Recently by Tony Barrett

IN Rafa Benitez's first home game as Liverpool manager, he named a subs bench comprising of Igor Biscan, Salif Diao, Paul Harrison, Florent Sinama Pongolle and Stephen Warnock.

The opponents that day were Manchester City and the Reds boss called Biscan, Diao and Warnock off the bench as Liverpool recorded a 2-1 win.

Last weekend, Manchester's second club were again the opponents - only this time the subs bench gave Liverpool's fans much more confidence and a genuine belief that should replacements be needed, Benitez had the players at his disposal to make a real difference.

JOE CORRIGAN spent a decade at Anfield working as a goalkeeping and reserve team coach. The ex-Manchester City keeper has now written his memoirs in which he details his days working alongside Liverpool managers Graeme Souness, Roy Evans and Gerard Houllier. In this exclusive interview, Corrigan tells Liverpool writer Tony Barrett why England number one David James should have become the best keeper this country has produced - and why he will always treasure his time with the Reds.

TOMORROW evening, England will take on Kazakhstan at Wembley with David James between the sticks.

Few in football know Portsmouth's former Liverpool goalkeeper better than Joe Corrigan who coached him during his seven year spell at Anfield and big Joe's verdict on England's current number one is far from glowing.

As far as Corrigan is concerned, James has never achieved the enormous potential his raw talent demanded simply because he lacks concentration.

FLORENT Sinama-Pongolle reckons Atletico Madrid's forthcoming Champions League clash with Liverpool will be the biggest game of his career.

The former Reds forward has become a big hit in Spain since leaving the Premier League behind and his Atletico side are level on points with Liverpool in Champions League group D.

On October 22, the two group leaders will meet at the Estadio Vincente Calderon and Pongolle admits he cannot wait to take on the club where he first came to prominence as a teenager, even if he knows full well how tough an assignment it will be for the La Liga outfit.

"For me it's the biggest game in my career," he said. "It's going to be very, very hard, but I can't wait to go back to Anfield. It's something special.

"We are both two really good teams, but Liverpool have experience over us and are favourites because they are always in the competition.

LUCAS LEIVA believes the current Liverpool squad is far stronger than the one he joined when he first came to Anfield at the start of last season.

The Brazilian midfielder reckons the additions Rafa Benitez has made to his squad over the last year have greatly improved it, making competition for places even more intense in the process.

Lucas, who is currently on World Cup duty with Brazil, knows he has a fight on his hands to win a regular starting role in the Liverpool team but insists he is ready for the battle.

"We did not win any trophies last season and we were all disappointed about that," he said.

"That is something we want to change this season and the squad is now stronger than it was so hopefully that will help us.

RAFA BENITEZ today backed Martin Skrtel to return from injury as good as ever after the Slovakian defender was ruled out of action until Christmas.

The Reds boss believes Skrtel's strength of character will help see him through the 10-week recovery process after he was diagnosed with a damaged posterior ligament in his right knee.

The 23-year-old centre back suffered the injury against Machester City on Sunday and there were fears that he could have spent even longer on the sidelines and Benitez admits the outcome "could have been worse".