Crouch's injury dilemma
Peter Crouch is debating whether to postpone an operation on his broken nose which would almost certainly rule him out of England's Euro 2008 double-header with Israel
and Andorra.
The Liverpool striker suffered the injury in a collision with Sheffield United's Rob Hulse and is currently booked in for surgery on Friday.
Anfield medical staff are keen for Crouch to have the surgery and the 26-year-old has admitted he is still suffering some breathing difficulties.
However, knowing he will be sidelined for between two and three weeks if he goes for
the operation, Crouch is thinking of putting it off until the end of the season.
He explained: "I am booked in for Friday but we will have to wait and see.
"It would keep me out for a couple of weeks but I have not set a comeback date because I am still talking about whether I need it or not. I might wait until the end of the season."
(PA Sport)

Spanish media unsympathetic to Barca exit
Barcelona could have few complaints about their Champions League exit at the hands of Liverpool, according to the consensus in the Spanish press today.
“Rijkaard’s team woke up too late,” said the paper, whose front-page headline was simply “The End”, in English.
AS also went for an English headline for their match report, saying: “Bye bye Barcelona.”
“Gudjohnsen scores at Anfield, but they lacked another goal. Rijkaard lined up with three defenders, but Barca created little danger. Liverpool could have scored a number of goals before the break.”
Sport was more sympathetic to Barca’s cause, saying: “They fell with honour.”
(Ireland On-Line)   
 
Benitez hails Carragher class
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez cannot understand why Jamie Carragher is not one of England's first-choice central defenders.
The 29-year-old was outstanding in the 1-0 defeat to Barcelona which saw the Reds progress to the quarter-finals of the Champions League on away goals after a 2-1 win at the Nou Camp.
During a tense 90 minutes at Anfield Carragher managed to shackle the combined talents of Ronaldinho and Samuel Eto'o, drawing fulsome praise from a usually reserved Benitez.
"It surprises me that Jamie is not a regular in the England team," said the Spaniard of the player who has won 32 caps, of which only 18 have been in the starting line-up.
"I don't like praising just one player after a performance like that against Barcelona. Everyone contributed. The team, all of them, were giving something to the team in a brilliant night.
"But it was an astonishing performance from Jamie. When defenders like Jamie have to play against world-class players like Ronaldinho, it is important that they do not make mistakes - and he didn't."
(PA Sport)  

Frankly, Benitez is a master tactician
As mind games go, Frank Rijkaard’s was always doomed to failure.
“It is great to play against a team whose manager already knows everything,” he sneered, on the eve of last night’s Champions League decider.
“The people who know everything and say they know everything are the ones who know the least amount.”
The jibe barely registered with Rafael Benitez.
Because any irony intended by Barcelona’s famous Dutch coach was exploded by one inescapable truth.
In the European arena – and particularly against Spanish opposition – Benitez actually does know almost everything.
Look at last night’s evidence.
(David Prentice - Liverpool Echo) 

Gerrard settles on Real claim
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has accepted undisclosed libel damages over a claim that he was considering a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid.
Gerrard, who led The Reds into the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, was not at London's High Court for the settlement.
His solicitor Gerrard Tyrrell had stated that the article, which appeared on London Sport Magazine's website, had caused Gerrard and his family considerable embarrassment and distress.
Tyrrell has now stated the England international was never in talks with any club regarding a move and that he is happy at Anfield.
"The true position is that Steven Gerrard has not been involved in secret talks with Real Madrid or indeed any other football club relating to a possible move," he said in a statement.
"He is more than happy at Liverpool, to whom he is contracted."
(Sky Sports)

Boro's trip to Anfield postponed
Liverpool's Premiership match at home to Middlesbrough on Easter Monday has been postponed because of the Reds' Champions League involvement.
Boro were due to visit Anfield on April 9 but after progressing against Barcelona on Tuesday night, Rafael Benitez's side will be involved in a European quarter-final second leg tie on either April 10 or 11.
No new date has been arranged for the Premiership fixture.
(TEAMtalk)

Rijkaard: If Reds have the luck
they can beat anyone
Frank Rijkaard conceded that the intimidation of playing in front of a packed Anfield played a part in his European champions crashing out of the Champions League.
The Barcelona boss also admitted that, while he does not like Liverpool's style, he believes the Reds are capable of winning the European Cup for a sixth time in May.
The Dutchman said: "Liverpool produced a great performance. I do not see it as being progressive. They are very direct while being mentally strong and motivated.
"Other teams will not like playing them. With luck, they can beat anyone."
(Liverpool Echo) 

Momo suspended
Momo Sissoko will have to sit out the first leg of the European Cup quarter final.
The yellow card Sissoko picked up against Barcelona last night means the Mali international has to serve a one game suspension. Sissoko will miss the first leg of the quarter final on April 3rd/4th.
(LFC Online)

Reds need striker to launch title tilt
Liverpool have progressed in the Champions League, but TEAMtalk's Anthony Bullick feels they need a big-name striker to challenge domestically.
Steven Gerrard was spot on with his view that Rafael Benitez "is one of the best managers in the world." One trophy which continues to stay out of the Spaniard's reach is the Premiership though.
However, that will all change now they have the financial backing of their new American owners to get that 20 goal-a-season striker they need to finally take the league title back to Anfield.
With Samuel Eto'o likely heading for the exit at the Nou Camp following his fall-out with Barcelona, his name has consistently been linked with a switch to the Merseysiders.
But it is another striker plying his trade in Spain who will be a better fit to fire Liverpool to Premiership glory. That man is Valencia's David Villa.
(TEAMtalk)  

Gerrard warns rivals
Steven Gerrard believes Liverpool have thrown down the gauntlet to the remaining teams in the UEFA Champions League.
Liverpool knocked out holders Barcelona despite losing 1-0 at Anfield and Gerrard feels The Reds have fired out a warning to the rest of Europe.
"We feel we have laid down a marker," said Gerrard. "We've beaten the reigning European champions over two legs so it is a great night for us, despite the result here."
(Sky Sports)

Carra hails best European victory - ever
Jamie Carragher produced an immense display at the heart of Liverpool's defence and he feels victory over Barcelona ranks above any of the clubs other great European nights.
"This has to be the best ever," noted Carragher. "I feel it is the greatest victory this club has ever had in Europe.
"Even though we have knocked them out they are still the best club side in the world, so beating them over two legs is a remarkable achievement.
"We felt we were very unlucky to lose tonight.
"But the overall result is what matters and we were definitely the better side over
the two legs."
(Sky Sports)

Gerrard trusts 'brilliant' Benitez
Steven Gerrard hailed Rafael Benitez as "one of the best managers in the world" as Liverpool reached the Champions League quarter-finals.
And striker Craig Bellamy, who was in hot water for his antics at a training camp ahead of the first leg against Barcelona, believes it was the team spirit many critics felt he had shattered that carried Liverpool into the last eight.
Liverpool are coming to terms with beating the European champions, on away goals, despite their 1-0 defeat at Anfield on Tuesday night.
And Gerrard spelt out the togetherness in the camp and the trust the players have in Benitez.
Gerrard added: "We all have total respect and confidence in Rafa Benitez. He has shown he is one of the best managers in the world, and he shows it with the tactics he used in Europe.
"We always trust him to get it right, and he did it again this time."
(TEAMtalk)  

Hicks is blown away by atmosphere
Tom Hicks sent a warning to the rest of Europe last night by declaring: “I wouldn’t want to draw us. Would you?”
The American billionaire attended his first Anfield game along with fellow new owner George Gillett. And he admitted he was blown away by the atmosphere as he saw his club progress to the last eight of the Champions League.
Hicks said: “It’s my first time at Anfield and everything I’d heard was true. It was a special night for all the fans and a wonderful occasion. It was so great.
“I’d heard so much about the fans here was spectacular, the Kop was just special. I’ve seen a lot of sporing events all around the world but nothing comes close to that.
“Will I always have this much fun when I come to Anfield?”
Gillett added: “That was like nothing I’ve ever heard or felt before.”
(Liverpool Daily Post)

Rijkaard not under threat, say Barca
Barcelona vice-president Ferran Soriano insists coach Frank Rijkaard is "definitely" going to remain at the club next season.
The Catalan side were knocked out of the Champions League on away goals on Tuesday night after beating Liverpool 1-0 at Anfield but drawing 2-2 on aggregate.
Speculation this season has suggested Dutch coach Rijkaard is likely to leave in the summer to take time out from football or join AC Milan.
But Soriano told BBC Radio Five Live: "This is not going to happen.
"There were some rumours but just to stop the rumours he (Rijkaard) came out a couple of weeks ago to say he was going to keep coaching our team.
"In fact we are preparing next season with him and definitely, he is going to be with us next year."
(TEAMtalk)

Benitez salutes Liverpool courage
Rafa Benitez paid tribute to his players and the club's fans for the performance which put Liverpool into the Champions League quarter-finals.
On a night of wild celebrations in front of the club's new owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett Liverpool produced a display of defiance that saw them reach the last eight on away goals at the expense of reigning champions Barcelona.
Barcelona tried everything but could not recover from a 2-1 first-leg defeat, winning the return 1-0 thanks to an Eidur Gudjohnsen second-half strike.
"I am really proud of my players, they produced almost a perfect performance, but the fans too played their part," said Benitez.
(TEAMtalk)   

Xabi hails Reds fans
Spanish star Xabi Alonso has heaped praise on Liverpool's fans following their thrilling meeting with Barcelona on Tuesday.
The Reds progressed to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League despite slipping to a 1-0 defeat on the night.
Liverpool were roared on by a capacity Anfield crowd and Alonso feels the Reds faithful played their part in ensuring Rafa Benitez's men progress on the away goals rule.
"We knew that it was going to be a great atmosphere," the midfield schemer told Sky Sports News. "The support has been massive and for me is why they are the best supporters in the world."
Liverpool tasted Champions League glory in 2005 and Alonso says Liverpool will fear no-one ahead of the quarter-final draw.
"We have to take it step by step and be realistic," said Alonso. "In the quarter-finals we are going to meet a tough team and we don't want to look too far.
"We have respect for all the teams, but we are not scared of anyone."
(Sky Sports)

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