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SATURDAY 15 |
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Fergie hails United win
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson hailed his side's
performance in the 1-0 win over Liverpool.
"It was a great performance. It was a fantastic game, tense
and competitive," Ferguson told Sky Sports.
(Planet Football/Sky Sports)
Benitez refusing to blame Jerzy
Rafael Benitez is refusing to hold Jerzy Dudek responsible
after his mistake gifted Manchester United the only goal of
the game at Anfield.
The Liverpool manager says he hasn't had a chance to see the
goal conceded by Dudek again but insisted he wasn't blaming
the Pole for the defeat.
Benitez said: "It is a bad result and I am disappointed. I
haven't seen the goal again on the television but when a
goalkeeper makes a mistake it is highlighted. Mistakes happen
though and more important is the performance of the team."
(LFC Official Website)
Dudek hands United victory
Manchester United kept their title hopes alive with a deserved
1-0 win over lacklustre Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday
afternoon.
Jerzy Dudek endured another nightmare against United for the
third season in a row as he inexplicably let Wayne Rooney's
shot past him for the only goal of the game.
United were forced to play the last 25 minutes with ten men
after Wes Brown was sent off, but their lead was rarely
threatened as they held on for three vital points.
(Planet Football/Sky Sports)
Mobile phone thrown at Rooney
Police were investigating after a mobile phone was thrown on
to the pitch after Wayne Rooney fired Manchester United ahead
against Liverpool at Anfield.
One spectator was arrested, but it was not confirmed that it
was the same person who threw the phone, a Merseyside Police
spokesman said.
The incident happened as former Everton striker Rooney
celebrated in front of opposition fans after Liverpool keeper
Jerzy Dudek had blundered, allowing his long-range shot to
pass underneath him.
The police spokesman said: "We have recovered a mobile phone
from the pitch. We are not sure whether it was thrown at
anybody. We are making inquiries.
"One person has been arrested for a throwing incident but I am
not sure whether
it was connected."
(ITV Football)
Liverpool v Manchester United - confirmed
team
LIVERPOOL: Dudek, Carragher, Hyypia, Pellegrino, Traore,
Gerrard, Hamann, Riise, Garcia, Baros, Morientes.
SUBS: Harrison, Nunez, Pongolle, Biscan, Warnock.
(Kop Talk)
Sir Alex's Gerrard desire
Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted that he would enter the bidding
if Steven Gerrard was made available by Liverpool, but the
Scot feels there is little prospect of luring the midfielder
to Manchester United.
Old Trafford supremo Ferguson has held a long-standing
interest in Gerrard as he believes the England international
would be the perfect replacement for ageing Red Devils
talisman Roy Keane.
"What I'll say is that we would show an interest if we thought
there was any chance, but realistically I don't think he would
ever come here," Ferguson told The Times.
"Yes it's true that I thought the same about [Alan] Smith and
probably also [Rio] Ferdinand at one stage, but that's a
completely different situation.
"I could name you 15 players who have gone between Leeds and
Manchester United, but no player has gone directly between
Liverpool and Manchester United in something like 40 years.
"It's a very different proposition."
(Planet Football/Sky Sports) |
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FRIDAY 14 |
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Liverpool take firm Gerrard stance
Rafael Benitez on Friday unveiled £6.3million striker Fernando
Morientes and insisted that Steven Gerrard had not been used
as a bargaining tool to land the Spanish international.
The Liverpool chief will play Morientes against Manchester
United on Saturday, and he was quick to rubbish reports from
Spain claiming Real Madrid had privately secured first option
on Gerrard should he ever be allowed to leave Anfield.
Benitez said: "The arrival of Morientes does not mean the
departure of Steven Gerrard.
"I have said many times that I do not want to sell Gerrard, it
is that simple."
(Sporting Life)
Fergie's warning for Benitez
English football's two most successful clubs go head-to-head
at Anfield on Saturday, with Sir Alex Ferguson suggesting
Rafael Benitez may have the same millstone hanging around his
neck that he himself inherited at Manchester United.
"It is a game that raises the hairs on the back of my neck,"
said the Scot.
(TEAMtalk)
Derby date changed
Liverpool's derby clash with Everton at Anfield has been
selected for live coverage on SKY TV.
The fixture will now take place on Sunday March 20, kick-off
4.05pm.
(LFC Official Website)
Morientes relishes Liverpool role
Liverpool's £6.3m new boy Fernando Morientes admitted
Anfield's Spanish connection played a massive part in luring
him from Real Madrid.
Morientes became Rafael Benitez's fifth signing from Spain
since he succeeded Gerard Houllier in the summer.
And striker Morientes said: "It was very important. I knew
Benitez from his time at Real and spent a year in Madrid with
Antonio Nunez.
"But I was also attracted by the history of Liverpool as a
famous club."
(BBC Sport Online)
Reds sweet on Mintal
Nurnberg's Marek Mintal could be set for a lucrative move to
the Premiership - according to reports in the German media.
The Slovakian international claims that one of The
Premiership's big guns has made contact with his agent - and
speculation in Germany has pointed to Liverpool as the
interested party.
While Mintal insists that a move during the January transfer
window is not on the agenda, he hinted he would consider a
switch to England at the end of the season.
"One of England's top clubs has contacted my advisor," Mintal
told German sports-paper Sportbild.
(Planet Football/Sky Sports)
Mellor just wants to help beat United
Neil Mellor's Anfield future may have become clouded by the
imminent arrival of Fernando Morientes, but his short-term aim
remains crystal clear - to help Liverpool beat Manchester
United tomorrow.
"I don't need telling what it means to beat United," said
Mellor, who was also once on the books at City. "I was brought
up a City fan and I've lived in Manchester since I was five
years old, so it would be a great honour if I could play
against United."
(Daily Post)
Gerrard named Player Of The Month
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has been named Barclays
Premiership player of the month for December.
The England midfielder returned from a broken metatarsal bone
before Christmas and made a massive impact immediately,
guiding the Reds to fifth in the table.
(Sporting Life)
Gerrard bemoans injuries as Morientes joins
Steven Gerrard last night admitted Liverpool's
chronic injury list has scuppered their hopes of a
championship challenge this season - on the day Fernando
Morientes finally became an Anfield team-mate.
Gerrard added: "It's not all doom and gloom but it is
disappointing to be so far off the title."
Gerrard scored the winner on Tuesday but admitted Liverpool
must improve their form against Manchester United tomorrow.
"For Liverpool players this is the biggest game of the season
and for Saturday we need to play a lot better than on Tuesday
to get a result," he added.
(Daily Post)
Morientes allocated 19
New signing Fernando Morientes has been allocated squad number
19 following his arrival from Real Madrid. Other greats to
have worn this number include Torben Piechnik, Mark Kennedy
and Brad Friedel.
(Kop Talk)
Rush: Morientes is a great signing
Ian Rush reckons the signing of Fernando Morientes could be
the catalyst for Liverpool to re-establish themselves as a
major force in English football.
Morientes will be officially unveiled as a Liverpool player
this afternoon after signing a three and a half year contract
at Anfield and could go straight into the team for tomorrow's
clash with Manchester United.
With Liverpool struggling to score enough goals this season
Rush says Morientes' arrival couldn't be better timed - and
he's backing the Spanish star to be a Kop idol.
He said: "Morientes seems to be exactly what Liverpool are
looking for. He's good on the ground, good in the air, can use
both feet and scores lots of goals.
"He went away to Monaco last season and kept on scoring and
for me he is a great signing for Liverpool.
"There's a number of good strikers at the club already but the
signing of Morientes will give everyone a boost. He's a class
player and class will always rise to the top. I'm sure he'll
do very well for Liverpool."
(LFC Official Website)
Liverpool deny Gerrard claims
Livepool have denied claims in the Spanish press that Real
Madrid have first refusal on Steven Gerrard in the summer, as
part of the Morientes transfer deal.
Gerrard had formed a central part of the deal for Morientes,
but sources at the Merseyside club insist that this is not the
case.
(LFC Online) |
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THURSDAY 13 |
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Pelle nets in first Reds run-out
Mauricio Pellegrino has played his first game in a red shirt
and netted his first goal.
The former Valencia defender was part of a Liverpool XI that
took on Chester City reserves in a practice match and he
marked the occasion by scoring in a 3-0 win.
Young Scottish winger Robbie Foy scored the other two in a
game that also involved Milan Baros and Igor Biscan.
(LFC Official Website)
Feyenoord target duo
Feyenoord are believed to be planning a double swoop on
England.
Reports emanating from Holland suggest Feyenoord are weighing
up moves for Liverpool's Stephane Henchoz and on-loan West
Brom defender Cosmin Contra.
(Planet Football/Sky Sports)
Morientes officially completes Liverpool
switch
Fernando Morientes has officially completed his £6.3m move
from Real Madrid. The Spanish international has completed a
medical and put pen-to-paper on a three-and-a-half year
contract at Anfield.
The club confirmed this afternoon: "Fernando Morientes is now
officially a Liverpool player and will be unveiled at a press
conference on Friday."
(Shankly Gates)
Morientes nears Liverpool switch
Fernando Morientes is close to completing his £6.3m move to
Liverpool after completing a medical examination.
"Everything is correct. He has passed his medical," said
Morientes' agent Gines Carvajal.
"The player will be presented on Friday at around 1300 GMT and
he will sign a three-and-a-half year contract."
(BBC Sport Online)
Warnock can see Mellor's dilemma
Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock feels Liverpool striker
Neil Mellor may benefit from leaving Anfield.
Warnock said: "We enquired about Mellor, who could now be
pushed down the pecking order by the arrival of Fernando
Morientes from Real Madrid.
"I think people like Neil are better off getting some games
under their belt, but it's difficult because Liverpool are
such a great club.
"It must be difficult for young players to drop down to
Championship level."
(BBC Sport Online)
Benitez still keen on striker despite
Morientes signing
Newspaper reports today claim that Liverpool boss Rafael
Benitez is still in the market for another striker despite the
imminent signing of Fernando Morientes from Real Madrid.
If today's reports are accurate, Liverpool want to press ahead
with the signing of Crystal Palace striker Andy Johnson. Rafa
rates Johnson very highly and believes he is just the man to
add additional firepower to his squad with Florent-Sinama
Pongolle and Neil Mellor facing the axe.
(Kop Talk)
Baros thrilled by Morientes deal
Milan Baros has likened Liverpool's new striker Fernando
Morientes to his Czech Republic strike partner Jan Koller.
Baros is thrilled that Morientes is set to seal his move.
"The deal is great news " Baros told www.liverpoolfc.tv.
"Fernando is world-class and I'm delighted he is coming to
Anfield.
"I'm looking forward to establishing our partnership on the
pitch. Fernando is terrific in the air, just like Jan Koller.
"Jan and I have been superb for the Czechs and I believe
Fernando and I can prove just as successful in English
football.
"He is so strong and so talented that I'm certain he will help
us climb towards the very top of the Premiership."
(Sporting Life)
Giggs to return against Liverpool
Ryan Giggs is set to return to Manchester United's line-up for
Saturday's Premiership tie against Liverpool at Anfield.
The 31-year-old suffered a hamstring strain during United's
goalless draw with Tottenham nine days ago.
But Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson believes Giggs will
recover from the injury in time to face Liverpool.
"Ryan has a chance for Saturday," said Ferguson. "He trained
on Wednesday and I expect him to be fit."
(BBC Sport Online)
Four clubs in battle for Henchoz
Old Firm rivals Celtic and Rangers are battling Bolton and
Southampton in the race to sign out-of-favour Liverpool
defender Stephane Henchoz.
Henchoz's agent has been holding talks with all four teams as
the defender seeks an escape route from Anfield.
The 30-year-old defender told BBC Sport: "I still don't know
which club I'm going to join.
"My agent is still speaking with the various clubs and it all
depends how those negotiations go."
At the end of December, Henchoz launched a scathing attack on
the way Benitez has treated him.
"I am the king of the outlaws at Liverpool and my time is up
at the club," said Henchoz.
"As far as they are concerned, I no longer exist.
"If I now leave it will be as a free agent and Liverpool won't
make a single penny
from me."
(BBC Sport Online)
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Thor Zakariassen
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