Monday, April 30, 2007

Liverpool v Chelsea

Today is the second leg of the Liverpool v Chelsea Champions League semi-final.

Chelsea will be without Michael Ballack and Ricardo Carvalho who are out with injuries. Mourinho has dismissed Rafa's statement that Chelsea will not cope with the Anfield crowd.

Labels:

posted by LFC in Toronto at 11:17 PM 0 comments

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.'

Labels: ,

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

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool

Joe Cole's first half goal gave Chelsea a slender first-leg lead in the Champions League semi-final against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.

Cole slid in Didier Drogba's cross after 29 minutes to give Jose Mourinho's side the upper hand.

Reina produced two brilliant saves from Frank Lampard to keep the tie in the balance.

Petr Cech denied Liverpool an away goal with a stunning second-half stop from Steven Gerrard's long range volley.

Labels:

posted by LFC in Toronto at 4:46 PM 0 comments

Chelsea v Liverpool

Chel$ki boss Jose Mourinho has ramped up his war of words with Liverpool's Rafa Benitez ahead of their Champions League semi-final on Wednesday. [BBC Countdown]

Labels:

posted by LFC in Toronto at 10:52 AM 0 comments

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Benitez shrugs off Mourinho

Rafa has brushed aside Jose Mourinho's claims that Liverpool will try to get Chelsea players suspended for the Champions League semi-final second leg.

Benitez, who has maintained "[he does] not like playing these mind games", still managed the perfect put-down by saying: "It had not crossed my mind, but maybe it has Mourinho's because that is what Chelsea did two seasons ago to Xabi Alonso."

In the semi-final of 2005, Eidur Gudjohnsen was accused by Liverpool of diving to get Alonso booked, thus ruling him out of the second match at Anfield which Liverpool won 1-0 to go into the Istanbul final.

Which we won.

posted by LFC in Toronto at 8:34 PM 0 comments

Benitez unfazed by Dudek report

Rafa is reportedly unconcerned by comments from Jerzy Dudek that the goalkeeper could leave when his contract ends in the summer.

Dudek, 34, was quoted in The Sun saying he planned to quit Liverpool as he is fed up being treated like 'a slave'.

But Benitez said: 'We are talking about his future and maybe he will leave but he is perfectly prepared mentally to be in the squad at Chelsea.'

Dudek has made only five appearances for the Reds this season.

Labels: ,

posted by LFC in Toronto at 9:11 AM 0 comments

Monday, April 23, 2007

Another Simao deal in works?

Portugal winger Simao Sabrosa remains a potential target for Liverpool.

The Benfica man has long been linked with a move to Anfield, with Rafa Benitez coming closest to getting his man in the summer of 2005.

On that occasion the 27-year-old's club pulled the plug after he had passed his medical, and Benitez switched his attention elsewhere.

However Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry has now revealed Simao remains very much in the Spaniard's thoughts as he plans for next season.

Labels:

posted by LFC in Toronto at 12:42 PM 0 comments

Liverpool 2-0 Wigan

From the Liverpool Echo: Rafa's preparations for the Champions League semi-final have been hampered by a lack of suitable opponents to acclimatise his players for what's to come.

With all due respect to Manchester City, Middlesbrough and Wigan, they've succeeded only in providing glorified training sessions.

The biggest surprise here was the players weren't wearing bibs and someone had the audacity to remove the police cones.

Labels:

posted by LFC in Toronto at 12:36 PM 0 comments

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

New contract for Finnan

Steve Finnan will be rewarded for his magnificent season with a new extended contract.

The Irish international full-back will be offered better terms along with Steven Gerrard, Xabi Alonso, Jamie Carragher and Pepe Reina, according to the Liverpool Echo.

The 31-year-old has probably been the Premiership's most consistent right-back this season and there's no way boss Rafa Benitez will allow him to leave for nothing at the end of next season.

Labels: ,

posted by LFC in Toronto at 9:40 AM 1 comments

Liverpool v Middlesbrough

Liverpool face Middlesbrough this afternoon, and resume the race with Arsenal to finish in third place.

Craig Bellamy is not fit as he recovers from the knee injury picked up against PSV Eindhoven.

He is the main absentee for the Reds other than long-term injured trio Fabio Aurelio, Harry Kewell and Luis Garcia.

Middlesbrough duo Emanuel Pogatetz and James Morrison return from suspension, while Mark Viduka is also in contention after suffering a stomach bug.

posted by LFC in Toronto at 9:40 AM 0 comments

Monday, April 16, 2007

Manchester City 0 Liverpool 0 - What a snore

A week in which Liverpool completed a serene progression through to the semi-finals of the Champions League ended with them labouring towards a goalless draw against a distinctly average Manchester City side. [We've seen this before]

Liverpool's European opponents, PSV, were good enough over two legs to eliminate Arsenal in the previous round. It is hard to imagine City doing that at present.

A bright start on Saturday was characterised by some sophisticated retention of possession from Javier Mascherano and Xabi Alonso with Steven Gerrard, playing ahead of them and behind Dirk Kuyt, popping up where City least wanted him to. But the longer the game went on, the more fractured it became and the less Liverpool's cultured midfielders saw of the ball.

A change of tactics in the second half, with the labouring Kuyt given some much-needed support in the shape of Peter Crouch, failed to restore their superiority and the match petered out into a forgettable goalless draw.

Labels:

posted by LFC in Toronto at 10:16 AM 0 comments

Friday, April 13, 2007

Man City v Liverpool

This weekend sees the Reds facing Man City.

Man City have clawed their way to safety with a four match unbeaten run, culminating in Easter Monday's 3-1 victory away to Fulham that nailed Chris Coleman's coffin, and put the Citizens on the safety target of 40 points.

Liverpool look to extend a run of 10 points out of 12. The Merseysiders cannot be moved from third spot in the table whatever happens tomorrow.

Manchester City boss Stuart Pearce has stated that if Rafa manages to add another Champions League triumph to his Liverpool CV, he will deserve comparison with Bob Paisley.

Labels:

posted by LFC in Toronto at 10:12 AM 0 comments

Thursday, April 12, 2007

Bellamy will be back

The knee injury sustained by Liverpool striker Craig Bellamy is not as serious as first feared - and he should be fit by their Champions League semi-final.

The 27-year-old, stretchered off against PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday, has a medial ligament problem. The club is hopeful Bellamy will be fit in time to face Chelsea in the semi-final first leg on 25 April.

posted by LFC in Toronto at 3:21 PM 0 comments

Benitez responds to Mourinho jibe

Rafa and Mourinho have been exchanging words in the press. [ Read More ]

posted by LFC in Toronto at 10:13 AM 0 comments

A date to the semis: Liverpool 1-0 PSV (agg 4-0)

Liverpool set up a Champions League semi-final with Chelsea after sealing a comfortable aggregate win over PSV Eindhoven through Peter Crouch's goal.

The Reds led 3-0 from the first leg and PSV's lack of adventure meant their progression was never in doubt.

Labels:

posted by LFC in Toronto at 10:07 AM 1 comments

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Liverpool v PSV (agg 3-0)

Rafa insists he will not rest any players for today's Liverpool's second-leg tie at Anfield.

Xabi Alonso is expected to be fit after being rested in the 2-1 win against Reading on Saturday.

Dirk Kuyt is banned and Fabio Aurelio's injury in the first leg should mean that Mark Gonzalez will start.

PSV travel to England with a 16-man squad as Alex, Ibrahim Afellay, Edison Mendes, Michael Reiziger, Alcides and Jan Kromkamp are all sidelined.

Labels:

posted by LFC in Toronto at 9:36 AM 0 comments

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Benitez wary of PSV

Rafa insists his side will not be complacent in their Champions League quarter-final clash with PSV Eindhoven.

The Reds hold a 3-0 advantage heading into the second-leg tie Anfield.

But Benitez said: 'There have been comebacks from 3-0 down in the Champions League - we did it the 2005 final in Istanbul.

'These kinds of games are difficult. Sometimes teams say 'OK, the job is done'. But we have to be careful.'

Labels: ,

posted by LFC in Toronto at 11:21 AM 0 comments

Friday, April 06, 2007

Reading v Liverpool

The Reds go to the Madejski in majestic form. Tomorrow's match brings together two of the most disciplined sides in the highest League. Both clubs have only been shown 35 cards. Reading have had three players sent off, while all of Liverpool's cards have been yellow. They are the only club without a dismissal from top division duels this term.

Labels: ,

posted by LFC in Toronto at 11:41 PM 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.

Labels: ,

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

Benitez upbeat on Aurelio surgery

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is confident Brazilian Fabio Aurelio will recover from injury in time to take part in training ahead of next season.

The 28-year-old has had surgery after rupturing the Achilles tendon in his right leg during the Champions League win against PSV Eindhoven.

posted by LFC in Toronto at 10:34 AM 0 comments

Wednesday, April 04, 2007

Aurelio out for season

Liverpool have today confirmed that Brazilian left back Fabio Aurelio will miss the rest of the season after rupturing his achilles tendon in Eindhoven on Tuesday evening.

posted by LFC in Toronto at 10:28 PM 0 comments

Tuesday, April 03, 2007

Aurelio Achilles Worry

Liverpool FC defender Fabio Aurelio is likely to miss the rest of the season after being stretchered off towards the end of the UEFA Champions League victory at PSV Eindhoven with a suspected rupture of his achilles tendon.

posted by LFC in Toronto at 10:45 PM 0 comments

Reds Hammer PSV

Liverpool powered to a resounding 3-0 win over PSV Eindhoven to all-but book their place in the semi finals of the Champions League.

Steven Gerrard thumped in a header from Steve Finnan's cross to put the Reds ahead and become Liverpool's leading scorer in European Cup competition.

PSV were ripe for the taking and the Reds showed no mercy as John Arne Riise thundered in a long-range strike.

Peter Crouch put the gloss on the win when he nodded in another Finnan cross.

Labels:

posted by LFC in Toronto at 4:53 PM 0 comments

Carra: Beware Underdogs

Jamie Carragher is not underestimating PSV because he was part of a Liverpool side who became European champions despite being underdogs.

On paper Liverpool seemed to get the easiest draw with their quarter-final clash against the Dutch side, but Carragher knows that they were underdogs at every stage in 2005 as well as being underdogs against Barcelona in the last round.

Labels: ,

posted by LFC in Toronto at 1:43 PM 2 comments

Monday, April 02, 2007

Bellamy travelling with team

Craig Bellamy traveled with Liverpool's squad today for their Champions League quarter-final against PSV Eindhoven despite still feeling the effects of a rib injury.

The Welsh international had been left out of the squad that beat Arsenal at the weekend, having picked up ankle and rib injuries while away playing for Wales last week.

Labels: ,

posted by LFC in Toronto at 11:51 AM 0 comments

Kuyt Ready for Challenge

Dirk Kuyt returns home on Tuesday admitting he is 'in love' with the Champions League and hell bent on winning his first major honour.

The striker, along with countryman Bolo Zenden, has more reasons than most to ensure Liverpool end PSV Eindhoven's interest in Europe this season.

Kuyt, a former Feyenoord star, can hardly expect a friendly welcome from PSV fans while Zenden - out of contract in the summer and again linked with a move to PSV -started his career with Eindhoven and will want to put one over on his former club.

Labels: ,

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

Reds to begin stadium work in May

Liverpool will start the development of their new stadium in Stanley Park in May after plans were agreed at a meeting held over the weekend.

New owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks, along with chief executive Rick Parry, met key figures from Liverpool City Council, who approved the plan.

Labels:

posted by LFC in Toronto at 11:34 AM 0 comments