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THURSDAY 18 |
Boss: Torres is very close
Rafael Benitez is hopeful Fernando Torres will be able to
face Everton in the Merseyside derby on Saturday.
The Spanish striker has been receiving intensive treatment
on his adductor injury this week and is now back in
training.
"Torres trained well on Wednesday and we will have another
session on Thursday and Friday afternoon, then we will make
a decision,"
said Benitez.
"We have three players who are very close to returning and
we will see how they are before I decide on the team to face
Everton.
"It is always a risk but I will talk to the doctor and maybe
it is not such
a big risk here."
(LFC Official Website)
Benitez: Lay off Gerrard
Rafael Benitez believes Steven Gerrard is being unfairly
criticised for Liverpool's recent slump in form.
The Reds go into Saturday's Merseyside derby against Everton
on the back a run of poor results.
Liverpool have won only one of their last four Premier
League fixtures and Benitez is well aware that form cannot
continue if his side are to mount a realistic title
challenge.
Benitez admits Liverpool's recent displays - which also
include a shock home UEFA Champions League defeat to
Marseille - have not been good enough, but the Spaniard does
not believe Gerrard's personal performances are to blame.
(Sky Sports)
Why changes won’t weaken Red challenge
As sure as there will be yellow cards at Goodison Park on
Saturday, Rafa Benitez will make changes to his Liverpool
team.
But the Reds boss firmly believes that whatever team he
sends out to face Everton will be both capable and confident
of winning.
That hasn’t always been the case.
It was almost three years ago that clangs could be heard all
around Goodison Park when Liverpool’s team sheet landed. It
was the sound of supporters’ jaws hitting the floor.
Just three days after a titanic Champions League defeat of
Olympiakos, Benitez made five changes to his starting
line-up.
In came Josemi, Florent Sinama Pongolle, Salif Diao and Neil
Mellor – and Everton took advantage of a much changed
line-up to win 1-0.
The long-term wisdom of Benitez’s thinking showed itself in
Istanbul five months later, but at the time there was
widespread recrimination.
Three years on and the Reds boss now feels he can chop and
change with far greater confidence than he did that December
afternoon.
“The squad is much better now,” he declared.
(Liverpool Echo)
Alonso feeling the special derby athmosphere
Liverpool will look to kickstart their campaign with victory
in the Goodison derby against Everton on Saturday.
Xabi Alonso retains an outside chance of being available
after returning to training following the broken metatarsal
that has ruled him out since mid-September.
And the Spain midfielder yesterday hit back at talk that
Liverpool’s foreign contingent do not have the same regard
for the fixture as the local players.
"I don’t know how you would compare who feels what, but the
foreign lads always know it’s a special game," said Alonso.
"You pick up on the atmosphere when you’re out and about, of
course. Everyone on both sides can’t wait for kick-off -
it’s a really big day for the city. We know how much it
means to the people. They have family who might support the
other team and they talk about it.
"The excitement is the same among the players. I’m looking
forward to it.
"But it’s against the other team from this city, and for the
fans it
means a lot.
"I don’t know if it means more for the local lads than the
foreign players, but I’m pretty sure we’ll be as committed
as them."
(Liverpool Daily Post)
Finnan rescues a point for Irish
Steve Finnan scored a stoppage time equaliser for the
Republic of Ireland during the Euro 2008 qualifier against
Cyprus on Wednesday night.
The Liverpool right back scored right at the death as Steve
Staunton's side drew 1-1 with Cyprus at Croke Park. However,
the draw ended Irish hopes of qualification.
Meanwhile John Arne Riise played the full 90 minutes
for Norway in their 2-0 win in Bosnia. He created the
opening goal and then saw his brother Bjorn Helge Riise
score their second goal, while former Liverpool defender
Frode Kippe was an unused substitute. Norway are currently
in second place in Group C.
Andriy Voronin played the full 90 minutes but didn't
find the net as Ukraine beat Faroe Islands 5-0 in Group B,
while Ryan Babel was an substitute as Holland beat
Slovenia 2-0 in Group G.
Javier Mascherano played for Argentina in their 2-0
win over Venezuela in a World Cup qualifier.
There was disappointment for Reds skipper Steven Gerrard
who captained England in their 2-1 defeat in Russia.
Peter Crouch made a late appearance as a substitute.
Over in Finland, Sami Hyypia played 45 minutes as his
countrymen held Spain – with Pepe Reina in goal – to
a 0-0 friendly draw.
(LFC Official Website)
Gerrard: Crazy five minutes
Stand-in captain Steven Gerrard admits England only have
themselves to blame after defeat in Russia.
England were in control at 1-0 after Wayne Rooney had
volleyed them ahead on the half-hour mark.
But substitute Roman Pavluchenko turned the game on its head
with two quick-fire goals, including a questionable penalty,
to seal victory for Russia.
"We had the game exactly where we wanted it," admitted
Gerrard
to Sky Sports.
"They were running out of ideas - then came the big turning
point [the penalty], and we had a mad, crazy five minutes.
"We were controlling the game - and, although they had a lot
of possession, we should have gone on and won the game.
"We said at half-time 'let's keep a clean sheet and we are
through'.
"I had a glorious chance at 1-0 - which I should have scored
- but we let them back in the game, and that gave them the
momentum to get
a second."
(Sky Sports) |
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WEDNESDAY 17 |
Torres and Kuyt winning fitness battle for
derby
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is hopeful strikers Fernando
Torres and Dirk Kuyt will be fit for Saturday's derby
against Everton.
“Torres is improving a lot. He wants to play,” Benitez told
the Liverpool Echo. “I was talking with him before and he
said 'If you want, I will be available.'
“It could be a small risk, but we need to check with the
physio.
“Harry Kewell is training, Xabi Alonso is running, Kuyt is
running also, but Agger will be more difficult.
“We need to wait and see. Maybe we will need to use one, but
not all because we have two more important games after the
derby.”
(The Daily Mail)
Reds must step it up for derby
Form pointers generally go out of the window when it comes
to derby day.
Just as well, really, when you consider the recent form from
both Liverpool and Everton.
To say it is patchy is an understatement but, as a result,
it makes trying to predict the outcome of the Goodison clash
on Saturday even trickier.
Some things, though, remain constant: The players won’t need
motivating; the incentives are considerable as players look
to impress the respective managers; the result is vital.
For Liverpool, in particular, the need to get back to some
sort of consistent form is paramount.
The disappointments of recent weeks has set the team back on
their heels and the momentum gained from that promising
early start has slowed, with only one Premier victory in the
last four games.
However, they remain unbeaten in the league, but will have
to produce an inspired performance against opponents who
will inevitably be prepared for a battle.
(Tommy Smith - Liverpool Echo)
Benitez: Crouch not for sale
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez insists striker Peter
Crouch is not for sale and still has a role to play in the
Merseysiders' season.
Recent speculation has linked Crouch with moves to Valencia
and Newcastle among others, but Benitez claimed today that
there was no desire at Anfield to sell the England
international.
"People have been talking about Peter Crouch for two months,
but he is our player and we don't want to sell him," the
Spaniard told www.liverpoolfc.tv.
(Ireland.com)
Bolton exit for Sammy Lee
Former Liverpool star Sammy Lee has parted company with
Bolton “by mutual consent”, according to the club’s official
website.
The Lancashire club have taken just five points from their
first nine Premier League games, only goal difference
keeping them off the bottom of the table.
Lee joined the backroom staff at Anfield under Graeme
Souness in 1993 and was made head coach under Gerard
Houllier in 1999 before leaving the club in July 2004 to
join the England set up.
He succeeded Sam Allardyce as manager at the Reebok Stadium
towards the end of last season, with the latter later
joining Newcastle.
General manager Frank McParland has also left the club.
Chairman Phil Gartside said: “This has been a difficult
decision for all parties but we have agreed that the time is
right.
“Sammy has played an important role in the club’s recent
history. We wish Sammy and Frank well for the future. Our
efforts will now be to look for a replacement manager and to
concentrate on the future.”
(Liverpool Echo)
Benayoun back early
Yossi Benayoun has returned back to Melwood early from
international duty with Israel.
The Liverpool player was allowed to leave the training camp
because Israel have no midweek fixture and are now unable to
qualify for
the Euro 2008 finals.
He will now almost certainly start in Saturday's early
afternoon game at Everton, with Rafa Benitez expected to
rest as many of his other international stars as possible.
(LFC Online)
Gerrard to captain England again
Steven Gerrard will lead England out against Russia tonight.
The Liverpool skipper will keep the England captaincy after
John Terry was forced to limp out of training last night.
Terry had been given the all clear to play but couldn't
complete the training session yesterday and will miss
tonight's game in Russia. He was do doubt in tears when he
found out.
Mongo's injury means Steven Gerrard captains England for a
second successive game. A win tonight will book England's
place at Euro 2008.
(LFC Online) |
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TUESDAY 16 |
Torres making good progress
Rafael Benitez today admitted Fernando Torres is making good
progress towards being fit for Saturday's Merseyside derby.
The Spanish striker is working with the Reds' medical team
after suffering an adductor injury which ruled him out of
his country's Euro 2008 qualifier with Denmark at the
weekend.
"He is much better and improving," said Benitez today. "At
the moment though it is too early to say anything about the
weekend."
(LFC Official Website)
Dilemmas for both sides ahead of crucial derby
It's difficult to predict a Merseyside derby result at the
best of times. This week it’s almost impossible. But
forecasting what sort of game it will be like isn’t as
difficult – cagey with not a lot of goals.
At Goodison this Saturday it’s going to be between two teams
who have had virtually no preparation and who haven’t been
playing particularly well.
They’re already weakened by injuries and the international
break isn’t over yet by a long way.
Anyone involved with England this week is in for a long
flight from Russia after a game that could take such a lot
out of them.
It’s a similar story for Scotland too, which can’t be great
news for David Moyes at a time when he considers James
McFadden to be one of his key men.
But the Everton manager’s problems seem small compared to
his Liverpool opposite number.
And if you thought Rafael Benitez was in a grump before this
international break imagine the mood he’s going to be in
come Saturday lunchtime.
(Mark Lawrenson - Liverpool Daily Post)
Date change for Bolton match
Liverpool have announced a change of date for their home
clash with Bolton Wanderers next month.
Due to Bolton's involvement in the UEFA Cup, the game has
been put back by 24 hours and will now take place at Anfield
on Sunday
December 2, 2007.
The game will kick off at 3pm.
(LFC Official Website)
Finnan backing Babel
Steve Finnan has backed Ryan Babel to come good at Anfield.
Babel has had an inconsistent start to his Liverpool career
but Steve Finnan has seen enough to convince him the
Dutchman can be
an Anfield success.
"Ryan is still very young and there's no guarantee with
youngsters that they will develop into top class players -
but he appears to have the potential to do exactly that,"
said the Republic of Ireland international.
"Even though it may take a while before we see him at his
best. It was obvious that the boss was attempting to add
some more creativity before the season started, and I think
he's done that with the arrival of Ryan, as well Fernando
Torres, Andriy Voronin and Yossi Benayoun.
"He's a big, powerful lad who is very tricky and could be
capable of pieces of brilliance that will hopefully win
games single-handedly. We've seen bits of that in training
and the fans have had a small taste of it in some games.
Away at Sunderland, he produced a terrific run that led to
one of the goals, and he also got on the scoresheet against
Derby."
(LFC Online)
Sami reveals defensive secret
Sami Hyypia believes Fernando Torres could be one of the
main reasons Liverpool's defence has been so watertight this
season.
The 34-year-old admits he and his fellow defenders are
having a tough time stopping the Spaniard in training –
making the task of thwarting other Premier League marksman
seem a lot less daunting.
Torres has been at Anfield just three months, but Hyypia has
already seen enough to make a bold prediction about the
striker's place in world football.
"He is a very good player, and everyday he does amazingly on
the training pitch. He is very hard to play against," the
big Finn told Liverpoolfc.tv.
"When he gets the ball he is very direct, he goes straight
towards the goal. I'd rather play with him than against him!
"It's good to have a challenge in training. If you play
against one of the best strikers in the Premier League
almost everyday, that can only help you when the game comes
around each weekend."
Asked if he had worked out how to stop Torres, Hyypia added:
"I'm working on it, I'm working on it.
(LFC Official Website)
Gerrard rallies England
Steven Gerrard wants England to capture the spirit of
Istanbul when they face Russia in their crucial Euro 2008
qualifier on Wednesday, live on
Sky Sports 1.
The Liverpool captain admits "there are parallels" with the
Euro 2004 qualifier away to Turkey four years ago when
England got the draw they needed in a hostile atmosphere to
reach the finals in Portugal.
A win at the Luzhniki Stadium on Wednesday would seal
qualification for Euro 2008 while a draw would also keep
England in a strong position going into their final match of
the qualifying campaign against Croatia next month, and
Gerrard is targeting a big performance.
Gerrard said: "I don't know if you can say this is the type
of game that can define your career, but it is certainly one
of those games that if we get the result that we want we can
look back on in years to come with a bit
of pride.
"I look back on the (5-1) win over Germany (in 2001), the
draw in Turkey, games like that and they are big nights, for
big players and leaders to step forward and that is what we
are going to need again.
"There are parallels with this game and Istanbul. We gave
everything we had and came through that night and the
feeling now is similar."
(Sky Sports)
Thor Zakariassen
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