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WEDNESDAY 12 |
Will people shut up about Torres
Rafa Benitez has to be the only manager in England who
can dump the Italian champions out of the Champions League -
on their own turf - and get criticised for doing so.
Liverpool moved ominously into the last eight of the
Champions League for the third time in four years on
Tuesday, yet despite a European record that Sir Alex
Ferguson and Arsene Wenger dream about, Benitez instantly
faced scarcely-veiled criticism.
It surrounded Fernando Torres, who had just leathered in his
26th goal of a wonderful season, justifying a huge Benitez
gamble in spending £20.1 million on the Spanish superstar,
who had scored just 14 goals the previous season for
Atletico.
(Ben Blackmore - Setanta Sports)
Mascherano reflects on brilliant night
Javier Mascherano today reflected on Liverpool's latest epic
European triumph and declared: "It doesn't matter who we get
in the next round."
"It was a very good result for the team and it is one of the
best. It was amazing for the players, for the supporters and
for everyone at the club," he said.
"Now we want to progress in this competition. We are playing
well and confidence is high so we have to keep up our form.
"It doesn't matter who we get next. It will be a difficult
game for us but it will also be a difficult game for them.
After a result like this we have to believe that we can go
further in the competition.
"It is all about working really hard for one another and
playing as a team. That is the only way you can get results
like we have had against teams like Barcelona and Inter
Milan. Liverpool is one of the best clubs in the world so we
have to prove this on the pitch."
(LFC Official Website)
Awesome Reds a team to fear
Never mind the catwalks of Milan, Liverpool made their
latest visit to Europe’s fashion capital look like a cake
walk.
On a night when their credentials to compete with the
continent’s finest outfits were expected to be put to the
sternest of tests, the Reds brushed Inter aside with such
ease it ultimately bordered on the mundane.
That is the way of things for Liverpool in Europe under Rafa
Benitez – it doesn’t matter how big a club they face, how
intimidating their reputation or how greatly the odds are
stacked against them, when it comes to the Champions League
they have a seemingly innate ability to produce results.
When Liverpool were paired with Internazionale in the draw
for the last 16, there were precious few outside Anfield who
gave them even the slightest chance of making it through to
the quarter finals.
But, such was the emphatic nature of their two-legged
victory over the Italian champions that it is unlikely
anyone will be making a similar mistake when the draw for
the last eight is made in Switzerland on Friday.
And nor should they.
(Tony Barrett - Liverpool Echo)
Reina delivers in rock solid show
It's not just a player's fitness, form, diet and state of
mind which troubles the thoughts of modern football
managers.
They now have to keep a check on when children are
conceived.
Rafa Benitez will have been mightily relieved that Mrs Reina
chose to deliver on the eve of a run of the mill home match
against Sheffield United last season.
Hubby Pepe's absence was hardly noticed against the blunt
Blades.
But while Xabi Alonso was left at home last night as
girlfriend Nagore went into labour, Reina was Liverpool's
minder in the San Siro.
(David Prentice - Liverpool Echo)
Benitez had tactics spot on
Liverpool exposed the Italian way of football in the San
Siro.
The Reds effectively won the tie at Anfield by taking the
2-0 lead.
I expected Inter would put the Reds under far more pressure
in the return leg, but it was obvious long before the finish
that they don’t have the power or the energy when they are
behind, due to the fact that their game plan is a more
defensive one.
With 15 minutes remaining, and with a 3-0 advantage, the
Reds were just rolling the ball about and if the referee had
called a halt there and then I think Inter would probably
have taken it.
They had come to Anfield to do the same type of job the Reds
were looking to achieve last night. Two late goals scuppered
their plan – but
the Italians could not do anything about their plight and
their players looked well beaten by the time Fernando Torres
fired home the all important away goal.
Inter are top of their league, supposedly one of the best
sides in Europe, but the Reds were superb, outplayed them,
and manager Rafa Benitez got the tactics just right again.
There is no doubt that Benitez comes into his own in the
Champions League. His eye for detail is astute, his team was
carefully prepared to do an “Italian job” and they
accomplished it perfectly.
(Tommy Smith - Liverpool Echo)
Rafa: We've shown English standard
Rafa Benitez hailed his Liverpool side’s Champions League
victory over Italian champions Inter as an example that The
Premier League is the best domestic competition in the
world, and the Spaniard says he would relish facing another
English club in the final.
"This shows The Premier League is the best in the world and
the top four clubs are maybe the top four in Europe," beamed
Benitez after watching Fernando Torres secure progression.
"That is the power of The Premier League. It is a very
special league at the moment - it's clear we have got good
players.
"I would be really pleased to play the final against any
club, but perhaps if it is an English club then it would be
even better."
(Setanta Sports) |
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TUESDAY 11 |
Torres gets Inter groove in San Siro
Liverpool marched into the Champions League quarter-finals
after Fernando Torres' second-half goal gave them a 1-0 win
over 10-man
Inter Milan.
The Reds ended Inter's hopes thanks to Fernando Torres' 26th
goal of the season to join the Gunners, Manchester United
and Chelsea in Friday's quarter-final draw.
Liverpool needed to defend magnificently in the first half
but when Nicolas Burdisso was sent off after 50 minutes the
visitors took control and got the goal they needed to make
the Italians' task of recovering from a 2-0 first-leg
deficit an impossible task.
But Rafael Benitez's side have been the better team in both
legs and received an ovation not only from their own fans
but the home
supporters too.
(TEAMtalk)
Mascherano returns in Milan
Javier Mascherano returns to the Liverpool side for this
evening's clash in the San Siro as manager Rafael Benitez
makes five changes to the side which defeated Newcastle at
the weekend.
Mascherano has recovered from injury and replaces Xabi
Alonso in
the centre of midfield while Fabio Aurelio, Dirk Kuyt, Sami
Hyypia and Ryan Babel also earn recalls.
Jamie Carragher is likely to operate at right back as he
makes his 100th appearance for the Reds in Europe.
The Liverpool team for tonight's game is:
Reina, Carragher, Skrtel, Hyypia, Aurelio, Lucas,
Mascherano, Babel, Kuyt, Gerrard, Torres.
Subs: Itandje, Riise, Voronin, Benayoun, Crouch, Pennant,
Arbeloa.
(LFC Official Website)
Mascherano named in Argentina squad
Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano has been named in the
Argentina squad for the friendly against Egypt later this
month.
But Manchester United’s Carlos Tevez has been rested from
the 20-man party for the March 26 match, with the striker
suspended for
the subsequent World Cup qualifier against Ecuador in June.
(Liverpool Daily Post)
PFA: Alonso absence understandable
Professional Footballers' Association deputy chief executive
Mick McGuire does not believe Liverpool midfielder Xabi
Alonso should be criticised for missing a Champions League
match to attend the birth of his first child.
The Spanish star stayed on Merseyside on Monday while the
rest of
the Reds squad flew to Milan for the second leg of their
last-16 clash with Inter, which they lead 2-0.
Reds boss Rafa Benitez said of Alonso's late decision: "Xabi
wanted
to stay behind. He had said he would come if things were
okay, but we couldn't wait, wait, wait, and I now have to
use my squad."
Newspaper reports claim the playmaker's future at Anfield is
in doubt because of his decision, but Maguire insists the
club should support Alonso.
He said: "We know it's an important game but is there
anything more important than what he's actually staying
for?"
(PA Sport)
Hicks denies blocking DIC fan plan
Tom Hicks has rejected claims that he blocked an attempt to
have
a Liverpool fan installed on the Anfield board during
negotiations with Dubai International Capital over its
potential investment in the club.
It had been claimed by DIC sources that the issue was one
reason why talks between the two parties collapsed on
Monday. A DIC insider, heavily involved in talks with fans
groups over the club's future, maintained that the idea of a
fan on the board did not appeal to Hicks' negotiators.
(Guardian Unlimited)
Gerrard: Carra is a legend
Steven Gerrard has labelled clubmate Jamie Carragher 'a
legend' ahead of the vice-captain's 100th European
appearance for Liverpool.
Carra will step into the San Siro tonight as the only player
ever to reach that feat in a red shirt.
Gerrard, who currently has 86 appearances in continental
competition, claims he cannot remember a poor performance
from his great friend throughout their European adventures.
He said: "To play 100 games in Europe is a magnificent
achievement. It's a wonderful record for Carra to have and
I'm sure he will go on to break even more records in the
future because he is a top professional who always looks
after himself and who always gives 100 per cent in every
game.
"If you look back on those 100 games you would be doing well
to recall many bad ones."
(LFC Official Website)
DIC refuse to give up on goal of running Liverpool FC
Dubai’s ruling family have not given up hope of buying a
stake in Liverpool despite the club’s co-owner Tom Hicks
breaking off negotiations.
The Texan threw the future of the club back into turmoil
after he terminated discussions with Dubai International
Capital (DIC).
Hicks said he was not prepared to manage the club jointly
with DIC “by committee” and vetoed their proposal to buy out
49% of co-owner George Gillett’s 50% stake.
DIC said they had no comment to make, but sources close to
the deal say the company, the investment arm of Dubai ruler
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, are keen to revive a
deal.
(Liverpool Daily Post)
Rafa praises Carra
Rafael Benitez has praised Jamie Carragher.
Carragher will become the first Liverpool player in the
club's history to play 100 games in europe tonight and in
his pre-match press conference Rafa Benitez paid tribute to
his vice-captain.
"When you talk about that number of games you see how
important the player is for us," he said.
"He has a very good mentality and commitment. He is a key
player,both now and for the future."
(LFC Online)
Hicks's decision hardens opinion of Liverpool FC against
him
Liverpool FC fans last night reacted with dismay at co-owner
Tom Hicks’s decision to stop negotiations with DIC.
Les Lawson, secretary of Liverpool official supporters
association, said the decision would “harden” opposition to
his ownership.
“This has gone down like a lead balloon,” said Lawson. “We
just want Hicks and Gillett to do what’s right for Liverpool
Football Club.
“Hicks is doing this because he wants to run LFC in a
particular way. DIC were saying they wanted to run the club
by committee, that’s how it has always been done.
“I just hope they don’t walk away. As far as I am concerned,
there is no way they [Hicks and Gillett] are going to win
back the trust of the supporters.
“The Liverpool supporters’ attitude will harden now. We know
about loyalty, the only loyalty Hicks is showing is to
himself and his bank account.”
(Liverpool Daily Post) |
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MONDAY 10 |
Rafa maintains Inter focus
Rafa Benitez was concentrating his focus on Liverpool’s
Champions League encounter with Inter in Milan on Tuesday
after the news that Reds co-owner Tom Hicks had terminated
talks with Dubai International Capital over investing in the
club late on Monday.
The Spaniard has had to deal with speculation about new
investors in
the club – as well as rumours about his future – for some
time and he opted to remain attentive to The Reds’ European
campaign on the eve of their last 16 crunch tie with the
Italian champions.
"My reaction to this news is to concentrate on my side
scoring goals to beat Inter Milan,” said Benitez.
"We are thinking only about the game. The aim is to do what
we have been doing before against Inter, and we know that if
we score then we win the tie."
(Setanta Sports)
Reds travel without Alonso
Rafa Benitez has confirmed he will be without the services
of midfielder Xabi Alonso ahead of Liverpool’s Champions
League clash with Inter.
The Spaniard has remained on Merseyside with his pregnant
girlfriend, thus cutting down Benitez’s midfield options.
"Xabi wanted to stay behind. He had said he would come if
things were okay, but we couldn't wait, wait, wait, and I
now have to use my squad,” said the Liverpool manager.
The loss of the influential Alonso was tempered with the
news that Javier Mascherano had travelled with The Reds to
Giuseppe Meazza.
(Setanta Sports)
Reds future up in the air
Liverpool’s co-owner Tom Hicks on Monday night threw the
future of the club back into turmoil by terminating
discussions with the Dubai
royal family.
In a shock move, the Texan business tycoon broke off talks
with Dubai International Capital (DIC), who had been
confident of sewing up a deal
to buy out 49% of co-owner George Gillett’s 50% stake.
Hicks had to give the go-ahead for that move – but instead
he has exercised his right of veto, saying he was unwilling
to manage the club with DIC “by committee”.
(Ireland On-Line)
Barnsley to face Cardiff in FA Cup semis
Barnsley's reward for knocking holders Chelsea and Liverpool
out of
the FA Cup is a semi-final against fellow Championship
(second division) side Cardiff City.
Monday's draw also pitted Portsmouth, the only Premier
League side left in the competition, against Championship
high-flyers
West Bromwich Albion.
It is the first time since 1908 that only one team from the
top flight reached the semi-finals.
Both ties will be played at Wembley on the weekend of April
5-6.
(Reuters)
Inter star passed fit for Reds test
Inter’s hopes of overturning a 2-0 deficit and eliminating
Liverpool from the Champions League have improved somewhat
with the news that Cristian Chivu will be fit to start the
second leg in Milan on Tuesday night.
The Romanian defender sustained a shoulder problem in a
recent Serie A defeat to Napoli and missed the weekend’s win
over Reggina as a result
of the injury.
“I have been training with the squad for two days now, and I
haven't had any real problems when making challenges," Chivu
said on the club’s official website.
"I'm still feeling a bit of pain, but the pain threshold
barrier is much higher now. I am at the service of the team
and the coach."
Chivu’s availability is a huge bonus for Inter who are
without Ivan Cordoba and Walter Samuel due to injury and
Marco Materazzi due to a suspension incurred after his
dismissal in the first leg at Anfield.
(Setanta Sports)
Mascherano back for Liverpool v Inter Milan clash
Liverpool’s Champions League hopes were boosted today when
Javier Mascherano was included in the party to travel for
tomorrow’s last-16 second-leg clash with Inter Milan.
Mascherano limped out of last week’s 4-0 Barclays Premier
League win over West Ham with a groin injury and missed
Saturday’s 3-0 success against Newcastle.
Boss Rafael Benitez was always confident his newly signed
£18.6million midfielder would be fit to face Inter match -
and he was proved correct today.
But Liverpool - already 2-0 ahead from the first leg and
anxious to join Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal in
the last eight - were missing full-back Steve Finnan, who
has a hamstring problem.
Vice-captain Jamie Carragher will play his 100th European
game -
a Liverpool record - in the San Siro.
Provisional squad: Reina, Arbeloa, Aurelio, Hyypia, Skrtel,
Carragher, Riise, Pennant, Gerrard, Mascherano, Alonso,
Babel, Benayoun, Lucas, Crouch, Kuyt, Torres, Itandje.
(Liverpool Daily Post)
Keegan salutes Gerrard
and Torres double act
Kevin Keegan urged Liverpool fans to sit back and enjoy the
next chapter of great goalscoring partnerships in the club's
illustrious history after watching his dire Newcastle side
slump to defeat on Saturday.
The Toon boss and former Anfield goal hero couldn't help
purring about
the performances of Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres after
Liverpool's comfortable 3-0 victory.
Keegan seemed to revel in the opportunity to forget about
his own side for a couple of seconds as he rapped on about
the blossoming Reds strikeforce.
He commented: "You can see that Torres and Gerrard are
building up
a great partnership and really starting to get the best out
of one another.
"For those two players this is just the start and it will
only get better for them."
(Liverpool Echo)
Mancini looks for repeat of '65
Inter boss Roberto Mancini and captain Javier Zanetti are
both confident the Serie A champions can turn the tables on
Liverpool on Tuesday.
The Reds take a 2-0 advantage to The San Siro thanks to
goals from Dirk Kuyt and Steven Gerrard, and are now
favourites to qualify for the Champions League quarter
finals.
Tuesday’s scenario recalls memories of the last time the two
sides met at Europe’s top table in 1965, when Inter managed
to overturn a 3-1 first leg deficit – albeit in hugely
controversial circumstances.
Mancini is confident a repeat could be on the cards, without
the fortunate refereeing decisions this time, as Inter go
into the game off the back of
a 2-0 win over Reggina at the weekend.
“We need three goals to qualify in 90 minutes and this side
is capable of it,” he stated.
“Liverpool did not create much in the first leg. But they
kept us under pressure and, unfortunately, the last five
minutes proved decisive.
“Yet I still think we can do it. Any result is possible.”
(Setanta Sports)
Thor Zakariassen
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