Liverpool F.C. ~ General Chat & Latest News

[Freddy Adu]

Holland axe Liverpool's Babel for sleeping in

Liverpool attacker Ryan Babel lost his place in Holland's team after oversleeping!

Holland coach Marco van Basten said: "It was the second time that Babel overslept on a match day. That should never happen.

"That's why I left him out of the team. (Arjen) Robben trained hard and he is fit, so he played instead."

The Holland coach admitted Babel might feel deflated by the snub.

He said: "It is very well possible that Babel feels disappointed. It is also not my style to handle these kinds of things this way. But we also expect that players obey rules during a match.

"The first time that he arrived too late, he settled the matter with a joke.

"The second time he joined us too late for the meal and that was a bit too much. He has to appear on time, just like all the others."

Babel, 20, came into the match in the 78th-minute as substitute for Robben but could not prevent the Dutch from losing 1-0 to Romania in a clash between the two group leaders in Group G. Dorin Goian scored the only goal of the game.

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[Freddy Adu]

Barcelona test Liverpool resolve for Mascherano

Barcelona are set to move for Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano.

The Mail on Sunday says like his fellow countryman Carlos Tevez, Mascherano's transfer rights are owned by Kia Joorabchian's company and Liverpool must pay MSI £20 million if they wish to make Mascherano their own.

With FIFA planning new rules on third-party ownership, Liverpool have stalled in talks, presumably hoping that they will drive a better deal if there are more stringent rules on the practice that was highlighted by Tevez's protracted move from West Ham to Old Trafford.

Barcelona would expect to get Mascherano for less than £20m, but they could yet outbid Liverpool.

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[Freddy Adu]

Benitez urges Liverpool players to stick together

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has called on his players to stick together as they bid to shake-off their recent form slump.

"Football is a sport of the group, so we win and lose as a team," Benitez told liverpoolfc.tv.

"I was really disappointed and angry after we lost to Marseille, but being angry doesn't change anything.

"You have to analyse why we've played so bad some days and why we were so good at the beginning of the season.

"To play for Alex Ferguson or Arsene Wenger you need a special mentality and it's the same for us.

"At Liverpool players know they must have quality, must work hard and have a strong mentality. That's the only way to win trophies."

[Freddy Adu]

No Liverpool contract offer for fuming Crouch

Liverpool have NOT offered Peter Crouch a new contract, it has been revealed.

The Sunday Mirror says Crouch has been angered by suggestions Liverpool want to cash in on him now because he has refused to sign a new long-term deal that would protect his value in the transfer market.

Liverpool value Crouch at about £8million, but a source close to the player said: "Peter has not rejected a new contract - because he hasn't been offered one by the club.

"They spent the summer months securing several players on new deals - and it said everything that Peter was not one of those players asked to secure his future."

Crouch is planning to resist any Liverpool attempt to sell him before the end of the season - although that may change if Manchester City or Newcastle launch a bid for a player both Sven Goran Eriksson and Sam Allardyce have been tracking for months.

[Freddy Adu]

Agent in Barcelona talks over Liverpool's Mascherano

The agent of Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano has held talks with Barcelona.

Marca says Walter Tamer was in Spain last week and met with Barca directors to discuss his client's situation at Liverpool. Barca made it clear to Tamer they will move for Mascherano should Arsenal resist their approach for Cesc Fabregas at the end of this season.

Mascherano is waiting to open new contract talks with Liverpool, where he has just over 18 months to run on his present deal.

[Freddy Adu]

Liverpool, Juventus tracking Catania's Juan Vargas

Liverpool are keeping tabs on Catania defender Juan Vargas.

Vargas, who missed the Copa America with an elbow injury, is regarded as a 'young Paolo Maldini' in Peru and along with Liverpool, his form has also attracted interest from Juventus and Roma.

[Freddy Adu]

Arsenal, Liverpool battling for Fenin

Arsenal and Liverpool are chasing Czech Republic prospect Martin Fenin.

Il Messaggero says both Premiership clubs are showing serious interest in the FK Teplice striker, who starred in the U20 World Championships in Canada earlier this year.

[Freddy Adu]

Crocked Torres skips Liverpool return to stay with Spain

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres is in danger of missing Saturday's Merseyside derby after choosing his international commitments ahead of returning to Anfield on the weekend.

Torres missed Spain's 3-1 Euro win in Denmark on Saturday after picking up a thigh strain in training.

But the £21.5million striker, 23, chose to watch his team-mates instead of returning to Anfield.

Torres was then forced to travel with the Spanish squad to Finland early yesterday before finally finding a direct flight to England at 4pm.

Kop medics will decide later today whether he can play at Everton on Saturday.

But Spain's doctor Genaro Borras said: "He wants to play in the next game."

[Freddy Adu]

Carew backs Villa bid for Liverpool's Riise

John Carew is backing Aston Villa's move for Liverpool wing-back John Arne Riise.

"It seems like John Arne wants to go, so I can't see why not?" Carew told Dagbladet. "There is a possibility.

"He would fit in very well at Villa, so that would be a positive."

[Freddy Adu]

Everton boss Moyes confident Cahill fit for derby

Everton boss Dave Moyes is confident Tim Cahill will be fit for tomorrow's derby against Liverpool.

"Tim started training on Monday and we are pleased to have him back," Moyes told evertonfc.com. "There is no doubt we have missed him since he's been out."

Cahill scored in the memorable 3-0 victory in last season's corresponding fixture and the boss is delighted to have him back in the fray.

"He is a goalscoring central midfielder with drive and when you look at the goals he has scored for Everton in the past three years, he has been a big part of our success.

"This a big period for us. We gave the players a few days off last week after a difficult period and gave them a chance to relax. From Saturday, we have a lot of big games and need them fresh."

[Freddy Adu]

Everton keeper Howard determined to keep out Liverpool

Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard is determined to keep a clean sheet in tomorrow's derby against Liverpool.

"For me clean sheets usually come in bunches," Howard told evertonTV, "So if you can get on a roll and be consistently playing it helps. The way football is now, if you keep a clean sheet you are well on your way to getting three points."

Saturday's game sees Premier League action resume following the international break and Howard is relishing getting back into the thick of it - although the goalkeeper concedes such breaks can impinge on consistency.

He told evertonTV: "The start to the season has not been as good as last year but it certainly could be a lot worse.

"It is difficult when it is so stop-start because of the international breaks and I think you can seen that.

"Apart from the teams at the top like Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal, who have found good form, it has been very tough for teams to build on victories and maintain a rhythm."

[Freddy Adu]

Liverpool boss Benitez: Torres knows importance of derby

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez remains hopeful that Fernando Torres will be fit for tomorrow's derby against Everton.

The Spain striker sustained an adductor injury last weekend while on international duty but after returning to Merseyside early his progress has been good.

"Yesterday he was training with the ball and the physios. Hopefully today he will be better and then we have another day so we will wait and see," said Benitez.

"I need to decide if he is really fit or will be a risk. In this case maybe it is not a risk."

The Liverpool boss said he had spoken to Torres about the significance of a match against their neighbours from across Stanley Park and had tried to relate it to the player's experience in his homeland with Atletico Madrid.

"I was talking to Torres about this because if you live in Madrid it (a derby) is very similar," he said.

"It is not the same because it is more physical but the atmosphere in Spain is very similar."

[Freddy Adu]

Liverpool's Torres a week away

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres is out of tomorrow's derby against Everton - and could miss next week's Champions League tie with Besiktas.

Torres got a thigh strain training with Spain last week but told Reds boss Rafa Benitez to count on him for the Everton game.

But Spain's doctors have told Torres, 23, to rest for 10 days - ruling him out of the Goodison clash.

A close pal revealed to The Sun: "Fernando had a tremendous desire not to miss this game, he knows it means a lot to the fans.

"He wanted to be there for the team but he realised he wasn't fit and was very disappointed.

"He is now targeting the trip to Istanbul although the game against Arsenal a week on Sunday is a more realistic prospect."

[Freddy Adu]

Liverpool boss Benitez eager to pick up Gerrard after England setback

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez says he'll speak with captain Steven Gerrard after his disappointing performance for England in midweek.

Gerrard fluffed a sitter that would have put England 2-0 up against Russia and on the way to the Euro 2008 finals.

Liverpool face rivals Everton tomorrow and boss Benitez said: "For sure, I will speak with him and I will see how his mentality is. But I think he will be OK.

"Steven has experience and character. If he has another chance like that, I am sure he will score.

"All the players need help at times but Steven has enough strength of character to pull through."

[Freddy Adu]

Liverpool boss Benitez accepts tactical criticism

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez accepts criticism over his tactics this season.

Many critics have pointed to the Spaniard's infamous rotation policy for having caused a number of disjointed performances, while an international break immediately after that Derby victory certainly cost them momentum.

And while it has been noted Liverpool's difficult period appears to have coincided with the departure of fitness coach and assistant manager Pako Ayesteran, Benitez stressed the only person responsible was himself.

"The problem is a tactical problem and it is my problem," said Benitez, who after this recent international break now has to get his side ready for a Merseyside derby at Goodison Park on Saturday.

"Confidence (of the squad) is also an issue but not the physical condition of the players. We are running more and faster than before."

[Freddy Adu]

Crouch wants to win trophies at Liverpool

Peter Crouch insists his future is with Liverpool.

The England striker told the Daily Post: "Going to Liverpool I feel I've played the best football of my career here, I'm only going to improve here and hopefully that will continue and I'll keep winning things with Liverpool and hopefully England too.

"There's good competition for places and that's what you need if you want to challenge on all fronts.

"I see my future with Liverpool winning trophies.

"It's a squad game, we've got a big squad and the manager is going to use all the players and has proved that's what he'll do.

"You've got to be ready when you're called upon and I just want to get out there and win as many things as I can with Liverpool.

"Winning things is what every player wants to do and at a club like Liverpool you've got a chance of doing that and I want to be a part of it."

Crouch also insists he has a good relationship with Reds manager Rafa Benitez.

"I've got a great relationship with the manager.

"He's been a big help to me since I joined the club.

"He signed me from Southampton and put a lot of faith in me at the start and still has got a lot of faith in me.

"Hopefully I've paid him back and will continue to do so."

[Freddy Adu]

HT		Everton [1 - 0] Liverpool
38'	[1 - 0]	S. Hyypiä (o.g.)

[Freddy Adu]

All that trash talking is causing you guys the game.

[Freddy Adu]

HT		Everton [1 - 0] Liverpool
38'	[1 - 0]	S. Hyypiä (o.g.)

[Freddy Adu]

58'		Everton [1 - 1] Liverpool
38'	[1 - 0]	S. Hyypi� (o.g.)
53'		T. Hibbert
54'	[1 - 1]		D. Kuyt (pen.)

[Freddy Adu]

Liverpool getting a bit more luck now

[Freddy Adu]

72'		Everton [1 - 1] Liverpool
38'	[1 - 0]	S. Hyypi� (o.g.)
53'		T. Hibbert
54'	[1 - 1]		D. Kuyt (pen.)
64'			D. Kuyt

[Freddy Adu]

90'		Everton [1 - 1] Liverpool
38'	[1 - 0]	S. Hyypi� (o.g.)
53'		T. Hibbert
54'	[1 - 1]		D. Kuyt (pen.)
64'			D. Kuyt
89'		J. McFadden

[Freddy Adu]

Penalty.
Penalty
Penalty!

[Freddy Adu]

RED CARD.. Not sure to who. Liverpool to take the kick.

[Freddy Adu]

Its In. Liverpool 2 Everton 1!

[Freddy Adu]

90'		Everton [1 - 2] Liverpool
38'	[1 - 0]	S. Hyypi� (o.g.)
53'		T. Hibbert
54'	[1 - 1]		D. Kuyt (pen.)
64'			D. Kuyt
89'		J. McFadden	J. Carragher
90'	[1 - 2]	P. Neville	D. Kuyt (pen.)

[Freddy Adu]

FT		Everton [1 - 2] Liverpool
38'	[1 - 0]	S. Hyypi� (o.g.)
53'		T. Hibbert
54'	[1 - 1]		D. Kuyt (pen.)
64'			D. Kuyt
89'		J. McFadden	J. Carragher
90'	[1 - 2]	P. Neville	D. Kuyt (pen.)

[Freddy Adu]

Game over amazing comeback for Liverpool... Even though Everton were robbed. The first penalty was NO PENALTY

[Amo-te Benfica]

Liverpool were shocking. They are so lucky it takes them two red cards for Everton and two penalties to win, unbeliebaly lucky I don't see them winning anything this seaosn.