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WEDNESDAY 27 |
Average Liverpool sneak through
Liverpool relied on a Dirk Kuyt goal deep into extra time to
beat Standard Liege and progress to the Champions League
group stages – but
the celebrations will not disguise the need for Rafa Benitez
to bring about
a stark improvement from his team.
As the game approached penalties, the closest Liverpool had
come – fittingly enough – was a legitimate penalty shout
when El Zhar was brought down by former Newcastle defender
Oguchi Onyewu seven minutes from time, but the appeals,
surprisingly muted all things considered, were waved away.
But the introduction of Babel ultimately proved telling.
With less than three minutes to go, the Holland
international put in an inswinging cross from wide on the
left and Kuyt – disappointing on the night but so often the
hero – stretched out a leg and turned the ball home.
So, a Liverpool win and a reprieve for Benitez and his team.
How long they can continue to ride their luck in this
fashion, however, remains to be seen.
(Setanta Sports)
One change for Reds
Fabio Aurelio returns to the starting line-up as Rafael
Benitez makes one change to his side for tonight's vital
Champions League qualifier with Standard Liege - a match you
can watch live online.
The Brazilian full-back replaces Andrea Dossena on the left
side of defence in an otherwise unchanged team from the one
that beat Middlesbrough on Saturday.
The Reds go into the clash all-square after Pepe Reina's
heroics in
the first-leg in Belgium a fortnight ago earned a 0-0 draw
and they will be hoping to produce a better showing this
time around to ensure they progress to the group stage of
the competition.
The Liverpool team in full: Reina, Arbeloa, Aurelio,
Carragher, Skrtel, Gerrard, Alonso, Benayoun, Kuyt, Torres,
Keane.
Subs: Cavalieri, Dossena, Agger, Plessis, Spearing, El Zhar,
Babel.
(LFC Official Website)
Callaghan: Liverpool need width
Liverpool legend Ian Callaghan believes a lack of genuine
wide players in the Reds squad is hindering performances.
Manager Rafael Benitez has been linked with a number of
wingers during the current transfer window, including
Espanyol's Albert Riera.
"As a winger for 10 years I do feel we need other [wide]
options," two-time European Cup winner Callaghan told BBC
Radio Merseyside.
"We need players who can play wide and I'm sure Benitez is
looking
for that."
Callaghan believes the Reds' quest to sign a wide player is
hindered by
a lack of quality players opting to play out wide in the
modern game.
"When I was playing most teams played with wingers - there
was myself and Peter Thompson at Liverpool.
"I think it wasn't until 1966 when England won the World Cup
and I was
a member of the squad that Alf Ramsey played three wingers.
"He then discarded us and went for no wingers but he won the
World Cup and a lot of teams after that followed him."
(BBC Sport Online)
Southgate: Downing going nowhere
Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate insists Liverpool will
be wasting their time if they make a bid for Stewart
Downing.
Tottenham are reportedly long-term admirers of the England
winger, but Liverpool and Aston Villa are the latest clubs
to be credited with
an interest.
But Southgate says he has not received any approach for the
24-year-old – and has warned interested clubs that the
player is not for sale.
"I keep reading it, but the sands of time are running out
and there is no approach," he said.
"Clubs know we have no interest in doing any business there,
so I presume that's why they haven't bothered.
"Obviously it would appeal to many, but he is not available.
It's very straightforward."
(Setanta Sports)
Minister backs Reds takeover bid
A plan for a supporter takeover of Liverpool Football Club
has received the backing of Andy Burnham, the Minister for
Culture, Media and Sport.
The Leigh MP and Everton follower is supporting a consortium
of fans who want to buy out the club's shares.
They hope to take control of Liverpool FC from the current
owners, the Americans Tom Hicks and George Gillett.
Mr Burnham is due to speak at a meeting before the Champions
League qualifier with Standard Liege, on Wednesday.
(BBC Sport Online)
Barry commits to staying at Villa
England midfielder Gareth Barry will not be leaving Aston
Villa this summer after he pledged his immediate future to
the Villans.
Barry has been a transfer target for the Reds since the end
of last season, but the two clubs were unable to agree on a
fee.
Barry was disciplined by Villa earlier in the summer after
criticising manager Martin O'Neill's handling of the saga,
and made it clear he wanted to move to Anfield.
But the midfielder has since been welcomed back into the
fold and his agent, Alex Black, has confirmed that he will
not be on the move during the current transfer window.
In a statement released to Sky Sports News, Black said:
"After much speculation I can confirm that Gareth Barry will
not leave Aston Villa before the transfer window closes.
"Gareth made the decision to stay two weeks ago and informed
Aston Villa of his intentions.
"During this time discussions have taken place to decide the
best way forward for all parties.
"Any talks regarding potential new contracts at Aston Villa
will not take place until the end of the season.
"Gareth wants to concentrate on playing on the best of his
ability for Aston Villa, and we hope this draws a line under
the matter."
(TEAMtalk)
Rafa: “Every manager wants a Kuyt”
Dirk Kuyt is set to win his 100th cap against Standard Liege
this week. He will become the 185th Liverpool player to do
so.
Rafa Benitez explained to Liverpoolfc.tv just why the
Dutchman has racked up so many minutes and how he helps the
squad: “He is a very, very good player for any team or
squad. He’s a fantastic professional who can score goals,
and his work rate is amazing.
“He’s also a fantastic teammate, so he’s a player any
manager would
want in his squad. He is always the same in every game and
training session – a very good professional and a nice boy.”
Benitez went on to explain why the attacker has found
scoring goals in Europe easier than domestically. Kuyt
scored 7 goals in the Champion’s League last year.
“In the Premier League the football is physical.
“But in Europe it is more tactical. He has good movement and
this allows him to get into the box more easily.”
(Kop-TV)
Riera may not be
final Anfield arrival
Albert Riera is expected to become a Liverpool player by the
end of
the week.
And the Spain international left winger may not be the final
arrival at Anfield before the transfer window closes on
Monday evening.
Liverpool have agreed a fee in excess of £8million with
Espanyol after Riera expressed his desire to link up with
Rafael Benitez.
Everton had attempted to hijack the deal with a higher bid,
but talks between Anfield and Espanyol officials have since
agreed on
a compromise figure.
Liverpool are now hopeful of completing the transfer in the
next few days, with Espanyol sporting director Paco Herrera
revealing only a few minor details need to be ironed out.
“This is a sensitive time, and we need to make sure we reach
a solution,” he said.
“Everything is going well and a deal can be reached. The
differences we have are ones we can solve and there has to
be a solution because there is no more time.”
With the Riera deal imminent, Benitez will consider further
bolstering his squad in the coming days.
The Liverpool manager must sell before he can buy, and is
willing to listen to offers for Andriy Voronin, Jermaine
Pennant and Steve Finnan.
Xabi Alonso could also be allowed to depart, but interested
clubs – which include Arsenal – would need to lodge a
big-money bid.
(Liverpool Daily Post) |
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TUESDAY 26 |
Boloni wary of star Reds pair
Standard Liege boss Laszlo Boloni admits he fears the damage
Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard's partnership can do to
his young team.
The Belgian title holders will prepare for their Champions
League third qualifying round second leg with confidence
after the 0-0 draw they achieved in Liege a fortnight ago.
Standard deserved to win that match, but at Anfield tomorrow
Boloni sees Torres and Gerrard as the main obstacle to his
club reaching the group stages for the first time.
Boloni said: "What does concern me is the relationship that
Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard have achieved.
"They are two fine players and have a fine link, something
they have struck up very quickly as players. It is very
important to Liverpool, they know each other's game very
well.
"But then Liverpool can be dangerous from every part of the
field, we will have to be very careful. If I was 30 years
younger, I would love to be involved myself."
(TEAMtalk)
Rafa: Qualification is vital
Rafa Benitez says he is not even "considering as an option"
the possibility of Liverpool not qualifying for the
Champions League group stage.
The Anfield boss knows full well his hugely-expensive squad
is standing on the edge of a financial disaster if the Reds
fail to dispatch Standard Liege on Wednesday.
Having only drawn 0-0 in the third qualifying round first
leg a fortnight ago in Belgium, the possibility of a
catastrophic failure to progress into
the Champions League proper is staring the club full in the
face.
Benitez admits the Belgian champions are the most difficult
opponents Liverpool have ever faced in a Champions League
qualifier, and Liege have arrived here full of confidence.
"My concern now is to improve how we play, we can play
better. Liege were good in the first leg, but we were really
poor.
"If we improve and play at our real level it will be very
difficult for them."
(TEAMtalk)
Espanyol set Riera deadline
Espanyol have told winger Albert Riera he has 72 hours to
finalise his move to Liverpool.
Setantasports.com sources revealed earlier on Tuesday that
Liverpool had leapt ahead of Merseyside rivals Everton in
the race for the winger and this now appears to have been
backed up by the Spanish club.
Espanyol sporting director Paco Herrera says there are
issues still to be resolved, but suggests the signs are
positive a deal will be concluded.
"This is a sensitive time, and we need to make sure we reach
a solution one way or another," he told the club’s official
website.
"Everything is going well and a deal can be reached. The
differences we have are ones we can solve and in the next
two or three days there has to be a solution because there
is no more time."
(Setanta Sports)
No worries for Reds ahead of CL tie
Liverpool have no major injury worries ahead of the
Champions League third qualifying round second leg tie
against Standard Liege at Anfield.
Skipper Steven Gerrard, although considered still to not be
100% fit after his groin problem, will lead the side that is
almost certain to be the one that beat Middlesbrough on
Saturday.
Javier Mascherano and Lucas, who have only just returned
from the Olympics, will not be involved, but Ryan Babel -
who returned earlier from Beijing - will be in the squad.
It is unlikely that Sami Hyypia will have recovered from a
hamstring problem, but Xabi Alonso and Jermaine Pennant will
be involved despite speculation that they could be sold
before the transfer window closes.
Liverpool (from): Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Skrtel, Agger,
Hyypia, Aurelio, Dossena, Benayoun, Babel, Gerrard, Plessis,
Alonso, Kuyt, Torres, Keane, Voronin, Cavalieri, Ngog, El
Zhar.
(TEAMtalk)
Reina plays down hero status
Pepe Reina insists that he was just doing his job in regards
to the penalty save he made during the 1st leg of the
Champions League qualifier.
“I am not a hero for the penalty in the first match,” said
Reina. “I have just done my job. For me, the penalty was
just a part of it.”
Reina has warned the team that it won’t be an easy game but
he’s confident that they will qualify for the group stages.
“The team have forgotten the match in Liege,” he told
setantasports.com. “It was just a bad day and we are
thinking about qualifying at Anfield.
“For Liverpool, the Champions League is a huge competition
and it would be a disaster not to get through.
“Nobody in the squad is thinking about anything other than
qualifying. I am always optimistic and I am convinced we
will beat Standard.”
“But there are no easy games in Europe and we are aware that
this match is not decided.”
(Kop-TV)
Gerrard: Trio will make big difference
Steven Gerrard believes the return of Olympic trio Javier
Mascherano, Lucas and Ryan Babel will have a massive impact
on Liverpool's football.
The skipper accepts that while results have been excellent,
the club's early season performances could have been better.
However, with three of the Premier League's most talented
players now back at Melwood, Gerrard expects the Reds to
step up a gear.
He said: "You can see the squad is now starting to look
stronger, with
the return of Ryan, Javier and Lucas. The manager has a lot
more
options now.
"There is still some time in the transfer window and I think
in that time you will start to see our squad get to full
strength.
"I think there will be another arrival before the deadline."
(LFC Official Website)
Liverpool in talks to sign Riera
Liverpool are holding talks with Espanyol with a view to
signing left-sided midfielder Albert Riera, BBC Sport
understands.
It is believed a decision will be reached on Wednesday.
Reports in Spain suggest the fee would be in the region of
about £9m for the 26-year-old, who has also been courted by
Merseyside rivals Everton.
Riera, who spent a spell on loan with Manchester City in
2006, has also played for Real Mallorca and Bordeaux.
(BBC Sport Online) |
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MONDAY 25 |
Benitez expects Reds improvement
Rafael Benitez has promised Liverpool's Champions League
form will be "much, much better" when they face Standard
Liege again on Wednesday.
The Reds boss is acutely aware that his side's third
qualifying round first leg display away to Standard Liege
earlier in the month was unacceptable and they were
fortunate to cling onto a 0-0 draw.
Now Benitez's side must produce their best display of the
season so far to make sure that they reach the group stages.
Benitez said: "Our display this time will be much, much
better. Of that I am confident."
(TEAMtalk)
Espanyol: Riera will cost you
Espanyol president Daniel Sanchez Llibre has told all clubs
interested in signing Albert Riera that they will have to
pay the full asking price after confirming that two sides
had made contact.
Sanchez Llibre has been adamant that he will not let the
highly-rated wide man leave on the cheap and stated that any
bids below their valuation would not even be considered.
Liverpool and Everton have both been strongly linked with a
move for
the former Manchester City loanee, but Sanchez Llibre would
not confirm if they had made the offers.
"Both the bids do come from English clubs," the Blanc i Blau
supremo told reporters. "We are ready to defend our
interests.
"We will not be selling any of our players for less than the
amount that we believe they are worth.
"If anyone wants Albert Riera then they will have to pay
what
Espanyol wants."
Luis Garcia has also been the subject of interest from other
clubs with Benfica having held fruitless talks with Espanyol
and Sanchez Llibre thinks that the deal is off.
He added: "The possible transfer of Luis Garcia to Benfica
has been stopped, while the Riera business is in the final
stages.
"If someone was to leave though, it could all be dealt with
within
24 hours."
(Sky Sports)
Anfield our only target, says DIC
Dubai International Capital are “only interested” in buying
Liverpool FC, it was confirmed by a source last night, after
it was reported the company was bidding for a stake in
Manchester City.
It was reported yesterday that troubled Manchester City
owner Thaksin Shinawatra was in talks with DIC about buying
a 10% to 15% share
in the club.
The Daily Post under- stands that, while there is Middle
Eastern interest
in buying into Manchester City, it is not coming from Dubai.
A source close to DIC said: “DIC are not interested in
getting involved in Man City, their interest is only in
Liverpool Football Club.”
If DIC were to acquire a share in another Premier League
club, it would then not be able to buy into Liverpool if
American co-owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks decided to
sell.
Companies are not allowed to own more than one football
club.
(Liverpool Daily Post)
Masch not in mix for Liege tussle
Javier Mascherano is unlikely to be involved in Liverpool's
Champions League crunch tie at home to Standard Liege on
Wednesday.
Mascherano helped Argentina to a second consecutive Olympic
title in Beijing after his country retained their crown by
beating Nigeria in the football final and he is heading back
to Merseyside after his triumph.
The 24-year-old midfielder was due to leave China at the
weekend, but boss Rafael Benitez does not think he will be
prepared enough to face
the Belgian champions at Anfield in the third qualifying
round,
second-leg tie.
Benitez said: "Javier will be back with us soon. But I do
not think he will be in contention to play in Europe.
(TEAMtalk)
Carragher: Pool face Euro exit
Jamie Carragher has warned Liverpool that their Champions
League campaign will be over on Wednesday night unless they
‘step it up a level’.
Liverpool scraped to a 0-0 draw in the first leg in Belgium
and, although they have won both of their league matches
this season, their performances have failed to convince so
far.
“We haven’t clicked yet,” he said. “There is no hiding from
that.
“If we perform as we have done over the last few weeks, it’s
going to be extremely difficult to beat Standard Liege."
(Setanta Sports)
Benitez impressed with El Zhar's input
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez was quick to hail the
contribution of Moroccan winger Nabil El Zhar in his side’s
dramatic late victory over Middlesbrough on Saturday.
Nabil El Zhar was introduced off the bench by Rafa Benitez
in the 83rd minute at Anfield, with Liverpool trailing 0-1
to Middlesbrough.
Within two minutes the Reds were level through Jamie
Carragher’s deflected effort, before skipper Steven Gerrard
secured all three points deep into injury-time, finishing an
attack launched by El Zhar on
the right wing.
Benitez told the club’s official website, liverpool.tv:
"That is the reason why Nabil was a key player for us at the
weekend. I was saying to him 'stay wide, stay wide' and he
offered the wide areas.
"Andrea Dossena was going forward in the first half and
Alvaro Arbeloa in the second half but really our wingers are
not players who play on
the lines. We have to try through our full-backs and keep
the other team back."
(Goal.com)
Thor Zakariassen
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