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FRIDAY 21 |
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Rafa delighted with Youth Cup success
Rafael Benitez tonight offered his congratulations to the
club's youngsters after they won the FA Youth Cup for the
first time in ten years.
The young Reds overcame the challenge of Manchester City 3-2
on aggregate despite going down to a 2-0 second leg defeat.
Goals at Anfield from Robbie Threlfall, Ryan Flynn and Miki
Roque ultimately proved to be enough, even though Danny
Sturridge netted a brace to keep the final alive right up to
the final whistle.
As Benitez prepared for tomorrow's FA Cup semi-final at Old
Trafford, he took time out to pay tribute to the players who
have brought another trophy back to Anfield.
The Liverpool manager said: "I would like to congratulate
the youth team for tonight's success.
"It is always important to win trophies and I am delighted
they have gone all the way in this competition.
"I'd like to give my congratulations to the players, staff,
management and everyone connected with the youth team for
this victory."
(LFC Official Website)
Delay for Michael Shields
Jailed Liverpool fan Michael Shields may have to wait until
next month to learn his fate, his solicitor has said.
Although a decision on Shields' application to appeal
against his 15-year conviction for the attempted murder of a
barman was expected this week, the court today reserved its
decision and it may be May before it is known.
Shields, 19, from Edge Hill, Liverpool, has always protested
his innocence. His family had hoped the Supreme Court would
order a re-trial.
A "confession" to the attack from another Liverpool man -
Graham Sankey, 20 - was not accepted by the Bulgarian courts
and Sankey's solicitor has claimed the "confession" related
to a separate incident.
(anfield online)
Mourinho: No special feelings for
Liverpool
Following talk of a closing gap between Chelsea and
Liverpool and many predicting a tight FA Cup semi-final,
José Mourinho has been reflecting on the last game between
the teams, an encounter he believes was anything but close.
“For me it was a game where only one team played,” he
remembers of the meeting at Stamford Bridge in February.
“For me there is no special rivalry,” he reckons. “When we
meet them it is normally in big occasions — Champions League
semi, Carling Cup Final. In the league we always play at
important stages. Last time we were first in the league and
they were second so it was a game that could kill their
challenge for the title. We never meet when something is
finished.
“We have played them in every competition but I look at them
the same as I look at another team, no special feelings.”
(Official Chelsea News)
Happy Gerrard wants Reds stay
Skipper Steven Gerrard insists he is happy at Liverpool and
will only leave the club when they don't want him any
longer.
The Reds legend was linked with Real Madrid in the week when
it was revealed his name was on a priority list of summer
signings.
But on Thursday Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez dismissed
the move from the Spanish giants saying: "The situation is
simple, Steven Gerrard is not for sale."
But the Spaniard admitted he had discussed the speculation
coming from Spain with his captain and said: "His commitment
to this club is vital."
Now Gerrard, who will captain Liverpool in the FA Cup
semi-final against Chelsea at Old Trafford on Saturday,
said: "I am not going to get involved in all that kind of
speculation again.
"I'm settled and happy at Liverpool and I am not going to go
through another summer like the last two."
The England midfielder, speaking in a Liverpool Echo
interview, had been the subject of two approaches from
Chelsea in the last two summers that have severely disrupted
Liverpool's future planning.
He added: "I will be staying here until the day someone
tells me they don't want me."
Gerrard signed a new four-year contract at Anfield last
summer and while there will surely be speculation about his
future this summer, he looks set to stay at the Reds - for
the time being at least.
(ITV Football)
Benitez: Keep your cool and we can win
Rafael Benitez has told his Liverpool players to forget the
controversy that has marred recent meetings with Chelsea
when the duo clash in tomorrow's FA Cup semi-final.
The Premiership giants will lock horns for the 10th time in
18 months in what has become an increasingly feisty fixture
following a series of contentious incidents.
Xabi Alonso suffered a broken ankle last season after being
caught by a late Frank Lampard challenge and was then forced
to sit out the second leg of the Champions League semi-final
after Eidur Gudjohnsen's dive earned the Spaniard a
suspension.
In December, Michael Essien's poor tackle on Dietmar Hamann
ended with a UEFA ban for the Chelsea midfielder while
another dive, this time from Arjen Robben, influenced the
red card shown to Pepe Reina in Liverpool's 2-0 defeat at
Stamford Bridge in February.
However, Benitez has implored his team to ignore the
previous indiscretions of Jose Mourinho's side.
(Daily Post)
Gerrard back for crunch cup clash
Skipper Steven Gerrard will be back to lead Liverpool in the
FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea at Old Trafford but Robbie
Fowler is cup-tied.
Gerrard was rested with a slight hamstring strain for the
win at Blackburn last weekend but he will lead the Reds as
they face their arch rivals for the fifth time this season.
Boss Rafael Benitez is expected to bring back striker Peter
Crouch, who was also rested at Ewood Park, and the lanky
Reds ace could be partnered up front by Fernando Morientes,
although Luis Garcia is another option.
It is likely that John Arne Riise will revert to left-back
while Harry Kewell should return on the left, with Gerrard
expected to play on the right.
Liverpool (from): Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Riise,
Gerrard, Xabi Alonso, Sissoko, Kewell, Morientes, Crouch,
Dudek, Warnock, Traore, Kromkamp, Hamann, Cisse,
Luis Garcia.
(TEAMtalk)
Reina promises to keep his cool
Liverpool goalkeeper Jose Reina has promised not to repeat
the mistake that led to a red card the last time his side
met Chelsea.
Reina, who will face Chelsea again in Saturday's FA Cup
semi-final, was sent off for a clash with Arjen Robben at
Stamford Bridge in February.
Robben went to ground easily after a shove in the neck from
Reina.
"I have never play-acted to get a rival sent off. I will be
coming up against Robben again but I won't do what I did
last time. I won't lash out, I will be calmer," Reina told
The Sun.
(TEAMtalk)
Rafa set to roll dice on Ludo
Liverpool could be set to swoop for Barcelona's San Siro
hero Ludovic Giuly.
The French ace put himself right in the shop window with
Barca's winner against AC Milan in the first leg of their
Champions League semi-final on Tuesday.
But despite that strike he says he's yet to receive the
offer of a new deal from the La Liga champions.
French daily L'Equipe says Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez would
love to take him to Anfield next season.
It also says Giuly's Barca future hinges to a large extent
on whether the club manage to lure Thierry Henry away from
Arsenal this summer.
(Sporting Life)
Security up for FA Cup semi-final
Police are stepping up patrols at Old Trafford ahead of the
FA Cup semi final between Chelsea and Liverpool.
Officers will be on patrol around the grounds, Salford Quays
and the city centre before Saturday's match.
The Greater Manchester force have sent out 122 letters to
people with football banning orders, warning them to stay
away from the game or face arrest.
People travelling to Manchester for the match are being
asked to allow plenty of time to avoid heavy traffic.
A crowd of 67,000 is expected at Old Trafford for the game,
which kicks off
at 1715 GMT.
(BBC Sport Online) |
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THURSDAY 20 |
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Parry praises the Rafalution
Rick Parry today hailed Rafa Benitez for closing the mammoth
gap between Liverpool and Chelsea this season.
But the Anfield chief executive insisted no-one at the club
will be fully satisfied until the Reds topple their FA Cup
semi-finalists from the Premiership summit.
"The last time we qualified for the Champions League was
just prior to our last game, but we were sweating on it for
much of the season," said Parry today.
"It was more comfortable in 2002, but in 2001 we also had to
wait for the last game.
"Clearly there's been a huge improvement on last year in
achieving qualification so early, but also more importantly
by narrowing the gap to Chelsea.
"We've been 30 points adrift for the last two seasons, and
although there are still three games to play, it's clear for
everyone we're a lot closer now. Although third is secure,
we've not finished going for second yet."
(Liverpool Echo)
Bonera interest hots up
A transfer scramble for Parma's Daniele Bonera is
anticipated this summer, and Liverpool reportedly remain in
pole position to sign the impressive defender.
The Reds had a €7 million bid rejected for the centre back
in September, and were also linked with a move in January
when they were reputedly close to clinching a deal for
the Gialloblu star.
(Sky Sports)
Rafa: Steve's not for sale
Rafael Benitez today reacted to speculation that Real Madrid
are keen to sign Steven Gerrard and declared: "He's not for
sale."
Madrid football director Benito Floro yesterday admitted he
wanted to secure the services of the Liverpool midfielder in
time for Madrid's assault on next season's La Liga title.
Gerrard signed a new Anfield deal during the summer after
deciding to commit his future to the European champions, but
that hasn't dissuaded Madrid from airing their interest in
the player.
However, Benitez isn't at all concerned by the speculation
and is adamant his skipper will be a Liverpool player next
season.
He said: "The situation is very clear. Steven Gerrard is not
for sale."
(LFC Official Website) |
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WEDNESDAY 19 |
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Rafa calls for cash to compete with Chelsea
Ahead of this Saturday’s FA Cup Semi-Final clash with
arch-rivals Chelsea at Old Trafford, Liverpool manager
Rafael Benitez has spoken out about how the Reds will need
more money to spend on players this summer if they are to
compete with Chelsea’s recent success, but insists they are
beatable.
Benitez says, “Yes, Abramovich has money and we know that
there will be more and more money but Chelsea can only buy
so many players,” insists Benitez.
“Even though they spent more than anyone else last summer,
other teams are now getting closer to them.
“Here at Liverpool we need more money to be contenders. We
want the freedom to do the job better and so we’d like more
money. But it is not just about spending. Players coming to
this club know that they have other advantages that Chelsea
do not give."
(This is Anfield)
Carragher: Chelsea the team to beat
Jamie Carragher has warned Liverpool they will have to beat
Chelsea if they want to win any of the big trophies.
The clubs meet for the 10th time in 18 months on Saturday in
the FA Cup semi-final at Old Trafford.
And the Liverpool defender faced up to the challenge that
will confront Liverpool, insisting: "Get used to it."
One victory in their last nine games against Chelsea -
admittedly their Champions League semi-final triumph last
season - is not a good return in Carragher's book, but he
believes that learning to overcome Chelsea has to be the
focus for the Anfield club.
He said: "To win the FA Cup we'd have to beat Chelsea
anyway. If we had got one of the other teams, you'd expect
Chelsea to be in the final."
(TEAMtalk)
Stadium support
Another hurdle to Liverpool FC's stadium plans
was today being removed by council chiefs.
They have started looking for a developer to restore parts
of Stanley Park, alongside the planned 60,000-seater ground.
The news will please European and government officials, who
had demanded the council and the club show their commitment
to the £160m scheme before handing over millions of pounds.
But they still want the Reds to confirm they have the money
to pay for the stadium, or the cash may be lost.
(Liverpool Echo)
Real Madrid confirm Gerrard interest
Spanish giants Real Madrid have announced that
Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard is one of their summer
targets.
Real Madrid director of football Benito Floro has revealed
that Gerrard and Adriano are on their summer hit list.
Floro said: "I recommended as a priority the signing of a
powerful centre forward, like Adriano, and a top class
midfielder in case Zidane leaves.
"Gerrard is a footballer that I include in that list, he's a
player that the club have wanted to sign in previous
seasons."
(Kop Talk)
Houllier may return to England
Former Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier has again been
linked with the vacant manager's job at Newcastle United.
Houllier, who this week won the French title with Lyon,
believes he has unfinished business in the Premiership after
he failed to win the league with Liverpool. He could be
tempted back to these shores by the Geordie job.
Current caretaker boss Glenn Roeder is the Newcastle fans'
choice for the job and he may be offered the post with
Houllier brought in as Director of Football.
(LFC Online)
Rush backs Reds
Ian Rush is backing Liverpool to beat Chelsea in Saturday's
FA Cup semi-final.
The former Liverpool legend says that the Reds will have a
difficult game at Old Trafford on Saturday but he believes
Rafael Benitez's side will go into the match full of
confidence after their recent run and will cause Chelsea all
sorts of problems. He is also backing the Liverpool fans to
make a big difference.
"If I was betting on the outcome of next weekend's
semi-final, the score would be 1-0. I just hope it's
Liverpool celebrating," said Rush.
"The way recent fixtures have gone involving the clubs, the
side who scores first will be confident of going on to win
the game."
(LFC Online)
Crouch eyes first major trophy
Peter Crouch has revealed that he hopes to cap his debut
season at Anfield with an FA Cup victory - which would be
his first major trophy.
Crouch said: "We've won the Super Cup this season but really
we're looking for more trophies so it would be perfect to
add the FA Cup.
"Chelsea will be one of the biggest games I've ever been
involved in.
"I've never been in a semi-final of the cup.
"A lot of our lads have - and even won it - but it's an
achievement for me to get this far so I want us to go and
win it.
"We know how hard it will be because of Chelsea's form this
year, but on a neutral ground it will be a special
occasion."
(Daily Post)
Striker considers Anfield departure
Florent Sinama Pongolle is ready to quit Liverpool this
summer if boss Rafael Benitez signs any more strikers.
Pongolle will return to Merseyside at the end of the season
after a relatively successful loan spell with Blackburn.
The 21-year-old forward jumped at the chance to join Rovers
towards the end of the January transfer window due to
growing frustration at his lack of chances under Benitez.
The situation was made worse with the arrival of Robbie
Fowler - who scored his fourth goal in five games to sink
Blackburn at Ewood Park on Sunday - on a short-term
contract.
Benitez has yet to decide whether to offer Fowler a
long-term deal, however if the Spaniard decides to do so,
that is certain to signal Pongolle's departure from Anfield.
"Because I still live around Liverpool, people ask me when I
am coming back," said the 21-year-old, who could return to
the Rovers side for Wednesday night's league clash at
relegation-threatened Birmingham.
"But what happens with Fowler could have an impact. If he
[Benitez] signs two new strikers, I won't go back. It would
be impossible."
(PA Sport)
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Thor Zakariassen
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