Anfield Speculation Affecting Players, Admits Gerrard

During last night's disappointing draw with Aston Villa, Liverpool fans held up signs reading 'Yanks Out' and 'Dubai SOS', but it isn't just the supporters who are increasingly angry with the boardroom unrest at Anfield. After the game, captain Steven Gerrard voiced his own concerns.

"It's not just this week, it's been going on for some time and it's certainly not helping the players," said Gerrard when asked if speculation over the club's American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett was affecting the side. "I've got to be careful what I say about the situation but it's certainly not helping the team.

"We know what's going on, but as players you've got a job to do on the pitch and you try to put what's going on off the pitch to the back of your mind. But sometimes it's impossible, when it is every day."

A late Peter Crouch goal snatched a draw for Liverpool, but Villa were far from an awesome force last night and Gerrard acknowledged it was a game his side should have won. "We should win all of our home games, with the squad we've got. We're disappointed with the draw but credit to Villa, they maybe deserved a point," he added. "It's certainly not good enough. We'll keep going, it [the title race] is not over until it is over. But it's certainly not good enough."

The result heaped more pressure on manager Rafael Benítez - Sunderland, Bolton and Newcastle United have all won more home games this season than Liverpool - but, unlike his captain, Benítez refused to blame the club's off-field troubles for his side's form.

"It would be easy for me to say yes but I really don't know," said Benítez. "I can understand if a player says it is affecting him but I don't want to use this as an excuse. I prefer to analyze why we can't score a second goal."

Liverpool now lie fifth in the Premier League, two points behind rivals Everton and 14 points off leaders Manchester United.