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FRIDAY 31 |
Rafa wants Maradona training session
Rafa Benitez has confirmed that new Argentina boss Diego
Maradona will visit the club to meet with Javier Mascherano
in November – and suggested he was eager to involve the
all-time legend in a training session.
Maradona confirmed this week that he has been given the
Argentina job and said he would begin by heading to England
to watch Mascherano and Carlos Tevez in action.
But Benitez has now indicated that he intends to get
Maradona involved in a training session, and suggested that
the World Cup winner could also head to Anfield to watch the
Champions League tie against
Atletico Madrid.
He said: “I know when Javier was told about the appointment
he was excited and very pleased.
“I do not know whether Maradona will be here for the Madrid
game, but I suppose it is possible. There are several good
Argentineans in their squad for him to see.
“I have been told by the Argentina federation that he will
be in England between November 2 and 8. He also wants to see
Carlos Tevez
in Manchester.
“But Diego will be very welcome to come to our training
ground next week and to see the match. Maybe I can persuade
him to take a few free-kicks!
“I am not sure of his schedule, but clearly he will come
here to talk with us and Javier. I am not sure which day.”
(Setanta Sports)
Keane fit to face Spurs
Liverpool striker Robbie Keane has been declared fit for
tomorrow’s return to his former club in the Barclays Premier
League clash at Spurs.
Keane had been struggling with a groin problem and was only
used as
a last-minute substitute for Steven Gerrard in Wednesday’s
1-0 win
over Portsmouth.
But Keane can expect to start the match at White Hart Lane,
the club he left for £20million in the summer to move to
Anfield.
Liverpool seem unlikely to risk fellow striker Fernando
Torres, who is still only in light training after a
hamstring problem. He is more likely to return for the
Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.
Provisional squad: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Agger, Hyypia,
Aurelio, Dossena, Babel, Benayoun, Gerrard, Mascherano,
Alonso, Pennant, Kuyt, Keane, Riera, Lucas, Cavalieri.
(Sky Sports)
Benitez unfazed by pressure
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez insists he is relishing life at
the top of
the Premier League table.
The Reds have risen to the summit on the back of an unbeaten
start to the current campaign, securing victories over title
rivals Manchester United and Chelsea along the way.
The excitement around Anfield has piled pressure on those
concerned with generating results on the field, but Benitez
believes he can handle
that burden.
"I prefer to be top. It is better for us because we can
approach games with more confidence than when you are
playing to catch-up at the top," said the Spaniard.
(Sky Sports)
Rafa urges Spurs
fans to respect Keane
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has called upon Tottenham
fans to respect former star striker Robbie Keane when the
league leaders visit White Hart Lane on Saturday.
The Spaniard believes Keane, now in Liverpool's ranks, has
no reason to feel any extra burden as he prepares to return
to the club he left for £20million in the summer.
"He would like to see the Spurs fans and say 'hello' again.
He was a key player for them for some years, a fantastic
professional and gave 100% all the time," he said.
(Ananova)
Messi tips Liverpool to reach
Champions League final
Liverpool have been tipped to reach this season's Champions
League final in Rome by Barcelona star Lionel Messi.
The Argentinian side believes the Reds have the personnel
and the durability to make it through to their third final
since 2005, even though he reckons there are teams that play
better football than the Anfield outfit.
“If I had to choose it would be Liverpool,” said Messi.
“They have Torres, Gerrard, Kuyt, Mascherano and they are
difficult to face.
“Maybe there are teams that play better but I see them in
the final
in Rome.”
(Liverpool Echo)
Hyypia hits back at
critics’ ‘lucky’ jibes
Sami Hyypia is ignoring the critics who doubt
Liverpool’s title credentials by insisting their football
will continue to do the talking.
Wednesday night’s 1-0 victory over Portsmouth ensured Rafael
Benitez’s side kept up their best start to a Premier League
season and remain on top of the table after 10 matches.
He said: “It’s still early days so we will keep our feet on
the ground and take it game by game, and just try to win
every game.
“We are letting all the other people do the talking. We’re
not ones to go shouting about what we are going to do. As I
said, we are just trying to keep our feet on the ground and
just keep putting in the performances.”
(Liverpool Daily Post) |
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THURSDAY 30 |
Gillett insists Liverpool
can ride financial crisis out
George Gillett believes Liverpool are in a sound position to
ride out current financial problems but refused to comment
on whether the club is
up for sale.
There had been speculation that Gillett and co-owner Tom
Hicks were ready to sell their stake at Anfield with the
investment bank Merrill Lynch believed to have been
contacted to find a buyer for the club.
Asked directly about the rumours Gillett said: “The stories
feed on themselves and some are made up.
“With regard to what we’re doing we would not have any
comment on that - there has already been enough speculation
on that.”
Gillett is confident Liverpool - and Premier League clubs
overall - are in
a good financial position despite large debts they have to
survive in testing economic times.
(Liverpool Daily Post)
Gerrard insists Reds fear no-one
Steven Gerrard has summed up the new belief that is driving
Liverpool towards their first title for 18 years by
insisting the Reds can beat
anyone, anywhere.
The captain, and scorer of the penalty winner against
Portsmouth on Wednesday night, claims Liverpool have no
reason to fear any
away ground.
Gerrard said: "It is a great feeling to be top of the table,
especially knowing that we have beaten two of our main title
rivals (Chelsea and Manchester United) along the way.
"This season we have a belief that we can go anywhere and
win. We believe we can win in any situation, even when we
have backed ourselves into a corner.
"But no-one here is going to be getting carried away with
our position after recent results.
"There is extra pressures being top of the table, we are
there to be shot at and we become an even bigger scalp for
the rest of the league."
(PA Sport)
Redknapp: "Bring on Liverpool"
Harry Redknapp watched his Tottenham side pull off the
impossible by coming back to draw 4-4 at Arsenal, and then
roared: “Bring on Liverpool”.
“Bring on Liverpool,” roared Redknapp. “They will come to
The Lane to look for a result but will find my team giving
it a real go.
“Getting a point here when it looked as if we would get
nothing has given my players a real boost.
“Now they are really buzzing and they won’t need any
motivation from me when they take on Liverpool.”
(Setanta Sports)
Benitez delight at clinching
win despite making four changes
Rafa Benitez believes last night’s hard fought 1-0 victory
over Portsmouth highlighted the strength of his Liverpool
squad.
The Reds boss made four changes to the side which beat
Chelsea as he handed starting roles to Sami Hyypia, Jermaine
Pennant, Lucas Leiva and Ryan Babel.
Javier Mascherano, Robbie Keane, Albert Riera and Daniel
Agger were all rested, but the Reds were still able to
maintain their three point lead at
the top of the Premier League, courtesy of Steven Gerrard’s
76th minute penalty.
“After the victory against Chelsea getting three points
tonight was really important,” he said.
“The message is that we can change players and still win.
“Clearly, with another game at Tottenham in three days and
then
the Champions League match against Atletico, we will have to
change
players again."
(Liverpool Echo) |
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WEDNESDAY 29 |
Adams eyes Pompey joy
Tony Adams believes he will be a great fit as Portsmouth
manager after watching his men narrowly beaten at Anfield on
Wednesday night.
A stout rearguard action from Pompey only failed to get a
point as Papa Bouba Diop gave away a needless penalty late
on that Steven Gerrard converted for the win.
Portsmouth also had a couple of great chances to come away
with more than a point and Adams was disappointed to come
away with nothing from his first game in charge.
"We're extremely disappointed we didn't come away with
anything,"
said Adams.
"Funnily enough we had the two best chances of the match but
one moment of madness and we've come away with nothing - but
that's this league it's unforgiving."
(Sky Sports)
Gerrard spot on for Reds
Liverpool remain three points clear at the top of The
Premier League after they huffed and puffed and finally blew
Portsmouth’s house down to win
1-0 at Anfield.
In a hugely one-sided affair, Papa Bouba Diop proved
Pompey’s villain and Liverpool’s hero with 14 minutes
remaining, needlessly handling inside the area to allow
Steven Gerrard to rattle home the match-winning penalty.
(Setanta Sports)
Four changes for Reds
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez made four changes from the
side which claimed top spot in the Barclays Premier League
on Sunday for the visit of Portsmouth.
Daniel Agger, Javier Mascherano, Robbie Keane and Albert
Riera were all dropped to the bench, with Sami Hyypia,
Jermaine Pennant, Ryan Babel and Lucas coming into the side
as Liverpool looked to extend their 16-match unbeaten run.
New Portsmouth boss Tony Adams also made changes from the
side which drew with Fulham last time out.
Jermain Defoe and Richard Hughes were on the bench with Sean
Davis and John Utaka in midfield and former Liverpool
striker Peter Crouch on his own up front.
Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Hyypia, Carragher, Aurelio,
Pennant, Alonso, Leiva Lucas, Babel, Gerrard, Kuyt. Subs:
Cavalieri, Dossena, Agger, Keane, Riera, Benayoun,
Mascherano.
Portsmouth: James, Pamarot, Kaboul, Distin, Belhadj, Utaka,
Davis, Diop, Diarra, Armand Traore, Crouch. Subs: Ashdown,
Kranjcar, Kanu, Hughes, Defoe, Mvuemba, Hreidarsson.
Referee: Steve Tanner (Somerset)
(BreakingNews.ie)
Crouch: I'd love
Liverpool to win the league!
Peter Crouch revealed he would love Liverpool to win the
league – even though he could dent their title ambitions at
Anfield.
Crouch will left Liverpool for Portsmouth in the summer and
is set to make his first appearance in front of the Kop
since his moving to the south coast club in an £8m move in
July.
“Obviously, I’m a Portsmouth player now and we will be
coming to Anfield to try and get a result, said Crouch. “But
Liverpool are doing ever so well at the moment and it will
be very tough, especially after they had such
a great win at Chelsea on Sunday.
“It will be good to return to Anfield because I have a lot
of great memories of the place and the fans were always
great with me. The fans really deserve success and I’d love
it if Liverpool could win the league for them because they
have waited so long for it to happen.”
(Liverpool Daily Post)
Babel set for more attacking role
Rafa Benitez today praised the contribution of substitute
Ryan Babel in Liverpool's 1-0 victory over Chelsea - and
revealed we'll be seeing a lot more of the Dutchman in his
preferred striking role.
Having already scored the winner from the bench against
United this season, Babel was again introduced to great
effect at Stamford Bridge
on Sunday.
Brought on as a lone striker for the final 30 minutes, the
21-year-old helped keep Chelsea on the back foot by
stretching the defence with power and pace.
Benitez said: "When we signed Albert Riera we thought of
Babel being more of a striker.
"Ryan is still a young player. Some Dutch players come to
England for only one or two years. In this case, this is his
second year and he was injured at the start coming back from
the Olympic Games.
"But he is giving us something more and I was really pleased
with him
the other day at Chelsea. I think that was the perfect game
for him."
(LFC Official Website) |
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TUESDAY 28 |
Benitez demands
Reds retain focus
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has called on his players
to prove they are worthy Premier League leaders after a fine
start to the season.
The Anfield chief, however, wants his players to grasp the
opportunity at home to Portsmouth on Wednesday to strengthen
their lead at the top while trying desperately to keep the
lid on the rapidly-growing expectation among the club's
fans.
Benitez, who will again be without hamstring casualty
Fernando Torres said: "It is a crucial week for us.
"We are at the top for the first time and everybody is
waiting for our reaction, to see whether we can we handle
it.
"So we must concentrate even more now. We must not slip up
or lose our focus."
(TEAMtalk)
Benitez happy with Xabi
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has acknowledged the stunning
form of Xabi Alonso, the midfielder he tried so hard to sell
to Juventus in the summer.
And the Spanish coach dismisses that scenario as "just
business" as Liverpool sit on top of the Barclays Premier
League following Alonso's winner at Chelsea on Sunday.
Benitez said: "What happened in the summer with Alonso is
just football, and you always have to try to change things.
Maybe I will now tell half a dozen players that I may sell
them, maybe they will all start to play as well as Xabi!"
He added: "It doesn't matter whether I change my mind about
something or the player changes his mind. What matters is
that as a manager if I have a good player, a good
professional, I will use that player for the benefit of the
team."
(Ananova)
Torres out of Pompey clash
Fernando Torres will not be considered for Liverpool's
Premiership fixture with Portsmouth at Anfield tomorrow
evening, Rafael Benitez has revealed.
The Spanish international is still recovering from a
hamstring injury sustained on international duty that has
forced him out of the Reds' recent fixtures with Wigan
Athletic, Atletico Madrid and Chelsea.
However, Benitez is confident that Torres will be fit for
Saturday's trip to White Hart Lane to face Tottenham
Hotspur.
Benitez confirmed to Liverpoolfc.tv: "Fernando is very
close. Maybe he'll be okay for the weekend, but he cannot
play tomorrow.
"We will see how he is over the next two or three days and
then make a decision for Saturday.
"We have some problems after the Chelsea game. You know
Keane had an injury, while Kuyt and Alonso also had some
knocks. We will have to check on them but I think they will
be okay for the Portsmouth game."
(Shanklygates)
Macca tips Reds for title
Former Reds legend Steve McManaman today tipped the Reds to
bring home the title for the first time since when Macca
first joined the club back in 1990.
“I’ll be very honest, at the beginning of last season, I
didn’t fancy Liverpool for the title but, this year, I
really fancy them for it.” he published on his
SetanataSports blog earlier today.
“I think Rafa Benitez has got the formation right. They
finished last season very, very well and, with the
acquisition of Fernando Torres last year, he now knows his
team at home and away from home.” he added.
(Kop-TV)
Duo in team of the year
Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres have been named in the
Fifpro team of the year.
The Liverpool duo have been voted into the world XI by their
fellow professionals. The full team is:
Iker Casillas (Real Madrid/Spain)
Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid/Spain)
John Terry (Chelsea/England)
Carlos Puyol (Barcelona/Spain)
Rio Ferdinand (Man Utd/England)
Steven Gerrard (Liverpool/England)
Xavi (Barcelona/Spain)
Kaka (AC Milan/Brazil)
Lionel Messi (Barcelona/Argentina)
Fernando Torres (Liverpool/Spain)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Man Utd/Portugal)
(LFC Online)
Thor Zakariassen
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