Football: Liverpool anthem switched for effect.

Byline: By IAN DOYLE

RAFAEL BENITEZ is hopeful a change to an old Anfield favourite can land a psychological blow to league opponents this season.

Until recent years, Liverpool's players used to step on to the pitch to the strains of a full version of the iconic You'll Never Walk Alone.

But the introduction of the Premier League anthem, which must be played when the teams are presented to each other before kick-off, has often meant the club anthem has been truncated.

Benitez held discussions with assistant Sammy Lee and a number of squad members before requesting that You'll Never Walk Alone be played after the Premier League anthem.

The decision was taken in an attempt to generate a greater atmosphere ahead of league match days, which often pale in comparison to Champions League nights.

And the difference was noticeable last Saturday, when Manchester United's players were met with a wall of noise during the opening moments of their 2-1 defeat.

"Before this season we always played the Premier League anthem immediately before games, but some of the players, Sammy Lee and I spoke and we think it is better to have You'll Never Walk Alone instead when the players are on the pitch," said Benitez.

"It used to be played five minutes before the kick-off and the team came out towards the end of the song, but we have reversed the order with the Premier League anthem now.

"We thought it would keep the atmosphere right up until the kick-off and that way the opposition is on the pitch when all the noise is in the ground. The supporters are always good, but this might be better. It is something we have been thinking about for a while and the atmosphere has been great when we start our matches."

Meanwhile, Daniel Agger has vowed to fight to regain his first-team place.

Agger, who spent the best part of a year injured with a metatarsal problem, didn't even make the bench for the weekend win against United, but was back among the substitutes for the Champions League victory at Marseille.

There were reports in Denmark that Agger was unhappy with life at Anfield and was contemplating the option of buying out his contract in the New Year.

But with Liverpool poised to offer the 23-year-old a new deal, Agger said: "I sat on the bench in Marseille, so that is an improvement. All I can do at the moment to get into the team is to work hard in training."

Hamburg boss Martin Jol has admitted he tried to sign Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt before the transfer window closed.

And speculation in Germany suggests he may try again in January.

The ex-Spurs coach was also linked with Ajax striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and admitted: "I would gladly have signed Kuyt and Huntelaar. Who could refuse the opportunity?

Kuyt insists he has no desire to move, saying: "I am happy at Liverpool. My contract still has two more years to run."

CAPTION(S):

Reds boss Rafael Benitez