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THURSDAY 3 |
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Cisse starts running at Melwood
Djibril Cisse today took a major step forward in his
rehabilitation from injury when he began running at Melwood.
Cisse has been sidelined since October when he fractured
both the tibia and fibia in his left leg after falling
awkwardly during the Reds' clash with Blackburn at Ewood
Park.
The French striker is definitely out for the rest of this
season but was able to do running work for the first time in
over four months this morning.
Club doctor Mark Waller told Liverpoolfc.tv: "Djibril
started running today which is great news. He is doing
really well and we're all delighted. He's on schedule to be
fit for the start of next season."
(LFC Official Website)
Dudek to recover for Toon clash
Jerzy Dudek is expected to be fit to take his place at
Newcastle this weekend, despite a seriously gashed shin.
The Polish keeper had 10 stitches during the Carling Cup
final and rookie Scott Carson was withdrawn from reserve
action earlier this week as a precaution.
However, manager Rafa Benitez wants to keep Carson out of
the firing line as Liverpool pursue Champions League
football.
Benitez thinks it's too early to thrust the Under-21
international into the fray and is banking on Dudek to play
through the pain barrier as he did so impressively during
the later stages at Cardiff.
(Liverpool Echo)
Robert keen to impress
Newcastle winger Laurent Robert is determined to impress
boss Graeme Souness when The Magpies play Liverpool.
The 29-year-old Frenchman has had a several run-ins with
Souness since the Scot took over as manager from Bobby
Robson.
In recent games Robert's performance level has improved,
including a new-found willingness to track back in defence.
Robert now hopes that he can continue his form when
Newcastle face Liverpool this weekend.
"I generally seem to do well against Liverpool but the most
important thing for us is that we win," Robert told the
Daily Express.
"We have enjoyed a good run and the team's confidence is
good now."
(Sky Sports)
Atletico eye Kewell
Spanish side Atletico Madrid are thought to be monitoring
Liverpool winger Harry Kewell.
The Australian wide-man has had a troubled season at
Anfield, with injuries not helping his chances of impressing
Rafa Benitez.
Coach Cesar Ferrando is an admirer of Kewell's and believes
he would add great quality to his side, forming an extra
supply line to star striker Fernando Torres.
Atletico sporting director Toni Munoz refused to confirm
that Kewell was a target, saying that they were monitoring a
number of potential signings.
(Sky Sports)
Rush future in the balance
The future of Chester City boss Ian Rush remains in the
balance after the Liverpool legend failed to agree a
settlement package to leave the club.
The former Wales international looked set to end his
seven-month spell as manager at the Saunders Honda Stadium
after seeing his side drop to 21st in the League Two table.
Reported disagreements with chairman Stephen Vaughan
regarding the running of the club looked to have taken their
toll, with both Rush and assistant Mark Aizlewood set to
part ways by mutual consent this week.
However, Vaughan has revealed that Rush and Aizlewood have
failed to agree to the settlement package he has offered the
pair and indicated that they might still be in charge on
Saturday.
Rush took charge of Chester back in August after previous
boss Mark Wright
(Planet Football/Sky Sports)
Owen delighted with Real display
Michael Owen revelled in his return to the to the Real
Madrid starting line-up and inspired a 3-1 win over Real
Betis on Wednesday by scoring the first goal.
He said: "I am happy I could play a game from the start
again.
"I felt good all though the game and it is obvious that I am
happy to have scored another goal.
"People have talked a lot about my performances and I think
I have had some months that were not so good and others that
were very good."
(BBC Sport Online)
Mellor out for rest of season
Liverpool reserve striker Neil Mellor will undergo knee
surgery on Thursday. The Sheffield-born hitman will have an
operation on both of his knees to correct tendonitis. Mellor
had been struggling with the injury since early February.
Mellor has had several memorable moments this season,
including the game winning goals against Arsenal in the
Premiership, Olympiakos in the Champions League, and
Middlebrough in the Carling Cup.
Full back Josemi is also out with a knee injury after
tearing the lining at the back of his right knee in the
reserve match against Manchester United. He will be out
around two weeks and should return for either Blackburn or
Everton (both at home).
(This is Anfield) |
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WEDNESDAY 2 |
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FA decides not to punish Mourinho
The Football Association will take no action against Chelsea
boss Jose Mourinho following his sending-off in Sunday's
Carling Cup final.
Mourinho, who was sent from the touchline for appearing to
taunt Liverpool fans, has been "reminded of his
responsibilities to the game".
But the FA confirmed: "There will be no further action taken
in this matter."
(BBC Sport Online)
Carson hoping to make his debut
Scott Carson will await the resutls of a late fintess test
to Jerzy Dudek before finding out if he is to make his debut
for Liverpool.
The Polish keeper was injured in the Carling Cup Final last
weekend and the former Leeds youngster could be set to make
his first appearance for the club at
Newcastle United.
(LFC Online)
Baros: My time with Reds may be ending
Milan Baros has warned Liverpool he may look to quit the
club this summer if he fails to win a regular place in the
Reds' starting line-up for the rest of the season.
"I think my time at the club is ticking down," said the
Czech striker.
"I've nothing against Liverpool. I love the fans and am
proud of being able to play here.
"All I want is to play regularly. If it's not going to be
here, then I hope that I will get a good offer from
elsewhere."
"I stayed at Liverpool in the hope I would be playing more,"
complained the 23-year-old.
"After Owen left for Real and Cisse got injured, it looked
like I could begin making regular appearances in the
starting line-up. But it seems they just don't regard me as
a regular starter.
"I need to play regularly and not just waste my time on the
bench."
(Liverpool Echo)
Kluivert in race to be fit to face
Liverpool
Newcastle striker Patrick Kluivert is trying to shake off a
groin injury in the hope of facing Liverpool at the weekend.
Kluivert has missed Newcastle's last two games against
Heerenveen in the UEFA Cup and Bolton in the Premiership due
to the injury but he's now back in training and hoping to
make the squad.
Newcastle assistant manager Alan Murray said: "Patrick has
had a grade one tear in his groin, but he is progressing
very well and we are hopeful that he will be back for
us on Saturday."
(Kop Talk)
Rush 'set to leave' Chester position
Speculation was rife last night that the Chester City
management duo of Ian Rush and Mark Aizlewood were poised to
leave the Coca-Cola League Two club.
Crisis talks were held between the pair and chairman Stephen
Vaughan last night, and it is thought that a definitive
decision regarding the duo's future will be made in the next
24 hours.
Chester have suffered an alarming sequence of results
lately, which has seen the club fail to register a goal in
eight of their last 10 league outings, as well as losing
their last three matches.
Rush and Aizlewood took over the managerial reins at Chester
at the end of August, following a short stint in a caretaker
capacity by ex-Wigan Athletic manager Ray Mathias.
Following a series of indifferent loan and permanent
signings, Vaughan recently made it clear that he had serious
reservations about the management's ability to bring in the
type of player that was required by Chester.
(Daily Post)
Reserves beaten by United
Josemi suffered another injury setback as Liverpool Reserves
were beaten 1-0 by Manchester United in the Barclays FA
Premier Reserve League North last night.
The former Malaga fullback was forced to leave the field
just before half-time after twisting his knee.
Paul Harrison returned from a months loan at Leeds to take
his place in the Liverpool goal, and was in inspired form.
Harrison thwarted United on numerous occasions, and it
needed a fantastic strike from Liam Miller to finally beat
him.
Liverpool struggled to create chances, and two long-range
efforts from Darren Potter were all they had to show.
The second half saw United create a number of fine chances.
Jones left Zak Whitbread for dead only to see Harrison
produce a wonderful save.
Ritchie Partridge had two goal attempts shooting tamely at
Ricardo after Jon Otsemobor had done brilliantly on the
right wing, and then with five minutes remaining the young
Irishman's fierce strike was brilliantly tipped away by the
United keeper.
LIVERPOOL: Harrison, Josemi (O'Donnell 44), Raven, J Smith
(Wilkie 79), Whitbread, Mannix, Otsemobor, Welsh, Le Tallec,
Potter, Partridge.
(Daily Post) |
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TUESDAY 1 |
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Baros blasts quit talk
Milan Baros has blasted speculation that he had a row with
Liverpool's coaching staff at Sunday's Carling Cup final.
The Czech Republic striker was disappointed to be left on
the bench for his side's 3-2 defeat to Chelsea and some
newspapers claimed he is seeking a move away from Anfield in
the summer.
"My goodness, what are these speculations?" he asked Idnes.
"I don't know where they have got this information from.
Maybe this is only speculation from a few press men.
"And do you know what is the real truth? I haven't spoken
with anybody for two days.
"We were given a rest and I haven't even been at our
stadium.
"It's nonsense. I had no row with anyone from our coaching
staff."
(Planet Football/Sky Sports)
Thompson says Gerrard should stay
Liverpool legend Phil Thompson has pleaded with Steve
Gerrard to reject any overtures from Chelsea.
The ex-Reds assistant boss also warned that any honours won
at Chelsea would be cheapened by the bid to buy success.
He told BBC Radio Five Live: "Liverpool would think about
any bid made but it will all be down to Steve in the end.
"But it wouldn't have that same sweet feeling at Chelsea,
where it's all money-orientated and about simply buying the
best."
"I hope Champions League football will beckon for Liverpool
- either as winners or as finishing fourth in the
Premiership - and he will commit himself.
"There has been a lot of soul-searching the way things have
gone lately.
"I hope he's hardening to the fact he will have big
decisions to make but I hope it is to the benefit of Steven
Gerrard and I hope it is worthwhile for Liverpool."
(BBC Sport Online)
Furious Baros to quit Kop
Milan Baros is on his way out of Liverpool after a bust-up
about being axed for the Carling Cup final.
The Czech Republic striker was fuming with boss Rafa Benitez
for picking Harry Kewell ahead of him for the showpiece game
with Chelsea. Baros had angry words with the Anfield
coaching staff about the selection and was furious about
being left out, as he had been for the final two years ago
under Gerard Houllier.
(Daily Mirror)
Cahill: Pressure is all on Liverpool now
Tim Cahaill believes the pressure is now on Liverpool to
catch Everton in the race for fourth place in the Barclays
Premiership this season.
The 25-year-old played a key role in Everton's best
performance of the season at the weekend, the 3-1 win at
Aston Villa, meaning the gap between the two is now eight
points. Although Rafael Benitez's side, who lost in the
Carling Cup final to Chelsea on Sunday, have a game in hand.
He said: "The win puts pressure on other teams after what
was definitely the best performance of the season."
"You can say that we are thriving on the pressure at the
moment but we have really got no choice," he added. "If you
want yourself up there knocking about with the big boys then
you have got to play well.
The pressure will mount again on Liverpool on Saturday when
they have a tough away match against Newcastle, their first
outing since the shattering experience of losing in Cardiff.
If Benitez's side fail to win, Everton can take full
advantage at home to struggling Blackburn the following day.
Cahill added: "We just have to take it one game at a time
and get the most we can out of it. Next weekend we have got
Blackburn and again we will be playing for a result."
(Daily Post)
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Thor Zakariassen
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