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WEDNESDAY 3 |
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Reds will travel to Bulgaria
Liverpool's opponents in the third qualifying round of the
Champions League will be Bulgarian outfit CSKA Sofia. Sofia
beat SK Tirana 2-0 tonight, 4-0 on aggregate.
The first leg is to be played in Bulgaria next week - on
Wednesday 10th August .
The return leg is at Anfield on Tuesday 23rd August. It is
an unfortunate coincidence that the fixture is against
Bulgarian opposition, meaning the Reds are to travel to the
country which currently holds an innocent Liverpool fan in
its prisons.
Michael Shields was today denied bail and an appeal hearing
won't now be heard until next month at the earliest.
Perhaps the real perpetrator of the crime - Graham Sankey -
will be prepared to travel over next week to face justice.
(Anfield Road.com)
Figo snubs Liverpool for Inter Milan
Liverpool target Luis Figo has turned his back on the club
and has agreed to sign for Italian outfit Inter Milan.
The 32-year-old has agreed a 2-year-deal with the Italians
and should join them on Thursday subject to his medical.
He'll then be paraded to the media.
Figo agreed the deal with Inter president Massimo Moratti
before flying out with Real Madrid to Austria as part of
their pre-season preparations.
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez was keen on signing him but
he's unlikely to lose any sleep over it and neither will we.
(Kop Talk)
Away date set for Euro qualifier
Liverpool have confirmed that they will play the first leg
of their Champions League third round qualifier away from
home at either CSKA Sofia or KF Tirana on Wednesday, August
10th.
CSKA Sofia lead 2-0 from the first leg with the second leg
on Wednesday night in Bulgaria.
The Anfield leg will take place on Tuesday, August 23rd.
That means the Premiership away fixture at Charlton Athletic
has now been postponed. No new date has been set for this
fixture.
(LFC Official Website)
Crouch injury blow
Liverpool have been dealt a blow with the news that new
signing Peter Crouch will be ruled out of action for two to
three weeks with a hamstring strain.
The England international striker had a scan at Melwood on
Wednesday which revealed a hamstring strain in his right
leg.
Crouch picked up the injury during the 2-0 victory over FBK
Kaunas on Tuesday night.
Crouch is definitely out of next week's Champions League
third qualifying round match. The striker is also suspended
for Liverpool's opening two Premiership games against
Middlesbrough and Sunderland following on from a red card he
received playing for Southampton last season.
(LFC Official Website)
Skipper is the catalyst again
Thank heaven for Steven Gerrard. Liverpool's skipper has
been the inspiration for many triumphs - who could forget
his European goals last season, and particularly the one
that sparked the incredible comeback against AC Milan?
His pre-season form in the Champions League qualifiers has
already produced quality goals.
"Quality" was not quite the word I would use to describe his
goal last night against Kaunus, but his presence on the
field, his urgency, his awareness, were all top quality and
he lifted his side when they needed it.
From a game that was dying on its feet, Gerrard gave it new
meaning when he came on as a late substitute.
(Tommy Smith - Liverpool Echo)
Cisse: "We can be champions"
Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse says that Liverpool can
"bridge the gap" to Chelsea and win the Premiership title.
The European champions finished a massive 37 points behind
Jose Mourinho's side last season, but the Frenchman is
convinced that the gulf is by no means insurmountable.
"We have got to be a top three team and with all the talent
we've got here, with the potential we have at this club,
that should be perfectly possible. Yes, Liverpool could be
champions. We can bridge the gap," Cisse told the Liverpool
Echo.
"Don't forget last season was the first time that players
like myself, Luis Garcia, Fernando Morientes and Milan Baros
played in the same team. There's so much room for
improvement because there's so much potential. There are
great things to come, I'm sure of that."
(ITV Football)
Owen admits Premiership interest
The Real Madrid striker, 25, has been tipped to return to
England following the arrivals of Brazilian duo Julio
Baptista and Robinho at the Bernabeu.
Newcastle have confirmed their interest in Owen while
Manchester United have been linked with the England forward.
"With the knowledge of Real Madrid there has been brief
dialogue although no formal negotiations of any kind have
taken place," Owen said.
"During my four days off, there have been two big signings
confirmed by the club and I can understand why this has
resulted in speculation about my future.
"Real Madrid contacted my advisors over the weekend and
explained that they wanted me to stay but that they would
not stand in my way if the right opportunity arose for me to
return to the Premiership."
(BBC Sport Online)
Allardyce: No Stelios bid from Reds
Bolton boss Sam Allardyce has dismissed reports linking
midfielder Stelios Giannakopoulos with a move to Liverpool.
The 31-year-old Greece international was believed to have
attracted the interest of the European champions after an
impressive campaign last season.
Allardyce, however, wants to keep the former Olympiacos
player at the Reebok Stadium.
He told Sky Sports News: "Based on what my chairman said, he
said he had a conversation with (Liverpool chief executive)
Rick Parry, and Rick Parry said there is no bid for Stelios
and there never has been.
"So that kills all the speculation. Liverpool have never
made a bid or an enquiry about Stelios Giannakopoulos, or an
offer for us to consider, so it's all speculation, which is
upsetting for me, but more importantly upsetting for the
player."
(Sporting Life)
Crouch hopeful injury not serious
Peter Crouch is hopeful his hamstring injury is not a
serious one as he faces a scan later today.
Crouch hobbled off the pitch feeling his hamstring in the
54th minute but is hopeful the injury will not keep him out
of the third qualifying round next week.
Crouch said: "It was frustrating and I'll be having a scan
in the morning so I'll know more then but hopefully it
should be okay.
"It was great to finally play at Anfield. I enjoyed it but
obviously I'd have liked to have finished the game, so that
was frustrating because I was just getting into my stride."
(LFC Online)
All bags will be searched at Anfield
All bags will be searched at Liverpool's home matches next
season as part of the club's increased security in light of
the recent terrorist attacks on London.
Although the European champions believe the systems already
in place at Anfield are well-tuned and effective, stadium
manager Ged Poynton said extra precautions were necessary in
the current climate.
He said: "Stadiums are soft options and vulnerable, and it
is an impossible task to be 100% safe unless you introduce
airport style security.
"Bags have been randomly searched in the past, but from now
on every bag will be searched. People have the right to
refuse but we also have the right to refuse entrance."
The stadium is searched before each game and Mr Poynton
revealed that other measures, can be taken if necessary.
"We are able to shut the stadium down or close off sections,
and we do practise such eventualities." he said.
(Daily Post) |
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TUESDAY 2 |
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Rafa praises Stevie and Momo
Rafael Benitez singled out goalscoring hero Steven Gerrard
and Momo Sissoko for special praise following Liverpool's
2-0 victory over FBK Kaunas in the Champions League second
round qualifier.
"For me Momo Sissoko was one of the best players on the
pitch. He worked hard, he won tackles, kept it simple and I
am happy with him."
(LFC Official Website)
Gerrard inspires Liverpool
Liverpool cruised to a 2-0 win over Kaunas at Anfield - but
again left it late with Steven Gerrard and Djibril Cisse
scoring from the bench.
Rafael Benitez's troops were always in charge of the
Champions League second qualifying round showdown after
earning a 3-1 lead from the first leg.
Steven Gerrard revealed he was happy to get the chance to
score his seventh goal of Liverpool's Champions League
qualifying campaign.
The England midfielder had only been on the pitch for two
minutes after arriving as a 75th-minute substitute with
Liverpool toiling against the plucky Lithuanians.
(Sporting Life)
Benitez makes eight changes for Kaunas tie
Rafael Benitez has made eight changes for Liverpool's
Champions League qualifier against Kaunas tonight.
Liverpool: Carson, Finnan, Hyypia, Whitbread, Warnock, Luis
Garcia, Hamann, Sissoko, Zenden, Crouch, Morientes.
Subs: Reina, Riise, Gerrard, Cisse, Alonso, Carragher,
Potter.
Kaunas: Kilijonas, Kancelskis, Zelmikas, Baguzis,
Manchkhava, Pehlic, Vadim Petrenko, Kvaratskhelia,
Kunevicius, Poderis, Rimkevicius.
Subs: Kurskis, Barevicius, Beniusis, Maciulis, Klimek,
Kijanskas, Papeckys.
Referee: Gianluca Paparesta (Italy)
(BreakingNews.ie)
Le Tallec joins Sunderland on loan
Sunderland have today signed Liverpool forward Anthony Le
Tallec on a year-long loan.
The 20-year-old played in both legs o Liverpool’s Champions
League qualifier against TNS but has struggled to establish
himself at Anfield since moving to the club in 2002.
Le Tallec told official website www.safc.com: “I chose to
come to Sunderland because I need to play games.
“At Liverpool it is very difficult to play every week, the
coach [Rafael Benitez] told
me that.”
(Evening Echo)
Beattie backs Baros bid
James Beattie says Milan Baros would be welcomed at Everton
if he crossed Liverpool to join the Goodison Park outfit.
The former Southampton striker realises there would be more
competition for a starting spot in attack but he holds the
Liverpool forward in high regard.
"He's a top striker, a Czech international who did very well
in the European Championship," Beattie told Sky Sports News.
"The only problem I would see is probably because he's
coming over Stanley Park but it wouldn't be a problem to us.
"He'd be welcomed if the manager signed him.
"I don't know [about the problems switching Merseyside
clubs] as I'm getting used to it myself. We'll see what
happens."
(Planet Football/Sky Sports)
Under-18's fight back to earn a draw
Liverpool under-18s kicked off their pre-season programme
this afternoon with a 2-2 draw against Wolverhampton
Wanderers at the Academy.
The young Reds produced a spirited second-half fight back to
recover from a two-goal half-time deficit.
Michael Nardiello got the comeback underway when bundling
the ball over the line after the Wolves keeper failed to
hold a corner from the left.
Charlie Barnett then levelled with a sweetly struck low shot
from the edge of the box that creeped into the far corner to
round off an impressive counter-attack.
Liverpool under-18s are next in action on Friday when they
entertain Leicester City
at the Academy.
(LFC Official Website)
Saddlers complete Staunton swoop
Walsall have completed the signing of veteran ex-Liverpool,
Aston Villa and Coventry defender Steve Staunton.
The Republic of Ireland international, 36, rejected the
offer of a new contract with the Sky Blues.
"Steve is a vastly experienced player who I have played
alongside and against many times," Saddlers player-boss Paul
Merson told the club website.
"His presence will really help the young players here, and
his arrival can only enhance the squad."
(BBC Sport Online)
Medjani nears Metz switch
Liverpool youngster Carl Medjani is close to sealing a loan
move to Metz.
Medjani is primed to return to France on a season-long loan
after spending the last campaign with Lorient.
The defender has featured during The Reds' pre-season
campaign and was on the bench for last week's UEFA Champions
League qualifier against FBK Kaunas.
But his chances at Anfield this term will be limited and he
revealed last week that he was looking for guidance on his
future from Rafa Benitez.
The Liverpool manager has again decided Medjani would
benefit from receiving regular playing time elsewhere and
has sanctioned his exit for the season.
Metz have been chasing the 20-year-old throughout the summer
and are now close to finalising the deal.
Medjani is due to arrive in Metz on Tuesday with a view to
putting the finishing touches to his temporary transfer.
(Sky Sports)
Blues confirm Baros interest
Milan Baros could be set to cross Stanley Park after Everton
confirmed they are keen on signing the exit-bound Liverpool
striker.
The striker's days at Anfield appear to be numbered after
manager Rafael Benitez admitted he would consider offers for
the 23-year-old Czech.
Aston Villa and West Ham have already been linked with Baros
and Everton chief executive Keith Wyness confirmed on
Tuesday that Baros was one of a number of strikers they had
targeted.
"We are looking at a number of different striking options
and we are currently reviewing them all," Wyness told the
Liverpool Echo.
"Baros is one of the names on the list."
(TEAMtalk)
Crouch relishing Kop roar
Peter Crouch says he can't wait to sample the Anfield
atmosphere for the first time when Liverpool play FC Kaunas
tonight.
The £7m signing has only played away from home since signing
from Southampton in mid-July.
But he is in the squad for the second leg of the Champions
League qualifier having impressed on his competitive debut
in Lithuania last week and is expected to feature at some
stage.
And Crouch admits the thought of playing in European matches
at Anfield was one of the main reasons why he was so
desperate to join the Champions League holders.
He said: "Obviously, when I was getting closer to signing
for Liverpool all kinds of things were running through my
mind like pulling on a red shirt for the first time and
running out at Anfield.
"Since I've been here everything has been as good as I
imagined it would be. I'm training with a better standard of
player than I'm used to but it has been good."
(Liverpool Echo)
Lawrenson: Liverpool must sign Michael
Owen
Former Red's defender Mark Lawrenson says Liverpool must
find the money to buy Michael Owen.
Lawro told the Liverpool Daily Post: "Where Michael Owen is
concerned, I would put common sense and logic on hold and
buy him back.
"In my opinion, he is that good and one goal in every two
games for 20 odd goals a season will make up for a
centre-back.
"Given that his situation at Real Madrid is now clearer, he
will be leaving in the next couple of weeks. If he does not,
then he faces a season as fifth choice forward at best. For
a player as good as Michael, especially in World Cup year,
he cannot do that.
"I would much rather see Owen and Crouch/Morientes/Cisse up
front though. And if you're thinking shouldn't Milan Baros
be on that list, then no, he shouldn't. He will be gone by
the end of the week, and not on loan.
"Once again, watch this space - but not for a centre-back."
(Kop Talk)
Rafa issues Reds goal plea
Rafael Benitez will demand more goals to add to a
free-scoring summer as Liverpool head for the final
qualifying round of the Champions League.
The Liverpool chief is in buoyant mood as he prepares his
side for the second qualifying round second leg at Anfield
against Kaunas.
The Reds are already 3-1 ahead and, knowing only a miracle
now will stop the holders moving onto a tie likely to be
against Bulgarian champions CSKA Sofia, Benitez is full of
confidence after 20 goals from his side in six pre-season
matches.
There could be more against the Lithuania champions, and
Benitez said: "We are scoring goals in each game, three or
four, and that means we are more consistent.
"Some of them have been friendlies and also we have played
against some teams who are not the strongest, but we are
still scoring in every game and not just one or two.
"That is good for us. I am confident and I think the team is
better than last season."
(TEAMtalk)
Blues keen on Milan
David Moyes is sniffing around Milan Baros, after the Czech
striker's proposed move to Schalke 04 collapsed.
(LFC Online)
Reds to play away leg first
Liverpool will play away in the first leg of the Champions
League third round qualifier should they progress tonight.
Liverpool were drawn to play the first leg at home but so
were Everton and so the Reds' games have been switched round
should they beat Kaunas tonight. The date for the first leg
has yet to be agreed but the second leg at Anfield will be
played on Tuesday
August 23rd.
(LFC Online) |
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MONDAY 1 |
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Le Tallec set for Black Cats
Sunderland are closing in on the signing of Liverpool
youngster Anthony Le Tallec.
The French attacker is primed to join The Black Cats on a
season-long loan after holding talks with the Premiership
new boys on Monday.
Le Tallec's advisors have confirmed the 20-year-old is
poised to move to The Stadium of Light and will undergo a
medical on Tuesday.
The forward is being shipped out of Anfield by Liverpool
boss Rafa Benitez to continue his footballing education.
He spent the first half of last season on loan at St Etienne
but returned to Merseyside after a troubled spell with Les
Verts.
Though Le Tallec has played in the UEFA Champions League
qualifiers this summer, he is not a prominent member of
Benitez's squad.
Anderlecht had been linked with a loan offer for Le Tallec
but Benitez feels the player will be better served by
staying in The Premiership with Sunderland.
(Planet Football/Sky Sports)
Schalke end Baros interest
Schalke 04 have abandoned an attempts to lure Czech striker
Milan Baros to the Bundesliga.
Schalke ended their interest in the player once it was made
clear to them by Liverpool that Baros was for sale at €8
million. "For us, the matter is closed," said Schalke’s
general manager Rudi Assauer, who was angling for a loan
deal. "We can’t afford such a sum. We could only do it if we
are guaranteed a place in the Champions' League over the
next three years."
On Monday, Liverpool coach Rafa Benitez told reporters:
"Baros is still our player. Some clubs are interested in the
player but we have never said we are unhappy with Milan and
have not said that we want to sell him. We have good
strikers here: Fernando Morientes, Djibril Cisse, Peter
Crouch, Anthony Le Tallec, Neil Mellor, Florent
Sinama-Pongolle and Baros. The aim is to use them all in all
of the competitions."
(Goal.com)
Benitez hits back in Mourinho row
Rafael Benitez says Jose Mourinho's comments regarding
Steven Gerrard prove the Chelsea boss is "worried".
Mourinho said Gerrard would have won more trophies had he
moved to the Blues instead of opting to sign a new contract
at Anfield.
But Liverpool manager Benitez said: "I like to hear Mourinho
talking about us. Maybe they're worried about us and think
we'll be dangerous next season.
"As for Steven winning trophies, he will win more for
us...maybe soon."
He added: "I like to see people talking about us, it means
they are worried and we are an important club.
"I am convinced that we are a better team now than before,
and that is why people talk about us.
"We are stronger than before and we are a more important
team than before."
(BBC Sport Online)
Baros and Dudek left out again
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez will only rotate his squad in
the Champions League second qualifying round second leg at
home to Kaunas once the result has been secured.
The Reds are 3-1 up and are expected to progress with a
comfortable win over the Lithuanian champions.
Benitez, though, will again keep Milan Baros and Jerzy Dudek
out of the side to prevent them being cup-tied and so
protect their transfer value.
But with Djimi Traore, Harry Kewell, Neil Mellor and Florent
Sinama-Pongolle all injured Benitez does not have many
alternatives to the squad.
Steve Finnan, who missed last week's first leg with
sickness, should return.
Liverpool (from): Reina, Finnan, Hyypia, Carragher, Josemi,
Zenden, Gerrard, Sissoko, Hamann, Alonso, Potter, Crouch,
Cisse, Morientes, Dudek, Carson, Luis Garcia, Warnock,
Medjani.
(Sporting Life)
Celta tie up Nunez deal
Celta Vigo have confirmed they have tied up a move for
Liverpool's Antonio Nunez, but have remained tight-lipped
about a possible deal for Hugo Viana of Newcastle.
Nunez, who failed to nail down a regular place in Rafael
Benitez's first team at Anfield, has agreed a three-year
deal with the Galician club, who are back in the Primera
Liga after a year in the Segunda Division.
"The Nunez deal was completed last Friday," said Celta Vigo
spokesman
Eugenio Gonzalez.
(TEAMtalk)
Baros move near
Milan Baros is expected to finalise a move away from
Liverpool shortly, although his final destination is as yet
unknown.
Schalke are closing on the Czech ace's signature but the
player's agent, Pavel Paska, admitted: "I don't think that
Schalke is his only option.
"Liverpool will have the final say though I do expect that
Milan's transfer will be finalised soon," added Paska
Aston Villa, West Ham, Deportivo and Monaco are all known
admirers of Baros although Paska confirmed that only two
teams have been able to match Liverpool's valuation
(Sky Sports)
Rafa: Striker not a priority
Rafael Benitez today seemingly ruled himself out of a move
for Michael Owen after insisting he isn't looking to bring a
new striker to Anfield.
The former Liverpool striker is reportedly on his way out of
Real Madrid after the Spanish giants signed both Julio
Baptista and Robinho - relegating Owen to fifth choice
striker at the club.
Manchester United have today been heavily linked with a move
for Owen with owner Malcolm Glazer having made it clear
funds will be made available if Alex Ferguson wants to make
a bid.
Benitez is still hoping to strengthen his squad before the
new season starts, but he says Owen isn't on his wanted
list.
He said: "We have a lot of strikers who I am happy with and
for me the most important thing at the moment is to protect
Sami Hyypia and Jamie Carragher.
"I am looking for a centre back and not a centre forward."
(LFC Official Website)
Sinama-Pongolle back in training
Florent Sinama-Pongolle is back in full training and ready
to boost Liverpool's attacking options ahead of the new
season.
Pongolle has been out of action since suffering a knee
injury during the Carling Cup semi-final defeat of Watford
in January.
The young French striker suffered a tear to his left
anterior cruciate ligament - an injury that ruled him out of
the Reds' glorious end to last season.
He is yet to figure in Liverpool's summer programme but will
soon be hoping to stake his claim for a first team recall as
he continues to step up his bid for full fitness at Melwood.
Since joining the Reds' from Le Havre in 2003 the
highly-rated Pongolle has scored six goals in 49 games.
(LFC Official Website)
Stelios admits Liverpool interest
Stelios Giannakopoulos has admitted that Liverpool have been
keen to secure his services.
The 30-year-old Greece winger, who has a year to run on his
contract, is currently negotiating a new deal at Bolton.
However he is becoming increasingly frustrated as the matter
drags on.
“I hope it will have a happy end so that I can relax,” he
told the Manchester Evening News. “The earlier you finish
these situations the better it is for the player and for the
fans. They keep asking ’Is Stelios staying or going?’ and I
don’t know the answer.
“I am very happy here. You can see that from the football I
play.
“I expect things will get rolling again and the gaffer (Sam
Allardyce) or the chairman (Phil Gartside) will speak about
the situation and bring an end to the story.
“The stories about Liverpool were not speculation. It was a
true situation. Liverpool wanted me and maybe they still
want me. I have to know.”
(Ireland On-Line)
Wenger: I'm not chasing forward
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has distanced himself from a
move for Real Madrid striker Michael Owen.
Owen's future at the Bernabeu is uncertain following the
signing of Brazil duo Julio Baptista and Robinho for the
Spanish giants.
Ronaldo and Raul are also at the club and Owen has been
linked with a move back to the Premiership, with Arsenal
tipped as a possible destination.
Wenger, who received £13.7million for Patrick Vieira, is in
the market for new players but revealed he is not looking to
recruit a striker.
"We have not made a bid for Michael Owen," Wenger said. "At
the moment I am not looking for a striker but other areas."
(Daily Post)
Mourinho: Gerrard the loser after snub
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is sure Steven Gerrard's
decision to reject a move to Stamford Bridge will hurt the
Liverpool captain more than the Premiership champions.
"Gerrard is a great player and we want an English core very
much," Mourinho told The Times. "We normally play a midfield
triangle and you can imagine that Gerrard and (Frank)
Lampard, with (Claude) Makelele just behind them as
protection, could be a very strong team but I think it is
Gerrard's loss more than Chelsea's."
He continued: "Why? Because Chelsea have good solutions; a
good team with the conditions to improve and a club which
will be one of the best in the world in a short period of
time.
"So when he decides not to join this club, I think it will
be a loss for him, for his career.
"He can say 'I was European champion at Liverpool' and I
have to say that is correct.
"But I can say to him in the next 10 years we will compare
trophies at Chelsea and trophies at Liverpool. And he will
lose."
(Ananova)
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Thor Zakariassen
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