Sunday, April 26, 2009

The Reds belum menyerah



KUYT meledakkan dua gol buat The Reds ketika menang 3-1 ke atas Hull City kelmarin.


HULL - Liverpool masih berpeluang menjulang gelaran Liga Perdana England.

Demikian tegas pengurusnya, Rafael Benitez selepas mereka menewaskan Hull City 3-1 kelmarin.

Benitez mendedahkan bahawa mereka belum mahu menyerah dalam usaha merampas gelaran liga pertama kali sejak dua dekad lalu meskipun Manchester United kembali merampas takhta dengan kelebihan tiga mata selepas kemenangan 5-2 ke atas Tottenham Hotspur kelmarin.

Biarpun United masih menjadi pilihan untuk menjuarainya, Benitez tetap mahukan Liverpool menamatkan saingan musim ini dengan cemerlang, bermula dengan aksi menentang kelab bermasalah, Newcastle di Anfield minggu depan.

Jaringan Xabi Alonso pada babak pertama dan dua gol daripada Dirk Kuyt telah menghadiahkan tiga mata berharga kepada The Reds ke atas Hull.

Benitez tetap yakin dengan peluang pasukannya meskipun perebutan gelaran liga kini semakin memasuki fasa terakhir.

"Semuanya masih belum berakhir. Ini satu kemenangan yang penting kerana Hull memberi kesukaran kepada kami, tapi apa yang kami mampu lakukan ialah terus mencatat kejayaan dan lihat apa yang berlaku selepas ini," kata Benitez.

"Kami perlu memenangi semua baki perlawanan yang tinggal. Itu saja yang kami semua boleh lakukan. Keadaan Steven (Gerrard) menunjukkan peningkatan dan kami jangka dia akan boleh diturunkan dalam perlawanan selepas ini.

"Kami masih boleh memperbaiki prestasi tapi dalam bola sepak macam-macam boleh berlaku." - AFP

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Benitez akui kelebihan milik United

LIVERPOOL: Pengurus Liverpool, Rafa Benitez mengakui Manchester United berada dalam kedudukan mendahului untuk meraih gelaran selepas menyaksikan skuadnya mencicirkan dua mata penting di Anfield, semalam.

Pengurus Sepanyol itu menyalahkan “kesilapan besar” selepas skuadnya diikat dengan keputusan seri 4-4 oleh Arsenal, menyaksikan Andriy Arshavin menjaringkan kesemua empat gol bagi pasukannya, pemain pertama melakukan pencapaian seperti itu di Anfield dalam perlawanan liga sejak Denis Westcott melakukannya untuk Wolves pada 1946 dalam aksi perlawanan menarik.

Ironinya, mata itu memadai untuk melonjak semula Liverpool ke tangga teratas liga, memiliki mata sama dengan United tetapi memiliki kelebihan melalui perbezaan gol.

Bagaimanapun, United kini memiliki dua baki perlawanan berbanding lawan lain dan mengelak daripada mengalami bencana kejatuhan, kini berpeluang meraih gelaran domestik ketiga mereka untuk kali ketiga berturut-turut.

“Saya benar-benar kecewa kerana kami melepaskan empat gol,” kata Benitez.

“Perkara positif mengenainya adalah kami menjaringkan empat gol tetapi saya kecewa kerana melakukan banyak kesilapan.

“Kami bertarung dengan sukar dan kami akan terus melakukannya. Ia perlu menjadi seperti itu.

“Mereka (United) berada dalam kedudukan pendahulu dan jika mereka menang baki perlawanan mereka, keadaan akan menjadi lebih sukar bagi kami untuk memenangi gelaran.” 

Dengan berbaki lima perlawanan dan masih terdapat 15 mata untuk diraih, Benitez enggan mengaku kalah kepada United dalam saingan perebutan Liga Perdana.

Dia menegaskan skuad Sir Alex Ferguson masih perlu bekerja-keras untuk mencapainya. 

“Mereka perlu menang dan mereka masih perlu menentang Arsenal dalam saingan liga,” katanya. 

Selepas tersingkir daripada Liga Juara-Juara berikutan keputusan seri 4-4 di Chelsea, minggu lalu, Liverpool kini melepaskan lapan gol dalam dua perlawanan. - AFP

Thailand, Singapura destinasi The Reds


BARISAN pemain bintang kelab Liverpool akan mengadakan perlawanan persahabatan di Thailand dan Singapura pada Julai ini sempena Siri Jelajah Liverpool ke Asia.


KELAB bola sepak Liga Perdana England, Liverpool nampaknya tidak melakukan persinggahan di Kuala Lumpur.

Skuad dari Anfield itu akan berada di Bangkok, Thailand dan Singapura untuk mengadakan dua perlawanan persahabatan sempena lawatan mereka ke Asia, Julai depan.

Lawatan itu juga merupakan sebahagian daripada persiapan pra-musim mereka menghadapi kempen EPL bagi musim 2009-2010.

The Reds yang memenangi kejuaraan EPL sebanyak 18 kali dan Liga Juara-Juara sebanyak lima kali, dilaporkan akan terbang terus dari kem latihan mereka di Switzerland untuk menentang pasukan kebangsaan Thailand pada 22 Julai dan pasukan Singapura pada 26 Julai.

"Kami mempunyai peminat yang fantastik di Thailand dan Singapura dan sudah tentu ia hebat untuk membawa semula para pemain kami ke sana," kata pengurus Liverpool, Rafael Benitez dalam satu kenyataan yang dikeluarkan semalam.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Liverpool 4 - Arsenal 4

Fernando Torres stands dejected

Four goals from Andrey Arshavin put a huge dent in Liverpool’s Barclays Premier League title hopes as Arsenal drew 4-4 at Anfield.

The hosts went ahead of Manchester United on goal difference having come from behind three times, starting with Arshavin’s first in the 36th minute.

Fernando Torres and Yossi Benayoun scored soon after the interval but three further goals from the Russian Gunner piled the pressure back on Rafael Benitez’s side and even a second from Torres and an injury-time equaliser from Benayoun were not enough to force victory.

The result hands a huge advantage to United, who have two matches in hand with the first tomorrow at home to Portsmouth.

Liverpool were architects of their own downfall as the first three Arsenal goals came from mistakes.

It was almost a carbon copy of their Champions League exit against Chelsea a week ago when a 4-4 draw at Stamford Bridge saw them miss out on the semi-finals.

It was also not the first time Arsenal had done serious damage to a Liverpool title challenge, it being 20 years since Michael Thomas scored on this ground with the last kick of the season to deny the Reds the championship.

Torres and Albert Riera should have done better with their early efforts to test the fragile confidence of Lucasz Fabianski but both fired straight at the goalkeeper.

Javier Mascherano fired wide after 15 minutes as Arsenal were content to soak up what Liverpool had to offer and swiftly counter-attack when the chance arose.

Those occasions were few and far between and Fabianski, who had looked shaky on a couple of occasions, had to be at his best to tip over Torres’ shot from the right angle of the penalty area.

Referee Howard Webb waved away Liverpool appeals in the 26th minute when Mikael Silvestre appeared to catch Dirk Kuyt on the edge of the area.

Arsenal’s first chance came when they broke quickly from a Liverpool corner and Cesc Fabregas volleyed wide after Daniel Agger, making his 50th league appearance, had got in Jose Reina’s way as he tried to punch clear.

A smart turn by Torres on Kolo Toure saw the Spain striker fire in a 25-yard shot which Fabianski could only parry but Silvestre cleared the danger.

Samir Nasri then had to clear off the line at the far post after Agger flicked on Xabi Alonso’s right-wing corner before the Gunners hit their hosts with a sucker punch in the 36th minute.

Mascherano lost the ball on the edge of the penalty area and Fabregas exchanged passes with Nasri before crossing for Arshavin to fire home off the underside of the crossbar.

Benayoun immediately brought a diving save from Fabianski and then headed over as Liverpool piled on the pressure leading up to the interval without reward.

Liverpool realistically had 45 minutes to keep their season alive and that realisation brought the equaliser within four minutes of the restart.

Alvaro Arbeloa’s cross was poorly dealt with by Bacary Sagna and Kuyt collected the ball, got to the byline and crossed for Torres to head low into the left corner of Fabianski’s goal.

Seven minutes later they were ahead. Fabianski and Kieren Gibbs both messed up their clearances and Kuyt crossed to the far post where Benayoun headed in.

The goalkeeper claimed to have clawed the ball out but it was clearly over the line.

In the 65th minute Arsene Wenger brought on Theo Walcott for Denilson to try to get back in the game but it was another mistake which brought their equaliser.

Arbeloa could not control Jamie Carragher’s downward defensive header and Arshavin nipped in to fire past Reina’s outstretched left hand.

Incredibly for a team which had conceded just eight goals in 16 home league matches a third error handed Arsenal the lead again.

Fabio Aurelio played a left-wing cross straight to Arshavin 10 yards out and he drilled a shot under Reina for his hat-trick in the 70th minute.

Amazingly Liverpool were level again two minutes later when Torres controlled Riera’s cross, turned Silvestre and fired past Fabianski.

Torres had a header cleared off the line by Gibbs from Alonso’s corner with nine minutes to go and Carragher fired over from Aurelio’s cross as Liverpool desperately pushed for the winner.

And that cost them as Walcott broke from a corner and played in Arshavin to score his fourth in injury time.

Benayoun bundled home an equaliser even later on but it was too late to force a victory.



Liverpool 4 Arsenal 4

Scorer: Torres (49, 72)
Scorer: Benayoun (55, 90)
Scorer: Arshavin (35, 66, 69, 90)
Attendance: 44424 FT (21:56)

Four goals from Andrey Arshavin put a huge dent in Liverpool's Barclays Premier League title hopes as Arsenal drew 4-4 at Anfield.

The hosts went ahead of Manchester United on goal difference having come from behind three times, starting with Arshavin's first in the 36th minute.

Fernando Torres and Yossi Benayoun scored soon after the interval but three further goals from the Russian Gunner piled the pressure back on Rafael Benitez's side and even a second from Torres and an injury-time equaliser from Benayoun were not enough to force victory.

The result hands a huge advantage to United, who have two matches in hand with the first at home to Portsmouth.

Liverpool were architects of their own downfall as the first three Arsenal goals came from mistakes.

It was almost a carbon copy of their Champions League exit against Chelsea a week ago when a 4-4 draw at Stamford Bridge saw them miss out on the semi-finals.

It was also not the first time Arsenal had done serious damage to a Liverpool title challenge, it being 20 years since Michael Thomas scored on this ground with the last kick of the season to deny the Reds the championship.

Torres and Albert Riera should have done better with their early efforts to test the fragile confidence of Lucasz Fabianski but both fired straight at the goalkeeper.

Javier Mascherano fired wide after 15 minutes as Arsenal were content to soak up what Liverpool had to offer and swiftly counter-attack when the chance arose.

Those occasions were few and far between and Fabianski, who had looked shaky on a couple of occasions, had to be at his best to tip over Torres' shot from the right angle of the penalty area.

diving save

Referee Howard Webb waved away Liverpool appeals in the 26th minute when Mikael Silvestre appeared to catch Dirk Kuyt on the edge of the area.

Arsenal's first chance came when they broke quickly from a Liverpool corner and Cesc Fabregas volleyed wide after Daniel Agger, making his 50th league appearance, had got in Jose Reina's way as he tried to punch clear.

A smart turn by Torres on Kolo Toure saw the Spain striker fire in a 25-yard shot which Fabianski could only parry but Silvestre cleared the danger.

Samir Nasri then had to clear off the line at the far post after Agger flicked on Xabi Alonso's right-wing corner before the Gunners hit their hosts with a sucker punch in the 36th minute.

Mascherano lost the ball on the edge of the penalty area and Fabregas exchanged passes with Nasri before crossing for Arshavin to fire home off the underside of the crossbar.

Benayoun immediately brought a diving save from Fabianski and then headed over as Liverpool piled on the pressure leading up to the interval without reward.

Liverpool realistically had 45 minutes to keep their season alive and that realisation brought the equaliser within four minutes of the restart.

Alvaro Arbeloa's cross was poorly dealt with by Bacary Sagna and Kuyt collected the ball, got to the byline and crossed for Torres to head low into the left corner of Fabianski's goal.

level again

Seven minutes later they were ahead. Fabianski and Kieren Gibbs both misjudged their clearances and Kuyt crossed to the far post where Benayoun headed in.

The goalkeeper claimed to have clawed the ball out but it was clearly over the line.

In the 65th minute Arsene Wenger brought on Theo Walcott for Denilson to try to get back in the game but it was another mistake which brought their equaliser.

Arbeloa could not control Jamie Carragher's downward defensive header and Arshavin nipped in to fire past Reina's outstretched left hand.

Incredibly for a team which had conceded just eight goals in 16 home league matches a third error handed Arsenal the lead again.

Fabio Aurelio played a left-wing cross straight to Arshavin 10 yards out and he drilled a shot under Reina for his hat-trick in the 70th minute.

Amazingly Liverpool were level again two minutes later when Torres controlled Riera's cross, turned Silvestre and fired past Fabianski.

Torres had a header cleared off the line by Gibbs from Alonso's corner with nine minutes to go and Carragher fired over from Aurelio's cross as Liverpool desperately pushed for the winner.

And that cost them as Walcott broke from a corner and played in Arshavin to score his fourth in injury time.

Benayoun bundled home an equaliser even later on but it was too late to force a victory.



Arshavin scores four but Liverpool salvages late draw



LIVERPOOL, England (AP) - Yossi Benayoun scored deep into injury time Tuesday to give Liverpool a dramatic 4-4 draw with Arsenal and keep his team in the Premier League title race.

The draw, which had seemed implausible when Andrei Arshavin scored his fourth goal of the night in the 90th minute, took Liverpool - at least temporarily - back to the top of the Premier League on goal difference. Second-placed Manchester United plays the first of its two games in hand on Wednesday against Portsmouth.

BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE

Sat., Apr. 18
Aston Villa 1-1 West HamRecap
M'brough 0-0 Fulham*Recap
Portsmouth 1-0 BoltonRecap
Stoke City 1-0 Blackburn*Recap
Sunderland 1-0 Hull CityRecap
Sun., Apr. 19
Tottenham 1-0 NewcastleRecap
Man City 4-2 West Brom*Recap
Tue., Apr. 21
Liverpool 4-4 ArsenalRecap
Wed., Apr. 22
Chelsea vs. Everton*Preview
Man Utd vs. PortsmouthPreview
*Airs on FSC or Watch on demand
VIDEO: Highlights of every game.

     Premier League Fantasy Challenge
     

Fernando Torres and Benayoun each scored twice as Liverpool played out a second straight 4-4 draw, replicating last week's match at Chelsea in the Champions League quarterfinals.

With Arsenal in fourth place - the final Champions League qualifying spot - and much attention focused on next week's semifinal match against Manchester United, manager Arsene Wenger fielded a depleted side at Anfield. In-form winger Theo Walcott, who had scored in his last three games, was dropped in five changes from Saturday's FA Cup semifinal loss to Chelsea.

Arsenal took the lead when Javier Mascherano lost the ball on the edge of the penalty area and Samir Nasri took control and passed to Cesc Fabregas, who provided the cross that Arshavin sent into the net off the underside of the crossbar.

Three minutes into the second half, Torres equalized. Bacary Sagna's clearance was poor and Dirk Kuyt was able to cross from the right for Torres to head home.

Benayoun, Liverpool's most dangerous player, then put his team in front in the 56th, with Kuyt exploiting poor defending to provide the Israeli with a far-post header.

The lead only lasted nine minutes, when Arshavin struck again, stealing the ball off Alvaro Arbeloa and curling it beyond the reach of the diving Pepe Reina.

Three minutes later, Arshavin had a hat trick and Arsenal was back in control.

Liverpool, however, came back again as Torres controlled Albert Riera's cross and beat Arsenal goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski.

Arsenal never gave up its resolve and Arshavin looked to have slotted in an injury time winner before Benayoun found himself in space to equalize yet again.

**MSN Foxsports.com**

Monday, April 20, 2009

Menang atau gulung tikar



SENTUHAN Aurelio (kiri) dan Javier Mascherano masih diperlukan skuad Liverpool.


LIVERPOOL - Hanya kemenangan yang menjadi buruan Liverpool apabila berdepan Arsenal pada aksi penting Liga Perdana England awal pagi esok.

Andai menang, anak buah Rafael Benitez itu berpeluang memintas pendahulu liga, Manchester United dengan kelebihan dua mata.

Namun, ia mungkin hanya seketika kerana United akan menanti kunjungan Portsmouth awal pagi Khamis untuk mencari tiga mata penuh bagi meneruskan penguasaan di takhta liga.

Bagaimanapun, jika Liverpool tewas kepada Arsenal pada aksi di Anfield itu, United berpeluang cerah menjarakkan empat mata dengan masih memiliki kelebihan satu perlawanan.

Benitez berkata, meskipun tidak dapat menurunkan Steven Gerrard yang masih cedera, beliau tetap yakin pasukannya sudah menemui rentak.

Beliau turut yakin dua pertahanannya, Daniel Agger dan Emiliano Insua mampu memberikan sumbangan bermakna buat pasukan The Reds itu.

"Prestasi Insua semakin meningkat dan perebu- tan posisi bek kiri semakin sengit antara Fabio Aurelio dan Andrea Dos- sena juga.

"Agger pula yang beraksi di bek tengah dapat mengawal bola dengan baik dan mampu menjaringkan gol. Dia seorang yang bekerja keras," kata Benitez.

Arsenal pula yang baru tewas 1-2 kepada Chelsea pada separuh akhir Piala FA di Stadium Wembley Sabtu lalu bakal turun tanpa Robin van Persie yang mengalami kecederaan pangkal paha.

Namun, sensasi England, Theo Walcott berkeyakinan mereka mampu menundukkan Liverpool di Anfield selepas gagal di Wembley.

"Semua orang pernah tersungkur dan kami akan cuba lupakan semua itu kerana kami perlu menghadapi pertemuan penting dengan Liverpool ini," kata Walcott. - AFP

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Kebangkitan luar biasa The Reds di Stamford Bridge



DARI kiri, Alonso, Lucas dan Kuyt masih-masing menjaringkan satu gol pada aksi suku akhir kedua Liga Juara-Juara di Stamford Bridge semalam.

LONDON - Pengurus Liverpool, Rafael Benitez percaya kebangkitan luar biasa yang ditampilkan anak buahnya pada kempen Liga Juara-Juara kelmarin mampu memberi inspirasi baru terhadap misi skuad The Redsmenjulang trofi Liga Perdana England.

Terdahulu, Liverpool tersingkir daripada kempen Eropah selepas hanya mampu seri 4-4 pada aksi suku akhir kedua di Stamford Bridge awal pagi semalam.

Keputusan itu sekali gus menjadikan kedudukan agregat 7-5 setelah Liverpool tewas 1-3 pada aksi pertama di Anfield minggu lepas.

Biarpun kecewa apabila tewas kepada Chelsea dalam kempen Eropah buat musim kedua berturut-turut, Benitez bagaimanapun berkata, tidak ada sebab untuk terus bersedih.

Sebaliknya, Benitez yakin semangat juang yang dipamerkan anak buahnya telah membuktikan bahawa mereka memiliki karakter luar biasa untuk merampas kejuaraan Liga Perdana England daripada pendahulu, Manchester United.

Liverpool kini ketinggalan satu mata di belakang United dan akan berdepan aksi penting menentang Arsenal di Anfield Selasa depan.

"Kami tidak gembira dengan keputusan ini. Apabila kamu kalah, kamu akan kecewa tetapi untuk kalah dengan cara begini, pemain perlu berasa bangga dan cuba melupakannya.

"Kami telah menunjukkan karakter dan kualiti sebenar kami dan kami perlu berasa bangga.

"Pemain telah menjalankan tugas dengan hebat dan peminat juga akan puas hati dengan mereka.

"Kami boleh memenangi banyak perlawanan jika beraksi dengan mentaliti seperti ini," tambah pengurus kelahiran Sepanyol itu.

Pada aksi semalam, Fabio Aurelio dan Xabi Alonso meletakkan Liverpool selesa mendahului 2-0 pada babak pertama.

Namun, Chelsea kembali 'mengganas' dengan tiga gol apabila penjaga gol Liverpool, Jose Reina tertampan bola ke gawang sendiri sebelum Alex dan Frank Lampard masing-masing meledak satu gol.

Lucas dan Dirk Kuyt kembali memberi harapan kepada peminat Liverpool apabila menambah gol ketiga dan keempat The Reds.

Lampard mengakhiri sisa-sisa perjuangan Liverpool apabila menjaringkan gol kedua peribadinya untuk menjadikan kedudukan 4-4 pada lewat perlawanan. - Agensi

Monday, April 13, 2009

Torres wants to play for Spain after English season

LIVERPOOL: Fernando Torres is determined to play for Spain at the Confederations Cup at the end of an injury-blighted season for Liverpool, even it means playing almost two years of football without a proper break.

The 25-year-old striker scored the winning goal for Spain in the European Championship final last June after a gruelling debut season in England.

If Liverpool advance to the Champions League final, his club campaign won’t finish until May 27. Spain’s first match at the Confederations Cup in South Africa is on June 17 against Iraq.

“I will have to play in the Confederations Cup during the summer,” Torres said. “Maybe it is not the best for the next pre-season, but it is my job and I have to play.”

Torres has injured his hamstring on several occasions this season, usually while on international duty, while he required painkilling injections last month to play through an ankle injury.

Only in recent weeks has Torres been fully fit, scoring twice on Saturday in a 4-0 victory over Blackburn that kept the Reds within a point of leader Manchester United.

“I feel that 11 (goals) in 19 league games is a good record, and it is frustrating thinking what it could have been,” said Torres, who scored 33 goals for Liverpool last season. “But we must learn from this season and the injuries I have had, and try to stay 100 per cent fit from the beginning of the season and play all the games.

“I could have had more goals had I been fit more, but I will have to make sure I am fit all next season and then see how many I can get.”

Torres’ scoring record for Liverpool shows how much manager Rafa Benitez relies on him. He has 35 goals in 52 league games and 47 in 78 matches in all competitions.

“Fernando is one of the greatest strikers in the world,” Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher said. “It has been really good to have him back in the side and fit. It is frustrating thinking what we could have done this season if he had been fit all the time.” — AP

Reds chasing 3 goals at Chelsea to reach semifinal

LONDON: Despite being 3-1 down to Chelsea after the first leg, Liverpool still believes it has the ability to overturn the deficit at Stamford Bridge and reach the Champions League semifinals for the fourth time in five seasons.

The Reds have already ended Chelsea's 86-match unbeaten home streak this season and completed a Premier League double over the London club for the first time in 19 years.

The five-time European champions were also encouraged by Chelsea conceding three goals in 11 minutes after leading Bolton 4-0 on Saturday.

"There is always something to exploit and every team has its weak points," Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina said Monday.

"But the clear favorites are still Chelsea and it is in their hands."

The Blues clung on to beat Bolton 4-3, but that was with captain John Terry, who is suspended for the second leg.

"Conceding those goals was like an alarm clock ringing a warning for this upcoming game," Chelsea manager Gus Hiddink said.

"One alarm bell should have been enough, but they were frequently ringing."

Benitez, who won the 2005 Champions League in his first season at Liverpool, hopes to have captain Steven Gerrard in the team.

The England midfielder, who is the Reds' top scorer this season, has been responding well to treatment on a groin injury.

"Obviously we do not want him to break down again - he could then be out for 10 to 16 days - but the injury is not a massive one. It will be a calculated gamble to play him but one that I will consider," Benitez said.

"It makes a difference if we play with him. Clearly we need him, he is a key player for us. Everything can change if he can play and if he plays well."

Hiddink is concerned about the threat posed by Gerrard working in tandem with striker Fernando Torres.

"Torres scored a beautiful first goal for Liverpool at the weekend," Hiddink said of the Reds' 4-0 win over Blackburn.

"He is very dangerous, but the supply to him is very important - it's not just stopping him.

"Several payers are capable of harming us if we are not closing them down or there is a lack of concentration."

Chelsea, which has never lost a European clash after taking a first-leg advantage back to Stamford Bridge, eliminated Liverpool at home in last season's semifinals before losing to Manchester United on penalties in the final.

But Hiddink only has to look back at how Liverpool won its fifth European Cup in 2005 to see the potential for a comeback.

The Reds were trailing 3-0 at halftime to AC Milan in Istanbul, but scored three times in the second half to take the final into extra time and a triumphant penalty shootout.

"That is why we are saying we have to be very careful," Hiddink said.

"We are not just saying that to be polite, it is fact. Of course we are in a good position, but if we think we can manage it easily then we have lost before the game."

Liverpool has also recently managed to score four goals against Real Madrid, Manchester United and Blackburn, and hit five against Aston Villa.

"I believe the team can score three goals at Chelsea, although it is very difficult because they are a strong team," Torres said.

"We can do it. We have confidence, we know we can win the game and we will not panic if we do concede one there, if we score three then it goes to extra time.

"We won away to Manchester United, they scored but we still won 4-1.

"Chelsea could just defend, but I doubt that.

They will want to score themselves and that will give us a chance ourselves."

Chelsea has lost only once since Hiddink took over from Luiz Felipe Scolari, and the 62-year-old Dutchman believes keeping a distance from his players is part of the reason.

"I don't have a close bond because I have to take decisions about people not playing," Hiddink said.

"I like to have a direct relationship with the players and we challenge each other in a very open and direct way. I don't want to have a relationship where I might play games with them.

"The managers shouldn't have bonds or relationships with them. Maybe that's for after I've done my job at this club." - AP

Champions League 2008-09 season: Gerrard on course for Chelsea clash

LIVERPOOL: Steven Gerrard is on track to lead Liverpool in today's (early tomorrow in Malaysia) Champions League quarter-final second leg at Chelsea after the England midfielder returned to training yesterday.

Gerrard was rested by boss Rafael Benitez for Saturday's 4-0 win over Blackburn at Anfield following scans that showed a recurrence of the Liverpool skipper's groin injury.

But Benitez confirmed yesterday that Gerrard was responding to treatment and will travel to London as Liverpool try to overturn a 3-1 deficit from the first leg.

"Steven is getting better, he has been working with the physio and trained today (yesterday)," Benitez said.

"We will then discuss the situation with the doctors, but Steven will travel with the party to London and I will make a decision on Tuesday." 
Benitez knows Liverpool's hopes of a famous win at Stamford Bridge would be boosted by Gerrard and he is ready to take a calculated risk. -- AFP

`Kami mampu bangkit’

LONDON: Jika Liverpool mahu meraih kejayaan tersohor dalam pertemuan getir menentang Chelsea dalam saingan Liga Juara-Juara, awal pagi esok, mereka perlu bergantung kepada pemain yang akan memainkan peranan utama- Fernando Torres.

Torres menjaringkan gol separuh lambung ketika dia melonjakkan koleksi golnya kepada 14 musim ini dengan dua jaringan ketika Liverpool membelasah Blackburn, 4-0, Sabtu lalu dan penyerang Sepanyol itu percaya keputusan itu membuktikan Liverpool masih mempunyai kekuatan untuk menjaringkan gol bagi melancarkan kebangkitan dalam pertemuan itu.

“Cara kami bermain sangat bagus dan baik untuk persediaan bagi menghadapi perlawanan itu,” kata Torres. “Kemenangan ini memberikan kami keyakinan selepas kekalahan 3-1 itu. Tapi, saya percaya yang pasukan ini boleh menjaringkan tiga gol di Stamford Bridge. Kami menang ketika beraksi di Manchester United, memang mereka turut menjaringkan gol, tapi kami masih menang 4-1.

“Chelsea mungkin bertahan, tapi saya ragu-ragu mereka akan melakukannya. Mereka juga mahu menjaringkan gol dan situasi itu akan memberikan kami peluang.”

Dalam pada itu, pengurus Liverpool, Rafael Benitez meletakkan Steven Gerrard (gambar) di bangku simpanan ketika bertemu Blackburn kerana kecederaan pangkal paha, tapi pemain tengah England itu pasti diturunkan dalam pertemuan menentang Chelsea.

Benitez berkata, beliau sanggup mengambil risiko dengan menurunkan kapten pasukannya yang cedera itu untuk pertemuan kedua di Stamford Bridge. 

Gerrard tidak bermain ketika Liverpool menang 4-0 ke atas Blackburn Rovers, Sabtu lalu, tapi Benitez berharap pemain itu akan segera sembuh bagi membantu pasukannya mengatasi defisit 3-1 di Stamford Bridge.

“Keadaannya sudah semakin pulih, tapi dia masih menjalani latihan bersama petugas perubatan kami,” kata Benitez.

“Dia akan menjalani satu lagi latihan dan selepas itu, kami akan menilai semula keupayaannya.

“Memang ada perubahan sekiranya dia bermain. Kami perlukan khidmatnya kerana dia tonggak kami. Semua boleh berubah sekiranya mereka boleh bermain. 

“Kami akan berbincang dengan doktor dan pemain itu sendiri sebelum perlawanan.

“Ia bukanlah satu risiko yang besar, tapi anda mungkin kehilangan seorang pemain untuk tempoh 10 hingga 15 hari dan tempoh itu sudah cukup berat.”

Chelsea pula tidak dapat menurunkan ketua pasukan, John Terry yang digantungan satu perlawanan selepas menerima kad kuning kerana mengasari penjaga gol Liverpool, Jose Reina pada perlawanan pertama. - Agensi

Liverpool harus contohi Bolton (Liverpool Should Follow Bolton An Example)



IVANOVIC (kanan) melonjak untuk menjaringkan gol dalam perlawanan suku akhir pertama Liga Juara-Juara di Anfield, minggu lalu. Kini dia menjadi 'ikon' baru buat Chelsea dan menjadi tumpuan awal pagi esok.

Skuad Benitez berdepan misi mustahil jaring tiga gol di Stamford Bridge 

LONDON: Jika Liverpool mahu mencari inspirasi apabila berdepan tugas sukar untuk pertemuan dengan Chelsea dalam saingan Liga Juara-Juara esok (awal pagi Rabu waktu Malaysia), mereka hanya perlu mencontohi Bolton Wanderes. 

Liverpool perlu menjaringkan sekurang-kurangnya tiga gol di Stamford Bridge, untuk mengatasi Chelsea di perlawanan kedua suku akhir selepas tewas 3-1 kepada pasukan bimbingan Guus Hiddink itu minggu lalu.

Bolton menjaringkan tiga gol dalam masa lapan minit di Chelsea kelmarin, selepas mendapatkan gol pertama mereka sesudah ketinggalan 4-0 dan Chelsea sudah mengeluarkan Frank Lampard dan Didier Drogba apabila perlawanan kelihatan sudah dimenangi mereka. 

Walaupun Chelsea bertahan untuk menewaskan Bolton 4-3 dan mengekalkan tekanan ke atas Liverpool dan pendahulu, Manchester United di Liga Perdana, Bolton sudah membuktikan pertahanan Chelsea bukan tidak boleh ditembusi. 

"Saya sedikit risau kami melepaskan tiga gol tetapi setiap perlawanan berbeza, namun biar ia menjadi pengajaran, " kata jurulatih sementara Chelsea, Hiddink.

Walaupun tanpa kapten pasukan, John Terry yang menjalani penggantungan, mereka tetap mempunyai pemain gantian yang berkemampuan seperti yang dibuktikan pemain pertahanan Serbia, Branislav Ivanovic yang jarang diturunkan dan menjaringkan dua gol di Anfield. 

Ricardo Carvalho yang kembali dalam kesebelasan utama pasukan selepas tidak beraksi tiga perlawanan, dijangka mengisi kekosongan Terry. 

Liverpool pasti berharap untuk mengelak kekalahan kedua berturut-turut dalam saingan Liga Juara-Juara di Stamford Bridge apabila mereka tewas di separuh akhir musim lalu. 

Bagaimanapun, mereka sudah menang di sana musim ini dengan kemenangan 1-0 Oktober lalu yang menamatkan rekod tanpa kalah 86 perlawanan Chelsea di tempat sendiri dalam Liga Perdana.

Sejak itu, Chelsea sudah menggantikan jurulatih, Luiz Felipe Scolari dengan Hiddink dan nasib mereka berubah di bawahnya dengan sembilan kemenangan daripada 11 perlawanan dalam semua pertandingan. – Reuters 

Gerrard dipertaruhkan

LONDON - Pengurus Liverpool, Rafael Benitez bakal membahayakan ketua pasukan Steven Gerrard yang tercedera bagi menghadapi perlawanan kedua suku akhir bola sepak Liga JuaraJuara di Chelsea, esok.

Gerrard direhatkan ketika kemenangan Liverpool 4-0 dalam aksi Liga Perdana ke atas Blackburn Rovers, Sabtu lalu dengan satu kecederaan pangkal paha tetapi Benitez berharap dia mampu pulang dalam usaha Liverpool mengubah kedudukan ketinggalan 3-1 di Stamford Bridge itu.

"Dia bertambah baik tetapi dia masih berusaha dengan ahli fisioterapinya untuk terus mengekalkan kecergasan," kata Benitez kepada Sky Sports, kelmarin.

"Kami ada satu lagi hari latihan dan kemudian selepas itu, kami akan melihat bagaimana dia rasa," katanya.

"Ia mencipta satu kelainan jika kami bermain dengannya. Jelasnya, kami memerlukannya, dia seorang pemain penting bagi kami.

"Semuanya mampu berubah jika dia boleh bermain dan jika dia bermain baik.

"Kami akan bercakap dengan doktor dan dengannya sebelum perlawanan.

"Ia bukan satu risiko yang besar tetapi ada sesuatu yang kecil kerana anda boleh kehilangan pemain itu selama 10-15 hari dan ia mungkin buruk," katanya. - Reuters

Liverpool azam bangkit






BERSEMANGAT... Pemain Liverpool mengharapkan keajaiban untuk menewaskan Chelsea di Stamford Bridge awal pagi esok.


LONDON - Fernando Torres percaya jaringan menakjubkan yang dilakukan di Anfield baru-baru ini mampu memberi inspirasi kepada Liverpool untuk mempamerkan satu lagi aksi bergaya dalam kempen Eropah.

Skuad kendalian Rafael Benitez itu perlu menjaringkan tiga gol di Stamford Bridge pagi esok untuk mencerahkan peluang dalam kempen Liga Juara-Juara selepas tumpas 1-3 pada aksi suku akhir pertama minggu lepas.

Mungkin ramai yang beranggapan The Reds tidak berpeluang melangkah ke separuh akhir kecuali mereka mengulangi kejayaan besar 5-2 ke atas Chelsea pada 1989 yang mana merupakan kejayaan terakhir mereka merangkul gelaran Liga Perdana England.

Namun, selepas menjaringkan gol pembukaan ketika Liverpool membelasah Blackburn 4-0 Sabtu lalu, Torres menegaskan keyakinan mula memuncak dalam diri pemain The Reds.

Malah, bintang Sepanyol itu berasakan tiada sebab mengapa Liverpool tidak mampu mempamerkan aksi kebangkitan sekali lagi, terutama setelah menyaksikan Chelsea dibolosi tiga gol pada lewat permainan ketika menentang Bolton, Sabtu lalu.

"Kami perlu mengekalkan keyakinan kami selepas perlawanan Liga Juara-Juara dan amat penting untuk kami menghadiahkan kemenangan kepada peminat," kata Torres.

"Sudah tentu kami sedar bukan mudah untuk mendapatkan tiga gol menentang Chelsea kerana mereka sebuah pasukan yang kuat.

"Tetapi kami telah menewaskan Manchester United di Old Traf- ford, jadi kami tahu kami boleh melakukannya. Mereka (United) menjaringkan gol tetapi kami tetap menang 4-1. Kami yakin mampu turun di sana dan memenangi pertemuan ini.

"Saya tidak fikir Chelsea akan main bertahan, saya jamin mereka juga mahukan kemenangan. Mereka sedar jika mereka menjaringkan satu atau dua gol, kemenangan berpihak kepada mereka." - Agensi

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