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FRIDAY 24 |
Gonzalez set for Chile return
Liverpool winger Mark Gonzalez is considering making him
available for Chile again.
Gonzalez quit playing for Chile last June after he was sent
home from their tour of Europe in May for a breach of
discipline.
Chile coach Nelson Acosta sent Gonazlez and team-mate
Reinaldo Navia home from the tour after three girls were
discovered in their room 24 hours after a friendly with
Republic of Ireland.
Gonzalez insisted he would not play for his country again
while Acosta remained in charge, but the player's agent
revealed the president of the Chilean Football Association
Harold Mayne Nicholls had held talks with Gonzalez about
returning to the national team.
"Harold has a good relationship with Mark," said Gonzalez's
agent Cristian Ogalde.
"Mark wants to return to the national team, he has always
said that.
"He has been absent because of a problem with the coach
Nelson Acosta but he has told me in the last few days that
even if Acosta would return to his position Mark would
accept to play for Chile anyway."
(Sky Sports)
Rafa opens arms to 'nice' investors
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has no problem with foreign
investors coming into the English game - as long as they are
"nice people".
With the Anfield club the subject of speculation over
potential new owners from abroad, Benitez says he is more
concerned about motives than nationalities.
"It is not where you are from, only what are your ideas. If
people concerned are only getting involved for business
reasons, it is not always the best situation.
"But if you are thinking about the game, about the club, and
are thinking about improving the club and the team and to
give them the possibility to win more trophies, then it is
okay.
"It is not a problem over whether it is a foreign investor
or a local one, just that they want to do the right things."
(TEAMtalk)
Cardiff help out striker Bellamy
Craig Bellamy will use Cardiff City's training facilities
next week while he stands trial for two counts of common
assault in his home city.
"We have given him a training programme while he is away and
we have been helped by Cardiff City," said Liverpool manager
Rafael Benitez.
Bellamy has already spent two days on trial, but he is
expected to play against Manchester City on Saturday.
"Physically and mentally Craig will be ready," added
Benitez.
"It is sometimes a good thing in such circumstances to play
and think about other things."
(BBC Sport Online)
Bellamy set for Liverpool recall
Rafael Benitez expects to have Craig Bellamy in his
Liverpool squad for Saturday's clash with Manchester City at
Anfield.
The Wales striker is involved in a court case in Cardiff but
Benitez is blighted by a catalogue of injury problems and
needs the player.
Liverpool are without Xabi Alonso (knee) and Mark Gonzalez
with a hamstring problem, while Stephen Warnock has had a
groin operation. Jermaine Pennant is doubtful with a
hamstring strain.
Liverpool (from): Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Agger,
Riise, Luis Garcia, Pennant, Gerrard, Zenden, Bellamy,
Crouch, Kuyt, Fowler, Dudek, Guthrie, Hammill, Peltier.
(TEAMtalk)
Waiting over as patience pays for eager
Agger
Opportunity knocks for Daniel Agger at Anfield. The talented
Danish international has had to be patient since arriving
from Brondby forjust under £6m back in January.
Breaking the successful centre-back pairing of Jamie
Carragher and Sami Hyypia was never going to be easy, but
the stage is now set for the 21-year-old to firmly establish
himself.
Since replacing Hyypia in the closing stages of the 3-0
defeat at Arsenal a fortnight ago, boss Rafa Benitez has
given Agger the nod and he has responded with faultless
displays against Middlesbrough and PSV Eindhoven.
Defensively sound and confident on the ball, Agger has shown
the kind of ability to justify his hefty price tag.
And the youngster is desperate to hold on to a starting spot
and realise his obvious potential alongside the vastly
experienced Carragher.
"I just try to work hard and make sure I'm ready to take my
chance when it comes along," Agger said. "I love playing for
the club and I always go out there and give 100%."
(Liverpool Echo)
Red threat
Didi Hamann used to sit back and admire the attacking skills
of Steven Gerrard.
But the popular Bavarian will return to Anfield tomorrow,
aware he must now find a way to halt the Reds skipper.
The man who made 283 appearances for Liverpool - usually as
a platform for Gerrard to forage forward - is fit and hoping
for an emotional return to the Manchester City side.
But his return to the starting line-up, after overcoming a
thigh strain, would be a double-edged sword.
Because he would come into direct opposition to the player
he rates as one of the hardest in the Premiership to handle.
"If Stevie's on his game he's hard to stop," said Hamann.
"His pace, his passing, his shooting - he can take any
defence apart. We have to defend as a team and help each
other out, because if you let yourself get one against one
with him you're in trouble."
(Liverpool Echo)
Alonso and Gonzalez out of City clash
Midfielders Xabi Alonso and Mark Gonzalez have both been
ruled out of tomorrow's clash with Manchester City at
Anfield.
Alonso faces up to twelve days on the sidelines with a knee
injury while Gonzalez could be out for three weeks after
tearing his hamstring against PSV Eindhoven in midweek.
Jermaine Pennant, who also left the clash with PSV on a
stretcher, is a doubt and will face a late fitness test.
Benitez will also be without Stephen Warnock for the next
couple of weeks after the defender underwent a groin
operation while Fabio Aurelio, Momo Sissoko and Harry Kewell
are all still missing.
(LFC Official Website)
Zenden looks to find his middle ground
Boudewijn Zenden is looking forward to the prospect of an
extended run in Liverpool's midfield but admits he has to
curb his natural attacking instincts when playing in the
centre alongside captain Steven Gerrard.
Gerrard - still without a goal in the Premiership this
season - looked to be back towards his best in the heart of
the midfield at Anfield on Wednesday night as his second
Champions League strike of the campaign set Liverpool on
their way to securing first place in Group C with a 2-0 win
over Zenden's former club PSV Eindhoven.
However, the victory was tempered by injuries to three
Liverpool midfielders - Xabi Alonso, Mark Gonzalez and
Jermaine Pennant as Zenden replaced the former just 21
minutes into the contest.
With Mohamed Sissoko also sidelined, Zenden is hoping to
return to the starting line-up against Manchester City
tomorrow.
He said: "Obviously we're all here to play. The manager
likes to rotate.
"One day you play in the Champions League, then you don't
play in the league and then you play in another competition.
"In a way you just have to wait your turn. When you do get a
chance you've got to do
the job."
(Daily Post)
Crouch hoping for Premiership boost
Peter Crouch wants to see Liverpool's Champions League form
replicated in the Premiership.
Crouch, who scored his fifth goal in six European games this
term with the second in Wednesday's 2-0 win over PSV
Eindhoven, knows that Liverpool's next priority is to
improve their domestic form.
Crouch said: "The most important thing is to get our
Premiership form right. Maybe it hasn't been up to the
standard we have set and certainly our away form has to be
better.
"In the Champions League our form has been good so hopefully
we can take that into the Premiership.
"Our home form is good and we want to keep that going. We do
have to take that form with us away from home."
The away-day problem will have to be addressed in the
future, but against Manchester City, Liverpool must also
maintain their unbeaten home league record that stretches
back 13 months.
Crouch added: "At this time last season we were in a similar
position and we went on
a run of winning games and we did well, so hopefully we can
do the same."
(TEAMtalk) |
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THURSDAY 23 |
Mannix loan complete
Liverpool's promising young midfielder David
Mannix has joined League Two outift Accrington Stanley on a
month's loan.
The 21-year-old is a product of the famous Liverpool Academy
and signed his first professional contract in 2004.
The gifted midfielder has had to overcome a string of
serious injuries, and has been a regular for the reserves.
Burnley and Preston were reportedly after his signature, but
the player has opted for the move to Accrington.
(Clubcall Sports)
Liverpool make new signing
Liverpool have reportedly agreed a deal with Boca Juniors to
sign their highly promising 17yr old left back, Emiliano
Insua.
Insua was part of the Argentina under 20's side that won the
recent World Championships and is said to be one of the
brightest prospects in South American football.
Liverpool will take Insua on loan for almost £100,000
initially, after which they will pay a further £1million to
make the move permanent in the summer.
(Vital Football - Liverpool)
Rafa wants Gerrard to lead by example
Rafael Benitez has called on Steven Gerrard to shoulder the
responsibility of leading Liverpool to glory despite the
club's injuries.
The Spaniard said: "Now it is clear that he must take more
responsibility in midfield with Momo Sissoko and Xabi Alonso
both out injured.
"He must take that responsibility and say 'I'm here, give me
the ball and I will score'.
"Now we hope for all these things from our captain."
(TEAMtalk)
Crouch: Gerrard will thrive in middle
Liverpool striker Peter Crouch is backing skipper Steven
Gerrard to hit top form after returning to his goalscoring
ways from central midfield.
England's vice-captain broke the deadlock in last night's
Champions League tie against PSV Eindhoven at Anfield in
typical fashion, bursting into the penalty area to stroke
home Dirk Kuyt's lay-off.
"He is a top-class player and it was only a matter of time
before he started scoring goals and he has proved that now,"
said the England striker, who scored a late second in
Wednesday night's 2-0 victory.
"He is the driving force and, I think when he gets forward
like he did last night and gets on the end of things, he is
a class act.
"Certainly, when he is in the middle, he likes to join in
more. When he is out on the right, he can be isolated a
touch but in the middle he likes to get in amongst it and
play off balls from me."
(TEAMtalk)
Shields flies home today
Michael Shields was finally back on British soil today after
his 18-month Bulgarian prison nightmare ended.
The 20-year-old was due to land at Heathrow airport on a
British Airways flight, which left the capital Sofia earlier
this afternoon.
He was accompanied by prison officers from Wandsworth jail
in London where he will spend two months being assessed. His
return had been delayed by months through Interpol red tape.
It is the first time the engineering student has been home
since leaving Wavertree to watch Liverpool FC play in the
Champions League final in May 2005.
His mother Marie paid her last visit to Varna prison
yesterday, where Michael has spent the past 18 months,
before she returned on an earlier flight.
She said: "His face just burst into a smile when he saw me.
We were together for about half-an-hour and he was dead
excited, but really nervous as well.
"Michael has no idea what it will be like inside a British
prison because he's never set foot in one.
"But more than anything he's just glad to be going home."
(Liverpool Echo)
Barton relishing Gerrard showdown
Joey Barton's England credentials will face their acid test
at Anfield on Saturday when he goes head-to-head with old
mate Steven Gerrard.
The pair have been close since their school days in Huyton.
But now, with Gerrard restored to the central midfield berth
he has been craving at Liverpool, he will find himself in
direct confrontation with Barton, who has been catching the
eye throughout Manchester City's inconsistent campaign.
Although Barton was overlooked by Steve McClaren for last
week's friendly with Holland, England assistant coach Terry
Venables insists the 24-year-old is at the forefront of
their thoughts.
"Joey Barton has done extremely well recently, so we know
exactly what is going on," he told the Manchester Evening
News.
And for City boss Stuart Pearce, no stranger to the England
scene himself, there could be no better player for Barton to
face this weekend than Gerrard.
"Steven Gerrard is a yardstick for any midfielder because he
is as good as anyone else in the world," said Pearce.
"He comes from the same neck of the woods as Joey, they are
friends and he is definitely someone Joey can measure
himself against."
(TEAMtalk)
Bellamy assault trial due to open
The trial of Wales and Liverpool football star
Craig Bellamy for assaulting two women is due to begin.
The striker, 27, denies assaulting Holly Smith, 20, and
Sophie Palmer, 19, in a Cardiff nightclub in February.
Mr Bellamy was originally due to stand trial in August but
it was put back because witnesses were unavailable.
The trial was then twice postponed in October but the
rescheduled case is now due to get under way at Cardiff
Magistrates Court.
The Cardiff-born footballer is alleged to have assaulted Ms
Smith and Ms Palmer at the No 10 nightclub in Cardiff city
centre on 5 February.
The player's friend Franklyn Lynch, 52, of Barry, Vale of
Glamorgan, is also charged with assaulting Ms Palmer.
Mr Lynch also denies the charge.
(BBC Sport Online) |
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WEDNESDAY 22 |
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Koeman: Gerrard the difference
PSV Eindhoven coach Ronald Koeman believed Liverpool's
Steven Gerrard was the difference between the two teams at
Anfield.
"The quality of Gerrard was outstanding, it was an excellent
midfield performance and was something we could not match,"
said Koeman.
(Sky Sports)
Gerrard: I'm getting closer
Steven Gerrard believes he is closer to his best form after
hitting Liverpool's opener in their 2-0 Champions League win
over PSV Eindhoven.
The Reds captain struck from 18 yards in the second half
before Peter Crouch wrapped up a victory which ensured the
Reds will finish top of Group C.
Gerrard told Sky Sports: "I've been a bit frustrated in
front of goal of late so it was nice to see one go in. But
the main thing was to get the three points and top the
group.
"Of late I've been working hard in training, trying to get
my form back. It's not altogether there but I can feel it
coming."
(TEAMtalk)
Benitez fears for Xabi and Speedy
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez admitted Wednesday night was
tainted by injuries to Xabi Alonso, Mark Gonzalez and
Jermaine Pennant.
"The first injury to Xabi was a big problem for us, (being
already) without Momo Sissoko especially. Then Mark Gonzalez
and Pennant went too," he told Sky Sports Xtra.
"Xabi had a leg injury which could be serious, Gonzalez felt
something, hamstring maybe, which could be more serious and
Pennant had a spasm which is not serious."
(TEAMtalk)
Captain Marvel puts Reds on top
Steven Gerrard led the way as Liverpool clinched top spot in
Champions League Group C with a 2-0 home win over PSV
Eindhoven.
The England midfielder, restored to his preferred central
midfield role with Mohamed Sissoko sidelined, produced a
goal and leadership which means the match in Istanbul
against Galatasaray will not affect their current standing
at the head of the group.
Liverpool's European campaign has been in sharp contrast to
their domestic league combat, unbeaten after five matches
and heading into the last 16 hoping for decent draw which
will have them dreaming of the quarter-finals.
Gerrard broke the deadlock when he swept onto a Dirk Kuyt
pass, and it was Kuyt who produced the header for Peter
Crouch to nod home the second goal in the dying minutes.
PSV saw a 15-match unbeaten run come to an end, and will now
have to wait to see which of the group winners they will be
paired with in the next stage.
(TEAMtalk)
Crouch partners Kuyt up front for Reds
Peter Crouch was restored to the starting line-up as
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez made just one change for
the Champions League visit of PSV Eindhoven.
The England striker replaced Craig Bellamy, who dropped to
the bench, in the only variation from the side which drew
0-0 at Middlesbrough on Saturday.
Luis Garcia was fit enough for a place among the substitutes
after recovering from a hamstring problem.
Eindhoven coach Ronald Koeman named a side which had only
two changes from the one which drew 0-0 with Liverpool in
Holland in September.
Michael Reiziger and Jason Culina were the men missing,
replaced by Csaba Feher and Manuel Da Costa.
Liverpool: Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Agger, Riise, Pennant,
Gerrard, Alonso, Gonzalez, Crouch, Kuyt.
Subs: Dudek, Hyypia, Fowler, Luis Garcia, Bellamy, Paletta,
Zenden.
PSV: Gomes, Kromkamp, Da Costa, Alex, Salcido, Mendez,
Simons, Feher, Afellay, Farfan, Kone.
Subs: Moens, Reiziger, Cocu, Addo, Lamey, Tardelli, Beerens.
Referee: Domenico Messina (Italy)
(Ireland On-Line)
Reina keeping faith as Reds aim for the
top
Another stalemate at Middlesbrough hardly qualifies as a
turning point in Liverpool's season.
But as the Reds seek to maintain a formidable home record
against PSV Eindhoven, at least one player left the North
East last weekend with a sense he was leaving the early
season chill behind.
Pepe Reina prepared for the current campaign fully aware he
had to prove himself again at Anfield.
"I know I did my job on Saturday in the same way I was doing
it last season," he said. "I've been trying my best to
reproduce this form, and I've always had confidence in
myself. The boss and my team-mates have shown the same
confidence in me which has been a big help.
"The manager has stood by me, and so have the supporters.
Despite what's been said about me this year, I've never felt
under pressure and have been able to remain strong."
"Now we just have to keep looking forward. We know our home
form is good and we have three games at Anfield. It's
important to start winning games to improve
our confidence."
(Liverpool Echo)
Reds close in on teen star
Liverpool are close to snapping up Argentina starlet
Emiliano Insua in a deal worth around £1m.
The 17-year-old left-back arrived on Merseyside today from
legendary South American club Boca Juniors.
He'll be at Anfield in time to watch tonight's Champions
League clash with PSV.
It's anticipated he'll initially sign on loan until the
end of the season, with the deal agreed to make the move
permanent next summer.
Insua is part of the exciting Argentine Under-20 side who
are currently world champions at their level, and his
arrival is part of an ongoing strategy by Rafa Benitez to
recruit elite youngsters from across the world and provide a
stable foundation for the future of the club.
Chief scouts Frank McParland and Eduardo Macia have been
entrusted to scour the globe for potential stars of the
future.
Insua comes into that category, having been spotted
excelling for his country's youth team, and there are
expected to be more recruits in the New Year.
Manchester United, Chelsea, Real Madrid and Barcelona were
tracking Insua, but Liverpool were the first to show an
interest in the teenager, prompting him to reject recent
moves from Stamford Bridge and Old Trafford.
There are those at Anfield who believe Insua could
challenge for a first team spot before the end of this
season, and will certainly be an option in time for the
2007-08 campaign.
(Liverpool Echo)
Garcia passed fit
Luis Garcia has been passed fit for tonight's game.
Garcia has recovered from a hamstring injury and will play a
part in tonight's Champions League game against PSV
Eindhoven.
"He is available now and has been training normally," said
Rafael Benitez.
"Sometimes people criticise him because he gives the ball
away too easy, but it's clear he's a different kind of
player.
"He can score fantastic goals, he has good vision and a lot
of game intelligence. He's a player who can change a game."
(LFC Online)
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Thor Zakariassen
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