Source: Team_Talk
Agger desperate to impress Reds boss
iverpool defender Daniel Agger hopes to release his anger and disappointment with a good performance against Steaua Bucharest.[LNB] The Denmark international was left out of the starting line-up for Sunday's Premier League goalless draw at Birmingham.[LNB]Agger admits it was a decision which left him frustrated but he knows, with such a big squad at Roy Hodgson's disposal, there will always be another chance around the corner.[LNB]"Obviously I was not happy because I want to play but it is not my decision and I have to accept it," said the 25-year-old.[LNB]"I just have to work hard and improve but I need to use the games I get to show the boss I am good enough to play there."[LNB]In contrast to the behaviour of departed midfielder Javier Mascherano, Agger is much more restrained in his attitude to disappointment.[LNB]Mascherano very publicly showed his frustration by opting out of the club's fixture at Manchester City when he heard about a bid from Barcelona.[LNB]The Argentina captain subsequently got his wish but Agger said he would not do anything to jeopardise the harmony within the dressing room.[LNB]"I think it is fair enough to be disappointed and angry, you just don't have to show it," he added.[LNB]"You can show it to yourself at home - you can kick things if you want - but when you are at the club you have to behave and accept things as they are."[LNB]Agger is likely to get a run-out at centre-half having been pressed into service as an emergency left-back in some of the club's earlier games.[LNB]But with deadline-day signing Paul Konchesky fit to play despite coming off against Birmingham and Hodgson looking to change things around, the Dane will get a chance in his preferred position.[LNB]"I want to be in that team. That is the most important thing for me - whether he puts me as a goalie or a striker, it doesn't matter," said Agger.[LNB]"I don't think I can offer the same at left-back as I can at centre-back, a club like Liverpool needs a different kind of player.[LNB]"But if the manager is of the opinion I can play there then I will do."[LNB]Hodgson admits he never saw Agger as anything other than a temporary stop-gap.[LNB]"There has never been any question that we don't know what his best position is," said the 62-year-old.[LNB]"It is a question of getting your best players on the field and sometimes it is about getting players to play out of position in order to put the best team out.[LNB]"Now we have a specialist left-back we can forgo Daniel as a left-back and use him more as a centre-back.[LNB]"That was not the case at the beginning of the season when we didn't have anyone who I thought was more suitable than Daniel."[LNB]Steaua coach Ilie Dumitrescu, returning to England as a coach after spells with Tottenham and West Ham as a player, insists Liverpool are not only favourites for tonight's Europa League game but to win Group K outright.[LNB]"I am very happy to be back in England as a coach and this is a very special match and a big challenge for me," said Dumitrescu, whose only appearance at Anfield as a player finished in a goalless draw.[LNB]"Liverpool are favourites in this group, by far."
