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THURSDAY 15 |
Under-18s beat Bristol in cup thriller
Liverpool Under-18s have secured a place in the fifth round
of the FA Youth Cup after a dramatic penalty shoot-out
victory over Bristol Rovers at The Memorial Stadium.
Lauri Dalla Valle scored a brace for the Reds, but both
goals were cancelled out straight from each restart from
lively Bristol striker
Eliot Richards.
It was a match of exciting goalmouth action and end-to-end
football, but ultimately the tie had to be settled with a
penalty shoot-out.
Liverpool scored all five of their spot kicks, but Bristol
missed two of theirs to ensure Hughie McAuley's side
progressed to the next round.
The result means Liverpool have set up a mouth-watering
clash with last year's finalists Chelsea in the fifth round
of the competition after the Blues ran home 5-1 winners over
Walsall on Wednesday night.
Liverpool: Dean Bouzanis, Jack Metcalf, Christopher
Buchtmann, Andre Wisdom, Joe Kennedy, Steve Irwin, David
Amoo, Adam Pepper (Eccleston, 68), Lauri Dalla Valle, Tom
Ince, Alex Kacaniklic (Ellison, 77).
Unused substitutes: Marvin Pourie, Deale Chamberlain,
Michael Roberts.
(LFC Official Website)
Rush: Torres and Keane hold key
Liverpool legend Ian Rush says Fernando Torres and Robbie
Keane must be played together up front if the Reds are to
win a first League title
since 1990.
The duo have started just nine games in tandem since Keane
joined for £20m in July and have scored only four goals
between them while both on the pitch.
Rush told BBC Sport: "They've not had a chance to get a
partnership going yet.
"Torres has not been fit but given time together they can
take the team to the level that is needed to win the title."
And Rush, Liverpool's record scorer with 346 goals, feels
Torres and Keane would prove a timely boost to the Reds'
season if they belatedly spark together.
"Without a doubt, the key for me to Liverpool winning the
League is if they get their partnership going," he
explained.
(BBC Sport Online)
Alonso fit to face Everton
Liverpool have received a huge shot in the arm ahead of
Monday’s Merseyside derby, live on Setanta Sports, with the
news Xabi Alonso has declared himself fit to feature.
The Spanish schemer makes the Anfield giants tick and he was
sorely missed during last weekend’s 0-0 draw with Stoke
after picking up a foot injury against Preston.
Alonso’s heel injury has responded well to treatment and
although he is still in a little discomfort, the Spaniard is
ready to take on Everton
on Monday.
"I am back training,” he told the club’s official website.
“I had the stitches taken out on Monday. I'm still a little
bit sore in that area.
”Right now I am able to play with the inside of my foot but
my instep will be okay for Monday."
(Setanta Sports)
Lucas aiming for derby pride
Liverpool are desperate to win the local bragging rights
when they play Everton twice next week.
Everyone at Anfield wants to get one (or rather two) over
the Blues next week after being fired up for the games by
Jamie Carragher and
Steven Gerrard.
"It is always a massive game against Everton," Lucas told
the club's official website.
"The preparation for a derby game is always different,
especially with Stevie and Carra around. We can see in their
faces how much they want to win this game and that inspires
us."
(LFC Online)
Report: Agger set
to join AC Milan
Liverpool defender Daniel Agger is set for a move to AC
Milan if reports in Denmark are to be believed.
The Daily Mail reported on Thursday that his representative
Per Steffensen met San Siro sporting director Ariedo Braida
and Italian agent Rino Foschi for lunch in Milan this week.
Tipsbladet reports that a fee of 60 million kroner, around
£7.5m, has
been agreed.
(Soccernet) |
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WEDNESDAY 14 |
Sammy: Reds must maintain focus
Assistant boss Sammy Lee maintains Premier League leaders
Liverpool must not start looking anxiously over their
shoulders at Manchester United.
By the time manager Rafael Benitez returns to work following
a third operation on his troublesome kidney stone complaint
ahead of the league and FA Cup double-header against
Merseyside rivals Everton, the Reds could well have been
knocked off the top of the table should, as expected, a
resurgent United win both of their games in hand.
While the pundits may already be predicting the downfall of
the Anfield club - who last won the English championship in
1990, Lee insists the team must just focus on their own
performances rather than worry about what may happen or is
being claimed elsewhere.
"A lot of pundits have said there's only one team that can
win the league - and I don't buy into that, either. You
can't rule teams out in January," Lee told the club's
official website.
(TEAMtalk)
Latics: Emile staying until summer
Wigan do not expect striker Emile Heskey to leave in the
transfer window after claiming the player pledged to stay
until at least the summer.
Heskey, who is out of contract in the summer, has been
linked with former club Liverpool and Aston Villa in recent
weeks.
Manager Steve Bruce has stressed he wants to keep his squad
intact and remains hopeful the England international will
sign a new deal.
It now seems unlikely the 31-year-old will leave this month.
"I think Emile has been fantastic for us," said Latics chief
executive Brenda Spencer. "When we bought him from
Birmingham, people thought we were mad but he has been an
absolute gem for us and has done well for himself.
"He is a fantastic pro and we would be sorry to lose him in
the summer if he goes.
"But he is enjoying his time at Wigan and has told us he was
staying with us until the summer, (that) he was seeing out
his contract.
"He is 31 so if he gets his final move we would wish him all
the best. It (the relationship) has worked both ways with
loyalty on both sides."
Chairman Dave Whelan said he wanted Heskey to sign a new
one-year contract but negotiations had yet to begin.
(TEAMtalk)
Yeats backs Reds to win the title
Ron Yeats, who skippered Liverpool to title success in the
1960s, believes the current squad have a great chance of
winning the Premier League title.
The centre-half, one of Bill Shankly's first signings,
believes Rafa Benitez's side are well-equipped to win the
league this season.
Yeats told BBC Radio Merseyside: "We've got the makings of a
very
good side.
"We're still top of the Premier League in January and we
normally get stronger as the months go on."
Yeats was captain of the Liverpool team that won the league
in 1964-65 and that also won the FA Cup for the first time
in the club's history
in 1965.
'The Anfield Collosus', as he was affectionately known on
the Kop, cannot understand why Liverpool have never won the
Premier League.
"I would love to win the league, I can't believe we've never
won it, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed."
(BBC Sport Online)
Rafa's back in hospital
Rafa Benitez has been forced to return to hospital, casting
doubt over his involvement in the upcoming Merseyside derby
double-header.
The Reds take on their neighbours from across Stanley Park
in the league on Monday and the FA Cup fourth round the
following Saturday.
The Spaniard’s most recent absence means that his assistant
Sammy Lee has once again been left in charge of
preparations.
"It's a difficult time for him because, you know Rafa
Benitez - all he wants to do is be out there on the training
pitch with his players. That's his forte. But he's still
buoyant,” Lee told the club’s official website.
"He's going for the third operation but we're hoping it
won't keep him out for too long - hopefully just a couple of
days."
(BBC Sport Online)
United supremo rejects Rafa's claims
Manchester United chief executive David Gill has hit back at
Rafa Benitez following the Liverpool boss' recent verbal
tirade against the club.
The Spaniard then questioned the influence Gill has on the
Football Association due to his position on the board at the
governing body of football in England.
But Gill has defended his position, insisting there is no
conflict of interest between his role at Manchester United
and with the FA.
"With respect to his comments on my position they are
totally inaccurate," said Gill, speaking in Macau at the
launch of United's tour of Asia, which will take place later
this year.
"The reality of it is that on the FA board sit three
representatives of the Premier League in Premier League
chairman Dave Richards, Bolton chairman Phil Gartside and
myself.
"They are elected every year by every club in the Premier
League and when we are on the board we are there
representing the Premier League and I am not there
representing Manchester United.
"The reality is that when you look at the decisions and
issues I think anyone would understand that we don't get
special treatment because
of that.
"Therefore I was surprised (by Benitez's comments) and I
think they are totally inaccurate."
(TEAMtalk)
New deal for Hyypia
With speculation over Daniel Agger's future at the club, and
recent injuries to the young defender, Liverpool have
offered Sami Hyypia a new 12 month contract.
Talk with Agger's agent are continuing over a revised
contract which is set to run out at the end of next season.
(LFC Online)
Torres inspired by Fergie attack
Fernando Torres has backed Rafael Benitez's attack on Alex
Ferguson and insists that the players are right behind the
Liverpool manager.
The Spain international, who returned from a hamstring
injury earlier this month, believes that his compatriot was
only saying what everyone else thinks about the Manchester
United manager and described the comments as 'inspiring'.
"The manager is as good and strong as Ferguson and he thinks
he had to say these things," Torres said in the Daily Star.
"I don't know why but he has his reasons. He has all our
support and we are with him all the way.
"I don't know whether United are favoured by referees and
other things. If you win the Premier League you deserve to
win it. It is difficult. But he has been here six years and
he feels these things.
"Rafa is more English than Spanish. He learns a lot every
day. There is rivalry between United and Liverpool and we
are ready with him."
(Shanklygates)
Real Madrid stars set
to miss clash with Liverpool
UEFA have upheld the decision to reject Real Madrid’s
request to register both Lassana Diarra and Klaas Jan
Huntelaar to play in the Champions League knockout stages.
UEFA’s appeals body made the decision yesterday after
Madrid, who play Liverpool in the knockout stages, had tried
to overturn the initial ruling made by European football’s
governing body last Thursday.
Madrid had been hoping to register both Diarra and Huntelaar
for the Champions League even though regulations state that
only one player who has already played in Europe this season
can be registered.
Both Diarra and Huntelaar had played in the UEFA Cup this
season, for Portsmouth and Ajax respectively, prior to
joining Madrid.
Madrid are now expected to take their case to the Court of
Arbitration for Sport.
(Liverpool Daily Post)
Reds to loan out winger
Liverpool are planning to loan out young winger Adam Hammill
before the close of the transfer window, skysports.com
understands.
Hammill is currently back at Anfield after a successful loan
spell at Blackpool earlier this season.
The 20-year-old is highly regarded by the Liverpool coaching
staff and was rewarded with a new three-year deal prior to
his move to Blackpool.
Reds boss Rafa Benitez has been impressed by Hammill's
development since his return to Liverpool and he is now
ready to loan him out again so that he can gain valuable
first-team experience.
(Sky Sports) |
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TUESDAY 13 |
Benitez close to
new Liverpool deal
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has confirmed he has agreed
the length of a potential new contract at Anfield as well as
the salary on offer.
However he is baffled about reports that he is on a
collision course with the club's American co-owners Tom
Hicks and George Gillett about the remaining terms of the
deal.
Benitez insisted he had not had time to fully digest the
contract details as they only arrived yesterday.
It was reported that Benitez had demanded complete control
over transfers and more say in the running of the club's
youth academy.
However he told the Liverpool Echo: "I don't have any
problems at all with the American owners."
(BreakingNews.ie)
Torres Keane to play with Robbie
Fernando Torres has disputed claims that he and Robbie Keane
struggle to form an effective partnership for Liverpool.
The Spain striker, who has pronounced himself ready for the
fray again after a season troubled by no less than three
hamstring injuries, insisted there was no reason why he and
Keane could not be Liverpool's main strike-force.
Torres, speaking after he finished third in FIFA's world
player of the year awards behind Cristiano Ronaldo and
Lionel Messi, said: "Yes, sure we can play together - but
the boss decides, he's the manager and he's a fantastic
manager."
He added: "Sometimes not all the players can play together
in the same team. But I have played with Robbie a lot of
times and we've scored goals when we've played together. I
think we are going to play together, depending on the game."
(ITV Football)
Reds dismiss Anderson talk
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has denied holding an interest
in Brazilian defender Anderson.
Reports on Tuesday claimed Benitez was set for a fresh
battle with managerial rival Sir Alex Ferguson for the
signature of the Brazilian.
The report seemed somewhat strange given the raft of
defensive talent in the ranks of both clubs and Benitez has
moved to cool talk of a move to Anfield for the Fluminense
man.
“That is not true,” Benitez told the Liverpool Echo. “We are
not trying to sign that player.”
The Reds, meanwhile, have wrapped up a deal for Victor
Palsson and Benitez claims the 18-year-old is a potential
star of the future.
“He is a very good prospect,” added Benitez.
(Setanta Sports)
Babel: I'll respond to Rafa chat
Ryan Babel has spoken of his determination to up his game
after a heart to heart with Rafa Benitez.
The Dutch winger lifted the lid on a chat in which the
gaffer outlined areas he needed to improve to gain regular
first-team football.
Babel is confident he can respond over the coming months and
play a part in Liverpool's title charge.
The 22-year-old said: "I'm still young, but I want to play
as many games as possible. We talked and the boss outlined
the areas where I need to improve my game, and hopefully I
can bring those areas up to the next level soon.
"My career has had a lot of ups and a few downs until this
point. But I am confident it will be okay."
(LFC Official Website)
Referee named for derby clash
The referee for next week's Barclays Premier League clash
with Everton at Anfield will be Howard Webb.
The Rotherham-born official was also in charge for
Liverpool's crucial victories over Manchester United and
Chelsea earlier in the season, while he also oversaw the
Reds' 1-1 draw with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium last
month.
(LFC Official Website)
Pennant agent rules out Prem switch
Jermaine Pennant’s agent has seemingly ruled out a move to
either Wigan Athletic or Hull City by claiming that the
Liverpool winger would not consider joining another Premier
League club.
Pennant has made only four appearances for The Reds this
season and has slipped well down Rafa Benitez’s pecking
order at Anfield.
Real Madrid have shown a surprise interest in the former
Arsenal and Birmingham midfielder and Italian giants Milan
are also rumoured to be keeping an eye on Pennant’s
situation.
It remains to be seen whether a move to one of European
football’s superpowers materialises but the 24-year-old’s
agent, Sky Andrew, claims Pennant will not be joining
another English club.
"Jermaine is still talking to Liverpool,” Andrew told the
Hull Daily Mail.
"He does not want to play for another club in The Premier
League and wants to stay with Liverpool."
(Setanta Sports)
Agger fit again
Daniel Agger has recovered from injury.
The Dane picked up a minor knock that ruled him out of the
draw with Stoke on Saturday but has recovered and is
available for selection for next Monday's game against
Everton.
(LFC Online)
Torres third in FIFA award
Fernando Torres has come third in the FIFA World Player of
the Year Award.
Torres took third behind winner Cristiano Ronaldo and second
placed Lionel Messi in the award ceremony last night. Kaka
came fourth, Xavi fifth and Steven Gerrard sixth.
"Ronaldo and Messi are for sure the two best players in the
world and to come next to them is a privilege," said the
Liverpool striker.
"The very fact of being here is a reason to be proud to
represent my club and my country. It's a matter of pride to
have two Spaniards amongst
this group."
(LFC Online)
Torres: United are title favourite
Liverpool striker Fernando Torres acknowledges Manchester
United are favourites to win the Premier League title this
season.
Torres' Reds currently sit top of the table, but United
enhanced their credentials with a 3-0 demolition of title
rivals Chelsea last weekend.
"They're the clear favourites to win the title," said
Torres. "We're working hard to compete with them and finish
above them and we're on course to achieve that.
"We know it's possible for us to win this season but we have
to fight to the very end to do so.
"I think the game at Old Trafford will decide the title,"
noted Torres. "If everything goes as we expect then we will
go there in a similar position
to now.
"We will have to play our game to try and get a result in a
ground, which in the last few years has not been good for
Liverpool."
(TEAMtalk)
Thor Zakariassen
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