Liverpool - Inter

Rafael Benitez responded to the news that Liverpool will face Inter
Milan in the last 16 of the Champions League by declaring "they will be
worried."


Having finished as runners-up in Group A the Reds were always likely to
be drawn against one of Europe's heavyweights and while they overcame
another giant in Barcelona last season, Benitez is anticipating another
massive test for his side this time around.


"They will be worried for sure," said Benitez.



"They know we are a good team and I remember talking about
Barcelona being a tough draw last year. In two months time you don't
know what could happen so we will see if we can go into the match
playing a little bit better."


The clash with Inter will evoke memories of that famous European
Cup semi-final in 1965 when the Reds were controversially beaten 3-0 in
the San Siro after a magnificent 3-1 win in the first-leg at Anfield.


Since then the two sides have not met in a competitive encounter,
but it will not be unchartered territory for Benitez, who faced the
Nerazzurri during his time with Valencia and knows exactly what type of
threat Roberto Mancini's side will pose.


"Everyone was expecting a difficult draw and Inter Milan are top of
the table in Italy, so it will be very, very difficult." he said.


"I know them from playing against them with Valencia. They have
good players and experience in Europe so it will be a very, very
difficult job, but we were expecting that.


"If you want to progress in the competition you have to beat the
top sides and Inter are one of them. Hopefully we will meet another one
in the next round.


"But for now, we are talking about Portsmouth because we will not
play this game for two months and so we must think about Portsmouth
because the Premier League is the priority now."

Moratti: "Liverpool tie represents tradition"

MILAN - Inter president Massimo Moratti was interviewed briefly by journalists after today's Champions League round of 16 draw.
President, your comment on the draw that has just taken place?
"It's interesting because it represents tradition. Liverpool bring back
many nice memories. It's a very difficult match, but Sunday's (derby)
match is difficult too. We know we have a difficult hurdle to overcome,
but it's like this in the Champions League."
So are you hoping to lose 3-1 in England (Inter lost 3-1 in Liverpool in the 1964/65 European Cup semi-finals but won the return leg 3-0 to reach the final)?
(Smiles) "No. I'm hoping they do well both in Liverpool and Milan."
From Brazil, Adriano said he only has Massimo Moratti to thank...
"No. From what I saw, what he said was very different from what was
reported in the headlines. The 'only' was referred to the fact that I
have understood his needs, but everyone understood and we all agreed to
follow this path. He said nice things about his team-mates and the
club, and that he wants to get back in top form, which is what we also
hope."
How are the team's preparations for Sunday's derby going?
"They're making good preparations."
Marco Materazzi said facing the newly crowned world champions will be an extra incentive.
"Without doubt. There's already the stimulus of playing a derby, and this is an even greater incentive for the players."

APPIANO GENTILE - Roberto Mancini spoke on Inter Channel after
today's Champions League first knockout round draw, which saw the
Nerazzurri come out of the hat against Liverpool.
"Our first thoughts are on Sunday afternoon's derby because we will
face Liverpool at the end of February. On the whole it was a good draw,
and as I have always said, there are no easy teams in the round of
sixteen. We probably drew one of the strongest teams, but we have to
beat them all if we want to win the cup.
"History has taught us that you can slip up against the so-called
weak teams. There are never any easy games, particularly in the
Champions League, and the other round of sixteen pairings are also very
tough.
"We will face a strong team with the mentality and aggressiveness of
English teams, and the tactics of a very good coach. They have knocked
out Juventus, and Chelsea twice."

Benitez Blasts Offside Rule
Under-fire
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has branded the new offside rule as 'a
mess' and has called for the powers that be to return to the old rule...

The offside rule has been a point of debate in recent years, with pundits
and commentators in particular struggling to understand just what does
and does not constitute offside.
Most fans - and seemingly, players - have adapted to the new rule
without too much trouble, but on Thursday Rafa Benitez expressed his
utter contempt for the new law, citing many reasons in the process.
"The offside law is a mess, it is a disaster. That is very clear," he said.
"I have explained 100 times to people, if they will listen, that we need to go back to the old rule.
"The offside rule is a good one, but the key should still be that if
the player is in an offside position, he is offside. Finish."
"It will be easier for the linesmen and referees. But we have
someone in an office who wants to invent something and they have
created a mess.
"Then if a player was way out in the corner, then he is not
interfering with the game, but now we have players in the middle of the
box who are considered not interfering.
"That is nonsense. They are being watched by the goalkeeper, they are being watched by defenders, that is interfering."
Sulmaan Ahmad, Goal.com

Better News For Liverpool On Torres

Liverpool's Spain striker Fernando Torres has
played down concerns about the hamstring injury that forced him to limp
out of his country's 1-0 victory over France on Wednesday - and insists
he'll be fit to Liveropool's game against Chelsea on Sunday.



Fernando Torres lasted just 23 minutes of Spain's friendly
international against France in midweek, sparking immediate fears that
he could be sidelined for his club, who have some crucial games coming
up, starting with the trip to Chelsea this weekend.

Spain's team doctor Jorge Candel has quickly played down the extent of
the injury, saying: "The injury of Torres is not of major importance."

Torres later confirmed that he had come off at his own request to make
sure he did not damage himself, with Liverpool's showdown against
Chelsea on his mind.

"I preferred not to risk it," said Torres. "I demanded the change.

"I will have medical tests, but I intend to play on Sunday against Chelsea."

Liverpool's record signing Torres has scored 18 goals so far this
season for the Reds, and will be a key figure in their pursuit of
fourth place in The Premier League - and against Inter in the Champions
League.

Mark Hinton, Goal.com

seems like figo and matecrappi will play!

shit

boiiiiiiiiing

gerrard 2-0

kuyt 1-0

Congrats Livo, for taking out one of the strongest teams in Europe

gracias

but somehow i feel we wont last.. especially with gerrard not playing the 1st leg of the Q-final

fuckin ref was giving out yellow cards like candy