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MONDAY 21 |
Gerrard hits out at unstable Reds
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard says speculation over the
club's ownership and the future of manager Rafa Benitez is
affecting the players on the pitch.
Liverpool lie fifth in the Premier League after a 2-2 draw
at home to Aston Villa and are 14 points adrift of
Manchester United and Arsenal.
Gerrard said: "It's not just this week, it's been going on
for some time and it's certainly not helping the players.
"I've got to be careful what I say, but it's certainly not
helping the team."
(BBC Sport Online)
O'Neill disappointed not to win
Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill said he felt disappointed
after coming away from Liverpool with a 2-2 draw.
"I'm very disappointed to concede so late on - you'll allow
me that - but on the balance of play a draw was a fair
result," O'Neill told Setanta Sports.
(Setanta Sports)
Rafa rues missed chances
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has lamented his side's failure
to kill off Aston Villa after a late Peter Crouch equaliser
saved them from a defeat that had looked unlikely at half
time.
"We were controlling the game and creating all of the
chances, but we needed to score the second goal to kill the
game off," said Benitez.
"If we'd have scored the second goal I'm sure we'd have
scored more because we were playing well."
(LFC Official Website)
Reds rescue late draw
Peter Crouch scored just two minutes from time to salvage a
2-2 draw for Liverpool against Aston Villa.
Liverpool had taken the lead on 19 minutes when Yossi
Benayoun slid in ahead of Martin Laursen to poke the ball
home after his initial effort had been saved by Stuart
Taylor.
The Reds dominated the rest of the first half and the
beginning of the second, but they were made to pay for a
series of missed chances as Villa turned the game on its
head in the space of two minutes.
Martin O'Neill's side had created nothing until substitute
Marlon Harewood drew them level in the 69th minute with a
spectacular overhead kick.
Olof Mellberg's volley was then deflected into his own net
by Fabio Aurelio and it looked as though Villa would
withstand Liverpool's late onslaught until Crouch struck.
(Sky Sports)
Kuyt and Torres take on Villa
Dirk Kuyt will partner Fernando Torres in attack as
Liverpool look to secure their first league win of 2008
against Aston Villa at Anfield.
Rafael Benitez makes six changes from the side that faced
Luton Town last week with Harry Kewell, Yossi Benayoun and
Javier Mascherano returning to the midfield.
Sami Hyypia once again partners Jamie Carragher in defence
with new signing Martin Skrtel on the bench.
The team in full: Reina, Arbeloa, Aurelio, Hyypia,
Carragher, Mascherano, Gerrard, Benayoun, Kewell, Torres,
Kuyt.
Subs: Itandje, Alonso, Crouch, Babel, Skrtel.
(LFC Official Website)
Reds fail in bid for Croatian
Liverpool have failed in a bid to sign Croatia Under-21
international Domagoj Vida after the 18-year-old rejected a
move to Anfield.
Vida believes his career would be better served playing
regular first team football with his Croatian club Osijek
than occasionally warming the bench with The Reds.
Valued at £400,000, Rafa Benitez had been confident of
landing the prodigy, but Vida’s agent Ivan Cvejetkovic
revealed the player had other ideas.
"I was proud of Domagoj Vida," said Cvejetekovic.
"He appreciates the offer but he also thinks it would be
better if he could still prove his quality playing in the
Croatian league with Osijek instead of having a spot only on
the Liverpool bench."
(Setanta Sports)
Time to end this desperate crisis
The roar of the Kop has been heard all over Britain and
Europe. Tonight, an attempt will be made to send it right
across the Atlantic Ocean.
Liverpool fans are in a state of fury and dismay, convinced
their world famous club is enduring the biggest crisis in
its modern history.
And who can argue they are wrong?
A marriage that everyone hoped was made in heaven has
spiralled into a nightmare captured in barely believable
headlines, one played out amid a climate of deep distrust.
There is no doubt today that the majority of match-going
supporters – surely still the most important people at any
football club – believe the American dream is for them over
and beyond repair.
(John Thompson - Liverpool Echo)
Juve still keen on Sissoko
Momo Sissoko could still be on his way out of Liverpool
after Juventus coach Claudio Ranieri refused to rule out
launching a fresh bid to sign the midfielder.
The 22-year-old Mali international claimed two weeks ago
that he was close to joining the Italian side after losing
his place in the first team
at Anfield.
However, Juve appeared to dampen the speculation after
suggesting they were not looking to strengthen their squad
in January.
But Ranieri has now claimed Sissoko remains firmly on his
radar following the continued struggles of Portugal
international midfielder Tiago to settle in Turin.
"Sissoko could arrive," said Ranieri. He is a good player
that could fit into the pattern of our team."
(Football UK)
Rush urges Americans to end confusion
Anfield legend Ian Rush has implored Liverpool’s American
owners to declare their intentions and extinguish the
uncertainty surrounding
the club.
Tom Hicks and George Gillett are fast becoming unpopular
figures amongst the Liverpool supporters, prompting reports
of a protest being planned for Monday evening’s game with
Aston Villa, a match being shown live on Setanta Sports.
With speculation mounting that Dubai International Capital
are pondering a move to buy the club, Rush feels that
Anglo-American tensions must be eased sooner rather than
later – with Gillett and Hicks the men to do it.
“Only two people know the situation,” the Welshman told
Setanta Sports News.
“At the end of the day, only they know what’s happening and
they’ve got to come out and say ‘we’re in it for the long
haul.’
“If they [DIC] come and buy it it’s fair enough because I
think they are good investors, they know what they are
doing”
(Setanta Sports)
Carra comparisons flatter Skrtel
Martin Skrtel says it 's an honour to be compared to Jamie
Carragher.
Rafael Benitez likened his £6.5m signing to Jamie Carragher
after bringing him in from St Petersburg earlier this month.
It's a comparison that has flattered Skrtel.
"I obviously knew about Jamie before I came here. He is a
very good player and it's a compliment for me to be compared
to him," he said.
"The manager has told me he will give me time to improve my
fitness and fit in and I know about how tough the
competition for places is here.
"That is a good thing for a club to have and I will give it
my very best.
"I will be working as hard as I can so I can get into the
squad and I will also try to learn to speak English as soon
as possible."
(LFC Online)
Fulham closing on Kewell swoop
Fulham Football Club are being tipped to sign Harry Kewell
this week.
It is being reported that Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez
has decided to let the injury-plagued Australian
international quit Anfield on a free transfer, to offload
his £60,000-per-week wage package.
(Fans FC)
Villa can end Liverpool jinx, says Laursen
Villa have a realistic chance of ending their 13-game
winless run against Liverpool, according to Martin Laursen.
But the in-form Dane knows that Rafa Benitez's side will be
as stern a test as they have faced all season.
"To get a result at Liverpool would be something. It's going
to be hard - we're up against a very good team and Anfield
is a very difficult ground to get a result at," he said.
"But we're playing well, we have a lot of confidence in our
side and we have the belief that we can score in every game.
We're dangerous going forward and we've scored a lot of
goals from setpieces, so we can win. But we need to play
really well."
(Birmingham Mail)
Carew: Villa in good shape
John Carew believes Aston Villa have proved their high
placing in the Barclays Premier League is "no fluke".
The 28-year-old is preparing to face his former boss Rafa
Benitez as Villa take on Liverpool on Monday.
The giant striker played under the Spaniard when he was in
charge of Valencia and has immense respect for the Reds
boss.
"He has won the Champions League with Liverpool and is a
manager who deserves respect - and is a manager whom I
definitely respect.
"But hopefully now we are showing that we at Aston Villa are
capable - more than the last time or two we have faced them
- of beating Liverpool.
"It is a good time because we are on a great crest of a wave
at the moment and we have been like this for a long time.
For us it is good to meet Liverpool now because we are in
great shape."
(Sky Sport) |
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SUNDAY 20 |
Hicks not selling up
Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks has issued a categorical denial
that he is planning to sell up his stake in the Premier
League club after mounting speculation the American would
sever his ties with the Merseyside outfit.
Media reports have led to rumours that Hicks and George
Gillett, his partner in ownership, would cash in their
portion of the club by accepting a mooted offer from Dubai
International Capital.
Hicks said in a statement released on Sunday evening: "I
have not received any offer to purchase the club from the
DIC or anyone else, much less accepted any such offer. Nor
do I have any intention of
doing so."
(Setanta Sports)
Torres: Rafa's future is safe
Fernando Torres believes Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez's
future is safe at Anfield despite the recent Jurgen
Klinsmann revelations.
The Merseyside club's owners last week admitted to sounding
out Klinsmann over the possibilty of taking over the helm at
Anfield.
But the Spanish striker, who was brought to the club by
countryman Benitez in the summer, said: "It's all a lie.
Benitez will not leave and he will not be sacked.
"I can't see that happening. I don't think English football
has lost its patience like it seems."
The 23-year-old, speaking to Spanish newspaper Publico, also
spoke of his satisfaction with life on Merseyside.
"It's different here (to Madrid). I can go and have a coffee
without any pressure. I can go for a walk and not be
reminded at every step that I am a footballer.That allows me
to be more calm on the pitch and enjoy myself more.
"I can see that I play for a team which is respected by its
rivals.
"And it is easy to get along with (Steven) Gerrard on the
pitch. You don't have to do anything strange, wherever you
move he gives you the ball. He is fantastic."
(TEAMtalk)
Chester sign Liverpool teenager
Chester have signed Liverpool striker Craig Lindfield on a
month's loan.
The 19-year-old is still awaiting his first-team debut at
Anfield, although he played in the Reds' FA Youth
Cup-winning sides of 2006 and 2007.
However, he has experience of League Two this season after a
four-game loan spell at Notts County in November, in which
he scored one goal.
He made his Chester debut against Notts - coming on as a
substitute in Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Meadow Lane.
(BBC Sport Online)
Rafa: I'll be here next season
Rafa Benitez remains confident he will still be Liverpool
manager next season despite the recent revelation that the
club’s owners sounded out Jurgen Klinsmann in November.
The Spaniard has no intention of walking away from the club
though and is looking to remain on Merseyside for the full
length of his contract – even if any final decision over his
future will not lie in his hands.
"I know you must ask [about my position at the club], but I
will not say anything,” said Benitez in the Sunday
Telegraph. “But I have a lot of confidence that I will be
sitting in this chair in a year's time."
(Setanta Sports)
O'Neill tips Reds for title tilt
Martin O’Neill is confident Liverpool can still mount a
serious challenge for the title this season.
The Villa boss, whose side travel to Anfield for what
promises to be an intriguing encounter on Monday night,
tipped the Reds to push the top three all the way for the
Premier League crown at the start of the season.
And while he believes Rafa Benitez's side must put together
a winning streak to get back amongst the pacesetters he does
not see any reason why they won't be there or thereabouts
come May.
"After strengthening their team at the start of the season,
I thought Liverpool would be genuine contenders and I still
wouldn't write them off," he said.
"They would probably have to win eight or nine consecutive
games. They are capable of doing that."
(LFC Official Website)
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SATURDAY 19 |
Valencia waiting on £7m Sissoko
Liverpool midfielder Momo Sissoko could be on his way back
to Valencia for a knockdown £7million.
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has been asked by the club's
owners to find a buyer for Sissoko to finance the £6m
purchase of Slovakia defender Martin Skrtel.
(Daily Mail)
Skrtel braced for Liverpool bow
Martin Skrtel could get his first taste of the Anfield
atmosphere as Liverpool prepare to face Aston Villa in the
Premier League on Monday.
The Midlanders are right in the heart of the pack trying to
snatch fourth place from Liverpool, and the visit of Martin
O'Neill's emerging side could be pivotal to the troubled
Anfield club's season.
And Liverpool's only acquisition in the current transfer
window - Slovakia defender Skrtel - has proved his fitness
sufficiently to be considered.
Boss Rafael Benitez, who has been impressed with Skrtel's
first week at the club, said: "I am really pleased with him
and am thinking about using him now.
"He can be available against Villa, in the FA Cup next
weekend or maybe in the reserve game against Wigan on
Tuesday. But he is certainly one of the options for the
Villa game on Monday."
(TEAMtalk)
Liverpool set for fresh takeover bid
Dubai International Capital - the investment arm of the
Dubai Government - is preparing to launch a £500million bid
to buy Liverpool, according to reports.
BBC Sport claim an offer is in the process of being made to
American co-owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks.
Initially it was thought DIC, bankrolled by Sheikh Mohammed
Al Maktoum, were interested in buying Hicks' 50 per cent
share.
However, it is claimed DIC are now set to make an offer for
the complete buy-out of the American duo.
(Ireland.com)
Mascherano wanted for Olympics
Liverpool could be on a collision course with the Argentine
FA over Javier Mascherano's possible participation in the
Olympic Games.
Under-23 national team coach Sergio Batista has included the
Reds' midfielder in the list of players for this summer's
Bejing games, along with Bayern Munich's Martin Demichelis
and Juan Roman Riquelme.
The Games take place from August 8 to 24, which would mean
Mascherano missing the start of next season's Premier League
campaign.
Batista said: "Riquelme is a player that I like very much. I
spoke with him and he wants to be at the Olympic Games.
"I have also included Mascherano because he is very
important for the midfield of any team and Martin Demichelis
can give his experience to the defence.
"These three players will surely be in the friendly match
that we will play on February 6 against Guatemala in Los
Angeles.
"Then in August we will have to see if their clubs let us
have them for playing in China."
(TEAMtalk)
Roux slams Rafa over Cisse
Guy Roux has blamed Rafa Benitez for the lack of progress
made by Djibril Cisse in his career.
Roux was Auxerre coach when Cisse was snapped up by
Liverpool, but he feels his former charge has not yet
achieved what he should have in the game.
The legendary Frenchman has claimed that being played on the
wing during his time with The Reds hampered Cisse's
progress.
"Benitez slowed down his career by playing him as a right
winger," blasted Roux in L'Equipe.
"He preferred to play the players he has signed in the
centre.
"I watched Cisse last Wednesday for Marseille against
Auxerre. He didn't miss a single pass. It is untrue to say
he has technical weaknesses. He has made huge improvement on
that level."
(Sky Sports)
Kopite book to raise funds for Ray Kennedy
Fundraising efforts on behalf of the great Ray Kennedy
stepped up this week with the release of a new book.
‘Tales From The Travelling Kop’ is a compilation of
supporters' experiences from Liverpool away games over the
last 40 years, four decades which have produced more cup
finals and massive matches than most clubs have had in their
entireexistence.
All proceeds from the sale of the book are going to the
Parkinson's Disease Society and the Ray of Hope Appeal, set
up to help Kennedy who is battling Parkinson's.
Tales From The Travelling costs £18 and is available to buy
at http://stores. lulu.com/ waltonbreckroadl4
(Liverpool Echo)
Rafa hails Keegan
Rafael Benitez has hailed the return of Kevin Keegan to the
Premiership.
The former Liverpool player has returned to the Premiership
as Newcastle United manager for a second time. Rafa Benitez
has welcomed Mighty Mouse's return.
"As a player he was amazing and as a manager I think he is
also a good manager," he said.
"I have a lot of respect for him and wish him all the best
for the rest of
the season."
(LFC Online)
Thor Zakariassen
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