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FRIDAY 21 |
Cisse would welcome Reds return
Djibril Cisse admits he is missing Liverpool and the
Marseille striker would welcome a return to The Premier
League.
After an injury-ravaged two seasons at Anfield, the
Frenchman left The Reds to return to Ligue 1 in 2006.
Cisse made his move permanent last summer, but in January
West Ham and Bolton have were reported to have offered Cisse
a return to England.
Nor has the France international altogether discounted a
return to Liverpool, despite Rafa Benitez being happy to
recoup £6 million for the player only last summer.
“You never know,” said Cisse.
“Things happen so fast and football is unpredictable. I’m
not unhappy with Rafa I just respect his choice. It was his
decision [to sell me] and I have to respect that.”
Cisse was disappointed not to have made more of an impact
while at Liverpool but believes a broken leg sustained in a
match in October 2004 put paid to his chances.
“I must confess I miss England because it was really special
to play for Liverpool."
(Setanta Sports)
Kuyt overlooked by Holland
Liverpool striker Dirk Kuyt has been left out of the Holland
squad for next week's friendly with Austria in Vienna.
The 27-year-old also missed last month's match with Croatia
after being overlooked by coach Marco van Basten.
But Van Basten insists that Kuyt could return to the squad
in the future, if he shows good form.
"Can he do something to return to the squad? Absolutely:
play good football," the coach said.
"He must make such an impression at his club that we cannot
ignore him.
"We must make choices and at the moment our choices are
different. Other players are doing better.
"But if Dirk can make himself an important player for
Liverpool, it could be that he returns to the national
squad."
Kuyt's team mate Ryan Babel has been included in the squad
along with several other British-based players.
(Sky Sports)
Benitez backs protection by video
Rafael Benitez wants skilful players to receive greater
protection
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez wants retrospective video
evidence to be used to protect the Premier League's most
skilful players.
Benitez, whose side play at Manchester United on Sunday,
made his call after Sir Alex Ferguson pleaded for protection
for Cristiano Ronaldo.
He said: "I have always felt that video evidence should be
used after a game for disciplinary matters.
"You can find things, you can protect players for the next
game."
Benitez added the names of Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard
and Fernando Torres to the list of players he feels should
receive protection.
"Everyone will see that players have to be careful, they
will say 'I can't do this again because I could be banned on
what the video shows'," he said.
"To me it is clear, you do not need to change the game, you
just need to analyse what has happened.
"If players get banned for three games the first week it is
done, then three games on the second week and more on the
third, it will soon stop.
"It will take just a few weeks of this type of action and
things will change very quickly."
(BBC Sport Online)
Fergie: It will be intense
Sir Alex Ferguson is relishing the 'intensity' of Manchester
United's Grand Slam Sunday meeting with Liverpool.
The Premier League leaders welcome their fierce rivals to
Old Trafford determined to end any lingering dreams the
Anfield outfit have of edging back into the title race.
Ferguson's men have turned a five-point deficit on Arsenal
into a three-point lead over the Gunners in the space of
four games and will be determined to consolidate their
position at the summit.
The United boss knows this weekend's eagerly-anticipated
match is a game every member of his squad wants to be
involved in.
He told Sky Sports News: "It will be a fantastically
engrossing game against Liverpool. You can't avoid the
intensity of it, the tension,
the atmosphere.
"It's the game that players always want to play in, so there
will be some disappointed players tomorrow who are not
involved.
"Having the squad I've got, I've just got to pick a team
which I think is best to win the match."
(Sky Sports)
Riise may get a recall from Rafa
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has no new injury worries
ahead of Sunday's Premier League trip to Manchester United
(1.30pm kick-off).
Daniel Agger is still out, having had a third operation on a
broken metatarsal earlier this week. Benitez does not expect
his return until next season.
Harry Kewell will captain Australia this weekend in
Singapore, and although the midfielder has talked of still
fighting for a new contract it seems likely now that he will
leave Anfield this summer.
Benitez could field an unchanged side at Old Trafford,
although he may use the experienced John Arne Riise in
midfield ahead of Ryan Babel.
Reds (from): Reina, Arbeloa, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia,
Skrtel, Aurelio, Riise, Babel, Benayoun, Alonso, Gerrard,
Mascherano, Lucas, Kuyt, Torres, Voronin, Crouch, Pennant,
Itandje.
(TEAMtalk)
No Ronaldo plans
Rafael Benitez says he has no special plans to stop
Cristiano Ronaldo
on Sunday.
The Manchester United winger is in excellent form this
season, scoring 33 goals already. However, Liverpool won't
be devising any special plan to keep him quiet this weekend.
"They have a lot of good players, so it will be difficult if
you just think about Ronaldo. We have to think about all of
them," said Rafa Benitez in his pre-match press conference
yesterday.
"I think he's in form but Torres is too. The other day
Ferguson was talking about referees having to protect
Ronaldo. I think it's important to protect players like
Torres, Ronaldo and all players with quality."
(LFC Online)
Alonso: All is forgotten
Xabi Alonso believes his decision to miss Liverpool's UEFA
Champions League trip to Internazionale in order to be
present at the birth of his son has been 'forgotten'.
The Spanish midfielder was absent for Liverpool's 1-0
victory over Inter at the Giuseppe Meazza in the last 16 of
Europe's premier club competition on 11th March.
Alonso offered to fly to Italy on the morning of the game,
but Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez told him to stay away and
it was suggested the former Real Sociedad player, who has
struggled to secure a place in the first XI at Anfield this
season, faced an uncertain future with the Reds.
However, Alonso insists the matter is now in the past and
the 26-year-old is looking forward to his future on
Merseyside.
"I will always accept the orders of my coach and I don't
think that anyone can question my professionalism," Alonso
told the Daily Mail.
"But there are occasions in life when some things take
priority over sport and that was definitely one of them.
"I know I was criticised but it's over. For me that is
forgotten now. I have a contract until 2012 and I'm quite
satisfied about my future."
(Sky Sports) |
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THURSDAY 20 |
Ferdinand may miss Reds clash
Rio Ferdinand could miss Manchester United's clash with
Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday.
The England defender has missed the Red Devils' last two
fixtures, with Gerard Pique standing in at the heart of the
United backline alongside Nemanja Vidic for the 2-0 defeat
of Bolton on Wednesday night.
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said: "Rio Ferdinand is
doubtful for Sunday with a back problem.
"I had to find out about Gerard Pique. We've got great
confidence in the lad and he's come through very well.
"They are all top players so you have to put your faith and
trust in them."
(ITV Football)
Rafa backs Gerrard for England captaincy
Rafael Benitez says Steven Gerrard should keep the England
captaincy.
Gerrard was appointed England skipper for Fabio Capello's
first game as England manager. However, previous captain
John Terry, who missed the Switzerland game through injury,
if fit again and is in contention for
the role.
Although Terry, as well as Aston Villa's Gareth Barry, are
the favourites for the role Rafa Benitez believes Gerrard
deserves to keep
the captain's armband.
"Steven has captained England before and he has shown he can
do the job well so I am surprised that there is talk that he
might not be captain in England's next game," said the
Liverpool boss.
"It is not up to me to make the decision and Capello is
lucky because he has some very good candidates for captain
but if he was to ask me I would tell him that Steven is the
right man.
(LFC Online)
Gerrard and Crouch in England squad
Steven Gerrard and Peter Crouch have been named in Fabio
Capello's England squad for next week's friendly against
France.
Capello has today named a 30 man squad which will be
whittled down
to 23 on Sunday night.
Also among the provisional squad are David Beckham - who
could make his 100th appearance for his country -
Middlesbrough defender David Wheater and Portsmouth striker
Jermaine Defoe.
The provisional squad in full is:
Goalkeepers: James (Portsmouth), Carson (Aston Villa),
Kirkland (Wigan)
Defenders: Bridge (Chelsea), A Cole (Chelsea), Johnson
(Portsmouth), Terry (Chelsea), Brown (Man Utd), Lescott
(Everton), Ferdinand (Man Utd), Wheater (Middlesbrough),
Woodgate (Tottenham), Upson (West Ham)
Midfielders: Barry (Aston Villa), Young (Aston Villa),
Bentley (Blackburn), J Cole (Chelsea), Lampard (Chelsea),
Wright-Phillips (Chelsea), Beckham (Los Angeles Galaxy),
Gerrard (Liverpool), Hargreaves (Man Utd), Downing
(Middlesbrough), Jenas (Tottenham)
Forwards: Walcott (Arsenal), Agbonlahor (Aston Villa),
Crouch (Liverpool), Rooney (Man Utd), Owen (Newcastle),
Defoe (Portsmouth).
(LFC Official Website)
Arbeloa losing no sleep over United
Alvaro Arbeloa watched Cristiano Ronaldo’s match-winning
display for Manchester United on Wednesday, and then
declared Liverpool can sleep easy at night.
Ronaldo proved too much for Bolton as he took his Premier
League goal tally to a goal-a-game, and Liverpool will have
their work cut out preventing him making it 25 from 25 on
Sunday.
Arbeloa admits the Portuguese forward is a special talent,
but he insists there is no secret behind why Ronaldo is yet
to score against The Reds.
"There is no secret to stopping Cristiano," Arbeloa told
Liverpool’s official website.
“It's something for the team. The team has to defend very
well together to stop these kinds of players.
"You worry a little bit when you're going to be up against
Ronaldo, [Carlos] Tevez and [Wayne] Rooney because they are
fantastic players - but that's my job.
“We have big defenders here like Carra, Sami and Fabio. They
are great defenders, so I can sleep well."
And while Arbeloa claims he is unconcerned by United’s
threat, he insists Sir Alex Ferguson’s men will be fearing
Liverpool’s ‘big two’ when they arrive at Old Trafford.
"Fernando [Torres] and Stevie [Gerrard] are playing really
well, scoring goals and have a good partnership. I think the
Manchester United defenders will be really worried."
(Setanta Sports)
Mascherano looks set for Olympics role
Argentina’s Olympic team boss Sergio Batista has named a
list of 53 players from which he will select the 18 who will
go to Beijing in August, including four with Barclays
Premier League clubs.
Three players over the age of 23 are allowed in the final
squad, but six feature in the list.
Liverpool’s Javier Mascherano, Bayern Munich’s Martin
Demichelis and Juan Roman Riquelme of Boca Juniors are
Batista’s first choices to help defend the gold medal won in
Athens four years ago, but he also named Gabriel Milito of
Barcelona as well as Internazionale’s Esteban Cambiasso and
Julio Cruz.
Other players who will be hoping to impress include Damian
Leto (Liverpool), Franco Di Santo (Chelsea) and the Emiliano
Insua, owned by Boca Juniors but on an 18-month loan at
Liverpool.
(Liverpool Daily Post)
Reserves reach Dallas semi
Liverpool reserves are through to the semi-final of the
Dallas Cup.
Gary Ablett's side are in America playing in the Dr Pepper
Dallas Cup. They are through to the semi-finals of the
competition after strolling through their group games.
The reserves beat Bosnia and Herzegovina side FK Slavija 7-1
in their first game with goals from Gerardo Bruna (2), Ray
Putterill (2), Craig Lindfield, Ryan Flynn and Jay Spearing.
The second game against Mexican side Tigres was won 5-1
despite being played only 24 hours after the first game.
Craig Lindfield scored a hat-trick with Martin Kelly and
Mikel San Jose getting the other goals.
The final group game was played last night. Liverpool faced
Ryutsu Keizai Kashiwa of Japan and ran out 9-0 winners.
Craig Lindfield (2), Ray Putterill (2), Emiliano Insua (2),
Ryan Flynn, Mikel San Jose and Gerardo Bruna scored the
goals.
The reserves will face a combined Sporting Lisbon and
Benfica side in
the semi-final tomorrow.
(LFC Online) |
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WEDNESDAY 19 |
Carragher: Rotation the key
Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher believes his side's
strong run of recent form is due to manager Rafa Benitez's
rotation policy.
The Reds have won seven consecutive games since their FA Cup
upset at the hands of Barnsley in February and they have set
up a meeting with Arsenal in the quarter-finals of the UEFA
Champions League in
the process.
Benitez has come in for criticism this season for his
tendency to rotate his squad as Liverpool - who face
Manchester United at Old Trafford
on Grand Slam Sunday - struggled in the middle of the
campaign.
However, Carragher is now eyeing a place in the Champions
League final in Moscow at the end of the season and believes
he and his team-mates are benefiting after being rested by
former Valencia manager Benitez.
"The first three years the manager has been here we have
been to three finals so hopefully there will be another one
this season in Moscow," Carragher told Sky Sports News.
"He gets a lot of criticism for it but you have to look at
his record, not just here at Valencia too, it does prove
successful."
(Sky Sports)
Torres has more goals in his sights
Fernando Torres has warned Liverpool's Premier League rivals
he intends to keep up his scintillating form for the rest of
the season.
The Spaniard has scored nine goals in his last six games,
including hat-tricks against Middlesbrough and West Ham at
Anfield, to take his total for the season to 20 in the
league and 27 in total.
Torres has been the inspiration for a terrific run of
results, with Liverpool winning their last seven games in
all competitions.
That has allowed Rafa Benitez's side to advance to the
quarter-finals of the Champions League and claw their way
back to the fringes of
the title race.
And Torres wants to continue to fire Liverpool to success
over the next two months, telling the club's official
website: "I hope to score many more goals for Liverpool this
season.
"Fortunately for me, I've been having a good year so far and
I'm hoping
the team can continue our good run of results right up until
the end of
the season."
(TEAMtalk)
Rafa: Agger will be back
Rafael Benitez today revealed Daniel Agger is on course to
make a full recovery after undergoing surgery on his
troublesome metatarsal.
The Danish defender is almost certainly out for the
remainder of the season after the club decided to operate on
the injury which has caused him so many problems this
season.
Having not played a first team match since September, Agger
is now facing up to the likely prospect of spending the
remainder of the season on the sidelines, but his manager is
looking forward to welcoming him back into his plans in the
summer.
"I have been talking with the doctors and with Daniel and he
is okay,"
said Benitez.
"He has more confidence now that the operation is over. He
was feeling pain in his foot and so we decided to have the
operation.
"The doctors have told me that in a normal situation his
season is finished but that he will be back for next season.
If he improves quickly and makes good progress then he could
play before the end of this season, but I think we will wait
for next year. It will be like having a new signing when
he is back.
(LFC Official Website)
Thor Zakariassen
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