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THURSDAY 15 |
Riise not fazed by Barcelona threat
Liverpool full-back John Arne Riise is not fazed by the
magnitude of facing Champions League holders Barcelona in
the last 16 next Wednesday.
Riise was delighted when the draw was made because "these
are the games we play football for."
He added: "I feel, and I think the whole team feels, we've
got a chance. We know it's going to be hard, but they will
feel the same.
"They know when they come to Anfield for the second leg how
good we are at home in the same way they are hard to play
against at home. We've just got to give the best
we've got."
(TEAMtalk)
Reserve game rearranged
Liverpool have announced a new date for their
reserve clash away at Sheffield United.
The match, which was postponed last week because of a frozen
pitch, will now take place at Chesterfield's Saltergate
stadium on Wednesday April 11, 2007.
(LFC Official Website)
Kop influenced Reina move
Pepe Reina says playing in front of the Kop for Barcelona
was instrumental in his decision to join Liverpool.
Reina played in goal for Barcelona when Liverpool knocked
them out of the 2001 UEFA Cup at the semi-final stage and he
admits the sight of the Kop in full flow played a big part
in his decision to sign for the Reds.
"Something that will always stay with me is the special
reception I got when I made my way to the Kop goal," the
goalkeeper told LFC's official Magazine.
"Everyone was clapping. I thought it must be for some of the
Liverpool players, so I turned round but there was nobody
there.
"When I realised it was for me I started applauding the
crowd. I returned their respect and the Kop cheered loudly.
"It was magnificent. I have never seen anything like that
anywhere else. I was an opposition player – I didn't imagine
I'd be on the other side in a couple of years.
"When Rafa asked me if I wanted to come to Liverpool, that
was something I immediately thought of. I was very proud to
move here because we have some of the best fans
in the world."
(LFC Online)
Liverpool and West Ham sweat
over legality of Mascherano deal
Liverpool may have to wait until next week before
a decision is reached over the legality of Javier
Mascherano's loan move from West Ham United.
The Premier League's legal department is poring over details
of the contracts between the Argentina international and his
representatives to investigate whether there has been any
breach of the Premier League's regulations over player
ownership. Sources claim that so complex are the reams of
paperwork that the league is not ready to announce its
verdict and might not be in a position to do so until next
week.
That should not concern Liverpool unduly, since they have no
match this weekend following their third-round exit from the
FA Cup to Arsenal. But it would extend West Ham's worries.
The relegation-threatened Upton Park club are not currently
under investigation. However, if any transfer documents are
found to have been withheld or falsified in Mascherano and
Carlos Tevez's original moves to West Ham, it is expected
that club officials will be interviewed.
(The Guardian) |
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WEDNESDAY 14 |
Gerrard: Barca will fear Reds
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has urged his team not to
worry about Barcelona as they prepare to face the holders in
the Champions League.
The Reds return to European action in the Nou Camp in the
first leg of their last-16 tie next Wednesday.
Gerrard, currently away with the squad for warm-weather
training in Portugal, said: "We have got to go there with
confidence.
Gerrard told LFC magazine: "We know what we are capable of
and we know the performance we can come up with on the big
occasion.
"We also know that whatever Barcelona say, they are going to
be wary of us."
(TEAMtalk)
Reds shareholders await formal offers
Liverpool shareholders are still waiting for their formal
offer from the Tom Hicks-George Gillett takeover.
Shareholders have had a week now to digest the details of
the £5,000-a-share offer from the US moguls to buy the
Anfield club, and it is predicted there will be overwhelming
agreement to sell.
It is likely that many senior shareholders will take the
opportunity of next week's Champions League trip to
Barcelona to continue their discussions.
And it is also believed that third-biggest shareholder Steve
Morgan, who will be at the Nou Camp and who has tried to buy
Liverpool himself on three occasions, will also agree to
sell his 6% holding.
That will bring him around £10million, while interestingly
Granada - who hold 9.9% - have agreed to the sale only on
the condition that there is no higher offer.
Granada paid £6,000 a share for their holding, and are still
down on their original investment.
(TEAMtalk)
Benitez in the dark over Kewell comeback
Rafael Benitez admits he has no idea when injury-jinxed
Harry Kewell will again play for Liverpool.
The Australian has not kicked a ball in anger for the
Anfield side since hobbling off shortly after half-time
during the FA Cup final victory over West Ham United last
May.
Kewell had targeted the Champions League first knockout
round clash with Barcelona at the Nou Camp next Wednesday
for a comeback.
But Benitez has revealed the forward’s lengthy
rehabilitation has made it impossible to earmark a date for
his return.
“Harry is progressing, but with his situation we can’t say
whether it’s one week or two weeks or whatever,” said the
Liverpool manager. “We need to look at it day by day.
“I could say he could be back for two weeks, but we have to
really wait and see.
“We tried to support Harry when he had some problems last
season. He was playing really well, but after the World Cup
he had another problem.”
Kewell’s last senior appearance came in Australia’s final
World Cup group game against Croatia in June last year.
(Daily Post)
Carra's world stage
Jamie Carragher is relishing the prospect of facing European
champions Barcelona in the Nou Camp next Wednesday.
The Liverpool defender has helped the Reds keep a clean
sheet on their last two visits to face the Catalan giants.
And Carragher is confident that a capacity 98,000 crowd will
inspire Rafa Benitez’s side in the first leg of the
Champions League showdown.
“I’ve played there a couple of times and I’m a big fan of
the Nou Camp,” Carragher said. “To me the Nou Camp might not
just be the best stadium in Spain, it could be the best in
the world."
(Liverpool Echo)
Eto’o fumes as Barca ‘war’ threatens
Liverpool tie
Barcelona’s preparations for their Champions League showdown
with Liverpool next week are in danger of being undermined
by a rift sparked by Samuel Eto’o.
The Cameroon international yesterday admitted he had been
hurt by criticism levelled at him by coach Frank Rijkaard
and Barca’s Brazilian playmaker Ronaldinho after both
accused Eto’o of refusing to come on as a late substitute
during the clash with Racing Santander on Sunday.
Rijkaard claimed Eto’o had refused to take to the field for
the final five minutes with Barca cruising to a 2-0 win.
And Ronaldinho, who scored both of the goals, said the
Cameroonian had to think more
of the team and less of himself.
(Liverpool Daily Post)
Kirkland facing finger injury
Wigan goalkeeper Chris Kirkland will be out of action for as
long as six weeks after the club confirmed he will undergo
surgery on a torn ligament in his finger.
The former Liverpool stopper sustained the injury in
training and will have
the operation tomorrow.
(Ireland On-Line)
Reserves beaten
Liverpool reserves were beaten 3-1 by Preston in
a friendly yesterday afternoon.
The game gave new boys Jordy Brouwer, Emiliano Insua and
Ronald Huth a chance to make their debuts, and despite the
defeat, the trio impressed.
Brouwer had the game's first chance, when he brought the
ball down on the edge of the box, only to see his shot
safely deflected into the goalkeeper's arms.
It was 1-0 Preston minutes later however, when David Martin
was beaten by a free kick following a foul by Huth.
Liverpool pressed for the equaliser and Brouwer twice came
close to levelling the scores.
It was all square after 38 minutes when Besian Idrizaj
levelled from inside the box. Unfortunately Preston regained
the lead four minutes later when ex-Red Neil Mellor lobbed
Martin from 25 yards out.
There was a further blow before half time when an inswinging
cross evaded everyone and ended up in the back of the net to
put Preston 3-1 up.
Liverpool played well in the second half and carved out
chances for Insua and
Nabil El Zhar but were unable to pull a goal back.
(LFC Online) |
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TUESDAY 13 |
Padelli plans for long Reds career
On-loan goalkeeper Daniele Padelli wants to make his move to
Liverpool permanent, casting further doubt on Scott Carson's
Anfield future.
Carson, who is on loan at Charlton and has been in both
England's full squad and the Under-21s this season, has been
linked with a possible move to Arsenal in the summer, as
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger considers his options with Jens
Lehmann's future unclear.
Padelli joined Liverpool in the transfer window from
Sampdoria, and is clearly intent on winning a longer term
deal.
He says in an LFC magazine interview: "I really hope I will
be staying at Liverpool beyond this season."
"To tell you the truth, I nearly fainted when I heard
Liverpool were interested in me. It was a surprise.
"I am honoured to be the first Italian here and I hope to do
well. My aim is to hold the Italian flag very high.
"I'm not saying I am as good as any of the champions here,
but my aim is to work very hard and try to achieve this."
(TEAMtalk)
Anfield duo to represent Europe
Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher have been named in a
prestigious European squad to face Manchester United at Old
Trafford next month.
Italian coach Marcello Lippi is taking charge of the
European team for the game, which is being staged to
commemorate the 50th anniversary of United's first
participation in European competition and of a united
Europe.
"It is an honour for our club that two of our players have
been selected to represent Europe," said Liverpool manager
Rafael Benitez.
"I know that they feel very privileged to be in the team and
that they will enjoy playing alongside the top players from
other clubs.
"It will be a nice experience for them and one I am sure
they will remember with pleasure in years to come."
"I feel proud that a coach like Marcello Lippi has selected
me for the European team," Jamie Carragher comments. "It's a
real honour."
"I'm looking forward to the match," Steven Gerrard adds.
"It's a pleasure to play alongside the top players –
especially if the match earns some money for charity."
The game is being staged on March 13.
(LFC Official Website)
Arsenal want Carson
Arsenal are interested in signing Liverpool goalkeeper Scott
Carson.
Carson is on a season long loan with Charlton at the moment
and has been impressing with his performances with the
struggling club. His displays have earned the attention of
Arsene Wenger who is looking for a replacement for Jens
Lehmann.
Carson is unlikely to be happy with being number two at
Anfield, especially after a season of regular Premiership
football, and the chance to play for another of the big four
could be tempting.
(LFC Online)
Alonso praises Barca star
Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso has pinpointed compatriot
Xavi as Barcelona's key player, ahead of the Champions
League showdown between the two clubs.
Despite Barca fielding the likes of Ronaldinho and Samuel
Eto'o, Alonso believes it is his Spain team-mate who makes
the Catalans tick from the centre of midfield.
Alonso told his club's official website: "Xavi would be a
good addition to any club.
"I always like playing alongside him, because he makes
everything look so easy.
"Even when you're not playing, it's a pleasure to watch him
on the pitch, even if it's just
a training match.
"He is what I would call a mature, natural-born football
player. He's the best opponent
I've ever faced."
(Football UK)
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Thor Zakariassen
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