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SATURDAY 6 |
Plessis grateful to Benitez
Liverpool youngster Damien Plessis is looking to repay
Rafael Benitez for the faith he has shown in him. He already
has a number of first-team appearances to his name this
season.
When asked by L’Equipe about his expectation for the new
season,
Plessis told L’Equipe: “I want to play, to play again, and
to play as much as possible (laughs)!
“My plan is to perform well with my club in order to be
called up again (with France Under-21). It’s up to me to do
what it takes with Liverpool to carry on this way.
“The good thing with Rafael Benitez is that he doesn’t care
whether
a player is young or not. Everybody has equal chances.”
The 20-year-old Frenchman arrived from Lyon on free last
season and is excited about returning to France after
Liverpool were drawn against Marseille in the Champions
League.
“Of course! First of all I hope I’ll be part of the squad.
“Then, for sure I was hoping we would draw Lyon or Marseille
[or Bordeaux] so I could come back and play in France. At
the end of the day it’s an immense pleasure, even if we know
it’s going to be very difficult.
“L’OM proved last year at Anfield they are a very dangerous
team. They strengthened well this summer and are top of
Ligue 1. We are aware of it.
“The game at Stade Velodrome is a must-win one because then
there is Atletico Madrid and PSV Eindhoven, who are
redoubtable adversaries. It’s going to be a nice encounter.”
(Kop-TV)
U18s ease to Forest victory
Liverpool Under-18s maintained their impressive home form
with
a comfortable 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest in the FA
Academy
Premier League.
Hughie McAuley's team dominated for the majority of the
contest against their East Midlands counterparts and
deservedly claimed their second consecutive home triumph
courtesy of a first-half header from Lauri Dalla Valle and a
late pildriver from Astrit Adjarevic.
(LFC Official Website)
Keane unconcerned by goal drought
Robbie Keane will head into Republic of Ireland's World Cup
qualifier against Georgia on Saturday unfazed by his lack of
goals for Liverpool.
Keane has gone five games - three in the Premier League and
two in the Champions League - for the Anfield club without
finding the back of the net since securing his £20.3million
switch from Tottenham during the summer.
However, he has struck in each of his last three appearances
for his country to take his tally to 34, and as he attempts
to extend that record against the Georgians in Mainz, he is
not at all concerned by his Merseyside drought.
Asked if that was on his mind, Keane said: "No, because I am
playing for Ireland. No, not at all.
"As I have said before many times, I never worry about not
scoring goals.
"I scored my last one for Ireland; I am with Ireland now, so
as long as I do the business for Ireland tonight, that's the
most important thing at this present time."
(TEAMtalk) |
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FRIDAY 5 |
Darby: Carra is my inspiration
Stephen Darby has spoken of his determination to follow in
Jamie Carragher's footsteps by moving through the youth
ranks and into
the first team at Liverpool.
The reserve team captain, who had the pleasure of playing
alongside Carragher during the pre-season programme,
believes he is the ultimate professional for any young
player to aspire to.
"Jamie's got to be the best player I've played alongside,"
Darby told
the official LFC magazine.
"He's unbelievable, a quality defender who rarely lets
anyone past him.
"Jamie was a right-back when he first started off and then
moved
to centre-back.
"He understands the positioning and was great in telling me
where
I need to be.
"He keeps talking to you all the time. He's always there,
giving words of advice and encouraging you through the game.
I picked up a lot from him in pre-season."
(LFC Official Website)
Minister: We’ll back talks on shared
Everton and Liverpool stadium
The government has offered to broker talks between Liverpool
FC and Everton FC about building a shared stadium.
Sport secretary Andy Burnham MP, a lifelong Evertonian, made
the pledge to mediate discussions while visiting young
footballers in the city yesterday.
He spoke out after Liverpool’s announcement of a significant
delay in its stadium plans for Stanley Park and the decision
to hold a time-consuming public inquiry into Everton’s
relocation to Kirkby.
Both Liverpool and Everton say a shared stadium is not on
their agenda.
Mr Burnham said: “Obviously the situation has changed for
both clubs, but it is for them to decide what represents the
best way forward.
“Whatever they decide, the Department for Culture, Media and
Sport would be available to help facilitate discussions and
help the clubs explore the various routes.
(Liverpool Echo)
Riera is keen on
Manchester United repeat
Albert Riera is hoping to repeat his first experience of
English football by helping Rafael Benitez finally break his
Manchester United hoodoo.
The Spain international left-winger was unveiled at Melwood
yesterday after arriving from Espanyol on Monday’s transfer
deadline day for an initial £5.5million fee.
Riera is in line for an immediate debut when Liverpool host
champions United on Saturday week.
And, having started a loan spell at Manchester City in
January 2006 with victory over the Old Trafford outfit, the
26-year-old is eager for a similarly impressive beginning to
life at Anfield.
“It would be a dream to start in the same way,” said Riera.
“It was maybe the perfect timing for me to go to City, to
play in the derby.
“It was fantastic for City to win that game. We won 3-1 that
day but we’d have settled for a 1-0, to beat United was
great for the fans and
the players.
“I know that games against United are very, very important
for the supporters at Liverpool, I know how big a game it is
in the Premier League. I hope that I can do the same again.”
(Liverpool Daily Post) |
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THURSDAY 4 |
Keegan resigns as Newcastle boss
Kevin Keegan has resigned as manager of Newcastle United
after just eight months in charge.
The announcement follows lengthy talks between the
57-year-old and
the board.
"I've been working desperately hard to find a way forward
with the directors, but sadly that has not proved possible,"
Keegan said
in a statement.
"It's my opinion that a manager must have the right to
manage and that clubs should not impose upon any manager any
player that he does
not want."
Keegan's resignation comes after three days of intense
speculation about his future.
(BBC Sport Online)
Rafa worried by cash-rich City
Rafa Benitez welcomed new boy Albert Riera to Liverpool -
then admitted the player's former employers could be title
rivals this season.
The Spanish winger spent six months on loan with Manchester
City in his previous spell in English football and although
it was an unmemorable stint for player and club, the
prospects of both have flourished this week.
Riera, 26, has signed a four-year deal with the Reds - where
the company of Fernando Torres, Xabi Alonso and Jose Reina
will surely do his international prospects no harm - while
City have agreed a takeover with the mega-rich Abu Dhabi
United Group.
"If we are talking about spending money then maybe
Manchester City will win the title this year.
"It is not just a question of money but if you have more
money it is easier. If you don't have too much money, you
must do the job as best you can."
(TEAMtalk)
Torres and Gerrard injury update
Rafael Benitez today confirmed both Fernando Torres and
Steven Gerrard are back in light training at Melwood.
With both players facing a race against time to be fit for
next weekend's Premier League clash with Manchester United,
the manager has revealed they are each "ten to twelve days"
away from a return to competitive action.
Torres is battling to overcome a hamstring tear sustained
against Aston Villa at the weekend while Gerrard is
recovering from a minor groin operation.
"Both players are now back jogging and will be out for ten
to twelve days," said Benitez.
"Gerrard might be back before Torres but you never know."
(LFC Official Website)
One city which won't
welcome this bling thing
Inevitably, the Abu Dhabi purchase of Manchester City has
led to many Liverpool fans hoping Dubai will soon be able to
follow suit and take over at Anfield
But if they ever do – and it remains a very big if – then it
is to be hoped they will behave very differently to their
Gulf State neighbours on the day it happens.
Current American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett have
been widely condemned for totally abandoning the old
Liverpool Way.
The club has for 18 months been battered by regular bouts of
factional in-fighting and painful, public self-destruction.
Those who’ve had the chance to privately influence the
Dubains – who to be fair seem to have bent over backwards to
listen to them all and learn – have frequently stressed how
important it is for Liverpool FC to rediscover that way.
To find again its harmony, its dignity and direction –
however rich and powerful an individual owner might be. And
while ruthlessly pursuing success for Liverpool, to do so
with a touch of class, even a bit of humility and respect
for the game and the other clubs who populate it.
(John Thompson - Liverpool Echo)
Agger rotated, not injured
Daniel Agger has quashed fears that he has suffered
aggravation with his long-standing foot problem.
Agger missed the majority of last season with a broken foot,
which took longer than expected to heal as he made several
failed comeback attempts.
A full pre-season saw Agger start the season against
Standard Liege, but Rafa Benitez has since used Martin
Skrtel or Sami Hyypia to partner Jamie Carragher in defence.
Agger has confirmed his absence has had nothing to do with
injury though, insisting competition for places has never
been hotter during his time
at Anfield.
“Right now I feel really, really comfortable. I can’t feel
anything, so I’m happy and working hard,” the Dane told
Liverpool’s official website.
“He [Skrtel] is a quality player who is strong and quick,
and he does the simple things well. He’s definitely a good
player for us to have.
“I know everyone wants to play and everyone if fighting for
their place.
“The rivalry is friendly but it can only be friendly to a
certain level because everybody wants to play."
(Setanta Sports)
Pennant still in Rafa's plans
Rafael Benitez won't freeze Jermaine Pennant out at Anfield
says the Liverpool Daily Post.
Liverpool were prepared to sell Pennant this Summer and
accepted a £4m bid from Stoke on transfer deadline day.
However, Pennant refused to join the newly promoted side and
remained at Anfield.
Rafa Benitez will still consider Pennant part of the first
team squad and is expected to give him his first start of
the season in the Carling Cup game against Crewe says
today's Daily Post.
Pennant may even be offered a new one year contract to
prevent him leaving on a free transfer at the end of the
season.
(LFC Online)
City cash brings Dubai group
nearer to Liverpool takeover
Dubai International Capital (DIC) believe that Hicks
(pictured) and his co-owner George Gillett would be unable
to maintain their financial grip on Liverpool without the
minimum £25m delivered by Champions League group stage
qualification
The Tom Hicks camp at Liverpool are known to feel a sense of
frustration and helplessness at Abu Dhabi wealth being
ploughed into Manchester City while the Dubai consortium
with similar ambitions for Anfield believe City's buyout
could clear the way for them.
Dubai International Capital (DIC) believe that Hicks and his
co-owner George Gillett would be unable to maintain their
financial grip on Liverpool without the minimum £25m
delivered by Champions League group stage qualification.
With City's new-found wealth creating even more competition
for next season's tournament the prospect of their bankers –
Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) and Wachovia – granting a
six-month extension to their loan in January is by no means
certain.
RBS will be left in no doubt about supporters' feelings on
the issue, with the Spirit of Shankly (SOS) group urging
fans to boycott the bank unless they stop providing support
to Hicks and Gillett. They are ready to urge Liverpool
supporters to close any accounts they have with them, should
they renew the loan on 25 January 2009.
(The Independent)
Thor Zakariassen
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