Gerrard Wants Quality Signings

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard believes the club needs to make 'three or four quality signings' to improve next season.

The Reds have had a poor campaign and have failed to live up to expectations that they could challenge for the Premier League this term.

While they are still in the hunt for Europa League glory, Rafa Benitez's men need a number of other results to go their way if they are to finish fourth in the league and qualify for next year's UEFA Champions League.

Gerrard knows that Liverpool need to buy players if they are going to up their game and compete with other top sides.

"There are teams that have grown significantly in recent times, like Chelsea. In addition, Manchester United have been too strong (for us) for many years," he said in the Daily Mail.

"Last year we came close to beating them but it is very difficult to overcome such a powerful team.

"Everyone knows that we must learn from this season. Some players have said we need a stronger squad and the key is to have better players and improve.

"I do not believe in profound changes or a revolution. Three or four quality players should be enough but more quality than quantity.

"The Premier League is the food of this club. We haven't won it for such a long time and the crowd demands it.

"They want us to win this more than any other competition. We must continue to fight for this, hopefully finishing fourth this season and having a real go next season.

"After finishing second last year we started this season with the idea of winning the league and the Champions League.

"After a series of bad results we had to change targets. Now the fans are desperate for us to win the Europa League. It's the only trophy left for us to fight for and we want to win it."

Liverpool take on Atletico Madrid in the Europa League semi-finals on Thursday and they are having to travel by road, rail and air to the Spanish capital due to the cloud of volcanic ash that is disrupting flights in Europe.

Yossi - We'll Do It For Torres

Liverpool midfielder Yossi Benayoun has set his sights on winning the Europa League for injured striker Fernando Torres.

The Reds are without their star forward for the remainder of the season after he underwent a second knee operation in four months back in homeland Spain.

The setback rules Torres out of the upcoming Europa League semi-final showdown with former club Atletico Madrid.

And Benayoun, speaking ahead of Thursday's first leg, spoke of his desire to win the trophy for his crocked team-mate.

"Fernando is the best striker in the world and with him it is much easier but unfortunately he is injured and cannot play," said the Israeli, who scored the opening goal in Monday night's 3-0 Premier League victory over West Ham.

"We need to give more to try to play for him because he won us a lot of games and played a big part in us getting to the semi-final.

"I wanted him to play against his old club because that would have been a special moment for him.

"Last time we played them he couldn't play. He deserves to play against his old fans but this is football and life.

"We need to try to win the game for him and all the club."

The comfortable Anfield triumph over West Ham raised spirits ahead of a lengthy trip to Madrid.

The Liverpool squad departed for London via train on Tuesday afternoon and, after an overnight stay in Paris, are scheduled to arrive in the Spanish capital 24 hours later.

Benayoun opened the scoring against the Hammers before a rare David Ngog strike and an unfortunate Rob Green own goal sealed the win.

"It is always good to get the win and get the confidence back before a big game on Thursday," said Benayoun.

"We are in a good mood to go to Madrid and try to win.

"We want to win a trophy and we are now very close so we need to do everything to make sure we get a good result to bring back for the second leg.

"It has been a disappointing season so far and we need to finish with a trophy to give everyone a better feeling.

"Winning the Europa League would give us a better feeling but if we don't finish top four we cannot say it is a success - but any trophy you win is great for any club.

"Of course we'd prefer to be in the Champions League and win that but the Europa League is interesting and there are a lot of good teams."

Victory over the Hammers maintained Liverpool's outside chance of catching fourth-placed Tottenham.

But Benayoun admits the five-point gap with only three matches remaining will be difficult to overhaul.

"It is very difficult (to get the top four). We need to be realistic but the only thing we can do is try," he added.

"Mathematically we can still do it so with the points that are left we need to do our best to win the remaining games and get a bit of luck from the other results."

Liverpool FC Will Only Get 12,000 Tickets For Europa League Final

Liverpool have been told by UEFA that they will only receive around 12,000 tickets for the Europa League final in Hamburg if they get past Atletico Madrid in the semi-finals.

The Reds face the Spaniards in the first leg on Thursday night with supporters being warned that thousands won’t be able to get their hands on a ticket for the final on May 12.

There were similar problems for the club’s last major European showpiece occasion – the Champions League final against AC Milan in Athens in 2007 – when Liverpool were dismayed by an allocation of just 17,000 out of 64,000 tickets.

The Hamburg Arena has a capacity of just over 57,000 but for the Europa League final the standing area in the north stand will be converted to seating, reducing the capacity to around 51,500.

Around 25% of the available tickets will be allocated to each club with the rest going to German residents and UEFA sponsors.

Liverpool are keen to accurately guage demand for tickets and are asking fans to register their interest. Only fans who have registered their interest will be eligible to buy a ticket.

You can do so via the club’s website at www.liverpoolfc.tv or by calling 0844 844 0844 and pressing option 2.

A club statement today read: “From our previous experiences in 2001, 2005 and 2007, we expect demand from our supporters to easily exceed the number of tickets the club is able to supply.

“An initial analysis shows that qualifying criteria could potentially be set for any Season Ticket holder or Member/Fan Card holder who has already attended seven or more games in the UEFA Champions League and Europa League this season (and who in addition, attends at least one of the semi-finals against Atletico Madrid).

“However, we would need an indication of the demand for this level before the final criteria is set.

“For Season Ticket holders or Member/Fan Card holders, who have already attended six games in the UEFA Champions League and Europa League this season (and who in addition, attend at least one of the semi-finals against Atletico Madrid), it is anticipated that an independently regulated ballot will take place to determine the allocation of tickets.

“To help us much more accurately gauge demand and enable us to plan accordingly, we need the following supporters who would like to purchase a ticket for the potential Europa League Final to register their interest: Season Ticket or Member/Fan Card holders with at least six 09/10 European games (not including the semi final) on their Fancard.

“Regardless of how many games you have attended, only fans who have registered their interest will be eligible to purchase a ticket in the event that the club reaches the Final.”

Rafael Benitez Worried About Return Journey Following Europa League Encounter Against Atletico Madrid

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has bemoaned the fact that UEFA have pressed ahead with the Europa League fixtures as originally scheduled.

The Reds travel to play Atletico Madrid in the first leg of the semi-finals of the European competition on Thursday. And the volcanic ash cloud that has turned a significant part of Europe into a no-fly zone has made it difficult for teams playing on the European stage to commute to their destinations for the first leg of their respective games.

However, the Spaniard maintains that he is more concerned about the return journey, which could have a bearing on the club's domestic aspirations.

"We are assessing things hour by hour," Benitez told the press. "We have two or three options going and at this moment just one coming back but we will see if we can improve that.

"The key point is we can prepare the flight or travel to Madrid but we have to wait.

"We have the organisation for coming back as soon as possible but any way it will be Saturday - which is not the best for the Premier League game [away to Burnley on Sunday]."

"If the airports are open maybe we can fly directly but at this moment it is more difficult to come back than it is to go."

He added: "In these special circumstances it could be better to postpone the game but we have to go.

"We had some time yesterday to rest the players. It will not be ideal but we will try to do the best for the players.

"The news we have is we will go to London and see what can happen. Maybe then the airports will be open and maybe we can fly from there.

"The key point is we can prepare the flight or travel to Madrid but we have to wait."

Del Bosque Backs Torres

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque does not think that Fernando Torres put country before club after undergoing surgery.

He is also confident that all of his stars will be ready for this summer's World Cup in South Africa.

The timing of Torres' operation has been questioned by some, as he will miss the end of the domestic season, but his international coach believes he had no alternative.

"If he has decided to have an operation then it will have been with the consent of the club," Del Bosque explained.

"It would have been because he could not have continued playing in the condition he was in."

Whether Torres returns in time for the World Cup is a matter Del Bosque is monitoring closely, but he is not prepared to take any players to the finals that are not fully fit.

"We cannot go with five or six players wrapped in cotton wool. In the case that some players are not able to come then we have other great players," he said.

"But there is just over a month before we start to work and I think that is enough time for everyone to be fit.

"Now we are at the crunch stage of the season and I think that everyone will join us in great condition."

Spain will play South Korea, Poland and an unconfirmed opponent in three friendlies before their World Cup campaign kicks off against Switzerland on 16th June in Durban.

Ngog Targets More Goals

Liverpool striker David Ngog admits he is happy to get back on the goal trail after finding the net against West Ham and hopes it is a sign of things to come.

The French forward struck the second goal in the Reds' 3-0 victory over the Hammers at Anfield on Monday night, having been handed a starting place due to an injury to Fernando Torres.

It was Ngog's first goal since 18th February and the 21-year-old is targeting a better return in the future.

"I am pleased with my goal," he told the club's official website. "I hadn't scored for a couple of months and as a striker you always want to score.

"It was good for me and my confidence. Hopefully if I can score more, it will be good for the team too.

"It was a good performance from the team. We started well, played good football and scored goals. It is good for the future.

"We scored an early goal and that made things easier. We could pass the ball and take our time in attack."

Torres has been ruled out for the remainder of Liverpool's season after suffering a knee injury, although he is expected to return in time to play for Spain in the World Cup.

Ngog admits losing the star striker is a blow, but says he is doing his best to fill the gap.

"Fernando has had problems with injuries and it is bad for the team because he is a really key player for us," he added.

"But now we will try to do our best and I think we have a good team to do this.

"Liverpool supporters are great with me and the team and it was very pleasing (to be given a good reception).

"They are with the team and they really support us. It has been a difficult season, we know that, but we will try to do our best for the supporters."

Ian Rush: Youngster Daniel Pacheco Is Not Ready To Replace Fernando Torres Yet

While Liverpool try to fill the void left by the injury to star striker Fernando Torres, it shouldn't be Daniel Pacheco as his replacement, reckons Reds legend Ian Rush.

The 19-year-old, who has made four appearances for the Reds this season, looks set to feature in the remaining games due to Torres’ knee injury, which will keep him out for the rest of the season.

Liverpool will be without their leading goalscorer for Thursday’s Europa League clash with Atletico Madrid and Rush believes although Pacheco has the ability to change a game, he is not ready to replace Torres.

He told the Liverpool Echo: "While the young Spaniard has certainly got the kind of intelligence and ability to change a game, I’m not sure he’s the one to come in for Torres yet.

"His size means he could struggle leading the line on his own, and would probably be better playing off someone."

David Ngog have come in for criticism in recent weeks, especially after missing some relatively simple chances against Birmingham City, but Rush believes he would be a more suitable replacement for Torres.

"Ngog has done as well as can be expected of him when he’s been asked to cover for Torres," Rush said.

"Although he didn’t score at St Andrews I was impressed with his movement against Birmingham.

"But as a striker you’re judged on goals and he tends to snatch at chances whereas Torres will take that extra split second to gain his composure."

'Time To Show Derby Response'

John McMahon has challenged Liverpool Reserves to stand up and be counted when they face Everton in the mini derby on Tuesday night.

The second-string have seen their title chances all-but ended following a run of three straight defeats and McMahon has urged his charges to show more fight and spirit when they lock horns with the Toffees.

"The title is almost gone now," he told Liverpoolfc.tv.

"Manchester United are a strong side and I can't see them slipping up in their two remaining matches.

"We've had a good spell in the season but unfortunately we couldn't maintain the momentum and passion that we had.

"I'm looking for a response from the match against Everton. It's a great game for us to do that in because Everton are always committed.

"I'm sure it will be a very good game because when we beat them 1-0 earlier in the season it was a very competitive encounter.

"If we can match their level of passion and desire we will hopefully be able to come out on top in terms of the football."

Last time out the Reserves slumped to a 3-1 loss at Burnley, leaving McMahon to describe it as the worst display of his tenure.

"I think that and the second-half at Wigan are the worst," he said.

"The fact that they came so close together is really frustrating.

"We know we will lose games and have indifferent performances, but what you cannot accept is players not committing or showing the right passion."

With only three games remaining, McMahon has now called for his team to rediscover their winning mentality and end the campaign on a high.

"We need to keep improving," he added. "If we show a better desire and commitment then will hopefully see the rewards with better results."

Match Report: Liverpool 3 - 0 West Ham

Liverpool cruised to a comfortable victory over West Ham at Anfield to keep their faint Champions League hopes alive and leave the Hammers with three games to secure their top-flight survival.

Former West Ham midfielder Yossi Benayoun and David Ngog gave the hosts a 2-0 lead in a low-key first half and goalkeeper Robert Green's unfortunate own goal finished off his side.

However, both teams still have a great deal to do to achieve their aims as Liverpool are still five points adrift of fourth place while West Ham are only three above the drop zone.

A 10th successive home league victory was rarely in doubt against a club whose last win at Anfield came in September 1963 and who have much more important battles to win in the last few weeks of the season.

Having dropped to seventh after the weekend's games, Liverpool's hopes of Champions League football appeared to be over.

And with Fernando Torres' knee operation ruling him out for the remainder of the season, the suggestion was their chances of rolling over opponents had gone with him.

If his stand-in Ngog's first attempt on goal was anything to go by that seemed a fair assessment.

The 21-year-old Frenchman, often criticised for his decision-making, attempted to beat Green with a header from the edge of the penalty area from Jamie Carragher's long pass when he had time to bring the ball under control after springing the offside trap.

Having barely threatened, Liverpool took the lead in the 19th minute with a piece of quick thinking by Benayoun.

Steven Gerrard's right-wing free-kick bounced in front of the Israeli seven yards out and he allowed it to deflect off his stomach and in off Green's right-hand post.

From some angles it looked like it could also have brushed his arm but there were very few protests from the visitors.

West Ham's response was brief, with Carlton Cole firing in a shot which Jose Reina did well to hold.

Despite their lead the atmosphere inside Anfield seemed to reflect the team's forlorn hopes of fourth place and it was not improved when unmarked centre-back Sotirios Kyrgiakos headed Gerrard's 27th-minute corner down and over the crossbar from six yards.
But a surprisingly smart finish from the raw Ngog eased those worries two minutes later when he converted Maxi Rodriguez's cross with a first-time shot after Benayoun had begun the move by cutting in from the left.

Ngog was not nearly as clinical with his next chance, ballooning a header up in the air after Dirk Kuyt had nodded back Glen Johnson's hanging cross to the far post.

Kuyt's 30-yard half-volley was much better, forcing Green to tip the ball around his left-hand post as Liverpool ended the half in complete control.

West Ham replaced Junior Stanislas with Guillermo Franco for the second half but in truth everyone except Cole could have been substituted without complaint.

Kuyt's quick break and cross from the byline almost picked out Ngog at the near post as the hosts continued to dominate.

Having experienced mostly bad luck in a season which saw early exits from the Champions League and Premier League title race and numerous injuries to key players, Liverpool enjoyed another kindly bounce of the ball.

If Benayoun's goal was fortuitous the third was even more lucky as Kyrgiakos' shot from Gerrard's 59th-minute free-kick crashed back off the post, hit Green and bounced back into the net.

Gerrard was denied a fourth only by the slightest deflection off centre-back Manuel da Costa.

West Ham's frustrations continued to grow but referee Peter Walton showed leniency to Robert Kovac by only booking the midfielder when he grabbed the official's shoulder and gave him a push.

Even with the game over the hosts still pushed forward and Rodriguez's whipped near-post shot had Green scrambling to keep the ball from crossing the line at the second attempt while Kuyt's ambitious overhead kick showed confidence was certainly not lacking.

Unfortunately for both Liverpool and West Ham, they will need much more than that if their seasons are not to end in disappointment and heartbreak respectively.

Liverpool Forced To Drive To Madrid For Semi-Final

Liverpool are said to be looking into the possibility of travelling to Madrid for their Europa League semi-final by road after the ban on flights in the UK was extended until at least 1am on Tuesday.

A cloud of volcanic ash, caused by the erruption of Eyjafjallajokull in Icelandic, is hanging over Europe and is unlikely to move this week. Liverpool will have to make a decision imminently, considering the time it will take to travel to Spain by coach as well as the required recovery and training for the squad.

UEFA confirmed on Monday that Liverpool's game in Madrid will go ahead on Thursday as planned, as will Fulham's away game in Hamburg.

Both Liverpool and Fulham may face problems reaching the continent as routes across the English Channel have been fully booked with passengers forced to use the Channel Tunnel and ferry services. It could be that it is impossible for either club to reach mainland Europe.

Liverpool face the most daunting trip, as it will take them the best part of a full day to make the 2,600 mile journey to Madrid.

As it will take around 21 hours - without a stop and with no traffic problems - to reach Madrid the best option may be to travel with an overnight stop. But with Liverpool entertaining West Ham United in the Premier League on Monday night it leaves little recovery time before the players would have to board the coach.

Lawrenson: Rafa's Timing Is Shocking

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has come in for renewed criticism from Kop legend Mark Lawrenson, who believes it is time for the Anfield club to say “goodbye” to the Spaniard.

Benitez’s agent revealed on Thursday that discussions have taken place with Serie A side Juventus with a view to him becoming their next manager and former Liverpool defender Lawrenson believes that the timing of this announcement – coming as it did just 24 hours after the 21st anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster – shows a marked lack of respect to the denizens of Anfield.

Lawrenson is not the first Liverpool legend to speak out against Benitez and, although the Spaniard remains popular with the Anfield faithful, it looks increasingly likely that only Europa League success at the end of the season could prolong his stay as Liverpool manager.

He said: “Rafa Benitez has an appalling sense of timing and it may just be that the Liverpool fans will finally turn on the manager.

“Hillsborough is an open wound still on Merseyside. With such a long struggle and such a big event for so many people, Rafa's current tussle is put into very stark perspective. The timing is shocking. It's ill judged and insensitive.”

Lawrenson added: “The club is a soap opera right now. Will a new owner come in and try to keep Rafa? We really don't know. Nor does Rafa and maybe that's why he's looking elsewhere.

“But would you give him backing in the transfer market? His record is shocking. He has bought so many players and yet his revolving door transfer policy has hardly taken the club forward or improved the squad. There have been far too many duds.

“It's time for Rafa to go. It's been six years and it's time for Liverpool to say: ‘Thanks very much and goodbye.’”

Benitez: We Had No Hope Of Winning The Title This Season

Rafa Benitez claims it was unrealistic to expect Liverpool to win the Premier League title this season.

As the inquest into Liverpool’s disappointing domestic campaign rages on, Benitez says it was always going to be difficult for them to better finishing runners-up last term.

The Reds boss claims injuries also took a heavy toll on his squad, who look like missing out on the Champions League place.

“At the beginning of the season expectations were too high,” he said. “That is normal after such a good season.

“But I always say the same – the Premier League is the Premier League and the difference in money is so big that if you want to stay at this level for a while, you have to do almost everything perfectly.

“That’s not easy when you push and push because sometimes you cannot keep the players working so hard or at the level they were in the previous season.

“During pre-season we also had players coming back late and then we had injuries. We’ve had seven, nine or 11 players out at the same time in different months, players who would normally be starters.

“We can talk about mistakes, but when you have so many players injured, especially key players, it is not easy to sustain a level of performance every week.”

Fernando Torres has been Liverpool’s biggest problem this season – the Spaniard has spent a large chunk of the campaign either crocked or coming back from injury.

Torres Set For Six Weeks Out

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres has been ruled out for the remainder of the season after it was confirmed he would undergo surgery on his troublesome knee injury on Sunday night.

The procedure will rule the 26-year-old out of action for around six weeks, meaning he will miss not only the Barclays Premier League run in but also the remainder of the club's Europa League campaign, which continues this week with a semi-final against Torres' former club Atletico Madrid.

A Liverpool spokesman told the club's official website: "Fernando saw a specialist in Spain earlier today and it was decided that he would need surgery on a torn cartilage in his right knee.

"We cannot comment ahead of the operation, but as a guide, the usual rehabilitation period for this type of procedure is around six weeks."

The news will also cast a shadow over Spain's preparations for the World Cup, with Torres a key element of the European champions' set-up for the tournament which gets under way in just over seven weeks.

Coach Vicente del Bosque will almost certainly gamble on the fitness of his star striker when he has to finalise his final 23-man squad, with Spain's first game in the tournament not until June 16 - around two and a half weeks after Torres' projected return date.

Torres' knee problem forced him to miss last weekend's goalless draw against Fulham as he flew to Barcelona to see Dr Ramon Cugat, the surgeon who operated on him in January when he was struck by a similar problem.

As recently as Friday, Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez was hopeful Torres would play some part in Monday's league encounter with West Ham or Thursday's first leg against Atletico.

The loss of Torres could sound the death knell on Liverpool's fading chances of claiming a fourth-place finish in the Premier League which would put them into the Champions League next season.

The Reds have dropped to seventh in the standings after this weekend's fixtures, eight points behind fourth-placed Tottenham with just 12 points to play for over their remaining four matches.

Despite enduring an injury-hit campaign, Torres has weighed in with 18 goals in 24 league outings for the Merseyside club this season.

Torres: I Didn't Put Spain First

Striker Fernando Torres has denied putting country before club after having a second knee operation which ended his Liverpool season.

The Spain international had surgery in Barcelona on Sunday night to repair damaged cartilage in his right knee, a problem which resurfaced after a similar operation in January.

That ruled him out of Liverpool's remaining four Barclays Premier League matches and their Europa League semi-final against former club Atletico Madrid but a six-week recovery period still gives him a good chance of going to the World Cup in South Africa.
But Torres said safeguarding his international place was not the overriding factor in the decision to operate again.

"It's not true. We exhausted all the possibilities before arriving at the final one," said the 26-year-old.

"There were three options. One was that the meniscus was okay, the second was that the problem was not clear and the third that the meniscus was affected.

"On Friday afternoon in Liverpool the scan I had cleared up the doubts and made us see that I would almost definitely have to have an operation.

"The meniscus was affected and the doctors said they had to operate.

"What's more, the injury happened in the second minute of the game (Europa League quarter-final second leg) against Benfica at Anfield and I played injured for 85 minutes.

"If I had been thinking about the World Cup and Spain I would have asked for a change (substitution).

"It wasn't like that; I wanted to get to the final of the Europa League with my team."

The current restrictions on air travel because of the volcanic ash cloud meant Torres' planned return to Barcelona on Thursday to see specialist Dr Ramon Cugat was delayed until Saturday.

When another flight was cancelled Torres decided to make the arduous road and rail trip with an overnight stop just outside Paris.

"The trip was an adventure. I arrived exhausted at 8.30 on Sunday evening and barely had time to have a shower at the hotel before going to the clinic where Dr Cugat was waiting for me," he said.

"Three hours after I had the meniscus operation."

Torres Confident Of Being Fit For World Cup

Spain striker Fernando Torres said he is confident of being fit for the start of the World Cup in June after undergoing knee surgery on Sunday.

"The World Cup is now the most important thing," he told his personal website (www.fernando9torres.com) on Monday.

"It's a four-year wait and if everything goes well I don't plan to miss it. I start work today."

The 26-year-old endured a long overland car trip from Liverpool to Barcelona for the surgery after his flight was cancelled due to the volcanic ash cloud, but he was positive the effort had been worth it for him to make it to South Africa.

His decision to have knee surgery on Sunday, though, has handed coach Vicente del Bosque another World Cup headache.

With midfielders Cesc Fabregas and Andres Iniesta also recovering from injury, Del Bosque will need to ponder his back-up plans in case he thinks it too risky to take one or more of the trio if they are not fully fit.

Torres, who scored the winner against Germany in the Euro 2008 final, is a fundamental part of the Spain team, covering three roles in one package.

His power and pace turn him into a goalscorer, battering ram and decoy who can unsettle the most experienced of defences.

The former Atletico Madrid man has bagged a respectable 23 goals from 72 appearances, but he gives Spain a physical presence that allows his more versatile and elusive strike partner David Villa to do even greater damage.

Valencia forward Villa has amassed 36 goals from only 55 games.

The explosive nature of Torres's game will make it a particularly tough decision for Del Bosque to make if doubts remain over his knee next month.

"Naturally, it is a worry," Del Bosque told Radio Marca in an interview last week when asked about the growing injury list.

"We have six or seven players who aren't in top shape, but we hope that in the month remaining before we have to produce our list, they will get themselves back up to full fitness.

"We have 30 or so players that we have absolute faith in and who could potentially come with us."

Replacing Torres is a tall order, but Fenerbahce's Daniel Guiza has successfully carried off a similar role over the last couple of years as Spain's 'reserve' striker.

Waiting in the wings for a possible call up are Athletic Bilbao's 'Lion King' Fernando Llorente, who scored against England in a friendly last year, and Sevilla's Alvaro Negredo.

Arsenal's Fabregas cracked a bone in his right leg earlier this month, while Barcelona's Iniesta had a recurrence of a thigh muscle problem last week, but both hope to return by the end of May.

Further concerns for Del Bosque include Villarreal midfielders Marcos Senna and Santi Cazorla, and Valencia's Villa and David Silva, who have all suffered with a string of injuries throughout the campaign.

Rafa: Academy Changes Working

Rafa Benitez believes there are already signs that our new-look Academy is producing exciting talent.

The gaffer instigated big changes down in Kirkby last summer, with the likes of Frank McParland, Kenny Dalglish, Pep Segura and Rodolfo Borrell being drafted in.

One player they are nurturing is 15-year-old left-back Jack Robinson, who was invited to train with the first team last week.

Benitez is hopeful the teenager and several other Academy scholars will soon be ready to train regularly alongside the likes of Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard.

"Jack was okay," the boss told Liverpoolfc.tv. "He was a little bit shy at first, a little bit quiet. But the senior players were helping and supporting him. The first training session is never easy but little by little he was better.

"We have to go one step at a time, they have to progress through different teams, but it's always important to meet someone and give the others the message that they can progress if they're doing well. It's a good message for the others now because they have extra motivation.

"We didn't have too many players of the level we were expecting but now the atmosphere is really good and we have more players with quality.

"They have some players in each group and the other day I got a report with different names and different players - but still they are young so they have to keep working very hard if they want to be in the Reserves and then the first team."

Asked what changes had been made at the Academy since last summer, Benitez added: "When I talk with them it's clear they're doing a very good job and all the staff are working very hard to improve and change things. We are really pleased with them.

"We are trying for a different approach in training sessions. The mentality and the way they have to behave is more or less the same because it already wasn't bad.

"The technical plan and how to push the players is now a little bit better."

West Ham Midfielder Valon Behrami Backs Alberto Aquilani To Be A Hit For Liverpool Next Season

West Ham United midfielder Valon Behrami is convinced that his old opponent Alberto Aquilani will prove to be a hit for Liverpool next season.

Behrami played against Aquilani in Serie A, when the two players were at Lazio and Roma, respectively.

He is set to face him again on Monday evening when the Hammers travel to Anfield in the Premier League, but believes it is next season when Reds fans will see Aquilani's true capabilities after a campaign when the Italian has struggled for fitness.

"We played against each other when we played for Lazio and Roma, so we are used to meeting each other in a big match," Behrami said, according to Liverpool's official website.

"It will be a pleasure to see him, but I hope for us it is going to be good and a bad day for him!

"It has been hard for him, coming into English football. It is very different but he is a very good player.

"He has not yet been able to show all of his quality, but in the future he will be one of the best players for Liverpool.

"They haven't really seen what he can do. When he is 100 per cent fit and gets used to English football, he will show it.

"In Italy, he was one of the best players. He needs to just get fit again. He has had a bad injury and just needs some time to get in a good condition. I am sure he will be a quality addition to his team."

Premier League Preview: Liverpool vs West Ham United

Liverpool's hopes of qualifying for the Champions League hang by a thread ahead of their clash with West Ham United on Monday night.

Tottenham Hotspur's big wins over Arsenal and Chelsea have seen them leapfrog Manchester City into fourth spot in the Premier League, leaving the Reds eight points behind in sixth place.

Thus, failure to beat the Hammers would all but kill the Anfield giants' push for a place in Europe's elite club competition - although they could sneak in if they triumph in the Europa League, where they will face Atletico Madrid in the semi-finals this week.

But even with that and the announcement that the club's American owners are ready to sell up, manager Rafael Benitez's focus must be fixed on a West Ham side who will be desperate to pick up any sort of result as they look to stave off relegation.

The Irons sit just one place out of the drop zone, three points above Hull City and four above Burnley (with Portsmouth already doomed to the Championship), and a surprise win on Merseyside would give them a welcome buffer heading into the last three rounds of the campaign.

FORM GUIDE

Liverpool

Apr 11: Liverpool 0-0 Fulham (Premier League)
Apr 8: Liverpool 4-1 Benfica (Europa League)
Apr 4: Birmingham City 1-1 Liverpool (Premier League)
Apr 1: Benfica 2-1 Liverpool (Europa League)
Mar 28: Liverpool 3-0 Sunderland (Premier League)

West Ham United

Apr 10: West Ham 1-0 Sunderland (Premier League)
Apr 4: Everton 2-2 West Ham (Premier League)
Mar 27: West Ham 0-1 Stoke City (Premier League)
Mar 23: West Ham 1-3 Wolverhampton (Premier League)
Mar 20: Arsenal 2-0 West Ham (Premier League)

TEAM NEWS

Liverpool

Fernando Torres looks unlikely to feature at all. The Spaniard was scheduled for a trip to his homeland for examinations on his troublesome knee, but the volcanic ash fiasco has delayed that plan and boss Benitez appears unwilling to risk his star striker without specialist medical clearance.

Also missing will be Fabio Aurelio and Emiliano Insua, meaning Daniel Agger will likely line up at left-back once again - a role in which he has impressed so far.

Last starting XI (vs. Fulham): Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Kyrgiakos, Agger, Mascherano, Aquilani, Maxi, Gerrard, Babel, Ngog.

West Ham United

Gianfranco Zola's side will have to make do without Scott Parker, as the influential midfielder is serving a suspension.

Luis Boa Morte won't be risked as he recovers from a knee problem, while Kieron Dyer (hamstring), James Tomkins (ankle), Jack Collison and Herita Ilunga (both knee) are also out.

Last starting XI (vs. Sunderland): Green, Behrami, Upson, Da Costa, Spector, Faubert, Noble, Kovac, Stanislaus, Ilan, Cole.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Liverpool - Glen Johnson

A former Hammer, and one the Kopites will hope can batter his old club into submission. On his day the England right-back is as damaging as any out-and-out winger, and one would expect him to go forward with gusto in this sort of game.

West Ham United - Ilan

The Brazilian has proven to be something of a nuisance for opposition defenders since his January move from France. With three goals in seven games - including last week's winner against Sunderland - he is a man the Reds' reconfigured rearguard will have to keep an eye on.

Fernando Torres Could Miss The Rest Of The Premier League Season And World Cup

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is fearful that star striker Fernando Torres could miss the rest of the Premier League season, as surgery could be necessary to repair his knee injury.

The Spaniard has been unable to see his doctor in Barcelona due to the flight ban in Britain, but Liverpool’s medical staff thinks an operation on the knee might be needed.

If the Spain international does indeed go under the knife he will certainly be unable to compete in the Reds Premier League and Europa League games, and could be unavailable for his country at the World Cup this summer.

“We are not sure whether he will play again this season,” Benitez told The Mirror.

“He needs to see the specialist and he will tell us whether Fernando [Torres] needs an operation and when he will be back.”

There was some hope that Torres could be back against West Ham United on Monday night but now there are fears that the Spaniard could be out for the considerable future.

'Our Affinity With Atletico'

Sammy Lee is hoping Liverpool can show their true European pedigree when they take on Atletico Madrid in the first leg of the Europa League semi-final on Thursday.

The Reds have already won the competition on three previous occasions and if they were to achieve glory in Hamburg on May 12, they would get to keep the trophy.

However, before any thoughts of that can become a reality Lee insists the team have a big job to do against a talented side who Liverpool know very well.

"It is a special occasion for this football club every time we play in a European semi-final and we do seem to have an affinity with Atletico Madrid," Lee told Liverpool.fc.tv.

"There will be two quality sides on show and a game when we need everybody to play their part.

"It will be special for Fernando to go back to Atletico but it will be special for us as well.

"We should really give great credit to Benfica because they are a very good footballing side and it took a tremendous performance from the lads to beat them.

"Our supporters always have a big part to play in what we do. I don't know what comes first, whether they get us going or we get them going, but the big thing is we are in all it together.

"You saw what happened against Benfica. We went into the second leg 2-1 down against a top quality side and it was night everybody played their part and the 12th man as always were fantastic.

"Only time will tell whether it's an advantage having the second game at Anfield, but we've got to make sure we come out on top."

Last season the two sides played out two 1-1 draws in the Champions League and Lee is under no illusions as to how tough a test Atletico will pose.

"They are a very good side and we know how difficult a tie this will be," he added.

"We had two tough games with them last season and in pre-season as well when they came to Anfield. We are well briefed. We know their strengths and weaknesses and we have a game plan. We will be ready for it."