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SATURDAY 28 |
Kuyt in dark over future
Dirk Kuyt has admitted talks over his future have been
placed on hold until after Rafa Benitez’s situation is
clarified at Liverpool.
The Dutchman is a key figure for Benitez and he claims his
Spanish coach wants to hand him a new deal.
However, he suggests talks have been put on ice until the
Spaniard works through his own contractual problems.
Kuyt claims he is unsure if his future is tied to Benitez’s,
as he would willingly open talks if the club came to the
table.
“Rafa told me he wanted to give me a new contract but he
wanted to sort out his own contract first and then we’ll see
what’s happening,” said Kuyt.
“I’ve just been trying to focus on the games and not worry
too much. Because I’m happy at Liverpool and I enjoy it, I
want to stay. I don’t know if my future is linked to the
manager, because that depends on what the club wants.
“If the club want to give me a new contract, I’m more than
happy to talk about it.
“I’ve never been thinking about whether the manager would go
or not. Of course, you want to know who the manager is but
I’ve said I want to stay at Liverpool.”
(Setanta Sports)
How Rick Parry walked alone after
relationship with Rafael Benitez fell apart
The seeds of Rick Parry's demise were sown long before Tom
Hicks and George Gillett had heard of Anfield or Rafa
Benitez cast his eye over Gareth Barry. Instead, the
Liverpool chief executive was a marked man from the moment
one million Liverpool fans who thronged the city to
celebrate the miracle of Istanbul started to disperse.
In the immediate aftermath of that remarkable night, the
club's captain and heartbeat, Steven Gerrard, declared he
would reject Chelsea's overtures but Parry prevaricated over
a new deal. Benitez came within a whisker of losing the man
central to his plans to make Liverpool great again.
(Rory Smith - The Daily Telegraph)
Boost for Boro belief
Middlesbrough will be assured Premier League football next
season if they can repeat their display against Liverpool
week-in, week-out, according to Matt Le Tissier.
Gareth Southgate's side secured a precious league victory
thanks to Xabi Alonso's own goal and a Tuncay Sanli strike,
putting a massive dent in Liverpool's fading title
aspirations in the process.
To make matters worse Steven Gerrard limped off late on -
albeit possibly with cramp - leaving Le Tissier to reflect:
"Pretty much everything went wrong for Liverpool to be
honest, although they started the game pretty well in all
fairness.
"They had two or three good chances early on; Brad Jones
made a couple of decent saves but as soon as they went a
goal down there just didn't seem to be the belief that they
could get back into it."
(Sky Sports)
Rafa: Title more difficult now
Rafa Benitez refused to call time on the title race
after the 2-0 defeat to Middlesbrough - but admitted the
Premier League was now Manchester United's to lose.
The Reds slumped to only their second league defeat of the
season after Tuncay added to a Xabi Alonso own goal.
A victory for Chelsea over Wigan means Liverpool now sit
third in the Premier League, seven points behind Alex
Ferguson's front runners.
Benitez said: "Before the game it was difficult and after it
is more difficult. We will see against Sunderland and try to
improve but it depends on United now.
"If you want to stay at the top of the table you have to
score."
(LFC Official Website)
Boro dent Reds title hopes
Struggling Middlesbrough hammered a nine-inch nail into
Liverpool’s title challenge coffin with a remarkable 2-0
victory at The Riverside.
The Reds may have beaten Real Madrid in midweek, but they
were humbled in spectacular fashion on Teesside, effectively
wrapping up the Premier League trophy and handing it to
Manchester United.
Xabi Alonso put through his own net to hand Boro the lead in
the first half while Tuncay Sanli put the game to bed with a
composed finish in the second.
The win was Boro's first in The Premier League for 14 games,
lifting them out of the relegation zone in the process, no
doubt coming as a welcome relief to boss Gareth Soutgate.
But the scoreline perhaps flattered Boro as Rafa Benitez’s
side dominated from start to finish – and were it not for
some woeful finishing - The Reds could well have come out on
top.
(Setanta Sports)
Gerrard, Babel and El Zhar start
Steven Gerrard returns for his first start in almost a month
against Middlesbrough this afternoon as Rafa Benitez makes
four changes from the side that beat Real Madrid. You can
listen to the game on our Match Day Live show from 2.30pm
GMT.
Nabil El Zhar comes in for his first league start ahead of
Albert Riera, while Sami Hyypia and Ryan Babel replace
injured duo Alvaro Arbeloa and Fernando Torres.
The Reds XI in full is: Reina, Aurelio, Hyypia, Skrtel,
Carragher, Alonso, Gerrard, Babel, Mascherano, El Zhar,
Kuyt.
Subs: Cavalieri, Dossena, Riera, Benayoun, Lucas, Ngog,
Darby.
(LFC Official Website)
Arbeloa injured
Liverpool suffered a fresh injury blow last night with the
news that Alvaro Arbeloa will be out for at least 10 days.
The full-back has a slight hamstring tear and is a doubt to
make the second leg of the Champions League last-16 tie
against Real Madrid at Anfield a week on Tuesday.
Arbeloa sustained the injury during his impressive display
in the 1-0 win in Madrid on Wednesday and is currently
undergoing treatment.
He will miss the Premier League games at Middlesbrough today
and at home to Sunderland on Tuesday.
(Daily Post) |
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FRIDAY 27 |
Liverpool are officially
the top ranked club in Europe
Wednesday night's famous victory in the Bernabeu has sent
the Reds to the top of UEFA's ranking system for the first
time since 1985.
Based on performances in European competition over the past
five years, the complicated system awards points for matches
won and quality of opposition.
The victory in the Bernabeu has seen the Reds overtake
Chelsea at the top of the table, with Barcelona third and AC
Milan fourth.
(Liverpool Echo)
Torres out of Boro clash
Fernando Torres has been ruled out of Saturday's trip to
Middlesbrough with a twisted ankle sustained against Real
Madrid.
The Spain international was substituted after 61 minutes of
Wednesday's 1-0 victory and has not recovered in time for
the Riverside.
He now faces a race against time to be fit for the visit of
Sunderland on Tuesday.
Reds boss Rafa Benitez told Liverpoolfc.tv: "Torres is not
fit and won't be in the squad.
"It is a problem he has had before and we will have to check
over the weekend to see if he is available for Sunderland."
Steven Gerrard is part of the squad as Liverpool return to
Premier League action, but Daniel Agger again misses out
with a back injury.
(LFC Official Website)
Benitez: Parry exit
nothing to do with me
Rafa Benitez revealed on Friday that talks over a new
contract are still ongoing, despite confirmation that Ricky
Parry will leave the club.
“We still have to talk, my advisers and the owners still
have to talk.”
He also distanced himself from any role in Parry’s
departure, insisting the decision was based on his
relationship with the owners.
“I think it’s a decision between the owners and Rick Parry,
he will stay here until the end of the season so we will all
work together in the best interests of the club. After this,
we will wish him all the best."
(Setanta Sports)
Liverpool confirm
Parry's imminent departure
Liverpool Football Club have officially announced on Friday
that Rick Parry will leave the club at the end of the
season.
Parry leaves by mutual consent, having given 12 years of
service to
the club.
The Liverpool chief executive has long suffered a turbulent
relationship with the club’s American owners, and it is
understood that his relationship with Tom Hicks is the main
reason behind his exit.
"It has been a privilege to serve the club and, as a
lifelong supporter, I wish the owners, Rafa, the players and
the wonderful staff all the very best for the future. I will
be leaving at the end of the season knowing that the club
remains strong and with a set of supporters who deserve
success in all that Liverpool does."
(Setanta Sports)
Hansen: Don't give up now
Alan Hansen believes Liverpool must not give up on their
Barclays Premier League ambitions - despite their stuttering
domestic form.
The Reds have slipped to seven points behind league leaders
Manchester United following last weekend's stalemate with
Manchester City at Anfield.
However, Hansen has urged the Liverpool players and fans not
to lose any belief in their title challenge.
"Liverpool have drawn too many games at Anfield and it is
costing us," the Anfield legend told LFC Magazine.
"The 1-1 draw with Manchester City was very disappointing
and leaves us seven points behind Manchester United with 12
games to play.
"I can understand supporters being despondent at that fact
but there are two ways in which the players, manager and
fans can respond.
"Do we lie down and die, or do we keep on going?
"I think it is so, so important that we keep on having a go
and believing that our title chances are not over."
(LFC Official Website)
Aurelio praises training ground work
Fabio Aurelio says hard work on the training ground was
responsible for Liverpool's winner on Wednesday.
It was from Aurelio's cross that Yossi Benayoun headed in
the winner against Real Madrid and afterwards the Brazilian
said the goal was down to work done at Melwood.
"I'm very happy to have set up the goal," he said.
"It's always pleasing when the free-kicks and set-pieces
you've been practising in training work in a match.
"It's difficult to play against big teams like Madrid,
especially away from home. But we fought until the end and
controlled them well.
"We are delighted with the result. It's always very
important to try and get an away goal.
"I think we had the chances to score more than one goal but
we know we have an advantage now and, although it's not over
yet, we have a great opportunity to progress."
(LFC Online) |
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THURSDAY 26 |
Reds duo urge Rafa stay
Liverpool's players have urged the club to end the
uncertainty over Rafa Benitez, with Albert Riera and Javier
Mascherano both revealing that it was the presence of the
Spaniard that persuaded them to join the Anfield club.
Riera admits the players are aware of the upheaval behind
the scenes.
"We are aware of the dispute over his contract. But it is
not something we were talking about in the dressing room,
the match took up all our thoughts.
Mascherano added: "The manager brought me to Anfield, he has
done a very good job here."
(Setanta Sports)
Downing: Boro can punish Reds
Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing is determined to
succeed where Real Madrid failed when Liverpool head for
Teesside on Saturday.
At the same time as Downing was helping to fire his side
into the FA Cup quarter-finals at West Ham's expense, the
Reds gave their Champions League hopes a huge boost with a
1-0 victory in the Bernabeu.
Downing is convinced the confidence gained from the 2-0
replay victory over the Hammers gives them genuine hope of
doing what Real Madrid's stars could not.
He said: "It's a big test for us on Saturday, it's going to
be tough. They had a good result as well on Wednesday night.
It should be an entertaining game.
"But if we play like that, I have got no worries about us
getting a result. Maybe we can bring them back down to
earth. Maybe they will come here and underestimate us and
get punished."
(TEAMtalk)
Benayoun: G-force will
carry Reds through
Goal hero Yossi Benayoun believes Steven Gerrard's
return will ensure Liverpool reach their fourth Champions
League quarter-finals in five years under Rafael Benitez.
Benayoun headed the late winner against Real Madrid to stun
a vast Bernabeu crowd in Wednesday's first leg of their
last-16 tie.
Benayoun said: "I was delighted to have scored, but the most
important thing for us was the win. It was the perfect
result, a clean sheet and an away goal.
"Now we have great confidence for the second leg at Anfield,
we will have the fans behind us and Steven Gerrard will be
fit by then. We all believe now that we can reach the
quarter-finals."
(ITV Football)
Ricky eyes Liverpool shock
Ricky Sbragia reckons his Sunderland side can repeat their
shock draw against Arsenal when they face Livepool next
week.
Ahead of the game at Anfield on Tuesday evening Sbragia told
SAFC TV: "We'll go to Liverpool in the same mindset as we
went to Arsenal - with the belief that we can get
something,"
"We did extremely well at Arsenal. Don't get me wrong, we
had some luck, but we set our stall out and got what we
wanted.
"Liverpool are a good side - you just have to look at their
result last night to see that - but we have the confidence
to go to Anfield and get another positive result.
"We've had a good little sequence of results and we hope to
continue the unbeaten run. I feel we are stronger physically
and mentally than we have been and if we go to Liverpool in
the right frame of mind, we can get something.
"Again the important thing is to not concede early and
hopefully we can cause them some problems."
(Sunderland Echo)
Torres a doubt for Boro clash
Fernando Torres is a doubt for this weekend's clash in
Middlesbrough after twisting his ankle in the 1-0 victory
over Real Madrid.
The striker was substituted after 61 minutes of the Bernabeu
triumph and now faces a race against time to be ready for
Liverpool's trip to the north east on Saturday.
Rafa Benitez said: "Talking with the doctors, they said
maybe we could keep Torres on. The ankle was bad but it
maybe wasn't the worst injury. But he was limping and wasn't
comfortable and we decided to bring Ryan Babel on.
"We don't know how bad it is yet. Probably he will miss some
games.
"We have a game in three days' time and it will be difficult
for him to be ready."
(LFC Official Website)
Robben hopeful of
Madrid comeback
Real Madrid winger Arjen Robben is confident his
Champions League dreams will not fall foul of Liverpool yet
again despite their home defeat to Rafael Benitez's men.
Madrid have been left with a mountain to climb if they are
to avoid being dumped out at the last-16 stage of the
competition for the fifth successive season after going down
1-0 to Liverpool in front of their own fans.
Robben was part of the Chelsea side that was eliminated by
Liverpool at the semi-final stage in both 2005 and 2007, but
he has faith it will be third time lucky on this occasion.
"We have to go to Anfield and give it everything. We don't
have anything to lose and we are going to go there confident
of getting through the tie," he said.
"I'm sure we can be in the quarter-finals."
(PA Sport)
Benitez clears up
Gerrard confusion
Rafa Benitez has revealed Steven Gerrard so nearly started
Liverpool’s
1-0 victory over Real Madrid on Wednesday.
Benitez explained to the club’s official website: "Clearly
Stevie needed to do a special warm-up in the dressing room
with the physios.
"Afterwards he was doing the normal warm-up with the other
players. He needed to do something special beforehand but
still he was not fully fit."
(Setanta Sports)
A Real reason to back Benitez
Without a shadow of a doubt…Rafa Benitez has become taken
for granted.
Taken for granted by the media (to a ridiculous extent) and,
judging by reaction to yesterday’s departure rumours, taken
for granted by some of his own fans.
Last night Liverpool went to the home of the biggest club in
world football, the home of the nine-time European
Champions, the home of ‘resurgent Real Madrid’, without
Steven Gerrard, and they made them look very ordinary.
I would like to stress the ‘made them look ordinary’ part of
that last sentence. For if you listened to an extremely
familiar voice during Wednesday’s match, you would think
Madrid had beaten themselves.
This was a Madrid side who has scored 10 goals in the last
two games, a Madrid side that boasted 13 goals-in-23 games
Raul alongside 14 goals-in-21 games Higuain, supported by
one of the world’s top three widemen Arjen Robben.
But while Real’s terrific trio barely made any impression
throughout 90 minutes, all we heard was how ‘disappointing’
Madrid were, how ‘average’ they looked.
(Ben Blackmore - Setanta Sports)
Benitez confident
over Anfield contract
Rafael Benitez is confident of making progress in
discussions over his Liverpool contract after last night's
1-0 Champions League last-16 first-leg victory over Real
Madrid.
The Spaniard said: "My lawyers and advisors have been
talking to the club's owners over the past few days about
the contract and I believe that problems we have can be
overcome.
"I was very surprised to hear rumours that I was going to
resign.
"I can assure you that I have not been considering such a
move, and it was a shock to hear such suggestions."
(The irish Times) |
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WEDNESDAY 25 |
Benitez baffled by quit rumours
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has insisted he was unaware
of rumours he was about to leave Anfield.
The Spaniard was speaking after watching Liverpool beat Real
Madrid 1-0 in the first leg of their Champions League
last-16 clash, with Yossi Benayoun scoring the only goal.
Referring to the speculation about his future, Benitez told
Sky Sports: "I didn't know, I was talking with my friends
here in Spain and concentrating on the game."
Asked if there was any truth in the rumours, he said: "No,
clearly I was thinking about the game.
"There are important games coming up and I want to
concentrate just on the games, and I'll keep in touch with
the owners."
(Sporting Life)
Carra: Yossi goal is massive
Jamie Carragher labelled Yossi Benayoun's late header
'massive' after Liverpool left the Bernabeu with a 1-0
advantage.
Captain for the night Carragher said: "Away goals are
massive in Europe and that means they've got to get one now
in the second leg. Hopefully if they come at us it'll give
us more space and make it easier."
(LFC Official Website)
Yossi the giant for Reds
Liverpool put one foot in the quarter finals of the
Champions League with a 1-0 win at Real Madrid on Wednesday.
The Reds nullified the threat of the Spanish giants and
secured a vital away goal when Yossi Benayoun popped up to
head home with nine minutes remaining.
It was a polished defensive display against a Real side
lacking any bite and they secured the added bonus of an away
goal to take back to Anfield in a fortnight’s time.
Real will have to find some attacking sparkle in the second
leg if they are to stand any chance of progressing, but
their January signing Klaas Jan Huntelaar is ineligible.
(Setanta Sports)
Gerrard on bench in Madrid
Steven Gerrard has been named on the Liverpool bench for
tonight's Champions League second round clash with Real
Madrid.
Xabi Alonso returns to the Reds XI after suspension, while
Dirk Kuyt partners Fernando Torres up front.
Rafa Benitez's team in full is: Reina, Aurelio, Arbeloa,
Carragher, Skrtel, Riera, Benayoun, Alonso, Mascherano,
Torres, Kuyt.
Subs: Cavalieri, Dossena, Hyypia, Gerrard, Lucas, Babel,
Ngog.
(LFC Official Website)
Reds legend expects Rafa to stay
Former Liverpool midfielder Jan Molby expects Rafael Benitez
to remain in charge at Anfield despite fresh speculation
surrounding the Spaniard.
Several bookmakers have stopped taking bets on markets
involving a possible exit for the former Valencia boss, who
joined Liverpool in 2004.
Molby, speaking ahead of Liverpool's Champions League match
at Real Madrid on Wednesday night, was aware rumours had
been spreading regarding how long Benitez will remain in
charge.
Molby told Sky Sports News: "I'd be surprised if Rafa were
to walk out on Liverpool.
"We do know for a while he's been unhappy about certain
things, but I still think it would take a big man to walk
out on Liverpool at such a crucial stage of the season."
The former Denmark international added: "Whereas some people
are quite happy to back Rafael Benitez to be gone by the end
of the week, I would rather take the odds on him being
Liverpool manager next Monday.
"I heard the rumours myself last night, and they have been
gathering pace, everyone's talking about it."
However, Molby will not take the talk of Benitez's possible
departure too seriously for now.
He said: "I think the people who say it can't happen might
just prove to be spot-on."
(TEAMtalk)
Bookmakers suspend
betting on Benitez exit
Leading bookmakers are refusing to take bets on Liverpool
manager Rafael Benitez leaving the club.
William Hill spokesman Rupert Adams is reported as saying:
"We'd be very surprised if Rafa is still boss by midnight on
Sunday." The bookmaker added that they were awaiting a
statement from Liverpool before reopening the market.
Benitez had been a 20/1 outsider to be the next Premier
League manager to go, but a flurry of activity led to
today's decision to suspend betting.
(The Independent)
Rafa: Contract not an issue
Rafa Benitez insists Liverpool's UEFA Champions League tie
against Real Madrid will have no bearing on his contract
situation.
The Liverpool boss has yet to agree an extension to his
Anfield contract, which expires at the end of next season.
Reports have suggested that Real, where Benitez played and
served time on the coaching staff, want to appoint the
Spaniard in the summer.
"I don't think this game is important for my contract," said
Benitez ahead of Wednesday's first leg at the Santiago
Bernabeu.
"It is an important game for us as a club, that's it.
"You know the situation and we have to wait. We have a lot
of important games coming up.
"You have to judge a manager on his career, not one or two
games. That is my idea.
"If you have to decide on a manager on the basis of one or
two games that is not the best decision."
(Sky Sports)
Torres reveals double
Madrid motivation
No sooner had Fernando Torres stepped on to the tarmac at
Madrid’s Barajas International Airport yesterday, he was
surrounded by a swarm of yellow-bibbed runway workers
brandishing pens and paper, eager for
an autograph.
But while clearly still regarded with great affection by
many in the Spanish capital, the Liverpool striker can
expect a more frosty reception when he steps out at the
Bernabeu this evening.
His match-winning strike in the Euro 2008 final against
Germany last summer may have earned Torres the adoration of
the entire country.
However, Madrilenian pride means the forward will be public
enemy number one to home supporters when Real Madrid host
Liverpool in tonight’s blockbusting Champions League first
knockout round first leg tie.
“I have no feelings for Real Madrid,” says Torres. “I played
for Atletico, so know that if Liverpool beat Real, it will
make lots of Atletico fans happy
as well."
(Liverpool Daily Post)
Thor Zakariassen
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