2407: Hardman Paletta lets his game do all the talking
2207: Rafa happy despite not playing well
2207: Lindfield strike seals pre-season win






 

Craig Lindfield celebrates his debut goal for Liverpool.

JULY 24
Hardman Paletta lets
his game do all the talking

By Chris Wheeler - Daily Mail

Gabriel Paletta may still be struggling with his English, but the statement of intent he sent out on his second appearance for Liverpool could not have been clearer.

With the clock running down on a 1-0 win over Crewe in Saturday's preseason friendly and the ball rolling towards the touchline, Paletta sprinted 30 yards to intercept teenager Billy Jones.

Would the Argentine defender usher Jones into the corner or perhaps stretch out a leg to poke the ball out of play? Neither.

Paletta did not flinch as he ploughed full speed into a shuddering tackle that was as fair as it was fearless.

There were no complaints from Crewe, even though Jones had to be carried off with bruising. And manager Rafael Benitez seemed satisfied with Paletta's uncompromising approach as he settles in alongside Liverpool's other South American signings Fabio Aurelio and Mark Gonzalez.

"Most of them speak good English," said Benitez. "Only Paletta needs to improve a little bit, but he's working with the English teacher."

When it was suggested the £2million signing from Atletico Banfield did not need any work on his tackling, the Liverpool boss smiled in agreement, adding: "I don't think so!"

Paletta has been likened to Roberto Ayala and if he was hoping to rubber-stamp his reputation as a typical Argentine hardman, he could not have done it in a more emphatic manner.

Fast, strong and tenacious, the 20-year-old seems to possess all the attributes of a formidable defender and he is expected to mount a strong challenge to Liverpool's established central defensive pairing of Sami Hyypia and Jamie Carragher this season.

Aurelio and Gonzalez also tried to catch Benitez's eye against Crewe in a game that saw the return of Bolo Zenden, who has been out for eight months with a knee injury.

A 13th-minute goal by 17-year-old striker Craig Lindfield was enough to give Liverpool victory.

JULY 22
Rafa happy despite not playing well

By Mark Plat - LFC Official Website

Rafael Benitez admits Liverpool didn't play well in their latest pre-season run-out at Crewe but insists there was plenty of positives to take from the 1-0 win at Gresty Road.

The Reds recorded a slender 1-0 victory against Dario Gradi's Railwaymen thanks to a first senior goal from young striker Craig Lindfield, as Mark Gonzalez and Fabio Aurelio made their Liverpool bow.

"We worked hard and it was good to see the players who were out on the pitch," said Benitez afterwards. "If you analyse the game, we didn't play well but the positives for me are Aurelio, his passing and shooting was impressive, the movement of Lindfield and Fowler was very good and also Mark Gonzalez.

"I am happy with the players and the way things are going. Obviously the World Cup players will be back this week and it think this squad is now stronger than last season.

"We need to find more players to make us even stronger and I hope that can be done before the start of the season. There are many names being spoken about in the press or on the news but it is not the right time to be talking about them."

JULY 22
Lindfield strike seals pre-season win

LFC Official Website

A debut goal from young striker Craig Lindfield was enough to seal another pre-season victory for Liverpool as Crewe Alexandra were beaten by the only goal at a packed Gresty Road on Saturday afternoon.

Summer signings Fabio Aurelio and Mark Gonzalez also made their first appearances in Liverpool colours, but it was Lindfield, the Reds' top scorer in last season's successful FA Youth Cup campaign, who stole the show.

The 17-year old Wirral born striker marked his first senior start for the club in style with a cracking strike after 18 minutes and it proved enough to seal Liverpool's second friendly win in a week.

Rafael Benitez again shuffled his pack as preparations for the new season continued and made eleven substitutions during the course of the match.

Match-winner Lindfield played the opening half only, as did Aurelio, who settled well and showed some good touches on the left of midfield. Fellow new arrival Gonzalez appeared after the break and also quickly made an impression, first with a headed goal-line clearance and then an angled shot that flew narrowly over.

Gabriel Paletta was introduced at the break and he once again impressed with some solid tackling.