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WEDNESDAY 27 |
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Liverpool to appeal
Liverpool will appeal against Xabi Alonso's yellow card in
today's Champions League semi-final against Chelsea.
This was confirmed by Rafael Benitez in his post-match
comments.
If the appeal is unsuccessful the Spanish midfielder will
miss the return leg at Anfield.
(Walk On LFC)
Rafa delighted by draw
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez was delighted with his side's
performance in holding Chelsea to a 0-0 first leg draw.
The former Valencia boss saw the Merseyside club continue to
surprise in the UEFA Champions League by stifling the
Premiership champions-elect to just a handful of chances at
Stamford Bridge.
"We have played a good game," Benitez told Sky Sports.
"The team worked hard and controlled the game, they had some
chances, but at the end, a draw is a good result."
(Sky Sports)
Jose: Draw was job well done
Jose Mourinho is delighted Chelsea kept a clean sheet in the
first leg of their Champions League semi-final clash against
Liverpool.
Blues boss Mourinho insists he believes his team will
progress after Wednesday night's stalemate at Stamford
Bridge.
He explained: "I'm happy with the result.
"The result leaves me very confident we will get to the
final."
(TEAMtalk)
England duo accentuate the positives
England midfielders Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard were
both taking the positives out of tonight's 0-0 draw at
Stamford Bridge in the Champions League semi-final first
leg.
In a game of few chances Lampard wasted the best arguably
the best opportunity of the 90 minutes in the first half
when he blazed over from six yards.
And he said: "It's a shame because it would have been a nice
lead to take to Anfield.
Gerrard added on Sky Sports: "We defended well tonight. We
know the tie's not over - it's only half-time.
"Ideally we would have liked to nick a goal but hopefully
our fans will lift the roof off in the second leg.
(Sporting Life)
Liverpool hold Blues in first leg
Liverpool held Chelsea to a goalless draw at Stamford Bridge
to leave the all-Premiership Champions League semi-final
hanging in the balance.
Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard missed clear chances for
Chelsea in the first half as Jose Mourinho's side pressed
for a crucial advantage.
But Chelsea keeper Petr Cech saved from John Arne Riise and
Milan Baros to deny Liverpool an away goal.
The second half was a sterile affair with neither side
carving out chances.
Liverpool will be the happier side, but they suffered a blow
late on when Xabi Alonso picked up a booking for a foul on
Eidur Gudjohnsen that rules him out of the second
leg at Anfield.
(BBC Sport Online)
Alonso blow for Liverpool
Midfielder Xabi Alonso was booked during this evening's
match against Chelsea which means he will be suspended for
the return leg at Anfield next week.
(Kop Talk)
Chelsea v Liverpool - confirmed teams
LIVERPOOL: Dudek, Finnan, Hyypia, Carragher,
Traore, Gerrard, Alonso, Riise, Biscan, Garcia, Baros.
SUBS: Carson, Kewell, Cisse, Smicer, Le Tallec, Nunez,
Warnock.
CHELSEA: Cech, Johnson, Terry, Carvalho, Gallas, Tiago,
Lampard, Makelele, Cole, Drogba, Gudjohnsen.
SUBS: Cudicini, Smertin, Kezman, Geremi, Robben, Forssell,
Huth.
(Kop Talk)
Reds in danger of missing out
Liverpool are almost certain to miss out on the Champions
League next season if they finish out of the top four in the
Premiership – even if they win Europe’s elite club
competition.
The FA board are due to discuss the issue at a meeting
tomorrow but will not make any decision until at least the
semi-final between Chelsea and Liverpool has been played.
However, the Premier League would resist any attempt to
remove Champions League qualification from the side that
finishes fourth – likely to be Everton - and it is
understood that a majority of the FA board share those
feelings.
One neutral club chairman told the Press Association: “If
the situation arises I’m sure the board will take the view
that the top four should go into the Champions League – that
was the rule everybody was playing by at the start of the
season so you cannot change it now.
“I can’t see the board giving the place to Liverpool if they
get to the final and win because they won’t have qualified
through the league – even the World Cup winners have to
qualify for the next tournament now.”
(BreakingNews.ie)
Cheyrou set for Liverpool return
French midfielder Bruno Cheyrou said on Wednesday he would
probably leave Olympique Marseille at the end of the season
to return to Liverpool.
Cheyrou, 26, who has made three appearances for France,
joined Marseille on loan from Liverpool last year. Coach
Philippe Troussier rarely includes him in his starting
line-up.
"I still belong to Liverpool and I'll probably go back
there," Cheyrou told Marseille's website.
"I'll talk to the Liverpool officials and we'll see if they
want me to stay or if I have to look for another club," he
added.
Cheyrou had failed to find a regular place in the Anfield
first team when he returned to France in July last year.
(Reuters)
Garcia: They are just men like us
Luis Garcia says Chelsea hold no fears for his Liverpool
team-mates despite the Blues having beaten the Reds three
times already this season.
"We are ready for this," said Garcia. "The confidence we
have drawn from beating Juventus in the quarter-finals is
massive, and we can take on Chelsea with nothing to fear.
"They are just men and players like us. I do not think there
is a favourite in this game. It will be very even, just like
all the other games between us this season but I am
confident there will be lots of goals."
(ITV Football)
Dalglish: FA should back Everton and not
Liverpool
Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish says the Football
Association should allow Everton to play in next year's
Champions League instead of Liverpool, should the Reds
actually win the tournament this time around.
Although there's a long way to go, and although some will
say the odds are stacked against a Liverpool triumph, plans
have to be in place should it actually be pulled off and
limited places or not, Dalglish believes Everton are
entitled to qualify as normal.
Dalglish said: "The debate about who will finish fourth and
get the last Champions League spot has been raging all
season, so the FA should make the position clear.
"You may be surprised to hear this from a former Liverpool
player and manager but, with Everton four points clear in
pole position, I believe there should be no bending of the
rules.
"If the rules say no more than four clubs from England
qualify and Liverpool finish outside the top four, they
should miss out on the Champions League - even if they win
the European Cup.
"You cannot change the rules two-thirds of the way through
the competition because you sense there might be a problem
looming."
(Kop Talk)
Duff doubt for Blues
Chelsea are sweating on the fitness of Republic of Ireland
winger Damien Duff for Wednesday's Champions League
semi-final first leg against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.
Duff is struggling with an injured left hamstring and will
undergo a late fitness test on Wednesday.
The 26-year-old trained on his own Tuesday vening and if he
does not come through the fitness test, then Arjen Robben
will replace him.
Mourinho is without long-term absentees Wayne Bridge (broken
ankle), Scott Parker (broken foot) and Paulo Ferreira
(broken foot) as he bids to reach the final of the Champions
League for the second successive year. Jiri Jarosik is
cup-tied.
(TEAMtalk)
Josemi back in reserves thrashing
Right-back Josemi made his comeback from a knee injury but
failed to prevent Liverpool's reserves losing 5-0 to
Manchester City on Tuesday.
The Spanish star has not played since December 14 but his
30-minute run-out was in vain as the second string's season
ended on a low point.
Jon Macken and Bradley Wright-Phillips scored two apiece for
City, with Marc Laird grabbing the fifth.
(TEAMtalk)
Rafa unconcerned over Gerrard
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has no worries about Steven
Gerrard ahead of the UEFA Champions League clash with
Chelsea.
Gerrard has been continually linked with a move to Chelsea
in the summer after rejecting their overtures last year.
Benitez is confident that Gerrard will not be affected by
the speculation over his future and will be concentrating on
trying to help Liverpool reach the final next month.
"I don't think his future will be decided by the result of
this tie," said Benitez.
"Stevie is our player and he wants to win. That's the most
important thing.
"And I do not think he's thinking about the future - he's
thinking about this game, nothing else.
"Talking to Stevie and watching him train, it's clear he
really wants to do well.
"It's difficult for a player to keep at his level if
everybody's talking about his future.
"But I think he has a clear idea about what to do and he
knows how important this tie is for our club, the
supporters, the other players.
"If you look into his eyes, you can see the determination to
do well and win this tie."
(Sky Sports)
Tomasson gives Milan a vital cushion
AC Milan striker Jon Dahl Tomasson believes his side should
now claim their place in the Champions League final against
Chelsea or Liverpool next month after a 2-0 win over PSV
Eindhoven last night.
Andriy Shevchenko raced through to give the Rossoneri the
lead three minutes before the break in the semi-final first
leg at the San Siro.
PSV had 15 attempts on goal in the second half but could not
find the vital away strike and were punished when Tomasson
scored in the final minute to give Milan a two-goal cushion
to take into the second leg in Holland.
It was Milan’s seventh successive Champions League match
without conceding a goal, establishing a new record for the
competition.
(The Scotsman) |
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TUESDAY 26 |
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Mourinho has Robben dilemma
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has a full squad to choose from
for tomorrow night’s Champions League semi-final first leg
against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.
Mourinho’s main dilemma revolves around whether to play
fit-again Arjen Robben from the start after the winger made
his return to first-team action in the win over Fulham at
the weekend.
Bidding to reach the final of the Champions League for the
second successive year, Mourinho is without long-term
absentees Wayne Bridge (broken ankle), Scott Parker (broken
foot) and Paulo Ferreira (broken foot). Jiri Jarosik is
cup-tied.
Provisional squad: Cech, Cudicini, Makelele, Terry, Johnson,
Gallas, Carvalho, Duff, Robben, Gudjohnsen, Drogba, Smertin,
Tiago, Lampard, Cole, Forssell,
Kezman, Geremi, Huth.
(BreakingNews.ie)
Mourinho calls for cool heads
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho insists his side must not
panic if they are to overcome Liverpool and reach the
Champions League final.
Mourinho, who now jokingly admits his ego is “higher than
ever” after a glorious first season at Chelsea, is adamant
keeping cool will be the key to success as the Premiership
champions-elect prepare to take on Rafael Benitez’s side in
the first-leg showdown at Stamford Bridge tomorrow night.
“There’s no panic. We must not play the first game at home
thinking that we have to win or that we have got to get a
result to get to the final.
“If we don’t win at home, we don’t win. We can win the
second game. So that is the most important factor – we must
not panic for a result at home. You cannot be crazy and
chase a result at home."
(BreakingNews.ie)
Rafa aims to repeat Juve feat
Rafael Benitez has promised Liverpool will be at their
Champions League best rather than Premiership worst when
they confront Chelsea in the first leg of their momentous
European semi-final on Wednesday.
The Reds boss has wrestled with a sharply contrasting season
in which his side has been an away-day disaster
domestically, but have produced some stunning triumphs on
the continent.
"After a bad result you are disappointed but now there is
always a new game and a new competition and we need to have
confidence in ourselves," said Benitez.
"This is such an important game for the club, the players
and the supporters. We will try to do our best for
everyone's sake."
(ITV Football)
Benitez has his say on Euro debate
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has made the case as to why
the Reds should be awarded the fourth Champions League
place, over Everton, if they win the competition this season
but finish behind their Merseyside rivals in Premiership.
The debate has flared up over the last few days with
Liverpool looking ever-more-likely to finish behind the
Toffees with more disappointing domestic results.
UEFA have turned down a request from the English FA for a
fifth Champions League place to be awarded to England.
Ultimately it will be the FA and Premier League’s decision
who gets the place if the matter rises.
Benitez says, "Common sense says that if you win a trophy
next year you need to defend this trophy."
However Everton Chief Executive Keith Wyness replied, "It's
also common sense that the domestic league, which is 38
games as opposed to a cup competition which probably is
about 16 or 17 games, should also take priority.
"I understand the thought that the cup winners want to
defend their trophy but nevertheless I do believe that the
domestic league is the cornerstone of football."
(This is Anfield)
Kewell & Baros in Liverpool squad
Harry Kewell and Milan Baros have been included in
Liverpool's squad to face Chelsea in the Champions League
semi-final first leg.
Kewell has been dogged by injury problems all season but
with Liverpool short of attacking options, the Australian
has declared himself fit.
"He said he was fit if I wanted him. Having him back is a
boost for the whole squad," said boss Rafael Benitez.
Benitez is also very hopeful that Baros will recover from a
knee injury.
"Milan did not train on Monday but he will, I believe, be OK
for the match," said Benitez.
"Xabi Alonso and Luis Garcia have both trained properly and
will also be fit."
(BBC Sport Online)
Josemi, Welsh and Potter left behind for
reserves match
Spanish defender Josemi returns to action this evening for
the reserves when they take on Manchester City away from
home.
Josemi hasn't figured for the first team since December so
he'll be hoping to build his fitness levels up this evening.
He's been named on the bench but is expected to be given a
run out in the second half.
John Welsh and Darren Potter have also not travelled to
London for the Champions League tie against Chelsea and are
named in the starting eleven for tonight's match.
Jon Otsemobor returns to the team following a short trial
with Hearts.
LIVERPOOL: Harrison, Raven, Otsemobor, O'Donnell, Whitbread,
Mannix, Partridge, Welsh, Platt, Potter, Wilkie.
SUBS: Luzi, Josemi, Hitchin, Townley, Barratt.
(Kop Talk)
French ref to take charge of semi-final
1st leg
Liverpool's Champions League semi-final first leg against
Chelsea at Stamford Bridge will be refereed by Frenchman
Alain Sars
Sars, 43, is the most experienced ref in France when it
comes to officiating in continental competition and he's
previously taken charge of two Liverpool games.
On both occasions the Reds won - away to Graz and Leverkusen
in this season's Champions League - so hopefully his
appointment bodes well for Wednesday.
Jean Philippe Izzo and Vincent Texier have been named as the
linesmen, with Laurent Duhamel as the fourth official.
(LFC Official Website)
Hyypia calls for spirit
Liverpool defender Sami Hyypia says the squad
must shrug off their Premiership failings to beat Chelsea in
the UEFA Champions League.
The Reds go into Wednesday's semi-final clash at Stamford
Bridge on the back of yet another tame capitulation away
from home at Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Hyypia was a giant for Rafa Benitez's side in their gutsy
draw in Turin which saw them knock out Juventus, and the big
Finn is desperate for Liverpool to be back on song on
Wednesday.
"Nobody should need motivation," said Hyypia.
(Sky Sports)
Xabi doesn't fear Chelsea
Xabi Alonso believes Liverpool's defeat of Juventus means
they should have nothing to fear in their Champions League
clash with Chelsea.
The Spanish passmaster has been back in Liverpool's midfield
these past couple of weeks as the Anfield club chase an
improbable tilt at the Champions League and their far more
crucial objective of a top four finish in the Premiership
which will ensure they are amongst Europe's elite next
season.
Few outside Merseyside believe Liverpool can dump Chelsea
out of the competition, having lost to them three times
already this season.
But Alonso has other ideas. He said: "Once you have beaten
Juventus you have confidence you can beat anyone."
(TEAMtalk) |
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MONDAY 25 |
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FA asks for extra European place
The Football Association has asked Uefa to give Liverpool a
place in next season's Champions League if they win this
year's trophy.
As it stands, the FA faces an awkward decision if the Reds
triumph but fail to finish fourth in the Premiership.
It could award a place to Liverpool but at the expense of
the Premiership's fourth-placed side, probably Everton.
An FA spokesman said discussions had begun, but Uefa has so
far indicated another place is highly unlikely.
Uefa chief executive Lars-Christer Olsson told the Daily
Express: "There is no way England can have more than four
teams so we would refer it to the English FA to make the
decision if it arises.
"But normally I would say that it's more important if you
are qualified through your national league position than if
you have won the competition."
The decision would be made by the FA's main board, in
consultation with the professional game board and the
Premier League.
(BBC Sport Online)
Benitez hails Cisse return
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez insists the return from injury
of Djibril Cisse has been a major boost at such a crucial
stage of the season.
The French forward has only recently recovered from a broken
leg but came on as a second-half sub against Crystal Palace
on Saturday and was one of the few bright spots of a
below-par Liverpool performance.
And with Milan Baros a doubt for Wednesday's Champions
League semi-final first leg at Chelsea after going off
injured at Selhurst Park, Cisse could come into contention.
Benitez said: "He needs more time, but he was excellent when
he came on.
"He tried to do different things, even though it was not the
kind of game for him
to play 90 minutes."
(TEAMtalk)
Baros admits knee worry
Liverpool striker Milan Baros admits he faces a race against
time to be fit to face Chelsea in Wednesday's UEFA Champions
League semi-final.
The Czech Republic striker limped out of Saturday's defeat
at Crystal Palace in the first half with a knee injury.
Baros picked up a nasty knock on his knee which opened up
and was stitched by the medical staff to avoid the risk of
infection.
Scans and X-rays have shown no internal damage, but Baros
admits he will not be fit to face The Blues if he is still
in discomfort on Wednesday.
"My knee is sutured and puffed," Baros told Idnes. "The
meniscus and ligaments are okay, but the bone hurts a lot."
Looking ahead to Wednesday's meeting with Chelsea, Baros
added: "I will see on Tuesday. Sutures are no problem, but
if it hurts the same way as on Saturday, I will not be able
to play."
(Planet Football/Sky Sports)
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Thor Zakariassen
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