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FRIDAY 3 |
Rafa won't rule out 20-year Anfield stay
Reds boss Rafa Benitez was asked today if he could see
himself at a club for 20-years. The question came because of
Sir Alex Ferguson's 20-year stint at Old Trafford. "Even at
Liverpool?" asked the journo. "Why not?" fired back the
boss. Sublime.
His exact words:
"Why not? I think if you have a good relationship with the
supporters and you are at a good club you can win trophies.
If you can do the things you want to do to improve the team
and the club, I think it would be fantastic to be at the
same club for the same time. "
(Kop Talk)
Benitez: Reds ready to rock prem
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez believes the Premiership is
about to see the very best of his team.
Three successive victories in a week in three different
competitions have helped set the stage for their home clash
with promoted Reading tomorrow.
And Liverpool will be protecting a formidable home record
that has seen them take 57 from the last 63 points on offer
over the last 21 unbeaten league matches at Anfield.
That stretches back 13 months to a 4-1 home defeat by
Chelsea and is in sharp contrast with a ragged away form.
But Benitez feels his prediction that Liverpool would not be
at their best until November is about to come true.
He said: "We have won three games this week and scoring
goals and that means our players are confident and everyone
is talking positively about them.
He added: "I said many times that we would not see the best
Liverpool until November and that was because of all the
distractions of the World Cup and international breaks
stopping players working together and being able to train to
the best level."
(PA Sport)
Benitez won't risk players
Rafa Benitez admits he will not gamble on his players'
fitness, with Craig Bellamy due to sit out Liverpool's game
with Reading.
Bellamy has missed The Reds' last four games with a calf
complaint and is being eased back to fitness by Benitez.
The Liverpool boss revealed the striker is fit, but has
opted against including the Wales international in his plans
for Saturday's encounter.
Mindful of his players aggravating any knocks, Benitez
concedes he is not prepared to take risks with his squad's
fitness.
"He's fit, but he's not in the squad," Benitez told Sky
Sports News about Bellamy.
"Sometimes if you have some players with problems, then you
must be careful because there is a big risk."
(Sky Sports)
Carra joins a 300 club
With 299 league appearances, two goals and at least six
positions under his belt, Jamie Carragher celebrates another
Anfield landmark tomorrow.
If selected to face Reading, the Liverpool defender will
reach the treble century nearly ten years on from his debut
as a teenager under Roy Evans.
Having started life in the reserves as a striker, Carragher
has established himself during different periods as a
central midfielder, wing back, right back, left back and
ultimately a centre half over a decade's impeccable service.
The last three Liverpool managers have been glowing in their
tributes of one of the most consistent players in the club's
illustrious history.
And at 28, injury permitting, Carragher is destined to go on
to join an elite group of players who have made more than
500 career appearances for the Reds.
"Obviously I'll be very proud to reach 300 Premiership
games," said Carragher, who has 432 appear-ances in all
competitions."
(Liverpool Echo)
Murty may have to wait
Reading skipper Graeme Murty is unlikely to make his
comeback from a hamstring problem at Liverpool tomorrow.
The Royals are reluctant to rush the defender back so he is
set to remain on the sidelines with long-term absentees Dave
Kitson (knee), John Halls (Achilles), Peter Mate (knee),
Simon Cox (broken leg) and Aaron Brown (ankle).
Midfielder Stephen Hunt is back in contention after being
left out for last week’s 3-1 defeat at Portsmouth.
Provisional squad: Hahnemann, Gunnarsson, Ingimarsson,
Sonko, Shorey, Little, Sidwell, Harper, Convey, Doyle, Seol,
Lita, Long, de la Cruz, Bikey, Oster, Hunt, Federici.
(Ireland On-Line) |
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THURSDAY 2 |
Crouch backing Gerrard stay
Liverpool striker Peter Crouch cannot see Reds colleague
Steven Gerrard ever leaving the Merseysiders.
Gerrard's form has come under the microscope of late after
being given a wide right role under Rafa Benitez.
It had been suggested the time may have come for Gerrard to
leave Anfield in order to further his club career.
However, Crouch has played down Gerrard's so-called lack of
form and thinks he will never leave Liverpool.
"I don't think that was ever an issue about Steven leaving,"
he told Sky Sports News. "He loves the club and I can't see
him ever leaving to be honest."
(Sky Sports)
Crouch support for Benitez
Peter Crouch does not see a reason why Rafa Benitez should
ditch his rotation policy at Liverpool.
Benitez had gone 99 games without fielding the same line-up
prior to picking his team for Tuesday's UEFA Champions
League win over Bordeaux.
His constant changing of the team has been put forward as
the reason for Liverpool's lacklustre start in The
Premiership this season, but Crouch stands by his manager.
"I think it's a big thing outside of the dressing room,"
Crouch told Sky Sports News.
"The manager has always had his way of changing players and
rotating the team. It has worked well wherever he's been."
(Sky Sports)
Gerrard: We've let Rafa down
Steven Gerrard believes he and his teammates have let
manager Rafa Benitez down so far this term.
But the skipper insists he is doing all he can to rediscover
top form – and help others do the same.
"It's away from home that we've really been letting
ourselves, the manager and the supporters down," Gerrard
told LFC Magazine.
The Liverpool captain also backed Rafa Benitez to bring the
glory days back to Anfield.
"You've got to trust the manager. I certainly trust him. I
work with the man every day and I listen to what he's got to
say because I know he'll help me improve and help me find my
best form again.
"I trust his ideas and I know he'll be proved right sooner
or later. We couldn't have a better manager in place to lead
us out of our slump and we are coming out of it."
(LFC Official Website)
Worst is firmly behind us, declares Kuyt
Dirk Kuyt senses the worst is behind Liverpool, after
claiming the club has emerged stronger from a traumatic
start to the season.
With four defeats and the resignation of former chairman
Noel White, it's been an unexpectedly distressing opening to
the campaign for the club.
But as Rafa Benitez's side aim for their fourth straight win
this weekend, Kuyt is determined to prove the side can
maintain its move upwards in the months to come.
"We have scored ten goals in three games, and now we're
starting to show our quality," said Kuyt.
"We have a very good team and have showed this over the last
few matches. Now we have to go on from here and win the next
few games."
(Liverpool Echo)
Clarets eye Liverpool ace?
Burnley are being linked with a loan move for Liverpool
midfielder David Mannix.
The highly-rated 20-year-old has been made available for
loan by the Reds.
(Clubcall Sports)
Bordeaux star admits Riise regret
Bordeaux midfielder Fernando says he deeply regrets
headbutting Liverpool defender John Arne Riise during the
Reds' 3-0 Champions League win on Tuesday.
The Brazilian attacked the Norwegian in the second half of
the match, and was promptly sent off.
Fernando says he apologised to Riise, and is mystified by
his own behaviour:
"What I did is very difficult to explain. Just before
everything happened everyone could see there was a foul by
Sissoko on Ducasse.
"I put the ball out, but Liverpool looked to play on. That
was unfair.
"It doesn't explain what I did afterwards and I am very
disappointed that I could do that because I didn't want to
strike him. But for two or three seconds I was not myself
any more.
"I know I gave a burden to my team and I made a big mistake.
This must help me in
the future."
(Clubcall Sports)
Wigan Res 0, Liverpool Res 2
Liverpool Reserves tasted victory for the first
time this season, as goals from Paul Anderson and Besian
Idrizaj secured a 2-0 win at Wigan Athletic in the Barclays
FA Premier Reserve League North last night.
Danny Guthrie went close to opening the scoring, after just
four minutes, but his curling effort from the corner of the
box, was tipped over by Wigan keeper Russell Saunders.
Saunders came to his side's rescue again shortly after when
he just about kept out a well-struck 30-yard free-kick from
David Mannix.
Idrizaj then wasted a great opportunity after being fed by
Craig Lindfield, but he hit his shot straight at Saunders.
Liverpool went in front on the half hour mark when Lindfield
and Idrizaj combined well to set up Anderson for his first
goal of the season.
The two front men combined to good effect again for the
second goal six minutues after the break, Idrizaj scoring at
the second attempt after being played through by Lindfield.
Anderson and Idrizaj both should have scored again in
stoppage time, as the Reds ran out comfortable victors.
Liverpool Reserves: Roberts, Peltier, Smith, Roque, Antwi,
Mannix, El Zhar, Guthrie, Lindfield, Idrizaj, Anderson.
(Daily Post) |
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WEDNESDAY 1 |
Carragher predicts top-class Gerrard
Liverpool are about to see the resurgence of Steven Gerrard,
who is finally "up and running" after scoring his first goal
of the season and steering the Reds to the last 16 of the
Champions League.
You could almost reach out and touch the relief around
Anfield when he found the target against Bordeaux - at the
15th attempt in Liverpool's colours.
Leading the praise for the 26-year-old England midfielder
was his close pal Jamie Carragher.
"Stevie is up and running now, and it was a great relief for
him to get that goal," said the Liverpool defender.
(PA Sport)
Riise: Rafa's team made us smile
John Arne Riise has revealed how Rafael Benitez's
decision to name the same team for the first time in 100
games brought smiles to the Liverpool dressing room last
night.
The Liverpool boss surprised everybody by sticking with the
players who had defeated Aston Villa on Saturday and sending
out the same starting eleven to face Bordeaux.
"When he told us it would be the same team as Saturday we
just looked at each other and started smiling. This was the
hundredth game - he couldn't be keeping the same team, could
he?
"There was a great atmosphere in the dressing room before
the game anyway, but this just added to the fantastic
feeling we all had. It was a nice moment and good fun."
(LFC Official Website)
Koeman eyes top spot for PSV
PSV Eindhoven coach Ronald Koeman aims to top Champions
League Group C after his side secured qualification to the
knockout stages.
PSV made sure of their spot in the next phase with a 2-0 win
over Galatasary at the Philips Stadion on Tuesday night and
their remaining task now is to beat Liverpool to first place
in the pool.
Koeman, after watching goals from Timmy Simons and Arouna
Kone see off the Turks, said: "We want to make the absolute
best out of the two last games too and end as group winners.
"I am extremely proud of the squad and everyone around it,
it's a fantastic success."
Koeman was pleased with how his side dispatched Gala, and
particularly how they adapted to the 38th-minute sending-off
of visitors' defender Stjepan Tomas
"We had a difficult first half, but the red card gave us a
boost," added Koeman.
"We played well and finished the job professionally. We
scored the goals at
the perfect times."
(TEAMtalk)
Emon: We won't rush Cisse
Marseille coach Albert Emon insists Djibril Cisse will not
be rushed back into the first team, regardless of the team's
problems.
The 24-year-old loanee Liverpool striker returned to
training at the Stade Velodrome in mid-October after
four-and-a-half-months out of action with a broken leg.
He has yet to play for l'OM since joining the club in the
summer, and had predicted he would be back by the end of
September or October.
But Emon remains relaxed about the situation, moving to
reassure Marseille fans that the French international is
still making good progress.
"Everything is alright, he is still working separately from
the group with his personal trainer Jean-Charles Cellier,"
Emon explained.
"He is making great progress with the ball it is perfect.
"I can't tell you a date for his return to competition.
"He will decide by himself when he feels ready to face duels
and full contact. The player has the final say on that
decision."
(Sky Sports)
Unity pledge as director White quits
Liverpool chairman David Moores has called for unity at
Anfield, after rebel director Noel White resigned.
White quit his post of the past 21-years, after confirming
he was the unnamed director who had been quoted in a
national newspaper last week, questioning manager Rafael
Benitez's leadership and transfer dealings.
"This is very sad for both the club and Mr White, who has
been a valuable member of the board for 21 years," said
Moores.
"However, the board considers that the statements made do
not reflect its own views and thatthis is not the Liverpool
way of doing business. The proper place for debate is around
the boardroom table.
"It is vital that we pull together at all times whether on
the field or off it. It has to be said that at the first
available opportunity on the day the article appeared Mr
White was completely honest in telling me that he was
responsible for it."
(Liverpool Echo)
Carragher hails Garcia display
Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher says midfielder Luis
Garcia deserves immense credit for his recent performances.
Garcia scored twice in Liverpool's 3-0 home win over
Bordeaux in the Champions League on Tuesday, and he also
scored against Aston Villa on Saturday.
Carragher told the club website he believes the skilful
28-year-old deserves more praise than he gets:
"I'm not sure what everyone else's record is but his
goals-per-game ratio in Europe is astonishing, particularly
because he's a midfielder and not a forward.
"He doesn't play as often in the Premiership as he does in
the Champions League but he has got around 30 goals in his
career at Liverpool and he's only been here for just over
two years - that's an unbelievable effort from him."
(Clubcall Sports)
Reds showing true character
Character is one major asset Liverpool teams have shown down
the decades.
But this current team has revealed in the past week that
they have it in abundance, too.
It is often said that football is a funny old game, and how
true that has been with the events on and off the pitch at
Anfield since that disappointing defeat at Old Trafford.
I was highly critical of the team over their performance
against Manchester United - but if you were looking for a
positive response from that setback it has come in the best
possible way.
Ten goals, three victories and enough good football to
suggest that the Reds may finally be getting to grips with
their season.
(Tommy Smith - Liverpool Echo)
Stevie: The spark is back
Steven Gerrard believes the 'spark' has returned to his game
after admitting he'd not been producing the goods earlier in
the season.
The skipper was relieved to claim his first of the campaign
in the 3-0 win over Bordeaux, as Liverpool secured their
last 16 Champions League place.
And now Gerrard senses a definite shift in momentum as the
Reds seek to maintain their winning streak.
"It was a weight off my mind to get the goal," he said.
"I had a few chances before and you could see I was getting
too anxious. But I just had a feeling it was going to come
last night.
"The most important thing for me is always going to be the
team, but I know if I'm playing to my best I can have a big
influence on our form.
(Liverpool Echo)
Benitez explains change of tactic
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has explained why he
unusually opted for an unchanged line-up in Tuesday's 3-0
win over Bordeaux in the Champions League.
It was the first time in 100 games that Benitez had not made
an alteration from the previous team he had selected.
He said: "The players were physically strong enough to play
and had the motivation for the Champions League.
"So, I thought if we are playing well, we have the
confidence and we have time, then we can use the same team."
(BBC Sport Online)
Gerrard loving Anfield life
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has brushed aside any talk
of his unrest at Anfield, as he bagged his first goal of the
season in a 3-0 UEFA Champions League victory over Bordeaux.
"You look at my performance tonight, it didn't look
unsettled," insisted Gerrard.
"I will be at Liverpool for many years to come and I'm
loving every second."
(Sky Sports)
Liverpool midfielder set for Championship
switch
David Mannix is poised to make a loan move away from Anfield
The highly-rated 20-year-old will be watched in action for
the reserves against Wigan on Wednesday, with the Reds keen
to get him some first-team action after he suffered a broken
ankle in January.
(Fans FC)
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Thor Zakariassen
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