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MONDAY 24 |
Marseille's Nasri will miss Liverpool clash
Samir Nasri will miss Marseille's clash with Liverpool in
the Champions League, according to an official statement by
the French club.
The player is exhibiting symptoms of illnses that will keep
him out of the match and, indeed, this week's training. The
young France international remains hospitalised after his
condition deteriorated, although he is expected to fully
recover within ten games.
Nasri, a summer target for Real Madrid, sat out his side's
disappointing 2-0 defeat at Auxerre at the weekend, although
he was involved in OM's 2-0 victory over Besiktas in the
Champions League midweek.
Marseille lie 16th of 20 in Ligue 1, picking up just 7
points from a possible 27 so far. Last season they were
runners-up, finishing 17 points behind Lyon and 6 ahead of
Toulouse.
(Goal.com)
Alonso sights on return
Xabi Alonso aims to be back in the Liverpool team 'as soon
as possible' as he recovers from a foot injury.
The Spanish midfielder has been ruled out for six weeks
after breaking a metatarsal - an injury also suffered by
team-mate Daniel Agger.
Alonso feels Liverpool have been unlucky with injuries this
season and is determined to make a swift return to Rafa
Benitez's plans.
"We have had a few injuries this season," Alonso told Sky
Sports News. "Stevie (Gerrard) had his toe, Carra his rib,
and Daniel and me had metatarsals.
"It's always disappointing to be out of the team and not to
be part of the training sessions and, of course, the games.
"That's part of football and I will try to be ready as soon
as possible."
(Sky Sports)
Carra backs young gun Hobbs
Teenager Jack Hobbs is standing by for his Liverpool debut
with the full backing of Anfield lynchpin Jamie Carragher.
The 19 year-old, signed from Lincoln little more than a year
ago, is expected to play in central defence at Reading on
Tuesday
in the Carling Cup.
It is a case of 'needs must' for Liverpool boss Rafael
Benitez, with key defender Daniel Agger out injured.
But Hobbs will likely be part of a Liverpool side full of
youngsters and squad players for the third-round tie.
Hobbs has been elevated to first-team squad training in the
past week.
And Carragher, who could well be asked to shepherd the
Portsmouth-born youngster through the match, says of his
possible partner: "Jack has done very well and we have been
impressed with him in training.
"He came in from Lincoln and was a massive part of us
winning
the Youth Cup two years on the trot.
"Now he is captain of the reserves and he deserves his
chance. That is what the club is about, giving young lads
the chance to play alongside
our foreign players."
(Football 365)
Benitez frustration over Gerrard
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez believes Steven Gerrard's
recent England outings have taken a toll on the midfielder.
Gerrard was doubtful for England with a broken toe but
played in both Euro 2008 qualifying wins over Israel and
Russia.
"It could be that playing twice for England has had an
impact," Benitez told the Liverpool Echo.
"They (England) knew (what I felt about him playing in both
games) but everyone was talking about how important this
situation was for England."
Since his return from international duty, Gerrard has seemed
to be struggling to reach his usual all-action style as
Liverpool's form has also stuttered.
Gerrard came on as a substitute in the 0-0 with Portsmouth,
while starting when the Reds came back to draw 1-1 Porto in
the Champions League.
He also started in the goalless draw with Birmingham as the
Reds were held at Anfield on Saturday with Benitez
criticised for his squad rotation.
"His national team is England but it is clear that these
players cannot play every game for 90 minutes," added
Benitez.
"Gerrard was not 100% physically fresh, I don't mean fit but
fresh.
"In these kind of games you need to keep the tempo really
high and if you play too many games in a row for 90 minutes,
especially if you are not fit then normally you have
problems."
(BBC Sport Online)
Marseille beaten
Marseille were beaten 2-0 at the weekend.
Liverpool's next Champions League opponents, who the Reds
host at Anfield on October 3rd, were beaten 2-0 at Auxerre
on Saturday.
(LFC Online)
Benitez admits Royal shock
Rafa Benitez admits he's mystified by the start tomorrow
night's Carling Cup opponents Reading have made to the
season.
The Royals finished eighth last year after gaining promotion
but are struggling in 16th after seven games of this
campaign.
However, Benitez has warned his players that early season
form will mean nothing when the two sides meet at the
Madejski.
"Reading will give us a hard game, I am sure of that," said
the Spaniard. "But I have been surprised that Reading have
not started the season as well as they played last season.
"I do not understand why. Last season they were really good,
they knew what to do and with the same manager for some
time, it clearly worked
for them.
"It is strange that after one season the team are not
playing as well and getting results, it is strange.
"I do not believe in what is called a second-season problem
after promotion. It depends on the players you have, nothing
more. And they did a very good job last season."
(LFC Official Website)
Reds to field weakened side against Royals
Rafael Benitez has admitted that he is likely to rest key
players for Tuesday night's Carling Cup tie with Reading.
"For some of the players who are not playing too much in the
Premier League or the UEFA Champions League, this will be an
important competition for them," said the Liverpool boss.
"Some of the senior players will have to play against
Reading, I will not change the whole team. It depends on who
is available and what cover we have in certain positions."
(LFC Online)
Sami backs Rafa's rotations
Sami Hyypia believes that Rafael Benitez is right to rotate
his squad and insists he won't change his tactics because of
recent criticism.
"The first time the manager tells us about the team is an
hour and half before the game," said the Finnish defender.
"But sometimes after the meeting at Melwood he'll tell some
individual players that they are playing.
"Everybody knows that the manager likes to rotate, and he
isn't going to change his style. Nobody said anything about
that at the beginning of the season when we were winning
games.
"But because we've drawn a few games people have started to
talk about it again. It's silly because that's his style and
he's not going to change it."
(LFC Online)
Carra: We'll soon be back to winning ways
Jamie Carragher has insisted it's only a matter of time
before Liverpool return to winning ways in the Barclays
Premier League.
The Reds were held to a frustrating goalless draw by
Birmingham on Saturday, leaving them four points behind
Arsenal at the top of the table.
It was the third successive draw for Rafael Benitez's men,
but Carragher has told fans not to become too alarmed.
"We've got such a good record at Anfield over the last few
years and so it's always going to be disappointing when we
don't win here.
"I'm sure our form will turn around. The players are good
enough so there's no need to worry about us. There are still
a lot of games to play before the end of the season."
(LFC Official Website) |
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SUNDAY 23 |
Hyppia waiting for contract talks
Sami Hyppia has said Rafa Benitez has not discussed a new
contract with him, but feels he is more than capable of
doing a good job at the heart of the Reds defence, for the
rest this season and beyond.
The Finnish defender lost his place at the heart of the
defence to his fellow Scandinavian Daniel Agger last season,
but since the Dane's injury has been back alongside Jamie
Carragher in recent weeks.
"I am going to get games now because Daniel Agger is
injured," Hyppia said. "I am not happy with the way I get
games, but that is the way it is here at this stage of my
career.
"I could have left but I wanted to stay with a winning club.
I have had such a good time here, the fans and everyone has
been very good to me and there is no reason to look
elsewhere.
"I am happy to be here and we will see what happens next
summer when my contract runs out.
"I am not thinking of the end of the season, there has been
some talk of a new contract, but that is only from the
manager in the media.
"He has not said anything to me. I will wait to see whether
I get the papers in front of me to sign."
(Setanta Sports)
Torres omission tactical
Fernando Torres was left out of the starting line up
yesterday for tactical reasons according to Rafael Benitez.
Torres was a suprise omission from the starting line up
against Birmingham yesterday especially since the Reds
failed to score again. The omission was a tactical one
according to Rafa Benitez.
"We knew they would be deep and narrow and compact, so we
needed the strikers to play between the lines," said the
Spaniard.
"Kuyt and Voronin can do this. After, when we needed fresh
legs, we brought on Fernando, but you could see how many
times he got behind defenders - never. That's because there
was no space."
(LFC Online)
Fowler scores for Cardiff
Former Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler scored twice for
Cardiff City yesterday.
The Liverpool legend scored both of Cardiff's goals as they
drew 2-2 with Preston North End at Ninian Park yesterday.
The goals were Fowler's first for his new club.
Another former Red, Neil Mellor, was a second half subsitute
for Preston.
(LFC Online)
Defensive collapse costs Under-18s
It was a disappointing day in the North East for Liverpool
Under-18s as they lost 4-2 at Middlesbrough on Saturday.
German starlet Marvin Pourie again showed his appetite for
goals by scoring twice to give Liverpool a 2-1 half-time
lead. However, a second half defensive collapse saw
Middlesbrough rampant in the second half and they went on to
claim a deserved win.
"It was disappointing after leading 2-1 at half-time but we
just didn't defend in the second half and we were punished
for it," commented Reds Under-18 manager Hughie McAuley.
"Marvin scored two good goals and we played quite well in
the first half, but in the second half Middlesbrough took
advantage of our inexperience at the back. There is still a
lot of hard work to be done on the training ground with the
lads."
Liverpool Under-18s: Dean Bouzanis, Mattone Awang, Shane
O'Connor, Joe Kennedy, Scott Wooton (Under-16), Steven
Irwin, Sean Highdale, Astrit Ajdarevic, Marvin Pourie
(Michael Collins 70), Nathan Eccleston (Michael Scott 70),
David Amoo (Ben Parsonage 65). Sub not used: Hakan Burton
(Under-16 GK).
(LFC Official Website)
Xabi sad to see Pako go
Liverpool star Xabi Alonso has admitted he is disappointed
to see Pako Ayesteran leave the club.
Ayesteran left the club earlier this month after a reported
bust-up with Reds boss Rafa Benitez.
Alonso, who is currently out of action with a foot injury,
concedes it is big blow to everybody at the club to lose the
former assistant manager.
"I spoke to Pako when we knew he was not going to continue
because we were very close.
"It was difficult for all the players. We have been working
so close to him for a long time.
"It is a change and it has not been easy. We will have to
see how it goes.
"It will take a little bit of time to get used to the new
situation because we were really close to him at all the
training sessions.
"Time will tell how it goes for us. We can't look back, we
have to carry on our early form."
(Sky Sports) |
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SATURDAY 22 |
Bruce hails 'terrific' Blues
Birmingham manager Steve Bruce has expressed his pride after
his promoted side obtained a promising draw against Premier
League title contenders Liverpool.
"I thought we were excellent in our approach to the game, we
defended as a team and the players deserve a big pat on the
back," he said.
"The back four were great. We've now kept two clean sheets
on the trot and that's going to be important. But I don't
want to pick out individuals, the whole team were terrific."
(Setanta Sports)
Rafa rues dropped points
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez was left to rue two dropped
points after they were held to a goalless draw at home to
Birmingham.
The Reds put in another lacklustre performance as they
failed to break down a stubborn Birmingham defence who came
away with a well deserved point.
"You must be disappointed because when play at home you know
you must win almost every game and this kind of game when
you have control of the game," bemoaned Benitez.
"When you can't create clear chances you must be
disappointed."
(Sky Sports)
Reds feeling Blue after latest blank
Liverpool were unable to find a way through against
Birmingham as they were forced to settle for a second
consecutive 0-0 Premier League draw.
They may be still unbeaten and boss Rafael Benitez was able
to utilise £40million plus of striking talent, but nobody
had the ability to prise open the massed blue ranks.
Birmingham unashamedly strung 10 men across their own
penalty area at times and fought like lions for a point.
The Midlanders were clearly not going to be letting
themselves suffer a six-goal thrashing like Derby did
recently, and set out to suffocate the life from Liverpool's
game.
Steve Bruce's side more than achieved their aim - and fully
deserved
the point.
(TEAMtalk)
Voronin and Kuyt lead attack
Dirk Kuyt and Andriy Voronin lead Liverpool's attack against
Birmingham at Anfield this afternoon.
Fernando Torres and fellow striker Peter Crouch both have to
settle for a place on the bench.
Rafa Benitez also keeps faith in Jermaine Pennant despite
his sending off against Porto on Tuesday.
The Liverpool team in full is: Reina, Arbeloa, Riise,
Hyypia, Carragher, Mascherano, Gerrard, Babel, Pennant,
Kuyt, Voronin. Subs: Itandje, Finnan, Sissoko, Crouch,
Torres.
(LFC Official Website)
Reina targets Atleti move
Liverpool keeper Jose Reina has admitted that he would
relish the chance to play for Atletico Madrid in the future.
Reina’s father Miguel was a key player for Atletico in the
1970s and the 25-year-old has revealed he would like to star
at the Vicente Calderon later in his career.
“It would be special to go there because of what my dad
represents at the club,” Reina is quoted as saying in The
Sun. “I can’t deny it would make me happy.”
Reina has become an integral figure for The Reds and he has
moved to reassure the Anfield faithful that he has no plans
to walk out on the club in the near future.
“But I’ve still got a long time here,” he added.
(Setanta Sports)
Thor Zakariassen
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