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WEDNESDAY 6 |
Reds round up
A quick round up of the reds international players in action
tonight.
Sami Hyypia played the full 90 minutes as they drew with
Portugal 1-1 in Finland. Sami had a string of early chances
to start the scoring, teaming up well with former red Jari
Litmanen.
Jerzy Dudek warmed the bench as Poland drew 1-1 with Serbia.
Peter Crouch was England's man of the match scoring the
winning goal early in the second half as England beat
Macedonia away 1-0. Steven Gerrard put in a full appearance
too. Peter Crouch has scored 11 goals in a total of 14 caps
for England.
Daniel Agger also played all game as Denmark beat Iceland
2-0 away from home.
Dirk Kuyt scored Holland's 3rd and final goal of the 3-0
defeat of Belarus at PSV Eindhoven's stadium. Let's hope he
gets another one on Tuesday in the same stadium. Kuyt also
played for the full game.
And in Northern Ireland, Spain lost 3-2 to Northern Ireland
after leading 1-0 and 2-1. Xabi Alonso played the full
match, Luis Garcia got the last 30 minutes after replacing
Torres and Reina warmed the bench.
(anfield.online)
Benitez warning for Crouch
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez aims to keep a lid
on the hype and expectation now surrounding striker Peter
Crouch after his England scoring exploits.
Benitez is delighted to see Crouch winning over the people
who doubted his ability when he first arrived at Anfield,
but he is mindful of the need to ensure his striker stays
focused on his job at Anfield.
He said: "I am very happy for Peter but also worried. People
are talking highly of him right now and as a manager that's
good because it's always important for a player to have
confidence.
"But I also have to say to him 'be careful' because things
can change in a week in football. He must keep his feet on
the ground.
"When people are saying nice things about you it's sometimes
easy to stop working as hard because you think you're better
than you are."
(Sporting Life)
Benitez may turn to Fowler
Robbie Fowler could be the biggest beneficiary of the
pre-derby international break.
The Euro 2008 qualifiers have wreaked havoc with Rafa
Benitez's plans, as just two of the players who started the
victory over West Ham have remained at Melwood for the last
fortnight.
In recent years, Benitez has tended to play as few of the
players who've been involved in internationals as possible
the following weekend.
And while the peculiarities of a derby will influence such a
decision, the fact Fowler is the only one of the four
strikers who's been able to work with the coaches in the
last two weeks will help his cause.
Naturally, the 31-year-old will be desperate to feature in
his first derby since making an emotional return to Anfield
last January.
Fowler last played in the fixture in April 2001, the famous
game in which Gary McAllister scored a last minute free-kick
from 35 yards to give Liverpool a 3-2 victory.
The Reds striker will have mixed memories of that clash, as
he also missed a penalty.
(Liverpool Echo)
Strikers offer a new dimension
Predictions are never easy to make in derby matches, but I
would like to think the Goodison clash on Saturday will come
down to a battle of the strikers.
We've had some entertaining derbies in recent years, and I
think that with the arrival on Merseyside of Dirk Kuyt,
Craig Bellamy and Andy Johnson, that should continue.
All three have the power, pace and presence in the box to
make their qualities tell, and I expect a busy time for the
respective defences.
Everton have made a fine start to the season and Liverpool
will again be in the hunt for honours, so the match looks
finely balanced.
The outcome could depend on the impact the new buys can
make.
One player who could make a difference is Kuyt. The Dutch
striker impressed in his appearance against the Hammers and
with his often direct approach and speed of thought the
Blues defence might just be vulnerable to his pace.
(Tommy Smith - Liverpool Echo)
Bellamy draws a blank
Craig Bellamy again failed to find the back of the net for
Wales.
Craig Bellamy was unable to score for Wales in their
friendly against Brazil last night. Despite having an
impressive game and creating a couple of decent chances for
himself Bellamy, who did play the full 90 minutes after all,
was denied by PSV Eindhoven goalkeeper Gomes.
Bellamy has now failed to score for Wales in over a year.
His last international goal came in John Toshack's first
game in charge, a friendly against Hungary last season.
(LFC Online)
Milestone for Stevie
Steven Gerrard is expected to earn his 50th cap
when England take on Macedonia tonight.
He may not have claimed the captain's armband off David
Beckham, but the Liverpool skipper's imprtance to the
internatioinal side is obvious after strong performances
during the World Cup finals in Germany.
"Steven can get better," said new England boss Steve
McClaren. "It is a tremendous achievement, 50 caps at his
age, and he has got great experience and is using that
experience really well with England and Liverpool.
"I think he can improve and get better but he is one of
those inspirational players whose performance inspires
everyone else and he is one of those who at any moment can
win a game for you. People like that in your team are
invaluable."
(LFC Online) |
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TUESDAY 5 |
Spanish wary of an England repeat
Spain midfielder Xabi Alonso says his side do not want to
meet the same fate as England in Wednesday night's Euro
qualifier against Northern Ireland.
It is a year since Sven-Goran Eriksson's side lost 1-0 in a
World Cup qualifying game at Windsor Park.
"We know this side beat England so we know it is not going
to be easy and we will give them respect," said Alonso.
"It is difficult to beat any side away from home in
international football," added the Liverpool player.
His Anfield team-mate Luis Garcia said he expected "a really
tough game" as "we know some of their players from the
Premier League".
Spain defeated Liechtenstein 4-0 in their opening match on
Saturday with Garcia scoring the 999th goal in the history
of their national team.
(BBC Sport Online)
Sevilla offer Alves bumper deal
Sevilla are ready to fend off interest from Liverpool in
Daniel Alves by getting the defender tied down to a new
deal.
Reds boss Rafael Benitez had been tracking the player
throughout the summer but for one reason or another failed
to push a deal through before the transfer window closed.
It is thought Benitez may have been put off by the
£12million price tag placed on the player's head and with
the gaffer only willing to go as high as £8m, the deal
collapsed.
According to reports in Spain the Reds boss is keen to
resurrect a deal when the window re-opens in January, but
the Uefa Cup holders have other ideas and want him tied down
to a new deal.
The 23-year-old Brazilian is seen as a key player for
Sevilla and they are ready to offer him a bumper new deal in
an attempt to keep the vultures at bay.
(Clubcall Sports)
Reds return to Ataturk Stadium
Liverpool will return to the scene of the greatest comeback
in European Cup history, after Galatasaray confirmed they've
switched the venue of their forthcoming Champions League
clash.
The fixture with the Turks on December 5 will be hosted by
the Ataturk Stadium in Istanbul.
Galatasaray usually play in The Ali Sami Yen, but that can
only hold 24,000.
The Ataturk, where Liverpool overturned a 3-0 deficit to
beat AC Milan in the 2005 final, holds up to 80,000.
And it is this stadium which will inspire Rafa Benitez's
men, although the Reds will be hoping they've already
secured qualification into the group stages by the time they
travel to Turkey.
(Liverpool Echo) |
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MONDAY 4 |
Goalkeeper injured
Loaned out Liverpool goalkeeper Chris Kirkland has sustained
an injury while on international duty with England.
The injury prone 'keeper is suffering with a back problem
again and has returned to Wigan.
Coach Steve McClaren said: "It is a real disappointment
because Chris has started the season so well and was
excellent when he came on against Greece.
"We are not calling another goalkeeper into the squad as we
have already got Paul Robinson and Ben Foster.
"However, Scott Carson, who is with the under-21s in
Switzerland, is on standby."
(Kop Talk)
Crouch: Gerrard is simply the best
England goal hero Peter Crouch has labelled Steven Gerrard
the world's number one - and 'doesn't have a bad word to say
about him'.
Ronaldinho and Thierry Henry may be viewed by many as the
best on the planet as present. But for the giant Liverpool
striker, the accolade belongs to England's finest.
"Steven Gerrard has been the best player in the world for a
long time," gushed Crouch. "I thought he was good when I
first went to Liverpool but when you see him train, you
realise he is even better.
"You could play him in any position on the pitch, probably
even goalkeeper, and he would still look good. He can do
anything.
"It is an absolute pleasure to be in the same team as him. I
know Rafael Benitez has said Steven can get even better. All
I can say is if he does, it will be a pretty frightening
sight."
(TEAMtalk)
Reds win new friends amongst rivals
Liverpool were today unveiled as England's most popular team
amongst rival fans in a poll conducted by a national men's
magazine.
Weekly magazine Nuts commissioned the poll to try and find
out who the country's football fans considered their second
favourite club behind their own team.
The results made interesting reading with 15% of all those
asked revealing Liverpool would be their 'second' team or
the club they'd most like to achieve success after their own
side.
Liverpool topped the pool by a clear 5% with West Ham United
and Wigan coming in second and third respectively. Aston
Villa finished bottom of the Premiership popularity table
with Arsenal and Chelsea completing the relegation places.
"Liverpool have provided a huge amount of entertainment,
over the last year or so starting with the Champions League
win and culminating in the stunning Steven Gerrard goal in
the FA Cup Final," explains Gershon Portnoi, the Nuts Sports
Editor.
(LFC Official Website)
Owen to have surgery
Newcastle United striker Michael Owen will have
surgery on his right knee this week when he goes to the
United States of America. The former Liverpool and Real
Madrid striker has been injured since suffering the injury
for England at the World Cup in June.
"I will be having the operation done in a couple of days,"
the 26-year-old told the Newcastle website.
"It's an operation that needs to be done. I'm looking
forward to it because it is a chink of light for me."
(TalkSoccer.net)
Man spared prison for Dudek haul
A man found with medals and shirts belonging to Liverpool
goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek has avoided going to jail.
Martin Roche, 26, of Brainerd Street, Tuebrook, Liverpool,
pleaded guilty to handling stolen goods at Wirral
Magistrates' Court in July.
He was given a nine-month sentence, suspended for 12 months
and ordered to do 120 hours community service.
(BBC Sport Online)
Sissoko boost for Reds
Momo Sissoko is winning his fitness battle ahead of this
weekend's derby.
But injured duo Jamie Carragher and John Arne Riise remain
doubtful for the trip to Goodison, as neither have yet
resumed training.
Sissoko has made most progress since suffering damaged
medial knee ligaments in the recent Champions League
qualifier.
Manager Rafa Benitez is hopeful the African will be declared
fit after his swift recovery.
Of greater concern are the ankle injuries to Carragher and
Riise, neither of which have fully healed yet.
Carragher will know by Wednesday if he can step up his
comeback at Melwood to give himself a realistic chance of
facing the Blues.
(Liverpool Echo)
Riise not fit enough to play
Riise, who is still receiving treatment at Melwood, has now
been ruled out of Norway's Euro 2008 qualifier with Moldova
on Wednesday.
Liverpool insist there was no chance of their full-back
being fit enough to play in the game.
At this stage, both Carragher and Riise are no more than
'50-50' for a derby place.
Benitez faces an anxious wait to see if the rest of his
international contingent return unscathed on Thursday
morning.
The international double bill couldn't have come at a worse
time with Liverpool facing three tough away fixtures - at
Goodison, against PSV Eindhoven next Tuesday and Chelsea on
September 17.
(Liverpool Echo)
Football stadium plans developed
Plans for a new stadium for Liverpool Football Club and the
redevelopment of the neighbouring area, are taking a major
step forward.
The city council is being asked to approve measures such as
the granting of a lease, restoration work and the setting up
of a joint venture company.
The plans will still depend on the club securing its part of
the funding for the project.
The overall cost of the first phase of the project will be
£215m.
(BBC Sport Online)
Dutch unimpressive admits Kuyt
Holland did not give a good account of themselves against
Luxembourg admitted
Dirk Kuyt.
The Netherlands were only able to beat the Group G minnows
1-0 thanks to a Mathijsen goal in the first half. Kuyt
admitted the Dutch performance was a disappointing one.
"For several reasons our ball pace was too low and therefore
we hardly created any chances. Because we failed to score
the second goal they kept their belief and played the match
of their lives," said the Liverpool striker.
(LFC Online)
Under 18's draw
Liverpool's under 18's side drew 1-1 with Leeds at the
weekend.
The Reds came from behind to earn a 1-1 draw with Leeds
United at the Academy on Saturday thanks to a Robbie
Threlfall goal. The draw gave John Owens' side their first
point of the new campaign.
Liverpool put a fairly strong side out including FA Youth
Cup winners David Roberts, Robbie Threlfall, Jay Spearing,
Charlie Barnett, Craig Lindfield and Paul Barratt and were
worthy of their point and probably should have taken all
three.
(LFC Online)
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Thor Zakariassen
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