There´s no Juventus deal, insists Benitez

February 1, 2010


Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez on Sunday denied that he has struck a deal with struggling Italian giants Juventus to take over at the end of the season.

“Contrary to reports in the Italian media this weekend, I want to make it absolutely clear I have no agreement with Juventus and have not and will not be meeting Juventus or their representatives or any other club,” Benitez said in a statement.

“I have a long-term contract with Liverpool and I’ll repeat what I said on Friday. I am happy here and my only focus is to do my job as well as I can to get the team back into to the top four, beginning with the derby against Everton.”

Juventus sacked coach Ciro Ferrara earlier in the week after a run of five defeats in six league games and have replaced him with Alberto Zaccheroni whose reign in Turin began with a 1-1 draw with Lazio on Sunday.

On Friday, Benitez had said he was proud of Juventus’s reported interest in him.

“I know they (Juventus) were interested, that is part of the game now in football, but I am not ready to talk too much because I don’t want to lose my focus,” said the Spaniard.

“When you are a manager and you have clubs asking (for you), you have to be proud because they are a top side in Europe, but I am really happy here and want to do my job as best I can.”

Benitez remains a highly respected coach around Europe, despite Liverpool’s problems this season which have seen them knocked out of both the Champions League and the FA Cup.

Benitez is under contract at Anfield until 2013.

LONDON (AFP)

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Benitez commits to Liverpool future

January 30, 2010


Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has underlined his commitment to the Merseyside club despite admitting that Serie A giants Juventus are interested in him.

The Seria A giants declared their interest in the Spaniard this week and on Friday sacked boss Ciro Ferrara, with Alberto Zaccheroni taking his place until the end of the season.

But Benitez has preferred to talk about the future of Liverpool despite admitting he is flattered with the link.

“New investors may be coming in, and there is a possibility of a new stadium,” Benitez told the Daily Mail.

“It is important now that we see these things happen. We must see the club progressing.

“We are going in the right direction, but we have to make sure we really move forward now, by lining up players who are good and available and trying to sign them.

He reiterated: “The key is the stadium and investors.”

“There has been a lot of talk (about Juventus), and yes, I know about their interest.

“As a manager, you have to be proud when a big club, a top club in Europe, have an interest in you and are watching you.

“Perhaps there has been too much talking, but you cannot stop speculation.”

Despite a disappointing season, Benitez has emphasised his desire to continue in the Reds’ hot seat by striving to improve the side before the January transfer window closes on Monday.

The Reds are in need of reinforcements up front in particular, with Sunderland striker Kenwyne Jones the subject of intense speculation as a loan target.

However, Benitez refused to discuss names but admits he is still keen to add to his sole signing of free transfer Maxi Rodriguez this month, albeit on a shoestring budget.

“We are working very hard under the conditions we have at this moment. But it is best not to ask me about players like Jones,” said Benitez.

“I am the Liverpool manager, not the Sunderland manager.”

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Benitez ´proud´ of Juve link

January 29, 2010


Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez said on Friday that he was proud of Juventus’s reported interest in him, in comments that will be seen as keeping the door open to a possible move to Serie A.

Juventus on Friday sacked Ciro Ferrara and installed Alberto Zaccheroni as their new head coach.

The Italian giants did not confirm the length of Zaccheroni’s contract but local media reported that he had only been guaranteed the role until the end of the season.

That may be a sign that Juve’s directors, who reportedly sent a delegation to Liverpool to see Benitez earlier this week, still harbour hope of persuading the Spaniard to quit Anfield.

Benitez insisted on Friday that he did not want to talk about the subject but, perhaps significantly, confirmed he had been made aware of Juventus’s interest.

“I am not here to talk about speculation because people talk too much,” he told reporters.

“I am focused on preparing my team for the game against Bolton. I know they (Juventus) were interested, that is part of the game now in football, but I am not ready to talk too much because I don’t want to lose my focus.

“When you are a manager and you have clubs asking (for you), you have to be proud because they are a top side in Europe, but I am really happy here and want to do my job as best I can.”

Benitez remains a highly respected coach around Europe, despite Liverpool’s problems this season. The club have been knocked out of both the Champions League and the FA Cup and face a battle to secure a return to Europe’s elite competition next season by clinching a top-four finish in the Premier League.

Benitez, who is under contract at Anfield until 2013, has vowed to ensure that goal is achieved and Liverpool’s recent form — three wins and two draws in their last five league matches — has been encouraging.

But a section of the Liverpool support has already lost patience with the manager and, if the top-four place is not delivered, the club’s American owners will come under increased pressure to sack him at the end of the season.

LIVERPOOL (AFP)

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Benitez: We were robbed

January 17, 2010


Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez felt his side were given a hard time by the match officials during their 1-1 draw with Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium.

The Reds were desperate to take maximum points from their away trip on Saturday, having crashed out of the FA Cup to Reading in midweek.

As their turbulent season now rests on their ability to secure a top four finish in the Premier League, they cannot afford to drop points unnecessarily.

Liverpool appeared destined to ease the pressure on their under-fire boss against the Potters, with Sotirios Kyrgiakos bundling them in front early in the second half.

However, a late leveller from Robert Huth, and a costly miss from Dirk Kuyt in the dying seconds, meant Benitez was forced to settle for a point at the final whistle.

“I think that it was a difficult game. We showed great character,” the Spaniard told Sky Sports.

“The players were fantastic, you could see the fans were really happy with their efforts.

“Two or three incidents could have changed everything, so 27,000 people in the stadium saw the incidents and three people in the stadium didn’t.”

The incidents Benitez refers to concern two penalty shouts from Liverpool which fell on deaf ears.

Lucas Leiva appeared to have been tripped by Danny Higginbotham during a turgid first half, while the Reds also felt they should have been awarded a spot-kick following the dramatic events which saw Kuyt hit the woodwork with the last kick of the game.

While, Benitez fended off all questions about the appeals after the game, he was clearly frustrated that both decisions went against his side.

“I will not talk about the incidents. They were so clear,” he said.

“I think we had chances in a very difficult game, against a very difficult team. It is not easy, they are very physical.

“We have five key players who were not here, so we are really pleased with the attitude and character from our players.

“Everyone was very disappointed, because we were very close, but you have to say congratulations in terms of the effort.”

Benitez also hailed those supporters who made the trip to Stoke and showed their support for their manager throughout the 90 minutes.

“The fans know this is a bad moment but they know the way to change things is to support the team,” he added.

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Defiant Benitez vows to continue despite Cup shock

January 14, 2010


Rafael Benitez on Thursday shrugged off the increasing pressure surrounding his position as Liverpool manager in the wake of the club’s embarrassing exit from the FA Cup.

Benitez, in charge at Anfield since 2004, was booed along with his players as they were knocked out of the competition after suffering a 2-1 extra-time home defeat at the hands of Championship strugglers Reading on Wednesday.

The result is a serious blow to Benitez’s hopes of ending Liverpool’s four-year wait for a trophy and means the Spaniard must win the second tier European club competition Europa League if he is to secure the club’s first piece of major silverware since the 2006 FA Cup triumph against West Ham United.

“It is really bad. Everyone wanted to progress but we can’t so we are disappointed,” said 49-year-old Benitez after the third round replay defeat.

“Reading worked very hard, but there were a lot of things I did not like. We had chances, they had chances. They were doing well but we might have won too. The chances they created worried me but we had some too.

“In the second half we had more control but after we made a lot of mistakes.

“We know the FA Cup is a massive competition and we wanted to progress. At this moment we are really disappointed, for the fans who came to support the team. We tried to win from the beginning.”

Benitez was already under pressure before this game after the team’s Champions League exit and their faltering Premier League campaign which sees them 12 points behind leaders Chelsea in the title race.

But losing to Reading has again put his position back in the spotlight ahead of Saturday’s tricky away game at Stoke City.

However, Benitez insists he can handle the criticism.

“For three months everyone was talking about me. At the end, as a manager you have to be disappointed but then move forward and think about Stoke on Saturday,” he added.

“We are frustrated but you have to carry on. Everyone is disappointed. We have to prepare for Saturday’s game because it will be difficult.”

As if Benitez did not have enough problems, his two best players Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres are both major doubts for the weekend.

Torres limped off in the first half with a twisted knee while Gerrard has a hamstring problem. Both will undergo scans on Thursday.

“We’ll see what the doctors say,” said Benitez, who completed the signing of Argentine winger Maxi Rodriguez from Atletico Madrid earlier Wednesday.

Reading caretaker manager Brian McDermott insisted his side deserved the victory.

“We played some really good stuff,” he said. “We did the right thing, played in the right way.

“Liverpool’s goal could have hurt us but we responded well. I’m chuffed for everybody. To come here and win is terrific.”

On Wednesday, Liverpool were ahead after an own goal by Ryan Bertrand but were stunned by a stoppage time penalty leveller by Gylfi Sigurdsson which sent the tie into extra time.

Substitute Shane Long then headed a 100th minute winner for Reading.

LIVERPOOL, England (AFP)

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Benitez still up for the FA Cup after Reading draw

January 3, 2010


Rafael Benitez insisted the FA Cup remained a top priority for Liverpool after his side were fortunate to scrape a 1-1 third round draw away to Reading.

Reading, who sit two points and two places above the second-tier Championship relegation zone, threatened an upset when Simon Church gave the hosts a 24th minute lead after Benitez’s side failed to deal with a free-kick.

Steven Gerrard’s hopeful long shot rescued a draw for Liverpool at the Madejski Stadium here on Saturday to set up a replay, currently scheduled to take place at Anfield on January 12.

And Benitez admitted his team must improve if they are to complete the job at the second attempt.

“I’m relieved,” said the under pressure manager. “I think it was difficult. “I think they (Reading) played really well. To play in front of the TV (cameras) and against Liverpool I think was a massive boost for them and you could see they played really well,” the Spaniard added.

“You could see we were trying to do our best with a really strong team and we will play one again at Anfield for the replay.

“We had two or three situations that could have been better but also they had some chances.

“So credit to them and we are still in the competition,” Benitez said.

Benitez fielded both Gerrard and Fernando Torres in his starting line-up for a competition that, along with the Europa League, has suddenly assumed a greater priority although the manager conceded the burden of a replay will do nothing to boost Liverpool’s hopes of finishing in the top four and claiming a place in next season’s Champions League.

“We know that we have two clear chances to win trophies – the Europa League and the FA Cup – so we will try to our best in both and keep improving in the League,” said Benitez, whose side are four points adrift of English football’s leading quartet.

“I am disappointed (with the result) because we didn’t want to play more games. But it was a tough, tough game so we needed to work hard.”

Benitez admitted he is looking at bringing in players to strengthen his squad during the January transfer window but refused to be drawn on whether he had made a move for Real Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy.

“We are not talking about players but I will say that it will be very, very difficult,” he said.

He was equally coy when asked about whether Liverpool were interested in signing Aston Villa forward Emile Heskey.

“I will not talk about names,” Benitez insisted. “This one because it is in all the press here and also in Spain. But we are not trying to bring him so it will be very, very difficult to get him.”

Reading caretaker-manager Brian McDermott is keen to land the job full-time and hopes the Royals’ efforts against Liverpool can bolster his chances.

He is more concerned, though, with picking up points in next weekend’s league clash against Championship leaders Newcastle.

“Points are our priority,” McDermott said. “We play Newcastle next week with another full house. We have to be spot on or we’ll get nothing. The Championship is a tough, tough league.

“We need to play like that every week. The most important thing we’ve lacked is consistency and we have to get back to that.

“People said there was no pressure on us today but there is always pressure. The last thing we want to be is embarrassed in a game of football. A side like Liverpool can embarrass you if you are not careful.

“A replay was the least we deserved.”

READING, England (AFP)

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Wenger considers striker signing despite Arsenal romp

December 31, 2009


Arsene Wenger could sign a striker in the January transfer window despite Arsenal breaking the 50-goal mark for the season with a resounding 4-1 victory at lowly Portsmouth.

Eduardo, Samir Nasri, Aaron Ramsey and Alex Song all got on the scoresheet for the Gunners at Fratton Park on Wednesday to leave Arsenal within four points of leaders Chelsea with a game in hand.

Yet Wenger concedes he is limited in his striking options with Nicklas Bendtner and Robin van Persie injured and Theo Walcott struggling to reach a high level of fitness.

Out-of-favour AC Milan forward Klaas-Jan Huntelaar is a potential loan target for Wenger, who admits he is surprised that a team without so many attacking talents remain the Premier League’s leading scorers.

Wenger said: “I keep reading and people keep telling me we need to sign a striker but we have the best attack so I do not know.

“There is a confusing rationale in football and while we have problems up front if you look at the league nobody has scored more goals than us.

“We have players who know how to move the ball and get in dangerous positions but we are still in the market (to sign a striker).”

Even without van Persie, Bendtner, Walcott and captain Cesc Fabregas, the north London side were on fire against Portsmouth.

They cruised into a two-goal lead before the break with Eduardo’s free-kick deflecting off Younes Kaboul and France midfielder Nasri finishing a fine move with his first league goal since March.

Welsh midfielder Ramsey added a gloss to the score with a dipping left-footed strike after the break to cap an eye-catching display.

Fabregas will be back in two weeks however and Wenger dismissed suggestions Ramsey is ready to replace the Spaniard just yet.

Wenger added: “The only way to combat injuries is by playing young players like Ramsey who was very good against a Portsmouth team who made it difficult for us.

“I think Aaron can play right-back, left-wing, centre-midfield – he is an all round player, Cesc is a playmaker but what they both have is a personality on the pitch, the ability to get on the ball and make their presence known in the game.”

Song’s header completed the rout after Nadir Belhadj had grabbed a consolation but it was a grim day for the hosts as Pompey’s supporters finally began to turn on the club amid a cloud of financial uncertainty.

HM Revenue and Customs have issued a winding-up petition in regards to unpaid tax and key players will have to be sold to meet outstanding debts to former owner Sacha Gaydamak and Chelsea, Watford, Lens and Rennes over unpaid transfer fees.

Portsmouth fans chanted, “where has all our money gone?”, “sack the board” and jeered captain Aaron Mokoena to be sent off or substituted following an anonymous display by the South African.

Manager Avram Grant said: “I think the supporters are behind the team. When I came here I knew what the problems were on the pitch, off the pitch? I was not sure.

“The fans were here before any players, any manager and we will try to lift them with what we do on the pitch.”

PORTSMOUTH, England (AFP)

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Benitez defiant despite Pompey defeat

December 20, 2009


Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez insisted he does not fear the sack despite seeing his team suffer their seventh Premier League defeat of an increasingly poor season at bottom club Portsmouth.

Midfielder Javier Mascherano was sent-off for the third time in his Liverpool career as the visitors’ fading title hopes were all but extinguished in a 2-0 loss at Fratton Park.

The sorry Reds have now won just four of their last 12 league games and are struggling even to secure a top four finish and a place in next season’s Champions League.

When asked if he was worried for his job, Benitez replied: “I am only worried about the next game (against Wolves).

“I can only prepare for the next match. If we can win hopefully it will be easier to prepare for the next ones,” the Spaniard added.

“We have to change our targets and can only think about one game at a time. We have to stick together and try to pick up three points and see what happens.”

Liverpool were already trailing to Nadir Belhadj’s first goal since December 26 last year when Mascherano was dismissed on the stroke of half-time.

The Argentina midfielder was shown a straight red card by referee Lee Mason as punishment for a reckless lunge on Portsmouth defender Tal Ben Haim on the half-way line.

Benitez was clearly angered by the decision and reserved some sarcastic comments for Mason at his post-match news conference.

“We were the better team in the first half and the sending-off changed the game,” he said.

“I have seen a replay and for me it was not a sending-off but the referee was perfect. He did not make any mistakes. He was correct to not give fouls against Fernando Torres. He was perfect.”

Benitez added: “We had plenty of possession and were in control but it is difficult playing with ten men away from home when you are 1-0 behind.

“We had to keep trying to go forward but we left some spaces and there was always a danger we would concede another goal.”

Portsmouth had taken just 11 points from 17 games prior to his match and the south coast club remain beset by financial problems.

Liverpool had the better of the opening exchanges, with stars Steven Gerrard and Torres posing a constant threat.

Torres came within inches of putting Liverpool in front with a majestic 20-yard curler, which had Portsmouth goalkeeper Asmir Begovic beaten before nestling on the roof of the net.

Despite Liverpool having plenty of possession Begovic, deputising for the injured David James, did not have a meaningful save to make before Belhadj opened the scoring in the 33rd minute.

Kevin-Prince Boateng’s driven low shot was palmed away by Pepe Reina but Liverpool failed to clear the rebound and the ball broke kindly for Belhadj, who lashed an unstoppable right foot shot into the roof of the net from an acute angle.

Daniel Agger put a free header wide moments later while Begovic produced a brilliant reaction save to keep out Gerrard’s defected second half shot.

France striker Frederic Piquionne sealed the points eight minutes from time, brilliantly flicking up Boateng’s cross before firing past Reina at the near post.

Victory saw Portsmouth boss Avram Grant maintain his record of never having lost to Liverpool as a manager.

“It is true I have never lost to Benitez and I am pleased to keep that run going,” said former Chelsea manager Grant.

“This is a terrific win for us and hopefully it can kick-start our season.”

PORTSMOUTH, England (AFP)

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Rangers´ best to come, says Novo

December 19, 2009


Nacho Novo has warned the rest of the Scottish Premier League that the best is yet to come from Rangers as they bid to increase their lead at the top of the table.

Walter Smith’s side leapfrogged leaders Celtic when they won their game in hand against Dundee United on Tuesday.

Rangers produced their best performance of the season in the 3-0 win at Tannadice with striker Novo playing a starring role in a win that puts them one point clear of Celtic.

The Ibrox side now have a crucial run of games over the Christmas period starting with Saturday’s visit of Motherwell but Spaniard Novo insists the squad are getting better all the time.

“I think we are coming into form at the right time. It is a crucial series of games and we need to be up for them,” Novo said.

“We were delighted to beat United, but we need to hit that level every game, and look to be even better as we have so many tough matches. The boys have been working really hard to get it right after some bad performances. I think the signs are better now, but we can improve.

“Everybody is fighting for each other and that is making a big difference for us just now. The boss has been on at us to make sure we press other teams and we did that really well at Tannadice. To win 3-0 up there was excellent.

“All over the park, from defence to midfield and the strikers, we have been very good and well organised in the last few games. The boys have been fantastic with three league wins in a row, and hopefully we can keep it going in the big games we have coming up.

Smith has been boosted by the return of injury of three first-team stars for the visit of Jim Gannon’s side on Saturday.

Keeper Allan McGregor should return to take his place between the sticks from Neil Alexander, who kept two clean sheets in his absence.

Kevin Thomson, who missed the match against Dundee United with a slight thigh strain, will be included in the squad as will American Maurice Edu, who has been out with a knee injury since May.

A win for Rangers would send them four points clear and put the pressure on Celtic, who don’t face Hearts at Tynecastle until Sunday.

However the Hoops will take some confidence from showing against Rapid Vienna in the Europa League on Thursday when they came from three goals down to finish the game with a 3-3 draw.

Boss Tony Mowbray rested several first team players for the match in Austria with one eye on the game against Hearts but the performance of the fringe players will have given him something to think about.

Long-term injuries Scott Brown and Shaun Maloney will be missing for the game against a Hearts side who are without a win in three games.

In Saturday’s other games third-placed Hibernian face a tough away game against Aberdeen, Hamilton are at home to Dundee United, bottom two Kilmarnock and Falkirk meet at Rugby Park and fellow strugglers St Johnstone take on St Mirren.

Fixtures (1500 GMT unless otherwise stated)

Saturday

Aberdeen v Hibernian, Hamilton v Dundee United, Kilmarnock v Falkirk, Rangers v Motherwell, St Johnstone v St Mirren

Sunday

Hearts v Celtic (1230)

GLASGOW (AFP)

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Novo charged for gesturing Aberdeen fans

December 12, 2009


Rangers striker Nacho Novo has been charged with improper conduct for purportedly gesturing to Aberdeen supporters in last month’s Clydesdale Bank Premier League game at Pittodrie.

The 30-year-old Spaniard was photographed with his shorts lowered beneath his buttocks as he ran off the pitch at the end of the game, but it is the alleged finger gesture that has landed him with a Scottish Football Association charge.

An SFA spokesperson said on Friday, “The review panel today decided that there was a case to answer in respect of the alleged case of improper conduct on the part of Rangers player Nacho Novo, having allegedly gestured to Aberdeen supporters after the match on November 28. Subsequently the matter is being referred to the disciplinary committee for investigation and/or consideration.”

The case will be heard at the next disciplinary committee meeting on January 26.

Nacho Novo joined Rangers from Dundee for 450,000 Pounds in 2004.

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