Friday, April 25, 2008

Chelsea & Liverpool Battling For Bentley


Champions League semi-final adversaries Chelsea and Liverpool are reportedly in competition for England winger David Bentley.

£15 million-rated Blackburn Rovers winger David Bentley is likely to be the subject of a tug-of-war between Champions League and Premier League rivals Chelsea and Liverpool.

According to The Times, Bentley has attracted attention from several leading clubs, including Newcastle United, but Chelsea are thought to be best placed for the ex-Arsenal man's signature, having the financial resources to out-bid their rivals should they choose to follow up their initial interest.

Chelsea would not be deterred by Blackburn's £15 million valuation and could treble the player's wages to £60,000 a week.

Matching that could be a problem for Liverpool, given their budgetary restraints and the current uncertainty surrounding the club's ownership.

Riise Fears For Anfield Future


Liverpool defender John Arne Riise fears he is heading for the Anfield exit in the summer.

The Norway international has one-year remaining on his present contract, but he has yet to hear from the club regarding an extension to that deal after falling out of favour on Merseyside this season.

Riise scored an injury-time own goal in Liverpool's 1-1 first leg draw with Chelsea at Anfield in the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday to leave the Reds facing an uphill battle to reach their third final in four years.

And Riise - who is believed to be an end of season transfer target of Newcastle and Aston Villa - is keen to stay at Anfield, but the 27-year-old is concerned that his midweek howler could prove to be one of his last acts in a Liverpool shirt.

"I hope and still believe in a new contract with Liverpool," said Riise.

"But I cannot say definitely that I have a future here when I only have one year left of my deal and haven't heard anything from the club yet."

Liverpool Boss Benitez Intends To Burst Chelsea Bubble

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is aiming to ‘change the history’ by getting a result at Chelsea that will enable the Reds make it to the Champions League finals.

The Reds were jolted when the Blues got a crucial away goal last night in the semi-finals first leg at Anfield that ended in 1-1 draw, courtesy of a John Arne Riise own-goal deep into the stoppage time.

However, Benitez is confident his side has enough wherewithal to score at Stamford Bridge – a feat which the Reds have not achieved under the Spaniard’s management.

"It is not about tactics or changing our system, it is about taking the chances we create," Benitez said on the club’s official website.

"Chelsea don't lose at Stamford Bridge, but there's a time for everything. We can change history.

"People may say I should change the system to give them something else to think about. But we created four very clear chances in the first-leg, which is high for one of these games against Chelsea.

"Torres had two chances, Gerrard one, and Chelsea hardly had any, and we were winning until the last seconds. We know we can do it.

"We know that at Stamford Bridge it will be very difficult. A tough game, as always there, with little between the sides again."

"We know we have not scored in a game at Chelsea under my management, and we know they have such a good record there," he added.

"They also have a very long unbeaten run on their own ground, but there is a time for everything, maybe we can change the history of these matches by winning and scoring at Stamford Bridge.

"Stamford Bridge is a difficult stadium for everyone. Nobody has won there for two years and we know it will be difficult.

"This is the Champions League and we are very capable of scoring and winning at Stamford Bridge.

"It has been a long time since they lost at home, but someone has to do it soon and we want it to be us.”

The Blues have lost only once at home for over four years, that against Barcelona in February 2006.

Rafael Benitez Demands End To Anfield Turmoil

Rafael Benitez has urged Liverpool's warring parties to "work together" for the benefit of the club.

The Liverpool manager, who is in a position of strength while the ownership battle continues, warned his employers of the dangers of missing out on their summer transfer targets.

Benitez outlined what is needed for the club to progress in an important meeting with Tom Hicks, the co-owner, and his son Tom Jr, a director, at the club's Melwood training complex yesterday.

Hicks' fellow owner, George Gillett Jr, has also been made aware of the manager's position. Benitez knows that, in the current climate, neither Hicks nor Gillett will dare risk losing his support. It helps the manager that Dubai International Capital, who are still trying to buy into the club, have made it clear that Benitez has their support, too.

Benitez has drawn up a transfer wish list that reportedly includes Gareth Barry and David Bentley. "We have two owners and a chief executive," he said. "I need to progress, I have a responsibility as manager to prepare the squad for the future, to improve the squad.

"I had to talk to them [the owners]. It was a good, positive meeting. We have talked about targets in the transfer market and how this club must progress.

"I have not spoken to them about the ongoing situation, only how to improve and how to progress. It is important to sign the right players for the future, that was what I wanted to talk about.

"Now we have started to progress with some of our targets. It is okay, last week and this week it is the same. We are progressing so I believe we will be stronger next season. You need to keep going if you want to improve, that is what is really important."

Benitez was put in an uncomfortable position recently when Hicks attempted to use him as an ally against Gillett and Rick Parry, the chief executive. But the Spaniard has tried hard to limit his contact with Hicks to discussions on transfers.

Benitez added: "We need to work together, and he [Hicks] agreed with me that we must talk together. If we want to go forward and sign players, we have to all work together. Everything is positive. We have talked about targets to sign, that is my aim.

"I do not doubt we will achieve those targets. I have a scouting department that is working and progressing. Now I have told the owners how we need to progress.

"Rick Parry will be working too, and if everyone works hard and we work together, it will be easier. Clearly I expect agreement on recruiting players for the summer. We are ready now for going forward.

"Now we have had a meeting, we are in a better position. George knows about what was said, everybody knows. Everyone has the same information."

Riise Breaks His Silence On The Moment Of Madness That Shattered Liverpool


Liverpool's John Arne Riise has spoken for the first time about his last-gasp own goal against Chelsea.

The Norwegian full-back headed into his own net in the 95th minute of Tuesday night's semi-final first leg at Anfield, handing the Blues a priceless 1-1 draw.

"What can I say? I decided to stoop and head the ball in the direction it came from," said Riise.

But it was a swerving cross, the ball was wet, and it slid right off my forehead. It was a shock to see it lying in the goal.

"These things happen for defenders from time to time. I know how strong I am mentally and I will handle this and I will come back from an own goal like that.

"I have been involved in tougher things in my life than this and I know that I will handle this in a good way. I will try to turn this around to something positive."

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez said: "I have talked with John, and told him not to keep thinking about the own goal all of the time. He must come back and be ready."

Benitez also confirmed left-back Fabio Aurelio will be out injured for three weeks.

Riise came on as a second-half substitute for Aurelio on Tuesday and has now virtually been told he will play at Stamford Bridge next Wednesday.

Aurelio has a torn abductor muscle, and Benitez said: "He will be back in time for the final!"

"Fabio will be out for three weeks, so Riise knows he has to be ready and give everything for us. The best solution would be for him to score at Stamford Bridge... in the right goal.

"If Riise scores the winning goal then that will be perfect for us."

Netting at Stamford Bridge will be no mean feat for Riise, whose reputation for scoring spectacular goals has been hit by a drought going back more than a year.

Benitez added: "He is really down, but the only way to change the situation is to score in the right net at Stamford Bridge. He knows that Fabio is injured, so he knows he will get his opportunities to play.

"He has scored lots of goals over a long time, and played a lot of matches for this club, so I am really disappointed for anyone but especially for him.

"He has played so well for this club, so for that to happen in the last seconds is the worst thing possible."

Liverpool’s Fabio Aurelio To Miss Remainder Of Premiership Season

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has admitted that defender Fabio Aurelio may not be able to play for the remainder of the season after he was diagnosed with a torn abductor muscle.

Aurelio had to be carried off the field in Tuesday’s Champions League Semi-Final draw against Chelsea after a mild challenge from Joe Cole.

Rafa Benitez said: "I have been talking with the doctor and with this kind of injury it usually takes a minimum of three weeks for the player to recover, so it will be very difficult for Fabio to play again this season.

"It is very disappointing because Fabio has been doing a good job for the team."

Benitez Challenges Riise


John Arne Riise has been challenged to erase the memory of his shattering Champions League own goal against Chelsea by firing Liverpool into the Moscow final.

The Norwegian full-back headed into his own net in the 95th minute of Tuesday night's semi-final first leg at Anfield, handing the Blues a priceless 1-1 draw.

Reds boss Rafael Benitez, who confirmed fellow left-back Fabio Aurelio will be out injured for three weeks, urged Riise to make amends for his mistake.

Riise came on as a second-half substitute for Aurelio on Tuesday and has now virtually been told he will play at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night.

Aurelio has a torn abductor muscle, and Benitez said: "He will be out for three weeks, but back in time for the final!"

Riise spoke for the first time about his last-ditch howler on Thursday, saying: "What can I say? I decided to stoop and head the ball in the direction it came from.

"But it was a swerving cross, the ball was wet, and it slid right off my forehead. It was a shock to see it lying in the goal.

"These things happen for defenders from time to time. I know how strong I am mentally and I will handle this and I will come back from an own goal like that.

"I have been involved in tougher things in my life than this and I know that I will handle this in a good way. I will try to turn this around to something positive."

Benitez also confirmed he had spoken to Riise about the incident.

"I have talked with John, and told him not to keep thinking about the own goal all of the time. He must come- back and be ready," the Spaniard said.

"Fabio will be out for three weeks, so Riise knows he has to be ready and give everything for us. The best solution would be for him to score at Stamford Bridge... in the right goal.

"If Riise scores the winning goal then that will be perfect for us."

Netting at Stamford Bridge will be no mean feat for Riise, whose reputation for scoring spectacular goals has been hit by a drought going back more than a year.

Benitez added: "He is really down, but the only way to change the situation is to score in the right net at Stamford Bridge. He knows that Fabio is injured, so he knows he will get his opportunities to play.

"He has scored lots of goals over a long time, and played a lot of matches for this club, so I am really disappointed for anyone but especially for him.

"He has played so well for this club, so for that to happen in the last seconds is the worst thing possible.

"We have tried to analyse what happened. (Javier) Mascherano and Aurelio could have stopped the cross, but when you are left-footed like John, the problem was whether he used his right foot to clear.

"That was the problem."