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TUESDAY 21 |
Reina wary of deadly duo
Pepe Reina today warned his back four they will have to be
on top form to stop Atletico Madrid's free-scoring forward
line on Wednesday.
Sergio Aguero and Diego Forlan have forged one of the
continent's most feared partnerships, scoring almost 50
goals between them last season.
"Forlan and Aguero are two great players and two great
strikers. But it's not only them: Florent Sinama-Pongolle is
also going through a great spell," Reina said.
"As well as that, the central midfielders create a lot of
chances, the same as the wide players, who can cause you
plenty of problems.
"They have a wide variety of players who can make life hard
for you."
(LFC Official Website)
Torres tipped for Ballon d'Or
Fernando Torres's claims to be the 2008 Ballon d’Or have
been endorsed unequivocally by Liverpool manager Rafa
Benitez.
The shortlist for the European Football of the Year was
announced at
the weekend with the winner of the award to be revealed on
December 2.
Choosing an outstanding candidate from among the cream of
Europe’s footballing talent, from the David Villas and
Lionel Messis, is no mean feat, but Benitez already knows
who he would choose if it was he and not a selection of
journalists who were casting the votes.
Benitez told AS: “I would give it to Fernando because he has
had an extraordinary year. He has scored more than 30 goals
with the added difficulty of it being his first year in
England.
“Then there was the Euro campaign, marked with a goal in the
final.
“For many reasons I believe that he deserves it, without
ignoring the merits of Iker Casillas or any of the other
nominees because they have been important also.”
(Setanta Sports)
Torres rejects Atletico invite
Fernando Torres has declined an invitation from former club
Atletico Madrid to attend Wednesday’s Champions League match
in order to increase his prospects of facing Chelsea in The
Premier League
next weekend.
The hamstrung Liverpool striker will miss out on an
emotional playing return at the Vicente Calderon but was
offered full VIP treatment by
the club’s president Enrique Cerezo as a form of recompense.
Torres is still held in the highest regard by Cerezo and
company after his dignified departure from the club some 16
months ago, however the 24-year-old has turned down the
opportunity to renew old acquaintances.
He will not fly out to Spain on Tuesday, choosing instead to
continue his rehabilitation on Merseyside.
Reds manager Rafa Benitez confirmed: “We talked with the
doctor and physios, and with the player himself, and we
decided it was important for him to stay here and continue
with his recovery.”
(Setanta Sports)
Gerrard: Reds need to dictate
Steven Gerrard insists Liverpool must start 'dictating'
games, rather than relying on late comebacks, if they are to
have a successful season.
The Reds are riding high in the Premier League, but they
have had to come from behind on four different occasions to
win and retain their unbeaten status.
"In the past few weeks, we have proved that you can never
count us out
in any situation, and the battling qualities we have shown
are very important," he said in the Daily Mirror.
"But we know that we cannot keep conceding the lead in games
like we have done in the last two matches.
"Sooner or later, it is going to catch up with us, and we'll
pay the price."
(TEAMtalk)
Duo passed fit
Javier Mascherano and Ryan Babel have been passed fit for
tomorrow's game.
The duo missed Saturday's win over Wigan with minor injuries
picked up while on international duty. However, the pair
have recovered and have travelled to Spain for tomorrow's
Champions League group stage game against Athletico Madrid.
(LFC Online)
Alonso seeks easier wins
Xabi Alonso hopes Liverpool start winning games easier than
they have been doing.
The Spaniard is pleased to see the Reds joint top of the
league and has been impressed with the character the side
has shown to come back from a losing position to win games
five times this season but admits it would be nice to win a
game without falling behind first.
"We're not controlling games from the start at the moment
and that is why we are suffering more than we should be
doing," Alonso told the club's official website.
"Of course the most important thing is winning the three
points but we know we have to improve in certain areas if we
want to stop
having problems.
"We can't rest on our laurels though. We have to be
criticial of ourselves and look to improve. We need to be
getting in front in matches because we're not always going
to have the luck to come from behind.
"It's great to be towards the top of the table and not a few
points behind. We've had a good start to the season but we
have to carry that on and not look at the table too much. We
just want to keep winning games and keep picking up points."
(LFC Online) |
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MONDAY 20 |
Good, the bad and the ugly for Agger
Daniel Agger was relieved to come through his first Premier
League start of the season unscathed, but even more thankful
that Liverpool put aside his first-half blunder to beat
Wigan 3-2.
Injury has meant that Agger has cut a peripheral figure over
the past 12 months but his return to fitness, coupled with
Martin Skrtel’s injury, means the Denmark international is
likely to be back on the scene on a far more regular basis.
Unsurprising ring-rustiness was evident against Wigan when
Agger’s lackadaisical pass allowed Amr Zaki to put the
visitors in front.
"I was pleased to start the game against Wigan, it was what
I have been waiting for," Agger told the club’s official
website.
"It was a stupid mistake to make for their first goal, but
that’s football and you can’t afford to dwell on things like
that - you have to carry on."
(Setanta Sports)
Reds have great spirit says Riera
Winger Albert Riera has said the team spirit at Anfield is
one of the reasons why Liverpool have fought back to win
recent matches.
The Reds twice came from behind to defeat Wigan 3-2 on
Saturday.
Riera told BBC Radio Merseyside: "From the time I signed for
Liverpool the surprise for me was the mentality of this
team.
"The mentality of this team is very difficult to change,
this team has a very good mentality."
"We want to win from the first minute and that is the best
way," he said.
"Sometimes the other teams are strong. They want to beat us
because we are at the top of the league and it is normal
they want to beat us.
"But I think we have confidence now. The best way is to
continue winning and to continue to be at the top."
(BBC Sport Online)
Old boy backs Reds for glory
Atletico Madrid forward Luis Garcia insists he will feel "no
joy" if he scores against Liverpool in the Champions League
this week.
Luis Garcia was a hero of Liverpool's 2005 European Cup
triumph in Istanbul and will come face to face with his old
Anfield friends in the Vicente Calderon stadium later this
week.
It will be his first meeting with the club he spent three
happy years with, and he still admits to following all their
matches.
"I have watched and you can see the team growing, If they
continue in this way they could win the league."
That would clearly delight Luis Garcia, but he is not sure
of his emotions if he scores against Liverpool in the
back-to-back Group D matches over the next fortnight.
He said: "I am always happy to score goals and I am an
Atletico player now. In my heart I would feel strange, and I
would say 'sorry' because I wouldn't feel any joy scoring
against Liverpool."
(TEAMtalk)
We can win every game, roars Rafa
Rafael Benitez is confident his unbeaten Liverpool side have
the mental strength to emerge triumphant from two crucial
games in five days.
The Reds boss knows his side's 15-match unbeaten run will be
tested severely in Madrid on Wednesday and then against
Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
"We have the belief that we can win every game we play," the
Spaniard insisted.
Against Atletico Madrid in the Vicente Calderon, Liverpool
can virtually seal qualification from Champions League Group
D with victory.
And if they can end Chelsea's 86-match unbeaten home league
record on Sunday they will lead the Premier League and make
a dramatic statement of intent.
Benitez, whose side came from behind to beat Wigan on
Saturday, said: "I am confident that my players can produce
the right performances this week."
(TEAMtalk)
Carragher: Character is key
Jamie Carragher believes he and his Liverpool team-mates are
demonstrating the character needed to win the Premier
League.
The centre-back was a part of the side which came from
behind to defeat Wigan at Anfield on Saturday to maintain an
unbeaten record this season.
Carragher was also involved as the Reds recorded turn-around
wins against Middlesbrough, Manchester United and Manchester
City this campaign, and the 30-year-old believes the
successes are positive signs.
"We were always confident about turning things around
against Wigan because we've done it a few times this season
now," he told Liverpool's official website.
"There's a really good team spirit at the moment and that
makes a big difference. You're going to need a lot of
character to challenge for the league title over the next
few months."
(Sky Sports)
Reina fined for speeding
Liverpool goalkeeper Jose Reina was fined £250 today after
being convicted of speeding.
The 26-year-old Spain international appeared at Liverpool
Magistrates' Court and pleaded guilty to driving his black
Porsche 911 in excess of 40mph.
David Maxwell, prosecuting, told the court Reina was seen by
a police patrol breaking the 40mph speed limit on Menlove
Avenue, Woolton, at 4.05pm on December 29 last year. Reina's
speed was not given in court.
(PA/Independent)
Benitez shows interest
in Wigan's Zaki
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has confirmed he is checking
on Wigan striker Amr Zaki, after the Egyptian hit a
memorable double at Anfield.
Zaki has taken the Premier League by storm this season with
seven goals in his first eight games making him the
top-scorer in England's top-flight.
He highlighted his form with a brilliant brace at Liverpool,
which included a stunning acrobatic volley in front of The
Kop.
Benitez, who looks set to be in the market for a new
frontman come January, has intriguingly admitted he will
also be taking a close look at Zaki after his outstanding
display against the Spaniard's side on Saturday.
"Everybody will be checking his situation now," Benitez
admitted.
(The irish Times)
Defender out of Reds clash
Atletico centre back Tomas Ujfalusi picked up a muscle
injury during the Madrid derby and will be out of action for
four games, which means he will not be available to cross
swords with Liverpool on Wednesday.
The Czech Republic international suffered the blow during
the 2-1 home defeat against arch-rivals Real Madrid on
Saturday night and his club’s medical staff have revealed he
will be forced out for four matches.
Ujfalusi limped off the Vicente Calderon pitch on 70 minutes
and was replaced by former Liverpool attacker Luis Garcia.
The former Fiorentina captain will also miss the Primera
Liga clashes with Villarreal and Mallorca, as well as the
Copa del Rey encounter with Orihuela.
Mexican boss Javier Aguirre will have to find an alternative
solution to replace his key player, while centre half Pablo
Ibanez is also doubtful.
(Setanta Sports)
Benitez snubbed Aguero transfer
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has admitted that he turned
down the chance to sign Atletico Madrid hot-shot Sergio
Aguero.
Benitez has revealed that the Reds were offered the chance
to sign Aguero in 2006 when he was 17.
However, the Spanish coach thought he was too young and did
not want to pay what his club, at the time, Independiente
were wanting.
Atletico did pay around £14million and now just two-years on
his is regarded as one of the best player's in world
football.
Benitez will face Aguero on Wednesday when the Reds travel
to Madrid for their UEFA Champions League clash.
"Two years ago the agents were talking with us about players
and he was one of those but he was too young," Benitez told
The Times.
"Atletico paid big money for him, around 18 million euros
[about £14 million] for a player who was a risk.
"In the Premier League it's different and sometimes players
will need more time here to improve."
(TEAMtalk) |
|
SUNDAY 19 |
Reds duo shortlisted for Ballon d'Or
Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard have both been
shortlisted for this year's prestigious Ballon d'Or award.
The Reds duo were initially named in France Football
Magazine's list of
50 nominees and their hopes of landing the prize remain
alive after it was whittled down to 30 on Sunday.
Gerrard and Torres both impressed as Liverpool reached the
last four of the Champions League while the Spaniard scored
the winner as his country beat Germany to claim Euro 2008
glory.
There are 11 Barclays Premier League players in total who
have made
the cut with Portugal star Ronaldo the Reds players' main
rival to win
the award on December 2.
(LFC Official Website)
Newspaper forced
to apologise to Rafa
The News of the World newspaper have been forced to make a
written apology to Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez following
a report they published on February 10th this year.
The article in question was written by ‘journalist’ Rob
Beasley - a known Chelsea fan - and published on the morning
of Liverpool facing, you guessed it, Chelsea.
In the offending piece “which was incorrectly translated”
Beasley claimed Benitez had blamed Liverpool’s co-owners
George Gillett and Tom Hicks of ruining the team’s title
hopes, with the typically sensationalist headline “It’s your
fault - Benitez in new blast at owners” hardly reflecting
the quotes the piece contained.
Today’s apology in the paper doesn’t state whether
compensation has been settled yet.
(This is Anfield)
Rafa focused on
football, not contract
Rafael Benitez is not thinking about a new contract despite
only having
18 months remaining on his current deal.
The owners have yet to open negotiations regarding an
extension but Benitez insists that he’s trying to keep his
focus on football.
“I will not allow the situation to disturb my concentration
because we have a lot of very important games coming up,”
Benitez told The People.
“But I have not heard anything about a new contract.”
Two weeks ago, Rafa told the Daily Express that he would
love to stay at the club for as long as he could.
“I’ve always said I want to stay here for many years, that
hasn’t changed.”
(Kop-TV)
Benitez backs Keane to shine
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has backed Robbie Keane to
flourish in Fernando Torres' absence.
Benitez splashed out £20million to bring the striker to
Anfield from Tottenham in the summer, but Keane is yet to
demonstrate the form he displayed at White Hart Lane.
Reds boss Benitez is delighted to have the Irishman to call
upon with star striker Torres consigned to watch on from the
stands.
He told reporters: "Robbie is exactly the kind of player you
would want in our situation - that is why I was so anxious
to sign him.
"He has the experience to handle the kind of responsibility
that will now be placed upon him."
(Sky Sports)
Pongolle: Fans could be decisive
Florent Sinama Pongolle admits the decision to allow
Atletico Madrid to play Wednesday's Champions League clash
with Liverpool at the Vicente Calderon will give his side a
major lift.
The French striker is convinced the club's fans can play a
decisive role in the top-of-the-table Group D clash and
feels that the winner will be all-but certain of
qualification to the knockout stage.
"It is so important for us to play at the Vicente Calderon,
especially against Liverpool," said Sinama-Pongolle.
"Playing Liverpool is a huge game for us, and having the
backing of our fans is fundamental to us."
(LFC Official Website)
Sheikh Al Maktoum drops
Liverpool takeover talks
Billionaire Arab Sheikh Al Maktoum has dropped his pursuit
of Liverpool.
The News of the World says after months of stalemate,
representatives from Dubai are ready to pull the plug on
negotiations with Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr.
(tribalfootball.com)
Benitez feeling the strain
but Reds keep winning
Rafael Benitez has paid tribute to the character of his
Liverpool players after another second-half fightback kept
them hot on the heels of Chelsea at the top of the Premier
League.
But the Spaniard, who takes his unbeaten side to Stamford
Bridge next Sunday, admits he would prefer not to have to
watch them mount the kind of late recovery that produced a
3-2 win over ten-man Wigan at Anfield.
"The whole side showed great character to come back like
that again. We did something similar at Manchester City a
fortnight ago, and maybe I would like a calmer time on the
bench," Benitez said.
(AFP)
Bruce vents fury at Valencia verdict
Wigan manager Steve Bruce claimed two decisions from referee
Alan Wiley cost his team the game as they lost 3-2 at
Liverpool on Saturday.
Bruce pointed to a yellow card for Antonio Valencia for
encroaching at
a free-kick, and then another booking for the same player
for a foul on Xabi Alonso, that he claimed "changed the
game".
Valencia was sent off playing for Ecuador last weekend, and
with 16 minutes to go at Anfield saw red again, this time
with Wigan 2-1 ahead.
Bruce said: "In my opinion we were robbed. It is a joke that
we have not come away from this match with something.
"The referee got the first booking for Valencia wrong. The
Liverpool player took the kick, and Valencia did not
encroach towards it until the ball had been kicked. So he
got that one wrong.
"Then there is the tackle on Alonso, in which I felt the lad
touched the ball. I felt that was harsh."
(TEAMtalk)
Athletico beaten
Athletico Madrid were beaten 2-1 by Real Madrid yesterday.
Wednesday's Champions League opponents lost their home derby
yesterday when Real Madrid beat them 2-1 at the Vicente
Calderon.
Ruud Van Nistlerooy put Real Madrid 1-0 up after only a
minute.
Simao must have thought he'd rescued a point for Athletico
with a 90th minute equaliser but Higuain scored the winner
for Real from the penalty spot seven(!) minutes into injury
time.
(LFC Online)
Thor Zakariassen
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