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WEDNESDAY 9 |
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Klaus has no complaints
Klaus Augenthaler had few complaints about Bayer
Leverkusen's 3-1 defeat at the hands of Liverpool on
Wednesday night.
"With a 3-1, loss, we have few arguments," said Augenthaler.
(Sky Sports)
Rafa raves over Reds win
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez was delighted with his side's
impressive defeat of Bayer Leverkusen.
"I'm very proud because we have played a very good first
half and after that we played with great control and made it
very difficult for them," said Benitez.
Benitez firmly believes that his side can go a long way in
the Champions League this term, but is not getting carried
away before the draw for the last eight is made next week.
"We will see who we get in the next game - we just take one
game at a time, and in this case one leg at a time.
"We are not afraid of any teams left."
(Sky Sports)
Garcia lead rampant Reds
Liverpool strolled into the quarter finals of the UEFA
Champions League with a devastating away performance in
Bayer Leverkusen, dispatching the Germans 6-2 on aggregate.
Rafa Benitez took his side to Germany with a 3-1 advantage,
but any worries of Bayer's away goal a fortnight ago were
soon banished as Liverpool produced a dominating European
away day to match anything of their glory days of the past.
Luis Garcia inspired the victory with two superbly taken
close range efforts in four first half minutes that had the
tie wrapped up at 2-0 on the night and 5-1 on aggregate.
Milan Baros grabbed a deserved third goal to make it 6-1 on
aggregate and book Liverpool's place in the last eight of
the competition in impressive fashion, despite a late
consolation from Jacek Krzynowek making it 6-2.
(Sky Sports)
Bayer Leverkusen v Liverpool - confirmed
team
LIVERPOOL: Dudek, Finnan, Warnock, Riise, Hyypia, Carragher,
Gerrard, Hamann, Garcia, Baros, Biscan.
SUBS: Carson, Welsh, Potter, Raven, Le Tallec, Nunez,
Smicer.
(Kop Talk)
Smicer haunted by Leverkusen ghosts
For Vladimir Smicer the challenge is personal. For Liverpool
it is the chance to wrest glory from an otherwise
frustrating season.
Wednesday night will see Rafael Benitez's men attempting to
reach the Champions League quarter-finals and provide their
supporters with renewed hope of finishing the campaign with
a trophy.
Czech midfielder Smicer has vivid memories of the last time
he was in the BayArena, when Liverpool were just minutes
from qualifying for the semi-finals against Leverkusen three
years ago.
(Sporting Life)
Rafa: It's written in the stars for Stevie
to score
Rafael Benitez says captain Steven Gerrard will score a goal
for Liverpool in Leverkusen on Wednesday night and believes
it is written in the stars.
The Liverpool manager says he is delighted to have his
skipper back after Gerrard missed the first leg through
suspension, and has backed him to lead Liverpool through to
the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
Benitez said: "I think Stevie will score a goal, I have seen
it in the crystal ball.
"He is a very, very important player for us, we know he has
the mentality, quality and power we need for those kind of
games."
(LFC Official Website) |
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TUESDAY 8 |
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Benitez baffled by Kewell injury
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez admits he is mystified by
the injuries keeping Harry Kewell on the sidelines.
Benitez appears to be losing patience with the
injury-plagued 26-year-old.
Kewell is out of the Champion League clash with Bayer
Leverkusen and Benitez said: "One day Harry is okay, and the
next he says he is unfit.
"We don't know exactly what the problem is. It changes each
day. One day he says it's the groin, then it's ankle.
Another day he says he can play."
(BBC Sport Online)
L4 Group out of picture
Liverpool have dismissed any chance of American-based L4
Group investing in the club but remain determined to find
new funds from elsewhere.
In an announcement via the Stock Exchange, the Anfield club
ruled out a cash injection from the consortium put together
by two US-based entertainment executives and thought to have
the backing of the Kraft family - owners of the New England
Patriots (NFL) and the New England Revolution soccer
franchises.
"The board of Liverpool FC confirms it is continuing
discussions with a number of parties regarding a potential
investment of new funds into the club," said the statement.
"The club has discontinued discussions with the L4 Group. A
further announcement will be made when appropriate."
(Sporting Life)
Benitez looks to Hamann for help
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is hoping Dietmar Hamann can
help him plot victory over Bayer Leverkusen.
The Reds take a 3-1 lead into the second leg of their
Champions League tie at the BayArena.
And Benitez said of German midfielder Hamann: "I will talk
with Didi because he knows better than the others the
mentality of the German teams.
"We will talk about how they will play in the first 20
minutes, their style and their tempo."
(BBC Sport Online)
Kewell out but Didi back for Leverkusen
There was mixed news on the injury front for Liverpool with
the news that Harry Kewell will miss the trip to Bayer
Leverkusen but Rafael Benitez welcomes back Dietmar Hamann
and Jerzy Dudek.
Kewell has still not recovered from the ankle problem that
has kept him out for long periods this season but the return
of Hamann and Dudek in Leverkusen will give the Reds a big
boost.
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez said: "Kewell is out but
Didi and Jerzy will both return. Didi is a good player and
he is important for us. He has experience and talks all the
time on the pitch which is important. I will talk with Didi
about Leverkusen because he knows the mentality of German
teams which will be important for us.
(LFC Official Website)
Defence will be key to victory, says Bayer
coach
Bayer Leverkusen coach Klaus Augenthaler believes his
defence holds the key to victory over Liverpool - and it has
been ravaged by injury ahead of the Champions League
showdown.
Augenthaler and Bayer sporting director Rudi Voller are
confident they can seize the lifeline offered by Jerzy
Dudek's stoppage-time slip and claim a quarter-final place
tomorrow.
(Daily Post)
Vignal sets date for Gers talks
Rangers defender Gregory Vignal is set for further contract
talks with the Glasgow club in a fortnight.
The French full-back, on loan from Liverpool, has already
rejected one contract offer from the Ibrox club.
But the 23-year-old and his representative, Philippe
Flavier, will continue discussions later this month.
Flavier said: "Gregory said no to the first offer and
there's interest from other clubs, but we are still giving
Rangers a chance to sign him."
Vignal last month revealed that Liverpool had told him he
could leave for nothing in the summer. He said he was happy
at Rangers and would relish playing for them in the
Champions League next season.
Vignal has become first-choice left-back with Rangers ahead
of former Everton and England defender Michael Ball.
(BBC Sport Online)
Arteta's expecting to be fit for derby bow
Mikel Arteta last night offered David Moyes a crumb of
comfort from Everton's dreadful display against Blackburn
when he declared himself fit for the Anfield derby.
The Spanish midfielder limped out of Sunday's defeat
following a crude challenge by South African captain Aaron
Mokoena, the same player who broke Arjen Robben's foot last
month.
But fears the 22-year-old would be sidelined for several
weeks with ankle ligament damage have been allayed and the
on-loan midfielder should be fit for the crucial trip to
Liverpool on March 20.
Arteta said: "I think I have slightly damaged ligaments in
my ankle and knee. Hopefully it's not too serious and I'll
be able to play in our next match.
(Daily Post)
Pole tipped to tip balance
Bayer Leverkusen are hoping Polish international Jacek
Kryznowek can star against Liverpool and help them into the
next round of the UEFA Champions League.
The Pole was far from his normally impressive self in the
first leg at Anfield, which saw The Reds claim a 3-1
advantage.
However, Bayer boss Klaus Augenthaler has highlighted
Kryznowek as the key figure - with fellow midfielders Paul
Freier and Robson Ponte suspended.
Augenthaler is full of praise for Kryznowek, and said: "He
should have a weapon's licence for his shooting.
"Jacek has the perfect technique and he is constantly
working on making it better."
"If we are strong in defence we definitely have the ability
to get a goal in each half,"
he continued.
(Sky Sports)
Diouf keeps Bolton in Euro hunt
Bolton Wanderers striker El-Hadji Diouf was on target as his
side beat Manchester City 1-0 in the Premiership at the City
of Manchester Stadium last night to maintaining their
European hopes.
The controversial Senegal international was rated doubtful
for the game with an ankle injury, but he seized his chance
just before the break.
Robbie Fowler had the hosts’ best chance but they failed to
capitalise on a lively start and looked meek in attack
without the injured winger Shaun Wright-Phillips.
Bolton, who had been without a top-flight victory away to
City since 1956, now move up a place to sixth in the pursuit
of a UEFA Cup berth.
Diouf stole in with seconds remaining in the first half.
Stelios Giannakopoulos created the goal with good work on
the left of the penalty area with a drilled low cross that
Diouf had to simply tap in.
(The Scotsman) |
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MONDAY 7 |
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Parry still hopeful over stadium
Chief executive Rick Parry has insisted Liverpool will
secure the investment for their new Stanley Park stadium.
The cost of the scheme is reportedly about £130m but Parry
is confident it will happen, and he also denied reports
chairman David Moore could stand down.
"It's more than we first thought, costs are increasing and
the nature of the project has changed but we're confident we
can fund it," said Parry.
(BBC Sport Online)
Parry: Lay off skipper
Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry has urged people to lay
off captain Steven Gerrard ahead of the crunch UEFA
Champions League tie with Bayer Leverkusen.
Gerrard has been the subject of criticism during the past
week after his own goal provided Chelsea with the platform
to beat Liverpool in the Carling Cup final.
With a crucial second leg tie in Germany on Wednesday
evening, Parry admits the criticism of Gerrard is an
unwanted distraction.
(Sky Sports)
Reds step up Mintal hunt
Liverpool have reportedly stepped up their interest in
Nurnberg's free-scoring midfielder Marek Mintal.
The Slovakia international's stunning exploits this season
are rumoured to have caught the eye of Reds boss Rafa
Benitez.
Mintal has scored 19 goals in 24 Bundesliga appearances this
term, despite operating in midfield and playing in a team
just outside the relegation zone.
He was first linked with Liverpool during January's transfer
window, with German media reports claiming the Premiership
club had contacted Mintal's agent.
But renewed speculation suggests The Reds have increased
that a notch by lodging a €4 million (£2.75 million) offer
for the player.
(Sky Sports)
Nando set for Rovers return
Liverpool expect Fernando Morientes to be available for
their Premiership clash with Blackburn Rovers next
Wednesday.
The Spanish striker missed Saturday's defeat to Newcastle
after pulling up with a groin injury in training.
Morientes is ineligible for this week's Champions League
game with Bayer Leverkusen in Germany but should have
recovered in time to help the Reds in their 'game in hand'
against Mark Hughes' Rovers next week.
(LFC Official Website)
Leverkusen hit by Juan injury
Bayer 04 Leverkusen will be without Juan for the home leg of
their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 encounter with
Liverpool FC on Wednesday after the defender tore an ankle
ligament.
The Brazilian international picked up the injury in the 1-1
draw against VfB Stuttgart on 27 February, but the full
extent of the problem was only known when Juan had scans
over the weekend after pulling out of the trip to Hamburger
SV.
Examinations showed that the 26-year-old had torn an ankle
ligament and he will be sidelined for at least a fortnight.
Juan therefore misses the return match against Liverpool,
which the Bundesliga side must win by two clear goals after
a 3-1 defeat at Anfield a fortnight ago.
He becomes the third defender Leverkusen have lost to injury
since the end of the winter break. Juan's compatriot Roque
Junior is suffering from a mysterious knee complaint, while
Jens Nowotny is out for the season after tearing a cruciate
ligament in his left knee.
(uefa.com)
Injured trio set to return
Rafael Benitez expects to have three of his injured players
back for this week's Champions League clash in Leverkusen.
The Reds were forced into five changes for Saturday's defeat
at Newcastle following a series of knocks picked up in the
Carling Cup final.
While Fernando Morientes is cup tied anyway for the match in
Germany, Benitez is hopeful that Jerzy Dudek, Didi Hamann
and Harry Kewell will all be fit to return. Djimi Traore
will again miss out with a thigh strain.
Benitez said: "I expect Jerzy, Didi and Harry to be fit for
Wednesday. They had problems which should keep them out for
two to three days, no more than that. I hope they'll be fit.
(LFC Official Website)
Liverpool legends in tsunami game
A team of Liverpool legends will play a tsunami fundraiser
against a celebrity side at Anfield.
Kenny Dalglish, Kevin Keegan, Alan Hansen, John Barnes and
Ian Rush are just a few of the names to have been confirmed
for the match.
Roy Evans will take charge of the Liverpool team, while
Harry Redknapp will manage the celebrities, who include
Bryan McFadden and Kasabian.
The match takes place on 27 March 2005 and tickets are on
sale now.
In addition to the match, there are numerous activities
planned for the day and the organisers are hopeful of a
large turn out.
Liverpool (confirmed so far): Kevin Keegan, Kenny Dalglish,
Alan Hansen, John Barnes, Robbie Fowler, Steve McManaman,
Jason McAteer, David Johnson, Ian Rush, John Aldridge, Phil
Thompson, Neil Ruddock, Bruce Grobbelaar
(BBC Sport Online)
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Thor Zakariassen
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