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FRIDAY 15 |
Gerrard ready for Reds' opener
Captain Steven Gerrard will be fit to lead Liverpool into
the new season tomorrow when Rafael Benitez’s team start
their Barclays Premier League campaign at Sunderland.
Gerrard was only used for the final 24 minutes of the
disappointing Champions League draw against Standard Liege
on Wednesday following a thigh injury, but will be in the
side at the Stadium of Light after training yesterday and
today.
There are doubts over Xabi Alonso and Yossi Benayoun
following minor muscle injuries resulting from the game in
Belgium, but Fabio Aurelio and Martin Skrtel are both back
in contention.
Provisional squad: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Agger, Hyypia,
Skrtel, Dossena, Insua, Benayoun, Gerrard, Plessis, Alonso,
Kuyt, Aurelio, Pennant, Torres, Ngog, Keane, Voronin,
Cavalieri, Finnan.
(Evening Echo)
Rafa: Barry mess not my fault
Rafa Benitez has responded to media criticism of his
handling of the Gareth Barry transfer saga, insisting
accusations that he messed the midfielder around are way
wide of the mark.
Contrary to some ridiculous reports on Friday, which
suggested Benitez used Friday’s press conference to launch a
scarcely-veiled attack on his own board, the Liverpool
manager merely wanted to clarify his own role in the Barry
saga.
“Everybody has been talking and it is clear some newspapers
and journalists – and all our supporters know this – blame
me for everything: global warming; rises in petrol prices;
everything,” quipped Benitez.
“In this case, I want to be clear: since I talked with
Martin O'Neill in April, I didn't talk with anyone else at
Aston Villa. All the talks have been between Rick Parry and
the owner and chief executive of Aston Villa – and they have
been pretty good."
(Setanta Sports)
Benitez: New boys will
come good in time
Rafa Benitez is backing his Anfield new boys to put their
first night nerves behind them and prove their worth in the
weeks and months to come.
Andrea Dossena and Robbie Keane both struggled on their full
debuts in
a poor team display at Standard Liege on Wednesday night but
the Reds boss believes their form will only improve as they
get used to their new team mates.
And Benitez believes the pair could do a lot worse than look
to the example of Martin Skrtel who endured a torrid
Liverpool debut against Havant & Waterlooville before
becoming a fixture in the side.
"It is never easy for a new player to come into a new team,
especially if the team does not play well," said Benitez.
"I was pleased with the way Dossena and Keane worked against
Standard Liege but I know that they will both play better.
"They are both players with quality and they are both
internationals so I am sure that they will improve."
(Liverpool Echo)
Sunderland fear
Liverpool hitman Keane
Roy Keane says his players must keep their eyes on his
£18million namesake Robbie if they are to prosper tomorrow.
But he says there's no reason why Sunderland – facing
Liverpool at the Stadium of Light (5.30pm) – can't make as
good a start to this season as they did to the last one,
when Tottenham also started as heavy favourites but lost 1-0
to Michael Chopra's injury-time goal.
The Black Cats' boss is the first to acknowledge that the
bookies will be backing Rafa Benitez's side to make a flying
start, though he is determined to make sure they don't have
it all their own way.
He said: "Of course, we have to accept that Liverpool are a
top, top team. That goes without saying – their expectations
are winning the Premiership and winning European cups.
"That's the level they're at. So they will still be big
favourites, but I know our fans will be really up for it and
we'll have a fighting chance, just like we did last year."
(The Shields Gazette)
Thommo: Title wait coming to an end
Seven years without a league title doesn't sound too long in
our current climate, but in 1973, with the irrepressible
Bill Shankly still at the helm, it seemed like a century.
Back then, a raw but talented centre-back from Kirkby was
taking his fledgling steps in the Liverpool first team. His
name was Phil Thompson, and with him in the side our long
and depressing wait finally came
to an end.
Fast-forward more than three decades and the club finds
itself in a similar drought - and some.
In the 18 years since the title last adorned our glittering
trophy room, the words 'this could be our year' have crossed
the line from prophecy to cliché, but, having been there and
worn the t-shirt (with the number 4 on its back), Thompson's
words can never be taken lightly.
"I am looking forward to the season because I think Rafa
Benitez has put together his best squad yet," claims
Thompson, who went on to win seven league titles with
Liverpool.
"I think we may do something this year. A realistic aim is
to win the league title – I mean that."
(LFC Official Website)
Barry aware of consequences
Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill insists Gareth Barry
"knew
the consequences" of his decision to play in the UEFA Cup
on Thursday night.
Barry scored the opening goal as Villa cruised to a 4-1
victory over
FH Hafnarfjordur in Iceland in the second qualifying round
match, a result which home boss Heimir Gudjonsson admitted
has killed the tie off at
the halfway stage.
But by playing, Barry may have damaged his chances of a move
to Liverpool before the transfer window closes at the end of
August - if he still wants to go to Anfield.
Liverpool's pursuit of the England midfielder has been a
summer-long saga, however by making a European appearance
for Villa, Barry has made himself ineligible for the
Champions League group stages, which may make him a less
attractive target for Rafael Benitez.
O'Neill said: "He was in the right frame of mind and wanted
to play. Nothing would have stopped him so that is pleasing.
"I have no idea what will happen between now and the end of
August.
"He knew the consequences of playing tonight so the decision
was very much his."
(TEAMtalk) |
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THURSDAY 14 |
O'Neill: Barry future still unclear
Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill does not believe Gareth
Barry being ineligible for the group stage of the UEFA
Champions League for Liverpool will affect his future.
Liverpool have been chasing the England international all
summer, but have so far been unable to match the Midland
club's valuation of
the experienced midfielder.
Villa are keen to reach the group stage of the Uefa Cup and
O'Neill has confirmed Barry wanted to start their second
qualifying round match against FH Hafnarfjordur in
Reykjavik.
Although Barry's appeal to Liverpool will have been damped
somewhat as he is now cup-tied, O'Neill is still unsure
whether he will remain at Villa Park come the close the
transfer window.
"He's our player, and he wanted to play in the game, and we
think he's mentally tuned into it so that's all that
matters," he told five.
"I wouldn't be particularly sure until the transfer deadline
passes what might materialise, so we'll see."
(Sky Sports)
Kuyt: Big improvement needed
Dutch striker Dirk Kuyt spoke for an embarrassed Liverpool
squad by vowing that they will not play as badly again in
Europe.
Liverpool retreated from their Champions League mauling in
Belgium, as close to their Waterloo in European competition
as they would want to get.
And Kuyt promised: "We will not play as badly as that again,
we must improve and we will improve."
Around £12million of UEFA prize money is now riding on the
second leg of their third qualifying round against Standard
Liege on August 27.
Failure to reach the group stages then would even leave a
question mark over the future of boss Rafael Benitez, who
could probably hear American knives sharpening as he
witnessed Liverpool's inept 0-0 draw against Belgian
champions Standard Liege on Wednesday night.
Kuyt said: "It was a bad performance. We tried to do our
best and it was not good enough."
(PA Sport)
Carragher: Tie is not over
Jamie Carragher admits Liverpool still have a huge task on
their hands as they bid to reach the group stages of the
UEFA Champions League.
The defender endured an uncomfortable night on Wednesday as
Liverpool survived to earn a 0-0 draw in the first leg of
their third qualifying round tie with Standard Liege.
"It's definitely not over," Carragher told the Liverpool
Echo.
"We know it'll be another tough game next time and it's very
important that we don't let them get an away goal when they
come to Anfield."
(TEAMtalk)
Tommy Smith:
Woeful stalemate showed
why Rafa must buy Barry
Apart from Pepe Reina saving Liverpool’s blushes in Belgium
last night, two things in particular struck me.
First was the importance of Steven Gerrard to Liverpool
Football Club. And second was just why Rafa Benitez has been
right all along to try and bring Gareth Barry to Anfield.
It was only when Gerrard came on halfway through the second
half that you sensed Liverpool were going to survive. He
calmed things down, made everyone play with a bit more
assurance – something which had been woefully lacking until
then – and added a bit more threat going forward.
Xabi Alonso tried to get on the ball and influence play at
times but for me I’m afraid he is not the player right now
that he used to be. He struggled last season, for all his
undoubted ability on the ball when he has time, and with
youngster Damien Plessis still settling into the first team,
we never did get a proper grip in midfield last night.
Barry is strong in the tackle, good with possession,
energetic and experienced. The owners may have questioned
his value but if Liverpool had lost by a goal or two last
night – which they could so easily have done – then they
might have found themselves out of the Champions League
before they were in it.
I know the move for Barry looks dead in the water but I for
one hope it might yet be revived because it’s clear to me –
and I’m sure an increasing number of supporters – that
Liverpool really would benefit from having him.
(Tommy Smith - Liverpool Echo)
Reina rescues side
from sub-standard display
Liverpool were greeted with a torrent of toilet roll in
Liege last night. That, though, was no excuse for the bog
standard display that followed.
Only the heroics of Pepe Reina prevented Rafael Benitez from
starting
a defining season of his Anfield tenure in abysmal fashion.
Maybe it was the return of the much-unloved green away
shirts that contributed to such a disappointing display in
this first leg of their Champions League third qualifying
round tie against Standard Liege.
But an abject Liverpool were grateful to return to
Merseyside with
a goalless draw, thanks largely to Reina saving an
11th-minute penalty from Standard’s Brazilian full-back
Dante having earlier produced an even better, if somewhat
contentious, stop to deny Marouane Fellaini.
(Liverpool Daily Post)
Reina: We need to improve
Pepe Reina accepts Liverpool must step up their game if
they're to see off the challenge of Standard Liege and
qualify for the group stages of this season's Champions
League.
Reina was the Reds hero on the night, making a series of
fine saves including a 10th minute penalty stop from Dante
after Andrea Dossena was adjudged to have handled inside the
area.
"We played really bad and it's clear we have to improve for
the game at Anfield," admitted Reina.
"The positive thing is we got a result, we kept a clean
sheet and it's still in our hands. But we didn't play well."
(LFC Official Website)
Chopra available for Liverpool clash
Michael Chopra is available for Sunderland’s home clash
against Liverpool on Saturday.
The striker was hit with a three-game ban earlier this week
after being sent off in the Black Cats’ pre-season game
against Sporting Lisbon.
It was thought the ban would rule him out of the first three
games but it has been announced the ban will not come into
effect until after
the Liverpool game meaning Chopra will be available for
Sunderland’s opening two games of the new campaign.
Chopra’s ban means he will miss the matches against
Nottingham Forest in the Carling Cup, Manchester City and
Wigan Athletic.
(Setanta Sports) |
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WEDNESDAY 13 |
Rafa: We were lucky
Rafael Benitez admitted his side were lucky to escape with a
draw after they produced a below-par display in the
first-leg of the Champions League qualifier with Standard
Liege.
The Reds boss was frustrated that his side could not
reproduce their good pre-season form against the Belgian
champions but feels the Anfield factor will play a vital
role when the two sides meet at Anfield in
a fortnight's time.
"I think we were lucky not to concede," said Benitez.
"You never know what is going to happen when a game gets
underway but clearly we didn't play well.
"The performance was poor but the result was good. We didn't
concede away from home which is always important and to play
the second-leg at Anfield could make a massive difference."
(LFC Official Website)
Liverpool fail to ignite in Belgium
Liverpool produced a disappointing 0-0 display in their
Champions League third round qualifying tie, on a night when
Dante Bonfim Costa missed a penalty for Standard Liege.
Liverpool began the game brightly, but were shaken after
just six minutes as Standard struck the post with the game’s
first clear-cut chance.
A free-kick from the left was met by the unmarked Marouane
Fellaini, but the midfielder could only direct the ball onto
the post with his shoulder, forcing Liverpool keeper Reina
to scramble across his line to claw the ball away.
The Belgian champions looked buoyed by the early opportunity
and should have taken the lead on ten minutes when Andrea
Dossena was adjudged to have handled in the box.
A cross from Wilfried Dalmat struck Dossena’s arm from close
range and despite the incident occurring just outside the
penalty area, the referee pointed to the spot only for Dante
Bonfim Costa to see his disappointing penalty saved by Pepe
Reina.
Liverpool were undoubtedly rattled by their Belgian
opponents and Benitez was forced to field his injured
captain with twenty minutes to go in a desperate attempt to
gain some control in the game.
(Setanta Sports)
Liverpool set to end interest in Barry
as he prepares for Villa's UEFA Cup campaign
Gareth Barry's proposed move to Liverpool finally appears to
have fallen through after he asked to join Aston Villa's
Uefa Cup challenge.
The England midfielder declared himself available to play
after speaking to Martin O'Neill's staff, giving the
clearest indication yet that he will remain at Villa Park.
If Barry plays on Thursday night against Hafnarfjordur in
Rekjavik he would be cup-tied for any of the group games in
the Champions League, which will render any move to Anfield
pointless until the knock-out stages of that competition
begin in the New Year.
It is a moral victory for O'Neill who has fought a valiant
rearguard action in the face of constant pressure from
Rafael Benitez over the drawn-out £18m transfer saga.
Villa's boss said: 'I didn't get a chance to speak to Gareth
on Monday but my assistants John Robertson and Steve Walford
did.
'Last week, he was more than unsettled but he has said he's
absolutely right. He's ready to play and he wanted to come
and join us.
'That's particularly pleasing. I shall speak to him before
the game. But what was very encouraging was that he wanted
to come.
'If players are mentally right and they are really good
players - and Gareth Barry is a really good player - then I
wouldn't have any hesitation
in picking him.
'He's right to play. And it's terrific news for us.'
(Daily Mail)
Reds unchanged - Stevie on the bench
Robbie Keane and Fernando Torres will lead the line for
Liverpool as Rafael Benitez names an unchanged side for
tonight's Champions League qualifier away to Standard Liege.
The Reds boss has opted to field the same XI that defeated
Lazio 1-0 at Anfield on Friday which means Xabi Alonso
retains his place at the heart of the midfield while Steven
Gerrard is on the bench.
The Liverpool team in full: Reina, Arbeloa, Dossena,
Carragher, Agger, Alonso, Plessis, Benayoun, Kuyt, Keane,
Torres.
Subs: Cavalieri, Hyypia, Gerrard, Voronin, Insua, El Zhar,
Pennant.
(LFC Official Website)
Babel and Masch to go head-to-head
Ryan Babel and Javier Mascherano will go head-to-head when
their countries meet in the quarter-finals of the Olympic
Games on Saturday.
Babel played 90 minutes to help the Dutch to a 1-0 victory
over Japan on Wednesday morning, meaning they finished
second in Group B.
As a result they'll face Group A winners Argentina, for whom
Mascherano played throughout a 2-0 win over Serbia.
Meanwhile, Lucas also played 90 minutes as Brazil beat China
3-0. The Group C winners now face Cameroon in Saturday's
quarter-finals.
(LFC Official Website)
Kuyt happy to stay with Reds
Dirk Kuyt says he has no intention of leaving Liverpool and
wants to stay at Anfield for a long time.
Following Robbie Keane's arrival from Tottenham Hotspur,
Kuyt has been linked with a move away from Liverpool.
Hamburg were reportedly preparing a bid for the Holland
international before Reds boss Rafa Benitez revealed he
wants to keep
the versatile attacker.
And Kuyt, who joined the club from Feyenoord two years ago,
has vowed to stay on Merseyside and help Liverpool to win
trophies.
"I'm really happy at Liverpool and I want to stay here for
as long as
the club wants me," Kuyt told Liverpoolfc.tv.
"I am really settled here and I like the city. The most
important thing is I like the club and I've really enjoyed
the two seasons I've been here.
"The only thing I am missing is some trophies and hopefully
that will come in the next year.
"I've never had any intentions of leaving this club.
"Sometimes things are said in the press, but the boss said
to me that is not relevant and he wants me here with
Liverpool."
(Sky Sports)
Finnan recalled to Ireland squad
Liverpool defender Steve Finnan has been recalled to the
Republic of Ireland squad for the friendly against Norway on
August 20.
Finnan is among six players recalled by manager Giovanni
Trapattoni for the match in Oslo who did not take part in
the May internationals against Serbia and Colombia.
Trapattoni has praised Finnan for returning to the fold
after previously announcing his retirement but he also
confirmed Bolton's Andy O'Brien will not be reversing his
decision to quit playing for the Republic.
Trapattoni told the Football Association of Ireland website:
"I am happy that Steve Finnan has agreed to return to
international football. He is
an experienced player and he still has a lot to give to the
team."
(TEAMtalk)
Rafa: Keane and
Torres can rule Europe
Rafa Benitez has backed Fernando Torres and Robbie Keane to
fire Liverpool through to the group stages of the Champions
League – and believes they can become the best partnership
in Europe.
Liverpool have to see off Belgian side Standard Liege across
two legs if they are to qualify for the Champions League,
and Benitez knows there is no room for complacency at this
stage.
“I think if one or other of them can play well, find their
form, then we should be fine because they are both top class
players and they can win matches,” he told the Daily Mirror.
“I think they can be the best partnership in this
competition."
(Setanta Sports)
Liege concern over Liverpool game
Standard Liege defender Oguchi Onyewu says it is unfair the
Belgian league winners have to play Liverpool in a Champions
League qualifier.
The Belgian champions face Liverpool, who finished fourth in
the Premier League last season, on Wednesday.
"I'm sure a lot of Belgians feel it is unfair the champions
of a country have to play a qualifying round to get into the
Champions League,"
said Onyewu.
"It was worse because Liverpool were "such a strong
opponent", he said.
Liege won their first title in 25 years with last season but
did not get
an automatic place in the group stages because of governing
body
Uefa's coefficient ranking list.
"I'm sure people in Belgium were hoping that once you win
your championship that you would automatically qualify for
the Champions League like some other countries do, such as
England, Germany, Spain and so on," the Liege centre-back.
(BBC Sport Online)
Thor Zakariassen
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