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SATURDAY 9 |
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Juve held in thriller at Fiorentina
Liverpool’s Champions League Quarter Final opponents
Juventus were held to a dramatic 3-3 draw away at Fiorentina
in the Italian Serie A on Saturday night, ending an exciting
but disappointing week for Fabio Capello’s team.
After losing at Anfield 2-1 in the first leg of their
Champions League tie with the Reds on Tuesday night,
Juventus conceded first half goals from Giampaolo Pazzini
and Giorgio Chiellini either side of a 22nd minute
Allesandro Del Piero goal.
But striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic hit back in the second half
scoring an equalizer on the hour mark. With just fifteen
minutes left, Fiorentina’s Dario Danielli scored what looked
to be the winner, but Ibrahimovic scored again late on to
rescue a point for the Turin outfit.
And with Liverpool losing today, at the hands of Manchester
City, a cracking second leg is firmly poised for Wednesday
night when Rafael Benitez takes the Reds to
the Stadio Delle Alpi.
(This is Anfield)
Benitez blasts his team
Disappointed Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has warned his
players to start learning some harsh lessons otherwise they
can forget about landing a Champions League berth next
season.
Just five days after their thrilling win over Juventus, the
Reds looked likely to collect a point from their below-par
display at Manchester City until Kiki Musampa's last-minute
winner gave the Blues a deserved win.
"I am very disappointed," said Benitez. "Sometimes, when you
cannot win, a draw is a good result. We were in the last
minute, we had a throw-in, then we give the ball away, they
counter and we end up losing a goal."
(ITV Football)
Musapa strike stuns Reds
Kiki Musampa's spectacular late volley gave Stuart Pearce
his first win as Manchester City boss.
Musampa who had earlier hit the post, met Lee Croft's cross
on the edge of the area and his low first-time effort flew
past Scott Carson into the net.
Liverpool's best effort came from a skidding Igor Biscan
shot which David James kept out - and the City keeper was
otherwise untroubled.
The defeat means Liverpool failed to move above Everton into
fourth place.
(BBC Sport Online)
Trez has Reds in his sights
Juventus striker David Trezeguet is determined to feature in
the UEFA Champions League tie with Liverpool on Wednesday.
The prolific French forward appeared in the first leg as The
Reds secured a 2-1 win at Anfield, and, after being ruled
out of Saturday's trip to Fiorentina, is keen to appear in
what he termed 'the match of the year'.
(Sky Sports)
Man City v Liverpool - confirmed team
LIVERPOOL: Carson, Warnock, Finnan, Carragher, Pellegrino,
Gerrard, Biscan, Riise, Garcia, Le Tallec, Morientes.
SUBS: Dudek, Hyypia, Smicer, Traore, Welsh
(Kop Talk)
Birthday boy Fowler wants to score against
Reds
Robbie Fowler celebrates his 30th birthday today and admits
he would like nothing better than scoring a goal against his
former team Liverpool.
Fowler said: "It's ironic that my birthday should fall on
the day we play Liverpool, but I hope to be celebrating with
a win. I still have a lot of time for Liverpool and the fans
and always will. I got a terrific reception when I went back
to Anfield for the Tsunami match and all the Liverpool fans
can be proud of how they supported that worthy event. It was
a wonderful, big-hearted response."
(LFC Official Website) |
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FRIDAY 8 |
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Admiration for God
Rafa Benitez has admitted he is a big fan of ex-Reds super
striker Robbie Fowler.
But Benitez said he is hoping that the old Kop favourite
will have a quiet match on Saturday, as the Reds visit
Manchester City.
Benitez said: "I know Robbie is a very good player and a
very good finisher. I just hope he has a quiet game tomorrow
and then scores a lot of goals after our match!"
And Benitez admitted that the installation of Stuart Pearce
as temporary manager is likely to result in a tough match
for the travelling Redmen.
"When you change the manager normally you find the players
work hard and try to do well. We go into the game with
confidence but we need to be careful because I am sure they
will play with a high tempo and it will be difficult," Rafa
said.
But the boss said he is hopeful that the Reds can claim all
three points.
"We know that we are playing well and we want to do the same
against Manchester City. We are one point behind Everton and
we know we can put pressure on them if we win," he added.
(LFC Online)
Benitez concerned by Baros report
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has suggested his former
club Valencia may have been guilty of an illegal approach to
Czech striker Milan Baros.
Juan Soler, the president of the Spanish club, told a local
radio station that they were "negotiating" with Baros, even
though he has two years left to run on his contract with
Liverpool.
Benitez, who did not leave Valencia on the best of terms
last summer, turned up the heat on his old club.
He said: "It is illegal to talk to a player with two more
years of his contract to go.
"I prefer not to talk about these things, and I need to
discuss this with people at this club.
"But the situation is that he is our player and has two more
years of his contract with this club still to go.
"I am not worried about Baros. If what their president has
said is true maybe it is time to ask them about the
situation."
(TEAMtalk)
Cisse close to Reserve return
Djibril Cisse will play again this season after manager
Rafael Benitez said the player has made great progress and
could play for the reserves in the next 10 days.
The club's record signing has made remarkable progress and
Benitez says he is working very hard and eager to get back.
The Liverpool manager also said he won't rush Cisse back and
will check with the club doctor Mark Waller and physio Dave
Galley as to when he can play a game.
The reserves travel to Sunderland on Thursday, 14th April,
followed by a home game against Blackburn at Wrexham on
Monday, 18th April. Benitez says the player could figure in
one of the mentioned games.
Benitez said: "Cisse said to me he wants to play for the
reserves next week. I need to talk with the physio and the
doctor but maybe he can play in the reserves next week and
then the first team.
"We are surprised but very pleased to see him back because
we were thinking maybe he could be back by the end of April,
or the end of the season. He is working so hard in training.
"It is good for the future that players are working hard and
are wanting to come back. It shows they have a good
mentality and it is good for us."
(LFC Official Website)
Alonso out but Nando back for City
Rafael Benitez says he won't risk Xabi Alonso at Manchester
City on Saturday but gave a strong hint that striker
Fernando Morientes could return to the starting line-up.
With Alonso just back from a broken ankle, and having only
played 45 minutes for the reserves on Wednesday night the
Liverpool manager wants to be careful with the player and
not rush him back.
Morientes wasn't fit enough to start against Bolton last
Saturday and appeared for the final 15 minutes as a
substitute, but Benitez says he has trained well this week
and could start against City.
Benitez said: "Morientes is training well and he is fit and
he can play which is important for us.
"Xabi Alonso won't be in the squad because he needs to train
and be ready for the next week. Xabi is working hard in
training and he wants to be ready to play
as soon as possible."
(LFC Official Website)
Liverpool warned transfer may not happen
Bolton boss Sam Allardyce has admitted that he's unsure
whether or not he will push ahead with the signing of
Liverpool striker El-Hadji Diouf on a permanent basis.
Diouf has been in great form for Bolton where he's been on
loan all season but because of the various flashpoints,
Allardyce has admitted the signing would be a bit of a
gamble.
Big Sam said: "There's a lot of elements now that will have
to be discussed, not just at my level but at board level and
chairman level at a club like ours, to actually progress in
that area and whether it's the right thing to do or not.
"99.9% of time he's fantastic, it's just the 0.01%, the
flashpoint in his make-up and in his DNA that's difficult
for him to control. And it's difficult for us to say we can
ever overcome that scenario and it will not happen again.
"I think that we're not the same team without him. We're
very good but we lose that little bit of flair, that extra
edge that is needed to break the opposition down and to
create chances either for yourself or someone else."
(Kop Talk)
Nowhere is better than here at Anfied
The leaving of Liverpool has grieved players less in recent
seasons.
Now, Rafa Benitez is determined to ensure the only stars
departing under his leadership are those he's forcibly led
to the door.
The Anfield boss says Anthony Le Tallec has become both a
positive and negative example for any member of his squad
believing greener grass lies elsewhere.
"When players choose to leave Liverpool, they may believe
they are going somewhere where it will be better for them,
but they realise later that's not the case," said Benitez
today.
"At other clubs, maybe you can win more money. There are a
lot of big clubs competing for the title, it's true, but I'm
sure there is nowhere with the same atmosphere as Liverpool.
"The relationship between the club and the supporters is
different to anywhere else. You can talk to players like
Mauricio Pellegrino or Fernando Morientes about this.
(Liverpool Echo)
Morientes to boost Reds
Fernando Morientes is expected to return up front for
Liverpool's Premiership clash at Manchester City on
Saturday, with Milan Baros suspended.
Morientes, who has overcome the muscle injury sustained in
the Merseyside derby, was cup tied for the Champions League
clash with Juventus in midweek.
Mauricio Pellegrino, also ineligible for Europe, is back in
the squad whilst goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek is expected to take
over from youngster Scott Carson.
Xabi Alonso is likely to feature again after a brief
appearance against Juventus as substitute. Dietmar Hamann is
still recovering from a knee injury.
Liverpool (from): Dudek, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia,
Pellegrino, Traore, Luis Garcia, Xabi Alonso, Gerrard,
Biscan, Riise, Morientes, Le Tallec, Nunez, Smicer, Carson,
Warnock, Welsh, Potter.
(TEAMtalk)
Owen hints at return to Liverpool
Michael Owen has said he would have "nothing against" going
back to Liverpoool - and repeated he is unhappy with his
limited role at Real Madrid.
The England striker, 25, who switched from Anfield for £8m
last summer, has been given just 12 league starts for his
new club but scored 10 goals.
He told Shoot magazine: "Would I return to Liverpool? I
would have nothing against it if I had to move.
"It is well documented that I don't like sitting on the
bench."
(BBC Sport Online)
Turin mayor appeals to Juve fans to reject
'vendetta'
The mayor of Turin has appealed for Juventus fans to show
"good sense" before Wednesday's Champions League
quarter-final second leg against Liverpool and isolate those
talking of a vendetta.
"I am making an appeal to the good sense of the fans so that
Juventus v Liverpool will be a festival of sport and not an
occasion for clashes, or even worse a vendetta," Turin mayor
Sergio Chiamparino was quoted as saying in daily Gazzetta
dello Sport on Friday.
Gazzetta also quoted an unnamed member of the elite
undercover police unit Digos.
"We are dealing with the problems that could emerge from
groups of Juventus ultras, who have in their mind acrimony
and vendetta," he said.
"We are in close contact with our English colleagues and we
are preparing an extraordinary surveillance of agents in
uniform and in plain clothes and we are monitoring fan
websites on a daily basis," said the Digos source.
(Reuters)
Valencia reveal interest in Baros
Valencia president Juan Soler has told a Spanish radio
station he is in talks with Liverpool striker Milan Baros.
"We are negotiating with the Czech (Baros) and with four or
five players of the same quality," he told Radio 9.
"These players are from Europe and South America and we are
trying to do things in plenty of time, both with Baros and
with the others."
Baros, 23, was the leading scorer at Euro 2004 but has
struggled this season and scored 13 goals for the Reds.
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez led Valencia to the Spanish
league title last season before moving to Anfield.
He has been linked with going back to his former club to
sign Pablo Aimar or
Ruben Baraja and a swap deal could be in the pipeline.
(BBC Sport Online) |
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THURSDAY 7 |
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Distin hails Gerrard
Manchester City skipper Sylvain Distin has hailed Liverpool
counterpart Steven Gerrard as the best player in the
Premiership.
The pair lock horns at Eastlands on Saturday with Gerrard
and his team looking to take advantage of Everton's day off
by scrambling above the Toffeemen into the fourth Champions
League spot.
"I watched the Liverpool game on Tuesday and Gerrard was
excellent," said Distin.
"He didn't make a single mistake. Whether it was offensive
or defensive, he was just superb.
"He can dribble, tackle, his vision and distribution are
fantastic and he can also score goals. For me, he is the
best player in the Premiership."
(TEAMtalk)
Pearce backs Reds for fourth
Stuart Pearce has tipped Liverpool to clinch the
all-important fourth Champions League slot this season.
Fresh from their outstanding midweek win over Juventus,
Rafael Benitez's men head to Eastlands on Saturday knowing a
draw would be enough to take them above Merseyside rivals
Everton.
And though Manchester City will be doing their utmost to
hand Pearce his first victory since succeeding Kevin Keegan
last month, the former England defender believes no matter
what the outcome, the Anfield men will be celebrating at the
season's end.
"Liverpool are a good side," said Pearce. "You have to be to
reach the quarter-finals of the European Cup.
"They have got to get above Everton, not only from the
rivalry factor but also from the financial standpoint of
getting into the Champions League and I believe they will
probably manage it."
(TEAMtalk)
Juve defender Zebina ruled out of Liverpool tie
Juventus right back Jonathan Zebina has been ruled out of
next week's Champions League quarter-final return against
Liverpool with a thigh injury.
Juve, who trail 2-1 from the first leg, said on Thursday
that tests showed he had pulled a thigh muscle and the
Frenchman would need to rest for a week before further
examinations.
Juventus coach Fabio Capello could turn to Gianluca Pessotto
or Uruguayan Paolo Montero to fill in at right back.
(Yahoo Sports)
Smicer set for summer move away
Vladimir Smicer has said it is looking increasingly likely
he will leave Liverpool at the end of the season.
The midfielder's contract expires in the summer and he is
set for a return to France and former club Lens.
"It's 90% certain I'll leave Liverpool," the 31-year-old
told the Vecernik Praha newspaper.
The Czech international has started just two Premiership
games this season after injuring ligaments in his right knee
in a match during pre-season.
(BBC Sport Online)
Alonso happy to be back
Xabi Alonso was delighted to be back in action after making
his comeback for Liverpool's reserves.
Alonso made his playing return on Wednesday evening as he
played the second half of the 1-0 defeat to Leeds United's
reserves.
The midfielder was touched to end three months of inactivity
and is now training his sights on a first team return.
"When you are in the team, with your team-mates, having a
touch with the ball, you are always happy," Alonso told Sky
Sports News.
"A footballer wants to be on the pitch and it has been a
great moment for me."
Alonso could now return for the second leg against Juventus
next week after admitting it was hard watching the 2-1
success from the dugout.
He added: "It was a great night obviously.
"I would prefer to be on the pitch but we knew it was going
to be hard.
"On the bench, it's harder to be watching but we hope to go
through to the next round."
(Planet Football/Sky Sports)
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Thor Zakariassen
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