Benitez To Take Torres And Mascherano To Juventus

Juventus have stepped up their interest in Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez, who will look to take Fernando Torres and Javier Mascherano with him to Turin, according to Italian daily Corriere dello Sport.

Roberto Mancini was spotted at last week's Europa League match between Fulham and Juventus and although likely preparing for Manchester City's fixture at Craven Cottage, was subsequently linked with the Juve job.

However, Corriere dello Sport claims that while in London, Juventus deputy director general Roberto Bettega renewed contact with those close to Benitez, with a view to the Liverpool boss taking over during the summer.

Juventus are enduring a difficult season and although the appointment of short-term coach Alberto Zaccheroni led to a brief revival, they are struggling to finish in the top four in Serie A which would guarantee Champions League qualification. Zaccheroni himself has admitted that a league finish outside of the top four would be a failure on his part.

Liverpool find themselves in a similar situation, scrapping for Champions League football next season and speculation has been rife over Benitez's future for some months. Corriere dello Sport also claim that should Benitez leave Anfield for Turin, he would look to take star striker Fernando Torres and midfielder Javier Mascherano with him. Torres himself recently questioned Liverpool's ambition to attract top players and challenge for honours.

Rafa Reveals Fourth Fears

Rafa Benitez has admitted it will be difficult for Liverpool to claim a UEFA Champions League berth after their 2-1 defeat to Manchester United.

The Reds slipped to their 10th defeat of a disappointing Premier League season after goals from Wayne Rooney and Park Ji-Sung cancelled out Fernando Torres' early opener at Old Trafford.

Earlier in the campaign, the Spaniard issued a guarantee that the Anfield outfit would be dining at European football's top table, but he is now aware that the pressure is mounting.

Sunday's setback leaves Liverpool four points adrift of fourth-placed Tottenham having played a game more than the North London club, with Manchester City and Aston Villa also strongly in contention.

Benitez remains confident in the abilities of his side and has vowed not to look to far ahead as the season enters its final furlong.

He told Sky Sports: "It will be difficult, but still we have to fight. There are a lot of points to play for so we have to keep going and see what happens in the next game.

"I think they (the fans) can see that the team today was solid again. It is not like we are not doing well, not creating chances or are too weak.

"It depends on the other teams too. We have to win the first one, see what the position is in the table and think about the next one. We have to take one game at a time."

Benitez had no complaints about United's equaliser, with Rooney scoring on the rebound after his initial penalty had been superbly saved by Jose Reina.

Howard Webb pointed to the spot after Javier Mascherano pulled down Antonio Valencia, although initial contact was made outside the box, with the Argentina international booked.

The Liverpool boss added: "It appears that it was inside so it was a penalty, and Carra was there so it was a yellow card."

After a blistering opening with Torres on target after just five minutes and Rooney levelling soon after, there were few clear-cut openings until Park's winner on the hour mark.

Benitez felt his side deserved to take a point from their trip to Old Trafford, but paid tribute to an impressive United display.

He said: "I think it was very tight. They didn't have too many chances, we didn't have too many.

"Between two top sides the difference is always little things and they were better at these things.

"It was a great goal (from Torres), a great header. But we conceded too early and in the second half you could see they are a good team, no doubt about this, but they didn't have too many options and it could have been a draw, with a little bit of luck."

Bantams Keep Hold Of Threlfall

Bradford have extended the loan of Liverpool youngster Robbie Threlfall until the end of the season.

Threlfall joined Bradford last month on loan after impressing in the Liverpool reserves side and he has been a revelation since his move to Valley Parade.

The 21-year-old has made seven appearances for the Bantams since arriving at the end of February and has scored two spectacular free-kicks during his time at the club.

A number of clubs higher up the football pyramid are believed to have sounded out a loan move for Threlfall before the close of the loan window on Thursday, but Bradford have managed to keep hold of the left-back.

Threlfall's initial loan deal was due to expire on Monday, but Bantams boss Peter Taylor moved quickly to keep him for the last two months of the campaign.

Aquilani Exit talk Rubbished

Alberto Aquilani's agent has dismissed rumours linking the Italian with a summer exit from Liverpool.

Reports have suggested the Anfield club could offload Aquilani after just one season to raise funds for their summer rebuilding plans.

Aquilani, who missed the first few months of the season because of injury, has struggled to hold down a regular place in Rafa Benitez's starting XI.

The former Roma man has been linked with a quick return to Serie A, but Aquilani's representative, Franco Zavaglia, insists the rumours are wrong.

"False news has been circulated around," Zavaglia told Tuttomercatoweb.com.

"The player is happy in England and he will stay there with no problems.

"There is absolutely nothing that concerns him."

Liverpool's Future Imperfect As Cracks Show

Fast forward to early October 2010. Rafa Benitez, having lost at Eastlands and drawn home games against Birmingham and Fulham, arrives at Old Trafford for a showdown with bitter rivals that already appears key to a season’s ambitions.

Wayne Rooney profits from a late slip by Martin Skrtel, controversially now ahead of Jamie Carragher in the pecking order, to plunder the only goal which carries Manchester United back to the Premier League summit and leaves Liverpool nine points adrift in fifth.

The title is just a distant dream. Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard, who were persuaded to stay at Anfield just a few months earlier by the promise of new signings, cut disillusioned figures.

The camera pans to a dejected David Silva, who remained in his tracksuit throughout having failed to impress since an £18million move from Valencia.

Afterwards, Benitez berates the Rhone Group, already at loggerheads with Tom Hicks and George Gillett, and whose £20m injection of capital pales into insignificance compared to the £80m spree that Roman Abramovich sanctioned at Chelsea in the summer. Liverpool supporters are mutinous. Again.

If something like that particular scenario is not to come to pass, then monumental decisions need to be taken at Anfield at the end of the season. And in that sense, yesterday’s defeat in the self-styled Theatre of Dreams might even be a blessing.

It will be difficult for the Liverpool supporters, who headed back along the M62 smarting from their first reversal at the hands of their most bitter rivals in four games, to accept as much as the horrible memory of Torres’ fluffed chance in the final seconds of normal time lingered.

Yet that is the stark reality that not even salvaging fourth place, a distant dream today, will cure.

Liverpool’s season is at the point where any glorious highs like the one they briefly imagined here, before Javier Mascherano brainlessly decided to offer Sir Alex Ferguson’s side a helping hand, can be seen as papering over cracks and should not be confused with mending them.

Anfield needs a fresh start because this club is stuck in a cycle, a vicious circle that will continue to whirl until major changes take hold.

Whether it is Benitez who leaves – expensive for a club so paranoid about finances – remains to be seen. Whether it is Gerrard or maybe even Torres – whose departures would raise funds unlikely to be plentiful by other means – is an alternative.

That all three at various times, and probably on the coach ride back to Melwood yesterday, will have given the possibility serious thought speaks volumes. Something needs to give and that the club’s hierarchy has been steadfast that star names will not be sold points to where ties will be severed when a disappointing campaign runs its course.

Make no mistake, this was another damaging setback for Benitez.

Liverpool showed on Sunday they can compete with the champions on any given day, but their best results have been the freak ones. Tottenham and United at home, Aston Villa and Everton away. Otherwise, the under-achievement has been unrelenting.

Benitez may yet welcome the chance to escape a job that has undoubtedly lost some of its appeal because of the weighty expectations that he feels are out of kilter with the resources.

Gerrard has struggled to exert himself, stymied by the shortcomings of Lucas and Mascherano, who seemed to take it as a personal affront that Nemanja Vidic had been sent off three times in succession in this fixture and not him.

There was no doubting that he started tugging at Antonio Valencia way outside the box, but loosening his grip only as the tussle reached the area allowed Howard Webb to indulge in a favourite pastime because this was the fifth penalty he has given United over his past eight games at Old Trafford.

It was not the sight of Carragher and Gary Neville coming nose to nose like two proud tribal chiefs that screamed loudest, nor even Ferguson and Benitez jousting on the touchline.

Rather, it was Carragher’s angry shove on Mascherano as the ramifications of his team -mate’s mindless actions sunk in.

There has been too much blaming of one another. The changes must not stop there.

Liverpool Can Still Finish Fourth, Says Jamie Carragher

Jamie Carragher today insisted Liverpool possesses the strength of character to shrug off their disappointment at Old Trafford and get their push for the top four back on track.

The Reds squandered a gilt-edged opportunity to make a statement against Manchester United on Sunday as they lost 2-1 despite Fernando Torres giving them an early lead.

With Manchester City and Tottenham – their rivals for the last Champions League spot – both winning at the weekend, the task facing Liverpool on the run in is hugely difficult. Carragher, though, has warned anybody who thinks Liverpool is out of the reckoning now that they have dropped down to sixth place to think again.

He is adamant there will still be plenty of twists and turns in the coming weeks and, having studied the fixture list, is confident Liverpool can still make their presence felt.

“We have just got to recover from this as quickly as possible and get on a run of victories,” said the Reds’ vice-captain.

“We were playing against a top side yesterday and have run them close. It’s really disappointing to lose, as there wasn’t much between the sides in the game.

“You didn’t see too many chances being created but we have lost and you have got to move on, as this was the most difficult fixture we had before the season end.

“Of course we believe we can still close the gap. They will both have difficult spells and we have got to make sure we take maximum points when they do.

“Maybe there will be more criticism of us now and at a club like Liverpool, the pressure is never off. Things are a bit more difficult but we have still got lots of points to play for.”

Once Ji-Sung Park headed in front after Wayne Rooney’s first-half leveller, Liverpool only threatened to score once in the final 30 minutes but Torres took an air shot.

“We did well to a certain point but we played last Monday, then again on Thursday and then had to come into this match,” Carragher pointed out.

“The squad hasn’t been strong enough for one reason or another this season but it was still a big ask to come here after that run, particularly as United had all week to prepare.”

There is little doubt the game changed after referee Howard Webb awarded United a penalty when Javier Mascherano tangled with Antonio Valencia.

Television replays showed the incident took place initially outside the area, while Rafa Benitez claimed Valencia made the most of the incident.

Alex Ferguson, meanwhile, countered by saying Mascherano should have received a red card as Valencia would have been “too quick” for Carragher, who was the last man.

“It was never a sending-off,” Carragher said. “It took place outside the box and I think I would have got there! Pepe (Reina) was unlucky when he saved (Rooney’s) penalty but it bounced back to him.”

Former Liverpool Hero Ronnie Whelan Believes Players Have Given Up On Boss Rafael Benitez

Former Liverpool player Ronnie Whelan believes that after Sunday's 2-1 defeat to Manchester United in the Premier League, key members of the Reds' squad have given up on manager Rafael Benitez.

Having watched proceedings unfold at Old Trafford over the weekend, Whelan believes the attitudes of Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres throughout the game underline the fact that the Spaniard's time at Anfield must be coming to an end.

"We saw Torres at his brilliant best for the opening goal but turn into a petulant child as the game slipped away," Whelan wrote in his column for Irish newspaper The Herald.

"We saw Gerrard ghosting around the pitch without much purpose, occasionally bursting into activity but mostly ineffective.

"Players usually know when a manager's time is up and if they're smart, a long time before anyone else realises it. It's now plain to see from their performances against Manchester United that they've had enough.

"Rafa Benitez has nowhere to go now. His best players can no longer muster the belief needed to go to Old Trafford and win against the odds.

"They did it for him last season and many times before when his reputation was on the line but not any more."

Whelan also admitted his belief that the club's star assets — particularly Gerrard and Torres — will undoubtedly be having doubts as whether they should stay with the underachieving club.

"They must be having a hard look now at the future and I'm sure there are clubs all over Europe that would be happy to fork out huge amounts of cash for either or both players — even in these recessionary times," the 48-year-old noted.

The former Irish international is also disappointed that the Reds' academy is no longer producing the sort of players that could help the club through its current crisis.

"It wouldn't be so bad if there was a half dozen young lads pushing up from the Academy ranks and filling in the gaps created by poor work in the transfer market over many years," he added.

"Home-grown talent served Liverpool well for many years but Jamie Carragher and Gerrard are the last to come from that source and they've been in the senior team for over a decade."

Rafael Benitez Believes That Manchester United's Antonio Valencia Dove For Penalty

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has accused Manchester United’s Antonio Valencia of diving to earn the penalty that canceled out an early Fernando Torres strike in United’s 2-1 victory on Sunday to vault them to the top of the Premier League.

Valencia fell awkwardly under a Javier Mascherano challenge to earn the penalty after 12 minutes. Wayne Rooney’s shot was saved but he was able to net the rebound to tie the game at one.

Benitez was clear when asked if the Ecuadorian international dove for United’s penalty.

"Yes I think so, Benitez told The Sun.

“There is maybe a contact but the way he fell down was strange.

"I've seen three replays and the last one was very suspicious.

"See the replay and how he fell to the ground.

"The penalty made a big, big difference. One situation changed everything."

The decision to award United with the spot-kick led to an argument between Benitez and Sir Alex Ferguson, who thought that Mascherano should have been given a red card for being the last man on path to a scoring chance.

"I thought for the penalty kick it was a red card,” Ferguson said.

"There was no way Carragher could have got across to stop Valencia from shooting, absolutely no way. He's too quick for Carragher to get across.

"It was a penalty but you have seen it time and time again - the law of the game is that if you stop a player from a goalscoring opportunity, it's a red card. But not today it wasn't.”

The loss leaves Liverpool in sixth place, four points adrift of Tottenham for the last Champions League spot, and two points behind Manchester City, who also have two games in hand on the Reds, for fifth.

Match Report: Manchester United 2 - 1 Liverpool

Manchester United came from behind to clamber back to the Premier League summit, trampling on Liverpool's top-four hopes in the process.

Park Ji-sung headed home the winner after an hour, securing the spoils after Wayne Rooney's 33rd goal of the season had controversially levelled Fernando Torres' fifth-minute opener.

Although victory was not achieved without a nervy ending, during which Torres spurned a glorious chance to equalise, the result kept United's noses in front of Arsenal and Chelsea.

For Liverpool though, fight was not enough.

When they scored four times in the corresponding fixture last season, it appeared to open the door to that championship Holy Grail.

Not only has that been proved fool's gold, a 10th defeat of the season leaves them requiring slip-ups from Tottenham and others just to finish in a Champions League spot. What Rafael Benitez claimed before Christmas was a guaranteed fourth-place finish could hardly be further away.

Sir Alex Ferguson once claimed that a game of tiddlywinks between what the majorities still believes to be England's biggest clubs could trigger the deepest of passions.

Certainly there was no sense of inferiority from the visitors despite their present status, and with good reason.

It was the Merseysiders who had won the last three meetings - each of which featured the dismissal of Nemanja Vidic, who it seems in Torres has found someone he simply cannot handle.

Such is the mystique surrounding that duel there was an audible gasp the first time Torres ran at the Serbian. Like so much of the opening period's final half-hour, it petered out disappointingly. The spark had been ignited long before that, although Torres was the one who flicked the switch.

By his very demeanour, Torres gave the impression of being a man on a mission.

Five minutes into the contest, he seized on the loose ball after Michael Carrick had lost possession, sending Steven Gerrard away at top speed with an inspired backheel.

As Gerrard found Dirk Kuyt to his right, Torres continued his own run, United's defence never set properly to ensure the Spaniard remained under their control.

By the time Kuyt dug out his cross, Torres was on his own.

Park's wayward effort from a similar position later on proved the goal was anything but the routine effort it looked to be as the Spanish star guided the ball out of Edwin van der Sar's reach.

Quite apart from falling behind against such fierce rivals, an increasingly enthralling title race demanded a United comeback.

For Liverpool, the equaliser came far too quickly. The controversy was immediate too.

Benitez argued Javier Mascherano's attempt to haul back Antonio Valencia was outside the box, which, indeed, was where the infringement began. Ferguson countered the combative midfielder had prevented a clear goalscoring opportunity.

The managers - no friends these two - continued their finger-jabbing row long after Wayne Rooney had tucked home the rebound from a spot-kick awarded by Howard Webb and saved by Pepe Reina.

That was it for the goal threat until the hour mark arrived.

During his long career, Gary Neville has gone on plenty of unselfish runs down the right wing, knowing David Beckham or, more latterly, Cristiano Ronaldo were never going to give him the ball.

Darren Fletcher is not quite of that attacking calibre but Neville must have sensed his run was purely to provide space for the Scot.

So it proved. As Neville flew past on the overlap, Emiliano Insua edged to his right. In an instant, Fletcher had exploited the gap and curled over a cross.

As Rooney and Jamie Carragher tussled and tugged, Park arrived behind them, launching himself at the ball like a guided missile and powering the diving header into the corner of Reina's goal.

Rooney had one more chance before the end, which he fired wide.

Torres was on the end of a far better one when Gerrard drilled over a low cross near the end.

For once against United, the Spaniard miscued and Yossi Benayoun headed the loose ball straight at Edwin van der Sar.

United could celebrate, Neville and Ferguson doing the cheerleading.

Liverpool's money men are staring at a big black hole marked Champions League, Benitez is failing on his guarantees.

Javier Mascherano Willing To Commit His Future To Liverpool

Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano has revealed he is willing to sign a new contract with the club.

The Argentina skipper's future has been the subject of much speculation in recent times, with the tough tackler being tipped to join the ranks of Barcelona during the summer.

However, the defensive midfield stalwart has revealed the talks are ongoing, and the ball is currently in the club's court.

"I'm waiting for an answer from Liverpool," Mascherano said, according to the News of the World.

"They know what I want so it depends on them and not me. We have been talking about the contract."

It is claimed that the Argentine has a four-year contract in mind, with a mega-pay rise to around £90,000-a-week.

Liverpool have already tied down Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Yossi Benayoun, while Pepe Reina is also expected to sign a new long-term contract with the club in the near future.

Inter Boss Jose Mourinho Interested In Liverpool Job

The 'Special One' has been tipped to depart the San Siro at this term's end, with Real Madrid and Manchester City also believed to be pursuing his services.

Despite being interested in a potential job at Anfield, it is claimed that the Nerazzurri boss has no intention of plying his trade under the club's current owners: Tom Hicks and Geroge Gillett.

Moreover, it is believed that Mourinho will require guarantees with regard to funding and ownership if he is to take to the helm of the Kop club.

The club is reportedly in talks with the Rhone Group over a £100 million investment into the club, which will likely see Hicks and Gillett taking a back seat as the controlling stake would be held by the Rhone Group.

Pepe Reina Is The Best Goalkeeper In England - Rafael Benitez

Rafael Benitez is in no doubt Pepe Reina is the best shot-stopper in the Premier League.

The Anfield boss feels that Reina has proved the doubters wrong who claimed the Spain international would find it hard to cope with the aerial threat commonplace in the English game.

"We are really pleased because I remember at the beginning people said for England, in the air, he [Pepe Reina] is not the best," explained Benitez to his club's official website.

"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, but Pepe is really good in the 18-yard box.

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

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

Benitez also praised Reina's commitment to the cause at Anfield and affirmed the talented gloveman would be staying on Merseyside for a while yet.

"Pepe is a key player and it is 100 per cent he will continue with us," the manager added.

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

Liverpool Planning £50 Million Shopping Spree During The Summer - Report

Liverpool are pondering over whether they should spend £50 million during the summer to rebuild their squad as the club look to mount a serious challenge to win the Premier League next term.

The Reds forked out a handsome sum to bring in Glen Johnson and Alberto Aquilani last summer, and are reportedly set to wield the axe on some squad members to raise the funds required for player purchases this summer.

News of the World reports that the Anfield outfit will have £25 million made available once fresh investment in the club has been secured, however, the rest must be raised through player sales.

Albert Riera's recent fall-out with manager Rafael Benitez has put him in pole position to leave the club. It is speculated that his sale will generate £8 million, with CSKA Moscow believed to be interested in the player's services.

Meanwhile, it is claimed that Yossi Benayoun will also be sold to raise the funds required for a splash on the market. Liverpool are expected to fetch £9 million for the popular Israeli.

The Merseysiders also have approximately £8 million in reserve, following the sales of Andrea Dossena and Andriy Voronin in January, to make up the remainder of the money required to spend big in the summer.

Liverpool Warned Off Lille Youngster Hazard

Liverpool have been told that they must stump up a huge £20 million if they want to sign Belgian youngster Eden Hazard from Lille.

19 year-old Hazard scored the winner for the French side against Liverpool at Lille and also impressed back at Anfield, although his side were soundly beaten 3-0.

According to the News of the World, Liverpool have already made enquiries over Hazard's availability.

However, the £20 million asking price would be way above Liverpool's evaluation of the player or the kind of price they could likely afford.

Hazard was voted best young player in France in 2008-9.

Liverpool Are Going Nowhere And Need Drastic Change - Steve Nicol

Former Liverpool defender Steve Nicol has called on the club to make “drastic changes” this summer and insisted the Reds are in desperate need of players and new investment.

A miserable season at Anfield has seen the Merseysiders dumped out of the FA Cup, League Cup and Champions League and facing a battle just to finish fourth in the Premier League.

Nicol, who is now coach of MLS side the New England Revolution, has insisted that big changes are needed at his former employers.

"Something drastic has to change because the team is going nowhere and ultimately someone is responsible for that,” he told the Independent on Sunday.

"They need players and they need investment. They've spent over £200 million so you can't say they've not had money to buy players.

"If you don't get the right players, you're not going to win games, and you have to say they haven't got the right players as a unit."

The former Scottish international also explained how he felt too much pressure was placed on star men Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard, which was not helping the players.

"[Gerrard and Torres] look as though they're carrying the whole stadium on their back. Every time they touch the ball they are under pressure to do something,” he added.

"You have big European nights where Gerrard and Torres are winning the games but it is not possible to carry that burden every single time you step on the field."

Nicol spent 14-years at Anfield as a player, winning five league titles, three FA Cups and one European Cup.

Benitez Ready To Offload Aquilani, Riera and Babel In His Bid To Keep Torres

Liverpool have given Fernando Torres assurances they will be active in the transfer market this summer to try to convince him his future lies at Anfield.

Prior to the Manchester United clash on Sunday, both manager Rafa Benitez and managing director Christian Purslow have talked with their star striker.

Torres is considered vital to Liverpool's interests as a 'global brand' and they told him the team will be strengthened, despite uncertainty surrounding the ownership of Tom Hicks and George Gillett. Chelsea, Manchester City and Barcelona have all been linked with the hero of Spain's Euro 2008-winning campaign.

But Liverpool are adamant Torres will not be sold even for £60million because of the damage it would do to their reputation as a world force.

He is seen as their poster boy in the same way as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney are for Barcelona, Real Madrid and Manchester United.

To placate Torres, Liverpool are looking to sell squad players like Albert Riera, Ryan Babel and Alberto Aquilani this summer to raise £30m, which will then be invested in top-line talent.

A pre-contract agreement has already been reached with Serbian star Milan Jovanovic and Javier Mascherano is expected to sign a new £90,000-a-week deal.

Benitez said: 'We can talk with Torres and go forward. He is happy and we don't want to sell him.'

Reina Proud To Commit Long-Term Future To Liverpool

Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina has spoken of his pride in signing a four year extension to his Anfield contract, committing the next six years of his career to the Reds.

The 27 year-old joined Liverpool from Valencia in 2005 and is set to spend the best years of his career now at Anfield.

He said, "I am really proud and really lucky to be here.

"I felt wanted from the beginning and these kind of things are personal. My mind is clear, my decision is taken and I have no regrets at all.

"It is nice to hear that other teams want me. But I am not thinking about leaving Liverpool at all. This is the right club for me.

"I don't see it as a sacrifice, signing for so long, and it doesn't make any difference to me if some people are saying I could have had my pick of clubs across Europe.

"I have talked it through with my wife and we don't see any better place to go. It is personal as well as professional. The education of my child is another factor and I feel it would be brilliant for my kids to grow up speaking two languages.

"I want them to speak English as well as Spanish and if it turns out to be with a Scouse accent, I will still be proud of them!"

Reina accepts that Liverpool have endured a disappointing season although they still harbour hopes of Europa League glory. Nonetheless, he is confident of future success for Liverpool and admires the loyalty of the club’s fans.

Reina continued, "We always want the best for the supporters and to deliver trophies for them. But even when we are not, they are always behind the team and that is priceless,

"All of us want to win trophies but sometimes that is not the case, and you cannot throw in the towel. It has been a long wait for the fans, 20 years without a league title, and I would just love to be here when and if it happens.”

Match Preview: Manchester United vs Liverpool

There may be a sizeable gap between the two in the Premier League table, but all that will count for naught when Manchester United host Liverpool on Sunday afternoon.

Sir Alex Ferguson's men are on track for a 19th league title, and their Merseyside foes will be desperate to prevent that in any way they can as they look to maintain their status as England's most successful club.

And while Rafael Benitez and his charges have had precious little to smile about this season, they know that they are capable of not only beating, but humiliating their North West rivals.

Indeed, United have lost each of their last three encounters with Liverpool, the lowest of the lowlights being a 4-1 drubbing at Old Trafford this time last year.

That clash was a genuine title fight in and of itself, with the result launching the Scousers back into contention - although they would eventually fall four points short of their noisy neighbours.

That element is altogether absent from this clash, with 'Pool battling just to stay in the hunt for Champions League qualification while United sit top of the table.

But while their goals may differ now, the gap in points tallies doesn't diminish the fact that this the biggest and most fiercely fought fixture on the English calendar.

And it may be difficult to tell the home and away fans apart, given their shared fondness for banners adorned with the phrase 'YANKS OUT!'...


FORM GUIDE

Manchester United

Mar 14: Man United 3-0 Fulham (Premier League)
Mar 10: Man United 4-0 Milan (Champions League)
Mar 6: Wolverhampton 0-1 Man United (Premier League)
Feb 28: Aston Villa 1-2 Man United (League Cup)
Feb 23: Man United 3-0 West Ham (Premier League)

Liverpool

Mar 18: Liverpool 3-0 Lille (Europa League)
Mar 15: Liverpool 4-1 Portsmouth (Premier League)
Mar 11: Lille 1-0 Liverpool (Europa League)
Mar 8: Wigan 1-0 Liverpool (Premier League)
Feb 28: Liverpool 2-1 Blackburn (Premier League)


TEAM NEWS

Manchester United

Ryan Giggs will be available for selection after missing the Red Devils' last seven games with a broken arm. Jonny Evans and Rafael da Silva have also returned to training.

The travelling supporters will be denied the opportunity to heap scorn upon Michael Owen, as a hamstring injury means the former Kop favourite will play no further part this season.

Anderson, Wes Brown, Owen Hargreaves and John O'Shea are also sidelined.

Last starting XI (vs. Fulham): Van der Sar, Neville, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Park, Fletcher, Carrick, Nani, Berbatov, Rooney.

Liverpool

Fabio Aurelio was one of United's tormentors this time last year, and the Brazilian free-kick specialist could make the matchday squad pending a late fitness test. Martin Skrtel, though, remains laid up with a metatarsal injury.

Albert Riera's midweek outburst has seen him frozen out of the club, meaning the left-wing berth will go to any of Ryan Babel, Yossi Benayoun or Maxi Rodriguez - although many have called for the Argentine to play in place of Dirk Kuyt on the right after his impressive outing against Pompey.

Alberto Aquilani also starred on Monday night, but a stomach bug kept the Italian playmaker out of the Lille clash and he remains a doubt for the trip to Old Trafford.

Last starting XI (vs. Lille): Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Insua, Mascherano, Lucas, Kuyt, Gerrard, Babel, Torres.


PLAYERS TO WATCH

Manchester United - Wayne Rooney

Quite simply in the form his life. The Everton old boy has 25 goals in 28 Premier League appearances, and he will be determined to add to that tally as he leads the line against his blood foes. Moreover, his newfound aerial dominance will test a Reds defence which has often faltered against good crossing and set pieces.

Liverpool - Fernando Torres

His season may have been blighted by injury, but the Spaniard's stats are no less impressive than Rooney's - 15 league goals from just 19 appearances. Even short of match fitness, 'El Nino' was majestic against Lille and Portsmouth and will be sure to give his favourite whipping boy, Nemanja Vidic, a torrid old time.

Reds Look To Derail United's Ambitions

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez may not publicly admit it but he would take great delight in having a hand in preventing Manchester United securing a record-breaking 19th league title this season.

The two north-west rivals are currently locked on 18 apiece but, sadly for the Merseysiders, their last championship came 20 years ago.

In the intervening two decades their arch-enemies have rapidly caught them up and are currently in a three-way battle with Chelsea and Arsenal as they seek to win an unprecedented fourth successive Premier League crown.

Liverpool, by contrast, are scrapping for fourth place with Tottenham, Manchester City and Aston Villa and it says much for the current malaise at Anfield that denying United another success ranks high on their list of ambitions in the remainder of the campaign.

They do have a Europa League quarter-final against Benfica to look forward to but home really is where the heart is for Liverpool fans who desperately crave another title.

Benitez, wisely, chose not to leave himself open to criticism for taking more interest in a spoiling role than dealing with Liverpool's deficiencies but he knows the significance of United usurping his club's history.

"I think for all our fans it would be really good [to stop United]," said the Spaniard.

"The rivalry between both teams is massive but for me, as a professional, I will keep my feelings inside.

"These games between United and Liverpool are more or less the same for both - it doesn't matter about the position in the table because both want to win so the pressure will be on both sides.

"As a manager you want to win against any club but especially against top sides.

"We need to win because we want to be in the top four."

Forward Dirk Kuyt was more forthcoming with his feelings, admitting: "No-one here at Liverpool wants to see them winning another league title but the main thing for us is to win our own games."

Benitez broke his Old Trafford duck last season with the stunning 4-1 victory over United, the second of three successive wins over Sir Alex Ferguson's side - all of which have resulted in defender Nemanja Vidic being sent off.

However, the Liverpool manager - like his United counterpart - does not believe that result will have any bearing on Sunday’s encounter.

"It is another game, another season so we have to approach it as another challenge," said Benitez, who will give a late fitness test to midfielder Alberto Aquilani after the Italian missed the Europa League victory over Lille with a sickness bug.

"Maybe they will think if we don't play well they can beat us but they have experience and will approach the game as they usually do.

"I don't think they will be thinking too much about the past.

"Last year was a very important and amazing game for us. It was the first victory there for me but it is another year and another challenge and we have to concentrate on this game."

Liverpool at least head into the match on the back of two successive victories, 4-1 over Portsmouth and 3-0 against Lille, in the last six days.

That has provided a much-needed boost to the players' flagging spirits, as has the form of striker Fernando Torres.

The Spain international, celebrating his 26th birthday today, now has 17 goals in 27 appearances of an injury-hit season and has scored in his last two matches against United.

"In terms of the week, we've had two good wins and people have more confidence so we will move forward and be ready for the next game," said Benitez.

"We played really well on Monday and Thursday was a good game and hopefully we can get a result at Old Trafford.

"If we stick together we can beat anyone. Old Trafford will be difficult but we will try.

"If we can work like we did against Lille and we have a game plan it will be the small details that make the difference."

Benitez has been left to bemoan his bad luck in terms of injuries this season, particularly to Torres.

The striker missed five weeks after a knee operation in January but had struggled with a hernia problem prior to that.

Had he been fit for the entire season Benitez believes Liverpool would have been close to replicating their record haul of last season when they amassed 86 points in running United a close second.

"The gap would be reduced - how much I don't know - but Torres fit and scoring would have been a big difference," said the Reds boss.

Babel Eyes Dazzling Finale

Ryan Babel is determined to maintain his recent resurgence and repay the Liverpool supporters with a series of dazzling displays.

The Dutch forward has shown glimpses of the form that had many tipping him as a star of the future in recent weeks and is confident his approach will give the Kop more reason to cheer.

"For any player, if you are given games to show what you can do, it's a good thing and also for me," he said.

"I hope I can show more of this and hopefully give something back to the supporters.

"Slowly you regain confidence when you play a number of games so hopefully I can show what I can do.

"They expect me to always dribble or take men on. It's not always possible but I try it as much as I can because that's what I want to do as well."

"Hopefully if I can show more of this in the future I will be very pleased."

The Holland international still has one eye on this summer's World Cup and is hopeful some top performances with Liverpool will earn him a place in his country's squad.

He added: "I'm happy that I could start again [on Thursday]. I think I'm very pleased with the team performance.

"If I play a lot of games then maybe I have a good chance to go to the World Cup."