forde

I have been watching this game and after a really slow start City have been the better team. Should be a good 2nd half!

Mark Everton Walters?

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No surprise really with all the things he has been saying, but never like to see a red sacked!

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One of the stars of last years team of out on loan! Accrington Stanley have today signed Liverpool centre half Godwin Antwi on an initial one month loan. *Born in Ghana he joined Liverpool from Real Zaragoza in August 2005, and played a big part in their FA Youth Cup winning season last year. He is now a regular in the reserves. http://www.accrington.vitalfootball.co.uk/...cle.asp?a=56482

Digger

Yea such as me,but i take his point!

Saw this interview on another site! Rafa was interviewed by De la Morena on the programme 'El Larguero' of Cadena Ser, Spain, after the match. He talks about the game, the second leg, Algarve and his players. Rafa? - Yes? Good evening - Good evening Congratulations - Thank you very much Well, even if it?s a foreign team?it?s coached by a Spanish manager and with all the Spanish immigrants and that seems to ease the pain a bit? - Yes, I think it helps to soothe the pain a bit, no? Yes. Did everything play out the way you dreamed it? - No, the truth is that we went through a phase where we couldn?t control the ball well and I didn?t like how the team was doing? Don?t tell me that you?re going to complain now!!! - No, no?I think that? we did well but it?s just that phase that we didn?t control and then we were better in the second half?the team reacted well, we had a bit more possession and we had better plays on the counter-attack. What didn?t you like at the beginning? - We were losing the ball too easily?not the first few minutes, we were good then?but after?I don?t know, 15?between 15 and 30 minutes we didn?t have much possession and we weren?t threatening much, no? What called my attention a lot at the beginning was the ?pressing? you did, the first 10 or 12 minutes?you had the ball almost as much as Barça? - Yeah, that was the idea at the beginning, no? And we did well but it?s very difficult to maintain a high level of pressure against Barcelona because they have a lot of quality and a lot of danger, no? And you know that if you press them too high up the pitch and they get away then you leave them with much open space to run and to make through passes?and if you stay too far back they can create you a lot of problems on dead ball situations. Of course?But I was expecting something else, I thought that you were going to play Barça the same way Valencia did?sitting back?but I saw you come out, pressing high up the pitch and?yes they were coming forward with open spaces but then it?s been a match where you?ve played Barça face to face, eh? - Well, we tried, at least?like I said? in the second half, after we spoke at half time about not being afraid to play the ball, we had to try to keep possession and we were surely going to find some gaps, no?... Although, of course, when Barça have the ball and start passing it around they make you run a lot and it?s not easy then to get there at the appropriate time, no? And now you?re going to have to start studying how to prepare the second leg?because now it?s going to be a completely different match and approach?How to play Barça at home but?counter-attacking, no? - Well, the truth is that we have to analyze it, like you said, because?it?s not easy, no?...they are good at counter-attacking?and the norm would be for us to attack at Anfield but then the result is to your advantage and perhaps you don?t have to go forward all out?they have players like Giuly or Messi who are very fast and with a couple of long balls towards them they can create a dangerous situation with one strike of the ball, no? I get the feeling that your team get along very well?however, I read that you have ?arrested? 15 of them! - [Laughs] No, no. The team get along very well, the atmosphere is very good?and during our training camp in Portugal the atmosphere was sensational?what happened is that, well, in our last day they got a bit disoriented?but then the next day they? They got confused and they couldn?t find their way back, no!!!??? - [Laughs] Yes, what happened is that there were two vans?and it?s true? there were two vans and the players that got on the first one got there on time and the ones that waited for the second van got there late, so? So then you should fine the driver!!!??? - [Laughs]Yes, him too?but he was a Portuguese?but then they said themselves that they understood the consequences and that they took responsibility and they fined themselves? so I didn?t have to tell them anything?in fact? What, they fined themselves??? - Yes, the players themselves said that?since they have an internal regime?that they fined themselves and that?s it?in fact, in fact I?ll tell you more, I said to one player ?I?m thinking X amount and he said ?No, no, no?more? and they upped the fine themselves, so I?m telling you that the atmosphere, and the players have behaved very well, despite those problems, no? But, is the fine related to the vandalizing or that?s separate? - There was no vandalizing. A lot of things were said that aren?t true?like Carra was singing with Gerrard and Carra wasn?t even there?Carra was in Liverpool because he had to leave early?nothing was destroyed there, I mean there were no incidents on the streets regarding any cars and broken glass, like I?ve heard out there? I heard that also, that they broke?destroyed this and than? - No, I?m telling you that?s not true and I tell you that later when I was at the Hotel and they got to the Hotel and the police was there?there was nothing too serious because I spoke to the police and everything was sorted out?and the truth is that it?s unlucky because this sort of incident is not uncommon and other times it doesn?t escalate and this time it was on the press and obviously you can?t deny it but it wasn?t as big as it was made out to be. The two goalscorers?Bellamy and Riise?were two of the ?arrested?? - [Laughs] Yes it?s two of the ones that everyone was pointing their fingers at and I think it?s important for them to have scored?and, well, it?s a satisfaction because at least?many people were talking about them playing or not and I think that in this case the punishment was more a disciplinary issue?and on the sporting side it was down to getting the best team out there. Hey, what are you doing tomorrow?do you give them the day off or not? - No. We?re going to arrive and rest at our training complex and we?ll have a training session early in the morning? So, tonight you get there and you stay? - At our training facility? You make them sleep over there? - But it was their call. They?d rather do it like this because this way they train early?rest more hours and then get the rest of the day off because then we have another match on Saturday. But, wait?I don?t want to hold you for too long because I know that it?s late and you have to go but you?re telling me they asked you to do it this way? That sort of thing here in Spain?either it?s not fashionable or there is a different kind of ?professionals? because? - No, they understand it because they know they need to rest and they prefer to stay there instead of driving for half an hour or an hour to get home?and they?d rather stay there and get some rest, then train and then they have the rest of the day off? Rafa, be safe, eh? - Okay, thank you. Goodbye - Goodbye.

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Anfield but if NOT lets just call it the PISS OFF YOU BITTERS STADIUM

FIFA have given Javier Mascherano permission to play for Liverpool if he completes his move to Anfield, but the Reds are now waiting to hear whether the deal will be sanctioned by the Premier League. The game's governing body has agreed to the move even though the player has already played for two clubs in the past twelve months. A FIFA statement read: "After due consideration of all aspects, the Fifa single judge ruled that, 'Upon registration for Liverpool FC during the present registration period, the player Javier Mascherano is eligible to play in official matches with the said club with immediate effect'." Despite FIFA giving their green light to the deal, Liverpool are still waiting to hear if the Premier League will allow it to progress. A Liverpool spokesman said: "FIFA have confirmed the player is entitled to play for Liverpool. "However, the move from West Ham still needs to be ratified by the Premier League and we await their decision." http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N...070131-0944.htm

Rafael Benitez believes Javier Mascherano will become a Liverpool player - even if FIFA do not answer the Anfield club's appeal to be allowed to sign the Argentina international before the transfer window closes on Wednesday. Liverpool want to end the midfielder's West Ham nightmare by taking him on loan, even though he has already played for two clubs in the last 12 months. FIFA's rules forbid a player having three clubs in that time, but Liverpool launched an appeal to be allowed to sign Mascherano, who has played only five games for the Hammers - and none since November - since his controversial signing last summer, along with countryman Carlos Tevez. Benitez, who takes his side to face West Ham at Upton Park tomorrow for a game crucial to both ends of the Barclays Premiership table, believes he will get his man in the end. Benitez said: "We are waiting for FIFA to make a decision, but even if that does not come before the deadline, I believe he will still be able to join us." It appears the only way that could happen then is if West Ham tear up his contract and make Mascherano a free agent. Benitez admitted: "That is an option." The Liverpool boss added: "I hope he will join us, as he has great experience. "We know the rule says he cannot play for three clubs, but he is unable to play at West Ham and we must take into consideration the law, and the law is more important than the rules. "He is unable to work at the moment, nobody can say you cannot work." Benitez has trailed the midfielder since before last summer's World Cup, and said: "We were aware of the player when he was at River Plate, and he was in the national team at 18. There is no doubt about the quality of the player. "He played well in the World Cup and he is a great professional with talent and quality. "We have good midfielders in Alonso, Gerrard, Sissoko and Zenden, but the only holding midfielder is Alonso and the idea is to bring Mascherano here to put pressure on in that role. "If we sign him it will be on loan for one-and-a-half years, at least. He is a good option and has the character and ability to do well in the Premiership. "We have an agreement, but we must wait for the FIFA decision. We hope that will come in the next two days, but if it does not we still believe we will be able to sign him." He continued: "We are doing our best as a club to sort this out. FIFA need to do something before January 31. But if they do not, I still feel we can achieve what we want. "We talked to West Ham and had permission to talk to Mascherano, so that says that he is not likely to play for them again. "They used Tevez because they needed strikers, but they had other midfield players with different styles, and that made it difficult." It is believed that Tevez and Mascherano have differing contracts, Tevez being able to play as often as West Ham want but Mascherano's has a stipulation that after a certain number of games it would trigger extra payments. Benitez said: "I do not know about the contracts, only that we like him and want to make an agreement." http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/arti...in_page_id=1779

Rafa Benitez remains confident of bringing Javier Mascherano to Liverpool ahead of Wednesday night's transfer deadline. The unsettled West Ham midfielder has been a target for Benitez all month but FIFA rules are blocking the Argentina international from representing three clubs in one season. Nevertheless, the Merseysiders have appealed and look set to snare the South American on an 18-month deal. "We are waiting for the answer from FIFA," he told a press conference. "It's clear a player must play. "There are other cases, similar cases and we have to wait now but I am confident. "They need to decide right now as we have just two or three days . "First of all, we need to wait but, if he comes, he's a player with character and personality. "He's a holding midfielder and, just in case we have some problems, he can give us experience and quality. "I know he's not playing well at West Ham but I know the player and I know the quality he has. Also he's a player not just for now but for the future. "He will come here for at least one year and a half. "I knew of the player when I was at Valencia and, at the World Cup, he was very good in all the games. "He can bring character and quality, the things we will need maybe in some games and, if he plays well, he will put the other players under pressure."

None what so ever its a hoax!

Just left the operating room, where they took part to him of a breakage in the crossed ligament, Luis Garci'a recovers, wrapped by his woman and her son, near house, in Sitges. Positive by nature, does not become distressed calculating the date of return. It thinks about the preseason and it also thinks about the Barça, his ex- clothes and rival of his present equipment, the Liverpool, in the eighth of end of the Champions. Its enthusiasm by the Barça has infected to the rest of renters of Anfield. In fact, to that Rafa Benítez has granted three holidays one of its men, Peter Crouch, has not doubted in traveling to Barcelona to know the city and to see a party in the Camp Nou, although the rival was the Native of Alava. How is? Now very animated, although the first days are complicated because you feel annoyances, you do not sleep well? I am calm and with desire to begin to work hard. I have already mentalizado myself because in addition in this type to injury everything very fast happens. In a second you break yourself and comes: a recovery of six months. Or you are strong or is difficult to recompose because the rehabilitation is long. The calendar is very demanding. Tiene the sensation of which little thinks about the soccer players and that of there so many injuries? I can answer from the English point of view and the truth is that he is complicated, but can be gotten to think that. Spanish Liga is hard, but the one of England? In Christmases it is a madness: you play Saturday and Monday, two parties of Premier in four days. He is something outside the normal thing and that must pass invoice somehow. Here, on the contrary, there has been controversial by the 13 days of vacations navideñas of the Barça. If the Barça considers that those are 13 days that the players need he will be by something, do not occur because yes. Parón always is necessary, and the one of Christmas is fundamental to be oxygenated mainly and, to rest. Their companions follow Liga? Very many! They do not lose any party of the Barça and Madrid. The Barça they like and they have much respect to him. Asks much to Him? Yes, we often spoke of the Barça and more now than we are going away to face. Carragher, for example, is a crazy person of soccer, knows everything to it of all. And the rest of companions does not lose the parties of the Barça and Madrid and floods to messages to the Spaniards commenting the plays to us or asking to us to us for players. They will have asked to him for the Camp Nou? Yes, them for much illusion to play there. It is very different from Anfield. The Camp Nou is incredibly great, if you raise the glance when he is full imposes much. The capacity of Anfield is of 45,000 people but you have them singing the party throughout. It is like a box of matches, pequeñito, but you have to people to a meter yours. And nor rises! They respect much to the soccer players. Rafa Benítez already has recruited to him like ojeador? Good, surely it will do it. It is much to ask, but always it is very, very informed. How gains to him to the Barça? The only way is not committing failures because what has the Barça is that it holds the party very well, it marks the times and is hoping; it touches and it touches until you commit a failure and then it is Eto' or, or Ronaldinho, or Messi, or Xavi, or Iniesta or Deco from outside the area? anyone. Eto' or and Messi, ready for eliminatory or the best one for the following party? For the following one, no? They are very important players, that they contribute more options for the Barça and, the truth, whatever less have better for us. Them desire the best thing because I like much to them. Eto' or did not send these days a message to me that did much illusion to me? but better than they recover for the next party, is either necessary to force. What two expositions of soccer will be seen in the Camp Nou and Anfield? Us to play in the Camp Nou it will not be? good, that to put the bus either but a little yes, already we did some again, against the Juventus? It is necessary to try to be most together possible and to play the con. Playing outside against an equipment that has much the ball will be necessary to try to be very together so that Xavi and Iniesta cannot put those balls that leak between lines and to take advantage of our options as much, to the con as in córners, lack? and mainly the saying, not to commit errors. To annul to the brains Not only we will make marcajes individual to Xavi or Iniesta, that would be stupid because if is not one is another one or Ronaldinho? we would never finish! We must play very together so that they cannot be moved with facility in means of the field, that is where its soccer grows all. Gerrard, Xabi or Sissoko must be those that, supported by the rest of the equipment, take the baton and see the party. There it will be the party. In Anfield more it will be opened because in house we played the attack more. And the Barça? the Barça stands in Stamford Bridge and leaves to the attack! It always does so a soccer more open than in the Camp Nou will be able to be seen. With the dimensions of the stage and their game you cannot leave to tighten to them arrives because eight can do you. That result signs in the going? A 0-0 would be well, no? And that is decided everything in Anfield. You which you have worked with both, How takes the clothes Rijkaard and Benítez? They are not very different. To both they like to speak with the players, understand the mentality of the player and they like to express their tactical concept to the maximum. Similarities are enough, the truth. Rijkaard is a calm man of nature, relaxed, but when it is something does not like extraction the genius, like the other day (Montjuïc). Then this way one says that him hard lack hand? That does not have hard hand? Yes it has, yes? Has It enough lasts that the crystal burst! (laughter) What happens is that Rijkaard knows like treating a player, and to a player when the things go bad and is cabreado not him you can crush more because he would be stupid. Memory a party against the Murcia, of Glass. To the average part it removed the genius and it said to us, `good gentlemen, can be known what you are hoping' It removed the genius and in the second part we solved fastest (0-4). I often did not saw more cabreado, but some him. It removes the genius when it is necessary. Benítez also is a little thus. The Barça is so bad? The Barça is bad? To see? It is to two points of Seville and with a party less, it happened first in the Glass, is in the Champions? and is bad? He is the one of always. The last year the Champions gained, Liga and now people want more. This season was necessary to gain it everything and the end by 6-0. It is not easy to maintain the rate, the best example we are than we conquered the Champions and soon we have been gaining some title? Can that the Barça at some time does not play soccer spectacle that can practice because, sure the rivals are not idiot either, but the Barça is well. Someday he can play worse, but he was bad would go fifth.

Yep Makalele is def supended