|
|
|
|
FRIDAY 3 |
|
|
McAllister's wife loses battle
The wife of former Scotland captain Gary McAllister has lost
her battle against breast cancer, a family spokesman said on
Friday.
Mother-of-two Denise died in a Nottingham hospital with her
husband at her bedside.
Former Leeds star McAllister gave up his job as
player-manager of Coventry City in 2003 to nurse his wife
during her illness.
The former Liverpool midfielder, 41, had said of his choice
to quit Coventry to care for Denise: "As far as I was
concerned it wasn't a decision. It was just the natural
thing to do; I didn't want to be at a football club."
Gary married Denise at Gretna Green in 1993, and they had a
son Jake, now aged 10.
(TEAMtalk)
Rafa hits back at Van Basten
Rafael Benitez has hit back at Marco Van Basten after the
Dutch coach criticised Jan Kromkamp's move to Liverpool.
Van Basten has dropped the Liverpool defender from the
national squad because of his lack of first team action and
has publicly criticised his decision to move to Liverpool.
But Benitez insists Kromkamp made the right move and has
criticised Van Basten's decision to talk to the press about
his views.
"I have seen the comments," said the Liverpool boss. "If you
want to say something like this you should talk directly to
the player, not to the press," said Benitez.
"If you want to control the career of the player, talk to
him, not to the newspapers. In football now you expect to
hear agents talk like this, but not people with no daily
relationship with the player.
"It's not his business. We're talking about the future of a
player and his family. I don't see how joining Liverpool can
be negative. Kromkamp was not playing in Villarreal and we
decided to make a good swap.
"He started for Liverpool last weekend and worked hard as a
right winger. We used him because we need a solution and he
showed he is a good player."
(LFC Online)
Reds chase more goals
Liverpool defender John Arne Riise has urged his side to put
more impetus on scoring goals.
The Anfield club can claim they are only being denied second
place in the Barclays Premiership because of their dreadful
goalscoring record.
The victory last weekend against Manchester City put them
level on points with Manchester United but, with a goal
difference that is an alarming nine goals worse than their
rivals, it is clear that in a very tight race for runners-up
spot, Liverpool are in danger of finishing behind the Old
Trafford side.
He said: "The race for second spot could go right to the
wire and that's why we'd like to score goals to put more
pressure on them.
"We'll see if United slip up or not or whether we score more
in the remaining games. It's going to be an exciting finish
for second."
Riise says: "You can see defensively we're very strong.
There are clean sheets nearly every game. As soon as we
start scoring more we'll be on fire."
(PA Sport)
Benitez rules out Real move
Rafa Benitez insists he is focused on Liverpool despite
links with Real Madrid.
The Spanish press have reported this week that Fernando
Martin, the new president at the Bernabeu, wants Benitez to
lead his side in their quest for honours next season.
Martin regards the current campaign as a failure with the
Madrid giants facing a Champions League exit at hands of
Arsenal as well as trailing arch rivals Barcelona in the
Primera Liga by 10 points
Benitez has made it known that he wants to take control of
the 'galacticos' in his career, but he has now told the
Liverpool Echo that he is fully committed to the job at
Anfield.
"I have a clear idea whenever anyone in Spain talks about
this," Benitez said.
"I am focused on three competitions with my club, Liverpool.
I want to win every game. I hear information from Spain, but
my priority is the next game against Charlton, the Champions
League and the FA Cup."
(Sporting Life)
Rafa hopes to have Sissoko back in July
Rafael Benitez says he now hopes Momo Sissoko will return
for pre-season training next July as he continues his
recovery from an eye injury.
Liverpool still aren't sure of the extent of the damage,
although they're more optimistic of a full recovery.
Once the swelling has gone, they can determine if Sissoko
has a detached retina, which is treatable.
Benitez said: "Momo is much better. I spoke to him on
Wednesday. He's progressing and we are very happy with him.
"If everything goes to plan we can see him in pre-season.
I'd like it to be sooner, but I'm not sure. The most
important thing now is for Momo to rest."
(Liverpool Echo)
Finnan injury boost
Steve Finnan is hopeful of facing Charlton
tomorrow afternoon.
Finnan had to pull out of the Republic of Ireland's squad to
face Sweden in midweek with a slight neck injury. However,
the on form full-back has had constant treatment since
returning from Dublin and hopes to face Charlton at Anfield
tomorrow.
"I picked up the injury last weekend but the good news is
it's improving every day," said Finnan.
"I joined up with the Irish squad in midweek hoping I'd be
able to be involved against Sweden but it didn't settle down
in time. I came back to Melwood where I've been having
treatment over the last couple of days and it's definitely
getting better now.
"I want to be involved on Saturday but we'll have to see how
it goes in training first. If everything goes okay then I
should be okay to be involved.
(LFC Online) |
|
|
THURSDAY 2 |
|
|
Finnan slams racism claims
Steve Finnan has today strongly denied claims that he
racially abused Patrice Evra during Liverpool's Premiership
clash at Manchester United in January.
Two fans made the accusations to Manchester police that they
had lip-read Finnan using a racist taunt while watching the
game on television.
The allegation has since been rejected by Liverpool
officials after they employed a lip-reader to study video
evidence from the game, with a club spokesman saying
'there's absolutely no evidence to back up this outrageous
slur'.
Finnan admits he has been hurt by the accusations and
insists he would never use such language.
He told Liverpoolfc.tv: "I was astonished when I heard of
the accusations and I categorically deny them.
"It was disappointing to read the stories in the press. To
suggest I would use racist language is very hurtful.
"I don't really feel I should have to come out and say I
didn't say this or I didn't say that, but because of what
has been said and written I think it's important I do
respond and set the record straight. I didn't say what has
been alleged. It's all lies."
(LFC Official Website)
Riise dismisses burnout fears
Liverpool's John Arne Riise has dismissed suggestions he
could suffer from burnout amid a hectic schedule of club and
international action.
Riise represented Norway against Senegal in a friendly on
Wednesday but the left-sided player has dismissed
suggestions that the build up of fixtures is inhibiting his
performances.
On the contrary, Riise believes he can only benefit from
more match experience even if it does leave little time for
training.
"The more matches I play the better I get," Riise told
Dagbladet.
"We hardly train these days. It is just matches and
recovery. But I might get worn out in the long run.
"I have never been to Africa before so it was an exciting
experience."
(Sky Sports)
Liverpool admit coach could quit Anfield
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has admitted that his
assistant Paco Herrera could quit the club in the summer to
return to Spain.
Herrera plans to return to his homeland for family reasons
when his two year Anfield contract expires this summer. He
left his family behind when he came to Liverpool and is now
looking at returning to Spain to be with them again.
Rafa is hoping to persuade Herrera not to leave but if he
does, there is every possibility that he could still be the
chief scout from an office in Spain which would enable him
to be with his family and also travel Europe on a regular
basis. He could easily fly into Liverpool to team-up with
Rafa etc.
Speaking today, the boss said: "We are talking about Paco's
future because he is an important person for us and he's
doing a very good job.
"It's a possibility he will stay, but it's also possible he
will return to Spain because his family is there. We are
thinking about a possible solution."
(Kop Talk)
Finnan appreciates praise
Steve Finnan says he appreciates the praise he is getting
from Rafael Benitez.
Before Liverpool's game with Man City last weekend, Rafa
Benitez claimed Finnan was playing the best football of his
career. The Irish international was glad of the praise but
typically modest with it.
"I had the tag 'unsung hero' at others clubs so it's nice to
get some recognition but it's more important to me the team
is playing well and winning," said Finnan.
"I saw what the manager said about me over the weekend. It's
nice when you know he has confidence in you.
"I'm pleased with my form but I feel we're all playing to a
good level."
(LFC Online)
Angry Parry raps Reds fans
Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry has deplored
the behaviour of some of The Reds' own supporters.
Parry's outburst follows taunts aimed at Manchester United's
Alan Smith who was stricken following an horrific leg break
in the recent FA Cup clash with United at Anfield.
Parry has even claimed that a number of Reds fans
extraordinarily laid siege to the ambulance that was
transporting the former Leeds man from the ground.
After extrovert celebrations following United's victory over
Liverpool in The Premiership, Gary Neville was also, not
surprisingly, a target for the Anfield offenders.
"Our victory was marred by the dreadful injury to Alan Smith
and the subsequent bad publicity about some of the
chanting," said Parry.
"This was followed by an attack on the ambulance taking the
player to hospital.
"Of course we were quick to condemn the behaviour of some of
our fans following the injury.
"It's unacceptable and we won't shy away from saying so
although we acknowledge those who gave the player tremendous
applause as he left the field.
"We utterly condemn any Munich songs or offensive gestures.
"Some of the chanting against Gary Neville, regardless of
his previous behaviour, was also near the knuckle."
(Sky Sports) |
|
|
WEDNESDAY 1 |
|
|
Crouch on target for England
Peter Crouch was on target at Anfield as England came from
behind to defeat Uruguary 2-1 in Wednesday’s international
friendly.
Crouch, a second half sub for Wayne Rooney, rose to head
home Joe Cole’s left wing cross on 74 minutes. And it was
Cole who grabbed the winner in extra time - the Chelsea man
was England’s most impressive player on the night.
Steven Gerrard came through the first 45 minutes thankfully
unscathed, and Jamie Carragher replaced Wayne Bridge at left
back after the Fulham man picked up a bad injury. Carragher
could now become part of the starting line-up after Ashley
Cole’s injury set-back this week.
Meanwhile, the Republic of Ireland recorded an impressive
3-0 win over Sweden - one of England’s opponents in the
group stages in Germany this summer. It was Steve Staunton’s
first game in charge and Damien Duff, Robbie Keane and Liam
Miller scored at Landsdowne Road.
(This is Anfield)
Kromkamp happy with Reds switch
Jan Kromkamp has responded to criticism of his move to
Liverpool by the Dutch national coach, Marco Van Basten.
Kromkamp has been left out of the squad for tonight's
friendly with Ecuador because of lack of first team action
at his new club, according to Van Basten.
"I don't want to say too much about it," said the young
defender.
"I just can only say that I have got the feeling, that for
myself, I have made a beautiful step. I'm very fit and I
feel very happy here."
"If the national coach would appeal to me, then I'm ready
for it. And if he finds that others are better, then he has
to take someone else.
"Of course I would love to go to the World Cup, but I can
only wait and do my best."
(LFC Online)
Gerrard: Sissoko blow is a worry
Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard says the freak eye injury
that Momo Sissoko sustained makes footballers realise how
quickly their careers could come to a premature end.
News of Momo's progress has been positive but nobody knows
if he'll play again. The club is trying to remain confident
not just for its own sake but also the player who's head is
naturally down.
Gerrard said: "It makes you realise you need to look after
yourself and be careful when you are out there. An incident
like that can end your career if you are very unlucky.
"The news we have had on Momo this week has been very good
and we are hoping to have him back before the end of the
season.
"As a player, it is incidents like that which make you
realise how short your career actually can be, just given
one small incident like that.
"You have got to make the most of it, enjoy it. You do not
know what is around the corner. So you have got to go out
there and enjoy every game."
(Kop Talk)
Police investigate claims that
Finnan made racist remark to Evra
A police investigation has been launched after deaf football
fans complained they had lip-read Liverpool's Steve Finnan
making a racist remark towards Patrice Evra of Manchester
United.
The Merseyside club immediately denounced the claim as an
"outrageous slur" but Greater Manchester police confirmed
last night that inquiries are ongoing into allegations that
the Liverpool full-back "made an offensive comment" during
last month's 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford.
It is understood that the alleged remark was picked up by
fans watching the game on television. Two contacted the
police, as well as Manchester United, and claimed they had
lip-read what the Republic of Ireland international
apparently said. Police are understood to have taken
statements and to be reviewing footage of the game.
United will not comment because it is a possible criminal
matter.
Finnan returned to Liverpool last night after being forced
out of the Republic of Ireland's squad to face Sweden in
Dublin because of a neck injury. "The player vehemently
denies these allegations," the Liverpool spokesman added.
"He has not used any
such language."
(The Guardian)
|
|
Thor Zakariassen
© |
|
