Recently by Ian Rush

THERE has been so much speculation over the past week, but I can't see Rafa Benitez quitting Liverpool to take over at Juventus.

To be honest, it just wouldn't make any sense. Juventus is a club close to my heart and as far as I'm concerned they are the best club in Italy.

But if Benitez left to go there he wouldn't be going to a better club or one with more money to spend on signings.

HARD work has given Liverpool the impetus to turn their season around but the hard work cannot stop if it is to reach a successful conclusion.

There is no disputing the Reds will play better between now and May 9 than they did against Stoke City and Tottenham Hotspur but the commitment, endeavour and attitude in those performances were first class; they have restored belief.

ANOTHER two points dropped, another late goal conceded and another raft of unfavourable headlines - Liverpool must finally be out of the race for the Champions League.

Funny to think, then, that after the latest round of Premier League matches, Liverpool's prospects of clambering back into the top four have actually improved ever so slightly, as their rivals all squandered points.

Though Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United have taken maximum advantage of the Reds' travails this season, the same cannot be said of Manchester City, Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur.

LIVERPOOL need to fly out of the blocks to ensure they wreck Reading's hopes of causing an FA Cup upset at Anfield tomorrow night.

The competition represents the Reds' best hope of winning a trophy this season and it's vital we don't give the Championship club a sniff of glory.

Too often this season we've started matches sluggishly, but against Reading we need to play with a high tempo and ensure they are on the back foot from the opening minute.

AFTER breaking the hearts of one of our Champions League rivals last Tuesday evening, the time is fast approaching for Liverpool to repeat the trick.

You could tell from the way Martin O'Neill reacted to Fernando Torres's late, late strike at Villa Park that his side had suffered an enormous blow - and you have to wonder whether they will be able to recover from it.

He knew Villa had a terrific chance to effectively put us out of the running for the Champions League - the gap between the side had the potential to be 11 points - but now it is looking like the odds are on Liverpool overhauling them.