Crystal Palace have agreed a deal to sign striker Besian Idrizaj on a 12-month loan deal from Liverpool.

The 19-year-old joined the Reds back in the summer of 2005 from Austrian side Linzer ASK.

Idrizaj has yet to make his first-team debut for Rafael Benitez's side but has become a regular goalscorer in the reserve team.

He also spent two months on loan with Luton last season, when he scored one goal in seven appearances.

Rafa warns of tough group

Liverpool chief cautious

Last updated: 30th August 2007

Rafa Benitez has warned his players that they have been drawn in a tough group following Thursday's UEFA Champions League draw in Monaco.

Liverpool are the seeded club in Group A and they face Portuguese side Porto, Marseille from France and the unfancied Turkish outfit Besiktas.

While on paper it looks as though Liverpool will be comfortable enough in their progression, Benitez has championed caution.

"It's clear when you look at some of the other groups that ours could have been easier," Benitez told the club's official website.

"Porto have good experience in the Champions League and have enjoyed a good record over recent seasons. They will be tough opposition for us.

"Marseille are a good side in the French league and they will know a lot about us which could make it more difficult.

"And you always know when you go to Turkey that it will be hard because of the travelling involved and the wonderful support they give their teams over there.

"I am always confident we can qualify but as ever the key will be winning the home games and picking up results away."

Parry confident

Reds chief executive Rick Parry, somewhat to the contrary, declared himself to be more than happy with the draw.

"I think we are happy," said Parry.

"We have been to Turkey often enough and have played Marseille and Porto in recent years. It will also be good to see Djibril (Cisse) and Bolo (Zenden) again."

Labels: rafael benitez

DATES FOR CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GAMES Paul Eaton 30 August 2007
	Liverpool have confirmed the dates for each of their games in Group A of the Champions League.
The Reds will kick off their campaign away in Porto on September 18 before entertaining Marseille in their first Anfield game of the competition. A double header with Besiktas will then follow before we entertain Porto at home and then conclude the group fixtures away at Marseille. The dates are as follows: September 18 Porto (away) October 3 Marseille (home) 24 Besiktas (away) November 6 Besiktas (home) 28 Porto (home) December 11 Marseille (away)

Labels: champions league 2008/2009 draw

Torres & Voronin: A pair of aces

Written by Gerry Ormonde on August 30th, 2007 ▪

We’re currently working on upgrading our sister site Kopblog so while we do that, here is Gerry’s latest blog update. You can discuss this and other LFC matters in the forums.

A GOOD win and a very good performance against Sunderland on Saturday, followed by another very good performance in our 4-0 demolition of Toulouse last night, as we cruised into the Champions League, life is good!

If anything, our 2-0 victory over the Black Cats flattered them more then us, because on another day we could very well have hit them for six. The Scum`s favourite son, Roy Keane must have got down on his knee`s to kiss his goalkeeper`s feet for saving them from a far more embarrassing score line, but the important thing is we secured another three precious points and our good start to the league season continues. The Toulouse manager wasn`t quite so lucky, but even he might consider himself fortunate that his side only conceded four goal`s in a game where they were lucky to get nil.

Rafa has assembled a strong and exciting squad for us this season, and a perfect example of this was shown by the fact that Steven Gerrard was missing from the side for both games and yet you hardly noticed his absence. Momo Sissoko did his best StevieG impression in midfield and had two great games. He even went so far as to score his first goal for the club against Sunderland, a sweet long range strike that the skipper himself would have been proud of.

In each season since the boss took over, we have seen the side making steady progress, but the class of 2007/8 promises to be the best we have seen in a very long time. Rafa said at the end of last season that in order for us to catch up at the top, maybe it was time for us to stop taking things just one step at a time and start taking two, and it looks as if we`ve done that.

Our defence continues to be rock solid and our midfield is as strong as ever, but we`ve now added some much needed attacking flair to the side and its had an immediate effect. These past two games gave us an opportunity to see all four of our strikers in action, and each of them have done well. Kuyt and Crouch were our strike force against Toulouse and both put in typical hard working displays as well as chipping in with 3 of our 4 goals between them. And yet despite this, in my opinion Torres and Voronin will be our most effective striking partnership this season.

We may have paid a record price for Fernando Torres but his performances so far, have lived up to the fee. As I`ve said before on this blog, as a football fan it`s my duty to worry, it comes with the job, and when we completed the signing of Torres, I had two major worries about him.

Firstly, I was worried that the pressure of the price tag might weigh heavily on his shoulders. There have been many other players that have come to other clubs for far heftier fees then the one we paid, but the British sports media seems to enjoy putting the boot into Liverpool at every opportunity and I knew they would be certain to put Torres under an intense spotlight. However, I needn`t have worried. Nando seems to be a very cool customer indeed and he seems to have taken it all in his stride.

My second worry was how quickly he would adapt to the Premiership. I never had any doubts about his quality, but when you saw that baby face of his, you wondered how he would cope with the heavy treatment he was sure to encounter at the hands of Premiership defenders, but once again I needn`t have worried. He`s certainly a lot tougher then he looks and he has had no trouble coping with any of the defences he`s encountered so far, in fact he seems to be enjoying it. In our game against CSKA London, when he reached up and patted John Terry on the cheek as the chav captain was moaning to the ref, it was classic stuff, reminiscent of the moment when Ruddock straightened Cantona`s collar all those years ago.

He is a wonderfully talented player and even at this early stage I have no hesitation in saying he is the most exciting forward we have had at this club in many years. When the action is in the first two thirds of the pitch, you would hardly know he`s there, but when the ball enters the final third, he bursts into life and is a constant threat. On Saturday he could have easily had a hat-trick and there was plenty of examples of his quality.

He had many good moments in the game, but my favourite was when he picked up the ball just outside the centre circle and with an electrifying burst of acceleration, cruised through the middle of both Sunderland centre backs as if they weren`t there, and then blasted in a shot that Craig Gordon did well to save. It would be tempting to think that his pace is his biggest asset, but there is so much more to him then that.

We have had plenty of pacy players here over the years, but none of them had the timing and intelligence of Torres. Not once on Saturday did he allow himself to be caught offside and this is often the case with him. He seems quite happy to give a defender a yard start on him, knowing that he can turn on the jets and comfortably outstrip him for pace. During his years at a struggling Atletico Madrid, he had to make the best use of the scraps he was given, but now that he`s surrounded by quality in a Liverpool side that gives him plenty of possession, he seems to be enjoying himself and long may it continue.

However, as good as Torres was on Saturday, it was Voronin who was the man of the match. While we are all delighted with Torres`s early season form, Voronin`s has come as more of a surprise. When news came out that we had signed him on a free transfer back in January, just about every Liverpool fan asked, “Andriy who?” But thankfully Rafa knew all about him and he has turned out to be a revelation.

Already it is clear that Voronin is a high quality player. He has game intelligence, strength, pace, good control, an eye for goal and is the kind of guy that would kick his own granny, a very useful combination of qualities for a striker to have. Like Torres, Voronin harries defenders and is a constant threat in the final third. One of the things I`ve noticed about him in the games he`s played so far, is that he rarely wastes a ball and I thought he was brilliant in Saturday`s game.

One of the papers I read on Sunday, has come up with some new way of calculating players performances in games based on their overall contribution to the side i.e. successful passes, tackles and shots etc. According to their calculations, Voronin was the best player in the Premiership on Saturday with a score of 96%, which is not too surprising when you consider that outside of his excellent contribution in the general play, he had five shots, all of them on target, set up Sissoko for his goal and then scored the second goal himself. A pretty effective day at the office by anyone`s standards.

All four of our strikers have different qualities and all are capable of playing with each other, but in my view Voronin and Torres are the two who complement each other the most. Given the right kind of service, Torres can get behind a defence and cause all kinds of problems. Voronin tends to play a bit deeper then Nando, but not too deep, and in my view he is the one most capable of feeding Torres the right kind of pass and vice versa.

I mean no disrespect to Kuyt or Crouch, who are both great players in their own right and I think they will both play a big part in our season. But for my money, Torres and Voronin will prove to be our dynamic duo this season, not so much a Batman and Robin, more of a Batman and Batman, who will make Jokers out of any defence that stands in their way!

On a final note, I was so proud of the club and our supporters last night for paying such a moving tribute to murdered 11yr old, Rhys Jones. The young lad was an Evertonian and so both the Everton and Liverpool anthems were played in the stadium before the game, and a minute`s applause was brilliantly observed by everyone before the kick-off. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family at this difficult time, and I only hope that last nights tribute might move somebody to come forward with information to the police, so that justice can be done and his family can have some semblance of peace. RIP Rhys Jones.

Gerry Ormonde, Kopblog.com

Labels: Kop Fernando

Pepe Reina: My agony over shock death of pal Puerta

Aug 30 2007

by Simon Stone, Liverpool Echo

PEPE REINA has revealed the personal anguish he endured throughout Liverpool’s European clash with Toulouse on Tuesday night after hearing a former international team-mate had died just hours before kick-off. Sevilla defender Antonio Puerta suffered a cardiac arrest during the first half of Saturday’s Primera Liga match against Getafe, and although he was able to walk off, the 22-year-old suffered a relapse in the dressing room and required resuscitation. The Spanish international was rushed to the Hospital Virgen del Rocio in Seville but passed away shortly before Liverpool’s match was due to get underway. Reina, who built a friendship with Puerta after the wing-back won his first cap against Sweden in a Euro 2008 qualifier last October, said the news of his death left him shocked and unable to focus on the Champions League qualifier. “It was a tough moment before the game when we heard the news,” said Reina. “I just couldn't believe it and it was hard to play in the match after hearing this terrible news. “I played with him in the national team and he was my team-mate. “I send my sympathies to his family and my thoughts are with them at this hard time. “This is the worst day in my life to know that someone who was quite close to me has died. “I would like to dedicate our victory over Toulouse to Antonio. “This kind of thing can happen to anyone and this time it has happened to a footballer who was only 22. “We have to be thankful for every day and to enjoy life. It makes you realise that being healthy, seeing your family and children, are the most important things in life.”

Labels: pepe reina

Steven Gerrard struggles with toe injury

Aug 30 2007

by Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo

STEVEN GERRARD is losing his battle to face Derby County this weekend. The Reds skipper is still suffering with a broken toe and would require another painkilling injection to face The Rams. Manager Rafa Benitez admitted today it’s unlikely he’ll risk his captain. “We’ll train again this afternoon, but I spoke to Steven again yesterday and the news was not very positive,” explained Benitez. “It will be very difficult for him to play on Saturday. The doctor will continue to help him, but maybe it’s too early for this weekend.” Jamie Carragher is also a definite absentee. He only left hospital on Tuesday and will undergo another scan on his ribs and lung today. But Andriy Voronin has recovered from a slight thigh strain which kept him out of Tuesday’s Champions League qualifier. Added Benitez: “Voronin didn’t have a big problem but we decided to be careful against Toulouse. “We also have Fabio Aurelio and Harry Kewell improving all the time and we hope to be have them back in the squad soon.” Benitez spent yesterday trying to find defensive reinforcements, but it’s now unlikely Liverpool will be involved in any major transfer activity before tomorrow’s midnight deadline. “Maybe there will be deals for some of our young reserves, that’s all,” said Benitez. “We were checking some options for the first team squad yesterday, but it’s very difficult to find the right players this late. I don’t think we will be signing anyone now. “Rick, Foster, Eduardo (Macia) and I looked at some options, but we decided we don’t want to sign a player just for the sake of it. It has to be the right player and not for crazy money.” Despite ongoing speculation linking Peter Crouch with a last minute exit, Benitez is adamant he has no intention of selling the striker, who made a goalscoring return in Europe in midweek. “There has been no bid for Crouch, certainly not before this morning anyway,” said Benitez, responding to more speculation today. “I have the same idea now as I’ve said before. I don’t want to let anyone go. I’ve spoken to the player and he knows we need him.” Portsmouth are being linked with a last ditch bid for the striker, but Benitez is confident Crouch has no intention of seeking a move. Whether the player’s representatives see it that way may become clearer over the next 48 hours, but Liverpool will resist any attempt to lure the striker away, especially as it would be too late to replace him.

Labels: steven gerrard

i would like to pay tribute to Sevilla player, Puerta.

It's the best squad - Steve Finnan

Aug 29 2007

Liverpool Echo

PETER CROUCH scored for Liverpool and talked of the “difficulties” Rafael Benitez has in keeping all his players happy - while Steve Finnan insisted this is the best Anfield squad he had been involved with. The contrasting comments from within the Liverpool squad were evident last night as Liverpool showed their strength in depth. Liverpool outplayed Toulouse, winning 4-0 on the night and 5-0 on aggregate. Full-back Finnan said: “This is by far the best squad I have been involved in here, the boss has two players for every position and it is keeping everyone on their toes.” Crouch said: “It’s going to get difficult but as long as I get as many games as I’d like it’s okay.

Labels: steve finnan

Kuyt talks up Reds quartet

Strikers supportive in search of starting XI place

By Pete Allison Last updated: 29th August 2007

Liverpool striker Dirk Kuyt says his striking colleagues sympathise with each other, as they compete for a place in Rafa Benitez's side.

A quartet of attacking talent are all jostling for a place in the Liverpool side, with Kuyt, Peter Crouch, Andriy Voronin and Fernando Torres looking for a placing in the starting XI.

After bagging a brace in his side's Uefa Champions League qualifying victory over Toulouse, Kuyt will be hoping that he has done enough to make a case for his own place in the side - at least for now.

"All the strikers support each other," Kuyt revealed.

"We all want each other to do well and we are close as a unit.

"It is going to be difficult because we have four good strikers and sometimes it is not nice for one or two of us because we will not be on the pitch."

Understanding

Kuyt's striking colleague Crouch has already called for discussions with his manager, with early season selection showing that it may be the England international who is frozen out at Anfield.

However, his 19th minute strike in Tuesday's 4-0 victory proves that Crouch too is alive and kicking in search of first-team football.

"We understand why Peter was not happy recently," continued Kuyt.

"I believe it is something we would all feel if it happened to any of us. But that does not mean we don't understand the reasons, it is just understandable that everyone wants to play.

"We understand the problem and we try to help each other, we are all facing the same thing and there is a good relationship between the four strikers.

Labels: dirk kuyt

Pennant will fight for place

Liverpool winger happy with early form

By Rob Parrish Last updated: 29th August 2007

Jermaine Pennant knows he will always have to fight for a place in the Liverpool starting XI and is delighted with his form in the opening weeks of the new season.

Rafael Benitez has a strong squad at his disposal and is well known for his rotation policy as the Reds chase silverware at home and abroad.

Pennant, who moved to Anfield from Birmingham last summer, has started all three of the club's Premier League games so far this season but did not feature in the UEFA Champions League clashes with Toulouse.

And the winger told the Liverpool Daily Post: "Rafa wants everyone to fight to play in every game, and that's what I'm going to do.

"Now I'm playing week in, week out, I know what I've got to do to stay there because there is a lot of competition waiting, like Yossi (Benayoun).

"I've started the season exactly how I wanted. I needed to continue my form from the end of last season and take it into every game. With the team playing well, it means it's easier for me to show what I can do."

Attitude

And Pennant admitted he now feels more at home at Liverpool having got his first full season under his belt

He added: "It was my first season at the club last season so I didn't expect to be first choice straight away, especially with Stevie (Gerrard) being used a lot on the right.

"I'm sure the manager was looking at me throughout last season to see how my attitude was and if I could handle it at Liverpool.

"By the time of the Champions League final, when the manager started me, I felt it proved why he bought me and showed he believed in what I could bring to the team."

Labels: Jermain Pennant

Derby fear Anfield mauling

By Richard Bright

Billy Davies claims his Derby side are "cutting their own throats" with their defensive deficiencies and insists it is a problem they must address before their Barclays Premier League trip to Liverpool on Saturday.

Labels: liverpool vs derby

VORONIN IS ACTIM STAR Liverpoolfc.tv 29 August 2007
	Andriy Voronin's fantastic start to his Liverpool career has not gone unnoticed. He is currently the club's highest-ranked player in The Actim Index, the official player ratings system of the Barclays Premier League
The Ukraine international, 28, scored his first goal for the Reds in the 1-0 win over Toulouse in the Champions League before missing out on the 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Anfield. However, he returned to the line-up for the trip to the Stadium of Light and netted his first goal in the Premier League three minutes from time to seal a 2-0 win over Sunderland. Voronin's display saw him earn 49 points and a place in the Actim Index Team of the Week. He was also the highest mover in this week's Index, climbing 241 places to 41st overall. Defender Steve Finnan (52nd overall) also joined him in the Team of the Week after another consistent display against the Black Cats.

Labels: voronin

Socceroos coach Graham Arnold will announce his squad Thursday to face Argentina on September 11 with Liverpool's Javier Mascherano excited to be heading to Australia for the MCG clash. Despite a host of top line Socceroos - including Harry Kewell and Mark Viduka - skipping the encounter, a star-studded Argentina squad will ensure a big crowd is in attendance. Juan Roman Riquelme and Esteban Cambiasso might be missing for the South Americans but they still boast the likes of Gabriel Heinze, Gabriel Milito, Fernando Gago, Sergio Aguero, Javier Saviola, Hernan Crespo, Carlos Tevez and Lionel Messi. And Liverpool midfielder Mascherano has been studying up on the opposition, thanks to his club mate Kewell. "He (Kewell) is a great person and he has spoken to me about soccer and the Australian life style," Mascherano said. "Now I will have the possibility of being able to see everything far better." Not since France played the Socceroos in 2001 has Australia hosted a side with such quality and Mascherano believes Messi could soon be the world's top player. "Lionel is an incredible player and it is a privilege to be able to have him as a partner in the Argentina selection," Mascherano enthused. Despite a tough introduction to English football with West Ham, Mascherano has fitted in nicely at Anfield and is a key player in Rafael Benitez's rotation policy. "The truth is that this club (Liverpool) in which I am playing has been wonderful with me," Mascherano stated. "I don’t have anything to object, I just only have gratefulness towards the institution." "Regarding the (English Premier) league I can tell that it is hard and competitive. Soccer is advancing at huge steps."

Labels: mascherano

Crouch hopes for games

Liverpool striker expects difficult challenge

Last updated: 29th August 2007

Peter Crouch feels holding on to a place in the Liverpool side is only going to get more difficult.

The striker notched his first goal of the season on Tuesday as Liverpool thumped Toulouse 4-0 at Anfield in the UEFA Champions League qualifying round.

But in the Premier League, Crouch has made just one brief substitute appearance and has expressed concerns about how often he will play.

Rafa Benitez insists his players can expect at least 35 games a season, but there remains a niggling worry in Crouch's mind.

"It's going to get difficult, but as long as I get as many games as I'd like it's okay," said Crouch.

Fresh

"It's important for us to progress to the next round, but on a personal level it's nice to get a first goal of the season."

Crouch partnered Dirk Kuyt, and when asked if there was pressure on the pair said: "I don't know, you could say we're fresher because of the rest. We both worked well and the idea is to keep us all fresh.

"We're looking good and it was important that we started the season well.

"If we continue to progress the way we have, and all the new players have settled in well, we have got a great chance of success."

Kuyt wanted more

Striker unhappy at return

By James Pearson Last updated: 29th August 2007

Dirk Kuyt has expressed his displeasure at only scoring twice in Liverpool's 4-0 win over Toulouse.

The Dutch striker bagged a late brace in Tuesday's UEFA Champions League qualifying win over the Ligue 1 outfit, helping secure a 5-0 aggregate win in the process.

However, Kuyt missed a hatful of chances in the contest and wants to improve his strike ratio with fierce competition for places in Rafa Benitez's strike force.

"I think I had enough chances to score maybe four goals and I wasn't happy with that," he told Sky Sports.

"In the end I am happy I scored twice, but I still have to do better."

The Reds made numerous changes for the visit of Toulouse and Kuyt believes Benitez's squad rotation causes more problems for the opposition than for Liverpool.

"I think it's difficult for the opponents, because they never know how we're going to play," he continued.

"I think we showed that with six or seven changes that we're still a really strong team."

Toulouse brushed aside by Liverpool

By Henry Winter at Anfield

Liverpool (1) 4 Toulouse (0) 0 Agg: 5-0

Liverpool cruised into tomorrow's Champions League draw in Monaco with all the elegant ease of an expertly crewed schooner entering the fabled Riviera harbour. Goals from Peter Crouch, Sami Hyypia and Dirk Kuyt, twice, took the wind out of Toulouse's sails, and few teams will relish being pitted against Rafa Benitez's confident side now.

Labels: liverpool vs toulouse

Rafa explains Gerrard decision August 28 2007

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez believes that his squad is strong enough to avoid taking a risk on Steven Gerrard's injury.

The Reds skipper suffered a hairline fracture of the toe during the first leg of their UEFA Champions League third round qualifier against Toulouse, and required a pain-killing injection ahead of the Premier League game with Chelsea.

However Benitez is confident that this will not be a regular occurrence and admits he would rather rest his star midfielder in a bid to avoid long term injuries.

"I hope Steven will be okay for the weekend but the Champions League game will be a risk. It is better to keep him training here," he said.

"The doctor needs to decide after talking to the player when he can be risked.

"I do not want to lose Steve for a long time when you have enough players now for every game.

"If you push him too much it will be a risk, I want to keep him training and fit but ready. Maybe when he is not always 100% we can leave him out, that is what we will do."

Benitez will use Peter Crouch from the start in Tuesday night's second leg and replace Gerrard in midfield with either Mohamed Sissoko or Javier Mascherano.

The Spaniard is hopeful Gerrard will have recovered in time to face Derby at the weekend, but stopped short of showing any genuine confidence.

"I would hope Steven will be a possibility to play against Derby, but I am not sure, it is up to the doctors," he said.

"Then we will have to see about England. It is too soon yet, it will depend very much on what England's medical people feel and our own medical staff."

Defender Sami Hyypia will stand in for the injured Jamie Carragher despite the Finn having sustained a broken nose at Sunderland, while Alvaro Arbeloa is also a possible central defensive stand-in.

Defender Gabriel Paletta was sold to Boca Juniors for around £2million this weekend, a deal completed before the injury problems arose, but Benitez refused to dwell on his apparent lack of cover at centre-back.

He said: "There is no point considering what I would have done had I known about the injuries but Paletta needed to be playing so it is best that he has gone to Boca.

"Sami will be okay; he has trained and is happy to play against Toulouse."

Analysing The New Reds

Ryan Babel: Looks like a good player. Came on as a substitute against Chelsea and nearly scored his first goal for Liverpool in front of the Kop. Seems to have some pace and the ability to beat players. Might take a bit of time to settle in but once that period is over, he could become a very important player. Yossi Benayoun: Most likely to be a squad player. Yossi has the creative flair which we lost when King Luis left us. He can play just about anywhere in Midfield and will always provide good cover and competition for places. To be honest, i can't see him sitcking with us for the long-term. I don't think he'll get enough opportunities to show what he can do. Andriy Voronin: Has made a fabolous start to his Liverpool career. A 25-yarder against Toulouse and a lovely finish against Sunderland. A very willing worker and someone who looks like he might bag 15 goals a season. But I have to criticise somethinig: the hair! Fernando Torres: Torres has already shown the Liverpool fans what he can do with a sublime finish against Chelsea. Has a lot of pace and if it wasn't for the Sunderland keeper, he would already have scored a hat-trick for his new club. He's going to have to work hard and score some goals to justify his recored-breaking price-tag but he'll do exactly what is needed.

Jermaine Pennant is rising to the challenge at Anfield

Aug 28 2007

by Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo

LAST season, Rafa Benitez delivered one of those mild, pointed warnings to Jermaine Pennant. After the winger had spoken of his England ambitions, Benitez noted how talking on the pitch was a more appropriate way of earning international recognition. Since then, Pennant’s consistently outstanding displays have been a form of verbal diarrhoea. Steve McClaren must be wearing ear plugs if he doesn’t believe the winger is worth a cap. Pennant’s now transforming himself from a talented but inconsistent performer to a more mature, mainstay of the Liverpool team. A man-of-the-match performance in the Champions League is providing the foundation for a step up in level, while the brashness which prompted Pennant to promise to have the same impact as Cristiano Ronaldo can now be perceived as a charming self-confidence rather than deluded arrogance. Pennant’s most recent display at Sunderland underlined his growing reliability. Without the experience of Steven Gerrard, it was left to others to take responsibility. He was among those who stepped up to the mark and it seems the confidence shown in him by Benitez – who was clearly uncertain how good Pennant would become when he labelled his purchase a risk a year ago – is now reaping its reward. “I’ve started the season exactly how I wanted,” said Pennant. “I needed to continue my form from the end of last season and take it into every game. With the team playing well, it means it’s easier for me to show what I can do. “It was my first season at the club last season so I didn’t expect to be first choice straight away, especially with Stevie beingused a lot on the right. “I’m sure the manager was looking at me throughout last season to see how my attitude was and if I could handle it at Liverpool. “By the time of the Champions League final, when the manager started me, I felt it proved why he bought me and showed he believed in what I could bring to the team. “Now I’m playing week in, week out, I know what I’ve got to do to stay there because there is a lot of competition waiting, like Yossi (Benayoun). “Rafa wants everyone to fight to play in every game, and that’s what I’m going to do.” The pace and skill of Pennant, allied to the class of Fernando Torres, is also making Liverpool a much more attractive side to watch. The counter-attacking style which led to the second on Saturday prompted similarities with the great Arsenal side which Pennant watched from the sidelines at the start of his career. He believes how well Liverpool develop this side of their game may determine how long they’re competing at the top of the table. “The second goal was the kind of football we’ve been working on and trying to develop with the boss,” said Pennant. “I know what you mean when you compare to how Arsenal were playing a few years ago. “That kind of counter-attacking football is so important in the Premier League and makes a big difference. “We’re getting better at it every week, but we need to keep working and practising . “Last season I think that was definitely a weak point for us and ended up being our downfall away from home, but I hope we’re already starting to make amends for that. “We could have scored more like that on Saturday, but it’s all about the three points not how many goals you score, so what’s most important is we take enough of our chances during the game. “I think with a player like Stevie being out on Saturday we all knew we had to take responsibility, and to perform as we did away from home at Sunderland was very pleasing. “To keep a clean sheet and win comfortably is a good sign for what’s to come, especially when key players weren’t around. “This shows we now not only have a great team, but also a great squad. “If someone said to us at the start of the season you can have ten points from the first 12, we’d have taken that, so we just need to keep it going this weekend and throughout the season.” And then, there’s the small matter of McClaren. “If I keep on starting and playing I hope it will be a matter of time when it comes to England, but it’s Liverpool which comes first for me. “If I get picked for England it will be a bonus and a big achievement for me. I’m dying to play for England, everyone knows that. “I’m 24 now so already think I’m getting old! I hope that day will come , but for now it’s about working hard and staying focused on playing well for Liverpool.”

Wolfgang Stark of Germany will referee the second leg of the Champions League 3rd Qualifier at Anfield against Toulouse on Tuesday night. It will be a case of deja-vu for the German official as he was at Anfield at the same stage last season as we faced Maccabi Haifa and then CSKA Sofia the season before. Born on November 20th 1969, he is one of the youngest officials on the European circuit and has been on the FIFA list since 1999. The Bank Employee started refereeing in the lower divisions of the Bundesliga in 1994 and spent two seasons before being promoted to the top division. He has now over 100 top flight Bundesliga games to his name since his debut in the top flight in 1997 and is regarded not far behind Germany's top referee - Markus Merk. He has yet to figure in a major tournament mainly because of Markus Merk, but his time will come sooner rather than later. He has two FIFA U'17 tournaments under his belt, and even experience in Japan's J-League during September 2001. It will also be his fifth game involving Liverpool, just under five years ago he was at Anfield for the UEFA Cup 3rd round second leg clash against Vitesse Arnhem when a single Michael Owen goal gave us a 2-0 aggregate win over the Dutch side. Then two seasons ago he was in the middle of our 1-0 win against Deportivo La Coruna in Spain during the group stage of our successful Champions League campaign. His last two games were the 3rd round qualifiers at Anfield against CSKA Sofia and Maccabi Haifa. His officials are as usually all from the same country, Jan-Hendrik Salver and Volker Wezel are his assistants with Markus Schmidt the fourth official. Some memorable matches involving German officials and Liverpool. 2nd October 1968 (K.Tschenscher) - Emlyn Hughes' first European strike for Liverpool cannot stop Liverpool going out of the Fairs Cup to Athletico Bilbao on the toss of a coin after both legs ended up 2-1 home wins. 28th April 1976 (F.Biwersi) - Liverpool come back from a 2-0 deficit at half time to beat FC Bruges 3-2 in the first leg of the UEFA Cup Final. 31st October 1996 (H.Strampe) - A high scoring Cup Winners' Cup game at Anfield as Sion are beaten 6-3. 5th February 2001 (M.Merk) - Two goals from Michael Owen in Italy saw us win at AS Roma in the 4th round 1st leg of the UEFA Cup. 17th September 2002 (H.Fandel) - Liverpool lose their first game of the Champions League group stage 2-0 to Rafa Benitez' Valencia. 20th March 2003 (M.Merk) - Celtic end Liverpool's participation in the UEFA Cup with a 2-0 second leg win at Anfield. 6th December 2005 (H.Fandel) - A goalless draw at Stamford Bridge ensures we secured top spot in the Champions League group stage. 6th March 2007 (H.Fandel) - A late Eidur Gudjohnsen goal was enough to give Barca a 1-0 win at Anfield but not enough for the Spanish giants to progress through to the next round. 23rd May 2007 (H.Fandel) - AC Milan get revenge for Istanbul 2005 with a 2-1 win in Athens

Labels: liverpool vs toulouse

Toulouse coach Elie Baup believes confidence has returned to his squad ahead of the daunting UEFA Champions League clash against Liverpool. Toulouse travel to Anfield attempting to overturn a 1-0 first-leg deficit in the third-round qualifier. After their defeat to the Reds at the Stade Municipal a fortnight ago, Toulouse then slipped to a disappointing 3-1 home reverse to Strasbourg in Ligue 1. But Baup saw his side battle back for a point in the 1-1 draw against Nice on the weekend, thanks to a late equaliser from Andre-Pierre Gignac. And the former Bordeaux coach believes his players can take heart from that result going into the Liverpool game. "We are going to have to relax," said Baup, whose team were well beaten by the more experienced Reds two weeks ago. "But it is true that mentally, we are there after coming back to draw against Nice. That is going to help improve our state of mind." "We must retain our organisation because we are in a difficult series of matches." "But we are going to go to Liverpool to do something. Otherwise there is hardly any point in going over there." Toulouse's task is all the more difficult because of the injury problems that have recently hit the squad. Dominique Arribage (knee), Daniel Congre (shoulder) and Albin Ebondo (thigh) missed the draw at Nice, and the trio were not in the 18-man squad named by Baup for the return leg against Liverpool. Defender Jon Jonsson has been struggling with a calf problem of late but he makes the squad, which is the same as the one that travelled to Nice. Herita Ilunga missed the first leg through suspension but the left-sided defender is back in contention, and should start ahead of Mohamed Fofana. With Baup claiming he will put in place a 'strategy to surprise' Liverpool, he could start with Gignac alongside star striker Johan Elmander up front. Fabinho, Pantxi Sirieix and Moussa Sissoko are fighting for places in midfield.

Labels: liverpool vs toulouse

Momo Sissoko: This is first of many

Aug 27 2007

by Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo

IT took 75 games and probably even more wayward shots, but Momo Sissoko could finally celebrate his first Liverpool goal on Saturday. Sissoko’s 20 yard strike was the highlight of an excellent all-round performance deputising for Steven Gerrard in the 2-0 win at Sunderland. And the Mali international immediately set his sights on improving his goals tally in the months to come. Goalscoring will never be his strongest attribute, but he admits he needs to chip in more often. “I am very happy, not only because I’ve got my first goal for the club, but also because the team won. It was a very good result,” said the midfielder. “It’s been a long time coming – I’m in my third year here. I was very surprised to score but I want to go on and score many goals for Liverpool. “Sunderland are a very good team, but we played well. We are going to have to work hard to win games. There’s no need to talk about the title at this stage – we just need to keep winning.” Manager Rafa Benitez was delighted to see Sissoko finally break his duck. “It was important for Momo to get his first goal, and without Gerrard, Momo and Xabi played really well,” he said. “The team showed character, played well and created a lot of chances. You could see the confidence we have, particularly in the second half. “When the team plays as it did, it shows we can win any game. We’ve shown we are stronger than before, but it’s still too early to talk about what will happen this season. We need to just keep working hard and winning games, and then we can see if we can stay near the top.” Once more, Liverpool had outstanding performers all over the park, but the pace and threat of Fernando Torres is already proving a lethal weapon. “It’s really good for us to have a striker who is always running behind defenders,” said Benitez. “It’s also a big threat to the opponents, and means his strike partner, in this case Voronin, has more space. “I thought it was a good partnership. They have pace and intelligence and caused big problems. It would have been easier to score the second goal earlier, but it’s also good to score at the end of the game.”

Labels: Sissoko

Quality and tempo are the key - Rafa Benitez

Aug 27 2007

by Christopher Beesley, Liverpool Daily Post

LIVERPOOL manager Rafael Benitez reckons there is a double reason why Liverpool have banished the early season woes of their previous campaign this season – they have improved both in quality and tempo. Benitez’s side overcame Roy Keane’s bullish Sunderland outfit, cheered on by a partisan crowd at the Stadium of Light, and the Spaniard is delighted that his charges have passed their latest away day test. He said: “I think the team has always worked hard but now we have found we can beat any side if they keep up that high work-rate. “You could see against Sunderland how keen they were and they created so many chances. The team knows working very hard is so important. “The difference this season away from home is twofold. We are stronger. As a squad we are better. “Some of those away games last season were really difficult, especially after the World Cup and international games. It is a similar situation this season with international matches but the squad is stronger and can cope.” Whereas last season, Liverpool relied heavily on their mean defence, increased options this time out with additional strikers and creative midfielders ensures that Benitez can now adopt a more expansive game. The former Valencia coach paired his new forward duo of Fernando Torres and Andriy Voronin up front on this occasion and although he was pleased with how the summer signings operated together, he believes there is still plenty of room for improvement. He said: “We are more attacking this season, but that is because we have more options. “We had Torres and Voronin up front against Sunderland and they will always create opportunities. “It is difficult to say how near or far to 100% Torres is, but it is important to see him working very hard, creating chances for himself and the other strikers and he will certainly improve. He has so much potential. “We are thinking about finding more players and maybe after this game we will have to look at that situation again. It is not a problem to get more in because we still have time.” Benitez added: “Voronin everybody knows is a good player with great movement. Like Torres he worked very hard up front. “He is another great option for us. It is not important which of the four strikers plays. If we want to win we have to change the strikers around. With three games every week we have to change things around and we will do that. “This time Kuyt and Crouch did not start but we have them available for us fresh for the next important games coming up.” Liverpool’s win was tempered by injuries to their two starting centre-backs Sami Hyypia and Jamie Carragher who both left the field with a broken nose and a broken rib respectively.

Liverpool profit from attacking approach

By Tim Rich

Sunderland (0) 0 Liverpool (1) 2

The gravestones that accompanied Liverpool's half-hearted assaults on the championship under Rafael Benitez are scattered in strange places.

Speedy Fernando Torres hits ground running

By Alan Smith

It is understandable that most foreign signings take time to settle before producing the form described in the brochure.

Labels: Kop Fernando

Gerrard ruled out for Reds

Skipper joins Carragher on sidelines

By Peter O'Rourke Last updated: 27th August 2007

Steven Gerrard has been ruled out of Liverpool's UEFA Champions League qualifier against Toulouse.

The midfield dynamo is still recovering from the toe injury which forced him out of England's defeat to Germany last week and Liverpool's win at Sunderland on Saturday.

Gerrard joins Jamie Carragher on the sidelines for the qualifying round second leg tie at home to Toulouse after Carragher broke his rib against Sunderland.

Reds boss Rafa Benitez confirmed his key duo would not be involved against Toulouse at Anfield, with Liverpool holding a 1-0 lead from the first match.

Unavailable

"Both players will not be available for this game," said Benitez.

"It's a shame because they are both important players for us, but we have enough players and enough competition within the squad to cope.

"Carra is improving which is good news. I need to talk to the doctor to find out more and to see how long he will be out for.

"It's clear that with Steven we need to take care of him. He could be available for the game at the weekend but we'll have to see. Again I will need to talk to the doctor first because I don't want to run the risk of losing him for a long time.

"This week we will keep him training and keep him fit and then see about the Derby game on Saturday."

Sami Hyypia has been declared fit to play against Toulouse, despite breaking his nose against Sunderland.

Boost

"I think he [Hyypia] will be okay," added Benitez. "The break was in the right place and so I don't think it will be a problem for him.

"We have Sami and Daniel Agger available and we can also use Arbeloa as a centre-back so we have enough players in that position."

Labels: steven gerrard

Rafa hints at defender move

Boss ponders defensive options

By Peter O'Rourke Last updated: 27th August 2007

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has admitted he could be forced into the transfer market to bolster his defensive options.

Reds stalwart Jamie Carragher faces a spell on the sidelines after breaking a rib in Saturday's 2-0 win at Sunderland.

Carragher has been ruled out Tuesday's UEFA Champions League qualifier with Toulouse and it is not known how long the former England international will be sidelined for.

Sami Hyypia is expected to play against Toulouse despite suffering a broken nose on Wearside.

With Gabriel Paletta having left Anfield to join Boca Juniors, Benitez is short of options at the back and he could make a late foray into the transfer market to bring in a new defender as cover.

"We are thinking about finding more players and maybe we will have to look at this situation again," admitted Benitez.

Benitez wary of complacency

Reds manager focused on Europe

By Peter Fraser Last updated: 26th August 2007

Rafa Benitez is guarding against complacency ahead of Liverpool's UEFA Champions League qualifier with Toulouse.

Liverpool, who enjoy a 1-0 first-leg lead courtesy of an Andrei Voronin strike, take on the French outfit at Anfield in the second leg of the sides' third qualifying round meeting on Tuesday.

However, Benitez insists the tie is far from over and is aware of the dangers Toulouse can cause.

Liverpool have struggled in the home legs of their Champions League qualifiers in recent years - including a 1-0 defeat to AK Graz in 2004/05, the season the Reds won the competition - and Benitez does not want a repeat performance.

"We know we will need to work hard in the second leg," said Benitez.

"They have shown that they can be dangerous on the counter-attack.

"We know it will be difficult, and we know we must finish on top to achieve our early season aims."

Paletta arrived at Liverpool with a big reputation

Liverpool have sold young Argentine centre-half Gabriel Paletta to Boca Juniors for an undisclosed fee.

The 21-year-old arrived at Anfield in the summer of 2006 after impressing at the 2005 World Youth Championships, which Argentina went on to win.

He made his debut in a 4-3 League Cup win over Reading at Anfield in 2006, scoring in the second half, and went on to make eight appearances for the club.

However, with opportunities limited, Liverpool have agreed to sell him.

Paletta played in all seven of Argentina's successful campaign in the 2005 World Youth Championships, alongside the likes of Lionel Messi.

Labels: paletta

Crouch given assurances

Striker will have chances this season

By Andrew Scurr Last updated: 26th August 2007

Peter Crouch has been informed by Rafa Benitez that he will be given opportunities at Liverpool.

The striker has held talks with Benitez over his future after being left out of The Reds' opening day squad against Aston Villa.

Crouch has fallen down the pecking order at Anfield following the summer arrivals of Fernando Torres and Andrei Voronin.

But Benitez has assured the England international that he is still very much part of his plans for this season.

"I have spoken to the manager. He likes to chop and change, we all know that. And he will continue to change things," Crouch said in the Sunday Mirror.

"I am sure I will get my chances and the manager has told me that.

"I was disappointed to be left out of the first squad and I went to see him. He assured me I will continue to be part of the squad this year.

"I wasn't knocking down the door or anything but I wanted to know what the situation was.

Labels: peter crouch

RAFA: CARRA COULD HAVE BROKEN RIB Lee Brown 25 August 2007
	Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez was happy after his side's 2-0 win over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, but the Reds must now wait for news on injuries to Sami Hyypia and Jamie Carragher.
Speaking at the post match press conference, Rafa confirmed Hyypia had a suspected broken nose and Carragher could possibly have broken a rib. Goals from Momo Sissoko, Liverpool's 7,000th league goal, and Andriy Voronin gave the Reds their second away win of the season and Rafa was quick to praise his players. "The team was very good and we showed we have a better squad this season," enthused Benitez. "It was special for Momo to score our 7,000th goal and he's now in the record books. "I thought Torres, Voronin, Pennant and Babel caused the Sunderland defence a lot of problems. We created a lot of chances and we could have finished off the game a lot earlier. "It's not good as a manager for my heart seeing us miss chances, but Voronin scored a good goal to get us the win."

Next Up: Toulouse (h)

Written by Matt Ladson on August 25th, 2007 ▪

Anfield CL Qualifier (2nd Leg)

Liverpool host French side Toulouse in the second leg of their Champions League qualifier having won the first leg 1-0 two weeks ago courtesy of Andriy Voronin’s wonderful first goal for the club.

Skipper Steven Gerrard could return after missing international duty and the win at Sunderland with the broken toe he suffered in France, while Jamie Carragher is a doubt with the rib injury he suffered on Saturday.

Peter Crouch and Dirk Kuyt could come in for Voronin and Torres as Rafa Benitez again looks likely to use his squad to the full and get the most out of his players throughout the season.

Kick off is 8:05pm with the match live on ITV1 for UK visitors.

Sunderland 0 Liverpool 2 August 25 2007

Liverpool climbed up to second place after goals from Momo Sissoko and Andriy Voronin earned them a 2-0 away win over Sunderland.

The visitors could have been ahead in the first minute, when Greg Halford's poor backpass was seized upon by Voronin, whose close-range shot was bravely blocked by £9million man Craig Gordon.

But they broke the deadlock on 37 minutes, when Jermaine Pennant and Voronin combined to set up Sissoko, who rattled a low piledriver into the bottom right-hand corner of Gordon's net.

Gordon pulled off a stunning low save to keep Torres' bullet header out of the net on 45 - and went on to deny both Reds frontmen with a string of saves after the break.

He was beaten for the second time on 87, though, when Voronin smashed a low strike home to hint that Liverpool now have a squad capable of a serious title assault

Ferguson fans flames with dig at Rafael Benitez

By Mark Ogden

Sir Alex Ferguson has fuelled the increasing hostility between Manchester United and Liverpool by accusing Anfield manager Rafael Benitez of having "a chip on his shoulder" and revealing that United are investigating whether Gabriel Heinze was 'tapped up' by Liverpool during the acrimonious summer transfer battle between the two clubs and the Argentinian defender.

Rafa Benitez: All we want is a fair deal

Aug 24 2007

by Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo

LAST week’s visit of Chelsea was regarded as the first true test of Liverpool’s title pretensions. For Rafa Benitez, tomorrow’s trip to Sunderland is a greater barometer of what’s achievable in the league this season. Motivating and preparing his team for a high profile clash isn’t a problem. Gritty away days in the North East, where the pressure is on Liverpool more than the hosts and when the manager feels circumstances are conspiring against his players, are a different matter. To say Benitez has enjoyed happier times in English football ranks alongside ‘Rob Styles struggles in big games’ or ‘Richard Scudamore doesn’t like upsetting Sir Alex Ferguson’ as possible understatements of the season. His Wednesday rant against the Premier League was considerably toned down by the time he met the national press yesterday, but his anger was still apparent. The problem he faces outside Merseyside is convincing an unfavourable audience he’s not getting too many excuses prepared early in the event of a Liverpool dip. Benitez is aware of this, but argues it’s convenient for his dissenters to ignore the facts which prove his case. “It’s not been the best week for us,” reflected Benitez. “I’ve seen a lot of things I don’t like. “You know I always try to be positive and I know people will be saying we’re just making excuses. But if you look at our situation it’s clear. “Last season we played over double what our nearest rivals played in early kick-offs. This year we have four already. “People just need to check how many games United, Arsenal and Chelsea must play at these times compared to us. “I don’t want to be seen as looking for excuses, but as someone who just wants equal treatment. “If you compare our early kick-offs, especially after international breaks, it’s really surprising. “People can analyse this for themselves and see it’s clear. “I don’t want Liverpool to get special treatment from the Premier League, I just want all of the clubs to be treated in the same way.” The curse of the international break is hardly a new phenomenon. You can set your calendar by Benitez repeating his concerns.