Match Report: LiverpooL 3 - 0 Sunderland

A scintillating first-half performance set the tone for a one-sided Liverpool victory over Sunderland at Anfield which kept the Reds in the race for Champions League qualification.

Fernando Torres struck a brilliant opener in the third minute and Glen Johnson's deflected strike made it 2-0 at the end of a first half in which the hosts could easily have scored six.

Torres scored his seventh goal in four matches, and his 18th in 21 Premier League appearances this season, midway through the second half before Liverpool coasted in the latter stages.

For Liverpool this was an eighth successive home league win, their best run at Anfield since winning eight in a row towards the end of the 2007/08 season.

More importantly it kept Rafael Benitez's side within four points of Tottenham, whose win over Portsmouth on Saturday cranked up the pressure in the race for fourth.

Liverpool responded accordingly and within 55 seconds defender Daniel Agger smashed a left-footed volley straight at goalkeeper Craig Gordon after Dirk Kuyt had flicked on Steven Gerrard's free-kick.

That the Denmark centre-back had a further two good goalscoring opportunities before half-time gave an indication of how dominant Liverpool were.

However, when it comes to goalscoring there are few to equal Torres and his third-minute strike was a piece of individual brilliance.

Goalkeeper Jose Reina picked him out wide on the left touchline and he dribbled inside Michael Turner to curl a shot over Gordon and perfectly into the far top corner.

In what was the best 45 minutes of football in Liverpool's season, Javier Mascherano had two long-range shots, one headed clear by Kieran Richardson and the other skewed wide, while Torres was just off target with a near-post effort following intricate passing between Maxi Rodriguez and Gerrard.

Ball retention, the pace of the passes, and the general attacking intent made for an exhilarating half.

More chances came and went as Gerrard's run and shot in the penalty area ended in a deflection behind and Rodriguez's near-post header from his captain's corner was superbly tipped over by Gordon.

Had Liverpool been 5-0 up after 30 minutes it would not have flattered them, but they had to settle for just the two goals at the interval.

The second came from Johnson in the 32nd minute when Gerrard's inswinging corner was only cleared to the edge of the penalty area and the defender touched the ball inside on to his left foot and unleashed a shot which took a slight deflection off Turner to beat Gordon.

Torres hit a post and then bundled the rebound wide before the break as Sunderland almost imploded under the pressure.

Liverpool's biggest problem in the second half was the expectation on them to reproduce the football they had displayed before the break.

While it did not reach those heights, they were hardly troubled.

Ryan Babel fired well over after Gerrard's driving run from halfway while Torres had an eight-yard shot blocked by Paulo da Silva, on at half-time for Lee Cattermole.

But the Spain international was not to be denied much longer and on the hour he scored his second goal, which was as simple as his first was brilliant.

Babel's far-post cross to Rodriguez dropped to Johnson who slipped a pass inside where Torres spun on the penalty spot to turn the ball past Gordon.

Alberto Aquilani replaced Kuyt with 20 minutes to go, with Torres making way for David Ngog to another standing ovation 12 minutes from time.

Richardson probably went closest to scoring for Sunderland when he flashed a left-footed shot just wide of Reina's right-hand post.

Gerrard's removal for winger Nabil El Zhar late on signalled that Benitez was more interested in saving his players for Thursday's Europa League quarter-final against Benfica in Lisbon.

What the Liverpool players must now prove in their remaining six league matches is that this performance was not a one-off.

If they can, then Benitez's guarantee of fourth place may yet hold good.

Steven Gerrard Looks To Win World Cup And Premier League In Next Five Years

Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard hopes to accomplish the two principal goals of his career in the next five years by winning a World Cup with England and a Premier League title with the Reds.

Gerrard will turn 30 years old when England face Japan in a friendly on May 30, just a few days before the Three Lions travel to South Africa for the World Cup.

With a career that has included 78 international appearances for England and a starring role with Liverpool over the last 12 season, Gerrard knows that he only has a couple of years left to achieve some of footballs top honours.

“It’s a big time for me – I am aware of my age and what I want out of the remainder of my career,” Gerrard told The Mirror.

“I look after myself, and I’m in good shape physically so I believe I’ve still got five years to fight for all the big prizes in football. I’ll do everything I can to keep going.”

The last year has been one of international success mixed with club disappointment, but Gerrard knows that in football things change quickly.

“It’s fair to say it’s been a mixed season for me.

“It’s been positive for England, because we’ve qualified for the World Cup and we’ve been winning football matches. But at Liverpool there have been times when it has been tough. But that’s football, you have to deal with that.

“There’s a chance to finish the season on a high with Liverpool now, by finishing fourth and going to a cup final. It would be fantastic if we could achieve both of those things. Then you focus on the World Cup.

“That will give me a big lift going to the World Cup, and then I’ll be going feeling ­positive that I can achieve something really important with England.”

Jamie Redknapp Lifts Lid On Benitez And Gerrard Feud

Jamie Redknapp has lifted the lid on the increasing friction between Kop boss Rafa Benitez and Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard, hinting the England star could quit the club after the World Cup finals.

Redknapp says the pair are heading for a bitter bust-up over tactics.

And he said last Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester United is a prime example of where it’s all going wrong between Benitez and Gerro, 29.

Sky TV pundit Redknapp, who played with friend Gerrard at Anfield during his 11 years at the club, said: “Gerrard is at his best in central midfield.

“But with 12 minutes to go and Liverpool chasing the game at Old Trafford, Benitez brings Alberto Aquilani on and pushes Steven wide left.

“That will have infuriated Steven. He doesn’t want to be out there. He’s less effective there. Then Benitez switches him again when he brings Yossi Benayoun on and he moves him over to the right.

“Why? Liverpool were losing 2-1 and needed Steven to be in his best position and at his most effective.

“I have played with Steven and that will have infuriated him.

“That’s where Benitez gets it wrong.”

Redknapp said Benitez’s tactics also had a similar effect on striker Fernando Torres.

The world-class hitman signalled his frustration at Old Trafford last week by destroying the penalty spot before Wayne Rooney put United level with the spot-kick. Redknapp claimed: “Gerrard and Torres make Liverpool tick – but Benitez just doesn’t use them properly.

And in a bitter parting shot, he added: “You don’t see Sir Alex Ferguson doing that with his best players.”

Benitez himself, though, has looked to smooth things over after a meeting with Gerrard and his senior stars to paint more financially sound, future for Liverpool for next season and beyond.

And Managing Director Christian Purslow also paid a visit to Liverpool’s Melwood training ground on Wednesday to address the Kop stars and inform them officially about the possible £110million investment from the Rhone Group.

The players have also been informed that £25m-plus will be injected by the same global SDHp investment firm to go towards buying new players this summer. Now­ ­pressure will be mounted on co-­owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett to back the Rhone move.

Liverpool’s debt is currently £237m with RBS – and the bank has given the club until the end of the season to slash that by £100m.

Hicks and Gillett have been looking themselves for extra capital but time is now pressing for them to agree to this outside cashpot.

Benitez said: “We are working behind the scenes and I have confidence we can move forward because I know we’re trying to do that in a good SDHp direction. I’m quite positive.

“My last conversation with Stevie was very positive and he has a great determination to improve and play. “Stevie is the captain. He knows we have to improve on the pitch and then it will be easier to change things."

Kenwyne Jones: The Striker Who Got Away From Liverpool And Rafael Benítez

If Rafael Benítez had had his way in January then Kenwyne Jones would be emerging from Anfield's famous tunnel on Sunday in the red shirt of Liverpool.

What with Fernando Torres's problems with injury and the lack of quality strikers in his squad, the Liverpool manager wanted to sign Jones in the transfer window but the club did not want to meet Sunderland's £10 million valuation.

For Sunderland the projected transfer was like a bad New Year's hangover that just got worse by the day and with a week left before the close of the window Steve Bruce, the Sunderland manager, snapped, describing the manner of Benítez's pursuit of his player as "hugely disrespectful".

"What happened is that January was January and now it's March and it's all over," Jones said. "That's all that happened. However long the transfer windows have been in effect there has always been something like that happening at some club. It's nothing new, the same old script."

Jones's desire to put the whole episode behind him is understandable. The speculation came halfway through a winless streak of 14 games for Sunderland, a sequence that pushed them towards relegation. "It was like we started tripping down some stairs and we just kept falling down and down until we hit the floor," he said.

Jones has helped lift the team off the floor and get them climbing again. For the last two months he had started to show the kind of form that brought him to Benítez's attention last season. A hip injury has kept him out of the last two games but he is optimistic of returning to the side on Sunday, a side who, after five games without defeat, are finally beginning to move in the right direction again.

Not that the wings of Jones's ambition have been clipped. "Like any footballer you don't want to be a fixture," he said. "What you want is to achieve something. You want to be one of the greats of football and win something. Some people, like me so far, have not been able to win anything throughout their career. You want to be in the place where you can win the big trophies and all the stuff that matters.

"All the attention? It's a pat on the back for me that I'm doing something that people recognise and they want. That itself propels me to keep working harder and keep doing the things I've been doing. Hopefully I can continue that until my knees go bad and I can't play any more, that I can fulfil the dream of playing at the highest level, winning things."

At 25 Jones has learned to seize every opportunity. As a promising Trinidad youth international his life was completely changed by the birth of his son Isaiah, when he was still just 18. "Having a kid on its own is an experience but having a kid at that age when you think you have your whole life ahead of you... it doesn't stop your life, it just propels you in a direction. It propelled me in a direction and I thank God for that."

Jones – "decently smart" – had full scholarship offers from some 20 American universities but feared college life would kill his hunger for football. So he went on a punishing series of trials with European clubs, even spending a week with Manchester United. "David Beckham was still there, Juan Sebastian Veron, Dwight Yorke, Laurent Blanc, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Roy Keane – it was the biggest experience I'd had in my career so far."

Like so many other trials, it did not work out and, with the responsibility towards his family, Jones imposed a deadline to get a contract. If not he would go into the army, like his schoolfriend and former Sunderland team-mate Carlos Edwards.

"I'd been on trial at a lot of places, probably three months at a time. It wasn't nice being away from home for that long at that age and living out of my suitcase. I didn't want it to drag on for me. I wanted to make a decision and have something steady happening. For me it was do or die, now or never."

That determination resulted in a move to Southampton in 2004. It took a while for Jones to get into the kind of physical shape needed in English football but when he did, catalysed by a productive loan move to Sheffield Wednesday, he emerged as an intimidatingly powerful striker. In 2007 Keane took him to Sunderland for £6 million, where his rapid progress continued, John Terry describing him as the best he had faced in the air in the Premier League.

His playing style has earned comparisons with Didier Drogba and it is the paucity of players with those kind of capabilities that make Jones a coveted player. "Thankfully I'm 25 and not 32 [Drogba's age]. I guess it's good to be in that mode because it fits me into a certain script: necessity to demand. You don't want to be superfluous. You don't want to be like everyone else. Thankfully I'm different. That's what people want and I hope it will stay like that for a long time."

Rafa Benitez In Talks With Liverpool Takeover Rivals From Rhone Group

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is understood to have met representatives of potential investors the Rhone Group.

He has also briefed senior players, including Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres, about a future beyond the current boardroom stalemate.

The New York-based fund management firm wants to invest £100 million – to be put towards the club’s £237 million debt – for a stake of around 40 per cent, as well as putting in a further £25million to be spent on transfers. Talks with the Spaniard were constructive and positive.

Key men Gerrard and Torres, who has claimed that Benitez needs to be able to add “four or five top-class signings” this summer, have appeared particularly disaffected as Liverpool have been reduced to scrapping for fourth place.

But Benitez and managing director Christian Purslow met with senior members of the squad on Wednesday to discuss on potential future developments in an attempt to persuade them that good times are ahead for the Anfield club.

Liverpool co-owners Tom Hicks, who is particularly resistant to the prospect of his stake being diluted, and George Gillett need to find £100 million in order to refinance loans from the Royal Bank of Scotland in July. If they are unable to do so, they will have little choice but to accept the offer from the Rhone Group, or another investor, and have their power decreased.

Purslow has kept Benitez updated on the Rhone Group’s interest, as well as that of several other interested parties. Having previously insisted he wanted all potential offers on the table by Easter, the managing director is now prepared to wait until the end of the season.

After pushing Manchester United all the way last season, Benitez does not attempt to deny that Liverpool have been blown off course this time around but is adamant that it can prove to be just a temporary set-back.

He said: “I have confidence we can move forward because I know that we’re trying to move forward in a good direction. I am quite positive.’’

Torres has repeated his claim that Liverpool need to spend heavily this summer but said: “My place is at Liverpool and in England. I’ve got three years to run on my contract.

“The most important thing is for the club to try to sign quality players, footballers who improve the quality of the squad. Next season we want to be challenging for the Premier League title and the Champions League or the Europa League but for that to happen we need some new signings.”

Liverpool Deal For Milan Jovanovic In Doubt

Liverpool’s move for Serbian striker Milan Jovanovic has stalled, according to a report in the News of the World.

The 28-year-old striker has been widely tipped to join Liverpool in the summer with his contract expiring at the end of 2009/2010.

In January reports claimed Jovanovic had undergone a medical at Anfield but Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has refused to confirm this.

Benitez said: "I won't talk about him now. We are working behind the scenes."

In 2009/2010 Jovanovic has scored 13 goals and provided four assists for Standard Liege in 32 appearances.

Jovanovic would be a useful signing for Liverpool as he can play up front, behind a striker or on the left.

Christian Purslow Held Meeting To Reassure Players Over Club's Finances - Report

Liverpool Managing Director Christian Purslow has reportedly held talks with players to alleviate concerns regarding the club's coffers.

The Reds' well documented crisis with respect to their finances, coupled with below par performances on the pitch, has seen them go from title chasers to top-four hopefuls this season.

Heavy speculation surrounding the future of star striker Fernando Torres is also believed to have been discussed at the meeting, with the Managing Director believed to have reassured players the Anfield outfit is still heading in the right direction.

According to the Sunday Mirror, the disillusionment concerning the club's fortunes this term had left skipper Steven Gerrard and Torres considering their future at the Merseyside club.

However, after being assured that fresh investment is close to being secured, both of the Reds' stellar performers are believed to have been convinced to continue plying their trade for the Kopites.

Purslow announced that a deal with the Rhone Group is in place for a 40 per cent stake to be sold to the New York based investment company for a price of £100 million, with a further £25m being made available to replenish the squad during the summer.

An unnamed source close to the club is quoted as saying: "Christian Purslow informed the players on the direction the club will be taking.

"He was able to give them the answers they were looking for about new investment and how the club will move forward. It was a very positive meeting."

Tom Hicks Unwilling To Sell 40 Per Cent Stake In Liverpool - Report

Tom Hicks is reportedly not interested in selling a 40 per cent stake in Liverpool, which could potentially derail any investment into the squad during the summer.

The boardroom battle is believed to have reached fever pitch, as the pressure is reportedly back on co-owners Hicks and Geroge Gillett to let go of their control of the club.

According to the News of the World, Reds managing director Christian Purslow believes he will secure sufficient investment to rebuild the squad in the summer should the Americans insist on holding the reins to the Merseyside club.

There has also been speculation concerning the future of striker Fernando Torres, who has called on the club to bring in "four or five new signings" to bolster the squad and consequently challenge for domestic and European honours.

It is claimed that any hope of hanging on to 'El Nino' will largely depend on whether Hick and Gillett remain in power after June.

Recent reports pointed toward Purslow negotiating an equity sale with the Rhone Group, who would gain 40 per cent control of the club should a deal reach fruition. But Hicks is believed to have vetoed the idea, as he would make no money from the potential takeover.

Rival investors, including the Sahara group from India, are said to be interested in a full buyout of the club, but face a similar conundrum due to Hicks' unwillingness to let go of his stake in the Premier League outfit.

It is claimed that co-owner Gillett is in line with reducing his stake for the greater good of the Reds, but Hicks' rock-solid stance is believed to be causing tension in the club's upper echelon.

Match Preview: LiverpooL vs. Sunderland

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has no new injury worries for the home match against Sunderland in the Barclays Premier League.

With no midweek match, Benitez has been able to give his squad some time off to recuperate from a busy schedule involving Europa League matches.

He may opt for a more attacking line-up at home than he did for last Sunday's defeat against Manchester United at Old Trafford, which could bring the likes of Ryan Babel, Alberto Aquilani and Yossi Benayoun into contention.

Martin Skrtel (foot) and Fabio Aurelio (thigh) are still a couple of weeks away from fitness while Albert Riera is unlikely to be included as the club consider a loan deal to Russia for the Spain winger.

Benitez does not believe his summer transfer budget will be affected by their Barclays Premier League finish but remains confident they can still qualify for Europe's premier club competition.

"I understand really well. For five years we qualified for the Champions League so we knew it was important for the club,'' said the manager.

"They (the owners) told me at the beginning of the season that there would not be a big difference (in the transfer budget).

"Hopefully we can finish in the top four. We've had one bad season but we hope it will be better another day.''

If Liverpool are to overtake fourth-placed Tottenham and Manchester City, as well as keep Aston Villa at bay, they need to win at least five of their remaining seven matches.

That starts at home to Sunderland, who were 1-0 victors back in October courtesy of Darren Bent's goal which was controversially deflected in off a beach ball thrown from the crowd.

Anfield stewards will be extra vigilant to ensure there can be no repeat from the visiting fans but Benitez is more concerned with beating the Black Cats.

"We are strong. We lost against Manchester United (last Sunday) but they were at the top of the table and the difference between the two teams was very small,'' said the Liverpool boss.

"I am sure Sunderland will provide a physical test for our players but if we can play our game we can beat anyone, especially at home.''

Sunderland striker Kenwyne Jones has a chance of returning at Anfield.

The Trinidad and Tobago international has missed the last two games with a hip flexor injury but is back in training and may well be involved.

However, defender John Mensah (hamstring) is struggling after limping off at Aston Villa in midweek while midfielder Andy Reid remains on the sidelines with a similar problem.

Fraizer Campbell will draw upon his Manchester United roots as he attempts to deepen Liverpool's misery.

The 22-year-old Sunderland striker grew up in the game at Old Trafford, and although he played only a handful of senior games for the club after emerging from the Red Devils' Academy, he is well versed in the long-standing rivalry between the two clubs.

This weekend, the Huddersfield-born player will step out at Anfield determined to complete a famous double which would be almost as well received in the red half of Manchester as it would be back in the north-east.

Campbell said: "I have got a lot of Manchester United fans in my family, so they would be more than happy with that.

"These are the type of games that, when you are a youngster, you think, 'I would love to play at Anfield'.

"Every time I have played against Liverpool, there has always been a bit of bite.

"It will be good to go to Anfield and hopefully come away with a result and more points.

"We beat them earlier in the season at home, so I don't see why we can't do it now."

John Aldridge: Benfica Against Liverpool Test Is So Eagerly Awaited

Europe comes back on the agenda next week and though the competition might not be the one Liverpool want to be in, we have got a fantastic game ahead of us.

I have been in Portugal for most of the past week and I can tell you that all anyone is talking about is Liverpool’s Europa League showdown with Benfica; it has really captured the imagination.

Benfica was undoubtedly the most difficult tie Liverpool could have been given but the atmosphere will be amazing and I would imagine Rafa Benitez is determined to prove a point back in the Stadio da Luz.

The last time Liverpool played there in 2006, we threw a great chance away and ended up being comprehensively beaten over two legs. Since then, Benfica have blossomed and are a team going places.

It will be a difficult test but it would be great to think we could take a step closer to Hamburg by getting a result in Lisbon.

The winners of this tie will be favourites to lift the trophy.

Torres Urges Club To Make Four Top-Class Signings

Fernando Torres has confirmed he has no plans to leave Liverpool this summer but has again called on the club to invest in "quality players" for next season.

Liverpool are currently struggling to secure Champions League qualification for next season and there have been persistent rumours that Torres may be sold to balance the books if they do not finish fourth.

However, Torres is hopeful that there will be significant investment over the close season and insists he has no plans to leave even if Liverpool fail to make the Champions League.

"My place is here at Liverpool, and in England," he told his personal website.

"It's too early to talk, but I still think that we will finish fourth, but qualifying for the Champions League isn't the most important thing on my mind. The most important thing is for the club is to try and sign quality players, footballers who improve the quality of current squad.

"We need four more top players to be really competitive, players who are better than all of us who are here at the moment, and whose arrival will make the rest work that extra bit harder.

"Next season we want to be challenging for the Premier League title and the Champions League or Europa League but, for that to happen, we need some new signings. And remember, I've still got three years to run on my contract.

"I've said before that we need four or five top players so that we push ourselves even more. Competition for places is a positive thing, especially at big clubs.

"As for the new signings, that's a question for Rafa Benitez. The boss in charge of everything to do with the new arrivals."

Torres Quashes Exit Claims

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres has rebuffed reports he will leave the club at the end of their dismal campaign.

The news will come as a relief to the Anfield faithful, who have seen Torres net 18 goals in just 24 starts this term - a shining light in an otherwise wretched season for the Reds.

Rafa Benitez's men face an uphill struggle if they are to qualify for next season's UEFA Champions League and at present look short of mounting a Premier League charge next term.

Torres admits Liverpool must bring in "quality players" over the summer but insists failure to qualify for Europe's premier club competition will not force him to consider a move.

"My place is here at Liverpool, and in England," the 26-year-old told his personal website.

"We need some new signings," he admitted, while adding his ambitions for next season include "challenging for the Premier League title, and the Champions League or Europa League."

The former Atletico Madrid forward has three years remaining on his current Anfield contract and is expected to put his credentials on show at this summer's World Cup with Spain.

Rafa: Defender Not A Problem

Rafael Benitez has emphatically dismissed question marks over the form of Emiliano Insua, insisting he is satisfied with the full-back's first-team performances.

Fabio Aurelio's injury problems and the sale of Andrea Dossena have meant the 21-year-old has figured in all but two of Liverpool's 31 Barclays Premier League fixtures so far this term.

And while Benitez admits Insua still has room for improvement, he is pleased with the development of the Argentina international.

"He has made some mistakes like the other players, but he has also played some good games. I don't see him as a problem," said the Spaniard.

"It is true with Fabio Aurelio we had more experience and different options - we could give a rest to Aurelio and Insua - but that is not the case now, so we have to keep pushing Emiliano.

"He is at the age to learn. He is young and wants to improve, so we are working very hard with him trying to give him some ideas and advice.

"I think he is doing well - he is not doing badly."

With Insua the only senior left-back currently available for selection, some have questioned whether Jamie Carragher could operate in the position.

Benitez, however, has not entertained such thoughts.

"Insua can do it well," said the boss. "He is left-footed, so when you think of attack, he can overlap when he goes forward, cross and be a different option.

"If you have a right-footed player there, it is always more difficult for them."

Carra: Torres Is A Nightmare

Jamie Carragher today revealed how he hates marking Fernando Torres in training and lauded the Spanish sensation as the world's top striker.

Torres is currently in a rich vein of form having bagged five goals in his last three games and Carra reckons there is no finer front man than Liverpool's No.9.

"For me I think Torres is the best striker in the world," he said. "But I can see arguments for (Wayne) Rooney and (Didier) Drogba. Man Utd fans would say Rooney and Chelsea fans would say Drogba. They are all in the Barclays Premier League.

"Torres is a nightmare to defend against in training. He has pace and power and that is what causes you problems. He is not going to drop off and do nice touches. He is always looking to get beyond you and score a goal."

Meanwhile, Carragher believes dented confidence has been a key factor in Liverpool's up-and-down season.

The Reds began the campaign amongst the title favourites after finishing second last term having amassed 86 points, but mixed early season form and misfortune saw Rafael Benitez's contingent fall out of championship contention.

Carragher said: "There is no set reason why the season has not gone as well as we would have hoped.

"We just haven't played well enough. We struggled right from the off. I think we were hit hard by the disappointment of not fighting for the league title like we thought we would. That knocked our confidence.

"Last year we were at our best. We were flying and confidence was high but it has been different this season.

"For other teams, fourth is top of the world and they have been buzzing all season, but we were disappointed realising we would not win the league."

Liverpool enjoyed great success against title rivals Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal last season - with only the Gunners preventing the Reds from winning by claiming a couple of draws.

Carragher continued: "Each year is different and the little things can change it, like when we conceded two quick goals against Arsenal at Anfield.

"Any little thing against the top sides gets punished. We still have Chelsea to play and that is a very big game if we want to get into the top four."

Nonetheless, the Reds will still aim to end 2009-10 on a high note as they pursue a top four finish and success in the Europa League.

At the start of the weekend, Liverpool were four points behind fourth place Tottenham Hotspur in the Barclays Premier League having played a game more.

Carragher feels Harry Redknapp's men are currently 'slight favourites' in the race for Champions League football - but the vice-captain is calling on his teammates to ensure a strong finale to the season.

"Tottenham are in the driving seat at the moment," he said. "They are playing well and winning games. But you don't know how the FA Cup will affect them.

"We have got to put a great run together because Aston Villa and Manchester City are challenging hard and Everton are sneaking up there."

He added: "The Champions League is probably the biggest club knock-out competition in the world. It is as big, or bigger, than the World Cup."

Striker Eyes Red Future

A first-team debut at the Emirates, goals galore at reserve level and a part to play in Huddersfield Town's bid for promotion - it's fair to say it's been an eventful season for Nathan Eccleston.

The 19-year-old striker has made huge strides this year and marked his first game on loan at the Terriers with a debut strike at Yeovil.

Earlier this week, Liverpoolfc.tv made the trip up the M62 to see how the youngster has adapted to life in League One.

Here he tells us how Martin Kelly influenced his decision to make the move, why Terry McDermott is still passionate about all-things LFC and why he is determined to return to Anfield and make a big impression next term.

Well Nathan, you're a few months into your loan at Huddersfield Town now, how's life treating you?

It's been good. I arrived in late January and straight away the people here made me feel welcome. It's a terrific stadium and they are a good ambitious club. Hopefully we can end the season with promotion.

It's been an eventful campaign for Nathan Eccleston hasn't it...

Yes it has. I moved up from the youth team last year and it's been a whole new experience for me. I've made quite quick progress. I did well in the reserves and then the manager gave me a chance in the first-team. I had those two games within the space of a week and now I'm here on loan looking to gain more experience. As a young player I think that's what I need and I'm grateful to Huddersfield for giving me the chance.

Of course, you're not the only former red to have been on loan at Huddersfield. Last season Martin Kelly earned rave reviews here - did you speak to him when you were mulling over the move?

It all happened quite quickly really. A week earlier I was actually speaking to Martin about going out on loan and when I first heard about a potential loan move here I got on the phone to him. He basically confirmed everything, telling me that they were a good club and played football the right way. He told me he enjoyed his football here last year and that it would probably benefit me.

We bumped into former red, Terry McDermott earlier (assistant manager of Huddersfield Town). He's really pleased with how you've done so far. Has he been a big help?

Yes, definitely. The first day I arrived here all of the coaching staff were really welcoming. The players have all been great too. They could have seen it as competition for their place, but it hasn't been like that at all. They've been really helpful.

Have you had much banter with Terry Mac, particularly when you consider his past exploits with the Reds?

Yes, right from the first day, he was telling me all about his career at Liverpool and how times have changed. He's highly respected throughout the game and from what he achieved at Anfield he is rightly regarded as a legend. He's still got a big interest in Liverpool, asking me about all the up-and-coming players and who to watch out for.

You made an immediate impact too, with the winner against Yeovil. How pleasing was that to score your first senior goal?

It was great. I did a few interviews before the game in which I talked about how pleased I would be to score on my debut, so to actually do it was fantastic. But the main thing was to get the three points. I think Yeovil had only been beaten twice at home before that, so it was a bit of a dream start for me.

You've been in and out of the side since then, has that been frustrating or have you just seen it as part of your learning curve?

No, it's more about a learning curve. I'm only 19 and coming from reserve football, it is a lot different to league football. Any player who comes out on loan from the Premier League has to expect to fight for their place. You can't just expect to come out here and be in the team, you have to earn your place. It's just made me more hungry to fight for a place in the team.

Huddersfield are currently pushing for a place in the play-offs. Would the dream finale be for you to play in the final at Wembley?

Yes, definitely. Obviously, it's something you aspire to do when you are young boy. Just playing there in itself is a big achievement. If we can do that it would be magnificent for the club and obviously for me as an individual as well.

And just finally, in the summer your main aim must be to return to Liverpool and try to kick-on again...

That's my personal goal. I've come here to gain the experience so that I can go back to Liverpool and push for a place in the first team squad. I've got three more years to do that, so I'm looking forward to going back there in the summer.

Reds In Madrid Striker Link

Real Madrid President Florentino Perez is set to rule the roost at the Bernabeu with a summer clear as he looks to recoup some of the £250 million spent on 'Galactico' signings last summer.

Reports this week in El Mundo Deportivo and Marca report that up to nine Madrid squad members could face the axe this summer with Premier League clubs Chelsea, Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool linked with possible swoops.

Perez is set to execute a strict summer exit policy at the 'White House' in an effort to raise funds for new stars.

It is understood that the influential businessman was shocked by Madrid's sixth consecutive premature Champions League after they were dumped out of the competition by French Ligue 1 side Lyon.

To rub salt into the wounds Madrid fans had hoped the club would reach the Champions League final as it is being held in the club's magnificent Bernabeu stadium.

The Premier League quartet of Chelsea, Manchester City, Spurs and Liverpool have been linked with moves for a number of Madrid's players who are surplus to requirements under Perez.

Reports in El Mundo Deportivo suggest that Madrid legend Raul will retire at the end of the season, as could former Liverpool FC goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek.

Reds boss Rafael Benitez has been linked with a move for in-form Argentinean international Gonzalo Higuain.

The striker has been in great form for Los Merengues this campaign, and despite good performances could still lose his berth in the first XI if Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery joins moves to the Bernabeu.

Liverpool boss Benitez is a confirmed admirer of Higuain, with reports suggesting he would swoop for the player if he became available.

Benitez To Bank On Experience

Manager Rafael Benitez thinks Liverpool's previous experience in securing Champions League football will help them come good at the end of the season.

The Reds are currently sixth, four points behind fourth-placed Tottenham, but that gap could be more by the end of the day.

And although his side have played more matches than Spurs, Manchester City and Aston Villa, Benitez is confident his players can rise to the occasion with at least five wins required from their last seven matches.

"I had the belief before last weekend's defeat at Manchester United and the main thing is to keep focused on our games and try to win and we will see what happens with the other teams," said the Spaniard.

"Normally when you are in a top side and you have been in a top side for years you expect to approach every game thinking about just winning.

"With the other teams you never know but at this moment they have an excellent motivation.

"But it is different for them, when they have been coming fifth, sixth or seventh, to go forward than when you have been in the top four and have had some problems.

"That is the extra motivation they have so the experience we have will be our motivation too."

Liverpool host Sunderland on Sunday, a game they have to win if they are to maintain the pressure on their rivals.

Midfielder Javier Mascherano is likely to play a key role against combative opponents Lee Cattermole and Lorik Cana.

Benitez praised the attitude of the Argentina captain, who this week said the Reds boss had made him "a better player and better person".

Mascherano is on the verge of signing a new long-term contract and Benitez, with a dig at winger Albert Riera who criticised him for not communicating with his players, said that was partly due to the relationship they had.

"We are working hard behind the scenes so it is closer. I talk with him every day so I know the latest news," said the manager.

"The last conversation was very positive. He knows we are trying to improve the club and hopefully we can do it sooner rather than later.

"For a manager who doesn't talk to the players - so some of them say - that is good.

"I think he has improved a lot and he is keen to learn. He is 100% and the fans love him and we know when we are trying to improve him in a different way he will listen and try to do what you say.

"The main thing is the attitude of the player and his character."

Anfield stewards will be extra vigilant with visiting fans on Sunday to ensure there can be no repeat of Darren Bent's infamous beach ball goal which earned Sunderland a 1-0 win at the Stadium of Light in October.

Benitez: I Have No Cash For A Summer Spree

Rafael Benitez does not expect his Liverpool transfer kitty to be adversely affected if his club does not qualify for the Champions League this season – only because he has precious few funds to play with in the first place.

Benitez was advised at the start of the season that he could do little more than spend the money he generated, hence the purchases of Alberto Aquilani and Glen Johnson only once outgoing deals for Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa had been settled.

The manager has also spent a relatively small amount bringing Maxi Rodriguez and Sotirios Kyrgiakos to Merseyside yet he is anything but the last of the big spenders.

Not finishing fourth is currently unthinkable yet if they do not make it, he expects no reduction in his war chest only because he is determined not to miss what he never had.

"They [the owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks] told me before that it didn't make a big difference [if we don't qualify]. Every year that we have qualified for the Champions League it hasn't made a big difference so if we don't qualify this time I don't expect a big difference."

A failure to qualify for the Champions League would be a stark wake-up call to the fact that the likes of Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City and Aston Villa are now all genuine contenders. The hegemony of the old Big Four looks to be over – with Liverpool the principal victims – yet Benitez has not given up faith that a strong end of season can restore their position among the elite.

"It could go to the very end," he said. "I don't know which teams will be there. Hopefully it will be Liverpool and maybe another one but now there are four and maybe five teams involved so it is important to remain calm."

He also confirmed that Albert Riera's time at Anfield is almost up after he publicly criticised the Liverpool manager last week. Benitez said Riera could be sent out on loan.

Mark Lawrenson Says Failure To Qualify For Champions League Could Be Disastrous

As a player, he made 241 appearances for Liverpool during the club's glory years of the 1980s, winning nine major honours. Now, he is one of the most recognised pundits around, a lynchpin of the BBC's football coverage. But whilst Mark Lawrenson retains a special affection for his old club, he believes that failure to finish in the top four this season could have disastrous consequences for the club in the long term.

Speaking exclusively to Goal.com UK, Lawrenson revealed that he feels Manchester City are the team best placed to snatch the final Champions League qualification spot, despite their midweek defeat at home to Everton.

"At the moment, I think Manchester City are favourites," he said. "Tottenham have a really tough run of games, and that could prove their undoing. Liverpool, meanwhile, are inconsistent. You don't know what you are going to get with them at the moment.

"As for City, well I know Everton beat them - and beat them comfortably - but at this stage of the season I would rather have the points in the bag than the easier games to play. Because when it gets to this stage of the season, teams look at the fixtures and say 'we can win the next three or four', but it never works out that way."

Tottenham currently occupy fourth spot on 55 points, two points clear of City, and four ahead of Liverpool, and Lawrenson concedes that failure to qualify for next season's Champions League would have far harsher consequences for the Reds than their rivals, and queries whether the club's prized assets would be prepared to settle for Europa League football.

"If you look at Manchester City for example, if they can secure Champions League football next season, can you imagine the players they will be able to sign? They already have a strong squad, that will only get stronger and stronger if they can guarantee Champions League football," he said.

"Of course I would dearly love to see Liverpool finish fourth, and they do have more home games than away, and with Torres back they will always have a chance. But if they don't finish fourth, I think it becomes a major problem for them - both in terms of attracting the kind of player they need, and in keeping hold of the ones they have got.

"If we’re not in the Champions League, does Fernando Torres want to play in the Europa League? Does Steven Gerrard, after all he has done for the club? I’m not sure. The problem we have is if we don’t get fourth, there will be so much open for debate, and that’s a worry."

That worry is certainly exacerbated by fears for the club's financial well-being. The £100million of fresh investment promised by managing director Christian Purslow has yet to appear, despite reports of interest from US-based bankers the Rhone Group, and Lawrenson believes the Reds co-owners, George Gillett and Tom Hicks, are simply waiting for the best possible deal on their investment.

"The Americans promised Liverpool a new ground, with George Gillett saying that there would be a spade in the ground within 60 days," said Lawrenson, "That was over three years ago, which tells you all you need to know about the situation at the moment.

"I think the key with Liverpool is – what will investors get for their money? If you are going to invest in a football club, you want value for money. And I think the American’s are looking at new investment from a perspective of how much money they can make."

It is certainly a come-down from this time last season, when Liverpool were pushing Manchester United hard in the Premier League title race. This year's championship is a three-way battle between United, Arsenal and Chelsea, and Lawrenson has a sneaking feeling for Arsene Wenger's side.

"I have to tell you, when Arsenal lost to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, I got 10-1 on Arsenal for the league, and I took it," he says, "Just looking at their fixtures, I'd give them a massive chance. I’m not saying they are definitely going to win it, but it is looking like a good bet at the moment.

“Having said that though, would you back against Manchester United? Would you back Chelsea to go and win at Old Trafford? I’m not sure."

Lawrenson admits the title race is as open as it has been for many years, but says the reason for this is an improvement in the top seven clubs, rather than the entire league.

"I think the reason the league is so open is because the top six or seven have improved, and the rest of the league has not," he added. "So you have the top teams all beating each other, whilst the rest of the teams are perhaps scrambling around a bit, that's why the race is so open this season."

And with the PFA Player of the Year awards fast approaching, Lawrenson feels there is one candidate who stands head and shoulders above the rest this season.

"I think Wayne Rooney is a shoo-in," he says, "How can anyone vote for [Didier] Drogba when he keeps getting sent off in the Champions League? Cesc Fabregas? Maybe, but for me Rooney is a certainty.

"When you think that [Cristiano] Ronaldo and [Carlos] Tevez left in the summer and people wondered where United would get the goals from, and he just stepped up and has been absolutely sensational. He is a shoo-in for Player of the Season surely.”

Rafa Aware Of Transfer Impact

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez acknowledges that his transfer options could depend on a place in the top four of the Premier League and success in the Europa League.

The Reds are clinging to the hope of a spot in next season's UEFA Champions League and they are also preparing for a Europa League quarter-final against Benfica.

Benitez has admitted that sixth-placed Liverpool are now dependent upon mistakes among their rivals in the race for fourth position and they were grateful on Wednesday when Aston Villa and Manchester City dropped points.

The Anfield boss is well aware of the importance of participating in the Champions League and winning silverware from a playing perspective, but also in attracting new faces to move to Merseyside.

"Players want to win trophies and want to finish in the top four," said Benitez, who has already agreed a pre-contract deal with Standard Liege forward Milan Jovanovic.

"The players know it is important to perform now for the future and they want to stay here so I think it will be okay.

"We are now in a situation where we have to move forward and try to bring the best from each player. It is not easy to stay at a very good level in a season.

"The main thing is we have some players coming back from injuries and if they are together and push together I am sure we will do really well.

"This club is a massive club so if we can progress in the Europa League and finish in the top four a lot of (other) players will be thinking whether to come here or stay where they are."