Rafael Benitez
Rafa Benitez has laughed off speculation that he had a bust-up with Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard during the FA Cup defeat by Reading.
But, speaking ahead of a crunch Premier League game on Wednesday night against Tottenham Hotspur, Benitez brushed off the rumours of a falling-out with the influential midfielder.
“We have been joking about the rumours in the media that there was a fight,” said the Liverpool boss.
Gerrard will miss the visit of Spurs due to a hamstring injury, while Fernando Torres, Yossi Benayoun and Glen Johnson are also absent.
Daniel Agger could be available after a groin complaint as Benitez provided the latest update on the club’s injury situation.
acmilan.com
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar consider the possibility of leaving AC Milan in order to secure the chance to appear in the World Cup with the Netherlands.
Striker bought from Real Madrid last summer’s fight is enough to get a place in the main team but he failed to compete.
Huntelaar is now considering the possibility of loan to another club for an opportunity to the world cup with the Netherlands remain open.
“I’m thinking of going,” he said.
“I want to stay in the league is important to show that I could be a Milan player. I wish to be lent and then back again.”
AFP
Ghana suffered a collossal blow to their hopes of qualifying for the CAF Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals when their star player, Michael Essien, was ruled out of Tuesday’s game against Burkina Faso.
Chelsea’s star midfielder misses the final Group B game in Luanda after injuring his right knee in training on Saturday. Reports suggest he has torn the medial collateral ligament in his right knee and damage to his meniscus leaving him facing at least one month on the sidelines.
The 27-year-old is walking with the aid of crutches. FIFA World Cup™ qualifiers Ghana are one point behind Burkina Faso and the four-time champions need a win to avoid being eliminated after the first round of the biennial African football showpiece.
A fully fit Essien would have given Ghana strength and experience in midfield against a Burkina Faso side that was good enough to hold Côte d’Ivoire to a goalless draw in their opening Group C game.
Ghana striker Matthew Amoah told BBC Sport: “This is a big blow because Michael is so important to our team. We’ve lost the motor in our midfield, and this is very bad.”
AP
It’s no secret that Juventus are close to Guus Hiddink associated with poor performance coach Ciro Ferrara who suffer lost five times last six games old lady lived.
Mentioned that there would be talks between the parties with Juve Hiddink after Hiddink’s future with the Russian team decided next week.
Hiddink himself failed to bring ‘Team Red Bear’ escape to the 2010 World Cup. That’s what caused his future in Russia can not be guaranteed.
However, speculation is still disputed by Hiddink’s camp. They emphatically said no talks with Juventus camp so far.
Bayern Munich midfielder Franck Ribery wants his future decided before the World Cup next June 2010.
French international players are often linked to flee from the Allianz Arena, although he was still bound by contract until 2011.
Ribery could be sold in the next season if they are not willing to do a new contract extension. Even President Bayern, Uli Hoeness said that the two big clubs like Real Madrid and Chelsea are interested in Ribery.
“It will be faster. We’ll know before the end of the season. At about two, two and a half months away. I want to know before the World Cup.”
Ribery lost most of the first half of the season because of a series of injuries and in 2010 started the year with back injuries.
