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TUESDAY 6 |
Damage was done in the Nou Camp, says
Rijkaard
Barcelona manager Frank Rijkaard praised his team for their
fighting spirit and determination against Liverpool on
Tuesday but said the damage was done in the 21- home defeat
in the first leg.
"Lets not forget that we did actually win tonight's game, a
little luckily maybe but that was not enough we know,"
Rijkaard told a news conference.
"We made our own destiny because of what happened at the Nou
Camp two weeks ago when we lost 2-1."
(Reuters)
Reds survive Barca fightback
Liverpool reached the Champions League
quarter-finals after a 1-0 defeat by Barcelona at Anfield
saw them win on away goals after a 2-2 draw.
The hosts' superb 2-1 victory at the Nou Camp proved
decisive for Rafael Benitez, who had selected the exact same
team who reigned in Spain and saw the two away goals depose
the European kings after a 2-2 draw on aggregate.
(Sporting Life)
Rafa goes with first leg eleven
Rafa Benitez has named the same side that beat Barcelona 2-1
in the Nou Camp a fortnight ago for tonight's Champions
League last 16 Second Leg at what's sure to be a rocking
Anfield.
That means Alvaro Arbeloa returns to the defence, where he's
joined by Jamie Carragher, Daniel Agger and Steve Finnan.
Rafa has opted for Dirk Kuyt and Craig Bellamy up front and
he'll be hoping they can cause the Barca defence problems
again.
Liverpool: Reina, Finnan, Arbeloa, Carragher, Agger, Riise,
Gerrard, Alonso, Sissoko, Kuyt, Bellamy. Subs: Dudek,
Hyypia, Crouch, Pennant, Aurelio, Mascherano, Zenden.
(LFC Official Website)
Villa keen on Liverpool
More Valencia news and informationAlbelda rejects
offerValencia's star David Villa says he would consider
moving to Liverpool in the future after the Reds were linked
with
the Spain striker.
Villa has admitted that he is aware of being tracked by
sides in England and that - in particular - he is flattered
by Liverpool's alleged interest.
"The talk is flattering," Villa admitted to the Star. "It
makes you see that if you are doing things well, other teams
should become interested in you... The day that happens, we
will look at the situation then."
"Liverpool don't just have a Spanish coach but I also have a
lot of friends there," he continued. "When Rafa (Benitez)
was coach at Valencia and I was at Zaragoza there was
contact about me joining Valencia. But I couldn't arrive
until the year after he left."
"There has never been anything concrete, so I am not going
to talk about it too much," he added. "Things can happen in
the future but right now I am happy at Valencia."
(Eurosport)
Arbeloa: I was left stunned
Alvaro Arbeloa has admitted he was stunned when he saw his
name on the teamsheet against Barcelona two weeks ago.
The right-back was shocked at being picked on the left –
something no manager has ever asked him to do. But, with
hindsight, he believes it was a stroke of tactical genius.
"The truth is I was surprised that Rafa Benitez picked me to
start, and to mark Lionel Messi, but I was not nervous at
all," Arbeloa told icons.com.
"I think that the confidence the manager showed in me was an
inspiration to me. Things can't get much better. I've only
been here a few weeks but already I feel settled and happy.
"The belief Rafa Benitez has in me is clear too. All I can
do now is fight to become a regular starter but it's not
going to be easy."
(LFC Official Website)
Rijkaard swipe at Reds boss
Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard could not resist a sly dig at
his Liverpool counterpart, Rafael Benitez, ahead of
tonight's match at Anfield.
The European champions are aiming to overturn a 2-1 deficit
and remain on course to retain the trophy.
Liverpool boss Benitez believes they will have to withstand
a three-pronged attack featuring Ronaldinho, Lionel Messi
and Samuel Eto'o.
Rijkaard, who refused to give any clues to the system he
will employ, responded: "It is great to play against a team
whose manager already knows everything.
"Maybe it is his way of hiding any kind of anxiety he might
have himself.
"The people who know everything and say they know everything
are the ones who know the least amount."
(Liverpool Echo)
Mellor delighted with debut strike
Neil Mellor admits his first goal for Preston is right up
there with those famous Champions League and Premiership
strikes for Liverpool.
The 24-year-old former Liverpool striker reckons last
night's six-yard tap-in against Southampton, his first for
Preston North End, gave him almost as much satisfaction as
the shots which sank Olympiakos and Arsenal in 2004.
"You could see from my reaction just how much it meant to
me," said the ex-Anfield hero who launched North End back to
winning ways on his long-awaited full debut.
"It was my first start in over 12 months in competitive
football and it's just a massive relief to get back to
scoring again."
Mellor had to wait six long months to take his bow for
Preston after arriving at Deepdale with a knee problem in
the August transfer window.
(Lancashire Evening Post)
MPs back Paisley knighthood drive
MPs are joining the growing campaign to grant a posthumous
knighthood for former Liverpool manager Bob Paisley.
Labour MP George Howarth has tabled a Commons motion for
Paisley to receive the award 11 years after his death.
"Bob was the most successful manager in football history and
was held in great affection for his outstanding knowledge
and modesty," said Howarth.
In nine years in charge, he won six league titles, three
European Cups, three League Cups and one Uefa Cup.
More than 25,000 people have signed a petition on the
Downing Street website calling for the move.
George Howarth's motion is supported by five other MPs
including some Labour colleagues who are Everton supporters.
(BBC Sport Online)
Puyol expects tough tie
Carles Puyol expects a difficult game at Anfield tonight.
The Barcelona captain admits his team have an uphill task to
overturn their first leg defecit and win at Anfield but
believes his side do have the ablity to do just that.
"We are going to have to play almost a perfect game to come
away with the right result. I am always motivated by a
situation like this.
"When you are playing in front of such an inspirational
crowd, it is going to give some sort of strength to the home
side.
"However, as players we are used to playing in big games in
big stadiums. We are focussed and looking forward to it.
"We have a team full of dangerous forwards that can
hopefully do some damage.
"We are all keen to win the competition for the second time
and confident of putting on
a good show."
(LFC Online) |
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MONDAY 5 |
Gerrard: Biggest Euro test yet
Skipper Steven Gerrard believes Liverpool face a tougher
task against Barcelona on Tuesday than on the night they
defeated AC Milan to become champions of Europe.
The Reds aim to knock Champions League holders Barcelona out
of the competition following their 2-1 first-leg victory at
the Nou Camp a fortnight ago.
Gerrard said: "This is harder than anything else we have
played in Europe. Barcelona won the cup last season and
although we have done well ourselves, they are the best
around. I believe this is a harder game than we faced
against Milan in Istanbul."
(Ananova)
Rafa: We're not going for a draw
Rafa Benitez has ordered his players to take the game to
Barcelona on Tuesday night despite holding a 2-1 lead from
the away leg.
The Spaniard believes it would be dangerous for the Reds to
rest on their laurels against one of the best attacking
sides in the world.
"Our idea is to try to win. We've been talking to the
players and told them not to think about the first leg. We
need to think of it as a new game at Anfield. We have a
different plan," Benitez told a press conference on Monday.
(LFC Official Website)
No new injuries for Rafa's Reds
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez reports no further injury
worries for Tuesday's Champions League clash with Barcelona
at Anfield.
He has only Luis Garcia and Harry Kewell as long-term injury
problems, while striker Peter Crouch has had no
after-effects from the Manchester United game, in which he
played with a broken nose.
Benitez must decide whether or not to go into the return leg
with a similar system to the one used in the first leg,
where the Reds fought back for a 2-1 win with recent signing
Alvaro Arbeloa operating at left back.
Liverpool (from): Reina, Finnan, Arbeloa, Carragher, Agger,
Hyypia, Riise, Aurelio, Pennant, Sissoko, Alonso, Gerrard,
Gonzalez, Mascherano, Dudek, Crouch, Bellamy, Kuyt, Fowler.
(TEAMtalk)
Barca duo return for Anfield trip
Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard has recalled playmaker Deco
and defender Lilian Thuram for Tuesday's Champions League
clash at Liverpool.
Both players were rested from the Barcelona squad for
Saturday's 2-1 league defeat at Sevilla, but have been named
in an 18-man travelling party for the trip to England.
Santiago Ezquerro, Juliano Belletti, Thiago Motta and
Giovanni van Bronckhorst have been omitted.
Barcelona trail 2-1 after the first leg at the Nou Camp.
Barca (from): Victor Valdes, Albert Jorquera, Rafael
Marquez, Gianluca Zambrotta, Lilian Thuram, Carles Puyol,
Oleguer Presas, Edmilson, Sylvinho, Ludovic Giuly, Xavi
Hernandez, Andres Iniesta, Samuel Eto'o, Lionel Messi,
Ronaldinho, Deco, Eidur Gudjohnsen, Javier Saviola.
(TEAMtalk)
Gerrard's Kop call
Steven Gerrard wants Barcelona to get the ‘Chelsea
treatment’ from The Kop tomorrow as Liverpool seek to
complete a famous victory over the Spanish champions.
The Reds skipper is well aware the tie is far from over, but
he’s banking on another momentous night at Anfield to see
the side through.
“When we played Chelsea a few years ago one of the things
which stuck in our minds was the noise when we were just
warming up,” said Gerrard.
“Not only did it give all our lads a big lift, but I’m sure
it made the Chelsea players nervous.
“It would be great if all the fans could get to the ground
early again and make the same kind of atmosphere in the
build up to the game."
(Liverpool Echo)
Rijkaard expecting mighty clash
Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard has warned his side that
Liverpool will make life as tough for them on Tuesday as
Sevilla did at the weekend.
Sevilla knocked Barca off top spot in the Primera Liga on
Saturday after fighting back from a goal down to claim a 2-1
home win.
That was a blow to the Catalan giants ahead of their crucial
Champions League last-16 second leg against Liverpool, where
Barca have to overturn a 2-1 deficit, and Rijkaard admits
they can expect a similarly testing evening at Anfield.
"I hope it is a lesson we can all learn from going into
Tuesday's game as Liverpool will fight like Sevilla," he
said.
(Sporting Life)
Reds linked with Rovers ace
Liverpool will reportedly make a summer move for Blackburn's
highly-rated winger, Morten Gamst Pedersen.
Selling star asset Pedersen is the last thing that will be
on manager Mark Hughes' mind come the summer but Liverpool
have plenty of money to spend with the backing of their new
owners.
(Clubcall Sports)
Benitez must be given time to secure title
It doesn’t need a flight across the Atlantic for George
Gillett and Tom Hicks to see how the land lies on this side
of it.
The Americans want to give the fans trophies. The fans want
the Premiership trophy. So they didn’t have to be at Anfield
on Saturday to know they’ve got some way to go before they
can fulfil that dream.
Because Liverpool aren’t getting any closer to it – in fact,
this campaign has simply been two steps back from the giant
strides made in the previous one.
Then, Rafael Benitez led his side to their highest points
tally of the Premiership era, a total just one point lower
than United’s yet still a full nine off champions Chelsea.
But the gap was closing, the standards were being raised and
with a full, glorious summer market opening up before
Benitez it seemed that a bit of shrewd investment was all
that was needed to take Liverpool even closer to that
elusive 19th title.
Nobody is in any doubt that Benitez is the man to bring
similar triumphs back to Anfield, or more realistically
Stanley Park.
But the letter to America reads, give him the same tools
Ferguson had.
Time and money – and a lot more of both.
(Liverpool Daily Post)
Under 18's held
Liverpool's under 18's drew 1-1 with Everton at the weekend.
Honours were shared in the mini mini derby as the Reds were
held to a 1-1 draw by their small rivals on Saturday
morning.
Craig Lindfield scored Liverpool's goal but there were
injury worries for the Reds as Jimmy Ryan and captain Jay
Spearing were forced off after picking up knocks.
The injuries are worrying for Liverpool as the first leg of
the FA Youth Cup semi-final with Newcastle takes place next
Saturday and both Spearing and Ryan are key players for
Steve Heighway's side.
(LFC Online)
Hammill scores for Pars
Adam Hammill scored his first Dunfirmline goal on Saturday.
Liverpool's on loan winger and member of last season's
victorious FA Youth Cup side is on loan at SPL side
Dunfirmline for the rest of the season.
Hammill scored a cracking goal from 22 yards out against
Celtic on Saturday but unfortunately for the Pars it was
only a consolation as Celtic won the game 2-1.
(LFC Online) |
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SUNDAY 4 |
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Reds will bounce back vows Kuyt
Dirk Kuyt has vowed that Liverpool will bounce back from the
misery of home defeat by bitter enemies Manchester United to
knock Barcelona out of the Champions League.
Liverpool lost their 30-match unbeaten home league record to
a last seconds winner by John O'Shea, that pushed United
closer to the title.
Now Liverpool find their whole season resting on Tuesday's
visit to Anfield of the European champions, as they aim to
protect their 2-1 lead from the first leg in
the Nou Camp.
Kuyt knows that if Liverpool do reach the Champions League
quarter-finals, it will make the pain of defeat by United
easier to bare.
And the Dutch striker says: "We may well have seen the
English champions after United beat us, but I can assure
everyone that we will beat Barcelona and reach the Champions
League last eight."
(PA Sport)
Eto'o demands Barca recall
Samuel Eto'o is demanding to play in Barcelona's UEFA
Champions League tie with Liverpool as he lines up a move to
the Premiership.
The striker sat out the 2-1 defeat in the first leg at Camp
Nou as he continues his quest for full fitness after a knee
injury.
He came on as a substitute in Saturday's 2-1 loss at
Sevilla, but is desperate to start against Liverpool at
Anfield on Tuesday.
"I truly believe we are superior to Liverpool and I still
think our moment will come
in this tie."
(Sky Sports)
Gerrard: Row made us stronger
Steven Gerrard feels the recent bust-up in Portugal has
brought the Liverpool squad closer together.
Ahead of Tuesday's return meeting at Anfield, Reds captain
Gerrard feels the furore has only had a positive impact on
the squad's morale, and would even recommend further trips
to Portugal.
"What happened in Portugal made us stronger," said Gerrard.
(Sky Sports)
Iniesta: We must move on
Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta admits they have little
time to dwell on Saturday night's Primera Liga setback
against Sevilla, with their crucial Champions League clash
with Liverpool coming up on Tuesday.
Barca surrendered top spot in the table to Sevilla after
going down 2-1 in an incident-packed encounter, which also
saw three red cards handed out and Barca miss a first-half
penalty.
That was only Barca's fourth league defeat of the season,
but Iniesta believes they need to quickly put it behind them
and prepare for their second "war" in a matter of days when
they go to Anfield.
"The league is not decided in one game, but we have to
continue fighting," said the Spain international, whose side
trail 2-1 to Liverpool after the first leg of their
Champions League last-16 clash.
"On Tuesday we have another war."
(Sporting Life)
Barca stunned by Sevilla comeback
It was a bad night for Barcelona on Saturday as they lost
2-1 to Sevilla in a top of the table clash in La Liga and
finished the game with nine men.
Things looked to be going smoothly for Frank Rijkaard's men
when Ronaldinho gave them a 14th minute lead but the
Brazilian then had a penalty saved.
Despite having Aitor Ocio sent-off for conceding the penalty
Sevilla responded brilliantly, and inspired by Daniel Alves
came back into the game to take a 2-1 lead. Alves created
the equaliser and then scored from a direct free-kick.
Barcelona, who rested Samuel Eto'o then had Ludovic Giuly
and Gianluca Zambrotta sent-off. It could have been worse
for the Catalan giants towards the end of the game when
Sevilla's former West Ham striker Fredi Kanoute was guilty
of a bad miss, then Alves hit the bar in stoppage time.
(LFC Official Website)
Rafa pledges support for 'Sir' Bob
Rafael Benitez has pledged his support to the campaign to
award the late great Bob Paisley with a posthumous
knighthood.
Over 23,000 names have now been added to an on-line petition
that has been registered with the Prime Minister's website,
and the Liverpool manager believes the recognition would be
a fitting way to honour and remember the achievements of the
great man.
"Bob Paisley was a fantastic manager and the great manager's
deserve this kind of recognition, and I think it's important
to support this campaign," Benitez told Liverpoolfc.tv.
"You only have to look at what he won as Liverpool manager
to see how special he was and I fully support this
petition."
(LFC Official Website)
Thor Zakariassen
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