‘This is still the biggest of them all’ - Jamie Carragher

Don't worry Carra. That bald guy is injured. Just look out on Cahill...

by David Prentice, Liverpool Echo

JAMIE CARRAGHER has a mental checklist to work through whenever the new season's fixtures are announced every summer.
The first match, obviously. Then the first home game, followed by the clashes with Manchester United. But most of all, the date and venue of the first Merseyside derby.
"I've always said that for me, as soon as the fixtures come out, I look forward to see when the Everton game is," he declared.
"For local lads like myself and Stevie, it's probably the most important game of the season."
The derby match has always meant more to the local players - from the days when Dixie Dean would send a bottle of aspirin to Elisha Scott on the eve of pre-war showdowns, to seventies slugfests when Jimmy Case, Mick Lyons and co. would kick lavatory doors, head ceilings and butt dressing room doors before running out.
But for Carragher, this season's Goodison clash is loaded with even more personal significance.
"Certainly for me, tomorrow's game will be massively important," he declared.
"We definitely owe them one after last year. The team, the club and me personally.
"I was very poor in the Goodison derby last year. I did alright in the Anfield one, which made up for it a little bit, but with the first one this year being back at Goodison again it makes it a very big game.
"It's probably as low as I've ever felt in football after that game.
"I've lost in a couple of cup finals and had other ups and downs, but last season against Everton was probably as low as I've ever felt because of the score, because I made a big mistake for one of the goals and because I played poorly."
There were mitigating circumstances surrounding Carragher's part in Everton's crucial second goal last September.
He'd missed three weeks football after collecting an injury on the opening day of the season at Bramall Lane and shouldn't have been any closer to the action at Goodison Park than a place in the stand.
But his burning desire to be involved let his heart rule his head.
"I'd been injured and came back too early," he admitted "but I was desperate to play in the game. I probably let the manager and the players down because I wasn't ready to play in a game of that magnitude.
"Maybe I was a bit selfish because I was that desperate to play in it. I came into it cold and it showed. But it's something I'll never do again."
Certainly this year, Carragher will be far better prepared.
While his international club-mates faced a clash against Estonia last Saturday, then a 3,000 mile round-trip to Moscow for a demoralising European Championship defeat on a plastic pitch, he was left behind at Melwood.
The decision to hang up his international boots was entirely his own, and it meant he has been able to work carefully on his derby preparations all week.
There was even one day, with the reserves playing later that evening, that he was the only senior player left working with boss Rafa Benitez at Melwood.
"I've made my decision regarding the international scene and hopefully that will benefit me in the build-up to this match," he explained.
"Players from Everton and Liverpool have been travelling back from Russia this week. I've been back here, which has helped my preparation and that's one of the reasons I made my decision."
It's a decision which should serve Carragher well over the next nine days - a period which could prove pivotal to Liverpool's entire season.

Following tomorrow's domestic set-to at Goodison, the Reds travel to Turkey for a clash of crucial significance to their European aspirations, before the Premier League's two remaining unbeaten records could go on the line when Arsenal visit Anfield the following Sunday.
Not that Carragher will get ahead of himself.
"The manager's very big on taking each game as it comes," he added. "That's the first one and we have to forget about the Beskitas and Arsenal games until Saturday is over.
"It's a massive game for both clubs and I certainly won't be looking any further ahead than that one.
"Both teams will be looking at this fixture as a game which can really give their season a lift and to go on from there.
"Both sides will be looking at it to kickstart the season.
"But I love it, the atmosphere, the whole build-up, everything. You know you're going to come under pressure and you have to stand up to it."
So is he relieved that last season's Goodison nemesis, Andy Johnson, will miss this season's return through injury?
"I'm not bothered," he added. "If they have players out it might give us an advantage, but we might have players out as well.
"Whoever plays, it will be a difficult game - it always is at Goodison because of the crowd whipping things up.
"We know they always raise their game anyway. But we're ready."
And ready to exact revenge . . .

Moyes looks back to see bright future at Goodison

The small club manager with his Shrek... once upon a time at a smallville
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By Ian Herbert
Published: 20 October 2007

If evidence were needed that Everton are not a "small club", as the Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez infamously suggested after last season's Anfield derby, then it is to be found at Finch Farm, the glittering new £9.5m training facility in south Liverpool which the club have vacated Bellefield for this week.
Yoga rooms, hot and cold Jacuzzis, three physio rooms – it is one of the best such facilities in Britain and David Moyes included it yesterday in his description of the club's "more positive" outlook on life and his belief that he is lifting the side "back to the way it was round about the Eighties when they were at the forefront of English football."
Moyes admits that three years ago Everton would have needed to rely on a physical approach to the arrival at Goodison of Liverpool. "We've had to try and hold on to [their] shirt-tails really and ... that's not easy because we can't spend in the same shop as [them]," he said. But things have changed a bit since then. Everton are a more aspirational side these days and with some possibility that Tim Cahill or Thomas Gravesen might be back this lunchtime, Moyes promised, with some confidence, that his team would be offering finesse as well as physicality. "You must make sure you're not found wanting," he said. "But we're also getting the balance right between playing in the right way and competing."
Benitez's "small club" tag – which he admits will earn him a hostile reception today – has certainly been stoking Everton fires this week. Defender Alan Stubbs offered a thinly- veiled riposte when he said of Liverpool's close season outlay: "When you spend that much money – £ 40m-50m – you would expect to be closer [to the top]."
Everton also still have the memories of last year's 3-0 win in the corresponding fixture – Moyes was yesterday remembering the several glasses of wine he drank after that particular afternoon – and if Cahill is fit, his runs from the middle and goalscoring record (three in six derbies) will be unsettling for Liverpool's Sammy Hyypia and Jamie Carragher, who were tested to the hilt and occasionally found wanting against Marseilles and Tottenham in the miserable week before the international break.
At the start of what could be a pivotal eight days, with a must-win Champions League visit to Besitkas before Arsenal are in town, Benitez badly needs Steven Gerrard to start firing and the return of Xabi Alonso –which is a possibility – would also help with a puzzling lack of creativity. Benitez also hopes Fernando Torres will be fit. "I remember the last game at Goodison well. We had 22 attempts and conceded three goals," the Spaniard said. "How can you explain that? Hopefully this year we can have one or two attempts and win the game."
Moyes sees things differently. "There was a time when we were not in a very strong position to win derby games," he said. "Now I think we are."

Jamie Carragher's revenge mission

By Mark Ogden
20/10/2007

There is nothing quite like a Merseyside derby to bring out the sense of mischief in Rafael Benitez.
By describing Liverpool's age-old rivals, Everton, as a 'small club' following the most recent meeting between the teams, when Everton emerged from Anfield with a 0-0 draw in February, the Liverpool manager stirred up a hornets' nest that provoked a livelier dispute between neighbours than anything Brookside could ever muster.
The red half of the city delighted in hearing their Spanish manager belittling the club from the other side of Stanley Park, but Benitez can expect to reap the whirlwind when he sets foot in the visitors' dugout this lunchtime. Evertonians are still furious at the perceived slight on their club, so heaven knows what they will make of Benitez's latest observation of Liverpudlian rivalry ahead of today's 206th Merseyside derby.
"I've been here three years, so I know how important this game is." Benitez insisted. "It's a very important three points but, at the end of the day, if you asked me whether I preferred to lose this game and win the Premier League, then I'd say yes, I'd prefer to win the Premier League and lose this game. I'm sure if you asked our supporters, they would all say the same."
Perhaps not. Benitez may be willing to take a straw poll of Kopites on whether they would happily pass up local bragging rights for any prize, but he could go straight to Jamie Carragher and discover that any Premier League title would be tainted by the knowledge that points had been lost to Everton.
Carragher, one of two Scousers in the Liverpool side, along with the captain Steven Gerrard, is still scarred by his performance in last season's 3-0 defeat at Goodison, when Andrew Johnson's pace exposed his lack of fitness following a brief injury lay-off. Carragher has never required a good reason to beat Everton, having grown-up as a Liverpool supporter, but revenge is something at the forefront of his mind ahead of today's game.
He said: "We definitely owe Everton one after last year. The team, the club and me personally. I was very poor in the Goodison derby last year and it's probably as low as I've ever felt in football after that game.
"I've lost in a couple of cup finals and had other ups and downs, but last season against Everton was probably as low as I've ever felt because of the score, because I made a big mistake for one of the goals and because I played poorly.
"I'd been injured and came back too early. I probably let the manager and the players down because I wasn't ready to play in a game of that magnitude. Maybe I was a bit selfish. I came into it cold and it showed, but it's something I'll never do again."
With Fernando Torres and Xabi Alonso proving their fitness in training after thigh and foot injuries respectively, Benitez has a strong hand to play as Liverpool aim to rediscover their early-season form and defeat their local rivals.
Carragher added: "Both teams will be looking at this fixture as a game which can really give their season a lift. It could kick-start the season.
"We know we are going to come under pressure and we have to stand up to it. Everton always raise their game, but we're ready."
With Fernando Torres and Xabi Alonso proving their fitness in training after thigh and foot injuries respectively, Benitez has a strong hand to play as Liverpool aim to rediscover their early-season form and defeat their local rivals.

Last five derbies at Goodison:
Sept 9, 2006 – Premiership: Everton 3 (Cahill, Johnson 2), Liverpool 0.
Dec 28, 2005 – Premiership: Everton 1 (Beattie), Liverpool 3 (Crouch, Gerrard, Cisse).
Dec 11, 2004 – Premiership: Everton 1 (Carsley), Liverpool 0.
Aug 30, 2003 – Premiership: Everton 0, Liverpool 3 (Owen 2, Kewell).
Apr 19, 2003 – Premiership: Everton 1 (Unsworth (pen)), Liverpool 2 (Owen, Murphy).

Everton's David Moyes warns Liverpool

By Mark Ogden
20/10/2007

David Moyes, the Everton manager believes his team are now much closer to becoming Liverpool's equals than when he took charge of the ailing Merseyside giants over five years ago.
While Liverpool's £40 million-plus summer spending spree secured the services of Fernando Torres, Yossi Benayoun and Ryan Babel, Moyes performed far less expensive surgery on his squad by outlaying about half of Rafael Benitez's transfer fund on the likes of Yakubu, Leighton Baines and Phil Jagielka.
But, with only three points separating the sides ahead of today's Merseyside derby at Goodison Park, Moyes says his club are re-emerging as a threat to Liverpool's domination of the city. "When I took over the gulf was vast, but I think we have shut it a little bit," he said. "We were not really in a very strong position, but now we're in a much stronger position to win the derby matches. We've had to try to hold on to Liverpool's shirt-tails really and that's not easy because we can't spend in the same shop as they can.
"In five full seasons I've been here, though, we've had three top-seven finishes. When you are trying to change something around, you won't get it perfect all the time, though. Liverpool have signed players to win the Premier League, whereas we have signed because we want to keep improving, but I think both teams have made improvements from last season."
Everton are without England forward Andrew Johnson following ankle surgery, but Australian midfielder Tim Cahill is available for the first time this season after breaking a metatarsal in the summer.
"Cahill, Thomas Gravesen and James Vaughan are all doing better and there is a chance they could play," said Moyes. "I have to make the decision whether I think it is right or not, but they have trained and they are getting closer."

Crouch goads Everton

by David Anderson 19/10/2007

Peter Crouch has wound up Everton ahead of tomorrow's 206th Merseyside derby by accusing them of wallowing in last season's triumph.
The Liverpool striker claims they took great delight in "rubbing in" their 3-0 success over Rafael Benitez's side at Goodison Park and went overboard in their celebrations.
Crouch's barbed comments surfaced in his new autobiography Walking Tall - My Story and have irritated Evertonians.
"I don't think anybody watching would say we were three goals worse than they were, although on the day Everton were probably the better side," said the England forward.
"Thankfully we win the majority of derby games, but when Everton do win, they tend to rub it in a lot more than we ever do.
"The Liverpool lads couldn't believe it when we found out that days after the game, Everton had rushed out a DVD of the match and were selling it in the club shop.
"They even had their players signing copies of it. It was obviously a big moment for them."
Liverpool were already guaranteed a hostile reception before Crouch's comments, but Kop boss Benitez has backed Fernando Torres to handle his first Merseyside derby.
Torres is almost recovered from a thigh problem and Benitez is sure the £21.5million former Atletico Madrid striker will draw on his experience in the Spanish capital. "The one difference with this derby is it's more physical," said Benitez. "But Fernando played in the Atletico Madrid-Real Madrid derbies and they're big games.
"He has enough experience to cope.
"He trained yesterday with the ball and is very, very close to returning. Maybe it could be a risk to play him and maybe not. We have some more training sessions and we will see."
The Liverpool treatment room is finally emptying and Daniel Agger and Xabi Alonso - both victims of a broken foot - could also make their comebacks against Everton.
Blues manager David Moyes has also received some good news, with Tim Cahill in line for his first appearance of the season.
The Australia international, who has scored three goals in six derbies, has not played since cracking a metatarsal in March.

Torres and Kuyt winning fitness battle for derby

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is hopeful strikers Fernando Torres and Dirk Kuyt will be fit for Saturday's derby against Everton.
“Torres is improving a lot. He wants to play,” Benitez told the Liverpool Echo. “I was talking with him before and he said 'If you want, I will be available.'
“It could be a small risk, but we need to check with the physio.
“Harry Kewell is training, Xabi Alonso is running, Kuyt is running also, but Agger will be more difficult.
“We need to wait and see. Maybe we will need to use one, but not all because we have two more important games after the derby.”
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utusanLFC : Rafa... just get us 3 points off Everton. And everything will be forgiven... you know, the criticisms towards your rotation policy...

CROUCH IS NOT FOR SALE : RAFA

what are these beer-drinking man doing? karate chop? weird taste of the lager? oh no...?

it was Crouch Robot Dance Mania... well... it was a good memory then...

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez says England striker Peter Crouch is not for sale.
Crouch has been linked with a January switch to Manchester City after slipping down the pecking order at Liverpool since the arrivals of Fernando Torres and Andriy Voronin.
But Benitez insists: "People have been talking about Peter Crouch for two months, but he is our player and we don't want to sell him.
"He is a nice boy, a good professional, a good player.
"It is clear that this team now with four strikers creates more competition for places, but I don't have any problems because Crouch is a good player."
He could get a chance in Saturday's Merseyside derby, with both Torres and Dirk Kuyt struggling for fitness.
"Torres is improving a lot. He wants to play," Benitez said. "I was talking with him before and he said 'If you want, I will be available'.
"It could be a small risk, but we need to check with the physio.
"Harry Kewell is training, Xabi Alonso is running, Kuyt is running also, but Agger will be more difficult.
"We need to wait and see. Maybe we will need to use one, but not all because we have two more important games after the derby."

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utusanLFC : aaaa.... so Sven... find yourself another beanpole ok... Crouch is here to stay.

Peter Crouch £8m target of Man City

Sven-Goran Eriksson will offer Peter Crouch an escape route from Liverpool by tabling an £8 million bid for the striker in January.
The Manchester City manager has made the England international one of his top targets when the transfer window reopens to bolster City's lightweight attack.
With Valeri Bojinov sidelined with a serious knee injury and Georgios Samaras out of form, Eriksson has targeted 26-year-old Crouch as the 20-goal per season striker required by City to maintain their good form in the Premier League this season.
Crouch is a player Eriksson knows well having launched his England career while he was the national coach.
Eriksson handed Crouch his international debut back in May 2005 against Colombia while on a tour of the United States and took him to last year's World Cup finals in Germany.
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is likely to welcome the interest shown by Manchester City as Crouch has fallen down the pecking order since the summer arrivals of Andriy Voronin and Fernando Torres.
Benitez is thought to want to offload Crouch so that he can free up some cash to spend in the transfer window himself, with the long-term future of midfielder Javier Mascherano one of his main priorities.
Crouch, who has 20 months left to run on his current deal, would equally be keen to become reunited with Eriksson as he becomes frustrated at Benitez's rotation policy.
The former Southampton striker has only started one League game this season and scored once in Liverpool's Champions League qualifier against Toulouse.

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utusanLFC : scary... Crouch has been tremendous for us. Personally, as a fan I have never doubted his ability and what a joy I had when he eventually scored twice at Wigan last season. At the moment, we have Torres and this Spaniard is oh so good. Then we have Kuyt and he is so hard working. The own goal inflicted by Villa defender was a testament to his hardworking. and we also have Voronin. This is a a gem in waiting to be discovered thoroughly. He has scored 3 goals up to now. Aside from his out-of-the-era phony hair, he can shoot a rather murderous ball. This is what made Crouch a certain dilemma. To be out of the pecking order certainly put him not in a good position to retain his involvement in the national squad. hmmm.... but can he really be sure Man City use him week in, week out?

CAREW BACKS RIISE MOVE

John Carew has told fellow Norwegian John Arne Riise that he should move to Aston Villa.
Villa have been tipped to make a bid for Riise in January, with the Liverpool man believed to be a long-standing target of Martin O'Neill.
Now Carew has backed his countryman to link-up with him in the Second City.
"It seems like John Arne wants to go, so I can't see why not?" Carew told Dagbladet.
"There is a possibility.
"He would fit in very well at Villa, so that would be a positive."

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utusanLFC : This news is dated 15 Oct in the Sporting Life. I must have missed the earlier story of how Risse is not satisfied with his life in Liverpool or that Rafa is losing his faith at him. Or for that matter, the whole story is simply a farce... created by the opposition, simply to entice Risse away from LFC ????

Don't they know Risse is on his way to become a legend in his own right in the annals of Liverpool's Great? Lets just hope the news of Villa interest is simply a speculation. A crazy wild one.

Benitez: I have every confidence in out of form Sissoko

Sissogol at Sunderland

SissoSCOLD at Marseille

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has revealed he has held talks with midfielder Mohamed Sissoko and urged him to battle for his place in the side.
The Mali international has struggled for form this season and was left out of the Reds' squad for the game with Tottenham after a disappointing display in the Champions League defeat by Marseille.
But Benitez insists he still supports the player, and said: "I see he is giving everything to play well. For our supporters that is the first thing any player must do."
Talking to liverpoolfc.tv, Benitez added: "Momo was a key player when we won 82 points in the Premier League. Now we need to give him time to allow him to regain his confidence.
"I spoke to him after the Marseille game and said 'keep going'. He knows how I work because I managed him when he was 18 at Valencia, where he won the league and UEFA Cup with me.
"He knows I have a lot of confidence in him. I will push him and I will try to improve him."
Liverpool have failed to repeat their fine early-season form in recent weeks and Benitez feels the team must now pull together and show their collective strength ahead of crunch games with Everton, Besiktas and Arsenal.
"Football is a sport of the group, so we win and lose as a team. I was really disappointed and angry after we lost to Marseille, but being angry doesn't change anything.
"You have to analyse why we've played so bad some days and why we were so good at the beginning of the season.
"To play for Alex Ferguson or Arsene Wenger you need a special mentality and it's the same for us.
"At Liverpool players know they must have quality, must work hard and have a strong mentality. That's the only way to win trophies."
Liverpool could well be without striker Fernando Torres on Saturday in the derby match at Everton after the Spaniard suffered a thigh problem on international duty.
Full-back Fabio Aurelio is battling to overcome a calf strain to face the Toffees.