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SUNDAY 27 |
New-Boy Kuyt reflects on debut
New Liverpool signing Dirk Kuyt has expressed his delight at
making his debut for Liverpool.
He said "It was wonderful to make my Anfield debut and
wonderful to win the game.
"It would have been nice to score but that can wait. The
important thing today was to win the game and pick up the
three points. I am delighted we have done that.
"We have a wonderful squad here with great players and
there's every chance we can have a good season."
(World Footballers)
Reds pay for Kirkland
Liverpool have had to pay Coventry City a further sum for
Chris Kirkland.
The Liverpool goalkeeper who is now on loan at Wigan and
unlikely to ever play for the Reds again has recently cost
the club around £250,000. Liverpool had to make a further
payment to Kirkland's former club Coventry after the
goalkeeper made his England debut earlier this month.
The Reds won't be able to use Kirkland's international
status to up his transfer price should he join Wigan
permanently either as the two clubs agreed a proposed fee
when Kirkland joined Paul Jewell's side on loan.
Liverpool will only get around £2m for Kirkland, a third of
what Gerard Houllier
paid for him.
(LFC Online)
Gerrard: I was close to 'attacking'
Liverpool staff
Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard has revealed in his
autobiography that he came close to attacking Gerard
Houllier, Phil Thompson, Sammy Lee and Alex Miller during a
heated confrontation in the former manager's office.
At the time the influential midfielder's parents were
splitting up and because of the arguing and fighting at
home, it naturally had an impact on his form.
Gerrard's serialisation continues in The News of the World
today and again, it makes interesting reading.
Although Gerrard was, and still is, close to Houllier, the
pair had their moments and this was evident when the skipper
was hauled off against Spurs at Anfield in 2002.
(Kop Talk)
Double blow for Under-18s
Liverpool Under-18s suffered a double blow when they lost
3-1 away at Crystal Palace and lost two players to injury.
It was the Academy side's second straight defeat of the
season following last weekend's 1-0 loss at home to Chelsea.
To make matters even worse, Liverpool also ended the game
with 10 men after left-back Michael Burns was sent-off for
two bookable offences.
Jonathan Pringle scored the Reds consolation goal.
"It was a difficult match for us and losing two players
[centre back Laurence Gaughan and attacking midfielder Paul
Barratt] due to injury didn't help matters," admitted Reds
Under-18 boss John Owens.
"We were 2-0 down at half-time and then Crystal Palace made
it 3-0 and game over five minutes into the second half. We
then had Michael Burns sent-off for two yellow cards so
overall you have to say it was a disappointing day."
Liverpool Under-18s: David Roberts, Stephen Behan, Michael
Burns, Jay Spearing, Laurence Gaughan (Jon Routledge 30),
Charlie Barnett, Ben Parsonage (Michael Collins 70), Lee
Woodward, Ryan Wignall, Jon Pringle, Paul Barratt (Michael
Scott 30). Subs unused: Josh Mimms (GK), Mattone Awang.
(LFC Official Website)
Carson impresses
Scott Carson impressed for Charlton against Bolton
yesterday.
The Liverpool goalkeeper, who is on a season long loan at
the Valley, gave an impressive display for Charlton
yesterday which culminated in a penalty save from El-Hadj
Diouf.
Carson saved from Diouf to ensure he kept a clean sheet and
helped 10 man Charlton to a 2-0 win over Bolton.
(LFC Online) |
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SATURDAY 26 |
Rafa full of praise for Agger
Rafael Benitez was full of praise for Daniel Agger after his
fantastic goal in the 2-1 win over West Ham United and then
revealed the Danish international has scored goals like that
in training.
"I promise you I was not surprised to see Agger score this
fantastic goal because he has a great shot on him and he
does that in training," enthused Benitez.
"I was talking to him this week and I told him if he gets a
chance to have a shot because he is capable of scoring
goals."
(LFC Official Website)
Pardew rues Reds loss
West Ham chief Alan Pardew felt his side were unlucky to
lose to Liverpool.
"Certainly in the second half I felt we did enough to get
something out of the game," Pardew told PremPlus.
(Sky Sports)
Rafa content with win
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez was happy to see his side come
back to beat West Ham.
The Reds recovered from going an early goal down to pick up
their first win of the season.
Dirk Kuyt made an impressive debut as a second half
substitute and Benitez was pleased with his Dutch recruit
and the rest of his players.
"It was good to win and also to see the new players playing
well, creating chances," Benitez told PremPlus. "It was a
good game for the supporters.
Benitez refused to blame Jose Reina for West Ham's goal
after he was caught out by Bobby Zamora's miscued cross.
"We were playing well, controlling the game and they we
conceded the goal," added Benitez.
"I need to see it, it's difficult sometimes reaching for a
cross. I'll look at it on television and then maybe say
something more.
"In the end it was a good win."
(Sky Sports)
Reds win after Anfield turnaround
Two goals in the final minutes of the first half gave
Liverpool a 2-1 home win over West Ham on the day the Kop
celebrated its 100th birthday.
Both goals were scored in front of one of the most famous
edifices in football, the first from Daniel Agger - a
cracker from 30 yards - and then Peter Crouch from a close
range.
West Ham led early on through Bobby Zamora's fourth strike
of the season and although they contributed to another
excellent game - maybe not as good as the FA Cup final -
they could not fashion an equaliser, although Lee Bowyer hit
a post.
The Hammers came forward after the break, always inviting
the sucker punch, while Lee Bowyer hit a post.
But with new boy Dirk Kuyt buzzing up front, Liverpool just
about hung on to their victory - a 17th game unbeaten.
(TEAMtalk)
Liverpool v West Ham - CONFIRMED TEAM
LIVERPOOL: Reina, Finnan, Hyypia, Agger, Aurelio, Alonso,
Gerrard, Garcia, Pennant, Crouch, Bellamy.
SUBS: Dudek, Kromkamp, Gonzalez, Zenden, Kuyt.
(Kop Talk)
Rafa's praise for West Ham
Rafael Benitez has praised today's opponents, West Ham
United.
West Ham and Liverpool played in one of the most
entertaining FA Cup finals in years back in May and Rafa
Benitez has spoken of the respect he has for Alan Pardew's
team.
"I always look forward to a game against West Ham because it
is a team I have a lot of respect for and they are a good
footballing side. I think it will be a good game for the
supporters to watch and they play a very open game," said
the Reds' manager.
"I want to see us winning and scoring goals but not
conceding as many as we did in the FA Cup Final. When we are
playing well we can beat anybody at Anfield and we know how
important this game is for us."
(LFC Online)
Rafa praises the Kop
Rafael Benitez praised the Kop ahead of it's 100 year
anniversary.
Liverpool fc celebrates 100 years of the Spion Kop against
West Ham later today with a special mosiac planned. Rafael
Benitez has praised the famous stand and the Kopites within.
"They are unbelievable and it's a great feeling to know they
are always behind us. I have said before they are our
twelfth man and that is definitely the case," Benitez told
the club's official website.
"I remember when I first heard them singing my name and it
gave me a very special feeling. The players know the fans
will always be with them and that is fantastic for the
confidence.
"Many of them also travel away of course and even last week
we saw and heard our fans in Kiev. It can be difficult to go
to different countries but our fans always come with us
wherever we are playing.
"I hope they can all help us pick up three important points
against West Ham
this afternoon."
(LFC Online) |
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FRIDAY 25 |
Gerrard & Crouch named in England squad
Liverpool duo Steven Gerrard and Peter Crouch have been
named in the England squad for the Euro 2008 qualifiers
against Andorra and Macedonia.
Loaned out Chris Kirkland is also included in the 24-man
squad.
(Kop Talk)
Benitez blasts Norwegian FA
Rafa Benitez has blasted the Norwegian FA following John
Arne Riise's inclusion in the Norway squad for next week's
European qualifiers with Hungary and Moldova.
Benitez is furious that Riise, who is currently sidelined
and undergoing treatment for an ankle injury, must now
travel to Oslo to join his international team-mates and have
his fitness re-assessed.
"John is not ready to play for Norway," said Benitez.
"The situation with John and Carra is the same. They are
injured and I don't believe it's fair they should have to go
with their national teams.
"The players understand that although the national team is
important, the club, the supporters and their team-mates are
even more important at this moment."
(Vital Football - Liverpool)
Benitez backs trial by video
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has stepped into the row
over Ben Thatcher's horror challenge by insisting that video
evidence should be used to prove a player's misconduct.
But he does not want to see television replays used during a
match to change refereeing decisions.
He said: "Video evidence should not be used to change the
decisions of referees, there are four officials to control a
match and that is enough.
"Let's face it, after the penalty decision we had at
Sheffield United last week we have now seen it from several
angles and from different cameras, and you can still have
different opinions about what happened. The video has not
proved anything for certain.
"But for incidents of misconduct then you should be able to
look at the video."
(ITV Football)
Rafa dismisses Woodgate link
Rafael Benitez has dimissed speculation linking him with a
move for Real Madrid defender Jonathan Woodgate.
Friday morning newspapers were linking the Liverpool boss
with a swoop for the former Leeds United centre half but
Benitez insists the rumours are wide of the mark.
"We are not talking with Woodgate," commented Benitez. "It
is a rumour and the first I heard of it was in the
newspapers. There is no interest in this player.
"It is true we have injuries to defenders. Carra is injured
and can't play for England. It's not a serious injury and he
could be back for the Merseyside derby.
"Riise and Warnock are out for 10 to 15 days and Gabriel
Paletta is injured after he had a kick on his knee."
(LFC Official Website)
Alonso, Garcia and Reina called up by
Spain
Liverpool trio Xabi Alonso, Luis Garcia and Pepe Reina have
all been selected for international duty by Spain for the
Euro 2008 qualifiers against Liechtenstein and Northern
Ireland on September 2 and 6.
(Kop Talk)
Hyypia wary of Hammers threat
Liverpool stage a rematch of last season's dramatic FA Cup
final on Saturday at Anfield, with defender Sami Hyypia
believing that opponents West Ham have improved even on
their last season's performances.
As for the Finnish defender, he is unsure what is emotions
should be as he recalls last season's memorable final -
considered by many as the best for decades.
Hyypia picked up his second FA Cup winners' medal, but has
mixed feelings about the day.
He said with a smile: "I don't know whether I should
remember that final affection. If you can call conceding
three goals and then me missing a penalty in the shoot-out
as good memories, then so be it.
"But seriously, it was a great day and a great final to play
in. West Ham did very well, particularly as they had only
just got back into the top flight.
"And they have strengthened well in the summer with a few
good new players, they will be tough again, it certainly
will not be an easy game for us."
(PA Sport)
Smicer relishing Liverpool test
Bordeaux midfielder Vladimir Smicer is convinced the Ligue 1
outfit can book a place in the Champions League knockout
phase despite being handed a tough group.
Les Girondins, last seasons Ligue 1 runners-up, have been
drawn in Group C along with with five-time Champions League
winners Liverpool, Turkish champions Galatasaray Galatasaray
and Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven.
Smicer, who won the Champions League with Liverpool in 2005,
believes there will be no favourites.
"It's fantastic to play against Liverpool, that's all I
wanted," he told the club's official website,
www.girondins.com.
"Playing there again is going to be pure pleasure. We have a
great draw, I am very happy about it, especially because I
think we can make it through to the next round.
"It will be open and I think there is no clear favourite. We
have the level to beat all those teams," said the
33-year-old Czech Republic international who missed this
year's World Cup through injury.
(Sporting Life)
Six sidelined for Hammers visit
Liverpool are without a host of top players for their home
game with West Ham, a repeat of last season's dramatic FA
Cup final.
Boss Rafael Benitez was without Jamie Carragher, John Arne
Riise and Gabriel Paletta for the midweek Champions League
game with Maccabi Haifa, and all three are still sidelined.
They have been joined by Mohamed Sissoko (knee) and Stephen
Warnock (ankle), while Harry Kewell is out.
But Liverpool expect to give £10million striker Dirk Kuyt
his debut, with young defender Daniel Agger continuing in
defence. Steven Gerrard, who missed most of the Haifa game
due to sickness, should lead the side.
Liverpool (from): Reina, Finnan, Hyypia, Agger, Aurelio,
Luis Garcia, Gerrard, Alonso, Pennant, Bellamy, Crouch,
Fowler, Kromkamp, Dudek, Gonzalez, Zenden,
Sinama-Pongolle.
(TEAMtalk)
Koeman confident PSV can progress
PSV Eindhoven coach Ronald Koeman is confident they can
qualify from their Champions League group in second place
behind Liverpool.
PSV were drawn in a tough Group Con Thursday along with
Liverpool, Galatasaray and Bordeaux.
However, Koeman, who replaced Guus Hiddink at the helm of
the Dutch champions in the summer, said: "I am reasonably
satisfied about the draw. We are certainly not without a
chance.
"I see little difference with Galatasaray and Bordeaux when
I look at the power of the teams.
"Liverpool have the best chance of winning the group but we
must go for second place."
(TEAMtalk)
Hammers short on wide options
Yossi Benayoun and Lee Bowyer are West Ham’s main injury
doubts ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Liverpool.
Bowyer has a slight groin injury while Benayoun has an
infected toe, though Alan Pardew hopes both will be
available.
With Matthew Etherington (knee) still out, Pardew is
otherwise short of wide options.
He employed a 5-3-2 formation in the midweek draw at Watford
and must decide whether to stick with it or revert back to
West Ham’s usual 4-4-2.
Provisional squad: Carroll, Green, Walker, Mears, Pantsil,
Ferdinand, Gabbidon, Collins, Dailly, Konchesky, Spector,
Benayoun, Mullins, Reo-Coker, Bowyer, Reid, Sheringham,
Cole, Harewood, Zamora.
(BreakingNews.ie)
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Thor Zakariassen
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