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SATURDAY 15 |
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Liverpool remember Hillsborough 96
Liverpool stars Steven Gerrard and Robbie Fowler gave
readings on Saturday at a service to mark 17 years since the
Hillsborough tragedy.
They were joined by team-mates, manager Rafael Benitez, club
officials and around 10,000 fans who packed the Kop to pay
their respects.
During the emotional service, a candle was lit in front of
the Kop for each of the 96 victims as their names were read
out.
Thousands, including families of the victims, stood
solemnly, many in tears, as a minute's silence was held at
3.06pm - the exact time when the referee blew the whistle to
abandon the game as the disaster unfolded 17 years ago
today.
The victims were crushed to death at the Leppings Lane end
of Sheffield Wednesday's ground during an FA Cup semi-final.
Gerrard read Psalm 23, The Lord Is My Shepherd, and Fowler
read from Isaiah 43:1, Fear not for I have redeemed you,
while a choir assembled on the Anfield turf facing the Kop
led the crowd in singing hymns.
The service culminated in a rousing rendition of the club's
famous anthem, You'll Never Walk Alone, as the assembled
masses held red and white scarves aloft.
Liverpool's Premiership match was postponed for the
anniversary and the game against Blackburn Rovers will be
played on Sunday.
(TEAMtalk)
Blackburn join chase for Fowler
Blackburn will join the race to sign Robbie Fowler - if the
striker fails to land a new contract at Liverpool.
The 31-year-old is on a short-term deal at Anfield and boss
Rafael Benitez has yet to make a decision on his future.
Bolton manager Sam Allardyce showed an interest and
Blackburn boss Mark Hughes has now confirmed he will make a
move.
He said: "If he became available I'm sure a number of clubs
would be interested. He is the type of player I would ask
about."
Hughes, whose Blackburn side play Liverpool at Ewood Park on
Sunday, added: "Robbie has been a top player for a long
time.
"You don't lose that overnight. His movement is amazing and
he is looking very good.
"Robbie has always been a very clever player. His ability to
take chances is something he has never lost, he was born
with that."
(BBC Sport Online)
Rafa impressed by Rovers
Rafael Benitez believes Blackburn reflect the aggressive
image of their manager Mark Hughes.
The Liverpool manager has great respect for the Welshman,
and the pair come face to face at Ewood Park on Sunday in a
Barclays Premiership game vital to both clubs' European
ambitions.
A smile spreads across Benitez's face when he recalls
Hughes' spell in Spanish football with Barcelona, when the
striker was frustrated by constantly falling out with La
Liga referees over his style of play.
By then Benitez had just started coaching Real Madrid's
youth sides, and Hughes certainly made an impression.
Benitez, 46, said of Hughes' Spanish spell from 1986 to
1988: "Oh yes, I certainly remember Mark Hughes when he was
at Barcelona, he was a good player, very aggressive.
"They say that a team mirrors the personality of their
manager, and in Blackburn's case that is true."
Benitez hails Hughes and also singles out another Welshman
as a real danger to Liverpool's aspirations.
(PA Sport)
Momo likely to miss out
Momo Sissoko is unlikely to feature against Blackburn
tomorrow.
Sissoko is only one yellow card away from a two game ban as
he is one nine yellow cards for the season. The two game ban
would include next Saturday's FA Cup semi-final with Chelsea
at Old Trafford.
With Sissoko playing well after his return from injury it is
likely he will be on the bench for tomorrow's game as Rafael
Benitez is sure to want him available for the cup clash with
the league leaders.
(LFC Online) |
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FRIDAY 14 |
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Flo expects Reds return
Florent Sinama-Pongolle has admitted he is likely
to return to Liverpool at the end of his loan spell at
Blackburn.
The young Frenchman is enjoying his stay at Ewood Park and
Rovers have indicated they would like to keep him
permanently.
However, Pongolle insists that looks unlikely with Liverpool
planning to bring him back to Anfield.
"I am in the perfect atmosphere to improve. There is no
French speaker at Blackburn, but the very British atmosphere
suits me.
"Mark Hughes, who is Welsh, is not really the kind of man
that mothers us. When I just arrived, he made me play
against West Bromwich, even if I was ill, and I just had one
training session in two weeks.
"It is really pleasant to be managed by a coach that trust
the players, and pushes them to sort things out themselves.
"Here, I feel my education has been useful. I don't want to
say I wasted my time at Liverpool, because you also learn on
the bench, but I am very happy with my choice.
"The Liverpool officials are keen to get me back because
they refused an option to buy that Blackburn wanted in the
loan contract."
(Sky Sports)
Rafa to recruit before Germany
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez wants his summer spending
wrapped up before the World Cup starts.
Benitez readily admits attracting star players to Anfield
will be far easier once Champions League football is
confirmed for next season.
It has been virtually assured already, but victory at Ewood
Park on Sunday in what will be a demanding examination by an
equally-ambitious Blackburn will finally clinch at least
third spot.
That will guarantee around £9million of Premiership
placement prize money. A predicted straightforward Champions
League third-round qualifying tie in August - with Liverpool
sure to be top seeds - will ensure another £10million from
UEFA's pot when they reach the group stages.
All that will be added to Benitez's already healthy transfer
fund and give him the muscle to attract half-a-dozen new
faces to Anfield.
(PA Sport)
Rafa shocked at Momo snub
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has expressed his surprise that
Momo Sissoko was not nominated for the PFA Young Player of
the Year.
The six nominations for the award were revealed earlier this
week and Sissoko was not on the shortlist.
The Mali international has recently battled back from a
serious eye injury and Benitez is a big admirer of the
powerful midfielder.
"I don't understand how they decide on the nominations,"
said Benitez.
"It was a surprise to me. Perhaps they think he is not 21
but 30.
"I'm sure anybody who has played against him would say he is
one of the best.
"I rested him against Bolton because if he received a yellow
card he would have been out of the semi-final against
Chelsea. That shows what we think of him.
"His best quality is his fantastic stamina. Maybe he is the
best player I have seen in terms of his athletic ability.
"With Momo you know he can work hard more often that other
players. He has this capacity for recuperation.
"With his ability to work it can make him into such a
fantastic player."
(Sky Sports)
Sissoko to return against Rovers
Liverpool midfielder Mohamed Sissoko will be back in the
firing line when the Reds travel to face Blackburn in the
Premiership on Sunday.
Current prizes up for grabs include a golfing break and
tickets to England v Germany: The Legends.
Sissoko was omitted from the PFA's Young Footballer of the
Year nominations, much to manager Rafa Benitez' surprise.
The Mali international was held back from last weekend's win
over Bolton to avoid another booking before the FA's amnesty
kicked in earlier this week. Another yellow card would have
meant a ban.
Benitez's only injury problems involve young centre-back
Daniel Agger with a muscle strain, while Bolo Zenden will
now be rested until pre-season training to allow him to
complete a recovery from knee surgery.
Liverpool (from): Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Riise,
Traore, Warnock, Luis Garcia, Gerrard, Sissoko, Hamann,
Alonso, Kewell, Crouch, Fowler, Cisse, Morientes, Kromkamp,
Dudek.
(TEAMtalk)
Rovers want Pongo
Blackburn Rovers want to sign Florent Sinama-Pongolle on a
permanent deal.
Pongolle is on loan at Blackburn for the rest of the season
but Rovers manager Mark Hughes would like to sign the French
under 21's international on a permanent deal.
Any move will be dependant on the personel Rafael Benitez
brings to Liverpool next season. If he signs another striker
as expected it is likely Pongolle will be allowed to remain
at Ewood Park.
(LFC Online)
Tugay doubtful for Liverpool clash
Blackburn midfielder Tugay could miss out against Liverpool
at Ewood Park on Easter Sunday due to a niggling calf
injury.
Current prizes up for grabs include a golfing break and
tickets to England v Germany: The Legends.
Tugay missed the draw at Portsmouth last weekend and is
struggling for the Easter programme.
Rovers' on-loan striker Florent Sinama-Pongolle is
ineligible to play against the Reds (kick-off 2.30pm).
Mark Hughes is expected to keep much the same side but
Shefki Kuqi may come in for Paul Dickov up front.
Rovers (from): Friedel, Enckelman, Neill, Nelsen, Pedersen,
Reid, Gray, Savage, Todd, Khizanishvili, Bentley, Kuqi,
Emerton, Dickov, Bellamy, Mokoena, Matteo, Peter.
(TEAMtalk)
Benitez: Reds keeper is complete
Rafael Benitez has been talking about Liverpool's number
one.
"For me Pepe is the complete goalkeeper and he has done a
very good job for the team," enthused Benitez.
"All the team have done a good job as it's really difficult
for a goalkeeper to keep clean sheets unless he has a good
defence. When I signed Pepe I said he was the best
goalkeeper in Spain and I now think he is one of the best
keepers in England.
"He is so quick off his line and reads the game very well
and has made some good saves for us this season. He is also
very good in the air and when he came to England I told him
that the strikers would be more agggressive than they are in
Spain and it would be better sometimes to punch the ball. He
gets good distance with his punches and it is very important
for us."
(Anfield Online) |
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THURSDAY 13 |
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Liverpool dominate in Youth Cup
Liverpool hold a 3-0 lead after the first leg of the FA
Youth Cup final against Manchester City at Anfield.
Robbie Threlfall gave the Reds the lead from close range and
Ryan Flynn doubled their advantage after being set up by
Paul Anderson.
Anderson almost capped an impressive display with a stunning
goal, but his acrobatic volley was denied by the bar.
City were made to pay for some missed chances when
substitute Miki Roque headed a third after 84 minutes.
Liverpool's first-team stars Jamie Carragher, Steven
Gerrard, Sami Hyypia and Stephen Warnock were part of the
12,744 crowd at Anfield.
The second leg takes place at the City of Manchester Stadium
on 21 April.
(BBC Sport Online)
Zenden making good progress
Bolo Zenden has issued an upbeat bulletin on his fitness,
but has ruled out making a shock return for Liverpool before
the end of the season.
The Dutch winger joined The Reds from Middlesbrough last
summer, but his hopes of making a big impact at Anfield were
dashed when he picked up a serious knee injury in November.
At the time of his injury, Zenden had hinted at returning
for The Reds before the end of the campaign.
The former Barcelona man is happy with his progress, but has
ruled out a shock comeback this term.
"I am doing quite well," Zenden told Sky Sports News. "I am
running at a good pace and am even touching the ball now.
"It is happy days. I have been two-and-a-half months indoors
so I am just happy to be outside, running, touching the ball
and twisting and turning.
"It will probably be next season," he added when asked to
comment on his likely return date. "I was trying to make it
this season, but I had a big injury which you can't rush, so
for that matter it will be pre-season."
(Sky Sports)
Benitez exploring Fowler options
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez insists he will not be
rushed into offering Kop idol Robbie Fowler a new contract
at Anfield.
Benitez knows that would further increase his popularity on
Merseyside, where the Anfield faithful are willing him to
grant Fowler's wish of a new deal when his current
short-term contract ends this summer.
But the Anfield chief, who is likely to keep faith with
Fowler on Sunday in the Lancashire derby at Blackburn,
insists he has a responsibility to the club to look at all
the options first.
Benitez says: "It would be easier to just say 'yes' to
Robbie, but I need to be sure, to analyse and to talk to my
staff to make sure.
"It is not a question of saying 'is he a good player' of
course he is. But that is not the point, it is whether it is
the right decision for the club."
Benitez adds: "It is difficult for me. It would be easier to
say we want to renew Fowler's contract, and we would have an
agreement. That would be really easy for me.
"But I have a responsibility to check all the possibilities
and he knows that. Then I will try to do the best for the
club."
(TEAMtalk)
Kuyt set for fresh talks
Liverpool target Dirk Kuyt could be about to discuss a new
deal with Feyenoord.
The Dutch outfit is confident that their star striker is
prepared to discuss a new deal following interest from
Anfield and according to them, the much talked about hitman
has indicated he is prepared to listen to what his current
employers are thinking.
Club director Chris Woerts said: "We want to do everything
to make Dirk the face of Feyenoord.
"If that happened, it would create a certain stability in
the team. We're happy to hear that Dirk wants to think this
over."
Kuyt is looking for a move to the Premier League this summer
and even if he does hold talks with Feyenoord officials,
this doesn't mean anything will change.
(Kop Talk)
Delayed kick-off at Hillsborough
Sheffield Wednesday's game against Norwich City to be played
at Hillsborough Stadium on Saturday will not kick off until
3.15pm as a mark of respect for those that lost their lives
at the stadium in 1989.
(Kop Talk)
Prayers for the victims of Hillsborough
Prayers were said at Liverpool town hall today in memory of
the Hillsborough victims.
Lord Mayor Alan Dean was joined by the Rector of Liverpool,
The Rev Stephen Brooks, survivors and relatives of victims.
Saturday marks the 17th anniversary of the tragedy which
claimed the lives of 96 Liverpool fans.
Cllr Dean said: "This ceremony, and the annual memorial
service at Anfield, means that we will never forget the old
and young who died as a result of this terrible dis-aster."
Phil Hammond, chairman of the Hillsborough Family Support
Group, said: "I'm pleased the city council is once again
marking the anniversary.
As the father of one of the 96 who died, I feel strongly
about making sure their memories live on."
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez will accompany his squad and
all Anfield staff to the annual memorial on Saturday. The
public service will include readings by Steven Gerrard and
Robbie Fowler.
(Liverpool Echo)
Pennant is the right man for Benitez
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is weighing up a shock move for
Birmingham City's wayward winger Jermaine Pennant.
Benitez's spies have been monitoring the talented
23-year-old as they look for an answer to their right wing
problems. Pennant is on the Reds hit-list as top target
Simao Sabrosa is too expensive for their budget.
Pennant cost Birmingham around £3million when he joined from
Arsenal and an offer of £4m would be enough to get him
without emptying the Kop coffers.
(Daily Mirror)
Praise for Reina
Former Liverpool defender and Match of the Day
pundit Alan Hansen has praised Pepe Reina.
Reina kept his 29th clean sheet of an impressive debut
season in the Reds' 1-0 win over Bolton on Sunday. The way
Reina has quickly adapted to the demands of the Premiership
has impressed Hansen.
"Back in September, Pepe Reina had a difficult afternoon at
Birmingham and I said at the time that we need to see how he
reacts to that and adapts to English football," said the
former Liverpool captain.
"He's done so exceptionally well. He's worked out when to
come for crosses and when to stay on his line. Basically,
he's worked out what the right thing to do is. No one should
ever underestimate how important having a good goalkeeper is
to a team, and Rafa Benitez has signed a really good one.
"He said at the time that Reina was a great goalkeeper and
that has been proved right. On Sunday we saw a good player
in Stelios go clean through and although he didn't hit his
shot too well, Reina made a world-class save. Anyone will
tell you what a world-class goalkeeper is there for, and the
big teams have all got them. Liverpool have been missing
that, but that's no longer the case."
(LFC Online)
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Thor Zakariassen
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