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THURSDAY 6 |
Riise salutes Reds owners
John Arne Riise believes Liverpool's new owners have brought
'the best of the best' to the club.
The Norwegian left-back is excited about the direction
Liverpool are heading in under Tom Hicks and George Gillett.
"This is the most exciting period during my time with
Liverpool," Riise told LFC Magazine. "Not just because of
the players but also the plans for the new stadium and the
new owners, too.
"We've got the best of the best here. We have one of the
best managers in the world, one of the best stadiums on the
way, great new owners and fantastic players.
"We've been able to go out and buy more expensive players
than ever before thanks to the new owners. Players like
Fernando Torres, Ryan Babel and Yossi Benayoun are the kind
of players we need to take this club forward."
Riise has also been impressed with the new American bosses
on a personal level, after being given support during last
season's run to the final of the UEFA Champions League.
He explained: "I totally respect our new owners and what
they are trying to do here. It seems like they care about
the people and the club, and us players.
"Following the Barcelona game last season, they were giving
us all a hug and a pat on the back.
"It was the same in Athens when we lost. That is great and
tells us we have some great people around us."
(Sky Sports)
Kenny: Babel is terrifying
Kenny Dalglish believes new boy Ryan Babel has the potential
to terrify defenders up and down the country.
The club's greatest ever player has liked what he's seen
from the Dutchman since his arrival from Ajax in July –
especially his corker against Derby last Saturday.
"Babel's goal was a cracker and I think we will really see
him push on now," Dalglish told LFC Magazine.
"He'd made a decent start to life in this country but he
took his goal superbly and then looked like he really,
really wanted the ball.
"He will terrify players in the Premier League now, I hope.
He's quick, strong and you can't guess what he's going to do
next because he's a bag of tricks."
Babel is currently with the Dutch squad preparing for Euro
qualifiers against Bulgaria and Albania.
(LFC Official Website)
Gerrard in training
Steven Gerrard has started training with England.
The Liverpool captain missed the training sessions at the
start of the week because of his toe injury but yesterday
was able to train with the rest of the squad for the first
time since it was announced.
Gerrard is likely to play against Israel, especially now
Owen Hargreaves has picked up a thigh injury.
(LFC Online)
Torres injury new blow for Rafa
Rafa Benitez is facing another club v country nightmare
after Fernando Torres was injured.
El Nino, a big hit since moving to Anfield for £20million
during the summer, can't take part in full training for his
country after injuring his knee earlier this week.
And that could cause problems for Benitez with the Spanish
preparing for a Euro 2008 qualifier in Iceland on Saturday.
Torres told The Sun: "I thought nothing of it at first but
later it started aching. And when I took a shot I felt a
sharp pain.
"I've got a lot of pain but we'll see how it goes over the
next few days."
Spain's doctor Genaro Borras said: "Torres has bruising on
the sciatic nerve in his right knee.
"We'll go easy with him but it shouldn't be anything to
worry about."
(Sporting Life) |
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WEDNESDAY 5 |
Benayoun hails Gerrard
Israel captain Yossi Benayoun has hailed Steven Gerrard as
the 'best midfielder in the world' and believes his
Liverpool team-mate will do everything he can to be fit to
play for England on Saturday.
Gerrard is currently struggling with a broken toe, with
England coach Steve McClaren refusing to rule out the
possibility of defying Reds boss Rafael Benitez and giving
Gerrard a pain-killing injection to play for his country, in
the crucial Euro 2008 qualifier this weekend.
McClaren insists Gerrard is keen to play through the pain
barrier, even through Benitez has warned against any such
treatment.
Benayoun joined Liverpool from West Ham in a £5million deal
during the summer and is in no doubt Gerrard will be
determined to pull on the England shirt again this weekend.
"I think Steven Gerrard is the best midfielder in the world,
so it is very important for England that he will play,"
Benayoun said.
"I do not know how much pain he has.
"I have been at Liverpool for two months, and from what I
know of him, he will do everything to play for England."
(Sky Sports)
New-look Reds just oozing class
Consistency and quality. Two key elements that are essential
for any side with big ambitions – and Liverpool’s
performances so far have provided an abundance of both.
Rafa Benitez has proved already he’s a winner, but this
season’s team not only oozes class, but is more exciting
than any other he has assembled.
In the past, there may have been a need to ask questions
about one or two players who were selected, but this season
he has a terrific squad who have made an unbelievable start
and who put Derby to the sword in style.
The game may have been slow to take shape, but once Xabi
Alonso had breached the visitors’ defence, the floodgates
opened. It was good to see Alonso return to something like
his normal form and Fernando Torres settling in well with
two well taken goals – without Steve Gerrard and Jamie
Carragher, too.
It made me think that the Anfield fans are in for a treat
this season with excitement and goals if the past two games
against Toulouse and Derby are anything to go by.
(Tommy Smith - Liverpool Echo)
Finnan out of Slovakia game
Steve Finnan is out of the Republic of Ireland's European
qualifier against Slovakia on Saturday but manager Steve
Staunton is hoping the defender will be fit for the Czech
Republic game this day week.
Finnan's participation had been in doubt all week after he
sustained a knee injury in Liverpool's 6-0 demolition of
Derby County last weekend.
While his international colleagues arrived at their Dublin
team base on Tuesday, Finnan remained on Merseyside for
treatment.
Earlier today Staunton said Finnan's participation on
Saturday was "unlikely" but the manager received word
tonight that the 31-year-old would definitely not play.
"He will stay in Liverpool for treatment and we will
continue to monitor his progress. If he improves, he may
join us in Prague," said Staunton.
(Ireland.com)
Reds announce deal with Thomas Cook
Liverpool FC have today announced a new partnership with
Thomas Cook Sport, the UK's largest Sports Tour Operator.
The partnership will include providing official supporter
packages for all Liverpool's away fixtures in Europe this
season as well as the team's travel requirements for all
overseas matches.
Thomas Cook Sport will also be launching a Holiday Club for
all Liverpool fans featuring exclusive discounted holidays.
Official packages for Liverpool's first Champions League
group game against F.C. Porto go on sale today.
(LFC Official Website)
Cup game on tv
Liverpool's Carling Cup game with Reading will be televised.
The Reds play Reading at the Madjeski Stadium in the third
round of the Carling Cup on Tuesday, September 25th, kick
off 7.45pm.
The match will be shown live on Sky Sports.
(LFC Online)
Poll: Refs told to watch Crouch
Former World Cup referee Graham Poll has claimed the game's
top officials have been told to "look out for" England
striker Peter Crouch.
Poll says referees in Germany last summer were told to keep
a close eye on the Liverpool forward because of his playing
style.
Liverpool forward Crouch is suspended for England's Euro
2008 qualifier with Israel on Saturday.
Poll told BBC Radio Five Live: "At the World Cup last year
we were shown videos of games and the head of refereeing at
FIFA said, 'Look at this big fella Crouch, he's a real pain
and he's getting away with too much. We need to mark him out
as a player we need to look out for'.
"Crouch has been picking up cautions and is out of
Saturday's match.
"We watched England's warm-up games, and had been out there
for two or three weeks before, and it was pointed out the
way he used his arms.
"I tried to defend him, being English."
(Football 365)
Schuster attacks 'ugly' Reds
Real Madrid coach Bernd Schuster has branded Liverpool
"unattractive" and "ugly".
The German, who took charge at the Santiago Bernabeu in the
summer, believes the Reds are one of Real's main rivals for
the Champions League this season, but is not a fan of Rafael
Benitez's style of football.
He told Spanish daily AS: "Liverpool rely on an unattractive
style of football. They are an ugly team to play.
"Look how they really gave Barcelona a going-over last
season, when they knocked them out of the Champions League.
That's what I mean.
"I would rate Liverpool, like AC Milan, as our major rivals
for the Champions League this season.
(Sporting Life)
Rafa voices Euro concerns
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has voiced his concern at UEFA
president Michel Platini's plans to allow national cup
winners into the Champions League.
Benitez thinks the proposal has some merit, but believes
that the competition should be kept as it is, being
dominated by teams from Europe's major footballing nations.
He said: "I do not think the idea is too bad, the new
suggestion from UEFA over the FA Cup winners.
"If you win a trophy like the FA Cup you maybe deserve more
and it would be good to play in the Champions League.
"But the problem is that the fourth of the English, Spanish,
German or Italian league then cannot play in the Champions
League and clubs from other countries will be able to.
"It is something that needs to be discussed and analysed.
"It is not good enough to have a lot of different teams and
a lot of different games, we want to see the best players in
the Champions League, the best in Europe."
(Football UK) |
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TUESDAY 4 |
Putterill spot on to earn Reds a point
A second half penalty from Ray Putterill earned Liverpool
Reserves a 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough in a highly
controversial encounter at the Riverside Stadium.
It was the Reds first Barclays Premier Reserve League North
match of the season and it was a game full of many talking
points.
Middlesbrough's opening goal will be talked about for a long
time. In scenes reminiscent of Diego Maradona during the
1986 World Cup in Mexico, striker Tom Craddock punched a
Gaizka Mendieta cross into the back of the net. Liverpool
goalkeeper Charles Itandje was incensed but despite the
Liverpool protests the goal was given.
It was tough on Liverpool who played very well on the night,
but Gary Ablett's side kept working hard and they got their
just rewards when Putterill equalised from the penalty spot,
after a hand ball from Boro defender Jonathan Grounds.
Liverpool probably should have taken all three points on the
night but despite creating some glorious opportunities they
were let down by wasteful finishing.
Liverpool Reserves: Itandje, Darby, Insua, San Jose, Hobbs,
Spearing, Crowther (Flynn 45), Lucas (Plessis 77),
Lindfield, Brouwer (Putterill 59), Leto. Subs' not used:
Martin (GK), Threlfall.
Liverpoolfc.tv Man of the Match: Sebastian Leto. Outstanding
and always looking to take on defenders and create chances.
(LFC Official Website)
Gerrard misses training
Steven Gerrard was among four high-profile absentees from
training as the debate over his availability for England's
crucial Euro 2008 double-header with Israel and Russia
continues.
The Liverpool captain has played only once since breaking a
toe against Toulouse three weeks ago and Reds boss Rafael
Benitez has expressed doubt as to whether Gerrard will be
fit for both games, when England will require a minimum of
four points to retain any realistic hope of reaching the
European Championship finals in Austria and Switzerland next
summer.
For his part, Gerrard has assured enlgand boss Steve
McClaren he will play.
However, the England coach decided to let Gerrard continue
his rehabilitation in the gym as the rest of his squad were
put through their paces for the first time at Arsenal's
London Colney training complex.
(Ananova)
Pennant ready to play anywhere
Jermaine Pennant says he will play anywhere for England.
The Liverpool right winger impressed on the left against
Derby County on Saturday and said that was a role he would
also be happy to play for the national side should Steve
McClaren call him up in the future.
"Would I play left-wing for England? Definitely. You could
put me right-back if you want to. It's nice to hear the
manager say I should be in the England squad and if I
continue to do what I'm doing, and get the Press behind me,
who knows!" said Pennant.
"I don't mind playing anywhere - left or right. When I'm on
the left I get a little bit of joy cutting in on my right
foot.
"But the gaffer sees the game better sitting on the bench
and he decides what's best for the team."
(LFC Online)
Gerrard to play for England
Steven Gerrard is likely to play for England against Israel
and Russia.
Gerrard is a doubt for the upcoming England games as he
recovers from
a broken toe. Although Rafael Benitez doesn't want England
to take any chances with his captain, Gerrard has indicated
to Steve McClaren that he is ready to play, even if he has
to have an injection to get him through
the games.
(LFC Online)
Rafa praise for ever-present Arbeloa
Rafael Benitez today praised Liverpool's unsung defensive
hero after Alvaro Arbeloa's 90 minute display at the weekend
ensured he remains the only outfield player to play every
second of every match so far this season.
The 24-year-old - who only started playing at left back for
the first time this season - has been a constant figure in
the first team as the Reds have climbed to the top of the
table and qualified for the group phase of the Champions
League.
"Arbeloa has done a good job for us so far," said Benitez.
"He is a young, fit boy and we know he is only going to get
better in the future.
"He wasn't used to the left back position at all but he has
come in and performed very well. When you look how well he
did on his debut for us up against Lionel Messi in Barcelona
then you can see he is a player with ability."
(LFC Official Website)
Thor Zakariassen
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