Rodgers unlikely to tinker with defence
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is unlikely to make any changes to his defence against Bournemouth after his team kept a clean sheet in their 1-0 win at Stoke City in their Premier League opener.
Liverpool's back four against Stoke featured new signings Nathaniel Clyne and Joe Gomez in the full back positions and a much improved performance from Dejan Lovren alongside Martin Skrtel in central defence.
"Having players that are going to be able to play consistently for you is key in any team, and especially in a back five. That's vital," Rodgers said in an interview posted on the club's website (www.liverpoolfc.com).
"I thought the back four and goalkeeper were excellent last week at Stoke with their organisation as a group and a unit."
The manager was especially pleased with Lovren's performance.
"Dejan is aggressive, he's good in the air, his reading of the game was good and his passing was simple but effective," Rodgers said. "I think he's gained confidence over the pre-season and hopefully that will be maintained."
The manager also stressed the importance of a settled defence, something that Liverpool lacked last season.
"We have got excellent players here in (Mamadou) Sakho and Kolo (Toure), the central defenders, but centre-halves will tell you it's about finding that comfort with a partner and that partnership," the 42-year-old Northern Irishman said.
"I thought the two centre-halves were very good last week."
Meanwhile, Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe has confirmed that midfielder Harry Arter will miss the trip to Anfield after failing to recover from a hip injury that he picked up at the start of June.
"Harry, unfortunately, isn't fit yet," Howe said. "He hasn't trained with us.
"We're disappointed because we would have hoped to have him back with us by now, but he's had some mini setbacks and has been feeling certain symptoms again."
Howe said his Bournemouth side would need to be at the top of their game to get a positive result at Anfield.
"We're going to Liverpool to be professional and do a job," he said. "Teams like Liverpool are always going to be there or thereabouts at the top of the table.
"That's why I say it's going to be one of our toughest games of the season, so we have to make sure we turn up."
Monday, August 17, 2015
Football | Champions League
Manchester United are heavy favourites to get the better of Club Brugge in the Champions League play-offs as they look to return to the group stage after missing out last season.
United entertain last season's Belgian league runners-up in the first leg on Tuesday hoping to take control of the tie before the return in Bruges next week, and manager Louis van Gaal believes his side are ready for the challenge after winning their opening two games of the new Premier League campaign.
"Yes, I think when you win two times then you shall have a lot of confidence," said the Dutchman.
"But every match is difficult and Belgian teams can play very compactly, they can defend and a team always has a chance of winning."
Club Brugge, beaten European Cup finalists in 1978, began their Belgian league campaign with a defeat to unfancied Sint-Truiden but have since started to find their feet, winning their last two home matches.
However, Michel Preud'homme's side, Europa League quarterfinalists last season, know they will be rank outsiders at Old Trafford.
"Manchester will try to make the difference in the home leg but I hope we still manage to create danger," said the 38-year-old captain Timmy Simons.
"Of course, playing at Old Trafford constitutes a real experience for us but I think we need to put it into context and do our job."
TOO CLOSE TO CALL
The draw could have been far tougher for United, who avoided being paired with last season's quarterfinalists Monaco.
The principality club will instead face Valencia, who came fourth in the Spanish top flight last season, in a tie that looks too close to call.
While Valencia are yet to play a competitive game, Monaco are already four matches into their season, although their hopes have been hit by the loss of midfielder Joao Moutinho for up to six weeks with an ankle injury suffered in Friday's 0-0 draw with Lille in Ligue 1.
Lazio, another side who could have faced United, will entertain Bayer Leverkusen in Rome with the Germans travelling fresh from starting their Bundesliga campaign by beating Hoffenheim 2-1 on Saturday.
The Serie A club, yet to play a competitive game this season, have not been in the Champions League group stage since 2007, but their preparations have been hit by injuries to goalkeeper Federico Marchetti and striker Filip Djordjevic.
The other first-leg ties in the League Route will see Sporting Lisbon host CSKA Moscow in a repeat of the 2005 Uefa Cup final won by the Russian club at the same venue and Rapid Vienna entertain Shakhtar Donetsk.
Meanwhile, Celtic's hopes of returning to the group stage after missing out a year ago face a stiff test as they entertain the Swedish champions Malmo in Glasgow in the first leg of their tie.
The Hoops, who have already won qualifiers against Stjarnan of Iceland and Qarabag of Azerbaijan, will be wary of a Malmo side who beat Rangers in the third qualifying round in 2011.
And manager Ronny Deila warned his side they will need to be less sloppy at the back than they were in the last 20 minutes of their 4-2 win against Inverness Caledonian Thistle at the weekend.
"It is a warning, of course, the players know that. But what we have to take with us is the first 70 minutes, which I thought was very good," said the Norwegian.
Elsewhere, Kazakhs Astana and Skenderbeu from Albania are bidding to become the first ever representatives from their countries to reach the Champions League group stage.
Astana are making their debut in the competition and host Cypriots Apoel, surprise quarterfinalists in 2012.
Skenderbeu are already the first Albanian side to reach the play-offs and take another step into the unknown as they host Croatians Dinamo Zagreb on Wednesday.
Swiss champions Basle, who beat Liverpool en route to the last 16 last season, host Maccabi Tel Aviv of Isreal while 1966 European Cup finalists Partizan Belgrade go to Belarus to face BATE
United entertain last season's Belgian league runners-up in the first leg on Tuesday hoping to take control of the tie before the return in Bruges next week, and manager Louis van Gaal believes his side are ready for the challenge after winning their opening two games of the new Premier League campaign.
"Yes, I think when you win two times then you shall have a lot of confidence," said the Dutchman.
"But every match is difficult and Belgian teams can play very compactly, they can defend and a team always has a chance of winning."
Club Brugge, beaten European Cup finalists in 1978, began their Belgian league campaign with a defeat to unfancied Sint-Truiden but have since started to find their feet, winning their last two home matches.
However, Michel Preud'homme's side, Europa League quarterfinalists last season, know they will be rank outsiders at Old Trafford.
"Manchester will try to make the difference in the home leg but I hope we still manage to create danger," said the 38-year-old captain Timmy Simons.
"Of course, playing at Old Trafford constitutes a real experience for us but I think we need to put it into context and do our job."
TOO CLOSE TO CALL
The draw could have been far tougher for United, who avoided being paired with last season's quarterfinalists Monaco.
The principality club will instead face Valencia, who came fourth in the Spanish top flight last season, in a tie that looks too close to call.
While Valencia are yet to play a competitive game, Monaco are already four matches into their season, although their hopes have been hit by the loss of midfielder Joao Moutinho for up to six weeks with an ankle injury suffered in Friday's 0-0 draw with Lille in Ligue 1.
Lazio, another side who could have faced United, will entertain Bayer Leverkusen in Rome with the Germans travelling fresh from starting their Bundesliga campaign by beating Hoffenheim 2-1 on Saturday.
The Serie A club, yet to play a competitive game this season, have not been in the Champions League group stage since 2007, but their preparations have been hit by injuries to goalkeeper Federico Marchetti and striker Filip Djordjevic.
The other first-leg ties in the League Route will see Sporting Lisbon host CSKA Moscow in a repeat of the 2005 Uefa Cup final won by the Russian club at the same venue and Rapid Vienna entertain Shakhtar Donetsk.
Meanwhile, Celtic's hopes of returning to the group stage after missing out a year ago face a stiff test as they entertain the Swedish champions Malmo in Glasgow in the first leg of their tie.
The Hoops, who have already won qualifiers against Stjarnan of Iceland and Qarabag of Azerbaijan, will be wary of a Malmo side who beat Rangers in the third qualifying round in 2011.
And manager Ronny Deila warned his side they will need to be less sloppy at the back than they were in the last 20 minutes of their 4-2 win against Inverness Caledonian Thistle at the weekend.
"It is a warning, of course, the players know that. But what we have to take with us is the first 70 minutes, which I thought was very good," said the Norwegian.
Elsewhere, Kazakhs Astana and Skenderbeu from Albania are bidding to become the first ever representatives from their countries to reach the Champions League group stage.
Astana are making their debut in the competition and host Cypriots Apoel, surprise quarterfinalists in 2012.
Skenderbeu are already the first Albanian side to reach the play-offs and take another step into the unknown as they host Croatians Dinamo Zagreb on Wednesday.
Swiss champions Basle, who beat Liverpool en route to the last 16 last season, host Maccabi Tel Aviv of Isreal while 1966 European Cup finalists Partizan Belgrade go to Belarus to face BATE
Gomez and Podolski: A fresh start in the Süper Lig
Mario Gomez and Lukas Podolski have both joined Turkish clubs this summer, and both will look to sufficiently impress Germany coach Joachim Löw ahead of the upcoming European Championship in France. Gomez joined Besiktas from Fiorentina, while Podolski linked up with Galatasaray from Arsenal in an attempt to book a place in Germany's 23-man-strong squad next summer.
"The next season will be very important for me," said 30-year-old Gomez. "My goal is to play for Germany again and take part in the European Championship." Podolski, also 30 years old, explained: "When I'm fit, I can be an asset to a lot of teams around the world - that includes the Germany national team." But first, Podolski has to "get back into a regular match rhythm, which has been missing in recent months" during his unfortunate loan spell at Inter Milan. Gomez, who is looking to put two disappointing seasons in Italy's Serie A behind him, is also hoping to re-find his form in Turkey.
Podolski and "Gala" will begin their campaign on Saturday evening (21:00 CEST) away at Sivasspor. Gomez' first league game is on Sunday (21:00 CEST) alongside former Hoffenheim player Andreas Beck against Mersin Idman Yurdu. The season’s opening game took place on Friday, where Fenerbahce, led by coach Michael Skibbe, secured a 2-0 win over Eskisehirspor.
Löw believes in Gomez and Podolski
Germany coach Joachim Löw will keep a keen eye on what's going on in Turkey, as good strikers are hard to come by these days. "When Mario is completely fit and is playing regularly, he can be an asset to any team in the world and certainly for us as well, as he has proven so many times before," said Löw in an interview with DFB.de. Gomez, who has had many injury worries in recent years, made his last appearance for Die Mannschaft in September 2014 during a 4-2 defeat against Argentina.
World-Cup-winner Lukas Podolski, who has already won the Super Cup with his new club, was part of the squad in Germany's last two international games in June. "This will be a decisive year for him," said Löw.
"The next season will be very important for me," said 30-year-old Gomez. "My goal is to play for Germany again and take part in the European Championship." Podolski, also 30 years old, explained: "When I'm fit, I can be an asset to a lot of teams around the world - that includes the Germany national team." But first, Podolski has to "get back into a regular match rhythm, which has been missing in recent months" during his unfortunate loan spell at Inter Milan. Gomez, who is looking to put two disappointing seasons in Italy's Serie A behind him, is also hoping to re-find his form in Turkey.
Podolski and "Gala" will begin their campaign on Saturday evening (21:00 CEST) away at Sivasspor. Gomez' first league game is on Sunday (21:00 CEST) alongside former Hoffenheim player Andreas Beck against Mersin Idman Yurdu. The season’s opening game took place on Friday, where Fenerbahce, led by coach Michael Skibbe, secured a 2-0 win over Eskisehirspor.
Löw believes in Gomez and Podolski
Germany coach Joachim Löw will keep a keen eye on what's going on in Turkey, as good strikers are hard to come by these days. "When Mario is completely fit and is playing regularly, he can be an asset to any team in the world and certainly for us as well, as he has proven so many times before," said Löw in an interview with DFB.de. Gomez, who has had many injury worries in recent years, made his last appearance for Die Mannschaft in September 2014 during a 4-2 defeat against Argentina.
World-Cup-winner Lukas Podolski, who has already won the Super Cup with his new club, was part of the squad in Germany's last two international games in June. "This will be a decisive year for him," said Löw.
Manchester City
"What happened last season was maybe a good experience. Now they have that desire to win every game and the only way to do it is to play consistently for 90 minutes," the Chilean told reporters after his side stormed to the top of the table
Rodgers schools arrivals in Anfield magic
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has given his new players a sneak preview of Anfield ahead of their first Premier League home game of the season against Bournemouth on Monday.
Rodgers handed competitive debuts to five new signings in last weekend's 1-0 win at Stoke City, which saw Liverpool prevail courtesy of a memorable long-range strike by Philippe Coutinho in the 86th minute.
Liverpool encountered some difficulties at home last season, losing four games and drawing five, and in a bid to help the new recruits acclimatise to the famous stadium, Rodgers held a training session there on Friday.
"I felt it was important for our new players, and the new staff, to acquaint themselves with Anfield," he told his pre-match press conference.
"They know how special it is. They trained well last night (Friday) and obviously we're looking forward to the game on Monday.
"It's a really special place to play football and it's going to be very important again for us, if we're going to have a good season, that our home form is second-to-none.
"A big part of that is the support we receive at home. So we're looking forward to the game."
Liverpool toiled at the Britannia Stadium until Coutinho's late flash of inspiration and Rodgers will hope to see more invention from his forward players against promoted Bournemouth.
New £32.5 million striker Christian Benteke saw his only attempt at goal blocked, while Adam Lallana was hooked in the 63rd minute after an ineffective display.
Brazil forward Roberto Firmino, a £29 million acquisition from Hoffenheim, made a late entrance as a substitute and Rodgers has revealed the 23-year-old will soon be in a position to start after building up his fitness.
Rodgers could name an unchanged side for the visit of Eddie Howe's team, which would mean 18-year-old Joe Gomez continuing at left-back after making an impressive competitive debut at Stoke.
Liverpool twice won at Bournemouth in cup competitions in 2014, prevailing 2-0 in the fourth round of the 2013-14 FA Cup and then winning 3-1 in last season's League Cup quarterfinals.
But Howe will be the first manager to take Bournemouth to Anfield since January 1968, when a team playing under the banner of Bournemouth and Boscombe Athletic lost 4-1 in an FA Cup third-round replay.
Howe is also expected to keep faith with the XI that he selected on the opening weekend, when the club from the south coast lost 1-0 at home to Aston Villa in their first ever top-flight fixture.
He wants to give the players who took Bournemouth to the Championship title a chance to prove themselves in the Premier League and aside from Harry Arter, Shaun MacDonald and Christian Atsu, his squad is fully fit.
At 37, Howe is one of the most highly rated young managers in the country and he is excited about pitting his wits against Rodgers and his newly appointed assistant Sean O'Driscoll.
Howe previously worked under O'Driscoll, who was one of his predecessors at Bournemouth, and has been impressed by the philosophies that Rodgers has successively instilled at Swansea City and Liverpool.
"(Rodgers has) been a role model, really, for me, someone you look up to and admire," said Howe. "I admired watching his Swansea teams play.
"When you try and analyse games and analyse systems, and philosophies, he's certainly someone that I've looked at. I respect the way he conducts himself as well."
Howe said that O'Driscoll, who has replaced Colin Pascoe in the Anfield dug-out, was "hugely influential" when the pair worked together.
"I certainly believe Sean had a huge part in my management style," he added.
"Obviously he's moved on and I haven't seen or worked with him for a long time, but I think that stays with you. I was very lucky, as a young professional, to have such a forward-thinking coach as Sean."
Rodgers handed competitive debuts to five new signings in last weekend's 1-0 win at Stoke City, which saw Liverpool prevail courtesy of a memorable long-range strike by Philippe Coutinho in the 86th minute.
Liverpool encountered some difficulties at home last season, losing four games and drawing five, and in a bid to help the new recruits acclimatise to the famous stadium, Rodgers held a training session there on Friday.
"I felt it was important for our new players, and the new staff, to acquaint themselves with Anfield," he told his pre-match press conference.
"They know how special it is. They trained well last night (Friday) and obviously we're looking forward to the game on Monday.
"It's a really special place to play football and it's going to be very important again for us, if we're going to have a good season, that our home form is second-to-none.
"A big part of that is the support we receive at home. So we're looking forward to the game."
Liverpool toiled at the Britannia Stadium until Coutinho's late flash of inspiration and Rodgers will hope to see more invention from his forward players against promoted Bournemouth.
New £32.5 million striker Christian Benteke saw his only attempt at goal blocked, while Adam Lallana was hooked in the 63rd minute after an ineffective display.
Brazil forward Roberto Firmino, a £29 million acquisition from Hoffenheim, made a late entrance as a substitute and Rodgers has revealed the 23-year-old will soon be in a position to start after building up his fitness.
Rodgers could name an unchanged side for the visit of Eddie Howe's team, which would mean 18-year-old Joe Gomez continuing at left-back after making an impressive competitive debut at Stoke.
Liverpool twice won at Bournemouth in cup competitions in 2014, prevailing 2-0 in the fourth round of the 2013-14 FA Cup and then winning 3-1 in last season's League Cup quarterfinals.
But Howe will be the first manager to take Bournemouth to Anfield since January 1968, when a team playing under the banner of Bournemouth and Boscombe Athletic lost 4-1 in an FA Cup third-round replay.
Howe is also expected to keep faith with the XI that he selected on the opening weekend, when the club from the south coast lost 1-0 at home to Aston Villa in their first ever top-flight fixture.
He wants to give the players who took Bournemouth to the Championship title a chance to prove themselves in the Premier League and aside from Harry Arter, Shaun MacDonald and Christian Atsu, his squad is fully fit.
At 37, Howe is one of the most highly rated young managers in the country and he is excited about pitting his wits against Rodgers and his newly appointed assistant Sean O'Driscoll.
Howe previously worked under O'Driscoll, who was one of his predecessors at Bournemouth, and has been impressed by the philosophies that Rodgers has successively instilled at Swansea City and Liverpool.
"(Rodgers has) been a role model, really, for me, someone you look up to and admire," said Howe. "I admired watching his Swansea teams play.
"When you try and analyse games and analyse systems, and philosophies, he's certainly someone that I've looked at. I respect the way he conducts himself as well."
Howe said that O'Driscoll, who has replaced Colin Pascoe in the Anfield dug-out, was "hugely influential" when the pair worked together.
"I certainly believe Sean had a huge part in my management style," he added.
"Obviously he's moved on and I haven't seen or worked with him for a long time, but I think that stays with you. I was very lucky, as a young professional, to have such a forward-thinking coach as Sean."
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