Match Preview: Fulham vs. LiverpooL

While most eyes will be keenly observing the visitors when Fulham clash with Liverpool this weekend, there are plenty of reasons to pay close attention the home side as well.

Whereas this time last season the London club seemed doomed for the drop, they now find themselves knocking on the door of Europe. Standing ninth in the Premier League, they are just one point adrift of seventh-placed Wigan Athletic and a berth in the qualifying rounds of the Europa League.

Since taking over partway through last term, Roy Hodgson has fashioned a team capable of playing both dogged and eye-pleasing football to great effect. And what's more, little Craven Cottage has become one of the toughest places to visit in England's top flight, as the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and, most recently, Manchester United have all found out.

However, Fulham's record against Liverpool in recent times is not very encouraging - they have scored just once in their last five meetings. But the hosts - who did manage a draw in the reverse fixture at Anfield - may fancy their chances against a team more obviously affected by the latest round of World Cup qualifiers.

It would be no surprise if Rafael Benitez turned up for Saturday's match sporting heavily bandaged fingertips; the Spanish tactician will no doubt have been chewing his nails all week long as the majority of his squad fulfilled their international duties.
But of equal annoyance to Benitez will have been the fact the break interrupted his side's best spell of form for the entire season, one which has seen them storm back into the title race after being written off by the end of February.

The Merseysiders' last outing resulted in a comprehensive 5-0 victory over Aston Villa and put them within one point of leaders Manchester United, who they had drubbed 4-1 at Old Trafford the previous weekend. Add in the 4-0 mauling of Real Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League knockout tie, and you have a side in pretty decent touch.

Pundits and punters worldwide are waiting to see whether Liverpool can recapture their momentum instantly, a task complicated by the number of stars returning from international action. But with first place on offer (although United could snatch it back with a win over Villa on Sunday), there certainly won't be a lack of motivation.


FORM GUIDE

Fulham

Mar 21 Fulham 2-0 Manchester United (Premier League)
Mar 14 Bolton Wanderers 1-3 Fulham (Premier League)
Mar 11 Fulham 1-2 Blackburn Rovers (Premier League)
Mar 07 Fulham 0-4 Manchester United (FA Cup)
Mar 04 Fulham 0-1 Hull City (Premier League)

Liverpool

Mar 22 Liverpool 5-0 Aston Villa (Premier League)
Mar 14 Manchester United 1-4 Liverpool (Premier League)
Mar 10 Liverpool 4-0 Real Madrid (Champions League)
Mar 03 Liverpool 2-0 Sunderland (Premier League)
Feb 28 Middlesbrough 2-0 Liverpool (Premier League)


TEAM NEWS

Fulham

Hodgson has pretty much a full-strength squad to choose from. Ex-Red Danny Murphy will captain his men from midfield, former Evertonian Andrew Johnson should lead the line, and Brede Hangeland - linked with an Anfield switch in the winter - will start in the heart of defence.

Probable XI: Schwarzer, Pantsil, Hughes, Hangeland, Konchesky, Dempsey, Murphy, Etuhu, Davies, Johnson, Zamora.

Liverpool

Despite seeing most of his first-team players shoot off to join their national teams, Benitez only has a couple of minor concerns. Yossi Benayoun, having just shrugged off a hamstring problem, took a knock to the calf while representing Israel but seems to have recovered, while Javier Mascherano is expected to start, despite only returning on Friday following Argentina's shock 6-1 loss to Bolivia at high altitude.

Probable XI: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Skrtel, Aurelio, Mascherano/Lucas, Alonso, Gerrard, Kuyt, Riera, Torres.


PLAYERS TO WATCH

Fulham

Goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer has been in stunning form this term. When you look at some of the match-winning displays the big Australian has turned in, it's no surprise that Fulham boast the fourth best defensive record in the league. The former Middlesbrough man should be kept busy by the most prolific attack in the division.

Liverpool

Speaking of prolific attackers, Fernando Torres will be eager to get back on the scoresheet after two goalless outings for Spain. His record away from home this season is impressive, and he shouldn't be wanting for service with an in-form Steven Gerrard just behind him.

Steven Gerrard Feels Fantastic About New Liverpool Contract

Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard today signed a new contract that will keep him with the Merseyside outfit until 2013, delighting supporters of the club everywhere. Now he'd like to celebrate that fact by captaining the club to some silverware at the end of the season.

The Reds are still in the hunt for both the Premier League and the Champions League, and have recently returned to some mightily impressive form, handing out successive thrashings to Real Madrid, Manchester United and Aston Villa prior to the international break.

Now Gerrard wants to see them turn that positive form into prizes as the business end of the season begins to gather momentum.

"This news has given me a boost and hopefully it will help us in our remaining games," he told Sky Sports News.

"We have got big matches to play, all of them cup finals as we have to win them all to stay in the title race and go all the way to Rome for the Champions League final.

"It is a fantastic feeling to have agreed the deal. This is what I wanted, to see out the rest of my career with Liverpool. I have said all along that as long as the club wanted me then I would stay at Liverpool.

"I have been a fan all my life and it will be fantastic at the end of my career to look back and say I have been with Liverpool all the way through.

"The main priority is to be successful and I want to achieve success at the club I love. If we can win more trophies together then I will be really happy."

Liverpool travel to west London this weekend to face Fulham, the team that defeated Manchester United 2-0 last time out.

Emiliano Insua Wants Key Role In Liverpool Title Challenge

Liverpool left-back Emiliano Insua is hoping to use the disappointment he feels at his national team's humiliation at the hands of Bolivia this week as a spur to help his club side's challenge for honours.

Although the young Argentine did not feature in the match in La Paz, he felt the pain of the 6-1 defeat as much as any of his countrymen, but he is taking some comfort from the fact that it proves in football that anything is possible.

And it is that idea that Insua hopes will help Liverpool surprise most observers and overhaul Manchester United to win the Premier League title this campaign.

"I’m very disappointed about my country’s result because we won on Saturday in Diego Maradona’s first game in Argentina as national team manager," he told The Liverpool Echo.

"I don’t know what happened but we ended up losing 6-1 in our worst result for many years so it is a big shock. But it does show that in football, in every tournament, every competition and every game that any result is possible.

"It was only a few weeks ago that people were saying that Liverpool could not catch Man United but now we are closer.

"We are only one point behind and now we have to keep on going, try to win the next game and do everything we can to get into first position."

Liverpool travel to Fulham this weekend fully aware of how their rivals from Old Trafford imploded at the same ground a couple of weeks ago, and the youngster, although nowhere near a definite starter for the game, is assuring supporters that the team will remain focused right up until the end.

"It is exciting for us but we have to remain patient," he added. "We are closer to Man United and maybe we can overtake them at least for one day if we manage to win against Fulham. All we can do is try to win the next game, see where that takes us and then move onto the next game.

"I have been at Liverpool for two and a half years and I think that the last few weeks were the best since I have been here because the team got some really good results and played some really good football.

"But now we must look ahead and try to do the same against Fulham."

Chelsea & Liverpool To Do Battle For French Youngster Ibrahima Tandia

According to a report emanating from Sky Sports, Premier League rivals Chelsea and Liverpool are keeping tabs on French youngster Ibrahima Tandia.

The 15-year-old striker, who currently plays for Ligue 1 outfit Sochaux's Under-16 side, is being hailed as one of France's most promising starlets.

It is claimed that both the Blues and the Reds have sent scouts to watch the France U-16 international in action at the upcoming Montaigu Tournament.

However, it is thought that Tandia has already turned down approaches from Chelsea and Liverpool because he is concerned that they do not focus enough attention on nurturing youngsters.

Apparently, the teenager favours a move to Tottenham Hotspur, although he insists he is not thinking about a transfer abroad at present.

"I am at Sochaux; I don't have anything to say about these links," Tandia is quoted as saying by Sky Sports.

"Let me enjoy my Montaigu Tournament. Sochaux's officials are the ones you need to talk to."

Reds Duo Scoop Awards

Rafa Benitez and Steven Gerrard have been named as the Premier League Manager and Player of the Month for March.

Both men have recently signed new deals to stay with the club and it was an excellent month for the Reds on the pitch as they battled back into the title race.

Liverpool started March with a 2-0 victory over Sunderland before a stunning 4-1 win against fierce rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Gerrard was in inspirational form against United and was again the star of the show in the 5-0 thrashing of Aston Villa a week later.

His hat-trick against Villa helped Liverpool close to within one point of United with eight games of the season remaining.

Gerrard has now been named Player of the Month an unprecedented five times in his career.

Benitez has also won the manager's prize on five occasions, with his most recent success coming in October.

Kuyt Agrees New Reds Deal

Dirk Kuyt has become the latest Liverpool player to agree a contract extension.

The Dutchman has joined skipper Steven Gerrard in signing a two-year extension with the Reds.

Kuyt was waiting for boss Rafael Benitez to sign a new five-year deal before pledging his own future.

The 28-year-old, who has been converted into a right-winger by Benitez from a striker, is now contracted until 2012.

Benitez said the deal will be a big boost to the club in their assault on the Premier League and European Cup.

"Dirk had one year left on his contract and we were keen for him to stay. He is a player with great quality who has a big part to play in our future. We are delighted to have reached an agreement," the
Spaniard said.

"To have announced new deals for Steven and Dirk on the same day shows how hard everyone is working and that we are moving forward quickly as a club.

"These are very positive messages and I am very happy."

The ex-Valencia boss will be hoping Fernando Torres will be the next to sign as the striker is in negotiations along with Jamie Carragher, Alvaro Arbeloa and Jose Reina.

Benitez added: "We are very close to sealing deals with other players, several. There will be more very soon."

Liverpool FC Owner's Loan Worry

A sports group belonging to Tom Hicks has defaulted on $525m worth of loans, an American newspaper reported last night.

The report originally surfaced on the financial website FINalternatives, but was also reported in the Dallas Star.

According to the reports, the loan is partially secured on the Texas Rangers and Dallas Stars baseball teams owned by Hicks.

But the loan is not secured on Hicks’ 50 per cent stake in Liverpool or by the American businessman’s personal assets.

The $525m debt is divided into a $350m bank term loan, $100m second-lien loan and a $75m revolving credit facility.

“There is no possibility of banks owning the teams,” Hicks wrote.

He added: “I am working closely with both leagues to find quality partners that share my long term vision of building these two great franchises.”

McParland To Oversee Academy Revolution

When Rafa Benitez revealed last week that Frank McParland would be returning to Liverpool to oversee a much-needed review of the club’s academy it added another layer of confirmation to the belief that the Reds boss is far from happy with the youth set-up at his disposal.

But it also confirmed just how highly Benitez regards McParland, who was Liverpool’s chief scout before joining Sammy Lee for a brief spell at Bolton in 2007.

Anyone who knows McParland will know that he is a forthright individual who holds strong views about the way football should be played and clubs should perform. He is definitely nobody’s yes man.

He is also a massive Liverpool fan who has been a regular at Reds matches even since leaving the club a couple of years ago.

In this respect, his appointment – even though it remains a temporary one at this stage – is similar to Lee’s at the end of last season.

Benitez clearly believes that the combination of vast football knowledge, a bulging contacts book and a love for Liverpool is a potent one as he looks to reshape the club.

And if McParland makes even half the impact that Lee has made then he will have done one hell of a job.

Loving Hillsborough Mum Anne Williams A Hero To All Of Liverpool

According to the adage that time is a great healer, the gaping wounds which opened up on Merseyside and beyond on April 15, 1989 should have long since mended.

But in 11 days’ time the 20th anniversary of Hillsborough will arrive and hearts will weigh just as heavy as they did in the hours, days, weeks and months which followed British football’s biggest ever disaster.

Even the passing of two decades – an entire generation – has failed to ease much of the pain caused by the tragic and unnecessary deaths of 96 men, women and children who went to a football match and never came back.

“It’s time to move on” is a phrase which is being uttered with greater monotony with every passing year but this week, the plight of one courageous mother highlighted exactly why moving on is not yet an option and nor should it be.

Anne Williams’ old life ended when her 15-year-old son Kevin became one of the victims of the death trap that was the Leppings Lane end.

From that point on, Anne has devoted almost every waking moment to the ongoing fight for justice, in particular her own personal battle to find out how Kevin was killed and for it to be proven in a court of law.

Her relentless search for the truth eventually led to new evidence being discovered which appeared to prove that Kevin had been alive at least 45 minutes after the 3.15pm cut-off point imposed by the coroner who investigated the Hillsborough tragedy.

It wasn’t just any old evidence either. It came from two serving police officers who had found that Kevin still had a pulse at 4pm.

Furthermore, a doctor by the name of Ed Walker would later tell the British Medical Journal that the 3.15pm cut-off time was clearly bogus because he and other medical professionals had been trying to resuscitate critically injured fans long after that time.

“It is also a matter of public record that some victims who died in hospital did not die until well after 3.15pm,” said Dr Walker.

“I personally, along with many other members of medical staff, was attempting resuscitation on those who subsequently died, but were very much alive, well after 3.15pm. This is quite simply a matter of fact.”

Unfortunately, despite having such powerful evidence at hand Anne’s campaign for her son to be given the inquest she feels he was denied is yet to bear fruit.

Door after door has been slammed in her face as the British justice system has again proved itself unworthy of its name.

Anne had hoped that where her own country had failed her, Europe could unlock the door to justice but this week such aspirations came to nothing when the European Court of Human Rights ruled that her case was inadmissible because too much time had elapsed between the initial incident and evidence being presented to them.

Like packets of crisps and tins of soup, justice, apparently, has a sell-by date. The kick to Anne’s teeth could not have been any harder had a bewigged European judge pulled back his right foot and planted it squarely in her mouth with the ferocity of a Steven Gerrard volley.

Her reaction? “A while ago, I was going to stop fighting but now I’ve decided to carry on.” If ever a few short words summed up a mother’s enduring love for her son it is these.

Because this particular mother is not going to rest until a court of law finally accepts that Kevin Williams died after 3.15pm on Saturday April 15, 1989.

And she is certainly not going to “move on” until there is a full legal recognition that Kevin’s right to life was taken away by the failure of the emergency services on that terrible day.

From somewhere, she has summoned up the courage and the fortitude to continue her fight and for this alone she is exactly the kind of woman that any son would be proud to call “mum”.

Anne Williams is a hero. For what she has gone through and for what she continues to put herself through in the pursuit of justice there can be no other description.

Unfortunately, even heroes cannot always triumph on their own and Anne’s admission on her Hope for Hillsborough page on Facebook that she cannot keep up the fight alone will hopefully result in her being given the kind of support which she so richly deserves.

The Hillsborough disaster did not begin and end on April 15, 1989. It is as relevant today as it was 20 years ago and only when this lone woman’s battle for justice for her son is rewarded will the remaining wounds finally begin to heal.

Liverpool To Decide On Gulacsi Inclusion

The Anfield backroom staff will make the ultimate decision on whether on-loan keeper Peter Gulacsi plays for Hereford against Hartlepool tomorrow.

It is a crucial match for both League One sides who are striving to avoid relegation from the 3rd tier of English football.

Gulacsi has been in inspired form since arriving at Edgar Street, with the Hungarian U-20 international receiving many plaudits.

However, Gulacsi picked up a knee injury whilst training with the Edgar Street club this week and is a major doubt.

Bulls boss Graham Turner remains hopeful Gulacsi will get the all clear from Anfield, but its touch-and-go.

Speaking to the Hereford Times, Gulacsi admits he's desperate to play at Victoria Park, but ultimately it will be his paymasters at Liverpool who will decide.

'I started to feel pain in the back of my knee on Wednesday morning.

'I want to play on Saturday but the decision will be with Liverpool.

'I have been playing a lot of games and, of course, it's a new experience for my body.

'I think it's just a reaction to playing a lot of games in a short space of time.'

With Craig Samson sidelined after surgery on an injured groin, the Bulls have no back-up goalkeeper other than Jose Manuel Veiga.

The Portugeuse born stopper could therefore make his debut for United tomorrow.

If Veiga is drafted in he will hope he stays on the pitch!

In his last semi-professional match Veiga was red-carded for Tamworth against Cambridge United at the Abbey Stadium in April 2007.

Tamworth lost 1-0 in the Conference fixture with Robbie Simpson scoring from the penalty spot for the U's immediately after Veiga's dismissal.

New Reds Deal For Gerrard

Steven Gerrard will now almost certainly get his wish to end his career at Liverpool having agreed a two-year contract extension.

The Liverpool captain, 29 next month, is believed to now be on a deal approaching £150,000 a week which will run until at least 2013, when he will be 33.

Manager Rafael Benitez told Liverpoolfc.tv: "Steven's new contract is fantastic news for the club.

"Steven has once again shown his commitment and it was an easy deal to agree. As soon as we offered him the option he said yes.

"There were no problems at all. He wants to stay for life.

"This deal sends out another clear message that we are moving forward as a club. To know we have a player of Steven's quality with us for many more years is a great boost for the club and the fans.

"He is clearly a player who inspires those around him and, even though he is playing very well at the moment, I still think his best years are ahead of him."

Gerrard said recently: "I'm really happy at the club at the moment, in fact I have never been happier at any time throughout my career and I would happily sign for life.

"I am playing in a top team, I am playing with world-class players and I believe that with this manager, going forward, we can be successful."

After Benitez signed his own new contract in March, the way has been clear for the Anfield boss to secure deals for a string of his top stars.

It is understood that Benitez, now with more control over his budget and transfer policy, is preparing deals for Jose Reina, Xabi Alonso, Alvaro Arbeloa, Dirk Kuyt, Daniel Agger, Fernando Torres and Jamie Carragher.

He has already tied up deals for several of his backroom staff, including assistant manager Sammy Lee, first-team coach Mauricio Pellegrino, goalkeeping coach Xavi Valero, fitness coach Paco de Miguel and chief scout Eduardo Macia.

But the jewel in the crown is Gerrard. Once again there has been speculation of a summer bid from Real Madrid, but Gerrard has frequently made it clear he has no desire to play anywhere but Anfield.

And the announcement of his new deal can only boost the feel-good atmosphere around the club as they chase Manchester United at the top of the Barclays Premier League.

Tremendous victories over United, Real Madrid and Aston Villa have set up Liverpool for a tilt at both the domestic title and the Champions League.

They are just one point behind United, who have a game in hand, and victory at Fulham on Saturday will take them top before United face Villa at Old Trafford on Sunday.

And on Wednesday they face Chelsea in their Champions League quarter-final, first leg at Anfield.

Gerrard Denies Nightclub Attack

England and Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard has denied being involved in a nightclub fight.

The Reds captain formally pleaded not guilty to affray when he appeared at Liverpool Crown Court.

Gerrard, 28, was accused of being part of a group that injured businessman Marcus McGee, 34, at the Lounge Inn, Southport, in the early hours of December 29 last year.

His appearance came on the day he signed a two-year contract extension which will keep him at Anfield until 2013.

Asked how he pleaded, the father of two, dressed smartly in a single-breasted dark blue suit, said in a loud voice: "Not guilty."

He appeared alongside six other men who also denied affray - a charge stemming from a melee after Gerrard celebrated Liverpool's 5-1 destruction of Newcastle.

Today, the Recorder of Liverpool Henry Globe QC adjourned the trial to July 20.

Because of Gerrard's standing as Liverpool captain, there had been discussion in legal circles about whether the trial would be moved to another city.

But Judge Globe, saying careful consideration would be given to jury members' interests, kept the case in Liverpool.

He checked with prosecuting barrister Brian Cummings QC and the rest of counsel today whether his own interest in football - and visits to Anfield - had any bearing on him presiding over the trial.

He said: "I want to make it quite plain, my own position, I want it to be clearly understood.

"I am not a season ticket-holder, nor regular attender at Anfield, but it would be right to say I have been a visitor at Anfield as a guest on occasions.

"I have a general interest in football and watched many football matches, though not live, with many different clubs, not just Liverpool."

The assembled barristers agreed that was fine.

The seven defendants were given bail with conditions not to contact witnesses nor to enter the Lounge Inn unless with a legal representative.

Rafa Benitez Urges Liverpool To Maintain Discipline

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has today spoken of the need for his team to not get carried away by their fine results prior to the international break, and concentrate on the task in hand, placing a particular emphasis on team discipline.

The Reds have put down a real marker in their last few games, handing out impressive beatings to Real Madrid, Manchester United and Aston Villa, whilst their rivals from Old Trafford stuttered last week in their 2-0 defeat at Fulham, and were reduced to nine men after a Paul Scholes handball and a Wayne Rooney tantrum.

No Liverpool man has received his marching orders this season, and the Spaniard is keen that such an impressive disciplinary record is maintained when his side travel themselves to Fulham this weekend.

"The mentality of the team is good and the players are well organised and know what to do," he told The Liverpool Echo.

"This helps our discipline and the players know the most important thing is to stay focused on the game and that is all, especially when it is coming to this time of the season.

"It is always important in difficult situations to keep your head and remain cool."

Meanwhile, Benitez received some positive news on the injury front, after it was confirmed that the knee injury suffered by Sami Hyypia whilst away with Finland is not serious, and the defender has every chance of making the trip to Craven Cottage.

Liverpool FC To Gamble On Javier Mascherano

Liverpool are ready to gamble on the fitness of Javier Mascherano at Fulham tomorrow – despite the midfielder having not yet returned from international duty.

Mascherano will play despite only having arrived at Melwood at lunchtime today after being on the receiving end of Argentina’s heaviest defeat in more than 60 years, losing 6-1 in Bolivia at high altitude.

In-form Liverpool will aim to pick up where they left off before the international break by moving temporarily top of the Premier League with victory at Fulham tomorrow evening.

Of Argentina’s surprise loss, Mascherano said: “For some of us, playing in the altitude was something new, for others not so much, but we can’t say that we lost because of the altitude.

“Our rivals played better and nothing turned out right for us.

“This should serve us as a lesson and it will surely consolidate the squad, who are very united and growing in every aspect.”

Liverpool are confident both Sami Hyypia and Yossi Benayoun will be available for the trip to Craven Cottage.

And with no further international breaks, Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard believes the Anfield outfit can now devote 100% of their concentration and energies on their quest for Premier League and Champions League glory.

“The good thing now is that we can put the internationals to the back of our minds now and just concentrate on the run-in,” said Gerrard.

“The last three weeks have been among the most enjoyable in my Liverpool career, and we want to keep that momentum going.

“We know that it is going to be difficult at Craven Cottage; just look at what they did to United.”

Rafael Benitez: I Contemplated Leaving Liverpool

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has revealed that he gave serious thought to leaving the club before finally signing a new five-year contract at Anfield last month.

It appears that uncertainty at boardroom level caused Benitez to question his own future.

However, the Spaniard insists that the doubts have since faded and he is now fully committed to taking the club forward.

"It is true that at times I may have thought about my future," Benitez is quoted as saying by Sky Sports.

"It will be easier now the contract is done. Once you sign a contract you know you can start thinking about the future. That is why it was important to get it done as soon as possible.

"The uncertainty at the club was the only thing on my mind before. But delaying the decision before saying yes at the end of the season would have been worse for everyone because we would have lost some of our transfer targets or [would] certainly [be] at a disadvantage."

Ablett: Reds Must Feel Invincible

Gary Ablett believes Liverpool have to adopt an air of invincibility if they are to end their 19-year quest for a league championship.

Ablett played in the last Liverpool team to win the title - which was then Division One - in the 1989-90 season.

The 43-year-old remembers how that squad, managed by Kenny Dalglish, felt they were unbeatable during their run to a record 18th championship and believes the 2009 generation have to do the same.

In their last three matches they have beaten Real Madrid in the Champions League and Manchester United and Aston Villa in the Premier League, scoring 13 goals in the process.

Ablett reckons those performances could prove pivotal to the outcome of Liverpool's campaign.

"If you go back to our championship-winning team we went out with a feeling we couldn't be beaten," he said.

"The three results of late will hopefully have given us confidence to take through to the end of the season and it would be nice to see the same result as 1989-1990.

"I'm sure Rafa will give them the benefit of his vast wisdom. He'll tell them to go out and do what they have been doing."

Rafael Benitez's side currently trail defending champions United by a point, although their arch rivals do have a match in hand.

However, after a run of three successive league victories - including that 4-1 demolition of United at Old Trafford - Liverpool could be top before Sir Alex Ferguson's side play again.

The Merseysiders travel to Fulham for a Saturday evening kick-off while United welcome Aston Villa to Old Trafford the following day.

Ablett, who now manages the club's reserve team, said expectations were always high at Anfield but closing the gap on United in recent weeks had provided an extra boost.

"I think we are always hopeful we are going to do well," he added.

"The results in the week before the international break gave everyone renewed confidence and self-belief that we could go on and achieve things.

"Obviously United are still in the driving seat but if we take care of our own business and continue to play in the manner we have been and collect as many points as we can and United slip up hopefully we can be there to take advantage.

"We have the players to take advantage of that situation."

Ablett also praised Benitez for the work he has done since arriving at the club in the summer of 2004.

In his first season he famously won the Champions League against AC Milan in Istanbul, reached the final two years later and has now turned Liverpool into genuine title contenders.

"I think we have improved with every single year Rafa has been here, culminating in the chance with eight games to go we could win the league," said Ablett.

"I'm not sure in the time Rafa has been here we could say that before.

"We are definitely improving; we have had to improve to keep up with United, Chelsea and Arsenal in the past.

"Hopefully our time is coming. If it's this year, great. If it's next year we'll wait for next year."

Rafa Benitez: International Break Won't Halt Liverpool's Quest For Silverware

Rafael Benitez is optimistic that Liverpool can carry on in the same rich vein of form that saw them score 13 goals in their last three games before the international break.

The Reds thrashed Real Madrid 4-0 in the Champions League, before thumping Manchester United 4-1 and Aston Villa 5-0 in the Premier League.

It has been suggested that the recent international fixtures might have disrupted Liverpool's momentum, but the 48-year-old is convinced that will not be the case.

"We were playing very well before the break, that is true," Benitez is quoted as saying in The Sun.

"Now we have to start again. We want to pick up where we left things and carry on winning.

"We’ve every confidence it will be the same when we get everyone back. I am really positive when I think about the rest of the season."

Liverpool Star Gerrard Due In Court Today

England midfielder Steven Gerrard is due in court today to formally plead over his alleged involvement in a nightclub brawl.

Gerrard is expected at Liverpool Crown Court this morning to plead over a single count of affray.

It is alleged the Liverpool captain was involved in a melee which saw businessman Marcus McGee, 34, lose a tooth and sustain facial cuts.

The 28-year-old was at Southport's Lounge Inn celebrating Liverpool's 5-1 win over Newcastle when trouble flared in the early hours of December 29.

The married father-of-two was originally charged with affray and assault.

But last month when he appeared before magistrates in the seaside town, the assault charge was dropped.

During his first court appearance in January Gerrard, of Formby, indicated he would deny the crown's case against him.

Today, he will go before the Recorder of Liverpool, Judge Henry Globe QC, along with six other defendants - all charged with affray.

They are Accrington players - goalkeeper Ian Dunbavin, 28, of Guildford Road, Southport, and midfielder Robert Grant, 18, of Enstone Avenue, Litherland - and John Doran, 29, of Woodlands Road, and Ian Smith, 19, of Hilary Avenue, both Huyton, Merseyside; John McGrattan, 33, of Rimmer Avenue, and Paul McGrattan, 31, of Linden Drive, both Huyton.

Liverpool Cannot Afford To Buy Barcelona Striker Samuel Eto'o

Samuel Eto'o will not be going to Liverpool this summer because the Premier League club cannot afford his extensive personal demands.

Liverpool are not interested in signing Barcelona's Samuel Eto'o this summer because they cannot meet his personal demands, according to a report in Sport.

The Reds have been linked with a bid for the Cameroonian striker as Rafael Benitez looks to celebrate penning a new long-term contract by adding some more quality to his squad.

Eto'o's contract at Barcelona runs out in 2010 and speculation is rife about whether he will sign a new deal or whether he or the club will decide a change is in their best interests.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has stated that he would like the striker to stay, however, he is also unsure about the demands that the club's free-scoring forward will make.

Last summer Eto'o was told he could leave but all interested parties baulked when he demanded up to €9 million-per-season. That could put off would-be suitors this time around.

Sport believe that the 28-year-old would ask Liverpool for at least €7.5m and that would be enough to scupper the deal as it would dwarf Fernando Torres' €5.4m-per-year contract.

Eto'o told the French press recently that he has already decided what he will do at the end of the season and has this week stated that he is not interested in joining Inter, who are also monitoring his situation.

Glum-faced Benitez Really Does Have Something To Bleat About Now As Key Men Get Injured

Liverpool fans should prepare themselves for manager Rafael Benitez to be even more grumpy than usual as the team prepare to play Fulham on Saturday night.

The Spaniard barely raised a smile after recent important victories and he is bound to be decidedly downbeat after an international break which Sami Hyypia and Yossi Benayoun are set to return from injured.

Given his increasing appetite for speaking out it would surely surprise no-one if he starts bleating about the international calendar and the number of games the top players are subjected to in the all-too familiar style of Arsene Wenger.

But his squad should be able to cope with a bit of bad luck (or rebelliousness/patriotism from his players) at this stage of the season and if he says he has his doubts, someone should tell him to look on the bright side of life for once.