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Posts Tagged ‘fabio-capello’

• Liverpool midfielder just returned from long injury lay-off
• Fabio Capello considered picking him for Montenegro qualifier

Kenny Dalglish has expressed his satisfaction with Fabio Capello’s decision not to pick Steven Gerrard for his latest England squad.

The midfielder made only his third appearance in six months for Liverpool when he came on as a substitute in last Saturday’s Merseyside derby at Goodison Park– which the visitors won 2-0 – have undergone a groin operation. It was felt then that Capello would pick Gerrard for Friday’s Euro2012 qualifier against Montenegro but, to Dalglish’s delight, he decided to leave the player on Merseyside.

“I think it’s beneficial for everybody that Stevie hasn’t been called up by England,” the Liverpool manager told the club’s official website “He’s got back to where he is right now because of the people that have been working with him. He’s said himself that he has great faith in those people.

“I don’t think it would have been helpful for Stevie – or us or England – if he had gone away for the game against Montenegro. I think it’s a sensible decision for all concerned.”

Dalglish added: “These few weeks also give some of the lads who are returning from injury – Daniel Agger and Glen Johnson – more time to get back. Time is a great healer so hopefully the lads will benefit from the break. We’ll cross our fingers and hope that nobody comes back from international duty with an injury.”

Steven GerrardKenny DalglishLiverpoolSachin Nakraniguardian.co.uk

• On-loan midfielder: ‘I hope Fabio Capello watches Ligue 1′
• Cole makes immediate impact at French club with first goal

Joe Cole is relishing his first-team opportunity with Lille – and has targeted a return to the England squad under Fabio Capello.

The midfielder, on loan from Liverpool, wants to help the club retain their Ligue 1 title and is hopeful a successful campaign can earn him an England recall.

The 29-year-old has not played for his country since last summer’s World Cup but he said: “I hope Fabio Capello watches Ligue 1. If I can get a recall to the national team, I’ll be the happiest guy around.

“But firstly, I want to play regularly and try to help Lille win a trophy.”

Cole has made an immediate impact in France, scoring a wonderful first goal for the club in Saturday’s draw with Lorient, and says he never had any doubts that the surprise deadline-day move was the right one for him.

“I really wanted to come here,” he told L’Equipe. “You have to make choices in your life, and this wasn’t the easiest for me, but it excited me.

“Firstly, we are playing for the title, and also it’s a young team of good guys who play good football.”

Cole has slotted into the side in a wide role initially but harbours hopes of operating as a central playmaker as the season progresses. “I like playing in the middle, with the freedom to dictate play,” he said. “For now I am on the wing, opposite Eden Hazard and linking up with Dimitri Payet.

“The idea, in time, is to come into the central three and direct our attacks from a bit deeper. That’s where I started, it’s natural to me.”

Joe ColeLilleEnglandFabio CapelloLiverpoolguardian.co.uk

• ‘I don’t understand the obsession,’ says Liverpool manager
• ‘They talk about Carroll’s lifestyle … what lifestyle?’

Kenny Dalglish has claimed there is an unhealthy and unfair “obsession” with Andy Carroll. Liverpool’s £35m signing from Newcastle United last January is taking his time to find form and fitness on Merseyside and regularly finds himself warming the bench but Dalglish maintains this slow-burn beginning to Anfield life should not raise eyebrows.

“I think people are obsessed with Andy Carroll,” said Liverpool’s manager before tacitly acknowledging the 22-year-old England striker remains a work in progress. “I’m an old guy and I’m still learning; I don’t understand the paranoia with Andy. People talk about him like they know him. They don’t know him. They talk about his lifestyle … what lifestyle? Everybody is obsessed with Andy Carroll.”

Even Fabio Capello, England’s coach, has expressed reservations about Carroll’s fondness for a beer but Dalglish offered a stout defence of his British record signing’s lack of first-team starts.

“I don’t think Luis Suárez started against Arsenal,” he said. “We’ll be better off with a good squad of players than just a team. We don’t have a problem with anybody here.

“Andy is young. But he’s an excellent player and will be a valuable asset for us. He knows that we are on the same side as him. That’s important. We’ll always look after him and I’m sure he’ll look after us.

“I don’t understand the obsession. There are other players who haven’t played either. The price tag is irrelevant. If we get someone in on a Bosman, does that mean he is rubbish? Should he not play because we haven’t paid any money for him?”

Warming to his theme, Dalglish stressed that Liverpool was a meritocracy and, for all the club’s faith in Carroll, the former Newcastle cult hero would not be afforded any special favours.

“We’re delighted with the business we did in January for Andy Carroll but picking out individuals is not something we like to do here,” said Liverpool’s manager. “Everyone will be treated the same way, whether they are the most expensive or the cheapest.”

Kenny DalglishAndy CarrollLiverpoolLouise Taylorguardian.co.uk