|
|
|
THURSDAY 6 |
Torres likely to face Baggies
Fernando Torres seems almost certain to make his comeback
from a hamstring strain in Liverpool's Premier League clash
with West Brom at Anfield on Saturday. The striker has not
played since the last international break on October 15th,
missing six matches including two against his former club
Atletico Madrid.
However, both Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez and captain
Steven Gerrard are confident the 24-year-old will return
against the midlands side.
Benitez said: "I believe Torres will be ready for the West
Brom game at the weekend.
"It all depends on Fernando, he was not happy with his
fitness so he did not play against Atletico.
"He said he was not confident, so you cannot take any risks
with a hamstring injury."
(Irish Times)
Liverpool trio make top 100 list
Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Javier Mascherano are
among the top 100 players in the world, according to Four
Four Two.
The magazine reckons El Nino is the third best footballer on
the planet behind Lionel Messi and first-placed Cristiano
Ronaldo.
Gerrard is apparently 10th, while Mascherano makes it in at
35.
Some of the stranger selections include Iker Casillas at
number four when Pepe Reina doesn't even make the top 100.
Other goalkeepers chosen include Petr Cech and Arthur Boruc.
Xabi Alonso is also unlucky not to make the list considering
fringe Spanish internationals Diego Capel and Santi Cazorla
are there.
(LFC Official Website)
Liverpool given hope in K9 hunt
Brazilian starlet Keirrison has revealed it is his dream to
play in Europe amid reported interest from Liverpool and
Barcelona.
The 19-year-old, who plays for Coritiba in his homeland, has
been compared to the likes of Ronaldo and Romario, and press
reports have suggested Liverpool have been offered the
chance to sign the striker.
Coritiba president Jair Cirino dos Santos has confirmed that
there has been interest from European sides, but did not
name the clubs involved and insisted nothing has yet been
agreed.
“Keirrison will not play in Brazil next season and that is
for certain."
Keirrison, who has been given the nickname K9, has scored 36
goals since January and has shown an ability to score with
both feet and
his head.
And he says he would relish a move to Europe.
"My dream is to play and to triumph in Europe,” he said.
“I am working to achieve this goal every day."
(Setanta Sports)
Liverpool must seek foreign
cash to compete, says Hansen
A former Liverpool player said on Thursday the Premier
League club should target foreign investors for cash to
compete with rivals Manchester United.
"For Liverpool and the supporters it really doesn't matter
who the owners are," Hansen told Reuters on the sidelines of
a conference in Dubai on Thursday. "They're only interested
in financing of new players and how well it (the team) is
doing."
"If the Americans haven't got the money then if DIC came in
and bought it and guaranteed a new stadium then that would
be great," the former defender said in reference to Dubai
International Capital, a state agency of the Gulf emirate.
(Reuters)
Share Liverpool FC tell Gillett
and Hicks: Sell our club to us
The fans group which wants to buy Liverpool FC today sent an
open letter to the club’s American owners urging them to
sell to them.
The ShareLiverpoolFC group, spearheaded by football expert
Rogan Taylor, has plans for a Barcelona-style buyout at
Anfield with supporters – or groups of them – each owning a
stake.
ShareLiverpoolFC is supported by Anfield legends including
Phil Thompson, John Barnes and John Aldridge and also has
established close working links with the fans union the
Spirit of Shankly.
It says in the letter to George Gillett and Tom Hicks, who
took over at Anfield just under two years ago, that it
agrees with their reported decision to offload the club.
Said Share Liverpool in the letter to the Americans: “We
understand you have decided to relinquish your ownership of
Liverpool FC and are actively looking for a buyer.
“Along with the vast majority of Liverpool fans, we agree
with your decision to withdraw.
“We would like to buy the club on behalf of the fans, and
invite you to sit down with us to agree a deal."
(Liverpool Echo)
Masch predicts goal rush
Javier Mascherano is confident that Liverpool will start
winning games more convincingly once Fernando Torres returns
to action.
The Spanish striker has missed Liverpool's last six games
with a hamstring injury but is set to feature against West
Brom at the weekend.
Mascherano believes Liverpool have shown they can cope
without Torres, but accepts that it will be a major boost to
welcome him back.
"We know we've won important games with Torres. Obviously,
he's a key player for us and it's much better to have him
there," said the Argentine midfielder.
"Of course we have others who can score, like Robbie Keane,
Steven Gerrard and sometimes players like Albert Riera.
"But obviously Fernando is the main one for us and I have no
worries because in the next game we could end up scoring
plenty of goals."
(Sky Sports)
Skrtel not setting targets
Martin Skrtel's rehabilitation following his knee injury is
going as planned. The Slovakian is now walking without the
aid of his crutches and he will soon be stepping up his
exercise schedule but he isn't putting a date to his planned
comeback and nor will he rush back too soon, as he
explained:
"The doctor explained some new exercises to me and we have
not discussed the date of return yet. Anyway, I cannot nor
do I want to rush anything.
"First, I must wait for the leg to be ready 100% and only
then I can return."
Skrtel obviously can't take part in all aspects of training,
but on the whole he says that his training pattern isn't
that much different to how it normally is, adding:
"Every day I go to the training centre in Melwood. For an
hour I do special exercises, then I am spending one hour in
the gym, then the pool and then various massages.
"Otherwise it does not differ much from the schedule I have
when I am fit. I have a normal training, then I am spending
time with my girlfriend and my family, who are here, and so
on."
(Vital Football) |
|
WEDNESDAY 5 |
Ref 'not sure' of Reds decision
Fifa referee Martin Hansson has declared he is not sure that
the controversial last-gasp penalty he awarded to Liverpool
against Atletico Madrid should have been given.
Steven Gerrard bumped into Mariano Pernia during the
Champions League clash at Anfield and Hansson generously
pointed to the spot in injury time.
Hansson has commented on his decision, and confirmed he was
not sure of himself when he whistled for penalty.
“I am not sure it was a penalty,” Hansson told Swedish TV
station SVT.
(Setanta Sports)
Rafa hails nerveless Gerrard
Rafael Benitez believes Liverpool can rely on Steven
Gerrard's nerves of steel to drag them to glory.
Once again Gerrard saved his side from defeat with a
controversial late penalty securing a Champions League draw
at home to an impressive Atletico Madrid.
Benitez said: "Steven has nerves of steel, he has great
confidence in what he does on the pitch.
"We always know that in important games he is capable of
scoring at the end. This time it was a penalty, as it was
against Portsmouth.
"I always have confidence that he has the calmness to score
under that sort of pressure."
(Football 365)
Our full backs are not up to standard
Before last night’s game there was a real sense that
Liverpool would come out wanting to kick the cat after
losing to Spurs at the weekend.
But it never really happened for us against Atletico Madrid.
Of course, Steven Gerrard has gone and got us out of jail in
the dying seconds and as we all know it’s not for the first
time.
Okay, so the penalty was a tad controversial but while the
Madrid players protested vigorously, Stevie kept his cool
brilliantly and hammered it unerringly into the Kop end. So
for me he deserves enormous credit yet again for staying
focused when he could so easily have been distracted by the
rumpus going on around him.
But there were a couple of things in particular which struck
me about the side last night and which are niggling causes
for concern, I feel.
Firstly, I remain worried that our full backs are not
showing up to the standards we expect to see at Anfield.
(Tommy Smith - Liverpool Echo)
Agger denies contract talks
Contrary to reports in the media, Daniel Agger says that he
has not opened discussions with Liverpool regarding a new
deal at Anfield.
It was claimed that the Dane, who has 18 months remaining on
his current contract, had begun negotiations on a new,
long-term deal but the player says that this is not the
case, despite his desire to remain with the Reds.
"I haven't heard anything, so we shall have to wait and
see," said Agger.
"Of course, I will see what they will offer me, but I want
to stay here for a long time."
Agger recently regained his place in the Liverpool
first-team after fellow centre-back Martin Skrtel was ruled
out until Christmas.
(Shanklygates)
Riera: Let's take maximum points
Albert Riera has called on his Liverpool team mates to
build on last night's draw with Atletico Madrid by taking
maximum points from their remaining two Champions League
games.
The Spanish winger, reflecting on the game in which
Liverpool trailed for over an hour until Steven Gerrard's
injury time penalty, believes that the side is strong enough
to beat Marseille and PSV Eindhoven - their remaining
opponents in Group D.
"This was definitely a very important point for us," he
said.
"We knew when we went into this game that a win could have
been enough to take us through.
"That did not happen but a draw is still a good result and
it means that we still have the same chances to go through,
albeit with one match less to do it."
(Shanklygates)
Agger's injury causes
problems for Liverpool
Rafa Benitez has been rocked by a fresh injury worry as he
attempts to steer Liverpool out of their mini-slump.
Fernando Torres was again missing with a hamstring injury
and Daniel Agger could now join him on the sidelines after
damaging a finger in the second half of last night's 1-1
draw.
The Denmark centre-back came off for lengthy treatment near
the bench and will have a scan amid fears the finger is
broken.
"It was painful, and no-one is too sure at the moment
whether I have suffered a break," said Agger. "I hope to be
fit for Saturday, but I will know more after the scan. It
just about finished off a frustrating night for me, because
I should have won the game for us."
(Daily Mail)
Mascherano plays down captaincy
Mascherano has won back-to-back Olympic gold medals with
Argentina
Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano has attempted to
distance himself from the captaincy of Argentina.
New national team coach Diego Maradona is a keen admirer and
has previously stated his desire to see the 24-year-old lead
his country.
"Before Maradona arrived we had a captain, Javier Zanetti,
so I don't want to talk about this," the former West Ham man
told BBC Sport.
"He is a legend, so it is good to have him as a manager."
Mascherano looks certain to be named Argentina captain in
Maradona's first game in charge against Scotland on 19
November.
In the past Argentina's new national coach has described his
compatriot as a "monster".
Maradona even said in a news conference after taking the
over the reins from Alfio Basile: "[Mascherano is] the
Argentinian player who is closest to the idea I have about
the Argentinian shirt - sweat for it, sacrifice for it,
being a professional, being close to the team-mate."
(BBC Sport Online)
Greening targets Liverpool upset
Jonathan Greening is confident West Brom have the talent to
keep their heads above water and says they will take on
Liverpool at the weekend, live on Setanta Sports, without
fear.
The Baggies have proved something of a yo-yo side in recent
years and the pressure is on to survive in the top flight.
“There is always pressure for big teams,” added Greening.
“Liverpool are looking to win their first Premier League in
a long time and have pressure to beat us as we are right
near the bottom.
”They will probably be thinking it will be an easy three
points, but we will be going there confident to do well and
try and get a good result against a top team.”
(Setanta Sports)
Liverppol FC missing cutting
edge of Fernando Torres
When the opposing supporters are sporting your name and
number on their shirts and they’re as disappointed as their
rival fans at your absence, you know you’ve made it.
And the fact that Fernando Torres failed to make last
night's reunion with his former employers was as big a blow
to expectation and anticipation as the failure of Diego
Maradona to grace Anfield with his presence.
Torres is indeed a big miss. For both the travelling hordes
who idolised him for so many years and those who have
inherited that hero-worship.
The key difference is, Liverpool’s anguish over his absence
goes way beyond last night.
The reason Liverpool were so keen to get qualification sewn
up was so they could keep key players fresh for resuming
their title challenge. In fact, the only reason there was so
much at stake last night was because the lack of a clinical
and ruthless finisher cost them victory in Madrid two weeks
ago.
It also cost them their unbeaten league record at the
weekend, when for most of the game they made Spurs look like
the bottom-of-the-table side they are and inexplicably
failed to cast them further adrift.
With Torres around, it’s safe to say that wouldn’t have
happened -and they might not have had to rely on an
injury-time penalty to rescue a point last night either.
(Nick Smith - Liverpool Daily Post)
Pernia upset with Gerrard
Atletico Madrid defender Mariano Pernia has claimed he
received an apology from an assistant referee after
Liverpool had won a controversial late penalty on Tuesday.
Steven Gerrard tumbled under minimal contact from Pernia in
injury-time, before dusting himself down and slotting home
to earn The Reds a point.
"In nobody's eyes was that a penalty. We're very hurt to
have drawn the game in what was practically the final
minute.
"It was a nonexistent foul, Gerrard threw himself on top of
me. It couldn't have been more clear."
(Setanta Sports)
Liverpool jilted by
another suitor
The ownership saga at Liverpool has taken another twist amid
claims that a Middle East investment group came close to
buying the Merseyside club two weeks ago, only to drop its
interest in mysterious circumstances.
Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr, the club’s American owners,
continue to deny that they are looking to sell Liverpool and
that they have held negotiations with any potential buyer,
but sources claimed last night that an Arab group —
unrelated to Sheikh Mohammed, the ruler of Dubai — had made
a firm offer for the club, having inspected the company
accounts, but walked away without explanation with a deal
looking imminent.
(The Times) |
|
TUESDAY 4 |
Gerrard: It was a penalty
Steven Gerrard reflected on Liverpool's last-gasp draw with
Atletico Madrid at Anfield and insisted: "It was a penalty."
The final whistle was met with vociferous appeals from the
Madrid players who felt the officials had got the decision
wrong - but Gerrard insists there should be no controversy
around the call.
"I'll have to have another look at it, but in my mind it was
a penalty," he said. "I got there first and he came into the
back of me. If it had happened anywhere else on the pitch it
would be a free kick, so it was a penalty."
(LFC Official Website)
Gerrard spot-kick
salvages Reds draw
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard took advantage of the
softest of penalty awards to score five minutes into injury
time and hold Atletico Madrid to a 1-1 draw at Anfield,
leaving the race to finish top of Champions League Group D
wide open.
The Reds –again deprived of former Atletico hero and star
striker Fernando Torres due to a hamstring injury – had
fallen behind to a lovely touch-and-finish from Maxi
Rodriguez in the first half and looked destined to a second
consecutive defeat after wasting a host of chances.
But, deep into injury time, Gerrard made another dramatic
late intervention on a European night at Anfield as he
somehow won a penalty after jumping into Mariano Pernia,
sparking a justifiably furious reaction from the visiting
side who were on course for the last 16 with Marseille
beating PSV Eindhoven.
Gerrard stepped up with trademark coolness and beat Leo
Franco emphatically from 12 yards to leave both clubs level
on eight points from four games, five points ahead of both
Marseille and PSV in Group D.
(Setanta Sports)
Maradona: I want Masch as skipper
New Argentina coach Diego Maradona has revealed he wants
Javier Mascherano to be his new captain.
Maradono was today confirmed as the new boss of the
Argentine national side and immediately pinpointed the
Liverpool midfielder as the man he wants to lead his
country.
"I want Mascherano to be my captain because I believe he is
the Argentinian player who is closest to the idea I have
about the Argentinian shirt - sweat for it, sacrifice for
it, being a professional, being close to the team-mate," he
said.
"I will convince him. He will be my captain."
(LFC Official Website)
One change as Torres misses out
Robbie Keane leads the line for Liverpool in tonight's
Champions League clash at home to Atletico Madrid - which
means Fernando Torres misses out on an emotional reunion
with his former club.
The Spaniard does not even make the bench as Rafael Benitez
makes just one change from the side that lost at Spurs with
Fabio Aurelio coming in at left-back for Andrea Dossena.
The Liverpool team in full: Reina, Arbeloa, Aurelio,
Carragher, Agger, Mascherano, Alonso, Gerrard, Riera, Kuyt,
Keane.
Subs: Cavalieri, Dossena, Benayoun, Babel, Lucas, Ngog,
Degen.
(LFC Official Website)
Garcia relishing 'special' return
Former Liverpool forward Luis Garcia is looking forward to
walking out at Anfield again - only this time in the colours
of Atletico Madrid.
The Spanish club arrived on Merseyside ahead of their
Champions League D clash with Rafael Benitez's side and Luis
Garcia was immediately in familiar territory.
"This will be a special game for me personally, but it
should be for anyone playing here at this stadium with such
a fantastic atmosphere," he said.
(ITV Football)
Maxi warns Reds
Atletico Madrid have learnt their lesson and will try and
upset Liverpool at Anfield on Tuesday night according to
midfielder Maxi Rodriguez, who exclusively spoke to
setantasports.com.
Argentina international Rodriguez believes his side know how
to win at Anfield in the Champions League and have a special
plan for Rafa Benitez’s Reds.
Rodriguez cannot wait for the ‘historical’ clash and has
vowed to clinch a massive win to Atleti fans.
“We woke up a bit late against Liverpool and finally drew,”
Rodriguez told setantasports.com.
“Right now, things are going to be different in Anfield, as
we have learnt a lot playing Champions League football, and
we know how to play against Liverpool."
(Setanta Sports)
Simao hails Anfield atmosphere
Simao Sabrosa is excited at the prospect of facing five-time
winners Liverpool at Anfield later today.
Simao, who once nearly signed for Liverpool, knocked
Liverpool out of the Champions League in 2006 with a sublime
finish.
“It is clear that this is a special stadium,” he said.
“Everyone knows the mystique that Anfield has but, above
all, we want to win.
“It would be a very important victory for Atletico, because
we’d practically be into the knockout round. We are having a
great campaign and we want to continue on the same line.”
Atletico’s coach Javier Aguirre echoed his sentiments
saying: “The crowd brings an extra level of sensation and
intensity to the game and it will be a different feeling for
us.
“But once the whistle goes, it’s eleven against eleven. The
fans will show their support, but they won’t be playing”.
(Kop-TV)
Gillett's Reds embarrasment
Liverpool co-owner George Gillett has admitted the club's
financial difficulties have left him embarrassed.
Gillett, along with fellow American Tom Hicks, gained
control of the Anfield club in February 2007, but the duo
have endured a difficult time at the helm.
"You feel a responsibility and an embarrassment on occasions
when you haven't provided all you might have," Gillett told
The Independent.
"There's a level of embarrassment and you want to correct it
quickly."
(Sky Sports)
Kuyt and Agger
set for new deals
Liverpool have opened talks with Daniel Agger over a new
contract and are poised to follow suit with Dirk Kuyt as
Rafael Benitez continues planning for the future.
The duo, who have both entered the final two years of their
current deals, are regarded by Benitez as key squad members
and will appear in tonight’s Champions League group game
against Atletico Madrid at Anfield.
(Liverpool Daily Post)
Reserves' fourth defeat in a row
Liverpool Reserves slumped to a fourth defeat in a row as
Manchester City (2-1) the Halliwell Jones Stadium in the FA
Premier Reserve League Northern Section last night.
The visitors went ahead on nine minutes when Marshall
capitalised on a poor clearance from Damien Plessis and
drilled in a low 18-yard shot.
Liverpool rallied and Nabil El Zhar was denied by the keeper
after a neat pass by Dani Pacheco. The Moroccan fared better
three minutes before the break when he scored with a
fabulous individual effort, jinking away from several
defenders before firing a shot into the bottom corner.
Liverpool’s joy was short-lived however, as City regained
the lead through Benjani almost immediately. The experienced
front-man netted at the second attempt after Peter Gulacsi
had made a good save.
Liverpool never really looked like finding a way through,
although Jordy Brouwer went close when he was put clean
through by Ronald Huth but shot straight at the keeper.
City had chances to wrap the game up, but Gulacsi made some
excellent saves to keep the score down.
Liverpool Reserves: Gulacsi, Darby, Insua, Ayala (San Jose
71), Huth, Plessis, El Zhar, Spearing (Weijl 71), Brouwer,
Pacheco (Simon 81), Bruna.
Subs: Bouzanis, Irwin.
(Liverpool Daily Post)
Thor Zakariassen
© |
|
|
|
