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FRIDAY 15 |
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Reds could be heading to Thailand
Liverpool, Everton and Newcastle United may take part in a
pre-season tournament in Thailand this summer.
It is reported that organisers must raise 100million baht to
fund the project through sponsorship.
Such an event would be held in July or August.
Information is sketchy at the moment and supporters are
reminded that this may not happen so don't get your hopes up
yet.
(Kop Talk)
Defoe in squad for Reds clash
Tottenham’s leading goalscorer Jermain Defoe has been
included in the squad for tomorrow’s Barclays Premiership
clash with Liverpool.
Defoe missed training on Thursday after being struck down by
illness but returned to action today and did enough to be
included in Martin Jol’s matchday squad.
(BreakingNews.ie)
Rafa has same ambitions as Stevie
Rafael Benitez has challenged Steven Gerrard to win the
trophies he craves for Liverpool - starting with the
Champions League.
Skipper Gerrard was at home recuperating from a groin injury
while his team-mates were producing a stunning aggregate
victory over Juventus this week.
He is expected to be back at the forefront for Saturday's
Barclays Premiership clash with Tottenham as Liverpool again
look to cut Everton's lead over them in fourth place to just
one point.
Benitez said: "Steven was delighted for us when we all
returned from Turin, shaking everyone's hand and he is
already thinking about the semi-final. And if he wants to
win trophies now he has a possibility!''
It was a pointed remark from Benitez, who added: "When
people talk to me about Gerrard and say he wants to win
trophies, I say, 'me too'. I want to win trophies, I am not
here to learn English, I am here for winning trophies.
(ITV Football)
Hyypia impresses Roma
Roma have been impressed with Sami Hyypia's tremendous
performances in the UEFA Champions League.
The Liverpool stopper was in superb form during his side's
goalless draw at Juventus that clinched a semi-final spot
with Chelsea in Europe's premier competition.
Watching representatives from the Giallorossi were so
enthusiastic about the Finland international's qualities
that they may consider a summer bid for the Reds defender.
(Sky Sports)
Cisse bullish about European chances
Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse claims the club can now win
the Champions League.
The French international made his dramatic comeback to
action on Wednesday as a late substitute in the
quarter-final triumph against Juventus in Turin.
He will be in the squad to face Tottenham and is likely to
be on the substitutes' bench, his first domestic action
since October when he broke his leg at Blackburn.
Now Cisse cannot wait for the two semi-final battles with
Chelsea, and said: "There is no reason we cannot win the
competition now. I think other teams will be taking notice
of Liverpool after our result against Juventus.
"I am really pleased for all my team-mates because they have
taken us so far in the competition and they have done a
great job.
"It is going to be hard against Chelsea, but having lost to
them three times, now we really want to beat them.
"I am really looking forward to both games. People will make
Chelsea favourites, but that's better for us."
(Sporting Life)
Liverpool ace plays down transfer
speculation
Liverpool striker Milan Baros has refused to be drawn on the
speculation linking him with a possible summer exit.
The Czech international insists he's only concentrating on
playing for the Reds at the moment but hints that there
could be some activity in the summer.
Responding to the ongoing speculation, Baros said: "I read
it only in a newspaper, nobody has contacted me. I don't
even know if somebody has contacted my agent Pavel Paska.
"It's irrelevant to think about this, I am concentrating on
playing for Liverpool. There is still one month until the
season's end and whatever happens in the summer.
"I am calm at the moment."
(Kop Talk)
Robben returns for Reds showdown
Arjen Robben is looking to provide Chelsea with a major lift
by returning to action in time for their Champions League
semi-finals against Liverpool.
Robben, 21, has been out for the past three weeks with a
bruised ankle sustained in Holland's World Cup qualifying
tie against Romania.
However, the winger is set to return to full training next
week, with Chelsea TV reporting he could even be considered
for next Wednesday's game against Arsenal at Stamford
Bridge.
Even if the Holland international misses that game, he could
still be involved against Fulham next weekend, putting him
in line to face Liverpool in the Champions League semi-final
first leg a few days later.
(Sporting Life)
Boss suprised at Carra snub
Rafael Benitez has expressed his suprise about Jamie
Carragher's omission from the PFA Player of the Year
nominations.
Steven Gerrard is the Reds' sole representative on the list
but it is Jamie Carragher who has been Liverpool's best
player this season and Rafael Benitez was suprised by his
omission.
"For sure, Steven has possibilities, but Carragher not
nominated?" said Benitez when asked about his captain's
inclusion on the list.
"He has had a fantastic season," added the boss, who then
joked: "I just want to see him score more goals. That is my
challenge to him now."
(LFC Online)
Gerrard fit to face Spurs
Liverpool's push for a top four finish in the Premiership
will be boosted by the return of Steven Gerrard against
Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on Saturday.
The influential Reds skipper missed the heroic midweek draw
in Turin with a groin injury picked up in last weekend's
defeat at Manchester City.
But after receiving treatment at Melwood this week Gerrard
is now ready for a return to action and manager Rafael
Benitez has confirmed he is in line to face Spurs.
"Steven is better and maybe he will play," Rafa told the
press this morning. "Obviously this is good news for us. It
is important for us to have more possibilities now."
Benitez also confirmed that Xabi Alonso and Djibril Cisse
are fit after making their long awaited comebacks against
Juventus but added that there is nothing new to report on
the injury situations regarding Josemi, Dietmar Hamann,
Florent Sinama-Pongolle and
Chris Kirkland.
(LFC Official Website)
Parry: Liverpool are 'bigger than one
player'
Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry insisted the Reds'
victory over Juventus in the Champions League quarter-finals
was proof that the Reds were not a one-man team.
Star midfielder Steven Gerrard was back on Merseyside
nursing a groin injury as the team gained a goalless draw in
Turin which ensured a 2-1 aggregate success.
Parry remains determined to keep hold of the 24-year-old
this summer despite strong reported interest from Chelsea,
who Liverpool face in the Champions League semi-finals later
this month, and he believes the impressive display on
Wednesday night underlined the quality and depth of
Liverpool's squad.
"I don't think this (victory) is about Steven Gerrard, this
is about Liverpool Football Club," he said. "Steven wasn't
with us last night and we proved that we can cope. Yes, of
course, Steven has made it clear that he wants to win
trophies, we've made it equally clear that we do too.
"We hope that he will be with us in the future and winning
more trophies but Liverpool is much bigger than one player."
(Daily Post)
Death of former keeper Sidlow
Former Liverpool goalkeeper Cyril Sidlow has died at the age
of 89.
The last line of defence in the club's title-winning team of
1946-47 and also the first Wembley appearance three years
later, Sidlow, born in Colwyn Bay, joined Liverpool in
February 1946 from Wolverhampton Wanderers for a fee of
£4,000 and made his debut in a Football League North fixture
against Sunderland.
A powerfully-built custodian, Sidlow quickly established
himself as the regular number one and played 34 times as the
inaugural post-war championship came to Anfield the
following season.
Famed for throwing the ball up field rather than kicking it,
his outstanding performance in the pivotal game of the 46-47
campaign against his former club Wolves was perhaps the high
point of his Liverpool career.
In 1953 Sidlow, who made 165 first-team appearances for
Liverpool. returned to Molineux as emergency cover for Bert
Williams and coached the Wolves youngsters until his
retirement from the game in 1955
(Daily Post)
Spurs sweat on Defoe fitness
Tottenham head coach Martin Jol will discover whether
Jermain Defoe is fit to face Champions League semi-finalists
Liverpool.
Defoe, Spurs' leading scorer with 22 goals, failed to train
on Thursday after being struck down by illness and a sore
throat.
Should Defoe fail to recover in time for the trip to
Anfield, and with Mido struggling with a stomach strain,
Robbie Keane would be in line for only his fifth start in 13
matches.
Defoe apart, Anthony Gardner has hardly trained for a
fortnight, Mido has a stomach strain and Michael Brown has a
foot problem which forced him out of training.
Add to that Timothee Atouba's suspension and that both
Nourredine Naybet (hamstring) and Pedro Mendes (broken toe)
are out for the season and Jol's resources are thinning.
(Sporting Life)
Goalless draw for Reserves
Liverpool Reserves failed to turn their dominance into goals
as they were held to a goalless draw away at Sunderland in
the Barclays Premier Reserve League North last night.
The Reds fielded a young side but were able to welcome back
John Otsemobor after he missed the last two games through
illness.
LIVERPOOL RESERVES: Harrison, Otsemobor, Raven, O'Donnell,
Whitbread, Mannix, Partridge, Guthrie, Platt (Noon, 73),
Potter, Barratt.
(Daily Post) |
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THURSDAY 14 |
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Reds fans praised by police
Turin police have praised the behaviour of the Liverpool
supporters who travelled to Italy for the Champions League
clash with Juventus.
More than 2,500 fans made the trip for a fixture which was
always going to be highly charged because of the tragic
events at Heysel 20 years ago where 39 supporters died
following crowd trouble.
And although a section of the Juve fans disgraced themselves
at the final whistle by throwing missiles into the Liverpool
section, Reds' followers were applauded for their conduct.
"We are very satisfied," said Turin police spokeswoman
Cecilia Tartoni.
"The Liverpool fans behaved well, they respected all the
rules, and they didn't react to the heavy provocation
directed at them by the Juve fans.
"We have detained three Juve supporters who threw dangerous
objects during the game.
"We are now analysing all the footage we have taken before
and during the game and in the next few days we will
consider what action to take."
(TEAMtalk)
Stevie up for PFA award
Midfielder Steven Gerrard - absent from the win in Turin
with a groin injury - has been named in the shortlist for
PFA Footballer of the Year.
The influential midfielder has had another impressive year
for Liverpool, however he is likely to be beaten to the
Liverpool fans' player of the year award by the dependable
Jamie Carragher.
Gerrard is named in the list along with Crystal Palace
hotshot Andy Johnson, Premiership top scorer Thierry Henry
and Chelsea trio Petr Cech, Frank Lampard and John Terry.
Midfielder Frank Lampard is favourite to lift the award
after being helped by a record number of deflections this
season.
(This is Anfield)
Iceman Rafa has reserves of steel
For most of this unlikely Mersey season, the managerial
bragging rights have lain on the blue side of Stanley Park.
Threadbare squad, the ability to conjure limited resources,
an unlikely assault on an even more unlikely prize . . .
these are all qualities which have seen David Moyes lauded
as a potential manager of the year.
But now he has a challenger. From just across the park.
Liverpool boasted big men on the biggest of stages last
night, but the architect of an astonishing achievement in
the seething cauldron of the Stadio delle Alpi was
undoubtedly their ice-cool coach.
The Reds' roster of European glory is peppered with world
class names - from Keegan to Souness, Clemence to Dalglish,
Rush, Hansen and Lawrenson.
But this season's incredible Champions League charge has
been achieved effectively on a shoestring.
(Liverpool Echo)
We didn't deserve to beat Liverpool admits
Buffon
Goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon conceded Juventus simply did not
produce enough quality to get past Liverpool into the
Champions League semi-finals.
"In the end the away goal we got was useless. It's a pity
but we really could have done better at home," said Buffon,
the world's most expensive goalkeeper.
"We started off well and I thought we could do it but we
didn't produce enough to qualify. We played better at
Anfield than we did at home."
The Italians were frustrated by Liverpool's resolute
defending and Buffon admitted Juventus had made things too
easy for the English side.
(Reuters)
Reds' defence made it too difficult, says
Del Piero
Juventus captain Alessandro Del Piero paid tribute to
Liverpool's battling qualities after bowing out of the
Champions League.
The Bianconeri, who had defeated title favourites Real
Madrid in the previous round, were confident of progressing
through to the semi-finals of Europe's elite club
competition.
However, their failure to score against Liverpool at the
Stadio Delle Alpi saw them pay a high price for the 2-1
defeat in the first leg at Anfield.
Del Piero, though, is convinced it was not his team's
weakness but their rivals' strength that knocked them out of
the competition.
"We have to congratulate Liverpool," he said. "They have
defended well, they made it very difficult for us to have
any shots on goal."
(Liverpool Echo)
Carragher: 'Beat Chelski and Stevie G will
stay'
Jamie Carragher is convinced that Steven Gerrard will stay
at Liverpool if the Reds can beat Chelski and reach the
final of the Champions League.
"Why would anyone want to walk away from a club who had
reached a European Cup final? These are good times at
Liverpool at the moment and this result shows the club are
going places,” the defender declared.
"I'm sure Steven will be delighted back home. We're
desperate for him to stay but it's his decision. If we get
to the Champions League final it must have an influence."
(Football 365)
Cisse delighted with return
Fit-again Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse has expressed his
delight at returning to action.
The Frenchman, who broke his leg last October, marked his
return to action with a late substitute appearance in the
draw at Juventus on Wednesday night.
"I should have not resumed before July, that is what the
doctors said," said Cisse.
"But it has accelerated. I didn't ask myself too many
questions.
"One month ago, if you would have told me that, I would
never have believed it.
"It is a huge happiness. I have fun and tell myself it is so
good to play again.
"I think about people who supported me, notably my wife and
my family. But also Rafael Benitez, who has always backed
me.
"It is still too early to hope to be in the starting XI,
either against Chelsea in the European Cup or in The
Premiership.
"It would not be a help for the team.
"Today, I miss a little pace. It is just like I am at the
beginning of the season."
(Planet Football/Sky Sports)
Boss praises Alonso
Rafael Benitez has hailed the performance of Xabi Alonso
last night.
Alonso had only played 45 minutes of reserve team football
since breaking his ankle on January 1st before making his
first team come back in Turin last night but he gave an
immense performance and it looked like he'd never been away.
Benitez hailed the return of Alonso and also that of Djibril
Cisse, playing his first game since October 30th.
"It was great to see Xabi Alonso back on the pitch, as well
as Djibril Cisse, they are both fine players and important
to us," said Benitez.
"It was important that we had Xabi to call on with Steven
Gerrard not being fit, he can pass the ball so well, is very
clever and can also tackle hard.
"He has not played since New Year, but I had no worries
about his stamina, only for him being able to keep up with
the tempo.
"But when he was tired in the second half, he showed how
clever a player he is with his positioning and
distribution."
(LFC Online)
Liverpool target Chelsea revenge
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez set his sights on revenge
after clinching an all-Premiership Champions League
semi-final with Chelsea.
Benitez's injury-hit side went through after a goalless draw
against Juventus in Turin gave them a 2-1 aggregate win.
He said: "We have lost three times to Chelsea this season,
but we have also almost won three times in two league games
and in the Carling Cup final.
"We need to learn from those games and take confidence. I am
very proud."
(BBC Sport Online) |
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WEDNESDAY 13 |
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Rafa proud
Rafael Benitez has heaped praise on his Liverpool side after
their incredible victory over Juventus.
"I'm very proud with the staff, the workers and the players
and for us its important to give this result to our
supporters," he said after the game.
"We knew it would be difficult to create chances and we
needed to concentrate all the way through the game.
"We needed a player to keep the ball and pass well and
Alonso had a good game.
"I hope it will be more like a European game with Chelsea -
it will be better for us."
(LFC Online)
Sami: We defended well
Sami Hyypia was delighted with Liverpool's hard-fought draw
at Juventus to qualify for the next round, and believes the
tactics were perfect.
"They are very good coming through the middle, so we put an
extra man in the middle of defence," said the Finnish
defender.
"The plan wasn't to defend as much as we did but they are a
good side and they kept us on the back foot a little bit.
"At Anfield we made this possible for us to go through here,
so I think both games were very good and we played well.
"Sometimes you have to keep your goal clean and today we did
it and we're through."
(LFC Online)
Capello praises Liverpool
Fabio Capello insists the Bianconeri gave everything they
had to reach the Champions’ League semi-finals, but were
outplayed by Liverpool.
“We must admit that Liverpool defended solidly and were
unstoppable in the air. They deserved to qualify,” conceded
the Coach after two poor displays sealed their exit.
(Channel 4 Sport)
Heroic Liverpool through to semis
Liverpool sealed an all-Premiership Champions League
semi-final with Chelsea after a superb display.
Rafael Benitez's injury-ravaged side delivered a performance
of discipline and resilience to protect their 2-1 lead from
the first leg at Anfield.
Liverpool's only worrying moment came after 10 minutes when
Zambrotta's cross found Ibrahimovic unmarked only eight
yards out, but he could not keep his effort down and Dudek
was grateful to see it fly over the top.
Benitez's side showed great organisation, catching Juventus
offside on numerous occasions, but the forward pairing of
Baros and Luis Garcia got little joy from the Juventus
rearguard.
(BBC Sport Online)
Juventus fans clash with police before
Liverpool game
A group of 50 Juventus fans clashed with police outside the
Delle Alpi stadium on Wednesday, shortly before their team's
Champions League game against Liverpool.
The fans were part of a larger group of around 150
supporters who faced off against about 100 police officers,
pelting them with various missiles including flares.
A car was in flames near the scene of the clash as police
sought to bring the situation under control.
Fears had long been raised that hard-core Juventus fans
would cause trouble at the game, seeking revenge for the
1985 Heysel Stadium tragedy. Thirty-nine fans, mainly
Italians, died after a wall collapsed following a charge by
Liverpool fans before the European Cup final in Brussels.
(Reuters)
Juventus v Liverpool - confirmed teams
LIVERPOOL: Dudek, Finnan, Hyypia (c), Carragher, Traore,
Nunez, Biscan, Alonso, Riise, Garcia, Baros.
SUBS: Carson, Warnock, Welsh, Potter, Le Tallec, Smicer,
Cisse.
JUVENTUS: Buffon, Montero, Thuram, Cannavaro, Zambrotta,
Camoranesi, Olivera, Emerson, Nedved, Ibrahimovic, Del
Piero.
SUBS: Chimenti, Pessotto, Birindelli, Appiah, Blasi,
Zalayeta, Masiello.
(Kop Talk)
Owen: Move talk nothing to do with me
Real Madrid striker Michael Owen insists he has nothing to
do with the rumours linking him with a return to Liverpool
in the summer.
The England striker has scored in his last two games for
Madrid, including the 4-2 victory over Barcelona last
Sunday.
With 11 league goals from a season in which he has been used
predominantly as a substitute, Owen still holds the best
goals-per-minute ratio in the Primera Liga.
He denies he has had any problems in his first year in Spain
and any input into the persistent transfer talk which has
linked him with a return to Liverpool.
"There's never been anything from me," he said.
"I've always said I am happy and I've had a good first year.
I've been involved in virtually every game.
"There are people who are talking about my future, but it
has not been me."
(TEAMtalk)
Jol facing possible injury headache
Tottenham boss Martin Jol could be without a host of
first-team players for the Premiership trip to Liverpool on
Saturday.
Spurs could go into the crunch clash at Anfield missing
Mido, Michael Brown, Nourredine Naybet and Anthony Gardner.
(theSpursweb.com)
Reds fans attacked in Turin
Police have detained eight Juventus supporters following an
attack on a Liverpool fan in Turin on Tuesday night.
The assault happened around midnight, less than 24 hours
before the start of Juventus' Champions League quarter-final
second leg against Liverpool at the Delle Alpi.
The Liverpool fan received treatment on the scene but did
not go to hospital.
Turin police spokeswoman Cecilia Tartoni told PA
International: "Last night, a group of Juventus fans entered
a pub in the city centre where a group of English supporters
were.
"There was an argument, and a Liverpool fan was hit in the
head with a bat by one of the Juventus fans.
"The Liverpool fan received medical attention in the pub. He
did not have to go to hospital, and the prognosis is that he
will recover in seven days. He will still go to the game
tonight."
Tartoni said police acted swiftly after the attack.
"Twenty Juventus fans were stopped by the police," she said.
"We searched the vehicles and their homes and we found
baseball bats and other weapons. Eight of them have been
detained by police for being in possession of arms."
(ITV Football)
Capello wary of Alonso threat
Juventus head coach Fabio Capello is well aware of the
threat posed by Liverpool's fit again midfield ace Xabi
Alonso and has warned his side to be on their guard
especially with his passing ability during counter attacks.
Capello says his team need to play a game of patience and
indicated that Juventus won't play an all-out attack style
of game.
Capello said: "The return of Xabi Alonso will give them an
extra boost even without Gerrard. We cannot allow them to
break on a counter-attack because they are lethal.
"We have to play with intelligence. This game is just as
important for us as it is for Liverpool. But we cannot rush,
we have to be patient and wait for the right time to
strike."
(LFC Official Website)
Cisse hails 'miracle' recovery
Liverpool's Djibril Cisse believes it is a 'miracle' he is
in contention to play for The Reds against Juventus.
The French striker is back in Rafa Benitez's squad for their
UEFA Champions League clash in Turin on Wednesday night.
"I'm not exaggerating to say that it is a miracle that I am
playing again at this stage," revealed Cisse.
"It is miraculous and I can count my blessing that I can be
playing now in this game.
(Planet Football/Sky Sports)
Bookies back Juve
Bookmakers have made Juventus clear favourites to progress
into the Champions League semi-finals at Liverpool's
expense.
Juventus are 1/2 on to win tonight, the draw is 13/5 and a
Liverpool victory is 6/1.
Ladbrokes Area Manager Phil Cavanagh said: "Liverpool will
be fielding a much changed side from the one that beat Fabio
Capello's AS Roma 2-0 in 2001 and make no mistake about it,
they have a huge job on.
"With Steven Gerrard added to the list of big names out of
contention, the onus is now on players such as Luis Garcia
and Milan Baros to put in a big performance.
"Fans won't thank me for saying it, but they should look to
Manchester United for some inspiration. They beat Juve 3-0
in Turin in 2003 after a 2-1 win at home so it can
definitely be done."
(LFC Online)
Emerson dismisses Reds' chances
Juventus midfielder Emerson has rubbished Liverpool's
chances of reaching the Champions League semi-finals.
The Brazilian international has claimed Juventus were the
better side at Anfield, dismissed Luis Garcia's wonder goal
as a fluke and questioned the ability of the Liverpool
squad.
"We were unlucky to lose in England, especially after the
performance we produced in the second half. They scored from
a dead-ball situation and with a strike that I can't see
Luis Garcia producing again in another 50 attempts. On the
other hand, we hit the post, had a goal disallowed and were
stopped twice by great saves from their goalkeeper." said
Emerton.
"I am sure things will be very different for Liverpool here
in Turin. We are planning to give Liverpool a taste of the
same medicine we received at Anfield. Juve are one of the
world's hardest sides to beat, even more so when we are
playing at home, so we don't fear Liverpool. They will
regret having let in that Fabio Cannavaro goal in the first
leg.
(LFC Online)
Del Piero calls for calm
Alessandro del Piero hopes Champions League quarter-final
second leg against Liverpool brings out the best in Juventus
both on and off the pitch.
Del Piero has sent out a message to the Bianconeri
supporters in the hope that they will show the same respect
towards the Liverpool fans as they received a week ago at
Anfield when both teams commemorated the 20th anniversary of
the tragedy.
"I was a boy when the Heysel disaster happened," said the
Italy striker and Juve captain.
"I know that nothing that we do can cancel what happened.
"The wish of both clubs and of the Liverpool fans is not to
erase what happened but to show that things can be done the
right way.
"The tribute at Anfield gave the Liverpool fans the
opportunity to say sorry and we have to remember that these
fans were not the ones that were at Heysel 20 years ago.
"We have to accept in an intelligent way their excuses and
make sure that the Heysel tragedy remains a lesson for the
future."
(TEAMtalk)
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Thor Zakariassen
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