I'm staying at Anfield
Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso has dismissed speculation linking him with a return to Spain.
The 25-year-old, who arrived from Real Sociedad during the summer of 2004, has instead vowed to play his part in reeling in third-placed Chelsea in the Barclays Premiership.
Alonso told the club's official website: 'I do not speak about the rumours of my return to Spain. I have a contract signed with the Reds and I am happy at this club.
'Now Liverpool are playing to our best level of the season. This is perfect for the beginning of the year with the next big challenges.
'To get to third place is very important for morale for us after the problems in the first months of the league. Now our objective is to consolidate the effort.'
Friday, January 5, 2007
Alonso: I'm staying at Anfield
Gerrard targeting FA Cup double for Reds
Gerrard targeting FA Cup double for Reds
Steven Gerrard has set his sights on becoming the first Liverpool captain to lift the FA Cup twice.
The 26-year-old skipper, who was awarded an MBE in the New Year's Honours List, got his hands on the famous trophy last May after a remarkable penalty shoot-out victory over West Ham.
His side begin their defence with one of the toughest possible tests this weekend when Arsenal visit Anfield in the third round.
However, the England midfielder is determined to help his home-town club retain the trophy for the first time in their history and set his own personal record.
He said: 'I know Liverpool have never won the FA Cup two years in a row, but this team likes breaking records and rewriting history, and this is another statistic we want to put right.
'We all remember how we won the competition last season and we are keen to do it again.
'I would love nothing better than to lift the trophy again at the new Wembley at the end of the season.'
Ron Yeats was the first Liverpool captain to pick up the FA Cup in 1965, and he has been followed since by Emlyn Hughes, Alan Hansen, Ronnie Whelan, Mark Wright and, with the help of Jamie Redknapp and Robbie Fowler, Sami Hyypia since.
Gerrard became the latest man to accept the most treasured of domestic cups last season after inspiring the Merseysiders to a remarkable fightback at the Millennium Stadium.
He twice levelled after West Ham had taken 2-0 and 3-2 leads, the second of his goals coming in spectacular style at the end of normal time.
Gerrard was also on target in the shoot-out as the Reds won 3-1, and the euphoria he experienced that day is the perfect motivation for another crack at the big prize and he is relishing the challenge of facing Arsenal.
He told the club's official website: 'The draw could have been kinder, but the important thing is we are at home. They will be fearing the tie more than we will.
'They are a top side with top players and we know it's going to be a very difficult game.
'But we have proved we can beat anybody at Anfield and I'm sure it's going to be a terrific match this weekend. We are certainly all looking forward to it.
'We have got a really strong squad, we are playing well at the moment and I fancy us to be in the draw for the fourth round.'
Wednesday, January 3, 2007
Crouch makes public his desire to stay a Red
Crouch makes public his desire to stay a Red
Liverpool striker Peter Crouch has sought to dismiss recent transfer speculation by pledging his long-term future to the club.
Crouch insists he has no intention of seeking a big-money move away unless Reds boss Rafael Benitez wants him to leave.
The 25-year-old ended a run of recent poor form by scoring a stunning opener in the New Year's Day victory over Bolton.
And Crouch told the Liverpool Echo: 'I have heard all the speculation and all I can say is I am happy here and love playing for the club.
'It is a fantastic club, all the games are massive and I wouldn't want to leave. I see my future here and as long as the manager doesn't want me to go, I won't be going.'
Newcastle were linked with a £12million January swoop for Crouch with the England striker believed to have become frustrated with Benitez's controversial squad rotation system.
But despite showing obvious displeasure upon being substituted during the recent defeat at Blackburn, Crouch claimed that is not the case and insists he is happy to give others their chance.
He added: 'I have had challenges throughout my career and this is another one. There are a lot of players who get rotated and I am not the only one.
'When you get a chance, you've got to take it. Hopefully I've given the manager something to think about. We all need to impress, not just those who are in and out.
'It can get frustrating when you want to play every game and do your best for the club, but all you can do is keep working hard.
'I know the manager has got no problem with me. Everyone who knows me knows my attitude won't change. I've always worked hard and given my all, and that's always going to be the case.'
Tuesday, January 2, 2007
Liverpool 3-0 Bolton
Happy New Year for Reds
speculation, repaid manager Rafael Benitez's faith in him by scoring the crucial opening goal after a frustrating first half and could have easily finished with a hat-trick.The 6ft 7in forward, benefiting from Craig Bellamy's hamstring injury, made the most of the opportunity with a brilliant strike in the 61st minute.
Gerrard then made it 2-0 by converting Kuyt's cross less than two minutes later, before the Dutch striker added a third in the 83rd minute.
It lifted Benitez's side above their opponents into third and ensured the Reds ended the packed festive programme with nine points from four matches.
The pattern of the game was established early on, with Gerrard first to try his luck in the second minute, combining with Kuyt but dragging his 25-yard effort wide of Jussi Jaaskelainen's right-hand post.
Crouch then headed down Finnan's right-wing cross for Kuyt to volley from long range, but the Bolton defence closed ranks to block his effort.
The Dutch striker was only inches away from flicking on Gerrard's inswinging cross in the ninth minute as Liverpool enjoyed the majority of early possession.
Kevin Davies' foot-up lunge at Gonzalez bizarrely prompted the Chile winger into an immediate change of boots as Gerrard wasted the opportunity to test the Bolton defence with the free-kick.
Davies and Nicky Hunt then linked up down the right and when the full-back crossed, Jamie Carragher conceded a 15th-minute corner. However, Gary Speed's delivery was poor and the chance was lost.
Bolton actually had the first effort on target, but Hunt's tame looping cross-shot following Ivan Campo's long throw was comfortably held by Jose Reina.
Referee Graham Poll then ruled Kuyt had fouled Jaaskelainen after the goalkeeper failed to collect Gerrard's cross, which had deflected up off Abdoulaye Faye.
In the 20th minute Kuyt launched a quick breakaway, but after running 40 yards he was halted by Tal Ben Haim, who was booked for the foul.
Jaaskelainen was finally forced into a save in the 28th minute when Steven Finnan's 20-yard piledriver was tipped onto the crossbar and over.
For all Crouch's height advantage Liverpool were really missing the pace of Bellamy as the Bolton defence coped comfortably with every ball played in behind them.
Xabi Alonso was next to attempt to break the deadlock in the 33rd minute from just outside the area after John Arne Riise's driving left-wing run, but the ball curled agonisingly wide of the goalkeeper's right-hand post.
Liverpool's frustrations grew towards half-time and they were not helped when Poll appeared to direct a Harry Enfield Scouser-style `calm down' towards the bench after they complained about Bolton's approach.
Gonzalez had the hosts' first effort after the break, heading over Pennant's 52nd-minute cross after the former Birmingham winger had linked cleverly with Kuyt.
A blatant shove by Campo on Pennant earned the former Real Madrid man a 58th-minute booking, but it did the job in halting the winger's progress.
The breakthrough finally came just after the hour and it was a worthy opener.
Kuyt beat two defenders before playing in Pennant and his right-wing cross was dispatched into the net by a Crouch overhead kick, not dissimilar to the one he scored at Anfield against Galatasaray in the Champions League.
Less than two minutes later it was 2-0, this time Pennant linking with Kuyt for the Dutchman to cross and Gerrard to volley home from 12 yards.
Faye then earned himself a booking for disputing a foul on Crouch and was lucky to stay on the pitch after deliberately bumping into Poll and then kicking the ball away.
Crouch almost grabbed his second with 20 minutes to go when he volleyed straight at Jaaskelainen from Finnan's short cross.
The England striker then headed over Pennant's centre from six yards in the 76th minute.
Kuyt's weaving run from the halfway line then took him to the edge of the penalty area, but Jaaskelainen tipped over his shot.
From the resulting corner the goalkeeper had to throw himself to his right to turn aside Hyypia's header.
But when substitute Luis Garcia played in Kuyt, he rolled his shot across Jaaskelainen and inside the far post for the third.
'Perfect start to 2007' - Gerrard
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard admitted the 3-0 victory at home to Bolton was 'the perfect start' to 2007.
A stunning Peter Crouch overhead kick, Gerrard's volley and a late goal from Dirk Kuyt gave Liverpool the win at Anfield and lifted them into third place in the Premiership.
Gerrard, who was awarded an MBE in the New Year`s Honours List, told Sky Sports 1: 'It was the perfect start: a home win, three points and a clean sheet and we played some really good football against a decent side.
'It's been a great week for me personally but personal things are put on one side when you go onto the pitch.
'It was a great team performance and there should be a special mention for Jermaine Pennant. He's been criticised this season but today he was fantastic, his crossing from the right was superb.
'My goal was really nice. I was really quiet second half but I was pleased with the goal.'
Man of the match Kuyt added: 'It's a good beginning to this year.
'We're now third in the table, and for us it's very important just to keep going.
'Just winning the home games is the most important thing. It's a tough league and a long race so we'll see.'
Reds boss Rafael Benitez echoed his skipper's sentiments.
'I think all the supporters must be really happy. We started the year really well; it's a fantastic start to 2007,' he told Sky Sports 1.
'We were waiting for a physical game and in the first half it was more difficult. In the second half we scored the goals and opened the game, it was very good.'
Asked about referee Graham Poll's performance - Benitez urged officials to monitor Bolton's tactics more closely - Benitez added: 'If it's the same for everybody, perfect.'
Monday, January 1, 2007
Liverpool v Bolton: Preview
Liverpool v Bolton: Preview
Bolton manager Sam Allardyce is hoping it is third time lucky at Anfield, claiming Liverpool have had the rub of the green on their own patch the last two years.
Goals from Robbie Fowler and Igor Biscan gave Rafael Benitez's side home victories in successive seasons.
Bolton, however, are in a rich vein of form and aiming for a sixth straight victory.
Allardyce stated: ``I'm not saying that we are going to win but I'd like to come away without being beaten.
``That would be the icing and the cherry on top of the cake for us.
``It's well documented that Liverpool don't like the way we play but they have been very lucky over the last two years at Anfield.
``We've got close and I'm hoping that we can get a positive result.''
Allardyce believes Nicolas Anelka's searing pace and eye for goal could hold the key to their hopes of a place in Europe.
The #8million striker took his tally to seven goals in eight games in the battling 3-2 victory against Portsmouth.
Allardyce said: ``Nicolas started the revival by his piercing runs, using his skill and his pace.
``That began to frighten Portsmouth's back four and we got more and more balls in the box. Then finally they cracked.
``You have to admire Nicolas not just for his scoring record but for his all round play.
``When I see him chasing an opposing defender down, running 30 yards to take the ball off him and creating another attack I know I am winning.''
Meanwhile, Liverpool striker Craig Bellamy was taken off as a precaution against Tottenham ahead of the Barclays Premiership clash against Bolton at Anfield.
The Wales international had a tight hamstring and was replaced early in the second half at White Hart Lane.
Boudewijn Zenden, Mohamed Sissoko and Harry Kewell continue to recover from long-term injuries.
2006/2007 RESULTS
FIXTURES & RESULTS First team - 2006-2007 - ALL COMPETITIONS
FA Community Shield
13/8 Chelsea 1 - Liverpool 2
CarlingCup
26/10 Liverpool 4 - 3 Reading
08/11 Birmingham City 0 - Liverpool 1
09/01 02:45am Liverpool 3 - Arsenal 6 (1/4 final)
Champions League
3rd Qualifying Round
09/8 Liverpool 2 - Maccabi Haifa 1
23/8 Maccabi Haifa 1 - Liverpool 1
Group Phase
12/09 PSV Eindhoven 0 - Liverpool 0
27/09 Liverpool 3 - Galatasaray SK 2
19/10 Bordeaux 0 - Liverpool 1
31/10 Liverpool 3 - Bordeaux 0
22/11 Liverpool 2 - PSV Eindhoven 0
05/12 Galatasaray 3 - Liverpool 2
Last 16
21/02 02:45am Barcelona 1 - Liverpool 2
06/03 02:45am Liverpool 0 - Barcelona 1
Quarter Final
03/04 02:45am PSV Eindhoven 0 - Liverpool 3
11/04 02:45am Liverpool 1 - PSV Eindhoven 0
Semi Final
25/04 02:45am Chelsea 1 - Liverpool 0
02/05 02:45am Liverpool 1 - Chelsea 0 (Liverpool won on penalties 4-1)
Final 23/05 02:45am AC Milan vs Liverpool
FA Cup
06/01 12:15am Liverpool 1 - Arsenal 3 (3rd Round)
Premiership
19/8 Sheffi U 1 - Liverpool 1
26/8 Liverpool 2 - West Ham 1
09/9 Everton 3 - Liverpool 0
17/9 Chelsea 1 - Liverpool 0
21/9 Liverpool 2 - Newcastle 0
23/9 Liverpool 3 - Spurs 0
30/9 Bolton 2 - Liverpool 0
14/10 Liverpool 1 - Blackburn 1
22/10 Mancester United 2 - Liverpool 0
28/10 Liverpool 3 - Aston Villa 1
04/11 Liverpool 2 - Reading 0
12/11 Arsenal 3 - Liverpool 0
18/11 Middlesbrough 0 - Liverpool 0
25/11 Liverpool 1 - Man. City 0
29/11 Liverpool 0 - Portsmouth 0
02/12 Liverpool 4 - Wigan Athletic 0
09/12 Fulham 0 - Liverpool 4
16/12 Charlton Athletic 0 vs Liverpool 3
23/12 Liverpool 2 vs Watford 0
26/12 Blackburn Rovers 1 vs Liverpool 0
30/12 Tottenham 0 Hotspur vs Liverpool 1
01/01 Liverpool 3 vs Bolton Wanderers 0
13/01 07:45pm Watford 0 vs Liverpool 3
20/01 07:45pm Liverpool 2 vs Chelsea 0
30/01 02:45am West Ham United 1 vs Liverpool 2
03/02 07:45pm Liverpool 0 vs Everton 0
10/02 11:00pm Newcastle United 2 vs Liverpool 1
24/02 11:00pm Liverpool 4 vs Sheffield United 0
03/03 11:00pm Liverpool 0 vs Manchester United 1
17/03 11:00pm Aston Villa 0 vs Liverpool 0
31/03 11:00pm Liverpool 4 vs Arsenal 1
07/04 11:00pm Reading 1 vs Liverpool 2
09/04 11:00pm Liverpool 2 vs Middlesbrough 0
14/04 11:00pm Manchester City 0 vs Liverpool 0
21/04 11:00pm Liverpool 2 vs Wigan Athletic 0
28/04 11:00pm Portsmouth 2 vs Liverpool 1
05/05 11:00pm Fulham vs Liverpool
13/05 11:00pm Liverpool vs Charlton Athletic
INTRODUCTION
HISTORY
"If it wasn't for one man, Liverpool Football Club would never have been born. When Everton left Anfield in a dispute over rent in 1892, club chairman John Houlding stayed behind along with a handful of supporters and just three first-team players. But he was determined to see football continue at the ground. He formed a new club from scratch, chose the name Liverpool… and created a legend."
Even John Houlding couldn't have predicted how successful it would become. More than 100 years on, no English club can match the LiverpoolFC roll of honour; League Champions 18 times, FA Cup winners seven times, League Cup winners seven times, European Cup winners five times and UEFA Cup winners three times.
When it is completed, the History channel will chart the rise and rise of Liverpool FC to the very summit of the England game, from the struggles of the early years right up to Gerard Houllier's historic treble in 2001. This channel will recall glorious domestic victories and European triumphs and reflect on the tragedies of Heysel and Hillsborough.
We've focused on 10 key dates in Liverpool Football Club's history to begin with but over time, we'll have over 100 chapters in this section alone as we present the ultimate history of England's greatest ever football club. This is a story of incredible passion and pride - a story that not only inspires Liverpool fans but football supporters the world over.
1892 – Liverpool Football Club formed
The history of Liverpool Football Club begins with our greatest rivals and neighbours, Everton, for it was from a dispute with Everton that Liverpool Football Club was born.
1901 - Our first title win
In mid-February of the 1900-01 season, Liverpool had lost eight games and conceded 31 goals and the championship looked a pipe-dream. Twelve games later and after nine wins and three draws, the title was ours.
1950 - First Wembley appearance
Arsenal provided the opposition when Liverpool made their first appearance at Wembley. It should have been a momentous occasion in the club's history but a 2-0 defeat prolonged the Reds’ wait for FA Cup glory.
1959 - Shankly appointed manager
December 1st 1959 is a date that will forever be etched in the annals of Anfield history. For it was on this day that Liverpool Football Club announced Huddersfield Town boss Bill Shankly would be their new manager in succession to Phil Taylor.
1965 - Winning the FA Cup for first time
There was a feeling of quiet optimism around Anfield that this could, at last, be Liverpool’s year in the competition we so desperately craved success in. After all, we were the reigning league champions and, under Bill Shankly, anything seemed possible.
1977 - European Champions
If winning the FA Cup for the first time in 1965 is regarded as the greatest day in the history of Liverpool Football Club, then there is no doubt that winning the European Cup for the first time in 1977 was the greatest night.
1985 - Heysel Disaster
No one will ever forget the tragic events at the Heysel Stadium in Brussels on May 29 1985. Liverpool were playing Juventus in the European Cup Final and what should have been one of the greatest nights in the club's history turned into the lowest.
1986 - Doing the Double
Liverpool Football Club kicked off the 1985/86 under a giant cloud. The events of Heysel just four months previous had heaped shame on Anfield but that grey cloud was to have a glorious silver lining.
1989 – Hillsborough
On April 15th 1989, over 25,000 Liverpool supporters travelled down to Hillsborough to watch the FA Cup semi-final match with Nottingham Forest. 96 of them never returned.
2001 - Clinching the cup treble
Just four days after dramatically snatching the FA Cup from Arsenal's grasp in Cardiff, and with the Worthington Cup already safely tucked away in the Anfield trophy cabinet, Liverpool's class of 2001 completed an unprecedented cup treble.
The 2006 FA Cup Final will be remembered in Anfield folklore as the Gerrard final as captain fantastic Steven Gerrard rescued Liverpool with a stunning last minute equaliser to break West Ham's hearts and force extra-time.League Champions
Liverpool 18
Man-United 15
Arsenal 13
Everton 9
Aston Villa 7
European Cup
Real Madrid 9
AC Milan 6
Liverpool 5
Ajax 4
Bayern Munich 4
FA Cup
Man-United 11
Arsenal 10
Spurs 8
Liverpool 7
Aston Villa 7
Newcastle 6
Blackburn 6
League Cup
Liverpool 7
Aston Villa 5
Notts Forest 4
Leicester 3
Spurs 3
Chelsea 3
PAST MANAGERS
1892-96
John McKenna / William Barclay
Tom Watson
(no manager)
David Ashworth
Matt McQueen
George Patterson
George Kay
Don Welsh
Phil Taylor
Bill Shankly
Bob Paisley
Joe Fagan
Kenny Dalglish
Graeme Souness
Roy Evans
Roy Evans / Gerard Houllier
Gerard Houllier
