[lfc-news] BENITEZ EXPECTS MORE FROM CISSE

------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~-->
Get fast access to your favorite Yahoo! Groups. Make Yahoo! your home page
http://us.click.yahoo.com/dpRU5A/wUILAA/yQLSAA/2_TolB/TM
--------------------------------------------------------------------~->

BENITEZ EXPECTS MORE FROM CISSE
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/05/10/21/SOCCER_Liverpool_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=soccer

Rafael Benitez has warned top scorer Djibril Cisse that there is more to
leading the Liverpool attack than just scoring goals.

Cisse has hit the winner for Liverpool to secure Barclays Premiership and
Champions League points twice in the last week.

He would expect to hang onto the strikers' role at Fulham, where Liverpool
will be trying to protect a nine-match unbeaten away record this season.

But with skipper Steven Gerrard returning to the squad following a shin
injury picked up on international duty, the Anfield chief has issued a
thinly disguised challenge to the French hitman.

Benitez said: "He needs to play well now with everyone fit.

"It is not only about scoring goals, it is about playing well for the team
and trying to do the job we want from him for the team.

"Peter Crouch was playing well and he would like to score also, but for me
it was more important that he played well for the team."

Crouch could well return to the starting line-up at Craven Cottage having
been rested for Wednesday's victory over Anderlecht in Brussels.

And Benitez underlines that he has Harry Kewell, Fernando Morientes and
Florent Sinama-Pongolle now all clamouring for a starting place.

He continued: "For Cisse the most important thing is scoring goals, we have
used different players around him and that has helped.

"But I want more competitiveness amongst the strikers so it will be better
for me if the others are scoring too.

"Confidence is always good for strikers, if you score then you are more
confident.

"He may not have always reacted the way I expected, but at the moment
whenever you see him he is always happy, and that is important now.

"But I now have a lot of players back to fitness and it is a good problem
for me to have choices like this to make.

"Cisse did well against Anderlecht, he is in form and scoring goals. And
that is good for him, good for me and good for the club.

"Now I would like to see Crouch, Morientes, Sinama-Pongolle all scoring
goals and trying to make it even more difficult for me."

Liverpool will be without groin injury victim Steve Finnan at Fulham, but
Benitez is at last seeing his improved squad offering him more alternatives
as several key men return to fitness.

He explained: "It is difficult to select a team at the moment, we have 20
players now fit so I have tough decisions all the time.

"Cisse has more confidence, it is important for him to be scoring.

"Last season he was injured for most of the time and that was tough for him
because in the previous seasons he had always scored a lot of goals.

"He needs to score, it is very important for him, and it gives him even
more confidence."

Benitez also revealed that he does not expect to have his latest
acquisitions, Mark Gonzalez from Albacete, available until next season when
the player's work permit and European passport problem can be finally
sorted out.

But he is delighted the 22-year-old Chilean has at last committed himself
to a four-year deal.

Benitez said: "We are now waiting for the work permit, he is a player we
want to use as soon as possible. But if it is not going to happen now we
will have to wait for next season.

"He is a young player, a left winger who can get to the byline and produce
the crosses for Morientes and Crouch.

"It is important that a big club has many players for each position.

"Gonzalez is a different kind of player, he is quick and gets to the line.
It is most important for us to have this type of player, maybe we can use
Bolo Zenden or Kewell on the right side.

"He has a lot of pace with great skills, but the most important thing is
that he is a hungry player.

"We are working at getting him here as quickly as possible, but if we
cannot use him now we will wait until next season when he will then have a
Spanish passport.

"He is finishing his recuperation after the cruciate knee injury and he
will be back playing maybe in the next month."

Unsubscribe: lfc-news-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
http://www.lfc-list.org.uk/

Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lfc-news/

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
lfc-news-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

[lfc-news] Squad boost for Rafa

------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~-->
Get fast access to your favorite Yahoo! Groups. Make Yahoo! your home page
http://us.click.yahoo.com/dpRU5A/wUILAA/yQLSAA/2_TolB/TM
--------------------------------------------------------------------~->

Squad boost for Rafa
By James Pearson - Created on 21 Oct 2005
http://home.skysports.com/list.asp?HLID=318647&CPID=8&title=Squad+boost+for+Rafa&lid=2&channel=Football_Home&f=rss
Rafa Benitez is delighted to have a near fully-fit squad to choose from for
their trip to Fulham this weekend.

The Spanish tactician expects Steven Gerrard to return to the line-up after
he missed their midweek UEFA Champions League win over Anderlecht.

Benitez is also boosted by the long-awaited return to fitness of former
Leeds man Harry Kewell, although Steve Finnan is set to miss out against
The Cottagers.

"Gerrard I think will be fit. I need to see him now," explained Benitez.

"Harry is almost 100 percent because he's playing now and the rest of the
players, although Finnan is a doubt.

"Thinking about the Carling Cup and the games we have now, it's important
to have all the squad fit."

Djibril Cisse has come to the fore recently with key goals and Benitez is
happy to have the problem of all of his strikers vying for starting roles.

"It's good for him [that Cisse is scoring], it's good for me and the
supporters," he added.

"He has more confidence. If Crouch, Morientes and Cisse are scoring goals
then it's a big problem for me."

Liverpool confirmed the signing of Albacete winger Mark Gonzalez on
Thursday and Benitez wants him available as soon as possible.

The club have applied for a work permit for the Chilean winger, but The
Reds are happy to wait until next season if necessary to complete the
transfer.

"We are now awaiting a work permit for the player again. He is a player we
want to use as soon as possible," added Benitez.

"If it's not possible now then okay, he's a young player and we'll wait
until next season.

"He's a left winger who can get to the byline and cross for Morientes and
Crouch.

"He has a lot of pace and is a skilful player, but he's hungry and that's
the most important thing."

Unsubscribe: lfc-news-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
http://www.lfc-list.org.uk/

Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lfc-news/

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
lfc-news-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

[lfc-news] Shearer, Ronaldo, Bowyer & Weir

------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~-->
Get fast access to your favorite Yahoo! Groups. Make Yahoo! your home page
http://us.click.yahoo.com/dpRU5A/wUILAA/yQLSAA/2_TolB/TM
--------------------------------------------------------------------~->

We made move to land Shearer and £4m Ronaldo fee saw United offer £12m Oct
21 2005
By David Prentice, Liverpool Echo

PHIL THOMPSON has played alongside, coached and managed the greatest
players in Liverpool's history.

Team-mate of legends like Kevin Keegan and Kenny Dalglish, he helped
nurture talent like Robbie Fowler, Michael Owen Steven Gerrard.

But Thompson, whose autobiography is out next week, can also provide an
insight into players who came close to pulling on the red jersey.

Alan Shearer

WE needed an immediate impact at the start of that 2003/04 season and one
player who came to our attention was the opposite of our two young hopefuls
Florent Sinama-Pongolle and Anthony Le Tall-ec," Thompson explains.

"He was a tried and trusted superstar, one of the great players in the game
and a man whose stature could give everyone a lift - on and off the pitch.
His name was Alan Shearer.

"Of course, Alan was still a god at Newcastle, but he had not signed his
new contract. Gerard (Houllier) came to me and said: 'Do you fancy Alan
Shearer?' I said 'Of course!' although I felt there was little or no chance
of securing his services because of his ties to the North East.

"Gerard felt he could be another Gary McAllister for us, a great pro who
could spark things with his approach, attitude and quality.

"It would also have revived the Alan Shearer/Michael Owen partnership that
had ben so successful for England in the past. The boss said that he had
this feeling that

Alan would come to Anfield. "Contact was made, although Newcastle were
obviously not keen to let him go.

"We said we would like to be kept informed, aware that it would be a major
coup to capture someone of Shearer's stature. We also knew that it would be
a massive negotiation, but early indications were that he would come.

"Nothing happened over a period of 10 days and then all of a sudden the
Geordie hero got the contract at St James' Park that he had wanted.

"That had been my only fear, that his advisers might have used Liverpool's
interest to force Newcastle's hand, but Alan Shearer is as honest and down
to earth as they come and Gerard was convinced that his interest in joining
us was genuine.

"The boss had been in talks with Bobby Robson about a possible deal and we
know that Shearer didn't use us. In the end it was his sheer love of all
things Geordie that kept him in the North East."

Cristiano Ronaldo

ONE star who got away in surprising fashion was Cristiano Ronaldo, who
shocked us when he signed for Manchester United in 2003, for an astonishing
£12m. I say astonishing because we had been offered the player for £4m.

"I was invited to watch Sporting Lisbon play Porto in the last game of the
season. Ronaldo was playing for Sporting. Tony Henry, the former Manchester
City player and agent, was on the phone on a regular basis to see if he
could take us to watch him.

"I met Tony at the airport and travelled to Porto. I met the player's
Portuguese agent before watching the game. Ronaldo was quite good, but not
as impressive as the first time I saw him. Tony was pushing the boy and
saying he was a talent. He was saying: 'He will only cost £4m.'

"He added: 'It can be paid over the course of his contract, £1m a year.'

"He also said that the player wanted £1m tax free. I said: 'The boy is only
18. That is a massive problem,' but Tony suggested it was negotiable.

"I returned back the following day impressed with what I had seen
andmentioned it to Gerard. He said: 'I will ask Rick.'

"We had just signed Florent SinamaPongolle and Anthony Le Tallec, both on
far less than Ronaldo's aspirations. And we would have had anarchy if the
other players had found out how much we were considering paying for an
18-year-old kid.

"We looked for a compromise. Ten days later I was sitting in a lounge at
Anfield having some lunch and looking at the big TV screen. Up came the
news United had signed Ronaldo from Lisbon for £12.2m. Gerard and myself
nearly choked on our food.

"Gerard said: 'Contact Tony Henry,' and I went straight out and rang him. I
said: 'what happened? More importantly, what happened with the price?' He
said: 'After you had been with me, I got a phone call the following week
and was told to drop everything on the deal. Hand on heart, I really don't
know what happened.'

"I went back and told Gerard the story. What happened, God only knows. For
the fee to jump from £4m to £12m, especially as they seemed so desperate,
was surprising to say the least."

Lee Bowyer

WE knew our move for Lee Bowyer would cause some controversy amongst our
fans because of the off-field headlines he had been involved in. We knew
our bid would cause a stir, but we thought it was a risk worth taking for
the team.

"Gerard offered Leeds £8m which was a lot of money and Bowyer came over to
talk to us. He arrived with a mate and his agent. I had to take care of him
in the players' lounge at Melwood where Bowyer and his pal played umpteen
games of pool while the agent discussed terms with Gerard and Rick Parry.

"When that meeting broke up I asked how things had gone. The response
surprised me. 'We are still far apart,' said Gerard. We thought Lee Bowyer
would be keen to move on his career with a club like Liverpool and I
thought a deal would be struck quickly.

"Rick said: 'We are still miles apart on the salary.' Bowyer left and a
series of phone calls followed between the club and his agent. It finally
appeared that we were close to agreeing a deal. We went as far as having
his new kit numbered up in anticipation as we prepared to leave for our
pre-season training camp in Switzerland.

"As things moved on I rang the player and said: 'Get yourself ready. Once
the deal is done and dusted we will fly you out to Switzerland.'

"He was saying 'Yeah, okay.' But there was no emotion from him to suggest
that a deal was imminent. Rick and Gerard had another meeting with the
agent, but they still failed to agree terms.

"I spoke to Bowyer again, once again asking him to be ready to travel
should everything be sorted. His response was: 'I don't know where my
passport is,' and added: 'I'm not in Leeds, I'm in London.' He was with Rio
Ferdinand.

"I said: 'This is all wrong. It's clear he is not committed to us and this
must be getting through to our fans. To me, we need to pull it before Lee
Bowyer and his agent come back and say the move is not right for them.'

"Rick and Gerard decided that we would tell the Press that night. I
couldn't believe Lee Bowyer had not jumped at the chance to play for
Liverpool FC. Better players than him would have walked all the way to
Anfield. We had made a big commitment on our side, but it had been all one way.

"His career went down the pan after that. In the end it was the right
decision for us."

David Weir

WHEN I became Liverpool's assistant manager, most of the potential targets
I looked at early on were centre-backs.

"Merseyside fans will be fascinated by one scouting mission north of the
border to see a promising Hearts defender who had been recommended. His
name was David Weir, later to become captain of Everton.

"We'd heard good reports about him and treated it seriously enough to take
a scouting delegation to Edinburgh that included Gerard Houllier, Peter
Robinson, Ron Yeats, Norman Gard and myself. We were all in Gerard's car.

"We drove and we drove and it seemed the journey was never going to end. It
took nearly five hours and by the time we found the ground the match had
kicked off.

"We eventually got into our seats, but we were in different rows. Gerard
was two in front of me and Peter was to our left.

"We eventually settled at 7.52. At 8pm Weir was sent off. A ball came over
his head and he was done for pace. He pulled the guy back and got a red
card. We knew he wasn't the quickest, but he had good defensive qualities.

"Gerard turned round and mouthed to me: 'Should we go?' I don't think Weir
had touched the ball. We giggled and indicated that we would give it to
half-time.

"We picked ourselves up and slipped out for a five-hour journey back home.
Of course, we discussed whether we should look at David again. Did anyone
fancy another marathon? We all looked at each other and agreed his pace was
a problem and that we should leave it there."

* 'Stand Up Pinocchio' is published by Trinity Mirror Sport Media at £17.99.

Unsubscribe: lfc-news-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
http://www.lfc-list.org.uk/

Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lfc-news/

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
lfc-news-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

[lfc-news] FINNAN RULED OUT OF FULHAM RETURN

------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~-->
Get fast access to your favorite Yahoo! Groups. Make Yahoo! your home page
http://us.click.yahoo.com/dpRU5A/wUILAA/yQLSAA/2_TolB/TM
--------------------------------------------------------------------~->

FINNAN RULED OUT OF FULHAM RETURN
http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N150320051020-1430.htm
Mark Platt 20 October 2005
Steve Finnan has been ruled out of Liverpool's weekend trip to Fulham
after suffering a groin injury in training ahead of the Anderlecht game.
The full-back is expected to be out of action for eight to ten days.

It is the second season in succession that Finnan has missed out on a
return to his former club, last year's reason being a stomach upset.

He will also miss the Carling Cup tie at Crystal Palace on Tuesday but
should be back for the visit of West Ham to Anfield the following Saturday.

Unsubscribe: lfc-news-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
http://www.lfc-list.org.uk/

Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lfc-news/

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
lfc-news-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

[lfc-news] Harry's back

------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~-->
Get fast access to your favorite Yahoo! Groups. Make Yahoo! your home page
http://us.click.yahoo.com/dpRU5A/wUILAA/yQLSAA/2_TolB/TM
--------------------------------------------------------------------~->

Harry's back
http://www.dailytelegraph.news.com.au/story/0,20281,16985457-5001023,00.html
By DAVID LEWIS

October 21, 2005

IT was one small step for Harry Kewell but one giant stride for Australia
as the long-suffering Socceroos star announced his return to the big time
with a 15-minute cameo for Liverpool yesterday.

Barring any setbacks, the target is now Montevideo on November 13 with
Socceroos assistant coach Graham Arnold last night predicting the
much-missed attacking midfielder could be the "jewel of Australia's crown"
as they bid to outwit Uruguay and qualify for the World Cup.

But first Kewell – who emerged unscathed from the Reds' 1-0 Champions
League win over Anderlecht in Brussels – must successfully negotiate a
five-match hurdle for his club as he seeks to rewire his hard-drive after
an injury layoff stretching back nearly five months.

Afterwards Kewell, 27, told a close friend: "I've pulled up OK but it's
early days. I'll train tomorrow and hopefully there won't be any twinges.
But so far, so good."

Arnold believes Kewell's circuitry is sound and the time is right for him
to click.

"Everything is a bonus now because we didn't even know if we'd have Harry
available after all the injury struggles," he said. "Hopefully he'll be the
jewel in the crown by sneaking under the radar to make a huge impact
(against the Uruguayans)."

After two groin operations and a series of below-the-belt assaults from
armchair detractors, Arnold added: "There is also an opportunity for Harry
to show people what he's all about and prove them wrong because he's had
his critics of late. Harry's a big time player who loves the special occasion.

"The games against Uruguay are made for him – they are occasions players
remember for the rest of their lives. We'll assess whether to use him as an
impact player off the bench or as a starting player in one or both the
games against Uruguay (the return is in Sydney on November 16) closer to
the time."

Kewell's first touch against Anderlecht was a beautifully struck cross
after coming on for the matchwinner Djibril Cisse in the 75th minute.

"At the camp in Holland (two weeks back) Harry looked extremely fit – if
not match fit. He trained like a dog and the smile is back on his face,"
said Arnold.

Arnold also hosed down fears the Centenario stadium will be a colosseum of
hate.

"People talk about intimidation in South America but on the pitch it's not
intimidating at all. In Uruguay, the crowd is 25m from the players," he added.

"Last week I watched Uruguay beat Argentina (to set up the tie with
Australia) and all around were families and true fans. Uruguayans are calm
people who love the game."

Arnold is also unconcerned about returning to the scene of 2001's Socceroos
implosion, where the seeds of doubt and defeat were planted when players
and officials were heckled, jostled and spat on by a mob at the airport.

"That was the most intimidating thing we faced," he said.

Unsubscribe: lfc-news-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
http://www.lfc-list.org.uk/

Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lfc-news/

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
lfc-news-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

[lfc-news] REDS AGREE GONZALEZ DEAL

------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~-->
Get fast access to your favorite Yahoo! Groups. Make Yahoo! your home page
http://us.click.yahoo.com/dpRU5A/wUILAA/yQLSAA/2_TolB/TM
--------------------------------------------------------------------~->

REDS AGREE GONZALEZ DEAL
http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N150325051020-1528.htm
Paul Eaton 20 October 2005
Liverpool FC today confirmed they had reached an agreement to sign
Albacete winger Mark Gonzalez, subject to the Chile international meeting
the relevant eligibility rules.
A club spokesman said: "Following the player's knee injury, the original
intention was to take him on loan with an option to make the deal permanent.

"As Mark is recovering well, a loan deal is no longer an issue and we have
agreed a long term contract to bring him to Anfield.

"However, he will only play for Liverpool once he obtains either a work
permit or European passport."

Unsubscribe: lfc-news-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
http://www.lfc-list.org.uk/

Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lfc-news/

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
lfc-news-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

[lfc-news]Cissé springs to the champions' defence with decisive volley

------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~-->
Get fast access to your favorite Yahoo! Groups. Make Yahoo! your home page
http://us.click.yahoo.com/dpRU5A/wUILAA/yQLSAA/2_TolB/TM
--------------------------------------------------------------------~->

Cissé springs to the champions' defence with decisive volley

Dominic Fifield at the Constant Vanden Stock
Thursday October 20, 2005
The Guardian

The European Cup continues to liberate Liverpool. A side who struggle so
often to rouse themselves in the Premiership revelled against obliging
opponents here last night and condemned Anderlecht to a 10th successive
defeat in the competition, even if the Reds' breathless enterprise was
undermined by a familiar inability to reflect their dominance in a more
convincing scoreline.
This should have been a rout. Instead Rafael Benítez stood flapping
helplessly on the touchline in the closing stages as Anderlecht, offered
undeserved hope of a point, created a few frantic forays that were repelled
- not without a few alarms - by José Reina. The Liverpool manager will have
returned to Merseyside in the small hours still troubled by his side's
failure to have registered a more convincing score but, with Anderlecht due
at Anfield in a fortnight, the holders are on the cusp of qualification for
the knock-out phase.

Benítez, predictably enough, preferred to concentrate more on the positive
aspects of his team's performance than their profligacy, though he
acknowledged that his side had 18 shots on goal yet scored only once.
"To do that away from home is not easy, but we could have done with a
second goal to ease our nerves," the manager said. Had a quarter of those
efforts found the net, Liverpool would still be above Chelsea on goal
difference at the top of the group.

Liverpool could still find solace in victory. Benítez's tactical plan was
simple but emphatic in its impact. Anderlecht, pointless if unfortunate in
their previous two matches, were aware that only a win would realistically
offer them any route out of this group and, with that in mind, their
approach was laced with no little desperation. It was also undermined by
naivety. While they poured forward in the early exchanges, Mbo Mpenza
isolating Sami Hyypia and Christian Wilhelmsson a nuisance on the flank,
they were horribly prone to the counter-attack.

With that in mind Benítez had loaded his side with pace, Djibril Cissé,
Luis García and John Arne Riise offering bite to sink deep into the
Belgians. No other team in the Champions League have enjoyed less
possession than the holders this season but with Cissé explosive and García
elusive, they can flourish at times.

Bart Goor was denied an opener by Reina's critical early block but as
Anderlecht descended further into the gung-ho, the visitors ruthlessly cut
them on the break and exposed the home side's defence as the mishmash it
is. García should have eased them ahead, first slicing Riise's pull-back
over the bar then dragging Cissé's knock-down wide of a post. Yet the
holders' dominance was unlikely to go unrewarded for long.

It was appropriate that Cissé should provide the finesse. The French
striker has endured a torrid Liverpool career, suffering everything from
horrific leg fractures to persistent doubts over his class given his £14.1m
club-record transfer. Rumours circulating this summer suggested his days at
Anfield were numbered. Yet when he found enough daylight between markers to
wriggle through and rasp a blistering volley beyond Silvio Proto, it was
his 12th goal in 22 appearances for club and country this term. That
suggests he is the nearest thing Liverpool possess to a prolific forward.

Cissé reiterated his desire to stay at the club, as well as his
satisfaction at scoring winning goals in successive games. "I'm happy with
the way I'm playing," he said and although he still struggles to retain
possession regularly, his intelligent movement was pivotal to the visitors'
success last night. He remains an enigma, clearly a player of remarkable
ability who can nevertheless drive his own manager to distraction. "But
he's a good finisher and, tonight, he did his job," added Benítez tellingly.

Liverpool, with Xabi Alonso in a creative role, are rarely allowed to revel
to this extent in the Premiership, where teams travel to Anfield in caution
and are just as willing to sit deep at home. Yet the Reds would have been
more comfortable had others shown any composure in front of goal. Djimi
Traoré, spinning free of his marker at the near post, battered a
close-range shot that Proto did well to block, though the goalkeeper was
helpless when Riise slipped Cissé through only for the striker to dribble a
shot wide.

Late forays from Mohamed Sissoko and García, both denied by Proto, would
have eased the visitors' nerves when Anderlecht revived for a nervy finale.
Anthony Vanden Borre might even have hauled them level but blazed over a
gaping net, and Liverpool breathed again. "If we beat them at home [on
November 1], we'll almost be there," said Benítez. His side's shortcomings
are unlikely to disappear quite as quickly.

Champions League Group G
Wednesday October 19, 2005
FT Anderlecht 0-1 Liverpool
20' 0-1 Cisse
60' Alonso
85' Reina
Anderlecht
Aliaj Sylvio Proto, Olivier Deschacht (Serhat Akin), Hannu Tihinen (Lamine
Traore), Anthony Vanden Borre, Mark Deman, Bart Goor, Yves Vanderhaeghe
(Walter Baseggio), Christian Wilhelmsson, Par Zetterberg, Nenad Jestrovic,
Mbo Mpenza

Liverpool
Jose Manuel Reina, Jamie Carragher, Sami Hyypia, Jose Miguel Josemi, John
Arne Riise (Stephen Warnock), Djimi Traore, Xabi Alonso, Dietmar Hamann,
Mohamed Sissoko (Boudewijn Zenden), Djibril Cisse (Harry Kewell), Javier
Sanz Luis Garcia

Referee: Busacca, M

Venue: Constant Vanden Stockstadion

Attendance: 25,000

Corners:
Anderlecht 7
Liverpool 6

Goal Attempts:
Anderlecht 9
Liverpool 13

On Target:
Anderlecht 3
Liverpool 5

Unsubscribe: lfc-news-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
http://www.lfc-list.org.uk/

Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lfc-news/

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
lfc-news-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

[lfc-news] RAFA: NANDO WANTS TO BE A SUCCESS AT LFC

------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~-->
Get fast access to your favorite Yahoo! Groups. Make Yahoo! your home page
http://us.click.yahoo.com/dpRU5A/wUILAA/yQLSAA/2_TolB/TM
--------------------------------------------------------------------~->

RAFA: NANDO WANTS TO BE A SUCCESS AT LFC
http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N150308051019-1319.htm
Steve Hunter 19 October 2005
Rafael Benitez has said Fernando Morientes is as determined as ever to
recapture his best form in the red shirt of Liverpool and the manager has
told the player to forget about newspaper speculation and has backed him to
come good.
The Liverpool manager has once again rushed to dismiss interest in other
players and told Morientes just to concentrate on his football with Liverpool.

Benitez said: "He's determined for sure to prove himself in England. I
don't know why people keep talking about Joaquin - we've never talked about
him, and we've certainly never talked about Morientes or Cisse (going the
other way).

"I read the things in the Spanish press and I talked to Nando and said to
him 'Forget about all that'. I know he wants to make a success of it over
here. That is clear. They've been talking about him going back to Spain in
the press over there and I know he has friends who read the papers and talk
to him, so I needed to speak with him.

"He understands the game better here now, but we need to understand his
game better and he needs to know his team-mates better still."

Benitez said his misses against Blackburn at the weekend were so unlike
Morientes but added that the striker is just a little rusty after his
injury lay-off.

Benitez said: "I was surprised the other day because, in 20 minutes, he had
three chances and it wasn't normal that he missed them. I don't think they
had anything to do with the English style of football. They were clear
chances. He's a good finisher so it wasn't normal that he should miss them.

"He's playing well and working hard in terms of his physical condition. I
think match fitness will come. You can see him in training and improve his
physical performance, but you need to play in the reserves or the first
team to get rid of the rustiness."

Unsubscribe: lfc-news-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
http://www.lfc-list.org.uk/

Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lfc-news/

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
lfc-news-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

[lfc-news] If you score I'll play you'

------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~-->
Get fast access to your favorite Yahoo! Groups. Make Yahoo! your home page
http://us.click.yahoo.com/dpRU5A/wUILAA/yQLSAA/2_TolB/TM
--------------------------------------------------------------------~->

'If you score I'll play you' Oct 17 2005
By David Prentice
RAFA BENITEZ accepted Djibril Cisse's public show of togetherness at
Anfield on Saturday - then made a very public proclamation himself to the
frustrated forward.

"Yes, if Djib scores goals, he must play, for sure," said the Reds' boss.

Cisse raced to the dug-out to shake his manager's hand after striking
Saturday's 74th minute match-winner - following moans and groans earlier in
the week that he wasn't happy with Benitez's rotation policy.

But after selecting Cisse in his preferred central striking role, Benitez
added: "He wanted to say we don't have problems. I said in the press
conference before this match that we have been talking this week about the
situation and we don't have problems.

"We are both professionals and I have to decide whether he plays or not. He
must work hard, and if he does work hard he will have possibilities.

"If he scores goals he must play, for sure. But for me it is not just about
scoring goals. Strikers have to work hard as well. For me Crouch has done a
good job. Okay he didn't score, but he has done a job for Djib and it is
important to have players doing the job for the team.

"We are creating opportunities, but we need to score more goals it is true.

"The three strikers we had today can score goals. Peter Crouch can score
goals, but also do a lot of things around the box. Morientes is similar,
but Cisse is a finisher. Peter Crouch and Morientes are clever players and
they can both play with Cisse without problems."

While Benitez was pleased with Cisse's eighth goal of the season, he also
claimed to be unconcerned that Peter Crouch extended his personal
goalscoring drought beyond nine games.

"For a striker it's really important to score goals," explained Benitez.
"If he can score next game it will be great for him and us, but if he
continues to work hard and the other players score goals, for me it's no
problem.

"Peter did a good job. He will score in time but people understand he is
working for the team and that's most important. he is a good boy and good pro.

"We knew that they would play with two strikers so I decided to play three
defenders and use more men in midfield.

"I knew we were facing a tough team. It was really difficult so we needed
to do the same things, continue to move the ball, play football, win the
second ball and set pieces.

"You can score in the first minute or the last minute, but you must carry
on doing things well.

"Really, Blackburn don't create a lot of opportunities. They give the
sensation of danger with free-kicks and long balls but not a lot of
opportunities."

Benitez also had firm views on the sending-off of Rovers defender Zurab
Khizanisvilli.

"It was a clear red card. He was the last man. No discussion," he declared.
"It was so clear I don't need to say anything."

Rovers boss Mark Hughes, however, disagreed.

"We will appeal against the red card," he said. "We started the game very
brightly and I thought in the first 30 minutes we were the more dominant
team, but obviously the sending-off changed the complexion of the match.

"Having spoken to the lads, his initial decision was a penalty, but his
assistant was busting to tell him that was incorrect, which was the right
decision - and as he was going over he was telling my players it's likely
to be a yellow card for Zurab. But when he receives clarification that it's
outside the area then it's a red card.

"I think the fact he didn't give a penalty made him change his mind and
show a red.

"Cisse wasn't bearing down on goal, our players were getting back to
challenge. I think he needs to look at his decision because he has affected
the outcome of the game."

Unsubscribe: lfc-news-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
http://www.lfc-list.org.uk/

Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lfc-news/

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
lfc-news-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

[lfc-news] Kewell set for Reds return

------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~-->
Get fast access to your favorite Yahoo! Groups. Make Yahoo! your home page
http://us.click.yahoo.com/dpRU5A/wUILAA/yQLSAA/2_TolB/TM
--------------------------------------------------------------------~->

Kewell set for Reds return
By Peter ORourke - Created on 17 Oct 2005
http://home.skysports.com/list.asp?HLID=317311&CPID=5&title=Kewell+set+for+Reds+return&lid=2&channel=Football_Home&f=rss
Harry Kewell is in line to make his Liverpool comeback against Anderlecht
on Wednesday.

The Australian international has been named in the squad for the trip to
Brussels for the UEFA Champions League clash.

Kewell has not played for Liverpool since the glorious Champions League
final win over Milan last season.

The former Leeds man underwent a hernia operation in the summer and Reds
boss Rafa Benitez believes he is finally ready for a return to the first team.

"Harry is feeling much better now. He will definitely be travelling with us
and could maybe play some part, we will have to assess his fitness before
the game," said Benitez.

"If he doesn't figure against Anderlecht then I am sure he will be back
playing either at the weekend or the following midweek.

"His return will be a big boost for us. He is the kind of player who can
beat players and get in crosses from the by-line from which the likes of
Peter Crouch and Fernando Morientes can benefit."

Unsubscribe: lfc-news-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
http://www.lfc-list.org.uk/

Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lfc-news/

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
lfc-news-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

[lfc-news] My best is yet to come, insists Zenden

------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~-->
Get fast access to your favorite Yahoo! Groups. Make Yahoo! your home page
http://us.click.yahoo.com/dpRU5A/wUILAA/yQLSAA/2_TolB/TM
--------------------------------------------------------------------~->

My best is yet to come, insists Zenden Oct 15 2005
By Ian Doyle, Daily Post

BOUDEWIJN ZENDEN yesterday admitted Liverpool have yet to see his best form.

The Holland international has suffered a disappointing start to his Anfield
career since his free transfer from Middlesbrough in the summer.

Zenden is hoping to figure in today's Premiership encounter against
Blackburn Rovers after failing to appear at all in the previous two games
against Chelsea.

The 29-year-old has yet to score for his new club and has made 10
appearances this season.

And Zenden said: "Over the last couple of years I've played in nearly every
game and so being in and out of the side is a new experience.

"It can be hard for a player who hasn't been used to it to come to terms
with squad rotation but the manager has explained himself and told us how
he wants to deal with the fact that we're competing in four competitions."

He added: "It's up to me to adapt, to stay focused and to convince the
manager that I'm capable of being a regular in the side.

"I've been pleased with my performances when I have played but I would say
there is definitely a lot more to come from me.

"The fans haven't seen the best of me in a Liverpool shirt yet. I can give
much more than I've done so far."

Unsubscribe: lfc-news-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
http://www.lfc-list.org.uk/

Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lfc-news/

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
lfc-news-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

[lfc-news] RAFA: KEWELL RETURN WILL HELP CROUCH

------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~-->
Get fast access to your favorite Yahoo! Groups. Make Yahoo! your home page
http://us.click.yahoo.com/dpRU5A/wUILAA/yQLSAA/2_TolB/TM
--------------------------------------------------------------------~->

RAFA: KEWELL RETURN WILL HELP CROUCH
Steve Hunter 16 October 2005
http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N150278051016-1012.htm
Rafael Benitez says the return to fitness of Harry Kewell is a big boost
to Liverpool and believes the Australian is the man who can provide the
service to get the best out of Peter Crouch.
Benitez warns it will take some time before Kewell will be back to his best
after his long injury lay-off and says this is an important season for him.

Benitez said: "Harry will need some time to get back to his best, but this
is an important season for him.

"Harry wants to be fit and playing again, he wants to show people that he
can play and be a good player for Liverpool.

"He is disappointed with how it has gone for him during his time here, but
he is a professional who knows what he is capable of and he wants to play.
He has more confidence in his fitness now. Maybe in the past he didn't have
that kind of confidence, but he does now.

"The fans have criticised him a little at times, but they see a player with
Harry's talent, they realise he is good and they want him to perform better.

"If you are a good player and play for Liverpool, you have to expect
supporters to say, 'Come on, play better'.

"I have to manage the situation and understand Harry's problems, but this
is a season where he does have to play well.

"I see Harry as a key player to help Peter Crouch develop as our centre
forward. We have different players with different qualities and abilities,
but Harry is the main one who can get to the dead-ball line and put over
the kind of crosses that Crouch likes.

"I know Harry can do this. When I arrived at Liverpool, I brought with me
the memory of once seeing Harry play against Manchester United for Leeds at
Old Trafford and he was fantastic.

"Leeds lost the game, but he gave Jaap Stam a lot of problems, and that is
the Harry Kewell I want to see playing for Liverpool."

Unsubscribe: lfc-news-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
http://www.lfc-list.org.uk/

Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lfc-news/

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
lfc-news-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

[lfc-news] Rafa happy for Cisse

------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~-->
Get fast access to your favorite Yahoo! Groups. Make Yahoo! your home page
http://us.click.yahoo.com/dpRU5A/wUILAA/yQLSAA/2_TolB/TM
--------------------------------------------------------------------~->

Rafa happy for Cisse
By Peter ORourke - Created on 15 Oct 2005
http://home.skysports.com/list.asp?HLID=316815&CPID=8&title=Rafa+happy+for+Cisse&lid=2&channel=Football_Home&f=rss
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez was delighted to see Djibril Cisse score the
winner against Blackburn.

Cisse finally found a way past a resolute Blackburn defence 15 minutes from
time with the visitors having to play for ten men for almost an hour after
Zurab Khizanishvili was sent off.

Benitez again rejected rumours of a rift with Cisse with the Frenchman
celebrating his goal by shaking hands with the Spaniard on the sidelines.

"If you have opportunities you must think you will score," said Benitez.

"It is good for him (Cisse) and for the team and I hope he can score more
goals in the future.

"We don't have any problems and we talked about the situation at the end of
the day.

"If the manager decides he understands."

Benitez also believes referee Mark Halsey got it right with the sending off.

"He was the last man. I don't know (if it was a penalty) the linesman was
in a better position, but he was the last man for sure," added Benitez.

The Spaniard also revealed that Sami Hyypia was left out for tactical reasons.

The Finn was a surprise omission from the starting XI and Benitez admitted
he was left out and that the player was not injured.

"He (Hyypia) is okay it was a team selection thing," concluded Benitez.

Unsubscribe: lfc-news-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
http://www.lfc-list.org.uk/

Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lfc-news/

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
lfc-news-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

[lfc-news] Cisse snatches at his chance

------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~-->
Get fast access to your favorite Yahoo! Groups. Make Yahoo! your home page
http://us.click.yahoo.com/dpRU5A/wUILAA/yQLSAA/2_TolB/TM
--------------------------------------------------------------------~->

Cisse snatches at his chance
By Patrick Barclay
(Filed: 16/10/2005)
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml;jsessionid=SAE5QGEANZFZ1QFIQMFCM5WAVCBQYJVC?xml=/sport/2005/10/16/sfnpad216.xml&sSheet=/sport/2005/10/16/ixfooty.html

YourView: World Cup wishes
In pics: World Cup qualifiers
Who's going to Germany 2006

Sometimes it is nobody's fault. Things just don't work out. Thus it was
with Diego Forlan and Manchester United. Signed for £7.5 million in 2002,
the Uruguayan striker earned Old Trafford's affection with his energetic
style but appeared mainly as a substitute before being sold to the Spanish
club Villarreal at the beginning of last season. What a transformation
since. Forlan finished the campaign La Liga top scorer and continues to
shine: it was his goal that beat Argentina last week to earn Uruguay a
World Cup play-off against Australia. So maybe a change of scene is what
Djibril Cisse needs.

You can almost feel butterflies watching Cisse, even when he wears the
colours of France rather than Liverpool, where his career has been (to put
it mildly) ill-starred. Last Wednesday, when the French qualified by
beating Cyprus 4-0, the goals came from an initially inspirational Zinedine
Zidane, then Sylvain Wiltord, Vikash Dhorasoo and the substitute Ludovic
Giuly. Cisse could have had another four all to himself, with a chance or
two to spare. For 90 minutes his pace and clever movement kept tearing the
Cypriots apart. All they could do was pray he missed the target or thumped
the ball against their goalkeeper. Most of the time their prayers were
answered. When Cisse turned provider, Wiltord and Giuly had reason to thank
him, but strikers like to score and therefore it was a slightly sheepish
smile the big man wore under his beanie hat afterwards.

"The main thing,'' he said, "is we are through. As for my own game, you get
nights like that from time to time. I just want to thank the crowd. They
never whistled me. On the contrary, they supported me to the end. The
players were just as encouraging and for that reason I never became scared
to play. And I'm grateful to the coach [Raymond Domenech] for not
substituting me.'' Asked, nevertheless, if his morale was draining, Cisse
replied: "It can be very difficult. But I try to continue to give the
maximum, to forget the missed chances so they don't get me down. And I'm
reassured by things like the little pass I gave Sylvain for his goal. We've
qualified. Now I'll try to laugh off the rest - that's the way I have to
look at it - and concentrate on my club. My priority is to hold down a
place in the Liverpool team. The World Cup can wait.''

Cisse, like Forlan, was 22 when he came to England. A £14 million deal,
breaking Liverpool's record, had been agreed a year earlier with Auxerre,
for whom he scored 70 goals in 128 league matches, but shortly before
Cisse's arrival in the summer of 2004 the manager who had wanted him,
Gerard Houllier, was sacked.

Under Rafa Benitez, he scored on his first Premiership appearance, and his
sixth, but on the ninth, at Blackburn, he suffered a hideous leg break.
Although it was supposed to have ended his season, Cisse proved an eager
healer and, despite being used as a substitute in all but one of the
concluding six matches, added another couple of goals. But Anfield remains
unconvinced and this season Cisse has exuded an over-anxiety reminiscent of
Forlan when, having sped through a defence, he would snatch at his shot and
screw it wide. It was the same for Cisse in the Stade de France. Except
that, after his third opportunity had been spurned, the chant rose from
amid the 80,000 seeking reassurance that the once-mighty had not completely
fallen: ''Cis-se, Cis-se, Cis-se.''

His admirers, Houllier included - there has been speculation about a switch
to Lyon, or Marseille - believe him capable of succeeding Thierry Henry in
the long term, although they would make a formidable partnership. While
Cisse shows only a fraction of Henry's skill and awareness, he is so quick,
strong and goal-hungry that a splash of confidence might work wonders. In
the meantime, you can only salute his courage in recovering from such a
serious injury and the persistence to which the Paris audience rose. They
are willing Cisse to blossom because fresh talent is thinner on the ground
these days.

The French set the bar high by winning the World Cup in 1998 and European
Championship two years later - and few can even run up to it. Cisse and the
midfielder Alou Diarra are the youngest in the squad at 24. The winger
Florent Malouda, a bright spark from Houllier's Lyon, and defender
Sebastien Squillaci are 25. It was considered necessary to coax Zidane,
Claude Makelele and Lilian Thuram out of international retirement in order
that France be spared the play-offs or worse, but an ageing squad are
unlikely to scare the Brazilians in the tournament itself, while England
would no doubt fancy a tilt at the side they nearly beat in the European
Championship. Domenech is looking for a new factor in the equation and
maybe next month, when France play a friendly in Germany, Cisse will be ready.

Unsubscribe: lfc-news-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
http://www.lfc-list.org.uk/

Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lfc-news/

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
lfc-news-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/