Penny  Lane must have seemed a million miles away from Madrid to the young Spanish schoolboy.

So too, the ‘Yellow Submarine’ that Fernando Torres sang about with his brother as they recited Beatles hits passed down from their father Jose.

Indeed, ‘El Nino’, would not even have known who the Fab Four were given his tender years or what it was they were singing about. But he loved their tunes all the same. And that was all that mattered.

Had anyone told him just how intricately linked he would ultimately become with Liverpool’s most famous sons and he would have laughed it off as madness. Liverpool? He’d never even heard of it. Yet the city was to become his second home. His future. The platform for his footballing dreams and the Beatles back catalogue was to become his Bible.

He said: “One of the biggest problems I faced when I first moved to Liverpool was the language barrier. My English was limited to the classes I had taken at school in Fuenlabrada. You think you know a bit of English and that you can get by but when you actually arrive in England you soon realise that you haven’t really got a clue. I was told to be honest and say; ‘I didn’t catch that, could you say it again?’ but the truth is I didn’t always take that advice. I nearly always just mumbled a ‘no’. That’s what I did whenever I was in the supermarket and was asked if I wanted ‘cash back’. It’s not something we have in Spain and I had no idea what it was. It was three months before I knew what they were talking about. One afternoon, the way back from having lunch we decided to go shopping. I’d been told about Costco and so we decided to go in and have a look. As we were going through the door, the security guard stopped. We assumed he was asking for a member’s card that we didn’t have and so, not be able to explain in English, we just turned and left without a word. The next day I was told if you’re not a member you can’t shop there. Two people were vital during my first few days in the city: Rob and Alan, the English teachers Liverpool laid on for me. One of the things they used to make me do was ring people in response to adverts in the paper. You’d get on the phone and ask about a puppy for sale, or that kitten being advertised, or the price of a second hand car. The idea was to get me used to speaking in English on the phone but at first the idea terrified me. So much so that I would panic when I didn’t understand something and find myself having to ring Pepe Reina. The car radio became my constant travelling companion. Every morning on my way to training at Melwood, I would listen and try to concentrate on what was being said. At first I only understood a few words but bit by bit I could feel myself improving. As I went past billboards I would try to translate them, too, and with every passing day I was getting better and better. Some nights, I even dared to pick up the phone and order food. When it turned up, it was nearly always what I wanted.  When we were in hotels preparing for games I watched films in English with the subtitles on. The other thing I always carried with me was ‘English Training’ on my Nintendo DS - language games and exercises that helped me develop my English. I was terrified at the prospect of having to have a conversation on the phone. Imagine how much worse it is when that conversation is with the fire service! My smoke alarm kept going off in the house I was renting and one afternoon I got a call. I just about worked out that the man on the other end was from the local fire station but I didn’t understand anything else.  A few minutes later a fire engine turned up at the house, packed with fireman thinking they were being called into action. They came three times in three days before they worked out that the smoke from cooking was causing the alarm to go off prematurely. The next time the alarm went off, they called me first to check whether they really did have to set off again. I like the Beatles a lot. Before I ever imagined that I would end up in Liverpool, I listened to their songs. Now I’ve rediscovered them because listening to them has helped me to pick up the language more quickly. My favourite songs are ‘Penny Lane’ and ‘Yellow Submarine’.”

A giant 51-foot long, 15-foot high, 18 tons steel Yellow Submarine, replica built to commemorate the famous song, greeted Torres upon arrival at Liverpool’s John Lennon Airport.

Torres found himself immersed in Liverpool’s history, it’s culture, walking the famous streets, from Princess Dock to Victoria Street, taking time to enjoy Matthew Street and the Beatles tour, though he is still to visit the Cavern Club.

 “What can I say about the legendary band, a symbol of the city? There’s not much I can add, although it did strike me that – despite what you might imagine – people in Liverpool aren’t constantly talking about the Beatles and their success,” he added. "People have an enormous amount of respect and admiration for them, because everyone in London is conscious of the fact that the Beatles and Liverpool FC have taken the name of the city round the world.”

Torres is not your average footballer. There will be no tabloid tales of bad boy behaviour, no sordid nightclub tales or weekly pictures of his latest supercar. Nights in playing cards, watching television with his wifey Olalla Dominguez Liste, or even a bit of DIY? Now you’re talking.

He explained:   “I’m very much a homely person. I am at my most comfortable and relaxed there.  One of my favourite moments each day, matches permitting, is the evening stroll with Olalla (my wife) and our two dogs. They’re English bulldogs, a male called Pomo and a female called Llanta. We have found a couple of parks near where we live that are relaxed and peaceful, offering a real escape. At home, we spend time playing board games with friends and family. When it comes to Monopoly, Scatergory, or Hotel, there are real battles. For a change, we sometimes play cards, even though I’m not one for the typical footballer’s game like poker or the games played with a 40-card Spanish deck, like mus or pocha. But  I do enjoy playing brisca and tute, Spanish games similar to trumps. Television is an alternative and I like to be up to date with what’s going on in the world, and not just the sports news. My favourite programmes are ‘The Dog Whisperer’ and ‘Super Nanny’. I love Stanley Park, the one that divides Anfield and Goodison and which I got to know when I went to film the Spanish number 9 advert for Nike there. I’ve also been to Chester, and to Formby on the coast where, weather permitting, I like to devour a Flake 99, with raspberry sauce. We have adapted perfectly to Liverpool but when it comes to eating we still follow a Spanish timetable. Eating at English times still feels too early so we started arranging barbeques. A few of us got together along with Mikel Arteta from Everton. One Sunday we started eating in the garden, it was a sunny day with the odd cloud and we didn’t think anything of it....until the heavens opened and it started snowing. Yes, snowing! Since then, the slightest sign of bad weather and we set up in the garage instead. During my first few months in Liverpool I seemed to be permanently surrounded by hammers, screwdrivers, pliers and spanners as I discovered a new hubby: putting together furniture. There were tools everywhere. In Spain I hadn’t put together a single wardrobe but here in England I found myself in the position where I either had to get on and do it or the box would just gather dust. Sometimes, I would end up getting so irritated I would end up crawling to bed shattered – but with the world done. My determination to finish the job off meant that one night in 2007 I didn’t finish until the small hours. I had come home in a bad mood after we had lost 1-0 at home to Olympic Marseilles in the Champions League. I decided the best way to work the frustration out of my system was to put together two pieces of furniture for the living room. By the time I had finished it was 4am. I haven’t experienced Liverpool’s nightlife. I have been out a couple of times to eat after Champions League matches and you can see there’s a lot going on. One thing that does surprise me is that no one seems to wear a coat. Everyone is done up and dressed to impress but few of them wrap up warm, even though the temperature can’t be much above freezing. One thing that I would like to do is watch a game in the pub. Everyone tells me about the passion with which fans follow matches between pints.”

Thankies to mirrorfootball.co.uk for bits of the post!

Oh! That looks so painful!! :(

It turns out yesterday’s Rafa has quit rumors were just that: rumors. Benitez re-affirmed his commitment to Liverpool as victory over Stoke left him in a jovial mood. The Spaniard joked that his side were the Premier League pacesetters when it came to getting stitches.

Fernando Torres received 10 stitches to a head wound after clashing heads with Potters’ defender and reported Rafa-target Ryan Shawcross.

Benitez said:

“We are at the top of the table now - for stitches, Carra had 20 on Sunday, Skrtel some more and now Torres, maybe 30 in total - so we are top!“

Responding to yesterday’s whispers that he had walked out on Liverpool, Benitez said the rumors had reached him but there was no truth in them.

He said:

“I was told about the rumors, that maybe something happened here at Anfield, but I will tell the fans I want to stay - my commitment is 100 per cent. If I can improve the squad I will be pleased, but if I can’t then I will stay to try and compete with the squad that we have.”

(Thanks to Rob at Off the Post)

Here we are ladies and gents!! The start of a new Premier League season. This season, which is about as new as little baby Nora Torres, is already proving to be filled with injuries.

Our lads in red start this season away at Tottenham, who are going through a number of injuries. Play maker Jonathan Woodgate among others are 100% sure that they will not be able to play this weekend. Liverpool's skipper Steven Gerrard is also a doubt.

Liverpool only lost twice last season, but one of them was at the hands of Tottenham when they came back to win 2-1. This was the Red's only loss in 10 meetings with Spurs, but we also lost to them in the Carling Cup last season.

Liverpool and Spurs have both been busy this transfer window too. Liverpool adding players like Glen Johnson and Alberto Aquilani, while Spurs have brought back Peter Crouch.

Last season, Tottenham made their worst start ever to a Premier League season with only 2 points in 8 matches.

We will have to see what happens this time. Stay tuned to the blog on Sunday as I will be doing match commentary.

Torres' New Deal

According to Liverpool's official website, www.liverpoolfc.tv,

"Fernando Torres had put pen to an improved contract at Anfield. The 25-year old striker agreed the terms of the deal back in May and has now completed the formalities of signing the new contract. Torres was already tied to Anfield for the next four seasons after signing a six year deal in 2007. This new deal includes an option for a further year's extension to 2014."

Hey everyone! I know that this is a tad late, but meh... Anyway, Sebi and I have been working on some categories for the end of the year/summer awards. In this post, you can nominate anyone you think is fitting to win. The final vote will come at a later date. :D

So, here are the categories!!

• Player of the Year
• Goal of the Year
• Team of the Year
• 12th Man of the Year
• Manager of the Year
• Kit of the Year
• WAG of the Year
• Powercouple of the Year
• Hunk of the Year (As voted by the females of the site)
• Match of the Year
• Transfer of the Year

Here are the dud categories

• Worst player of the Year
• Flop Team of the Year
• Managerial Flop of the Year
• Not-so-lovely Kit of the Year
• Scandal WAG of the Year
• Horror Couple of the Year
• Horror Hair-do of the Year
• Horror Off the Pitch Fashion of the Year

So, there you go!! Please help us vote. We want YOUR input because this blog is about pleasing you guys, the FANS!!

I would like to do the end of the season award post by either the end of June or beginning of July, so please help us!!

You guys are amazing!

Rules

• You may only vote 1 time
• ALL major leagues are covered
• If things start to get out of hand, voting will end and I (Kristen) will select the winners. :)

Oh! It feels so good to be back updating the blog!! So sorry you guys! :)

Anyway, this will probably be one of the few posts you see from me this summer. :(

Sadly, I have to turn this laptop in on the 22nd of June.

So, I will probably be gone all summer. As for the tournament on the group Ladies Of Ole Ole, it is on hold until further notice.

So, anyway, to the post. While everyone was crazy following the Champions League final this past week, we had a couple of gents take themselves off the market....perhaps for good. Who are these two men? Well, Fernando Torres and Alexandre Pato, of course!

Pato is getting married to his long time sweetheart Sthefany on July 7th. (Yes, her name is spelled that way) But, how much will it cost? The stats will make you wish you were getting married!

Initial reports suggested an OTT blingalicious wedding with the couple spending $500,000 to entertain 1500 guests. Soon-to-be Mr. and Mrs. Pato apparently picked Dolce & Gabbana (of AC Milan calendar fame) to design their ensembles. With You! Magazine “exclusively” reports the couple will tie the knot at the Copacabana Palace in Brazil – and pictured Sthef outside the hotel yesterday after meeting with some professional planners.

Sthefy’s mother, however, threw her hat into the gossip ring yesterday after she confirmed the couple’s speedy nuptials in an interview. She insisted the ceremony will occur in Milan – not Brazil – and only close friends and family will be invited.

Now, on to Nando...

Fernando Torres married long, long, LONG time WAG Olalla Domingez in Madrid this past week. The wedding was so secret, the Spanish media didn't even know anything about it! Hopefully, some photos will be released from the couple soon. But, here is what the Spanish media IS reporting about the wedding:

• The seven-months-pregnant bride wore  a RED dress.
• They got married at 14.00 local time, at El Escorial in Madrid
• The civil ceremony was presided over by councilman of the municipality Ignacio González Velayos
• Mr. and Mrs. Torres apparently changed their minds at the last minute. In February they were set to wed in Santiago de Compostela.

I still commend Nando on his stealthy-ness and REALLY hope some photos surface soon. Until then, we can only mourn the fact that our Nando is off the market.

*moment of silence*

Here are some key facts heading into today's match in London.

Fernando Torres has scored 25 Premier League goals in 28 games at Anfield.

Liverpool have scored 15 goals in their last five league games.

Liverpool have gone 27 home games without defeat, the longest current run in the top-flight.

Liverpool have scored nine 90th-minute goals this season, more than any other team.

Arsenal are unbeaten in their last 18 Premier League games, the best current run in the division.

Arsenal have mustered 16 goals in their last five league games.

Arsenal have recouped 15 points from losing positions this season - only Liverpool (21) have recovered more.

Cesc Fabregas has assisted four goals in two league games since his return from an injury sustained in the league game against Liverpool at the Emirates.

Robin van Persie leads the league with a joint-high nine assists.

Arsenal have scored the most away goals (30), while Liverpool have conceded the fewest (8) at home.

The last three league meetings have all ended as 1-1 draws.

Hello everyone! Happy Thursday!! Thank you for the Featured Post for my last post. I really think that you guys are the best! I love you all so much. :) Today's Photo Manip of the Day comes from the Bundesliga. Enjoy you guys!

For more and to see the full size of this one, please visit my DeviantArt page! robertlovesme.deviantart.com

Next on the agenda....Nando's baby! I know that I am a little late with this, but according to our friends at Kickette, and on his official Facebook page, Fernando and Olalla are having a baby girl!

Name ideas!?

CONGRATS!!

Finally, I will make sure to post Hunk later today. I am currently working on updating the VfB, and Zenit blogs. Anyway, more to come.  

Hello everyone! Hope you have all been having a wonderful Monday....(oxymoron, I know.) Anyway, this weekend was very exciting! Manchester United played Liverpool. My friend, it was QUITE THE MATCH!

Liverpool's title dream is still alive after they came from behind to thump Manchester United 4-1 at Old Trafford on Saturday lunchtime.

Fernando Torres cancelled out a Cristiano Ronaldo penalty before Steven Gerrard completed a remarkable turnaround with his own spot-kick just before the break.
 
A sublime free-kick from Fabio Aurelio following the dismissal of Nemanja Vidic wrapped up the points before a late lob from Andrea Dossena put the gloss on a week that has had many Kopites pinching themselves.
 
The result leaves Liverpool four points behind United, who have a game in hand, with nine fixtures remaining. It also ensures a first league double over our arch-rivals since 2001-02.
 
Rafa Benitez will accept the title is still a tall order, but wherever the Premier League trophy ends up, this performance and scoreline will go down as one of the highlights of the Spaniard's reign.
 
Benitez went searching for his 100th league win as Reds boss without the injured Xabi Alonso. If Javier Mascherano is Liverpool's engine in midfield, then Alonso is the oil that keeps everything flowing nicely. Still, his absence gave Lucas a chance to shine on the biggest stage, and the Brazilian will have won over some of his critics with a rudimentary but effective display.
 
Another blow came during the warm up when right-back Alvaro Arbeloa injured his hamstring, forcing Sami Hyypia to tie his boots at the last minute.
 
The sides set about a cagey start at a wind-swept Old Trafford. United were first to threaten when Ronaldo cut back to the oncoming Ji-Sung Park. The goal gaped and it took a well-judged deflection from Carragher to clear for a corner.
 
Similar heroics were required from Vidic after Aurelio sent Gerrard bursting into the United box on 11 minutes.
 
You could have prepared and swallowed a prawn sandwich in the time it took either side to enthuse their fans again when Torres turned Rio Ferdinand on a sixpence before Vidic saved his partner's blushes.
 
The game of cat and mouse was finally broken on 23 minutes when Park sprinted into the box and navigated Pepe Reina, who caught a trailing leg and gave referee Alan Wiley no option but to award a spot-kick. Liverpool's Spanish goalkeeper went the right way but Ronaldo's penalty was too precise.
 
The travelling Kop's deflation lasted just four minutes, however, thanks to a downfield pass from Martin Skrtel which left Torres with just Vidic and van der Sar to beat. United's Serbian defender lost his footing, leaving El Nino to slot coolly beyond the goalkeeper to claim his 11th goal of the season.
 
Minutes later Torres nutmegged Vidic in the box as he searched for a second but it was cleared for a corner.
 
The next goal would be crucial and both sides knew it. United came close through a Ronaldo dead ball which Reina spilled only to recover just before Tevez pounced. Next, Michael Carrick turned Lucas before firing a fierce effort narrowly over the crossbar.
 
But it was Liverpool who eventually turned the game on its head when Gerrard burst past Patrice Evra to catch a Torres throughball. The full-back challenged clumsily, prompting Wiley to point to the spot for a second time.
 
Gerrard once had a penalty saved by van der Sar when the Dutchman wore Fulham colours, but he made no mistake with this one before kissing the television cameras in celebration of his 18th goal of the campaign.
 
United came out for the second period eager to respond, and almost had a huge slice of luck when a Ronaldo cross swerved onto Reina's post and back into play. Liverpool cleared but it was a warning.
 
Park was impressing down the right as the hosts responded to chants of 'attack, attack, attack' from their fans, and the former PSV man would have been one-on-one with Reina on 53 minutes but for a smart interception from Aurelio.
 
Reina had to be alert to palm over after Tevez squeezed a cross-cum-shot past Carragher. Liverpool's custodian fumbled the resulting corner but claimed well at the second attempt under pressure from Tevez.
 
Wayne Rooney tried to twist and turn his way to an equaliser on 62 minutes only to have his shot deflected wide by Dirk Kuyt.
 
The pressure continued.
 
Next, Ronaldo, patrolled well all game by Aurelio, beat his man to find Rooney at the far post. The Scouser headed back across goal and it took some resilient defending from Skrtel to stop Tevez threatening.
 
The Argentine should have levelled the game on 72 minutes after chesting down a lofted ball from Ferdinand. Liverpool's defence protested for offside but the flag stayed down. With just Reina to beat, Tevez scuffed his shot and the ball roll harmlessly wide.
 
Alex Ferguson had seen enough. With 16 minutes remaining, he made a triple substitution, replacing Carrick, Anderson and Park with Paul Scholes, Dimitar Berbatov and Ryan Giggs.
 
It was a bold move from the Scot but it soon backfired following the dismissal of Vidic. Wiley had no choice but to show the Serb red after a lovely touch from Kuyt sent Gerrard clean through. Last man Vidic interjected and United were down to 10 men with 14 minutes left on the clock and no opportunity to make a change.
 
Any hopes of a comeback were then dashed completely when Aurelio curled the resulting free-kick beyond van der Sar at the Stretford End. Ronaldo would have been proud.
 
Gerrard could have made it four with the kind of chance he normally buries but it mattered not.
 
Substitute Andrea Dossena showed the skipper how it was done on 90 minutes, lobbing van der Sar after a Reina punt.
 
"We want five," sang the cluster of Liverpool fans at the opposite end of the ground. They know the title is still a long shot, but this result keeps United looking over their shoulder. Whatever happens come May, they'll never forget today.

Miro Klose Injury

And if things couldn't get any worse for FC Bayern...they just did.

According to our friends at Sky Sports,

The 30-year-old faces up to a month out of action after suffering an ankle injury in the weekend win over Bochum.

Scans have shown that Klose requires an operation to correct the problem and it means he will miss Bayern's UEFA Champions League quarter-final ties as well as Germany's next two World Cup qualifiers against Liechtenstein and Wales

Bayern boss Jurgen Klinsmann admitted it was a major blow to lose the prolific striker for a period of time.

"This is obviously a bitter blow," Klinsmann told the club's official website.

"We can only hope that the operation goes well and Miro gets back on his feet quickly."

Hello everyone! Hope you have been having a wonderful Wednesday today. Anywho, here you all go. Another copy and pasted lovely. (I will write my final thoughts later today. I just thought that I should get something up, you know?)

Liverpool thrashed Spanish champions Real Madrid 4-0 at Anfield to cruise into the quarter-finals of the Champions League and hand Juande Ramos's side their biggest defeat in continental competition. 

The result gave the Reds a 5-0 aggregate win and will send a resounding message around Europe as they look to overcome the disappointment of a poor domestic run with a sixth triumph in Europe's premier club competition.

A brace from captain Steven Gerrard (pictured) added to Fernando Torres's opener in a breathtaking exhibition of attacking play that flew in the face of Liverpool's reputation for pragmatic, defensive football.

Substitute Andrea Dossena wrapped up the win with a late strike, with Liverpool utterly dominant and unfortunate not to score more.

Rafael Benitez again got it right in Europe, with winger Ryan Babel's pace helping cut Madrid's back line to shreds as they repeatedly hit the visitors on the break.

Madrid have lost only twice in 13 games and both times the architect was Benitez, who never made the grade at his hometown club as a player or coach.

The hosts were two up by the half-hour mark and - while both goals were contentious - the score reflected the balance of play.

Iker Casillas had kept the visitors in the tie with spectacular saves from Torres, Javier Mascherano and Gerrard, but he was helpless to prevent his fellow 'Madrileno' netting.

The Spain keeper was stranded when Dirk Kuyt slid the ball across goal to give the former Atletico Madrid striker - who almost did not start because of a lingering ankle injury - a simple 16th-minute finish.

Madrid contested the goal as the build-up saw Pepe go to ground claiming a foul by Torres, but the mistake from Fabio Cannavaro to allow a routine high ball to bounce into the area was bad enough before his defensive partner slipped under minimal pressure.

Gerrard extended the hosts' lead with a well-taken penalty 12 minutes later, with Gabriel Heinze furious at being penalised for handball after Alvaro Arbeloa flicked it into the box.

It seemed harsh but the Argentina defender's arm moved and his shoulder blocked the ball, with his protests drawing a caution from card-happy referee Franck de Bleeckere.

Liverpool could have added further to the lead before the break, but Kuyt shot wide from a good position.

The last few minutes of the first half saw Juande Ramos's men threaten to pull one back.

Jose Reina tipped Wesley Sneijder's 30-yard free kick around the post, while the Netherlands midfielder forced a second stop from Reina after Heinze and a surprisingly anonymous Arjen Robben combined on the left.

De Bleeckere brandished a card at Mascherano after a foul by Xabi Alonso, with Liverpool pointing out the actual transgressor but the Belgian waving them away, claiming it was for dissent.

Coach Ramos hauled Robben off at the break but it made little difference as the Reds were 3-0 up within a minute of the restart.

Alonso played a short diagonal ball wide left that Babel surged on to before he drilled a low cross to the late-arriving Gerrard, who lashed the ball into the roof of the net to put the tie to bed.

Real now needed to score a near-impossible four times to progress, and poor misses by Raul and Fernando Gago said it all about the misfiring Merengues.

Casillas continued his one-man quest to prevent a cricket score when he pulled off a spectacular save from a Torres curler, while Madrid had the ball in the back of the net but Gonzalo Higuain was called offside.

Benitez could afford to rest players and took off Gerrard, Torres and Alonso.

It made little difference, as his side continued to assault Madrid with wave after wave of attack.

A fourth was inevitable despite more heroics from Casillas, with Dossena lashing the ball home after Babel's strong forward play allowed Mascherano to cross from the right.

In contrast to Liverpool, whose Premier League title challenge has fallen by the wayside, Madrid can now focus on their attempt to claw back the deficit on faltering Liga leaders Barcelona.

Hey everyone! Kristen here. I have some really sad news to tell you all, it seems that the stupid school firewall has blocked this site and well, I will be writing a lot less than normal. :( I will still be writing, but it will be about 4 or 5 a week. :( AHHH! Stupid school. :( Anyway, I really hope that you will all make sure to e-mail me and whatnot. :) KN3018@k12.sd.us :D Anyway, here you all go. :)  

Liverpool FC manager Rafael Benítez is hoping three key players can recover from injury in time to play when they defend their 1-0 lead over Real Madrid CF in the UEFA Champions League first knockout round second leg at Anfield on Tuesday.

Trio doubtful
Midfielder Yossi Benayoun, whose late header earned Liverpool their narrow victory in Madrid, is rated as the most doubtful with a damaged hamstring, but Benítez is also closely monitoring the fitness of striker Fernando Torres, who has an ankle strain, and full-back Álvaro Arbeloa, who has suffered hamstring problems. Benítez said: "He [Torres] was training yesterday and today and we have one more session, so we have time and then we will decide tomorrow [Tuesday]." The Spaniard conceded that Benayoun is unlikely to feature, adding: "[Daniel] Agger is not available [with a back injury], and it is the same situation for Arbeloa as for Torres." Winger Albert Riera is definitely out as a yellow card in the first leg earned him a suspension.

Weekend rest
With their FA Cup campaign already over, Liverpool had the weekend off and they have not played since beating Sunderland AFC 2-0 in the English Premier League on 3 March. After leading the way for much of the season, Liverpool have slipped back to third place, behind Chelsea FC on goal difference, and seven points adrift of frontrunners Manchester United FC, who the Reds face at Old Trafford on Saturday. "It's an important week, that is clear," Benítez admitted. "If we beat United we can still be in the title race, but if we don't it will be very, very difficult. Winning the tie [against Madrid] is the most important thing. When you are doing things properly, sometimes you don't need to win the match to progress."

Gago crucial
Madrid welcomed back Argentina midfielder Fernando Gago to the team on Saturday following his ankle sprain, as city rivals Club Atlético de Madrid halted Los Merengues' ten-match winning run in the Liga in a 1-1 draw at the Santiago Bernabéu. The result left Madrid in second spot, six points behind leaders FC Barcelona. Coach Juande Ramos said he has a fully fit squad of 20 to choose from against Liverpool and he stated that Gago is a key component of his lineup: "A lot of what we have been able to achieve in our great run of results in the league has been down the excellent efforts of Gago and the rest of that central midfield."

Confident mood
Ramos urged the nine-time European champions to believe in themselves at Anfield and he gave an upbeat assessment of their prospects: "We know we are at half-time in this tie as 90 minutes have been played and there are 90 minutes still to play," the former Tottenham Hotspur FC and Sevilla FC boss said. "We are confident we can go out and turn things around and reverse this deficit. However much we talk about tactics, the important thing is that the players go out convinced they can actually do this and pull off the right result and give a good account of themselves. We have to work as hard as we possibly can to ensure that has every chance of happening."