Tag Archives: udinese

Mario Balotelli, Stephan El Shaarawy and Mamadou Niang sleep in a luggage rack on train

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First-class ticket, please: Balotelli and Milan team-mates sleep in a luggage rack on train

By
John Drayton

PUBLISHED:

19:23 GMT, 31 March 2013

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UPDATED:

01:30 GMT, 1 April 2013

Mario Balotelli was famed for his erratic behaviour during his time at Manchester City and he clearly hasn't lost touch with his enigmatic side since his return to Italy.

The volatile forward found an unusual place to put his head down as he was pictured sleeping on a luggage shelf in a train along with team-mates M'Baye Niang and Stephan El Shaarawy.

20-year-old El Shaarawy, who is nicknamed 'The Pharaoh', posted this picture on Twitter of him and his Milan colleagues.

Unorthodox: Mario Balotelli (left), M'Baye Niang (right) and Stephan El Shaarawy sleep in a luggage rack

Unorthodox: Mario Balotelli (left), M'Baye Niang (right) and Stephan El Shaarawy sleep in a luggage rack

MILAN BEAT CHIEVO

Read the match report from AC Milan's 1-0 victory against Chievo on Saturday HERE

Balotelli joined Milan in January after two-and-a-half seasons in Manchester and he has been prolific since returning to his homeland.

The striker scored twice on debut against Udinese and has found the target five times in six Serie A matches since then.

He also scored both goals for Italy last week in their 2-0 World Cup qualifying win over Malta before helping Milan to a 1-0 win at Chievo on Saturday to boost their Champions League qualification ambitions.

Star: Balotelli helped Milan beat Chievo 1-0 in a Serie A encounter on Saturday

Star: Balotelli helped Milan beat Chievo 1-0 in a Serie A encounter on Saturday

Finding the target: The forward has been prolific since returning to his homeland

Finding the target: The forward has been prolific since returning to his homeland

Representing the nation: Balotelli scored both goals in Italy's 2-0 win against Malta last week

Representing the nation: Balotelli scored both goals in Italy's 2-0 win against Malta last week

Representing the nation: Balotelli scored both goals in Italy's 2-0 win against Malta last week

Representing the nation: Balotelli scored both goals in Italy's 2-0 win against Malta last week

One Udinese fan made 600-mile round trip to Sampdoria Serie A clash

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Loneliness of the (ONE) long distance fan: Solitary Udinese supporter makes 600-mile round trip to Sampdoria for Serie A clash

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UPDATED:

19:02 GMT, 11 December 2012

When Udinese travelled to Genoa for their Serie A game against Sampdoria on Monday, just one man showed up to support them in an otherwise empty away section.

The prospect of a 600-mile round trip from Udine in the North East of Italy to Genoa appeared too much for most Udinese fans, leaving this curly-haired fellow to plough a lone furrow in the away end of Sampdoria’s Stadio Luigi Ferraris.

Even though Serie A attendances have
been dwindling in recent years, with fans believing that the atmosphere
in stadiums has been killed off by stricter safety regulation and
hard-to-obtain supporter identity cards, just one man turning up to support an
away team is unprecedented.


Going it alone: Udinese's solitary fan for their Serie A match against Sampdoria

Going it alone: Udinese's solitary fan for their Serie A match against Sampdoria

Three points: It was a successful trip for this loyal follower as Udinese won 2-0

Three points: It was a successful trip for this loyal follower as Udinese won 2-0

Italy map

Serie
A attendances this season are amongst the weakest of the leading
divisions on the continent.

With an average attendance of 21,876, the Italian top division averages over
20,000 less than the German Bundesliga, which leads the way with an
average crowd of 42,299 people.

The
English Premier League comes in with an average attendance of 35,629
while Spain’s La Liga is lagging behind with an average of 29,665.

Udinese
fans have become further disillusioned with their own football club due
to a perceived lack of ambition from the club’s owners, with leading
players including Mauricio Isla, Kwadwo Asamoah and Alexis Sanchez all
sold in recent seasons.

But it proved to be a worthy trip for the supporter, as he saw Udinese secure a 2-0 win to take the club into 8th position in Serie A.

His presence was a source of amusement
for the home support, who, rather than subjecting him to any abuse,
instead cheered the man and he reciprocated their affection with an
enthusiastic wave.

Sampdoria midfielder Andrea Poli, left, and Udinese defender Dusan Basta battle for the ball

Sampdoria midfielder Andrea Poli, left, and Udinese defender Dusan Basta battle for the ball

Sampdoria forward Mauro Emanuel Rivero Icardi, right, holds off Udinese Brazilian midfielder Marques Loureiro Allan

Sampdoria forward Mauro Emanuel Rivero Icardi, right, holds off Udinese Brazilian midfielder Marques Loureiro Allan

Gaetano Berardi of Sampdoria, right, executes a sliding tackle on Udinese midfielder Emmanuel Agyemang Badu

Gaetano Berardi of Sampdoria, right, executes a sliding tackle on Udinese midfielder Emmanuel Agyemang Badu


Antonio Di Natale, left, celebrates his goal during the 2-0 win for Udinese

Antonio Di Natale, left, celebrates his goal during the 2-0 win for Udinese

Brendan Rodgers not worried about Liverpool delay

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Rodgers not worried about flight delay as Liverpool prepare for Hammers test

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UPDATED:

08:57 GMT, 8 December 2012

Brendan Rodgers has expressed confidence that Liverpool’s delayed return from their Europa League trip to Italy will not compromise their ambitions at West Ham tomorrow.

Liverpool were due to fly home straight following their 1-0 win over Udinese on Thursday night but they were grounded in Trieste airport after a problem was detected with their aircraft, while it was taxing to the runway.

Rodgers and his squad were kept on the plane for more than an hour while investigations were carried out before engineers confirmed that the fault in the left engine could not be repaired, forcing them to stay overnight in Italy.

No worries: Brendan Rodgers expects Liverpool to be ready for West Ham

No worries: Brendan Rodgers expects Liverpool to be ready for West Ham

A new aircraft was sent out to Trieste to collect them yesterday and the party arrived touchdown at John Lennon Airport at 3.30pm, some 15 hours later than had been scheduled.

There will be little chance for them to rest, as Liverpool will today (SAT) travel to London for their game at Upton Park but Rodgers does not feel his preparations have been overly-effected by the unforeseen issue.

‘It doesn’t overly affect us really,’ said Rodgers, whose side made it through to the Europa League’s last 32 as winners of Group A thanks to Jordan Henderson’ s goal. ‘It’s not ideal, of course, but we still have one more session before we play West Ham and we’ve been able to recover well.

‘The players had a good rest overnight, even though we only got back into the hotel late, at about 2.30am. The day after game it’s about the nutritional needs and physical needs of the players – they are what is important. But we could take care of that in the hotel.

Marching on: Liverpool beat Udinese to progress in the Europa League

Marching on: Liverpool beat Udinese to progress in the Europa League

‘It’s only an issue if you make it an issue. Sometimes it’s like how life is; it’s not always plain sailing – especially when you’re flying! It’s one we cannot control but we can control our mind-set and how we recover. Our recuperation has been fantastic.’

An added bonus for Rodgers is his squad will be bolstered at West Ham by the return of Steven Gerrard, who never travelled to Italy with illness, and Daniel Agger and Lucas Leiva, both of whom were rested in midweek.

Rodgers added: ‘We will have a final session tomorrow and will go to game on Sunday with no excuse. We have finished top of our group in a European tournament – for us we’re in a good moment and we’ll take it into Sunday’s game.’

Brendan Rodgers lauds Jordan Henderson after winner against Udinese

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Rodgers lauds Henderson after winner at Udinese sends Liverpool into Europa League knockout stages

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UPDATED:

23:05 GMT, 6 December 2012

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers praised match-winner Jordan Henderson for the goal against Udinese which put them through to the last 32 of the Europa League but accepted it was by the finest of margins.

Henderson's first European goal, and only third since his 16milllion summer 2011 transfer, put the Reds top of Group A but there was almost a sting in the tail.

Udinese, who had Giovanni Pasquale sent off 10 minutes from the end, almost snatched the draw which would have sent Liverpool crashing out with the last kick of the game when captain Antonio di Natale blasted over.

Job done: Rodgers and Henderson embrace at the final whistle

Job done: Rodgers and Henderson embrace at the final whistle

Young Boys' victory over Anzhi meant Liverpool had to win to progress and Henderson's first-half strike meant they finished group winners.

'He is a great lad and works hard and has come in over the last month and made a good contribution to the team,' said Rodgers of the midfielder, who has been a fringe player for most of the season.

'It was a very good finish and he was unfortunate not to get a second goal as the keeper made a wonderful save.

'He has that quality to arrive in the box and he has a finish in him so I am delighted for him and his hard work is paying off.'

Winner: Henderson is mobbed by his team-mates after his first-half strike

Winner: Henderson is mobbed by his team-mates after his first-half strike

Had Di Natale scored the inquest would have begun on where it had gone wrong for Rodgers – undoubtedly conceding a late equaliser to Young Boys a fortnight ago – but the miss kept the European bandwagon rolling.

'It is that moment when there is literally 20 seconds left and we've given away the ball. It was very close,' admitted the Northern Irishman.

'Hopefully it is a sign we have a little bit of luck going our way because maybe a couple of months back that would have gone in and we would be out of the competition.

Close call: Di Natale nearly equalised for Udinese with the last kick of the game

Close call: Di Natale nearly equalised for Udinese with the last kick of the game

'There was no margin for error tonight, I felt we had to win the game because we were in a difficult group against good teams.

'Over the course of all the games, how we have played and progressed through the tournament I think we are deserved winners of the group.

'We can rest well, focus on the league and look forward to next February.'

Udinese coach Francesco Guidolin, whose side had already been eliminated before kick-off, was pleased with the performance.

Top of the pile: Rodgers' side advance after winning their group

Top of the pile: Rodgers' side advance after winning their group

'I want to thank my team because they have gone out of the competition with dignity and their heads held high,' he said.

'They showed they could give Liverpool a game. We finished with four points so it is right we should go out, but the mistakes we made in this competition were not made tonight.

'I would have preferred if Luis Suarez had scored a wonder goal, but it was from a set-piece and I am unhappy about that.'

Brendan Rodgers wants Liverpool to beat Udinese

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Nothing less than a win will do against Udinese for Liverpool boss Rodgers

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UPDATED:

22:30 GMT, 5 December 2012

Brendan Rodgers has challenged his players to deliver the victory in Udine that he believes is vital to preserve Liverpool’s European reputation.

Liverpool will be guaranteed a place in the Europa League’s round of 32 if they beat Udinese on Thursday, regardless of what happens in Group A’s other game between Anzhi Makhachkala and SBC Young Boys, and their manager is determined to secure that objective.

Having seen Manchester City tumble out of Europe this week, Rodgers does not want to be in the position of heading into 2013 with Liverpool in a similar predicament. It is why he will pick a strong team here that will be spearheaded by leading striker Luis Suarez.

Raring to go: Brendan Rodgers' Liverpool side face Udinese in their final Europa League game

Raring to go: Brendan Rodgers' Liverpool side face Udinese in their final Europa League game

Match facts

LIVERPOOL (4-3-3): Reina: Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Enrique: Henderson, Sahin, Shelvey: Sterling, Suarez, Downing.

Referee – D Gomes (Portugal)

TV: ITV4

Most of all, though, Rodgers feels Liverpool need a win to remind a wider audience that their name still carries weight on the continent and he does not want see the club’s status being diminished by an early elimination.

‘This is a club that over the years has had a terrific association with European football,’ Rodgers said. ‘It is important for us in our present and future that we can have as much involvement into the latter stages of these competitions as much as we can because this is what this great history is all about

‘I would be bitterly disappointed if we don’t get through. I have understood where are priorities are but this is a club that is stepped in the tradition of Europe. The Europa League is a great tournament.

‘Everyone wants to be in the Champions League but if you asked the players and supporters back in 2001 when they won it: “did you enjoy it” well, I’m sure they did. The main outcome for us is to qualify.

‘If we can do that, it would be terrific achievement considering everything that went on at the beginning of the season. If we can get through, we can then push on into next year.’

Up against it: A win for Liverpool will clinch qualification regardless of results elsewhere

Up against it: A win for Liverpool will clinch qualification regardless of results elsewhere

Club captain Steven Gerrard has missed the trip to Italy through illness, while key midfielder Lucas and influential defender Daniel Agger have been rested but, even though Liverpool face a trip to West Ham on Sunday, squad rotation is not part Rodgers’ thinking.

‘I always pick a team to win because I want to do well in the competition,’ said Rodgers. ‘This has been my first opportunity to work in Europe as a manager. I, along with my staff and players, have enjoyed every minute of it. We all want to qualify.

‘I am not crying that we have got games on a Thursday and a Sunday. I have really enjoyed travelling and seeing our supporters come with us. I think it has been brilliant. It is in our hands and that is all we could want.’

Rodgers, meanwhile, is ready to reward the improvement Brad Jones has shown this season by offering him a new contract.

The Liverpool goalkeeper, who moved to Anfield in August 2010, is entering the final six months of his contract but Rodgers does not want him to leave, as he believes Jones plays a crucial role in supporting Pepe Reina.

Game on: Nuri Sahin, Jordan Henderson, Pepe Reina and Luis Suarez train in Italy

Game on: Nuri Sahin, Jordan Henderson, Pepe Reina and Luis Suarez train in Italy

Jones made seven consecutive appearances in the autumn when Reina was sidelined with a hamstring problem and Rodgers said: ‘Brad is someone I would like to keep. His contract is something we are looking at. We are looking to offer him that.’

Reina, according to Rodgers, remains “Liverpool’s number one” and has no worries about the Spaniard’s form. There were a few occasions earlier in the campaign when he looked out of sorts but his manager believes that is behind him.

‘Pepe will admit himself that he probably had a difficult couple of years but he now has a sense of his best years are in front of him – not behind him – and it is a great testament to him that he is now working harder than ever,’ said Rodgers.

‘He has lost weight, he looks fresh and bright; he is doing extra work and it is a great step forward to him and his commitment in terms of him staying at Liverpool.’

Floro Flores posts skiing picture on Twitter after telling Granada he was injured

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Taking the piste! Granada striker Flores posts skiing pictures after telling club he was injured

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UPDATED:

16:51 GMT, 4 December 2012

Off piste! Flores posted this picture of himself going skiing when he told his club he was injured

Off piste! Flores posted this picture of himself going skiing when he told his club he was injured

Note to self: don't post photographs of myself skiing on Twitter, when my team are playing an important league game and I'm supposed to be out injured.

La Liga striker Floro Flores told his club Granada he was too injured to play in their home game with Espanyol on Sunday.

He then went skiing in the nearby Sierra Nevada and after posing for snaps posted the photos, of him grinning broadly ready for an afternoon on the piste, on the social networking site.

The Italian striker is now training
in solitary and the club have told him they will move him on in the
January transfer window.

The
former Napoli forward arrived on a season's loan from Udinese in the
summer but has only scored one goal in ten appearances.

It is understood that the 29-year-old striker has failed to settle in Granada, though he does enjoy the nearby mountains.

Joe Cole still thinks he can be Liverpool hero

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Cole believes he can still make the grade at Liverpool after fine Europa League display

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UPDATED:

23:10 GMT, 22 November 2012

Liverpool midfielder Joe Cole believes he can still be a success story at the club.

The 31-year-old scored and set up Jonjo Shelvey in Liverpool's 2-2 draw with Young Boys at Anfield in the Europa League on Thursday night.

Cole claims he has impressed at each of his former sides and can repeat that on Merseyside.

Aiming high: Joe Cole says he can be a success at Anfield

Aiming high: Joe Cole says he can be a success at Anfield

'I was a good player at West Ham, Chelsea and Lille and I think I can be a good player at Liverpool,' he told ITV4.

'I'm getting stronger with every game. It is normal that a player wants to play all the time.

'It was my third game back from a hamstring problem and I felt good.

'On a personal note it was quite good. The overall sense though is disappointment that we didn't see it out in the end.

'But the young lads especially have been terrific this year. We just keep going.'

In a Liverpool side teeming with youth Cole was one of the more experienced figures.

Reds boss Brendan Rodgers said: 'It was nice for Joe Cole to play well. He has been working very hard in training.'

Asked if Cole had a future at the club, he added: 'He's certainly working hard. He knows it's difficult because he's been away from the club on loan.

'Joe's a fighter and he's working very hard. That's all he can do.'

Cole was upset that his side could not hold on to their slim lead, with a wonder goal from Elsad Zverotic after 88 minutes enough to earn the Swiss team a point.

Now they face a difficult away game in
Italy to play Udinese, in which they must at least match Young Boys'
result against Anzhi to progress.

Cole believes Liverpool should not be finding themselves in such a position, when a win meant they would have qualified.

Setback: Elsad Zverotic (left) struck late to confound Cole and Co

Setback: Elsad Zverotic (left) struck late to confound Cole and Co

'It's disappointing. It was just the game management at the end,' he said.

'We need to see the game out. Maybe we had a few young players on the pitch but we should have killed the game off.

'Fair credit though it was a good finish from their kid.'

Driven home: Cole fires in Liverpool's second of the game

Driven home: Cole fires in Liverpool's second of the game

Young Boys must show courage at Liverpool, says boss

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Courage can help us upset Anfield, insists Young Boys boss Rueda ahead of Euro clash

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UPDATED:

20:57 GMT, 21 November 2012

Young Boys coach Martin Rueda has demanded a show of courage from his under pressure side against Liverpool at Anfield on Thursday night.

The Swiss are level on six points with the hosts in Group A but their chances of qualifying for the knockout stage will be ended if they lose and Anzhi beat Udinese earlier in the evening.

No Swiss team has won in four visits to Anfield and Liverpool have not lost in eight games against opposition from the country since losing a first meeting against Servette in 1971.

Boys become men: Young Boys Bern face a tricky test when they play Liverpool at Anfield

Boys become men: Young Boys Bern face a tricky test when they play Liverpool at Anfield

Boys become men: Young Boys Bern face a tricky test when they play Liverpool at Anfield

However, back-to-back wins over Udinese – 3-2 victors on Merseyside in early October – has given Rueda confidence they can make amends for their loss to Brendan Rodgers' side in Bern.

'The two games against Udinese have shown us that we can also beat great opponents,' said Rueda, whose side lost 5-3 to Liverpool in their opening game. 'I expect Liverpool to put out a top team, certainly from the start as they are looking to get into the next stage.

'But it is a game we need something from – there is lots riding on this game. We have to be brave and courageous and produce a good performance.

'It is good that Anzhi are playing earlier but it comes down to our performance and we want to get some points.'

England-born defender Scott Sutter, who played youth team football for Millwall, Aston Villa and Charlton before moving to his father's homeland, is looking forward to sampling the Anfield atmosphere.

Ready for action: Boss Martin Rueda and Scott Sutter have high hopes for the clash

Ready for action: Boss Martin Rueda and Scott Sutter have high hopes for the clash

'It is special to be playing in England against top teams,' said the 26-year-old. 'That poses a great test for yourself and gives you a chance to compare yourself with the top stars in the game.

'Growing up in England you read a lot about Anfield and I was lucky enough four years ago to come and watch a game against Arsenal – it is a special place and to come here and play will be nice.

'Liverpool are still Liverpool. They have top quality throughout the side with the likes of Steven Gerrard.'

Veteran defender Mario Raimondi is suspended for the match but goalkeeper and captain Marco Wolfli will feature having played with a thigh injury at the weekend.

Arsenal defender Carl Jenkinson cleared for England debut in Sweden

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Jenkinson finally cleared for England debut in Sweden by 9am email from FIFA

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UPDATED:

13:18 GMT, 14 November 2012

ENGLAND v SWEDEN LIVE

Join us for all the action from the Friends Arena from 7pm.

Arsenal defender Carl Jenkinson was
finally cleared to play for England tonight when the FA received the
necessary forms from FIFA which were sent by email from Zurich to
Wembley at around 9am this morning.

The speed with which Zurich processed
the FA application for Jenkinson, who represented Finland at Under 19
and Under 21 level, to change his international colours in time for
tonight's friendly against Sweden is another sign of improved
relationships between the FA and FIFA since the nadir of the 2018 World
Cup vote debacle two years ago.

Patience: Carl Jenkinson had had to wait for his England chance

Patience: Carl Jenkinson had had to wait for his England chance

The FA first put in their England representation request for Jenkinson on the day of the World Cup qualifier against Poland a month ago – and the clearance documents needed to be signed off by a member of the FIFA ExCo committee.

But the red tape bureaucracy meant that the 20-year-old was originally omitted from Roy Hodgson's 23-man squad because the FA were not certain that they would receive the green light in time for tonight's match in Stockholm's new Friends Arena stadium which Jenkinson will start on the bench.

Highly-rated: Carl Jenkinson has received rave reviews for his displays this season

Highly-rated: Carl Jenkinson has received rave reviews for his displays this season

THE RAPID RISE OF JENKINSON

The Harlow-born defender joined Arsenal for 1million in the summer of 2011 after making just eight appearances for Charlton.

Jenkinson was quickly called into first-team action for the Gunners, making his debut in the Champions League tie with Udinese in August and went on to feature regularly before an injury put him out of action for three months.

An injury to Bacary Sagna meant the 20-year-old started the first games of this season and earned rave reviews.

Jenkinson was capped for England U17s before switching his allegiance to his mother's home country of Finland. He has since gone on to represent Finland at U18, U19 and U21 levels.

Hillsborough tribute: Anzhi Makhachkala lay wreath at Anfield

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Hiddink and Eto'o lead Hillsborough tribute as Russians Anzhi lay wreath at Anfield

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UPDATED:

10:30 GMT, 25 October 2012

Anzhi Makhachkala paid tribute to the victims of Hillsborough on Wednesday evening.

The Russians, on Merseyside for Thursday’s Europa League clash with Liverpool, laid a wreath at Anfield in memory of the 96 fans who lost their lives at the 1989 tragedy.

Former Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink is in charge of Anzhi and he led the tribute with club captain Samuel Eto'o after they had trained at at the stadium.

Hillsborough tribute: Guus Hiddink and captain Samuel Eto'o carried the wreath to the memorial at Anfield

Hillsborough tribute: Guus Hiddink and captain Samuel Eto'o carried the wreath to the memorial at Anfield

Remembered: Hiddink and Eto'o lay the wreath at Anfield to remember the Hillsborough victims

Meanwhile, Reds goalkeeper Brad Jones feels training every day with the likes of Luis Suarez and Steven Gerrard has given him plenty of preparation for facing former Barcelona and Inter Miloan star Eto'o.

As he did in last Saturday's Barclays Premier League win over Reading, Jones is again set to deputise for the injured Pepe Reina.

'For me, playing against whoever, it doesn't particularly bother me which player it is – it is the same idea when you go out, which is that you don't want to concede goals,' Jones said.

Never forgotten: It was at the FA Cup semi-final in 1989 that 96 Liverpool supporters died

Never forgotten: It was at the FA Cup semi-final in 1989 that 96 Liverpool supporters died

'Obviously Eto'o is a fantastic player and has been for a number of years, playing at the top.

'You know you are going to have to be on top of your game, but I have to do that every day with the likes of Luis Suarez and Steven Gerrard anyway.

'It is just about making sure you concentrate and do the right things.'

Liverpool have three points from their first two Europa games, while Anzhi top the group with Udinese on four points. Young Boys of Bern are yet to register.

Emotional: The Anzhi squad take in the memorial to the Hillsborough victims