DECEMBER 11
"New arrivals can increase performance"

By Ian Doyle - Liverpool Daily Post

Rafael Benitez will welcome the pressure of competing with Chelsea and Manchester United in the transfer market - and believes the threat of new arrivals can increase the level of performance from his Liverpool players.

With Dubai International Capital closing in on a £450million takeover at Anfield, Benitez could soon be armed with a substantially increased purse to spend on squad reinforcements.

The Liverpool manager admits to having already drawn up a wishlist of potential targets should the deal be finalised.

And Benitez insists he would have no problem in handling the increased expectation to deliver trophies – and in particular a first championship since 1990 – that will undoubtedly follow any significantly improved financial backing.


“I prefer this kind of pressure,” said the Spaniard. “I had 20 years at Real Madrid, and to finish second was the end of the world. To finish first and win every competition is my philosophy.

“It’s not easy to win trophies trying to buy players all around the world at a low price.

“We have been working without money. If you have money, you need to change your targets, but we’d prefer that situation.

“But the responsibility is the same if you spend £1 or £100. When you sign a player for this club, it is to help you win trophies.

“I’ve had this responsibility before, and we won some trophies, and I have same responsibility now, and I would like to have the same responsibility in the future.

“With more money, it’s always easier to sign the right players and better players. We have some names just in case we get more money.”

Irrespective of any imminent investment, Benitez will make a foray into the market when the transfer window opens in January, with Blackburn Rovers defender Lucas Neill a priority.

However, the Liverpool manager admits it will be difficult to prise top-class players away from clubs while in mid-season.

“As a top team, you always need to improve your team,” added Benitez. “Not just because of our possible situation with investment, but always. But in January, it’s not easy to sign top class players. Top class players are normally in top class teams and playing in Champions League and competing in top competitions, so the teams don’t want to sell.”

Benitez is hopeful the likelihood of new signings will prove extra motivation to his current players.

“In some positions, we need to do something but if we can’t I’m happy with the players we have at the moment,” said the Anfield manager. “It’s positive for the team if a player knows he needs to compete with another one, and it can improve his level of performance and that can improve the team.”

Benitez, though, acknowledges that big-money signings are not always a guaranteed success.

“If you don’t have a lot of money, and you need to improve a lot, sometimes you need to take some risks,” he added. “You could sign someone as a gamble even if he is a good player, and people will understand this.

“If you have more money, you can be cautious. Money doesn’t guarantee 100% success when signing players.

“At this club, you are always under pressure. You know you have to win trophies. The difference is that if you have more quality it makes it easier.”

Consecutive 4-0 thrashings of sides who, while not being Premiership front-runners, are certainly not whipping boys is something not to be sniffed at.

Fulham already know what it's like to be bought by a wealthy Arab but while Mohamed al-Fayed's money helped to steer the Cottagers back into the top flight they're still not shopping at the footballing equivalent of his Knightsbridge store, Harrods.

One particular foreign investment, Czech goalkeeper Jan Lastuvka is still "acclimatising" to life in the Premiership.

Your archetypal continental custodian who is a "good shot-stopper" but vulnerable on crosses, he and his team-mates led a charmed life for the first 54 minutes as they threatened to frustrate Liverpool in a similar fashion to previous visitors Portsmouth.

But their luck ran out when the ball from Gerrard's saved penalty bounced back straight into the path of the onrushing Anfield skipper who netted what will be one of his easiest ever goals at the second time of asking.

You got the feeling that once Liverpool had broken the deadlock, Chris Coleman's side would collapse like a house of cards and as expected they duly caved in, conceding twice more in the subsequent 12 minutes.

Jamie Carragher, without a goal for seven long years, was left totally unmarked at an unguarded back post to slide in following a Daniel Agger header for the second which prompted one of the loudest booms of delight from the Kop for many an after noon.

Creator supreme Agger then teed up the diminutive Luis Garcia with his right foot as the Spaniard's header crashed in off the crossbar as the hapless Lastuvka was left flailing in no man's land.

The crowning glory came in stoppage time as substitute Mark Gonzalez, who in the week leading up to the game had thanked Benitez for his support in bringing him to Anfield, curled a spectacular free-kick around Fulham's defensive wall for the fourth.

Acoy Benitez suggests that he might now be drawing up two wish-lists of potential targets depending on whether the Dubai takeover is completed.

But now Sheikh Mohammed's vast fortune has been dangled, all Liverpool's squad know they are playing for their future and there is no greater motivation than that.

NOVEMBER 14
What's wrong at Anfield?

ITV Football

A mere three months ago Liverpool fans everywhere were chanting the now familiar mantra: "This is our year". So where did it all go wrong and, more importantly, has it really gone so wrong?

I will be the first to admit that I was one of the people backing Liverpool's chances to challenge for the title. It seemed as if Rafael Benitez had spent enough time settling in, had established a competitive side and had adapted his style to suit the Premiership.

After all, last season saw the Anfield side rack up their highest points tally since the Premiership began while being impenetrable at the back. Who can forget their amazing run of clean sheets?

What undid their challenge last time around was a terrible start to the season. Exactly like this season then. The Reds have had an unenviably difficult schedule of away fixtures to start their campaign. Playing Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Bolton and Everton in quick succession on their travels proved to be too much of an ask for Rafa's boys.

Losing hasn't really been the problem though. The fact that they've looked like a side who belong in mid-table has.

They have failed to score away from home since the opening day's 1-1 draw at Sheffield United and even a loyal Reds supporter would admit that they rarely looked like scoring on the weekend against Arsenal.

There is no shame in losing to a very good young Arsenal side, the shame lies in the manner of Liverpool's capitulation. They looked like they'd accepted the result before a ball had been kicked and once they'd gone down a goal the heads just dropped.

I think a big, if not overriding part in Liverpool's poor showing has been played by Steven Gerrard's obvious lack of form and confidence. He has yet to give a powerhouse display this season and so much of Liverpool's success rides on their talismanic captain's form that it has most likely been difficult for the rest of the players to motivate themselves.

It is not all negative for the Merseyside giants though. They will look at the fixture list and know that putting in another long unbeaten run is well within their ability. Rafael Benitez just has to find a way to put that together and this may involve letting go some of his favourite football beliefs.

Rotation certainly works, but there is not much use having a fresh squad in January if you find yourself twenty points off the pace. Sixth place with well rested players is not a substitute for second with a knackered squad at the end of the season.

He must find a first-choice eleven, a side that, injuries permitting, he fields against the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal. By all means rotate your squad against the league's lesser lights, but when you're playing against your direct opponents for a Champions League spot you have to know your best combination of players.

Much has been made of Benitez' supposedly poor transfer dealings over the summer and certainly Bellamy and Pennant have turned out to be exactly what they were - panic buys.

Can you imagine either of these two being signed by Arsenal, Manchester United or Chelsea? Didn't think so. Kuyt is a different story though. He looks a quality player, works exceptionally hard and seems to have settled into the Premiership in record time and I believe the funny-looking Dutchman will be a real success on Merseyside.

So all in all a mixture of the poor form of key players, injury problems, a horrendous list of fixtures and some strange managerial decisions are to blame for the Reds' current predicament.

These are not things one can plan for and, should Liverpool put together a run of three consecutive victories to get them going, there could still be a massive turnaround to their season.

If not, Benitez might have to win the Champions League again if he wants to stay in his job beyond the end of the season.

OCTOBER 31
Reds director quits over Rafa attack

TEAMtalk

Liverpool director Noel White has resigned from the Anfield board after admitting he was behind comments attacking Rafael Benitez last week.

An unnamed director was quoted in a national newspaper questioning the Spaniard's leadership and transfer dealings in the wake of the defeat at Manchester United.

White has now owned up to being that man and felt his only option was to tender his resignation.

"For the 21 years I have had the privilege of being a director of this great institution my guiding principle has been to act in the best interests of the club," said White.

"In view of the controversy caused by comments in a national newspaper, attributed to an anonymous director, and the effect this has had on the chairman, my fellow directors, the manager and many supporters, I feel the honourable course is to resign.

"Indeed, my guiding principle dictates that this is the only course.

"It was never my intention to cause such controversy, nor did I envisage that my remarks would receive such widespread coverage.

"I recognise, however, that I must take responsibility for my actions even though the outcome was not what I intended."

Chairman David Moores was disappointed to lose the services of White but accepted there was no other option.

He said: "This is very sad for both the club and Mr White, who has been a valuable member of the board for 21 years.

"However, the board considers that the statements made do not reflect its own views and that this is not the Liverpool way of doing business. The proper place for debate is around the boardroom table.

"It is vital that we pull together at all times whether on the field or off it.

"It has to be said that at the first available opportunity on the day the article appeared Mr White was completely honest in telling me that he was responsible for it.

"He recognised that this made his position on the board quite untenable and he did the honourable thing by resigning."

OCTOBER 30
Benitez wants to put things in perspective

By Ian Doyle - Daily Post

Rafael Benitez yesterday called for a sense of perspective on his Anfield achievements as Liverpool rallied around their embattled manager following an astonishing attack by an unnamed director.

The Spaniard's regime was severely criticised by an anonymous board member in the national media yesterday morning, prompting a swift response from chief executive Rick Parry stating the views do not mirror those of the upper echelons of the club's hierarchy.

An internal investigation is expected to begin soon to identify which of Liverpool's seven-man board is involved, with chairman David Moores understood to be deeply unhappy at the unattributed outburst.

Benitez has attracted growing criticism this week after Liverpool's tame defeat at Manchester United last week left them 11 points off the Premiership leaders, with his squad rotation policy again under intense scrutiny.

The Anfield manager was accustomed to directors speaking out of turn during his time in charge at Valencia.

Benitez reacted calmly to yesterday's reports, which called into question a tenure that has overseen success in the Champions League and FA Cup inside the last 18 months.

"We must keep a perspective on everything, it is clear," said Benitez. "It was the same situation in Valencia. When we talk about life, we are always in a hurry. Everything changes by the minute, especially with the internet now.

"There is a lot of media; newspapers, radio and television stations. And at the end of the day they need to talk about something. And each week people need something new to talk about.

"People forget things very quickly because each week there is a new history.

"I am not criticising the media. I am talking about this situation - there are a lot of people involved in football and it's just one person saying something."

Benitez added: "You can see it in internet forums, one person only has to say something and then everyone is talking about it."

Benitez also felt moved to once more defend his rotation policy, with the manager set to name a changed line-up for the 99th consecutive game when Liverpool entertain Aston Villa in the Premiership this afternoon.

"People have short memories," he added. "I don't remember people talking about rotation when we were beating Juventus, Bayer Leverkusen, Chelsea or AC Milan. And last season, when we won 11 games in a row, people were not talking about Gerrard playing on the right side and rotation. They were happy.

"Look at the other top clubs, their managers know it is not easy to play the same team in every game. It is more a question of me having confidence in my players."

Parry yesterday moved to reiterate Liverpool's backing for their manager.

"We understand the expectations at Liverpool but we are clearly moving in the right direction under Rafael Benitez," said Parry. "We unquestionably have a better squad than we did last year so it is not about making judgements at this stage.

"There are no trophies handed out at the end of October, with the exception of the Community Shield which we have already won. You can only judge our performance over the course of a full season. We all knew there was a sizeable job to do when Rafa was appointed and that is why we have never laid down any timescales."

Benitez added: "What is important is continuous year on year improvement.

"The wins in Istanbul and Cardiff were great achievements which we celebrated together. Some of the early results in the league have not gone as well as we would have wanted which is why we have a collective responsibility to pull together."

OCTOBER 29
Rafa laughs off tiresome Stevie speculation

By Mark Platt - LFC Official Website

Rafael Benitez has laughed off the latest bout of speculation regarding Steven Gerrard's future at the club and insisted once again: "I'm not prepared to sell my captain."

Responding to more tiresome rumours in a national Sunday newspaper that the Liverpool skipper could be on his way out of Anfield when the transfer window reopens in January, the Reds boss smiled, shrugged his shoulders and described them as pure fabrication.

"It's not a surprise to read stories like this," he said. "The newspapers never rest; they are always trying to find something to write about. Obviously they had nothing to write this week so they make up more rumours.

"We are experienced in these matters now and all we can do is remain focussed on the playing matches. Anyone who thinks Stevie is not committed to this club only has to look at his performance yesterday. It was clear to see he was really happy, before, during and after the game."

Benitez also vehemently denied there was any rift between the pair, adding: "We are constantly talking. He is the captain and so we always have a lot of conversations. These rumours are crazy. I'm not prepared to sell my captain."

OCTOBER 27
Rafa knifed in the back

By Chris Bascombe - Liverpool Echo

It comes as no surprise Rafa Benitez was today attacked by a 'nameless' member of Liverpool's board.

Several of the seven man committee have been faceless for so long, they've specialised in their anonymity.

Today, chairman David Moores must face up to the responsibility of flushing out the guilty colleague.

Liverpool fans will demand to know the identity of the man who's stabbing Benitez in the back, and Moores and chief executive Rick Parry must take instant action, calling for his resignation with immediate effect.

It's inconceivable both Moores and Parry won't be equally disgusted by comments which, given the ongoing pressures on them, couldn't have been timed worse.

It was presumed Liverpool's defeat to Manchester United was the low point of the season.

Today's scandal comfortably eclipses this.

The Liverpool hierarchy is aware of the perilous position it's already in due to their ongoing pursuit of investment.

If the 'influential figure' had any guts at all, he'd put his name to the comments immediately and allow others to question him on views which are clearly at odds,not only with the majority of Liverpool supporters, but the rest of his board.

After everything Benitez has achieved at Anfield, the cowardly attack splashed on the back page of a national paper this morning summoned images of a World War 1 commander complaining the troops on the front line hadn't done enough to defeat the Germans by 1916.

At best it's irresponsible drivel, at worst it represents the ramblings of a man descending into lunacy.

There have long been suspicions that certain low profile members of the Anfield hierarchy have been on a mission of self-preservation for the past 16 years.

Their contribution is negligible, particularly in recent times when Moores and Parry have borne the brunt of the public pressure and criticism in attempting to safeguard the financial future of the club.

Others are spotted enjoying the European jollies which Benitez has provided since his arrival in 2004, but little else.

In today's article, the source suggests Benitez has enjoyed full financial backing to lead a title charge.

"The signings we made in the summer cost us a lot of money and they've not worked, it's the same old story," he says.

"We were happy to spend £9m on a centre-forward but we were told we should be spending £30m. You can't go out and get a Bentley all the time."

If Benitez was inclined to respond directly, he might point out the number of players he's been forced to shift in order to raise funds to strengthen his squad.

He might argue how if the likes of Salif Diao, Bruno Cheyrou, Anthony Le Tallec, Djibril Cisse, Neil Mellor, Florent Sinama-Pongolle, Chris Kirkland and Scott Carson weren't sent on loan, he'd never have had enough to bring in six new players.

He might argue that the £25m summer outlay was achieved through the Champions League triumph in 2005, and qualification last year,the first of these recognised as a 'miraculous' success given his poor inheritance.

He might argue how he's the only Liverpool manager in history to win two major trophies in his first two seasons.

He might argue the board's responsibility is to support the manager by providing similar finances as other major clubs such as Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal, who are not only wealthier, but raise far more revenue from avenues such as shirt sponsorship deals.

And he may well ask what contribution the 'unnamed source' has made to raising any funds?

The greatest concern must be the effect such undermining comments have on Benitez.

This is a manager who rejected both his boyhood team Real Madrid and Inter Milan a few months ago, believing he had the full backing of his board and several seasons to bring the title to Merseyside.

Both Roy Evans and Gerard Houllier had five years to restore the fortunes of the club,and neither suffered the kind of insult from one of his own board Benitez must tolerate today.

If Moores and Parry don't act instantly, the long-term repercussion should not be underestimated.

Sunday's defeat at Old Trafford was deeplydisappointing to everyone,not least Benitez, but to attempt to shift the blame for the club's faltering start on him is shameful.

There are deep-rooted problems at Anfield, which everyone at Liverpool is fully aware of but prefer the fans not to consider.

Benitez has no control over the Liverpool Academy, which has produced just one first-team regular since the move to Kirkby in 1999.

The search for investment has been a painful, and sometimes embarrassing process, and although Benitez's transfer kitty may compare favourably with teams with aspirations for UEFA Cup qualification, they're light years behind Chelsea and Manchester United.

All these matters are the board's, not the manager's, responsibility.

The unnamed source, so impatient for success, would be wise to practice his response to such accusations if shareholders decide an extraordinary general meeting is justified to remove him.

LIVERPOOL'S BOARD
* David Moores, chairman
* Rick Parry, chief executive
* Noel White
* Terry Smith
* Les Wheatley
* Jules Burns
* John Cresswell

OCTOBER 27
Reds come out in defence of Benitez

TEAMtalk

Rafael Benitez insists he has the full support of Liverpool despite an astonishing verbal attack by an unnamed director at the Anfield club.

Benitez discovered savage words attacking his regime in the Friday morning media, and chose to make a dignified, calm response ahead of the tough home clash with Aston Villa.

Liverpool have made no attempt to rubbish the media report, and believe they know which of their seven-man board is involved.

And it is believed the club were tipped off at the beginning of the week that this particular attack was being prepared, which suggests Benitez, too, has known for several days what was coming.

His management skills, transfer policy and rotation system were criticised in the article, which has angered club chairman David Moores and chief executive Rick Parry.

Benitez said: "I know that I have the support of the chairman, chief executive and the board.

"I have seen the words written, and people have to write, and talk about football. I was surprised, but I would prefer to talk about football. I prefer to think about Aston Villa and how to beat them.

"I was taught by John Toshack at Real Madrid when to say 'no comment'."

He added: "I have too much respect for this club, the fans and board, to want to discuss these things further in public."

Parry launched a strong defence of his manager on the club's website: "We understand the expectations at Liverpool but we are clearly moving in the right direction under Rafael Benitez.

"We unquestionably have a better squad than we did last year so it is not about making judgements at this stage. There are no trophies handed out at the end of October, with the exception of the Community Shield which we have already won. You can only judge our performance over the course of a full season.

"We all knew there was a sizeable job to do when Rafa was appointed and that is why we have never laid down any timescales or imposed unrealistic pressures. What is important is continuous year on year improvement.

"The wins in Istanbul and Cardiff were great achievements which we celebrated together. Some of the early results in the league have not gone as well as we would have wanted which is why we have a collective responsibility to pull together and work even harder to improve things on the pitch."

A search has now started to discover the identity of the 'mole' whose position is now clearly untenable. Of the seven man board, clearly Moores and Parry can be ruled out as well as the two virtual 'sleeping partners' from Granada, who are the club's second largest shareholders.

Benitez will not be dragged further into the debate, apart from saying: "This has not disrupted my preparation for the Villa game, nor has it caused any worries for the players" he is privately more than capable of defending himself.

Prior to the Carling Cup victory over Reading he launched a lengthy, passionate defence of his management at Anfield and in hindsight it seems that he was aiming those words at what he may well have known was about to break over Anfield.

He pointed out the league positions, victory in the Champions League, FA Cup, European Super Cup and Community Shield, while also pointing out the difference in transfer spending he has compared to Chelsea and Manchester United.

The unnamed director also questioned the values of players bought and how difficult it is to offload them. But Benitez has made few mistakes in the transfer market - Fernando Morientes is clearly one - and has been saddled with a dozen or more players from the Gerard Houllier regime that have been hard to sell on, causing considerable losses.

Benitez said: "The answer to this is to win on Saturday against Villa. The chairman has not spoken to me about this, but I know I have his support."

OCTOBER 26
Gerrard: Team over individuals

By Andrew Scurr - Sky Sports

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard insists he will play in any position for the good of the team.

The 26-year-old has found himself deployed on the wings rather than his favoured central midfield position by Reds boss Rafa Benitez this season.

Gerrard's dip in form of late has been put down to Benitez's decision to play the England international out wide, whether that be on the left or right.

The Spaniard looks like sticking with the plan for the visit of Aston Villa on Saturday and Gerrard is adamant he is not affected by the ongoing debate over where he should play.

"The position is not the issue," Gerrard said.

"When you are a young player breaking through you want to play in your favourite position, you are desperate to get into the team.

"But I am 26 now, I have to think of the team first. If the manager needs me to do a job on the right or the left I have got to accept it.

"He knows where I would like to play but I also understand that there is a job to be done for the team and I need to do what the manager wants me to do.

"I have heard he has said the order of priority is 'team, club, supporters, players' and I agree with that. It is not about individual players, it is about the team.

"Last season we finished third in the league and we got 82 points, a club record, and we won the FA Cup. And 75 percent of the time I played on the right."

Gerrard accepts he is not currently playing at his best but is confident of returning to top form sooner rather than later.

"There has always been pressure on me since I have become captain of Liverpool and I can understand the criticism and take it on the chin," he added.

"I know I am not playing at the standard I want to play at but I feel as if my best form is only around the corner. A little fluky goal or a big performance will turn my form around.

"I know I am a good player and good players have dips in form. And that is happening at the moment.

"Certain people expect me to go out every game and be man of the match and score from 30 yards, but it is impossible to do that at the level we are playing at. It's really difficult.

"I also understand when I am not playing to my own standards, and I can take the stick when it comes my way.

"I've had a couple of dips in form in my career so far, but this is the first one since Rafael Benitez has taken over.

"I had a couple of dips in form under Gerard Houllier and I came back a better player and a stronger character for it. Hopefully I will do the same again.

"I know my best form is just around the corner, I can feel it coming back in training."

OCTOBER 24
Benitez: I’ll get the best from Gerrard

Ireland Online

Rafael Benitez has launched a passionate defence of his handling of Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard and his own managerial record
at Anfield.

The Spanish coach has been criticised for his decision to play the 26-year-old England midfielder on the right rather than in the centre of midfield and there are noises coming from the Gerrard camp that he is not happy with the situation or the role he is being asked to play.

Benitez said: “I am as happy as Steve McClaren with Steven Gerrard and where he is playing.

“Steve scored 23 goals last season, playing on the right side of midfield. He is not being played as a right winger. Are you seeing him making crosses from the byeline? No.

“He is always getting the ball and coming inside, that is what the role is. And he had the best season of his career playing that way.

“England can see that and that is where they are playing him too. Yes, Stevie can play well in central midfield, he could play well anywhere.

“But we have more balance with Momo Sissoko and Xabi Alonso there, and with Stevie wider. That works for our team. He goes inside and scores 23 goals, that surely is a good role for him.

“I have talked to Stevie, and he is happy. He is the captain and must be an example for the rest and he knows that the most important thing is the club, the team, the supporters and after that, the players.”

Gerrard is set to be one of Liverpool’s senior stars who are rested for the Carling Cup third-round clash with Reading at Anfield tomorrow night.

Benitez is likely to blood youngsters Gabriel Paletta, Jamie Smith, Danny Guthrie and Lee Peltier in his squad, while England Under-19 goalkeeper David Martin will be on the bench because Jerzy Dudek is suspended.

Even without Gerrard in the team his form remains the major topic of conversation.

In response to talk – particularly from former Liverpool skipper Jamie Redknapp-- that Gerrard is unsettled, Benitez said: “I think Stevie is as happy here as he is with the national team, where he is playing on the right in a new era with Steve McClaren.

“McClaren is clever. He knows that Stevie’s best season was as a right-sided player. Not a winger on the line, but someone who comes inside to score goals.

“Stevie is clever, he knows what is the most important thing, and that is the team and club. If he plays on the right and goes inside he can give a great balance for the team. He knows that is the best for the team.

“He can also play as a second striker. He does not play as a winger for me or England.

“Let’s see the next England game whether he plays in the centre with Frank Lampard. Let’s wait to see how England use him, I believe that will be on the right side.”

Benitez has also had to handle the furious fall-out from his side’s defeat at Manchester United which leaves the Reds 11 points behind the Premiership leaders.

He said: “We knew (the game) was important and we were all obviously disappointed. But we cannot continue to think like that, we have to look to the future.

“But do not forget that last season at one stage we were 24 points behind Chelsea but we finished with 82, a club record, and finished third.

“We understand how the fans felt, when you are a top club like Liverpool then you know what the expectation is and the fact that you must win every time.

“It is worse because it was against Manchester United, but you must learn that if you want to change things you cannot allow yourselves to have your heads down for long.

“You cannot move on if you are always blaming people, forget that. Only winning can change things and avoid a mental problem taking hold.”

And on his record and progress at Anfield, Benitez said: “People forget. When I arrived here we lost at Burnley in the FA Cup and we were told we were the worst Liverpool side in 40 years. We won the Champions League that season and reached the Carling Cup final. That wasn’t bad, surely.

“The second season we improved, and we were much, much closer to Chelsea and we won many games in a row at the end of the season. And then we won the FA Cup, the European Super Cup and managed 33 clean sheets. That wasn’t bad either.

“This season we have won the Community Shield, and you must have won something big to be in that. So in three seasons we have been in six finals and won four. Not bad, no?

“We have won trophies, we have improved and we have done that without the money of Chelsea and Manchester United.”

OCTOBER 24
Thompson: Try Gerrard back in middle

By Ian Doyle - Daily Post

Rafael Benitez has defended his decision to play Steven Gerrard on the right flank - despite the growing clamour for the Liverpool captain to be moved back into his preferred central midfield role.

Gerrard was again on the right wing on Sunday at Old Trafford and delivered a below-par display during the 2-0 defeat to Manchester United.

After scoring 23 goals last season, Gerrard has yet to find the target for Liverpool this campaign and has found himself employed in various midfield positions, even playing on the left in the loss at Chelsea last month.

Former Liverpool player and assistant manager Phil Thompson believes Gerrard isn't being helped by the performances of some of his team-mates.

And Thompson advocates moving the England international into a central position at the expense of a similarly out-of-sorts Xabi Alonso.

"Stevie's looking as if it's difficult to take at the moment," says Thompson. "Last season, when Mohamed Sissoko and Xabi Alonso were playing so well, he played on the right.

"Rafa rotated at the beginning of last year and things didn't go as well as they might, but once he went for a settled midfield - with Stevie on the right - things started to happen. This year, certain players aren't playing.

"I'd like to see Stevie playing in the middle alongside Momo Sissoko, the holding enforcer. I don't think that pairing has had a sustained partnership."

However, Benitez insists he is not restricting Gerrard by playing him out on the right side of midfield.

"Last season he played really well on the right, he had freedom and he could go inside when he wanted," says the Spaniard. "I do not feel we are using him as a winger, he is not being asked to get to the line to make crosses.

"He has a freedom to come inside and find space to attack. If he'd played in the centre all the time (against Manchester United) then Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick would have been there to pressure him.

"He can cause teams problems coming inside from a wider position."

Thompson believes Liverpool's large squad has given Benitez a selection problem he has yet to resolve.

"I don't think he knows his best side," says Thompson. "He's brought in a lot of good quality players, but that's given him a problem because he doesn't know his best 11.

"Some of his big players haven't been at the races this year, and some of the new boys are suffering as a result. It's a difficult time, particularly away from home."

Sunday's reverse means Liverpool are now 11 points behind leaders United and have yet to win on their Premiership travels this season, and Thompson admits the Anfield side have no chance of lifting the championship in May.

"I never tipped Liverpool to win the league this year," he says. "I think that's going to come next year. We've been moving in the right direction and, as long as we see progress in the right direction again, I'd be more than happy.

"To be out of the title race - a team that loses four out of their first nine games will be up against it - is disappointing, but I'd be concentrating on securing that Champions League place now. That's the facts."

Ronnie Whelan, another ex-Liverpool player, reckons Benitez's side would also benefit from a settled strike partnership.

"If you go back in history, if you have two centre-forwards with a great understanding, they will score," says the former Republic of Ireland midfielder. "They'll feed off each other - the likes of

Keegan and Toshack, Dalglish and Rush - but, nowadays, it's Bellamy-Crouch, Crouch-Kuyt, Kuyt-Garcia yesterday.

"You cannot get an understanding together. It's the same with your two centre-backs and the full-backs, knowing where each other's going to be at any given time. If you play together regularly, you develop that understanding."

Thor Zakariassen ©