Liverpool vs Burnley

last SG · 2009-09-12T12:36:36+00:00

Fabio Aurelio is hoping to give Rafa Benitez a major boost by proving his fitness and returning to the squad in time for Saturday's Anfield meeting with Bur...

a-Lost-9uY SG

thank god our players non was injured so far after the midwwek internationals ....

Gerrard might be rested against Burnley .

I dun see Torres for Spain ....

So far no injured news .

I predict an easy game for LFC .

We are just back on form .

Aurelio confirm coming back in think .

Good bye Insua .

toking abt Insua, i dun find him any tat gd leh..

RB keep saying he's really really gd..

but he always play v.sloppy in my view..

longchiambutz SG

good to play at home after such dreaded break;

mash and lucas will be tired fm the long travelling; so it will be tricky.

juz hoping for a narrow win!

AEW5001 SG

Jamie Carragher believes the top four could have a very different complexion this season.

The same teams – Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea – have hogged the Champions League spots for the last four seasons.

Carragher, though, thinks there is potential for that to change this term.

"I think Man City are looking very strong - Tottenham as well. Aston Villa and Everton are always up there too, so I think it will make it a little bit more exciting this year," said the vice-captain.

"The top four places will certainly be up for grabs, but we want to make sure we are up there.

"I think with the other teams becoming involved hopefully they will take points off the other big sides as well."

Asked if he felt City could maintain their challenge throughout the season, Carragher said: "Yes. They have got some great players, world-class players and I am sure they will be buying more in January, so they are going to be a massive threat."

Poolman SG

Two weeks ago at Chelsea, Burnley realised the gulf in class that there is, but as long as they learn from experiences like that, they'll be fine.

These are fantastic fixtures for the newly promoted teams, but they've got to remember that these are not the games which will decide the season.

Even though they won at Bolton last time out, Liverpool weren't convincing and they really need a good win. I think they'll create enough chances to do it here.

Verdict: 3-0

Author : Mark Lawrenson

longchiambutz SG

Masch blow!!!

JAVIER MASCHERANO is a major doubt for Liverpool's Premier League clash with Burnley at Anfield tomorrow.

The 25-year-old midfielder picked up a knock in Argentina's 1-0 defeat to Paraguay on Wednesday night.

Mascherano is having treatment but after playing two full 90 minutes for his country over the past week he is unlikely to be risked against the Clarets.

However, Lucas Leiva is expected to play after making the 6,000 mile trip home from South America.

Lucas was due back at Melwood today and having not featured in either of Brazil's World Cup qualifiers he is set to face Owen Coyle's side.

If Mascherano misses out, skipper Steven Gerrard is expected to drop into a central midfield role alongside Lucas.

Meanwhile, Rafa Benitez admits he faces a selection dilemma at left-back ahead of Liverpool's first league meeting with Burnley for 33 years.

Emiliano Insua has got the nod ahead of Andrea Dossena in the opening four matches but Fabio Aurelio is pressing for a recall.

The Brazilian has proved his fitness following knee surgery and Benitez believes the Reds have missed the 29-year-old.

"Fabio is a player with quality," he said. "His delivery into the box, especially when we play at home, is excellent. He provides good passes and crosses which is really important.

"He has no match fitness but he is much better and he hasn't been away with his country so he has been training hard. Fabio knows exactly what we expect from him.

"Insua has been doing really well. He impressed last season when we needed him and it's the same this season.

"We have really good competition now on the left with Insua, Aurelio and Dossena.

"That means a headache for me but that's good. It’s up to me to pick the right player."

Benitez also has a decision to make further forward with Yossi Benayoun, Albert Riera and Ryan Babel all vying for the left wing role.

Poolman SG

We are just too good for Burnley , Pro vs Amateur .

Our all-round departments simply too good .....

Burnley they just cannot anticipate what we are going to do next ...

And their defense really must buck up .

Poolman SG

We are just too good for Burnley , Pro vs Amateur .

Our all-round departments simply too good .....

Burnley they just cannot anticipate what we are going to do next ...

And their defense really must buck up .

Bus&Soccer l0v3r (VO3x 1) SG

Nice hat trick from Benayoun

Poolman SG

Thanks Yossi ..... today's hattrick hero .

He is my 10/10 MOM ..... simply everywhere .

www SG

good to see that the reds not struggling against smaller team, well, almost. they were nervous till benayoun get the engine running.

on the other hand, redknapp still doesnt have the balls to win his good friend, even when they were down to ten men. how sweet of him.

Poolman SG

hahahha www , sour at Mu's victory ? Not Tottemhan no good , MU played a bit better .

To win MU , u cannot score first .

They will hit you back , hard !

When they gets into the attacking rhythm , very difficult to contain .

The best is to control the match , keep possessions , slow the pace down .

Then second half , then up the pace . Kill them off .

AEW5001 SG

Yossi my hero!

AEW5001 SG

Yossi Benayoun believes his match-winning display in Saturday's 4-0 rout of Burnley was his best in a red shirt.

The Israeli star netted a superb hat-trick to lead Rafael Benitez's men to their third win of the new campaign and later admitted it was the highlight of his Reds career so far.

"It was a good day for me and it was great to score three goals," he said. "But the most important thing is the three points. We played a lot of good football at times and won the match - that is more important to me than scoring goals."

With Javier Mascherano out injured, Benayoun was given a more offensive role just off the striker, a position he feels brought out the best in him.

"I started on the right but Rafa told me to move around and try and get in between the lines," he said. "Every time I did that I found space so I could turn and go forward.

"I was lucky because the rest of the team provided me with good passes to score.

"It was the perfect day for me."

The win over Owen Coyle's side means Liverpool have now won back-to-back Barclays Premier League matches for the first time this season.
Benayoun acknowledges that the Reds were not at their best during the opening month of the campaign but is hopeful they are now back on the right track.

"We didn't start the season too well," he said. "We didn't expect to lose two matches so early on, but I think the international break came at the right time for us.

"We came back stronger and hopefully we will now go on a winning run and boost our confidence even more."

Asked what he thought about those who have already written off Liverpool's title chances, he added: "Maybe it's better for us.

"There will be less pressure. We can build our confidence slowly and when we win games like this, I think everyone can see we have the quality to be up there in the race.

"We need to take it a game at a time and hopefully at the end of the season we will be up there."

AEW5001 SG

Rafa Benitez labelled Yossi Benayoun an example to the rest of his squad after the Israeli struck a hat-trick to sink Burnley on Saturday.

Dirk Kuyt was the other scorer in a deserved 4-0 win - but it was Benayoun who Benitez singled out as an example of how those on the fringes can go on to play a crucial role.

The No.15 spent the first half of last season on the peripheries but is now a central figure at Anfield.

Benitez said: "We know he's a player with quality. We have seen how good he is coming from the bench and we were talking about whether he could start or not.

"Today he was very, very good and his movement was fantastic for the team.

"During the internationals I was talking with some players about how they could change things, and it was just to work hard.

"Yossi was away but he wanted to play, and when a player wants to play it's very easy: you have to prove these things in every training session and in a game if you get the opportunity.

"Yossi is someone with experience and he knows the best way to fight for your position is doing something well on the pitch."

Despite Benayoun walking away with the match ball, Benitez believes another player was key to the 4-0 victory.

"Lucas supported and managed in the middle and kept everyone else going forward," said the Spaniard.

"For me he was the key player today. We can talk about Yossi but it was thanks to Lucas. One thing everyone told me when I came here was that if you work hard the fans are with you.

"They could see again today that Lucas is a worker who has quality. He can challenge in the air, tackle and pass the ball.

"He worked so hard in different positions and allowed the other players more freedom. For me he was a very important player for us today."

On why Javier Mascherano was not in the squad, Benitez revealed the midfielder was still in South America after representing Argentina this week.

He explained: "Mascherano was not available. He still hasn't arrived. He is coming back on Sunday. He had some problems, and our doctor was talking to their doctor.

"Now I think he's okay but he's coming back later because he had to do some tests over there.

"Don't be worried, it's not serious!"

Burnley boss Owen Coyle reserved his praise for Steven Gerrard, who operated in a deeper role alongside Lucas.

"Steven Gerrard could play at right-back and still be effective because he is a world-class player," said Coyle.

"You see it on the international stage and the club stage every week. He's a real Liverpool player, I would say - though I would prefer it if he did play at right-back!"

longchiambutz SG

was worried when i saw the black-rings ard Benayoun's eyes

..... wld've scored more had he gotten more sleep! :)

AEW5001 SG

was worried when i saw the black-rings ard Benayoun's eyes

..... wld've scored more had he gotten more sleep! :)

Yossi really worked hard

« Previous Page