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THURSDAY 24 |
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Reds ponder Di Vaio bid
Liverpool are reportedly consider rivalling Internazionale
in a January bid to sign Marco Di Vaio.
The Italian striker is unsettled at Valencia and the
Mestalla outfit are thought to be prepared to farm him out
on loan in the New Year when the transfer window reopens.
Valencia are ready to listen to the offers that come in and
it seems unlikely that the player will remain in La Liga.
(Sky Sports)
Whitbread joins Millwall
Liverpool's American defender Zak Whitbread has joined
Championship oufit Millwall on loan until the end of the
season. The left sided defender who can also play as a
centre-back, was born in the States but also holds a British
passport.
(Kop Talk)
Reds to adopt Euro caution
Liverpool are likely to sacrifice a strong bid for top spot
in their Champions League group, having secured their
passage to the knockout stage.
Rafa Benitez's side face a heavy Christmas schedule due to
the World Club Championships, and both players and
management conceded getting through in Europe mattered more
than winning their section.
Bolo Zenden argued the European champions are sure to meet
formidable opponents in the last 16 whether they're Group G
winners or not.
Now it seems Benitez will be tempted to rest key players at
Stamford Bridge in a fortnight.
"By getting through it definitely changes our perspective
going to Chelsea,"
admitted Zenden.
(Liverpool Echo)
Mourinho cool on Liverpool clash
Jose Mourinho insists he will not be concerned if Chelsea
finish second behind Liverpool in their Champions League
group.
Chelsea and Liverpool have qualified for the knockout stage,
and meet at Stamford Bridge in the final game.
Mourinho said after the 2-0 win against Anderlecht: "We want
to win and finish top, but it won't make a big difference
because all top teams are there.
"You may get Real Madrid or Lyon, or Juventus or Bayern
Munich - we'll see."
Liverpool stand at the top of Group G with 11 points with
Chelsea one point behind.
In the knockout stages, group winners play runners-up.
Mourinho said: "We want to beat Liverpool and they want to
beat us. Everyone wants to win and we cannot play for
nothing at Chelsea.
"We want to finish first, but as far the consequence of
finishing first or second goes, I don't see a big
difference.
(BBC Sport Online)
Carra: Crouch was man of the match
Jamie Carragher today hailed Peter Crouch's Man
of the Match performance against Real Betis and claimed that
despite the striker's continued wait for his first Liverpool
goal, the summer signing has been a revelation at Anfield.
Crouch was by far Liverpool's best player against the
Spaniards on Wednesday night and although he saw his run
without a goal extend to 16 games, Carragher believes that
the striker has done as much as anyone at the club to ensure
the team's passage into the knock-out stages of the
competition has been far smoother than last season.
"We keep saying strikers are always judged on goals but he's
got a lot more to his game than just that," claimed
Carragher. "On the weekend he was probably our best player,
and he was one of the best again tonight. Everyone is
desperate for him to get goals, but as long as he's playing
well everyone is happy."
(LFC Official Website)
Anfield warning over internet scam
Liverpool FC has issued a warning on the internet about
thieves who are preying on the club's worldwide success to
try to steal thousands of pounds from people's bank
accounts.
Emails are being sent out randomly claiming recipients have
won £500,000 in a lottery sponsored by the club. The message
says they are one of just 40 winners to scoop the windfall.
The hoax, from companies Liverpool Promotions and Liverpool
Awards, adds that a total prize fund of £20m is available as
an 'end of year promotion'.
But the claims are false. The scam works by asking
recipients for an 'administration fee' so the money can be
deposited in their bank account.
The emails comes from Yahoo internet address and appear to
have been sent from Texas in America.
(Daily Post) |
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WEDNESDAY 23 |
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Crouch: I'm not going to hide
Liverpool striker Peter Crouch admitted his frustration
after his goal drought continued in the 0-0 draw with Real
Betis at Anfield.
But the gangly hitman insists the holders' progression to
the next round of the Champions League was the priority.
"Of course it's frustrating but the result was the main
thing," he said. "We were always comfortable, I thought we
deserved to get a win.
"I keep getting in the right places. I've always said I'm
not going to hide, and the goal
will come."
(TEAMtalk)
Benitez salutes Liverpool success
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez praised his side's
professionalism in reaching the last 16 of the Champions
League after drawing 0-0 with Real Betis.
Benitez said: "I think we have done a good job, we created a
lot of chances and at the end a draw was enough."
(BBC Sport Online)
Reds through despite stalemate
Liverpool booked their place in the last 16 of the Champions
League but it was another blank night for Peter Crouch as
Real Betis drew 0-0 at Anfield.
Rafael Benitez's men went into the game needing just a draw
to secure their passage through to the knock-out stages and
the European champions progressed with ease, though they
should have booked it with a victory after carving out a
number of decent openings against the La Liga side.
Nonethwless, Liverpool are through to the knock-out stages
and they can travel to Stamford Bridge next month needing to
avoid defeat if they are to finish top of the group after
Chelsea joined them in the next round with a victory in
Brussels over Anderlecht.
(Sporting Life)
Liverpool v Real Betis - confirmed team
LIVERPOOL: Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Riise, Gerrard,
Hamann, Sissoko, Zenden, Crouch, Morientes.
SUBS: Dudek, Josemi, Traore, Warnock, Potter, Kewell, Cisse.
(Kop Talk)
Betis 'keeper: Crouch will score
Real Betis goalkeeper Toni Doblas believes Liverpool striker
Peter Crouch will put two goals passed him this evening.
Crouch hasn't scored for some time now, around 19 hours, but
Doblas still feels he's good enough to do well... either
that or he's pulling our chain.
Doblas said: "Crouch? You mean the giant! He looks more like
a basketball player than a footballer.
"He is fighting for a place in the England team and at
Liverpool so he must be decent. If he hasn't scored for so
long then it's certain he'll score against me. It always
happens to me.
"In fact, Crouch will probably score two goals but I'm not
going to worry about that as long as we win 4-2."
(Kop Talk)
Cisse gives thanks to Henry
Djibril Cisse has praised Thierry Henry for helping him
through his early days at Liverpool.
"Thierry just told me I had to be strong and it would come,
" said the Liverpool striker who is the club's highest
scorder in all competitions this season, with 11.
"It was difficult for him when he first arrived in England
and he told me I should do the same things and it would be
okay.
"I always try to learn from him. He always encouraged me to
keep on going and it helped."
(LFC Online)
Rafa wants Cisse impact
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez says he expects more from
striker Djibril Cisse.
The former Auxerre hit-man is the Merseyside club's leading
goalscorer this season, with six of his goals coming in the
club's UEFA Champions League campaign.
Despite the France international's contribution this term,
Benitez wants the 23-year-old to provide more of an impact.
"All strikers are a little bit selfish," Benitez said. "They
try and play for themselves.
"Cisse was playing at Auxerre as the main striker, with only
the responsibility of scoring goals.
"He didn't have to bother with tackling or playing
defensively.
"It is very difficult to have been the star and then go to a
club where you have five or six players of the same level or
higher.
"But if you want to win trophies, you need stars and
workers."
(Sky Sports)
Cisse's backing for Crouch
Support for goal-shy Peter Crouch is still rock solid at
Liverpool, with fellow striker Djibril Cisse claiming he
knows just how the England man feels.
Crouch has now gone 19 hours 45 minutes since his last
senior goal - which was for Southampton against Crystal
Palace on 7 May - in a spell which includes four England
matches and 15 for Liverpool.
Cisse will be more than happy for Crouch to have another go
from the penalty spot against Real Betis on Wednesday in the
Champions League at Anfield, despite an embarrassing miss
against Portsmouth on Saturday.
He says: "If Peter wants to take another penalty, that's
okay. I really want him to score, I know this position is
hard.
"I do take penalties but if he wants it he can have it. But
maybe the boss will have the final say on that.
"It is hard but you have to be strong and confident. You
know you will score, never have a doubt, and it will
happen."
(TEAMtalk)
Barragan returns as Reserves lose
Antonio Barragan returned from injury but it was to be a
disappointing night for Liverpool Reserves who went down 2-0
to Birmingham City, at Solihull Borough FC's Damson Park.
Barragan played on the right side of midfield and played the
full 90 minutes.
Liverpool made the worst possible start when they conceded a
goal after just 50 seconds when Zak Whitbread's mistake let
in Nazi Kuqi who gave Paul Willis no chance for the opener.
The second goal arrived in the last minute and it was a
superb strike from Andrew Barrowman after a flowing move
down the left wing.
The game was hardly a classic on a freezing night in the
Midlands but the Reds could certainly have got a share of
the spoils. Wales Under-21 international striker Ramon
Calliste had a chance four minutes from time but was denied
by Doyle after fine approach play from substitute Adam
Hammill.
Liverpool Reserves: Willis, Raven, Whitbread, Antwi,
O'Donnell, Hobbs (Roque 70), Barragan, Peltier (Mannix 45),
Calliste, Idrizaj (Hammill 60), Anderson. Subs unused:
Smith, Roberts.
(LFC Official Website) |
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TUESDAY 22 |
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Spanish duo boost Reds
Influential Spanish duo Luis Garcia and Xabi Alonso have
both been declared fit for Liverpool's Champions League
clash with Real Betis at Anfield.
Garcia and Alonso sustained hip and knee injuries
respectively during Saturday's win over Portsmouth, but are
both fit to take their place in the matchday squad.
Manger Rafael Benitez is likely to recall Mohamed Sissoko,
John Arne Riise and Harry Kewell for a match Liverpool only
need to draw to make sure of their qualification from Group
G to the last 16.
Liverpool (from): Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Riise,
Traore, Warnock, Luis Garcia, Gerrard, Sissoko, Kewell,
Hamann, Alonso, Cisse, Crouch, Morientes, Carson, Josemi,
Zenden, Sinama-Pongolle.
(TEAMtalk)
Benitez: We must aim for victory
Rafa Benitez today vowed Liverpool won't adopt a safety
first policy in pursuit of the point which secures Champions
League progress.
The Spanish boss insists his side will focus on victory
against Real Betis, despite knowing a draw will be enough to
qualify into the knockout phase.
"The idea is always to prepare a team for winning the match,
not drawing," said Benitez..
(Liverpool Echo)
Marseille hold hope of Cisse deal
Marseille chairman Pape Diouf has reiterated the
French side's desire to lure Liverpool striker Djibril
Cisse.
The 24-year-old's future at Anfield was in doubt during the
summer and he also voiced concerns about not playing enough
regular football.
But Cisse has been a more prominent figure for the Reds
recently and has hit four goals in his last seven games.
"He (Cisse) would suit Marseille and Marseille would suit
him," Diouf told French newspaper L'Equipe.
He added: "But he still plays and scores for Liverpool.
However, until the winter break, things can change."
(BBC Sport Online)
Benitez dismisses Dudek exit talk
Rafael Benitez insists that Jerzy Dudek is happy at
Liverpool, and is going nowhere.
"I am really happy with Jerzy, he is a really good
goalkeeper, he is really happy with us," said the Liverpool
boss.
"There are no discussions at the moment. I don't need to
persuade him to stay, he has a contract.
"With the goalkeepers it is always more difficult than with
the players as you have only one. He is a very good
professional and I will try to do the best for my club and
after for my player."
Talk of Dudek's departure have been gathering momentum over
recent weeks, with a switch to Benfica the latest rumour
doing the rounds, but Benitez insists it is just 'agent
talk'.
"Yesterday we shook hands and talked about his training.
It's normal if the agents start talking."
(LFC Online)
Reina in warning over Real danger
Pepe Reina has warned his Liverpool team-mates not to
underestimate the threat of Real Betis tomorrow.
The European champions entertain the Spanish outfit in their
Champions League Group G clash knowing that a draw would be
enough to ensure qualification for the knockout stages with
a game to spare.
"The game in Seville was Betis' first ever Champions League
game," said the 23-year-old. "We caught them cold with two
early goals, but they have experience now. I think they will
be different and they showed against Chelsea what they can
do.
"We are a similar team to Chelsea so we have to respect
Betis."
(Daily Post)
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Thor Zakariassen
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