Once again an important Liverpool game is in danger of being overshadowed by an off-field saga. This unfortunately is becoming an all too frequent trend for the Merseyside giants. The latest episode is another apparent conflict between owners and manager, this time over the funding of the proposed Gareth Barry move. The Americans claim that they simply see Barry’s price tag as having escalated beyond what is reasonable and that a deal would no longer represent good business.
They claim they are questioning Villa’s valuation, not Benitez’s judgement, as they have recent spent what may eventually be in excess of £20 million on Robbie Keane.
As usual, such off-field wranglings are distracting the Reds from their more immediate concern: qualifying for the Champions League. Rangers' shock defeat to Lithuanian minnows Kaunas, plus flashbacks of Barnsley in the FA Cup last year will surely have Rafa overpreparing to prevent a footballing and financial disaster.
Benitez has become accustomed to, in his own tongue-in-cheek words, focusing on “coaching and training the players” and not letting behind the scenes drama affect his side adversely. Pre-season has gone well so far, with some pleasing results and performances. Most notably there was a 4-0 thrashing of Rangers and a 1-0 victory over Lazio at Anfield.
A star performer has been Xabi Alonso, who has shown that he wants his football do the talking, despite the ongoing speculation as regards his future. He will be hoping to show fans and manager alike that a collapse of the Barry deal would be no great disaster. Another shining light was Yossi Benayoun, a player who has also been linked with a move away this summer. It will no doubt be encouraging for fans to see such players reacting well and being determined to prove their worth instead of becoming unsettled and allowing transfer speculation to impact on their performance. A less well-known player to emerge from recent fixtures was new signing David Ngog, who has scored twice since his signing from Paris Saint Germain. He will be hoping for a more successful Premier League career than his maligned cousin and former Newcastle United defender, Jean-Alain Boumsong.
Though differing in European stature, both sides are known as 'The Reds' in their home countries. Although relative minnows on the European stage Standard Liege have met Liverpool before, in the Cup Winners' Cup in December 1965. Liverpool won both legs and ran away with a 5-2 aggregate victory. Standard have had considerable domestic success, winning the league nine times and the Belgian cup five times.
FORM GUIDE
Standard Liege
23 July v FC Koln (A) DREW 3-3
24 July v RRC Hamoir (H) WON 5-0
30 July v Valenciennes FC (A) WON 1-0
31 July v FC Seraing (H) WON 9-0
02 August v Saint-Etienne (A) LOST 3-0
09 August v Anderlecht (SuperCup) WON 3-1
Liverpool
08 August v Lazio (H) WON 1-0
05 August v Valerenga (A) WON 4-1
02 August v Rangers (A) WON 4-0
30 July v Villareal (A) DREW 0-0
22 July v Hertha Berlin (A) DREW 0-0
19 July v Wisla Krakow (A) DREW 1-1
TEAM NEWS
Standard Liege
Standard have flown star midfielder, Fellaini, back from the Olympics to ensure they have their strongest possible line-up against last season’s Champions League finalists.
Liverpool
Club captain Steven Gerrard has travelled to Belgium and Liverpool will wait until late to see if he is fit. This is evidence that Liverpool are taking this game seriously, realising they can afford no mishaps. No unnecessary risks will be taken with Gerrard though as, with the opening league game of the season against Sunderland forthcoming at the weekend.
Fabio Aurelio and Martin Skrtel will miss out against Standard but both may possibly be fit for the Sunderland fixture. Benitez said, "They are not ready for this game but hopefully both will be available for the weekend.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Standard Liege
Zaire striker Dieumerci Mbokani will be a major threat up front, he has been described as the ‘next Didier Drogba’ by the Belgian media. Marouane Fellaini in midfield is also a key player for the club. He is regarded so highly that the club sent a private jet to collect him from Olympic duty for the Liverpool game.
Liverpool
£20 million man Robbie Keane is set to make his competitive debut and will certainly have the most attention. Eyes will also be on Alonso, after a great pre-season, especially if Gerrard misses out. With Javier Mascherano away on Olympic duty, Alonso could be set to be the key player in the centre of the park. If Gerrard does not recover in time, young French midfielder Damien Plessis may get a big chance to impress.
They claim they are questioning Villa’s valuation, not Benitez’s judgement, as they have recent spent what may eventually be in excess of £20 million on Robbie Keane.
As usual, such off-field wranglings are distracting the Reds from their more immediate concern: qualifying for the Champions League. Rangers' shock defeat to Lithuanian minnows Kaunas, plus flashbacks of Barnsley in the FA Cup last year will surely have Rafa overpreparing to prevent a footballing and financial disaster.
Benitez has become accustomed to, in his own tongue-in-cheek words, focusing on “coaching and training the players” and not letting behind the scenes drama affect his side adversely. Pre-season has gone well so far, with some pleasing results and performances. Most notably there was a 4-0 thrashing of Rangers and a 1-0 victory over Lazio at Anfield.
A star performer has been Xabi Alonso, who has shown that he wants his football do the talking, despite the ongoing speculation as regards his future. He will be hoping to show fans and manager alike that a collapse of the Barry deal would be no great disaster. Another shining light was Yossi Benayoun, a player who has also been linked with a move away this summer. It will no doubt be encouraging for fans to see such players reacting well and being determined to prove their worth instead of becoming unsettled and allowing transfer speculation to impact on their performance. A less well-known player to emerge from recent fixtures was new signing David Ngog, who has scored twice since his signing from Paris Saint Germain. He will be hoping for a more successful Premier League career than his maligned cousin and former Newcastle United defender, Jean-Alain Boumsong.
Though differing in European stature, both sides are known as 'The Reds' in their home countries. Although relative minnows on the European stage Standard Liege have met Liverpool before, in the Cup Winners' Cup in December 1965. Liverpool won both legs and ran away with a 5-2 aggregate victory. Standard have had considerable domestic success, winning the league nine times and the Belgian cup five times.
FORM GUIDE
Standard Liege
23 July v FC Koln (A) DREW 3-3
24 July v RRC Hamoir (H) WON 5-0
30 July v Valenciennes FC (A) WON 1-0
31 July v FC Seraing (H) WON 9-0
02 August v Saint-Etienne (A) LOST 3-0
09 August v Anderlecht (SuperCup) WON 3-1
Liverpool
08 August v Lazio (H) WON 1-0
05 August v Valerenga (A) WON 4-1
02 August v Rangers (A) WON 4-0
30 July v Villareal (A) DREW 0-0
22 July v Hertha Berlin (A) DREW 0-0
19 July v Wisla Krakow (A) DREW 1-1
TEAM NEWS
Standard Liege
Standard have flown star midfielder, Fellaini, back from the Olympics to ensure they have their strongest possible line-up against last season’s Champions League finalists.
Liverpool
Club captain Steven Gerrard has travelled to Belgium and Liverpool will wait until late to see if he is fit. This is evidence that Liverpool are taking this game seriously, realising they can afford no mishaps. No unnecessary risks will be taken with Gerrard though as, with the opening league game of the season against Sunderland forthcoming at the weekend.
Fabio Aurelio and Martin Skrtel will miss out against Standard but both may possibly be fit for the Sunderland fixture. Benitez said, "They are not ready for this game but hopefully both will be available for the weekend.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Standard Liege
Zaire striker Dieumerci Mbokani will be a major threat up front, he has been described as the ‘next Didier Drogba’ by the Belgian media. Marouane Fellaini in midfield is also a key player for the club. He is regarded so highly that the club sent a private jet to collect him from Olympic duty for the Liverpool game.
Liverpool
£20 million man Robbie Keane is set to make his competitive debut and will certainly have the most attention. Eyes will also be on Alonso, after a great pre-season, especially if Gerrard misses out. With Javier Mascherano away on Olympic duty, Alonso could be set to be the key player in the centre of the park. If Gerrard does not recover in time, young French midfielder Damien Plessis may get a big chance to impress.
No comments:
Post a Comment