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Post by Bismarck on Feb 1, 2008 13:40:46 GMT
Liverpool have moved to deny reports that they have sealed a permanent deal for midfielder Javier Mascherano.
But, it is understood that terms have been agreed on a four-year deal, which is expected to be ratified next week.
The deal is expected to come into force in June, when the loan deal for the player expires.
Liverpool do not have to pay for the Argentinian player immediately because the Anfield club already hold his registration.
It had been claimed this evening that the Reds had agreed to pay £18.6million for the Argentina international who has been on loan at Anfield for a year.
But a statement on the club's website insisted: 'Contrary to reports elsewhere, the deal to complete Javier Mascherano's permanent move to
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Post by Bismarck on Feb 4, 2008 9:50:36 GMT
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has explained the reasoning behind Xabi Alonso not even making the bench against Sunderland on Saturday.
The Reds boss had Javier Mascherano back from suspension and was paired along side skipper Steven Gerrard in central midfield while Brazilian youngster Lucas also got a start.
Benitez also urged Alonso to improve to reclaim his place, which the Spain international lost after featuring for whole game in Reds' defeat to West Ham last Wednesday.
"Xabi needs to step it up. When you are not 100% fit, you want to play every game because you need to play more games to build up your fitness,” Benitez said on the club’s official website.
"But if Gerrard, Mascherano or Lucas are playing well, it means there is competition for places which is good for the team.
"Xabi knows he needs to work harder if we wants to have a place in the team.
"Mascherano was back from suspension and he gives us balance in the middle and Gerrard can be more free going forward.
"Lucas was playing really well the other day so we had three midfielders, and we needed to have wingers or strikers on the bench. That's why Alonso was not in the squad on Saturday."
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Post by Bismarck on Feb 5, 2008 13:59:47 GMT
Chelsea boss Avram Grant feels there is no problem in playing Blues midfielder Frank Lampard alongside Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard in England side.
There has been lot of talk about the pairing, suggesting that only one of the two can start in the central midfield, but Grant feels there is no point in the suggestions, and has held talks with the new Three Lions boss Fabio Capello, but has not divulged the details of their deliberations.
“I don't think it's a problem if you talk about Lampard and Gerrard,” the former Israel boss told the club’s official website.
“It is always good when you have good players that like to work on the pitch, if you have lazy players it's a problem. But if you have good players it's not a problem, you can fix the tactics that it will be useful for everybody. It is always good,” he said.
Lampard is currently out recovering from a thigh injury and as such is not in Capello’s first side, which will be captained by Gerrard, that will take on Switzerland in the friendly international on Wednesday at Wembley.
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Post by Bismarck on Feb 7, 2008 11:15:46 GMT
Liverpool striker Fernando Torres believes he has every chance of playing at Chelsea on Sunday despite coming off in Spain's 1-0 friendly victory over France last night.
The 23-year-old came off in some discomfort after just 23 minutes but he insists it was his decision to be substituted and although he is set to undergo a scan today at the club's Melwood training ground he is keen to face Avram Grant's side.
'I preferred not to risk it. I demanded the change,' he said.
'I will have medical tests but I intend to play on Sunday against Chelsea.'
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Post by Bismarck on Feb 8, 2008 18:18:58 GMT
Fernando Torres is set to be out for 10 days due to his hamstring injury picked on duty for Spain, and Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is banking on Dirk Kuyt to deliver the goods up front.
With Andriy Voronin also currently injured, the Reds head to Chelsea with Peter Crouch and Kuyt only fit frontmen.
Dutch international, Kuyt has suffered a drastic dip in his form this season and has found himself out of his national side. However, Benitez has constantly backed the 27-year-old despite seeing him miss many chances.
Benitez said on the club’s official website: "He has scored some goals. If you look at his record in Holland he always scored a lot of goals, but here he is doing a good job for the team."
The Spaniard added that Kuyt has been putting in more efforts after being dropped from Marco van Basten’s side.
"He has been training really well for us and that is the kind of reaction you want from a player. Kuyt is a fantastic professional."
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Post by Bismarck on Feb 10, 2008 18:11:44 GMT
Chelsea and Liverpool produced a goalless draw in the Premiership clash at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
Although the home side looked confident to start with, the Merseysiders were largely the dominant force in the opening period. The Blues were better in the second half but overall, they were not up to the mark and were erratic with their passing. However, they are still unbeaten at their home in the league with the record now stretched to 76 games.
On the other hand, The Reds looked the better team overall, but missed several chances mostly in the first half. The point took Liverpool to 44 points equal with Aston Villa and Manchester City, who earlier beat Manchester United, but up to fifth place due to a superior goal-difference.
To start with, the visitors were instantly under pressure but Martin Skrtel and Jamie Carragher came up with important interceptions as Nicolas Anelka inspired the Blues attack.
However, Rafa Benitez’s side had the better of the exchanges between the two later on.
Peter Crouch came close to putting the Reds into the lead in the 18th minute as after a one-two with Babel, the lanky striker dragged his shot just wide of the target.
Soon after, Reds skipper Steven Gerrard made a fine run down the right flank and sent in a cross to Crouch, who was positioned at the centre of the penalty area, but the header from the striker lacked power and Petr Cech was untroubled.
In the 27th minute, Joe Cole got the better of Javier Mascherano in the box but the momentum of the Argentine took him into the Chelsea winger, who looked towards referee Mike Riley for a possible penalty kick, but it wasn’t to be.
Joe Cole was then involved in another attacking move and passed the ball for Frank Lampard at the top of the box. But Mascherano dispossessed the England midfielder.
Crouch wasted another chance when he got under a cross from Dirk Kuyt from right flank, and missed the target with a poor header.
There was bit more purpose in Avram Grant’s side after the half time interval as Claude Makelele tried a long-range shot soon after the resumption, but was wide of the target. But the Reds were back into it as they kept the ball well and often were gifted the ball by the erratic Blues midfield.
Ryan Babel was sent on his way into the penalty box with a fine pass from Gerrard but the Dutchman’s shot was deflected out for a corner at the hour-mark.
There was sustained pressure at either end but nothing materialised from the attacks but the Blues defence was stretched and with Alex and Ashley Cole going for a sliding clearance in the box at the same time, almost gifted the ball to Crouch.
Joe Cole, who is capable of brilliance as seen time and again with the Blues and England, wove his way past the rival defender from right flank, and let fly towards the Reds goal but Reina had no problem in catching the ball in the 77th minute.
A promising counter-attack from the Reds came to a pre-matured end as substitute Jermaine Pennant made a poor ball with Dirk Kuyt sprinting well ahead.
Soon after, the Blues had the best chance to take the lead as Ashley Cole made a lovely floated pass for Michael Ballack, who opened his body to side-foot the ball first-time only to see it miss the far post by a narrow margin.
Teams
Chelsea: Petr Cech, Juliano Belletti, Alex, Ricardo Carvalho, Ashley Cole, Michael Ballack, Claude Makelele, Frank Lampard (John Mikel Obi 71), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Florent Malouda 64), Nicolas Anelka, Joe Cole (Claudio Pizarro 86).
Substitutes not used: Carlo Cudicini, Tal Ben-Haim.
Liverpool: Pepe Reina, Steve Finnan, Jamie Carragher, Martin Skrtel, John Arne Riise, Steven Gerrard, Lucas Leiva, Javier Mascherano, Ryan Babel (Jermaine Pennant 72), Dirk Kuyt, Peter Crouch.
Substitutes not used: Charles Itandje, Mikel San Jose, Harry Kewell, Yossi Benayoun.
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Post by Bismarck on Feb 11, 2008 19:06:29 GMT
Manchester City’s derby hero, Darius Vassell has said that the goal he scored to send his side on their way to their first win at Old Trafford for more than 30 years, is one of his “most important goals.”
The 27-year-old English striker netted after 24 minutes to stun Manchester United, who had an emotionally charged atmosphere for the home game with the remembrance of the 50th anniversary of Munich disaster being observed.
But the Red Devils were left bitterly disappointed at the end of the game as they were beaten 2-1 by Sven-Goran Eriksson’s side after Benjani increased the lead for City and Michael Carrick could only score a consolation goal in the stoppage time for the hosts.
Vassell said on the club’s official website: “Probably one of the most important goals I have scored – so far. It will certainly go into the memory bank for me to smile about when I am retired.
“We wanted to counter attack them and try to get a goal on the break and thankfully I managed to do that. Going a goal up at Old Trafford is a great feeling."
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Post by Bismarck on Feb 11, 2008 19:07:07 GMT
Liverpool’s performance in Sunday’s goalless draw at Chelsea has pleased skipper Steven Gerrard but he has admitted that the target is to finish in top four.
A point helped Reds to take their tally to 44 and moved up into fifth position, with a game on hand. If they win that, Rafa Benitez’s side are into fourth place.
Gerrard said in the Liverpool Daily Post: "It was definitely a big improvement on how we've played of late.
"We looked more solid defensively and I thought we were the better side over the 90 minutes and if anyone was going to win it was us.”
The England midfielder also stated that the Merseysiders, who are 16 points adrift of leaders Arsenal, have to forget about their title chances and concentrate on finishing in the top four.
He said: "We realise now that we're facing a big challenge to finish in the top four and we've got to forget about the title and focus on fighting for fourth place.
"There are a lot of teams around us who are in good form and playing well so it's important that we don't let our standards drop."
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Post by Bismarck on Feb 11, 2008 19:07:29 GMT
Liverpool goalkeeper Jose Reina is happy with the performance Rafa Benitez's side came up with at Chelsea on Sunday although the result was just a goalless draw.
The Reds were good in the attack with Peter Crouch getting good service but being unable to finish off the moves, while the defence was also solid and the Blues hardly gave Reina anything to do.
The 25-year-old Spanish international told the club's official website: "We played really well and created some chances, and a draw is always a good result at Stamford Bridge.
"It's always difficult to beat them at home - I think it's been four years since we did that.
"They are a really top side so we have to be really happy about the score and some of the things we did during the game.
"No we have to get victories and results as good as this at Anfield.
"We have to keep playing like this, with a solid defence and creating chances in attack."
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Post by Bismarck on Feb 11, 2008 19:08:02 GMT
Inter Milan boss Roberto Mancini is wary of Liverpool ahead of next Tuesday’s Champions League clash and is giving rest to his key players to be fully ready for the knock-out round at Anfield.
The Serie A leaders were without the rested Dejan Stankovic, Maicon, Hernan Crespo and Santiago Solari; while Luis Figo was out injured, at the weekend but still managed a 2-0 win over Catania.
"I left out three or four important players. I hope to recover those players that are injured although I'm not sure Luis Figo will be able to play against Liverpool," he is quoted as saying on Reds’ official website.
"Liverpool is a very tough team to play against," he said. "They are difficult opponents, that don't give you many spaces.”
The Reds came into some form as they beat Sunderland to score their first Premiership win this year and then on Sunday, Rafa Benitez’s side gave a good performance in the draw at Chelsea.
"Liverpool have proved to be in good form," added Mancini.
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Post by Bismarck on Feb 13, 2008 13:03:57 GMT
Ahead of their Champions League knock-out round clash, Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva has disclosed that he ignored Inter Milan to move to Anfield in the summer.
The 21-year-old has made a comfortable transition into being a Premiership player following his move from Gremio, and Reds boss Rafa Benitez has rated the Brazil international highly as is evident from the fact that he allowed established Mali international Momo Sissoko to leave in last month’s transfer window.
"I was in a fortunate position at Gremio because I had achieved some success and I was made a lot of very interesting offers - offers which would have made a lot of money,” Lucas told Liverpool’s official magazine.
"Some of them were in Spain and it's true I had an enquiry from Inter Milan too.
"I could have gone to Spain or Italy and it would have been more like I am used to. But I want to make the most of my career and I want to challenge myself.
"They were all famous clubs but the Liverpool option stood out from the first moment I heard of their interest.”
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Post by Bismarck on Feb 14, 2008 16:15:02 GMT
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has been boosted with the return from injury of his four top class players ahead of the FA Cup clash against Barnsley on Saturday and Inter Milan’s visit to Anfield, just three days later.
Star striker Fernando Torres along with Sami Hyypia, Alvaro Arbeloa and Fabio Aurelio are the players who could be in contention for the FA Cup fifth round tie, but with the game against Inter just three days later, Benitez will have a tough time deciding whether to field his returning players in the game against Barnsley.
"I need to consider both games but I know it's important to progress in the FA Cup, so I will try to use a strong team," the boss told Liverpoolfc.tv.
"Sami Hyypia is improving. He did the warm up and could be available, but we will have to analyse the situation. Torres also did the warm up, as well as Fabio Aurelio and Alvaro Arbeloa, and they are really close.
"Now it is about whether we will take the risk or not.
"For Inter, Torres will be okay. We will have to check before Barnsley."
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Post by Bismarck on Feb 17, 2008 17:24:45 GMT
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez said he is “really, really disappointed” after Barnsley beat them 2-1 in the FA Cup fifth round at Anfield on Saturday.
The Reds, who led 1-0 at half time, had plenty of chances to finish the game but some outstanding saves by the Tykes goalkeeper Luke Steele kept the visitors in the contest and the Championship side came from behind to win the game in the injury time.
"It is very difficult [to describe his feelings] you must be frustrated today," Benitez told Sky Sports News.
"In terms of work ethic we cannot say anything to the players. They worked really hard, we had a lot of chances, but again it was the same situation as in other games.
"We are controlling games but we cannot take our chances and finish games.
"So today was the same. The keeper was a very good signing, he was man-of-the-match with some great saves.
"I am really, really disappointed.
"We had chances, their keeper made fantastic saves, they score in the last minute and sometimes that is football."
The Reds' hopes of any silverware this season now rest on the Champions League, but they would have to overcome a challenge from Inter Milan to advance in the competition. The first knock-out round first-leg clash will be held on Tuesday, and Benitez will now have a big task of lifting up his boys to be up for the contest.
"All we can do now is prepare for the next game, we know it is an important game so we must put our heads up and be ready to work really hard for this game," added the Spaniard.
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Post by Bismarck on Feb 18, 2008 11:17:02 GMT
Liverpool are suffering from something more serious than a "bad spell", according to defender Jamie Carragher. The Reds, who have experienced a dip in form in the Premier League, were dumped out of the FA Cup at the hands of Championship side Barnsley at Anfield.
Carragher, 30, said: "I wouldn't call it just a bad spell - it's been longer.
"We realise we are not playing well enough. It's not a matter of putting your finger on one reason. It's simply because we have not been good enough."
Liverpool have picked up only eight points in seven league games leaving them in fifth spot, 19 points adrift of leaders Arsenal and three points from the fourth Champions League qualifying berth, currently occupied by rivals Everton.
Former England defender Carragher added: "We've still got Europe to play for and we have to fight for that fourth place, so every league game is going to be important. We have to make sure we are in the Champions League next season."
Rafael Benitez's men face a tough task against Inter Milan in the first leg of their Champions League knockout match on Tuesday, with the Italian side leading Serie A by 11 points.
"At every club there are ups and downs but we realise we are going to get a lot of criticism in the next few days - and rightly so," stated Carragher.
"We've got a massive game coming up against Inter, so we are going to have to get over this because the Champions League is massive for us now.
"It's the only thing we have left that we can win."
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Post by Bismarck on Feb 20, 2008 10:13:04 GMT
Liverpool scored a 2-0 win over 10-man Inter Milan in the first leg of their last-16 clash in the Champions League at Anfield on Tuesday.
It was a must-win game for the Reds in terms giving a boost to their fans after the shock loss to Barnsley in the FA Cup at the weekend and Dirk Kuyt and Steven Gerrard scored late goals to help Rafa Benitez’s side keep their hopes of advancing in Europe alive.
It was a bustling start for the Reds, who went on to dictate the terms for the entire game.
With Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Javier Mascherano starting, the Reds were energetic right from the word go and took the game to Inter, who hardly came up with a worthwhile attacking move of their own.
Inter were reduced to 10 men at the half-hour mark when referee Frank De Bleeckere sent off Italy defender Marco Materazzi after two bookable offences, both for fouls on Torres, who was a constant threat to the visitors citadel.
However, there weren't many clear-cut chances and the home side’s only attempt on target in the first-half saw Sami Hyypia’s header off a corner by skipper Gerrard being palmed over the cross bar by Inter keeper Julio Cesar.
The Italians defended well, particularly Ivan Cordoba, who thwarted the attempts from Kuyt early in the first half. Gerrard and Ryan Babel saw their long range shots miss the target, before the Reds skipper came close in the closing stages of the opening period as his cross went across the face of the goal only for Maicon to come to the rescue of Inter.
Inter’s best chance came early in the second half when there was a hesitation in Reds defence but Esteban Cambiasso failed to keep his powerful shot on target. At the other end, Cristian Chivu cut out a cross in the six-yard box from Steve Finnan.
Inter boss Roberto Mancini took forward Julio Cruz off in the 55th minute and sent on midfielder Patrick Vieira.
Julio Cesar made an important save in the 58th minute, full stretch on the ground to deflect away an angular carpet-drive from Torres from the edge of the penalty area. Minute later, Hyypia headed over the cross bar from close range.
Soon after, there were calls from the Reds for a penalty as Gerrard’s intended cross hit Vieira’s hands but that was not deemed deliberate handball.
Spain ace, Torres, who was out of the last two games due to hamstring problem, missed the target by a narrow margin in the 64th minute. And Benitez promptly introduced Peter Crouch taking off midfielder Lucas Leiva as the hosts pressed forward in search of a goal.
In the 73rd minute, France star Vieira tried his luck from long range, but his shot was wide of the Reds goal.
Crouch showed that he was handful for the rivals as he got his shot through even with three rival players converging on him, but the attempt was not on target. After a collision amongst Inter players, Cordoba, who had a fine match, was stretchered out with an injury in the 76th minute.
Crouch’s shot was blocked by Chivu in the 79th minute as the Reds had no shortage of chances.
Kuyt finally managed to get the Reds in front in the 85th minute as substitute Jermaine Pennant’s cross made its way past the host of bodies in the area to the Reds striker on the left of the penalty area. The Dutch international then volleyed home with the bounce after a slight deflection off Maicon, taking the ball over Julio Cesar, who was on his knees expecting a low shot.
The Reds were 2-0 up and set to take the advantage into the second leg after England midfielder Gerrard scored from 20 yards out from the right side with an angular shot that struck the inside of the far post before the ball found the back of the nets just before the start of the stoppage time.
Teams:
Liverpool: Reina, Finnan, Aurelio, Carragher, Hyypia, Mascherano, Lucas (Crouch 64), Gerrard, Babel (Pennant 72), Torres, Kuyt.
Substitutes not used: Itandje, Riise, Benayoun, Arbeloa, Alonso.
Inter: Julio Cesar, Cordoba (Burdisso 76), Zanetti, Stankovic, Maxwell, Ibrahimovic, Cruz (Vieira 55), Maicon, Cambiasso, Materazzi, Chivu.
Substitutes not used: Crespo, Figo, Toldo, Suazo, Maniche.
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Post by Bismarck on Feb 21, 2008 20:36:04 GMT
Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has urged his team mates to utilize their good European form in the Premiership in order to ensure their qualification for next season’s Champions League.
The Reds may still be relishing their 2-0 victory over Inter Milan at Anfield on Tuesday night, but Carragher believes their focus should now be diverted towards the Premier League where they have a few league games before their visit to San Siro in two weeks time for the second-leg of the last sixteen tie.
"We realise that we've now got three or four league games before the second leg in Milan and we're going to have to make sure that we are in this competition next season.
"There's something about us when we play in Europe but we've got a job to do in the Premiership and we have to make sure we don't lose sight of that."
Although the England international is eager to see his side perform equally well in English football, he confesses that Tuesday night’s win will surely be added in the clubs history books.
"We realised how tough it would be before the game but we started quite well and then the sending off had a big impact," he said.
"I thought Inter defended brilliantly at times but in the end we got a couple of goals. If someone had offered us that before the game we would have been delighted but I'm still expecting a really difficult game when we go over there.
"Credit to the lads though, they kept on plugging away and that's why we ended up getting the two goals.
"I would have loved to have got another one before the end but it was very important not to concede one and that was a big thing on our minds.
"Even when it was 1-0 we would have been delighted with that result but to get the second one, thanks to a great goal by Stevie, was the icing on the cake."
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Post by Bismarck on Feb 22, 2008 23:58:33 GMT
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has set the target of securing the fourth place in the Premiership, before travelling to San Siro for the second leg of the Champions League clash with Inter Milan on March 11.
The Reds are currently fifth in the league table, with a game in hand over fourth-place Everton, who have three points more than their Merseyside rivals.
Benitez’s side host Middlesbrough on Saturday and the Reds are full of confidence going into tomorrow’s clash after their 2-0 win over Inter in the last-16 first leg at Anfield on Tuesday, which came after last weekend’s shocking loss to Barnsley in the FA Cup fifth round.
“We have clear targets. We must progress in the Champions League and we must finish in the top four, now we have as our priority the four league games we play before we go to the San Siro,” said Benitez
“We must be in the top four before we face Inter Milan. That will be a tough game but we will go there with more confidence if we are in the top four.”
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Post by Bismarck on Feb 27, 2008 19:09:45 GMT
Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva has acknowledged the fight on his hands to keep his place in the team, but he is keen to learn from the experienced team-mates Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso in particular.
The Brazil international has come on very well since his move to Anfield from Gremio in the summer, and has now started five consecutive games for the Reds while Alonso has been told by manager Rafa Benitez to step up his performance and featured for the reserves last night as he aims to stake his claim for first-team recall.
Nevertheless, Lucas is eager to develop his game with a crucial phase of the season to unfold as the Reds aim for a top-four finish in the Premiership and go all the way in the Champions League.
He told Liverpoolfc.tv: "Whenever I play, in each game, I know I have to play well in order to stay in the team. Gerrard, Xabi and Mascherano are very good players.
"I am learning a lot from them because they have played a lot of time in Europe, especially Gerrard and Xabi. They have won the European Cup.
"I am still young but I know I have potential to fight for a place in the team. Liverpool brought me here and Liverpool have confidence in me. I respect all the players but I need to fight for my position."
Benitez rates the 21-year-old highly and knows the immense potential he has, and Lucas says: "Rafa always asks for a little bit more. He always says, 'you can improve' or 'you can play better'. And it's true. But he has confidence in me."
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Post by Bismarck on Feb 27, 2008 19:23:31 GMT
Steven Gerrard has delivered a scathing assessment of Liverpool's faltering campaign by declaring even winning the Champions League will not make up for the dismal performance in the Premier League.
The Liverpool skipper accepts that only fourth place now is acceptable as they battle to secure entry into Europe's elite competition next term.
But he said: 'You don't get any prizes in football for finishing in second place, never mind fourth.
'I don't think that the fans would accept fourth as an accomplishment and for me it's not nearly good enough.
'We need to improve dramatically and even if we do finish fourth, it doesn't mean we have had a good season.'
Gerrard accepts Liverpool are now involved in a winner-takes-all battle for fourth spot with neighbours Everton and Aston Villa, Portsmouth and Manchester City.
Having regained fourth place on Saturday by beating Middlesbrough, they saw Everton grab it back on Monday with an impressive demolition of Sven-Goran Eriksson's City.
And the battle will rage on this weekend with Liverpool at Bolton on Sunday while Everton are at home to Pompey later in the day.
Gerrard, in an LFC magazine interview, showed his own frustrations and anger at the club's current fortunes.
He said: 'In the position we find ourselves now, fourth is the least that is acceptable. But we have bigger ambitions than that.
'The only way we can fulfil those ambitions is in the Champions League. And I am not going to pretend that even winning that trophy - and we are a long way away from it at the moment - will make up for the disappointment of the league campaign.
'I'm pretty gutted every time I look at the table and see the gap between us and Arsenal at the top, and even the gap between us and second and third.
'We believed we had the players to challenge for the title, and we wanted that one more than any other trophy available to us. I still believe we have the squad to be a hell of a lot more competitive than we are right now.'
And Gerrard, significantly, claims the time has come for the club to stop looking at their long-term potential. The Reds skipper, who has again been linked recently with a summer move to Real Madrid, said: 'I'm getting tired of saying the same thing over and over again.
'We can't keep talking about next season all the time. There are only so many times you can say it and believe it. Sooner or later we have to make one season the season we make it happen and do the talking on the pitch.
'We need to make people believe it. I'm 27 now, I don't want to be talking about 'next season' for Liverpool when I'm 32.
'We've got the stadium, the fans, the manager and the players to compete for the Premier League. But we have no chance of doing that if we are always well out of it by the first week in January.
'And at the moment we have our work cut out fighting it out with Villa, Everton and Manchester City for fourth.'
And he added: 'Only we can make this season a success now. We'd like to finish fourth and win the European Cup again.
'But the demands of being a Liverpool player, the expectations that come with the privilege of pulling on that jersey mean we've got to improve.
'You make your own luck, shape your own destiny. And now we soon have massive games at Manchester United and Arsenal, knowing we can't win the league.
'We are not bothered about whether we have an impact on the title race we're not in. But winning at both those places would send out a message for next season. That would lay down a marker that no-one would ignore.'
Gerrard also expresses a disappointment that a season of crisis off the pitch has given 'those in the media who don't like Liverpool' the chance to criticise.
'We have made it easy for them,' he said.
'It's not been a good situation (the takeover speculation) for anybody. It's sad so much of the club's business has been conducted in public. The club I have grown up supporting always did its business behind closed doors, and that is what we have to get back to.
'It's been a damaging situation for every single person involved with the club, fans, players, bosses, owners, from top to bottom.'
But Gerrard's theme, which should not be ignored by those 'bosses and owners', is the lack of a real title challenge.
He added: 'If you asked most of our fans, they would rather see the title than the European Cup at Anfield. We've not won it in a long, long time.
'Looking at the league table hurts. This time last year we were third and Arsenal were fourth, and that is the way the season ended. It hurts to see where Arsenal are now.'
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Post by Bismarck on Feb 27, 2008 19:24:05 GMT
Dubai International Capital are considering making an offer for George Gillett's half of Liverpool after co-owner Tom Hicks insisted he had no plans to sell his stake in the club.
Texan billionaire Hicks claims he is completely committed to the Reds and has denied reports he has invited DIC to inspect the club's accounts in preparation for a takeover.
But while DIC would be interested in buying out Gillett instead, they would also want some of Hicks' holding so they had the controlling interest in the club.
It is understood Hicks - who has suffered a breakdown in relations with American co-owner Gillett - had talks with DIC even after a £350million refinancing package was announced on January 25.
Hicks will also be aware he is unpopular on Merseyside - his son Thomas Jnr was spat at and chased out of a pub by angry fans following Liverpool's game with Middlesbrough at Anfield on Saturday.
Hicks' statement denied any move on his part to sever ties, however.
It read: 'Reports that I am about to sell my stake in the Liverpool Football Club, or to invite DIC to examine the club's books in preparation for such a sale - like other such reports planted in the UK press in recent weeks by parties with their own self-interested agenda - are absolutely and categorically false.
'The reality is that I am personally, professionally and financially committed to the club and its supporters and that I will continue to honour that commitment to the best of my ability now and in the future.'
It appears no takeover by DIC is imminent but that the Dubai company, the investment arm of the Maktoum royal family, are keeping their options open.
The main problem preventing a takeover remains the price DIC are willing to pay.
It has been nowhere near the amount of money Hicks has been asking for - he would want to make a substantial sum out of selling the club.
Another hurdle to overcome is that the refinancing package announced on January 25 has loaded £105million of debt on to the club.
Of that, £60million is earmarked to kick-start the new stadium development plus £45million for future player transfers and to meet the club's working capital needs.
The takeover talk is being driven by the fact the refinancing deal only lasts for 18 months and so Hicks and Gillett are soon going to have to start renegotiating the debts.
Furthermore, they are shortly going to have to go back to the banks to ask for a further £300million in loans to finance the rest of the new stadium at Stanley Park.
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Post by Bismarck on Feb 29, 2008 13:29:25 GMT
A lot to talk about Liverpool today - the way the fan-based bid for the club is going, the whole deal with DIC and Hicks and Gillett, Mascherano’s new deal and my favourite, Carragher getting arrested for ‘common assault’ earlier this weekend (he was released on bail, don’t get too happy).
The fan-based bid has three key issues facing it (the article only mentions two): the need for proper business and football experience to manage the bid, the fact that Hicks and Gillett may not sell at 500m, and what they don’t mention, the fact that they’ve only collected 47.5m so far, and that too in pledges, not in actual money in the bank. As far as the timeframe goes, the sum collected is commendable, but time is not on their side.
If the DIC were to buy the Yanks out, they wouldn’t be selling to the fans, no matter what happens. If the Yanks hold on, it’s going to take this ‘fan-bid’ a long time to collect the funds necessary to mount a takeover. Mind you, if they have to take a loan, it pretty much defeats the whole frickin’ purpose of taking over the club.
Jamie Carragher was on his way to the training ground on Tuesday when he became involved in an argument which lead to (presumably) some pushing and shoving, which led to Carragher’s arrest and subsequent bail (source).
Two questions: One, you’re a professional footballer, you wouldn’t be arrested if you were the victim of an attack so you were probably provoked by an idiot. How smart are you mate?
Two, where’s the Sun exclusive from the victim?
Good news for Liverpool fans - Mascherano says that he’s closing in on signing a permanent deal with Liverpool. It’s just paper-work now, which will settle a few nerves in the Liverpool camp and as far as trust-building goes, give Hicks and Gillett some breathing space. Now if they could just sort out this mess with the DIC (sell or stay, make your choice and put up a united front) and promise to invest more of their own money into Liverpool (it needn’t be 100m, but 10m from both owners as a goodwill gesture would help), they can rebuild those burned bridges.
Instead, Hicks is making some pretty mystical comments to the press which is only helping to fuel the speculation. He says:
“Not only am I not going to sell, my partner cannot sell without my approval.
So I kind of have the ability to determine the outcome of what is going to happen, and I am right in the middle of that.
For a lot of reasons I can’t discuss, I haven’t been able to fix it yet. But I am preparing to be in a position to fix it.”
Great job putting pressure on Gillett mate, but what does it really tell us?
My view is that Hicks might make a move to buy-out Gillett and therefore be in a better position to deal with DIC and for the sake of Liverpool, be in a better position to bring stability to the club.
His biggest fault, if you remember, has been the debt plus the lack of support shown to Rafa. The latter has been rectified partially, and if Hicks can stabilise the club then there is little logic to oppose his ownership. Of course, football fans are hardly logical.
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Post by Bismarck on Mar 1, 2008 2:00:52 GMT
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has responded to Steven Gerrard’s views that the Merseyside club need to win the Premiership sooner rather than later, saying that everyone at the club shares the skipper’s sentiments.
The Reds, who last won the Premiership title 18 years ago, started the current season in a confident manner and seemed that they would be in contention. However, they were surrounded by various off-the-field speculation and at the same time, the Reds also lost their form and suffered some ordinary results. As such, Benitez’s side are currently 17 points behind leaders, Arsenal in the league.
Gerrard, revealing his frustration at not being in the title race, had said on the club’s website: "We can't keep talking about next season all the time. There are only so many times you can say it and believe it. I'm 27 and don't want to be talking about next season for Liverpool when I'm 32."
"Everyone at Liverpool shares Steven's sentiments. We wanted to be further up the table and the fact we are not is a disappointment to everyone," said Benitez in the Mirror.
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Post by Bismarck on Mar 1, 2008 2:02:57 GMT
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has highlighted the talent and importance of young midfielder Lucas Leiva.
The 21-year-old Brazilian international, who joined the Reds in the summer from Gremio, has rose remarkably in the pecking order and has now started the last five games in all competitions, while dislodging Xabi Alonso.
"We've had offers for Lucas but we said no because we want to keep him," he told the club's official website.
"Clubs have asked about him. Clubs in Italy and Spain - maybe ten in La Liga. Good clubs in Spain and clubs in Italy who will pay more money.
"Lucas was the captain of Gremio and Brazil's Under-20 team. He has two caps with the senior national team.
"He's a player with a very good mentality and quality. He's very professional, focused and a fantastic player.
"I don't have any problem with him. If you need to take a penalty, (Steven) Gerrard will be there and Lucas can be there - he has a very good mentality.”
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Post by Bismarck on Mar 1, 2008 2:05:52 GMT
Dirk Kuyt has hailed team-mate Fernando Torres as the Liverpool striker aims for a victory at Bolton Wanderers on Sunday.
Under Rafa Benitez, the Reds have failed to beat the Trotters at the Reebok Stadium, where they lost 2-0 last season.
Spain striker Torres has been in a remarkable form for most part of the season, after having joined in the summer from Atletico Madrid, and helped the Reds with a hat-trick in league win over Middlesbrough last weekend at Anfield to take his season’s goal tally to 21.
With that win coming after the Champions League last-16 first-leg success over Inter Milan, Benitez’s side are looking to continue their winning run and get themselves back in the top-four in the league table.
“It was very important to get the win against Middlesbrough because we still want to do something in the league and we definitely want to play in the Champions League next season,” Kuyt said in the Liverpool Echo.
“We did our job and got the three points and now we have to get as many points as we can from the league games we have coming up.
“We didn’t make a good start in that game but having beaten Inter Milan a few days before we had the confidence to go and turn it around.
“Fernando got us back into it and from then on we went on to control things, even though we had a bit of a scare late on.
“I was happy with the two wins we had against Inter Milan and Middlesbrough and now we have to look to get another one on Sunday against Bolton.”
The Dutch international hailed the 23-year-old Torres, saying: “He is unbelievable, a really good player.
“I have never seen someone who is that quick with the ball. I don’t think anyone is as quick as Fernando is with the ball at his feet.
“He showed it again against Middlesbrough and if you have a player like that in your team you have to be really happy.”
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Post by Bismarck on Mar 1, 2008 2:07:24 GMT
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has praised holding midfielder Javier Mascherano, who is looking to seal a permanent move to Anfield.
The 23-year-old Argentina international arrived at the Merseyside club in January 2007 in an 18-month loan deal, and latest reports have suggested that a £18.6m deal for a four-year contract is imminent.
"Mascherano is playing well and everyone knows he is a good player and there are not too many world-class holding midfielders around,” said Benitez in the Liverpool Echo.
“He is very professional and his commitment is always fantastic so I am very pleased with him. He is always focused and looking to do things the right way for the team.
“It’s difficult to say if there is anyone better than him but we have to be pleased with him.
“He is a young player but he also has experience and enough quality to play in this position and he gives his team mates freedom going forward.
“If you think of Gerrard, for example, he knows that if he goes forward, Mascherano will be there, so he is a key player for us.
“He is like an insurance policy for us in this way.”
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Post by Bismarck on Mar 1, 2008 2:13:13 GMT
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is set to see Javier Mascherano being inducted as a permanent player at Anfield, and claims it’s “maybe hours” before that happens.
After much speculation, although the Argentina international midfielder had maintained that he is keen to stay at Anfield, the 23-year-old is now close to getting a contract as his existing loan was set to expire in the summer.
"It's nearly done, it's very close, maybe hours" said Benitez on the club’s official website.
"We have confidence. The player is very pleased and it will be fantastic news for the club.
"I think everybody knows Mascherano is a key player for us. He gives to us balance. When we talk about the position of Gerrard, Mascherano can give him the freedom.
"Also if you want to change we have Xabi Alonso and also Lucas Leiva, so we have now four midfielders with quality. I think it will be one of the best central midfields in the world if you talk about these four players.
"It shows that at least we are progressing and going forward. I think we are going in the right direction in terms of signing the players that we need and the business that we need to do."
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Post by Bismarck on Mar 4, 2008 13:12:24 GMT
Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard is pleased to see his side react favourably to his rally cry. The Reds won at Bolton Wanderers at the weekend and it was their first win under Rafa Benitez at the Reebok Stadium.
As the battle for the fourth place in the league is intensifying, the Reds were demoted to the fifth place after two hours as Everton beat Portsmouth. However, Benitez’s side have a game in hand over their Merseyside rivals.
"As captain of the team, it (a rallying cry) is sometimes needed. We are disappointed about where we are in the league. It's important we do rally, that we do stick together and keep fighting until the end,” Gerrard, who had recently revealed his unhappiness in an interview with LFC Magazine, said on the club’s official website.
"It wasn't a negative rallying cry, it was to try and be positive and get a reaction because we are used to big performances and big wins at this football club.
The 27-year-old England midfielder added: "This was another massive result because everyone around us has been doing well. We've been slightly inconsistent, so it's important to get maximum points. Now we can go into Wednesday's game with a lot of confidence."
The Reds take on West Ham on Wednesday night in their game in hand, and if they win they will be in the fourth place.
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Post by Bismarck on Mar 4, 2008 13:12:57 GMT
Liverpool winger Ryan Babel believes that Rafa Benitez’s side need to keep winning to make sure of the fourth-place finish, while expecting Everton to drop points.
The Reds are currently fifth while the Toffees are in the fourth spot following their win on Portsmouth later on Sunday as Benitez’s side had earlier won at Bolton to climb above their Merseyside rivals.
However, Liverpool have a game in hand and play West Ham in midweek, winning which should be enough to get them into the last Champions League spot with 10 games to go.
Dutch international Babel had one of his best games for the Reds yesterday and scored a goal to help his side win at the Reebok Stadium for the first time under Benitez. It was also his eighth goal of the season following the summer move to Anfield from Ajax.
The 21-year-old said on the club’s official website: "We had a great week training and built up a lot of confidence. Today we played well and showed that confidence on the pitch.
"We have to keep the pressure on Everton, and I am sure they will drop points before the end of the season. If we keep winning I am sure we'll get that fourth place.
"I was happy with my goal, of course, and it'll give me some confidence also. Hopefully I can push on now after that performance."
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Post by Bismarck on Mar 4, 2008 13:13:28 GMT
Inter Milan have been dealt with another injury blow as defender Christian Chivu has emerged as an early doubt for his side's UEFA Champions League second-leg clash with Liverpool on March 11.
Roberto Mancini’s side were beaten 2-0 at Anfield, and need to fire on all cylinders if they have to advance to the quarter-finals.
However, the Serie A leaders are rocked by injuries to Ivan Cordoba and now Chivu. Marco Materazzi will be suspended after being sent off in the first leg, while Walter Samuel is a long-term injury absentee, and it’s the Italians’ defence that is hit hard.
Romanian international Chivu dislocated his shoulder in the 1-0 defeat to Napoli on Sunday.
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Post by Bismarck on Mar 4, 2008 13:14:14 GMT
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has slammed the reports that were ‘twisted’ into ‘nonsense.’
The Reds midfielder had recently made a plea for improvement but his comments were, according to the England international, interpreted in a wrong manner.
Rafa Benitez’s side are currently fifth in the Premiership table, fighting to get into the fourth place, but they are placed well in the Champions League last-16 round after their 2-0 home win against Inter Milan.
"We are winners and we want to try to win every competition we are in," Gerrard told Liverpool's official website.
"The message I was trying to get across was that, even if we do win the Champions League and finish fourth, we'll still look to improve in the league.
"As captain of the club it's very easy for your words to be twisted into something that doesn't really reflect the interview.
"We are disappointed with where we are in the league, but we're going to try to get into the top four and improve our league situation next season.
"Hopefully while we're going along we can get to another Champions League final. That would be a really good season.
"But the headlines got twisted into, 'If we win the Champions League it won't be important' - which is nonsense.
"That is not what I meant at all. There won't be anyone happier in Liverpool than me if we do win the Champions League again.”
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