MONDAY 21
	Agger puzzled by bad season Liverpool defender Daniel Agger says there are many questions being asked by players as to why the team are suffering such a bad season. The Reds’ Premier League woes continued on Saturday as they went down 2-0 to bottom of the table Portsmouth. But Agger believes now is a time for the club to show solidarity and get over the confidence problem which is plaguing the team to turn fortunes around. “We are extremely disappointed and we know that it simply isn’t good enough for this club,” he said. “We have got to change this. It didn’t happen against Portsmouth but we can’t let it go on any further.” “Why is this happening? It’s a bit of everything I suppose but we have got to try to get some confidence from somewhere soon,” he added. “You get that by winning games but we are not doing that. “It’s a fight every game for this club. Every game we need to focus and need to make sure we get three points. It’s a question of sticking together and we need to do that now more than ever.” (This is Anfield) Carragher will be offered new contract says Benitez Rafa Benitez has hit back at suggestions Jamie Carragher won’t be offered a new Liverpool FC deal. The Anfield defender – who played his 600th game for the club in the wretched 2-0 defeat to Portsmouth’s at Fratton Park on Saturday – has just 18 months of his contract remaining. Carragher, along with many of his Liverpool team-mates, has endured a difficult season, with many pundits suggesting he is past his best. But Benitez insists he is eager for the player to commit to the club. “I read an interview with him yesterday and I was surprised because he didn’t ask for a new contract,” said Benitez. “He has 18 months still on his contract. He is clever and knows we analyse things differently when players are over 30 years old. But we are really pleased with him. I don’t see any problem if he continues to play at the same level. “He is someone who trains at 100%. That is very good for the mentality of the team. He is also someone who can set an example. “I have a fantastic relationship with him and his agent. Everything is okay so we don’t have any problems.” (Liverpool Daily Post) Masch injury update Javier Mascherano has a knee injury. Mascherano picked up in injury in the tackle he was sent off for and faces at least a fortnight out. This absence coincides with his four game suspension so that is one small glimmer of consolation for the Reds. "The player had a scan this afternoon which confirmed the medical team's initial diagnosis that he suffered a medial ligament sprain in his left knee," said a club spokesman. "He is exoected to be sidelined for two to three weeks." (LFC Online)
	SUNDAY 20
	Ben Haim makes Torres claim Tal Ben Haim has accused Fernando Torres of leading with his elbow when challenging him in Portsmouth's win over Liverpool on Saturday. The Israeli centre-half enjoyed a fine game in helping his side keep a clean sheet but was in the wars, as first Javier Mascherano was red carded for a crunching tackle on him, before Torres appeared to catch him with an elbow. Ben Haim admitted he had to stay calm to protect the lead against Rafa Benitez's men and boost his side's hopes of Premier League survival. "I thought he came with the elbow," he conceded. (Sky Sports) Reds confirm Mascherano ban Liverpool have confirmed Javier Mascherano will serve a four-match ban after his sending off at Fratton Park during the Reds' 2-0 defeat. The Argentina captain was shown a straight red card by referee Lee Mason and now faces his second suspension of the season. Mascherano will miss the forthcoming fixtures against Wolves, Aston Villa, the FA Cup third round tie at Reading and the league clash with Tottenham on January 10. However, his participation in at least some of those games would have been in doubt anyway as he had to be helped off the field having been shown the red card and is believed to have sustained medial knee ligament damage. The absence of the Argentinian, who was just starting to rediscover his form, will be a huge blow to Benitez. It leaves the Liverpool boss having to decide whether to drop Steven Gerrard back from his attacking role just behind Fernando Torres or play £20million summer signing Alberto Aquilani, who he has been holding back because of ongoing concerns about his fitness. (TEAMtalk) Reds to revise targets Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez tellingly spoke of the need to "change your targets" after the defeat at Portsmouth that also led to a bizarre rant against referee Lee Mason. The Spaniard may well have been talking about shifting focus to the Boxing Day clash against Wolves but following the performance at Fratton Park, the comment could easily apply to Liverpool's season. Goals from Nadir Belhadj and Frederic Piquionne, either side of Javier Mascherano's dismissal, made Liverpool look every inch the Europa League team they currently are. This came days after Benitez offered guarantees of a top-four finish in the Barclays Premier League with the right approach. "We have to start working this week, preparing the next game," he said. "You have to change your targets and think about one game at a time. That is the only way. We know we have to work harder now." (Football 365) Aurelio in the dark over Reds future Liverpool full-back Fabio Aurelio has admittted that he faces an uncertain future, with talks regarding a new contract having broken down. The Brazilian full-back opened discussions with the Reds last season, but saw negotiations halted by the club. Rafa Benitez has claimed that a pay-as-you-play deal has recently been spurned by the players' agent, and there has been no further developments since then. Aurelio admits he is now in the dark as to whether he will remain at Anfield past next summer, as his current contract is set to expire at the end of the season. "At the moment we are waiting for Liverpool." Aurelio said. "We started conversations before the end of last season. But I had the injury in the summer and then they stopped the conversation and we are now in this position." While keen to see the contractual issue resolved one way or another, Aurelio insists his priority at present is to help Liverpool get their faltering season back on track. He added: "What matters for me now is playing, being part of the team and helping Liverpool so the boss is happy. Until my contract finishes, I will try my best to help Liverpool." (TEAMtalk) Aquilani omission explained Rafael Benitez has explained why he left Alberto Aquilani out of the squad yesterday. Aquilani didn't even make the subsitutes bench for the dismal 2-0 defeat to Portsmouth. Rafa Benitez has explained why. "He had a kick on his calf and couldn't train properly yesterday. I don't think it's serious. He should be okay for next week but he couldn't make today," said the Spaniard. (LFC Online) Rush: Liverpool should buy van Nistelrooy in january Liverpool legend Ian Rush believes that the club must bolster their strike force by bringing in Ruud van Nistelrooy from Real Madrid in January. The Reds have been found lacking in the attacking department, with no proven hitman to replace or partner Fernando Torres up front apart from the inexperienced David Ngog. "Sometimes Torres needs a break, and if Rafa has only one wish in the transfer window, I hope it’s a top-class striker," Rush told The Mirror. "I would love to see him bring in someone like Van Nistelrooy, a proven goalscorer with experience at the highest level." The Dutchman had a sensational five-year spell with Manchester United, scoring 150 goals in all competitions. And despite the fact 'RVN' is a former Old Trafford hero, Rush believes that the fans will have no trouble taking to the striker. He said: "World-class predators like him don’t become available every day of the week, and it doesn’t bother me where he’s played before - all it would take is a couple of goals and the supporters would take to him in a flash." (Goal.com) Hicks tells Klinsmann to forget Liverpool job Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks has told Jurgen Klinsmann to forget about the Anfield job. The Anfield hierarchy have been stunned by the German's recent attempts to undermine Rafa Benitez and offer himself up as the perfect replacement, says the Sunday Mirror. Asked whether Klinsmann would ever be considered as a future Liverpool manager, Hicks' reply was an emphatic: "Never." Hicks added: "I don't know what his (Klinsmann's) motives are." (tribalfootball.com)
	SATURDAY 19
	Grant: Good job done Liverpool’s attacking options have run riot against some of Europe’s best defences over the past few seasons. But against Asmir Begovic, Steve Finnan, Younes Kaboul, Tal Ben Haim and Hermann Hreidarsson they came unstuck. Pompey never looked like conceding as they recorded a famous 2-0 victory against the Merseyside giants. Nadir Belhadj and Frederic Piquionne got the goals with a pair of stunning strikes both volleyed home from a tight angle. And while the scorers will inevitably take the praise, Grant was delighted with the team performance. “We played well,” said the Blues boss. “We scored two goals and continued on from our good performance at Chelsea." (Portsmouth Official Website)  Oh it's such a 'perfect' day for Rafa Rafael Benitez offered an odd response to Liverpool's defeat at Portsmouth by repeating six times that referee Lee Mason had a "perfect" game. After losing 2-0 through goals by Nadir Belhadj and Frederic Piquionne in the Premier League clash at Fratton Park on Saturday, Benitez's reaction had the hallmarks of his rant against Sir Alex Ferguson at the start of the year when he continually spoke of "facts". This time he used the word "perfect" six times to describe Mason, who dismissed Javier Mascherano just before the hour mark for a foul on Pompey centre-back Tal Ben Haim. Benitez has history with Mason after the Lancashire official dismissed two Liverpool players during a defeat to Fulham in October. "I have seen the replay and for me it is not a sending off but anyway, the referee was perfect, he didn't make any mistake," Benitez said. "Now Javier is injured and I will say again the referee didn't make any mistakes. He was perfect. I have seen the replay, for me it is not a sending off, but anyway, perfect." (TEAMtalk)  Benitez reeling after horror show in Portsmouth Rafael Benitez suffered a disastrous trip to Portsmouth after Javier Mascherano was dismissed during a miserable defeat at Fratton Park. Pompey’s victory, with the goals coming from Nadir Belhadj and Frederic Piquionne, will ignite hope of survival in the Premier League. However, Liverpool chances of finishing in the top four are uncertain — they missed a chance to record back-to-back league wins for the first time since September. It means Avram Grant maintains his unbeaten record against Benitez after recording two wins and two draws during his time at Chelsea in the 2008 season. Back then he ended the Spaniard’s Champions League hopes at the semi-final stage — this time he has dented their chances of even qualifying for the competition. (The Irish Times)     Torres back for Pompey game Liverpool striker Fernando Torres was back in the starting XI for the Barclays Premier League clash against Portsmouth after coming off the bench during the midweek win over Wigan. Rafael Benitez also brought back Glen Johnson, Lucas and Andrea Dossena at Fratton Park, with Martin Skrtel, Yossi Benayoun, David Ngog and Fabio Aurelio dropping to the bench. Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Insua, Kuyt, Mascherano, Lucas, Dossena, Gerrard, Torres. Subs: Cavalieri, Aurelio, Benayoun, Babel, Ngog, Spearing, Skrtel. (Irish Examiner) Thor Zakariassen ©