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THURSDAY 9 |
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Riise out for three weeks
Liverpool star John Arne Riise faces three weeks out through
injury.
The Norwegian international missed Wednesday's UEFA
Champions League defeat to Benfica with a hip problem.
Riise sustained the injury in last weekend's draw with
Charlton and he has been advised to rest the problem for
three weeks.
The player's advisor Jan Kvalheim admitted the injury was a
real blow for Riise at such a crucial stage of the season.
"He has been for a medical and treatment every day, but
needs to rest for three weeks," Kvalheim told VG.
"John Arne feels the injury came at a very bad time. He is
in terrific form, has played much and looked forward to many
important matches."
(Sky Sports)
Alonso thanks the fans
"The crowd was superb and you can't ask for more than this,"
said Alonso following defeat to Benfica.
"At 2-0 down they knew we were out of the Champions League,
but they were still singing and making us feel their
support. "It's been a disappointing night for Rafa but I
know he's really focused and committed to the club.
"He realises how passionate this crowd is and how much they
adore him. It would be impossible for him to find another
crowd like this.
"Our crowd is so special because they react as well when
we're feeling low as when we've had success.
"I'm not worried about the situation with Rafa and the
rumours. I know how he feels about the club."
(Anfield-online)
Liverpool exit will heighten Benitez
speculation
Liverpool's shock defeat by Benfica has done more than just
knock them out of the Champions League.
The 2-0 loss at Anfield on Wednesday that put the holders
out 3-0 on aggregate will also raise fears that manager
Rafael Benitez could be tempted to leave the club.
Benitez has grown frustrated that he cannot match the likes
of Chelsea and Barcelona in the transfer market.
Benfica's crucial opening goal, furthermore, came from Simao
Sabrosa, a player Benitez tried to sign but could not
afford.
Real Madrid and Inter Milan are both widely reported to be
keen on capturing Benitez, who confirmed his managerial
credentials by winning the Champions League last season with
a Liverpool side strong on desire if not world class talent.
Benitez is forcing the issue by insisting Liverpool need to
spend more money to keep pace with Europe's leading clubs.
"We need to be stronger and think about the future. It will
be important to buy new players," the Spaniard told
reporters after Wednesday's defeat.
"We know we have to look for players. We have started now
and the scouts are looking."
(Reuters)
Time for change, says Thompson
Former Liverpool captain and assistant manager Phil Thompson
believes Liverpool need to rejuvenate their attack.
Liverpool's shortcomings in front of goal were once again
evident as they lost their grip on the Champions League at
the hands of Benfica last night.
The Reds squandered a number of opportunities at Anfield
before going down 2-0 in the second leg of their last-16
clash, and 3-0 on aggregate.
Thompson feels the likes of Fernando Morientes and Djibril
Cisse have not proved good enough and has lamented the
failure to re-sign Michael Owen last summer.
Thompson, who lifted the European Cup in 1984 as Reds
captain, told Sky Sports News: "Morientes has not been doing
it, or even the likes of Cisse. There are probably two on
that list to move on.
"[Luis] Garcia has scored a lot of goals so maybe there is a
bit of leeway there but Liverpool need to score.
"The Michael Owen situation - he shouldn't even have been
allowed to go (to Real Madrid in 2004)."
(TEAMtalk)
Benitez demands cash for signings
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez says he must be allowed to
strengthen his squad following the Champions League defeat
by Benfica.
The Spaniard, who is reported to be the subject of interest
from Inter Milan and Real Madrid, said: "We need to work
harder in terms of looking for players.
"It is important to strengthen... and buy new players."
(BBC Sport Online)
Anfield arrests
Merseyside Police made 12 arrests following last night's
Champions League match at Anfield.
One Benfica fan was arrested for being in possession of a
knife.
The 11 others were British nationals arrested on charges of
"disorder, assault and other crime matters" after the match
between Liverpool and Portuguese side Benfica.
A Merseyside Police spokesman said: "For a match this size,
this number of arrests is far from excessive and much
smaller than the number we've seen in the past at
such events."
(Daily Post) |
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WEDNESDAY 8 |
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Benitez bemoans striking difference
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez admitted that his side had
paid the price for failing to take their chances as they
crashed out of the UEFA Champions League to Benfica.
The Portuguese champions struck twice on the break to secure
a 2-0 win at Anfield and a 3-0 aggregate victory to book
their place in the quarter finals.
Benitez, who led Liverpool to their fifth success in the
competition 10 months ago, felt there was not much to choose
between the teams, except perhaps the quality of their
finishing.
"If you analyse the game you can see the chances we created
in the first 20 minutes," Benitez told Sky Sports.
"Then we conceded the goal, and we leave more space. In the
second half we played with three defenders to try to go
forward, and they played good counter-attack. For me, the
key was the first 20 minutes.
Liverpool missed a number of good opportunities before Simao
Sabrosa's brilliant opener for Benfica, with Peter Crouch
squandering the best of them.
Nevertheless, Benitez insisted his whole team has to take
responsibility for their exit, not just the strikers.
(Sky Sports)
Koeman: We rode our luck
Benfica coach Ronald Koeman felt his side rode
their luck as they won 2-0 against Liverpool at Anfield to
move into the last eight of the UEFA Champions League.
The Portuguese champions scored through Simao Sabrosa and
Fabrizio Miccoli to oust the holders, after Liverpool had
missed a string of good goalscoring opportunities.
"We needed to be lucky. If you are not lucky you cannot beat
a team like Liverpool.
"Not only today, but they have a problem to score - maybe it
is a mental problem."
(Sky Sports)
Gerrard: Confidence is low
Captain Steven Gerrard revealed that Liverpool's lack of
confidence in front of goal was the chief cause of their
early exit from the UEFA Champions League.
The defending champions were beaten 2-0 by Benfica at
Anfield, to complete a 3-0 aggregate victory for the Lisbon
club.
"The fans were superb tonight and got behind us - but when
you are 1-0 down it is important to get a goal," Gerrard
told Sky Sports.
"It is a lack of confidence, and I think we need to work on
it - extra shooting sessions in training, I think."
(Sky Sports)
Champions crash out
Liverpool's dream of retaining their European crown was
ended with a frustrating defeat at home to Benfica.
The Merseysiders had early chances to overturn their 1-0
first-leg deficit, with Peter Crouch, Jamie Carragher and
Luis Garcia the most guilty.
They were made to pay when Carragher dithered and ex-Reds
target Sabrosa Simao produced a stunning strike.
Fabrizio Miccoli completed Liverpool's misery when he
grabbed a second in the dying minutes with an overhead kick.
(BBC Sport Online)
Liverpool v Benfica - CONFIRMED TEAM
LIVERPOOL: Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Traore, Warnock,
Garcia, Gerrard, Alonso, Kewell, Morientes, Crouch.
SUBS: Dudek, Hyypia, Barragan, Hamann, Anderson, Fowler,
Cisse.
(Kop Talk)
Gerrard the danger
Benfica boss Ronald Koeman says Steven Gerrard is the danger
man his side should be wary of tonight.
Gerrard only played the final 12 minutes of Liverpool's away
leg with Benfica because of injury but the Liverpool captain
is fit again and will play from the start tonight.
Benfica manager Ronald Koeman says Gerrard is good enough to
win the game on his own tonight and must be watched with
care by his team.
"Steven Gerrard is one of the very best, whether he plays on
the right or in midfield," said the former Dutch
international.
"He can decide games on his own. He makes the crosses; he
makes passes and shoots. We know that we have to control
him."
(LFC Online)
Let's show them why we're champs
Steven Gerrard today backed Liverpool to show why they're
European champions by launching another stirring comeback at
Anfield tonight.
Rafa Benitez's side has it all to do against Benfica as they
trail 1-0 from the first leg.
The Reds, who will give a late fitness test to Sami Hyypia,
must win by two goals to continue the defence of their
title.
But with memories of the famous European fight back still
fresh in the memory, Gerrard is confident tonight can be the
first of this season's unforgettable Champions League
occasions.
"We have to show everyone why we're European Champions,"
says the Reds skipper.
"We deserved the title last year for the way we came back
and this is our biggest test so for in this year's
competition.
"We've got the belief and confidence to get the result we
need."
(Liverpool Echo) |
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TUESDAY 7 |
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Rafa: I don't have problems with the board
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez insists he is remaining
focused on the job of beating Benfica on Wednesday despite
speculation about his future.
Rafa has reiterated that he is happy at Anfield and denies
that he has a problem with any of the club's top brass
following suggestions that he's looking for more financial
support.!
When cornered about the reported interest from Spain and
Italy, Rafa said: "I am really focused on the Champions
League game. I am not worried about other things.
"The only thing that I am doing now is preparing for this
game, talking with my players and trying to do our best, my
best in this case."
"I can say to you I don't have problems with the board. I
don't have problems with the chairman and the chief
executive, any problems. I am happy here.
"The only thing I want to do now is beat Benfica. After, I
promise you, I only think about beating Arsenal."
(Kop Talk)
Rafa: Don't get mad - get even
Rafa Benitez today (Tuesday) warned Liverpool against
pressing the panic button too soon in their attempts to
overturn their first leg deficit against Benfica.
The Portuguese champions arrived on Merseyside this
afternoon protecting a 1-0 lead.
The European champions know they must win by two goals to
progress into the last eight, but Benitez says the immediate
priority is scoring the first goal, and it doesn't matter if
they have to wait until the last minute to get it.
"Our idea is clear," explained Benitez. "We want to score as
early as we can, but if that's not possible, okay, as long
as we win the game at least 1-0 after 90 minutes we will be
in the tie. Then we can think about extra-time.
"I know people are talking a lot about scoring a lot of
goals. That's what we would like to happen, but we need to
be clever and use our experience of this situation."
(Liverpool Echo)
Hyypia trains as normal at Melwood
Liverpool defender Sami Hyypia trained as normal at Melwood
this morning and showed no signs of having any problems with
his hamstring.
The reliable centre-back is available for selection for
tomorrow's massive game, providing of course he doesn't
suffer any setbacks to the minor injury that he sustained at
the weekend.
(Kop Talk)
Baby boy for Reds ace Cisse
Liverpool footballer Djibril Cisse was
celebrating on Tuesday after his wife gave birth to a boy.
Baby Cassius was born on Monday evening and weighed 7lb.
A spokeswoman for the French striker said: "Djibril Cisse
and his wife Jude are very happy to announce the birth of
their son Cassius. Both mum and baby are doing well."
Cisse, 24, met Jude, 30, in a Liverpool nightclub in 2004,
shortly after he moved to the Reds from French club Auxerre.
They married in June last year in Bodelwyddan, north Wales.
The pair, who both have children from previous
relationships, live in a manor house in Frodsham, Cheshire,
which also entitles Cisse to the title of "Lord of the
Manor".
In January, the flamboyant player accepted a police caution
for an assault on his wife but she reportedly dismissed the
incident and described him as a "big softie".
(TEAMtalk)
Koeman: Reds will be easy
Ronald Koeman has taunted Liverpool, claiming
that they will be easily beaten when they face his Benfica
side on Wednesday.
The former Dutch international - who will always be
remembered by England fans for the goal which consigned
Graham Taylor's men to a watching brief in the 1994 World
Cup finals - says beating The Reds will be no problem.
In fact, he reckons it will be easier than playing against
the opposition he faces week-in, week-out in the Primiera
Liga.
"We play with greater ease against the big teams than we do
against the lesser ones," he told the Daily Mirror.
"It will be easier for us than it is against many small
teams in our league."
(Sky Sports)
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Thor Zakariassen
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