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WEDNESDAY 30 |
Masch: This team will reach many finals
Javier Mascherano has spoken of his pain after Liverpool's
European dream ended for another year – but insisted he and
his teammates could reach many finals in the years to come.
Mascherano told Liverpoolfc.tv: "It is very painful. We
showed character and personality, so it's difficult to take
because we played well and lost.
"We played at Anfield and the result was not so good, but
here at Stamford Bridge we gave everything. We couldn't have
done more.
(LFC Official Website)
Benitez: We were very close
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez stood by his pre-match
criticism of match-winner Didier Drogba and revealed
Fernando Torres was substituted due to a hamstring
problem...
Liverpool by and large were only sharp enough in short
bursts and it did not prove to be enough up against a fully
charged Chelsea, who ran out
3-2 winners after extra time - 4-3 on aggregate - and they
will make the trip to Moscow for the Champions League final
against Manchester United.
"I think think we were very close," Benitez told Sky Sports.
"We were playing well, especially in the second half. With
the first goal we were due, I think we had two chances.
"In extra time we were much better - but after we conceded
the second goal, and the third goal, finished the game."
(Goal.com)
Grant happy to make history
Avram Grant admitted he was delighted to 'create history'
after Chelsea beat Liverpool and booked a UEFA Champions
League final against Manchester United.
Grant's side overcame Liverpool but they needed extra time
before winning 3-2 on the night and 4-3 on aggregate and he
was delighted.
"There is only one special one," he quipped when asked
whether he could be ranked alongside Mourinho.
"I am very happy of course, every time you create history it
is something special here in England, especially in Chelsea,
especially after what we have had this year and especially
against Liverpool," he told Sky Sports.
"We have created history and I am very proud I did it in my
way, and this is time to say well done to all at the club,
from Roman (Abramovich) the owner who created this club
right down, my staff, my assistant, everyone is part of the
creation here."
(Sky Sports)
Chelsea lay to rest Liverpool bogey
At the third time of asking in a Champions League
semi-final, Chelsea finally overcame Liverpool, winning 3-2
on the night, 4-3 on aggregate, to set up a final against
Manchester United in Moscow.
Didier Drogba gave Chelsea the lead just after the half-hour
mark, but this was cancelled out after 64 minutes by
Fernando Torres. Frank Lampard sent Chelsea in front with a
penalty midway through the first period of extra time and
then Drogba struck again in the 105th minute to seal The
Blues' ticket to the final, despite Ryan Babel's late strike
for Liverpool.
(Setanta Sports)
Torres injured
Fernando Torres picked up a hamstring injury during
Liverpool's Champions League clash with Chelsea.
Rafael Benitez stunned everyone when he substituted his star
man when two goals behind with five minutes remaining, but
the Liverpool boss later confirmed that it was because he
was injured.
(LFC Online)
Benayoun replaces Babel for semi-final
Yossi Benayoun has been recalled to the Liverpool side in
place of Ryan Babel for this evening's Champions League
semi-final clash at Chelsea.
The team in full is:
Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Skrtel, Riise, Mascherano,
Alonso, Benayoun, Kuyt, Gerrard, Torres.
Subs:
Itandje, Finnan, Hyypia, Crouch, Pennant, Babel, Lucas.
(LFC Official Website)
Carra eager to avoid the blues
Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher is desperate to avoid the
UEFA Champions League semi-final heartbreak experienced by
Chelsea.
Carragher has witnessed Chelsea's misery first hand after
previously helping Liverpool to successes against the Blues
in the final four of Europe's premier club competition in
2005 and 2007.
Chelsea, though, enjoy the edge in this season's semi-final
meeting as Avram Grant's side go into Wednesday's second leg
at Stamford Bridge with an away goals advantage following
last week's 1-1 draw at Anfield.
And Carragher is eager to avoid the agony suffered by
Chelsea as both sides battle to book a place in this year's
final against Manchester United in Moscow on 21st May.
"That is one of the big things for me," Carragher told the
Liverpool Echo when asked about the possible dejection of
defeat.
"Whenever I think back to those nights, I remember the
celebrations when we went through and how great we all felt
because it is obviously really special to reach a European
Cup final.
"But I also remember the Chelsea players being really gutted
and I don't want to be feeling like that after tonight."
(Sky Sports)
Torres eyes Liverpool for life
Fernando Torres hopes to end his career at Liverpool,
but feels it is too early to compare him to legends from
Anfield's past.
Torres has made a dazzling start to life in England after
already netting
30 goals in his debut campaign following a record-breaking
switch from Atletico Madrid last summer.
And ahead of Liverpool's UEFA Champions League semi-final
second leg at Chelsea, a match which can be seen live on Sky
Sports 2, the 24-year-old Spaniard has admitted he would not
be against the possibility of seeing out his playing days on
Merseyside.
"I hope so," Torres - who will be charged with the vital
task of ending Liverpool's eight-game goal drought at
Stamford Bridge - told LFC TV when asked if he would like to
remain a Liverpool player for the rest of
his career.
"I feel very confident here. If we can win trophies, then
much better. This is my team, my city and Anfield is my
pitch. I feel very good."
(Sky Sports)
Coppell okay with Rafa rotation
Steve Coppell will not reproach Rafa Benitez for his team
selection despite an under-strength Liverpool side drawing
with Birmingham at
the weekend.
Liverpool made nine changes for the game at St Andrews and
Birmingham picked up a crucial point in their battle against
relegation that keeps them a solitary point behind Reading
and Bolton in 18th place.
Trotters boss Gary Megson recently appealed to Benitez not
to compromise the ‘integrity’ of The Premier League by
resting his star names ahead of the two legs of the
Champions League semi-final against Chelsea.
Coppell has no qualms about the side sent out by the
Spaniard though, claiming the chance of winning a place in
Liverpool’s European side would have been a huge
motivational tool for his Benitez’s fringe players.
“You look at the depth they have and sometimes maybe it’s of
benefit to us because they’re bringing fresh people in with
a point to prove,” said Coppell on the club’s official
website.
“The players had the prospect of a Champions League final so
they won’t have been going through the motions.
“I will always say I have faith in the integrity of the
league, and that has proved to be the case again.”
(Setanta Sports)
Valencia agent drumming up trade
Manchester United and Liverpool are interested in
signing Wigan midfielder Antonio Valencia, according to his
agent Diego Herrera.
The 22-year-old Ecuador international has been a big hit at
the JJB Stadium after a lengthy run in the team under
manager Steve Bruce, having initially been brought to the
club by former boss Paul Jewell in August 2006.
There has been speculation both United and Liverpool were
looking at the player after his performances for the Latics,
speculation Herrera insists is true with other clubs also in
the hunt.
He told El Comercio newspaper: "It is impossible to stop the
improvement in a player's career when Manchester and
Liverpool are in the middle.
"They have been following him for the past months. There are
also two more teams interested.
"But he will not come cheap. Last week, Bruce commented
£5million was not enough for the player."
(TEAMtalk)
Angry Drogba hits back at Benitez
Chelsea striker Didier Drogba says he has lost respect for
Rafael Benitez after the Liverpool boss claimed he had a
dossier of his 'diving' antics.
Ahead of the sides' Champions league semi-final second leg,
Drogba furiously hit back at the accusation.
Drogba told French newspaper L'Equipe: "Benitez was a
manager I respected a lot. He has really disappointed me.
"Until now, I found him very competent and also classy. A
top boss would never go so low to attack a player."
But the Ivory Coast international believes it is unjustified
and suspects the motives behind Benitez's comments.
"Perhaps he is looking for something to destabilise us
before the match," Drogba said.
He added: "If he wants me to stay on my feet, maybe he
should tell his defenders to stop hitting me.
"In the first leg, (Jamie) Carragher and the other one
(Martin Skrtel) didn't stop. And not just with me. I
finished the match with bruises everywhere.
"Last year, I broke a rib against Liverpool in the Champions
League semi-final. Strangely, that escapes the statistics of
Benitez.
"It will not affect me. If I fall, I will always get up. The
best response I can give will be on the pitch."
(BBC Sport Online)
Spackman backs Reds over former club
One of the few players to excel for both Liverpool and
Chelsea has backed the Reds to book a place in Moscow.
Nigel Spackman, who sandwiched 50 games at Anfield between
two spells at Chelsea in the 1980s, admits the Blues hold a
slight advantage going into tonight's Champions League
semi-final second leg.
However, the Setanta pundit saw signs in Liverpool's
performance during last week's 1-1 to suggest they can boss
what he believes will be
a tight affair.
"I think it's slightly in Chelsea's favour because of the
away goal. But we've seen it all before in semi-finals,
haven't we? Things change, so this is far from over."
Spackman told Liverpoolfc.tv in London last night.
"Liverpool can overturn this, for sure. I was there at the
first leg with all the old boys and Liverpool were
definitely the better team on the night.
The own goal was a spanner in the works and it will be very
difficult now because of their record at Chelsea.
"But the cutting edge of Torres is the difference now. I
don't think either he or Steven Gerrard played fully to
their potential in the first leg, but if these big players
perform on the night, they can turn this tie on its head.
They need to keep it tight early on, not give anything away,
then see where they go from there."
(LFC Official Website)
Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum
could buy control of Liverpool FC
The ruling Sheikh of Dubai is to take a more hands-on
approach to secure ownership of Liverpool Football Club, the
Daily Post understands.
Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum is believed to be taking a close
personal interest in the attempt to persuade American
co-owner Tom Hicks
to sell up.
If Sheikh Mohammed did manage to buy the club it would be
the first time a Premier League club were fully owned by a
sovereign state.
(Liverpool Daily Post) |
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TUESDAY 29 |
Grant jumps to Drogba's defence
Chelsea boss Avram Grant insists star striker Didier Drogba
is not a cheat and accused Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez of
playing mind games ahead of their return Champions League
semi-final at Stamford Bridge
tomorrow night.
Benitez claims to have compiled a four-year dossier of
Drogba's 'diving' antics and the striker came in for more
criticism following the 1-1 first-leg draw at Anfield.
But Grant is adamant Drogba is not a diver and claims the
Liverpool boss was trying to influence the officials ahead
of their crucial return leg.
"I don't think he is a diver at all," insisted Grant.
"He's a good player. He's a powerful player, so the referee
needs to look
at what happens to him more.
"I will not speak about the players of Liverpool and what
they do. I don't like it when others speak about mine."
(PA Sport)
Reds boss ready for Bridge battle
Rafael Benitez is in confident mood as Liverpool prepare to
confront their Chelsea demons in Wednesday's Champions
League semi-final showdown.
The Liverpool boss knows his team have never scored at
Stamford Bridge in eight matches during his four years as
manager, and for the Reds to reach Moscow on May 21 that
must change as Chelsea hold a crucial away goal from the
first leg, which finished 1-1.
But ahead of the second leg in west London, Benitez
insisted: "We will score. We will win and we will get to the
final."
(TEAMtalk)
Degen's Dortmund deadlock
Borussia Dortmund have ended contract talks with Liverpool
target Philipp Degen after the player failed to respond to
their offer.
Degen's current contract expires in the summer and he is
free to leave the German club at the end of the season.
Liverpool have been strongly linked with a move for the
Swiss international with Reds boss Rafa Benitez admitting he
has lined up a deal for a mystery free agent.
That free agent is reported to be full-back Degen, who is
currently out of action through injury.
Dortmund were hoping to keep the 25-year-old in Die
Bundesliga, but it appears he is on his way out after
snubbing their offer of a new deal.
The club's managing director Hans-Joachim Watzke confirmed
talks had broken down and they had given up on keeping the
player.
"We made him a proposal but still there has been no concrete
response from either him or his advisors," Watzke told Bild.
"We do not want to wait any longer. For us, the issue is
closed."
(Sky Sports)
Cech: We will attack Reds
Petr Cech has insisted that Chelsea will not play for a
goalless draw in
the second leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final
against Liverpool.
John Arne Riise's last-gasp own goal in the first leg at
Anfield left the score at 1-1 and gave Chelsea the slight
edge ahead of Wednesday's return match.
The Blues will progress to the final if they do not concede
but Cech feels it would be a mistake to approach the game
too defensively.
The goalkeeper has spoken of the confident mood in the
Chelsea camp following Saturday's Premier League victory
over Manchester United, and has promised that his team-mates
will look to attack.
"We want to play active football with the aim of scoring a
goal," Cech said on his own official website.
"We certainly will not be defending for 0-0 although we know
that if this is the result, then it will be enough for us.
"Liverpool are a top quality opponent, but on the other hand
we are in
good form.
"Saturday's win over Manchester (United) in the league has
been a big cheer for all of us."
(Sky Sports)
Lampard to return for Blues
Frank Lampard looks set to return for Chelsea against
Liverpool in the second leg of the Champions League
semi-final at Stamford Bridge tomorrow night.
The England midfielder, who played in the 1-1 draw at
Anfield, missed out on their Premier League win over
Manchester United last Saturday because of the death of his
mother.
Goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini remains out of action with a
damaged hamstring.
Provisional squad: Cech, Hilario, Belletti, Ferreira,
Carvalho, Alex, Ben-Haim, Terry, A Cole, Bridge, J Cole,
Ballack, Essien, Lampard, Wright-Phillips, Malouda, Kalou,
Anelka, Drogba, Shevchenko, Mikel, Makelele.
(Evening Echo)
Keegan warns Reds off Harper
Kevin Keegan has insisted he has no intention of letting
Steve Harper head away from Newcastle, amid reported
interest from Liverpool.
Media whispers have suggested Liverpool are in the hunt for
a new keeper and it is being claimed Harper has come on Rafa
Benitez’s radar.
Harper has been a loyal understudy to Shay Given on
Tyneside, but he has grasped his first-team chance this term
due to the Irishman’s
injury troubles.
Given is likely to be pressing for a starting spot next
season, but Keegan has no intention of allowing Harper to
head away from St James’ Park.
"I'm not looking for him to go out, though I'm sure he'd
come and see me if Liverpool come and knock on his door!”
Keegan told the Shields Gazette. “I know Steve very well –
he's got a great sense of humour.
"I'm not surprised (by Liverpool's reported interest). He's
a very, very good goalkeeper. Everyone's always know that,
but it's always been hidden by the fact he's not played.
"He's just played his 100th game, I think. He was here last
time I was, which was 1936, so he must be about 50 now!"
(Setanta Sports)
Benitez to ponder defensive options
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has yet to decide on his
defensive line-up for Wednesday's Champions League
semi-final second leg at Chelsea.
Benitez has no new injury problems but with Fabio Aurelio
out with a groin problem the Reds' boss could install John
Arne Riise - who scored the critical own goal as a
substitute in the first leg 1-1 draw - at left-back.
Benitez could also recall Sami Hyypia to centre-back, move
Jamie Carragher to the right and switch Alvaro Arbeloa to
the left while there could also be a place for Steve Finnan
in either full-back spot.
And Benitez must also decide whether to include in-form
Peter Crouch up front in preference to Ryan Babel.
Liverpool (from): Reina, Carragher, Arbeloa, Hyypia, Skrtel,
Riise, Finnan, Babel, Benayoun, Gerrard, Lucas, Alonso,
Mascherano, Pennant, Crouch, Kuyt, Torres, Voronin, Itandje.
(TEAMtalk)
Rafa hoping for fair ref
Rafael Benitez is hoping that referee Roberto Rossetti will
be fair when Liverpool take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on
Wednesday night.
"In the last six games in Europe he has refereed, five times
the local team have won and once they haven't. That was
Valencia against Chelsea - it's very curious," said the
Liverpool boss. "If he knows he must be strong, that is
okay.
"In the first one the referee wasn't really good in the
decision but hopefully it will be different now."
Benitez urged Rossetti to keep an eye out for Didier's
Drogba's diving.
"He is very, very strong but he falls down. He slips a lot,"
he added. "Everybody can see this every game, it is very
clear and hopefully the Italian referee, who has some
experience in Europe will see it as well."
(LFC Online)
Lucho move 'depends on' Reds
Porto star Lucho Gonzalez has admitted he would be
interested in securing a move to Atletico Madrid, but feels
a bid could hinge on whether Liverpool step in for Maxi
Rodriguez.
The 27-year-old Argentina international feels it is the
right moment for him to leave the Bwin Liga giants and he is
interested in moving to
El Vicente Calderon.
The Spanish press are linking Rodriguez with a move to
Liverpool and Gonzalez would be happy to replace his fellow
countryman.
“Nobody has contacted me, I have just read it in the papers
and the web,” Gonzalez told Argentinian radio station FM
101.1.
“At Atleti it can depend on Maxi Rodriguez going to
Liverpool or not."
(Setanta Sports)
Riise: I'm over own goal horror
John Arne Riise claims he has put his own goal trauma behind
him and the Liverpool left back is now keen to make amends
against Chelsea
on Wednesday, if given the chance by Rafa Benitez.
The Reds defender admits he was forced into some deep
thinking following the mistake but Riise has now put the
incident behind him and is ready to help steer his side to a
third Champions League final in
four years.
"We had a day off the day after the game and I went through
things in my head then," said Riise on the club’s official
website.
"I just went home and I didn't want to speak to anyone, I
just had to think about it myself. I realised you just have
to move on and now I think
I have."
(Setanta Sports) |
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MONDAY 28 |
O'Neill: No decision yet on Carson
Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill has yet to decide whether
he wants to keep on-loan goalkeeper Scott Carson
permanently.
Carson has been on-loan at Villa from Liverpool all season
and he has overcome a sticky spell following his
confidence-sapping error for England against Croatia to help
them push for a UEFA Cup spot.
The 22-year-old wants to sort out his future and does not
want another spell on loan after previously being with
Sheffield Wednesday and Charlton on a temporary basis.
O'Neill said: "We have Scott until the end of the season and
when we talked about it in the first place, there was no
decision going to be made one way or another until the end
of the season.
"Now, of course, if someone does very well then there is
talk about 'can you hurry this on?' or if someone is not
doing so cleverly then the talk is 'well, what are you doing
about it?'
"That is a natural question for people to ask me - but an
unnatural one
to answer.
"I will wait until the end of the season. Liverpool are
heavily involved now in competitions so we will wait and
then all parties will sit down."
(TEAMtalk)
Pennant hopes for Reds chance
Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant is hoping he has played
his way into Rafa Benitez's plans for Wednesday's clash with
Chelsea.
Pennant impressed in Liverpool's 2-2 draw with former club
Birmingham helping the Reds come from two goals down to
secure a point.
The former Arsenal ace is now keen to be involved in
Wednesday's vital UEFA Champions League semi-final second
leg with Chelsea
at Stamford Bridge.
"It is a massive ask for the manager to pick me for the
Chelsea game because the team have been doing very well,"
said Pennant. "We'll just have to wait and see - but if I am
on the bench then I will still probably enjoy it.
"I don't get fazed in these big games - I look forward to
them. Whatever team the manager puts out it is going to be a
great game and I wish the manager all the best for it.
"The manager has got wingers playing at the moment with
Torres and Stevie G behind him but I can play on the wing -
that's my position."
Pennant has seen his first team chances limited by injuries
this season and he is already looking forward to next term.
"At the start of this season I was doing well and in there
regularly on the back of that Champions League final. But
injury kept me out for four months with a fractured shin and
then a double hernia and then it is hard to jump straight
back in when someone is in your position playing well,"
added Pennant.
(Sky Sports)
Hyypia: Riise has recovered
John Arne Riise is ready to make amends for his Champions
League own goal nightmare when Liverpool take on Chelsea on
Wednesday night, according to team-mate Sami Hyypia.
"John is a good character and hopefully he is not worrying
about that own goal any longer," said Hyypia on the club’s
official website.
"He is mentally 100 percent and players should be
professional enough to handle these situations."
(Setanta Sports)
Lampard set for Chelsea return
Frank Lampard is back in training at Chelsea with a view to
playing against Liverpool in the second leg of their
Champions League clash at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday
night.
Lampard missed Chelsea's 2-1 Barclays Premier League win
over Manchester United on Saturday following the death of
his mother Pat from pneumonia last Thursday.
But the England midfielder is understood to have trained on
Sunday and is expected to be back with the rest of the squad
on Monday.
(PA Sport)
Kuyt won't practice pens
Dirk Kuyt says he won't be practising penalties this week.
If Liverpool and Chelsea draw 1-1 on Wednesday the game will
go to a penalty shoot-out. However, Dirk Kuyt, who scored
the winning goal in the shoot-out last season, won't be
practicising his penalties ahead of
the game.
"I will offer to take one, but I won't be practising them
this week. It is left up to individual players, but I never
practise them because it's impossible to put yourself under
the same pressure as you have in a semi-final,"
he said.
(LFC Online)
Ballack issues warning to Liverpool
Michael Ballack has warned Liverpool that they will be
confronting the formside left in the Champions League in
Wednesday's semi-final
second leg at
Stamford Bridge after his brace of goals propelled Chelsea
level with Manchester United at the top of the Premiership.
"We've put ourselves in this situation and it's exactly
where we wanted to be," said Ballack.
"It's going to be close to the end but, when I look around
at the others, I like this situation. We look better than I
think all the other teams in the Champions League now, so we
will see what we can do. This helps for Wednesday, of course
it does. We look fresh and we're showing we can play as
well. Saturday was our best performance of the season,
especially in the first half."
(Guardian Unlimited)
Thor Zakariassen
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