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Liverpool to start Gerrard in FA Cup
Source: Agencies |
January 3, 2009, Saturday
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STEVEN Gerrard will be in Liverpool's lineup against Preston in the FA Cup today despite facing criminal charges over a nightclub brawl.
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez said yesterday that playing in the third-round game at Deepdale would keep his captain's mind on football rather than the court proceedings arising out of the assault and affray charges he faces.
"He will play in the match, he is ready and is a great professional and it is best for him to be focused on football," Benitez said.
Gerrard was arrested after a brawl at the Lounge Inn nightclub in Southport just hours after he had scored twice in Liverpool's 5-1 victory at Newcastle on Sunday.
A disc jockey was hospitalized after losing a tooth and needing treatment for a cut forehead, and Gerrard spent 20 hours in police custody before he was charged and released. He is due to appear before a court on January 23.
Star striker Fernando Torres could also return from almost six weeks out with a hamstring problem, taking the opportunity to build up his fitness to aid Liverpool's title bid.
Manchester United's appetite for Sunday's third-round match at Southampton isn't exactly huge. The Red Devils only recently returned from winning the Club World Cup in Japan and would rather be working on closing the gap on Premier League leader Liverpool.
United would be just a point off first place if it wins its two games in hand, but its entrance into the FA Cup combined with a two-legged League Cup semifinal starting next week against Derby means Sunday's match is the first of six in just 17 days. Victory at League Championship club Southampton would add another game to that run, so the pressure and fatigue from such a congested diary means United may not be too unhappy if it was to lose.
Tottenham is keen to add to its eight FA Cup titles but anxious not to sabotage its chances of avoiding relegation from the Premier League. Only Tottenham's superior goal difference is keeping it out of the relegation zone at present.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will start goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski for just the fourth time this season as he gives some of his second-string players some time on the field against Plymouth today.
In today's other Cup games, Chelsea hosts Southend, Newcastle is at Hull and Manchester City hosts Nottingham Forest.
Non-league Blyth Spartans hosts Blackburn on Monday in arguably the biggest game in its 109-year history. Blackburn has rallied with a win and two draws since Sam Allardyce became manager two weeks ago, but could face a tough game against a side that has already beaten two professional clubs to reach the third round.
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez said yesterday that playing in the third-round game at Deepdale would keep his captain's mind on football rather than the court proceedings arising out of the assault and affray charges he faces.
"He will play in the match, he is ready and is a great professional and it is best for him to be focused on football," Benitez said.
Gerrard was arrested after a brawl at the Lounge Inn nightclub in Southport just hours after he had scored twice in Liverpool's 5-1 victory at Newcastle on Sunday.
A disc jockey was hospitalized after losing a tooth and needing treatment for a cut forehead, and Gerrard spent 20 hours in police custody before he was charged and released. He is due to appear before a court on January 23.
Star striker Fernando Torres could also return from almost six weeks out with a hamstring problem, taking the opportunity to build up his fitness to aid Liverpool's title bid.
Manchester United's appetite for Sunday's third-round match at Southampton isn't exactly huge. The Red Devils only recently returned from winning the Club World Cup in Japan and would rather be working on closing the gap on Premier League leader Liverpool.
United would be just a point off first place if it wins its two games in hand, but its entrance into the FA Cup combined with a two-legged League Cup semifinal starting next week against Derby means Sunday's match is the first of six in just 17 days. Victory at League Championship club Southampton would add another game to that run, so the pressure and fatigue from such a congested diary means United may not be too unhappy if it was to lose.
Tottenham is keen to add to its eight FA Cup titles but anxious not to sabotage its chances of avoiding relegation from the Premier League. Only Tottenham's superior goal difference is keeping it out of the relegation zone at present.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will start goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski for just the fourth time this season as he gives some of his second-string players some time on the field against Plymouth today.
In today's other Cup games, Chelsea hosts Southend, Newcastle is at Hull and Manchester City hosts Nottingham Forest.
Non-league Blyth Spartans hosts Blackburn on Monday in arguably the biggest game in its 109-year history. Blackburn has rallied with a win and two draws since Sam Allardyce became manager two weeks ago, but could face a tough game against a side that has already beaten two professional clubs to reach the third round.
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