Football news

Former Anfield star Peter Beardsley believes Liverpool should stick by under-pressure manager Rafael Benitez. And he insists the Spanish boss, who has signed more than 100 players in his five years on Merseyside, is the best man for the job.

Beardsley puts most of Liverpool's woes this season down to injuries to Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard.

He said: "He's (Benitez) signed a lot of players but look at most teams in the world. If they lost their stars then they would struggle.

"The criticism is a bit over the top. I would definitely stick with him. I would give him to the summer definitely and beyond then because he has done a brilliant job at Liverpool."

United face Berbatov surgery dilemma

Man. United manager Alex Ferguson will make a decision today on whether Dimitar Berbatov, a scorer in the 3-0 win over Burnley, requires knee surgery.

Ferguson took him off in the closing stages of Saturday's match and will now consider whether he needs an operation.

He said: "Dimitar was feeling his knee again. We'll look at it on Monday (today) and we'll see. He could have come off at half-time but he wanted to stay on again and that's good. He had so many attempts, he must have had about 10 and he'll be relieved to get his goal."

Portsmouth send legal letter to EPL

Portsmouth have sent a legal letter to the English Premier League over their transfer embargo and withholding of television rights revenues, the beleaguered club's chief executive Peter Storrie said.

"I can confirm we have issued a legal letter to the Premier League to demand that the transfer embargo should be lifted," Storrie said.

"We believe we've a very good case against them. They have absolutely no right to withhold television money."

Euro football will make Neuer stay

Man. United and Bayern Munich target Manuel Neuer said he will stay at Bundesliga title contenders Schalke, providing they qualify for the Champions League next season.

The 23-year-old is battling Rene Adler and Tim Wiese for the Germany goalkeeping shirt at the World Cup in South Africa.

Both United and Bayern have been reported to be tracking Neuer, but with a contract at Schalke until 2012, the shot-stopper says he will stay in Gelsenkirchen providing they reach the Champions League.

"I have a contract (with Schalke) until 2012," Neuer said.

"If we reach the Champions League, I will stand in Schalke's goal next season. Even if some people might not believe me, I do not pay attention to what happens at Bayern or United."

Loew set to sign contract extension

Germany coach Joachim Loew said he expects to have extended his contract with the German Football Federation (DFB) by the end of the month.

"The final discussions will take place this month," Loew said.

"I have already talked over the issue with the DFB president and we have agreed to a two-year extension, but there are still some points to sort out."

DFB president Theo Zwanziger said last December he had agreed to extend Loew's contract until 2012 when the European Championships will be held.

After 45 matches in charge, Loew has 31 wins, six defeats and eight draws.

Guardiola plays down Barca's lead

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola dismissed his side's five-point lead over Real Madrid at the top of La Liga as an "anecdote".

Barca took full advantage of Real's 1-0 defeat at Athletic Bilbao on Saturday by thrashing Sevilla 4-0 at the Nou Camp.

"You can be sure of one thing - the league will be decided in the last three or four matches," Guardiola, who turns 39 today, said.

"Barca's lead over Real is a mere anecdote that doesn't win you any titles."

Lionel Messi's two goals on Saturday were his 100th and 101st for Barca in his 188th appearance, making him at 22 the youngest player to reach the century mark for the club.

Pele backs rookie coach Maradona

Brazilian legend Pele threw his support behind Diego Maradona, insisting that the controversial Argentina coach was not to blame for his team's lacklustre form.

Pele said that responsibility for Argentina's mediocrity, which almost cost them a place in the World Cup finals, should be laid at the feet of the country's football bosses.

"Maradona wasn't an experienced coach. He started only last season so it's not his fault," Pele said.

"I don't believe that he's guilty. Perhaps the guilty one is the person who agreed to appoint him as coach."

Pele believes that Argentina will be a force to be reckoned with in South Africa.

"They will be very strong. They will be well-prepared, a team to beat," he said.