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WEDNESDAY 24 |
Gerrard: Liverpool aren't out of Champions
League yet
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard refused to write off his
side’s Champions League chances despite defeat away to
Besiktas tonight.
“We are pleased with how we played but disappointed with the
result. We need to keep going and win the final three games
and see what happens.
“We need to take the positives and learn from our mistakes.
We are capable of winning our final three games.”
(Liverpool Daily Post)
Benitez: We will qualify
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is adamant his side will
still qualify from the group stages of the UEFA Champions
League.
The Reds slumped to a 2-1 defeat to Besiktas in the Inonu
Stadium on Wednesday night to sink to the bottom of
qualifying Group A.
Benitez, though, insists his side controlled the game
against Besiktas and will find the form to progress in their
next game - at home to the Turkish side on 6th November.
"If we play like today we can do it for sure," Benitez told
Sky Sports.
(Sky Sports)
Rocky Reds face Euro exit
Liverpool are in serious danger of an embarassing Champions
League exit after going down to a 2-1 Group A defeat to
Besiktas in Turkey.
Serdar Ozkan and Bobo put the hosts 2-0 up at the Inonu
Stadium and Steven Gerrard's late header was not enough to
save Rafa Benitez's side from a disappointing defeat that
leaves them with just a point from their three games.
(Sporting Life)
Benitez fields attacking side for must-win clash
Liverpool’s obvious need to win their Champions League group
A clash in the Inonu Stadium on the banks of the Bosphorus
is underlined by the inclusion of two wingers – Ryan Babel
and Jermaine Pennant – in boss Rafael Benitez’s starting
line-up.
There are just two changes from the side which won at
Everton on Saturday, with skipper Steven Gerrard back in the
centre of midfield while Mohamed Sissoko and Yossi Benayoun
miss out.
Liverpool, with just one point from two games in the group,
have Xabi Alonso back on the bench after his metatarsal
injury, with teenage defender Jack Hobbs also a substitute.
Liverpool: Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Riise, Pennant,
Gerrard, Mascherano, Babel, Voronin, Kuyt.
Subs: Itandje, Benayoun, Alonso, Crouch, Lucas, Sissoko,
Hobbs.
(Evening Echo)
Gerrard: Let’s show derby spirit
Steven Gerrard today called on Liverpool to take the derby
spirit into tonight’s Champions League match at Besiktas.
The Liverpool captain believes the Reds will have an
excellent chance of gaining their first win in the group
stages if they can repeat the kind of spirit shown during
the 2-1 win against Everton on Saturday.
He said: “That is exactly the kind of spirit we are going to
need tonight.
“We know this is going to be a difficult game because
Besiktas are looking to improve their points total as well.
“I’m sure the atmosphere will be something else because the
Turkish fans are always passionate but we are just going to
have to deal with that.”
(Liverpool Echo)
Mascherano: Every game is a final for
Liverpool now
Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano admits “every game is
a final” in the Champions League after the Reds failed to
win their opening two group games.
Liverpool are in Turkey to face Besiktas in what will be a
hostile environment but the 23- year-old insists Benitez’s
men will be aiming to take all three points tonight.
“From now on every game is a final – at least in the group
stages,” he told the club’s website, liverpoolfc.tv.
“We have to get three points, we have no other option."
(Liverpool Daily Post)
Crouch: I'm ready for action
Peter Crouch insists he is ready to play his role in what
could prove to be a defining week in Liverpool's season.
The England international was an unused substitute in
Saturday's victory over Everton, but with Fernando Torres
ruled out, and key matches with Besiktas and Arsenal coming
up in quick succession, Crouch is keen to make his mark.
"You've got to be ready," he told Liverpoolfc.tv.
"The manager is obviously going to change things and with
injuries and what have you, you've always got to be ready to
play and I certainly am."
(LFC Official Website)
Brazilian in Reds warning
Ricardinho has told skysports.com that it is crucial for
Besiktas to beat Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League on
Wednesday.
The Turkish side will be desperate to claim their first
points in Group A when they entertain Liverpool, live on Sky
Sports 2.
Ricardinho is wary of the threat posed by Liverpool but
feels Besiktas need to win to keep their dreams of
qualifying for the next round alive.
"For Besiktas the match against Liverpool is key. If we win
success is still possible but if we fail we are almost out,"
the Brazilian told skysports.com.
(Sky Sports)
Benitez: We can’t afford defeat
Rafael Benitez admits Liverpool “cannot afford to lose” as
they aim to rekindle their Champions League aspirations in
Turkey this evening.
The Anfield outfit return to Istanbul, scene of their
memorable European Cup triumph in 2005, to take on Besiktas
in a defining Group A encounter.
Benitez’s men are languishing in third place in the
standings, five points adrift of leaders Marseille after
they followed their opening 1-1 draw at Porto with a shock
1-0 home defeat to the French side earlier this month.
“This game is really important,” said the Anfield manager.
“We cannot afford to lose. If we do, it will be really,
really difficult to qualify. We need to win. A draw? Then a
lot would depend on the other results in our group."
(Liverpool Daily Post)
Riise: Stakes are huge for Liverpool
Liverpool midfielder John Arne Riise has spelled out the
Reds' European task by admitting that no more mistakes can
be allowed.
The Norwegian defender will be part of the Champions League
team to face Besiktas in Istanbul on Wednesday in a Group D
clash vital to both sides.
Liverpool have taken just one point from two previous group
matches, while the Turkish side have lost both their games.
Riise is well aware of the importance of a match Liverpool
need to win.
"We know what is at stake," he confirmed.
"We have managed only one point so far in this group and
that is just not good enough.
"We have to take the three points and then beat Besiktas
again when they come to Anfield next time around. Then we
will be back in with a chance of qualifying."
(TEAMtalk)
Former Red resigns
Steve Staunton has left the Republic of Ireland st up by
mutual consent.
Former Liverpool defender Staunton has left his post as
Republic of Ireland manager following a poor qualification
campaign. A home draw with Cyprus earlier this month was the
final straw and Staunton and the FAI agreed to part ways.
(LFC Online) |
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TUESDAY 23 |
Kuyt demands Besiktas victory
Dirk Kuyt admits Liverpool's UEFA Champions League clash
against Besiktas in Turkey is a must-win encounter.
Rafa Benitez's side, who lifted the trophy in 2005 and were
beaten finalists in May, drew their opening Group D fixture
away to Porto before suffering a shock home defeat at the
hands of Marseille.
The Dutch striker said: "We must now keep going forward, we
want only to win games. Draws are no good.
"If you want to achieve something in Europe and the Premier
League you must win these type of difficult away games. We
did it at Everton and we can do the same against Besiktas."
(Sky Sports)
Kewell set for Reserves comeback
Harry Kewell could make his return from injury in Liverpool
Reserves encounter with Newcastle United at the Halliwell
Jones Stadium in Warrington on Thursday night.
The Reds number seven hasn't kicked a ball since he played
against Feyenoord in the Port of Rotterdam tournament in
pre-season.
If he suffers no further setbacks he could join Brazilian
Fabio Aurelio who is also hoping to return from injury in
Gary Ablett's team against Newcastle.
Ablett told Liverpoolfc.tv: "Hopefully Harry and Fabio could
be involved for us against Newcastle.
"They are training again but we will check with the physio
and the doctor to see if they can step up their fitness in
the reserve team."
(LFC Official Website)
Torres left behind for trip to Turkey
Fernando Torres has not recovered from a thigh injury in
time to board the plane to Turkey for Liverpool's Champions
League clash at Besiktas.
Torres has returned to training this week after the thigh
problem that forced him out of Spain's squad last week, but
the Turkey trip was considered too soon.
But Xabi Alonso was on the flight and has a chance of
starting the game in midfield after recovering from a
metatarsal problem.
Rafael Benitez will be without full-back Alvaro Arbeloa, who
missed the win at Everton with a thigh injury. Daniel Agger,
Harry Kewell and Fabio Aurelio are all still out.
Liverpool (from): Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Riise,
Benayoun, Gerrard, Mascherano, Sissoko, Alonso, Pennant,
Crouch, Voronin, Kuyt, Babel, Lucas, Hobbs, Itandje.
(TEAMtalk)
Xabi: Besiktas as important as derby
Xabi Alonso feels gaining three points against Besiktas
could be even more vital to Liverpool's season than the
derby win over Everton.
The Spaniard admits Wednesday's Group A fixture is a
must-win game after a mediocre start to the European
campaign.
Liverpool have just one point from two games following the
defeat to Marseille at Anfield.
Alonso, who is hoping to be fit for the clash, told
Liverpoolfc.tv: "It's absolutely a must-win game. It is
massive because if we are to recover and get in the top two
of the group, we have to win this match.
"It's very important, probably even more important than the
three points
on Saturday."
Alonso and his teammates set out on their four-hour flight
to Turkey this morning, and the Spaniard admits they are
bound to feel the effects of the travelling.
"It does have an effect but we are used to it. Luckily the
game against Arsenal is on Sunday. That's good news, it
gives us more time to recover from the game and travel."
(LFC Official Website) |
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MONDAY 22 |
Benitez makes peace with Gerrard
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has today cleared the air
with Steven Gerrard over replacing him in Saturday's
Merseyside derby after the midfielder had declared he was
"hurt and disappointed" by the decision.
Benitez discussed the matter with Liverpool-born Gerrard at
the club's training ground in Melwood today and believes the
midfielder's reaction was perfectly natural.
(Ireland.com)
Petition to ban derby referee
Everton fans have launched an internet petition calling for
the banning of controversial derby day ref Mark Clattenburg
from officiating at Premier League games.
Blues supporters blame him for the defeat, during which he
refused to award Everton a penalty in the final minutes of
the game.
Now hundreds of football fans have signed the online
petition which calls for the ban on Clattenburg.
It says: “We the undersigned ask the Football Association to
ban Mark Clattenburg for life from refereeing in the Premier
League. He gave a penalty for a foul committed outside the
box."
(Liverpool Echo)
Gerrard: 'Victory eased my derby pain’
Steven Gerrard today told how the joy of Liverpool’s last
gasp win over Everton helped ease the pain of being taken
off in Saturday’s derby.
The Liverpool skipper was visibly stunned at being
substituted – a decision which Rafa Benitez says was made
for the good of the team on the day.
Despite being “hurt and disappointed” at being withdrawn,
Gerrard insists the important thing was that Liverpool went
on to win the game and avenge last season’s 3-0 reverse at
the hands of their local rivals.
(Liverpool Echo)
Thor Zakariassen
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