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WEDNESDAY 31 |
Rafa reveals Gerrard rationale
Rafael Benitez revealed match-winner Steven Gerrard would
not have played in Liverpool's Carling Cup victory over
Cardiff if Mohamed Sissoko had not been sick.
The Anfield boss had intended resting his skipper for
tonight's fourth-round tie, but Sissoko - who had been ill
ahead of Sunday's draw with Arsenal - had not recovered
sufficiently to play against the Coca-Cola Championship
side.
Benitez said: "I would have wanted really to leave Steven
out of the match. But we have too many injuries and Momo was
sick again, so he had to play."
(PA Sport)
Gerrard the King on God's return
Robbie Fowler’s Anfield return ended in defeat as Steven
Gerrard reaffirmed his status as the Kop King by leading
Liverpool to a 2-1 Carling Cup victory over Cardiff.
Fowler showed glimpses of his fading genius in a gritty
Cardiff display, but it was Gerrard who stood tall to drive
Liverpool into the quarter finals after Darren Purse had
cancelled out Nabil El Zhar’s stunning opener.
(Setanta Sports)
Hobbs handed full debut against Fowler
Jack Hobbs will go head-to-head with Robbie Fowler tonight
in his first competitive start for Liverpool.
The 19-year-old lines-up alongside Jamie Carragher at
centre-back, with Ryan Babel partnering Peter Crouch up
front.
Steven Gerrard is also present, while Nabil El Zhar gets his
first start of the season. Long-term absentee Harry Kewell
is on the bench.
The Liverpool team in full is: Itandje, Aurelio, Arbeloa,
Carragher, Hobbs, Leto, El Zhar, Gerrard, Lucas, Babel,
Crouch. Subs: Martin, Riise, Kewell, Benayoun, Mascherano.
(LFC Official Website)
Liverpool investigate wages leak
Liverpool have launched an investigation after the pay
details of Norwegian defender John Arne Riise appeared on
the internet.
Photographs of a wages slip showing his monthly salary of
£139,634 were sent to email addresses around the web and
were shown on internet forums.
"We are taking it very seriously and we are investigating,"
said a club spokesman.
The payslip also revealed the player's home address and
national insurance number. A Merseyside Police spokesman
said the force had yet to receive a complaint about the
matter.
(Ireland.com)
Carra: Robbie's still God
Jamie Carragher has spoken of his deep appreciation for the
role Robbie Fowler played in helping him to adjust to life
in the Liverpool first-team and admitted that he still calls
him 'God' to this day.
The Reds vice-captain could come face-to-face with his
former teammate when Liverpool entertain Cardiff in the
Carling Cup tonight and Carragher admits that Fowler was a
fantastic role model for him when he first broke on to the
scene at Melwood.
"I remember getting into the team and Robbie and Steve
McManaman were the two main men and Robbie's nickname at the
time was 'God' - I still call him 'God' now to be honest,"
said Carragher.
(LFC Official Website)
Rafa: Fit Kewell is like new signing
Rafael Benitez believes the return of Harry Kewell to
competitive action could be the equivalent of a new signing
at the club.
Kewell could make his first start of the season against
Cardiff City tonight when Liverpool go in search of a
victory which would take them into the quarter finals of the
Carling Cup.
Having impressed during a 45 minute run-out for the reserves
last week, Benitez has welcomed Kewell's return after a
lengthy lay off and believes the midfielder still has an
important role to play at Anfield.
"He played well for the reserves and scored a good goal last
week," said Benitez. "He is in the squad for tonight's game.
"He is confident and now wants to play some games in a row.
He is training really well and I'm pleased to see him back
again because he has been out for a long time.
"When you talk about Harry Kewell you talk about pace,
ability, experience and about somebody who can score goals
and play in different positions so it is clear he could be
like a new signing for us."
(LFC Official Website)
Aston Villa will break bank to sign Peter Crouch
Aston Villa are desperate to sign Liverpool striker Peter
Crouch in the January transfer window.
Manager Martin O'Neill is ready to break the £9.65 million
club record fee which saw them land Ashley Young, to bring
Crouch back to Villa Park.
England international Crouch spent a largely unsuccessful
two-year stint in the Midlands after a £5m move from
Portsmouth in 2002 and scored only six goals in 47 Premier
League appearances before then-manager David O'Leary sold
him to Southampton for £2m.
O'Neill remains an admirer of Crouch and enquired as to his
availability back in August but is now ready to launch a bid
to sign the 26-year-old who has scored 12 scores in 22
appearances for England.
(Daily Telegraph)
Crouch keen to take his chance with Liverpool
Hungry Peter Crouch is determined to make the most of any
first-team chance this evening – as Harry Kewell prepares
for his long-awaited senior return for Liverpool.
Crouch is primed for only his fifth start of the season as
Rafael Benitez’s entertain Coca-Cola Championship side
Cardiff City in the Carling Cup fourth round.
And the England international said: “I’m looking forward to
the Cardiff game and hoping to get 90 minutes under my belt.
“I was pleased to get on against Arsenal, even though it
wasn’t in the circumstances I would have liked with Fernando
getting injured. You always want your best players on the
pitch and hopefully he won’t be out for too long.
“From my point of view I haven’t had too many chances this
season and so I have to take them when they come along."
(Liverpool Daily Post)
Police fear new Liverpool stadium could be terrorist
target
Liverpool FC’s proposed iconic stadium at Stanley Park could
be a significant target for a terrorist attack, a report to
councillors has revealed.
A senior Merseyside police officer has called for special
counter terrorism measures to be introduced to protect the
new stadium being a target for suicide bombers.
Assistant Chief Constable Simon Byrne has told city planners
that in the context of the current heightened terrorist
threat within the UK, the stadium should have special
conditions to ensure special anti-terrorism measures are
incorporated into design standards for the new 60,000-seater
venue.
Leading Town Hall planners have already insisted that the
stadium should be designed to minimise its openness to
attack. ensure the opportunity to attack the venue is
“prevented, frustrated and deterred”.
(Liverpool Daily Post) |
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TUESDAY 30 |
Threlfall joins on loan from Liverpool
Liverpool defender Robbie Threlfall has joined Hereford
United on an initial one month emergency loan.
The 5'8 18 year-old is currently on a three year contract
with The Reds and featured during their pre-season tour of
the Far East in
the Asia Trophy.
Robbie - predominantly a left-back, but who can also be
deployed in central defence or on the left-wing - was
promoted from Liverpool's academy to the senior set up at
Melwood at the start of the 2006/07 season, having played a
part in the Anfield club's FA Youth Cup successes in both
2006 and 2007.
A regular in the reserves, Threlfall has appeared for the
first-team in a pre-season friendly at Wrexham, whilst he
has also made his international debut for England U19s this
year against Poland in February.
(Hereford United Official Website)
Agger, Torres and Mascherano latest
Rafa Benitez has been boosted by news Javier Mascherano is
back in training after recovering from a knock sustained
against Arsenal at
the weekend.
The Liverpool boss is also hopeful of having Fernando Torres
back in two weeks, slightly less than originally thought.
Benitez said: "It is the same problem as before with
Fernando. Hopefully he can be fit in two weeks.
"We thought he was ready for the Arsenal game and during the
match I asked him two or three times if he was okay because
clearly he wasn't fit. He is not the sort of player who
normally gets injuries and that's the reason he didn't feel
what he had. That was the problem.
"Javier is okay. He trained today and so we've had good luck
with him."
Meanwhile, Daniel Agger, who hasn't featured since
Portsmouth on September 15, is still 10-16 days away from a
return following a metatarsal break.
Benitez added: "He is continuing to progress but with this
kind of injury he needs time. I think we need to wait
another 10-16 days."
Liverpool are still waiting news on Xabi Alonso, who is due
to see a specialist today.
(LFC Official Website)
Liverpool urge speedy action over new stadium start
Council officials are being urged to approve Liverpool FC’s
vision for a new £400m stadium.
The plans for the 60,000 seater ground in Stanley Park
received the go-ahead from city council planners before a
vital meeting next week.
Now club officials will hope that councillors agree with
their planners at the meeting on Tuesday.
If that happens the plans need only a rubber-stamp from the
government to pave the way for building work to begin before
Christmas.
(Liverpool Echo)
Torres won't rush injury again
Fernando Torres will not be rushing his return to action
after his premature comeback against Arsenal led to a
further three-week spell on the sidelines.
The Spain international, who was blatantly unfit for
Sunday’s 1-1 draw, had to be substituted at half-time after
tearing an adductor muscle.
Torres insists it is not the same injury that made him miss
games against Everton and Besiktas, but he nonetheless faces
another frustrating period of rehabilitation.
Rafa Benitez has paid the price for rushing his star striker
back into action against Arsenal, but Torres is keen to
avoid the same mistake again.
“It is not the same injury (as before),” the £20.1 million
man told Radio Marca.
“I need to have patience and recover as soon as possible. I
need to take more care over it than ever.
"I need to work hard with the medical services and then we
will see."
(Setanta Sports)
Kuyt: God improved my game
Dirk Kuyt admits returning hero Robbie Fowler improved him
as a striker during the year they spent together at Melwood.
The Dutchman also revealed how the Anfield legend – who'll
step back onto the hallowed turf with new club Cardiff on
Wednesday night – helped him settle into life in a new
country following his move from Feyenoord.
He said: "He is one of the best strikers Liverpool have ever
had. You could see in every training session and every game
you played with him that he was still one of the best
finishers in the world.
"You can learn from every player, but especially Robbie. As
a striker, you only have to watch him to learn."
(LFC Official Website)
Crouch hails Fowler
Peter Crouch has praised Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler.
Fowler will return to Anfield tomorrow as his new club
Cardiff meet the Reds in the fourth round of the Carling
Cup. Peter Crouch is looking forward to facing his former
team mate.
"The Cardiff game is obviously one we're expected to win but
we can't take anything for granted," said the England
international.
"It'll be nice to see Robbie Fowler again because he has
been fantastic for this club over the years.
"It was great when he came back here and he did a
magnificent job for the team. He was also a good character
to have around the dressing room and I'm sure the boys are
looking forward to seeing him again."
(Setanta Sports)
Gerrard tips Cesc for world domination
Steven Gerrard has backed Cesc Fabregas to rule the football
world following his majestic display in Arsenal’s 1-1 draw
at Liverpool.
Gerrard watched on with some admiration as the Spanish
schemer inspired Arsenal to a stylish comeback at Anfield,
cancelling out the England man’s opener with 11 minutes
remaining.
“The world is his oyster,” Gerrard said of the 20-year-old
in The Daily Star. “He can go on to be one of the best in
the world, there’s no doubt about that.
“So far this season he is having a fantastic time.
“If he keeps working hard at his game and stays as dedicated
as he has been so far, he can achieve anything.”
(Setanta Sports)
Rafa: I'd like to see Fowler score
Rafa Benitez admits an ideal world would see Robbie Fowler
score against his Liverpool side when Cardiff visit on
Wednesday, but only if The Reds are 3-0 up.
Fowler will make an emotional return to Anfield during
Wednesday’s Carling Cup fourth round encounter, where he is
guaranteed the warmest of receptions after spending over a
decade on Merseyside.
"I would like to see him very happy before the game but when
it is over I hope he is a little bit disappointed," Benitez
told the club’s official website.
"After this match, I hope to see him scoring 20 goals and
being the top scorer in The Championship.
"Maybe we can leave him to score a fantastic goal in front
of The Kop but at the end of the game we will need to have
scored three!"
(Setanta Sports)
Crouch set for rare start
Peter Crouch seems set to start only his sixth game of the
season for Liverpool at home to Cardiff in the Carling Cup
fourth round tomorrow.
The big striker impressed as a second-half substitute in
Sunday’s draw with Arsenal, and could be joined in the
action by Harry Kewell.
The Australian is now back in full training after a groin
problem, and could get his first run out of the season.
Boss Rafael Benitez is also likely to use second choice
goalkeeper Charles Itandje, Lucas, Sebastian Leto and Fabio
Aurelio. Fernando Torres, Javier Mascherano, Jermaine
Pennant and Xabi Alonso are
all injured.
Provisional squad: Itandje, Finnan, Carragher, Arbeloa,
Aurelio, Kewell, Lucas, Sissoko, Benayoun, Babel, Leto,
Crouch, Voronin, Kuyt, Gerrard, Riise, Hobbs, Martin.
(Evening Echo)
Reds to find out extent of Alonso injury
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez will find out today the
extent of Xabi Alonso’s fractured metatarsal with goalkeeper
Jose Reina describing the injury situation as “a pain in the
backside”.
Fernando Torres is beginning a three-week spell on the
sidelines because of another adductor injury.
Losing Torres up front and Alonso in midfield are major
blows for Benitez with a hectic programme of domestic and
crucial Champions League games to come.
Liverpool need a victory against Turkish side Besiktas at
Anfield next week if they are to have any hope of
progressing in Europe’s top club competition.
Either side of that match they face Blackburn and Fulham in
crucial Premier League games.
(Ireland On-Line) |
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MONDAY 29 |
Injury setback for Liverpool duo
Alonso had only just returned from a similar metatarsal
injury
Liverpool striker Fernando Torres has been ruled out for
three weeks with an adductor injury, the club has said.
Midfielder Xabi Alonso is also facing a spell on the
sidelines after X-rays revealed he had fractured the fourth
metatarsal in his left foot.
Both players were injured during Sunday's 1-1 draw against
Arsenal, along with team-mate Javier Mascherano.
However, the Argentine midfielder has suffered only
extensive bruising and no bone injury, scans have revealed.
(BBC Sport Online)
Duo heap praise on Wenger's young Gunners
Jamie Carragher believes Arsenal underlined their title
credentials with their superb performance in the 1-1 draw at
Anfield.
And former England defender Carragher feels that anyone who
questioned Arsenal's ability to challenge for honours this
year are well wide of
the mark.
Carragher said: "Are Arsenal as good as people say they are?
You'd better believe it, I thought they had 12 men out
there!"
Liverpool goalkeeper Jose Reina also hailed the performance
of Arsene Wenger's title hopefuls.
The Spaniard said: "There's not much doubt they were one of
the best sides I have ever played against."
(Sky Sports)
Reds’ character can still match flair of Gunners
There are still two unbeaten teams in the Premier League.
But which is best equipped for the ultimate glory?
If the votes had been cast last night, it would clearly be
Arsene's free spirits rather than Rafa’s flying starters who
have hit an October wall.
But as Benitez forcibly pointed out after a compelling
Sunday afternoon at Anfield, the Premier League title race
is a marathon, not a 400 metre dash.
And while slick, sharp, fast-paced inter-passing is one
quality title winners require, so too is character and guts
- and Liverpool showed tons of both in a thoroughly
compelling showdown at Anfield.
It's also worth noting that Arsenal are currently playing at
the peak of their considerable powers.
Liverpool are struggling for both form and fit personnel.
But they still came within 11 minutes of claiming a hugely
significant scalp.
"We are just six points behind," said Benitez afterwards,
with a conviction which suggested he believes that margin
will be reduced, not extended in the coming weeks.
(David Prentice - Liverpool Echo)
Gerrard: No complaints with draw
Steven Gerrard reflected on Liverpool's Anfield draw with
Arsenal and admitted: "We have no complaints with the
result."
"We're a bit disappointed we couldn't see the game out
having taken the lead," he said. "But over the whole game I
think Arsenal deserved something."
(LFC Official Website)
Too many questions unanswered on Liverpool's credentials
At least it’s only Manchester City presently keeping
Liverpool’s place in the top four warm for them.
Rafael Benitez should get his team there eventually and
yesterday’s events only do more to convince it will be a
matter of time.
But looking beyond that, the wait for a 19th title seems set
to agonisingly drag on into a 19th year.
A draw might be considered a good result against a rampant
Arsenal, but they and Liverpool remaining the only unbeaten
sides in the top flight going into November is pretty much
where the parallels end. Because for a side that hasn’t lost
yet, Liverpool are looking far from championship contenders,
based on not only the genuine test their credentials faced
yesterday, but events leading up to it.
Such as the uneasy friction between manager and captain, the
disappointing league position caused by too many dropped
points at home and a Champions League campaign that promises
little other than the need to keep Thursday nights free in
the new year. If they’re lucky.
(Nick Smith - Liverpool Daily Post)
Reds linked with Pandev move
Liverpool are reported to be tracking Lazio forward Goran
Pandev.
The 24-year-old is regarded as one of the best prospects in
Europe after impressing for the Serie A side last season.
And Pandev's stock rose when he scored both goals for Lazio
in their 2-2 draw with Real Madrid in the Champions League
earlier this season.
His performances are thought to have caught the attention of
Liverpool scouts and Rafa Benitez is believed to be weighing
up a move for
the Macedonian.
(Football 365) |
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SUNDAY 28 |
Triple injury blow hits Liverpool
Liverpool players Xabi Alonso, Fernando Torres and Javier
Mascherano all face spells out after suffering injuries in
Sunday's 1-1 draw against Arsenal.
Alonso (metatarsal) and Torres (abductor muscle) both had
recurrences of the injuries which had kept them out for a
month before the game.
Alonso limped off after 68 minutes while Torres was replaced
by Peter Crouch at half-time.
Mascherano suffered a foot injury and left with his foot in
a medical boot.
Manager Rafael Benitez said: "Alonso has suffered the same
injury again, the metatarsal, he felt something go in his
foot.
"Torres also has a similar injury, a problem with an
abductor muscle. Maybe he is not as bad as before. But he
could not work as hard as we wanted, we wanted his pace and
it was not available.
"He just was not fit. We talked beforehand and he said he
was fine. Now we must wait again, he had been out for some
time and we have been pushing to get him back, but he has
not been right and he still is
not right."
(BBC Sport Online)
We should have won, moans Cesc
Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas was disappointed with
Sunday's 1-1 draw at Liverpool, insisting the Gunners
"deserved to get the three points"
Fabregas' strike ten minutes from time meant Arsenal
leapfrogged Manchester United and climbed back to the top of
the Premier League table on goals scored.
But the Gunners hit the post twice and missed open goals
when players scuffed the rebounds, including one of each
from a disappointed Fabregas.
"We played well but at the end, that (the result) is what
matters," the Spaniard told Sky Sports.
(TEAMtalk)
Wenger: "We are disappointed"
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger insisted the result and
performance demonstrated their credentials as genuine title
challengers.
He said: "We are disappointed not to have won, but I am very
pleased with the attitude and performance of the team. The
players are frustrated, but you have to be realistic.
"We were 1-0 down after just a few minutes against a very
committed team who are good at set-pieces and counter-attack
well. They have such good support at Anfield that sometimes
that wins it for them.
"But we have shown fantastic quality, mental strength and
togetherness, that gave us the confidence to come back and
get a point."
(TEAMtalk)
Cesc rescues Anfield point
A late goal from Cesc Fabregas gave Arsenal a deserved point
at Liverpool to send them back to the top of the Premier
League table.
The Reds made a great start as Steven Gerrard fired home a
free-kick after just seven minutes.
Thereafter, Arsenal dominated possession and played some
wonderful football - but they just could not find a way
through.
Emmanuel Eboue smashed a shot against the post midway
through the second half and Fabregas put the rebound wide -
but the Spaniard made amends with just ten minutes left.
The leveller came after great play by Alexander Hleb as he
delayed his pass to perfection to find Fabregas's run and he
toe-poked the ball home as Jose Reina was wrong-footed.
It could easily have been a win for Arsenal but Fabregas saw
his side-foot from 20-yards smash against Reina's post.
(Sky Sports)
Torres starts v Arsenal
Fernando Torres has won his race to be fit for today's
Premier League clash with Arsenal and he will spearhead
Liverpool's search for goals
at Anfield.
Torres starts for the first time since picking up an injury
while on international duty with Spain and his compatriot
Xabi Alonso is also fit after a foot injury and will start
in the midfield.
Liverpool: Reina, Finnan, Riise, Hyypia, Carragher, Gerrard,
Alonso, Mascherano, Voronin, Kuyt, Torres. Subs: Itandje,
Babel, Benayoun, Crouch, Arbeloa.
(LFC Official Website)
Alonso okay with Rafa rotation
Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso thinks his manager’s
rotation policy is necessary for the team.
Rafa Benitez has been criticised for tinkering with his team
over the past weeks, but compatriot Alonso has declared that
he is a supporter of that strategy because of the number of
games the team have to play.
The Spain international is ready to accept being on the
bench for the good of The Reds.
“Nobody likes rotation but it is necessary in England
because there are too many competitions,” he told The
People.
“People can criticise the coach or us if they want but they
have to remember what we have reached since Benitez has been
here.”
(Setanta Sports)
Benitez backs Leiva to shine
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez believes Lucas Leiva has a
bright future ahead of him at Anfield after impressing in
the past few weeks.
It was his shot which Phil Neville handled on the line to
give Liverpool their match-winning penalty, and manager
Benitez had admitted he would not hesitate to give the
talented youngster his chance in a big game again.
"It could be that he can now feature more" said Benitez. "I
was talking about Lucas for a long time, and maybe people
didn't know too much about him. He is a player with quality
and experience.
"He's only 20 but already has experience at international
level. I have a lot of confidence in him, though we do have
very good players in the middle.
"He will need time, but he has shown now the quality he
has."
(Goal.com)
Under-18s draw a blank with Baggies
A strong Liverpool Under-18 side had a frustrating day in
front of goal as they were held to a goalless draw at West
Bromwich Albion on Saturday.
Spanish starlet Daniel Pachecho had a superb match and
caused the Baggies defence all sorts of problems, but try as
they might Hughie McAuley's side just couldn't find the net.
"It was a fantastic game of football and we played some
terrific football and should have won about 6-0 to be
honest," reflected McAuley.
"We had chance after chance, one on one's with their
goalkeeper, but we just couldn't score.
"We now look forward to next Saturday's derby when we host
Everton at the Academy."
Liverpool team: Dean Bouzanis, Steven Irwin, Shane O'Connor,
Daniel Ayala, Joe Kennedy, Sean Highdale, David Amoo, Astrit
Ajdarevic, Daniel Pachecho, Nathan Eccleston, Krisztian
Nemeth (Gerrardo Bruna 60). Subs' unused: Alex Kacaniklic,
Martin Hansen (GK), Mattone Awang,
Ben Parsonage.
(LFC Official Website)
Thor Zakariassen
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