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SATURDAY 15 |
Porto end Marítimo run
FC Porto prepared for their UEFA Champions League opener
against Liverpool FC with a 1-0 home win against CS Marítimo
on Saturday night, Lisandro López heading the only goal in
the 56th minute.
Both teams went into the match with 100 per cent records in
the Liga, meaning something had to give at the Estádio do
Dragão.
In the end it was the islanders’ winning run as the
Argentinian headed in Marek Cech’s perfect cross.
(uefa.com)
Harry happy with Liverpool draw
Harry Redknapp was the happier of the two managers after
Portsmouth's goalless draw with Liverpool at Fratton Park.
"It was an even game. We had a couple of great chances. For
Kanu's penalty, when you get the chance you have to stick it
away against Liverpool and if we had got in front I'm sure
we would have gone and won the the game," said Redknapp.
(TEAMtalk)
Rafa: Point was probably right
Rafa Benitez admitted both sides could have walked away with
all three points after the goalless draw at Fratton Park on
Saturday lunchtime.
Benitez said: "After an international break it is very
difficult to pick the team because you don't have any time
to train with the players.
"In the first half I thought we were the better team and
controlled the game. In the second half it was very open and
we both had very good chances. We could have won it, they
could have won it. In my opinion we deserved at least a
point."
(LFC Official Website)
Limp Liverpool draw at Portsmouth
The microscope will be on Rafa Benitez after the Spaniard
once again rung the changes as Liverpool drew 0-0 with
Portsmouth at Fratton Park on Saturday.
It was the hosts who came closest to claiming all three
points when Kanu’s first-half penalty was saved by Jose
Reina, as Liverpool toiled throughout.
The visitors were boosted by the return of Jamie Carragher
to their starting line-up, but this season’s top dogs’
Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres were left warming the
bench by the ever unpredictable Benitez.
(Setanta Sports)
Crouch starts and it's captain Carra
Peter Crouch will partner Andriy Voronin in his first league
start of the season at Fratton Park this lunchtime.
Meanwhile, Jamie Carragher returns to the starting XI after
recovering from a broken rib and will captain the side.
Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres, both of whom featured
heavily for their countries in midweek, are among the subs.
The Reds team in full: Reina, Arbeloa, Finnan, Agger,
Carragher, Sissoko, Alonso, Benayoun, Pennant, Crouch,
Voronin. Subs: Itandje, Hyypia, Torres, Gerrard, Babel.
(LFC Official Website) |
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FRIDAY 14 |
Ferguson backs Benitez comments
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has backed
Liverpool counterpart Rafael Benitez's complaints over the
Premier League fixture scheduling and claimed clubs like his
own are being punished for their success.
Benitez is fuming at the number of Saturday lunchtime away
games Liverpool find themselves involved in immediately
after international breaks and Champions League weeks.
"Rafa is quite right to complain," said Ferguson. "If there
is an unfairness against teams, it should be addressed but I
don't know if the authorities would listen."
United often find themselves in the same situation and head
to Everton on Saturday for a noon start at Goodison Park.
Although on this occasion the kick-off time has been
determined by Merseyside Police rather than the TV
companies, Ferguson does believe there is an issue to be
addressed.
And the Red Devils chief is laying the blame squarely at the
Premier League's door.
"Over the last five years, we have had more lunchtime
kick-offs than anyone and you would think that deserves some
kind of attention.
"The Premier League are to blame. I accept, given when the
fixture lists come out, it is just unfortunate if you find
yourself away from home after a European tie but Rafa is
talking about the lunchtime kick-offs."
(Ananova)
Daniel Agger buys two Lark Lane nightspots
Liverpool star Daniel Agger is set to make his mark in the
culinary world after buying two Liverpool restaurants.
The Reds’ Danish defender has snapped up the eateries on
Lark Lane
in Aigburth.
They are Mexican nightspot Que Pasa and 52 Lark Lane.
The Danish international told the ECHO: “It’s true. I’ve
recently bought two restaurants in Liverpool. One serves
Mexican food, and the other Italian.
“They are both close to where I live, in a long street with
plenty of bars and restaurants.”
Que Pasa should remain largely the same, but it is believed
52 Lark Lane might be turned into a Mediterranean restaurant
called Tirano.
But the new owner insists he won’t allow his foray into the
culinary world to take his eye off the ball.
He added: “I think it is really exciting to get into
projects like these, but at the moment I only do it in my
spare time. I don’t want it to overshadow my football.”
(Liverpool Echo)
Rafa hoping Gerrard can face Pompey
Rafael Benitez is hopeful that captain Steven Gerrard will
be fit to face Portsmouth despite him playing the full 90
minutes for England against Russia on Wednesday night.
The Reds captain hasn't pulled on the Liverpool shirt since
the 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Anfield on August 19th, but he
came through the two England matches without any further
reaction to his broken toe.
"I might not be really happy to see my players going all
around the world, playing 90 minutes in every game, but
because you cannot change the situation you need to see how
the player is afterwards and hopefully Stevie can play
against Portsmouth," commented Benitez.
(LFC Official Website)
Benitez warning for Torres
Rafael Benitez has warned Liverpool's club record signing
Fernando Torres that life in the Premier League will not
always be as easy as this.
Torres has made a flying start to life in England, netting
three times in four league games for the Reds so far,
including a double in the six-goal hammering of Derby which
swept Liverpool to the top of the table prior to the
international break.
After spending a reported £20million to land the
23-year-old, Benitez must be quietly satisfied with the
outcome, especially as a number of his other expensive
imports over the past couple of seasons have taken time
to settle.
But the Liverpool boss is cautioning against an early
analysis of Torres' talents.
For, while he claims never to have been concerned at the
ability of a player dubbed 'El Nino' to settle into English
life, he feels it will be another couple of months before a
judgement can be passed with any authority.
"Yes, Fernando should be pleased but we also have to tell
him to keep working hard," said Benitez.
"It is not always going to be as easy as he thinks it is at
the moment and we need to wait and see what happens in a
month or two."
(PA Sport)
Benitez taking action over fixture imbalance
Rafael Benitez will seek talks with the Premier League over
a fixture schedule he fears could undermine Liverpool’s
championship challenge.
The Anfield manager is unhappy his team are being forced to
play early 12.45pm Saturday afternoon kick-offs immediately
after the first four international breaks this season.
After having visited Sunderland three days after England’s
friendly with Germany last month, Liverpool follow this
week’s international double header with a long Premier
League trip to Portsmouth tomorrow.
And after the Euro 2008 qualifiers in October and November,
Liverpool must then go to Everton and Newcastle United
respectively, both of which are also televised at 12.45pm on
a Saturday.
By comparison, title rivals Manchester United and Arsenal
have only one early start each on those weekends while
Chelsea do not have any.
Benitez has long been a critic of what he regards as
unfavourable fixture lists for Liverpool, and is now
prepared to take up the issue with the authorities.
"I will talk with the Premier League about this," said the
Liverpool manager. "They will know my idea. The numbers are
clear. We will check if someone can hear us."
(Liverpool Daily Post)
Reina tips Reds for the title
Liverpool goalkeeper Jose Reina believes the current Anfield
crop are capable of ending an 18-year wait for the title.
Rafa Benitez's side have made a hugely impressive start to
the new campaign and with an enviable strength in depth; it
does now look as though they are ready to challenge.
In Europe, Benitez has proved the master tactician but
domestically, he has struggled to produce a side capable of
sustaining a long-term challenge.
However, Reina believes that his compatriot has now brought
together a squad capable of lifting the title and he
predicts silverware on Merseyside come the campaign's close.
"The beginning of this season has been perfect, and it has
been a dream start after the summer," he told the Daily
Mirror.
"There's a long way to go but we believe we can do it."
(Sky Sports)
Andriy Voronin is facing chop by Ukraine
Angry Ukraine boss Oleg Blokhin has threatened to axe
Liverpool striker Andriy Voronin for the match against
Scotland after a touchline bust-up in midweek.
And the international boss has accused the Reds star of
having piled on weight since his switch to Anfield.
The Liverpool hitman, a substitute in his country's 2-1
defeat to Italy, reacted angrily to comments made by his
coach late in the game.
A toe-to-toe argument then broke out between the pair.
When asked why the Anfield star was benched at the start,
Blokhin fumed: “It's obvious. Voronin hardly strengthened us
when he came on.
“In fact, he was one of the reasons Italy got the second
goal. He looks to me like he has put on an extra three kilos
of weight.
“We created 10 chances in the match and only took one. It's
no wonder there was frustration.
“But no footballer has any right to speak the way he did to
his coach. If he wishes to shout like that, let him go to
Liverpool and say it to Rafa Benitez!
(Liverpool Echo)
Traore confident of upsetting Reds
Former Liverpool defender Djimi Traore has cheekily
suggested he hopes the club's old 'travel problems' return
at Portsmouth on Saturday.
Away form has often been Liverpool's failing in their search
of a first domestic title since 1990.
Senegal defender Traore played at Anfield for seven years
and won a Champions League medal before moving to Charlton
and then joining Pompey in January.
And he is convinced Portsmouth can score their fourth win in
their last six home meetings with Liverpool - despite Rafael
Benitez's side arriving at Fratton Park as Barclays Premier
League leaders.
Traore said: "They are not good travellers normally -
especially to the south.
"I can speak from experience. I think the long journeys from
the north make players tired."
"You have to approach them with confidence. We beat them and
drew with them last season and we've already shown them, in
the Asian Trophy, that we too are still a good team. So I
think they will come here a little bit scared."
(Football 365)
Key duo ready for Reds return
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez could have the heart of his
side back at Portsmouth as Jamie Carragher and Steven
Gerrard get set to return.
Carragher (cracked rib) and Gerrard (broken toe) have missed
the last three Liverpool matches.
Their absence did not seem to damage the Anfield side unduly
as all three games were won as the Premier League leaders
maintained their unbeaten start to the season.
"I now have a big enough squad to handle such things and I
now find myself not having to talk about the same players
all the time," said Benitez.
However, the Spaniard would want the pair back in harness as
quickly as possible and Gerrard, having played both of
England's Euro 2008 qualifiers without the need for a
pain-killing injection, should return to captain
the side.
Carragher, now retired from international football, has
trained all week and is also pushing for a return, although
he would be the likeliest to miss out.
(TEAMtalk)
Finnan battling to face Pompey
Steve Finnan is battling to overcome a knee injury ahead of
Liverpool's Premier League trip to face Portsmouth at
Fratton Park on Saturday.
Portsmouth 3/1, Draw 9/4, Liverpool 4/5. Kuyt 6/1 to score
first!
But Reds manager Rafael Benitez expects to have defender
Jamie Carragher available after a broken rib, while Steven
Gerrard is also expected to be available - although the
reaction to playing two England games with his damaged toe
will be assessed.
The likes of Xabi Alonso, Yossi Benayoun and Jermaine
Pennant were not involved in midweek internationals and
could start the match.
Kick-off is at 12.45pm.
Liverpool (from): Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Agger, Hyypia,
Riise, Pennant, Benayoun, Gerrard, Alonso, Mascherano,
Sissoko, Babel, Kuyt, Crouch, Torres, Voronin, Finnan,
Itandje.
(TEAMtalk)
Houllier set for French technical director role
Former Liverpool and Lyon manager Gerard Houllier is to be
appointed France's technical director, the French Football
Federation (FFF) said on Friday.
"After a proposal by the FFF president Jean-Pierre
Escalettes, Gerard Houllier's candidacy has been submitted
to Sports Minister Roselyne Bachelot," the FFF said in a
statement on their Web site.
Houllier, 60, left Olympique Lyon at the end of last season
after leading them to a record sixth consecutive French
title.
He will take over from Jean-Pierre Morlans, who filled the
role on a temporary basis after the departure of 1998 World
Cup winning coach Aime Jacquet in January.
Houllier previously served as technical director of the
national side between 1989-98.
He coached France from August 25, 1992 to November 17, 1993
and resigned after Les Bleus failed to qualify for the 1994
World Cup when they were beaten 2-1 at home by Bulgaria in
the final group match.
(Reuters) |
|
THURSDAY 13 |
Sinama suffers injury blow
Recreativo Huelva's top goalscorer Florent Sinama-Pongolle
will miss the next four to six weeks of action due to an
injury suffered at training.
The former Liverpool youngster made a name for himself in La
Liga after having been loaned by The Reds last season to
promoted Recreativo. The French striker scored 12 goals last
term and already has two in as many matches this season.
But the Spanish outfit will have to find an alternative
solution for at least a month, as the former Le Havre
wonderkid has been ruled out for the next few matches.
Sinama-Pongolle was already suspended for the next match
with Sevilla after having received a red card against
Getafe, and will miss the clashes with Espanyol, Deportivo
La Coruna, Valencia and champions Real Madrid.
The 22-year-old could make his return against Mallorca on
October 21.
(Setanta Sports)
Torres feeling freedom at Liverpool
Fernando Torres feels “liberated” by life at Liverpool in a
Premier League he believes is suited to his style of
football.
And the Spaniard reckons there will be even more to come
once he’s fully settled at his new home.
“I feel liberated and am enjoying myself like when I first
arrived at Atletico,” said Torres. “I did not expect to
receive so much help with settling in.
“Everything is working out fine, though I am still quite a
way off from completely settling in. We are finding our
feet; looking for a house, for a car – though the goals and
victories make everything a lot easier.
Torres added: “At Atletico I was more involved in the middle
of the park and I had to drop deep to look for the ball
before even thinking of attacking the rival's box.
“At Liverpool we have players in the middle of the park who
take care of that job, because here each player has a
defined role.
“Maybe that is one of the reasons why playing football in
England benefits my game. We play a more direct football, it
is also quick with plenty of counter-attacks and you also
have extra support from people making
late runs.”
(Liverpool Daily Post)
Redknapp buoyant ahead of Pool test
Harry Redknapp is confident his Portsmouth side can battle
their way to a positive result when they face Liverpool at
home on Saturday.
Pompey take on Rafa Benitez’s men at Fratton Park and
Redknapp will be hoping for a similar result to last
season’s when his team won 2-1.
However, Redknapp is well aware The Reds will be arriving on
the South Coast with a stronger side than they did back in
April.
"I've said it a million times, the top four will be the top
four again - not because they've got the best four managers,
because they've got the best players," Redknapp told The
News.
"If you've got better players you've got a better chance of
winning football matches.
"We'll just play our normal game. We get after them, we get
among them, we close them down, we work them."
(Setanta Sports)
Carra fit for Pompey trip
Jamie Carragher has won his battle to be fit for Liverpool's
clash at Portsmouth at the weekend.
The Liverpool defender has overcome his broken rib injury
and has trained normally with his team-mates at Melwood this
week.
He is expected to go straight back into the side for
Saturday lunchtime's game at Fratton Park when the Reds will
be looking to consolidate their position at the top of the
table.
"Carragher has been training normally with the rest of the
players who’ve been here all week," said Benitez. "He is
okay and I think he will be available this weekend, which is
good news for us."
(LFC Official Website)
Rafa calls for fixture changes
Rafael Benitez has expressed his anger at the fixture list,
saying it was "impossible to prepare a team properly" after
international matches.
Liverpool boss Benitez, like many of his fellow bosses,
faces a rush this weekend as he prepares his side to face
Portsmouth in the Premier league.
Many of the Spaniard's key players have been on duty with
their countries in crucial Euro 2008 qualifiers and
far-flung international friendlies and he believes the
limited period of time they have to recover for domestic
action is restrictive.
Liverpool's visit to Fratton Park on Saturday, a 12.45pm
kick-off, is the first top-flight match of the weekend and
Benitez has called for a change of policy.
He told League Managers' website: "I am really disappointed
with the fixtures that we have because it is more difficult
here in England. You play early kick-offs on the Saturday
(after internationals) and it is impossible to prepare the
team properly.
"The players arrive back on Thursday evening and the only
thing you can do with some of them is just to run a little
bit and send them home."
(TEAMtalk)
Torres and Riise on target for countries
Fernando Torres was on target during Spain's 2-0 Euro
qualifying victory over Latvia on Wednesday.
The striker was one of eight senior Reds involved in
international action last night.
Over in Norway, John Arne Riise hit the back of the net
during a 2-2 draw with Greece.
Ryan Babel played 76 minutes of Holland's 1-0 defeat of
Albania before being replaced by Dirk Kuyt.
Daniel Agger was withdrawn after 28 minutes of Denmark's 4-0
victory over Liechtenstein.
Finnish international Sami Hyypia had a full outing in a
bore draw against Poland, while Andriy Voronin came on after
60 minutes of Ukraine's 2-1 defeat to Italy.
Steven Gerrard played 90 minutes for England against Russia
but Peter Crouch had to settle for a late cameo after Steve
McClaren's decision to stick with Emile Heskey.
Meanwhile, on Monday night Javier Mascherano started for
Argentina in a 1-0 friendly victory Down Under.
(LFC Official Website)
Thor Zakariassen
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