Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is close to signing a new contract after reaching an agreement on his salary.
Benitez still has 18 months remaining on his existing contract, but announced in November that negotiations had begun on new terms and that he wanted a deal signed by the end of the month. He denied reports that he is at odds with the club’s American owners over controlling transfers.
The Spanish manager expressed frustration last week about the lack of progress, but insists there is no conflict with co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jr.
“My agent only received the draft document of my contract yesterday evening,” Benitez said Tuesday. “We have agreed the length of contract and we have agreed the salary. Now we have to discuss my role and my responsibilities as manager of the club.”
Benitez has enjoyed success in Europe, winning the 2005 Champions League at the end of his first season and returning to the final two years later. His priority is to secure Liverpool’s first league title since 1990. The Reds top the standings, but Manchester United is five points back with two games in hand.
Benitez was thrown into the middle of a power battle between Hicks and Gillett, with the former publicly offering him a one-year extension in April despite sounding out Juergen Klinsmann as a replacement months earlier.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Torres admits Man Utd now in pole position
Fernando Torres has admitted that Manchester United's demolition of Chelsea at the weekend has put them in pole position to claim a third consecutive Premier League title.
But the Liverpool striker remains confident that Sir Alex Ferguson's side can be knocked off their perch and has billed the meeting between the two clubs at Old Trafford on March 14 as a potential title decider.
A 3-0 win over Chelsea on Sunday means United will displace Liverpool at the top of the table for the first time this season if they beat Wigan on Wednesday evening then take all three points from their trip to Bolton on Saturday.
"United are the champions right now, they are the favourites," Torres told reporters at FIFA's World Player of the Year award in Zurich on Monday evening.
"They have shown in the last few years that they're a very strong side. Look at the great players they have, and they have played two matches fewer, so they could catch up and even go top."
But the Liverpool striker remains confident that Sir Alex Ferguson's side can be knocked off their perch and has billed the meeting between the two clubs at Old Trafford on March 14 as a potential title decider.
A 3-0 win over Chelsea on Sunday means United will displace Liverpool at the top of the table for the first time this season if they beat Wigan on Wednesday evening then take all three points from their trip to Bolton on Saturday.
"United are the champions right now, they are the favourites," Torres told reporters at FIFA's World Player of the Year award in Zurich on Monday evening.
"They have shown in the last few years that they're a very strong side. Look at the great players they have, and they have played two matches fewer, so they could catch up and even go top."
Thursday, January 8, 2009
United lose 1-0 at Derby in semi-final first leg
Manchester United suffered a 1-0 defeat by Championship (second division) side Derby County in the first leg of their League Cup semi-final at Pride Park on Wednesday.
Kris Commons fired the only goal with half an hour gone and Derby could have taken a two-goal advantage to Old Trafford for the second leg in two weeks’ time had Rob Hulse not wasted a glorious late chance.
United manager Alex Ferguson fielded an under-strength side but introduced Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo late on with the latter almost equalising with a trademark free kick that brushed the post.
Until then the Premier League champions had rarely tested their former keeper Roy Carroll in the Derby goal.
Derby, relegated from the top flight last season with a record low points total and languishing in 18th place in the Championship, had new manager Nigel Clough watching in the stands as he prepared for his first day in charge.
Clough, confirmed as the club’s new manager on Tuesday, must have been impressed by the organisation and spirit of Derby who fully deserved their first leg advantage.
United came under pressure early on, with Jonny Evans forced to clear one effort off the line. Andy Todd then lifted a good chance over the crossbar.
The hosts were rewarded for their enterprise when Commons surged into space midway inside the United half and advanced to smash a shot past Tomasz Kuszczak from 25 metres.
United, who host Chelsea in the Premier League this weekend, were subdued throughout, although they will start the second leg as favourites to reach the final.
Holders Tottenham Hotspur beat Championship side Burnley 4-1 at home in the first leg of their semi-final on Tuesday.
Kris Commons fired the only goal with half an hour gone and Derby could have taken a two-goal advantage to Old Trafford for the second leg in two weeks’ time had Rob Hulse not wasted a glorious late chance.
United manager Alex Ferguson fielded an under-strength side but introduced Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo late on with the latter almost equalising with a trademark free kick that brushed the post.
Until then the Premier League champions had rarely tested their former keeper Roy Carroll in the Derby goal.
Derby, relegated from the top flight last season with a record low points total and languishing in 18th place in the Championship, had new manager Nigel Clough watching in the stands as he prepared for his first day in charge.
Clough, confirmed as the club’s new manager on Tuesday, must have been impressed by the organisation and spirit of Derby who fully deserved their first leg advantage.
United came under pressure early on, with Jonny Evans forced to clear one effort off the line. Andy Todd then lifted a good chance over the crossbar.
The hosts were rewarded for their enterprise when Commons surged into space midway inside the United half and advanced to smash a shot past Tomasz Kuszczak from 25 metres.
United, who host Chelsea in the Premier League this weekend, were subdued throughout, although they will start the second leg as favourites to reach the final.
Holders Tottenham Hotspur beat Championship side Burnley 4-1 at home in the first leg of their semi-final on Tuesday.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Gerrard hailed as 'model pro' after Liverpool win
Steven Gerrard was labelled a "model professional" by Liverpool assistant manager Sammy Lee after capping a troubled week off the pitch by inspiring the Reds to a 2-0 FA Cup win over Preston.
The Liverpool captain, charged by police with assault and affray over an alleged incident in nearby Southport following the Premier League leaders win against Newcastle last Sunday, led from the front as goals from Spanish duo Albert Riera and Fernando Torres sealed victory at Deepdale.
Gerrard's driving display and unselfish creation of Torres's injury-time goal here Saturday were the hallmarks of the kind of effort Reds' fans have come to expect from the Liverpool-born, 28-year-old, England midfielder.
"Steven is a top professional and he produced a terrific performance out there," said former Liverpool and England midfielder Lee. "He is a model professional and he certainly has our full support.
The Liverpool captain, charged by police with assault and affray over an alleged incident in nearby Southport following the Premier League leaders win against Newcastle last Sunday, led from the front as goals from Spanish duo Albert Riera and Fernando Torres sealed victory at Deepdale.
Gerrard's driving display and unselfish creation of Torres's injury-time goal here Saturday were the hallmarks of the kind of effort Reds' fans have come to expect from the Liverpool-born, 28-year-old, England midfielder.
"Steven is a top professional and he produced a terrific performance out there," said former Liverpool and England midfielder Lee. "He is a model professional and he certainly has our full support.
Wenger backs Ferguson in fixture row
Arsene Wenger has backed Sir Alex Ferguson's claim that the Premier League fixture list is unfair and should be changed.
Ferguson has been highly critical this week of the scheduling that has led to his Manchester United side playing a majority of weekend Premier League games away from home following a midweek Champions League clash.
Wenger took the unusual step of agreeing with his longstanding rival after his Arsenal team's 3-1 FA Cup third round victory over Plymouth Argyle at the Emirates Stadium here Saturday.
The Gunners boss believes Ferguson has a case - and pointed to the imbalance of home fixtures across the four Champions League teams to reinforce his claim.
"I saw Ferguson made the case about fixtures," Arsenal manager Wenger said. "And we checked because we are always curious. And he has a case, and in this case so do we.
Ferguson has been highly critical this week of the scheduling that has led to his Manchester United side playing a majority of weekend Premier League games away from home following a midweek Champions League clash.
Wenger took the unusual step of agreeing with his longstanding rival after his Arsenal team's 3-1 FA Cup third round victory over Plymouth Argyle at the Emirates Stadium here Saturday.
The Gunners boss believes Ferguson has a case - and pointed to the imbalance of home fixtures across the four Champions League teams to reinforce his claim.
"I saw Ferguson made the case about fixtures," Arsenal manager Wenger said. "And we checked because we are always curious. And he has a case, and in this case so do we.
United, Villa ease through in FA Cup
Premier League sides Manchester United and Aston Villa reached the fourth round of the FA Cup on Sunday after seeing off lower league opponents Southampton and Gillingham.
United beat Championship (division two) strugglers Southampton, who played for almost an hour with 10 men, 3-0 at St Mary’s Stadium and will now meet Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford in the fourth round.
Aston Villa won 2-1 at League Two (fourth division) Gillingham with James Milner celebrating his 23rd birthday by scoring both goals. Villa will travel to play the winners of the postponed tie between Cheltenham Town and Doncaster Rovers in the fourth round in three weeks’ time.
United beat Championship (division two) strugglers Southampton, who played for almost an hour with 10 men, 3-0 at St Mary’s Stadium and will now meet Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford in the fourth round.
Aston Villa won 2-1 at League Two (fourth division) Gillingham with James Milner celebrating his 23rd birthday by scoring both goals. Villa will travel to play the winners of the postponed tie between Cheltenham Town and Doncaster Rovers in the fourth round in three weeks’ time.
Rampant Robben hands Real win over Villarreal
Arjen Robben’s superb run and curled shot gave Real Madrid a 1-0 win over Villarreal on Sunday, moving the champions up to third in the Primera Liga.
Sevilla dropped to fourth after conceding a dramatic late equaliser in a 1-1 draw with bottom club Osasuna and Barcelona’s 3-1 win over Real Mallorca on Saturday means the Catalans are 11 points clear at the top.
Dutch winger Robben was rampant throughout at the Bernabeu, receiving a standing ovation when he was replaced near the end, and he nearly opened the scoring on 12 minutes when his deflected shot looped onto the top of the crossbar.
Sevilla dropped to fourth after conceding a dramatic late equaliser in a 1-1 draw with bottom club Osasuna and Barcelona’s 3-1 win over Real Mallorca on Saturday means the Catalans are 11 points clear at the top.
Dutch winger Robben was rampant throughout at the Bernabeu, receiving a standing ovation when he was replaced near the end, and he nearly opened the scoring on 12 minutes when his deflected shot looped onto the top of the crossbar.
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