Kuyt not setting personal targets

Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt is not setting himself a personal goal target this season, despite a good start to the campaign.

The Dutch international scored his seventh goal in Saturday's 2-0 win at Bolton - just four short of last season's tally of 11 in 47 games.

"For me it's not important, it's all about winning trophies," the 28-year-old told BBC Radio Merseyside. "It's so far so good for me, but I don't look further than the next game."

Liverpool remain joint top of the Premier League after their 10th win of the season at the Reebok Stadium.

The Reds' next four games see Fulham and West Ham United visit Anfield, before an away trip to Blackburn Rovers and then a home game against Hull City. Kuyt said: "You can struggle against the lower teams, but you can win against the big teams. We saw that when we won against Chelsea, but drew against Stoke.

"That's the point of the Premier League, no game is easy. We all see how teams come to Anfield and just try to defend.

"I think that Fulham will do the same, so that will make it another difficult game."

Bolton 0-2 Liverpool

Liverpool's Premier League title challenge gathered further momentum with an impressive victory at Bolton. Dirk Kuyt brilliantly headed the visitors in front from Fabio Aurelio's cross after 28 minutes.

Robbie Keane and Steven Gerrard both missed open goals before captain Gerrard headed in substitute Fernando Torres' cross with 18 minutes left.

Bolton's Gary Cahill had a header ruled out for a foul and Ricardo Gardner missed two good opportunities. The win ensured Liverpool maintained the pressure on their rivals as they seek their first title since 1990.

Bolton were outplayed for long stretches, but mounted a spirited effort after the break, only for any hope of a comeback to be snuffed out by Gerrard's close range header. Liverpool kept Torres on the bench as he continues his recovery from a hamstring injury but he emerged for the last 30 minutes to great effect.

All the other big guns were restored after a weakened side lost in the Carling Cup at Spurs in midweek.The opening half was a tale of almost unbroken Liverpool domination, with Bolton restricted to isolated attacks.

Kuyt almost gave Rafael Benitez's side the lead after 21 minutes when his powerful rising drive from Gerrard's pass struck the bar with Bolton keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen helpless. He had better luck seven minutes later when he crowned a lengthy period of Liverpool possession by directing a superb header past Jaaskelainen from Aurelio's cross.

Keane should have doubled Liverpool's advantage almost instantly when he somehow failed to make contact with Kuyt's inviting cross from only four yards with the goal gaping in front of him.
The lingering fear for Liverpool was that their failure to score a second goal would leave the door open for a Bolton side that had been distinctly second best. And they were almost punished on the stroke of half-time when Cahill headed in from a corner, only for referee Rob Styles to rule that goalkeeper Pepe Reina had been fouled.

It was a decision that infuriated the home crowd, who had clearly not forgiven Styles for the infamous penalty he gave against Bolton at Manchester United earlier this season. Bolton boss Gary Megson made a change at half-time, introducing Gardner in place of Fabrice Muamba - who had been detailed to do a man-marking job on Liverpool captain Gerrard.

Gardner made an immediate impact and almost levelled after 51 minutes when he ran on to Kevin Davies' pass, but slipped after rounding Reina and the chance was lost. There was a much more passion and purpose from Bolton after the break, but it was Liverpool who wasted another gilt-edged chance to score just after the hour.

Torres was the creator, seconds after being introduced, with a perfect cross that Gerrard somehow slid wide. But there was no mistake after 73 minutes, when the Spanish international produced a perfect delivery with the outside of his right foot for Gerrard to steal in and head past Jaaskelainen.

Liverpool were suddenly restored to the dominant force of the first half and Jaaskelainen had to be at his acrobatic best to save a 25-yard effort from Xabi Alonso with 10 minutes left.

Gardner had been a lively presence since his introduction, but he wasted another chance by lofting a finish over the onrushing Reina but off target.

Liverpool had further opportunities to finish with a flourish, but Torres hit the outside of an upright and substitute Lucas headed wide when it seemed easier to score. Their generosity in front of goal did not prove costly, as Liverpool cruised to a deserved three points.

Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, Cahill, Andrew O'Brien, Samuel, Taylor (Smolarek 84), Nolan, Muamba (Gardner 46), McCann, Elmander, Davies.
Subs Not Used: Al Habsi, Helguson, Shittu, Basham, Obadeyi.
Booked: Nolan.
Liverpool: Reina, Carragher, Hyypia, Agger, Aurelio, Alonso, Mascherano, Kuyt (Leiva Lucas 84), Gerrard, Riera (Benayoun 89), Keane (Torres 59).
Subs Not Used: Cavalieri, Dossena, Babel, Darby.
Booked: Carragher.
Goals: Kuyt 28, Gerrard 73.
Att: 24,893
Ref: Rob Styles (Hampshire).

Benitez and Lampard scoop awards

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has won the Barclays manager of the month award for October, while Chelsea's Frank Lampard is player of the month.

The Reds won all four of their league matches, in the process ending Chelsea's 86-game unbeaten home record, scoring eight goals and conceding six.

Lampard scored two goals in four league games, including a superb angled chip in his side's 3-0 win over Hull City.

It is the first time in three years the midfielder has won the monthly award.

Lampard is the second Chelsea player to win the award this season, after Deco won August's prize.

The 30-year-old Lampard has now won the award three times, one behind the record for the most monthly player accolades. Six players have won the award on four occasions, including Lampard's England colleagues Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney.

Benitez picks up his award having guided Liverpool to victories over Manchester City, Wigan Athletic, Chelsea and Portsmouth.

The Reds twice came from behind, against City and Wigan, then inflicted Chelsea's first home defeat in four years.

Liverpool ended the month with another win, as a late Steven Gerrard penalty proved enough to see off Portsmouth at Anfield.

Benitez has been named manager of the month four times, but has a long way to go to catch all-time record holder Sir Alex Ferguson, who has won the award 21 times in his career.

Wing worries for Liverpool

It was typical, all-action stuff from Steven Gerrard: tracking back to aid Steve Finnan when the right-back was outnumbered, sliding in for a predictably forceful challenge and getting up to berate a team-mate.

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Gerrard: Better in the middle or the right?
It served as a microcosm of Liverpool's midfield: no sooner does Gerrard solve one problem than another is highlighted.

Without Mohamed Sissoko, he has been restored to his preferred position in the centre of midfield, but that means Rafael Benitez now has to perm two from his collection of unconvincing wingers. Jermaine Pennant maintained his place on the right and was on the receiving end of a Gerrard blast for his failure to support Finnan.

He may have neglected his defensive duties, but Pennant was still prominent. One burst to the byline was an example of old-fashioned wing play. But when, minutes before, he had the presence of mind to lay the ball back to Gerrard, the resulting cross, bent in beautifully, was superior to anything Pennant produced and a reminder why Benitez appears to consider his captain his finest right winger.

A trademark Gerrard goal, displaying assurance with his finish after powering forward to meet Dirk Kuyt's clever ball after the Dutchman turned Alex neatly, showed why many consider him Liverpool's best central midfielder.

It was only Gerrard's second goal of the season, but that is two more than Pennant. Examinations of what his contribution amounted to, either in a defeat of PSV Eindhoven that was completed by a late Peter Crouch goal, or in his brief time at Liverpool, are inconclusive.

It may be an inappropriate description, given his colourful past, but the jury is still out on Pennant as, indeed, it is on Mark Gonzalez.

The Chilean's finest piece of play resulted in his departure. Accelerating past Jan Kromkamp with sufficient ease to provide a reminder why few lamented the sale of the Dutchman, he supplied the most inviting of crosses.

But for the awareness of Alex, Crouch would have had a tap-in. However, in the process, the summer signing hurt his hamstring and was stretchered off, head in hands. Pennant switched flanks immediately, bur a reluctance to use his left foot meant he had a tendency to drift infield into a crowded midfield, and he had to return to the right while Luis Garcia roamed around the left.

Then, when Pennant's evening was curtailed by a hamstring spasm, enter Craig Bellamy as an auxiliary winger, the fourth of the night, while a fifth lurked infield as a result of other injuries.
When Xabi Alonso hobbled off disconsolately to join Sissoko on the treatment table, on came Boudewijn Zenden. He may prefer a central role nowadays, but his suitability for it is less obvious.

Sissoko can trace his heritage in the Liverpool midfield back to competitors of the calibre of Steve McMahon and Graeme Souness in a way the more lightweight Zenden cannot.

Benitez said: 'It was our idea to finish at the top of the group [which Liverpool have guaranteed now]. The first thing is that we are really pleased with the victory, but it came at a price. 'It was really difficult to manage in a game where you lose two players in the first half. In the end, we played with Bolo and Steve and two very offensive wingers and Luis was not 100 percent fit.'

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Liverpool's wing woe. Pennant was not Benitez's first choice. And while wingers abounded, the contenders for the cross of the match were delivered by Gerrard and Finnan, opting for his left foot and headed inches over the bar by Crouch.

It is often said that, his height notwithstanding, Crouch is not a great header of the ball. This was an instant that shows he has both the leap and the technique to be; it is a consistent demonstration of such prowess that eludes him.

His goal, when it finally came, hardly required such finesse. Garcia, whose aptitude for the European stage is well established, delivered a deep cross that Kuyt headed back across goal and Crouch forced in from all of a yard.

It was his fifth European strike of the season and, by some distance, Crouch is Liverpool's leading scorer in the Champions League. It suggests continental defences are yet to understand the difficulties of dealing with his unique frame.

If Crouch is a one-off, his partner may not be. Ignore the blond mop and concentrate on the way he uses his body to shield the ball and there is a hint of Mark Hughes about Kuyt. Certainly, like the Welshman, he seems capable of creating as many goals as he scores. At least Kuyt's many attributes, illustrated by his two assists, guarantee him a place in attack.

And in a team where there are few automatic choices, that is to his credit. He stands in contrast to Liverpool's many wide men. Benitez began with too many options on the flanks. Because of three injuries, he ended with too few, but with the question of his first-choice wingers is still frustratingly unanswered.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Steven Gerrard, He dominated the first half but, after Alonso's injury, unselfishly adopted the anchor role in midfield for much of the second. 'The quality of Gerrard was outstanding tonight,' said Ronald Koeman, who is no mean judge. A demanding Benitez added: 'He played well, but he is a very good player and he can play much better. And he knows he can play much better.'

INJURY NEWS: Alonso was reported to have a dead leg, while Pennant suffered spasms in his hamstring. So Gonzalez, with a torn hamstring, is the most serious casualty. 'Two weeks, for sure,' said Benitez.

LIVERPOOL VERDICT: They merited their victory, but it was the kind of performance that both served to show why their record is so impressive at home and so lamentable away. It still remains to be seen quite what the sum of their many parts equates to.

PSV VERDICT: The left-back Carlos Salcido produced some wonderful passes with either foot and threatened Jose Reina's goal with a deflected, dipping effort from fully 40 yards. PSV has proved a fertile hunting ground for the European giants over the past couple of decades, and the Mexican could be the next to tempt them.

DID HE REALLY SAY THAT? According to our translator, Koeman commented that 'Liverpool is a different kettle of fish in comparison with Galatasaray and Bordeaux.' There may have been some licence with that translation.

Rafa favourite hoping to down United

If Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez had got his way, Simao Sabrosa would have been a key member of his team by now.
Empics
Simao will be reunited with Cristiano Ronaldo once again on Wednesday.
Yet it is the red of Benfica and not the crimson of Liverpool that he is currently excelling and Manchester United may be regretting as much after Wednesday's crucial Champions League showdown at Old Trafford.
Benitez made no secret of his desire to land Sabrosa and appeared to have his man on a couple of occasions, yet the Anfield giants paid a heavy price for failing to seal the deal as this gifted performer was pivotal in Benfica ending their reign as European champions last season.
A few months on and Simao has another of England's north-west superpowers in his sights, with his oozing confidence acting as an ominous sign for United ahead of a game they dare not lose.
'Manchester United are playing so well and they start as favourites for this match, but we like to be in the position of underdog,' begins the bullish 27-year-old, who scored against United at Old Trafford last season.
'I don't have to look far to find some good omens. We met Manchester United in the final group game of last year's Champions League and beat them in Lisbon to knock them out. Why can't it happen again? We have to believe.
'What we are clinging to is the idea that football is never predictable. Manchester United dominated Celtic but still came away defeated. If the gods are with us and we play seriously, we can go through.'
With United needing just a draw to qualify from what has proved to be one of the more fascinating Champions League groups this season, there can be no doubting the scale of the task facing Benfica on Wednesday evening.
Yet Simao's pre-match approach appears to be focused on not upsetting the giant that lies in wait for his team, with his words of praise for Sir Alex Ferguson's resurgent team whole-hearted.
'As a spectator I love United's style of play, but as an opponent I'm less happy,' he says. 'Their first instinct is to attack and they go forward with a speed and precision which is hard to stop. We have to be very careful. We must not let them dictate the pace of the game.
'They are playing really well this season and have any number of match winners in Rooney, Saha, Giggs, Scholes and Cristiano Ronaldo, who I obviously know very well. As a former Sporting Lisbon player, Ronaldo would love to knock us out of the Champions League. He's a special talent, so we'll have to watch him closely.'
“
We have to be very careful. We must not let them dictate the pace of the game. ”
— Simao on United
When the final analysis is made on Thursday morning, the key game in this Champions League group may turn out to be Benfica's trip to Celtic, where they went down by the tightest of margins. The 3-0 defeat inflicted on Fernando Santos's side gave Scottish champions Celtic the impetus they have used to seal their own Champions League progress and it has put both United and Benfica, the two favourites to progress in this group, in real peril.
'This is our biggest game of the season and you cannot over-emphasise how important these 90 minutes will be to Benfica,' confirms Simao. 'We have to win at Old Trafford, nothing else will do. There can be no calculation, no holding back and it's a massive challenge we are all ready for.
'The fact that we have to pick up the three points may, in a strange way, work to our advantage. We know exactly what we have to do. Manchester United only have to avoid defeat to go on in the competition but that can be a dangerous position to be in.
'You can sometimes be unsure whether to go all out for the win or play conservatively for the draw, especially in an away game, but not this time. We have to show that Benfica can win away from home and there would be no better place to do it than Old Trafford.
'One thing is for sure - we won't freeze in Manchester. We have big game players who will be in their element in this game. We have proved that we can cope with the big games in the Champions League in the last couple of years and we like facing English teams.'
Benfica's league form in Portugal this season has mirrored their Champions League efforts, with results at their imposing Estadio da Luz immaculate and their away day exploits less so. However, they proved that they could turn on the style when required by recording that famous victory against Liverpool at Anfield back in March on a night when Simao fired an effort that will live with him for a long time.
'I scored one of the best goals of my career in the game against Liverpool,' he reflects. 'As soon as I hit it, I instinctively knew it was going in. I'd sign right now for another against United. Against Liverpool we proved we could live with the best. They were the reigning European Champions but were clearly the better team over the two legs.
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Despite the crushing of Celtic in Lisbon, away defeat in Glasgow may well cost Benfica progress.
'We were solid and attentive at the back, played with a lot of tactical discipline and always looked to make the most of our attacking opportunities. It was a performance without fear and we need the same again against United. I'd like to think that we have a team built for the big occasion, one which knows how to find that bit extra skill, application and heart when it's most needed.'
Another star showing from Simao at Old Trafford may re-ignite rumours that he will soon be plying his trade in the Premiership and while he admits to growing tired of constant transfer speculation surrounding his future, his admiration for the game in England is clear.
'I love playing in England,' he concludes. 'It's a country steeped in football and the atmosphere at their grounds is always sensational. The fans feel so close to the pitch and their passion is amazing.
'I would like to play there one day and I was flattered to be linked with Liverpool. The Premiership is an exciting league and their top clubs are all contenders in Europe, but I'm happy at Benfica and it is an honour to play for this club.'
Simao's contentment will move up a couple of notches if he is toasting the downfall of another English giant on Wednesday evening.

Benitez warns against complacency as Liverpool face PSV

By Jeremy ButlerLIVERPOOL, England, April 11 - Liverpool managerRafael Benitez has urged his side not to be complacent when theyface PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League quarter-final atAnfield on Wednesday holding a 3-0 lead.Wednesday's other quarter-final is far more evenly balancedwith Bayern Munich hosting AC Milan after the teams finishedlast week's first leg 2-2 in Italy.The winners of that tie will face Manchester United, 8-3aggregate conquerors of AS Roma on Tuesday, in one semi whileChelsea, who beat Valencia 3-2 on aggregate, seem set for asecond semi in three seasons against Liverpool.Liverpool won that semi-final 1-0 on aggregate before goingon to beat AC Milan in the final and Benitez has called on hisplayers to remember that victory in Istanbul 2005 when they camefrom three goals down at halftime before winning the final onpenalties."It is a strange situation and I would like to be in thisposition all the time," Benitez told a news conference."It is not normal and the players understand how importantit will be not to be complacent. We have to be really focusedand not over-confident."We have experience of being three goals behind and winningfrom our victory in the Champions League final and we mustconcentrate."Liverpool's hopes of winning the Champions League again havebeen built this season on the consistent form of 22-year-oldDaniel Agger.The Danish international has taken over from Sami Hyypia inthe heart of the Liverpool defence and produced some matureperformances."Before we signed Daniel Agger we asked people about him andeveryone said he had a good character," Benitez added."We knew his ability as a player and I am not surprised hehas taken over from Sami so soon."INJURY WORRIESIn Munich, Bayern have mounting injury problems but areconvinced they can finish the job against AC Milan and book aplace in the semi-finals for the first time since 2001.Bayern centre-back Daniel van Buyten struck an injury-timeequaliser, his second goal of the night, to clinch a 2-2 draw inthe first leg in Milan. That result gives the Germans a slightedge heading into the return.Martin Demichelis is struggling with a pulled calf muscle,Bastian Schweinsteiger strained his left knee at the weekend andOwen Hargreaves, Lucio and Hasan Salihamidzic are also trying toshake off injuries.Willy Sagnol is definitely out after suffering a seriousknee injury in the first leg but the news is not all bad.Midfielder Mark van Bommel and captain and goalkeeper OliverKahn are available again after suspension and Bayern come intothe game after a 2-1 win at Hanover 96 that kept them in theBundesliga title hunt.Bayern were beaten by Milan 5-2 on aggregate in the firstknockout round last season but with Ottmar Hitzfeld now back incharge they look a lot more resilient.Milan's morale was lifted on Saturday when they beat Empoli3-1 to close to within a point of Serie A's fourth and finalChampions League berth.The outward confidence, however, masks anxieties over thestate of their attack.Alberto Gilardino's suspension means Filippo Inzaghi couldstart as a lone striker, though the 33-year-old has beenstruggling to shake off a hamstring injury.Milan's away form in Europe this season has also been farfrom impressive, with their sole win against Anderlecht beingoffset by scoreless draws against Lille and Celtic, and a 1-0defeat to AEK Athens.