|
|
|
THURSDAY 21 |
Liverpool take legal advice over BBC
programme
Liverpool football club are taking legal advice over
allegations of impropriety made in the BBC television
programme Panorama.
"We have taken legal advice because we were surprised,"
manager Rafael Benitez told reporters on Thursday.
Liverpool's Academy staff were shown talking to soccer agent
Peter Harrison about the future of young Middlesbrough
player Nathan Porritt.
As a result of the programme, which was shown on Tuesday,
England's Football Association and the Premier League are
looking into allegations about illegal approaches made to
players by several clubs.
All those accused in the programme have denied any
wrongdoing.
Benitez called on the FA to take action against anyone found
guilty of corruption.
"It is just like life. You have good and bad people. There
are good managers and agents and bad managers and agents,"
he said. "It is up to the authorities to find a solution."
(Reuters)
McDermott confirms Bellamy row
Newcastle coach Terry McDermott has confirmed he had a
tunnel bust-up with the club's former striker Craig Bellamy
after the 2-0 loss to Liverpool.
McDermott claims he was talking to the referee after the
game when the Welsh international insulted him.
"I was talking to the referee at the edge of the tunnel when
Bellamy appeared on the scene and suddenly started calling
me names. I thought he was just joking and I put my arm
around him, but he kept on calling me names and that's when
it all kicked off."
(Clubcall Sports)
Rafa plays down Bellamy bust-up
Rafael Benitez has played down a tunnel bust-up
involving Craig Bellamy after Liverpool's 2-0 win over
Newcastle.
Reds striker Bellamy, a former Newcastle player, was
involved in a row with his former coach Terry McDermott.
The Welshman, who had a plastic bottle thrown at him by a
Magpies fan, clashed with McDermott as tempers flared after
the final whistle at Anfield in the Premiership clash.
There had been suggestions that punches had been thrown but
Benitez played down
the row.
(Sporting Life)
Xabi hails repeat feat
Alonso magic as Liverpool down ToonXabi Alonso has hailed
another wonder goal as his strike from inside his own half
against Newcastle United emulated his effort at Luton Town
in last season's FA Cup.
The Spain international chanced his arm with a spectacular
long-range attempt and profited when Steve Harper, standing
in for Shay Given, slipped and failed to keep the shot out.
"At the beginning, I was looking for the pass but the ref
was in the way of me getting it to Stevie [Gerrard]
properly," he told Sky Sports afterwards.
"I've not professionally scored one like this in Spain and
I'm delighted to have done it twice in England."
(Eurosport)
Warnock admits Blackburn Rovers interest
Stephen Warnock admits Blackburn Rovers Football Club tried
to sign him in the summer.
When Liverpool made a bid for Lucas Neill, Rovers responded
by saying they might do business if Warnock was included in
the deal, yet the youngster is glad his employers never took
them up on the option.
"On the day it happened, the manager told me Blackburn were
trying to arrange a swap, but made it clear he wouldn't
agree to it," said Warnock.
"As it was getting towards midnight there was always that
doubt you may get a phone call saying it's back on, but I
was happy it never came."
(Clubcall Sports) |
|
WEDNESDAY 20 |
Benitez never worried
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez was delighted to see his side
back in the winning groove against Newcastle, but insisted
he was never worried about their form.
The Reds had lost their last two Premiership games but
bounced back with a 2-0 success over Newcastle at Anfield on
Wednesday night.
"For me the good thing was not just the two goals, but the
chances we created, we had a lot of clear chances," said
Benitez.
(Sky Sports)
Roeder slams referee
Newcastle boss Glenn Roeder says referee Mark Halsey cost
them the game at Liverpool for his failure to give them a
second half penalty.
The Magpies went down 2-0 at Anfield but Roeder was fuming
that, at 1-0 down, they were not given a penalty for
handball against Jamie Carragher.
Roeder's men also had a penalty shout turned down for a foul
on Shola Ameobi, while Liverpool also thought they should
have had a penalty when Celestine Babayaro handled.
"We do feel aggrieved by the result," said Roeder.
"Not many teams come here and attack as much as Liverpool
and have as much possession as them.
"We had a game plan to be solid and keep it tight."
(Sky Sports)
Xabi cracker seals Reds win
Liverpool got back to winning ways with a 2-0 win against
Newcastle at Anfield, thanks to Dirk Kuyt's first goal for
the club and Xabi Alonso's spectacular effort from inside
his own half.
Rafa Benitez's men went into the game needing to avoid a
third straight Premiership defeat, and they did that with
two special goals against The Magpies.
A deserved opener came via Kuyt's first goal for his new
club in the first half, and the three points were sealed in
blockbuster fashion as Alonso scored from his own half for
the second time, embarrassing the stumbling Steve Harper
with a glorious strike from just outside the centre circle.
(Sky Sports)
Two changes for Reds v Toon
Luis Garcia and Fabio Aurelio have been recalled to the
Liverpool starting eleven for tonight's Premiership clash
with Newcastle as Rafa Benitez makes just two changes from
the weekend.
Aurelio comes in for Stephen Warnock, while Garcia replaces
Jermaine Pennant.
Team in full: Reina, Finnan, Aurelio, Agger, Carragher,
Sissoko, Alonso, Gerrard, Garcia, Kuyt, Bellamy. Subs –
Dudek, Crouch, Hyypia, Gonzalez, Warnock.
(LFC Official Website)
Rick Parry: The truth on Anfield
Liverpool FC today denied it is facing a 48-hour deadline to
decide the future of the club's stadium plans.
Chief executive Rick Parry confirmed that a routine board
meeting will take place on Friday, not an urgent session
tomorrow as widely reported today.
At that meeting progress is expected on the search for
multi-million pound investment.
He moved swiftly to calm the latest round of hysteria
regarding a possible takeover of the club.
He said: "We h ave a board meeting on Friday. It's our
regular meeting, not specially arranged."
(Liverpool Echo)
Gerrard: Criticism of boss makes
me sick - and why I'll play anywhere
Anyone expecting sirens, screams of panic or declarations of
a state of emergency must be sorely disappointed when they
arrive at Anfield.
There remains an air of calm in the red half of the city,
yet if you venture a few miles either side of Liverpool's
boundaries there are legions prepared to work themselves
into a peculiar frenzy on the club's behalf.
Steven Gerrard isn't sure whether to be bemused or insulted
by the latest over reactions.
Since flying flak has been the prelude to two major trophy
victories in two seasons, the skipper sounds almost
sympathetic to those who have failed to learn the lessons of
the Benitez era.
"Anyone who questions the tactics of Rafa Benitez must be
crazy," says Gerrard, utterly unimpressed by the misguided
souls claiming to be speaking on his behalf when they
question what role he's playing.
"Rafa's already achieved so much in two years and all the
players and supporters have total belief in him."
(Liverpool Echo)
We have done nothing wrong insist Reds
Liverpool will vigorously contest any suggestion of wrong
doing implied by last night's Panorama documentary.
It was alleged by the undercover investigation Liverpool and
Chelsea breached regulations in trying to tempt an England
youth player away from Middlesbrough.
The programme showed Nathan Porritt, then 15, being touted
to the clubs by agent Peter Harrison.
Liverpool insist they have not breached any industry rules.
The Reds were never interested in signing the player and
made no offer for his services. The televised meeting took
place when the agent and reporter turned up unannounced at
Melwood.
It's a mystery to the Reds why the meeting was used in a
documentary into bungs, which is totally unrelated. And they
are furious a 30-second clip of a meeting at Liverpool's
Academy was used for no reason at all.
The FA made Liverpool aware of the allegations last week
(Liverpool Echo)
Liverpool to be questioned over Porritt
Liverpool and Chelsea are expected to face an investigation
by the Football Association and Premier League into BBC
Panorama's allegations that they breached regulations in
trying to tempt 15 year old Nathan Porritt from
Middlesbrough.
"There are allegations concerning other potential breaches
of industry rules in the programme that fall outside the
terms of reference of Lord Stevens' inquiry," said a
spokesman for the Premier League
"Again we request the BBC pass on their evidence in order
that the FA and ourselves can examine all aspects of these
allegations in order to determine the most appropriate
course of action that each body should take."
Porritt's agent offered him to Liverpool during the
programme, and a club official discussed the possibility of
signing him when he turns 17. Liverpool have since denied
any breach of industry rules.
(LFC Online)
Kewell flying out for operation
Harry Kewell will fly out to Australia for an operation on
his foot this week.
The Liverpool winger hasn't played since the World Cup after
returning with a bacterial infection in his left foot, which
developed into septic arthritis.
The Australian, who will be 28 on Friday, has been plagued
by injuries for the past two years and is now facing another
lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Liverpool's left side has been further disrupted this season
by John Arne Riise's injury, and it will continue to keep
him out of tonight's Premiership home game with
Newcastle United.
(Daily Post) |
|
TUESDAY 19 |
Benitez: Refs picking on Sissoko
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez believes Premiership referees
are picking on Mohamed Sissoko.
The Reds midfielder has already picked up three bookings in
four games this season, leaving him just two cautions away
from a suspension.
Having amassed 11 yellows and a red at Sunderland during his
debut campaign with the Merseyside giants, Sissoko is
starting to build-up an unwanted reputation.
“It is easy to show a yellow card to a young player who is
not a big name,” said Benitez.
“You watch other games and see big names who do not get
yellow cards at all and their tackles are maybe even worse.”
Benitez believes there is clear evidence to back up his
claims already this season, although for now he is more
concerned about defending Sissoko’s reputation.
“He just needs more experience,” said the Liverpool manager.
“Sunday was a big game and people were talking about him.
“But he has a high work-rate and never goes into a tackle
with a bad intention. Other players do much worse and
receive nothing.”
(Evening Echo)
Benitez to keep same line-up
Rafael Benitez is pondering whether to name an unchanged
line-up for the first time in 20 games for Wednesday's match
against Newcastle.
After picking up no fresh injuries in an encouraging
performance in the 1-0 defeat at Chelsea on Sunday, Benitez
could stick with the same side, keeping skipper Steven
Gerrard on the left.
John Arne Riise (ankle) and Harry Kewell (groin) are both
still missing as the Reds look to maintain an unbeaten home
league record against Newcastle which dates back to 1994.
Liverpool (from): Reina, Finnan, Agger, Hyypia, Carragher,
Aurelio, Pennant, Luis Garcia, Alonso, Sissoko, Gerrard,
Zenden, Crouch, Kuyt, Bellamy, Fowler, Dudek,
Gonzalez, Warnock.
(TEAMtalk)
Getting into stride soon key to title
hopes
It's absolute rubbish to suggest Liverpool's title chances
were finished by losing to Chelsea on Sunday.
If Manchester United had won on Sunday then it would have
been tough because of the amount of games you have to win
and rely on them losing to catch up.
Yes, they're a few points behind but they've only played
four games and a couple of home wins this week will put them
right back up there.
But that's not to say that winning the Premiership could be
beyond Liverpool very soon.
In fact, if they don't turn things round within the next
month then they can pretty much forget it.
(Mark Lawrenson - Daily Post)
Roeder hopeful for Reds trip
Newcastle boss Glenn Roeder is confident his side can get a
result at Liverpool on Wednesday.
The Magpies go into the game on the back of an impressive
2-0 win at West Ham and Roeder is hoping his troops can
build on that result.
"They won't want to lose any further ground, they are
playing at Anfield and that is a difficult place for any
team to go to but we are going there full of confidence on
the back of our last two performances and results," Roeder
told Sky Sports News.
(Sky Sports)
Warnock: We want to silence doubters
Stephen Warnock today underlined Liverpool's determination
to expose the folly of those already writing off the club's
title prospects.
The Reds are desperate to get back to winning ways against
Newcastle tomorrow having absorbed a week of over-reaction
to two consecutive league defeats.
"We've all heard and read what people have been saying about
our chances," said Warnock. "It just makes us more
determined to prove everyone wrong.
"As soon as the final whistle went on Sunday, we'd all have
happily gone back out and played Newcastle there and then
just to get another game going.
"We know we've got a lot of quality here and there isn't a
lot wrong and now we've got to go out there tomorrow night
and show it."
(Liverpool Echo)
Carra agrees with squad rotation
Jamie Carragher believes squad rotation will lead to a
successful season for the Reds.
Rafael Benitez has not selected the same team for two
matches in a row for an incredible 92 games. However, Jamie
Carragher believes rotating the squad will bring Liverpool
success.
"Of course everyone wants to play. If you are not picked,
then you are disappointed," said the popular defender.
"But I think we are beginning to get the manager's ideas
here, even if outsiders seem to offer criticism.
"You look at what he did at Valencia, and you can see that
it works.
"He beat Madrid and Barca to the title by keeping his
players fresh, and that is obviously what he wants to do
here.
"I think we are all smart enough to realise that. If it
means we are in a position to challenge later in the season,
then maybe other people will start to understand too."
(LFC Online)
Reds want Bale
Liverpool have been linked with Southampton's 17 year old
left-back Gareth Bale.
(LFC Online)
Rafa refusing to panic
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has told the club's fans not to
worry about their slow start to the season.
Liverpool are currently languishing in 15th spot in the
table nine points behind early leaders Portsmouth.
However, Benitez is refusing to panic and is confident
things will soon come good,
"It's a long race. All we can do is think of Newcastle and
the next three points. We will see how close we are later
on," said Benitez.
"This is not the time to be thinking about the league table.
As a manager, I need to see if the team is improving and
it's clear to me it is.
"The key for us is to start scoring goals. After three games
away from home, in which we created a lot of chances, I'm
sure we're going to start scoring soon.
"The disappointing thing is that we are losing but I have
confidence in the team if we keep playing like this. It's
clear we need more points but there's a long way to go. It
is the beginning of the season."
(Sky Sports)
|
|
Thor Zakariassen
© |
|
