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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) |
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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) |
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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)
Thor Zakariassen
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