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SATURDAY 24 |
Broken nose for Crouch
Peter Crouch suffered a broken nose during Liverpool's 4-0
victory over Sheffield United at Anfield.
The angular striker was caught by Blades forward Rob Hulse's
boot during a skirmish in the penalty area midway through
the first half.
"Crouch has a broken nose and needed stitches, but it's not
serious," said Benitez.
(Sky Sports)
Warnock slams diving Gerrard
Sheffield United boss Neil Warnock admits he told Steven
Gerrard he was "disappointed" with the ease with which he
went down for the opening penalty in Liverpool's 4-0 victory
at Anfield.
The Reds were awarded two spot-kicks in the first period,
the first when Rob Kozluk was adjudged to have grabbed at
the Anfield skipper's waist.
The second, not contested by Warnock, was for a push by Nick
Montgomery.
Warnock confronted Gerrard at half-time and revealed: "I
told him I was disappointed with him. He was looking at the
referee Steve Bennett, almost asking for the penalty.
"When you see the replay and you see Gerrard's eyes you will
know he thinks he has won a penalty."
(ITV Football)
Rafa content with win
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez was happy with his side's 4-0
win over Sheffield United on Saturday.
"Yes it has been a good week, a very good week for us, for
the supporters and the players enjoyed playing," said
Benitez.
Liverpool made seven changes from the side that beat
Barcelona and Benitez felt he had no choice but to freshen
things up after a demanding programme.
"We needed to change players as we could see after two
training sessions they were tired," added Benitez.
"It is a risk but as I say all the time it is a risk when
you change players, but you can
do it."
(Sky Sports)
Fowler's spot on in Reds romp
Robbie Fowler struck two first-half penalties as Liverpool
totally outclassed Sheffield United and romped to a 4-0
Premiership victory.
The Reds rested seven of their Nou Camp heroes from the
starting line-up and still stretched their unbeaten home
league record to 30 matches.
They were helped by two penalty awards in the first period,
both converted by Fowler, for fouls on Steven Gerrard.
It was a Fowler spot-kick for a foul on Gerrard on the
opening day of the season at Bramall Lane that led to Blades
boss Neil Warnock suggesting the Liverpool skipper had
dived.
And Warnock seemed to have a word with Gerrard when he came
off at the break, but both spot-kicks were given for a tug
and a push on the midfielder.
Liverpool added second-half goals by Gerrard and Sami Hyypia
as they stepped purposefully from the glamour of their
victory over Barcelona to a bread-and-butter destruction of
the Yorkshiremen.
(TEAMtalk)
Mascherano to make Liverpool debut
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez makes seven changes from the
side that famously beat Barcelona recently for the
Premiership visit of Sheffield United.
Goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek comes in for his first league start
of the season, Robbie Fowler his third and Javier Mascherano
is handed his debut.
Villain-turned-hero Craig Bellamy is not even handed a place
on the bench and neither is keeper Jose Reina, meaning Italy
U21 international Daniele Padelli will be given a taste of
action as a substitute.
Liverpool: Dudek, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Riise, Pennant,
Gerrard, Mascherano, Gonzalez, Crouch, Fowler.
Replacements: Padelli, Agger, Alonso, Kuyt, Sissoko
(Ireland On-Line)
PSV plan Zenden return
PSV Eindhoven manager Ronald Koeman has revealed his
interest in Liverpool's Boudewijn Zenden.
Koeman is keen to bring in some experienced faces for next
season and he has targeted a possible move for former PSV
ace Zenden as well as ex-stars Wilfred Bouma and Mateja
Kezman.
"Zenden is a good player with a lot of experience and we
want to increase the amount of Dutch players," said Koeman.
"He has a warm feeling for PSV. We are really looking for
these type of guys."
Zenden has played down the possibility of returning to PSV
insisting he is happy at Liverpool.
"I had a fantastic time at PSV, but I am not sure I have
finished my job abroad to return to the Netherlands," Zenden
told De Telegraaf.
(Sky Sports) |
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FRIDAY 23 |
Juventus coach: I will pick Gerrard up from
the airport!
Didier Deschamps wants the Turin giants to step up their
pursuit of Steven Gerrard
“In midfield we would need players who are already
experienced, physically imposing and with great technique,
like Patrick Vieira was for this team last season,” the
ex-Chelsea midfielder told the Gazzetta dello Sport’.
“If we have a chance of getting Gerrard, then I’ll
personally ride to the airport on a bicycle to pick him up!
I won’t risk any delays!
"Juventus have to aim for players like him if we want to
make that leap up in quality.”
(Fans FC)
Mascherano looking forward
Liverpool new boy Javier Mascherano is looking to the future
after ending his nightmare spell at West Ham.
The Argentinian midfielder was cleared to join The Reds
earlier this week and is likely to make his debut for his
new club against Sheffield United on Saturday.
"I do not really want to talk about what happened at West
Ham, I want to look to the future. But maybe my face did not
fit," Mascherano said.
"First of all, I have to take some of the responsibility
myself. I clearly didn't play well enough to warrant a place
in the team.
Mascherano is now fully focused on forging a career for
himself with Liverpool and has thanked Benitez for taking a
chance on him.
He added: "There are amazing players in Liverpool, like
Steven Gerrard, and that is why there is going to be great
competition.
"I know that I'll have to be in a very good shape, and that
doesn't scare me.
"It was very useful for me to speak with Rafa Benitez. He
showed a great deal of interest in the way I play, and that
made me feel confident.
"After three months without playing, a call from my new
coach saying that he trusted me was the best thing that
could happen to me. That's what I needed
(Sky Sports)
Riise unsure of fine
Liverpool's John Arne Riise has stated he has not been fined
and does not know if he will face punishment for his bust-up
with Craig Bellamy.
The pair reportedly clashed while preparing for their
Barcelona tie in Portugal and that the Norwegian
international would be hit with a two-week fine.
However, Riise has stated no fine has been forthcoming and
that he is unsure if he will be punished by manager Rafa
Benitez.
"Nothing like that's happened yet," he told TV2. "I haven't
got a fine. I haven't talked to the boss about it and I
don't know if I will get one."
Bellamy allegedly hit Riise with a golf club in the bust-up
and Riise was not surprised to see the ex-Magpie celebrating
his Camp Nou equaliser by imitating a golf swing.
"It's obvious that it was a very special moment for him," he
added. "It has been tough for him this week. I understand
that he wanted to celebrate in special fashion."
(Sky Sports)
Martin gets loan move
David Martin has joined Accrington Stanley on an emergency
loan.
The reserve team goalkeeper, who presumably didn't drink
enough milk as a kid, is on loan with Accrington Stanley
until March 22nd.
(LFC Online)
Warnock: Gerrard's best in the country
Neil Warnock sends his Sheffield United side into action at
Anfield tomorrow warning that they will be facing the best
player in the Premiership.
The Blades' boss admits it will be a surprise if his team
leave Anfield with anything to show for their efforts -
especially if Steven Gerrard is on show for the Reds.
"If I had to choose any player in the Premiership, ahead of
all the foreigners and everybody else, it would be Gerrard,"
said Warnock.
(LFC Official Website)
Back down to planet Earth
Barcelona followed by Sheffield United.
It’s a bit like a bowl of porridge having dined on a banquet
of caviar, or a night in a cardboard box after a week of
five star luxury.
But as Liverpool ease themselves back off the clouds after
their midweek heroics, Rafa Benitez knows Neil Warnock’s
side offer appropriately unglamorous opposition at Anfield
tomorrow.
If victory in the Nou Camp summed up Benitez’s European
wizardry, the season’s first meeting with Sheffield United
underlined lingering Premiership deficiencies.
The opening day draw at Bramall Lane set the tone for a
disjointed start to the new season.
In title terms, Liverpool have never truly recovered from
their dodgy early run, regaining momentum to establish
themselves in a Champions League place, but unable to mount
a serious challenge to Manchester United.
(Liverpool Echo)
Sissoko set to recover
Mohamed Sissoko is expected to have recovered from the shin
injury which forced him off against Barcelona when Liverpool
take on Sheffield United.
Manager Rafael Benitez is likely to make changes from the
side that produced a remarkable Champions League victory in
the Nou Camp on Wednesday.
Peter Crouch, Jermaine Pennant and Sami Hyypia will come
into consideration, as will Argentinian midfielder Javier
Mascherano.
Team (from): Reina, Finnan, Arbeloa, Carragher, Hyypia,
Agger, Riise, Gerrard, Alonso, Zenden, Sissoko, Mascherano,
Pennant, Gonzalez, Bellamy, Fowler, Crouch,
Kuyt, Dudek.
(Ireland On-Line)
Trio doubtful for Liverpool clash
Danny Webber, Luton Shelton and Chris Morgan are all doubts
ahead of Sheffield United's Premiership game with Liverpool
at Anfield.
Strikers Webber and Shelton have calf and groin strains,
respectively, while centre-back Morgan also has a calf
problem which led to his withdrawal at half-time of a
reserve match this week.
Leigh Bromby serves a one-match suspension, while Keith
Gillespie completes a four-game ban.
Matt Kilgallon and Mikele Leigertwood (both ankle) are
nearing a return, but the game comes too soon for either to
figure.
Blades (from): Kenny, Davis, Jagielka, Kozluk, Tonge,
Armstrong, Morgan, A Quinn, S Quinn, Montgomery, Fathi,
Webber, Hulse, Stead, Nade, Kazim-Richards, Geary, Lucketti,
Seck, Bennett.
(TEAMtalk)
Barca hold Alonso liking
Reports emanating from the Spanish press continue to
intimate that Barcelona are eager to land Xabi Alonso in the
close season.
It has been suggested that there could be big changes at the
Catalan giants in the summer and it is believed Alonso is a
player the club want as the heartbeat of
their midfield.
(Sky Sports)
Reds ready to unleash Mascherano
Rafael Benitez believes that he can give Javier Mascherano a
platform to prove to a doubting English public that he is a
great player.
Liverpool finally received Premier League permission to
complete the deal to sign the Argentinian while they were in
Barcelona this week.
He was an unused substitute in the Nou Camp as Liverpool
produced one of the best European results in their history
in beating Barca 2-1 in the Champions League.
Benitez is certain the 24 year-old's move to Anfield will be
a success. He said: "He plays for one of the best national
teams in the world, he needs to play, which he wasn't at
West Ham.
"Maybe the first six months in England was difficult because
of the language. But he has spent six months learning
English and he is with us with Spanish staff and players, I
feel we will see the best of him now.
"He now knows more about the Premier League and he can
progress here."
Benitez added: "He has character and experience, he played
in the World Cup and has been watched by a lot of big clubs.
Now he will have the chance to show people in England he is
a good player."
(PA Sport)
Liverpool-bound striker helps German side
into next round
Liverpool had an encouraging glimpse of the future last
night as Andriy Voronin played his part in taking Bayer
Leverkusen to the last 16 of the UEFA Cup.
The forward, who Anfield manager Rafael Benitez has agreed
to sign on a four-year deal when his contract with the
German club expires this summer, helped his side to a 0-0
draw at Ewood Park. It was enough to take Leverkusen through
3-2 on aggregate and end Rovers’ European ambitions.
(Liverpool Daily Post)
Liverpool reserves beat Bolton 1-0 last
night.
An excellent winner from Paul Anderson gave Gary Ablett's
side a deserved victory over Bolton reserves at the
Racecourse last night.
Liverpool started the game brightly and had a couple of
decent early chances through Anderson but the winger saw his
shots go high and then wide.
Francisco Duran, making his debut, then created a good
chance after half an hour. The holding midfelder controlled
the ball on the edge of the Bolton 18 yard box before
slipping a pass through to Craig Lindfield. Lindfield sent a
shot across the face of goal but unfortunately Nabil El Zhar
could only steer it over the bar.
Liverpool got their deserved winner on 62 minutes when
Anderson smashed the ball home after meeting a right wing
cross. The Reds continued to control the game and deserved
to take all three points at the final whistle.
(LFC Online) |
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THURSDAY 22 |
Date set for Youth Cup semis
Liverpool continue their defence of the FA Youth Cup
sponsored by E.ON on Saturday, March 10 with the first leg
of their semi-final against Newcastle.
The match will kick-off at St James's Park at 1pm, with the
return leg at Anfield starting at 7pm on Monday, March 19.
The winners face either Manchester United or Arsenal in a
two-leg final which will be shown live on Sky.
(LFC Official Website)
Belletti a worry for Barca
Brazilian defender Juliano Belletti may miss the second leg
of FC Barcelona's UEFA Champions League tie against
Liverpool FC after spraining his ankle.
The 30-year-old sprained his left ankle during Wednesday's
2-1 home defeat at the Camp Nou but was forced to play on
until the end of the match as coach Frank Rijkaard had
already used his three substitutes.
He is now expected to be out of action for between ten and
15 days, leaving him in doubt for the European champions'
visit to Anfield on 6 March.
Belletti is the only injured player in Rijkaard's squad
following Lilian Thuram's recovery from a calf injury.
(uefa.com)
Reds boss wants Italian job
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has let slip that he would
one day like to coach
in Serie A.
The Spaniard masterminded a 2-1 win for Liverpool in
Barcelona this week, again demonstrating the pedigree that
saw him guide the Reds to their 2005 Champions League
triumph.
And Benitez has told the Gazetta dello Sport that the
challenge of coaching in Italy's top league is one that he
would like, and one that he would relish.
"Me in Italy? I think I would do well there," he said.
"I think I am ready for the Italian league but, for the
moment, I am happy at Liverpool and I could stay for another
three, four or even five years."
(Clubcall Sports)
Warnock ready for Anfield
Neil Warnock is looking forward to Sheffield United's trip
to Liverpool at the weekend.
The Blades head to Anfield hoping to cause an upset and
further enhance their prospects of staying in the
Premiership.
Warnock is aware it will be a tough encounter, but is
relishing the match, particularly after Liverpool's UEFA
Champions League win over Barcelona.
"You look at the top four sides and away from home you don't
expect to get anything, I think, on paper, especially after
the result the other night against Barcelona," Warnock told
Sky Sports News.
(Sky Sports)
Gerrard's respect for Barca
Steven Gerrard insists Liverpool will not
under-estimate Barcelona ahead of their meeting at Anfield.
The midfielder is aware of the holders' quality and admits
The Reds can not afford to let their standards slip back on
home turf.
"We've got an awful lot of respect for Barcelona, they're a
fantastic side," Gerrard told Sky Sports News.
"We won't under-estimate them at Anfield in two weeks' time,
we'll show them
the same respect."
(Sky Sports)
The best week of my life
Nou Camp hero Craig Bellamy today brushed aside concerns
about his long-term Anfield future and insisted: “I’ve had
the best week of my life at Liverpool.”
The striker claimed the headlines for the right reasons in
the 2-1 win in Barcelona, scoring and creating the winner
for John Arne Riise during another historic Euro night for
the Reds.
After such a troubling few days, the script couldn’t have
been written more appropriately for the team mates involved
in the notorious Algarve dust-up.
Bellamy reflected on the last five days and claimed he had
no cause for regrets.
“This is the best moment I’ve had in football, the highlight
of my career. I’ve been lucky and had good times for my
country, but this is the best,” he said.
(Sky Sports)
Alonso ready for Barca return
Xabi Alonso admits Liverpool are relishing the
second leg of their tie with Barcelona after a stunning 2-1
victory at Camp Nou.
"We are delighted with the result," Alonso told Sky Sports
News.
"I think we have performed in the way we wanted to before
the game.
"We are really happy and are looking forward to the second
leg at Anfield."
(Sky Sports)
Valdes upbeat despite Nou Camp defeat
Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes refused to be downhearted
after his side’s shock Champions League defeat at home to
Liverpool, insisting they still have a "great chance" of
progressing through.
"We are all very disappointed but we still have it all to
play for.”
“Liverpool made it difficult for us today and we made some
mistakes as well,” he added. “It will be hard to go through,
but we still have a great chance. Just as they won here, we
can win there.”
(Ireland On-Line)
Harry rules out Reds raid
Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp has ruled out the
possibility of moving for
Craig Bellamy.
The Welshman's long-term future at Liverpool has been thrown
into doubt following the reported bust-up with John Arne
Riise on the club's training camp in Portugal last week.
Bellamy and Riise have played down rumours of a rift between
the pair, but reports suggest Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez
could decide to let Bellamy move on.
Aston Villa and Blackburn have been credited with an
interest in the speedy striker should Liverpool decide to
offload him.
However, Pompey will not be entering any race for the former
Newcastle hit-man.
"He's a good player, but I haven't even thought about him,"
said Redknapp.
"I would doubt we will see him here."
(Sky Sports)
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Thor Zakariassen
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