22 METROSPORT Tuesday, November 3, 2009 D Beleaguered liverpool boss rafael Benitez received a welcome boost yesterday when goalkeeper Jose reina confirmed he wants to stay at anfield. The reds recent poor run of form has seen them lose six of their last seven matches, all but ending their Premier league title hopes and putting their chances of progressing in the Champions league at serious risk. Benitezs job is under scrutiny but at least it appears his compatriot, Spain keeper reina, is ready to commit his future to liverpool. My aim is to get a new contract in the future and I want to be here for many years. apparently the club wants the same, said the 27-year-old. Its already my fifth season here and that says it all. One of my daughters is a Scouser. I have Liverpool must stick with Rafa LiverpooL are facing the prospect of their worst run of results since the Bill Shankly era started nearly 50 years ago but under-fire boss rafael Benitez has received backing from an An- field legend. Benitez is battling to overcome a lengthy injury list ahead of the make-or-break Champions League showdown in Lyon tomorrow and calls for him to be sacked, most notably from former reds captain ronnie Whelan. Defeat in France would make it seven in eight games following Saturdays 3-1 reverse at Ful- ham, when scorer Fernando Torres was taken off at 1-1. The Anfield club have never experienced such a run since Shankly was appointed, the 50-year an- niversary of the charismatic Scots arrival in 1959 being December 1. But Anfield legend David Fairclough has supported Benitez and insisted: The club is mov- ing in a certain direction and this season it has been totally in Benitezs hands. So to sack the manager, or even think of sacking the manager, is only going to throw Liverpool backwards. We are going to have to stick with him and hope we turn things around. He added: i know some fans who were disap- pointed when rafa took off Torres at Fulham but the lad clearly wasnt fully fit. Liverpool have been hit by injuries and illness, and clearly had there been any more injuries or problems late in the game, it would not have been helpful for the team plan for Wednesday night. But i can see Liverpool getting the result they need in Lyon. When you are talking about a doz- en or more players not being available, i believe things will look a lot different come kick-off in Lyon. They go there knowing exactly what they have to do and i believe Liverpool can win. Reds legend Fairclough backs Benitez Reina shows his support by asking for new deal Hoping to stay: Reina Showing the strain: Benitez during Saturdays defeat to Fulham Picture: Getty every reason to stay longer and, of course, I will. reina has also thrown his support behind Benitez after a terrible start to the season. ahead of tomorrows Champions league trip to lyon, reina added: rafa is building something special here. He proved that when he came here the club was one thing and now its something totally different. We have grown up and we can still grow up a little bit more. u lIVerPOOl defender Jamie Carragher has defended boss rafael Benitezs decision to substitute Fernando Torres during the second half of Saturdays 3-1 defeat at Fulham. The score was 1-1 when Torres made way for ryan Babel but Carragher said: Fernando has had a lot of problems lately and the longer he stays on the pitch the more chance he has of sustaining an injury. We know Fernando is not quite 100 per cent. Benitez, meanwhile, will not appeal Carraghers red card at Craven Cottage but he will do so in the case of Philipp degen. SOCCER pRemieR league Brown gets backing Becks to rejoin Milan NeW Hull chairman Adam pearson has given his short- term support to under-fire Tigers boss phil Brown. pearson has taken charge of the club for a second time following the resignation of paul Duffen last week. The Tigers are 18th in the premier League and financial results published last week revealed serious concerns over the clubs viability. But pearson backed Brown and said: phil is the manager of Hull City and he still will be next Sunday. its a results business but he retains my full support. aC MIlan have confirmed david Beckham will be returning to the Italian club. la galaxy midfielder Beckham had been strongly linked with a second loan spell in Italy to improve his chances of making englands World Cup squad. Beckham will rejoin the rossoneri in January after signing a six- month loan deal. Milan vice- president adriano galliani said: We are very happy to see again david Beckham with the rossoneri jersey after the splendid experience of last season. JACK RODWELL insists a Europa League revenge victory over Benfica this week at Goodison Park will kick-start Evertons season after six matches without a win. That run includes a 5-0 hammering by the Portuguese side in Lisbon, plus a Carling Cup exit at Spurs. Rodwell, 18, said: Its playing on our minds. We need a win and the perfect time to get that is Thursday. umaNCHeSTeR City boss mark Hughes hopes to have defender Kolo Toure and striker emmanuel adebayor back on Saturday when Burnley visit eastlands. Hughes admits having the former arsenal duo available will be a major boost after four consecutive draws. They need a good week of training but they will be an option, Hughes said. u By david KeNNedy There was no choice but to substitute Torres index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html24.html25.html26.html27.html