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TUESDAY 9 |
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Parry slammed by Millennium Stadium Chief
Executive
The chief executive of the Millennium Stadium has hit back
at Rick Parry for criticising the stadiums decision not to
issue duplicate tickets to supporters who had theirs stolen
last week following a raid on a post office van.
Paul Sergeant told Sky Sports News that he was "very
disappointed" with Parry's comments.
Asked if the Millennium Stadium had entered into dialogue
with LFC about the decision not to issue duplicates,
Sergeant said no and added that he didn't need to.
Asked if he would try and work something out with LFC to get
those 1600 fans in, Sergeant said he had no plans to.
As things currently stand, approximately 1600 LFC seats will
be empty during the match.
(Kop Talk)
Parry hits out in stolen tickets row
Rick Parry has criticised Millennium Stadium chiefs for
refusing to issue duplicate FA Cup final tickets following a
raid on a Royal Mail van.
The theft took place in Liverpool city centre on Friday but
the missing tickets for the showpiece event against West Ham
on Saturday have since been identified and cancelled.
Fans who had paid for the tickets will not get replacements
and police have warned against buying from touts as anyone
with a stolen ticket is liable to arrest.
Chief executive Parry said: "The decision by the Millennium
Stadium not to issue duplicate tickets is totally
unacceptable and penalises ordinary supporters who have had
the misfortune of being the innocent victims of a robbery.
"We do not understand why the Millennium Stadium have taken
this decision, as duplicate tickets have been made available
at every one of the six games we have played there since our
first appearance in Cardiff at the 2001 League Cup final.
"It should also be pointed out every Premier League club is
able to offer duplicate tickets where necessary."
Parry and Liverpool are working with the Football
Association to try to resolve the problem before the
weekend.
(TEAMtalk)
Daughter delight for star Gerrard
Steven Gerrard today became a father for the second time
after his fiance gave birth to a healthy baby girl.
The Liverpool captain's partner, Alex Curran, 23, gave birth
to 7lb 6oz Lexie after being induced at Liverpool's women's
hospital this morning.
Gerrard, 25, already father to two-year-old Lilly-Ella, is
understood to have been at Alex's side for the birth.
A spokeswoman for the couple today said the pair were
"absolutely delighted."
It is understood the couple had requested the baby be
induced before Gerrard travels to Germany to join the
England World Cup squad.
(Liverpool Echo)
Alonso to return to training
Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso has given the club a boost
with the news that he will return to training at Melwood on
Thursday.
The Spanish ace is desperate to be involved in the FA Cup
Final at the weekend but it's too early to confirm if he
will be involved.
(Kop Tak)
Benitez only a couple of key signings away
from glory
Liverpool can reflect on a season of progress in the
Premiership this season - and their supporters will now be
looking for the kind of key signings that will make the
difference in them overhauling Chelsea at the top of the
table.
Rafael Benitez's side have made a significant dent in the
points difference between the two sides over the course of
the campaign.
The manager has got the team playing in the way he wants,
something which always takes time for someone new to a job,
and has got over his ideas and tactics to the players.
They have responded well and if Liverpool can strengthen in
three important areas they can go a long way to giving
Chelsea a run for their money.
The priorities are a right-sided midfielder and a couple of
strikers to give Benitez some different options.
(Mark Lawrenson - Daily Post)
No FA Cup final for theft victims
More than 1,600 Liverpool fans whose FA Cup final tickets
were stolen will miss out on seeing the match live, stadium
officials have said.
The Liverpool fans' tickets for the game in Cardiff against
West Ham United were stolen from a Royal Mail delivery van
in Liverpool city centre on Friday.
The stolen tickets have been cancelled and officials will
not replace them.
A statement posted on the Millennium Stadium's website said
it was sticking to its "no duplicate ticket policy".
Merseyside Police and stadium officials are warning fans not
to buy tickets for Saturday's match at Cardiff from
unauthorised sellers.
(BBC Sport Online)
Pardew calling on duo to beat pain barrier
West Ham manager Alan Pardew will urge Matthew Etherington
and Dean Ashton to play through the pain barrier in
Saturday's FA Cup final against Liverpool.
Both men are recovering from injury and crunch time will
come on Thursday, when Pardew needs a clear indication of
who will be available for the final.
Ashton damaged his hamstring during the Hammers' 1-0 win
over West Brom a week ago but has improved to the extent he
is now a 60-40 shot to play in Cardiff.
And the swelling around Etherington's ankle has subsided
since he injured it in training on Friday, raising hopes he
will be back to start on the left wing.
Pardew said: "For the cup final you expect everyone to put
their life on the line."
(Daily Post)
Reds go from strength to strength
Three cup finals in little more than a year, four if you
count the European Super Cup - and Rafael Benitez always
does - show just how much of an impact the Spaniard has had
on Liverpool.
Couple that with improving the Anfield club's league
position from fifth to third and achieving their fifth
Champions League qualification in six years, and there is
plenty of support for the belief that Liverpool are back
among the big boys for good.
Liverpool have never in their own minds been away, but the
rest of football - domestic and across Europe -- were
beginning to see them as a famous old name with a famous
past rather than a serious player in a new world.
Benitez is from that new world, where technology, tactical
excellence and perfectly prepared players are the key to
success. It can make up for a lack of spending power and
financial clout generally.
(PA Sport)
Sissoko wants cup glory
Momo Sissoko hopes to cap an excellent debut
season in English football by winning the FA Cup.
Sissoko's season, and possibly his career, looked to be over
in February when he suffered a serious eye injury playing
against Benfica in the Champions League.
Although Sissoko has returned to the first team he admits
his eye is not 100% yet and he risks further injury by not
wearing protective glasses like those worn by Edgar Davids.
However, Sissoko says he will continue to risk injury if it
means winning the FA Cup for Liverpool.
"It is true that I am taking a big risk by refusing to wear
glasses, but I have no other option if I want to continue
with my career because I have found it physically impossible
to play in them," said the Mali international.
"The doctors have explained to me what the consequences
could be if I took another blow in my eye, but it is
something I am prepared to do. I just try not to think about
the situation."
(LFC Online)
Settled Cisse eyes World Cup
Djibril Cisse has reiterated that he sees his future at
Liverpool.
The flamboyant French striker is reported to have become
increasingly unsettled over the last 12 months, and both
Marseille and Tottenham have seen bids rejected.
Cisse, who is confident of making France's World Cup squad,
insists that he is staying at Anfield.
"My future is already settled," he said.
"I still have three years remaining on my contract at
Liverpool and my future, before anything, I imagine it will
be here.
Cisse feels his new found versatility could enhance his
World Cup claims.
"To have not played in the centre could help me for the
French team, if there is no place in the centre," he told
L'Equipe.
"I never have a doubt, I am aware of my qualities.
"I fight to go to the World Cup, and I will fight again to
join the 23 players' list. I repeat it, I don't doubt."
(Sky Sports) |
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MONDAY 8 |
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Finnan named in Ireland squad
Liverpool defender Steve Finnan has been named in a 29-man
squad for Ireland's friendly against Chile and for a
training camp in Portugal.
Ireland travel to Portugal on Friday 19 May and play Chile
in Dublin on Wednesday
24 May.
(Kop Talk)
Liverpool trio named in England 2006 World
Cup Squad
Jamie Carragher, Steven Gerrard and Peter Crouch have been
named in the England squad for the World Cup finals. Scott
Carson is named on the standby list.
(Kop Talk)
Alonso hopes boosted after scan
Liverpool are hopeful that midfielder Xabi Alonso will be
fit for the FA Cup final after a scan revealed he had
strained ankle ligaments on Sunday.
The 24-year-old appeared to twist his right ankle after
landing awkwardly playing in the 3-1 win at Portsmouth.
The Spaniard was stretchered off, raising fears he would not
play in Saturday's final against West Ham.
But a scan on Monday has eased fears of serious injury,
raising hopes he will play at the Millennium Stadium.
Liverpool's head of press Ian Cotton told the club's website
that the club would do all they could to get Alonso fit for
the match.
"He'll now receive intensive treatment at Melwood and we are
hopeful he will be available for the FA Cup Final on
Saturday," he said.
Rafael Benitez's team are already without the suspended Luis
Garcia and Robbie Fowler, who is cup-tied.
(BBC Sport Online)
Thommo: Don't rule out van Nistelrooy
transfer swoop
Former Liverpool assistant manager Phil Thompson is urging
supporters not to rule out Rafael Benitez from making a
cheeky transfer bid for Ruud van Nistelrooy.
With the transfer window now officially open for business,
you can expect things to start heating up soon and if you
believe Thommo, even though van Nistelrooy is a Manc, that
wouldn't put Liverpool off from making a bid, especially if
the player is kicked out.
van Nistelrooy walked out of Old Trafford yesterday after
learning that he wouldn't figure against Charlton. After the
match Sir Alex Ferguson hinted of a problem earlier in the
week concerning him and added that a meeting with the club's
directors today would determine van Nistelrooy's future.
Speaking BEFORE van Nistelrooy's bust-up yesterday, Thommo
said: "I wouldn't be surprised if Liverpool are linked with
Ruud.
"It wouldn't be a long way for him to move and with
Liverpool looking for a striker, it's inevitable that Rafa
will consider him."
(Kop Talk)
Liverpool stadium plans on brink of crunch
test
Liverpool FC's plan to build a new 60,000-seater stadium at
Stanley Park will face one of its biggest hurdles within
weeks.
The city council's executive board will start the ball
rolling next Friday when it agrees to publicly advertise the
disposal of a slice of the park.
That will open the door to comments, objections and a
potential legal challenge to the use of the historic
Victorian park as the new home of the club.
The idea is for the city council and Liverpool FC to form a
new joint venture company to facilitate the development of
the new Anfield stadium and the surrounding area.
The joint venture company would then hold the freehold of
the sites needed for the development, and in turn will lease
the site of the stadium to the football club.
If the politicians agree next week to the disposal of the
parkland, public notices will be issued within two weeks.
(Daily Post)
Benitez demands more against top teams
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has told his players they
must start winning head-to-head battles with Chelsea and
Manchester United if they are to mount a genuine title
challenge next season.
The Reds' Barclays Premiership campaign ended on a high with
a 3-1 win at Portsmouth thanks to second-half strikes from
Robbie Fowler, Peter Crouch and Djibril Cisse.
That meant Benitez's side, who finished third a point behind
United, had won 11 successive matches since losing 2-1 at
Arsenal on March 12. But Benitez said: "Eighty-two points is
a fantastic figure but we need to win more games against the
top sides. That can be the difference."
Arsenal had been beaten at Anfield the previous month but
that success represented Liverpool's only victory against
fellow Champions League qualifiers, with Chelsea having
demolished them
4-1 in front of their own fans last October.
Liverpool did beat the Blues in the FA Cup semi-finals and
their two Champions League bouts ended goalless but in the
Premiership Jose Mourinho's side also came out on top at
Stamford Bridge. Liverpool knocked United out of the FA Cup
but lost to them at
Old Trafford in the league.
(Football 365)
Cisse sale to fund Reds' SWP swoop
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is ready to offload Djibril
Cisse in order to generate funds for a £14million bid for
Shaun Wright-Phillips.
Benitez saw his troops clock up an 11th win on the trot at
Portsmouth on Sunday - but aims to push Chelsea harder for
the title next season after finishing nine points behind the
champions in third place.
The Spanish boss is waiting for winger Mark Gonzalez to
arrive at Anfield from his loan spell at Real Sociedad - but
wants Chelsea flyer Wright-Phillips to provide competition
on the right flank.
(TEAMtalk)
Peacock: Crouch is key man now
Peter Crouch is being tipped to play a leading role for
England in the World Cup if fellow striker Wayne Rooney
fails to recover from a broken foot.
Gavin Peacock, who played with Crouch at QPR, thinks his
former team-mate could prove to be a big hit in Germany.
"Crouch is becoming a big player for England now," Peacock
told BBC Sport.
"He's not an out-an-out goalscorer, as we all know, but he
can hold the ball up and bring people in. What he needs to
work on is his heading at goal."
Peacock says Crouch could play either a lone role up front
for England or alongside Michael Owen if he is fit. "I can
see one option being Crouch up front on his own," explained
Peacock.
"I'd play Ledley King in front of the back four with Frank
Lampard and Steven Gerrard just in front of him and David
Beckham and Joe Cole on the flanks.
"That would give Lampard and Gerrard, who have both got
close to 20 goals this season, the freedom to link up with
Crouch when we were going forward.
"But if Michael Owen is fit then I'd play Owen and Crouch up
front. Owen needs someone alongside him, someone to hold the
ball up."
(BBC Sport Online) |
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SUNDAY 7 |
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Reds won't get clean sheets record
Rafael Benitez's side won't break the club's clean sheets
record this season.
The most clean sheets any Liverpool side has kept in one
season is 34. The current Liverpool side have kept 33 and
were hoping to equal that record today and then break it in
the FA Cup final. However, Koroman's 85th minute consolation
goal in Liverpool's 3-1 win over Portsmouth this afternoon
put paid to those hopes.
Liverpool will be hoping to keep 34 clean sheets in a single
season for the fourth time in their history when they face
West Ham in the FA Cup final on Saturday.
(LFC Online)
Alonso confident for final
Xabi Alonso is confident he will be fit for the FA Cup final
in Cardiff next weekend, following his ankle inury at
Fratton Park.
The Spanish midfielder will have a scan at Melwood on Monday
to determine the extent of the injury.
Rafael Benitez confirmed Alonso feels confident that he will
be fit for Cardiff but did not want to make any predictions
before the result of the scan.
(Walk On LFC)
Reds wait on Alonso
Liverpool will know more on Xabi Alonso's injury when he
goes for an X-ray on Monday.
The Spain international midfielder collapsed in agony in The
Reds' 3-1 win over Portsmouth just before half-time.
Reds boss Rafa Benitez is not sure whether Alonso will be
fit for next week's FA Cup final with West Ham, but is
crossing his fingers on the results of the scan.
"We need to wait now. Tomorrow, we'll do some X-rays," said
Benitez after the game. "It was bad luck."
(Sky Sports)
Reds win not enough for second
Liverpool beat Portsmouth 3-1 at Fratton Park, but they
missed out on second in The Premiership due to Manchester
United's thrashing of Charlton.
Following a quiet first half the visitors broke the deadlock
when Robbie Fowler was on hand to slot home from just inside
the area.
The game looked over when Peter Crouch tapped home late on,
although the home side responded with substitute Ognjen
Koroman slotting home at the back post.
Pompey now sensed a draw, but any hopes of salvaging a point
were extinguished a minute before injury time when Djibril
Cisse lashed home from the angle.
Liverpool were forced to switch things around before the
interval when Xabi Alonso collapsed in a heap with suspected
ankle ligament damage meaning he is a doubt for feature in
this summer's World Cup for Spain.
(Sky Sports)
Warning after FA Cup ticket theft
Several tickets for next weekend's FA Cup final between
Liverpool and West Ham have been stolen from a Royal Mail
delivery van.
They were taken from the vehicle in Liverpool city centre on
Friday, Merseyside police say.
The stolen tickets have been cancelled and Merseyside police
are warning fans not to buy match tickets from unauthorised
sellers.
The match takes place at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on
Saturday.
A spokesman for Merseyside Police said: "Fans are advised,
tickets stolen on 5 May from a Royal Mail van in Liverpool
have been cancelled and will not be accepted for the game."
Merseyside Police said more details about the theft and the
number of missing tickets was expected to be released on
Monday.
Liverpool Football Club also issued a warning to fans not
buy Cup Final tickets on the black market following the
theft.
A club spokesman said: "We urge our supporters not to buy
tickets from unauthorised sources as they run the risk of
not being allowed into the Millennium Stadium and of being
arrested for being in possession of stolen property.
(BBC Sport Online)
Portsmouth v Liverpool - CONFIRMED TEAM
This is the confirmed line-up for today's match against
visitors Portsmouth.
LIVERPOOL: Dudek, Riise, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Kewell,
Gerrard, Alonso, Sissoko, Morientes, Fowler.
SUBS: Reina, Traore, Cisse, Crouch, Kromkamp.
(Kop Talk)
Reds hoping for clean sheets record
Liverpool are hoping to equal the club's clean sheets record
this afternoon.
The most clean sheets a Liverpool side has kept in a single
season in 34, which the club have done on three previous
occasions. The current side have kept 33 clean sheets this
season and are hoping to equal the club record at Fratton
Park.
A clean sheet this afternoon and again in the FA Cup final
on Saturday would see Pepe Reina complete an excellent debut
season in the Premiership. Reina has already gone longer
than any Liverpool goalkeeper without conceding a goal and
kept more clean sheets in his first fifty games for the club
than the great Ray Clemence did.
The Reds have only conceded 24 league goals this season, a
feat they've only bettered on two occasions in their
history; the extraordinary 1978/9 side that conceded only 16
times, and the 1893/4 side that conceded 18, albeit over a
28 game season.
(LFC Online)
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Thor Zakariassen
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