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SUNDAY 3 |
Liverpool land Gunners test
Holders Liverpool have been drawn to face Arsenal at Anfield
in the third round of this season's FA Cup.
Rafa Benitez's men, who beat West Ham on penalties following
an epic 3-3 draw at the Millennium Stadium last season,
slumped to a 3-0 defeat to the Gunners at the Emirates
Stadium earlier this season.
Arsene Wenger's Gunners beat Cardiff at the third round
stage last season before being knocked out by Bolton in
round four.
The tie will take place over the weekend of January 6/7.
(TEAMtalk)
Benitez rules out SWP move
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has ruled out the prospect of
the club signing Chelsea's Shaun Wright-Phillips.
The Reds have been linked with a move for Wright-Phillips
after Chelsea confirmed they would listen to offers for the
winger.
Wright-Phillips is thought to be considering his future at
Stamford Bridge after failing to establish himself in Jose
Mourinho's plans.
West Ham have enquired about the England international,
while Manchester City boss Stuart Pearce has expressed an
interest in taking Wright-Phillips back to the club.
Benitez is a big fan of Wright-Phillips and tried to sign
him before he moved to Chelsea.
However, Benitez has conceded he is unlikely to move for
Wright-Phillips as he believes Chelsea would not sell the
player to one of their main rivals.
"At the end of the day they would want more money from us
because the player could score goals and create problems for
them later," said Benitez.
"I think they will let him go to another club where there is
no problem for them."
(Sky Sports)
Gerrard's a middle man, says Mcclaren
Steve McClaren admits Steven Gerrard's best position is in
the middle - even if he can't always play him there.
The Liverpool skipper has played on the right and centrally
for both club and country this season, sparking a national
debate as to where he is most effective.
McClaren kicked off his international reign by using him on
the right-hand side against Greece, but moved him back
infield for his last game, the friendly with Holland.
Gerrard tends to play on the right-hand side for Liverpool
because of the presence of Xabi Alonso and Mo Sissoko, but
with those two injured, has been playing in the middle of
late.
He was instrumental from there in Saturday's 4-0 drubbing of
Wigan and McClaren admits that he would like to play him
there, but his versatility often counts against him.
"I think you saw in the game against Holland that what we
tried to do was play the three very narrow, Stevie, Frank
Lampard and Michael Carrick just to give him that same
freedom because that's when he needs," he told Goals on
Sunday.
"He needs that freedom to run into that final third like he
did against Wigan.
(Sky Sports)
Rafa praises fantastic Bellamy
Rafael Benitez was full of praise for Craig Bellamy after
his two goals in the 4-0 win at Wigan and said he hopes the
Welsh international can now show his best form.
The Liverpool manager revealed Bellamy has been playing well
in training and admitted he was happy to see him transfer
that to where it matters in the big match.
"Bellamy was fantastic and I was happy to see him score two
goals and he caused all sorts of problems for Wigan,"
enthused the Reds boss.
"He was training very well on Thursday and scored a lot of
goals and his accuracy was really good so it was nice for
him to do that against Wigan. Maybe his mind is clearer now.
"Kuyt was working very hard all of the time and that gave
Bellamy space and he showed a lot of game intelligence."
(LFC Official Website) |
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SATURDAY 2 |
Anfield in £450m Dubai buyout
Liverpool are on the verge of falling into foreign
ownership, just like Premiership rivals Chelsea and
Manchester United.
But the deal with Dubai International Capital faces
opposition from Liverpool fans and the football authorities,
who are opposed to another English club falling into
overseas hands.
The Anfield board have given the company — the international
investment arm of the Dubai government-owned Dubai Holdings
— exclusive rights to study the club’s books and complete a
deal after rejecting the £450 million bid from American
multi-millionaire George Gillett Jnr, as well as up to three
other rival offers.
After almost three years of searching for investment to fund
a £200m new stadium, to pay off £80m of debts and provide
transfer spending, Liverpool have chosen a firm ultimately
owned by the billionaire rulers of Dubai, the Al Maktoum
family, best known in sport for their ownership of the
Godolphin racing stable.
DIC already own British assets, including Madame Tussauds,
the London Eye and the Travelodge chain.
It remains unclear whether the company would take over the
club lock, stock and barrel, as Gillett would have
attempted, or buy a smaller stake for an injection of cash.
(Daily Mail)
Bellamy glad to be playing
Craig Bellamy admits his return to the Liverpool team could
not have gone better as he scored twice in a 4-0 win at
Wigan Athletic.
"It was good to get out there," Bellamy told Sky Sports
News.
(Sky Sports)
Rafa beams at Reds triumph
Rafa Benitez was understandably pleased with his Liverpool
side after they cruised to a 4-0 win at Wigan.
"It could have been 2-6, it might have been better for
everyone - but not the keepers," the Spaniard told Sky
Sports.
"We gave them some chances but we had many chances on the
counter but it was a very good game especially for our
fans."
(Sky Sports)
Jewell fumes at Latics defending
Wigan boss Paul Jewell felt his side's defending was woeful
against Liverpool.
The Latics were 4-0 down at the break to The Reds who
out-played Wigan in the opening 45 minutes.
"Liverpool could have done that to any team they faced if
the team they faced defended the way in which we did first
half," he told Sky Sports.
"I was worried this was coming from Liverpool, but we have
given some horrendous goals away today and when you do that
you are not going to recover."
(Sky Sports)
Bellamy inspires four-star Reds
A tremendous first half display from Liverpool saw them
steamroller Wigan as they claimed a memorable 4-0 win at The
JJB Stadium to register their first away win in the
Premiership this season.
Craig Bellamy put the stresses of his recent court case well
and truly behind him as he doubled his tally for the season
with two goals in the opening half hour as he produced his
best performance to date since joining the Merseyside
giants.
The Reds added two more just before the interval to seal the
win as Dirk Kuyt pounced and Lee McCulloch put through his
own net.
The game in truth was over by half-time although it could be
argued that the match as
a contest was done just before the half hour mark after
Bellamy registered his second.
(Sky Sports)
Confirmed teams: Wigan v Liverpool
Rafa Benitez has selected Craig Bellamy and Xabi Alonso for
starts against Wigan Athletic this afternoon at the JJB
stadium.
The manager has also selected three centre-backs for the
game, suggesting a possilbe 3-5-2 formation, but of course
he may be planning to use Jamie Carragher in midfield again
as he did in midweek.
Team: Reina, Finnan, Riise, Hyypia, Agger, Carragher,
Gerrard, Garcia, Alonso, Kuyt, Bellamy.
Subs: Dudek, Fowler, Pennant, Paletta, Guthrie.
(Anfield Road.com)
Head boy Flynn at the double in U18 win
Ryan Flynn scored twice with his head, as the
reds' u18 side defeated Stoke City 3-0 at the Academy this
morning.
Craig Lindfield also got on the scoresheet as John Owens'
side produced some of their best football of the season.
Playing an adventurous 4-3-3 formation, including reserve
squad members Darby, Threlfall, Flynn and Lindfield the reds
dominated the game, and the second half was especially
impressive as the visitors were chasing shadows at times.
Flynn opened the scoring on the half hour mark with a diving
header from a Ray Putterill cross. His second came midway
through the second half when he arrived at the back post to
head in a cross by Lindfield. The striker rounded off an
impressive performance when he latched onto a poor backpass
to make it 3-0 with 17 minutes remaining.
Team: Mimms; Darby (Routledge 86), Gaughan, Threlfall,
Burns; Flynn, Spearing, Ryan; Wignall, Lindfield (Collins
86), Putterill (Woodward 75).
(The Liverpool Way)
Heskey backing Reds
Former Liverpool player Emile Heskey is backing Liverpool to
climb up the Premiership table.
Heskey lines up against his old club for Wigan this
afternoon and the former Liverpool striker says the Reds
will soon come good as they've too many excellent players to
remain in seventh position in the table.
"They are a great club with some great players, so you have
to respect them," said Heskey, who won the treble with the
Reds in 2001.
"When you look at their defence it is so strong, and they're
doing really well at the moment.
"That's no surprise when you look at Riise, Hyypia,
Carragher and Finnan. They're all good players, all
internationals."
(LFC Online) |
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FRIDAY 1 |
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Rafa revs up misfiring Reds stars
Rafael Benitez has thrown down the gauntlet to his
strikeforce as Liverpool look to put their away-day misery
behind them.
The Liverpool boss takes his team to Wigan on Saturday
searching for their first away win this season in the
Premiership, with just two points and one goal on their
travels.
Manager Benitez admits he is frustrated by the Reds' record
on their travels and their lack of finishing when presented
with good chances.
He said: "It is really disappointing to still be talking
about this record, it is bad and we know that. I have
analysed every game, seen that we have made the most chances
in most of them, but that is not good enough.
"We have the best statistics, we have more attempts, more
corners, more shots. But you do not win games with
statistics, only when you score more goals.
Benitez says: "Okay, we have had 21 chances to one or two in
some matches. We are not conceding goals and we are creating
openings. That means we are okay in defence and midfield,
but we are not okay up front.
"We know what we have to do. The opportunities must be
taken, the strikers must do their job.
"I hope now to see goals from the strikers. Crouch, Fowler,
Kuyt and Bellamy, all of them. It is important for the
strikers to score the goals."
(TEAMtalk)
Reds to beat United in transfer chase
Liverpool are reportedly set to beat Manchester United to
the signature of Hamilton Academicals star Jamie McCarthy.
Hamilton recently confirmed that a host of Premiership clubs
have been sending scouts to watch the player, with Liverpool
believed to be favourites to land the teenager.
(Clubcall Sports)
read more
Bellamy set for Reds return
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez will have Craig Bellamy back
in his squad to face Wigan at the JJB Stadium and hopes Xabi
Alonso also has a chance of being involved.
Bellamy missed the 0-0 draw in midweek against Portsmouth
due to his five-day court case in Cardiff.
Alonso was missing due to a hamstring problem, but the
Spaniard has trained this week and has a chance of being in
the squad as Liverpool still searching for their first away
league win of the campaign.
Mark Gonzalez, Bolo Zenden, Mohamed Sissoko and Harry Kewell
are all long-term injury worries.
Provisional squad: Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Agger,
Riise, Luis Garcia, Gerrard, Alonso, Pennant, Fowler,
Crouch, Bellamy, Kuyt, Guthrie, Dudek, Paletta.
(BreakingNews.ie)
Jewell: Reds out of title race
Wigan manager Paul Jewell has written off former
club Liverpool's chances of winning the Barclays Premiership
title this season.
Jewell watched the Reds stifled by Portsmouth in a goalless
draw at Anfield on Wednesday, which left them trailing
leaders Manchester United by 16 points.
Jewell's side are next up on Saturday for Liverpool, who are
yet to win away in the league, taking just two points and
scoring one goal in seven games on the road.
When asked whether Liverpool could win the championship,
Jewell replied: "They can, but I don't think they will.
"The title race is a fight between Manchester United and
Chelsea."
Jewell added: "Liverpool will be disappointed with their
points tally and, by their standards, they won't be
impressed with their away record.
"Maybe they will even win the Champions League again
because, at this moment, they seem to be performing a lot
better in Europe.
"But they've too many top players not to finish in the top
four, and I'm pretty certain that's where they will finish.
"So we're not going into the game thinking Liverpool are on
a decline or a slide. They're just not getting the results
they desire."
(Sporting Life)
Benitez ready for Euro dog-fight
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez feels the closeness of the
Premiership means it will be a dog-fight right to the end
for Champions League spots.
With Manchester United and Chelsea seemingly in a private
duel for the top two places, as many as a dozen clubs feel
they have genuine claims to third and fourth spot.
Liverpool, third last season, moved themselves into seventh
spot with Wednesday's point from a frustrating 0-0 draw with
Portsmouth.
"The race this season for third and fourth place is very
open, more so than usual between several teams. The reason
is that teams are now very close to each other.
"When we talked in the summer of being contenders ourselves,
we believed that this season we would see the top clubs all
losing more matches than before, you can see now that is the
situation.
"Bolton can beat Arsenal, all teams can beat each other.
Teams can lose two or three in a row, the competition is
therefore much closer and the league is far more balanced
than before.
"What we need now is to get our injured players fit for the
new year. Against sides with smaller squads that is now
vital."
(TEAMtalk)
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Thor Zakariassen
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