RAFA BENITEZ today moved to defuse the mystery surrounding Alberto Aquilani’s prolonged absence from Liverpool’s starting line-up – saying he won’t risk players who are not fully fit.
The Italian midfielder has been limited to just 21 minutes of action since joining the Reds in a £17m deal from Roma in August due to a major ankle problem.
Aquilani, though, has been a constant figure on the bench in the past month yet, much to the curiosity of supporters, Benitez has not given him any significant time on the pitch.
It has left many wondering if Aquilani will get his first start this side of Christmas but Benitez insists there is nothing sinister behind his lack of involvement.
Quite simply, the manager has explained that, so tight have some recent games been, it would have been a gamble to pitch an unfit player into battle with the stakes so high.
“It’s more simple than people think,” said Benitez. “He has been out for longer than we expected and, because he has been injured during the summer, he couldn’t train properly.
“Now it is much better and it is a case of improving his match fitness. We want to play him and we thought we might have been able to do that with the reserves at Wigan.
“That was called off (last week) but we had some games at Melwood and he played 45 minutes against our reserves last week. We are trying to improve him as quick as we can.
December 4, 2009
Liverpool block Mascherano from facing Catalunya
Liverpool have refused to release midfielder Javier Mascherano for Argentina's friendly against Catalunya.
Mascherano, who is captain of Argentina, was named by Diego Maradona in the squad for the showpiece match, which takes place on December 22.
But with Catalunya, who are coached by Johan Cruyff, an autonomous Spanish region and not a country, the fixture is not recognised by FIFA.
And that has prompted Liverpool to withdraw Mascherano, given the fixture comes between the Premier League visit to Portsmouth on December 19 and the visit of Wolverhampton Wanderers on Boxing Day.
Mascherano, who is captain of Argentina, was named by Diego Maradona in the squad for the showpiece match, which takes place on December 22.
But with Catalunya, who are coached by Johan Cruyff, an autonomous Spanish region and not a country, the fixture is not recognised by FIFA.
And that has prompted Liverpool to withdraw Mascherano, given the fixture comes between the Premier League visit to Portsmouth on December 19 and the visit of Wolverhampton Wanderers on Boxing Day.
Gerrard: I’m happy on and off pitch at Liverpool
Despite their disappointing season, Steven Gerrard insists he's happy at Liverpool.
There's been talk that Gerrard should seek a move away from Liverpool if he wants to win major trophies.
But he told TalkSport: At the moment I’m really happy at the club. Obviously I’m not happy with the league position we’re in as captain and we want to certainly improve that but I’m really happy on and off the pitch down here at Liverpool.
"I’m really proud to be captain and no more than anyone I’m desperate to turn our fortunes around this season and get back up to the top of that league.”
There's been talk that Gerrard should seek a move away from Liverpool if he wants to win major trophies.
But he told TalkSport: At the moment I’m really happy at the club. Obviously I’m not happy with the league position we’re in as captain and we want to certainly improve that but I’m really happy on and off the pitch down here at Liverpool.
"I’m really proud to be captain and no more than anyone I’m desperate to turn our fortunes around this season and get back up to the top of that league.”
Torres poised for comeback
Fernando Torres has returned to full training with Liverpool and is in line for a comeback at Blackburn on Saturday.
The Spanish striker has been undergoing three weeks of intense treatment on his serious groin injury and has only been involved in fitness work with the club's physios up until now.
But at the Melwood training complex, Liverpool's top scorer took part in a full session, and the club were more than happy to post a selection of pictures of Torres' work-out on their website.
Boss Rafael Benitez said: "The position over Torres is very positive and he was feeling good.
"We will see how he is in the next training sessions but it seems as though things are going well."
The Spanish striker has been undergoing three weeks of intense treatment on his serious groin injury and has only been involved in fitness work with the club's physios up until now.
But at the Melwood training complex, Liverpool's top scorer took part in a full session, and the club were more than happy to post a selection of pictures of Torres' work-out on their website.
Boss Rafael Benitez said: "The position over Torres is very positive and he was feeling good.
"We will see how he is in the next training sessions but it seems as though things are going well."
December 3, 2009
Premier League - Match facts: Blackburn v Liverpool
All the key facts and stats ahead of the Premier League clash at Ewood Park.
Blackburn and Liverpool have met 15 times in the Premier League at Ewood Park, with five wins each and five draws.
However, Rovers have only won one of the last 21 league meetings with the Reds home and away.Fernando Torres has scored three goals in two Premier League appearances against Rovers.Blackburn have been caught offside more often than any other team in the top division, 52 times.Liverpool have only won two of their last seven Premier League matches.
The Reds are the only team not to have lost a Premier League North-West derby this season, having won four and drawn one.
Rovers have conceded only 13 Premier League goals at home in the whole of 2009, fewer than Liverpool have at Anfield (15).Of all the shots inside the Blackburn area this season, 54 per cent have resulted in goals.
Liverpool are averaging 513 passes per game in the Premier League, more than any other side.
Blackburn have conceded an average of only 4.6 corners per game in 2009-10, only the 'Big Four' have averaged fewer.
Blackburn and Liverpool have met 15 times in the Premier League at Ewood Park, with five wins each and five draws.
However, Rovers have only won one of the last 21 league meetings with the Reds home and away.Fernando Torres has scored three goals in two Premier League appearances against Rovers.Blackburn have been caught offside more often than any other team in the top division, 52 times.Liverpool have only won two of their last seven Premier League matches.
The Reds are the only team not to have lost a Premier League North-West derby this season, having won four and drawn one.
Rovers have conceded only 13 Premier League goals at home in the whole of 2009, fewer than Liverpool have at Anfield (15).Of all the shots inside the Blackburn area this season, 54 per cent have resulted in goals.
Liverpool are averaging 513 passes per game in the Premier League, more than any other side.
Blackburn have conceded an average of only 4.6 corners per game in 2009-10, only the 'Big Four' have averaged fewer.
Bring on Liverpool - Robinson
Paul Robinson cannot wait to face Liverpool at the weekend after Blackburn's dramatic surge into the Carling Cup semi-finals.
Rovers beat Barclays Premier League leaders Chelsea in the quarter-finals at Ewood Park on Wednesday thanks to a 4-3 penalty shootout victory.
Robinson, who saved Gael Kakuta spotkick to secure the victory, said: "Bring on Liverpool. The cup run is a huge boost for our confidence. Okay, that wasn't Chelsea's first-team, but it was still a pretty decent side they had out."
He added: "We did a good job on them and now we have Liverpool on Saturday and they will not be looking forward to that.
"It will be a difficult game but they won't be too keen on playing us in this form and at Ewood where our record has been fantastic.
"We always have confidence now at home, so we do not have any fears about Liverpool coming here next."
Robinson was delighted with the overall performance against Chelsea, adding: "It was a great game and a great night for everyone here. Amazing.
"On the balance of play we deserved to win. After 90 minutes we deserved to win, and then in extra time. Chelsea equalised during injury time in extra-time, and I am very disappointed with that goal.
"I didn't deal with the cross like I should have done, it was a really difficult time to do something like that. As a goalkeeper I felt that I had to make amends for that and hopefully the penalty shoot-out did just that.
"I had to get focused. It was such a late stage of the game to do something like that, it was very disappointing but I had to get it out of my mind quickly, to concentrate on the penalties, not just for me, but for the lads."
Rovers beat Barclays Premier League leaders Chelsea in the quarter-finals at Ewood Park on Wednesday thanks to a 4-3 penalty shootout victory.
Robinson, who saved Gael Kakuta spotkick to secure the victory, said: "Bring on Liverpool. The cup run is a huge boost for our confidence. Okay, that wasn't Chelsea's first-team, but it was still a pretty decent side they had out."
He added: "We did a good job on them and now we have Liverpool on Saturday and they will not be looking forward to that.
"It will be a difficult game but they won't be too keen on playing us in this form and at Ewood where our record has been fantastic.
"We always have confidence now at home, so we do not have any fears about Liverpool coming here next."
Robinson was delighted with the overall performance against Chelsea, adding: "It was a great game and a great night for everyone here. Amazing.
"On the balance of play we deserved to win. After 90 minutes we deserved to win, and then in extra time. Chelsea equalised during injury time in extra-time, and I am very disappointed with that goal.
"I didn't deal with the cross like I should have done, it was a really difficult time to do something like that. As a goalkeeper I felt that I had to make amends for that and hopefully the penalty shoot-out did just that.
"I had to get focused. It was such a late stage of the game to do something like that, it was very disappointing but I had to get it out of my mind quickly, to concentrate on the penalties, not just for me, but for the lads."
Torres close to Liverpool return
Fernando Torres could return from injury in Liverpool's game at Blackburn on Saturday.
In a match that will be captain Steven Gerrard's 500th for the club, Liverpool could have their feared attacking partnership back together for the first time in 10 matches.
Torres is close to returning to full training after treatment for a serious groin injury and manager Rafael Benitez will give the striker every chance of taking on Blackburn, who beat Chelsea in the Carling Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday night.
Torres has not figured since the Champions League clash with Lyon on November 4 following a problem sustained on international duty.
Benitez said: "The feedback we had about Torres on Tuesday was very positive and he was feeling good. We will see how he is in the next training sessions, but it seems as though things are going well."
Asked whether the Spain international could face Rovers, Benitez added: "It depends on how he feels during the week. He has to keep training with the fitness coach, but if he is feeling better maybe he can be involved in normal training sessions and afterwards we can decide."
Eurosport
In a match that will be captain Steven Gerrard's 500th for the club, Liverpool could have their feared attacking partnership back together for the first time in 10 matches.
Torres is close to returning to full training after treatment for a serious groin injury and manager Rafael Benitez will give the striker every chance of taking on Blackburn, who beat Chelsea in the Carling Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday night.
Torres has not figured since the Champions League clash with Lyon on November 4 following a problem sustained on international duty.
Benitez said: "The feedback we had about Torres on Tuesday was very positive and he was feeling good. We will see how he is in the next training sessions, but it seems as though things are going well."
Asked whether the Spain international could face Rovers, Benitez added: "It depends on how he feels during the week. He has to keep training with the fitness coach, but if he is feeling better maybe he can be involved in normal training sessions and afterwards we can decide."
Eurosport
Gerrard revises Reds target
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has admitted a top-four finish is now a more realistic aim than winning the Barclays Premier League this season.
The Reds, one of the pre-season title favourites after finishing second last year, have fallen 13 points behind leaders Chelsea after a poor run of form throughout October and November. Rafael Benitez's side cannot progress to the knockout phase of the Champions League either and Gerrard accepts trying to qualify for Europe's elite competition again next year must be their top priority.
"I think we have to be realistic. At the moment we're out of the title race, but we will keep trying to get back in it," Gerrard told talkSPORT.
"There is still a lot of football to be played and it is possible to turn it around, but I think Chelsea are looking really strong at the moment.
"But our main target is to get back into the top four. We're coming off the back of a fantastic win at Everton and we want to continue that against Blackburn and try and go on a run of games where we can get closer to the teams above us."
Gerrard, 29, is due to make his 500th appearance for the Anfield club in Saturday's home encounter with Blackburn.
The homegrown product made his debut against the same opposition as a last-minute substitute 11 years ago.
He has since gone on to become a club legend with highlights including inspirational performances in the Champions League and FA Cup final wins of 2005 and 2006 respectively.
Gerrard added: "It means everything to me personally. I'm a local boy and my dream when I was young was always just to play one game for Liverpool. So to reach this milestone is a really proud moment for my family and myself."
(PA Sport)
The Reds, one of the pre-season title favourites after finishing second last year, have fallen 13 points behind leaders Chelsea after a poor run of form throughout October and November. Rafael Benitez's side cannot progress to the knockout phase of the Champions League either and Gerrard accepts trying to qualify for Europe's elite competition again next year must be their top priority.
"I think we have to be realistic. At the moment we're out of the title race, but we will keep trying to get back in it," Gerrard told talkSPORT.
"There is still a lot of football to be played and it is possible to turn it around, but I think Chelsea are looking really strong at the moment.
"But our main target is to get back into the top four. We're coming off the back of a fantastic win at Everton and we want to continue that against Blackburn and try and go on a run of games where we can get closer to the teams above us."
Gerrard, 29, is due to make his 500th appearance for the Anfield club in Saturday's home encounter with Blackburn.
The homegrown product made his debut against the same opposition as a last-minute substitute 11 years ago.
He has since gone on to become a club legend with highlights including inspirational performances in the Champions League and FA Cup final wins of 2005 and 2006 respectively.
Gerrard added: "It means everything to me personally. I'm a local boy and my dream when I was young was always just to play one game for Liverpool. So to reach this milestone is a really proud moment for my family and myself."
(PA Sport)
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