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MONDAY 3 |
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Benitez looks for quality signings
Rafael Benitez admitted everyone at Liverpool is "working
hard" to bring quality players such as Fernando Morientes to
Anfield but insists he will not be rushed into any signings
during this month's transfer window.
The Reds recovered from the disappointment of their 1-0 home
defeat by Chelsea on New Year's Day by beating struggling
Norwich at Carrow Road to maintain their push for a top-four
finish.
"This week were are working hard and trying to buy new players
to increase the level of competition between the players but I
am very happy with the squad," he declared.
(Sporting Life)
Carra pleased with "tough" win
Jamie Carragher was a relieved man after seeing Liverpool
emerge with maximum points from what he described as a tough
game against Norwich City at Carrow Road.
"It was a tough game and full credit to Norwich, who put us
under pressure," he said afterwards. "We were disappointed to
concede a goal near the end and in doing so we made it
difficult for ourselves."
(LFC Official Website)
Reds go fifth with win
Liverpool climbed up to fifth spot in The Premiership table
with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Norwich at Carrow Road on
Monday.
Second half goals from Luis Garcia and John Arne Riise were
enough to give Liverpool all three points although they were
made to sweat for the victory after Ryan Jarvis pulled a goal
back late on
(Planet Football/Sky Sports)
Ex-Liverpool star Spicer dies
Former Liverpool defender Eddie Spicer has died, aged 82.
Spicer, who was born in the city, played the majority of his
168 games for the club at left-back and was a member of the
team which won the league title in 1947.
He was decorated for bravery while serving as a Royal Marine
during the Second World War.
After breaking his leg for the second time, in a collision
with Manchester United keeper Dave Underwood at Old Trafford
in 1953, Spicer was forced to retire aged 31.
Following a testimonial which attracted a crowd of 40,000,
Spicer went on to run a pub in North Wales.
(BreakingNews.ie)
Norwich v Liverpool - confirmed team
LFC: Dudek, Finnan, Hyypia, Carragher, Warnock, Gerrard, Diao,
Nunez, Riise, Garcia, Mellor.
SUBS: Harrison, Hamann, Traore, Pongolle, Raven
(Kop Talk)
Real reveal Morientes could stay
Real Madrid could block Fernando Morientes' switch to
Liverpool if new coach Wanderley Luxemburgo decides he wants
to keep the striker.
His agent Gines Carvajal said: "The Real Madrid president
(Florentino Perez) has asked us to wait as he wants to know
what the new coach decides.
"We should have confirmation of his decision by next week."
(BBC Sport Online)
Xabi thanks Lampard for apology
A deeply disappointed Xabi Alonso has reflected on the tackle
by Frank Lampard that will sideline him for at least six weeks
and thanked him for making a personal apology.
Alonso suffered a broken ankle following the challenge by
Lampard during the first half of Liverpool's New Years day
defeat to Chelsea at Anfield.
It is a major blow for the club and the player but a
philosophical Alonso told Spanish newspaper AS: "I know that
things like this happen in football. I am calm, but it's a
shame.
"It was a hard tackle by Frank Lampard on my set foot. It is
known that here the game is played very hard and this time it
was my turn. He called me that night to apologise, we talked
for a good while. He told me it was not ill intentioned. You
thank the gesture."
Alonso, who will stay in Liverpool to begin his
rehabilitation, also revealed that the cast on his ankle has
been removed and that's he's now wearing a protective boot.
It is not yet known whether surgery is required to heal the
break.
(LFC Official Website)
Rafa: Xabi blow will not affect my transfer
plans
The injury sustained by Xabi Alonso against Chelsea on New
Years Day will not affect Rafael Benitez's thinking as he
prepares to do business in the January transfer market.
Benitez will be without Alonso for up to six weeks after the
Spanish midfielder suffered a broken ankle following a
challenge by Frank Lampard.
It is a major blow for the Reds boss as he enters a crucial
period of the season but he admits he won't be making a
knee-jerk swoop to counteract the loss of the influential
playmaker.
"Losing Xabi Alonso will not change my thinking in the
transfer market. We have a lot of midfield players to cover
but I must discover who is fit," says Benitez.
"We will be looking for new players now because it is
important we have a competitive squad.
"Our priority at this present moment is Norwich, but after
that we must find the players we need."
(LFC Official Website)
Carragher blasts referee Riley
Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has accused referee Mike
Riley of mistakes which could tilt the Premiership title race
in Chelsea's favour.
Carragher was angered by Riley failing to award a penalty
after Tiago's handball in Chelsea's win at Anfield.
He also highlighted a hotly-disputed penalty Riley gave Wayne
Rooney in Manchester United's clash with Arsenal.
"He has got it wrong in the two big games he has refereed this
season," said Carragher.
"Those two decisions could prove the difference between
Arsenal or Chelsea winning the league.
"Top games need top refs. And with those mistakes the FA have
to ask whether this referee should be up there.
"He was in a great position to see what happened in our game.
"He was putting his whistle into his mouth and I don't know if
he lost his nerve or what."
(BBC Sport Online) |
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SUNDAY 2 |
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Benitez bids for rebuilding boost
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has called on the club's
board to free up the money which will allow him to strengthen
the squad and increase competition as they make the push to
reach the Barclays Premiership top four.
The Spaniard's priority is to secure qualification for next
season's Champions League, which will bring in critical
revenue to help him rebuild.
The Anfield injury list is becoming an ever-growing nightmare
with Djibril Cisse out for the season, Harry Kewell six weeks
and now Xabi Alonso set for two months enforced absence.
Already this season Benitez has seen Antonio Nunez, Chris
Kirkland, Vladimir Smicer, Steven Gerrard, Luis Garcia, Neil
Mellor and Milan Baros also sidelined for long spells.
(Sporting Life)
Lampard sorry for Alonso tackle
Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has apologised to Xabi Alonso
and Liverpool for the tackle which left the Spanish
international with a broken ankle.
Lampard was booked for the challenge which puts Alonso out of
action for six weeks.
Lampard said: "I'm disappointed because Alonso broke his ankle
which is just horrible. I didn't mean to do that at all and I
apologise to the player and hope he will back soon."
(LFC Official Website)
Rumour Mill: Reds to offload Kirkland
Liverpool are ready to listen to offers for Chris Kirkland
according to the Sunday papers.
With Jerzy Dudek back in the first team and a bid pending for
Leeds United's Scott Carson, Liverpool are prepared to
consider offers in the region of £4m.
(LFC Online)
Duo likely to face Norwich
Neil Mellor and Antonio Nunez could both come into Liverpool's
starting line-up at Norwich on Monday lunchtime.
Xabi Alonso has joined the Reds' growing injury list and is
set for two months out with a broken ankle.
The Spaniard misses the trip to East Anglia and it is
increasingly unlikely that striker Milan Baros will be risked
at Carrow Road as he battles to overcome his hamstring
problems.
Manager Rafael Benitez is also without Chris Kirkland, Josemi,
Vladimir Smicer, Djibril Cisse and Harry Kewell long term
which leaves him with very few alternatives.
Kick-off is at 12:45pm.
Liverpool (from): Dudek, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Traore,
Riise, Gerrard, Luis Garcia, Hamann, Nunez, Mellor,
Sinama-Pongolle, Diao, Warnock, Biscan, Harrison, Whitbread,
Welsh.
(TEAMtalk)
Carra unhappy with official
Jamie Carragher said he couldn't believe why referee Mike
Riley didn't give Liverpool a clear penalty in the defeat by
Chelsea and added it was hard to take.
Referee Mike Riley appeared ready to give Liverpool a penalty
in the first half when Tiago clearly handled the ball in his
own area but for whatever reason the official changed his
mind.
Carragher said: "The referee knew he had made a mistake
because in the next five minutes he gave us everything.
"He even had the whistle to his lips as though he was going to
blow and then gave us nothing. It was very hard to take."
(LFC Official Website) |
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SATURDAY 1 |
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Benitez: Result was unfair
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez bemoaned the result after
seeing his side lose 1-0 to Chelsea at Anfield on Saturday.
The Reds dominated for the majority of the game, only for Joe
Cole to come off the bench and steal the three points.
He said: "The result was unfair - we played very well in the
first half and controlled the game.
"Two things changed the game, first the injury to Xabi Alonso
and then the decision not to award us a penalty for the
handball by Tiago.
"I have not talked to the referee, I do not like to do that.
But after seeing the TV replays there is no doubt in my mind."
(ITV Football)
Jose praises super defence
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho hailed his team's defensive
qualities after they strengthened their position at the top of
the Premiership with a 1-0 win at Liverpool.
Chelsea have conceded only eight goals all season and Mourinho
said afterwards: "We won because of our fantastic defensive
organisation and because of a fantastic defensive performance
by the team - and some individuals in particular."
But the Portuguese added on Sky Sports News: "I think a draw
would be a fair result. We had big chances to score - in the
first half through Arjen (Robben) and in the second through
Eidur (Gudjohnsen) but they also had some."
(ITV Football)
Alonso blow for Liverpool
Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso broke his ankle during the
first half of Saturday's 1-0 home defeat against Chelsea and
is set to be sidelined for five to six weeks.
The Spain star had to be substituted after 27 minutes after
sustaining his injury in a challenge by Frank Lampard, who was
booked.
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez revealed later: "We have lost Xabi
for five or six weeks. It seems that we lose an important
player every week, it is very difficult."
(Sporting Life)
Goal king Cole sinks Reds
Joe Cole came off the bench to fire a priceless 81st-minute
winner as Chelsea claimed a vital 1-0 victory at Liverpool to
go eight points clear at the top.
The mercurial midfielder crashed a well-struck drive into the
bottom corner of Jerzy Dudek's net to help Jose Mourinho's men
to an Anfield triumph they barely deserved.
(TEAMtalk)
Liverpool v Chelsea - confirmed team
LFC: Dudek, Finnan, Hyypia, Carragher, Traore, Garcia,
Gerrard, Alonso, Hamann, Riise, Pongolle.
SUBS: Diao, Nunez, Warnock, Mellor, Harrison.
(Kop Talk)
Rafa reveals Saints interest
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has admitted Southampton have
enquired about signing some of their players.
Southampton manager Harry Redknapp is believed to be keen on
signing out-of-favour Reds duo Igor Biscan and Stephane
Henchoz in the January transfer window.
Benitez is willing to let the pair leave as he plans to
finance his own transfer dealings and admitted there could be
a number of players arriving and leaving this month.
"We should have things to report after the Norwich game," said
Benitez.
"We are talking with some players, and a lot of agents too.
"It is a possibility that players like Henchoz and Biscan
could be going.
"Southampton have talked to us because they are interested in
some players, but so are lots of clubs."
(LFC Official Website)
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Thor Zakariassen
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