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SATURDAY 31 |
Rafa: Gerrard fine for PSV
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez believes Steven Gerrard will be
fit to face PSV Eindhoven next week.
The England international was withdrawn before the hour mark
in Saturday's 4-1 win over Arsenal.
It had been thought Gerrard was feeling an injury, but
Benitez was simply trying to protect him.
"I don't think that it'll be serious," he told Sky Sports 1.
"We were trying to protect all
the players."
(Sky Sports)
Hat-trick hero Crouch hails Redmen
Hat-trick hero Peter Crouch paid tribute to his team-mates
after inspiring Liverpool to a 4-1 victory over Barclays
Premiership rivals Arsenal.
"There was fantastic service. Up there on my own I had
Stevie (Gerrard) around me. Sometimes you are a bit isolated
but that wasn't the case today at all, my team-mates got
round me and it makes it easier."
(The Daily Mail)
Wenger slams defending
Arsene Wenger pulled no punches after slamming Arsenal's
defensive display in their 4-1 loss at Liverpool.
"Defensively our performance was horrendous," he said. "The
difference was Crouch, we just did not handle him at all.
"He was the big difference. We could not cope with him in
the air and his three goals all came from crosses from wide
areas.
"He made fine runs and we never got close enough to him, and
with Steven Gerrard also finding gaps between our defenders,
Liverpool more than deserved to win."
(Sky Sports)
Reds exact Gunners revenge
Peter Crouch bagged an impressive hat-trick as Liverpool
exacted revenge on Arsenal with a fine 4-1 success over The
Gunners at Anfield.
Rafa Benitez's charges were on the front foot from the off
with Crouch's well-taken double no more than the home side
deserved for their first half endeavours.
Daniel Agger padded The Reds' lead after half time and while
William Gallas pulled one back late on there was still time
for Crouch to complete his hat-trick from close range.
The win, which lifts Liverpool ahead of Arsenal into third
in the Premiership, was sweet revenge for the club's fans
who had seen their side lose three times to The Gunners
this season.
(Sky Sports)
Gerrard and Crouch on the attack
Rafael Benitez will play Steven Gerrard behind Peter Crouch
as Liverpool look to take three points From Arsenal at
Anfield this afternoon.
Victory would see the Reds leapfrog the Gunners into third
place in the Premiership.
Confirmed team: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Agger, Aurelio,
Gonzalez, Alonso, Sissoko, Pennant, Gerrard, Crouch.
Subs: Dudek, Riise, Fowler, Kuyt, Zenden.
(LFC Online) |
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FRIDAY 30 |
Rafa: I can rely on Jamie
Rafa Benitez has labelled Jamie Carragher one of the best
defenders in Europe.
Carragher's discipline and organisation has been an integral
part of Liverpool's success under Benitez.
And the Liverpool boss knows he can rely on the England
defender for leadership as they reach a crucial stage of the
season.
On Saturday the Anfield club tackle Arsenal in the
Premiership in the lunchtime kick-off, before flying out to
Eindhoven for the first leg of their Champions League
quarter-final against PSV on Tuesday night
"For me Jamie is one of the best defenders in Europe. He is
always focused on the game, always trying to learn," said
the Liverpool coach.
(Sky Sports)
Benitez demands Gunners payback
Rafa Benitez today called on his players to make amends for
their double cup misery over Arsenal when they take on the
Gunners at Anfield tomorrow.
Arsene Wenger’s side were responsible for the most painful
week in Liverpool’s season when they dumped the Reds out of
the FA and Carling Cup within the space of four, traumatic
days.
The 6-3 loss at Anfield was especially painful, and Benitez
admits it will be impossible not to think about those
defeats as the sides meet again.
“I’m sure that will be a motivation for the players, but one
I hope will help in a positive way,” said the Reds boss.
“We all remember what happened, but now we have a different
game in a different competition and situation."
(Liverpool Echo)
Gilberto and Aliadiere to miss Liverpool
game
Arsène Wenger has confirmed Gilberto and Jeremie Aliadiere
will miss the trip to Liverpool on Saturday.
The Brazilian midfielder hurt his hip on international duty
while the French striker picked up a foot injury in
training. Apart from that, the Arsenal manager had only good
news to report as his side return to Premiership action
after a fortnight out.
The return of Emmanuel Eboue (ankle) and Gael Clichy
(hamstring) means Wenger will have the luxury of fielding
arguably his first choice back four — Eboue, Gallas, Toure,
Clichy — for only the third time this season.
“Gilberto is out and so is Aliadiere for a kick on his
foot,” he said. “I am pleased to have Eboue and Clichy back.
It means I am capable to play with this back four. It means
there is a lot of experience and a lot of creativity on the
flanks. It is good to see them
together again.”
(Arsenal FC Official Website)
Rafa blasts internationals
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has called on the football
authorities to reduced the risk of players getting injured
on international duty by reducing the demands placed on
them.
The Spaniard is unhappy that the likes of captain Steven
Gerrard could be suffering from tiredness after playing two
internationals matches in the space of five days before
returning to Premiership action just 72 hours later.
Benitez is also critical of the quality of opposition his
international players sometimes face and insists the number
of matches they play could be reduced by restricting the
level of opposition.
Speaking ahead of Saturday's Premiership meeting with
Arsenal, he said: "Both sets of players will be tired, maybe
carrying injuries and being expected to play at Saturday
lunchtime after returning from a Wednesday night match.
"What disappoints me is the risk these players are facing.
When a small country like Andorra are losing and losing,
they get annoyed and then players can get hurt
"We are expecting too much from our international players.
When you play against very inferior teams, you cannot
improve and there is always so much pressure to score lots
of goals.
"It makes no sense playing matches against teams who can
never win."
(Football UK)
Bellamy donation boosts Wrexham
Liverpool striker Craig Bellamy has made a financial
donation to help Wrexham's fight against relegation.
The money, described by Wrexham as "very generous", enabled
the club to sign three loan players as they seek to avoid
dropping into the Conference.
Wrexham are currently in the League Two relegation zone with
eight games to go.
"Being a proud Welshman, I feel it's important that Wrexham
retain their place in The Football League and I hope this
gesture can help," said Bellamy.
The donation is believed to be part of the fine Cardiff-born
Bellamy received from Liverpool for his part in a Portuguese
training-camp incident, which included a row with team-mate
John Arne Riise.
Wrexham have not revealed the size of Bellamy's donation,
but the money helped them to sign Port Vale centre-back
Richard Walker, Hartlepool striker Mike Proctor and Carlisle
goalkeeper Anthony Williams before last Thursday's loan
deadline.
(BBC Sport Online)
Gerrard: We've missed Owen
Steven Gerrard has admitted England are not as strong
without the services
of Michael Owen.
Newcastle ace Owen is yet to kick a football this season
after damaging his anterior cruciate ligament during last
summer's World Cup in Germany.
The 27-year-old is close to resuming full training with
Newcastle and following a difficult week for England,
Gerrard has conceded the country are missing his former club
colleague.
England have struggled without one of their leading marksmen
after failing to score against Israel last weekend before
being held for nearly an hour by Andorra on Wednesday.
"We are missing Michael at the moment. It will be great when
he is back," stated Gerrard.
"Michael is a fantastic goalscorer and he has got a great
record at this level. Any team that has got Michael Owen fit
and ready, is going to be stronger.
"His record for England over many years has been fantastic
and how many times has he come up with the crucial goal?
"We have missed him, of course we have."
(Sky Sports)
Crouch ready for Anfield recall
Peter Crouch could be involved for Liverpool in their
lunchtime home game with Arsenal on Saturday.
The England striker has been training this week following an
operation to repair his broken nose, and boss Rafael Benitez
must decide whether he can be risked ahead of next week's
Champions League trip to PSV Eindhoven.
Full-back John Arne Riise will make his 200th league
appearance for the club against the Gunners, and is only
seven games short of 300 for the club in all competitions.
Kick-off 12.45pm.
Liverpool (from): Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Agger, Hyypia,
Riise, Aurelio, Arbeloa, Gerrard, Sissoko, Alonso, Pennant,
Bellamy, Fowler, Kuyt, Crouch, Mascherano, Zenden, Dudek.
(TEAMtalk)
Riise declared bankrupt by courts
Riise is facing a fight over how his fortune has been
invested
John Arne Riise has been declared bankrupt by Liverpool
County Court for an unpaid debt of around £100,000.
The Liverpool defender, who is thought to earn around
£50,000 a week, is involved in a legal battle with his
former agent, Einar Baardsen.
The case is reported to be linked to an alleged £3m fraud
investigation going through the courts in Norway.
Riise's solicitors are believed to be preparing to go back
to court to have the bankruptcy order annulled.
(BBC Sport Online) |
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THURSDAY 29 |
Sharp shrugs off Reds move talk
Scunthorpe hotshot Billy Sharp insists he will not be
distracted by speculation linking him with a big-money move
to the Premiership.
The 20-year-old striker's 26 goals in all competitions -
after scoring 24 last season - have helped carry the Iron to
the brink of the Championship and fuel rumours of a
lucrative summer move away from Glanford Park.
But Sharp remains focused on helping the Iron win promotion
and stressed he was in no rush to leave the League One club.
Sharp said: "It's all very flattering, especially when one
of the stories involved Liverpool, but they're just rumours.
"I've got a big job to do here at Scunthorpe. We've been top
of the league for three months now, but there's still some
work to do and if I can keep scoring my goals here and we
maintain our form we could do it.
"My dream is to one day play for Sheffield United. They're
my team. It wasn't meant to be when I was there as a kid,
but for now I'm more than happy here and my contract takes
me to the end of next season."
(TEAMtalk)
Rafa: We have our work cut out
New American owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks may have
completed their takeover of Liverpool this week but manager
Rafael Benitez has stressed the club need to do much more if
they are to become genuine title contenders.
"I said before when we started this season that I was happy
because we had a better squad than last season," said
Benitez, who still has his sights set on repeating his 2005
Champions League success with the Reds with a quarter-final
against PSV Eindhoven to come next month.
"I think that it is true that you always want to improve;
maybe you think you are better but also the other teams are
improving.
"We are close but I think we need to do more things if we
want to be closer and if we want to be contenders."
(PA Sport)
Under-18s lose at United
Liverpool Under-18s were beaten 1-0 by potential Youth Cup
final opponents Manchester United on Wednesday night.
The Reds went down to a second-half goal in the FA Academy
Under-18s League fixture, but coach John Owens can take
heart from the fact most of his Youth Cup heroes were either
rested or on international duty.
Midfield playmaker Astrit Ajdarevic is away with Sweden
Under-17s, while Laurence Gaughan, Michael Collins and Shane
O'Connor are with the Republic of Ireland.
In their absence, Owens chose four under-16s to start at The
Cliff.
The game ended on a sour note for Owens after he was forced
to sub goalkeeper Martin Hansen. The Dane is receiving
treatment for a sore back but should be back for the final
on April 16 and 19.
Liverpool Under-18s: Hansen (Mimms 80), Behan, Burns,
Kennedy, Kelly, Awang, Putterill, Barnett, Highdale, Irwin,
Eccleston.
(LFC Official Website)
Guthrie to stay a Saint
Liverpool have agreed to extend midfielder Danny Guthrie's
loan spell at Southampton until May 7, 2007.
Guthrie has impressed during his first month at St Mary's
and the two clubs have now finalised a deal which will see
the 19 year old remain on the south coast until the end of
the Championship season.
Southampton are still fighting for a passage back into the
Premiership and currently lie just four points off a place
in the play-offs.
(LFC Official Website)
Benitez pleased with Kuyt
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is delighted with
the way striker Dirk Kuyt has settled into the English game.
The Dutchman arrived at Anfield from Feyenoord in the summer
and has adapted to the physical style of football in the
Premiership admirably.
Benitez was convinced Kuyt would be a success at Liverpool,
bringing a combination of an excellent work rate and fine
finish.
"We had confidence because of watching him working during
the games but also training and how he could score goals, we
knew that he could be a good player for English football,"
Benitez told the League Managers' Association's website.
"The physical approach that he has to each game is really
important for him."
(Sky Sports)
Benitez excited by USA backing
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has welcomed the
positive effect new American owners George Gillett and Tom
Hicks have had on the club.
Earlier this week the pair completed their takeover at
Anfield, acquiring more than 98% of shares in just eight
weeks to be able to take the club into private ownership.
"I think it's very positive. I hope that they will try to do
the best for the club because when you want to buy a club
and you want to invest big money it means that you want to
be successful and that you want to win everything," said
Benitez.
(Sporting Life)
Gerrard wins award
Steven Gerrard's autobiography was named Sports Book of the
Year yesterday.
Steven Gerrard: My Autobiography won Sports Book of the year
at the Galaxy British Book Awards in London last night.
(LFC Online)
Reds plan Sharp swoop
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is reportedly planning a
£2million summer swoop for highly-rated Scunthorpe striker
Billy Sharp.
The Reds boss is keen to boost his striking options in the
summer and has been tracking the progress of the top scorer
in League One.
Benitez is likely to offload veteran forward Robbie Fowler
at the end of the current campaign and Sharp could provide
competition to Dirk Kuyt Craig Bellamy and Peter Crouch in
Liverpool's forward line next term.
(Sporting Life)
McClaren praises Gerrard
Steve McClaren was full of praise for two goal hero Steven
Gerrard last night.
Gerrard relieved some of the pressure on McClaren with a
double strike last night to set England on their way to a
3-0 win over Andorra and keep their hopes of qualifying for
Euro 2008 alive.
In his post match press conference the England manager was
quick to hail his vice captain.
"I thought Stevie Gerrard, really stepped forward tonight.
You need that character in a team and he did it tonight,"
said McClaren.
"We said to the players at half-time you've got to show real
guts and character in the second-half because of the
conditions on and off the field and they coped with it, got
stronger and better.
"We said you need to show character and they did that, even
the subs who came on."
(LFC Online)
International round up
There were mixed results for the Liverpool players on
international duty last night.
Steven Gerrard gave a man of the match performance and
scored twice for England in their 3-0 win over Andorra.
Jamie Carragher was an unused subsitute.
Craig Bellamy played the full 90 minutes for Wales as they
laboured to a 3-0 win over San Marino at the Millenium
Stadium. In the same group the Republic of Ireland beat
Slovakia 1-0 and Steve Finnan played the full 90 minutes in
that game.
Dirk Kuyt played the full 90 for Holland as they beat
Slovenia 1-0 in Slovenia to remain top of Group G.
Xabi Alonso was a late subsitute for Spain as they beat
Iceland 1-0 to remain in contention in Group F after a poor
start to their campaign.
John Arne Riise played the full 90 minutes for Norway as
they were held 2-2 in Turkey. The draw leaves Norway in
fourth place in Group C.
There was an upset in Group A when Azerbaijan beat Finland
1-0. Sami Hyypia played the full 90 minutes for the Finns.
Daniel Agger played for Denmark as they beat Germany 1-0
away in a friendly match.
(LFC Online) |
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WEDNESDAY 28 |
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Gerrard saves McClaren for now
Two second-half Steven Gerrard goals against Andorra have
helped save Steve McClaren for the time being after
thousands of fans abused the manager and the team.
A poacher's effort from David Nugent sealed the 3-nil but
McClaren's job prospects must now depend on the FA turning a
deaf ear to the chants of mutinous England fans.
(Channel 4)
Garcia looks for pre-season
Luis Garcia aims to be 100 per cent fit in time for
pre-season.
The Liverpool midfielder damaged knee ligaments early in
January, which brought his season to a premature end.
Garcia is now well into his rehabilitation and he is more
than hopeful of a full recovery.
"My objective is to be perfect for pre-season," he told
Radio Marca.
Garcia is obviously annoyed at missing out on the remainder
of Liverpool's season - but he feels The Reds could repeat
their success of 2005 when they captured the UEFA Champions
League crown.
"This year something special could happen in the Champions
League," he added.
Garcia also remains unfazed by the constant speculation
linking boss Rafa Benitez with a return to Spain with Real
Madrid.
"The press said a year ago he would be leaving, but Benitez
came and said to us that should he leave we would be first
to know," he said.
"But I believe he likes it a lot here."
(Sky Sports)
Council urge ground share in Liverpool
Liverpool's new owners have been asked by city council
leaders to look again at the possibility of sharing their
new stadium with Everton.
American tycoons George Gillett and Tom Hicks want to make
Liverpool's new Stanley Park stadium even bigger than the
planned 60,000-capacity but will need council permission.
Liverpool have always ruled out sharing with Everton but
city council leader Warren Bradley wants them to reconsider.
Bradley told the Liverpool Echo: "They have got their guys
(Dallas firm HKS) looking at designs, infrastructure and
everything.
"Are you telling me a commercial business in America doesn't
sweat the asset? They sweat that asset until they can't get
any more out of it. If they can consider increasing the
stadium size, why can't they consider a shared stadium?"
Everton are considering moving to a site outside Liverpool
in Kirkby but Bradley - a Blues season-ticket holder -
believes Goodison Park could be redeveloped.
He added: "I think in a few years' time they'll be playing
in a new stadium and I think it will be in Liverpool. I
would be happy with a joint stadium, I've got to be honest,
but my gut feeling is probably not.
"I don't see any reason why Goodison Park can't be
redeveloped. You could quite easily fit an additional
footprint and some commercial activity - a hotel, for
example - into a new development.''
(Ireland.com)
Momo dreaming of Valencia return
Momo Sissoko has spoken of his determination to beat PSV in
the Champions League quarter-finals and set up a possible
return to the club which gave him his break in football.
Liverpool face either Chelsea or Valencia if they overcome
the Dutch champions, and the Reds' Malian midfielder has
made it clear where his preference lies.
"It is in the back of my mind," Sissoko told LFC magazine.
"But we have two difficult games against PSV first.
"It would be good to go back to my old club and play in the
Mestalla for Liverpool.
"I still have friends in Spain and Valencia. Some of them
came to see me at the hotel in Barcelona for the last round,
while others were at the Nou Camp.
"I still speak to my old teammates Roberto Ayala and
Santiago Canizares but very rarely about football. We talk
mainly about family and their children, things like that."
Sissoko, who played under Rafa Benitez at Valencia, will
miss the quarter-final first leg through suspension.
"It will be difficult to sit and watch the first game in
Holland," admitted the 22-year-old. "I am no different from
any player – I want to play every game."
(LFC Official Website)
Pongolle set to extend stay
Liverpool striker Florent Sinama-Pongolle looks set to have
his season-long loan at Spanish club Recreativo de Huelva
made permanent.
The 22 year-old has scored nine goals in 14 starts for the
club, who it is believed now want to take up the option on
the French under-21 player a complete a £4million deal.
Sinama-Pongolle has already said he would like to stay in
Spain and has verbally agreed personal terms, Recreativo
will raise money for the deal by selling Ikechukwu Uche to
Getafe and midfielder Santiago Cazorla to Villarreal in the
summer.
(Sporting Life)
Thor Zakariassen
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