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THURSDAY 21 |
Benitez bemoans festive schedule
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez wants the festive programme to
be cut in half to protect players from injury.
With Christmas Day falling on a Monday, the schedule will
consist of four Premiership games in 10 days.
Benitez said: "Four games is a lot. If you want to keep the
tradition, maybe play two games, it would be enough.
"You cannot play two games in three days - it is impossible
for a player to be physically fit for the next game and
there is a big risk for the players."
(BBC Sport Online)
Rafa hints at changes
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has hinted at more squad
rotation as The Reds embark on a run of four Premiership
games in just nine days.
The former European champions take on Watford this weekend
before tackling Blackburn and Spurs and then Bolton on New
Year's day.
Benitez is aiming to enjoy the hectic festive period, but
knows his troops must be winning for him to celebrate
Christmas in style.
The former Valencia tactician is naturally wary of pushing
his players too hard and will be making full use of his
squad in order to maintain fitness and avoid fatigue.
"I'll try to enjoy it, if that's possible, but if you want
to enjoy the games you need to win," stated Benitez.
"We've got a lot of games in a row now. We need to change
some players for sure because maybe we'll have some injuries
or maybe some players will be tired.
"It's Christmas time. We know how important Christmas time
is and we'll try to do our best.
"I'm not thinking about the Premiership or looking at the
table. As I've said before we need to play these games and
we'll see if we're in a better position or not."
(Sky Sports)
Mersey football thief is jailed
A man who pleaded guilty to breaking into the homes of six
footballers has been jailed at Liverpool Crown Court.
James Birch, 20, from Tuebrook, Liverpool, admitted breaking
into the home of Liverpool goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek in Caldy,
Merseyside, in June.
He also pleaded guilty to a second burglary, and asked the
court to take into account seven more - five at the homes of
other Premiership stars.
Birch was sentenced to two and a half years in a Young
Offenders Institution.
(BBC Sport Online)
Kenny backs Reds to re-enter title race
Kenny Dalglish believes Liverpool can still challenge for
the title this season.
Liverpool are currently thirteen points behind leaders Man
Utd but former manager Kenny Dalglish is refusing to write
the Reds out of the title race.
"In the Premiership we go from strength to strength and now
have to be regarded as the form team in the country," the
Liverpool legend told LFC Magazine.
"Both top sides are dropping points, or look like they
might, so we have to retain a positive outlook.
"I'm not going to make any outlandish statements, but so
long as we keep winning games and scoring goals we'll be a
danger to anyone.
"With the big three to come to Anfield in the New Year, we
might still have a lot to play for in the league, certainly
more than some people are suggesting."
(LFC Online)
Sinama stars in Madrid
Liverpool's loan star Florent Sinama-Pongolle stunned Real
Madrid in the Bernabeu Stadium last night - and is now
paving the way for a permanent Anfield exit next season.
The French striker has been in fine form since being sent on
a season loan to unfancied Recreativo de Huelvo.
He outwitted Ballon D'or winner Fabio Cannavaro to score his
sixth in nine starts in an historic 3-0 away win for the
Spanish minnows, who currently lie a surprising seventh in
La Liga.
Recreativo have an option to buy the striker if they can
meet Liverpool's asking price, but Sinama's exploits are
sure to be alerting others to his quality.
(Liverpool Echo) |
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WEDNESDAY 20 |
Warnock back but Reserves lose
Stephen Warnock made a successful return to action after
injury but it was a disappointing night for Liverpool
Reserves as they lost 1-0 to Bolton Wanderers at the
Lancashire FA County Ground in Leyland.
Warnock played for the second 45 minutes in his first match
since the Carling Cup win over Birmingham City on November
8th. He replaced Fabio Aurelio after the Brazilian played
the opening 45 minutes of the match.
There was some controversy about the only goal of the game
and Liverpool will quite rightly feel annoyed as it appeared
to be off-side by some distance. Ricardo Vaz Te ran on to a
through ball and slotted past David Martin to give Bolton
the three points.
Liverpool Reserves: Martin, Peltier, Aurelio (Warnock 45),
Roque, Paletta, Guthrie, Anderson (Flynn 82), Idrizaj,
Lindfield (Antwi 70), El Zhar, Hammill. Subs not used:
Roberts (GK), Darby.
(LFC Official Website)
Livorno chief denies Amelia talk
Livorno president Aldo Spinelli insists Marco
Amelia will only leave the club on their terms.
Amelia has been strongly linked with a move away from
Livorno with the likes of Liverpool and Milan reportedly
interested in him.
Livorno are hoping to keep hold of Amelia and have held
talks about extending his contract.
Amelia is believed to be weighing up his options and
Spinelli has warned him he will only leave if the offer is
right for Livorno.
"Amelia can leave in January only in case of a really
favourable offer for Livorno," Spinelli told Guerin Sportivo
"We have no difficulties in keeping him until June, so we
will have to evaluate with attention the offers when the
market will reopen."
(Sky Sports)
New date for Reds' Carling Cup clash
Liverpool's postponed Carling Cup quarter-final tie against
Arsenal has been rearranged for January 9, three days after
their FA Cup clash.
The Carling Cup match at Anfield should have taken place on
Tuesday night but was called off an hour before kick-off
because of heavy fog.
January 9 was actually the date for the first leg of one of
the semi-finals but was the first available date with both
clubs having packed schedules early in the new year.
(TEAMtalk)
Cisse says sorry to fans
Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse, currently on loan at
Marseille, insists his show of petulance after being
substituted last weekend demonstrates his burning desire to
be a success at the French club this season.
The 25-year-old, who was playing only his second first-team
match since breaking his leg while playing for France before
the World Cup, was unhappy at being withdrawn during the
second half of the 2-0 defeat to Nancy on Saturday.
Cisse said: "I regret my gestures, but that is my
temperament. I said sorry and I shouldn't have done it.
"They don't want to take risks with me. But when you are a
player, and you leave the pitch feeling you haven't given
everything you can, you don't think like that.
"I didn't come here to twiddle my thumbs, to play for a
season and go back to England. I have targets and want to
win titles."
(Sporting Life)
Ref Atkinson explains postponement
Referee Martin Atkinson has explained his decision to
postpone last night's Carling Cup tie against Arsenal.
Both Rafael Benitez and Arsene Wenger believed the game was
playable despite the fog – but Atkinson felt the tie could
have descended into farce.
"You have to consider if the assistant referees could see
from one side of the ground to the other," he said.
"They may have had to make a 50-50 decision that could
decide the game. It would have been an impossible job for
them."
The last time Anfield witnessed a postponement was in 1997
when a Premiership encounter with Newcastle United was
called off in the wake of the death of
Princess Diana.
(LFC Official Website)
Gerrard stays positive
Steven Gerrard insists he will never write off Liverpool's
chances of getting back in the title race.
Gerrard feels Liverpool are now playing their best football
of the season and the midfielder is determined to maintain a
positive outlook.
"We're playing a lot better now and I'd say we're back to
our consistently true level for the first time this season,"
the Reds captain told the club's official website.
"We're keeping clean sheets, scoring goals and, most
importantly, working hard for our results.
"The frustrating thing for us is we made a slow start again,
just like last season, and left ourselves so far behind.
"But there's a hell of a lot of football left to be played
this season. All the top sides have still got to come to
Anfield.
"I'm naturally positive and I know we'll fight on and never
give up. At the same time, you know you've got to be
realistic."
(Sky Sports) |
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TUESDAY 19 |
Rafa and Arsene slam decision
Rafa Benitez and Arsene Wenger both disagreed with referee
Martin Atkinson's decision after Liverpool's Carling Cup
quarter final with Arsenal was postponed due to fog.
Benitez voiced his surprise as he felt the visibility was
not too bad and improving all
the time.
"I was surprised because this morning we were training in
worse conditions, and when we arrived it was much worse than
now," he told Sky Sports.
"Now it is much better and you can see from one goal to the
other goal.
"But you cannot change the decision. We must respect it but
we don't agree."
Wenger also felt that the game should have gone ahead, or
that putting it back until Wednesday would have been another
viable option.
"Benitez and myself tried to play but he thought it was too
dangerous."
(Sky Sports)
Fog postpones Liverpool Cup match
Liverpool's Carling Cup quarter-final tie with Arsenal has
been postponed due to heavy fog at Anfield.
Referee Martin Atkinson made an initial inspection at 1815
GMT, but with the fog thickening, the official decided to
call the game off at 1845 GMT.
With both teams involved in four competitions, no date has
yet been given for when this Carling Cup tie can be played
at Anfield.
Liverpool and Arsenal are also due to meet in the FA Cup
third round.
(BBC Sport Online)
Morgan regrets failed Reds deal
Steve Morgan, Liverpool's third-largest shareholder, admits
that he should have bought the club when he had the chance.
Morgan, who made his millions in the building and hotel
industries, is about to lose the prize he has wanted for
years to the Dubai International Capital group, who are
currently engaged in due diligence ahead of an expected
£450million bid for the club.
Two years ago, Morgan reached a provisional agreement with
chairman David Moores, before backing out of the deal after
his own due diligence had revealed the full extent of the
costs for a new stadium.
Morgan wanted to re-negotiate the share price with Moores,
offering less per share, and the deal collapsed, much to his
regret now.
He said: "My bid was pre-Istanbul, pre-Rafa Benitez settling
into the club and pre-the Sky TV deal.
"If I'd had a crystal ball and seen all these things in
advance then maybe I should have done the deal at the time.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing."
(TEAMtalk) read
more
Garcia: Please accept me for what I am
Luis Garcia has appealed to Liverpool supporters ahead of
tonight's Carling Cup quarter-final against Arsenal not to
confuse his attempted flicks and tricks with 'Soccer
AM'-style showboating.
Garcia scored the winner the last time the two sides met at
Anfield and despite grabbing crucial goals in both the
Champions League and FA Cup semi finals, the midfielder
tends to frustrate as many Liverpool supporters as he
delights.
“I hear everything the fans shout," Garcia says of the
groans that sometimes accompany a failed flick or back heel.
"I don’t like it when they blame or boo me, but it’s
something I have to live with. I understand they get
frustrated when my pass doesn’t go through."
(LFC Official Website)
Wilkinson hits out at Benitez
Howard Wilkinson believes Liverpool mananger Rafael Benitez
is not in a position to criticise English football's academy
system.
Benitez claims it "is not working," and is the reason why he
has become more reliant on looking abroad for the best young
players.
"Rafael Benitez's time in England and his experiences with
the academy system are confined to the academy at
Liverpool," Wilkinson said.
"One can only assume his comments are based on his
experiences at Liverpool.
"He would be highly proficient to speak about Liverpool's
academy and what goes on there.
"But I find it difficult to imagine he would be able to
speak on behalf of the rest of
the country."
(TEAMtalk)
Gunned down with injuries
Arsenal have been hit by a series of injury blows for
tonight's Carling Cup match against Liverpool.
Two of the Gunners' top players, Thierry Henry and Freddie
Ljungberg, are understood to be suffering from hamstring
strains, leaving the London team weakened. Ex-Chelsea
player, William Gallas, is also likely to miss the match
with a thigh problem.
However it is thought Lauren will return to the side at
right back, following an eleven month lay off with a knee
problem.
(LFC Online)
Finnish star rubbishes Liverpool exit talk
Sami Hyypiä has dismissed speculation linking him with a
move to Malmo FF of Sweden
"With all due respect to the Swedish league and Malmö, there
is no chance whatsoever, I'd be moving there," wrote the
centre-half in a column after reports in Sweden linked him
with the move.
"Besides, if it should happen, that I wouldn't get games at
Liverpool anymore, I would continue my career either in
England or in Central Europe and not in Scandinavia."
(Fans FC)
Benitez: Academy system a failure
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez claims the
Academy system is failing English football.
Despite homegrown players like Steven Gerrard and Jamie
Carragher providing the backbone of the Liverpool team, the
Spanish boss has become more reliant on looking abroad for
the best young players.
Benitez said: "You need to improve the English academy
system, because it's not the best. You can't just have
players playing 18 games in a year. They need competitive
matches. The system at the moment simply is not working.
"I coached the Real Madrid B side in the Second Division,
with youngsters coming up against 30-year-olds and
35-year-olds.
"Rooney, at 16, can't be playing in the academy leagues.
That's crazy. The academy system is not working, and that is
worrying. There will be long-term effects - just look at the
last few years."
(Sporting Life)
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Thor Zakariassen
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