Benitez not worried

Benitez' four Liverpool strikers have only scored one goal between them since the New Year, a run which has seen Liverpool crash out of the Champions League and lose 2-1 to Arsenal.

"I do not feel the pressure. I like such situations. As a manager I enjoy the responsibility," Benitez told reporters before Wednesday's league game at home to Fulham.

"If you are not under pressure then it is because you are in the middle of the table and I do not like being in such a position.

"I much prefer a situation when I am under pressure, because that means we are looking to win things.''

Liverpool have won only one game in five and looked particularly toothless in losing 3-0 on aggregate to Benfica.

"We have four home games left, we must win them,'' Benitez said. "But teams do come to Anfield to defend, which is a problem the fans understand.

"I have talked with the strikers; they know they must score and they have enough quality. If we keep creating, we will score. I hope that we can change things in the next match.

"You do lose confidence when you seem not to be able to score," he said. "The only way to change that is to score goals. We can work on a lot of things but the secret is scoring when it matters.''

Liverpool lie third in the Premiership having played a game more than the Manchester United, who are five points ahead on 60 points.

Michael Ballack could make the anticipated move to Chelsea earlier than anticipated, accordng to agent Michael Becker.

Ballack's contract expires in the summer but the transfer window re-opens in May, after domestic and European competition finishes and before the World Cup.

"The transfer window opens in May and the World Cup is coming up," Becker told BBC Sport.

"I think there is definitely something happening before the World Cup."

Becker confirmed that other clubs were interested in Ballack but added: "Right now we are exclusively talking to Chelsea."

Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood has denied rumours that Arsene Wenger is lining up a bid for Real Madrid star David Beckham.

"It is absolute nonsense," he told the Star newspaper.

"Beckham's name has never come up at boardroom level and I would be very surprised if Arsene is interested."

Wenger was quoted as saying that he was a big fan of Beckham at the weekend but stopped short of saying he was interested in signing the former Manchester United player.

And Hill-Wood added: "I am sure he is looking around for players, but for which position I don't know at the moment."

Beckham did not play in the 0-0 draw at Highbury that saw Real crash out of the Champions League 1-0 on aggregate after he pulled a thigh muscle in the warm-up.

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has launched a scathing attack on Europe's footballing authorities for not doing more to stamp out racism in Spain and Italy... Alan Curbishley has admitted that he would be interested in the England job despite being revealed as having spoken to the FA... Rafa Benitez is angry that Xabi Alonso cannot appeal against his sending-off at the weekend on account of it being a second yellow card...

Benitez: "goals not a problem"