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FRIDAY 24 |
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Sissoko to sit out rest of season
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez does not expect Mohamed Sissoko
to play again this season.
Sissoko is currently sidelined with a serious eye injury he
picked up in Tuesday's defeat to Benfica.
The powerful midfielder is still waiting to find out the
full extent of the problem after going to see a specialist
in London about the condition.
It had been feared that Sissoko's career could be under
threat with the injury, but Benitez is confident he will be
able to return to playing.
However, Benitez is resigned to being without the former
Valencia man for the rest of this campaign.
"He is now more confident about the situation, and we must
wait a week for him to have rest and then he will see
another specialist," said Benitez.
"It is the first time I have seen such a bad eye injury, he
needs to rest now. I expect him to play again, but this
season will be difficult.
"He is back in Liverpool, he cannot travel so he will stay
here for rest. He has heard all the things people have been
saying about the injury but for now it is better that he
rests and keeps calm.
"He is a big loss, but the most important thing is the
health of a player."
(Sky Sports)
Reds keeper joins County on loan
Liverpool reserve goalkeeper Paul Willis has joined
Stockport County on a one-month loan deal.
The 19-year-old moved to the reserves full-time in the
summer of 2005 after coming through the Reds' academy, but
has yet to make his senior debut.
He is a regular in the Northern Ireland youth team and was
recently called into the Under-21 squad for the games
against Israel three weeks ago.
(BBC Sport Online)
Agger set for Anfield recall
Daniel Agger is set to be handed another opportunity to
impress The Kop on Sunday as Jamie Carragher serves a
one-match ban against Manchester City.
The Danish midfielder has only featured once since his £5.5m
arrival from Brondby.
But he's ready to fill the void against Stuart Pearce's side
as the Reds seek to recover from the disappointing midweek
defeat to Benfica.
Agger, who has recovered from a slight injury scare, has
trained normally this week and is expected to partner Sami
Hyypia.
Carragher misses the game having picked up his fifth booking
of the season during the FA Cup win over Manchester United.
(Liverpool Echo)
Duo to miss out for Reds
Liverpool will be without eye injury victim Mohamed Sissoko
and the suspended Jamie Carragher for Sunday's Premiership
clash with Manchester City at Anfield.
Sissoko is out following the serious eye injury sustained in
the Champions League defeat away to Benfica in midweek and
Carragher is serving a one-match ban for reaching five
bookings.
Robbie Fowler will also be missing from the match under the
terms of his recent transfer back to Anfield from City.
Peter Crouch, a substitute in Lisbon, is expected to return
to the attack while Daniel Agger or Djimi Traore could
partner Sami Hyypia in defence.
Liverpool (from): Reina, Finnan, Hyypia, Traore, Agger,
Riise, Warnock, Luis Garcia, Gerrard, Alonso, Hamann,
Kewell, Cisse, Crouch, Morientes, Dudek, Kromkamp.
(TEAMtalk)
Liverpool's Spanish players selected for
international duty
José Manuel Reina, Xabi Alonso, Luis García and
Fernando Morientes have all been selected for international
duty with Spain for Wednesday's friendly against Ivory
Coast.
(Kop Talk)
Reds starlet signs new deal
Liverpool midfielder Lee Peltier has been rewarded for his
excellent consistent form in the reserves by signing an
extension to his contract, keeping him at Anfield until June
2008.
Peltier is a regular member of Paco Herrera and Hughie
McAuley's reserve team and is a central midfielder who is a
good competitor with an eye for a pass.
He can also play in defence and missed most of the 2004/05
season with a back injury, but made the move to Melwood
during the summer of 2005.
The 19-year-old has been playing regular reserve team
football this season and is highly rated by the Melwood
coaching staff.
"Lee is a good competitor with an eye for a pass and is
progressing well," enthused Hughie McAuley.
(LFC Official Website)
Date set for Birmingham Cup clash
Liverpool have confirmed the date of their FA Cup quarter
final with Birmingham at St Andrews.
The tie will take place on Tuesday March 21, kick-off
7.45pm, and will be screened live by SKY TV.
This season's quarter final matches are being played in
midweek following an agreement reached last season with the
Premier League and Football League to enable England to have
a four-week preparation window ahead of this summer's World
Cup finals.
(LFC Official Website)
We need more players, admits Rafa
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez admitted at last
night's AGM that he needs more players but he was quick to
ease the pressure on the board by saying that expensive
players are not always the answer.
There's no advertising in the KopTalk Gold Club!
"We need some new players but it is not always the best
thing to buy the most expensive players," said the boss.
"You need to bring in the right players you can trust to do
a particular job for the team. I am not bothered about
famous players, only the right players.
"It is important that we sign the right players and do not
bring in players just for the sake of it.
"An example of this is Daniel Agger. We tried to sign him in
August but could not, and we couldn't find anything better
than him so we waited until January.
"We watched many right midfielders, but we were not
convinced by the options available.
(Kop Talk)
Sander out to prove himself
Sander Westerveld is determined to prove himself
to the Everton fans despite his Liverpool connections.
The Dutchman joined Everton on an emergency loan from
Portsmouth to ease their goalkeeping crisis.
Westerveld caused outrage among Everton supporters after
becoming involved in brawl with former Toffees striker
Francis Jeffers in a Merseyside derby in 1999.
The 31-year-old is expected to make his debut this weekend
at Newcastle and he is hoping the Everton fans will give him
a chance.
"I don't know if this move is going to be a strange one for
the fans but I didn't hesitate for one minute when the
manager phoned me," Westerveld told the club's official
website.
"It is football and you have to think about yourself
sometimes, and not think about emotions or difficult
situations.
"I have been a red and now I am a blue, all I can do is do
my best and hopefully the fans will back me up."
(Sky Sports) |
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THURSDAY 23 |
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Morgan insists Reds need fresh investment
Liverpool’s mounting debt and their failure to secure funds
to finance new stadium plans came under fire from
shareholders at the club’s AGM at Anfield.
Manager Rafael Benitez received a rapturous reception at the
meeting after the club’s Champions League triumph.
But the club’s third largest shareholder Steve Morgan – a
long-standing critic of the board – questioned the size of
debt.
Morgan also pleaded with the club to sort out the financial
package needed to save the Stanley Park new stadium scheme,
which acting chairman Keith Clayton admitted would now cost
approaching £160m.
The club’s accounts revealed the net overall debt is £17m,
but Morgan - who has three times tried to buy into the club
– insisted the total debt was over £70m.
Morgan said: “When you take into account creditors and the
worsening financial conditions, the debt I believe is nearer
to £73m.
“It is now imperative to get extra financial investment, we
are on a dangerous line and new investment is needed sooner
rather than later.”
(BreakingNews.ie)
Loaned out midfielder injured
Loaned out Liverpool midfielder Salif Diao will miss
Pompey's clast against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge at the
weekend after picking up a hamstring injury.
Salif is currently on a season's loan with a view to a
permanent transfer.
(Kop Talk)
Momo condition improving
Liverpool Football Club have today reported an improvement
in Momo Sissoko's condition as he recovers in hospital from
a serious eye injury.
The Reds' midfielder is being cared for by top eye
specialists following the injury he sustained in Portugal on
Tuesday night.
A statement released by the club on Thursday afternoon reads
as follows:
"We are glad to report there has been an improvement in
Momo's condition over the past 24 hours, with the progress
described as 'encouraging'.
"The player was examined this morning by a leading eye
specialist who remains optimistic, despite reports emanating
from Lisbon.
"Momo has been instructed to rest completely and will be
examined again by the specialist next week."
(LFC Official Website)
Cisse left out by France
Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse has been left out of the
France squad that will take on Slovakia at the Stade de
France on March 1st.
Although Cisse is left out, Raymond Domenech has made room
for former Red
Nicolas Anelka
(Kop Talk)
Sissoko out for season and may lose sight
Mohmammed Sissoko has been ruled out of the season after
damaging the retina in his right eye.
The Mali international may permanently lose between 20 and
80% of the vision in the eye according to latest reports.
"We don't want to sound too pessimistic because it's too
early to tell. What Momo needs right now is our support and
the best care he can get," said chief executive Rick Parry.
"His right eye is closed down and it's been difficult to
assess the damage because of the swelling and bleeding.
"However, it's too early to jump to conclusions. Obviously
this is a very traumatic time for Momo and the club is in
constant contact with his family and representatives. It's a
very nasty injury.
"He's now in London being treated by the best specialists in
the country."
(LFC Online)
Moores position boosted by Champions
League success
With the European Cup sitting proudly alongside him,
Liverpool chairman David Moores can anticipate a more
comfortable evening in front of Anfield shareholders
tonight.
While there are sure to be probes into Liverpool's progress
as they seek a much needed cash injection, the drama of
recent meetings is unlikely to be repeated.
After emotional meetings in 2004 and 2005, Moores said he
would 'consider his position' if the club's performance on
and off the pitch didn't significantly improve.
The presence of the Champions League trophy in the Bill
Shankly Suite tonight is the sweetest possible vindication
of his decision to stay put.
Extraordinary success on the pitch will be the main focus
for the board, but Moores can also emphasise a much improved
financial situation over the past 12 months.
The Reds are 'back in the black' with a pre-tax profit of
£9.5m - a stark contrast to the losses of £21.9m in 2004
when Gerard Houllier and his back-room team departed.
The post tax profits of £7m are the best since 2002 and
eclipsed those of Manchester United, while the club's
turnover increased 32 per cent from £91.6m to £121m.
Liverpool have also invested £46m on new players during the
financial year, which is more than they've ever spent before
over the same period.
Undoubtedly, the financial outlook looks much more settled
thanks to Liverpool's Champions League success, which was
worth £28m.
(Liverpool Echo)
Stadium issue top of agenda
Liverpool shareholders will be told tonight the club remains
confident plans for a new stadium on Stanley Park will go
ahead.
The club's annual general meeting takes place at Anfield
with the Liverpool board sure to be pressed on their ongoing
pursuit of multi-million pound investment.
No major announcements will be made at what is expected to
be a low key meeting.
However, chief executive Rick Parry will confirm the Reds
are cautiously optimistic they're closing in a significant
deal which will ensure the Stanley Park project goes ahead.
"Nothing will be announced tonight," Parry said today.
"In terms of investment news, it will be fairly low key.
"There is still a lot of hard work going on and I can assure
everyone noone is dragging their feet over this.
"It would have been nice to be able to make an announcement
before the AGM, but nothing is finalised yet."
(Liverpool Echo)
Rovers agree Reds switch
Blackburn have agreed to switch the kick-off time for their
Premiership clash with Liverpool at Ewood Park on April 15
to 5.15pm.
The date coincides with the anniversary of the Hillsborough
tragedy and the later kick-off means fans can attend both
the annual Hillsborough Memorial Service at Anfield and the
match.
A Liverpool club statement read: "We are very grateful to
Blackburn Rovers for their co-operation in the re-scheduling
of the game. We examined every permutation in consultation
with the manager, but because of the continuing uncertainty
over the dating of some fixtures and the need to make a
decision quickly, we have decided on the 5.15 pm kick-off on
the Saturday.
"The annual Memorial Service will, of course, be held at
Anfield earlier that afternoon and will be attended by club
officials and those first-team players not involved in the
game
at Ewood Park."
(TEAMtalk)
Smith attack condemned
Manchester United and Liverpool have issued a joint
statement condemning the fans who attacked the ambulance
taking Alan Smith to hospital at the weekend.
Smith, 25, suffered a dislocated ankle as well as a broken
leg during United's 1-0 FA Cup defeat at Anfield.
"These people aren't real fans of football," United and
Liverpool said in a joint statement. "Both clubs feel the
mindless actions of a few idiots should not overshadow the
efforts of all involved to make sure Alan received the best
possible treatment as soon as possible.
"Manchester United would also like to point out they are
very grateful for the speedy and efficient help of all
Liverpool staff."
A spokesman for the Merseyside ambulance trust confirmed the
attack: "It did not result in any delay in transferring the
player to hospital but the trust cannot condone this type of
behaviour while administering emergency treatment."
(TEAMtalk) |
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WEDNESDAY 22 |
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Calliste sees Red
The reserves could only manage a 0-0 draw against Leeds
United this evening in a game that saw Reds striker Ramon
Calliste dismissed for fighting.
Calliste and Simon Walton exchanged handbags during an off
the ball incident and the referee didn't hesitate to send
them for an early shower... not together mind!
LIVERPOOL RES: Martin, Kromkamp, Smith, Antwi, O'Donnell,
Hobbs, Hammill (Flynn 75), Peltier (Lindfield 84), Calliste,
Guthrie, Foy.
SUBS NOT USED: Woods, Willis, Threlfall.
(Kop Talk)
Sissoko suffers vision loss
Liverpool's Momo Sissoko has suffered vision loss
in his right eye from being kicked in the head during the
1-0 Champions League defeat by Benfica, a hospital official
said on Wednesday.
Sissoko, a 21-year-old Malian midfielder, was released from
Lisbon's CUF Hospital on Wednesday afternoon to return to
England, clinical director Dr Joao Paco told Reuters.
"The prognosis is guarded but vision is going to be
compromised on the right side. If it's going to be 20 or 80
percent we can't say right now, it's premature. You have to
wait for the next 48 or 72 hours," Paco said.
"He suffered a trauma with bruising of the eye. There was no
apparent destruction of the structure."
Sissoko took a kick in the face from a high challenge by
midfielder Beto who was booked.
Liverpool, the defending European club champions, said on
their Web site that Sissoko's retina had been damaged in
Tuesday's opening leg of the first knockout round and his
sight was affected.
(Reuters)
We need spirit of Istanbul
Sami Hyypia urged Liverpool to summon the spirit of Istanbul
to keep their hands on the European Cup.
A disappointing night in Lisbon was made worse by a serious
eye injury suffered by midfielder Momo Sissoko.
But centre-half Hyypia is sure the tie can be transformed at
Anfield.
"We're wondering how we lost the goal," said Hyypia..
"We watched the video of the set-pieces and knew what they
would do, but we were sleeping.
"It's a painful way to lose the game but it's not over yet.
Now we know what we have to do at Anfield.
"We can take inspiration from what we did last season. It's
a similar situation to Olympiakos when we had to win by two
goals."
(Liverpool Echo)
Reds missed midfield magic
I am still shaking my head in disbelief at Liverpool's
defeat in Portugal.
How can you dominate an away European game and fail to
create any worthwhile chances?
I thought the Reds looked comfortable throughout against one
of the worst Benfica sides I have ever seen, but it seemed
complacency cost them.
A draw would have been a good result, but the Portuguese
were there for the taking - and I could not understand why
changes were made.
Last night we had a midfield line-up of Luis Garcia, Momo
Sissoko, Xabi Alonso and Harry Kewell. They failed to
provide the thrust to get at a home team who began very
nervously and looked to be happy trying to play a containing
game.
But we provided little service to our attackers and, apart
from one early error from the keeper, we didn't threaten a
goal.
Contrast that to last Saturday when an excellent midfield
show had included Didi Hamann and Steven Gerrard in the fine
win over Manchester United.
Gerrard may have been injured but, if so, what was he doing
on the bench?
(Tommy Smith - Liverpool Echo)
Beto says sorry to Sissoko
Benfica's Brazilian midfielder Beto has apologised to
Mohamed Sissoko for the flying boot which put the Liverpool
star in a Lisbon hospital overnight following the clubs'
Champions League clash.
The Mali international was carried off after just 35 minutes
when Beto's high tackle smashed into his eye.
Sissoko was left behind in a Lisbon hospital as Liverpool
flew back to Merseyside straight after the match, nursing
their own wounds from a hugely disappointing 1-0 defeat.
The fears are that Sissoko has sustained a serious injury
which could rule him out for some time - but a further
assessment was to be made on Wednesday with the hope that
the 20 year-old might be able to fly home soon.
Beto said: "My boot caught Sissoko in the face and it opened
a big wound around the eye.
"I want to apologise - I did not mean to injure him. It was
just a typical 50-50 midfield situation that happens all the
time; you have to contest everything.
"It happened, but I did not mean to harm him and I hope he
recovers quickly."
(Sporting Life)
Sissoko still hospitalised with eye injury
Liverpool's Momo Sissoko was still in a Lisbon hospital on
Wednesday after being kicked in the eye during their 1-0
Champions League loss to Benfica, a hospital official said.
The Mali midfielder took a kick in the face following a high
challenge by midfielder Beto on the half hour of Tuesday's
first knockout round first leg and went off on a stretcher.
Beto was booked and Sissoko was replaced by Dietmar Hamann.
"Right now he's under specialist care, and we are reserving
judgement. We can't say anything more right now," Dr Joao
Paco, clinical director of CUF Hospital, told Reuters.
He said Sissoko, 21, had undergone a CAT scan and other
examinations. European Cup holders Liverpool said on their
official website that the injury was serious.
(Reuters)
Fowler calls for Anfield boost
Robbie Fowler has called on the Liverpool supporters to
produce an intimidating Anfield atmosphere in the second leg
of the UEFA Champions League tie with Benfica.
The European champions slipped to a 1-0 defeat at Estadio da
Luz and Fowler accepts it was poor defending that allowed
Luisao enough space to head a late winner.
In truth, it was a pretty dull game in Lisbon and Fowler,
who rejoined the club from Manchester City in January, felt
it was heading for a goalless draw.
"It looked 0-0 all over, but they've had a free kick quite
late in the game," he told Sky Sports. "Unfortunately, we've
not dealt with it and they've scored.
"I think Liverpool are famous for our European nights.
"Come two weeks Wednesday, I think it will be a special
night.
"The fans will get right behind us and it'll be up to us
then."
Benfica have already dumped Manchester United out of the
competition and will be looking to take a second English
scalp on Merseyside.
(Sky Sports)
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Thor Zakariassen
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