|
|
|
TUESDAY 3 |
Rafa: Reds had to
cash in on Keane
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez claims he had no option but to
sell Robbie Keane back to Tottenham as it 'wasn't working'
for him at Anfield.
The Spaniard has been criticised for not giving the Republic
of Ireland striker enough chances to prove himself, and for
not lining up a replacement when Keane returned to Spurs on
transfer deadline day after a disappointing six months at
Anfield.
But Benitez believes that if Liverpool had not "cut their
losses" this week it could have be far worse for club and
player at the end of the season.
Benitez said: "He is a very good player. But we had to
decide quickly, clearly with someone his age it was a
situation that could not be allowed to drag on. And doing it
now, in terms of business, it was better.
"I am hearing figures, and they are not true. Depending on
the progress of Spurs it (the loss to us on the original
deal) could be about £3m.
"We had to do it now. Later would have been worse for him
and worse
for us."
(TEAMtalk)
Reds at full strength for replay
Rafael Benitez has a near fully-fit squad as Liverpool look
to defend a 16-match unbeaten run in the 211th Merseyside
derby at Goodison Park.
Apart from defender Phillipp Degen, who has made only two
appearances this season and is now out for several weeks
with a broken metatarsal, Liverpool do not have any injury
problems for the FA Cup fourth-round replay.
With Robbie Keane now gone, Liverpool could well field the
same side that beat Chelsea on Sunday in the Premier League.
Reds (from): Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Skrtel, Agger,
Hyypia, Aurelio, Dossena, Benayoun, Babel, Gerrard,
Mascherano, Lucas, Alonso, Kuyt, Torres, Ngog, Riera,
Cavalieri.
(TEAMtalk)
Degen faces long injury lay-off
Liverpool defender Philipp Degen has been ruled out of
action for up to five weeks with a metatarsal injury.
The 25-year-old Switzerland international picked up the
problem during a reserve team match against Manchester
United last week.
Although a scan revealed the bone was unbroken, he is
expected to require at least a month to recover.
It is the latest in a string of setbacks that have kept
Degen sidelined for most of his time at Anfield.
The right-back was making a comeback appearance for the
Reds' second string when he picked up the knock and limped
off at half-time.
Since arriving on a free transfer from Borussia Dortmund
last summer he has made just two appearances for the
Merseysiders.
(BBC Sport Online)
Rafa: We have enough attacking options
Rafael Benitez believes the departure of Robbie Keane will
pave the way for Liverpool's other attacking players to make
a name for themselves during the coming months.
Keane completed a deadline-day transfer to Tottenham Hotspur
yesterday, but with the likes of David Ngog, Nabil El Zhar
and Krisztian Nemeth waiting in the wings, the Reds boss
insisted he has enough striking options in his squad.
When asked if the Irishman's departure will leave his squad
short of attacking options, Benitez said: "I don't think so,
because we have Fernando Torres.
"People have been saying, 'Torres has been injured', but we
also have Dirk Kuyt, Ryan Babel, David Ngog in the squad.
"And if we need more options then we also have Krisztian
Nemeth, who has been doing very well in the reserve team,
and Daniel Pacheco has been playing well too.
"We could also play with Steven Gerrard, Yossi Benayoun or
Nabil El Zhar as a second striker, so we have enough quality
in the squad. I think we can manage."
(LFC Official Website)
Lampard wins red card appeal
Frank Lampard has been cleared to play in Chelsea’s Premier
League clash with Hull at the weekend after The Football
Association rescinded the red card he picked up against
Liverpool.
The England international was shown a straight red card by
referee Mike Riley for a challenge on Xabi Alonso.
Replays suggested Riley had made a mistake and at an FA
hearing on Tuesday, a panel opted to overturn the initial
ruling.
”At an independent Regulatory Commission hearing today, a
claim for wrongful dismissal from Chelsea midfielder Frank
Lampard was upheld,” read a statement from The FA.
“As a result, Lampard's three-match suspension has been
withdrawn.”
(Setanta Sports)
Torres fires fitness warning
Fernando Torres has warned Liverpool’s Premier League rivals
that Sunday’s brace against Chelsea is just the start of his
goalscoring exploits this season.
Torres has endured a frustrating season to date after
suffering from a string of hamstring problems and his two
goals against Luiz Felipe Scolari’s side were his first at
Anfield in any competition.
But Torres, who scored 24 league goals in his debut season
with The Reds, believes he is approaching peak condition as
Liverpool aim to rein in Manchester United at the top of the
table.
“It’s been a strange season for me because I have never
really had injuries before and I have had three on the run,”
said Torres in
the Daily Star.
“This has meant that I have not always felt 100 percent, but
now I am feeling very good and every day I am feeling
better.
“Now I just want to look ahead because there is still a lot
of play for this season and hopefully I can play my part.
Beating Chelsea was a great confidence-booster for us.”
(Setanta Sports) |
|
MONDAY 2 |
Kop flop Keane latest
victim of striker-shy Benitez
Robbie Keane’s farcical six-month stay at Anfield is the
ultimate example of Rafael Benitez’s bizarre attitude to
forwards, a stance which is likely to make top strikers
think twice about coming to Liverpool and could yet ruin the
club’s chances of claiming the title for the first time
since 1990.
Benitez appears to have a deep-rooted suspicion of front
players and takes an almost perverse pleasure in denying
them the opportunity to have a run of games, build
confidence and get into goal-scoring rhythm.
Keane is by no means the first striker to arrive at Anfield
with a big reputation and a proven goal-scoring pedigree
only to fail miserably to replicate past form amid Benitez’s
confidence-sapping rotation policy.
And if there’s one position where confidence matter most, it
is up front where success is measured in goals alone and the
slightest hesitation or lack or conviction can make all the
difference.
(Sam Sheringham - Setanta Sports)
Keane completes
transfer to Tottenham
Robbie Keane today completed a deadline-day move to White
Hart Lane after Liverpool and Tottenham agreed a transfer
fee for the Republic of Ireland international.
Having not been involved in Sunday's dramatic victory over
Chelsea at Anfield, Keane travelled down to London on Monday
morning after the Reds granted him permission to speak to
Spurs officials.
Once a fee was agreed between the two clubs ahead of the 5pm
closure of the transfer window, it was then up to the player
himself to pass a medical and agree personal terms with
Spurs before the deal could be officially completed.
Confirmation of this came just after 5.30pm when Tottenham
Hotspur announced the transfer was a done deal.
Speaking to the official Tottenham Hotspur website, Keane
said: "It was a difficult decision to make to leave
Tottenham in the summer. It proved not to be the right move
for me. I know some Spurs fans will feel I let them down by
leaving but I can assure them I shall be giving my all for
this Club. This Club has terrific fans and I want to repay
them for all their support. We've got to get on and fight
our way up that league table."
(LFC Official Website)
Bosingwa escapes sanction
The Football Association have confirmed no action will be
taken against Jose Bosingwa over his kick at Liverpool
substitute Yossi Benayoun during Chelsea's 2-0 defeat at
Anfield on Sunday.
Referee Mike Riley, who had earlier sent off Frank Lampard
in controversial circumstances, admitted that, while he had
not seen Bosingwa's lunge, it had been spotted by assistant
Mo Matadar.
The officials did not punish Bosingwa and, under FIFA law,
the FA are prohibited from taking disciplinary action when
incidents are seen at the time by the match officials.
The FA's decision is a major boost for Chelsea and Bosingwa,
who had swiftly apologised for his actions.
"I apologise for what I did and it was never my intention to
hurt him," said Bosingwa. "I know it was wrong and I
apologise."
(ITV Football)
Bulls land Reds keeper Gulacsi
Hereford manager Graham Turner has brought in Hungarian
goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi on a month-long loan deal from
Liverpool.
Gulacsi joined the Reds in the summer of 2007 but has yet to
make a senior appearance for Rafa Benitez's side.
There appears to be no immediate prospect of him breaking
into the Liverpool team with Diego Cavalieri and Charles
Itandje providing back-up to established number one Jose
Reina.
Gulacsi has therefore been allowed to link up with Hereford
until March 2 to gain valuable first-team experience.
(TEAMtalk)
Hammill and Flynn deals confirmed
Reds winger Adam Hammill is set to go out on loan to
Barnsley for a three-month spell.
The 20-year-old, who recently completed another loan stint
with Blackpool, will play with the Yorkshire side up until
May 3.
Hammill is a product of the Liverpool Academy and was a
member of the 2006 Youth Cup-winning side. He is contracted
at Anfield until 2011.
Meanwhile, Ryan Flynn's existing loan to Wrexham has been
extended until April 26.
(LFC Official Website)
Big decisions which put
Liverpool on a winning trail
Rafa Benitez will, no doubt, suggest otherwise.
He will claim that Liverpool’s title-reviving victory was
the product of perseverance. He will say it was a victory
for patience. And he will claim it was the result of a never
say die spirit eventually grinding Chelsea into the snow
sodden Anfield turf.
Some of that assessment may be true.
But it was also a result of leaving an inspirational skipper
on the pitch until the 95th minute.
It was a product of making an ambitious substitution with 10
minutes to go – replacing a defensive midfielder with an
unpredictable winger.
But most importantly of all, it was a direct result of not
substituting his best striker until the 94th minute, even
though he had started to flag.
(David Prentice -Liverpool Echo)
Madrid choose Diarra over Huntelaar
Liverpool have been spared the task of facing Real Madrid’s
big-money signing Klass Jan Huntelaar after The Spanish
giants chose to include Lassana Diarra in their squad for
the Champions League knock-out stages.
Uefa regulations stipulated the Spanish champions could only
register one player who has already featured in European
competition this season and Madrid opted for Diarra over the
Holland striker.
Madrid initially said they would fight the ruling in court
but have backed down and accepted the decision following a
meeting last week between the club's new president Vicente
Boluda and UEFA chief Michel Platini.
Diarra had already played in the Uefa Cup this season for
former club Portsmouth, while Huntelaar had featured in the
same competition for Ajax.
Liverpool take on Madrid in the last-16 of the Champions
League with the first leg set to take place in Spain on
February 25.
(Setanta Sports)
Hyypia makes Liverpool's
Champions League squad
Sami Hyypia is to be included on Liverpool’s Champions
League
squad list.
The Finnish international will be part of the 25-man pool of
players for the knockout stages of the competition despite
reports at the weekend suggesting otherwise.
Rafa Benitez has been examining his options before deciding
on which players will feature and Hyypia takes his place at
the expense of right back Philipp Degen.
News of his inclusion will come as a massive boost to
Liverpool’s veteran centre back who had been omitted from
the squad list for the group stages.
Several clubs have been monitoring Hyypia’s situation at
Anfield with North East giants Newcastle and Sunderland both
waiting in the wings for any indication that the 35-year-old
might not be part of Benitez’s plans.
But the Reds boss has drawn a line under any speculation by
putting Hyypia on the list along with fellow centre backs
Jamie Carragher, Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger.
(Liverpool Daily Post) |
|
SUNDAY 1 |
Keane could still move
Sky Sports News understands that Tottenham Hotspur have not
given up hope of re-signing Robbie Keane from Liverpool
before the transfer window closes.
The striker was left out of Rafa Benitez's squad for the 2-0
success over Chelsea on Sunday, sparking speculation he
could be on the move.
Benitez later said that he believes Keane will remain at
Anfield, but Sky Sports News sources say there is still a
"40 per cent chance" the deal could go through.
It is believed talks are continuing over a possible move.
(Sky Sports)
Big Phil not living the Life of Riley
Luiz Felipe Scolari expects referee Mike Riley to reconsider
the red card he showed Frank Lampard during Chelsea's 2-0
defeat to Liverpool on Sunday.
Lampard was dismissed for tackling Xabi Alonso with his
studs showing but subsequent footage of the incident seems
to suggest that he won the ball and can count himself mighty
unfortunate to have been given his marching orders.
"Liverpool had more possession overall, but once Frank
Lampard was sent off they had more chances and got into our
box much more,” said Scolari.
"I do not want to criticise the referee, all I ask is that
he looks at the video with the men from The FA. If they
agree that Lampard did not commit a foul for his red card,
maybe they will change the decision."
(Setanta Sports)
Hungry Reds deserved Anfield win
TEAMtalk feels Liverpool deserved their 2-0 win over Chelsea
because they showed a much greater will to win than the
disappointing Blues.
As well as being the motto of the SAS it has always been the
characteristic of a team which lifts football's greatest
prizes.
And Liverpool deserve to be back in the race for their 19th
league title because they dared when Chelsea did not.
A simplistic explanation for the 2-0 victory at Anfield
which saw Liverpool peg back Manchester United's lead to two
points?
Perhaps. But, make no mistake, it was daring to win which
was at the heart of Liverpool's triumph, even if the two
goals from Fernando Torres which won the game came so late.
(TEAMtalk)
Rafa salutes two-goal hero Torres
Rafael Benitez saluted Fernando Torres' double blast and
admitted the striker's return to form could prove crucial in
the remainder of the season.
The Reds got back to winning ways with their first win in
the top-flight in 2009 after the Spaniard hit his first
Anfield goals of the campaign in a last gasp 2-0 win over
10-man Chelsea.
"We got what we deserved when we scored near the end and we
deserved to win. We were better than them.
"It's very important for the rest of the season and to see
Fernando back with two goals was very important for us."
(LFC Official Website)
Nando: We have confidence now
Fernando Torres admitted Liverpool's confidence has been
lifted after his two goals secured a 2-0 win over Premier
League title rivals Chelsea.
"We knew before the game we had to win and we have more
confidence now," said the former Atletico Madrid striker,
whose goals were his first in the league since October
following a string of injury problems.
(TEAMtalk)
Late Torres brace seals win
Fernando Torres scored a last-gasp brace as Liverpool beat
10-man Chelsea 2-0 at Anfield to keep up the pressure on
Manchester United at the top.
After a goalless first period, Frank Lampard was
controversially sent off in the 60th minute after going in
for a challenge against Xabi Alonso, but the replay showed
he got the ball.
Alonso then had an effort deflected by Alex onto the
crossbar before Torres scored an 89th minute header from a
Fabio Aurelio cross.
He then scored with a tap-in deep into injury-time after
latching onto a loose ball from an Ashley Cole error to help
the Reds close the gap on leaders United to two points,
having played a game more.
(Sky Sports)
Rafa thinks Robbie will 'stay put'
Rafael Benitez believes Liverpool are back in the title race
and that Robbie Keane will still be at the club when the
transfer window closes.
The Anfield boss saw his side beat Chelsea for the second
time this season to leapfrog the visitors back into second
spot in the Premier League.
Benitez said: "I think Robbie Keane will be here when the
transfer window shuts.
"He was left out because we were considering all our good
players and who we needed for this game. It was only a
decision based on this match and our requirements.
"I have not seen any new offers, I don't know whether the
club have had any offers.
"I have spoken to Robbie, he was there in the dressing room
beforehand, and we also spoke afterwards and we were just
talking about the game.
"He was pleased because the team had won. He is part of my
squad, I would expect him to be in my Champions League
squad.
"Everything is if, if, if. He is here, he is our player.
That's it."
(TEAMtalk)
Reds reject Newcastle Hyypia move
Newcastle have had a bid for Liverpool defender Sami Hyypia
turned down, manager Joe Kinnear revealed on Sunday.
After watching his side grab a 1-1 draw with Sunderland,
Kinnear is desperate to strengthen the Magpies squad before
the end of January's transfer window.
"I have spent most of the last two days trying to get
finance and players," said the 62-year-old Kinnear.
"I tried for one centre-half, but got knocked back.
Liverpool weren't prepared to let Hyypia out."
(BBC Sport Online)
Keane overlooked for Blues clash
Robbie Keane was not included in Liverpool's squad for
Sunday afternoon's crunch Premier League clash with Chelsea
at Anfield.
That again threw his future at the club into considerable
doubt. It is the second time that manager Rafael Benitez has
omitted striker Keane from his match-day squad in the past
few weeks.
The first time was for the FA Cup tie with Everton on
January 24, although he was re-instated as a late substitute
against Wigan in midweek.
But now it would be no surprise if Keane left Anfield before
the close of the transfer window, with Tottenham the likely
destination, following his £20million summer move from White
Hart Lane.
(TEAMtalk)
Alonso faces Chelsea
Xabi Alonso returns to the Liverpool starting XI for this
afternoon's clash with Chelsea at Anfield. Listen live from
3.30pm GMT.
The Spaniard is one of three changes from the team that drew
1-1 at Wigan with Dirk Kuyt and Albert Riera also involved.
Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Aurelio, Carragher, Skrtel,
Mascherano, Alonso, Gerrard, Kuyt, Riera, Torres.
Subs: Cavalieri, Dossena, Agger, Ngog, Benayoun, Babel,
Lucas.
(LFC Official Website)
Thor Zakariassen
© |
|
|
|
