Rafa plots Eto'o raid - Reports

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is reportedly plotting a summer move for Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o.

The Spaniard tried to sign Cameroon striker Eto'o two years ago when he left Real Mallorca but couldn't match Barca's spending power.
However the arrival at Anfield of American tycoons George Gillett and Tom Hicks has given Benitez money to spend, and has coincided with reports Eto'o will leave the Nou Camp in the summer.
The 25-year-old has fallen out with Barca coach Frank Rijkaard and team-mate Ronaldinho in recent weeks after claims he refused to come on as a substitute against Racing Santander.
That has led to him being linked with a move to both Chelsea and Arsenal, but it appears former Valencia manager Benitez's contacts in Spain have sprung Liverpool to the front of the queue in the race for Eto'o, who has been rated at anywhere between £20million and £50million by the media.
If Eto'o does move to Anfield, he will join Andriy Voronin there, with the Ukraine striker moving to Liverpool on a free transfer in the summer.

[2007.02.24] Liverpool 4 - 0 Sheffield United Goals

RAFA PLEASED WITH SPIRIT IN CAMP

Jimmy Rice 21 February 2007

Rafa Benitez was delighted with his players' response following a difficult build-up to their Nou Camp showdown. Goals from Craig Bellamy and John Arne Riise saw the Reds claim a superb 2-1 victory over Barcelona in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie. "I said before in the press conference that the atmosphere between the players was really good and you could see today them all working very hard for the team, for the club and for the supporters," said Benitez. "For me I am really pleased with Bellamy and John scoring these goals and also pleased for the team too. "The players have done a very good job, we were training and working very hard to prepare for this game and to play Barcelona is not easy. I think that the team was very good at playing counter-attack. "At the end of the day we need to play another game, I don't want to say that everything is done. We need to be careful and think about the next game also."

Barcelona vs Liverpool Goals

Barcelona vs Liverpool Goals
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LPOOL TRAIN AT NOU CAMP

CRISIS AT LIVERPOOL

Liverpool have been thrust into crisis just days before their Champions League match with Barcelona.

Riise Escapes Serious Injury, Bellamy In Trouble John Arne Riise seems to have escaped with very minor injuries after being attacked with a golf club by Liverpool teammate Craig Bellamy following a drunken brawl. Norway coach Age Hareide revealed as much, and that the situation in the dressing room is tense.

A concerned Hareide called up Riise after reports of the brawl, and Bellamy's ferocious attack, hit the headlines.Revealing that he managed to speak to Riise, he confirmed that the left-back was doing fine. He also suggested that the situation in the dressing room was pretty serious.
"I got to talk to John Arne, and things in general are not good," Hareide told VG.
"But in any case things are okay with John Arne. That is the most important thing.
"He escaped without injuries."
Bellamy and Riise were involved in a drunken brawl at a karaoke bar in Portugal, where Liverpool were preparing for the Champions League clash against Barcelona.
It all started off as a joke, with other players also involved, but things then got serious between the two.
Bellamy, who had felt humiliated and insulted, attacked Riise with a golf club later that night, as the situation got completly out of hand.
While refusing to take names, Benitez has since promised action against those guilty, and the situation in the dressing room seems tense.There is already speculation that the fracas could bring Bellamy's Anfield career to an abrupt end. The 27-year-old Welshman has a history of being involved in unsavoury incidents off the pitch.

Reds do not fear Barca

Skipper Steven Gerrard says Liverpool have nothing to fear going into their Champions League last-16 tie against holders Barcelona.
Gerrard also feels that Liverpool's contingent of Spanish player and their manager Rafael Benitez's knowledge of Spanish football gives them an edge.

He told LFC magazine: "A lot of our lads have experience of the Nou Camp so there is no fear factor.

"We have to go there with confidence, and not worry about Barcelona."

Liverpool, winners in 2005, return to European action in the Nou Camp in the first leg of their last-16 tie on 21 February.

Gerrard is currently warm-weather training with Liverpool in Portugal, and warned against the dangers of scaring themselves.

RAFA: BRING ON BARCA

Mark Platt 14 February 2007

One week before the Reds take on Barcelona in the first leg of their Champions League clash in the Nou Camp, manager Rafael Benitez talks to Liverpoolfc.tv.


To watch our interview with Rafa at Melwood, click here>>

Liverpoolfc.tv: Rafa, the big Liverpool v Barcelona clash in the Nou Camp is drawing ever closer, how much are you looking forward to it?

Rafael Benitez: It's a difficult stadium to play in but we have confidence. We know it will be a difficult game because Barcelona is a difficult team. We know about them but we will try and I have confidence we can do a good job.

Since the draw was made in December has it been difficult diverting your players' attention away from the prospect of playing in the Nou Camp?

I have watched some of their games on the TV but I have been focused on our form in the Premiership. I said to my players that we don't think about Barcelona and focus on the Premier. Now we can look ahead to Barcelona.

Does this tie have an extra edge for you personally, given your background with Real Madrid?

No. The rivalry between Real Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia in Spain is really high but for me the idea is to win against a top side. It's not just because it's Barcelona and it would be the same if we were playing Valencia or Real Madrid.

Do you think Liverpool will have all the backing of the Real Madrid and Valencia fans when you play Barcelona?

I think so. We have a lot of supporters in Spain now. The rivalry is similar to Liverpool playing Everton so I think we will have a lot of supporters for this game.

Having been a rival of Barcelona in Spain what reception do you expect in the Nou Camp?

The people of Barcelona are very polite and they know their football. They are good supporters.

What's your record like against Barcelona?

I don't know exactly but with Valencia we won some games at the Nou Camp. We scored four goals once when Fabio Aurelio scored a very good goal. It's not easy but our results were good.

From the contacts you have in Spain have you been told about the atmosphere in Catalonia ahead of the match?

Everyone, including the press, is very excited about this game. They have been talking about it almost every day for the last two months.

How highly do you rate this Barcelona team?

The team is really good and when the draw was made people were saying Barcelona are the best team in the world. After two months we are a lot better and they have had some problems. They need Eto'o fit, and Messi, because they haven't been scoring a lot of goals.

Both Eto'o and Messi recently stepped up their comeback by coming off the bench to play for Barca in La Liga, this must give them a big boost...

Yes but I think they have been trying to push these players back quickly for this game.

Do you think they are still as strong as when they won the Champions League in May?

Yes they are really strong and they have good players. They are not playing at the same level but if they have Eto'o, Messi and Ronaldinho then I think they have very good players.

Do you know any of the Barcelona players personally from your time in Spain?

They have some foreign players and I know Messi. I also know Eto'o as he was in the Academy at Real Madrid when I was there, so I have good relations with them.

Liverpool go into the game as underdogs. Do you think that will benefit you?

It could do. I think that it's important for us as we won't have big pressure so that will be important for us.

Obviously the Nou Camp is one of the greatest stadiums in world football and playing there can be quite a daunting experience for some. Do you think it can also work the other way and inspire your players?

I hope so because always we want to win against the top sides in the big stadiums. It's important if you have a very good mentality and our players have experience and a good mentality.

Would you say this is one of the biggest and toughest games you have had as manager of Liverpool?

In the Premiership you can play against very difficult teams and in Europe we have played in the Champions League against Juventus, Chelsea, AC Milan, all very difficult teams. I think that Barcelona is the same level.

What would you view as a good result in the Nou Camp?

You never know but it could be good for us to score. Always for us to play the second leg at Anfield is important and we need to score if it's possible.

Liverpool have never lost at the Nou Camp and they have played three times. Are you confident that good record will continue?

I would like to keep this record.

MOMO SISSOKO INTERVIEW

Shakir Ahmed 09 February 2007

Liverpool midfielder Momo Sissoko chats to journalist Shakir Ahmed about religion and football…
How old were you when you started playing football?

I was seven years of age when I started playing football, and when I was 14 I started taking the sport more seriously.

How did you start your career?

I started playing in small local French teams; nothing big, just normal. I started playing for a club, like kids do, then I was spotted by the coach of Auxerre, who came to my house and asked if I'd like to play for Auxerre. I said of-course - for me this was very exciting and I was very happy.

What kind of support did you get from your parents and family?

My parents never had any problems with me playing football, they were very happy and encouraged me to play.

You were not heard of until you signed for Liverpool FC, what was your first reaction when Liverpool were interested?

Yeah, for sure I was not heard of, and then I hear Liverpool FC are interested! This was a dream come true for me, to play for one of the biggest club in the world. It was an honour, I was delighted, excited and very happy. You are a big role model for young kids, especially Muslim youths.

What advice would you give to a Muslim youngster and their parents thinking of entering the game?

I think it is good for more Muslim players to come and play the game, it is good for me to see more Muslim players. I think it is a good game but you really need to work hard, and also, education is very important in life and religion. There are a few international Muslim players, but no English-born Muslim or Asian stars in the game.

Would you like to see more English Muslim players?

I would encourage more Muslim players, especially British-born youngsters, to play the game. I am sure there is talent out there and I believe that international Muslim players can play a key part in making this happen.

Do you get chance to socialise with other international Muslim stars?

I do get chance but not all that much because of games. When I do, I spend time with my brother Ibrahim, who plays for West Bromwich Albion. Also with other players like Frederic Kanoute.

Overall, how are you settling in at Liverpool/England, and what kind of reaction have you received from the fans?

The fans have been great, they have made me feel really welcome. England is a very good country to live in, a bit cold but it is enjoyable playing here. I am privileged to play with great names like Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher and others in my team.

How much does your religion play a part in shaping your game, for example, discipline, diet etc? Being a Muslim to me is very important. I thank God every day that I have been given this opportunity to play at the highest level. Islam gives me the right discipline and strength, which makes me respect what I put inside my body.

Do you get the chance to do your daily prayers?

It is very important to do your daily prayers before the game and after. I make sure I do my namaz (prayers), it makes me happy when I pray. I feel a one-to-one contact with God and it gives me belief that someone is looking out for me.

What is Ramadhan like for you; how do you celebrate the month and Eid?

Ramadhan is so very important in all our lives. From the start my parents made sure of this. It has been difficult in the last four years, as I have not had chance to celebrate it with my parents, but I have had my wife and cousin who have been here and also now Ibrahim, my brother. I make sure I fast in the month, it is only in emergency I might not, but in a normal situation I do. It is difficult but now I am used to it. It is a very blessed month.

Liverpool Football Take Over - Gillett and Hicks

GILLETT

Jimmy Rice 08 February 2007

George Gillett admits he is on a mission to win the respect of every Kopite in the world.
And the American has sent this message to the millions of Liverpool fans around the globe: "Come talk to me." He said: "I want to earn the respect of the fans. My message to them is to give us a few years and we'll see where it takes us. Give us a little time and we are going to have some fun together. "When I go to Anfield I'm going to be on the streets in front of the stadium talking to fans. When I'm at the ice hockey if I see an empty seat during the interval I go and sit there to talk to the fans, and I will do the same here. "When I arrived in Liverpool I picked up a paper and there were four or five letters to the editor about us from people who don't even know us. I've asked my people to get numbers for those fans and I will ring them personally." Co-owner Tom Hicks moved to reassure fans their club is in safe hands. He said: "This is not a takeover like the Glazer deal at Manchester United. There is no debt involved, and we believe that as custodians of this wonderful club, we have a duty of care to the tradition and legacies of Liverpool."

FIFA GIVE MASCHERANO GO-AHEAD

Paul Eaton 31 January 2007

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."