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SATURDAY 12 |
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Rafa shocked by Reds display
Rafa Benitez admitted he was shocked by Liverpool's display
in the 2-0 defeat to Birmingham.
The Reds missed the chance to close the gap on Everton in
fourth place after a disappointing showing.
Benitez agreed that his side performed well below par and
has vowed to analyze the game to put things right.
"It was disappointing and we know we did not play a good
game," bemoaned Benitez.
(Sky Sports)
Bruce: Our best ever performance
Birmingham manager Steve Bruce hailed his side's performance
as the best in their two and a half years of Premiership
football as they triumphed 2-0 over lacklustre Liverpool at
St Andrews.
Bruce said: "In the two and a half years that we have been
in the Premiership we have had some great days to look back
on.
"But, considering the opposition and the quality they have,
that is as good as we have played in the Premiership for an
entire 90 minutes."
(ITV Football)
Reds suffer the Blues
Liverpool missed the chance to close the gap on Everton
after suffering a 2-0 defeat at Birmingham.
First half goals from Walter Pandiani (penalty) and Julian
Gray were enough to give Steve Bruce's men a deserved win
and leave Liverpool trailing Everton by five points in the
race for a UEFA Champions League place.
Liverpool tried to force their way back into the contest,
but Taylor was never troubled in the Birmingham goal.
Liverpool's miserable day was summed up in the dying minutes
when Smicer spooned a volley well over the crossbar after
being teed up by Traore.
Jamie Carragher was denied a goal back for Liverpool in the
last seconds when Damien Johnson kicked his header off the
line from Gerrard's corner.
(Sky Sports)
Birmingham City v Liverpool - confirmed team
LIVERPOOL: Dudek, Finnan, Hyypia, Carragher, Traore, Hamann,
Biscan, Riise, Baros, Gerrard, Morientes.
SUBS: Carson, Pellegrino, Warnock, Smicer, Nunez.
(Kop Talk)
Bruce: Heskey move a success
Birmingham City manager Steve Bruce believes Emile Heskey's
move to St Andrews has been a successful switch.
The Midlands outfit splashed out £6.25 million for the
former Leicester City striker last summer following an up
and down time at Anfield.
Bruce has opted to use Heskey in the role that brought him
goals at The Foxes and he thinks that has helped him
recapture his form at Blues.
"It was a good move for Emile to come here and it has
definitely been a good signing for Birmingham. He has been a
success here, no question about it," explained Bruce.
"There has always been a lot of talk about where Emile
should play, but we have played him in the role he played at
Leicester, as an out-and-out centre-forward.
"That was the role that got him the move to Liverpool in the
first place and I believe that is the right position for
him.
"We play the ball up to him, put it in the box and he gets
stuck in. He has had a lot of different strike partners here
but he has done well with all of them."
(Sky Sports)
Benitez on the future of international
football
Rafael Benitez has outlined his blueprint for the future of
international football after another frustrating week of
meaningless friendly games.
Benitez believes too many games are being played and that
something should be done to protect the clubs and the
players.
He says: "Everyone agrees there are too many games.
Sometimes you have to decide to change things because it's
impossible to carry on with so many matches in a season."
(LFC Official Website)
Smicer looking at first start
Vladimir Smicer is expected to make the starting line-up for
the first time this season today.
Smicer has been out with a knee injury all season before
finally returning to the first team squad against Charlton
last week. Smicer has made two subsitute appearances since
his return but is expected to get his first start at
Birmingham today because Luis Garcia is serving a one game
ban.
With his contract up at the end of the season Smicer is
hoping to impress Rafael Benitez between now and May.
"It was a big surprise to me when the manager picked me as a
substitute at Charlton but it was also a good sign. If the
manager does that when you've been out for a long time, it
suggests he has faith in you," said Smicer.
"He has given me a chance straight away and that makes me
believe he wants me at the club. It's always important to
feel that kind of confidence from a manager.
"I can't be sure that I'll start today and I won't know
until I'm out there if I can play 45, 60,or 90 minutes. It's
always hard to tell, but if the manager decides to use me
I will be ready."
(LFC Online) |
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FRIDAY 11 |
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Benitez: Carragher is England's finest
Rafael Benitez has hailed Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher
as the best centre-back in England, after his
man-of-the-match performance for the national side against
Holland in midweek.
Carragher has been a model of consistency for Liverpool this
season, with Benitez deploying him in the centre of defence
alongside Sami Hyypia.
Benitez said today: "Jamie has been playing very well this
season and we know he is a very important player for us."
"For me he is the best central defender in England at the
moment. He has the mentality all manager's want from a
player."
"His level is improving all of the time and he is now
learning a lot more tactically. His versatility is another
great asset. He is two footed and can play on both sides of
the central defence, as well as full-back."
(Shankly Gates)
Alonso boost for Reds
Xabi Alonso could return for Liverpool for the final month
of the season according to Rafa Benitez, who has lavished
praise on Jamie Carragher.
Alonso was thought to be out for the season after breaking
his ankle against Chelsea on New Years' Day, but the news is
now much brighter.
Benitez says that the skilful midfielder could be back to
play a part in the final month of The Reds' campaign.
"He is a lot better now and he could be back for the last
month," said Benitez.
"He has been away working and recovering in Spain but he is
back with us now and I am pleased with his progress."
(Sky Sports)
Garcia expecting success
Luis Garcia says he is happy to be at Anfield and fully
expects Rafael Benitez to bring the good times back to L4.
Garcia says he is very happy at Liverpool and this is due to
once again linking up with Rafael Benitez.
"Moving here was not a straightforward decision for me
because I was doing well at Barcelona, but it was only
difficult until I spoke to Rafael.
"Finishing in the top four is fundamental, but we're
certainly not going to turn anything else down- the Carling
Cup, the Champions League...our aim is to build a great team
for the future that can compete with Chelsea, Arsenal and
Manchester United." added Garcia.
"If we hadn't been so unlucky with injuries this year we
would be much closer to them, so next year it is realistic
to talk about chellenging them. We know that next season we
can make life very difficult for the rest."
(LFC Online)
Nunez: I need to adapt to physical side
Antonio Nunez admits he has found it difficult to adjust to
the physical nature of the Premiership since his summer move
from Real Madrid.
The Spanish midfielder has struggled for form since his
arrival at Anfield, his hopes of cementing a place not
helped by the serious knee injury he immediately suffered in
pre-season training.
His troubles came to a head when he was sent off for an
elbowing offence during the disastrous FA Cup defeat at
Burnley.
Now Nunez has served his three-match suspension and, with
fellow Spaniard Luis Garcia serving a one-match ban, he
could feature at Birmingham tomorrow.
"I think I have a lot to show the Liverpool fans because
it's been difficult for me this season as I've been out for
a long time injured," Nunez said..
"I have to adapt to the English game better as it is more
physical than in Spain."
(Daily Post)
Stadium facing shortfall of £50m
Liverpool Football Club's ambition to build a new stadium at
Stanley Park faces a £50m shortfall.
Soaring steel prices have been a key element in driving up
the projected cost of the 60,000-seat stadium from £80m to
£140 in the five years since the original plan was
announced.
The club has been unable to raise all the money it needs by
borrowing from City investment banks, and is now trying to
tap into public sector grants.
This week, it emerged that Liverpool is turning up the
pressure on the Northwest Development Agency for a decision
on a £21m grant application.
And last night a source close to the stadium funding
negotiations told the Daily Post: "They have tried to raise
money from the private sector, but the problem is the costs
keep rising. They are now £140m. No wonder they want the
NWDA's money quickly."
(Daily Post)
Banned Garcia feels Blue
Liverpool will be without Spanish midfielder Luis Garcia for
the trip to Birmingham as he serves a one-match suspension
for collecting five bookings.
Antonio Nunez is available again after his three-match ban
but there is a chance Czech midfielder Vladimir Smicer could
play in an attacking midfield role at St Andrews.
Smicer has not started for the Anfield club since 2 May and
has battled back from a knee operation.
Liverpool will be aiming for their third straight
Premiership victory, something they have only achieved once
before under Rafael Benitez when they beat Newcastle, West
Brom and Southampton in December.
Benitez will still be without Spanish full-back Josemi and
midfielder Harry Kewell, who are still recovering from
long-term injuries.
Liverpool (from): Dudek, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Traore,
Pellegrino, Smicer, Biscan, Gerrard, Hamann, Riise, Warnock,
Morientes, Baros, Carson, Nunez, Welsh, Raven.
(TEAMtalk)
Anfield star's father faces stadium ban
The father of Liverpool FC player Jamie Carragher faces the
possibility of being banned from every football ground in
the country after being charged with being drunk at a match.
Gary Carragher was arrested while going to see his son play
in the England game on Wednesday night.
Yesterday the 50-year-old, from Hatherley Avenue, Crosby,
was subsequently charged with being drunk while entering a
sports ground.
The alleged incident happened during the goalless match
against Holland at Villa Park.
Now West Midlands Police say they have issued him with a
notice stating that they are seeking a ban from every
football ground for up to six years.
(Daily Post) |
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THURSDAY 10 |
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Sinama has knee surgery
Florent Sinama Pongolle has returned to France to undergo
the knee surgery which has ruled him out until the start of
next season.
Sinama has gone under the surgeon's knife in Strasbourg
today having been allowed to spend time recuperating with
friends and family.
The 20-year-old needs reconstructive surgery on the knee
after damaging cruciate ligaments during the recent Carling
Cup semi-final with Watford.
(Liverpool Echo)
PSG approach Houllier
Paris Saint GermainFormer Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier has
been offered a director of football role at Paris Saint
Germain, following the dismissal of coach Vahid Halilhodzic
this week.
With Laurent Fournier put in charge of the first team for
the rest of the season, attention has turned to what changes
the club will make in the coming months.
Houllier has already been contacted by PSG, confirming that
he would mull over their approach whilst he continued his
commentating duties in England for French television.
"Talks have started but there is nothing concrete yet,"
Houllier told L'Equipe.
Alain Cayzac - one of PSG's most senior officials -
confirmed the approach, and hinted that the feeling within
the club was that Houllier would be an ideal appointment.
"If I said we weren't in negotiations [with Houllier] then I
would be lying," said Cayzac.
"I don't think it would be a bad idea for Gerard to have a
technical role.
"So far I think he is considering our proposition. Gerard is
a man who thinks things through.
"I think we have a 60 percent chance of him coming to the
club. I am awaiting
his phone call."
(Planet Football/Sky Sports)
Nunez looking to regain his place
Antonio Nunez is hoping that his strong performance for
Liverpool reserves last week will secure him a first team
place in the absence of the suspended Luis Garcia.
After completing his own three-match suspension the Spanish
midfielder wants the opportunity to prove himself.
"I hope I have a good chance of being in the squad again
because I haven't been in it due to my three game ban," he
told the official site.
"We have been playing well and sometimes it is difficult to
come back when the team are doing well. I didn't get on the
bench for the Fulham game and I hope I can get a chance on
Saturday.
"It has been very frustrating for me not playing or being
involved. When I saw on the video what had happened at
Burnley I thought that is not a three game ban but those are
the rules and I have to abide by them."
(LFC Online)
Rafa believes Carson is ready
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has revealed he is ready to
throw Scott Carson into first-team action if required.
The 19-year-old completed a transfer window move to Anfield
from Leeds United to provide back-up for injury-prone Chris
Kirkland and Jerzy Dudek.
"When we were looking for a new goalkeeper, I said we wanted
either a young or experienced one," Benitez stated.
"When I spoke to the player after talking to Leeds I told
him he would come in as the second goalkeeper because of the
injury to Chris.
"But I also said that if we saw he had a good enough level
to come into the team, then the rest was up to him.
"We have a lot of confidence in him and I would have no
problem playing him
in The Premiership."
(Sky Sports)
Riise registers for Norway
Liverpool's John Arne Riise scored the final goal in
Norway's 3-0 win over Malta last night. Norway were two
goals ahead when Riise struck in the 82nd minute.
(Daily Post)
Liverpool show faith with Mannix
Liverpool have shown their faith in 19-year-old midfielder
David Mannix by rewarding him with a new two-and-a-half-year
contract.
Mannix, who first played for Liverpool's Under-17s as a
13-year-old, has returned to full fitness after five knee
operations.
He told Liverpool's official website: "It is a real boost
and gives me time to prove to the manager what I can do.
"I am made up to be playing again but I cannot jump the gun
too much."
(BBC Sport Online)
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Thor Zakariassen
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