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Benitez warning for players
Rafa Benitez has revealed Liverpool will come down hard on any players found to have breached club rules during their recent trip to Portugal.
The Reds jetted off to Portugal last week in order to prepare for next Wednesday's UEFA Champions League meeting with Barcelona in sunnier climes.
Liverpool's preparations for the meeting with the European champions are in danger of being overshadowed by reports of misbehaviour in Portugal.
Widespread reports in the Sunday newspapers suggested Craig Bellamy and John Arne Riise had to be pulled apart after a booze-fuelled brawl.
Benitez, who the reports claim was incensed by the shenanigans, has issued a statement saying breaches of club rules will not be tolerated.
He said: "I met this morning with the entire first-team squad and made it absolutely clear to all of them the responsibilities that come with playing for this club and the way they are expected to conduct themselves both on and off the pitch.
"The players worked extremely hard at last week's training camp, but we will take disciplinary action and fine any of them who are found to have breached club rules during our stay in Portugal.
"I've told the players this and they understand and accept the decision I have taken.
"Despite reports to the contrary, the spirit amongst the lads is very good with everyone looking forward to the game against Barcelona on Wednesday.
"We remain totally focussed on what will be a very tough game against the defending European Champions."
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Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard is hoping to prove Barcelona wrong when they meet in the UEFA Champions League next week.
The Reds travel to Spain for the first leg of their last 16 encounter on Wednesday aiming to dump out the holders.
Gerrard has been riled by comments from some Barcelona players suggesting that Liverpool was the easiest draw they could have hoped for and he has vowed to make them regret their taunts.
"We are aware of what Barcelona were saying about Liverpool when the draw was made - and that's great because we're determined to make sure they live to regret it," Gerrard told the Sunday Mirror.
"When you read their players saying Liverpool were the team they wanted to play, you are getting all the motivation you need to shut them up.
"I hope that they are planning to come to Anfield to enjoy their night, and that they believe they are going to wipe the floor with us.
"If they go into the games with that kind of mentality, then they are going to get a big, big shock.
"We know we've got the biggest challenge possible. Barcelona have been the best team in Europe for the past two years and we will all have to produce great performances in both games - and even that might not be enough.
"But I can promise we won't be lacking in determination after reading some of the stuff they've been coming out with."
Gerrard is relishing the prospect of locking horns with Ronaldinho and he believes Liverpool can take heart from Chelsea's performances against Barca in the group stages earlier this season.
"It will be the first time I've faced Ronaldinho," added Gerrard. "It's hard enough just watching him on television because the fella is an absolute genius.
"The idea is to keep him quiet. Whether that is possible I don't know, but Chelsea proved that Barcelona can be attacked both home and away.
"If we can get a draw at the Nou Camp, we'll have to fancy our chances because they won't know what has hit them at Anfield.
"They won't relish coming here, no matter what they are saying now. Juventus couldn't handle the occasion two years ago and neither could Chelsea.
"If we could get past Barcelona, then we wouldn't have to fear anyone else. No one would want to play us over two legs."
იმედი მაქვს ის რაც პორტუგალიაში მოხდა არ იმოქმედებს გუნდის განწყობაზე და მართლაც დაძლევთ ამ ბარიერს. ეს ლივერის ყველაზე დიდი გამარჯვება იქნება ამ სეზონში.
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