Reds celebrate their second trophy this year. (Photo:
AP)
AUGUST 27
Carra in the dark over Owen
TEAMtalk
Jamie Carragher has hailed Super Cup hero Djibril
Cisse - but admits he has no idea if he will be replaced
by Michael Owen at Liverpool.
Manager Rafael Benitez witnessed an outstanding
substitute display by Cisse on Friday, who scored two
goals and made the other in Liverpool's 3-1 Super Cup
final win over CSKA Moscow.
Carragher - stand-in as captain for the injured Steven
Gerrard in Monaco - is nonetheless well aware that Cisse
could be sold to Lyon and Michael Owen bought from Real
Madrid before Liverpool are next in action.
Carragher could hardly help but be impressed by the way
Cisse rose above the speculation to turn the game
against the Uefa Cup holders.
 "Djibril is very popular, a great lad, and came on and
changed the game," said the Reds defender.
"That's why we celebrated like we did with him - because
of what he did and the fact we were all determined to
win.
Cisse and Garcia celebrate. (Photo: AP)
"The pressure he has been under this week is just what
football is about.
"We've all had things like this with people coming in
and maybe trying to pinch your position, so he has got
to get on with it."
Carragher believes Cisse's reaction to unsettling
circumstances proves his resilience.
"He is still here and still playing for us. He has
responded well, with his place under threat - that's
great character," he said.
"What happens about Michael or Djibril is nothing to do
with me.
"The manager brings in whoever he wants - it is up to
him. That is his decision and how he manages.
"But he keeps saying he wants a centre-back and a right
midfielder - and he wants them in first."
Both Carragher and Gerrard have made no secret of the
fact that they want their England team-mate Owen to
return to Anfield.
"I speak to Michael a lot. I know what he wants - but
I'm not telling anyone," said Carragher.
"It would be nice to have my mate back - but then I
would also like to see Thierry Henry, John Terry and
Frank Lampard here. You cannot have everything you want.
"If you could sit down and pick a fantasy football team
it would be the best in the world but it is up to the
manager's priorities. I hope he gets them before
Wednesday."
Liverpool ended a frustrating night against Moscow's
massed defence with their hands on another European
trophy - to add to the Champions League they so
gallantly earned in Istanbul last season.
For Carragher, there were obvious similarities in the
two performances - although he made it abundantly clear
there was considerably less riding on Friday night's
match than against AC Milan three months ago.
"That's another European trophy and another three-goal
comeback - we are making a habit of this," he said.
"It's nice to win it - but if you lose, it isn't the end
of the world. If you win it is a reward for what we did
last season, and it is great to be involved in it.
"It has more prestige than something like the Community
Shield in England. It is another trophy - and you don't
get too many opportunities to win European trophies.
"Not many players in the Premiership have got European
trophies - so you have to grab the chance with both
hands."
Being in charge for the night made it a memorable
occasion for Carragher too.
"It was special for me to be captain - a real bonus -
but the most important thing was to win the game," he
said.
"I was thankful to Stevie [Gerrard] for allowing me to
go up and get the cup.
"As captain he could have done it - but he wanted me to
do it."
AUGUST 27
Benitez
praises Cisse contribution
By Steve Hunter - LFC Official Website
Rafael Benitez felt Liverpool deserved to win the
Super Cup and praised Djibril Cisse for the impact he
made when coming off the bench to win the Reds the Super
Cup.
Benitez felt the pace of Cisse and his fresh legs would
trouble CSKA Moscow in the final stages of normal time
and he was proved correct.
Benitez said: "We are very happy to win another trophy
for the club and the supporters.
"I felt the game was made for Djibril to come on and
score. He is a good player and with his pace and fresh
legs against their defenders we knew he would have
chances
"We controlled the game and we had more possession and
more opportunities than the other team. We made one
mistake which cost us a goal but we must be happy with
the result."
AUGUST 26
Cisse
sparks Reds win
By Alex Livie - Planet Football/Sky Sports
Djibril Cisse enhanced his claims for regular playing
time at Liverpool as he scored two goals and created
another in the 3-1 European Super Cup victory over CSKA
Moscow.
The Reds looked dead and buried prior to the arrival of
Cisse, as they squandered a host of chances and were on
the receiving end of a fine strike from Daniel Carvalho,
but the French striker netted once in normal time and
again in extra time and set up Luis Garcia for a third
to hand The Reds their first piece of silverware of the
season.
Cisse was left to kick his heels on the bench for 80
minutes, as Liverpool produced a performance which gave
ammunition to those calling for Rafa Benitez to dip into
his pocket and sign Michael Owen, but the Frenchman's
two fortunate goals put him in the spotlight in Monaco.
Many had feared that Liverpool would struggle to create
chances without the absent Steven Gerrard, but it was
their profligacy in front of goal that almost cost them
on Friday.
Liverpool dictated play, with Dietmar Hamann testing
Igor Akinfeev's handling with a low shot in the second
minute.
Luis Garcia's movement was a joy to watch, but the same
could not be said of his shooting as, after being picked
out superbly by Boudewijn Zenden, he lashed a shot over
the bar, while shortly afterwards Fernando Morientes
shot tamely at Akinfeev.
CSKA took some time to settle, but Milos Krasic
signalled their intent on 27 minutes when cutting inside
and curling a shot just wide of the far post.
Liverpool did not heed the warning as CSKA took the lead
60 seconds later. Wagner Love turned on the halfway line
and threaded a ball beyond the Liverpool centre halves
and Carvalho composed himself before tucking a low shot
under the advancing Reina.
Garcia should have equalised before the break after
being set free, but he poked a shot horribly wide of
goal with his weaker right foot.
Liverpool probed after the break, as CSKA contented
themselves with hitting The Reds on the break, and it
took the introduction of Cisse to turn Liverpool's
fortunes around.
Cisse entered the fray on 80 minutes and made an
immediate impact, as he somewhat fortuitously levelled
the contest.
The Frenchman chased down a Garcia knock-down more in
hope than expectation, but a wild clearance from Sergei
Ignashevich hit him on the arm and looped over Akinfeev
- leaving the Reds striker with the simple task of
tapping into an empty net.
Cisse could have stolen the tie deep into injury time,
but he shot straight at Akinfeev from a tight angle.
He did not let the miss play on his mind as he kept
probing and was rewarded just before half time in extra
time as he latched onto a long ball and netted at the
second attempt after his first shot was parried by
Akinfeev.
Buoyed by his goals, Cisse turned on the style and
zipped down the right wing, collecting a fine pass from
Hamann, before delivering a sublime cross which even the
wayward Garcia could not miss.
Liverpool looked short of attacking purpose for long
periods, but the cameo from Cisse will certainly give
Benitez food for thought in the final few days of the
transfer window.
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