Wednesday, April 22, 2009

KENNY: I'D BE HAPPY TO HELP CLUB I LOVE

James Carroll 22 April 2009

Kenny Dalglish today admitted he would relish a return to working for Liverpool Football Club.

The Kop legend has been linked with an emotional return to Anfield to take up a role within the club's hierarchy, and says he'd be delighted to lend a hand if required.

Dalglish told LFC Magazine: "I was as far removed from the weekend's speculation about me returning to a role at Liverpool Football Club as it was possible to be, relaxing with the family at Loch Lomond in Scotland. That's not to say that the Sunday paper stories and TV debate escaped me.

"All I can say at the moment is what I've said many times in this column; if I can help Liverpool Football Club in any way, shape or form then I'm in. That's not a new revelation.

"If I can be of help to the club I love in any capacity then I'm more than happy to play any part that I can. If the manager or the people running the club think there's a role for me then I'll fill it happily.

"Similarly, if the club think the best thing for the club is for me to stay out of the way then I'm not going to take offence at that either.

"At the moment, there's not much more that I can say other than that if and when there's anything to say to the supporters - the people who keep this club alive - then they will be the first to know."

KUYT: WE WON'T GIVE UP

James Carroll 22 April 2009

Dirk Kuyt claims Liverpool are refusing to give up on their dream of clinching the Barclays Premier League title.

The Reds played out a pulsating 4-4 draw with Arsenal at Anfield last night and although the result was enough to move Rafa Benitez's side to the top of the table on goal difference, Manchester United now have two games in hand on Liverpool.

"It is harder after last night because we knew before the game that we needed to win to keep the pressure on," said Kuyt.

"But at least we got a draw and didn’t lose and we have to keep fighting until the very end.

"It has become more difficult than it already was but you have seen a team that has not given up and we will never give up."

Despite dominating for long periods of the game, Liverpool were forced to come from behind on three occasions in order to claim a point and Kuyt believes defensive errors ultimately proved costly for the Reds.

"All of their goals came from our own mistakes and this is something we have to change but we need to keep our focus on our next game," added the Dutchman.

"It will be difficult but as long as we keep winning our own games then maybe they will struggle. United have two games in hand so they could take a six point lead so they will have to lose twice but that can happen.

"The point we took is an important one because otherwise we could have ended up seven points behind and that would have made it almost impossible."

GERRARD: THAT POINT COULD BE BIG

Paul Eaton 22 April 2009

Steven Gerrard believes Yossi Benayoun's last-gasp leveller against Arsenal last night could yet prove to be a crucial goal in Liverpool's pursuit of the Barclays Premier League trophy.

Arsenal appeared to be heading for all three points as they held a 4-3 lead in stoppage time, but Benayoun's Kop end strike ensured the Reds went back to the top of the table, albeit only on goal difference after their seventh home draw of the season.

Despite the frustration of seeing two points slip away, Gerrard is remaining positive and believes the one point collected could prove significant in the final reckoking.

"United have a fantastic team and you look at their run-in, look to see where they are going to drop points - it would have been very difficult if we'd lost the game," said the Reds skipper. "I think that point could be big. We'll have to wait and see how big it could be for us.

"Performance-wise, at times we were very good. Torres and Benayoun were frightening going forward. Yossi was my man of the match.

"It's not like us to concede that many goals. We're normally sound defensively, especially at home.

"Now we need United to get beaten which is difficult to do because they're a good team. Hopefully others can look at what we did to them and what Fulham did to them. I still believe there will be twists and turns in this title race and we'll keep on fighting."

PM PROMISES HILLSBOROUGH HELP

James Carroll 22 April 2009

Prime Minister Gordon Brown today confirmed the government are ready to explore means of disclosing official documents relating to the Hillsborough disaster.

South Yorkshire Police said earlier this week they would be prepared to release around 300 boxes of material regarding the tragedy if able to do so.

Now the Prime Minister has pledged to do his best to help the families affected by the disaster.

Asked during Prime Minister's Question Time whether official documents - not just police files, but also health and government records - would be released, Mr Brown replied: "96 people lost their lives on that day and the inquiry found that action had to be taken so that something like this would never happen again.

"I can well understand that, even after all these years, the feelings of the families are such that they want to be sure that everything possible was done, and so yes, we will look at how we can release whatever information is available to the families.

"I have to say that the Taylor Report was a very full inquiry, and there was then a further report after 1997 to at what may be necessary to do in addition.

"But if this is a means by which we can help the families in difficult times, even after these years, we will look very carefully at what we can do."

LFC 4-4 ARSENAL: THE VERDICT


LIVERPOOL 4 - 4 ARSENAL
Tuesday 21 April 2009 20:00 , Barclays Premier League

Here's the pick of the post-match reaction following Liverpool's pulsating 4-4 draw with Arsenal.

arsenal29

The local paper
Liverpool were the better side and by no little distance, particularly in the first half which they dominated only to perversely find themselves trailing, and the fact that Arsenal did not win a single corner in the entire match tells its own story. The problem was that they put so much energy into their latest comeback from a losing position that they ended up running on empty in the closing stages and when Arshavin again found the target it was hard to see how the Reds could possibly get back into the game. From somewhere though, they again found the resilience and determination to come up with a result just when it seemed one would be beyond them and in doing so they kept their title dreams alive. Should Portsmouth show as much desire at old Trafford tonight as Arsenal did at Anfield then a disappointing point could yet turn into a decent one. The advantage is very much with United but no-one should write Liverpool off just yet, not in a season when anything can and so often does happen. The white knuckle thrill ride that is Liverpool's title challenge may have been driven off course but it has not been derailed and the seemingly endless succession of twists could still turn things back in their favour.
Tony Barrett, Liverpool Echo

The tabloid
Just when you think games can't get any better, you are proved wrong, wrong, and wrong again. A week ago, Liverpool had played their part in the match of the Champions League season at Chelsea. Last night, Rafa Benitez witnessed the Premier League equivalent.
Martin Lipton, Daily Mirror

The broadsheet
What a night, and what a match. Arshavin's four goals were stunning, four breathtaking finishes and they represented the only four clear-cut chances that Arsenal had all night. Yossi Benayoun's 93rd-minute equaliser was the last significant act in another conflagration of dodgy defences and swashbuckling strikers. Arshavin stole the show but Torres, with two goals of his own, was a giant, leading Liverpool in the absence of the injured Steven Gerrard. Just eight days ago, Benitez's side played out another eight-goal extravaganza against Chelsea in the Champions League and last night they did it all over again.
Sam Wallace, The Independent

The broadsheet
When the dust finally starts to settle around Anfield this morning, after an extraordinary night when the old place was shaken to its foundations, it will be of little consolation to Rafael Benítez that his team have suddenly become English football's great entertainers.
Oliver Kay, The Times

The player
It was great game for the supporters to watch but not for us because we made too many mistakes. We should have won the game. In the first-half we created four or five really good chances but then they scored with their only shot of the half. We came back strong in the second-half and led 2-1. At that point we were controlling the game but we made more mistakes and then when we had to chase it they punished us. We have the best defence in the league and the best goalkeeper too, but I think we didn't defend well as a team against Arsenal. We scored four goals and still didn't manage to pick up the three points so I think that shows we should have done better.
Yossi Benayoun

The boss
I am very disappointed because we have conceded four goals we wouldn't normally concede. We made massive mistakes. You don't remember any saves from Pepe Reina. It's just four chances and four goals - all of them from our mistakes. You never know what can happen in football, so we have to be confident we'll have chances until the end of the season. United are in the driving seat, but we will see what happens on Wednesday. If they win it will be more difficult, but they have to win. They also have to play Arsenal, so we will see.
Rafa Benitez

The skipper
I think that point could be big. We'll have to wait and see how big it could be for us. Performance-wise, at times we were very good. Torres and Benayoun were frightening going forward. It's not like us to concede that many goals like we have tonight. We're normally sound defensively, especially at home. Now we need United to get beaten which is difficult to do because they're a good team. But I still believe there will be twists and turns in this title race.
Steven Gerrard

The opposition manager
The game was quality on both sides but you are only half happy when you concede four goals. We are bit less than half happy because we were 4-3 up with just a minute to go. The positive is that we have a long unbeaten run and this keeps that going, and another positive is that we have shown our quality. The negative is that three points would have been better.
Arsene Wenger

The fan
Phenomenal commitment, great entertainment (although I'm neutral on this) and the atmosphere was unbelievable. Three players stood out for me though: Torres, Benayoun and Kuyt. Torres is getting back to his goalscoring best and, according to an Arsenal mate who was in the away section tonight, was incredible. Benayoun is growing into one of my favourite players at the club. His heroic performances of 2009 so far will never be forgotten by me. Brave, skilful and pops up with goals. Gerrard clearly loves him and I do too. And Kuyt - the effort he put in was out of this world and he produced two stunning assists.
Underdogg, Liverpoolfc.tv forums

REDS ANNOUNCE FAR EAST TOUR

Paul Eaton 22 April 2009

Liverpool Football Club have confirmed they will play two games in South-East Asia this summer as part of their preparations for the 2009-10 season.


In a tour promoted by Strategic Sports Investment, part of the Profitable Group, Rafael Benitez's men will face the Thailand national team in Bangkok on July 22 before flying to Singapore to take on the national team on July 26.

It will be the first time the Reds have visited Thailand since 2003, while their last trip to Singapore was in 2001.

Manager Rafael Benitez said: "We have a fantastic group of fans in both Thailand and Singapore and it will be great to take the lads out there again."

Ian Ayre, Liverpool FC Commercial Director, commented: "South East
Asia is clearly a key region for Liverpool FC. As we continue to develop our international plans, being able to allow fans all over the world to see the team live is paramount. We have already had very positive feedback from our supporters clubs in the region and the club will be working closely with them, our sponsors and other local partners to ensure this is an exciting and memorable tour."

Former Liverpool star Steve McMahon, Profitable Group's Commercial
Director, added: "It is fantastic news that we are able to bring one of the best club sides in the world to Thailand and Singapore. It will give a real opportunity for Liverpool fans in the South East Asian region a chance to see their heroes play up close."

The President of the Thai Football Association, Dato Worawi Makudi said: "Liverpool's return to the kingdom is long overdue. When they were here last time everyone concerned with the tour had a great experience and we are looking forward to making sure that this will be an even better event for them this time. It's also a fantastic opportunity for the fans to witness one of the top sides in the Premier League, a league that is unrivaled here in Thailand. The experience that our players will receive from this game will help in the development of Thai football."

The General Secretary of the Football Association of Singapore, Winston Lee commented: "We are very pleased to welcome Liverpool back to Singapore. Many Singapore football fans are also fans of English football and they will look forward to this opportunity to catch one of the top club sides in the world in action against their very own local football stars right here in our country. Inviting teams such as Liverpool as well as Brazil and Australia last year is part of our continued efforts to bring top class football action to our shores. It will not only be a great experience for our fans but our players will get exposure to world-class teams and players."

Summer tour timetable:

22nd July 2009
Thailand National Team v Liverpool Football Club
Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok
8.00pm Kick Off (local time)
Bangkok is 6 hours ahead of UK

26th July 2009
Singapore National Team v Liverpool Football Club
National Stadium, Singapore
7.00pm Kick Off (local time)
Singapore is 7 hours ahead of UK

Officials from Liverpool FC, including Ian Ayre, the club's Commercial Director, will be in Asia to officially announce the Tour in the respective countries in the middle of May 2009.

Ticket information and the tour schedule will be released at these press conferences.

RAFA: TITLE OPEN DESPITE MASSIVE MISTAKES

Jimmy Rice 22 April 2009

Rafa Benitez believes a series of 'massive mistakes' cost his side dear against Arsenal - but the Liverpool boss insists a 4-4 draw keeps this season's title race alive.

The Reds returned to the top of the league on goal difference thanks to an injury-time equaliser from Yossi Benayoun after four goals for Russian hotshot Andrey Arshavin.

However, second-placed Manchester United have two games in hand starting at home to Portsmouth on Wednesday.

"I am very disappointed because we have conceded four goals we wouldn't normally concede," Benitez told reporters afterwards.

"We made massive mistakes. You don't remember any saves from Pepe Reina. It's just four chances and four goals - all of them from our mistakes.

"You never know what can happen in football, so we have to be confident we'll have chances until the end of the season.

"United are in the driving seat, but we will see what happens on Wednesday. If they win it will be more difficult, but they have to win. They also have to play Arsenal, so we will see.

"I have explained before that, one Saturday when I was with Tenerife, we drew 1-1 at home and were fourth. Seville and Betis were first and second but they lost the next day, so we had one more point.

"The positive thing is that we've scored four goals against Arsenal in a very good game for the supporters. The other positive thing was the team fighting right until the end. To score another goal at the end shows this team has very good character."

Benitez, whose compatriot Fernando Torres matched Benayoun in netting a double, also paid tribute to the fans on what is sure to prove an unforgettable Anfield night.

He said: "The fans from the beginning were supporting and pushing the team. Sometimes you play with a little bit of anxiety, and some of the mistakes were because of this, but at the end, thanks to the fans, the team worked so hard and we scored the four goals."

Meanwhile, Benitez's opposite number, Arsene Wenger, insists the title race is far from over despite United's two-game advantage.

"Liverpool are still in it but it depends on United's games in hand," said the Frenchman. "It's still very open. United had some little problems before the Champions League, so it depends on how they bounce back."

LIVERPOOL 4 - 4 ARSENAL


LIVERPOOL 4 - 4 ARSENAL
Tuesday 21 April 2009 20:00 , Barclays Premier League

LIVERPOOL TOP AFTER EIGHT-GOAL THRILLER

Liverpool are top of the league after drawing 4-4 with Arsenal in one of the most thrilling games of football ever witnessed at Anfield.

Andriy Arshavin scored four goals for the Gunners, who took the lead three times including once in injury-time.

Yossi Benayoun popped up to level with seconds to spare to put the Reds ahead of Manchester United on goal difference.

It was the Israeli's second of the game, with Fernando Torres also claiming a double in front of a stunned capacity crowd.

The result keeps the title race open, though everyone on the red half of Merseyside will be praying United drop points at home to Portsmouth in one of two games in hand on Wednesday.

Arsenal came to Anfield 18 league games unbeaten, but their best run of form since 2004 was in danger of being undermined by a lengthy injury list which included Emmanuel Adebayor, Manuel Almunia, William Gallas, Robin van Persie and Gael Clichy.

Buoyed by his side's four goals at Stamford Bridge, Benitez opted for an offensive line-up including four attackers. Little did the Anfield boss know that he was about to witness an even more exciting encounter than that seen at Chelsea a week ago.

Messrs Torres, Benayoun, Riera and Kuyt set about some sizzling play before one of Liverpool's all-time attacking greats, Ray Kennedy, who suffers from Parkinson's disease. Prior to kick-off, both sets of supporters held aloft mosaics showing the 57-year-old's shirt numbers (he wore No.5 at Anfield, No.10 at Highbury) to bring attention to the Ray of Hope fundraising appeal.

There were just three minutes on the clock when Kennedy witnessed a current Kop icon, Torres, doing what he does best. The Spaniard made a mug of Bacary Sagna to go one-on-one with Lukasz Fabianski. Rarely does the 24-year-old spurn such chances but his tame sidefoot was easy for Arsenal's rookie goalkeeper.

Minutes later Fabio Aurelio dinked a cute ball over a static back four to Benayoun, whose stretched effort again fell kindly for Fabianski.

Next, Dirk Kuyt bypassed two Arsenal defenders with a delicate throughball to Benayoun. The 'keeper committed early and got there just in time.

Fabianski was maligned in the press following a series of errors which contributed to Arsenal's FA Cup semi-final defeat to Chelsea on Saturday, but the young Pole was single-handedly keeping Liverpool at bay here. Even his defenders looked a little surprised when he got fingertips to a 20-yard snapshot from Torres on 18 minutes.

The Spain international was again denied on 30 minutes after leaving Kolo Toure with his backside on the turf, while Daniel Agger had a header cleared off the line on his 50th league appearance for the Reds.

Six chances, no goals. All of which made what happened on 36 minutes even harder for the Kop to swallow. It was Javier Mascherano who was caught in possession on the edge of his own box, with Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas on hand to capitalise before feeding the onrushing Arshavin, who converted off the bar from close range.

Fabianski again came to Arsenal's rescue with a reflex save as Benayoun weaved his way towards an instant reply. The Israeli was playing like Peter Beardsley, but again missed out on his just rewards after a smart header from an Alvaro Arbeloa cross looped just over.

If Liverpool felt hard done by to be behind at the break, they didn't linger on their disappointment. It took Torres just four minutes after the restart to level the scores after an inviting cross from Kuyt. The No.9 found a yard on the edge of the six-yard box and powered his header beyond the reach of Fabianski to record his 15th goal of the season.

Seven minutes later the game had been turned on its head, and again the goal was the product of a Kuyt cross, this time towards Benayoun at the back post. The Israel captain ignored a high challenge from Sagna to send a diving header through the palms of Fabianski and over the line.

Twenty years after Arsenal clinched the title at Anfield, the Kop sniffed what could be a decisive victory in this year's race. But the drama was not yet complete.

Liverpool probed for a third but, to the surprise of just about everyone inside Anfield, it was the visitors who struck next through Arshavin. The Russian pounced after Jamie Carragher's header failed to reach Arbeloa before sending a 20-yard curler past the diving Pepe Reina.

Arsenal fans had barely finished celebrating when their January signing completed his hat-trick on 70 minutes after Aurelio failed to clear. The striker fired close to Reina but with enough power to ensure it reached the net.

It was just two minutes before a remarkable game took another twist as Torres prompted another Kop eruption. El Nino collected the ball on the edge of the box, bought a yard from Mikael Silvestre and slotted home via the hand of Fabianski.

Torres was denied a hat-trick with 10 minutes remaining when Kieran Gibbs cleared his glancing header off the line, while Jamie Carragher was almost the unlikely hero with a 20-yard volley with sailed narrowly wide.

But it was Arsenal who struck next in injury-time when a Liverpool corner was cleared to substitute Theo Walcott. With just Xabi Alonso back, the 20-year-old only had to look up to see Arshavin. He did, and the Russian kept his cool to beat Reina.

Game over? Not according to Benayoun, who seconds later found himself with the ball at his feet five yards out. The winger made no mistake with his sidefoot into the bottom corner and that, finally, was that.

Teams

Liverpool: Reina, Aurelio, Carragher (captain), Agger, Arbeloa, Riera, Alonso, Mascherano, Kuyt, Benayoun, Torres. Subs - Skrtel, El Zhar, Ngog, Dossena, Babel, Leiva, Cavalieri

Arsenal: Fabianski, Gibbs, Toure, Silvestre, Sagna, Nasri, Fabregas (captain), , Song, Bendtner, Arshavin. Subs - Eboue, Diaby, Vela, Ramsey, Mannone, , Walcott

Referee: Howard Webb

Conditions: Fine

Attendance: 44,424

Liverpoolfc.tv Man-of-the-Match: Benayoun


Breakdown

19:02 GMT : Match Starts
1 min : Arsenal kick off attacking the Kop end
1 min : Prior to kick off both sets of fans produced a tremendous public show of support for Ray Kennedy. The Kop held up a mosaic with a white '5' on a red background to represent Ray's Liverpool shirt number while the away fans held up a blue '10' against a yellow background
3 mins : First chance falls to Torres but Fabianski does well to hold his effort from the edge of the box
5 mins : Good bit of pressure from the Reds ends with Yossi hooking a volley into Fabianski's hands after a cute chipped pass from Aurelio
6 mins : Another chance for LFC. Riera drills a low shot that the Gunners' stopper does well to keep out. A bright opening from Rafa's Reds
10 mins : Great ball by Kuyt finds Yossi but Fabianski is out well to deny him
14 mins : Masch turns well on the left and fires a low shot just wide. It's all Liverpool at the moment
16 mins : Beautiful Arsenal move almost unlocks the Reds defence... but Yossi is back to clear. Great work from the Israeli
18 mins : Torres crashes a shot towards the top corner...great save Fabianski
20 mins : Great link play between Riera and Benayoun sees the Spain winger get in behind, but his low cross is well defended by the Arsenal backline
21 mins : Free-kick 35-40 yards out to LFC...Xabi standing over it
22 mins : Easily cleared by the Arsenal defence
24 mins : Fabianski may had his critics on Saturday in the FA Cup, but he's started well here
25 mins : The Reds seem to have lost their way a little in the past five minutes or so
26 mins : Magnificent ball from Xabi sends Kuyt through...he's brought down just outside the area...no free-kick. Crazy decision by the referee. The crowd are not impressed
27 mins : An Arsenal free-kick is greeted by incessant booing...but it's cheers now as the Reds win a corner
29 mins : A mix-up between Reina and Agger almost results in an opening goal for the Gunners - but Fabregas drills his volley wide
30 mins : Yossi looks to be in... but that man Fabianski is there again
30 mins : Torres shoots from distance....another great stop from the Pole
31 mins : Agger almost caps his 50th Reds appearance with a goal but his flick-header at the near post is hooked off the line
33 mins : Nice feet from Arshavin...unfortunately for him, his attempted cross is not so good and he miscues for a goal-kick - much to the amusement of the Kop
36 mins : GOAL! Andrey Arshavin:
40 mins : Anfield has been stunned by Arsenal's smash and grab. It must have been their first serious attack of the match
44 mins : Kuyt sees a hooked effort cleared off the line but it looks like the Gunners will go in ahead
45 mins : There will be a minimum of one minute as added time
45 mins : Arbeloa sees his shot well saved
19:49 GMT : Half Time Reached
20:04 GMT : Second Half Begins
46 mins : LFC restart the match attacking the Kop end
46 mins : Corner ball to the Reds
47 mins : Xabi's corner is flighted outside the box to Aurelio who gets his volley all wrong
49 mins : GOAL! Fernando Torres: Great header from Kuyt's cross
53 mins : It's the perfect start to the second period and the crowd are really up for this now
56 mins : GOAL! Yossi Benayoun: Yossi's header just crosses the line after another great ball in from Kuyt
59 mins : Xabi arcs a free-kick just over. It's been a stunning turnaround by LFC
61 mins : First Booking: Bacary Sagna:
62 mins : Torres' turn and shot is well gathered by Fabianski. The Reds are well on top
64 mins : Riera's shot is deflected for a corner following a great run by the Spaniard
65 mins : Substitution: Theo Walcott for Denilson :
66 mins : Fabianski does well to punch clear Aurelio's free-kick
67 mins : GOAL! Andrey Arshavin: Stunning effort from the Russian
70 mins : GOAL! Andrey Arshavin: Hat-trick
72 mins : GOAL! Fernando Torres:
73 mins : Substitution: Ryan Babel for Albert Riera:
78 mins : What a game!
79 mins : The Reds need the winner to pull clear of Man United
80 mins : Free-kick to LFC 25 yards out. We need a hero now
81 mins : But Xabi fires it well over
82 mins : Corner to LFC after a good run by Babel... Torres heads goalwards... it's off the line
83 mins : Another corner is cleared to Carra...but he guides a volley just over
84 mins : It's been a season of great comebacks but can we do it again?
86 mins : Substitution: Nabil El Zhar for Dirk Kuyt:
87 mins : Powerful run from Carra but his shot is wayward
89 mins : Corner to Liverpool. Time is running out
90 mins : GOAL! Andrey Arshavin:
90 mins : Substitution: Abou Diaby for Nicklas Bendtner:
90 mins : GOAL! Yossi Benayoun:
90 mins : First Booking: Francesc Fabregas:
20:56 GMT : Match Over