Posts Tagged ‘Liverpool’

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Updates from Barclays Premier League

August 29th, 2009

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has accused Captain Steven Gerrard with not performing at his best level. The mersyside has already faced two defeats out of the three they played. Gerrard and Rafael know very well that losing points early in the league will only hamper their chances of winning the title.

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has made it clear that his team has not made any sort of attempt to bring French striker Franck Ribery to London. He also added that Andiry Shevchenko is all set to leave the club with mutual interest. Shevchenko failed to produce his magic which made him one of the most feared strikers in Europe. Though it’s not definite where Andiry will be heading this season but there are speculations about him joining his old club AC Milan where he spent the last season on loan.

Paul Hart has successfully made four new signings for his club Portsmouth. The new signings include 32 year old Michael Brown, an English midfielder from Wigan Athletic, 22 year old German midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng from Spurs, 28 year old Ivorian striker Aruna Dindane from Lens on loan and another 22 year old striker, Jamie O’Hara from Spurs on loan. Though the exact figures of the deals have not been made public yet but Hart said that the new signings were at the minimal possible rates.

Turkey‘s captain, and Middlesbrough star, Tuncay has left the red army to join Stoke city for a reported sum of £5 million. The 27 year old forward, winger and midfielder followed his red army mate 25 year old German Robert Huth, who too was reportedly signed for £5 million by Stoke.

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Posted in AC Milan, Arsenal, Chelsea FC, Liverpool, Middlesbrough, Portsmouth, Premier League

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Bolton v Liverpool

August 28th, 2009

Two clubs in the grip of a “mini-crisis” go head to head at the Reebok Stadium on Saturday. Bolton, winless and pointless after two games of the current Premier League season take on the pre-season title favourites Liverpool, who look anything but at the moment. With two defeats from their first three games, the Reds have now lost as many games as they did in the entire 2008-09 campaign.

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Although many point to Rafa Benitez’ decision to sell Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid in the summer as the catalyst for their poor form so far (although this could be a contributing factor), it is the once solid defence that are taking all the flak for the worrying displays, having conceded five goals in their first three games.

The lack of cash on offer for Benitez to buy a couple class players, despite the £30million received for Alonso, is all too evident, but to his credit the Liverpool boss is not using this as an excuse. Although too early to write off Liverpool’s chances of winning the league, they will have to improve dramatically if they don’t want to find themselves cut off from the leading pack.

Gary Megson’s Bolton are also struggling for form this season. In their first two games they have lost both 1-0; the first one at home to Sunderland on the opening day of the season, and the second away to Hull. They did enjoy a midweek victory – by 1-0 – away at Tranmere in the Carling Cup.

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Posted in Bolton, Football Fixtures, Football Pre Match Review, Liverpool, Premier League, Premiership

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Tottenham v Birmingham City

August 28th, 2009

High flying Spurs are enjoying the best start they have had to a Premier League season in years and currently sit proud at the top of the league table, albeit on goal difference from London rivals Chelsea. Alex McLeish’s Birmingham side travel to White Hart Lane on Saturday afternoon happy in the knowledge that they have made a solid start to their season, accumulating four points so far from one victory, one draw and one unlucky opening day defeat at Old Trafford to Manchester United.

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Harry Redknapp’s Tottenham side have started the season in fine style. They saw off the challenge of Liverpool in the first game of the season and haven’t looked back, following that up with a resounding 5-1 victory at Hull and a 2-1 win at Harry’s old stamping ground Upton Park against West Ham.

Throw in a 5-1 demolition of Doncaster in the Carling Cup this past Wednesday for good measure and you see that not only are the team churning out the victories, they are also scoring masses of goals in the process. Lanky striker Peter Crouch also grabbed his first Tottenham goal in the victory over Doncaster, removing that particular chalice from around his neck.

When Birmingham were drawn to play Man Utd at Old Trafford in the opening game of the season, everybody expected them to lose; just not in the manner they did. They more than matched United that day and were unlucky to lose. They followed up with a 1-0 win over Pompey and a scoreless draw against Stoke.

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Posted in Birmingham City, Football Pre Match Review, Premier League, Premiership, Tottenham

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Liverpool defeated at home

August 25th, 2009

Liverpool’s 31 games undefeated streak at home finally came to an end. Liverpool lost 3-1 to a Villa side which was desperately looking for a win. Before this match Villa had won only 2 of their last 18 matches, so, this win would give them the much needed confidence especially at the start of the season.

It all started well for Liverpool, Benayoun almost drew first blood in the first minute itself. They kept creating chances in the first 30 minutes but nothing was converted, luck didn’t seem to be favoring them. Finally the breakthrough came from a Liverpool player, but he scored for the away team.  Lucas headed Ashley Young’s cross into his own net in the 34th minute. Aston Villa added another just before half time, again from a set piece. This time the goal scorer was Davies who headed at the near post from a Nicky Shorey’s corner.

Liverpool looked dangerous in the second half. They kept pushing Villa’s defense to the limits. Finally in the 72nd minute Torres netted one back for Liverpool and suddenly it seemed that Liverpool might win it. Three minutes later Liverpool captain, Steven Gerrard provided a penalty to Villa through a reckless tackle on Nigel Reo-Coker, allowing Young to make the score 1-3.

Liverpool still kept creating chances here and there but nothing proved significant. The match leaves Liverpool at 10th place in the league table. Liverpool has already lost two of its first three games in the current season, and interestingly they lost only two games in entire season last year.

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Posted in Aston Villa, Liverpool, Premier League

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Football fever on a high

August 22nd, 2009

With the football fever on a high and spread like wild fire among all the soccer fans in the world, the Premier league that began from 19th august surely was more than welcomed.

The league kick started with one of the top favorites Arsenal taking on Stoke city and as expected from the star studded team they took it as it came and swept the game away from Stoke City by a stunning 4-0 win.

The game was filled with surprises and a little ruff play from Dean Whitehead of the stoke city landed them in a little trouble with him getting booked for unsporting game play.

The goal scorers from Liverpool were Torres, Johnson, Kuyt, Ngog.

Well the team surely have kick started there league with a bang and sent thrills down the spine of many other teams in the league.

The next match for the in form team is due on 24th august and in this game Liverpool will be taking on Aston Villa at Anfield.

It will be a very crucial match for both the teams but especially for Aston Villa who are already down the table with 1 game played and lost and are currently standing at the 16th position were as the Liverpool are inching towards the top of the chart with 3 points to there tally and are currently standing at 4th position in the table were as the chart leader Chelsea and Tottenham are each standing at the 2nd and first positions respectively with 6 points each.

Well the Liverpool bench will be really working hard to keep up the form and take this opportunity to make there way into the top 3

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Posted in Arsenal, General, Liverpool, Premier League

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Ferguson: No plan to retire in the near future

March 19th, 2009

Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United Boss, is not having any plans of calling time on his illustrious career in the immediate future.

Ferguson, who is widely recognized across the globe for being one of the greatest mangers in the game, has been toiling hard for the Red Devils since November 1986.

The wily Scot has accumulated an astonishing haul, when it comes to domestic & continental glories, in a career that has spanned 22 years. Even though he is in the latter part of his career, Ferguson is in no mood to leave the confident United dugout.

Red Devils have already won the Carling Cup & FIFA Club World Cup this season. They are even hot favorites for many to retain the League Title making it three in a row and eighteen overall.

His side has also advanced to the semifinal stage of the FA Cup where they will clash with Everton and are also in the last eight of the Champions League.

Even though he is not confident of seeing Manchester United achieve an unprecedented quintuple, his passion towards the game has not dimmed.

On being asked with regards to his retirement, Sir Alex Ferguson told The Guardian, ‘Not in the near future. Even though I am 67, I can feel the energy within me and even my health is good.’

‘I still have that energy, which was there when I started 22 years back. I can still hear the buzz arrive in our training ground.’

‘There is still that tingle of excitement in me when our team bus stops on away ground before every big match, whether it’s Chelsea, Liverpool or Arsenal.’

‘I do not know where I will stop, 2 years or even after that, but I hope to continue till I can feel the passion within me.’

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Posted in Man U, Premier League

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Hiddink: We are going to push United

March 18th, 2009

Guus Hiddink, Chelsea Boss, vowed of pushing Manchester United to the limit in the race for the Premier League title. He also wished for guiding the Blues to glory in the Champions League.

Since his arrival to the club, the Dutchman guided the Londoners to 4 consecutive wins in Premier League, which has allowed them to come at only 4 points from the League leaders.

The Stamford Bridge side was also encouraged by the 4-1 Liverpool victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford, even though with a game in their hand, Sir Alex Ferguson’s side continues to stay in the driving seat.

While speaking to Russian Daily, Sovetski Sport, Hiddink said, ‘This is the task that we are pitted against. However, all of us know that it’s going to be extremely difficult achieving it.

‘Do not forget that United still has a game in their hand. Moreover, they’ve got a lot of experience when it comes to winning the League. All I can promise to the Chelsea fans is that we will fight till it is over.’

‘You already have an idea of the way I handle the side: Its all about hard work. This has been the method since the first day I landed in London.’

‘When I started, we were fourth in the League. Now, we stand only four points from the top of the table.’

Hiddink feels that his side is also looking to go one up on United after losing out the final of the Champions League on penalties.

‘Currently, we stand in the final eight clubs in Europe with each one harboring an ambitious plan and Chelsea can be no exception.’

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Posted in Chelsea FC, Man U

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Red Devils get a well-deserved rest

March 17th, 2009

Manchester United squad was given a day off following their embarrassing 4-1 loss at the hands of Liverpool in Old Trafford. This break was a sort of punishment for the poor display shown by the entire team during the game at the Theater of Dreams.

Instead of being provided with some extra training, which used to be the formula for the Red Devils boss in the recent past, Sir Alex Ferguson opted for sticking to the original plan of using Sunday to be a recovery day following a hectic schedule in the past few months.

One of the officials at the club revealed, ‘It has been almost 3 games every week since we got back from our victorious World Club Cup campaign in Japan. Thus, giving some rest to the players before the game at Fulham was found to be more sensible by the team management.’

‘The main idea behind the whole scenario is to avoid the players from coming up with an excuse of their hectic schedule to be the reason behind any defeat.’

Even after receiving a terrible loss at the hands of Liverpool, Manchester United stay well placed above Liverpool and Chelsea with a game in hand.

Meanwhile, Manchester United finally came across some good news following their loss at the hands of Liverpool.

Midfielder Owen Hargreaves was taking positive steps along his long road for recovery.

The England International has missed almost the entire campaign due to his knee operation for curing his tendinitis problem, which has been bothering him for a long time.

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Posted in Man U, Premier League

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Rooney: Everyone excited with the possibility of quintuple

March 15th, 2009

Wayne Rooney revealed that the opportunity of rewriting the records is gripping the dressing room of Manchester United.

Red Devils are already having the World Club Cup & Carling Cup trophies with them and they are also on course of adding FA Cup, Premier League and UEFA Champions League to the list.

Should the Old Trafford Club prove to be successful in their quest of getting the quintuple, they are going to achieve an unparalleled feat in the world of modern football.

Rooney has admitted that this opportunity has opened up the minds of Sir Alex Ferguson’s men, who are desperately trying to end their 2008-09 campaign with an impressive collection of medals.

England International said, ‘Every player is talking about the possibility of something, which has never been done before.

‘It is all what we talk about these days. We can feel a lot of determination within us for achieving this.’

‘I suppose that there is going to be a lot of disappointed faces, if we will fail in achieving this.’

‘I do not want to be sounding greedy, still at United there’s always the duty of winning everything that you are playing for. This is why players, management and fans treat every loss with a lot of disappointment.

‘I would gladly accept any two of the three Championships remaining in the season. However, if we ask the whole squad, they are not satisfied with anything less than the entire lot.’

‘We know that it is going to be tough, but the entire scenario is now in our hand.’

In spite of a 1-4 drubbing that United received at the hands of Liverpool in Old Trafford, Manchester United still is ahead in the table by 4 games with one game in hand. And if their performance in the Champions League and FA Cup is to be considered, the quintuple is very much on.

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Posted in Man U, Premier League

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Rafa: No regrets for the verbal attack

March 13th, 2009

There is no regret in the mind of Liverpool Boss, Rafael Benitez, for his verbal assault on Sir Alex Ferguson, his Manchester United counterpart. He feels that this assault was pivotal for him.

Benitez will be taking his side to the Theater of Dreams on Saturday. He admitted that everything will need to be perfect, if they wish to continue their dream of winning the Premier League crown.

The Spaniard is ready for a very hot reception from the faithful of Old Trafford. However, he refused to accept that his outburst on Ferguson can impact the result of the game.

Rafa also denied claims that he set a couple of week deadline for sorting out the new contract. However, he confirmed that his lawyers would soon have discussions with club owners, George Gillett and Tom Hicks.

However, currently his mind is filled with concerns for his side, as Liverpool is looking to get three points from the champions and keep their title hopes alive.

With Steven Gerrard & Fernando Torres back in the squad, Benitez said, ‘There’s a greater desire needed for winning each game in hand.’

‘Players must use this game for getting extra-motivated. We should be proud of what we have achieved so far and keep up the good work.’

‘They should know that going to Old Trafford and playing well there is their responsibility for the club. I think that they have realized this fact.’

‘It was this motivation, which allowed us to pummel Real Madrid in the Champions League and the same will work against the Red Devils.’

The matchup against Liverpool & Manchester United is always a nail biting event. Now, with huge stakes revolving round the game, things will only get more entertaining.

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Posted in Liverpool, Man U

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