Liverpool thread

[Darren]

LIVERPOOL 6 - 0 DERBY COUNTY Saturday 01 September 2007 15:00 , Barclays Premier League

REDS STICK SIX PAST DERBY Liverpool have gone top of the Premier League after goals from Xabi Alonso (2), Ryan Babel, Fernando Torres (2) and Andriy Voronin gave them an emphatic 6-0 win over Derby County at Anfield on Saturday. The Reds maintained their unbeaten start to the season and went top ahead of Sunday's games after a devastating performance that saw Alonso and Torres score twice, Babel score his first for the club and Voronin score for the second consecutive Premier League game. Derby came to Anfield still trying to find their feet back in the top flight after winning just one point from their opening four games. The Reds on the other hand had the summit of the Premier League in their sights after an excellent start to the season that has seen them claim seven out of nine points available. Rafael Benitez made five changes to the side that secured qualification for the Champions League group stages with victory over Toulouse on Tuesday. That meant a return to the starting eleven for Fernando Torres, the hero on his last Anfield appearance against Chelsea, as well as Xabi Alonso, Jermaine Pennant, Steve Finnan and Ryan Babel. Derby got us underway and made a positive start when Mears shot over into the Kop, but Liverpool quickly got on the front foot and it took a fine save from Bywater to stop Daniel Agger's 25 yard strike finding the bottom corner. The Reds came close in the 8th minute when Pennant's cross found the head of Torres and Bywater had to make a flying save, but Billy Davies' side were adopting a positive approach in the early stages and it took a timely interception from Daniel Agger to stop Stephen Pearson's marauding run into the penalty area. Liverpool were being frustrated and Derby were restricting them to long range shots. Dirk Kuyt and Javier Mascherano both went close with efforts from distance, but it was clear that the Reds needed a kick start and they got it in somewhat bizarre circumstances when Alonso gave them the lead in the 26th minute. It came after a foul on Arbeloa gave them a free kick midway inside Derby's half and Alonso whipped in a curling free kick that beat everyone, including Bywater, and hit the back of the net. It was just the break that Liverpool needed and they would go in 2-0 up at the break after Ryan Babel's first goal for the club capped a period of dominance on the stroke of half time. The all important second coming when Arbeloa found Babel on the edge of the penalty area and he dummied two Derby defenders before finishing emphatically high into the net. Liverpool come out for the second half and went straight at Derby. They should have gone 3-0 up almost straight away when good play between Arbeloa, Torres and Kuyt gave Alonso a chance that he lifted over. But they did go 3-0 in the 56th minute and it was another fine goal from Fernando Torres. Torres sending Anfield into raptures as he beat his marker before finishing coolly with his left foot from 12 yards. The Reds were now absolutely dominant and Derby were finding it impossible to live with their immense attacking threat. Liverpool added a fourth through Alonso in the 69th minute before Voronin came off the bench to score the fifth in the 76th minute after Bywater had only been able to parry Kuyt's shot into his path. The final word belonged to Man of the Match Fernando Torres because he scored his second goal and Red's sixth goal in the 77th minute to cap a brilliant Liverpool performance. Teams Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Hyypia (captain), Agger, Finnan, Babel, Alonso, Mascherano, Pennant, Torres, Kuyt. Subs - Riise, Itandje, Voronin, Sissoko, Benayoun Derby County: Bywater, Fagan, Todd, Davis, Griffin, Pearson, Camara, Oakley (captain), Malcolm, Howard, Mears. Subs - Price, McEveley, Moore, Teale, Earnshaw Referee: A Wiley Conditions: Dry Attendance: Unknown Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Fernando Torres

[Darren]

Rafa assistant to quit

Ayesteran heads for Anfield exit

Last updated: 31st August 2007

Partnership: Ayesteran (right) and Benitez

Liverpool have been hit by the news Rafa Benitez's right-hand man Paco Ayesteran is to quit Anfield.

His fellow Spaniard had been Benitez's number two at Tenerife and Valencia before he followed the Reds chief to Merseyside.
It is believed that the players were informed of the news on Thursday after training, and it is not expected that Ayesteran will be alongside Benitez in the dug-out for Saturday's home game with Derby.
Liverpool would not confirm any further details, although Benitez said: "Paco has told me he wants to leave, apart from that I cannot say any more. We will have to assess the situation."
It is not known whether Ayesteran has been offered another job in Spain or whether he wants to return home for personal reasons.
But the disruption to Benitez's backroom staff will be massive. Ayesteran has been in charge of fitness coaching, but also handles much of the squad administration.

[davidmphill]

Heard the rumours about Paco leaving last week, sad indeedif it happens and it looks inevitable now.

Good win today, happy to see the mighty Torres score twice today.

[Darren]

Originally Posted by davidmphill

Heard the rumours about Paco leaving last week, sad indeedif it happens and it looks inevitable now.

Good win today, happy to see the mighty Torres score twice today.

Dunno about Paco. Seems to be more to it than I have read. From what I know he was fcuked off at Rafa over ruling him on the pre season training and changing how that was done. Then he got fcuked off Rafa brought in a new fitness coach without seeking clearence from him.

WTF is that all about, Paco is a number 2, Rafa is the gaffer. There could be more to it than that but its all I have read, and his depature is yet to be confirmed by the club.

[Darren]

FAGAN BANNED FOR ARBELOA STAMP Jimmy Rice 06 September 2007
	Derby forward Craig Fagan has been given a four-match ban for his stamp on Alvaro Arbeloa last Saturday.
Fagan was found guilty by an independent commission today and given an automatic three-match ban with an additional game for making what was considered a frivolous appeal. "At an independent regulatory commission hearing today, a charge of violent conduct against Derby County's Craig Fagan was found proved," read a Football Association statement. "Referee Alan Wiley confirmed that he did not see the incident, and that had he done so he would have sent Fagan off."

[davidmphill]

And fcuking rightly so the cheeky cnut.
Interesting to see if he appeals against the one match ban, the three match ban stands no matter what he does.

[Darren]

Footballers eh? Hopefully its just tribalfootballs usual crap, and if true hopefully it gets stopped soon enough or we will have Fuerteventura playing Euro Disney in to cross for Costa Del Sol for a goal

Liverpool signing Hernandez: Call me Fuerteventura
tribalfooball.com - September 10, 2007

Imminent new Liverpool signing Aridane Hernandez wants to help promote hometown Fuerteventura during his time in England.

The former Real Madrid midfielder wants to play with 'Fuerteventura' printed on his back instead of his surname. Hernandez, 18, has been promised great support by Fuerteventura government officials as he prepares to kick off his Anfield career.

[davidmphill]

I'm sure Rafa will have a word with him, imagine if I decided to do the same, i'd have to have a fcuking huge shirt to get my home name on!

Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysilio gogogoch

Fit that fcuker on your back!

[davidmphill]

Good news to see Fabio back.

Aurelio makes Reds reserve return

Aurelio was injured against PSV Eindhoven last season Liverpool defender Fabio Aurelio came through his first taste of action since rupturing an Achilles tendon in April. Aurelio, 28, played the first 45 minutes for Liverpool reserves in a specially arranged match against Crewe. The Brazilian suffered the injury in last season's Champions League quarter-final at PSV Eindhoven. Although his return to first-team action looks imminent, Saturday's Premier League trip to Portsmouth is likely to come too soon for him. Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez was initially confident that Aurelio would recover in time to take part in pre-season training, with a view to making the start of the campaign. 606: DEBATE Great to see him back most definitely. RJ23 Benitez is keen to have Aurelio back to provide cover and competition in the left-back berth, especially after missing out on the signing of Manchester United defender Gabriel Heinze, who joined Real Madrid in August

[Darren]

PORTSMOUTH 0-0 LIVERPOOL Saturday 15 September 2007 12:45 , Barclays Premier League

REDS HELD AT FRATTON PARK Liverpool have maintained their unbeaten start to the season following a goalless draw at Fratton Park on Saturday lunchtime. Both sides had glorious chances to clinch the three points, most notably a Kanu penalty saved superbly by Pepe Reina in the first half. The result means the Reds have not conceded in 388 minutes of football. Liverpool went into the game with Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres on the bench, whilst Peter Crouch got his first league start of the season against his former club. It took Rafa Benitez's starting XI just four minutes to test old boy David James, who was presented with Pompey's player of the season award for 2006-07 prior to kick-off. His pride almost turned to embarrassment when Yossi Benayoun hit a surprise shot from the left-hand side of the box. Fortunately for the fervent Fratton faithful, their man between the sticks just managed to get down in time. Seven minutes later Xabi Alonso skied a 30-yard effort following some nice football from Jermaine Pennant, Yossi Benayoun and Andriy Voronin. The latter was impressive from the off. It was a sublime piece of skill from the Ukrainian that set up Crouch for a half chance on the quarter-hour mark. A minute later Crouch again tested James with a low shot but the Reds were failing to make their early pressure pay. Inevitably, Pompey started to get into the game. It may have taken them 24 minutes to worry Pepe Reina, but worry him they certainly did. Benjani cut inside from the right, slid his way into the box, then unleashed a fierce drive which was made even trickier to deal with thanks to a deflection from Alvaro Arbeloa. Fortunately, Reina had his wits about him. He needed to be at his best once more shortly after when Arbeloa was adjudged to have pulled Kanu's shirt in the box. Mike Riley didn't see it but the linesman raised his flag and the Nigerian striker grabbed the ball ready for the spot kick. Alonso's protests - which earned him a yellow card - delayed its taking, but Reina's save was worth waiting for - for the travelling Kop, at least. Liverpool came out all guns blazing at the start of the second half. Well you would, wouldn't you, after sharing an orange with Messrs Gerrard, Torres, Hyypia and Babel - all itching to get on. If today's fixture had been a five-a-side between the two benches, it would have been 10-0 to the visitors by now. Just 35 seconds after the restart, Crouch volleyed narrowly over following a fine cross from Steve Finnan. Within the blink of an eye the big man was in the box again only to be out-muscled by Portsmouth skipper Sol Campbell. Then it was Voronin's turn to threaten. Liverpool's new number 10 carved a wonderful opportunity for himself on 54 minutes but was denied by the bar. Not that Pompey were simply accepting their fate. Indeed, they could and perhaps should have gone ahead when John Utaka missed with aplomb from inside the six-yard box. Enter Fernando Torres, who had half an hour to seal the three points. Within half a minute his tidy footwork earned a free-kick right on the edge of the box. Yossi Benayoun claimed the ball but his curler failed to test James. Nine minutes later the Spaniard had a glorious chance to open the scoring after being fed through by Gerrard, just on for Jermaine Pennant. Sadly, Torres hit his left-footed shot well over. He nearly made up for it with five minutes to go with some sterling work down the left but his cross was just a mite too strong for the in-coming Voronin.

[Darren]

Surely not another youngster being signed? Do they not play football as kids on merseyside anymore?

I don'tmind too much although would like to see some scousers coming through, but if it looks like they aren't good enough at the moment then so be it.

Reds swoop for starlet

Young defender set for Reds move

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has raided Spain again to lure Sevilla starlet Daniel Sanchez Ayala to Anfield.


The Spanish club have confirmed Ayala has agreed a deal to move to Merseyside after rejecting a professional contract at Sevilla.

Liverpool moved for the 17-year-old after learning he had not signed a professional contract with Sevilla and the Reds will have to pay Sevilla a compensation fee for his signature.

Ayala, who is highly-regarded at Sevilla, has been in the club's youth set-up and his performances have caught the attention of Benitez's Spanish scouts.

Sevilla are not happy at losing the young defender and he is the second teenager to be snared by Liverpool in recent years after Antonio Barragan was signed by Liverpool in 2005 in similar circumstances.

Liverpool are believed to have offered Ayala a three-year deal and he is expected to travel to England next week to tie up the move.

[2hcb]

hi guys, though you might be interested in an update on your young winger Paul Anderson who's on loan with Swansea.

He hasn't been starting for us in the league as we have 2 good wide men in Leon Britton (player fo the year lasts eason) and Andy Robinson (scores double figures from midfield) in front of him. he has been coming on with 15-20 to go in games to stretch tiring defence with his pace and has impressed. he has started in the cup and has scored 2 goals, 1 a great volley.

he got his first league goal on friday, a curling effort from the edge of the box which won the game for us against carlisle and there are growing calls fro him to start ahead of Britton who is a bit off form.

you can see his goal at the end of this clip http://www.football.virginmedia.com/...111962,00.html

if you're atall bothered I'll continue to keep you posted on him, he does look a fine prospect.

[Darren]

Originally Posted by 2hcb

hi guys, though you might be interested in an update on your young winger Paul Anderson who's on loan with Swansea.

He hasn't been starting for us in the league as we have 2 good wide men in Leon Britton (player fo the year lasts eason) and Andy Robinson (scores double figures from midfield) in front of him. he has been coming on with 15-20 to go in games to stretch tiring defence with his pace and has impressed. he has started in the cup and has scored 2 goals, 1 a great volley.

he got his first league goal on friday, a curling effort from the edge of the box which won the game for us against carlisle and there are growing calls fro him to start ahead of Britton who is a bit off form.

you can see his goal at the end of this clip http://www.football.virginmedia.com/...111962,00.html

if you're atall bothered I'll continue to keep you posted on him, he does look a fine prospect.

Cheers for the update

Hopefully he'll get the starting place very soon, he's a talented prospect imo.

[davidmphill]

Harry Redknapp believes Rafa Benitez got it wrong in resting a number of key players against Portsmouth.


The Reds' Spanish tactician opted to leave the likes of Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres on the bench for their trip to Fratton Park on Saturday.

The pair came on too late against Redknapp's side and although they made an impression, they were unable to stop Liverpool from being held to a goalless draw.

Redknapp has stated he would always field his strongest side in order to limit the risk of dropping points.

"We're all different," explained Redknapp in the Guardian. "(Rafa's) a clever man and it's his decision to do it how he wants to do it.

"Personally, I would field my best team. But that's me. I'm not saying I'm right and he's wrong but that's me.
"I'd never feel confident enough to go and rest players. I think you take a big chance, but it's worked for Rafa in the past."

[davidmphill]

Agree totally with Redknapp, I was pissed off to learn of the side put out by Rafa here even though it was ahead of the Porto match. Priority has to be the Title and not playing your strongest side in one of the toughest away games as criminal for me and thats 2 pts dropped for me and we're lucky its not 3.

[davidmphill]

Poor performance tonight and it makes a mockery of the decision to rest players on Saturday.

What the fcuk was the defence doing early in the first half, looked a shambles.

Hyppia for me is finished, looked very ordinary tonight was caught out too often. A replacement has to be bought in January and there's no doubting that.

Pennant is a fcuking idiot. Got booked early on and went around seeming to think he hadn't been booked. More than deserved his second yellow and I hope the guy learns from that.

Lucky to get the point and it's a decent start in what looks like the hardest game in the group.

Pennant or Quaresma? Hmm, let me think which one I would rather have in my side right now.

[AJ]

Didn't see the game, but surely an away draw in the CL against one of your main rivals in the group is a good result that sets you up for qualification ?

Certainly the best result by a british team tonight

[Darren]

Onkly got to see the last 20 mins or so of the game and we looked ok in that part. But from all accounts we were shite tonight, the result imo is a decent one but thats 2 crap performances in a row.

[davidmphill]

Originally Posted by AJ

Didn't see the game, but surely an away draw in the CL against one of your main rivals in the group is a good result that sets you up for qualification ?

Certainly the best result by a british team tonight

Thats very true but it was the performance that was the biggest letdown. Still see no problems in qualifying however.
I just sense in the back of my head Cisse scoring for Marseille against us!

[Darren]

Piss poor result, leaving Torres on the bench really backfired and thats a big 2 points dropped. Arsenal are looking very good and have a 4 point gap on us now, we can't afford to drop points like these.