Tailor Events » Liverpool

RESULTS NO WORRY FOR IN-FORM LUCAS

admin — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 16:33:34 +0000

Lucas Leiva is not concerned about Liverpool’s mixed results in pre-season ahead of today’s Barclays Premier League opener against Tottenham Hotspur.
Watch part two of our Lucas interview now>>

Defeats to Espanyol, Rapid Vienna and Atletico Madrid have been brushed off by the Brazilian midfielder, who claims gaining fitness is all that matters in the weeks leading up to a new campaign.

Lucas believes he and his teammates are in top condition ahead of a tricky visit to White Hart Lane.

“We’ve had two defeats lately against Espanyol and Atletico but the fans can be calm,” the 22-year-old told Liverpoolfc.tv.

“Of course we want to win every game but Tottenham is different. Everyone will be focused, everyone will be fit and hopefully we can start with a victory because our rivals will not give us many chances.

“Pre-season is about getting the fitness first, then afterwards you can look at results. We couldn’t win all the games and Rafa was trying to manage the squad and was giving minutes to everyone. Now, for sure, we’ll be better in the first game.

“Getting a victory in the first game gives you a lot of confidence for the next few games, especially if you start away from home.

“We know how important it is.”

The fixture reunites Liverpool with two former strikers in Peter Crouch and Robbie Keane.

Lucas added: “We know how difficult it is to play at White Hart Lane. They have a good squad, good players.

“Keane and Crouch can make a good partnership, so we have to be aware. Crouchie is a funny guy, and I also know Keane from the five months we had him here last season. They are two quality players and we have to try to stop them. They are really dangerous.”

Another familiar face for Lucas will be countryman Heurelho Gomes, who has blossomed as Spurs No.1 after a difficult initiation into English football.

“I know Gomes. He’s a friend of mine,” said Lucas. “He started not so well but he’s in good form. He’s a good ‘keeper and it will be difficult to score.”

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N165419090816-0917.htm

NICOL: JOHNSON CAN HANDLE IT

admin — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 16:31:34 +0000

Kop icon Steve Nicol is adamant Glen Johnson will have no problem in handling the pressures that come with being a Liverpool player.
The England international joined the Reds from Portsmouth in June, having spent three impressive seasons at Fratton Park.

And Nicol – who made 468 appearances for Liverpool during a 14-year stretch on Merseyside – is confident the 25-year-old has the necessary experience and quality to deal with the demands of chasing glory both home and abroad.

“I think Glen Johnson will prove to be an excellent addition to the Liverpool squad,” the New England Revolution coach told the official LFC Magazine.

“Width is always important in any team and if he can reproduce the form and the displays he managed in Portsmouth colours this season in the red of Liverpool then he’s going to be a massively important player for us.

“Rafa will not have any complaints if he’s able to find that form – and I’d like to think that playing with better players he’ll have a chance of improving on that form this season.

“Every time the lad had the ball at his feet he looked dangerous and looked like he was going to make things happen.

“That’s got to be a positive for the new season.

“It’s a different kettle of fish playing for Liverpool, where there’s an expectation that you have to find your very best form every time you step onto the field.

“No offence to Portsmouth but the expectations and demands are a million miles below what’s expected at Liverpool.

“But I don’t think that’ll be a problem for Glen. He’s got experience from Chelsea to draw on here and I think he’ll take it all in his stride and grow as a player at Anfield.

“The good news is he’s more than capable of doing it.”

Johnson joins a Liverpool team determined to improve on last campaign’s second place finish in the Barclays Premier League.

The Reds lost just two matches all season and completed the double over both Manchester United and Chelsea, but seven home draws ultimately proved costly in the race for the title.

However, despite being a full-back by trade, Nicol feels the arrival of Johnson will bolster the attacking options Rafael Benitez has at his disposal and help break down stubborn opposition at Anfield.

“We’ll be better able and better equipped, with Glen Johnson’s arrival, to go out and take goals off teams who do just want to play for 0-0,” he said.

“Teams are scared to come to Anfield. I’d like to see us going for the throat from the first weekend.

“You need tactics, and Rafa’s the best in the business in that respect. But we’ve got passion too and players of world-class ability. Opposition teams should be scared to play us and I’m sure they will be.”

He added: “We came agonisingly close to it last season.

“They say the best team always wins the title but last season that was debateable.

“It’s incredible to think that it’s been as long as it has since we won the title. Hopefully this is the year when the drought comes to an end and I believe it will.

“We’ve got the manager, the players and the support to win the Premier League title.”
http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N165381090816-1003.htm

GERRARD STARTS VERSUS SPURS

admin — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 16:28:42 +0000

Steven Gerrard starts as Liverpool kick-off the 2009-10 campaign against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane – listen to the big game live online from 3.30pm BST. Martin Skrtel and Jamie Carragher have both been passed fit and begin at centre-back, while Glen Johnson makes his league debut for the Reds. Liverpool team in full: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Insua, Kuyt, Mascherano, Lucas, Babel, Gerrard, Torres. Subs: Cavalieri, Voronin, Benayoun, Spearing, Kelly, Dossena, Ayala.

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N165432090816-1506.htm

ROMA STARS PAY TRIBUTE TO AQUILANI

admin — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 15:28:36 +0000

Roma stars past and present have spoken of their sadness after Alberto Aquilani agreed his move to Liverpool from the Italian giants today.
The 25-year-old midfielder will put pen to paper on a 5-year contract at Anfield to become Rafael Benitez’s second major acquisition of the summer.

He arrives on Merseyside having established himself as an iconic figure at the Stadio Olimpico, where he made 147 appearances for the club he supported as a boy.

“I am sorry about Alberto, who, as well as being a friend, is a great player and a Roman. He will be missed,” said Roma’s talismanic captain Francesco Totti.

His sentiments are shared by Aquilani’s now ex-midfield colleague Daniele De Rossi, though he believes the Italian international will go from strength to strength by playing alongside Steven Gerrard.

“We are losing a great player,” he said. “He’s a footballer with exceptional skill and above all he grew up in Roma’s academy and has a love for this shirt that you cannot buy.

“But if you think about his career I think it would be a good opportunity, he would grow a lot by being close to the best midfielder in the world – Steven Gerrard.”

Meanwhile, legendary former Roma playmaker Giuseppe Giannini, who spent 14 years with the Giallorossi, is confident Aquilani will have no problems in adapting to the demands of English football.

The 44-year-old feels the Reds’ new signing has all the necessary attributes to succeed in L4.

“Aquilani will do well at Liverpool. He will not have any problems adapting to the Premier League,” he stated.

“English football is perfect for Aquilani. He has all the right characteristics to do well there. He will show Liverpool what he is all about.

“I have no doubts that Liverpool are signing a great player in Aquilani.”

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N165341090807-1942.htm

RIISE: AQUILANI WILL SHINE AT ANFIELD

admin — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 15:26:16 +0000

Roma defender John Arne Riise has backed former teammate Alberto Aquilani to be a star in the Barclays Premier League.
Riise knows all about adapting to life in England after spending seven years at Anfield – and he believes his Italian friend has all the qualities necessary to succeed.

“When I first came to Roma, I didn’t know a thing about Aquilani,” said Riise, who swapped Merseyside for Rome last summer.

“I knew all about Francesco Totti, Daniele De Rossi and Philippe Mexes, of course, but Aquilani was the player who surprised me the most in my first months with what he could do.

“He’s really good on the ball, with good passing, good movement, he works hard and is a good professional.

“He likes to have the ball at his feet but not because he likes to dribble, he just wants to keep the team moving. He never stands still, he’s always on the run.

“He certainly runs more than Xabi and is probably more dangerous in terms of getting in the box and trying to score goals.

“When I came to Rome he was my neighbour and helped me out a lot. He’s a good friend. Liverpool will be getting a very good player.”

Aquilani will become just the second Italy international to sign for Liverpool after agreeing personal terms to complete the move from Serie A.

Riise added: “There is an obvious difference between the Italian and English leagues.

“Here it is more tactical whereas in England you’re playing 90 minutes up and down, up and down, and there is more emphasis on power and physical force. But Cristiano Ronaldo isn’t all about physique and he has been the best player in the Premier League in recent seasons.

“Everyone can adapt. It just takes time. The key is how long it takes. I was lucky – I fitted in quite quickly when I came from Monaco. Alberto is someone who wants to make the most of his talent and wants to prove himself, so if Liverpool come in for you it is very hard to say no.”

Meanwhile, Riise remains a keen follower of his former club and believes 2009-10 could be an historic season for the Kop.

“Last season I was so sure they would do it. They made a fantastic start but drew some games and United got stronger,” said the Norway international.

“I really hope they can do it this time. Xabi and Alvaro Arbeloa leaving is a shame, but Glen Johnson is a brilliant signing.

“All the Premier League games are shown on Sky Italia, and I managed to watch every Liverpool game last season. The club is in my heart. I had all my highlights at Liverpool. I still speak with Stevie and Carra, as well as Pepe Reina and Dirk Kuyt.

“The first months for me at Roma were hard, learning a new language and settling in, but I am happy here and enjoying it. We can have a really good season and I hope Liverpool can, too.”

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N165324090807-1944.htm

GOALSCORER OUT TO PROVE HIMSELF

admin — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 15:23:56 +0000

Lucas Leiva is determined to carry his excellent summer form into the new Barclays Premier League campaign.
The 22-year-old midfielder capped another shining display with a goal in Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat to Atletico Madrid at Anfield on Saturday, leading Rafa Benitez to hail him as the Reds’ star of pre-season.

Lucas admits he is satisfied with his recent performance levels – not that he’s ready to rest on his laurels.

“Of course I was happy to score against Atletico, although I would rather the team have won the game instead of me getting the goal,” the Brazilian told Liverpoolfc.tv.

“But it was good for me to start and end the pre-season well.

“Sometimes I hear things said about me, but to be honest I don’t care too much. I only care about the team and the squad.

“Now I have to focus on the forthcoming season and continue to work hard and improve.

“I will try to prove I have the quality to be in the team and hopefully help Liverpool win the title.”

First-half goals from Kun Aguero and Diego Forlan condemned Benitez’s side to their third defeat of pre-season.

However, while acknowledging there is room for improvement, Lucas is confident Liverpool will be raring to go when they kick-off the new season against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane next weekend.

“We still have to improve a lot, but we can feel our fitness is getting better,” he said.

“Now, some players will go to play internationals, while the others will keep training at Melwood, but we will be ready for the beginning of the season.

“We will be looking to win at Tottenham. We know the first game is very important and we have to start the season well because our title rivals will not make it easy for us.”

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N165353090809-0923.htm

LFC SADDENED BY JARQUE DEATH

admin — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 15:21:53 +0000

Everyone at Liverpool Football Club has been deeply saddened by the sudden death of Espanyol captain Daniel Jarque following a heart attack on Saturday.
The 26-year-old, who played against the Reds a week ago, died after a training session with his teammates in Italy.

Rafa Benitez said: “This is a very sad day and our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Daniel Jarque and everyone at Espanyol.”

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N165354090809-1022.htm

RAFA: CARRA WILL BE READY FOR SPURS

admin — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 15:19:19 +0000

Rafael Benitez is confident Jamie Carragher will be fit for next Sunday’s Barclays Premier League opener with Spurs.
The Reds defender limped off after just 15 minutes of the pre-season clash with Atletico Madrid but the boss revealed his decision to replace his vice-captain was purely precautionary.

“He’s okay,” Benitez told his post-match press conference.

“He twisted his ankle and it was just a precaution to bring him off because we have had problems with the other centre backs and we wanted to protect him.”

Asked if it was a concern with Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger already out injured, Benitez added: “We will have to wait now, the three players are injured, but improving so I think they will be fit for the next game.

“When you twist your ankle, you normally need two or three days and after you will have the inflammation, but you will be okay.”

The injury to Carragher saw Mikel San Jose partner Daniel Ayala for the remainder of the match and Benitez admits the injury problems in defence have left him with a decision to make.

“We have two options; one is to bring someone in and the other is to keep working with the young players,” he said. “If everything is okay and we have the three centre backs fit, someone will be the fourth, so we will have to decide.

“At this moment, one solution is to keep working with them. Young players sometimes need opportunity so we will see.”

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N165349090808-1724.htm

Football and culture in Liverpool

admin — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 18:44:32 +0000

Mention the name ‘Liverpool’ to almost anyone, anywhere in the world, and their almost instant reaction will be ‘football’. The Northwest is a hotbed of footballing success, with seven Premiership clubs; the homes of two of them, Everton and Liverpool, are just minutes from Liverpool City Centre.

With the success of European Capital of Culture for Liverpool in 2008 we have shown the world the best of our creative thinking and our wonderful cultural attractions. Why not stick around read on and find out about our wonderful cultural city and all it has to offer!

http://www.visitliverpool.com

To visit Liverpool’s official website click here