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WEDNESDAY 21 |
Mascherano relishing
Merseyside derby test
Javier Mascherano cannot wait to face Everton in Sunday’s FA
Cup derby, insisting that he just loves playing against
Liverpool’s
cross-city rivals.
The Argentinian midfielder was left on the bench on Monday
when Liverpool at times found themselves out-muscled by
Everton in the 1-1 Barclays Premier League draw at Anfield.
Now battle lines are being drawn again for this weekend’s
fourth-round clash, with Mascherano likely to be recalled by
manager Rafael Benitez.
He said: "I like playing against Everton. Every tackle
matters and you have to be brave in every tackle and every
situation.
"I love this kind of game where first you have to win the
physical battle before you can think about winning the
match."
(Liverpool Daily Post)
Rafa on Agger and Alonso injuries
Daniel Agger is facing a fitness battle ahead of this
weekend's FA Cup clash with Everton - though Rafa Benitez
expects Xabi Alonso to be ready despite an injury scare on
Monday night.
A calf injury meant Agger was not in the squad to face the
Toffees earlier this week and it is still unclear whether
the Dane will be fit for Sunday.
Benitez told Liverpoolfc.tv: "He was injured. He couldn't
train normally.
"He is progressing now by working with the physios. He'll
still need one or two days, so we'll see.
"It depends more on the physios than on me - we just have to
wait."
Meanwhile, Alonso suffered discomfort after what was his
first start since requiring seven stitches on his instep on
Monday.
However, the 27-year-old is now back in training.
The boss added: "Xabi had a problem on Monday but he was
training again today so I don't think he'll have any trouble
for the weekend."
(LFC Official Website)
Liverpool paid price
for holding back
The single most important reason why Liverpool failed to win
Monday night’s derby was that they failed to take the game
to Everton as much as they should have.
When I saw the team sheet I really fancied Liverpool’s
chances because Rafa Benitez had selected an attacking
looking line-up with two up front and Steven Gerrard
reverting to central midfield.
In theory it was a positive set-up that should have suited
Liverpool well, but in practice it just didn’t work out that
way.
(Ian Rush - Liverpool Echo)
Benitez: Toon performance
is our benchmark
Rafa Benitez has called on Liverpool to get back to their
very best – by hitting the heights they reached at Newcastle
last month.
Since putting the Geordies to the sword in a 5-1 thrashing
at St James’ Park, Liverpool have drawn their last two
league games allowing Manchester United to take their place
at the top of the Premier League.
Stoke and Everton have both denied the Reds maximum points
and now Benitez wants a return to the form they showed at
Newcastle which saw them marked down as genuine title
challengers.
“On that day we scored a lot of goals, created a lot of
chances and played some good football so clearly we are
looking for this kind of performance in every kind of game,”
he said.
“If we can play as well as we did against Newcastle then I
am sure that we can win a lot of games."
(Liverpool Echo)
Kuyt: Reds ready to prove a point
Dirk Kuyt has vowed that Liverpool will "put things right"
when they next face Everton in Sunday's FA Cup fourth-round
clash at Anfield.
A disappointing Liverpool were held to a 1-1 draw by Everton
on Monday in the Premier League, the first of two Merseyside
derbies in a week.
"We wanted to beat them and thought we could win - but now
we want put things right on Sunday," said Kuyt.
"We will learn from the mistakes we made against them, and
we will be ready for them in the cup game."
(TEAMtalk) |
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TUESDAY 20 |
Ngog at the double as Reserves triumph
A David Ngog double inspired Liverpool Reserves to their
first win of 2009 as they eased to a 2-0 success against
Middlesbrough in the Barclays Premier Reserve League North.
The Frenchman scored twice within five second-half minutes
to lead the Reds to only their third league triumph of the
season and end a run of four matches without a victory.
Gary Ablett's men had not played a competitive game since
the goalless draw with Hull City on December 16th, and there
was a slight lack of cohesion in their play in the opening
exchanges.
Liverpool Reserves: Peter Gulacsi, Emmanuel Gomis Mendy,
Stephen Darby, Mikel San Jose Dominguez, Jay Spearing,
Damien Plessis, Nabil El Zhar, Daniel Pacheco (Vitor Flora
77), Krisztian Nemeth (Andras Simon 69), David Ngog, Vincent
Weijl (Steven Irwin 46).
Unused subs: Martin Hansen, Victor Palsson.
(LFC Official Website)
Pennant seals Pompey switch
Portsmouth have completed the signing of Liverpool
winger Jermaine Pennant on loan for the remainder of the
season.
The 26-year-old former Birmingham City man had previously
rejected the chance to join the South Coast outfit
permanently after a fee was agreed for his services.
However, Pompey made a second approach suggesting a loan
deal, which was also accepted by the Reds as Pennant is well
down manager Rafa Benitez's pecking order.
Pennant, who is out of contract this summer, will now spend
the rest of the season at Fratton Park in a bid to put
himself in the shop window before deciding his long-term
future.
(Sky Sports)
Moyes: We know how to stop Reds
David Moyes believes his Everton side have worked out how to
stop Liverpool, and he plans to do it again in The FA Cup
this weekend.
"We achieved things we wanted to achieve,” explained Moyes.
“We disrupted Liverpool's rhythm, they have a lot of
mechanical, organised, moves and set-ups in their play."
(Setanta Sports)
Scratchy home form worrying Rafa
Rafael Benitez admits the priceless points his Liverpool
troops are losing at home are starting to worry him - but is
trying to stay positive.
The Reds boss has tried to find the positives from what, as
far as Anfield fans were concerned, was a bitterly
disappointing 1-1 draw with Merseyside rivals Everton on
Monday.
Benitez said: "We are disappointed and frustrated at the
amount of points we have dropped at home this season.
"Generally this season we are much better in terms of points
won, and especially away from home we are very strong. But
at home we are facing games that will eventually be a
massive difference for us.
"I have tried to be positive with the players. I told them
that back in August when we started, everyone was asking
where we would be come January.
"And now we find ourselves level on points with Manchester
United at the top of the table now that January is here."
(TEAMtalk)
Riera rues Liverpool's 'bad luck'
Liverpool winger Albert Riera feels the Reds are simply
suffering a run of 'bad luck' at the wrong time in the
Premier League title race.
But he maintains their quest to claim the crown from
champions Manchester United is not over just yet.
The £8.5million signing from Espanyol is confident Liverpool
will get it right in the end as they chase their first
league title since 1990.
"I do not like to talk about luck in football, but
Manchester United seem to score so often around 90 minutes,
and then it happens against us."
He added: "But we are on the same points as United, and we
will be fighting for every point, we can promise that."
(TEAMtalk)
No excuse as Keane
goes missing in action
Derby day on Merseyside is an unforgiving arena – an
occasion when a reputation can be made, or broken.
Just ask Glenn Keeley, Bjorn Tore Kvarme and Sandy Brown –
the victims of this historic event – or David Fairclough,
Graeme Sharp and Ian Rush – heroes who still dine out today
on their derby exploits.
Last night added a couple more names to its roster of
villains and victors.
Leighton Baines produced his most accomplished display in a
Royal Blue jersey to date, while to say Robbie Keane went
missing in action would be to suggest that he was actually
involved in some form of meaningful activity during the 66
minutes he toiled.
The £20m man is fast running out of excuses for his below
par performances. Last night he was given the perfect
platform – Torres ahead of him, Gerrard behind, the 4-4-2
formation he craves.
He flopped. Again.
(David Prentice - Liverpool Echo)
Aurelio: We must learn
from our mistakes
Fabio Aurelio has admitted Liverpool must learn from the
mistakes which cost them victory against Everton if they are
to win the second instalment of the derby double header.
"There is nothing we can do to change it now so all we can
do is focus on our next game which is again against Everton.
"That will give us the opportunity to show more than we did
last night and hopefully we will go through to the next
round of the cup.
"But we have to learn from our mistakes – that is always
important, especially when you have conceded a late goal."
(Liverpool Echo)
Kuyt disappointed with draw
Dirk Kuyt admitted everyone was disappointed with
yesterday's draw.
An 86th minute equaliser from Tim Cahill gave the Bitters a
draw at Anfield last night. Dirk Kuyt admitted the result
was a blow but insists the Reds still have it all to play
for this season.
"We are very disappointed at the moment. We controlled the
game, had some good chances and scored a great goal through
Stevie, so it's difficult to accept this kind of result when
you concede so late in the game," said the Dutchman.
(LFC Online)
Liverpool losing focus when
it comes to bigger picture
The good news for Liverpool – they’re still level on points
with the Premier League leaders.
The bad news? In terms of the title race that’s about the
only similarity between those two teams at the moment.
Manchester United lead the way on goal difference, not due
to the awesome attacking power that has underpinned most of
their surges to the top of the table, but thanks to a
non-negotiable refusal to concede goals.
They’re on a run of 10 clean sheets in the Premier League.
Over at Anfield, Liverpool are leaving Tim Cahill unmarked
three yards from goal on a free-kick.
But it’s not just about the small moments that change the
course of a game or perhaps a season in the blink of an eye.
Anyone can be caught out on a set-piece and there isn’t a
manager in the world who has devised the masterplan that can
prevent Cahill causing catastrophe in his six-yard box.
It’s not about the snapshots, it’s about the bigger picture
when titles are there to be won. And Liverpool are in real
danger of being blurred out of it.
(Nick Smith - Liverpool Daily Post)
Award for Hillsborough families
The families of those who died in the Hillsborough disaster
are set to be honoured by the city of Liverpool.
Lord mayor Steve Rotheram revealed a list of people and
organisations being considered for the city's honours list.
The relatives of the 96 Liverpool fans killed at
Hillsborough are shortlisted, along with singer Gerry
Marsden and charity campaigner Marina Dalglish.
Those shortlisted will receive one of three different
honours which will be decided be at a meeting on 28 January.
(BBC Sport Online)
Rafa dismisses Torres question
Rafael Benitez has dismissed suggestions subsituting
Fernando Torres cost Liverpool a win yesterday.
After yesterday's draw with Everton the Reds boss was asked
by reporters if, in hindsight, subsituting Torres with ten
minutes to go was a mistake.
"I do not know what difference it would have made to have a
very tired Torres on the pitch defending this free-kick,"
retorted Benitez.
(LFC Online) |
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MONDAY 19 |
Benitez staying positive
Rafa Benitez maintained a positive outlook following
Liverpool's 1-1 draw with Everton at Anfield.
"It is disappointing for today, but we are in a good
position," he added.
"We are in a good situation so we have to be positive."
(Sky Sports)
Reds denied by late Cahill header
Everton stopped Liverpool in their tracks at Anfield as Tim
Cahill's late equaliser earned a 1-1 draw and prevented the
Reds going back top.
When Steven Gerrard, captaining Liverpool for the 250th
time, smashed home his 14th goal of the season midway
through the second period, it looked as if the Reds were
going to knock Manchester United off the top of the table.
But Everton have become a mean outfit this season, and they
desperately wanted to put their local rivals in their place.
And when Cahill's late header flashed past Jose Reina, the
Toffees secured a deserved point.
(TEAMtalk)
Keane in Liverpool side for derby
Fernando Torres was back in Liverpool’s starting line-up for
the first time since November following his hamstring
problems. Robbie Keane was also included for the 209th
Merseyside derby while Xabi Alonso returned to the side
after missing the previous game against Stoke.
Liverpool : Reina, Carragher, Hyypia, Skrtel, Aurelio, Kuyt,
Gerrard, Alonso, Riera, Keane, Torres.
Subs: Cavalieri, Dossena, Benayoun, Arbeloa, Babel,
Mascherano, Lucas.
(The Irish Times)
Carra on tonight's crucial derby
Jamie Carragher believes tonight's clash with in-form
Everton is one of the most important Merseyside derbies in
recent memory.
The Reds defender has featured in a number of top four
encounters with David Moyes' side, and while Liverpool's
sights are set a little higher this season, he insists the
209th derby could prove just as crucial in shaping both
sides' destiny.
"It's just as important as ever," he said.
(LFC Official Website)
Alonso eyes Arteta clash
Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso will put his friendship
with Everton's Mikel Arteta to one side when the pair meet
in the Merseyside derby on Monday.
Both players began their careers with Basque side Real
Sociedad in La Liga and have retained their bond to this
day.
But Alonso, who will play directly opposite Arteta after
declaring himself fit after missing the Stoke draw through
injury, knows it will be his job to stop the in-form Everton
playmaker.
The 26-year-old has scored three goals in his last two
Premier League games going into the derby and Alonso knows
how tough a challenge the match promises to be.
"For me to play against Mikel Arteta is special," Alonso
told skysports.com.
"We were in the same Spanish club and we were always
friends, but this Monday we are rivals. My mission is to
make him feel uncomfortable on the pitch."
(Sky Sports)
Reds superior to Everton says Mascherano
Speaking to Setanta.com, Javier Mascherano has expressed his
massive confidence ahead of the Merseyside derby with
Everton.
Mascherano aims to regain top spot, reclaimed by Manchester
United on Saturday, in order to put the pressure on their
title rivals.
Mascherano told Setanta.com: “That kind of derby is tough
and you cannot allow any space to your rival during such
games. What we must do is win, possibly scoring many goals.
“Winning that game is always a massive boost. Everton have
been playing well recently, but we are a superior team and
this game must be ours."
(Setanta Sports)
Moyes hopes to end
poor record at Anfield
Everton manager David Moyes seeks a first win at Anfield in
a Merseyside derby when he takes his team across Stanley
Park.
The Scot has poor record against his team's local rivals
having not achieved a victory at Anfield since taking charge
in March 2002.
He makes the short trip with plenty of confidence, given
that his side are in a rich vein of form and have chalked up
six successive clean sheets.
He said: "I was involved in derbies with Rangers when I was
a player at Celtic, so I know exactly what they mean.
"The Merseyside derbies are very similar to the ones in
Glasgow with the tension around the games. You can never
tell sometimes how they
will go."
(Soccernet)
Rafa: Reds too slow in Agger talks
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has called on the club's
hierarchy to end the furore surrounding AC Milan target
Daniel Agger's Anfield future.
The Danish defender is attracting interest from Italian
giants Milan, with a January switch to Serie A widely
touted.
The Reds are understandably reluctant to part with the
talented centre-half, but may see the issue taken out of
their hands should they fail to convince Agger of his value
to the club.
Talks over a new contract have stalled, much to the
annoyance of Benitez who has now called on the Anfield
hierarchy to resolve the distracting issue.
"The club have been too slow dealing with this and the
player does not know where he stands," said the Spaniard.
"His situation is in the papers all the time now because we
are not quick enough. I was talking with him and his agent,
and it is clear that is the case.
"Daniel told me he wants to stay, and there is no doubt he
is 100 per cent committed to the club. But they are waiting
and waiting and do not know what is going on."
(TEAMtalk)
Thor Zakariassen
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