Thursday, February 28, 2008

Rafa and Gerrard Unhappy with form

Rafa says he shares Steven Gerrard's frustration at their failure to mount a serious title challenge this season.

The Reds are well off the pace in the title race, sitting in fifth spot behind leaders Arsenal.

Skipper Gerrard launched a damning assessment of the club's league form earlier this week and Benitez says it is a view shared by everyone connected to the club and that he has no problem with Gerrard voicing his displeasure.

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posted by LFC in Toronto at 11:25 AM 0 comments

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Continuing Ownership Antics -- Rafa no good for DIC?

Sigh. Dubai investors are reportedly just a fortnight away from taking a 50 per cent stake in Liverpool.

That could be bad news for Rafa Benitez, with DIC reportedly 'not convinced that Benitez is the right man for Liverpool'.

The Sun claims that DIC are on the verge of buying out George Gillett after noticing that his name was missing from the statement from Liverpool's parent company, Kop Football Holdings after the refinancing deal.

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Monday, January 21, 2008

Club Refinancing Q & A

The BBC has posted an excellent article about the club's refinancing activities.

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posted by LFC in Toronto at 3:14 PM 0 comments

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Parry: No transfer ban for Benitez

Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry has dismissed claims boss Rafael Benitez has been told he cannot do any transfer deals in January.

It was reported Liverpool's American co-owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks had placed Benitez under a transfer embargo on moves in and out of Anfield.

But Parry told BBC Sport: "I can say that this is absolute rubbish."

Liverpool, however, are likely to wait until the summer to complete a proposed £17m move for Javier Mascherano.

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Monday, December 17, 2007

Gillett 'married' to Benitez?

Liverpool co-owner George Gillett has given his full support to Reds manager Rafael Benitez after clear-the-air talks with the Spaniard on Sunday.

Benitez met with Gillett and co-owner Tom Hicks hours after Sunday's 1-0 defeat by Manchester United at Anfield.

Gillett told the Liverpool Echo: "Rafa is the one we want as manager further on, and we have faith in him.

"I've been married over 40 years and have first-hand knowledge about how to solve an argument."

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Friday, November 30, 2007

Rafa: No problems with Owners

Rafa Benitez has played down talk of his row with the club's American owners, saying his relationship with them is fine. [ Video ]

Benitez's row with Liverpool co-owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks has dominated the headlines in the last week, with the Spaniard upset that the Americans would not back his transfer plans.

The Spaniard is planning to talk to both men to try and resolve the matter, but he insists he has no problem with the American pair.

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Thursday, November 29, 2007

Win over Porto, Benitez Conciliatory

After beating Porto to renew their Champions League hopes, Benitez said he just wants the best for Liverpool and believes he can resolve his differences with Hicks and Gillett.

"I don't have any personal problems with the owners," he said. "I'm sure we will talk and they will understand and I will understand their ideas."

Wednesday night's result against Porto at Anfield means a win in their final group game against Marseille will put Liverpool through to the knockout stages of the Champions League.

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Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Rafa Changing?

Graham Hunter says friends of Rafael Benitez have noticed him become increasingly "difficult and demanding" since he went to Liverpool.

Benitez's future at Anfield is reportedly in the balance after a falling out with Liverpool owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett over the club's transfer policy.

And Spain-based journalist Hunter says people who know Benitez can sympathise with the American billionaires because the Spaniard's personality has changed significantly in the last few years.

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Friday, November 23, 2007

Rafa discplined?

Rafa Benitez has been told by club co-owner Tom Hicks to "quit talking about new players" and to win games with those he already has.

On Thursday Benitez hinted Hicks and co-owner George Gillett were holding up his transfer plans and even suggested he could be England's next coach.

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Thursday, November 15, 2007

Agger close to return

Liverpool defender Daniel Agger aims to make his comeback from injury at Newcastle after the international break.

The 22-year-old centre-back has been out since early September and has missed 13 matches with a broken metatarsal.

Agger was ruled out of the Denmark squad this week and said: "I'm not going off with my country but I would hope to be ready to play for Liverpool after the international break."

Yossi Benayoun, who has been ruled out of Israel's clash with Russia on Saturday with a groin problem, also has a chance of facing Newcastle.

"Yossi is working with the physios now. We will have to see if he is fit for Newcastle, it's still too early to say" said Rafa Benitez.

"He and Agger are maybes but perhaps it will be easier for Agger than for Benayoun."

However, Xabi Alonso, also out with a metatarsal problem, has already been ruled out of the visit to Newcastle.

Benitez added: "Xabi should start running in the next week but he is a 'no' for Newcastle, for sure."

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Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Reina talks about Title Determination

Pepe Reina says that Rafa Benitez 'will break his own head' to find a way to win the Premier League title for Liverpool.

The Spanish goalkeeper admits that the championship is the Reds' priority this season and says he would happily exit the Champions League if a Premier League title was guaranteed.

"I know Rafa well and he will break his own head to find a solution to get the title for Liverpool," said Reina. "He has the experience of three seasons in England now and knows more of what is required.

"We are all aware of how desperate the fans are to win the championship. After 18 years without doing so, for a club like Liverpool, that's only normal.

"We all wish to give them that chance to celebrate the title after so long. It's our biggest target for the season."

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Monday, November 05, 2007

Rafa Unconcerned.

Rafa has told the media that his job is safe despite the Reds' battling to stay in the Champions League and a slow start to their domestic season.

Liverpool are bottom of their Champions League group, having picked up just one point in three games, and seventh in the Premier League.

Benitez insisted Liverpool's owners are remaining "very, very positive".

"I felt they are really focused and supporting so I think the future is great," he told BBC Radio 5 Live.

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Thursday, October 25, 2007

Reds hold onto Euro hopes.

Rafa Benitez has not given up hope on Liverpool reaching the latter stages of the Champions League after defeat to Besiktas left them bottom of Group A.

The Reds have one point after losing 2-1 and almost certainly need to win their three remaining games to qualify.

Tom Hicks has come out solidly behind the manager: "We back Rafa - he's the right manager...Rafa's rotation has been his policy for three years - his ability to coach and manage in the Champions League should be unquestioned."

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Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Substitution by Rafa concerns Stevie

Steven Gerrard will lead Liverpool into their Champions League crunch match in Istanbul on Wednesday acutely aware boss Rafael Benitez would substitute him again without a second thought.

Benitez caused a storm by withdrawing Gerrard on Saturday's high-tension Mersey derby win at Everton, preferring the ball retention skills of 20 year-old Brazilian youngster Lucas.

Said Benitez: "Would I do it again? Yes, if it helped the team.

"I have talked to Stevie and he obviously wanted to play out the match. But I repeat that my decisions are based on what the team needs.

"If I felt that I needed to substitute my captain again, of course I would do it. Everything I do is aimed at benefiting the team."

Many feel Benitez put down a marker at Goodison Park on Saturday by hauling Gerrard off because he was playing with his heart and not his head.

Publicly, Gerrard has accepted his manager's viewpoint, but privately it is believed he is still concerned by the situation.

Now Benitez will expect a disciplined display from Gerrard in Istanbul, where Liverpool's Champions League future is on the line.

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Monday, October 22, 2007

Gerrard hurt to be subbed.

Rafa confused many on Saturday when he subbed off Stevie G. Including the man himself.

Gerrard was 'hurt and disappointed' to be substituted in the Merseyside derby on Saturday.

Gerrard was taken off with 20 minutes to go of Liverpool's 2-1 win at Goodison Park, and was clearly baffled at Rafa Benitez's decision.

However, Benitez explained that he took Gerrard off because he wanted more control in midfield: "In this game, sometimes you need to play with the brain and we were playing with heart. We needed to keep the ball and pass the ball."

Gerrard told The Liverpool Echo: "I'm a local lad so the derby is really important to me and I would have liked nothing better than to play the full game and to be on the pitch when we got the winner.

"But as it turned out I was taken off and Lucas Leiva who replaced me played a crucial role in us getting the winning goal.

"I was hurt and disappointed at being taken off because, like I said, I'm a local lad and the derby means everything to me."

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Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Rafa: Crouch not for sale.

Peter Crouch has been linked with a January switch to Manchester City after slipping down the pecking order at Liverpool since the arrivals of Fernando Torres and Andriy Voronin.

But Benitez insists: "People have been talking about Peter Crouch for two months, but he is our player and we don't want to sell him.

"He is a nice boy, a good professional, a good player.

"It is clear that this team now with four strikers creates more competition for places, but I don't have any problems because Crouch is a good player."

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posted by LFC in Toronto at 10:11 AM 0 comments

Friday, October 12, 2007

Kewell: "The Return"?

Chronic injury-ridden winger Harry Kewell is closing in on a return to first-team football after a groin injury.

Kewell, 29, picked up the injury while playing for Australia in the Asian Cup in the summer and has not played for Rafael Benitez's side this season.

But Benitez said: "Harry is working really hard and next week he could be training with the first team.

"Harry is very important for us. A player with pace and ability who can score goals is always important."

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Friday, October 05, 2007

Rafa unhappy with current form

Rafael Benitez is demanding a reaction from his players after the shock Champions League defeat to Marseille.

Liverpool lost 1-0 at Anfield and have taken just one point from their first two games in Group A.

The Reds face Spurs at home in the Premier League on Sunday and Benitez said: "I want to see character from the players now, it is the only way to react after what happened against Marseille."

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Thursday, October 04, 2007

Hard times for Rafa and LFC

Reeling from what Rafa Benitez admitted what was the worst performance of his tenure, Liverpool are now facing up to a run of fixtures that will inevitably be billed as a 'make-or-break' period in their season.

The cacophony of boos that greeted the Reds' first-ever defeat to French opposition at Anfield will have been followed by the harsh sound of alarm bells ringing for Rafa Benitez. Unable to spare any of his players from criticism after Marseille's deserved victory, the Spaniard vowed to "analyse everything".

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Loss to Marseille

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez described Wednesday's defeat at home to Marseille as possibly his side's worst display since he took over at Anfield.

The Reds produced a second below-par performance in the Champions League as they suffered a 1-0 loss that leaves them third in Group A.

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Wednesday, October 03, 2007

Rafa gives Crouch a Warning

Liverpool chief Rafa Benitez has warned Peter Crouch that he must fight for his place at Anfield. Crouch has dropped down the pecking order at Liverpool this season with Fernando Torres, Dirk Kuyt and Andrei Voronin all ahead of him in Benitez's plans.

The England international has spoken of his frustration at his lack of first-team opportunities, but Benitez has told the giant forward to do his talking on the pitch. Liverpool play Marseille tonight in Champions League Group Play.

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Monday, September 24, 2007

Gerrard concerns; Draw against Birmingham

Liverpool drew against Birmingham on Saturday, starting Voronin and Kyut.

Said Rafa:"The game was very frustrating, we tried to play wide, we tried to get the ball into the box and we did everything we could to break them down.

"In the end we ran out of ideas. The game was too narrow, it was too congested in the box and there was no space."

Rafa believes Steven Gerrard's recent England outings have taken a toll on the midfielder.

Gerrard was doubtful for England with a broken toe but played in both Euro 2008 qualifying wins over Israel and Russia.

"It could be that playing twice for England has had an impact," Benitez told the Liverpool Echo.

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posted by LFC in Toronto at 10:22 AM 0 comments

Friday, September 21, 2007

Liverpool v Birmingham

Liverpool play Birmingham tomorrow. Going into the game, every goal Liverpool have conceded this season has come via the penalty spot. Birmingham have never failed to score at Anfield in the Premier League era.

Ahead of the match Rafa has stated: "We need to get back to playing good football, passing the ball well, creating chances and scoring.

"The positive is we are still unbeaten and our idea is continue the momentum we've created for as long as possible.

"I know Birmingham will be a strong opponent. They have a lot of experience and their manager knows Liverpool."

[ Preview ]

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Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Allardyce: Rafa lucky to still have job.

Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce has criticised Rafael Benitez's tenure at Anfield, suggesting the Spaniard would have been "very lucky to be in a job" if he had not reached two Champions League finals.

Allardyce insists Benitez places too much emphasis on European competition instead of launching a sustained bid for the Barclays Premier League title - but believes his success on the Continent could have saved his job.

Liverpool have finished fifth, third and third domestically under Benitez as well as winning the European Cup in 2005 and reaching the final last season.

Allardyce, speaking to Zoo magazine, said: "Rafa would be very lucky to be in a job if he hadn't got to two Champions League finals, because they have had some very, very poor finishes in the Premier League."

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Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Rafa: Pepe not going anywhere

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has rubbished reports linking Jose Reina with a possible move to Atletico Madrid.

Recent reports emanating from Spain suggested Atletico were lining up a move for the Liverpool No.1.

Benitez has refuted the rumours and says the player is going nowhere, having signed a new deal to keep him at Anfield until 2012.

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posted by LFC in Toronto at 8:54 AM 0 comments

Monday, September 03, 2007

Liverpool dominate Derby, lead league

Liverpool outclassed Derby to move to the top of the Premier League table for the first time under Rafa Benitez.

It was an utterly dominant performance from the Reds, who have now won five out of their six games in all competitions this season - but none as easily as this.

They always looked like extending their impressive start to the season against a Derby side lacking ambition and devoid of ideas.

Said Rafa: "It was an almost perfect performance. In the first half we missed lots of chances and it was only after the third goal that the game was over.

"We knew Derby had a good team spirit and we did a professional job.

"I am very happy to be top but it is just for one day. It is nice to score six but there is a long way to go."

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Friday, August 31, 2007

Paco exit rocks Anfield

Rafael Benitez now has to deal with the imminent departure of his right-hand man Paco Ayesteran from Anfield.

His fellow Spaniard and long-term friend had been Benitez's number two at Tenerife and Valencia before he followed the Reds chief to Merseyside. It is believed that the players were informed of the news on Thursday after training, and it is not expected that Ayesteran will be alongside Benitez in the dug-out for Saturday's home game with Derby.

Liverpool would not confirm any further details, although Benitez said: 'Paco has told me he wants to leave, apart from that I cannot say any more. We will have to assess the situation.' It is not known whether Ayesteran has been offered another job in Spain or whether he wants to return home for personal reasons.

The disruption to Benitez's backroom staff will be massive. Ayesteran has been in charge of fitness coaching, but also handles much of the squad administration.

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Thursday, August 30, 2007

Champions League Group Stage Draw

Liverpool will take on Porto, Marseille and Besiktas in Group A play of the 2007 - 2008 Champions League Group Stage. Rafa has warned his players that they have been drawn in a tough group. [ More ]

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Friday, August 17, 2007

Benitez blows off Mourinho

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez insists he would rather focus on the team than his war of words with Chelsea chief Jose Mourinho.

Mourinho could not wait for the season to start before he declared the heat was on Benitez to deliver this campaign following his summer spending spree.

The Liverpool boss could not resist responding to his Blues counterpart, saying: "I thought Jose had said he wouldn't be talking about other clubs this season. Maybe he's already forgotten that."

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Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Rafa to continue rotating

Rafa insists he will continue to rotate his squad this season.

The Anfield boss has received criticism from some quarters for his policy of shuffling his Liverpool squad, but Benitez is undeterred. The Reds face Toulouse in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday and Peter Crouch, Yossi Benayoun and Javier Mascherano are expected to play.

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Friday, August 10, 2007

Rafael looks for boat load of goals

Rafael Benitez wants goals, goals, goals and an immediate return for his £40million summer spending spree.

Benitez is well aware he is under intense pressure to produce a genuine title challenge and that, as Jose Mourinho points out, he cannot play the pauper any longer.

But he goes into the new campaign at Aston Villa brimming with confidence and positively gloating over the quality and options he now has.

Benitez said: "If you want to be contenders then you have to score a lot more goals than we did."

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Thursday, June 07, 2007

Betis aim to strike deal for Gonzalez

Liverpool are reportedly ready to secure first option on Real Betis starlet Juande, as part of a deal that will take Mark Gonzalez back to Spain.

Real Betis are believed to be leading the chase for the Chilean winger who has also been linked with Real Zaragoza and Real Sociedad - where he spent time on loan last year.

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Friday, May 25, 2007

Rafa moving for Owen?

Liverpool co-owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks have vowed to back boss Rafa Benitez in the summer transfer market.

And American Gillett has not discounted a move for former Reds striker Michael Owen, whose future at Newcastle has been the topic of intense speculation.

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Thursday, May 24, 2007

Rafa: "We must spend big"

Rafa has vowed to start rebuilding his side immediately after the Champions League final defeat by AC Milan in Athens.

Out-of-contract players Jerzy Dudek and Robbie Fowler are leaving and Benitez revealed Mark Gonzalez and Boudewijn Zenden may follow them out of the club.

'We have a deal nearly completed for Gonzalez and I have told Bolo that he can talk to other clubs,' said Benitez.

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Thursday, May 03, 2007

Rafa wary of Milan

Rafa has warned his players to be wary of a 'dangerous' AC Milan team in the Champions League final later this month.

The Italians swept aside Manchester United in the semi-final second leg at the San Siro on Wednesday to set up a rematch of their 2005 encounter when, from 3-0 up at half-time, they eventually lost on penalties to the Merseysiders.

Benitez believes Milan will be driven by revenge for that shock defeat and has urged his team not to underestimate the task ahead.

'It's clear we are going to play a team with players with a great attitude and quality,' said the Spaniard, whose own side saw off the challenge of Chelsea on penalties to reach the Athens final.

'You could see by how hard they worked last night. They are desperate to win the Champions League and after what happened two years ago we must be very careful.

'They are a very dangerous opponent for us.'

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Monday, April 30, 2007

Bellamy dismisses problems with Rafa

Craig Bellamy has described allegations that he has no working relationship with Rafael Benitez as 'complete garbage'.

It has been reported that the Welshman will leave Anfield this summer after a series of fallings out with Benitez.

Said Bellamy: 'Rafa is the best coach I have worked with and I'm a better player for having worked with him.'

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posted by LFC in Toronto at 11:36 AM 0 comments

Thursday, April 05, 2007

Benitez plan wins Gillett backing

New Liverpool co-owner George Gillett will not discuss the size of the club's summer transfer kitty but has promised to back manager Rafael Benitez.

Newspaper reports have suggested Benitez will be given £40m to spend but Gillett would not comment on the figure. Speculation is that a a number of targets are being considered.

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posted by LFC in Toronto at 10:35 AM 0 comments

Friday, March 09, 2007

Champions League Draw - Next Rounds

Liverpool are paired with group stage contestants PSV Eindhoven for the Quarter Finals of the Champions League. The draw was also made for the semi-final, and it will see Chelsea and Liverpool meet in a repeat of the 2005 clash if they both emerge victorious.

The prospect left open for an all-English final in Athens on 23 May.

Liverpool have already beaten PSV in the group stages, winning 2-0 at Anfield after drawing 0-0 in Holland - and they have the added incentive of having the second leg at Anfield.

Rafa comments on this next round are unsurprisingly cautious: "At this stage of the competition every team is going to be difficult... They have improved since we last met and showed their quality by beating Arsenal in the last round. There are no favourites in this tie... This is the most important game we'll play in the next month and I'm looking forward to it." [ More Details ]

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Tuesday, March 06, 2007

Preview: Liverpool v Barcelona (agg 2-1)

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has no major injury worries with only long-term absentees Luis Garcia and Harry Kewell missing.

Peter Crouch has had no after-effects from the Manchester United game, in which he played with a broken nose.

Barcelona will have playmaker Deco and Lilian Thuram available after they were both rested for the game at Sevilla.

Samuel Eto'o, who missed the first leg through a protracted recovery from a knee injury, is also in the squad.

[ Complete Match Preview ]

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posted by LFC in Toronto at 10:10 AM 0 comments

Benitez wary of Barcelona attack

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez said he is expecting Barcelona to be on the offensive during Tuesday's Champions League knock-out tie at Anfield.

'They need to score at least twice - we know they are an attacking side,' said Benitez, with the Reds holding a 2-1 advantage over the Catalan giants.

'I expect them to play with Ronaldinho, Samuel Eto'o and Lionel Messi up front and we are prepared for that.

'Our plan will be different from what it was in the first leg.'

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Thursday, February 22, 2007

Rafa returns to his roots

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez revealed he drew on his personal experience of Spanish football when formulating his battle plan for the Reds' Champions League last-16 first leg with Barcelona.

Benitez did not lose at the Nou Camp during his three years as coach of Barca's Primera Liga rivals Valencia, and the Madrid-born 46-year-old admits his tactics for last night's clash were based largely on those previous successes.

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posted by LFC in Toronto at 10:43 PM 0 comments