Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid: Steven Gerrard On The Right and Dirk Kuyt On The Left?

Volcanic eruptions may have darkened the skies for many but the horizon still looks bright for Steven Gerrard and his team as they speed across country towards Madrid in the hope of booking their place in the Europa League final.

Confidence was lifted by Monday's relatively easy 3-0 victory against an absent West Ham team at Anfield, but confidence will need to be much higher if Liverpool hope to contain a dangerous Atletico Madrid side.

Pepe Reina Signs New Six Year Contract: The Future Liverpool Captain?

Pepe Reina has finally agreed a four year extension that will see his contract run until 2016 ensuring Liverpool have one of the very best 'keepers in the world for a long time to come.

It's testament to Reina's long term commitment to the club as the Spanish shot stopper makes his decision during what looks set to be an unusually poor season under the tenure of Rafael Benitez.

Rafael Benitez vs Sam Allardyce: What Round Are We On Now?

Sam Allardyce knows how to bring entertainment to football. Not on the pitch (unless you like your footy peppered with moves from a UFC bout) but from the pervasively fixated pantomime act he insists on continuing with Rafael Benitez.

Just in case followers of football hadn't noticed the subtle indications given by Allardyce over the past five years, the Blackburn manager thought he would make his feelings perfectly clear on Benitez once and for all: "I just don't like him."

Liverpool - Wigan: Some Good, But Mostly Bad - Especially if Benitez Leaves

Nobody should defend the lackluster performance served up by a Liverpool team bereft of (*delete as applicable)
Passion/Inspiration/Consistency/Professionalism/Quality/ Leadership/Goals/All of the Above

However, despite some players seemingly forgetting the character that helped them get close to the league title for the first time in 20 years, there was still some- albeit a few - signs of the attacking unit that scored more than any other last year.

The Interview: Gareth "RobboHuyton" Roberts Talks About The All New Well Red Magazine

Football fanzines you can hold in your hand as you scream at the ref are now as rare as a decent journalist. The Internet has paved the way for any Tom, Dick, or Parry with a computer and an opinion to get their voice heard.

Websites, blogs, Tweets, forums, smart phones, and social networking have all contributed to a decline of the paperbacked handheld opinion created by fans for the fans.

LFC Fans Speaking on Behalf of the Deceased, Mystic Meg Mind Reading Abilities and Using Stan Collymore's Expertise as a Font of Knowledge

Something that always makes me wonder is why fans vehemently against Benitez always believe they know exactly how someone is thinking just by watching them on TV.

Not only do they second guess the emotions of a player or manager they have never met, but they seem well within reason to pronounce the opinion of someone who passed away some years ago.

"Shanks would be turning in his grave if he knew what Benitez was doing to this club"

Rafael Benitez is Building Liverpool Football Club Not Destroying it

The clock is ticking for many Liverpool supporters as they must surely feel time is running out to win the Premier League.

Listening to some fans as they foam at the mouth, you would wager your house that we only have two or three years left before English football ceases to exist.

Win Over Spurs, Draw Against Wolves: A Different Way to Look at The Situation?

Let's rewind to the disapointment of the recent Stoke draw. After back to back wins for the first time since mid September, there was optimism going in to the match.

But like so many times already this season, a 90th minute equaliser broke hearts; the team - and the supporter's - confidence had obviously taken a knock.

Steve Bruce, Rafael Benitez, Kenwyne Jones, and The Media Shit Stirring

It would seem the constantly "disrespectful" Liverpool manager, Rafael Benitez, is up to his cunning tricks again.

According to Sunderland manager—and ex-Manchester United legend—Steve Bruce, Benitez is playing games at the expense of Kenwyne Jones.

Ryan Babel Twitter Attack on Benitez: Poor Hoax or Hopeful Provocation?

Rafael Benitez is under attack from pretty much every angle at the moment. The fans, the media, the uninformed, the easily led, and those who just love to jump on the bandwagon.

Ryan Babel has possibly added his own name to the rapidly increasing list of Benitez baiters.