WEDNESDAY 24
	Torres on the bench in Bucharest Fernando Torres is likely to be on the bench again for the Europa League last 32 second-leg tie against Unirea Urziceni on Thursday (6pm). The Spain international made his comeback against Manchester City on Sunday after five weeks out with a knee injury which required surgery. However, with Liverpool leading 1-0 from last week's tie at Anfield there is no need to risk the forward from the start in Bucharest as David Ngog is fit having missed the weekend game with an ankle injury. Midfielder Yossi Benayoun is pushing for a place in the starting line-up having also made his comeback - from a broken rib - at City. With Maxi Rodriguez ineligible having already played in Europe for Atletico Madrid, Benayoun could contest the left-sided role with Albert Riera. Defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos, currently serving a domestic suspension which rules him out of Sunday's match at home to Blackburn, is available but may remain on the bench as he did for the first leg. Reds (from): Reina, Skrtel, Agger, Carragher, Kyrgiakos, Insua, Gerrard, Lucas, Aquilani, Benayoun, Riera, Ngog, Kuyt, Torres, Cavalieri, Pacheco, Spearing, Darby, Babel, Aurelio, Degen, Kelly. (TEAMtalk) Ngog fit again David Ngog is fit again. The French striker missed Sunday's draw with Man City because of a twisted ankle but has recovered and is in the squad for tomorrow's Europa League game against Unirea Urziceni. (LFC Online) Babel targets good run for Reds Liverpool forward Ryan Babel is hoping he can finally start producing on a consistent basis for the Reds following talks with Rafa Benitez. Babel has struggled to make a sustained impact on Merseyside since joining the club from Ajax in 2007 and was tipped for a January exit. He revealed on his Twitter account last month that he had been dropped from the squad to face Stoke before subsequently apologising for his actions. On Sunday, the Dutchman was rewarded with his first start in the Premier League for three months as he played 75 minutes of the 0-0 draw at Manchester City. And, following discussions with Benitez, the 23-year-old believes he is now aware of what he needs to do in order to be a success at Liverpool. "I have had a good talk with the manager and I know what I have to do," said Babel. "That is what I am going to concentrate on. "I just have to try to be patient, keep working hard and doing my best." (TEAMtalk)
	TUESDAY 23
	Rafa targets Euro success Rafa Benitez maintains the Europa League is a big part of his plans for the rest of the season because Liverpool fans deserve something to celebrate. With the Reds out of contention for the Premier League title, out of the UEFA Champions League plus early exits in the FA Cup and Carling Cup, fans have endured a miserable campaign. To make matters worse, securing their regular involvement in Europe's premier club competition next season is far from guaranteed, but finishing third in Group E this term ensured they at least dropped into the Europa League. Formerly the Uefa Cup, which Liverpool won under Gerard Houllier in 2001, the re-named tournament has suffered in popularity due to the prominence of the Champions League, but Anfield boss Benitez is taking it seriously. "When you win a European competition it is always very important," the Spaniard told Liverpool's official website. (Sky Sports)    Del Bosque: We have great relations with Rafa Spain coach Vicente del Bosque insists there is no rift between himself and Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez over the use of Fernando Torres. Torres has just returned from a knee complaint and could be called up by his country for the squad to play France on March 3, although Benitez would be keen to see the striker return fully fit after seeing him previously pick up injuries while on international duty. “There’s no truth in the fact that Benitez has complained – we have great relations with Liverpool,” said Del Bosque at FIFA’s Team Workshop in Sun City, South Africa. “We just want to take care of the player like his club does and make sure he arrives at the World Cup fully fit.” (Irish Examiner) Loan deal for defender Robbie Threlfall has joined Bradford City on loan. The reserve team left-back has joined the League Two side on a month's loan and goes straight into their squad for tonight's game against leaders Rochdale. (LFC Online) Benitez wants caution on Torres Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is confident Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque will be cautious with Fernando Torres if he is called up to face France. The sides meet next week in Paris and Torres is expected to be included in Del Bosque's squad after making a successful return to action at the weekend following knee surgery. Torres made a quicker than expected return as a late substitute in Sunday's goalless draw with Manchester City after five weeks out with a knee problem. Benitez is expected to restrict Torres to a bench role for Thursday's Europa League clash with Unirea Urziceni, with the striker possibly starting the weekend Premier League clash with Blackburn. (Sporting Life)  Manchester City draw a great result for Liverpool FC There was loads of negativity surrounding the quality of the Manchester City v Liverpool game. But what’s the problem? I certainly don’t see one for Liverpool in getting a goalless draw there – in fact, there were some major positives to emerge from the game for me. When you avoid defeat against your rivals, you don’t give them a significant advantage. (Mark Lawrenson - Liverpool Daily Post)
	MONDAY 22
	Boss ready for Johnson boost Rafa Benitez is hoping Glen Johnson will follow Yossi Benayoun and Fernando Torres back to fitness within the next week. Johnson has been missing since tearing the medial ligament in his right knee during our 1-0 victory at Villa Park on December 29. But with Torres and Benayoun returning from the bench at Eastlands on Sunday, Benitez is confident all his big names will soon be available. "I think we have enough quality, Yossi Benayoun is coming back, Fernando Torres is coming back, hopefully Glen Johnson will come back in the next week," said the boss. "So we are now bringing players back and the competition will be better for us and hopefully we can improve." (LFC Official Website) Benayoun plans to get creative in race for fourth place Yossi Benayoun insists Liverpool’s creative players need to raise their game to wrestle back the initiative in the race for the Champions League. Having been sidelined since January 13 with a broken rib, the Israeli midfielder was thrilled to be back in the thick of things after coming on as a 63rd-minute substitute for Maxi Rodriguez. Despite showing some nice touches and plenty of energy, Benayoun could not help inspire the Reds, who were held to a 0-0 draw by Manchester City in what was an instantly forgettable encounter. “I think the race will go to the end between us, Man City, Tottenham and Villa. We know where we need to improve. “We need to create more and do more up front. “Hopefully the defence will keep playing well. We have got the best defence in the league. Now we need to create more and then the goals will come.” (Liverpool Echo)  Barry: Too much at stake Gareth Barry admits Manchester City's 0-0 draw at home to Liverpool was a game neither of the UEFA Champions League hopefuls wanted to lose. Barry concedes City were disappointed not to win the game, but appeared satisfied to take a point from the encounter given what was at stake. "It was one of those games with no real chances," the midfielder told the club's official website. "There was a lot at stake and you could tell. We are slightly disappointed not to win as the home team." (Sky Sports)   TV lucky to miss out on Liverpool FC shocker at Manchester City Perhaps those in charge of programme planning at the two satellite broadcasters really are blessed with the gift of being able to see into the future. When the roster for this weekend’s round of televised matches was published just after Christmas, eyebrows were raised that a potentially titanic clash between Manchester City and Liverpool was missed off the list. Now we know why those tussles between Wigan and Tottenham, Blackburn and Bolton, not to mention that blockbuster between Aston Villa and Burnley, were all deemed fit for broadcasting ahead of this. City against Liverpool should have been a contest that crackled with excitement, a collision when an established Champions League side had their credentials for fourth spot sternly examined by an up-and-coming ensemble. With more than £250m of talent on the pitch, surely it was not beyond reason to expect someone, somewhere to conjure up a magic moment that would quicken the pulse and fire a message of intent in the battle for fourth place? (Dominic King - Liverpool Echo) Thor Zakariassen ©