|
|
|
|
SUNDAY 21 |
Kewell closing on return
Liverpool star Harry Kewell believes he is finally close to
making a return to action.
Kewell has not featured this season after picking up groin
and foot injuries during Australia's World Cup campaign.
The former Leeds man underwent surgery at the back end of
last year and Kewell was able to start running earlier this
week.
Kewell is now hoping to be back to full fitness in a month
and is targeting a return to action in the UEFA Champions
League against Barcelona.
"I started running on Tuesday for the first time since the
World Cup, so that was amazing," Kewell told the Sydney
Herald Sun.
"Just getting to this stage is a major relief and a weight
off my mind.
"I think the desperation to play gets cranked up a little
now that I am back here at Liverpool.
"I know I am getting closer, but I'm so keen to get back
into it now that it can't come quickly enough for me."
(Sky Sports)
Reds move for Ajax starlet
Liverpool are reportedly ready to raid Ajax for youngster
Jordy Brouwe.
The Reds are believed to have agreed a deal to bring the
Holland Under 19 international to Anfield.
Ajax technical director Martin van Geel claimed he was
surprised by Liverpool's interest as they were unsure if
Brouwe was good enough to make the breakthrough at the
Amsterdam ArenA.
"We didn't have the complete conviction that he was ready
for it," Van Geel told
AD Sportwereld
(Sky Sports)
Fowler considers United move
Former Liverpool team-mates Robbie Fowler and
Patrik Berger are considering offers to follow David Beckham
to Major League Soccer.
Reports claim (Washington) DC United are ready to offer
Fowler a lucrative chance to end his career in the sun if,
as is expected, he is not offered a new deal at Anfield.
(Clubcall Sports)
Gerrard: No title talk from Reds
Liverpool's pantomime season is over and the big two in the
Premiership know the men from Anfield are 'right behind
you.'
Manager Rafael Benitez was vilified a couple of weeks back
after two hugely embarrassing cup defeats by Arsenal.
The 6-3 debacle in the Carling Cup was the last time the
Anfield fans had seen their men in action prior to
Saturday's overpowering of champions Chelsea.
Now the talk is off stealing the runners-up spot or even -
and it is no more than a whisper - sneaking up on Manchester
United at the top of the table.
Skipper Steven Gerrard, who produced a disciplined,
controlled midfield display, tried to keep title talk in
perspective, saying: "It's a massive result, but we still
have a lot of work to do"
(PA Sport)
Pennant delighted to break his duck
Jermaine Pennant said he was absolutely delighted to score
his first goal for Liverpool in the 2-0 win over Chelsea and
called it a special moment.
"To score a goal like that was very, very special and a
great way for me to get my first goal for Liverpool,"
enthused the Reds number 16.
(LFC Official Website)
Juve set sights on Gerrard
Juventus appear to be planning for life back in Serie A, as
they have confirmed they would like to bring Liverpool star
Steven Gerrard to Turin.
"Gerrard is a great player and has been a dream for us for
some time," Juve director of sport Alessio Secco is quoted
as saying in the News of the World.
(Sky Sports) |
|
SATURDAY 20 |
Benitez: Reds deserve credit
Rafael Benitez refused to let Chelsea's obvious defensive
problems detract from the quality of his Liverpool side's
performance on Saturday.
The Reds boss took his first points from a Premiership
fixture against Jose Mourinho's Blues as Dirk Kuyt and
Jermaine Pennant scored first-half goals in a
straightforward
2-0 win over the champions at Anfield.
"I was confident when I saw my team sheet," said the
Spaniard. "I thought we did a very good job and deserved to
win."
(TEAMtalk)
Jose: I'm not a miracle worker
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho insisted he "cannot do
miracles" after seeing his makeshift defence fail to prevent
a routine Liverpool victory.
Mourinho, asked if he blamed Chelsea's title setback on the
current centre-back crisis, told Sky Sports: "I think so.
It's obvious. There were definitely mistakes with people not
adapting to their positions.
"I was waiting for 15 or 20 minutes to go by with no goals
conceded and the confidence arriving. But when the team is
very fragile on the pitch and mentally not so
self-confident, it is difficult.
"In the second half, I think we played better but Liverpool
defended well and were full of confidence. They knew they
could be adventurous because our defensive line is fragile."
(TEAMtalk)
Gerrard: We still have a lot to do
Steven Gerrard reflected on Liverpool's brilliant 2-0
victory over Chelsea and declared: "It's a massive result,
but we still have a lot of work to do."
"All we can do is look ahead to the next game and the next
performance and make sure we do the same things again."
(LFC Official Website)
Reds give Jose the blues
A terrific Liverpool performance saw them coast to a 2-0 win
over a very poor Chelsea
at Anfield.
From the off the home side looked far hungrier and their
attacking approach was rewarded with a fourth minute lead as
Dirk Kuyt struck.
Before 20 minutes had gone, Liverpool's domination told
again as Jermaine Pennant's struck his first goal for the
club and that proved enough for Rafa Benitez - as he claimed
his first league victory over Jose Mourinho.
(Sky Sports)
Neill: Why I chose Hammers
Blackburn's Lucas Neill claims money was not the reason for
his decision to snub Liverpool and sign for West Ham.
Neill has agreed a two-and-a-half year deal worth a reported
£60,000-a-week with The Hammers, and will sign for a fee of
around £1.5million.
"It wasn't about cash - that didn't come into it," Neill
told Sydney's Sunday Telegraph. "It was about being wanted.
West Ham were knocking down the door to get me whereas
Liverpool made a take it or leave it offer and didn't even
come in for me until 15 days after the transfer window
opened.
"People have said I put money before medals and how could I
make a sideways move like this and not go to a club like
Liverpool, who are always in the hunt for trophies and so
much prestige.
"It was an extremely hard decision but I know it's the right
one. West Ham moved heaven and earth to sign me while
Liverpool gave me the impression that I might not even get a
game if I went there."
(Sky Sports)
Kuyt & Crouch in attack v Chelsea
Dirk Kuyt and Peter Crouch will lead the Liverpool attack in
today's early Premiership kick off with Chelsea at Anfield.
Rafa Benitez has recalled John Arne Riise and Jermaine
Pennant to the starting eleven in place of Sami Hyypia and
Craig Bellamy. Liverpool will have Steven Gerrard and Xabi
Alonso in the centre of the midfield with Pennant and
Aurelio patrolling the flanks.
Liverpool: Reina, Finnan, Agger, Carragher, Riise, Aurelio,
Gerrard, Alonso, Pennant, Crouch, Kuyt. Subs: Dudek,
Bellamy, Hyypia, Gonzalez, Fowler.
(LFC Official Website) |
|
FRIDAY 19 |
Mission still possible says Rafa
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez believes victory over Chelsea
on Saturday could see The Reds come up on the rails in the
Premiership title race.
Benitez believes this weekend - Liverpool host Chelsea
before Arsenal take on Manchester United on Sunday - will
have a huge bearing on the fate of all four clubs.
Though Manchester United and Chelsea are favourites to
contest the title, Benitez insists a win for his side would
provide a massive fillip.
The Reds trail leaders United by a massive 14 points, but
Benitez is refusing to give up all hope.
"For us to win this game would be a boost for the rest of
the season," Benitez told Sky Sports News.
"We know that we are really close and if we can win people
will start thinking about the title or the second position
and then we will be focused on that.
"This is really important for us because the other game is
Arsenal and Manchester United - it's vital for all four
teams."
(Sky Sports)
Ton up Rafa has Shanks in sight
As Rafael Benitez prepares for his 100th league match in
charge of the Reds he can justifiably look back with pride
on a record that is superior to almost all of his recent
predecessors in the Anfield hot-seat.
With 55 wins already under his belt, Benitez boasts a better
record than that achieved by Bob Paisley (54), Gerard
Houllier (49), Roy Evans (48) and Graeme Souness (40) over
the same period, while victory over the Champions at Anfield
tomorrow will see the Spaniard equal the tally of legendary
Scot Bill Shankly (56).
By contrast Arsene Wenger won 54 at Arsenal and Alex
Ferguson 45 at Manchester United.
Benitez says: "I'd prefer to do well over the next 100 game
rather than look back, but it's clear when you look at our
record and compare, it's not bad.
(LFC Official Website)
Banned Mak to miss Anfield trip
Jose Mourinho is without veteran France midfielder Claude
Makelele for Saturday's Premiership match against Liverpool
at Anfield.
Makelele is suspended and his holding role is almost certain
to be handed to Mikel Jon Obi, with Michael Essien
continuing to partner Ricardo Carvalho in the centre of
defence in the absence of captain John Terry.
Goalkeeper Petr Cech could make his first appearance since
fracturing his skull against Reading in October - but the
Blues remain without Terry (back), Joe Cole (foot) and
Khalid Boulahrouz (knee), although Andriy Shevchenko is fit
after recovering from his hamstring problem.
Chelsea (from): Hilario, Cech, Cudicini, Hedman, Geremi,
Ferreira, Carvalho, Essien, Bridge, A Cole, Lampard,
Ballack, Robben, Drogba, Shevchenko, Mikel, Diarra, Kalou,
Wright-Phillips.
(TEAMtalk)
Striking dilemma for Liverpool
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez must decide
which of his front-line strikers plays against Chelsea at
Anfield tomorrow.
Benitez used Dirk Kuyt, Peter Crouch and Craig Bellamy in
last weekend’s 3-0 win at Watford, but he is unlikely to be
as bold against the champions.
Benitez also used three centre-backs at Watford but again is
likely to chose two from Jamie Carragher, Sami Hyypia and
Daniel Agger. Bolo Zenden is back in training after a knee
injury and Mark Gonzalez has recovered from a shin injury.
Provisional squad: Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Agger, Hyypia,
Riise, Aurelio, Pennant, Gonzalez, Gerrard, Alonso, Bellamy,
Crouch, Fowler, Kuyt, Dudek, Paletta,
Zenden, Guthrie.
(Ireland On-Line)
Cech has no fears
Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech has no qualms about his
possible return to Barclays Premiership action this weekend
- just three months after suffering a horrific head injury
against Reading.
The 24-year-old, hoping to be back on the field away to
Liverpool on Saturday, is confident he is bearing no mental
scars from an injury which means he will have to wear a
head-guard to keep goal.
"I have never felt as strong, physically and mentally, as I
do now," he told The Sun. "I played my first game in
training last Tuesday. I didn't think about my injury at
all."
(icLiverpool)
Atletico fancied Garcia swoop
Atletico Madrid were hoping to sign Liverpool's
Luis Garcia in January, before his serious knee injury.
The Spain striker is out for the rest of the season after
injuring a cruciate ligament during the Carlling Cup
humbling by Arsenal last week.
But before that Madrid's lesser-known team were hoping to
take Garcia away from Anfield.
AS claims that Atletico have made enquiries about his
availability, but have been knocked back by Liverpool.
The paper claims the situation could change in the summer,
and meanwhile Atletico have been quoted a price of 20
million Euros for Benfica wide man Simao.
(Sporting Life)
Gerrard hits back at critics
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is unhappy with the
criticism aimed at the current side from former Reds stars.
A number of ex-Liverpool stars, who work in the media, have
been heavily critical of Rafa Benitez's side this season
after crashing out the FA Cup and Carling Cup to Arsenal
earlier this month.
Gerrard insists it is not all doom and gloom at Anfield and
that there is still a lot to play for this term.
"The only people writing our season off are some of our
former players in the media," said Gerrard. "That's just got
very boring for us now."
(Sky Sports)
Warnock to complete transfer to Blackburn
Stephen Warnock is on the verge of completing a £1.5million
move to Blackburn Rovers.
The Liverpool left-back is due for a medical at Ewood Park
today despite the fact that Rovers haven’t yet secured the
sale of Lucas Neill.
The Australian, originally destined for Anfield in a deal
that involved a swap with Warnock, was still thrashing out
personal terms with the London club last night after
deciding to snub Liverpool in favour of a bumper pay rise at
Upton Park.
Blackburn are taking a risk by holding out for the money
from West Ham that will cover the purchase of Warnock, but
the deals are close to being completed.
(Liverpool Daily Post)
Curbs backing for wantaway Javier
Alan Curbishley insists Javier Mascherano will remain part
of West Ham's plans if FIFA rule he cannot complete a
proposed move to Liverpool.
The Argentina international has started just three
Premiership games since completing a shock move to West Ham
from Brazilian club Corinthians in the summer.
FIFA regulations state a player cannot represent more than
two clubs in the 12 months between July 1 and June 30.
Curbishley does not fancy Liverpool's chances and is clearly
frustrated to have inherited the 'Mascherano issue' from the
previous West Ham regime.
But he stressed the World Cup star had not been "dismissed"
from his plans.
"There is a ruling that is quite clear that it can't really
happen," he said.
"It is out of our hands at the moment.
"I have looked at my team selections and he hasn't featured
in it. I felt that if there was an opportunity for him in
this window we would allow him to go.
"If it doesn't happen he is a West Ham player. I have not
dismissed him at all."
(TEAMtalk)
|
|
Thor Zakariassen
© |
|
