Just Liverpool News » Johnson

Glen Johnson – It was Reina wot won it!

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 01:32:21 +0000

The new Liverpool defender Glen Johnson reckons that it was Pepe Reina’s brilliant performance against Everton that won the game for the Reds, and he thinks that will inspire the team to carry on their winning run.

Johnson was particularly amazed by Reina’s fantastic double save from Tim Cahill and Marouane Fellaini, when the Reds were only 1-0 ahead.

“It was massive – that save was amazing. With it being 1-0 at the time, if either Cahill or Fellaini had scored, it could have been such a different story,” Johnson explained.

“It was a turning point in the game and it could be a turning point in the season, that is how important it was.

“I really don’t see why not. We’ve got two clean sheets in a row now, so hopefully we can push on now. We have a platform to build upon, and the victory has given us important belief.”

“The lads are working as hard as they can so maybe they deserve that luck. Now it’s up to us to make the most of it.

“We know we haven’t been picking up the results people club expect, but there is no better place to begin than Goodison. Now we want to get on a good run and hopefully this will be the start.”

Despite Liverpool’s awful run in the League, this win has left them in fifth place and only three points behind Tottenham in third. A couple more wins could see them back up in their rightful place in the four.

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Benitez – Johnson, Gerrard, Aquilani and Agger are all fit to play

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:30:18 +0000

The Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has seen his side decimated by injuries in the last few weeks, and it looked like he would have to put out a second-string side against Debrecen in Hungary tonight, but the Spaniard is hopeful that a few of his crocks will be able to play.

Glen Johnson failed a pre-match test before the game against Man City, and Daniel Agger was taken off after just eight minutes with a head injury that needed stitches, and Benitez was asked if they could play tonight.

He replied: “If we decided to bring them here it’s because we think they can play. We will train (on Monday night) and then we’ll see.

“You know that for us it’s important now to have players coming back from injury. You talk sometimes about players being available but not ready, but at least if they are training we have more options.”

He was then asked if Steven Gerrard had coe through Sunday’s game without any ill effects.

“He was tired the other day but it was a difficult game,” said Benitez.

“When you are more or less three weeks without training with the team, to play 90 minutes is not easy. He was a little bit tired but I think he will be okay for Tuesday.”

Everyone is still waiting with bated breath to see if the new signing Alberto Aquilani was finally going to be thrown in at the deep end, and Benitez seemed confident that the Italian will play some part.

“Aquilani is in the squad so he can play. It depends. The team has some players in his position now – Gerrard coming back and the two midfielders (Lucas and Mascherano) doing well, but he’ll have his chances.

“We want him as soon as possible but we have to manage with the squad.”

So things are looking a little better today. Hopefully everyone can get through the game without sustaining further injuries.

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Benitez – Aquilani and Johnson return are two positives!

Admin — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:28:54 +0000

The Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez saw his team drop points against Birmingham, but still managed to take a few positives out of the game, as Glen Johnson returned to the side, and the £20m signing Alberto Aquilani finally made his Anfield debut.

Liverpool lost Albert Riera and Yossi Benayoun to hamstring injuries, and an even bigger worry is Daniel Aggers back problem.

With Jamie Carragher suspended, Agger is desperately needed to play in defence against Man City in 10 days time. He has withdrawn from the Denmark squad for this weeks internationals, and Benitez admitted his concerns.

“We thought that Agger would be OK to play against Birmingham, but you could see he was not right, his back was giving him problems again.” said Benitez.

He is also still unsure whether Fernando Torres will be fit to face City either as he has begun a three week course of rest and treatment. “He is having treatment that could keep him out for two or three weeks.

“Gerrard seems OK, we will be careful with him.”

Benitez continued: “The plus points are that Johnson was back and playing well, while Aquilani finally got a chance to play at Anfield.

“It was a difficult time for him to come on, with us battling for the third goal against a packed defence.

“There were negatives with new injuries, but the positives are that we had two players making an impact.”

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Torres is “feeling better” – will play tonight

Admin — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 08:39:18 +0000

The Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is confident that Fernando Torres will be able to play against Birmingham City tonight, as Liverpool aim to get their season back on track.

Steven Gerrard’s problems are also easing and he may get a place on the bench, but Benitez thinks he will need some match fitness.

“Gerrard has lost part of his fitness and when a player is available but has been injured for one month you would not say he is ready to play,” he said. “We will see if he can train with the team, can be on the bench or can play. We know he will not be fully fit.

“With Torres, we know 100 per cent that it is not a problem to play him. The doctor and the physios have explained all of the different scenarios.

“He is feeling better than before so he can carry on [playing] with the pain. It is a question of whether he will be fully fit but the decision is not a risk.

“It is a medical decision, rather than the manager saying we need this or that.

“We have to do what is best for the players and what is best for the team and at this moment the priority is to have the players for a long time and do the right thing.”

Jamie Carragher and Phillip Degen are both suspended but Beniez is hopeful that Aurelio, Skrtel and Glen Johnson will be available, if not totally fit.

But at least some of the problems are getting a little better.

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Torres is "feeling better" – will play tonight

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 08:39:18 +0000