|
|
|
SATURDAY 21 |
Torres eyes goal record
Fernando Torres is aiming to break a 103-year-old Liverpool
scoring record with a brace against Aston Villa on Sunday.
Torres will make his 50th league game for the club at
Anfield on Sunday knowing that two goals will mean he will
be the first Liverpool player since Jack Parkinson in 1906
to score 35 goals in his first 50 league games.
The Spaniard has already netted 33 league goals in 49 games,
the best goal return at the club for 52 years and manager
Rafa Benitez was keen to point out the goalscoring
partnership Torres has with captain Steven Gerrard.
(TEAMtalk)
Defender's Torres worry
Luke Young is worried about facing Fernando Torres tomorrow.
The Aston Villa defender admits he and his team mates will
have to be on the top of their games if they're to have any
chance of coping with the Liverpool striker.
"How do you look after Torres? I am not too sure," said
Young.
"I think you've got to give yourself at least ten yards
head-start. He is a good player. I think Liverpool have
missed him at times this year.
"When he plays, like you saw at the weekend, he is a real
handful. Nemanja Vidic has been one of the best players in
the Premier League this year and Torres gave him a little
bit of a runaround. He is a good player.
"Even when they didn't have him, they were top of the league
but any team that has got Torres in it is a better team."
(LFC Online)
Skrtel reveals game change
Martin Skrtel has admitted he has had to adapt his game
since arriving in The Premier League.
The Slovak was plucked from the relative obscurity of Zenit
St Petersburg by Liverpool in January 2008 and has proved to
be an excellent signing by Rafa Benitez.
Skrtel is seen as a no-nonsense centre half, who sees
defending as his priority, but he claims he has been forced
to rein in his enthusiasm since arriving in England.
"I'm a centre back so I have to be strong – win every header
and tackle if I can,” he told The Telegraph. “That's how I
like it.
”When I was younger I'd pick up a lot of yellow cards but in
our first meeting Rafa told me to be careful in England
because it is easy to get booked.
”Now I try to play strong but without the fouls."
Benitez put his name to a new deal on Wednesday and Skrtel
feels the decision can only benefit Liverpool.
"Rafa signing is perfect for us, perfect for the club," he
says. "It's good for everyone that we know he's staying for
a long time now. He brought me here and he has improved me
as a player.
"When I arrived I hadn't been playing because it was the
winter break in Russia, but Rafa gave me a chance straight
away and since then he has brought my level up a lot."
(Setanta Sports)
Reds mourn death of Bryce Morrison
Everybody at Liverpool FC was shocked and saddened to hear
of the untimely death of Club Secretary Bryce Morrison early
this morning. Mr Morrison had been at Anfield since 1992.
Chief Executive Rick Parry said: "We are all devastated at
the news and our thoughts and prayers are with Bryce's wife
Gill and his family at this very sad time.
"Bryce gave 17 years' loyal service to Liverpool and his
dedication to and love for the club was apparent to all of
those who worked alongside him. Bryce was well known
throughout football and will be sadly missed by his many
friends within the game.
"There will be a minute's silence before tomorrow's match
against Aston Villa and as a mark of respect the players
will wear black armbands in his memory.
"This is a very sad day for Liverpool Football Club."
(LFC Official Website)
O'Neill hints at Barry exit
Martin O'Neill admits Gareth Barry could leave Aston Villa
if the club fail to secure a top-four finish in the Premier
League.
The England international appeared all set to move to
Liverpool last summer, but the Reds refused to meet his
£18million price tag.
Uncertainty continues to linger over his future, though,
with Anfield still touted as a possible destination.
"Will Liverpool come back in for Barry? I don't know," said
O'Neill, who is set to go head-to-head with Rafa Benitez's
title-chasing side on Sunday.
"This topic goes into a lull for a month and then comes back
around again and I don't know how many times I've said the
same thing.
"I don't know what Liverpool are thinking and it is not my
concern at the moment.
"In the summertime - and I will repeat what I've said before
- if we qualify for the Champions League, then subject to
the terms (of a new contract) being right, I think there
would be a decent chance that Gareth Barry would stay.
"There is nothing set in stone but that is what he has said
himself and the agents have also indicated 'fine'.
"My stance has not changed. I said to him last year, with
two years left of his contract to run, if he gave us another
year, he could see where we are, see what we are doing.
"I don't think anyone would begrudge him leaving the club
(if they fail to qualify for the Champions League) having
given almost 11 years' service."
(Sky Sports)
Gerrard: My future is with Reds
Steven Gerrard only wants to win the Premier League title if
he can do it with Liverpool after underlining his commitment
to the Merseysiders.
Gerrard has already turned down the opportunity to leave
Anfield for Chelsea in his career, and insists he would make
the same decision again in his quest for a title, as winning
it anywhere else would not mean as much.
"When I see John Terry, Gary Neville and Rio Ferdinand
lifting that trophy I want to do that, but I want to do that
for Liverpool football club," Gerrard told Sky Sports News.
"I think the easy thing would be maybe to move on but it's
not for me. What would be more important for me would be to
win it and share it with the club and with my family who are
all Liverpool fans.
"That would mean more to me than winning it maybe five or
six times somewhere else."
(TEAMtalk)
Fergie expects Rafa to spend big
Sir Alex Ferguson is expecting Rafa Benitez to embark on an
almighty spending spree this summer.
Ferguson has called into question Benitez’s assessment that
Manchester United have spent more than Liverpool in the last
five years and he expects the Spaniard to open up the
chequebook once again.
The Scot had his stats people look into the two clubs’
transfer dealings and claims Benitez has got his figures
wrong with the claim United have spent £100 million more.
"I was amazed at that one,” he said. “I got some of the
people in the sports technology department to check that
out.
"He's well ahead of us in spending in the last five years.
"He said our spending power is more than theirs but he has
spent £24 million more than we have.
"I think you will see Rafa producing an absolute spending
spree, I think that's an absolute certainty now he has
signed a new contract.
"There's talk about a recession but I don't think there will
be one at Liverpool this year."
(Setanta Sports)
Liverpool rubbish
Super League idea
Liverpool management have no interest in forming a new
European Super League.
Three separate leagues were mooted with 20 teams in each.
But Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry insisted: “It would
damage English football. Of course it’s feasible, but is it
the right thing? No.”
(tribalfootball.com)
Rafa: I won't walk on deal
Rafa Benitez has reassured fans he won’t quit Liverpool – no
matter who owns the club.
The Kop boss yesterday reacted to rumours sweeping
Merseyside that he had only signed his new five-year
contract on condition that he could walk away if he and
anyone who might take over didn’t get on.
And he responded emphatically when asked if there was a
get-out clause, saying: “No, that is not the case.
“I’ve signed it because I am 100 per cent committed to the
club.”
(Daily Mail) |
|
FRIDAY 20 |
Triple boost as Reds host Villa
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez could have all three of his
main injury worries available for Sunday's Premier League
visit of Aston Villa.
Full-back Alvaro Arbeloa, who pulled out of last weekend's
win at Manchester United with a hamstring problem, is back
in training and is expected to return to the side at
Anfield.
Xabi Alonso (ankle) and Yossi Benayoun (hamstring), who both
missed the Old Trafford triumph, are back in light training
and have a good chance of being involved.
Liverpool (from): Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Hyypia, Skrtel,
Dossena, Aurelio, Babel, Benayoun, Mascherano, Riera,
Gerrard, Alonso, Torres, Kuyt, Agger, Cavalieri, Lucas,
Ngog.
(TEAMtalk)
Dates confirmed for Youth semi-final
Liverpool FC have confirmed the dates for their FA Youth Cup
semi-final against Birmingham City.
The first leg will be at St Andrews on Thursday, April 16,
at 7pm, while the return leg at Anfield takes place on
Friday, April 24,
also kicking-off at 7pm.
Admission prices for both games will be £4 for adults and £2
concessions (juveniles aged 16 or under and senior
citizens).
(LFC Official Website)
Rafa targets Anfield win
Rafa Benitez is targeting a win at Anfield as Liverpool go
head-to-head with Chelsea once again in the UEFA Champions
League.
Friday's quarter-final draw pitted the two sides against one
another for an incredible fifth consecutive season of the
elite competition.
The first leg takes place at Anfield on 8th April before the
return match at Stamford Bridge on 14th April - a day before
the 20th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster.
Benitez knows a good result at home is needed as all three
of the semi-finals between the pair were won by the team
that played away in
the first leg.
He told Liverpoolfc.tv: "Hopefully it won't make a
difference to us that the second leg is away.
"We have to think about the first game at Anfield with our
fans behind us and look to get a positive result to take to
Stamford Bridge."
Liverpool lost last season after John Arne Riise, who has
since switched to Roma, scored an own goal in the 1-1 first
leg stalemate, before Chelsea then won the return match 3-2
after extra-time.
Benitez added: "We need to make sure we don't make a mistake
in the first leg like we did in last year's semi-final.
"They will be two tough games but we are playing well and
clearly we are confident we can win."
(Sky Sports)
Parry thanks UEFA
Rick Parry has thanked UEFA for allowing Liverpool to avoid
playing on April 15th.
UEFA scheduled the second leg of Liverpool and Chelsea's
Champions League quarter final for Tuesday, April 14th
allowing the fans, players and staff to attend the
Hillsborough 20th anniversary service at Anfield
on the 15th.
"We are very appreciative of the decision to play the second
leg on April 14th," said Chief Executive Rick Parry.
"It was always clear from our discussions with UEFA that
they understood the issue and the sensitivities involved
around the anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster.
"We are delighted with the outcome."
(LFC Online)
Thompson expects tough games
Phil Thompson is expecting two tight games between Liverpool
and Chelsea.
The former European Cup winning captain is backing the Reds
to see off the rent boys but expects it to be close after
two tough matches.
"It's just incredible that it's Chelsea again after the
amount of times we've played each other," Thompson told Sky
Sports News after the draw was made.
"We know them and Chelsea are just starting to come into
form. There's going to be very little between the two sides
because they're two top class teams.
"Ideally, I would have to have the away-leg first.
"It makes a difference having the first-leg at home. If it
was the other way around I'd be sitting here rubbing my
hands with glee because in a second-leg at Anfield Liverpool
can beat anybody.
"It was a big disappointment to lose there last season, but
I know it will be an extremely tight game.
"But, I've said all the long I think Liverpool over two-legs
can do anything and I fancy them to go through."
(LFC Online)
Liverpool and Chelsea
to renew old rivalry
Liverpool and Chelsea will renew their European rivalry
after they were drawn in the quarter-finals of the Champions
League today. Defending champions Manchester United will
take on Portuguese champions FC Porto while Arsenal are
pitted against Spanish side Villarreal.
Barcelona will meet Bayern Munich in the other quarter-final
with the first legs to take place on April 7-8 and the
return legs the following week.
The battle of Britain again pits old European adversaries
Liverpool and Chelsea against each other. Liverpool reached
the final in 2005 at the expense of the Stamford Bridge
club, with then Blues boss Jose Mourinho left seething as
Luis Garcia's goal at Anfield, which decided the tie, was
deemed to have crossed the line in front of the Kop.
The Reds again prevailed two years ago, winning a penalty
shoot-out to make sure of a place in the final, which they
lost to AC Milan - the team they had beaten on penalties to
win the competition two years previously.
The draw for the semi-finals was also made today in
Switzerland. The winners of Liverpool's match against
Chelsea will face the winners of Barcelona's match against
Bayern for a place in the final.
United will take on Arsenal for a place in the Rome showdown
- if both Premier League teams win their quarter-final ties.
The first leg of the semis is due to take place on April
28-29, with the return matches going ahead the following
week.
Champions League quarter-final draw:
Villarreal v Arsenal
Manchester United v FC Porto
Liverpool v Chelsea
Barcelona v Bayern Munich
Ties to be played on April 7/8 and April 14/15
(The Irish Times)
Villa have Carew in Anfield frame
Striker John Carew is pushing hard for a return to the Aston
Villa starting line-up for Sunday's Premier League clash
away to Liverpool.
Carew has convinced Villa manager Martin O'Neill that he is
back to full fitness following a back problem.
The Norway international heads for Anfield (kick-off 4pm)
having netted twice as a substitute recently against Stoke
and Tottenham, and will battle with Emile Heskey and
goal-shy Gabriel Agbonlahor for a place.
O'Neill has to decide whether left-back Wilfred Bouma is
ready to play any part after eight months out of action with
a dislocated ankle.
Midfielder Steve Sidwell could also come into the equation
after returning to training following a recent ankle setback
as Villa look to end a run of seven games without a win in
all competitions.
Villa (from): Friedel, Guzan, Reo-Coker, L. Young, Knight,
Cuellar, Davies, Shorey, Bouma, Milner, Gardner, Petrov,
Barry, Sidwell, Salifou, A. Young, Agbonlahor, Carew,
Heskey, Delfouneso, Harewood.
(TEAMtalk)
Gerrard assault charge dropped
Prosecutors dropped accusations of assault against England
and Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard on Friday but the
player will still face a charge of affray over a bar brawl.
The Liverpool captain was arrested in the early hours of
December 29 after police were called to the Lounge Bar
nightclub in Southport.
Company director Marcus McGee, 34, required hospital
treatment after receiving facial injuries in the incident.
At Sefton magistrates court on Friday, Gerrard, 28, was told
he would no longer face a charge of assault occasioning
bodily harm, the Press Association reported.
The incident occurred following Gerrard's man-of-the-match
performance in a 5-1 win over Newcastle United, in which he
had scored twice.
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has said the club are fully
behind Gerrard, whose court appearance comes the day before
a Premier League game against Aston Villa.
(Reuters)
Benitez plans fringe player sales
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is ready to sell several of his
fringe players to add to a bumper summer transfer kitty.
The Times says Benitez was criticised for selling Robbie
Keane back to Tottenham in January and not replacing him,
but the minimum £10 million fee raised in that deal has
boosted his transfer budget to £30 million.
Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr, the club’s American owners,
have also allowed Benítez to reinvest any money raised by
selling players such as Andrea Dossena and Philipp Degen,
and offloading Jermaine Pennant and Andriy Voronin, who are
on loan at Portsmouth and Hertha Berlin respectively.
Further funds could be generated depending on how much the
club earn in prize money in the Champions League between now
and May.
(tribalfootball.com) |
|
THURSDAY 19 |
Hicks looks to the long term
Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks expects to be at Anfield just
as long as manager Rafael Benitez.
The Spaniard has signed a new five-year contract to tie him
to the club until 2014 and Hicks is adamant he will still be
in control at the club when that contract comes to an end.
Hicks and co-owner George Gillett must re-finance
£300million-plus of loans in July to maintain their control
of Anfield, but the implication to Hicks' words is that he
expects to be able to find the finance to do just that.
That may well mean taking on another partner - probably
Middle-Eastern - to replace Gillett, who is known to want to
sell his stake.
But Hicks even suggested that Gillett wants to stick around.
"Rafa is going to be here for the next five years, I know I
am going to be here for the next five years," Hicks told Sky
Sports News.
(TEAMtalk)
Hicks: I knew Rafa would stay
Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks insists he was "never worried"
about Rafael Benitez's long-term future at the club.
Benitez ended months of bitter wrangling over his future by
signing a new contract on Wednesday night that will keep him
at Anfield until 2014.
"I was never worried we would lose Rafa Benitez," Hicks told
Sky Sports News.
Hicks added: "These things are complicated. A five-year
contract is complicated, so I'm just relieved we finally got
it done.
"From the supporters' point of view, to have it done on top
of such a great week on the pitch is great."
Hicks played down long-running reports that the delay was
down to a power struggle - and in particular wrangling over
transfer policy.
"That was in the media but it was never really true," he
said.
"I sat down with Rafa a couple of months ago and he made it
very clear that he knows a manager can't have control over
transfer budget.
"He has had his frustrations over the last five years and
those are well chronicled but he will make the
recommendations about which players we sign and the new CEO,
the owners and the board will make the final financial
commitment. And that is the way it needs to be."
(PA Sport)
Dalglish delighted at
Benitez's new contract
Kenny Dalglish today told of his delight that Rafa Benitez
has pledged his future to Liverpool.
The Kop legend is in no doubt that the Reds have the right
man at the helm and reckons Benitez’s new five year contract
is “great news” for the club and its fans.
Dalglish said: “As Liverpool fans, I think we’re just all
really happy right now that the boys are performing very
well and that Rafa has ended all the speculation about his
future by signing his new deal. It’s great news.
“We’ve just had two great results against Real Madrid and
Manchester United and now the manager – the man we all
believe is the right man for the job – has signed his
contract.
“It’s fantastic news at the end of a magnificent week.
“I think the timing of this is brilliant for everyone.
“It allows Rafa plenty of time to prepare for next season,
to identify new players he may want to bring into the club
and to look at any other changes he may want to make."
(Liverpool Echo)
Benitez to turn attention to players
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez's new five-year contract is
likely to spark a rush of new deals for several of the
club's top stars.
The Spaniard ended months of bitter wrangling over his
future by signing a new contract on Wednesday night that
will keep him at Anfield until 2014.
But, while Benitez has been in protracted negotiations with
co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett, many of his top
stars have put their own futures on hold.
Dutch forward Dirk Kuyt admits he was advised to wait until
Benitez's own deal had been concluded before opening
negotiations over his new deal.
And Danish defender Daniel Agger's new contract seemed to
have stalled some weeks ago.
There could also be likely new deals for striker Fernando
Torres, skipper Steven Gerrard and goalkeeper Jose Reina.
(PA Sport)
Anfield the key to Barry’s destiny
Martin O’Neill needs a win at in-form Liverpool to have a
chance of keeping Gareth Barry at Aston Villa.
Villa’s current slump has seen them drop out of the
Champions League qualifying places and without top European
football next season, Barry is likely to leave.
He was close to quitting Villa for Liverpool last summer,
but Rafa Benitez was not allowed to increase his £18million
offer and O’Neill managed to keep Barry despite a furious
row with him.
That has been patched up and Barry has been in impressive
form. He pledged to stay with Villa until the end of the
season, but left his options open after that.
Villa boss O’Neill is convinced that if his side get into
the Champions League, Barry will stay, but that Europa
League football will not be enough.
Villa have not won a Premier League game since the beginning
of February, losing three times and taking only one point to
allow Arsenal to overtake them in fourth place.
(Daily Express)
Benayoun agreed personal
terms with Spartak Moscow
Liverpool midfielder Yossi Benayoun agreed personal terms
with Spartak Moscow in January.
The 28-year-old Israel international was on the brink of
moving to Russia when he changed his mind after he was
promised more first team football at Anfield.
"Benayoun was our prime target in the winter transfer
window," revealed Spartak general director Valery Karpin
yesterday.
"We needed a creative attacking midfielder of his calibre in
our squad. He was ready to come and play for Spartak but in
the end Benitez did not let him leave Liverpool."
After the deal fell through, Spartak manager Michael Laudrup
turned to Brazil international Alex Meschini, who was bought
from Porto Alegre-based club Internacional for £4.35million.
(tribalfootball.com)
Thor Zakariassen
© |
|
|
|
