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TUESDAY 18 |
Riise quiet on Toon talk
Liverpool defender John Arne Riise has refused to comment on
speculation linking him with a summer move to Newcastle,
according to the player's representative.
The Norwegian international, who is also capable of playing
in midfield, has fallen out of favour at Anfield this season
with Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez preferring the pairing of
Fabio Aurelio and Ryan Babel on the Reds' left-hand side.
However, Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan is rumoured to be an
admirer of Riise, who joined Liverpool from Monaco in 2001
for £4.6million.
Keegan is understood to be keen to bolster his shaky defence
in the summer after shipping 57 goals so far this term.
However, Riise's representative - Jan Kvalheim - insists the
27-year-old, who has also been linked with a move to Aston
Villa, will not add weight to the speculation.
"This is just speculation and John Arne will not comment on
this," Kvalheim told the Dagbladet website.
(Sky Sports)
El Nino turns back the clock on Merseyside
Fernando Torres brought to an end a dozen years of waiting
at Anfield on Saturday as he became the first Liverpool
striker to notch 20 league goals in a season since Robbie
Fowler.
Torres' characteristically clinical winner against Reading
saw the Spanish striker rack up a score of goals in the
Premier League to provide Liverpool with the heroic frontman
they have been craving for over a decade.
To place the 12-year itch in context it is first necessary
to turn the clock back to 1996 when Liverpool - albeit
without any real success under the management of the last of
the Bootroom bosses Roy Evans - were playing some of the
most eye-catching football in the country and one of
Merseyside's favourite sons, Fowler, was banging in the
goals.
or Torres to reinforce his status there is also the
mouth-watering Champions League-Premier League trilogy with
Arsenal to come in April.
(Sky Sports)
Lucas praises Rafa rotation
Liverpool’s Brazilian midfielder Lucas Leiva has hailed Rafa
Benitez’s much-maligned rotation system for giving him the
opportunity to show-off his talents in The Premier League.
Lucas was a £7 million summer signing from Brazilian club
Gremio and has since forced his way into a Liverpool
midfield packed full of superstars.
And the 21-year-old claims if it were not for Benitez’s
constant alterations, he would never have got a look in
alongside Steven Gerrard, Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano.
“Gerrard is undoubtedly the face of Liverpool Football Club,
possibly the face of English football,” Lucas told
globoesporte.
“But we can play together and have already done so to good
effect. The manager, Rafa Benitez, has a philosophy whereby
he likes to rotate, sometimes four players from game to
game. And this has worked to my advantage.”
(Setanta Sports)
Liverpool have have steel
and style to beat Manchester United
Liverpool are on a fantastic run of form at the moment,
having won their last seven games – but their trip to Old
Trafford on Sunday is the biggest test so far.
Manchester United are going for the title and they have some
wonderful players, particularly in attack.
But I honestly believe Liverpool can go there and win
because I think they are playing well enough to beat any
team in this country and the rest of Europe at the moment.
This is no disrespect to United, who have set the standards
for others to live up to for some time now and they remain
the team to beat in this country.
Getting a positive result against them will be as tough as
ever, particularly with them battling for the title, but
Liverpool are playing so well at the moment they should go
there with confidence that they can beat them.
(Ian Rush - Liverpool Echo)
Alonso: We're up for United showdown
Xabi Alonso has insisted Liverpool's seven game winning
streak has given them a reason to be excited by the prospect
of taking on Manchester United at Old Trafford.
The North West giants meet on Easter Sunday in one of the
most eagerly awaited fixtures of the Premiership calendar
and Alonso believes Liverpool are going into it in fine
fettle.
He said: “We are in a good moment, playing well and scoring
goals, and now we have to think of the next game against Man
United.
“It is going to be a big game, playing at Old Trafford, we
know their qualities but we are really looking forward to
it.”
(Liverpool Echo)
Benitez: Schedule not fair on clubs
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has hit out at an
international schedule which will see several of his players
travelling around the world just days before the Merseyside
derby.
A 2-1 victory over Reading at Anfield on Saturday, coupled
with Everton’s 1-0 defeat to Fulham at Craven Cottage on
Sunday has seen Liverpool edge three points ahead of their
neighbours in the battle to secure the final Champions
League qualification spot.
However, Benitez is seething over the prospect of sweating
on the return of many of his star performers barely 48 hours
before they lock horns with David Moyes’s side on March 30.
Like many Premier League managers, Benitez is frustrated by
having to release his big names for effectively meaningless
international friendly fixtures at a crucial stage of the
season.
Benitez, who was without Fernando Torres for the trip to
Chelsea this season after the striker was injured while
playing for Spain, is particularly galled at in-form
midfielder Javier Mascherano having to travel to Egypt with
Argentina.
(Liverpool Daily Post)
Lindfield nets hat-trick as Reds win again
Craig Lindfield netted a hat-trick while Martin Kelly and
Mikel San Jose were also on target as Liverpool's reserves
thrashed Mexican outfit Tigres 5-1 in their second game in
the Dr Pepper Dallas Cup.
Gary Ablett's men, who smashed seven goals past FK Slavija,
in their opening match of the tournament, have maintained
their position at the top of Super Group B and now seem
certainties to move into the semi-finals of the competition.
Despite the convincing scoreline, Ablett was less than
impressed with his side's performance at Richland College
field, and believes that playing two games in as many days
may have caught up with his youngsters.
Liverpool are hoping to welcome Hungarian trio Krisztian
Nemeth, Peter Gulacsi and Andras Simon to the squad in time
for Wednesday's game after sorting out the paperwork issues
which have delayed their entry into the USA.
(LFC Official Website) |
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MONDAY 17 |
Rafa breathes life into title challenge
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez revived The Reds’ Premier League
title challenge on Monday, suggesting his team could sneak
up on the blindside if they win their next five matches.
Benitez’s men face Manchester United and Everton, before
their league trip to Arsenal is sandwiched in between two
Champions League quarter final ties – also against The
Gunners.
Benitez has never been one to talk up his side’s chances,
but he admits his men are no longer simply playing for
fourth place.
"How near we finish to the top now will be interesting. We
have been criticised this season, but let us see where we
are in three or four weeks,” said the Spaniard.
"We have important games and if we win them we will be a lot
closer. If we can beat Manchester United we will be closer
to the top, and that will give us more confidence.
"If we beat Everton after that then we will be closer still.
Maybe, maybe we can be closer if we do not talk too much
about it.
"Do we have a point to prove? Maybe, but only if we can keep
winning three points."
(Setanta Sports)
Monster fee maybe, but Mascherano is worth it
When any club splashes out £20 million on one player the
expectation in the stands is only exceeded by that in the
boardroom and dugout.
And while Fernando Torres had already lived up to his price
tag even before he became the first striker since Robbie
Fowler to score 20 league goals for the Reds on Saturday,
the club's other big signing was adding a silver lining to
his first full season too.
Javier Mascherano has simply been a revelation since his
high profile and turbid switch to Anfield little more than
12 months ago.
The Argentinian battle-axe was saved from his nightmare at
West Ham by Rafa Benitez last February and one year on he
finally put pen to paper on a permanent four-year deal with
the Reds just two weeks ago.
In just one year the 23-year-old from San Lorenzo has become
as popular at Anfield as superstar hitman Torres or even
home-grown idols Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher.
While Saturday's equaliser against Reading may only have
been his second goal in over four years and 112 club
matches, the 'Little Chief' – as he is known in his homeland
– was already worth every penny in the eyes of supporters.
That's probably why no questions were asked on the Kop when
the bill from sporting group MSI arrived at Anfield.
Liverpool fans knew that they had one of the best anchor men
in the world, desperate to prove himself in a red shirt.
Every successful team in the modern game requires a
defensive midfielder and in Mascherano Liverpool have a true
master of the art.
(Nick Peet - Liverpool Echo)
Shankly's granddaughter backs fans group
Bill Shankly's granddaughter Karen Gill has become patron of
the supporters' group Spirit Of shankly.
"In these times of corporate gluttony, I am truly heartened
to discover that there are still so many people who embody
my granddad's spirit," she said of the group which was set
up to fight US ownership of Liverpool FC.
"It's an Olympic spirit - passionate pure and true. It's a
dream of greatness and glory which comes from dedication,
hard work and integrity. In this dream, money is only a
means to an end, it's not the end itself.
"My granddad had a dream for Liverpool Football Club and you
are all helping to keep that dream alive.
"It's the people with dreams who achieve things in the end
because they have a vision which drives them on.
"We know Bill Shankly 'made the people happy', but I know
that you would have all made him happy were he alive to see
this legendary support today.
"I speak on behalf of the Shankly family when I say that we
are wholeheartedly behind the Sprit Of Shankly."
(LFC Online)
Mascherano: I just went crazy
Javier Mascherano today told of his joy at scoring his first
Liverpool
goal – but pledged to continue putting the needs of the team
before personal glory.
Mascherano capped another magnificent personal performance
for the Reds against Reading on Saturday when he scored a
brilliant equaliser and went wild with delight.
He admitted getting carried away when the ball hit the back
of the net
in front of the Kop.
“It was an incredible moment,” he said.
“I have not scored a goal since I was at River Plate, so to
score one for Liverpool – and in front of the Kop as well –
was really special.
“I can’t really describe the feeling but I know I celebrated
like I had
gone crazy."
(Liverpool Echo)
Villa hints at Los Che departure
Valencia striker David Villa has revealed for the first time
that he may be on his way out of the Mestalla at the end of
the current campaign.
The diminutive Spanish striker has lost faith in Los Che's
ability to challenge the top clubs in La Liga and he
believes a move away would be beneficial for his career.
Liverpool and Chelsea have been linked with Villa, while
Tottenham are believed to be the latest club to have shown a
strong interest and the player admits he would be willing to
discuss a transfer.
Villa told Goal: "I have always listened when there have
been offers and I am still determined to do what is best for
my career, but of course with the consent of the club as I
have a contract.
"I have to think about my future and that is what I am going
to do. I will listen to anything, like I always have."
(TEAMtalk)
Carragher hails Torres
Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has backed Fernando
Torres to be the difference in their crucial run of
fixtures.
The Reds face Manchester United this weekend before taking
on Everton and then Arsenal in three games that could define
Liverpool's season.
Torres helped Liverpool to record their seventh win on the
spin on Saturday with the winner in the 2-1 victory over
Reading.
Carragher is relishing Liverpool's testing fixture schedule
and he believes Torres can help them overcome their rivals.
"Their top defenders will relish showing him what they can
do but, let's face it, he's on fire at the moment and he can
turn our season," Carragher told The Mirror.
(Sky Sports)
Seven up for Liverpool, but the big test comes next
And to think the last time Liverpool went into a fixture
with Reading they were unbeaten in the Premier League.
Imagine if you’d offered their supporters a glimpse into the
future back then and told them that, a little more than
three months later, they would be going into their next
meeting looking for a seventh successive win.
They could have been forgiven thinking such a run would
merely re-affirm their title credentials. Telling them it
would have had that effect on their claims for fourth place
would have soon wiped the smiles off the faces.
An indication, since that first defeat at the Madejski, of
just how much devastation the most turbulent of winters has
left in its wake.
Of course, keep this form up and fourth might yet not be the
extent of
the ambitions.
But the fact remains that Liverpool still need to take a
reality check before anyone gets too excited.
(Nick Smith - Liverpool Daily Post)
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SUNDAY 16 |
Moyes backs Liverpool to claim fourth... again
David Moyes has once again tipped Liverpool to finish
fourth, after his side's defeat at Fulham left them three
points adrift of the Reds.
Having almost completed the Psychology for Dummies book the
Everton boss received for Christmas, he stretched his
knew-found knowledge after the 1-0 defeat at Craven Cottage.
"Liverpool were always favourites, I've said that many
times," he muttered. "We are just going to try and win as
many as we can and keep going."
Application for the Intertoto Cup now looks to have been a
wise move for the Blue.
(LFC Online)
Gillett receiving threats from angry fans
George Gillett is apparently receiving threats from fans
demanding he not sell his stake in Liverpool Football Club
to his partner Tom Hicks, according to the Daily Post.
"George has assured the club he's not prepared to sell Tom
even half a per cent, never mind one per cent," said one
source close to the club.
"While the focus has been on what Hicks and Dubai
International Capital want to do, it seems people have been
ignoring the man who'll really decide who he sells his stake
to."
(LFC Online)
Alonso delighted with perfect week
Xabi Alonso reflected on a perfect week after he celebrated
the birth of his first child by helping the Reds maintain
their hopes of a fourth place finish with victory over
Reading.
The Spanish playmaker missed the famous midweek win over
Inter Milan at the San Siro to witness the arrival of his
new-born son, but capped
a memorable seven days by returning to play an important
role in the win over Steve Coppell's men.
"It's been a great week, for the club of course and for me
personally,"
said Alonso.
"It's really exciting and I am happy with everything at the
moment."
(LFC Official Website)
Liverpool FC stadium:
Club looks for quick decision
Liverpool FC’s third stadium design is now being scrutinised
by town hall planners.
The proposal, revealed by the Liverpool Daily Post in
January, was drawn up by Dallas-based architects HKS after
the club’s American owners decided the previous idea was too
expensive.
Because of a technicality, the Reds were allowed to submit
an amended version of their second planning application,
which was approved by councillors late last year.
In theory, it should take council officials less time to
assess than
an entirely new document, speeding up the planning process.
But no date has yet been set for the planning committee to
meet and discuss the proposal for a 60,000-seater stadium at
Stanley Park.
(Liverpool Daily Post)
Sky Sports under fire for "anti Liverpool FC bias"
Sky Sports was under fire last night over claims the
broadcaster was biased in its commentary of Liverpool's
Champions League victory over Inter Milan.
A legion of angry fans have accused top pundit Andy Gray of
favouring the Italian champions over the British club with
his comments.
Now Reds supporters are threatening a boycott of the
broadcasting giant unless ex Everton star Gray is removed
from the commentary team for their club's televised games.
The #20,0000-a-week Scottish pundit incensed Kop fans by
branding the sending off of Inter midfielder Nicolas
Burdisso "shocking", claiming Liverpool star Lucas commited
the foul.
And he got their backs up further by appearing to sound down
when Fernando Torres bagged the goal that killed the tie and
sent his team into the last 16. Gray said: "It's game over I
guess."
(Sky Sports)
Thor Zakariassen
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