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SUNDAY 18 |
Official Liverpool FC statement
Liverpool FC have today released the following statement
from manager Rafael Benitez
"I met this morning with the entire first team squad and
made it absolutely clear to all of them the responsibilities
that come with playing for this club and the way they are
expected to conduct themselves both on and off the pitch.
"The players worked extremely hard at last week's training
camp, but we will take disciplinary action and fine any of
them who are found to have breached club rules during our
stay in Portugal. I've told the players this and they
understand and accept the decision I have taken.
"Despite reports to the contrary, the spirit amongst the
lads is very good with everyone looking forward to the game
against Barcelona on Wednesday.
"We remain totally focussed on what will be a very tough
game against the defending European Champions."
(LFC Official Website)
Hareide: Riise okay
Norway boss Age Hareide has revealed that John Arne Riise
escaped uninjured from Liverpool's trip to Portugal.
The Reds' jaunt to the Algarve hogged the spotlight for all
the wrong reasons on Sunday, as the trip made front page
headlines following reports of a brawl at the club's
training base.
It has been claimed that Riise came off worse following a
brawl with team-mate
Craig Bellamy.
Norway coach Hareide was concerned by the reports and
contacted his fellow countryman, but was informed the
defender had suffered no serious injuries.
"I got to talk to John Arne and things in general are not
good, but in any case things are okay with John Arne,"
Hareide told VG.
"That is the most important thing. He escaped without
injuries."
(Sky Sports)
Benitez issues discipline warning
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez will take
disciplinary action and fine any player who breached club
rules during their training camp in Portugal.
Benitez's warning follows newspaper allegations of a fracas
between Craig Bellamy and John Arne Riise on the trip during
last week.
According to the reports the incident followed a dispute
during a night out in the Algarve resort of Vale do Lobo.
Liverpool play Barcelona in the Champions League on
Wednesday.
(BBC Sport Online)
Reds in trouble
Liverpool players are facing accusations of causing trouble
in a bar during their break
in Portugal.
The Reds have recently returned from a five day training
camp in Portugal, where they went to prepare for this week's
Champions League game with Barcelona. However, stories are
now emerging that a few of the players got into a bit of
trouble over there.
Robbie Fowler, Jermaine Pennant and Jerzy Dudek were the
players named by the People newspaper who let their drinking
get out of hand on a night out at a beach bar.
The club have refused to comment on the matter saying it
will be dealt with internally.
(LFC Online)
Agent silent over Riise clainms
John Arne Riise's agent Jan Kvalheim has spoken to the
player about Sunday newspaper allegations of a bust-up
between the Norway defender and Liverpool team-mate Craig
Bellamy during a club break in Portugal.
The News of the World report allegations that Wales striker
Bellamy clashed with Riise following a dispute during a
night out in the Algarve resort of Vale do Lobo.
Kvalheim told Norwegian newspapers VG and Aften Posten that
he has spoken to Riise and Liverpool but will be leaving any
comment on the allegations to Liverpool.
(Sporting Life)
Disappointment for Under-18s
There was disappointment for Liverpool Under-18s as they
bounced back down to earth from their Youth Cup heroics by
losing 2-0 at home to Bolton Wanderers in their latest
Academy match on Saturday.
John Owens made eight changes to his team from the one that
beat Sheffield United in the quarter-finals of the Youth
Cup, with only Jay Spearing, Astrit Ajdarevic and Jimmy Ryan
starting from the midweek team.
"We made the changes because we wanted to give some of the
lads who haven't played much a chance," Owens told
Liverpoolfc.tv.
"It was disappointing to lose the game and this has brought
us down a little after Thursday's elation.
Liverpool Under-18s: David Roberts, John Routledge, Stephen
Behan, Jay Spearing, Laurence Gaughan, Ben Parsonage
(Charlie Barnett 60), Jimmy Ryan, Shane O'Connor (Paul
Barratt 60), Michael Collins (Mattone Awang 70), Astrit
Ajdarevic, Ryan Wignall. Sub unused: Josh Mimms (GK).
(LFC Official Website) |
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SATURDAY 17 |
Voronin set for Reds switch
Bayern Leverkusen striker Andrei Voronin has reportedly
clinched a deal to join Liverpool in the summer.
The Ukrainian international is out of contract at the end of
the season and has reached a agreement that will see him
join The Reds on a four-year contract in June.
Voronin had been linked with a move to Celtic in December
but will now join Craig Bellamy, Peter Crouch, Robbie Fowler
and Dirk Kuyt in Rafa Benitez's plans at Anfield.
(Sky Sports)
Eto'o rested ahead of Reds tie
Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o has been rested ahead of the
club's UEFA Champions League clash with Liverpool.
It had been thought Eto'o would continue his return to full
fitness with a run-out against Valencia at the Mestalla this
weekend.
Eto'o was a controversial no show against Racing Santander
last weekend after making a late appearance in the goalless
draw at Osasuna.
The Cameroon international ace has admitted his knee is
still giving him trouble and has now opted against
travelling with the squad to Valencia in order to work on
his fitness.
"Eto'o has told me he feels his fitness is improving but
that he would prefer to stay in Barcelona to continue
working to achieve his peak form," said manager Frank
Rijkaard.
"He wants to have the best fitness possible ahead of the
Champions League clash with Liverpool."
Eidur Gudjohnsen is set take Eto'o's place on the bench
against Valencia with Javier Saviola likely to continue up
front.
(Sky Sports)
Love the key for Gerrard
Steven Gerrard says he will never leave Liverpool as long as
they continue to show
him 'love'.
The Reds skipper almost quit Anfield in 2005, before penning
a new long-term deal and Gerrard insists that he is not
thinking of leaving his hometown club.
"No one knows what the future holds, but if the club
continue to show me their love and I'm happy, I don't see
any reason to go anywhere else," Gerrard said.
(Sky Sports)
Cruyff warns of Reds' threat
Barcelona legend Johan Cruyff has warned his old team that
they must stifle Liverpool's aerial threat if they are beat
Rafael Benitez's side.
"Barcelona against Liverpool is the absolute top match in
the Champions League and, normally speaking, it shouldn't be
a problem for Barca," Cruyff told The Sun.
"But the last time I saw Liverpool playing, I have to say
that with [Dirk] Kuyt and [Peter] Crouch up front, they
played some excellent stuff.
"The two of them form an enormously good partnership."
(Sky Sports)
Reds looking to extend Barca record
Rafael Benitez and Liverpool only joined forces
three years ago, but they have one crucial factor in common.
Neither have the habit of losing in the Nou Camp.
When the Reds were drawn against Barcelona in the last 16 of
the Champions League before Christmas, it was viewed by many
as they end of the road for Liverpool's aspirations in
Europe this season.
At that time the Catalans were roaring along at the top of
La Liga, basking in the afterglow of last season's Champions
League win and were the popular choice as the best team in
the world.
A few months later and, while Liverpool have steadily
improved, the cracks are showing in the seemingly smooth
Barcelona machine.
When the sides clash in Catalonia on Wednesday in the first
leg of the tie, the result is now not quite so easy to call.
(PA Sport) |
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FRIDAY 16 |
"We’ve got to fear Reds"
Barcelona star Ronaldinho believes Liverpool have
got what it takes to rule Europe again this season.
The La Liga leaders will start as favourites when the clubs
clash in the first leg of the Champions League tie at the
Nou Camp on Wednesday night but the Brazilian is wary of
Rafa Benitez’s side.
“I think we'll have to be at our very best to make it
through to the last eight,” he said.
“Liverpool’s incredible win in 2005 was amazing and an
achievement we must
be aware of.
“We have to learn from what happened to Milan. It would be a
mistake not to consider Liverpool as one of the favourites
to win this season's Champions League.
“Not only have they already won it, they have a team capable
of doing it again."
(Liverpool Echo)
Reds meet Newcastle
Liverpool will play Newcastle in the semi-final of the FA
Youth Cup.
Liverpool's 3-1 win over Sheffield United last night has set
up a semi-final with Newcastle. No dates have yet been set,
but the tie will be a two legged affair at St James' Park
and Anfield.
(LFC Online)
Rush backs Benitez to spend new cash
wisely
Liverpool great Ian Rush has backed manager
Rafael Benitez to handle the transfer-market aspirations of
the club's new owners.
Kop hero Rush believes Benitez is just the man to handle
such high-level intrigue - with the expected influx of
transfer-market cash from new owners George Gillett and Tom
Hicks.
He said: "We have progressed from last season - and we must
look to progress again.
"It is just as important to get players out as it is to get
players in. That is the art of management.
"It is not just about an open chequebook - 'Rafa' is not
that sort of manager.
"He is the right manager for the job now and he is the right
manager to get
new players in."
(Liverpool Daily Post)
Reds progress in Youth Cup
Liverpool are through to the semi finals of the FA Youth
Cup.
The holders booked their place in the semi finals of the FA
Youth Cup with an impressive away win over Sheffield United
last night. Liverpool came from a goal down to win 3-1 at
Bramall Lane.
Sheffield United started the game the brighter and created a
couple of openings inside the first ten minutes. After
twenty minutes they were ahead. The Sheff Utd full back
picked the ball up thirty yards out and hammered home a shot
that gave Martin Hansen no chance.
The goal woke Liverpool up and the Reds started to play some
good football after that. Ray Putterill and Astrit Ajdarevic
showed some good touches and began to play the Reds into the
game.
Liverpool were now controlling the game and they scored a
deserved leveller after 35 minutes when Ryan Flynn reacted
quickest to a shot coming back off the post to tap home the
equaliser.
The half time break came at the wrong moment for Liverpool
as they were bossing the game before the interval and the
break spoiled the Reds' flow and allowed Sheff Utd back into
the game.
United started the second half as the better team but
Liverpool had the perfect response when Ajdarevic found
Putterill on the edge of the box and the winger put the Reds
ahead with a classy finish.
Ajdarevic had another assist to his name later on when
Stephen Darby headed home his corner to put the gloss on a
good night's work.
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Thor Zakariassen
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