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ПРОДАТЬ стиви джи и торреса? Какой без них ливерпуль???
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 4 — 2 LIVERPOOL
Wednesday 12 November 2008 19:45 , Carling Cup
THE POST-MATCH VERDICT
Liverpool crashed out of the Carling Cup with a 4-2 defeat at White Hart Lane on Wednesday. Here’s the pick of the post-match reaction.
The broadsheet
Such is Harry Redknapp’s alchemist touch that he could probably revive the economy at the moment, and his extraordinary transformation of life at the Lane continued in spectacular fashion last night. Since Redknapp took over an ailing team, tweaking tactics and lifting spirits, Tottenham have struck 18 goals in five wins and a draw. Not since Victoria was a living royal rather than a railway station has a Spurs manager started this well, and the supporters could not be more amused. Trailing 3-0 at the break is not a new experience for Liverpool but any thoughts of revisiting the drama of Istanbul 2005 were always ambitious. Damien Plessis did head home a Ryan Babel corner but Pavlyuchenko soon restored Spurs’ three-goal advantage, turning in a Zokora cross. Hyypia’s subsequent header was a meaningless riposte.
The Daily Telegraph
The local paper
A dreadful defensive capitulation during the final seven minutes of the first half was enough to end any Anfield interest in the Carling Cup for another year. Roman Pavlyuchenko, the matchwinner earlier this month, netted the opener before Frazier Campbell, on loan from Manchester United, helped himself to a brace. Pavlyuchenko’s second ended any hope of a second-half comeback for Liverpool with goals from Damien Plessis and Sami Hyypia merely a case of damage limitation. With first-team regulars Steven Gerrard, Robbie Keane, Dirk Kuyt, Alvaro Arbeloa, Fabio Aurelio and Pepe Reina not in action last night, it’s unlikely this defeat will have too much bearing on the immediate Premier League aspirations of Benitez’s side. Where were the positives? Well, Lucas Leiva kept plugging away in midfield and at least showed a few decent touches. That, though, was about it.
Ian Doyle, Daily Post
The national newspaper
For some, the sense of excitement at Tottenham was overwhelming, the sight of Joe Jordan attempting to take a seat alongside Sammy Lee on the Liverpool bench demonstrating as much. But amid the chaos of nine minutes of second-half stoppage time and the confusion in the ranks of both defences, Harry Redknapp’s remarkable run at White Hart Lane continued. Thanks to the error-prone Heurelho Gomes, Liverpool did threaten after the break from corners delivered by Ryan Babel. First came a 49th-minute header from Damien Plessis that Gomes should have saved and then a 63rd-minute header from Hyypia that Gomes again miserably failed to stop. Between them, though, came a second goal for Pavlyuchenko, who seized on Liverpool’s failure to clear a ball from Didier Zokora with another close-range strike.
Matt Lawton, The Daily Mail
The tabloid
Pavlyuchenko, a £13.8million summer signing from Spartak Moscow, has rarely looked the part — yet clearly enjoys playing Liverpool. He grabbed the last-gasp winner to end Liverpool’s unbeaten league run 11 days ago. And last night he grabbed a brilliant brace on a night when defences gave their managers nightmares, even if it provided great entertainment for the fans. Liverpool’s main priority is clearly the league.
The Daily Mirror
The player
We can’t take many positives from that game. I think it’s easy to say that when you let the opposition score four goals, you won’t win. Our team performance was just not good enough. But now we will think about improving against Bolton — that is all we can do. We take every game as it comes and must play a lot better than how we performed against Tottenham.
Daniel Agger
The boss
We made too many mistakes in defence and gave the ball away too easily. To concede three goals in the way we did at the end of the first half we must be disappointed. We were really poor at the end of the first half. If you make a mistake and concede just one, then okay you can change it and make things better in the second half, but to concede three goals made it very difficult for us. The commitment of the players was much better in the second half. We scored two goals and had other opportunities but it was difficult because they were playing well on the counter. The second half was better than the first.
Rafa Benitez
Мне лично, такие новости на английском мало что говорят 🙂
ок постить не буду, в принципе и так все понятно при базовом знании англ. на офф сайте больше новостей и чаще выкладывают чем на других фан сайтах. вот и приходится постить на англ. мне понятно о чем там пишут, если никому это не надо то больше не буду… 😎
Korvin [14.11.2008 11:21], пости, я читаю… 🙂
Korvin [13.11.2008 01:07], скорее продадут других играков чем Торреса и Джерарда
Шкртел готовит подарок к Рождеству
Центральный защитник «Ливерпуля», получивший тяжёлую травму в матче против «Манчестер Сити» в гостях (3:2) рассказал официальному сайту клуба о том, какими темпами идёт процесс его восстановления.
«Я чувствую себя гораздо лучше», — сказал Мартин.
«С момента получения травмы прошло уже шесть недель, и я уже могу обходиться без костылей. Однако очевидно, что мне ещё предстоит много работать над тем, чтобы восстановить нормальное функционирование связок».
«Когда случился тот эпизод [с травмой — прим. ред.], я почувствовал адскую боль. И я думал, что всё гораздо хуже, чем оказалось на самом деле. Уже по возвращении в раздевалку я понял, что всё не так страшно».
«Я был расстроен, но травмы — это тоже часть футбола».
«Первые недели были самыми тяжёлыми, но потом я постепенно стал приступать к упражнениям, которые помогли мне быстрее поправиться и ускорили процесс восстановления».
В качестве вероятной даты своего возвращения игрок сборной Словакии называет рождественские праздники.
«Я не знаю точной даты, но говорили, что я смогу вернуться к Рождеству, и я по-прежнему надеюсь, что эта дата реальна».
«Прошло немало времени, и я не могу дождаться момента, когда начну заниматься с мячом и приступлю к полноценным тренировкам».
Даниэль Аггер и Сами Хююпия смогли заменить словака в центре защиты, и он понимает, что вернуть место в составе будет непросто.
«Даниэль и Сами — прекрасные футболисты, и они хорошо играют на данный момент».
«Будет сложно вернуться в первую команду, но я упорно тружусь и сделаю всё от меня зависящее, чтобы произвести должное впечатление на тренера и отвоевать своё место».
Шкртел впечатлён формой, которую демонстрирует команда в его отсутствие, но считает, что пока рано думать о трофеях.
«То, что мы находимся во главе таблицы, даёт нам уверенность в своих силах», — добавил он.
«Мы стараемся выигрывать в каждом матче, и надеюсь, что успех будет сопутствовать нам как можно дольше».
«Конечно, мне бы очень хотелось выиграть кое-какие трофеи, но пока об этом рано говорить. До конца сезона ещё далеко».
«Грустно, что я сейчас не являюсь непосредственной частью команды, но я рад, что мы выигрываем, ведь в конечном счёте наша общая цель — побеждать».
Птица Лайвер — символ Ливерпуля или… «Ливерпуля»?
Владельцы клуба Том Хикс и Джордж Жиллетт намерены зарегистрировать изображение птицы Лайвер в качестве торговой марки клуба.
По словам представителя американцев, это позволит ограничить продажу поддельной атрибутики, ежегодно наносящей урон клубу в виде недополученной прибыли. Однако, заявка на регистрацию знака уже вызвала обширные дебаты по этому поводу, так как птица Лайвер, якобы, гнездившаяся в древности на Мерсисайдщине, является символом всего города, а отнюдь не только Красных.
Если учесть, что в Ливерпуле есть ещё один клуб, выступающий в Премьер-лиге («Эвертон»), получается, что его патриотично настроенные поклонники запросто могут лишиться символа своей малой родины. Представители же владельцев «Ливерпуля» настаивают на том, что они хотят зарегистрировать лишь образ, используемый на эмблеме клуба, который имеет свои узнаваемые особенности. Однако конца спорам это утверждение положить (пока?) не может.
Тем временем надпись «This Is Anfield» и слова «You’ll Never Walk Alone», размещённые на эмблеме клуба, уже являются его зарегистрированными торговыми марками.
Школьные дни Джеррарда
Пытаясь понять то, как Стивен Джеррард из обычного молодого игрока превратился в уверенного в себе капитана, официальный сайт «Ливерпуля» обратился к его бывшим учителям и тренерам, которые расскажут о том потенциале, который Стивен демонстрировал с ранних лет.
Посмотрите на фотографию ниже. На первый взгляд она выглядит подобно многим другим командным снимкам. Молодые парни, ещё не ставшие взрослыми мужчинами.
Но только присмотритесь, и вы увидите Стивена Джеррарда, ещё без трофеев, капитанской повязки и кубков.
Самые ранние воспоминания о Джеррарде у большинства людей связаны с 14 ноября 1998 года, когда он вышел на замену в матче с «Блэкбёрн Роверс», тем самым дебютировав в составе Красных.
Он вышел на газон Энфилда перед лицом Копа уже к концу того победного матча, но мы обратились к ещё более раннему периоду его жизни, когда нашего будущего капитана волновал больше недовольство его учителей, нежели недовольство Рафы Бенитеса.
«Больше всего мне запомнились его лидерские качества», — говорит Джиллиан Морган, бывший учитель Джеррарда в начальной школе Хьютона-энд-Роби, также выступавший в качестве тренера школьной команды, в которой играл будущий капитан «Ливерпуля»
«Я думаю, он начал играть за школьную команду в девять лет, и даже тогда Стивен всегда пытался помочь другим».
«Его отец всегда говорил, что он родился с талантом в ногах, и я по-прежнему думаю, что это правда».
«Вне поля он был очень тихим и хорошо себя вёл. Я встречался с ним несколько раз позднее и появился на его DVD «Стивен Джеррард: Моя история». Было очень приятно, когда он вернулся в школу для записи этого диска — он спрашивал меня о моей семье, и я был удивлён, что он помнил их все эти годы».
В возрасте одиннадцати лет Джеррард перешёл в среднюю школу Кардинала Хинана, где он начал своё восхождение по учебным классам.
Как преподаватель и тренер школьной команды, Стив Моноган видел, что Джеррард из обычного игрока вырос в звезду школьной команды «Ливерпуля», и говорит, что его отказ мириться с исходом почти проигранной игры, начало формироваться с ранних лет.
«Любой мог разглядеть в Стивене талантливого игрока, но он никогда не выставлял напоказ своё мастерство. Он знал, что имел способности, но никогда не хвастался ими», — говорит Моноган.
«Большинство молодых игроков с его талантом бросили бы учёбу, но Стиви так не поступил и закончил школу с неплохим аттестатом».
«Он был на голову выше остальных игроков в школьной команде».
«Я помню игру, в которой мы проигрывали 3:0 в финале Кубка Мерсисайда до 13 лет. Мы выиграли ту встречу со счётом 4-3, а Стиви забил два гола».
«Я вспоминал тот матч в перерыве финала Лиги Чемпионов 2005 года, когда мы проигрывали с тем же счётом. В тот день он (Джеррард) также вдохновил команду на ответный удар и сделал это несколько раз с тех пор».
Спортивный обозреватель Echo Тим Джонсон, также тренировавший Джеррарда, когда тот играл за школьную команду, сказал: «Впервые я узнал о Стивене Джеррарде в 1992 году, когда глава школы, Эрик Чедвик, рассказал мне об их одарённом двенадцатилетнем футболисте».
«Я должен был быть тренером школьных команд Ливерпуля до 14 лет к тому моменту, когда Стивен достиг бы этого возраста, и я надеялся видеть его членом своей команды».
«Но его талант нельзя было сдерживать, и школа включила его в городскую команду на 12 месяцев раньше чем ожидалось».
«Самой поразительно особенностью игры Стивена в то время была скорость его мышления».
«Он мог оценить ситуацию и воспользоваться преимуществом быстрее, чем любой другой футболист из всех, которых я видел».
«Молодой Джеррард также был очень хорош в отборе. Играя против более крупных ребят, ему хватало смелости вовремя поставить ногу, и он очевидно сохранил это по сей день».
После этого Джеррард продолжал совершенствоваться и быстро перешёл в школьную команду до 15 лет.
Джонсон продолжал тренировать ту команду, но признаёт, что Джеррард провёл не лучший сезон в том году.
«Вначале всё складывалось удачно для него, и я могу припомнить его победный гол «Западному Ланкаширу» на ранней стадии розыгрыша английского трофея», — добавил Джонсон.
«Но череда травм означала, что он не сможет выиграть Школьный Кубок Англии, единственная ступень, на которой он не получил международного признания».
И несмотря на то, что в то время за Стиви следило множество клубов Премьер-лиги, он был быстро подписан «Ливерпулем», сразу после того, как школьная команда выбыла из Кубка на четвертьфинальной стадии.
«Я иногда встречаю его с тех пор, и у него всегда есть время поболтать».
«Тогда было невозможно предсказать, как далеко он пойдёт в футболе, и я рад за него».
REDKNAPP: STEVIE IS SIMPLY THE BEST
Jamie Redknapp 19 November 2008
Continuing our Gerrard week celebrations, former Reds skipper Jamie Redknapp offers his view on our current captain — a player he regards as the best midfielder in the world.
It feels like only yesterday that I saw this teenage kid from Huyton for the very first time.
He came to join first-team training along with Stephen Wright because Gerard Houllier wanted to have a look at the two of them. Funnily enough I think the boss thought Wright was the better of the two when they first arrived.
I always remember passing the ball to Stevie early on and he hit this 50 yard pass to the left wing. I thought to myself: «what have we got here then?»
Next he goes into a 50-50 with Paul Ince and smashes him up in the air and we’re all thinking we’ve got something special on our hands — he certainly made an impression that’s for sure.
At the time there were a few concerns over his fitness but since then he’s been relatively injury-free and he’s been different class.
They don’t come along like him too often. When you’re asked to give a tribute to someone it’s normal to heap praise on them but with him it’s easy because it’s so true.
He’s a special lad — and I don’t just mean on the field, I mean off it too.
Even now if I ask him to sign a shirt for someone he goes out of his way to help and there it is the next day. I honestly can’t speak more highly of him.
One game that always stands out from my brief time playing with him was the Merseyside derby against Everton in 1999.
We won the match 3-2 and Stevie kicked a couple off the line playing at right-back. His passion for the club was there for all to see that day. I remember how he celebrated one of those clearances as if he’d just smashed one in at the Kop end.
I spoke to my Dad after the game and he said: «Who was that at right back? He was like superman that kid.»
After that day he just got better and better and in the seasons that followed he went on to establish himself as one of the best central midfielders in the world.
Now he’s improved so much that he is the best.
I’ve been saying that for a while now and no-one comes near him as far as I’m concerned. He’s dynamic, he’s powerful, great at passing, great at tackling — you name it he can do it.
People talk about who the best player in the world is…
Is it Messi, Ronaldo or Kaka? They are just a few names we could mention and Stevie’s right up there with them. I honestly don’t think he realises just how good he is.
I’ve got some great Stevie memories from my time at Anfield but one that sticks out in my mind that always makes me chuckle was when I asked him if he wanted a pair of boots.
He used to clean mine when he was a trainee and when I asked him what size boot he was he turned to me with a cheeky grin and said: «six, seven, eight and nine.»
I’ll never forget that. He wanted the other boots for his mates!
Like I say, I was at Liverpool a good number of years too so I know how it feels to have played for them for over a decade.
It’s a special club and if you leave, no matter where you go, it’s always going to be a step down.
So, it’s a great achievement for him to have been such a huge part of the club for those 10 years and I think he’s got many more ahead of him.
You need the likes of Gerrard and Carragher in the side because they are local lads who have a great affinity with the fans. They are your heart and soul.
Stevie could walk into any side in the world but he has remained a loyal red and if you were dreaming up a Roy of the Rovers top five he could probably better it.
Every few months he seems to be picking up a new accolade or breaking another record and, to be frank, I’m proud to say I played alongside him.
I hope he goes on to achieve even more in the years ahead and continues to add to his medal collection in what has been a fantastic Liverpool career so far.
Jamie Redknapp was speaking to Paul Hassall
RAFA: ARSENAL ARE STILL A THREAT
James Carroll 19 November 2008
Rafael Benitez has refused to rule Arsenal out of the title race despite their stuttering start to the 08-09 campaign.
Click here to watch the Rafa interview>>
Arsene Wenger’s side have lost to Fulham, Hull City, Stoke City and Aston Villa so far this season and are currently nine points off the pace in the league.
But the Gunners have also registered a 2-1 victory over league champions Manchester United and Benitez believes that they could still pose a threat to the Reds’ title ambitions.
«It’s too early for me,» said Benitez when asked if Arsenal’s title
challenge was over.
«Clearly they have enough quality in the squad. We still have to play
against them and they have to play the other top sides in the second
half of the season.
«It is a difficult situation for them because they have three teams
ahead of them but it is too early.»
Benitez reiterated his belief that team’s need to be ‘almost perfect’
in order to win the Premiership.
He added: «Chelsea are not losing and United have a game in hand so I
think you have to be almost perfect. We are very close and hopefully
our form will continue.
«Clearly we have a better balance than before. You can see from the
way the team have played and our results.
«I think defensively we are strong. Our style of play is good and we
are passing the ball with pace at a high tempo. We just need to be
more clinical in front of goal.
«As a manager I was really pleased with our first half performance
against Bolton. We came under pressure in the second half but it was a
case of scoring the second goal to finish the game.»
RAFA ON GERRARD, KEANE AND TORRES
James Carroll 18 November 2008
Rafael Benitez believes it is too early to say if Steven Gerrard will be fit for Liverpool’s Champions League clash with Marseille at Anfield next week.
Click here to watch the Rafa interview>>
The Reds captain sustained a tear to the adductor magnus muscle in his right leg during Liverpool’s victory over Bolton Wanderers at the weekend and Benitez is unsure when the 28-year-old will be available for selection.
Benitez said: «Steven had a scan and he will be out for seven to ten days, depending on how he progresses.
«He could be back for the Marseille game but each player is different.
We have to start working with him and see how he does.»
The Reds boss currently has no other injury worries and believes that Robbie Keane will overcome a shoulder problem to be fit for Saturday’s Premiership visit of Fulham following the striker’s withdrawal from the Ireland squad.
«Robbie Keane’s injury is not serious,» he said. «He had a problem but [withdrawing from the international duty] was just a case of prevention. I think he will be okay.»
Benitez also revealed that the Reds have held discussions with the medical staff of the Spanish national team in an attempt to prevent further injuries for Fernando Torres.
He confirmed: «We have spoken to the Spanish medical staff and they know our idea and we know that they will take care of him. They know it could be a small risk so they will try to protect him.»
RESERVES EDGE PAST WIGAN
Joe Curran at The Halliwell Jones Stadium. 18 November 2008
Liverpool Reserves put their miserable run of form behind them with a 1-0 victory over Wigan Athletic at The Halliwell Jones Stadium courtesy of a Danny Pacheco strike.
Watch the highlights now>>
The Spanish starlet broke the deadlock on 62 minutes when he smashed home from a Vincent Weijl cross.
The Reds put in something of a lack-lustre first-half display before upping their game and easing past the Latics with a superior performance in the second period.
Gary Ablett’s side went into this clash with renewed confidence after defeating a strong Portsmouth team 4-1 on their own turf last week. And with an eagle-eyed Rafa Benitez manning the bench next to Gary Ablett, the Reds had to be on the toes for this clash with the mid-table Wigan Athletic.
But they made a nervy start to this Barclays Premier Reserve League North clash and nearly let the visitors in to score on a number of occasions during the opening exchanges.
Wigan striker Joe Holt caused the Reds’ rearguard problems and had a number of chances to break the deadlock.
Gerardo Bruna came close on 29 minutes with a well-taken free-kick from 30 yards. The number seven’s effort sailed inches over the bar.
Wigan went on the attack straight from the resulting goal kick, however, and Tomasz Cywka found himself through on Dean Bouzanis’ goal, but the Reds stopper did well to save and put the ball out for a corner.
An open game with many chances, Vincent Weijl — who was a threat from start to finish -tried his luck from range just after that and saw his shot fizz wide from a deflection.
Then Stephen Darby sprinted down the wing before floating an excellent ball into the box to test Wigan keeper Mike Pollitt.
Danny Pacheco put himself in the right place to score but the veteran stopper got a hand to it to keep the scores at 0-0.
Jordy Brouwer also had an excellent chance to find the net just before the break and should have done better when Vincent Weijl found the unmarked Brouwer in space.
But the Liverpool striker couldn’t get any power of the header and Pollitt saved comfortably. It was a great ball in from Weijl, who linked up well with Emiliano Insua on a number of occasions.
Despite enjoying much of the possession in the first period, Liverpool didn’t get a clean chance on goal during the first half and both sides went into the break still looking for a goal.
And the play continued in a similar vein from the start of the second half — end to end stuff with plenty of chances, but no one really took their chance to find the net.
But Liverpool settled into their stride and soon made a marked improvement on their first-half showing. Their defending was much more solid and attacks more incisive.
Vincent Weijl skipped past his man and saw his shot was deflected just wide on 51 minutes, and the Dutchman put in a great cross across the Latics’ goal shortly after that, but the experienced Pollitt comfortably collected.
Then Insua came close with a 35-yard piledriver, but his left-foot shot sailed inches over the Wigan goal.
Jordy Brower had another excellent opportunity to score 12 minutes after the restart.
Gerado Bruna sped up the wing and found Brouwer with a low cross, but the ball seemed to get stuck under the striker’s feet and he could only get a weak shot on the Wigan goal.
Liverpool looked increasingly like scoring, however, and their hard work paid off on 62 minutes when Danny Pacheco coolly put Gary Ablett’s side into the lead.
The Spaniard found space in the box from another excellent Weijl cross before turning a Wigan defender and firing past Mike Pollitt and into the roof of the net.
Although the Reds failed to inspire for much of the first period, they deserved to take the lead and were good value for their opening goal.
After that the Reds went about securing the victory and laid siege to the Wigan goal with a series of attacks.
They had numerous chances to make sure of the win, but in the end their solitary goal was enough to earn their second league victory of the season.
This much-needed victory will serve as something of an early birthday present for Gary Ablett, who turns 43 on Wednesday.
Liverpool Reserves: Dean Bouzanis, Stephen Darby (Daniel Ayala,45) , Emiliano Insua
Mikel San Jose Dominguez, Martin Kelly, Damien Plessis, Gerardo Bruna (Francisco Duran, 61), Jay Spearing, Jordy Brouwer (Andras Simon, 73), Daniel Pacheco, Vincent Weijl
Unused subs:
Peter Gulacsi
Steven Irwin
Wigan Athletic Reserves:
Mike Pollitt, Lewis Field, Adam Buxton, Jon Routledge (Callum McManaman, 80), Andrew Pearson, Luke Ashworth, Craig Mahon, Matty Hampson, Tomasz Cywka, Joe Holt, Tomasz Kupisz
Unused subs:
Jonathan Breeze
Keenan Gracey
Daniel Barrie
Stephen Chiocchi
Liverpoolfc.tv man of the match: Vincent Weijl. Liverpool’s biggest threat from start to finish, the Dutchman put cross after cross into the Wigan box and set up the Reds’ winner.
STEVIE: WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS
Paul Eaton 21 November 2008
As we conclude our week long celebration of Steven Gerrard’s ten-year anniversary in the Liverpool first team, the skipper himself explains just how much he has enjoyed his decade at the club.
It’s hard to believe I have been in the first team for ten years because the time has just flown by.
I’m very proud to be able to say I have played for the first team for ten years. If someone had said ten years ago that I would go on to be captain and lift the European Cup then I wouldn’t have believed them, but I’ve had to work very hard to get to where I am and to win trophies both on a personal level and as part of the team.
Looking back, I have had some unbelievable highs playing for this team but I’ve had some lows as well. It’s the lows that have helped drive me on. It’s disappointing to lose games or to be sent off, but those experiences have helped me achieve the highs.
I don’t know what’s going to happen over the next ten years but certainly for the next five or six I hope I’m playing in Liverpool’s first team.
I have two and a half years left on my contract and hopefully I will sign another one and stay for the remainder of my career.
We’ll have to wait and see about management but I certainly want to get my qualifications to enable me to coach and manage. Then I’ll have to decide what I want to do.
Whether I’ll be interested in the Gary Ablett type role, the Sammy Lee role or the Rafa Benitez role, I don’t know. I just want to get all my badges and then we’ll see.
But I’ve a lot more football to play before we get to that stage and that’s what I want to focus on at the moment.
All I can say at this stage is the last ten years have been the best of my life. I have lived the dream doing something I have always wanted to do and if my working life carries on being with Liverpool FC then I will be very happy.
RAFA CALLS FOR FULHAM FOCUS
Joe Curran 21 November 2008
Rafa Benitez today called on his Liverpool players to focus on getting their eleventh victory of the season against Fulham tomorrow.
The Reds go into the Anfield clash looking to surpass their best ever start to a Premier League season after taking 35 points from their opening 14 games, which is three more than Liverpool’s previous best start to a Premier League season in the 2001/02 campaign.
But Benitez insists that the only way his team can keep winning is if they stay focused on the match in hand.
Click here to watch our eight minute chat with Rafa>>
«We know that it can be more difficult after an international break, and Fulham have a lot of players with quality and energy, so it will be a difficult game for us,» said Benitez.
«They have two strikers who are doing well, they have a lot of positive things going for them so that is why they are doing well.
«And Roy Hodgson is a good manager and he is doing well there. I could tell he is a clever manager from the first time I met him last season.
«But we have a lot of confidence, so if we can keep playing well, I am sure we will continue winning games.
«The only way to keep winning is to keep the team focused for every game.»
Benitez also confirmed that Steven Gerrard will take no part in the match as he continues to recover from the leg injury he sustained last weekend.
«Gerrard is not fit — he cannot play tomorrow so that is the only thing that is important for me,» said Benitez.
«I think that the best thing now is that we don’t have any international games unti March, so I am happy with the situation now and I am happy to concentrate on my team.
«I have said before that the squad is better now, and Steven is an important player for us, but we have different players with different qualities and we can manage with them.»
STEVEN GERRARD: YOUR TRIBUTES
James Carroll 21 November 2008
Fans from all over the world have been posting their tributes to Steven Gerrard on internet forums to mark his ten year anniversary in the first team at Anfield. We’ve selected the best of them for you to read and enjoy.
Quality x 100, Integrity x 1000, Legend x 1,000,000. Liverpool through and through. A team of Stevie G’s would be a waste, we only need one.
gregorysladd
Simple as this, he is one of my personal heroes who represents
everything good about this great club.
jrizzle
Steven Gerrard is our captain and does that job in every way.
He has a huge heart and desire to win and all the rest that makes him
someone any club in the world would be very lucky to have — the fact
he knows that and has stayed where his roots and loyalty are, are
another testament to the man he is.
From the early days of watching him, raw and full of passion, to today
watching the same passion with maturity, experience and incisive
intuition — he is one of the remaining boot room boys and proud of it
as he should be.
In my opinion, Stevie is the heart of Liverpool FC and Carragher is the soul.
Torre-Saigrin
Too many times to mention, he has taken a game by the scruff of its
neck and forced a result when it was slipping out of our grasp. He is
a joy to watch when in full flight.
He gives us joy, belief and passion, and makes us the envy of the
footballing world.
Thanks Stevie and congrats on the milestone.
bilsland
For me he epitomises all that’s best about this club with the way he goes about his business, on and off the pitch. He makes me proud.
MaschasMate
He is one of only a handful of players worldwide that a child should
look up to as a role model.An absolute legend and a professional both on and off the pitch.
donwell
Steven Gerrard is quite simply a Liverpool legend and I am certain
that in ninety years time people will be talking about it being a
century ago ago that Gerrard made his debut for Liverpool Football
Club.
MasTerano20
Steven Gerrard is my hero and will always be a legend at Liverpool
Football Club for what he has done for this club. He epitomises what
LFC is about and is not only one of the best footballers in the world,
but one of the best role models for kids these days too. I just pray he has a son one day who grows up to play for Liverpool FC.
marty-b
What else can I say other than Stevie G is Mr Liverpool!
He puts his heart and soul into every appearance he makes for
Liverpool. He’s still only 28 but has made his own Liverpool memories
that I’m sure every Reds fan will remember.
natjohnson20
Stevie G, Captain Fantastic, is the BEST player in the world. He is
the epitome of the complete player in every way. There is no player
who can match his excellence in mind, vision, movement and passion,
defensively or offensively. He is the engine of the team. He is the inspiration within the team.
TrueRedIndian
I don’t think there are words to comprehend how important Gerrard has been over the past so many seasons.
Graggy
He is the epitome of greatness and proof that with hard work,
dedication and time that any person can achieve his/her dreams.
CaptainRob
Steven Gerrard is Mr Liverpool. He will go down as the best Liverpool
player ever and the man still has so much to offer to the club.
I feel privileged to say that I was at the match when Stevie scored
his first of many goals for Liverpool on what was my first of many
visits to Anfield.
AggerTheDagger
There’s only one Steven Gerrard, unfortunately for us but at least he’s ours.
Excellent all round player and he is a great inspiration and role
model to all young and old on how to perform on and off the field.
I for one hope and pray that he never leaves Liverpool because I feel
that he is irreplaceable.
koki-Reds17
There are no words good enough to describe you — you are our pride.
It’s been amazing to watch you play for Liverpool from your
beginnings.
21psycho12
In my mind as soon as he lifts the Premiership trophy, he will have
earned the right to go down as the greatest player to ever play for
Liverpool FC.
UndeniableTalent
Blackburn at home, came on for the last 2 minutes I think? Not sure if he touched the ball but I knew then we were looking at a future captain and legend! His best memory in that debut season was clearing two off the line in the Derby and celebrating like he’d scored the winner!
Crosby Nick
I’ve seen some good players in my time and he’s there with the best of
them. If he lifts the Premiership, he could go down as our very best.
And I mean that with the utmost sincerity.
Garstonite
I first remember thinking he’ll be a great player when he played right back away against Leeds. 99-00 season. It’s just a great feeling to have watched a young player go from a nobody to being the most complete footballer in the world. I dream of seeing him lift the league title above his head. Right in front of the Kop.
b_joseph
When you watch the DVD’s, your heart still thumps when that beauty
goes in against Olympiakos, at that header in Istanbul accompanied by
the gesticulations to the crowd and the burning will to win in his
face, and when the announcement rings out ‘there are four minutes…’
at Cardiff just before his FA Cup Final equaliser. He has been a credit to the club and to the city.
No666
You knew he had something special when he punched the air as if he’d scored, after blocking a certain goal off the line in his first derby game.
Barney_Rubble
Think he’s the absolute epitome of everything our great football club
is and long may he continue! Kenny Dalglish is a legend, but the fact that Stevie is local and come up through the ranks of the Liverpool FC make it more of a heart and soul story. How he’s fine tuned as a player from those raw early days. I even remember going to West Ham away in 2000 and he scored a corker that day! Think he’ll be manager one day too as he is absolutely perfect for the job.
MazzaRed
One of the greatest most influential men to ever wear the Red shirt. A true hero of his day and it will never be forgotten what he has done for this club.
AnfieldFaithFul
A big thank you to Stevie for being a great player and captain and
staying faithful to the club that we all love.
MC-Jiggles
He has become the symbol of Liverpool for football fans all over the world. I have met so many fans of teams in France, Spain and other
countries who have spoken so highly of Stevie. They envy us for having such a genuine star, so inspiring and exceptional. I always reply to them saying I am so proud of our captain. I hope Stevie will retire with us, by which time I’m sure he will have a few more medals.
Khirano
He is THAT special. He is THAT good. Watching him lead the team to the
pitch always takes my breath away.
Free savannah
Steven Gerrard deserves to win the title with us (as does Carra). Hopefully it is this season.
Litmanen37
Fully justified of his 2nd place in ‘100 Players Who Shook The Kop’. An absolute Liverpool legend. Done so much, a great inspiration and now also a fantastic team player.
King Cally
He is our heartbeat; every defining moment over the past 8/9 years Mr
Gerrard has been at the centre of it. You can keep your Kaka’s, Ronaldo’s and Rooney’s — Steven Gerrard is the greatest club footballer on the planet!
Rome_1977
There are no words that can describe exactly how fantastic our captain is. However, these come close: outstanding, determined, skilful, loyal, leader, immense and phenomenal. He is indescribable and I am so glad he is ours.
suzs
Captain marvellous, captain fantastic, super skipper, great man, great
family guy, clean-living professional always on the back pages, never
the front…I would shed a tear of gratitude if Gerrard lifts the Premier League.
Syndicato
When I think of Gerrard, I think of Istanbul and the whole of the
Champions League campaign that year. Just hope he can top that by
winning the league with Liverpool.
Drunknmunky
Quite Simply Stevie G is a true Liverpool legend and is among only two
players who can be considered the best to ever have worn the shirt.
That aside he is a model captain and epitomises everything that is
good about the club.
GioTheHitman
For me, The BEST Liverpool player EVER.
slimman
STEVIE’S KOP 10 MILESTONES
Joe Curran 21 November 2008
Everyone from Thierry Henry to Jamie Redknapp have said their piece in our week-long celebration of Steven Gerrard’s ten years at the club, now we pay homage to our inspirational number eight with his very own Kop 10 of personal achievements.
Debut
Cast your mind back to November 29 1998. A cosmetically enhanced Cher was top of the charts with ‘Believe’ and Bill Clinton was still insisting ‘I did not have sexual relations with that woman’. But on the football front a fresh-faced boy from Huyton by the name of Steven George Gerrard made his first appearance for Liverpool’s senior team.
Gerrard came on as a 90th-minute substitute for Vegard Heggem when Liverpool were comfortably 2-0 up against Blackburn Rovers at Anfield.
It might have only been a cameo appearance, but in that short period of injury time he showed the kind of commitment and drive that would become a prevailing feature of his future Reds career.
Chomping at the bit and eager to make an impression, Gerrard instantly won over the Kop by thundering into a crunching challenge on the right-hand touchline.
Gerrard went on to make 13 appearances as understudy to Jamie Redknapp that season; his most memorable contribution being a 20-minute cameo appearance in his first Merseyside derby.
He played a key role in that 3-2 victory at Anfield and kept the Reds in the game by clearing off the line twice.
First goal
Gerard Houllier used Gerrard at right-back and in a central midfield role before the teenager showed he also knew how to strike a ball against Sheffield Wednesday in December 1999.
It was his 25th match in a Liverpool shirt when he scored his first goal for the club — and what a goal.
Stevie plundered the Reds’ third in a 4-1 victory with a dazzling run, a drop of the shoulder and a coolly drilled low effort into the far corner to beat Kevin Pressman.
He was still showing the world what he could do when he netted his first goal and a scintillating performance in a 3-1 win over Leeds United two months later would confirm Gerrard as one of English football’s brightest hopes at the time.
PFA Awards
With 10 goals to his name and the world at his feet, a 20-year-old Gerrard picked up his first major personal accolade in April 2001.
Fending off competition from the likes of Emile Heskey, Wes Brown, Michael Carrick, Joe Cole and Alan Smith, Stevie’s outstanding performances in helping the Reds to three cup finals that year secured him the PFA Young Player of the Year award.
«I was in contention for this award last year and I really wanted to win it this year,» said Gerrard at the time. «I’m pleased I have won it because it was a very good shortlist and there are some very good young players around at the moment.»
Five years and a cabinet-load of trophies later, Gerrard was voted by his peers to win the PFA Players’ Player of The Year award.
Treble season
Never one to do things by halves, Gerrard didn’t win one trophy in his debut season as a first-team regular. He only went and helped the Reds to three.
Instrumental from start to finish, Gerrard played in Michael Owen to score time after time across successful campaigns in the League Cup, FA Cup and Uefa Cup.
The all-action midfielder’s crucial strike against Alaves in the Uefa Cup final put the icing on the cake of this truly magnificent season in which Liverpool also qualified for the Champions League for the first time in their history.
Captaincy
Aged just 23, Stevie took over from Sami Hyypia as Liverpool captain in October 2003.
His first game with the armband saw the Reds run out 3-0 winners over to Slovenian side NK Olimpija Ljubljana in the Uefa Cup first round second leg.
On hearing the news that he would follow in the footsteps of greats like Graeme Souness and Emlyn Hughes — to name but a few — Gerrard could not hide his delight.
«The manager has always said I would captain the club one day but it was a shock yesterday when Gerard Houllier told me I was to be captain from now on,» he said at the time.
«I was captain of my school side and I used to go along to Anfield to watch the team and I always looked up to people like John Barnes who captained the team during the 90s.
«I want to blossom into a world class player — something I’m not yet — and hopefully captaining Liverpool will help me achieve that ambition.»
2004/05: What a season
We could do a whole Kop 10 feature from this season alone.
Without doubt his crowning glory was lifting the Champions League trophy on 25 May, but his contribution was not restricted to one powerful header against AC Milan.
Whether it be his brace against Graz AK; his 25-yard thunderbolt against Olympiacos; the superb free-kick to beat Everton; his 54th-minute header against AC Milan or his excellent performance at right-back while the Reds were under the kosh in Istanbul, this season is littered with personal triumphs for Steven Gerrard.
Never ones to remind people how many times Liverpool have won the European Cup, Reds fans everywhere look back on that year, and that final, as Gerrard’s defining season. His name has been commonly prefixed with ‘the inspirational’ ever since.
The Gerrard final
Down and out; dead and buried; on the ropes — put it however you like, Liverpool really looked like they were heading for defeat in the 2006 FA Cup Final.
Losing 2-1 and with only stoppage time left to play, Liverpool really needed something extraordinarily special to get back into this one, and Gerrard popped up just in the nick of time to score his second and force the match into extra-time.
Like Rafa Benitez said earlier in the week, Steven Gerrard doesn’t just score goals, he scores special goals — and this was a prime example.
The skipper powered an incredible drive beyond the despairing dive of Shaka Hislop and into the far corner of the net to save the Reds once again.
Liverpool took home the FA Cup for the seventh time in their history that day, and it was in no small part down to another Steven Gerrard landmark.
MBE
Recognition of the highest order came for Stevie in December 2006.
Named in the New Year’s honours list that year, Gerrard went to meet the queen and became a Member of the British Empire.
Another personal achievement and a proud day for his family, the phrase ‘outstanding achievement to football’ has never been more appropriately used than when describing Steven Gerrard — and he certainly cut a dash at Buckingham Palace that day too.
European goal records
The skipper now holds pretty much all the European Cup scoring records you can think of for Liverpool.
He holds the record for most goals in Europe as a whole for Liverpool and also most goals in the European Cup on its own.
In August 2005 he became the first player in Liverpool’s history to score in five successive European matches, while in the 2005/06 season he equalled the club record by scoring seven European Cup goals in one season.
Then in 2007/08 he became the first player to score in four successive European games at Anfield.
100th goal
The Reds skipper recently joined the likes of Ian Rush, Roger Hunt, Billy Lidell and Kenny Dalglish in Liverpool’s elite 100 club when he fired home a trademark free-kick in front of the Kop against PSV Eindhoven.
It might have felt like a long time coming after having one disallowed against Stoke City, but a century of strikes in just over 400 games is not easy.
Put it this way: Gerrard scored 100 goals for Liverpool in 448 matches, while Bobby Charlton found the net 249 times for Manchester United over the course of 758 appearances. Not bad, eh?
RAFA: IT’S A MISSED OPPORTUNITY
Jimmy Rice at Anfield 22 November 2008
Rafa Benitez admitted his side missed a golden opportunity to go clear of Chelsea at the top of the league after a frustrating goalless draw at home to Fulham.
The Reds dominated at Anfield but failed to carve out enough clear-cut chances — and those they did went begging.
The one consolation was that Chelsea also drew 0-0 at home to Newcastle, meaning Liverpool remain joint top.
But Benitez knows it could have been much better.
He said: «It was a bad day. We weren’t playing well, we didn’t have enough energy and we did not pass well.
«But we had three good opportunities even though we played badly.
«We started the second half really well. We had more intensity and more determination.
«There is a bit of frustration. We are disappointed because when we got to the dressing room we were told that Chelsea drew and Arsenal lost.
«Clearly it is an opportunity lost — but it’s also an opportunity lost for Chelsea.»
Benitez selected Lucas Leiva in midfield, while Xabi Alonso, who played 90 minutes for Spain in midweek, was named on the bench.
The boss said: «We tried to use two or three players with fresh legs but you could see three or four players didn’t have the energy. Lucas had fresh legs but Dirk Kuyt and Albert Riera played 90 minutes in midweek and had to fly around.»
Fulham boss Roy Hodgson added: «It’s a point against a potential champion of this country so we’ve got to be happy with our performance.
«They’ve won almost all of their recent games and we knew they were going to throw the kitchen sink at us. You are never comfortable against Liverpool.
«A 0-0 at Liverpool is a very good result. My goalkeeper made two very good saves.»
LIVERPOOL 0 — 0 FULHAM
Saturday 22 November 2008 15:00 , Barclays Premier League
REDS FRUSTRATED BY FULHAM
Liverpool remain level on points with Chelsea at the top of the Barclays Premier League despite being held to a goalless draw with Fulham at Anfield.
The Reds dominated throughout a lively contest but missed the chance to move clear of Luiz Felipe Scolari’s men after failing to find that elusive match winning goal.
It was all the more frustrating for Rafa and co after the Londoners drew a blank at home to Newcastle United.
The first chance of what proved to be hugely frustrating match for Liverpool fell to the hosts on four minutes when a magnificent 40 yard ball from Fabio Aurelio found the marauding Alvaro Arbeloa down the right.
The Spaniard showed good awareness to cut the ball back for Dirk Kuyt on the edge of the box but for once the Dutchman couldn’t finish and dragged his shot wide of the far post.
It set the tone for the rest of the half with the home side wasting a series of good openings while Fulham threatened on the counter attack.
Roy Hodgson’s men had not won at Anfield in 27 previous visits prior to kick-off, and although that run has now stretched to 28 matches, they could have given themselves a fighting chance of a shock victory on 20 minutes when they carved Liverpool open.
The Reds failed to clear a right-wing free-kick and after Jimmy Bullard and Clint Dempsey had combined to set up Andy Johnson, the former Everton man fired a gilt-edged opportunity straight at Pepe Reina.
It was proving to be an entertaining encounter and although Fulham had their moments, the hosts should have gone in at the interval ahead.
The chance of the half fell to Robbie Keane, who really should have done better after racing on to a flick from Lucas and smashing a shot straight at Mark Schwarzer from just eight yards out.
The returning Fernando Torres — who was making his first league start since the clash at Manchester City on October 5 — then went close with two instinctive efforts before the Cottagers again showed how dangerous they could be on the break when Bullard forced a top drawer save from Reina after Zamora’s rampaging run down the right had left the Liverpool defence exposed.
The underlying feeling reverberating around Anfield at the halfway point was one of frustration and the home side set about putting that right with a fast start to the second period.
Torres was beginning to have more and more influence on the play and created two good openings in the first five minutes of the half.
First he saw a delightful effort curl just over the top after some good play by Keane, before a brilliant individual run saw him cut in from the left and sting the fingertips of Schwarzer with a sizzling strike.
The Reds were turning the screw and the Fulham stopper had to be at his instinctive best again on 70 minutes when he pushed Dirk Kuyt’s effort away after a volleyed cross from Albert Riera.
It looked like being one of those days for Rafa and co, and after Lucas and Daniel Agger both went close late on, it would prove to be the case, as Fulham held on to claim a surprise point.
Teams
Liverpool: Reina, Aurelio, Carragher (captain), Agger, Arbeloa, Riera, Mascherano, Leiva, Kuyt, Torres, Keane. Subs — Hyypia, El Zhar, Babel, Dossena, Cavalieri, Alonso, Benayoun
Fulham: Schwarzer, Konchesky, Hughes, Hangeland, Pantsill, Dempsey, Bullard, Murphy (captain), Davies, Johnson, Zamora. Subs — Baird, Zuberbuhler, Gray, Gera, Stoor, Kallio, Nevland
Referee: M Halsey
Conditions: Cold
Attendance: Unknown
Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Jamie Carragher
BENITEZ KEEN TO REUNITE DUO
Paul Hassall 23 November 2008
Rafael Benitez believes the understanding between Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard will be key to Liverpool’s trophy hopes.
The duo plundered over 50 goals between them last season as they formed a frontline that was likened to the legendary Rush-Dalglish partnership.
It is a link the Reds boss believes can get better and better and he is hopeful they could both line-up for Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Marseille.
«Last season it was clear to see that the understanding between Torres and Gerrard was really good and there have been signs this year that it is getting better,» said Rafa.
«Torres is back again after being injured and we hope that Gerrard will be fit enough to face Marseille.
«As a manager I don’t like to single out players. But Gerrard and Torres have scored something like 54 goals between them since they began playing together, so it is clear that they are both very important to us.»
Красные в аренде. Обзор
Вингер «Ливерпуля» Пол Андерсон, находящийся в аренде в клубе «Ноттингем Форест», в субботу был включён в состав Лесников на матч чемпионата против «Норвича». Несмотря на забитый Андерсоном мяч, «Форест» проиграли сопернику, который играл вдесятером.
«Ноттингем» находится в подвале турнирной таблицы, отставая от идущего двадцать первым «Уотфорда» на 6 очков. Команда Андерсона одержала лишь две победы в нынешнем сезоне. Сам Пол, пропустивший начало сезона из-за травмы, принял участие в 7 матчах клуба.
Андерсон забил свой первый мяч за «Форест» после того, как в великолепном стиле продрался к воротам по левому флангу, обыграв по пути защитника противника.
Таблицу Первой лиги возглавил клуб «Лестер», одержавший победу над «Сканторпом». Оба игрока Лис, арендованных у «Ливерпуля», начали матч на скамейке запасных — вратарь Дэвид Мартин так и не вышел на поле, а защитник Джек Хоббс, который был игроком основного состава в начале сезона, на этот раз вышел на замену в самом конце поединка.
Ещё один игрок «Ливерпуля», выступающий в Чемпионшипе на правах аренды, Адам Хэммилл, продолжает демонстрировать впечатляющую игру за свой «Блэкпул», и хотя команда уступила лидерам турнира футболистам «Вулверхэмптона», сам Хэммилл оставил хорошее впечатление своей игрой. Игрок провёл уже 16 матчей за клуб и забил 1 гол (в ворота «Престона»).
ThisIsAnfield.com
RAFA: HISTORY MUST NOT REPEAT ITSELF
Jimmy Rice 25 November 2008
Rafa Benitez today warned his players not to let history repeat itself when Marseille visit Anfield for the second successive season on Wednesday night.
The Reds almost had their Champions League campaign derailed last term after Marseille grabbed a shock 1-0 win on Merseyside.
Benitez will demand his players set the record straight this time with the kind of high-octane performance that was missing during Saturday’s goalless draw against Fulham.
«Marseille have players with pace and ability; skilful players who are very dangerous,» the Spaniard told reporters at Anfield. «We also have the experience of last season, when we know we didn’t play well.
«The people talked about an easy game but we knew it was going to be difficult. Now everybody knows they have good players, so we need to take care.»
Benitez added: «After Saturday’s game we talked about being frustrated, but after that there was relief because Chelsea, Arsenal, Aston Villa and United also dropped points.
«It was a special situation because we were very disappointed with the first half, but then we ended up with one more point than Arsenal and everything else the same.
«So we have confidence and we know that, normally, we’re playing well and creating chances.
«We have been talking and analysing why the first half was not good and the players know what was wrong. They know it was a lack of intensity and we have to change this.»
Victory on Wednesday would secure qualification from Group D with a game to spare, but Benitez insisted his side would not take their foot off the gas during the final game in PSV if this was the case.
«PSV and Marseille are good teams. When you talk about the Champions League you are talking about top-class players. It’s always difficult,» he explained.
«We know winning three points will be enough to qualify but we also want to finish top of the group — that would be better.»
Steven Gerrard is expected to return to the Liverpool squad after coming through today’s training unscathed following his adductor tear.
Benitez added: «He was training and is available. He could start and I think he could play 90 minutes, but in the end that depends on the player during the game.»
STEVIE: I WANT TO OUTDO ISTANBUL
Jimmy Rice 25 November 2008
For Kopites of a certain generation, the miracle of Istanbul is our finest hour — a night which could never be bettered. Three down at half-time against an AC Milan side containing Kaka and Paolo Maldini. There was simply no way back.
Until, that is, Steven Gerrard inspired the greatest comeback football had ever seen. Six of the most bizarre minutes in sporting history brought the Reds level before Jerzy Dudek’s penalty heroics secured our fifth European Cup.
For the players involved, just as for the fans watching from the stands or at home, it was the greatest night of their footballing lives — something they’d be asked about everywhere they went for the rest of their days.
No one more so than Gerrard, whose glittering career will always be best remembered for what he did on May 25, 2005.
Or so some might believe. For now, three and a half years later, the Huyton-born midfielder has spoken of his determination to retire having equalled — or even bettered — the seemingly impossible achievement of Istanbul.
«I’ve got a drive and a hunger to match Istanbul, if not beat it,» said Gerrard, who is poised to return from injury for Wednesday’s penultimate Champions League group game with Marseille.
«Obviously Istanbul was mine and the club’s finest hour for a long time. But I don’t just want to milk that final. I think I’d have regrets if I didn’t win anything else.»
Gerrard’s list of honours includes two FA Cup triumphs, two League Cup successes and a UEFA Cup winners’ medal.
All that’s missing is the Premier League, but with Liverpool currently joint top of the table, many are predicting the hole in Gerrard’s medal collection could soon be filled.
«I can understand why people are saying it,» added the club captain. «We’ve gone 2-0 down a couple of times, we haven’t given up, and we’ve managed to turn games around. So they’re saying we’ve got title credentials.
«It’s nice, but it raises expectations. It’s important to stay humble. We know we’re a good team, we know we’re getting closer to a title challenge – we can say that. But we’ve got to prove we can stay in the race till the end.»
Liverpool will qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League should they avoid defeat to Marseille, who lie third in the French Ligue 1 following Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Lille.
«Liverpool belong in Europe,» Gerrard said. «Yes, you have to earn the right to be in it, but our history, the number of cups we’ve won in Europe, it’s our stage, it’s where we want to be.
«We see how successful the club have been. Players before our generation delivered, and fans expect the same of us today.»
ABLETT LOOKS FOR THE POSITIVES
Joe Curran 25 November 2008
Gary Ablett believes his Liverpool Reserve players can take a lot of positives from last night’s 1-1 draw away Newcastle United despite coming so close to securing a third win of the season.
Click here to watch the highlights>>
The second string had a host of chances to put the match beyond reach after Vincent Weijl put them ahead on the stroke of half-time, but Andy Carroll headed home at the death to rescue a point for the Magpies.
Ablett refused to be too downhearted, however, and insisted he was happy with his team’s overall performance.
«After doing so well for the majority of the game, to lose a goal in the 93rd minute of the match was very disappointing because I felt we did particularly well,» said Ablett.
«Limiting them to just one real chance in the second half was good, but we created some great chances ourselves on top of the goal and it’s disappointing we didn’t take those — if you don’t take your chances then you won’t win games.
«We said at half-time that if we manage to score again then we will see the game off. But sooner or later they were going to get an opportunity which could prove costly — and so it proved.
«But I thought our two centre-halves did well and I’m very pleased with their performance.
«We’re disappointed to concede a goal so late on in the game, but it was a difficult ball to defend against and the quality of the delivery was very good.
«Every single one of the players contributed to a good performance, which again is a positive thing.»
«Vincent Weijl and Steven Irwin did very well — they’re both improving, and it was good to see Krisztian Nemeth come on too.
«But I think all the players are improving all the time. Overall I’m pleased — there are lots of positives to take from this match.»
LIVERPOOL V MARSEILLE: STAT ATTACK
Ged Rea 25 November 2008
Here are all the important pre-match stats and facts ahead of our Champions League clash with Marseille.
Liverpool’s European Record (overall): Pld 294 Won 167 Drawn 64 Lost 63.
Liverpool’s record in European Cup: Pld 163 Won 95 Drawn 35 Lost 33.
The Reds will qualify if they win and also if they draw and PSV Eindhoven fail to beat Atletico Madrid.
Rafa Benitez will take charge of Liverpool for the 66th time in Europe, breaking the club record of 65 previously held by Bill Shankly. A victory will equal Bob Paisley’s club record of 39.
Only Sami Hyypia, Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard from Rafa’s first European tie in Graz remain at Anfield.
Should Liverpool score twice they will record 300 in the European Cup.
Liverpool are unbeaten in seven Group games since losing to Besiktas in October 2007. Their best ever run is 12 without defeat set from 2004-06.
After Matchday Four of this season’s campaign Steven Gerrard was joint leading scorer in Champions League. Alongside him on four goals are Manchester United’s Dimitar Berbatov, Lionel Messi (Barcelona) and Alessandro Del Piero of Juventus.
Wins in their last two games will give the Reds their best ever points tally in a Champions League Group stage — 14 points.
Liverpool’s win at Marseille in September was their fourth in succession in France — a game which saw Albert Riera make his European debut for the club.
Marseille are the only visiting French team to win at Anfield in Europe. The Reds have won eight and drawn one of the other nine.
Steven Gerrard’s penalty against Atletico Madrid was his fifth in Europe for the club equalling the club record set by Phil Neal.
Sixteen hat-tricks have been scored by Liverpool in Europe with the last coming from Yossi Benayoun against Besiktas last November.
Rafa Benitez was in charge of Valencia in 2004 when they defeated Marseille 2-0 in the UEFA Cup Final in Gothenburg.
The Reds have scored in 26 of their last 28 games at Anfield.
They have scored a single goal in three of their last four European games at home.
Pepe Reina, Alvaro Arbeloa and Jamie Carragher have played every minute of Liverpool’s European campaign this season.
Marseille’s European Record (overall): Pld 140 Won 67 Drawn 35 Lost 38.
Marseille’s record in European Cup: Pld 70 Won 33 Drawn 15 Lost 22.
Marseille recorded a 1-0 win at Anfield last season thanks to a 77th minute goal from Mathieu Valbuena. Since then the Reds have beaten them twice in France.
Бабель вновь высказывает недовольство
Райан Бабель в очередной раз озвучил своё желание проводить больше игр в первой команде «Ливерпуля», но настоял на том, что не собирается покидать Энфилд.
Голландский вингер столкнулся с трудностью попадания в стартовый состав Рафы Бенитеса в этом сезоне, в котором Красные держатся на вершине таблицы Премьер-лиги.
В отличии от предыдущих сезонов, Бенитес стал реже прибегать к ротации состава, и такие игроки, как Бабель, получили гораздо меньше игр в стартовом составе.
Игрок, раньше уже высказывавший своё недовольство местом на скамье запасных, признаёт, что разочарован тем, что не имеет постоянной возможности выходить на поле в стартовом составе.
«Система ротации — прошлое дело, и я одна из жертв этого», — сказал Бабель Sportweek.
«Команда много побеждает, поэтому вам не изменить ситуацию».
«В каждом сезоне бывает около 60 игр. «Я должен упорно трудиться и ждать своего шанса» — вот, что вы слышали, но я уже показал достаточно терпения. Я хочу играть».
«Вы развиваетесь и становитесь лучше, когда играете. На скамье ничего не происходит. Конечно, я разочарован тем, что не играю, для меня это очевидно».
Однако, Бабель, завоевавший репутацию супер-саба после серии успешных выходов со скамьи, не собирается покидать Мерсисайд.
«Я не хочу уходить, — сказал он. — Мой контракт заканчивается в 2012 году. Я так легко не сдамся».
READ RAFA AND STEVIE’S PRE-MATCH NOTES
Liverpoolfc.tv 26 November 2008
Rafa Benitez and Steven Gerrard have been sharing their pre-match thoughts in tonight’s official match programme. Read what the manager and the skipper have to say online now.
If we want to win tonight we will have to play better than we did against Fulham here on Saturday. That was a bad day for us.
We didn’t play at the level we’ve shown in recent weeks. Hopefully, we can get back to that level tonight.
A point against Marseille could be enough to see us qualify from Group D. However, we’re not setting out for a draw. We never do and it’s really important we win tonight.
We know that we could have qualified for the knockout stages already. There was a sense of disappointment that we drew twice with Atletico Madrid.
While we had opportunities to win both games, we also know we could have lost the second match against Atletico here at Anfield where it took a late penalty for us to earn a point.
We cannot change those results and just have to concentrate on getting maximum points tonight to ensure we qualify.
Our initial priority is to reach the knockout stages. After that we’ve got one more game against PSV Eindhoven in which we will be trying to top the
group.
Steven Gerrard scored twice at the Stade Velodrome to help us beat Marseille 2-1 on matchday one.
Of course, Steven missed Saturday’s match with a groin injury, but he has been working hard to give himself every chance of being ready for tonight.
We had to come back from a goal down to win in Marseille. After Lorik Cana had put them ahead, it took us just three minutes to get the equaliser. It was vital we replied so soon after Marseille had taken the lead.
When a team scores first, particularly at home, they can become more organised and gain in confidence. Scoring when we did prevented this from happening and we were then able to go on and win the game.
This will be the fourth time we’ve played Marseille in a year, having also drawn them in last season’s group stage.
Familiarity can be a help and a hindrance. While we know about them and how they might play, they will also know a lot about us.
You will remember Marseille beat us 1-0 here last season. It was a good finish by Mathieu Valbuena, but we made mistakes in the build-up to the goal.
Although we didn’t play well that night, we learned that Marseille can be well-organised in defence and also have good players who can be effective on the counter-attack, qualities we will have to be aware of tonight.
Our second game against Marseille last season saw us win quite comfortably, 4-0.
Between that game and our most recent meeting, I noticed Marseille were much more compact, making it harder for us, and I expect another difficult game tonight.
Marseille have some good players, and the manager, Eric Gerets, has instilled a good mentality in the team during his first year in charge.
They arrive at Anfield with three points after beating PSV Eindhoven 3-0 in France on matchday four.
That means Marseille have to win tonight if they are to have any hope of reaching the last 16.
This makes them even more dangerous and we have to be mindful of this while ensuring we do the right things to win the game.
As I’ve said, while a point may be enough for us to qualify, a draw here has not entered our thinking. We always try to win every game and once again I am asking you, the fans, to get right behind the team to help us achieve our goal.
You know how important your support is and I hope to see you all back here for more special European nights in the second half of the season.
Rafa Benitez
WE can’t afford too many afternoons at Anfield like the one we had last Saturday.
Credit to Fulham who came to Anfield and made life really difficult for us. They had a game plan, stuck to it and got the reward of a point. Opposition teams are well within their rights to use the tactics that they feel will get them the best result. They made the game as narrow as they could for us and packed the midfield with players.
It’s up to us to break teams like that down, and on Saturday we failed to get the job done.
We didn’t perform at anything like the level we know we should be hitting at home in the first half. The game was flat and so was our performance.
We were better after the break, but we were still well below the standards we’ve set for ourselves this season.
With all due respect to Fulham, that should have been a bread and butter three points for us.
You need to make the most of your home games in the Premier League. We were fortunate in one respect in that the other results at the weekend didn’t really harm us.
But we feel that Saturday was a missed opportunity. If we’d taken three points off Fulham then we’d have been two clear of Chelsea and 10 ahead of United, although they have a game in hand.
It wouldn’t have been decisive right now, but any opportunity that you get to put your rivals under pressure is one that you should be looking to take.
But it’s gone, and we won’t be dwelling on it. So long as we have learned a valuable lesson and improve our performances off the back of that draw then we’ll be fine.
But it’s a warning, just like Stoke was, of what can happen if we’re not on top of our game.
Tonight, however, it’s all about the Champions League and trying to book our place in the knockout stages against Marseille.
I don’t think anyone reading this will need me to remind them of what happened last season when they came to visit Anfield. We were poor, they were good and they beat us in our own backyard.
That result left us with a mountain to climb in the group. This season, it’s been more straightforward, but they’ve still got an outside chance of getting through so they’ll be determined and tough to break down.
I wouldn’t expect Marseille to be too adventurous early on tonight away from home. They’ll want to settle into the game and play on the break, like a lot of teams do.
They might have had someone at Anfield watching Saturday’s game and they’ll have seen Fulham frustrate us to death.
But we’re confident we’ll be 100 times better tonight. The onus is on us to dominate and create chances; hopefully we can take one of them early on and force them out of their comfort zone. A good start’s vital.
Personally, I’m hoping to be back in action after missing Saturday’s game. I hate not being involved because of injury and missing any game – but tonight’s massive for us and I want to be involved.
Steven Gerrard
AGGER CALLS FOR VAST IMPROVEMENT
James Carroll 26 November 2008
Daniel Agger believes that Liverpool will require a much-improved performance if the Reds are to secure qualification for the next round of the Champions League against Marseille tonight.
A win for the Reds will see them qualify for the last 16 of the tournament with a game to spare but Agger remains deeply frustrated by Liverpool’s goalless draw with Fulham on Saturday and has warned his team-mates that they can ill-afford a repeat showing this evening against the Ligue 1 side.
«Our performance against Fulham in the first half was not good enough,» the Danish international admitted.
«It was really, really bad and it was almost too difficult to describe. We got better in the second half and created some chances and had more possession but we know we must do better than that.
«Marseille will be a difficult game because it is in the Champions League and all matches are tough in this competition.
«We want to go through to the next stage of the competition as early as possible.»
Meanwhile, Javier Mascherano insists that confidence in the Reds camp has not been damaged by the draw with the Cottagers ahead of this evening’s clash with l’OM.
«We are towards the top of the table in the Premier League, which is positive, and we are also going well in Europe,» said Mascherano.
«The most important thing is the team and we know our target at the start of every game is to win our battles in all areas of the pitch.
«It doesn’t matter if you are playing away or at home, you have to try to play the same way and impose our game on our opponents.
«Our confidence is also good because we have not lost many games. This is good for all of the players.
«I think we are stronger than last season – maybe we have more options now,» he continued.
«We have players who can play in different positions so the manager can move them around. Everyone is working really hard in training to be named in the side.
«We have improved our team. We are stronger now and working hard to progress. We have a number of players who have been together two or three years so the understanding is much better and we are showing this on the pitch.»
LFC V MARSEILLE: BIG MATCH PREVIEW
James Carroll 26 November 2008
Liverpool entertain Marseille knowing that a victory will guarantee them a place in the knockout stages of the Champions League with a game to spare.
The Reds are currently level on points with Atletico Madrid at the top of Group D and will be hoping to pick up a convincing victory to boost their chances of finishing in first place.
Rafael Benitez’s side can also qualify with a draw, providing that Atletico do not lose to PSV Eindhoven in Spain.
It’s a landmark night for the Liverpool manager, who will take charge of the Reds in Europe for the 66th time, surpassing Bill Shankly’s record of 65 games.
A win for the home side would also see the Anfield boss equal Bob Paisley’s record of 39 wins in competitive games against continental opposition.
«I am really happy to be here and really proud to have reached such a landmark,» Benitez told reporters ahead of the game.
«I don’t think it would be right for anyone to compare me with Shankly or Paisley, though, especially when you consider how Shankly built the club up and the top trophies Paisley won.
«I just hope I am still in charge after another 66 European games because it would mean we were still winning. That is what matters most. You can only play so many games in Europe in such a short space of time if you are winning most of them.
«I have never in my life been the sort of person to sit back after achieving something and say: ‘That’s it, I’ve done it now. That’s enough for me’.
«Always, I want to improve. I am really pleased and proud to be where we are today but I want to take it further and keep adding to what we have already done.
«When I took over, the team were having problems qualifying for the Champions League. I knew what I was walking into. It was a challenge but that is what I wanted.
«You create history by doing things, not talking about it and it is an important step forward that we are now qualifying for the Champions League every year.
«Not only that, we have reached two finals and a semi-final, which is no mean feat. I am always looking at the bigger picture and how we can improve and that is why I was unaware of this record until someone at the club told me earlier today.
«I have huge respect for the history of this club but my aim is to send out teams who win games in such a way that people are talking about how fantastic the present is.»
The Ligue 1 side are in need of three points at Anfield to keep their hopes of qualification alive, having only picked up one win from their opening four matches.
A Steven Gerrard brace clinched a 2-1 win at the Stade Velodrome earlier in the campaign but Marseille stunned Anfield last season with a 1-0 victory courtesy of a goal from Mathieu Valbuena, who is set to miss out on a return to Merseyside due to a knee injury.
However, former Liverpool winger Bolo Zenden is included in the travelling squad.
The Dutchman salvaged a point for Marseille with a stoppage-time equaliser against Lille to keep Eric Gerets side in third place in Ligue 1, six points adrift of leaders Lyon. Another former Red, Djibril Cisse, is contracted to l’OM but is currently on-loan at Sunderland.
Marseille can boast an Englishman in their ranks in the form of defender Tyrone Mears. The 25-year-old agreed a season-long loan-deal with the Stade Velodrome club in August and they have the option to make the deal permanent at the end of the season.
The Boss
Eric Gerets became the coach of Marseille in September of last year and masterminded a 1-0 victory at Anfield in his first game in charge.
The Belgian had been out of work for four months after leaving Galatasaray, where he won the Turkish Super League in 2006.
Gerets also had spells in charge of RFC de Liege, Lierse SK, Club Brugge, PSV Eindhoven (where he would later become manager), Kaiserslautern and Wolfsburg.
The 54-year-old enjoyed a distinguished playing career before he turned his hand to management.
He made his name as a full-back with Standard Liege before joining Italian giants AC Milan in 1983. He made 13 appearances at the San Siro before moving to Holland, where he played for MVV Maastricht. He rejoined PSV a year later and went on to make 200 appearances for the Dutch club.
Gerets won 82 caps for Belgium, scoring two goals, in his playing days.
The dangerman
Mamadou Niang is a powerful, pacey striker who is a fans favourite at the Stade Velodrome.
The 29-year-old joined Marseille from Strasbourg in 2005 and finished the season as l’OM’s top scorer with ten goals.
He dwarfed that tally in 2007/08 as the Senegal international fired in 28 goals in all competitions, including 18 league strikes that saw him finish as Ligue 1’s second top goalscorer.
Niang has 27 caps for Senegal and has scored 13 goals. He represented the Lions of Teranga at the 2004, 2006 and 2008 African Cup of Nations.
Marseille factfile
Marseille are often referred to by their nickname of l’OM in France.
Their club motto is ‘Droit Au But’, which is translated as ‘Straight to the goal’ in English.
Marseille were founded in 1899.
They currently play at the Stade Velodrome, which has a capacity of 60,031.
Marseille hold the record with Saint Etienne for most league title wins (10) with their last success coming in 1992.
l’OM can also boast a record number of French Cup wins, having lifted the trophy on ten occasions.
They have also won the Champions League in 1993, beating AC Milan 1-0 in Munich’s Oylimpiastadion. Former Glasgow Rangers defender Basile Boli was the goalscorer and l’OM are the only French club to have won the competition. Marseille had finished as runners up in the tournament two-years earlier, losing 5-3 on penalties to Red Star Belgrade.
They reached the UEFA Cup Final in 2004, beating Liverpool en-route, but were beaten 2-0 by Rafael Benitez’s Valencia.
Notable former players include William Gallas, Didier Drogba, Christophe Dugarry, Eric Cantona, Laurent Blanc, Didier Deschamps, Marcel Desailly, Jairzinho, Claude Makelele, Mido, Joseph Yobo, Robert Pires, Jean-Pierre Papin, Rudi Voller, Jean Tigana and Chris Waddle.
Players who have figured for both Liverpool and Marseille include Titi Camara, Bruno Cheyrou, Pegguy Arphexad, Bolo Zenden, Djibril Cisse
TORRES EAGER FOR GERRARD REUNION
Paul Eaton 26 November 2008
Fernando Torres is relishing the return of Steven Gerrard to the Liverpool team tonight as the Reds go in search of the win which will secure their place in the knock-out phase of the Champions League.
Victory over Marseille would guarantee Rafael Benitez’s men a place in the last sixteen, while they would also qualify with a draw if PSV Eindhoven fail to beat Atletico Madrid.
The return of Gerrard after a groin strain is a timely tonic for the Reds, who will be looking to bounce back from their frustrating goalless draw with Fulham at the weekend, and for Torres who is delighted to welcome his teammate back to action.
The pair have not been in the same starting eleven since the 3-2 win at Manchester City on October 5.
«I wanted to play for a club like Liverpool, where I could learn from players like Steven Gerrard, who I have always respected as a player and a leader,» said Torres.
«A captain in England must lead by example. Steve Gerrard is someone everyone wants to be like – always the first at training, it is he who grafts the hardest in each exercise, who sacrifices himself during each match.
«You follow him blindly. Moreover, he is a star who decided to stay at Liverpool despite all the offers.
«It is a pleasure to receive the throughballs you get from Steven. He puts the ball where he wants, like Xavi (Hernandez) for the national team.»
Torres, meanwhile, has also reiterated his love for both the club and the city of Liverpool as he embarks on the challenge of looking to replicate a stunning first season in English football.
«It isn’t easy to adapt but once you have, you would have trouble wanting to play anywhere else,» he said.
«You go to play away at a team in the relegation zone and you find yourself playing on a perfect pitch, with the stands full to bursting and opponents who are there to play football.
«And even if they lose, the crowd are going to cheer them on until the death. You only see this in British football.»
He added: «The club is a symbol of a city which fought to stay alive.
«Everyone is proud of the team. Players want to come here because they know that Liverpool is a truly great club.
«Anfield is the most English of all the grounds — people live and breathe football there.
«With just 45,000 fans there, that roar they give makes you think you have wings on your feet.»
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