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WEDNESDAY 18 |
Liverpool pair on national service
Liverpool duo Scott Wootton and Sean Highdale will be part
of the England Under-17s squad managed by Noel Blake who
travel to Denmark for the Nordic Championships at the end of
the month.
England will face Iceland on July 30 before lining up
against Finland 24 hours later. The Lions will then play
Sweden on Thursday 2 August.
(Daily Mail)
Fowler waits on move
Robbie Fowler's agent says the former Liverpool legend is in
no rush to make a decision on his future.
Fowler is weighing up his options after being released by
Liverpool at the end of last season.
Cardiff, Leicester and Sydney FC have all expressed an
interest in signing the former Leeds and Manchester City
hit-man.
Cardiff are believed be leading the chase for the prolific
forward, but Fowler's representative George Scott says the
player will not rush into making a decision on who to join
"To be honest, Robbie is enjoying the little bit of freedom
he's got at the moment," Scott told the Western Mail.
"He is not in a mood to be rushed. He is considering eight
offers at the moment, but the phone is always ringing and
there is plenty of interest.
"We've been forced to say thanks, but no thanks to a few of
them."
(Sky Sports)
Alonso: It's all about width
Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso says that Liverpool's
season could be decided by their new wingers.
The Spaniard is excited about the arrivals of Ryan Babel and
Yossi Benayoun, which should put an end to the likes of
Steven Gerrard and previously Luis Garcia playing on the
flanks.
Babel and Benayoun both made their debuts in the 3-2 victory
over Werder Bremen on Tuesday night.
"I think we have improved in terms of wingers with Yossi and
Ryan, but also if you look at Jermaine - he is in very good
shape and playing really well," Alonso told Liverpool's
website.
"I think maybe this will be an important part of our game
this season,
out wide.
"Sometimes last year we had players out there who prefered
to be in a different position, like Luis Garcia, who liked
playing as a second striker. Also, we missed Harry Kewell to
injury. If he is fit we are looking very promising in these
positions."
(TEAMtalk)
No Hong Kong trip for Masch
Javier Mascherano will not travel to Hong Kong with the
first team squad.
The Liverpool midfielder has been given extra time off
because of his participation in the Copa America and won't
travel to Hong Kong with the first team for two friendlies
over there. Instead Mascherano will stay at Melwood and
train with the reserves. This is simply to keep him from
overdoing the travelling.
"Mascherano will have ten days off, but when he returns he
will stay at Melwood with the reserves," said Rafa Benitez.
"There would be too much travelling for him to come with us
to Hong Kong. We don't want to kill the player before the
start of the season.
"It was a pity for Mascherano Argentina didn't win in the
Copa America."
(LFC Online)
New boys glad to play
Yossi Benayoun and Ryan Babel were both glad to make their
Liverpool debuts last night.
Both Yossi Benayoun and Ryan Babel, along with Fernando
Torres, made their Liverpool debuts in last night's 3-2 win
over Werder Bremen and were pleased to pull on the famous
Red shirt for the first time.
"I was of course very happy to make my debut. It's a dream
come true to play for Liverpool," said Benayoun.
(LFC Online)
Reds’ new signing is heaven sent says Hicks
Liverpool chairman Tom Hicks today hailed the ‘heaven sent’
appointment of the club’s new commercial director Ian Ayre.
Hicks said Litherland born and bred Ayre - a Liverpool fan
who once scored a half-time prize penalty in front of the
Kop in 1975 during Chris Lawler’s testimonial – stood out
after a determined international search for the right man to
raidly develop the Reds’ huge commercial and marketing
potential around the world.
Hicks, speaking from his offices in Dallas, said: "This is a
real 'local boy comes home' story and one of our key summer
signings too.
“We conducted a global search which turned up over a dozen
very high quality candidates. George and I both interviewed
– together and separately - probably half a dozen apiece.
“It was real clear to us that Ian was the perfect choice,
both from his background in sponsorship and new media and
also in what we plan to do in Asia.
“But most importantly Ian was the right choice because of
his passion for the team, the community and the city.
“When you roll it all up together he’s going to be a very
important executive for many years to come.”
(Liverpool Echo) |
|
TUESDAY 17 |
Rafa pleased with debutants
Rafael Benitez admitted he was pleased with the performance
of his team as the Reds beat Werder Bremen 3-2 in Grenchen,
and praised the sharpness of debutants Fernando Torres,
Yossi Benayoun and
Ryan Babel.
"I was pleased to see us score three goals and it was nice
for Torres, Benayoun and Babel to play their first games for
us," enthused Benitez.
"They have only just started training with us but they
looked sharp. You can see the different options we have now
in attack and it's good
for the team."
(LFC Official Website)
Voronin outshines Torres and Babel
Fernando Torres and Ryan Babel made their Liverpool bows but
were upstaged by Andriy Voronin, who bagged twice in a 3-2
win over
Werder Bremen.
Summer signing Voronin and John Arne Riise helped the Reds
to a 2-1 half-time lead before Voronin extended the
advantage in the second half.
Torres, Babel and Yossi Benayoun were all introduced as
second-half substitutes in Switzerland.
(TEAMtalk)
Betis ready to go for Gonzalez
Newly-appointed Real Betis coach Hector Cuper has approved
the Spanish club's move for Liverpool winger Mark Gonzalez.
Betis narrowly avoided relegation from the Primera Liga last
season after finishing in 16th place, and are currently busy
rebuilding their squad.
Gonzalez, who previously spent a year on loan with Real
Sociedad, is thought to be close to finalising his transfer,
along with Portuguese goalkeeper Ricardo and Argentina
striker Mariano Pavone, after failing to establish himself
at Anfield.
"We will do everything possible to create a team that is
strong but that also has a winning mentality," said Cuper,
who was confirmed at Betis on Monday after signing a
one-year contract.
"The important thing is that this team has a strong
personality.
"They (the club's prospective new signings) are all very
good players. Ricardo has a great mentality, Pavone has
played well for two years in Argentina and Gonzalez can
improve a lot."
(TEAMtalk)
Quartet set for Reds debut
Yossi Benayoun, Fernando Torres, Ryan Babel and 19-year-old
Bulgarian keeper Nikolay Mihaylov could all make their
Liverpool debuts tonight after being named on the bench to
face Werder Bremen.
All could feature in the second-half, though an ankle injury
is likely to prevent Torres playing a full 45 minutes.
Scott Carson, who featured for England in the European
Under-21 Championships earlier in the summer, makes his
return to action after being named in Rafa's starting 11.
The team in full is: Carson, Finnan, Hyypia, Paletta, Riise,
El Zhar, Hobbs Pennant, Gerrard, Voronin, Crouch.
(LFC Official Website)
Rafa: Torres won't start tonight
Fernando Torres is likely to experience his first action in
a Liverpool shirt as a late substitute in Switzerland
tonight.
The Reds' record signing is pencilled in to play some part
in the friendly against Werder Bremen in Grenchen, but
having recently received treatment for a minor ankle problem
manager Rafael Benitez is unwilling to take any risks with
his new Spanish striker.
"Fernando won't start this game," explained Benitez. "If he
does play, it will only be for a little time. Maybe we will
wait for the second game because there is no hurry.
"What's most important this week is our training and
preparation."
(LFC Official Website)
Reds appoint new commercial director
Ian Ayre was today appointed Commercial Director at
Liverpool Football Club. His appointment is a new position
at the Club which will see him manage and develop commercial
activity.
He will report directly to CEO Rick Parry and joins the Club
on 16 August.
Ian's initial focus will be to work alongside Rick Parry in
growing sponsorship and merchandising revenues, starting
with the selection of sponsors around the Club's move to a
new stadium in 2010. He will also spearhead the development
of the LFC brand internationally, particularly
in Asia.
(LFC Official Website)
Liverpool FC signs TV channel HQ deal
Liverpool Football Club’s new TV channel is setting up home
at the prestige Matchworks II development, in Garston.
Matchworks developer Urban Splash told the Daily Post that
LiverpoolFC.TV would take two units at the site, totalling
11,120 sq ft, on a six year lease.
The channel will employ 20 people and will launch in
September. It intends to broadcast six hours of original
programming content a day, five days
a week.
The space at Matchworks will be used as a TV studio and will
also be home to the production arm of the website, which –
with over a million fans logging on each month – is one of
the most visited football club websites in the world.
Stephen Michael, general manager of LiverpoolFC.TV, said:
“After a long search for appropriate premises, we were
delighted to settle on
the Matchworks.
(Liverpool Daily Post)
Extra time off for Mascherano
Rafael Benitez today revealed Javier Mascherano will be
given extra time off after playing in the Copa America.
Mascherano - who saw his Argentina side crumble to a 3-0
defeat to Brazil in Sunday's final - will miss the Reds'
trip to Hong Kong next week and will instead train at
Melwood as he gets ready for the new season.
"Mascherano will have ten days off, but when he returns he
will stay at Melwood with the reserves," said Benitez.
"There would be too much travelling for him to come with us
to Hong Kong. We don't want to kill the player before the
start of the season.
"It was a pity for Mascherano Argentina didn't win in the
Copa America."
(LFC Official Website)
Heinze move edges nearer
Gabriel Heinze is a step closer to becoming the first player
to switch between Manchester United and Liverpool in 43
years.
Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed on Monday the 29-year-old
Argentina international has indicated he wants to leave the
champions.
"Gaby's agent has advised us that he wants to move on,"
Ferguson told at a press conference in Tokyo. "I am not too
sure about that and we do not have a concrete offer from any
particular club.
"But there is some momentum regarding the player's next move
in terms of through his agent, even if nothing is close at
this moment in time."
It is understood the Old Trafford club are powerless to
prevent Heinze moving to their bitter rivals with a clause
believed to be lodged allowing the full-back to move if an
offer of £6million is made.
Ferguson is unwilling to allow Heinze to move to Anfield and
will at the very leaset try and negotiate a transfer to Real
Madrid, Juventus or Newcastle - who are all courting the
left-back.
(Sporting Life) |
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MONDAY 16 |
Chiellini considers options
Juventus star Giorgio Chiellini has been linked with a move
to England, amid concerns he has about his future with the
Old Lady.
New Juve boss Claudio Ranieri has been busy preparing his
new team ahead of the Serie A season, which has seen a
number of new players already arrive in Turin.
The coming and goings at Turin have now led to Chiellini to
consider whether he may be surplus to requirements and
Liverpool have already been tipped to make a move for the
22-year-old left sider.
"No one has called me or tried to contact me," said
Chiellini.
"They have focused on renewing the contracts of the
important players and this is logical.
"However, they haven't considered the players who gave their
all to bring the team back to the First Division.
"I believe I might risk playing only 30 per cent of next
year's matches and I cannot agree to this.
"I have plenty of opportunities, but I only hope someone
will call me to explain what the plan is. Unfortunately no
one has done this so far."
(Sky Sports)
Kewell nets as Aussies progress
Harry Kewell bagged a goal as Australia booked their place
in the Asian Cup quarter-finals with a 4-0 win over Thailand
on Monday.
The Liverpool winger claimed his side's fourth on 90 minutes
when he stormed onto a Tim Cahill pass, took the ball into
the area and drove
a right-foot shot into the back of the net.
It was Kewell's second of the competition and his 10th in 28
caps for
the Socceroos.
The result, which was carved out in tropical rain at
Thailand's national stadium, sets up a quarter-final
showdown with defending champions Japan on Saturday.
(LFC Official Website)
Foxes confirm Fowler interest
Leicester chairman Milan Mandaric has confirmed his interest
in luring former Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler to the
Walkers Stadium.
Fowler, 32, is currently in negotiations with Australian
side Sydney FC following his release by the Reds at the end
of last season, while Championship rivals Cardiff are also
in the race for his signature.
Mandaric told the Leicester Mercury: "Our rebuilding is not
completed yet. We are still looking for more power up front
and Fowler could give us that.
"I have been talking with his representatives and we know
there is competition for him but it is not always about
money. I think we would be the right club for someone really
looking for the right challenge."
The Foxes have made 11 signings this summer but just one,
Carl Cort, has been a striker.
(PA Sport)
Alessandro Mancini interest is over
Rafa Benitez today revealed Liverpool’s interest in Roma
winger Alessandro Mancini is over, despite claims of a fresh
bid from the player’s agent.
Liverpool did show an interest in the Brazilian earlier in
the summer, but Benitez opted to sign Ryan Babel instead.
Now, with Mancini negotiating a new deal with the Italian
side, his representative is claiming Benitez is still
pursuing the 27-year-old.
But Benitez said today: “I was reading stories about
Mancini. I can say that Liverpool will not be offering any
money for this player.”
(Liverpool Echo)
Reds in Switzerland
Benitez and his 25-man squad arrived in Switzerland
yesterday.
Youngster Jack Hobbs and Stephen Darby are among those
included in the party, as well as all the recent recruits.
Fabio Aurelio is also with the squad and training again,
although Benitez says he won’t be able to play for a month
as he nears recovery from a ruptured Achilles.
Scott Carson, who enjoyed extra time off due to the Under-21
European Championships, is also back in training.
The manager hopes the documents to allow both Lucas Leiva
and Sebastian Leto to feature in the pre-season games will
arrive during
the course of the week.
The Reds play their first Swiss game against Werder Bremen
tomorrow.
(Liverpool Echo)
United braced for Heinze exit
Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed Gabriel Heinze wants to
leave Manchester United.
Heinze has been linked with a summer move after losing his
regular left-back slot to Patrice Evra last season.
The Argentinian has been courted by Liverpool, Newcastle
United, Real Madrid and Barcelona, although Ferguson has yet
to receive a firm bid.
However, the Red Devils manager acknowledged that Heinze is
hoping
to secure a transfer before the start of the season.
"Gaby's agent has advised us that he wants to move on," said
Ferguson.
"I am not too sure about that and we do not have a concrete
offer from any particular club.
"But there is some momentum regarding the player's next move
in terms of through his agent, even if nothing is close at
this moment in time."
Heinze joined United from Paris Saint Germain in a
£6.9million deal three years ago and has made 83 appearances
for the club, having missed
the bulk of the 2005/06 season through injury.
(Sky Sports)
Mascherano's Copa dream dashed
Javier Mascherano's dream of Copa America glory was
emphatically dashed in Venezuela on Sunday night as
Argentina were defeated 3-0
by Brazil in the final.
Mascherano was bidding to become the first Liverpool player
to taste success in the South American equivalent of the
European Championships.
But the pre-tournament favourites surprisingly lost out to
their bitter rivals in resounding fashion.
They fell behind to a Julio Baptista goal after just four
minutes, then saw the deficit doubled before the break when
Roberto Ayala put through his own net. Daniel Alves
completed the scoring midway through
the second half.
(LFC Official Website)
Torres set for Reds debut
Record signing Fernando Torres could make his bow for
Liverpool tomorrow in Switzerland.
The former Atletico Madrid striker is expected to shake off
a slight ankle injury and face Werder Bremen in Grenchen.
Manager Rafael Benitez said: "We had to wait for Fernando
because he started training after the other players.
"We also needed to check his ankle but I think he'll be okay
for
our next game."
Torres could link up with former Bayer Leverkusen striker
Andriy Voronin. The Ukrainian marked his first start of the
club with a fine display in the defeat of Crewe on Saturday
in a friendly.
Benitez said: "We know that Voronin is going to be another
option for us. He has good game intelligence, he plays well
between the lines and he has a lot of quality."
(Sporting Life)
New rail link crucial for 80,000-seat stadium plan
Liverpool's new American owners will have to bankroll a new
rail link if they want to increase the capacity of the new
Stanley Park stadium beyond 60,000, it has emerged.
Joint owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett are on the verge
of submitting what are described as “stunning” plans for a
new home for the Reds.
Although the two partners have made it clear they want a
ground able to accommodate between 70,000 and 80,000 crowds,
they have accepted it is impossible in the immediate future
to exceed the 60,000 already agreed by planners.
Sources close to the stadium project say the owners know
they will have to pay a large chunk of a scheme to enable
thousands extra to reach the new stadium, and that leaves
them with just one option – a new rail link. Their advisers
are already studying the prospects of bringing back into
passenger use a rail link closed around 30 years ago. It
would open up the so-called Bootle line to passenger trains,
giving a direct access to the new ground from Lime Street
Station.
(Liverpool Daily Post)
Kuyt eyes fast start
Dirt Kuyt wants Liverpool to kick off the new season like
they mean business in a bid to challenge for the title.
The Reds won three and lost three of their opening nine
league outings last term, leaving them adrift of Manchester
United and Chelsea.
Kuyt is keen to avoid a repeat this time around and with the
likes of Fernando Torres, Ryan Babel and Yossi Benayoun on
board, the striker knows the quality is there to impress.
"You can't win the title in the first few weeks of the
season, but you can certainly lose it," said the former
Feyenoord ace.
"We had a slow start last season but this time it's
important we show we can do it from the start.
"It was a good thing to bring a few new players in. We
certainly have to play much better than last year.
"I'm not worried about my place. It's important to get
players to make
the team better."
(Sky Sports)
Thor Zakariassen
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