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WEDNESDAY 18 |
Rafa: Stevie made the difference
Rafael Benitez was full of praise for his captain Steven
Gerrard after he inspired Liverpool to a 2-0 win over
Middlesbrough at Anfield on Wednesday night.
The Liverpool manager said Gerrard is always likely to make
things happen with his ability to shoot for goal from
distance and he felt the first goal was the key to breaking
down a well organised Middlesbrough side.
"We know the qualities Steven Gerrard has and he can change
games with his shots from distance," enthused Benitez.
(LFC Official Website)
Reds ease past Boro
Liverpool eased back into third place in The Premiership
with a comfortable 2-0 win over Middlesbrough at Anfield.
Boro have not won at Liverpool for more than 30 years and
they rarely threatened as The Reds' victory was never in
doubt once they had taken the lead.
It did take an hour for Liverpool to force the breakthrough
against a stubborn Boro backline and it needed a delightful
Steven Gerrard strike to do it.
A Gerrard penalty soon followed to wrap up a straightforward
victory for Rafa Benitez's side - who will have been
delighted to have seen his side come through unscathed.
(Sky Sports)
LFC-team vs Middlesbrough
LFC-team: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Agger, Riise, Pennant,
Mascherano, Sissoko, Zenden, Gerrard, Crouch.
Subs: Dudek, Hyypiä, Fowler, Gonzalez, Kuyt.
(Webmaster)
Madrid deny offering job to Benitez
Real Madrid denied offering its coaching job to Rafa Benitez
on Wednesday.
The Liverpool coach said Tuesday he had turned down a more
lucrative offer from the Spanish club, saying he was
'pleased with everything' in England.
However, Madrid said in a statement on its Web site that it
already has a "prestigious" coach in Fabio Capello, who has
more than two years of his contract to run.
"Regarding the comments attributed to Liverpool coach Rafael
Benitez, Real Madrid's soccer management states it hasn't
entered into any negotiations with this professional, nor
with any other (coach)," the club said.
(The Daily Mail)
Benitez keeps eye on dangerous pair
Rafael Benitez admits there is a 'danger' that Everton and
Bolton "could catch" Liverpool in the race for a Champions
League spot.
Arsenal moved above the Reds into third place following
their 3-1 win over
Manchester City.
So Benitez is desperate to bank all three points from
Wednesday night's home game with Middlesbrough - as that
would pull them 10 points clear of the Toffees and Trotters
in
the race for a top-four place.
(TEAMtalk)
New Anfield deal for star Finnan
Liverpool full-back Steve Finnan will be rewarded for his
magnificent form this season with a new extended contract at
Anfield.
The Republic of Ireland international will be offered better
terms along with Steve
Gerrard, Xabi Alonso, Jamie Carragher and Pepe Reina,
according to the Liverpool Echo.
The 31-year-old has probably been the Premiership's most
consistent right-back this season and there is no way boss
Rafael Benitez will allow him to leave for nothing at
the end of next season.
(TEAMtalk)
Cisse's future undecided
Marseille striker Djibril Cisse has revealed he is no closer
to deciding his future.
Cisse, who is on loan from Liverpool, has endured a
difficult season with L'OM. He has featured in just 15 games
this campaign, scoring only four goals and he has been on
the receiving end of jeers from fans.
"On Sunday, I heard people talking about sending me to New
York. The next day, it was an English club," Cisse told
L'Equipe.
"New York, it's really too early to talk about. Liverpool,
L'OM and I have to gather together. But nothing has been set
so far so there is no question about it.
"There is a date, May 15, to seize the chance to buy me, but
no talks have started yet.
"Of course if I am always booed, it is not exactly what I
expect and what I want to experience in the long term. But
if it improves, why can't I stay at L'OM?"
(Sky Sports) |
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TUESDAY 17 |
Rafa: I snubbed huge Real deal
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has confirmed publicly for the
first time that he recently turned down a massive offer to
manage Real Madrid.
And sources close to the Reds chief insist that the Spanish
giants wanted Benitez before they turned their attention to
Jose Mourinho.
Benitez has previously been reluctant to be too specific
about what has been going on behind the scenes.
But he has now said: "I said no to Real when they offered me
more money than I get here, even though there maybe were
greater expectations.
"Madrid may be my town, but I am happy here and pleased with
everything. We want to stay because of the new ideas and the
new owners are very exciting.
"It is so positive for the future. And I could not ignore
the noise and support I received from the supporters last
week against Eindhoven, it was tremendous and moving. I
repeat, I am very happy here."
(TEAMtalk)
No Reds return for ace Bellamy
Craig Bellamy is still not ready to figure in Liverpool's
squad and will miss out on Wednesday night's Premiership
visit of Middlesbrough.
That leaves the Welsh striker, who suffered a knee injury
against PSV last week, with only Saturday's home game with
Wigan to prove his fitness ahead of the Champions League
semi-final first leg against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Rafael Benitez otherwise has a full squad to chose from,
apart from injured trio Luis Garcia, Harry Kewell and Fabio
Aurelio.
Liverpool (from): Reina, Finnan, Arbeloa, Carragher, Hyypia,
Agger, Riise, Pennant, Gerrard, Sissoko, Alonso, Mascherano,
Fowler, Crouch, Kuyt, Gonzalez,
Dudek, Zenden.
(TEAMtalk)
Banned duo back for Anfield trip
Middlesbrough duo Emanuel Pogatetz and James Morrison return
from suspension for Wednesday night's Premiership trip to
Liverpool.
The Austrian has completed a two-match ban after reaching 10
bookings for the season, while Morrison has sat out the last
three games following his sending-off in the FA Cup
quarter-final replay defeat at Manchester United.
Julio Arca (groin) is back in training but remains a doubt,
while manager Gareth Southgate will make a late decision on
£6million defender Robert Huth, who was substituted after
complaining of muscle tightness during the 3-1 home defeat
by Aston Villa on Saturday, but Mark Viduka (stomach bug)
should return.
Boro (from): Schwarzer, Jones, Parnaby, Davies, Xavier,
Woodgate, Pogatetz, Huth, Riggott, Taylor, Boateng, Downing,
Cattermole, Morrison, Euell, Johnson, Rochemback, Viduka,
Yakubu, Lee.
(TEAMtalk)
Shevchenko focuses on semi-final
Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko will put the 2005
Champions League final out of his mind when he faces
Liverpool in the semi-final, first leg on 25 April.
Shevchenko scored a penalty for AC Milan against the Reds
two years ago before Liverpool came back from a three-goal
deficit to lift the trophy.
He told Gazzetta dello Sport: "Why does everyone speak about
the past?
"For me the word is future. I will play against Liverpool
without thinking of what happened in that cursed final."
The first leg of the semi-final takes place at Stamford
Bridge, with the return at Anfield on 1 May - and the reward
for the victors a showdown in Athens on 23 May.
However, Shevchenko says he is concentrating on the
semi-final task, rather than looking at a potential clash
with his former club Milan or Manchester United in the
final.
"It's going to be difficult. Liverpool are very strong,
especially in the Champions League," added the Ukrainian
international.
(BBC Sport Online)
Javier: Rafa is psychic
Javier Mascherano has spoken of his respect for the tactical
nous of Rafa Benitez, claiming the Liverpool manager is
almost psychic with some of his predictions.
The Argentinian midfielder says the boss makes it easy for
his team by stating in advance what opposition players are
going to do.
"What I admire the most about Rafa is that, before a match,
if he says that something is going to happen, that thing
happens," the 22-year-old told icons.com.
"He knows what a player is going to do before he does it and
that is a great advantage for any player who has listened to
him. It allows us to prove him right on the pitch, knowing
what he's told us before."
Mascherano also made clear his determination to repay the
faith Benitez has shown in him following a difficult spell
at West Ham.
"When Rafa Benitez praised me recently it was a boost, but
he always gives me great confidence anyway," he said.
"I know that I can't let him down because he risked a lot by
looking after me when I hadn't played for four months. Rafa
knows what I can give to the team and in what areas of the
pitch I produce my best performances, so I try and do my
best for him every time
I am picked."
(LFC Official Website)
Liverpool TV a step closer
Liverpool are in talks with broadcasters about a UK
televison channel.
The club already produce a weekly 3 hour show which is shown
abroad and now the Reds are looking to launch a Liverpool fc
TV channel in the UK later this year.
"We are very excited about the prospect of the Club channel
which could be a great addition to the coverage that we
already provide for our supporters through our website,
mobile services and print media," said the club's Chief
Executive Rick Parry.
"We would like to be able to say more to fans at this stage
as to how they will be able to get the new channel but, at
the moment, discussions with broadcasters are ongoing and
there are a number of details still to be worked out. As
soon as we are in a position to release further details, we
will do so."
(LFC Online)
European crown 'worth £30m'
Sports marketing experts acknowledge that winning the
Champions League is the Holy Grail - and say this year's
victors will pocket £30million.
Dominic Curran, director at sports marketing consultants
Karen Earl Sponsorship, said: "From a commercial point of
view, the Champions League is the one to win simply because
of the global profile."
(TEAMtalk) |
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MONDAY 16 |
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Young Reds suffer Final blow
Liverpool Under-18s have much to do if they are to retain
the FA Youth Cup after going down 2-1 to Manchester United
at Anfield on Monday night.
The Reds lost the first leg of the final in front of Rafa
Benitez, Alex Ferguson and 19,518 spectators despite taking
an early lead through Craig Lindfield.
A second-half penalty from United captain Sam Hewson and an
own goal from defender Robbie Threlfall left Steve
Heighway's men with a small mountain to climb in the return
leg at Old Trafford on April 26.
Liverpool: Hansen, Darby, Burns, Spearing (capt), Threlfall,
Barnett, Ryan, Flynn, Lindfield, Woodward (Eccleston 67),
Putterill. Subs not used: Irwin, Roberts, Highdale,
Parsonage.
(LFC Official Website)
Crouch: I'm staying at Liverpool
Liverpool striker Peter Crouch has stressed his
determination to stay at the club despite continued
speculation about his future.
The England international is top scorer with 18 goals this
season but with manager Rafael Benitez expected to be handed
a huge transfer fund in the summer by new American owners
George Gillett and Tom Hicks many players may find
themselves fighting for their Anfield careers.
Crouch has been linked with, among others, Newcastle and
Tottenham but he has no desire to leave.
"It has never entered my head to leave the club. I'm happy
here," he said.
"There are more things to come and we will win more things
and I certainly don't want to leave but I've got to work
hard and make sure I'm invaluable to the set up otherwise
you will find yourself out of it.
"People are saying I am going to move on but I'm determined
to prove I'm happy at the club and want to stay and until
I'm told otherwise I will carry on doing the same things and
working hard."
Crouch added on Sky Sports News: "I think the future is
bright. We have got the right man in charge (Benitez), we
have got a new stadium to look forward to and I don't want
to go anywhere else."
(TEAMtalk)
Reds stars set to sign
Liverpool hope to tie up the spine of Rafa Benitez’s side on
new long-term contracts by the end of next week.
Pepe Reina, Xabi Alonso, Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher
have all made progress in negotiations – overseen by Foster
Gillett and Rick Parry – over the last few days to renew
their terms at the club.
And the Reds hope to conclude talks sooner rather than later
as the new owners take their first significant steps to
protecting the key elements of Benitez’s squad.
(Liverpool Echo)
Congratulations to Dirk
Liverpoolfc.tv would like to congratulate striker Dirk Kuyt
on becoming a father for the second time.
The Dutchman's wife Gertrude gave birth to a baby boy named
Roan on Wednesday.
Kuyt, who already had a daughter named Noelle, said: "He's
very well and we're obviously both delighted with our new
arrival."
(LFC Official Website)
Stevie up but Carra ignored again
Steven Gerrard has once again been nominated for
the Professional Footballers' Association player of the
year.
The Liverpool skipper, who won the gong last time around, is
up against Didier Drogba, Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney,
Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Cesc Fabregas.
However, Jamie Carragher has once again been overlooked
despite another phenomenal season.
Rooney, Ronaldo and Fabregas are also up for young player of
the year alongside Tottenham's Aaron Lennon, Kevin Doyle of
Reading and Manchester City's
Micah Richards.
The winners will be announced on Sunday April 22.
(LFC Official Website)
Mourinho claims Liverpool have the edge
Jose Mourinho says Chelsea's quest to win four trophies this
season could play into Liverpool's hands when they meet in
an all-English Champions League semi-final later
this month.
Mourinho, who shook hands and spoke with with owner Roman
Abramovich - signalling a possible thaw in their reportedly
frosty relationship - after Sunday's FA Cup semi-final win
over Blackburn Rovers, believes Liverpool can concentrate
solely on their European meeting.
Chelsea, with the League Cup already secured, are battling
on three fronts and are desperate to retain their
Premiership title, trailing leaders Manchester United with
six games remaining. They host United at Stamford Bridge in
the league on May 9th and play them again in the FA Cup
final on May 19th.
"One of my assistants went to watch Liverpool on Saturday
and he left after 60 minutes because it was like a
testimonial match," Mourinho told reporters. "And he saw the
Champions League game against PSV and it was no different.
It is clear they are preparing for the Champions League
semi-final.
"But at Chelsea, after two hours of playing Blackburn we
have a game with West Ham in two days we have to win and
another one at Newcastle this weekend we also have to win.
This is what we fight for though - to be in this position.
We can't complain about it."
(Ireland.com)
Anfield key to final success
Liverpool will be looking to take a first leg lead in the FA
Youth Cup final tonight.
Liverpool play Man Utd in the first leg of the FA Youth Cup
final at Anfield tonight. Academy coach John Owens says the
Reds must make home advantage count tonight.
"We want to try and take advantage of the home leg and do as
much as we can in the first game. But whatever happens in
the first game, you don't get too many two-legged games
where the tie is over in the first leg," said the under 18's
coach.
"There is always life in the game and the cup won't be won
until the second game and
we know that."
(LFC Online)
Cisse speculation - latest
Liverpool’s hopes of selling Djibril Cisse to Marseille for
£8m look increasingly forlorn.
Cisse has not been a success on loan in France. He’s due to
return to Liverpool for pre-season, unless Benitez can shift
him on to someone else.
Cisse was signed for £14m by Gerard Houllier, who is
rumoured to be under consideration for the Newcastle United
job.
If that comes off, Liverpool will hope he still rates Cisse
as highly as he did when he smashed the Anfield transfer
record.
Houllier has been linked with a pairing with existing St
James’ Park manager Glenn Roeder - who he tried to appoint
to the Anfield staff during his final year in charge and
used on several scouting missions for Liverpool in 2004.
(Liverpool Echo)
Thor Zakariassen
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