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MONDAY 3 |
Finnan's knee injury a major worry
Liverpool right back Steve Finnan emerged as a doubt
yesterday for Saturday's European Championship qualifier in
Bratislava, the defender informing Republic of Ireland
manager Steve Staunton he would be unable to join up with
the squad today.
(The Irish Times)
Rafa: Don't risk Stevie G
Rafa Benitez has pleaded with England not to risk Steven
Gerrard in England's important qualifiers this week. Gerrard
has not appeared for Liverpool since taking pain killing
injection to play against Chelsea over two weeks ago and
Rafa wants the same common sense approach from England.
Talking ahead of the international fixtures Rafa is keen to
look after Gerrard's broken toe:
"We have not taken any risks with Steven at Liverpool and I
would not expect England to take any risks with him.
"We do not want Steven to play for England with any
painkilling injections. We did that against Chelsea and it
took four to five days for him to recover to be able to
train again.
"I have a bit of sympathy for England's predicament with
Frank Lampard already ruled out however there's no way on
earth that Gerrard should be playing international football
if not 100% fit.
"I'm not keen on Gerrard playing at any time in case he gets
injured, never mind when he's got a serious injury that if
aggravated will certainly keep him out of the Liverpool
line-up."
(Shankly Gates)
Reds confirm midfielder exit
Liverpool have confirmed forward Anthony Le Tallec has
joined Le Mans on a season-long loan deal.
It is the second campaign running that the midfielder has
been sent away as last season he was with Sochaux and the
22-year-old appears to have little future at the club where
he has struggled for first-team football.
Since arriving at Anfield in the summer of 2003, Le Tallec
has made just 32 appearances for the Reds, scoring one goal,
and hopes of breaking into Rafael Benitez's plans appear
slim.
Depending on how he performs with his new club there is an
option for the deal to be made permanent at the end of the
season.
(Clubcall Sports)
Rafa praises Pennant
Rafael Benitez has again sung the praises of Jermaine
Pennant.
After another excellent performance on Saturday, Pennant was
again highly praised by his manager who believes the winger
must be close to an England call despite missing out this
time.
"Maybe he is closer now after his performance against Derby.
I think he deserved a call-up, but I have a lot of respect
for the England manager and if he decides to use different
players that's okay," said Benitez.
"Jermaine knows he needs to keep working, playing well and
maybe in
the future he will be in the squad.
"If I am selfish I would say to you I prefer him to stay
with us rather than leaving with the national side, but
thinking about the player I think he is ready.
"He is improving a lot. Mentally he is more mature and he is
very close
for me."
(LFC Online)
Torres: I'm here to stay
Fernando Torres is loving life at Liverpool, and says he's
"here for many years to come".
"I feel as if I have been at Liverpool for a long time. I
intend to stay here for many years to come and I am really
pleased with everything - my new teammates, the fans, the
city, the stadium and, of course with my first goal at
Anfield versus Chelsea."
(Sporting Life) |
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SUNDAY 2 |
Alonso happy to be off the mark
Xabi Alonso was happy to score his first Liverpool goals of
the season yesterday.
Alonso scored twice in yesterday's 6-0 mauling of Derby
County to send the Reds to the top of the league.
"I thought we played very well and it's always nice to score
six goals. I was happy to score two goals," said the
Liverpool midfielder.
"The first one we have worked on in training so it was nice
to see it go in. I wasn't sure who scored it at first but
when Dirk Kuyt pointed to me I knew it was my goal.
"We are happy with the start we have made to the season but
we know there is a long way to go."
(LFC Online)
Sissoko committed to Reds
Mohamed Sissoko was offered the chance to join Juventus in
the summer, but rejected a move to Italy because Liverpool
are 'a much bigger club'.
"I believed that Liverpool are a much bigger club than
Juventus and decided not to speak to them any longer," he
told the Daily Star Sunday.
"I'm a Liverpool player and I want to show to the people
here, to everyone, that I'm already at a big club.
"I'm happy to be in Liverpool. I did want to stay despite
the interest. That's why I signed a new contract.
"There are five midfielders for two positions. I'm happy in
Liverpool and I want to play for the club as long as I can."
(Sky Sports)
Yossi set to face England
Yossi Benayoun is in the Israel squad that will face England
in a vital Euro 2008 qualifier at Wembley next Saturday.
The Liverpool midfielder could face the likes of Anfield
teammates Peter Crouch and possibly Reds captain Steven
Gerrard if he makes a recovery from his broken toe.
(LFC Official Website) |
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SATURDAY 1 |
Davies: Another learning curve
Billy Davies admits the 6-0 defeat at Liverpool was another
'big learning curve' for his Derby County players.
"The opening 20 minutes I was reasonably pleased and I
thought we moved it around, and had one or two breaks,"
Davies told Sky Sports.
"It was naivety and the timing of the goals, and the manner
in which we gave them away, you can't do that against
players like Liverpool have.
"It was a big, big learning curve for us again."
(Sky Sports)
Rafa refusing to get carried away
Rafael Benitez is refusing to get carried away despite
seeing his side go top of the Barclays Premier League after
thrashing Derby County 6-0.
"I am really pleased with my team and we are playing well,
scoring goals and keeping clean sheets," enthused Benitez.
"It's good for our supporters to see us top of the league
but we now have to keep it going and keep working hard in
every game we play. It's too early to talk about being top
of the league."
(LFC Official Website)
Joy of six for rampant Reds
Xabi Alonso and Fernando Torres grabbed two goals each as
Liverpool thrashed Derby 6-0 to go top of the table for the
first time in five years.
The Reds made it 10 home goals in a week to underline the
belief at Anfield that they are genuine Premier League title
contenders.
They followed up the four they put past Toulouse in the
Champions League on Tuesday with six unanswered goals to
crush Billy Davies' Rams.
Spaniards Alonso and Torres grabbed two each, Ryan Babel
netted his first for the club and substitute Andriy Voronin
also got onto the scoresheet.
It is the first time Liverpool have led the top flight for
five years and their best start to a league season since
1998.
(TEAMtalk)
Reds v Derby: Torres and Kuyt up front
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has picked a strong side to face
Derby County at Anfield this afternoon. With Jamie Carragher
missing from the defence, Sami Hyypia gets to start again
alongside Daniel Agger; Alvaro Arbeloa gets the nod at
left-back ahead of Riise who’s on the bench. No Steven
Gerrard, also injured, so Alonso and Mascherano are chosen
to start, flanked by Ryan Babel and Jermaine Pennant. Kuyt
and Torres are up front, with Andriy Voronin on the bench.
No place in the 16 for Peter Crouch again, but now the
transfer window is closed the speculation about what that
means might be a little quieter.
Today’s game is the last for Liverpool for two weeks, with
internationals taking place in-between.
Liverpool: 25 Reina, 3 Finnan,4 Hyypia, 5 Agger, 17 Arbeloa,
16 Pennant, 20 Mascherano, 14 Alonso, 19 Babel, 9 Torres, 18
Kuyt
Subs: 30 Itandje, 6 Riise, 10 Voronin, 11 Benayoun, 22
Sissoko
(Anfield Road.com)
Reds face Reading in Carling Cup
Liverpool will travel to Reading in the third round of the
Carling Cup.
The tie will take place at the Madejski Stadium on either
Tuesday/Wednesday, September 25th/26th.
Liverpool played Steve Coppell's side at the same stage of
the Carling Cup last season and won a seven goal thriller
4-3 at Anfield.
The Reds have won this competition a record seven times and
last won it in 2003 when they beat Manchester United 2-0 at
Cardiff's Millennium Stadium, thanks to goals from Steven
Gerrard and Michael Owen.
(LFC Official Website)
Reds won’t replace Ayesteran
Rafa Benitez will not be looking for a new number two,
despite assistant manager Pako Ayesteran's shock decision to
quit Anfield.
The Reds boss confirmed yesterday that Ayesteran, a
long-time friend and colleague for the last 11 years, had
left the club.
But he believes he already has the staff on board at Melwood
who can fill the void.
Ayesteran was not expected to be on duty at today's
Premiership match against Derby, after he rocked Benitez by
informing him of his intention to leave on the day of the
Champions League qualifier second leg
against Toulouse.
The players were informed of Ayesteran's decision on
Thursday.
(Liverpool Echo)
Carra recovering
Jamie Carragher is set to return against Portsmouth in two
weeks time.
The Liverpool vice-captain broke a rib during last week's
2-0 win over Sunderland. Although Carragher is definitely
out of today's game Rafa Benitez is hopeful of having him
back after the international break.
"Carra is improving but he's not ready yet - maybe 10 days,
though it could be 12 or 15. Aurelio and Kewell will carry
on doing what they are doing but they are not ready yet,"
said the Reds boss.
(LFC Online)
Ex-Red joins Fulham
Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy has joined Fulham.
Murphy has moved to Craven Cottage on loan for the rest of
the season after falling out of favour at Tottenham.
(LFC Online)
Thor Zakariassen
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