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TUESDAY 21 |
Rafa vows to keep fighting
Rafa Benitez was left to rue Liverpool's defensive lapses
following the 4-4 draw with Arsenal but refused to write off
his side's title chances.
"I think today we made too many mistakes but it is also very
positive because the team showed character until the last
minute,"
he told Sky Sports.
"It is difficult to explain (the errors) and we made a
massive mistake at the end but maybe we were a little
nervous.
"But the positive thing is we have one more point against a
good team and we are top of the table."
(Sky Sports)
Gerrard: Two points dropped
Steven Gerrard was disappointed to watch Liverpool draw 4-4
with Arsenal at Anfield.
Out with a groin injury, the Liverpool skipper wanted to see
the Reds pick up the full three points to push Manchester
United for the Premier League title, but it was not to be.
"Ideally we wanted three points tonight, so we see it as two
points dropped but this point could be important," he said.
(LFC Online)
Arshavin stars as
Reds' title hopes falter
Liverpool’s Premier League title hopes were severely dented
as they were held to a 4-4 draw by Arsenal in an
extraordinary encounter that saw Andrei Arshavin grab all
four for The Gunners.
In a pulsating clash from start to finish, both sides
exchanged the lead in a game that showcased both the best
and worst that both sides had
to offer.
There were mistakes galore, as well as some of the best
attacking football you are ever likely to see in what was a
fantastic advert for The Premier League.
Arsenal took the lead, before Liverpool turned the clash on
its head with headers from Fernando Torres and Yossi
Benayoun.
But Arshavin embarked on a one-man mission to scupper
Liverepool’s title hopes, equalising before giving The
Gunners the lead. Torres responded once more, while Arshavin
added another and Benayoun netted his second of the game to
make it 4-4.
Liverpool return to the top of the table on goal difference
but with two games in hand, it is Manchester United who are
in the box seat in the Premier League run-in.
(Setanta Sports)
Gerrard backs Rafa over gesture
Steven Gerrard has insisted that Rafa Benitez did not show
any disrespect to Sam Allardyce during Liverpool's victory
over Blackburn.
Benitez made an ambiguous gesture after the Reds scored
their second goal and Allardyce thought his opposite number
was saying that the game was already over, even though there
was almost an hour still to play.
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson agreed with
Allardyce and described Benitez's actions as 'arrogant'.
Liverpool's assistant boss Sammy Lee explained on Monday
what Benitez had meant by his gesture and Gerrard has now
backed up his version
of events.
"I was sitting right behind Rafa and I can guarantee that it
was in no way trying to disrespect their bench," the
midfielder told Sky Sports.
"We had the set-pieces up on the board before the game and
he'd told Xabi Alonso to do a certain free-kick.
"Xabi did the opposite but we managed to score from it, so
he was basically saying 'don't listen to me, do your own
thing'.
"You can understand why Sam's upset but what I didn't
understand was why he didn't speak to Rafa and Sammy Lee
about it to clear it up after the game. It wouldn't have
been an issue."
(Sky Sports)
Agger and Riera return versus Arsenal
Albert Riera and Daniel Agger return to the Liverpool XI to
face Arsenal this evening.
Rafa Benitez makes two changes from the side that faced
Chelsea last week, with Martin Skrtel and Lucas making way.
The Reds XI in full is: Reina, Arbeloa, Aurelio, Carragher,
Agger, Mascherano, Alonso, Benayoun, Riera, Kuyt, Torres.
Subs: Cavalieri, Skrtel, El Zhar, Lucas, Babel, Ngog,
Dossena.
(LFC Official Website)
Lazio chief: Zarate going nowhere
Lazio president Claudio Lotito says there is ‘zero chance’
of their loanee Mauro Zarate joining Liverpool.
The Argentine striker has netted 12 times since moving to
the Serie A club from Qatar’s Al-Sadd last July.
The former Birmingham player is reportedly a target for
Liverpool as they look to provide Fernando Torres with a
supporting act in the forward line.
Zarate demonstrated his goal scoring prowess with a brace
against Cagliari on his debut for Lazio in the Italian top
flight, and the Roman club are unwilling to let Liverpool
get their hands on the player.
“There is zero chance. Lazio will exercise their option to
buy Zarate and they will not sell Zarate to Liverpool, full
stop,” Lotito told Reuters.
(Setanta Sports)
BBC issues apology after Radio 1
blames Liverpool fans for Hillsborough
The BBC has apologised after a Radio 1 journalist blamed
Liverpool supporters for the Hillsborough disaster.
In a bulletin the journalist wrongly said an official report
had blamed Liverpool supporters for too many fans getting
into one part of the stadium that day.
But on Tuesday the BBC issued an official apology and said
it had made an embarrassing mistake.
"Yesterday on Newsbeat at 12.45 we broadcast an item on the
Hillsborough disaster in which 96 people were killed," it
said.
"We said an official report blamed Liverpool supporters for
too many fans getting into one part of the stadium that day.
"This was wrong and we would like to apologise to listeners
offended by our report and for this error."
(BBC Sport Online)
Arbeloa: It's all or
nothing for us
Liverpool full-back Alvaro Arbeloa feels the Reds must beat
Arsenal on Tuesday to stand any chance of taking the Premier
League title.
The Reds currently trail Manchester United by just one point
heading in the final stages of a dramatic season, but the
Red Devils do have a game more to play.
Whatever happens, though, the battle for top-flight glory
promises to go down to the wire, with two arch rivals
determined to wrestle the crown away from the one another.
With so much at stake, any slips at this stage of the
campaign could
be crucial.
Arbeloa accepts as much and is determined to ensure that a
season which has promised so much does not end in
disappointment for Rafa Benitez's side.
"This match against Arsenal is like a cup final for us," the
Spain international told Sky Sports.
"Now that we are only left in one competition we need to
make sure we do not make any mistakes. Winning the title
will not be easy, but it is not impossible.
"The confidence in our squad is high and we believe we can
take advantage of any error from Manchester United. There is
no room for failure, though, and every game is vital."
(TEAMtalk)
Rafa fears Gerrard absence
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez admits captain Steven Gerrard
is in a race against time to be fit for Saturday's Premier
League match with
Hull City.
The England star has been ruled out of Tuesday's home clash
with Arsenal, which can be seen live on Sky Sports 1 and
HD1, with a groin injury and he could now also miss the trip
to the KC Stadium.
Gerrard was an unused substitute for the 4-0 victory over
Blackburn on 11th April and was then ruled out of the UEFA
Champions League quarter-final second-leg draw at Chelsea
after aggravating an adductor muscle problem in training.
And Benitez has admitted that it will be "difficult" for his
inspirational skipper to be at 100 per cent for the coming
weekend.
However, the Liverpool boss is confident that his
title-chasing squad can cope without Gerrard, who may not
return until the Anfield visit of Newcastle on 3rd May.
"It's always disappointing when Stevie isn't in the team but
we have won games without him and played well without him at
times this season," said Benitez.
"We have quality in the squad and I am sure we can still
play nice football, score goals and win games, whoever is in
the team."
(Sky Sports) |
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MONDAY 20 |
Spearing stars
in seven-goal thriller
Jay Spearing grabbed a magnificent hat-trick as Liverpool
Reserves crashed to a 4-3 defeat against Bolton Wanderers.
The 20-year-old midfielder gave further evidence of his
precocious talent with a superb first-half treble but it was
not enough to move Gary Ablett's men off the foot of the
table as the Trotters came from behind on three occasions
before snatching a winner two minutes from time.
It means last season's champions remain rooted to the foot
of the Barclays Premier Reserve League North table with just
two matches remaining.
It was a hugely frustrating night for Ablett and co but
there were still some positives to be taken from the
display, with Spearing adding weight to his claims for more
first-team involvement following his impressive cameo
against Real Madrid in March.
Liverpool Reserves: Martin Hansen, Emmanuel Gomis Mendy,
Stephen Darby, Mikel San Jose Dominguez, Godwin Antwi,
Victor Palsson, Jay Spearing, Daniel Pacheco, Krisztian
Nemeth (Ryan Crowther 65), Andras Simon (Vitor Flora 82),
Gerardo Bruna (Gary Mackay-Steven 72).
Unused subs: Dean Bouzanis, Robbie Threlfall.
(LFC Official Website)
Wenger plays down
impact of Fergie-Rafa spat
Arsene Wenger feels the potential impact of the spat between
Sir Alex Ferguson and Rafa Benitez has been ‘overrated’.
After their earlier public feud this season, Ferguson
reopened the war of words recently when he accused Benitez
of showing ‘contempt’ and ‘arrogance’ through his touchline
gestures during Liverpool’s 4-0 victory over Blackburn.
But, ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League clash with Liverpool
on Tuesday, Wenger has suggested the latest comments may
have little impact
on Benitez.
"You want respect in the game, and we managers are
responsible for it,” he said.
“I do not want to interfere in that more because I do not
know what happened (between Ferguson and Benitez)."
(Setanta Sports)
Sammy: Benitez
is not arrogant
Liverpool assistant manager Sammy Lee has denied there is an
arrogance surrounding Rafael Benitez or the Anfield-based
club.
Last week the Spaniard came under fire from Blackburn
manager Sam Allardyce and Manchester United boss Sir Alex
Ferguson, who accused him of being disrespectful and full of
contempt.
The comments were sparked by a gesture made by Benitez when
his side scored the second of their four goals against
Rovers at Anfield the previous Saturday.
Allardyce said it was a humiliating gesture that "typifies
the man", while Ferguson waded into the row by describing
the signal as an unforgivable show of contempt.
Benitez was not present to defend himself at the club's
press conference ahead of Tuesday's important Premier League
clash at home to Arsenal but Lee give his boss his full
backing.
"One thing I will say is Rafa is certainly not arrogant,"
said the former Reds midfielder.
"I think it is quite sad really. We only get on with the job
we have to do, we try not to consider what other people are
thinking or saying about us."
(TEAMtalk)
Adebayor and Van Persie
to miss Liverpool clash
Arsenal will be without leading strikers Emmanuel Adebayor
and Robin van Persie for the Premier League trip to
Liverpool on Tuesday, manager Arsene Wenger said.
"Emmanuel Adebayor is rested. He has a little hamstring
problem and we don't want to risk him," Wenger told
reporters on Monday.
"Van Persie has a little groin problem," added Wenger after
the Dutchman picked up the injury during Arsenal's 2-1
defeat by Chelsea in their FA Cup semi-final at Wembley on
Saturday.
The good news for Arsenal was that right back Bacary Sagna
is fit to return to the squad though he remains a doubtful
starter at Anfield where Liverpool will bid to keep up with
leaders Manchester United.
(Reuters)
Skrtel motivated
by Euro heartache
Martin Skrtel believes Liverpool can use their Champions
League exit at the hands of Chelsea as motivation in the
Premier League title race.
"Every player wanted to win so badly," Skrtel told
Liverpool's official website when asked about the defeat to
Chelsea.
"And it hurts that we didn't but we can turn this pain into
something positive by remembering how we felt at the end of
the game and trying to make sure that we do not feel this
way in any other games this season.
"I still feel that we have a good chance in the Premier
League because we are in good form right now and even though
we lost against Chelsea we still showed our winning
mentality and our desire."
(TEAMtalk)
Terriers boss keen to keep Kelly
Huddersfield manager Lee Clark has reiterated his desire to
bring Liverpool defender Martin Kelly back to the Galpharm
Stadium
next season.
Kelly joined the Terriers on loan at the end of March and
grabbed the winner with his first goal for the club in
Saturday's fightback at Walsall.
Clark said: "The wheels are already in motion regarding
Martin Kelly. We have made it known that we'd like him on a
season-long loan next season.
"Obviously Liverpool and Rafael Benitez have got other
things on their minds between now and the end of the season,
but they will have meetings about what they want to do with
their young players next term.
"I've spoken to Martin. He's enjoying his time here and
would have no qualms about returning to us next season. I've
explained where we want to be and how we want to go and he'd
like to be a part of it.
"He's a very athletic lad and although he's a good defender
that will continue to improve as he gets older. For him to
get goals like that is
a real bonus."
(TEAMtalk)
Boss pleased with Insua progress
Rafael Benitez is happy with the way Emiliano Insua has come
on this season.
The Argentinian defender has made the first team squad on
numerous occasions this season and is now regularly
challenging Fabio Aurelio and Andrea Dossena for a place in
the starting eleven.
"Insua is improving and the competition for the left back
position is very high with Fabio Aurelio and Andrea
Dossena," said Benitez.
"Insua is doing well and the team is doing well. Hopefully
we can see Emiliano fighting for his position until the end
of the season with Fabio and Dossena."
(LFC Online) |
|
SUNDAY 19 |
Families set to see Hillsborough files
The Hillsborough Families Support Group has welcomed a
request by the Home Office to make public official documents
about the stadium disaster.
Ninety-six Liverpool supporters died in a crush at Sheffield
Wednesday's Hillsborough stadium on 15 April 1989 where
their team was playing an FA Cup semi-final against
Nottingham Forest.
The victims' families have been fighting for further
inquiries into the deaths as they dispute the findings of
the single inquest into all 96 deaths, which ruled the
victims were all dead, or brain dead, by 3.15pm. A verdict
of accidental death was subsequently recorded.
Official documents are usually only released after 30 years,
but Home Secretary Jacqui Smith has discussed waiving the
rule in this instance with South Yorkshire's chief constable
Meredydd Hughes.
Smith said: "The Government is committed to helping those
who lost loved ones in the Hillsborough tragedy.
"That is why I will be working with colleagues in the
Ministry of Justice, the Department for Culture, Media and
Sport, and the Attorney General's Office to put out any
information that exists that could shed light on the
disaster and its aftermath in the public domain as soon as
possible."
Trevor Hicks, of the Hillsborough Families Support Group,
said on Sunday: "We have heard that a request has been made
and we are expecting confirmation this week.
"I am pleased, it's better late than never."
(TEAMtalk)
Itandje: People have over-reacted
Liverpool keeper Charles Itandje has moved to play down the
growing furore over his behaviour during Wednesday's
Hillsborough memorial service.
Itandje was suspended on Saturday for 14 days while the
Premier League club investigate his conduct during the
service at Anfield.
Television footage showed the player laughing and nudging
team-mate Damian Plessis during the service to remember the
96 people who died at the FA Cup semi-final clash between
Liverpool and Nottingham Forest
on April 15 1989.
Itandje issued an apology on Saturday in an interview with
the Liverpool Echo newspaper, in which he stated it had not
been his intention "to offend or disrespect anyone".
The 26-year-old Frenchman has since claimed the incident has
been blow out of proportion, telling Aujourd'hui Sport
newspaper: "It is a 30-second clip about which people are
going overboard.
"You need to see an hour of the video if you want to judge
my behaviour, but you know the papers over there [in
England]. They make a big deal
of things."
When asked if he could describe what he was doing in the
footage, which has been circulated on the Internet, Itandje
replied: "No idea. I haven't even seen it. I don't know at
what moment it was being filmed."
He added: "It's not the club I need to explain myself to,
it's the families [of the Hillsborough victims].
"I sympathise with them and I would like to tell them that."
(TEAMtalk)
Borussia's tribute to the 96
Supporters from Borussia Moenchengladbach paid their own
special tribute to the memory of the 96 in Germany on the
day that Anfield held the 20th Hillsborough memorial
service.
At their official 'Fanhaus' the Borussia fans erected a
special flag and lit candles and placed flowers as a mark of
respect.
This is a unique bond of friendship that exists between
supporters of Liverpool and Borussia Moenchengladbach.
(LFC Official Website)
Joy for Hobbs and Martin
There was joy for Jack Hobbs as he was part of the Leicester
City team that clinched the League One championship and
promotion to the Championship after a 2-0 win at Southend on
Saturday.
The centre half, who is on a season long loan at the Walkers
Stadium, has been a colossus at the back for the Foxes and
made 39 appearances so far this season.
Fellow Red David Martin has also played a big part in the
promotion season as he made 30 appearances before being
sidelined for the last month with an injury.
Academy midfielder Astrit Ajdarevic, who is also on loan at
Leicester, made a late substitute appearance during the
celebrations at Southend.
(LFC Official Website)
Mascherano left awestruck
by Liverpool Memorial Service
Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano was so struck by
Wednesday's Memorial Service that he rang friends back home
to tell them what he
had witnessed.
"I have never seen anything like it in my life," Mascherano
told Liverpoolfc.tv. "I spoke to some people in Argentina
about it because it was amazing to see the stadium almost
full for a memorial service. It would not happen at other
clubs or in other countries.
"It's great the way the fans and the city came together.
They still remember after 20 years the people who lost their
lives.
"When I came here I didn't know what happened 20 years ago
but living in the city and playing for Liverpool you hear
all the stories. It was so sad."
Mascherano's first professional club, River Plate, endured
their own stadium disaster in 1968 when 74 people died
trying to escape a fire.
"In Argentina something similar happened many years ago at
River Plate but they don't remember like Liverpool fans
remember," added the 24-year-old.
(tribalfootball.com)
Thor Zakariassen
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