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FRIDAY 21 |
Benitez plays down Agger fears
Rafa Benitez is hopeful of having Daniel Agger available
within 'a few weeks' despite the Danish international
requiring back surgery.
The 24-year-old missed much of pre-season with a recurring
back complaint and will now undergo an operation.
Benitez told Liverpoolfc.tv: "Yes, he saw a specialist and
maybe he will need an operation.
"I don't think it will be long. If everything goes well it
won't take too much time, maybe a few weeks."
(LFC Official Website)
Rafa delighted with Kyrgiakos deal
Rafa Benitez believes Sotirios Kyrgiakos will prove to be a
'very good signing' for Liverpool.
The Greek centre-back has put pen to paper on a two-year
deal with the option of a further year to complete his
transfer from AEK Athens.
Speaking to Liverpoolfc.tv, Benitez revealed the reasoning
behind his decision to swoop for Kyrgiakos
"He is a tough defender who is strong and good in the air.
He has a strong character and we were looking for these
things," said the Reds boss.
"He can score goals and will be a threat from corners and
free-kicks. He's very strong in defence but he will need
time as always to settle into the Premier League. He will be
a very good signing for us.
(LFC Official Website)
Threlfall joins Cobblers on loan
Northampton have signed Liverpool defender Robbie
Threlfall on an initial one-month loan as cover for the
injured Liam Davis and Danny Jackman.
The 20-year-old goes straight into the squad to face
Bournemouth on Saturday and gives the Cobblers some
much-needed cover at full-back.
Manager Stuart Gray said: "Robbie is a good young player
with
a good pedigree.
"He is a natural left-back and with the injuries to Liam
Davis and Danny Jackman we have been a bit short in that
area.
"He already has some Football League experience and
hopefully he can add to that while he is here. He is a young
player who is keen to play first team football and make an
impact, and I am sure he will do well for us."
(TEAMtalk)
Benitez angry at Lucas criticism
Rafael Benitez has hit out at Lucas Leiva’s critics
following the young Liverpool midfielder’s call-up for
Brazil’s forthcoming World Cup qualifiers.
The Reds chief has become increasingly annoyed at media
pundits’ criticism of the 22-year-old, and has suggested he
is an easy target compared to senior stars.
Lucas was again singled out after the opening Barclays
Premier League defeat at Tottenham last weekend, but
responded with a fine display in the midweek victory over
Stoke.
Benitez said: “Lucas has a very good mentality. But for
someone of his age to suffer such criticism from the experts
on TV is wrong.
“He is so good but still he was criticised. I do not
understand why they do not criticise other players, more
senior players, when they do not
play well.
“He is an easy target and maybe they are not brave enough to
criticise the bigger players here.”
He added: “But he will have a big season. He was the best
player in pre-season and at Spurs, when we did not play
well, he was still one of the best alongside Glen Johnson
and Pepe Reina.
“Against Stoke he again showed his quality. He has a very
good mentality. He can tackle, win headers and pass the
ball. He will make mistakes like anyone, but he is and will
be a very good player."
(BreakingNews.ie)
Davies doubtful for Villa
Aston Villa central defender Curtis Davies is doubtful for
Monday's Barclays Premier League clash with Liverpool at
Anfield after a recurrence of his shoulder problem.
Davies suffered the setback during the latter stages of the
Europa League clash away to Rapid Vienna and his
replacement, rookie Shane Lowry, is amongst the candidates
to replace him although Habib Beye could switch from
right-back.
Villa boss Martin O'Neill will also be hoping striker John
Carew is fit to make his first appearance of the season -
the Norwegian missed the home league reversal by Wigan with
a foot injury and then pulled out of the Vienna game with a
virus.
(Irish Independent)
Agger back blow for Rafa's Reds
Liverpool defender Daniel Agger will have back surgery next
week and is likely to be out for six weeks, missing Monday's
visit of Aston Villa.
The Reds star has missed the first two Premier League games
of the season, having been troubled with the injury all
summer.
He adds to boss Rafael Benitez's defensive injury problems.
Martin Skrtel is also a doubt for the visit of Martin
O'Neill's side, which means that teenager Daniel Ayala
stands by having made his full debut in the 4-0 win over
Stoke on Wednesday.
New Greek defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos could also figure once
his £2m move has been completed and international clearance
acquired.
Kick-off at Anfield is 8pm.
Liverpool (from): Reina, Johnson, Ayala, Skrtel, Carragher,
Insua, Dossena, Babel, Benayoun, Gerrard, Mascherano, Lucas,
Kuyt, Torres, Voronin, Cavalieri, Kelly, Riera, Ngog,
Spearing, Plessis.
(TEAMtalk)
Lucas gets Brazil call
Lucas Levia has been named in the Brazilian squad.
The Liverpool midfielder has earned a recall to the Brazil
squad for their World Cup qualifiers against Chile and
Argentina next month.
(LFC Online)
Hansen: New boy could be difference
Alan Hansen believes Glen Johnson could be the decisive
factor in helping Liverpool go one better this season and
become Barclays Premier League champions.
The new boy made a huge impression on his home debut against
Stoke on Wednesday, scoring one and setting up another.
"Johnson has got the pace and trickery, and on Wednesday he
had a fantastic game, he obviously got the goal as well. He
also won the penalty kick on Sunday.
"We've still to see and judge him defensively, but we saw
him at Portsmouth on many occasions. He can make the
difference, especially down the right side."
(LFC Official Website) |
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THURSDAY 20 |
Stoke defender stunned by Gerrard
Stoke City defender Matthew Etherington says he was amazed
by the skill of Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard during
the Reds’ 4-0 victory over the Potters last night.
Gerrard made an impressive turn at full pace on the edge of
the box to bypass Ehterington and set up Dirk Kuyt to score
Liverpool’s third goal of the night.
And Etherington said there was no way to predict what
Gerrard was going to do.
“I do not think the best defender in the world would have
expected him to do that. It was certainly the last thing I
was expecting.”
“Liverpool have got world-class players, especially when you
see what Gerrard did for their third goal.”
Etherington added he didn’t believe Stoke deserved such a
heavy defeat.
He continued, “It probably is an unfair score when you look
at it. But from the moment we conceded a goal so early in
the game, it was always going to be an uphill task against a
team of that quality.”
(This is Anfield)
Liverpool's Lee hit by FA charge
Liverpool assistant manager Sammy Lee has been charged
with improper conduct by the Football Association.
The 50-year-old was sent to the stands for continued
protests toward fourth official Stuart Attwell during
Liverpool's 2-1 defeat by Tottenham.
The former Bolton boss became incensed when Liverpool were
denied two penalty appeals late on and was eventually
dismissed by referee
Phil Dowd.
Lee has until 26 August to respond to the charges.
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez was also furious with
referee
Dowd's decisions.
"The decisions were very poor," said the 49-year-old
Spaniard after
the match.
"Everyone could see the first one was a penalty. The second
one was handball but we knew it would not be a penalty."
(BBC Sport Online)
Johnson delighted with Anfield start
Glen Johnson has thoroughly enjoyed the start of his
Liverpool career and he has thanked his team-mates for
helping him settle in so quickly.
The England full-back was the star of the show on Wednesday
night as Liverpool beat Stoke 4-0 at Anfield, scoring on his
home debut and helping set up two more in a devastating
display down the right.
Johnson reckons his good start is all down to the speed with
which he has adapted to his new surroundings.
He said: "It has been absolutely brilliant for me so far at
Liverpool. The lads and everyone at the club have been
fantastic.
"It has been great for me and helped me to settle in here
quickly, and that has shown in my performances already so I
am delighted."
(TEAMtalk)
Rafa rubbies rumour mongers
The omens were good.
The last time unfounded rumours about Rafa Benitez’s future
spread like wildfire around the city Liverpool went on to
beat Real Madrid in the Bernabeu.
This victory might not live quite so long in the memory but
it was hugely significant nonetheless.
Yesterday’s news of bookmakers slashing the odds on the
manager’s departure led to more tall stories about the
Spaniard having left his post.
His players’ response was emphatic and unequivocal.
This side had a point to prove after Sunday’s tame opening
defeat at White Hart Lane and they made it in the best
possible way.
Benitez is undoubtedly bitterly frustrated at the financial
constraints enforced on him by the American owners this
summer.
The lack of cash is a serious threat to the club’s title
hopes but Benitez is no quitter.
He has unfinished business here and last night proved that
although the depth of the squad remains a concern, when his
best XI are on song they are a match for anyone.
(Liverpool Echo)
Pulis: Never write off Liverpool
Tony Pulis saw his brave Stoke side beaten 4-0 at Anfield
last night and claimed it would be "crazy" to write of
Liverpool as potential champions.
Pulis, who saw his side achieve a notable 0-0 draw in the
corresponding fixture last season, said: "I hold my hands
up, we were beaten by a better team and better players.
"I can't say they will win the title, but they will be right
up there fighting for it. Anyone who says anything else is
crazy."
(Telegraph.co.uk)
Report: Arsenal join Liverpool
in chase for Rafael Van Der Vaart
Real Madrid playmaker Rafael van der Vaart is the subject of
interest from Liverpool and Arsenal as his Real Madrid
career looks to end.
A fire sale has been expected at The Bernabeu ever since the
multi-world-record-breaking transfers of Kaka and Cristiano
Ronaldo.
Yesterday reports in Sport claimed that Liverpool manager
Rafael Benitez is on the verge of offering Real Madrid
€11.5m for the highly-rated midfielder.
(Goal.com) |
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WEDNESDAY 19 |
Rafa: That's why we signed Glen
Rafa Benitez claims Glen Johnson showed exactly why
Liverpool signed him during the 4-0 victory over Stoke City
on Wednesday.
The defender scored one and created countless other chances
as further goals from Fernando Torres, Dirk Kuyt and David
Ngog gave the Reds their first win of 2009-10.
Benitez said: "I think we were looking for a player with
quality going forward. He created a lot of chances, was a
threat and also scored a goal. Our idea was to improve and
have more quality in the wide areas and he showed that
tonight."
(LFC Official Website)
Liverpool confirm Kyrgiakos deal
Liverpool have tonight confirmed they are on the verge of
signing Greek centre-back Sotirios Kyrgiakos from AEK
Athens.
Shortly after Liverpool’s 4-0 victory over Stoke City at
Anfield this evening, Reds boss Rafa Benitez told the club’s
official web site, “We have nearly done the deal subject to
a medical. He is a player with experience who can hopefully
help us in defence.
“He has experience in British football and Rangers. After
that with Frankfurt and the national team. He’s a good
player in the air, strong and aggressive. We were looking
for a player with experience.
“He will have the medical this week, it has to be before the
weekend.”
Last night, Kyrgiakos issued a statement through his own
personal web site telling fans AEK Athens that he was
leaving to join the Reds.
Coming with experience, 30-year-old Kyrgiakos will be seen
as the replacement for Sami Hyypia, who departed Anfield
after 10 years at the club earlier this summer.
The Greek international had a brief spell at Scottish club
Rangers between January 2005 to May 2006 before the Glasgow
outfit terminated his contract.
He has since played for German side Eintracht Frankfurt,
before moving to AEK in 2008, and holds 49 caps for Greece,
scoring 4 times.
(This is Anfield)
Reds get back on track
Liverpool got their title credentials back on track with a
ruthless 4-0 thumping of Stoke City at Anfield.
The win is exactly the response manager Rafa Benitez will
have wanted from his side following their opening weekend
defeat to Tottenham on Sunday.
Stoke caused problems for the home side in minor spells
either side of half-time but it was the influence of captain
Steven Gerrard and new right-back Glen Johnson which
ultimately proved the difference between the sides.
Two goals in the first half from Fernando Torres and Johnson
sent the home side in at the break with a 2-0 lead despite
struggling to deal with Stoke's aerial ability at times.
Gerrard was again instrumental in a fine Liverpool third
after a great team goal ripped apart the away side as Dirk
Kuyt slid in their third of the night.
Substitute David Ngog completed the rout in injury-time
after more fine wing play from Johnson as Thomas Sorensen
parried in the Stoke goal.
(Sky Sports)
Hungarian duo pen new deals
Hungarian youngsters Krisztian Nemeth and Peter Gulacsi
today signed new deals at Anfield.
Striker Nemeth, 20, agreed a two-year extension to remain on
Merseyside until 2012, while goalkeeper Gulacsi, 19, will
stay another three years
until 2013.
Both players have excelled for the reserves since arriving
from MTK Hungaria in 2007.
Nemeth top scored during the second string's treble success
of 2008-09.
Gulacsi, meanwhile, showed off his undoubted potential on
loan at Hereford United last term.
Both were heavily involved in pre-season, with Nemeth
hitting a brace in a 5-0 win over Singapore.
(LFC Official Website)
AEK agree to Kyrgiakos exit
AEK Athens have revealed they have agreed to let Sotiris
Kyrgiakos join Liverpool.
As exclusively revealed by skysports.comon Tuesday,
Liverpool have lined up a move for the former Rangers man to
bolster their defensive options.
Kyrgiakos later claimed on his own personal website that he
was set to join Liverpool after receiving an offer from the
Merseyside outfit.
AEK have now announced that they will not stand in the way
of the Greek international to make the switch to Anfield
after he informed them of his desire to join the Reds.
A club statement read: "It was not in our intentions to sell
any player at this moment, but the desire of Kyrgiakos to
accept the offer of Liverpool was really great.
"Kyrgiakos accepted Liverpool's offer and although we did
everything to keep him in the team we respect his choice.
"We fully understand that it is a great challenge and honour
for any Greek player to play for a historical club as
Liverpool and AEK could never be an obstacle in the
evolution of a player such as Sotiris Kyrgiakos."
(Sky Sports)
Carra and Ayala start versus Stoke
Daniel Ayala will partner Jamie Carragher at the heart of
Liverpool's defence against Stoke tonight.
Martin Skrtel failed to recover from a head injury sustained
against Tottenham.
The Reds XI in full: Reina, Insua, Johnson, Ayala,
Carragher, Mascherano, Lucas, Benayoun, Kuyt, Gerrard,
Torres.
Subs: Cavalieri, Dossena, Voronin, Riera, Ngog, Babel,
Kelly.
(LFC Official Website)
Benitez rules out player exits
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has ruled out the prospect
of further player sales at the club.
The likes of Xabi Alonso, Sami Hyypia and Alvaro Arbeloa
have all left the Reds this summer, despite the club
finishing second in the Premier League last season.
Recent speculation has linked striker Andriy Voronin with a
switch to Hertha Berlin and Albert Riera with Barcelona, but
Benitez has moved to dismiss reports that any Liverpool
player will be leaving.
"Nobody will be sold because we need all our players. We
can't afford to lose anyone else," the 49-year-old is quoted
as saying by The Press Association.
(Goal.com)
Benitez tells Torres
to silence defenders
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has told Fernando Torres to
do his talking by putting the ball in the back of the net.
The Spanish striker has become increasingly frustrated at
his treatment by Barclays Premier League defenders and has
been involved in a number of verbal spats.
Benitez said: "I have told him that he has to stop this. He
knows he has to improve this aspect of his game and that the
way forward is to respond to any intimidation by scoring.
"In his first season, he was really focused and I think he
will be again now. He is a star now and defenders are really
worried about him but that is part of his game these days."
(PA/The Independent)
I received an offer from Liverpool,
an offer which I have accepted
Greek defender Sotiris Kyrgiakos claims he is set to join
Liverpool from AEK Athens.The 30-year-old international
centre-back told his personal website that he had agreed a
deal to move to Anfield.
Reds boss Rafael Benitez is believed to be keen to bolster
his central defensive options following the summer departure
of Sami Hyypia.
Kyrgiakos has been capped 49 times by Greece and has
previously played in Scotland for Rangers.
"I would like to inform the fans of AEK that on Monday night
I received an offer from Liverpool, an offer which I have
accepted," he said.
"I understand this has come at the worst possible time ahead
of the crucial games for qualification to the Europa League,
but the fact that I will play for Liverpool is like a
qualification in itself for me.
"I have taken my final decision which was accepted by the
president and the coach."
(Sport.co.uk)
Thor Zakariassen
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