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MONDAY 12 |
Torres injury update
After missing Sunday's clash with Fulham with a knee injury,
Liverpool Football Club have today released the following
statement.
"Fernando Torres was examined by a knee specialist this
afternoon in Spain. He received treatment and will continue
to do so over the next few days, with the injury being
reassessed later this week."
(LFC Official Website)
Injury latest from Melwood
Rafa Benitez is hopeful Emiliano Insua will play again this
season despite tearing a muscle in his thigh.
The left-back has not featured in Liverpool's last two games
after suffering the injury in his quadriceps.
There is better news on the club's other senior left-back
after it emerged Fabio Aurelio could soon be back training
with the first team.
Benitez told Liverpoolfc.tv: "Emiliano is doing well but
it's a bad injury so we have to wait. He's working and
having treatment.
"He tore his quadriceps. He could play again this season if
the treatment is good. It will be difficult but we'll see -
we're trying very hard.
"Fabio is doing well too. Maybe in one week or 10 days he
can be ready to train with the team. If Fabio can be ready
it will be very important."
(LFC Official Website)
RBS sets six month deadline
for Liverpool FC sell off
Liverpool FC’s American owners are set to be given another
six months to find a new buyer for the club.
The Royal Bank of Scotland is expected to extend a deadline
on Liverpool FC’s outstanding loan, taking the pressure off
owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett – and avoiding the need
for a rapid “fire” sale.
The move to ease the financial burden on the club’s two
American owners will buy them valuable time in their bid to
find a buyer, though is unlikely to please fans who want
them out.
(Liverpool Echo)
On-loan Martin returns to Anfield
On-loan Liverpool goalkeeper David Martin has returned to
the Premier League club following his one-month spell at
Derby.
The 24-year-old was signed when first-choice keeper Stephen
Bywater was injured and his understudy Saul Deeney was
suspended.
Martin stepped in for two matches, at Doncaster and against
Middlesbrough
at Pride Park.
"He has been a fantastic professional during his time with
us, working exceptionally hard on the training ground and
when he did play he didn't put a foot wrong," boss Nigel
Clough told the club's official website.
(TEAMtalk)
Fat lady is waiting to sing her song
for Liverpool FC Champions League hopes
It's not over until the fat lady sings. On a glorious day at
Anfield it was as though the Weather Girls were waiting in
limbo with a few of their larger sisters in tow.
As each passing goal from Eastlands filtered through, the
spark in Liverpool’s play that continued from where it was
left against Benfica gradually fizzled out.
After starting so brightly, the game ended with a whimper.
Rafa Benitez didn’t quite wave his white handkerchief
afterwards. The submission in his voice suggested it might
not be long.
In Spain, the ritual signifies a dissatisfaction with the
effort of the players.
But that couldn’t be levelled at Liverpool yesterday.
As the only team that tried to win the game, it is a crying
shame they didn’t turn one point into three.
(Dave Randles - Liverpool Echo) |
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SUNDAY 11 |
Torres to see specialist
over knee injury
Liverpool striker Fernando Torres is to visit a specialist
to assess his knee injury.
The Reds top scorer was forced to miss Sunday afternoon's
goalless Barclays Premier League draw with Fulham because of
the problem.
It is a worrying development for the Reds, who had hoped the
Spain international's discomfort was not serious.
Torres, 26, was sidelined for a month after a knee operation
in January.
Manager Rafael Benitez said on Sunday evening: "He has a
problem with his knee and has gone to see a specialist. We
are waiting for news."
(ITV-Football)
Hodgson hails Fulham heroics
Fulham manager Roy Hodgson was more than happy with the way
his team battled to a richly-deserved point in their 0-0
draw at Liverpool.
The Cottagers were outplayed for the entire match and barely
registered a chance of their own, yet they put in a superb
defensive performance to frustrate Rafa Benitez's team.
Hodgson was forced into making changes prior to the trip to
Merseyside as Zoltan Gera and Simon Davies sat out with
injury, and he was delighted with the way his team adapted
to the challenge posed by the Reds.
He told Sky Sports: "I'm certainly delighted with a point
and I am pleased with the performance, although it fell far
short of what I think we're actually capable
of doing."
(Sky Sports)
Benitez accepts
Liverpool position
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has all but conceded his
side's hopes of finishing in the Barclays Premier League top
four are over.
Benitez's side fell six points behind fourth-placed
Manchester City - having played a game more - as they were
held to a frustrating goalless draw by Fulham
at Anfield.
With just four games remaining, Benitez accepts he is now
unlikely to deliver on his "guarantee" of securing a
Champions League qualifying position.
The Spaniard said: "It is not in our hands, it depends on
the other teams and the difference is too much now, maybe."
(Football 365)
Fulham foil Liverpool CL hopes
Fulham put in a superb rear-guard action to inflict a severe
dent on Liverpool's hopes of attaining a Champions League
place by earning a richly deserved 0-0 draw at Anfield.
Without the injured Fernando Torres, Liverpool lacked the
cutting edge needed to unlock a well-drilled Fulham outfit
that defended stoutly in the face of the home side's
onslaught, and they were left to rue two dropped points in
their chase for a top four spot.
(Sky Sports)
Benayoun linked with CSKA
CSKA Moscow are reportedly lining up a bid to sign Liverpool
winger
Yossi Benayoun.
The Israel captain, who signed for the Reds from West Ham in
2007, has been rumoured to be subject to a £9million bid
from the Russian club, whose rivals Spartak recently failed
to sign unsettled Liverpool midfielder Albert Riera.
(Sky Sports)
Torres out, Aqua in
Fernando Torres has not been named in the Liverpool squad to
face Fulham at Anfield today.
The Spanish striker scored twice against Benfica on Thursday
and had been expected to be fit today, but instead his place
is taken by David Ngog.
Maxi Rodriguez and Ryan Babel come back into the team,
replacing Dirk Kuyt and Yossi Benayoun.
Daniel Agger continues at left back in Emiliano Insua’s
absence through injury, while Alberto Aquilani starts in
place of Lucas alongside Javier Mascherano.
Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Kyrgiakos, Agger,
Mascherano, Aquilani, Babel, Maxi, Gerrard, Ngog.
Subs: Cavalieri, Kuyt, Benayoun, Lucas, Degen, Pacheco,
Ayala.
(This is Anfield)
Barclays steps in
to save Liverpool FC
Liverpool football club looks set to be sold as Barclays
finalise a £300m rescue deal this weekend.
Fans had feared about the club’s ability to compete at the
top level after its financial problems contributed to it
losing its status as one of Britain’s “big four” clubs. It
has outstanding loans of £237m.
Supporters will be relieved at the intervention, which will
also provide extra spending money for Rafa Benitez, the club
manager.
The new owner will be sought by Barclays Capital, the bank’s
investment arm. The deal will displace the club’s current
lenders and bring in as chairman British Airways’ Martin
Broughton.
(Sunday Times)
Benitez may have to sell
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has conceded he may need to sell
one of his big name players this summer.
Liverpool's American owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks,
who are reportedly set to appoint British Airways chief
Martin Broughton as their new chairman, are actively looking
to find a buyer.
But Benitez concedes that if no new investment is found, he
could be forced to sell one of his big names - which would
mean either Steven Gerrard or Fernando Torres going.
"I don't think I will have to sell a big player, but it will
depend on investors so I cannot guarantee we won't have to
sell. Our idea is to keep the spine of the team," he told
the People.
(Sky Sports)
Liverpool step up
search for fresh investment
Liverpool are set to appoint a new chairman and ask a new
bank to lead their search for fresh investment, BBC Sport
understands.
Martin Broughton has been approached, with the British
Airways chairman considering forming part of a restructured
board at Anfield.
Barclays Capital, the bank's investment arm, will head the
latest attempt to find a new buyer for the club.
Co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett are ready to step
down as co-chairmen.
The Americans believe that by presenting a united front,
potential investors are more likely to be found.
(BBC Sport Online)
Fulham captain Murphy:
I learned my football at Liverpool
Fulham captain Danny Murphy says he still has close ties to
former club Liverpool as he returns to Anfield today.
Murphy spent seven successful years at Anfield after
arriving at Liverpool as a 20-year-old with a £3million
price tag from Crewe.
He was part of the Liverpool team which won a cup treble
under Gerard Houllier
in 2001.
Murphy was sold to Charlton in 2004 and then joined Spurs
before arriving at Craven Cottage in 2007.
The 33-year-old did not play in Fulham's 3-1 win over
Liverpool earlier this season and he is yet to beat his old
club since leaving in Anfield in eight attempts.
He admits it will be an emotional encounter for him.
"We drew up there last time and that was the first time I
had gone to Anfield and got anything from there, which was
nice," the midfielder said. "It's a wonderful place to go
and play your football. I learned how to play football by
watching games there when I was growing up and some of the
most successful moments of my career have come at Anfield.
"I'm looking forward to it, as always and I'm sure it will
be as good an atmosphere as always on the Kop. It still
holds a special place for me in my heart and I love going
back there."
(tribalfootball.com) |
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SATURDAY 10 |
Benitez blasts back at critics
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has rounded on critics who
"don't have a clue" about last week's controversial
substitution of Fernando Torres.
Benitez made the surprising decision to take off his top
scorer with 25 minutes remaining at Birmingham on Sunday
while the score was locked at 1-1.
"I have been listening to many things," Benitez said.
"People don't have a clue when they talk about the
substitution or that he cannot be tired.
"Some people say he cannot be tired because he didn't play
too many games. That doesn't matter."
(TEAMtalk)
British Airways chairman Broughton
on brink of accepting Liverpool post
British Airways chairman Martin Broughton is on the brink of
accepting the chairman's role at Liverpool.
The Telegraph says Broughton is thought to have discussed
the terms of his contract and the responsibilities required
with Liverpool co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett and
may make a decision as soon as the weekend.
Hicks and Gillett are co-chairmen of Liverpool but want to
step aside in favour of a credible British businessman to
improve the club’s standing in the financial community, and
draw some of the sting from the supporters’ criticism.
(tribalfootball.com)
Mancini wary of Anfield threat
Roberto Mancini is refusing to rule Liverpool out of the
race for the final Champions League spot despite the Anfield
outfit's deep involvement in
the Europa League.
Blues boss Mancini was prominent among the crowd that
watched Rafa Benitez's team sweep aside Portuguese title
favourites Benfica 4-1 on Thursday night to reach the
semi-finals.
But he insists that Liverpool remain capable contenders in
the late sprint for the vital fourth Premier League place
that City fill as they tackle visitors
Birmingham tomorrow.
Roberto smiled at the idea Liverpool's Europa bid might be a
distraction: "Helpful to us? I hope so! They played a
fantastic game on Thursday and I hope that they win the
Europa League!
"But they are a strong team. They will still try hard for
fourth place, that is normal. There are four teams still for
the one place - ourselves, Tottenham, Aston Villa and
Liverpool.
"It's six games for us and Tottenham and only five for
Liverpool. But all our games are difficult, starting with
Birmingham - in their last two games they drew with Arsenal
and Liverpool.
(Manchester City - Official Website)
Benitez 'still confident' of fourth
Rafael Benitez is "still confident" Liverpool will finish
fourth in the Premier League providing they maintain the
form showed against Benfica.
Benitez's side produced an outstanding performance against
the Portuguese outfit on Thursday to overturn a first-leg
deficit and power into the Europa League
semi-finals.
Such was the manner of their 4-1 win, which secured a 5-3
aggregate success, their continuing struggles in the Premier
League seemed a world away - but reality will soon return.
Last week's frustrating draw at Birmingham has left the Reds
facing an uphill struggle to deliver on Benitez's
"guarantee" of Champions League qualification.
The Spaniard, however, is not giving up and feels the tone
has now been set for the final five games of the campaign,
beginning with Fulham at Anfield.
(TEAMtalk)
Liverpool icon Rush: No-one can
complain about Torres substitution now
Liverpool icon Ian Rush says Fernando Torres' performance
against Benfica should end the debate over his substitution
last Sunday against Birmingham City.
A week ago, Rafa Benitez was slammed for hauling off his
star Spaniard in the draw at Birmingham, as Liverpool
desperately chased the win to boost their top four bid.
But after Torres' brace on Thursday night, Rush told The
Sun: "I watched that game and although Fernando wasn't
playing badly, he gave it away a couple of times simply
because he was tired, and that's when you pick up knocks.
"His body language suggested he didn't want to come off and
I like that attitude.
"But the manager will have been thinking about the chance of
him getting injured because he couldn't afford to be without
him for the remaining games.
"When you're tired, it's much more likely you will pick up
an injury, so I'd say the criticism of Rafa has been unfair.
"You have to get behind him and the team and believe in what
they are doing. The time for looking will be at the end of
the season.
"Torres is such a special player and they'll need him over
the last few games."
(tribalfootball.com)
Thor Zakariassen
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