Thursday 28 March 2013

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has revealed that former chief constable Sir Norman Bettison would


The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has revealed that former chief constable Sir Norman Bettison would have a case to answer for gross misconduct regarding his dealings with his police authority following the publication of a damning report on the Hillsborough disaster if he was still a serving officer.


Sir Norman Bettison has always denied any wrongdoing
Sir Norman, who has always denied any wrongdoing, attempted to influence public perception as the West Yorkshire Police Authority was deciding whether to refer him to the IPCC following the Hillsborough Independent Panel report last year, the commission concluded.
The IPCC said: "While it was evident Sir Norman made no attempt to prevent the referral happening, the IPCC investigation concluded that he attempted to manipulate the public perception of the referral process for his own self-interest.''

Experienced Liverpool pair Pepe Reina and Jamie Carragher are both in contention for a return to action against Aston Villa on Sunday.


Experienced Liverpool pair Pepe Reina and Jamie Carragher are both in contention for a return to action against Aston Villa on Sunday.


Jamie Carragher and Pepe Reina both missed Liverpool's 3-1 defeat to Southampton
First-choice goalkeeper Reina has missed the Reds' last two games with a calf problem while veteran defender Carragher was ruled out of the defeat at Southamptonearlier this month with a shin injury.
Reina has since been on the bench for Spain's internationals against Finland last week and France on Tuesday.
First-team coach Mike Marsh told the club's official website: "They're both available for selection, so it's a possibility.''

Jamie Carragher insists he has proved his doubters wrong

Jamie Carragher insists he has proved his doubters wrong by becoming a Liverpool regular under Brendan Rodgers.


Jamie Carragher joined Liverpool as a youngster in 1990
Carragher, 35, faced a fight to win a place in the side after Rodgers arrived as manager in June, and made just one Premier League start before Christmas.
Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel were the first-choice central defensive partnership during the first half of the season, with Carragher restricted largely to starts in the Europa League and Capital One Cup.
There were questions raised as to whether the former England defender would fit in under the Rodgers regime, but he has responded positively.
Carragher has been a regular in the starting line-up since January, and is looking to continue his run in the side through to the end of the season, when he will retire.
He told the Liverpool Echo: "At the start of the season I was aware that some people were saying I wouldn't suit Rodgers' style of football. But I think I have put that to bed in the last few games I have played.
"I think I've played well this season, without blowing my own trumpet. Even earlier in the season when I was playing in Europe and in the Capital One Cup, I was quite pleased with how I performed. Hopefully I can carry that through to the end of the season."

Tuesday 26 March 2013

Brendan Rodgers has given Jordan Henderson reassurance

Brendan Rodgers has given Jordan Henderson reassurance by insisting that can always rely on the Liverpool midfielder.


Jordan Henderson is under pressure for his place
Henderson is fighting to win back his place at Anfield after being left out of Rodgers' starting line-up for the last four league matches. The England Under-21 captain's form has picked up in recent months, having made a slow start to life on Merseyside following a £16 million move from Sunderland in the summer of 2011.
At one stage, he looked to be on his way out of Anfield, having been offered to Fulham last summer as part of an unsuccessful bid to bring in Clint Dempsey.

Brad Jones has said he has played in more Liverpool first-team games

Brad Jones has said he has played in more Liverpool first-team games than he expected this season - as he prepared to return to the bench.


Brad Jones: Has deputised for Reina this season
Jones, 31, has played in the Merseysiders' last two Premier League games because first-choice goalkeeper Pepe Reina has been out with a calf injury.
Those appearances took his tally for the season to 15, a huge increase for a 'keeper who played only four times in his first two years at Anfield after arriving from Middlesbrough in August 2010.

Monday 25 March 2013

Lucas Leiva has said he nearly left Liverpool in 2010

Lucas Leiva has said he nearly left Liverpool in 2010 and believes former Anfield boss Roy Hodgson signed Christian Poulsen to replace him in midfield.


Lucas Leiva: A vital cog in Liverpool's midfield
The Brazil international, bought by Rafa Benitez in 2007, felt his days on Merseyside were numbered after the Spaniard left and Hodgson arrived to replace him.
Hodgson brought in Poulsen, who had played for him at Copenhagen, but the Dane only lasted a year at Anfield - whereas Lucas was named Liverpool's Player of the Season in 2010-11.

Sunday 24 March 2013

Daniel Sturridge has admitted he did not fulfil his ambitions at Chelsea


Daniel Sturridge has admitted he did not fulfil his ambitions at Chelsea, even though the Blues won the Champions League last season.


Daniel Sturridge has become a first-team regular at Liverpool
And the England international said he now feels at home at Liverpool and has stopped worrying about his future.
Sturridge was a regular for Chelsea during Andre Villas-Boas' reign but lost his place after Roberto Di Matteo took over and was an unused substitute in both the FA Cup and the Champions League final.
Much of his first-team football came either as a substitute or a right winger whereas he has been an automatic choice as a striker for Liverpool since his £12 million move in January.
He told the club's official website: "I had success [at Chelsea]. We won trophies and I have medals but in terms of my own individual ambitions, I didn't get to fulfil them.
"Hopefully here, now I'm at a club that believes in me with a manager who believes in me, I can give the fans something to smile about."
Sturridge explained that manager Brendan Rodgers had told him that playing for Liverpool is special.
He added: "What the manager said to me when I first joined is that words don't describe it. You have to be here and be a part of it to understand. When I joined I immediately realised what he meant.
"I don't think I could tell someone - you just have to be here and a part of it to understand the feeling. I've enjoyed every minute since I joined the club. It's been a great time here for me and I'm enjoying part of the future here.
"I get on with every player - everyone's been great. I feel like this is my home now. I don't have any worries about the future."

Philippe Coutinho has set his sights on staying at Liverpool

Philippe Coutinho has set his sights on staying at Liverpool for a long time and making a major impression for his new club.


Phillippe Coutinho has made an instant impact at Liverpool
Coutinho feels believes his time in Italy and Spain has helped him adapt to the Premier League so quickly. The Brazilian winger joined Liverpool from Inter Milan in the January transfer window and has made an immediate impact with two goals and two assists in his last four league games.
And while he is finding English football faster than the continental game, he believes his time at Inter and a loan spell at Espanyol last season prepared him well for life at Liverpool.
"Things have gone really well for me here so far," Coutinho told the Liverpool Echo. "Maybe because I played in Italy and spent six months in Spain last season that has helped me adapt more quickly to English football.
"Also I must thank my team-mates as they have helped me a lot with my first few games. Everyone has made me feel so welcome.
He added: "The games are quicker and more physical but I like that. I am learning all the time.
"Every player wants to improve and get better and I am the same. I am still young and have so much still to learn.
"I hope to be here for many years and become a big player for Liverpool. I will continue to work hard and do my best to improve my performances and help Liverpool."

England Under-21 coach Brian Eastick believes Raheem Sterling

England Under-21 coach Brian Eastick believes Raheem Sterling is benefiting from Brendan Rodgers' decision to rest him at Liverpool.


Raheem Sterling has committed his long-term future to Liverpool
Sterling, 18, has enjoyed a fantastic breakthrough season and made his senior England debut in November, before signing a lucrative long-term deal at Anfield the following month.
He has already made 35 appearances for the Reds to date this campaign but has not featured for over a month after manager Rodgers noticed the teenager was becoming jaded.
It was a move that has seemingly paid dividends, with the winger looking rejuvenated in England Under-21's 3-0 defeat of Romania on Thursday night.