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FRIDAY 3 |
Rafa warns City off Stevie
Rafa Benitez has warned Manchester City's new owners not
bother setting their sights on Steven Gerrard.
With the Abu Dhabi United Group recently completing their
takeover of City, the Blues have rocketed to the top of
football's rich list.
A record breaking deal for Robinho on transfer deadline day
is seen as
a sign of things to come, with the Blues expected to once
again break
the bank when the transfer window re-opens in January.
City's new regime have made it clear that they want to bring
big names to Eastlands, with Gerrard just one of the many
names to have been mooted.
However, Liverpool insist their talismanic skipper is going
nowhere, adamant he can fulfil his ambitions at Anfield.
"I do not want to talk about the size of any club in
relation to us,"
said Benitez.
"Gerrard is a local player and this is his club. He is a key
player for us
and he is happy here."
(Sky Sports)
Hughes back Liverpool's title credentials
Mark Hughes believes his Manchester City side will be coming
up genuine title contenders in Liverpool this weekend.
"I sense that this season they will have a real go at trying
to win
The Premier League.
"Liverpool have had a great start. They look confident,
strong and assured. They will run the top teams very close.
It is a big test for us as they are playing exceptionally
well at the moment."
(Setanta Sports)
Rafa: Agger is not for sale
Rafael Benitez today told Real Madrid they would be wasting
their time making a transfer window bid for Daniel Agger.
Reports in this morning's media suggested the Spanish giants
are preparing to swoop for the Danish defender once the
window reopens next year, but Benitez insists Agger is not
for sale and remains a part of his future Anfield plans.
"The situation is very simple, Daniel Agger is our player
and he is not for sale," said the Reds boss.
"His future is at Anfield and nowhere else. He knows my
ideas because we have talked with him and he has a long
future with us.
"We do not want to lose our concentration just before we
play Manchester City by talking about other things but it is
important that people know that Agger is not for sale."
(LFC Official Website)
Rafa ready to recall Mascherano
Javier Mascherano is expected to return to Liverpool's
starting line-up for Sunday's match at Manchester City,
having been rested in midweek.
Manager Rafael Benitez left Mascherano on the bench against
PSV Eindhoven in preparation for the trip to Eastlands.
Ryan Babel picked up a minor leg injury in the match while
Fernando Torres suffered a bruised calf - but both are
expected to be available for the trip to face Mark Hughes'
outfit.
Liverpool bid to extend a run of only one defeat - against
Chelsea in
the Champions League semi-final in April - in their last 22
matches, stretching back to March.
Liverpool (from): Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Agger, Hyypia,
Skrtel, Aurelio, Dossena, Babel, Gerrard, Mascherano,
Alonso, Benayoun, Riera, Torres, Kuyt, Keane, Lucas,
Cavalieri.
(TEAMtalk)
Kuyt: Gerrard would never join City
Dirk Kuyt insists that despite Manchester City's spending
power, there is no chance Steven Gerrard will leave Anfield.
Dirk Kuyt, who opened the scoring against PSV on Wednesday
night, believes that no matter how much money City have
available to them, Liverpool players are unlikely to make
the move to Eastlands.
"Liverpool is Stevie Gerrard, so, of course, it would be
very difficult
to buy him.
"I don't think he would ever leave Liverpool for City and I
don't know what value you would put on him but it would be a
lot of money."
(Setanta Sports)
Masch relishing clash with familiar foe
Javier Mascherano admits he'll have to be at his very best
to thwart
a familiar foe when Liverpool travel to Man City on Sunday.
The midfielder faced Premier League new boy Robinho many
times as
the pair progressed through the youth ranks of Argentina and
Brazil respectively.
Now both 24 and plying their trade in England, there is sure
to be a mutual respect as they take to the City of
Manchester pitch this weekend.
"I have played against him many times," Mascherano told
Liverpoolfc.tv.
"I know him and he's a fantastic player with a lot of
quality. Obviously
the Premier League is the most difficult league, so maybe
he'll
find it tough."
(LFC Official Website)
Madrid: Agger is top priority
Real Madrid have made Liverpool defender Daniel Agger their
top priority during the January transfer window.
The Denmark centre back, 23, has had series of injuries
since arriving at Anfield in 2006 and the arrival of Martin
Skrtel has now pushed him down the pecking order.
There had been rumours that the player was unhappy,
particularly after his remarks that he was aware of the
Webster ruling, but Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez indicated
that he wanted to keep the player at the end of last month
when he said he was ready to offer him a new contract.
But Madrid vice-president Jose Angel Sanchez has now
revealed that
the Spanish champions are eager to tie up a deal for Agger
when
the transfer window reopens.
"He is a player we have been looking at for a long time and
it is likely we will bid for him in January. He is a
world-class player and without doubt he would fit into our
plans," he is reported to have said.
"We already had plans about buying Agger this summer, along
with some other players, but the Robinho situation took so
much attention and demanded so many resources from the club
that we had to drop the plans about putting a bid in for
Agger and other players that we had in mind.
"What we need is a defender and a striker, and, at the
moment, Agger is on top of our list."
(Setanta Sports) |
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THURSDAY 2 |
Saunders appointed Wrexham manager
Former Liverpool striker Dean Saunders has been named as
the new manager of Wrexham.
This is the 44-year-old's first managerial job, having
previously worked alongside Graeme Souness at Blackburn
Rovers and Newcastle United.
Wrexham owner George Moss revealed he is delighted with the
appointment and confirmed that Saunders will be allowed to
continue as John Toshack's right-hand man in the Welsh
national set-up.
"I'm delighted to have secured someone of Dean's standing,"
said Moss.
"Initially I only asked him to give me his advice on certain
aspects of the club, but after long talks with him I
realised that this is something he wanted to get involved
with.
"His enthusiasm is infectious and it's something that really
excites me and as to what he can bring to us."
(LFC Official Website)
Benitez talks up Liverpool chances
Rafa Benitez believes Liverpool have greatly improved since
last season and says the team is confident of success this
time around.
Liverpool had a terrible record against the other ‘big four’
sides in
the Premier League before this season, but they beat
Manchester United at Anfield last month as well as grabbing
a 2-0 over city rivals Everton
at Goodison Park.
And, after winning both their opening group games in the
Champions League, Benitez is confident that the team is
better than ever this
team around.
"When you are winning big games in succession, when you are
playing well, the confidence grows – especially when those
games you have won include victories against Manchester
United and Everton,” he said.
"The confidence is high and we aim to keep it that way. The
wins over United and Everton have shown the team that they
can beat anyone.
"Last season, people were saying we could not beat the top
three, but we deserved to beat United and it was the same
against Everton. Those wins show how much we have improved.
"In such situations, you do not need to say too much to the
players. Confidence is high and they know what they are
capable of."
(Setanta Sports)
Gerrard joins Liverpool FC
ton-up heroes in style
It was a fitting way to reach an impressive milestone.
Steven Gerrard has never been one for tap-ins and Anfield
erupted as he brought up his remarkable century with a
trademark pile-driver in front of the Kop.
When Fabio Aurelio touched a 25-yard free-kick into his path
14 minutes from time, there was a sense of inevitability
about where it would end up.
PSV Eindhoven keeper Andreas Isaksson had no chance as the
skipper’s unstoppable right-footed drive tore into the net.
Fists clenched, joy pumped through the inspirational
captain’s veins as he slid on his knees towards the corner
flag before being mobbed by
his team-mates.
He has scored many more important goals for the Reds but few
have been as sweetly struck.
It was the 28-year-old’s 100th goal for Liverpool in his
448th appearance.
(James Pearce - Liverpool Echo)
Kuyt: League record not a concern
Dirk Kuyt claims he does not worry about converting his
European goals record into domestic football.
The Dutch forward has scored an impressive 10 goals in 27
Champions League games for Liverpool, an average of one
every 2.7 games. In the Premier League, however, Kuyt's
record is one every 4.8 games after plunging 15 from 72.
After netting another Euro goal against PSV on Wednesday
night,
the 28-year-old told Liverpoolfc.tv such statistics were not
a concern.
"You know, a lot of people talk about scoring goals in the
Champions League or Premier League, but for me it's just
about winning the games," said Kuyt, who more often than not
plays on the flanks these days.
"We have made a really good start to the season here at
Liverpool. We're joint top of the league and have six points
in the Champions League. This is the most important thing."
(LFC Official Website)
Keane: I had to leave Spurs
Robbie Keane insisted he was right to follow his dream and
leave Tottenham after finally breaking his duck for his
boyhood heroes Liverpool last night.
Keane quit White Hart Lane for Anfield in a £20.3m transfer
in July after telling manager Juande Ramos that he had
always wanted to play for Liverpool since he was a
football-mad boy in Dublin.
He has been under intense pressure ever since, having gone
10 games without scoring. But he got off the mark with the
second goal in a 3-1 Champions League victory over PSV.
Keane said: "I knew I was making the right move, I always
knew it was right for me. This is why I came to Liverpool
for games like this and to be challenging for the big
honours.
"Since I've come here everyone at the whole club has been
great to me. The fans have been fantastic and hopefully I've
paid them back
a little bit now."
(Daily Mail)
Gerrard dedicates goal to Kop
Steven Gerrard has dedicated his 100th goal for Liverpool to
all
the club's fans.
Gerrard was delighted to reach the century mark and paid
tribute to
the support he has received during his time at the club.
"It was great to get my 100th goal in front of the Kop to
say thank-you for all the support the fans have given me
over the years," Gerrard told
Sky Sports 2.
(Sky Sports)
Why Dirk Kuyt is
Liverpool FC's unsung hero
It's not only Anfield that is transformed by the floodlights
and the Champions League anthem. So often the unsung hero of
Liverpool’s domestic success, Dirk Kuyt’s contribution in
Continental action is always more tangible.
Kuyt’s opener may have been his second of the season, but
the Dutchman has failed to register in the Premier League
since netting against Newcastle in the November of last
year.
A shocking statistic even for a striker continually played
out of position on the right wing.
Liverpool owe their presence in Group D to the Holland
international’s decisive strike against Standard Liege in
the qualifying round.
And last night he was again the architect of a comfortable
victory over
a disappointing PSV Eindhoven, scoring the first before
playing
a significant role in the build-up to Keane’s maiden strike
in a red shirt.
(Liverpool Daily Post) |
|
WEDNESDAY 1 |
Benitez hails 'perfect night'
Rafael Benitez hailed Liverpool’s best start to a Champions
League group campaign, after their convincing 3-1 victory
over Dutch champions
PSV Eindhoven.
“It was almost the perfect night,” said the Reds boss.
“It was a really good game for us with lots of positive
things, a solid performance with balance and quality."
(Liverpool Daily Post)
Keane helps Reds past PSV -
Gerrard also on target on a landmark night
Liverpool breezed to a 3-1 victory over PSV Eindhoven on
Matchday Two of the UEFA Champions League.
Dirk Kuyt opened the scoring early on, before Robbie Keane
and Steven Gerrard ensured a solitary strike from Danny
Koevermans was nothing more than a consolation.
Torres did well to create space on the right and the
Spaniard swung over
a cross for Keane to volley home his first goal for the
club.
On a landmark night, Gerrard then bagged his 100th goal for
the Reds on 76 minutes when he smashed a 30-yard drive past
a helpless Isaksson.
(Sky Sports)
Aurelio the only change for Reds
Fabio Aurelio starts against PSV tonight as Rafa Benitez
makes just one change from the side which beat Everton at
the weekend.
The left-back replaces Andrea Dossena, while Javier
Mascherano has to settle for a place on the bench after
recovering from a calf strain.
The Reds XI in full is: Reina, Arbeloa, Aurelio, Carragher,
Skrtel, Gerrard, Alonso, Riera, Kuyt, Keane, Torres.
Subs: Cavalieri, Dossena, Agger, Mascherano, Babel,
Benayoun, Lucas.
(LFC Official Website)
Finnan out for six weeks
Espanyol defender Steve Finnan has been ruled out for six
weeks with
a thigh injury.
Initial tests suggested that the former Liverpool full-back
would be sidelined for just a fortnight.
But a further scan has revealed that Finnan, 32, sustained
more serious muscle damage to add to Espanyol's injury
problems.
(Sky Sports)
Gillett and Hicks
deny stadium claim
Liverpool's American owners today denied claims that the
company contracted to the club's new stadium has been stood
down.
But fears persist that the project may now be held up for
more than year.
Rumours surfaced yesterday that builders Laing O'Rourke and
other companies involved in the building of the Reds new
stadium had been ordered to down tools.
But Jonathan Brill, London-based spokesman for Kop Football
Ltd which represents Liverpool owners Tom Hicks and George
Gillett, insisted this is not the case.
He said: "Laing O'Rourke are still very much part of the
team here.
"Obviously because of the delay in the stadium there may not
be as much work at present.
“But we can categorically say they have not been stood down
and are still part of our team."
(Liverpool Echo)
Rafa has foundations in place
Rafa Benitez believes his Liverpool squad is “getting close
to where he wants it to be”, after seeing similarities in
his current crop of players and the ones he managed in his
former job at Valencia.
The Spaniard won the Spanish domestic title and Uefa Cup in
his final season at El Mestalla before taking over at
Anfield, and marked his first season at The Reds with
Champions League glory.
"At Valencia I could see the team improving, with better
balance and
a better mentality, and the confidence improved each year.
Now I am looking at Liverpool in the same way.
"It is my belief that the foundations are in place now. The
squad has better balance and we have more confidence in
ourselves in Europe and in
The Premier League."
(Setanta Sports)
Dutch boss Huub Stevens
urges players to lift game
PSV Eindhoven coach Huub Stevens has urged his players to
lift their game ahead of tonight's Champions League clash at
Anfield.
The Dutch champions, who were hammered 3-0 at home by
Atletico Madrid in their opening group clash a fortnight
ago, failed to impress in Saturday’s 1-0 league victory over
bottom club FC Volendam.
“Now we must focus on Liverpool and we are going to make
sure we play football the way we want to play.
“We lost the first Champions League match 3-0 and we are
going to have to take good lessons from it and learn from
our mistakes.”
(Liverpool Echo)
Salcido: We'll need 150%
Carlos Salcido believes PSV Eindhoven will need to play at
150 per cent if they are to stand any chance of beating
Liverpool in the UEFA
Champions League.
The Dutch champions are currently bottom of Group D ahead of
their trip to Anfield after suffering a 3-0 drubbing at the
hands of Atletico Madrid
last month.
"Liverpool are having an excellent season will play with
confidence. If we overcome this then PSV will be able to
win.
"Torres, Keane and Kuyt are a phenomenal offensive line. For
me is one of the best in Europe today and really is hard to
stop this. We are obliged to give 150 per cent on the pitch
this week."
(Sky Sports)
Harry cool on Pennant talk
Harry Redknapp has expressed his admiration for Jermaine
Pennant, but played down the prospects of the midfielder
joining Portsmouth in
the January transfer window.
Pennant is on the outside looking in at Liverpool at
present, with his only start this season coming in the
Carling Cup, and he has been linked with
a move away from Anfield.
“I like Pennant,” Redknapp told The News. “He's a good
player, a great crosser of the ball and he's definitely got
quality.
“But I can't say I have thought about signing him. In fact,
I have not thought about anybody really, to be honest."
(Setanta Sports)
Thor Zakariassen
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