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TUESDAY 18 |
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Wigan res v Liverpool res - confirmed team
LIVERPOOL RES: Jerzy Dudek, David Raven, Zak Whitbread,
Godwin Antwi, Danny O'Donnell, Jack Hobbs, Darren Potter,
David Mannix, Ramon Calliste, Besian Idrizaj, Danny Guthrie.
SUBS: James Smith, Paul Willis, Lee Peltier, Adam Hammill,
Michael Nardiello.
(Kop Talk)
Jestrovic wants to hurt Reds
Anderlecht's Serbian striker Nenad Jestrovic knows a thing
or two about scoring goals and is backing himself to find
the net against Liverpool.
The prolific 29-year-old, nicknamed 'Jestrogol' by the
Belgian club's fans has scored eight goals in eight matches
in the Jupiler League this season and recalls a strike for
his national team in the 2-1 defeat to England two years ago
as a major highlight of his career.
Jestrovic has scored a total of 55 goals in 76 games in
Belgium and, according to his representative Sam Stapleton,
his exploits have attracted interest from Wigan, Sunderland,
West Ham, Leeds and Sheffield United.
And the Serbian international, who expects to feature in the
World Cup in Germany next year, hopes to further underline
his reputation against Raphael Benitez's side.
He said: "I respect Liverpool - they're the Champions League
champions and they played well last year - but I can score
against them. Why not?"
(TEAMtalk)
Strike power boosts Reds
Rafa Benitez flew out with his Liverpool squad for Belgium
today with a big boost on the striker front.
The Reds boss has a genuine selection dilemma for the first
time in months with four fully fit strikers vying for a
starting place against Anderlecht.
Fernando Morientes and Florent Sinama-Pongolle will fight it
out with Peter Crouch and Djibril Cisse, evidence Benitez
believes shows the battle for the front positions is finally
hotting up.
Steven Gerrard remained on Merseyside for treatment today
but is still on course to face Fulham this weekend.
(Liverpool Echo)
Liverpool: Double deal imminent
Clubcall has learned that Liverpool have put deals in place
to sign Benfica captain Simao Sabrosa and Chilean
international Mark Gonzalez in January, writes Kevin
Hatchard.
(Clubcall.com)
Reports: Benitez secures
verbal agreement with La Liga ace
Yesterday's news reports that Liverpool were closing in on
Real Madrid defender Ivan Helguera have made the tabloids in
Britain today.
Basically it is suggested today that Rafael Benitez has a
verbal agreement in place with the player that will see him
become a Red in the summer.
(Kop Talk)
Arsenal linked with Kirkland
Arsenal have been linked with a move for Liverpool
goalkeeper Chris Kirkland.
Kirkland is currently on a season long loan to West Brom and
has already expressed his desire to leave Liverpool and join
the Baggies on a permanent move at the end of
the season.
(LFC Online)
Hyypia expected to return
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez must decide whether to end
defender Sami Hyypia's proud European record when the
Champions League holders face Anderlecht in Brussels.
Hyypia, rested on Saturday for the Barclays Premiership win
over Blackburn after two internationals for Finland, has
played every minute of the last 52 Liverpool games in Europe
since October 2001.
Liverpool played a three-man backline against Blackburn, but
it is expected Hyypia will return to the heart of the
defence.
Steven Gerrard is still out injured while Harry Kewell is
also in the squad and could play some part in the match,
having not figured in the Anfield side's first team since
the European Cup final.
Liverpool (from): Reina, Finnan, Josemi, Hyypia, Carragher,
Traore, Warnock, Luis Garcia, Hamann, Alonso, Sissoko,
Zenden, Kewell, Morientes, Crouch, Cisse, Sinama-Pongolle,
Carson, Riise.
(Sporting Life)
Zenden makes rotation admission
Liverpool midfielder Boudewijn Zenden believes he will have
to come to terms with the rotation policy of boss Rafael
Benitez to succeed at Anfield.
Zenden made a rare start in Saturday's win over Blackburn
and said: "Maybe it was my best game for Liverpool so far.
"It is not always easy to be in and out but that is how the
manager works and it is up to the players how they adapt.
"I was allowed to play in the middle more and support the
strikers and I think we caused a lot of problems."
Zenden moved to Liverpool on a free transfer during the
summer after an impressive spell at Middlesbrough.
He added: "I was pleased because I like to get forward and
in the middle you are more involved and you are always
around the ball."
(BBC Sport Online) |
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MONDAY 17 |
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Xavier suspended after drugs test
Middlesbrough's Portuguese defender Abel Xavier has been
suspended by Fifa from all competitions after a positive
drugs test, the club has announced.
The 32-year-old former Liverpool player was tested after the
Uefa Cup tie against Xanthi on 29 September and produced a
positive sample.
A statement on the club website said it "does not feel it is
in a position to make any comment at this time."
Xavier is expected to make a public statement on Tuesday
morning.
(BBC Sport Online)
Rafa: Cisse could start on Wednesday
Rafael Benitez has hinted that Djibril Cisse may retain his
place in the starting eleven when Liverpool travel to
Belgium to take on Anderlecht in the Champions League on
Wednesday.
The French international scored the winner on Saturday
against Blackburn Rovers and Benitez revealed with
Anderlecht desperate for a win, the striker may be used to
exploit openings in the opposition's defence.
"It is a possibility," Benitez claimed when questioned by
the press about whether or not Cisse would start on
Wednesday. "Anderlecht know they must win to have any chance
of qualifying and they realise this could be their last
chance. If they attack high up the pitch, we will have
chances to exploit and maybe Cisse will start."
(LFC Official Website)
Hamann chooses Reds over Germany
Didi Hamann has chosen club over country in the run up to
the World Cup.
With Germany automatically qualifying for the 2006 World Cup
as hosts the German national team have just played a number
of meaningless friendlies of late. However, Dietmar Hamann
has not been involved after asking German manager Jurgen
Klinsmann not tp pick him until next January as he fights
for his Liverpool place.
"I spoke to the manager after my last game for Germany and
asked not to be picked until after January, 2006," said
Hamann.
"I just felt it was more important for me to concentrate on
my Liverpool career at this stage. I think both my club and
my country will get more from me that way.
"The most important thing to me now is Liverpool and the
national team comes second. It's no good for me to be
travelling around the world to play in a friendly and then
coming back to Liverpool knackered.
"I have to be at my best to get into the side here and the
more I play for my club, and the better condition I'm in,
the more Germany can get out of me in the summer."
(LFC Online)
Alves flattered by Reds link
Malmo star Afonso Alves has admitted that he is flattered to
be linked with Liverpool.
Liverpool scout Mikael Linder reportedly saw the striker in
action in the 2-1 defeat at Gavle on Sunday.
The Brazilian marksman has attracted interest from France,
Germany and Holland in recent years, but no club have tabled
a bid for him thus far.
"I have got two years left at Malmo and am just thinking
about playing here,'' Alves told Expressen.
"But it is obvious that I would like to play for a big club
in Europe.
''Liverpool is a really good club."
(Sky Sports)
Kewell set for Reds return
Harry Kewell is in line to make his Liverpool comeback
against Anderlecht on Wednesday.
The Australian international has been named in the squad for
the trip to Brussels for the UEFA Champions League clash.
Kewell has not played for Liverpool since the glorious
Champions League final win over Milan last season.
The former Leeds man underwent a hernia operation in the
summer and Reds boss Rafa Benitez believes he is finally
ready for a return to the first team.
"Harry is feeling much better now. He will definitely be
travelling with us and could maybe play some part, we will
have to assess his fitness before the game," said Benitez.
"If he doesn't figure against Anderlecht then I am sure he
will be back playing either at the weekend or the following
midweek.
"His return will be a big boost for us. He is the kind of
player who can beat players and get in crosses from the
by-line from which the likes of Peter Crouch and Fernando
Morientes can benefit."
(Sky Sports)
Hyypia aiming to keep European record
intact
Sami Hyypia is hoping to protect a proud European record by
making an instant return to the Liverpool line-up in
Anderlecht.
The Finn has played every minute of the last 52 Liverpool
games in Europe since October 2001, clocking up a staggering
78 and a half hours or 4,740 minutes.
Hyypia was rested from the senior squad for the 1-0 victory
over Blackburn, but manager Rafa Benitez wanted to give his
centre-back a break after he'd played two internationals for
his country.
The partnership with Jamie Carragher is expected to be
restored for the trip to Brussels.
(Liverpool Echo) |
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SUNDAY 16 |
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Cisse makes Anfield pledge
Djibril Cisse has underlined his commitment to Liverpool
after his Anfield winner - but was far from impressed with
Blackburn's fans.
The France striker scored the winner to lift the anguish at
Anfield and then pointedly ran to shake Rafael Benitez's
hand to publicly heal any rift after too many words of
complaint about his position at the club.
Cisse then pleaded for the speculation about his future to
stop, insisting: "Why should I want to leave this club?"
He also revealed that the abuse from Blackburn fans over the
double leg fracture he suffered at Ewood Park last season
left him angry and determined to score.
(TEAMtalk)
Roux blasts Rafa
Guy Roux, the Auxerre boss for 43 years until recently, and
Djibril Cisse's mentor and father figure has revealed the
unhappiness of Djibril Cisse these past few weeks.
Roux revealed: "I have had Djibril on the phone a lot in
recent weeks.
"He is not in a good way but I have told him not to get
annoyed and wound up.
He said: "It is not hard to see why Djibril is confused. The
manager has made some strange decisions.
Roux said: "When I watch Liverpool, I find it hard to
understand what's going on.
"They're playing a big guy up front, who looks like he would
take at least 14 seconds to run 100metres — whereas with
Djibril you've got one of the fastest players in the world.
"It's difficult to work it out, especially when Peter Crouch
is hardly banging in the goals.
"Why does Benitez play Cisse wide on the right? That isn't
the way to get the best out of him, and I should know.
"I don't know whether he will have to leave, I hope not, but
it's a tough call for him."
(anfield-online)
Niemi hits out following Crouch attack
Antti Niemi has hit out at England fans for jeering Peter
Crouch when he was on international duty.
The duo played together at Southampton and Niemi insists the
lanky striker has qualities that can help any side he plays
in.
Niemi said: "Crouchy didn't score but I felt he did a good
job. When people look at him they only see his size, but he
has far more than that about him.
"His first touch and link-up play are first class and he's
one of those strikers that other players enjoy playing with.
"I'd love to see him get more opportunities for England."
(Kop Talk)
Rafa: Kewell return will help Crouch
Rafael Benitez says the return to fitness of Harry Kewell is
a big boost to Liverpool and believes the Australian is the
man who can provide the service to get the best out of Peter
Crouch.
Benitez warns it will take some time before Kewell will be
back to his best after his long injury lay-off and says this
is an important season for him.
Benitez said: "Harry will need some time to get back to his
best, but this is an important season for him.
"I see Harry as a key player to help Peter Crouch develop as
our centre forward. We have different players with different
qualities and abilities, but Harry is the main one who can
get to the dead-ball line and put over the kind of crosses
that Crouch likes.
"I know Harry can do this. When I arrived at Liverpool, I
brought with me the memory of once seeing Harry play against
Manchester United for Leeds at Old Trafford and he was
fantastic.
"Leeds lost the game, but he gave Jaap Stam a lot of
problems, and that is the Harry Kewell I want to see playing
for Liverpool."
(LFC Official Website)
Getafe price up Reds target
Getafe president Angel Torres has put a price on the head of
the club's star striker Riki.
Riki has scored four times this season as Getafe have soared
to the top of the Primera Liga and that has sparked rumours
of interest from other clubs, not least European champions
Liverpool.
"We realise that Liverpool or any big club could want Riki,
but nobody has officially spoken to us. I don't know if they
have spoken to his agent," he told Marca.
"I have to say that not Liverpool nor anyone are going to
get him for 4million euros (£2.73m) - they have to pay his
buy-out clause."
"He is an adaptable striker who is in the news and it would
be a shame for us to lose him, but it's obvious that if
someone pays his buy-out clause and he wants to go then
there is nothing we can do about it," he added.
"I am not surprised Liverpool may want him because he is in
incredible form at the moment. Liverpool have scouts here
and all over the place."
(Walk On LFC)
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Thor Zakariassen
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