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SUNDAY 9 |
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Rafa stresses the importance of rotation
Rafael Benitez has spoken of the importance of squad
rotation and warned that all the players in his squad must
be prepared to accept this if they want to play for a club
as big as Liverpool.
"I've spoken to all of the players, some who are used a lot
and some who are used differently. They all know there are a
lot of games to play," he says.
"At one point around Christmas I expect to play about three
games in eight days. There is also the Champions League and
Carling Cup to think about.
"This is a big club, so every player here must be ready.
Maybe you will be used in a week, maybe it will be in three
weeks.
"If the player isn't ready when he's needed it means he
hasn't the right mentality and attitude for a big club.
"You have to manage with the players you have. The players
understand. They may want to play every week and every game,
but it's impossible to play the same level all the time.
They must be ready to rest too."
(This is Anfield)
Blues duo hail Crouch show
Chelsea duo Joe Cole and John Terry were impressed with the
contribution of striker Peter Crouch in his first
competitive start for England.
Liverpool giant Crouch put on a solid display for his
country in the 1-0 win over Austria at Old Trafford, and
linked up well with Michael Owen.
Cole said: "Peter gives us an option. He was very
impressive. He did his job well. He got his head onto a few
crosses and nearly scored.
"He gave them a big problem. 'Crouchy' is a fantastic player
and a great member of the squad."
Central defender Terry echoed Cole's sentiments and said:
"It was important for Peter to hold the ball up well - and
he did. I thought he did well and brought players into play.
It's looking good for him."
(TEAMtalk)
New Liverpool signing not keen on
Merseyside
Liverpool's Besian Idrizaj has revealed that he's finding
life on Merseyside frightening - even though he's originally
from war-torn Kosovo!
The 17-year-old former Linzer ASK winger admits that he's a
little concerned about life on Merseyside and would prefer
to be living back at Linz.
Idrizaj said: "I lodge with a host family, together with a
young team-mate. The married couple are in their 50's and
nice. As a result I don't need to live in a hotel on my own
and it's all very welcoming.
"Liverpool is a great city but many areas of it are
dangerous. Every day you read in the local paper about
kidnappings or similar incidents.
"From this point of view, Linz is naturally a more pleasant
place."
(Kop Talk)
Liverpool rocked by Gerrard injury blow
Liverpool have been hit with the news that skipper Steven
Gerrard will be out of action for up to three weeks due to
an injury he picked up while playing for England yesterday.
A scan has revealed that he sustained a strain in a muscle
attached to the shin in his left leg which will sideline him
well into November.
The skipper has returned to Melwood for treatment and is
undergoing examination by the club's medical staff.
(Kop Talk)
International Reds round-up
Liverpoolfc.tv round up a busy Saturday of international
action for a number Reds stars...
Sami Hyypia was on the field for the entire match as
Finland went down to a 1-0 European Group One defeat to
Romania in Helsinki.
Djibril Cisse came off the bench at half-time and
netted in the 52nd minute of France's 1-1 European Group
Four draw with Switzerland in Berne.
Steve Finnan played the opening 45 minutes of Rep of
Ireland's European Group Four 1-0 win against Cyprus in
Nicosia.
John Arne Riise completed the full 90 minutes of
Norway's 1-0 European Group Five victory against Moldova in
Oslo.
Jamie Carragher, Peter Crouch and Steven Gerrard all
played the full 90 minutes of England's 1-0 European Group
Six victory over Austria at Old Trafford.
Pepe Reina was an unused substitute in Spain's
European Group Seven win against Belgium in Brussels.
Xabi Alonso and Luis Garcia did not figure.
Djimi Traore played the full 90 minutes of Mali's 3-0
African Group One defeat to Senegal in Dakar. Momo
Sissoko was not involved.
(LFC Official Website) |
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SATURDAY 8 |
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Cisse on target for France
Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse scored for France against
Switzerland this evening in their Group 3 World Cup
qualifier.
Cisse came off the bench on 46 minutes and put France ahead
five minutes later. Unfortunately his goal was later
cancelled out by Switzerland's Ludovic Magnin.
Former Red Alou Diarra was an unused sub.
The game ended 1-1.
(Kop Talk)
Carragher hails Benitez
Jamie Carragher has hailed the impact on his career of
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez.
Carragher claims his game has developed considerably since
the arrival of Benitez at Anfield in the summer of 2004.
Carragher said: "I am a bit more mature. I have had a great
deal of help off Rafael Benitez as well. He has certainly
helped us as a back four and he is a big student of the
game.
"He studied the Milan team of the late 80s and early 90s and
showed us videos of them and he is determined for us to be
as solid and tight as possible. It was going quite well
until Sunday when we lost to Chelsea!
"The manager has certainly brought me on a lot and maybe the
coming years between 27-28 and 31-32 are hopefully the prime
for a player."
(This is Anfield)
Primus targets Anfield return
Portsmouth defender Linvoy Primus admits he may need at
least four more reserve team run-outs after making his
comeback from knee surgery this week, but has targeted the
trip to Liverpool next month for his Premiership return.
With second-string matches coming up in quick succession
against Norwich, Tottenham, Charlton and Watford,
32-year-old Primus aims to be back in the first team for the
visit to Anfield on 19 November.
(TEAMtalk)
Hat-trick hero Le Tallec shines for France
Liverpool's loaned out forward Anthony Le Tallec was a
hat-trick hero on Friday night as France under-21s confirmed
their qualification for the 2006 UEFA European Under-21
Championship play-offs.
The 21-year old, who is currently enjoying a season-long
loan spell at Sunderland, netted all the goals in a 3-0
victory over Switzerland and was denied a fourth by the
woodwork.
(LFC Official Website) |
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FRIDAY 7 |
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Reds told to pay price of success
Liverpool have been hit with an astonishing compensation
claim by Sunderland and the Premier League after agreeing to
enter the World Club Championships.
Sunderland are seeking around £260,000 compensation from
Liverpool following the postponement of a fixture which
clashes with the Reds' trip to Japan.
The Reds' game at the Stadium of Light was originally
scheduled for December 17. For television purposes, it was a
5.15pm kick-off.
However, Liverpool now travel to Japan on December 11 and
hope to stay until the final a week later.
Sunderland are unhappy about the financial loss this will
incur if the game isn't rescheduled to be screened on
television.
The Premier League originally told Liverpool they won't foot
the bill because the decision to play in the World Club
Championships isn't compulsory. They told Liverpool to pay
up, but are now understood to be reviewing the position
after writing to FIFA.
Their original stance is strongly contradicted by FIFA and
UEFA, who today confirmed Liverpool's presence in the
competition is compulsory.
A UEFA spokesman told the ECHO: "The team representing
Europe in the World Club Championship is nominated by UEFA.
As champions, that team is Liverpool. There is no choice.
They must play in the tournament."
Liverpool, who have already confirmed their willingness to
play in the Far East and are looking forward to travelling
to Japan in December, are astounded by
the compensation claim.
(Liverpool Echo)
Liverpool set to bid for Ajax midfielder
Liverpool have set their sights on Steven Pienaar.
The 23-year-old emerged as a talent with the South African
branch of Ajax before moving to Holland in 2001, where he
has become an integral part of the midfield.
(Fans FC)
Cisse hits out at Sky Sports
Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse has hit out Sky Sports and a
number of British newspapers for trying to stir things up
following comments he recently made about his future.
(Kop Talk)
Ziege fearing end of career
Former Liverpool and Tottenham defender Christian
Ziege may to quit football because of a persistent ankle
injury.
The 33-year-old left-back, now at Borussia Monchengladbach,
has been troubled by the problem in recent years and,
despite continuing treatment, is aware he may now have to
call time on his playing career.
"I cannot imagine any other treatment that is going to
work," he said.
(Daily Post)
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Thor Zakariassen
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