The Kop recently devised a song for their new hero('Nando Torres). The lyrics go something like this (to the tune of 'The Animals go in Two by Two'):
His armband proved he was a red - Torres, Torres
You'll never walk alone it said - Torres, Torres
We bought the lad from sunny Spain
He gets the ball he scores again
Fer-nan-do Torres Liverpool's number 9.
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Monday, February 18, 2008
Benitez: What More Do You Want From Me?
Despite admitting to being bitterly disappointed at being dumped out of the FA Cup by a lower division side, Rafa Benitez has reacted with incredulity to the barrage of criticism he is having to deal with.
With a Champions League title and FA Cup to show for in the three-and-a-half years he has been at Anfield since arriving from Valencia, the Liverpool manager believes he has earned enough credit to not have to sweat over his future during a lean period.
“I’m surprised at the criticism because I was brought here to help Liverpool win,” Benitez moaned.
“We’ve now lifted four trophies under me and appeared in semi-finals.
“Tell me how many managers in their first three or four years have done the same?
“We can’t win everything, that’s impossible. Realistically, no team wins a trophy every year.”
The Spaniard then turned his attention to the Barnsley debacle, again stressing that it was the recurring profligacy in front of goal which cost them.
"Gerrard said the other day that we must be more ruthless and it's true. We must kill games.
"I don't know how many chances we had, but if you think about it, from the left side, right side, set pieces and between the lines, we had so many chances and their 'keeper was fantastic. For me to come to a press conference and explain after the number of clear chances we had is hard.
"We know we have to keep going. This game is finished, and though we must be really, really disappointed because we are out of the competition like other Premier League teams, we must start thinking about the next game now.
"Everybody is disappointed but we cannot change anything now. We must try to prepare for the next game as well as we can."
Liverpool’s shock defeat to Barnsley, combined with the fact that they are a full 19 points off first in the Premier League, has prompted speculation that he could be handed his walking papers by the disgruntled American owners if the Reds fail to overcome Inter in the Champions League.
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Monday, February 11, 2008
Carragher And Crouch Bemoan Missed Chance
“Yes it was very tight”, said Carragher. “We’ve had a few 0-0’s here in the past because both teams have good defences and so it proved again.”
Asked if he thought Liverpool should have won the game, the defender answered: “Yes, we shaded the game and maybe could have nicked it, so yes I’m a little disappointed because we had a couple of chances.”
Commenting on the chances that came Liverpool’s way, three of which fell to Peter Crouch, the striker felt he should have put one away.
“A couple of half-chances came my way yes, and maybe the one on my left-foot could have been better. If I hit the target then I think it would have gone in.
“It was a good battle out there, we matched them and in the end we were the better side.”
The two players were arguably the best in a red shirt at Stamford Bridge, with Carragher shutting the door at the back, and Crouch leading the line well. But as the conversation moved to Liverpool’s revised ambitions for this season, the two differed in what they could achieve.
Crouch summed up the situation but hinted the Reds could still keep up with the big boys,
“We are still a way behind, but we proved today that we’ll keep going until the end.”
Carragher was more candid in his assessment,
“Realistically we’re out of the race. Arsenal and Manchester United have set the pace and we now have to show respect to Aston Villa and Manchester City because we are in a right battle to get fourth placed with them.”
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Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Rafael Benitez has been rocked with the news that Fernando Torres limped out of Spain’s friendly victory over France with a hamstring injury.
The injury has thrown Liverpool’s preparations for Sunday’s crucial visit to Stamford Bridge and the Champions League last-16 clash against Inter into jeopardy.
Torres has led the line for the Reds superbly this season but the club’s overall form has been dire, to the extent that they languish 17 points behind league leaders Arsenal.
Liverpool’s, and Benitez’s, misery seems set to continue as the £23million pound summer buy was forced off the field after only 23 minutes.
How long Torres will remain sidelined is unknown as hamstring injuries can range from minor tweaks to full-blown muscle tears, meaning the striker could be out for anything from a week to a month
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Tuesday, February 5, 2008
In an interview with As, Liverpool and Spain ace Fernando Torres wouldn't be drawn on the question of who succeeds Luis Aragones as Spain boss after Euro 2008, with the veteran set to step down after that contest.
Indeed, the question takes on added significance following recent speculation that he wouldn't even last until the tournament. However, Torres wouldn't be drawn on such rumours.
He said, "That's the first I've heard of it. I prefer to look ahead thinking that Luis will be there, and I think that this will be the case.
"This isn't the time to talk about new managers. It doesn't help. Luis has the backing of we players."
Looking ahead to the impending test games against some of Europe's top teams, he said, "These friendlies against France and Italy will help Spain to measure up ahead of Euro 2008, which is important.
"The nation wants us to prepare as well as possible - speculation doesn't help with that."
In conclusion, he talked of his period of adjustment after leaving Atletico Madrid for Liverpool.
"So far things have been good, but they'll get better starting from now," he closed.
**(Not Much liverpool news so I decided to put about international but with liverpool players in it:))
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The Liverpool midfielder has not played for the national team since being sent off against Iceland last September and is relishing his return.
Luis Aragonés has stated that he will remain loyal to the players that saw Spain make it to Euro 2008 and Alonso has been an integral part of that squad.
"It is clear that the coach has faith in the squad that qualified for the European Championships," he explained.
"He knows what the players can bring and has opted to maintain the same set-up and I think that makes sense.
"But I am feeling fine. I am returning little by little and I am short of match rhythm and need a few more games after three months of inactivity.
Alonso then reflected on David Albelda's situation at Valencia and admitted that it was difficult to understand, but is sure that the call from Aragonés will have helped.
"What is happening to David is not normal and it is a very delicate situation. This call-up will do him a lot of good as he has helped the team so much," he continued.
"Now we have a few days to talk to him and encourage him here."
Aragonés could consider playing Alonso as a defensive midfielder, putting him in direct competition with Albelda for a place, but he does not see it like that.
"We should not be talking about successors or these things as I am not here for Albelda and he is not here for me," he said.
"It is a question of alternating. I had more games in the World Cup and then he had a run in the team.
"What is important though is that all know what we have to do for the country and I think we have no doubt about the responsibility that comes with the position.
"I have played there many times and protected the two central defenders and supplied the attacking midfielders.
"I played there in the World Cup and have done it for Liverpool."
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Monday, February 4, 2008
It’s not often that we’ve been able to come away from a Premier League match not complaining about at least on of our strikers. Given the increasingly alarming slump in form (or, some may argue, ability) of Voronin and Kuyt, that’s hardly been surprising.
But,we find ourselves wondering whether Peter Crouch and Fernando Torres are a match made in Heaven.
The combination of Crouch’s height and ability to drop deeper, coupled with Torres’s blistering on-the-shoulder style is nearly as classic as front pairings go. If it wasn’t for Fernando’s frame, we’d be talking about an old-school big man/small man combo.
I’ve never been one to criticise Rafa’s rotation policy, but given the on/off abilities of our front men, isn’t it about time he swallowed a small bit of pride and let the two have a run of games?
I’ve never been one to shy away from expressing my opinions on Crouch’s shortcomings, but it seems that the combination brings the best our of each other. Okay, so Peter probably won’t weigh in with anything close to Torres’s haul, but – unlike my colleagues – I’ve seen little to convince me that Kuyt, Voronin or Babel come close to aiding and raising Torres’s game and impact. And let’s face it: it’s not defeatist to say that we need to assist Fernando in any way possible.
Let me know what you think about the re-emergence of a tidy forward pairing that has had far too few minutes this season to shine. Is it about time we gave them a run of games to prove it should be considered the preferred pairing? Or do you think we’re being too hard on Kuyt and Voronin, who both still have an equally big part to play in the season run-in? Comment at the tagboard with your thoughts.
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Xabi Alonso is set to lead a mass exodus from Anfield during the summer months after falling out of favour with under-pressure boss Rafa Benitez.
The Spaniard is attracting interest from Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona, allowing Rafa to cash-in on the midfielder who is valued in excess of £15million.
After the capture of Javier Mascherano in a deal worth over £18million, Alonso’s chances of nailing a regular starting slot alongside Steven Gerrard are slim and may look for a move away from Anfield, however a move to either Madrid or Barca simply wouldn’t make sense if regular football is sought after by a player, regardless of his stature.
Other casualties set to follow Xabi out of Liverpool include Dirk Kuyt, Andriy Voronin, John Arne Riise, Fabio Aurellio, Sami Hyypia, Charles Itandje and Harry Kewell.
Even Steve Finnan is under the Benitez microscope has he prepares to build a new-look LFC for 2008/09 season, let’s just hope he’s still in charge to do so!
PS:I've just make this blog.I am only 13 so please be considerate to me:)thank you.
Remember to tag my blog ,oh and I also decided to change my blogskinso I want people to give me your ideas:)I'll pick the best one to use:)
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