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TUESDAY 18 |
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Aurelio confirms Che exit
Liverpool's chances of signing Fabio Aurelio from Valencia
have been given a boost after the player announced that he
will quit the Mestalla when his contract expires in the
summer.
The Reds revealed that they have held talks with the
player's agent Juan Figger last month, but Aurelio claims
that he has not yet agreed a deal with another club.
"Nothing has been decided, but I am sure that something will
happen," he said.
"There are propositions that are stronger than others, but
none of them are 100 percent."
Aurelio refused the offer of a new contract with the Spanish
club after being played out of position for the majority of
the season.
"When the president came to talk to me I informed him of my
decision," Aurelio added.
"The club made an effort, but my situation meant that I was
not prepared to think about staying with Valencia."
(Sky Sports)
Cech will be fit for FA Cup semi
Chelsea keeper Petr Cech says he will be fit for Saturday's
FA Cup semi-final against Liverpool, despite suffering a bad
gash to his leg on Monday.
The Czech international had 10 stitches in the injury that
forced him to leave the field in the 3-0 win over Everton.
He initially feared he had broken the leg, adding: "I had
quite a big cut and it was very painful.
"But there is nothing serious so it is good news. Everyone
is positive and I think I'll be ready for the next game."
(BBC Sport Online)
Riise: We can stop Chelsea double
John Arne Riise insists Liverpool can halt their recent
hoodoo over Chelsea and stop Jose Mourinho's men from
clinching the double.
The Blues clearly hold an Indian side over the Anfield
outfit going into Saturday's FA Cup semi-final clash at Old
Trafford, after winning the last four encounters between the
two teams in all competitions.
But Riise believes the recent seven-game winning streak has
installed plenty of confidence in Rafael Benitez's side as
the Reds strive to win the FA Cup for a seventh time.
"The team is looking good and I think the manager is doing a
great job with the players. All the players are more
confident playing now," admitted the Norwegian
international.
He added to the club's official website: "The double is a
possibility for Chelsea and with the title virtually in the
bag he'll (Jose Mourinho) be looking at this game as a very
big one for his team.
"It's a shame that two big clubs like us and Chelsea have to
meet in the semi-final. It's a game that would have graced
the final but that was not to be and we just have to get
past them now in order to reach Cardiff."
(TEAMtalk)
Fernando bangs the Liverpool drum
Fernando Morientes believes Chelsea are no longer invincible
and can be stopped in their quest for a league and FA Cup
double.
And the Spanish star, who has reaffirmed his desire to stay
at Liverpool next season, has the chance to destroy
Chelsea’s double dreams on Saturday in the FA Cup semi-final
at Old Trafford.
With Robbie Fowler cup-tied, Morientes is likely to partner
Peter Crouch against the champions, who are one point away
from retaining their title crown.
Morientes said: “Chelsea were a much harder outfit to beat
earlier in the season when they were winning games with
plenty to spare.
“Both in defence and in attack they were playing very well
but now maybe the events of the season are catching up with
them a little bit and they haven’t always been winning games
with as much ease.
“They don’t have that invincible air about them anymore and
we can take advantage of that if we perform on the day."
(Ireland On-Line)
Terry gets Crouch's vote
Liverpool striker Peter Crouch has revealed he voted for
John Terry in the Professional Footballers' Association
player of the season awards.
Crouch rates the Chelsea skipper as one of his hardest
opponents and will come face to face with him again in the
FA Cup semi-final on Saturday at Old Trafford.
Players are not allowed to vote for their own team-mates in
the awards, so Crouch opted for Terry.
"He's a top-class player and one of the hardest I've faced,"
Crouch said.
"Obviously, I wanted to vote for some our lads, but that's
not allowed, so I voted for Terry.
"Our defence has been superb all season, particularly Jamie
Carragher and Sami Hyypia, but John Terry has also been
given the accolades he deserves."
(TEAMtalk)
Offside rule is daft says Rafa
Rafael benitez has called on FIFA to change the
new offside rule as it is just causing confusion.
Liverpool benefited from the new offside rule on Sunday when
Robbie Fowler's goal was allowed to stand despite Djibril
Cisse being in an offside position. However, Rafael Benitez
says the rule is confusing for referees and FIFA should do
something about it.
"I have not seen the replay but I think the offside rule
needs to be changed. The only thing it does is create
problems for the referee. If a player is offside he must be
offside," said Benitez after the Blackburn game.
"We conceded a goal against Newcastle and the linesman was
saying he was waiting to see if the ball would go to Shola
Ameobi or Alan Shearer. Then when Sami Hyypia scored a goal
for us the referee said no. It was offside.
"We need to know that if someoneis offside, they are
offside. If they changed the rules then they wouldn't need
seven cameras and seven referees. The rule before was
simple, but they changed it and it created a lot of problems
for referees.
"We could talk about the offside rule for hours. We need to
make it easier for referees."
(LFC Online)
Kirkland unsure on Baggies future
Liverpool's Chris Kirkland admits he is unsure which club he
will be at next season as he steps up his recovery from
long-term injury.
The 24-year-old goalkeeper, earmarked as a future England
international, is currently on loan at West Brom but has
been out of action with a finger injury since January.
Kirkland, who has also had back and kidney problems in the
past, is a Liverpool player but is set to leave Anfield in
the summer, although he does not know where the destination
will be.
Baggies boss Bryan Robson is prepared to sign Kirkland on a
permanent basis, but that will depend on whether the club
can avoid relegation to the Championship.
"My back is fine and everything else is fine," Kirkland said
on Sky Sports.
"I remain positive. I've got an X-ray in a couple of weeks
time and hopefully everything will be okay.
"I cannot wait to get back. The gaffer said he would like to
keep me but I'll wait to see what my options are."
Kirkland admits playing in the Premiership would be a factor
in deciding where to go.
"That's where I want to play," he added. "Next year is a big
year for me, I'm confident I can get back to where I was
before."
(TEAMtalk)
Shields jailing a mockery of justice, says
ex-officer
A former senior police officer has labelled the jailing of
Liverpool football fan Michael Shields in Bulgaria for a
crime he claims he did not commit as "a mockery of justice."
The 19-year-old from Wavertree is serving a 15-year jail
sentence after his conviction for the attempted murder of a
barman in the Black Sea resort of Golden Sands
The former head of Nottinghamshire Police's Serious Crime
Squad, Peter Coles, who led more than 100 murder
investigations, claims Bulgarian police made a series of
errors over the teenager's arrest.
Mr Coles says British police officers would have been sacked
for the alleged blunders he has uncovered and dismissed the
evidence as "not worth the paper it's written on."
(Daily Post) |
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MONDAY 17 |
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Reds qualify for Champions League
Today's defeat for Spurs ensured the reds will finish at
least 3rd in the Premiership.
The reds are now guaranteed at least third place in the
Premiership, after Spurs lost 2-1 today against Manchester
United. Irrespective of whether Arsenal win the Champions
League the reds will be playing in at least the 3rd round
qualifiers.
Liverpool last finished in the top three in 2001/02 - our
best season in the Premiership when the reds finished second
with 80 points.
Liverpool could potentially reach 82 points this season but
appear to be resigned to third place after United moved on
to 79 points with 3 games left.
(anfield.online)
Sissoko 'thanks God' for sight
Liverpool midfielder Momo Sissoko has revealed he prayed for
his eyesight after doctors told him his vision may be
permanently impaired.
Sissoko was carried off against Benfica after taking a kick
to the head, but the injury was worse than it first appeared
and for a time it seemed the player's career was in the
balance.
The midfielder told Liverpool's official website: "I was
asking for God to protect my eyes."
He has since made a full recovery and made his first-team
return a matter of weeks after the incident.
He said: "The injury was very bad, not just for me, but for
my parents and the people of my country. But I'm ok now, I
can see everything ok.
"My parents were on the phone all the time but now they are
happy."
(TEAMtalk)
Houllier wins French title
Former Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier has won the French
first division with Lyon.
Lyon's 1-0 win at PSG yesterday means they have won the
league after second placed Bordeaux lost 3-2 at Lille on
Saturday. The title success is Houllier's second of his
career adding to the one he won with PSG before taking over
the French national side.
(LFC Online)
Gerrard injury latest
Steven Gerrard is likely to be fit to face Chelsea in
Saturday's FA Cup semi final at Old Trafford.
Gerrard missed yesterday's Premiership win over Blackburn
Rovers because of a tight hamstring. However, the injury
wasn't serious and Gerrard was merely rested as a precaution
and he should return to captain the Reds against the
Londoners this weekend.
(LFC Online) |
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SUNDAY 16 |
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Fowler still unsure of future
Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler scored the winner at
Blackburn on Sunday afternoon and then admitted he is still
"in the dark" about the possibility of a new contract.
Fowler returned to Anfield in January and is looking for a
contract to stay at his hometown club beyond the end of the
season.
The 31-year-old has been in fine form recently as he tries
to persuade boss Rafael Benitez to offer him a new deal, and
his strike in the 1-0 Premiership victory against Rovers was
his fourth in five games.
Fowler told Sky Sports: "People keep on asking me, but I'm
as much in the dark as everyone else - and all I can do is
score goals.
"I've not finished that many games. But it's the manager's
prerogative - he's got a decision to make, and if he doesn't
think I'm fit enough it's up to him."
(Sporting Life)
Rafa content with win
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez was happy with his side's win at
Blackburn.
The in-form Reds made it six wins on the trot thanks to
Robbie Fowler's first half goal.
"We worked very hard," said Benitez. "They put us under
pressure with long balls, but we created clear chances.
Benitez was also remaining coy over Fowler's future at
Anfield.
Fowler's short-term deal expires at the end of the season
and as yet no new contract offer has been put on the table.
"If he continues scoring goals it will be easy," added
Benitez.
(Sky Sports)
Hughes unhappy with goal
Blackburn boss Mark Hughes was left to bemoan the offside
law after seeing his side lose to Liverpool.
Robbie Fowler's controversial first half goal dented
Blackburn's hopes of winning a place in next season's UEFA
Champions League.
Djibril Cisse was in an offside position in the build-up to
Fowler's goal although referee Alan Wiley judged the
Frenchman was not interfering with play.
Hughes wants the offside issue clarified as he feels there
is too much confusion surrounding the ruling.
"The ball's thrown in, and he makes movement towards the
ball - so in my view he is interfering with play," said
Hughes.
(Sky Sports)
Fowler strike gives Liverpool win
Robbie Fowler scored his fourth goal in five games to extend
Liverpool's winning run to seven matches.
Fowler slotted into an open net from Fernando Morientes'
pass after the offside Djibril Cisse was adjudged not to
have interfered with play.
Cisse could have doubled the Reds' lead on the stroke of
half time but Brad Friedel turned his strike onto the bar.
Blackburn piled on the pressure in the second half as
Liverpool retreated but failed to seriously trouble Jose
Reina.
The win means that Liverpool now only need one point from
their remaining three fixtures.
(BBC Sport Online)
Target would consider Liverpool offer
Liverpool target Victor says he would be stupid not to
consider a move to Anfield.
The Deportivo La Coruna midfielder is available on a free
transfer in the summer and if you believe the reports,
Liverpool have already opened talks with his representatives
regarding a possible deal.
Victor said: "My contract is up in June and I can negotiate
with whoever I want.
"Liverpool wanted me in January and I would be silly not to
be interested.
"I don't have anything on the table from Deportivo. I think
the trainer appreciates me but the club don't appear
interested."
(Kop Talk)
Liverpool end interest in striker
Newspaper reports today claim that Liverpool have ended
their interest in Real Madrid striker Raul because the
player wants around £110,000-a-week in wages.
The basic wage demands terrified Liverpool officials who
were simply testing the water to see what kind of money the
player was looking for.
(Kop Talk)
Three changes for Reds at Ewood
Rafael Benitez has made three changes to the Liverpool
starting eleven for this afternoon's Easter Sunday
Premiership visit to Blackburn Rovers.
Out go Steven Gerrard, Peter Crouch and Harry Kewell, and in
come Momo Sissoko, Fernando Morientes and Stephen Warnock.
Team in full: Reina, Finnan, Warnock, Hyypia, Carragher,
Sissoko, Alonso, Riise, Cisse, Fowler, Morientes. Subs -
Dudek, Kromkamp, Garcia, Kewell, Traore.
(LFC Official Website)
Gerrard out
As expected, Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard will play
no part in today's Premiership clash at Blackburn Rovers due
to a tight hamstring.
Striker Peter Crouch is rested.
(Kop Talk)
Benitez warns Chelsea
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has warned Chelsea that other
clubs are catching up on them.
Benitez is adamant that Jose Mourinho's men will not have it
so easy in next season's Premiership race - with Manchester
United, Liverpool and Arsenal all ready to challenge them.
"Yes, Roman Abramovich has money and we all know that there
will be more and more money," said Benitez
"But Chelsea can only buy so many players. They have many
players now, yet the other teams are getting closer.
"Manchester United have proved this season that if you are
very positive in the way you play, then you can get very
close to Chelsea.
"Chelsea and United are much closer than they were last year
and, next season, I think that Liverpool and Arsenal will
also make it much more interesting.
"Then there are other teams like Tottenham and Blackburn who
are developing.
"It is good to see that no one is scared of Chelsea now.
Teams have learned to play against them and we are all
working on ways to beat them."
(Sky Sports)
Kenny praises Gerrard
Kenny Dalglish has praised the performances of Steven
Gerrard this season.
Dalglish believes this is Gerrard's best season since he
broke into the Liverpool first team in 2000. Dalglish has
also warned the rest of the Premiership that the Liverpool
captain will only get better.
"I don't think that you can even begin to compare him to
someone who played in our day because he is himself, he has
set his own standard," said Dalglish.
"He has got a bit of everyone in him, a bit of everything.
He has got an incredible talent and he has got all the
ingredients to be a hugely successful footballer.
"He has achieved so much already and you can never take away
from him that he led Liverpool to a Champions League final
victory, which puts him up there.
"I don't want to undermine anything that Steven has already
achieved because what he has done deserves recognition, but
I think he will get better. Stevie, particularly last year,
lifted the whole team with what he did on the pitch, pulling
the side through as a real leader. But he'll get more
educated in the game with the more matches he plays, and
that's great for Liverpool and frightening for the
opposition.
"He's got the basic stuff there that's made him the great
player he is, but I think he might just step up a wee bit
more... and when you think where he is already, that is
frightening."
(LFC Online)
Gonzalez gem seals Sociedad victory
Liverpool winger Mark Gonzalez scored his second brilliant
goal in a week as his loan spell at Real Sociedad continued
to prove a success.
The 21-year-old Chilean, who will arrive at Anfield in the
summer, assuming he is granted a work permit, netted the
only goal of the game on Saturday night as Sociedad defeated
Racing Santander in the Primera Liga, having also struck to
earn his new side a point against Real Madrid last weekend.
The goal arrived in the 74th minute when Gonzalez volleyed
Aitor Lopez Rekarte's cross past Dudu Aouate in the
Santander goal.
The win gives Sociedad a real chance of escaping the drop,
moving them up four places to 14th in the Primera Liga
table.
(TEAMtalk)
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Thor Zakariassen
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