Javier Mascherano is hoping Liverpool can bolster their title challenge with what he believes would be an all-important victory against Chelsea on Sunday.
The Argentina international feels three points against one of their nearest rivals would provide the squad with a huge lift following a run of four straight draws.

The Blues leapfrogged Liverpool into second-spot on Wednesday night but the midfielder is adamant that victory over Luiz Felipe Scolari's men would ensure the Reds can still a have a big say in the title race.

He said: "If we start to win from Sunday and go on a good run until the end of the season then we will have a good chance of winning the title.

"It is all about building momentum and also building a belief that we can win it, and the only way you can do that is by winning games so we all know just how important the game against Chelsea is.

"It no longer depends just on us and what we do because Manchester United are in the lead and this means it also depends on their results, but if we can win on Sunday it will give us a chance to capitalise if they drop any points.

"All we can do is concentrate on our own games and not worry about anyone else because if we get our own game right then it will give us a better chance of taking advantage if United or anyone else slips up.

"We can still fight for the title. It is definitely not finished."

Rafael Benitez's men are currently two points behind leaders Manchester United following Wednesday night's 1-1 draw at Wigan, with the Reds having played a game more.

Mascherano admits it was a frustrating night at the JJB Stadium but feels his teammates must focus on the next match against the Londoners and not dwell on dropped points.

"We were all massively disappointed because it was a really bad result for us," admitted the Argentina captain.

"We know that we have a lot of games still to come, but we felt it was really important to win against Wigan and the fact that we failed to do so is a big disappointment.

"I think we did everything to win the game and I cannot remember Wigan having any shots on our goal.

"I think we did okay for 80 minutes, but in the last 10 minutes we allowed them to score and it felt like the world was against us.

"But now we must prepare for a really big game against Chelsea and we need to look forward to this game and not look back to what happened against Wigan.

"It is difficult, but we are professional players and we need to focus on the next game and also to remember that there are a lot of games still to come."

Despite losing just once in the league this season, the Reds have often struggled to strike a killer blow, notching up nine draws from 23 games played.

Mascherano admits that they have had trouble breaking sides down but insists there is nothing to be gained from claiming opposition teams are stopping the Reds from playing their normal game.

"We can't use how teams play at Anfield as an excuse," he said.

"We know a lot of sides come to defend, but we need to find spaces and a way that we can beat them.

"It is not their fault that they play like that, so I don't like to talk about excuses.

"If a team defends more when they play against us then we need to find a way around that.

"But like the Wigan game, those games that we have drawn are in the past and now we must focus only on Chelsea because we know that we need to win."

12:50 PM
Categories: EPL, Javier Mascherano, Liverpool. Chelsea, Luis Fellipe Scolari, Rafa Benitez. Author: nik

Liverpool midfielders Javier Mascherano and Lucas will go head to head in a mouthwatering semi-final of the Olympics football competition at 2pm UK time today.

Mascherano helped Argentina to an extra time victory over Holland, while Lucas and Brazil overcame Cameroon 2-0 in their quarter-final.

With both players proving instrumental in their respective countries' march to the final four, this afternoon's battle in the middle of the field could well go a long way to determining which of the two nations will book their place in this weekend's final.

Stay tuned for full reaction to today's game on Liverpoolfc.tv later today.

If you were to select an ideal group of semifinalists, you'd probably want a healthy dose of the tournament's big guns along with an overachieving team that has played the role of ultimate party crasher.

On that basis, the four teams that have reached the semifinals of the men's Olympic soccer tournament are as absorbing a quartet as you'll find. In Argentina and Brazil, you have two teams who were on everyone's list of favorites. Nigeria was also tipped as a team to watch prior to the competition's start. Then there is Belgium, which ignored its curfew and has decided to stick around a while longer.

2:34 PM
Categories: Beijing 2008, Javier Mascherano, lucas leiva, Olympic. Author: nik

There was joy for Lucas Leiva and Javier Mascherano as the duo helped Brazil and Argentina qualify for the quarter-finals of the Olympic Games while Ryan Babel was on target in Holland's 2-2 draw with the USA.

The Reds number 19, who played the full 90 minutes, put the Dutch 1-0 up against the USA, but they came back in the second half to lead 2-1 courtesy of goals from Sacha Kliestan and substitute Jozy Altidore. However, with almost the last kick of the game substitute Gerald Sibon levelled for the Dutch.

Meanwhile Lucas was in good form as he played the full 90 minutes in Brazil's 5-0 win over New Zealand. Ronaldinho scored twice, while Anderson, Alexandre Pato and Augusto Rafael Sobis were also on the mark.

Mascherano also played the full game as a 76th minute goal from Ezequiel Ivan Lavezzi saw off Australia.

Argentina and Brazil are next in action on Wednesday when Mascherano and co take on Serbia, while Lucas and his country face China. Both games kick-off at 12.45pm BST. Babel's Holland take on Japan at 10am BST.

10:48 AM
Categories: Javier Mascherano, lucas leiva, Olympic, Ryan Babel. Author: nik