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MONDAY 18 |
Barry to Liverpool
predicts Merson
Ex-Villa midfielder Paul Merson believes Liverpool’s title
hopes for next season could rest on whether they succeed in
prising Gareth Barry away from the Midlands.
The claret and blue skipper has been widely tipped to move
to Merseyside this summer, a year after his switch to
Anfield collapsed.
Having narrowly missed out to Manchester United in this
year’s Championship race, Merson - who played for Villa from
1998 to 2002 - reckons they could go one better with Barry
on board.
The former Walsall manager said: “I expect Liverpool to be a
real force next season.
“If they get players like Gareth Barry in over the summer
they could nick the title next year.”
(Express & Star)
Olsson plays down Gerrard spat
West Brom defender Jonas Olsson has played down his on-field
spat with Steven Gerrard in Liverpool's 2-0 win at The
Hawthorns.
Olsson hit out at the England international in first-half
stoppage-time on Sunday as he thought the Reds' maestro had
dived under a challenge in search of a penalty.
The 26-year-old Swedish stopper says the incident has not
diminished his respect for the Liverpool playmaker, saying
he still regards him as one of the world's best.
Olsson has conceded his display at the back end of the game
was not quite up to scratch, although he feels defenders are
always going to come off second best against the likes of
Gerrard, Fernando Torres and
Dirk Kuyt.
"I screamed at him, 'You're too good to dive like that',"
Olsson told Aftonbladet. "He said that he didn't dive and
that it was a penalty.
"There is always banter going on during the game, especially
in the heat of the moment. But I have the utmost respect for
Gerrard. He is one of the best players in the world.
"It is one-on-one at the end. During the last half hour, I
faced Gerrard, Torres and Kuyt, that means there will be
chances. When Kuyt made it 2-0 I wasn't perfect, but it is a
tough situation."
(Sky Sports)
Liverpool accept
Swansea bid for Anderson
Liverpool have accepted a bid from Swansea for winger Paul
Anderson.
The 20-year-old spent last season at Nottingham Forest,
helping to win the battle for Championship survival.
But he spent the previous campaign at Swansea on a year's
loan, playing a lead role as they won the League One title.
Forest are in talks with Liverpool about securing his
services but Swansea now look set to hijack any possible
move to the City Ground.
(Nottingham Evening Post)
Euro glory for
Reds youngster
Chris Buchtmann has been crowned a European champion after
Germany claimed a dramatic extra-time victory in the final
of the UEFA European Under-17 Championships this afternoon.
The Academy star played the majority of his country's clash
with Holland in Magdeburg and added another assist to his
tournament quota as they came from behind to secure a narrow
2-1 triumph.
A keenly contested second period ensued but neither side
could make the breakthrough and after being booked in the
opening minute of extra-time Buchtmann was substituted.
However, Germany continued to press and the Liverpool star
was quick to join the celebrations after Florian Trinks'
sensational free-kick three minutes from time won the cup
for the hosts.
(LFC Official Website) |
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SUNDAY 17 |
Benitez withholds
Ferguson praise
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez refused to congratulate
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson for beating his
side to the Premier
League title.
"I prefer just to say well done to the club, a big club, a
good club," he said after Liverpool beat West Brom 2-0.
"Normally you have to be polite and respect the other
manager but during the season we have seen a lot of things
that I didn't like, so that's it.
"I say congratulations to United because they have won. And
that's it."
Benitez's comments will only serve to continue the on-going
feud between the two managers as they have traded blows
while their teams have battled for the league crown.
(BBC Sport Online)
Carra explains
Arbeloa exchange
Jamie Carragher has insisted Pepe Reina's bid for this
season's Golden Glove award was behind his on-field
disagreement with Alvaro Arbeloa during Liverpool's 2-0
victory at West Brom.
"We can't win the league now but there are a number of
targets we can aim for," said Carragher after the game. "We
want to keep a clean sheet and we want Pepe to have a chance
of the Golden Glove for the third season running. Pepe is
one behind Van der Sar now and there's a chance Van der Sar
won't play next week, so we wanted to make sure he got a
clean sheet today.
(LFC Official Website)
Benitez hails Reds'
winning mentality
Rafael Benitez has paid tribute to his Liverpool players
following the 2-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion.
"We were looking for some targets: 83 points, a club record
in the Premier League; 13 victories away - also a record. We
also wanted to score goals and keep a clean sheet and for us
I think this guarantees second position. We also wanted to
stay as close as possible to United."
(Shanklygates)
Baggies relegated
after Reds defeat
West Brom were sent packing from The Premier League as
Liverpool put the disappointment of missing out on the title
behind them to deliver a knock-out blow to Tony Mowbray’s
side.
The Reds overcame the heartache of seeing Manchester United
lift the Premier League trophy on Saturday to stroll to a
2-0 victory at The Hawthorns without breaking into a sweat.
After a bright start to the game, the hosts pressed the
self-destruct button as Shelton Martis made a horrendous
mistake to allow Liverpool to take the lead through Steven
Gerrard.
And Dirk Kuyt rounded off proceedings in the second half
with a sharp finish form outside the area.
The Reds' victory was soured somewhat, however, by an
unsavoury incident as the game drew to a close with
defenders Jamie Carragher and Alvaro Arbeloa given a stern
talking to by referee Martin Atkinson for having an on-pitch
scuffle.
Carragher took exception to some sloppy defending from the
Spaniard to give him a piece of his mind, before the pair
had to be dragged apart by Xabi Alonso.
(Setanta Sports)
Lucas, Agger and Insua
start at Hawthorns
Lucas Leiva retains his place in the centre of midfield for
this afternoon's clash with West Brom, while Emiliano Insua
and Daniel Agger come in.
Xabi Alonso is fit enough to join Martin Skrtel and Fabio
Aurelio on the bench after recovering from Joey Barton's
horror tackle.
The Reds XI in full is: Reina, Carragher, Agger, Arbeloa,
Insua, Mascherano, Lucas, Kuyt, Gerrard, Benayoun, Torres.
Subs: Cavalieri, Dossena, Alonso, Riera, Babel, Ngog,
Skrtel.
(LFC Official Website)
Rafa eyes key
Liverpool additions
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is eyeing a series of shrewd
summer spending as he bids to close the gap on three-time
champions Manchester United.
The Reds have failed to win a Premier League title but this
year came close - taking United almost to the wire.
Benitez knows he must strengthen his squad in the summer to
bridge the gap - but as Liverpool lack the financial might
of the Red Devils, he must buy wisely.
"On the pitch we must perform at the same level, but you
need to bring in new players and maintain the same level and
keep the competition between the players - with everybody
working hard and trying to be positive because there is a
big difference every year in terms of money."
(TEAMtalk)
Gerrard: I have matured
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has revealed he is 'really
pleased' that his off-field problems have not affected his
form this season.
Gerrard has pleaded not guilty to a charge of affray
following an alleged incident at a nightclub in late
December following Liverpool's win at Newcastle United.
There were suggestions that the midfielder's performances on
the pitch could suffer as a result of the charge, but
Gerrard was a key figure in the Reds' ultimately
unsuccessful bid for the Premier League title.
The 28-year-old admits his form may have been affected by
such issues a few seasons ago, but believes his increased
maturity has enabled him to maintain his performance level.
"I've had to deal with a situation this season that's been
difficult and if that had happened to me four or five years
ago, it would have affected my form, I've no doubts about
that," the Footballer of the Year told
The People.
"But with age, experience and maturity I have learned to
park my problems or things on my mind until after a game. I
have learned to deal with it in my own way and get on with
life."
(Sky Sports) |
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SATURDAY 16 |
Title race over
but the signs are promising
Arsenal’s failure to take three points at Old Trafford on
Saturday lunchtime means the Premier League title remains
Man United’s for a third successive season, and gives them
their record equalling 18th League Championship.
No Liverpool supporter in their right mind would have
imagined 19 years ago when the Reds won their 18th title,
that it would be possible for United to equal our record
before we won it again.
But im not going to dwell on the last 19 years, we need to
look at the present and the future.
(Matt Ladson - This is Anfield)
Segura named
Reds academy manager
Former Olympiacos boss and Barcelona coach Jose Segura has
been appointed Liverpool academy technical manager.
The 48-year-old worked in Barcelona's youth system and with
Barca's B team before winning the Greek league and cup
double with Olympiacos last year.
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez said: "We've worked hard to
bring in the best people and Jose is a great appointment.
"He's worked with top young talent in Spain and knows the
challenges faced in bringing players through."
Segura will succeed Piet Hamberg who leaves at the end of
the season.
"He's also got experience at the top after his success with
Olympiacos and I'm delighted that he's agreed to join us,"
Benitez added.
(BBC Sport Online)
Alonso wants to stay a Red
Xabi Alonso has made it clear he does not wish to be a
victim of Rafael Benitez's summer rebuilding at Anfield.
Last summer Alonso found himself being used as a bargaining
tool as Benitez fought to bring in Aston Villa's Gareth
Barry and he has again been mentioned as a possible source
of cash.
He said: "It is just rumours and you can't be talking about
them. It is more important to think of improving here."
(Teletext)
Bruce warning for Liverpool
Wigan manager Steve Bruce has warned Liverpool it could take
them years to break Manchester United's stranglehold on the
Barclays
Premier League.
Former United captain Bruce knows from experience how tough
it is to end a long period without the title.
He said: "It will be very, very difficult for them to
overtake United again. The first time is always the most
difficult after so long."
(Teletext)
Rafa wants 86 points
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is calling upon his players to
gain maximum points from their final two games of the season
and set a new club record of total points in the Premier
League.
The Reds currently sit second in the table with 80 points, 6
points behind league leaders Manchester Utd, who could win
the title with a draw at home to Arsenal tomorrow.
(This is Anfield)
Thor Zakariassen
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