Match Preview: LiverpooL vs. Manchester City

The first Premier League match of the weekend also happens to be one of the biggest, as Liverpool look to revive their season when they take on top four chasing Manchester City.

The Reds' 2-2 draw with Birmingham City last time out stretched their horror run to one win in nine games. With five league losses already, it would appear that their title race is all but run.

Although Rafael Benitez and his loyal charges have insisted that silverware is still well within their grasp, a top-four finish seems a more realistic target - particularly with the way things are in the Champions League.

Even that relatively humble goal is fraught with obstacles. One of which the 18-time English champions will welcome to Anfield on Saturday lunchtime.

City themselves have a point to prove after a summer of significant investment. Now is the time to show their cash-fuelled rise is no joke and they can mix it with the biggest clubs around.

The Blues currently sit in sixth place - one point ahead of their upcoming opponents. The 3-3 draw with Burnley last time out was their fifth consecutive stalemate in the league and left them further adrift from the leading pack

Thus, the international break could hardly have been timed better for either side. They will both be looking for a result that could save their season.


FORM GUIDE

Liverpool

Nov 9 Liverpool 2-2 Birmingham City
Nov 4 Olympique Lyonnais 1-1 Liverpool
Oct 31 Fulham 3-1 Liverpool
Oct 28 Arsenal 2-1 Liverpool
Oct 25 Liverpool 2-0 Manchester United

Manchester City

Nov 7 Manchester City 3-3 Burnley
Nov 1 Birmingham City 0-0 Manchester City
Oct 28 Manchester City 5-1 Scunthorpe United
Oct 25 Manchester City 2-2 Fulham
Oct 18 Wigan Athletic 1-1 Manchester City


TEAM NEWS

Liverpool

Steven Gerrard didn't join up with the England squad for the glamour game against Brazil and the skipper is fit to start after battling a recurring groin problem. Fernando Torres, however, is all but sure to miss out, along with Yossi Benayoun and Albert Riera.

But there is more good news for manager Benitez, as centre-half Jamie Carragher is available once more after serving a ban for his red card at Fulham.

Alberto Aquilani is an outside chance to make his first start for the club, while defensive duo Glen Johnson and Daniel Agger - who both stayed home over the international break - are expected to play.

Possible starting XI: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Insua, Kuyt, Mascherano, Lucas, Aurelio, Gerrard, Ngog.

Manchester City

Gareth Barry sustained a groin injury whilst serving his country in Qatar, but the former Aston Villa captain is in line to face the club that coveted him for so long.

Craig Bellamy - who spent a season at Anfield - finds himself in a similar situation, although he missed Wales' 3-0 win over Scotland.

Nedum Onuoha (thigh) could be fit enough to make the matchday squad, and there are reports that Robinho (ankle) is all set to make his return - although other sources suggest the Brazilian is still a short while off.

Possible starting XI: Given, Zabaleta, Lescott, Toure, Bridge, Wright-Phillips, Barry, De Jong, Bellamy, Tevez, Adebayor.


PLAYERS TO WATCH

Liverpool - Glen Johnson

The England full back has been shining light in an otherwise gloomy campaign, bringing a new dimension with his adventurous play from the right flank. He can be exposed behind, however, and will need to be vigilant given the visitor's quality in attack.

Manchester City - Gareth Barry

Reds boss Benitez admitted recently that this man was the lynchpin to a plan that will now never be put into place. The midfielder has copped some flak for a perceived lapse in his passing game, but he would no doubt love to show Tom Hicks and George Gillett that he'd have been money well spent.

Rafa Benitez Concedes Champions League Hopes Rest On Make-Or-Break Manchester City Clash

Rafael Benitez acknowledges that Liverpool's clash with Manchester City on Saturday is 'make or break' to their hopes of ensuring Champions League football next season.

The stakes are very high for boss Benitez, who has sent four players - Yossi Benayoun, Albert Riera, Glen Johnson and Fabio Aurelio - to Belgrade this week for unorthodox placenta cell treatment on their injuries.

Now all four, plus injured trio Fernando Torres, Daniel Agger and skipper Steven Gerrard, should be available to face Mark Hughes' ambitious side.

Benitez said: 'This is a big game, an important game. But then all Liverpool games are important. But this could be described as a make-or-break game for our season.

'We are aware of City's ambitions. They have spent some money on good players and they also have a good manager with experience.

'It will be tough, and important for us to win particularly with the Champions League game away to Debrecen next week. A good win will give us all confidence for that.

'We want to progress and we want to be higher in the table. We want to continue playing big teams and playing for something important.

'But it is too early to talk about final league positions, but clearly it is a big game for both clubs. But we must be confident we can win.

'I am not amongst the managers, 80 per cent I am told, in the Premier League who believe City will finish in the top four. We will be in the top four.'

Although City have been left clutching at draws recently, failing to win from their last five games, Liverpool are also under pressure to break their own poor form in the league following their 2-2 home draw with newly-promoted Birmingham nearly a fortnight ago.

Benitez added: 'The aim is to kick-start our season.

'We must improve and a win will be a real lift for everyone.'

'We know City have money and they have spent a lot, but we must not just keep looking at what they are doing.

'What we have to do is to keep going, keep playing at our best.

'We are not in a good position in the table or in the Champions League.

'But we cannot change what has already happened.

'We need to win two or three games and the attitude will be totally different, with the fans and players having more belief.

'It is normally against good teams that we do best because the games are more open. We did it against Manchester United, and we aim to do the same to City.'

Liverpool FC Commercial Chief Hails Club’s Links With Spain

Ian Ayre, the commercial director of English soccer club Liverpool, has paid tribute to the club's Spanish links, following the acquisition of the Spain Tourist Board as a sponsor and the success of Spanish driver Adrian Valles in the team's Superleague Formula motorsport franchise.

Turespaña, the Spain Tourism Board, signed a three-year contract with the club, which is managed by Rafa Benitez and has a number of Spanish stars including goalkeeper Pepe Reina and striker Fernando Torres. Last weekend, when Valles sealed the 2009 championship at a race in his home country, the link was further underlined.

"We're all aware of the clear Spanish connection Liverpool Football Club has and having Adrian is great," said Ayre. "He had a great day at Anfield the week before.

"The players keep in touch with him. I know Pepe Reina is a bit of a petrolhead and has been in regular contact. Rafa also sent a great message of congratulations to him on the day. He's fitted in really well and is clearly a rising star of motor racing."
Ayre added: "The celebrations were unbelievable. It looked like Adrian had his entire village from Spain up on the podium with him. There was lots of champagne being sprayed about."

Liverpool Boss Rafael Benitez Hails Miracle Cure

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has hailed the clinic that has got four of his top men fit for Saturday's crunch Premier League encounter with Manchester City.

Benitez defended the use of a controversial Serbian clinic to get Glen Johnson, Fabio Aurelio, Yossi Benayoun and Albert Riera all fit.

The Belgrade clinic is run by physiotherapist Mariana Kovacevic, and the unusual treatment involves massaging with a placenta cream.

All four are now in contention for the visit of Manchester City, and Tuesday's vital Champions League clash with Debrecen which has clearly buoyed the Reds boss.

"We knew of other players at Premier League clubs who have been to Belgrade for treatment with this lady, and we were made aware that it was very effective," Benitez told the Press Association.

"[Manchester City's Pablo] Zabaleta told Riera about it.

"She [Kovacevic] has been working for seven years with top-class sportsmen, not just footballers. So she has the experience.

"We felt it was a good opportunity to send some of our players. We sent two, Benayoun and Riera and they came back and started training straight away.

"So we decided to send two more, Johnson and Aurelio, and the same thing has happened. They have been training and all four will be in the squad against City.

"Arsenal's Robin van Persie went earlier, but now there are several more top players who are going to have treatment in the same way.

"City have sent two, [Vincent] Kompany and Zabaleta beforehand, and they were playing within days.

"There have been no injections, it is a placenta cream applied with a [massage] machine that creates waves of pressure."

He added: "We sent our players, and Van Persie was there. Kompany and Zabaleta have also been there, and we have been made aware of the success of this treatment over several years.

"Many top players have been going there for seven years, it has been successful and I believe it is safe.

"It is good for specific injuries, doctors have explained the treatment and the components of the cream that is used. We are happy with it.

"We checked it out when we became aware of the different players who had been there. I must admit we have been surprised with how well it has worked.

"It means we have players available and training that we expected to be out for several weeks. Can we guarantee that they are fully fit? We will see, but they have trained with the rest of the team for three days and they are OK."

Rafael Benitez Confirms Liverpool's Glen Johnson Received Placenta Treatment

Liverpool clash with Manchester City this weekend and Rafael Benitez will be hoping the international break will have given his side the opportunity to turn their recent shoddy form around.

Roaming right-back Glen Johnson, according to Benitez, has received the experimental placenta massage that Arsenal striker Robin van Persie elected to try following the injury he sustained while representing Netherlands.

Steven Gerrard, though, will likely feature against Mark Hughes' men. Benitez hopes his talismanic captain scores the winner against a side who are gunning for a top four spot in the Premier League this season.

Benitez told a press conference: "We have some problems, [Dan] Agger has been training, [Steven] Gerrard has been training, Glen [Johnson] too. We have [Martin] Kelly and [Fernando] Torres, who is still not fit.

"We have a plan of two weeks, but [Torres] is ten days away now."

Regarding the placenta treatment given to Johnson, Benitez said through a smile: "We knew from some players from other Premier League clubs that it was a good treatment, and the doctor has good experience with clubs in Europe. Some [Manchester] City players, an Arsenal player [have all received it], so it is something that is credited, he had no injections."

The Spaniard was also delighted to be able to welcome Gerrard back into the side: "Gerrard is important for us, not just on the pitch, he is an example. This is a very good for us, and hopefully he will score the winning goal for us."

Martin Kelly Respects Liverpool Rival Daniel Ayala

Liverpool full-back Martin Kelly has spoken of his respect for colleague Daniel Ayala, despite the fact that the young Spaniard is in direct competition with him for a place in the team.

Both 19-year-olds have represented their countries at youth level and both have now played for Rafa Benitez's first-team, but Kelly insists that their relationship is positive.

"There is a healthy rivalry," the Englishman told the Reds' official website.

"He came in from Spain when I came up from the Academy. We bonded and I have to take my hat off to Dani this season. He's done well and I have to respect that.

"I've got to play football for myself and not look at what anyone else is doing. I need to focus on what I'm doing as a football player and hopefully I'm developing well.

"My dad has always said to me to let other players worry about me. That's what I try to do."

Kelly made his full debut for the Reds against Lyon last month, and says the experience of fellow academy graduate Jay Spearing helped him adjust to the situation quickly.

"You have an idea you're playing during training but I didn't know for sure until about an hour and a half before kick-off. Then the butterflies started," he added.

"Luckily, Jay (Spearing) made his debut the week before, so he was going through a similar thing.

"I'd told him that the boss clearly believed in him, so he had to go out there and take his chance. And he was there to say the same to me. We sit next to each other in the changing room, so he gave me a little bit of advice.

"It lived up to expectations. At the start when You'll Never Walk Alone finished and then we ran out to the Champions League music - you can't get better than that.

"Now I've had a taste of playing in the first team I want to play as much as I can."

The versatile Kelly says he is not yet sure of his best position, but reveals that the experienced defenders at the club are helping his development though.

"At the moment I don't know which is my best position," said the 19-year-old. "I'll play anywhere across the back four. When I went to Huddersfield I played at left-back for the first three games and it didn't seem any different to right-back. I don't mind where I play.

"I've been working hard on the tactical side of my game, which helps. That's coming along and I can't thank the coaching staff enough for what they've done to bring me on as a player.

"The defenders here are top-class players but I'll be trying my hardest in training.

"They [Jamie Carragher, Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel] have been great with me, giving me advice and telling me how to put anything I'm doing wrong right.

"Training with them every day is fantastic - I can't wait to get out there with them and then I don't want the training sessions to finish."

Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis: Liverpool's Andrea Dossena Is Possible

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has given the world another clue regarding his plans for Liverpool defender Andrea Dossena, indicating that a move could take place.

De Laurentiis, who is in Milan for the Lega Calcio general assembly, has uncovered part of his agenda for the January transfer window. Dossena is one of the targets, but the chief is not keen on hasty moves as he plans changes with Walter Mazzarri.

"I will not exclude a move for Dossena," he told the press. "We have also looked at Cristian Molinaro and Antonio Candreva, but I have to speak with Mazzarri about it."

All the hype has revolved around the international scene this week. France's controversial win over Ireland has got the world talking for all the wrong reasons. De Laurentiis has added his voice to the millions calling for video technology.

"I think we need replays on the pitch for these things," concluded the director.

Why Rafa Benitez Is Definitely In It For The Long Haul At Liverpool

Rafa Benitez said he would quit Liverpool if Fernando Torres is sold. The Spanish striker could have been sold last summer to Manchester City if Benitez had accepted their offer – and there will no doubt be more enquiries coming in for Torres until the day he does actually leave.

But what is remarkable about the offer made to Liverpool last summer is the scale of the City bid: £70million for Torres plus and additional £30million for Javier Mascherano. Benitez rejected both offers from Mark Hughes – but I wonder if those Liverpool fans clamouring for some headline grabbing transfer activity and the thrill of purchasing the likes of Ribery, Villa and Silva would have preferred Benitez to say yes?

In rejecting those bids in the summer, Benitez stuck with proven Premier League performers who are guaranteed to succeed, ahead of the instant impact of glamorous summer transfer activity: which in my opinion, was absolutely the right thing to do.

If anyone should question Benitez’s commitment after making that comment about leaving Liverpool – then they should know this. Rafa Benitez turned down the opportunity to take over at Real Madrid in the summer for the FOURTH time since he has been at Anfield.

Benitez rejected a package worth €6million per year over a four-year deal and a transfer budget that a manager’s dreams are made of. The reason he rejected Real Madrid? Rafa believes that he is in the middle of a major project at Anfield, one that so far hasn’t reaped the rewards he expected, but is clearly a work in progress and he has faith in its ultimate success.

The aim is not to bring one league title to Anfield, but a succession of them and an era of Liverpool challenging for all major titles for years to come.

Alberto Aquilani Is Asked To Kick-Start Liverpool's Season

Alberto Aquilani is in contention to make his long-awaited full Liverpool debut on Saturday as Rafael Benítez looks to the £20m summer signing to reinvigorate the club's season against Manchester City.

The Italy international has played only 21 minutes for Liverpool since arriving from Roma in August, as a substitute against Birmingham City and Arsenal, because of his recovery from ankle surgery plus illness. Benítez has been careful to nurse the 25-year-old towards full fitness after several months on the sidelines but is now considering handing the midfielder a first start against Mark Hughes's side at Anfield.

The Liverpool manager's final decision rests on the availability of Steven Gerrard, Yossi Benayoun and Albert Riera, who all could be fit for Saturday despite the Israel and Spain midfielders tearing hamstrings against Birmingham last week. But the option to start Aquilani, who has increased his training schedule significantly since Liverpool's last fixture, is an important breakthrough for Benítez before a demanding set of fixtures and after a succession of injury problems. However, Fernando Torres may be out until the Merseyside derby on 29 November due to a hernia.

Aquilani was bought as a more offensive replacement for Xabi Alonso in the summer and, despite his delayed debut and injury problems, has been tipped to have a major impact at Anfield by his former Roma team-mate and captain Francesco Totti. "He is elegant and smart – these are his main characteristics. Potentially he is one of the best in the world," said Totti. "He has been unlucky with injuries so far but I believe he will do really well in England. Good players prove themselves wherever they go. Alberto will adapt to any type of football. He really is a complete midfielder."

Roma's all-time leading goalscorer added: "Alberto can play in any position in the middle of the park really, either a bit forward or a few steps behind. The advantage he has is that he really understands the game and has great vision – he is dynamic and can make the last pass or try to score himself. Here at Roma, with our 4-2-3-1 strategy, he was playing in front of the defence next to Daniele De Rossi or David Pizarro but also as an attacking midfielder just off me. I think he can do very well in a 4-4-2 too."

Aquilani was given the added incentive of fighting for a World Cup place by Marcello Lippi yesterday, when the Italy coach admitted the midfielder, who appeared for his country at Euro 2008, remained in his thoughts for South Africa. "If he plays with consistency for Liverpool, then why shouldn't I consider him?" said Lippi.

Benayoun and Riera both have an outside chance of facing City despite being ruled out for four weeks when they damaged hamstrings against Birmingham last Monday. The pair received treatment at the Belgrade home of Mariana Kovacevic, the physiotherapist who massages liquid from a horse's placenta into the affected area and is treating Arsenal's Robin van Persie for an ankle ligament injury, and have since made a remarkable recovery.

Liverpool FC’s David Ngog Is Ready To Face Manchester City Despite Breaking His Nose

RAFA BENITEZ is confident David Ngog will be available to face Manchester City this weekend – despite breaking his nose on international duty.

The young striker sustained the injury during a training session with France’s Under-21 squad last week and has returned to Melwood for treatment.

Ngog’s last appearance for Liverpool, of course, was shrouded in controversy after he ‘won’ the penalty that enabled his side to secure a 2-2 draw with Birmingham City.

That incident, though, overshadowed what had been an encouraging display – he scored the Reds’ opener – and with Fernando Torres set to be sidelined, Ngog will be needed.

“Ngog has broken his nose, so we will have to see how he is before the weekend,” Benitez said today. “But we think he is going to be okay. It is not too serious.”

While Torres continues to work with the physios at Melwood, Benitez is confident his squad will have a more robust look to it by the time City arrive at Anfield.

Steven Gerrard trained with the first team yesterday and once again came through the session with flying colours to take a step nearer to his first start since October 20.

Glen Johnson And Fabio Aurelio Are The Latest Liverpool FC Stars To Go For Radical Horse Placenta Treatment

Glen Johnson and Fabio Aurelio have become the latest Liverpool players to visit radical therapist Mariana Kovacevic in an attempt to end their injury problems.

Albert Riera and Yossi Benayoun flew to Belgrade earlier this week to see Kovacevic, who has become famous for treating sportsmen with the liquid from horse placenta.

They have responded so well to treatment that there is a chance the pair could figure against Manchester City on Saturday and now Johnson and Aurelio have followed suit.

That pair were forced to miss England’s friendly against Brazil in Qatar last Saturday with respective hamstring and calf problems.

But after seeing Kovacevic, Johnson is now set to take his place on the right side of Liverpool’s defence when City visit, while Aurelio is making good progress too.

Similar sentiments apply to Fernando Torres, who has done his first couple of training sessions since being ordered to rest his damaged groin for three weeks.

Liverpool’s star striker, however, has not been involved with the rest of the first team squad and the club’s medical staff will continue to monitor his progress.

Liverpool Target Juventus Star Sebastian Giovinco

According to a report in the Corriere dello Sport, Premier League giants Liverpool are mulling over a bid to lure out-of-favour Juventus 'fantasista' Sebastian Giovinco to Anfield.

The diminutive hitman has only mustered six league appearances so far this term and has slipped further down the pecking order, after the arrival of Brazilian ace Diego over the summer.

The 22-year-old has been frequently linked with a move away from the Stadio Olimpico to boost his chances of proving his worth to Italy boss Marcello Lippi ahead of next year’s World Cup finals.

Premier League sides Arsenal and West Ham have allegedly sounded out Juve directors over his availability, but Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is now believed to have joined the hunt and could make an offer to secure his services during the January transfer window.

Giovinco would link up with fellow Italians Andrea Dossena and Alberto Aquilani on Merseyside, with the latter only making his Premier League debut earlier this month after completing a €20 million move from Roma last summer.

Giovinco Agent Rules Out Liverpool

Sebastian Giovinco’s agent has slammed reports that Liverpool are staging a swoop for the ‘Atomic Ant.’

The young Juventus prodigy has been linked with a January move to Anfield, where he would join fellow Italian Alberto Aquilani.

“I don’t think we can say there is anything true in these rumours,” agent Luca Pasqualin told Goal.com.

“Giovinco will remain at Juventus. I don’t know who spread this story around, but I can confirm Giovinco is staying in Turin. That is the reality.”

There were theories as to the Under-21 international’s future, as he is considered a reserve for Diego and Alessandro Del Piero.

“Giovinco is a Juventus player and must have faith in the Coach and his club. As for a hypothetical transfer to Liverpool, there is nothing to say other than he will stay at Juventus.”

Liverpool, Spurs And Fulham On Red Alert

Liverpool, Spurs and Fulham were put on red alert last night as Ruud van Nistelrooy admitted he would consider a return to the Premier League.

The Dutch striker is out in the cold at Real Madrid and is worried about his World Cup place.

The Spanish giants would consider selling the former Manchester United hitman for £5m in the January transfer market.

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp would be interested in the 33-year-old as well as Fulham’s Roy Hodgson, who failed with a bid for Peter Crouch in the summer. Even Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez could consider an offer given his lack of attacking options and injury-ravaged squad.

Van Nistelrooy said: “If I do not get the chance to play in the next couple of weeks then the option to move on in January is very real and open. I need to speak with the new Dutch coach Bert Van Marwijk about returning to the national squad, but I know that is impossible if I do not play at Real Madrid.

‘’If things do not change then I will need to study my situation and consider my options in January. I have not closed anything with any club and I would be interested in going back to England.”

Reds' Struggles Surprise Carlo

Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti has admitted his surprise at Liverpool's Premier League struggles this season.

Rafa Benitez's men were expected to mount a serious title challenge this term but are already badly off the pace after losing five of their opening 12 games.

The Anfield outfit is already 11 points adrift of Ancelotti's league leaders, who have a five-point cushion over Arsenal and Manchester United following their 1-0 victory against the champions before the international break.

Some pundits expected the Red Devils to fall off the pace following the summer sale of Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid, but it is Liverpool's failings which have been an eye-opener for Ancelotti.

The Italian told Il Giornale: "United were two points behind Chelsea before our face-to-face; they have done well in the Champions League.

"Valencia, his (Ronaldo's) replacement, has great qualities and is starting to click with the well-oiled machine that is United.

"The only real disappointment (of the season) is Liverpool."

Ngog Gets Cameroon Invite

Liverpool striker David Ngog has been approached by Cameroon to play for the African country.

Ngog, who has played for France from Under 16 level through to Under 21, qualifies for Cameroon through his father.

Cameroon coach Paul Le Guen is keen for Ngog to change his allegiance ahead of the African Cup of Nations and World Cup.

If Ngog decides to play for Cameroon it could leave Liverpool with problems in attack for January as Cameroon are involved in the African Cup of Nations in Angola at the turn of the year.

Ngog admits he is flattered by the approach and he is now considering his international future.

"I have had contact with the Cameroonian federation. Now I need some time to think about things. I'm very flattered," Ngog told The Sun.

Pepe Reina Is Saving Liverpool FC’s Season, Says Alan Hansen

Pepe Reina is the “tower of strength” that has already prevented Liverpool’s season from heading into oblivion.

That’s the verdict of Alan Hansen, who believes the Spain international is now challenging Ray Clemence for the title of the club’s greatest-ever goalkeeper.

Liverpool entertain Manchester City on Saturday having suffered a run of just one win in nine games to slip to seventh in the Premier League standings.

Another defeat at the weekend would further compromise their hopes of a top-four finish, with their ambitions downscaled following a poor start to the campaign.

And Hansen – who played more than 600 games for Liverpool and gained 23 winners’ medals in a 14-year Anfield career – reckons it would have been even worse but for the presence of Reina.

“Pepe has been invaluable again this season, and, for me, should now be considered as one of the greatest goalkeepers Liverpool have had,” said Hansen.

“He’s right up there with Ray Clemence and it’s probably just as well because if we didn’t have a keeper as good as Reina, we could have been in serious trouble this season.

“Liverpool’s back four have struggled at times this season, but if you have a back four that’s struggling, with a dodgy keeper behind them, then it’s the end of the story.

“Our defence has struggled but Pepe has been a tower of strength. He’s been a model of consistency. Keepers like him are worth their weight in gold as they give the back four confident.

“He has always been a good goalkeeper but if he had a weakness when he first came to Liverpool, it was when the ball was in the air, coming across him quickly.

“Initially he had one or two problems with those type of crosses but he has sorted it out and his judgement is now a lot better.

“In terms of every other quality you need to have as a keeper, Reina is right at the top of the tree. He is reliable, dependable and makes great saves.”

Liverpool are a point behind City having played a game more, and are three adrift of Tottenham Hotspur, who currently occupy the fourth and final Champions League qualification place.

Benitez’s side have played five of the six teams above them this season in all competitions and beaten only champions Manchester United, losing to Arsenal in the Carling Cup and Chelsea, Tottenham and Aston Villa in the Premier League.

And Hansen believes the visit of Mark Hughes’ Eastlands outfit is a must-win for Liverpool to get their season back on track.

“The City game is massive because if you take our current Premier League position into account and the fact qualification for the Champions League knockout stages is out of our hands, it becomes absolutely imperative Liverpool win,” said the Scot. “We want to qualify for the Champions League next season by finishing in the top four and a win would keep the spirits of everyone connected with Liverpool up after such a bad run.

“The sooner we get out of that, the better for the manager, players and supporters. What Liverpool must do is ensure that it isn’t them who are in danger of slipping out of the top four if City does come good.

“The players showed against United they are good enough and what they need to do now is play the same way against City.

“But if Liverpool gets everybody fit and our tried-and-trusted structure back on the pitch, I’m confident Rafa Benitez’s team is capable of showing what they’re all about.”

“Over the next few weeks the players will want to show everybody that their season is not dead and buried by putting a bit of light back into the challenge for the title.

“The players need to achieve a level of consistency to do that – and if they want an example to follow they need look no further than their goalkeeper.”

Future Is Bright For Liverpool - Rafael Benitez

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez believes that the future of the club is secure with regard to the burgeoning talent among the youth players who are set to break into the senior squad.

The 'Rafalution' of the Reds continued during the summer, when the Spaniard instigated an overhaul in the system and structure of the club's youth and reserve set-up.

"The players can see the difference and I am sure it will be easier for them to progress," Benitez told the club's official website.

"It is always important to develop your own players. Local players have passion and desire and I think that is the key if you want to be consistent and stay at the top of the table - you have to produce your own players.

"When you make changes it can take time, but we all have the same plan, everybody is following it and we try to do the same things here at Melwood and at the Academy."

When asked if he foresaw a bright future for the Merseysiders, the former Valencia manager answered: "Yes, I think so. I am sure."

Liverpool Manager Rafael Benítez Could Sell Quartet To Balance Books

Rafael Benítez may be forced to part with as many as four senior international squad members in the January transfer window as he attempts to trim Liverpool’s wage bill and balance the Anfield books.

Ryan Babel, Andrea Dossena, Andriy Voronin and Philipp Degen will all be sacrificed should suitable offers arrive, even though there are currently no guarantees that Benítez will be granted the revenue generated by their departures to reinvest into the Liverpool team.

The Spaniard has seen his team’s Premier League and Champions League challenges falter under the weight of an extensive injury list, highlighting the paucity of resources available to him after two consecutive summers of little net outlay on the playing staff.

Yet the financial restrictions at Anfield are such that Benítez will be forced to endure the last six months of the campaign with a squad depleted still further unless he can find suitable reinforcements on loan.

Dossena, an £8 million signing from Udinese last year, has found his playing time severely restricted by the emergence of Emiliano Insua as Liverpool’s first-choice left-back and will return to his native Italy in January in the hope of securing a place in Marcello Lippi’s World Cup squad.

Napoli, who came close to signing him in the summer, remain interested, but the club’s president, Aurelio De Laurentiis, is unwilling to fund a permanent deal until next summer. It is likely Liverpool would have to make a contribution to the player’s wages should he agree a loan return to Italy.

Voronin, though he has signally failed to impress in England, remains well-regarded in Germany after an impressive loan spell with Hertha Berlin last season, and several clubs are believed to be ready to offer him a return to the Bundesliga.

Degen, too, a free transfer signing from Borussia Dortmund, is likely to head to Germany in search of the regular appearances which would guarantee him a ticket to South Africa. Both are believed to be on around £40,000-a-week at Anfield, a figure most German sides would struggle to match.

Babel insisted earlier this week that he sees his future at Anfield but the Dutch international has also admitted in the past that he would consider a return to his old club Ajax to safeguard his World Cup place, though any such move is unlikely to be permanent.

Benítez will be hoping several of his highly-regarded youngsters will be able to fill the breach, though uncertainty continues to cloud the futures of Nathan Eccleston – the young striker recently handed his first-team debut – after he rejected a contract extension last week amid reported interest from several Premier League clubs, and Lauri Dalla Valle, a Finnish prospect believed to be discontent with his lack of progress through the club’s ranks.

The Liverpool manager, though, will at least be able to count on Steven Gerrard, Glen Johnson and Daniel Agger for Saturday's crucial game with Manchester City, with the return of his captain particularly pleasing. “The second injection [in my groin] seems to have done the trick,” said Gerrard. “I’m feeling a lot better, a lot stronger and now I just have to get my match sharpness back.”

Liverpool Manager Rafael Benítez Admits Premier League Title Is Preferred Prize

Liverpool manager Rafael Benítez would rather win the Premier League trophy than another Champions League title.

Following a disappointing start to the season which has seen them lose five league games already, many are ruling Liverpool out of the title race this term.

Nevertheless, Benítez, who brought the Champions League trophy to Anfield in 2005, is desperate to claim the domestic crown.

He told The Times : "Anyone who knows me knows that I want to win every trophy, every game.

"But if you ask me what I prefer, I will say the Premier League.

"If I do not win the title, I'm sure I'd be so disappointed maybe I would have this feeling [of failure]."

Many saw last term as a great chance for Liverpool to challenge for the Premier League title, but Benítez saw his plans scuppered when he failed to bring Gareth Barry to Liverpool.

And he believes the season would have turned out differently - possibly even with his ultimate goal reached - had Barry moved to Anfield.

"You never know," he said. "Football is a funny game.

"The plan was for Barry to play on the left and feed the ball to Robbie Keane, who would play up front with Fernando Torres.

"This blueprint had to be scrapped. The collateral damage was Keane, who signed from Tottenham Hotspur before the Barry deal had been done.

"When we wanted to sign Barry, we were sure we were signing a good player with a very good mentality and the quality to play in the Premier League. The priority was Barry, then Keane."