Liverpool reward Dalglish with new contract

LONDON: Kenny Dalglish was yesterday appointed permament manager of Liverpool, having previously been in caretaker charge, after signing a three-year contract, the English Premier League club announced.

Dalglish, widely regarded as the club’s greatest player, has breathed new life into the club since he replaced Roy Hodgson as Liverpool manager on a temporary basis in January and the Reds could finish the season as high as fifth place.

Coach Steve Clarke, who arrived not long after Dalglish in January, has also signed a three-year contract.

John Henry, whose US-based Fenway Sports Group owns Liverpool, had been in contract talks with Dalglish in recent weeks and he said there was no-one else they wanted for the job.

“Kenny is a legendary Liverpool figure both as a supremely gifted footballer and successful manager,” Henry said in a statement. “Since returning in January he has shown extraordinary leadership and the ability to bring the best out of so many people associated with the club.

“It was obvious to us very early on that the atmosphere surrounding the club had been transformed by his presence.

“No-one else could have produced such a response. Therefore, I’m delighted we have agreed to a new contract. We didn’t need nor want to look elsewhere for the right man to manage the team.”

Scotland great Dalglish added: “I said when I took the job on in January that I was just happy to help the club out for the remainder of the season.

“Now the owners have decided in their wisdom that they want me to stay a little longer and it’s fantastic news for both myself and Steve Clarke that we have signed these contracts.

“I’m delighted to have the opportunity to help build something special here again. I want to salute the efforts of all the players as they have been fantastic and thank everyone at the club for the welcome they have given me since I returned in January.

“I also want to pay tribute to Steve Clarke’s input since we started working together as he has brought great experience and knowledge to the role. The players enjoy the training sessions, understand their relevance to our actual football games and have responded brilliantly.” — AFP

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Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish not thinking about European football - ESPN Soccernet

Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish not thinking about European football - ESPN Soccernet

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish insists he is not even thinking about the prospect of European football despite the fact they are closer to qualifying for it than they have been all season.

GettyImagesKenny Dalglish is keeping his focus on the game against Fulham

After last weekend's win over Newcastle lifted the Reds into fifth place, their highest position of the campaign, the debate began to intensify about whether the Europa League would be a good thing for a club trying to win back their place in the top four.

Sixth-placed Tottenham have a match in hand and, by the time Liverpool play Fulham on Monday, they could have been overtaken by Harry Redknapp's side.

Even with three games to play Dalglish knows there are still many variables which could affect the final outcome.

Liverpool's long-term planning will continue regardless but the Reds boss is confident the "problem" of Europa League football is something they will deal with if it becomes a reality.

"I find it very difficult to predict the future," he said. "We've always said we would get our reward at the end of the season - we never set ourselves any target.

"We don't have that [Europa League] problem yet and so until it arises we don't have to solve anything - the biggest problem I have is Fulham on Monday night.

"There will be problems to be solved at the end of the season and if we get the Europa League that will be one of the problems. Planning for next season started a good while ago - that [Europa League] is just one thing which has to be taken into consideration but you cannot predict what is going to happen so there is no point in worrying about that."

Although highly ambitious, even Dalglish could not have expected the turnaround in fortunes which has taken place under his guidance. The major concern when he replaced Roy Hodgson in early January appeared to be preventing a slide back into the lower reaches of the table.

From 12th place, though, they have steadily risen and, the odd result excepted, appear to have peaked at the right time.

It is a transformation which has ensured Dalglish and coach Steve Clarke, brought in at the same time to help out on the training ground, will see their temporary positions become permanent - although confirmation will probably not come until the end of the season now.

The players have responded to the return of the club icon for a second spell in charge and Dalglish has been fortunate at least one of his January signings - Luis Suarez, a £22.8 million buy from Ajax - has settled in well and provided much-needed impetus.

Fellow deadline day arrival, Andy Carroll's start has been less eye-catching but his progress has been curtailed by injury and it will be next season before he really finds his place in the team.

Dalglish once again played down his influence over proceedings, insisting he was not aware of a huge change in the way things worked.

"I have just noticed the players being really enthusiastic in training and in the way they've worked and they've had their reward for it on the pitch," he said.

"We've not been disappointed with any single player's attitude since we came in. On Thursday night a few of the lads [Joe Cole, Christian Poulsen, David Ngog and Jonjo Shelvey] played for the reserves and they had a great attitude towards the game, were fully committed and got a great deal out of it.

"That will do us no harm whatsoever, and neither will it do the players any harm either."

In regard to Suarez, the manager added: "With his personality and approach to the games you get a reward and for us it is a really exciting player who has made a contribution to our recent games.

"He enjoys playing football and being here. He has got himself really involved in the Liverpool way and he has got his reward for that. It's a help when he gets a goal but he makes a few as well and we have been delighted with what he has done so far."

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BBC Sport - Jay Spearing earns new Liverpool contract

BBC Sport - Jay Spearing earns new Liverpool contract

Jay Spearing earns new Liverpool contract

Spearing's dynamism has been a feature of his play for the Reds

Liverpool midfielder Jay Spearing has extended his contract with the club.

The 22-year-old, who has started his side's last six games, has been

rewarded at the end of a season in which he has begun to establish
himself in the first team.

"It is great news for us, great for wee Jay and for everybody concerned," said Reds boss Kenny Dalglish. "It's just reward for the performances he's put in and he thoroughly deserves what he's got."

The tigerish Spearing has come through the ranks at Anfield since joining
the club as a seven-year-old but has had to be patient in his wait for
first-team action.

"He has started the last few games for us, so that is progress in itself as he was never one of the starting XI unless there were injuries or suspensions," added Dalglish.

"Now I'm getting that run [in the side] I've been able to show my desire and commitment to the club." Jay Spearing

"But he's in there now and he's in there on merit. I think that's progress. "He's certainly reached a higher level than he has done before. We're delighted with what he's done and he's a great asset for us to have." Spearing made his Liverpool debut as a substitute in a 3-1 win at PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League in December 2008 before his first Premier League start in a 1-0 defeat at Sunderland in October 2009.

He also spent a spell on loan at Championship club Leicester at the end of the 2009-10 campaign. "I am buzzing," he told the Liverpool website. "I'm pleased to have finally put pen to paper and got everything sorted.

"I've been here for a long time and playing for Liverpool is all I have ever wanted to do, so hopefully I can keep going now.

"It has been a long time coming. I've been in the background and in and around the first team and maybe not had a run in the team, but now I'm getting that run I've been able to show my desire and commitment to the club.

"I owe a lot to the boss and hopefully I am repaying him with the games I am playing. He put me into the derby [against Everton in January] straight away and that gave me a lot of confidence. "Any player who has the belief of the manager always wants to go on and show what he can do."With the new boss coming in and the way we have been playing and with me

getting some game time, it has been a good couple of months and this
has topped it off for me."

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Liverpool striker Luis Suárez urges team-mates to see off Spurs in race to clinch fifth spot and Europa League place

Liverpool striker Luis Suárez desperate to qualify for next season's Europa League competition.

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Liverpool striker Luis Suárez urges team-mates to see off Spurs in race to clinch fifth spot and Europa League place

Most players and managers might see the Europa League more as curse than

blessing, but Liverpool striker Luis Suárez believes it is crucial his
team-mates stave off the challenge of Tottenham and secure qualification to
the competition widely scorned as the Champions League’s ugly sister.

Goal setter: Luis Suárez wants Liverpool to target success in the Europa League  Photo: GETTY IMAGES

The livewire Uruguayan’s third goal since his £22.8 million January move to

Anfield capped Liverpool's
3-0 win against Newcastle
on Sunday which took Kenny Dalglish’s side ahead of Spurs on goal difference
and into a European spot for the first time this season.

To many, though, it is the London team – who boast a game in hand but must still travel to Anfield – who are in the more desirable position. The Europa League, the theory goes, is a distraction from the serious business of qualifying for the Champions League next season. It is a theory Suárez dismisses completely. “It is the sort of competition you want to play in. It is our objective for the season. “When I came that is what I wanted to help Liverpool achieve.

It looked really difficult but we have kept winning and we have just had to hope that Tottenham dropped points. Now when they come here it will be the most important game of our season.

“A club like Liverpool can only think in one way. If you get in to the Champions League, your objective has to be to win that. If you get in the Europa League, of course, your objective has to be to win that.

"That is what a club like this must aim for. We have to do everything we can to win as many competitions as we can.”

Yet another European campaign would suit Jamie Carragher who, at 33, could be forgiven for wishing to spend his Thursday nights recuperating, but the defender believes that the extra playing time offered by continental combat may be crucial to build – and maintain – a happy squad.

“It would be a great place to give the youngsters some experience, and I’m sure we will add some new players next season, so we will have a bigger squad," Carragher said.

"If you are only in the league, you don’t need to change the team, so having more games makes it easier to keep everyone at the club happy.”

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Petikan Akhbar Harian Metro 04/05/2011: Kuyt langkah kanan

Kuyt langkah kanan

PENYERANG Li�ver�pool, Dirk Kuyt (gambar) percaya dia berada pada prestasi terbaik sejak berhijrah ke England hampir lima tahun lalu.
Pemain antarabangsa Belanda itu menjaringkan gol kelapannya dalam tujuh perlawanan terakhir ketika kemenangan 3-0 ke atas Newcastle United Ahad lalu, muncul pemain ketujuh Reds menjaringkan gol dalam empat perlawanan Liga Perdana berturut-turut.
Dua daripadanya adalah menerusi sepakan pe�nalti namun melihat kepada re�kodnya - dia menyumbat 12 gol dalam 13 perlawanan terakhir bagi se��mua pertandingan, termasuk dua perlawanan antarabang�sa - memberikan keyakinan kepada pemain itu sendiri bahawa dia sudah mengembalikan prestasi yang menyebabkan pengurus ketika itu, Rafael Benitez membayar Fe�yenoord �10 juta (RM49 juta) pada musim panas 2006.

“Kali terakhir saya bertindak sebegini semestinya di Belanda, di mana saya menjaringkan banyak gol,” kata pemain yang sering dilihat bekerja keras itu, yang sekalipun berusia 31 tahun Julai ini, menerima kontrak ba�ru di Anfield bulan lalu sebagai menghargai usahanya.

“Ketika ini semuanya berjalan dengan baik, saya menjaringkan gol dalam empat perlawanan terakhir, sesuatu yang bagus untuk dilakukan.

“Keyakinan saya tinggi, tapi ia ada kena mengena dengan pengurusan dan rakan sepasukan saya.

“Saya fikir keyakinan setiap pemain adalah tinggi ketika ini, kerana setiap orang bertindak dengan cemerlang.

“Ia sama dengan saya, saya berasa lebih bagus berban�ding apa yang saya lakukan pada awal musim dan saya kembali seronok bermain bola sepak.”

Sekalipun prolifik dalam bola sepak Belanda, Kuyt diberi peranan di bahagian sayap kanan oleh Benitez kerana etika kerjanya yang menakjubkan dan tidak banyak peluang beraksi sebagai penyerang tengah.

Perpindahan Fernando Torres pada Januari dan kecederaan pemain baru, Andy Carroll memberikannya lebih banyak peluang di depan dan dia mula membuka mata banyak pihak ketika gandingannya dengan seorang lagi pemain baru Liverpool, Luis Suarez dilihat semakin berbisa.

Suarez memenangi penalti babak kedua yang disempurnakan oleh Kuyt dan pemain Belanda itu membalas budi rakannya menerusi hantaran kepada pemain antarabangsa Uruguay itu untuk menja�ringkan gol ketiga menentang Magpies dan meraih kemenangan yang melonjakkan Liverpool ke tangga kelima.

“Adalah hebat untuk memilikinya di sini. Luis bertindak bagus setakat ini dan saya amat gembira bermain di sampingnya,” kata Kuyt.

“Memang hebat mempunyai pemain sepertinya dalam pasukan. Dia sering bergerak, sering cuba untuk mencipta sesuatu dan ketika dia melorongkan bola kepada anda, dia sudah bergerak kembali untuk menerima�nya.

“Ia membuatkannya lebih mudah bagi anda.

“Setiap orang boleh melihat kami berdepan masalah pada awal musim tapi kemudian semuanya berubah dan setiap orang boleh melihat apabila anda menambah dua pemain berkualiti ke dalam pasukan, maka semuanya boleh ber�ubah.”

Petikan Akhbar Mingguan Metro: Meireles dikagumi

Meireles dikagumi

PENGURUS Liverpool, Kenny Dalglish menegaskan persembahan mengagumkan pemain tengah Raul Meireles sejak akhir-akhir ini adalah kerana pemain itu sendiri yang berjaya menyesuaikan diri dengan bola sepak Inggeris.
Bos Reds itu berkata beliau bukannya ‘pakar taktikal’ dan empat gol pemain Portugal itu dalam lima perlawanan terakhirnya adalah hasil kerja keras pemain berusia 27 tahun itu.

Meireles tidak menemui sasaran dalam 21 perlawanan pertamanya selepas menyertai Liverpool dari FC Porto pada musim panas lalu dengan bayaran perpindahan �11.5 juta (RM56 juta) tetapi kini tiba-tiba dia sudah mula menggegar di depan pintu gol lawan.

Dia ditugaskan dengan peranan di bahagian tengah, sering kali bersama kapten, Steven Gerrard dan kadang-kadang secara bersendirian, dan kini dia dianggap pemain paling menyerlah dalam tempoh sebulan ini.

“Raul memang memiliki keupayaan seperti yang dipamerkannya baru-baru ini,” kata Dalglish.

“Mungkin dia berjaya menyesuaikan diri dan lebih selesa dan yakin kerana dia bermain dengan baik tapi tidak ada sebarang perubahan drastik (secara taktikal) buat mana-mana pemain sebenarnya.

“Memang menakjubkan melihat Raul bertindak cemerlang. Dia adalah seorang pemain bola sepak yang berbakat besar, dia sentiasa memiliki apa yang kita saksikan sekarang dan dia menjaringkan gol.” Meireles tidak diragui mendapat faedah kerana diberikan peranan yang biasa buatnya, selepas bermain di posisi sayap kanan ketika era Roy Hodgson sebelum ini.

Apabila Dalglish mengambil alih awal bulan lalu, ramai yang mempersoalkan sama ada beliau yang tidak menguruskan pasukan lebih sedekad mampu menangani tuntutan bola sepak moden.


Pengurus berbangsa Scotland berusia 59 tahun itu sering menegaskan bola sepak tidak banyak berubah dan kejayaan terbaru mereka adalah hasil usahanya mengembalikan semula falsafah ‘pass-and-move’ yang diamalkan ketika zamannya sebagai pemain di kelab itu dan sebagai pengurus lebih 20 tahun lalu.

Bagaimanapun, selepas membawa masuk jurulatih Steve Clarke, pembantu Jose Mourinho di Chelsea, Dalglish membuktikan beliau juga mampu untuk membuat keputusan taktikal penting.

Dalam dua perlawanan terakhir mereka menentang Stoke City dan Chelsea, beliau menurunkan tiga pertahanan tengah dalam formasi 3-4-2-1 dan 3-5-1-1. - Agensi

Petikan Akhbar Kosmo 02/05/2011: Liverpool baiki kedudukan

Liverpool baiki kedudukan

LIVERPOOL - Liverpool berjaya membaiki kedudukan dalam saingan Liga Perdana England selepas membelasah Newcastle United 3-0 di Anfield malam tadi.

Maxi Rodriguez meletakkan pasukan tuan rumah di depan seawal minit ke-10 sebelum jaringan penalti Dirk Kuyt pada minit ke-59 dan ledakan Luis Suarez minit ke-65 memastikan tiga mata milik Liverpool.

Meskipun berkongsi 55 mata dengan Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool berjaya memintas kedudukan Spurs di tangga kelima berdasarkan kelebihan jaringan gol.

Biarpun Tottenham masih kurang satu perlawanan berbanding Liverpool, peluang pasukan itu untuk menduduki kelompok empat teratas, sekali gus mara ke saingan Liga Juara-Juara musim depan semakin tergugat setelah tewas 1-2 kepada Chelsea awal pagi semalam.

Pada aksi di Anfield malam tadi, Maxi membuka tirai jaringan Liverpool selepas menyempurnakan hantaran John Flanagan untuk menewaskan penjaga gol Newcastle, Tim Krul.

Kuyt kemudian menjaringkan gol kelapan pada aksi liga musim ini menerusi sepakan penalti setelah Suarez dijatuhkan pemain pertahanan Newcastle, Mike Williamson.

Suarez melengkapkan kemenangan bergaya Liverpool dengan menjaringkan gol ketiga yang juga merupakan jaringan liga ketiganya musim ini sejak menyertai Liverpool pada Januari lalu.

Rekod 18 kali Liverpool sebagai juara Liga Perdana England mungkin bakal dipecah Manchester United musim ini telah menjaringkan 14 gol pada tiga aksi terakhir di laman sendiri.

My KOSMO!: Sengsara Liverpool bermula

 

PENYERANG Liverpool, Joe Cole tidak dapat menahan kesedihan selepas pasukannya tewas 0-2 kepada Everton dalam saingan Liga Perdana England semalam.

---

LONDON — Zaman sengsara Liverpool bermula dan pasukan itu dilihat berpotensi untuk turun ke liga divisyen satu musim depan. Hajat kelab itu untuk memulakan era baru dalam Liga Perdana England terus terencat.

Semalam, skuad kendalian Roy Hodgson itu mengalami kekalahan 0-2 kepada Everton dalam pertemuan dua kelab jiran setempat Merseyside tersebut.

Dua gol daripada Tim Cahill dan Mikel Arteta menjamin tiga mata penuh buat Everton yang berjaya melonjak ke tangga ke-11, manakala Liverpool jatuh ke tangga kedua tercorot liga.

Dengan pemilik baru kelab itu dari Amerika Syarikat, John W. Henry hadir untuk menonton perlawanan di Goodison Park itu, Liverpool tetap gagal menghadiahkan kejayaan yang amat dinanti-nantikan peminat mereka selepas isu pengambilalihan kelab tersebut sudah diselesaikan.

Kekalahan semalam juga menyaksikan skuad kendalian Roy Hodgson itu hanya mengutip enam mata daripada lapan perlawanan musim ini.

Ia memberi gambaran mengenai tugas sukar yang menanti pemiliknya, Henry dan Kumpulan New England Sports Ventures (NESV) untuk membina semula reputasi The Reds selaku pasukan elit yang kini semakin tenggelam. Apa yang pasti, kekalahan demi kekalahan yang dialami skuad dari Anfield itu boleh dikatakan sebagai landasan untuk mereka turun ke liga bawahan. - Agensi

Komen aku: Secara peribadi, kemerosotan berpunca daripada pengaruh kuat Benitez. Kalau sebelum ini, Benitez menafikan untuk tinggalkan Anfield, tetapi akhirnya beliau meninggalkannya. Selain itu, ia juga berpunca daripada Owner (Hikcs and Gillert) Liverpool yang seolah-olah mahu menghancurkan kelab gergasi itu.

Dan salah satu lagi sebab, cara formasi Roy Hodgson juga menjadi salah satu punca utama kenapa prestasi Liverpool hambar. Dalam salah satu interview, Daniel Agger ada menyatakan mereka tidak selesa bermain dengan cara “short passed” kerana mereka lebih selesa dengan “long passed” yang mereka telah praktikan sebelum ini. Roy sepatutnya tidak perlu mengubah cara permainan yang sedia ada, tetapi memperkemaskan barisan pertahanan yang sanggat longgar.

Yang pasti, menjelang Januari, aku pasti ramai player Liverpool akan pergi meninggalkan kelab gergasi itu. Selain dari Glen Johnson yang telah menyatakan hasratnya untuk meninggalkan kelab itu. Beberapa tonggak utama yang telahpun meninggalkan Liverpool seperti Mascherano.

Usah pertikaikan keagungan Reds (Kosmo)

---

ENGLAND - Andai ada yang menganggap kemenangan besar Liverpool ke atas Manchester United di Old Trafford minggu lalu sebagai nasib, ia adalah tanggapan yang silap.

Ia bukan nasib, sebaliknya ia dicapai berdasarkan prestasi cemerlang dan memang layak kelab dari Anfield itu membelasah musuh tradisi mereka dengan jaringan yang besar.

Begitu juga dengan kemenangan 4-0 ke atas Real Madrid dalam saingan Liga Juara-Juara, dan ia dicapai ekoran prestasi mereka yang sedang berada di puncak.

Jika ada di antara peminat bola sepak tempatan mahukan bukti kehebatan Liverpool, The Reds sudah menjelaskannya di gelanggang perlawanan.

Satu demi satu lawan dibelasah dan terbaru ialah Aston Villa.

Semalam, Liverpool terus tampil bergaya apabila memusnahkan Villa 5-0.

Kemenangan itu terus mengukuhkan kedudukan mereka dalam liga dan kini hanya dipisahkan dengan perbezaan satu mata daripada pendahulu, United yang sudah mengumpul 65 mata.

Begitupun, United masih ada kelebihan satu perlawanan berbanding Liverpool.

Apa yang dibuktikan Liverpool memang sungguh menakjubkan kerana telah menghasilkan 13 gol dalam tiga perlawanan.

Pada separuh masa pertama sahaja, skuad bimbingan Rafael Benitez itu sudah selesa mendahului 3-0.

Jaringan tersebut memang tidak diduga kerana perlawanan baru berlangsung separuh jalan.

Namun, apa yang dibuktikan oleh The Reds itu membuktikan banyak kebenaran daripada kenyataan Benitez bahawa mereka sudah bersedia memusnahkan sesiapa sahaja selepas ini.

Pada aksi semalam, Liverpool hanya mengambil masa lapan minit untuk mendahului Villa.

Jaringan pembukaan itu hadir menerusi rembatan Dirk Kuyt dari dalam kotak penalti hasil sepakan percuma daripada Steven Gerrard.

Selepas itu mereka terus garang seperti Harimau yang sedang lapar membaham mangsa.

KUYT (kanan) bersaing dengan penyerang Villa, John Carew (tengah) pada aksi Liga Perdana England di Anfield semalam.

---

Larian Gerrard di kawasan tengah sudah cukup untuk mengkucar-kacirkan benteng lawan.

Hasilnya, mereka mudah mencari ruang untuk menambah jaringan.

Ketika perlawanan berusia 33 minit, Liverpool sudah memperoleh gol kedua menerusi percubaan Alberto Reira dan enam minit selepas itu, Gerrad pula mencatat nama sebagai penjaring untuk gol ketiga pasukannya hasil daripada sepakan penalti.

Pengadil menghadiahkan sepakan tersebut selepas pertahanan Villa menjatuhkan Reira dalam kotak penalti dan Gerrard yang mengambil tugas tersebut mudah menyempurnakannya.

Dalam keadaan tertekan, Villa turut mendapat beberapa peluang untuk mengurangkan jurang gol.

Peluang terbaik mereka hadir pada minit ke-31 menerusi percubaan Luke Young, tetapi rembatannya diselamatkan oleh penjaga gol tuan rumah, Pepe Reina.

Pada separuh masa kedua, rentak Liverpool semakin garang.

Serangan bertali arus dan pertahanan lawan terus dipaksa bekerja keras.

Selepas empat minit babak kedua bermula, The Reds sudah mendahului 4-0 menerusi sepakan percuma daripada Gerrard di luar kotak penalti.

Kegarangan mereka tidak terhenti setakat itu, sebaliknya terus melancarkan gerak berbahaya.

Sebaik perlawanan memasuki minit ke-65, Liverpool sekali lagi dihadiahkan sepakan penalti dan seperti diduga, Gerrard mudah menyempurnakannya untuk membolehkan mereka mendahului 5-0.

Ia juga merupakan jaringan hatrik daripada Gerrard pada perlawanan tersebut.

Untuk menambahkan lagi malam derita Villa itu, penjaga gol Villa, Brad Friedel pula dilayangkan kad merah oleh pengadil selepas mengasari Fernando Torres.

Menyedari kedudukan yang sudah begitu selesa itu, Benitez melakukan beberapa pertukaran untuk memberi ruang kepada pemain mudanya.

Namun, Liverpool tetap sukar untuk dijinakkan. - Agensi

Liverpool 'vs' MU

LONDON: Rafael Benitez mengejutkan para penyokong England dengan membuat pengakuan bahawa Steven Gerrard akan turun menentang Manchester United Sabtu ini.

Pengurus Liverpool itu menimbulkan keadaan kurang senang dengan memutuskan kaptennya itu perlu menjalani pembedahan kecil di pangkal paha sebelum perlawanan kelayakan Piala Dunia menentang Andorra dan Croatia.

Beliau mendakwa pembedahan itu penting dan juga akan menyebabkan Gerrard terlepas beraksi menentang lawan utamanya - United.

Dengan pengakuan Gerrard mungkin diturunkan dalam perlawanan di Anfield nanti, Benitez menimbulkan kemelut antara kelab dengan negara.

Musim lalu, Chelsea mencetuskan ketegangan serupa apabila Ashley Cole dan John Terry terlepas beraksi dalam kelayakan Euro 2008 menentang Croatia kerana cedera tetapi beraksi tiga hari kemudian menentang Derby County.

Benitez berkata: 'Gerrard telah menunjukkan kemajuan dengan beransur sembuh. Kuncinya ialah kecergasan pemain tersebut - keadaan akan begitu memberangsangkan jika beliau yakin dapat bermain.'

Penjaring handalan, Fernando Torres, juga mungkin bermain selepas mengalami kejang otot 10 hari lalu.

Pengurus pasukan itu menambah: 'Lebihlah baik mengelakkan daripada menyatakan bahawa Gerrard dan Fernando Torres akan diturunkan. Ia sukar dikatakan.'

Sementara itu, Torres nenetapkan sasaran untuk menjaringkan lebih daripada 33 gol yang dijaringkan musim lalu.

Penyerang Sepanyol itu menikmati kemunculan sulung di Anfield dengan bergaya selapas pemindahan £21.5 juta daripada Atletico Madrid.

Tetapi Torres tidak mahu berhenti di situ selepas melahirkan azam untuk mengatasi bilangan tersebut.

Rakan sepasukannya, Alvaro Arbeloa, berkata: 'Nando (Fernando) adalah seorang yang gila.

'Beliau begitu yakin boleh menjaringkan lebih banyak gol berbanding dengan musim pertamanya bersama kami.

'Sekiranya ada orang yang mahu melakukannya, ia adalah Fernando. Beliau mahu membaikinya setiap masa dan cara terbaik bagi beliau melakukannya ialah dengan menjaringkan lebih daripada 33 gol.

'Ia kelihatan matlamat yang mustahil tetapi beliau begitu yakin dapat menciptanya.

'Beliau berjaya dapat mengatasi bilangan musim lalu. Saya menyatakan kepadanya bahawa beliau gila kerana bilangan tersebut terlalu banyak dan pasukan lain akan lebih sedia menanganinya musim ini.

'Mereka akan mengekang ketajamannya bagi mengelak berulangnya keadaan musim lalu.

'Tetapi bukan mudah membendungnya dan saya tidak pasti pasukan lain dapat melakukannya tetapi saya berharap tidak.' - The Sun

Benitez timbulkan kemelut antara kelab dan negara

ref : KLPos

Welcome! Selamat Datang!

Assalamualaikum, salam sejahtera.

First word, welcoming viewers, readers from all around the world who love Liverpool FC.

1. Why Liverpool? i'm growth when the Liverpool is on top. Started knowing Ian Rush, Kenny Daglish, Bruce Gobelar.
2. Why Liverpool? Very low profile team.
   
3. Why Liverpool? Don't know. But I Love Liverpool. Even tough when the team down or when on top. They still maintain with the reputation.

So, Liverpool fan. Enjoy the games. EPL just begun. Wins over Sunderland. And thanks to Torres. Great game, man.