RAFA Benitez is set to announce a host of changes for Liverpool's final group game of the Champions League against PSV Eindhoven
With just top spot to decide, Liverpool will still want to finish with a win against the dutch outfit who they beat 3-1 at Anfield in October. With Atletico Madrid top by a goal, there really is everything to play for.
However, in light of early qualification in the premier club competition and a tough Christmas period coming up, giving some of the fringe players a run out and chance to prove themselves may benefit the likes of Gerrard, Alonso and Mascherano and allow them to be fresh for the hectic schedule approaching.
With this being the most promising season for years. Fresh legs when possible is a sensible decision by Benitez and will also allow some of the others e.g. Babel, Lucas and possibly most importantly Keane, who was dropped for Liverpool's 3-1 win at Blackburn at the weekend.
Benitez has issued a hands off warning to anyone hoping to lure Keane away from Anfield, saying the Irish man is going to be given time to find his form like everyone else.
TRAWK PREDICTION: 0-1; Will be close but i think our quality will show through and take three points.
PSV MAN TO WATCH: AMRABAT; Has impressed as a substitute lately and his pace and direct play, could cause problems on their home turf
LIVEROOL KEY MAN: AGGER; likely to play after sitting out the last two games and his pace will be key, to keep out PSV's speed demons up front.
Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp is reported to be willing to off Aaron Lennon, Jamie O'Hara and £5m to lure Robbie Keane back to White Hart Lane. (THE DAILY MIRROR)
Keane, who joined in the summer for £20m has failed to find the form which made him such hot property last season, and more and more news sources are linking him with a cut price move back to North London as Benitez looks to cut his losses.
Should Rafa keep faith in the Irish man and give more time?
I feel it is partly down to the position he is being played in. With Torres out, Kean has been deployed as a loan striker. But if you look at where he played when at Tottenham, he roamed up front along side a big man (Berbatov) , who he could link up with via flick-ons and clever movement.
Surely he and Torres just need a few more games together in order to develop a partnership as they have only played a short amount of time in each others company before El Nino was injured.
It is no secret of Keanes desire to make his career at Liverpool a success, and his work rate in games is clear evidence, as well as his frustration at being substitued every game.
Dubai investment group end Liverpool interest (THE TIMES)
After two years attempting to strike a deal with the Gillette and Hicks, the investment arm of the Dubai Royal family have ended their £500m chase of the Premier League leaders.
Is this a big blow?
It is public knowledge that Hicks and Gillette do not get on, and in recent months, that bickering has involved Benitez, which has surely got to have some effect on the players. This can only be bad news for the club, and with the credit crunch seemingly taking its toll on the American's bank balance, selling would be in the best interests of both parties.
Due to the recent failings in the stock markets, the £300m loan taken out by the millionaire tycoons, has to be paid back by January unless they are granted a six month extension.
LIVERPOOL remain top of the Barclays Premier League after a 3-1 win away to Blackburn to pile the pressure on Paul Ince.
Goals from Xabi Alonso, Yossi Benayoun and Steven Gerrard was enough to seal a 3-1 victory with Roque Santa Cruz grabbing Blackburn's goal. It was a huge relief for The Reds after another goalless draw was getting closer.
It was nearly a completely different story however, when midway through the first half Pepe Reina made a fantastic save from Morten Gamst Pedersen's 30 yard effort to push it on the bar.
It took until the 69th minute for Liverpool to break through the Blackburn defence, when Dirk Kuyt's cut back was steered home by Alonso from the edge of the area much to the clear relief of the rest of the team and fans.
Once the deadlock had been broken Rovers had to come out to try and find an equaliser, which left gaps at the back. Yossi Benayoun saw his chance to double the lead on 79 minutes, when he took on former Red Stephen Warnock and drove the ball past Paul Robinson from a tight angle.
Blackburn got a goal back on 86 minutes when a short corner wasn't picked up on quick enough and Keith Andrews' cross was flicked on and met at the far post by Santa Cruz to head home from close range.
Any nerves Liverpool had about letting a two goal lead slip where soon diminished when Robinson cleared just ahead of Nabil El Zhar, but with the former England number one on the floor, the ball fell to Albert Riera who unselficially squared to Gerrard who steadied himself and steered the ball in from 20 yards to seal the win.
This win means Blackburn haven't won in their last 1o games, piling yet more pressure on Paul Ince. He came out in the press on Friday saying new managers need more time to bed into the job, and he'll be hoping his words are taken notice of after another failure to win.
It was a nervy game but to see three goals go in away from home will be a massive relief to all Kopites. Attentions turn to the Champions League now, with Liverpool travelling to PSV in the hope of securing top spot in Group D after already qualifying for the knock out stages. TRAWK Man Of The Match: Pepe Reina; made a fantastic save to keep it at 0-0 in the first half and was his usual reliable self.
AFTER news that Fernando Torres could be out for even longer than first thought up until new year, Rafa Benitez has said he is on course in his rehabilitation and could be back sooner rather than later.
Benitez is hopeful El Nino could be fit for the clash at the Emirates on the 21st December against Arsenal, but insisted Torres will not be rushed: "Fernando is progressing and improving so hopefully he will be back sooner rather than later", he told liverpoolfc.tv
Its the 5th time the Spanish striker has picked up this injury in 18 months, and Benitez is keen for it to be solved once and for all: "It's just a question of waiting and not pressuring the player. I was with him today and he was okay", he continued.
With games against Blackburn and Hull coming up before the Arsenal game, it is vital Liverpool keep themselves at the top of the table, for when Torres returns and hopefully a return to form for him and the rest of the team kicks in.
Benitez also confirmed Torres met with a specialist in Spain, in what was a very productive assessment in which all parties agreed on the diagnosis: "It was just to confirm our diagnosis was right and that is the case. The injury was a relapse of the one he had before.
"The specialist has known Torres for a long time and he also has a good relationship with our physios who are working hard with him.
"We are really pleased because we know the problem and now we can find a solution. We know we have to work hard on it and I think he'll be okay." Benitez said.
LIVERPOOL this weekend make the short trip to Ewood Park to face Blackburn, hoping to put a frustrating goaless draw with Fulham behind them and keep up the pace at the summit of the Premier League
The Reds will face a tough task however as a couple of old faces will be greeting them. Hard tackling academy graduate Stephen Warnock and former midfield general Paul Ince will be looking to halt Liverpool's title charge on Saturday.
Ince is looking to turn round a slump in form which has seen them win only one of the last six games in all competitions. Rovers lie 19th in the table making them even more desperate for a win. They come off a 5-3 defeat at the hands of Man United where they gave a taste of their attacking prowess and defensive frailties.
Benitez is liekly to stick with a similar team which where frsutrated to death by Fulham on Monday, with Agger in line to make a return alongside Carragher.
The only absentee's being Fabio Aurelio and Fernando Torres who is likely to be out until the Newcastle game on the 28th December with his troubelsome hamstring injury.
Last seasons fixture, saw the first goalless draw between the two sides in 61 years. But Liverpool will be looking for their 50th league win against Blackburn in 121 meetings. With The Reds only losing one of the last nine meetings.
TRAWK PREDICTION: 1-2: A close game but Liverpool's dominance to show in order to get the win to keep them top of the league and keep the pressure on Chelsea and the chasing pack.
BLACKBURN MAN TO WATCH: ROQUE SANTA CRUZ; Hasn't scored as many as he would like this season but is always a danger with plenty of quality in the air and with the ball at his feet.
LIVERPOOL KEY MAN: ROBBIE KEANE; Needs to find his goalscoring form and a good performance from him could relieve the pressure on others with the absence of Torres.
NAME: STEVEN GEORGE GERRARD D.O.B: 30.05.1980 PLACE OF BIRTH: WHISTON, MERSEYSIDE POSITION: MIDFIELD PREVIOUS CLUBS: NONE NICKNAME: STEVIE G
STEVEN GERRARD was born in 1980, into a working class family and first started playing football at a very young age. He played for his first club; Whiston Juniors until 1987 when Liverpool scouts noticed him and brought him into the youth set up. He grew up as a player and a person under the guidance of his coaches.
When he was 17 he signed his first professional contract with the club he loved, and began a journey which would see him notch over 100 goals an 450 appearances in a red shirt. He made his debut as a substitute against Blackburn Rovers on 29th November 1998. But it wasn't until his first start for Liverpool, coming in the Uefa Cup against Celta Vigo, in which Gerrard showcased his all action box to box style, making many stand up and take notice of what he could become.
Gerrard continued to make his mark at Anfield and was rewarded in the 1999/2000 season with regular starts along side, captain Jamie Redknapp. It was in that season however that Gerrard would show one of his few early career weaknesses, when a rash challenge on Kevin Campbell in the derby saw Gerrard sent off.
Stevie G didn't have to wait long for a career high, after that low however. When in a 4-1 victory against Sheffield Wednesday scored his first Liverpool goal...
After a season full of chronic back and groin problems which resulted in four operations due to growing pains as a teenager Gerrard was being mooted as a a future Reds captain. In 2000/2001 he helped Liverpool to a five trophy haul, including; The FA Cup, The League Cup and the Uefa Cup.
Stevie G began his England career in May 2000 making his debut against Ukraine and earning a call up for Euro 2000. He scored his first international goal in England's infamous 5-1 demolition of Germany...
Gerrard then made the squad for the World Cup in 2002 but had to pull out due to more injuries. He made it to Euro 2004 as a regular starter and also at his first World Cup in 2006 scoring two goals in the group stages. He now has over 70 England caps to his name.
One of Gerrard's proudest moments as a professional footballer came in 2003, when Gerard Houllier made him Liverpool captain, taking over from Sami Hyypia. Houllier recognised, the talismanic qualities of the midfielder and saw the captaincy as a the factor that would mature him and turn him into a world beater. How right he was.
Gerrard then came into his own as captain and has scored some of the best and most important goals in Liverpool's recent years. Most notably the third goal against Olympiacos, his two goals in 2006 FA Cup final and the opening goal in Istanbul (we all know what happened there).
Although nearly signing for Chelsea after the 2003/2004 and 2004/2005 seasons, he remembered where his roots where and where he belonged, signing a new contract keeping him at the club for the best part of the rest of his career. Since then Gerrard has admitted he will end his playing career at Anfield and recently signed another four year extension.
The powerhouse midfielder has also stressed his desire to maybe one day manage Liverpool...starting with a role alongside Carragher who is arguably one of the most obvious contenders to take the reigns at Anfield when he retires.
Gerrard will no doubt go down as one of Liverpool's greatest players, and his status in world football today, as arguably one of the best midfielders on the planet, is a tribute to his achievements in a red shirt.
RAFA Benitez has told of his eagerness to ensure qualification for the knockout stages in the Champions League, with a win against Marseille at Anfield tonight.
Liverpool will guarantee a place in the next stage of the premier club competition should they beat the French side tonight, although a draw could also see them qualify should Atletico Madrid avoid defeat against PSV in the other group D fixture.
Benitez said; "When you are a top side you have four competitions to compete in so it can be difficult to concentrate in all of them but the Champions League and Premier League are massive. Hopefully we can qualify and then we can concentrate on the Premier League".
The Reds are boosted by the return of Steven Gerrard after he missed the Fulham game last weekend with a groin strain;"He was training this morning so I think that he will be fit for Marseille. I don't know if he can play 90 minutes, that depends on his fitness, but he can start if we want to use him", Rafa added.
This means there could be a re-union of the deadly duo, Torres and Gerrard, who conquered so many defences last season with their relentless teamwork. A prospect which El Nino is keen to rekindle;"I wanted to play for a club like Liverpool, where I could learn from players like Steven Gerrard, who I have always respected as a player and a leader," the striker said.
"A captain in England must lead by example. Steve Gerrard is someone everyone wants to be like – always the first at training, it is he who grafts the hardest in each exercise, who sacrifices himself during each match", he added.
Tonights game will be Rafa Benitez's 66th European game in charge of Liverpool taking him past Bill Shankley's Liverpool record.
TRAWK Prediction: 3-0
Liverpool Key Man: Steven Gerrard; Should captain fantastic start, his partnership with Torres will be key to getting the result we are expecting.
RAFAEL Benitez has shown Liverpool his true colours by saying that he isn't going anywhere, and would sign a 20 year contract if he could.
The Spaniard confirmed he had spoken to Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks, speaking on behalf of George Gillette aswell, in which the discussion of a contract extention was the forefront of the conversation.
Benitez said: "I received a phone call from Tom Hicks on behalf of George Gillett also. They are talking about a meeting with my advisors and a contract extension. This is very positive news".
This comes after much recent speculation over Rafa's future among media rumour mills, and with there only being 18 months left on his contract, which he signed in 2004.
Another rumour which seemed to be gathering pace, was that of a player exodus should Benitez be sacked. Players including, Torres, Mascherano, Gerrard, Reina and Alonso where rumoured to be ready to walk out on the club according to various media sources.
But all that should now be behind the club as Benitez looks set to extend his Anfield career. Although probably not as long as Rafa woud be willing to commit. The former Valencia manager told liverpoolfc.tv; "For me it's easy. I want to stay here - I am where I want to be. It's very simple.
"I want to stay here for a long time. Clearly I would like to be here when the new stadium opens. The other day I was joking that if they offered me a 20-year contract I'd be really pleased."
This will be welcome news to all Kopites as Liverpool look to keep the pressure on Chelsea at the to of the table, as they take on West Brom at Anfield, live on Setanta Sports. KO 5:30
RAFAEL Benitez has revealed, Fernando Torres should be able to feature against his former club Atletico Madrid in tomorrows Champions League tie.
Torres who has missed five games since injuring his hamstring playing for Spain, is more than likely to get a place on the bench, as the reds look to go three points clear of the top of group D and put themselves on the brink of qualification for the knock out stages.
"I would say he has a 70 per cent chance of featuring in the game", Benitez told liverpoolfc.tv.
"Fernando has been working really, really hard and doing good work with the physios".
El Nino will be assessed later on today to decide whether he is fit enough to make the bench.
"He trained yesterday and will train again today and then we will see", Benitez added.
Rafa also admitted how much this means to Torres, with it being his former employers and the impact he had there. Torres was mde the youngest captain in Atletico's history at the age of 19 due to his ability and popularity with the fans and fellow players. Although that burden was one of the reasons for him quitting the Vicente Calderon in 2007 and persuing a career in L4.
"Atletico Madrid was his first club and now he is with Liverpool - two big clubs with lots of fans who love him, so this is massive for him." Benitez admitted.
Liverpool will look to bounce back from their first Premier League defeat against Tottenham on Sunday with a big home win against Madrid who sit joint on points with the reds in group D.
TRAWK Atletico man to watch; Sergio Aguero; a true talent who has replaced Torres as the fas favourite in the capital, and a real prospect for the future at just 20 years old, will cause any defence problems.
TRAWK Liverpool key player; All eyes will be on Torres should he feature, and a big performance from him would be the perfect healing touch we need after Sunday's loss.
TRAWK Prediction:2-1; A close game but the Champions League night atmosphere at Anfield will take its toll on Madrid and see the boys go three points clear at the top.
A last minute Roman Pavlyuchenko goal continued Harry Redknapp's honeymoon period at Tottenham and ended Liverpool's unbeaten start to the season, knocking them off the top of the Premier League.
Liverpool took the lead after three minutes when Dirk Kuyt crashed the ball into the roof of the net past Gomes from a tight angle. But after Jamie Carragher turned a Spurs corner past Reina. Redknapp's men sensed a huge scalp, and duly delivered. After a brilliant save from Reina from a Bentley shot, Bent cut the ball back for Pavlyuchenko to steer it home form four yards and sent 90% of White Hart Lane into to hysteria.
Liverpool made the perfect start to the game when Robbie Keane, returning to the Lane, turned the ball inside for Kuyt to lash the ball past the helpless Gomes into the roof of the net, from the corner of the six yard box.
Tottenham turned the pressure onto the reds but could not find a break through as they ended to half frustrated and 1-0 down.
It wasn't long until Liverpool nearly doubled their lead, as a gerrard shot was deflected off Ledley King's arm and Gomes tipped the ball onto the post. There was nothing Gomes could do but watch as Kuyt stretched to meet an Arbeloa cross, but could only put the ball just over.
To pile on the frustration even more for Liverpool Gerrard then struck the bar. Gomes continued his shakey form by under hitting a pass past Keane to King. The former Spurs man got to the ball before King sliding it to Gerrad on the right of the area, and his lovely waited chip curled over Gomes and onto the bar.
This was a sign for Spurs to pounce, and on 70 minutes, Carragher, usually a rock in the defence was unlucky to catch the ball the wrong way, in challenging King to head it the far corner of the goal past Reina.
The game opened up from then on and both sides could have knicked all three points but it was Tottenham who grabbed the winner. Bentley shot form the left side of the area which Reina did well to stop, but Darren Bent collected the ball on the by-line and cut back to a waiting Pavlyuchenko to turn the ball home from close range, to give Redknapp his second win in charge.
This is a big blow for Liverpool who now lie second in the table behind Chelsea who destroyed Sunderland 5-0 today. But no doubt with Torres likely to feature against Atletico Madrid, that will provide a big boost to keep Liverpool on the trail for the league.
AFTER the heroics against Chelsea on Sunday, it was important and perhaps just as difficult to take the tree points against a Portsmouth side under new reigns in Tony Adams.
Just as many predicted, it was a tight game, with Portsmouth clearly going for a 0-0 scoreline, with the decision to leave Defoe on the bench. But when the game is tight, you need your big players, your game winners, in this case we needed captain fantastic to keep us ahead of the chasing pack at the Premier League summit.
Gerrard delivered what Portsmouth had coming the entire match by drilling home a penalty after a comical superman handball from Papa Bouba Diop. Ther where no arguments for the awarding of the penalty as any protests would have been as embarrasing as the handball itself given the nature of it.
Stevie G slotted past James, who dove the right way, but couldn't get his hand to it, and with 15 minutes remaining, Liverpool soaked up the last of the Pompey attacks to take what was a very important three points.
The tricky games for Liverpool don't stop, as a trip to Spurs at the weekend (live on Setanta - 17:30) will provide yet another audition for Benitez and his men for the role of Champions. With the North Londoners fresh off a big result against rivals Arsenal, the confidence will be high especially under new manager Harry Redknapp.
Although the exertions midweekd against the Gunners could prove vital as Benitez proved his rotation policy by changing four players form the win against Chelsea. Mascherano, Agger, Keane and Riera were all rested and are all sure to start against Spurs, so don't be surprised if those are the players to prove the difference.
Oh, and if that Torres lad makes an appearance im sure it won't do us any harm.
Fernando Torres is set to miss tomorrow evenings game with Portsmouth at Anfield as he is still struggling to shake off the troublesome hamstring injury he suffered on international duty with Spain nearly two weeks ago.
The injury which kept him out of a return to his former club in the Champions League and Sunday's win at Stamford Bridge has caused Benitez to rule out a rush return for the Spaniard.
Rafa said; "Fernando is very close. Maybe he'll be okay for the weekend, but he cannot play tomorrow."
"We will see how he is over the next two or three days and then make a decision for Saturday".
Benitez also confirmed that Xabi Alonso and Robbie Keane should be fit for the game despite both taking knocks in the deafeat of Chelsea.
He added; "We have some problems after the Chelsea game. You know Keane had an injury, while Alonso also had a knock. We will have to check on them but I think they will be okay for the Portsmouth game."
With Liverpool taking themselves three points clear of Chelsea at the top of the Premier League with the 1-0 win the players know the importance of pushing on by taking three points from the south coast side tomorrow night.
"We've won nothing yet. It was a massive win and three big points but if we slip up against Portsmouth then those points will be irrelevant". Steven Gerrard told liverpoolfc.tv.
"We've done superbly well so far, we're unbeaten, and we have to keep that going now, starting against Portsmouth." He added.
Dirk Kuyt grabbed an 85th minute winner to seal yet another fine comeback for the reds.
Liverpool had to come from behind twice to seal the win at Anfield today to keep them level on points with Chelsea at the top of the table. A brace from in form Amr Zaki, twice gave Wigan the lead, but true to form, Rafa’s men never gave up and two goals from Kuyt and a first in a red shirt for Albert Riera gave Liverpool all three points.
Wigan started the game the brightest and were soon rewarded when after 29 minutes Zaki robbed Daniel Agger of the ball on the edge of the area and slotted past Pepe Reina.
The lead didn’t last long however when just eight minutes later Agger made up for his defensive mistake to roam forward and cut back for Kuyt to net his second league goal of the season.
The Anfield faithful expected Liverpool to push on and get a second, which nearly came courtesy of Kuyt again who pulled a fine finger tipped save from former red Chris Kirkland who pushed the effort on to the bar.
Wigan did not let the Liverpool dominance last for long as right before half time, Zaki netted his second of the game and his seventh of the season. It is fair to say it was a goal of the month contender as he spectacularly volleyed the ball into the top corner to stun Anfield.
Liverpool needed to emerge for the second half composed, and it was a similar sight to that when Stoke City came to town. Wigan put 10 men behind the ball and attempted to frustrate the life out of Liverpool just as Stoke did.
It seemed to be working, Riera, Kuyt and Agger coming close but not being able to finish off good moves, from a lively and impressive Jermaine Pennant.
The turning point of the half certainly came on 74 minutes when Valencia who had been booked five minutes earlier, received his second yellow card and his marching orders by Alan Whiley for a reckless challenge on Xabi Alonso.
Liverpool seized the intiative and after a fine dummy from Steven Gerrard, Riera drilled home the equaliser from 18 yards with just 10 minutes remaining.
Down to 10 men, Wigan were looking weary and Kuyt pounced to volley home a Pennant cross just five minutes from time to send Anfield into raptures and seal a third straight victory for Liverpool.
Emile Heskey has today made it public that he would favour a return to Anfield should Benitez make an offer.
The Wigan Athletic striker has enjoyed a renewed international career due to his good club form under Steve Bruce. His run in the England side combined with the fact his contract at the JJB is up in the summer has aroused much speculation over his future.
Many papers and media organisations are linking him with a move back to L1, and he certainly didn’t dispel those rumours when asked about them.
“When you are performing well speculation will come around," Heskey told Radio Five Live.
“A move to Liverpool would be lovely. Who knows what will happen. Let's see how it goes. Everyone wants to play in Europe at the highest level”.
How would Reds fans react to a Heskey return? Do you think he is good enough to warrant a second chance?
At Anfield: Liverpool 2 wins, Wigan 0 wins, 1 draw.
Overall: Liverpool 5 wins, Wigan 0 wins, 1 draw.
Stat Attack
This will be the 2,500th game at Anfield in all competitions…winning 1,583…drawing 530… losing 386… 63.3% win ratio.
Dirk Kuyt is Liverpool's leading scorer in league games against Wigan with three goals. His last league goals at Anfield came against today's opponents in April 2007.
The recent win at Man City took Liverpool past the 300 points won mark in the Premier League under Rafa Benitez. In 159 games played we’ve won 301 points…1.8 points per game.
Steve Bruce was the last manager outside the ‘top four’ to leave Anfield with all three points, for Birmingham City in 2004.
Steve Bruce is unbeaten in his last four visits to Anfield and hasn’t lost in his last six league meetings home or away against Liverpool whilst Rafa Benitez has been in charge.
Emile Heskey made 223 appearances for Liverpool between 2000 and 2004 under Gerard Houllier, scoring 60 times (39 in the league).
In 25 appearances against the ‘big four’ Wigan have yet to come away with three points. They did take draws against Arsenal and Chelsea as well as Liverpool last season.
Wigan’s 5-0 thrashing of Hull was their biggest ever winning margin in the Premier League.
Wigan’s Egyptian striker AmrZaki is joint top league goal scorer with Jermain Defoe and Fernando Torres on five.
Wigan danger man: Emile Heskey...Excellent for England against Belarus and always a physical threat especially on the counter attack and from set-pieces. Liverpool Key Man: Robbie Keane... Big Match for the Irish man. A goal at the weekend for the Republic of Ireland will do his confidence the world of good, and without el nino we will need him at his best to get past a stubborn Latics rear guard. TRAWK Prediction: 2-0
Welcome to The Red and White Kop. My name is Mike Juniper, i am a trainee Sports Journalist at Staffordshire University, currently in the second year of my degree. This blog is part of my course so please comment on the articles, they will be monitored however so no unpleasant ones. Enjoy all that is Liverpool FC. YNWA...
