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WEDNESDAY 15 |
Reina 'flattered' by Valencia interest
Jose Reina has said he is "flattered" by reported interest
from Valencia but claims he is concentrating on Liverpool.
The Spanish goalkeeper has been linked with a return to La
Liga, with reports suggesting that he is homesick on
Merseyside.
His form has been questioned this season, particularly after
a series of mistakes in the Merseyside derby clash with
Everton.
Reina said: "The interest of Valencia is flattering to me.
"Though at this moment I want to be focused at helping
Liverpool return to our best form, which is most important.
"We'll see what happens in the future."
(Sporting Life)
What does the season hold for the Reds
now?
There's certainly no shortage of topics to discuss at
present if you are a Liverpool fan.
One of them should have been about our chances of winning
the title. But, after Sunday's result, we can forget that
one.
But there are other subjects to chew over - the disastrous
away record, the loss of form of key players, the Steven
Gerrard debate, and what the rest of the season holds, to
name but a few.
First, though, with the Reds' excellent home record, you
can't say the players don't have the ability. It's just that
away from home they look a totally different team.
It's easy to blame the defence - they were certainly at
fault for the third Gunners' goal - but I feel the blame
lies with the midfield.
They are the engine room of the team, supporting the
defence, and not only helping the attack but creating the
chances.
The Reds are a lot harder to beat with Gerrard and Momo
Sissoko in the team. If you only have one in the line-up,
it's not so easy, especially when he is a winger.
(Tommy Smith - Liverpool Echo)
Benitez: Kewell has strength to return
Rafael Benitez is convinced injury-jinxed Harry Kewell has
the mental strength to resurrect his Liverpool career.
Kewell is not expected to return to full training for
another two months after the succession of fitness setbacks
that have wrecked his season.
Benitez believes Kewell, who has not appeared for Liverpool
since hobbling off during the FA Cup final against West Ham
United in May, can again make an impact at Anfield.
"Harry still has a future here, and I am positive he can
come back," said the Liverpool manager.
"Harry is now working with the physios but he will need at
least two months before he can begin training with the team
again.
"He is okay mentally. He knew he had an injury problem, but
now he is mentally in a right way.
"He had two or three things wrong with him, but it was his
toe that was causing
the major problem.
(Daily Post)
Bellamy thrilled by Wales goal
Wales captain Craig Bellamy hopes his luck in front of goal
has changed after scoring in the 4-0 friendly victory over
Liechtenstein.
Wales cruised to a comfortable victory at Wrexham's
Racecourse Ground with Jason Koumas netting twice along with
Bellamy and Chris Llewellyn in the final minutes.
The Liverpool striker threw off the shackles - Wales boss
John Toshack suggested the he was "playing in a straight
jacket" for Liverpool before this friendly - to have a hand
in two goals and score another himself as his pace and
quality terrified Liechtenstein all evening.
"I was delighted to get a goal," he told Sky Sports 1.
"I'd hit the inside of the post and it came out which is
typical at the moment. But I was lucky enough to hit the bar
and it went in so hopefully it's turned for me a bit.
(TEAMtalk) |
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TUESDAY 14 |
Pogatetz ready for Liverpool test
Emanuel Pogatetz wants Middlesbrough to continue their
excellent record against the Premiership's big sides when
Liverpool visit this weekend.
Boro, who have won their last three games at the Riverside,
have already beaten Chelsea and Everton and drawn with
Arsenal this season.
And Pogatetz believes they are capable of claiming another
scalp against Rafa Benitez's side, who are still reeling
from Sunday's 3-0 defeat to the Gunners.
Pogatetz told the club's official website: "We're really
looking forward to the Liverpool game. We have shown in the
past how we play in the big games and none of the big sides
like coming to the Riverside.
"If Liverpool play the way they can then we could be in for
a very tough game but they are in more competitions than we
are, they are playing more games and they won't fancy coming
here."
(TEAMtalk)
Riise: We won't give up
John Arne Riise has insisted that Liverpool will not give up
on their dream of winning The Premiership this season.
Sunday's 3-0 defeat at Arsenal left The Reds 11 points
behind champions Chelsea and 14 adrift of leaders Manchester
United.
Riise believes it is too early to write off Liverpool
though, pointing to their good run midway through last
season as an example of how they could come storming back.
"We never give up. Cowards give up," he rallied.
(Sky Sports)
Henry: Reds still in the race
Arsenal captain Thierry Henry has declared Liverpool are
still in this season's Premiership race.
Liverpool's defeat at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday left
them four points behind the Gunners and fourteen behind
early pace setters Manchester United, but Henry insists it's
still too early to draw any final conclusions.
"I don't think Liverpool are out of the title race," he
said. "They were a point behind us before kick-off. You
never know what is going to happen.
"The league is pretty weird. Look at Wigan - at the
beginning of the season people were wondering what was
happening, then they go on a great run and they are right up
there."
(LFC Official Website)
Birmingham City supremo confirms Upson
exit
David Sullivan has said that Matthew Upson will be leaving
St Andrew's in January
The centre-half, who has 18 months left on his current
contract, has been linked with moves to Newcastle, Liverpool
and Reading in recent weeks, despite havng been out since
April with an achilles injury.
"There will be some players leaving in January," co-owner
Sullivan told The Daily Mirror.
"Matthew Upson is a great player but he wants to go to a
bigger club."
(Fans FC)
Valencia keen on Reina raid
Under-fire Liverpool goalkeeper Jose Reina is a reported
target for La Liga outfit Valencia, according to reports in
Spain.
The former Villrreal stopper is reportedly homesick and
looking for a move back to the Primera Liga.
Reina, who moved to Anfield in the summer of 2005, has come
under a lot of criticism this season for his errors,
particularly in the 3-0 Merseyside derby defeat to Everton.
(TEAMtalk)
Benfica star's agent confirms English
interest
Liverpool target Nelson is wanted by a
Premiership side his agent has revealed
The right-back, under contract to Benfica until 2010, has
impressed in the Champions League this season and is thought
to be on Rafael Benitez's shortlist of players to challenge
Steve Finnan for a place.
A top Spanish side is also keen on the player although
Benfica are at present demanding around £17m for his
signature.
(Fans FC)
Kuyt tells Dutch of Gerrard danger
Dirk Kuyt has warned his Holland team-mates stopping Steven
Gerrard is the key to beating England in tomorrow’s
international friendly in Amsterdam.
Kuyt said of his Liverpool skipper: “He has everything in
his game and to play alongside him is a great feeling.
“When Holland play England he is the player we must stop –
but I am sure the coach knows that already.
“I have never played with a better player than Gerrard.
“I knew he was a good player before I came to Liverpool, but
it is only when you work alongside him every day that you
realise just how great he really is.”
Gerrard is likely to start the game on the right wing but
Kuyt believes this has little to do with his dip in form.
“I am told his form this year is not as good as it was last
year, but that is normal,” he said.
“His problem is that he was so incredible last season that
opponents are now keeping an even closer eye on him and
sometimes he has two defenders to attack.”
(Daily Post)
Keeper Roberts sent off as Liverpool draw
Goalkeeper Dave Roberts was sent off as Liverpool under-18s
were held to a 1-1 draw at West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.
John Owens’s side had hoped to build on their first win of
the season against Manchester United the weekend before and
everything seemed to going well as they opened up a 1-0 lead
thanks to Ray Putterill’s shot, which deflected in off
team-mate Lee Woodward after 65 minutes.
But the match changed when Roberts was shown the red card
for bringing down a home forward and conceding a penalty
with five minutes to go.
West Brom equalised from the resultant kick, but Liverpool’s
10 men – with midfielder Putterill in goal – held on for a
point.
Liverpool under-18s: Roberts; Behan, Gaughan, Spearing,
Burns; Putterill, Barnett, Ryan (Pringle 45), Wignall;
Woodward (Parsonage 70), Scott. Subs: Awang, Collins.
(Daily Post) |
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MONDAY 13 |
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Reina: Title too far away
Jose Reina has admitted Liverpool are out of the title race
and are concentrating on securing a Champions League spot.
Sunday's 3-0 defeat against Arsenal left Rafael Benitez's
men 14 points behind leaders Manchester United and their
woeful away record - they have managed just one point and
one goal on their travels - has been the major problem.
But Reina believes the 2005 Champions League winners still
have a good chance of success in Europe
"Fourth place is our target now - we have to fight for
that," said Reina.
(PA Sport)
Liverpool close in on Gillett
Liverpool have held further talks with the American tycoon
George Gillett Jnr about a takeover of the club.
Chairman David Moores joined chief executive Rick Parry on
last week's trip to Canada, where the reclusive businessman
owns the Montreal Canadiens hockey team.
The former owner of the Harlem Globetrotters has declined to
comment, but sources close to him have privately confirmed
that he is a serious bidder.
(Daily Mail)
Duo in race for Reds ace
Preston North End are hoping to steal a march of rivals
Burnley by snapping up highly-rated Liverpool midfielder
David Mannix on loan.
The 20-year-old will be allowed out by the Reds to get some
first-team football under his belt after returning to
contention this season following a broken ankle.
The promotion-chasing pairing of Burnley and North End have
been alerted but a clutch of other clubs in the Championship
are keeps tabs on the midfielder.
North End have already signed Neil Mellor from Liverpool and
after loading out a couple of fringe midfielders could be
tempted to move for Mannix.
And Burnley boss Steve Cotterill is desperate to bolster his
wafer-thin squad in a bid to keep the Clarets among the
high-fliers this season.
(Clubcall Sports)
Carra: We need to show more character
Jamie Carragher admits he and his teammates must
show more character if the Reds are to get their season back
on track.
The vice-captain believes Liverpool never recovered from
going a goal down against Arsenal on their first visit to
the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
He said: "Obviously, we've got to start to show more
character away from home, particularly when we go a goal
down.
"Showing the right character is one of the qualities I've
always been proud to be associated with most, so it hurts me
to think people don't think we're showing enough
of it now."
(LFC Official Website)
Carling Cup quarter-final date
Liverpool's Carling Cup quarter-final tie against Arsenal
will be played on Tuesday, December 19.
The game, which kicks off at 8pm, will be played to a
conclusion at Anfield.
(LFC Official Website)
Benitez: This is not good enough
Rafa Benitez today insisted he is well aware that recent
scorelines and performance have not been good enough and has
urged the players on.
"I am not thinking about the title race," said the Spaniard.
"The only thing that matters is the next game and we need to
start winning away if we are going to be closer.
"It is clear this is not good enough. We know we need to
improve. We need to show character and show our quality.
"I have some ideas but I need to work with the players until
the next game."
(LFC Online)
Wenger: Liverpool still in title race
Arsene Wenger insists Liverpool can still win the
Premiership despite being 14 points behind leaders
Manchester United.
The Arsenal manager spoke after his side's 3-0 victory at
the Emirates – a result which means the Reds have lost five
out of six away games this season.
"They are not out of the title race," said Wenger.
"You have to take into consideration that Liverpool have a
very good home form and if you multiply 19 by three, that is
57 points.
"They have lost a few games away but they have played at
Manchester United, Chelsea, Everton and Arsenal and they are
Liverpool's four most difficult away games."
(LFC Official Website)
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Thor Zakariassen
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