|
|
|
SATURDAY 15 |
Rafa: We deserved win
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez insisted his side were
worthy winners at Bolton.
The Reds returned to the top of the Premier League, albeit
with Chelsea yet to play, after they secured a 2-0 win at
the Reebok Stadium.
"I think the team had a lot of opportunities. In the first
half we had plenty of possession, in the second half there
was more long balls and second balls and they were more
physical, but it was just a question of scoring the second
goal and finishing the game," the Spaniard told Sky Sports.
(Sky Sports)
Alonso: We're full of confidence
Xabi Alonso today admitted confidence is oozing through the
Liverpool team after an impressive 2-0 victory at Bolton saw
the Reds climb back to the top of the Premier League table.
"We respect all our opponents but we are confident at the
moment, we're playing well, scoring goals and in a good
position," said Alonso.
(LFC Official Website)
Reds fire fresh
warning to rivals
Liverpool made the short trip along the M62 a productive
one, as they claimed a 2-0 win over Bolton to move back to
the top of the tree.
The early kick off afforded The Reds the chance to move back
above Chelsea and although they were made to work harder
than seemed likely at one stage, Rafa Benitez’s boys got the
job done.
Dirk Kuyt headed The Reds into a deserved early lead, but a
contentious disallowed goal fired up Bolton and Liverpool
needed to weather a storm before sealing the win thanks to
Steven Gerrard’s second.
(Setanta Sports)
U18s romp to mini derby triumph
Liverpool under-18s produced a stylish display as they
cruised to a 2-0 win over Everton in an entertaining mini
derby at the Academy.
First-half goals from Lauri Dalla Valle and David Amoo did
the damage as Hughie McAuley's men ensured the red half of
the city would once again enjoy the local bragging rights.
(LFC Official Website)
Torres on the bench versus Bolton
Fernando Torres only makes the bench for our lunchtime clash
with Bolton as Rafa Benitez makes nine changes from the team
that faced Tottenham.
Only Daniel Agger and Sami Hyypia survive from the midweek
defeat in the Carling Cup.
The Reds XI in full is: Reina, Carragher, Hyypia, Agger,
Aurelio, Gerrard, Mascherano, Riera, Kuyt, Alonso, Keane.
Subs: Cavalieri, Darby, Lucas, Babel, Torres, Dossena,
Benayoun.
(LFC Official Website)
Babel airs Anfield frustrations
Liverpool forward Ryan Babel has admitted his frustrations
at a lack of opportunities at Anfield.
The Dutchman has earned a 'super sub' reputation on
Merseyside due to his consistent match-winning impact from
the bench since an £11.5million move from Ajax in 2007.
"I'm satisfied with my level of performance but the
situation is clear - that I'm not going to be one of the
regular 11 starters," Babel said in
The Guardian.
"It's difficult. I do get frustrated. I can tell myself that
I'm still only 21 and at the start of my career.
"But it is making it hard for me because, as time goes on,
they keep telling me that I'm young and that my time will
come. Well, OK, but I'm not a player who wants to wait. I
want to be involved now rather than in three or four years'
time."
"I have always said that I want to play as a striker," he
added.
"Of course, it would not help me improve if I wasn't able to
play, or train, in another position a couple of times. But
all the time?
"I used to play as a striker in Holland. I grew up as a
striker. That's the position I want to play.
"But I'm working on it. I look at myself before I blame
others. I'm going to do something about it. It's not
something I'm scared about."
(Sky Sports)
Woman aged 81 held
over LFC's Lucas raid
An 81-year-old woman is among five people arrested in
connection with the burglary of Liverpool FC player Lucas
Leiva's south Liverpool home.
The thieves targeted the midfielder’s Woolton house on
November 4, as he was playing at Anfield.
Officers executed a warrant at three addresses on Thursday
night, in the Norris Green and West Derby areas and arrested
three women, aged 42, 81 and 19, and two men, aged 21 and
45, on suspicion of burglary.
They were being questioned at police stations in Merseyside
last night.
During the raids a number of items belonging to Mr Leiva
were recovered from the properties. A Police spokesman said:
“Police can confirm that Mr Leiva's Olympic Bronze Medal,
from this year's Beijing Olympics that was taken during the
burglary, has been recovered.”
A number of other items, including Brazilian and Liverpool
football shirts were also stolen.
(Liverpool Daily Post) |
|
FRIDAY 14 |
Benitez begins contract talks
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has begun preliminary
discussions over
a new contract at Anfield.
The Spaniard, who has 18 months remaining on his present
deal, is eager to secure a fresh, long-term agreement on
Merseyside as he goes in search of Premier League glory.
A representative of Benitez - who has been named Manager of
the Month for October - has now held initial talks with the
Liverpool hierarchy but the former Valencia boss insists
that the intricate details have yet to be discussed.
"I want to clarify the situation over my new contract. My
advisor has had contact with the club's owners, and they
will have a meeting in the future, hopefully next week,"
said Benitez.
(Sky Sports)
Benitez plays down Pennant exit talk
Rafael Benitez has played down speculation about Jermaine
Pennant's Liverpool career.
Reports in the press today suggested that Pennant would be
leaving Anfield in the near future after he failed to make
the squad for Wednesday's Carling Cup tie with Tottenham
Hotspur and Benitez has refuted the claims.
"I have read the press and because he was not in the squad
everyone is talking, but he is training well, working and he
is available, so I will pick him or not depending on my
idea", said Benitez.
"Clearly we have some clubs asking about him and we'll
decide with the player about his future.
"I was surprised when a journalist asked me about
discipline. He arrived late one day but this is a normal
kind of thing in football. He is a fantastic player in terms
of the quality, and as a professional he trains well and is
a nice lad.
"We don't have any problems. It is not a question of his
behaviour. He is a nice boy and he's happy."
(Shanklygates)
Darby ready but
Reds kids need time
Rafael Benitez feels it was too early to use Liverpool
academy players at Tottenham in midweek, but is ready to
field Stephen Darby at Bolton.
Benitez has defended his decision not to use the club's
youngsters in the midweek Carling Cup loss.
The Liverpool boss fielded a raft of overseas fringe players
for Wednesday's 4-2 defeat at White Hart Lane, meaning there
was no space in the starting XI for any of the club's youth
system players.
However, Liverpool-born Darby did at least make an
appearance from the bench against Spurs, and the 20-year-old
right-back is now in line to make his Premier Lague bow in
Saturday's early kick-off at the Reebok Stadium, with Alvaro
Arbeloa suspended and Philipp Degen sidelined with a
fractured metatarsal that could keep him out for two months.
Darby's likely inclusion in the Reds' line-up will be a
timely riposte to those who have criticised Benitez for not
nurturing young, English talent, and the Spaniard insists
academy players have a future at Anfield.
(TEAMtalk)
Riera keeps place in Spain squad
Albert Riera has retained his place in the Spanish squad for
next week's friendly against Chile.
Riera was a late inclusion in his country's squad for last
month's World Cup qualifiers, but an injury to Barcelona's
Andres Iniesta means he keeps his place this time around.
Fernando Torres, Xabi Alonso and Pepe Reina are also
included in the squad for the clash at El Madrigal.
Meanwhile, Dirk Kuyt and Ryan Babel have been named in the
Dutch squad for their friendly against Sweden in Amsterdam
on Wednesday.
(LFC Official Website)
Megson tips Liverpool for title
Bolton manager Gary Megson believes Liverpool are "genuine
contenders" for this season's Premier League title.
Rafa Benitez brings his Liverpool side to the Reebok Stadium
for Saturday's early kick-off, and Megson has backed his
opponents to win the league.
"They seem settled and they are flying," said Megson.
"They expect to be in the Champions League and picking up
league titles and they are well capable of building on their
great start this year."
(BBC Sport Online)
Benitez named Manager of the Month
Rafa Benitez has been named Barclays Manager of the
Month for October after leading Liverpool to the top of the
Premier League alongside Chelsea.
Notoriously the month when the wheels usually come off for
Liverpool, The Reds excelled – going undefeated throughout
the six games played in all competitions during October.
The highlight was of course Liverpool’s magnificent 1-0
victory at Chelsea, ending The Blues’ long unbeaten home
record at Stamford Bridge.
That match showed Benitez’s tactical mastery, but it was two
3-2 thrillers that showed his ability to rouse his troops to
come from behind.
Trailing 2-1 to Wigan at Anfield and then 2-0 away at
Manchester City, The Reds twice came flying back thanks to
the Spaniard's appreciation of how to affect a game.
The month also included home wins against Portsmouth and
PSV, as well as the 1-1 draw away at Atletico Madrid.
Benitez can celebrate the award by leading Liverpool to
their best ever Premier League tally after 13 games by
beating Bolton on Saturday.
(Setanta Sports)
Babel: Big four
hold title key
Winning the Premier League title is all about performing
against the big four says Liverpool frontman Ryan Babel.
The Reds have so far beaten Manchester United at home and
Chelsea away with a trip to Arsenal awaiting on 21st
December.
And while Saturday's trip to Bolton for the early kick-off
may be utmost on the players' minds for now, Babel
recognises that titles are won and lost with results against
the other members of the big four.
"At the end of the season I think the difference will be the
games we play against the top sides," he said.
(Sky Sports)
Degen out for a month
Philipp Degen has suffered another injury set-back after it
was revealed that the Swiss full-back is facing a month on
the sidelines.
The former Borussia Dortmund defender has been ruled out for
four weeks after he sustained a metatarsal injury against
Tottenham Hotspur in the Carling Cup tie at White Hart Lane
on Wednesday evening.
(Shanklygates)
Something is rotten in
Liverpool FC's youth system
Enjoying their best-ever start to a Premier League season
and closing in on yet another qualification to the knockout
stages of the Champions League, things appear to be going
well for Liverpool.
But scratch beneath the surface and it’s clear something has
to change.
Wednesday’s Carling Cup capitulation at Tottenham should
have sent the alarm bells ringing throughout the club.
While Arsenal’s youngsters continue to thrill in the
competition, Rafael Benitez is evidently finding it a
struggle to discover a similar standard at home or abroad.
Benitez’s attempts to unearth a rare gem of his own from
across the globe means there are nearly 30 players at the
club under the age of 23. Few of those hopefuls
realistically have any chance of forging a career at
Anfield.
(Ian Doyle - Daily Post) |
|
THURSDAY 13 |
West Ham and Everton dates confirmed
Following Wednesday evening's Carling Cup defeat to
Tottenham, Liverpool can now confirm dates for their league
fixtures at Anfield against both West Ham United and
Everton.
The game against West Ham will take place on Monday December
1, 2008, with an 8pm kick-off. It will be televised live on
Setanta.
And the Merseyside derby will be staged on Monday January
19, 2009, with an 8pm kick-off. It will also be televised
live on Setanta.
(LFC Official Website)
Agger calls for improvement
Daniel Agger has demanded a major improvement from Liverpool
as they prepare to face Bolton this weekend following their
Carling Cup exit at the hands of Tottenham.
Centre-back Agger was the only player retained in the
starting XI for the midweek Carling Cup defeat against
Tottenham where Rafa Benitez's under-par second string were
outclassed 4-2 at White Hart Lane.
Benitez is expected to recall all his big guns for the trip
to the Reebok Stadium and Agger knows they must improve from
their showing at Spurs if they are to come away with a
positive result.
"We definitely have to do better," said Agger. "Bolton are a
physical and strong team so it will be a tough match for us,
but we are focused on making improvements in every area."
(Sky Sports)
Nolan backs Reds
for domestic prize
Kevin Nolan was in Istanbul to watch Liverpool claim the
European Cup in 2005 but he insists winning the Premier
League would rank higher.
The Reds enhanced their remarkable European pedigree further
three years ago with their stunning comeback victory against
AC Milan.
Bolton skipper Nolan, a boyhood Liverpool fan who grew up in
the city and still lives there, has fond memories of the
match regarded as one of the greatest European finals.
However, almost 19 years have passed since the club were
last crowned domestic champions and that is a source of
immense frustration to Nolan and thousands of other
Liverpool followers.
(TEAMtalk)
Thor Zakariassen
© |
|
|
|
