Premier League News & Results - Liverpool 1-1 Wigan

Benitez gives Yanks loaded gun as Reds fire blanks again

The pressure mounted further on Rafael Benitez as his stuttering Liverpool side stumbled to a draw at home to Wigan. Hopes of a Premier League title seem laughable for Liverpool, and a more realistic proposition is the struggle for fourth place, as Manchester City continue a great season under Sven-Goran Eriksson.

Liverpool started brightly enough, but again didn't quite convince, as they struggled to breakdown a newly resolute Wigan. Steve Bruce's team seemed to be winning every vital tackle and interception as Liverpool tried to prise a way through. Michael Brown in particular was a thorn in the side of Liverpool, as he continually broke up attacks and very nearly opened the scoring with the best effort of the first half.

In the second half Liverpool got an early goal and it was one Fernando Torres deserved for his constant efforts against a stubborn Wigan defence. Torres and Gerrard combined to put Finnan in behind the Wigan defence, and he squared for Torres to finish. Gerrard very nearly put the game beyond doubt with a great free-kick, and followed up on the rebound which Kirkland smothered. The goal seemed to settle Liverpool and there was no real sign of an equaliser until disaster struck in the 79th minute.

Gerrard cleared poorly from inside his own penalty area, the ball cannoned off Mascherano to Bramble, who belied his comic status to finish superbly from the edge of the box.

Rafael Benitez was as animated as he's ever been on the Liverpool touchline and soon threw on Crouch and Kuyt in a desperate attempt to force a winner, however it was not to be. The result really leaves Liverpool's outside hope of a Premier League title looking dead and buried, and will greatly increase the pressure on Rafael Benitez and his relationship with the club's American owners.

Berbatov to Man U or Chelsea? Transfer Speculation

Berbatov move takes a step closer
Lots of noise around Dimitar Berbatov with both Manchester United and Chelsea being mooted as spending big on the 28 year old Bulgarian. All seems the prelude to the inevitable, which must be depressing for Tottenham fans.

Transfer speculation has it that Chelsea are reported to be about to launch a 26 million pound bid, while various sources say he is set to move to Premier League title holders Manchester United. Hopefully he'll go to neither and his big ego will have to honour the deal he signed only 18 months ago!

Pressure building on Benitez, as Mascherano warns time is running out

Javier Mascherano warns time is limited for a deal to be struck to keep him at Liverpool

In what would be a massive blow to Rafael Benitez and one which could make his relationship with Liverpool's American owners untenable, Javier Mascherano has stated that time is running out for Liverpool to conclude a deal to keep him at Anfield. The Liverpool Echo is carrying an 'emotional plea' from him, again stating his desire to stay and that it's upto Tom Hicks and George Gillett to decide if they want him. The player insists he wants to stay but that the expiry of his loan contract in June means that he maybe forced to look elsewhere to ensure his future is secure. Its' well known that Barcelona are waiting and watching, hoping to snatch the player from Liverpool.

If Mascherano is allowed to leave it will cause an uproar amongst Liverpool fans, however these latest words from the player could be construed as being designed to put pressure on the Americans, something which they will not take kindly to. That said Liverpool would be absolutely crazy to let a player of his calibre go and you would think that funds could easily be raised by offloading a couple of players.