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SATURDAY 31 |
Redknapp hits back at Rafa
Harry Redknapp has insisted he did nothing wrong by
commenting on his admiration for Liverpool striker Robbie
Keane.
Reds boss Rafa Benitez stated on Friday that he was not
happy with Tottenham following remarks Redknapp had made
earlier in the week.
The Spurs boss revealed that he thought Republic of Ireland
international Keane was a 'fantastic player'.
Keane left White Hart Lane to join Liverpool last summer but
there has been speculation about his future and a possible
return to the London club.
Benitez has regularly left Keane out of his starting line-up
in recent weeks but Redknapp maintains that he had no
intention of unsettling the player with his comments.
Redknapp is adamant that he never expressed an interest in
signing Keane and has accused Benitez of overreacting.
"The comments I made, there was absolutely nothing wrong
with them," said Redknapp.
"I don't know why the manager of Liverpool gets upset about
everything - it is strange.
"I said Robbie is a terrific player and a good lad but he
belongs to Liverpool so it's not a possibility.
"It's crazy. I never mentioned I was interested in him. It
was never a goer really."
(Sky Sports)
Keane not in Chelsea squad
Robbie Keane has been omitted from Liverpool’s squad to face
Chelsea on Sunday, according to claims this evening.
The Republic of Ireland international was left out of the
squad against Everton in the FA Cup last Sunday and is
believed not to be in the squad for Sunday’s crucial clash
at Anfield.
Liverpool and manager Rafa Benitez have denied reports Keane
could be set to return to Tottenham but if this proves true
and Keane isn’t in the squad on Sunday, surely his future
lies away from Anfield, with the transfer window closing on
Monday.
Keane played the last eight minutes against Wigan in midweek
and trained as normal there doesn’t seem to be an injury to
rule him out. Last week youngster David N’Gog took his place
in the squad after scoring twice in the reserves.
It’s a bizarre situation, and if true will no doubt see
Benitez receive further criticism after a week which has
seen many fans question their own loyalty to the Spaniard.
(This is Anfield)
Youngsters beaten in derby thriller
Liverpool Under-18s were left to rue missed opportunities
after going down to a 3-2 defeat in an entertaining mini
derby with Everton on Saturday.
The Reds had looked on course to record victory after a
Lauri Dalla Valle brace had cancelled out Tom McCready's
opener.
But the Blues fought back and after James McCarten had
levelled before the break, Shane Duffy headed home the
winner on 48 minutes.
It was a bitter disappointment for Hughie McAuley's men who
dominated throughout but were made to pay for some sloppy
defending at set pieces.
It means they will now head into Thursday's FA Youth Cup
clash with Chelsea on the back of their first defeat of
2009.
Liverpool u18s: Bouzanis, Scott, Buchtmann, Irwin, Wisdom,
Pepper, Amoo, Eccleston, Dalla Valle, Ince, Kacaniklic.
Unused subs: Metcalf, Duyan, Roberts, Adjarevic, Cooper.
(LFC Official Website)
Arbeloa welcomes pressure
Alvaro Arbeloa has welcomed the pressure Liverpool are
under.
The defender says the pressure the Reds are currently under
is welcome as it proves they're involved in a title
challenge.
"It's really nice to feel the pressure of fighting for a
title. This is why I came to Liverpool. Every player here
wants to fight for the title, to feel this pressure and to
play in massive games," Arbeloa said in an interview on the
club's official website.
"Sunday is massive for both teams. A draw is not enough for
us - and not enough for them. We play at home and we have to
win.
"It will be important after the last few weeks if we win and
show people that we can beat a really good side. It will be
good for us, the supporters and the media. This game can
change everything."
(LFC Online)
Torres: I'll end my anfield drought
Fernando Torres claims Chelsea are the perfect opponents for
him to end an eight-month Anfield goal drought.
A series of injuries have restricted El Nino to six goals
this season - all away from home. The Spain international's
last strike at Anfield came against Man City in May.
Now approaching full fitness, Torres is desperate to make
the Kop bounce with delight once more in a fixture which
brought his first goal in English football back in August
2007.
The 24-year-old said: "It was my first game at Anfield in
front of the Liverpool fans so it is a very special memory
for me. I also scored my first goal in that game so it was
the beginning of everything.
"Because of this there would be no game that would be better
for me to score again at Anfield.
"I know there will be so many people watching the game and
our fans will be really wanting us to win so hopefully I can
play at my best and score a goal."
(LFC Official Website)
Scolari backing for Benitez blast
Luiz Felipe Scolari has leapt to Rafael Benitez's defence
following his attack on Manchester United boss Sir Alex
Ferguson earlier this month.
The Chelsea manager insists he has some sympathy with
Liverpool counterpart Benitez as the two clubs prepare for
their crucial Premier League showdown at Anfield on Sunday,
where a draw would give United a clear edge in the title
race.
Benitez accused Ferguson and his staff of putting referees
under pressure, especially at Old Trafford, and of
consistently showing them little respect.
Now Scolari, who takes his side to Anfield on Sunday for
their first away league fixture since a 3-0 drubbing at
United, says he can understand the reasons behind Benitez's
controversial rant.
"It's one of his ideas and I haven't spoken to him about
it," said Scolari.
"Maybe I will at the weekend. I understand. I understand
very well.
"I understand that, sometimes, when we play there (at Old
Trafford) and at Stamford Bridge, I know what happens."
(TEAMtalk)
Euro omission raises Hyppia doubts
Sami Hyypia’s Anfield future could be called into question
after the defender was again left out of Liverpool’s
Champions League squad.
The Finland international was not part of the 25-man pool
for the group stages with UEFA rules limiting the number of
foreign players.
And Hyypia, a regular starter in the Premier League in
recent months, has again been overlooked for the knockout
stages with centre-backs Martin Skrtel, Daniel Agger and
Jamie Carragher already at Rafael Benitez’s disposal.
Sunderland are among a number of clubs are monitoring
Hyypia’s situation and could now make an effort to lure the
veteran to the North East, although Benitez wants the player
to stay.
(Liverpool Daily Post)
Put your trust in me, urges Benitez
Rafael Benitez has urged Liverpool supporters to “trust” him
as he dismissed suggestions his team are too cautious to win
the title.
The Anfield outfit entertain fellow championship contenders
Chelsea tomorrow afternoon having slipped below the
Londoners to third place in the Premier League table, with
both teams two points adrift of leaders and champions
Manchester United.
“The supporters need to trust the team, the team is doing
well,”
said Benitez.
“I am the manager and I will make the decisions and if the
team can continue winning everyone will be happy, if not we
will be disappointed.
“This year we have a very good problem. Expectation has gone
high.
“Now we need to manage the situation. We have to keep going
whether we win or cannot.
“Clearly this kind of game can change everything. If we win
everyone will be talking about us being back in the title
race, we are fantastic, we have an opportunity.
“The draws have been disappointing. If we win against
Chelsea everything will change.”
(Liverpool Daily Post) |
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FRIDAY 30 |
Reds trio back for Blues clash
Xabi Alonso, Dirk Kuyt and Albert Riera are expected to
return to Liverpool's starting line-up for Sunday's home
clash with Chelsea.
All three started on the bench for the midweek 1-1 Premier
League draw at Wigan - although both Kuyt and Riera came on
during the match - as manager Rafael Benitez rested key
players ahead of the Chelsea showdown.
Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres were substituted at the
JJB Stadium with Benitez claiming they were tired, but both
should start against Chelsea.
Liverpool (from): Reina, Arbeloa, Skrtel, Agger, Hyypia,
Carragher, Dossena, Aurelio, Benayoun, Babel, Alonso,
Mascherano, Lucas, Gerrard, Riera, Torres, Kuyt, Keane,
Cavalieri.
(TEAMtalk)
Harry's Keane talk riles Rafa
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has been left unimpressed by
Tottenham's interest in striker Robbie Keane.
Spurs boss Harry Redknapp admitted earlier in the week that
he felt the Republic of Ireland international was a
'fantastic' player
Sky Sports News understands the North London outfit then
made an enquiry as to Keane's availability on Thursday.
He told Sky Sports News: "We told Spurs that we were not
happy
with them.
And when pressed as to what he was unhappy about, he added:
"The comments of their manager about Keane."
Benitez believes the forward still has a vital role to play
in the closing stages of the season as Liverpool target
their first league title in 19 years.
He said: "He was training this week, training well. He is
our player. He is trying to be ready, he was playing the
other day.
"Hopefully he can score a lot of goals for us and he can
work hard like before. It is the same as the other players."
(Sky Sports)
Rafa remains confident
Rafael Benitez is still confident Liverpool can win the
league.
Despite drawing seven of their last ten games Rafa Benitez
remains confident the Reds can still make a successful title
challenge.
"The players know that, after a lot of years talking about
being contenders, this is a fantastic opportunity so they
are really together and you can see the mentality of all of
them. The training sessions over the past two weeks have
been very good," said the boss.
"This season, from the beginning we were so good, we were
scoring goals and winning games and everyone could see that
it was an opportunity
for us.
"People were saying, 'Maybe it'll be this year' so we have
created a lot of the expectation ourselves. But we are still
in this position so everybody knows that we have to do our
best.
"Clearly we have to improve in attack. We have plenty of
control and plenty of possession, but we have to create
chances and take them. This is one area we can clearly
improve on and we are trying to improve.
"We are in the best position that the team or club has been
in for the last 15 years or something so we have to be
positive and think about the positives, concentrate on
Chelsea."
(LFC Online)
Reds starlet in demand
Liverpool starlet Ryan Flynn is a target for a host of clubs
before the close of the transfer window, skysports.com
understands.
Flynn is currently on loan at Wrexham, but his deal is due
to expire at the weekend.
The 20-year-old has impressed at the Racecourse Ground,
scoring one goal in five games and his performances have not
gone unnoticed.
A number of League One and League Two clubs are believed to
be exploring the option of signing the talented winger once
his deal at Wrexham comes to an end.
Flynn is a regular in the Liverpool reserves after coming
through the club's academy and helping them win the FA Youth
Cup in successive seasons in 2006 and 2007.
The young Scot is well down the pecking order at Anfield and
Reds boss Rafa Benitez could decide to loan him out again in
order to get more first-team experience under his belt.
(Sky Sports)
Carvalho absent for Anfield clash
Chelsea will be without defender Ricardo Carvalho for
Sunday's crucial Premier League trip to Anfield to take on
Liverpool.
The Portugal international is still troubled by a hamstring
strain but winger Salomon Kalou should be fit after
sustaining a minor knock against Middlesbrough in midweek.
Midfielder Michael Essien (knee) and Joe Cole (knee) are
sidelined.
Blues (from): Cech, Hilario, Taylor, Ferreira, Bosingwa,
Terry, Alex, Ivanovic, Mancienne, A Cole, Lampard, Ballack,
Mikel, Deco, Kalou, Malouda, Drogba, Anelka, Stoch,
Belletti.
(TEAMtalk)
Redknapp baffled by Benitez decisions
Former Liverpool star Jamie Redknapp believes Rafael
Benitez's "bizarre" decision-making has shattered the Reds'
hopes of claiming a first championship since 1990.
"Liverpool are going backwards," he wrote in the Daily Mail.
"The decision to take off Steven Gerrard - who was not
injured - at Wigan is confusing. What message does it send
out? Gerrard will win you a game standing on one leg, so I
don't understand what was behind the change.
"The manager has started tinkering with the team again and
the body language of the players is not good.
"The destabilising of Robbie Keane is bizarre. He has not
performed as well as many expected - me included - but he is
better than he is being treated.
"Many clubs would like to have a player of his ability.
Keane is a strong personality and a popular player in the
dressing room, so the management of the Irishman can only
have a negative impact on the squad."
(Sporting Life) |
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THURSDAY 29 |
Spurs sound out Keane
Sky Sports News sources understand Tottenham have
enquired about Robbie Keane's availability at Liverpool.
Keane's future at Anfield has been the subject of intense
speculation after he was left out of the squad for last
weekend's FA Cup clash with Everton.
The Republic of Ireland international has endured a
difficult time at Liverpool since his summer arrival from
Tottenham struggling to establish himself in Rafa Benitez's
plans.
Benitez has refused to confirm Keane's future and the player
was only given a late run-out in Wednesday's draw with
Wigan.
Spurs boss Harry Redknapp is thought to be in the market for
a new striker and he has never hidden his admiration for
Keane.
Sky Sports News sources claim Spurs have made an informal
enquiry for Keane, but no bid has been tabled for the former
Leeds ace.
(Sky Sports)
Degen makes comeback as Reserves draw
Liverpool Reserves were held to a goalless draw by
arch-rivals Manchester United on Thursday night as Philipp
Degen made his comeback from injury.
The result does nothing to improve the Reds' disappointing
league position, though they can at least take comfort from
looking down on joint bottom United.
Liverpool, who employed a slick 4-1-3-2 formation, could
have got more from the game had they capitalised on a decent
first-half showing.
Bookings: Damien Plessis, David Ngog.
Gulacsi, Degen (Mendy 45), Darby (cap), Kelly, Spearing,
Plessis, El Zhar, Pacheco, Ngog, Simon (Palsson 72), Bruna
(Weijl 61). Subs: Bouzanis, Antwi.
(LFC Official Website)
Lucas: Reds still in title hunt
Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva says his Anfield team-mates
still believe they can win the Premier League title.
The Reds 1-1 draw at Wigan on Wednesday, their ninth in the
League this season, saw them slip down to third place in the
table.
Lucas told BBC Radio Merseyside: "If we don't believe, then
who will?
"We believe because we have a good squad and a good manager.
Maybe we have to start taking our chances, but unfortunately
I conceded
a penalty."
"Things will change if we work hard but of course we know we
are drawing too much and we know we have to win the next
game," said Lucas.
(BBC Sport Online)
TEAMtalk Tirade:
Rafa will never rule
TEAMtalk Editor Simon Wilkes feels Liverpool boss Rafael
Benitez is far too defensive a manager to ever lift the
Premier League trophy.
Liverpool will not win the Premier League title this season
for one reason only - Rafael Benitez.
The Spaniard appeared to have steered the Reds into a strong
position for a serious challenge to champions Manchester
United's throne following a ruthless 5-1 demolition of
Newcastle at St James' Park in December.
But then came 'Factgate', which saw Benitez launch a
staggering attack on Sir Alex Ferguson, accusing the Red
Devils gaffer of getting away with murder when it came to
criticising officials.
Opinion was divided on the Reds chief's outburst, with some
claiming it needed to be said, but it's fair to say everyone
was baffled by the timing of his blast - and it clearly
stumped the Liverpool players, who had previously been
receiving plaudits aplenty for their marauding, goal-laden
football.
Benitez's rant came ahead of a showdown with battling Stoke
at the Britannia Stadium, and a team who had put three past
Bolton and five past the Magpies suddenly looked a shadow of
themselves and were held to a dour 0-0 draw.
(TEAMtalk)
Yossi frustrated as points slip away
Yossi Benayoun has challenged his Liverpool teammates to
turn around their recent string of draws by defeating
Chelsea at Anfield on Sunday.
The Israeli international opened the scoring against Wigan
Athletic on Wednesday with an impressive goal four minutes
before half-time, but Mido struck a late equaliser from the
penalty spot to ensure the Reds of a seventh draw in ten
matches.
Benayoun told Liverpoolfc.tv he was happy to get on the
scoresheet for the second time this term and he has every
confidence his teammates have the quality to turn things
around soon.
"Scoring goals is good on a personal level, but the
important thing is to play well for the team. I was quite
happy with the way I played today, but it obviously wasn't
good enough in the end," he said.
"We have to try to play better and must score the second
goal when we are winning 1-0, but were unable to do that
today."
(LFC Official Website) |
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WEDNESDAY 28 |
Dig deep for a defence of Rafa Benitez
Does Rafa Benitez enjoy it? Does he crave the attention? Has
he gone mad? Or, more likely, does he just like to do things
his way regardless of what anyone else thinks? It is an
approach which - tiresome but crucial to point out as it is
- that has won him two La Liga titles, a Uefa Cup and a
Champions League....amongst others.
Saying that, taking candy off a baby would be harder than
picking holes in Benitez and Liverpool after yet another
botched job against Wigan on Wednesday.
The substitutions will do for starters.....
(Tom Kell - Setanta Sports)
Rafa rues Wigan draw
Rafa Benitez admitted his side dropped two crucial Premier
League points after a frustrating 1-1 draw with Wigan
Athletic at the JJB Stadium.
Benitez felt that his side performed much better in the
first half and described the frenetic second half as
'crazy'.
"We are very disappointed because we have lost two points,"
said Benitez after the game.
"We were much better in the first half and had control of
the game, but we didn't kill it off, which was the problem."
(LFC Official Website)
Latics leave it late to hold Reds
Liverpool's inability to convert possession into goals
returned to haunt them as they conceded an 81st-minute
equaliser to draw 1-1 at Wigan..
For the fourth successive match, Rafael Benitez's side
failed to capitalise on their domination - and had only
Yossi Benayoun's 41st-minute effort to show for their
efforts.
It proved not to be enough when Brazil midfielder Lucas
Leiva's senseless, rash challenge on Jason Koumas allowed
Mido - signed on loan from Middlesbrough last week - to
convert the penalty.
With Chelsea beating Middlesbrough, Liverpool dropped to
third in the table - two points behind leaders Manchester
United, having played one match more, and only one point
ahead of fourth-placed Aston Villa.
(TEAMtalk)
Benayoun starts v Wigan
Yossi Benayoun returns to the Liverpool starting line-up for
tonight's Premier League clash with Wigan Athletic as Rafa
Benitez makes three changes from Sunday's 1-1 draw with
Everton.
The Israeli international comes into the side in place of
Dirk Kuyt on the right wing, while Fabio Aurelio replaces
Andrea Dossena at left-back and Lucas Leiva comes in for
Xabi Alonso in the centre of midfield.
The Liverpool team in full: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher,
Skrtel, Aurelio, Benayoun, Lucas, Mascherano, Babel,
Gerrard, Torres.
Subs: Cavalieri, Dossena, Agger, Keane, Alonso, Riera, Kuyt.
(LFC Official Website)
On-loan Nemeth suffers injury blow
Blackpool have been dealt a blow after on-loan Liverpool
striker Krisztian Nemeth fractured his cheekbone in
Tuesday's 3-0 home defeat to QPR.
The Hungarian, who only arrived at Bloomfield Road on a
one-month loan on Monday, received a knock to the face
minutes after coming on as a second-half substitute.
A scan confirmed he has suffered a fractured cheekbone and
he has been referred to a specialist, potentially ruling him
out of action for the remainder of his loan spell.
(TEAMtalk)
Gerrard happy to be underdogs
Steven Gerrard remains confident that Liverpool can upset
the odds this season and take the Premier League title.
The Reds have not taken the top-flight crown for 19 years,
but remain well placed to end that drought this term.
"Are we out of the title race? No, we're not," the Reds
skipper told the Liverpool Echo.
"If anything, the couple of setbacks we've had lately just
make us even more determined to get back on track.
"We're nobody's favourites for the Premier League title but
we don't really care. We're in the mix and that's where you
want to be.
"We've got a great chance this season - probably the best in
my time in the first team - and we believe in ourselves.
"There's a lot of pressure that comes with being in our
position but we think we can cope with that. We're confident
we can match United and Chelsea stride for stride and then
see what happens in the closing stages of the campaign."
(Sky Sports)
Kuyt keen to extend Anfield stay
Dirk Kuyt has pledged his future to Liverpool, with the
forward's agent stating that talks are taking place over a
new deal for the Dutchman.
The 28-year-old Dutchman has 15 months remaining on his
current deal on Merseyside and recent rumours have suggested
that Juventus are monitoring the situation.
However, Kuyt - who joined the Reds in 2006 from Feyenoord -
has pledged his future to the Premier League title-chasers.
"I am enormously happy here and I want to continue for as
long as possible at Liverpool," he told Voetbal
international.
And a representative of Kuyt, John Smith, has confirmed that
talks are ongoing with the Liverpool hierarchy.
Smith added: "Furthermore, we are in discussions with
Liverpool about a contract extension for Dirk."
(TEAMtalk)
Duran injured
Francisco Duran has picked up another injury.
The reserve team midfielder, who has already spent two long
spells on the sidelines with injuries to his right knee, has
now been ruled out for six months after picking up a
cruciate ligament injury in his left knee.
"We've had some really bad news with Francisco damaging his
cruciate, this time on his left knee," reserves boss Gary
Ablett told the club's official website.
"It was something really innocuous in training and as soon
as he went down we saw the pain in his face and we feared
the worst.
"He has had an operation and will be out for six months
minimum unfortunately. Mentally, the boy is as strong a kid
as you will ever meet in terms of what he's been through,
and we are all doing our best to keep the lad going.
(LFC Online)
Cup date announced
The date for a possible FA Cup fifth round game has been
announced.
If Liverpool beat Everton in their fourth round replay a
week tonight, they will host the winners of the Aston Villa
vs Doncaster replay at Anfield on Sunday, February 15th. The
game would kick off at 2.30pm at would be shown live on
Setanta.
(LFC Online)
Thor Zakariassen
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