Tuesday Morning’s Melwood Today is bustling with action and news…
- Martin Kelly scores another for England U21’s
- Danny Wilson and the Scottish U21’s
- Lucas Leiva helps Brazil to a 2-0 win
- Suarez is out of the starting line up tonight for Uruguay
- Ray Clemence admitted to hospital
- Is Admir Mehmedi on the way to Liverpool?
- Jonjo Shelvey : From Anfield to Bloomfield Road to Scotland?
- Tuesday Mornings Premier League News Round Up
Martin Kelly Scores Again!
Martin Kelly just can’t stop scoring lately… He scored again during England’s U21 2-1 defeat to Belgium on Monday evening – his second goal in consecutive games!
Kelly gave England Under-21s a perfect start in Mons when fellow Liverpool team mate and England U21 captain Jordan Henderson sent in a free-kick that was met by Kelly with a powerful header. Jens Naessens and Omar El Kaddouri netted late to inflict the Under 21s’ first defeat since June.
England’s U21s still remain top of their group with 12 points from their first five games and are four points clear of Belgium in second in their Euro 2013 qualifying group.
England (4-2-3-1): Butland; Smith, Kelly, Dawson, Clyne; Henderson, Lowe (Barkley 90); Oxlade-Chamberlain, McEachran, Sammy Ameobi (Gardner 62); (Keane 78).
Scorer: Kelly 14
Holland U21s 1 Scotland U21s 2
Meanwhile, Danny Wilson helped Scotland’s U21 team to an excellent 2-1 victory over The Netherlands on Monday night. Wilson played the full 90 minutes as David Wotherspoon’s second-half drive ensured Scotland the three points which lifts Billy Stark’s Scotland U21 side into second place in their qualifying group, a point behind the Dutch in their European Under-21 Championships group.
Scotland U21: Ridgers, Jack, Wilson, Perry, Hanlon, Forrest (Pawlett 84), Kelly, Cairney (Palmer 71), Wotherspoon, Wylde (Griffiths 90), Rhodes. Subs
Goals: Rhodes 2, Wotherspoon 55.
Brazil 2 – 0 Egypt
Lucas Leiva was also in action on Monday night as Brazil beat Egypt 2-0 in a friendly in Doha, Qatar which extends their winning run to five matches. Lucas played the full 90 minutes as two goals from Jonas gave Mano Menezes’ Brazil another victory as they sit out qualifying for the World Cup they are hosting.
Suarez out of the Starting Line Up Tonight for Uruguay
After his four goal heroics last Friday evening when Uruguay beat Chile 4-0, Luis Suarez will miss Uruguay’s friendly clash with Italy tonight. Suarez was suffering from back pain against Chile last Friday and was replaced with 13 minutes remaining.
Oscar Tabarez confirmed on Monday afternoon that Suarez would be rested for tonight’s friendly against Italy. Sebastian Fernandez has now taken Suarez place partnering Edinson Cavani up front.
Earlier on Monday morning before Tabarez announced his team, Suarez, speaking to Uruguayan newspaper El Pais, declared himself fit to face Italy in Uruguay’s friendly on Tuesday night but admitted with Liverpool’s weekend clash with Chelsea a top priority for him, it would be up to his coach to make the call..
“I was a little scared by the pain I had in the game but treatment I had was just a precaution and it does not hurt. There will be no problem but the decision is going to be the coach [Oscar Tabarez].”
“I risk a lot to Liverpool. I have a very important game next weekend against Chelsea. I love to play every game for the national team but now they are several tough matches in the club and you have to give a little priority.”
Ray Clemence Admitted to Hospital
Former Liverpool goalkeeper Ray Clemence was admitted to hospital on the eve of England’s match against Spain which is why he was missing from the England coaching staff bench at Wembley on Saturday.
Clemence is arguably the best goalkeeper in Liverpool’s history having played a total of 665 games, keeping 335 clean sheets for the Reds and is now ‘Head of National Teams’ for Fabio Capello’s men. An FA statement said;
“Ray Clemence has been unwell while with England and is having tests in hospital. At this time Ray would like to thank everyone for the kind messages he’s received and the FA would like to request privacy for his family,” the statement added.
All the best for a speedy recovery Ray….
Admir Mehmedi to Liverpool?
Meanwhile, the Daily Mail are continuing their Liverpool rumour mill with another player linked to Liverpool. This time the Daily Mail have reported Liverpool have sent scouts out to FC Zurich to watch 20-year-old Admir Mehmedi.
Mehmedi has 13 goals in 47 matches for Zurich and according to reports Sunderland‘s Steve Bruce and Nuremberg are also keeping a close eye on the young star.
Jonjo Shelvey : From Anfield to Bloomfield Road to Scotland?
Scotland boss Craig Levein has revealed that he is keen to have Liverpool’s Jonjo Shelvey play for Scotland. Shelvey has been capped for England at Under-16, 17 and 19 levels but could be eligible to play for Craig Levein team due to a Scottish grandad.
Jonjo is currently on loan at Championship club Blackpool and speaking to the Liverpool Echo, Shelvey revealed he is enjoying his loan spell at Bloomfield Road, playing in a more advanced position.
“I’m playing a role that I’ve played for England Under-19s a few times and it suits me,” he told the Liverpool Echo. “You just roam around the pitch, try to get on the ball and make things happen.”
Shelvey has scored five goals in seven League matches so far this season for Blackpool, and said;
“With my forward running I think I can break and score goals. I proved that at Leeds, setting up the first goal and scoring a few as well. I like the position the manager has put me in.
“You always want more goals but I am happy with five in seven. I’m pleased with the way I’ve played in most games, but there have been a few when I’ve not been at the races.”
Tuesday Mornings Premier League News Round Up
- Michael Owen has been ruled out for six weeks with a thigh injury because of a thigh injury he suffered on Nov. 2, but as Joe.ie stated “given his current status in the Manchester United squad, will anyone really notice?”
- Former Arsenal and France midfielder Robert Pires claims he has rejected a move to Doncaster Rovers.
- Carlos Tevez’s advisors have told BBC Sport the striker is still in Argentina after again failing to attend training at Manchester City on Monday.
- The BBC also report Inter Milan’s president Massimo Moratti admits he would like to see controversial Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli return to the club.
Tuesday’s International Fixtures
European Championship Qualifying
Croatia v Turkey, (agg 3-0), Qual, L2, 19:05
Montenegro v Czech Republic, (agg 0-2), Qual, L2, 19:15
Rep of Ireland v Estonia, (agg 4-0), Qual, L2, 19:45
Portugal v Bosnia-Hercegovina, (agg 0-0), Qual, L2, 21:00
International Matches
Greece v Romania
Luxembourg v Switzerland
Macedonia v Albania
Ukraine v Austria
Honduras v Serbia, 01:30
Slovenia v USA, 17:15
Denmark v Finland, 19:15
Poland v Hungary, 19:30
Germany v Netherlands, 19:45
Italy v Uruguay, 19:45
England v Sweden, 20:00
France v Belgium, 20:00
Costa Rica v Spain, 21:05
Melwood Today – Your quick round up of some of Liverpool’s essential and not-so-essential news every morning on ThisIsAnfield.com …
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