Liverpool

Benitez backs protection by video
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez wants retrospective video evidence to be used to protect the Premier League's most skilful players. Benitez, whose side play at Manchester United on Sunday, made his call after Sir Alex Ferguson pleaded for protection for Cristiano Ronaldo. He said: "I have always felt that video evidence should be used after a game for disciplinary matters. "You can find things, you can protect players for the next game." Benitez added the names of Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres to the list of players he feels should receive protection. "Everyone will see that players have to be careful, they will say 'I can't do this again because I could be banned on what the video shows'," he said. "To me it is clear, you do not need to change the game, you just need to analyse what has happened. "If players get banned for three games the first week it is done, then three games on the second week and more on the third, it will soon stop. "It will take just a few weeks of this type of action and things will change very quickly." The Football Association appeared to rule out retrospective decision-making when asked if Chelsea's Ashley Cole would receive further punishment on top of a yellow card for his foul on Spurs' defender Alan Hutton at White Hart Lane on Wednesday. An FA spokesman said: "We cannot re-referee matches. The player was shown a yellow card at the time and the decision is not then looked at retrospectively." Benitez said: "I don't want to talk about just Ronaldo or Torres. Skilful players must be protected. We need to help referees and we need to look at the video afterwards to see what has happened. "Players will then know that there are cameras watching them. The video is really important. You can make mistakes during a game, but the video will allow things to be analysed." Benitez said: "It is different talking about using technology to judge goals, which Fifa has rejected. To use technology for incidents in a game is valid. "If a referee gives a yellow card for a tackle, or a yellow card for use of the elbow, and then afterwards you can see the intent, then why can the decision not be changed? "A referee can say he made a mistake. And the next time, the next player will not do the same."

Benitez backs sent-off Mascherano
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez gave his support to Javier Mascherano after the midfielder was sent off during the 3-0 defeat at Manchester United. The Argentine was shown a second yellow for showing dissent towards referee Steve Bennett. "Mascherano was surprised at the decision because he thought he said nothing wrong," said Benitez. "Ryan Babel heard everything and told me Mascherano was just asking why Fernando Torres had been booked." Benitez did admit that the Argentine midfielder, who was still incensed in the moments after being shown red, had made a mistake in going up to Bennett. "He reacted like he did because he was surprised - I was telling him calm down. However, he made a mistake though by approaching the referee." The Spanish manager added: "After the sending-off the game was over." At that point, Liverpool were already 1-0 down after United defender Wes Brown outjumped goalkeeper Pepe Reina to head Sir Alex Ferguson's men into the lead. But it was not until the 79th minute that they doubled their lead when Reina was beaten again in the air, this time by Cristiano Ronaldo. Benitez defended his fellow countryman despite the errors. "Sometimes keepers make mistakes - these things happen." United boss Ferguson was adamant Mascherano suffered the consequences as a result of his pestering of Bennett. "He was booked and then kept badgering the referee," said the Scot. United forward Wayne Rooney said the red card had little bearing on the match. "It's always nice to beat Liverpool. We tried to play the game as we saw it and I'm delighted with the win," said the striker. "I don't think the sending-off changed the game too much. At the end the of the match Liverpool were tired but during the game we always looked comfortable."

FA charges Liverpool's Mascherano
Liverpool's Javier Mascherano has been charged with improper conduct following his sending-off against Manchester United on Sunday. Mascherano must serve a one-match suspension for the red card, but could now miss an additional two games if he is found guilty. The charge relates to his reaction towards referee Steve Bennett after being sent off. The Argentine has been given until 1800 GMT on Thursday to respond. The case is scheduled to be heard on Friday 4 April. The 23-year old appeared to question Bennett's decision to caution Fernando Torres, and was then shown a second yellow card himself. Mascherano will definitely miss Sunday's Merseyside derby at Anfield. Liverpool's next two Premier League games are against Arsenal and Blackburn.

Liverpool 'too reliant' on stars
Former Liverpool defender Stephane Henchoz says the Reds are too reliant on Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres to challenge for the Premier League. The 33-year-old, now at Blackburn, won the treble with Liverpool in 2001 but was one of the first to leave the club when Rafa Benitez joined in 2004. "If Gerrard and Torres are not playing at their best, you hardly see where the goals are coming from," Henchoz said. "They probably need two or three very good players if they want to compete." Gerrard and Torres have scored 30 of Liverpool's 55 league goals this season. Their title hopes were effectively dashed against Manchester United last Sunday when a 3-0 defeat at Old Trafford put them 14 points behind the reigning champions with seven games left. Henchoz left Anfield in January 2005 - just seven months after Benitez took over - and the defender made no secret of his anger at the way he had been treated by the Spaniard. The 33-year-old has not been impressed by Benitez's squad rotation policy this season. "The rotation system sometimes in the league was not the best," said the Swiss speaking at the Liverpool. "They drew too many times and if they kept their best XI, they would have won a few more games." On a personal level, Henchoz is on the verge of a comeback from a disrupted season at Ewood Park where he has had two operations on an injured knee. But with his contract up at the end of the season, he has already begun planning for the future. "I've been injured since September, (I've had) two operations and it did not go well at all," he said. "I'm hoping to be back in first-team training next week, and then it's nearly the end of the season so I will try to get back and play a few reserve games in April and then see what happens. "But I'm starting a coaching badge next week with some lads at Blackburn, but that takes a couple of years to do that. Then maybe, if the opportunity comes, why not try management?"

come on against arsenal we will win 2-1 and 1-0 at home :grin:

1-1 twice we will win 1-0 at anfield and go to next round on away goals!!!!!!!!

Parry keen for talks with Benitez
Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry is likely to have talks with manager Rafael Benitez to clear up any problems between the pair. Benitez was unhappy after further revelations about the meetings with Jurgen Klinsmann last year regarding succeeding him as Anfield boss. Parry said: "I am more than happy to sit down and talk to Rafa about this." Benitez is said to have made contact with owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks on Sunday to clear up the issue. Benitez is thought to have exchanged emails with Hicks and Gillett after the 3-1 win over Blackburn. In his post-match press conference Benitez admitted he was unhappy after reading Hicks' claims that Gillett and Parry spoke with Klinsmann last year about becoming manager. It was originally thought only Hicks talked with the former Germany coach. However, reports claim Parry also attended the meeting in New York - but only after after being told to so by the American co-owners. The chief executive is understood to have had serious misgivings about the meeting and its potential effect on the club if news of it leaked out. The reports prompted Benitez to say: "I will talk with the board about this as soon as possible. I am really calm - but I want answers. "I am surprised at things I have read. I want to clarify the situation, not just about the meeting but the people who were in that meeting. "I will ask some questions; I will talk about things with them. That means as soon as possible - days, maybe hours." Benitez's future was the source of constant speculation prior to Christmas as the Reds struggled in the league and looked unlikely to qualify for the Champions League knockout stage. In January Hicks admitted he had held talks with Klinsmann in November. The American said the talks were an insurance policy in case Benitez was to leave or the relationship between owners and manager suffered a further break down. But Hicks added that the relationship between boss and board had been mended. Since then Benitez has steered the club to the semi-finals of the Champions League. But the club's off-the-field problems have spiralled almost out of control, with Hicks and Gillett not even on speaking terms. The internal wrangling between Hicks and Gillett took a fresh twist on Thursday when Hicks demanded the resignation of Parry. Benitez insists off-field problems are not proving too distracting. "It is not affecting the players," said the Spaniard. "They are winning and they know we must finish in the top four and progress in the Champions League. We must stay focused on football." Liverpool forward Fernando Torres has backed Benitez to remain at the club "for a long time". "Rafa has coached in Spain and England and his ideas are the same," he told Spanish radio station Marca FM. "The difference is in Spain he was a coach and here he is a manager. "He is in charge of signings, in charge of the youth teams, the man who chooses the coaches he thinks are right for the reserve team. "Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson or Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger are the examples that show that in England even when you're not winning trophies clubs give time to their coaches. "I think that Benitez is going to be at Liverpool for a long time."

Benitez keen to stay at Anfield
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has spoken of his desire to stay at Anfield despite the boardroom battle between co-owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks. Benitez's position has been thrown into doubt over revelations the American duo and chief executive Rick Parry held talks with Jurgen Klinsmann last year. But on Friday the 48-year-old Spaniard reiterated his determination to honour his contract, which runs until 2010. "I'm really pleased and happy here and want to stay," he said. It was originally thought only Hicks talked with the former Germany coach, who is due to take over at Bayern Munich at the end of this season. However, reports claim Parry also attended the meeting in New York - but only after after being told to by his American bosses. The chief executive is understood to have had serious misgivings about the meeting and its potential effect on the club if news of it leaked out. The relationship between Hicks and Gillett broke down some time ago, leading to civil war breaking out at Anfield. Hicks wants Gillett ally Parry to quit, labelling his tenure a "disaster". But Parry has the support of Gillett and a majority in his favour among the club's six-man board. Meanwhile, Benitez has defended his right to select the team of his choice to play at Fulham on Saturday. Bolton manager Gary Megson has called on him to select a strong team for Saturday's game against the Trotters' relegation rivals. But Liverpool play Chelsea in the Champions League semi-final on Tuesday. Benitez said: "I will be thinking a little about Chelsea. I have players I don't want to risk and I've enough quality in the squad to win at Fulham." Liverpool lost to Fulham at the same stage of last season after Benitez rested several key players - and he was criticised by Sheffield United for his team selection. The Blades were subsequently relegated, but Benitez added: "I know there was criticism last season when we did something similar at Fulham, coming from Sheffield United. "But what did they do in their last game? They lost. So I feel it is sometimes better to look to yourself and what you do. "Teams have 38 games to play each season, that is enough. So you are responsible for your own luck." Fulham are currently second bottom in the Premier League with 27 points, while Bolton are one place above them with with 29 points. And Megson recently said: "Liverpool are going to have a massive say in which teams go down. "We would hope that Rafa Benitez will retain the integrity of the Premier League with his squad selection." But Benitez countered: "What did Bolton do in the Uefa Cup with their team selection? They left players out. "I will use the players I believe will be good enough to win this game, and the next one and the next one. I believe 38 games is enough to be successful or not. "Look at what all the teams in the middle of the table have been doing recently. "They have been using different players, young players, and they have been preparing for the future."

Liverpool set for Dossena capture
Liverpool are hoping to complete the signing of Udinese full-back Andrea Dossena next week. Reds chief executive Rick Parry confirmed a deal for the 26-year-old Italian is almost complete "We are now ready to confirm the signing of Dossena. The deal should go through next week," Parry told the club's official website. Dossena will be seen as an ideal replacement for John Arne Riise who signed for Roma earlier this month. The Norwegian spent seven years at Anfield and Parry paid tribute to the former Monaco player. "John was an incredibly enthusiastic defender who was always a great pro," he told the club's official website. "He worked hard and never gave us a minute's trouble. The fans will remember that powerful shot of his that brought them to their feet on many occasions. "We had a good chat about his time here and he wants to thank the fans for the support he was given down the years. He secured Champions League and FA Cup success at Anfield and also helped us win the Worthington Cup and two European Super Cups." Dossena, who has been capped once by Italy, will become manager Rafael Benitez's second signing of the summer following the arrival of Swiss full-back Phillip Degen on a free transfer.

Leto signs Olympiakos loan deal
Liverpool midfielder Sebastian Leto has agreed a two-year loan deal with Olympiakos after being denied a work permit to play in England next season. The 21-year-old Argentine, who joined the Reds from Lanus for around £2m in 2007, was granted an Italian passport last summer but it was later revoked. That left Leto needing a work permit but Liverpool's application was refused by the Department of Work and Pensions. And he arrived in Greece on Monday to complete his medical with Olympiakos. "Olympiakos is a challenge for me. I know I will be here for two years," Leto told the club's official website. "I've had two weeks of pre-season training with Liverpool and I believe I will be ready to do whatever I have to. "Olympiakos are a great team who challenge for every honour in Greece and in the Champions League. "The team has some good players, a well known coach and fanatical supporters which always inspires them." On Monday, Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez expressed his belief that the decision not to give Leto a work permit was unfair. "I am disappointed and it was a surprise because this is a player who has played in the Champions League and been in the Argentina squad for the Olympic Games," Benitez told Liverpool's website. "You have managers talking about how good he is, so I think the system needs to change. "We have maybe eight or 10 teams in Spain, Italy and Greece asking about him. When you have eight or 10 teams asking about a player and he's not playing, it means that he is good." Benitez remains confident that Leto still has a future at Anfield, however, adding: "He has a long contract, and I think he can impress and next year will be a different situation." Leto played four times for Liverpool last season in the Champions League and Carling Cup but is yet to make his Premier League debut for the club.

Liverpool deny rift about Barry
Liverpool have denied there is a rift between manager Rafa Benitez and the club's American owners over the proposed signing of Gareth Barry. Yet chief executive Rick Parry has confirmed that owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks think Aston Villa's £18m asking price for Barry is inflated. "On this occasion Liverpool think the price quoted is too high," Parry said. Benitez has made no secret of his eagerness to add the England international to his squad. Reports had claimed Benitez was at odds with Hicks and Gillett over the player's signing. Benitez was said to be willing to pay the £18m asking price for Barry, while the American owners believed it was too much for the 27-year-old. But Liverpool issued a statement on their website late on Saturday in which Parry said: "This is not about questioning the manager's judgement or the ability of a particular player. "The owners have clearly demonstrated throughout the year they are willing to back Rafa in the transfer market and will continue to do so. "It is obviously the selling club's prerogative to put whatever price they want on the player, but on this occasion Liverpool think the price quoted is too high." After Liverpool beat Lazio 1-0 in a friendly on Friday, Benitez reiterated his desire to sign Barry. "The situation is not a question of money," he said. "He is English and can play three different positions, but I am talking about someone who can play on the left." Barry can play in central midfield, on the left side of midfield and at left-back.

Liverpool close to Riera signing
Liverpool are on the brink of signing of Albert Riera from Espanyol. The Spanish club say the left-sided winger has travelled to Merseyside for a medical before finalising a switch for a fee believed to be about £9m. Reds boss Rafael Benitez said: "We are very close but he has not signed yet. He has experience in the Premier League and that is really important." Riera, 26, spent a spell on loan with Manchester City in 2006 and has also played for Real Mallorca and Bordeaux. "If everything is OK we can talk about his qualities, but for now we will just say he is the option we are looking for," added Benitez. Riera has also been courted by Liverpool's Merseyside rivals Everton. Earlier this week, Espanyol sporting director Paco Herrera claimed that his club had received two offers. One, believed to be from Everton, met their valuation for the player, while Liverpool were understood to have offered less. However, reports suggest that the Spain international did not want to move to Goodison Park. "There is a team which is offering what we have asked and another one which isn't, but the player is interested in the one which is offering the least," Herrera told Spanish newspaper El Mundo Deportivo. "We will not lower our asking price." In May, Riera was left out of Spain's Euro 2008 squad despite helping the national side qualify for the tournament. Later that month he stated his intention to leave Espanyol. "I do not want to be part of a club that does not take care of or protect its players," Riera said. "I do not know if I will go to Liverpool or any other team. "It would be best for everyone concerned because I know that my transfer would clearly be beneficial. I do not want to cause any problems."

Liverpool rocked by Skrtel injury
Martin Skrtel may face a lengthy spell out after suffering posterior cruciate ligament damage to his right knee in Sunday's 3-2 win over Manchester City. The 23-year-old defender needed oxygen and left the field on a stretcher after falling awkwardly late on at Eastlands. "He will see a specialist on Tuesday to assess the extent of the injury," said club spokesman Ian Cotton. "We will then have an accurate idea of the timescales involved before he is back playing again." Skrtel, who was signed from Zenit St Petersburg in January, has forged a solid partnership with Jamie Carragher at the heart of Liverpool's defence. The Slovakian has kept Daniel Agger out of the side but his injury may open the door for the Dane to return. Liverpool have conceded only four goals in seven Premier League matches this season and they sit second in the table behind Chelsea on goal difference. Rafael Benitez's side have also made a fine start to their Champions League campaign, with victories from each of their opening two Group D matches

Neal has hopes for defender Agger
Former Liverpool defender Phil Neal says Daniel Agger needs time to develop a partnership with Jamie Carragher in the Reds defence in the coming weeks. Agger now looks likely to be given his chance in Rafa Benitez's side after Martin Skrtel's knee injury. "It's up to Daniel Agger now to form a partnership if he gets the chance with maybe Jamie Carragher," Neal told BBC Radio Merseyside. "He needs to give Rafa a selection problem for when Skrtel is available." The 57-year-old former full-back also believes that the Reds' recent 3-2 victory over Manchester City was a defining moment in their season. He recalls when he and his teammates had to do similar things when they picked up silverware. "Its a massive thing," Neal continued. "We had to do that on several occasions but not too many thank goodness. I think that gives you strength in the dressing room." But the man who helped Liverpool to three European cups in his time at the club warns it will need the efforts of the whole squad if they are to be successful. "It's the people waiting in the wings that matter. "If they are equally determined, when they get their half chance from Rafa, they'll want a share of the success. "They'll want a bit of the action now having seen us make a fantastic start in Europe too."

Alonso still eyeing Juventus move
Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso says he is still tempted by a potential switch to Italian giants Juventus. Juventus pulled out of a move for Alonso in the summer with coach Claudio Ranieri later revealing it was because the Spaniard was "too slow". But that has not stopped Alonso, 26, reigniting the possibility of a transfer away from Anfield. "To be honest, for my part, the attraction (to Juventus) has remained intact," said Alonso. Instead of moving for Alonso, Juventus signed Christian Poulsen from Sevilla. "One thing I can say is that I personally appreciated the honesty of the club executives," Alonso told Gazzetta dello Sport. "They told me their tactics on the pitch were different and that is why they chose Poulsen and not me. "These are things that happen in football and it's fine. I could have gone but I didn't because, in the end, they chose someone else." He added: "Juventus are Juventus, the most prestigious club in Italy, but you cannot be disappointed when you play for Liverpool." Meanwhile, former Liverpool and Blackburn defender Stephane Henchoz has announced his retirement from football. Henchoz has not been with a club since his contract with Blackburn ran out in June. He won the Uefa Cup, FA Cup and League Cup in 2001, going on to make 205 appearances for the Reds.

View Full Version: Liverpool