Liverpool winger Stewart Downing has stated that the Anfield club have a real chance of breaking into the Premier League top four this season, and that he is happy with how the campaign has started.
The Merseyside outfit have taken seven points from their first three fixtures, and underwent something of a revival since Kenny Dalglish took over the reigns last term.
With a busy summer transfer window, which included the acquisition of the England wideman from Aston Villa, Downing has talked up The Reds’ chances of qualifying for the Champions League.
“If we keep playing the way we are at Liverpool, we’ve got a hell of a chance of being in the top bracket. We have started the season very well but we’ve got a tough run of games coming up, starting with a trip to Stoke this Saturday,” he is reported to have said in Mirror Football.
Downing has commanded a starting place for England in recent games, and also expressed his satisfaction of how the campaign has started on a personal level.
“It’s also been a good start for me with club and country. It was nice to play against Wales and the main thing is we’ve got another win under our belts,” he concluded.
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Liverpool travel to take on Stoke at the Brittania Stadium on Saturday, and will look to maintain their unbeaten start.
Roberto Mancini has stated that his Manchester City team will look to win against Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Tuesday, but knows it will be a tough test.
The Etihad Stadium outfit drew 1-1 with Napoli in their first game of the tournament, and will take on a reinvigorated Bavarian side, who beat Villarreal 2-0 in Spain in their first fixture.
Despite a daunting task at hand, the Italian coach is urging his team to go for three points.
“We are not here to lose. We know it will be difficult but we want to win if possible,” he stated in a press conference.
“I am certainly satisfied with the progress we have made, even if we need to improve a lot. This is the second game for us in the Champions League. Now we are a good team.
“But if we want to arrive on the top like Bayern Munich, who have such a big history, we need to work very hard,” he continued.
Mario Balotelli, who scored at against Everton at the weekend, is suspended, which may give Carlos Tevez a chance to play.
“I have four fantastic strikers, but I can’t play four strikers in all the games. Mario played against Everton. Carlos, tomorrow, could have a chance.
“I will decide the team tomorrow. I am sure that I can choose well because I have Carlos, Edin (Dzeko) and Sergio (Aguero) to pick from,” he stated.
Despite not winning their first game at home, Mancini does not feel the pressure to gain qualification is building just yet.
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“We wanted to beat Napoli but we need to understand that in the Champions League you can also draw at home.
“The most important thing is that we get 10 points to reach the second stage. Against Napoli we just wanted to win. With that pressure you can make some mistakes.
“Here it will be different because we know it will be a tough game. I am sure we will do well tomorrow,” he concluded.
Considering what Mirko Slomka has achieved in the space of nearly two years in Lower Saxony, their 2-1 victory over Bayern Munich cannot be considered too major a shock, such is the progress that has been made by the 44-year-old coach at Hannover 96. When he took over, they were heading for the drop. Last season though he led them to their best ever finish (4th) and European football.
It was two of his signings that played a pivotal role in Sunday’s win. German keeper Ron Robert Zieler and Norwegian forward Mohamed Abdellaoue both arrived at the beginning of last season. They have both been terrific since their arrival to the Bundesliga. Abdellaoue scored 10 in the Bundesliga last season and already has eight this time round. Zieler’s progress is demonstrated by his call up to the German national squad in August.
On Sunday, Abdellaoue stroked home Hannover’s first from the spot whilst Zieler made some crucial saves for at the other end. When you take into account that both of these players were acquired for an accumulative total of €1 million, it gives you an idea of Slomka’s talent in being able to spot a good player.
Renowned for their counter attacking style under Slomka, Hannover nearly secured a Champions League berth last season but narrowly missed out to Sunday’s visitors. This year, for the first time, Germany has four Champions League places on offer and they must be confident of taking one of them.
Hannover have reason to believe as they currently sit fourth in the table. After all, 96 staged a remarkable late revival against Borussia Dortmund earlier this season. 1-0 down with six minutes remaining, Hannover won managing to grab two late on through Ya Konan and Karrim Haggui to secure an unlikely victory.
As well as boosting their own standing in the table, Hannover’s victory this weekend allowed Borussia Dortmund to further revive their title challenge as they thrashed inconsistent Cologne 5-0 at Signal Iduna Park leaving them three points behind Bayern. Although Dortmund were worthy winners of the title last season, Jurgen Klopp’s side made it look like a procession at times. It would be healthy for the Bundesliga title race this year to be more competitive.
As it stands, the top of the table is very congested as a single point behind Borussia, there’s Hannover and Schalke, who had a good away win at Leverkusen. If you go back a further point, you have Stuttgart and Werder Bremen who were denied by Nurnberg and Augsburg on the road. Finally, there’s Borussia Monchengladbach also level on 17 points who lost out away to Hoffenheim.
It wouldn’t be abnormal for one of these sides in the chasing pack to mount an outside challenge given the Bundesliga’s unpredictable nature. Ultimately though, it will probably come down to Jupp Heynckes Bayern. If they keep their discipline throughout the rest of the season, the Bavarians will probably win the league. However, should they lose their cool like they did in the AWD Arena on Sunday (with the sending off of Jerome Boateng), the rest of the Bundesliga will benefit.
It might be slightly ambitious for Hannover to attempt a tilt at the title – the last time they won the league was in 1954. Mirko Slomka will be more than content if he can bring his side Champions League football for their first time in their history.
Goal of the Weekend:
Schalke grabbed a late away win at Leverkusen this weekend, thanks to this great solo effort by Jefferson Farfan.
[youtube fhCUB-o9k50]
Matchday 10 Results:
Augsburg 1-1 Werder Bremen
Borussia Dortmund 5-0 Cologne
Hertha Berlin 0-0 Mainz
Hoffenheim 1-0 Gladbach
Kaiserslautern 1-0 Freiburg
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Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish has stated that he will stand by striker Luis Suarez, after the attacker was accused of racism in the 1-1 draw against Manchester United last weekend.
United defender Patrice Evra claimed that the Uruguay international racially abused him, with the supposed incident under investigation by the FA.
Depsite this, the Scottish coach has supported his South American forward, and feels that the player is hugely important to the Anfield club.
“The only thing I will say – and then it is put to bed – is that the football club and everyone at the football club is totally and utterly fully behind Luis Suarez,” Dalglish told the club’s official website.
“There was an allegation after the game about him diving all over the place and there was an allegation from Patrice Evra. Obviously the two things are emotive but we support the wee man on both things.
“At the start of the week the club made their position known and apart from what I have said we won’t be adding to it. We are fully looking forward to a complete, transparent report from the FA and we will co-operate 100 per cent,” he concluded.
Suarez is set to compete for the Merseyside outfit against Norwich on Saturday, as Liverpool look for three points to get them into top four contention.
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One of the Premier League’s best managers last season has so far endured a torrid start to the 2010/11 campaign. Owen Coyle continues the battle to bring Bolton Wanderers up from relegation dog fights and into a more safe environment of mid-table. But facing a confident Stoke City, who make their first appearance in the Europa League this season, The Trotters have an uphill battle to grab all 3pts in this crucial Premier League encounter.
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Tony Pulis will surely be looking to take advantage of a Bolton side depleted by injuries to key players and a very much subdued Reebok crowd by enforcing his secret weapon in Rory Delap. A win for Stoke will signal an incredible start for The Potters, who at the moment lie 3pts out of European places in the League. But more importantly, a loss for Owen Coyle’s side will set off alarm bells as they battle to fend off suitors to their starting XI’s finest and, of course, the nightmare of relegation.
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There is a feel good factor around Anfield this week after two excellent results and Kenny Dalglish is right to suggest that Liverpool FC are making good progress on the pitch. One of the players more than playing their part in recent weeks is Martin Skrtel, who took the time out to answer various questions about life at Anfield.
FFC: Martin, what is the realistic target for Liverpool F.C. this season?
MS: I think that the target is to finish in the top four, and of course we want to be as high as we can, but we will see how things can go after the Christmas [period] – but I think if we finish in the top four that’s gonna be great for us.
FFC: The club made a lot of new signings over the summer. In which areas do you feel the side has progressed most from last season?
MS: The whole team because the last season, especially the beginning of the season, wasn’t the best for us and then after Kenny [Dalglish] came in together with Steve [Clarke] a lot of things changed. New players come in and I think we start playing better as a team. Also after the new signings in the summer we are getting stronger as a team and I think we can see that on the pitch.
FFC: You mentioned Kenny there and obviously Kenny Dalglish is a living legend at the club. How inspirational is he to have as a manager?
MS: Yeah, it’s a big thing for us you know? Because I think everybody knows him and what he’s done for Liverpool, and also what he is doing now for Liverpool so I think Kenny is an inspiration for every single part – trying to progress the unit for him, for the fans and for the club.
FFC: With yourself, Carragher, Agger, Coates and young Martin Kelly at the club, there is plenty of competition at centre-back. Do you feel that Liverpool could comfortably switch to a 3-at-the-back system in the future?
MS: I think that is not a question for me but for the manager. But I think it’s only a good thing if he gets, for every single position, more players because then you have to work hard on the training [ground] and in the game as well because only 11-players can play and start the game. So I think that’s good for ourselves [the centre-backs] and for the team as well.
FFC: You wear number 37 at Liverpool FC. Did you choose that number and if so, were there any particular reasons for doing so?
MS: Yes [smiles]. You know before in Russia [with Zenit] I play with the number-3, and also in the national team I play with the number-3. But when I came to Liverpool Steven Finnan was wearing number-3 so then I made the choice to take 37 because number-3 is my lucky number and number-7 is a lucky number for my girlfriend, so together it’s 37 and I’m quite happy with that number!
FFC: Since joining Liverpool FC, in which areas do you feel you have improved most as a player?
MS: I think tactically and also physically because after I came here I had to learn a lot of things…how to play, how to do a lot of things on the pitch, because under Rafa we were working….everyday on the tactics based [approach] so it was helping me a lot. All of the football is much, much stronger and quicker here than Slovakia and also in Russia and so in this way I have had to learn a lot as well.
FFC: You turn 27-years old next month. Do you really feel that you’re coming into your prime?
MS: I hope I will be – just [get] better and better now because you know all of the people talking for the defenders [say] if they are getting older, they are getting more experienced and they are better on the pitch, so I think that it’s going to be my way as well.
FFC: You recently made your 100th appearance in the Premier League with Liverpool and kept a clean sheet…what have been the highlights of your career in England so far?
MS: In England? Difficult to say just one moment because during the four years I’ve been here we’ve played a lot of good, memorable games. I always remember the first game I played for Liverpool and also the first game I scored for Liverpool and I hope in future we’ll get some trophies and the highlights of my career will come in the future.
FFC: Who is the best striker you have ever come up against?
MS: Hmm…there’s a lot of them in England because the Premier League, for me, is the best league in the world with the best players in the world so…I can say Drogba, Rooney or Adebayor, but that’s only three of them! But in every single team you can pick one great player and a big star there.
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FFC: Martin Kelly, Jon Flanagan and Jack Robinson have all made the breakthrough to the first team squad in recent times. Are there any other youngsters that Liverpool fans should look out for in the future?
MS: Yes, you said those three but also we can say Jay Spearing or Nathan Ecclestone. I think the guys at the academy are doing a great job and we can see if any lads come in from the academy and train with the first team, you cannot see a big difference with them and between the guys from the first-team, so I think every single player from the academy can be, in the future, a Premier League first-team player.
FFC: Is it true that you began playing football as a striker or winger? If so how did you come to play centre-back?
MS: Yes! [smiles] Yeah, I started playing as a winger then as a striker but when I [was] getting older and older I was going more back and back! [laughs] At 16 I played for the national team in Portugal and our centre-back got sent-off and another one got an injury so the manager just asked me if I can try to play centre-back, so I tried and I’ve stayed here until now!
FFC: Rumour has it you were quite the Ice Hockey player in your younger days, is this true and do you still follow the sport?
MS: Yeah! When I was younger I was playing ice-hockey but now I don’t have time for that because all year I am here and also I think it’s too dangerous to play ice-hockey now! So I just try to watch it on TV and I like this game and really enjoyed it.
FFC: At international level, who is your most talented Slovakian team-mate?
MS: Difficult to name. Hmm…if I had to pick just one…maybe [thinks more]…Vladimir Weiss.
FFC: You were a team member of your country’s first appearance as an independent nation at a World Cup in 2010. What were your best memories and highlights of the tournament?
MS: It was a great summer and a great tournament for us because it was the first World Cup for Slovakia and I think we did well there. We got through from the group, but then we couldn’t beat Holland so…I think it was a great tournament and I will always remember that.
FFC: Which other defenders in world football really impress you and who are your favourite players?
MS: The player I was always looking up to, to be like him was Fabio Cannavaro because, for me he was one of the best centre-backs, so he was the favourite player for me. And if you’re asking now? Favourite player…I don’t know because I don’t have favourite players now – all the big players are my opponents and I play against them so I just look at them as my opponents!
FFC: Finally, Slovakia unfortunately failed to qualify for next summer’s Euro 2012 tournament, so who is your tip to win the competition and who, if any, will you be supporting?
MS: [Thinks] I think Germany are quite strong now, and also Spain – they are the favourite – and also England, so I think one of those three teams will win. And I think I will support England or Spain because I have team-mates there so, one of these teams.
OK Martin, we’ve got some quick fire questions for you:
FFC: First match you ever went to see?
MS: [Laughs] Hmmm, I can’t remember because I was too young but was definitely some game in the Slovakian league.
FFC: Best player you’ve played with or against?
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MS: With…best player I’ll say was Stevie G, and against…Zinedine Zidane.
FFC: What’s the best goal you’ve ever scored?
MS: [Laughs!] Erm? Maybe it was the goal [when] we played for the national team against Cyprus and it was 1-1, then I scored for 2-1 then we won this game, so maybe this one!
FFC: Best stadium you’ve ever played at?
MS: Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid.
FFC: If you weren’t a footballer, what do think you’d be doing now?
MS: Difficult to say. I hope I would be a footballer for as long as I can [remember] so, I don’t think about what I could do if I wasn’t a footballer!
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Martin was speaking on behalf of Liverpool’s official betting partner 188BET, who offer Great Prices, Every Match. To back Liverpool to beat Fulham away next Monday (5th Dec) at odds of 2.25, visit www.188bet.com.
Tottenham attacker Rafael van der Vaart has stated that his side can challenge for the title, despite dropping points against Swansea on Saturday.
The Netherlands international gave the North London team the lead at the Liberty Stadium, before Scott Sinclair equalised for the Welsh side in a 1-1 draw.
With the Manchester clubs both losing unexpectedly, Harry Redknapp’s men missed the opportunity to further close the gap on the joint leaders, but Van der Vaart feels that Spurs must be considered as contenders.
“There is no reason why we can’t catch the top two,” he told The Telegraph.
“There is still a long way to go. I think the fact that we are really disappointed with only a point away from home is also a very good sign for the club.
“Maybe a few years ago Tottenham Hotspur would have been happy to have gone home with a draw. Now we know we can do more, we know that we can do better than this,” he admitted.
Tottenham take on West Brom at White Hart Lane on Tuesday night in their next game, and will look to get back to winning ways.
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Manchester City have thrown away their lead at the top of the Premier League, as they were beaten 1-0 by Everton on Tuesday night.
A solitary Darron Gibson goal gave the Merseysiders all three points, and means that Manchester United are now equal with the Etihad Stadium outfit at the top of the table.
When quizzed on whether City underestimated Everton, Roberto Mancini feels his side may well have been too confident.
“Probably, yes probably,” he told Sky Sports.
“My players put everything on the pitch but I think that we played a bad game.
“We knew December and January would be difficult months, because we had players injured, players banned and players away, we knew this before.
“We need to restart and win the next game, we have 15 games, we are on the top, but it is very important to win the next game,” he concluded.
One bit of good new for City however is that David Pizarro has joined the Premier League leaders on a loan basis for the rest of the season from Roma.
Mancini was keen to bolster his midfield options, and is full of praise for his new signing.
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“I know him very well. He is a good player, a good midfielder.
“He plays football very well. I think he can help us to play better in some situations,” the Italian concluded.
Tottenham closed the gap between themselves and Premier League leaders Manchester City to just three points on Wednesday night, with a 2-0 win over Everton at White Hart Lane.
An Aaron Lennon strike was just reward for long periods of possession in the first half, before Benoit Assou-Ekotto struck from long range to double the home side’s lead in the second period.
The win means that Spurs go level on 45 points with Manchester United in second place, and open up an eight point gap between themselves and Chelsea in fourth place.
Manager Harry Redknapp has full of kind words for his side after the victory, and feels that his side are right in the mix for honours this season.
“We are up there, and in the Champions League mix and we are looking to do that, who knows,” the Spurs boss told Sky Sports.
“Nothing is impossible and you have to keep believing, apart from that I enjoy watching us play, if you can’t enjoy watching us play you shouldn’t watch football.
“It was a great win for us, it is always difficult to beat Everton – you never get an easy game with them, and David Moyes had a very attacking looking team out tonight. They started the game well but we got on top and played well, it was a good performance,” he concluded.
Spurs take on Wolves at White Hart Lane on Saturday next.
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Daniel Agger will be out for ‘a few weeks’ with arib injury announced Kenny Dalglish. Liverpool defender Daniel Agger will be out for ‘a few weeks’ after fracturing his rib during Sunday’s Carling Cup final victory over Cardiff City.
Reds boss Kenny Dalglish confirmed the injury to the club’s official website and Agger is now certain to miss Saturday’s league match with Arsenal. Liverpool are also yet to discover if a tight hamstring will sideline captain Steven Gerrard for the game at Anfield.
Gerrard limped out of England’s 3-2 loss to the Netherlands on Wednesday.
“If I don’t know what it is, I can’t tell you whether there is every chance or no chance [of Gerrard facing Arsenal],” Dalglish told Liverpool’s official club website. “It’s best for us to just wait and see what the medical people have to say once they’ve seen him.”
Agger’s latest problem adds to the long list of injuries the Denmark international has suffered since his move from Brondby in 2006. Last season alone, serious calf and knee tendon problems meant he featured in just 16 top-flight matches.
Agger, 27, and centre-back partner Martin Skrtel have helped Liverpool to the second-best defensive record in the Premier League this season, with the club conceding just 23 goals in 25 matches.
“Anybody that is injured is a miss. Daniel has been playing fantastically well this year, but we’ll miss anybody that is not fit and available,” said Dalglish. “The squad is there to cover eventualities, injuries and suspensions and we’ll need to cover for Daniel if he’s going to be out for a few weeks.”