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SUNDAY 9 |
Torres open to Atletico return
Liverpool striker Fernando Torres admits that he would
relish the opportunity to return to Atletico Madrid before
the end of his career.
The Spanish star swapped the Vicente Calderon for Anfield in
July 2007 and has since gone on to secure hero status on
Merseyside.
But while Torres insists he is not planning to leave the
Reds anytime soon, the 24-year-old admits that Atletico, his
hometown club, will always have a place in his heart.
"I hope to experience many things still, but for me it
(Atletico) is an exceptional club," said Torres.
"I don't know if I will retire there, but I would like to go
back and finish some things that are left to do.
"When I was there I couldn't do any more, but I would like
to go back."
He added: "Right now I have no plans to leave England. Not
to Spain, not to Italy, not to another English club."
And Torres, who returned from a hamstring injury as a
substitute in Saturday's 3-0 win over West Brom, has also
praised the influence of manager Rafa Benitez.
"He is the best coach I have ever had, without a doubt,"
added Torres in The People. "He gets every last drop of
ability out of you."
(Sky Sports)
All is rosy for Liverpool
I think Rafa Benitez will be very pleased, it was the
perfect game for Liverpool on Saturday. West Brom didn’t
have a shot on target, they’ve won by three, clean sheet,
Keane scored and Torres had a nice introduction back into
football.
Liverpool were very comfortable in the second half and, if
anything, you wanted them to push on and get three, get
four, get five and give the fans something.
(Steve McManaman - Setanta Sports - blog)
U18s crash to City defeat
It was a bad day at the office for Liverpool Under-18s who
crashed to a 4-1 defeat at Academy League leaders Manchester
City on Saturday afternoon.
Hughie McAuley's second placed side went into the game
without last weekend's hat-trick hero Nathan Eccleston who
was nursing an injury, and fellow striker James Ellison was
also ruled out with a knock.
Joe Kennedy scored a brilliant consolation goal for the Reds
but McAuley's team were second best on the day.
Liverpool Under-18s team: Martin Hansen, Michael Scott,
Christopher Buchtmann (Shane O'Connor 70), Conor Coady, Joe
Kennedy, Andre Wisdom, David Amoo, Adam Pepper (Michael
Roberts 65), Lauri Dalla Valle, Marvin Pourie, Alex
Kacakniklic (Thomas Ince 50).
Subs not used: Alex Cooper, Hakan Duyan.
(LFC Official Website) |
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SATURDAY 8 |
Rafa always had faith in Robbie
Rafa Benitez insists he never doubted that Robbie Keane
would score goals on a regular basis for Liverpool.
Keane has endured a lean time in front of goal since his
summer move from Tottenham Hotspur and had scored just twice
in 18 appearances before Saturday's game against West Brom.
"I have always wanted to support Robbie, he has been playing
and contributing to our victories," said Benitez.
(Sky Sports)
Keane: I'm getting back to my best
Robbie Keane reflected on his first league goals in a
Liverpool shirt and insisted: "Hopefully I'm back to my best
now."
Keane netted two first half goals to kill off the challenge
of West Brom at Anfield, with Alvaro Arbeloa adding a third
in the final minute as Liverpool regained top spot in the
Premier League table.
"Hopefully today you have seen Robbie Keane back to his
best. It's been stop start for me so far but I feel I've
been getting better and better each game and hopefully that
can continue."
(LFC Official Website)
Keane on board for Liverpool
You wait patiently for one and then two come along at once -
Premier League goals were like London buses for Robbie Keane
as Liverpool moved three points clear at the top of The
Premier League with a 3-0 win over West Bromwich Albion at
Anfield.
The Republic of Ireland international had had to endure an
excruciating wait of more than 700 minutes at his own
personal bus stop for his first league goals in the red of
Liverpool but the striker’s 12-game duck was broken
emphatically against The Baggies.
With Fernando Torres only deemed fit enough to be among the
substitutes by Rafa Benitez, Keane shouldered the
goalscoring burden and bore it effortlessly, striking first
in the 34th minute and then again just nine minutes later.
Responding impressively to last weekend's late defeat to
Tottenham, the home side were dominant throughout and Alvaro
Arbeloa curled home a third goal in stoppage time.
(Setanta Sports)
Torres on the bench versus West Brom
Fernando Torres is among the substitutes for this evening's
visit of West Brom. Listen to full commentary on
Liverpoolfc.tv's new Match Day Live show from 5pm GMT.
El Nino has missed the last six games with a hamstring tear
sustained on international duty.
The Reds XI in full is: Reina, Arbeloa, Aurelio, Agger,
Carragher, Mascherano, Gerrard, Kuyt, Benayoun, Riera,
Keane.
Subs: Cavalieri, Hyypia, Torres, Alonso, Babel, Insua, El
Zhar.
(LFC Official Website) |
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FRIDAY 7 |
Rafa set for
new Liverpool deal
Rafa Benitez today spoke of his delight after hearing
that talks on a new contract are set to begin.
Co-chairmen Tom Hicks and George Gillett contacted the
manager this week to offer congratulations on the team's
progress and discuss
a new deal.
Benitez told Liverpoolfc.tv: "I received a phone call from
Tom Hicks on behalf of George Gillett also. They are talking
about a meeting with my advisors and a contract extension.
This is very positive news.
"We decided to meet in the next week and now my advisors are
in contact with them.
"We haven't spoken about the length of the contract but we
talked and we all want to find a solution as soon as
possible.
"For me it's easy. I want to stay here - I am where I want
to be.
It's very simple."
(LFC Official Website)
Baggies' double
fitness boost
Albion have received a double fitness boost ahead of
tomorrow's mouth-watering trip to Anfield (ko 5.30pm).
Long-term absentee Filipe Teixeira has joined in full
training this week after putting his serious knee injury and
calf niggles behind him.
Tony Mowbray must now decide whether to include the
Portuguese ace in his squad to face Rafa Benitez's Reds.
James Morrison is also back in full training and should be
in contention for a starting place after being forced off
after 68 minutes of last Saturday's
2-2 draw with Blackburn with a back problem.
(West Bromwich Official Website)
Benitez backs Keane
to start scoring again
Rafael Benitez is backing Robbie Keane to get the luck in
front of goal that his hard work deserves.
The Liverpool manager could be faced with a selection
dilemma tomorrow if Fernando Torres declares himself fit for
the Premier League visit of West Bromwich Albion.
If Benitez welcomes Torres back into the fold following his
hamstring injury, a decision to go with two central strikers
is likely to see Keane retain his place.
“Robbie is working really hard,” said the Spaniard following
Keane’s removal for David Ngog 20 minutes from the end of
the 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid at Anfield on Wednesday.
“With strikers, people talk about goals but sometimes it
depends on luck, positioning and good delivery."
(Liverpool Daily Post)
Carson holds no Liverpool grudges
Scott Carson insists he does not hold any grudges against
Liverpool.
The ‘keeper made only nine appearances for Liverpool in his
time there but he has loan spells at Sheffield Wednesday,
Charlton, and Aston Villa.
“I dont think I’ve got any unfinished business at
Liverpool,” he said.
“Obviously I never really got a chance to show what I can do
but it was a great learning curve and that’s why I’m playing
today.
“They gave me opportunities to go out on loan and show what
I can do.
“I’m not going there to prove people wrong. I will just play
as I can.
“Hopefully I can go there and give them a good game. If I go
and Torres plays then I’ll have to be on my toes.
“It would be great for us for me to have the game of my
life, especially with Chelsea coming the week after - it may
kick-start our season.”
He was once tipped as England’s future No 1 but after the
calamitous debut for England against Croatia, he has fell
down the pecking order.
(Kop-TV)
Dossena 'not happy' with Reds level
Liverpool defender Andrea Dossena has admitted he is finding
it difficult to make an impression on Merseyside.
The Italian left-back signed for the Reds from Udinese over
the summer and has competed with Fabio Aurelio for a place
in Rafa Benitez's starting XI this term.
Dossena has recorded seven Premier League starts to date,
amid Benitez's rotation policy, and the 27-year-old concedes
he is eager to make a more improved mark at Anfield.
He said: "I am not fully happy with my level and, with Fabio
in my position, the manager has the option of a player more
in tune with the tactics of the team right now.
"Eighteen months ago I would not have expected to be playing
for one of the most famous clubs in the world.
"I do not have silverware in my collection in my career but
signing for Liverpool I have a real chance to win medals in
every competition we enter.
"I must now get to a high level and maintain that, but first
I have to battle to win selection. I am learning all the
time. I knew that coming to Liverpool and a new league would
improve me as a player."
(TEAMtalk)
Lucas the latest victim
Lucas Leiva has become the latest in a long line of
Liverpool stars that have had their homes broken into while
they were performing for the Reds.
Lucas had his home broken into by burglars while we played
Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday, with the
thieves stealing his Olympic bronze medal and a collection
of Liverpool and Brazil shirts.
The public are being asked to remain vigilant should they
see, or hear, about any such items being offered for sell.
One or two Reds stars having their homes broken into while
they played could be an unfortunate coincidence, but for
this to have happened to so many makes it a little more than
a mere coincidence.
Thieves clearly look to be targeting the players when they
know they aren't around as Lucas becomes the latest current
or former Red attacked in such a way after Stevie Gerrard,
Dirk Kuyt, Pepe Reina, Daniel Agger, Peter Crouch and Jerzy
Dudek before him.
(Vital Football)
Thor Zakariassen
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