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MONDAY 21 |
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Riise wanted Reds revenge
John Arne Riise has revealed Liverpool wanted to
put Everton back in their place in Sunday's Merseyside
derby.
Steven Gerrard and Luis Garcia sunk their old rivals with
Tim Cahill's late goal not enough to prevent a 2-1 defeat
for The Toffees.
The Reds were fuming at their 1-0 defeat at Goodison Park
earlier in the season and were desperate to exact revenge.
Riise believes every game is a cup final until the end of
the campaign in order to maintain the pressure on Everton.
"This was truly fantastic," he said to VG. "We decided to
put them back in their place today.
"What happened in the last match versus Everton made us
angry and extremely hungry today.
"Every match will be like a cup final for us and we have to
put pressure on Everton until the end."
(Sky Sports)
Big Sam looking to Reds
Bolton Wanderers manager Sam Allardyce knows that a double
over Liverpool will go a long way to seeing them play in
Europe next season.
Allardyce was on hand to see Liverpool's win over Everton
and Sunday, and knows that if Bolton can avoid defeat at
Anfield on April 2 their European dream will be one step
closer to becoming a reality.
(Sky Sports)
Liverpool launch Gerrard 'tap-up'
investigation
Liverpool Football Club have reportedly launched an
investigation into claims that Steven Gerrard has agreed to
sign for Chelsea in the summer.
The Anfield board are determined to take action if
conclusive proof can be unearthed that shows Gerrard and his
agents SFX have held transfer negotiations with the
Premiership big spenders without Liverpool's consent or
knowledge.
A Premier League inquiry into Chelsea's tapping-up of
Arsenal defender Ashley Cole was told recently that Jose
Mourinho had allegedly boasted that he had already secured
the signing of the Liverpool skipper and that has upset key
figures at Anfield.
(Kop Talk)
Boss' praise for duo
Rafael Benitez praised the efforts of his team against
Everton yesterday before giving a special mention to Luis
Garcia and Mauricio Pellegrino.
Garcia refused to leave the pitch after picking up an akle
injury after Liverpool had already been forced into making
all three of their subsitutions while Pellegrino gave an
accomplished display in his first Merseyside derby.
Benitez said: "Luis was injured towards the end of the first
half and he couldn't run properly. I was going to take him
off at half-time and play the second half with 10 men but he
insisted on staying on to help the team win the game. He
showed a great attitude and is a very good professional.
"Pellegrino was in the team on merit. He played very well
against Blackburn and deserved to keep his place. I have a
lot of confidence in him and he is a winner. He drives the
team on and like Carra always shouts and gives
encouragement."
(LFC Online)
Star striker Benitez?
Whilst the victory over Everton yesterday was as sweet as
three points can be, the cost that it came at means the Reds
are left with few attacking options.
With Dietmaar Hamann, 'Nando Morientes, John Arne Riise,
Stephen Warnock and Luis Garcia all picking up injuries, the
boss has joked he may have to get his boots on and start up
front against Bolton in two weeks.
"I will have to train now because we do not have any
strikers left! But it is very difficult, and maybe the
reason we are so inconsistent, we do not have enough players
in the right positions," Benitez said.
(LFC Online)
Carra backs Gerrard to stay
Jamie Carragher believes there is still a good chance that
Liverpool talisman Steven Gerrard will remain at the club
next season.
However, Carragher feels there is still a good chance that
Gerrard will be in the red shirt of Liverpool next term.
"Yes [I've spoken to him]," Carragher told Sky Sports. "And
we will see what happens at the end of the season.
"Everyone seems convinced that he'll be leaving, but I'm not
convinced."
(Sky Sports)
Furious defender in attack on Baros
Everton captain Alan Stubbs accused Liverpool striker Milan
Baros of making a challenge "that could have finished my
career" in the Merseyside derby.
Baros was sent off for the 76th-minute tackle, leaving
Liverpool's 10 men to hold on for a 2-1 win.
Stubbs said: "It was a ridiculous challenge. I would crucify
myself if I made a challenge like that.
"It was a challenge that could finish a player's career.
"It was a s--tbag's challenge. I won't have it that it was a
striker's challenge, there is no such thing."
Stubbs added: "I can accept players who turn their back and
leave their foot dangling. But no player should look at
another player, and leave their foot there and
deliberately do it.
"No matter what, there is no place for that in football."
(Daily Post)
Under 18's allow Crewe to snatch a draw
Liverpool's under 18's side allowed Crewe to come from 4-1
down to draw 4-4 on Saturday.
The young Reds created a lot of chances during the game and
should have scored more than four before a defensive
collapse allowed Crewe to snatch a point.
Academy deputy director and under 18's coach John Owens
said: "We went a goal down after 15 minutes but Adam Hammill
and Conal Platt scored two goals each to put us 4-1 up. The
Crewe goalkeeper was having a nightmare match and we should
have scored more goals before they took him off.
"I played an attacking team and unfortunately we collapsed
at the back and they scored three goals in the second half
to make it 4-4 so overall I have to be disappointed."
(LFC Online) |
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SUNDAY 20 |
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Reds 5/4 to be "best of the rest"
Rafael Bentitez's Liverpool have been cut to 5/4 by bet365
to make the all important fourth spot in the Premiership
after defeating Merseyside rivals Everton 2-1 at Anfield on
Sunday.
Bet365 spokesman Steve Freeth said: "Everton have been in
the Champions League driving seat for so long this season
and it would be a cruel blow if they were to be overtaken by
their arch rivals with the finishing line in sight.
"They've defied the critics for all this time, but
consecutive defeats against Blackburn and Liverpool will
have people believing that the wheels have finally come
off."
(Bettingzone)
Moyes: Martyn took blame
David Moyes revealed that Nigel Martyn had accepted
responsibility for both goals conceded in Everton's 2-1
defeat to Liverpool in the Merseyside derby at Anfield.
"Nigel Martyn has probably been our best player over the
past two years," asserted Moyes.
"There was perhaps a case today for Nigel to hold his hands
up, and to be fair, he has done that.
(Planet Football/Sky Sports)
O'Neill wants Henchoz to stay on
Celtic manager Martin O'Neill hopes to re-sign Stephane
Henchoz, despite the former Liverpool defender failing to
win a regular first-team place.
The Swiss international signed in January until the end of
the season after falling out of favour at Anfield.
"When Stephane arrived, he was short of match fitness and
he's trying to get that," O'Neill told the Sunday Mail.
"I'm sure he will have a few offers in the summer, but I'm
hoping we'll be one of the clubs involved in that."
Henchoz replaced the ill Stanislav Varga against Inverness
Caledonian Thistle in midweek but found himself back on the
bench on Saturday against Dundee United.
(BBC Sport Online)
Post-derby injury update
Liverpool could be without four first team players for their
next Premiership clash in two weeks time following a series
of injuries during this afternoon's derby.
Rafael Benitez was forced into making all three of his
substitutions during the first half and then had to keep
Luis Garcia on the field throughout the second period
despite the Spaniard clearly struggling with injury.
Stephen Warnock was first to leave the field with an ankle
injury. He underwent a scan after coming off and was
relieved to discover he'd sustained nothing more serious
than heavy swelling. He left Anfield on crutches after the
game.
Didi Hamann was next to leave the action after picking up a
medial ligament strain and Fernando Morientes followed soon
after with a thigh problem.
Garcia injured his ankle during the opening period but
bravely opted to play through the pain barrier in the second
half to prevent the Reds having to play with ten men.
Manager Rafael Benitez said: "We need to see how the
injuries settle down now.
"Maybe they will all be out for two or three weeks. It's
hard to say at this stage but clearly we have a lot of
problems at the moment.
(LFC Official Website)
Benitez questions Baros red card
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez accused referee Rob Styles
of taking an easy option by dismissing Milan Baros in a
heated Merseyside derby.
Benitez said: "Maybe Milan deserved a red card but it's easy
to show a red card in that situation.
"I would like to see the three or four other possible yellow
cards that could have been shown.
"But it was a fantastic result for us, we have put pressure
on Everton and we'll try to do the same next game."
(BBC Sport Online)
Rafa delight at victory
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez was overjoyed with a 2-1 victory
over Everton in the Merseyside derby.
Benitez praised his players for overcoming injuries and the
sending off of hapless Milan Baros, as they forged a 2-1
victory over their neighbours.
"I'm delighted with the players, the supporters and for the
club," said Benitez. "It was a fantastic victory."
(Planet Football/Sky Sports)
Gerrard hails Liverpool "lions"
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard said the Reds "defended
like lions" to make sure of three points from Sunday's 201st
Merseyside derby.
"We dominated the game to get 2-0 ahead - but then there was
hard work."
(Soccer 365)
Ten-man Liverpool see off Everton
Liverpool deservedly won the 201st Merseyside derby against
Everton and closed the gap to four points on their rivals
for a Champions League place.
Steven Gerrard side-footed in a 20-yard set piece to give
Liverpool the lead.
Luis Garcia nodded in a Reds second after keeper Nigel
Martyn could only parry a Fernando Morientes shot on to his
crossbar and into his six-yard box.
Milan Baros was sent-off for the home side before Everton's
Tim Cahill rifled in a shot which proved to be in vain.
(BBC Sport Online)
Rafa in Gerrard vow
Rafa Benitez insists a lack of UEFA Champions League
football will not be a barrier to Liverpool keeping hold of
captain Steven Gerrard.
The talismanic midfielder is a long-term target of Chelsea
and reports suggest the champions-elect will make another
move for the England international in the summer.
But Liverpool boss Benitez is adamant that retaining
Gerrard's services is not dependent on the club qualifying
for the Champions League.
(Sky Sports)
Benitez: I'll make changes in the summer
Rafael Benitez has admitted he is already planning for next
season and is ready to introduce more youngsters to the
club.
Benitez is aware he may not have millions to spend in the
transfer market this summer and so is looking at ways of
strengthening the squad, starting with the reserve team.
He explained: "We need to change things and the first idea
will be to change the structure of the reserve team.
"If you don't have a lot of money you need to have good
young players for the future with quality in the reserve
team and, although we do have good players there, we need
more.
(LFC Official Website)
Moyes eyes final run-in to Europe
Everton manager David Moyes admits the Merseyside derby with
Liverpool is the start of the period that will define the
success of his side's season.
Moyes' side travel to Anfield with a seven-point cushion
over Liverpool, and in pole position to claim fourth place
and a spot in the Champions League.
He said: "At the moment, it's a good season for us whatever
happens.
"The last nine games dictate whether it is going to be
great, but we are trying to keep the pressure off the
players."
Moyes said he believed his team were capable of holding on
to their position behind the big three teams.
"We're in a position now where, if we continue to carry on
playing for the rest of the season as we have done so far,
then it really could prove to be a great season for us," he
said.
"I haven't said that directly to the players because we just
want to go about things as quietly as possible.
"But it's there - there are nine games left now and that is
the challenge for us. We have risen to the challenge all
season and there is no reason we can't meet the final
challenge."
(BBC Sport Online) |
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SATURDAY 19 |
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Stubbs wants derby double
Alan Stubbs believes completing the double over Liverpool
would almost be as good a feeling as reaching the Champions
League.
The Everton captain makes no secret of the fact he has been
a fan of the club since boyhood.
"A win at Anfield would be great for me, for all the right
reasons.
"For the club, the fans and ourselves, it is time for a win
at Anfield.
"There is never a bad time to win a local derby away from
home, but because of everything surrounding this game, it
seems as though it is even more important."
"We know that our fate lies squarely in our own hands.
"We have worked too hard to achieve and maintain this
position, we are not going to lose it, and so it is going to
be an intense end to the season."
(Soccer Weekend)
Gerrard's message to doubters
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has hit back at critics who
have claimed his heart is no longer in the fight to help the
Reds rediscover former glories.
Most of the last 12 months have been taken up by speculation
about the England midfielder leaving Anfield to join Chelsea
or Real Madrid and that has prompted some to say he has
become distracted and allowed his form to dip on occasions
this season,
But on the eve of Sunday's crucial Merseyside derby at home
to Everton, Gerrard felt the need to explain the innermost
feelings which drive him on and will inspire him in a match
which will go a long way to decide which club reaches the
Champions League.
(Sporting Life)
New date for Arsenal clash
Liverpool's final away game of the league season at Arsenal
has been selected for live television coverage.
The clash at Highbury, originally scheduled for Saturday May
7, will now take place on Sunday May 8, kick-off 4.05pm.
(LFC Official Website)
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Thor Zakariassen
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