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THURSDAY 24 |
Dutch test for Rafa's Reds
2005 winners Liverpool will meet PSV Eindhoven in the group
stages of the Champions League.
The Reds will face the Dutch champions, Bordeaux and
Galatasaray in Group C.
Chief executive Rick Parry was pleased with the draw which
includes a return trip to Turkey, where they won the
competition in 2005.
"We have fond memories of trips to Istanbul and of course we
have been to Galatasaray not too long ago," he told Sky
Sports News.
"PSV and Bordeaux are a little bit of an unknown for us, but
it's okay."
Asked if he was pleased to have avoided Celtic, Parry added:
"Celtic would have been fine. There is no such thing as a
favourable draw, none of the groups is that easy.
"Turkey is a long way but we've avoided the eastern European
trips so it's okay.
"It was a little tense at times but it's fantastic to be
here, we were happy whoever
we drew."
(Sporting Life)
Alonso enjoying Anfield pressure
Xabi Alonso feels the pressure on Liverpool to prolong Rafa
Benitez's era of success has intensified as a result of the
summer improvements in the squad.
The Spanish play-maker says expectations are always high at
a club of Liverpool's stature, but the difference this year
is Benitez has assembled a group which should be competing
for the top honours.
While Champions League victory in 2005 was a shock, and last
season's FA Cup win another sign of rapid progress, Alonso
recognises the need for the players to deliver more
silverware.
"Always when you're playing for Liverpool you feel there is
pressure because people say you have to win," said Alonso.
"It's expected we will be at the top and we have to cope
with this. But that's okay, because we've made a few
signings and we're improving.
"The main thing for us is to speak on the pitch.
"Now there are different expectations because people are
talking about catching Chelsea, but we know it's still going
to be very difficult. They have a very good team.
"We also have a good team, but it's a long race. Only one
game has been played, but we're confident we will do the
right things through the season to challenge.
(Liverpool Echo)
Pennant hoping to impress McClaren
Jermaine Pennant is hoping his form for Liverpool can earn
him a place in the England squad.
"Playing in the Champions League can only improve my England
chances. If you are proving yourself in the Champions League
and playing well, it is going to be at the back of the
England manager's mind to pick you," said Pennant.
"The more I can play in big games like these, the better it
is going to be for me.
"The only thing left for me is to play for my country. If
that could happen, it would be a great turnaround for me and
my career.
"It is an incentive to know the England manager is watching
you but my manager puts me under pressure every time I go
out to play well and that makes me determined to do my best
for the team.
"The team comes before anything but if you can continue to
play well for the team then sooner or later hopefully the
England coach will take notice.
"With Becks out of the team, it is there for the taking.
England have already got two players in Shaun
Wright-Phillips and Aaron Lennon, while Steven Gerrard
showed he could play there too.
"So it is going to be difficult but I can offer something
different and if the manager gives me the chance I know I
can take it."
(LFC Online)
Ex-Red sends Valencia through
Former Liverpool striker Fernando Morientes helped Valencia
qualify for the group stages of the Champions League on
Tuesday night.
Rafael Benitez's former club were 1-0 down from the first
leg but Fernando Morientes levelled the aggregate scores
after 13 minutes and put Valencia ahead on the night.
Valencia scored two more goals to go comfortably through to
the group stage.
(LFC Online) |
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WEDNESDAY 23 |
Hyypia expects big things of Agger
Sami Hyypia has praised the performance of defensive partner
Daniel Agger after Liverpool reached the Champions League
group stages on Tuesday.
"I am used to playing alongside 'Carra' but when Danny steps
in he does well.
"I think he has a big future in the game and he will be a
major player for Liverpool in the Champions League for many
seasons ahead."
(TEAMtalk)
Reina: I still need to prove myself
Pepe Reina says he's steeling himself for the true test of
his quality this season having helped Liverpool past Maccabi
Haifa in the tricky Champions League qualifier.
The Spanish keeper's late save from Roberto Colautti ensured
Liverpool claimed a 3-2 aggregate win, securing the £12m
jackpot from the group stages.
After a record-breaking start to his Reds career, Reina is
determined to prove he's not a one season wonder. He says
the second year at a top club is often the most important
and he must prove himself once more.
"It's important for me to keep the level of last year," said
Reina.
"Maybe I still need to convince all of the people, and as a
team we must also keep improving."
(Liverpool Echo)
Sissoko out for two weeks
Liverpool have confirmed that Momo Sissoko will be out of
action for two weeks with the knee injury he sustained
during last night's Champions League qualifier in Kiev.
Sissoko left the stadium on crutches and had a scan on
Merseyside today which confirmed the Reds' initial
diagnosis.
"Momo had a scan today which showed a tear of the medial
ligament in his left knee," said Liverpool spokesman Ian
Cotton.
"We do not expect him to be able to play or train for the
next two weeks."
Sissoko will definitely miss this weekend's Premiership
clash with West Ham United at Anfield but could be back for
the derby at Goodison on September 9.
(LFC Official Website)
Parry: We budget for success
Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry was able to enjoy a
good night's sleep last night thanks to our 1-1 draw with
Maccabi Haifa.
Peter Crouch fired the Reds into the lucrative Champions
League group stages much to the delight of 'The Wallet'.
Parry said: "We budget for success because if you don't
budget for success you'll never achieve it.
"If you budget for mediocrity, that's where you'll end up,
so to that extent, there was a lot riding on the two games
but that's the same with any knock-out competition.
"You have to aim for the stars, not mediocrity.
"The chairman is much relieved and a happy man today, and
now there's a buzz of anticipation for the draw.
"It gives everyone a lift. You saw what Craig Bellamy said
the other week about what happened to Newcastle when they
didn't qualify a few years ago. It took them weeks to get
over it.
"Thankfully, that's never happened to us, and hopefully
never will. It's great to be
in the hat."
(Kop Talk)
Rafa hit by injury blows
Rafa Benitez's injury worries show no sign of subsiding with
the Liverpool boss confirming that both Mohamed Sissoko and
Stephen Warnock picked up knocks in the UEFA Champions
League qualifier against Maccabi Haifa.
With John Arne Riise and Jamie Carragher picking up injuries
in the opening game of the Premiership season against
Sheffield United, and new signing Gabriel Paletta also on
the sidelines, Benitez has an under strength squad for the
visit of West Ham on Saturday and the Spanish chief is
trying to get his head around another fitness setback so
early
in the season.
(Sky Sports) |
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TUESDAY 22 |
Crouch: Not pretty but we got through
Peter Crouch admitted Liverpool had to dig deep against
Maccabi Haifa after the second leg of their Champions League
qualifier ended 1-1.
Crouch said: "It was a difficult game, they were no mugs at
all, they proved that. It's not the prettiest of wins but
it's got us through."
(TEAMtalk)
Reds made to work in Kiev battle
Liverpool made it into the group stages of the UEFA
Champions League with a slender 3-2 aggregate victory over
Maccabi Haifa after a 1-1 draw in Kiev, although they were
made to sweat in a nervy ending.
Liverpool were the main aggressors throughout and took the
lead early in the second half when Peter Crouch nodded in a
Jermaine Pennant cross and the 2005 European Champions
looked to be cruising at 3-1 up on aggregate.
However, Roberto Colautti drew Maccabi level on the night
just after the hour mark and, after offering little until
then, the Israeli side then sprung into action and Liverpool
had to hold on in the nervous closing stages as the clock
ticked down to a place in the group stages.
The victory also came at a price as Liverpool's early season
injury problems struck again as both Stephen Warnock and
Mohamed Sissoko went off injured.
(Sky Sports)
Maccabi Haifa v Liverpool - CONFIRMED TEAM
Liverpool take on Maccabi Haifa at 7.35pm this evening. This
is the confirmed starting line-up.
LIVERPOOL: Reina, Finnan, Hyypia, Agger, Warnock, Pennant,
Alonso, Sissoko, Gonzalez, Garcia, Crouch.
SUBS: Dudek, Kromkamp, Gerrard, Fowler, Aurelio, Bellamy,
Zenden.
(Kop Talk)
Gerrard hit by stomach upset
Liverpool were rocked by the absence of captain Steven
Gerrard from their side to face Maccabi Haifa in the
Champions League third qualifying round second leg in Kiev.
Gerrard arrived in the Ukraine overnight with a stomach
upset and has only recovered enough to be named on the
bench.
Coupled with the loss of Jamie Carragher and John Arne Riise
with ankle injuries, it is a further blow to the club’s bid
to reach the group stages as they hold a 2-1 lead from the
first leg.
(Evening Echo)
Injured Riise selected for international
duty
Liverpool's John Arne Riise has been named in the Norway
squad for their UEFA EURO 2008 qualifiers against Hungary
and Moldova.
Norway coach Åge Hareide has included Riise even though he's
out for the next to three weeks as a result of the injury he
sustained against Sheffield United.
Hareide said: "John Arne is in excellent shape and heals
quickly after injuries. It would have been a bigger gamble
not to include him."
Norway travel to Budapest to play Hungary on September 2nd.
They then play Moldova 4 days later.
(Kop Talk)
Mellor on the mark in friendly draw
Neil Mellor scored a superb goal in Liverpool Reserves 1-1
draw with Wigan Athletic in a friendly match at Wrexham's
Racecourse Ground on Tuesday morning.
The Reds striker found the net with a volley into the top
corner of the net against the club he had a spell on loan
with last season. It was a sweet moment for the striker
after his recent injury problems that has seen him spend a
long spell on the sidelines.
New Liverpool Reserve team manager Gary Ablett was pleased
with the effort of his team as the Reds look forward to
their first second string match of the season against
Manchester City next Tuesday.
"It was a good work out for the lads and it was nice to see
Neil Mellor score a fantastic goal after his recent injury
problems," Ablett told Liverpoolfc.tv.
"Mellor looked sharp and was unlucky not to have scored a
hat-trick and hopefully he can push on now and the injury
problems are behind him.
"Wigan fielded a strong side with six or seven players who
have played for the first team so it was a good test for the
lads."
(LFC Official Website)
Reds train sights on Argentine
Reports in Spain claim that Liverpool are monitoring the
progress of Cadiz midfielder Lucas Lobos.
The skilful Argentine only joined the Spanish outfit during
last season's January transfer window, but made a huge
impression following his move from Gimnasia La Plata.
Benitez is likely to keep a keen eye on the talented
playmaker for the first half of the season, but if he
continues to impress could well consider firming up his
interest in the January transfer window.
(Sky Sports)
Gerrard a doubt
Steven Gerrard is a doubt for tonight's game against Maccabi
Haifa after coming down with a stomach bug.
Gerrard has travelled with the squad to Kiev and is still
hopeful of starting against the Israeli champions tonight,
but there is a doubt over him after the Liverpool skipper
picked up a stomach bug.
Rafael Benitez will leave it as late as possible before
naming his team to allow Gerrard time to recover.
(LFC Online)
Strikers eye group stages
New Liverpool strikers Dirk Kuyt and Craig Bellamy are
united in their desperate desire to see the five-times
European champions reach the group stages of this year's
competition.
Dutchman Kuyt, who arrived at Anfield only last week and is
ineligible for tonight's Champions League third qualifying
round second leg, can only play in the group stages, the
draw for which is in Monaco later this week.
To be in the hat Liverpool must overcome Maccabi Haifa in
Kiev tonight. And predictably, Kuyt is hoping his new
team-mates finish the job and do not fall victim to what
would be a catastrophic defeat that would dump them into the
UEFA Cup.
(PA Sport)
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Thor Zakariassen
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