CHELSEA V LFC PREVIEW

SKY Sports 30 April 2008
Chelsea have the opportunity to banish their UEFA Champions League semi-final hoodoo against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge tonight.

Revenge can be an over used verb in football but it cannot be questioned that, in this second leg meeting in the final four of Europe's premier cup competition, the R-word will be bouncing around the home dressing room in West London with a certain degree of frequency.

Having been sent packing by the Reds at the semi-final stage in 2005 and 2007, it would have to be a kind-hearted Blue who suggests that Liverpool are simply the final obstacle in the battle to secure an all-English meeting with Manchester United in Moscow on 21st May.

Chelsea players admit that the memory of their previous eliminations at the hands of their Merseyside visitors sits painfully in the back seat of the mind, but they now appear well placed to avenge those entrances in the history books following last week's 1-1 first leg draw at Anfield.

Liverpool, though, will be happy to be cast as the underdogs as they aim to rake up painful flashbacks for their hosts, while the five-time European champions will also be twitching at the prospect of setting up an all-red Russian meeting with North West rivals United in three weeks' time.

Boss Rafa Benitez appears to be compensating for the absence of former foe Jose Mourinho in provoking any possible war of words with Grant, but the Spaniard's motives and continental pedigree cannot be doubted as he bids to steer Liverpool to a third Champions League final appearance in four years.

Benitez has made no secret of his feelings towards the, perceived to be, animated antics of Didier Drogba and do not be surprised to see the Liverpool chief prowling his technical area following any foul awarded in favour of the Chelsea striker.

Drogba is expected to spearhead a three-pronged attack alongside wingers Joe Cole and Florent Malouda while, in midfield, Frank Lampard should play after missing Chelsea's Premier League victory over United last weekend through compassionate leave.

Ghanaian powerhouse Michael Essien is also expected to return to add some bite to the Chelsea bark following his suspension-enforced absence in the first leg, but Grant is set to play the midfielder in a right-back role.

After ringing the changes in the domestic outing at Birmingham last Saturday, Benitez will return to his star names as defender Jamie Carragher and captain Steven Gerrard start, while striker Fernando Torres will be charged with the vital task of ending Liverpool's eight-game goal drought at Stamford Bridge.

Defender Fabio Aurelio is out for the season after tearing an adductor muscle eight days ago and that is likely to mean Alvaro Arbeloa is shifted to the left of a back four as Steve Finnan comes in on the right.

John Arne Riise would appear to be the Reds' natural left-footed option, but the Norwegian's infamous injury-time own goal last week is likely to leave Benitez begging to differ.

CL Preview: Liverpool - Chelsea

Goal.com

The first of this week’s Champions League semi-finals is an all-English affair and sees Liverpool and Chelsea go head-to-head at this stage of the competition for the third time in four years. Can the Blues exact revenge for the previous two defeats?

Chelsea Looking For Revenge

Things are never calm at Chelsea football club and this has been made abundantly clear in the past week.


Monday night at Stamford Bridge – the Blues are 1-0 up and Emile Heskey pops up to net Wigan Athletic a late equaliser. Chelsea are done for, the title is United’s, Grant is a loser and it’s all his fault.


Fast forward to Thursday, where up on Merseyside Michael Essien snatches the all-important goal as Chelsea earn a vital win at Everton. By Saturday, United’s inability to claim all three points at Blackburn means the gap is once again three points. Avram Grant might have grumped his way through the post-match Press conference, but suddenly this is the guy who could lead Chelsea to an historic league and European Cup double.


This is the Blues’ fourth trip to the Champions League semi-finals in five years. They have yet to reach the final but it is perhaps fitting that they one again face Liverpool, twice the architects of Chelsea’s European demise at this stage.


With the showpiece event scheduled for Roman Abramovich’s homeland and the bitterness of 2005 and 2007 still evident in the Blues camp, there has never been a greater incentive to exact revenge. Avram Grant’s side made light work of Fenerbahçe at Stamford Bridge but stumbled to a defeat in the away leg. A similar result at Anfield is not an option against a Reds side who will likely not roll over like the Turks did in London.


Chelsea, meanwhile, know that they need to score on this trip to Anfield. They’ve failed to do so on any of their previous three Champions League games there, and recent profligacy in front of goal will be a concern. In cagey cup ties you must take what few chances you get.




After Athens Comes Moscow?

Liverpool go into the semi-final as outsiders with the bookmakers and behind Chelsea in the league. Will that worry the Reds? It was exactly the same in 2005 and 2007. Blues fans have often pointed to Liverpool’s fortune in Europe (lucky penalties, goals that never were) but when you’ve reached two finals in three years and dispatched the likes of Arsenal, Inter Milan, AC Milan, Barcelona and Juventus – as well as Chelsea twice – you must be doing something right.


Going into this first leg it’s fair to say that the psychological advantage lies with Liverpool, not only because of what has transpired in years past, but also because of results in Europe this season. The confidence gained from eliminating Inter and Arsenal, where three games were won and one was drawn, will be far greater than that the Blues can yield from overcoming the relative minnows of Olympiacos and Fenerbahçe.


After a close call earlier in the campaign, the European mentality at Anfield is alive and well. Belief, tradition and a useful run of form (eleven wins and just one defeat in the last 14 games) give Rafa Benítez’ side every confidence of ruining Abramovich’s dream for a third time.


This Liverpool side is stronger than those fielded on those previous occasions, but this remains the Reds’ toughest task yet thanks to the second leg taking place down in London. The atmosphere at Anfield will still be tremendous, but without knowing their Stamford Bridge fate the Reds will not so easily be able to sit on a 1-0 or 0-0 like in those previous encounters. The search for a healthy home win carries with it the danger of exposure at the back, but that is a risk Liverpool must take: Stamford Bridge has been a miserable away ground for 20 years.

BENITEZ: WE ARE GOING TO ARSENAL TO WIN

Rafa Benitez says Liverpool are going to Arsenal with nothing but thoughts of victory on their minds.

The Reds boss - though fully aware of the quality in the Gunners' ranks - believes his team have the ability to record an away win at the Emirates in tomorrow night's Champions League quarter-final first leg.

Having won eight of their last nine games, Liverpool go into the game high on confidence and Benitez is backing his players to deliver on the big European stage yet again.

He said: "We will be looking for a win. We know Arsenal are a very good team but we are playing well at the moment, creating chances and winning games, and we have confidence.

"When you play in games like this you want to win and to do that you have to score at least one goal so we will be looking to do that."

Liverpool have not won at Arsenal since February 2000 when a Titi Camara goal was the difference between the two sides.

But Benitez believes the fact that tomorrow night's clash comes in European competition makes it a very different game.

"It will be different because it is in Europe," he said. "That does not mean it will be easier or harder, just different.

"The away goals rule means teams have to approach games in a different way to the way they approach league games and that is something for us to bear in mind."

INTER MILAN 0-1 LIVERPOOL

The Times 12 March 2008

Records are records for a reason, so let nobody downplay the achievement of the Barclays Premier League in providing 50 per cent of the field in this season’s Champions League quarter-finals.

Nor of Liverpool in adding an away win against the runaway leaders of Serie A to a remarkable canon of European results under Rafael Benítez.

This was an historic performance on an historic night. The supporters sensed it, too. Parochial songs and declarations of devotion to all things Scouse and red were crowned with a defiant chorus rarely heard from the throats of this nation’s cosmopolitan elite. “England,” the Liverpool fans cried. “England.”

For the second time in a week, the San Siro echoed to applause for what English football had achieved and what is has become. A young Arsenal side passed AC Milan to death last week and now it was Inter’s turn to experience the mighty potential of our domestic game, its uncanny ability to combine the finest elements of technique and fighting spirit.

English passport-holders may be in the minority in the four Premier League teams that will enter Uefa’s draw on Friday, but that does not mean there is no English influence. We have learnt from them, and they from us. Liverpool’s winning goal may have been fashioned in Spain, but the determination that underpinned this victory came from players such as Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher, who have pulled the club through on so many occasions and who showed how to come to places such as the San Siro and play without fear.

Liverpool may have led by two goals from the first leg, but this was no procession. Just as jumping off the roof of the garden shed does not look daunting until you get up there, so defending a 2-0 lead is a piece of cake on paper and horribly intimidating when a striker with the class of Julio Cruz is one goal away from turning the next hour into a recreation of Rorke’s Drift.

In the circumstances, Liverpool’s stroke of good fortune came not with Fernando Torres’s goal, which was well deserved and beautifully worked, but with the dismissal of Nicolás Burdisso, the Inter central defender, in the 50th minute. From that moment, the Italian side were scaling a mountain and it was no surprise that they tired of the task soon after.

Liverpool claim to have been undone by a referee here in 1965, when Inter Milan overturned a 3-1 first-leg deficit with a 3-0 win in dubious circumstances, but, if so, football’s karmic forces got to work on a handsome payback. If Marco Materazzi’s sending-off at Anfield was deserved for the cynical nature of his early fouls, Burdisso appeared to be at best a victim of overenthusiasm and at worst of Tom Henning Ovrebo, the Norwegian referee, who gave out a ridiculous number of yellow cards — nine in all, including two to Burdisso — in a game that was entirely harmless.

Burdisso was booked for a foul on Dirk Kuyt and sent off for going for a 50-50 ball with Lucas Leiva in what was perceived as reckless fashion. From there, though, Inter appeared to presume that the fates would overwhelm them and so it proved. With Burdisso removed from the heart of the defence, Cristian Chivu stepped in and was promptly turned by Torres for the winner. Thankfully, it was a goal that deserved to settle any tie.

The arrival of Torres in the summer now looks to be Benítez’s masterstroke. The striker has kept Liverpool’s season alive, dragging them back into the battle for a Champions League place next season and striking in Europe to keep them on course for a remarkable third final in four years. His recent goal tally is eight in five games, almost all of them frame- worthy.

Last night’s was no exception. Fabio Aurélio provided a fine cross from the left, but it was what Torres did with it, the way he brought it under control, turned in a tight arc around Chivu and finished with a powerful low shot that left Júlio César with no chance, that defined the night. At that moment, Liverpool were certain to be the fourth Premier League team in the last eight, a first for any European nation. The red multitude behind the Inter goal could relax.

At least part of the night was spent on tenterhooks, however, and it is to Liverpool’s credit that a team needing to score at least two goals to stand a chance of progressing could not manage one. As at Anfield, Inter disappointed, particularly their star striker, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who sulked and postured like a spoilt child, having been completely upstaged by the brilliant Torres. But that does not mean there were not anxious moments.

Cruz, in particular, was a danger and the warning signal came within eight minutes when he cut inside on the left and, with scarcely any backlift, struck a low shot that José Manuel Reina was forced to tip round.

Cruz was a handful all game, operating in football’s equivalent of the corridor of uncertainty between Jamie Carragher at right back and Martin Skrtel by his side. In the 29th minute, a cunning angled pass from Ibrahimovic put Cruz beyond Liverpool’s back line, his shot beating Reina only to skip agonisingly the wrong side of the left-hand post. In the 42nd minute, Patrick Vieira found Maicon on the right and his cross was met by Cruz, producing a back-heel from an awkward position that Reina stopped on the line.

The red card and the goal, coming within 13 minutes, killed the tie and by the end Inter were tamed. Like the other English teams, Liverpool made their progress from the first knockout round look easy: but don’t be fooled.

LIVERPOOL V NEWCASTLE: MATCH PREVIEW

BBC 07 March 2008
Liverpool have hit form and the visit to Anfield for Newcastle is a daunting prospect for a side just three points above the drop zone.

Liverpool are chasing a fifth successive victory in league and cup to set them in the right frame of mind for Tuesday's Champions League visit to Inter Milan, where they lead 2-0 and will be vying to become England's fourth representatives in the quarter-finals.

Wednesday's awesome 4-0 home win over West Ham, when Fernando Torres scored his third hat-trick of the season, saw them leapfrog Merseyside rivals Everton, back into a top four Champions League qualifying spot. It was their third league win on the bounce. Now they're hunting a 300th victory in the Premier League, in Rafa Benitez' 225th match in charge.

It's a daunting prospect for a struggling Newcastle, who are just three points above the drop zone. They have lost their last three, and the last five on the road, and are still seeking a first victory since Kevin Keegan's return.

Liverpool have scored more Premier League goals against Newcastle than against any other club (55).

LIVERPOOL:

All statistics and sequences refer to the Premier League only, unless otherwise stated.

1. Won the last four in all competitions; lost one of seven.

2. Unbeaten in five; won four and drew one since the defeat at West Ham - their only loss in 12.

3. Lost three times; only Arsenal have been beaten less frequently (just once).

4. Drawn 11 - more than any other club.

5. Conceded 20 goals; only Manchester United (15) and Chelsea (17) have shipped fewer. Also, allowed the opposition to score first in six games; only Manchester United can better that (five times).

6. Shown 36 cards (all yellow); only Everton have a better disciplinary record with 32 cards (29 yellow, three red).

7. Registered five goalless draws. Only Portsmouth have also been involved in as many as that.

8. One goal short of conceding 600 all-time in this league.

9. Challenging for a fourth successive home victory, and not lost in six on home soil. Manchester United is the only club to have left Anfield with all three points this season. Indeed, the 0-1 defeat to the Red Devils on December 16 is their only reverse in 18 home matches over a calendar year.

10. The next league game after this is home to Reading, then it's away to Manchester United, home to Everton in what is now a crucial Merseyside derby, and away to Arsenal at the beginning of April.

NEWCASTLE UNITED:

All statistics and sequences refer to the Premier League only, unless otherwise stated.

1. Registered just one victory in 14 in all competitions; the win being 4-1, home to Stoke in the FA Cup third round replay on January 16.

2. Picked up three points from the 33 available since their last victory; 0-1 against Fulham at Craven Cottage on 15 December.

3. Scored just three goals in six games under Keegan, during which two points have been accrued.

4. Already conceded six more goals than last season (53); only Derby (57) and Reading (55) have leakier defences this season. Let in 10 goals in the last five minutes - two more than any other club.

5. Gone in at half-time all square in 15 games; only Wigan match that.

6. Bottom in the "Last Six Current Form" table with two points from the possible 18.

7. One draw shy of 150 in this league all time.

8. Averaging a point a game this term. The current tally of 28 points after 28 matches is seven points fewer than their previous lowest to this juncture of the campaign. Only 35 points were accrued by this corresponding stage in 1997-98, when they finished 13th (last season they also finished 13th).

9. Only beaten Bolton and Fulham on the road all season. Gained one win from 12 on their travels, and only picked up one point from a last possible 24 against North-west clubs; 0-0, home to Bolton on 19 January.

10. Due to visit Birmingham next, before two fixtures against London clubs, home to Fulham and away to Tottenham.

Fernando Torres is Liverpool's top scorer with 24 goals, and their leading marksman in the Premier League with 18. Only Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United) and Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal) have scored more in the highest league; 21 and 19 respectively.

Goalkeeper Pepe Reina is the only remaining player to have been on the field for every minute of every one of Liverpool's Premier League matches this season.

Reina leads the race for the Barclays Golden Glove with 13 clean sheets.

Obafemi Martins is Newcastle's top scorer with seven goals.

Martins is also the club's top marksmen in the Premier League with six.

If selected:-

Michael Owen will be facing his former club. The 28-year-old England international striker made 297 appearances (216 in the league) and scored 158 goals (118 league) for Liverpool, from the beginning of his career until his move to Real Madrid in August 2004.

Owen will be making his 250th Premier League appearance (Liverpool and Newcastle).

Head to Head

Newcastle have not claimed maximum points at Anfield since their first Premier League visit on April 16 1994 when Rob Lee and Andy Cole were on target in a 2-0 triumph. They've only claimed two points out of 39 on Liverpool turf.

Liverpool are aiming to complete a fifth Premier League double over the Tyneside club and first since 2005-06.

Home and away

League (inc PL): Liverpool 68 wins, Newcastle 40, Draws 37.

Prem: Liverpool 16 wins, Newcastle 7, Draws 6.

At Liverpool only

League (inc PL): Liverpool 47 wins, Newcastle 11, Draws 14.

Prem: Liverpool 11 wins, Newcastle 1, Draws 2.

LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME

Liverpool 2-0 Newcastle United. September 2006.

Liverpool scorers: Kuyt 29, Alonso 79.

THIS SEASON'S REVERSE FIXTURE

Newcastle United 0-3 Liverpool.

November 24 2007. Liverpool scorers: Gerrard 28, Kuyt 46, Babel 66.

Referee for Liverpool v Newcastle is Peter Walton (Northamptonshire).

RAFA: IT'S IN OUR HANDS NOW

Lee Brown 05 March 2008

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez was delighted after Fernando Torres' second hat-trick in consecutive home games helped his side seize the upperhand in the race for fourth place with an emphatic 4-0 win over West Ham at Anfield.
Torres made it 24 for the season with a superb treble, before Steven Gerrard capped a fine win with a superb fourth goal close to the end to take the Reds back above Everton into fourth place.

"We are playing with a lot of confidence now," said Rafa. "We started the season well, but at this crucial stage of the season we are playing really well and you can see the team operating as a team, that is really important.

"It was important to win tonight because we have been talking about this game in hand for a long time, but now when you see the points on the table it is much easier and better for the confidence.

"We have three more points and we are closer now, it depends on us. If we can beat Newcastle we will approach the Inter game with a lot of confidence."

Liverpool's run of form has coincided with Rafa turning to a 4-2-3-1 system that sees Gerrard, Babel, Kuyt and Torres in a four pronged attack, but Rafa thinks there is more to the improvement than the system alone.

"It is more than the system because we have used it in some games before," said Rafa. "We were talking the other day about Ryan Babel and how he needed to settle down, and also Torres is on fire. Some players are playing really well now and that is the difference for the team because everyone has confidence that we will score."

Torres was again the hero, becoming the first Liverpool player to score a hat-trick in consecutive home games in over 60 years, and Rafa revealed that El Nino almost never made the game and then was almost substituted before completing his treble.

"He had a small problem and our first thought was to rest him, but he was ok," said Rafa. "Just before he scored his third and I had told Crouch to get ready to go on and maybe Torres saw him and pushed himself harder.

"If he continues scoring goals I'm sure he will be a threat for all defenders, but he can give us more than that because the defenders might be thinking about him and give a chance to Babel, Gerrard, Kuyt or another."

look out for extended highlights coming soon online. You can also watch the entire 90 minutes online on LFC TV at 12.15am GMT

TORRES DESTROYS HAMMERS

Sporting Life 05 March 2008

Fernando Torres did the damage grabbing back-to-back hat-tricks in Premier League games at Anfield and sending the Reds back into fourth spot.

Torres - who bagged a treble against Middlesbrough last month - grabbed the opener for Liverpool with just eight minutes on the clock courtesy of an expert finish from the Spaniard.

Dirk Kuyt whipped in a low ball from the right wing and Torres stole a yard on Anton Ferdinand to crack the ball home on the turn from inside the box for his 22nd goal of the season.

West Ham should have equalised after 13 minutes when Luis Boa Morte was played in on the left and rounded the on-rushing Jose Reina but from a tight angle his shot was hooked over his own crossbar by Alvaro Arbeloa.

Torres had to wait until 61st minute to make it 2-0. The Spain international was on the end of another cross from Kuyt - this time heading beyond Robert Green into the top corner.

Torres almost grabbed his hat-trick minute later but his firm header from Steven Gerrard's cross hit the post and trickled along the line, but he was not to be denied.

Torres made it 3-0 when he flicked the ball past Lucas Neill before sliding the ball into the corner and moments later Gerrard grabbed Liverpool's fourth. The England man was allowed to advance to the edge of the penalty area before rifling the ball into the top corner.

BENITEZ: LET'S TAKE OUR CHANCE

Rafael Benitez has urged his team to take advantage of their game in hand against West Ham and stake their claim for fourth place.
A Liverpool victory over the Hammers at Anfield on Wednesday night will see Benitez's side overtake Everton on goal difference, and the manager wants his side to start putting the pressure on their rivals in the race for fourth spot.

"It's been really frustrating waiting for this game in hand," said Benitez. "You are always expecting it to come either next week or the week after, but then they said it was going to be in March! Now it has come and we'll be really pleased if we end the game with a win.

"It's a really important game for us, one of our most important of the season. That fourth spot is always important and if we win this game we are there, and everything will depend on us.

"I have confidence we can stay focused on finishing fourth. It's not easy when you play in the Champions League but we have some experience.

"We know we have to concentrate and be focused on every game, and see if we can progress in both competitions.

"It seems like it could be between Liverpool and Everton for fourth place, but Aston Villa also have a lot of confidence and Blackburn won the other day away from home.

"You never know, but maybe you can say that Liverpool, Everton and Aston Villa will be close.

"The derby later this month could be really important, but it depends on the other games before then. We'll have to wait and see the position both teams are in before the game but clearly it will be an important game."

Back in January the Hammers took all three points against the Reds courtesy of an injury time penalty. It was a tough defeat for Benitez to take.

"I was very disappointed after that game," added the Reds boss. "We controlled the last 20 minutes – we attacked and attacked, but then conceded after one of our own corners. It was very frustrating for me.

"The lesson is that sometimes, if you cannot win the game in 90 minutes, you must not lose the game in the last minute.

"West Ham have some good players. Carlton Cole is a target man, and Ashton when he plays. They have good wingers: Ljungberg can get into the box. They have some key players who can be dangerous."

INTERVIEW WITH RAFA

Jimmy Rice 04 March 2008 (liverpoolfc.tv)

Firstly Rafa, you must have been very happy with the performance on Sunday?

Yes, it was a good game. The team concentrated and, after the first minutes, it was a very good game.

You've had a bit of time to reflect - what pleased you most about the display?

The players knew what they had to do, they knew it was a difficult stadium to go to. So, we needed to fight for every ball, every tackle and every challenge.

You had a bit of luck early on with the goal and Bolton hitting the crossbar – you'd probably say you were due a bit of good fortune, wouldn't you?

Yes, I think it was difficult with that deep free-kick. It hit the crossbar but these things can happen, especially against Bolton. Pepe showed his quality with the save he made, so yes, we were a little bit lucky at the beginning of the game, but after that we started doing to right things and we controlled the game.

The Bolton result lifted you temporarily above Everton but they got another good result against Pompey – did you see any of that game?

I saw part of their game, but not all of it. You know my idea, and that's to concentrate on my own team.

Can you see the race for fourth becoming an all Merseyside affair?

It seems like it now, but Aston Villa also have a lot of confidence and Blackburn won the other day away from home. You never know, but maybe you can say that Liverpool, Everton and Aston Villa will be close.
How important is the next derby at Anfield on March 30 going to be?

It could be really important, but it depends on the other games before then. We'll have to wait and see the position both teams are in before the game but clearly it will be an important game.

David Moyes keeps insisting Liverpool are favourites – do you think that's just a bit of mind games?

Yes.
In previous seasons Liverpool have maybe become distracted by Europe at this stage. How confident are you your team can stay focused on getting fourth spot?

I have confidence. It's not easy when you play in the Champions League but we have some experience. We know we have to concentrate and be focused on every game, and see if we can progress in both competitions.

Looking ahead to West Ham – how frustrating has it been waiting for this game in hand to arrive?

Really frustrating. You are always expecting it to come either next week or the week after, but then they said it was going to be in March! Now it has come and we'll be really pleased if we end the game with a win.

This is arguably one of the most important games of the season despite the fact it's not a top of the table clash, isn't it?

Yes, it's really important for us. That fourth spot is always important and if we win this game we are there, and everything will depend on us.

These two teams played each other just over a month ago when they scored a last-minute penalty – how hard was that to swallow?

Really difficult. I can promise you I was very disappointed! We controlled the last 20 minutes – we attacked and attacked, but then conceded after one of our own corners. It was very frustrating for me.

I suppose there's a lesson there somewhere?

The lesson is that sometimes, if you cannot win the game in 90 minutes, you must not lose the game in the last minute.

They were thrashed by Chelsea at the weekend – is that a positive or negative for Liverpool going into this game?

It's difficult to say. My idea is for it to be positive, because maybe they will be low on confidence. But maybe they'll say to themselves, 'We need to show character and quality.' I prefer to say it will be positive but really I don't know.

What kind of dangers do they pose as a team?

They have some good players. Carlton Cole is a target man, and Ashton when he plays. They have good wingers: Ljungberg can get into the box. They have some key players who can be dangerous.

They're a good counter-attacking side, then?

Yes, because they have pace and energy. It's true they are good on the counter-attack.

What do you make of the job Alan Curbishley is doing at Upton Park?

It's been a difficult season for him because he's had a lot of injuries, but I think he's doing a good job now. Sometimes you lose, sometimes you win – but you can see his team is strong enough.

Just a word on Javier Mascherano – it's his first chance to play against his former club. Do you think he'll be eager to prove a point?

I don't think so. Javier is a player who has already shown the quality he has. I think it will be another important game for him, but nothing else.

Any injury news, Rafa?

Steve Finnan is not available yet and Voronin is much better but cannot play. At the moment everyone else in the squad is fit.

Can we expect Carra to fill in again at right-back?

It's an option. I need to think about it. Arbeloa and Carra are options on the right.

RAFA WOWED BY POWER OF BABEL

Team Talk 03 March 2008
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez could afford a wry smile after Ryan Babel made the most of the wide open spaces at the Reebok Stadium.

The Dutch winger scored his eighth goal of the season in Sunday's 3-1 Premier League victory against Bolton.

Babel was on target with a clinical finish after a bizarre own-goal from Jussi Jaaskelainen in the 11th minute.

Steven Gerrard's effort was going wide but the Bolton goalkeeper inexplicably helped it into his own net with his face.

There was no way back for Wanderers after that and Fabio Aurelio added a spectacular third before Tamir Cohen scored a consolation for the struggling home side.

Babel could now have a more prominent role to play in the coming weeks of the season.

Benitez said: "It was a good game for him against Bolton as they were looking out for Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres.

"It meant that Ryan had more freedom and he is the kind of player who can run behind defenders."

MASCHERANO: WE'RE VERY CLOSE TO DEAL

Paul Eaton 28 February 2008
Javier Mascherano is hoping he will finally be able to put pen to paper on a permanent Anfield deal within the next few days.
The Argentine international insists it's now just a matter of time before the formalities of the contract are finalised and he can sign a lengthy contract with the Reds.

"We are really close," he said. "Maybe this week or next week we will be able to say everything's finished. We can't say it just yet but hopefully in a few days everything will be okay.

"There are no problems with the fee or with the contract, it's just getting the papers finished.

"I have always said I want to stay here and so it hasn't been a difficult time for me. I have wanted it to be finished because I have my family behind me and I want to know what my future is going to be. I am calm and relaxed because I know that everything is almost over.

"I am very happy that in the next week I will be able to say I have signed for Liverpool. It will be the best moment of my career to be able to say I will be playing my football with Liverpool."

Mascherano's immediate focus now is helping the Reds pick up another three league points when they travel to take on Bolton this weekend.

And despite the high profile clash with Inter Milan just a couple of weeks away, he insists it's easy enough to stay concentrate on the important league games which lie ahead.

"We have to finish in the top four because we want to be playing in the Champions League next season," he added.

"We have to win the games we have coming up before we go to Milan and so it's not difficult to stay focused at all.

"We had a good win against Middlesbrough on Saturday and now we have to go and try to win at Bolton. We beat them easily at Anfield earlier in the season but we know it's going to be harder this weekend because they're a difficult side to play on their own pitch."

One player looking for a return to first team duty this weekend will be Xabi Alonso after his goalscoring display for the reserves against Manchester United in midweek.

Despite being out of the side at present, Mascherano is in no doubt that Alonso's quality will be needed over the coming vital weeks.

"Xabi is one of the best midfielders in the world," he said. "He has quality and class and he knows that if he keeps training well then his chance will come again - maybe on Sunday.

"For me he is an example to everybody. He is a player who has won the Champions League with Liverpool, a player with great experience and yet on Tuesday night he had no problems in playing for the reserves."

BENITEZ TO ROTATE LESS

Sporting Life
Rafael Benitez has revealed he expects to use his rotation policy less in the coming months now Liverpool are fighting on just two fronts.

The Reds boss made only one change in Saturday's win over Middlesbrough from the victory over Inter Milan four days earlier - and that was enforced due to Jamie Carragher's ban.

When asked about his plans Benitez told the club's website: "I think so. It will depend on the players in the end, but we can keep some players playing more games now."

Saturday's 3-2 victory over Middlesbrough saw Liverpool temporarily leapfrog Everton into fourth place until the Toffees' win over Manchester City on Monday allowed them to reclaim the final Champions League spot.

"Everton have a lot of confidence right now and it was a good win for them (on Monday), but it's a long race," said Benitez.

"Portsmouth, Villa, Everton, City and us will all be there. I'm not sure if it will go to the final game but I think a lot will depend on these three games we have in a row."

TORRES: THAT WAS FOR YOU RAFA

Steve Hunter 25 February 2008
Fernando Torres reflected on his first hat-trick in the Premier League and dedicated his fantastic treble to Rafa Benitez.
The Spanish hit-man took his tally to 21 goals for the season in the 3-2 win over Middlesbrough and was full of praise for the manager that brought him into the Premier League.

"You cannot score three goals in a game without the help of your manager and your team-mates so I would like to thank them," said Torres.

"The manager signed me for Liverpool so I am really grateful for that, and he also works with me all the time trying to improve me and make me a better player.

"I think my game has already improved and will continue to improve under Rafa Benitez. The most important thing is that the team is successful, that is the only thing that matters.

"If I score some goals that help us to win things then I will be very happy, but it is all about the team.

"I came here to win things because I have never won anything as a senior player. I won medals when I was an under-16 and an under-19 player but that was a long time ago.

"Hopefully we will win something this season but if that does not happen then next season.

"I have signed a six-year contract so I am here for a long time and if things go well hopefully I will be here for even longer.

"I have 21 goals this season and that pleases me because it is my best season yet but I am not thinking about scoring 30 because what makes me most happy is when the team wins, not when I score."

The striker also revealed how special the feeling was for him to complete his hat-trick in front of the Kop.

"That made it even more special for me because the Kop is such a special place and it means so much to everyone associated with Liverpool Football Club," added El Nino.

"The fans have been fantastic with me since I first came to the club and I would like to thank them because their support has been a big help.

"Now everyone at the club has to focus on trying to finish in the top four so the win against Middlesbrough was a very important result for us."

LIVERPOOL Vs INTER PREVIEW

Paul Hassall 19 February 2008

The knockout stage of the Champions League gets underway tonight with the Reds playing host to one of the most feared sides in Europe.
Inter Milan arrive on Merseyside having breezed into the last 16 of Europe's premier competition with five wins from six Group G encounters while continuing to lead the way at the top of Serie A.

In contrast Liverpool have fallen off the pace in the Premier League and only made it into the latter stages in Europe courtesy of a superb 4-0 win in Marseille on Matchday Six.

Add to that Saturday's FA Cup defeat at the hands of Championship side Barnsley and few outside of L4 would be backing the Reds to make it into the last eight of the Champions League.

It's certainly a daunting prospect for Rafa and co and yet you can't help but feel like we've been here before can you?

Cast your mind back to 2005 when Liverpool were faced with a scrap for fourth place in the Premiership with Everton and up against it in Europe with a tie against the Italian heavyweights Juventus.

The Old Lady were much-fancied to see off an injury-ravaged Reds side, who had only made it into the knockout stages following a sensational 3-1 win over Olympiakos.

But yet again, Liverpool would defy the odds and went on to lift the trophy for the fifth time in our history.

Okay, it might not be the same stage of the competition this time around and circumstances are much changed, but the similarities are unmistakable.

Europe's premier competition is where Rafael Benitez is at his tactical best and Roberto Mancini's side will be well aware that form and reputation are of little consequence when matched against Anfield's 12th man.

In fact, Inter were one of the first sides to fall victim to Anfield and one of its famous European nights when they were undone 3-1 by Bill Shankly's side back in 1965.

That day will no doubt be in the thoughts of many a supporter when the game kicks off over 40 years on, and a repeat of that success would not only make the Reds favourite to progress but also see them notch up their 100th win in Europe.

Should Steven Gerrard be a goalscoring contributor to a home win he will also be celebrating a landmark achievement as he will have netted in five consecutive European matches and will also have claimed his 50th Liverpool goal at Anfield.

A Reds triumph would be very much in-keeping with our history against Italian opposition as we have met on six previous occasions at Anfield and won four of them. The two defeats both came in the UEFA Cup, against Genoa in 1992 and Roma in 2001.

But let's not under-estimate Inter who will no doubt provide one of our sternest tests yet.

The visitors will arrive at Anfield in buoyant mood following a 2-0 win over Livorno that stretched their lead at the top of Serie A to 11 points.

As far as team news goes, Mancini will be without the banned Cesar and injured Luis Jimenez, while they must also decide on the fitness of Luis Figo.

Liverpool will also be boosted by the news that Skipper Steven Gerrard, Jose Reina, Javier Mascherano, Alvaro Arbeloa and Fabio Aurelio have all returned to the squad.

In fact, Benitez is only missing defender Daniel Agger and striker Andriy Voronin, both still nursing long-term injuries, as he looks to plot Inter's downfall at Anfield and keep us on course for a sixth European crown.

INTER FEAR 'INCREDIBLE' ANFIELD

Sporting Life 18 February 2008

Julio Cruz says the intimidating atmosphere at Anfield could be the biggest threat to Inter's European dreams.

The reigning Serie A champions take on Liverpool in the first leg of their Champions League first knockout stage tie on Tuesday night.

The Nerazzurri are heading for another domestic title as they lead the table by 11 points this season, while Liverpool are still smarting from that shock home FA Cup defeat by Barnsley.

But Argentine striker Cruz says the atmosphere on a big European night on Merseyside can be a great leveller.

He told the club's official website: "The atmosphere at the stadium will be incredible. And Liverpool have some fantastic players, but Inter start on the same level."

While Liverpool have struggled to recreate the domestic glory days of years gone by, they've still managed to reach two Champions League finals in the last three seasons. A fact not lost on Cruz.

He added: "The Champions League is a strange competition, there are many teams seen as favourites to win it, but then it can happen that Liverpool, for example, reach the final twice in three years. There's definitely a reason why they do much better in the cup than in the championship..."

Inter have been strongly fancied to go all the way in Europe's premier club competition in the last two seasons.

But all they have to show for those runs are painful knockout exits at the hands of Spanish sides Villarreal and Valencia.

Cruz said: "What happened in the past is a lesson for us. We got knocked out against Valencia last year despite drawing both matches. We have realised that we have to play to win and do things well. This is the only way to get through the round."

Inter will play the second leg against Liverpool in their own San Siro stadium, but Cruz says their focus is currently trained on Tuesday night at Anfield.

"We mustn't think that this might be an advantage. We have to try and do things well without thinking about the return leg at home, and try to kill off the match before the game in Milan."

REDS HIT THREE IN ANFIELD WIN

Setanta 02 February 2008

Liverpool beat Sunderland 3-0 at Anfield on Saturday evening, but were far from their best as they climbed into fifth place in the Premier League.

Despite lighting the scoreboard up three times, the home side will know that there is a lot of work to do before they can get back in the race for fourth spot in the league.

Peter Crouch broke the deadlock on 57 minutes with a fine header, before Fernando Torres doubled the lead and Steven Gerrard finished it all off with a late penalty.

After a dreadful first-half that failed to offer up any major incidents, Liverpool started the second period in quite lively fashion.

Jermaine Pennant and Javier Mascherano both tried to open up gaps in the Sunderland midfield, but there was just no end product attached with their determined charges forward.

However, that end product did arrive on 57 minutes when Jamie Carragher burst up the right wing and supplied the perfect cross for Crouch to head in.

That goal lifted the atmosphere around the stadium and the hosts thrived off it as they buzzed forward in search of another goal.

Torres unleashed a wicked left-footed volley before Crouch had two chances in the space of a minute. The first of which was an eye-catching bicycle kick, and the second was a header that needed to be cleared off the line.

The Black Cats tried to erect a comeback and switched to 4-4-2 with Roy O'Donovan going onto the right wing and Michael Chopra moving up front. There was plenty of movement from the forwards, but hardly any passes arrived in their direction.

Liverpool then caught them offguard as Jonny Evans was sucked out of defence and a Crouch knock-on set Torres away to steam past Phil Bardsley before firing into the back of the net to make it 2-0.

Strangely enough Sunderland started to play a lot better after conceding that second goal and should have been awarded a penalty when a handball from Carragher was ignored by referee Rob Styles.

Jonny Evans came close with a header and O'Donovan hooked the rebound wide when he could have scored from three yards out.

Liam Miller had a shot fly over the bar and Darryl Murphy should have done better with a free-kick on the edge of the box. Their slack finishing was to be further punished.

Nyron Nosworthy, who was terrible all game, fouled Pennant inside the box to give away a penalty in the dying minutes that Gerrard tucked away.

It was a deserved win for Liverpool, but one that showed quite a few holes in their play which would be exposed by a better team.

WEST HAM V LIVERPOOL: MATCH PREVIEW

Paul Hassall 30 January 2008

Liverpool head to Upton Park on Wednesday night still searching for their first league win of 2008.
It is a statistic that has seen them draw their last four matches in the topflight and one that Rafael Benitez admits has all-but ended our hopes of landing the Premier League title.

The elusive league win could so easily have come in the games against Aston Villa and Wigan but a habit of conceding sloppy goals from set-pieces has effectively led to us losing ground on the top three.

And with the likes of Everton, Manchester City and Aston Villa all pressing hard for the much-coveted fourth and final Champions League place the Reds need to return to winning ways - sooner rather than later.

In a strange twist of fate, the Reds' search for victory takes them to a venue that saw them clinch a 2-1 success against the Hammers exactly a year ago today.

Dirk Kuyt and birthday boy Peter Crouch were the scorers on that occasion as the Reds notched up their fifth straight league win - and Rafa would no doubt take a similar scoreline this time around.

But West Ham are a different proposition now.

Last year they were a side devoid of belief and battling against relegation, but Alan Curbishley has reinvigorated them since then and they have rediscovered the verve and panache that led them to the FA Cup final in 2006.

The Hammers have already seen off Manchester United on home turf this season and on their day they are a match for anyone.

They are currently lying in 10th place in the table and with the likes of Freddy Ljungberg, Dean Ashton, Carlton Cole and Liverpool old boy Craig Bellamy in their ranks, they will pose a very real threat.

Rafael Benitez Benitez is still without Andriy Voronin, Daniel Agger and Alvaro Arbeloa but is likely to recall Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres, Pepe Reina and Jamie Carragher for the Upton Park clash after they were rested for Saturday's 5-2 victory over Havant and Waterlooville.

Reina is still looking to secure his 50th clean sheet for the club and if he can shut-out the Hammers he will have achieved the landmark in record-breaking time.

As for West Ham, they have former Red Craig Bellamy and Nolberto Solano fit again, but they are unlikely to feature from the start as they bid to clinch their first victory over Liverpool since they triumphed 1-0 at Upton Park way back in November 1999.

PICTURES OF OUR NEW STADIUM

CARRA IS TRUE GREAT

Liverpool Echo 16 January 2008


Jamie Carragher deserved all the plaudits he received on his 500th appearance for Liverpool – a magnificent achievement, writes Anfield Iron Tommy Smith.

For the sake of the team, I hope he goes to 600 and beyond – and his consistency should easily take him there.

Thank God he is a key member of the side who performs to such a high standard virtually every week.

The best tribute I can pay him is that he is one of the best defenders in the world – and one player who could perform in any Liverpool team in any era. Congratulations Jamie.

RAFA: LIVERPOOL STILL IN TITLE HUNT

The Telegraph 03 January 2008

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is confident his side can still mount a challenge for the Premier League title, despite losing further ground to Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea after last night's 1-1 draw against Wigan.

Liverpool have dropped down to fifth position following yesterday's result and Manchester City's 2-0 victory against Newcastle, and are 12 points adrift of pacesetters Arsenal.

However, Benitez believes it is too early to dismiss his side as title candidates, saying: "The gap is bigger than we would like but I have said many times before that this is a long race.

"We have to try to put that out of our minds because if we think about the points difference every time we go out we will be under more pressure.

"Of course it is more difficult to come from behind, but we are creating enough chances in every game.

"We have to start scoring the second goal to kill off games like this. To only get a draw is very disappointing because again we had plenty of possession.

"We had enough chances to finish them off. But when you don't do that there is always the risk the other team will take their chance, even if they only have one attempt."