Ayala wants more Premiership chances

Liverpool youngster Daniel Ayala is ready for more Premier League opportunities after he played in the Reds first two games of the season.

"I need to keep working hard and prove myself," said The Spanish defender to Sky Sports.

"If I keep training well and playing well for the reserve team then maybe I might get another chance in the Carling Cup later this month."

Ayala was a substitute in the opening day game at Spurs and made his full debut in the 4-0 victory over Stoke.

He said: "It was a fantastic experience to play in front of such a big crowd against Tottenham and I was very excited.

"The manager just told me to go out and play my normal game and enjoy it.

"Then he told me on the Tuesday that I was going to start the next night against Stoke. I was more nervous than I was at Tottenham because it was to be my first senior start at Anfield.

"I was excited to be playing in front of the Kop and when we came out the noise was incredible.

"It was a very special experience to play my first full first team game at Anfield, and to keep a clean sheet made me very proud.

"The manager told me well done at the end of the game, and to keep working hard."

New stadium on hold until recession is over

Liverpool football clubs new stadium will not be built until the global recession is over and credit becomes available to finance the $800 million project reports the Telegraph.

The 60,000-seat Stanley Park replacement for Liverpool's historic Anfield was initially planned to open next year, but the economic downturn forced co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr. to halt building work last August citing "global market conditions."

A statement last year promised: "work on the project will be delayed in the short term," adding "we will use this period productively and revisit the plans for the stadium to increase its capacity to 73,000 seats."

However, a date stating when building work would resume was never set and Liverpool's new managing director Christian Purslow confirmed today that the stadium has taken a further set back:

"Construction on the stadium will begin when the current contraction in the banking industry ends and the global financial markets re-establish their equilibrium."

"The centerpiece is to deliver a world-class football ground that everyone can be proud of, a new home for the club with a stadium of at least 60,000 seats, giving the best possible match experience."

The article adds: "Purslow hopes the stadium on the adjacent Stanley Park will be ready in time for 2018 to stage World Cup matches should England's bid to stage the showcase event prove successful."

Carragher warns critics not to write off the Reds

Liverpool centre back Jamie Carragher has warned critics not to write off the Reds Premiership campaign, stating The Reds are the best in the world at recovering when on the ropes. The Anfield club who defeated Bolton on Saturday after trailing 2-1, picked up 22 points from losing positions last season.

"We have taken a bit of criticism and rightly so, because we haven't made the best of starts," said Carragher in the Telegraph.

"But no-one can ever write us off. Ourselves and Manchester United, not just in this league but probably anywhere in the world, are the best at coming back from deficits and winning games."

"At Bolton, the lads showed what great character we have."

"It was so important to get those three points, especially with the international break coming up."

Lee warned by FA

Liverpool assistant manager Sammy Lee has been warned about his future conduct at an FA Regulatory Commission hearings today. The Football Association issued improper conduct charges against Lee following a verbal altercation with fourth official Stuart Attwell. The incident happened in the dying moments of the Premiership defeat to Spurs after referee Phil Dowd waved away a series of Liverpool penalty claims.

The FA statement says: "Sammy Lee was warned as to his future conduct. Lee admitted a charge of improper conduct relating to his behaviour towards fourth official Stuart Attwell during Liverpool’s match against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane on 16 August. In reaching its decision the Commission took into account Lee’s admission of the charge, his apology and his exemplary previous disciplinary record over many years."

The FA charged Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez with improper conduct yesterday, following the comments he made to the media after the same game.

Babel looks for January Ajax return

Liverpool winger Ryan Babel is looking to return to Ajax on loan in the next transfer window. The Dutch international believes a lack of playing time with the Reds is damaging his World Cup chances next year, and insists promises made to him have been broken.

"There have been a lot of things promised, but they haven't been followed up," Babel told Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf

"I would get to play for more minutes and have more chances, but after the first defeat, I only lost my place."

Babel says a move in the summer wasn't an option, but believes the situation will be reviewed in January's transfer window.

"I think half a season at Ajax with a view to the World Cup wouldn't be a bad idea. I can add something to the Ajax squad.

"Loaning me out was not an option (in the summer). Now we have agreed to review the situation in January.

"I see the current situation as a signal that I really have to get playing."

'LFC Alert' suggests playing with heart, conviction and giving 100% would boost Babel's chances of playing in the World Cup, not a change of location.

Alonso's latest comments about Liverpool unwelcome

Ex Liverpool player Xabi Alonso has revealed that he made up his mind to leave Liverpool after being told he was to be sold in order to finance new players. Speaking on Sky Sports Spanish football show 'Revista De La Liga', the Spanish international also explained that it was a very difficult decision to leave the club after five years.

"It was a tough call and a very difficult decision for me to leave Liverpool," said Alonso. "During my five years I was lucky enough to experience some wonderful nights at Anfield, to experience the support of probably the best fans in the world. That’s why I have always been very grateful and I will always have them in my mind and It’s been an absolute pleasure.”

The Real Madrid player also talked about his relationship with Benitez, adding: "There have been a lot of rumours but as I've said before, it was simply a professional relationship. I have always tried to do what he asked me to do on the pitch. I tried to do the talking on the pitch. When the birth of my child happened, I had to take a decision to be with my family because it was an important moment. Last summer when the club proposed that I had to be sold to get finance to sign new players it was a difficult moment to accept that, but I accepted it as a professional. That moment probably changed my mind, maybe from that moment it was time for a change."

I along with all Liverpool fans was bitterly disappointed when Alonso departed. He was my personal 'player of the season' last term round, however I feel that this interview is misjudged. Liverpool FC has had enough criticism thrown in its direction in the past few weeks and this type of interview will only serve to further fuel the critics intent on throwing more muck in the clubs direction.

Yes, it could be argued that Alonso is justified in wanting to leave Liverpool and even speak publicly about the departure. However, he has signed an incredibly lucrative deal at Madrid, earning vastly more then in the Premiership thanks to Spanish tax breaks. He has not taken a 'step down' in his career and for many Spaniards 'Real' sits at the peak of the football elite. So in a sense, despite his assessment of being a 'professional', this interview can only stir trouble.

Alonso was a brilliant player, however its important that we shouldn't view his time at Liverpool through rose tinted spectacles. His form dipped in his 3rd and 4th seasons with the Reds, albeit blighted somewhat by injury. Although the Spanish international remained a fan favourite his performances during this period were incredibly frustrating.

Its possible these two seasons of indifference prompted Rafa to contemplate selling Alonso. The seeds of his departure were sown however, in March 2008, when the player asked to remain in England ahead of the Champions League second leg tie against Inter Milan in Italy. The midfielder stayed in Merseyside to be present for the birth of his son who was delivered hours before kick off on March the 11th. However the incident is said to have caused much friction between player and manager with press headlines at the time suggesting Alonso would be sold that summer. The following transfer window produced the infamous tug of war between Villa and Liverpool over Gareth Barry with Alonso being sold to Juventus to finance the deal. However both moves collapsed when the Italian club were unwilling to meet Liverpool's £16m valuation of Alonso.

The close call certainly galvanised Alonso's form. His last season with the Reds was his best and most consistent. Possibly in a bid to show-off what Benitez may have lost, Alonso gave masterful performances in the centre of the pitch. As the player said himself: "I tried to do the talking on the pitch." Such commanding displays certainly changed Benitez's mind when he insisted the Spanish international was integral to his future plans.

That summer however, it was Alonso who decided he wanted to leave the club revealing the news to the manager once the season had finished in May. Three months of speculation and public tug of war began. The player eventually signed for Madrid 11 days before the start of the new Premiership season.

The move clearly disrupted the Reds pre-season and start to the Premiership campaign, with the press eager to highlight Alonso departure as the reason.

Alonso's new interview is completely unwanted. He may have innocently accepted to do it, thinking the Sky show would only ask questions about his new 'La Liga' career, or he may have decided to leave a departing blow to Benitez. Either way, the fans do not want it.

Most Reds suporters (and this site) wish Alonso the best of luck, however the fans have had enough of public outbursts creating unwelcome headlines. They want the team and the football to do the talking from now on.

Aurelio set for return against Burnley

Fabio Aurelio is set to make his first Premiership start this season after recovering from a knee injury picked up over the summer. The Brazilian has not take part in the Reds campaign so far, but Benitez is hoping he will have made a complete recovery by the time Burnley come to Anfield on September 12.

"Fabio is back training and playing football," said the Liverpool boss to the official site.

"After the end of the international break I don't think he will have any problems and he will be able to be involved in normal training sessions and be in the squad.

There was also encouraging news about other players on the injury list:

"Daniel Agger is walking again after his back operation and Nabil El Zhar's knee injury is also improving, so that's very positive," said Benitez.

Aquilani making good progress says Benitez

Rafael Benitez has today revealed new signing Alberto Aquilani is making good progress in his recovery from an ankle injury reports the official site. No date has been put on the Italians debut, but the Reds boss says the player is doing well under the expert guidance of Melwood's medical staff.

"Alberto is improving," said Benitez.

"We were talking before about six to eight weeks and after a few weeks his ankle is much better but he will need time.

"He's in the swimming pool and in the gym and working with the physios but he's not jogging yet.

"We cannot put a date on things and it's important to just see how he progresses.

"We are checking on him regularly and he had a scan in the past week which showed he is much better.

"It's just a case of keeping an eye on him every day. When he does start to play everyone will see what a clever player he is."

Benitez charged with improper conduct by FA

The FA have charged Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez with improper conduct. The charge refers to the comments he made to the media following the opening day defeat at Tottenham on August 16th. Liverpool were awarded one spot kick after keeper Heurelho Gomes' clumsy challenge on Glen Johnson, but referee Phil Dowd waved away a second blatant penalty claim after Spurs left back Assou-Ekotto shoved Andriy Voronin to the ground denying the Ukrainian a goal scoring opportunity. Assistant Sammy Lee was so enraged by the injustice of the decision that he was sent off following a verbal altercation with fourth official Stuart Attwell. Lee was later charged by the FA for this incident.

After the Tottenham match, Benitez had this to say:

"I think everyone could see there was a penalty, especially to Voronin."

"The third one, you could excuse, you can say that the hand was to the ball or the ball was to the hand. But the other one was so clear that it was unbelievable."

Asked by the press if it was possible to win two penalties away from home, Benítez added:

"No, with this referee I knew that this was impossible."

The FA who had imposed new rules prior to the new season, intended to stop managers calling into question a referee’s neutrality and integrity, had revealed it was investigating the incident on Aug 21. The Telegraph says the Footballing Association "requested “all available materials” of Benitez’s comments, including television footage and newspaper reports, and later wrote to the Spaniard to ask him to explain his remarks."

The investigation has resulted in the FA charging Benitez. A brief statement says: "The charge relates to comments made about the match official immediately following the match at White Hart Lane."

Benitez has until 15 September 2009 to respond

Bolton 2 Liverpool 3

Premiership Match report
Reporter: The Main (Stand) Man





After the disappointment of the result at Anfield the previous Monday, Liverpool travelled to the Reebok stadium needing to get a win under their belts to prevent further drivel being written in the press. Bookmakers undoubtedly know their trade, but they clearly do not understand the machinations of a football club if they think that Rafael Benitez is a candidate for unemployment, and the constant media coverage of the ‘problems’ at the club are neither helpful nor informative when based on nothing more than conjecture. The starting line up contained a debutant in Kyrgiakos, replacing Martin Skrtel, and a first start of the season for Albert Riera who came in for Yossi Benayoun. No doubt this will be interpreted in the tabloids as Rafa’s ‘rotation policy’.

The first ten minutes were, perhaps unsurprisingly cagey, with Bolton having failed to find the net in either of their outings this season and Liverpool somewhat unwilling to push too hard for fear of conceding. The sole moment of note in the opening period was the challenge by Sean Davis on Mascherano for which a yellow card should have been produced, a decision which will have more relevance further on in this report.

As Liverpool began to emerge from their shell, the first decent chance of the match was produced. Riera crossed from the left flank and found Lucas bursting into the box unmarked. The Brazilian could not make the required contact, though, and the ball ran to the far side of the box where Glen Johnson collected. Darting inside onto his left foot, the impressive new boy put a dangerous ball across the face of the goal, and had Torres been able to make any contact then the first goal of the game would undoubtedly have been scored. A decent cross from Riera then went agonisingly over Torres’ head, and Liverpool were beginning to make their domination of possession pay. With Mascherano sitting in front of the back four, Lucas was given more license to go forward and support Gerrard and Torres, and he was unlucky on several occasions as the ball just failed to drop into his path following good runs.

As the game approached the half hour mark, though, Bolton too began to come forward with more adventure, and against the run of play they soon found themselves a goal to the good. After Torres had tested Jaskelainen with a deft chip, the home side drove up the pitch and won a disputable freekick thanks to a challenge from Kyrgiakos on Kevin Davies. Taylor swung the ball in towards the far post and Torres rose to head the ball over his own crossbar for a corner. Again the back upright was the target and Elmander rose highest to nod the ball back across the goal where Davies was waiting for the simplest of tap ins.

Again Liverpool looked to exert some more pressure in response to going behind, and soon Torres missed the best Liverpool chance of the game to this point. After a great passing move in front of the Bolton area, Johnson picked up the ball and swung in a cross to the far post. Torres took a touch and fired just wide, but soon Liverpool got their deserved equaliser. A corner from Riera was headed out to the edge of the box where again Johnson found himself in space. He took the ball inside Elmander who had come out to close him down and put a left foot shot low to the left of Jaskelainen.

With parity restored, Liverpool continued to press forward in the final five minutes of the half, without further troubling the Bolton keeper to any great extent. The home side, in fact, would have gone in ahead had Reina not pulled off a great diving save from a Taylor freekick. Davis received a booking just before the half time whistle, which should have seen him sent off after his earlier misdemeanours, but it was to prove a short stay of execution for the midfielder.

Rafa made no changes to the eleven during the break, understandable given the much improved performance. Within two minutes of the restart, though, disaster struck again as another set-piece put Bolton 2-1 in front. Jaskelainen hoofed a high ball into the Liverpool box, where Kevin Davies was too strong for Kyrgiakos. He nudged the ball further into the area where a slip from Carragher left Cohen with another simple finish.

Liverpool went close from a set-piece of their own on fifty minutes, with Gerrard having been fouled by Muamba. The skipper took the freekick himself and whilst Kyrgiakos won the ball at the back post he was unable to direct it on target. A dubious penalty appeal then received short shrift from Alan Wiley (quite rightly), but the referee was soon in the thick of things showing a red card to Sean Davis. As Lucas burst forward, Davis attempted to get back goal-side and succeeded only in clipping the legs of the Liverpool man. Wiley must have seen some intent in the challenge, producing a second yellow for Davis and dismissed him from the field. In all honesty, the challenge was more unlucky than malicious, although as I have already mentioned he could have gone prior to the break and so perhaps justice was done.

Liverpool saw their chance and immediately went for the jugular, with Gerrard smashing the ball against the crossbar with a fierce effort. Kuyt’s nod down found the Liverpool captain in yards of space and he was unlucky that his effort did not get the result it deserved. A succession of corners then followed, although it was as Bolton pushed out having cleared that Liverpool got a deserved equaliser. A ball lofted into the box from Gerrard found Kuyt, who cushioned the ball beautifully into the path of Torres, who took one touch before side footing past the helpless Jaskelainen.

The reds then strangely seemed to take their foot off the pedal, with only a long range Mascherano effort to test the Bolton keeper in the ten minutes that followed. Benayoun came on to replace Riera on the left wing but the home side, again sending a high ball into the box, then had a weak penalty appeal turned down as Kyrgiakos challenged Davies.

As the game began to become more stretched, though, a curling shot from Gerrard then went a yard wide of the mark and soon after a good pass from Kuyt into the ‘corridor of uncertainty’ found no-one in the middle to slot home. Gerrard again went close after his initial effort rebounded off Taylor’s arm. Liverpool were now again dominating both possession and territorially, without the required breakthrough. Gerrard slid the ball through to Kuyt whose shot skewed off the outside of his boot and went well wide, and soon after Mascherano was replaced by Voronin in an attacking change from Benitez. It was now one-way traffic and a right foot shot from Johnson was well saved by Jaskelainen, moments before an overhead kick from Kyrgiakos again found the Bolton keeper steadfast. With the clock ticking into the last ten minutes of the game, the Liverpool fans were wondering if their team was to be frustrated by a resolute Bolton side, but a familiar saviour was to ensure all three points would come back to Anfield.

A cross from Johnson rebounded off Torres to Gerrard, who again found himself without a marker on the edge of the box. The reds talisman unleashed an unstoppable right foot shot which was past Jaskelainen before he could react, sending the travelling support into delirium in the stand. Benayoun should have extended the lead further shortly after with a volley, but sent his shot several yards wide. Bolton had sent Taylor up the pitch in an attempt to regain equality in the scoreline, but this only served to award Liverpool more open space in attack in which to work. Torres then thought he had scored, but it was ruled not to have crossed the line as Jaskelainen smuggled it away. Dossena replaced Kuyt for the final couple of minutes, with Rafa no doubt looking to shore up the defence to prevent an unlikely Bolton equaliser.

Liverpool negotiated the four minutes of injury time without mishap, though, and the side left the pitch having improved dramatically from the defeat to Aston Villa. In truth, the win was a deserved one, although again the problems in defending set-pieces could easily have left us without the just rewards from the game. This seeming inability to deal with the dead ball situation could well be our undoing this season if the problems are not resolved quickly. We can take positives from the game, however. The response to going behind twice could have been to retreat into self-pity, but instead the reds refused at any point to stop attacking even when chances came and went. Star performers on the day included Glen Johnson again, the full-back producing another strong display to further justify the decision to sign him in the summer. The sending off of Sean Davis undoubtedly changed the game with Gerrard able to find more space once Muamba was forced to undertake different duties to man-marking the Liverpool captain, but in truth Liverpool were in control for much of the first hour when the numbers were equal. Overall, then, a far more positive display and a quick return to winning ways which is always important after a defeat. In addition, it is always vital to go into an international break on a high note, as when the players representing their countries return, a positive mindset ensues. Let’s hope that there are no injury worries prior to the next game at home to Burnley on the 12th.

Match time and date: KO 15:00. 29 August 2009
Goals: Davies 33, Johnson 41, Cohen 47, Torres 56, Gerrard 83
Yellow cards: Bolton Cahill, Davis, Muamba; Liverpool Gerrard.
Red Cards: Davis (54)
Referee: A Wiley (Staffordshire).
Attendance: 23,284.

Bolton Wanderers (4-4-2): Jaaskelainen; Knight, Cahill, Samuel, Ricketts; Davis, Cohen (Steinsson, 79), Muamba (Riga, 89), Taylor; K Davies, Elmander (Basham, 56). Substitutes not used: Al Habsi (gk), A O'Brien, Robinson, Lee.

Liverpool (4-3-2-1): Reina; Johnson, Kyrgiakos, Carragher, Insua; Gerrard, Mascherano (Voronin, 74), Lucas; Riera (Benayoun, 63), Torres; Kuyt (Dossena, 89). Substitutes not used: Gulacsi (gk) Skrtel, Plessis, Kelly.