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WEDNESDAY 3 |
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Gonzalez optimistic over Liverpool work
permit
Chilean winger Mark Gonzalez believes his application for a
Spanish passport is 'going well' and he aims to be a
Liverpool player by the end of the summer.
Gonzalez is effectively a Liverpool player, subject to a
work permit or passport, with contract details already
having been sorted out, but he has suffered a frustrating 18
months of injury and then being refused permission to start
his Anfield career.
Gonzalez, in a LFC magazine interview, said: "I have heard
that the passport application is progressing quite well, so
let's hope that I can get the EC Spanish passport which I
think then might be enough to play in the UK without needing
a work permit.
"That makes it more simple. Having a relevant passport is
vital for a footballer wherever you are in the world."
(SoccerNet)
Rafa to ring the changes
Rafael Benitez is likely to rotate his squad for the Reds'
final Premiership game of the season.
Liverpool play Portsmouth at Fratton Park on Sunday in their
last Premiership game of the season. Although the Reds are
still in the hunt for second place, Rafa Benitez is likely
to rest most of his first team regulars ahead of the FA Cup
final.
Reina, Carragher, Finnan, Alonso, Gerrard, Morientes and
Crouch are all likely to be left out of the starting line up
for the Pompey game.
If Manchester United are failing to win against Charlton on
Sunday then Benitez may be tempted to throw some of the
first teamers on to secure second place but the dismissal of
Luis Garcia against West Ham was a harshlesson and the Reds
are unlikely to want
to gamble.
(LFC Online)
Praise for Paco
Hugh McAuley has praised Paco Herrera as the Spaniard
prepares to leave Liverpool.
Last night's 2-0 defeat at Manchester City was Paco
Herrera's last game in joint charge of the reserves as he
will leave Liverpool at the end of the season and return to
Spain to be with his family.
Herrera has played a vital part in the reserves' and FA
youth Cup winning team's success this season as he was the
man who discovered Jack Hobbs, Godwin Antwi, Miki Roque and
Paul Anderson amongst others.
After last night's game fellow reserve team coach Hugh
McAuley paid tribute to the work of Herrera.
"Paco is an excellent coach and is a really good man who I
have enjoyed working with very much. I will be very sorry to
see him go." he said.
(LFC Online)
Fowler hopeful of Reds stay
Robbie Fowler admits he is still in the dark as to his
future, but believes he has the qualities to help Liverpool
next season.
Fowler made a surprise return to Anfield during the January
transfer window and his form has steadily improved over the
course of the last five months.
Reds chief Rafa Benitez only handed Fowler a short-term
contract, with the Spanish tactician challenging the striker
to prove himself worthy of a longer stay.
The 31-year-old has responded with a number of decent
efforts, but does not know if he has played his final game
in Reds colours in front of his adoring Anfield fans.
"It was a touching moment for me when the fans were chanting
my name at the end of the game, but I hope they don't think
it was a send-off for me," Fowler said of the recent win
over Aston Villa.
"I haven't heard anything about a new contract but I'm still
hoping that Saturday won't be my last game at Anfield for
Liverpool.
"I really do feel I have plenty left. Even I have been
slightly surprised with the way I have got stronger and
stronger this season.
"I know my body, I'll be the first to recognise when I'm not
up to it. But to be honest I feel great and I really don't
want Saturday to be my last game at Anfield."
(Sky Sports) |
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TUESDAY 2 |
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Agger plays 45 minutes in Reserves loss
Daniel Agger played his first game since returning from
injury but finished on the losing side as Liverpool Reserves
lost 2-0 at Manchester City in their final game of the
season.
The Danish international played the first 45 minutes of the
game for the Reds in Paco Herrera's final game in charge of
the reserves before he returns home to Spain in the summer.
Conditions at the Regional Athletics Stadium in Sportcity
were far from ideal and City took advantage of kicking with
the swirling wind facing them in the first half. The home
side scored both goals in the first half and although
Liverpool were much improved in the second period they just
couldn't find a way back into the match.
Liverpool Reserves: Martin, Barragan, Smith, Agger (Guthrie
45), O'Donnell, Hobbs, Hammill, Peltier (Roque 66), Calliste
(Anderson 60), Idrizaj, Foy. Subs not used: Lancaster (GK),
Antwi.
(LFC Official Website)
Rafa backs Crouch to boost England
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez says Peter Crouch has the
big-time temperament to handle the pressure if he is thrust
into the England front line.
With Wayne Rooney seemingly unlikely to make the World Cup
finals, Crouch is one of a handful of players suggested to
step into the side. And the Liverpool chief does not see
that as a problem.
He said: "Peter has the temperament and can handle the
responsibility. He has confidence in himself.
"What we must remember is how he dealt with things when he
went all those games without scoring a goal. People were
talking and talking but he continued working hard and he has
now scored 12 goals for us this season. He has enough
quality and experience for England."
(TEAMtalk)
Garcia named FA Cup Player of the Round
Liverpool midfielder Luis Garcia has been named the final
'Player of the Round' of this season following his FA Cup
semi final performance for the Reds over Chelsea.
Garcia also made FA Cup history as it is the first time that
three players from one club (Garcia, Gerrard, Carragher)
have won the Player of the Round award in
successive rounds.
(Kop Talk)
Dalglish thanks fans
Kenny Dalglish paid tribute to the supporters who turned out
in their droves for Replay 86 that raised much needed funds
for the Marina Dalglish appeal.
A crowd of over 33,000 turned out to see Liverpool beat
Everton 1-0 in a replay of the 1986 FA Cup Final and all
proceeds raised from the game will go towards the Marina
Dalglish Oncology unit in Fazakerley.
"It was a brilliant day and with nearly 33,000 people
turning out it was just fantastic," Dalglish enthused.
"It was such a fabulous day and I would like to thank
everybody for coming along and supporting us.
"It is always nice to win but the main thing is we will now
have a facility for the people of Merseyside to be proud
of."
Strike partner Ian Rush added: "Just walking down the tunnel
past the This is Anfield sign brings back fantastic memories
of when we used to play here.
"The crowd were absolutely fantastic and just to put on a
red shirt again was
absolutely superb."
(LFC Official Website)
Nicol glad to be back
Steve Nicol was glad to pull on the famous Red shirt and
play at Anfield once again.
Steve Nicol is now the highly successful coach of the New
England Patriots in the U.S. but even a ten hour flight from
Boston to Manchester on the morning of the game wasn't going
to prevent the former defender from playing at Anfield
again.
"It was absolutely fantastic to be back in a red shirt again
and play at Anfield and it was a pleasure to be here," Nicol
told the club's official website.
"When I got the call from Kenny asking if I would like to
play I just had to get a flight over to Liverpool, and it
was magic and we won the game as well which made it even
better.
"I arrived in Manchester at 7.45am on the morning of the
game but I was okay as I admit I had been in training for
this game back in America.
"To play in front of a big crowd again at Anfield and be
back amongst the boys was just something special. It was a
fantastic crowd for Marina's appeal and it was just a great
day. I knew Kenny would give stick as normal but it was
worth getting more stick again just to come back!"
(LFC Online)
Injury problems for West Ham
Liverpool's FA Cup final opponents West Ham have a few
injury worries after last night's game.
West Ham won 1-0 at West Brom last night but the victory
came at a cost with Matthew Ethreington pulling out just
before kick off after feeling a twinge in his abductor
muscle and Dean Ashton having to be subsituted after picking
up a hamstring injury.
"We're having a bad run at the wrong time. My guys are
picking up too many knocks. Anton Ferdinand [back] and James
Collins [groin] didn't even travel to West Bromwich and,
while they should be okay for the final, they're both
doubtful for the Spurs game," said West Ham manager Alan
Pardew.
"Yossi Benayoun picked up a groin strain in training and
we'll have to see how he is and now, of course, we've got to
add Matthew Etherington and Dean Ashton to the list."
(LFC Online) |
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MONDAY 1 |
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Reds leave it late to win replay 86
Almost 20 years to the very day Liverpool clinched an
historic league and cup double against Everton at Wembley, a
magnificent crowd of 32,947 turned out to see John Durnin
grab a 90th minute winner for Liverpool in a charity
re-match of the 1986 final.
Reds and Blues joined forces at Anfield this afternoon to
raise money for the Marina Dalglish Appeal as legends from
both divides dug out their boots again to restage the first
ever all-Merseyside FA Cup final.
After an emotional minute's applause to remember the lives
of Denise McAllister and Brian Labone, it was game on again
as 10 of the players who starred at Wembley for the Reds
back in '86 (Craig Johnston's place was taken by Steve
McMahon) took on their Everton counterparts, captained by
Kevin Ratcliffe.
For Kenny Dalglish, the man who organised the day, the
action lasted all of 53 seconds! Unable to reach a Jan Molby
pass out towards the wing, the Reds Player-Manager made his
first substitution of the game – himself. As he carried on
jogging right off the pitch and towards the bench, laughter
rang out from all four corners of the ground.
With the game looking destined to end in stalemate, John
Durnin popped up in the 90th minute to score the goal that
would win the game and break the Everton hearts. Anfield
loved it!
Liverpool: Bruce Grobbelaar, Mark Lawrenson, Jim Beglin,
Steve Nicol, Ronnie Whelan, Alan Hansen, Kenny Dalglish,
Kevin McDonald, Ian Rush, Jan Molby, Steve McMahon. Subs:
Alan Kennedy, Bob Bolder, Gary Gillespie, John Barnes, Ray
Houghton, John Durnin, John Wark, Gary Ablett
(LFC Official Website)
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Thor Zakariassen
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