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MONDAY 24 |
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Hughes furious with striker Diouf
Blackburn boss Mark Hughes has launched a furious tirade on Bolton striker El-Hadji Diouf, accusing him of diving and elbowing Andy Todd in the face.
Diouf won a penalty for appearing to dive and Hughes said: "It was a diabolical decision. He has a reputation for diving and enhanced it.
(BBC Sport Online)
Watford v Liverpool - team news
Liverpool will be without the services of centre-back Sami Hyypia for tomorrow's Carling Cup semi-final, second leg clash with Watford at Vicarage Road.
The Finn sustained a hip injury in the defeat against Southampton on Saturday and will sit out tomorrow's tie.
However, Liverpool will be boosted by the news that right-back Steve Finnan should be able to feature. He's likely to come back into the side with Jamie Carragher moving back into the centre of defence alongside Mauricio Pellegrino. Spaniard Josemi is also available for selection again.
Liverpool are likely to continue with Milan Baros and Fernando Morientes in attack.
(Shankly Gates)
Full-strength Watford awaits Reds
Watford boss Ray Lewington is set to field his strongest possible side against Liverpool in Tuesday's Carling Cup semi-final second leg after resting several key men at the weekend.
Top-scorer Heidar Helguson, Neal Ardley, Paul Devlin and Neil Cox were not selected against Wigan, while Gavin Mahon and Brynjar Gunnarsson were left on the bench.
All are expected to return against the Reds, who won the first leg 1-0 at Anfield.
On-loan midfielder Christopher Eagles is unavailable because he played for Manchester United in previous rounds, with Johnnie Jackson having done likewise for Tottenham to also be ruled out.
Defender Shaun Dyche is still ruled out because of a groin injury.
Watford (from): Jones, Chambers, Cox, Demerit, Darlington, Devlin, Gunnarsson, Ardley, Blizzard, Webber, Mahon, Bouazza, Helguson, Chamberlain, Doyley, Mayo, Young, Smith.
(Sporting Life)
Henchoz agent invites Celtic approach
Celtic have been told to act fast if they want to snap up Liverpool defender Stephane Henchoz before the transfer window closes.
The Hoops have expressed an interest in the Swiss player, who was previously a target for Rangers.
Henchoz’s agent, Jorg Vonmatt, insists the player wants his future resolved as quickly as possible.
Vonmatt told the Daily Record: “Celtic are one of the teams interested, but we are still waiting for their proposal.
“If they are really serious, they need to move quickly as there are other clubs that we have held discussions with in much more detail.
“Celtic need to move as quickly as possible. The window closes next week so we can’t afford to wait a long time before making a decision.
“Stephane wants to get his future sorted out by the start of the week.”
(BreakingNews.ie)
Morientes asks for patience
Fernando Morientes has urged Liverpool fans to be patient, and wait for his goals to begin to flow.
The Spaniard has yet to score since arriving at the club earlier this month, but believes that his partnership with Milan Baros will bring crucial goals, given time.
"I can't promise that my partnership with Milan Baros will bring trophies to Anfield this season but that is our target for the next couple of seasons," Morientes said.
"I think the Baros - Morientes attack will be very successful because we are goalscorers.
"We haven't had much time to get to know each other off the pitch yet but I'm sure we will get on fine on the field as well as off it.
"Whatever happens, this team will give their all for the club and for the fans."
(Planet Football/Sky Sports) |
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SUNDAY 23 |
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Hyypia ruled out for Reds
Liverpool defender Sami Hyypia has been ruled out of next week's Carling Cup semi-final with Watford.
The giant Finn is missing with a hip injury he picked up in Saturday's 2-0 defeat to Southampton.
Hyypia sustained the knock in the second half of the game at St Mary's and was forced off with the problem.
The injury is another blow for Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez following three successive defeats.
Djimi Traore is expected to replace Hyypia in defence alongside recent signing Mauricio Pellegrino.
Hyypia is hoping to return to action against Charlton on February 1.
(Planet Football/Sky Sports)
Houllier hands Rafa backing
Gerard Houllier claims Rafael Benitez did nothing wrong in sending out a weakened Liverpool side to contest the FA Cup third-round tie against Burnley.
Benitez is under even more pressure now after the dismal defeat at Southampton prompted more speculation about Steven Gerrard's future, although the club still insist there is no chance of him being sold in the current transfer window.
The Frenchman told BBC Radio Five Live's Sportsweek programme: "I don't think he lacked respect or did anything wrong.
"He had a lot of injuries, mind you we had them last season as well. I felt he thought he could win at Burnley with the team he had out there."
Houllier added: "I personally think that he is right to say they could have won at Burnley with the side he put out, they had won with that team at Tottenham.
"And if it had not been for the own goal they would have had a replay."
(TEAMtalk)
Benitez backs Traore
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has given his full backing to under-fire defender Djimi Traore.
The full-back made a calamitous error at Burnley last week in scoring a comical own-goal that dumped The Reds out of the FA Cup.
However, while admitting there have been enquiries for the left-back, Benitez insists Traore still remains a big part of his plans, and will not be leaving.
"Yes, we have had some offers for him. Why? Because he's been playing well, then he makes a mistake," Benitez explained.
"The most important thing is to learn from it, to say I'm a defender; I must clear the ball.
"For him as a professional, it was a big mistake.
"It was bad for his team-mates, bad for the club and bad for the supporters.
"But he will still try next time to do his best.
"It's important for him to understand and learn. He's strong. I won't be selling him, I'm very happy with him."
(Planet Football/Sky Sports)
Carra confident of reaching Cardiff
Jamie Carragher remains confident Liverpool can bounce back from a turbulent week and reach the Carling Cup Final in Cardiff when they take a 1-0 lead to Watford on Tuesday night.
Carragher says the players will certainly be up for the Watford match and will be giving it everything they have got to get to Cardiff.
Carragher said: "We've still got a great chance to give the fans the trip to Cardiff I know they all want. If we can beat Watford next week there's a cup final there for us and something for us all to look forward to. Then we can put the FA Cup behind us.
(LFC Official Website)
Birmingham planning second Anfield raid
Newspaper reports today claim that Birmingham City are planning to make a bid to sign Liverpool midfielder Vladimir Smicer.
(KopTalk)
Liverpool offer Real Madrid winger Anfield contract
Newspaper reports today claim that Liverpool have offered Real Madrid's left-sided midfielder Santiago Solari a pre-contract despite strong interest from Manchester United and Inter Milan.
(Kop Talk)
Didi: We face a battle to finish fourth
Dietmar Hamann believes Liverpool need to improve quickly and start finding some consistency if a fourth placed spot is to be achieved come the end of the season.
With Liverpool currently seven points behind their Merseyside rivals Everton in the chase for fourth the German midfielder says it will not be easy to overtake them.
Hamann said: "So far in the league we've not produced as many good performances and points as we should have done. It's about us trying to keep improving from now on.
"We've been so inconsistent this season. We' ve played some very good games and some poor ones as well. By our standards I don't think we've picked enough points up and it won't be easy to come fourth.
Hamann said: "I've been very impressed with the way he's worked with us since taking over, and I have every belief we will turn things around. The manager's not looking short-term. He's going to be in charge of Liverpool for four or five years. He's experienced and knows he is building things and I'm sure he will bring good times here.
"It's not just a question of time though. The fact that he's come in and is changing things doesn't mean we can stop playing for a year or that we can accept a place in the bottom half of the table.
"It's more about him getting the players and the squad he wants together. It certainly doesn't mean we have an excuse to under-achieve this year. We all know that."
(LFC Official Website)
Under 18's lose again
Liverpool's under 18's side were beaten 2-0 by Crewe Alexandra yesterday morning.
The game was due to be played in Crewe but was switched to the Academy due to a waterlogged pitch. However, the Reds could not make the most of the unexpected home advantage and were beaten by a better Crewe side.
Many of the players seemed tired after the cup game at Anfield in midweek and it showed in the team's performance as a whole.
(LFC Online) |
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SATURDAY 22 |
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Redknapp thrilled with first win
Southampton manager Harry Redknapp paid tribute to his team's spirit after Saints beat Liverpool 2-0 at St Mary's.
"We were excellent in midfield, they worked their socks off and showed bulldog spirit," said Redknapp after his first league win for the club.
(Goal.com)
Benitez focused on Watford
Rafa Benitez concentrated on recovering from Liverpool's third defeat in a week after the loss to Southampton.
The relegation strugglers beat Benitez's side 2-0, but the Spaniard was keen to focus on Tuesday's Carling Cup semi-final second leg against Watford.
"It is always important when you lose to think about winning the next game," he said.
(Planet Football/Sky Sports)
Reds misery continues
Southampton boosted their prospects of avoiding the drop by
recording their first Premiership win under Harry Redknapp to
frustrate Liverpool.
David Prutton took advantage of poor Liverpool defending to
fire Saints ahead from Peter Crouch's return pass.
Prutton then turned provider, crossing for the unmarked Crouch
to double their lead before the break.
(BBC Sport Online)
Hyypia sustains hip injury
Liverpool defender Sami Hyypia was taken off injured during
today's game.
At first it appeared that the centre-back had suffered some
kind of hamstring injury but he actually twisted his hip. He
was substituted just after an hour of play and had to hobble
off. With no quality in depth, Benitez was forced to throw
rookie defender
David Raven into action.
(Kop Talk)
Carson to wear Number 20
New signing Scott Carson will wear the number 20 shirt for the
Reds.
The number previously belonged to Anthony Le Tallec, currently
on a loan
spell in France.
(Walk On LFC)
Hansen: Liverpool need "major, major
investment"
Former Reds defender Alan Hansen believes that Liverpool are
in desperate need of major investment if they are to try and
catch the Premiership's elite clubs.
Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea are now well clear of
Liverpool. Arsenal and United are used to bagging the
silverware for fun and Chelsea have finally found their feet
thanks to Abramovich and look nailed on to win the Premiership
this season. Off the pitch and all three clubs are raking it
in thanks mainly to their current status at the top.
It's not all doom and gloom though because Hansen believes we
can find our feet again with a little help from new investors.
The Liverpool legend said: "The top three are so far from the
rest now, it's unreal. Unless you have major, major investment
into the teams that are fifth, sixth, seven or eighth, then
you're never going to get into the top three."
Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry favours a sub 30%
investment rather than a take-over so whether or not the Reds
will land enough investment, only time will tell.
(Kop Talk)
Southampton v Liverpool - confirmed team
LIVERPOOL: Dudek, Hyypia, Carragher, Pellegrino, Warnock,
Garcia, Gerrard, Hamann, Riise, Morientes, Baros.
SUBS: Carson (GK), Traore, Biscan, Raven, Pongolle.
(Kop Talk)
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Thor Zakariassen
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