board.

"We have to focus on La Liga again and producing results in Spain. The fact is that the English are ruling Europe."

Former LFC Defender Neil “Razor” Ruddock Could Have Home Repossessed

Tough tackling ex Liverpool FC defender Neil “Razor” Ruddock could have his house repossessed.

Ruddock, 40, who appeared in ITV’s I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here, is more than £10,000 in arrears on his mortgage.

The Kop favourite who earned £11,000 a week as a player could lose the Essex house that starred in Celebrity Wife Swap.

Ruddock shares the house, in St Leonards, East Sussex, with model girlfriend Leah Newman, 27, and their daughter Pebbles, two.

Last night he blamed a messy divorce from ex-wife Sarah, 39.

He said: "I've lost money because of my ex-wife and kids. Not all of it, but most of it. My advice is, don't get divorced. Don't get caught with your trousers down.

"It has been a bad situation and there's been a mix-up between me, the bank and the mortgage company. I'm still hoping everything can be sorted."

Match Report: Manchester United 1 - 4 LiverpooL

Rafael Benitez might end up having the last laugh after all as his Liverpool side hauled themselves back into the title fight with a decisive crushing of 10-man Manchester United at Old Trafford.

The Merseyside giants battled back from a goal down to defeat the Premier League leaders in clinical fashion, Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard turning the match on its head before the break, with Fabio Aurelio and Andrea Dossena easing Liverpool well clear before the end.

In contrast, it was an day to forget for Nemanja Vidic, who gifted Torres the equaliser before being sent off against Liverpool for second time this season as Benitez's side reduced United's lead at the top to four points, albeit having played a game more.

It represented Liverpool's biggest win at United since 1936 and could yet trigger an amazing championship revival.

Liverpool were the ones who needed the win and there appeared an extra sharpness about them from the start, especially Torres who gave the Red Devils defence a torrid time.

Once Jamie Carragher had recovered his composure after being unsettled by a late switch to right-back because of Alvaro Arbeloa's late withdrawal, they had the edge in vital areas, the hosts no better than their nervy first-half display against Inter Milan in midweek.

Indeed, it was a surprise when United went ahead.

Pepe Reina read Carlos Tevez's through ball for Park Ji-sung well enough but came out too quickly for his own good. When the South Korean nicked the ball away, the Liverpool keeper could not stop.

And though Reina pleaded for leniency, referee Alan Wiley correctly pointed to the spot.

Ronaldo is not the type of player to waste such opportunities and duly dispatched his 17th goal of the season.

Had Sir Alex Ferguson's men been able to hold their advantage for a decent length of time, the visitors might have panicked. But five minutes later Liverpool were level thanks to a rare mistake from Nemanja Vidic.

The Serbian has been virtually foot perfect this season, so much so that he is favourite to win the PFA player of the year award.

But first Vidic let Martin Skrtel's long punt forward bounce when he could have headed it back into the Liverpool half quite easily. Then, he failed to deal with the loose ball, allowing Torres to nip in and streak clear, beating Edwin van der Sar with clinical efficiency.

Conceding one goal was amazing enough for the Red Devils, yet before half-time Liverpool had scored again.

Hull were the last team to score more than once against United in Premier League combat - and that was four-and-a-half months ago.

But when Torres tried to send Gerrard racing into the box and Patrice Evra mis-timed his tackle, the Liverpool skipper found he converted his penalty with the same confidence Ronaldo had shown earlier.

Gerrard's glee was obvious. And Liverpool's lead was fully deserved, condemning Ferguson to his first interval rallying call in league combat at Old Trafford all season.

The Scot injected a greater sense of urgency into his team, even if there was no improvement in their retention of the ball.

Carrick in particular was having a pretty bad day, twice putting his side in danger with wayward passes.

United at least managed to generate some momentum, with Tevez almost getting on the end of a Wayne Rooney knock-back and then rolling a shot on the turn just wide.

Having expressed his 'hatred' of Liverpool earlier in the week, the last thing Rooney wanted was to suffer an immediate defeat and a chance for Gerrard - a long-time friend - to gloat.

Yet as time ticked by, that was the fate Rooney was condemned to, especially as Ferguson waited until less than 20 minutes remained before he made the introductions of Dimitar Berbatov, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs.

It is the kind of strength Benitez does not have and one of the major reasons why Liverpool have found themselves on the wrong end of a 14-point swing in fortunes since United returned from their Club World Cup campaign in Japan just before Christmas.

What Liverpool have managed to do this season is beat Chelsea and United, against both of whom they have now registered 'doubles'.

Any hope United had, evaporated within a minute of Ferguson's spectacular triple substitution as another woeful first touch, again from Vidic, left the Serbian little alternative other than to haul down Gerrard.

For the second successive game against Liverpool, it brought Vidic a red card and he was still making his way down the tunnel when Aurelio curled home a superb free-kick.

And Liverpool were not finished as Andrea Dossena lobbed Van der Sar to complete a memorable win, whose significance remains unknown.

Liverpool And Spain Heading For Collision Course Over Fernando Torres

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres looks set to become embroiled in a club-versus-country row over his involvement in the Confederations Cup this summer.

The Spaniard has returned to form with a bang recently, after suffering an injury-plagued season that has restricted his appearances for Liverpool.

Yet goals against Real Madrid and Manchester United have seen ‘El Nino’ back to his very best, as the Reds have stormed into the quarter-finals of the Champions League and reignited the Premier League title race.

However, after a busy summer spent winning Euro 2008 with Spain last year, Torres looks set for another short holiday as he is likely to play some part in the Confederations Cup with Spain in June.

This is a scenario the Anfield outfit are reportedly less than happy with and, after watching Torres pick up several injuries on international duty, the club are adamant that he needs a complete rest at the end of the season.

This appears unlikely should, as is expected, Torres feature in the Confederations Cup and it may lead to conflict between club and country.

The News of the World reports that Liverpool are hoping Torres misses the tournament and quote a ‘Kop source’ as saying, “The Confederations Cup is the last thing Fernando needs this summer.

“It means he won’t get the long holiday and rest he needs.

“No one will try to stop Fernando playing in the competition, but everyone hopes he’ll make a sensible decision if he’s not fully fit.”

The former Athletico Madrid star has made just 12 Premier League starts for Liverpool this season, netting eight times.