Carra & Riise Fit for Duty? Bascombe/Echo Article

[lfc4ever]

Looks like it:

http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0500liverpoolfc/0100news/tm_objectid=17709241%26method=full%26siteid=50061%26headline=d%2dday%2dfor%2ddefensive%2dduo%2das%2dreds%2dsweat%2don%2dfitness-name_page.html

D-day for defensive duo as Reds sweat on fitness

Sep 8 2006

By Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo

JAMIE Carragher and John Arne Riise were set to discover today if two weeks of intensive treatment have paid off.

The duo are desperate to play in tomorrow's derby, but are continuing to struggle to fight off the effects of ankle injuries.

Rafa Benitez will decide after the final training session at Melwood this morning, but the signs have been more positive over the last 48 hours the duo will be declared fit.

Benitez must also consider the importance of forthcoming fixtures against PSV Eindhoven and Chelsea, although there's no doubt Scouser Carragher will rate the Goodison clash as the most important in his list of priorities.

Momo Sissoko will be fit to play, but Peter Crouch's goalscoring exploits for his country won't guarantee his starting place.

Robbie Fowler, Bolo Zenden, Mark Gonzalez, Jermaine Pennant and Fabio Aurelio have seen their chances of a starting place improve because they have not been on international duty.

Crouch's status as a national hero has made little impression on his club manager, who admits he is 'worried' by the increased profile of the forward.

The Liverpool striker will be full of confidence going into the derby.

Crouch can do no wrong at present for his country and his scissor-kick via the under-side of the bar earned the Liverpool striker his 11th goal in his last 10 internationals in Macedonia - almost a year since he was jeered by England fans.

He said: "The players I play with definitely help.

"It is a creative team and I know I am going to get chances and at the moment I am taking them so long may it continue."

Crouch seems certain to have cemented his place in the England side for the foreseeable future despite the return after suspension next month of Wayne Rooney for another double header, with Macedonia at Old Trafford and Croatia away.

However, he has no such luxury at Anfield.

He said: "All we can do as forwards is do as well as we can and hope we are not replaced. When we have got the shirt, we have just got to grab the chance and let the manager make those decisions."

[lfc4ever]

Another derby article by Bascombe:

It's crazy time to play a derby raps Benitez

Sep 8 2006

By Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo

RAFA BENITEZ needs no reminder of the passion of Merseyside football fans, butit seems Liverpudlian obsession has even infiltrated his home life.

Benitez's youngest daughter, Agata, was just a few months old when the family moved to the Wirral.

Now three, the infant is a fully-fledged Liverpool fan with a Scouse accent.

"When people ask Agata who her father is, she sings the song 'Rafa, Raf-i-ell, Rafa-i-ell Ben-ee-tezzz'," laughs Benitez.

"We've been teaching her the correct Spanish pronunciation, but she likes to repeat the songs she hears on the Kop.

"When people ask her whichteam she supports, she is very determined and says Liverpool."

If satisfying the thousands of Liverpool fans around the world on derby day wasn't enough for Benitez, he's now got to ensure his family aren't left deflated by events at Goodison Park tomorrow.

But the Spaniard alreadyharbours regrets prior to kick-off. The timing of the fixture, he argues, is 'crazy'.

"It's a particular pity when a game that's as emotional and important as this is scheduled in this way. It's a shame for both clubs," said Benitez.

"Playing early on Saturday is a problem. I know the supporters from all sides have been more interested in this game than the internationals in the last two weeks.

"You can't prepareany game properly when the players areaway. If the players had more time to recover from travelling it would help the quality of the game this weekend.

"You never know, it maystill be a fantastic game, but if you have longer to work with all your best players it's better for everyone.

"It's now easier to approach the game using only the players who've stayed at Melwood, but we have so many players away they are all in contention.

"But the players who've played 90 minutes on Wednesday will not be in the same condition as those who haven't played for two weeks, especially with the game being played early on Saturday."

With another international break imminent in October, Benitez says "you may not see the best out of Liverpool until November".

That's a worrying admission given the standard of opposition over the next month.

Benitez seems to be leading the lobbying of club managers to pressurise FIFA and UEFA into changing the international calendar, and his frustration growswhen he sees the calibre of opposition top countries are playing.

"It's crazy to see the kind of international games we're seeing," he says. "There are teams who are thinking as long as we only lose by two goals it will be good. Now there must be a first division and second division of international teams.

"How can it help a manager or set of players losing every time? They can only improve their level by winning games against countries of a similar level, not by playing football where the only intention is not to concede many goals.

"That's not how a professional approaches football.

"If you know you're going to lose a game, what's the point? There are players who are probably happy to just be on the same pitchasSteven Gerrard, butthey don't have the quality to ever think of winning. It's time to change it."

Since losing his first Merseyside derby, Benitez has put together a sequence of three consecutive victories over his neighbours.

But he suspects there will be a tougher test tomorrow than the two emphatic wins enjoyed at both Anfield and Goodison last season.

"I'm not thinking about our record in the last games. I'm thinking onlyabout winning this one," he said.

"I know what it means to the people to win a derby. It's the same everywhere in the world.

"We are talking about three points, but three points which make people particularly happy.

"People come up to me a lot and say 'we must beat them' or ask me which team I will pick. This is one of the games where you get this a lot.

"Every derby is different because the tactics and the players change in each match.

"In this situation, we're playing a team which has started really well. I'm sure they will have more confidence into this game, but we also believe in ourselves.

"We have three hard games in a week, but all our mental preparations must focus only on this game.

"At this moment, this is the most important."

[Parm]

Another derby article by Bascombe:



Now three, the infant is a fully-fledged Liverpool fan with a Scouse accent.

"When people ask Agata who her father is, she sings the song 'Rafa, Raf-i-ell, Rafa-i-ell Ben-ee-tezzz'," laughs Benitez.

"We've been teaching her the correct Spanish pronunciation, but she likes to repeat the songs she hears on the Kop.

"When people ask her whichteam she supports, she is very determined and says Liverpool."

t."

[IanTheRed]

"When people ask Agata who her father is, she sings the song 'Rafa, Raf-i-ell, Rafa-i-ell Ben-ee-tezzz'," laughs Benitez.

"We've been teaching her the correct Spanish pronunciation, but she likes to repeat the songs she hears on the Kop.

"When people ask her whichteam she supports, she is very determined and says Liverpool."

****ing hell, poor guy! Finally leaves work at silly-o-clock and all he gets his his baby daughter talking about Liverpool and singing Liverpool songs and Montse blabbering on about the bootroom, Shanks, Sir Bob and ****ing watches!!

[red g]

****ing hell, poor guy! Finally leaves work at silly-o-clock and all he gets his his baby daughter talking about Liverpool and singing Liverpool songs and Montse blabbering on about the bootroom, Shanks, Sir Bob and ****ing watches!!

i wonder if Jose's daughter calls Jose '******' ?

[IanTheRed]

i wonder if Jose's daughter calls Jose '******' ?

Jose is a pajero!!!

Pajero I tells ye!!

[REDSCOUSER]

I don't think Riise & Carra are fit enough to play. Momo on the other hand might well start.

[red g]

I don't think Riise & Carra are fit enough to play. Momo on the other hand might well start.

you been peering over walls at melwood?

[G_Man]

What has ES got to say about this?

[REDSCOUSER]

you been peering over walls at melwood?

just a gut feeling, don't think rafa wants to risk them both if they are not 100% fit...there's still PSV on Tuesday and the chavs next Sunday.

[Manofthebog]

just a gut feeling, don't think rafa wants to risk them both if they are not 100% fit...there's still PSV on Tuesday and the chavs next Sunday.

Agreed.

I'd be surprised if they both started.

Momo, for sure, will start.

Alonso to be rested?

[red g]

just a gut feeling, don't think rafa wants to risk them both if they are not 100% fit...there's still PSV on Tuesday and the chavs next Sunday.

gut feeling?isnt that what dunk has?

[Mumsafan]

Belly's gonna get yer!

[Maestro]

Agata Benitez rocks!!