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FRIDAY 6 |
Benitez hails Coppell job
Rafael Benitez has praised Reading boss Steve Coppell for
the way he has maintained the Berkshire club's remarkable
run in the Barclays Premiership.
Benitez takes his Liverpool side to the Madejski Stadium on
Saturday for their first league trip there insisting
Reading's consistency has more than impressed him in their
first season in the top flight.
The Spaniard will consider rotating his side following
Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final triumph in
Eindhoven, which could see the likes of Craig Bellamy and
Robbie Fowler facing Reading.
But he warns they must not take their hosts lightly. He
said: "Steve Coppell has done a good job. They are well
organised and at the beginning of the season they played
with a high tempo.
"And now with the campaign coming to an end they are still
playing with that same tempo, that means he has done a good
job."
(PA Sport)
Bellamy in frame for Liverpool return
Craig Bellamy has staked his claim to return for Liverpool
at Reading tomorrow after missing the last two matches with
a rib injury.
He was on the bench in Eindhoven on Tuesday, but it was not
an option manager Rafael Benitez wanted to use.
Liverpool will also have midfielder Mohamed Sissoko
available again. He was suspended for the Champions League
tie. Fabio Aurelio is out following an operation on Thursday
on an Achilles tendon.
Provisional squad: Reina, Finnan, Arbeloa, Hyypia,
Carragher, Agger, Riise, Pennant, Gerrard, Alonso,
Mascherano, Sissoko, Gonzalez, Bellamy, Kuyt, Crouch,
Fowler, Dudek, Zenden.
(Ireland On-Line)
Duo fighting to face Liverpool
John Oster or Seol Ki-Hyeon will step into the Reading side
against Liverpool with winger Glen Little sidelined by an
Achilles problem.
Little may struggle to play again before the end of the
season so Royals boss Steve Coppell will be forced to
shuffle his pack, starting with the Madejski Stadium
encounter with Rafa Benitez's Reds.
Elsewhere, captain Graeme Murty has not fully shaken off a
calf problem so Greg Halford will continue in the side
despite giving away a penalty on his debut against Spurs
last weekend.
Keeper Marcus Hahnemann is set to shake off a hip injury
after being forced out of the Tottenham defeat at half-time.
(Clubcall Sports) |
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THURSDAY 5 |
Blair: Paisley cannot recieve knighthood
Prime Minister Tony Blair has written to Liverpool
supporters to explain why former Reds' manager Bob Paisley
will not receive a posthumous knighthood.
Fans had campaigned with an e-petition on the governments
website for the former Liverpool boss to receive a
knighthood for his achievements at Anfield, which included
three European Cups.
But Blair released a statement to Liverpoolfc.tv today that
read: "Bob Paisley's achievements in football were
remarkable. It is easy to see why so many people want to see
his record formally recognised.
"This has been underlined by the thousands of people who
have signed the e-petition on the No 10 website calling for
him to be granted a posthumous knighthood.
"But this is simply not possible. A knighthood is an honour
only given during someone's lifetime. Unlike bravery awards
and medals, they have never been granted posthumously."
(Shankly Gates)
Litmanen to light up Malmo again
Finland legend Jari Litmanen, a former crowd favourite at
Liverpool, has inked a one-year contract extension with
Malmo.
The former Ajax, Barcelona and Reds playmaker had an
operation in the winter break on his ankle.
But he is now fit again and played in Finland's Euro 2008
qualifying defeat to Azerbaijan last month,
"I am back in Malmo full of optimism," said Litmanen, who
spent 18 months at Anfield from January 2001 to August 2002.
(TEAMtalk)
Benitez: Aurelio back for pre-season
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez expects Fabio Aurelio to
return for pre-season following a successful operation on
his Achilles tendon.
The Brazilian full-back was stretchered off against PSV on
Tuesday night - and there were fears he could be out for
four months, making him a doubt for the start of next
season.
But Benitez today told his club's official website,
www.liverpoolfc.tv: "He will be fit for
the pre-season.
"Yesterday he had an operation and it was really good. It
was over quickly - the doctor carried out a new kind of
operation."
The left-back fell to the ground clutching his leg during
the second half of the Reds' 3-0 quarter-final first-leg win
at the Philips Stadium and was carried off on a stretcher.
(PA Sport)
We won't give in to Reds vows Reading star
Reading striker Dave Kitson has warned Liverpool his side
will "never submit" as they seek to heal the perceived
injustice of defeat at White Hart Lane.
The Royals' winless run was extended to six games after a
controversial first-half penalty decision by referee Alan
Wiley handed Spurs a 1-0 triumph.
Kitson admits his team-mates were left distraught by the
manner of the defeat and has revealed they are keen to take
their pain out on Liverpool.
The Reds may have all but booked their place in Champions
League semi-finals with the 3-0 rout at PSV Eindhoven but
Kitson insists Reading will show no fear at the Madejski
Stadium on Saturday.
(Liverpool Echo)
Rafa in a hurry to tie up Reds deals
Rafael Benitez wants new contracts sorted out for his top
Liverpool stars before the end of the current season.
The Reds boss is aware of interest in Anfield's finest
performers and has already discussed the situation with new
owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks.
Top of Benitez's list are skipper Steven Gerrard, Spanish
midfielder Xabi Alonso and key defender Jamie Carragher.
It was initially believed that Benitez saw solving the
contract problems as a major job for the summer to be
completed by the beginning of next season.
But now the Reds chief has indicated he wants players to
sign on the dotted line before the current campaign is
concluded, which Liverpool fans hope will be in a Champions
League final in Athens on May 23.
(TEAMtalk)
Reina: We must keep key players
Pepe Reina believes the first priority of
Liverpool’s new owners will be to protect the ‘spine’ of a
side which can inspire an exciting new era of success.
Manager Rafa Benitez has already urged George Gillett and
Tom Hicks to act swiftly to renew the contracts of players
like Reina, Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher and
Xabi Alonso.
Reina was linked with a return to La Liga earlier this
season, but has stated emphatically he wants to stay on
Merseyside.
“The key for any growing team is not only to improve with
new players, but also to make sure the key players and the
spine of the side stays together. Then you can build
an even stronger team around this. That spine is here at
Liverpool."
(Liverpool Echo)
Liverpool trip ends in disaster
A football fan’s day trip to support his team in
Eindhoven ended in disaster – when he cracked his head open
on a concrete block while celebrating a Liverpool goal.
Financial adviser Alan Parkinson, 50, from Allerton, not
only broke his breast bone during the crowd surge but also
needed 16 stitches – from his scalp to his eyebrow – after
cutting his head.
The father-of-two, a lifelong Liverpool supporter, was
supposed to be flying home immediately after the Champions
League match on Tuesday, but is still receiving treatment in
a hospital in the Netherlands.
His wife Jenny said: “His friends have told me that he flew
through the air like Superman.
“It was only supposed to be a day trip. We just want him
home now.”
(Liverpool Daily Post)
Eto'o admits Reds liking
Samuel Eto'o has revealed his admiration for Liverpool, but
claims he is not looking to leave Barcelona.
The Cameroonian is one of the most highly regarded strikers
in world football, but his future at Barcelona has been
shrouded in doubt for much of the season.
He had public fall out with Barca coach Frank Rijkaard and
it was claimed in March that Eto'o had been offered to clubs
in the Premiership.
This was swiftly denied by Eto'o's advisors, but the forward
has added fuel to the fire by admitting he is a fan of
Liverpool.
"I like Liverpool's courage," he is quoted as saying in Four
Four Two Magazine. "They have a big red heart. They showed
that against us. We did not underestimate them.
Commenting on his own future, he added: "I have a contract
here until 2010 and I am happy with that."
Eto'o is a huge fan of Thierry Henry and Spanish daily El
Mundo Deportivo claims Barca are considering making a summer
bid for the Arsenal striker, having come close
to landing him last year.
(Sky Sports) |
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WEDNESDAY 4 |
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Wenger loves Rafa's idea
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has welcomed Rafa Benitez's
idea to have reserve teams playing in the Football League.
Benitez has called for the system, which is already in place
in Spain, to be brought into the English game.
Chelsea chief Jose Mourinho has also shown support for the
idea, with the chance to field the club's youngsters in the
lower leagues.
"I would love it," Wenger told the club's official website.
"What used to happen is that you had a reserve league and an
Under 18s league, which was very important.
"What has happened now is the Under 18s league has
transferred to the reserve league while the Under 18s has
lost a little.
"We have many players who play on Saturday (for the Under
18s) and on Monday for the reserves.
"That means they play too many games and cannot practise."
(Sky Sports)
Boss: Aurelio will be out for months
Red's boss Rafa Benitez had mixed emotions following the 3-0
Champions League victory over PSV Eindhoven, after admitting
Brazilian full-back Fabio Aurelio's season is over.
Aurelio suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon in the
quarter-final first leg in Holland and the Reds manager
admits it is so serious he will be out
"for a very long time."
(Photo: Empics)The 27-year-old will have a scan today
in Liverpool, but Benitez already knows the player is facing
months on the sidelines.
He said: "Fabio has started to play really well. This is a
very bad blow for him and us.
"There was nobody anywhere near him. He felt as if he had
been hit by a stone. The pain was from behind and it struck
him like he had been hit. It is a real tragedy for us."
(Liverpool Echo)
Reds can rule Europe again
Make no mistake. This Liverpool side can lift the Champions
League again if they continue to maintain this form.
When you are playing away from home in Europe, the emphasis
is usually on defence - keep out your opponents and then
hope to nick a goal.
But once the Reds took a grip on their tie with PSV early
on, they never looked in danger, and with the goals flowing
again their 3-0 victory effectively puts them in the
semi-finals.
It was another terrific team effort following on from
Arsenal, but it wasn't just a case of being and looking
solid. Rafa Benitez's team were inventive, passing the ball
well, and they created problems all night for the home
defence.
(Tommy Smith - Liverpool Echo)
Reds favourites to win it six times
After last night's emphatic win Liverpool have been slashed
in to 3/1 favourites with Paddy Power to win the Champions
League for 6th time.
If you're wanting to back The Reds at 3/1 make sure you do
before kick-off of tonight's games, when Chelsea and
Manchester United will be looking to emulate Liverpool's
victory in Eindhoven.
(LFC Official Website)
Kuyt suspended
Dirk Kuyt is suspended for the second leg against PSV
Eindhoven next week.
Kuyt picked up a late booking last night for failing to
retreat from a free kick.
The yellow card rules him out of the return leg at Anfield
next Wednesday.
However, with the Reds taking a 3-0 lead back to Liverpool,
the tie is all but over and the booking was obviously picked
up deliberately.
Should Liverpool, as expected, reach the semi-final Kuyt
will have a clean slate.
(LFC Online)
Carra gets record
Jamie Carragher has now played more games in the European
Cup than any other Liverpool player.
Yesterday's appearance against PSV Eindhoven was Jamie
Carragher's 58th in the European Cup, allowing him to
overtake Phil Neal as the player with the most European Cup
appearances for the club.
Carragher almost celebrated his record breaking appearance
with a goal but was denied by a good save from Gomes.
However, keeping a clean sheet was a welcome reward.
(LFC Online)
Gillett: Boss will get funds to compete
New Liverpool co-owner George Gillett has refused to
speculate on the transfer kitty available to manager Rafael
Benitez in the summer but he has promised to back his
Spanish coach.
Reports claimed Benitez would be handed £40m by Gillett and
fellow co-owner Tom Hicks, who were in Holland last night to
witness the Reds' impressive 3-0 Champions League
quarter-final first leg victory over PSV Eindhoven.
"Rafa has been very good about his plan but we won't discuss
that publicly," said Gillett. "We believe in building a
winning tradition and that means building something for the
long term so we can be successful."
(Liverpool Echo)
PSV's Kromkamp concedes defeat
Jan Kromkamp conceded that PSV Eindhoven "can't rescue the
tie now" after losing the home leg of their UEFA Champions
League quarter-final 3-0 to Liverpool FC last night.
The former Liverpool defender admitted that the performance
was symptomatic of his side's recent malaise, saying:
"I think you could see that at the moment we are lacking
self-confidence. We gave the ball away too cheaply, too
often, and had difficulty getting it back. We have to be
realistic. Our priority is now the remaining league games
and not the return in Liverpool. We can't rescue the tie
now."
(uefa.com)
Taking Rush record embarrasses Gerrard
Steven Gerrard admitted he was “embarrassed” at becoming
Liverpool’sall-time leading goalscorer in the European Cup
after a night of records in Eindhoven.
Gerrard netted his 15th goal in the competition to eclipse
the tally of Ian Rush and send Rafael Benitez’s side on
their way to an emphatic Champions League quarter-final
first leg win over PSV.
“I’m flattered, but it’s not really important to me though.
What’s more impor-tant is how well the team is doing. It was
a really good performance and hopefully we can go all the
way."
(Liverpool Daily Post)
Benitez urges Reds focus
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez preached caution after his side
enjoyed an almost perfect night as they romped to a 3-0
Champions League quarter-final first leg win at PSV
Eindhoven.
Benitez said afterwards: "We know we are close but in
football you have to stay focused for every match. There
must be no room for complacency now.
"We must take the second leg seriously and play a proper
match."
(Football UK)
Koeman: We're as good as out
Ronald Koeman has admitted PSV Eindhoven have 'no
opportunity' to advance to the semi-finals of the UEFA
Champions League following the 3-0 home defeat to Liverpool
on Tuesday.
Goals from Steven Gerrard, John Arne Riise and Peter Crouch
sealed a comprehensive victory for The Reds and left PSV in
need of something special in the second leg next Wednesday.
But Koeman, whose side knocked out Arsenal in the last
round, believes all hope is gone.
"If I told my squad to believe they can still advance, then
I don't belong on this planet,"
he said.
(Sky Sports)
Riise: I just smashed it
John Arne Riise scored another wonder goal for Liverpool in
their UEFA Champions League quarter-final victory over PSV
Eindhoven - and says all he had to do was
'smash it'.
Liverpool were completely dominant throughout large periods
of the 3-0 win, and Riise scored the goal of the game with a
thunderous drive from the edge of the box.
But the Norway international says his strike was simply a
case of blasting the ball once he saw PSV keeper Heurelho
Gomes out of position.
"I saw the keeper was a little bit more to the right," he
told TV3 after the game. "The ball bounced perfectly and all
I had to do was smash it.
"It's fantastic to score in a quarter-final in the Champions
League."
(Sky Sports)
Thor Zakariassen
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