Saturday, April 18, 2009

STEVEN GERRARD INJURY UPDATE

Paul Eaton 18 April 2009

Liverpool today confirmed Steven Gerrard faces at least another week on the sidelines as he continues to recover from a strain in his adductor muscle.

The Reds' skipper aggravated the injury ahead of the clash with Chelsea in midweek, and has now been ruled out of Liverpool's Premier League fixture with Arsenal on Tuesday night.

"In the training session before the Champions League game at Chelsea, Steven Gerrard unfortunately aggravated a small strain he had previously suffered in his adductor muscle," confirmed a club spokesman.

"A scan has since confirmed our medical team's initial diagnosis and the player is expected to be out for between seven and ten days.

"In the meantime, Steven will continue to receive intensive treatment on the injury at Melwood."

MASCH: THESE PEOPLE ARE AMAZING

Jimmy Rice 18 April 2009

Javier Mascherano today paid tribute to the people of Liverpool for the way they honoured those who died at Hillsborough 20 years ago this week.

The Argentina captain was so struck by Wednesday's Memorial Service that he rang friends back home to tell them what he had witnessed.

hillsborough


"I have never seen anything like it in my life," Mascherano told Liverpoolfc.tv. "I spoke to some people in Argentina about it because it was amazing to see the stadium almost full for a memorial service. It would not happen at other clubs or in other countries.

"It's great the way the fans and the city came together. They still remember after 20 years the people who lost their lives.

"When I came here I didn't know what happened 20 years ago but living in the city and playing for Liverpool you hear all the stories. It was so sad."

Mascherano's first professional club, River Plate, endured their own stadium disaster in 1968 when 74 people died trying to escape a fire.

"In Argentina something similar happened many years ago at River Plate but they don't remember like Liverpool fans remember," added the 24-year-old.

RAFA WANTS XABI TO STAY AT ANFIELD

Jimmy Rice 17 April 2009

Rafa Benitez has spoken of his desire to keep Xabi Alonso at Anfield this summer.

The 27-year-old has enjoyed a fine season after speculation about his future following Spain's Euro 2008 triumph.

Benitez said: "The first year was really good and this year he is also playing really well.

"Xabi has been having a very good season; he has been playing well in a lot of games and is a key player for us.

"We have a lot of confidence in him because he is playing really well and he is a player we want to keep because he has the quality, and the game, that we need."

ON THIS DAY: FIVE-STAR REDS SINK GUNNERS

Steve Hunter 18 April 2009

Liverpool won their first League Division One title under Bill Shankly after a thumping 5-0 win over Arsenal at Anfield, on this day in 1964.

Goals from Ian St John, Alf Arrowsmith, Roger Hunt and a double from Peter Thompson did the damage on an afternoon that also saw the BBC's Panorama programme film the Kop - reporting on this 'extraordinary cultural phenomenon.'

It was a glorious moment for Shankly and a new Anfield dynasty was about to begin.

Elsewhere on this day in LFC history in 1984, Ian Rush notched up a century of strikes for Liverpool as the Reds were held to a 3-3 draw at Leicester City.

The iconic Welsh frontman took his tally to 100 goals in just 166 games with the second of Liverpool's three efforts after Ronnie Whelan had struck in the first-half.

John Wark grabbed the third and final Reds goal nine minutes from time but it was not enough to claim all three points.

INCE DEDICATES CUP WIN TO 96

Louise Goulding 17 April 2009

Thomas Ince today dedicated Liverpool Under-18s' FA Youth Cup victory over Birmingham to the 96 who lost their lives at Hillsborough.

Ince and his teammates attended Wednesday's memorial service at Anfield, which marked the 20th anniversary of the tragedy, and the youngster believes it inspired the team to their 3-0 semi-final first leg win a day later.

"When we went to Anfield and saw the fans paying their tributes it was unbelievable. It was an inspiration for us," Ince said.

"We knew it wasn't only that we had a potential final to look forward to, but the fact that we could pay our own tribute to the 96 that died.

"It was pleasing to pay tribute to them with a 3-0 win and hopefully we have done them proud."

The forward certainly played his part on the night and enjoyed his role behind two-goal Lauri Dalla Valle.

"Over the last few games I have been playing in that position as it allows me to get in the gap between midfield and the back four, which allows me to do what I do best," he said.

"I am enjoying the role and I feel I am more involved in the game."

Hugh McAuley's men were leading 3-0 at the interval, but failed to add to their goal tally in the second half.

"Going in a few goals up helped us calm the nerves, but in the second half we got a little bit sloppy," added Ince.

"I think there were a few tired legs, but we can work on that in training and hopefully put the first-half performance on for a full 90 minutes."