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MONDAY 9 |
Kuyt injury boost for Liverpool
Dirk Kuyt's injury is not as bad as first thought. An ankle
assessment revealed today that the Liverpool striker pulled
his ankle ligaments. At first it was excpected that his
ankle ligaments were torn.
This news comes as a massive boost for Liverpool boss Rafael
Benitez, who slammed the Dutch football association today
for not releasing Kuyt from international duty.
It's still unknown for how long Kuyt will be out.
(EuropeanFootballNews.co.uk)
Rafa's blast over Kuyt
Rafael Benitez today (Monday) reacted furiously to
Liverpool's latest injury scare due to an international
break
The Reds boss is sweating on the fitness of striker Dirk
Kuyt, who hurt his ankle playing for Holland on Saturday.
Kuyt will have a scan today under the supervision of Dutch
medics, but Benitez is livid the player wasn't released from
duty immediately after suffering the knock.
The Spanish boss sees the incident as the latest example of
national federations ignoring the interests of the clubs.
He believes it's time for a radical rethink on the
relationship between the parties.
"If Kuyt is a doubt for Wednesday, it means he is not fit,"
said Benitez.
"They were talking about seeing if he can play. If he plays,
he may miss the next three or four games for Liverpool,
including Blackburn, the Champions League and Manchester
United.
"Our doctor spoke to the Dutch doctor yesterday and they
said he would have a scan."
(Liverpool Echo)
Legends win
Five former Liverpool players were part of the
Legends side that beat the Celebs 2-0 in Sky One's 'The
Match' last night.
Ian Rush, Gary McAllister and Peter Beardsley all started
the game for the Legends while Bruce Grobbelaar entered the
fray after 15 minutes when Andy Goram picked up an injury.
John Barnes was the last Red to feature, coming on for the
final ten minutes.
Gary McAllister set Ian Rush up for the opening goal when he
delivered a wicked free-kick into the penalty area. Rush
showed he's lost none of that predatory instinct when he
reacted quickest and met the cross to tap home past Mark
Bosnich.
The two Reds combined in the same way in the second half.
Rush reacted first to a Gary Mac free kick, only to see his
header hit the post, roll across the goal-line and hit the
other post before being cleared to safety.
Chris Waddle scored the Legends' other goal.
(LFC Online)
Away form must improve
Jamie Carragher insists that Liverpool's away form must
improve quickly.
"We haven't won an away game in the league this season, and
it's something we are going to have to look at," said the
Liverpool defender.
"It was a problem in the manager's first season here and it
looked as though we had it sorted it last season, but it's
back again and it's something we have to deal with
very quickly."
(LFC Online)
Raise money for Michael Shields
By LFC Online
The HJC have announced that Saturday 14th October will be
Michael Shields Day, and hope to raise much needed funds to
secure his return home.
The HJC shop will open its doors at 9am for the home game
with Blackburn on Saturday and ALL monies paid on ANY items
purchased on that day in the shop will be donated to the
Michael Shields fund.
So please anyone who will be attending this game call into
the HJC shop and either buy something or put some coins in
the collection box that we have in the shop for Michael.
A member of Michael's family will be in the shop on that day
to show support and to thank those who have and continue to
support their son and help clear the ever increasing debt
that has been incurred by the Bulgarian Court.
For any who would like to be a part of this day but can’t
make it to the shop then the HJC will be happy to take
donations via our address below please state when including
the donation that it is specifically for the Michael Shields
Day.
Thank you for all your support past and present.
Hillsborough Justice Campaign
PO Box 1089
178, Walton Breck Road
Liverpool
L69 4WR
Youngs Reds on England duty
Liverpool duo Adam Hammill and Craig Lindfield
helped England under-19s to a 1-1 draw in the opening game
of the UEFA Preparatory Tournament in Austria on Saturday.
Lindfield played 69 minutes and Hammill 86 minutes as the
young Lions held the reigning under-19 European Champions to
a creditable draw.
The third Reds representative in Brian Eastick's squad, Paul
Anderson, was an unused substitute.
All three will be hoping to figure in England's second game
of the tournament later today when hosts Austria provide the
opposition (kick-off 6pm).
(LFC Official Website) |
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SUNDAY 8 |
Diao set for Stoke switch
Salif Diao is hoping to end his Liverpool misery by joining
Stoke City on loan.
The Senegal international has not played for The Reds this
season and spent last term on loan at Portsmouth.
He rejected a move to Recreativo over the summer, but now
appears poised to link up with Stoke for the next three
months.
"I need to be playing regular, competitive football and
Stoke will give me that chance," said Diao in the News of
the World.
"The Championship is tough, but I need that to get my
sharpness back."
(Sky Sports)
Reina: I'll fight to find my form
Under-fire Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina says he knows he
has to work hard to end a run of form that has seen his
starting spot at Anfield come under threat.
The Spanish custodian's form last season saw him regarded as
one of the division's best goalkeepers, but a series of
nervy, error-strewn displays have seen him struggle for form
and confidence.
Reina told the Sunday People he knows he has to work hard to
retain his first team place:
"Things aren't working out as I'd hoped this season. Last
year was better for me but there is still plenty of time for
me to get back to the form I was showing then.
"I feel a bit jinxed at the moment becuase I am making
mistakes that I have never made in my career, but that is
football and I am fighting to end this bad run.
"I know I don't have a job for life and if Rafa Benitez
decides to change it I will accept it and keep fighting for
my place.
"If I am dropped my head will not go down. I came here ready
and prepared for anything. I came here to learn. I am a born
fighter and have had bad times before."
(Clubcall Sports)
Kuyt doubtful for Holland match
Liverpool striker Dirk Kuyt is a doubt for Holland's
Euro 2008 qualifier with Albania after an ankle knock forced
him off the field in the 1-1 draw in Bulgaria on Saturday.
Kuyt started the game for Holland but left the field after
16 minutes with an ankle problem.
Holland coach Marco Van Basten confirmed: "Kuyt twisted his
ankle and it's unlikely he will be fit for Wednesday."
Elsewhere there was disappointment for Reds captain
Steven Gerrard who will miss England's trip to Croatia
on Wednesday because of suspension, after picking up a
yellow card during the goalless draw with Macedonia. Gerrard
and Peter Crouch played the full 90 minutes for
England.
Meanwhile there was also disappointment for Craig Bellamy
who captained Wales for the first time but it ended in a
disappointing 5-1 defeat to Slovakia at the Millennium
Stadium in Group D.
Steve Finnan played the full 90 minutes for the
Republic of Ireland as they lost 5-2 in Cyprus.
Sami Hyypia was booked as he played the full 90
minutes in Finland's 0-0 draw with Armenia in Group A.
Jerzy Dudek was not involved in Poland's 1-0 win in
Kazakhstan.
Daniel Agger featured for Denmark in their goalless
draw against Northern Ireland in Group F, while John Arne
Riise played the full 90 minutes for Norway in the 1-0
defeat in Greece.
Luis Garcia came on as a 59th minutes substitute for
Spain in their 2-0 defeat in Sweden and was also booked in
the last minute. Fellow Reds Xabi Alonso and Pepe
Reina were unused substitutes.
(LFC Official Website)
Aldo impressed with Pennant
Kop hero John Aldridge admits he has been impressed with
Jermaine Pennant and believes the winger has a good chance
of forcing his way into the England squad.
The former Reds goal poacher says Pennant has a lot of
ability which he feels can be very beneficial to both
Liverpool and England.
"I've been impressed with Pennant since he joined Liverpool
and he's shown a lot of promise," enthused Aldridge.
"With David Beckham out of the picture, there's a vacancy on
the right wing at international level and I see no reason
why Pennant can't force himself into contention.
"He's behind Shaun Wright-Phillips and Aaron Lennon at the
moment, but he's at the best club to push ahead in the four
years or more he's at Anfield.
"In some games this season he's done well for Liverpool and
in others he's struggled a bit more, but you've got to give
the lad a chance. He's still only a youngster.
"What I'd like to see him focus on is getting as many
crosses into the danger zone as he can. Sometimes he has a
tendency to cut inside or hit the first defender with his
delivery. If he can improve his percentages in this area
we've seen enough already to know Dirk Kuyt and Crouch would
relish the kind of crosses Pennant is capable of.
"I've heard Pennant and Rafa Benitez talking up his England
prospects, and I think that's good. It shows there's a
hunger there to improve much more."
(LFC Official Website)
Defeat hurts Bellamy
Craig Bellamy admits he felt sick after Wales' 5-1 hammering
by Slovakia.
Wales fell to their heaviest home defeat since 1908
yesterday which was a double sickener for Craig Bellamy
since it was his first game as Wales captain.
Bellamy admitted the defeat was disastrous for Wales but
says his side must quickly pick themselves up.
"We've a few days to lift ourselves for Cyprus, we have to
do that quickly," said the Liverpool striker.
"We've always lacked depth as a small nation, but a lot of
players out there aren't getting regular club games.
"You could see that, it's a hard ask to step up to
international football."
(LFC Online) |
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SATURDAY 7 |
Double angst for frustrated Gerrard
Steven Gerrard left Old Trafford doubly frustrated by
England's failure to beat Macedonia after the goalless draw
in their Euro 2008 qualifier.
Not only did Gerrard come closest to giving England victory
in the Euro 2008 qualifier with a thunderous late shot which
crashed back off the bar, he also picked up a booking which
rules him out of Wednesday's crucial trip to Croatia.
And, given the Zagreb encounter arguably represents the
toughest test for Steve McClaren's men as they bid to
overcome the first setback of their new coach's reign,
Gerrard made no attempt to conceal his disappointment.
"England against Croatia is a great fixture," he said.
"As a player, you want to be involved in all the big games,
so I am going home really frustrated, not just with not
getting three points but also missing the Croatia game.
"I will be cheering the boys on from home. Hopefully, they
will turn in a good performance and get the result."
(TEAMtalk)
U18s held by Blues
Liverpool u18's are still looking for their first win of the
season, after being held to a goalless draw at Everton. John
Owens' side dominated the game and created several clear cut
chances, but just couldn't find the breakthrough.
The Blues
haven't won this either, and they failed to trouble a
Liverpool defence which was excellent on the day.
Paul Barratt, Ray Putterill and Michael Collins all missed
great opportunities for the young reds, but Owens will have
been pleased with the performance of his side and if they
continue to perform like this they won't have to wait long
for that elusive first win.
(The Liverpool Way)
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Thor Zakariassen
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