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WEDNESDAY 15 |
Pacheco craves first-team chance
Teenager Daniel Pacheco hopes some impressive performances
in the reserves at Anfield can earn him another taste of the
senior set-up.
The former Barcelona youngster spent part of pre-season with
Rafael Benitez's first-team squad and wants to emulate
Liverpool playmaker Yossi Benayoun.
"I was in Malaga and was expecting to just come back on July
2. But then the club rang me in June and said I had to be
back earlier to start with the first team. I was surprised
but of course it made me feel very good," said Pacheco. "You
always learn a lot in every session with the first team.
They are massive players but they always help you and give
you advice.
Pacheco has now taken that experience back with him into the
reserves.
"Now I feel I am a good player for the reserves. Players are
now looking for me as the first attacking player. I feel
like I am making progress," the 17-year-old told Liverpool's
website.
"I know I have to work hard in the reserves because this is
my team. If I want to get into the first team I must first
play for the reserves. Last season I had just two or three
starts but now I am playing all the games."
(TEAMtalk)
Benitez aware of Heskey threat
Rafa Benitez believes Emile Heskey will pose the biggest
threat to Liverpool in their bid to make amends for a
disappointing result last time against the Latics.
The Reds failed to build on Fernando Torres' opening goal in
January and subsequently dropped two points in the league
after Titus Bramble equalised for Wigan late on.
Benitez will be hoping lightning doesn't strike twice at
Anfield and now faces the task of deciding which player to
bring in to keep a rejuvenated Heskey at bay on Saturday.
(Sky Sports)
Government backs Atletico appeal
Atletico Madrid have received the full backing of the
Spanish government in their appeal against their stadium
ban.
The Uefa ban, which affects Atletico's Champions League game
with Liverpool on 22 October, follows crowd trouble in their
game with Marseille on 1 October.
Spain's Minister of Interior Affairs, Alfedo Perez
Rubalcaba, said: "I will defend the actions of the police.
"We will hand all the material that we have available to
Atletico so they can appeal against this unusual decision."
Earlier this week, Atletico were told they must play their
next two home matches away from the Vicente Calderon Stadium
as a result of
the treatment of Marseille fans during and after Atletico's
2-1 win.
(BBC Sport Online)
Benitez pleads for UEFA rethink
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has hit out at UEFA's
decision to change the venue for the Reds' Champions League
clash with Atletico Madrid.
Atletico have until midday on Friday to appeal against their
punishment, which also included a 150,000 euros fine after
Marseille's players were racially abused during the Group D
clash.
UEFA have expressed sympathy for the Liverpool supporters
caught up in the turmoil, but communications director
William Gaillard on Tuesday insisted there was "no
alternative" to the stadium ban.
Benitez, however, is adamant the ruling from European
football's governing body has come too late.
"We know about the loyalty of our fans and we know about the
incredible lengths they go to to support us," the Spaniard
told the club's website.
"They have an incredible passion for the club, which means
they follow us all over Europe at great expense to
themselves, and we always
appreciate that.
"That is why we are so worried by this ruling. We can
understand why UEFA feel they have to act - but in this case
maybe this time it has come too late.
"To change the venue of the game at such a late stage would
cause massive problems to our fans, and that is not fair."
(TEAMtalk)
Alonso dismisses Barca rumours
Xabi Alonso has played down speculation linking him with a
switch to Barcelona, but admitted a return to Spain is not
out of the question.
Spanish reports have suggested the Liverpool midfielder is
being lined up as a potential replacement for Yaya Toure,
who is rumoured to have become disillusioned with his lack
of first-team football at Camp Nou.
Alonso was strongly linked with a switch to Juventus over
the summer, but was keen to stress he is happy at Anfield.
He said: "I am content at Liverpool and I have still not
decided on
a concrete date for my return to Primera Liga."
Alonso has close ties with Barcelona after his father,
Periko, played in midfield for the Catalan giants in the
1980s.
(Setanta Sports)
Garcia delighted with Riera exit
Luis Garcia has admitted Albert Riera’s summer transfer to
Liverpool enabled him to remain at Espanyol.
Garcia was informed by Espanyol that they would look to sell
him in order to reduce their debt and Benfica came close to
securing his signature.
A deal failed to materialise and Liverpool’s swoop for Riera
enabled
the club to keep Garcia.
“For sure it has not been a relaxing summer for me,” Garcia
told El Mundo. “My wife and I wanted to remain here but I
knew the club needed to sell.
“Espanyol were not in a hurry and at the end of the day
Riera’s exit was
a relief. We could all breath again when he left because
Espanyol made
a sale and I stayed put.
“As I always said, if one day I leave it’s to help Espanyol
earn money.
"I have given my all to the club and it would be the best
way to reward them.”
(Setanta Sports) |
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TUESDAY 14 |
Reds crash to mini-derby defeat
Liverpool Reserves threw away a two-goal advantage as they
slumped to a third successive defeat in a pulsating
mini-derby at
The Halliwell Jones Stadium.
Gary Ablett's side had looked on course to get their
Barclays Premier Reserve League North campaign back on track
after storming into a 2-0 lead courtesy of second-half goals
from Jordy Brouwer and
Gerardo Bruna.
But any hopes they had of bringing their two-match losing
streak to an end were duly ended in a dramatic final quarter
of the contest as the Toffees hit back to snatch a 3-2
victory.
Liverpool Reserves: Dean Bouzanis, Stephen Darby, Emiliano
Insua, Mikel San Jose, Ronald Huth, Damien Plessis,
Francisco Duran, Jay Spearing, Jordy Brouwer, Daniel
Pacheco, Gerardo Bruna (80). Unused Subs: Peter Gulacsi,
Steven Irwin, Martin Kelly, Daniel Ayala.
(LFC Official Website)
El Nino regrets
Calderon suspension
Liverpool goal-machine Fernando Torres has expressed his
disappointment after being told he will not be able to meet
his old Atletico Madrid fans at the Vicente Calderon next
week.
“El Nino” was very excited about the prospect of playing
against his first club in the stadium that saw him make his
professional debut.
The game was due to take place next Wednesday, but Uefa have
placed three-game suspension on the Vicente Calderon as a
consequence of the unfortunate events that happened during
the Champions League clash with Marseille.
Torres, currently preparing for the international game with
Belgium, is surprised by the sanction and thinks Atleti
should appeal the decision, as they have the right to.
“After waiting for so long, it’s the worst news and most
unexpected one that could happen this morning,” Torres told
a press conference. “I was very happy to return there.
“But I think they can appeal, I don’t know if this is a
final decision and hopefully a solution can be found.
“It’s a shame that for those incidents they close the
stadium but if it’s confirmed we will have to cope with it.”
(Setanta Sports)
Mourinho keen on England return
to make Liverpool special once more
Sources close to Inter Milan manager Jose Mourinho say that
the 'Special One' would like to return to England - to
manage Liverpool.
Mourinho, who endured titanic Champions League battles with
the Merseysiders during his spell as Chelsea manager, has
been open about his desire to return to England.
(Daily Mail)
UEFA sorry for Reds disruption
UEFA admit Liverpool fans face major disruption after next
week's Champions League tie away to Atletico Madrid was
switched to
a neutral venue.
Atletico have been fined 150,000 euros (£120,000) for racist
abuse of Marseille players and handed a three-match stadium
ban after crowd trouble and lack of organisation at the same
match.
Liverpool have expressed strong concerns over the timing of
the decision but UEFA defended the move saying there was "no
alternative" and have pledged to minimise problems for the
3,000 fans who have already booked a trip.
The match cannot take place within 300 kilometres of Madrid
under UEFA's ruling, but there are further problems in that
Atletico are set to appeal against the punishment, and a
final decision will not be known until the weekend.
UEFA communications director William Gaillard said: "We are
in touch with Liverpool because we are concerned about the
fans.
"We know they face hardship and disruption and we sympathise
with that, but we needed to punish Atletico Madrid. We have
no alternative.
"What would people have said if Liverpool went there and the
players and fans suffered the same treatment?
(TEAMtalk)
Reds defender happy at Leicester
On-loan Liverpool defender Jack Hobbs is hoping to continue
his encouraging start at League One high-flyers Leicester
City.
The 20-year-old has been in eye-catching form having made
eight starts so far this season after signing on a
season-long loan from Liverpool
in the summer.
Hobbs' impressive displays at The Walkers Stadium has
coincided with Leicester's terrific start to life in League
One, with Nigel Pearson's side taking 22 points from their
opening nine games.
"I think it's going really well at the minute, I'm playing
lots of games," Hobbs told the club's official site.
"I knew there was a fair bit of competition for places but
it's good because it brings out the best in you and it means
you have to perform every week to keep your spot.
"The club is amazing and I've been made to feel really
welcome here by everyone, including the fans."
(TEAMtalk)
Vieira: Gerrard's the best there is
Under-fire England midfielder Steven Gerrard has received
the backing of Patrick Vieira, who labels the Liverpool man
the ‘best midfielder in
the world’.
England face Belarus on Wednesday, live on Setanta Sports.
Click here for details on how to subscribe to see the game
on Setanta Sports on satellite and freeview plus Setanta By
Broadband.
Vieira, who once could have laid claim to such a title
himself, insists there is not one player who rivals Gerrard
in his position – not even Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas.
Gerrard has been the target for criticism after a lacklustre
performance against Kazakhstan, and he admits he needs to
relax in order to transfer his club form to the
international stage.
It has even been suggested that Capello should consider
dropping
the Liverpool man for Wednesday’s trip to Belarus, but
Vieira thinks quite the opposite.
"The best midfielder I would say is Steven Gerrard. I really
rate him as
a player and as a man,” stated the Inter star.
"Cesc Fabregas has the potential to be the best. I think he
is learning every year. He is one of the best. In the years
to come he can be
at the top."
(Setanta Sports)
Dossena worried by financial crisis
Andrea Dossena says the credit crunch in Great Britain has
given him cause for concern - and has expressed fears for
the future of the game.
The Italian joined Liverpool from Udinese over the summer,
before
the credit crunch began to bite.
The economic meltdown currently inflicting the world's
economy has threatened to infiltrate football of late.
Clubs are being encouraged to investigate cost-cutting
measures, while the possibility a salary cap being
introduced has been touted.
At present Premier League clubs remain fairly stable,
although the financial worries of top flight sponsor
Barclays could yet have significant implications.
"Barclays lost a lot of money in a few hours," Dossena told
Gazzetta dello Sport.
"We are talking about one of the most important banks, and
the sponsor of the Premiership.
"It is all difficult to understand.
"Had I known about certain things before I would have
thought twice
(about moving to England), I would have asked for more
guarantees."
(TEAMtalk) |
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MONDAY 13 |
Gerrard: Fans had right to boo Cole
Steven Gerrard insists England fans did have the right to
boo Ashley Cole following his mistake against Kazakhstan on
Saturday.
The Chelsea defender's poor pass allowed the visitors to
score at Wembley, and he was then loudly jeered by
supporters whenever he touched the ball.
When asked at a press conference broadcast by Sky Sports
News on Monday if fans were entitled to boo players, Gerrard
said: "Of course. Any supporter, when you pay money, you
deserve to voice your opinion. But we need their support. If
we're going to be successful in the future, we need them
with us."
He added: "It's not going to help Ashley and it's not going
to help the team but the support we got was fantastic. They
stayed with us
throughout the game.
"He (Cole) is disappointed and the players are disappointed.
Cole will not have an immediate chance to make amends for
his error against Belarus on Wednesday because of a
hamstring injury.
But Gerrard is confident the left-back's confidence will not
be adversely affected by the fans' reaction.
"You've got to get on with it," Gerrard continued. "You've
got to take it as a man. Ashley's a big character and the
players are here to support him."
(Ananova)
Magic moments in a century
of striking success for Liverpool
Steven Gerrard has completed a century of goals in a
Liverpool shirt – but which ones stand out from the rest?
Liverpool v West Ham United, FA Cup Final, May 2006: There
aren’t many players that have had an FA Cup final named
after them, yet Gerrard was wholly deserving of the accolade
for his efforts in Cardiff.
Hardly surprising, given the manner in which he’d followed a
first equaliser with an injury-time second courtesy of a
30-yard screamer having seconds earlier been struggling to
even find the energy to walk.
Best FA Cup final goal ever? Only Ricky Villa runs it close.
Best Gerrard goal ever? Without doubt.
(Ian Doyle - Liverpool Daily Post)
Alonso still eyeing Juventus move
Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso says he is still tempted by
a potential switch to Italian giants Juventus.
Juventus pulled out of a move for Alonso in the summer with
coach Claudio Ranieri later revealing it was because the
Spaniard was
"too slow".
But that has not stopped Alonso, 26, reigniting the
possibility of a transfer away from Anfield.
"To be honest, for my part, the attraction (to Juventus) has
remained intact," said Alonso.
Instead of moving for Alonso, Juventus signed Christian
Poulsen
from Sevilla.
"One thing I can say is that I personally appreciated the
honesty of
the club executives," Alonso told Gazzetta dello Sport.
"They told me their tactics on the pitch were different and
that is why they chose Poulsen and not me.
"These are things that happen in football and it's fine. I
could have gone but I didn't because, in the end, they chose
someone else."
He added: "Juventus are Juventus, the most prestigious club
in Italy, but you cannot be disappointed when you play for
Liverpool."
(BBC Sport Online)
Henchoz exits the game
Former Liverpool and Blackburn defender Stephane Henchoz has
announced his retirement from football.
Henchoz had been expected to find a new club following his
release from Blackburn Rovers in the summer, but the
34-year-old has now opted to move into coaching in order to
stay in the game.
The central-defender began his career in 1992 with Neuchatel
Xamax in Switzerland, going on to make 72 appearances for
the Swiss
national team.
Henchoz also enjoyed spells with Hamburg, Blackburn, Celtic
and Wigan, but will be most fondly remembered for his
contribution to Gerard Houllier's Liverpool team, with whom
he won the Uefa Cup, FA Cup and League Cup in 2001.
(Sky Sports)
Liverpool eye cut-price Bentley deal
According to The People, Liverpool are lining up an offer to
tempt Spurs winger David Bentley to the club.
(Kop-TV)
Liverpool FC slam stadium stories
Liverpool today slammed speculation suggesting they are
considering ditching plans to build a new stadium.
A Sunday newspaper report claimed the club has hired
architects to look at the possibility of redeveloping
Anfield instead of going ahead with their proposals to
construct a new ground on nearby Stanley Park.
But senior club officials dismissed the story out of hand,
insisting it is without any foundation.
(Liverpool Echo)
Thor Zakariassen
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