|
|
|
|
TUESDAY 9 |
Garcia set for knee scan
Luis Garcia will have a scan on Wednesday morning to
determine the extent of the knee injury he sustained in the
Carling Cup defeat to Arsenal.
Garcia was stretchered off during the second half and
manager Rafael Benitez fears the Spaniard could be out of
action for some time.
He said: "Luis has a knee problem but at this moment we
don't have news. He will have a scan tomorrow but it looks
like we could be without him for a long time."
Mark Gonzalez (shin) and Stephen Warnock (bruised ribs) also
left the field injured during the game but neither player is
thought to be facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
(LFC Official Website)
Young Gunners hit Reds for six
Arsenal completed a cup double over Liverpool with an
astonishing 6-3 Carling Cup victory at Anfield with Julio
Baptista grabbing four goals.
Only two players from each side that started the FA Cup tie
started in the Carling Cup battle, but the same team went
through after The Gunners pulled out a barely believable
result at Anfield.
Jeremie Aliadiere tormented the Liverpool defence and gave
the visitors the lead against the run of play after 27
minutes, but Robbie Fowler levelled up five minutes later
with a trademark classy finish.
Baptista curled in a free kick and slotted in a second
either side of Alexandre Song bundling home after a Jerzy
Dudek error to send Arsenal in 4-1 ahead at half time
despite a largely even contest.
Baptista had a penalty saved by Dudek but completed his
hat-trick soon after but a superb Steven Gerrard volley and
a Sami Hyypia header gave Liverpool some hope by making it
5-3 with ten minutes left.
Baptista added a fourth though and an Arsenal sixth six
minute from time after more poor Liverpool defending to make
it a mind-boggling 6-3 - and Rafa Benitez's evening was made
even worse as Mark Gonzalez and Luis Garcia looked to have
picked up
serious injuries.
(Sky Sports)
Rafa likes look of Lanus ace Leto
Liverpool are closing in on young Argentinian midfielder
Sebastian Eduardo Leto, according to the vice-president of
his club Lanus.
Ruben Ferreti claims 20-year-old Leto has attracted bids
from River Plate and an unnamed Spanish club, but Liverpool
are understood to be the only bidders willing to meet Lanus'
£1.85 million asking price.
"There is interest from Liverpool, but nothing is concrete
yet," said Ferreti. "We still have to go on discussing it."
(TEAMtalk)
LFC vs Arsenal confirmed team
Craig Bellamy and Robbie Fowler return to the Liverpool side
to spearhead their attack in tonight's Carling Cup Quarter
Final clash with Arsenal at Anfield.
In other changes Lee Peltier, Stephen Warnock, Gabriel
Paletta, Danny Guthrie, Fabio Aurelio, Sami Hyypia and Mark
Gonzalez all start.
Liverpool - Dudek, Warnock, Peltier, Hyypia, Paletta,
Gerrard, Guthrie, Gonzalez, Aurelio, Fowler, Bellamy. Subs -
Reina, Garcia, Alonso, Carragher, Crouch.
(18-5.com)
Wolves confirm Potter talks
Wolves have confirmed they are in talks with Liverpool over
the future of midfielder Darren Potter.
The 22-year-old is currently on a season-long loan from
Anfield and has played 19 times for Wolves in all
competitions this season.
And Molineux boss Mick McCarthy has admitted he is hoping to
make him a permanent signing during the transfer window.
"I would like to sign Potts," McCarthy told the club's
official website. "The clubs are talking and if it can be
done then I'd like that to be as soon as possible.
"Darren is playing his position now but when he was asked to
play on the right he just got on with the job.
"He never complained - he's that sort of player and I can't
speak highly enough of him."
(Sporting Life)
Souness makes public his £20 million bid
Graeme Souness insists he has made a bid to buy
Wolverhampton Wanderers, despite the Championship club
having earlier denied they have been in negotiations with
the former Rangers, Liverpool and Newcastle United manager.
Souness was reported to be part of a consortium interested
in taking over control of the Molineux club from Sir Jack
Hayward, the owner, who has said he will hand over the reins
to an investor prepared to pump £20 million into the club.
A statement from Jez Moxey, Wanderers' chief executive,
said: “It is not true that we are in negotiations with
Graeme Souness or anyone connected to him.”
But Souness countered: “I have offered to buy the Wolves for
£20million. I don’t know why Jez Moxey is saying these
things. I have had several telephone conversations with Sir
Jack Hayward and I have spoken as well with Jez Moxey.
“And last week I made an offer, subject to an examination of
the club’s books and accounts, of £20million, which is the
figure Sir Jack had publicly declared he
was looking for.”
(The Times)
Juve: Reds winning Masch race
Juventus are ready to concede defeat in their bid to snatch
Javier Mascherano from under the noses of Liverpool, but
skysports.com understands that the Premiership side are yet
to petition Fifa regarding any transfer of the West Ham man.
The Reds are known to be keen on recruiting the Argentinian
international on loan for the remainder of the season, but
recent reports had suggested that long-standing admirers
Juventus were launching a renewed bid to lure the midfielder
to Italy.
Now The Reds appear to be in pole position to land
Mascherano after Juve's general director Alessio Secco
confirmed that the MSI-owned star is close to a move to
Anfield.
(Sky Sports)
Liverpool target promising Italian
goalkeeper
Liverpool are looking to acquire promising
Italian goalkeeper Daniele Padelli, according to the
player’s agent.
The Sampdoria player, who is currently on loan at Serie B
club Crotone, went to Crotone in the summer with the
understanding he would receive a lot of playing time.
Samp have the right to cancel the loan deal with Crotone and
are considering an offer which agent Silvano Martina claims
has been made by the Reds for the 21-year-old.
"Liverpool are interested in Padelli. He is a promising
goalkeeper," Martina said.
(Ireland On-Line)
Alonso confident of Arsenal victory
Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso has confidence in his
partnership with Steven Gerrard and believes they will shine
this time against Arsenal.
The Gunners targeted the two Reds for special treatment in
their 3-1 FA Cup third-round win at Anfield on Saturday.
And it is likely Alonso and Gerrard will be put under
similar pressure again when the Gunners arrive again in the
north-west for their rearranged Carling Cup quarter-final.
"We are keeping a better balance than we used to, and I
think it is important sharing both our qualities.
"We know Stevie has a lot of power and is always a threat in
front of goal, and if we continue playing as well it is good
for the team."
Alonso believes Liverpool can hit back and overcome the
Gunners for the first time this season.
"The Carling Cup will be another big chance for us, and we
believe we can reach the next round," he said.
"It is not normal to play two different cup ties against the
same team in the same ground so close together, but we have
a chance to make amends."
(TEAMtalk) |
|
MONDAY 8 |
Diaby returns for Arsenal
Abou Diaby returns to the Arsenal squad for tomorrow’s
Carling Cup quarter-final at Liverpool for the first time in
eight months.
The French midfielder has not played since suffering a
fractured and dislocated ankle at Sunderland last May but he
is in contention for a return at Anfield.
Arsenal triumphed 3-1 in the FA Cup on Merseyside on
Saturday and manager Arsene Wenger will also welcome back
Cesc Fabregas, who was suspended for that game.
William Gallas (thigh), Emmanuel Adebayor (thigh) and
Freddie Ljungberg (hamstring)
are out.
Provisional squad: Almunia, Eboue, Poom, Lehmann, Hoyte,
Toure, Senderos, Clichy, Hleb, Silva, Flamini, Rosicky,
Henry, Walcott, Van Persie, Baptista, Djourou,
Diaby, Fabregas.
(BreakingNews.ie)
Reds starlet signs on
Liverpool starlet Danny Guthrie has penned an extension to
his contract, skysports.com can confirm.
The Shrewsbury-born midfielder has progressed through the
ranks in recent seasons and is now part of the first team
set-up at Anfield.
He has appeared in the UEFA Champions League and Premiership
this term and now Rafa Benitez has moved to tie him down to
a new deal.
Guthrie, 19, has now put pen-to-paper on a two-and-half year
deal with The Reds.
"Danny is obviously delighted to have signed," Alex Levack
of SEM told skysports.com.
"He is very grateful to Rafa Benitez for giving him his
chance in the first team and he is now looking to progress
over the coming seasons."
(Sky Sports)
Rafa: Tuesday will be different
Rafa Benitez claims he is not dwelling on the FA Cup defeat
against Arsenal and insists: "Tuesday will be different".
Liverpool are preparing to face Arsenal for the second time
in four days, this time in the Carling Cup quarter-final.
"Tuesday will be a different game. Maybe I will make a few
changes to the team I originally had in my head for the
match," said Benitez.
"We will have to see how the players are before picking the
team, but it is more important to stay in the Carling Cup
now."
(LFC Official Website)
Reds move for Accies ace
Skysports.com understands Liverpool have tabled an offer for
Hamilton starlet Jamie McCarthy.
McCarthy is being courted by a host of clubs after catching
the eye at Hamilton this season.
The 16-year-old became the club's youngest ever scorer when
netting in the weekend's Scottish Cup defeat to Livingston.
A number of clubs including Manchester United have watched
McCarthy in action this season, but Liverpool are hoping to
steal a march on their rivals by taking him to Anfield after
he impressed in a recent trial on Merseyside.
Hamilton boss Billy Reid admitted Liverpool had made a bid
to sign the teenage star.
(Sky Sports)
Rafa to stick with Dudek in goal
Rafael Benitez will continue with number two goalkeeper
Jerzy Dudek for Tuesday's Carling Cup quarter-final clash
against Arsenal at Anfield.
Know your football....predict the number on the shirts of
the last 5 players to touch the ball before the last
goal...! Click here.
Dudek was criticised after the 3-1 FA Cup defeat by the
Gunners on Saturday, but Benitez aims to select the Pole
again.
He will consider recalling striker Craig Bellamy up front,
while Sami Hyypia could return to the defence with Fabio
Aurelio challenging for John Arne Riise's left-back spot.
Reds (from): Dudek, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Agger, Riise,
Aurelio, Luis Garcia, Pennant, Alonso, Gerrard, Gonzalez,
Bellamy, Kuyt, Crouch, Fowler, Reina.
(TEAMtalk)
Reds begin legal battle to sign Mascherano
Liverpool have begun a legal battle to complete the transfer
of Javier Mascherano.
Mascherano played for Brazilian club Corinthians after the
World Cup in August 2006, just before his switch to West
Ham.
West Ham have agreed to allow the 22-year-old to leave,
Mascherano has agreed a move to Anfield and Liverpool want
to sign him, and it's hoped FIFA will assess his case on
this principle.
Lawyers will argue no-one is suffering but the player.
(Liverpool Echo)
Momo targets derby return
Liverpool midfielder Momo Sissoko is targeting the
Merseyside derby on February 3 for his return to action.
The Malian, who has not played since dislocating his
shoulder against Birmingham on November 8, has now returned
to training.
"I'm hoping to make it back for the first game in February,
which is the Merseyside derby with Everton," said Sissoko.
"I've had some serious injuries but that is something you
have to live with in this game. I've worked hard to get
better and I'm now feeling okay."
(LFC Official Website)
Kuyt: We deserved more from cup tie
Dirk Kuyt believes Liverpool should still be in the FA Cup
after their defeat to Arsenal
on Saturday.
Despite the Dutchman's eighth goal of the season, Rafael
Benitez's side fell 3-1 at home to the Gunners.
And Kuyt said: "I'd have preferred not to have scored a goal
and us won the game. We played well as a team and we
deserved more. Now we just have to keep on going in the
Premiership, the Champions League and the Carling Cup.
"It's disappointing that we are out. For the first 30
minutes we controlled the game, but they scored a really
good goal. In the whole game, they only had three clear
chances and scored three goals, and that is the big
difference between us and them.
"Arsenal have very fast players up front and that makes it
more difficult when they score the first goal. We showed in
the second half that we could make it difficult for them,
and we still had a chance at 2-1."
It was Kuyt's first game in the competition since moving to
Liverpool in the summer, and he added: "I loved my first
experience of the FA Cup, so it's a shame it's just for the
one game. The FA Cup is very famous in Holland, and I'm
already looking forward to playing in the competition again
next season."
(Daily Post) |
|
SUNDAY 7 |
Alonso fury over cheat jibes
Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso has reacted angrily to
suggestions he cheated in trying to win a penalty in the 3-1
FA Cup third round defeat to Arsenal at Anfield.
The match was goalless when the Spain international knocked
the ball past Gilberto only to be caught by the Brazilian's
two-footed lunge in the 25th minute.
Alonso's fall was a touch on the theatrical side but there
was definite contact. However, referee Steve Bennett, stood
just five yards away, booked the Liverpool player for
diving.
It proved to be a turning point as Tomas Rosicky scored
twice in the last eight minutes of the half and although
Dirk Kuyt pulled one back with a 71st-minute header Thierry
Henry made the result safe late on.
"I felt the contact, that is for sure," said Alonso.
"People who have watched it on TV have said it was a clear
penalty and I felt that
on the pitch."
(PA Sport)
Cisse grabs Marseille hat-trick
Djibril Cisse notched a hat-trick in only his fourth
appearance following a six-month lay-off as Marseille beat
Cambrai 4-1 in the Coupe de France.
The France international, who is on loan from Liverpool,
returned to first-team football in December after a lengthy
spell out with a broken leg.
And he looked back to his best as Marseille edged past the
amateur side.
Julien Bailleul cancelled out Cisse's opener before Cisse
and Toifilou Maoulida won the match in extra-time.
France World Cup star Franck Ribery, who has once again been
linked with a move to the Premiership this month, also
featured in Marseille's line-up.
Cisse has two-and-a-half years left on his contract at
Liverpool but it is unlikely the striker will return to
Anfield after falling out of favour with Reds boss Rafael
Benitez.
(BBC Sport Online)
Rafa: I made a promise to Jerzy
Rafael Benitez explained the reason Jerzy Dudek replaced
Pepe Reina in goal against Arsenal was down to a promise he
made the Pole at the start of the season.
The Liverpool manager told Dudek he would start in the
domestic cup games for Liverpool this season. The Istanbul
hero missed the Carling Cup 3rd round win over Reading due
to suspension but played in the 4th round win at Birmingham.
"At the start of the season I told Jerzy that Pepe was the
number one goalkeeper but I made a promise to him that he
would play in the Carling Cup and FA Cup. Once you make a
promise you don't go back on your word.
"I thought he did okay against Arsenal and he didn't really
have a lot to do besides
the goals."
(LFC Official Website)
|
|
Thor Zakariassen
© |
|
