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THURSDAY 24 |
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Rafa wants more from rampant Riise
Rafael Benitez has challenged reborn John Arne Riise to
score even more goals as Liverpool prepare for Sunday's
Carling Cup final against Chelsea.
The Norwegian has been a revelation under the Spanish coach
in a season of continued change at Anfield.
He scored his seventh goal of the campaign to help beat
Bayer Leverkusen in the midweek Champions League tie, easily
his best-ever haul for a season.
Benitez has fielded Riise more than any other player at
Anfield this term, but is looking for him to provide even
more for the team.
"Riise is playing well, but we still want to see more goals
from him. He has more confidence and is going forward very
effectively and now he has become an important player for
us," the former Valencia coach said.
(Sporting Life)
Rafa's blueprint can revive art of winning
Chelsea may head to Cardiff as favourites this weekend, but
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has devised a plan to ensure
his players feel like winners before a ball is kicked.
Benitez's final preparations will include a timely reminder
to his squad about the joy of success.
The Spanish manager ordered the production of a video
highlighting the best moments of the season so far, as well
as scenes of jubilation enjoyed by some of the greatest
sides.
The video is being played to the Liverpool squad to give
them a taste of what could be this Sunday.
"We have prepared videos showing a number of scenes of teams
with trophies, celebrating with their fans. These things can
motivate players," said Benitez.
(Liverpool Echo)
Hamann to think on Reds future
Dietmar Hamann has admitted he remains undecided over his
Liverpool future.
The German, who scored the third goal on Tuesday night, is
out of contract at the end of the season and, despite
agreeing terms, has yet to sign the new one-year extension
which has been offered him.
Hamburg are one of several Bundesliga clubs interested in
taking the midfielder back to his homeland. And Hamann
(left) said: "I know about the interest from Bundesliga
clubs and it is an interesting thought that I could be
playing in Germany again next season.
"That is a decision that still has to be made. There have
been several offers and I haven't made up my mind yet."
(Daily Post)
Millennium roof closed
Liverpool and Chelsea will play the Carling Cup
final under the closed roof of the Millennium Stadium.
The arctic weather that has gripped the United Kingdom
recently looks set to continue on Sunday, leaving the
Football League with no hesitation but to close the roof.
Said spokesman Ian Christon: "We believe it adds to the
sense of occasion by helping to create an electric
atmosphere, while also protecting supporters from the
elements.
"With a sell-out crowd expected on Sunday, the atmosphere
should be fantastic and we are certain the fans will enjoy
the event."
Liverpool will be delighted with the call, having won their
last two League Cups under a closed roof.
(ITV Football)
Dudek: I'll make up in Cardiff
Jerzy Dudek is determined to make up for his latest blunder
by helping Liverpool to Carling Cup success.
The Polish goalkeeper added to his lengthy list of gaffes by
gifting Bayer Leverkusen a late goal during the Reds' 3-1
Champions League win on Tuesday.
(ITV Football)
Garcia: We don't fear Chelsea
Luis Garcia believes Liverpool have nothing to fear against
Chelsea in Sunday's Carling Cup final.
The Spaniard acknowledges that the Londoners deserve their
position at the top of FA Barclays Premiership but thinks
the Reds are capable of beating them on the day.
"We have shown Liverpool are not a long way behind Chelsea
in the two games we have played this season but the points
difference in the table shows they have been more consistent
than us," he says.
"We have played very well in one game, then lost the next.
Chelsea have been a lot more consistent throughout the
season, they are a good side, but so are we."
But while confident of victory in Cardiff, Garcia has
dismissed suggestions that Liverpool's task has been made
easier by the absence of Arjen Robben from the Chelsea side.
"People might think we have a better chance because Robben
is injured but I don't see it that way. He is a great
player, but he is not a team and Chelsea have a strong team
whether he is fit or not."
(LFC Official Website)
Hamann excited with Germany return
Liverpool midfielder Didi Hamann has confirmed that he is
set to make a return to the German national side.
The 31-year-old has been snubbed since appearing in
Germany's final game of Euro 2004 campaign against the Czech
Republic with coach Jurgen Klinsmann opting for more
youthful options. Now though Klinsmann has named Hamann in a
35-man squad for a get-together on 22nd March before the
squad is reduced to 22 for the friendly against Slovenia
four days later.
Hamann said: "I have not had any direct contact from
Klinsmann but the Federation have told me that I'm in that
35 man squad.
"I have been invited to link up with the national team and I
am delighted with that. Others might have thought my
international career was over but I have never given up hope
of still playing for Germany and I am very happy to have
been rewarded for my form this season."
(Kop Talk)
Kewell looks at surgery option
Hary Kewell has hinted he may yet be forced to undergo
surgery to cure his troublesome groin injury.
The Australian made an impressive return to the Liverpool
side in the 3-1 Champions League win over Bayer Leverkusen
on Tuesday after two months on the sidelines.
It has put Kewell in line for a starting role in Cardiff on
Sunday when Rafael Benitez's side take on favourites Chelsea
in the Carling Cup final.
But the 26-year-old has admitted he is still affected by his
injury and suggested going under the knife may be the only
to solve the problem.
"My injury is still going on, it is still dragging, and it's
not just going to go away like that," said Kewell..
"Now I will have a sit down with the manager and have a talk
about it, because I am still not 100%.
"I am still feeling my injury, but everyone is doing their
best to put it right.
"Of course I won't be telling him to rest me for the final
on Sunday, I want to play in every game. But it's his
choice, and whatever he decides."
(Daily Post) |
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WEDNESDAY 23 |
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Benitez: We can cause an upset
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez wants his side to take
advantage of their role as underdogs in the Carling Cup
final against Chelsea on Sunday.
Despite a confidence-boosting win against Champions League
win over Bayer Leverkusen this week, Jose Mourinho's side
remain favourites to take the first domestic silverware of
the season.
The former Valencia boss has been boosted with the return of
Steven Gerrard, Fernando Morientes, Mauricio Pellegrino,
Harry Kewell, Vladimir Smicer and Anthony Le Tallec, with
Liverpool going for their a record eighth League Cup win.
He said: "People are saying that Chelsea are favourites but
it is just one game and we have played well against them
already.
"We will now go to Cardiff with confidence. But we know
Chelsea are a strong team and it is a different competition.
But if you score three goals in the Champions League you
know that is possible in all other games too."
(ITV Football)
Owen 'flattered' by Souness
Michael Owen has responded to Newcastle's interest in him by
declaring he is 'flattered', but insists he has not
intention of quitting Real Madrid.
Reports are continually suggesting that the England striker
is growing increasingly unsettled in the Spanish capital
with his life as a substitute at El Santiago Bernabeu.
Magpies boss Graeme Souness has now confirmed that he is
interested in bringing Owen back to England this summer.
However, despite thanking Souness for the interest - Owen
insists he is happy at Real and will fight for his first
team place.
"I've said it many times before that I'm happy in Madrid,"
said Owen.
"I admire Graeme Souness and I think he's doing a good job.
"It's always flattering to be linked with any club and
especially one of Newcastle's standing but I'm happy here.
(Sky Sports)
Kewell rubbishes "one-man team" tag
Fit-again winger Harry Kewell insists Liverpool have
destroyed the myth that they lean too heavily on Steven
Gerrard.
The Australian wideman made his return to the first team in
Liverpool's impressive victory over German giants Bayer
Leverkusen, a match which suspended captain Gerrard had to
watch from the stands.
"Obviously Steven Gerrard is a great player, but whether he
is playing or not, the rest of the team always go out
confident they can do a good job," said Kewell.
"People keep saying we are a one-man team, but they can have
their own opinions about Liverpool at the moment, we don't
really care abut what people say. We know what we can do.
"We proved it against Leverkusen, now we hope we can get
that momentum going and continue it that way."
(Sporting Life)
Le Tallec pleased to play
Anthony Le Tallec was delighted to make his first appearance
in the UEFA Champions League for Liverpool against Bayer
Leverkusen.
The young French striker has only recently been recalled
form a loan deal at St Etienne, but was overjoyed to be
brought on in the 77th minute of Liverpool's 3-1 victory.
"First of all I am delighted to have made my first
appearance in the Champions League," said the former Le
Havre man.
"Then I am pleased with my performance. I came on as a
substitute but tried my hardest.
"Unfortunately we conceded a goal at the end, but I think we
will be able to keep our lead in the return leg."
Le Tallec has been told that he must win back coach Rafa
Benitez's confidence, but will fee he has started his latest
stint with The Reds in a decent fashion.
(Sky Sports)
Dudek frustrated by error
Jerzy Dudek is trying to keep his spirits up after a late
error allowed Bayer Leverkusen a lifeline in the UEFA
Champions League.
The German side were on the brink of a comprehensive 3-0
defeat that would have rendered the second leg a formality
until Dudek spilled a long range shot by Dimitar Berbatov
and Franca pounced to give the visitors some hope.
"I think it was a shot from the edge of the box," Dudek told
Sky Sports News.
"The ball bounced before me and hit my shoulder. It was
perfect for the striker for the rebound."
(Sky Sports)
Carra still confident
Jamie Carragher still believes Liverpool will overcome Bayer
Leverkusen despite the Germans' late away goal.
He said: "3-1 is a very good result for us. People were
talking before the match about how 0-0 or 1-0 would be a
good result because we were without Steven Gerrard, but
we've done better than that."
(LFC Online)
Owen happy for Reds
Former Liverpool striker Michael Owen, a late substitute for
Ronaldo last night in Real Madrid's 1-0 win over Juventus,
was delighted by news of his old club's 3-1 victory over
Bayer Leverkusen.
Asked whether he thought Liverpool would now go on to the
last eight, he said: "You would hope so, wouldn't you?"
(Daily Post)
Benitez: Reds on course
Rafael Benitez insists Liverpool can still reach the
Champions League quarter-finals despite Jerzy Dudek's
injury-time mistake which gave Bayer Leverkusen the lifeline
of an away goal.
"I have confidence that we can complete the task in Germany;
I am always confident and we must be positive. If we lose
2-0 we are out but I think we can score in Germany -
certainly one, and that will make all the difference."
(TEAMtalk)
Leverkusen coach blasts his dummies
Bayer Leverkusen manager Klaus Augenthaler has compared his
team to training ground dummies after they slumped to a 3-1
Champions League defeat at Liverpool.
"This really shouldn't have happened," Augenthaler told a
news conference on Tuesday.
"On the first free kick, (Paul) Freier moved out of the wall
which enabled the ball to go where it went.
"On the second, our defenders looked like the dummies you
use in a training session who can't jump up. That's what our
wall looked like."
(Reuters) |
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TUESDAY 22 |
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Rafa still backing Jerzy
Rafael Benitez says he is still backing Jerzy Dudek despite
the Polish international being blamed for the late goal he
conceded during the 3-1 win over Bayer Leverkusen.
Dudek's mistake in stoppage time handed Leverkusen a
priceless away goal but Benitez still insisted that 3-1 was
a very good result to take to the Bay Arena in two weeks
time.
Benitez said: "For me Jerzy played well and I have
confidence in him. He made two good saves and he played
well.
(LFC Official Website)
Reds in driving seat
Liverpool have one foot in the UEFA Champions League quarter
finals after a 3-1 win over Bayer Leverkusen at Anfield.
Rafa Benitez was without his inspirational skipper Steven
Gerrard - suspended - and top marksman Fernando Morientes -
cup-tied - but his tactics were spot-on as he masterminded a
superb win.
Liverpool were unspectacular and rode their luck at times,
but goals from Luis Garcia, John Arne Riise and Dietmar
Hamann gave them the crucial win and surely a big enough
advantage to take to the BayArena in two weeks - although
Franca's late goal means Bayer are not yet dead and buried.
(Planet Football/Sky Sports)
Liverpool v Bayer Leverkusen - confirmed
team
LIVERPOOL: Dudek, Finnan, Hyypia, Carragher, Traore, Riise,
Hamann, Biscan, Garcia, Kewell, Baros.
SUBS: Carson, Smicer, Le Tallec, Nunez, Warnock, Welsh,
Potter.
(Kop Talk)
Kewell's agent denies getting involved
Harry Kewell's agent has denied getting involved in the
Liverpool player's recuperation from injury despite
criticism from Anfield manager Rafael Benitez.
The Spaniard has responded angrily to comments from
Australia coach Frank Farina that Kewell - who has been
battling against groin and Achilles injuries - should
undergo an operation in May.
Benitez said: "His agent, Farina - a lot of people have been
saying things. Well, we pay him, we know him, we control him
and train him.''
However, Mandic insists he plays no part in advising Kewell
on fitness.
He told Sky Sports: "Nothing's been said by me and it's
really simple to find a quote from me on something if I've
said it.
"I've simply not been involved in any of the medical
matters. I don't offer medical advice to players. Basically,
the players decide what their problem is and how to deal
with it with their club.''
(Soccernet 365)
Otsemobor is wanted by Crewe boss
Crewe manager Dario Gradi would be keen to sign Liverpool
defender Jon Otsemobor if he became available.
Otsemobor, 21, had a three-month loan spell at Gresty Road
this season but turned down a permanent switch.
Gradi told Crewe's website: "We had a better attacking
option when Jon was here and he was able to get forward with
pace and give us something extra.
"He was improving his defending and is a player with a lot
of potential and we would still be interested in him."
(BBC Sport Online)
Gerrard plays down European hopes
Steven Gerrard has admitted that Liverpool have little
chance of winning the Champions League this season.
The 24-year-old Reds skipper spoke out ahead of Tuesday's
first leg at home to Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16, which
he will miss through suspension.
"Let's be realistic, there are some fantastic teams left in
the Champions League," he told BBC Radio Five Live.
"We are just going to try to stay in as long as possible but
we realise that maybe it is not our year this year."
(BBC Sport Online)
Rafa hits back over Kewell
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has told Australia coach
Frank Farina to let The Reds handle Harry Kewell's recovery.
Farina urged the Anfield side not to rush the star back into
action in their UEFA Champions League clash against Bayer
Leverkusen this week.
Benitez is unhappy people are giving opinions on the matter
as their only job is to praise his performances on the
pitch.
Kewell has spent the last couple of months on the sidelines
with a groin injury, but recently made his comeback in the
club's reserves.
"A lot of people around Harry are talking about him. He is
our player. We pay his wages. We control the player. We
train him," explained Benitez.
"We have a very good medical department. We know what to do
with the player. The only thing the other people must do is
to say that the player plays as well as possible.
"I am not happy about the people around Harry talking all
the time and not doing the best thing for the player.
"We don't want to hear these people. We want to see the best
of the player."
(Sky Sports)
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Thor Zakariassen
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