TODAY:

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21 December 1999

SMICER HAS NO LUCK
Vladimir Smicer is doubtful for Liverpool's Christmas matches against Newcastle and Wimbledon after suffering a twisted ankle in Saturday's win over Coventry. He has missed seven games since his £3.75million summer arrival from French club Lens, with ankle and hamstring problems.

Boss Gerard Houllier said: "Vladimir has had no luck." -SportsLive (www.sportslive.net)

20 December 1999

CAMARA: I OWE IT TO THE FANS
Titi Camara scored his seventh goal of the season with a 30-yard screamer against Coventry last Saturday. Camara was signed as cover for the Fowler-Owen partnership but injuries have handed him the chance to feature in the team. He has since grabbed his chances with both hands and the goal against Coventry effectively makes him the club's top scorer.

Despite this success, Camara is certainly keeping his feet on the ground. He said: "It is one of the best I have scored. Michael said it hit him on the back, but it is definitely my goal.

"When I first came, people in France said it would be difficult for me with Robbie Fowler and Michael Owen here. I realised there would be pressure on me and that I would have to get used to the Premiership, but with each game I am learning more and more about English football.

"The supporters have been fantastic to me here. It took me a while for the supporters at Marseille to accept me, but straight away the fans have been behind me. It is amazing really that in my first season they have taken to me.

"That is why I want to give 200 per cent on the pitch. I am not worrying about Michael Owen or Robbie Fowler. I just want to take my chance. There is more to come from me. After every game I forget what has happened and concentrate and doing well in the next one.

"The most important thing is the team and we must try and finish in the top three in the Premiership and aim for the Champions' League. That is more important than how many goals I score, even though it is a fantastic feeling.

"I know people think I am unpredictable, but I know what I am doing even if others don't. I've got a good touch and control." -Sky Sports

OWEN BACK TO HIS BEST
Michael Owen shrugged aside another controversial episode in his career to give England, Kevin Keegan and Gerard Houllier the Millennium boost they so desperately needed.

After so many months of soul searching about Owen's injuries, his continued development and claims that a succession of hamstring problems have already robbed him of the pace and guile that made him such a great talent.

But the evidence of Owen's almost total rehabilitation is now there for even his toughest critics to see. Owen scored a fabulous striker's goal and was as close to his most incisive, dangerous best that Keegan and Houllier should have cracked a bottle of champers afterwards to celebrate.

"I hadn't scored at home since my injury, so it was nice to get on the goal-scoring sheet again and for us to produce a team performance like that," Owen said.

"It was a great result, not the best performance in the world by us. Coventry played well and gave us the sort of tough game it always is against them. But three points is the main thing."

Houllier echoed Owen's views, saying: "I was pleased with Michael's performance and his goal because it is more evidence of how near he is to being in his best shape. He has been working very hard since he's come back from injury and you feel that he is not far from that level and he just needs a few more games to play to finally achieve his very best." -Sporting Life

FRIEDEL LEAVES FOR INTERNATIONAL DUTY
Liverpool keeper Brad Friedel has been selected for the United States squad for the CONCACAF Gold Cup in the U.S. between the 12th and the 27th February. Friedel will join the squad before the tournament begins. -Koptalk

INJURY UPDATE
Physio Dave Galley is currently tending injuries to Jamie Redknapp, Robbie Fowler, Steve Staunton, Vladimir Simcer, Erik Meijer and David Thompson. Patrik Berger came through Saturday's win over Coventry unscathed after his recent knee injury and Thompson, who took a few hefty challenges in that game and was substituted in the first half, has some bruising on his knee and can be considered a doubt for Boxing Day.

Vegard Heggem has recovered from a recent calf strain. Steve Staunton also has a calf strain and would be hoping to get a run out in the reserves. Vladimir Smicer continues to have a total injury nightmare after twisting an ankle in the last few minutes of Saturday's win.

Robbie Fowler may well play in the reserves on Wednesday but only if the ground softens up a bit while Redknapp is out until March, at the earliest, after a knee operation. -Teamtalk

19 December 1999

BABBEL MOVE BACK ON TRACK
Liverpool's defensive target, Markus Babbel has rejected Bayern Munich's latest offer. The 27 year old German international turned down a proposed six year deal by his current club. This leaves Babbel free to talk to any interested club from 1st January. Babbel is tipped to sign a pre-contract at Anfield next month before joining Liverpool for free under the Bosman ruling during the close season. -Teamtalk

SPURS JOIN RACE FOR HESKEY
Tottenham Hotspur has joined in the race to sign Leceister's 22 year old striker, Emile Heskey. Reports have linked the player to the London club although it is widely believed that Heskey has agreed to join the Reds. Leceister boss Martin O'Neill has maintained that nothing has been agreed in terms of Heskey's future.

Apparently, it is believed that Heskey is more interested in joining Spurs. -Teamtalk

INJURY LIST
Robbie Fowler could make a return to the side against Newcastle on Boxing Day. On the other hand, Swiss centre-back Stephane Henchoz will miss the game after picking up five bookigs this season.

With Henchoz suspended, Rigobert Song could play in a more familiar centre-back position while Norwegian Vegard Heggem or Steve Gerrard could play at right-back. Alternatively, Jamie Carragher could be a direct replacement for Henchoz. -Teamtalk

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