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SATURDAY 6 |
Keane issues Spurs rallying call
Tottenham Hotspur striker Robbie Keane has attempted to lift
his team-mates ahead of their trip to Anfield to face
Liverpool.
The Republic of Ireland captain knows that Spurs have had a
disappointing start to the season, but is eager to address
that by getting a positive result from Sunday's clash.
"That's what we want to achieve, to beat the top four
sides,"
revealed Keane.
"We've always done well up there but we've never got over
the hurdle to actually win the game.
"If we cut out the goals and not concede we have every
chance."
(Setanta Sports)
Barca eye Ayestaran
Barcelona are interested in securing the services of former
Liverpool assistant manager Pako Ayestaran, according to
reports in Spain.
Spanish radio station 'Putno Radio' claimed Barca initially
made contact with Ayestaran in an attempt to lure him to the
Camp Nou during the summer, but Liverpool rejected the move.
However, Spanish press now claim Barca will renew their
attempts to attract Ayestaran following his recent departure
from Liverpool.
Ayestaran is credited with masterminding Liverpool's UEFA
Champions League success in 2005 alongside manager Rafa
Benitez.
The 44-year-old, who joined Liverpool in 2004 with Benitez,
was a popular figure among the Reds squad with a number of
players admitting their disappointment at his departure
earlier this season.
(Sky Sports)
Reina backing under-fire Robinson
Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina has backed Spurs stopper Paul
Robinson to bounce back when the two sides meet tomorrow.
The England No1 has been under fire following a succession
of poor displays for club and country.
But Reina told the Daily Star: "He's a great keeper and I
have a great respect for him."
(Daily Mail)
Sami`s birthday wish
Sami Hyypia celebrates his 34th birthday on Sunday aware of
suggestions he will again be offered a contract extension
next summer, while insisting he has no intention of leaving
Merseyside.
But the Finland international has played down talk of a new
deal when his current year-extension runs out, even if it
has come from boss
Rafael Benitez.
Hyypia said: "He's only saying that! I will wait until I see
the paper in front of me to sign before I start to believe
it."
But Hyypia, who has stepped back into the side following
Daniel Agger's metatarsal injury, will again be at the heart
of defence against Tottenham at Anfield on Sunday.
He said: "I can see myself staying around here. I haven't
really thought about it but my family is enjoying their stay
in Liverpool. I have very few, if any, reasons to consider
going back to Finland."
(Footbal 365) |
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FRIDAY 5 |
Benitez denies Liverpool unrest
Rafael Benitez has dismissed claims that Liverpool's dip in
form is a result of the club's recent internal management
changes.
Liverpool have won just two of their last six games,
culminating in Wednesday's shocking performance in their
Champions League defeat at home to Marseille.
It has been suggested that the bad run has coincided with
the departure of Benitez's assistant manager Paco Ayestaran,
following a break-down in the relationship between the pair
after a decade working together in Spain and England.
But as Benitez prepares his side for Sunday's Premier League
clash with Spurs at Anfield, he said the behind-the-scenes
upheaval is not the cause of the current slump.
The Liverpool manager said: "I do not believe that the
management changes have affected the situation.
"We have been analysing the data regarding our players and
we are running more, covering more ground and our physical
condition is fantastic."
(TEAMtalk)
Spurs wait on Jenas
Tottenham are hopeful midfielder Jermaine Jenas will return
from an abdominal strain for the Premier League clash at
Liverpool on Sunday.
Dimitar Berbatov and Pascal Chimbonda were rested for the
midweek UEFA Cup tie with Anorthosis Famagusta and are set
to return, while Aaron Lennon had swelling on his knee but
it is not thought to be serious.
Ricardo Rocha has had surgery on his ankle and will be out
for more than two months, while Ledley King is still
recovering from knee surgery. Teemu Tainio is available
again after suspension.
Provisional squad: Robinson, Cerny, Chimbonda, Stalteri,
Lee, Bale, Assou-Ekotto, Dawson, Gardner, Kaboul,
Huddlestone, Zokora, Jenas, Lennon, Malbranque, Tainio,
Boateng, Taarabt, Berbatov, Keane,
Defoe, Bent.
(Evening Echo)
Kennedy: Time for Rafa to deliver
Alan Kennedy believes Rafael Benitez could be on his way out
of Anfield if Liverpool fail to win the Premier League in
the next two years.
Although Benitez has led Liverpool to two Champions League
finals in three years, winning the competition in his first
year in charge, he has been unable to halt the Reds' wait
for another league title, with the 18-time champions having
not won the league for 17 years.
Despite making a mixed start to the current campaign, with
successive 0-0 draws against Birmingham and Portsmouth
stalling their progress, Anfield legend Kennedy is confident
Liverpool will be genuine title contenders this season.
The former Reds left-back, who scored the winning goal in
the 1981 European Cup final, believes Benitez has assembled
perhaps the most talented squad in the club's history.
But Kennedy has also joined the growing chorus of Liverpool
followers showing dismay at Benitez's rotation policy.
(TEAMtalk)
Hyypia backs Agger to keep improving
Liverpool centre-back Sami Hyypia believes team-mate Daniel
Agger can become an even better player.
Hyypia is currently back in The Reds team filling in for
Agger as he recovers from a foot injury, but expects to lose
his place once the Denmark international returns.
"There are no limits to his potential," Hyypia told the
club's official website.
"He's the type of person who wants to learn more everyday,
ane he listens to any advice people give him.
"I know I'm getting older now and maybe my best days are
gone. I's very important younger players are coming through.
"Daniel has taken his chance, shown great consistency and
quality."
(Setanta Sports)
Pennant misses out again
Jermaine Pennant has again missed out on an England call-up,
leaving Steven Gerrard and Peter Crouch as the Reds' only
representatives in Steve McClaren's squad to face Estonia
and Russia.
The winger's sparkling form this season has not been enough
to merit an inclusion for the Euro qualifiers later this
month.
Out-on-loan stopper Scott Carson also makes the 27.
(LFC Official Website)
Pennant back in Liverpool squad
Liverpool will welcome Jermaine Pennant back from suspension
for Sunday's clash with Spurs after the winger sat out the
defeat to Marseille.
Reds boss Rafael Benitez also has a worry over the fitness
of full-back Fabio Aurelio, who was taken off against the
French side with a muscle problem.
Benitez had Javier Mascherano, Dirk Kuyt, Alvaro Arbeloa,
John Arne Riise, Ryan Babel and Andriy Voronin all on the
bench against Marseille with the Spurs game in mind, and
most should figure on Sunday.
Harry Kewell, Daniel Agger and Xabi Alonso are all still
long-term injury problems.
Liverpool (from): Reina, Finnan, Arbeloa, Carragher, Hyypia,
Riise, Aurelio, Pennant, Gerrard, Sissoko, Mascherano,
Babel, Benayoun, Crouch, Voronin, Torres, Kuyt, Leto,
Itandje.
(TEAMtalk)
Babel aims to be more up front with Reds
Ryan Babel is keen to hand his manager another rotational
headache
this season.
The £11m signing from Ajax joined Liverpool last summer as a
left winger who can also operate down the right.
His appearances so far have all been exclusively in those
roles.
But he revealed ahead of the visit of Spurs on Sunday that
his best position is actually as a central striker.
“I always say that up front is my best position,” he
explained. “The boss knows that so I can only wait for my
chance. I will then try to take it."
(Liverpool Echo)
Finnan calls for change in approach
Steve Finnan admits Liverpool must change their approach to
Champions League games if they are to rescue their European
ambitions.
Rafael Benitez’s side are in danger of missing out on
qualification to the knockout stages after losing 1-0 at
home to Marseille on Wednesday night.
“Marseille definitely deserved something from that game,”
said the right-back. “We had a goalmouth scramble at the end
and could have nicked something, but overall we were very
disappointing and they deserved
to win it.
“They scored a very good goal and maybe we didn’t have
enough creativity to open them up, and this does change the
way we have to approach the rest of the games a lot now.
“It’s an uphill task, with difficult away games to come, but
there is still enough confidence in the squad to get the
results to go through.”
Finnan added: “We started slowly while Marseille played
well, but of course I am still confident that we can get the
results we need.
“We were giving the ball away after two or three passes and
then found it very difficult to get it back. That opening to
the game didn’t help.”
(Liverpool Daily Post) |
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THURSDAY 4 |
Rafa: We must show character
Rafael Benitez has demanded his stunned Liverpool stars
"show their character" in a spell of matches that could
define their season.
As the Spanish coach surveyed the wreckage of a disastrous
Champions League defeat by Marseille in front of a bemused
Anfield, he knows a season that started with high
expectations could soon be in total disarray.
Sunday sees the visit of Spurs in the Premier League,
followed by a trip to neighbours Everton and the visit of
impressive leaders Arsenal
on October 28.
Sandwiched between the Everton and Gunners matches is their
next Champions League trip to Istanbul and a clash with
Besiktas.
A tough trip to Blackburn and the Besiktas return are
Liverpool's opening games in November.
No wonder Benitez insisted: "We must improve, we must show
our character now."
(TEAMtalk)
Time for a men only inquest as Liverpool falter
When a side containing Bruno Cheyrou’s brother give you a
footballing lesson, you know it’s been a bad night.
Hence there is probably more a sense of shock than outrage
around today at what was probably Liverpool’s worst home
performance during more than 40 years in Europe.
The anger will follow in spades from many supporters, of
course. But in the aftermath of a woeful display at Anfield
last night, it probably won’t do much good.
At least not judging by the expression on the ashen face of
a furious Rafael Benitez during his post match press
conference last night.
If Benitez wasn’t waiting at the school gates this morning,
cane in hand, to display his deep displeasure to his pupils
- including his star turns as well as his new boys - then
something is palpably wrong.
You can criticise the manager and debate rotation all you
like, but a side with Reina, Carragher, Hyypia, Gerrard,
Sissoko, Torres and Crouch at its spine should be miles
better than this, whatever else is or isn’t going on around
them.
(John Thompson - Liverpool Echo)
Sissoko scoffs at crisis talk
Liverpool midfielder Mohamed Sissoko has declared that
despite The Reds’ defeat against Marseille in the Champions
League, the Premier League club are not in crisis.
“We are not playing good football, but there is no crisis at
Liverpool. We are not worried. We are professionals and
sometimes have to experience bad moments.
“It is up to us to work and rise again.”
(Setanta Sports)
Marseille delighted with ‘historical’ win
Marseille winger Mathieu Valbuena has revealed his pride at
having scored the only goal in the 1-0 win against Liverpool
at Anfield on Wednesday.
L’OM saved French football’s honour this week after Lyon’s
humiliation against Rangers, as the Provence side won their
second consecutive Champions League game.
Erik Gerets’ side are top of their group and the Belgian
could not have dreamt of a better start after replacing
Albert Emon last week. The Ligue 1 outfit are 16th in the
domestic league but victory at Anfield’s could be the
launchpad for their season.
“I am delighted for the club and for myself,” Valbuena told
L’OM’s website.
“It has been my first Champions League start. It is a
prestigious competition. We experienced great moments and
finally won. I am
so happy."
(Setanta Sports)
Tottenham defender ready for Anfield return
Anthony Gardner is back in training and could be available
for Sunday's visit to Anfield to face Liverpool.
Gardner has been out of action since he injured an ankle in
the defeat against Manchester United at Old Trafford in
August, but he has responded well to treatment and has
started training with the rest of the squad at Spurs Lodge.
The injury prone central defender is unlikely to travel with
the rest of the squad for the UEFA Cup clash with Anorthosis
Fanagusta but should be able to play a part against
Liverpool if required.
The return of Gardner will come as a timely boost to
under-fire boss Martin Jol as fellow defender Ricardo Rocha
has just been ruled out for up to 10 weeks following ankle
surgery.
(Daily Mail)
Liverpool FC taught French
lesson as visitors turn tables
Liverpool supporters hoped that their days of bemoaning
Frenchmen at Anfield were over but many painful memories
resurfaced in last night’s Champions League Group A
encounter last night.
However, instead of shouting at substandard Gallic imports
struggling in red shirts as happened too many times during
Gerard Houllier’s reign, it was the lively displays of
Olympique Marseille’s winners that left them scratching
their heads.
(Chris Beesley - Liverpool Daily Post)
Rafa: Everything went wrong
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez insists 'everything was
wrong' in his side's UEFA Champions League defeat to
Marseille.
The French outfit secured a 1-0 win at Anfield courtesy of
Mathieu Valbuena's 77nd minute strike to stun a lacklustre
Liverpool.
However, the result was no more than Marseille deserved and
Benitez acknowledges that Liverpool were not good enough as
they crashed to their first defeat of the season.
"We couldn't create many chances," Benitez told Sky Sports.
"We were not controlling the middle.
"After we conceded we created some chances at the end, but
everything was wrong."
(LFC Official Website)
Thor Zakariassen
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