Benitez hails Reds' focus
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez praised his side's ability to ignore the distractions of
the Champions League and secure a battling 2-1 victory over Reading.
"It was difficult after a Champions League game and with the players focusing on
the Champions League.
"It was difficult to play against a physical team who were pressing and working hard to the end. The players have done a very good job."
(ITV Football)

Coppell rues lapses
Reading boss Steve Coppell bemoaned his side's defending after going down 2-1
to Liverpool.
Coppell felt he thought his side could win the game only for some naive defending to give Liverpool the win.
"We knew it was going to be a tough game," said Coppell. "They are one of the top sides in the league and one of the best in Europe."
(Sky Sports)

Flying Dutchman seals Reds win
Dirk Kuyt came off the bench to head home an 85th minute winner as Liverpool beat Reading 2-1 at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday.
Liverpool moved a step closer to automatic Champions League qualification after Dirk Kuyt came off the bench to head home the winner against Reading five minutes from time.
With Arsenal losing at home to West Ham, the battling victory moved Liverpool five points clear of the Gunners in third place in the Barclays Premiership.
And it sets them up nicely for Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final, second leg tie against PSV Eindhoven at Anfield.
Kuyt will not be available after picking up a booking in the first leg - not that Liverpool should need him given they hold a 3-0 lead - but he proved the saviour at the Madejski Stadium.
(TEAMtalk)    
 
Crouch and Bellamy lead line for Reds
Peter Crouch and Craig Bellamy will lead the attacking line for Liverpool at Reading
this afternoon.
Sami Hyypia returns at the heart of the defence in place of Daniel Agger, while Momo Sissoko is back in midfield alongside Javier Mascherano.
The Liverpool team in full for today's clash is:
Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Hyypia, Finnan, Gonzalez, Sissoko, Mascherano, Gerrard, Crouch, Bellamy.
Subs: Dudek, Agger, Riise, Pennant, Kuyt.
(LFC Official Website)

Rafa happy to end Finnan doubts
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez admits he had to be convinced that full-back Steve Finnan was good enough for the Reds.
The Spaniard does not need any convincing now, having revealed his admiration for
the Republic of Ireland international's professionalism and consistency.
Finnan had one of his best games for the club in the 3-0 Champions League quarter-final first-leg triumph against PSV Eindhoven last week.
Benitez said: "My aim is to have two good players for every position. We now have Arbeloa to push Finnan. It is something Steve has not had of late because we have not had top-level competition in his position."
But Finnan now figures in Benitez's long-term plans, and talks will start soon on a new contract for the 30-year-old, who has one year left on his deal.
Benitez added: "Finnan is a good player, he is very positive and the quality of his crosses is very good, as you saw in Eindhoven. He is a very professional person and
a fine trainer.
"But maybe now we will see the best from him with Arbeloa arriving to give him more competition."
(TEAMtalk) 
 
Benitez: World Cup hit us hard
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez believes the World Cup may have wrecked his side's chances of challenging Manchester United this season.
Benitez is very aware his players - particularly captain Steven Gerrard - believe they are reaching top form at just the right time.
The Reds' dreadful start to the campaign is the principal reason why they are 21 points behind leaders United.
And that still haunts Benitez, who said: "Steven is doing well. But it is clear the problems we had at the beginning of the season because of the World Cup.
"The World Cup was a big problem for several players when they returned to their clubs.
"They were not able to do the right training, and that explained why we started our season so slowly.
"Now we have time between matches to train and prepare, that is the reason they are all in a better situation."
(TEAMtalk)

Finnan not interested in plaudits
One of Liverpool's most consistent performers claims he is not bothered about the lack of plaudits which come his way.
Steve Finnan says he is happy to miss out on column inches as long as he is helping
the team to win trophies.
"I've never minded not getting plaudits. It's a question I've been asked many times, but I'm really not bothered," said the right-back.
"It's always been more important to me that the team plays well. There are other lads in the team who are playing well but don't always get the praise. In football you always expect the lads who are getting the goals to get most attention, and they deserve it.
"I'm happy with how things are going for me, but more especially for the team."
Meanwhile, Finnan has spoken of his desire to stay on Merseyside for the foreseeable future.
"I would definitely like to sign for more time, but that's up to other people," said the Irish international.
"Everyone can see the club is heading in the right direction with the new owners. It's
an exciting time. Everyone wants to be a part of it, especially me."
(LFC Official Website)

Riise: Fear is driving us on
Liverpool star John Arne Riise believes fear is driving on the rest of the squad to success.
Riise feels everyone at Anfield is playing for their future with Rafa Benitez set to embark on a massive spending spree in the summer.
Benitez funded by new American owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks is expected to bring in several new faces and Riise admits the threat of new arrivals is keeping everyone on their toes.
"You never know what the manager is going to do from one game to the next - that keeps everyone on their toes," said Riise.
"But because the new owners are here too, that's going to make everyone work hard to impress them as well.
"You never know what's going to happen and how many players will come in during
the summer.
"We always work hard at Liverpool but there are exciting times ahead and everyone wants to be a part of that."
(Sky Sports)

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