THURSDAY 24
	Benitez: Players hurt by poor form Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez insists his underperforming players are hurt by their current struggles in the Premier League. The Merseysiders, who have won just four of their last 17 games, were hit by criticism from former striker Ian Rush this week, the Welshman claiming not enough players were smarting after last weekend's abject 2-0 defeat at Portsmouth. Rush, who exonerated Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher and Jose Reina from blame, said: "It should hurt them all, not just a few." But Benitez responded, saying: "I do not accept that the players are not hurt by what is happening. "They are working very hard to put things right. I can guarantee 100% that they are trying to win every game and they are upset when things do not go well." (TEAMtalk)   Macclesfield sign ex-Liverpool trainee Craig Lindfield Macclesfield have signed former Liverpool academy striker Craig Lindfield on a short-term contract. The 21-year-old was a free agent after leaving Liverpool in August and is set to join the Silkmen's squad for the Boxing Day clash with Shrewsbury. Lindfield won two FA Youth Cups with Liverpool and also collected seven England Under-19 caps. While with Liverpool he had loan spells at Accrington, Bournemouth, Chester and Notts County. (BBC Sport Online) Leeds extend Martin deal Leeds United have extended the loan deal of Liverpool goalkeeper David Martin until the end of January. Martin joined the League One leaders at the end of November and was due to return to Anfield after Monday's game against Stockport County. However, Whites boss Simon Grayson is keen to ensure he has sufficient cover after Shane Higgs encountered a setback in his recovery from injury. The deal means Martin will spend a second month at Elland Road and he is also eligible to play in the FA Cup, with Leeds travelling to Manchester United in the third round. To date, Martin has made a solitary senior appearance for Leeds in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy against Accrington Stanley when he kept a clean sheet in a 2-0 win. (BBC Sport Online) McCarthy wary of Reds' revival Wolves boss Mick McCarthy has no sympathy for Rafael Benitez as he looks to add to the Liverpool manager's problems at Anfield on Boxing Day. With the Reds struggling to mount a top-four challenge this season, Wolves could heap even more pressure on Benitez if they can pull off a shock win. The stakes are just as high for the visitors as they are desperate for what would be a fourth victory in five games to stay clear of the relegation zone. But McCarthy, who is poised to name an unchanged side for the trip to Merseyside, accepts Liverpool's poor form cannot last forever and is keen to ensure they do not turn it around against Wolves. "I hope we go to Anfield and get something out of the game because that will be terrific. "But I never subscribe to the theory that because a team is having a bad time that run will continue. "At some stage they have to get out of that run and I have no doubt they will see Wolves coming as an opportunity." (Sporting Life)  Mancini slams Reds approach claims City chief executive Garry Cook claimed that the Merseyside club would have spoken to Mancini if they had parted company with under-fire Benitez. But Mancini - appointed in controversial circumstances following the sacking of Mark Hughes on Saturday - has rubbished suggestions that he had spoken to Reds' owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett. When asked by Sky Sports News whether he had spoken to Liverpool, Mancini said: "No, never. Liverpool have a good manager. Rafa (Benitez) is a good manager. Absolutely not." (TEAMtalk) Games moved Two more games in the New Year have been moved. The away game against Man City has been put back 24 hours to Sunday, February 21st, kick off 3pm. The home game against Blackburn has also been put back 24 hours, to Sunday, February 28th, kick off 3pm. Both games have been moved because Liverpool will be playing in the UEFA Cup on the Thursday before. (LFC Online) Atletico Madrid offered Liverpool fullback Dossena Atletico Madrid are chasing Liverpool fullback Andrea Dossena. The Mirror says Atletico sporting director Jesus Garcia Pitarch has sounded out Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez about signing the Italian full-back. (tribalfootball.com)   Benitez rules out Torres hernia op Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez insists the Reds have no intention of sending Fernando Torres for an operation on his hernia problem. The Anfield chief has reacted to suggestions Spain would like their star striker to have an operation now rather than risk a further breakdown that could affect his chances of playing in the World Cup finals. (TEAMtalk)  Kuyt to be rested Rafael Benitez is looking to rest Dirk Kuyt. Benitez wants to give the Dutchman a rest as he has played in most of Liverpool's games this season and is looking tired and playing poorly. "We have had some players who have had to play too many games this season and that is a consequence of the injuries," said the boss. "But I’m sure that if we have some more players we will be able to manage in a different way and give the ones who need it some rest, so they will be fresh for the next match. Dirk has played too many games, we know this. "He could have had a little break against Fiorentina but David Ngog was ill and we needed to play him. "But we know Dirk will get back to his levels, for sure. "He is an amazing player, his work rate is fantastic and we can see that because we are watching all their statistics. "He is always one of the players who runs the most during a match but we want him to have a rest if he can because I think that will help improve his game." (LFC Online) Rafa: Gerrard determined to improve Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is backing Reds skipper Steven Gerrard to recapture top form after a discussion with the club captain. Gerrard, 29, has often struggled to reach his usual high standards this season, with injury problems a factor. However Liverpool hope the midfielder can exert more of an influence than he has done in recent matches, and Benitez is certain Gerrard is eager to step up his contribution. The Spanish boss told newspaper reporters: "Steven knows that he has to improve but that for me is very positive. "He knows he is a very important player for us and we were analysing his statistics and he is doing much better." (TEAMtalk)     read more
	WEDNESDAY 23
	Santa Cruz hits out at Rafa Roque Santa Cruz has told Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez not to make promises he cannot keep. Benitez stated last week that he could 'guarantee' Liverpool would finish in the top four of the Premier League this season. The Reds are currently eighth after a disappointing start and must improve considerably over the second half of the campaign to ensure UEFA Champions League qualification. Manchester City striker Santa Cruz does not believe it was wise of Benitez to come out with such a bold statement. "I don't think you can guarantee anything," the Paraguay international said in the Daily Express. "It is hard to guarantee things, especially when things are not going in the right direction, like for Liverpool. "Things are not going the way they would want them to and to guarantee things in that situation is hard." (Sky Sports) Battling Aquilani set to be thrown to the Wolves Alberto Aquilani is winning his battle to be fit for Liverpool’s crunch Boxing Day clash with Wolves after he was given the green light to return to training. Eyebrows were raised on Saturday when Aquilani, who has found opportunities to shine limited because of injury, was not included in the 18-man squad to face Portsmouth. Boss Rafa Benitez revealed afterwards the Italian midfielder had sustained a calf problem during his run out in the win over Wigan Athletic but he did not anticipate a lengthy lay-off. Aquilani was due to go and see ‘placenta’ specialist Marianna Kovacevic in Belgrade for a second opinion on Monday but bad weather forced his flight to be cancelled. As a result, he stayed behind at Melwood to undergo further treatment and his progress was sufficient enough to allow him to join in a session with the rest of the squad yesterday. (Liverpool Echo)  Heskey to Liverpool speculation resurfaces Three of this morning’s newspapers will reignite transfer rumours surrounding Liverpool’s intentions to resign Emile Heskey from Aston Villa in the January transfer window. With Reds boss Rafa Benitez looking to bolster Liverpool’s attacking options after a faltering first half of the season, Heskey’s return to Anfield would be a cheap option for Benitez to consider. The Guardian, Daily Mirror and Liverpool Daily Post all contain reports this morning linking Benitez with a £3.5million move for Heskey next month. (This is Anfield)  It’s the perfect time for us to take on Liverpool, says Wolves skipper Karl Henry Wolves captain Karl Henry believes the Premier League new boys are heading to Anfield at the perfect time. Mick McCarthy’s side have won three of their last four games to ease their drop fears and lift themselves up to 12th. Confidence is high and Henry wants to pile on the misery for a Liverpool side still smarting from Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Portsmouth when the clubs meet on Boxing Day. The skipper said: “We’ve got a couple of easy games now in Liverpool and Manchester City! There has been a few dodgy results flying around so why can’t we go and win these games now? “Liverpool lost at Portsmouth and even Manchester United lost at Fulham. “We’re full of confidence at the moment. There’s not a better time to be playing them.” (Liverpool Echo)
	TUESDAY 22
	Torres urges Liverpool not to sack Benitez Liverpool striker Fernando Torres says sacking manager Rafael Benitez will not solve the club's current ills. Out of the Champions League and off the pace in the race to qualify for next season's tournament, the Reds have won just three times in 12 games. "I think sacking the manager is not a solution," said Torres, who thinks the players are to blame more than Benitez. "We have to play much better. The players are the people that have to find a solution to the situation." Last season both Torres and Benitez signed long-term contracts, keeping them at the club until 2014. "It's a difficult situation but every top team in the world goes sometimes through a bad situation like Liverpool now," said Torres. "Like every top team in the world, Liverpool will get over the situation." While Liverpool have struggled to find consistency this season, the club's financial strength has also been under scrutiny as American owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks reportedly court new investment. And Torres suggested that while Benitez needed to strengthen his squad, the Liverpool manager did not have the funds at his disposal to recruit high-calibre players. "Obviously we need players," said Torres, who has scored 11 goals in 13 league games this seaon. "If we can bring quality players it should be really positive for us. "But I think the situation is really difficult because I think we don't have money to bring in the best players." He added: "I have confidence in myself and my team. I know we are good enough. We were playing really well last season with the same team." (BBC Sport Online) Prince plans Boxing Day visit Prince Faisal bin Fahad bin Abdullah revealed on Saudi television that he will be attending Liverpool's home game with Wolves on Boxing Day. The Saudi prince has been invited by George Gillett, prompting rumours that he is now planning to broker a deal for the sale of Gillett's shares in the club. (LFC Online) No real budget for Benitez Rafael Benitez is facing another financial balancing act in the January transfer window as he attempts to revive Liverpool’s floundering season with a budget unlikely to stretch beyond loan signings and player exchanges. The manager is desperate for additions to improve the depth and morale of a squad languishing in eighth place in the Premier League and relegated from the Champions League to the Europa League. He is particularly keen to increase his striking options in a campaign in which injury to Fernando Torres has brought an over-reliance on David Ngog. But his spending will again be restricted to what he can raise through sales. (The Irish Times)  Liverpool FC deny move for Standard Liege's Serb star Milan Jovanovic Liverpool have no interest in Standard Lieges Milan Jovanovic despite reports in Belgium suggesting they have made an approach for the striker. The 28-year-old Serbian international, who is out of contract next June, is set to be sold during the January transfer window and is available for around two million euros. Sources close to the player have claimed he is currently weighing up the chance to make the switch to Liverpool, AC Milan or Stuttgart with Anfield his favoured destination. However, Liverpool wont be submitting a bid for the Belgrade-born former Shakhtar Donetsk and Locomotiv Moscow frontman. Jovanovic was crowned Belgiums player of the year in 2008 and in January this year he claimed he had turned down the chance to move to Everton. (Liverpool Echo) Two Reds in World Team of the Year Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres have been named in FIFA's World Team of the Year for 2009. "I feel really flattered and honoured, because it’s really special to be voted for by your colleagues," said Gerrard. "It’s a real source of joy and satisfaction as well a privilege to be in this eleven," added Torres. "All of us players try to reach the top and achieve our goals, and receiving this kind of recognition from your fellow professionals is something else, it fills you with pride." Lionel Messi was voted World Player of the Year by the sport's governing body. World XI Team: Casillas, Alves, Evra, Terry, Vidic, Xavi, Iniesta, Gerrard, Ronaldo, Messi, Torres. (LFC Online) Too many Liverpool FC players are wilting under the pressure I still believe in Rafa Benitez and Im convinced he will secure a top four finish for Liverpool this season. However, a number of his players have got to have a long, hard look at themselves. When I saw Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard, Pepe Reina and Jamie Carragher walking off at Portsmouth on Saturday they looked upset and annoyed. After a defeat like that I want to see that in all 11 of them because it should hurt them all, not just a few. Some players have got to be mentally stronger. (Ian Rush - Liverpool Echo) Liverpool FC running scared of bottom club represents a new low There are many reasons why Liverpool’s defeat to Portsmouth on Saturday was the lowest point of a season with, let’s face it, quite a few contenders. But the one that sticks out for me came before the game even kicked off – it was the way the team was set up. I find it really worrying that we go to the team at the bottom of the table and turn up with seven defensive outfield players. It’s almost as if Rafael Benitez needs to get some psychotherapy sessions booked in to change his mindset. This is a team struggling to score goals at the wrong end of the table and the manager makes his first priority to stop them from playing. The current slump is the type that would cost many managers their job – but it’s easy to sack a manager, much harder to replace him with a good one. So it’s not the manager I would like to see change – it’s Benitez and his selection policy. (Mark Lawrenson - Liverpool Daily Post)     Liverpool crock Aquilani visits Marijana in Serbia Liverpool midfielder Alberto Aquilani is in Serbia to visit controversial therapist Marijana Kovacevic. The Daily Mail says the Italian was due to make his full League debut against Wigan last week but pulled out due to a calf injury and did not travel to Portsmouth on Saturday. Instead he took a flight to Belgrade on Sunday with reserve striker Nabil El Zhar and had treatment on Monday at Kovacevic’s clinic. It is the latest twist in what has been a sorry start to the 25-year-old’s Liverpool career. Heralded as the man to replace Xabi Alonso, he joined in August despite nursing an ankle injury. It took him until mid-October to recuperate but manager Rafa Benitez has been ultra-cautious with his return to action. He has made three substitute appearances and started the 2-1 Champions League defeat to Fiorentina when he was taken off after 76 minutes. Reds boss Rafa Benitez has placed great faith in Kovacevic’s methods. Glen Johnson, Fabio Aurelio, Yossi Benayoun and Albert Riera have all had treatment in Belgrade. (tribalfootball.com) Thor Zakariassen ©