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FRIDAY 3 |
Reds duo scoop awards
Rafa Benitez and Steven Gerrard were celebrating today after
scooping the Barclays Manager and Player of the Month awards
for March.
The Reds enjoyed an incredible month with four straight
victories and Gerrard was at his sensational best, netting
six times in four matches.
In clinching the honour, the Anfield skipper becomes the
first player to win the monthly award on five occasions
since its inception in 1994.
(LFC Official Website)
Stevie: I only want to play for Liverpool
Steven Gerrard today spoke of his delight after agreeing a
two year extension to his Liverpool contract.
"It's a fantastic feeling to have agreed the deal," he told
Liverpoolfc.tv. "This is what I wanted. I want to see out
the rest of my career with Liverpool.
"I have said all along that as long as the club wanted me
then I would stay at Liverpool. I've been a fan all my life
and it'll be fantastic at the end of my career to look back
and say I have been with Liverpool all the way through."
(LFC Official Website)
Reds duo doubtful for Cottage trip
Liverpool are likely to be without defender Sami Hyypia and
midfielder Yossi Benayoun for Saturday's Premier League trip
to Fulham.
Hyypia returned from international duty with a knee injury,
and boss Rafael Benitez doubts that the centre-back will be
fit for the evening kick-off at Craven Cottage but could be
fit for Wednesday's Champions League clash with Chelsea.
Benayoun went on World Cup qualifying duty with Israel
already with a hamstring injury and now also has a calf
problem.
Liverpool (from): Reina, Arbeloa, Agger, Carragher, Skrtel,
Aurelio, Dossena, Babel, Mascherano, Gerrard, Alonso, Lucas,
Torres, Kuyt, Ngog, Insua, Cavalieri, Riera.
(TEAMtalk)
Kuyt agrees Liverpool extension
Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt has joined Steven Gerrard in
agreeing a new two-year deal to stay at Anfield.
The 28-year-old Dutchman had one year remaining on his
existing deal and will stay at the club until 2012.
"This is another great piece of news for the club," said
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez.
(BBC Sport Online)
Gerrard denies nightclub attack
England and Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard has denied
being involved in a nightclub fight.
The Reds captain formally pleaded not guilty to affray when
he appeared at Liverpool Crown Court.
Gerrard, 28, was accused of being part of a group that
injured businessman Marcus McGee, 34, at the Lounge Inn,
Southport, in the early hours of December 29 last year.
His appearance came on the day he signed a two-year contract
extension which will keep him at Anfield until 2013.
(Sporting Life/PA)
Gerrard signs new deal
Steven Gerrard has agreed a new two-year contract extension
- barely a fortnight after talks opened with Liverpool.
The Reds skipper has agreed terms on a deal which will keep
him at Anfield until 2013.
"This is fantastic news for the club," said a delighted boss
Rafa Benitez today.
(Liverpool Echo)
Carragher hopes
to pile on pressure
Jamie Carragher wants Liverpool to be top of the Barclays
Premier League by Saturday night to put maximum pressure on
champions Manchester United.
Liverpool face Fulham at Craven Cottage in Saturday's
evening kick-off, with United not playing until Sunday at
home to Aston Villa.
Defender Carragher said: "We have got an opportunity to go
top of the league with United playing on Sunday and it is
one we have got to take."
He added: "We have got to try to pick up three points in
every game and try to catch United. A draw is probably not a
great result, even though we can go top with a point because
of the goal difference.
(ITV Football)
Paisley website relaunches
LFCHistory.net are proud to announce the relaunch of
BobPaisley.com, the ultimate guide to Liverpool's most
successful manager.
BobPaisley.com offers a detailed overview of Paisley's
career as a player, physio and manager.
There was no finer judge of a player than Paisley and you
can discover who Paisley rates as his greatest ever XI and
read his views on several players from the Reds' illustrious
history.
You can also spend a fair amount of time reading a number of
tributes to Paisley in quotes, short stories and poems.
(LFC Official Website) |
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THURSDAY 2 |
Reserves stay bottom after defeat
Liverpool Reserves remain bottom of the league after a 2-0
defeat to leaders Sunderland at the Halliwell Jones Stadium
on Thursday night.
Jack Colback added to an own goal from Godwin Antwi to cap a
miserable night for Gary Ablett's men in front of a
frustrated crowd.
Jay Spearing was showing his usual energy and endeavour but
too many of his teammates failed to respond in kind.
Nemeth, who looked dangerous early on, was seeing less of
the ball, though his turn and shot from the edge of the box
on 75 minutes forced a low save from Colgan.
At the other end, Stephen Darby had to bail out his
centre-backs when substitute Ryan Noble somehow shrugged off
Antwi and San Jose to get through on goal.
The final act came courtesy of Nemeth after a Ryan Crowther
cut-back, but the Hungarian's shot did not match the
intricacy of his footwork.
Liverpoolfc.tv man of the match: Jay Spearing.
Liverpool Reserves: Hansen, Darby, Antwi, San Jose, Irwin,
Spearing, Flora (Crowther 69), Palsson, Mackay-Steven
(Eccleston 69), Pacheco, Nemeth. Subs not used: Bouzanis,
Mendy, Weijl.
(LFC Official Website)
Fowler makes Macca tribute
Robbie Fowler has revealed the identity of the best
footballer he ever played alongside during an exclusive
interview with The Footy Show.
The former Liverpool striker is a special guest on the
popular show, which is being aired on Thursday night at 10pm
on Setanta Sports 1.
After being asked several questions in a Q & A session, the
new North Queensland Fury signing revealed Setanta pundit
Steve McManaman is his favourite all-time colleague.
"The greatest player I ever played with?" said Fowler. "I
played with a few of them and I'm probably a little bit
biased but probably the best player was a lad called Steve
McManaman.
"I don't know if anyone knows him out here but he was a
fantastic player on his day. Probably the best in the world
in my opinion anyway."
In terms of opposing players, Fowler rates his former
England team-mates Paul Gascoigne, in particular, and David
Beckham.
"Gascoigne was unbelievable," he enthused. "I rate Beckham
too.
"The fact he's got so many caps proves what a good player he
is."
(Setanta Sports)
Carra: Murphy must be stopped
Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher hopes former team-mate
Danny Murphy does not inflict severe damage to the Reds'
Premier League
title challenge.
Fulham captain Murphy left Anfield in 2004 and moved to
Craven Cottage three years later after spells at Charlton
and Tottenham.
The midfielder boosted Liverpool's hopes of league
silverware when scoring from the penalty spot against
Manchester United in a 2-0 home victory for Fulham at the
end of March.
And Carragher is desperate not to be on the receiving end of
similar treatment when Liverpool - who could overtake United
in top spot with a draw - arrive at Craven Cottage on
Saturday.
(Sky Sports)
Benitez: Discipline vital now
Rafa Benitez will tell his players they must maintain their
discipline and keep their heads if they want to beat Fulham
on Saturday.
The Reds boss believes it is vital Liverpool learn from the
costly mistakes made by Manchester United when they visited
Craven Cottage
a fortnight ago.
On that occasion, Alex Ferguson’s side was reduced to nine
men after both Paul Scholes and Wayne Rooney were sent off
and United crashed to a 2-0 defeat which allowed Liverpool
to close the gap at the top of the Premier League to just a
single point.
“The mentality of the team is good and the players are well
organised and know what to do,” said the Liverpool manager.
“This helps our discipline and the players know the most
important thing is to stay focused on the game and that is
all, especially when it is coming to this time of the
season."
(Liverpool Echo)
No excuses from
Mascherano after 6-1 hiding
Javier Mascherano refused to blame the thin air of La Paz
after Bolivia handed out Argentina’s biggest defeat for
half-a-century last night.
Diego Maradona’s side was destoyed 6-1 in the Bolivian
capital – 3,600 metres (11,811 feet) above sea level – and
Mascherano joined defender Gabriel Heinze as the only two
players to speak to the press afterwards.
The Liverpool star declared: “For some of us, playing in the
altitude was something new, for others not so much, but we
can’t say that we lost because of the altitude.
“Our rivals played better and nothing turned out right for
us.
“This should serve us as a lesson and it will surely
consolidate the group, who are very united and growing in
every aspect.”
(Livedrpool Echo)
Benitez: I could have quit
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez admits that he considered
quitting Anfield before signing a new long-term deal.
The former Valencia boss was at the heart of months of
discussions with the Premier League title chasers as rumour
implied he could leave Merseyside at the end of the season.
It was thought that Benitez was keen for assurances
regarding the future of the club under American co-owners
Tom Hicks and George Gillett.
And, amidst the speculation, the Spaniard has confessed that
he did ponder his options before signing on until 2014 in
March.
"It is true that at times I may have thought about my
future," he said.
"There was a lot of uncertainty at the club but when you put
all of these things together and the fact I am sure we can
improve, there was no doubt in my mind.
"It will be easier now the contract is done. Once you sign a
contract you know you can start thinking about the future.
That is why it was important to get it done as soon as
possible.
"The uncertainty at the club was the only thing on my mind
before. But delaying the decision before saying yes at the
end of the season would have been worse for everyone because
we would have lost some of our transfer targets or certainly
been at a disadvantage."
(Sky Sports) |
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WEDNESDAY 1 |
Riera nets dramatic winner
Albert Riera netted a dramatic 90th minute winner as Spain
came from behind to beat Turkey 2-1 in their World Cup
qualifier at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul.
Xabi Alonso was also on the mark when he netted the
equaliser from the penalty spot.
Fernando Torres played for 85 minutes and looked sharp
before being replaced by David Guiza.
Steven Gerrard set up a late winner for John Terry as
England beat Ukraine 2-1 at Wembley. Gerrard played the full
90 minutes. Former Red Peter Crouch was also on the mark for
Fabio Capello's team, while on loan Andriy Voronin started
for Ukraine before being substituted.
There was joy for Dirk Kuyt who scored twice in Holland's
4-0 win over Macedonia. Kuyt played for 81 minutes, while
Ryan Babel came on as a second half replacement for Arjen
Robben.
Meanwhile, Daniel Agger played the full 90 minutes as
Denmark beat Albania 3-0.
Yossi Benayoun came on as a 47th minute substitute for
Israel in their 2-1 defeat in Greece.
There was frustration for Javier Mascherano as Argentina
suffered their worst defeat for 60 years as they were
thrashed 6-1 by Bolivia. Diego Maradona's side ended the
game with 10 men when Angel di Maria was sent-off.
Andrea Dossena came on as a 59th minute substitute for Italy
as they were held to a 1-1 draw by the Republic of Ireland.
Former Red Robbie Keane scored a dramatic 89th minute
equaliser for the Irish.
Martin Skrtel played the full 90 minutes as Slovakia enjoyed
a 2-1 win in the Czech Republic. The Reds number 37 was also
booked.
(LFC Official Website)
Chelsea star to miss Liverpool tie
Chelsea defender Jose Bosingwa looks set to miss out on his
sides Champions League Quarter Final First Leg against
Liverpool at Anfield on April 8th.
The Portuguese fullback picked up a gash to his left leg
while playing against Sweden on Saturday and has already
withdrawn from the squad set to face South Africa in an
international friendly this evening.
The player will miss Chelsea’s league match at Newcastle
United on Saturday, and is considered highly doubtful for
the first leg the following Wednesday.
Bosingwa has been one of Chelsea’s most consistent
performers this season, and with fellow compatriot Paulo
Ferreira also out injured, Chelsea coach Guus Hiddink is
facing a selection dilemma at right back.
(Sport.co.uk)
Stevie G into
the LFC Top 15
Reds skipper Steven Gerrard entered the club's all-time Top
15 for number of games played when he turned out against
Aston Villa at Anfield
last month.
This was his 477th game for Liverpool, although this is
ninety behind Jamie Carragher, our most experienced current
player who is ranked ninth. Sami Hyypiä is just fourteen
games behind our skipper in this list.
The 28-year old Huyton-born lad signed on as a pro in 1997,
and is currently contracted with the club until 2011. He has
so far bagged an impressive 117 goals in his 477
appearances, and he is just one strike short of moving up a
place in our list of record goalscorers to twelfth.
(YNWA)
Schwarzer eyes Liverpool scalp
Fulham keeper Mark Schwarzer is determined to dent
Liverpool's title hopes this weekend and keep the Cottagers
on course for a top 10 finish.
Roy Hodgson's side beat Manchester United last time out to
open up the title race, but Australia goalkeeper Schwarzer
is determined to spring another surprise by beating
Liverpool at Craven Cottage on Saturday.
He told the club's official website: "You want to play well
against a team like Liverpool because they're quite rightly
regarded as one of the best teams in the world.
"We have a lot of respect for them, but we want to get one
up on them
as well.
"There are eight games to go and we've got some very
difficult games to come and we'll take each games as it
comes but we definitely want to finish in the top half of
the table.
"If we can continue our current form over the coming games
who knows what will happen."
(TEAMtalk)
Ngog desperate to play his part
Liverpool forward David Ngog is hoping to play a key role in
the Anfield side's pursuit of silverware this season.
The French Under-21 international has found himself on the
fringes of the first-team fold at Anfield this term, with
the majority of his appearances coming from off the bench.
However, with the Reds continuing to pursue glory at both
home and abroad, he is hoping to become an integral part of
Rafa Benitez's squad.
Liverpool are well placed to launch a Premier League title
tilt heading into the end of season run-in, while they have
also progressed to the quarter-finals of the Champions
League.
With the games coming thick and fast, Ngog knows he must be
ready to produce his best should he be called upon in the
coming weeks.
"I need to concentrate on the final part of the season and
try to get involved in the big games coming up for
Liverpool," he told skysports.com.
"The manager will need everyone, we all need to raise the
standard of our performances."
(TEAMtalk)
Reds ready for international action
Steven Gerrard will be hoping to continue his fine form as
England host Ukraine in a World Cup qualifier at Wembley
tonight.
The Liverpool skipper was at his inspirational best in
Saturday's 4-0 friendly victory over Martin Skrtel's
Slovakia, who clash with the Czech Republic in Prague this
evening.
Alvaro Arbeloa, Fernando Torres, Albert Riera, Pepe Reina
and Xabi Alonso are in Istanbul as Spain take on Turkey in
part-two of their World Cup qualifying Group 5
double-header, after 'La Furia Roja' won the first encounter
1-0 at the Bernabeu on Saturday.
Dirk Kuyt and Ryan Babel will be hoping to figure as Holland
play host to Macedonia in Amsterdam.
Despite his calf injury, Yossi Benayoun has remained with
the Israel squad as they prepare for a qualifier in Greece
this evening.
Javier Mascherano is expected to captain Argentina against
Bolivia in La Paz at the Estadio Hernando Siles stadium,
3637 metres above sea level.
In other qualifying action taking place tonight, Andrea
Dossena's Italy face the Republic of Ireland in Bari and
Daniel Agger is set to start as Denmark do battle with
Albania in Copenhagen.
Meanwhile, Nabil El Zhar's Morocco ran out 2-0 winners over
Angola in a friendly last night while David Ngog starred in
France under-21's 2-0 win over England in Nottingham.
(LFC Official Website)
Ancelotti: Reds are
toughest team
AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti believes Liverpool are the
toughest opponents in European football.
The Italian has pitted his wits against Rafa Benitez's side
in two Champions League finals, losing out in Istanbul in
2005 before prevailing two years later in Athens.
"Liverpool are the hardest team to play against in Europe,"
said Ancelotti.
"Benitez is a great coach. He has a well organised defence
and the perfect counter-attack. To play against them is
always dangerous.
"Liverpool don't let you play."
(LFC Official Website)
Doubts persist over
Agger’s Anfield future
Daniel Agger has cast further doubt over his long-term
Liverpool future by declaring Rafael Benitez’s public desire
to keep him as “tactical”.
The Denmark international is out of contract next summer and
has yet to decide whether or not to sign a new contract at
Anfield.
And although Benitez this weekend reiterated his desire for
Agger to stay, the 24-year-old is reserving any judgement
until meeting with the Liverpool manager.
“Agger knows what I think of him,” said Benitez. “If he
stays fit, he will have as good a chance of playing as
anyone, maybe more.”
Agger responded yesterday: “Benitez would like to extend my
contract – that is clear. What he said is probably tactical.
“For me personally, what I can find out from him when we
meet is most important.
“I don’t see it that he’s been keeping me on the sidelines,
it’s the injuries that have been keeping me on the
sidelines.
“I have never tried to hide that I’d like to be at the club
and I feel good enough to play for the team.
“I have plenty of time because my contract won’t expire
until next summer, and it would be stupid to rush anything.”
(Daily Post)
Thor Zakariassen
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