Monthly Archives: October 2013

Ferdinand sceptical of Sturridge-Suarez partnership

Despite scoring 14 goals between them in Liverpool’s storming start to the Premier League season, the Manchester United defender feels that it is too early to praise them so much

Liverpool pair Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge have lots of work to do to become a special strike partnership, according to Rio Ferdinand.

The duo have made a stunning start to the 2013-14 season, scoring a combined total of 14 goals as the Reds have surged to third in the Premier League table.

Of the five games that they have played together, the Suarez and Sturridge partnership – christened the ‘SAS’ by Liverpool fans – have scored 10 times, leading to several pundits describing them as the best strikeforce in the country but the Manchester United defender feels that they must prove themselves over the course of a whole season at least.

Although impressed by their form, the 34-year-old believes that the jury is still out, telling BT Sport: “In this country and in football in general I think we build people up too quickly.

“That’s not to say they’re not a great partnership – they’re proven at the moment. They’re on top of their game and they’re playing very, very well. They’ve scored some great goals.

“But I think you judge partnerships over a period of time. Look at [Dwight] Yorke and [Andy] Cole, [Teddy] Sheringham and [Alan] Shearer.

“These types of partnerships aren’t developed overnight over a course of part of a season, it’s over a period of time. So I think it’s better to give these people time.”

The Suarez and Sturridge partnership will next be tested by Arsenal, with Liverpool travelling to the table-toppers on Saturday.

Suarez was never going to join Arsenal, insists Rodgers

The striker was vocal in his desire to leave during the summer but his boss claims Liverpool never considered a sale to the Gunners or anyone else

Liverpool striker Luis Suarez was never going to be allowed to join Arsenal, according to manager Brendan Rodgers.

Suarez publicly stated his desire to leave Anfield during pre-season, with a lack of Champions League football said to be his primary reason, prompting the Gunners bid £40,000,001 million in an attempt to trigger a release clause.

Liverpool held firm, refusing to sell the Uruguayan, and the decision has paid dividends already with Suarez netting six goals in three Premier League appearances since, and Arsenal are his next opponents.

“It was something that was never going to happen. I respect why Arsenal wanted to buy a player of Luis’ quality because he’s one of the leading strikers in the world,” Rodgers told reporters.

“But for us, and the institution that we are, we certainly weren’t going to sell to a rival or a competitor. That’s something we felt very strongly about from the off.

“It’s a great credit to the owners and the leadership of the club that they stood by what my thoughts were as a manager and they backed it all the way.”

The Emirates Stadium fixture is hotly anticipated, with Arsenal and Liverpool – two of three highest scorers in the league – making superb starts to the season.

And Rodgers is looking forward to seeing how his side respond to the challenge of playing against the league leaders..

“It’s two very good teams – Arsenal are an excellent side and score goals. They’ve got some top players,” he said.

“We arrive at the game really confident and with belief off the back of an outstanding performance [against West Brom]. The players forgot about it very quickly [though] and thoughts turned to this game.

“The quality of our training this week has been outstanding. We look to take it into the game but it will be very difficult.”

Rodgers: It will take time to win silverware at Liverpool

Owner John W. Henry recently saw the Boston Red Sox claim their third World Series since purchasing the team, but the Reds boss has urged patience from the club’s supporters

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has warned supporters it will take time for the club to start refreshing their trophy cabinet.

MLB franchise the Boston Red Sox recently won their third World Series title in 10 seasons, having gone 86 years without success prior to owner John W. Henry’s purchase in 2002.

And with Henry overseeing Liverpool’s dealings and Liverpool looking to reclaim top spot in the Premier League on Saturday, Rodgers is keen to temper expectations.

“Congratulations to the owners of the Boston Red Sox,” the Northern Irishman told reporters. “It is very clear that they are a group who had a plan to get that success.

“It is brilliant for them and another demonstration of an organisation which is proven to be successful and I am aware of the changes they have made in order to bring that success.

“But it takes that little bit longer in this sport. Liverpool is about winning trophies and that expectancy is always here. I believe we are in a good place at the moment, but it will take time.”

Liverpool arguably face the biggest test of their credentials yet when they travel to the Emirates Stadium, and Rodgers believes they have every reason to be confident with the talents of Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez up front.

“Arsenal are a top team and the competition this year is very close,” he continued. But I believe we are in a good moment having started this season as we would have wanted.

“We have started strongly, have put a marker down showing we are going to be consistent and I think we can only get better from here.

“We have a lot of young players who are still developing, and that goes for the front two that everyone is talking about.

“Daniel is 24 and improving all the time and Luis Suarez has shown us an improvement in his footballing ability and his maturity.

“That bodes well for us but we won’t get carried away. They must keep their concentration and continue to work very hard every day on the training field.

“That is what has brought us success over a period, not just this early part of the season but since the turn of the year.”