Benitez Convinced Liverpool Can Lift Title

Liverpool have cashed in on midfielder Xabi Alonso and their lack of financial muscle means they have been unable to compete for stellar signings like Valencia striker David Villa.

However, manager Rafa Benitez remains convinced he can end a three-season trophy drought at Anfield and deliver the prize the fans crave the most.

Next May will represent the 20th anniversary since the Merseyside club last won the league title, far too long for a team of Liverpool's traditions.

They lost only two league games last season yet were still forced to settle for runners-up spot.

"We are strong enough to beat anyone but we need to be consistent," said Benitez as he prepared for his sixth season in charge at Anfield.

"We got 86 points last season, a record for the club in the Premier League, but we still need to improve. We have a lot of confidence."

Consistency will be the key for Liverpool. Despite losing two fewer games than champions Manchester United, it was too many home draws that did for them last season and Benitez knows they cannot afford a repeat.

Their transfer budget is dwarfed by United, Manchester City and Chelsea but Benitez appears to have made two shrewd investments, full back Glen Johnson from Portsmouth and midfielder Alberto Aquilani from AS Roma.

Aquilani, once he has recovered from a damaged ankle, does though face a tough challenge to fill the void left by the £30m sale of Alonso to Real Madrid.

Liverpool's title hopes may also rest on Benitez concentrating on his side instead of allowing himself to become distracted by United.

The Anfield club's 2008-09 season seemed to suffer after Benitez launched an outspoken attack on Alex Ferguson in January, saying United's manager was above punishment by soccer's governing bodies.

That sparked a bitter war of words between the pair and it was Ferguson who enjoyed the last laugh by clinching the title for the third successive season.

The fitness of England midfielder Steven Gerrard and Spain striker Fernando Torres is also key to Liverpool's ambitions.

Injuries meant the pair started only 14 Premier League matches together last season.

If Gerrard and Torres stay fit, Liverpool's long wait for the title could soon be over.

Martin Skrtel Returns To Action For Liverpool FC

LIVERPOOL have received a major boost ahead of Sunday’s trip to Tottenham after defender Martin Skrtel made a successful return to action.

The 24-year-old Slovakian has been sidelined since he suffered a hamstring injury in the friendly against Thailand three weeks ago.

However, Skrtel has now resumed full training and he played in a behind closed doors friendly against Oldham at the Academy in Kirkby yesterday.

He came through unscathed as goals from Lucas and Daniel Ayala secured the Reds a 2-0 victory.

Among the interested spectators was new £20million signing Alberto Aquilani, who watched the game alongside Rafa Benitez.

Skrtel is now expected to line up alongside Jamie Carragher at White Hart Lane with Daniel Agger likely to need more time to recover from a back problem.

The former Zenit St Petersburg defender is determined to end the club’s long wait for the Premier League crown.

“Last season we beat Man United home and away, beat Chelsea home and away and drew with Arsenal home and away,” Skrtel said.

“Our problem was dropping points against the other teams like Stoke home and away, West Ham and Hull at Anfield.

“This season we have to try and improve these small details. If we can do that while still beating the top teams, we’ll be even better this time.”

Meanwhile, Benitez was keeping his fingers crossed that his players returned to Melwood today in good shape after international duty.

Fernando Torres and Albert Riera were both on target as Spain rallied from 2-0 down at the interval to win their friendly in Macedonia 3-2.

Torres’ header started the fightback and Riera got the winner as the Spanish netted three times in four minutes.

Torres and keeper Pepe Reina both started the game. Torres played 64 minutes and Reina made way for Diego Lopez two minutes later, while Riera was a second half substitute.

Glen Johnson played the full 90 minutes in England’s 2-2 draw with Holland.

Dirk Kuyt scored for the Dutch early on and Ryan Babel came on after the break.

Javier Mascherano skippered Argentina to a 3-2 win over Russia in Moscow and Yossi Benayoun played 55 minutes of Israel’s 1-1 draw with Northern Ireland.

Jamie Carragher Set To Be Fit For Spurs Clash

Liverpool’s centre-back crisis has eased ahead of Sunday's Premier League opener at Tottenham.

Jamie Carragher is making good progress after twisting his ankle in last Saturday's 2-1 friendly defeat to Atletico Madrid.

Carragher is expected to play at White Hart Lane and the Reds are confident he will have an experienced defender alongside him.

Martin Skrtel has been out since suffering a hamstring injury in the friendly against Thailand on July 2, while Agger has been hampered by a back problem during pre-season.

However, Rafa Benitez is hopeful either Skrtel or Agger will prove their fitness in time to face Spurs.

Carragher's injury left Martin Kelly, Daniel Ayala and Mikel San Jose as the Reds' only fit centre-halves and increased the need to bring in cover.

Benitez was keen on a move for Hull City's Michael Turner but has been weighing up other options after the Tigers asked £11m.

Aquilani Must Wait For Liverpool Debut

Liverpool midfielder Alberto Aquilani has spoken of his pride at wearing the same colours as Steven Gerrard.

Aquilani was presented to the media today after arriving from Roma for a fee reported to be about £15million.

He was keen to point out he is a long-term admirer of Gerrard's qualities.

Aquilani said: "Even before coming to Liverpool, I thought Steven Gerrard was the strongest midfielder in the world.

"I will be very proud to play alongside him and hope I can learn from his game.

"I am looking forward to playing in the same team with players of that kind.

"Liverpool have had good players for a number of years and I have always liked their system of play."

Aquilani and Gerrard have something in common apart from being midfielders - they are both injured.

Gerrard remains doubtful for the match against Tottenham on Sunday with a groin injury, which forced him to miss England's 2-2 draw against Holland.

Manager Rafael Benitez is closely monitoring his talisman's progress and said: "I am not sure about Steven. I was really pleased he was pulled out of the squad as a precaution.

"You could see there were six substitutions in the game, so Fabio Capello was doing great for the players.

"As our game is on the Sunday, then maybe Steven will have a chance. If it was on Saturday it would be more difficult."

Aquilani arrived at Anfield with an ankle injury, which Benitez knew about. It means he will not make his debut for several weeks.

However the Italian believes Liverpool have already got to the root of the problem and come up with a long-term solution.

He said: "At Roma my worries were linked with injury. But when I came to Liverpool, the doctor highlighted exactly the problem I have.

"We now have a very good picture and I hope it will be solved so that I will not be absent again.

"It is a shame I cannot play straight away but it is important to get better, then play well. I am focusing on that."

Despite his setback, Aquilani is not concerned about the physical aspect of England's top flight.

He said: "I cannot wait to be involved as it is a different type of league to the one in Italy and a difficult level to play in. I am very excited about what lies ahead.

"This is a very important occasion for me as I am joining a big club with a rich history.

"While this is one of the best leagues in the world, Liverpool have to be one of the main candidates for winning the title."

Aquilani has replaced Xabi Alonso at Anfield and added: "He was very important player at this club.

"But I am not his natural substitute as I do not have the same characteristics as him.

"I have different style in that I like to move around and not stay in the same place."

Benitez Backs Aquilani To Shine

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez insists new signing Alberto Aquilani will prove to be a shrewd acquisition.

The Italy international has joined the Reds in a £15million switch from Roma, but is currently sidelined with an ankle problem.

The 25-year-old has been hampered by injuries for the past two seasons, with his first-team outings severely limited as a result.

His lack of action has led to fears that his body is unable to withstand the rigours of top level football.

Benitez, though, is adamant that is not the case, claiming Aquilani has just been unfortunate to pick up a few niggling knocks.

"If Aquilani was in a normal market he would cost £25-30m but because of the operation he had on his ankle he was a bit cheaper," the Spanish coach explained in the Daily Mirror.

"We have to wait for a month for him to be fit but he is a player we are signing for five years, not for five matches.

"He had a bad tackle and an operation and that's normal he missed matches. It would have been the same with (Fernando) Torres or (Steven) Gerrard. That is why I don't think his signing is a gamble.

"I was talking with a lot of people in Italy and people are saying it is a fantastic signing."

Aquilani has been brought in to help plug the gap created by Xabi Alonso's departure to Real Madrid.

Benitez admits he was reluctant to part with the Spanish schemer, but believes he has found an able replacement.

"We couldn't change the situation of Alonso," he added.

"He decided to go, we had to progress. You have to mange in the best way you can.

"Alberto is now under the control of our medical staff because he had been going to different people. He has the quality to settle down in England."

Aquilani - I Am Not Like Alonso

Liverpool new boy Alberto Aquilani insists he does not want to be compared to Xabi Alonso at Anfield.

Aquilani has been brought in from Roma to help fill the void left by Alonso's departure to Real Madrid.

The Italian international, who will miss the start of the season as he recovers from ankle surgery, says he is not a direct replacement for Alonso as he has a different style of play than the Spaniard.

"He was a very important player at this club," said Aquilani as he was unveiled at Anfield.

"But I am not his natural substitute as I do not have the same characteristics as him.

"I have a different style in that I like to move around and not stay in the same place."

Aquilani is not expected to make his debut for Liverpool until October because of his injury, but the midfielder is confident of making a speedy return as the Reds medical staff have got to the root of the injury.

"At Roma my worries were linked with injury. But when I came to Liverpool, the doctor highlighted exactly the problem I have," added Aquilani.

"We now have a very good picture and I hope it will be solved so that I will not be absent again.

"It is a shame I cannot play straight away but it is important to get better, then play well. I am focusing on that."

There have been fears that Aquilani could struggle to cope with the physical demands of the English game, but the 26-year-old is sure he will adapt to the rigors of the Premier League.

"I cannot wait to be involved as it is a different type of league to the one in Italy and a difficult level to play in. I am very excited about what lies ahead," noted Aquilani.

"This is a very important occasion for me as I am joining a big club with a rich history.

"While this is one of the best leagues in the world, Liverpool have to be one of the main candidates for winning the title."

Aquilani is excited about the prospect of playing alongside Reds skipper Steven Gerrard who he describes as the best midfielder in the world.

"Even before coming to Liverpool, I thought Steven Gerrard was the strongest midfielder in the world," said Aquilani.

"I will be very proud to play alongside him and hope I can learn from his game.

"I am looking forward to playing in the same team with players of that kind.

"Liverpool have had good players for a number of years and I have always liked their system of play."

Hertha Want To Loan Liverpool Forward Andriy Voronin For Another Season

According to a report in German newspaper Bild, Bundesliga outfit Hertha are keen to sign Liverpool attacker Andriy Voronin on another one-year loan deal.

The Ukrainian forward played on loan for the Berlin outfit last term, and quickly developed into a key player. Voronin was the club's top scorer, netting 11 goals.

Hertha were keen to land Voronin on a permanent deal following his outstanding performances, but they were unable to meet Liverpool's €4 million asking price, and the Ukrainian therefore returned to England.

The striker is keen to fight for his place with the Reds, but it doesn't look like he will get regular first team action. He may now opt to return to Berlin after all. Hertha's sporting director, Michael Preetz, has reportedly already contacted Liverpool to discuss a possible transfer.

The Berlin side are desperate to land a new attacker in the upcoming days, largely due to the departures of Marko Pantelic and Amine Chermiti. Brazilian forward Raffael is the only experienced striker at Hertha at the moment.

Tommy Smith Concerned As Liverpool Injuries Mount

Tommy Smith is worried that his former club Liverpool, with whom he excelled as a central defender under the management of Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley in the 1960s and '70s, are facing a defensive injury crisis ahead the beginning of the new Premier League season.

Smith also feels that that a general lack of experience amongst the Reds' current defenders could be a cause for concern over the coming campaign.

Before a ball is kicked, we’ve got an injury crisis in the defence, with Jamie Carragher, Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel all battling to recover from knocks," he told The Liverpool Echo.


"With Sami Hyypia gone, and with Glen Johnson and Emiliano Insua still settling in to full-back roles, I feel concerned over the defensive side.

"I was at the Atletico Madrid match and while I know it was only a friendly, the young lads at centre-back did get exposed once Jamie went off.

"I’m sure Jamie will be out there at White Hart Lane, but it would be good to see one other first choice centre-back alongside him, because we need to get off to a good start and keep a clean sheet."

The midfield area could also provide some cause for anxiety, Smith feels, with the departure of Xabi Alonso leaving the Reds short of quality, with Alberto Aquilani still to recover from injury and not set to appear for the Reds for at least another month, possibly longer.

"I was pleased to see Lucas having a good game against the Spaniards at the weekend but for me too many of the men in red looked short of fitness and form so close to the start of the season," he added.

"Add in Alonso’s departure – and the fact that his replacement Alberto Aquilani is not fit yet – and we’ve got a lot to put right very quickly in my book.

"Aquilani is clearly a class player from what we hear but the fact we have paid so much for someone who is two months away from being ready, is another big worry for me.

"I know medical science has come on so much that everyone must be very confident he will recover. But I just hope there is a clause in that £20m deal which allows us to get our money back – or most of it – if he does continue to have problems.

"The sooner we see him the better, because Alonso was a very important player for us and we can’t afford to miss his influence for long."

Liverpool Midfielder Riera Dedicates Goal To Late Daniel Jarque

Liverpool midfielder Albert Riera has dedicated his international strike for Spain this week to the memory of the late Espanyol player Daniel Jarque.

Jarque, a former team-mate of Riera's at the Catalan outfit, passed away unexpectedly after suffering a heart attack after a training session. He was just 26 years old.

Spain has been in mourning this week as the nation pays it's last respects to the centre-back.

The Liverpool winger scored in Spain's 3-2 victory over Macedonia on Wednesday night and told the Reds' official website, "My goal is for Dani, for his family, and for everyone associated with Espanyol.

"It was a goal that meant a lot, over and above the result. For me it was very important due to the desire that I had to score in this game. I can assure that this goal came from the soul.

"I wasn't only thinking [about scoring], but that's that I was hoping for. I've thought a lot about Dani and about scoring a goal for him."

The entire national squad paid their respect to Jarque before the friendly by donning shirts bearing Jarque's name and squad number prior to a minute's applause in his honour.

The defender's tragic death came just one month after he had been named captain for the upcoming season.

Benitez: We Couldn't Change The Situation Of Alonso

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has revealed he had little choice but to sell Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid, because the 27-year-old Spaniard wanted to leave the club.

The former Valencia coach did however assure Liverpool fans that new signing Alberto Aquilani will prove a huge hit at Anfield.

Benitez told the Daily Mirror: “We couldn't change the situation of Alonso,”

“He decided to go, we had to progress.”

“You have to manage in the best way you can.”

Although he could do little about Alonso’s departure other than get best possible deal for Liverpool, Benitez is delighted to have signed Roma midfielder Aquilani.

He said: “If Aquilani was in a normal market he could cost £25-30m but because of the operation he has on his ankle he was a bit cheaper,”

“We have to wait for a month for him to be fit, but he is a player we are signing for five years not for five matches.”

“He had a bad tackle and an operation and that's normal he missed matches.”

“It would be the same with Torres or Gerrard. That is why I don't think his signing is a gamble.”

“I was talking with a lot of people in Italy and people are saying it is a fantastic signing.”

We Can Beat Anyone ... But We Need Luck On Our Side - Jamie Carragher

For all the training to do, money to spend and skill to have, it’s amazing that so much of what happens in football can be chalked up to luck.

It is on the pitch where players and fans pray most for such intervention, but even off it, Jamie Carragher for one, certainly laments the lack of luck Liverpool have had recently in finding young players who would go on to become household names, as they did during the club's golden era.

Gone are the days of Liverpool’s legendary chief scout, from 1967 to 1985, Geoff Twentyman.

A former Liverpool player, Twentyman was recruited by Bill Shankly and went on to unearth a host of world-famous stars that helped the Reds’ claim 18 league championships.

Twentyman worked tirelessly, travelling up and down the country in his trademark Cortina to write reports on young up-and-coming professionals such as Alan Hansen, Terry McDermott, Steve Nicol, Ian Rush, Phil Neal and Kevin Keegan, to name but a few.

Having passed away over five years ago at the age of 74, Twentyman left an incredible legend at Anfield. Here in his own restaurant celebrating the launch of the book Secret Diary of a Liverpool Scout – stories behind the signings that shaped the course of history,
Jamie Carragher believes the world will never see the likes of Twentyman again. “Where would Liverpool have been with out players like Hansen and Rush?” he says, in his first ever Goal.com exclusive.

“The game is a lot more global now, so I think scouts have to look all over the world. So modern scouting has to be different now because the game has got a lot more global and you see clubs sending scouts all over the world. But it’s so different now - look at the prices clubs want for young players.

“The amount of great players that Geoff Twentyman unearthed was just something else. He made sure all the players he bought over were down to earth and had there feet on the ground. He could tell straight away if they were right for Liverpool.

“People say I can’t shut up about football, but Geoff Twentyman was just unbelievable. Like Rafa Benitez, who just talks about just football, Geoff just lived for the game and obviously loved the game and the club he also played for.

“The role of a scout is just as important as that of a manager. Although Geoff Twentyman is not a big a name as Bob Paisley and Shanks, I hope he gets some recognition outside of Liverpool for what he did, because he put peoples' minds at ease and you don’t want uncertainty at a football club. You want clear heads knowing that people are doing their jobs, although as players we always try our best to get on with it."

With the Reds' talent pool drying up, Carra can still point to an English club continuing a similar legacy to that of old Liverpool's - but it's not one many at Anfield want to spend too much time thinking about. “I've always respected Manchester United for bringing young kids in, and they should have respect for what Geoff did," insists the defender. "Some clubs are too big-headed but we are just working-class clubs.”

Carragher likes Liverpool's chances of contending for their first ever Premier League title just as they did last season, and again, he sees little to separate the top four clubs - with no mention of Manchester City.

“The top four are very evenly balanced and it’s rare that you’ll see one team easily beating the others," he says. "We know each other so well, we know who the danger men are, we try to stop them.

“You have the likes of Chelsea who have a new manager but the personnel hasn’t changed too much. The spine of their team’s as good as anyone else’s, and the likes of Man United and Arsenal are always going to test you to the limit.

“Big games are settled by small details but we are capable of beating anyone and we don’t fear anyone. We can go anywhere and win."

But then, there's that crucial element - from the 2005 Champions League final, to the 2007 edition, then to just five months ago in the quarter-finals. “You also need luck on your side and at times," insists Carra. "Like in Istanbul, luck was on our side, but at times we have not been so lucky: we didn’t have any luck in Athens and last year against Chelsea.”

The former England international confirms he will be fit for the start of the season to ease the pressure on Rafa's injury-hit back-line, but knowing that, at 31, he can't go on forever, he will be hopeful of a new Geoff Twentyman emerging, so that he may find a new Carragher, a new Gerrard, and if they're lucky, maybe a few more for good measure.

England Boss Fabio Capello Admits He’d Love To Clone Liverpool FC’s Steven Gerrard

THE KOP has a famous song about a Liverpool team containing 11 ‘Jamie Carraghers’ but Fabio Capello admits he’d like to clone the defender’s Anfield team-mate Steven Gerrard.

In the absence of a cloning machine, Fabio Capello will hand Ashley Young a chance to impress for England in their friendly with Holland tomorrow.

If Capello’s dreams were to become reality, he would simply have replaced Steven Gerrard with an exact replica when the Liverpool skipper pulled out with a minor groin injury.

Real life is not so simple, which is why Young will get another chance to face top quality opposition in the Amsterdam Arena after failing to impress against Germany last November.

The Aston Villa man has been picked since becoming the only negative point from an otherwise memorable evening in Berlin. But since Andorra provided the opposition in a six-goal rout in June, that doesn’t really count.

“I cannot clone Stevie,” observed the Italian.

“Every player has a different style and Ashley Young is really important because he is one of the English players who can dribble and take people on one-on-one.

“He has only played twice for me. The first time it was so-so. The second he played very well.

“Now he needs the confidence to perform against one of the best national sides in the world.”

As Capello seems to have mastered the art of generating the most from his players, confidence is the one thing Young should not be lacking as England face the only European side to have already qualified for next summer’s World Cup.

Not that such an impressive performance allows them to be rated alongside Euro 2008 winners Spain, the team Capello still regards as number one in the world despite their untimely Confederations Cup exit at the hands of the USA.

Still, Oranje represent a significant test for an England side whose only defeats under their impressive manager have come away from Wembley, against France and Spain.

“Holland do not have the same quality as Spain but they have had some really good results, so it is a really important test,” said Capello.

“It gives us an opportunity to understand what we will have to do if we play against a team with the same style in South Africa.”

The exit of Theo Walcott from training having played no meaningful part suggests he will not play in a match that takes place before the Premier League starts.

Rafa Frets Over Torres

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has admitted he has spoken to the Spain national team to ensure Fernando Torres does not run the risk of picking up an injury.

Torres is currently away with Spain for Wednesday's friendly with Macedonia with Benitez hoping he returns with no injury problems for the start of the Premier League season this weekend.

The Reds hit-man saw his campaign last term blighted by a series of injuries picked up on international duty and Benitez is keen to avoid a repeat of that situation.

Torres has endured a busy summer having featured for Spain at the Confederations Cup and Benitez is hoping to have the striker firing on all cylinders this season.

"We would like to take things carefully and ease him back in, but of course it is now out of control because he is with Spain," Benitez told The Mirror.

"It is hard to say where he is at, but he came back very late because he was with Spain in such an important tournament. I can say he has not had enough training and then he scores two goals.

"But equally I can I say he has had enough time and he misses three chances, and then you will have he has not had enough training and he is not fit.

"He has gone with the national team and we are talking with the staff to make sure they do the right things with him. That is all we can hope."

Pepe Reina Fears Liverpool Could Pay The Price After Selling £30m Xabi Alonso To Real Madrid

Pepe Reina fears that Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez will rue the departure of compatriot Xabi Alonso because the midfielder is virtually irreplaceable.

The Spain star sealed his protracted move to £30million Real Madrid last week and Benitez moved quickly to bring in £20m Italy international Albert Aquilani from Roma.

But the Reds No 1 is concerned that his side may struggle to compensate Alonso's absence in midfield this season, particularly with captain Steven Gerrard facing a race against time to be fit for Saturday's Barclays Premier League opener against Spurs, while new boy Aquilani has already been ruled out for the trip to White Hart Lane.

'It is very difficult to find a ­player like Xabi,' the goalkeeper said.

'Of the central midfielders in the world it is very difficult to find one as complete as Alonso. He is like a fabulous orchestra conductor on the pitch.

'He can do everything. He can play short passes, long passes, he heads it well and he is tactically very astute.'

Despite losing the services of his compatriot, Reina is still adamant that Liverpool are in with a serious shout to win an elusive Premier League title this term.

The Reds were blighted by inconsistent home form during their quest to prise the championship from the grasp of champions Manchester United, finishing runners-up.

But with United boss Sir Alex Ferguson losing key men Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez in the close season, Reina believes there is great expectation at Anfield.

'This year almost all the big sides have lost an ­important player,' he added.

'I believe Everton, Aston Villa or Manchester City could really make it exciting this season.'

Bad News For England Offers Timely Anfield Boost

Steven Gerrard’s recent withdrawal from the England squad will not prevent the talismanic midfielder from starting Liverpool’s game against Tottenham this weekend according to the Liverpool Daily Post.

Gerrard pulled out of tonight’s friendly with Holland due to a slight groin strain, despite training with the England squad on Monday. Capello recently suggested he would like to have played Gerrard, but in his absence Aston Villa star Ashley Young will be given an opportunity to shine.

The early indications suggest Gerrard will start the Premier League game at the weekend, giving Rafa Benitez a timely boost ahead of a crucial season for the Reds.

Gerrard’s teammates Jamie Carragher, Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger are all major doubts for the game at White Hart Lane, while concerns remain over Fernando Torres’ fitness.

Kuyt & Benayoun Are Key Men For Liverpool This Season - David Fairclough

Former Liverpool striker David Fairclough is optimistic about his old club's chances of ending their 20-year wait for a league title, and feels that the experience of coming so close last season will stand them in good stead over the course of the coming campaign.

"There'd be no point in starting if we didn't think we could win the league," he told Sky Sports News.

"With the support Liverpool have anything's possible. Liverpool have shown down the years when they've been written off that they're the side that can come back better than anybody else."

Players such as Dirk Kuyt and Yossi Benayoun must also step forward and relieve some of the pressure to create and score goals from the shoulders of Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres, without whom the Reds struggled to score last season.

"One or two players have grown into their positions and also they've come on a ton because of their good form last season. Particularly Dirk Kuyt, Yossi Benayoun. They've got big parts to play I think," he concluded.

Lucas Leiva Targeting Spot In Brazil Squad For World Cup

Lucas Leiva has been the glimmer of light in an otherwise dark pre-season for Liverpool, but his showings on the pitch were not enough to earn him a place in the Brazil squad that will play Estonia this week.

However, the 22-year-old remains hopeful that he will soon make the cut into the national team and travel to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

"It's one year from the World Cup and I have the target of being in the squad," Lucas told the club's official website.

"I also have the target of playing more games at Liverpool.

"It could be a really good year for me."

The youngster touched upon his fitness and the Reds' hope of securing some silverware this season.

"It's the first full pre-season I've been able to do in England so this has given me more confidence and fitness," he said happily.

"When you play at a club like Liverpool you have to think about trophies because we're one of the biggest clubs in the world.

"I am looking forward to doing it this season.

"My first title in Europe would be great. When you are young you want to make history and I am here to try and help Liverpool Football Club create more history."

The Brazilian will be given some time to impress manager Rafael Benitez, since the club's latest acquisition, Alberto Aquilani, is out for two months following surgery.

Anfield Aces Up For The Cook

Liverpool footie stars are going to prove they can take the heat - by having a Masterchef-style cook off to see who the best chef is.

The competition is between Anfield buddies Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher and Fernando Torres, who has got the edge as his nickname is Nando.

The players have even recruited telly's Hell's Kitchen supremo and Michelin star chef Marco Pierre White.

October's final will be held in Jamie's city centre sports restaurant, with Marco adding expert comments and post-meal analysis.

And despite there being only a few days left until the team kick-off their Premier League season against Spurs on Sunday, there's only one thing on their minds.

An Anfield insider said: "The lads have all been having a bit of banter.

"Stevie, Carra and Nando are good mates and they agreed to do it as a bit of a laugh.

"They've all been practicing hard at home. Stevie keeps joking he's going to whip up a pan of Scouse while Nando and Carra want to do something a little fancy.

"Nando fancies himself as the favourite, he is always cooking at home for his missus and reckons his Spanish dishes will win over Marco and the other diners."

Old Trafford Legend Tips Liverpool For The Title

Manchester United legend Teddy Sheringham believes Liverpool will win the title next season ahead of his former club.

The former Tottenham, West Ham and Portsmouth forward also backed Fernando Torres to finish the season as the league’s top scorer.

Sheringham told ZOO Magazine: “I'm going for Liverpool to win the title.”

“They looked so good at the end of last season and will be the team to beat.”

“United fans won't like me saying it, but it'll be their year.”

He added: “I also think they'll have the Prem's top scorer in Fernando Torres.”

“Benitez will play him in all the Premier League games because the title is so important to the Reds, whereas other clubs may rotate more.”

Sheringham also suggested United’s midfield will have to start contributing goals if they are to stand a chance of winning an unprecedented four Premier League titles.

He added: “Man United have lost the goals of Cristiano Ronaldo and Sir Alex Ferguson loves players who score regularly.”

“It's all very well being a good midfielder but if you don't contribute goals, he's usually not interested.”

“Antonio Valencia and Anderson are tidy but they have to start scoring for the Red Devils are to win a fourth successive title.”

Tough Start Is Good For Liverpool - Steven Gerrard

Liverpool travel to Tottenham Hotspur for their opening Premier League game, and captain Steven Gerrard thinks the awkward fixture will be good for the club.

"You expect it now with [Rafael Benitez] in charge," Gerrard told LFC Weekly Magazine, bemoaning the club's tendency to start fresh campaigns away from Anfield. "I don't think he's ever had a home game to start the season in all his time at the club.

"But I think that if you take a step back and look at it in detail, there are benefits to beginning the season away from home," he continued.

"If you can achieve three points knowing you've then got two games to come in front of your own supporters [it's a great boost]."

Gerrard admitted Liverpool are aiming to make a quick start to the campaign.

"The start to the season's always crucial because you can build momentum quickly," he explained.

"They're all tough games, you don't get easy games in our league, but if we could get three points from each of the first three games, then that would be us off to a flier, and that will be our intention."