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WEDNESDAY 18 |
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Xabi frustrated with Chelsea dominance
Spanish ace Xabi Alonso has revealed Liverpool's
"frustration" at not being able to cut the gap between
themselves and leaders Chelsea despite a run of 12 unbeaten
Premiership matches.
Liverpool have won 11 of those 12 but still see Chelsea 17
points clear at the head of the Barclays Premiership -
surely an unassailable lead despite having two games in hand
over the champions.
The stylish midfielder conceded: "It's difficult to see them
dropping too many points now.
"We don't need to talk about catching Chelsea at the moment,
we have to look after our own results first."
(Sporting Life)
Agger: I'm ready for United clash
Liverpool new boy Daniel Agger has declared himself fit to
endure a baptism of fire against Manchester United this
weekend.
But Rafa Benitez is sure to resist the temptation to thrust
the youngster into one of the most important fixtures on the
Premiership calendar.
"All the players had an intensive physical test on Tuesday
and the positive thing for me is I didn't feel any of the
effects of my injury," said Agger.
"I'm ready to play whenever the manager decides the time is
right."
(Liverpool Echo)
New hope in battle to free Michael
The prime minister of Bulgaria has promised a fair deal for
jailed Reds fan Michael Shields.
But Sergei Stanishev has warned that the UK must not
interfere with his country's judicial processes over the
treatment of the 19-year-old from Wavertree serving a
15-year sentence for attempted murder.
His first ever comments on the matter were revealed in a
letter from the Foreign Office and could mark a breakthrough
in efforts to secure Michael's release.
Europe minister Douglas Alexander told Riverside MP Louise
Ellman: "Prime Minister Stanishev said he would do all he
properly could to ensure that the correct administrative
procedures were followed but, as in the UK, he could not
interfere in judicial process."
Michael is awaiting an appeal against his conviction for a
near-fatal assault on a barman for which fellow Merseysider
Graham Sankey has admitted responsibility.
The case has sparked uproar because Bulgaria's bid to join
the European Union depends on their human rights record in
guaranteeing fair trials for all citizens.
(Liverpool Echo)
New date for Charlton clash
Liverpool have announced a provisional new date
for their Premiership clash at Charlton Athletic.
Subject to neither Club being involved in an FA Cup fourth
round replay, the outstanding Premier League fixture against
the Addicks will be played at the Valley on Wednesday 8th
February 2006, kick off 8.00 pm.
(LFC Official Website)
Gerrard: Henry will make us unstoppable
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard believes if Thierry Henry
joined Liverpool, they be unstoppable. The Arsenal striker
is currently in talks with Arsenal about a new contract.
Gerrard though believes Henry would be a lot better at
Liverpool.
He said: “If we were to have Thierry Henry in our team, we’d
be a lot better.”
The midfielder is also desperate to win the Premiership
after lifting the European Cup last season.
He said: “I’d love to win them both but being the captain of
the team, I’d love to deliver the Premiership for the boys.
“But it’s like picking one of your kids if you’ve got two
kids.”
(Talk Soccer) |
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TUESDAY 17 |
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Rix: Mellor deal unlikely
Head coach Graham Rix has admitted that Liverpool striker
Neil Mellor is unlikely to follow Neil McCann to Tynecastle.
Scotland winger McCann quit George Burley's Southampton last
week and has penned a two-and-a-half-year deal with the team
who stand second in the SPL.
But talks with Mellor and Racing Genk's Bosnian winger
Mirsad Beslija are proving tricky.
Rix said: "We're trying to get a few more, we're trying, but
I don't think Mellor will join."
The 23-year-old has been pushed down the order at Liverpool
after the arrival of Peter Crouch and seniority of Djibril
Cisse and Fernando Morientes.
"There are still talks going on but it's proving difficult,"
said Rix. "There are a lot of problems when you try and
bring a lad in.
"Again, we're trying really hard with Beslija. There are one
or two little hiccups we've got to get across."
(TEAMtalk)
Garcia out of Man U clash
Luis Garcia will miss this weekend's clash at Manchester
United as he continues to recover from a knee injury.
The Liverpool midfielder has had the injury assessed by a
specialist in Spain and will now continue his recovery under
the guidance of the Reds' medical staff at Melwood.
Garcia has already missed the FA Cup tie at Luton and
Saturday's league victory over Tottenham, but it is hoped he
will be back in action before the end of the month.
A club spokesman said: "Luis travelled to Spain to see a
knee specialist who advised him to continue his
rehabilitation at Melwood.
"It is expected he will be out of action for a further ten
days."
(LFC Official Website)
Riise not giving up fight
John Arne Riise insists Liverpool will head to Old Trafford
looking for a victory which would take them above Manchester
United.
The European champions lie one point behind United but have
two games in hand as they aim to put pressure on leaders
Chelsea.
Riise told the club's official website: "We're looking good
at the moment. We've got points on the board and two games
in hand, but you always prefer to have the points than games
to play, so we can't take anything for granted.
"The most important thing for us is to keep winning. If we
do that, then we can start hoping somewhere along the line
Chelsea slip up.
"But there's no way Sunday is a game for second. We're still
aiming to win every game we play and we can and then we'll
see if we can catch up."
(TEAMtalk)
FA reject Ronaldo red-card appeal
A Football Association disciplinary commission hearing has
rejected Manchester United's claim that Cristiano Ronaldo
was wrongfully dismissed in Saturday's defeat at Manchester
City.
The Portuguese winger was sent off on Saturday for a lunge
at City striker Andy Cole when United were trailing 2-0 in
the Barclays Premiership.
Referee Steve Bennett showed the 20-year-old a straight red
card and United went on to lose 3-1 at Eastlands.
Ronaldo's challenge came seconds after he was the victim of
a late tackle by City full-back Stephen Jordan - which went
unpunished.
But United's bid to get the three-match suspension
overturned has proved unsuccessful and he is banned with
immediate effect.
He will miss tomorrow night's FA Cup third-round replay with
Burton Albion at Old Trafford, Sunday's Barclays Premiership
match with Liverpool and next Wednesday's Carling Cup
semi-final second leg against Blackburn - all at Old
Trafford.
(icLiverpool)
Lawro: 'Theo is a Red'
Mark Lawrenson claims that Southampton wonder kid Theo
Walcott is a massive Liverpool fan and dreams of playing for
the Anfield club.
The 16-year-old looks set for a move to Arsenal, who have
reportedly bid £15m for his services, but Lawrenson claims
that his heart lies elsewhere.
Lawrenson said in his column for the Liverpool Daily Echo:
"Most reports suggest he's on his way to Arsenal. If true,
that's a bit of a shock to me because I met the lad recently
and he's a massive Liverpudlian.
"He loves the club. I joked to him he should sign for us and
he admitted he'd love to one day.
"I don't know if Liverpool were interested in signing him,
but I'd be very surprised if they weren't.
"I've seen the lad in action and there's no question he's a
fantastic talent. It would have sent out the perfect signal
to the rest of the Premiership if somehow the club had
secured his signature."
(Football 365)
Boro try for Carson
Middlesbrough tried to sign Scott Carson on loan but were
turned down by Rafael Benitez.
Middlesbrough goalkeeper Mark Schwartzer has handed in a
transfer request and so Boro boss Steve McClaren tried to
bring Scott Carson to the Riverside on a loan deal.
However, Rafael Benitez wants Carson to stay at Anfield as
back up to Pepe Reina and Middlesbrough's request was
instantly turned down.
Benitez' decision to keep Carson as Reina's back up means
Jerzy Dudek is likely to leave Liverpool during the January
transfer window. Portsmouth are the latest team to be linked
with the Pole.
(LFC Online) |
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MONDAY 16 |
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Two Reds land top Uefa accolade
Chelsea and Liverpool each have two players in Uefa's team
of the year with Blues boss Jose Mourinho voted coach.
Chelsea's Petr Cech and John Terry were named in the side
alongside Reds duo Steven Gerrard and Luis Garcia.
Five clubs were represented in the side overall with players
from AC Milan, Barcelona and Juventus also featuring.
Cafu, Carles Puyol, Paolo Maldini, Ronaldinho, Pavel Nedved,
Samuel Eto'o and Andriy Shevchenko made up the rest of the
Uefa line-up.
Chelsea boss Mourinho beat Liverpool's Champions
League-winning manager Rafael Benitez to the coach of the
year vote to scoop the award for the third season running.
(BBC Sport Online)
Benitez praises Finnan
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has praised one of his most
consistent players, Steve Finnan.
Finnan has been a consistently excellent defender since
Rafael Benitez arrived at Liverpool 18 months ago. Benitez
has praised the Irish international and says he is an
important part of the Liverpool team.
"Finnan is a player who will always play at a consistent
level," said Benitez.
"He will be seven, eight, nine or even ten out of ten every
week. This is really important for the team. Some players
find a good level for individual games, but don't do the
same every week. Finnan does it for a whole season.
"The added competitiveness of Jan Kromkamp will also be good
for him and the team and help him maintain his current
level."
(LFC Online)
Finnan keen to overhaul United
Steve Finnan is looking to overtake Manchester United next
week.
Liverpool are currently one point behind Manchester United
in the Premiership table, albeit with two games in hand. The
Reds can overhaul their fierce rivals on Sunday when the two
meet at Old Trafford and Steve Finnan is confident of doing
just that.
"It's set up nicely now. We knew before Saturday's game that
they'd lost and that gave us a bit of a boost because we
knew if we won then we'd get to within a point of them and
still have the two games in hand," Finnan told the official
website.
"Now we have to go there and play as well as we can. It's
always one of the biggest fixtures of the season for the
club and the fans and we're sure we can get something from
the match. There's no reason why we can't win and go into
second place. That'll be our aim.
"Obviously we had to work hard to get the victory over
Tottenham because they're a good side and they gave us one
of our toughest tests so far this season at Anfield. Picking
up three points gives us a bit of breathing space over them
now.
"It was a fairly even game with both sides having chances,
but we got the important goal and we're delighted with the
victory."
(LFC Online)
Finnan praises Kewell
Steve Finnan has praised Liverpool's matchwinner Harry
Kewell after his wonder strike gave the Reds a 1-0 victory
over Spurs.
Finnan, who crossed the ball for Kewell to score the winner
on Saturday, has praised the Australian's contributions in
recent weeks.
"It was a great strike from Harry and we're all really
pleased for him. He's been playing really well since he came
back from injury and has gone close to scoring on a few
occasions," said Finnan.
"He's a great outlet for the team. He has pace, he can get
past defenders, get good crosses in and also score goals
himself. Having him back fit and on top form is a great
boost for us."
(LFC Online)
Kewell's quality strike a glimpse of more
to come
Rafa Benittez is relishing his Liverpool side being placed
on weekly football rations for the next month.
After the gruelling Christmas and New Year programme, the
Reds have only one midweek fixture in the next month, with
uninterrupted preparations for next Sunday's trip to Old
Trafford and the FA Cup journey to Portsmouth.
The Reds boss believes the breaks will benefit his improving
side.
After Saturday's 1-0 win over Tottenham, he explained: "We
have a better position now because we have one game a week
which means we can train and we can recuperate.
"If we can play at this level and approach every game with
the team really fit we will see at the end of this month
what our situation is."
Victory over United would see Liverpool leapfrog them into
second place in the Premiership. But even with two games in
hand Benitez refused to accept his side was currently the
second best in the country.
(Daily Post)
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Thor Zakariassen
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