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WEDNESDAY 12 |
England 3-0 Russia
A Michael Owen brace helped a vibrant England to a vital win
over Euro 2008 qualifying rivals Russia.
Owen was composure personified when Gareth Barry's cross
fell to him 10 yards out and he sidefooted in off the post
to give England an early lead.
Russia's Konstantin Zhyrianov had a goal harshly ruled out
for handball before a lethal Owen powered in a shot.
England weathered a spell of pressure from Russia before Rio
Ferdinand angled in a shot to complete the win.
(BBC Sport Online)
Xavi and Torres give Spain victory
Spain bounced back from a poor display at the weekend to
move one step closer to qualification for next year's
European Championships with victory over Latvia in Oviedo.
Luis Aragonés' side dominated possession once again, but
this time were able to net twice through Xavi and Fernando
Torres to ensure that they secured all three points.
(Goal.com)
Reds to prevent ex-assistant moving to rivals
After the shock departure of Pako Ayesteran two weeks ago
from Anfield, the reds have put in place a deal to ensure
the assistant does not join any other club for the rest of
the season.
There were concerns that after the split in their 11 year
working relationship - Pako may have been offered lucrative
deals with Chelsea or Manchester United.
One suggestion throughout has been that it was Pako’s
closeness, or even desire to work with, Jose Mourinho at
Chelsea.
It is believed matters came to a head when Ayesteran refused
to appear in this season’s squad photograph.
(Anfield Online)
Parry refutes Cup Euro claim
Rick Parry has said the idea to hand FA Cup winners a
Champion League spot is ridiculous, and has been condemned
by all league clubs, not just the so-called big four.
Parry said that the Europoean Championship should be based
on league performance.
"Contrary to the claim only Liverpool and Manchester United
oppose this in England, all the Premier League clubs at the
UEFA meeting did so, and this position is supported by the
Premier League itself," he said.
Parry added, "It's not a question of self-interest by the
big clubs, because if you look at the recent FA Cup winners,
all were in the top four. It's just more of a lottery in the
cup. There's a strong feeling the Champions League place
should be based on Premier League performance."
(LFC Online)
Youngster extends Shrews loan
Young Academy midfielder Jimmy Ryan has extended his
loan spell at League Two side Shrewsbury Town for a further
four weeks.
The Liverpool youngster, who was part of the victorious FA
Youth Cup winning team last season, wasn't one of the
players chosen to move up to Melwood in the summer and he is
now registered as a third year Academy player with the
option of looking for a new club.
So far he has made three appearances for the Shrews since
signing for them on loan at the start of the season.
(LFC Official Website)
Reds win friendly
Liverpool beat Crewe 2-1 in a friendly yesterday.
A mixture of reserve team players and first teamers not on
international duty beat Crewe Alexandra 2-1 at the Academy
yesterday afternoon.
The Reds took the lead after 35 minutes when Jermaine
Pennant was felled in the box. Xabi Alonso, partnering Jack
Hobbs at centre back, scored from the spot.
Momo Sissoko, Alvaro Arbeloa, Yossi Benayoun, Sebastian Leto
and Lucas Levia all played the first half as did Fabio
Aurelio, his first game since rupturing his cruciate
ligament against PSV Eindhoven back in March.
There were ten changes at half time, with only goalkeeper
David Martin playing the full 90 minutes. The second half
saw new boys Mikel San Jose, Daniel Pachecho and Damien
Plessis get a run out as well as FA Youth Cup winners Craig
Lindfield, Ray Putterill, Stephen Darby, Ryan Flynn and Jay
Spearing. Robert Huth was the other subsitute.
Crewe levelled on the hour but they had parity for only six
minutes. Ryan Flynn sent a cross into the box and Ray
Putterill volleyed home
the winner.
(LFC Online) |
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TUESDAY 11 |
Cagliari rubbish Liverpool link
Cagliari have reacted furiously to speculation in the
English media regarding alleged interest from Liverpool in
Pasquale Foggia.
The Sardinian club posted an angry denial of the story on
their official website and insisted it was pure fabrication
on the part of the tabloid newspapers involved.
"Cagliari football club deny any negotiation with the
English club Liverpool for the player Pasquale Foggia," the
statement reads.
The 24-year-old left winger is still owned by Lazio but an
agreement is already in place to make his switch to his
current employers permanent at the end of the season.
He was called up by Roberto Donadoni for Italy's Euro 2008
qualifiers earlier this month as reward for a fine start to
the campaign.
Cagliari have stressed that they are proud of his
introduction to the Azzurri squad and do not want their
'healthy atmosphere' affected by talk of a move to Anfield.
(Setanta Sports)
Rafa rejects Reina move talk
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has rubbished reports linking
Jose Reina with a possible move to Atletico Madrid.
Speculation emanating from Spain suggested Atletico were
lining up a move for the Liverpool No 1.
Benitez has refuted the rumours and says the player is going
nowhere, having signed a new deal to keep him at Anfield
until 2012.
"I spoke to some people about this and, unfortunately, I
think the journalist who wrote the story is very
inexperienced," Benitez told the Liverpool Echo.
"Maybe before 'Pepe' signed a new contract a lot of clubs
wanted to talk to him, but that was many weeks ago.
"He is very happy at Liverpool and I don't believe at the
start of the season, with Pepe and the team playing really
well, is the time to start talking about what will happen at
the end of this season.
"The transfer window is closed and Pepe is really happy here
so a story like this is not true."
(Sporting Life)
Gerrard: No Rafa rift
Steven Gerrard says there has been no problem with Rafa
Benitez over his decision to play through the pain-barrier
for England.
The Liverpool skipper is hampered by a broken toe injury he
picked up last month and he has been rested for his club's
last three games.
Benitez had expressed his reservations over Gerrard playing
for England as he looks for his midfield dynamo to regain
full fitness.
Gerrard came through last weekend's win over Israel without
any ill-effects and he has declared himself fit to face
Russia on Wednesday.
The 27-year-old admitted he is in a little discomfort with
the injury and he revealed he has been keeping Benitez
updated with his fitness.
"I've had a few aches and pains, I had a fracture about
three weeks ago and was told by the medical staff at England
and Liverpool that I will get the odd ache and pain,"
Gerrard told the club's official website.
"I've been in contact with Rafa all week. He's been telling
me to be careful but he also understands how desperate I am
to play in these games. He's been really good with me."
(Sky Sports)
Campbell hopes to return against Reds
Sol Campbell hopes to face Liverpool on Saturday.
The Portsmouth defender had to rule himself out of the
England squad for the Israel and Russia games because of
injury, but Campbell is hopeful of recovering in time for
Portsmouth's game against the Reds at Fratton Park on
Saturday.
(LFC Online)
Liverpool boost as Fabio Aurelio returns
Fabio Aurelio was expected to make his long awaited
recovery from injury in a behind closed doors friendly
today.
The Brazilian is pencilled in to face Crewe in a reserve
game scheduled at Liverpool’s Academy.
Providing the full- back feels comfortable enough to start,
he’ll be involved for the first time since snapping his
Achilles tendon in the 3-0 win over PSV Eindhoven in last
year’s Champions League quarter-final first leg.
“We hope Fabio will be able to play in this game,” explained
manager Rafa Benitez. “He’s been training well and now we
think he is ready. It’s positive news to have him back.”
If Aurelio comes through the match unscathed, he could be in
contention for a senior call-up sooner rather than later.
(Liverpool Echo)
Postiga to miss Reds clash
Porto have received mixed news on the injury front ahead of
next week's UEFA Champions League clash with Liverpool.
Former Tottenham misfit Helder Postiga will miss the clash
against Liverpool after picking up a knock on international
duty, but Helton has recovered from injury.
Postiga suffered a knee injury in training with Portugal
which ruled him out of last weekend's draw with Poland.
Scans have shown that Postiga has damaged knee ligaments and
he faces up to a month on the sidelines.
Better news on the injury front is the return to fitness of
Helton after a knee injury.
The Brazilian keeper is set to face Maritimo this weekend
and if he comes through that unscathed he is expected to
start against Liverpool.
(Sky Sports)
Steven Taylor-made for Pool
Newcastle defender Steven Taylor is being linked with a
switch to Liverpool after rejecting a new deal at St James'
Park.
The centre-half, who is currently on international duty, has
two years left on his current agreement and is in no rush to
sign the five-year contract on the table and Spurs are also
said to be keen.
Taylor's father, Alf, who negotiates for his son, insists
the youngsters is desperate to stay on Tyneside but
speculation is mounting.
(Clubcall Sports)
Gerrard hails McClaren's England quality
Steven Gerrard believes the current England squad possesses
more quality than any other in which he has been involved.
The 27-year-old Liverpool skipper made his international
debut against the Ukraine seven years ago and believes the
time is now for the team to stop under-achieving and start
progressing beyond the quarter-final stages of major
tournaments.
England find themselves three points adrift of Group E
leaders Croatia in the race to qualify for next summer's
Euro 2008 finals in Switzerland and Austria going into their
vital clash with Russia at Wembley.
But Gerrard has every confidence in Steve McClaren's squad,
telling reporters: "If this team clicks, the quality in this
squad is probably better than the squads with which I've
gone into big tournaments in the past. There is more
quality."
(Channel 4) |
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MONDAY 10 |
Finnan to miss Prague qualifier
Republic of Ireland defender Steve Finnan has been ruled out
of the Euro 2008 qualifier against the Czech Republic in
Prague on Wednesday.
The Liverpool full-back, who missed the 2-2 draw with
Slovakia on Saturday, has failed to recover from a knee
injury.
Wolves' midfielder Darren Potter will also miss the game
through injury and Stephen Ireland has withdrawn after the
death of his grandmother.
(BBC Sport Online)
Gerrard fit for Wembley showdown
England midfielder Steven Gerrard has declared himself fit
for Wednesday's crunch Euro 2008 qualifier with Russia at
Wembley after suffering no reaction to his broken toe.
Gerrard was substituted with 20 minutes remaining in
Saturday's 3-0 win against Israel at the same venue.
But the Liverpool captain was only suffering from a bout of
cramp caused by his lack of recent training after picking up
the toe problem three weeks ago.
Gerrard said: "The toe is fine. There is no reaction. I'm
fit for Wednesday no problem. I am really pleased with how
the toe is feeling at the moment."
Reds boss Rafael Benitez has been in close contact with
Gerrard to assess his fitness.
(Ireland On-Line)
Carragher back in training
Jamie Carragher will step up training today in a bid to
prove his fitness ahead of Saturday’s trip to Portsmouth.
The Liverpool defender hopes to complete his recovery from
the broken rib he sustained at Sunderland, but he’ll know
more about his comeback chances after this morning’s
training session.
If the centre-half feels any discomfort, his return may be
delayed.
Carragher is determined to play this weekend, but manager
Rafa Benitez is understandably cautious.
“We must be careful with Carra, and we will wait until the
end of the week to see how well he is,” explained Benitez.
“He is running again and he will do more training and then
maybe we can see if he has a chance to play at the weekend.
At this moment, it’s still too early to say.”
(Liverpool Echo)
Beardsley impressed with Reds
Liverpool's superb start to the season has impressed Peter
Beardsley.
The former Red has been impressed with the way the team have
played so far this season and says Rafael Benitez has
assembled a squad that can win the league.
"This Liverpool team that Rafa Benitez has created is the
real deal -absolutely no question. He has bought really
well," said Beardsley.
"Jose Reina is a great keeper, Andriy Voronin is different
class and Fernando Torres is so pacey and sharp.
"Torres reminds me of Dennis Bergkamp but I think he is a
little bit quicker than the Dutchman was.
"Ian Rush was the best I have ever seen defending from the
front, but Torres really looks as if he is always hungry to
win the ball back.
"I think Benitez now has the depth to make a genuine and
sustained assault on the Championship.
"In the past the problem has been that they didn't have the
depth. When Liverpool had their strongest side out they won
cup competitions, as they showed during Gerard Houllier's
time, but over a season long marathon they were found out
because they didn't have quality in reserve. That has
changed under Benitez."
(LFC Online)
Crouch delays on new deal
Peter Crouch won't sign a new contract until January.
Crouch has been offered a new three year deal by Rafael
Benitez but the striker is to delay signing it until January
to see how much a part of the Liverpool boss' plans he
really is.
Crouch has only played seven minutes of Premiership football
for the Reds this season and hasn't even made the bench for
three of Liverpool's four league games.
(LFC Online)
Liverpool in hunt for £12 million playmaker
Liverpool are lining up a January bid for Cagliari playmaker
Pasquale Foggia.
According to the News of the World, Liverpool boss Rafa
Benetiz is eager to add the 24 year old to his squad despite
the £12 million price tag that has been slapped on him by
his current club Lazio.
(all3points-Liverpool)
Gerrard delighted by Hesky return
Steven Gerrard has hailed Emile Heskey as England’s unsung
hero as they begin the countdown to Wednesday’s crunch Euro
2008 qualifier with Russia at Wembley.
Heskey was brought back into the England side after an
absence of more than three years and played a major role in
the weekend win over Israel.
He linked up effectively with Michael Owen and, with Peter
Crouch available after suspension to face the Russians, has
given head coach Steve McClaren food for thought when it
comes to naming his side.
Gerrard also knows of Heskey’s qualities from his four-year
spell at Liverpool and insists they are appreciated in the
dressing room if not always on the terraces and among the
critics.
He said: “I was really pleased, with Crouchy being
suspended, that the manager brought Emile in. I know him
inside out and Emile is a player’s player.
“You appreciate him and what he contributes when you are out
there with him on the pitch. He does a lot of hard work that
just goes unnoticed."
(Ireland On-Line)
Thor Zakariassen
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