THURSDAY 21
	Pacheco shines as Reserves draw The table's two frontrunners put on a fine display of football in freezing conditions at Prenton Park, where Dani Pacheco illustrated his Premier League credentials with a superb performance and a cracking first-half volley. Jay Spearing was Liverpool's other goalscorer, but strikes from James Poole, Alex Nimely and Robert Mak ensured City left with a point. Liverpool Reserves: Gulacsi, Darby, Mavinga, Ayala, Threlfall, Spearing, Pacheco, Amoo, Eccleston (Mendy 83), Plessis (Irwin 56), Kacaniklic (Saric 69). Subs not used: Hansen, Palsson. (LFC Official Website) Babel considers Birmingham offer Liverpool winger Ryan Babel's agent claims his client could yet seal a move to Birmingham City. The Blues lodged a big-money bid with their Premier League rivals for the Dutch international earlier this month. However, the £9million offer was rejected amid claims that Babel himself had shunned the approach. But now it seems the 23-year-old, who has attracted attention from a number of clubs on the continent, is now ready to consider a switch to St Andrews after yet another spat with manager Rafa Benietz. His agent Winnie Haatrecht confirmed that Babel is now thinking over Birmingham's offer. "Birmingham is still a possibility," he told The Sun. "It would be simpler for Ryan to continue in the Premier League, a competition he knows well. "We're actually studying an offer." (Football 365) Lucas laughs off two-man team tag Midfielder Lucas Leiva has called on his Liverpool colleagues to prove they are better than the "two-man team" tag given to them by critics. Injuries to striker Fernando Torres (knee) and captain Steven Gerrard (hamstring) have deprived the side of their best two players for six and two weeks respectively. Injuries also meant Yossi Benayoun, Glen Johnson, Fabio Aurelio and Daniel Agger were all missing on Wednesday night. In their absence there has been a noticeable rise in commitment from the rest of the squad and Lucas thinks that will be crucial to their hopes for the future. "Now it is time for other players to show we have quality," said the Brazil midfielder. (TEAMtalk) Carragher praises Liverpool attitude Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher believes the Reds are showing the right attitude in their bid for a Champions League place after the win over Spurs. The Reds rose one place to sixth with Wednesday's 2-0 win and are now one point behind fourth place. Carragher told BBC Radio Merseyside: "We realised we had to come together and show everyone what we're about. "It's important to show when you don't play well we're still fighting for the club to get the right result." (BBC Sport Online) Sammy: Spurs win was for you When the team coach arrived in Anfield Road ahead of kick-off the players and staff on board were greeted by hundreds of passionate Kopites - and the Reds' assistant boss admitted the players were touched by their show of support. "Every three points is crucial but considering what has been happening this week in the build up to the game this was massive," Lee told Liverpoolfc.tv. "Everyone realised that, the staff, the players and all the supporters and everyone involved in the football club. "There is not enough praise for our supporters. To see them showing their support when we arrived was massive. We try to intregrate our supporters into everything we do because they are part of what we are doing." (LFC Official Website)
	WEDNESDAY 20
	Rafa's reaction to Spurs win Rafael Benitez paid tribute to Dirk Kuyt after the Dutchman's double downed Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on Wednesday evening. The 29-year-old put the Reds on their way to the 2-0 victory with a sixth minute opener against the top four hopefuls. And Kuyt displayed great composure to secure the three points when he netted a penalty in second half injury-time at the second time of asking after referee Howard Webb had ordered the striker to retake his initial kick. "He was working very hard and maybe he could have scored four today," Benitez told reporters at his post-match press conference. "His commitment is always 100 per cent, so we are pleased for him." (LFC Official Website)   Kuyt double lifts Liverpool Liverpool boosted their UEFA Champions League hopes with an impressive 2-0 victory over Tottenham. The Reds were full of energy in the early stages and opened the scoring after just six minutes when Alberto Aquilani played in Dirk Kuyt and the Dutchman provided a fine finish from outside the area. Chances were few and far between for the remainder of the first half as Tottenham struggled to find their usual fluency, although Pepe Reina had to make a fine save from Luka Modric just before the interval. Jermain Defoe had a goal controversially disallowed at the start of the second period and from then on Liverpool contained the Londoners expertly. Rafa Benitez's side missed several opportunities to double their advantage before Kuyt eventually secured the points with his second goal of the night. The striker scored from the penalty spot deep into stoppage time after substitute David Ngog had been brought down by Sebastien Bassong. (Sky Sports)   Hiddink agent denies Reds rumours Guus Hiddink's agent has denied an approach from Liverpool - but believes his client may be interested in taking over at Anfield in the summer. Reports have suggested Cees van Nieuwenhuizen had held talks with the Anfield club, something the agent strongly denies. "That's absolutely not right," he told BBC Radio Five Live. "Each day I'm surprised when I read comments in the newspapers in Russia, or in Italy with Juventus, or in England with Manchester City before and now Liverpool." The former Chelsea boss is under contract with Russia until this summer, but Van Nieuwenhuizen admitted a move to Liverpool could interest his client when that deal is through. "It would be fair to say because it's one of the big names in global football," he said. "But if Liverpool have a problem today or tomorrow then Guus is not available. "Guus is not available for any club until August 1." (TEAMtalk) Aquilani faces Spurs Alberto Aquilani returns to the starting XI for tonight's clash with Spurs. The Italian is one of two changes to the side that drew at Stoke City, with Albert Riera also involved. Liverpool: Reina, Carragher, Insua, Kyrgiakos, Skrtel, Degen, Mascherano, Lucas, Riera, Aquilani, Kuyt. Subs: Cavalieri, Maxi, Babel, Ngog, Spearing, Darby, Pacheco. (LFC Official Website) Youth Cup date Liverpool will face Watford in the 5th round of the FA Youth Cup at Anfield on Friday, February 12. Kick-off will be at 7pm GMT and the tie has to be decided on the night with extra-time and penalties if necessary. (LFC Official Website) Aquilani agent laughs off Juve link Alberto Aquilani's agent has laughed off claims the Liverpool midfielder could return to Seria A with Juventus this January. Last January, manager Rafa Benitez sold Robbie Keane back to Tottenham at a heavy loss after just half a season at the club, prompting many to suggest he is ready to give Aquilani the same treatment. However, the player's agent Franco Zavaglia is baffled by the speculation, despite reported interest from the Turin giants. "There aren't possibilities that Aquilani will go back to Italy in January," Zavaglia told laroma24.it. "The boy has started playing with some continuity only in recent weeks. So that hypothesis is really far from reality." The 25-year-old has his work cut out if he is to make Marcello Lippi's Italy World Cup squad should he fail to up his game at Liverpool, fuelling further speculation of a possible loan deal back to Serie A. Zavaglia again dismissed such claims: "On loan? This is fantasy football. Aquilani is happy at Liverpool and the adventure has not the slightest possibility of changing." (Sporting Life) Benitez receives Gillett backing Liverpool co-owner George Gillett believes Rafael Benitez is one of the top five managers in the world and that this season’s disappointing results are just a “blip”. “We believe if you were to put a list together of the top five coaches, managers in the world, he would definitely be on that list for us,” said Gillett, who was united in his agreement with Hicks to give Benitez an improved five-year contract towards the end of last season. “And we think he’s been tossed a curve ball by circumstance, injuries and so forth. “I think that’s been a real challenge to the coach. He’s had to really make some innovations and play some players out of position and so forth. “And notwithstanding that, they’ve generally played with a lot of passion. I really believes it’s a blip.” Injuries have certainly compounded Liverpool’s problems with striker Fernando Torres, captain Steven Gerrard, right-back Glen Johnson and midfielder Yossi Benayoun all currently sidelined. But they have also been unlucky in other areas, such as when a beach ball on the pitch at Sunderland back in October contributed to the only goal of the game for the Black Cats. “That was a real low blow,” Gillett told Canadian radio station Prime Time Sports. “He (Benitez) has had a struggle getting the morale of the boys back up but we’ve got a great group of young men.” (Irish Examiner) Rafa plays down return of pair Rafael Benitez is not fearing the return of Robbie Keane and Peter Crouch when Liverpool host Tottenham at Anfield on Wednesday night. Benitez sold both - Crouch because he wanted more first-team football and Keane after a disappointing spell of just six months - in July 2008 and last January respectively. The pair - along with England striker Jermain Defoe - have helped fire Spurs into fourth place this season. But Benitez believes too much is made of players facing their former clubs, which happens virtually every week in the Premier League. "You can talk about which players are against you but I am sure there are 200 cases where they did not do anything against their former clubs but it always seems important when they score," said the Spaniard. "If you name one player who will score against us it has to be Defoe, Keane or Crouch because they are the strikers and are scoring goals. "Crouch wanted to play more games, he wanted to play every week, and he went to Portsmouth and then Tottenham - which was fantastic for him. "Keane had a different situation. He came as a big name but sometimes players don't perform at the level you are expecting in your team. "He is doing well now with Tottenham but I don't want to see them scoring too many goals because we want to be in the top four." (TEAMtalk) Gerrard rubbishes rumours he'll quit Liverpool FC Steven Gerrard has rubbished rumours he was at the centre of a dressing room row and insists he remains fully committed to Liverpool. Tales swept Merseyside and beyond in the wake of last week’s FA Cup defeat at home to Reading concerning a bust-up involving the Liverpool skipper. They came on top of renewed reports claiming Gerrard – who will again be sidelined this evening’s home clash with Tottenham Hotspur – was considering a summer move away from Anfield with Benitez’s side struggling to compete for honours this season. “I’ve heard about a dozen versions of the same rumour and they’re all as daft as each other,” said the 29-year-old. “I’d love to know who comes up with this kind of stuff because they must have an unbelievable imagination. “Nothing happened, that’s an absolute fact. But if anyone thinks this nonsense unsettles either me or the club then they’re mistaken, if anything it’s brought everyone even closer together because we’ve all had a good laugh about it. “In the time since he’s been here I’ve never had a problem with the manager or his staff, and certainly not at half-time in the Reading game when I was actually receiving treatment for the injury I’d picked up during the first half. “The important thing for me now is trying to get myself fit as soon as possible so I can get back to working with the manager and the team to try and improve our situation.” Some reports have suggested Gerrard is poised to depart for Real Madrid or Manchester City in the summer, while Inter Milan have repeatedly attempted to drum up talk of a move for the midfielder. But the Anfield captain said: “All the stories about me leaving are unfounded. The fans can be assured that I am doing all I can to get back to top form and help Liverpool finish the season on a high.” (Daily Post)
	TUESDAY 19
	Reds hold Jovanovic talks Milan Jovanovic's representatives have held talks with Liverpool, skysports.com understands. The Standard Liege star is out-of-contract in the summer and has made it clear he intends to take up the option of a Bosman transfer. Despite holding talks this week, Jovanovic is unlikely to give Liverpool or any of his suitors a decision this month. (Sky Sports)   Rafa: Reds have made big strides Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has launched a staunch defence of his record at the club as speculation about his future refuses to die down. The Spaniard insists there have been huge improvements since he took over in the summer of 2004 and that has restored pride among the staff and fans. Benitez has spoken to Dalglish about the fortunes of the club but it was in relation to a long-term strategy and not in regard to their recent troubles. "The difference between the club before (Benitez's arrival) and now is massive in terms of money, the value of the squad and the pride of the fans," said the Liverpool boss. "When I arrived here the club needed to win and the people had been talking about [winning] the championship for 19 years. "We won the Champions League (in Benitez's first season) after 21 years and we are the only club in England that has the trophy [to keep] for five wins. "As a club we have pride again and that is important." (TEAMtalk) Boss: Babel in contention Rafael Benitez has confirmed Ryan Babel is back in contention for a first-team place against Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday night. Referring to comments made by the player following his omission from the matchday squad against Stoke, Benitez said: "He came to my office and he apologised. "He knows he has made a mistake and for me that's enough. I don't want to talk about it too much, it is better to focus on things we can change. "Ryan will be in the squad. We have 20 players ready for the training session and he is among these 20 players." (LFC Official Website) Masch: Spurs win would be monster Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano has told his team-mates to forget about their struggles and focus on beating Tottenham on Wednesday. The Reds have endured a dismal first half to the season - and it all started with a 2-1 defeat at White Hart Lane in their opening Premier League match. Mascherano is expecting another difficult game when Spurs travel to Anfield but he would prefer to think of the positives. Liverpool remain in the hunt for a top-four spot and beating Harry Redknapp's men would boost their chances of qualifying for the Champions League. "Tottenham is an important game for us because we can reduce the gap to fourth," Mascherano told Liverpool's official website. "We'll play at Anfield with all the supporters behind us and this support is really important at the moment. "They have some very good attacking players, so it'll be difficult to stop them. But we've done it before. (TEAMtalk) Getting rid of Rafa Benitez won’t get rid of Liverpool FC's problems There were many calls for changes at the top when Liverpool woefully crashed out of the FA Cup against Reading last week. But a week is a long time in football – and now the shock of that exit has died down there are many reasons why Rafael Benitez should not be sacked as manager. The man in charge of the team has to go when he reaches the stage where the players won’t play for him and he has, to coin the phrase ‘lost the dressing room’. And the performance against Stoke proved that’s not happened. (Mark Lawrenson - Liverpool Daily Post) Thor Zakariassen ©