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SUNDAY 9 |
Reds skipper warns Marseille
Steven Gerrard believes Liverpool’s remarkable 3-1 victory
over Olympiacos in 2005 will put Marseille under incredible
pressure come Tuesday’s Champions League showdown.
The Reds must win in France to progress to the last 16 of
the competition, a situation they faced in the 2005-winning
campaign when Gerrard’s blockbuster drive fired Liverpool on
their way to the trophy.
"The pressure will be on Marseille as much as us this time.
We know we're always expected to go through to the knockout
stage, but after they beat us at Anfield and we lost in
Turkey, we weren't favourites to qualify."
(Setanta Sports)
Rafa tips Reds to produce goods
Rafael Benitez has backed Liverpool to produce a cup final
display in Marseille and avoid a humiliating early exit from
the Champions League.
Liverpool know they must taste victory in the south of
France on Tuesday night if they are to remain among the
European elite after Christmas and Saturday evening's 3-1
defeat at Reading was hardly the ideal start to a week that
ends on Sunday with the visit of Manchester United.
"Since I have been here we have been in seven finals. We
have won four so we have enough experience and quality in
the squad to win."
(TEAMtalk)
Valbuena expecting tough Reds test
Marseille midfielder Mathieu Valbuena has warned his
team-mates that Liverpool will be a far tougher proposition
in Tuesday's Champions League crunch match than in their
first meeting.
Valbuena's match-winning goal when the teams met at Anfield
means Liverpool must win in midweek at the Stade Velodrome
to pip the Frenchmen to a place in the knockout stages.
But Valbuena, speaking after Saturday's 2-0 win over Monaco,
believes Rafael Benitez's side will be a sterner
proposition.
"On Tuesday we have a very important opportunity for the
club," he said.
"We know how talented Liverpool are - we caught them cold.
They are not going to come in the state they were for the
first match when they underestimated us a little.
"They are confident and we will be vigilant and will have to
play at an intense pace. We need to recuperate and prepare
for this match well."
(Sporting Life)
Sissoko assured of Reds future
Liverpool’s bit-part midfielder Mohamed Sissoko claims he
has been assured of his future by Reds boss Rafa Benitez.
Sissoko, 22, started Liverpool’s defeat at Reading on
Saturday but that was only his fifth appearance from the off
in The Premier League this season.
The Mali international has fallen behind Javier Mascherano
in the midfield pecking order at Anfield, but Sissoko is not
disaffected by this.
“I have talked to the manager a lot and he says there is no
need to worry about my situation," Sissoko said.
“Before I was thinking about why I am not playing but the
manager decides and I accept it.”
Another player with a long-term future at Liverpool appears
to be Sami Hyypia, despite the Finn’s advancing years.
Benitez believes the 34-year-old can play on for another two
years
at least.
“We try to protect him from playing too many games,” said
Benitez.
“He is in very good physical condition but he will need time
to get fit after some matches. But he has the potential to
play a few more years for Liverpool.”
(Setanta Sports)
Coppell cool after Reds win
Reading manager Steve Coppell refused to get too carried
away by Saturday's 3-1 victory over Liverpool at the
Madejski Stadium.
The Royals ended a four-match winless streak courtesy of
goals from Stephen Hunt, Kevin Doyle and James Harper.
But with the Berkshire club still languishing in the bottom
half of the table, Coppell suggested any celebrations would
be kept to a minimum.
"Wins now, because we're not having as many as last year,
they're treasured," he said.
"Any team in the bottom half of the table would say that. We
fully intend to enjoy it tonight."
(Football UK) |
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SATURDAY 8 |
Marseille warm up for Liverpool by beating
Monaco
Olympique Marseille warmed up for their Champions League
Group A decider against Liverpool with a 2-0 home Ligue 1
win over Monaco
on Saturday.
Defender Julien Rodriguez opened the scoring with a header
on
52 minutes after a volley by fellow midfielder Benoit
Cheyrou bounced off the crossbar.
Midfielder and captain Lorik Cana wrapped it up when he
headed home from a corner with 20 minutes remaining.
Marseille, recovering from a dismal start, have gone four
matches without defeat and climb five places up to 11th in
the 20-strong table.
The 1993 European champions now welcome Liverpool on Tuesday
and will make the last 16 of European club soccer's premier
event if they win. They could also qualify with a draw,
providing Besiktas do not win
at Porto.
Liverpool will go through if they win in Marseille or if
they draw and Besiktas beat Porto.
(Reuters)
Rafa bemoans 'strange' game
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez described his side's defeat to
Reading as
a 'strange game'.
The Reds slumped to their first Premier League defeat of the
campaign as Reading rode their luck to secure a 3-1 victory.
The Royals hit the front early on when they awarded a
controversial penalty after Jamie Carragher was adjudged to
have fouled Brynjar Gunnarsson, even though it appeared the
incident occurred outside
the box.
"It was a strange game. We had a few chances but did not
take them," bemoaned Benitez.
"After some decisions which we didn't get, we couldn't
change the result."
(Sky Sports)
Reds fail to fire against Royals
Liverpool began their most important week of the season with
a 3-1 defeat at Reading which suggests they may not be title
contenders just yet.
Rafael Benitez's side must now fight for their Champions
League lives in Marseille on Tuesday night before having
their domestic credentials put under intense scrutiny again
by Manchester United at the weekend.
Reading recorded their first victory against one of the
so-called 'big four' thanks to a Stephen Hunt penalty and
second-half strikes from
Kevin Doyle and James Harper.
All Liverpool had to take away from Berkshire was Steven
Gerrard's equaliser but referee Andre Marriner also had a
big part to play in the proceedings.
The official - who had sent off Chelsea's Michael Essien at
Derby in his previous top-flight game - appeared to have
called the Reading penalty incorrectly and also failed to
spot two occasions when Liverpool should have been awarded
spot-kicks.
Liverpool should have been ahead in the seventh minute and
it was a surprise when Fernando Torres, who had hit a
hat-trick on this ground in
a Carling Cup tie in September, could not accept a simple
chance.
John Arne Riise's long-throw eluded Ibrahima Sonko as he
jumped with Peter Crouch and the Spaniard was left with the
simple task of slotting past goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann.
Instead he allowed the American
to parry.
(TEAMtalk)
Hobbs to face Reading
Jack Hobbs will make his first start in the Premier League
as Liverpool go in search of a sixth straight win in today's
evening kick-off at the Madejski Stadium.
The 19-year-old will partner Jamie Carragher at the heart of
the Reds' defence as Rafa Benitez makes four changes from
the side that overwhelmed Bolton last time out.
Fernando Torres and Peter Crouch will continue to lead the
line while there also places in the starting XI for Momo
Sissoko, Andriy Voronin and Javier Mascherano.
The Reds team in full: Reina, Arbeloa, Riise, Hobbs,
Carragher, Gerrard, Mascherano, Sissoko, Voronin, Torres,
Crouch. Subs: Itandje, Hyypia, Kewell, Kuyt, Babel
(LFC Official Website)
Gillett expected to fly in for Marseille clash
George Gillett is expected to fly in to witness Liverpool’s
night of European destiny in Marseille.
The Anfield club’s co-owner has made a surprise decision to
be at the Stade Velodrome to see for himself whether
Liverpool can pull off the great escape and force their way
into the last 16.
Gillett and Tom Hicks were not expected on this side of the
Atlantic until later in the week for their much-heralded
meeting with boss Rafael Benitez, following the fall-out
over the new American owners’
transfer policy.
The pair were due to be on Merseyside at the weekend for the
Barclays Premier League clash with Manchester United, but
Gillett will now have the chance for a low-key chat with
Benitez in the south of France first.
(Liverpool Daily Post) |
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FRIDAY 7 |
Biscan rejoins Zagreb
Seven years after leaving Dinamo Zagreb for Liverpool,
Igor Biscan is now back at the club.
The former Croatia international has signed a three-year
contract after arriving on a free transfer from
Panathinaikos, where he moved from Liverpool in 2005.
"I'm very excited that I'm back at Dinamo after so many
years abroad,"
he enthused.
"I hope I will be the fans' favourite once again and I hope
I will live up to the expectations.
"I would like to play regularly once again. I believe we
have good team and we will surely win the Croatian
championship. We can also leave our mark in Europe and I
hope I will be able to help Dinamo in the Uefa Cup in the
next year.
"As for next season, our goal is of course the Champions
League. I have my mind on Dinamo only, I'm not thinking
about returning to the national team."
The 29-year old was bought by former Liverpool manager
Gerard Houllier for £5.5 million in December 2000, having
been pursued by Juventus, Barcelona, Ajax and Milan.
(Setanta Sports)
Reds must make decision on Carra
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez must decide whether to risk
the fit-again Jamie Carragher against Reading at the
Madejski Stadium on Saturday.
Carragher has recovered from a rib injury but a booking
against Steve Coppell's side would see him banned for next
weekend's showdown with Manchester United.
Benitez has teenager Jack Hobbs on stand-by for some rare
action, while Daniel Agger is close to a return after a
metatarsal injury.
The Reds have Agger, Xabi Alonso and Fabio Aurelio all back
in training and it is likely that all three will figure at
some point with matches against Marseille, United and
Chelsea, in the Carling Cup, looming.
Liverpool (from): Reina, Arbeloa, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia,
Hobbs, Riise, Benayoun, Gerrard, Mascherano, Lucas, Sissoko,
Kewell, Babel, Kuyt, Voronin, Crouch, Torres, Itandje.
(TEAMtalk)
Oster to miss visit of Reds
Reading will be without John Oster for tomorrow’s Barclays
Premier League visit of Liverpool after it was decided the
winger required surgery on a troublesome ankle.
Defender Michael Duberry has resumed training following
cracked ribs but will not be considered for a comeback.
Winger Glen Little (Achilles) is the only other absentee.
Provisional squad: Hahnemann, Federici, Murty, de la Cruz,
Ingimarsson, Sonko, Bikey, Cisse, Shorey, Rosenior,
Gunnarsson, Harper, Fae, Hunt, Convey, Doyle, Kitson, Long,
Lita.
(Evening News)
Rafa: Torres doesn't need resting
Rafa Benitez has assured Liverpool fans he is not about to
rest Fernando Torres at Reading ahead of two major showdowns
with Marseille and Manchester United.
Liverpool return to the home of Reading on Saturday, live on
Setanta Sports, a venue where Torres bagged his first
hat-trick in English football earlier in the season.
The Liverpool manager revealed Torres is up to the challenge
though, revealing the month he spent on the sidelines with a
thigh problem has left the Spaniard feeling extremely fresh.
"Torres is strong enough and he also has ability and good
movement, so if the team is playing well he can manage with
the physical game," Benitez told the club's official
website.
(Setanta Sports)
Convey: Reds on a different planet
Reading attacker Bobby Convey believes Setanta Sports will
play host to a David-vs-Goliath encounter this weekend as
Liverpool visit
The Madejski Stadium.
Speaking during one of his many visits to the patients of
Reading’s local hospital, Convey recalled the two sides’
earlier Carling Cup tie, which finished 4-2 to Liverpool
thanks to a Fernando Torres hat-trick.
The American insists the former Atletico Madrid man, who is
fast becoming an icon on The Kop, is also a symbol of the
gulf between The Reds and The Royals this weekend.
“You can’t compare the two teams,” Convey said in The Daily
Telegraph.
“This is one game in which we can't lose. They're one of the
elite, it won't make our future. Anything is a bonus, as
long as we have a go. If we're going to get something we
have to be at the top of our game.”
(Setanta Sports)
Coppell: Euro woe might help Reds
Steve Coppell believes Liverpool's chances of ending their
18-year title drought could be boosted by an early Champions
League exit.
Rafael Benitez's expensively-assembled collection of
internationals will have its unbeaten start to the Premier
League tested at the Madejski Stadium in Saturday's late
fixture.
But the fourth-placed Reds know they must then get the right
result in France three days later, against Marseille, if
they are to remain in the Champions League.
Reading boss Coppell said: "They are an excellent team and
they have invested to compete right at the top end and
that's where they are.
"But their demand is to win the league. If they finish
fourth then they will have failed.
"And I have always said what will decide the title race will
be the effect of Europe and key injuries. Those two factors,
when you get to March, might work in Liverpool's favour if
they are not in Europe."
(TEAMtalk)
Thor Zakariassen
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