Liverpool thread

[Darren]

MASCHERANO SIGNS FOUR YEAR ANFIELD DEAL Paul Eaton 29 February 2008
	Javier Mascherano today signed a permanent deal at Anfield and admitted: "This is the best moment in my career."
The Argentine international has put pen to paper on a four year contract with the Reds, bringing to an end one of the longest transfer sagas in recent years. "I am very, very happy and now I can concentrate just on playing football," Mascherano told Liverpoolfc.tv. "I said all along that I wanted to stay at Liverpool and now that I have signed I can say this is the best and the biggest moment in my career so far. "From the first day I arrived at Liverpool the feeling was good and I knew this was where I wanted to play my football. It's good news for me and my family that everything is sorted and I know where my future is going to be. I just want to do my best for the fans and the people of the club. "I am at a top side and I know I can win titles here. That's the big thing for me. I want to be at a club where we can win trophies and have success." Manager Rafael Benitez was just as delighted to secure the services of the 23 year old midfielder. "We must be really pleased with the situation now," said the boss. "He has been a key player for us since he has been here and now we know he can be a key player in our future. "From the start we knew Javier was a player with quality and a fantastic mentality. We knew the player when he was in the reserves at River Plate but was playing for the senior national team and we had been monitoring his career since then. "He is young but he has great experience having played for his country. We knew he would be a good signing for us. "It's clear that he is one of the best midfielders in the world but he can get better with us. We now have a lot of good options in the centre of midfield and that's good news for the club." Chief Executive Rick Parry, who worked painstakingly to finalise the deal, added: "Our overriding thought is that we are delighted to have signed a world class player on a long contract and I know Javier is thrilled too because he was keen to have his long term future resolved. "I think this signing demonstrates two things. Firstly, that life at the club goes on despite all of the speculation to the contrary. "And secondly it demonstrates in very large measure the ongoing commitment of the owners who once again have come good when funds have been needed."

[Nade]

Cheque made payable to ....

[Darren]

Confusion surrounds Reds future

Liverpool's future ownership remains delicately poised The future of Liverpool remains unclear after a series of claims and counter-claims on Thursday. Dubai International Capital's takeover bid stalled when Tom Hicks threatened to block any attempt by co-owner George Gillett to sell his 50% stake. A DIC source told BBC Radio 5 Live that representatives could meet Hicks as early as Monday after the American agreed not to stand in Gillett's way. However, Hicks maintains he has not softened his position. He says he has no plans to meet DIC in London and will remain a majority stakeholder at Anfield. 606: DEBATE Tough times ahead if Hicks and DIC work together I don't think the relationship between the two will be strong LfcOzzi But DIC claims it could complete the purchase of Gillett's stake by the weekend. The group - the financial arm of Dubai's ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum - met with Gillett's lawyers at a London hotel on Tuesday. They failed to come to an agreement but Gillett did not reject a deal out of hand and talks were expected to continue on a daily basis. Gillett and Hicks took control of Liverpool in a deal worth £218.9m in February 2007 but their own relationship has broken down and the pair - Hicks in particular - have been the target for savage criticism from supporters. Gillett is believed is willing to sell but the situation is further complicated by an agreement between him and Gillett that means one cannot sell his share without the agreement of the other. DIC claims that Hicks has now backed down because of a financial loophole.

[davidmphill]

Nice comfortable win today. I was dreading Rafa dropping Gerrard and Torres for the match ahead of the Inter Milan game midweek but full credit to him he went for it with them both starting and they were instrumental in the comfortable 3-0 win. Just how good can Torres become, another impressive display today. Newcastle only came into it when Torres and Gerrard were taken off ahead of that Inter game and that for me was the best ploy. Play a strong side, get the result more or less sorted and then take them off. What must Michael Owen be thinking now he's in a very average Newcastle side these days? No sympathy for him, he went to Spain and his career has been downhill ever since.

[aliando]

dont be surprised to see torres dropped for the inter game though dave...

[davidmphill]

Originally Posted by aliando

dont be surprised to see torres dropped for the inter game though dave...

Oh behave!

[Darren]

Did enough against Newcastle, when the first goal came looked likely others would follow. Bit of a freak goal to open the scoring again, after Bolton last week and another freak opening goal.

Dunno what Keegan was playing at when he dropped Owen in Centre midfield late on - eh?

[Pot rice]

Bit selfish of Alonso's missus to have a baby at this crucial time


Can't wait for the game


Alonso misses Inter clash because of baby

MILAN, March 10 (Reuters) - Midfielder Xabi Alonso will miss Liverpool's Champions League match at Inter Milan on Tuesday because his girlfriend is having a baby, coach Rafael Benitez said on Monday.

Liverpool, 2-0 up from the first leg, will also be without right back Steve Finnan through injury but Javier Mascherano is fit to play after recovering from a dead leg. 'Alonso's girlfriend is having a baby so he will not be here,' the Spanish coach told a news conference ahead of the last 16, second leg. 'He wanted to come if everything was okay but we couldn't wait so in the end we had to decide. I cannot wait, wait, wait - I need to use my squad. Mascherano is ok, he is fit and will be here.'

[davidmphill]

Inter Milan 0-1 Liverpool (0-3)

By Phil McNulty Liverpool's Fernando Torres celebrates his goal against Inter Milan Liverpool became the fourth English side to reach the Champions League quarter-finals with victory against Inter Milan at the San Siro. Fernando Torres scored brilliantly on the turn after 64 minutes to give Liverpool a comfortable aggregate win. Inter, who had Nicolas Burdisso sent off for a foul on Lucas Leiva after 50 minutes, wasted several chances. Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina twice saved from Julio Cruz, who also shot wide when clean through in the first half. News conference: Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez 606: DEBATE Liverpool are back! Liverpool-Del The win gives English clubs a powerful presence in the closing stages of the competition, with Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal joining Liverpool in the last eight - the first time any country has dominated the Champions League in such a fashion. And, despite a shaky start to their campaign in the group phase, Liverpool remain on course for a third final in four seasons. Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez paired Martin Skrtel with Sami Hyypia in central defence, pushing Jamie Carragher out to right back - and they were tested in a closely-fought first 45 minutes. Keeper Reina was outstanding as Liverpool defended their two-goal advantage from the first leg, and he was in action after eight minutes as he dived low to his right to save from Cruz. Liverpool threatened to open up the Inter rearguard for a crucial away goal after 24 minutes when Fabio Aurelio's long ball almost released Ryan Babel, but keeper Julio Cesar was swiftly off his line. The visitors were by no means sitting on their lead, and a slip by Esteban Cambiasso let in Torres and Cesar needed to be alert at his near post to block the Spanish striker. Inter's best chance came after 29 minutes when Zlatan Ibrahimovic played in Cruz, but he pulled his finish across the face of goal. Reina did well again on the stroke of half-time when Cruz met Maicon's cross with a neat flick, but Liverpool's keeper was again quick to react and keep his side level. Inter's hopes of mounting a fightback were dealt a cruel blow after 49 minutes when Burdisso - who had already been booked - collided with Lucas. The challenge looked innocuous and Inter were understandably enraged when Norwegian referee Tom Henning Ovrebo produced a red card that was harsh in the extreme. It was a stroke of luck for Liverpool and ill-fortune for Inter, who saw Marco Materazzi sent off in debatable fashion in the first leg at Anfield. Ibrahimovic had once again flattered to deceive and he was guilty of an awful miss after 56 minutes when he was gifted the ball by a dreadful pass from Skrtel and was wastefully off target. And Torres made Inter pay for all those missed opportunities as he fired the goal that effectively sent Liverpool into the last eight after 64 minutes. Aurelio's pass found Torres in the area and he turned before sending a low, unerring right-foot finish low to the right of Inter keeper Cesar. Liverpool were now cruising, although there was another opportunity for Ibrahimovic to incur the wrath of the home crowd with another bad miss after 78 minutes, shooting horribly off target again when clean through. Inter Milan: Julio Cesar, Maicon, Burdisso, Rivas, Chivu, Zanetti, Cambiasso, Stankovic (Jimenez 84), Vieira (Pele 76), Ibrahimovic (Suazo 80), Cruz. Subs Not Used: Toldo, Figo, Crespo, Maniche. Sent Off: Burdisso (50). Booked: Burdisso, Rivas, Stankovic, Chivu. Liverpool: Reina, Carragher, Skrtel, Hyypia, Aurelio, Babel (Benayoun 61), Mascherano (Pennant 87), Gerrard, Lucas, Kuyt (Riise 81), Torres. Subs Not Used: Itandje, Voronin, Crouch, Arbeloa. Booked: Babel, Gerrard, Aurelio, Benayoun. Goals: Torres 64. Att: 80,000 Ref: Tom Ovrebo (Norway).

[davidmphill]

I dont think anyone can argue with the overall result here. Professional performance in both legs ensured progress to the Quarters. There are obviously sides there that you'd fancy getting a result against in Fenerbahce, Schalke and Roma. Interesting to see what the draw throughs up. I have thoughts that for some reason there will be two all English QF's, dont know why, just reckon to it.

Torres, what a finish from the lad. This boy knows his job.

[Pot rice]

Yeah, Torres is playing superbly well at the moment.

I'd fancy Liverpool to beat anyone at the moment in this competition. If I had to choose, the only teams I'd want to avoid in the next round are Arsenal and Man Utd. I'd prefer to play either of them in the final.

[steve1966]

Its amazing really. 4/5 weeks ago when Barnsley dumped Liverpool out of the cup I was listening to radio 5 live and the amount of Liverpool fans that rang in asking for his head was unbelievable.

It looks now Rafa has silenced his critics and is the best thing since sliced bread again.............At least until their next defeat.

[aliando]

Originally Posted by steve1966

Its amazing really. 4/5 weeks ago when Barnsley dumped Liverpool out of the cup I was listening to radio 5 live and the amount of Liverpool fans that rang in asking for his head was unbelievable.

It looks now Rafa has silenced his critics and is the best thing since sliced bread again.............At least until their next defeat.

i'm still unhappy and unconvinced - the man has admitted he finds it difficult to gauge the tactics needed in the premier and next seaon its only the top 3 that get euro cup entry....

before anyone says it, its unacceptable imo to attempt to qualify as winners!

[WorkingForTheEnemy]

As previously mentioned, its clear he knows what needs to be done for cup success, the problem is the league. The amount of games with drawn shows this. We've only lost 3 games, 2 more than Arsenal, same as Chelsea and 1 less than Man Utd. We've drawn 11 though. Draws or a draw and a win is ggod enough in European competition. It wont win you the league though.

[doublecee]

The answer seems obvious to me. Rafa manages for the Champion League games and we get a second manager to look after the Premiership games.

[mileni4uk]

I am afraid I have to disagree with couple of opinions here. Far better away form this season and only 3 matches lost. Draws screwed our season true! But the situation with Klinsman being interviewed for the job and the stupid owners affected the team. The lads started great and if everything with the board was stable we could have been up there. We're only 8 points adrift at the moment. Something I only recently realized Thought we are at least 20 I like Skrtel very much and he looks a fantastic defender for England. After the own-goal in his first match, he is rock solid and improving with every game. The other positive thing is the new formation. 3 central mid-fielders Masherano, Xabi + Gerrard playing a free role behind Torres Babel is improving, but we need someone like him on the right. A right winger(striker) like Cristiano Ronaldo. If we get a man, who'll get you goals from the right flank we are ready for next season. Kewell is leaving, Pennant is just a team player and doesn't score goals. And of course if MUST get rid of those owners!!! Rafa needs to be given another season. Give him J40m for two classy new additions and show confidence in him and he will deliver. This is my opinion for what it's worth.

[Charlie Wong]

Gerrard playing off Torres has been a superb tactical decision by Rafa, worked really well away to Inter, yes Arsenal are a very good side and warrant respect, but i'll put money on it that Wenger is just as concerned with our record in Europe.

Read some comments form Adebayor how he's gunner fire the goals to dump liverpool out, maybe they should concentrate on stopping Torres first.

[mileni4uk]

Imo the balance in the teams has always been dependent on the wingers. Man U can play 4-4-2 and be good, because they have fantastic wings. We play 4-4-2 with Riise and Pennant and where are the goals expected from? If Torres and Gerrard don't score we suck big time. So playing with 2 wings and a forward is far better. Especially when you have the passing ability of Xabi and the fighting spirit of Masherano. I would never drop one of those two on the bench. I will always play Gerrard as a 3rd midfielder on a free role and use Babel and Kuyt (who imo is not that good for this position, but has played it at Feyenoord before and is far better there than being a partner to Fernando in attack). The formation at the moment is working and is better than the usual 4-4-2 we play. We can get the best out of almost every player we have and this helps the team

[Charlie Wong]

Ronaldo wasn't all that in his first couple of years in England. Think Babel can do a similar job for us with his pace and trickery in the future.

[mileni4uk]

Originally Posted by Sir Fernando

Ronaldo wasn't all that in his first couple of years in England. Think Babel can do a similar job for us with his pace and trickery in the future.

Yea, he doesn't have the technical ability of Cristiano, but he is more direct and can provide goals. He is more of a striker to me though. For example Henry never showed his true skills playing as a left winger. Babel is a forward for me, not a winger.