John Aldridge: Winning Is All That Matters For Liverpool At The Moment

During the days when I was playing, Wimbledon used to get some ferocious criticism for the direct style they favoured.

Games were never pretty but at least you knew what was in store and you would try to find a way of coping with it. Last Sunday, though, I watched a team play possible the most amount of long balls I have ever seen.

It was ridiculous how many set plays Blackburn launched into Liverpool’s penalty area and it was only when a subtle switch was made that saw Fernando Torres put pressure on Paul Robinson that we could deal with it.

When David Ngog came on, however, he stopped doing the kind of closing down that Torres had been doing and that was why we were left to deal with an onslaught in the final minutes.

Happily, we came out on top and that, in the grand scheme of things, was all that mattered.

I don’t expect the Reds to have to contest another war of attrition on Monday night, as Wigan Athletic are a side that like to play football, but with the DW Stadium just having a new pitch laid, I’m not sure it will suit our passing.

If that is the case, it’s imperative we get the ball up the field as quickly as possible to Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard and Yossi Benayoun to put as much pressure as we possibly can on a Wigan side that is threatened by relegation.

To qualify for the Champions League, Liverpool are going to have to win on the road as well as at home and we simply haven’t been successful as much as we should have been away from Anfield.

Fortunately, we have a good chance to rectify that and it would be a real fillip if Liverpool can win at Wigan and see off Portsmouth, as it would make a massive difference going into the Manchester United game.

But before we think about the trip to Old Trafford, we need a big result in another part of Greater Manchester – fingers crossed we’ll get it.

Maxi Rodriquez Getting Up To Speed With Premier League Pace At Liverpool

It has, on more than one occasion, looked as if things have been happening far too fast for Maxi Rodriguez.

Signed from Atletico Madrid during the January transfer window, he was thrust into Liverpool’s squad during a time when they were struggling for form and needed to fight their way out of a tight spot.

For someone whom Rafa Benitez described as being a “great technician” when unveiling him at Melwood, the agricultural style favoured by Stoke City – the side who provided the opposition for his debut – would have come as a big surprise.

Nowhere near as much as a shock, though, as a bitingly cold night in Wolverhampton, when the Argentine midfielder appeared frozen to the core and unable to move during a bore draw, or the helter-skelter of a Merseyside derby.

The last named game, in particular, was a real eye opener for the pint-sized Rodriguez who looked as if he was trying to cross the M6 in rush hour; he knew what he wanted to do but, in the madness, simply didn’t know how to do it.

There is reason for thinking, however, that all of a sudden the penny is beginning to drop; Rodriguez might have took another buffeting at the hands of Blackburn’s hulking defenders last Sunday but it was, without doubt, his best effort in a red shirt to date.

No matter that Pascal Chimbonda left an imprint of his boost in Rodriguez’s midriff or that he took several whacks from Martin Olsson, Rodriguez battled on to play a key role in an important 2-1 win. Indeed, he was responsible for setting up the clinching goal.

His display was enough to get Benitez nodding enthusiastically yesterday when, ahead of Monday night’s trip to Wigan Athletic, the manager was asked for an assessment of Rodriguez’s early progress.

Rodriguez might have some way to go to reach the levels that made him such an influential cog in the wheel for Atletico and Argentina but the more he sets up goals as he did for Fernando Torres six days ago, the quicker Benitez feels he will get there.

“I agree that last week was his best performance,” said Benitez, who has challenged his side to go relentlessly through the gears in the final 10 games as their quest for a Champions League spot intensifies.

“It is important for us to have a player who can keep the ball and understand the game and he knows what it means to play in the Premier League now. He knows all about the challenges!

“We have spoken a lot about the tempo of the Premier League and, in particular, the derby. It was very quick. But he knows now. He feels much better and he realises what it is all about, the tackles and everything else.

“Maxi is learning all the time and the main thing I see is that he is very keen to learn. He has got quality, he has experience and you can see that he is a very good professional. Little by little, he will give more and more to us.”

Little by little is how Benitez was hoping to bring Glen Johnson back into his starting line-up but the manager’s hand could be forced at the DW Stadium, given the fitness concerns surrounding Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel.

Skrtel, of course, is out with a broken metatarsal and will not play again until the middle of April at the earliest, while Agger – who left Anfield last weekend on crutches after damaging his knee – is facing a race to be fit to face Wigan.

Should he miss out, Benitez would have the option of pairing Jamie Carragher and Sotirios Kyrgiakos – available after serving a three-match ban – in the centre of his defence and he could persist with Javier Mascherano as makeshift right-back.

Yet the temptation is there for Benitez to thrust Johnson back into the side for the first time since the 1-0 victory at Aston Villa December 29 – the last time Liverpool won away from Anfield.

Johnson has looked awesome in spells this season but, due to a succession of niggling fitness issues, there have been other times when he has looked considerably off the pace, such as on his return to former club Portsmouth.

Benitez remains in no doubt that Johnson will become a huge success for both Liverpool and England thanks to his outstanding natural talent and eagerness to learn and show those qualities on the training pitches at Melwood.

And that’s why Benitez is tempted to give Johnson the nod at Wigan; his influence on the right has been missed and he is looking to unleash him to enhance Liverpool’s prospects of snatching three points.

“Glen is doing well and I will have to consider if he is going to be in the squad,” said Benitez. “It has been difficult for him this season. He arrived here as a new player with quality but he has not always played.

“We have missed him because he is very good going forward.

“We knew that we needed to improve his defending but when you have these injuries, you cannot spend time together on the pitch with the coaches.

“That makes it more difficult.

“But we know he has got great quality. He is going to make a difference going forward but I felt he was starting to improve his defending before he got injured. But, hopefully, he will be okay from now and he will be a good addition for us.

“We don’t want to take any risks with him but when you have a player of Glen’s quality coming back in, you have to think about it. We have a few more training sessions before we face Wigan, so we will see.”

Rafa Benitez Confident Javier Mascherano Will Stay At Liverpool

Rafa Benitez has confidently declared how he expects Javier Mascherano to follow Pepe Reina’s lead and commit his future to Liverpool.

The Reds midfielder has been offered a two-year extension to his current contract but, effectively, it amounts to a new four-year deal which would expire in 2014.

Mascherano’s future has been the source of some debate for most of the season, particularly as Barcelona vigorously pursued his signature last summer.

Liverpool officials, though, have been in constant dialogue with Mascherano’s advisors and the latest talks, which took place on Thursday, were very positive.

It has left Benitez bullish that Mascherano will become the latest key figure in his squad – after Steven Gerrard, Dirk Kuyt, Yossi Benayoun and Daniel Agger – to commit his future to Anfield.

“He is more focused and I know he is happier,” said Benitez. “I have spoken with his agent and now Javier wants to improve and he wants to push us into the top four.

“The approach (to contract talks) is good and he is happy. He is one of the best. He is captain of Argentina, one of the best teams in the world.

“The conversations we have had were very positive. The first thing is the player. He has really settled down now. Then there is the agent.

“He’s been very good when we have dealt with him in the past. Everyone knew that some clubs were interested in Javier but, talking with us, it was always fine.

“Will a deal be struck by the end of the season? I think so. I’m sure we will have (good) news about Javier and Pepe very soon.

“That will be very positive for the future. When I say 100 per cent (about Reina), that is because I know.”

As revealed in the ECHO on Tuesday, Reina has agreed a new, long-term deal and only the formalities of putting pen to paper remain before it will be officially announced.

Signed from Villarreal in the summer of 2005, Reina rates as one of Benitez’s best pieces of business in the transfer market and is a hugely popular figure at the club.

He is also one of the best keepers in the world and Benitez says evidence of that came with his spectacular stop from Christopher Samba in last Sunday’s win over Blackburn.

“Pepe is a key player and everything is fine,” said Benitez, whose side face Wigan Athletic on Monday. “There are no problems with either him or Javier. Pepe is a great character with great passion.

“When you talk about a goalkeeper in a top side, normally he doesn’t have too many things to do during a game. The save he made against Blackburn shows you his level.

“I remember when he came here, people said to me ‘for England maybe he is not the best’ but, for me, he is the best in England. We want to keep him for a long time.”

Johnson Set For Reds Return

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is set to receive an injury boost with the news that Glen Johnson is poised to return to action next week.

The England international has not played since December after suffering a knee injury against Aston Villa and could make his comeback against Wigan on Monday.

With Johnson returning to action and star striker Fernando Torres finding his feet after a long absence, Benitez is bullish about Liverpool's chances of claiming fourth place.

He said: "He trained on Friday. It was a full training session and I think he will be okay to go in the squad for Wigan.

"The players we have coming back now can have an influence on the run-in."

Torres scored on his first start of 2010 against Blackburn last week and featured as a substitute in Spain's 2-0 win over France on Wednesday.

Benitez is relieved to have his star striker back in action, adding: "Torres played 45 minutes for Spain and 25 minutes in a game here and he was fine."

Liverpool FC Starlet Eyes Athletic Bilbao Switch

Mikel San José is hoping to secure a permanent move to Athletic Bilbao after rejoining his former club last summer on loan from Liverpool.

The defender was signed by Rafael Benitez for £270,000 in summer 2007 after helping Spain to glory in the UEFA Under-19 Championship but found himself back in his homeland less than two years later.

Now 20, San José has expressed his wish to remain with Los Leones on a permanent basis after establishing himself in first team following injuries to Ustaritz Aldekoaotalora and Aitor Ocio.

He said: "At the moment I'm not concerning myself with this topic - there are people who are aware of the situation and I'm focused on playing," he revealed.

"What happens, happens. I'm happy here and, if it's possible, I would like to stay here.

"Things have changed a lot since I first came here. When I wasn't playing I was still happy and now I am enjoying more minutes. There's nothing that would make staying here a bad option."

Should Bilbao agree to secure the Pamplona-born player's services on a permanent contract, they would have to pay €9 million, inkeeping with a clause in the loan agreement reached with the Reds.

Aquilani Is Happy At Liverpool

Alberto Aquilani is happy at Liverpool despite making just four starting Premier League appearances in his first season at Anfield.

The 25-year-old midfielder joined the English outfit in a £17m transfer from hometown club Roma last summer.

He didn't make his Premier League debut for Liverpool until November 9 after struggling with injury since his move.

Franco Zavaglia, the player's agent, told Tutto Mercato Web: “Alberto made a decision of a lifetime.

“He is fine at Liverpool and next year will be the most important for him.”

There have been rumours that Aquilani might return to Roma on loan next season if his first team prospects don't improve.

Aquilani was expected to fill the gap left by Xabi Alonso even though he is a completely different player to the Spanish international.

Torres Going Extra Mile

Rafael Benitez today revealed how Fernando Torres has been reporting for work on days off to ensure he returns to full fitness as soon as possible.

The Reds' squad were given time off after the midweek round of internationals, in which Torres played the second half for Spain against France in Paris.

But such is his desire to rediscover his clinical sharpness sooner rather than later after weeks out with a knee injury, Torres arrived at Melwood for additional work in the gym.

"We still we have some good players around but Fernando is a key player for us, the same as Steven Gerrard," said Benitez.

"Fernando can score goals on his own so hopefully he will be okay.

"He was training yesterday - even though we had a day off - so that means he wants to improve and wants to be physically well so that is also good news for us.

"Fernando is not fully match-fit, not really. One week ago he was not fully fit for games and he cannot be in one week - it is not a miracle.

"He has to keep working and he has spent some time in the gym and he can be better every week.

"I could say to you he is 50% and then he scores three against Wigan. He is improving but it is a question of games.

"Sometimes it is not just your match fitness, it is if you can play well or be in the right position to score the winning goal.

"Then everything changes. It is not just a physical aspect."

Jose Reina Agrees To New Deal At Liverpool

Liverpool goalkeeper Jose Reina is the best in the Barclays Premier League, according to manager Rafael Benitez, which is why he is delighted the Spaniard has agreed to a contract extension at Anfield.

The 27-year Spain international has committed to a new deal to ward off interest from a number of Europe's top clubs.

Reina has been Liverpool's player of the season and, with 12 clean sheets, is in the running for the league's Golden Glove award with injured Chelsea rival Petr Cech.

"We are really pleased because I remember at the beginning people said 'for England, in the air, he is not the best'," said Benitez.

"He is the best in England, miles away from the others, and we are really pleased to keep him here for a long time.

"He is always organising the defenders and is more than a keeper.

"Sometimes the style of goalkeepers is for them to be really good in the six-yard box, Pepe is really good in the 18-yard box."

Benitez said Reina's performance in last Sunday's 2-1 victory over Blackburn, when he made a brilliant stoppage-time save from Chris Samba's goalbound header, illustrated his class.

"When you talk about a goalkeeper in a top side he normally doesn't have much to do," he added.

"To be involved in this game especially at the end and the save shows the level of the player."

Reina has agreed to sign a new deal, while Benitez is confident midfielder Javier Mascherano will also extend his stay.

"Pepe is a key player and it is 100% he will continue with us," said the Reds boss.

"Since he came from Villarreal always he has shown his character and his passion, his commitment with the club."

Benitez, stressing the word know, added: "Now I know 100% that he will continue with us."

When asked whether Mascherano, who was linked with a move to Barcelona in the summer, would follow suit the Spaniard added: "Everything is very close and no problems.

"I was talking with Mascherano and his agent the other day and it is true Javier is happier.

"The agent had been really good when we were talking in the past and the conversations were very positive.

"When you talk with Javier he is very settled and happy.

"Everyone knew about some clubs (being interested in him) but talking with us he was fine."

Asked if a deal would be struck before the end of the season the Spaniard said: "I think so."

Liverpool FC One Of The World’s Great Sporting Brands

Liverpool has been urged to remain true to their heritage in order for the club to increase their brand around the world.

Simon Middleton, a brand strategy expert and author of the best selling book “Build A Brand in 30 days”, is in no doubt that Liverpool are in a far healthier position now compared to where they were when last winning the league championship in 1990.

Though there has been criticism in the past that Liverpool have missed opportunities to bolster revenue and fears that the failure to bring in silverware might impact on their ability to compete on and off the field, Middleton sees things differently.

He says history stands for so much when it comes to promoting a brand and, thanks to all the drama Liverpool have experienced and the trophies they have won, Middleton is in no doubt the Anfield brand will continue to flourish.

“Liverpool FC, even to a football outsider, is not only one of the great brands of British football, but one of the world’s great sporting brands in any category,” he said.

“I think Liverpool have achieved this by embodying the four principles of branding, which all great brands have in common – being authentic, being distinctive, being compelling and being excellent.

“Being authentic means being true to who you are and not pretending to be something else.

“It's to do with roots, heritage, a sense of place and values: and Liverpool have these qualities in abundance.

“Being distinctive means telling your own story, not imitating, offering an experience that is qualitatively different to competitors. In a world of sameness, Liverpool FC, like the city itself, retains its true distinctiveness.

“Being compelling means offering an emotional impact, coupled with a sense of narrative, even of myth. Liverpool has that too, arguably more than any other club. And being excellent speaks for itself.

“You can claim all the other things, but you have to actually be excellent to be a great brand. Liverpool is clearly that too... the most successful club on the pitch in British football history.

“And the wonderful thing about great sporting heritage is that if you have decades of success then a few seasons of more modest results, whilst disappointing for supporters, do not undo the magic of the brand.”

But how does Liverpool continue to improve their brand while the club remains in a period of uncertainty under the ownership of Tom Hicks and George Gillett?

“My recommendation would be for Liverpool to always be authentic, distinctive, compelling and excellent – and to focus on those things rather than the brand pecking order,” said Middleton.

“That way they will continue to be the great brand they have been since the concept of branding was even invented.”

While Manchester City and Chelsea are investing billions to become global entities, Middleton feels they will continue to play second fiddle to Liverpool because neither club has a dramatic history, one that strikes a chord with fans around the world.

“Brand is about meaning,” he explained. “About making powerful meanings that resonate in hearts, minds and imaginations. So becoming a bigger brand for Liverpool – and to be long-term sustainable – means strengthening that meaning around the world.”

Middleton, who has helped Barclays, Deloitte, British Airways and sandwich-chain Pret A Manger improve their brands, has watched the Premier League’s brand mushroom in the last decade but he has warned that there is a danger of it being damaged.

“Clearly Premier League football is huge in every sense,” he said.

“But I also think it is vulnerable. The behaviour of some high profile players threatens the brand of football. The billionaire owners. The proportion of foreign players.

“The perception of success being something that is bought and sold, and achievable simply through money. All these things undermine the brand of football itself in the long term, and I think they go against the spirit of what Liverpool FC is about.”

Liverpool FC Commercial Team In Winning Form As Turnover Rises

Cast your mind back to when Liverpool were last crowned champions of England in 1990 and picture the way Anfield looked.

Many will have no trouble remembering the stadium, with its three fairly primitive, single-tiered stands and a standing Kop, but try and recall some of the names on the advertising boards that flanked the playing surface.

You would see companies such as Rumbelows, Martin Dawes and All Man Kind, businesses all within the locality, alongside that of the then club sponsor Candy, an Italian firm that manufactured fridges and washing machines in Bromborough.

None of the first named ever had pretensions of being global entities but that didn’t matter. Liverpool – the first club in England ever to have sponsored shirts when a deal was struck with Hitachi in the late 70s – did well financially from them.

What’s more, they were the perfect fit for the era; they were local and their product would have been familiar with the vast majority of match-goers. Football back then, though, was not anywhere near as driven by finance as it is now.

Of course, Liverpool were known around the world and had a big following, not least because of their exploits in winning four European Cups in seven years, but any day-trippers to Anfield came largely by ferry from Ireland. That’s why the club shop, which was situated just behind the Main Stand, was adequate for servicing the needs of supporters; it was small but all it really needed to stock were replica kits, posters and knick-knacks, such as key rings, badges and pens.

Fast-forward to the present day and the Anfield you now see has been revolutionised from what it was back then; Liverpool are no longer just a football club but more a global brand.

“As a club, our aim is to be at the top and competing on a level playing field with our competitors,” said Liverpool’s commercial director Ian Ayre. “We have got to win on the pitch as much as we can.

“But we have also got to generate as much money as our peers to generate funds to give us the opportunity to compete for the best players. That is why you have got to follow the market.”

Now the advertising boards are littered with some of the biggest companies in the world, the stadium – while still not big enough to service the club’s needs – has been transformed and the money being brought in dwarfs the totals of 20 years ago.

Look, for instance, at the record-breaking deal that was struck last September; even as champions, Liverpool in 1990 could not have dreamed of negotiating a figure of £80m to let Standard Chartered Bank put their names on the front of that famous Red shirt.

The catalyst for change, undoubtedly, was the advent of Sky Television; the money they started pumping into football in return for beaming pictures of the Premier League all around the world, opened up many opportunities for clubs.

Aside from that, the influx of foreign players has increased the interest for supporters in different countries and the ease with which you can travel nowadays, both domestically and internationally, has helped increase Liverpool’s appeal.

“International fans make a huge contribution to the club,” said Ayre. “We convince them that we are the best in the world, so it would be wrong to deny them a chance to see us; that is why we have tours to the Far East, to give them the ability to see us play.

“Chelsea and Manchester United go to the Far East and make money, so you can either do it or not. But commercially we have a great opportunity to do well there, as we have a growing army of international fans.”

There have been times in the past when criticism of the club in terms of marketing and ability to bring in revenue has been justified – that the official store was shut the day after the heroics of Istanbul still beggars belief – but they are clearly making up for lost time.

Perhaps the best example of that is the fact Liverpool now has more retail floor space in this city (35,500 square feet), thanks largely to the superstores in Liverpool One and Williamson Square, than Manchester United have in Manchester.

Meanwhile, the club’s official website experiences higher numbers of visitors every day than all its rivals and Liverpool comfortably sell more Adidas shirts than that company’s three other “big guns” AC Milan, Real Madrid and Chelsea.

Clearly, then, the Liverpool of 1990 cannot stand comparison with the Liverpool of 2010 and while the past two decades have not seen the kind of success many wished for, it’s possible to argue that the club’s brand has never been bigger or more popular.

Aside from Adidas and Carlsberg, who have had their names on the front of Liverpool’s shirt since 1992, there are a further 11 official partners, including Thomas Cook Sports, the Bank of America and Turespana.

But while improving the brand continues to be imperative, it will not be done at all costs; the tradition and reputation Liverpool have built up over the years must also be safeguarded; they are, after all, a football club first and foremost.

“The Liverpool Way strikes a chord with people and particularly in Asia,” said Kirkdale-born and lifelong Liverpool fan Ayre, who – having lived and worked in Malaysia, Hong Kong and China – is better placed than most to offer an opinion.

“If we ever get beaten by a really good team, you know the Kop will stand up and applaud the winners. We have never come across as arrogant and respect is a huge thing in the Asian culture.

“Standard Chartered have the right attitude and we could imagine from our first meeting with them having a successful partnership together. Of course, it is a real challenge trying to make progress yet keep with tradition.

“For every person that rings me up and say that it is about time Liverpool were able to do more commercially around the world, you will get another one asking why we are giving tickets to our sponsors.

“But, hopefully, we are moving on the right lines.”

Liverpool Have Little Room For Error In The Premier League - Rafael Benitez

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has admitted that his side cannot afford to slip up any more than they have already this season, if they are to achieve a run in the Champions League next season.

The Reds' top-four credentials have been called into question this term, with evidence in the form of a tight race for fourth place along with Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa and Manchester City.

Despite having lost just once in their last 10 games in all competitions, the scrappy goalless draw at Eastlands followed by a less than dominating performance against Blackburn Rovers at Anfield has induced Rafa to bellow a rallying cry.

"Manchester City, Tottenham and Aston Villa will be very dangerous so we cannot make many mistakes," said Benitez, according to The Daily Mail.

"We know last year was really good in terms of points in the league [as Liverpool collected 86] and now we are in a different and more difficult situation because the expectations were very high.

"It is really difficult because we have three or four teams really close."

Performances apart, the Reds have been getting the right results after a dreary start to the season that saw them bow out of the Champions League and both domestic Cup competitions at an early stage.

"We have to keep this momentum and prove, show everyone else, we are good enough," he added. "I prefer to be positive and we will play well and continue to win."

McLeish Linked With Replacing Rafa At Liverpool

Birmingham City boss Alex McLeish is the shock name being mentioned within boardrooms of the Premier League as a potential candidate for the Liverpool manager's job, should Rafa Benitez be lured away from Anfield by Juventus in the summer.

McLeish has built a formidable reputation for his achievements in solidifying the Premier League status of the Midlands club and word is that he can be prised away for a relatively cheap compensation because of his contract terms at St Andrew's.

While a move for Jose Mourinho has been mooted, it's thought the Portuguese coach's huge personal price tag would be difficult for Liverpool to be match, with McLeish's wage demands likely to better fit Liverpool's budget.

In addition, any move for the Inter Milan boss, presently earmarked for Manchester City if they change managers in the summer, would require a massive transfer budget.

McLeish is one of Sir Alex Ferguson's apprentices, and the pair struck up a perfect manager-captain relationship at Aberdeen, when Sir Alex was making a big impression at the beginning of his managerial career.

A Premier League chairman told Soccernet: "There has been mention of McLeish and Liverpool, but who knows how strong it might be. I would put it no more than 50-50, you never know.

"It is easy to see why a club like Liverpool would be interested [in McLesih] if Rafa Benitez did leave in the summer, as its common knowledge that Juventus have been showing interest in him."

Javier Mascherano To Seek Liverpool Assurances Before Signing Deal

Javier Mascherano will seek reassurances over Liverpool’s plans to strengthen manager Rafael Benitez’s squad before agreeing to turn his back on a potential move to Barcelona and extend his contract at Anfield for a further two years.

Liverpool have approached Mascherano’s representatives with a view to offering the Argentine international captain improved terms on his current deal, which expires in 2012, and the two parties are expected to meet on Merseyside early next week.

Barcelona were widely expected to return with a firm bid for the player this summer after initial enquiries from the European champions’ sporting director Txiki Begiristain were rejected outright by the Anfield club last year, but Liverpool are confident a deal worth around £100,000-a-week will be enough to retain the midfielder’s services.

The club will have to convince him, though, that owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett have the resources to equip Benitez with a side capable of maintaining their Champions League status and challenging for the Premier League title after a campaign tinged with desperate disappointment.

“Liverpool have approached us to discuss a new contract and my agent will have a meeting in the next few days,” said Mascherano. “The reality is that I am very happy at Liverpool. I want to know what the club’s plans are and then we will see if, at this moment in time, I can renew my contract.

“It is not that I felt unsettled [by the rumours of Barcelona’s interest] in the summer or that I am more at home now. I have always been very happy at Liverpool. Everyone at the club has always treated me very well. That is all there is to say at this stage.”

Liverpool are also thought to be close on sealing a new, five-year contract for the Spanish international goalkeeper Pepe Reina as Benitez looks to secure the futures of all of his most valuable assets.

Dani Pacheco Wants To Muscle In On Liverpool First Team Scene

DANI PACHECO is aiming to muscle in on a first team place at Liverpool this season.

The talented, but tiny Spanish starlet has been spending extra time in the Melwood gym in a bid to cope with the physical demands of the Premier League.

And even though the five feet six inch striker has already made a significant impact in the first team this season – notably with his goal creating contribution against Unirea Urziceni last month and a lively Champions League cameo against Fiorentina back in December, the 19-year-old is looking further ahead to the future.

Still to make his first competitive start, the former Barcelona youngster hopes an intensive weight training regimen will help him realise that ambition sooner rather than later.

“I am working hard in the gym to improve my physical side and try to be stronger in the next few years,” said Pacheco.

“I have to be patient and keep working hard. It's not easy to play in the first team at this great club. You have to learn different things every day and listen to what the staff are telling you, then do that on the pitch.

“You have to be focused every day in training and then when the chance comes I have to be ready.”

With two games in four days next week – the Premeir League trip to Wigan on Monday followed by the trip to Lille for the Europa League last 16 first-leg, Pacheco is hoping he may get further opportunities to impress.

“We have a very important week coming up,” he declared.

“It’s important we beat Wigan on Monday because we need to keep up our fight for fourth place. We then have the Europa League when we play Lille which will be another tough game, so I have to be ready if the manager needs me.”

The last time his manager needed him, Pacheco rose to the occasion – literally as well as metaphorically – climbing to head Ryan Babel’s cross into David Ngog’s path and give Liverpool a crucial one goal advantage from the first leg of their last 32 Europa League clash with Unirea.

“That was my best moment so far at Liverpool and it was really special for me,” he added.

“To play for the first team and be involved in the winning goal in front of The Kop was special for me and all of my family.

“It has been a really good season for me so far and it has given me a lot of confidence. I know I have a long way to go if I want to play for the first team every week, so I will keep working hard and hopefully I'll play more games in the future.

“I always say you will improve every day as a player training with the first team. I train every day with players like Fernando and Stevie and they are always talking to me, giving me advice and helping me a lot.”

Pacheco himself turned helper and advisor this week when he was the guest of honour at Liverpool FC’s Young Person of the Year awards at Anfield.

Honouring the outstanding achievements of young people in the city, the event was in its ninth year – and presents awards based on commitment and compassion displayed in the community, and courage shown in overcoming affliction.

“Of course it was a real privilege to hand out the awards to all the youngsters and I will be happy to come back any time they want me.

“We players are people and were young once too, so for us it is very important to come here and help out.

“It's a special night for everyone involved, including myself.”

Liverpool FC Regeneration Director, Andrea Titterington, said: “This is a huge celebration for young people.

“So many times, all you hear in the press are negative things about young people, but actually the majority of young people are terrific.

“This is an opportunity for people in the community to nominate young people who have made a huge contribution, who have tremendous courage and have overcome all sorts of issues. It's just the greatest night ever - it's better than the Oscars!”

She added: “It's important for the club to be involved in events like this because it underlines everything else we do in the community, not just the regeneration projects we're doing in Anfield, but also all the community projects that Bill Bygroves' team does, the education projects, the coaching and physical activity projects, and the health programmes we run as well.

“The commitment to the local community here is immense and this is a great opportunity to celebrate that.

“It's absolutely essential for first-team players to lend their support. It really is a life changing experience for young people to meet their heroes, even if they happen to be Evertonians!!

Awards given out included Schools Special achievement awards, the Sweeper Zone awards, Kickz, Goals for Girls, Reading 4 Families and the Jack Carley award for amazing courage.

Community Manager Bill Bygroves added: “I think it's vitally important for the club to hold events like this because it's a connection between the young people of our district and community with the football club.”

The event is backed by Liverpool City Council, who have been involved since the awards' inception in 2002.

Alan Hansen Backs Pepe Reina To Be Liverpool's Player Of The Season

Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina is the clear contender to be the Reds' player of the season, according to former Anfield defender Alan Hansen.

The ex-Reds skipper feels that few of Rafael Benitez's men have demonstrated such consistency and commitment as the Spanish keeper, who has been second to none at Anfield over the course of what has been a tricky campaign.

"Reina has been brilliant all season and is without a shadow of a doubt Liverpool's player of the year," Hansen told LFC Weekly.

"The great thing about him is his total and utter reliability. If you asked me what I'd want in a goalkeeper playing behind me at Liverpool, which would be what I'm looking for - total and utter reliability.

"Having a goalkeeper like Reina behind you gives the central defenders a huge amount of confidence.

"The ironic thing is that England haven't got a goalkeeper to take to the World Cup but Liverpool have got the best keeper in the Premier League and he can't get in the Spanish side. It's crazy."

Hansen has been impressed with the recent improvement in the defensive solidity of Benitez's team and now wants to see them begin to threaten more in attack.

"To have a goalkeeper of Reina's stature playing so well is absolutely fantastic for Liverpool and what we need now is to get it right at the other end of the pitch," the Scot added.

"It's all very well having a run where we are not conceding many goals, but we need to start scoring more if we are to get fourth place and qualify for the Champions League, starting at Wigan on Monday night."

Liverpool Denies Reports Of New Deal

Liverpool have denied reports that the Abu Dhabi royal family are considering adding to their Premier League portfolio by buying the Anfield club.

Manchester City are owned by one member of the wealthy Al Nahyan dynasty, Sheikh Mansour, but Liverpool insist they have had no contact from the family.

And even if they did they would have to have any potential deal sanctioned by the Premier League, convincing them in the process that competition between City and Liverpool would in no way be affected.

Premier League chiefs do not believe that would pose a problem, however, with the suggestion being that family rivalry might even add an extra edge.

Three or four parties are said to be interested in acquiring a stake in the Merseysiders that will raise around £100m and help reduce the club’s current debts of £237m.

The Royal Bank of Scotland are demanding the cash before they will sanction a new refi nancing package.

New investment is crucial to dispel fears that the club can’t compete for major honours from the likes of Javier Mascherano, Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres.

Manchester City Owner's Family 'Eyes Up Takeover Bid For Liverpool'

The Abu Dhabi royal family which owns Manchester City is believed to be weighing up a bid to buy Liverpool.

City is owned by one member of the Al Nahyan dynasty, Sheikh Mansour, but reliable sources claim the family are pursuing an interest in the Reds.

In order for such a deal to be sanctioned by the Premier League the family would have to prove the competition between City and Liverpool would in no way be affected.

But Premier League chiefs do not believe that would pose a problem, with one saying: ‘Sibling rivalry can be the strongest of competitive instincts.’

Liverpool’s current owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett would want around £400million to sell the club but their price may drop if the club fails to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

The family’s interest at Anfield was first reported in December but, according to one source, the purchase of City has been viewed as a great success in terms of raising the profile of Sheikh Mansour, and this has intensified interest in Liverpool.

The source said: ‘City is viewed as having been a good move and now the family are interested in Liverpool.

'In the Far East, it is Manchester United that are the big club but in the Arab world it is Liverpool most people are mad about.’

Fourth Place Is Between Liverpool And Manchester City - John Aldridge

Former Liverpool hero John Aldridge believes the race for fourth place in the Premier League is a straight fight between the Reds and Manchester City, and has tipped Rafael Benitez's men to come out on top.

Speaking exclusively to Goal.com UK Aldridge, who scored 63 goals in 104 games for the Reds between 1987 and 1989, said he expected the race for a Champions League spot to be fiercely contested, but said Liverpool's more favourable run of fixtures gives them the advantage over their rivals.

"I personally think it's between Liverpool and Manchester City," said Aldridge, "It is obviously very tight, and I think it could go right down to the wire. We could be looking at the last day of the season being decisive.

"Manchester City are, at the moment anyway, playing the more attractive football, and scoring goals, but you look at Liverpool's run-in, and that to me gives them a slight edge."

Liverpool's desperation to secure Champions League football at Anfield next season has been heightened by the release this week of Deloitte's Football Money League, which shows the Reds to be trailing behind the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal in terms of revenue generation, and Aldridge knows the importance of a top-four finish for Benitez and his side.

"For the future of the club, it is vitally important that they get fourth this season," he said, "I really hope that they do of course, but I think that they will in the end."

And, as one of the best goalscorers in the club's history, the former Republic of Ireland frontman is in no doubt as to who holds the key to Liverpool's success this season - Spanish striker Fernando Torres.

"It goes without saying that Fernando Torres is absolutely vital for Liverpool, if they are to get fourth place," he says, "Liverpool have to do everything to make sure he is available along with Steven Gerrard, because when he is in the team, they are a different side."

Torres in December became the fastest player in Liverpool history to reach 50 league goals for the club, achieving that remarkable feat in just 72 games. And Aldridge believes that the Spaniard is already well on the way to establishing himself as one of Anfield's all-time greats, alongside the likes of Kenny Dalglish, Ian Rush and Roger Hunt.

"Absolutely, Torres can be one of the very best," he said, "Of course he needs to stay at the club for a number of years and have that longevity before he can be mentioned alongside the true greats, but he is definitely going the right way, his goalscoring record is phenomenal."

One of the key reasons for Torres' efficiency, Aldridge believes, is the role of skipper Steven Gerrard. The 29-year-old has recently rediscovered some of his best form after a patchy start to the campaign, and Aldridge believes a fit and in-form Gerrard could well be the catalyst for an upturn in Liverpool's performances.

"I think he has looked sharp in the last couple of matches in the centre of midfield," he said, "And when Steven Gerrard is in the side and firing, he brings a bit of bounce to the side, makes people click and gets people around him playing - Torres included.

"If Liverpool are to get themselves going then they need Steven Gerrard on song, make no mistake."

One area where Aldridge, who now works as a summariser for local radio station Radio City, thinks Benitez could improve Liverpool's chances is on the left hand side of midfield.

The form of Albert Riera has been indifferent all season, and though Dutch attacker Ryan Babel has shown glimpses of his undoubted talent of late, prompting some to call for the former Ajax man to be given a prolonged stint in the team, Aldridge believes the 23-year-old has wasted too many chances already at the club.

"I think with [Dirk] Kuyt on the right, Liverpool get a nice balance," he said, "He scores important goals and puts in some great work, but on the left we perhaps need some balance.

"We don't have a left-sided player who can go past a man and create things, like a left-sided version of Aaron Lennon or Shaun Wright-Phillips.

"Babel has had so many chances at Liverpool, and so far he has failed to take any of them. How many chances does he need?"

Insua: It's Taken Me Three Years To Settle

Liverpool defender Emiliano Insua believes it has taken him three years to finally settle in English football.

The 21-year-old Argentina international initially joined on loan from Boca Juniors in January 2007 and did not make his first-team debut for three months.

He made 13 appearances the following season, competing against Fabio Aurelio and Andrea Dossena for the left-back spot.

But injuries to the former and the January departure of the latter has meant the South American has played in all but two of Liverpool's 28 Barclays Premier League fixtures.

And with Aurelio now ruled out for up to three weeks with a thigh strain Insua is set to continue his spell in the first team.

"For me this has been a special season because I've played many games in a row so I'm really happy," said Insua, who scored his first Liverpool goal in the Carling Cup defeat at Arsenal in October - just a fortnight after making his Argentina debut.

"It has given me a lot of confidence that I can do the job so I have to keep working hard and doing the same on the pitch.

"If you are playing so many games in a row you get experience if you are a young player.

"I think this season will help me for the future and give me experience."

Insua has been involved in 2,360 minutes of Premier League action this season, with only tireless forward Dirk Kuyt, midfielder Lucas Leiva and defender Jamie Carragher having had more on-pitch time of the out-field players.

Manager Rafael Benitez was keen to rest the 23-year-old by rotating him with Aurelio over the coming weeks but injury to the Brazilian has ruled out that option for now.

Aurelio has not had much luck with injuries, having missed the start of the season after sustaining a freak knee problem in a kickabout with his children during the summer and been troubled with few niggling injuries since.

"It's not good news and we think he is going to be out for maybe another two or three weeks - Fabio has had really bad luck," said Benitez of his sidelined left-back.

"It all began at the start of the season, when he suffered the injury during the summer with his family, and it's like there has been something every month since then.

"It is a shame because he is a top footballer and a really nice person but him being out leaves us with a problem because we wanted to play him, so we could give Insua a rest.

"Emiliano is a good young player and has benefited from being involved in so many games but he has been laying a lot recently.

"We needed Fabio so he could help the team and also help Insua. His injury is bad news for both of them."

Insua admitted playing alongside national-team captain Javier Mascherano and compatriot Maxi Rodriguez, a January signing from Atletico Madrid, had made his life easier on and off the pitch.

"The Argentinian people are really together for each other and it is such a different culture [in England]," added Insua. "In the first year I couldn't speak much English so to have Javier and now Maxi means it is very special for all three of us.

"Javier is the captain of the national team so I respect him and I listen to him and maybe he can help me for the future."

Lucas Out To Prove Himself

Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva believes his side's mixed fortunes this season have helped his progression into a first-team player.

The 23-year-old is one of just three Reds players to have figured in every Premier League game so far this season alongside Pepe Reina and Dirk Kuyt.

The Brazilian, who was in the squad for his country's 2-0 victory over Republic of Ireland on Tuesday at the Emirates Stadium and will hope to be in their World Cup squad this summer, has often been a much-maligned figure at Anfield since his transfer from Gremio in 2007.

However, Reds boss Rafa Benitez's persistence in using him alongside Javier Mascherano in a five-man midfield has seen the club's form pick up of late, with Lucas' determination to prove he can handle the pressure of playing for the club a key factor in his improvement.

"I've learned a lot more about myself and become a stronger person and player. It made me desperate to prove people wrong," he told LFC Weekly.

"There have been times (in the past) when I thought I may have made the wrong decision but now I am sure that I have made the right one.

"My game has changed a lot since leaving Brazil. I was able to attack more at Gremio because I played with two defensive midfielders. In England you have more responsibility.

"I still think I have some work to do if all the fans are going to believe in me. I'm happy and feel I'm improving. But it isn't about me, it's about the club doing well."

Lucas' comments were backed up by Benitez, who still feels he made the right decision signing a player who at the time was very highly thought of by a number of top clubs.

"I know he can improve so much more," said Benitez.

"When I was talking about him before he signed, I was telling people we were signing the captain of Gremio - and he was only 19.

"That means something. You do not captain teams in Brazil at such a level at that age if you are not a strong character with a good mentality. Hopefully he will continue to grow with us."