Lucas Leiva looking forward to special Rafa Benitez Anfield return

Rafa Benitez takes his Newcastle United side to former club Liverpool at the weekend.

Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva has said he is looking forward to meeting Rafa Benitez again when the Reds take on Newcastle United at Anfield this weekend.

Benitez brings his Newcastle side to Anfield in the hope of aiding their bid for Premier League survival and could do with getting a win against his old club.

The Spaniard is well regarded at Anfield having masterminded Liverpool's Champions League triumph in 2005 as well as many other great European nights at the club. He also won the FA Cup, guided them to another Champions League final and led to them to a record points haul in the Premier League era in 2009, before he departed the club a year later.

Lucas, who was signed by Benitez in the summer of 2007 from Gremio, still has a lot of time for his former boss.

The midfielder told Sky Sports: "I have no doubt he will get a very good reception. He was very successful here and the fans appreciate what he did for the club.

"For me, it will be very special to meet him again because he was the manager who brought me here and who helped me a lot, especially in my first two seasons. So I will always be grateful."

The last time Benitez returned to Anfield managing the opposition was in 2013 when interim boss of Chelsea. He was warmly received by the home crowd ahead of a 2-2 draw - which is remembered more for Luis Suarez's bite on Branislav Ivanovic.

Lucas certainly has cause to be grateful to his old boss, not only for signing him but for having faith in him when there were more than a few that did not think he was of the standard required. Now, he is at the club as the longest serving player.

What do you remember of Rafa Benitez's time at Liverpool?

Liverpool suffer injury blow as Lucas Leiva picks up muscle problem

Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp have received yet another injury blow as Lucas Leiva looks set for a spell on the sidelines.

Lucas was the shock name on the Liverpool team-sheet for Sunday’s Capital One Cup defeat at Wembley, Klopp opting to play the Brazilian in central defence as Kolo Toure sat on the substitutes bench.

The decision ultimately proved to be a good one. Lucas looked solid in an unfamiliar position, firstly alongside Mamadou Sakho then forming a partnership with Toure when the Frenchman was forced off with a head injury during the first half.

And it was 29-year-old Lucas who stepped up to take a pressure penalty after playing 120 grueling minutes against Sergio Aguero and co, and unfortunately saw his spot kick spectacularly saved by Manchester City hero Willy Caballero.

If his miss wasn’t painful enough, Klopp confirmed that his makeshift central defender pulled a muscle in the taking of the penalty that ‘doesn’t look too good’:

‘Doesn’t look too good with Lucas, who had problems with muscle when he shot penalty,’ Klopp told reporters during his press conference.

Liverpool vs. Manchester United: Clyne relishing historic Europa League clash

Liverpool faces Manchester United in the Europa League and Nathaniel Clyne says his side owes its fierce rival a good result.

Nathaniel Clyne says Liverpool is due a victory against Manchester United when the fierce Premier League rivals meet in the Europa League on Thursday.

The 195th competitive meeting between the two clubs is their first in European competition, and will be the only time two English clubs have faced off in the competition since Liverpool played Tottenham in April 1973.

Jurgen Klopp's side is on an eight-match unbeaten run in Europe and has responded well to its League Cup final disappointment against Manchester City, having recorded back-to-back league wins over Manuel Pellegrini's men and Crystal Palace.

United, by contrast, saw a four-game winning run halted at West Brom on Sunday in another blow to its underwhelming campaign, but Louis van Gaal retains a perfect record in four encounters with Liverpool since taking charge in 2014.

And Clyne is desperate to end that run at Anfield this week as Liverpool looks to secure a first-leg advantage - and avoid the potential perils of an away goal - at Anfield.

"This is why I signed for such a big club, to look forward to nights like this," Clyne told Liverpool's website. "I think we owe them from the Premier League games, which we probably should have got more out of. We need to take it to them, especially in the first leg when we're at home, try and get some goals [but also] keep a clean sheet, which is the most important thing. We don't want them to get an away goal."

United faces a gruelling run of fixtures over the next two weeks, with an FA Cup quarterfinal against West Ham on Sunday and a derby trip to Manchester City following the second leg against Liverpool at Old Trafford.

But defender Daley Blind insists the last-16 tie remains massive for his side as the club aims to keep its hopes of lifting the trophy in Basel - and of securing a Champions League qualification spot - alive.

"It's a busy schedule coming up again and Liverpool will be a great game to play in, especially as it's now in the Europa League," he told United's matchday programme. "You're either in or out, through to the next round or not, so it's very important for us.

"They will say it's important for them too so we have to show that we want it more."

Clyne, Daniel Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho are all expected to return to Klopp's line-up after starting Sunday's win at Crystal Palace on the bench, though Christian Benteke - who scored the winning penalty at Selhurst Park - will also be pushing for a recall. Lucas Leiva (thigh) is out.

Injury problems persist for United. The club is still without captain Wayne Rooney - who scored the winner at Anfield in the league meeting last month - due to a knee injury, as well as Bastian Schweinsteiger (knee), Ashley Young (groin), Antonio Valencia (ankle), Luke Shaw (leg) and Phil Jones (ankle).

Jesse Lingard is also suspended, but Marouane Fellaini was fit enough for the bench on Sunday after missing six games with a hamstring problem and should be involved.

Key Opta Stats:

- Manchester United has lost just one of its nine meetings with English sides in European competition (W6 D2).
- United hasn't won any of its last five away knockout games in European competition, losing four times (D1).
- Juan Mata has been involved in eight goals in his last eight games against Liverpool in all competitions (three goals and five assists).
- James Milner has scored a penalty in each of his last two Europa League appearances at Anfield for Liverpool.

LOOK: Klopp & Liverpool FC players visit Alder Hey

The German manager and his players distributed presents and chatted to the children and their parents.

Liverpool FC have been spreading Christmas cheer at Alder Hey children's hospital.

Jurgen Klopp and his players distributed presents, including signed copies of the Liverpool mascot Mighty Red, and chatted to the children and their parents.

There were plenty of smiles from the players, who also included the likes of club captain Jordan Henderson, Mamadou Sakho, Lucas Leiva, Martin Skrtel, Philippe Coutinho, Adam Lallana, Roberto Firmino, Jose Enrique, Allan Rodgrigues de Souza, Adam Bogdan, Cameron Brannagan and Connor Randall.

A few of the Reds stars were even left holding the baby and seemed to be getting the hang of it quite nicely while Jurgen Klopp spoke personally to patients in their own rooms.

Liverpool FC midfielder James Milner will miss Watford trip

Milner has been ruled out of his side's visit to Vicarage Road, but Dejan Lovren could be back ahead of schedule for the Reds

James Milner has added to Liverpool's injury woes as the midfielder's calf strain means he will miss their visit to Watford on Sunday.

It means that either Lucas Leiva or Joe Allen will be recalled for the Premier League fixture at Vicarage Road.

Vice-captain Milner is also a major doubt for their Boxing Day game at Anfield against top of the league Leicester.

Danny Ings and Joe Gomez are both long term absentees for Jurgen Klopp, while he is also without Dejan Lovren, Daniel Sturridge and Jordan Rossiter.

“We have nearly the same situation as last week but Milly has a problem with his calf,” Klopp said.

“It will take a few days. He had a scan. He felt something when he was warming up.

"I don't know how long Milly will be out but he won't be fit for the weekend.

Klopp has at least been bolstered by the news that Lovren is likely to be back playing ahead of schedule.

The Croatian defender was expected to be sidelined for around three weeks after suffering a gashed knee and heavy bruising following a reckless challenge from West Brom's Craig Gardner last weekend.

However, Klopp says that Lovren, who was cleared of any ligament damage, has responded well to treatment and could even feature on Boxing Day.

“It's not that serious,” Klopp revealed.

“He's much better. We will see if he can train next week. He could be an option for Leicester.”

Mamadou Sakho is expected to replace Lovren against Watford. The Frenchman returned to full training this week after five weeks out with knee ligament damage.

Liverpool FC transfer rumours: Reds target Lucas Moura, Guiseppe Rossi linked, talks opened for Hummels

A round-up of transfer rumours and speculation from around the web.

If Sky Sports did transfer rumours, today's edition would be their version of the Grand Slam Sunday (on a Tuesday, of course).

We've got big names galore today as Liverpool are linked with some serious heavyweights.

First up is Paris Saint-Germain winger Lucas Moura, who has been approached by Liverpool..

And who is carrying this little yarn, this morning? Our friends over at The Metro, who have a similar report linking Moura with a move to Old Trafford...

But don't let that dampen your excitement! They reckon the arrival of Angel Di Maria from Manchester United has pushed Moura's nose out in the French capital and now he's open to a move away.

The 23-year-old might fancy joining Liverpool's current Samba stars Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino and Lucas Leiva at Anfield.

Wait until we tell him about the new Viva Brazil on Castle Street, he will be on the first plane to Merseyside.

Elsewhere this morning, the Daily Star reckon Liverpool are readying an £18m bid for former Manchester United star Guiseppe Rossi.

Perhaps Jurgen Klopp is looking for something to keep his medical team entertained, with Daniel Sturridge returned and only Mamadou Sakho, Joe Gomez and Danny Ings to play with right now.

Rossi, after all, has suffered three major knee injuries in recent seasons, costing him nearly two years of his career in total.

He does, it has to be said, have a wonderful goalscoring record when fit. Rossi has scored 115 goals in 275 appearances for Fiorentina and former club Villarreal.

And finally, you know it's a big day in rumour mill land when Mats Hummels is relegated to third on the bill.

But here he is, almost on the undercard, with reports saying Liverpool are ready to do a deal to bring the 26-year-old to Anfield.

The World Cup winning star made his name under Klopp at Dortmund, so it's only natural that he would be linked with a move to Liverpool.

Dortmund might have a thing or two to say about that, I'd wager, with the German giants less than enthusiastic about losing their captain to England.

Simon Mignolet: Philippe Coutinho's return to fitness a welcome boost for Reds

The return to fitness of playmaker Philippe Coutinho gives Liverpool their creative fulcrum back, according to goalkeeper Simon Mignolet.

Having lost at Newcastle last weekend and struggled to beat Swansea at home the previous week, the Brazil international's recovery from a hamstring injury after missing four matches is a welcome boost.

Even Coutinho could not provide the inspiration to overcome a limited Sion side when he came off the bench in the Europa League on Thursday, but his invention will be crucial in helping to break down another robust side in West Brom - who have conceded just five goals in seven away matches this season.

"With Philippe coming back we have got a lot of creativity in those kind of spaces and that's something we need to look at, especially in these type of games," the Belgium goalkeeper said.

"Sion were well organised, they played on the counter-attack and sat back and we have to try to find the solutions to try to create chances.

"They are different games compared to when you go away to big teams and they give you the opportunity to play.

"We have to find a way in these type of games when they sit back.

"Sunday will probably be similar. They will look to be dangerous on the counter-attack and maybe with a set-piece.

"You have to accept it and make a plan for it and try to ensure you do the things you need to do."

Mignolet's future as Liverpool's first-choice goalkeeper has been the subject of much speculation in recent weeks, so much so that manager Jurgen Klopp spoke out in support of the player.

There have even been preliminary talks over an extension to his contract, which does not expire until 2018, and the Belgian is happy with life at Anfield.

"It's obviously nice to hear the manager say that so openly in the public and that he's behind you," the 27-year-old added.

"I knew that already. He had spoken with me. He speaks with every player.

"You know what he's about and what he likes.

"It gives you a lot of confidence and it's nice to hear but, by the same token, it doesn't mean anything because you have to keep showing on the pitch what you can do and what you are about.

"I'll keep working hard to improve and keep my head down.

"I'm not really concerning myself about a new contract. There are games to be played and that's what I am focused on.

"Games come thick and fast and that's the only thing that matters at the moment.

"Of course I'm happy at Liverpool and I want to stay here."

Coutinho is in line for a return to the starting line-up on Sunday while Martin Skrtel, on the bench in Switzerland, and Alberto Moreno and Lucas Leiva, who were both left at home in midweek, are also set to return to the team.

West Brom chief Tony Pulis reckons Klopp can create a Liverpool legacy.

The Baggies to go Anfield aiming to inflict successive league defeats on Klopp after their loss at Newcastle.

The German has won seven of his 13 games since replacing Brendan Rodgers in October.

Liverpool are six points off the Champions League places ahead of the weekend's fixtures and Pulis has seen enough to suggest Klopp can make a lasting mark.

He said: ''He looks bright and breezy and his command of the English language is excellent. He looks as though he'll be here to stay.

''He is a fantastic manager, his record shows he has been a top manager in Germany. He did an exceptional job there. He has got one of the best clubs in England with some top players.

''He'll have the opportunity and chance to push them on and progress.

''Being in the different cup competitions they have done very well. That's difficult to manage, he has managed it well. His whole demeanour in managing the club has been first class since he's come in.''

Pulis is without Stephane Sessegnon (hamstring) but Claudio Yacob is available again after suspension.

Saido Berahino could be on the bench again after being among the substitutes for the last four games with the Baggies the second lowest scorers in the league with 14 goals.

And Pulis admitted Berahino's loss of form has hit the team.

''We're creating the chances but just not putting them away. Not having that extra goalscorer has affected the team there's no doubt about it,'' he added.