RE: Anfield Forever - the Scouse corner
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RE: Anfield Forever - the Scouse corner - 1/19/2007 8:04:55 AM
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azinorum
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CROUCH: WE'VE GIVEN THE BOSS A PROBLEM
Paul Eaton 19 January 2007
Peter Crouch believes Liverpool's strikers have given manager Rafael Benitez a selection headache ahead of this weekend's clash with Chelsea.
The manager caused a surprise last weekend by naming Crouch, Dirk Kuyt and Craig Bellamy in his starting line-up for the first time, and the decision reaped rewards with Crouch on target twice after Bellamy had opened the scoring.
With Kuyt having eight goals to his name and Fowler having netted on his last appearance against ****nal, Crouch reckons the boss faces a selection dilemma ahead of tomorrow's lunchtime kick-off.
“The system worked well last week and it’s certainly something the manager can think about now,” said Crouch. “As long as it works, and I get a couple and Bellers gets one, then we will hopefully carry it on.
“Myself, Bellers, Dirk Kuyt and Robbie – I think we’ll all get our fair share. With Stevie chipping we’ve got goals all over the pitch.
“So I don’t know what the best formation is, but the three forwards worked well at Watford and it gives us all a chance to play.”
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RE: Anfield Forever - the Scouse corner - 1/19/2007 8:06:09 AM
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azinorum
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TON UP RAFA HAS SHANKS IN SIGHT
Mark Platt 19 January 2007
As Rafael Benitez prepares for his 100th league match in charge of the Reds he can justifiably look back with pride on a record that is superior to almost all of his recent predecessors in the Anfield hot-seat.
With 55 wins already under his belt, Benitez boasts a better record than that achieved by Bob Paisley (54), Gerard Houllier (49), Roy Evans (48) and Graeme Souness (40) over the same period, while victory over the Champions at Anfield tomorrow will see the Spaniard equal the tally of legendary Scot Bill Shankly (56).
By contrast ****ne Wenger won 54 at ****nal and Alex Ferguson 45 at Manchester United.
Benitez says: "I'd prefer to do well over the next 100 game rather than look back, but it's clear when you look at our record and compare, it's not bad.
"When I think about the 100 games we've played, I think to myself it’s a pity because it could be even better.
"An important feature is that as well as playing these league games, we’ve also played 59 more cup matches. That's 20 more than any other Liverpool manager played during the same period.
"I feel this reflects how well we've done, because of course we've won the Champions League, FA Cup, Charity Shield and Super Cup during this time.
"It's also important to recognise when we joined Liverpool we were beginning a new project and had to make a lot of changes to the team.
"It's clear we've made a lot of progress in three years, and now what’s even more important is to continue this and do the right things.
"The new people joining the club and Rick Parry know this and share the same ideas about continuing to move in the right direction. Maybe the important thing about these particular statistics is it shows what we were saying last week about how if you look at the bigger picture, we have done well."
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RE: Anfield Forever - the Scouse corner - 1/19/2007 2:24:07 PM
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azinorum
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Liverpool v Chelsea: The facts
They've played 64 times at Anfield - and the Londoners have won just eight times! • Well, its time to do the talking on the pitch. After another eventful off-the-field week at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea visit Anfield without the still injured John Terry and without a transfer-market replacement. Liverpool host the champions with the added task of proving Steven Gerrard right. The Anfield captain has answered criticisms this week by denying claims from the media that "Liverpool's season is a write-off".
• Liverpool's home record in the League is awesome: nine wins, two draws, no defeats, goal average 23 for, three against! They are unbeaten at home for 27 matches. The last time the Reds lost a Premiership match at Anfield was almost 15 months ago, on October 2, 2005, when they were beaten 4-1 . . . by Chelsea.
• Liverpool's great League home record is probably not such a big comfort to them after they lost two cup games at Anfield in quick succession to ****nal – 3-1 in the FA Cup and 6-3 in the League Cup.
• Chelsea are Rafa Benitez's bogey team: The Liverpool manager has lost all five Premiership encounters with the Blues, including the one in London in September this season (1-0, Drogba). On top of that, Chelsea beat Liverpool 3-2 after extra time to claim the 2005 League Cup.
• Benitez can nevertheless boast three victories over Mourinho – the most famous one in the 2005 Champions League semi-final second leg (1-0, which sent Liverpool to the final). Last season, Liverpool knocked Chelsea out of the FA Cup in the semi-final (2-1), and last August they beat the champions 2-1 in the Community Shield at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.
• The last time Liverpool beat Chelsea in the Premier League was on January 7, 2004, when they triumphed 1-0 at Stamford Bridge. The last home victory came on October 6, 2002 - a 1-0 success with Michael Owen scoring in injury time.
• This will be the 64th league meeting between these teams at Anfield. Liverpool have won 42 to Chelsea's eight, with 13 matches ending in a draw.
• For both managers – Benitez and Mourinho – this will be their 100th Premiership match in charge.
• Liverpool have not conceded a home goal since October 28 (3-1 against Aston Villa) – a total of 574 minutes, or almost 10 hours.
• Chelsea are unbeaten in 14 matches in all competitions, since losing 1-0 to Werder Bremen in the Champions League in November.
• Chelsea's last Premiership defeat was 12 matches ago – 2-1 at Tottenham on November 5.
• Chelsea have failed to score in only one of 23 Premiership matches this season – a goalless draw at Villa park.
• Liverpool's Jamie Carragher will be making his 450th appearance for the Reds if selected, while Chelsea's Frank Lampard is in line to make his 500th club career appearance.
BLAST FROM THE (NEAR) PAST
Liverpool 1 Chelsea 4 (Premier League, October 2, 2005)
Equality at Anfield lasted no more than 42 minutes. Frank Lampard gave the visitors the lead from the penalty spot after 27 minutes, but Liverpool replied nine minutes later through captain Steven Gerrard.
Two minutes before half-time the champions restored their lead through Damien Duff, and the second-half turned into a walk in the park. Joe Cole made it 3-1 after 63 minutes, and Cameroon defender Geremi scored the fourth in the 82nd. The result sent Liverpool digging into the history books to discover it had been 37 years since they last conceded four league goals at home.
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RE: Anfield Forever - the Scouse corner - 1/19/2007 2:27:03 PM
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azinorum
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Liverpool Chasing Second Spot - Benitez
20/01/2007 - Jeremy Butler
Manager Rafael Benitez said Liverpool would aim for second spot in the Premier League if they overcame Chelsea on Saturday.
Finishing as runners-up would guarantee a place in the Champions League group stages and save Liverpool going through the qualifying rounds.
"If we can beat Chelsea we will have another target to aim for," Benitez told a news conference on Friday. "Before, we were talking about finishing in the top four and seeing what might happen.
"But it is a long season and if we beat them we will be a lot closer to Chelsea. If we can beat them, second position is possible."
A victory at Anfield would push Liverpool within five points of second-placed Chelsea, who are six adrift of leaders Manchester United.
Benitez said a win over the champions would also help Liverpool put the agony of two cup defeats by ****nal behind them.
"We have had two defeats against ****nal at Anfield and we want to show some character and prove that as players and a manager we are better than that," he said.
"If we can beat Chelsea we will show we are a good team."
Benitez said he was hopeful of signing Lucas Neill from Blackburn Rovers despite media reports suggesting the defender would prefer a move to West Ham United.
"We are still waiting to see what happens. If he decides to go to West Ham then we will have to think about other possibilities," said the Spaniard.
Benitez also said Stephen Warnock was set to leave the club. Blackburn are one of several clubs linked with the defender.
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RE: Anfield Forever - the Scouse corner - 1/19/2007 2:29:09 PM
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azinorum
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Drogba Loves Liverpool
Didier Drogba loves Liverpool Football Club. Or at least he loves playing against them.
The Chelsea striker has proven to be a thorn in the side of the Reds in previous encounters and Drogba admits that he relishes playing against them.
'I am quite lucky because even if I don't score against Liverpool, I always have a good day. I score or my team wins or draws", claimed Drogba - although Reds fans will be quick to point to the Champions' league semi-final win over Chelsea as a major flaw in that claim.
Drogba's success against Liverpool dates back to before he joined Chelsea when he scored against the Reds for Marseille in a two-leg victory in the UEFA cup against Gerard Houllier's side.
Drogba played a huge part in Liverpool's worst home defeat in the league since 1969 when Chelsea won 4-1 and Drogba completely outplayed a flu-ridden Sami Hyypia.
"That [the 4-1 win] was one of my best games last year."
'I was very happy because of the work I did. The way we had played in the Champions League four days before, we didn't expect to win so well but we were really able to show what we can do".
Liverpool's record against Chelsea in cup competitions is admirable but has been appalling in the league since both Jose Mourinho and Rafa Benitiez took their respective positions. Saturday's game will be Benitez' 100th league game in charge of the Reds and one he will be looking to begin a reverse of his league record against the Blues.
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RE: Anfield Forever - the Scouse corner - 1/20/2007 3:47:19 AM
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azinorum
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Liverpool v Chelsea
Anfield
Saturday, 20 January
Kick-off: 1245 GMT
Coverage on the BBC Sport website, BBC Radio Five Live & highlights on MOTD
Liverpool are set for changes in attack and defence, where they used three centre-backs last time out at Watford.
Now boss Rafa Benitez must perm two from Jamie Carragher, Sami Hyypia and Daniel Agger, while in midfield Mark Gonzalez is back from a shin problem.
Mikel Jon Obi will start for Chelsea in place of the suspended Claude Makelele with Michael Essien still in defence and Wayne Bridge has a knee injury.
Keeper Petr Cech could make his first appearance since fracturing his skull.
Liverpool (from): Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Agger, Hyypia, Riise, Aurelio, Pennant, Gonzalez, Gerrard, Alonso, Bellamy, Crouch, Fowler, Kuyt, Dudek, Paletta, Zenden, Guthrie.
Chelsea (from): Hilario, Cech, Cudicini, Hedman, Geremi, Ferreira, Carvalho, Essien, Bridge, A Cole, Lampard, Ballack, Robben, Drogba, Shevchenko, Mikel, Diarra, Kalou, Wright-Phillips.
BIG-MATCH FACTS
LIVERPOOL against Chelsea is the heavyweight Saturday lunchtime kick-off, giving the Reds the chance to consolidate their third placing in the table, and the Blues the opportunity to close the gap on leaders Manchester United to three points, as the table toppers don't play at ****nal until Sunday. Chelsea are the bogey club for manager Rafael Benitez as far as the Premiership is concerned. He has lost all five previous meetings - the only English club to have a 100% League record against him.
The Merseysiders are one of three clubs still with an unbeaten home Premiership record. Chelsea and ****nal are the others, but only Manchester United have more home points than Liverpool.
Away from the Premier League, Liverpool have won three and drawn three of the last six Champions League, FA Cup and Community Shield games against Chelsea. They've not beaten the Blues in the top flight since a 0-1 triumph at the Bridge on 7 January 2004. Their last home maximum was 1-0 on 6 October 2002, when Michael Owen scored a 90th minute winner.
CHELSEA and Liverpool are both playing their 100th Premiership matches under their respective managers. Jose Mourinho holds that 100% record in League contests with Liverpool, and has won 73, drawn 18 and lost eight of his 99 top flight games in the Stamford Bridge hot seat. Benitez' record as Anfield boss is less impressive - won 55, drawn 18 and lost 26.
These clubs have kept 25 clean sheets between them in this Premiership season (13 for Liverpool, 12 for Chelsea - no clubs have more shut-outs). Only Manchester United have gained more points away from home than Chelsea in the highest League.
The Blues have won the last five Premiership matches against Liverpool, and are therefore bidding for a third successive 'double' over them. A wonder-goal from Didier Drogba earned Chelsea all three points in the reverse fixture in September, despite the second-half dismissal of Michael Ballack.
REFEREE
Rob Styles (Waterlooville, Hampshire)
SEQUENCES/RECENT FORM
LIVERPOOL: 3rd 43 points
Highest achievable after Saturday's matches: 3rd
Lowest could realistically fall: 4th
1. Out of both domestic cups, but won eight of the last 10 Premiership matches, including the last three, and lost just one of 11.
2. Won all 12 League matches in which they've opened the scoring.
3. Have 14 fewer points and have scored 17 fewer goals than Manchester United, but conceded just 16 - the same as the leaders. Both clubs have therefore leaked one goal every 129 minutes (two hours nine minutes) of Premiership football played on average.
4. Top of the Premiership's "Last Six Current Form" table with 15 points out of the 18. ****nal, Manchester United and Bolton have 13 each.
5. Aiming to stretch their unbeaten home League run to 28 games, and home winning top tier sequence to four.
6. Won the last three home League games with an aggregate of 9-0, and not conceded a League goal at Anfield in six games, or 574 minutes (nine hours 34 minutes) since Gabriel Agbonlahor's goal for Aston Villa in the Reds' 3-1 win on 28 October.
6. Kept the most clean sheets on home soil in the top table (eight), and conceded the fewest goals in front of the home supporters (just three).
7. Go to West Ham next, before the Merseyside derby home to Everton. The Champions League trip to Barcelona is preceded by a visit to Newcastle.
CHELSEA: 2nd 51 points
Highest achievable after Saturday's matches: 2nd
Lowest could fall: 2nd
1. Undefeated in 14 in all competitions. Won eight and drawn six, since losing 0-1 away to Werder Bremen in the Champions League on 22 November. It's their only defeat in 18.
2. On the longest current unbeaten run in the Premiership of 12 matches. Won seven and drawn five since losing 2-1, away to Tottenham on 5 November.
3. Opened the scoring in an unparalleled 18 Premiership games this term.
4. Failed to score in only one League game (0-0, away to Aston Villa on 2 January).
5. Allowed the opposition to score first on the fewest occasions in the highest League (four).
6. Lost only two Premiership games - equal with leaders Manchester United.
7. Dropped 18 points out of 69 - the Red Devils have dropped only 12.
8. Unbeaten in five League games on the road, lost one of the last 10 and only two all season - against Middlesbrough (2-1 on 23 August), and Tottenham (2-1 on 5 November).
9. Resume the battle with Wycombe in the Carling Cup semi-final after this - they stand at 1-1 ahead of the Stamford Bridge leg. Then it's home to Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup, and Blackburn in the Premiership. A visit to Charlton and home fixture with Middlesbrough precede the Champions League match, away to Porto.
KEY PLAYER NOTES/POTENTIAL MILESTONES
LIVERPOOL
Peter CROUCH is Liverpool's top scorer with 10 goals.
Dirk KUYT is the club's leading marksman in the Premiership with seven.
Jose Manuel REINA is the only remaining player to have been on the field for every minute of the Reds' Premiership matches this season.
REINA and Steven GERRARD are the only players to have figured in at least a part of each of Liverpool's Premiership games this season.
If he participates Boudewijn ZENDEN will be facing a former club. The Holland international made 59 appearances and scored four goals for Chelsea between August 2001 and July 2004. Of those, all four goals and 43 appearances were in the Premiership.
If he plays, Jamie CARRAGHER will be making his 450th appearance for Liverpool.
If selected in the 11, CARRAGHER will be making his 300th Premiership start for the Reds.
CHELSEA
Didier DROGBA is the highest scoring Premiership player this season with 21 goals, 14 of which are League goals putting him one clear of Manchester United's Cristiano RONALDO at the top of the table for the Barclays Golden Boot award.
Only Michael ESSIEN has figured in every minute of every one of Chelsea's Premiership matches this season.
If he plays, Frank LAMPARD will be making his 500th club career appearance (West Ham, Swansea, Chelsea).
Suspended: Claude MAKELELE
LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME
Liverpool 1-4 Chelsea
2 October 2005 - Ref: Graham Poll
Liverpool scorer: Gerrard 36
Chelsea scorers: Lampard 27 pen, Duff 43, Cole 63, Geremi 82
THIS SEASON'S REVERSE FIXTURE
Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool
17 September 2006 - Ref: Mike Riley
Chelsea scorer: Drogba 42
Sent Off: Ballack (Chelsea) 51
HEAD TO HEAD TOTALS
Home and away
League: Liverpool 57 wins, Chelsea 44, Draws 26
Prem: Liverpool 10 wins, Chelsea 14, Draws 5
at Liverpool only
League: Liverpool 42 wins, Chelsea 8, Draws 13
Prem: Liverpool 9 wins, Chelsea 3, Draws 2
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RE: Anfield Forever - the Scouse corner - 1/20/2007 4:32:51 AM
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azinorum
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This is Liverpool's last chance to move up, admits Benítez
Dominic Fifield
Saturday January 20, 2007
The Guardian
Rafael Benítez and Jose Mourinho bring up their century of Premiership games this afternoon with the Liverpool manager, yet to claim even a point against the Portuguese, insistent that his side boast the self-belief to prevail at Anfield and move within five points of second place.
The Spaniard would move level with Bill Shankly if he records his 56th victory in his first 100 league games, a success rate bettered only by Kenny Dalglish with 61, yet, not for the first time, he must emerge from Mourinho's considerable shadow to do so. The Chelsea manager has gleaned an astonishing 73 wins in his 99 Premiership matches since assuming the reins in 2004, five of which have come in the quintet of league fixtures between these sides. Benítez is painfully aware that Liverpool must improve upon that dismal record if their season is to revive.
He dismissed the suggestion that the Merseysiders may suffer psychologically against these opponents. "We believe we can beat Chelsea," said Benítez, who has masterminded critical victories over the Londoners in the Champions League and FA Cup. "Each game between us is really close. We have beaten them in cup competitions and we know we can do the same in the Premiership. The difference is in the small details. If we score first it will be a big difference - it wouldn't mean we'd definitely win, but it would allow us to control the situation.
"We've analysed their strengths and weaknesses this week, and the plan is simple. The players have enough confidence to win this game, and the players think they can beat Chelsea. And we know we need to improve against the top sides. For us, home advantage will be important in this game. We are eight points behind them, and that will be down to five if we win. In a long competition like the Premier League, that would always give you a chance. If we want to challenge them for second place, we need to win this game."
Liverpool's record against Chelsea, Manchester United and ****nal remains a source of frustration for Benítez, his side having gleaned only seven points from 15 fixtures against the perceived contenders since he arrived at Anfield. Indeed, Mourinho was the last manager to lead an away side to a Premiership victory at Anfield, winning 4-1 in October 2005. Yet the discontent which has been welling at Stamford Bridge in recent weeks would suggest this to be the best opportunity yet for Liverpool to prove their pedigree, with their Spanish manager perhaps empathising more than most with the apparent rift currently between Mourinho and his board.
Benítez's relationship with the hierarchy at his previous club, Valencia, broke down spectacularly despite the manager having eked a first Liga title for the club in 31 years and followed that up with the Uefa Cup and a second league championship. There were disagreements over player purchases with the sporting director at the Mestalla, Jesús García Pitarch, and an inability to prise significant funds from the chief executive, Manuel Llorente. Indeed, the Valencia board's desire for Benítez to pick Pablo Aimar is echoed in the controversy around Andriy Shevchenko at Chelsea this season.
Given the ructions of recent weeks, the absence of Roman Abramovich at Anfield today could be telling. "I don't know exactly what is happening on the inside there," added Benítez, whose relationship with Mourinho has been fractious.
"My idea is not to talk about things you don't know and, sometimes, not to talk about things you do. People say they may be without key players, but you never know when it is the right moment to play a team like them.
"There will be pressure on both sides. To win this game would be a huge boost for us for the rest of the season. A win here would give us more focus. This may be our last opportunity to reduce the big advantage they have over us. You must always go one step at a time, but this could be a much bigger step forward than usual."
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RE: Anfield Forever - the Scouse corner - 1/20/2007 12:00:45 PM
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azinorum
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Liverpool 2-0 Chelsea  
By Phil McNulty Liverpool dented Chelsea's Premiership title challenge in impressive style. Dirk Kuyt took advantage of Peter Crouch's touch to put the skids under injury-hit Chelsea after three minutes.
Jermaine Pennant's brilliant dipping volley effectively sealed the points for Liverpool after 17 minutes in boss Rafa Benitez's 100th league game.
Chelsea staged a minor recovery after the break, but Liverpool could have added a third as John Arne Riise struck the bar with a long-range drive.
The defeat leaves Chelsea six points behind Manchester United - who visit ****nal on Sunday - and puts Liverpool only five points behind Jose Mourinho's troubled champions.
Chelsea were able to recall keeper Petr Cech after three months out with a serious skull fracture, but suffered a blow after it was revealed defender Ricardo Carvalho was out after being taken ill overnight.
John Terry was still sidelined with a back inury, and with Claude Makelele suspended, Liverpool's furious opening salvo was predictable.
And it reaped a reward after only three minutes when the makeshift central defensive partnership of Paulo Ferreira and Michael Essien was ruthlessly exposed.
Jamie Carragher's long ball was touched on by Crouch, and Kuyt eased his way past Ferreira to side-foot a composed finish past Cech.
And the Czech keeper demonstrated his value to Chelsea three minutes later with a brilliant block from Riise.
But Chelsea, a shambles from the start, did not survive for long and Pennant doubled Liverpool's lead in spectacular fashion.
Pennant, who has struggled to make an impact since his summer move from Birmingham City, took aim as the ball sat up perfectly and sent a stunning dipping volley beyond the outstretched arm of Cech.
Chelsea's day got worse after 20 minutes, when Arjen Robben - who had twisted his ankle in an earlier challenge - limped off to be replaced by Shaun Wright-Phillips.
Liverpool were comfortably in command throughout the rest of the half, and despite faint signs of a Chelsea recovery in the early stages of the second period, it was Benitez's side who looked more likely to add to their lead.
Crouch headed tamely at Cech when he should have done better, and he was slow to react when a Riise thunderbolt rattled back off the bar on the hour.
Despite Chelsea's struggles, it still took Mourinho until 17 minutes from time to introduce £30m misfit Andriy Shevchenko at the expense of the anonymous Mikel Jon Obi.
It was too late to make an impact and Liverpool took the points their performance richly deserved.
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RE: Anfield Forever - the Scouse corner - 1/20/2007 12:10:08 PM
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azinorum
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Liverpool in dominant win
Written by Anthony Jones - Saturday, 20 January 2007
Liverpool aren't very good against the top three. That's been the general consensus - until now. Liverpool today not only delivered a result which should ensure they are taken seriously but also a performance of high quality. Forget the Cup games against ****nal, this was the real test of Liverpool's ambitions and they came through with flying colours.
Lets get the negatives out of the way early. This wasn't a full strength Chelsea side. Yet nobody cared that Liverpool were far from full strength in the Carling Cup game nor for that matter that Reina didn't feature in the FA Cup match as well. So what's good for the goose and all that, lets also remember that this was a Chelsea side that couldn't find a place in the starting lineup for a striker who cost more than Liverpool's forward options combined. Chelsea will moan about their lack of central defenders but surely given the money they've spent they could have afforded more than three centrebacks. So now we've got that nonsense out of the way.
Benitez isn't afraid to surprise with his team selections and whilst it was generally as expected there was the odd doubt raised. Peter Crouch was widely expected to be the player to drop out but it was Bellamy who found himself on the bench. On the left it was Riise ahead of Aurelio rather than the other way around. With Pennant also coming back into the side Liverpool were back into 4-4-2.
With the lack of Bellamy's pace it was vital that Liverpool pushed forward so that midfield runners could get forward in support. They did that spectacularly from the off. It shouldn't have been a surprise, Liverpool have attacked from the off in almost all their home games. As Liverpool strive to match Rafa's Valencia side the traits become more obvious. There was no room for passengers as Liverpool chased and harried every Chelsea player when they had the ball. This was high class pressing football as Liverpool hunted in packs with nobody symbolising the approach more so than Dirk Kuyt. Chelsea were being turned over regularly and with the ball Liverpool had real menace.
It was a dream start from Liverpool as Chelsea had no answer to the movement of Kuyt and the aerial ability of Crouch. That threat brought immediate rewards. Carragher lofted a ball towards Crouch. With Essien and Ferreira backing off the Liverpool striker got a slight flick on to take the ball into the path of Kuyt. Kuyt needed just two touches, one with his head to cut inside Essien, the next to calmly side foot the ball past the returning Peter Cech. It was a finish of the highest quality.
Anfield was rocking and Liverpool sensed blood. Chelsea have publicised their problems, looking for sympathy where there is none and Liverpool were looking to exploit it. Alonso and Gerrard had a stranglehold in midfield whilst Liverpool mixed up their football intelligently looking to use the height of Crouch but ensuring it wasn't the only route of attack - to have done so would have made it easy to defend. A brilliant ball from Alonso showed the variety in Liverpool's play as he picked out an intelligent run from Riise. The Norwegian brought the ball down on his chest but not as cleanly as he would have hoped for as the ball landed on his right side. His effort forced a good save from Cech but in truth he sholdn't have given the keeper a chance.
It didn't matter though as not long later Liverpool scored their second. A cross in from the left was headed clear by a Chelsea defender to the right corner of the box. Waiting was Liverpool's Jermaine Pennant who chested the ball down, waited for the ball to bounce and then unleashed a shot which left Cech with no chance. The ball flew over the keeper and in off the underside of the crossbar. Liverpool were rampant, Chelsea were in disarray. Robben limped off shortly after seemingly turning his ankle after landing akwardly. It wouldn't have made any difference either way as his replacement, Shawn Wright-Phillips was the only Chelsea player to offer any threat during the game.
As the half wore on Chelsea looked increasingly clueless in attack, continually looking for the long ball to Drogba with Agger and Carragher dealing with him wonderfully. On the odd instance where a centre back lost his man, Aurelio or Reina covered or most noticeably Steve Finnan who had an excellent game covering his centrebacks. The game did though threaten to turn when Xabi Alonso went down injured. The Spaniard was forced to go off for stitches in a facial wound after clashing accidently with Drogba's knee. It gave Chelsea a foothold in the game as they started to retain posession but continued to look short on ideas amidst the hardworking Liverpool defence. For ten minutes Liverpool played without Alonso and Chelsea failed to get a shot on target, Pepe Reina making sure by being quick off his line when Chelsea got in behind the back four.
To their credit, Chelsea pushed hard to make a difference in the second half. Liverpool were forced back more but continued to front up in every area and ensured Chelsea were given little room in which to play. Shawn Wright-Phillips started to enjoy the better of his personal battle with Fabio Aurelio on the left but Benitez closed that down by swapping his two left sided players. Despite that Chelsea's best chance came down that flank as Lampard, who rarely featured in the match and lost out in the battle of the England midfielders, found Wright-Phillips in space. The little winger did well to get onto the ball and pulled it back into the area. Jamie Carragher who was magnificent all afternoon managed to get in just ahead of Drogba to clear.
Liverpool were finding it harder to create chances with Crouch becoming increasingly isolated. The two halves showed the worth of the giant striker. Crouch plays well when supported in a team going forward but finds it harder when support runs are limited and teams can isolate him. Despite that Liverpool remained the more threatening. A good ball in from Aurelio into Kuyt allowed the Dutchman to pick his spot but his shot ended up in the arms of the well position Cech. Crouch himself brought the ball down well in the area and lashed a volley just over. Gerrard had a chance from distance but his left foot strike went wide.
Questions about Crouch's heading ability resurfaced when the ball was played in from the right but from close the penalty spot Crouch could only guide the ball into the arms of Cech. Crouch sometimes gets unfairly criticised for his heading, the chance was difficult due to the distance from goal and the lack of pace on the cross. He will still maybe feel as though he should have done better. He maybe would have done moments later had it not been for Michael Essien. John Arne Riise let fly with a shot thirty five yards from goal which left Cech, who looked sharp on his welcome return to first team football, stranded. The ball crashed off the crossbar and Crouch was set to head home. Essien though realising he had no chance of winning the ball instead took out the legs from under Crouch and somehow was allowed to get away with it. This started a period where every close decision went Chelsea's way. Chelsea were getting plenty of free kicks, some of them particularly soft. They nearly made one count, despite the linesman pointing for a corner, when Lampard rolled the ball into Drogba but the striker missed his kick. Another freekick, this time on the left was in shooting distance for the inform striker. The wind rolled the ball and Drogba signalled to the ref that he was moving it back, as Ballack looked for the refs decision, Drogba played the ball to the German. Clearly his effort was to trick the Liverpool defence but all he did was trick his own team mate. This summed up Chelsea's efforts.
Bellamy came on as a late sub for Crouch whilst Benitez also afforded Kuyt a standing ovation as Gonzalez came on in stoppage time. Bellamy's arrival ensured Chelsea could not press as much as they wanted as he scampered all over the park. Threatening down the right he started an attack that saw the ball move to Pennant. The winger saw Gerrard on the edge of the box but his pass was just behind the rampaging captain. Gerrard's reaction was incredible as he flicked the ball in behind the Chelsea defence to Kuyt who's volley was struck with tremendous pace but was just over the crossbar. Liverpool finished the game playing to "ole's" from the Anfield faithful who were in good voice all day. No more so in fact than when Shevchenko was introduced as the last act of desperation from Mourinho to a chorus of "We won it 5 times", a reminder of the great day in Istanbul.
The result continues Liverpools excellent current form as those in the club maintain a belief that Manchester United are catchable.
< Message edited by azinorum -- 1/20/2007 12:15:27 PM >
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RE: Anfield Forever - the Scouse corner - 1/20/2007 12:33:01 PM
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azinorum
Posts: 1823
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Joined: 8/25/2006
From: Baghdad Iraq
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GERRARD: WE STILL HAVE A LOT TO DO
Paul Eaton 20 January 2007
Steven Gerrard reflected on Liverpool's brilliant 2-0 victory over Chelsea and declared: "It's a massive result, but we still have a lot of work to do."
First half strikes from Dirk Kuyt and Jermaine Pennant at Anfield have now taken the Reds to within five points of the Champions.
Gerrard admits everyone at the club is delighted with the result, but he's warned against complacency now that the Reds are closing in on the top two.
He said: "Any result at home is a good one for us but against the Champions it's extra special.
"It's a massive result for us, but we're still third and we still have a lot of work to do.
"All we can do is look ahead to the next game and the next performance and make sure we do the same things again."
Asked whether Liverpool were now contenders for the Premiership crown, Gerrard replied: "I don't want to give any headlines for the papers in the morning. The gap is still massive but all we can do is concentrate on ourselves and hope for more slip ups ahead of us."
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RE: Anfield Forever - the Scouse corner - 1/20/2007 12:34:30 PM
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azinorum
Posts: 1823
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Joined: 8/25/2006
From: Baghdad Iraq
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RAFA: MY PLAYERS DESERVE GREAT CREDIT
Steve Hunter 20 January 2007
Rafael Benitez praised his players to the heights after their 2-0 victory over Chelsea and said the result was thoroughly deserved.
The Liverpool manager felt his team's great start to the game was a key factor and agreed that the Reds could easily have won by a greater margin than 2-0.
"The players deserve great credit for this victory and they and the crowd did a fantastic job and we deserved to win this game," enthused Benitez.
"We controlled the game and we played really well against a very good side. You know I don't like to talk about individuals because the team were fantastic but I thought Fabio Aurelio and Jermaine Pennant who scored his first goal did a fantastic job for us. We needed to control midfield because that is where they are very strong and Xabi Alonso and Steven Gerrard did that for us.
"We knew how important a game this was and we are now five points behind Chelsea and it's a long race and we have to keep going."
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RE: Anfield Forever - the Scouse corner - 1/20/2007 12:39:06 PM
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azinorum
Posts: 1823
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Joined: 8/25/2006
From: Baghdad Iraq
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Gerrard slams the legends
Steven Gerrard has hit back at the former Liverpool players working in the media.
With football pundits everywhere writing off Liverpool's season, the skipper looks to the fans for support.
"The only people writing our season off are some of our former players in the media," he said. "That's just got very boring for us now.
"They've got a job to do and they need to earn the same as everyone else but did they never lose games?
"It happens. It may not be very nice. It hurts like hell but it's a fact of life in football.
"I hope the fans are more positive than that because the players and management at the club don't believe the season is over.
"We've got a big job on our hands in the Premiership because no one is happy with the gap between us and the top two.
"We want to keep chipping away at their lead and see where that takes us at the end of the season.
"And there seems to be a belief in some quarters that we are already out of the Champions League because we're up against Barcelona.
"We don't believe that's the case. The same people said the same things in 2005 and look what we did in Europe that year.
"It's going to be tough going up against a great side like Barca but we like to think we can play too."
< Message edited by azinorum -- 1/20/2007 12:41:37 PM >
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RE: Anfield Forever - the Scouse corner - 1/20/2007 3:28:50 PM
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azinorum
Posts: 1823
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Joined: 8/25/2006
From: Baghdad Iraq
Status: offline
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JOSE: WE STRUGGLED TODAY
Paul Eaton 20 January 2007
Jose Mourinho had no complaints after watching his side be outplayed and beaten by Liverpool on Saturday afternoon.
Chelsea's lead over Liverpool in the league table has been cut to just five points after goals from Dirk Kuyt and Jermaine Pennant secured a well deserved victory for Rafael Benitez's men.
Chelsea rarely threatened as an attacking force but it was at the back - where Paolo Ferreira and Michael Essien formed a makshift central defensive - where Mourinho felt his side had most problems.
He said: "Liverpool are happy today and they deserve to be happy because they played well and deserved to win the game.
"I was hoping we could get through the first 15 minutes without conceding because we had players playing out of position and those players would have gained confidence if we'd made a good start.
"When we went behind after a few minutes and then conceded another shortly after we knew it was going to be very difficult.
"Rafa isn't stupid and I'm not a magician. We had no central defenders and I knew two weeks ago that Crouch and Kuyt would play in this game. The defenders we have could have coped with Bellamy but they couldn't cope with Crouch winning the headers and Kuyt's strength holding the ball up.
"In other games of late we've been able to cope but I knew we'd have problems today and Liverpool did very well."
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RE: Anfield Forever - the Scouse corner - 1/20/2007 3:33:00 PM
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azinorum
Posts: 1823
Score: 51
Joined: 8/25/2006
From: Baghdad Iraq
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NEW STADIUM
The new stadium for Liverpool Football Club received planning permission in July 2004 and news was received in October 2004 that the Deputy Prime Minister would not call a public inquiry on the application. Since that time, work has been progressing on the conditions that have to be met before work can start on site.
‘Because the Club’s new stadium is the catalyst for a wide regeneration programme in Anfield, it has been necessary to work with Liverpool City Council, the local community and public funding agencies to put together the whole package.
Milestones have been achieved:
• Barclays Spaces for Sport funding through LFC alongside monies from the city council have enabled a near-derelict sports centre to gain a new lease of life: with restored football pitches, new all-weather pitches, refurbished sports facilities and new changing rooms and a new access road. Anfield Sport and Community Centre Ltd. has been created by the Vernon Sangster Community Co. Ltd. and Anfield Youth Club to manage this facility and the Community Partnership Centre in the new stadium.
• The regeneration plan for Stanley Park has been completed including the restoration of the Gladstone Conservatory, re-branded the Isla Gladstone Conservatory after the textile designer, and to be managed to maximise local employment working with a new community development trust.
•All of the remaining derelict houses in Skerries Rd. have been improved by private developers and sold to local people. Liverpool City Council will be making the selection of a developer for the restoration of the houses in Rockfield on the Main Stand side of the stadium.
• Liverpool City Council’s funding bids to Objective 1 and the North West Development Company are in full financial and technical appraisal and other funds have been secured.
And LFC continues to be very active in the community through its Community Department –coaching, school assemblies and programmes – and the Reduc@te Centre.
There is still a commitment to build a new stadium in Stanley Park – to accommodate 60,000 fans in quality surroundings, with newer and larger museum, tour centre, café, shop and a café. Building should commence as soon as possible after all of the pre-conditions have been completed.
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RE: Anfield Forever - the Scouse corner - 1/20/2007 3:36:48 PM
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azinorum
Posts: 1823
Score: 51
Joined: 8/25/2006
From: Baghdad Iraq
Status: offline
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Garcia was set to leave?
Atletico Madrid have admitted that they were hoping to sign Luis Garica during the January transfer window before he picked up a cruciate ligament injury last week.
The Spanish side are now expected to renew their interest at the end of the season.
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