You'll Never Walk Alone

Liverpool cemented their hold on top spot in the Premier League with a 5-1 thumping of Newcastle at St James' Park.

It was a statement of intent from Rafael Benitez's side, who continue to strengthen their credentials as genuine title contenders and will top the table at the end of 2008.

A brace from Steven Gerrard and goals from Sami Hyypia, Ryan Babel and a Xabi Alonso penalty helped the Reds to a score-line that frankly flattered a disjointed and listless Toon, whose token reply came from David Edgar.

Liverpool utterly dominated the match but were denied a rugby score by some incredible goalkeeping by Shay Given.

The Irishman made world-class stops from Dirk Kuyt, Hyypia and twice apiece from Gerrard and Lucas Leiva, while Charles N'Zogbia cleared one corner off the line.

One of Given's saves from Brazilian midfielder Lucas defied physics as he managed to change direction while diving the wrong way to somehow get a one-handed, strong-arm parry on his point-blank header from a corner.

Given could do little about any of the goals though.

By the time Liverpool opened the scoring they had seen 10 opportunities spurned or saved by Given. Just after the half-hour mark Jamie Carragher found space on the overlap and cut the ball back to Javier Mascherano, who freed Yossi Benayoun on the right.

The Israeli could have shot at the near post but he spotted an unmarked Gerrard just inside the box and cut the ball back to the Liverpool captain, who rifled an unstoppable finish in off the post.

Hyypia doubled the lead five minutes later. Slack marking at a corner allowed the Finnish stopper to power an unchallenged header past the stranded Given, who should have received more help from N'Zogbia guarding the post.

Despite Liverpool's stranglehold on the match, Newcastle pulled one back and could even have been level at the break.

Michael Owen had a 33rd-minute goal incorrectly disallowed when Damien Duff was adjudged to have been offside while he raced on to Jonas Gutierrez's perfect through-ball.

They did pull one back though, just before the half-time whistle, when young Canadian defender Edgar beat Carragher to a Danny Guthrie corner and headed in to the right of Pepe Reina's goal just after Steven Taylor had gone close with a similar effort.

Newcastle were more than happy to press the self-destruct button though.

The second half started promisingly for the hosts, with substitute Shola Ameobi threatening down the right on two occasions.

But any hopes of a dramatic Toon comeback were dashed at a 50th-minute corner when comical defending from Fabricio Coloccini in particular handed Ryan Babel the freedom of the penalty area to finish past the hapless Given.

Substitute Geremi almost have the hosts some hope when he rattled a long-range free-kick off the top of the crossbar on the hour mark, but Liverpool put the result beyond doubt when Gerrard raced on to a perfectly-weighted diagonal pass from Lucas and lifted the finish over the onrushing Given.

It was a great injustice that Given conceded five goals as his performance barely warranted a single strike. Again he had little say in the matter when Edgar scythed down Babel in the box and Alonso - who had only recently come on for Gerrard - despatched the penalty with aplomb.

Liverpool almost got a late sixth but Given again was on hand to deny Lucas with a far-post header that was destined for the top right.

Newcastle had a couple of chances to reduce arrears, with Guthrie and Ameobi forcing smart stops from Reina, but any consolation would have been scant as Liverpool cut second-placed Chelsea's goal-difference and the Magpies found themselves right back in a relegation scrap.

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres is "sure" his side will overcome Real Madrid to book a place in the last eight of the Champions League.Torres faced European heartbreak last season as Liverpool were knocked out in the semi-finals by Chelsea.

The Reds are unbeaten in this year's competition but now face a tricky test against the reigning La Liga champions.

However, Torres believes his team will book their place in the quarter-finals.

"We all realise that it is going to be a tough tie against Real Madrid," he wrote on his personal site.

"I don't like talking about a possible favourite, but I am sure that we are going to qualify for the next round."

However, the former Atletico Madrid player admitted he has not had much luck against the Spanish giants previously.

He said: "When I was playing my football in Spain, I used to score a lot against Barcelona, but found it harder when playing versus Real Madrid."

Torres also looked back on a fantastic first season for Liverpool and is hoping for more of the same in the new year.

It has been a mixed start to this campaign for the 24-year-old who has been blighted by injury.

However, Torres will have been buoyed to see his team sitting pretty at the top of the table and the Euro 2008 winner admits that the Premier League remains Liverpool's priority.

"I'm a bit sad to be coming to the end of this year," he wrote.

"The first nine months were unbelievable and at the end, even though I could not play regularly because of injury, there was recognition in the form of awards and nominations, like the PFA's, L'Equipe and being a finalist in the FIFA World Player award.

"I have said before that this has been my best year as a professional footballer.

"I adapted to Liverpool far quicker than expected, and to end the 2007-08 season winning Euro 2008 was a perfect finish.

"I hope that at the end of 2009 we can say the same celebrating another title.

"I hope to avoid injuries and that we win the Premier League title; it is the dream of every 'Red' - fans, coaching staff and players.

"And it would be great to sign off the season lifting the Confederations Cup with Spain in South Africa."

Liverpool stayed one point clear of Chelsea at the top of the Premier League thanks to a 3-0 win over Bolton at Anfield.

A second-half brace from Robbie Keane and a first-half strike by Albert Riera secured the points for the hosts, who had earlier seen both their title rivals, Chelsea and Manchester United, win.

It was the first time in 20 days that any of the top three secured maximum points, although United have two games in hand after Club World Cup duty, and it was fitting that all three should win simultaneously.

Liverpool totally controlled the first half but only had one goal and one good chance to show for 75 per cent possession.

The visitors barely passed the halfway line, while Liverpool's back five were redundant.

Despite this it took a set-piece on 26 minutes to create the first meaningful opportunity, which Riera took with aplomb.

Steven Gerrard's corner was sent near post and, after whisper from Dan Agger, the Spanish winger raced across the area to prod the ball home as Johan Elmander recoiled instead of making a challenge.

Yossi Benayoun went close with a half-volley 11 minutes later but otherwise Liverpool were as toothless as they were dominant.

The second half was a different story as the hosts earned the score-line they deserved through two Keane goals in four minutes.

Keane had been heavily-criticised for a lack of goals in his short Liverpool career but, after his equaliser against Arsenal the previous week, he seems to finally be hitting form - and the back of the net.

On 53 minutes, Gerrard went on a driving run through midfield and spotted Keane move into space just to the left of the area.

Keane raced on to the through-ball and rifled a left-foot drive into the roof of the net past the helpless Jussi Jaaskelainen.

The Irishman's second - which sandwiched a great chance for Kuyt who mis-timed a diving header from Riera's superb cross - came from a similar counter-attack.

Pepe Reina released Xabi Alonso with a quick throw, the Spaniard went wide right to Benayoun and the Israeli pinged a low, first-time ball which Keane finished with ease.

The Reds were cruising and eased off their visitors, and they rested Riera, Gerrard and Kuyt while knocking the ball out with ease.

Substitute Ebi Smolarek almost grabbed a late consolation for Bolton when he fired inches wide after good midfield play by Fabrice Muamba, while Liverpool came close to extending their lead in the closing minutes but had to settle for a succession of corners and a spectacular double-save by Jaaskelainen deep into injury time.

The three-goal win also meant that Liverpool now have the same goal difference as third-placed United, who are seven points off the lead but with a maximum of six in hand.

Liverpool defender Alvaro Arbeloa has hit back at Emmanuel Adebayor after he accused the Spaniard of helping him get sent off.

Adebayor was dismissed for a second bookable offence during Arsenal's 1-1 draw with Liverpool following a clash with Arbeloa.

The Togo striker accused Arbeloa of acting like he "had put a knife in him" after going down under Adebayor's challenge.

Arbeloa has rejected Adebayor's claims that he is a diver and says the Gunners hit-man has no-one to blame but himself for getting sent off.

"Adebayor is a player who uses his arms and elbows when he is playing and usually that means a foul," Arbeloa told the Daily Star.

"I had nothing to do with the sending-off. I don't feel like it was my fault, it was what Adebayor did.

"I am a professional and I would never play-act to get someone sent off.

"I do not want to get involved in any controversy with Arsenal, but I received a blow in the face and a foul and if the ref then shows a yellow card that is not my problem."

Rafael Benitez is close to a return to the Liverpool dugout while striker Fernando Torres is also inching his way towards a comeback.

The Liverpool manager missed another media briefing on Tuesday as he recovers from a kidney stones operation, but he is expected back on the bench for the Boxing Day home clash with Bolton.

That date may well be too soon for Torres' return from a hamstring injury, but assistant boss Sammy Lee revealed the Spanish forward is improving in every training session.

Liverpool go into the Lancashire derby top of the Barclays Premier League, and protecting an unbeaten home league record in 2008.

It is the first time Liverpool have been top at this stage since 1996, and two wins over the holiday period against Bolton first and then at Newcastle on Sunday will give them their best points tally in a calendar year for 19 years.

These are heady times for Liverpool and Lee was left to hold the reins on Sunday in the 1-1 draw at Arsenal, but is not expecting to be in temporary charge much longer.

Of Benitez's fitness, he said: "Rafa is a lot better, he's on the mend. He has been in a lot of pain but he is improving.

"His presence is always missed, but the organisation he has put in place is such that even though he has not been here this week, the battle plan is still there.

"We know what we have to do, the game plan is there, it is business as usual.

"He is missed and hopefully he will be back with us for the Bolton game."

He added: "He is a hands-on manager, it is hurting him more being away from the training ground really, but he will be back soon.

"The lads will be in training on Christmas Day, we have two very important games in three days coming up and they are very professional and accept that they have to have their Christmas at a different time to everyone else.

"They know the job in hand, they know what preparation is needed to stay at the top of the Premier League."

Lee was less forthcoming over Torres' return, the 24-year-old having now missed five matches after suffering a recurrence of the injury that ruled him out for six games earlier in the campaign.

But having been insistent that Torres would not figure at the Emirates on Sunday, Lee stresses that the situation is improving.

He said: "Fernando's progressed has markedly improved. He is getting better. He improves with every training session and he has worked very hard on his rehabilitation.

"We will put him in when we see fit, that's not evasive but I don't want to start revealing our line-up."

If Torres does not make the holiday programme, Liverpool will stick with the formation of Robbie Keane up front and Steven Gerrard as a support striker.

Keane, fresh from his spectacular equaliser at Arsenal, has the full support of Lee, who said: "A lot of people have said a lot of things about Robbie.

"But we know why we brought him here, we see every day in training how hard he works and what a good player he is. Things have been said outside the club, but there has not been a word from inside.

"He is a very good player, who was bought to score goals. That is what he is and will be doing."

Former Liverpool player Mark Lawrenson has apologised for sparking speculation Robbie Keane is to leave Anfield in January.

Lawrenson, now a media pundit, implied that Steven Gerrard had told him he expected the Irishman to leave once the transfer window opens in the new year.

Liverpool moved quickly to deny that claim, issuing a statement that the comments were an "interpretation of a private chat between the two of them" and that "they do not accurately reflect Steven's opinion of Robbie Keane and they certainly do not tally with Steven's recollection of the conversation itself."

And now Lawrenson has backtracked on his comments.

He told the Liverpool Daily Post: "I'm sorry if it caused any aggravation but it wasn't meant to. Steven Gerrard's name should never have come up in terms of Robbie Keane going in January. It wasn't Steven saying that it was me saying it.

"The only connection I was making between the two was that they have the same agent and I have had a hunch for a while that Keane could go.

"But that is my opinion and nothing whatsoever to do with any conversations I had with Steven Gerrard.

"I happened to mention I spoke to him on Saturday night but I didn't mean for that to come across in the way that it has been interpreted."

Since joining Liverpool for £20.3 million from Tottenham in the summer, Keane has struggled to make an impact, scoring just four goals in all competitions and not even making it off the bench in Saturday's 2-2 draw with Hull.

He has been linked with a move back to his former club Spurs, a rumour Lawrenson's initial comments on an Irish radio station only served to fuel.

Lawrenson told Today FM: "I hate to name drop. But I was having a drink with (Steven) Gerrard on Saturday and we talked about Keane.

"They share the same agent [Struan Marshall] and quite honestly he thinks something is going to happen with Keane in January. Sounds like he could be moved on."

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is to undergo minor surgery after being taken to hospital suffering from kidney stones.

The problem is not serious and the Spaniard is expected to be back at work before the end of the week.

The news comes just days after his Chelsea counterpart Luiz Felipe Scolari revealed he had been suffering from the same complaint.

A Liverpool spokesman said: "Rafa was admitted to hospital last night after suffering problems with a kidney stone.

"He will undergo a minor operation this afternoon and is expected to return to work within two or three days.

"He remains in good spirits and everyone at Liverpool wishes him a very speedy recovery."

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez hopes Fernando Torres will be back in action in a fortnight - but doesn't want to "put pressure on him".The Spanish striker is due for another consultation over his hamstring problem with Spanish specialist Ramon Cugat in Barcelona, and expects the all-clear to resume full training.

Benitez said: "I have been talking to Fernando today, and he is much better. But how long before he returns, I don't know.

"He is in light training. It could be one or two weeks, but I don't want to put pressure on him."

Benitez also revealed his delight with Torres' nomination for the World Player of the Year award.

"I am pleased he has been nominated for the World Player of the Year award - it is well deserved. To score 33 goals in your first season in England and then to win the European title with Spain shows his quality.

"There are some very good players also nominated, but I feel Fernando has a good chance.

"Of course, Cristiano Ronaldo is also nominated - and he is a very good player, too. It could be him; it could be Torres - but I will always support Fernando.

"It is very positive for him and for us. He was doing very well, and his record last season is a massive achievement."

Benitez has again dismissed claims that Daniel Agger could be going to AC Milan, while explaining the midweek revelation of Ajax's interest in Ryan Babel.

He said: "It is more difficult for the players who are not playing. Ryan Babel has been linked with a move away, but it was Ajax who approached me.

"They were selling (Klaas Jan) Hunterlaar and wanted Ryan on loan, and I said no. He will stay with us; he can be a very important player for the rest of the season.

"The problem Babel has is the form of Albert Riera. If it was the other way around, Riera would have a problem. But that is what it is like at the very top."

Liverpool's big guns will return for Saturday's home game with Hull after being rested for the midweek Champions League win in Eindhoven.Skipper Steven Gerrard, midfielder Xabi Alonso, goalkeeper Jose Reina and forward Dirk Kuyt are all expected to face the Yorkshire club.

Liverpool hope that Fernando Torres will be back in a fortnight as he progresses with rehabilitation for a hamstring injury.

Full-back Fabio Aurelio is back in training after missing three games with a calf problem, but will not be involved on Saturday.

Reds (from): Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Agger, Dossena, Babel, Benayoun, Gerrard, Mascherano, Lucas, Alonso, Riera, Kuyt, Keane, Ngog, Cavalieri, Insua, El Zhar.

Former Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier has said he is "not interested" in becoming Sunderland's new boss.

The Frenchman is one of several high-profile candidates to have been linked with the job since Roy Keane's resignation last week.

But the current technical director of the French Football Federation has confirmed he is not looking to return to the Premier League.

He also revealed he had not been contacted by Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn about the Stadium of Light vacancy.

Houllier told Canal Plus: "No, I'm not interested. And I haven't been contacted directly."

Houllier was second-favourite with the bookmakers to succeed Keane, with Sam Allardyce the leading contender.

Allardyce has expressed an interest in taking on the role, although Phil Brown and former manager Peter Reid have ruled out the job.

Ricky Sbragia is currently the caretaker manager and will hope to end a run of three straight defeats against fellow strugglers West Brom on Saturday.

Robbie Keane has left no-one in any doubt that he intends to prove himself at Liverpool.

The £20million Irish striker went into Liverpool's final Champions League group match with a huge question mark over his future at the club amid reports he could return to Tottenham in the January transfer window.

And boss Rafael Benitez found himself having to tell the player that he would not be sold in the new year after a difficult few months trying to acclimatise himself at Anfield.

But after a much-improved performance in the comfortable 3-1 victory over PSV Eindhoven in the Philips stadion on Tuesday, Keane was significantly only prepared to discuss his long-term aims at the club.

He said: "I am happy with my own performance, I was delighted to play in a position that I like, just off the striker.

"It meant that I was always involved, and I got an assist with the third goal. Yes, I like scoring, but I always like helping others get their goals too.

"My confidence has not been affected by things that have been said about me, things like that never get me down.

"I am confident that I will score a lot of goals for this club, I am not worried about the way things have gone, there is a lot more to come from me.

"Some players would let their heads go down and they would be crying, but I am too strong for that.

"I have only been here a few months, and it takes time to settle, so it is too early to judge me now.

"I am always confident in own ability, I have scored a lot of goals in the past, and that ability doesn't go away just like that.

"But I accept that at club like Liverpool, as a striker you are judged on the goals you score. I love scoring goals, but I also love being involved.

"I am just as pleased with assists so I will carry on doing that and it will be fine."

Liverpool won Group D of the Champions League with a 3-1 victory at PSV Eindhoven thanks to goals from Ryan Babel, Albert Riera and David N'Gog.

The under-strength Premier League side had already qualified for the last 16 but their win and Atletico Madrid's goalless draw at Marseille ensured top seeding for the knockout phase.

Marseille qualify for the last 32 of the UEFA Cup after their point condemned PSV to bottom slot.

Rafael Benitez's team controlled the match with PSV's 36th-minute opener coming against the run of play.

The Reds levelled just before the break and the pulled away in the second half to give them a two-point advantage over Atletico, who had also previously sealed their passage.

While the English visitors were more dangerous, the two best chances of the first half did fall to the Dutch side.

The first opportunity saw Timmy Simons force a nervous parry from Diego Cavalieri with a 15th-minute long-range shot, and the second went in 21 minutes later.

PSV were awarded a corner that Liverpool disputed and Javier Mascherano made a mess of his defensive header, which bounced off the chest of Carlos Salcido and dropped to Danko Lazovic to finish from close range.

The opener was against the run of play but Liverpool - despite having nothing of note to play for - continued to push forward.

Their positive attitude reaped dividends deep into first-half injury time.

First the unmarked N'Gog headed straight at Andreas Isaksson and next the hosts switched off to allow a Lucas Leiva free-kick to find Babel, who glanced a header in off the outstretched palm of Isaksson for 1-1.

The second half was Liverpool's, with Robbie Keane impressive with his movement and link-up play but unlucky not to be given the service that he afforded the wasteful Babel, Lucas and N'Gog.

Eventually the pressure told when Riera smashed an unstoppable effort from outside the area that left Isaksson floundering midway through the second 45.

N'Gog ended PSV's hopes of UEFA Cup football soon afterwards when he raced onto an excellent Keane through ball and fired low under the Sweden keeper to extend the lead.

Lucas, N'Gog and Keane had further chances to rub salt into the home side's wounds but it finished 3-1.

Marseille 0-0 Atletico Madrid

Marseille sealed their passage into the last 32 of the UEFA Cup with a goalless draw against Atletico Madrid at Stade Velodrome.

The match was dominated by non-football matters after Marseille fan Santos Mirasierra was sentenced to three and a half years' prison by a Spanish court for his part in crowd trouble in the reverse fixture in Madrid.

Home fans showed their support for Mirasierra with banners and t-shirts but there were no reports of violence.

The hosts had the better chances but were unable to beat Atletico's French goalkeeper Gregory Coupet, who denied Ronald Zubar, Hatem Ben Arfa, Karim Ziani, Taye Taiwo and Boudewijn Zenden.

L'OM had the greater need to win but that diminished when news of Liverpool's controlled display over PSV came through and they were content to play out a goalless draw.

Robbie Keane is set to be recalled for Liverpool's final Champions League Group D clash at PSV Eindhoven.

The Irishman has struggled for form since his big-money summer move to Anfield and was left on the bench for the Reds' weekend win over Blackburn.

But the £20 million man was included in the party of 18 that travelled to Holland and is likely to get the nod to start with Fernando Torres and Dirk Kuyt having stayed at home.

Torres is still sidelined with a hamstring problem while Kuyt was left behind in Liverpool to enjoy some rest.

Fabio Aurelio (calf) is also out while Sami Hyypia is not registered with UEFA for the group matches.

PSV boss Huub Stevens has a doubt over Danny Koevermans (hamstring) while midfielder Ibrahim Afellay is struggling with an ankle injury.

LONDON (AFP) - Liverpool remained in pole position in the English Premier League as the top four in the table all won on Saturday.

The Reds' 3-1 victory away to struggling Blackburn Rovers kept them a point ahead of Chelsea after the Londoners beat Bolton Wanderers 2-0.

Chelsea's win saw them surpass Tottenham Hotspur's English record of 10 successive top-flight away victories set in 1960.

Reigning champions Manchester United remained six points behind Liverpool in third place although it needed Nemanja Vidic's stoppage-time goal to secure a 1-0 win over managerless Sunderland at Old Trafford.

Arsenal stayed in the top four with a 1-0 win at home to Wigan secured by a goal from Emmanuel Adebayor.

Elsewhere, Newcastle, on course for victory after Michael Owen scored twice, were held to a 2-2 draw at home to Stoke while Hull came from behind to beat Middlesbrough 2-1.

Earlier, Fulham and Manchester City shared the points in a 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez was pleased by his side's return to winning ways after their goalless draw on Monday against lowly West Ham.

"Clearly it was an important three points for us," the Spaniard said. "We are in a very good position and we want to stay there."

Chelsea assistant manager Ray Wilkins, a former Blues captain, praised his team's attitude as well as their skill.

"I thought the spirit and commitment the guys showed was absolutely first-class, coupled with some extremely good passing of the ball as well."

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who saw Vidic shoot into an unguarded net after after Michael Carrick's deflected strike hit the post, said: "We deserved to win simply because we were the team that wanted to win and Sunderland, understandably, to survive."

Ferguson refused to criticise the relegation-threatened visitors' defensive approach in what was their first match since former United captain Roy Keane resigned as their manager.

"There have been better teams that have come here and played just the same with one-up and five across the middle of the park," said the Scot. "When you are down the bottom, you can understand the desperation to get a point."

Sunderland caretaker boss Ricky Sbragia said: "The players are disappointed but they gave us everything."

Spain international Xabi Alonso broke the deadlock at Ewood Park in the 69th minute when he sidefooted in Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard's cross.

Then, 10 minutes later, Yossi Benayoun went past Stephen Warnock before shooting beyond Paul Robinson in the Rovers goal.

Roque Santa Cruz pulled a goal back four minutes from time before Gerrard wrapped up the three points with an injury-time effort.

The defeat increased the pressure on Blackburn boss Paul Ince, the former Liverpool midfielder, with Rovers still rooted in the relegation zone after a fifth successive defeat.

Former Bolton striker Nicolas Anelka headed Chelsea into a ninth-minute at the Reebok Stadium.

The Blues made it 2-0 in spectacular fashion through Portugal midfielder Deco's acrobatic 'bicycle-kick' in the 21st minute.

All the goals at Hull's KC Stadium came in a frantic final 11 minutes.

Boro went ahead through Turkey international Tuncay Sanli only for Hull to equalise three minutes later when Bernard Mendy's shot eventually went in off goalkeeper Ross Turnbull for an own-goal.

Hull, fifth in the table, then went ahead through Marlon King's 85th minute penalty, with Boro's David Wheater sent-off for the foul on Geovanni that led to the spot-kick.

At St James' Park, Owen gave Newcastle the lead when he turned in an eighth-minute cross from Jonas Gutierrez before making it 2-0 in the 24th minute after good work by Obafemi Martins.

Stoke though pulled a goal back on the hour mark when Mamady Sidibe scored from close range.

And they were level in the dying seconds when Abdoulaye Faye scored against his former club, although the draw still left promoted Stoke searching for their first away league win this season.

Aston Villa will have a chance to go fifth when they face Everton on Sunday while Portsmouth will look to recover from the disappointment of their UEFA Cup exit away to bottom-of-the-table West Brom.

Tottenham travel to London rivals West Ham on Monday, a match that sees Spurs' former Hammers boss Harry Redknapp returning to Upton Park.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has declared that striker Fernando Torres's hamstring injury is not worse than first believed.

The Spain international injured his hamstring in the Champions League clash with Marseille at Anfield and was said to be out for between two and three weeks.

It has since been rumoured that the 24-year-old will now be out for longer than expected after he visited a specialist in his native Spain.

The injury is a reoccurrence of the hamstring tear Torres picked up while on international duty with Spain earlier in the season and Benitez insists they want the problem sorted for good.

"Fernando is progressing and improving so hopefully he will be back sooner rather than later," the former Valencia boss told the club's official website.

"It's just a question of waiting and not pressuring the player. I was with him today and he was okay.

"He has a lot of confidence now, and when you have confidence, you can be fitter sooner.

"Everything is going well and I think it will be more or less the time we said before, maybe less"

Benitez insists that Torres' trip to see a specialist in Spain was beneficial and confirmed what the club had already agreed.

"It was just to confirm our diagnosis was right and that is the case. The injury was a relapse of the one he had before.

"The specialist has known Torres for a long time and he also has a good relationship with our physios who are working hard with him.

"We are really pleased because we know the problem and now we can find a solution. We know we have to work hard on it and I think he'll be okay."

It's nearly Christmas, Roque Santa Cruz is being linked with a move from Blackburn, and the headline writes itself.

For what says 'Christmas spirit' like, well, several litres of Christmas spirits, a 24-pack of Stella and granny's alarmingly sweet sherry?

Certainly not some red-suited bloke in a Dorset 'theme park' desperately trying to find the sellotape to re-attach the cotton wool to his chin.

Santa Cruz himself is a model professional, of course, which is just one of the reasons why Rafa Benitez wants to bring him to Anfield and send Jermaine Pennant in the opposite direction.

Benitez intends to return to the good old days of squad rotation to reduce the load on Fernando Torres's prima donna-ish hamstrings.

With Robbie Keane presently unable to finish his dinner and Dirk Kuyt thriving on the wing, Benitez wants an extra body up front.

Something in the region of £8m plus Pennant could persuade Paul Ince to do business as Rovers look to whack the loot on a decent defender or two.

It hardly needs saying but Gossip Shop will say it anyway - Liverpool face competition from Manchester City for Santa Cruz's signature.

It is probably fair to assume that Herita Ilunga won't make his loan move to West Ham permanent.

The Toulouse man has employed classic 'no disrespect, but...' tactics to diss the Hammers, saying: "Without being derogatory, West Ham are a second-rate club.

"Let's not kid ourselves - we are not an Arsenal, Manchester United or Chelsea.

"Once I have proved myself in a team such this, I can hope to make the step up to another club."

Without being derogatory, Ilunga is out of his mind if he thinks he can hold a candle to Gael Clichy, Patrice Evra or Cheryl Cole's WAG.

Wigan have slapped a £10m price tag on a 30-year-old striker who scores five goals a season and has six months left on his contract.

The reason? Steve Bruce reckons Emile Heskey could be the only thing standing between the Latics and the costly business that is releagation.

Freddy Adu has said it is "one of my dreams" to play for Tottenham. One of Gossip Shop's dreams is being chased through the streets of Bratislava by masked agents before waking up in a cold but strangely euphoric sweat. If a sweat can be euphoric.

Sulley Muntari strongly recommends that Michael Essien ditches Chelsea for Internazionale just as soon as he comes back from that knee injury.

Essien sleeps 14 hours a day, and they have very good mattresses in Italy.

Centre-back Alex is another man being lured away from Stamford Bridge by a Chelsea old boy.

This time it is Henk Ten Cate, who wants the Brazilian to move to Panathinaikos on loan.

Alex has fallen behind Branislav Ivanovic - who plays every match in an Albert Ferrer-themed wig - in Big Phil's defensive pecking order.

Finally, two stories that have little in common but are dull enough to merit lumping together.

Fulham will bid £6m to sign Kevin Doyle from Reading, while West Ham could flog Valon Behrami to Palermo as their money troubles continue. Have they not heard of Ocean Finance?

Liverpool have revealed that the hamstring injury suffered by star striker Fernando Torres is worse than first feared.

Torres had been expected to be out of action for two weeks with the injury he suffered during the Champions League victory against Marseille at Anfield on November 26.

However, the Spaniard has now been told by specialists that he will be out for at least four weeks - although Liverpool are refusing to put a timescale on his return to action.

"We first said two to three weeks but do not want to put a time on it now," said Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez.

"He will come back when he is ready. We will not rush him back.

"We want to resolve this problem once and for all and we will make sure we do that."

Torres has already missed five weeks of the campaign with a similar complaint, although the Reds have coped superbly in his previous absences, recording victories over Manchester United and Chelsea.

It is the fifth hamstring injury Torres has suffered in the 16 months since his arrival at Anfield from Atletico Madrid, having been hit by three similar injuries on international duty and two now with his club.

Liverpool are currently top of the Premier League but have drawn their last two home games without scoring a goal, with new signing Robbie Keane still finding his form since his £20 million move from Tottenham in the summer.

The FA will not take any action against Liverpool after their players wore T-shirts with a message of support for a fan who was jailed in 2005.Liverpool players wore the T-shirts in the warm-up for the Premier League match against West Ham on Monday.

Michael Shields was sentenced to 15 years in prison after being convicted of the attempted murder of Bulgarian waiter Martin Georgiev in Bulgaria on a holiday taken after seeing his side win the Champions League final in Istanbul.

Liverpool's players were seen wearing 'Free Michael now' T-shirts while warming up ahead of Monday's televised 0-0 draw with West Ham at Anfield.

Despite another man confessing to the attack, Shields was locked up and his sentence was reduced to 10 years on appeal. He was transferred to the UK to serve the remainder of his sentence, but his supporters have never halted their campaign to prove his innocence.

An FA spokesman said: "We have spoken to Liverpool Football Club about this matter. We understand that Michael Shields' case is a very emotive issue and one that many Liverpool players and fans feel strongly about.

"Having heard the club's explanation we will not be taking any formal action, and we are satisfied that they understand the sensitivities around football matches being used as a platform for political messages."

A judge at London's High Court decided last month that Shields' case should be heard in full by three judges and a judicial review hearing is due to begin on Thursday.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez insists Robbie Keane "is a better player" than his current form suggests - and believes the goals will soon flow.The £20million summer signing was substituted for the 15th time this season as Liverpool were held 0-0 at home by West Ham on Monday night.

They did take over at the top of the Premier League, but it was anything but convincing and yet another occasion when the Reds have wasted a genuine opportunity to put clear water between themselves and their title rivals.

Keane looked a frustrated figure as he trudged off the Anfield pitch, to be replaced by rookie French striker David Ngog as Liverpool were battling to break down a determined West Ham rearguard.

And Keane's latest withdrawal from the fray by Benitez brought to a head an increasingly worrying situation for the Irishman.

Benitez said: "Robbie is a better player than the one we are seeing now."

Keane has managed just four goals this term, and only completed 90 minutes on three occasions in 22 appearances. He has come on as a substitute four times and been substituted 15 times.

Those statistics underline the problem for Benitez, with Keane struggling for form and confidence.

He is also suffering from the scenario that afflicted Craig Bellamy in his one season at Anfield.

With most teams opting to defend deep and in numbers at Anfield, there is little space for a quick striker to utilise his speed, and in that respect, Bellamy and Keane are very similar.

Benitez said: "We know what kind of player Robbie Keane is. He needs people around him to pass the ball well.

"I believe he will be okay, he will score more if we create chances for him.

"But if that does not happen we have to use players with different qualities to open up the game.

"Robbie does get disappointed when things are not going his way. He is a worker, but he can improve.

"It is a question of confidence. If we score first in this type of game then we will grow and win. Some players may be lacking in confidence, but if we keep creating chances we will be okay.

"Robbie, when he came off, was disappointed. But players always want to be out on the pitch for 90 minutes, but we were thinking of different solutions and Ngog did well when he came on, holding the ball up."

Benitez did his best to remain upbeat, but he knew only too well that two more points had been squandered from a winnable home game, just like Liverpool did against Stoke and Fulham.

He said: "It could have been three more points and top of the league. Clearly we are frustrated, but we are one point clear of Chelsea, and that is positive.

"Hopefully we will not be looking back at these three games, Stoke, Fulham and now West Ham, as points that would have counted. I hope we will look at the end of the season as this point being decisive.

"But we have lost two points again. We know that. But we were attacking and we were playing better than before, but we have to be disappointed."

Defender Jamie Carragher did not shy away from the issue. He said: "It is disappointing when you are not winning your home games because that is always what you want to do.

"But the positive thing is we have had three home games on the run and we have been poor in each one of them, but still qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League and we are top of the league.

"Normally when you are not playing well things go the other way, but in this case we have actually gone up the league which is a positive for us to take.

"We are probably going through a bit of a bad spell at the moment but we are delighted to be top. The performances are not as good as what we are

Liverpool went top of the Premier League but failed to open up a three-point gap as they were held to a 0-0 draw by West Ham at Anfield.

Rafael Benitez's side recorded their second consecutive goalless draw at home that sees them go just one point above Chelsea, while the Hammers move up to 13th.

The final whistle was greeted by a chorus of boos from the home support, who saw their team miss several good opportunities to open the scoring.

Chelsea's home defeat at the hands of Arsenal give Rafael Benitez's side the chance to go clear at the top of the table, at a time of year when - in recent times - their title hopes have already been quashed.

They had all of the first-half possession against a West Ham side that looked set on playing for a goalless draw right from the kick-off, but could not take any of the chances they created.

Big centre-back Sami Hyypia headed one clear header from a corner over the bar, and had another headed effort blocked on the line by Carlton Cole.

They had another goal-bound shot cleared when goalkeeper Robert Green's one-handed punch fell to Albert Riera, but the Spanish winger's first-time strike was blocked by Matthew Upson.

Playing without the injured Fernando Torres alongside him, lone Liverpool frontman Robbie Keane did not see much of the ball, due in equal part to his team's lack of width and the excellent defensive job done by the two West Ham centre-backs, Upson and James Collins.

The Irishman had one clear opportunity, but his strike from a tight angle was blocked by Collins.

West Ham had former Liverpool striker Craig Bellamy in their attack, and the Welshman almost opened the scoring against the run of play with a quick break only to see his long-range strike crash off the inside of the post with Pepe Reina beaten at full stretch.

Green played his part in keeping the scores level after the break when he tipped Yossi Benayoun's strike over bar, before saving Dirk Kuyt's near post strike in the closing stages.

Hyypia saw another headed chance glanced wide as Liverpool became more desperate to score, with young forward David N'Gog and then Ryan Babel coming on for Keane and Riera respectively.

As Liverpool chased the game, West Ham enjoyed more chances, with Cole heading wide from a corner before late substitute Luis Boa Morte blasted a shot into the crowd and Cole saw a shot saved after being wrongly flagged for offside in stoppage time.

Even Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard could not find his range, seeing several shots blocked, mis-kicked or fired off target from the edge of the box as Gianfranco Zola's side held on for a point that leaves them unbeaten in three matches.

Rafael Benitez is delighted with the progress Liverpool have made so far this season and wants them to continue it against West Ham on Monday.With Steven Gerrard talking of his "hunger" for the league title and Benitez close to agreeing a new contract, the Hammers could find this is not the time to be trying to end a 45-year wait for a win at Anfield.

West Ham travel to Merseyside facing a relegation fight themselves and without a win at Anfield since Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters' scored in 1963 - when the Beatles' 'She Loves You' was top of the charts.

They will not find much love from the Merseysiders this time around.

With Liverpool already qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League, Benitez now wants his side to concentrate hard on cementing their position in the race for the Premier League title.

He said: "We have qualified for the next stage in Europe, now we have three months to concentrate on the league. We have only lost once in the Premier League this season and we must make sure we continue that level of form."

Benitez, believed to be close to a new deal at the club after further talks in recent days between the manager's agent and club owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett, knows a run of indifferent Liverpool performances must come to an end.

A poor display in their last home league game allowed Fulham to claim a 0-0 draw, and the midweek victory over Marseille in Europe was hardly convincing.

Now Liverpool have a run of nine league games before title rivals Chelsea visit Anfield on February 1, in which they should only be troubled when they travel to Arsenal this month and face Everton at home on January 19.

The rest of that run, starting with the Hammers, includes matches with Blackburn, Hull, Bolton, Newcastle, Stoke and Wigan.

If Liverpool are to be considered genuine contenders, there can be no slip-ups in such matches.

Full-back Alvaro Arbeloa underlines the desire not to allow supposed lesser sides to get anything at Anfield, as Stoke did with a 0-0 draw back in September before Fulham achieved the same result a week ago.

Arbeloa said: "We know we have to improve at Anfield in the league. The draw with Fulham was very frustrating, and we did the same against Stoke. You must win your home games if you want to win the title.

"We cannot continue to make mistakes at Anfield, we must find a solution to the way teams come to defend here.

"We lost two points against Fulham in our last home league game, which annoyed us. So we know we must put that right as soon as possible."

Liverpool will be without striker Fernando Torres with a hamstring problem and defender Fabio Aurelio, who has a calf injury. Robbie Keane and Andrea Dossena are expected to come into the side.

The match will mark Gerrard's 10-year anniversary since his first-team debut, when he came on as substitute against Blackburn on November 29, 1998.

Gerrard said: "We have got another important game coming up against West Ham and that is what I'm focusing on now.

"It's also important that we try to improve on our performance against Fulham and try to take all three points. Every game is crucial.

"The anniversary means a lot to me. It has been a special week and I have been having to pinch myself because I've been living this dream since I first pulled on a red shirt.

"The 10 years seem to have gone by in a flash but there's an old saying that time flies when you are having fun and that is exactly what I've had.

"It has been the best 10 years of my life and hopefully that will continue for many years to come. If anything, I am actually more hungry than ever before.

"I am.

West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola would rather have former Chelsea team-mates Frank Lampard and John Terry in his team than Steven Gerrard.Zola's side will come up against Gerrard at Anfield on Monday evening as the 28-year-old celebrates a decade in the Premier League.

Gerrard is often compared with Lampard - particularly when it comes to the national side - but Zola is in no doubt which of the two England midfielders he would want to play in his team.

"I'm very divided but I'd have to have John Terry and Frank Lampard, no disrespect to anyone else," said the former Blues striker.

"I know them very well and they were fantastic players for Chelsea.

"Frank Lampard is an excellent player because he can defend, he can clear, he can help the team to create and he can finish it.

"He's a fantastic player to have in your team. He's excellent and also scores important goals in important matches. The same goes for Gerrard."

The 13th-placed Hammers have not won at Anfield since September 1963 and have a daunting task to beat Rafa Benitez's side, who are joint top with Chelsea.

The Reds' attack will be blunted by the absence of Fernando Torres, but Zola believes Liverpool have equally dangerous players who can step in.

The 42-year-old Italian, known for his creative flair as a player, admits defence will take priority at Anfield but said they would not be sacrificing their usual attacking style too much.

"Torres is a very important player for them," Zola added.

"I don't know whether they'll change the way they play but he is important for them.

"Liverpool have a big, big squad so if Torres doesn't play they can play (Robbie) Keane or (Ryan) Babel. So they'll still be a threat for us.

"They've got enough options to cause us problems so obviously we're going to try to stop them and play our game.

"They haven't lost at home yet so it's a huge challenge but the reward will be huge if we win.

"When you are a footballer you get so up for these big games. Plus it's going to be on television so it's huge for them.

"We are going to play our match the way we normally play. We're not a team that can go there and sit back and wait and wait.

"We have different qualities but obviously our defensive side is going to be vital. When you play a side better than you, you have to look after the defensive side of the game and that's what we've been focusing on this week.

"But we're not going to be sitting waiting for something to happen."

Liverpool plan a total overhaul of Fernando Torres's medical care to try to discover the reason for his fifth hamstring injury in 16 months.

The Spanish striker broke down again during Wednesday's Champions League victory over Marseille.

Scans have revealed a repetition of the injury that could rule him out for three weeks, the December 21 trip to Arsenal being the tentative target for his comeback.

Torres has had three similar injuries on international duty, and two now with Liverpool, in the 16 months since his arrival at Anfield from Atletico Madrid.

Boss Rafael Benitez reveals Torres has no history of such an injury in Spain, which further deepens the concerns over his fitness.

He said: "Fernando had no such muscle or hamstring problems while with Atletico Madrid."

But as former Liverpool star Michael Owen knows all too well, hamstring injuries can dog you for the rest of your career once they have taken hold.

And now the 24-year-old striker has voiced his own concerns at the problem. He said: "I am a little disappointed, but all I can do is move forward.

"It is worrying me because it has happened a few times. After this latest injury the important thing is to recover without rushing a comeback date and trying to make sure it does not happen again."

Torres will miss Monday's game at home to West Ham, and could also be sidelined for matches against Blackburn, PSV Eindhoven and Hull.

Benitez said: "We are very disappointed with the situation. We have to analyse why it has happened. We have been working with prevention exercises in the past, and still we have the same problem.

"We were taking time with him, he wasn't being rushed back. The time and training was all under control, as was all the exercises.

"We now have to analyse why it has happened again. The doctor and the physio were both working very hard with Fernando and they are both first-class, but now it is the same situation.

"We will now not be taking any risks with his comeback. If he is fit then he will play, if he is not fit then he won't, it is simple."

He added: "We were working very hard with prevention exercises, and that was after the first couple of times that it happened.

"But it has happened again. He played in the Carling Cup and was not sharp, but he was sharp in training and little by little he was put under pressure."

Torres had short spells against West Brom, Tottenham and Bolton, plus a substitute appearance for Spain against Chile. Then he played two full games and broke down again.

Benitez said: "Everything was under control. But maybe against Marseille he was tired towards the end of the match and that is when it happened again. He went on a sprint and pulled something.

"Now we will have to start all over again to try to solve this problem.

"Because it has happened again and again we must analyse the small things. Maybe the way you walk, maybe your footwear or the exercises you do.

"I have talked to Fernando looking for a solution, and also with the doctor and physio staff. We must solve this, it is not a serious injury, more one that is difficult to cure."

Robbie Keane will now get an extended opportunity to stake a claim for a regular place, having been substitute against Marseille to facilitate Torres' comeback.

Liverpool have also lost full-back Fabio Aurelio with a calf injury, and Italian defender Andreas Dossena should step in against the Hammers.

UEFA have opened disciplinary proceedings against Marseille after Liverpool's Steven Gerrard was hit by a cigarette lighter during the sides' Champions League meeting on Wednesday.

European soccer's governing body said on Friday that the French club would be charged with the throwing of missiles by their supporters at the next meeting of UEFA's disciplinary body on December 11.

Gerrard scored the only goal of Liverpool's 1-0 Group D victory to send them into the competition's knockout stages.

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres will be out of action for up to three weeks with a hamstring strain.

The Spain international, who was also sidelined for three weeks in October with a similar problem, picked up the injury in the 1-0 Champions League victory against French side Marseille at Anfield.

"Fernando has a strain in his right hamstring and will be out of action for between two and three weeks," a spokesman said on the club website after the player underwent a scan.

Torres, who scored Spain's winner in the Euro 2008 final, is Liverpool's joint top scorer in the league this season with five goals.

The club will also be without Brazilian left back Fabio Aurelio, who suffered a calf strain and is expected to be out for two weeks.

Liverpool are level with Premier League leaders Chelsea on 33 points but with an inferior goal difference ahead of the weekend's programme.

They host West Ham United on Monday.

LIVERPOOL (AFP) - Steven Gerrard celebrated his return from injury by firing Liverpool into the knockout stages of the Champions League with a 1-0 win over Marseille here on Wednesday.

The Liverpool captain's first-half header from Xabi Alonso's cross proved enough to secure a victory over opponents who deserved better from a display every bit as spirited as the one that had seen them become the first French club to win at Anfield 13 months ago.

"We'll have a few regrets because we had chances up to the last minute but the only thing that makes me unhappy was the result," said Marseille coach Erik Gerets.

"I was quite happy with the performance. For the first time in a long time, we played as a unit and with the kind of desire that everyone said we were missing."

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez admitted his side had lived dangerously at times. "It was a strange game. We were controlling the game and then we scored and they started to attack us.

"We were trying to play on the counter attack with Fernando Torres but our final ball was never good enough to hurt them. The game was too open against a team with pace and ability. But the important thing is we won and we are qualified."

Ultimately it was the sloppy marking that allowed Gerrard to claim his fifth goal in as many games in this season's competition that snuffed out Marseille's last chance of progress to the last 16.

But Gerets' men could also count themselves unfortunate not to have enjoyed the breaks that would have enabled them to capitalise on a string of good chances as they put Liverpool under intense pressure after the interval.

It was a night of milestones for Benitez. His 66th European match in charge of the club eclipsed Bill Shankly's record while a 39th victory on the European stage saw him draw level with Bob Paisley on that count.

The Spaniard, though, could scarcely have been satisfied with another lacklustre display from his side which, even with Gerrard returning at the expense of Robbie Keane, lacked the attacking intensity he had promised in the wake of Saturday's sluggish display against Fulham.

Marseille were fortunate not to be punished in the opening minutes when Dirk Kuyt charged down Taye Taiwo's attempted clearance, the Dutchman failing to pick out Torres with his cross, and Daniel Agger's long-range strike required Steve Mandanda to make his first save of the evening.

More than 20 minutes had elapsed before the visitors' goalkeeper was called into serious action however and he did well to block Kuyt's header at close range after Torres had skipped past Vitorino Hilton on the right of the box.

Marseille failed to clear their lines and they paid the price less than a minute later after Alvaro Arbeloa sent Alonso overlapping down the right.

The Spanish midfielder's first-time cross was struck with his customary precision over a Marseille defence that had neglected to pick up Gerrard lurking beyond the back post.

Unchecked, the England midfielder was able to advance to the edge of the six-yard area before powering a header past Mandanda's right hand.

Marseille's best moment of the opening period came ten minutes before the break, when Taye Taiwo's skidding freekick forced Jose Reina to get down smartly at his left-hand post.

Liverpool's goalkeeper appeared less accomplished as he flapped at the resulting corner and was relieved to see Ronald Zubar head wide from a tight angle.

A rare right foot effort from Albert Riera drew another stop from Mandanda in first-half stoppage time.

But Liverpool were far from comfortable and could count themselves fortunate that Mamadou Niang's boot swiped at clean air when the Marseille striker got clear in the penalty area shortly after the restart.

Minutes later, the Senegal striker turned Jamie Carragher 40 yards out but, with a clear run at goal, opted to shoot too early and his effort failed to trouble Reina.

The trickery of Hatem Ben Arfa on the right was also giving Liverpool problems and the France midfielder came agonisingly close to equalising midway through the half with a beautifully struck free-kick from the corner of the box that drew an equally pleasing fingertips save from Reina.

A slip by Agger then presented Niang with a sight of goal but the Danish defender's blushes were spared by substitute Andrea Dossena, who threw his body into the line of fire for an important block on what was to prove Marseille's last clear-cut chance of an equaliser.

Fernando Torres has claimed the Premier League is "way ahead" of La Liga, a season and a half after joining Liverpool from Atletico Madrid.

The Spain striker took the Premier League by storm last season following his big-money move from Atletico in the summer of 2007, scoring 24 goals in his debut campaign for the Reds.

Although his second season at Anfield has been affected by some nagging injuries, Torres insists he is completely at home in England.

"It isn't easy to adapt but once you have, you would have trouble wanting to play anywhere else," said the 24-year-old, who scored Spain's winner in last summer's Euro 2008 final against Germany.

"The Premier League is way ahead of the Spanish league.

"You go to play away at a team in the relegation zone and you find yourself playing on a perfect pitch, with the stands full to bursting and opponents who are there to play football.

"And even if they lose, the crowd are going to cheer them on until the death. You only see this in British football."

Torres added: "The club is a symbol of a city which fought to stay alive.

"Everyone is proud of the team. Players want to come here because they know that Liverpool is a truly great club.

"Anfield is the most English of all the grounds - people live and breath football there.

"With just 45,000 fans there, that roar they give makes you think you have wings on your feet."

Torres completed his move to Liverpool in July last year, a month-and-a-half after they had been defeated by AC Milan in the final of the Champions League.

The striker revealed he was approached by Liverpool coach and fellow Spaniard Rafael Benitez just after that match, but he had trouble believing it was not a hoax call.

"Rafa Benitez phoned me on my mobile," Torres recalled.

"At the start, I was asking myself if this was some person imitating him. So I called (Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe) Reina to make sure it really was Rafa's number.

"Then after that, I didn't have to think for long. I knew that was the call I had been waiting for."

Liverpool forward Ryan Babel is desperate for more first-team opportunities at Anfield - but insists he is not thinking about leaving the club.Rafael Benitez has rotated his squad less often recently, meaning fringe players like Babel are getting fewer starts.

"The rotation system is a thing of the past and I'm one of the victims of that," the 21-year-old told Dutch magazine Sportweek.

"The team is winning a lot, so you don't alter things just like that.

"Each season has about 60 games. 'I must work hard and wait for my chance,' is what you hear, but I've shown enough patience. I want to play.

"You get better and develop when you play. On the bench, nothing happens. Of course I'm disappointed when I don't play, that seems clear to me."

The Holland international has no intention of quitting Anfield, though.

"I don't want to go," he said. "My contract runs until 2012. I don't give up that easily."

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has told his players to focus on Wednesday's Champions League clash against Marseille and forget the frustrating draw with Fulham.

The Reds missed the chance to go three points clear at the top of the Barclays Premier League at the weekend after failing to break down the resilient Cottagers at Anfield.

But the squad have no time to dwell on lost opportunities as they are back in European action in midweek.

A victory over the French visitors - shock 1-0 winners on Merseyside last season - would secure a place in the knockout stage with one Group D match still to play.

They would even go through with a draw on Wednesday if PSV Eindhoven fail to beat Atletico Madrid on the same night.

Ensuring qualification with a match to spare would allow Benitez to rest players and therefore assist their Premier League challenge.

So although the manager said they must learn lessons from the Fulham result, the performance must be forgotten.

"We are disappointed about Saturday but we cannot talk about past games now," said Benitez.

"We have to think about making mistakes and analyse why and find solutions for the next game.

"We are frustrated, really frustrated. How can we change that now? We have to analyse and talk to the players about the mistakes and try to change for the next game."

Defender Jamie Carragher admitted the players have to accept they will encounter some frustrating times at home but they have to learn how to deal with them and ensure it does not have a knock-on effect.

"Pretty much every team that comes to Anfield plays counter-attacking football and we can't complain about that, especially as we've done the same thing in many big away games in Europe," he told the Liverpool Echo.

"We've just got to adapt to it and overcome it because if we want to challenge for the title that is something we're going to have to do."

Full-back Alvaro Arbeloa added: "We need to make sure we put this behind us by beating Marseille so that we qualify for the next round."

Captain Steven Gerrard is expected to return against the French club, having been sorely missed against Fulham after failing to recover fully from the groin injury which also kept him out of England's victory over Germany in Berlin last week.

Benitez hopes the midfielder can quickly strike up the partnership with Fernando Torres which was so successful last season when the pair scoring more than 50 goals between them.

Injuries to both players have prevented that combination blossoming again this campaign but the Liverpool boss believes it is only a matter of time before they click.

"Last season it was clear to see that the understanding between Torres and Gerrard was really good and there have been signs this year that it is getting better," Benitez told the club's website, liverpoolfc.tv.

"Torres is back again after being injured and we hope that Gerrard will be fit enough to face Marseille.

"As a manager I don't like to single out players but Gerrard and Torres have scored something like 54 goals between them since they began playing together, so it is clear that they are both very important to us."

Michael Ballack believes the Premier League title fight remains a two-horse race between Chelsea and Manchester United.

Liverpool may well be level on points with the Blues, with United eight adrift with a game in hand, but Ballack reckons they remain "a club for the Champions League".

All three clubs were held to goalless draws at the weekend, while Arsenal - who are also considered part of the 'Big Four' - slipped to a 3-0 defeat at Manchester City to fall out of the top four in the table.

Ballack told The Sun: "It's always the big four that everyone speaks about but I think it's still about Chelsea and Man U.

"Arsenal are already behind which makes it very difficult for them.

"Liverpool are very good at this moment but for me they are always a club for the Champions League, partly because they can put all their focus on one or two matches.

"But when you look at results and squads over the past couple of seasons as a whole, I think us and Man U are just a little bit stronger."

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez would never accept that one man makes a team, even if that man is the inspirational Steven Gerrard.But the Liverpool manager, after witnessing Satutrday's limp 0-0 home draw with Fulham, was relieved to be able to reveal his skipper should be back in the starting line-up for Wednesday's Champions League home clash with Marseille.

It was clearly not palatable to consider the prospect of Gerrard's torn groin muscle leaving the club's inspiration again sitting in the directors' box.

Gerrard shuffled with frustration along with the rest of Liverpool's faithful as a team still unbeaten in the league at home in 2008 failed to see off a defiant Fulham.

That muscle injury has caused substantial damage in a matter of days, leaving Liverpool's relationship with the Football Association and the England set-up at best chilly.

Then, without Gerrard, Liverpool wasted the chane to go top. Chelsea and Manchester United also drew, so the only real losers were Arsenal whose defeat at Manchester City leaves them outside the top four and 10 points behind the leaders.

It should have been more because even an off-key Liverpool had enough chances to have buried Fulham.

Robbie Keane missed a sitter - it seems to happen every week now - while Dirk Kuyt failed twice from good positions.

The view afterwards from the Reds camp was that they should be able to win without Gerrard.

Full-back Fabio Aurelio said: "We have played for two months without Fernando Torres, and that is a big loss, but managed to win matches.

"We were able to handle it. And we should be able to do the same without Steven.

"Of course he is a fine player. He is approaching 10 years since his debut and he is very important for us.

"I have only been with him at Liverpool for a couple of years, but I know full well what he means to the club.

"I see him working every day in training, I see him leading the side on the pitch, and he is very, very special.

"But again we should not use as an excuse the fact that he was not playing against Fulham. It is too easy a thing to say.

"We have won games without Steven before, and we have good enough players to come into the side when he is not playing and still be able to win games."

Aurelio added: "Any side in the world would miss a player of Steven's ability and leadership. That is obvious.

"But we are finding teams now coming to Anfield and playing like Fulham did. They did not really have many chances, but tems now defend deep and in numbers.

"It is difficult to break down, but we should be able to do that with the players we have, with or without Steven."

Benitez supported that view and insisted his players must take collective responsibility.

He said: "We will always miss a player of Stevie's ability, but we did not beat Fulham because five or so players were all off form together.

"You cannot win games when that happens. He would have made a difference, yes, but it should not be an excuse.

"He is training now and I would expect that he would be fit to play against Marseille on Wednesday."

Benitez added: "It was a bad day, we did not have enough energy and we did not pass the ball well enough.

"We had a situation when maybe five players were well below their best. The players who had been away with their countries looked tired.

"I know the crowd were calling for Xabi Alonso to come on, but he had played 90 minutes for Spain and we needed fresh legs.

"When he did come on Fulham pressurised him straight away. One man does not make that much difference in such circumstances, when so many other players are off form you cannot

A lacklustre Liverpool failed to exploit Chelsea's inability to beat Newcastle after they were held to a goalless Premier League draw by Fulham at Anfield.
A poor match mirrored Chelsea's own bore-draw with the Magpies and Liverpool stay second, behind Chelsea on goal-difference.

Liverpool lacked the injured Steven Gerrard and left Xabi Alonso on the bench and, as a result, were strangely subdued going forward.

Apart from Mark Schwarzer's superb save from Robbie Keane after the ball kindly deflected into the path of the Irishman off strike partner Fernando Torres, the hosts barely troubled the Cottagers with Keane in particular looking sluggish and Torres's keen running not matched by his shooting.

Keane's chance aside, the first half was Fulham's in terms of opportunities.

Andrew Johnson poked weakly at Reina when put through following a corner, while Jimmy Bullard forced consecutive saves from Pepe Reina, first with a sweet strike from the edge of the box and then with the subsequent corner.

Liverpool started the second half with more vigour and Torres forced Schwarzer to tip the ball behind after a smart run inside from the left wing.

The corner that followed caused the visitors some problems, although Dirk Kuyt could not convert at the far post.

The Dutchman had a superb chance to put his side ahead on 70 minutes when, after a good move that involved Alvaro Arbeloa and Albert Riera, he angled a rising drive to the top-right corner only to be denied by an excellent stop from Schwarzer.

Alonso was introduced for the sluggish Javier Mascherano and the Reds immediately upped the ante.

Kuyt, who started the match on the right wing, adopted a more advanced role and popped up on the left to send a shot flashing inches over the top right corner.

Liverpool started to control the game, as Ryan Babel came on and immediately sent a low drive just wide after leaving Clint Dempsey and John Pantsil for dead.

Reds boss Rafael Benitez surprisingly brought Kuyt off for young Frenchman Nabil El-Zhar, a relatively defensive move that tightened their formation but reduced their impact going forward.

Fabio Aurelio sent a low volley wide after Fulham failed to fully clear a corner and Alonso summed the match up when he sent a shot from the edge of the box into row Z.

Torres could have won it in the final minute but his shot was deflected over for a corner, and Fulham ran the clock down to hold on for an excellent draw that puts them ninth.

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has told the club he wants to sign a new contract when his current deal ends and intends stay at the club for the rest of his career.

Gerrard made the announcement as he approaches the 10-year anniversary of his Liverpool debut next week.

Currently injured with a groin muscle tear and out of Saturday's home league match with Fulham, Gerrard's comments come on the same day as manager Rafael Benitez tipped the 28 year-old as the man who could one day replace him as manager.

Gerrard is back in light training and battling to be fit for Wednesday's Champions League home clash with Marseille but his clear indication he never wants to leave Anfield will delight the club's fans.

"I do not know what is going to happen over the next 10 years but certainly for the next five or six I hope I am playing in Liverpool's first team," he said.

"I have two and a half years left on my contract and hopefully I will sign another one and stay for the remainder of my career.

"We will have to wait and see about management but I certainly want to get my qualifications to enable me to coach and manage. Then I will have to decide what I want to do."

He added: "Whether I will be interested in the Gary Ablett (reserve coach) type role, the Sammy Lee (assistant manager) role or the Rafa Benitez role, I do not know.

"I just want to get all my badges and then we will see. But I have a lot more football to play before we get to that stage and that is what I want to focus on at the moment.

"All I can say at this stage is the last 10 years have been the best of my life. I have lived the dream doing something I have always wanted to do and if my working life carries on being with Liverpool then I will be very happy."

On his 10 years in the first team, Gerrard, speaking in a liverpoolfc.tv interview, said: "It is hard to believe I have been in the first team for so long because the time has just flown by.

"I am very proud to be able to say I have played for the first team for 10 years. If someone had said all those years ago that I would go on to be captain and lift the European Cup, then I wouldn't have believed them.

"But I have had to work very hard to get to where I am and to win trophies both on a personal level and as part of the team.

"Looking back, I have had some unbelievable highs playing for this team but I have had some lows as well. It is the lows that have helped drive me on.

"It is disappointing to lose games or to be sent off, but those experiences have helped me achieve the highs."

Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard has been ruled out of Saturday's Premier League clash with Fulham.

The midfielder missed England's friendly against Germany in midweek after picking up a groin injury during last weekend's win over Bolton.

Having completed 90 minutes at the Reebok Stadium last Saturday, his subsequent withdrawal from Fabio Capello's squad had raised questions as to the authenticity of his injury.

Despite Liverpool's medical staff having ruled out Gerrard for the friendly international in Berlin, Capello ordered him to report for duty at England's Hertfordshire base.

But once there, national team doctors confirmed Gerrard's injury was genuine and sent him back to Merseyside to recuperate.

According to reports, the 28-year-old has just a 50-50 chance of recovering in time to face Marseille in the Champions League next week, further vindicating his absence from the England game.

Benitez had claimed earlier that Gerrard "would be out for between seven and 10 days".

Liverpool defender Daniel Agger has been hailed as the "the closest thing I have seen to Alan Hansen" by former team-mate Craig Bellamy.Wales captain Bellamy crossed swords with the Danish centre-half in Copenhagen on Wednesday.

Bellamy came out trumps in the clash with 23-year-old Agger, netting the second-half winner in a friendly international against Denmark.

And in a week when it was being suggested that Agger's defensive rival Martin Skrtel was unhappy with life out of the side at Anfield, Bellamy underlined how tough the competition for places is now for the title chasers.

Bellamy, a lifelong Liverpool fan who achieved his ultimate career ambition when he had a year with the club after a £6million move from Blackburn in July 2006, rates Agger highly and understands the battle for a first-team shirt between the Dane and Skrtel.

Bellamy said: "Agger is outstanding. I have watched Liverpool a lot over the years and for me Agger is the closest thing I have seen to Alan Hansen.

"That's the best compliment I can give him. When he gets possession he can move confidently into midfield, he joins in the passing.

"He is comfortable on the ball and has really impressed me. I liked him a lot as a person, he is down-to-earth and level-headed.

"Nothing fazes him, nothing gets on top of him, he is an outstanding player."

Liverpool bought Skrtel last January because of the continued injury problems that had kept out Agger for months.

Bellamy said: "Agger was injured and that cost him his place to Martin Skrtel. Even when he was fit again he could not get back into the side, but at a place like Liverpool you have to earn the right to play.

"He had to bide his time and although it was bad luck for Skrtel when he got injured, Daniel has got his chance again.

"The same will happen when Skrtel is fit again. He will find it hard to get back into the team because Daniel is playing so well.

"The roles will be reversed. But that does not surprise me at a top club where the best players do hold down their places in the side."

There was a spell earlier in the season when Agger could not fight his way back into the side after injury with Skrtel then the man in possession of the shirt.

And that prompted claims from his homeland that he was not happy sitting on the substitutes' bench.

Now the roles are reversed with Skrtel recovering from a serious knee injury amid suggestions that he fancied a move back to Zenit St Petersburg.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez denies there is a problem, saying: "These are the sort of things you hear about during international breaks.

"But I was only talking to Martin earlier this week, and he is clearly happy at the club."

And the real battle for a centre-back place could begin again in earnest earlier than expected. Skrtel's progress following his operation has been impressive enough to suggest he could be back in action for the Christmas programme.

Skrtel said: "It will be difficult to get back into the team, but I am working hard and I will do my best to impress the coach and fight for my place.

"I have not been saying that I am unhappy here, or that I don't like Liverpool. Or that I want to go back to Zenit, I want to put the records straight."

Diego Maradona has guaranteed Javier Mascherano his place in the Argentina team, but added that all 10 other starting spots are up for grabs.Maradona, who took charge of his first game on Wednesday night as the Albicelestes beat Scotland 1-0 in Glasgow, has handed the captain's armband to Liverpool midfielder Mascherano.

He then told Radio La Red that Mascherano is the only player who can be sure of his place in the team.

"Taking Mascherano aside, nobody has a place secured in my team," he said. "It doesn't matter what his name is."

Maradona also praised Javier Zanetti for his reaction to losing the captaincy.

"He proved he is a gentleman, he wants to go forward and keep playing," Maradona said.

Gabriel Heinze also impressed Maradona with his attitude.

"Heinze is like a bull," he said. "At this moment we need players like him. The whole team had no fight. The ones on the bench were as happy as the starters."

Simon Davies has revealed his delight at Fulham's improved home form this season, and believes the Cottagers can 'nick a point' at Liverpool.Last weekend's 2-1 victory over Tottenham at Craven Cottage was Fulham's second consecutive victory and their fifth home win of the season - the same number the Cottagers managed in the whole of last season.

"It's good that we're maintaining our home form," Davies told the club's official website. "Last year our home form wasn't good enough and it put us in trouble and we were very lucky to get out of it in the end. It's something that we really wanted to work on and so far this season we've had some great results at the Cottage.

"Everyone worked really hard last weekend and it was a good performance throughout the team. That's the effort you've got to put in to get a result against a team like Tottenham."

They have yet to win away however, a statistic that does not bode well ahead of this weekend's trip to Anfield. But Davies insists that he and his team-mates go into the game in positive mood.

"It's going to be a tough test but we've had back-to-back wins so we'll go and give it a really good go. The atmosphere is a bit different from anywhere else and the boys can go there and enjoy it now.

"A lot of teams have been close to getting something this year at Anfield so we'll give it our best shot. The beauty is that we've had a couple of wins so we're not desperate so if we can earn a point or nick a win then it'll be all the better for us."

Liverpool midfielder Yossi Benayoun has stated that he is prepared to leave Anfield in order to find regular first-team football.

Benayoun has had a frustrating time this season and has had to make do with a place on the bench, starting just two of the last 10 games.

The Israeli signed from West Ham in the summer of 2007 and recorded an impressive 11 goals and 10 assists in his first season at the club.

The midfielder is currently away on international duty, where he is preparing to face the Ivory Coast, but he admits he has thought about a move away from Anfield.

He told The Sun: "The fact that I'm not involved and always come on as a sub tells you something. Even if it's Liverpool, if I don't get to play in the next few months I will not want to be here.

"I enjoy my time in England but maybe it is time to learn a new language, maybe Italian, French or Russian.

"When I came here it wasn't so I could tell everyone, 'Hey I play for Liverpool'.

"My purpose was to prove myself, and in the first year I think I did. I understand that I am at one of the biggest clubs in the world and that this year there are better players."

One of Benayoun's rare starts came in the 2-1 win over rivals Manchester United at Anfield but the 28-year-old found himself back on the bench for the following game.

"After our win over Manchester United I lost my place. Everyone wants to play and it is no fun sitting on the bench or playing just a few minutes.

"I'm part of the rotation but I hope in the next few months it will change."

Age does not seem to have dimmed Sir Alex Ferguson's anger. On the contrary, he has matured into one of the grumpiest old men imaginable.

Just yesterday he received a two-match touchline ban for coating referee Mike Dean in phlegm and spittle after Manchester United beat Hull.

And his face could turn a deeper shade of purple when he finds out what Liverpool have got up their sleeve.

You may remember last year, when United went out of their way not to sell Gabriel Heinze to their North-West rivals, off-loading him to Real Madrid instead.

Rafa Benitez has tried to fill the gap at left-back with several players, most recently Andrea Dossena, and all have been rubbish.

Real Madrid are in a state of civil war, with their players looking to jump ship like sailors on an oil tanker in Somali waters.

Consequently, Benitez has switched to his original target and is out to liberate Heinze from his Bernabeu hell. Or something.

Whatever, Fergie's reaction should be worth watching if Liverpool manage to move the Argentinian back into his old house in Cheshire.

Giovanni Trapattoni rates Shay Given. He has made him Republic of Ireland captain and reckons he is as good as Gianluigi Buffon.

Good news for Newcastle, right? Well, no. Trap has once again been singing Given's praises to Italy's big guns.

Milan are known to be in the market for a keeper, and Given might be keeping David Beckham company in the new year if the Serie A giants stump up £8m.

Yossi Benayoun is wanted by Spartak Moscow, Manchester City and Ajax, and Liverpool could let him leave for £6m.

Bad news for City, though - he wants to learn a new language and Mancunian doesn't count. Italian, French and Russian do. Russian, in this case, meaning roubles.

Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate is a massive Bangles fan. How else to explain his pursuit of a third Egyptian - Al Alhy's Emad Meteb, who nearly signed for Everton in the summer?

Other Egyptians who could be on the move are Hosny Abd-Rabbo and Ahmed El-Muhammadi, both of whom could sample the unique delights of a trial at Blackburn Rovers.

Fulham and West Bromwich Albion are on the trail of Lech Poznan's Bosnian international midfielder Semir Stelic, who can be procured for £1.6m.

Rafael Benitez expects Robbie Keane to be fit for the clash with Fulham, but says it is too early to know if Steven Gerrard will be available.Keane was forced to withdraw from the Republic of Ireland squad to face Poland after sustaining a shoulder injury in last weekend's win over Bolton.

Benitez insists the injury is not serious and admits his withdrawal from international duty was more of a precaution.

"Robbie Keane's injury is not serious," Benitez told the club's official website. "He had a problem but [withdrawing from the international duty] was just a case of prevention. I think he will be okay."

Gerrard is expected to be sidelined for between seven to 10 days with a groin problem, which forced him to pull out of the England squad to tackle Germany.

Benitez is unsure when Gerrard will be available for action, but it is expected he will miss the Fulham clash and return for next week's Champions League tie with Marseille.

"Steven had a scan and he will be out for seven to ten days, depending on how he progresses," added Benitez.

"He could be back for the Marseille game but each player is different. We have to start working with him and see how he does."

Benitez also revealed that he had spoken with the medical staff of the Spanish national team in an attempt to prevent further injuries for Fernando Torres.

Torres has only recently returned to action after picking up a hamstring strain on international duty and Benitez is keen to avoid a recurrence this week.

"We have spoken to the Spanish medical staff and they know our idea and we know that they will take care of him. They know it could be a small risk so they will try to protect him," concluded Benitez.

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez expects Robbie Keane to be fit for this weekend's clash with Fulham, but says it is too early to know if Steven Gerrard will be available.

Keane was forced to withdraw from the Republic of Ireland squad to face Poland after sustaining a shoulder injury in last weekend's win over Bolton.

Benitez insists the injury is not serious and admits his withdrawal from international duty was more of a precaution.

"Robbie Keane's injury is not serious," Benitez told the club's official website. "He had a problem but [withdrawing from the international duty] was just a case of prevention. I think he will be okay."

Gerrard is expected to be sidelined for between seven to ten days with a groin problem, which forced him to pull out of the England squad to tackle Germany.

Benitez is unsure when Gerrard will be available for action, but it is expected he will miss the Fulham clash and return for next week's UEFA Champions League tie with Marseille.

"Steven had a scan and he will be out for seven to ten days, depending on how he progresses," added Benitez.


"He could be back for the Marseille game but each player is different. We have to start working with him and see how he does."


Benitez also revealed that he had spoken with the medical staff of the Spanish national team in an attempt to prevent further injuries for Fernando Torres.

Torres has only recently returned to action after picking up a hamstring strain on international duty and Benitez is keen to avoid a recurrence this week.


"We have spoken to the Spanish medical staff and they know our idea and we know that they will take care of him. They know it could be a small risk so they will try to protect him," concluded Benitez.

Fulham manager Roy Hodgson is confident his side's away form will improve now they have found their scoring touch.Hodgson's men recorded their second consecutive home win on Saturday, beating a rejuvenated Tottenham side 2-1 to move up to 10th place in the table, but they have yet to win away from Craven Cottage and face a tough test in high-flying Liverpool at the weekend.

Fulham have scored 12 times this season but only two goals have been on the road. Hodgson, though, is upbeat.

"You need people scoring goals," he said. "At the beginning, we were not scoring goals and now we are beginning to get two a game and if we continue that goalscoring prowess I am sure we will get away wins.

"What luck we have had has been at home. Away from home, luck has deserted us.

"Opposing managers will often say we have been unlucky and deserved more from the game. In this league away wins are hard to come by."

On Saturday's performance, Hodgson added: "I think the balance was right.

"We have had games when we have played attacking football and others where it is backs-to-the-wall defending.

"In terms of the game as a whole there were not many hopeful balls."

Rafa Benitez has warned his Liverpool squad that no-one is assured of a place in his side.

The Spaniard is renowned for his rotation policy, but appears to have curbed that habit of late.

With that in mind, he insists that he will resist the temptation to make sweeping changes to a successful side.

That means no place at present for striker Fernando Torres, who has only recently returned from injury.

Last season's top scorer was left on the bench for the Reds' 2-0 win at Bolton on Saturday, only joining the action as a 59th minute substitute.

Benitez believes no player should ever take their place for granted, and insists he will not be altering his stance in the future.

"The players have to compete for their positions in the side, be it Torres or anyone else," he said.

"Torres has to improve, if he does and he is fit then I will decide what to do, although I expect to be criticised.

"I did not have to explain to Fernando why he was not playing, it was very clear. The team had been playing well and he has to compete for his position.

"He played well when he came on, but then other players who come on as substitute also did well, not just him.

"That is the key if you want to have a winning mentality and a winning squad."

Meanwhile, Benitez also aired his frustration at the fact that Torres has now joined up with the Spain squad ahead of their friendly against Chile on Wednesday, despite lacking match fitness.

"Torres will join up with Spain. I am not happy, but I cannot do anything about it. We are talking to international managers and asking them to protect our players," he added.

"We have asked that the Spanish set-up does not take any chances, that they protect the player."