Deflated Reds to bounce back

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez believes wins over Lyon (in the Champions League on Tuesday) and Manchester United in the Reds next two matches will be the best medicine to help them get over the weekend’s bizarre loss to Sunderland. Liverpool slipped seven points behind leaders United, who visit Anfield on Sunday, after the 1-0 defeat against the Black Cats - Darren Bent's winner deflecting off a beach ball thrown onto the field by a fan to completely fool 'keeper Pepe Reina. "You can guarantee that if we win against Lyon the mood will change, and if we can win against United, the mood will be totally different," said Benitez. And in a bizarre twist, it turns out that the inflatable beach ball off which Bent's strike veered into the net was official Liverpool merchandise which was recently reduced to £10 in the club shop!