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FRIDAY 21 |
Mancini glad to face Liverpool
Roberto Mancini insists he is happy to have drawn Liverpool
in the Champions League. “It’s the weaker sides on paper who
are more dangerous.”
Inter were paired with the 2005 winners and 2007 Finalists
for the first knockout round and will face off at Anfield
Road on Tuesday February 19 before the San Siro decider on
March 12.
“It is a good draw,” assured Mancio. “There are no weak
sides in the competition now and history teaches us that
when you pick those who are weaker on paper, they are the
ones where you most risk tripping up.
“It is better to take on the strongest of the lot, as if you
want to lift the trophy then you have to beat them all. I
think this will be a battle of two great teams.”
“Liverpool are a strong side, very solid with great players.
They have the English mentality, but also the tactical nous
of a Coach who studies and prepares for games very
carefully,” added Mancini.
“They are very good on home turf and have eliminated Chelsea
twice as well as Juventus in recent years.”
(Channel 4)
Duo set for Reds return
Liverpool stars Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres are set
to return for tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League clash with
Portsmouth at Anfield.
The pair both missed Wednesday’s Carling Cup defeat to
Chelsea through illness.
Striker Peter Crouch begins a three-match ban for his
sending off at Stamford Bridge but Xabi Alonso is in
contention.
The Spain midfielder came through unscathed against the
Blues on his return from a broken metatarsal.
Team (from): Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Hyypia, Riise,
Kewell, Gerrard, Mascherano, Benayoun, Alonso, Kuyt, Torres,
Aurelio, Babel, Crouch, Finnan, Hobbs, Itandje, Lucas,
Voronin, Sissoko.
(Evening Echo)
Muntari rejects Reds rumour
Ghana midfielder Sulley Muntari insists he remains fully
focussed on Portsmouth despite reported interest from
Liverpool.
Pompey's £7million record signing will face the Reds at
Anfield on Saturday, but claims he remains 100 per cent
committed to
the South Coast club.
Muntari joined Portsmouth from Udinese in May and has scored
three times in his last four games.
"I have not heard about Liverpool's interest but, before I
left Ghana six years ago, I heard Manchester United wanted
to sign me and that it was close after I had a trial with
them," he said.
"But it came to nothing and I went to Italy with Udinese
instead. It turned out well because they are a fantastic
club and the president was like a father to me.
"Now though, I'm glad to be in England and doing well for
Portsmouth."
(Football co.uk)
Dates confirmed for Inter tie
Liverpool have confirmed the dates for the Champions
League last 16 clash with Inter Milan.
The Reds will entertain the Italian champions in the
first-leg on Tuesday, February 19 while the second-leg in
Italy will be played on Tuesday,
March 11.
(LFC Official Website)
Parry: Inter is a huge tie
Rick Parry is relishing the prospect of taking on Inter
Milan in the last 16 of the Champions League and admitted
that it was always going to be a mouthwatering tie for the
Reds.
"It's a big one, but it was always going to be a big one
whoever we had drawn" said Parry.
"It's a very long time since we played them so it'll be a
new one for us. They are a very good team, they did very
well last year and they are doing well in the Italian league
again this season, so it'll be tough but there are no easy
ones at this stage.
"They are a very good team, but every team at this stage is
a good team, and when you look at who we could have drawn
none of them would have been an easy game, so we'll take
whoever we get."
(LFC Official Website)
Pamarot misses trip to Anfield
Portsmouth defender Noe Pamarot is out and midfielder Sean
Davis is a doubtful starter for Saturday's Premier League
clash at Liverpool.
Pamarot has a hamstring problem whilst Davis has an ankle
injury which is giving Harry Redknapp cause for concern
ahead of the trip to Anfield.
Hermann Hreidarsson is set to return and Pedro Mendes could
keep his place despite being replaced at half-time by Davis
in last week's defeat by Tottenham. Pamarot is hopeful of a
Boxing Day return at home to Arsenal.
Linvoy Primus (knee) and Martin Cranie (broken leg) remain
long-term absentees but striker Kanu is available again
after attending his father's funeral in Nigeria last week
and is likely to be on the substitutes' bench.
Portsmouth (from): James, Johnson, Campbell, Distin,
Hreidarsson, Utaka, Davis, Diop, Muntari, Kranjcar, Pedro
Mendes, Benjani, Kanu, Taylor, Nugent, Lauren, Hughes,
Ashdown.
(TEAMtalk)
Inter mission for Reds
Liverpool have paid the price for finishing second in the
Champions League group by being paired with Serie A leaders
Inter Milan in
the last 16.
The Reds, whose form in the knockout phase of the
competition has been impressive under Rafael Benitez,
finished strongly in Group A with a 4-0 win at Marseille but
they could only finish as runners-up after a slow start,
That means they face the current Italian table-toppers, with
the first leg at Anfield (Tuesday February 19), for the
first time in the Champions League.
The second leg at the San Siro won't take place until
Tuesday March 11 because of a stadium clash with Inter's
city rivals AC Milan.
The sides last met competitively in the European Cup
semi-final in 1965, a two-legged contest which Inter won on
aggregate.
"Everybody was expecting a difficult draw and Inter Milan
are one of the top sides," said Benitez.
"They have good players and experience in Europe. It is very
difficult but we know the team and we have confidence in
ourselves.
"All the teams are difficult to beat but we have some
experience of this."
(Sporting Life)
Michael Shields passes lie detector test
The father of jailed Liverpool fan Michael Shields last
night hailed the result of a lie detector test which his son
passed “with flying colours”.
The 21-year-old is serving a 10-year sentence for the
attempted murder of a barman in Bulgaria in 2005.
The test was carried out at Garth Prison in Preston, where
Shields is being held. Organised by his lawyers and backed
by Liverpool’s Labour group leader, Cllr Joe Anderson, it is
a further attempt to clear his name.
Last night, Michael Shields snr said: “Michael has wanted to
take this test from day one. I’m made up he passed with
flying colours.”
Home Office officials gave permission for the test at the
request of Shields' lawyers.
The tests were carried out by British Polygraphers’
Association examiner Don Cargill, who carries out tests for
Channel Five's Trisha Goddard show.
Shields’s heart rate, blood pressure, sweating and breathing
were monitored as he was questioned and different readings
taken based on his responses.
(Liverpool Daily Post)
Lampard defends Crouch
Frank Lampard has defended England team-mate Peter
Crouch after the Liverpool striker was sent off for a
two-footed lunge on Mikel John Obi during their Carling Cup
quarter-final tie.
Lampard insists the England forward would never deliberately
set out to hurt another player.
Lampard declared: "Peter Crouch is a great lad and I think
everyone knows that if he made a bit of a bad tackle, which
it looked, then I'm sure he's sort of the fellow that will
hold his hands up.
"He's not like that at all, there's no malice in him,
sometimes these things happen. He'd never try to hurt
someone, I think there's times where players, as human
beings, make a rash tackle. We've all done it and Peter
would be the first lad that wouldn't hurt anyone, but it has
happened and we move on."
(PA Sport) |
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THURSDAY 20 |
Reds confident over stadium
Liverpool insist plans for their new stadium are still on
track despite some uncertainty over the long-term funding
arrangements.
The club's American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett have
had to postpone plans to borrow the £300million needed for
the project until 2009 due to the global credit crunch.
Club sources say, despite this, the stadium plans are
proceeding according to schedule in terms of the planning,
design and initial construction of the Stanley Park ground.
Hicks and Gillett are expected to re-finance the £220million
loan used to buy the club in February.
The new £350million loan with the Royal Bank of Scotland
would include £60million to get work on the new stadium
started and £25million to cover the cost of last summer's
signings.
(BBC Sport Online)
Crouch: I have no excuses
Peter Crouch says he has "no excuses" for his dismissal in
the Carling Cup quarter-final defeat to Chelsea.
The Liverpool striker was sent off for a two-footed
challenge on John Obi Mikel shortly after Frank Lampard had
scored Chelsea's first goal in
the 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge.
The England striker told the Liverpool Echo: "Mikel came in
with his studs up and that was in the back of my mind. Then
I thought there was another foul in there and obviously I've
lost my head.
"There are no excuses for the tackle I made but if the
referee had pulled the foul up when he should have done it
wouldn't have happened."
(Sky Sports)
Davis doubtful for Anfield test
Pompey physio Gary Sadler has allayed fears about the
seriousness of Sean Davis' injury although he is likely to
miss out against Liverpool.
The former Tottenham and Fulham midfielder sustained a knock
in training earlier this week and is doubtful for the trip
to Anfield while Sadler also revealed defender Linvoy Primus
is on course to recover from his
knee injury.
"Sean has now fully recovered from his hamstring injury but
he took a slight knock during the week," he told the club's
official website.
"We took an X-ray and it revealed a bit of bone bruising but
there's no fracture which is positive.
"We'll just have to wait and see if he'll be okay to feature
at the weekend.
"Linvoy's knee is healing well and he'll be going to America
in January so the surgeon can see how he's progressing and
hopefully he'll say it's time for the brace to come off."
(TEAMtalk)
Nugent can't wait to face Reds
David Nugent admits it would be 'unbelievable' to score his
first Premier League goal against Liverpool.
Though the Portsmouth striker has scored twice in the
Carling Cup, he has yet to open his account in the League.
He has only started twice in the top flight, but the boyhood
Everton fan is determined to make an impact at Anfield this
weekend.
"Liverpool - I can't wait for that one," Nugent told The
News. "It'll be
a cup final for me.
"I'm a lifelong Everton fan, so I'd love the chance to score
at Anfield."
(Sky Sports)
Dalglish plans football academy
Reds legend Kenny Dalglish will once again light up the
lives of youngsters across Merseyside after he revealed
plans for a floodlit football academy in Liverpool.
The Kop favourite, who was voted as your number one in
Liverpoolfc.tv's 100 Players That Shook the Kop poll,
believes the multi-million pound project would be of benefit
to youngsters dreaming of becoming the next Steven Gerrard
or Fernando Torres, offering the community a whole host of
state of the art facilities.
Dalgish said: "The reaction to the Gosforth centre from the
community has been fantastic. They really appreciate the
level of facilities it offers.
"It is really important for us to work with residents and it
was interesting to hear what they had to say.
"This centre would be built to Sport England specifications
because people do not want to get changed by the side of a
pitch these days.
"I also believe if you provide decent facilities for
children, you will get a bit of respect back from them."
(LFC Official Website)
Benitez keen on new deal
Rafa Benitez has revealed he would be open to extending his
Liverpool contract following talks with owners George
Gillett and Tom Hicks.
The Liverpool boss met the American duo on Sunday, following
the 1-0 defeat to Manchester United, to discuss the recent
stand-off.
Benitez had been critical of the owners' lack of
understanding of the transfer window, but is confident any
problems have now been resolved.
And, having won the FA Cup and UEFA Champions League during
his Anfield tenure, the Spaniard aims to win the Premier
League and prolong his reign.
"I am quite at ease," Benitez told Sport newspaper. "I would
like to fulfil my contract and extend it, if possible."
(Sky Sports) |
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WEDNESDAY 19 |
Rafa defends Crouch challenge
Rafa Benitez felt Peter Crouch should have been better
protected by the referee following Liverpool's Carling Cup
defeat to Chelsea.
The striker was sent off for a two-footed challenge on John
Obi Mikel moments after Frank Lampard had put Chelsea ahead.
Liverpool struggled with ten men and Benitez admits the game
was lost when Crouch was given his marching orders.
However, Benitez believes Crouch was provoked by Mikel and
has criticised referee Martin Atkinson for not dealing with
the situation sooner.
"The big decision was the sending off of Crouch because two
times before he (Mikel) tried to kick him and if you protect
Crouch you avoid the red card," Benitez told Sky Sports
News.
(Sky Sports)
Crouch sees red as Blues march on
Chelsea took the remaining Carling Cup semi-final spot after
Frank Lampard's deflected goal set up a 2-0 win over 10-man
Liverpool.
Lampard's deflected 59th-minute opener was followed, seconds
later, by a moment of madness from Peter Crouch who was
red-carded for a disgraceful two-footed lunge on John Obi
Mikel.
Referee Martin Atkinson immediately dismissed the England
striker who unleashed a four-letter tirade at Chelsea fans
before disappearing down the tunnel.
Crouch will now miss Liverpool's home clash with Portsmouth
and the visits to Derby and Manchester City over the festive
period.
(TEAMtalk)
Alonso back in midfield three
Xabi Alonso is back in the Liverpool starting XI for
Wednesday night's Carling Cup tie at Stamford Bridge after
recovering from a metatarsal break.
The influential midfielder, who hasn't featured since the
end of October, lines up alongside Lucas and Momo Sissoko in
the middle of the park.
Ryan Babel, Andriy Voronin and Peter Crouch make up a
three-pronged attack.
The Liverpool team in full is: Itandje, Arbeloa, Aurelio,
Hobbs, Carragher, Alonso, Lucas, Sissoko, Babel, Voronin,
Crouch.
Subs: Martin, Hyypia, Riise, El Zhar, Benayoun.
(LFC Official Website)
Torres keen to be a Kop idol
Liverpool striker Fernando Torres hopes to emulate Anfield
legends Ian Rush and Kenny Dalglish and become a Kop idol.
The 23-year-old Spaniard has made an excellent start to life
in England following his £20million-plus move from Atletico
Madrid in the summer, scoring 12 goals in 20 games so far.
Reds fans have dedicated a chant once reserved for Dalglish
and another Liverpool great Robbie Fowler to Torres, and he
hopes by the time his career at Anfield is over he will be
held in similar high regard.
"To be linked with players like that gives me pride and
great satisfaction," he said. "They were some of the
greatest players in the history of Liverpool Football Club.
I have just arrived and still have a long way to go, but I
am proud of the association.
"These players, Rush and Dalglish, they defined an era for
Liverpool by scoring so many goals.
"It's not just for their sake that I shy away from these
comparisons, it's for me too. I have only just arrived here.
Many years down the line when I eventually leave Liverpool I
would like to be held in the same affection as these players
but I've got a long way to go, so I'll leave them on their
pedestal at the moment."
(TEAMtalk)
Xabi: I'm ready for action
Xabi Alonso is desperate to put months of injury frustration
behind him by helping Liverpool secure a Carling Cup
semi-final berth at the expense of Chelsea on Wednesday
night.
The Spanish midfielder's campaign has been disrupted by a
recurring metatarsal injury that has seen him feature in
just nine matches for the Reds so far this season.
But he is fit again now and with the news that Steven
Gerrard has been ruled out of the Stamford Bridge clash with
a stomach upset, he is ready to show Reds fans just what
they've been missing.
"I would love to be given some minutes on the pitch tonight
because I feel I am now ready," said Alonso.
(LFC Official Website)
Benitez to shuffle Reds pack
Rafa Benitez is ready to shuffle his pack tonight as he bids
to guide Liverpool through to the semi-finals of the Carling
Cup.
The Liverpool manager is preparing for the trip to Chelsea
without the services of captain Steven Gerrard who has been
ruled out with a stomach bug and is likely to rest a number
of players who he says are tired in the build-up to the busy
Christmas period.
That is likely to mean a first start for Xabi Alonso since
he limped off against Arsenal on October 28.
Benitez is also considering leaving Alonso's fellow Spaniard
Fernando Torres on the bench as he looks to protect his
record signing ahead of a hectic spell which will see
Liverpool play four Premiership games in just 12 days.
And Jack Hobbs comes back into contention for a starting
place as the manager looks at the possibility of giving Sami
Hyypia a well-earned rest.
But Benitez is adamant that no matter which players he
selects to take on Chelsea tonight, Liverpool will be ready
for the challenge.
(Liverpool Echo)
Riise rebuffs Reds exit reports
Liverpool defender John Arne Riise has rebuffed reports
linking him with
a move away from Anfield in the January transfer window.
Spanish outfit Valencia have been strongly linked with a
move for the Norwegian international after Ronald Koeman
confirmed his interest
in Riise.
But Riise has played down the speculation and insists he
wants to stay at Liverpool and win a new contract.
"I will stay here," Riise told TV2.
"Look at the games I've played, the boss would never have
let me play those games if he didn't have confidence in me.
"I have to play better and better for each game, then I'll
get
a new contract."
(TEAMtalk)
Thor Zakariassen
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