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FEBRUARY       2009
16 17 18

 

 
   

WEDNESDAY 18
Ramos: Clean sheet crucial
Sergio Ramos believes that keeping a clean sheet at Santiago Bernabeu will be key for Real Madrid in their UEFA Champions League encounter with Liverpool.
The Spain international defender is confident that Los Merengues can triumph over the two legs even though he knows how difficult it will be against a Reds side packed with European experience.
Playing against many of his international team-mates will also be a new experience for Ramos and it is one that he is looking forward to.
"Liverpool are a great team and we will have to try not to concede any goals at home and then try to score at Anfield," he told the club's
official website.
"I think we can win and it will be a great tie because many team-mates of mine from the Spanish national team will play and we'll all enjoy it.
"Every player dreams about playing at venues such as the Bernabeu and Anfield. Their crowds make a difference and we will try to thrill ours."
Ramos thinks that Madrid can win the Champions League, but recognises that there are a lot of teams that will be attempting the same feat.
"We will try to take things slowly," he continued. "We want to win the trophy, but the competition is fierce."
(Sky Sports)

Reds make fixture request
Liverpool FC has requested UEFA spare them a potential fixture clash with the 20th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster.
If the Reds overcome Real Madrid in their two legged last 16 clash, they could be asked to play the second leg of the quarter-final on Wednesday April 15 - 20 years to the day since 96 Liverpool fans lost their lives at Hillsborough.
Liverpool have therefore asked for their game to be played 24 hours earlier on the Tuesday night, ensuring players, staff and supporters will be able to pay their tributes to the 96 at the anniversary memorial service
at Anfield.
(LFC Official Website)

Benitez sparks left-back battle
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has warned left-back Emiliano Insua that he will have to fight to regain a place in the first-team at Anfield.
The Argentine had taken advantage of injury to Fabio Aurelio and Andrea Dossena to become a regular in the plans of Benitez prior to his participation in Under 20 World Cup qualifiers.
"Emiliano was doing a good job for us before he went away so we are happy to have him back," the former Valencia boss told
the Liverpool Echo.
"But now he must fight for his place again because the more good players you have competing for different positions the better it is for the team."
(Sky Sports)

Carra pleased with campaign to date
Jamie Carragher is pleased with Liverpool's season so far.
The Reds are genuine title challengers for the first time in many seasons to the delight of Jamie Carragher. However, Liverpool's vice-captain also wants to see a further improvement and hopefully a title win.
"There are still a lot of games to go, so it's important everyone at the club remains calm," said the defender.
"A lot of people said at the start of the season that we needed to be in the title race at the end and at least be in with a fighting chance.
"We finished fourth last season, but we have overtaken Chelsea and Arsenal and even though everyone at the club understands that it's not over yet by a long way, at the moment it looks like it is going to be us and Manchester United for the title.
"Just by overtaking Chelsea and Arsenal in the challenge is an achievement in itself already so everyone should be proud of that.
"Now hopefully we can go one step further and win this title."
(LFC Online)

Gerrard could make surprise return

Rafa Benitez is refusing to rule Steven Gerrard out of this weekend's clash with Manchester City.
The skipper was expected to be missing for three weeks after tearing
a hamstring against Everton on February 4 - meaning he wouldn't be in contention until next Wednesday's trip to Real Madrid.
However, Benitez today revealed that his number eight was responding well to treatment and could play some part against Mark Hughes' side
on Sunday.
(LFC Official Website)
TUESDAY 17
Reds register Brazilian interest
The agent of Brazilian wonderkid Keirrison has claimed that Liverpool have enquired about the Palmeiras forward.
Keirrison, 20, has been on the radar of a number of top European clubs after finishing as joint top scorer in the Brazilian championship last season with 21 goals.
The reigning Brazilian Young Player of the Year currently plays for Palmeiras but his rights are owned by a company called Traffic Sports Marketing in a similar arrangement to the one that saw both Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano owned by Media Sports Investment.
Now a representative of TSM has claimed that The Reds have made an enquiry as to Keirrison’s availability, even if the latest talent to roll off the Brazilian production line will not be moving to Europe until the end of
the year.
“We agree with Palmeiras that Keirrison will stay in Brazil until the end of 2009 because we want Palmeiras to fight for the Brazilian championship and the Copa Libertadores,” Roberto Benevides told the Italian press.
“We believe the technical merit and market price of the player may also double in this period.
“Major European clubs have asked about him: I am referring to Liverpool, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.
“Roma? No, we have never received any call from the Giallorossi.”
(Setanta Sports)

Reds held to mini derby draw
Liverpool Reserves have been held to a 1-1 draw with Everton after Dani Pacheco forced Blues defender Hope Akpan into heading into his own net to cancel out a bizarre opening goal at the Halton Stobart Stadium in Widnes.
Both sides had their fair share of chances to net a winner in this end-to-end match, but a 1-1 draw is a fair result and mini bragging rights will have to be shared on this occasion.
The result sees Liverpool move one place up to eighth in the Barclays Premier Reserve League North.
Liverpool: Martin Hansen, Emmanuel Mendy, Stephen Darby, Mikel San Jose, Martin Kelly, Damien Plessis, Victor Palsson (Weijl, 75), Jay Spearing, Andras Simon, Daniel Pacheco, Gerardo Bruna (Flora, 89).
Unused substitutes: Steven Irwin, Dean Bouzanis, Ronald Huth.
(LFC Official Website)

Benitez: Forget about Madrid
Rafael Benitez has warned his Liverpool side to remain fully focused on Sunday's Premier League clash with Manchester City, rather than look ahead of next week's glamour tie with Real Madrid.
The Reds take on the nine-time Champions of Europe in the first-leg of the last 16 of the Champions League but Benitez has urged his players not to be distracted by the game when they entertain Manchester City at Anfield at the weekend.
"The main thing for us right now is the game against Manchester City - that is very clear," he said.
"This game has to be the priority because it is in the Premier League and we are in a good position and want to take three points."
(Shanklygates)  

Lay-off will prove
the perfect lift for Liverpool

By the time Liverpool kick off against Manchester City on Sunday it will have been more than a fortnight since their last game – and for me those two weeks may be the most important of the season so far.
As a player you love the games to come thick and fast, especially at this stage of the season because the more matches you play the more likely it is that you are doing well.
But it is absolutely vital that you get some rest at the right times and this is exactly what Liverpool have just had.
They would much rather have been involved in FA Cup action at the weekend, there is no question about that, and I am sure all the players and staff at Anfield did not enjoy looking on as other teams took part in round five.
But you have to take the positives from every situation, and in this case the benefit to Liverpool was clear in that the cup weekend came hot on the heels of an international break and this has allowed them to recharge their batteries.
(Ian Rush - Liverpool Echo)  

Two Accrington Stanley
players charged over Gerrard brawl

Two footballers have been charged in the UK over the nightclub brawl which saw Steven Gerrard bailed.
The Liverpool player is accused of assault following the fight in Southport between Christmas and New Year.
Accrington Stanley goalkeeper Ian Dunbavin and the club's midfielder Robert Grant have been charged with affray.
(Irish Independent)
MONDAY 16
Hereford land Reds starlet
Skysports.com understands Hereford have tied up an emergency loan deal for Liverpool defender Godwin Antwi.
The promising stopper spent the first half of the season on loan at League One club Tranmere, making six starts for Ronnie Moore's Rovers.
In a bid to garner more first-team experience he has agreed a switch to Edgar Street, initially on a one-month deal with Graham Turner's side.
Antwi was part of Liverpool's FA Youth Cup-winning side in 2006 after joining the Reds from Spanish side Real Zaragoza the year before.
He spent time with Accrington Stanley before enjoying a season-long loan at Hartlepool last term, where he scored one goal in 27 appearances.
(Sky Sports)

Torres: Rafa a pleasure to work with
Liverpool striker Fernando Torres has thanked manager Rafael Benitez for bringing him to England and making him a better player.
The Spain international scored 33 goals in a brilliant debut campaign after becoming the club's record signing in July 2007. This season he has struggled with hamstring injuries and has found the net just nine times in sporadic bursts.
But the 24-year-old told FourFourTwo: "English football has been good to me because of its characteristics: it's fast, direct and there are very few stoppages, and that suits my game more than Spanish football, My natural qualities - the speed, the power - fit the Premier League."
He added: "I play as a number nine up alongside the centre-backs. If I played there in Spain, maybe it wouldn't suit me as I would hardly see the ball.
"Rafa was looking for a striker with my characteristics - someone quick who could surprise defenders and get behind them - but I had to learn too.
"For a lot of coaches the tactical side of the game doesn't matter that much but for Rafa it is fundamental; he is conscious of the way we set up, the movement, the organisation.
"I've learnt a lot. It's been a real pleasure for me to work with Rafa."
Torres added: "At Atletico I played more on instinct, doing my own thing; here I have to learn about movement and positioning, about the team.
"Liverpool's game is based on the team, on strategy. Hitting other teams on the counter-attack with space in front of us suits me perfectly.
"And having Rafa made it easier to grasp the tactical side of things."
(ITV Football)

Torres pays Gerrard tribute
Fernando Torres has paid tribute to Steven Gerrard's talismanic presence at Anfield as the Liverpool captain prepares to make his comeback from injury.
Gerrard has been struggling with a slight hamstring tear that forced him off against Everton in an FA Cup clash on 4th February.
Although there is an outside chance the midfielder could return against Manchester City on Sunday, a pencilled comeback against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League on 25th February is more likely.
Torres, who has developed an almost telepathic understanding with his skipper, admits he cannot wait to get back in tandem with Gerrard.
"The news was that he would be out for three weeks, but we hope that he'll be back playing again sooner," said Torres in the Liverpool Echo.
"But you never know how things can turn out with a hamstring injury - and I speak from experience.
"It was a good sign that he asked to be substituted as soon as he felt the twinge, because if a hamstring goes completely, you don't get to walk off the pitch.
"I hope and wish that he will be back soon."
Torres concedes Gerrard is the one player in Liverpool's ranks who is irreplaceable: "He has no natural replacement.
"Every side has a main reference, a home-grown player, someone who lives and breathes the club.
"Other players come and go, but that player remains. Here, our reference player is Gerrard. Liverpool FC is Gerrard plus ten more. He's irreplaceable."
(Sky Sports)

Hertha hope to extend Voronin loan
German Bundesliga table-toppers Hertha Berlin are in talks with Liverpool over extending striker Andriy Voronin's loan move.
The 29-year-old has enjoyed a successful first half of the season in Germany, scoring six goals in 16 league games including two in the 2-1 win over Bayern Munich on Saturday to send Hertha to the top of the table.
The Ukraine international had recently expressed that he was open to a return to Anfield once his loan finished - but it now seems he is set to remain with Hertha.
It is thought that any permanent deal is out of the question with Hertha supposedly put off by Liverpool's £4.4million asking price.
"Yes we have now talked for the first time," Voronin confirmed to Bild.
While the striker's agent, Andriy Golovach, had this to say: "It was a good conversation, I think we are on a good way."
Hertha are keen to tie up the deal as soon as possible and club general manager Dieter Hoeness is confident a new deal will go through.
"Both parties are willing to continue. We really appreciate Andriy's performances," he said.
"His goals, his experience and his demeanour. And he has also said Hertha is a priority for him, because he likes the club and the city very much.
"We now know we have to work on solutions for this."
(TEAMtalk)

Pellegrino defends zonal marking
Mauricio Pellegrino has defended Liverpool's zonal marking system.
The Reds' first team coach has defended their defensive system after it again came in for criticism in one of the most tedious debates television pundits can have.
"My opinion is that people need to criticise the result, not the method. Before the last three games, we were among the best two teams at defending set pieces. Now, after these games, we are still among the top five teams at defending set pieces," Pellegrino told the club's official website.
"At the end you have to choose one method - zonal or man marking. We chose this one because we trust it. Both methods can be good if you focus on your job and do it properly. The most important thing is not the method - it's the way you manage the method.
"We know we've made some mistakes and we are working on this to make sure we don't concede more goals, but we defend a lot of set plays - that's why the other teams will sometimes score goals."
(LFC Online)

Benitez seeks swift end to contract talks
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has called for his contract negotiations to be brought to a positive conclusion after denying he wants total control of transfers.
The Spaniard’s deal runs out in the summer of 2010 and he believes the continued uncertainty over his future, and those of several members of the Anfield backroom staff, is hampering the club’s long-term planning.
“Anyone that has just a year left on his contract does not have anything at all and I have only got a year and a half left,” Benitez told The Guardian.
“When people, either within the club or from outside it, realise that the manager only has that much time left then he is dead.
“I’ve got 10 or 12 assistants whose contracts are up in June. How can a manager lead a project properly if the continuity of his staff is not secure for two or three years?”
(BreakingNews.ie) 

Real win again
Real Madrid beat Sporting Gijon yesterday.
Liverpool's Champions League opponents won 4-0 away against Sporting Gijon yesterday. The win was Madrid's eighth in a row.
(LFC Online)

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