SUNDAY 21
	Rafa reveals fourth fears Rafa Benitez has admitted it will be difficult for Liverpool to claim a UEFA Champions League berth after their 2-1 defeat to Manchester United. He told Sky Sports: "It will be difficult, but still we have to fight. There are a lot of points to play for so we have to keep going and see what happens in the next game. (Sky Sports)   Reds' glory days a distant memory TEAMtalk reckons Liverpool 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford proves Liverpool are no nearer to winning the title than they were six years ago. Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez will argue his strategy was going exactly to plan at Old Trafford until the intervention of referee Howard Webb but in truth the Merseysiders are nowhere near where they want - or need - to be. A Fernando Torres goal inside the first five minutes was exactly what the Spaniard would have wanted and may even briefly have raised hopes of last year's 4-1 win at the home of Manchester United. Those dreams evaporated within five minutes when Webb pointed to the spot for Javier Mascherano's foul on Park Ji-sung, even though initial contact had been outside the area. It was downhill from that point for Liverpool and the 2-1 defeat once again leaves Benitez poring over what might have been. (TEAMtalk)    Park makes life miserable for Liverpool Manchester United are back on top of the Premier League table after seeing off bitter rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford. Park Ji-sung was the hero for United, stealing in unmarked to head home the winner 30 minutes from the end. Liverpool struck first in glorious spring sunshine at Old Trafford when an unmarked Fernando Torres headed in Dirk Kuyt's cross after only five minutes but their lead was short-lived. Park scored what proved to be the winner when he converted Darren Fletcher's cross from the right with a brave diving header. (The Irish Times)   Maxi for Babel Maxi Rodriguez comes in for Ryan Babel against Manchester United this lunchtime. That's the only change made by Rafa Benitez from Thursday's victory over Lille. The team in full is: Reina, Insua, Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Mascherano, Lucas, Gerrard, Rodriguez, Kuyt, Torres. Subs: Cavalieri, Aquilani, Benayoun, Kyrgiakos, Babel, Ngog, Kelly. (LFC Official Website) Nicol:Reds need major changes Former Liverpool defender Steve Nicol believes the club need to make "drastic" changes if they are to challenge again for major silverware. The Reds' only hope of a trophy this season is the Europa League and they have a fight on their hands to finish fourth in the Premier League in order to qualify for next season's Champions League. Nicol, who coaches US Major League Soccer side New England Revolution, stopped short of calling for Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez to be sacked but is convinced a lot has to change for the Merseysiders to challenge Manchester United, who they face at Old Trafford today, for top honours. He told the Independent on Sunday: "Something drastic has to change because the team is going nowhere and ultimately someone is responsible for that. "They need players and they need investment. "They've spent over £200million so you can't say they've not had money to buy players. If you don't get the right players, you're not going to win games, and you have to say they haven't got the right players as a unit." That lack of overall quality, as Nicol sees it, is placing too much pressure on star duo Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres. Nicol, part of the last Liverpool side to win the domestic league title in 1990, said: "(Gerrard and Torres) look as though they're carrying the whole stadium on their back. Every time they touch the ball they are under pressure to do something. "You have big European nights where Gerrard and Torres are winning the games but it is not possible to carry that burden every single time you step on the field." (TEAMtalk) Mascherano demands massive pay-rise to stay with Liverpool Javier Mascherano is demanding a huge pay-rise to stay with Liverpool. The Sunday Mirror says the Argentina captain met with Kop chief executive Christian Purslow again last week in a bid to secure his long-term future at the club. Mascherano, hit by the hike in the top band tax rate to 50 per cent, wants to see his basic salary rise to £90,000 a week for a two-year extension that would keep him at Liverpool for the next four years. Liverpool are unlikely to resist given that it fits into their own wage structure and that Barcelona are ready to renew their interest in the midfielder. But Mascherano said: “I am waiting for an answer. They know what I want. At this stage everything depends on Liverpool, not me. “We have spoken about the contract again and I am ready to sign.” (tribalfootball.com)
	SATURDAY 20
	Rising star's double nets u18 win Substitute Tony Silva fired home a second-half double as Liverpool under-18s came from a goal behind to beat Derby County 2-1 on Saturday afternoon. The Portuguese youngster struck twice in five minutes just after the hour mark to turn the game on its head, after the Rams had threatened to go away with an undeserved victory. It means Rodolfo Borrell's side have now won four of their last five matches and will head to Huddersfield for next weekend's encounter full of confidence. Liverpool under-18s: Oldfield, Flanagan, Robinson, McGiveron (Silva 55), Sama, Wisdom, Coady, Roberts, Ince, Adorjan, Ngoo. Subs: Emilsson, Cooper, Chamberlain, Roddan. (LFC Official Website) Benitez: United game like any other Rafa Benitez has played down the rivalry between Liverpool and Manchester United and vowed to treat Sunday's game like any other. The north-west rivals are currently locked on 18 titles apiece but, sadly for the Merseysiders, their last championship came 20 years ago. In the intervening two decades their arch-enemies have rapidly caught them up and are currently in a three-way battle with Chelsea and Arsenal as they seek to win an unprecedented fourth successive Premier League crown. Liverpool, by contrast, are scrapping for fourth place with Tottenham, Manchester City and Aston Villa but Benitez, while admitting the club's fans want to spoil the United party, has played down the significance of the 19th title. "I think for all our fans it would be really good [to stop United]," said the Spaniard. "The rivalry between both teams is massive but for me, as a professional, I will keep my feelings inside." (TEAMtalk) Benitez takes Torres over Rooney Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez insists he would not swap striker Fernando Torres for Manchester United's Wayne Rooney. Torres has managed 17 goals for the Reds this season despite only making 23 starts in an injury-hit third season at Anfield. Rooney, meanwhile, has been the star of the Premier League season with 25 goals making him the league's top scorer. The England international, who has 33 strikes in all competitions, is now being touted as the best player in the world. Anfield boss Benitez appreciates Rooney's ability, but claims Torres is the player both he and the fans would choose over any other striker. "Would I swap? No," Benitez told the Daily Star. "Fernando is a fantastic player, so is Rooney. There is no doubt Rooney is very, very good. "But Fernando is our player. The fans here love him and we want to keep him for a very long time." (PA Sport) Lucas goes on the offensive for Liverpool FC It was a moment which underlined the rush of confidence sweeping through Rafa Benitez’s side. Lucas Leiva, so often the target of Kopites’ frustration, embarked on a dazzling run into the penalty box. Lille defender Adil Rami clumsily upended him, Steven Gerrard netted from the spot and Liverpool were on course for a place in the quarter-finals of the Europa League. Having been cast aside for Alberto Aquilani against Portsmouth, Lucas impressed on his return to the heart of the Reds’ midfield on Thursday night. The much maligned Brazilian relished the chance to play in a more advanced role and deserved the plaudits that rightly came his way. Lucas, like many of his team-mates, looks rejuvenated ahead of tomorrow’s lunchtime showdown at Old Trafford, although the 23-year-old fears he may never win over his fiercest Anfield critics. “I felt I did well but I know some people will not ever turn to my side,” he said. “I guess I have to play for the people who believe in me and who like me. I’m just trying to keep focused and keep working." (Liverpool Echo) Time for Rooney to show no mercy to Merseyside Wayne Rooney is fast becoming the irresistible choice for footballer of the year. He already has 32 goals for the season and anyone who wants to pick holes in him should do so knowing he did not get to the top of his profession without having the ability to swat away criticism in the way the rest of us deal with a troublesome fly. But there is still one anomaly when it comes to recognising him as the “complete striker” – and it is nothing to do with the argument about his left foot. The statistics of Rooney’s career are so impressive it is worth a double-take that the man who is already over halfway towards Bobby Charlton’s scoring record for England has gone 15 hours and 50 minutes of match-time without finding the net in his games for Manchester United against Liverpool. In total there have been 11 games and Rooney has scored once, going all the way back to January 2005 and a 1-0 win at Anfield in which, true to form, he celebrated directly in front of the Kop. (The Irish Times)
	FRIDAY 19
	Agger: Reds can beat anyone Daniel Agger insists Liverpool fully believe they can win the Europa League and go into their quarter-final against Benfica with no fear. A 3-0 win over Lille at Anfield on Thursday night took the Reds through 3-1 on aggregate and set up a last-eight meeting with the Portuguese Liga leaders. Manager Rafael Benitez's former club Valencia or Fernando Torres' previous employers Atletico Madrid await the winners in the semi-finals but Agger said they were not worried by any side. "This is the last trophy we can win so we have to give everything we can to win it," said the Denmark international. "We have to show it on the pitch and I think we did against Lille. "If you have to win a tournament like this one you should beat them all." Midfielder Javier Mascherano echoed Agger's comments, saying: "All the teams in there have showed why they are at this stage. "Any team from now until the end will be difficult. If we want to be in the final we need to continue improving and try to take another step up." Liverpool's match against Lille on Thursday night pulled in the biggest ratings for television channel Five in the last five years, with 4million tuning in at its peak. Benitez will be pleased to be playing the first leg in Lisbon's Stadium of Light on April 1 as it means they have home advantage for the all-important second leg. Midfielder Lucas Leiva believes the Anfield experience can play a big part in their European future, as it has done in the past and did do against Lille when the side turned around a 1-0 first-leg deficit. "We know the competition is important and we have to keep going," said the Brazil international. "Everyone knows Anfield is a difficult place to come and play but you can see the example of Fulham (who beat Juventus 4-1 to reverse a 3-1 first-leg scoreline) - each game is different and we just have to believe." (TEAMtalk) Rafa wary of Benfica Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is expecting a tough assignment after being drawn with Benfica in the quarter-finals of the Europa League. Benfica are currently top of the Portuguese league and beat Liverpool's Merseyside rivals Everton earlier in the competition. The Reds know all about Benfica having been eliminated from the UEFA Champions League in 2006 by the Portuguese giants and Benitez is happy the second leg will take place at Anfield. "We know they are a good team and of course we have played them before in the Champions League," Benitez told the club's official website. "They are a massive club with a lot of support from their fans and it will be a tough game. "They are top of the table and playing really well at the moment. I know a number of their players well - Aimar, Saviola, Garcia - so we know they have a lot of quality. "It's always important that the second leg is at home in front of our fans. We know we have to perform away and then play well at home. We have the confidence to do that and are looking forward to the games. "Because we have played Benfica before they will know Anfield and so may not be as scared as other teams, but we have to do things properly and try to go through." Benitez could come up against former club Valencia or Fernando Torres could meet his old colleagues at Atletico Madrid in the semi-finals if they get past Benfica, but Benitez is refusing to look too far forward. "You know my idea is always to take one game at a time," added Benitez. "We are only thinking about Benfica at the moment. They are on a good run so it will be difficult." (Sky Sports) Ferguson blasts FA over Liverpool FC treatment Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has hit out at the Football Association for their recent leniency towards Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard. Ahead of Sunday's clash between the two sides, the Red Devils boss has hit out at Wembley chiefs for their failure to punish Steven Gerrard for a series of offences in the past fortnight, including unsportsmanlike and violent conduct. Rio Ferdinand was recently hit with a four-game ban for a challenge on Hull City's Chris Fagin and Ferguson is furious at what he feels is double standard's on the FA's part. "There is no consistency [at the FA]. It is a dysfunctional unit," he fumed. (Click Liverpool)     Aqua fitness latest Sammy Lee is hoping Alberto Aquilani will be available for selection in Sunday’s showdown with Manchester United at Old Trafford after the Italian returned to training on Friday. The Reds No.4 missed Thursday's Europa League victory over Lille with a virus, and Liverpool will give him every chance to prove his fitness for Sunday. "Alberto did some light training for us today so hopefully he will be ready for the weekend," Lee told Liverpoolfc.tv. "We don't know at this moment in time if he will be available but we have still got 72 hours to the match so hopefully he will be ready for us." Rafael Benitez is still without Fabio Aurelio who is recovering from an injury to his right thigh muscle. "At this moment in time Fabio is working hard in rehab," Lee added. "We are not putting any pressure on him and he will be looking to get back as soon as he can. He has started doing work outside again and hopefully fingers crossed you will see him in the not too distant future." (LFC Official Website) Reds face Benfica in Quarter Final Liverpool will face Benfica in the Quarter Finals of the Europa League. The Reds will travel away to Portugal before the second leg at Anfield. If the reds get past Benfica they will be faced with a reunion for either Rafa or Fernando Torres’ old club. The full draw is as follows: Fulham v Wolfsburg Hamburger SV v Standard Liege Valencia v Atletico Madrid Benfica v Liverpool The Semi Final draw will be Hamburg/Standard Liege v Fulham/Wolfsburg Valencia/Atletico Madrid v Benfica/Liverpool * Winner of this semi final is classed as home team for final. (Anfield Online) Brown hits out at FA's failure to ban Gerrard Portsmouth midfielder Michael Brown is flabbergasted by the Football Association's failure to suspend Steven Gerrard following the Liverpool captain's off-the-ball challenge on him during Monday's clash between the two teams at Anfield. Gerrard appeared to hit Brown on the back of the head with his right forearm but referee Stuart Attwell took no disciplinary action at the time and the FA has opted not to punish the Reds star retrospectively. However, Brown cannot understand the FA's stance, saying:"'It was pretty obvious he could have been given a three-match ban but it's not down to me to be charging Steven Gerrard. "The FA have chosen not to charge him, which some people say is no surprise there. But what can you do? He's got away with it. "I think it's pretty obvious that, if I'd done that, I'd have got a three-match ban, for sure. No question. I don't know why the FA chose to do that, I'm not sure. "Perhaps it's because Rio (Ferdinand) could struggle so Gerrard could be England captain in the summer. "It's obvious he's caught me. Yes he could have got punished but he didn't. Good luck to him. If the FA feels they don't need to punish him then fair play. Gerrard's a fantastic player and he's done what he's done." (Sports.co.uk) Riera explains Benitez criticism Liverpool winger Albert Riera has attempted to play down comments made in the Spanish media in which he heavily criticised Reds manager Rafael Benitez. "I do not want to make trouble with the manager," Riera told Spain's Cadena Ser radio station in quotes reported by the Daily Telegraph. "I am not interested in making Rafa my enemy in the slightest, quite the opposite, but ultimately it is about playing, and if I am not, we have to talk about why not. We have not had any talk about why it is. "I played all of last year, and sometimes if I did not play so well in one game, I would still play the next week. But this season I have not played at all. When that starts happening, you have to assume it is something personal, rather than professional. I believe in these situations it is better to talk about it and try to fix it, or at least make sure everyone knows where they stand. I have no problem talking to people." He added: "I am delighted to play for Liverpool and if I was playing, I would love to stay, because it is a brilliant place to play football. But if I am not playing I have no chance of going to the World Cup, so I am trying to solve the problem so I at least have a small chance." (PA/FIFA.com) What Liverpool FC have missed is a fully fit Gerrard and Torres Liverpool's trials and tribulations throughout this seismic season have been put down to a missing X-Factor. Sure, Xabi Alonso has been missed. But in reality the biggest misses have been a fully fit and functioning Gerrard and Torres. The driving force behind last season’s title push have both been sorely missed at times this season. But now the Reds have got their G and T tonic back. And it was Lille who suffered the hangover. (David Prentice - Liverpool Echo)   Fergie moves to heal feud Alex Ferguson has moved to end his year-long feud with Rafael Benitez by admitting he sympathises with the under-pressure Liverpool manager. The two men were embroiled in a war of words last season following Benitez's infamous 'rant' when he claimed he had a series of "facts" which proved Ferguson received special treatment from match officials. Ferguson responded by claiming that Benitez was "ridiculous" and "disturbed" and the pair continued to exchange barbs during the run-in to last season's title race. The United manager will use his programme notes for this Sunday's Premier League clash between the sides at Old Trafford to hand Benitez an olive branch. With Benitez's future coming under scrutiny due to Liverpool's early elimination from the Champions League and struggles to achieve a top-four finish, Ferguson is understood to have expressed his support for the Spaniard. (Irish Independent) Benitez dismisses concerns losing Gerrard and Torres Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez insists he has no concerns over the prospect of losing their star players this summer. Benitez is well aware of speculation suggesting the likes of Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard could quit Anfield if they fail to qualify for next season's Champions League. But he told liverpoolfc.tv: "In terms of contracts, we are more or less happy and protected, so it is not a problem. People are talking too much about 'what if you don't finish in the top four?' If we can progress in the Europa League and finish in the top four, it will be easier to talk about the future. "Liverpool Football Club is a massive club and I am sure a lot of players are thinking about wanting to come here or stay here. The majority of the players know it is important to perform now for the future and they want to stay here." (tribalfootball.com)  Benitez hails Torres after double Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez praised the "fantastic job" of Fernando Torres after the striker scored twice in the 3-0 victory over Lille. Benitez said his star striker was not yet 100% fit but after four goals in his last two matches - he scored twice in Monday's 4-1 Barclays Premier League victory over Portsmouth - he is approaching it. "Torres was working very hard and I am really pleased because he did a fantastic job," said the Spaniard. "Match fitness is something you can only get by playing games. I'd like to say he's 50% [fit] but he is close, it is a question of playing games. "But I still believe he can improve. You can see there is a big difference when he plays well and it is the same with Gerrard too." (TEAMtalk)     Thor Zakariassen ©