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FRIDAY 18 |
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Moyes warns Reds to be aware
David Moyes has claimed Liverpool should be worrying about
more teams than just Everton in the chase for the final
Champions League place.
Moyes' men boast a seven-point lead over their neighbours
with just nine games to go in a dramatic climax to the
Barclays Premiership season, and the Scot knows that if
Everton do not lose at Anfield on Sunday the race for fourth
place could be all but over.
With record signing James Beattie back to boost his squad
after suspension, Moyes was confident enough to suggest
Liverpool should start looking over their shoulders at other
challengers.
"We could well be having a tussle with more than one club
for that Champions League spot; it is not only Liverpool it
could be three or four clubs," he said, before aiming a sly
dig at the levels of expectation across Stanley Park.
(Sporting Life)
Juventus date confirmed
Liverpoolfc.tv can confirm that the home leg of the
Champions League quarter-final against Juventus will take
place at Anfield on Tuesday 5 April, kick-off 7.45pm.
The return will be played in Turin the following week on
Wednesday 13 April,
kick-off 7.45pm.
(LFC Official Website)
Capello: Liverpool will be difficult
opponents
Juventus coach Fabio Capello has revealed he had a hunch his
side would be drawn against Liverpool in the Champions
League quarter-final and believes it will be a difficult
tie.
Capello, who managed Roma at Anfield in 2001, says: "I had
the intuition before the draw that we would face Liverpool,
and that has been the case. Liverpool are going to be
difficult opponents and we will have to prepare ourselves
for the atmosphere at Anfield."
The Juve coach is also well aware of the emotion surrounding
the tie, which will take place almost 20 years since the
Heysel Stadium disaster.
"We will have to play that game, remembering what happened
20 years ago, and make sure the spirit of football is not
forgotten this time," he added.
(LFC Official Website)
Beattie's back for Blues
James Beattie returns to the Everton ranks after
his three-match suspension and will be in the squad to face
Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.
The £6million striker has been sidelined for a month since
his red card against Chelsea because of Everton’s lack of
fixtures.
Everton boss David Moyes must decide whether his record
signing starts the match or is used from the bench.
Moyes also has injury worries over Spanish midfielder Mikel
Arteta (ankle) and winger James McFadden (hamstring).
Steve Watson, who made a reserve comeback this week after a
stomach muscle injury, could also be used on the bench.
Provisional squad: Martyn, Hibbert, Yobo, Stubbs, Weir,
Pistone, Naysmith, Carsley, Cahill, Osman, Kilbane, Bent,
Beattie, Ferguson, Wright, Watson, Arteta,
McFadden, Plessis.
(BreakingNews.ie)
Hyypia's back for derby clash
Sami Hyypia has recovered from the stomach bug that
restricted him to the substitutes’ bench on Wednesday when
Liverpool drew with Blackburn and should return to the
starting line-up against Everton on Sunday.
Mauricio Pellegrino stepped into central defence in Hyypia’s
absence but it is expected that boss Rafael Benitez will
revert to his first choice pairing of Hyypia and Jamie
Carragher against the Toffees.
Also returning will be John Arne Riise on the left of
midfield, having been rested – until his half-time
appearance as substitute – against Blackburn.
Djimi Traore is still out with a knee problem, while Harry
Kewell is not expected back for three weeks because of
ankle, Achilles and groin injuries.
Provisional squad: Dudek, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia,
Pellegrino, Warnock, Luis Garcia, Hamann, Gerrard, Riise,
Smicer, Le Tallec, Nunez, Morientes, Baros, Carson,
Biscan, Welsh.
(BreakingNews.ie)
Garcia selected for international duty,
Morientes snubbed
Liverpool's Luis Garcia has been selected for international
duty by Spain for their friendly against China on March 26th
and a World Cup qualifier against Serbia & Montenegro on
March 30th. Garcia has been selected twice by his country
but is yet to win his first cap.
Striker Fernando Morientes is overlooked by coach Luis
Aragones.
(Kop Talk)
Reds plan Heysel tribute
Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry revealed the club would
work with Juventus to mark the 20th anniversary of the
Heysel disaster before their quarter-final tie.
Parry told Sky Sports News: "For sure we will be doing
something. There is a friendship between the two clubs and
supporters.
"It is now 20 years since Heysel and this is something we
will be giving thought to. We are confident we will get it
right.''
Liverpool are ranked as one of the outsiders for the
competition but Parry believes the Reds are capable of
causing a shock.
He added: "They don't come much bigger, that's for sure.
It's great to be here and we would have taken anyone at this
stage, they all have to be beaten sooner or later.
"We know what European nights are like at Anfield and they
don't come any bigger than this one. They will be two
fantastic occasions."
(TEAMtalk)
Ex-Red Thommo welcomes Juve tie
Liverpool legend Phil Thompson is looking forward to another
exciting European night when the Reds take on Juventus in
the Champions League quarter-final.
The former Anfield captain and assistant boss insists the
two clubs have forged strong links since the Heysel Stadium
disaster of 1985 and believes it is a good draw for
Liverpool.
"We all remember what happened in the past but there has
been a lot of bridge building between Liverpool and Juventus
since Heysel," he says.
"Both clubs are very close and they've worked very hard to
help each other overcome what happened.
"It is a good draw for Liverpool, the only thing is that
they have to play at home first. I always liked to play the
second leg at home because you know what you have to do.
"But it's still a fantastic draw and one that will bring
back a lot of memories, some good and some bad, quite
obviously, but I'm looking forward to what will be a great
night
at Anfield."
(LFC Official Website)
Reds to face Juventus
Liverpool will play Italian giants Juventus in the
quarter-finals of the Champions League.
The first leg will be at home on 5/6 April, with the away
leg to be played on 12/13 April.
Full draw:
Liverpool v Juventus
AC Milan v Inter Milan
Lyon v PSV Eindhoven
Chelsea v Bayern Munich
(LFC Online)
Finnan: More required in the final third
Steve Finnan insists Liverpool need to work harder and break
teams down, starting with Everton on Sunday.
The Reds had very few chances on goal during the 0-0 draw
with Blackburn on Wednesday night, despite having the lion's
share of possession over the 90 minutes.
"Teams do their homework and know how to play against us.
When that happens, you need to create chances or have good
set-pieces, and we had neither of that against Blackburn. We
will need to do a bit more in the final third on Sunday.
"I am looking forward to the game as I missed the last
derby. It would be a disaster for our fans if we lost two in
a season. Everyone has had their eye on the game for a
while.
"The games are starting to run out now, so if we want to
close the gap we need to start winning games, starting on
Sunday."
(LFC Online)
Anfield duo's call-up
Liverpool goalkeepeer Scott Carson and Anfield team-mate
midfielder John Welsh have been called-up for England
Under-21's European Championship doubleheader with Germany
and Azerbaijan later this month.
(Daily Post)
Rafa confident over Kewell fitness
Rafael Benitez believes Harry Kewell will play for Liverpool
again this season and has denied claims he has a poor
relationship with the Aussie star.
Kewell's fitness has been the subject of much debate over
recent months but Benitez is confident the club can find a
solution to his persistent injury problems in time for him
to turn out for the Reds before the end of the campaign.
He said: "The player wants to be fit and we want the best
for him and we are working together.
"We want to see him playing in a few weeks and he wants the
same. I am sure he will play for Liverpool again this
season, we are happy with the situation and are working
towards finding a solution to his problems.
"I don't have any problems with Kewell. Our relationship is
good. We talk and there is no problem. I just want the best
for him and he knows that.
(LFC Official Website)
Strike dilemma for Benitez
Rafael Benitez knows he has to solve Liverpool's goal famine
quickly or miss out on qualifying for the Champions League.
The Anfield boss was an increasingly frustrated spectator on
Wednesday as Blackburn battled their way to a 0-0 draw and
stopped Liverpool significantly closing the gap on fourth
placed Everton.
And much of his exasperation was reserved for unpredictable
top scorer Milan Baros, who has now scored just three in his
last 16 games.
The Czech striker was eventually hauled off in the second
half as Liverpool struggled to a draw that leaves them seven
points adrift of Everton.
(TEAMtalk)
Bruce denies Upson speculation
Birmingham City manager Steve Bruce has denied speculation
linking central defender Matthew Upson with moves to Arsenal
and Liverpool, he also denies that the Gunners have a
buy-back clause in the England international's contract.
Bruce said: "Everyone should be assured that we want to tie
Matt up to a new contract and talks are going nicely.
"We promised we would renegotiate with him after he reached
60 games for us and that's what we have been doing.
"Matt has done brilliantly for us and I have said many times
that he is the best naturally left-sided defender in the
country.
"There has been a lot of speculation, but nobody from
Liverpool has contacted me or anyone on the board, as
regards to Matt.
(Football Rumours) |
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THURSDAY 17 |
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Gerrard relishing 'biggest derby'
Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard said Sunday's Merseyside
derby with Everton could be the biggest of his career.
The Anfield match has extra spice with the Reds chasing
Everton for fourth spot in the Premiership - and lucrative
Champions League qualification.
"This one is about more than pride, there might be millions
at stake," the 24-year-old told LFC magazine.
"They are very emotional games anyway, but this one might
just be the biggest Merseyside derby I've ever played in."
"The winners won't have booked their place in the Champions
League, but they will have struck a real psychological blow
against their rivals," said Gerrard.
"The league is not going to change dramatically between now
and the end of the season so it is vital we cut the gap."
(BBC Sport Online)
Yobo turns up the heat
Everton defender Joseph Yobo has warned Liverpool that
defeat in Sunday's derby will end their pursuit of fourth
place.
Nigerian stopper Yobo believes that should Liverpool fail to
record maximum spoils, Goodison Park will almost certainly
be hosting Champions League football next season.
''If they lose to us or drop points then it will be tough
for them to get into the Champions League,'' confirmed Yobo.
(Sky Sports)
Sunshine honours for Emlyn
The name of football legend Emlyn Hughes will live on in
Merseyside after former colleagues launched an appeal in his
memory.
A charity tribute night will be held to commemorate the
former England and Liverpool captain who died last November
from a brain tumour, aged 57.
Money raised will fund a Sunshine coach to enable
disadvantaged children in the region to go on school trips.
Liverpool Former Players Association will join forces with
the city's Variety Club to throw the fundraiser in Emlyn's
name.
Together they hope to raise more than £20,000.
Emlyn's widow Barbara has backed the idea for a coach
bearing her late
husband's name.
(Liverpool Echo)
Chester extend Foy loan
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has agreed to extend Robbie
Foy's loan spell with Chester City for a further month.
Foy's original deal was due to expire on Sunday but
Liverpool last night agreed to the extension request.
Chester chairman Stephen Vaughan said: "This is great news.
Robbie is an exciting player who has given us an extra
dimension in this department. He links up particularly well
with Michael Branch.
"We would like to thank Liverpool for this extension to
Robbie's loan, it gives all of us at Chester City a great
boost."
(Kop Talk)
Vignal eyes contract talks
Gregory Vignal is hoping to thrash out a contract with
Rangers after Sunday's CIS Cup final.
The French stopper has impressed at Ibrox during a loan
spell from Liverpool, and, with his contract up in the
summer, is targeting a permanent deal with the Glasgow side.
French outfit Marseille have also been sniffing around the
23-year-old, although he now appears to be ready to commit
his future to Rangers after previously turning down an offer
from Alex McLeish's side.
"I love being at Rangers and I hope we can get something
sorted out because I want to remain here.
"It would be even better if I can go into that meeting
having picked up a winner's medal in the CIS final."
(Sky Sports)
Kewell upset over injury slur
Harry Kewell has hit out at Rafael Benitez after feeling the
Liverpool boss questioned the validity of his recent injury
problems.
Benitez said last week: "One day Harry is okay, and the next
he says he is unfit.
"We will talk with the doctor and try and look at his
situation. We don't know exactly what the problem is. It
changes each day.
Kewell has clearly been upset by those comments as he told
The Sun: "For anybody to say I am putting on an act over the
injuries is plain ridiculous and wrong.
"Tell me who in their right mind would not want to finish a
Carling Cup final or play in the Champions League."
Liverpool boss Benitez refused on Tuesday night to be drawn
into a row over the statement made by Kewell.
The Spaniard said: "I don't know what Harry has said but I
am more than happy with the situation.
"At the moment he is with the doctors and they are looking
for a new solution to his problems and I hope to know within
two or three weeks whether that has been successful."
(Sporting Life)
Benitez: We have to win on Sunday now
Rafael Benitez admitted Sunday's Merseyside derby has become
a "must-win" encounter for Liverpool after being held to a
frustrating draw by Blackburn Rovers last night.
"It is very frustrating," said Benitez. "We knew these three
points would have been very important for our season and
though we have one point we have not reduced the gap by very
much.
"We knew Sunday's game against Everton was going to be
important. Now it is even more important.
(Daily Post)
Hughes' glee at Rover's rearguard
Mark Hughes hailed the defensive rock that left Liverpool
struggling to reach the Champions League.
The Blackburn boss saw new skipper Andy Todd and New Zealand
hardman Ryan Nelsen withstand everything Liverpool could
throw at them in a 0-0 draw at Anfield.
"The lads at the back snuffed out everything Liverpool threw
at us, a good performance overall that we are delighted
with."
(Sporting Life) |
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WEDNESDAY 16 |
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Liverpool held by Rovers
A lacklustre Liverpool were held to a draw by Blackburn as
their hopes of catching Everton for a place in the Champions
League suffered a blow.
Liverpool were continually stifled and lacked the creativity
to dissect an uncompromising visitors defence.
Everton boss David Moyes was a spectator at Anfield and he
will have seen little to fear before the Merseyside rivals
meet on Sunday.
(BBC Sport Online)
Liverpool v Rovers - confirmed team
LIVERPOOL: Dudek, Finnan, Pellegrino, Carragher, Warnock,
Hamann, Gerrard, Garcia, Smicer, Baros, Morientes.
SUBS: Carson, Hyypia, Riise, Nunez, Biscan.
(Kop Talk)
Diarra selected for international duty by France
Loaned out Liverpool midfielder Alou Diarra has
been selected for international duty by France following his
impressive performances for Lens.
Raymond Domenech has selected Diarra for France's 2006 World
Cup qualifiers against Switzerland (26th March) and Israel
(30th March).
(Kop Talk)
Moro tipped for Spain recall
Liverpool striker Fernando Morientes is expected to be
recalled to the Spain squad for the forthcoming games
against China and Serbia, while there should be first calls
for Antonio Lopez and Sergio Ramos.
Luis Aragones' side play a friendly against China in
Salamanca next Wednesday before travelling for a crucial
World Cup qualifier against Serbia in Belgrade.
Morientes has not featured for his country since the 3-2
friendly win over Venezuela last August, but should be back
in the fold after finding his feet at Liverpool.
(Sky Sports)
Interest in Liverpool midfielder played
down
Norwich City manager Nigel Worthington claims he is not
interested in signing Liverpool winger Richie Partridge
after he was linked with the player at the weekend.
Worthington said: "The last time I saw Partridge play was
against Norwich City at Highfield Road when he scored a
wonderful goal against us. That's about the strength of it.
There's nothing much in it, to be honest."
(Kop Talk)
Date change for Pompey clash
Liverpool have announced that their Premiership
clash with Portsmouth at Fratton Park, originally scheduled
for Tuesday 19 April, will now take place 24 hours later on
Wednesday 20 April, kick off 7.45pm.
This fixture has been re-arranged due to Portsmouth's league
fixture the previous weekend being played on the Sunday
afternoon.
(LFC Official Website)
Chester looking to tie up Foy deal
Chester City are hoping to extend the loan period of
Liverpool's Robbie Foy this weekend.
Foy has been outstanding in his month loan period since he
joined City, and the club are anxious to continue with his
services.
"Robbie's loan arrangement has to be renewed on March 20,
and we would like to retain him," said City chairman Stephen
Vaughan.
"We would like to acquire Robbie on a permanent basis but at
the moment our main priority is to hopefully lengthen the
loan spell from Liverpool."
(Daily Post)
Benitez brushes off Real reports
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has distanced himself from
speculation linking him with a move to Real Madrid.
Rumours in Spain suggest the Spaniard is set for a summer
return to La Liga with Real preparing to sack present
incumbent Wanderley Luxemburgo.
"Real Madrid is just another rumour. All I'm thinking about
is a win against Blackburn," said Benitez.
"I've got a five-year contract and I can't see why I'm not
going to honour it,"
Benitez added.
(BBC Sport Online)
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Thor Zakariassen
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