tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151037762008-02-17T16:38:14.412Zwithwolveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13029043995350051489noreply@blogger.comBlogger441125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15103776.post-47865895664341987322008-02-17T11:28:00.000Z2008-02-17T12:29:11.522Z

After two years of blogging exile I have strongly felt the need to argue Rafa's case following our shock FA cup exit. Rafa always faces a constant barrage of criticism regarding his rotation policy. This strategy had given great success at Valencia, by enabling his team to be the strongest physically towards the end of the season, and overtake teams who had opened up significant leads in the

withwolveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13029043995350051489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15103776.post-1135334060375020152005-12-23T10:11:00.000Z2005-12-23T10:34:26.336Z

According to press reports this morning the Nemanja Vidic's agents are still in talks with Liverpool. Vidic has told Spartak Moscow that he is planning to leave and apparently has a clause in his contract that allows him to be sold for around £ 5 million if he hands in a transfer request. Spartak had previously put a price tag in excess of £ 10 million on Vidic as he is a key member of their

withwolveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13029043995350051489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15103776.post-1135258388165811752005-12-22T13:25:00.000Z2005-12-22T13:33:08.213Z

Carra believes the defeat to Sao Paolo has not affected the confidence too much. He feels that Liverpool will still be able to carry out their pre-season goal of making a challenge for the title: "We're definitely not down because we're doing well at the moment," said Carragher. "We want to challenge Chelsea. Manchester United have won a couple of games while we've been away and moved into

withwolveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13029043995350051489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15103776.post-1135257766108862512005-12-22T13:16:00.000Z2005-12-22T13:22:46.166Z

Harry has spoken about his return from injury. He has been back playing for over a month but his groin is still troubling him: "I have still got a long way to go to be fully fit," says Kewell. "My groin is still giving me grief after all this time, but we are doing everything possible to combat the problem. "I come in early every day before training to do the work that needs to be done on my

withwolveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13029043995350051489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15103776.post-1135257391052048242005-12-22T13:15:00.000Z2005-12-22T13:16:31.106Z

Nice are discussing the possibility of taking Flo back to France to solve their striking problems: "We are in contact with Liverpool but the talks are not very much advanced," Nice sporting director Roger Ricort told French newspaper L'Equipe. "We are going to lose two players in attack at a time where the schedule is extremely heavy. "We are looking to get a striker whose move will be compatible

withwolveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13029043995350051489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15103776.post-1135256794186521482005-12-22T12:57:00.000Z2005-12-22T13:06:34.383Z

According to reports this morning Liverpool are considering moving for Jermaine Pennant as a deal for Simao is looking unlikely. There is no doubt Pennant has the footballing skills required to fill our right wing position. He is a winger who is able to run with the ball at speed and deliver dangerous crosses. However his off field antics have tarnished his reputation. Benfica seem to have

withwolveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13029043995350051489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15103776.post-1135085478238413982005-12-20T13:21:00.000Z2005-12-20T13:41:11.753Z

Benfica have reiterated their intention not to sell Simao. However they have stated that if a large bid in excess of £ 12m is received they may change their mind: "It is not in our thoughts to sell Simao or any other player in January," said Benfica supremo Luis Felipe Vieira. "We would only be ready to study the matter if someone offered more than £12.2m." It has also been reported that

withwolveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13029043995350051489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15103776.post-1134315703593642922005-12-11T15:14:00.000Z2005-12-11T15:41:43.656Z

Another accomplished performance against Boro has seen our excellent run extend to seven successive Premiership wins and ten clean sheets. Below are the player ratings: Pep 8 Didn't have much to do other than make two excellent vital saves. Carra 7 Helped keep the Boro strikers very quiet. Sami 8 Is currently in majestic form. Used his positional awareness to make a number of timely

withwolveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13029043995350051489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15103776.post-1134314040302410072005-12-11T15:00:00.000Z2005-12-11T15:14:00.523Z

Marseille look set to make an effort to sign Cisse in the transfer window as their coach, Jean Fernandez, declared his interest in the pacy Frenchman: "I am not in the managers' confidence but I know that we really need a striker and I would be very, very happy to have Cisse, who is a great player with fantastic potential," Fernandez told Canal Plus on Saturday evening."It would be an honour to

withwolveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13029043995350051489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15103776.post-1134137018239936222005-12-09T13:57:00.000Z2005-12-09T14:03:38.403Z

Rafa has today been named Barclays manager of the month of November. The last few weeks have seen a remarkable turnaround as the Reds have won six consecutive Premiership games without conceding a goal. It's great to see Rafa getting the recognition he deserves although he was quick deflect the praise away from himself and highlight the contribution of the players: "It was a good month for us,"

withwolveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13029043995350051489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15103776.post-1134075931834202572005-12-08T20:55:00.000Z2005-12-08T21:05:38.003Z

Chris Kirkland believes that his future will not be at Anfield. He is currently on loan at West Brom and would be happy to make his move there permanent: "I've not spoken to anyone at Liverpool. But I'm not stupid. Rafael Benitez has brought (Jose) Reina in and he is his number one goalkeeper. He's got (Jerzy) Dudek and (Scott) Carson there as well so I'd think I'd be a fool to think I can go

withwolveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13029043995350051489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15103776.post-1134073714657582682005-12-08T20:20:00.000Z2005-12-08T20:28:34.806Z

Uefa have today issued a statement on their website saying that they will meet next week to decide on Essien's punishment after his terrible tackle on Didi: "Uefa has today instigated disciplinary proceedings against Michael Essien, charging the Chelsea FC midfielder with gross unsporting conduct following the English club's UEFA Champions League game against Liverpool FC on Tuesday. "The charge

withwolveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13029043995350051489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15103776.post-1134052742727220632005-12-08T13:56:00.000Z2005-12-08T14:57:41.230Z

On Sunday Liverpool will leave for Japan to participate in the FIFA World Club Championships. This comes just before the premiership's busiest period of the year. The Reds will play two games in Japan, the Semi Final against Deportivo Saprissa on December 15th and then hopefully the Final on the 18th. Liverpool will then return to Premiership action against Newcastle United on the 26th December

withwolveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13029043995350051489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15103776.post-1134044759382911022005-12-08T12:17:00.000Z2005-12-08T12:25:59.456Z

A couple of factors have narrowed the chances of Simao arriving at Anfield in the January transfer window. Simao is currently out with a knee injury and club doctors are now not expecting him to return until the new year. Simao's club Benfica have also qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League. Benfica are unlikely to sell their star player whilst they are still in Europe's top

withwolveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13029043995350051489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15103776.post-1134043216613569082005-12-08T11:43:00.000Z2005-12-08T12:00:16.866Z

Apart from Man U the majority of the biggest clubs in Europe have made it through to the Champions League Knockout stage. The draw for the last 16 is scheduled to take place next Friday. A group winner cannot be drawn against another group winner and teams will not be drawn against one from the same country until the quarter finals. Consequently we will could face any of the second placed teams

withwolveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13029043995350051489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15103776.post-1133975103470252392005-12-07T16:55:00.000Z2005-12-07T17:05:03.753Z

Spartak Moscow's chief exec, Sergei Shavlo, is now demanding a fee of around £ 9m for Nemanja Vidic. Shavlo has also stated that Man U are interested in the Serb International defender. Previously it looked like he would be sold for £ 5 million but this no longer appears to be the case: "Vidic is a player in our team and we wouldn't like to let him go," Shavlo told Football Hockey magazine. "

withwolveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13029043995350051489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15103776.post-1133960284193890692005-12-07T12:54:00.000Z2005-12-07T12:58:04.386Z

Stevie Gerrard is happy that we are now performing like a top side and thinks we are close to becoming challengers to Chelsea: "We're getting consistently good results against the top sides, and I think we're emerging as challengers to Chelsea. "We did it in Europe last year, and our intention has always been to do the same in the league. There's still a gap to reduce, but I don't think anyone

withwolveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13029043995350051489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15103776.post-1133956706988532562005-12-07T11:46:00.000Z2005-12-07T11:58:27.090Z

Didi Hamann is happy that he only suffered bruising from Essien's over the top challenge: "I was going for the ball and I think he came over the ball and caught me just below the knee. The referee didn't see it and you have to get on with it," said Hamann. "It was the worst tackle I have ever been on the receiving end of. "I really feared that I might have broken my leg, thankfully it is only

withwolveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13029043995350051489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15103776.post-1133955996334846922005-12-07T11:32:00.000Z2005-12-07T11:46:36.460Z

According to reports in the Belgian media the Reds sent some scouts to watch Vincent Kompany in last nights Champions League game between Anderlecht and Betis. The 19 year old defender is very talented and is being chased by a number of clubs including Arsenal, Chelsea, Real Madrid & Barcelona. Any scouts watching last night would have been impressed as Kompany helped his team to a clean sheet

withwolveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13029043995350051489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15103776.post-1133862403667085702005-12-06T09:32:00.000Z2005-12-06T09:46:43.956Z

Liverpool are pondering making a move for Argentine Youth International defender Gabriel Paletta. The 19 year old was a key part of the Argentine team who won the World Youth Championships earlier this year. If the Reds are to make a bid the fee would be in the region of £3 million for the youngster who currently plays in Argentina for Banfield. Paletta may not require a work permit due to the

withwolveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13029043995350051489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15103776.post-1133788400534644902005-12-05T13:06:00.000Z2005-12-05T13:13:20.613Z

Rafa has stated that Xabi will be rested on Tuesday. The Spanish midfield master has just come back from injury and Rafa does not want to take any chances with a busy schedule of games to come before the end of the year: Benitez said: "Alonso won't be in the squad for the Chelsea game. He told me he wants to play but I said no, you must rest. All players want to play. "If it was a game that we

withwolveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13029043995350051489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15103776.post-1133787613928598852005-12-05T12:53:00.000Z2005-12-05T13:00:14.100Z

Real Madrid sacked their manager Wanderley Luxemburgo at the weekend and there is no doubt they would love Rafa to be their next boss particularly given his record in La Liga. However Rafa insists that he is happy at the Reds: "I am happy at Liverpool, I am Liverpool's manager and I have a job to do here."I have said this in the past and now I have an important game in the Champions league

withwolveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13029043995350051489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15103776.post-1133699844311668662005-12-04T12:11:00.000Z2005-12-04T15:29:01.896Z

It was great to see the winning run continue against Wigan. We are now third in the League and the future is looking very promising. The ratings out of ten for the players' performances yesterday are below: Pep Reina 8 Was competent when he was called upon and dealt with a number of dangerous corners with great punches. Carra 7 Typically solid performance by Carra, although occasionally needed

withwolveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13029043995350051489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15103776.post-1133532345900908092005-12-02T13:53:00.000Z2005-12-02T14:05:45.976Z

Rafa has been delighted with the impact his skipper had made in recent weeks. Gerrard has been employed on the right of midfield allowing the team to be more balanced. The success of the shift is reflected in our recent run of results. Last season it looked like Xabi was Rafa's manager on the pitch but now Rafa has stated that Gerrard is capable of this role: "Steve is a player who can play all

withwolveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13029043995350051489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15103776.post-1133531207963126712005-12-02T13:40:00.000Z2005-12-02T13:46:48.046Z

According to reports today Nemanja Vidic has told his advisors that he wants to move to Liverpool. It looked like he was on his way to Fiorentina and apparently had a verbal agreement in place. However Liverpool have made a late £4.5m bid and Anfield would be the Serb International's preferred destination. We definitely need cover for Sami & Carra. Although the one concern is that Vidic is not

withwolveshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13029043995350051489noreply@blogger.com