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FRIDAY 15 |
Hiddink: Terry wrong
about Gerrard award
Guus Hiddink disagrees with John Terry’s choice of Player of
the Year, insisting Steven Gerrard was the worthy winner.
Terry claimed Frank Lampard deserved to beat his England
colleague to the Football Writers award, but Hiddink has a
very different viewpoint.
The temporary Chelsea manager has had time to work closely
with Lampard, but he admits nobody can deny Gerrard his
success.
"Gerrard deserved it fully, what he was nominated for," said
Hiddink.
"He had a tremendous season, not just in his efficiency on
the pitch, but also in his appearance as a professional
player.
"He is very warm-hearted towards his club. You could say the
same for Frank Lampard. He is well respected all over
England."
(Setanta Sports)
Mowbray targets
Liverpool upset
West Brom manager Tony Mowbray is confident of upsetting
Liverpool when the two sides meet in the crucial Premier
League clash on Sunday.
The Baggies need to avoid defeat at The Hawthorns to go into
the final game of the season with a chance of staying up.
Mowbray said: "Liverpool would not be first choice of teams
to play but that is the way that the fixtures come out.
"We have shown in recent weeks that we can score goals and
that is what we have to try to do again this Sunday."
(BBC Sport Online)
Spaniard: I want
to follow Arbeloa
West Brom record signing Borja Valero has told of his
ambition to emulate Alvaro Arbeloa's success in English
football.
The pair, who played together at Real Madrid, will put
friendship aside this weekend when Liverpool and West Brom
meet for a game both sides must win.
"I speak with Arbeloa every week," said Valero. "He has been
a good help to me, because he knows everything in England
after being here almost three years.
"He has been a big help to me and my wife during my first
season in England."
(LFC Official Website)
Gerrard aiming to emulate Hunt
Steven Gerrard wants to follow in Roger Hunt's footsteps.
Gerrard hopes to emulate Sir Roger by winning the league
with Liverpool and the World Cup with England in the same
season in 2010 as Hunt did in 1966.
"Roger Hunt was a fantastic player," said the skipper.
"It's a bit before my time but my dad has certainly made me
aware of how good Roger was.
"If I can go on and emulate what he achieved in 1966 next
year, you will certainly see a happy Steven Gerrard come the
end of the World Cup!
"It would be the best year of my career without a doubt.
"To win the league and then go on and win the World Cup,
that's what dreams are made of.
"There's a lot of hard work and a lot of hurdles to get over
before I can achieve that.
"But it is certainly the ambition and the dream. And I think
it's possible."
(LFC Online)
Sponsor eyes Anfield name deal
Liverpool's main sponsor, Carlsberg, is ready to discuss the
idea of a naming rights deal for the proposed new stadium at
Anfield, as part of a renewed deal with the club.
The Danish beer company, whose 18-year deal with Liverpool
is the longest running in the Premier League, has offered
the first indication that its widely known dismay at the
in-fighting between club owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett
has receded.
(The Independent) |
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THURSDAY 14 |
Dalglish on target as Legends triumph
Liverpool Legends rolled back the years to secure a 3-1
victory over the All Stars in the Hillsborough Memorial Game
at Anfield.
A goal in each half from Ian Rush and John Aldridge put
Kenny Dalglish's side into a commanding lead.
Teddy Sheringham pulled a goal back for the All Stars, but
Dalglish put the seal on a fine win for the Legends with a
late strike in front of the Kop.
Over 20,000 turned up in support of the game, which was
staged in aid of the Marina Dalglish Appeal, with monies
raised going towards the building of a new radiotherapy
centre at Aintree hospital.
Liverpool legends: Paul Harrison, Gary Ablett, Steve
Staunton, Gary Gillespie, Ronnie Whelan, Alan Hansen, Kenny
Dalglish, John Aldridge, Ian Rush, Ray Houghton, Steve
McMahon.
Subs: Jan Molby, Bob Bolder, Mark Lawrenson, Don Hutchison,
Nicky Byrne, Peter Beardsley, Jamie Redknapp, Steve
McManaman, Gary McAllister, Gethin Jones, Michael Thomas,
Dean Lennox Kelly,
John Bishop.
All Stars: Bobby Mimms, Viv Anderson, Steve Hodge, Des
Walker, Dave Watson, Paul Bracewell, Trevor Steven, Graham
Stuart, Nigel Clough, Teddy Sheringham, Bradley Walsh.
Subs: Alan Irvine, Mike Newell, Stuart Barlow, Alan Stubbs,
Craig David, Tim Lovejoy, Alan Shearer, Spoony, Craig Lennox
Kelly,
Jonathan Wilkes.
(LFC Official Website)
I'm going nowhere, says Forlan
Diego Forlan has committed himself to Atletico Madrid
and refused to speculate about his future.
The Uruguay international has been linked to many Premier
League clubs, including Liverpool, Tottenham and Sunderland.
But the prolific striker, who has bagged 27 goals in 30
games so far this season, is happy at the Vicente Calderon.
The former Manchester United ace has criticised Real Madrid,
saying that they launch transfer rumours to disturb players.
“There are rumours in the newspapers,” he said. “I remain
pretty much relaxed as I am under contract and want to
qualify for
the Champions League.
“The transfer speculations are something that you, the
press, do on behalf of Real Madrid. As far as we are
concerned we are focused on the Valencia game.”
(Setanta Sports)
Metronome Alonso
to return at West Brom
Xabi Alonso is on course to return for Liverpool in Sunday’s
potentially must-win trip to West Brom.
Liverpool are relying on an Andrei Arshavin-inspired Arsenal
to beat Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday to
keep the title race alive.
Should that happen, as it did two seasons ago, Liverpool
would need to beat basement battlers West Brom to take the
title race into the final day of the season.
Alonso has produced sublime displays at The Hawthorns in the
past and, having missed the trip to West Ham, is hopeful of
returning this weekend.
(Setanta Sports)
Reina hails Gerrard
Pepe Reina says Steven Gerrard is the best player in the
world.
Gerrard has been named the country's top player by the
Football Writers' Association. Pepe Reina says his skipper
is not just the best player in England but the world.
"I am happy with it. It's fully deserved - and not just in
terms of England, but for the whole world," said the Reds
keeper.
"This season he has been superb - our best player, the best
player in England and the best player in the world.
"Liverpool are a different team without him. We have to play
and compete as a whole squad but he is key for us.
"To be honest, when it got out that Ryan Giggs had been
given Player of the Year by the PFA, well it was fair
because he's played for a long time, but for me Stevie was
the one.
"But the media have given the right award - it's fully
deserved."
(LFC Online)
Title dream hangs by thread
Manchester Utd left it late to secure a vital victory in
their march towards the Premier League title, with a 1-2 win
at Wigan Athletic.
The Latics had taken a shock lead through Hugo Rodagella on
28 minutes, but Carlos Tevez equalised on 61, before Michael
Carrick grabbed the winner with four minutes to go.
The result means that Utd stretch their lead at the top of
the Premier League to six points, now needing only a point
from their final two games of the season, whatever
Liverpool’s results, to ensure they hold onto
their league crown.
The Reds’ only hope is that Arsenal go to Old Trafford on
Saturday and pull out a victory, and hope that
relegation-threatened Hull City pull off one of the Premier
League’s biggest ever surprises on the last day of the
season. Only then, and two victories from Liverpool, would
Rafa Benitez’s men win the league on goal difference.
But you know, it’s not over ‘til the fat lady sings…
(This is Anfield) |
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WEDNESDAY 13 |
Alonso rumours rejected
Xabi Alonso's agent has dismissed reports linking the
Liverpool man with a move away from Anfield.
Recent reports have suggested cash-rich Manchester City and
Arsenal were lining up moves for the Spanish schemer.
Alonso's future at Anfield has been the subject of
speculation for some time after a move to Juventus failed to
materialise last summer.
The 27-year-old has shrugged off the speculation and has
arguably Liverpool's player of the season with a number of
impressive performances.
Alonso's agent Ignacio Ibanez insists he has not heard
anything from anyone and that the player is happy at
Liverpool.
"I know nothing about these reports [of interest from
City]," Ibanez told skysports.com.
"As Xabi has always said he is happy at Liverpool and
focused on them."
(Sky Sports)
Ex-United striker
may join Liverpool
According to reports in Spain, Atletico Madrid forward Diego
Forlan, once of Manchester United, is on the verge of
joining Liverpool.
Spanish publication Sport suggests Liverpool have a verbal
agreement in place for the striker who has scored 27 goals
in 29 games this season, which leaves him in second place in
the Pichichi race to Barcelona’s Samuel Eto.
(Sport.co.uk)
Benitez to add
Silva lining to title tilt
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has offered Valencia a take
it or leave £15 million bid for their star winger David
Silva according to the Sun.
The former Valencia coach, who left the club to join
Liverpool in June 2004, has been a long-time admirer of the
European Championship winner, and has made attempts to sign
the player previously.
Newspaper reports suggest Benitez’s offer for the wily
Spaniard will be his last, and should Valencia reject the
bid, the Anfield boss will turn his attentions to other
targets, believed to be Middlesbrough’s Stewart Downing or
Tottenham’s Aaron Lennon.
(Sport.co.uk)
Pennant invites potential suitors
Portsmouth's on-loan star Jermaine Pennant says he is open
to offers this summer, and would certainly be interested in
staying at Fratton Park.
The 26-year-old Liverpool winger's contract expires during
the close season meaning he can be snapped up for free.
The Reds shelled out an initial fee of £6.7million to sign
Pennant from Birmingham, making him an attractive
proposition for prospective suitors.
Pennant is currently focusing on helping Portsmouth retain
their top Premier League before worrying about his own
future.
"Next season I'm out of contract so we'll have to see what
happens,"
he told Sky Sports News.
"I've got a battle on my hands at the minute with Portsmouth
fighting relegation.
"When that's over, we take a break and then we'll take it
from there."
Pennant says staying at Fratton Park is an option, although
with no offers on the table he remains unsure of his future.
"It's always going to be an option. I've enjoyed my time
there," he continued.
"I've had a very hard season, but next season we'll see what
happens.
"I'm all ears and I'm ready to talk to people."
(TEAMtalk)
Gerrard elated
by writers' award
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has said it is a "great
privilege" to be named the 2009 Football Writers'
Association Footballer of the Year.
"I'm delighted but I'm a little bit surprised," he told his
club's website.
"When you look at the quality of the players there are in
this league, it's a great privilege to win this kind of
award."
(BBC Sport Online)
Gerrard named
Footballer of the Year
Steven Gerrard is celebrating today after being named
Footballer of the Year by the Football Writers' Association.
The Liverpool skipper beat off competition from Manchester
United pair Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney to win the most
prestigious individual award in English football.
Having already landed the PFA Fans Player of the Year award
this season, the FWA honour caps another incredible campaign
for the 28-year-old midfielder, who has led by example and
driven his side to within touching distance of achieving
their title dreams.
(LFC Official Website)
Thor Zakariassen
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