Benitez pursuing striking options

Liverpool Daily Post, 24 Dec 2004
Benitez pursuing striking options
By Andy Hunter, Daily Post

RAFAEL BENITEZ last night revealed he has broadened his search for a new
striker and warned Real Madrid he will not be held to ransom over
Fernando Morientes.

The Liverpool manager remains keen to bring the Spanish international to
Anfield in the transfer window but is growing increasingly frustrated at
Madrid's refusal to lower their £7million asking price.

Benitez does not have £7m to spend in January and believes Monday's
£3.5m offer is a fair valuation of a 28-year-old with 18 months
remaining on his contract.

But if Morientes is unable to persuade the Spanish giants to reach a
compromise deal, Benitez admits he will step up his interest in
alternative targets - including Manchester City's Nicolas Anelka.

"I have read in the papers that Morientes wants to play for Liverpool,"
he said.

"I know Newcastle are trying to sign the player and talk to Madrid but
the player has made it clear that he wants to come here.

"We are not going to do anything differently at the moment. Morientes is
an option but we are also looking at different options. It is not a good
idea to only have one option.

"I am happy with Mellor, Baros and Sinama but we have a lot of games
coming up in four competitions and we will need to have another striker.

"There are a lot of players on the market and I am sure we will find the
best one for Liverpool.

"But we don't want to pay a lot of money for the player, he has to be at
the right price.

"Morientes is one of the players we are talking about but he is not the
only one. He is a good player but I have other options."

Madrid have admitted that a "fantastic offer" could persuade them to
part with Morientes.

New vice-president Emilio Butragueno admitted he understood the
striker's frustration at his lack of first-team football but insisted
any deal had to also benefit Madrid.

He told Spanish newspaper Marca: "If there is a fantastic offer then we
will consider it.

"Morientes is a very good player and we are not going to stand in
anyone's way, not least Fernando because he has always behaved in a
professional manner, but we also have to look at the interests of the club.

"It is clear that Fernando is upset at not playing very much but I also
have to say that the season is very long.

"I remember two years ago when we played Juventus in the Champions
League and we had Javier Portillo and Morientes in attack. I understand
Fernando and he understands our position."

Meanwhile, Josemi has picked up a knee injury which will need a visit to
a specialist - and could see him sidelined for up to six weeks.

It is a bitter blow for the Spanish full-back who has just completed a
one-match suspension and appears to have lost his starting place to
Steve Finnan after a recent dip in form.

Igor Biscan is fit for the Boxing Day trip to West Brom having damaged
his cheekbone in the Carling Cup win at Tottenham. But goalkeeper Chris
Kirkland is a week away from a return to the squad following his back
injury.

Albion will be without central defender Darren Moore.

Moore is continuing to struggle with the knee injury that has forced him
to miss the last two games.

The Jamaican international has targeted the New Year's Day game against
Bolton for his comeback.

They will also have to check on the fitness of Romanian international
midfielder Cosmin Contra.

Contra is still troubled by the groin strain that forced him to miss
last weekend's 4-0 defeat at the hands of Birmingham City.

DIDI FOLLOWS STEVIE AND COMMITS TO REDS

Official LFC Website, 24 Dec 2004
DIDI FOLLOWS STEVIE AND COMMITS TO REDS
By Mark Platt

Dietmar Hamann has followed the lead of fellow central midfielder Steven
Gerrard and reiterated his commitment to Liverpool Football Club.
Hamann was delighted to hear that Gerrard plans to stay at Anfield for
the foreseeable future and was quick to put the record straight
regarding his own situation.

With his current contract due to expire at the end of the season the
German midfielder's future at the club has also been the subject of much
speculation recently.

Under the Bosman ruling he's free to talk to other club's come January.

But in the wake of the skipper's much welcomed announcement, Hamann has
confirmed to Liverpoolfc.tv that he too has no plans to leave the club.

"It's good news about Stevie and obviously a big boost for everyone to
hear that such an influential individual as him wants to stay on board
for a few more years," says Didi.

"He's the captain of the team and a very important player for the club.

"As for my future, we've talked with the club and I'm very hopeful we
can get things sorted sooner rather than later.

"I want to stay here. I've no intention of going anywhere else and
therefore haven't spoken to any other club.

"My focus is on Liverpool and hopefully I've also got a few more years
left here."

Groundshare set for final rejection - Echo

Liverpool Echo, 24 Dec 2004
Groundshare set for final rejection
By Scott McLeod, Liverpool Echo

EVERTON and Liverpool met once again to discuss the Stanley Park
ground-share issue last night.

It is believed to have been a final gathering before providing a
definitive answer next week.

The clubs are expected to announce the ground-share is off the agenda
once and for all.

Goodison chief executive Keith Wyness, his Liverpool opposite number
Rick Parry and representatives from the North West Development Agency
are believed to have attended last night's meeting.

It followed last month's summit with Sports Minister Richard Caborn in
London.

The NWDA are keen to invest money in a ground development if it will be
home to both clubs.

But that now looks doomed because Liverpool's Stanley Park plans are so
far advanced and Everton are unwilling to contemplate anything less than
a clear 50/50 split on ownership of the ground.

If there is no further government intervention there will be no further
meetings.

That will allow Liverpool to press ahead with their plans for the £120m
Stanley Park development and leave Everton free to explore the
possibility of re-developing Goodison or finding a new home elsewhere.

Wyness has confirmed there are no suitable sites for a new home
currently available.

But the club is working with city council over the Goodison site, with
talks taking place over the possibility of the club acquiring more land
around the ground in order to extend to a potential 50,000 capacity.

Wyness revealed: "I think that without doubt the footprint would have to
be expanded for us to do a sensible redevelopment, if we were to stay in
this area.

"It is something I am giving a lot of attention to in terms of
feasibility and looking at what can be done.

"There are a lot of things beginning to coincide which lead us to the
conclusion that something will have to be done, either here or on a new
site. It is inescapable for everybody.

"It has been coming for a long time. It is a question of whether it will
be done here or elsewhere."

[lfc-news] Academy starlets promoted to Melwood - Official Site

Official LFC Website, 23 Dec 2004
ACADEMY STARLETS PROMOTED TO MELWOOD
By Steve Hunter

Three of Liverpool's brightest starlets have been promoted to making the
move to Melwood next season in defender Danny O'Donnell and midfielders
Lee Peltier and Danny Guthrie.

Danny O'Donnell is a centre half who was spotted playing Sunday league
football last season and has made real progress at the club. He is
captain of the Under-18 team, is a good shouter at the back and has been
a regular member of Hughie McAuley's reserve team this season. He comes
from Rainford, in St Helens.

Danny Guthrie captained the Liverpool team to a 6-0 victory over
Wealdstone in the FA Youth Cup on Tuesday night and gave an outstanding
display. A central midfielder who can also play wide right, Guthrie
hails from Telford and is a good prospect. He has also seen plenty of
reserve team action this season.

Lee Peltier is a versatile player who can play central midfield, centre
half and right back. Lee is a local lad from Aigburth and is currently
out for three months with a back problem but is a very good prospect.

Liverpool Under-18 manager John Owens said: "We sign all the boys
because of a certain potential. Those three have that potential and over
the games and the daily practice, they show that they are actually
fulfilling their potential.


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[lfc-news] Skipper planning festive flourish - Echo

Liverpool Echo, 24 Dec 2004
Skipper planning festive flourish
By Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo

THE prospect of facing West Brom away shouldn't fill Rafa Benitez's side
with fear on Boxing Day.

But, given Liverpool's poor away form, the trip to the Hawthorns isn't
as appetising as it should be.

While the Reds have been rampant at Anfield, losing just once and
drawing another in an impressive first half of the season, the contrast
on their travels is perplexing.

Only Fulham have been beaten on the road in the Premiership, and that
needed a stirring fightback when Liverpool trailed 2-0 at half-time.

Skipper Steven Gerrard is frustrated because he knows just three more
wins away from home would have taken Liverpool into Christmas as part of
the title race, not struggling to keep in touch with the top four.

He's confident the team's fortunes will transform in the New Year, but
acknowledges there can be no slip-ups at venues such as West Brom for
those ambitions to be realised.

"On paper we've got to be looking at getting six points out of six over
the next two games," said Gerrard..

"We know it won't be easy at West Brom but we've got to go there looking
to win and then picking up another three points against Southampton.
That would set us up nicely for the Chelsea game which is obviously
going to be another massive one.

"But we don't want to think too far ahead. We've got to make sure we
beat West Brom first and give ourselves a chance to catch the leaders."

When the sides met at Anfield earlier in the season, Liverpool's 3-0 win
set the tone for a series of impressive home fixtures.

At this stage 12 months ago the Reds had already lost four at home with
Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United and next Tuesday's opponents,
Southampton, leaving Merseyside with the honours.

There's been a reversal of fortune this year which makes the strange
away results harder to accept.

"We've been a lot more confident at home. We went into the season
wanting to turn Anfield into a fortress again and to a large extent I
think we've done that," says Gerrard..

"I know there's been a couple of hiccups, but you'd expect that in a
season. Overall we'd have settled for the points we've collected at home
at this stage of the season.

"I'm sure exactly what the statistics are in terms of points won, but I
know we've only lost one and drawn another. There ' s been a big
improvement at Anfield, not just in terms of results, but in terms of
the way we've dominated teams and played quality football.

"Why hasn't it happened away? I think you've just got to put it down to
self-belief and confidence.

"We've got that at home and our defence has been really solid which has
helped us dominate the teams that have come here.

"It's always a different game away. The opposition always have more
confidence and try to get at us more, and so far we just haven't
responded well enough.

"Scoring away from home is always more difficult, but the way we are
playing I'm sure we'll put it right."

West Brom are considered certainties for relegation, despite the recent
appointment of Bryan Robson.

Gerrard knows from experience how nothing should be taken for granted.
Last year's relegated teams, Leicester, Wolves and Leeds all took points
from Liverpool on their own territory.

"Our record against the top sides has been good but we've got to show
the same form against those at the other end of the table," he said..

"We've beaten Arsenal and when Chelsea come to our place we'll have no
fear. We know if we play like we did against Arsenal we can upset them
too. But if we haven't picked up maximum points against West Brom and
Southampton, it won't mean as much as it should."


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Spare a thought for some sick children

I was watching the TV earlier this week, and there was a bit of news footage about players visiting sick children in hospital. The players in question were actually Aston Villa and Birmingham players.

Then on Christmas Eve I came across a site which aims to help sick children (and their families) feel a little better by sending email or snail-mail messages to them. The site is called Postpals and is available by clicking here.

If many readers of this site had got their wish as kids, they'd now be playing footy for their favourite team (I assume LFC!) - and they'd have been quite possibly visiting a hospital this week to sign autographs and so on.

So without having to spend any money, you could do some good for some children here in the UK. A small amount of your time over Christmas could make a big difference to these kids. And in a way, you're fulfilling a part of that childhood dream of becoming a footballer!

If I find a site that helps you fulfill the other aspects of being a professional footballer, I'll let you know!

Merry Christmas.

Stevie: I love this club

From the Liverpool Echo, 23 Dec 2004
Stevie: I love this club
By Chris Bascombe

STEVEN GERRARD today spoke of his pride at being voted the club's player of the year following an emotional 12 months at Anfield.

The Liverpool skipper was given the accolade by the club's Official Supporters' Club, recognising his outstanding contribution in 2004 when he inspired the Reds into the Champions League.

Gerrard pipped Jamie Carragher to the honour.

After a difficult summer when the skipper considered his future at Anfield, he says it means a lot to know the fans are so supportive.

And he vowed never to put what he described as 'selfish' ambitions above those of the club he loves.

"When you receive an award which comes from the fans who pay their money to come and watch you every week it means even more than any other," said Gerrard.

"But if I've played well it's down to my teammates as much as myself.

"There have been a number of outstanding performers this year so I'm buzzing to pick up this award.

"In the position I play you have to strive for consistency and I think over the last 18 months I've managed to get that and I've been really happy with my form.

"It's definitely been that consistency which has pleased me the most, but I'm not just settling for that. I feel I can get even better and I'm working hard to improve my game even more.

"I feel there's more to come from me so I can help win the club more honours.

"The fans at this club have been great to me ever since the day I made my debut. I feel they've always been behind me and recently I know there have been some people looking for a few of them to turn against me after certain comments I have made.

"It's important to me that the supporters know I didn't say those things from a selfish point of view.

"All the comments I've made have been because I love this club so much and desperately want to be successful.

"I want us to do everything we can as a club to be winning trophies again and I want to be part of a successful Liverpool. "

Les Lawson, chairman of the Merseyside Branch of the Supporters' Club, which organised the annual event, believes the vote shows the fans are fully behind their captain.

"It was an easy choice for the supporters this year," he said.

"I think after his performances, only one player was going to win, although it's testimony to how well Jamie Carragher has played that he should be runner-up considering he missed half last season with a broken leg.

"There's been a lot of scaremongering about Stevie and we were all in a panic when the Chelsea thing happened over the summer.

"The main thing is Stevie has said he wants to stay and he's made it clear he thinks the manager should be backed to bring in the players he wants.

"Every supporter will agree with that and last night's award shows the fans are with him."

BBC SPORT - West Brom v Liverpool

BBC SPORT | Football | Premiership | West Brom v Liverpool: "West Brom v Liverpool
Midfielder Cosmin Contra faces a late fitness check on his groin strain as West Brom face Liverpool on Boxing Day.

Darren Moore is out with a knee injury, but the defender hopes to return for the New Year's Day game against Bolton.

Josemi has been ruled out for Liverpool because of a knee injury and will need to visit a specialist.

Igor Biscan is fit again after damaging a cheekbone but goalkeeper Chris Kirkland is a week away from a return to the squad because of a back injury.

West Brom (from): Hoult, Scimeca, Purse, Clement, Haas, Contra, Johnson, Greening, Gera, Earnshaw, Kanu, Hulse, Horsfield, Koumas, Gaardsoe, Albrechtsen, Robinson, Dyer, Sakiri, Kuszczak.

Liverpool (from): Dudek, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Riise, Garcia, Gerrard, Alonso, Kewell, Hamann, Traore, Mellor, Baros, Sinama-Pongolle, Harrison, Kirkland, Diao, Biscan, Josemi.

"

News over the Christmas Holidays

Just a quick note to update you on what our plans are over Christmas.

We've recently hit some problems with some of our feeds, but assuming
we can fix these up we hope to have "normal service" pretty soon.

In addition we're hoping to provide more updates of our own, over the
holidays, and into the future too. We've been quite busy on other
projects recently, not to mention starting work on our new site
http://www.anfieldroad.com.

Anyway, in case the Christmas Sherry gets the better of us, here's
wishing you all a happy Christmas and a Merry New Year....

Toon out to scupper deal for Morientes

From The Liverpool Echo: Toon out to scupper deal for Morientes

Dec 22 2004

By Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo

NEWCASTLE are trying to sabotage Liverpool's bid for Fernando Morientes by making their own move for the striker.

But Anfield boss Rafa Benitez won't get involved in a bidding war and will switch his attention to Nicolas Anelka if the situation drags on.

Morientes (left) met Real President Fiorentino Perez yesterday to plead to be allowed to join Liverpool.

But Perez is adamant the Reds' £3.5m bid isn't acceptable and continues to overprice the 28-year-old.

A showdown meeting involving Morientes, Perez and the player's agent, Gines Carvaja, took place in Madrid.

Morientes was told he can leave the Bernabeu, but only at the right price.

Madrid still haven't officially rejected Liverpool's first bid for the Spaniard and appear to be trying to inflate his value by involving other clubs.

Madrid officials told the player both Newcastle and Monaco are prepared to pay more than the £3.5m on the table.

There is even a suggestion Geordies boss Graeme Souness is ready to bid as much as £10m for the 28-year-old.

Liverpool are sure to increase their offer to £5m if Real indicate they'll allow Morientes to move to Anfield, but won't go beyond this fee.

The £7m price tag orginally placed on Morientes' head is seen as ridiculous given his age and he has only 18 months left on his contract.

Benitez thinks the ball is in the player's court and his next move will be influenced by how much he feels Morientes wants to come to Anfield.

Until last night, all the indications were the striker is desperate to join the Reds, but Liverpool hoped the meeting in Madrid would resolve the situation.

That hasn't happened, and any hint Morientes is willing to discuss a transfer elsewhere will lead to Benitez ending his interest.

Benitez has other options, and an alternative swoop for Anelka shouldn't be ruled out.

Anelka is desperate to return to Anfield and there is an increasing momentum heading in his favour.

The French striker is attractive because he is younger, proven in the Premiership, and isn't cup-tied for the Champions League.

Liverpool would like to take Anelka on loan until the end of the season, with a view to a transfer this summer, but City could accept £6m in January.

Meanwhile, Liverpool are not interested in Laurent Robert, despite a speculative report this morning.

Newcastle to join Morientes race

From the BBC: Newcastle to join Morientes race

Morientes chooses Liverpool

Newcastle have joined the race to sign Real Madrid striker Fernando Morientes and scupper Liverpool's bid to snap up the player, according to reports.

Liverpool were reported to have bid £3.5m for the 28-year-old Spanish international this week.

But the Liverpool Echo newspaper has said Anfield boss Rafa Benitez will avoid a bidding war and instead turn his attentions to Nicolas Anelka.

Real are believed to still want £7m before selling Morientes.

Monaco are also in the race for the player they had on loan last season.

Reports suggest Liverpool will lift their offer to £5m - the highest they are willing to go before bowing out of any deal.

I haven't spoken to Rafa Benitez but I would like to play for him Fernando Morientes

On Tuesday, Morientes had said: "I like Liverpool and I am pleased that a club of their stature want to buy me. I have told Madrid that I want it to happen.

"Madrid know my situation and they know they must do something about me. They must sort out the situation by being sensible.

"I am in a position where I want to play, and I will have to look elsewhere to do that. If Madrid do not want me then it's in the best interests of everyone that they are realistic.

"I haven't spoken to Rafa Benitez but I have always appreciated his work and I would like to play for him.

But Benitez could yet turn his attentions to the younger Anelka should Morientes be reluctant to pledge his future to Liverpool.

Anelka previously played at Anfield under Gerard Houllier before sealing his permanent switch to Manchester City.

Gerrard wants Morientes

From Sky Sports: Gerrard wants Morientes

by Graeme Bailey - Last Updated 22 Dec 2004

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has welcomed the possible arrival of Spanish star Fernando Morientes.

Gerrard has admitted he would love to see the arrival of El Moro - who is being strongly tipped to move to Anfield when the transfer window opens in January.

The Reds have already had one bid rejected by Real Madrid - but talks are believed to be ongoing and a deal could be struck within days, although there is also interest from other sides including Monaco.

The England star has now heralded Morientes's potential signing.

"He is a great player and scores in the league and cup competitions and in the Champions League," Gerrard told Sky Sports.

"I don't think he can play this season, but if we are able to get him then we get a great player.

"We have Spanish coaches and players, we have four of them already they will help him settle.

"We have a great team spirit here and I am sure if he did come then he would settle well."

Gerrard's own situation is continually under the spotlight, but he has again insisted he has no plans to quit.

"I am signed here for this season and another two, there is no situation it always happens at this time of the year," he continued.

When asked if he would be staying he replied: "Yes."

Morgan withdraws Liverpool offer

From the BBC: Morgan withdraws Liverpool offer

Profile: Who is Steve Morgan?

Tycoon Steve Morgan has abandoned his £70m bid to take control of Liverpool.

His lawyer said in a statement: "Steve has lost patience with the board using his offer as a stopgap while they look for a better one."

The businessman has been trying to invest in the club for several years and made his first official bid in May.

Morgan claims he has been discussing his latest offer with the club for two months but withdrew it after growing tired of their "indecision".

The closest Morgan came to seizing control of Liverpool came in August when a deal was agreed in principle.

It fell through after Morgan carried out business checks on Liverpool's finances which revealed the cost of their proposed new stadium had risen from £80m to £115m.

He consequently told the club's directors: "Please tell the truth about the figures for the stadium. You must come clean about what the costs really are.

"If this room knew half the things from the investigation I undertook they would be appalled, and understand why I revised my offer."

But at the club's AGM at the beginning of December, current chairman David Moores said it "may be time" to accept Morgan's proposal.

Steve has other things to do with his life Steve Morgan's lawyer

At the same meeting, club directors hinted that other offers were being considered and Morgan responded by setting the club a seven-day deadline to make a decision on his bid.

Liverpool failed to respond and on Tuesday, Morgan decided to withdraw his offer.

"Steve is no longer prepared to be used as as stalking horse," said his lawyer.

"He loves the club and desperately wants to take it forward, but he simply can't wait around forever.

"He has other things to do with his life.

"He just hopes for the sake of the fans and the shareholders that the directors urgently secure a deal and get on with it, as it is clear that the club badly needs investment."

[lfc-news] Newcastle report - PA

PA Sport, 19 Dec 2004
Liverpool 3 Newcastle 1

Liverpool kept their dreams of a top-four finish alive with a convincing
victory over an increasingly ragged Newcastle.

The Geordies lost Craig Bellamy, injured in the warm-up, and had Lee
Bowyer sent off for a second yellow card with eight minutes left. Titus
Bramble had earlier contributed to their downfall as well with an own
goal just seconds after Newcastle took an early lead through Patrick
Kluivert.

With some of their players linked with another hotel incident in the
morning papers, the day just got worse for their manager Graeme Souness
on his return to a stadium he once graced as a player.

Liverpool clicked into gear after that shock early goal by Kluivert and
were ahead at the break through Neil Mellor's fifth goal of the season.

Liverpool were increasingly dominant in the second half and they topped
off a fine display with a stunning third goal from Milan Baros which
compounded Souness' misery.

His team are stuck in the bottom half of the table seemingly without a
hope of mounting a challenge for a Champions League spot themselves,
something Reds boss Rafael Benitez insists is a genuine target for
Liverpool.

That boast does not seem too outlandish after this display.

Newcastle lost Bellamy in the warm-up with a recurrence of his back
injury, leaving Kluivert to take over up front.

For Liverpool, Spanish midfielder Luis Garcia returned after missing six
games with a hamstring injury.

The loss of Bellamy clearly unsettled Newcastle right from the start,
with Liverpool powering towards them, and the home side should have been
ahead on two minutes when Baros fought his way to the byline and laid on
an easy chance for Luis Garcia six yards out. But the little Spaniard
managed to hammer his effort high into the Kop.

Referee Graham Poll, who took centre stage with his decisions last
weekend at Arsenal, was again at the heart of the action, firstly not
penalising Bramble for sending Baros spinning onto the track and then
seconds later giving a free-kick for a debatable challenge on Kluivert.

But it was still Liverpool taking the initiative, and Steven Gerrard
went close when he cut in from the left and found space for a right-foot
drive from 20 yards which flashed past Shay Given's right-hand post.

Luis Garcia, after being out for so long, was a touch short of the pace
of the game and conceded possession in midfield in the run-up to
Newcastle taking the lead.

Kieron Dyer's pass into space sent Bowyer tearing into the box to neatly
set up Kluivert to fire home from six yards, even if there was a hint of
offside in the build-up.

The response was a 35-yard shot from John Arne Riise that flashed just
wide, and the hosts were level two minutes after Newcastle had gone ahead.

Gerrard swung a corner in from the left and under pressure from Sami
Hyypia, Bramble deflected the ball into his own net.

It got even better for Liverpool three minutes later. Baros turned
Robbie Elliott easily 30 yards out and the Czech then threaded a clever
pass into Mellor, who coolly slotted the ball past Given from 12 yards.

Baros had a goal ruled out for a foul on Given as Liverpool stepped up
the pace. Bowyer and Elliott were both booked as they struggled to
contain Harry Kewell and Xabi Alonso.

But in the 61st minute Liverpool scored a very special goal in which
Kewell gave a rare flash of his capabilities.

Hyypia won possession in his own half and fed the Australian, who fed
the ball into Baros' path with stunning quality. Baros raced away before
rounding Given and placing the ball into an empty net.

Jermaine Jenas missed a great chance to cut the deficit back to one goal
as he skied an effort over the crossbar, before Jerzy Dudek saved
superbly from a Laurent Robert free-kick.

The Reds sent on Antonio Nunez and Florent Sinama-Pongolle, and the
French teenager's first involvement was to be sent crashing to the
ground by Bowyer, who was issued his second yellow card and then the red
by Poll, Newcastle by now totally dispirited.

Liverpool: Dudek, Hyypia, Finnan, Carragher, Riise, Luis Garcia (Nunez
73), Gerrard, Alonso, Kewell (Traore 85), Baros, Mellor (Sinama Pongolle 75)
Subs not used: Harrison, Hamann
Booked: none
Goals: Bramble og 35, Mellor 38, Baros 61

Newcastle: Given, O'Brien, Elliott, Bramble, Bernard, Bowyer, Dyer
(Ambrose 80), Jenas, Milner (N'Zogbia 72), Kluivert (Robert 58), Amoebi
Subs not used: Harper
Booked: Elliott, Bernard, Bowyer
Sent off: Bowyer
Goals: Kluivert 32

Att: 43,856
Referee: G. Poll

SOU CONFIRMS COMPLAINT LETTER
Newcastle boss Graeme Souness has confirmed he has received a letter of
complaint from the Ritz Hotel in London about the behaviour of some of
his players.

The Mayfair hotel was allegedly the venue for a group of Newcastle
players to stage a pre-Christmas party.

Their behaviour resulted in hotel staff writing to the Newcastle club to
complain.

Souness, after his side's 3-1 defeat at Liverpool, said: "I received
that letter, and I am not going to tell anyone what was in it.

"They are boys, it was their day off and I am not going to comment on it
any further."

It is believed the incident in question took place three weeks ago.

Asked whether the behaviour had just been "over boisterous", Souness
agreed, and said: "Good, they are boys."

Souness was angry about the performance of his side at Anfield, saying:
"We have had words, it wasn't a shouting match and was civilised.
Probably a bit too civilised for my liking."

He added: "We made a decent start and took the lead. They cancelled that
out with an own goal and a goal that stemmed from a ball straight down
the middle of our side.

"That happened again in the second half and you do not often see goals
like that scored in the Premiership, straight passes being turned into
goals.

"At 3-1 we had a chance to get back into the game when Jermaine Jenas
missed a good chance, and then came Lee Bowyer's sending-off. I can't
defend that, it was an obvious red card and he let down his team-mates."

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez praised his side's character for the way
they hit back after going a goal down to Newcastle in what was
eventually an impressive victory for the Anfield men.

Patrick Kluivert put Newcastle ahead early on, but a Titus Bramble own
goal, Neil Mellor's fifth strike of the season and a cracker from Milan
Baros secured the points for Liverpool while the Geordies' misery was
compounded by having Bowyer sent off near the end.

Benitez, who saw his side concede an injury-time goal last week to rob
them of victory over Portsmouth, said: "That was a bad blow for us, and
when we went behind early on in this game we needed to show character to
fight back.

"We created chances and produced a fine performance that will be good
for our confidence as we approach a very busy holiday programme.

"I was pleased too with Harry Kewell, he has been playing well for the
last few games now.

"I have continued to show confidence in him and he is now playing much
better for us."

Benitez added: "Right through the game we showed the right mentality.

"We conceded early on, but counter-attacked and took the game to them.

"By the end of the match we were making lots of chances and it could
have been a bigger margin of victory for us even though they were down
to 10 men."


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[lfc-news] Benitez believes in 'honest' Gerrard - Independent

The Independent on Sunday, 19 Dec 2004
Benitez believes in 'honest' Gerrard
Anfield manager hears comforting words from his talisman despite worst
fears of the fans
By James Corrigan

A miserable, rainy Friday lunchtime in Liverpool and Steven Gerrard
screeches out of Melwood training ground in one of those
four-wheel-drives that are the scourge of Ken Livingstone and
environmentalists everywhere. By the gates, a gaggle of sodden autograph
hunters spot their man and stretch out their pens full of hope. But
Gerrard isn't aware of them, his mobile phone is ringing and he presses
it against his ear. "The cheeky bastard," says one of the throng.
"Abramovich could have waited till Stevie had got out the chuffing car
park."

His mates giggle before turning their attentions to their next prey, but
their laughter is tinged with an air of resigned sadness. Because
everyone in Liverpool believes Gerrard is going, "a done deal", and that
it's only a question of time until yet another favourite son leaves
their haven that should really be a home for life and, for the
immortals, beyond. They just hope they will get the most out of him
while he's still around, starting with Newcastle at Anfield today.

Except, it's not quite true to say that everyone in Liverpool is so
convinced of the impending departure. Rafael Benitez certainly isn't and
as the manager who holds great stock in Gerrard's honesty, perhaps the
fans for whom cynicism has replaced absolute faith should listen. "I sat
with him at our Christmas lunch this week and I say to him I am sure you
want to stay here and win titles. And the question is that if you want
to win titles here, we need your help to do it. From what Steve said to
me I really believe he wants to stay."

But wasn't it something "Steve said" a few weeks ago that kicked off
this frenzy of Red paranoia, that the captain wasn't at all certain
about his immediate future and even less positive about Liverpool's?
"Listen, he's always positive. When you see a player training well you
know that he's positive and then afterwards when he says things... well,
I think he was just being honest and what it means is how he wants to
win with this club. And we will try. Because with him it will be easier."

Not that Benitez was hailing Mary for Gerrard's confessional, anything
but, as the last 10 days that have seen his side scrape through to the
knockout stages of the Champions' League as well as losing to neighbours
Everton and dropping more points to Portsmouth on Tuesday, have been
vexing enough. "He needs more experience with the media because it was
not necessary," said the Spaniard. "I think that all the players here
want to win titles with Liverpool, but the fact is it will be more
difficult if you say these things. It was not the right moment."

But it was probably the right sentiment as Benitez acknowledged when all
but admitting that Liverpool would not be collecting any meaningful
silverware until they "repair the squad". "If you want to win games you
need players. But if you want to win trophies you need a big squad," he
said. "My idea is to have that here, not in terms of the number of
players but the possibility of using them all.

"That is why Gerrard is so very, very important to us because he is the
difference for us in many, many games. You saw it [against Portsmouth]
when we had two or three opportunities but at the end we needed Gerrard
for the goal. That's what I meant before. If you want to win games you
need Gerrard. But if you want to win titles you need Gerrard and good
players surrounding him. We will still need him to score. He's got six
or seven goals this year, but I've told him he needs 12 to 15 if
possible because he has the potential." This might be a strange
"why-look-at-me" demand from a midfielder who is so often Liverpool's
sole cutting edge, but it is a request that Gerrard probably has not
taken personally, because Benitez has a way of dealing with players that
is more Sir Cliff than Sir Alex. There is no throwing tea-cups across
dressing rooms - indeed there is barely a clink of the chinaware - the
former Valencia coach preferring to apply a rational approach to what he
sees as a thoroughly rational game.

"My job is to analyse first and secondly to say something. I remember
against Fulham when we went in 2-0 down, I thought then 'OK, I can say a
lot of things, but it's more important that I actually do something'. So
I brought on Xabi Alonso. I was going to do a similar thing against
Portsmouth but then we scored. So now I needed to give the team a
different thing. All the time you have to ponder how to change things or
how to give your men confidence. Sometimes you do need to shout, but
normally I prefer to think.

"The vital thing is to give the players the opportunity to work out how
to do it themselves, not to have to explain it all the time. So you say
in training, 'What if an opponent went here and another went there? What
would you do?' It's better if they find the solutions because they're
the ones in the situation."

If only Benitez could be as easy on himself. "That's my big problem -
all the time thinking. After Tuesday I was driving my wife mad talking
about the game. Not about the mistake [the Jerzy Dudek fumble that
allowed Lomana LuaLua to equalise in stoppage time] but wondering if I'd
done something bad. I feel that before I can say to the players 'Can you
do more things?' I need to ask myself 'Can I do more things?' "

If that makes it sound like Benitez is feeling the heat then he swears
he isn't. "All managers are under pressure whether here, Spain, Italy or
Germany. It's a fantastic job but you must appreciate that supporters
want more, the board want more, journalists want more. You must stay
calm, because if you are afraid it will transmit to your players."

Nevertheless, the onus is on Benitez to produce, especially on days like
this when "we are playing Newcastle, a fine team with great strikers who
will be fighting it out with us to finish fourth". "Look, if we talk
about giving me a year here to get it right it would be easier," he
said. "But I don't want to wait one more year. I don't even want to wait
one more weekend." Time is of the essence then. For Gerrard and Benitez
both.


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[lfc-news] What a balls-up - Observer

The Observer, 19 Dec 2004
What a balls-up
Three top English clubs cannot decide who their best keeper is - and
some put it down to a crisis of confidence caused by the unpredictable
new Nike ball. Amy Lawrence reports.

The best keeper in the land? On this season's evidence, there is a
strong case to be made for Petr Cech, Nigel Martyn, Mark Schwarzer,
Antti Niemi.... But what a sign of the times that such a debate is
simply irrelevant at three of the Premiership's most ambitious teams.
Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool cannot even decide who is the
best keeper in the club.

For Jens Lehmann/Manuel Almunia, Tim Howard/Roy Carroll and Chris
Kirkland/Jerzy Dudek, it must feel as if it is one false move and you
are out. This goes against one of the fundamentals of football. The
establishment of a number one is standard practice and even when
rotation became fashionable, the eccentric individuals with the gloves
were left well alone.

The fact that all but one of England's Champions League representatives
cannot settle on a normal goalkeeping hierarchy indicates a lack of
faith in the custodians at their disposal. Bob Wilson, the former
Arsenal and Scotland player who became one of the game's foremost
specialist goalkeeping coaches, finds this particularly unjust.

It is, he believes, a tougher job now than ever. The modern game is far
more demanding on its keepers, with the hi-tech balls bamboozling basic
technique, and public scrutiny is unbearably intense. 'There is no
goalkeeper anywhere in the world, given the modern ball, that can play
consistently,' Wilson argues.

'If I was playing today, if Pat Jennings, Gordon Banks, Ray Clemence and
Peter Shilton played today, we would all be fallible and made to look
like fools.' Wilson believes that the ball officially endorsed by the
Premiership - Nike's Total 90 Aerow - is the root cause of most
goalkeeping problems. He recalls how a bag of the company's prototypes
for their professional balls was delivered to Arsenal's training ground
some years ago and when he tried them out with David Seaman and John
Lukic, they were horrified.

'When anyone wellied one as hard as they could - even me, with two
arthritic hips - the ball moved up, down, left or right. You didn't know
where or when and more often than not it moved very late. 'When the guy
from Nike came back we said, "These are joke balls." We put him in goal
and shot a few at him and he went very quiet. This was several years ago
and developments have made the ball more unpredictable.

The unpredictable nature of the Nike ball contributed to Dudek conceding
a late equaliser against Portsmouth in midweek. It was the first time
the Poland keeper had played in a match using the yellow Hi-Vis version
- introduced this season for Premiership matches in winter. 'I was
waiting for the cross and the guy miskicked it,' he said. 'I reacted and
tried to save it, but there was not much I could do about the ball going
to an attacker.'

It is not just the balls that make a goalkeeper's lot unhappier. Modern
rules present extra obstacles. 'I was famous for diving in amongst the
boots at people's feet. But you don't throw yourself at people's feet
today,' says Wilson. 'Now an attacker would probably dive over you and
you would be sent off and concede a penalty. I was never booked in my
entire career, but playing that way today I would miss half the season.
They have taken certain skills out of the game and others have come in
their place, like the sweeper role, which emerged after picking up a
backpass was outlawed. All these things make keepers more vulnerable.

'People are at last becoming aware of how difficult it is to be a
goalkeeper. But it needs more understanding from managers. Rotation is
neither good for the goalkeeper nor good for the team. 'The insecurity
of goalkeepers is crystallised this lunchtime at Anfield. In the
black-and-white goal is a man whose club have been forced to issue a
'not for sale' warning because their No1 is highly coveted. In the red
goal is a man who suspects that the slightest error will see him dropped
for a colleague who doubtless feels just as jittery as he does. Dudek
and Kirkland are short on the natural confidence of a keeper on top of
his game and both have been exposed after making howlers in recent
weeks. They are not alone.

Shay Given's worth to Newcastle is such that he was valued last week at
£8million by Freddy Shepherd. He is a heroic shot-stopper for the
Republic of Ireland and, even if he has dropped the odd clanger in the
Premiership, being his club's first choice must help his self-belief.
'Goalies survive on confidence,' says Wilson. 'They walk a tightrope
without a safety net every game. You can have a good game, but two days
later you can be made to look a prat. And it doesn't help that
everything is highlighted - I laugh at all the goalkeeping experts who
have suddenly emerged.'

When Clemence and Shilton used to play alternate games for England - an
oddity that was accepted because they were both top keepers of a similar
age - it was because the manager could not choose who was best. Today
you get the feeling that it is a case of who is less bad. It makes for
an unhealthy atmosphere, which will hardly help whoever is picked to
keep goal for Liverpool and Arsenal today.

It is a situation that does not seem to worry Liverpool manager Rafael
Benítez. 'In my mind always I already have two first-choice keepers
because both would start in the first teams of most other clubs in the
Premiership,' says the Spaniard, who brought in countryman José
Ochoturena as goalkeeping coach in the summer in place of Joe Corrigan.
'It is different with keepers.

'Keepers always need two or three games to get into the full swing of
things. I have seen a video of the goal Jerzy conceded against
Portsmouth and I'm not sure if it was a cross or a shot. Jerzy has
confidence and he has my confidence.'

In truth, there is always somebody worse off than yourself and for that
you can usually rely on Inter Milan. The Italians are so confused that
they have used three keepers in six Champions League matches this season.


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