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SUNDAY 18 |
Gerrard plays down fitness fears
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard insists he will be fit for
England's European Championship qualifier with Israel in Tel
Aviv on Saturday.
Gerrard appeared to be limping for a while during the first
half after overstretching for the ball - and he was
substituted six minutes from the end of the goalless draw at
Aston Villa.
Before boarding the Liverpool coach, Gerrard said: "I will
be fine - it's only a kick,
don't worry."
(TEAMtalk)
Rafa rounds on Reds
Rafa Benitez admitted he was far from happy with Liverpool's
display after a dismal 0-0 draw with Aston Villa.
"We must try to find positive things after the game - we
have one more point - but I am not happy, no," Benitez told
Sky Sports.
"We were trying to win but really we didn't play well, we
kept the ball and had plenty
of possession but not chances."
(Sky Sports)
O'Neill: We will improve
Martin O'Neill insisted that Aston Villa can play a lot
better following a 0-0 draw with Liverpool that offered
little in the way of entertainment.
"You have reminded me we are in the results business and we
will play better there is absolutely no doubt about it,"
O'Neill told Sky Sports.
"But perhaps getting the point today might actually be
important for us, but we will play better, we can play
better."
(Sky Sports)
Points shared in lifeless tie
Aston Villa produced a dogged performance to halt their
recent slump and hit Liverpool's hopes of claiming third
spot in the Barclays Premiership.
This game will not last long in the memory with neither
goalkeeper hardly called into meaningful action until Villa
goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen denied Reds' substitute Robbie
Fowler in the 90th minute.
Villa will be the more satisfied with the outcome after
winning only two of their previous
17 games - as a share of the spoils edges them nearer to
safety.
Liverpool's performance was a million miles away from the
euphoria which had greeted their two-legged triumph over
Barcelona in the Champions League 11 days ago.
(Ireland.com/PA)
Aston Villa v Liverpool: Confirmed team news
Liverpool are due to kick off shortly at Villa Park (1.35pm
kick off) and the Rafa has just announced the team for this
fixture.
Confirmed Liverpool team:
Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Agger, Riise, Gerrard, Mascherano,
Sissoko, Aurelio,
Bellamy, Kuyt
On the bench: Dudek, Hyypia, Pennant, Fowler, Alonso
(Anfield Online)
FA probe money for Mascherano
The FA have confirmed they will investigate allegations of
financial impropriety surrounding West Ham's signing of
Javier Mascherano last year.
The News of the World claims to have acquired documents
detailing a secret payment of £339,000 in relation to the
September deal, which it says was not disclosed as is
required to the FA.
An FA spokesman said: "We can confirm that we have received
some documents and we will be investigating the matter
further."
The Hammers are already facing a separate charge from the
Premier League regarding the circumstances surrounding their
signings of Mascherano and Carlos Tevez last year.
Mascherano, 22, was registered as a player by Liverpool in
February, with the Premier League satisfied that deal did
not breach any rules.
(TEAMtalk)
Benitez set for Reds talks
Rafa Benitez is hopeful of convincing Liverpool's new owners
to buy into his vision for
the club.
Benitez is to discuss Liverpool's progress with George
Gillett jnr and Tom Hicks as the American pair increase
their involvement in team affairs.
The Spaniard is adamant he sees his long-term future with
The Reds and is hopeful his new paymasters will agree to his
proposals for team strengthening.
"My responsibility is to say to the owners how to improve
the team. I will put my ideas to them. Afterwards they will
decide," said Benitez.
(Sky Sports)
Tel tips Carra for midfield role
England assistant manager Terry Venables believes Jamie
Carragher can be turned into a holding midfielder in the
style of Claude Makelele.
Speaking ahead of England's Euro 2008 double-header with
Israel and Andorra which kicks off next weekend, Venables
revealed his admiration for the Liverpool defender's
versatility.
"Jamie has been outstanding this term," he said in his
column for the News of the World. "It will always be
tempting to play him at the back to accommodate him, John
Terry and Rio Ferdinand.
"Jamie was our best defender in that system in Croatia and I
have no doubts he could cope with the left-back job.
"In fact, he could occupy any back four (position), plus
holding midfielder.
"With work on the training field, I'm confident he could
operate much as Claude Makelele does for Chelsea."
(TEAMtalk) |
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SATURDAY 17 |
Mellberg ut to end reds hoodoo
Olof Mellberg believes victory over bogey side Liverpool on
Sunday can "turn around" Aston Villa's season after a series
of frustrating results have left them anchored in the bottom
half of the Barclays Premiership.
Villa will be searching for their first home win against the
Reds in nine years but more importantly to improve on a
sequence of just two victories in the last 17 league
matches.
The Sweden defender said: "Two wins in 17 matches doesn't
tell the story. You look at Reading, Newcastle, Bolton,
quite a lot of games, where we have created the better
chances, or more chances than the opponents, and haven't
come away with anything.
"I genuinely believe there is not much wrong. You just try
to keep going and hope it is going to turn around.
Mellberg rejects the theory that Liverpool will have their
thoughts on other targets, namely the Champions League,
rather than the bread and butter of the Premiership where
the chances of title glory have disappeared for another
season.
He said: "I don't think that will be the case. There was
talk of it being a good time for us to play Arsenal in
midweek because they are out of the cups and have not much
to play for and they won.
"The top sides always want to win games and always seem to
perform especially at the end of seasons. We just need to
keep going and be on top of our game."
(PA Sport)
Carew reveals Prem snub
John Carew has revealed he rejected overtures from both
Liverpool and Tottenham before settling on a move to England
in joining Aston Villa.
The big Norwegian has settled into the hurly burly nature of
the Premiership with few difficulties, since arriving in the
January transfer window and while Villa's results have been
less than impressive, Carew has shown plenty of promise.
Carew moved to Villa Park in an exchange deal that took
Milan Baros to Lyon and while still convinced he made the
right decision in joining Villa, a move to England could
have materialised sooner.
"I have rejected (England) several times," Carew revealed to
VG.
"Tottenham and Liverpool have both tried twice during the
last four years.
"Gerard Houllier called me and Tottenham tried in January
last year, but I was at Lyon and not interested."
(Sky Sports)
O'Neill tips Reds to launch title tilt
Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill is backing Liverpool to
end 17 miserable years by winning the league title next
season.
O'Neill, whose team take on the Reds at Villa Park in the
Premiership on Sunday, believes Rafael Benitez's side are
close to challenging for the top prize in this country.
The Irishman expected Liverpool to be featuring more
strongly this season but initial poor away form and new
players taking time to gel has left them playing catch-up to
Manchester United and Chelsea.
O'Neill said: "I think you look at the start of next season
and, with the squad Liverpool have, and if they get their
away form right immediately, they can win the title.
"Manchester United and Chelsea are fine sides and have been
consistently good but I don't think Liverpool are as far
away from winning the Championship as some might mention.
"It is not going to happen this season but they have brought
in a lot of players and it takes time for them to gel.
"They have strengthened their squad considerably and, having
had a couple of years to look at Manchester United and
Chelsea, they have realised what it takes.
"They didn't win away for a while this season, and that was
a bit of frustration for them, but they got it right now and
are a formidable team."
(TEAMtalk) |
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FRIDAY 16 |
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Stadium review is a good idea says Benitez
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez said on Friday he supported
the decision of new owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett to
review the plans for the club's proposed stadium.
The Americans have halted preparatory work to set up a
review of the new stadium to discover if they can increase
the proposed 60,000 capacity.
"We talked about 60,000 fans, that would be fantastic but
now we're talking about 70 or 80,000 and that would be
better," Benitez told reporters on Friday.
(Reuters)
Reds land Scots starlet
Liverpool have agreed a deal to sign Scottish youngster Gary
Mackay Steven.
The Ross County starlet has signed a pre-contract with the
English titans and will arrive at Anfield this summer.
It is believed Liverpool have agreed a six-figure sum with
Ross County as way of compensation for Mackay Steven.
The 17-year-old had a trial at Bolton recently, but
Liverpool have stolen a march on their rivals by luring the
teenager to Merseyside.
A Ross County statement read: "Gary will head for the
Anfield club's prestigious academy at the end of the English
season.
"We look forward to seeing him light up the Premiership in
the coming years."
(Sky Sports)
Stevie and Carra in England squad
Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher have been included in
Steve McClaren's England squad for the upcoming Euro 2008
qualifiers against Israel and Andorra.
England travel to Tel Aviv to play Israel on March 24 and
then take on Andorra in Barcelona on March 28.
Also named in the 23-man squad is Liverpool's out on loan
goalkeeper Scott Carson.
Peter Crouch misses out as a result of his recent nose
operation.
England are currently third in qualifying group E, three
points behind leaders Croatia.
(LFC Official Webste)
Idrizaj sent on loan to Luton
Besian Idrizaj has become the latest Liverpool
reserve player to be sent out on loan.
The Austrian striker has joined Championship strugglers
Luton Town until the end of
the season.
Idrizaj, 19, signed for the Reds from Linzer ASK in the
summer of 2005.
He netted twice for the reserves after coming off the bench
against Wigan Athletic on Tuesday but is yet to make his
first team bow.
(LFC Official Website)
Fowler back in contention
Robbie Fowler will find himself back in the
Liverpool squad for the away game at Aston Villa on Sunday,
having failed to even make the bench for the last two games
against Manchester United and Barcelona.
With Peter Crouch now out until the beginning of next month
as he recovers from an operation to repair his broken nose,
boss Rafael Benitez has little option but to recall Fowler,
who many believe will not have his contract renewed in the
summer.
This will be Liverpool’s first match since they knocked
holders Barcelona out of the Champions League, and the
Merseysiders will need to improve on a recent run of four
points from the last 12 that has allowed Arsenal to claim
third spot from them in the Premier League.
Provisional squad: Reina, Arbeloa, Finnan, Carragher,
Hyypia, Agger, Riise, Aurelio, Pennant, Sissoko, Gerrard,
Alonso, Bellamy, Kuyt, Fowler, Dudek, Mascherano,
Zenden, Gonzalez.
(Ireland On-Line)
Villa relish idea of giving Berger a
chance
Patrik Berger prepares to face old club Liverpool on Sunday
- with Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill insisting he now
has an "open mind" on the future of the midfielder.
Berger's days looked numbered at Villa Park after he refused
to play in a reserve match in December and was loaned out to
Stoke after being fined by O'Neill.
Now O'Neill has dropped the biggest hint yet that the former
Czech Republic international could have some part to play
beyond the current campaign.
Berger may even come into contention for a starting place on
Sunday.
(Liverpool Echo)
O'Neill defends bad-boy Bellamy
Martin O'Neill has added fuel to the fire that Craig Bellamy
may be on his summer shopping list by heaping praise on
Liverpool's "nutter with a putter".
O'Neill managed the controversial Welsh striker at Celtic
for four months and insists he was never an ounce of
trouble, and described him as "nothing short of brilliant".
He said: "He is a very good, and very intelligent player
indeed.
"He has got pace but he uses the ball very well, considering
that he is known for being a bit petulant. To me, he was so
good to work with in the couple of months that we had.
"In fact, he was nothing short of brilliant for us."
(Birmingham Mail)
Peltier completes Hull loan move
Liverpool youngster Lee Peltier has today joined Hull City
on an emergency loan deal.
Peltier, 20, has made four first team appearances for the
Reds and will be at the KC Stadium until May 7.
(LFC Official Website)
Barry praises Gerrard
Gareth Barry has sung the praises of Steven Gerrard.
The Aston Villa captain will line up against Gerrard when
the Reds visit Villa Park on Sunday. It's a clash the Villa
midfielder is eagerly awaiting.
"He is a world-class player. It is always good playing
against these sort of players, and he is certainly one of
the best at the moment. He is an influential leader for
Liverpool, and any captain in the country can look to him
and see how he inspires their team week in and week out,"
said Barry.
"There is a lot to learn from a player like that. I believe
it certainly helps being in midfield when you are captain
because you can drive the team on from that position. It is
an easier role from where to try and inspire your
team-mates."
(LFC Online)
Under 18's beaten
Liverpool under 18's were beaten by Sheffield Wednesday
yesterday lunchtime.
The Reds fell to a 1-0 defeat yesterday but it was a scratch
side sent out by John Owens as Liverpool rested their
players ahead of Monday's FA Youth Cup semi-final second leg
game with Newcastle.
(LFC Online)
Finnan named in Ireland's Euro squad
Liverpool full-back Steve Finnan has been named in the
Republic of Ireland squad for the forthcoming Euro 2008
qualifiers against Wales and Slovakia.
Both games will take place at Croke Park in Dublin, on March
24 and 28 respectively.
Limerick-born Finnan currently has 43 full international
caps to his name.
(LFC Official Website)
Thor Zakariassen
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