Benitez expects win to kick-start Liverpool´s season

February 7, 2010

Rafa Benitez expects 10-man Liverpool’s battling 1-0 win over Merseyside rivals Everton to prove a defining moment in their bid to land a Champions League place.

After a dismal run in the first half of the campaign threatened to wreck Liverpool’s hopes of securing a top four finish, Benitez’s team are now unbeaten in seven league matches and back in the hunt for a European spot.

For much of the season, Benitez has been forced to find excuses for Liverpool’s failings and at times he has looked in danger of losing his job.

But the spirit in Liverpool’s dressing room remains strong judging by the way they recovered from Sotirios Kyrgiakoss’ first half dismissal to beat Everton thanks to Dirk Kuyt’s second half header at Anfield.

The game will be remembered as a bad tempered affair, Liverpool forced to play with 10 men for almost an hour after Greek defender Kyrgiakos was sent off for a two-footed challenge on Marouane Fellaini.

Fellaini was fortunate not to be red-carded in the same incident after appearing to stamp on Kyrgiakos while Steven Pienaar, who was later dismissed in stoppage time after his second yellow card, escaped after a poor challenge on Javier Mascherano as tempers boiled over at Anfield.

But Benitez could afford to take a cool view of Kyrgiakos’s dismissal and he believes his side can kick-on after such a “massive’ result”.

“It’s always important to win a derby, but to win a derby with 10 players at Anfield is even more important,” Benitez said. “We did well from the very start and my players worked so hard.

“It’s a credit to us that Everton didn’t put us under much pressure in the second half because we played so well.

“Hopefully, we can now stay in and round fourth spot. There’s still a lot of games to go and it’s a long race.”

As Benitez savoured his team’s gutsy effort, Everton manager David Moyes insisted his side did not deserve to lose the 213th Merseyside derby.

Moyes insisted both Kyrgiakos and Pienaar both deserved to be sent off by referee Martin Atkinson. But the Scot said Everton did enough to stretch their unbeaten Premier League run to 10 games.

Instead they entertain title-chasing Chelsea on Wednesday looking to avoid back-to-back defeats after Kuyt’s winner cemented Liverpool’s fifth straight home league win.

“There have been a lot of derbies quite similar to what we have seen here,” Moyes said.

“Merseyside derbies are not run of the mill games, sometimes there is a bit extra and I think we saw that.

“What did I think about Kyrgiakos’s red card? It was a two-footed tackle, both feet were off the ground. Fellaini’s gone to have an x-ray.

“I didn’t see the incident surrounding Pienaar’s sending off at the time. I’ve seen it since on the tape and he can’t have much argument about it.

“We certainly didn’t deserve to lose. We might not have done enough to win it but we didn’t deserve to lose it.”

Liverpool have now secured a Premier League double over Everton in three of the last five seasons.

Benitez, like his counterpart, refused to get embroiled in any controversy afterwards.

“I think there were too many tackles to analyse and I prefer not to comment on the referee,” he said.

“You can talk about 20 different tackles and have different opinions. To keep everyone calm in a derby is almost impossible. Sometimes it’s difficult to play with your heads and your hearts.”

LIVERPOOL, England (AFP)

Tags: Benitez, champions league, CHELSEA, David Moyes, defining moment, dirk kuyt, dismal run, dressing room, England, game, gutsy effort, Javier Mascherano, job, Liverpool, martin atkinson, mascherano, Merseyside, Moyes, premier league, referee, rivals, Scot, spirit, steven pienaar, stoppage time, tempers

Liverpool double beats Bolton

January 30, 2010

Liverpool maintained their quest for Champions League football with a 2-0 victory over Bolton Wanderers at Anfield here on Saturday.

Dirk Kuyt’s 37th minute goal and Kevin Davies’s second-half own goal left Liverpool just a point behind fourth-placed Tottenham in the Premier League.

The game, which had been overshadowed by Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez’s revelation he was being courted by Italian giants Juventus, ultimately brought the Merseysiders their second win of 2010 although there were still some anxious moments for a team clearly low in confidence at present.

Bolton made a bright start with Tamir Cohen – son of former Liverpool favourite Avi – chasing onto Matthew Taylor’s early flick as Bolton looked for their first Anfield win in 56 years.

However, the game soon settled down into a pattern of Liverpool dominating possession without producing the necessary quality in and around the Bolton penalty area.

But it was the visitors who had the first real chance when South Korean international Lee Chung-yong collected a loose ball on the halfway line and set off on a mesmeric run, past Emiliano Insua, Martin Skrtel and eventually keeper Pep Reina before his shot was cleared off the line by Sotirios Kyrgiakos.

It would prove a vital clearance by the Greek defender as Liverpool’s pressure intensified.

Kuyt’s 20-yard strike flew well over before Alberto Aquilani had a shot blocked from Jamie Carragher’s 34th minute ball into the area.

Bolton then finally succumbed to Liverpool’s next meaningful attack.

Albert Riera’s cross-field pass found Insua, whose far post cross looked to be floating out of play until Aquilani leaped impressively and headed back across goal to leave Kuyt with the simple task of scoring from close range.

Liverpool showed great urgency, if not great finishing, at the start of the second half.

Javier Mascherano’s perfect cross-field ball set Steven Gerrard clear but the ball hung just long enough in the air for Mark Davies to get back and make a covering tackle.

The next Liverpool attack really should have brought results as Riera sped down the left and picked out Gerrard with a low, accurate cross into the Bolton area.

The England midfielder’s fierce, first-time shot was well saved by the diving Jaaskelainen but, with the goal at his mercy, David Ngog followed up and succeeded only in striking the top of the Bolton crossbar.

Aquilani almost set up a second goal, for team mate Gerrard, when he robbed Mark Davies of the ball in midfield with Gerrard’s venomous 20-yard strike forcing Jaaskelainen into another diving stop.

But the second goal Liverpool so desperately needed duly arrived, in fortunate fashion, in the 70th minute.

Lucas did well to keep a corner in play with a header back into the area and Ngog laid the ball back to the edge where Insua was lurking.

His 20-yard shot would have passed well wide of the mark but took a wicked deflection off Bolton forward Kevin Davies, wrong-footing Jaaskaleinen on its way into the net.

There were further half-chances for Kuyt and substitutes Lucas and Maxi Rodriguez but, against such mediocre opposition, the two goals Liverpool had already scored were enough to secure victory.

LIVERPOOL, England (AFP)

Tags: albert riera, alberto aquilani, anfield, anxious moments, Avi, bolton wanderers, champions league football, cross field, David Ngog, dirk kuyt, emiliano insua, England, far post, jamie carragher, Javier Mascherano, Kevin Davies, Lee Chung-yong, Liverpool, loose ball, mark davies, martin skrtel, mascherano, Matthew Taylor, minute goal, necessary quality, premier league, Reina, Steven Gerrard

Kuyt at double as Liverpool down Spurs

January 21, 2010

Dirk Kuyt scored twice as Liverpool beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 at Anfield here on Wednesday to move within a point of fourth-placed Spurs in the English Premier League.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has come in for heavy criticism while the Reds’ Champions League hopes have suffered blow after blow and they went into this match with star players Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres missing because of injury.

But despite once again fielding a team that was far from full strength, they took the lead through Kuyt’s early strike.

The Dutchman added a second from the penalty spot in stoppage time to secure a significant victory that helped justify Benitez’s claim of “guaranteeing” a top four finish that would secure Champions League football next season.

Tottenham improved after the break but failed to end a miserable run of winless games away to ‘Big Four’ (Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool) opposition that has now reached 66 games.

Liverpool had a minor scare just five in as Pepe Reina took three attempts to gather a cross from Gareth Bale.

But the goalkeeper came up with a long clearance that was flicked on by Kuyt to Alberto Aquilani.

The Italian just managed to tap the ball back to the Dutchman and Kuyt squeezed a shot past Heurelho Gomes into the corner to give the home side an ideal start.

Tottenham were struggling to put together any sustained spell of possession but Aquilani almost let them in.

His loose pass flew straight to Bale and his swerving drive only just missed Reina’s goal.

After Javier Mascherano had tripped Peter Crouch, Tottenham had a free-kick in a good area.

But from Bale’s lofted delivery, Crouch was ruled to have fouled Greek defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos.

Albert Riera’s whipped free-kick from the right was desperately punched away by Gomes, but with the Brazilian stranded, Martin Skrtel failed to make contact with the follow up.

Tottenham finally threatened when Wilson Palacios swapped passes with Jermaine Jenas and then slid through for Luka Modric, whose low effort was blocked by Reina.

Just after the restart, Jermain Defoe thought he had brought Tottenham level after a mix-up between Kyrgiakos and Reina but referee Howard Webb ruled out the striker’s effort for obstruction.

Then a Riera free-kick flew at goal with a bit more pace than Gomes had expected and landed on the roof of the net.

The game was far more open in the second period and Defoe laid off for Modric but the Croatian’s low effort was held by Reina.

Tottenham were far more of a threat after the break and quick passes from Palacios and Defoe created room for Jermaine Jenas to hit a powerful drive that Reina did well to get a hand to.

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp tried to apply even more pressure on the hosts with striker Robbie Keane coming on to support Crouch and Defoe.

Kuyt was growing more and more isolated and when Liverpool did manage a break away the Dutchman fed Philipp Degen, who chose to attempt to return the pass and the rare opportunity was gone.

With 20 minutes remaining, Aquilani’s whipped free-kick was flicked on by Degen but Kuyt failed to get his volley on target at the far post.

Riera also went close with a thumping drive from long range before Spurs’ Alan Hutton drilled wide from Bale’s cross at the other end.

But in added time, Sebastien Bassong clipped David Ngog in the area and Kuyt converted a twice-taken penalty to seal Liverpool’s much-needed victory.

LIVERPOOL (AFP)

Tags: Alan Hutton, albert riera, alberto aquilani, anfield, arsenal, CHELSEA, chelsea arsenal, dirk kuyt, dutchman, English Premier League, Fernando Torres, free kick, Gareth Bale, Howard Webb, Javier Mascherano, jenas, Liverpool, liverpool manager rafael benitez, manchester united, martin skrtel, mascherano, pepe reina, peter crouch, premier league, rafael benitez, Robbie Keane, star players, Steven Gerrard, stoppage time, Wilson

Mascherano says all not lost as Spurs await

January 20, 2010

Javier Mascherano believes Liverpool can still secure a place in next season’s Champions League despite accepting they deserve all the criticism that has come their way.

Even though Liverpool have failed to win seven times in their last 11 Premier League matches, Rafael Benitez’s under-performing team will move to within one point of fourth place if they defeat Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield here on Wednesday.

The match against Spurs, who currently occupy the Premier League’s fourth and final qualifying spot for Europe’s elite competition, has taken on extra significance for Liverpool following their recent woeful form.

Having seen his side suffer early exits from this season’s Champions League and FA Cup, as well as falling out of the race for the English title, Benitez knows the only way he can salvage the campaign is by Liverpool finishing in fourth place.

But Liverpool’s task against Tottenham has been made harder by the absence of inspirational captain Steven Gerrard (hamstring), star striker Fernando Torres (knee) and Israeli playmaker Yossi Benayoun (rib), who all suffered injuries in last week’s shock FA Cup loss to second division Reading.

In the trio’s absence, Liverpool could only manage a draw in the league against Stoke on Saturday but Argentina captain Mascherano said the team could overcome their difficulties by pulling together as a squad.

“The situation is enough to get anyone down, but this team is going to keep going forward because of the spirit and history of the club,” said Mascherano.

“It is normal that we are being criticised – we are all to blame for going out of the Champions League and FA Cup.

“We share the credit when things go well and the blame when things go badly.

“Rafa has a difficult job because this season key players are getting injured, which would upset the plans of any coach.

“Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard are fundamental for us and any team would miss them,” Mascherano added.

“It is true we are not in certain competitions now but there are still things to resolve.

“We have to sort out the problems and win. For once, I’d prefer to get the points over the level of our performance.”

Ryan Babel is expected to miss the Spurs match after angering Benitez on the eve of the Stoke match by revealing his frustration on micro-blogging site Twitter at not being included in the squad.

Tottenham have not won a league game at Anfield since 1993 yet Redknapp’s side arrive at Anfield on the back of a six-match unbeaten run.

They surprised Liverpool on the opening day of the season, Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Sebastien Bassong setting the tone for the Merseyside club’s poor season by scoring in a 2-1 home win at White Hart Lane.

Redknapp is well aware of the value to Liverpool of their England midfielder and Spain forward.

“I’d be lying if I stood here and said that the absence of Gerrard and Torres won’t matter,” said Redknapp. “Of course, they are two world-class players, and they will miss them.

“But they have a strong squad. I have never been there and had an easy game. It is a difficult place to go.”

Tottenham are without winger Aaron Lennon due to injury while Ledley King is also expected to be missing with a damaged knee.

Former Liverpool striker Robbie Keane is available but might have to make do with a place on the substitutes bench after being replaced by Peter Crouch, another Anfield old boy, during last Saturday’s goalless draw with strugglers Hull City.

“When Crouch came on against Hull, and not being disrespectful to Robbie, we suddenly looked (more dangerous),” said Redknapp.

“They put so many bodies in there and it was hard to play through them.

“When Crouch came on we could miss them out and drop balls up to him and he won headers and we were getting shots on goal.”

LIVERPOOL, England (AFP)

Tags: absence, anfield, captain steven, champions league, elite competition, Fernando Torres, Hotspur, inspirational captain, Liverpool, mascherano, match, playmaker, premier league, rafael benitez, salvage, seven times, shock, Steven Gerrard

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)

Tags: acute angle, Andrea Dossena, Argentina, avram grant, basement club, Ben Haim, daniel agger, David James, England, Fernando Torres, Fratton Park, frederic piquionne, jamie carragher, Javier Mascherano, Kevin Prince, kevin prince boateng, lead 12, Liverpool, liverpool goalkeeper, mascherano, michael brown, nadir belhadj, o hara, pepe reina, point blank range, Portsmouth, premier league, rafael benitez, Reina, Steven Gerrard, team mate, time kevin

Benitez blames Mascherano red card for Portsmouth loss

December 19, 2009

Rafa Benitez believes the red card given to Javier Mascherano is to blame for Liverpool’s loss against Portsmouth. Liverpool slipped to their seventh loss of the season at Fratton Park against Avram Grant’s Portsmouth with goals coming from Nadir Belhadj and Frederic Piquionne.

Referee Lee Mason gave Mascherano a red card just before half-time, with Liverpool already losing, for a reckless challenge on Tal Ben Haim.

Benitez believes the red card flipped the game and favored Portsmouth as Liverpool lost balance and were reduced to ten men.

He said on Sky Sports, “If you analyse the first half we were doing well, even with their goal but then came the Mascherano incident.

“We were a good team in the first half and the sending off changed everything.

“We had some chances, we should have scored, we were controlling the game and everything changed with Mascherano.

“Now we have to hope we can win our next game.”

As a result, The Reds remain stuck in sixth place with only 27 points, 13 points behind Chelsea and having played a match more than The Blues.

Tags: avram grant, Benitez, CHELSEA, Fratton Park, frederic piquionne, Javier Mascherano, lee mason, Liverpool, mascherano, match, nadir belhadj, next game, Portsmouth, reds, referee, Sky Sports, tal ben haim

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)

Tags: algeria, Argentine, Ben Haim, champions league, close range, daniel agger, desperate fight, dismal day, five points, hammers, Javier Mascherano, Jose, jose reina, Kevin Prince, lee mason, Liverpool, london, lunge, mascherano, miserable season, nadir belhadj, Portsmouth, premier league, rafa benitez, referee, salvage, striker, west ham

Ferguson expects United to bounce back

October 26, 2009

Sir Alex Ferguson warned Manchester United’s Premier League rivals that his side’s 2-0 defeat at Liverpool will only strengthen their determination to retain the title.

United cut a strangely subdued look as second half goals from Fernando Torres and David Ngog at Anfield on Sunday condemned the champions to their first defeat in 12 matches.

Ferguson was forced to admit United had been out-played and out-fought. But the United manager believes the frustration of a result which allowed Chelsea to move two points ahead of them at the top of the table is certain to prove the catalyst for a powerful winning run.

While any defeat against the team United hate the most will always stick in Ferguson’s throat, the Scot knows his side were beaten twice by Rafa Benitez’s men last season and still ended the campaign as champions.

They bounced back from a 4-1 defeat to the Reds at Old Trafford in March by surging to the finish line in the title race and Ferguson expects more of the same this time.

“We will always react. That is the important thing about our club,” Ferguson said.

“They have always had to do that. It is not something unusual for us. At some points of your season you are going to have disappointments.

“Last year we lost 4-1 at home to Liverpool, got hold of the bit again and went on to win the league and that is our challenge.”

After four successive defeats, Liverpool knew another loss would end their title hopes, so it was no surprise that Javier Mascherano, Fabio Aurelio and Lucas snapped into tackles with abandon.

But United midfielders Michael Carrick and Paul Scholes were overwhelmed and Ferguson conceded they offered little in the way of a response to the physical challenge.

Torres opened the scoring in the 65th minute when he got clear of Rio Ferdinand and lashed home a sublime finish.

A bad day for United got even worse when Serbian defender Nemanja Vidic, already on a booking, was dismissed for a clear professional foul on Dirk Kuyt – his third successive red card against Liverpool.

David Ngog added Liverpool’s second goal in stoppage time and Gary Neville, an unused substitute, appeared to exchange words with home fans near the dug-out as United’s frustration boiled over.

“All in all Liverpool were the better team and created more chances,” Ferguson said. “They deserved their victory. We created few chances. We have let ourselves down with our penetration.

“I think we got caught up in the atmosphere and the wounded animal aspect of it.

“Their fans were fanatical and every decision they put the referee under pressure all the time.”

Ferguson felt referee Andre Marriner had been unable to cope with the red-hot atmosphere and slammed the official for failing to award a first half penalty for Jamie Carragher’s foul on Michael Carrick.

Marriner, who did sent off Reds midfielder Javier Mascherano in stoppage time, also only showed a yellow card to Carragher when, with the score still just 1-0, he hauled down Michael Owen as the former Liverpool striker threatened an equaliser.

“I felt Carrick in the first half was a penalty and of course the controversial one that everyone will be talking about was when Carragher brought Michael Owen down on the edge of the box,” Ferguson said.

“He is their most experienced and best defender and if he goes off at that stage it would have difficult for them.

“When Vidic got his first booking he committed a foul but won the second ball and that’s what the referee booked him for. The crowd got him booked.

“On the second booking, I don’t think it was a vicious foul, it was obstruction more than anything. The fact he has been booked puts the referee under pressure.

“That atmosphere is hard to handle for the referee. Whether he had enough experience I don’t know but he will certainly learn from it.”

LIVERPOOL (AFP)

Tags: anfield, aurelio, bad day, disappointments, finish line, league rivals, manchester united, mascherano, Michael Carrick, midfielders, old trafford, paul scholes, physical challenge, professional foul, rafa benitez, rio ferdinand, Scot, sir alex ferguson

Benitez ready to hold talks with Mascherano

August 19, 2009

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez admits he needs to hold talks with Javier Mascherano to resolve the Argentina midfielder’s future at Anfield.

Mascherano was keen on joining Barcelona in the close-season after the European champions approached Liverpool over a deal for the Argentina captain.

Benitez hinted that Barca forward Lionel Messi, a compatriot of Mascherano’s, had been trying to persuade his international team-mate to make the switch to the Nou Camp.

But the Liverpool boss refused to agree to the transfer because he was already resigned to losing Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid.

There is now speculation that Liverpool want to offer the 25-year-old a contract extension in order to prolong his stay at Anfield and Benitez told Sky Sports News: “We were talking with Mascherano before. He knows we have to have a meeting and talk about his future.

“There is a possibility that we will be friends, and will talk about things in private.”

Meanwhile, Benitez has hinted that he could enter the transfer market before the window closes on August 31.

With Danish defender Daniel Agger out for several weeks and centre-backs Jamie Carragher and Martin Skrtel injured in Sunday’s defeat at Tottenham, Benitez is looking for defensive cover, with Bilbao defender Fernando Amorebieta reportedly top of his list.

“I try to see how the market is, and what players are available, just in case,” he said.

“You never know if you get injuries or if you have to bring someone in. It also depends on the position (of players) too.

“We are trying to keep working with the scouting department and will see what happens”.

The Reds boss may have to sell before he can buy however after reports that Liverpool’s American owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks are refusing to release any more transfer funds.

Benitez was asked several times at his pre-match media conference ahead of Wednesday’s game against Stoke to explain his cash-flow problems, but on each occasion he said: “I do not want to discuss money.

“I do not want to discuss my transfer budget. But our scouting department is continuing to work hard to find the players that we need.”

After their 2-1 loss to Spurs, Liverpool need to bounce back quickly against a Stoke team who drew at Anfield last season.

Benitez said: “We know the problems from last season in facing Stoke. But our home fans will want us to show our quality.

“We must play well, keep possession and be positive to make our chances. Stoke’s manager is clever, he uses his players well and they are physical and well organised.

“But the future of our club depends on showing the quality we have in our squad.”

LIVERPOOL (AFP)

Tags: Alonso, Argentina, Bilbao, captain. Benitez, cash flow problems, compatriot, contract extension, daniel agger, european champions, Fernando Amorebieta, George Gillett, george gillett and tom hicks, jamie carragher, Javier Mascherano, Lionel, Liverpool, MADRID, martin skrtel, mascherano, midfielder, nou camp, rafa benitez, real madrid, reds, Sky Sports, sky sports news, speculation, team mate, tom hicks, xabi alonso

Aquilani has licence to thrill at Liverpool

August 6, 2009

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez expects Alberto Aquilani to prove a big hit with Anfield fans when the Italy international completes his transfer from Roma.

Benitez had a 20 million pounds bid for Aquilani accepted earlier this week and the 25-year-old is due to fly to Liverpool for a medical before signing a four-year contract.

The Spanish coach believes his move for the dynamic midfielder will add a touch of flair to his team.

“Roma have allowed us to talk with him, so that’s good and positive. He is a player with the quality we are looking for,” Benitez said.

“He can play a little bit higher than Javier Mascherano, maybe between him and Steven Gerrard.

“I think the signing should excite the fans. He is a good passer, the final ball is good, and he also works. If he can settle down properly in England he can be a very good addition.”

LIVERPOOL, England (AFP)