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MONDAY 18 |
Almunia expecting Reds' retribution
Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia knows Liverpool will be
"looking for revenge" when Arsene Wenger takes his
much-changed side to Anfield for Tuesday night's Carling Cup
quarter-final.
The Spaniard, 29, is likely to captain the Gunners again as
Wenger opts to give several of his fringe and young players
another chance to impress.
Almunia believes the Merseysiders will be out to prove a
point - even if Arsenal are unlikely to be at full strength.
"It will certainly be more difficult at Anfield," said the
Spaniard.
"Liverpool have just had a big defeat to us, so I am sure
they will be looking for revenge."
(PA Sport)
Fowler and Crouch set for Liverpool return
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez will attempt a careful
balancing act when he names his squad for tomorrow’s Carling
Cup quarter-final against Arsenal at Anfield.
He will aim to rest players ahead of the busy Christmas
programme, but without jeopardising the Anfield club’s
chances of reaching the last four.
Benitez aims to rest some senior players, but is unlikely to
plunge youngsters into the side at this stage of the
competition. Daniel Agger, Fabio Aurelio, Luis Garcia, Peter
Crouch and Robbie Fowler – none of whom were in the starting
line-up at Charlton on Saturday – will come into
consideration.
Provisional squad: Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Agger,
Riise, Aurelio, Luis Garcia, Pennant, Gerrard, Alonso,
Gonzalez, Crouch, Fowler, Bellamy, Kuyt, Dudek,
Paletta, Peltier.
(BreakingNews.ie)
Reina I'm in no rush to exit Anfield
Pepe Reina today eased fears about of homesickness may
prompt an early return to Spain at the end of the season.
The Spanish keeper is consistently being linked with a
summer move to Valencia - much to the annoyance of manager
Rafa Benitez who's determined to keep his number one.
Negotiations over a new contract are planned in the New
Year, and although Reina insists he's in 'no hurry' to
thrash out fresh terms, he's dismissed rumours he's
unsettled on Merseyside.
"As the manager keeps saying, we don't know where these
stories keep beginning," said Reina.
"I'm really happy here at Liverpool. It's a big club and I
have a good relationship with all the people. I have two and
a half years left of my contract, so I'm in no hurry."
(Liverpool Echo)
Benitez to field strong side against
Arsenal
Rafael Benitez will select a strong side to take on Arsenal
when the Gunners come to Anfield in the quarter-final of the
Carling Cup on Tuesday night.
So far in the competition Benitez has fielded a team of
youth and experience but the Liverpool manager will call on
his big guns for this tie as he admitted Arsenal represent a
tough test for his team.
"We know Arsenal are a very good team who play good football
and it will be a tough game for sure but we are playing well
and I have confidence," Benitez told Liverpoolfc.tv.
(LFC Official Website)
Defoe dismisses talk of Liverpool move
Jermain Defoe insists he will not be leaving Tottenham
Hotspur Football Club
in the New Year.
The England international has been linked with a move to
Liverpool in recent weeks, yet the 24-year-old insists he is
staying at White Hart Lane to fight for his place in the
starting eleven.
"I'm happy here," Defoe told The Times. "I just let my
football do the talking. When I'm out there playing and I've
got a smile on my face and I'm playing well, I think people
know I'm happy here.
"All my friends are here and they're all playing well. So,
if you're doing well, as a team and as a club, why would you
want to go anywhere? It doesn't make any sense.
"I can achieve what I want to achieve here, definitely. The
squad's so strong, there's so much quality in the squad, I'm
playing with good players and that's all I wanted to do.
(Fans FC)
Benitez still believes title is in reach
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has not given up hope of
capturing an unlikely Premiership title triumph after his
side climbed to third in the Premiership table.
Less than a month ago, his side were without an away victory
and languishing in mid-table but following 4-0 thrashings of
Wigan Athletic and Fulham, Liverpool's latest comprehensive
success - 3-0 at Charlton on Saturday - has convinced the
Spaniardthat there is still time for his team to play
catch-up.
He said: "When I was at Valencia we were seven points behind
Real Madrid at Christmas time and I said to some of my
players at a hotel 'Keep going because we will win the
league.'
"Afterwards they said to me that they were laughing at the
time but we won the league and we were seven points ahead.
"Maybe it's not the case when you have two teams at the top
of the table because you cannot change the things they are
doing."
(Daily Post)
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SUNDAY 17 |
Ronnie respects Reds
Barcelona ace Ronaldinho has admitted he is wary of facing
Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League.
The Reds will face the holders in the last 16 after the two
European giants were pitted against each in Friday's draw.
Ronaldinho knows Barcelona face a stiff task and he has a
lot of respect for Liverpool and especially Reds captain
Steven Gerrard.
"Liverpool have a very shrewd manager in Rafa Benitez and I
understand his record while managing Valencia was very good
against Barcelona," said Ronaldinho.
"They also have the bonus of having Spanish players in the
side so they will know what to expect.
"Naturally I'm a big fan of Steven Gerrard.
"I like committed and passionate players. He's a tremendous
player and would warrant a place in any side throughout
Europe."
(Sky Sports)
Bellamy praises Kuyt
Craig Bellamy has praised his strike partner Dirk
Kuyt.
Kuyt and Bellamy led the line for Liverpool again at the
Valley yesterday and ran Charlton ragged as the Red notched
their eleventh goal in three games. After the game Bellamy
was full of praise for his strike partner.
"Dirk is a good intelligent player, but there are a lot of
good players at Liverpool so we know we must continue to
play well to keep our place," said the Wales international.
(LFC Online)
It's the win that matters says Bellamy
Craig Bellamy said getting all three points was
more important than scoring at the Valley yesterday.
Bellamy scored his fourth league goal of the season
yesterday to wrap up Liverpool's comfortable victory over
Charlton but the striker said getting the win was more
important than personal glory.
"I'm delighted to have scored my 50th league goal, but it's
even better to get the three points and keep our run going,"
said Bellamy.
"We knew the second goal was vital. It took us a while to
get it, but when we did we knew it was all over. While there
was only one goal in it, it didn't matter that we were
dominating and Charlton missed a good chance just before I
scored."
(LFC Online) |
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SATURDAY 16 |
Henry eyes cup comeback
Arsenal captain Thierry Henry has targeted the FA Cup third
round showdown with Liverpool on January 6 for his comeback
from injury - and declared he would return "as hungry as
ever."
The French striker has not featured for the Gunners since
November 29 because of a hamstring-related problem.
Henry admits he finds it difficult to watch from the stands
rather than being able to help his team-mates out on the
pitch.
Writing in his programme notes, the Gunners skipper said:
"The problem has been with my hamstring, a sciatic nerve. I
have spoken to the boss about it and I think I will miss all
of Christmas, but hopefully I can come back quickly in the
new year.
"It might be a nice way to come back against Liverpool in
the FA Cup, but we will have to see, because it might be a
bit afterwards."
(Sporting Life)
Benitez buoyed by Reds display
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez was delighted by his side's
display in the 3-0 win over Charlton, but admitted they were
fortunate not to be punished for their profligacy in front
of goal.
"It was a good game, we were creating a lot of chances and
had a lot of opportunities to score two or three more
goals," he stated.
(Sky Sports)
Reed looking for positives
Charlton manager Les Reed conceded his side had been
outplayed by Liverpool, but still felt they could have
snatched something from a one-sided encounter.
"We had a 10-minute spell before the end when it was 1-0
when it looked like we might create something," Reed opined.
"We created a couple of chances, didn't take them and got
punished. They made it 2-0 and out of our grasp."
(Sky Sports)
Reds stroll to Valley victory
Having failed to win any of their first seven matches away
from home in the Premiership, Liverpool made it two from two
after a comprehensive 3-0 triumph over Charlton at
The Valley.
In truth the scoreline did not the reflect the gulf between
the two teams with The Addicks booed off by their own fans
after an incompetent display.
Liverpool were ahead early courtesy of a Xabi Alonso
penalty, but somehow spurned a plethora of chances before
finally making sure of the result with two goals in the
final ten minutes through Craig Bellamy and Steven Gerrard.
(Sky Sports)
Charlton vs Liverpool - confirmed team
Liverpool team to take on Charlton at The Valley this
afternoon - kick-off 13.45cet:
Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Riise, Pennant, Gerrard,
Alonso, Gonzalez, Bellamy, Kuyt.
Reserves: Dudek, Agger, Luis Garcia, Aurelio, Crouch.
(Webmaster)
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Thor Zakariassen
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