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SUNDAY 15 |
Hansen: Why Sami is brilliant
Kop legend Alan Hansen lauded Sami Hyypia after the Finn
responded to a late call from Rafa Benitez with a defensive
masterclass against Manchester United.
Hyypia discovered he was playing minutes before kick-off at
Old Trafford following an injury to Alvaro Arbeloa in the
warm-up.
The 35-year-old looked as assured as ever during the 4-1
win, prompting Hansen to wax lyrical on Match of the Day.
The former Red said: "He is a brilliant professional and
he's been a big player for such a long time for Liverpool.
He leads by example and never lets them down.
"He hasn't got pace in abundance but positionally he is
fantastic and he reads the game really well.
"He showed an unbelievable touch with his left foot against
United - it was sensational.
"He is a brilliant player."
On the performance as a whole, Hansen added: "I thought
Liverpool were absolutely awesome. We talk time and again
about pace being an asset and what we saw here was
blistering pace which made really good defenders look
distinctly average."
(LFC Official Website)
Barnes issues backing to Benitez
Liverpool legend John Barnes believes current Anfield boss
Rafael Benitez remains the right man to lead the club
forward.
Benitez's stock has risen considerably in the past week,
with a 4-0 win over Real Madrid and a 4-1 thrashing of
Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday.
The Spaniard had endured a difficult couple of months, with
Liverpool surrendering a lead at the top of the Premier
League, and his outspoken attack on United boss Sir Alex
Ferguson in January was pinpointed by many as the start of
the decline.
Benitez's future is also uncertain, with a new contract
still to be agreed despite protracted negotiations.
Barnes told BBC Radio 5 Live's Sportsweek programme: "I
think he is as good as anybody else.
"I don't think a new manager coming in would win the league
for Liverpool necessarily.
"We all know United have a stronger squad - they are better
placed than Liverpool are at the moment.
"So a new manager coming in isn't necessarily going to
improve that situation. I think Rafa's the right person,
definitely."
(TEAMtalk)
Hyypia: Best week since 2001
Sami Hyypia believes Liverpool have enjoyed their best week
of results since they clinched an historic treble in 2001.
"It's been a good week," said the 35-year-old, who was
signed by Gerard Houllier in 1999. "I was just asked if I've
had a week like this before and I couldn't think of one
since in 2001 when we won a few cups in one week."
(LFC Official Website)
Skipper adds voice to UEFA plea
Steven Gerrard today added his voice to appeals for
Liverpool not to play on the 20th anniversary of
Hillsborough.
The club has asked UEFA not to schedule its Champions League
quarter-final second leg for Wednesday, April 15 - the date
20 years ago when 96 fans lost their lives.
The governing body has said it will do its best - but has
yet to confirm whether Liverpool's wishes will be granted.
Gerrard said: "We hope that UEFA show some common sense. You
would think they would accept the significance of the date
for the people of Liverpool, but unfortunately feelings like
that don't always come into it.
"We're still waiting to see whether UEFA will make us play
on the day. That would be far from ideal given all the
emotion that always surrounds the club on that day. It
should be a time that Liverpool Football Club remembers the
people who were lost and their families.
"Hillsborough is always on my mind because I lost a member
of my family there and any success we get as a club this
year will be dedicated to those people who lost their
lives."
(LFC Official Website)
Loan star nets again
Andriy Voronin plundered his eighth goal in six games to
help loan side Hertha Berlin remain top of the Bundesliga.
The Ukraine international - who is on a season-long loan
from Anfield - hit the winner in a 1-0 victory over Bayer
Leverkusen.
His tally for the season is now 11.
(LFC Official Website) |
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SATURDAY 14 |
Ferdinand won't blame
Vidic for Liverpool defeat
On the scale of things, Nemanja Vidic had a fairly terrible
day at the office today. Receiving a straight red for
bringing down Steven Gerrard and making a mistake that
allowed Fernando Torres to convert an equalizer, it really
was not the big Serbian's day.
Speaking to MUTV, Rio Ferdinand gave his thoughts:
"The sending-off and third goal came at a really critical
time. I thought the referee's decision to send Vida off was
debatable as I could have got over there to cover.
"Vida has been one of our most consistent players this
season and everyone is allowed to make a mistake, so we
won’t be getting on his back."
(Goal.com)
Fergie: We were the better team
Sir Alex Ferguson claimed Manchester United were ‘the better
team’ despite being humbled 4-1 by title rivals Liverpool at
Old Trafford.
"It is a hard one to take because I felt we were the better
team," he said.
"That is not reflected in the scoreline and quite rightly,
when you win 4-1 you get all the plaudits. I can't deny
that."
(Setanta Sports)
Benitez: We must win every battle
Rafael Benitez has set Liverpool the target of winning all
their remaining nine games if they want to wrestle the
Premier League title away from Manchester United.
The Reds recorded their biggest win at Old Trafford since
1936 as they completed a 4-1 rout of Alex Ferguson’s men,
who had Nemanja Vidic sent off near the end.
“We have beaten Real Madrid and Manchester United in the
same week,” observed the Liverpool boss.
“If we can beat them, we can beat anybody.
“Realistically, we have to win all of our games. But part of
winning the war is winning football matches."
(BreakingNews.ie)
Gerrard hails Liverpool success
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard hopes the team’s crushing
4-1 victory over Manchester United will not only spur the
Merseysiders on as they play catch-up at the top of the
Premier League, but will also prove to other teams that the
leaders can be beaten.
Gerrard said: “The important thing is that we have made the
gap smaller (United lead by four points still with a game in
hand). We realise that Manchester United are a fantastic
team and there’s still a lot of work
to do."
(BreakingNews.ie)
Liverpool run riot at United
Liverpool capped off a wonderful week and left the door ajar
on the Premier League title with a 4-1 mauling of Manchester
United that draws them to within four points of their hosts.
It is a result that certainly does not lose United their
third successive Premier League crown, but one that gives
both their conquerors on Saturday lunchtime and Chelsea more
than a sniff of catching them.
Rafa Benitez’s rant was, to many, the turning point of the
season so how ironic it should be that, at Old Trafford and
against United, a new pivotal moment in the campaign be
created thanks to a penalty against United and the dismissal
of Nemanja Vidic.
Vidic was also hugely culpable for the Fernando Torres goal
that cancelled out Cristiano Ronaldo’s early penalty for the
league leaders. Gerrard put his side in front from the spot
before half-time, Fabio Aurelio doubled the advantage with a
gorgeous free-kick after Vidic’s dismissal and Andrea
Dossena capped off a scarcely believable result.
(Setanta Sports)
Arbeloa injured in warm up
Alvaro Arbeloa was injured in the pre match warm up, meaning
a change of plans for Rafa, having to shift Carragher to
right back and bringing in Hyypia alongside Skrtel against
United.
Arbeloa was due to start at right back, but just before kick
off the team was changed as he injured his hamstring,
meaning Carra moved to right back and Sami comes in next to
Skrtel.
(Anfield Red)
Under-18s held despite Pepper brilliance
Adam Pepper scored a sensational goal from the halfway
line as Liverpool under-18s were held to a 2-2 draw with
Blackburn Rovers at the Academy this afternoon.
The all-action midfielder put the Reds in front with a
sublime 45 yard lob that Xabi Alonso would have been proud
of on 55 minutes after Joe Kennedy had cancelled out Michael
Hall's first-half opener.
It was a strike that would have been more than worthy of
being the winning goal, but unfortunately for Hugh McAuley's
men, they could not hold onto their advantage and just past
the hour mark Rovers grabbed a share of the spoils courtesy
of Tom Hitchcock.
It marked a dramatic conclusion to the match with the second
45 in complete contrast to a dour first period in which the
visitors had edged it.
Liverpool under 18s: Martin Hansen, Michael Scott, Chris
Buchtmann, Andre Wisdom, Joe Kennedy, Michael Roberts, David
Amoo, Adam Pepper, Nathan Eccleston, Karl Clair (Jack
Robinson 66), Tom Ince.
Unused subs: Alex Cooper, Deale Chamberlain, Connor
Roberts-Nurse.
(LFC Official Website)
Lucas replaces injured Alonso
Lucas Leiva starts in place of the injured Xabi Alonso as
Liverpool try to keep their title dreams alive at Old
Trafford this afternoon.
Rafa Benitez makes two changes from the side that spanked
Real Madrid 4-0 on Tuesday, with winger Albert Riera also
coming in for Ryan Babel.
The Reds XI in full is: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Skrtel,
Aurelio, Mascherano, Lucas, Kuyt, Riera, Gerrard, Torres.
Subs: Cavalieri, Hyypia, Babel, El Zhar, Dossena, Insua,
Ngog.
(LFC Official Website)
O’Neil fears Barry Anfield switch
Aston Villa boss Martin O’Neil admits he is still
worried that his midfield maestro Gareth Barry may still
leave the club for Liverpool, if the Midlanders don’t finish
in the top four this season.
Barry’s transfer saga with Liverpool last summer seemed
endless, continuing for months before finally a fee could
not be agreed between the two clubs.
Reds boss Rafa Benitez believes that Chief Executive Rick
Parry was responsible for the failure to bring Barry to
Anfield, but Parry is now set to leave Liverpool at the end
of the current campaign.
O’Neil says that Barry won’t be put off by Robbie Keane’s
failed career at Liverpool and expects a transfer request if
Villa fail to qualify for the Champions League.
“Gareth has spent 10 years here,” said O’Neill.
“If we don’t make the top four no-one could begrudge him a
move . What happened to Keane isn’t a marker for everyone.”
(This is Anfield) |
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FRIDAY 13 |
Reds duo in Holland squad
Liverpool duo Dirk Kuyt and Ryan Babel have been called up
the Holland’s squad ahead of the resumption of their World
Cup qualification campaign later this month.
(thepost.ie)
No Rafa regrets over United rant
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has no regrets over his verbal
attack on Sir Alex Ferguson that some say was the turning
point in the title race.
Benitez takes his side to Old Trafford to face Manchester
United on Saturday admitting "everything will have to be
perfect" for them to grab the win that will maintain their
interest in the Premier League crown.
Benitez is bracing himself for a hot reception from the Old
Trafford faithful, but refuses to accept anything he said in
his January outburst over Ferguson's influence on football
will have any bearing on
the outcome.
Benitez also denies claims he has set a two-week deadline to
sort out his new contract, but he confirmed his lawyer will
soon have further discussions with the advisors of club
owners Tom Hicks and
George Gillett.
But his main concern is trying to wrestle the three points
from the champions that will keep alive Liverpool's title
hopes.
(TEAMtalk)
Benitez denies deadline
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has denied claims he has set a
two-week deadline to sort out his new contract.
The Reds manager confirmed his lawyer will soon have further
discussions with the advisors of club owners Tom Hicks and
George Gillett.
Benitez said: "I am not walking out on anyone. There is no
deadline over my contract talks. We will have more talks in
the next few days."
(Teletext)
Fergie backing for Red-hater Rooney
Sir Alex Ferguson says Wayne Rooney's feelings towards
Liverpool are understandable given the amount of stick he
has taken from their fans.
Rooney's comments that he "hates" Liverpool were made on
MUTV in the immediate aftermath of Wednesday night's
Champions League win over Inter Milan and were eventually
removed from United's official website on Thursday afternoon
for fear of inflaming passions ahead of Saturday's
North-West showdown at Old Trafford.
As an Everton supporter, a former Everton player and a
member of Manchester United's Champions League-winning team,
Rooney has taken plenty of abuse from Liverpool fans down
the years.
Nothing has happened on either side to suggest the antipathy
has reduced at all.
But Ferguson reckons the England man probably used the wrong
word.
"Hate is an easy word to say, easier than dislike. Maybe it
is not the right word," said Ferguson.
"But Wayne has had plenty of stick from Liverpool fans over
the years, so it is understandable.
"He supported Everton as a kid and the rivalry between them
and Liverpool is pretty ferocious now. Since then he has
come to Manchester United and he wants to win.
"It is nothing out of the ordinary really."
(TEAMtalk)
Riera returns for United encounter
Liverpool welcome Albert Riera back into their squad for
Saturday's huge Premier League clash with Manchester United
at Old Trafford.
Riera was suspended for the Champions League win over Real
Madrid, but he is back in the squad for the trip down the
M62.
However, Yossi Benayoun is still out with a hamstring
injury, while Daniel Agger is unlikely to have recovered
from his back injury.
Rafael Benitez is going in search of his 100th Premier
League win as Anfield boss and he was able to withdraw
Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard early in midweek to
protect them for the game against the champions.
Reds (from): Reina, Aurelio, Skrtel, Carragher, Hyypia,
Aurelio, Dossena, Babel, Mascherano, Gerrard, Alonso, Kuyt,
Torres, Lucas, Cavalieri, Ngog, Riera, Insua, Spearing, El
Zhar.
(TEAMtalk)
Rooney determined to end Reds bid
Wayne Rooney has admitted he cannot wait for Manchester
United's clash with Liverpool on Saturday so he can help end
their title dreams.
Rooney and his family were all Everton fans growing up and
he achieved his dream of playing for his hometown club after
coming through the ranks and starring for the Toffees
himself.
His own relationship with Everton and their fans is less
than perfect following his move to Manchester United - but
his feelings about their arch-rivals remain.
"I'm very excited about the match," he told MUTV. "I grew up
an Everton fan, my whole family are Everton fans and I grew
up hating Liverpool - that hasn't changed."
(TEAMtalk)
Gerrard is the best player
in the world, insists Zidane
Zinedine Zidane Zinedine Zidane believes Steven Gerrard is
the best player in the world. "He might not get the
attention of (Lionel) Messi and Ronaldo but yes, I think he
just might be," the former France captain said.
"If you don't have a player like Steven Gerrard, who is the
engine room, it can affect the whole team. When we were
winning league titles and European Cups at Real, I always
said Claude Makelele was our most important player".
"There is no way myself, Figo or Raul would have been able
to do what we did without Claude and the same goes for
Liverpool and Gerrard". Zidane added: "He has great passing
ability, can tackle and scores goals, but most importantly
he gives the players around him confidence and belief".
(Soccerway.com)
Thor Zakariassen
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