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MARCH 14
Diouf fined two
weeks wages
LFC Official Website
Liverpool today fined El Hadji Diouf two weeks wages
following the spitting incident which marred the end of last night's UEFA
Cup clash at Parkhead.
Club chief executive Rick Parry is now keen to liaise with Celtic to
discuss sending the money to charity as he bids to ensure the good
relations between the two clubs aren't soured because of one unfortunate
incident.
Parry said today: "We have fined the player the maximum of two weeks wages
and we will be liaising with Celtic to talk about the most appropriate way
of spending the money.
"We consider it very important that the good relationships which both
Liverpool and Celtic have had over the years should not be soured by this
incident."
Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier added: "The boy has made a mistake. He
knows that. We all make mistakes in life because we are all human.
"I am not going to make excuses for him but the boy is young and I can
tell you he is devastated by what has happened.
"It is sad that this has overshadowed a great night's football."
MARCH 14
Hyypia
hails Reds' show of strength
By Paul Walker - PA Sport
Liverpool skipper Sami Hyypia hailed his side's impressive
UEFA Cup display against Celtic that was sadly overshadowed by the
spitting incident involving El Hadji Diouf.
The giant Finn had seen his colleagues recover from Henrik Larsson's early
strike in the quarter-final first leg before Emile Heskey's priceless
equaliser.
Diouf's behaviour sadly has tainted Liverpool's performance, described by
boss Gerard Houllier as a "mature display".
And now Liverpool must return to Premiership action on Sunday at Tottenham
and produce the same again if the want to keep their Champions League
dreams on track.
It will be tough on the ground where their title hopes were finally
destroyed at the end of last season.
But Hyypia and Houllier believe Liverpool are now producing performances
of desire and quality to handle the next tough few days, the second leg
coming at Anfield against Celtic next Thursday.
Hyypia, however, did not fall into the Blackburn trap of over confidence.
Rovers, who lost 1-0 at Parkhead, were confident of turning the tie around
but were brushed aside in the return leg at Ewood Park.
Hyypia had been asked before Thursday's tie whether he would settle for a
1-0 defeat in the first leg and his response was emphatic - not a chance.
And, after a disciplined defensive showing in the first leg in Glasgow,
Hyypia said: "It was a strong, organised performance but we knew in the
dressing room we haven't won anything yet.
"But I felt that we were the better team and that if we had scored again
we would have been in real command and the tie would have been over.
"They are also a dangerous side but we put in a very strong performance
and we deserved what we got.
"But of course it's going to be a hard time next week, it's only half time
and they can score goals.
"They have big lads up front in Hartson and Sutton. Hartson can certainly
score goals, we know that."
Liverpool's famed defensive qualities are now clearly back to their best
and they will need to be equally sound at White Hart Lane to maintain
their twin assaults on further European glory by the end of the season.
But the fact that under Houllier they have now lost just three of 23
European away ties says much about their strengths.
Houllier said: "There was more fluency about our game. It was a very
mature performance. Despite the young age of the players some of them have
played 40 plus European games, and it showed.
"The tactical discipline was spot on. It was just shame we conceded that
early goal. But instead of freezing, it acted as a start for us, a spur to
start our game.
"We also needed our mental strength, particularly at somewhere like
Parkhead.
"We wanted to apply our plan and it worked very well. The team showed a
work ethic that pleased me.
"It was a great European performance by Liverpool. The movement,
composure, versatility, physical presence and maturity of some of the
players is growing."
Before the game Houllier insisted Blackburn had given the impression that
they had done the hardest part by only losing 1-0 at Parkhead.
"Maybe they felt the job was done," said Houllier.
Now, with Celtic heading for Anfield, Houllier underlined that Liverpool
will not be taking anything as read.
He said: "The first game is always very important. You either secure your
chance or ruin your chance. We are in the middle.
"But Celtic are a good side, they can play. Celtic are a very strong,
committed and physical side, but we know we can cope with that.
"I know what they did at Blackburn, we won't underestimate them."
MARCH 14
Houllier
delighted with display
LFC Official Website
Gerard Houllier said he was a very satisfied man after his
team's performance in the 1-1 draw with Celtic in the first leg of the
UEFA Cup quarter-final.
The Reds manager was happy with the performance of his side, and praised
the character shown to get back in the match despite losing the early
goal.
Houllier said: "I thought it was a great European performance. I liked our
versatility which is growing, which is a good sign with our young team.
"Our passing and movement was very good and I thought it was a great cup
tie. Both sides were very committed and wanted to win. It was a very
exciting game and after conceding the early goal I was pleased with the
players' response.
"We knew it would be an unbelievable atmosphere but we managed to keep our
composure. We kept playing football, we didn't lose our shape and we
remained positive. I thought our fans were brilliant singing throughout
the game. It's always a special atmosphere and an experience playing at
Parkhead."
MARCH 13
Police
investigate Diouf incident
Soccernet
Liverpool star El Hadji Diouf will be the subject of a
police investigation after he appeared to spit at the crowd during
tonight's UEFA Cup clash at Parkhead.
The incident marred a good result for the Merseysiders, who will take a
1-1 draw back to Anfield, and sparked an angry reaction from two Celtic
supporters.
They were arrested but have since been released, however local police
confirmed Diouf is facing an investigation.
Superintendent Kevin Smith of Strathclyde police said: "He's the subject
of an investigation.
"We won't speak to the player tonight but there have been complaints and
TV coverage and we have spoken to two people involved.
"Two people have been arrested but they have now been released.'"
MARCH 13
Houllier: We do not condone Diouf's actions
LFC Official Website
Gerard Houllier has said Liverpool will be taking internal
action against El Hadji Diouf following the spitting incident which marred
the end of the Reds' excellent display at Parkhead.
Diouf clearly spat at a section of Celtic fans towards the end of the
game, and was soon substituted by manager Gerard Houllier as the hostility
towards the Senegal striker threatened to boil over.
The Liverpool manager admits there is no defence for the actions of his
player and he says the club will now be dealing with the matter
internally.
He said: "It's a pity that what happened at the end of the game has cast a
shadow over the performance.
"The player has apologised for his actions and he realises it was
inappropriate, whatever the provocation. He should not have responded in
the way he did.
"Liverpool do not condone this in any way and we will deal with the matter
internally. It is not conduct acceptable for a Liverpool player and we
view the matter very seriously."
MARCH 13
Battle of
Britain ends in a draw
Football 365
Emile Heskey and Henrik Larsson both hit the net on their
much-hyped comebacks - but it was the England international striker who
came back to haunt his former manager Martin O'Neill to give Liverpool the
upper hand in
the "Battle of Britain".
But El Hadji-Diouf soured the draw for the Worthington Cup winners late on
when he appeared to spit at the Celtic crowd and an investigation is
certain to be launched.
The news before kick-off that the Swede and his rival had recovered from a
double fracture of the jaw and hamstring injuries respectively added
further spice to a wonderful occasion which was made even more special by
a united rendition of "Never Walk Alone" pre-match.
But it was Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier who will be the happiest of
the two managers after Heskey had scored a vital away goal and put them on
course for the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup against the man who launched
his career at Leicester City.
Amazingly it was only his seventh goal of the season compared to Larsson's
35th, but the winners of competition two seasons ago will be favourites to
finish the job at Anfield next Thursday.
Heskey came in for Vladimir Smicer in the only change from Saturday's
victory over Bolton Wanderers, but there was a surprise in Celtic's
line-up with Paul Lambert dropping out to accommodate Sutton in midfield
and the prolific striker alongside John Hartson.
But the Scottish champions took inspiration from the incredible noise
conjured up and they came within inches of taking the lead after just 30
seconds.
Hartson beat Djimi Traore in the air and controlled Alan Thompson's pass
before launching a fierce drive which beat Jerzy Dudek, but flicked the
top of the crossbar on its way into the crowd behind the goal.
Liverpool failed to heed that warning and Celtic capitalised to make a
dream early breakthrough just over a minute later.
The usually dependable Sami Hyypia misjudged Thompson's in-field cross and
Hartson controlled the ball and lobbed it to the back post. Styllian
Petrov picked it up and centred for Larsson to bundle the ball past Dudek
with his knee from close range.
The men from Merseyside responded with a weak effort from Danny Murphy
after the midfielder won a challenge with Jamie Smith and Robert Douglas
comfortably saved.
But Celtic continued to bombard the Liverpool goal and Hartson sent
another long-range effort fizzing over the bar after skipping past Dietmar
Hamann in the fifth minute.
Liverpool started to show signs that they were finally settling down when
Murphy fired over from outside the box after Owen had stepped over Jamie
Carragher's infield pass.
But they retaliated in the best way possible by equalising in the 16th
minute when John Arne Riise threaded the ball through to Emile Heskey to
fire the ball low past Douglas and into the bottom corner of the net from
a tight angle.
That clearly knocked the home side out of their stride and they suffered
another injury blow in the 26th minute when Thompson had to go off and on
came Steve Guppy.
Liverpool looked the more confident team after the restart, but they
breathed a sigh of relief just a minute into the half when Hartson went
down on the edge of the area under the clumsy challenge of Traore but
referee Terje Hauge waved away protests.
The visitors continued to look a major threat on the break and only some
great defending by Bobo Balde stopped Owen wriggling free in the box.
El-Hadji Diouf then got on the end of Riise's free-kick, but his goalbound
header was blocked by Joos Valgaeren.
But Larsson had a glorious opportunity to put Celtic ahead again in the
53rd minute when Hartson capitalised on a slip by Traore to send the
Swedish star clean through on goal, but Dudek read his chip perfectly to
push the ball behind for a corner.
The Glasgow side almost paid the ultimate price in the 62nd minute
following the best move of the match.
Heskey's flick found Gerrard, who quickly sent Diouf away down the right.
He slipped the ball back inside to the Englishman, but he directed the
ball wide of Douglas post.
Moments later and Balde needed to head Gerrard's fiercely-struck drive
clear after more good work by Traore on the flank.
Douglas then prevented Owen from breaking more records with goals in five
successive matches and equalling Ian Rush's European record when he
brilliantly turned his right-foot drive around the post in the 75th
minute.
Larsson was feeling the pace and was replaced by Lambert while Petrov and
Guppy were booked as they desperately tried to stop Liverpool from scoring
a killer goal.
Diouf touted controversy late on when he appeared to spit in the direction
of the Celtic crowd to spark an angry reaction from a fan, who was
arrested and he was soon after substituted and given a police escort down
the tunnel.
That could have hampered a glorious night for Liverpool and Heskey - who
will now be expected to move into the last four - at the expense of his
former boss.
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