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THURSDAY 9 |
Sissoko out for three months
Liverpool Football Club have confirmed that Mohammed Sissoko
will be out of action for up to three months.
The Reds midfielder will undergo surgery after dislocating
his shoulder during last night's Carling Cup clash at
Birmingham City.
"Unfortunately Momo will require surgery which is scheduled
to take place next week," said a club spokesman. "It is
anticipated he will be out of action for three months."
(LFC Online)
Kuyt planning to fly to Emirates
Dirk Kuyt plans to call his pal Robin van Persie
and tell him Liverpool are going to win on their first trip
to the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
The game is not only a showdown between two clubs, Arsenal
and Liverpool, desperate to cling on to the coat-tails of
leading pair Manchester United and Chelsea, but it is also a
clash between two Dutch rivals.
Kuyt and van Persie were Feyenoord team mates before van
Persie made the move to the Premiership with Arsenal for
£2.75million over two years ago with Kuyt following in the
summer to Liverpool for £10million.
Friends as well as Holland international team-mates, there
is still plenty of professional rivalry between the pair.
Kuyt says: "I will ring him and tell him Liverpool are going
to win when we play at Arsenal.
(TEAMtalk)
Alonso: Momo injury a massive blow
Xabi Alonso admits Momo Sissoko's latest injury setback has
come as a massive blow to the club - but he insists they
will be able to cope without their influential midfielder.
"We'll have to wait and see how long he's out, but it
doesn't look very good," said the Spanish midfielder.
"If he's out, it's clear we'll have to change something in
the team. There are times when we've played without him
before and we've still managed to get good results.
"But now we will have to think of a new system and I'm sure
Rafa will do something."
(LFC Official Website)
Paletta: Don't compare me to Carra
Gabriel Paletta has laughed off suggestions he is the next
Jamie Carragher but admitted he can't wait for more chances
to show the Liverpool fans what he can do.
The Argentine centre-back put in another impressive Carling
Cup display against Birmingham alongside Daniel Agger on
Wednesday.
"Everybody has said that I am like Carragher and Daniel is
more like Hyypia. There are maybe parts of our games that
remind people of those two but it is not for me to compare
myself to a player of Jamie Carragher's quality.
"Perhaps when I play more and people get to see me properly
they will talk about
Gabriel Paletta."
(LFC Official Website)
Liverpool dismiss Benitez report
Liverpool have played down reports linking their manager
Rafael Benitez with a move away from Anfield.
Benitez's agent Manuel Garcia Quilon was quoted in The Sun
as saying the Spaniard "will certainly consider" an offer
from a club in Italy.
Quilon added: "Benitez is a coach ideally suited to Italy.
In this case, he could even leave Liverpool."
But a Liverpool spokeswoman told BBC Sport: "The manager has
made it clear that he is very happy at the club."
(BBC Sport Online)
Rovers to revive Reds switch
Blackburn have been linked with a January move for
Liverpool's Stephen Warnock after Mark Hughes admitted he
may need to dip into the transfer market in January.
Rovers are keen to strengthen the left-side and tried to
take Warnock in the summer when Liverpool tried to sign
Lucas Neill.
(Clubcall Sports)
Agent: Benitez could leave
Rafael Benitez’s agent has claimed the Liverpool manager
would consider leaving Anfield for a post abroad.
The Spaniard has continually reiterated his commitment to
Liverpool but speculation linking him with a move elsewhere
– particularly Real Madrid – has often resurfaced.
Now the agent Manuel Garcia Quilon has been quoted as saying
the former Valencia boss could be tempted by an Italian
club.
Quoted in The Sun, Quilon said: “Benitez is a coach ideally
suited to Italy and the country’s style of football and he
is one of the best three coaches in the world.
“If he gets an interesting offer from a club with a serious
project, he will certainly
consider it.
“Yes, in this case he could even leave Liverpool.”
Benitez joined Liverpool from Valencia in 2004 and has since
won the Champions League and the FA Cup with the Premiership
club.
(Ireland On-Line)
Sissoko likely to be out until New Year
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is facing up to the
prospect of being without Mohamed Sissoko until the New
Year.
The influential midfielder dislocated his shoulder at St
Andrews last night, as Liverpool reached the Carling Cup
quarter-finals with a 1-0 win over Birmingham City.
Sissoko fell awkwardly in a challenge with City's Mehdi
Nafti in the 22nd minute of the fourth round tie, and was
stretchered off after receiving five minutes of treatment.
He was kept in hospital overnight to examine the extent of
the damage but Benitez said: "At this stage, it's safe to
say he will be out for a month. It may be more, I hope not a
lot more, but we'll see.
"It could be that we'll have to run until January with the
players we've got, which we are happy with because they are
good players.
"But when you lose someone like Momo who plays in every
game, it's a blow."
(Daily Post) |
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WEDNESDAY 8 |
Agger goal helps Reds edge through
Daniel Agger's goal in first-half stoppage time secured
Liverpool's place in the Carling Cup quarter-finals with a
1-0 victory at Birmingham.
Blues had been humiliated 7-0 on the same ground in an FA
Cup tie last season - the lowest point of Steve Bruce's
managerial career.
This tie was a far more competitive affair against a Reds
side who made nine changes from the starting line-up against
Reading at the weekend - although the visitors were worthy
winners.
Several Birmingham players appeared to throw in the towel on
that ill-fated March night but the current side showed
plenty of effort and determination.
But Danish international Agger's second goal of the current
campaign was sufficient to earn the Merseysiders a place in
the quarter-finals.
(TEAMtalk)
Ambulance called for Sissoko
An ambulance has been called to St. Andrews after
Liverpool midfielder Momo Sissoko was stretchered off
injured during this evening's League Cup tie against
Birmingham City.
Momo appeared to fall badly on his right arm but early
reports suggest that he has actually suffered a dislocated
shoulder.
The player will now be taken to a local hospital where they
will try to reduce the severe pain that he is currently
experiencing.
(Kop Talk)
Birmingham City v Liverpool - CONFIRMED
TEAM
Liverpool return to action this evening when they take on
Birmingham City at St. Andrews in the League Cup.
Steve Bruce will be desperate to seek revenge after the Reds
smashed his side 7-0 in the FA Cup last season.
Rafa Benitez rests several of his big guns to allow the
following squad to try and impress.
This is the confirmed team.
LIVERPOOL: Dudek, Warnock, Agger, Paletta, Peltier, Sissoko,
Zenden, Pennant, Gonzalez, Bellamy, Fowler (c).
SUBS: Martin, Kuyt, Alonso, Carragher, Guthrie.
(Kop Talk)
No 7-0 tonight warns Pennant
Jermaine Pennant says Liverpool will get a tough test when
they play Birmingham City tonight.
Pennant was in the Birmingham team that were hammered 7-0 in
last season's FA Cup quarter final at St Andrews. The £6.5m
signing from the Blues says that result was a one off and
Liverpool can expect a far sterner test this evening.
"The 7-0 was a one-off - a bad night for the players and a
sad night for the fans. I know the supporters were upset at
the way we lost that game and the dressing room was really
down," said Pennant.
"For that reason, we know we have to be on our guard because
Steve Bruce is not going to want to let that happen again.
He's got a different team out there now but he will tell
them that they cannot afford to be embarrassed again as they
were last season. I can't see there being a repeat of that
result because Steve won't let it happen."
(LFC Online)
Reds linked with keeper
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is being linked with a raid on
old club Valencia for goalkeeper Ludovic Butelle.
Reports emanating from France claim Liverpool are pondering
a move for the former
Metz ace.
Benitez is a big admirer of the Frenchman having signed him
while he was in charge at Valencia before moving onto
Liverpool.
(Sky Sports)
Carson the hero in Charlton win
Charlton manager Iain Dowie paid tribute to Chesterfield
after his side scraped into the Carling Cup quarter-finals
courtesy of a 4-3 penalty shoot-out.
Scott Carson, Charlton's on-loan Liverpool goalkeeper,
emerged the hero with two saves in the penalty shoot-out to
end Chesterfield's fairytale run in the competition.
Dowie said: "I've been here a few times as a manager and
you've got to pay a huge amount of respect to Chesterfield.
They were magnificent from number one to 11 tonight."
(Daily Post) |
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TUESDAY 7 |
Bruce could make changes
Birmingham boss Steve Bruce is contemplating resting several
players for the Carling Cup fourth-round encounter with
Liverpool.
Bruce wants desperately to avenge the 7-0 mauling by
Liverpool in the FA Cup eight months ago but is mindful of
Blues' recent heavy schedule.
He left out key performers such as Nicklas Bendtner, Gary
McSheffrey and Stephen Clemence for the previous round when
City won 4-2 at Sheffield United.
Birmingham responded with a 2-0 win over West Brom in the
derby and Bruce has one eye on Saturday's home Coca Cola
Championship encounter with Barnsley.
Martin Taylor and Maik Taylor may be the only survivors from
the 7-0 defeat who will line-up against Rafael Benitez's
side.
(Sporting Life)
Rafa: Pennant worth large fee
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez believes he was right to take a
gamble on Jermaine Pennant.
The Reds were desperate to land a right winger in the summer
and had to pay out almost £7 million to sign Pennant from
Birmingham.
Benitez believes Pennant is one of the best wide men in
England and is confident he will justify his hefty price
tag.
"Sometimes when you are looking for a player you really
need, then you have to pay a little bit more than you wanted
to do," Benitez explained.
"I do not know many right wingers in this country who are
better than Pennant playing in the Premier. Who else,
(Shaun) Wright-Phillips at £21 million?
"For us it was a decision we needed to make because we
needed a specialist for a certain position.
"It is clear he was one of the first choices. I was not
thinking too much about the price, only the player and what
we wanted. "
(Sky Sports)
Bellamy back but Gerrard stays at home
Rafa Benitez will leave several senior players on Merseyside
for the trip to St Andrews on Wednesday, though Craig
Bellamy could feature after recovering from a calf injury.
Steven Gerrard, Sami Hyypia, Pepe Reina and Luis Garcia are
among those who will not play in the Carling Cup tie against
Birmingham.
The Liverpool manager revealed Jerzy Dudek will make his
first start of the campaign, while Daniel Agger, Dirk Kuyt,
Xabi Alonso, Momo Sissoko, Mark Gonzalez, Jamie Carragher
and Jermaine Pennant will also appear at some stage.
"We cannot use the same players for the whole season," said
Benitez.
"For this game we will have a lot of senior players, some
young lads also but I think it will be a strong squad."
Bellamy could return after missing the last five games,
while Robbie Fowler is also
in contention.
(LFC Official Website)
Cisse eyes return
Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse says he could return to
action for Marseille next week after five months out with a
broken leg.
The France international, who is currently on loan from the
Reds with a view to a permanent deal, will be looking to
prove himself after suffering the leg fracture before this
summer's World Cup finals.
Cisse broke his shinbone and fibula in a warm-up game
against China at the start of June, the second nasty break
he has suffered in the last two years after picking up a
broken leg for Liverpool in October 2004.
But the 25-year-old hopes he is over his injury problems now
and Cisse is looking to help Marseille get their season back
on track, after slipping to sixth following three straight
defeats.
Speaking to France Football magazine, the striker said: "I
should be back into competitive football by mid-November. I
never had any doubt I would be back.
"I want to bring Marseille back as high as possible even if
I've missed the beginning of the season. I know that I'm
going to be back to my best."
(Clubcall Sports)
Paisley is the greatest
Mark Lawrenson believes Bob Paisley is the greatest
British manager of all time.
Man Utd boss Alex Ferguson is earning plenty of plaudits on
his 20th anniversary in charge of the Old Trafford outfit
and while BBC pundit Mark Lawrenson was quick to praise
Ferguson's achievements he said Bob Paisley was still the
greatest manager this country has ever produced.
"If Sir Alex Ferguson did take time to reflect on his 20th
anniversary as manager of Manchester United yesterday I bet
one regret was at the forefront of his mind. Because
personally, I don't think he has won enough European Cups -
and I think he knows that too," said the former Liverpool
defender.
"Of course, you can't argue with his record or deny his
greatness, but what's the greatest honour in club football?
It's being champions of Europe and I think Fergie will be
disappointed that he hasn't taken those chances to add to
the one success in 1999.
"This is why, in terms of who the greatest manager in
English football history is, I go for Bob Paisley. I know
everyone has their favourites in this debate - Clough,
Busby, Stein, etc - and I know I'm biased because Bob signed
me for Liverpool.
"But the fact is he won the European Cup three times and is
the only manager in history to have done it. It's the most
difficult test and it's a great achievement to do it once,
which Ferguson deserves credit for.
"But then Rafael Benitez has done it once. And Jose
Mourinho. And Jock Stein and Matt Busby. And Brian Clough
broke up Paisley's monopoly of the trophy by taking it
twice.
"But out of all these great managers, the man who won three
in just five years is my personal number one and I have a
feeling that even if Ferguson goes on for another 20 years ,
he'll never match what Paisley did on the continent."
(LFC Online)
Sami is Finnish no. 1 again
Sami Hyypia has once again been voted Finnish player of the
year, by the Finnish FA.
The Red defender took the award for the sixth time in eight
years, a feat only bettered by fellow Red, Jari Litmanen,
who has won the award nine times.\
And the long standing Liverpool man could also be in line to
be named Player of the Year from Finnish Journalists. This
will be decided in December.
(LFC Online)
Dudek coming in from the cold
Jerzy Dudek is poised to step out of the Anfield wilderness
for Liverpool's Carling Cup assignment at Birmingham City
tomorrow night.
The Polish goalkeeper, who has yet to make a first-team
appearance this season, is being considered for a recall by
Rafael Benitez after serving a three-match ban following his
sending-off in the mini-derby against Everton last month.
Dudek was in line to play in the previous round of the
Carling Cup against Reading only for his chance to be
scuppered by the red card handed out for violent conduct
after a clash with Victor Anichebe.
The 33-year-old could face a further suspension after being
hit by a separate charge by the Football Association over
the incident, although Liverpool's decision to appeal means
the Pole will be available tomorrow evening.
(Daily Post)
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Thor Zakariassen
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