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SATURDAY 27 |
Rafa wants more from Pennant
Rafael Benitez has urged Jermaine Pennant to build on his
first goal of the season last weekend and become a regular
on the scoresheet.
Pennant opened his account for his new club with a stunning
volley to see off the challenge of Chelsea last Saturday and
Benitez now wants him to be more selfish when more
opportunities come his way.
The winger joined The Reds from Birmingham and is beginning
to show the kind of form which persuaded the Merseysiders to
part with £6.7million in the summer.
"I was talking to Jermaine before the game and said to him
he needs to score more goals," Benitez told the club's
official website.
"Sometimes he tries to assist and to cross but he must try
to shoot more also because he has ability and pace. He has
lot of qualities for scoring goals."
(TEAMtalk)
Rafa thanks Warnock
Rafa Benitez has said thanks to departing
defender, Stephen Warnock.
The ex-Red signed for Blackburn Rovers last week, in a bid
to play more first team football. And Benitez said he
understood Warnock's decision, adding, "We want to say thank
you to Stephen because he is a good professional but clearly
he needed
to play games."
"We wish him well with his new club." he added.
(LFC Online)
Mascherano and Reds await Fifa decision
Liverpool FC are awaiting an imminent decision from Fifa
regarding their attempt to sign Javier Mascherano.
The player has already played for two clubs this year
including fellow Premiership side West Ham, which has
resulted in Liverpool requiring Fifa consent before
Mascherano can play for the Reds.
However Rafa said he was confident of a positive deicsion
soon.
"He is a player we want but we are waiting for the answer.
It's clear a professional must play, he cannot stay without
playing any games," he said.
Rafa added, "He can bring more balance to our team. I have
confidence but we have
to wait."
(LFC Online) |
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FRIDAY 26 |
Wonder-strike sends Reds through
Liverpool under-18s took another step towards retaining the
Youth Cup with a 1-0 victory over Reading at Anfield on
Friday night.
A wonder-strike from Jimmy Ryan earned the young Reds a
quarter-final tie at either Sheffield United or
Middlesbrough.
Reading twice came close to equalising in the final 10
minutes, but on both occasions were denied by
Carragher-esque clearances from full-back Michael Burns.
Liverpoolfc.tv man of the match: Jimmy Ryan.
Martin Hansen, Stephen Darby, Michael Burns, Jay Spearing
(capt), Robbie Threlfall, Charlie Barnett, Jimmy Ryan, Ryan
Flynn, Craig Lindfield, Lee Woodward (Astrit Ajdarevic 45),
Ray Putterill (Michael Collins 85).
(LFC Official Website)
Alonso keen on Reds extension
Liverpool star Xabi Alonso would be keen on extending his
contract at Anfield, according to the player's
representative.
Reports emanating this week have suggested Liverpool are
preparing to begin talks with Alonso about keeping him at
the club.
Alonso's future has been the subject of speculation in
recent months with Atletico Madrid believed to be keen on
luring him back to Spain.
The classy midfielder still has two years to run on his
current contract and the player's agent Inaki Ibanez admits
Alonso would be happy to make his stay at Liverpool even
longer.
"At the moment there are no talks, but when Liverpool call
we will answer them," Ibanez told skysports.com
"Xabi is very happy at Liverpool and he is enjoying playing
there.
"The most important thing for Xabi at the minute is for him
to concentrate on playing as he has a lot of important games
coming up.
"When contract talks do come up he will be happy to talk to
Liverpool about staying."
(Sky Sports)
Sylvinho out of Liverpool showdown
FC Barcelona full-back Sylvinho is out for a month after
pulling his right calf muscle
in training.
The 32-year-old Brazilian is likely to be unavailable for
the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-final
against Liverpool FC on 21 February, as well as the two Copa
del Rey quarter-final ties against Real Zaragoza.
Sylvinho has made two appearances in Europe this season, in
addition to his nine Primera División outings.
There is better news for Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard with
forwards Samuel Eto'o and Lionel Messi both in the latter
stages of rehabilitation following their respective kneecap
and metatarsal injuries.
(uefa.com)
Rafa pleased with striker signing
Rafael Benitez is confident new striker Jordy Brouwer can
enjoy a successful career at Anfield as he revealed work is
still ongoing to improve the squad before the transfer
window closes.
The Reds signed the Dutch youngster from Ajax earlier in the
week as Benitez continued his policy of recruiting potential
stars of the future.
"Jordy is a very good finisher," said Benitez. "He’s a young
boy who will need time but he is a player for the future. He
can score a lot of goals.
"We're always working to see if we can improve the squad.
It's important that we work until the end."
(LFC Official Website)
Former Red to quit football
Former Liverpool defender Markus Babbel has announced he'll
be retiring from professional football at the end of the
season.
The 34 year old has been suffering with recurring knee
problems over recent seasons and no longer feels he can
perform at the top level.
"That's the way it looks now, I'll call it a day," said
Babbel, who is currently with German outfit VFB Stuttgart.
"I was always a player that could be counted on to perform.
I'm not able to do that
any more."
Babbel arrived at Anfield in the summer of 2000 and played a
crucial role in the Reds' treble triumph, scoring never to
be forgotten goals in the UEFA Cup final against Alaves and
the Goodison derby against Everton.
Sadly, over the course of the following season he was
sidelined by the potentially deadly Guillain-Barre Syndrome
and, although he returned to action during the 2002-03
campaign, he never recaptured his best form.
Babbel made 73 appearances for Liverpool during his four
years at Anfield and everyone at the club wishes him
continued best wishes for the future.
(LFC Official Website)
Ayala move possible in summer
Argentinian defender Roberto Ayala has said he will move
from Valencia come the Summer, with Liverpool thought to be
interested.
The veteran has not been happy at Valencia recently, and it
is thought the player now wants to move within Europe, with
the Reds, Spurs and Juventus thought to be keeping an eye on
the player's transfer status.
Ayala said, "It appears that this will be my last season at
Valencia. I want to end my career in Europe and the longer
that I can be here the better."
(LFC Online)
Rijkaard: Rested Liverpool won’t have
advantage
Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard has denied that his club’s
hectic fixture schedule in the run-up to their Champions
League last 16 clash with Liverpool will count against them.
For once, a Premiership side will go into a big European tie
against continental opposition well rested as Rafael
Benitez’s team play just three games between now and their
trip to the Nou Camp on February 21.
In contrast, the European champions face a gruelling
six-game schedule in just 23 days.
However, former Dutch international midfielder Rijkaard does
not feel that his team will necessarily be at a
disadvantage.
He said: “That maybe good for us. It could give different
players the chance to pay and find their rhythm and to reach
match fitness. But it is true that they can focus on the
game against us. In any case, we are used to this.”
(Liverpool Daily Post) |
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THURSDAY 25 |
Diao completes Stoke move
Salif Diao has joined Stoke from Liverpool on a permanent
deal for the rest of the season.
The Senegal midfielder had spent the last three months on
loan with the Championship outfit.
But now he's made the move permanent and will be at the
Britannia Stadium until at least the summer.
"We have had a nervous few weeks waiting to get the
paperwork sorted out to get Salif here," Tony Pulis told
Liverpool's official website.
"But we are very relived to finally get him here on a
permanent basis. You only have to look at the amount of
points we gathered while he was here to see what an
important player he is to this football club."
(Sporting Life)
Rafa: Neill's comments were a surprise
Rafael Benitez has told liverpoolfc.tv of his surprise to
read comments suggesting he hadn't spoken to Lucas Neill
when attempting to sign the player from Blackburn Rovers.
Neill, who completed his switch to Upton Park earlier this
week, alleged that Liverpool hadn't made him feel truly
wanted and that Benitez had not actually talked to him.
"He knows that isn’t true," claimed Rafa. "His comments were
a surprise because when I spoke to him he was telling me
different things. At the end of the day, if he didn’t have
enough passion to come here then maybe it’s better for us."
(LFC Official Website)
Reds play down Gillett interest
Liverpool sources have insisted that "it doesn't matter" if
George Gillett assesses the club's books or not as they are
looking to proceed with their deal with Dubai International
Capital.
Reports have surfaced that Gillett, an American, was to
start examining the Liverpool books in advance of a rival
bid for the Anfield outfit, but the sources insisted that
such a move was merely his legal prerogative.
Instead the club could be a matter of weeks away from being
taken over by DIC.
A source said: "It doesn't really matter what George Gillett
does, he is able to see the club's books because he is a
bidder for the club.
"But the club will continue working with DIC and are close
to a satisfactory conclusion."
(PA Sport)
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Thor Zakariassen
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