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Liverpool Boss Rafa Benitez Well Aware Of Manchester City's Threat
Reds must be on their guard against visitors from up the East Lancs Road...
| Bet: | Returns: | Porto £24.00 | Draw £32.00 | Manchester City £27.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Porto £25.00 | Draw £33.00 | Manchester City £28.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Porto £27.50 | Draw £32.50 | Manchester City £23.75 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Porto £25.00 | Draw £33.00 | Manchester City £28.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Porto £26.50 | Draw £32.50 | Manchester City £27.50 |
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Nov 20, 2009 6:15:41 PM
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has urged his players to be at their sharpest on Saturday lunchtime when the Reds welcome Manchester City to Anfield.
City boss Mark Hughes feels that the game could mark a decisive point in his side's season and Benitez, whose own team have not been enjoying the best of form in recent weeks, knows that the visitors will be keen to send a message out about their top four credentials.
"This is a big game, an important game, but then all Liverpool games are important. This could be described as a make-or-break game for our season," the Spaniard told reporters at his Friday press conference.
City boss Mark Hughes feels that the game could mark a decisive point in his side's season and Benitez, whose own team have not been enjoying the best of form in recent weeks, knows that the visitors will be keen to send a message out about their top four credentials.
"This is a big game, an important game, but then all Liverpool games are important. This could be described as a make-or-break game for our season," the Spaniard told reporters at his Friday press conference.
"We are aware of City's ambitions. They have spent some money on good players and they also have a good manager with experience.
"It will be tough, and important for us to win particularly with the Champions League game away to Debrecen next week. A good win will give us all the confidence for that.
"We want to progress and we want to be higher in the table. We want to continue playing big teams and playing for something important."
And Benitez does not think that City will reach the top four this season.
"It is too early to talk about final league positions, but clearly it is a big game for both clubs. We must be confident we can win," he added.
"I am not amongst the managers, 80 per cent I am told, in the Premier League who believe City will finish in the top four. We will be in the top four.
"We have to play well, and if we can play at the same level we had to beat Manchester United, we can beat anyone.
"I am not concerned about what critics say, only what is going on in my dressing room and the performance of my team.
"We have to win to get closer to the top of the table. We must keep winning to stay close to City, Aston Villa, Tottenham. If we do that it will give the players confidence.
"If we win games, and we have players back from injury, it will help create a very positive mood at the club. The aim is to kick-start our season. We must improve and a win will be a real lift for everyone.
"We know City have money and they have spent a lot, but we must not just keep looking at what they are doing.
"We have to concentrate on what we can do on the pitch against them, but I accept they are doing a good job.
"What we have to do is to keep going, keep playing at our best. We are not in a good position in the table or in the Champions League.
"But we cannot change what has already happened, we need to win two or three games and the attitude will be totally different, with the fans and players having more belief.
"It is normally against good teams that we do best because the games are more open. We did it against Manchester United, and we aim to do the same to City."
Zack Wilson, Goal.com UK
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2/15/12
And with that, we're going to call it a night, folks.
We've had two tremendous matches today, so lets hope the intensity keeps up in the next clashes!
Until next time, this is LIVE commentator Stephen Crawford signing off.
From everyone here at Goal.com, thanks for joining us!
We've had two tremendous matches today, so lets hope the intensity keeps up in the next clashes!
Until next time, this is LIVE commentator Stephen Crawford signing off.
From everyone here at Goal.com, thanks for joining us!
2/15/12
All this focus on the Arsenal and Milan game should not take away from another cracker earlier tonight between Zenit and Benfica. The Russians came from a goal down to lead 2-1 in the closing minutes before Oscar Cardozo levelled things for Benfica, but it wasn't over there as Roman Shirokov won the game for Zenit in the 88th minute.
Here's the thoughts of Benfica coach Jorge Jesus, who felt his side deserved a point from the game.
Here's the thoughts of Benfica coach Jorge Jesus, who felt his side deserved a point from the game.
2/15/12
Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczesny bemoaned his side's luck tonight but refused to give up. Here's some of his quotes:
"They were the better team on the night and that's the story of the day.
"We have to keep fighting, pick ourselves up, get the confidence back and challenge in the other competitions and in the second leg of this tie too.
"They punished us on every occasion; they scored some quality goals and they deserved to win."
Full story HERE
"They were the better team on the night and that's the story of the day.
"We have to keep fighting, pick ourselves up, get the confidence back and challenge in the other competitions and in the second leg of this tie too.
"They punished us on every occasion; they scored some quality goals and they deserved to win."
Full story HERE
2/15/12
Another Milan player who was willing to share his thoughts after the match was Mark van Bommel, who has urged caution ahead of the second leg in London.
“The score made it look like it was an easy game, but it certainly wasn't.
(Strange... it looked pretty easy from where I was sitting, but hey.)
“I do not think it's over yet. I remember a clash between Milan and Deportivo la Coruna when Milan was also ahead by four goals, and in the end Deportivo eliminated Milan.
“I went into the Arsenal dressing room after the match to speak to Robin van Persie. I had agreed with him to swap shirts – my sons are big fans of his and he brought two for them. They will be delighted.
Van Bommel went on to talk about a possible move to PSV in the future, but was quick to point out his terms for the move.
“I've spoken with PSV, but we don't have an agreement yet. The club has to decide what they want.
“If Louis van Gaal turns out to be the new coach, I won't go.”
“The score made it look like it was an easy game, but it certainly wasn't.
(Strange... it looked pretty easy from where I was sitting, but hey.)
“I do not think it's over yet. I remember a clash between Milan and Deportivo la Coruna when Milan was also ahead by four goals, and in the end Deportivo eliminated Milan.
“I went into the Arsenal dressing room after the match to speak to Robin van Persie. I had agreed with him to swap shirts – my sons are big fans of his and he brought two for them. They will be delighted.
Van Bommel went on to talk about a possible move to PSV in the future, but was quick to point out his terms for the move.
“I've spoken with PSV, but we don't have an agreement yet. The club has to decide what they want.
“If Louis van Gaal turns out to be the new coach, I won't go.”
2/15/12
Next up is the Milan maestro Clarence Seedorf. He only managed 12 minutes on the pitch, but watching from the sidelines he was delighted at how his team mates had dominated the game.
"Tonight everything went in the right direction and we did a very good match. You don't start a match thinking to win 4-0, but at the end i think we deserved it coz we played very well."
"Tonight everything went in the right direction and we did a very good match. You don't start a match thinking to win 4-0, but at the end i think we deserved it coz we played very well."
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