Gerrard wants Liverpool to spend big to boost title prospects

Written by: AFP
2008-05-14 04:43:33

	Steven Gerrard (seen here on April 22) admits Liverpool will only challenge for the Premier League title next season if Rafa Benitez spends big money. Gerrard is desperate to make up for another disappointing domestic campaign after Benitez´s side slipped out of the title race by Christmas and finished nine points behind champions Manchester United.

LIVERPOOL, England (AFP) - Steven Gerrard admits Liverpool will only challenge for the Premier League title next season if Rafa Benitez spends big money.

Gerrard is desperate to make up for another disappointing domestic campaign after Benitez's side slipped out of the title race by Christmas and finished nine points behind champions Manchester United.

Gerrard knows that gap won't be closed unless Benitez is given substantial backing from the Anfield board to bring in several world-class players.

Benitez has already met Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks to draw up a transfer battle plan, with Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry and Borussia Dortmund defender Philip Degn on his wanted list, but Gerrard wants more investment from the Anfield hierarchy.

"Obviously I have to be careful that I don't send expectations through the roof again, but for me I am desperate for it (a title challenge). I believe in this team and this manager and believe we can make it happen," Gerrard said.

"We need help and new players and the manager needs help from the board to make these signings happen and make us stronger.

"I don't know much about Rafa's transfer plans. He doesn't call me in and tell me names.

"But he does assure me and the other players that if anyone becomes available who would strengthen the side, then he will go out and buy them. It's important Rafa gets the right backing above him as well.

"Sometimes you have to realise there are other sides that are as good as us who are strengthening and working hard as well. They want it just as much as us.

"But it has been a long time for this club (since winning the league), so we all maybe need to give that extra five or 10 per cent.

"It's difficult to say how many world-class players we need. You look at the points difference and over the last few years we have made it smaller.

"Playing against the Arsenals and Chelsea, it has been close. We are giving them good games which are tight and get decided on small details."

The close-season in England has often been a difficult time for Gerrard while rumours fly that he is set to leave. Inter Milan are this year's front runners to sign the Liverpool captain if reports are to be believed, but he insists he has no plans to quit.

"I'm happy here and enjoying my football. Obviously I am not happy ending the season without a trophy because I am a winner and that is what I play the game for," he said.

"I like finishing the season having a trophy or cup final to look back on and seeing I've achieved something.

"The experiences I've had at this club in Istanbul (when they beat AC Milan to capture the Champions League), Cardiff and so on - I want these again because I've enjoyed them so much."

England National Champion Reserve (North v South Play-off final) : Liverpool FC 3-0 Aston Villa

RESERVES CROWNED NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
Paul Hassall at Anfield 07 May 2008

Liverpool Reserves have been crowned National Champions after powering to a resounding victory over Aston Villa in an entertaining play-off final at Anfield.

Gary Ablett's men produced the type of performance typical of their all-conquering campaign, combining attractive, flowing football with some gutsy, determined defending to clinch a 3-0 win courtesy of goals from Krisztian Nemeth, Jordy Brouwer and Lucas Leiva.

It caps a remarkable season for the Reds' second string, who can now add the national title to both the Dallas Cup and the Northern Division championship, to complete what is a superb cup treble.

On a rare sun-drenched evening at Anfield, it was Villa who settled the quicker of the two sides, but for all their good approach play Liverpool manufactured the game's first real moment of note when Krisztian Nemeth's cute back heel was deflected away by the last-ditch boot of Isaiah Osbourne, to deny Lucas a clear run at goal.

The Brazilian was in the side in place of the injured Jay Spearing and provided some South American rhythm at the centre of the park against Kevin McDonald's experienced Villa outfit that included first-teamers such as Stuart Taylor, Wayne Routledge, Shaun Maloney and Marlon Harewood.

In truth, the visitors enjoyed the majority of the possession throughout an entertaining first-half and went close through Chris Herd's 20-yard snap shot before the hosts took the lead courtesy of a familiar marksmen.

The lively Nabil El Zhar ran at the heart of the Villa defence and fed a neat ball through to Jordy Brouwer who in turn laid an instant flick to Nemeth on the right, with the Hungarian showing great composure to flash a shot from just inside the penalty area into the far corner to give Liverpool the perfect start.

It was a magnificent team goal and all the more fitting that the yellow-booted forward was the man on target, having been irrepressible in front of goal throughout a superb season with the reserves.

It gave the Reds the lift they needed and El Zhar drilled a long range strike over the cross bar before Jordy Brouwer wasted a great chance to double the home side's advantage on 24 minutes.

Ryan Flynn showed great determination to outpace his marker and fire in a dangerous cross from the left and although no one was on hand to finish off his superb wing play, El Zhar took up the baton on the far right and surged beyond Nathan Baker before cutting the ball back to Brouwer who side-footed a weak effort straight at Taylor from eight yards out.

However, it was as good as it got for the Reds in the first period and Villa began to dominate the proceedings as they pushed forward in search of the equaliser.

The first opportunity for the visitors to level fell to Marlon Harwood, who had already scored at Anfield during a 2-2 draw against Rafael Benitez's senior side earlier in the season, and he will feel he should have repeated that feat on 26 minutes, after lashing a fierce 25-yard strike just over Peter Gulacsi's crossbar.

The pace of Routledge was a cause for concern for Gary Ablett's men throughout the match and just seconds later Villa had carved Liverpool open down the right once again, but this time Herd somehow contrived to hit the post from 10 yards out after Harwood and Moloney combined to put him clear.

The Reds continued to look a threat on the counter-attack but it was the away side who again went closest to scoring prior to the interval when Mikel San Jose reacted brilliantly to clear Maloney's stabbed effort off the line after Gulacsi had dropped Routledge's right-wing cross.

It was a similar story after the break too, but Villa's fortune in front of goal continued to desert them as proved on 57 minutes when Moustapha Salifou saw his long range volley crash back off the crossbar with Gulacsi well beaten.

El Zhar and Nemeth offered some brief respite for the Reds rearguard with the former seeing his run and shot well blocked before the latter stung the fingertips of Taylor with a rasping 25-yard drive.

With both sides creating a series of good openings, something had to give, and after Maloney wasted a glorious chance to pull the Villains level, Liverpool struck the killer blow on 66 minutes.

Emiliano Insua won the ball deep in Villa territory allowing Nemeth to seize on the loose ball and play in Brouwer, who raced into the penalty area before hammering the ball, low into the bottom left-hand corner to send the Kop into raptures.

It was a strike that seemed to deflate the away side and on 76 minutes the Reds wrapped up victory when substitute Daniel Pacheco's delightfully disguised pass sent Lucas clear and the Brazilian made no mistake to ensure the 7,580 supporters packed into Anfield went home happy.

Liverpool Reserves: Gulacsi, Darby, Insua, San Jose, Huth, Plessis, El Zhar (Simon 86), Lucas, Brouwer (Pacheco 73), Nemeth (Lindfield 80), Flynn. Unused subs: Bouzanis, Kelly, Simon.

Aston Villa Reserves: Taylor, Lund (Bannan 74), Baker (Delfouneso 46), Osbourne, Clark, Lowry, Salifou, Routledge, Harewood, Herd, Maloney (Albrighton 77). Unused subs: Bevan, Collins.

Liverpoolfc.tv man of the match: Krisztian Nemeth. A classy forward who once again showed his promise with a superb goal and a clever assist.

Attendance: 7,580

THE REDS 08/09 HOME KITS

RAFA WARY OF DROGBA THREATRICS

Written by: AFP
2008-04-27 14:11:34

	Chelsea´s Ivorian forward Didier Drogba celebrates during the UEFA Champions League semi-final match against Liverpool at Anfield on April 22. Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez said he would be calling on officials to keep a close eye on Drogba´s theatrics in their midweek Champions League semi-final second leg at Chelsea.

LONDON (AFP) - Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez said Sunday he would be calling on officials to keep a close eye on Didier Drogba's theatrics in their midweek Champions League semi-final second leg at Chelsea.

Benitez believes Blues striker Drogba goes down far too easily.

"With Drogba, it's important to have a good referee," the Spaniard said.

"You can't do anything, but I will say it because it was so clear. He is amazing because he is massive.

"It's very impressive. I have a lot of clips of him from over the years and he surprises me. After four years, I expected it."

Benitez said he had compiled clips of Drogba during Liverpool's many matches against Chelsea since he became manager.

The Spaniard was unhappy at what he perceives as preferential treatment for the striker at Anfield in Tuesday night's first leg which ended 1-1.

"We've played against Chelsea 19 games and every time I have collected some clips of Drogba," Benitez explained.

"I have shown them to some of the players. I think that (Martin) Skrtel and Carra (Jamie Carragher) were really good against him the other day, the only problem was the referee was giving fouls. And it was not the same with (Fernando) Torres."

CHELSEA LUCK

Written by: AFP

	Liverpool´s Brazilian defender Fabio Aurelio(R) and Chelsea´s English midfielder Joe Cole compete for the ball during their UEFA Champions League semi-final football match at Anfield. The match ended on a 1-1 draw.

LIVERPOOL, England (AFP) - Chelsea snatched a Champions League lifeline as Liverpool defender John Arne Riise's last-gasp own goal allowed Avram Grant's side to escape with a 1-1 draw from Tuesday's semi-final first leg.

Liverpool had dominated after taking the lead through Dirk Kuyt just before half-time at Anfield but they failed to press home that advantage.

Petr Cech produced three superb saves to keep out Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard and Chelsea were able to make Rafa Benitez's team pay in the final minute of stoppage time when Riise headed into his own net.

After suffering semi-final exits at Anfield in two of the last three seasons, the Blues will have left Merseyside feeling luck was on their side at last.

They lost to Luis Garcia's 'phantom goal' in 2005 and were beaten on penalties last season.

Now, bolstered by a precious away goal their tepid display hardly deserved, Chelsea will believe they can avenge those bitter memories and finish the job at Stamford Bridge next Wednesday.

It was fitting that a tie with so much emnity propelling the participants should take place to the backdrop of the power struggle between Liverpool co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

Hicks had been advised to stay away for his own safety but defiantly took his place in the Anfield directors box.

The Kop made their feelings known with a series of anti-Hicks chants but were soon creating a wall of sound to intimidate Chelsea rather than the American tycoon.

The crowd's frenzied passion didn't inspire many fireworks on the pitch early on though. Goals are at a premium whenever these obdurate sides meet in Europe and it was a typically tenative start.

Liverpool threatened to break the stalemate first. Kuyt raced onto Xabi Alonso's long pass, only for the Dutchman's poor chest control to let Ricardo Carvalho and Cech clear the danger.

Chelsea's Joe Cole had a sight of goal when Frank Lampard, back after spending time with his ill mother, picked out the England winger in the penalty area. Cole's tame volley didn't do justice to the sublime pass.

Didier Drogba appealed for a penalty when he tumbled under Jamie Carragher's tackle. Carragher missed the ball but the challenge was just outside the area and referee Konrad Plautz waved away Drogba's protests.

When Steven Gerrard's defence-splitting pass put Fernando Torres clean through, Anfield rose in expectation of yet another decisive contribution from the Spaniard. For once Torres was frustrated as Cech made a superb stop.

Gradually Liverpool began to turn the screw and their relentless pressing played a key role in Kuyt's 43rd minute opener after Chelsea were unhinged by Alonso's quick free-kick.

Kuyt robbed Lampard on the edge of the area and Javier Mascherano took a swipe at the loose ball. The Argentine's miscued effort should have been cleared but Claude Makelele rashly jumped in front of Ashley Cole and Kuyt was able to pounce, sliding his shot under Cech.

Liverpool were grateful for the gift but it was a shambolic goal to concede and summed up Chelsea's confused display.

Grant's inspirational qualities have been questioned constantly this season and now was the moment for the Israeli to lift his side. Yet they emerged after half-time just as flat as before.

Liverpool winger Ryan Babel caused chaos in the Chelsea defence as he surged past Paulo Ferreira and whipped in a low cross that led to a blocked Torres shot.

Babel was a constant danger and went close in the 60th minute with a dipping half-volley that flashed past Cech's far post.

Chelsea finally stirred when Michael Ballack met Lampard's free-kick with a glancing header which Jose Reina held well.

Florent Malouda had a much better chance moments later as he took Lampard's pass and cut inside Alvaro Arbeloa. Just as Malouda was about to pull the trigger, Mascherano slid in with a crucial block.

Gerrard forced a brilliant one-handed tip-over from Cech in the closing minutes as Liverpool strove to take total control of the tie.

Cech then denied Torres with another fine stop at his near post and Chelsea took full advantage.

With virtually the last kick of the game, Salomon Kalou swung in a cross from the left and Riise, diving to head clear, succeeded only in diverting the ball into his own net.

Anfield fell silent as Liverpool were left to wonder if they would rue those missed chances.

Ex-Liverpool striker slams shambles at Anfield

Written by: AFP

	Liverpool´s manager Rafael Benítez takes his seat before their UEFA Champions League quater final second leg football match against Arsenal last week. Liverpool great Ian St John has labelled the current boardroom stand-off at Anfield

LONDON (AFP) - Liverpool great Ian St John has labelled the current boardroom stand-off at Anfield "a shambles".

Reds chief executive Rick Parry said Monday he intended to hold talks with manager Rafael Benitez after the latest twist in a series of off-field dramas.

That came after Benitez voiced his disappointment at co-chairman Tom Hicks's revelation Parry had been present at the club owners' infamous meeting with Jurgen Klinsmann last year.

It had been thought only Hicks, his fellow American co-owner George Gillett - with whom he has now fallen out - and their sons had been present as they sounded out former Germany striker Klinsmann as an "insurance policy" should Benitez leave.

"It is a real shambles," former Liverpool and Scotland striker St John told BBC Radio Five on Tuesday. "When you think about it, has it ever worked having two people running an organisation like a football club?

"One guy at the helm, fine - he carries the can. You can't have two people doing it because if they have a disagreement what is going to happen?

"And you have Rick Parry who is supposed to be the liaison between them and Rafa and then Rafa finds out, 'Hang on, he's hiding things from me'.

"I was amazed to tell the truth. I thought, like everyone else, the Americans had done it over there with Klinsmann and that was it.

"But when we heard that Rick Parry was over there. Rafa must feel right out on a limb here. Where is he going to get any support from?"

Last week Hicks called for Parry to resign. But both Hicks and Gillett each own 50 perecnt of the club and with Gillett in no mood to grant Hicks's request, Parry is set to stay in his job.

It has been reported that while Parry went to New York for an initial meeting with Klinsmann only at the request of Liverpool's co-owners and did not attend a subsequent meeting in California.

Despite all the wrangling, Liverpool have still reached the semi-finals of the Champions League.

Gillett and Hicks's dispute has led to the stalling of a takoever bid from Dubai Investment Capital, a group bankrolled by the ruling royal family of the United Arab Emirates.

BENITEZ TARGETS FOURTH AHEAD OF CHELSEA TIE

Rafael Benitez wants Liverpool to have fourth place in the Barclays Premier League wrapped up before they take on Chelsea in the semi-finals of the Champions League.

The Reds boss is hopeful a Chelsea win at Everton on Thursday coupled with a Liverpool triumph at Fulham will give them an almost unassailable lead over the Toffees and provide his players with the perfect boost going into next week's first-leg clash with Avram Grant's men at Anfield.
"We need now to make sure of fourth spot before we play Chelsea in the Champions League semi-finals," said Benitez.
"It needs to be out of the way so that everyone can concentrate on those two matches.
"We have no control over what Everton do in their game at the end of the week (at home to Chelsea) but we would hope that a win at Fulham would give us fourth spot."
If the above mentioned results were to go Liverpool's way it would see them move eight points ahead of Everton with just three games remaining.
That in itself would not guarantee the Reds of fourth spot but it would give them a huge advantage and allow them to turn their focus on the last four meeting with Chelsea and a potential Champions League final in Moscow on May 21.
"We have not quite secured fourth place yet," Benitez continued. "We need to keep going and win our next match at Fulham.
"I am not really worried about chasing third place now, let's just prepare the players for our next game.
"We must only think of finishing in the top four. That, and progress in the Champions League, is our priority."
The Reds are currently five points ahead of Everton courtesy of Sunday's 3-1 win over Blackburn - a result that, once again, saw both Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard on the scoresheet.
The duo have now fired a combined total of 51 goals in all competitions this season and Benitez feels it shows his side have more of an attacking threat this year.
"I am pleased that Steven and Fernando have now scored 50 goals between them this season," Benitez added.
"We have now scored more goals in a league season than at any time since I have been manager, so that shows our improvement."

Paul Hassall 14 April 2008

THE REDS FANTASTIC 4

LIVERPOOL 4 - 2 ARSENAL

WE KICK THAT KIDS OUT

4 SUPER FANTASTIC GOAL !!!

RAFA SURPRISED BY RED CARD

Rafa Benitez has admitted that he is as surprised as Javier Mascherano after the Argentinian midfielder was sent off against Man Utd for what Benitez labelled as simply 'asking a question'. Liverpool slumped to a 3-0 defeat against United.

Benitez explained: “It's clear Mascherano made a mistake but he was only asking the referee a question. Ryan Babel was there and saw that he was just asking.

"Maybe he does not know the referee. The referee decided to give a second yellow card and he couldn't understand. He was as surprised as me.

"I could speak to him in Spanish, so I said, 'Listen, it's finished.'

"He knows he made a mistake but he was so surprised. He is a very good professional who has played a lot of international games all around the world, and he couldn't understand why he was sent off for just asking.

"It's difficult to explain some things that happen on the pitch and I think it is perhaps better to not say too much this time."

BENITEZ BACKS SENT-OFF MASCHERANO

Interview: Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez gave his support to Javier Mascherano after the midfielder was sent off during the 3-0 defeat at Manchester United.

The Argentine was shown a second yellow for showing dissent towards referee Steve Bennett.

"Mascherano was surprised at the decision because he thought he said nothing wrong," said Benitez.

"Ryan Babel heard everything and told me Mascherano was just asking why Fernando Torres had been booked."

Benitez did admit that the Argentine midfielder, who was still incensed in the moments after being shown red, had made a mistake in going up to Bennett.

"He reacted like he did because he was surprised - I was telling him calm down. However, he made a mistake though by approaching the referee."

The Spanish manager added: "After the sending-off the game was over."

At that point, Liverpool were already 1-0 down after United defender Wes Brown outjumped goalkeeper Pepe Reina to head Sir Alex Ferguson's men into the lead.

Mascherano explains his dismissal to manager Benitez

But it was not until the 79th minute that they doubled their lead when Reina was beaten again in the air, this time by Cristiano Ronaldo.

Benitez defended his fellow countryman despite the errors.

"Sometimes keepers make mistakes - these things happen."

United boss Ferguson was adamant Mascherano suffered the consequences as a result of his pestering of Bennett.

"He was booked and then kept badgering the referee," said the Scot.

United forward Wayne Rooney said the red card had little bearing on the match.

"It's always nice to beat Liverpool. We tried to play the game as we saw it and I'm delighted with the win," said the striker.

"I don't think the sending-off changed the game too much. At the end the of the match Liverpool were tired but during the game we always looked comfortable."

WATCH TORRES FIRE US INTO QUARTER FINALS

Liverpool booked their place in the quarter finals of the Champions League with a brilliant 1-0 victory over Inter Milan in the San Siro last night and you can now enjoy highlights of our latest magical European display online.

Fernando Torres' 26th goal of the season settled the match on the night and gave Rafael Benitez's side a 3-0 aggregate victory against an Inter side who saw defender Nicolas Burdisso dismissed in the second half for two bookable offences. Liverpool now line up alongside Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Barcelona, Roma, Schalke and Fenerbache in Friday's last eight draw in Moscow. If you missed the action, or if you simply want to relive it all again, then you can now watch either a 14 or a 38 minutes highlights package online. You will need to be an e-Season Ticket holder to enjoy the action from Italy, so sign up now for as little as 13p per day and enjoy the best of the action from another famous night in the Reds' glorious European history. Paul Eaton 12 March 2008 LFC.TV

INTERNAL AFFAIR

I first watched this Hong Kong movie called Infernal Affairs a few years ago. For those who don't really know the story, here's a very short spoiler of what happened: Two young officer cadets go to the same police school. Andy Lau plays a protege to one of the most-wanted criminals in Hong Kong, who is installed as a mole in the Police Force, where he rises to detective. Tony Leung is dispatched to become a spy in that very gang that Andy Lau's loyalties lie. As both sides struggle to find who is the traitor, there is a classic rooftop scene in which both moles face off.

Leung: I am a cop. (Points gun at Andy Lau)

Lau: Who knows that?

It is a tragic movie about divided personalities, and is a movie that has so many twists that in the end you'll be spinning in your seat catching your breath.

I am talking about this movie because it seems so similar to the strange dark cloud that has settled over Anfield's board room this season. Coincidentally, acclaimed American director Martin Scorcese thought that he could make a Yank version of the movie, too. He called it The Departed.

Martin Scorcese won an Oscar for this, which is pretty surprising, because I felt he took off the class from the original and made it chock-full of the violence that you'd expect from his movies.

In any case, the movies made me think of the two leading roles at Anfield right now - Tom Hicks and George Gillett, Jr. We have constantly been made to believe, by the media, that the guy to hate, lock, stock and barrel, to be the Texan guy who said he was impressed by Jurgen Klinsmann.

But where has ol' George been all this time, eh? The 'quiet American' went into the buyout of our beloved club after snagging the guy with the purse, Tom Hicks. For a moment it seemed that he was the one with the passion for the club - until he suddenly disappeared sometime after November and never re-emerged.

In the meantime, poor Tom Hicks - probably never that good with words - mentioned that George and himself had been looking for an insurance policy. NOT John Hancock, NOT AIG, NOT even Prudential, but a German guy who used to dive for Tottenham Hotspur.

So in the meantime we got to our business of defending Rafa, thinking that Hicks is the bad guy, when he's actually the one who raised his hands after his partner shot the golden goose. In recent reports, Rafa has kissed and made up with Tom Hicks, and it seems ever clearer that the man in the sidelines might have been the one up to mischief.

When he finally let loose one final objection - that 'my partner cannot sell without my approval' - it made me realise something. This was the guy who was pulled in to purchase the club last minute - but he's the guy who least wants to leave. At least, that's how it looks like from my perspective. This was the rooftop scene, all over again. The last stab of justice, before the inevitable starts to happen.

Tony Leung's character will die at the end of the movie, without a proper identity, killed by a traitor in the Police Force. Tom Hicks will leave at the end of the season, probably hated eternally by most Liverpool fans, because he tried to do the impossible by holding the club together even after the breakdown of a fragile business partnership.

Somehow, I don't think that Tom Hicks is holding out just for profit. A niggling feeling tells me that we have maligned this innocent Texan. While I awaited eagerly for George Gillett to come out to make his stand, he has failed to do so - and a present screw-up, in my opinion (in the case of Hicks) is still much better than an absent one.

No matter what happens at the end of the season - and I strongly believe that Hicks will be gone by then as well as Gillett - I know that he has been the lesser of the two evils in this Axis power era. He made the effort to design (and redesign) the stadium, and was still the main man in the purchase of Fernando Torres. And coming out to tell everyone that they wanted Klinsmann as a 'replacement', 'insurance', or whatever you call it was a darned stupid thing, although on the other side it was a brave admission of error - typical perhaps of the Texas way (being brave, I mean).

George Gillett? Like a snake, he has slithered out of the trouble that brewed at Anfield. Foster, his son, one of the directors at Liverpool, has disappeared for weeks now in the boardroom, and if Dubai do successfully purchase the club in the months to come, all I will remember about him is that he was part of the shorter side of Merseyside in more ways than one.

Some people will ask why doesn't Tom Hicks hold on to his stake if George Gillett sells. Yet we must understand the stark differences in management styles of the DIC and the Americans. This puts Hicks in a thorough dilemma. I doubt he will want to let his dormant partner hold on to a valuable 50% stake and do nothing for the club, yet he's not exactly enthusiastic to look at DIC representatives eye to eye during board meetings.

Having said that, all I want as a fan will be stability for next season, and not all these Infernal Affairs-like drama occurring behind the scenes. For now, I turn my attention to the return of the prodigal son, Michael Owen, to Anfield, as we face off Newcastle United.

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LFC 3-2 'BORO: THE VERDICT

Fernando Torres hit a stunning hat-trick to sink Middlesbrough and help the Reds go fourth in the Premier League. Here's the best of the post-match reaction.

The local paper
Apart from his well known and understandable aversion to the penalty spot, there can be few things in football which strike as much fear into the heart of Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate as the sight of Fernando Torres bearing down on goal. Four goals scored in just two games against the Teessiders tells its own story but the sub-plot to the tale is that without their new iconic front man Liverpool may not have taken a single point from either of these matches. At the Riverside last month, a Torres strike from fully 30 yards gave the Reds a point in a game which appeared to be slipping away from them, and at Anfield on Saturday he again came up with the goods with a superb hat-trick which delivered all three.
The Echo

The player
It's the second hat-trick of my Liverpool career so it was a very happy day for me. It was fantastic to score a hat-trick in front of the Kop. It was my first at Anfield and I feel very comfortable playing here. Twenty-one goals is my best season yet and we still have a maximum of 18 games to go, in the Premier League and Champions League, so hopefully I can score more. I'm happy when the team wins, I'm not thinking about scoring 30.
Fernando Torres

The boss
I was really happy with the performance. I think coming after a Champions League game the most important thing was to win. After we scored the third goal on the counter attack you could see that we could score more, but they put us under a bit of pressure because they have some good players in attack. It's always difficult to score more than 20 goals, but Torres has done it in his first season. We knew that he was a player with power and pace, he can kill defenders with his pace.
Rafael Benitez

The former player
Torres was terrific and it was important for us to win this game after our fantastic midweek display. Torres showed just how important he is to this Liverpool team and his second goal was world class.
Phil Neal

The fan
We had our fair share of luck today, although Torres made some of his own with his perseverance and vision. A terrific hat-trick. Mascherano is like the Duracell bunny who never runs out of energy! We have to be pleased with the win as Middlesborough tried to bully us.
Bilsland, LFC.TV Message Boards

TORRES: THAT WAS FOR YOU RAFA

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."

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE 1ST LEG : LIVERPOOL 2 - 0 INTER MILAN

And finally here we are. I’ve got to say first that I’m Italian so it’s a bit hard for me to write these few words so be patient I’ll try to do my best.
It’s been a long time since Liverpool and Inter Milan played against in the 1965 semi final, so few of us can remember that match.
We are not in the position we expected at the beginning of the season and I don’t want to talk about the reasons because we are still in one of the greatest football competition of the world. Our opponents are dominating their league and still playing in the Italian Cup “Coppa Italia”. Maybe they are favourites for their current condition and our recent results, but we are Liverpool F.C. and we are used to be underdogs. We played Juventus, Milan and Barcelona in a similar situation and we all know what’s happened.
Now there’s a new crucial clash to win over two legs. Anfield is once again called to play the 12th man role and then we’ll travel to Milan to make San Siro hear our voice. I’m sure we will show why we are among the best supporters in the world, but now let’s have a look at the Inter fans point of view.
Being Italian for me is easy to interview some Inter supporters. First of all I have to mark a big difference between Italy and the England. Here when you grow up you have 4 choices equally divided of supporting Juventus Milan, Inter or your local team (obviously there are some exceptions like me. lol). In fact I live 40 km from Milan but a lot of my friends support Inter and this gave me the chance to make them these few questions.

How has the season been shaping so far?

COMI: well…it’s going well cause we’re fighting in every competition. First in the league, qualified for the Italian cup semi final and ready for the CL last 16. We’ll have to play well our cards cause we have such a large and strong team that we could do the treble.

GHISE: very very good till this point. It’s an easy answer especially after Juventus victory over Rome that increased our advantage to 11 points. Now we can calmly focus on our travel to Anfield.

PIBE: well we are comfortably at the top of the table. There has been some criticism about some referee decisions but we showed that we deserve our position by winning easily against Livorno, we know it’s not a top side but it’s the same team that forced Milan to a goalless draw.

What are your expectations for this season? Have they changed from day one?

COMI: like I said before, it should be fantastic to make a treble but it’s not easy, it’s a long way to the end of the season. We accept every trophy we could win (lol) but I sincerely prefer the Champions league cup, it’s my dream…and if we finish first in the league it’s better. We are still racing for every competition so our expectations haven’t changed.

GHISE: win both Scudetto (Serie A title) and Champions league but we now it’s very hard cause our player are inexperienced at European level only Luis Figo has already won it. People want us to prove that we deserved last season title by winning this one with Juventus back in the Serie A and no club with points penalization. And we want the European cup to show that we are the strongest on an international level. No our expectations are still the same.

PIBE: league title and Champions league cause it’s missing for a too long time. We have to gain respect in Europe and the best way to do it is to win the Big Ears cup. A.C. Milan, our local rivals, shown us what the CL means on international level and we won to show them that we are able to do it too. No, nothing has changed since day one.


Who do you think is your most important player(s)?

COMI: Cambiasso is my preferred player, I think he’s fundamental for our team. While Ibrahimovic is simply a phenomenon

GHISE: Cambiasso is our key player, he makes the team work together.

PIBE: they are all fantastic players but Ibra is the most amazing and spectacular.

Your worst player(s)?

COMI: our worst player? Mmh I think they are all good players maybe only Adriano and Solari hadn’t played at their top level.

GHISE: maybe at the moment only Crespo due to physical problems that kept him out of the action.

PIBE: Viera cause if he’s not injured he has been sent off by the referee.

Do you have a particular memory of any previous meeting between our clubs? Say something that happened to you that day or a decision you disagreed with?
(none of them was born so they have nothing to say about it)

Any young up and coming players in the squad that we might not know about?

COMI: Mario Balotelli is a very promising talented striker, he showed his skills against Juventus in the Italian Cup and helped the young team to win the “Carnevale Cup” in Viareggio which is a young teams tournament, but he isn’t eligible for the CL. There’s also Pelè who is a good midfielder

GHISE: the only news eligible for the CL is Jimenez while Balotelli looks very promising for the future, a complete striker who can score in every way and he’s only 17.

PIBE: Balotelli of course is the surprise of this season helping us with two goals against Juventus in the Italian Cup.

What sort of line-up will be put out against us?

COMI: Julio Cesar | Maicon, Cordoba, Materazzi, Maxwell | Stankovic, Cambiasso, Viera (Chivu), Figo (Jimenez) | Ibrahimovic, Cruz (Crespo).

GHISE: Julio Cesar | Materazzi, Cordoba, Chivu, Mawxell | Zanetti, Cambiasso, Viera, Jimenez | Cruz, Ibra

PIBE: Julio Cesar | Cordob, Materazzi, Burdisso, Maxwell | Zanetti, Cambiasso, Stankovic, Pelè| Ibrahimovic, Cruz

Do you have any favourite/best chant(s) and perhaps any that require an explanation?

COMI: “non mollare mai” (= never give up)

GHISE: “mi pippo un sasso con Cambiasso” it’s a joke it means that “I will use cocaine with Cambiasso” it’s only a metter of rhyme I don’t think Cambiasso is addicted to any drugs.

PIBE: “amala! pazza Inter amala!” is the official anthem and it means “love it! Crazy Inter love it”

Where do you expect (whoever) - and Liverpool to finish in the Premier League?

COMI: third place but I hope in something more cause I sympathize for Liverpool.

GHISE: in my opinion Liverpool will finish at the fifth place

PIBE: maybe at the fourth place

Which Liverpool player will you fear the most?

COMI: noone in particular I fear the way Liverpool can play as team in this kind of matches.

GHISE: Torres he has pure talent.

PIBE: Peter Crouch he is capable of scoring spectacular goals.

Care to predict the score?

COMI: no I don’t want to predict the score.

GHISE: I usually bring bad luck when I predict the score so I won’t do it.

PIBE: I hope 1-1 not so good but not that bad.

Inter fans like Liverpool for the way we won against Juve and Milan in 2005. But a lot of them are sure they’ll win against us. Maybe I’ve seen more times Liverpool play then a lot of Inter fans did in the last few years despite they live near Milan and I live in Italy (surely a travelled more, lol). There’s a poor attendance at San Siro during the season if there are not big matches. Inter supporters spent the last 19 years desperate to win the league almost like us but now they are very confidents in theirselves. In the past years people used to joke a lot about Inter bad luck, but now they are too strong and noone can say anything to them. I tried to do my best translating what my friends answered me I hope you’ll enjoy this article.

MINCING MY WORDS

Well, once again I've been made to mince my words.

So our 2-0 win over Inter Milan means that we look to be going towards the impossible dream once more - to get 6th European Cup.

Dirk Kuyt has now scored for two consecutive games, Steven Gerrard looks like he's firing on all cylinders, and we've managed to keep a clean sheet against a team that hadn't lost for five months before they met us.

And for the next game, Rafa looks like he's going to make five or six changes, and we might just draw with Middlesbrough. Right? I certainly don't hope so, though.

For now, I just want to rejoice about one of the sweetest victories I have tasted as a Liverpool fan this season.

Before I launch into the recent discussion about what is the "best XI", let me just say where we have done well this season.

We have been fantastic in goalkeeping, and it's all thanks to our colossus of Spain, Jose Reina, who looks set to establish himself as one of the legends at Liverpool.

We have done very well in defensive midfield, where Javier Mascherano has been nothing short of magnificent in cleaning up those attacks that may have threatened us this season. He more than deserves that 17 million pounds we may - or may not - pay for him, and even if George and Tom don't know the difference between a good coach and a bad one (no disrespect to Jurgen K), they should know that letting Masch go will be the second biggest mistake of their lives. (The biggest, of course, was buying Liverpool).

However, we strongly need reinforcements now in left midfield. Since we bought Ryan Babel to let him sit on the bench, we need someone better than Harry Kewell to play on the left. Reiterating the frustration of every Liverpool fan, that Dutchman should play every 90 minutes whenever fit. He's 20, but Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo played to no problems at the age of 17 and 18 respectively, and I sincerely suspect that Babel belongs in the league of the wunderkinds. Set him loose, set him free, and watch the lion go. Otherwise, it's time to go shopping for someone more experienced on the wings.

Right midfield is also a worry. Jermaine Pennant has improved in the past few games, but class and form are by far two different things. Unfortunately, he isn't going to quite set Anfield alight, so it might be time to kiss and say goodbye. But he's still the most suitable player for the right wing that we've got, so we should play him while we've got no choice.

Striking is a massive problem. We used to produce homegrown strikers from our academy but because of the drought in the last decade we haven't had the talent that we could have had. So we need to look carefully for talent. Dirk Kuyt was a free-scoring Robbie Fowler-like striker in the Dutch league, but the comparison with our former God has ironically caused the words to become flesh. Kuyt, for all the running, can't seem to score when it's critical - but I was made to mince my words against Inter.

Then again, you can't always count on deflections to score, unless you're Frank Lampard. But to be honest, if he scores a deflected goal every game, he will be loved by everyone in the Kop.

So Rafa, left midfield and striker, go get them! (That's what I would do if I were you, but because you are still the man who won the European Cup, please do what you deem fit.)

My best XI:

Jose Reina, Alvaro Arbeloa, John Arne Riise (but he needs to step up a couple of gears with his performances), Jamie Carragher, Daniel Agger, Jermaine Pennant, Ryan Babel*** (VIP - Very important player), Steven Gerrard, Javier Mascherano, Yossi Benayoun, Fernando Torres

We've got 39 points left for contention in the League for us - so let us make it the best fight we possibly can.

Is This the PLOT??

ok, i know i am not suppose to think this way....but just for a moment, i tot the lost at home to barnsly was planned. dun get me wrong, we dun play fake. but maybe a greater force is causing us to lose and move on to greater things. like what?

WHAT IF we loses everything this season? no silverware at at. not even the basic 4th place in BPL? what will have next season is we will not only lose the chance to play in the most competitive CL, but we will also lose a big sum of money. then maybe it will finally pave the way for the "hated" Americans to sell our beloved club to the "welcomed" Dubai group.

With only the BPL to play for next season, we may finally end the 20 year drought for another leauge title. and shut the manu mouths once and for all. does that sounds possible?

I HAD A DREAM

I had a dream, a dream that I would get to see Liverpool breaking their 18-year drought for the title ended in the 2007/08 season.

I had a dream, that Harry Kewell at Liverpool will miraculously shake off all his injury problems to become just like the Harry Kewell at Leeds United.

I had a dream, that Steven Gerrard would rescue us from every single game, regardless of whether he plays from the start or comes on as a substitute.

I had a dream, that the Sami Hyypia at 34 would be just as solid as the Sami Hyypia at 28.

I had a dream, that Ryan Babel got to play as many games as Jose Reina, just about 90 minutes every single game.

I had a dream, that Dirk Kuyt at Feyenoord would take over the Dirk Kuyt at Liverpool.

I had a dream, that Liverpool's honourable, charitable billionaires were really billionaires, really honourable, and really charitable.

I had a dream, that Bob Paisley came back to resurrect this team.

I had a dream, that Rafael Benitez stuck to the same 11 in every game, and only rotated his team when absolutely necessary.

I had a dream, that Luke Steele did not play like Peter Shilton for Barnsley yesterday.

I had a dream, that we thrashed Barnsley 8-0, just like Besiktas.

I had a dream, that we are going to win the FA Cup, and the Champions League.

Alas, it was all but a dream.

RAFA MISSING PACO

Former Liverpool striker John Aldridge claims the famous Anfield club has 'imploded' recently and believes the departure of Rafael Benitez's assistant this season is a major factor in the team's plight.

Click here
Benitez's side crashed out of the FA Cup courtesy of Barnsley's injury-time winner at Anfield yesterday.

With their Barclays Premier League campaign now confined to a race for fourth place, that leaves them with just the Champions League to contest, with the first leg of their last-16 tie with Inter Milan taking place this week.

And highly-decorated former striker Aldridge admits ongoing confusion off the field is adding to problems on the pitch.

'It's not going too well on and off the field at the moment,' he told Setanta Sports News. 'The club's imploded over the past couple of months and it can only get better.

'A lot of people are getting the wrong idea of what's happening. You can look back to when Paco Ayestaran went a couple of months ago, Rafa's right-hand man, I think that's got a massive bearing on it.

'He's holding the fort on his own without a right-hand man. He's working very hard on his own and under very difficult circumstances and I think he needs a bit of help right now.'

As for matters upstairs, Aldridge added: 'There's so much speculation going on off the park regarding the American owners (George Gillett and Tom Hicks) that we don't know who's going to be the chairman next month.

'If anyone did want Rafa to go then who could sack him at the moment? He's between parties, the old chairman David Moores hasn't got a say in the matter. There's no board at the moment, no-one knows where the club's going at the present time.'

STANLEY PARK

WOLVES and HICKS

There was once a little shepherd boy who took care of his father's sheep every day, and all he did every single day was to watch the sheep graze the green, green fields. But he got bored, so one day he did the unthinkable: he ran down the slopes of the hill to his village, screaming at the top of his voice, "Wolf! Wolf!".

And we know the ending to that story: there wasn't any wolf in that incident, but when the wolves did come eventually no one believed him anymore.

Why in the world am I sharing this, you might ask? A simple story reflects the story of the enigmatic Tom Hicks thus far.

After co-purchasing the club with George Gillett for 218.9 million pounds, he revealed plans for a new stadium, a futuristic, state-of-the-art (and some say unrealistic) plan drawn into place. Did we have enough money for that one, some asked? "Yes," he said.

Well, are Gillett and Hicks going to saddle the club down with debt, like what Malcolm Glazer previously did with Manchester United? "No," they said. "It's all from our pockets."

Is Rafa going to be manager as long as possible? "Yes," they said, then Tom said that he'd spoken to Jurgen Klinsmann "just in case" Rafa left.

So it's been a rough week for all of us here, especially that the shepherd boys have cried wolf one too many times.

Who do we believe this time? DIC? Rick Parry? George and Tom? Rafa? BBC News? The recent articles suggest that George and Tom have got the refinancing plans all fixed up, 350 million quid in total of burdens to saddle us with.

What's most interesting is that another stadium plan has been done up. Tom Hicks is your spokesman.

"This new financing package is a strong vote of confidence in the club's financial strength and a recognition of the exceptional opportunity represented by the construction of the club's new state-of-the-art stadium at Stanley Park," said Hicks.

"The successful completion of this financing package is particularly significant in light of the currently challenging credit-market environment.

"With the refinancing process now done, club supporters can look forward to the timely commencement of construction work on the new stadium and renew their focus on actions on the pitch." (BBC Sport, 25 January 2008)

Well, let's hope this is the final design. For real.

"Rafa is under contract for two more seasons following this season. I am solidly behind Rafa and am confident of the team's competitive prospects under his continuing leadership." (still BBC Sport)

Klinsmann, however, is "just an insurance policy".

Being Liverpool fans, however, we tend to forgive and forget where our internal club matters are concerned.

I pray that the little shepherd boy in Hicks has decided to keep to his promises.

THE REDS LEGEND BACK BENITEZ

Some of the biggest legends in the history of Liverpool Football Club have leapt to the defence of manager Rafael Benitez following yesterday' s news that club co-owner Tom Hicks had offered Jurgen Klinsmann the managers job at Anfield.

Former players Kenny Dalglish, Alan Hansen, Mark Lawrenson and Ian Rush have all come out in support of Benitez in the aftermath of Hicks' frank admission.

Dalglish told the Liverpool Echo that Benitez 'did not deserve to be hanged' for his public fallout with the American's in November and urged fans to show their support for the manager.

He said: "When Rafa was flying, winning the Champions League, you would not need support - you get that automatically, don't you?

"But when it's not going so well, that's when he really needs his allies to get round about him, stand beside him and help him. Because that's the least he deserves. He deserves the help of a lot of people because he's brought a lot of happiness to an awful lot of people here.

"Over the past couple of months things have not been as good as we hoped they would be. But this is when they need to stand up and be counted and get shoulder to shoulder with their man - and their man's Rafa - and stand beside him. He needs it - he needs the help, he needs the confidence in himself. Support is the least he deserves for what he's done for this football club. He's moved lock, stock and barrel over here, which is easier said than done. Rafa has integrated into the Liverpool way of things. And apart from the outburst last November, he's conducted himself admirably. He's had one blemish - but that shouldn't hang him.

"People have got to be more responsible about what they say publicly. What you say behind closed doors isn't really that important. I don't know whether there is a breakdown in communications or not and as Tom Hicks said, everything's been resolved now. Well I think it might have been resolved - but coming out and saying they spoke to Jurgen Klinsmann is I think, in one way commendable, because it indicates maybe the guy's honesty if that's why he's done it. But the other side of the coin is that they just don't need it.

"Rafa doesn't need it; the players don't need the uncertainty and certainly the supporters don't need it. And after the fans showed their support for Rafa the last time I would not be surprised if there was another show of support for the man at the game against Luton.

"I think fans will be very disappointed and frustrated. I don't think they have ever had this before. When I was there you discussed it in private and that was it - it was finished. I think Rafa's reputation was reflected in the support the punters gave him.

"Rick Parry has been there and very highly thought of as an administrator on that side and that's no disrespect - everybody needs a good administrator and if you get one then you are lucky. But Tom Hicks and George Gillett, they are the ones that are new to the supporters. They are the ones the supporters can relate to least of all. So those two have got to have a look and say 'What PR can we do? What are we going to do to get back in favour with the supporters?'

"Because at the moment, as this comes out, I don't think they will exactly be flavour of the month or the favourite people at the football club."

In his column in the Echo, Anfield goal scoring legend Ian Rush added: "Now people are going to say Liverpool are a laughing stock. In many ways, you can understand that because this is not the way Liverpool normally do things.

"The tradition of the club - and the very thing that has made them so hugely respected - is to do everything in-house. Not out in the open like this.

"Rafa's situation is similar to the one that Jose Mourinho found himself in during his latter days at Chelsea when there was speculation in the papers for weeks on end that he would lose his job.

"The fans might not like it, and understandably so, but the fact is that the owners of the club dictate what goes on.

"Rafa can survive by winning games, but the fact that the owners were looking for a potential replacement means things don't look too good at the moment.

"I know Jurgen well and I think he will do a fantastic job at Bayern Munich because he is a born winner who the players will have nothing but respect for. But as far as Europe is concerned, Benitez is the best. No one knows more than him. Look at his record with Valencia. Look at the way he's taken Liverpool to two Champions League finals.

"You only have to look at what he has achieved in the game to realise what a good manager he is."

Meanwhile, Alan Hansen says that Hicks' comments have undermined Benitez.

"I haven't got a clue why he has come out and said this," said the Scot.

"Maybe the story was going to come out and he thought he'd be better off making a statement first."

" Whichever way you look at it, though, these events cannot do anything but undermine manager Rafael Benitez.

"His position is not untenable, but for one of the owners to come out and publicly say he had talks with the man who was heavily linked with Benitez's job - well, it puts even more pressure on the Spaniard.

"Insurance policy or whatever Hicks wants to call it, the fact is he met Klinsmann and offered him the job if Benitez went, which is remarkable."

His former central defensive partner Mark Lawrenson agrees and says that he would not be surprised if Benitez looked for a new job.

"It is a strange thing to do. You could have spoken to Klinsmann through a third party and said, 'If this happens, would you be interested?' - that is all you need to say.

"It is not dissimilar to what happened to Martin Jol at Tottenham. If you're saying, 'We've looked around to try to find someone to replace you just in case', he might just think, 'I'll look for a little something I can go into just in case'.

"I think all the things that were promised when they took over seemed fantastic but now there are all sorts of problems. The plans for the stadium were revised. Revised to what? The fans would say cheerio to the Americans and welcome in the guys from Dubai.

"Although they are not playing well the majority of fans are behind Benitez. They know how difficult it is to find a good manager, as you can see with the farce at Newcastle."

Editor's Notes

Never before had a handful of Liverpool past 'legend' come forward into the media in full support and unity for a Liverpool manager.

To have the backing of players who had tasted glory after glory in the red color of Liverpool, Rafa Benitez must have been doing more rights then wrongs.

I for once share the same sentiments that the 'insurance policy' explained by Tom Hicks was just an excuse of a failed approach.

And how many times have we heard from the media and pundits alike that its ethically wrong to solicit for a new manager when one is currently in place. It certainly would not have gone well with the many Liverpool supporters as well.

Not only are the new owners showing a lack of interest in the running of the club, by doing so miles away, they are also undermining Rafa's position and respect.

Comparisons have been drawn to that of the spat Roman Abramovic and Jose Mourinho, aka the 'Filthy-rich One, and the 'Self-proclaimed Special One'. But I beg to differ, as we all know how much money Abramovic has provided a bottomless war-chest into the progress of the London club. But all we seem to hear from the American owners are re-structured loans and debts.

For me, Rick Parry, is the root of all this 'evil' as he was the one who convinced the Americans to purchase Liverpool Football Club. As such, should Liverpool be sold again for their 'quick profit', Parry should go off too.

Having said that, I am all for the Dubai Investment Company, to rekindle their interest. At least for once, we would know that it'll be run by a Liverpool fan. And if that doesn't happen, its certain that Rafa would be engineering his own move away from Anfield, a sight that we would not want to see.

The fans must give him all the support in this difficult times. Send out a message to Rafa Benitez, telling him that "You'll Never Walk Alone".

AGGER INJURED

Daniel Agger could be set to miss the rest of the season after Rafa Benitez confirmed a recurrence of his metatarsal injury.

Specialists have yet to confirm how long the Dane will now be out of action, but Rafa Benitez doesn't expect Agger to feature this month. Agger has already missed the past four months, but Liverpool had been hoping to ease him back into action in a reserve team game last week.

Agger had been set to take part in a reserve team game against Blackburn Rovers last week before the game was called off. But with a first-team return believed to be close, the former Brondby centre-half now faces a second spell on the sidelines with the full extent of the injury yet to be discovered.

The Denmark international ‘felt something’ in training, and now Benitez admits Agger will have to start at the beginning.

"We've had some bad news in that Agger has the same problem again," confirmed the Liverpool manager on their official website.

"He was training and ready to play but yesterday in training he felt something, so we need to go back and start from the beginning.

"It's not easy to say when he will be back. He is going to see different surgeons and then we will be able to analyse the situation."

Benitez has already ruled him out for the next few weeks, meaning that new signing Martin Skrtel may have to be thrust into the action early.
Editor's Notes



Its a major setback for Liverpool that Daniel Agger is making his way back to the treatment room. Rafa Benitez has previously learned from his mistakes when he hastened the return of Xabi Alonso.

Alonso wasn't fully fit then, did not finish the game and was ushered back to 'sick bay' with a recurrence of his injury.

Liverpool now have the luxury of Martin Skrtel at centre-back and he would definitely be making his debut soon enough. Agger's injury has also raised rumours that Liverpool might be looking for another centre-half, with Ezekquiel Garay and Bruno Alvez top on the list.

But with Momo Sissoko transfer no-go and no apparent news on the signing of Javier Mascherano, Liverpool do not seem to have the financial muscle to recruit these £10 million-bracket players.

Lets just hope that Skrtel settles in quickly and Agger works his way back to full fitness.