Posts Tagged ‘Steven Gerrard’

Gerrard’s title frustration

Fifa puts England among top seeds

• Fabio Capello’s side ranked among the elite for Friday’s draw
• Theirry Henry could be banned for France’s early games

England’s chances of World Cup success in South Africa were boosted yesterday when Fifa ruled that Fabio Capello’s team will be one of the eight top seeds at next summer’s tournament. But the decision to base the seedings on October’s world rankings and disregard form in previous World Cups meant that France, losing finalists in 2006, will not be seeded in tomorrow’s draw. Portugal, who also qualified via the play-offs, are also not seeded.

England’s standing had been in doubt because Fifa did not decide on the qualifying criteria until yesterday. Steven Gerrard welcomed the news, saying that it was “time other teams starting fearing us”. “I think the way England are playing, we’ve certainly improved since Fabio Capello took charge, I don’t think we can be afraid of anyone,” he told Talksport.

The rest of the eight groups will be drawn from three pots designed to keep countries from the same continental confederation apart. But because there are 13 European qualifiers, up to two will be allowed in each group.

The eight top seeds are the hosts, South Africa, and, in order of October’s rankings, Brazil, Spain, Holland, Italy, Germany, Argentina and England. The Fifa rankings take in performances in all matches over the past four years, but are weighted towards competitive games and those played most recently.

If the current rankings had been used, England would have been rated ninth and missed out to France, ranked seventh. Jérôme Valcke, the Fifa general secretary, said the decision to use October’s standings had been ratified by Uefa and its president, Michel Platini, as the fairest way to seed the teams. “The play-off matches meant that France qualified after additional matches, because they did not finish first in their group,” Valcke said. “Why then should they be seeded above England, who has qualified with the best campaign or one of the best campaigns? It was purely sporting criteria.”

There was more bad news for France as Sepp Blatter, the Fifa president, revealed that Thierry Henry would be referred to a disciplinary committee over his “blatant and unfair” handball against the Republic of Ireland in their play-off match. The striker could be banned from the opening matches of the finals. “Fair play has to be the winner. We took action against Rivaldo at the 2002 World Cup over bad behaviour. He was punished,” said Blatter, referring to the £5,180 fine imposed on the Brazil forward for play-acting.

The former France coach Michel Hidalgo responded to Blatter’s action by claiming that there was a conspiracy at work. “At the highest level of football, there has to be comprehensive moral justice – and I don’t know why France isn’t a top seed,” he said. “I am asking myself if this is not a sanction for the handball of Henry. It is an injustice. It’s not for me to point the finger, but it does seem like France is being sanctioned.”

However, Jean-Pierre Escalettes, the president of the French Football Federation, said the seeding decision was no surprise. “It was logical that Fifa would use the October rankings,” he said. “The handball cannot have come into consideration.”

Following an emergency meeting of the Fifa executive committee in Cape Town, Blatter ruled out the introduction of extra referees at this summer’s World Cup. Instead, the experiment in the Europa League will continue and a series of Fifa committees will look into the possible introduction of goalline technology.

Fifa’s response will disappoint those who believed the protests over Henry’s handball would lead to changes in time for the World Cup. But Blatter apologised to the Irish over “misinterpreted” comments that led to him being accused by Liam Brady and others of being disrespectful.

Valcke has warned Diego Maradona, the Argentina coach banned for two months from “football activities” for his outburst following his team’s qualification, to stay away from tomorrow’s draw. “If he shows up for accreditation – no way. It’s not just football matches he has been banned by the disciplinary committee but for all football activities,” Valcke said. “There have been rumours he could join the Argentina delegation but we will say: ‘Please be aware he is banned and make sure he is not coming.’”

Blatter said Fifa’s disciplinary committee would also investigate trouble at the World Cup match between Algeria and Egypt and that a working group would be set up to look at the future of the World Cup qualifying competition and whether play-offs should continue.

Gerrard admits title Liverpool’s hopes are slim

• Captain says they must focus on getting back into the top four
• Midfielder sees win over Everton as platform for a winning run

Steven Gerrard has admitted a top-four finish is now a more realistic aim for Liverpool than winning the Premier League this season as they lie 13 points behind the leaders, Chelsea, after a poor run of form throughout October and November.

Gerrard said: “I think we have to be realistic. At the moment we’re out of the title race, but we will keep trying to get back in it. There is still a lot of football to be played and it is possible to turn it around, but I think Chelsea are looking really strong at the moment.”

Liverpool have not won the league since 1990 and Gerrard said: “It’s been too long without a league title and because it is missing from my collection it is one that I’m most desperate for going forward.”

However, he said their target now was “to get back into the top four. We’re coming off the back of a fantastic win at Everton and we want to continue that against Blackburn and try and go on a run of games where we can get closer to the teams above us.”

Gerrard, 29, is due to make his 500th appearance for Liverpoool in Saturday’s match against Blackburn Rovers at Anfield and said: “It means everything to me personally. I’m a local boy and my dream when I was young was always just to play one game for Liverpool. So to reach this milestone is a really proud moment for my family and myself.”

Liverpool v Manchester City

This is a fixture with the potential to reinforce the impression that there are changes afoot in the make-up of the elite, with Manchester City intent on breaking into the top four. There is, however, a lot of work still to be done by a team that has drawn five Premier League games in a row after winning five of their first six. Conversely, Liverpool have players like Steven Gerrard and Alberto Aquilani nearing full fitness and the side is just three points short of fourth place despite their unconvincing recent run of form. Kevin McCarra

Venue Anfield

Tickets Sold out

Last season Liverpool 1 Manchester City 1

Referee P Dowd

This season’s matches 10 Y36, R4, 4.00 cards per game

sportingbet odds Liverpool 9-10 Man City 13-5 Draw 12-5

Liverpool

Subs from Cavalieri, Aquilani, Kyrgiakos, Babel, Skrtel, Voronin, Spearing, Plessis, Riera, Dossena, Ayala, El Zhar

Doubtful Agger (back), Benayoun (hamstring), Gerrard (groin), Johnson (calf), Riera (hamstring)

Injured Aurélio (calf, 29 Nov), Kelly (ankle, 29 Nov), Torres (hernia, 29 Nov)

Suspended Degen (second of three)

Form guide DLWLLW

Disciplinary record Y14 R1

Leading scorer Torres 10

Manchester City

Subs from Taylor, Richards, Onuoha, Johnson, Robinho, Santa Cruz, Garrido, Sylvinho, Benjani, Tevez, Kompany, Weiss

Doubtful Barry (groin), Bellamy (knee), Robinho (ankle)

Injured Petrov (knee, Dec)

Suspended None

Form guide DDDDDW

Disciplinary record Y14 R1

Leading scorer Bellamy 5

Match pointers

• Manchester City have won just four of 25 Premier League away games with Mark Hughes as manager

• Liverpool have won six of their last eight home encounters with City – all by a one-goal margin

• If this match finishes level City will be only one short of equalling the Premier League record of seven consecutive draws

• Liverpool have not failed to score in a home match with City since August 1986

• Carlos Tevez will make his 100th Premier League appearance if selected

England sweating on Terry as injury problems mount

• John Terry reported to have suffered achilles injury in training
• Capello still optimistic defender will play against Brazil

John Terry could miss England’s friendly against Brazil with a swollen achilles as injury problems mount for the manager Fabio Capello.

According to reports the captain was hurt during a training session when blocking a shot from Jermaine Jenas during their preparations for tomorrow’s match in Qatar. The 28-year-old centre-half was due to speak to the media at the Ritz Carlton Hotel today but did not emerge, leading to concerns over his fitness.

However, Capello said he remained optimistic that Terry would feature. “He has hurt his ankle and we need to check him but I think he will be okay,” the manager said. The Manchester City midfielder Gareth Barry attended the press conference in Terry’s place.

The FA has not yet confirmed the injury while England’s medical team are yet to make a final decision on Terry.

England are already without Frank Lampard, Rio Ferdinand, David Beckham, Steven Gerrard, Glen Johnson, Ashley Cole, Emile Heskey, Carlton Cole and David James for the match. Lampard flew home on Thursday after suffering a thigh injury in training.

It means only Wayne Rooney and Barry of Capello’s first-choice starting line-up are likely to feature against Brazil.

If Terry does miss out, Wayne Rooney could assume the captaincy given the number of senior players absent.