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THURSDAY 21 |
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Garcia injury concern
Luis Garcia was taken off during last night's Premiership
match against Portsmouth due to feeling pain in his groin at
half-time.
Although he could have played on manager Rafael Benitez
decided not to risk him in the hope of things healing in
time for the match against Crystal Palace - word from the
camp today is that he's "ok".
The Spaniard has really found his feet recently and is
proving to be something of a little battler so it would be a
real shame if he had to sit out Saturday's match.
(Kop Talk)
Riise promises a fight to the finish
John Arne Riise remains upbeat about Liverpool's chances of
catching Everton, regardless of the ongoing three-point gap
between the Merseyside giants.
The Reds hoped to reduce the deficit after securing an
impressive 2-1 win over Portsmouth last night.
Riise insists their rivals' form won't demoralise the
Liverpool players as they keep scrapping for every point.
"We know first and foremost we have to win all our own
games.
There's no point us worrying about what Everton are doing,"
said Riise.
(Liverpool Echo)
Diouf faces court on spit charge
Bolton striker El Hadji Diouf has been ordered to
appear before magistrates over an alleged spitting incident
involving fans at Middlesbrough.
Diouf is accused of disorderly conduct after an incident in
the 1-1 draw at Boro's Riverside Stadium in November.
A Boro fan complained after Diouf appeared to spit a
mouthful of drink into the crowd after being substituted.
The 24-year-old is currently on loan from Liverpool, who
signed him from French club Lens for £10m in 2002.
A spokeswoman for the Crown Prosecution Service in Cleveland
said: "Information has been laid and a summons is being sent
out."
Diouf will face magistrates on Teesside for disorderly
conduct, although a date has yet to be set.
The Senegal international has scored eight goals this season
in Bolton's unlikely push for a European place.
(BBC Sport Online)
Former Red concerned about Gerrard's
future
Former Liverpool and Chelsea midfielder Nigel Spackman
believes that Rafael Benitez will have to sell Steven
Gerrard in the summer if the Reds fail to qualify for next
season's Champions League.
Spackman said: "I always think that the best thing for a
club is to keep your best players and that would mean Stevie
staying.
"Personally, I think it would be fantastic to see him stay
and lead them to the Premiership title and Champions League.
It's just a question of can it happen quickly enough for him
and I am not convinced that it can.
"If he does go, then obviously the price he would fetch
would give Rafa Benitez the chance to strengthen and rebuild
a side he wants.
"Obviously it would depend on him spending it wisely. The
fact is that you cannot just go out and buy another Steven
Gerrard.
(Kop Talk)
Croatia captain urges forgiveness for
Biscan
Croatia captain Niko Kovac thinks Liverpool
defender Igor Biscan should be recalled from international
exile even if he fails to apologise for walking out on the
national squad two years ago.
Biscan was banned from the squad for six months last year
after refusing to apologise for walking out on Croatia's
training camp on the eve of a Euro 2004 qualifier in October
2003 without telling the coach or his team mates.
"We would all have it easier if Biscan came and said 'Sorry
guys'," Kovac told Thursday's edition of the Jutarnji List
daily.
"But if Kranjcar calls him up without the apology, we would
accept him because we need a player of his qualities."
"It is up to the coach now," he added.
Kranjcar has admitted he has been tempted to recall Biscan
after his fine run of form with Liverpool.
Croatia are leading Group Eight in qualifying for the 2006
World Cup and their next qualifier is against Bulgaria on
June 4.
(Reuters)
Boss explains Gerrard decision
Rafael Benitez has explained why he left Steven Gerrard out
of the starting line-up for last night's game at Fratton
Park.
Gerrard has been out with a groin injury and Liverpool have
a lot of important fixtures bunched together over the next
few weeks and this played a part in his decision to rest
Gerrard says the manager.
"We have a lot of games in a short time and we have to take
that into account when we're picking the team. We need to
use all the squad and the most important thing is to have
Steve fit for the next games," said Benitez.
"Maybe he will start against Crystal Palace. I will need to
speak to Steven and check with the other players first to
see if there are other injury problems after this game. Then
I will decide.
(LFC Online) |
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WEDNESDAY 20 |
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Perrin not worried
Portsmouth boss Alain Perrin remains confident his side will
avoid a relegation fight despite their defeat to Liverpool.
Pompey missed the chance to climb further away from trouble
after going down 2-1 to The Reds at Fratton Park.
"We did not have enough to beat Liverpool who are difficult
to beat and they
need the points."
(Planet Football/Sky Sports)
Rafa happy with win
Rafa Benitez was happy with Liverpool's performance in the
2-1 win at Portsmouth.
Benitez felt his side should have won the game more
comfortably after spurning a number of clear chances.
"I think we controlled the game and had five clear chances
to score more," said Benitez.
(Planet Football/Sky Sports)
2 off at Goodison as Everton
beat the Mancs
Gary Neville and Paul Scholes were sent off during a
cracking match between Everton and Manchester United this
evening.
Liverpool desperately needed Everton to drop points but the
Bluenoses simply outclassed United on the night and deserved
to secure all three of them even though they scraped through
with just a 1-0 victory. At the end of the day though that's
all they needed.
(Kop Talk)
4th Everton Pl 33 Pts 57 GD +7
5th Liverpool Pl 34 Pts 54 GD +13
6th Bolton Pl 34 Pts 53 GD +6
Reds pick up Pompey win
Liverpool boosted their UEFA Champions League hopes with a
2-1 win at Portsmouth.
Goals from Spanish duo Fernando Morientes and Luis Garcia
were enough to give The Reds a much-needed win with Diomansy
Kamara netting for the hosts to cancel out Morientes' early
opener.
The win lifts Liverpool into fifth place in the table, while
the defeat was Portsmouth's first under Alain Perrin and
means they are still not safe from relegation.
(Planet Football/Sky Sports)
Portsmouth v Liverpool - confirmed team
LIVERPOOL: Dudek, Finnan, Hyypia, Carragher, Traore, Riise,
Alonso, Biscan, Garcia, Baros, Morientes.
SUBS: Carson, Gerrard, Cisse, Smicer, Pellegrino.
(Kop Talk)
Smith: Xabi reminds me of Kenny
Anfield Iron Tommy Smith has paid Xabi Alonso a huge
compliment by saying he reminds him of Kenny Dalglish.
Smith rates Dalglish as one of the finest players he has
seen and had the privilege to play with, and sees Alonso as
having similar attributes.
Smith, like many others was raving about Alonso's display
against Tottenham at the weekend.
Smith said: "The performance of Xabi Alonso was exceptional.
You don't have to be a genius to see how good the young
Spaniard is.
"He reminds me in many ways of Kenny Dalglish, having that
rare ability to make time and space for himself to play his
football. He never seems to give the ball away and his range
of pinpoint passing is a joy to see.
"Alonso is pure footballing class and a real symbol of hope
for the future at Anfield."
(LFC Official Website)
Rafa's sympathy for Stevie
Rafael Benitez admits that life is "difficult" for his
skipper Steven Gerrard as the season reaches its climax.
Gerrard has just returned from a groin injury, missed a
crucial penalty in last weekend's 2-2 draw with Spurs and is
bracing himself for another bout of 'Gerrard for Chelsea'
speculation which is certain to accompany the build-up for
next week's Champions League semi-final first leg with the
west Londoners.
But Liverpool boss Benitez is firmly behind his star
midfielder as the Anfield club play the first of two crunch
Premiership away games on Wednesday at Portsmouth, followed
by Saturday's game at Crystal Palace, that precede the
mouth-watering meeting with Chelsea.
Benitez said of Gerrard: "Steven wants to win more than
anyone. I have confidence in him. He has tried so hard
because it is difficult for him with all the things that you
hear around him all the time, but he is working hard in
training and all he needs is a little luck."
(TEAMtalk)
Hearts eye up Liverpool youngster
Hearts are giving a trial to Liverpool defender Jon
Otsemobor, while goalkeeper Ian McCaldon is also training
with the Tynecastle club.
Right-back Otsemobor, 22, will spend a week in Edinburgh and
McCaldon will use the club's facilities as he searches for a
new club.
Otsemobor has had loan spells with Hull City, Bolton and
Crewe Alexandra.
(BBC Sport Online)
Forget Chelsea says Rafa
Rafael Benitez has ordered his players to forget about their
upcoming Champions League semi-final with Chelsea and
concentrate on picking up points in the league.
Liverpool face Chelsea in the first leg a week today but
Rafael Benitez says the Reds must concentrate on the
upcoming visits to Portsmouth and Crystal Palace first.
He said: "If we win our two matches this week then we should
be in the top four. That is how important these games are.
"My message to my players is simple. We have five more games
and we have to win. They have to go right to the end in the
league, because that is still the best route into the
Champions League next season.
"It is easy for me to motivate for the Champions League, all
the players will be up for that. But the most important
games are the ones this week.
(LFC Online)
Saints do Reds a favour
Southampton gave Liverpool's chances for
qualifying for next season's Champions League a boost by
holding Bolton to a 1-1 draw at the Reebok last night.
The result leaves Bolton two points clear of Liverpool,
having played a game more. A win for the Reds tonight will
see them overtake Bolton in the table once again.
Everton are currently three points clear of Liverpool having
played a game less. The Blues host Manchester United at
Goodison tonight.
(LFC Online)
Bolton to start Diouf talks
Bolton chairman Phil Gartside has confirmed that
he is about to start talks with Liverpool over El Hadji
Diouf.
Although doubts remain over Diouf's temperament, Bolton are
keen to bring the Senegalese star into the club on a
permanent contract.
"I've had conversations with Liverpool chief executive Rick
Parry," confirmed Gartside.
"We are going to sit down within the next two to three weeks
to try to sort things out regarding El Hadji."
The striker has been superb this season, as Bolton go in
search of a UEFA Champions League qualification spot -
despite twice finding himself in hot water.
Diouf's mercurial ability on the pitch has been tempered by
high-profile disciplinary problems in the past including an
incident of spitting at Arjan de Zeeuw earlier
this season.
(Sky Sports) |
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TUESDAY 19 |
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Benitez: Alonso likely to start
Rafael Benitez says that he will have no qualms about
handing Xabi Alonso his third start in a week, when
Liverpool travel to Fratton Park to take on Portsmouth
tomorrow night.
The Spanish midfielder made his long awaited comeback form
injury against Juventus last Wednesday, after spending
almost four months on the sidelines due to a broken ankle
sustained on New Years Day. Alonso also started Saturday's
2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield.
Benitez said today: "I think Xabi will play because he is in
very good physical condition."
"I know the player professionally and I know him as a person
and I can always talk very well about him because he works
hard and is always thinking about his fitness. He talks to
the physio all the time and is always positive."
"For us he is a very important player because he can change
the game for us."
(Shankly Gates)
Defensive duo give Portsmouth a lift
Defenders Dejan Stefanovic (ankle) and Matt Taylor (thigh)
are back from injures for Portsmouth in the home Barclays
Premiership match with Liverpool tomorrow night.
Striker Aiyegbeni Yakubu is again ruled out by an Achilles
injury but he is due to have six stitches taken out of the
Achilles wound on Thursday and could figure in Sunday’s
derby clash with Southampton.
Full-back Andy Griffin has shown no reaction after a
surprisingly early comeback from a calf injury last
Saturday.
Provisional squad: Ashdown, Cisse, Primus, de Zeeuw,
Stefanovic, Taylor, Griffin, Stone, Berger, Skopelitis,
O’Neil, Hughes, Kamara, LuaLua, Fuller, Mezague, Rodic,
Hislop.
(BreakingNews.ie)
Diarra wants Lens move
Lens loan star Alou Diarra is keen to remain at the club, as
negotiations for a permanent move from Liverpool continue.
Diarra has enjoyed his loan spell back in Ligue 1, and is
hoping that he can remain and boost his chances of playing
for France.
"I am enjoying myself at Lens," said Diarra.
"I have two years left on my contract with Liverpool but I
hope to remain with Lens.
"For me playing time is important and I have to think about
the France team.
"The best solution would be to sign for Lens to continue to
progress.
"I hope The Reds can find common ground with Lens over a
deal."
(Planet Football/Sky Sports)
Hyypia anxious to remain at Anfield
Sami Hyypia remains hopeful that he can earn a new contract
at Liverpool after dismissing talk of a potential move to
Roma at the end of the season.
He has a year to run on his current contract at Anfield,
with talks due to take place in the summer to decide the
31-year-old's long-term future, but Hyypia hopes to remain
at the club despite reported interest from the Italian club.
"I want to stay at Liverpool, there is no doubt about that,"
said the centre-half.
(The Guardian)
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Thor Zakariassen
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