Tag Archives: Liverpool

Liverpool reveal united front

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Boss Roy Hodgson admits the Carling Cup defeat at Anfield at the hands of League Two Northampton in midweek was “not acceptable” for a club of Liverpool’s stature (Manchester United 2/1f – Carling Cup Outright).

The Reds’ sluggish start to the season has seen them win just one Premier League game – against West Brom – and pick up just five points from five matches.

Liverpool are now also out of the Carling Cup which was arguably their best chance of a trophy this season to end a drought which goes back to four years to the 2006 FA Cup win.

However, the real prize for the Merseysiders will be a return to the top four and Champions League football which, for financial as well as sporting reasons, is crucial for the club’s future (Liverpool 2/1 – Top 4 Finish).

Hodgson is putting on a brave face ahead of Liverpool’s home clash with Sunderland in the league, however, and insists the latest setback must be put into context (Liverpool 4/9 – 90 minutes).

“I’ve had many disappointments,” said Hodgson. “You can’t work at 35 years at the level I have without having disappointments.

“Any criticism which comes my way and the team’s we have to accept because it is not acceptable to have a home game in the Carling Cup against a team several divisions below you and not come out with a victory.

“Wednesday was a really bad result for the club, it has knocked us backwards, and has put us in a situation where we are heavily criticised – perhaps rightly so.”

He added: “We’ve had some good moments – with five straight Europa League victories – but also some bad ones, like the (3-0) defeat at Manchester City and the one in the Carling Cup.

“It’s been pretty much a mixed bag but we’ll live through the bad moments and over the course of the season we’ll do well.

“We are reading an awful lot into a bad result.”

Hodgson’s sentiments have been echoed by captain Steven Gerrard who is looking for a response now the dust has settled on the Carling Cup shock.

He said: “Football isn’t just about highs. Throughout my career I have experienced both highs and lows and probably learnt more from the lows because you look at yourself first, look at what went wrong and try to learn from your mistakes.

“Playing for this club there are big games every two or three days and we need to get everyone’s head focused on Sunderland now.

“What I would ask all the supporters is to trust the players and what the players are saying.

“I’ve been reading and listening to what they’ve been saying and they’ve all said we’ll get it right in the end – and we will.”

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Ferdinand eyes Liverpool scalp

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Rio Ferdinand believes it is important Manchester United beat arch-rivals Liverpool (19/5 – 90 minutes) on Sunday as they bid to kick start their Premier League campaign.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s team have dropped four points in their last two Premier Leagues matches away from Old Trafford, throwing away leads late on.

Fulham scored an injury-time equaliser to take a point at Carven Cottage before the international break, while Everton hit the back of the net twice after the 90 minute mark to secure a 3-3 draw.

United’s patchy domestic form also transferred to the Champions League in midweek when they were unable to break down a resilient Rangers side in Tuesday’s goalless draw.

The Red Devils now face their biggest rivals on Sunday looking for only their second win in five matches.

Despite beating Steaua Bucharest 4-1 on Thursday night in the Europa League Liverpool’s own form heading into the game hasn’t been good.

They have won just one of their first four matches, tasting defeat on their first visit to Manchester when City pummelled them 3-0 in August.

Liverpool’s recent record at Old Trafford isn’t great, winning just one of their last five visits to the Theatre of Dreams.

However, form could well go out the window for this clash and both sides will be hoping they can take the three points which could be the catalyst to a good season.

Ferdinand says its important United (3/1 Premier League outright) are the team that comes out on top as he believes it will be the morale boosting victory Ferguson’s team are looking for.

“This kind of game is always good for galvanising spirit and belief,” said Ferdinand.

“You would be beating one of your closest rivals, so to win this game would be great for team morale.

“Hopefully it will put us on the crest of a wave.”

Ferdinand is likely to be one of a handful of players who keeps his place in the United team from the one that disappointed against Rangers on Tuesday.

Liverpool and United made a boat load of changes for their respective European matches but are likely to bring back the big guns for Sunday.

The Reds left out Steven Gerrard (11/4 to score anytime on Sunday) and Fernando Torres (2/1) on Thursday, while Dimitar Berbatov (11/8) and Paul Scholes (10/3) watched from the stands against Rangers.

Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson has said he believes his decision to rest his star duo will be proven to be the right one, while his counter-part Ferguson is likely to field his strongest possible side after being criticised for making 10 changes on Tuesday.

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Carragher eyes attacking Liverpool

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Jamie Carragher believes Liverpool, on offer with tote at 6/4 to finish in the 2010-11 Premier League top four, have enough strike power to compete this season.

Reds boss Roy Hodgson was forced to sell wantaway Javier Mascherano and also tried to recruit a striker in the transfer window but failed to land several targets, including Mario Gomez of Bayern Munich and West Ham forward Carlton Cole.

However, defensive stalwart Carragher believes there is enough attacking talent at Anfield to fire them forward in the first half of the season.

The former England man believes a fit-again Fernando Torres, supported by David Ngog, youngster Daniel Pacheco, Ryan Babel and Dirk Kuyt provide plenty of options for the Merseysiders (Top Six finish – 3/10).

“We are looking for Fernando Torres to stay as fit as possible but I think David Ngog in the last 12 months is a completely different player, and his start to the season has been fantastic,” he said.

“We’ve also got Dirk Kuyt and Ryan Babel as well.”

Meanwhile Pepe Reina, who made a poor error to let Argentina’s Carlos Tevez score against him when in goal for Spain on Tuesday, admitted losing Mascherano to Barcelona is a big blow to the club.

The goalkeeper admitted: “Javier is very competitive, very Argentinian and he always offers his maximum in every game. For Barca this is a good new thing, but it’s not for us.

“He was not someone who got into controversy. He never caused rows in the dressing room. He was good on the pitch, broke up counter-attacks and now we need other players with his characteristics.”

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Liverpool confirm Kuyt setback

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Liverpool (6/4 – 2010-11 Top Four Finish) have said that Dirk Kuyt will be sidelined for four weeks, after suffering a shoulder injury whilst on international duty.

The Reds forward picked up the problem during training with the Netherlands squad (2/7f – to win Euro 2012 Group E) on Monday and was flown back to the UK for further treatment.

The 30-year-old underwent tests and the Liverpool club doctor Peter Brukner confirmed that Kuyt is likely to be missing for a month.

Having suffered “damage to the A-C joint”, the Dutchman is set to miss several big games for his club over the coming weeks.

Kuyt, who scored in the Netherlands 5-0 win over San Marino on Friday, looks set to be sidelined for six Liverpool (11/1 – to win 2010-11 Europa League) matches.

The former Feyenoord man is expected to miss the Premier League games against Birmingham, Manchester United and Sunderland, the Europa League fixtures with Steaua Bucharest and FC Utrecht, as well as the Carling Cup tie against Northampton.

The absence of Kuyt, who had been linked with a summer move to Inter Milan, will be a major blow to Roy Hodgson, who is already short of attacking options.

There has been some welcome news though for the Reds boss, regarding the fitness of Fernando Torres.

The Spaniard’s start to the season has been sporadic because of an injury sustained in this summer?s World Cup final.

The Reds’ medical team were keen to make sure that he is not rushed back too soon, despite the fans eagerness to see Torres firing in the goals.

But the striker showed in the recent win over West Brom, when he scored the only goal, that he is making good progress and has promised the supporters that the best is yet to come.

The 26-year-old said: “The recuperation is perfect and we have waited our time. I am still not 100 per cent, but the people will soon see the best Torres.

“Each time I am recuperating sensations and I hope to obtain success with Liverpool this season.”

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Poulsen still adapting to Liverpool life

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Summer signing Christian Poulsen has admitted it will take him a while to settle into life at Liverpool and adapt to the hectic pace of the Premier League (6/4 – top-4 finish).

The Denmark international joined from Juventus before the transfer window closed and the midfielder featured from the start against West Brom last Sunday in what was his first full league appearance for the Reds.

It was also the first time he had started a game alongside star duo Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres and the experienced former FC Copenhagen player admitted it could take him a bit longer to gel with his team-mates.

“I feel comfortable here. The match against West Brom was the first game with Fernando and the captain so you have to learn how they want the ball,” said Poulsen.

“Fernando is a strong player and can do things at speed and can do things one against one.

“You also feel Steven and Fernando have a good eye for each other and you saw that against West Brom – I hope it will get even better.”

Poulsen did play in the two-legged Europa League play-off win over Trabzonspor and, after a busy summer with Denmark at the World Cup, he admits he is still scratching around for his full fitness and match sharpness (Liverpool 7/2 – to win a major trophy this season).

“When I came here I had not played since the World Cup so I feel I need some time to get into the rhythm,” added the 30-year-old.

“But last Thursday (in the second leg against Trabzonspor) I did better than in the first game.

“We have a lot of games so with Javier Mascherano and Alberto Aquilani leaving we need quality players for the team because for the next six months we will have a game every four days.

“I hope after the international break we can come strong again and pick up a lot of points up in the coming months.”

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Liverpool land Meireles

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Liverpool, who are 15/8 traul merieleso finish in the top four this season, have spent some of the money they received for Javier Mascherano on Porto midfielder Raul Merieles.

The Reds agreed on Friday to send the unsettled Mascherano to Barcelona, ending a difficult period for the club with the player making his feelings known through the media.

But boss Roy Hodgson has moved swiftly to bolster his squad by landing Meireles on a four-year deal.

The player, who has played 38 times for Portugal including all four of their games at the World Cup in South Africa, has cost the Anfield club around £11.5million.
Meireles, who operates in the centre of midfield, has won four league titles in his home country.

Meireles said: “Roy Hodgson was key to me coming here because he worked so hard to sign me. I am Meireles and not Mascherano and that will be clear to the fans. I hope one day the Liverpool fans will remember me for being successful.”

Alberto Aquilani’s loan departure to Juventus, ending an injury-hit spell in the city, had also left Liverpool (25/1 to win the Premier League) short of numbers and Hodgson now seems keen to add at least one more new face to his squad before the transfer window ends on Tuesday.

Christian Poulsen from Juve and Joe Cole from Chelsea have been the big names to have joined the club since the summer, but Hodgson reportedly wants to bring in Carlton Cole from West Ham while Paul Konchesky is expected to join in the next few days from his old club Fulham.

Hodgson wanted to sign Peter Crouch from Spurs, but Harry Redknapp has warned him that the striker is not for sale.

A target man is the Liverpool boss’ main priority, though, and he is reportedly considering offering Ryan Babel plus cash to West Ham in exchange for Cole.

Reports in Sunday newspapers have also linked PSV forward Ola Toivonen with the Anfield club, although the Dutch outfit apparently want more than £13million for the Swede.

Stoke City have already failed with two bids, believed to be up to £9million, for Cole, but sources say Liverpool are ready to table an offer of £10million for the player.

However, with West Ham struggling themselves near the foot of the Premier League, Avram Grant knows that selling any of his players would cause uproar with the Upton Park faithful and he has officially told potential buyers that Cole is not available at any price.

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Hodgson talks up Liverpool

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Roy Hodgson believes this week’s capture of Joe Cole and the confirmation that Steven Gerrard will stay at Anfield means Liverpool (7/4 – top-4 finish) will be stronger than last season.

With most onlookers impressed with the free transfer capture of Cole, Reds fans breathed a huge sigh of relief when skipper Gerrard then pledged his future to the club.

Hodgson is certainly upbeat about the season ahead after securing the services of the England pair, with the transfer work not yet complete.

The former Inter Milan boss admitted: “It will be a tough season with a lot of matches and the disappointment of last season is going to take a while to dissipate. But it is very good that our best player is still going to be playing at this club.

“It’s a great piece of news and fingers crossed the speculation about Steven will go away. It gives everyone a boost without question.”

Hodgson believes that Liverpool (12/1 to win the 2010-11 Premier League) will start the season with a stronger group of players than when when Rafa Benitez ended his spell in charge at Anfield.

The manager added: “Hopefully with the signing of Joe Cole – and if we are lucky one or two others to boost the squad – we will be going into this season’s competition maybe stronger on paper than we were last season.”

It looks like one of those further new captures will be the Rangers youngster Danny Wilson, who is on the brink of a move to Merseyside.

The SPL champions have agreed a three-year deal in principle with Liverpool over the sale of the teenage defender.

Rangers chief executive Martin Bain claims the Glasgow club will receive £2m for the centre back, rising to £5m with add-ons linked to games played for the Reds.

The 18-year-old, who turned down an offer to remain at Ibrox, is understood to be undergoing a medical will the prospect of sealing a switch this week.

Hodgson also remains upbeat over the future and fitness of Fernando Torres (11/2 to be Premier League top goalscorer), who continues to be linked with a summer move.

The Spaniard is still on holiday following Spain’s World Cup success but Hodgson has spoken to the striker, who suffered a groin injury when coming on as a substitute in the final against the Netherlands.

The Liverpool boss revealed: “I met Torres last Wednesday in Ibiza, albeit briefly. He told me the groin problem was not anything to worry about, it was something which would clear up with rest on holiday.”

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Hodgson outlines Liverpool plans

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New Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson has targeted signing English players and could make a bid for Aston Villa winger Ashley Young as he looks to revive the Reds’ fortunes next season (Liverpool 8/1 to win the Premier League next season).

Hodgson was officially unveiled as Rafa Benitez’s successor at Anfield on Thursday and the former Fulham boss has already drawn up a shortlist of players he wants to sign over the summer – with a focus on attracting home-born players in line with new UEFA rules that say Premier League clubs must have at least eight ‘homegrown’ players in their squads from August.

“We would be foolish not to be aware of the importance of homegrown players with the way UEFA and Premier League rules are going,” Hodgson said.

“Otherwise we’re going to struggle to get our squad numbers together.

“I think the club have been trying to do that already with younger players like Jonjo Shelvey and Raheem Sterling but it takes time for them to come through so we might have to go into the transfer market.”

Reports suggest Villa winger Young is among the Liverpool manager’s first targets and Hodgson believes he could land the England international for around £6million.

Meanwhile, Hodgson has admitted his style of football was inspired by the great Liverpool teams of the 1970’s and 80’s and he hopes to reproduce it at Anfield with a team of his own as soon as possible.

“All the things I’ve always liked are the things Liverpool were famous for in their heyday,” he added on the club’s website.

“Pass and move, always move it quickly and once you lose it get back in to position. That was the mantra which took Liverpool through their great years.

“I like a high-tempo passing game. I like players to work hard, I like players to get back in position. Those are my priniciples.

“I was influenced by the Liverpool team which dominated the 70s with all its great players and playing the football they played.”

Hodgson’s first competitive game in charge of the Reds will be a Europa League qualifier at the end of the month before they kick off their Premier League campaign with a tough opener at home to Arsenal (Liverpool 5/4 to win).

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Gerrard over Liverpool woes

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Steven Gerrard has insisted he is happy with his form as England prepare for next month’s World Cup (6/1 to lift the trophy) and believes he is back to something like his best.

The midfield lynchpin has endured a disappointing season with Liverpool, who only finished seventh in the league after pushing Manchester United all the way the previous year and crashed out of the Champions League in the group stages only to get knocked out of the Europa League in the semi-finals.

The Anfield giants were also sent packing from the FA Cup after losing at home to Reading and were knocked out of the Carling Cup by Arsenal’s young guns.

Gerrard did not have the best season on a personal level as he was hampered by injury and struggled for consistency, and has been linked with a move away in the summer following claims he has fallen out with boss Rafael Benitez.

However, the 29-year-old has insisted he has put his Liverpool troubles behind him and believes he is rediscovering his best form with the summer showpiece only days away.

“It has been a difficult season – personally and for the Liverpool group as a whole – because we’ve under-achieved,” Gerrard said.

“It has been really tough dealing with those setbacks.

“But now we are here for England, it is important club issues are put to one side.
“The good thing is my form has come back closer to where I want it to be.

“At the moment I am feeling good. I finished the season quite strongly personally.”

England begin their campaign on June 12 and are 1/3 favourites to win Group C, with USA available at 4/1, Slovenia at 9/1 and Algeria the outsiders at 12/1.

Fabio Capello’s men kick off against USA on June 12 and are strongly fancied at 8/15 to take the three points, with the Americans priced at 5/1 and the draw at 11/4.

Gerrard has also emphasised how important Wayne Rooney (10/1 to finish as the tournament’s top goalscorer) is to England’s chances of going far in the competition.

“Wayne’s form this season has been up there as one of the best players in the world,” he said.

“As a team-mate, you are hoping and keeping your fingers crossed that he stays fit and carries that form on into the World Cup.

“He is our key man, he is great to have around the place, off the field as well.

“He is a big player for us, and hopefully he can stay away from injury.”

David Villa is currently the favourite at 9/1 to top the scoring charts with Spain outright favourites at 4/1 to lift the World Cup, while Brazil’s Luis Fabiano and Argentina’s Lionel Messi are both available at 10/1 to win the Golden Boot.

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Will Torres feature when Liverpool fixtures start in July?

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fernando torres liverpool 300x225 Will Torres feature when Liverpool fixtures start in July?The three teams to represent England in next season’s Europa League have been decided and Liverpool will be back in the competition from which they were eliminated in the semi-finals last month.

The other two Premier League clubs joining them are Manchester City and Aston Villa. All three clubs might have mixed feelings about taking part after seeing what Tottenham Hotspur achieved this season.

Spurs weren’t in Europe at all this year and it was noticeable that their players were fresh and sharp as the campaign came to a close. By not being in the Europa League, the London club played less matches but also avoided the many long journeys across the Continent.

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Harry Redknapp’s team were able to grab fourth place and achieve a first attempt at the lucrative Champions League- they pipped Manchester City, who also had a season fre of European trips.

By contrast, Aston Villa and Everton who finished eighth (a drop from fifth last year), both took part in the Europa League.

In 2010/11 Everton will not play in the Europa League which may help their challenge to break into the top four. Manchester City will have to pick themselves up from the bitter disappointment of finishing fifth.

Liverpool only squeezed into European competition for next season at all because Chelsea won the FA Cup. The three English qualifying spots go to the Cup winners and the 5th and 6th placed teams in the league. As Chelsea are safely in the Champions League their place came to seventh-placed Liverpool, because Cup runners-up Portsmouth have no licence to play in Europe.

The Premiership held out some hopes of gaining a fourth berth by being high enough in UEFA’s Fair Play League but eventually these places went to Scandinavian clubs. If England had received one of these berths, relegated Burnley would have got it.

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Fulham’s great effort this year showed what can be done if teams take a positive approach to the Europa League. Manchester City and Aston Villa go through to the play-off round direct but Liverpool have the indignity- for a club with their European record -of appearing in the Third Qualifying Round.

It means that the Reds start their season in late July just a few short weeks after many of their players will have been involved in the World Cup Finals in South Africa.

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