Injuries narrow Rafa's options
Rafa Benitez knows he can no longer be taken to task over his deployment of Steven Gerrard as he is Liverpool's only fit central midfielder.
As he juggles with the Reds' worsening injury crisis before Wednesday's Premiership match against Portsmouth, Benitez consoled himself with that small crumb of comfort.
"At least nobody can question where I play Steven Gerrard now!" he said.
"He's the only fit central midfielder I have got left so that is where he plays.
"That is the end of the talk about his role, I hope, because I have no other choice."
It is just as well Benitez can see the funny side of a situation which has now seen Bolo Zenden added to his injury list, the Dutch international set for a knee operation on Wednesday which will keep him out until the New Year.
Xabi Alonso, Mohamed Sissoko, Mark Gonzalez, Fabio Aurelio, Stephen Warnock and Harry Kewell are also unavailable through injury.
Benitez may move Jamie Carragher into a holding midfield role against Pompey
alongside Gerrard.
(TEAMtalk)

Harry up for Anfield test
Pompey boss Harry Redknapp has admitted his side will face a tough task rebounding from Sunday's defeat at Newcastle at Anfield against Liverpool on Wednesday evening.
The Reds have won six and drawn one of their seven home games this season, while Pompey have lost their last five away games.
Redknapp told the club website: "It is as difficult a place to go when looking to bounce back but we will give it a right go."
(Clubcall Sports)

Zenden out for five weeks
Rafael Benitez today confirmed Liverpool will be without Dutch midfielder Bolo Zenden for five weeks.
Zenden will undergo an operation tomorrow after damaging the medial ligaments in his knee.
This latest injury setback couldn't have come at a worse time for Benitez, who now has Steven Gerrard as his only fit central midfielder available for tomorrow night's clash
with Portsmouth.
(LFC Official Website)  

Liverpool confirm Insua deal
Liverpool have confirmed that they have agreed a deal to sign 17-year-old Argentina under-20 international full-back Emiliano Insua in January.
The Boca Juniors left-back will initially sign an 18-month loan-deal with Liverpool. The Reds will then have the option to sign Insua on a permanent basis at the end of next season.
Rafael Benitez confirmed today: "He is a good, young player with a lot of potential. He will come to us in January and we'll start to assess him at Melwood."
Insua was present at the PSV Eindhoven game last week and Liverpool are thought to have beaten off stiff competition to land his signature.
The Liverpool Echo were first to reveal the news last week and hinted that Insua may be part of the first team squad before the end of the season such is his talent.
(Shankly Gates)

Inconsistent Reds can still go third!
It's not beyond the realms of possibility Liverpool will be in the top three by
tomorrow night.
If so, I'm not sure if this is a reflection of how much Rafa Benitez's side has improved recently, or simply further evidence the Premiership isn't very strong.
There are those who continuously argue the Premiership is the best in the world.
That's wrong. English football is the most demanding, but it's certainly not the most skilful.
Spain and Italy have more quality, but England is tougher physically and the pace of the game is much higher - often creating exciting but not necessarily brilliant football.
Chelsea and Manchester United have swiftly created a league of their own this season.
In a few weeks, you'll see Liverpool and Arsenal form a second tier, battling it out for third and fourth.
As for the rest, between fifth and fifteen, the difference isn't that great.
The fact Liverpool can have what most agree is an inconsistent season, but possibly go third without winning an away game, says everything about the overall standard.
(Ian Rush - Liverpool Echo)

Bellamy 'slapped by teenager at nightclub'
Liverpool striker Craig Bellamy told a court today how he was slapped in the face following a nightclub spat with a teenager.
The Wales forward said he was struck following an exchange of words with the then 19-year-old Sophie Palmer while walking through a packed corridor at the No 10 nightclub in Cardiff city centre during the early hours of February 5 this year.
Miss Palmer claims she was the one assaulted by Bellamy and his friend, Franklin Lynch, following the exchange of words.
Miss Palmer’s friend, Holly Smith, who was 20 at the time, also accuses Bellamy of assaulting her by grabbing her by the wrist.
Cardiff Magistrates’ Court heard that 27-year-old Bellamy had started the night at the Soda Bar before entering the nightclub.
Bellamy, who was accompanied by his co-defendant at the Soda Bar, had also arranged to meet up with former Wales rugby union international Neil Jenkins, who was returning from Twickenham on the evening of Saturday, February 4 after having watched Wales play England in the Six Nations.
After drinking around four to five bottles of Budweiser, Bellamy said he moved on to the No 10 nightclub where he headed straight to the Champagne VIP bar.
(BreakingNews.ie)

Kuyt's 20-20 vision
Dirk Kuyt has a 20-20 vision for his first season at Anfield - 20 goals and 20 assists.
The popular Dutch striker has already made a flying start to fulfilling the first part of that target, with five goals as he settles in to life in the Premiership.
But in the past week he has also helped himself to his first three assists of the season, two for skipper Steven Gerrard.
And he admits that making goals is as much a part of his game as scoring them.
"Last year I got 24 goals and over 20 assists," he said. "For me it is normal to have assists. It is unusual I have had to wait until this week for my first one. I hope more
will follow."
(Liverpool Echo)

Thor Zakariassen ©