Portsmouth take advantage of Benitez’s reserves

What had been a good week for Portsmouth Black Prada Bag Mission Impossible ended that little bit better with a victory that moves Harry Redknapp’s impressive team two points beyond Reading – who play tomorrow – and into a Uefa Cup place. Liverpool, meanwhile, will not be too distraught at this loss. It might affect only whether they finish third or fourth and have a further preliminary round to negotiate in next season’s Champions League. Instead, the focus on this year’s vintage, and Tuesday’s deciding leg of the semi-final against Chelsea, caused Authentic Prada Outlet Online Uk Rafael Benitez to rest Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher, Pepe Reina and Javier Mascherano. This aided the home Authentic Prada Nylon Messenger Bag side, though they will hardly care. Neither did the Liverpool manager.

‘Unlucky,’ was Benitez’s curt response, delivered with a twinkle when asked if Jose Mourinho might complain at his selection policy in the next instalment of the Portuguese’s seemingly endless tirade at all things not west London Blue. ‘I am not worried about them and only want to focus on my team,’ Benitez claimed. And yesterday’s match? ‘It was strange. We started really well, but conceded two silly goals and they made a big difference. But the match against Chelsea is the priority, of course.’

Portsmouth’s announcement on Wednesday of a 36,000-stadium – ready for 2011 – was followed with confirmation that the new training ground at Titchfield should be in use by December.

A computer mock-up of the new ground – part of a £600 million regeneration on the harbour – reveals a sleek design. With the news that hated rivals Southampton might soon be benefiting from a sugar daddy in Roman Abramovich’s league, this was welcome progress. And there was a further boon with Tony Adams’ statement that he might not leave after all, although the future of Pompey manager Redknapp’s assistant is still dependent on any offers he might receive.

After the minute’s applause for Alan Ball, twice a manager here, came a contest that was, overall, soporific despite Portsmouth’s strikes and Sami Hyypia’s consolation goal. Agatha Ruiz Dela Prada Dresses Uk The Finn was impressive enough and his manager hinted that he might keep his place on Tuesday after Daniel Agger’s bludgeoning from Didier Drogba in the first game. ‘He was the difference then,’ Benitez said of the Chelsea striker. ‘If you analyse that match, we controlled it, but when they played long balls or counter-attacked, we couldn’t stop Drogba’s running and keeping of the ball. Today, Sami was very good.’

There was nothing Jerzy Are Prada Mens Shoes Good Dudek could do about Benjani’s opener after 26 minutes. He should have been able to, though, because David Apertura Outlet Prada Montevarchi James’s clearance was transformed from harmless punt upfield into a sixth goal of the season for the Zimbabwe striker Amancio Prada Prada only because of a Dudek flap and miss.

Minutes later, the second arrived. Slick collection and lay-off work from Kanu allowed Lauren to find Niko Kranjcar – on for the injured Matthew Taylor – with a pleasing diagonal pass. That took out the defence, and the Croatia international slotted expertly.

Redknapp was right when he said that the visitors were far better Agatha Ruiz Dela Prada Online Shop after the break. ‘Once Craig Bellamy moved inside from the 4-5-1 and played up the middle, they were stronger and we were hanging Black Prada Eyeglass Case on a bit.’ But hang on they did. How realistic is Europe next season? ‘Don’t,’ he began. ‘Just don’t. Tottenham have a game in hand, for a start, and we have two tough games at Everton and Arsenal. But that’s Newcastle, Manchester United and Liverpool we’ve beaten here recently. Not bad. And when you look at last year and the escape from relegation, it is an incredible turnaround.’

Liverpool’s consolation came from a Robbie Fowler corner before the hour. The No 9 delivered and Hyypia’s head took him to 20 league goals since he arrived on Merseyside eight years ago.

‘How many times do you have the chance to play in a Champions League final?’ Benitez mused later, before click over here he remembered: ‘Well, at Liverpool, Black Prada Doctor Bag five times already.’ But his point was understood. ‘What do we have to do to beat Chelsea?’ he said. ‘Play as we did when we beat them 2-0 in January.’

That came in the Premiership. A repeat of the result would bring Benitez his second final with the club in three years. Tuesday on Merseyside will be quite a night.