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SATURDAY 24 |
Mascherano: Argentina
an example to Reds
Javier Mascherano wants Liverpool to follow Argentina’s
example, insisting the under-pressure Reds must forget about
their four successive defeats and concentrate on beating
Manchester United tomorrow.
The midfielder wants Liverpool – in the midst of their worst
run for 22 years - to be inspired by Argentina’s last-ditch
qualification for the 2010 World Cup finals ahead of the
Barclays Premier League clash at Anfield.
Boss Rafael Benitez’s management has been openly questioned
this week, although Mascherano has made it clear that the
fault lies with the players, not the manager.
And the Argentina captain can see a parallel between his
country’s dramatic late qualification for South Africa and
Liverpool’s current crisis.
He said: “I am relaxed now that Argentina have qualified for
the World Cup finals, I can concentrate only on Liverpool.
“I can think of Liverpool and not Argentina. This is not a
good situation at the club, and I want to give Liverpool my
best.
“I am captain of my country, and we were really under
pressure in the final two qualifying games; people said we
were out, that was very difficult.
“But we won both those games. We have qualified. Maybe it
will be the same for Liverpool now if we start to win,
things will start to happen for us like they did for my
country.
“We must not think of the past. We must beat United for
ourselves, for our supporters, for the team. We must keep
going.”
(BreakingNews.ie)
Agger can't explain poor defending
Danish centre-back Daniel Agger admits he "does not have a
clue" what has gone wrong with Liverpool's defending this
season.
Liverpool's leaky defence has been blamed for the club's
worst run of form for 22 years, with six defeats already
this term and 17 goals conceded in their first 13 matches.
Injuries to Agger and Martin Skrtel, the departure of Sami
Hyypia and a poor start to the season by Jamie Carragher has
all contributed to the current crisis.
Agger said: "We must defend as a unit, it is not just about
four men at the back. Conceding goals like we are is just
not good enough.
"We are normally so strong and we don't concede goals like
that. What is wrong? To be honest I haven't got a clue."
(TEAMtalk)
Johnson has new swipe at Mourinho
Liverpool fullback Glen Johnson has had a new dig at Inter
Milan coach Jose Mourinho.
Johnson didn't see eye-to-eye with the Special One when they
were together at Chelsea.
He told the Daily Star: “He just wouldn’t play me. I asked
him when I was going to get a chance and he wasn’t honest.
“Three games before Barcelona he said I was in on merit and
if I played well I would keep the shirt. I played against
Villa and got man of
the match.
“He couldn’t drop me against Middlesbrough and I got man of
the match again. I said to my agent I would not play in the
next game because had I played well a third time he would
have had to keep me in against Barcelona and didn’t want
that.
“I was dropped. I knew in my heart he wanted Paulo Ferreira
in. It was a kick in the b****. I knew I had no future. My
trust and belief had gone and he said nothing to me when I
left for Portsmouth.
“I don’t hold a grudge. In a way I’m grateful because I
wouldn’t be here without that.”
(tribalfootball.com)
Fergie expects Owen focus
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson does not expect
Michael Owen to be distracted by the wrath of Anfield on
Sunday.
The former Liverpool striker returns to Merseyside for the
first time since joining United in the summer via stints at
Real Madrid and Newcastle.
Owen, who could start if Wayne Rooney is not fit, is
expected to receive an angry welcome from The Kop, but
Ferguson believes the 29-year-old will not be fazed.
"It will be interesting to see the kind of reaction he
gets," said Ferguson of the forward, who netted 158 goals
for Liverpool. "There are very few players who have played
for both clubs.
"Paul Ince obviously got a bad reaction from our fans when
he went to Liverpool, and Michael might get that on Sunday.
"But he is experienced - that is important. Everyone likes
to be liked but I don't think it will bother him."
(Sky Sports)
Houllier: Man Utd right
move for Owen
Former Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier is convinced Michael
Owen will get back to his best at Manchester United.
Ahead of tomorrow's return to Anfield for Owen, Houllier
told the Daily Mail: "He has two great qualities. Great
enthusiasm for the game and great confidence in himself. The
kind of confidence that, I believe, will enable him to get
back to his very best now he is at Manchester United.
"He might have had his injury problems but his game has
developed and he remains a top, top player. This is someone
who always delivers in the big games. He is very clever when
it comes to moving between the lines, dropping off into
midfield and moving into the space between defenders.
"He can work brilliantly off a centre forward, the way I
often had him playing with Emile Heskey. It was a tremendous
privilege to work with him for six years.
"When Fergie signed Michael in the summer, I thought it was
a very astute piece of business. Here, after all, was a
player of the highest quality available for nothing. Michael
will do well for United. Of that I am absolutely certain."
(tribalfootball.com)
Nani: Man Utd can shatter
Liverpool title hopes
Nani is desperate for a Manchester United start tomorrow at
Liverpool.
After a superb performance at CSKA Moscow in midweek, Nani
told The Sun: "To win at Anfield and leave them 10 points
behind us would be such a shattering blow for Liverpool -
but that's what we want to do.
"We remember losing 4-1 to them at Old Trafford last season
and this is the best moment for us to show the other side of
the coin. It's a great chance for us to gain revenge and to
show everyone we are
the Premier League champions.
"And while the pressure is on Liverpool, for many reasons,
we go to Anfield with no nerves.
"United are playing with a very positive rhythm at the
moment and we want to satisfy our supporters."
(tribalfootball.com) |
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FRIDAY 23 |
Mourinho laughs off Reds link
Jose Mourinho has rubbished speculation suggesting he could
replace Rafa Benitez at Liverpool.
Benitez has come under pressure following a dismal run of
four straight defeats in all competitions that has hit their
hopes of domestic and European success.
The Reds boss has insisted he feels safe in his job despite
the poor results after receiving words of support from
co-owner George Gillett.
There has still been plenty of conjecture about Benitez's
future and several names have been mentioned in the media in
connection
with the club.
Inter Milan manager Jose Mourinho was quizzed on the subject
during his pre-match press conference ahead of the Serie A
clash with Catania.
But he closed the door on a possible return to the Premier
League at the current time, saying simply: "It is
impossible."
(Sky Sports)
Benitez relaxed over future
Rafael Benitez has shrugged off speculation over his future
at Liverpool and insisted the only way to get the club back
on the right track is to beat Manchester Untied at Anfield
on Sunday.
With a crunch home clash with champions Manchester United to
contend with on Sunday, it is not ideal for Liverpool to
find themselves in such desperate circumstances.
"I am relaxed in terms of my position," the Spaniard
insisted. "I know how we are working every day, the players
know too. In the past we have been very good and the
situation and players has not changed too much.
"It is about confidence and winning that first game. If we
want to change things we must focus on football and not what
is going on off
the pitch here."
(The Irish Times)
Fergie: Anyone can win it
Sir Alex Ferguson believes form will go out of the window
when Manchester United travel to Liverpool on Sunday.
"Manchester United and Liverpool games, as I have said many
times, are without question massive games. That will never
change," Ferguson said.
"In my first derby game with them I got a complete sense of
the history of both teams and it hasn't changed. It is still
a massive game.
"Going to Anfield at any time is a hard game."
(Sky Sports)
Wenger: Rafa criticism "excessive"
Arsene Wenger believes the criticism levelled at under-fire
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is undeserved and "excessive".
The Reds are in their worst run of form for 22 years, with
four defeats in the Premier League already, and face a
crunch clash at leaders Manchester United on Sunday
lunchtime.
Arsenal manager Wenger, though, feels the Spaniard - who won
the Champions League against AC Milan in 2005, and reached
the final again two years later - should be given more
respect for what he has achieved.
"It is always excessive," said Wenger, who himself received
plenty of flak when the Gunners struggled for consistency
this time last season.
"We are, with a big club, in a job where you know that the
moment the team goes through a difficult period, you get
more stick than you should.
"But we know in our job as well that it is all part of it.
"I feel sorry that he gets that because he does not deserve
it.
"When you do not start well in the race for the Premier
League, it's all negative around you.
"What is happening to Liverpool today happened to us last
year.
"Every single question is negative for the whole season.
"You need to be extremely strong inside the club to deal
with that."
(TEAMtalk)
Reds waiting on
Torres and Gerrard
Rafael Benitez will give late fitness tests to both Fernando
Torres and Steven Gerrard before finalising his team
selection for Sunday's showdown with Manchester United.
Both players are currently facing a race against time to be
fit to take on Alex Ferguson's men after recovering from
groin problems.
Torres trained with his teammates on Friday and will be
assessed further tomorrow, while Benitez hasn't given up
hope of Gerrard recovering sufficiently before kick-off to
take his place in the team.
"It's the same situation for both players," he said today.
"Fernando trained today and has been working to a specific
programme.
"Steven didn't train but we will speak with the physios over
the weekend before making a decision.
"It's too soon to say if they will be involved. We will make
late decisions with both of them."
Benitez is also hoping Glen Johnson has recovered from a
groin injury in time for Sunday's game, but Andrea Dossena
and Sotirios Kyrgiakos are still both sidelined.
(LFC Official Website)
Dalglish: Reds chiefs back Rafa
Kenny Dalglish has given his full backing to Liverpool boss
Rafael Benitez following the club's worst run of form for 22
years.
Dalglish is currently employed by the club as a roving
ambassador as well as the director of Liverpool's academy.
He was appointed in the summer at Benitez's instigation.
Now the Liverpool legend is being talked off in some
quarters as a potential safe pair of hands to replace
Benitez, should the American owners George Gillett and Tom
Hicks decide to axe the Spaniard.
"Everyone within the upper echelons of this club has no
doubt whatsoever about Rafa - I know that for a fact.
"Everybody at Liverpool knows Rafa is the right man to get
the club through this."
(PA Sport)
Liverpool fans
plan protest march
Security will be heightened at Anfield on Sunday as fans
plan a march to protest against George Gillett and Tom
Hicks' ownership of the club.
The Spirit of Shankly group hope thousands of fans will turn
out ahead of the match against Manchester United.
"There is a lot of anger and people want their feelings
known - Hicks and Gillett are not welcome at the club,"
spokesman James McKenna told BBC Sport.
"We hope a couple of thousand fans will turn out for the
protest."
The march will start outside the Liverpool Supporters' Club
on Lower Breck Road and will finish outside the Kop stand.
(BBC Sport Online)
Arsenal legend: Benitez
signings not good enough
Arsenal legend Paul Merson believes Rafa Benitez must take
responsibility for Liverpool’s poor form because he has
signed some very poor players. The former Middlesbrough,
Portsmouth and Aston Villa star suggests Liverpool will lose
the game should neither Fernando Torres or Steven Gerrard be
fit, and intimated they can kiss goodbye to the Premier
League title on Sunday, if Manchester United leave Anfield
with all
three points.
Merson told Skysports.com: “I said it last week and I'll say
it again: Liverpool ain't winning any football match without
Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres.”
“They are two world-class players who are in the top five,
possibly even the top three players in the world for their
respective positions.”
“They would be missed by any team.”
“But Liverpool are not even a quarter of the team when those
two are missing - and seeing as Rafael Benitez has bought
around 70 players since he's been there then something has
got to be looked at.”
“I don't like to pick out individual players, but look at
David Ngog
for instance.”
“He started up front for Liverpool Football Club in a
massive Champions League game at Anfield this week.”
“Now I would be surprised if Roy Hodgson swapped Booby
Zamora or Andy Johnson for him. This is a player who
wouldn't get in Fulham's team and yet he's playing for one
of the biggest teams in the world, arguably the biggest.”
(Sport.co.uk)
Neville warns of Liverpool threat
Manchester United captain Gary Neville believes Liverpool
remain in the title race despite enduring their worst run of
results in 22 years.
Rafael Benitez's side have lost their last three league
matches and already sit seven points behind leaders United,
who they face at Anfield on Sunday.
"Even if we beat them, it would be too early to write off
their championship challenge," said Neville.
"Teams can win six games on the run and they'll be back up
there again."
(BBC Sport Online)
Reina warns of disaster of defeat
Pepe Reina has claimed it would be a 'disaster' for
Liverpool's title hopes if they are beaten by Manchester
United on Sunday.
The Reds tackle their fierce rivals on home turf desperate
to snap a four-game losing streak which has seen their
Premier League and Champions League hopes take a severe
battering.
Goalkeeper Reina believes that another setback against their
bitter North West rivals in Sunday's showdown would end
their title hopes, even at this early stage.
And he insists it is the players who must shoulder the blame
for their recent run of defeats, rather than Spanish
tactician Benitez.
(TEAMtalk)
Rooney race to make Anfield
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is sweating over
the fitness of Wayne Rooney for Sunday's Premier League
clash with
rivals Liverpool.
Rooney remains a doubt after being out with a calf injury
since England's match in Ukraine a fortnight ago.
Ferguson said: "It is important how he does in training
tomorrow (Saturday). If he does train tomorrow, we will have
a better idea."
(Teletext)
Fergie backs beach ball decision
Sir Alex Ferguson has stoked the fire ahead of Manchester
United's trip to Anfield by saying he understands why
Sunderland's goal stood.
The Reds' dismal run of results continued when they
succumbed 1-0 to the Black Cats thanks to a Darren Bent goal
that deflected of a beach ball that was thrown onto the
pitch by one of Liverpool's own supporters.
According to the laws of the game any goal that is aided by
an 'outside agent' should be disallowed but referee Mike
Jones allowed the strike
to stand.
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez credibly did not use the freak
goal as an excuse for the defeat but Ferguson can see why
the goal stood.
"It was an unusual incident. Obviously the goal shouldn't
have been allowed but in the spur of the moment I think the
referee was caught off guard with that one," he said.
"I must admit I thought it was a goal but I read the laws of
the game saying if there was an outside agent it should be
disallowed.
"I thought it was a goal like the wind, the wind can take
the ball. You can say that is an outside agent. When you see
that it is unusual."
(TEAMtalk)
Kraft revives Reds interest
American businessman Robert Kraft says he is still
interested
in buying Liverpool.
Kraft, 68, first attempted to invest in the club in 2005 but
was pipped to the post by fellow American duo George Gillett
and Tom Hicks.
(Sky Sports)
Reds remain keen on Shawcross
Liverpool are ready to rekindle their interest in Stoke's
Ryan Shawcross when the transfer window reopens,
skysports.com understands.
Shawcross is one of the most sought-after young defenders in
the Premier League after catching the eye at Stoke following
his arrival from Manchester United in 2007.
(Sky Sports)
Hyypia has no Liverpool regrets
Bayer Leverkusen defender Sami Hyypia has no regrets leaving
Liverpool in the summer.
After 10 distinguished years and 317 appearances, Hyypia's
Anfield days ended in May.
"I didn't feel I needed a new challenge," he told the Daily
Mail of his departure. "I had a great time at Liverpool. Ten
years at a club like that. But when you are not playing and
a chance comes to do something about it, then you go for it.
"I'm very sad that Liverpool are struggling a little bit.
They're a great club, great fans, I'll always wish them
success. But what's happening there is not really my
business."
He also said: "As a player you always want to be part of
those games but in the past few years I didn't play in many
of the big games, against Chelsea or United or Arsenal.
"It's the manager's choice, I've nothing against that, I've
nothing against Mr Benitez. But the big games are the ones
you want most."
(tribalfootball.com) |
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THURSDAY 22 |
Reds sign Spain deal
Liverpool Football Club today announced the Spain Tourism
Board has signed a three-year deal with the Reds to become
the club's 'Official Destination Partner'.
Liverpool FC have a well established affinity with Spain and
the deal will enable the Spain Tourism Board, also known as
Turespana, to promote Spain's beauty and diversity to a
worldwide audience, commencing from this season.
Turespana will be entitled to an extensive rights inventory
that will offer them prominent exposure, engagement with
Liverpool Football Club's global fan base and the
opportunity for fans to experience Spain through some
exciting initiatives at Anfield.
Turespana's Head of Marketing and Communications, Enrique
Ruiz de Lera, said: "We are developing an integrated sport
marketing strategy worldwide to capitalise on the large
amount of Spanish players that are world icons in many
sports like football, tennis, basketball and racing.
"Liverpool Football Club, as the Premier League club with
the best Spanish connection was an obvious choice for us and
we look forward to a long-term partnership that will allow
us to talk to the huge LFC fan base, especially in UK and
Asia."
(LFC Official Website)
Rafa in Aquilani warning
Under-pressure Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has warned
Reds fans Alberto Aquilani cannot be the immediate solution
to the Anfield crisis.
The midfielder, signed in the summer, played in a Liverpool
shirt for the first time in the reserves this week.
He said: "The league is very quick and more physical. So for
a new player who has been injured, like Alberto, it will be
even more difficult."
(Teletext)
LFC mourns passing of title winner
Liverpool Football Club is today mourning the sad passing of
former title-winning full-back Ray Lambert.
The popular Welshman was just 13 when he joined the club in
1936 and he went on to play an integral part in the team
that won the inaugural post-war championship in 1946-47.
A loyal servant of the club, he played a total of 341 games
for the Reds and scored two goals in the process, as well as
winning five international caps for his country.
Lambert remained on the books at Anfield until 1956 and
later worked as a newsagent in his native North Wales.
Liverpool Football Club sends its condolences to the family
at this
sad time.
(LFC Official Website)
Hamann: Liverpool
overachieved last season
Didi Hamann says Liverpool are suffering because they
overachieved
last season.
Reacting to Liverpool fourth consecutive defeat on Tuesday
night against Lyon, ex-Red Hamann told BBC Sport: “They
overachieved last season, they had a terrific season last
year.
"All the key players had been outstanding throughout the
whole year, they didn’t have many injuries or suspensions
and obviously now they have quite a few injuries in the
early part of the season and it just looks at the moment
they haven’t really got that strength and depth to replace
those players when they’re out.”
(tribalfootball.com)
Aquilani delight at Reds debut
Liverpool's £20million summer signing Alberto Aquilani was
delighted to finally take to the field for his new club on
Wednesday night.
Aquilani arrived at Anfield from Roma in the summer still
some way from full fitness after undergoing ankle surgery.
The Italy international made his debut for the Reds in their
reserve team outing against Sunderland at Tranmere's Prenton
Park as he came on for the final 15 minutes of the 2-0
victory.
Aquilani told Sky Sports News: "It was a good day for me
because I have not played for six or seven months.
"I have to do more good work with the medical staff.
"I am happy with 15 minutes and it is important for my
confidence."
He added on the club's official website: "Of course, I
cannot wait to make my debut for the first-team now.
"Like every other player, I want to be playing, but the
important thing for me now is to keep improving my fitness.
"I don't want to stop now - I want to carry on working hard
and improving for a long time.
"I have signed for Liverpool for five years and I want to
play here for at least five years."
(Sporting Life)
Sacking Benitez would
cost Liverpool £50m
Liverpool would face a £50m bill if they chose to sack Rafa
Benitez.
The Guardian says it is less than six months since Benítez
signed a five-year deal worth £20m, meaning he would be
entitled to an eight-figure payoff if he pushed for it. Then
there would be multimillion-pound compensation due to any
club from whom his successor is taken (the best managers
tending to be in work already).
Plus the commitment to pay the new man's wages to the tune
of millions a year and the provision of tens of millions to
perform surgery on Benítez's ailing squad; it all adds up to
perhaps a £50m outlay.
(tribalfootball.com)
Liverpool FC must go back
to basics to solve crisis
Whoever mischievously booked Jurgen Klinsmann as a
television pundit on Tuesday night must have known what was
coming
Short of donning a cowl and carrying a sickle, the German
seemingly embodies the grim reaper threatening Rafael
Benitez’s reign at Liverpool, appearing only at the darkest
of times for the Spaniard.
And the storm clouds are once again gathering around the
Anfield manager after a demoralising, damaging defeat to
Lyon.
A fourth successive setback, Liverpool’s worst losing run in
more than 22 years, has cast serious doubt over Champions
League progress as an underwhelming campaign plumbed new
depths.
(Ian Doyle - Daily Post)
Liverpool FC problems
begin at the top
Something has gone badly wrong on the pitch at Liverpool. We
can all see it and it’s painful stuff. There are problems
almost everywhere you look – and almost as many reasons for
them.
Without Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres we do seem to
struggle. Any team would miss world class stars like these
but we are over-reliant on them, it’s true.
Rafa Benitez has made mistakes of course and he has got an
awful lot on his hands now to put things right. He’s not
beyond criticism and has to accept his share of the blame
for things, of course. But those people calling for his head
because of this alarming, sudden dip in results are way off
the mark as I see it.
Because the truth for me is this.
(Tommy Smith - Liverpool Echo)
Aurelio: Rafa said nothing
Fabio Aurelio has revealed that Rafa Benitez said nothing to
them after their fourth straight defeat against Lyon.
The Brazilian full-back claims the Spaniard refrained from
giving them both barrels after surrendering their lead at
Anfield in
the Champions League.
"He did not speak to us at all," Aurelio said. "Everything
was very quiet after a bad result for us. It is not unusual
for him to say nothing.
"Sometimes, players are cooling down and not everyone is in
the dressing room at the same time. Sometimes, he has a
chance to do it,
sometimes not."
(Football 365)
Kennedy slams Benitez midfield
Liverpool legend Alan Kennedy has slaughtered Rafa Benitez's
team as not good enough.
After their defeat to Olympique Lyon, Kennedy, who won
Europe's top prize in 1981 and 1984, said: "The indifferent
form has been coming and when the key players are out they
struggle. Without Fernando Torres in the team they didn't
have much going forward. They're a different team then.
(David) Ngog did his best but there was no cutting edge.
"There wasn't much creativity in midfield. They found it
difficult to break down Lyon and after taking the lead
couldn't kick-on from there. Do Mascherano and Lucas do
enough going forward? Many would say they don't but the
manager has no strength in depth.
"The fans and players became frustrated and Lyon got the
winner. The whole team were poor, no exceptions.
"The way they've been playing is very disappointing
especially after finishing second (in the Premier League)
last time. There is a severe lack of confidence and while
many are the same players from last year they are not
playing well.
"They are conceding goals for fun. They know they can play
better than this and it's up to the manager to get the best
out of them.
"Every game is now a must-win match and if Torres isn't
there against Manchester United on Sunday they must find
other players who will stand up and be counted."
(tribalfootball.com)
Where has it all gone
wrong for Benitez?
"We have had too many problems all at once," bemoaned Rafael
Benitez after his side lost to Lyon yet the troubles
engulfing Anfield have not come from the ether. A
lengthening injury list may seem the most immediate root
cause, but that is just a symptom of a greater malaise which
has brought Liverpool to the brink.
(Irish Independent)
Gillett: Rafa the best a man can get
Liverpool co-owner George Gillett remains fully behind
Rafael Benitez, saying the Spaniard is "absolutely as good
as there is in the business".
The Reds' hopes of advancing from their Champions League
group were severely dented by Tuesday's 2-1 home reverse to
Lyon - their fourth consecutive defeat - while Benitez's
decision to substitute Yossi Benayoun was booed by a segment
of the Anfield faithful.
But Gillett insists the former Valencia boss still has his
full backing.
"We have just entered into a long-term agreement with Rafa,"
he said, recalling the improved deal Benitez signed in March
to keep him on Merseyside until 2014.
"Our family is extraordinarily pleased with him, we believe
he is absolutely as good as there is in the business.
"The run of results disappoints everybody. Certainly, it
disappoints the fans and it disappoints Rafa.
"I have seen his television interview and I know he is
disappointed. We are all disappointed, but we are in this
together."
(TEAMtalk)
Thor Zakariassen
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