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Post by Bismarck on Mar 4, 2008 13:14:44 GMT
In a revelation that could embarrass the Liverpool owners, who have constantly denied that they plan to sell their stake in the club, Dubai International Capital (DIC) have disclosed that they have been in talks with the Americans Tom Hicks and George Gillett.
The latest off-the-field development could yet fuel more speculation including the future of Reds manager Rafa Benitez.
DIC chief executive Sameer al-Ansari is quoted as saying in the Daily Mail: "It's no secret that we have been in discussions with the current owners.
"It's not easy because the owners are in dreamland about valuations at the moment."
Gillett is reportedly thought to be much keener on a sale than his partner Hicks, who had recently stressed his commitment to the Merseyside club.
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Post by Bismarck on Mar 4, 2008 13:15:12 GMT
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has showered praise on Krisztian Nemeth and observed that the teenage striker has the ingredients to make a mark in the Premiership.
The 19-year-old Hungarian, who signed a three-year deal at Liverpool in the summer, features for Gary Ablett's reserves, and has six goals in six games so far as he prepares to take on Bolton reserves tonight.
"He is playing well. He is a player with game intelligence, with ability and someone who can score goals. He is a player we are keeping an eye on for the future,” Benitez said on the club’s official website.
"It is not easy with the strikers we have and the situation at the moment, but we know he is a good player who has the quality and talent we need.
"He must keep working. His is learning and working with the staff. I think he will be much better in time because he wants to learn."
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Post by Bismarck on Mar 4, 2008 13:15:49 GMT
While most of his season has been lost due to a metatarsal problem, defender Daniel Agger is aiming to have an untroubled end to the season as he is set to play for the Liverpool reserves to build his match fitness, against Bolton Wanderers at the Halliwell Jones Stadium on Tuesday night.
The Denmark international, who had been out of first-team action since September, had recently returned to action playing 45 minutes for the reserves in last week's 2-0 win over Manchester United.
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Post by Bismarck on Mar 4, 2008 13:16:19 GMT
Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard has asserted that he is at the right club to satisfy his hunger for trophies.
Speculation had heightened recently about the England midfielder possibly getting too frustrated to stay at the Merseyside club due to their failure to mount title challenge, given that the reds had won their last Premiership trophy in 18 years back, but won the Champions League in 2005 under Rafa Benitez.
“I am hungry for trophies – even more than when I was younger,” he said in the Liverpool Daily Post.
“Maybe it’s because I’m running out of time a bit! I’m 27 and want to make the most of my career and be as successful as I can.
“I think I am at the right club to do that because we’ve got a good squad and we are improv-ing all the time. And we’ve got a good manager, so I’m really confident I can lift many more trophies here – and not just the Champions League.”
“The future’s bright,” he added. “We’ve got a good, young squad, but there’s also a lot of experienced players like Carragher and Hyypia. The signings that have been made are making an impact, so I’ve got confidence that we can go forward.”
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Post by Bismarck on Mar 4, 2008 13:16:46 GMT
Dubai Investment Capital (DIC) have reportedly made a £400m offer to take over Liverpool from current owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett.
According to the Liverpool Echo, the DIC has given the Americans “until midnight to accept or they will walk away from the negotiating table,” and the report also claims that the bid would allow Hicks and Gillett to walk away with a profit of £25m each.
DIC had been interested in buying the Merseyside club even before the Americans took over last year. However, speculation had been rife over the future of their ownership since late last year, and apparently sensing an opportunity, the Dubai-based consortium have reportedly made their move.
The report claims that the pair have been in talks with DIC separately for several weeks and the formal offer was made to them on DIC's behalf by Amanda Staveley, a senior partner of London-based investment firm PCP.
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Post by Bismarck on Mar 4, 2008 13:17:20 GMT
Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano has hailed his team-mate Xabi Alonso saying that he is “one of the best midfielders in world.”
Spain international, Alonso had been off-colour since his comeback from a metatarsal problem earlier this season. However, the 26-year-old got a start against Bolton at the weekend and along with the Argentine international Mascherano, helped Rafa Benitez’s side to clinch a 3-1 win.
"Xabi played really well against Bolton and I enjoyed playing with him," said Mascherano on the club’s official website.
"It was not a surprise that he played well though because he is such a good player – he is one of the best midfielders in the world.
"He was not in the team but he kept on working hard in training and even though he is a Champions League winner he still played for the reserves last week and when his chance came against Bolton he played very well.
"Xabi is a very good passer of the ball and he is also a very intelligent player. It was good to play with him but it is also good to play with Lucas or Gerrard.
"We have some very good players in midfield and that is good for the team because we all have to try our hardest to try to keep our place."
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Post by Bismarck on Mar 10, 2008 14:33:00 GMT
Dubai International Capital (DIC) have confirmed they are in advanced talks to buy a stake in Liverpool.
Reports indicate that Liverpool's joint owner, George Gillett, has agreed to sell 49% of his 50% stake in the club to DIC in a deal worth up to £170m.
DIC now need to agree on a partnership, or buyout deal, with the American's co-chairman and compatriot, Tom Hicks, who has made it clear he has no intention of giving up his control of Anfield.
A statement from DIC read: 'Dubai International Capital confirms that it is in advanced discussions with the co-owners of LFC but that no agreement has been reached on price or shareholding percentage.'
However, it is expected that Hicks will take one per cent off Gillett to give him a majority holding of 51%; DIC would then control the other 49%.
Amanda Staveley, head of PCP Capital Partners, the private equity firm handling the negotiations on behalf of DIC, has claimed Gillett has agreed in principle to a deal.
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Post by Bismarck on Mar 10, 2008 15:02:21 GMT
Liverpool striker Fernando Torres has revealed his joy at the prolific partnership he has struck with skipper Steven Gerrard whom he labelled as “unbelievable”.
The Spain ace, who has scored 25 goals so far this season following his summer arrival at Anfield from Atletico Madrid, rates the England midfielder as ‘maybe the best player in the world.’
Gerrard, who now plays just behind the 23-year-old striker, and Torres combined at the weekend to inspire yet another emphatic win for Liverpool as Rafa Benitez’s side eased past Newcastle United 3-0.
“I’m always happy to play with great players,” Torres said in the Liverpool Echo.
“If you play with someone like Stevie, who is maybe the best player in the world, it can only help you.
“He is a great passer and he can score goals. He is unbelievable.”
Torres added: “I was happy with my own performance against Newcastle and a lot of that is because I am enjoying playing with Stevie.
“I think Stevie is comfortable with me also and now we have to try and play like this all the time.
“The important thing, though, is not whether I score or Stevie scores, it is winning.
“The team has to be the most important thing. It is not about individuals. I am only doing my job for the team and so is Stevie.
“We need to make sure we stay in the top four so we need to keep on winning. Every game now is important in the league and in the Champions League.”
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Post by Bismarck on Mar 10, 2008 15:02:52 GMT
Inter Milan defender Cristian Chivu expects to be fit for tomorrow’s crucial Champions League clash against Liverpool at San Siro.
The Romanian had suffered a shoulder problem recently in a Serie A defeat to Napoli and was considered as a major doubt for the last-16 second-leg against the Reds, who have won the first-leg 2-0 at Anfield.
With Ivan Cordoba and Marco Materazzi – both had started at Anfield – out with injury and suspension respectively, Chivu’s fitness boost is very important for Roberto Mancini’s side.
“I have been training with the squad for two days now, and I haven't had any real problems when making challenges," Chivu said on the club’s official website.
"I'm still feeling a bit of pain, but the pain threshold barrier is much higher now. I am at the service of the team and the coach."
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Post by Bismarck on Mar 12, 2008 10:45:51 GMT
Liverpool entered the quarter-finals of the Champions League with a 3-0 aggregate win over Inter Milan, after a 1-0 victory at the San Siro in the last-16 second-leg on Tuesday night. The Merseysiders had won 2-0 in the first leg at Anfield.
It is the first time that four English sides have made it to the quarter-finals stage, as the Reds joined Premiership’s big three - Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea - in the hat for Friday’s draw.
Liverpool generally looked content to keep it tight at the back rather than showing more ambition in attack, but the sending off of Nicolas Burdisso early in the second half turned the course of the game. The visitors got a goal through Fernando Torres, who took his season’s tally to 26 goals, to kill off the contest just past the hour-mark.
Although Rafa Benitez’s side made a confident start in the intimidating atmosphere in Milan, the Serie A leaders steadily grew in confidence with captain Javier Zanetti and Patrick Vieira orchestrating most of the attacks.
Inter looked threatening in the first half as Julio Cruz tested Pepe Reina in the 9th minute with a low shot from just outside the 18-yard box, and the Liverpool goalkeeper was equal to the task diving to his right to bring up a fine save.
The Reds, looking to hit their rivals on the counter-attack, were almost through in the 25th minute when Ryan Babel was one on one in the race for the ball with Inter’s Julio César, but the goalkeeper beat the Dutchman to the ball to avert the danger.
Torres, sniffing an opportunity in the 28th minute, moved sharply inside the rival area, but the angle was too acute to beat Julio César at the near post.
At the other end, a fantastic move saw Zlatan Ibrahimovic slip in a perfect through ball for strike partner Julio Cruz. However, the latter’s shot went just wide of Reina’s far post at the half-hour mark. Cruz was busy and soon after, had his shot blocked by Javier Mascherano.
Reina was once again the saviour for the Reds as after a patient build-up by Roberto Mancini’s side, a clever flick by Cruz from close saw the alert Reds custodian prevent the damage to their citadel with couple of minutes left for the half time interval.
Inter had a great chance in early minutes of the second half, but Vieira’s hesitation in pulling the trigger, meant that the Reds were not troubled.
In the 50th minute, the Italians were down to 10 men as defender Burdisso was sent off for second bookable offence after having been earlier shown the yellow card in the first half. In the first leg, Inter had Marco Materazzi sent off at Anfield.
Sweden international, Ibrahimovic missed an easy chance to break the deadlock dragging his shot wide of the target in the 57th minute, minute after blazing a free-kick over.
Around the hour-mark, the Reds got a free-kick near the edge of the penalty area and skipper Steven Gerrard’s shot was tipped over by Julio César. Off the resultant corner, Lucas failed to direct his header onto the target.
Torres’ sizzling form continued and a fine shot after a swivel in the 63rd minute following a pass by left-back Fabio Aurelio, saw the Spain ace slam the ball into the back of the net giving the diving Julio César no chance.
The Reds held the upper hand there after, but in a rare attack in the second half, Ibrahimovic continued firing blanks as he blazed over one more time from the close range with 11 minutes left.
Teams:
Inter Milan: Julio César, Cristian Chivu, Maicon, Nicolas Burdisso, Nelson Rivas, Javier Zanetti, Patrick Vieira (Pelé 76), Dejan Stankovic (Luis Jimenez 85), Esteban Cambiasso, Zlatan Ibrahimovic (David Suazo 80), Julio Cruz.
Substitutes not used: Hernán Crespo, Luis Figo, Francesco Toldo, Maniche.
Liverpool: Pepe Reina, Jamie Carragher, Sami Hyypia, Fabio Aurelio, Martin Skrtel, Steven Gerrard, Ryan Babel (Yossi Benayoun 61), Javier Mascherano (Jermaine Pennant 88), Lucas, Fernando Torres, Dirk Kuyt (John Arne Riise 81).
Substitutes not used: Peter Crouch, Andriy Voronin, Alvaro Arbeloa, Charles Itandje.
Referee: Tom Henning Ovrebo (Norway).
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Post by Bismarck on Mar 12, 2008 10:46:30 GMT
Liverpool’s entry into the Champions League quarter-finals to join fellow Premiership rivals Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea, has prompted their manager Rafa Benitez to hail the quality of the English Premier League.
It is the first time that four clubs from a country have made it to the last-8 stage of Europe’s top-most club competition.
Following the Reds 1-0 win over Inter Milan at the San Siro last night, Benitez said: "This victory shows the power and strength of the Premier League.
"We have fine clubs who are among the best in Europe and players of quality who are some of the best in Europe.
"This is the third time we have got to this stage while I have been at Anfield. The first season nobody talked of us winning the Champions League, but we did it.
"Now we have a much better squad and experience and I have great confidence in my team to play in big games.”
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Post by Bismarck on Mar 12, 2008 10:47:14 GMT
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is looking forward to the draw of the Champions League quarter-finals to be held on Friday, but has no preference of their opponents, while Inter Milan boss Roberto Mancini feels the Reds and Arsenal have good chance of winning the title.
Liverpool got the better of Inter 3-0 on aggregate to follow the Gunners, Manchester United and Chelsea into the last-8 stage.
After last night’s 1-0 win at San Siro, Benitez said: “I do not have any preference now who we play next, but I would be more than happy to face an English side in the final.
Mancini added: “Liverpool are a very strong side and can do well in this tournament. I believe Arsenal, too, can win it.”
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Post by Bismarck on Mar 13, 2008 19:29:20 GMT
Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt has hailed his team-mate Fernando Torres, who has now scored 26 goals in his debut season.
The 23-year-old Spain international joined Rafa Benitez’s side in the summer in a club record £20million-plus transfer fee from Atletico Madrid and has proved worth the big-money capture.
After scoring a crucial goal that helped the Reds clinch a 1-0 win at the San Siro last night and an aggregate 3-0 win over Serie A leaders Inter Milan in the Champions League pre-quarterfinals, Torres came in for praise from the Dutchman.
Kuyt said: "Fernando is just special. It is amazing to score this many goals in his first season in England. He is getting them in the league and in Europe, he is doing a great job for the team.
"He will only get better and better. Other teams now are very worried by him, but you could see with the way he put away what was virtually only his one chance of the night just how dangerous he is.
"The rest of the players seem to think he will score in every game, and the way it is going, that is starting to happen."
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Post by Bismarck on Mar 16, 2008 23:15:46 GMT
Liverpool were made to fight all the way by a belligerent Reading outfit - but it was Fernando Torres again who secured the 2-1 home win and a firm grip on fourth place.
Empics Javier Mascherano levels the scores at Anfield Torres became the first Liverpool player to score 20 league goals in a season since Robbie Fowler in the 1995-96 campaign.
• Coppell fumes at ref
It was his 27th of the term and his ninth in seven matches, but that did not really tell the full story of this fierce clash.
Reading gave everything, fought for every ball and subjected Liverpool to a searching aerial examination in a frantic conclusion.
The visitors led after five minutes thanks to a stunning 20-yard strike from Marek Matejovsky and it took an equally stunning Javier Mascherano equaliser to get Liverpool back into the match.
Torres had a quiet game by his standards, but he punished Reading with a header soon after the break, about the only time he was left unattended all afternoon.
From then on Reading fought for an equaliser, and somehow Liverpool - after their midweek Champions League heroics in Milan - clung on for their seventh successive victory.
Liverpool made two changes from the side that beat Inter Milan in the San Siro with Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa returning, with Sami Hyypia and Lucas Leiva making way.
Reading, having pulled themselves marginally away from the relegation battle with two successive wins, were unchanged from the side that beat Manchester City last weekend as they went in search of their first victory at Anfield.
Alonso saw an early shot deflected into Marcus Hahnemann's arms, while Ryan Babel and Torres both looked confident and dangerous.
But Reading stunned their hosts with an exceptional goal after a free-kick wide on the left for Arbeloa's foul on Stephen Hunt.
John Oster guided the ball across the edge of the penalty area and the unmarked Matejovsky smashed a swerving volley into the top corner off the crossbar with Jose Reina motionless.
Liverpool's response was a fine ball from Gerrard that sent Torres away, but Hahnemann rushed from his line to make a fine block on the edge of the box.
It was going to take something special to match Matejovsky's effort and it came from Mascherano, only the second goal of his first-team career with Corinthians, River Plate, West Ham and now Liverpool.
The Argentina international gained possession 40 yards out and surged forward to lash the ball high past Hahnemann into the top right-hand corner.
Liverpool almost scored again when Mascherano's sweeping ball out to Babel set the Dutch youngster moving and he cut in before lashing an angled drive that Hahnemann beat away.
Babel's diving header from Gerrard's cross a minute later was rightly ruled out for offside, before Dirk Kuyt hooked over Arbeloa's cross on the turn.
But Reading were competitive and aggressive and the pace of Kevin Doyle and the spiky involvement of Hunt always had the Berkshire side in the game.
Alonso, from 30 yards, almost put Liverpool ahead a minute from the break, but the hosts struck soon after half-time.
Torres was brought down out on the left after 48 minutes and when Gerrard lifted the free-kick into the box, the Spain striker rose unchallenged to head down and wide of Hahnemann.
Kuyt headed just over from Fabio Aurelio's cross, before Hunt, not surprisingly, got himself booked for yet another foul on Arbeloa.
Torres' crossfield ball sent Babel away on the left and the winger side-stepped three defenders before blasting his shot over the top.
Reading then took off Long, sending on Dave Kitson after 63 minutes. The Irish striker was far from impressed, hurling his shirt onto the track before being reprimanded by a clearly angry Reading boss Steve Coppell for his action.
Hahnemann then saved well to beat out an Aurelio drive, with Torres heading the rebound just wide.
Andre Bikey was next into the book for a foul on Gerrard and the Cameroon international became involved in a heated exchange with the Liverpool captain and referee Andre Marriner before the yellow card was shown.
Cisse was booked for a foul on Torres after 87 minutes, before Alonso fired over from a Riise pass.
Reading threw everything forward and there were loud appeals for a penalty when Gerrard charged down a Kitson shot in injury-time, but Liverpool held on.
Coppell fumes at ref
Reading boss Steve Coppell was left fuming after his side's narrow 2-1 defeat at Anfield. He said: 'I am very disappointed with the free header for Torres, if you allow him to do that six yards out, he will score. We just stood and watched.
'As for what we felt was a strong shout for a penalty late on, the ball hit Gerrard on the arm and it was bound for the net.
'Having seen a penalty given earlier in the week for Aston Villa (when Middlesbrough's Luke Young was harshly penalised for a similar act) this one was stitched on.
'The ball was heading for the goal from (Dave) Kitson and it hit Gerrard on the arms!'
Coppell was unhappy with Long's antics, saying: 'I have told him I never want to see something like that again, and I won't. I will deal with it my way, I won't be telling anyone.
'He was annoyed with the officials, just frustrated. He was playing against a centre-half who was six inches taller and every time they came together, it was a free-kick for Liverpool.
'I understand his frustration, and that is how he expressed it. But it was not the right thing to do.'
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez was also disappointed with the performance of referee Marriner.
He said: 'Reading were upset with the official and so were we. Maybe that says something.
'We had a player, (Alvaro) Arbeloa, who took at elbow in the face and had his eye cut. It was close to the line, and the fourth official. Everybody could see it, but not the referee.
'As for their penalty claim, Steven Gerrard has told me the ball hit him with his arm against his chest, it was not stuck out to deflect the ball.
'I always prefer not to comment on referees, but both sides were clearly disappointed with him.'
On Mascherano's first goal for the club, he said: 'We have been encouraging him to shoot more, and he has started doing that.
'And of course I was pleased with Fernando again. He did not have much space, but scored another crucial goal.'
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Post by Bismarck on Mar 19, 2008 9:55:48 GMT
Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso has fired a warning to Premiership leaders Manchester United ahead of their big clash on Easter Sunday at Old Trafford.
Rafa Benitez’s side have now won their seven consecutive games including five in the Premiership to keep themselves in a confident frame of mind heading into the Red Devils clash.
With striker Fernando Torres going great guns, the Reds have looked dangerous especially with skipper Steven Gerrard striking a ever flourishing partnership with the Spain international, who reached 20-goal mark in the league in the 2-1 win over Reading at the weekend following his summer move to Anfield from Atletico Madrid.
“We are in a good moment, playing well and scoring goals, and now we have to think of the next game against Man United,” said Spain international, Alonso in the Liverpool Echo.
“It is going to be a big game, playing at Old Trafford, we know their qualities but we are really looking forward to it.”
“Fernando has improved,” added Alonso. “He has got rid of the pressure he had at Atletico Madrid. He is feeling really comfortable playing with his team mates at Liverpool and because of this he is getting better and better each day which is good news for the team.
“He has settled into the Premier League very quickly and that is encouraging because it can be difficult coming into a new league.
“He has shown he is not afraid of the physical contact here, with defenders trying to put him off, and that is really important.”
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Post by Bismarck on Mar 21, 2008 12:00:38 GMT
Liverpool defender Fabio Aurelio says Rafa Benitez's side will come to Old Trafford with a belief that they can beat leaders Manchester United.
The two traditional rivals clash on Sunday with Chelsea later hosting Arsenal, as the Premiership title race could see significant development on the day.
Defending champions United are currently three points clear of second-place Gunners, while Liverpool are fourth 11 points behind the leaders.
The Merseysiders, however, have not won against Sir Alex Ferguson’s side in their previous seven league meetings with their last OT scalp coming in April 2004. But the confidence will be high amongst Benitez’s men as they have been in form of late, winning five successive league games.
"When you get good results, the team starts to believe a bit more," the 28-year-old Brazilian full-back told Liverpool's official website.
"For sure . It is a really important game for us and we must gain points.
"We know against top teams anything can happen and it will be the real test of where we are at the moment.
"But we need to be strong enough to go into these games with confidence.
"Of course, playing in Old Trafford is really difficult but we have to believe that we can go there and win."
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Post by Bismarck on Mar 25, 2008 14:29:49 GMT
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez wants to talk to referees chief Keith Hackett and find a solution to the Old Trafford controversy.
The Reds were reduced to 10 men just before the half time interval, when Steve Bennett showed the second yellow card to Javier Mascherano for dissent.
The Argentina midfielder was left shocked as to why he was booked when what he had done was just asked a question without confronting or being aggressive towards the referee. He had to be calmed down by Benitez and team-mate Peter Crouch and as such, his continuous remonstration could get the 24-year-old a three-match ban and heavy fine by the FA.
“I would like to speak to Keith Hackett because it is important that we find a solution,” said Benitez in the Liverpool Echo.
“At Liverpool, we respect the game, we respect the rules and we respect the referee, and it is important to remember that Mascherano was the first Liverpool player to be sent off in the league this season.”
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Post by Bismarck on Mar 28, 2008 11:41:58 GMT
Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano has been slapped with a FA charge of improper conduct following his reaction to being sent off by referee Steve Bennett for dissent amounting to a second bookable offence during Sunday’s 3-0 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford. The Argentina international has until 6pm tomorrow to respond.
The FA said in a statement: “The charge relates to his reaction towards referee Steve Bennett after being sent off against Manchester United on Sunday, March 23.
“He has until 6pm tomorrow to respond. The case will be heard by a regulatory commission on Friday, April 4.
“Mascherano is currently serving a one-match suspension for the sending-off.”
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Post by Bismarck on Mar 28, 2008 11:42:32 GMT
Liverpool full-back John Arne Riise has admitted that he is approaching decision time over his future after becoming increasingly frustrated due to uncertainty over his place.
The Norway international has had to face competition from Fabio Aurelio and as such has just 26 starts in all competitions this season.
Newcastle United and Aston Villa have been linked with the 27-year-old, who moved to Anfield from Monaco in 2001. However, Riise had maintained that he wants to stay at the Merseyside club for the rest of his career.
But the versatile left-sided player has now spoken about his frustration, telling the Norwegian media: "I am not happy with the situation. I am used to playing in 80 per cent of all the games, but if I don't get to play as much as I want to I have to make a choice this summer as to whether I should stay or not.
"I just have to wait and see what will happen. Maybe he (boss Rafa Benitez) will offer me a new contract, maybe not. It's frustrating not knowing if you are going to play the next game or not."
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Post by Bismarck on Mar 28, 2008 11:43:10 GMT
Liverpool FC’s remaining Premiership and Champions League match fixtures for the 2007-2008 English Premier League Season.
Liverpool, who are currently 4th in the Premier League table (behind Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal), are now seemingly chasing the fourth and final Champions League place, with 59 points from 31 matches, two points ahead of local rivals Everton in 5th spot.
Their next match is in the Merseyside Derby against 5th placed Everton at Anfield before facing three consecutive matches against fierce League rivals Arsenal - two legs in the Champions League quarter-finals and in between a Premier League fixture away at The Emirates Stadium.
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is desperate to seal 4th place in the Premiership and a tough contest awaits in the final match of the season, where they face Tottenham Hotspur - who themselves are chasing a European place next season - at White Hart Lane on Sunday May 11th.
Liverpool FC remaining fixtures 2007/08:
Sunday, 30th March 2008 Fixture Kick-Off Liverpool v Everton 16:00 Wednesday, 2nd April 2008 Arsenal v Liverpool (CL 1st-leg) 19:45 Saturday, 5th April 2008 Arsenal v Liverpool 15:00 Tuesday, 8th April 2008 Liverpool v Arsenal (CL 2nd-leg) 19:45 Sunday, 13th April 2008 Liverpool v Blackburn Rovers 13:30 Saturday, 19th April 2008 Fulham v Liverpool 13:30 Saturday, 26th April 2008 Birmingham City v Liverpool 13:30 Saturday, 3rd May 2008 Liverpool v Manchester City 15:00 Sunday, 11th May 2008 Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool 15:00
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Post by Bismarck on Mar 30, 2008 14:34:13 GMT
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has disclosed that the squad will be reinforced by three new players in the summer with two youngsters and a seasoned campaigner arriving on the Merseyside.
"We have agreements with two young players and one senior player who will be a starting XI player," Benitez told The Mail on Sunday.
"That deal is already done. We are also making plans for our preseason tour and talking to players here about new contracts."
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Post by Bismarck on Mar 30, 2008 18:39:00 GMT
Gerrard hails crucial derby win Gerrard was delighted with his side's win over rivals Everton Steven Gerrard believes Liverpool's 1-0 win over Everton could be crucial in the race for fourth place in the Premier League.
Fernando Torres bagged his 28th goal of the season to give Liverpool all three points and put the Reds five points clear of their Merseyside rivals.
"It was a big win and we knew how important this game would be for us," said Gerrard.
"Hopefully we can continue to pick up wins and grab that fourth spot."
He added: "Credit to Everton they came back strongly in the second half - we couldn't quite get that second goal which made it harder."
Reds manager Rafa Benitez is still wary of the threat Everton pose in the race for the final Champions League spot and was frustrated by his team's inability to kill the game off.
"To do the double over Everton is really good for us, but I think that in the first half we had chances to score and finish the game," he said.
"When you are winning just 1-0, a free-kick, a corner or a throw-in can be dangerous, so we were hard-working in defence and played on the counter-attack and I felt we had a lot of chances.
"We need to keep winning, but at least when you have five points more than the other team it makes things a little bit easier."
Benitez also hailed the impact that Torres has made since arriving at Anfield in the summer and believes his new formation of employing Gerrard behind the Spaniard is paying dividends.
"To score 28 goals, 21 in the league, in your first season is not easy for anyone especially for a player coming to a different country" he added.
"I think the understanding between Gerrard and Torres is good so we tried to use these two key players.
"You can also see Babel and Kuyt are working hard and creating problems for the other team's so it's a formation that is good for the team."
We're not running out of steam - it's more a case of not having enough bodies.
Everton manager David Moyes
Everton manager David Moyes had no complaints with the result, but pinpointed Everton's lack of attacking options after strikers Andrew Johnson, Victor Anichebe and James Vaughan were all ruled out.
Moyes will also have to do without midfielder Tim Cahill for the rest of the season but is not giving up hope of overtaking their Merseyside rivals.
"We lacked penetration when we got into good positions around the penalty area but we handed Liverpool an early advantage," he said.
"Unfortunately we've had a few injuries at the business end of the season. We're not running out of steam - it's more a case of not having enough bodies.
"There are still games to be played so it doesn't change things for us. We're still positive about the rest of the season. Five points is a big gap but we won't be giving up."
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Post by Bismarck on Apr 2, 2008 19:58:31 GMT
According to Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt, there is no reason why Rafa Benitez’s side need to fear Arsenal.
The Reds will take on the Gunners at the Emirates Stadium tonight in the Champions League quarter-finals first leg.
"Arsenal are a good team and they play very good football, so we have to give them the respect they deserve,” said the Dutch international on the club’s official website.
"But in the last couple of seasons we have beaten Barcelona at the Nou Camp and Inter Milan at the San Siro, so we don't need to fear anyone.
"We have so much experience in the Champions League and we have played so many good teams, so we should be confident about our own chances.
"We have shown that if we do our job right, we can beat anyone in this competition."
Last season, Arsene Wenger’s side had ousted Liverpool from both the FA Cup and the Carling Cup.
"What happened last season is in the past," Kuyt said. "We played Arsenal earlier this season and drew 1-1, but I think we have improved since then.
"We know that we can score at the Emirates because we have scored at places like the Nou Camp and the San Siro and we will definitely be looking to score."
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Post by Bismarck on Apr 5, 2008 11:24:51 GMT
Rafa Benitez has made wholesale changes to the Liverpool side that will take on Arsenal in the Premiership clash at the Emirates Stadium in Saturday’s early kick-off.
French youngster Damien Plessis gets a debut with the defensive midfielder being one of eight changes to the side that had held the Gunners to a 1-1 draw in Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final first leg.
The Team: Reina, Arbeloa, Finnan, Skrtel, Carragher, Riise, Pennant, Benayoun, Lucas, Plessis, Crouch.
Substitutes: Itandje, Hyypia, Gerrard, Torres, Voronin.
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Post by Bismarck on Apr 7, 2008 18:41:18 GMT
Rafa's Mind Games have started.........
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez reckons Arsenal’s best chance of winning silverware this season is in the Champions League though they might feel they are still in Premiership title race following leaders Manchester United drawing at Middlesbrough on Sunday.
The Reds host the Gunners in the Champions League quarter-finals second leg on Tuesday night after having held the north-Londoners to a 1-1 draw in the first leg before denting their league title chances with a 1-1 draw at the weekend at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsene Wenger’s side are currently six points behind the Red Devils in the Premiership table and in third place with Chelsea being in the second position, with five games left.
"If they want to win a trophy then it must be this game because it will be very difficult to win the Premier League,” said Benitez.
"Before the game on Saturday they knew they had to win to stay in the title race.
"He (Wenger) changed five players, but had to bring back his big players trying to win the game.
"Maybe afterwards he felt that the race for the title is over. But then United drew at Middlesbrough, so he will maybe think that their chance has returned.
"But I still believe this game at Anfield will be the most important match they have if they want to win a trophy."
Benitez, whose side have a crucial away goal, however declined the notion that they start as the favourites at Anfield.
“We are confident. We have been playing well in recent games and have been getting the results. The performances have been good. That is what we have been looking for at this stage of the season.
"But we are not favourites, not with the the quality players they have. But this will be different from the first leg, because playing at Anfield is a massive difference.
"And they need to win. It could well be an attacking game. It is important for the club and for me to progress. We have been working hard to get to this point all season, so it is important for all of us.
"Maybe they cannot win the title now, but with Manchester United drawing on Sunday there is still a slight chance. But I do not expect Arsenal to be thinking about the title now, just the Champions League.
"The Champions League is massive for them, that is what they will be thinking about.
"But we are in good form, our players are doing well and we have fresh legs.
"And for us, we need to score. Arsenal can always score away so we cannot think of a 0-0."
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Post by Bismarck on Apr 11, 2008 0:27:53 GMT
Liverpool Boss Rafael Benitez is having no second thoughts on his sides ability of reaching their third Champions League final in four years and has declared that "We can get to Moscow."
Liverpool, who have knocked out the likes of Inter Milan and Arsenal from the Champions League on their way to the semis, will be hoping to deliver the same result against Chelsea whom they face in the semi-finals.
Should they come out victorious against the Blues, Benitez’s boys will then go on to face either Manchester United or Barcelona in the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on May 21.
"We deserve to be in the semi-finals and we feel we can reach the final again," said the Anfield manager. "Can we get to Moscow, why not?
"We have talked of the possibility and we are proud to be playing against the best teams in Europe at this stage of the competition.
"We have done it before and won and now we can do it again. Why not us in the final? We will always do our best and we know we can do it because we have done it in the past.
"We have figured in the best final ever in Istanbul. Then we reached the final in Athens and we lost, although we played much better there than we did in Istanbul.
"Now we are getting close again and hopefully the next one will be better.
"The match against Arsenal was one of the best European nights ever for the club, but hopefully the next one will be even better.
"Yes, we do well in European matches. We have the passion, the ability and the application for these type of games."
Benitez added: "Everybody knows how difficult it is to play against Chelsea and how good they are. It has been difficult against them in the past and we know it will be difficult again because they have such good players.
"I know they are at home for the second leg this time, but in these type of games it is just as difficult for both sides.
"Home advantage does not always mean much but I will tell you afterwards whether it was an advantage for Chelsea this time!"
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Post by Bismarck on Apr 17, 2008 10:34:36 GMT
Liverpool vice-captain Jamie Carragher has told his team-mates not to lose their focus from Saturday’s Premiership trip to Fulham, in the background of the Champions League semi-finals showdown with Chelsea.
The Reds defender is keen to get full points at the struggling Cottagers in their bid to secure the fourth-place in the league, with Merseyside rivals Everton also vying for the last Champions League qualifying spot.
"We've got to concentrate on the Fulham game first," the former England international said in the Liverpool Echo.
"We can't afford to look ahead to games in the future and if we were to take our eye off the game against Fulham we could end up losing that and maybe losing a bit of confidence for when we do play Chelsea."
Rafa Benitez’s side will head to Craven Cottage, with last weekend’s emphatic victory over Blackburn under their belt.
"We will have had almost a week since the Blackburn game so it's not as if we won't have had the time to prepare. Fulham are fighting for their lives at the moment and they had a good result against Reading at the weekend but we've got plenty of confidence ourselves and we'll be going there looking to get the win,” asserted Carragher.
"I'm sure it will be tough because Fulham need the points as much as we do for different reasons but we're on a good run of form and we have to look to take that into this game."
On their local rivals, Everton, who take on Chelsea on Thursday, he said: "Everton have had a great season and you can't write them off even though they've got a few difficult games coming up. Until it's mathematically certain we can't rest. We have got to keep our form going because I'm sure Everton will take it right to the wire.
"We have got an advantage at the moment and we are pleased with that but five points can go pretty quickly."
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Post by Bismarck on Apr 21, 2008 18:51:13 GMT
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has confirmed that skipper Steven Gerrard is fit for Tuesday night's Champions League semi-final first-leg against Chelsea at Anfield.
The England midfielder had missed Saturday's 2-0 win at Fulham after suffering a neck injury in training. As such, he was doubtful for the first leg of the all-English last-four clash with Avram Grant's men.
However, Benitez revealed at a press conference held at Anfield this afternoon that the talismanic midfielder ‘is okay.’
“Yes, he is fit,” said Benitez. “He was training this morning so he is okay.”
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Post by Bismarck on Jun 12, 2008 14:14:18 GMT
Rafa will offer £15 million for Barry. Funded by Alonso first instalment and Riise sale. Dossena done deal £7 million and offer in for either Milner/Riera £7–9 million. This means Rafa has £15 million transfer budget + sales. Pennant and Carson will be used as swap deals £6–7 million each. Possible Pennant swap in Bentley or Downing deal/Possible Carson in Barry deal. That is it for the Summer. If owners overrule Rafa and allow Crouch to leave then funds available for forward in £8–£10 million range. I have no idea on targets as it is 50: 50 Crouch sale. Rafa is desperate for cash but to allow Crouch to sit on the bench and leave for free in 2009 is stupid. Stop quoting Villa, Silva, Quaeresma, Hunteelar. Big Targets in 2009 when DIC takeover complete.
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Post by Bismarck on Jun 13, 2008 0:24:23 GMT
Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill is determined to get the right price for captain Gareth Barry after dismissing Liverpool's third bid for the England midfielder as 'just not acceptable'.
Earlier on Thursday Villa rejected a new offer for Barry from the Reds - this time believed to be around the £15million mark.
Barry has told O'Neill he wants to join Liverpool in order to play Champions League football and boost his international prospects but the Villa boss insists his club will not be bullied into selling.
He told the BBC: 'Gareth and I had a little chat when he got back from holiday and he has said he would fancy going to Liverpool.
'That's obviously a big setback to us, but the offer from Liverpool is just not acceptable.
'It's very frustrating. We finished sixth last year, he was a major part of that and he has been a splendid player for us for some considerable time.'
O'Neill accepts it is a fact of life star players will always be targeted by big clubs and has vowed the club will continue their bid to break the stranglehold of the 'big four' in next season's Premier League.
'If Manchester United are having a struggle keeping hold of (Cristiano) Ronaldo, I guess the rest of us have a bit of trouble,' he added.
'It's difficult (to break into the top four) but that's what you're in the game for. If it's without Gareth Barry, we'll still have a go.'
Barry appeared destined to leave Villa Park when he said earlier this month: 'You only have to look at the England squad to see the amount of players who get in the squad and start the games - the majority play in the Champions League.
'That's all about the decision that will have to be made by myself. Liverpool are in the Champions League and Villa are trying to push for that. That's all part of my decision if a bid gets accepted.
'Just to think about it makes it a tough decision. There's so much to lose at Aston Villa. I've been there for 10 years, got a good rapport with the fans, I'm captain [and have a] great relationship with the manager.'
Barry must now wait to see if Liverpool return with yet another bid or whether Benitez opts to look elsewhere.
It is believed previous offers for the midfielder included a cash-plus-player deal and this could still be the key to landing Barry.
Liverpool goalkeeper Scott Carson spent the whole of last season on loan at Villa Park and O'Neill is believed to want to make the move permanent.
Benitez is willing to sell, but again the two are at loggerheads over the valuation of the player.
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