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WEDNESDAY 30 |
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Benitez explains Cisse omission
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has insisted striker Djibril
Cisse was not excluded from the team that beat Sunderland
for disciplinary reasons.
Cisse had reacted petulantly to being substituted during the
1-0 win at Manchester City at the weekend.
Asked if Cisse was omitted on disciplinary grounds, Benitez
said: "No - there's no problem, no reason, only a big squad
and a lot of games.
"We've a big squad and a lot of games - you need to use the
players you have."
While Crouch has yet to score a goal for Liverpool, Cisse
has scored regularly, despite often being deployed on the
right wing.
(BBC Sport Online)
Liverpool pile on misery for McCarthy
Xabi Alonso inspired 10-man Liverpool to a sixth win in
seven Barclays Premiership games as the Reds climbed into
fourth place with victory at Sunderland.
Even Mohamed Sissoko's 65th-minute dismissal and the
extension of Peter Crouch's goal drought to 11 minutes short
of 24 hours could not halt the Reds' charge as Sunderland
slumped to an eighth successive defeat, seven of them in the
league.
The game was won within 14 first-half minutes through the
invention of Spanish midfielder Alonso, who first played in
compatriot Luis Garcia to open the scoring on 31 minutes and
then fed skipper Steven Gerrard to make it 2-0 on the stroke
of half-time.
(Sport.ie)
Three changes for Reds at Sunderland
Rafael Benitez has made three changes to the Liverpool
starting eleven for tonight's Premiership encounter against
Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
Xabi Alonso, Luis Garcia and Fernando Morientes return.
Stephen Warnock drops to the bench, while Dietmar Hamann and
Djibril Cisse are omitted from the squad altogether.
Team in full: Reina, Finnan, Riise, Hyypia, Carragher,
Sissoko, Gerrard, Alonso, Garcia, Crouch, Morientes. Subs -
Carson, Traore, Kewell, Pongolle, Warnock.
(LFC Official Website)
Cisse kicked out by Benitez
The local media have confirmed today's rumours that Djibril
Cisse has been kicked out of the squad for tonight's game
against Sunderland.
Rafael Benitez has taken the action as a result of the
player's show of frustration when hauled off against
Manchester City at the weekend.
Benitez insisted at the time that it was normal for a player
to be upset when replaced and claimed there was no problem
between them.
(Kop Talk)
Rafa hoping to jump into top four
Rafael Benitez is hoping that a win at Sunderland tonight
would lift Liverpool into the top four in the Premiership.
"This is a great opportunity to make up the difference in
matches played, we must be in the top four," said the
Liverpool boss.
"This is an important and a tough game, afterwards we are at
home to Wigan and we could be in the top four by then. It is
crucial that the team concentrate on this situation.
"We can then go to Japan for the World Club Championships
thinking only of that trophy and not the league. Our
confidence will be high if we can win the three league games
before we go."
(LFC Online)
Dudek in possible Liverpool exit
Poland goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek may leave Liverpool in January
in search of first team football to help him win back his
international place before next year's World Cup finals. The
32-year-old has spent the last four months playing number
two to Spain's Jose Reina on Merseyside.
According to the Gazeta Wyborcza newspaper, Liverpool
manager Rafael Benitez told Dudek on Tuesday that he wanted
the Pole to stay with the European champions but would not
play him unless Reina was ruled out by injury or a loss of
form.
"I told him that solution does not interest me," the paper
quoted Dudek as saying in an interview due to be published
in full on Thursday.
"I don't want to be counting on an injury to a colleague and
that he places me in a tough situation.
"I played most of Poland's matches in qualifying for the
World Cup but if I don't play for my club I could wind up
not going to the finals. For me this would be a disaster."
(Eurosport)
Anfield door is still open for Le Tallec
Red's boss Rafa Benitez says Anthony Le Tallec could still
have a future at Anfield - despite an astonishing out-burst
last weekend when he declared he was "sick" of his treatment
by the Reds.
The young Frenchman, on-loan at Sunderland, said: "The club
and the manager tell me they are counting on me for the
future, but I'm not sure I want to stay there after this.
"I want to give my all at a club where I feel wanted.
Maybe there's no future for me at Liverpool after all."
Yesterday, however, Benitez hit back: "If you use your
memory, I brought Anthony Le Tallec back from St Etienne
last season when he wasn't playing and he played some games
in the Champions League.
"We have a squad of players and we need to decide who we
use.
"Players want to play every game for Liverpool, but at this
moment that is not easy to do. But I don't have problems
with Le Tallec.
"For me he is a very good player and he is progressing at
Sunderland."
(Daily Post)
Parry: Badges of honour will be on white
kit
Chief executive Rick Parry has revealed that the club will
be adding the two special badges to the alternative white
Champions League strip.
The Premier League won't allow us to have the recognition
badges added to our league shirts which is disgraceful in
our opinion and we're sure you'll agree.
Parry said: "Our special edition red European shirts sold
out in two weeks due to the huge demand. The response from
our fans was unbelievable.
"Everyone wanted the shirts with their two special Champions
of Europe badges, one highlighting our status as reigning
champions and the other recording the fact that we claimed
the trophy outright, having won it five times.
"We are not allowed to put the badges on our Premier League
shirts, but I know that many fans would still like to buy a
top with those badges of honour in place. In the near future
we will be making them available on our alternative white
kit, which we may have to wear if there is a colour clash in
the knockout phase."
(Kop Talk)
Rafa's stern warning
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has issued a stern warning to
his squad following Djibril Cisse's reaction when he was
hauled off 5 minutes into the second half against Manchester
City.
The striker was gutted to be dragged off immediately after
the second half got underway and like us, he was puzzled as
to why the manager just didn't sub him at half-time. But
frustrated or not, Rafa makes the decisions and we all have
to accept that.
The boss said: "I understand a player being disappointed if
I decide to change him. But I am only trying to do the best
for our team. Harry Kewell came on and played well.
"If you decide to use a different player it is only because
you feel it will be better for the team. Everybody needs to
understand that.
"I have explained to Djibril why I made the change and he
understands. He is training okay and I do not have problems
with him. I must make decisions because I am the manager.
"I decide who is the best player for each game, and
sometimes I need to change a player during a match. I
decide."
(Kop Talk)
Reserves win
A Paul Anderson goal was enough to give Liverpool's reserve
side a 1-0 win over their Sunderland counterparts.
Anderson will officially sign for the Reds from Hull in
January but is currently at Anfield on a work experience
deal and last night he scored his first goal for the
reserves.
On the hour mark Darren Potter sent a free kick to the back
post were Anderson was waiting and he connected with an
unstoppable half volley to win the game for the Reds.
Liverpool gave a game to MK Dons trialist David Martin and
while the 19 year old goalkeeper did keep a clean sheet, in
all honesty he had nothing to do thanks to good performances
from Godwin Antwi and Miki Roque.
Antonio Barragan continued his recovery from injury with
another 90 minute run out, this time at right-back.
(LFC Online) |
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TUESDAY 29 |
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Warnock: I don't want to quit Reds
Stephen Warnock has today dismissed wild newspaper
speculation that he wants to quit Liverpool.
A "wicked whisper" in one tabloid over the weekend suggested
Warnock was unhappy at not being a regular in the first team
plans this season and was considering a move to Everton.
But the Liverpool defender insists nothing could be further
from the truth after showing his committment to the club by
signing a new contract in the summer.
He told Liverpoolfc.tv: "If I wasn't happy here then I
wouldn't have signed a new contract. It's as simple as that.
"The story said that I wasn't happy at Liverpool and that I
was going to speak with David Moyes about going to Everton.
It's just not true.
"When I go home from training I don't tend to talk about my
situation with my friends. When I go out I want to socialise
and I definitely wouldn't talk about wanting to leave, even
if it was the case. To be honest, I feel sorry for the
person who said I was unhappy. It's quite sad really."
(LFC Official Website)
Alonso doubtful for Reds
Liverpool still have doubts over the fitness of midfielder
Xabi Alonso, who missed Saturday's win at Manchester City
with an ankle problem.
The Spaniard is still suffering pain from the injury and may
not be risked in the Premiership trip to Sunderland on
Wednesday.
But boss Rafael Benitez expects to have Luis Garcia back in
the squad following a hip injury received in the Champions
League match with Real Betis.
Liverpool will be without winger Bolo Zenden, who could be
out for a month with a knee injury and is definitely out of
the World Club Championship next month in Japan.
Liverpool (from): Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Traore,
Warnock, Luis Garcia, Kewell, Gerrard, Hamann, Sissoko,
Riise, Cisse, Morientes, Crouch, Dudek, Sinama-Pongolle,
Potter, Josemi.
(TEAMtalk)
Benitez: Crouch is the key man
Rafa Benitez insists the much-maligned Peter Crouch has been
the difference maker for Liverpool this season.
Liverpool have won five of their last six matches to draw
ever closer to The Premiership's chasing pack and the
successful defence of the UEFA Champions League.
Many observers, including some of Liverpool's own
supporters, believe that fine run of form to have been in
spite of the striker who is still to claim his first goal
for the club.
Not so the Liverpool manager who has been moved to describe
Crouch as his "key player".
"The key player is Peter Crouch this year - for us he is a
very important player," Benitez told Sky Sports News.
(Sky Sports)
McCarthy to "sort out" Crouch
Mick McCarthy says he will "sort out" Peter Crouch before
his Sunderland side take on Liverpool.
The Black Cats boss told Sky Sports News that he is starting
to feel the pressure on Wearside and that he has a unique
plan in mind aimed at preventing the out-of-touch Liverpool
striker from opening his account on Saturday.
"I might have to grip Crouch in the tunnel and sort him out
before we go out, maybe that's the only way forward," he
joked.
(Sky Sports)
Evra flattered by interest
Monaco ace Patrice Evra has admitted he is flattered to be
linked with Liverpool and Internazionale.
The European champions and Inter have both held a long-term
interest in the exciting full back.
Evra is thought to be considering his future at Monaco
following the departure of Didier Deschamps earlier this
season.
The French international is happy to attract the interest of
Liverpool and Inter, but insists he will not be affected by
the speculation.
"Those two clubs are still present, but it doesn't go to my
head," Evra told But.
"There are a lot of beautiful clubs that are following my
performances, but there is nothing concrete.
"I didn't give any agreement to anyone. It is a pleasure to
hear those rumours."
(Sky Sports)
Rafa explains Whitbread loan move
Rafael Benitez says it was vital for Zak Whitbread to gain
first team experience hence his loan move to Millwall.
Whitbread completed his loan move last week and played in
Millwall's 1-0 defeat to Leeds at the weekend. Rafa Benitez
says the move will be beneficial to Whitbread's development
as a player and that more of Liverpool's youngsters could
follow him out on loan.
"I think it will be good for him to be playing every week.
It was a problem, because the defenders we have here have
been playing very well at the moments there wasn't many
opportunities for him. He's a young player and needs to play
in order to get more experience," says Benitez.
"It's the same for all the young players. They need to be
playing as much as possible but we will have to wait and see
before deciding if any more will be going out on loan.
There's a busy period of games coming up and we need to
analyse each individual situation."
(LFC Online)
Reds look at Dons keeper
Liverpool are running the rule over MK Dons goalkeeper David
Martin.
The 19-year-old shot-stopper is looking to earn a dream move
to Anfield after being handed a trial by The Reds.
He will get the opportunity to impress Rafa Benitez when he
lines up in the reserve team to play Sunderland on Tuesday
night.
A product of the Dons youth academy, Martin will be looking
to follow in the footsteps of his famous father Alvin as he
seeks a move into top-flight football.
(Sky Sports)
Reds close on Simao
Liverpool are closing in on a deal for Benfica winger Simao
Sabrosa.
Rafa Benitez has been a long-term admirer of Simao who has
been a consistent performer in the UEFA Champions League
this season.
Midfielder Bolo Zenden's lay-off now appears to have forced
the Spaniard's hand, although Benitez is believed to be
willing to pay no more than £8 million for the Portuguese
international.
Nevertheless Benfica club president, Luis Filipe Vieira,
claims a deal is in the offing even if The Reds will not
meet the £12 million asking price.
"We know that we will have to sell him, it is just a
question of price," said Vieira.
"If Liverpool had come up with £12 million, then he would
already have gone."
(Sky Sports)
Ronaldinho praises Gerrard
Ronaldinho has picked up the European Player of the Year
award, with Liverpool's Steven Gerrard finishing third
behind Frank Lampard.
"Lampard and Gerrard are great players, they deserve to be
rewarded in this way and it is a pleasure for me to see them
play in the Premiership," said the Brazilian. "It is great
to see such talented footballers at such a young age."
Ronaldinho received 225 points in the vote, Lampard received
148 and Gerrard six
votes behind.
(LFC Online) |
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MONDAY 28 |
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Cisse under the microscope
Djibril Cisse's immediate future at Liverpool will come
under close scrutiny following his performance and behaviour
at Manchester City on Saturday.
The Frenchman was replaced by Harry Kewell five minutes into
the second half of Liverpool's 1-0 victory at Manchester
City.
But it is Cisse's attitude to that substitution, as much as
his lacklustre display at the City of Manchester Stadium,
that will concern boss Rafael Benitez.
Cisse, who was reported to have said last week that there
was a "Pop Idol" elimination contest taking place at Anfield
among the strikers over who may be sold in January, slowly
strolled off the Eastlands pitch with a look of surprise on
his face.
(Sporting Life)
Gerrard wins third spot in the Ballon d'Or
Steven Gerrard scooped third place in the annual Ballon d'Or
(European Footballer of the Year) awards this evening.
Gerrard was narrowly beaten to second place by international
team-mate Frank Lampard with Barcelona's Brazilian genius
Ronaldinho cruising to the top of the list.
Two other Reds were nominated for the award, but Jamie
Carragher and Luis Garcia did not make it into the top ten:
1. Ronaldhino 225 points
2. Frank Lampard 148 points
3. Steven Gerrard 142 points
4. Thierry Henry 41 points
5. Andrei Shevchenko 33 points
6. Paolo Maldini 23 points
7. Adriano 22 points
8. Zlatan Ibrahimovic 21 points
9. Kaka 19 points
10. Samuel Eto'o & John Terry 18 points
FACT: The last Brit to win the Ballon d'Or was Michael Owen
in 2001 after a fantastic treble winning season with
Liverpool, the first was the legendary Stanley Matthews
playing for Blackpool in 1956 - the first year the award was
run.
(Shankly Gates)
Zenden to miss World Club Championships
Liverpool winger Boudewijn Zenden will be out of action for
a month - and the Reds' star seems certain to miss the World
Club Championships in Japan with knee ligament damage.
The Dutchman sustained the injury in training last week.
There were initial fears the injury was serious, but a scan
has revealed a strain in the ligaments of his right knee,
ruling him out for three to four weeks.
The injury has come at an unfortunate time for Zenden, after
he opened his goal account against West Ham recently and
followed up with another important strike against
Portsmouth.
John Arne Riise was pushed forward into midfield on
Saturday, while Harry Kewell was also influential as a
second half substitute and both will be in contention for
the left-midfield slot at Sunderland on Wednesday.
(Daily Post)
Only more progress can satisfy Benitez
It's possible to ascertain a measure of Rafael Benitez's
exacting standards from his response when asked for a
progress report on his improving Liverpool team.
Reigning champions of Europe and through to the last 16 of
this season's competition with a game to spare, three
successive Premiership victories and five consecutive clean
sheets would probably be ample achievement for most
managers.
Yet for Benitez, this current Liverpool side is not even
three-quarters towards what he would regard as being the
finished article.
"We are still far away from what I want it to be," says
Benitez.. "In my first season we did very well in the
Champions League but we needed to improve in the
Premiership.
"We are now in the last 16 of the Champions League after a
good performance and we are now doing much better in the
Premier-ship. The team is more solid, consistent and we are
keeping more clean sheets and scoring more goals.
"We are better than last season and closer to my idea but as
a manager you can never be satisfied. Last season we were
60% of what I wanted and this season we are maybe at 70%."
(Daily Post)
New 'crushing machine' built by Benitez
Rafael Benitez is never a man to shout things from the
rooftops, but his Liverpool are beginning to take on ominous
look as they ease their way up the Premier League.
Conservative, diligent, hard grafting are all plaudits that
used to be applied to Benitez and his respected, if never
really loved Valencia, who gained the unflattering title of
the 'crushing machine' in Spain.
They were rarely pretty to watch. Cue this emerging
Liverpool who are starting to set records that are music to
manager Benitez's ears.
They may lack the silk of Arsenal or the steel of Chelsea,
but six games unbeaten - six clean sheets and four
successive league wins - is starting to say that Liverpool
are on the move.
Benitez said: "We have a balance, we are defending much
better than last season. The problem will be for us to
maintain this level throughout the season."
(Daily Post)
Benitez in domestic violence campaign
Liverpool FC manager Rafael Benitez has made a stand against
domestic violence.
He joined thousands of Liverpool men in wearing a ribbon to
highlight the International White Ribbon Day campaign.
Mr Benitez wore his around his arm for the club's victory
against Manchester City on Saturday, while yesterday
Newcastle manager Graeme Souness was seen wearing a white
ribbon during his team's clash with Everton at Goodison
Park.
Midwife Marie Harris and the city's domestic violence
prevention officer, Sandy Bowden, organised White Ribbon Day
celebrations in Liverpool, which were the biggest in the UK.
Mrs Bowden said: "We were so pleased that both Rafael
Benitez and Graeme Souness wore the ribbons. It increased
the profile of the event so dramatically, especially in
Liverpool.
"They sent out a message to so many men, especially football
fans and that is what we were trying to achieve."
White Ribbon Day is an international event that aims to stop
men's violence
towards women.
(Daily Post)
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Thor Zakariassen
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