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WEDNESDAY 28 |
Keeper set for debut
Italy Under-21 international Daniele Padelli will
make his debut for Liverpool Reserves' in the mini derby
against Everton at Wrexham's Racecourse Ground tonight at
7pm.
Padelli, who was an unused substitute for the first team
against Sheffield United at the weekend, makes his first
start for Gary Ablett's team.
Spanish youth international Francisco Duran will play his
second game for the second string while Dutch striker Jordy
Brouwer leads the Reds' attack.
(LFC Official Website)
Gerrard vows to halt United march
Steven Gerrard insists Liverpool are determined not to allow
Manchester United to 'win the title at Anfield'.
If United beat Liverpool on Saturday, it will give them a
12-point lead over current Barclays Premiership champions
Chelsea and, in the Reds skipper's eyes, virtually end the
race for the championship.
"We've got to make sure we get the points and keep the title
race going for as long as possible. It's not over at the
moment and that's why this is a massive game for
both clubs."
(PA Sport)
Reds must go for big double
Forget the positions. Forget the points gap.
It’s Liverpool v Manchester United on Saturday – and we just
want to win!
It’s a clash in which nothing else matters but the result.
The fans want to celebrate a win over United, as much as
they wanted a win over Everton.
You don’t have to have a reason for beating them. Yes,
there’s three points at stake, but it’s the result that’s
important. It’s now the same with Chelsea and Arsenal.
(Tommy Smith - Liverpool Echo)
Agent plays down Fowler US switch
Robbie Fowler's agent has played down reports linking the
Liverpool striker with a move to the United States.
Fowler, 31, is out of contract in the summer and New England
Revolution coach Steve Nicol says he has spoken to the
former England frontman about a move.
But Fowler's agent George Scott told BBC Radio Five Live:
"He has not had a conversation with Steve and I don't think
they could afford him anyway.
"If he was to think about moving, Qatar or Dubai could be an
option."
Fowler's hopes of extending his Anfield career have been
threatened by the arrival of Andriy Voronin from Bayer
Leverkusen.
(BBC Sport Online)
Benitez linked with move for Eto’o
Rafael Benitez has again been linked with a summer move for
controversial Barcelona striker Samuel Eto’o.
Television reports in Spain yesterday suggested the
Liverpool manager is lining up a swoop for the Cameroon
international at the end of the season.
Benitez is a known admirer of Eto’o, who worked under the
Spaniard when he was in charge of the Real Madrid academy,
and is poised to shake-up his striking resources in the
transfer window bolstered by backing from Liverpool’s new
owners George Gillett
and Tom Hicks.
(Daily Post)
Hulse apologises to Crouch
Rob Hulse has apologised for breaking Peter Crouch's nose on
Saturday.
The Sheffield United striker accidentally kicked Crouch in
the face and broke his nose while trying to clear a corner
during Saturday's match. Hulse has issued an apology to
Crouch over the incident.
"You never like to see anything like that," said the
remorseful Blade.
"The ball has come in from the corner and he has dipped down
to head the ball in, but as I've gone to volley it away,
I've hit the ball and his head at the same time.
"I could see straight away he was quite badly injured, and
of course he was
stretchered off.
"I went to the Liverpool dressing room after the game to go
and see him, but he had gone.
"I spoke to the backroom staff and they said not to worry,
that it wasn't a problem. It was just one of those things in
football, and that Peter was fine."
(LFC Online) |
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TUESDAY 27 |
Kuyt has United in his sights
Dirk Kuyt says Liverpool owe a big performance against
Manchester United to make amends for their disappointing
defeat at Old Trafford earlier in the season.
The Reds lost 2-0 with a turgid display last October, out of
character with the impressive sequence since the New Year.
Now Kuyt is anxious to pose a much tougher challenge to the
league leaders to go some way to banishing that painful
defeat.
“I think we owe a performance after Old Trafford. That was a
disappointing time and we definitely want a better result at
Anfield this time,” admitted Kuyt.
(Liverpool Echo)
Don’t be surprised if weakened side face
United
It says a lot about the impact Rafael Benitez has
made at Liverpool that he can send out a weakened side
against their fiercest rivals and not get stick for it.
At least that’s what I think will happen this week. There’s
no doubt the strongest possible line-up is what you usually
need for taking on Manchester United, especially when
everyone is desperate to get one over on the team from the
other end of the M62.
And if United win on Saturday, they will go 12 points clear
in the race for a title that not many at Anfield will be too
chuffed to see them take, especially as their own wait to be
champions of England drags on and on.
But this may just be the way it needs to be. It’s difficult
to second guess Benitez on selection with the amount of
rotation that goes on but he’s surely going to have
Barcelona in mind just three days later.
He won’t be taking anything for granted after that fantastic
win in the Nou Camp.
(Mark Lawrenson - Liverpool Daily Post)
Parry: Club is in safe hands
Rick Parry has written to Liverpool’s supporters and assured
them the club is in “safe hands” following the takeover of
American duo George Gillett and Tom Hicks.
And the Anfield chief executive has reiterated manager
Rafael Benitez will be handed funds in the summer and
building work will commence “very soon” on the new stadium
at Stanley Park.
Parry has written a letter to all Liverpool shareholders and
season ticket holders in the light of Gillett and Hicks
acquiring the majority shareholding of outgoing chairman
David Moores.
“From the perspective of ownership, I believe the future of
the club is in very safe hands,” said Parry. “The Gillett
and Hicks families possess a tremendous regard and
admiration for the standing that Liverpool is privileged to
hold in football – not just here in England, but throughout
the world."
(Liverpool Daily Post)
Martin back at Anfield
Young Liverpool keeper David Martin has returned to Anfield
after his loan spell at Accrington Stanley was cut short
through a bizarre injury.
The 21-year-old damaged an ankle after five minutes of the
2-2 Coca-Cola League Two draw with Lincoln last Saturday and
will not recover before the end of his month's loan.
Accrington manager John Coleman said: “It must be a world
record for making his debut without touching the ball.”
(Liverpool Daily Post) |
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MONDAY 26 |
Kuyt praises God
Dirk Kuyt hailed Robbie Fowler's performance against
Sheffield United.
Kuyt partnered Fowler up front on Saturday after coming on
as a 25th minute subsitute for the injured Peter Crouch. The
Dutch striker soon became the latest member of the Robbie
Fowler fan club after the Scouser's two clinically taken
penalties.
"I think Robbie has shown us yet again that he's a legend.
It's hard when you're not in the squad all the time, and not
always playing, and yet he scored twice and also played
really well," said Kuyt.
(LFC Online)
Fowler: I'd love to stay
Robbie Fowler feels he’s still got plenty of time left at
the top level of English football after celebrating his
return with a penalty double on Saturday.
The Kop legend knows his Anfield future will remain
uncertain until the end of the season.
But Fowler says he’ll play for as long as possible whether
he earns a longer stay at Liverpool or not, and hasn’t given
up hope of securing another extension for the Reds.
“I know it’s all a bit up in the air at the moment,” said
the striker.
“I’ve not spoken to anyone about the future and to be honest
I’m still just focusing on enjoying every minute I’m at
Liverpool.
“I’ll sit down with people and think about next season when
the time’s right, but although I’m not the youngest player
at the club, I’m not that old either. I still feel I’ve a
few years left in me yet and I’ll be carrying on for
longer."
(Liverpool Echo)
Barca watch: Eto'o back with a bang
Samuel Eto'o scored one and set up another in his first
start for four months as Barcelona hammered
relegation-strugglers Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.
The Cameroon international, who had to undergo knee surgery,
looked dangerous before being replaced by Lionel Messi on 66
minutes.
Frank Rijkaard made seven changes from the defeat to
Liverpool, including the return of Lilian Thurman at
centre-back.
Barca, who are now two points clear of Sevilla at the top of
La Liga, got off to a flying start thanks to an own-goal
from Amorebieta.
Ronaldinho and Eto'o combined to set up Xavi for the second
before Eto'o made it three as half-time approached.
(LFC Official Website)
Rafa eyes Robbie replacement
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is keen to find a long-term
replacement for club legend Robbie Fowler.
Fowler's Reds contract expires at the end of the season and
Benitez has admitted the veteran is still the club's best
finisher after his brace in their 4-0 win over Sheffield
United.
Benitez has hinted the ex-Leeds and Manchester City man
could yet stay at Anfield, although should he leave an
expert finisher will need to be acquired.
"If we create chances for him, we know he's a very good
finisher, the best we have," stated Benitez.
"If he can score goals every game, we will see, you never
know. But we have a lot of games to play so we can talk
about his future later.
"But if he's not with us next season then we will need to
look for another one like him."
(Sky Sports) |
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SUNDAY 25 |
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Martin loan spell over in five minutes
Just days after arriving at Accrington Stanley on
an emergency loan it looks like Liverpool goalkeeper David
Martin is on his way home - after playing for just five
minutes.
The Reds youngster suffered an ankle injury in Stanley's 2-2
home draw with Lincoln, and it looks like it will keep him
out at least until the one-month loan spell is over.
He's reportedly damaged ligaments in his ankle and will
almost certainly return to Melwood this week for treatment.
Accrington replaced him with another on-loan goalkeeper,
Bolton's Przemyslaw Kazimierczak.
(Anfield Road.com)
Voronin set for Anfield move
Liverpool have today confirmed they have reached an
agreement with Andriy Voronin to bring the Ukrainian
international to Anfield.
The 27 year old, who has been playing his football in the
Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen, will join the Reds in the
summer.
He has previously played for Cologne, Mainz and Borussia
Moenchengladbach and also represented his country on 40
occasions, scoring five goals in the process.
(LFC Official Website)
Riise irons out Bellamy argument
John Arne Riise insists he wants Craig Bellamy to stay at
Liverpool after the pair put their recent troubles behind
them.
Riise and Bellamy were involved in a row at the club's
training camp leading up to their Champions League win over
Barcelona, where it was alleged Bellamy threatened the
Norwegian with a golf club.
He said: "Craig is a great player and we all want great
players at this club. He always works very hard for the
team.
"It is not up to me to decide what the future is for Craig
at Liverpool. My job is to focus on what I am doing for the
team.
"But I would like to see him stay here. It was destiny that
it should be me and Bellamy who scored the goals."
He added in the News of the World: "We both had a tough week
after Portugal but we had the courage to put all the
problems behind us. Craig and I are men, we are mature, we
are team players.
"We spoke about what happened but the important thing was we
agreed we could put it behind us and we are happy. To score
against Barcelona was great but we did it for the team not
for ourselves."
(TEAMtalk)
Alonso to remain a Red
Xabi Alonso insists he has no intention of
quitting Anfield in order to make a return to his homeland,
amidst growing speculation that Barcelona want to bring him
back to Spain.
A typically assured performance from the pass master at Camp
Nou on Wednesday helped Liverpool secure a crucial first-leg
advantage over their Catalan counterparts and it was a
display that did not go unnoticed in Barca's boardroom.
It is expected that Barcelona could make changes to their
playing personnel in the summer and it is former Real
Sociedad favourite Alonso that has shot to the top of their
wish list.
Since arriving in the Premiership, the Spain international
has proved to be an import of the highest calibre and
everyone involved at the Merseyside club are likely to be
delighted by his most recent reiteration of commitment to
stay in England.
"It doesn't affect me - my head is solely on Liverpool,"
said Alonso.
"I have a contract with them until June 2009 and I am happy
there.
"The option of returning to Spain is always there, but for
the time being it is not one
of my priorities."
(Sky Sports)
Ryan scores a belter as Under-18s win
Youth Cup hero Jimmy Ryan scored another superb goal as
Liverpool Under-18s won 3-0 at Wolves on Saturday.
John Owens team bounced back from last weekend's 2-0 defeat
to Bolton with a great performance to tame the Wolves. Ryan
Flynn and Ryan Wignall scored the Reds' other goals.
Jack Hobbs was given an outing at centre back and joined
fellow Melwood-based players Robbie Threlfall and Ryan Flynn
in the team.
"I was pleased with our performance and we played some good
football and scored all three goals in the first half,"
Owens told Liverpoolfc.tv.
Liverpool Under-18s: Martin Hansen, Jay Spearing, Michael
Burns, Jack Hobbs, Robbie Threlfall, Charlie Barnett, Jimmy
Ryan, Ryan Flynn, Ryan Wignall (Lee Woodward 60), Astrit
Ajdarevic (Jon Pringle 70), Paul Barratt (Shane O'Connor
60). Subs unused: David Roberts (GK), Stephen Behan.
(LFC Official Website)
Thor Zakariassen
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