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SATURDAY 30 |
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Benitez furious and mystified
Rafael Benitez was left fuming yet again by another
disappointing Liverpool display against Middlesbrough that
has further damaged their hopes of claiming fourth spot in
the Premiership.
Even word from Craven Cottage that Everton were losing to
Fulham could not inspire the sort of Liverpool display
against Boro that would have cut the points gap.
He said: "I am very unhappy, very frustrated because the
result is not good. The positives are that we have one more
point but one less game and we saw a fantastic goal from
Steven Gerrard.
"But we only played to our potential for 20 minutes in the
second half. The rest of the game was stop-start with
bookings, free-kicks and delays.
"That is why I am unhappy. I honestly don't know why we
cannot play well after a European game. There will have to
be lots of changes for next season."
(ITV Football)
McClaren hopeful of Euro spot
Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren believes his side are in
"pole position" to qualify for Europe after their 1-1 draw
with Liverpool.
McClaren hailed his side's performance in the draw and he
believes it will go a long way to securing European
qualification for the club.
"For the first half our performance was outstanding,
probably the best ever at Anfield for me," beamed McClaren.
(Planet Football/Sky Sports)
Reds held by Boro
Liverpool's UEFA Champions League hopes took another blow
after they were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Middlesbrough.
Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard struck in the second half
with a spectacular goal to cancel out Szilard Nemeth's early
opener and deny Middlesbrough all three points.
The draw leaves Liverpool three points behind Everton in the
race for a Champions League spot, while Middlesbrough remain
on course for Europe by consolidating their position in
seventh spot.
(Sky Sports)
Liverpool v Middlesbrough - confirmed team
LIVERPOOL: Dudek, Finnan, Carragher, Pellegrino, Warnock,
Riise, Gerrard, Alonso, Kewell, Nunez, Morientes.
SUBS: Carson, Hyypia, Garcia, Hamann, Cisse.
(Kop Talk) |
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FRIDAY 29 |
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Benitez faces Boro dilemma
Rafa Benitez could be forgiven for ordering a large
consignment of cotton wool to wrap around his team on their
return to Melwood.
In Steven Gerrard's case, a year's supply of toothpaste
would avoid any further unwanted drama on the eve of vital
games.
Benitez admits he feared his captain would miss the clash at
Stamford Bridge at one point on Wednesday, as his toothache
became unbearable and dental surgery required.
If Gerrard, Milan Baros, Igor Biscan, John Arne Riise and
Jamie Carragher were told to put their feet up in
preparation for the return leg, few supporters would argue.
The only fly in that particular ointment is the prospect of
suffering a Premiership defeat which would extinguish the
last flickering flame of ambition of coming fourth.
Benitez' dilemma is while Liverpool's clash with
Middlesbrough rates as yet another 'must-win' game, it's a
forlorn hope keeping minds off the clash three days later.
While the supporters preserve their lung power, Benitez may
rest some weary limbs as he can't afford any more key
absentees in the aftermath of Xabi Alonso's heartbreak.
"We don't have a lot of time to prepare for the game. We'll
analyse the situation of each player before we make any
decisions. Then we can think about our approach against
Middlesbrough," said Benitez.
(Liverpool Echo)
Rafa rips UEFA
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has ripped UEFA’s
policy of not being allowed to appeal a yellow card.
Benitez is furious that Xabi Alonso’s booking against
Chelsea means that the Spanish maestro will miss the
semi-final second leg. Replays show that referee Alain Sars
clearly made a mistake in booking Alonso but UEFA does not
allow for refs to review their decisions or allow teams to
appeal.
“In the Premiership or Spanish League a referee can change
his mind later," said Benitez.
"When you see things as clear as this, the right decision
should be taken.
We are talking about a game which will decide a finalist and
we also want to create the best spectacle possible, which
means having the best players on the pitch. This has been a
clear mistake, so the rules must change.
"I spoke to the referee and asked him if he'd seen the
video. You could see it wasn't a yellow card. We were
talking in a friendly way about the situation, but he just
asked me which yellow card I was talking about."
(talkfc.com)
Hamann back to boost the Reds
Dietmar Hamann is set to provide Liverpool with a timely
boost ahead of next week's Champions League semi-final
second leg by returning to the squad for tomorrow's
Premiership clash with Middlesbrough.
Hamann has been sidelined with a knee injury since the
Merseyside derby on March 20 but he's now ready to bolster
the Reds squad as the season enters its final and decisive
straight.
Rafael Benitez admits the German midfielder is not yet one
hundred per cent physically fit but he revealed there is a
possibility he will play some part of the game against
'Boro.
With Xabi Alonso suspended for Tuesday's eagerly anticipated
visit of Chelsea Hamann's return could not have come at a
better time.
"Didi is fit and he will be in the list for tomorrow,"
Benitez confirmed at a Melwood press conference this
afternoon.
"He had a problem with his knee but has worked hard and
although he is maybe not in the right physical condition it
is important for us now to have another option.
"There is a possibility he will play. It depends. If we need
the player then maybe we can use the player."
(LFC Official Website)
Ayesteran: Reds not finished article
Liverpool are far from happy with their season despite
moving closer to the final of the Champions League.
Pako Ayesteran, assistant to Reds manager Rafael Benitez,
has delivered a verdict on the campaign which will bring
Liverpool fans back to earth ahead of Saturday's meeting
with Middlesbrough.
He said: "Someone who works at the club told me how
fantastic it is that we've reached the semi-final for the
first time in 20 years and are fifth in the league.
"I told him I do not think it is fantastic at all, not for
Liverpool. You cannot say that, even if you analyse the
injuries. I am not happy, Rafa is not happy. We think the
season has been poor.
"This club is not yet ready to take up the challenge on all
fronts - the Premiership, Europe, FA Cup and Carling Cup."
(Sporting Life)
Gerrard's praise for Carra
Steven Gerrard has hailed Jamie Carragher as one
of the best defenders around.
Carragher was suprisingly ommitted from the PFA Team of the
Season last sunday but Steven Gerrard says that after
another heroic display against Chelsea on wednesday
Carragher will not be underestimated again.
"Carra has come on in leaps and bounds this season, and for
me the praise he has been getting is long overdue," said
Gerrard.
"He has been a fantastic player for Liverpool for years. He
has stood out for us this season because his game has
improved so much. He can now be considered a truly world
class defender, and there's no doubt about it - he's a
massive influence for us.
"The manager said recently he's as good as any defender in
the country. I'm not sure everyone believed him but they
should now. Carra doesn't get the credit he deserves. He is
underestimated and has been for years. That has never been
the case in our dressing room or among the fans. To us, he
is a hero."
(LFC Online) |
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THURSDAY 28 |
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Cole issues warning to Liverpool
Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole has told Liverpool
not to think they have the upper hand over the Blues after
holding them to a 0-0 draw at Stamford Bridge.
Cole is adamant that Chelsea have just as much chance as the
Reds heading into next Tuesday's Champions League
semi-final, second leg.
"There's no way that they're favourites and we're every bit
as much in this game as them," said Cole.
"The onus is on us and if we play like we can we'll win this
tie."
Cole added: "We're very confident and our away results this
season have been fantastic.
"It's not exactly what we wanted but it's a decent result
and we're happy."
(BBC Sport Online)
Baros hails Cech heroics
Milan Baros has paid tribute to the save from Petr Cech that
denied Liverpool taking an advantage into the Champions
League decider.
The goalkeeper dived to his right to turn aside fellow Czech
Republic star Baros' glancing header at Stamford Bridge to
ensure the second leg of the semi-final starts goalless.
"I thought my header was going in until my international
team-mate Petr Cech got it away, it was a world-class save,"
said Baros, who played only after extensive treatment on a
badly cut knee.
(TEAMtalk)
Gerrard: Kop will roar Reds to win
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has warned Chelsea to
expect a night they will never forget when they visit an
emotionally-charged Anfield next week.
The stage is set for a Champions League semi-final second
leg of epic proportions after the goalless draw at Stamford
Bridge.
Premiership champions-elect Chelsea will have to contend
with the famous Anfield atmosphere on European nights when
they arrive on Merseyside on Tuesday looking to book a place
in the 25 May final in Istanbul - most probably against AC
Milan.
And local lad Gerrard believes the Anfield crowd can swing
the tie Liverpool's way.
"It is set up nicely now for Anfield on Tuesday night and I
am sure the roof is going to come off with the noise our
fans will make. Chelsea will not know what has hit them," he
said.
"They will be taken aback a bit by the noise, we know our
fans are special and on a European night even more so.
Everyone will be looking forward to it, hopefully it will be
our day."
(TEAMtalk)
Aldo: Chelsea fans should bring ear muffs
Red legend John Aldridge has warned the travelling Chelsea
fans to expect an intense atmosphere at Anfield on Tuesday
night.
And the ex-Red striker said that Liverpool fans will show
Chelsea what a European night is about.
"It's going to be some occasion," he said.
"It's still tough because you are talking about the
Premiership champions. But Liverpool have given themselves a
great chance, and the crowd may just carry them over the
line. All that was missing at Stamford Bridge was an away
goal," Aldo added.
He said: "Chelsea fans should bring ear mufflers with them
because the Kop are going to show them what a real European
night is all about!
(LFC Online)
Alonso reveals Euro anguish
Xabi Alonso has spoken of his anguish at being banned from
Liverpool's Champions League semi-final second leg at
Anfield on Tuesday.
The Spanish star insists he was wrongly cautioned in the
final minutes of
Wednesday night's match with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, his
third yellow card of the tournament this season leading to
an immediate one-match ban.
Alonso told Liverpoolfc.tv: "You can see on the replay I
didn't touch the player. When I saw the yellow card I
couldn't believe it because I knew what it meant. I feel so
sad to be missing the second leg.
"I hoped after seeing the tackle again, maybe the referee
could change his mind, but we've been told it's not possible
to appeal.
"It's a big disappointment for me to miss the game at
Anfield, because it will be a special night. Now I just hope
we can get through to the final so I have another chance to
play in the competition."
(TEAMtalk)
Gerrard played despite dental surgery
Steven Gerrard underwent emergency dental surgery only hours
before last night's Champions League semi-final, according
to reports.
The Liverpool captain, who still played in the 0-0 draw at
Chelsea, is alleged to have had surgery to remove a mouth
abscess at a London dental hospital yesterday morning.
According to the Liverpool Echo, he had suffered increasing
pain and awoke in agony during the early hours of yesterday
morning, when a decision was taken that he should undergo
treatment.
Liverpool FC spokesman Ian Cotton said: "Stevie woke with
toothache in the early hours of Wednesday morning and after
talking with club doctor Mark Waller was given medication
which allowed him to sleep though to 9am.
"After breakfast, Stevie accompanied the doctor to a local
dentist where he underwent a minor dental procedure which
lasted no more than 20 minutes to treat an abscess. The
player then rejoined his team-mates for lunch at the team
hotel."
(The Guardian)
Southgate faces fight for fitness
Middlesbrough defender Gareth Southgate is doubtful for
Saturday's trip to Liverpool after receiving a head injury
in Wednesday's draw with Newcastle.
The 34-year-old needed 10 stitches in a gash following an
80th-minute clash with Magpies skipper Alan Shearer.
Boro boss Steve McClaren admitted that Southgate was
doubtful for Saturday.
"We will have to wait and see for the weekend but, knowing
Gareth, he will want to play because we are so close to Uefa
Cup qualification," he said.
McClaren added: "He has had about 10 stitches - it is a hell
of a gash."
(BBC Sport Online)
Finnan: Let's do it for Xabi
Liverpool are confident they can overcome the absence of
Xabi Alonso in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League
clash with Chelsea.
Impressive defender Steve Finnan is hopeful Liverpool can
get to the final for Alonso.
"We can do it for Xabi, we can give him the final to come
back to," said the Irishman.
"There were a few of us on yellow cards, it was just unlucky
that it happened to him. It didn't look much like a yellow
card, but we can give him the final to look forward to."
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard also backed Hamann to come
back and do a job.
"Xabi is a magnificent passer but Dietmar Hamann is nearly
fit and knocking on the door," he said. "It's set up for a
great second leg."
(Sky Sports)
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Thor Zakariassen
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