It’s been another week of Liverpool Football Club hitting the headlines for all the wrong reasons as the petty bad relationships continue behind the scenes at Anfield. The Reds play away at Fulham today in the Premier League, with Tuesday’s Champions League semi-final first leg against Chelsea at home in mind. Here, we take a brief look at what the papers have to say this morning.
James Ducker of The Times writes about Rafa Benitez’s determination to continue his reign as Liverpool manager despite the lies and deceit occurring in the boardroom.
Given the duress BenÃtez is having to work under at such a critical stage of the season, it may rank as the greatest achievement of his managerial career if Liverpool win the Champions League final in Moscow on May 21, but with every day throwing up unexpected developments in this extraordinary saga, the Spaniard is refusing to look too far ahead.
Ducker goes on to quote Benitez as saying in response to being asked about whether he is considering walking away from the whole Anfield debacle, ‘œNo, at this moment, no. For now, it’s time to deal with problems on the pitch. I can’t change the other things.’
Graham Chase of The Independent adds to the confidence that Benitez will still be at Liverpool next season.
Rafael Benitez maintains the latest twists in the battle for power at Liverpool are not affecting him and claims the fact that he has already signed a player for next season is evidence that he is still able to work effectively despite the ongoing problems at Anfield.
John Ley of The Telegraph looks forward to this weekend’s Premier League fixtures and has this team news ahead of this afternoon’s 3pm kick-off at Craven Cottage:
Ahead of the Champions League tie with Chelsea, Liverpool may rest Gerrard, who has an injured neck, while Arbeloa (thigh) is also a major doubt. Torres may also be rested though Agger and Kewell are long-term absentees. Pennant is fit to return and Mascherano has now completed a three-match ban.
