Benitez confident on Mascherano as Reds face Wigan

March 8, 2010

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez heads into Monday´s crucial clash at Wigan confident Argentine midfielder Javier Mascherano (seen here in February) will follow Jose Reina´s lead and commit his future to the club before the end of the season
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez heads into Monday’s crucial clash at Wigan confident Javier Mascherano will follow Jose Reina’s lead and commit his future to the club before the end of the season.

Mascherano has been offered a two-year extension to his current contract which, if he signs, would commit the Argentina captain to Anfield until 2014.

The midfielder’s future has been a source of debate for most of the season, particularly as Barcelona vigorously pursued his signature in the close-season.

Liverpool officials, though, have been in constant dialogue with Mascherano?s advisors and the latest talks, which took place on Thursday, were so positive that Benitez believes it is only a matter of time before the player signs on the dotted line.

Steven Gerrard, Dirk Kuyt, Yossi Benayoun and Daniel Agger have all committed their Anfield futures in recent months.

“Javier is more focused and I know he is happier,” Benitez said. “I have spoken with his agent and now Javier wants to improve and he wants to push us into the top four.

“He is one of the best. He is captain of Argentina, one of the best teams in the world.

“The conversations we have had were very positive. The first thing is the player. He has really settled down now. Then there is the agent.

“He?s been very good when we have dealt with him in the past. Everyone knew that some clubs were interested in Javier but, talking with us, it was always fine.

“Will a deal be struck by the end of the season? I think so. I?m sure we will have (good) news about Javier and Pepe very soon.

“That will be very positive for the future. When I say 100 per cent (about Reina), that is because I know.”

Spain keeper Reina has agreed a new, long-term deal and only the formalities of putting pen to paper remain before it will be officially announced.

“Pepe is a key player and everything is fine,” Benitez said ahead of Monday’s trip to the DW Stadium.

“There are no problems with either him or Javier. Pepe is a great character with great passion.

“I remember when he came here, people said to me ‘for England maybe he is not the best’ but, for me, he is the best in England. We want to keep him for a long time.”

Although Glen Johnson is close to returning from a serious knee injury which has ruled the England international out since December, Mascherano is expected to continue his role as emergency right-back at Wigan.

Liverpool cannot afford to drop points as they pursue a top four finish while Wigan desperately need points to ease their relegation worries.

Wigan have failed to record a victory in nine attempts against Liverpool since winning promotion to the Premier League in 2005, taking just two points from a possible 27.

But Benitez has warned his players to be wary of Wigan, who shocked title-chasing Chelsea at the DW Stadium earlier in the season.

“In the Premier League you don’t have too many easy games,” Benitez said.

“Wigan are in a battle to avoid relegation so it will be very difficult for us. They try to play football and they have some strong players too, so I think we will have to respect Wigan.”

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez, who will give late fitness tests to Charles N’Zogbia and Paul Scharner, insists his side is capable of upsetting Liverpool despite a season of struggle.

“We know all about the quality Liverpool have in their side, the concepts they use and how strong they are as a team,” said Martinez.

“But we’re playing at home which gives us a great advantage, we’ve won big games here already this season, Chelsea being a prime example.”

WIGAN, England (AFP)

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Benitez defiant despite Pompey defeat

December 20, 2009


Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez insisted he does not fear the sack despite seeing his team suffer their seventh Premier League defeat of an increasingly poor season at bottom club Portsmouth.

Midfielder Javier Mascherano was sent-off for the third time in his Liverpool career as the visitors’ fading title hopes were all but extinguished in a 2-0 loss at Fratton Park.

The sorry Reds have now won just four of their last 12 league games and are struggling even to secure a top four finish and a place in next season’s Champions League.

When asked if he was worried for his job, Benitez replied: “I am only worried about the next game (against Wolves).

“I can only prepare for the next match. If we can win hopefully it will be easier to prepare for the next ones,” the Spaniard added.

“We have to change our targets and can only think about one game at a time. We have to stick together and try to pick up three points and see what happens.”

Liverpool were already trailing to Nadir Belhadj’s first goal since December 26 last year when Mascherano was dismissed on the stroke of half-time.

The Argentina midfielder was shown a straight red card by referee Lee Mason as punishment for a reckless lunge on Portsmouth defender Tal Ben Haim on the half-way line.

Benitez was clearly angered by the decision and reserved some sarcastic comments for Mason at his post-match news conference.

“We were the better team in the first half and the sending-off changed the game,” he said.

“I have seen a replay and for me it was not a sending-off but the referee was perfect. He did not make any mistakes. He was correct to not give fouls against Fernando Torres. He was perfect.”

Benitez added: “We had plenty of possession and were in control but it is difficult playing with ten men away from home when you are 1-0 behind.

“We had to keep trying to go forward but we left some spaces and there was always a danger we would concede another goal.”

Portsmouth had taken just 11 points from 17 games prior to his match and the south coast club remain beset by financial problems.

Liverpool had the better of the opening exchanges, with stars Steven Gerrard and Torres posing a constant threat.

Torres came within inches of putting Liverpool in front with a majestic 20-yard curler, which had Portsmouth goalkeeper Asmir Begovic beaten before nestling on the roof of the net.

Despite Liverpool having plenty of possession Begovic, deputising for the injured David James, did not have a meaningful save to make before Belhadj opened the scoring in the 33rd minute.

Kevin-Prince Boateng’s driven low shot was palmed away by Pepe Reina but Liverpool failed to clear the rebound and the ball broke kindly for Belhadj, who lashed an unstoppable right foot shot into the roof of the net from an acute angle.

Daniel Agger put a free header wide moments later while Begovic produced a brilliant reaction save to keep out Gerrard’s defected second half shot.

France striker Frederic Piquionne sealed the points eight minutes from time, brilliantly flicking up Boateng’s cross before firing past Reina at the near post.

Victory saw Portsmouth boss Avram Grant maintain his record of never having lost to Liverpool as a manager.

“It is true I have never lost to Benitez and I am pleased to keep that run going,” said former Chelsea manager Grant.

“This is a terrific win for us and hopefully it can kick-start our season.”

PORTSMOUTH, England (AFP)

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Mascherano off as Pompey pile pressure on Liverpool

December 19, 2009


Javier Mascherano was sent off for the second time this season as Liverpool suffered another setback with a wretched 2-0 loss away to Premier League basement club Portsmouth on Saturday.

Goals here at Fratton Park from Algerian defender Nadir Belhadj and French striker Frederic Piquionne condemned Rafael Benitez’s side to their seventh league defeat of the season.

And to make matters worse for the visitors, Argentina midfielder Mascherano was dismissed for a horror tackle on Portsmouth defender Tal Ben Haim on the stroke of half-time.

Portsmouth had taken just 11 points from their opening 17 games and remain beset by financial problems.

But Avram Grant’s side could have taken the lead after only six minutes when Piquionne got in behind the Reds defence to latch onto Michael Brown’s pass.

However, Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina did enough to force Piquionne wide.

The hosts had a lucky escape ten minutes later as Steven Gerrard’s goalbound shot was inadvertently blocked by team-mate Fernando Torres before being cleared.

Torres came within inches of putting Liverpool in front in the 20th minute with a majestic 20-yard curler, which had Portsmouth goalkeeper Asmir Begovic beaten before nestling on the roof of the net.

Jamie O’Hara threatened to leave Reina red-faced in the 25th minute with a sweetly struck free-kick, which was heading towards the top right corner before the Spaniard retreated to pluck the ball from underneath his crossbar.

Jamie Carragher was making his 600th appearance for Liverpool and the defender produced a heroic block to divert Hassan Yebda’s powerful volley behind for a corner from point blank range.

But Carragher was powerless to stop Belhadj giving Portsmouth the lead 12 minutes before half-time.

Kevin-Prince Boateng’s driven low shot was palmed away by Reina but Liverpool failed to clear the rebound and the ball broke kindly for Belhadj, who lashed an unstoppable right foot shot into the roof of the net from an acute angle.

Daniel Agger should have drawn Liverpool level just six minutes later when Gerrard’s free-kick presented him with a free header at the back post but the centre-back nodded wide when it looked easier to score.

Liverpool were reduced to 10 men on the stroke of half time when Mascherano was shown a straight red card for a reckless lunge on Ben Haim.

Benitez, who was taunted with chants of “You’re getting sacked in the morning”, having “guaranteed” Liverpool would finish in the top four this term, by the home fans, replaced the hapless Andrea Dossena with Yossi Benayoun early in the second-half in a desperate bid to find a way back into the game.

Carragher came to Liverpool’s aid once more in the 55th minute with a last-ditch tackle to deny Piquionne a clear shot at goal after the on-loan Lyon striker had been played through by Boateng.

Torres cut an isolated figure as Liverpool’s lone striker and was lucky to stay on the pitch after elbowing Ben Haim in the face with a forearm smash.

Begovic, replacing the injured David James, produced a miraculous 67th minute save to keep Portsmouth in front.

Gerrard’s 15-yard piledriver struck two Portsmouth players on its way to goal but Bosnian Begovic somehow managed to readjust his dive and claw the ball behind for a corner.

Piquionne wasted a guilt-edged chance to wrap up the points 15 minutes from time as he was picked out by Boateng’s centre but failed to make contact with an attempted header.

Piquionne though made amends seven minutes later, brilliantly flicking up Boateng’s cross before firing past Reina at the near post to leave Liverpool five points outside the top four and in danger of falling further behind.

PORTSMOUTH, England (AFP)

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Ten-man Liverpool hit a new low at Portsmouth

December 19, 2009


Liverpool’s miserable season hit a new low as Javier Mascherano was sent off in a 2-0 defeat at bottom of the table Portsmouth on Saturday.

Rafa Benitez’s side, who are already out of the Champions League, have won just four of their last 17 matches in all competitions and face a desperate fight to salvage a place in the Premier League’s top four.

The Reds, who are five points adrift of fourth place ahead of Saturday’s later games, fell behind in the 33rd minute when Algeria defender Nadir Belhadj lashed a ferocious shot past Jose Reina from a tight angle for his first goal of the season.

That strike was the 500th in the Premier League this season and Liverpool defender Daniel Agger should have added to that tally, but wasted his side’s best chance when he headed over from close range.

A dismal day for Liverpool got even worse when Argentine midfielder Mascherano was dismissed by referee Lee Mason for an ugly lunge on Tal Ben Haim just before half-time.

French striker Frederic Piquionne piled on the misery for Liverpool boss Benitez, who is certain to face more heavy criticism after this defeat, when he finished off a Kevin-Prince Boateng-inspired move in the 82nd minute.

Portsmouth, celebrating their second win under new manager Avram Grant, move level on points with second bottom West Ham, but remain behind the Hammers on goals scored.

LONDON (AFP)

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Settled Anelka making the difference for Chelsea

November 26, 2009


Nicolas Anelka’s arrival at Chelsea in January last year hardly had the fans buzzing amid all the big-money signings since Russian billionaire owner Roman Abramovich transformed the fortunes of the west London club.

The peripatetic France striker seemed like a stop-gap and few expected him to be part of Chelsea’s long-term future.

He had just spent 18 months at Bolton Wanderers after spells at Fenerbahce, Manchester City, Liverpool, Paris St Germain and, following the best piece of business in Arsenal’s history, Real
Madrid who he joined for 23 million pounds.

At none of those clubs, however, did he really settle and deliver the regular match-winning performances that made him such a deadly proposition under Arsene Wenger at Arsenal.

His first half-season at Chelsea produced just two goals and, although he was far more prolific last term with 25 and some excellent displays, there was always the feeling he was second fiddle to Didier Drogba.

This season, however, Anelka seems to have stepped up a gear and gives the impression that not only is he enjoying his football, a rarity for a man nicknamed ‘the incredible sulk’, but he is increasingly the focal point of Chelsea’s attack.

He headed the only goal on Tuesday in the Champions League win at Porto that secured top spot in Group D to maintain his record of vital goals this season having been the sole scorer in the home win over Porto and 1-0 victory at APOEL Nicosia.

He was also outstanding for France in the 1-1 playoff draw with Ireland that secured a World Cup berth, holding the ball up repeatedly with a sure touch and keeping possession despite some tough Irish tackling that previously might have seen him wilt.

“Not only in the Champions League but in all competitions Anelka is having a very good season,” Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti said after Tuesday’s win.

“He is a very important player, sometimes playing as a striker close to Drogba, sometimes helping the midfield. His position is very important for our play.”

On Sunday Chelsea face London rivals Arsenal, where Anelka made his name as a teenage tyro after being nabbed from PSG for a bargain 500,000 pounds by Wenger.

He scored there in last season’s impressive 4-1 triumph and any sort of repeat would be a huge help in Chelsea’s title push.

“It is a very good time for us and we have to keep this going because the players are in good condition, have a good mentality and want to maintain this momentum,” Ancelotti said.

“We know very well that Sunday will be a very difficult match but we know that now is a very good time to play Arsenal,” he added, with their opponents hit by a string of injuries.

Chelsea could be further boosted by an early return for Frank Lampard after a thigh strain. Ancelotti said the England midfielder was in full training and may be fit for Sunday.

PHOTO: Chelsea’s Nicolas Anelka (R) is challenged by Liverpool’s Daniel Agger during their English Premier League soccer match at Stamford Bridge in London October 26, 2008. REUTERS/Stephen Hird

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Liverpool and City inflict mutual damage

November 22, 2009


Liverpool’s stuttering season continued as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Manchester City that did little for either club’s hopes of finishing the season in the top four.

Martin Skrtel’s first goal for the club gave Rafa Benitez’s side a 50th-minute lead before two goals in the space of seven minutes put City in the driving seat.

Emmanuel Adebayor levelled for City before Stephen Ireland put the visitors within sight of their first win at the venue for six years.

But 13 minutes from time, substitute Yossi Benayoun rescued Benitez’s team from a home defeat.

Liverpool have now won just once in 10 outings and taken just five points from the last 18 available while City have drawn their last six league games.

Already missing Fernando Torres and Glen Johnson, Liverpool lost Daniel Agger and Ryan Babel to injury ahead of Tuesday’s must-win Champions League away game with Debrecen in Hungary.

Denmark defender Agger, who was replaced by Greece international Sotirios Kyrgiakos, was stretchered off suffering concussion and clutching a head wound which required stitches after a clash of heads with Kolo Toure in the fifth minute.

Eight minutes later Babel collided with his skipper Steven Gerrard on the edge of the City penalty area.

While Gerrard was quickly up on his feet, Babel had to go off for treatment for a jarred ankle. But the Holland international lasted just a few moments after coming back on before he was replaced by Benayoun.

Those stoppages disrupted the flow of the game after both teams had carved out chances during a bright start.

Shay Given quickly put his heartbreaking experience in Ireland’s World Cup play-off against France behind him, producing a fine stop to keep out Skrtel’s fifth minute header.

Six minutes later, City almost broke the deadlock with the hosts down to ten men following Agger’s early exit.

With the Liverpool defence in total chaos, Gareth Barry was allowed a free header which Jose Reina did well to claw away.

The rest of the first half was a dull affair. Liverpool, clearly unsettled after losing two players, struggled to penetrate a well marshalled City defence while the visitors offered very little attacking threat.

Jamie Carragher was booked for a 17th minute foul on his former Anfield team-mate Craig Bellamy but the game lacked passion.

Fortunately the second half was action-packed from the moment that Skrtel gave the patched-up hosts a 49th minute lead.

After Pablo Zabaleta had stopped David Ngog’s progress on the left, Gerrard whipped in a delightful free-kick which Skrtel volleyed in after getting in front of Adebayor.

City boss Mark Hughes responded by throwing on 25-million-pound striker Carlos Tevez in place of Barry.

And the switch worked as the Argentina substitute inspired his side’s recovery which started with Adebayor’s 69th-minute equaliser.

Liverpool paid the price for sitting back on their lead as Bellamy won a corner which he whipped in for Adebayor to send a powerful downward header bouncing beyond Reina and into the net.

City were dominating by this staged and deservedly took the lead through man-of-the-match Ireland, who finished off a low cross from Shaun Wright-Phillips with the outside of his boot.

It lasted just over a minute however. A cross from Ngog took a deflection and Benayoun was on hand to tap in the equaliser.

LIVERPOOL (AFP)

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Benayoun and Rieira set for sidelines

November 13, 2009


Liverpool duo Yossi Benayoun and Albert Riera could both be out of action for a minimum of three weeks with hamstring injuries.

Both players limped out of Monday’s English Premier League draw against Birmingham at Anfield, joining the Merseysiders’ growing injury list.

Daniel Agger and Glen Johnson also suffered injuries against Birmingham while Liverpool’s leading stars of Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres still have fitness concerns.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez said of Benayoun and Riera: “We will have to wait and see how they progress but hopefully in three weeks they could be available.

“We are disappointed because there are too many things at the moment that we can’t change,” the Spaniard also told Liverpool’s official website.

“Both players are wingers as well and for them to be out at the same time is bad news for us.”

He added: “Daniel Agger felt something in his back after the Birmingham game and didn’t go with Denmark after we spoke with their doctor and manager.

“I think he could be back training again in a few days,” explained Benitez, whose side have won just one of their last nine matches in all competitions.

“Glen Johnson’s was a strange situation because he finished the game on Monday and then travelled to London to be with England.

“He felt something in his hamstring and came back to us for a scan. Hopefully it’s not too serious and he could be available again in a week.”

Torres didn’t play against Birmingham but Gerrard, also struggling with a groin injury, came off the bench to score the equalising goal in a 2-2 draw.

“With Fernando Torres we are talking about two or three weeks of treatment and working with the physios,” Benitez said.

“I was talking with him this morning and he is doing well. Hopefully he can be running in a few days and we will see how he progresses.

“It was good to have Steven Gerrard back on Monday night. He is feeling okay and should be training fully with the other players we have here in a few days.

“Sometimes a break (for international matches) comes at a bad time because you don’t like to see your players flying all over the world, but this time it gives us a chance to get some players back.”

LIVERPOOL (AFP)

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Benayoun and Riera out for weeks

November 12, 2009


More problems for Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez: Yossi Benayoun and Albert Riera were diagnosed with torn hamstrings that could sideline them for a month.

Benayoun and Riera suffered their injuries during the match against Birmingham City on Monday (2-2). Riera made his return against the Blues after he had been out for three weeks with hamstring problems. The Spanish midfielder was substituted half way through the match.

The injured duo are set to miss the important matches with Manchester City and Debreceni and also the first Merseyside-derby of the season, against Everton.

Liverpool should today discover the full extent of the calf problem that forced Glen Johnson’s withdrawal from the England squad to meet Brazil in Doha this weekend.

The right-back has been hindered by calf and groin injuries in recent weeks, and Daniel Agger withdrew from Denmark’s squad for friendlies against South Korea and the United States after suffering a reaction to a persistent back problem against Birmingham.

Liverpool are hopeful, however, that the Dane’s complaint will not cause another long-term lay-off.

Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard are continuing to receive daily treatment on their on their respective hernia and adductor problems.

Paul Haring

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Chelsea and Liverpool feel the heat

October 3, 2009


Chelsea’s clash with Liverpool this weekend was always going to be a significant encounter in the Premier Leage title race but a difficult week has raised the stakes involved for both clubs.

It may only be six weeks into the new season, but both Rafael Benitez and Carlo Ancelotti know that a defeat at Stamford Bridge on Sunday will represent a significant blow to their prospects of wresting the title away from Manchester United.

Having lost twice already this season, Liverpool travel south with less margin for error than their hosts and with morale dampened by the poor display that led to a 2-0 defeat at Fiorentina in midweek.

Ancelotti, who only speaks Italian to his squad when he is angry, has had to call on his mother tongue twice in the last week.

The former AC Milan coach was almost as unimpressed by a laboured 1-0 victory at Apoel Nicosia in midweek as he was by last Saturday’s 3-1 defeat at Wigan, which ended his perfect start to life in London.

Predictably, the noises from both camps have all been about the need to put things right on Sunday.

“We have to be better against Liverpool,” Chelsea skipper John Terry acknowledged. “They will be up for it and they are a big club, so we will have to respond again when we play them.”

The corresponding fixture last season saw Liverpool end Chelsea’s 86-match unbeaten run at Stamford Bridge but more recent history is less encouraging for Benitez, who watched his side get overrun in midfield and look distinctly shaky at the back in Florence.

Javier Mascherano’s return from injury should bolster the protection offered to the back four but Benitez must be contemplating breaking up the centreback partnership of Jamie Carragher and Martin Skrtel that has looked shaky of late, particularly as Daniel Agger is ready for a return following close-season back surgery.

Whatever he decides, Benitez has made it clear he is expecting a significant improvement. “I believe you will see a different Liverpool in the Chelsea match,” he said. “A totally different performance with a different mentality.”

Reds skipper Steven Gerrard echoed that theme. “We need to get the defeat in Florence out of our system quickly, because it’s a massive game at Chelsea,” he said. “We need to produce a reaction.”

Chelsea’s defeat at Wigan enabled Manchester United to top the table for the first time this season and the champions will expect to stay there after the return of old boy Steve Bruce and his Sunderland squad to Old Trafford on Saturday.

United appear to be hitting form with the remarkable form of Ryan Giggs compensating for the loss of Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid.

Ronaldo’s departure has also resulted in Wayne Rooney being deployed regularly in a central striking role and the England foward believes improved team-work is helping to compensate for the loss of the world player of the year.

“Obviously last season the team was based a lot around Cristiano but this year there’s a few more players chipping in with goals, which is great to see.”

Theo Walcott is expected to return from injury when Arsenal entertain Blackburn on Sunday and the England winger is upbeat about the Gunners’ prospects of landing their first silverware since the 2005 FA Cup.

“We have gained a lot of experience over the last few years and although we haven’t won any trophies, I think that will change this year,” Walcott said.

“If you want to win trophies, it is important to keep the group together – Manchester United are a good example of that.”

Fourth-placed Tottenham travel to Bolton on Saturday while Manchester City will have Emmanuel Adebayor available for Monday’s trip to Aston Villa after the Togo striker escaped a ban for his provocative goal celebration against former club Arsenal last month.

Fixtures (1400 GMT unless stated)

Saturday

Bolton v Tottenham, Burnley v Birmingham, Hull City v Wigan, Manchester Utd v Sunderland (1630 GMT), Wolves v Portsmouth

Sunday

Arsenal v Blackburn (1230 GMT), Chelsea v Liverpool (1500 GMT), Everton v Stoke City, West Ham v Fulham

Monday

Aston Villa v Manchester City (1900 GMT)

LONDON (AFP)

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Liverpool newboy Kyrgiakos aims to erase Euro pain

August 24, 2009


Liverpool’s new signing Sotirios Kyrgiakos plans to use his shock move to Anfield to erase five years of pain.

The Greece defender was missing with a knee injury when his country produced one of the biggest shocks in international football history by winning Euro 2004.

It still hurts Kyrgiakos that he missed the championships, but the former Glasgow Rangers centre-back hopes that he will more than make up for that disappointment by helping Liverpool win the title for the first time since 1990.

“It’s something I would like very much,” said Kyrgiakos, who could make his debut in Monday’s Premier League match against Aston Villa at Anfield.

Kyrgiakos’s arrival from AEK Athens for two million pounds (2.3 million euros) has helped ease a defensive crisis at Anfield, yet the 30-year-old was unaware of Liverpool’s interest until last weekend.

“When you are about to join a club like Liverpool you don’t need any convincing at all,” Kyrgiakos said.

Denmark’s Daniel Agger (back) will definitely miss Monday’s home game, while Martin Skrtel (jaw) is a major doubt.

“Sotirios is the kind of player we needed and he gives us something different,” Benitez said.

Liverpool hammered Villa 5-0 in the corresponding fixture last season, Steven Gerrard completing a hat-trick from the penalty spot moments after the Birmingham-based club’s keeper Brad Friedel had been sent off.

Benitez wants to continue the momentum from his team’s impressive 4-0 victory over Stoke in midweek and is demanding another high-tempo performance.

Villa have made a poor start to the campaign, last Saturday’s 2-0 home defeat to Wigan followed by a 1-0 defeat to Rapid Vienna in the Europa League on Thursday.

Yet manager Martin O’Neill is remaining calm and insists his side can set the tone for the rest of the season with a positive result at Anfield.

“Last season we beat Manchester City at home, we then went to Stoke and got beaten by a very late goal and that was dispiriting to lose it,” O’Neill said.

“Then we fought back against Liverpool and drew at home with them. We?re capable of getting over it.”

O’Neill confessed that he felt let down on the opening day of the season.

“It just wasn?t good enough,” he added. But midfielder Steve Sidwell insisted there was no better place to get the season back on track than Liverpool.

“It’s important to get our season back on track as quickly as possible,” said the former Chelsea player.

“There’s been a lot of progression at other clubs, but we’ve got more than enough to deal with that and contend.

“It would be tough going to Liverpool in good form and full of confidence.

“We’re going there on the back of two defeats, but what better place to get your season back on track than Anfield?”

Villa defender Curtis Davies is doubtful after a recurrence of his shoulder problem.

Davies suffered the setback during the latter stages of the clash away to Rapid Vienna and his replacement, rookie Shane Lowry, is amongst the candidates to replace him although Habib Beye could switch from right-back.

O’Neill will also be hoping striker John Carew is fit to make his first appearance of the season – the Norwegian missed the Wigan match with a foot injury and then pulled out of the Vienna tie with a virus.

LIVERPOOL, England (AFP)

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