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WEDNESDAY 3 |
Gerrard reveals
his title prediction
We've seen some interesting battles for the Premier League
title since its inception 16 years ago, but Steven Gerrard
believes this season's race for glory could be one of the
closest yet.
Liverpool are currently one point clear at the top of the
table 15 games into the season, and Gerrard predicted that
any of the teams in the top four could be in the reckoning
come May time.
"The last three or four years has become a two-horse race in
November and December but I think it is anyone's title at
the moment," said Gerrard.
"We are happy where we are at the moment. We are
disappointed we haven't got a bit of a cushion, but it has
been a long time since we have been able to say Liverpool
are top of the league in December."
(LFC Official Website)
Torres seeks Spain cure
Fernando Torres has visited a specialist in Spain in a
bid to find a cure to his recurring hamstring problems.
Liverpool’s record signing flew to Barcelona for a
consultation with one of the country’s top muscle experts as
the Reds leave no stone unturned in their attempts to see
Torres return to full fitness.
The 24-year-old is currently out of action having suffered
his third hamstring injury of the season during Liverpool’s
1-0 win over Marseille in the Champions League.
Initially, it was hoped Torres would be fit to return within
a fortnight but Rafa Benitez is now refusing to put a
timescale on his comeback.
(Liverpool Echo)
FA rule out action against
Liverpool's support for Michael Shields
The Football Association will not take any formal action
against Liverpool after their players wore T-shirts carrying
a message of support for a fan who was jailed for the
attempted murder of a Bulgarian waiter in 2005.
Liverpool players wore the T-shirts in the warm-up for the
Barclays Premier League match against West Ham on Monday.
Michael Shields was sentenced to 15 years in prison after
being convicted of the attempted murder of Martin Georgiev
in Bulgaria on a holiday taken after seeing his side win the
Champions League final in Istanbul.
Liverpool’s players were seen wearing ’Free Michael now’
T-shirts while warming up ahead of Monday’s televised 0-0
draw with West Ham
at Anfield.
Despite another man confessing to the attack, Shields was
locked up and his sentence was reduced to 10 years on
appeal. He was transferred to the UK to serve the remainder
of his sentence, but his supporters have never halted their
campaign to prove his innocence.
An FA spokesman said: “We have spoken to Liverpool Football
Club today about this matter. We understand that Michael
Shields’ case is a very emotive issue and one that many
Liverpool players and fans feel
strongly about."
(Liverpool Daily Post)
Starlet plays down switch talk
Argentine ace Franco Zuculini has no intentions of moving to
Europe in the near future after being linked to Liverpool
and Manchester United.
The 18-year-old, who has already been lumbered with the tag
of the 'new Javier Mascherano' has emerged on the radar of
European scouts over the past six months.
Zuculini only made his first-team debut for Racing Club in
April, but he is already established in the starting XI.
Now Liverpool and Manchester United are said to be
considering bids - although the Italian media suggests
Juventus are close to sealing a deal.
However, the player himself insists he is happy and is not
yet ready
to move.
"There is always going to be talk," he said when asked about
Juventus' interest.
"But I want to continue here for three or four more big
competitions.
"I want to know what it is to play for Racing and enjoy the
love from
the fans."
(TEAMtalk)
Liverpool are showing
too much patience
When the Reds beat Manchester United early on in the season,
they played with tenacity, belief and real purpose.
That really had the fans believing we can challenge for the
title
this season.
Fast forward to Monday night. We go top – yet it’s another
goalless draw at Anfield against a side we should be beating
– and people are unhappy and unconvinced at the performance.
It’s a strange situation of course. But there is no doubt
the team’s confidence seems a bit low at the moment.
For me, we are now trying to play too slowly and patiently.
You can see it in the way the lads are passing the ball to
each other, it’s often laboured and predictable.
(Tommy Smith - Liverpool Echo)
Interest grows in Agger
Real Madrid will look to sign Daniel Agger in January
after talks over a contract extension at Liverpool stalled,
according to reports.
Real are said to be considering using Gabriel Heinze as part
of a package. Rafa Benitez tried to sign the Argentina
international from bitter rivals Manchester United before he
was sold to the Primera Liga champions.
(Clubcall.com) |
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TUESDAY 2 |
Gerrard: We must handle pressure
Steven Gerrard believes Liverpool need to learn to cope with
the pressure of being at the top of the Premier League
table.
The Reds displaced Chelsea at the summit on Monday after a
0-0 home draw with West Ham United, although the Anfield
faithful booed their team off at full-time.
"We're up against some fantastic teams in Chelsea, Arsenal,
United and Villa, and other teams are putting pressure on
the top four," Gerrard told Sky Sports News.
"There's so much pressure week in, week out to deliver
results and we need to learn to handle that pressure, and we
need to learn to deal with being at the top."
(Sky Sports)
Benitez backs Keane to come good
Rafael Benitez admitted he has yet to see the best of Robbie
Keane after the striker was taken off for the 15th time this
season in the draw with West Ham.
Keane arrived at Anfield for a £20.3m fee from Tottenham in
July but has only scored four times and completed the full
90 minutes on three occasions.
Benitez said: "Robbie is a better player than the one we are
seeing now.
"He gets disappointed when things are not going his way. He
is a worker but can improve. He will be okay."
(BBC Sport Online)
Liverpool player's home targeted
The luxury property of Liverpool footballer Jermaine Pennant
has been targeted in an incident of criminal damage, said
detectives.
The gates to the midfielder's home on Hale Road, Hale
Village, near Widnes, Cheshire, were damaged at 0140 GMT.
It is believed the gates were ram-raided during an attempted
burglary at the property.
A spokesman for Liverpool Football Club said the matter of
security was a personal issue for players.
A spokesman for Cheshire Police said: "At 1.40am on 1
December police were informed of an incident of criminal
damage at a property on Hale Road, Hale, Widnes."
Last month burglars broke into the home of Liverpool's Lucas
Leiva.
There have also been burglaries in the past 18 months at the
homes of England midfielder Steven Gerrard, Dutch forward
Dirk Kuyt, goalkeeper Pepe Reina, defender Daniel Agger and
former Liverpool players Peter Crouch and Jerzy Dudek.
(BBC Sport Online)
Benitez to give Hammill chance
Rafael Benitez is set to give Adam Hammill a Premier League
chance when he returns from his loan spell in January.
It is thought that the 2006 FA Youth Cup winner is ready to
make the breakthrough into the first team.
After cementing a new three year contract with the Reds, the
winger was loaned out to Blackpool as the manager looks to
give the youngster a chance to get some vital experience
under his belt.
The Scouser can play on either flank or just behind the
forwards.
(Kop-TV)
Carra seeks improvement
Jamie Carragher says Liverpool need to improve their
performances.
The Reds are currently top of the league but if they're to
stay there they'll need to improve on their recent
performances admits Carragher.
"It's disappointing when you're not winning your home games
because that is always what you want to do," said the Reds'
vice-captain.
"But the positive thing is we've had three home games on the
run and we've been poor in each one of them but still
qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League and we're
top of the league.
"Normally when you are not playing well things go the other
way, but in this case we've actually gone up the league
which is a positive for us
to take.
"We are probably going through a bit of a bad spell at the
moment but we're delighted to be top of the league.
"The performances aren't as good as what we are looking for
but
we're still top."
(LFC Online)
Sami in top 20
Sami Hyypia is now 20th in Liverpool's all time record
appearance makers.
The Finn's start against West Ham last night was his 454th
appearance for the Reds and moves him into 20th into the all
time appearance list for the club, alongside legendary
centre-back Ron Yeats.
Just eight of these 454 appearances were as a subsitute.
(LFC Online)
Preston game to be televised
Liverpool’s third round FA Cup tie away to Preston North End
has been chosen by ITV to be broadcast live from Deepdale.
Therefore the game will be played on Saturday, January 3rd
with a kick-off time of 5.25pm.
The first match of 2009 takes place at former manager Bill
Shankly’s old club, on the 50th anniversary of him becoming
Liverpool manager. It also sees former Red Neil Mellor
line-up against his old side for the first time.
Liverpool will be hoping to avoid the embarrassment of being
knocked out by a Championship for a second season, having
been defeated by Barnsley at Anfield last season.
(This is Anfield)
Now we’ll see who
can handle pressure
Liverpool may have gone top of the league last night but it
was another very disappointing display and it’s clear there
are problems with the team just at the moment.
Last night there wasn’t enough urgency and certainly not
enough creativity on show.
And that’s why despite overtaking Chelsea, there are
concerns and criticisms around from quite a few people and
pundits today.
The Reds struggled to find the cohesion and flair which was
on display earlier this season – and again we failed to
break down a team we were expected to beat without too much
fuss.
It is at times like these that you will really find out
about the players in your squad.
Rafa Benitez will be telling them to keep believing in
themselves; to be mentally strong and stick together as a
squad.
(Ian Rush - Liverpool Echo)
Liverpool must give
a chance to Babel
Rafa Benitez challenged Ryan Babel to make him sit up and
take notice last night.
The young Dutchman kept his half of the bargain.
In the build-up to the visit of London’s lambs to be
slaughtered, the Reds boss said: “If he plays as a
substitute he has to show something and then if he has an
impact he can be considered for the next game.”
I would suggest he now comes under careful consideration.
Babel was on the pitch for only 13 minutes against West Ham.
In that time he rattled the back stanchion with a fiercely
dipping drive which had Robert Green worried and set off on
two mazy dribbles, of which even he had no idea of the
eventual destination.
(David Prentice - Liverpool Echo)
Zola: Anfield draw the best yet
West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola reckons Monday's goalless
draw at Liverpool was the most impressive performance of his
short spell as manager.
Zola, in charge for a dozen matches, has watched his team
earn three successive clean sheets in an unbeaten run that
has dragged the side away from the bottom three.
And Zola hailed striker Craig Bellamy as "awesome" on the
Welshman's first return to Anfield since his £7.5m move to
east London 17 months ago.
Zola said: "I am very pleased with my side, that was the
best term performance since I became manager."
(TEAMtalk)
Torres pipped to Ballon D'Or
Liverpool's Fernando Torres has been named as a runner up
for the European Footballer of the Year award.
The Spain international finished third behind Barcelona's
Lionel Messi and winner Cristiano Ronaldo.
In his first season at Anfield Torres scored 33 goals in all
competitions and was part of Spain's Euro 2008 winning side.
Torres also scored the winning goal for his country in the
final against Germany.
(Shanklygates) |
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MONDAY 1 |
Rafa: We deserved to win
Rafa Benitez claimed his team deserved more than a point
after Anfield endured its third goalless draw of the season.
The result moved Liverpool one point clear of Chelsea at the
top of the Barclays Premier League - but it could be more.
Benitez said: "We clearly deserved to win. From the
beginning to the end we tried to win and that's why they had
one or two counter attacks in the second half.
"The team played much better than before and some players
did too.
"People can be disappointed and we are too, but we are one
point clear at the top."
(LFC Official Website)
Reds go top despite draw
Liverpool moved to the top of the Premier League after being
held to a goalless draw by West Ham at Anfield on Monday
night.
The Reds could not turn a domination of possession into
goals, with veteran defender Sami Hyypia going close with
four chances in both halves, with Carlton Cole clearing one
effort off the line.
Instead it was former Liverpool striker Craig Bellamy who
went closest to scoring when his long-range effort from
outside the box hit Pepe Reina's right post.
In the second period, Robert Green needed to pull off a
great full stretch save to deny Yossi Benayoun, while at the
other end Cole went close before a long range Ryan Babel
effort was inches wide for the Reds in injury time.
Liverpool had two early penalty appeals turned down by
referee Peter Walton when both Benayoun and then Dirk Kuyt
drove the ball at Herita Ilunga from close range.
(Sky Sports)
Rafa drops Masch for Benayoun
Rafael Benitez has dropped Argentine International Javier
Mascherano ahead of tonight’s clash against West Ham United
at Anfield this evening.
Yossi Benayoun moves into the centre of midfield alongside
Steven Gerrard, Xabi Alonso and Albert Riera.
The team in full: Pepe Reina, Alvaro Arbeloa, Jamie
Carragher, Sami Hyypia, Andrea Dossena, Yossi Benayoun,
Steven Gerrard, Xabi Alonso, Albert Riera, Dirk Kuyt and
Robbie Keane.
(Kop-TV)
Gillett in surprise visit to Reds
George Gillett today visited Anfield for the first time
since September.
The reasons for his surprise visit are unclear but
Liverpool's co-owner spent several hours at the stadium
before leaving this afternoon.
Gillett was last in Liverpool three months ago for the Reds
clash with Manchester United.
On that occasion, the American watched the game from the
directors box and he is expected to take in tonight's match
between Liverpool and
West Ham.
Meanwhile, reports today emerged in the USA suggesting
Gillett is struggling to refinance $75m of personal debt.
The Sports Business Journal claims Gillett borrowed the
money from Mill Financial in January this year and is due to
be repaid next month.
The report also claims that Springfield Financial Company,
which Mill Financial is a branch of, is trying to sell the
debt and there has been interest in it from at least one
suitor who is interested in acquiring Gillett's stake in
Liverpool Football Club.
The Journal believes Gillett himself is trying to buy the
debt with the help of investors.
(Liverpool Echo)
Alonso committed to Reds
Xabi Alonso has spoken about his summer of uncertainty but
insists he will be a Liverpool player for years to come.
Despite winning Euro 2008 with Spain, the midfielder looked
to be on his way out of Anfield as manager Rafael Benitez
publicly courted the signature of Gareth Barry but after
Aston Villa increased their asking price, talks ended and
Alonso remained at the club.
This season he has been one of Liverpool's in-form players
but he admits that during that difficult time that the
club's supporters helped him
through it.
"At some stage my future was not clear, I was wondering what
was going to happen because there were propositions, but I
prefer to move on," he told Setanta Sports.
"Of course the fans' backing was a massive boost because
they let me know they wanted me to stay."
When asked whether his future still lay at Anfield, Alonso
added: "Of course I can see myself here for more years to
come."
(Shanklygates)
Babel told to prove worth
Rafael Benitez has told Ryan Babel the door remains open to
him to reclaim his place in the starting eleven.
The Dutchman has expressed his frustration at his lack of
first-team opportunities and admitted his disappointment
about being played out of position.
“In terms of his physical condition he can play 90 minutes,
that is not
a problem.” Rafa told Liverpool Echo.
“He is a very, very quick player so to keep the consistency,
to keep the high tempo, to keep the intensity is not easy.
These kind of players are normally less consistent.
“He can improve. He has to train really hard to be ready,
and if he plays and plays well he will keep his place, if he
plays as a substitute he has to show something and then if
he has an impact he can be considered for the next game.
“He just has to work harder and try to be ready.”
(Kop-TV)
No Owen interest
Liverpool have no interest whatsoever in re-signing Michael
Owen.
Owen is believed to be available for £2m in January and
reports yesterday suggested Benitez could be ready to offer
him a route back to Anfield.
But the ECHO understands the Reds boss is not even
considering making such a move for Owen, who left Anfield
shortly after Benitez's arrival in the summer of 2004.
(Liverpool Echo)
Benitez: Let’s banish
fear and anxiety
Rafa Benitez called on everyone at Anfield tonight to show
no fear as Liverpool bid to oust Chelsea from the top of the
Premier League.
Chelsea's defeat at home to Arsenal means the Reds will go
three points clear if they can beat West Ham at home.
The Liverpool manager is in no doubt that his players have
the quality to regain top spot and he believes the key to
them doing so is for them to play their natural game.
And Benitez has backed the Anfield crowd to again play a
crucial role as it has so many times in the past.
He told the ECHO today: "We know we can go top of the league
tonight and that is what we will be aiming for.
"We will be making the greatest efforts to do this but
although it is important the players focus, it is also
important we play our natural game with no fear."
(Liverpool Echo)
Zola tips Liverpool
to win Premier League
Gianfranco Zola has tipped Liverpool to be strong
challengers for the Premier League title this season, but
believes tonight’s trip to Anfield has come at a good time.
Rafael Benitez’s side were held to a goalless draw by Fulham
last weekend and then scraped past Marseille in the
Champions League on Wednesday.
“I don’t think Liverpool are having their best moment,” said
the former Chelsea striker.
Asked if Liverpool can win the title, Zola replied: “I think
they’ve got a very good chance.”
(Liverpool Daily Post)
Heskey could be in January sales
Wigan chairman Dave Whelan has indicated he could sell
England striker Emile Heskey in January rather than risk
losing him for nothing.
Heskey's current contract at the JJB Stadium expires at the
end of the season and he could leave on a free transfer.
Wigan are keen to keep the England international, but the
player insists he is in no rush to make a decision on his
future.
Heskey's former club Liverpool, Aston Villa and Tottenham
are rumoured to be waiting in the wings to sign the
30-year-old if he becomes available.
Whelan insists he does not want to lose Heskey for nothing
and could sell him when the transfer window reopens in
January if he fails to agree
a new deal.
"Emile is out of contract in the summer, but he doesn't want
to sign a new one at the moment," said Whelan. "It could
cost us two, three or four million if that goes on to next
summer, so we'll have to see what January brings."
(TEAMtalk)
Rafa: Gerrard
can strike gold
Liverpool entertain West Ham on Monday, live on Setanta
Sports, and Reds chief Rafa Benitez is tipping Steven
Gerrard to flourish as a forward.
Gerrard has made his name from the centre of midfield and is
regarded as one of the greatest players in the world in his
position.
At 28, Gerrard is approaching the peak of his powers – yet
Benitez feels it is not too late to shift position.
Liverpool have Fernando Torres and Robbie Keane as their
striking options – but Benitez clearly believes he has a
ready-made replacement in
his captain.
“Stevie is a great finisher and can score great goals, so
maybe he can play as a striker,” said Benitez.
“When he is older and does not have the same pace, he will
still have the accuracy and he can still be a great
finisher.
“He’s already one of the big names but I still think he can
improve.
“From 26 to 29 is the best age for a player and Steven
always wants
to learn.”
(Setanta Sports)
Thor Zakariassen
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