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WEDNESDAY 21 |
Heartache for Reds trio
Steven Gerrard, Peter Crouch and Scott Carson will
not be involved in next summer's European Championships
after England slumped to a 3-2 defeat to Croatia on
Wednesday.
The game saw Crouch keep up his incredible international
goalscoring record with his 14th in 24 games but it was not
enough to keep Steve McClaren's men above Russia in Group E.
Carson, on his first competitive start, made the error which
handed the visitors the opening goal on eight minutes.
Stand-in skipper Gerrard also played 90 minutes.
Elsewhere, Ukraine striker Andriy Voronin scored in
the 2-2 draw with France before being substituted on 85
minutes. Despite the point, he and his countrymen will not
be travelling to Austria and Switzerland next summer.
Ryan Babel played 90 minutes as already-qualified
Holland lost 2-1 in Belarus. Dirk Kuyt came on for
the second half.
Spain coach Luis Aragones handed Pepe Reina his ninth
cap in the 1-0 win over Northern Ireland. The 25-year-old
will now look to establish himself ahead of Iker Casillas
and Victor Valdes in time for next summer's championships.
John Arne Riise played the whole of Norway's 4-1
victory in Malta but it wasn't enough to see them through to
Austria and Switzerland.
Meanwhile, Sami Hyypia played 90 minutes as Finland
failed to gain
the victory which would send them through. They drew 0-0 in
Portugal.
(LFC Official Website)
Assault on title must start now
We are a third of the way through the season and the
question posed before a ball was kicked in anger still
remains: Can Liverpool be
a title force?
Judging by their performances in the first 12 games one has
to come to the conclusion – no.
The reasons? Inconsistency, loss of form of some players,
dropping of silly points, lack of goals and injuries to key
figures.
However, there is the other side of the coin: Still unbeaten
in the Premier League, fine defensive record, a team
containing several top players and that never-say-die
attitude.
The table is a not too unhealthy one.
Victory in their game in hand would put Rafa Benitez’s side
into third, albeit six points behind Arsenal if they won
their outstanding fixture.
But the crunch is coming, starting with Newcastle on
Saturday, and this game must be the launchpad for a serious
assault on the top spot if they harbour ambitions to
challenge Arsene Wenger’s side or
Manchester United.
Bolton and Reading are next up and the Reds must be looking
for nine points from those three, before they tackle United
at Anfield
in mid December.
(Tommy Smith - Liverpool Echo)
Torres: We are a match for anyone
Confident Fernando Torres believes Liverpool have nothing to
fear from their championship rivals.
Despite some underwhelming performances, Rafael Benitez’s
side remain unbeaten in the Premier League and stand in
fifth place, six points behind leaders Arsenal and
Manchester United.
Liverpool have faced fellow title contenders Arsenal and
Chelsea already this season and will entertain United on
December 15.
Club record signing Torres is expected to bolster their
top-flight efforts by returning to the starting line-up at
Newcastle United on Saturday.
And the Spanish striker reckons the fact Benitez’s men have
yet to hit top form should act as a warning to their nearest
rivals – and expects Liverpool to be challenging for the
title come next May.
"We have a confidence and a focus which will make us a very
dangerous opponent for everyone who has to face us," said
the 23-year-old.
(Liverpool Daily Post)
Another 90 for Threlfall
Robbie Threllfall played the full 90 minutes for Hereford
last night.
The Liverpool FA Youth Cup winner, who is on a three month
loan, played the whole game as Hereford produced an upset by
knocking Leeds United out of the FA Cup last night.
Hereford booked a second round tie against Hartlepool by
beating Leeds 1-0 at Elland Road in their first round replay
last night.
(LFC Online)
Reina not attracted by Atletico
Jose Reina claims he would not be interested in leaving
Liverpool after reports linked him with a move to Atletico
Madrid next summer.
The Spain international goalkeeper is said to be a target
for Los Colchoneros next summer, who apparently thought he
may fancy
a move there.
Although no official contact has been made, Reina has spoken
out to prevent any more stories as rumours continue to
circulate.
"I am flattered," he said. "But at this moment it would not
be good for me to move as my family is comfortable.
"I am feeling happy and valued. I have no reason to move."
Reina's father, Miguel, played for Atletico in the 1970's
and was a member of the side that was beaten by Bayern
Munich in Belgium.
Despite being born in Madrid, Reina junior rose through the
ranks at Barcelona before moving to Villarreal in 2002.
After three seasons at El Madrigal, Rafa Benitez swooped to
sign him for Liverpool and he replaced Jerzy Dudek as the
club's number one.
(Sporting Life)
Redknapp wants Crouch
Harry Redknapp is lining up a £10million bid to bring
Liverpool outcast Peter Crouch back to Portsmouth.
Crouch, 26, is desperate to quit Anfield after falling down
the pecking order following the summer capture of Fernando
Torres and
Andrei Voronin.
Now Redknapp wants to buy the England striker, despite twice
selling him.
Redknapp also sold Crouch to Liverpool for £7m when he was
in charge at Southampton.
But he said: "You will always be interested in someone like
him. He is a great player and can be unplayable at times. He
is a great lad and great to work with.
"He was fantastic in that year he had at Portsmouth. The
club owe him a massive debt for what he did. We bought him
for £1m and sold him for £5m. He scored 19 goals and without
those goals they would probably have gone down.
"He kept the club going and for me he has been one of the
main players for the last six or seven years."
Despite his lack of first team starts at Anfield, Crouch has
been a hit on the international stage with 13 goals in 23
appearances.
(Daily Mirror) |
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TUESDAY 20 |
Torres close to Reds return
While Kewell also nears the first XI
Fernando Torres and Harry Kewell could be in line for a
return to Liverpool's starting XI in Saturday's Premier
League clash with Newcastle.
Star striker Torres has been sidelined since damaging an
adductor muscle while playing in the 1-1 draw with Arsenal
in October.
However, the Spaniard has remained at Liverpool's Melwood
training base throughout the international break to work on
his match fitness
And Torres, who made a scoring substitute's return in
Liverpool's recent
2-0 win over Fulham, is thought to be close to making his
first start in almost a month for the Reds when they travel
to St James' Park for
a game which is live on Sky Sports 1.
Kewell is also in contention following a series of
impressive substitute displays over recent weeks.
(Sky Sports)
Benitez tells the fans:
Winning the Premier League is my priority now
Rafa Benitez has admitted winning the Premier League with
Liverpool is his top priority this season.
The Reds still have a chance to reach the knockout stages of
the Champions League and would love to fight their way to
the final - just as they did last year before losing out to
AC Milan in Athens.
But Benitez, who has rejected overtures to take charge at
Bayern Munich because he is happy at Anfield, has
acknowledged that helping Liverpool win a first domestic
championship in nearly two decades is the main objective.
"The priority for this season is the Premier League - and
we're in a better position to do that this season than
before," Benitez told The Sun.
"When you've won the Champions League, FA Cup, Community
Shield and Super Cup, people ask what about the Premier
League?
That's normal.
"When I signed, the team wasn't winning much. The problem
was we started to win them in the first year. To play seven
finals and win four trophies is not bad in three years. But
if we need to win only one, then the Premier League is the
priority."
(Daily Mail)
Derby blunder helped Reina
Last season's derby blunder improved Pepe Reina as a
goalkeeper.
During last season's Goodison derby, Pepe Reina dropped the
ball right onto Andy Johnson's head allowing the England
flop to score the easiest goal of his career and wrap up a
3-0 win for the Blues.
Although that was a bad moment for Reina he has responded
well and even become a better goalkeeper because of it
believes Rafael Benitez.
"Pepe will remember this mistake as important, so for him it
was a test and he showed that he can come through difficult
situations and be really good," said the Liverpool boss.
"He has a lot of character. One of the keys to being a top
professional and a top-class player is to be able to show
character in difficult situations.
"If you are always playing well and without difficulties you
cannot test the character of the player.
"Pepe made some mistakes but after this he showed quality
and character.
"Also, you can see when he has been under pressure in finals
and other big games that he is a player with a very good
mentality."
(LFC Online)
Fifth Liverpool player is burgled
Dirk Kuyt has become the fifth Liverpool footballer to be
burgled in less than 18 months.
The 27-year-old striker's luxury home in Woolton was
targeted on Thursday while he was away on international duty
with home country Holland.
Merseyside Police confirmed they were investigating a
burglary in Woolton.
The Merseyside home of Jerzy Dudek, Liverpool's goalkeeper
from
the 2005 Champions League final penalty shoot-out, was
burgled in June 2006.
The raid at Kuyt's house is the latest to see a footballer's
home targeted in the city while the players are away at a
match.
(BBC Sport Online)
Youngsters’ run ended by City
Liverpool under-18s had no answer to Premier Academy League
North West section leaders Manchester City at Kirkby on
Saturday as they went down to a 3-0 defeat.
Hugh McAuley’s side saw an eight-match unbeaten run come to
an end.
Coach McAuley said: “We probably had most of the possession
in the first half, but it was one of those days where we
couldn’t break them down. They were well organised
defensively.
McAuley’s side are next in action on Saturday, December 1
time when they travel to Manchester United.
LIVERPOOL U18s: Hansen, Kennedy, Kelly, Awang, O’Connor,
Amoo, Irwin, Ajdarevic, Kacaniklic (Collins), Ecclestone,
Pourie.
Subs: Flanagan, Dawson.
(Liverpool Daily Post) |
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MONDAY 19 |
Martinez rumour dismissed
Liverpool are not interested in signing Javi Martinez.
Press reports linked the Reds with Athletico Bilbao
midfielder Javi Martinez over the weekend. However, Rafa
Benitez says the rumours are just that and the Reds have no
interest in the player.
"He is a young player who we know about because Bilbao paid
good money for him," the boss told liverpoolfc.tv.
"But we are not watching the player and are not thinking
about signing him, as I have read in the Spanish press."
(LFC Online)
Rafa laughs off Bayern rumour
Rafael Benitez has dismissed the rumour linking him with
Bayern Munich.
The Sunday papers printed rumours that German side Bayern
Munich were attempting to tap up Rafa Benitez. However, the
Reds boss has dismissed the speculation and says he's happy
at Liverpool.
"I heard about the rumours at the weekend and it is always
flattering to be linked with other big clubs because it must
mean you are doing something right," said the Spaniard.
"But even if I was approached I would tell whichever club it
was that I am really happy with my club, my squad, my
supporters and my city.
"There are still many things which I want to do here so I am
planning on being here for a long time."
(LFC Online)
Kewell boost for Liverpool
Winger Harry Kewell has provided Liverpool a timely fitness
boost after the Australian played for full 90 minutes in the
1-0 win over Nigeria.
Kewell had played bit-part role for the Reds after his
comeback last month from an injury suffered in the
pre-season and Reds boss Rafa Benitez had hoped if the
29-year-old can maintain his fitness he could be like a new
signing for the Merseysiders.
Benitez, whose side will take on Newcastle United at the
weekend, also believes the international break has come as a
welcome rest and time for his players to get the sharpness
back.
(Premiership Latest)
Grobbelaar is heading to Yate
Liverpool stars of yesteryear Bruce Grobbelaar, Alan Kennedy
and Phil Neal are among a string of former Anfield stars who
have agreed to take part in the legends match at Yate Town
next month.Full-backs Neal and Kennedy both scored in
European Cup final wins for the Reds and Grobbelaar was a
hero of their 1984 triumph.
Another to have signed up for the match with Bristol United
on Sunday, December 9 (2pm), David Fairclough, was a
renowned super-sub in the 1970s and early 80s.
Prolific striker John Aldridge and midfielder Jimmy Case,
famous for his fierce shooting, have also pledged to play.
(Bristol Evening Post)
Crouch confident over Defoe
Liverpool striker Peter Crouch says he will have no problems
playing alongside Jermain Defoe on Wednesday when England
face Croatia.
England will be without the injured Michael Owen for the
crunch clash, which will see the Three Lions go through to
next summer's Euro 2008 finals if they come through the game
unbeaten, meaning Crouch is likely to play alongside Defoe.
Crouch, though, says he has no worries that they will be
able to do the job, although he concedes losing Owen is a
problem.
He said: "Of course, it is disappointing with Michael
getting injured. It is a huge blow for us. Everyone knows
his goalscoring record is fantastic.
"Michael is a top-class player and, in the big games when it
really counts, he invariably scores goals.
"But myself and Jermain have played together many times,
through the England Under-18s and Under-21s, and right back
then worked
well together.
"Whenever I've played with him, it seems to have worked."
(EatSleepSport)
Thor Zakariassen
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