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THURSDAY 9 |
Gerrard scan reveals
slight groin strain
A scan on Steven Gerrard's injured groin today revealed a
slight strain to his abductor muscle, Liverpool have
confirmed.
Gerrard complained of a groin problem following his side's
3-1 loss to Chelsea in the Champions League at Stamford
Bridge, but the injury had also troubled him against Fulham
in the weekend's Premier
League fixture.
Liverpool manager Rafael Benítez will have a meeting
tomorrow (Friday) to determine the treatment which Gerrard
will undergo over the coming days and the skipper may yet be
fit enough to play against Blackburn.
But the club said even if he is fit enough for Saturday's
match at Anfield, he may be rested so that he can be fully
fit for the Champions League return leg against Chelsea next
week.
(Guardian)
Allardyce spots
Reds' weaknessess
Sam Allardyce is aiming to cash in on the Liverpool
weaknesses exposed by Chelsea when Blackburn travel to
Anfield this weekend.
The Blackburn manager was in the crowd on Wednesday night to
watch Liverpool beaten 3-1 by Chelsea in the Champions
League.
Although Allardyce believes too much blame has been laid at
the door of Rafael Benitez' zonal marking system at corners
- two of the three Chelsea goals came from that route - he
hopes to take advantage of "one or two weaknesses" shown by
Liverpool.
"I went to watch what was probably the most in-form team in
this country at the moment come a little unstuck on the
night," said Allardyce.
"We can only hope that that knocks their confidence a little
bit."
(TEAMtalk)
Warnock fires Reds warning
Stephen Warnock insists he will be doing all he can to dent
Liverpool's title challenge when Blackburn travel to Anfield
on Saturday.
Warnock spent five years with The Reds before leaving for
Rovers in January 2007 for £1.5million in search of regular
first-team football.
The 27-year-old still has close ties with the Merseysiders,
but he insists there will be no old pals act when the pair
go head-to-head in a crucial Premier League encounter.
(Sky Sports)
Spaniard seeks Istanbul inspiration
Alvaro Arbeloa today had one word for anyone who believes
Liverpool are out of the Champions League: Istanbul.
Rafa Benitez's side need to score at least three goals at
Stamford Bridge next week after losing the home leg of their
quarter-final 3-1.
"We can do it - why not? We believe we can," the Spanish
full-back told Liverpoolfc.tv. "We have to go there and
fight, try to get one goal and then think about another."
(LFC Official Website)
Reina retains Reds faith
Jose Reina has not given up on Liverpool's chances of
reaching the UEFA Champions League semi-finals despite
suffering a devastating first leg loss at home to Chelsea.
The Reds endured a 3-1 defeat at Anfield against their
Premier League rivals in the first meeting of their
last-eight tie.
The Spaniard told Sky Sports: "The game is going to be much
tougher now. We have to go to Stamford Bridge and beat them
3-1 or 3-0.
"But, as I said before, we are capable of winning at any
stadium. We know we have to put ourselves back on track and
try not to make the same mistakes."
(Sky Sports) |
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WEDNESDAY 8 |
Benitez rues defensive mistakes
Rafael Benitez was left to rue costly defensive mistakes
after Chelsea secured a commanding 3-1 lead in the first-leg
of the Champions League quarter final at Anfield.
"We scored the first goal and were doing well," he told the
post-match press conference. "After that we lost control and
they had chances.
"We conceded from a corner from which we could have done
better. It is difficult to stop them because they have five
or six players who are really strong in the air. It was a
free header and that was a mistake.
"We had three players around and didn't stop him (Ivanovic).
When you have people in that zone you must control that
space but clearly we made a mistake."
(LFC Official Website)
Hiddink still wary of Reds
Boss Guus Hiddink has warned his Chelsea team that Liverpool
are still capable of 'unthinkable things' after the Blues'
shock 3-1 first-leg victory against Rafael Benitez' Reds.
The result leaves the Blues firmly in the driving seat going
into next Tuesday's return leg at Stamford Bridge and
Hiddink admitted it was the perfect result in his first game
against Liverpool.
When asked if the game could not have gone better, the
Chelsea man told Sky Sports: "No, especially here at
Anfield.
"It's very difficult always to play, so the scenario was
perfect, although when we got 1-0 down, but I must give the
compliments to the team because they react, they always
react now, that's good to see."
(Sky Sports)
Blues stopper
hails 'great result'
Petr Cech hailed Chelsea's "great advantage" after they won
3-1 at Anfield in the Champions League quarter-final first
leg against Liverpool.
"I think this is a great result but it didn't start well for
us and after a few minutes we were 1-0 down, which was the
last thing we wanted, but we had a great reaction," he told
Sky Sports.
(Sky Sports)
Ivan the Terrible
for bloodied Reds
Branislav Ivanovic was the unlikeliest of heroes in a
3-1 win for Chelsea at Anfield, as The Blues pinned
Liverpool’s shoulders to the mat for the one-two-three that
may be every bit as decisive as the count would suggest in a
Champions League quarter final tie of familiar foes.
Familiarity has bred contempt but rather than the awkward
impasse that usually accompanies occasions such as these,
Chelsea dazzled, imposing their personality on a match that
sprang to vivid life. It ended with the team in blue
planting a foot in the tournament's semi-finals and their
opponents in red checking other body parts for irreparable
damage.
(Setanta Sports)
Riera and Aurelio return versus Chelsea
Albert Riera and Fabio Aurelio return for Liverpool against
Chelsea in the Champions League quarter-final first leg this
evening. You can listen to full commentary on our Match
Night Live show from 7.15pm BST.
Andrea Dossena and Emiliano Insua make way, while Fernando
Torres and Steven Gerrard once again spearhead Liverpool's
attack.
The Reds XI in full is: Reina, Aurelio, Arbeloa, Skrtel,
Carragher, Alonso, Lucas, Riera, Kuyt, Gerrard, Torres.
Subs: Cavalieri, Ngog, Benayoun, Babel, Hyypia, Agger,
Dossena.
(LFC Official Website)
Rafa issues
Gerrard challenge
Rafa Benitez has challenged captain Steven Gerrard to rise
to the occasion and fire Liverpool past Chelsea in the UEFA
Champions League quarter-finals.
Gerrard has been in inspired form over the past month and
the England star, who recently agreed a two-year contract
extension, is likely to be key for Liverpool if they are to
progress to the final four.
But while Benitez recognises that Gerrard is in top shape,
he acknowledges his skipper is facing a tough task in
breaking down a Guus Hiddink-led Chelsea side containing the
likes of Michael Essien, Michael Ballack and Frank Lampard.
(Sky Sports)
Duo praised
Rafael Benitez has praised Lucas Levia and Andrea Dossena.
The pair have struggled for form this season but have
improved significantly recently and were both
man-of-the-match contenders against Fulham on Saturday.
"My idea about Lucas has always been the same. He is a good
player and a good professional and he always looks to do his
best for the team,"
said Benitez.
"Against Fulham he played really well and was working very
hard and it was clear that he is now playing with more
confidence.
"It is good for the fans to see someone like this because
they know that he will keep on trying for the team and keep
on working hard.
"With Dossena it is slightly different because we asked him
to play
in a different position for the good of the team at Fulham
and he did
a good job.
"We wanted someone to give the left hand side of midfield
some energy and Dossena did that even though he is normally
a left back and we were very pleased with him.
"He could maybe play there again in the future because he
showed that he can do a good job."
(LFC Online) |
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TUESDAY 7 |
Benitez reignites Ferguson rift
Rafael Benitez claims Manchester United boss Sir Alex
Ferguson is scared of his Liverpool side as the pressure of
the Premier League title race mounts.
United have a one-point lead with a game in hand over their
rivals.
Liverpool face Chelsea in the Champions League quarter-final
on Wednesday, with Ferguson claiming the loser will be
United's main
title contender.
But Benitez responded: "It is not mind games, I think it
maybe is that he is a little bit scared (of us)."
(BBC Sport Online)
Riera revelling in pressure
Liverpool winger Albert Riera believes fighting for two
major trophies is "beautiful pressure" to deal with.
The Reds are battling for the Premier League and UEFA
Champions League as the season draws to an exciting climax.
Liverpool face Chelsea in the first leg of their Champions
League quarter-final on Wednesday aiming to move a step
closer to this year's final
in Rome.
Riera, who joined Liverpool in the summer from Espanyol, is
relishing the battle on both fronts as he looks to pick up
some silverware in his
debut season.
"When I arrived here this is what I wanted to experience, to
be at a really big club. I wanted to fight for the title and
in Europe and that is happening for me," said Riera.
"We are fighting for two trophies, it is what every
footballer wants and that is beautiful pressure."
(Sky Sports)
Drogba given green light for Liverpool
Didier Drogba has been given the green light to face
Liverpool on Wednesday, but Chelsea will be without Jose
Bosingwa for the Champions League clash.
Drogba missed Chelsea’s win over Newcastle on Saturday with
an ankle complaint and was rated doubtful for the trip to
Anfield.
However, he trained with his team-mates on Monday and
Tuesday and reported no ill-effects.
With two days of training behind Drogba, coach Guus Hiddink
has included him in his plans for quarter-final encounter.
Hiddink will not be able to call on full back Bosingwa who
has not figured in training since reporting back from
international duty with a gashed leg.
(Setanta Sports)
Hiddink plans to attack
Guus Hiddink has no intention of playing a waiting game
in Chelsea's Champions League quarter-final first leg at
Anfield against Liverpool
on Wednesday.
The man who won the European Cup back in 1988 as coach of
PSV Eindhoven, and has since forged a reputation for
attacking football, insists Chelsea will be going for broke
against Liverpool.
Hiddink, who confirmed that Jose Bosingwa is out of the game
with a hamstring injury, said: "We will not sit back and
wait until we are overcome. That is not the way to play
football. That's not my philosophy or the team's concept."
(Ananova)
Gerrard good to go for Chelsea
Steven Gerrard is fit for the first leg of Liverpool and
Chelsea’s perennial Champions League encounter.
Fears were raised over whether the Liverpool skipper might
struggle to make the quarter final, first leg at Anfield on
Wednesday having been replaced late on in Saturday’s 1-0
over Fulham because of a twinge
to his groin.
Rafa Benitez said on Monday that he expected his talisman to
shake off the niggle in time, a prediction that now seems to
have come to fruition after the England midfielder trained
without hindrance on Tuesday.
Should the Champions League’s leading scorer be passed fit
as expected he is likely to be partnered by Xabi Alonso and
Lucas Leiva in midfield because of the suspension-enforced
absence of Javier Mascherano.
It is the fifth successive season that the two particular
Premier League counterparts have been pitted against each
other in the competition, with the winners going on to face
either Bayern Munich or Barcelona in the semi-finals.
(Setanta Sports)
Alonso: Liverpool FC fans
support means so much to me
There were times last summer when Xabi Alonso thought he had
pulled on a Liverpool shirt for the final time.
As Rafa Benitez chased the £18million capture of Gareth
Barry, the Spanish playmaker’s days at Anfield appeared
numbered.
Juventus and Arsenal were linked with the midfielder but the
refusal of owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett to sanction a
deal for Barry meant Alonso stayed put.
If the 27-year-old was left feeling unwanted, the backing he
received from Reds fans helped restore his spirits.
The saga made him vow to prove his manager wrong and Alonso
has looked like a man on a mission this season.
Breaking up attacks and picking out the perfect pass, he has
been instrumental in Liverpool’s push for glory at home and
abroad.
Alonso is in the form of his life and relishing the prospect
of playing his part in another famous European night at
Anfield.
“When I was going through those moments of uncertainty a lot
of fans supported me,” he said.
“They would say ‘we want you to stay, but at the end of the
day, if you don’t, we wish you all the best and we are happy
that you have
been here’.
“I am very grateful for that. I am here now and very happy
to be here. There is no other club like Liverpool."
(Liverpool Echo)
Reds announce new club secretary
Ian Silvester has today been confirmed as the new Club
Secretary of Liverpool Football Club.
Ian, who has worked at Anfield for the past three and a half
years as Assistant Secretary, will succeed Bryce Morrison,
who sadly passed away last month.
(LFC Official Website)
Reina brands Drogba
'a pain in the ass'
Didier Drogba has been labelled 'a pain in the ass' by
Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina ahead of the two sides’
Champions League clash at Anfield.
However Reina’s comment is praise rather than an insult to
the Ivorian striker, as he named him one of the deadliest
strikers he has faced.
Chelsea travel to Anfield on Wednesday for their quarter
final tie and Reina believes that Liverpool have a better
chance of progressing if they keep the rejuvenated striker
quiet.
He said: “To be honest he’s one of my favourite players and
when people ask me about the most dangerous striker or a
real pain in the ass, I always say Drogba."
(Setanta Sports)
Resurgent Liverpool need
to fly out of the blocks
Liverpool have been a joy to watch over the past four
matches and confidence will be sky high going into tomorrow
night’s Champions League quarter-final first leg against
Chelsea at Anfield.
What’s really impressed me recently is the way we have
started games. We’ve played with a high tempo and got at
teams from the first whistle.
Chelsea have a slight advantage with the second leg at their
place and ideally we would love to establish a lead to take
down there.
But it’s also crucial we don’t concede at Anfield. A 0-0
draw wouldn’t be a disaster for us as we are certainly
capable of scoring at Stamford Bridge.
If we can keep a clean sheet then we will go into the second
leg
full of belief.
(Ian Rush - Liverpool Echo)
Malouda: Lampard is
best in league
Florent Malouda has hailed his Chelsea team-mate Frank
Lampard as better than Steven Gerrard and the best
midfielder in the Premier League.
Chelsea face Liverpool in a Champions League quarter-final
first leg clash at Anfield on Wednesday and Malouda has
stoked the fire ahead of their game.
Lampard scored his 17th goal of the season in the 2-0 win
over Newcastle on Saturday and Malouda insists his
goalscoring record makes him stand out from Gerrard and his
rivals.
Gerrard has been mentioned as a contender for the PFA Player
of the Year award but Malouda is in no doubt as to which
player he would rather have in his side.
"Who is best midfielder in the Premier League? For me it is
Frank Lampard. I would never say Steven Gerrard," he said.
(TEAMtalk)
Pepe set for Chelsea milestone
Pepe Reina is set to become the first Liverpool goalkeeper
to play 50 games in the European Cup.
The Spaniard will be one of only six players to reach the
milestone in Liverpool colours if he features against
Chelsea on Wednesday night.
The Anfield clash could also be his 100th appearance in UEFA
club competition.
Meanwhile, the Reds' next win will be their 100th in the
European Cup.
(LFC Official Website)
Drogba in race to be fit
Didier Drogba is still struggling to be fit for the first
leg of Chelsea’s Champions League quarter-final tie with
Liverpool tomorrow.
Interim coach Guus Hiddink will delay a decision on the
Ivorian striker for as long as possible.
Drogba was absent from their 2-0 victory at Newcastle on
Saturday and the squad will train at Cobham this morning
before flying up to Merseyside.
The 31-year-old is making slow progress after jarring his
ankle in training and Hiddink wants to give him all the time
he can to recover.
“Drogba is with our medical staff,” said Hiddink. “He
suffered a reaction to an ankle injury he picked up in
training.
“At the moment we’ll just have to see if he can train and
take it from there but we know we have some big, tough games
coming up.”
(Liverpool Daily Post)
Thor Zakariassen
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