Rafael Benitez admitted last night that he needs Steven Gerrard if he is to turn Liverpool into a trophy-winning side again.

Gerrard’s brilliant goal against Olympiakos took the Reds into the last 16 of the Champions League and Reds boss Benitez confessed the club’s best chance of silverware lies with him keeping his skipper.

"Steven can win all he wants with us and we need him," said Benitez. "He has seen we have a good team and we can do more things in the future.

"But if we want to win more games, important games, we need Steven in the team. We need his strength, the strong mentality he has and his quality." (Daily Mirror)

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Didier Drogba reckons Chelsea have Arsenal running scared.

The Blues are five points clear of Arsene Wenger’s men going into Sunday’s shoot-out and Drogba said: "Chelsea frighten people now because they win – and the arrival of Jose Mourinho has a lot to do with it.

"There is a great feeling at the club and a strong belief we will go on winning. I feel I am in the right place at the right time." (The Sun)

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Crystal Palace boss Iain Dowie admits he may have to change tactics to keep the club up.

Dowie has been playing Andy Johnson up front on his own but may have to go for the kill.

He said: "Andy would benefit from playing alongside another striker but we have to make sure we give him support. For the sake of our game evolving we will maybe have to return to 4-4-2 in the future as we get used to the Premiership." (Daily Star)

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Phil Neville has issued a challenge to his team-mates following Manchester United’s first Champions League defeat of the season.

He said: "If we have aspirations of winning at Chelsea next month, then we have to go to stadiums like Fenerbahce’s, play well and score goals."

Neville has also dismissed suggestions he is looking to leave Old Trafford after making only a few appearances this term.

"The manager has said my future is here, and so long as Sir Alex Ferguson says he wants me then none of that matters," he added. "I want to play more football, but I want to play it at United." (Daily Express)