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THURSDAY 27 |
Parry: Stadium move essential
to keeping up with big spenders
Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry has admitted it is
imperative for his club to move to their proposed new
stadium as soon as possible in order to keep financial pace
with their major Barclays Premier League rivals.
Figures released on Monday showed Arsenal’s move to the
Emirates Stadium has driven a near 50% increase in turnover
with operating profits for the year ending May 31 up a
massive 274%.
Meanwhile Liverpool’s plans for a new stadium in Stanley
Park are still on the drawing board as they wait for a new
planning application to be approved and aim at an opening in
2010.
Parry said: “We have been saying for years on a match by
match basis we are too far behind Manchester United and now
Arsenal too. If we are to continue to compete then a new
stadium is vital.
“The only reason we want the new stadium is to generate
extra revenue. It’s not about building monuments or vanity,
it’s about hard-headed common sense to generate more revenue
to enable us to be competitive.”
(Liverpool Daily Post)
Wigan change weekend ref
Wigan Athletic have succesfully applied to the Premier
League to change the referee for this weekend’s game against
Liverpool.
Wigan boss Chris Hutchings requested that original ref Steve
Bennett be replaced. Bennett had officiated at a game
between Wigan and Newcastle a few weeks back, when he
reported the Wigan side to the FA for failing to control
their players. This was in response to the sending off of
Kevin Kilbane.
At the time, Wigan expressed displeasure at Steve Bennett’s
conduct during the game.
(Anfield Online)
Anfield rated best atmosphere
A survey of English football fans revealed what Reds
supporters have known all along - Anfield has the best
atmosphere in Europe.
The poll, conducted by property consultants Drivers Jonas
Sport, ranked Liverpool's famous stadium ahead of the likes
of Real Madrid's Bernabeu and Barcelona's Nou Camp, which
was the highest-placed side from mainland Europe in fifth
place.
Celtic's Parkhead came second while Portsmouth's Fratton
Park was
a surprise third.
(LFC Official Website)
Crouch wants answers
Peter Crouch wants FIFA to come clean over whether he is a
target for over-zealous referees at international level.
The now-retired Graham Poll recently revealed his fellow
officials were instructed to pay close attention to the 6ft
7in England striker at last year's World Cup.
Crouch is hoping to fill the void left by Michael Owen for
next month's crucial European Championship qualifiers
against Estonia and Russia and does not want his chances of
making an impact unfairly inhibited.
Crouch said on Radio Five Live: "Certainly, in the Champions
League and in international football, I feel like I've been
penalised far too much, whereas in the Premier League I
haven't been penalised for things.
"I've had to adapt my game in internationals and the
Champions League."
He added: "I feel the way I play is within the rules of the
game.
"I'd like to find out from the governing body if I was
targeted."
(Football 365)
Crouch warning for Torres
Peter Crouch has told Liverpool's hat-trick hero Fernando
Torres that there is no avoiding Rafael Benitez's rotation
policy.
The Spain international, left on the bench for the Premier
League stalemates against Portsmouth and Birmingham, started
against Reading in the Carling Cup and hit a superb
second-half treble as the Reds progressed 4-2.
But Benitez has already warned Torres there are no
guarantees he will start against Wigan this weekend, a
situation Crouch is all-too aware of.
The England striker said: "It is certainly something he'll
have to get used to. The manager likes to chop and change
the team but as long as it works and we play like we did at
Reading, then I'm sure there won't be too many people
complaining."
(Sky Sports)
Gerrard: I’m getting back to my best
Steven Gerrard has reassured Liverpool supporters he is
coming back to his best after admitting to playing through
the pain barrier in recent games.
The Anfield skipper has been hampered by the broken toe
suffered five weeks ago during the Champions League
qualifier in Toulouse.
However, the 27-year-old believes he is now recovered from
the injury after training without pain for the last few
days.
“I’m feeling a lot better now,” said Gerrard. “The last
three or four days, I’ve been totally pain-free from my toe.
“I’ve struggled during the last two or three games and have
been getting a lot of pain from it.
“But I’ve been training every session and can feel my
sharpness coming back, so I think my top form is only around
the corner.”
(Liverpool Daily Post)
Marseille appoint new boss
Liverpool's next Champions League opponents have appointed a
new manager.
Eric Gerets will be Marseille's manager for next Wednesday's
Champions League game with the Reds after Albert Emen was
sacked following a poor start to the season that sees
Marseille in 16th place in the league and on a run of one
win in nine games.
(LFC Online) |
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WEDNESDAY 26 |
Torres sends out a clear message
The message to Rafa Benitez from Fernando Torres was crystal
clear:
I need to be playing football, not sitting on the bench.
It followed a man of the match performance at Reading in
which the Spanish striker scored a hat-trick in the 4-2 win.
And, quite frankly, on the evidence of what we have seen of
Torres so far this season, I only hope the Liverpool boss
takes the message on board and plays him regularly from now
on.
His wasn’t just a performance about goals, although he took
each one with brilliant composure. It was about pace,
strength, the ability to be a constant menace, technique,
skill and the confidence of a striker who simply wants – and
needs – to be out there leading the Reds line
in every game.
We know that won’t happen, but we also know that the Reds
cannot afford the loss of two points to the likes of
Birmingham City in the Premiership, either.
(Tommy Smith - Liverpool Echo)
Gerrard likens Torres to ace Rush
Striker Fernando Torres has a game very similar to Liverpool
legend Ian Rush, according to Reds captain Steven Gerrard.
The Spain striker scored a hat-trick in the 4-2 Carling Cup
victory at Reading on Tuesday night but it was the manner of
his performance and not just the goals which impressed
Gerrard.
"He reminds me of Ian Rush. I know Ian Rush was a great
striker and as captain I don't want to put too much pressure
on him (Torres) in terms of goals," the England midfielder
told the Liverpool Echo.
"But Rushie got a lot of credit for working hard for the
team, tracking back and not giving defenders a minute on the
ball and that's what Fernando does.
"If we keep on delivering through-balls and good service, he
has already shown what a great finisher he is."
(TEAMtalk)
Four Reds make world list
Four Liverpool stars have been named in a poll of the 100
greatest players in the world.
Steven Gerrard (6), Fernando Torres (34), Javier Mascherano
(94) and Jamie Carragher (97) all made Four Four Two
Magazine's list.
Kaka was deemed the world's best player, with Cristiano
Ronaldo second, Ronaldinho third, Thierry Henry fourth and
Lionel Messi in fifth.
Meanwhile, Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard were asked to
pick their top fives, which went like this:
(LFC Official Website)
Fernando Torres
1. Steven Gerrard
2. Kaka
3. Ronaldinho
4. Wayne Rooney
5. Thierry Henry
Steven Gerrard
1. Kaka
2. Lionel Messi
3. Thierry Henry
4. Cristiano Ronaldo
5. Ronaldinho
Coppell hails Torres quality
Steve Coppell admitted Fernando Torres was the difference
between the sides following Reading's 4-2 defeat to
Liverpool.
Torres had a quiet start to the Carling Cup clash at The
Madejski Stadium, but netted a superb hat-trick after the
break to send Liverpool into the round of 16.
Coppell was happy with the way Reading competed with
Liverpool for most of the evening, but admitted his side did
not quite have the quality to combat Torres.
"I thought we had some good opportunities but the difference
was obviously £20million," said the Reading boss.
(Sky Sports) |
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TUESDAY 25 |
Carragher hails terrific Torres
Jamie Carragher hailed hat-trick hero Fernando Torres after
Liverpool won 4-2 at Reading to reach the Carling Cup fourth
round.
Torres was controversially left on the bench for the Reds'
last two Premier League games but demonstrated the finishing
ability that saw manager Rafael Benitez spend £20million on
him in the summer.
"He's won us the game," defender Carragher said. "It was a
tight game, a very difficult game but he's made the
difference.
"Some great finishes but it's not just his goals, it's his
all round work for the team."
(TEAMtalk)
Rafa delighted with Torres treble
Rafa Benitez hailed the display of Fernando Torres after his
three-goal blast saw off Reading in the Carling Cup.
"It was a great night for Fernando," said Benitez.
"He had a lot of space and he killed their defenders with
his pace and movement."
(LFC Official Website)
5-star Torres runs riot at Reading
Fernando Torres hit a second-half hat-trick to earn
Liverpool a place in the fourth round of the Carling Cup and
send a timely reminder to coach Rafael Benitez.
Benitez had left the Spanish striker, signed for £24million
from Atletico Madrid in the summer, out of the starting
line-up for their last two Barclays Premier League matches.
But he returned with a vengeance to kill off battling
Reading in a six-goal thriller at the Madejski Stadium.
(Evening Echo)
Brouwer at the double as Reserves win
Dutch striker Jordy Brouwer scored twice and Robbie
Threlfall hit a stunning free-kick as Liverpool Reserves
beat Blackburn Rovers in a friendly on Tuesday afternoon.
The former Ajax starlet carried on where he left off last
week when he netted his first senior goal for the reserves
during the 3-0 win at Wigan.
Hungarian goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi played the full 90
minutes while fellow countryman Andras Simon partnered
Brouwer in attack.
Reds Reserve team manager Gary Ablett commented: "It was
good to see Jordy score two goals and Robbie scored with a
superb free-kick.
"We did okay to win the game but I have to say it was the
poorest we've played so far. We didn't pass the ball well
and that will have to improve when we play Sunderland in our
first home game at Warrington next Tuesday."
Liverpool Reserves: Gulacsi, Kelly, Threlfall, San Jose
(Darby 60), Huth, Flynn, Crowther, Plessis, Simon (Spearing
45),
Brouwer, El Zhar (Insua 40).
(LFC Official Website)
Torres to take on Reading
Fernando Torres starts as Rafa Benitez names a strong side
to face Reading at the Madejski Stadium.
The Reds boss has made several changes from the side that
faced Birmingham City at the weekend with Fabio Aurelio
making his first start of the season.
Peter Crouch will partner Torres up front while Brazilian
youngster Lucas makes his first full appearance in a Reds
shirt.
Team: Itandje, Finnan, Aurelio, Carragher, Arbeloa, Leto,
Sissoko, Lucas, Benayoun, Crouch, Torres. Subs: Martin,
Gerrard, Riise, Hobbs, Putterill
(LFC Official Website)
Michael Shields to be released from prison
Michael Shields will be freed from jail on May 30, 2010.
The provisional release date, conditional on good behaviour,
has been agreed by law and order minister David Hanson after
a legal wrangle.
It is 10 months earlier than the tariff first set by the
Home Office under rules which did not fully take account of
the time Michael spent in Bulgarian custody before he was
convicted of a savage assault on a barman.
But the Whitehall interpretation of those rules was
challenged by the Shields family's legal team.
And the Home Office has now agreed he should be released
after serving half of his reduced 10-year sentence,
including pre-trial custody.
(Liverpool Echo)
Carra itching to join 500 club
Jamie Carragher is desperate to take another step towards a
500-match milestone against Reading tonight.
The vice-captain has notched up 475 appearances since 1997,
putting him 15th in Liverpool's all-time list.
He said: "I love playing games. I want to play as many games
as I can. I'm not going to break any goalscoring records, so
I'll just have to try to break a few appearance records.
"I've always said I'd rather play than train, so if the
manager picks me for Reading it's not a problem.
"To be honest, I don't really care who's in the team as long
as I'm on
the teamsheet!"
(LFC Official Website)
Benitez playing dangerous game
Rafael Benitez gave Liverpool owners George Gillett and
Tom Hicks the rough end of his tongue in a sore-headed rant
after the Champions League defeat against AC Milan.
He wanted action. He wanted it now. He wanted world-class
players. He wanted them now.
Listen to this: "There are two or three things, issues that
we need to resolve right now. I’m tired of talking, talking.
We talk and talk but we never finish.
“I am worried about talking to players, for one or two
months or even six months, and then losing them. I want
things to be done."
And things were done, lots of them - particularly the huge
financial outlay of £20m-plus on Atletico Madrid's Fernando
Torres.
The arrival of a player coveted by every major club in
Europe was a coup for Benitez and a public statement of
intent from Gillett and Hicks.
Torres was also their answer to Benitez's demands for
action. They had delivered and now it was up to the manager.
Now, as they learn the subtle nuances of English football,
Hicks and Gillett may be tempted to ask a question of their
own.
And it is a question also being asked by thousands of
mystified Liverpool fans.
Namely, why is Liverpool's most expensive player, someone
who has settled brilliantly in the Premier League, parked in
the dug-out while lesser colleagues struggle to unlock the
likes of Portsmouth and Birmingham?
(Phil McNulty - BBC Sport Online)
Pennant suspended for Marseille visit
Liverpool's Jermaine Pennant is sent off at Porto (©Getty
Images)Liverpool FC winger Jermaine Pennant is one of eight
players suspended for Matchday 2 of the UEFA Champions
League.
Pennant was dismissed during Liverpool's 1-1 draw away to FC
Porto on Matchday 1 for two bookable offences, and serves a
one-match ban for the visit to Anfield of Olympique de
Marseille.
(uefa.com)
Benitez plays cup selection guessing game
The name Luis Molowny means little to all but the most
ardent English followers of Spanish football.
But it's becoming a more and more common catchphrase at Rafa
Benitez press conferences.
Journalists attempting to prise a possible starting line-up
out of the notoriously secretive Reds boss are met with a
smile, a knowing nod and the words "Luis Molowny."
And, as a result, they now know all about the former Spanish
international who managed Real four times between 1974 and
1986, but little about Benitez's selection plans.
Benitez explained: "When I'm asked about team news, I always
say 'Molowny', who was a former player at Real Madrid and
then a manager.
"He was always waiting before he made a decision, and I
prefer
to wait also.
"If I said to you today that Steven Gerrard will play, and
then he has a problem tomorrow, why do we need to talk about
this now? It may be that we leave the door open by waiting."
(Liverpool Echo)
Start with your stars then rest them later
I can fully understand Rafael Benitez’s intentions to keep
his squad fresh for a long campaign by rotating his team
selections.
But I find it hard to fathom why he does not start each game
with as many of his match-winners on the pitch as possible.
Fernando Torres had just 30 minutes to try and change the
course of the goalless draw against Birmingham – but would
it not be better to try it the other way round?
Start with players like Torres, who can have such a huge
influence on a game and if all goes well, or a change of
tactics is needed, they can be taken off later.
That way Liverpool increase their chances of seeing off the
opposition, particularly when a team, like Birmingham, is
content to sit back and put the onus on the home side to
break them down.
Having said that, while it was certainly a case of two
points dropped against Birmingham it is not a disaster at
this stage of the season.
(Mark Lawrenson - Liverpool Daily Post)
Thor Zakariassen
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