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FRIDAY 24 |
Barnes: Reds can
conquer Blues
John Barnes believes Liverpool have "every chance" of
overcoming Chelsea when the Premier League pacesetters lock
horns this weekend.
The Reds have only beaten Chelsea in their own backyard once
since last winning the title back in 1990, but they are not
the only team who have struggled in west London with the
Blues currently unbeaten at home in 86 league matches.
The last time Chelsea failed to pick up at least a point at
home was in February 2004 when they lost 2-1 to Arsenal.
However, former Liverpool winger Barnes feels that record
could be under serious threat this weekend when Rafael
Benitez's side roll into town on the back of an impressive
run of 12 wins and four draws from their last 16 competitive
matches.
"There's every chance that Liverpool can win," said Barnes.
"Chelsea will obviously be favourites because they are at
home and are on that long unbeaten run, but Liverpool can
win, particularly as they are playing with confidence."
(TEAMtalk)
Rafa confident without Torres
Rafa Benitez believes Liverpool “have the firepower” to
overcome Chelsea at the weekend, despite being without the
prowess of Fernando Torres
up front.
The Spaniard is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury,
but his fellow countryman and manager is confident his team
can get a result at Stamford Bridge on Sunday without their
top scorer.
"We are at the top of the table with Chelsea having not
played our best yet. We are playing well but we can
improve,” said Benitez.
"And we do not have Torres, but I believe we have the
firepower to beat Chelsea. We have been playing well and
have good confidence."
(Setanta Sports)
Benitez backs Ramos to survive
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has backed his fellow
Spaniard Juande Ramos to keep his job at Tottenham despite
the London club making their worst ever start to a league
season.
The Liverpool chief, whose team play Tottenham at White Hart
Lane in
the Premier League on November 1 and the Carling Cup on
November 12, today offered words of support for the
under-fire former Sevilla chief.
Ramos took charge of Tottenham on October 27 last year,
replacing
the axed Martin Jol.
Benitez said: “I remember that when Martin Jol was fired I
was surprised, because Spurs had twice finished fifth.
“That was a very good achievement. But they decided to
change and they won the Carling Cup, the team was good and
the team is good now.
“But I am sure Spurs will be higher soon. People talk about
relegation, but I do not think so, they have enough quality
to be much higher.
“They have good players. To finish fifth twice, and to
progress last season, I feel they will be okay.”
Tottenham are currently bottom of the Barclays Premier
League with just two points from eight matches, but Benitez
said: “Spurs have enough quality to be much higher. I do not
see them fighting against relegation right to the end.
“They have enough experience and I am sure they will finish
in the middle (of the) table. And I believe and expect Ramos
to survive there as manager.”
(BreakingNews.ie)
New hope for jailed
Liverpool fan Michael Shields
A high court judge today decided Jack Straw has the power to
free Michael Shields.
The judge ruled campaigners for the jailed Liverpool fan
have a fair case for their appeal against the Justice
Secretary’s decision that he was powerless to release him.
Now a three-court panel of judges will consider the appeal
in full.
The move comes after a Bulgarian official told Michael’s
supporters
the British government does have the power to free the
22-year-old.
Ambassador from the eastern European country Dr Lachezar
Matev also told city officials evidence unearthed since
Michael’s conviction could possibly prompt a retrial.
City Labour leader Joe Anderson said: “This is significant
good news. It means a high court judge agrees with us that
there are holes in what Jack Straw has decided.
“We have said time and time again that the secretary of
state for justice has the power to release Michael under the
articles of transfer and convention of business.”
The decision was made by a judge sitting in chambers at
London’s high court this morning.
(Liverpool Echo)
Sami itching for first team recall
Sami Hyypia insists he's chomping at the bit to make his
first Premier League start since the opening game of the
season when Liverpool take on Chelsea this weekend.
The Finnish defender is expected to begin on the bench at
Stamford Bridge, with Daniel Agger continuing to deputise
for the injured Martin Skrtel as Liverpool look to preserve
their unbeaten start to the season.
He may not have featured in Rafa's plans as much as he would
have wished so far this term but far from becoming
disillusioned over his lack of first team action, Hyypia
insists he's working hard to keep in shape for when his
chance comes along.
(LFC Official Website)
Atletico praise for travelling Reds
Atletico Madrid have praised the conduct of Liverpool's
supporters following their 'exquisite sportsmanship' during
Wednesday night's Champions League clash at the Vicente
Calderon Stadium.
A statement released on Atletico's official club website
paid tribute to the behaviour of both sets of fans as the
match between Group D's pacesetters ended in a 1-1 draw.
It read: "The two teams drew on the pitch, but the two
groups of fans won and by a wide margin. No arguments about
that.
"The Atletico Madrid and Liverpool supporters set a perfect
example and for this reason the Atleti organisation would
like to thank both sets of fans for their exquisite
sportsmanship.
"All of the supporters who turned the Vicente Calderon into
a venue where respect for the opposing team and fans trumped
all get a '10' for their sportsmanship."
(TEAMtalk)
Key Reds trio should face Blues
Liverpool expect all three of their stars who were
substituted against Atletico Madrid to be fit for Sunday's
Premier League clash at Chelsea.
Steven Gerrard, taken off on Wednesday with "tiredness",
will lead the side while Robbie Keane (groin) and Xabi
Alonso (knee) should also feature.
Striker Fernando Torres is losing his last-ditch battle for
fitness following his hamstring injury and is more likely to
return at home to Portsmouth on Wednesday.
Liverpool (from): Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Agger, Hyypia,
Dossena, Aurelio, Babel, Benayoun, Gerrard, Mascherano,
Alonso, Kuyt, Keane, Pennant, Riera, Lucas, Ngog, Cavalieri.
(TEAMtalk)
Determined Terry
ready for Liverpool
Chelsea captain John Terry insists he is fit and ready to
give his all as
the Blues prepare to take on fellow Barclays Premier League
pacesetters Liverpool.
Terry, 27, was "gutted" to miss England's World Cup
qualifiers against Kazakhstan and Belarus due to a back
problem earlier this month and - as Chelsea prepare for
their second home match in five days, Sunday's clash with
Rafael Benitez's side - Terry stressed he always wants to be
involved, whether with Luiz Felipe Scolari's Chelsea or
Fabio Capello's England.
(ITV)
Alonso eyeing points
not revenge mission
The memories of recent past may remain fresh in the mind,
but it’s the future that will be the only concern to
Liverpool when they return to Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
A bitterly disappointing evening in April saw Rafael
Benitez’s side denied
a third Champions League final appearance in four years by a
3-2 win for Chelsea after extra-time.
“What happened against Chelsea last season won’t have an
influence on this game, I am sure of that,” says Xabi
Alonso, who will be expected to pull the strings in midfield
for Liverpool on Sunday.
“This is a different season, there are different players on
both sides,
a different manager at Chelsea and we can only focus on what
happens during this game.
“We won’t be going to Stamford Bridge with any fear,” says
Alonso. “We respect them as a very good side but we are
confident in our own ability and we believe we can win."
(Liverpool Daily Post)
Liverpool legend hits out
at “negative” Benitez
Former Liverpool star Ronnie Whelan believes the “negative
vibes” of manager Rafa Benitez makes the Reds inferior to
Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal.
Liverpool have enjoyed a fine start to the season and go
into Sunday’s showdown with Chelsea level on points with
Luiz Felipe Scolari’s title favourites.
Come-from-behind wins over Middlesbrough, Manchester City
and Wigan have raised Liverpool fans’ hopes that the title
could come to Anfield for the first time since 1990.
But Whelan, who won six League titles in 15 years as a
Liverpool player, is unimpressed by the negativity of the
Benitez regime.
He said: “The manager’s negative vibes don’t help Liverpool,
especially in the second half [against Atletico on
Wednesday]. We’ve sat here many times and we’re looking for
the [Liverpool] full back to get forward. If it was
Manchester United, Chelsea or Arsenal the full back would
have been flying down the wing.
“But Liverpool’s full backs are not allowed go forward, and
it was killing them in the second half because so many times
there was open space but they wouldn’t do it because they’re
not allowed get forward.”
(eleven-a-side.com)
Lee praised
Jason McAteer has praised the work of Sammy Lee.
McAteer was a Liverpool player during Lee's first spell as a
Reds coach and says Rafael Benitez has appointed the perfect
man to be
his assistant.
"Sammy Lee is one of the best coaches in Europe - by a
mile,"
said the former wingback.
"Getting him back at the club was a really shrewd move by
Rafa Benitez and I think he has played a massive part in the
good run of results we've seen so far this season.
"I was made up to see him go back to the club because
Liverpool have always had a link to the boot room. It was
similar when Phil Thompson went back with Gerard Houllier -
that was also good to see as well.
"Sammy's coaching sessions are fantastic and he's such a
positive person, he won't let anything get the players down.
He is the most infectious person you will ever meet."
(LFC Online) |
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THURSDAY 23 |
Injury update on Gerrard,
Alonso and Keane
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is hopeful key trio Steven
Gerrard, Xabi Alonso and Robbie Keane will be available for
Sunday’s crunch showdown at Chelsea.
None of them finished last night’s 1-1 Champions League draw
at Atletico Madrid, with striker Keane and midfielder Alonso
both struggling with knocks, and captain Gerrard suffering
from fatigue.
It will not be known until later today how serious the
problems are but Benitez is keeping his fingers crossed
there is nothing too serious
to worry about.
“The three players have had some problems,” said Benitez,
whose side are locked at the top of the Barclays Premier
League with Chelsea
on 20 points.
“It was a little bit of a muscle problem for Robbie. Gerrard
is okay. He was really tired and Alonso has a knock on his
knee.”
(Liverpool Daily Post)
Benitez: This was
a missed opportunity
Rafael Benitez rued a missed opportunity in Madrid as
goalscorer Robbie Keane handed Liverpool a major injury
scare.
Keane gave the visitors a 14th-minute lead in their
Champions League game at Atletico Madrid last night before
being forced off with a groin problem shortly after
half-time.
Simao Sabrosa’s equaliser seven minutes from time then ended
Liverpool’s 100% record in Group D and keeps the Anfield
outfit level with the Spaniards at the top.
Liverpool wasted a number of chances to extend their lead
before Atletico, prompted by the second-half introduction of
Argentine wonder-kid Sergio Aguero, worked their way back
into the game.
And Benitez said: “We had control of the game in the first
half and part of the second half but I’m disappointed as we
had chances to finish
the game and kill the game."
(Liverpool Daily Post)
Liverpool FC owners Hicks and
Gillett are targets of coup by MPs
Liverpool’s American owners could be the targets of an
astonishing coup attempt – by Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
The PM has been urged to topple Reds owners Tom Hicks and
George Gillett by six MPs.
The Merseyside MPs, led by Walton’s Peter Kilfoyle, want the
government to pull the plug on a crucial £350m loan to Hicks
and Gillett.
Their move came as Tom Hicks last night reinterated his
desire not to sell Liverpool FC, despite suggestions
investment bank Merrill Lynch has been instructed to find a
buyer for the club.
(Liverpool Daily Post) |
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WEDNESDAY 22 |
Injury news
Robbie Keane picked up a groin strain in Liverpool's game
with
Atletico Madrid.
The Irish forward was substituted soon after the start of
the second half, but will hopefully be fit for Sunday's trip
to Chelsea.
Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso were also taken off but
Rafael Benitez confirmed that it was just precautionary.
"They should be ok, they were tired and had muscle problems
but we will wait and see," said the Liverpool boss after the
game.
(LFC Online)
Keane happy with point in Spain
Robbie Keane reflected on Liverpool's 1-1 draw with Atletico
Madrid in Spain and admitted: "We're happy to take a point."
The Reds led until seven minutes from time when the home
side salvaged a point as Simao cancelled out Keane's first
half opener.
"We dominated the first half and had a few chances," said
Keane.
"In the second half it was more difficult, they came back at
us and
got the goal.
"Because of the way the game ended we have to be happy with
a point and now we can look forward to playing them at
Anfield."
(LFC Official Website)
Atletico late show denies Liverpool
Liverpool were denied all three points as Simao Sabrosa's
late goal earned Atletico Madrid a 1-1 draw in their
Champions League Group D clash.
The unmarked Simao drilled home a low shot with seven
minutes remaining at the Vicente Calderon on Wednesday night
to cancel out Robbie Keane's early opener for Liverpool as
the two sides, having each won their first two games,
remained unbeaten in Group D.
Liverpool controlled the first half and held a deserved lead
at the break but Atletico, who had been unbeaten in their
previous six home meetings with English opposition, fought
back to salvage a point which could ease the pressure on
under-fire coach Javier Aguirre.
(TEAMtalk)
Kuyt left out of Liverpool starting line-up
Dirk Kuyt was left out of
Liverpool’s starting XI for the Champions League Group D
match with Atletico Madrid despite scoring twice in the
weekend win over Wigan.
Kuyt was replaced by Yossi Benayoun as Rafael Benitez, the
Liverpool mmanager, opted to use Robbie Keane as his sole
forward with Jermaine Pennant replaced by Javier Mascherano.
Ryan Babel and Fabio Aurelio were on the bench after
recovered from minor injuries.
Javier Aguirre, the Atletico coach, left out star striker
Sergio Aguero, scorer of three of the Spanish side’s five
group goals so far, as he made
a host of changes to the side beaten 2-1 by local rivals
Real Madrid
at the weekend.
Florent Sinama Pongolle and Luis Garcia, the former
Liverpool duo, were among the new faces brought in.
Atletico Madrid v Liverpool
Atletico Madrid: Franco, Seitaridis, Perea, Joshua, Antonio
Lopez, Camacho, Maniche, Luis Garcia, Simao, Forlan, Sinama
Pongolle. Substitutes: Bernabe, Pernia, Heitinga, Raul
Garcia, Aguero, Paulo Assuncao, Miguel.
Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Agger, Dossena,
Mascherano, Alonso, Benayoun, Gerrard, Riera, Keane.
Substitutes: Cavalieri, Aurelio, Pennant, Kuyt, Babel, Leiva
Lucas, Darby.
Referee: Claus Bo Larsen (Denmark).
(The Times)
Hicks has no intention
of selling Liverpool
Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks remains insistent he has no
intention of selling the club despite their plans to build a
new stadium being thwarted.
A source close to Hicks denied a report saying the
investment bank Merrill Lynch have been instructed to find a
buyer, maintaining they were merely providing expertise in
refinancing the existing debts.
Hicks and Gillett refinanced their debts earlier this year
with the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) and that deal is due
to expire on 25 January, although the Americans will almost
certainly exercise an option to extend the deal for a
further six months until the end of July.
The source told PA Sport: "Tom is not looking to get out of
Liverpool - it is an asset he likes and he doesn't plan an
exit."
(PA)
Rafa: Chelsea game is key
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez admits the game against Chelsea
this weekend will show whether they will be title
challengers this season.
Manchester United and Chelsea were left to battle it out for
the Premier League last season after Arsenal dropped away,
but Liverpool were barely in the reckoning.
Now after another summer of rebuilding, Benitez is hopeful
he has finally fine-tuned his squad ready for a title
assault and the early evidence is good with Liverpool
currently second - behind early leaders Chelsea only on goal
difference.
Liverpool's biggest issue has been their failure to beat
their biggest rivals and Benitez admits he needs to get
results against United, Arsenal and Chelsea this season if
they want to be involved in the title run-in.
"A Premier League season is very long and we now have a
tough game coming up at Chelsea, which will show where we
are headed,"
said the Spanish tactician.
"To win the title you have to do well against your direct
rivals - we failed
to do that last year."
(Football 365)
Injured Coupet to miss
Atletico's clash with Liverpool
France goalkeeper Gregory Coupet suffered a late thigh
injury to miss out on Atletico Madrid's squad to face
Liverpool at home in Champions League Group D on Wednesday,
the Primera Liga club said.
Czech Republic defender Tomas Ujfalusi and Argentina
midfielder Maxi Rodriguez were also left out with injuries.
Argentina striker Sergio Aguero was included but coach
Javier Aguirre has said he is not fit to play a full 90
minutes.
(Reuters)
Absent Torres
predicts tough night
Injured striker Fernando Torres is anticipating a tough
evening for his Liverpool team-mates as they prepare to face
his former club Atletico Madrid at the Vicente Calderon.
Torres may have to watch the match from afar after remaining
in England to continue his recovery from a hamstring injury,
but he is still one of
the best-placed people to analyse the Champions League
clash.
“To not be in the Calderon on Wednesday is a huge
disappointment. It was very special for me to be able to
play this game, but unfortunately it is not to be,” said
Torres, who is expecting a hard-fought encounter between two
clubs with 100% records in Group D.
“It will be difficult game. Atletico have started the
Champions League phenomenally well and they will try to move
closer to qualifying in front of their fans.
“For us it is the same. If we claim these three points we
will take a very big step towards the last 16.”
He added: “As I have already said, my wish is that we both
qualify and after the first few rounds of matches we are
both on track. Now all that remains is to finish it off.”
(BreakingNews.ie)
Owners launch bid
to find buyer for Liverpool
Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr, the Liverpool owners, have
signalled that they are ready to sell their stake at Anfield
after engaging Merrill Lynch, the investment bank, to find a
buyer for the club.
The Americans need to restructure their £350million loan
with the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), which expires on
January 25. However, the bank, at present under public
ownership because of the credit crunch, has adopted a policy
of restructuring loans only in extremely favourable
conditions.
While discussions with Gillett and Hicks have not yet
opened, their circumstances are not believed to fall into
this category. The owners have always denied that the club
were available for sale but the latest move signals an
acceptance that the American duo's future control is
unsustainable.
(The Times)
Thor Zakariassen
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