Results tagged “James Pearce” from Liverpool FC News, Discussion & Debate | Liverpool Banter

A FORTRESS? More like a gift shop.

Just when it seemed the fear factor for visitors to Anfield was back, Liverpool shot themselves in the foot spectacularly.

Rafa Benitez had talked about the need to swot all-comers aside at home this season but this was a million miles away from the perfection the Spaniard craves.

EMILIANO INSUA has set his sights on making the Liverpool left-back role his own this season.

The imminent departure of Andre Dossena means Insua will be battling with Fabio Aurelio for a place in the Reds side ahead of the Premier League opener at Tottenham in a fortnight.

The 20-year-old Argentinean has made 18 appearances since he arrived from Boca Juniors in January 2007 but he is desperate to establish himself as a regular in Rafa Benitez's side.

RAFA BENITEZ enjoyed a victory of sorts this week. His move to crank up the pressure on Xabi Alonso by insisting his fate was in his own hands and giving him a deadline to sort out his future finally broke the deadlock in the summer-long transfer saga.

* VIEW a picture gallery from the match here

RAFA BENITEZ had much to ponder on the 7,000 mile journey home last night.

There was undoubtedly great pride at the club's week-long stay in the Far East.

The remarkable reception Liverpool enjoyed both in Thailand and Singapore will surely live long in the Spaniard's memory banks.

THAILAND is known as the 'Land of Smiles' but there were precious few on display as Liverpool's players dodged the monsoon to board the team coach last night.

There was frustration at their failure to register a first pre-season victory after dominating a one-sided contest against Peter Reid's Thai national team.

And there was concern over injuries to Martin Skrtel and Nabil El Zhar who limped off just minutes after coming off the bench.

JOHN WARK'S stay at Anfield proved to be eventful off the field as well as on it.

His drinking ability was legendary with team-mate Jan Molby describing him as having "hollow legs".

"Liverpool motto's back then was to play - and party - well," Wark said.

LIVERPOOL coach Hughie McAuley believes his current crop have got what it takes to emulate their Kop heroes and secure the club's fourth FA Youth Cup triumph.

The Reds face Birmingham City at St Andrews tonight (7pm) in the first leg of their semi-final.

McAuley was at the helm when Liverpool won the competition for the first time in 1996 and they lifted the trophy again in 2006 and 2007.

SO there will be no triumphant return to the Eternal City next month.

No thrilling night at the Stadio Olympico to follow the historic victory over Borussia Monchengladbach in 1977 and the shoot-out drama against Roma seven years later.

The dream of a third European Cup final victory in the Italian capital was ended on an extraordinary night at Stamford Bridge.

DANIEL AGGER isn't your stereotypical Premier League footballer.

The Liverpool defender is a trained tattoo artist and his body is a walking advertisement for his array of intricate designs.

The 24-year-old is also a publican and enjoys relaxing to the dulcet tones of Danish heavy metal group Volbeat.

GARY GILLESPIE knows all about having to bide your time at Anfield.

After the Scotsman signed for Liverpool in 1983 he found two major obstacles blocking his path to regular first team football.

The central defensive pairing of Alan Hansen and Mark Lawrenson were the first names on the Reds' team sheet.

LIVERPOOL Under-18s warmed up for their FA Youth Cup semi-final with Birmingham City in style as they beat Stoke City 2-1 in the FA Premier Academy League.

Lauri Dalla Valle and Nathan Eccleston were on target at Kirkby to ensure the Reds returned to winning ways ahead of next Thursday's first leg at St Andrews.

Hugh McAuley's side had not won since their Youth Cup quarter-final victory over Bolton nearly six weeks ago.

FORMER Reds boss Gerard Houllier believes striker David Ngog will make the grade at Anfield.

The 20-year-old Frenchman's opportunities have been limited since he signed from Paris St Germain last summer.

Houllier said: "He is so young and I think we always tend to be impatient with young players.

RAFA BENITEZ has saluted record-breaking skipper Steven Gerrard and challenged him to go on and clinch this season's Golden Boot.

The Liverpool midfielder has scooped the Barclays Player of the Month award for an unprecedented fifth time and Benitez completed a Reds double by taking the Manager of the Month accolade.

Gerrard, who has agreed a two-year contract extension to keep him at Anfield until 2013, enjoyed a dream March as he inspired Liverpool to league wins over Sunderland, Manchester United and Aston Villa, as well as the Champions League demolition of Real Madrid.

LIVERPOOL boss Rafa Benitez believes more players will commit their futures to the club after Dirk Kuyt followed skipper Steven Gerrard in agreeing a new deal.

The 28-year-old Dutchman had one year remaining on his current contract but will sign a two-year extension to stay at Anfield until 2012.

"I think it's a very good message for the rest of the squad," Benitez said.

LIVERPOOL manager Rafa Benitez won't be having a flutter on today's Grand National.

The Spaniard landed £20 on the Aintree showpiece after winning the Melwood sweepstake a couple of years ago but this time around he has his hands full guiding Liverpool's charge down the home straight.

A Premier League title race which appeared over when the Reds were beaten at Middlesbrough just over a month ago is now well and truly back on.

MIKE MARSH lived the dream and now he's dedicated to helping youngsters realise their own potential.

After a decade of playing and coaching in non-league football, the former Liverpool midfielder is focused on developing the talents of the next generation.

The Aughton-based 39-year-old is busy coaching Preston North End's under-13s and working at Accrington College.

COACH Hughie McAuley was delighted with the spirit his players showed as they fought back to force a 3-3 draw at Huddersfield Town in the FA Premier Academy League.

Karl Clare opened the scoring with his first goal for the under-18s but Huddersfield soon took control and were 3-1 up early in the second half.

Liverpool skipper Joe Kennedy halved the deficit and David Amoo struck from close range to earn a point.

AT the start of this month Liverpool's title dream lay in tatters. A wretched defeat at Middlesbrough seemingly delivered the final knockout blow to hopes of ending the painful 19-year wait for domestic football's most prized piece of silverware.

The Reds succumbed meekly to a side who hadn't won a league game for three months and the inquests began into how another campaign which promised so much was poised to deliver so little.

Manchester United were seven points clear with a game in hand and bookies were already paying out on them lifting the trophy.

WHOEVER wins at Anfield on Sunday, Mark Walters can't lose.

The 44-year-old former winger spent four and a half years with Liverpool in the early 90s and made 124 appearances under Graeme Souness and Roy Evans. He remains fiercely proud of his time at Anfield and still pulls on a red shirt regularly as part of the club's legends team.

However, it was at Aston Villa where his professional career began and after hanging up his boots in 2002 the boyhood Villans fan returned to his roots.

COACH Hughie McAuley saluted Adam Pepper after his wonder goal in Liverpool under-18s' 2-2 draw with Blackburn Rovers at the Kirkby Academy.

The 17-year-old midfielder put the Reds 2-1 up with a stunning lob from inside the centre circle.

McAuley said: "Adam won a tackle in the centre circle and the ball ran nicely in front of him.