Category — Liverpool
Gerrard for PFA Player of the Year
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez believes that Steven Gerrard should be named PFA player of the year.
Manchester United stars Nemanja Vidic and Ryan Giggs are believed to be the favourites for the award, but Benitez is talking up the claims of Gerrard.
The midfielder is in the form of his life and has scored 21 goals this season to play a major part in the revival of Liverpool’s title ambitions.
Benitez said: “He would be my vote. If he can continue playing at this level, then why not?
“For me Stevie is one of the best players in the world. To say one is the best above anyone else is difficult because there are a lot of quality players about, but he is one of the best. That is clear.
“He is more mature, he is still learning and tactically he is improving. He can still play better because he has the potential.”
Gerrard is currently with the England squad for the forthcoming games with Slovakia and Ukraine, and Benitez added: “He has quality and always tries to improve in every training session.
“That is very positive. You know when he is on the pitch you have more options to win.”
Gerrard has claimed this week he would like to play for England in the ’second striker’ role he has at Liverpool.
And Benitez believes his new role playing just behind Fernando Torres has seen Gerrard’s game rise to even greater heights.
The Spaniard continued: “Changing his position and seeing him play in a different role has improved a lot. He scored 23 goals one year and now he has 21 and can score more before the end of this season, so that is very positive for the team and also for him.
“When Gerrard and Torres are together for us, the rest of the team has more confidence. It is good for the rest of the players as they get a lot of confidence when we have those two together on the pitch.” – ESPN
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March 26, 2009 No Comments
Benitez finally extends contract with Liverpool
Rafael Benitez has signed a new deal with Liverpool to keep him at Anfield until 2014.The former Valencia manager, who led the Reds to Champions League glory in 2005, has been in contract talks with the club for much of the season.
He told the club’s official website: “My heart is with Liverpool Football Club, so I’m delighted to sign this new deal.
“I love the club, the fans and the city and with a club like this and supporters like this, I could never say no to staying.
“I always made clear I wanted to be here for a long time and when I complete my new contract it will mean I have spent over a decade in Liverpool.”
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March 19, 2009 No Comments
Mighty Manchester United brought down to earth
Mighty Man U was brought down to earth when Liverpool played themselves back into Premier League contention with a resounding 4-1 win at Old Trafford in Saturday’s early game. Although Manchester United remain four points clear with a game in hand and superior goal difference, they are now under slightly more pressure in one of the three remaining competitions they are seeking to win.
United shaded a relatively open quarter and took the lead on 23 minutes. Carlos Tevez threaded a pass through to Ji-Sung Park, deep into the Liverpool penalty area, and Park’s touch took him beyond goalkeeper Jose Reina, although away from goal. Committed to the tackle, Reina brought Park down and was beaten to his right from Cristiano Ronaldo’s subsequent penalty.
United sought to press home their advantage, but Fernando Torres took advantage of a glaring error by Nemanja Vidic and equalised with 28 minutes gone. In the penultimate minute of the first half, Liverpool were ahead, Patrice Evra misjudging a crossfield ball, pulling down the passing Steven Gerrard who converted the resultant penalty.
Although United were on top for the first half of the second period they rarely threatened to score, and the game was effectively ended after 77 minutes. Vidic, enduring the definitive nightmare afternoon, hacked down Gerrard who would have been clear on goal and after receiving a red card had to watch as Fabio Aurelio whacked in a free kick for 3-1. There was still time for United to be caught again as they chased the game with ten men, and Andrea Dossena compounded their misery with a deft chip over Van der Sar after a long, straight punt from Reina had inexcusably evaded their entire back four.
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March 15, 2009 No Comments
Javier Mascherano not giving up hope
Javier Mascherano believes Liverpool can save their season from collapse over the next three matches.
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March 5, 2009 No Comments
Torres to miss Sunderland duel
Having missed Liverpool’s defeat at Middlesbrough, prolific striker Fernando Torres will sit out of the Reds’ must-win meeting with Sunderland.
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March 4, 2009 No Comments
