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FRIDAY 3 |
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FA turn down Johnson appeal
Birmingham midfielder Damien Johnson has lost his appeal
against his sending-off in Wednesday’s 1-1 draw with
Liverpool at Anfield and will have to serve a three-match
ban.
The Northern Ireland international was given his marching
orders by referee Uriah Rennie after his challenge on Reds
defender Daniel Agger.
Blues made representations to the Football Association and
hoped the red card would be rescinded after viewing video
footage of the incident.
But an FA disciplinary commission has rejected the plea for
wrongful dismissal and Johnson is deemed guilty of ’serious
foul play.’
(Evening Echo)
Carragher: Blues form won't last forever
Liverpool's Jamie Carragher believes Chelsea's invincibility
will not last for ever.
And the 28-year-old, who returns to the heart of Liverpool's
defence at Stamford Bridge on Sunday after being rested in
midweek, reckons Liverpool will give Chelsea a real run for
their money next season.
Liverpool will also have Xabi Alonso, Mohamed Sissoko and
Djibril Cisse - and possibly even Robbie Fowler - in their
starting line-up following the disappointing home draw with
Birmingham which saw boss Rafael Benitez rest several key
players.
"Chelsea have got a great record. They've lost one and drawn
three in the league and won the rest this season," he said.
"But the thing that keeps me going is that I don't think
they can possibly do that again next season. It's virtually
impossible to better it. I am sure they will have to come
down a bit."
(TEAMtalk)
Reds stars set for recall
Liverpool are expected to bring back their big guns for
Sunday's trip to Stamford Bridge, where they will renew
their rivalry with Chelsea.
Midfielders Mohamed Sissoko and Xabi Alonso, defender Jamie
Carragher and striker Djibril Cisse were all rested from the
starting line-up for the 1-1 draw with Birmingham on
Wednesday but could start the match at the Bridge.
Robbie Fowler is also in contention for a starting berth,
given that neither Peter Crouch or Cisse have found the net
in their last six appearances, while for Fernando Morientes
it is seven games without a goal.
Liverpool (from): Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Agger,
Warnock, Riise, Traore, Luis Garcia, Gerrard, Hamann,
Alonso, Sissoko, Kewell, Crouch, Cisse, Morientes, Fowler,
Carson, Dudek, Kromkamp.
(TEAMtalk)
Parry: England must choose Englishman
Liverpool supremo Rick Parry believes England should appoint
an Englishman to take over from Sven-Goran Eriksson.
Chief executive Parry has been instrumental in the
appointments of two foreign managers at Anfield, Gerard
Houllier and Rafael Benitez, but feels domestic football is
different to the international arena.
He says: "There is a greater sense that the national team
should have an English manager, not least because you are
only working with English players.
"There is a lot to be said for having an English manager,
national identity is a factor."
Parry, writing in his regular column for the club's
LiverpoolFC magazine, explained what he believes is the
distinction between club and international football when
appointing a manager.
Liverpool director Noel White - as chairman of the FA's
international committee - is on the panel who will recommend
the new England boss.
And Parry wrote: "There are some fundamentals regarding the
eventual appointment.
"When we decided to replace Gerard Houllier in 2004, we set
the simple criteria that is was quality that mattered,
nationality wasn't an issue.
"One of the reasons for that being the case in club
management is the number of nationalities represented in top
club football now.
"An England manager is only working with English players.
There is no shortage of qualified applicants because it is
still a job that is immensely attractive. It has enormous
prestige and it is very difficult to turn down."
(TEAMtalk)
Rafa: Chelsea are out of sight
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez concedes that the race for the
title is already over as Chelsea look unsurmountable.
Chelsea currently sit 15 points clear at the Premiership
summit and Benitez feels that even if Liverpool take maximum
spoils at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, live on
Sky Sports 1, Jose Mourinho's men will still canter to the
title.
Liverpool have not won the league since 1990 and such is
Chelsea's current monopoly and financial power, Benitez
admits he fears that the West London outfit will only get
stronger in the next few years.
''No, we will just have three more points,'' said Benitez,
when asked if a win could change the title race.
''It is difficult to talk about the future. At this moment
we can beat anyone but in nine months different clubs have
different players, so it's hard to know.
''Can we improve? Yes. Can they (Chelsea) improve? I think
so."
(Sky Sports)
Agger surprised by pace of his Premiership
debut
Daniel Agger has admitted he has to improve his physique if
he wants to cope with the demands of life in the
Premiership.
The Danish youngster was handed a tough debut against the
considerable threat of Emile Heskey and Chris Sutton in
Liverpool's 1-1 draw against Birmingham on Wednesday.
And although he recovered from a nervy start to acquit
himself promisingly, Agger was left in no doubt about the
ways in which he needs to adapt his game.
He said: "I can feel that my physique is not quite as good
as I want it to be. Of course, there is a great difference
in level from Brondby and Liverpool. If there was not I
would have stayed in Brondby.
"I have done a lot of training in the gym throughout my
career and I will continue to do that at Liverpool. Heskey
and Sutton were big, physically strong strikers and the
tempo to the game was really something incredible.
"The play is so fast and there is no time to pause. No time
for a rest."
(Daily Post)
Hamann hoping to keep it regular
Dietmar Hamann is hoping to re-establish a regular role in
Liverpool's line-up having finally put the memory of Michael
Essien's horror tackle behind him.
Wednesday's 1-1 draw against Birmingham saw the German
midfielder play a full 90 minutes for the first time since
the tackle he described as "the worst I have suffered in my
career".
He said: "With the games coming thick and fast again I hope
to play a bit more than I have over the past few weeks but I
am quite optimistic that I play my games and take part more
than I have recently.
"That's the way it is at the moment. You just have to be in
the best possible shape when you are needed."
(Daily Post)
Reserves hammered
Liverpool's reserve side were stuffed 4-1 at Middlesbrough.
The night started badly for the reserves when Godwin Antwi
put through his own net to put Middlesbrough 1-0 up after 34
minutes. Liverpool had been the better side up to this point
and they were unfortunate to fall behind.
The Reds were only behind for three minutes before Ramon
Castille equalised from the penalty spot after Paul Anderson
had been shoved over in the box. Anderson then had the
chance to put the Reds ahead but he shot wide.
Liverpool started the second half the better side but soon
found themselves 2-1 down thanks to another defensive
mistake. New captain Jack Hobbs' attempted back pass went
straight to Boro striker Thomas Craddock who rounded David
Martin in the Liverpool goal to score. Craddock made it 3-1
a minute later when he lobbed the ball over Martin's head
and into the back of the net.
Liverpool continued to play well but were unable to get the
goal their play deserved. Craddock then completed his
hat-trick to end a dismal night for the reserves.
(LFC Online) |
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THURSDAY 2 |
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Rafa ready to rotate Reds
Rafael Benitez will have to be a juggler and a gambler to
keep Liverpool's exhausting season on course for success.
The home draw with 10-man Birmingham was Liverpool's 40th
game of a season which started on July 13, and the Anfield
boss admits he will need to take advantage of his large
squad as 10 games in 36 days have to be negotiated.
Benitez is facing crunch time as the demands of the toughest
season facing any of Europe's top sides looks to be starting
to take its toll.
The big guns will be back for Chelsea on Sunday, but Benitez
is fully aware it can even be dangerous to protect key
players against the likes of relegation-threatened
Birmingham.
"I do not think we are looking particularly tired, although
I am trying to rest and change players," said Benitez.
(TEAMtalk)
Souness sacked at Newcastle
Liverpool legend Graeme Souness has been sacked as manager
of Newcastle United.
The Newcastle United board sacked Souness earlier today
(Thursday) following a terrible run of results.
Although Souness has had a terrible time with injuries,
chairman Freddy Shepherd wasn't prepared to let the slump
continue.
(Kop Talk)
Bruce asks for review of red card
Birmingham boss Steve Bruce will ask referee Uriah Rennie to
review his decision to send off Damien Johnson in the 1-1
draw at Liverpool.
Johnson was shown an instant red card by referee Rennie for
a challenge on Liverpool debutant Daniel Agger.
Bruce said: "To wave the red card was harsh, I hope he will
take another look at it.
"Both lads were tackling for the ball, it's a horrible one
but these things happen and it's not a red card."
Johnson's dismissal forced Birmingham to play for 63 minutes
with 10 men, salvaging a deserved point with an own goal
from Xabi Alonso two minutes from time.
Bruce said: "I have seen the replays, six times, and it is
definitely not a red card.
"I'm delighted with the result but disappointed because for
half-an-hour we were the better team before the sending off.
(BBC Sport Online) |
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WEDNESDAY 1 |
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Benitez left frustrated by draw
Rafael Benitez admitted to being a frustrated manager after
seeing his side drop two points in the 1-1 draw with
Birmingham City at Anfield, and felt the failure to get a
second goal cost the Reds dear.
"I am very disappointed because when you score one goal you
need to score the second to finish the game, especially
against 10 men, and we didn't do that," retorted Benitez.
(LFC Official Website)
Blues ruin Fowler's return
A late own goal from Xabi Alonso denied Robbie Fowler
victory on his Liverpool return as they were held to a 1-1
draw against 10-man Birmingham
Steven Gerrard's deflected second-half strike appeared set
to give Rafa Benitez victory in his 100th match in charge
after the visitors had seen Damien Johnson sent off for
serious foul play after 28 minutes.
But the European champions' march towards a ninth straight
home win was halted in the closing minutes when substitute
Alonso chested the ball into his own goal under little
pressure.
It appeared Fowler had volleyed home a winner in stoppage
time, but a linesman's flag spoilt the script on a
frustrating night for the home side.
(Sky Sports)
Liverpool v Birmingham City - CONFIRMED TEAM
LIVERPOOL: Reina, Finnan, Hyypia, Agger, Riise, Garcia,
Hamann, Gerrard, Kewell, Crouch, Morientes.
SUBS: Carson, Warnock, Alonso, Carragher, Fowler.
(Kop Talk)
Bruce: Reds are a true force
Steve Bruce believes his Birmingham side will be taking on a
Liverpool outfit who have once again developed into a 'true
force' at Anfield tonight.
Bruce's side are in the midst of a relegation dogfight and
will be desperate for any kind of result this evening in
their battle to beat the drop.
"Liverpool have emerged as a true force again. That's the
way I look at it from the outside. They have only lost one
in 13 games - and that was in the last minute at Manchester
United, they look fairly settled in their team and in Steven
Gerrard they have the one player I would pick from the whole
world.
"The performance he gave down here at the back end of last
season, when they beat us 3-0, was unbelievable, as good as
I have ever seen from any individual. I hope
he's injured."
(LFC Official Website)
Back at the Kop
Anfield is bracing itself for the second coming
tonight - but Robbie Fowler's Liverpool return is likely to
be as a substitute.
Fowler has begun an intensive training programme under the
guidance of assistant boss Pako Ayesteran and is still short
of match fitness.
Manager Rafa Benitez never reveals his line-up to the
players until an hour before kick-off, but the indications
suggest Fowler will be included in the 16-man squad.
That will give The Kop its first glimpse of the legendary
striker since his dramatic return to the club.
Fowler isn't the only recent signing hoping for the call
tonight. Daniel Agger is also itching for a taste of action
following his £5.8m move from Brondby. The Dane is also in
contention to face Steve Bruce's side.
(Liverpool Echo)
Liverpool striker caught speeding
Football star Robbie Fowler was caught speeding just days
after completing his dream move back to Liverpool FC.
The striker was pulled over by police near the club's
Melwood training ground on Tuesday after breaking the 30mph
speed limit.
The 30-year-old left Manchester City last week to rejoin the
club he first signed for as a schoolboy.
He was stopped on West Derby Road near the training ground
on Tuesday. It is unclear how fast he was travelling.
A spokeswoman for Merseyside Police said: "A 30-year-old man
was stopped on West Derby Road.
"He was given a £60 fine and three points on his licence."
(BBC Sport Online)
Late transfer switch for Murphy
Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy has made a last
minute switch to Tottenham.
The transfer from Charlton to Spurs went through at the very
last minute but the deal has been rubber stamped.
Speaking this evening the 28-year-old said: "Spurs has
always been a club that has attracted me, but whereas
previously things didn't work out, this time they have and I
am absolutely delighted.
"I am looking forward to playing my part in the team Martin
Jol is building."
Spurs appear to have got themselves a bit of a bargain as it
is rumoured that the maximum they would have to pay Charlton
under the terms of the deal is just £2million.
(Kop Talk)
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Thor Zakariassen
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