Rosicky missing for Liverpool test
Tomas Rosicky will miss Sunday's date with Liverpool after the Czech ace suffered a hamstring injury which could sideline him for two weeks.
(TEAMtalk) 
 
Benitez wants a cleaner game
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez wants action to clean up the game to stop players cheating - and has pleaded with managers to set an example with their own behaviour.
The Anfield chief takes his side to face Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, where he will come face to face with Gunners boss Arsene Wenger.
The Frenchman, who has been charged - along with West Ham boss Alan Pardew - with improper conduct after last weekend's touchline clash at Upton Park.
Benitez admits to his "disappointment" when he sees problems between managers, while also broadening his comments to cover the current uproar over refereeing standards and diving and cheating by players.
The Spaniard does not want to see referees become more high profile by being asked to explain their decisions to the media.
But he wants the FA to use video technology after matches to catch the cheats and to stamp out bad behaviour on the pitch.
Benitez explained: "Always you must be disappointed when you see problems between managers.
"We must be an example for the young lads who are starting out in the game, and in fact to youngsters in other sports."
(PA Sport) 

Rafa: My agent was misquoted
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has poured scorn on alleged quotes from his agent linking him with a move to Italy.
The Spaniard insists he has no plans to leave Anfield.
"I was talking to my agent and he explained to me what the journalist had asked him," said Rafa.
"It was a website. The journalist said the Italian league is good, my agent said it's fantastic. The journalist asked if Rafa could manage there, my agent said I am a good manager.
"After this they started changing words and at the end of the day you are in jail!
"I'm really happy here and I'm not thinking about another club. I am thinking about winning a lot of trophies with Liverpool."
(LFC Official Website)

Dudek to get Anfield chance
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez could be ready to throw goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek an Anfield lifeline following his impressive display against Birmingham City.
The Polish shot stopper made three vital saves as the Reds progressed in the Carling Cup in midweek, and Benitez may give Dudek a chance ahead of under-fire Jose Reina.
"He is a good goalkeeper, very professional and he deserves to have a little bit of luck," said Benitez.
"We have spoken since the start of the season about his situation. We knew when the transfer window closed that he needed to do as well as he can here. He was been working very hard.
"We are not thinking about selling him at the moment. For me and for him, the most important thing is to be focused on games and try to show people he is fit and is a really good goalkeeper."
(Clubcall Sports)

Puzzle over Alonso role
There is only one player more important to Liverpool's long term health than Momo Sissoko - and that man will be restored to central midfield as a result of the appallingly ill-timed injury to the influential African.
But Steven Gerrard's return to his favoured centre stage will soon spark another debate.
Is Xabi Alonso the right man to play alongside him?
(Liverpool Echo)

Big guns back for Arsenal
Arsene Wenger will recall his senior players for Sunday’s Barclays Premiership showdown with Liverpool after making wholesale changes for the midweek Carling Cup win at Everton.
Goalkeeper Manuel Almunia has been passed fit after suffering concussion, and there were no fresh injury concerns.
However, Freddie Ljungberg (calf) and Julio Baptista (hamstring) are still not match fit, while Abou Diaby (ankle) and Lauren (knee) are longer-term absentees.
Provisional Squad: Lehmann, Hoyte, Toure, Gallas, Clichy, Fabregas, Gilberto, Hleb, Rosicky, Henry, van Persie, Almunia, Djourou, Senderos, Eboue, Song, Flamini, Walcott, Aliadiere, Adebayor.
(Ireland On-Line)

Adebayor wants to keep shirt
Emmanuel Adebayor hopes his Carling Cup heroics can help him retain his place for Sunday's Premiership clash with Liverpool.
The Togo striker netted the winner against Everton on Wednesday night to put Arsene Wenger's men into the last eight.
Wenger is likely to recall his senior men for the Reds' visit to the Emirates Stadium.
But Adebayor, 22, would like nothing more than to sample another big-match atmosphere - having scored the goal which beat Manchester United at Old Trafford in September.
"I would like to play against Liverpool but these are not my decisions, and I accept what the manager wants," he said.
(Liverpool Echo)

Bellamy urged to keep calm
Rafa Benitez has urged striker Craig Bellamy to play with 'less anxiety' as the Welshman continues his battle to improve his goalscoring form.
The £6m summer signing endured a nightmare in front of goal against Birmingham in midweek, missing a penalty and other clear opportunities.
He continues to catch the eye for his work rate and determination, but it's visibly obvious Bellamy is unhappy with his strike record since arriving from Ewood Park.
His first Premiership goal against Blackburn was followed by a frustrating calf injury which kept him out for six games.
Benitez jumped to the 27-year-old's defence today, insisting the forward's attitude to setbacks is a positive sign.
"If you ask me what kind of player I want, someone who misses a chance and isn't worried, or someone who is more determined to do better next time, I know which I'd prefer," said Benitez today.
(Liverpool Echo)

Zenden: We need to win points not plaudits
Bolo Zenden admits Liverpool must drastically improve their away results in the Barclays Premiership ahead of Sunday's clash with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
And the midfielder concedes Liverpool may have to forsake "pretty" football at times and instead make sure they accumulate points on their travels.
Zenden said: "It will be a very important game for us on Sunday. We are aware where we are in the league. We know our away form hasn't been the best but lately we have stepped it up a gear and done better than we did at the beginning of the season.
"One of our aims is to get the Anfield form into the away games as well and we are working hard at it. It is one thing playing well but it is also important to get the wins under your belt."
(Daily Post) 

Reds desperate for away-day joy
Almost three weeks after their disastrous defeat at Manchester United, Liverpool are finally back on the road knowing they must put an end to their shocking away form in the Barclays Premiership.
Four successive home victories, including two in the league against Aston Villa and Reading, have seen Liverpool claw their way up to seventh, but the Anfield men know that unless they start winning away they will not be making any real progress.
And it does not come much harder than a trip to Arsenal, where Liverpool have notoriously done poorly.
But they must hope to consign their old Highbury form to history and hope things change for the better in the new Emirates Stadium.
And manager Rafael Benitez does not hide from the fact Liverpool's away league form this term is just not acceptable, even if they finally won an away game on English soil on Wednesday by beating Birmingham to reach the Carling Cup quarter finals.
(PA Sport)

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