News Archive

	TUESDAY 3
	Reds tell of possible changes Liverpool have contacted the Premier League to advise that a change of ownership or directors is possible. It is understood those jostling to take control of the club have also made representations. Under the body's rules 10 days' notice is required to ensure a potential buyer or board member for any top flight club meet the 'fit and proper persons' test. This process has many detractors but the requirements have been 'beefed up' after events at Liverpool and Manchester United but also Portsmouth who became the first Premier League club to end up in administration. Though there is no bidder being assessed at present the move will speed up any takeover and allow funds to be released prior to the transfer window closing. Rumours of a board meeting this afternoon are false but the five man body consisting of Tom Hicks, George Gillett, Ian Ayre, Christian Purslow and Martin Broughton will get together to decide on a preferred bidder. (Shankly Gates) Al Fayed hits out at Hodgson Fulham chairman Mohamed Al Fayed has accused former manager Roy Hodgson of 'taking advantage' of the club. However, the Cottagers chief insists he has forgiven the new Liverpool boss for departing the Londoners for Anfield this summer. Hodgson left Craven Cottage following two-and-a-half years at the helm last month, after his success there saw him hailed as the greatest manager in the club's history. Mark Hughes stepped in as his successor last week and was officially unveiled as manager on Tuesday afternoon. And Al Fayed made his feelings clear on Hodgson during the press conference. "He (Hughes) has inherited a great team which had fantastic results but unfortunately this guy (Hodgson), after we put him where he is now, he took advantage and left us," said Al Fayed. "But good luck to him, good luck to Liverpool." (Sky Sports) Viola fail to sign Insua Emiliano Insua could now remain at Anfield next season Liverpool earlier said that a deal to sell Insua, 21, had been agreed, but Fiorentina had revealed the move was in jeopardy due to the player's wage demands. "We're giving up on Emiliano Insua," Corvino told Sky Sport Italia. "He asked for wages we cannot possibly provide. "Last night I had dinner with the director of sport at Liverpool until 2am. The player will remain in England. He is owed money by the club and he asked for wages we cannot possibly provide. "Therefore we're giving up on Insua. He will not be coming to Fiorentina. Because of this, the squad at Sinisa Mihajlovic's disposal will remain what it is now, unless there is a shock bargain available." Liverpool have already moved to provide cover at left back by re-signing Fabio Aurelio following his release earlier in the summer. (Soccernet) Liverpool boosted by Torres statement Liverpool striker Fernando Torres says he is "really happy" at Anfield and as committed to the club as he was on the day he joined. Torres, who returned to training on Monday after winning the World Cup with Spain in South Africa, has been the subject of persistent speculation this summer. However, the 26-year-old has moved to quash suggestions he wants to quit Anfield. "I am really happy to be back, really happy to stay with all my team-mates,'' he said on the club's official website. "My commitment and loyalty to the club and to the fans is the same as it was on my first day when I signed. "I am looking forward to the challenge ahead.'' (TEAMtalk) Fabio Aurelio: I never wanted to leave Liverpool so I'm delighted to be back Fabio Aurelio claimed he never wanted to leave Liverpool in the first place after rejoining the club when new boss Roy Hodgson called him up. The Brazilian left-back walked away from Anfield after failing to agree terms on a new deal when his contract ran out last season when previous manager Rafa Benitez was still in charge. But when new Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson contacted him about rejoining the club, Aurelio jumped at the chance. He told The Liverpool Echo: 'It was a strange situation. I didn’t really want to leave but it just happened that my contract finished and that was it. So when the opportunity came around to sign again, I was absolutely delighted. 'I didn’t expect the call and I just have to say thanks to the boss, as he contacted the club about my situation.' (Daily Mail) Huang hopes Torres believes in his commitment to spending big at Liverpool Kenny Huang hopes his push for Liverpool convinces Fernando Torres to pledge his commitment. The Daily Mail says Huang is believed to have already spoken to senior figures at Anfield to express his seriousness about a buy-out and in the hope that his message will filter down to help persuade top stars like Torres, who returned to training yesterday after his post-World Cup break, that the club does have a better future. Torres has yet to publicly commit himself to the club the way captain Steven Gerrard did on his return from international duty, and speculation still links the Spain striker with the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City. The 26-year-old is disappointed with the lack of investment in the squad but, with a potential change of ownership around the corner, he may find last season's request for 'four or five' players is granted sooner than he could have wished. (tribalfootball.com) Torres facing a race to make Liverpool FC league opener Fernando Torres returned to training for Liverpool yesterday – but faces a race against time to be fit for the start of the Premier League season. Torres, along with fellow World Cup finalists Pepe Reina, Dirk Kuyt and Ryan Babel, reported back to Melwood as Roy Hodgson brought together his squad for the first time since taking over as manager. The striker is nursing an adductor injured suffered during the closing moments of Spain’s 1-0 World Cup final victory over Holland in Johannesburg a fortnight ago. Torres has less than two weeks training and rehabilitation with Liverpool before they begin their domestic campaign with the visit of Arsenal on August 15. Thursday’s Europa League return against FK Rabotnicki at Anfield has come too soon for the Spaniard and is the last chance for Liverpool’s players to build up match fitness ahead of the season proper. And it means Torres is almost certain to be missing from the starting line-up for Hodgson’s first Premier League game in charge. (Daily Post) Liverpool's stock may rise with Wall Street graduate Kenny Huang Once bitten, twice shy. The identification of Kenny Huang, the Chinese entrepreneur, as the man fronting a bid to oust Tom Hicks and George Gillett, after three long, debt-ridden years, from Liverpool may have excited the club's fans, but bitter experience has taught them that football contains no knights in shining armour. The doubts have already set in. Huang's background will hardly allay their fears. He may have been voted China's philanthropist of the year in 2009, but his motives in lodging a £325 million bid for England's most decorated football club are hardly likely to be altruistic. Born in southern Guangdong province in 1964 and apparently a fine badminton player in his youth, Huang was the first Chinese graduate to work on Wall Street, working as a public relations executive before moving to private wealth management. He has invested in companies as diverse as Xinxin Mining, the Longrun Tea Group and China Railway. He has forged a reputation as a deal-maker, mostly brokering agreements between Chinese and American companies. He is a money man. (Rory Smith - Telegraph.co.uk)
	MONDAY 2
	Torres' Liverpool future hinges on quick sale of club Kenny Huang's bid for Liverpool is only one of "several" offers for the club, according to their chairman, Martin Broughton. Huang has yet to enter formal due diligence, but talks are sufficiently advanced with other bidders for there to be the prospect of a takeover at Anfield before the closure of the transfer window on 31 August. That could have an effect on the future of the striker Fernando Torres, who returned to training at Melwood today. "It still remains the objective to conclude a deal before the end of the transfer window," Broughton told the Guardian tonight. "That remains the objective but there are no deadlines, and we will continue working to complete the process." (guardian.co.uk) Huang plans to invest heavily in Liverpool Chinese businessman Kenny Huang has pledged to invest heavily in Liverpool should his ownership bid succeed. The head of Hong Kong-based investment company QSL Sports Ltd has been in talks with Royal Bank of Scotland for some time over buying out the Reds' £237million debt. That would give him 'a ridiculously large amount of leverage', a source told Press Association Sport, in order to be able to force out unpopular owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett. But the spending would not stop there as Huang, whose interest is described as 'remarkably serious', is keen to get a deal done in order to be able to furnish manager Roy Hodgson with money to spend in this month's transfer window. In addition, he will also turn his attention to finally getting Liverpool's new 60,000-seater stadium built in Stanley Park after three years of inertia. (RTE) Bank denies Liverpool sale approach Liverpool's major creditor, Royal Bank of Scotland, have denied they were in talks with a Chinese businessman over the sale of the Premier League club. But a source close to Chinese businessman Kenny Huang has said talks to buy Liverpool's £237 million debt with RBS were under way as a first step towards a purchase deal for the 18-times English champions. Media reports have claimed that Huang, a Guangdong-born US citizen who already has interests in Chinese baseball and US basketball, had approached the bank as part of a scheme to eventually acquire control of the club. But an RBS spokesman said: "We are not in talks with any bidder about the sale of Liverpool football club." (Reuters) Poulsen agent denies Reds link Christian Poulsen has not received any contact about a possible move to Liverpool, according to the player's agent. The Danish international has long been linked with a transfer to Merseyside, where he could be used as a possible replacement for Javier Mascherano. Mascherano has requested to leave Anfield, with Inter Milan his likely destination, and Poulsen is rumoured to be available to leave Juventus after failing to hold down a regular first-team spot. "I've also read the voices on newspapers but I can't comment on the rumours," said Joern Bonnesen to Calciomercato.it. "I have not heard from anyone from Liverpool. "Juventus have not called me and I have not found it necessary to do it. "How many chances does Poulsen have to leave Juventus? No comment." (Sky Sports) Raheem Sterling makes Liverpool debut at 15 years of age At 15 years of age, Raheem Sterling made his senior Liverpool debut yesterday against Borussia Monchengladbach. The England Under-16 midfielder, signed from QPR, made his bow in the 82nd minute at the age of 15 years, seven months. Boss Roy Hodgson took him to Germany because he feared the squad would be light on numbers. “Sterling and Suso (Jesus Fernandez ) were called up and so I wanted to give them a few minutes on the pitch,” said Hodgson. (tribalfootball.com) Roy ready for striker swoop Liverpool are believed to be lining up a bid for Peter Crouch after indications that Tottenham will sell the striker to raise funds. Hodgson's former club Fulham are also said to be interested in the striker, who turned down a move to Craven Cottage last year, but Liverpool are leading the race for his signature. (Clubcall.com) Former Red battles blood cancer Former Liverpool defender Gary Ablett is battling blood cancer. The 44-year-old has been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. As reported in the Daily Mirror... Ablett was taken ill last week, soon after agreeing a one-year coaching contract with Ipswich. He had been due to sit alongside manager Roy Keane on the Portman Road bench for the first time in Saturday's friendly with West Ham. A sombre Keane, who recruited Ablett after getting to know him on a coaching course, said after the game: "Gary was taken ill at the training ground and taken to hospital. He is getting the best of treatment." Ablett's family rushed to his bedside. It is expected he will be moved from Suffolk to his native Merseyside this week where intensive treatment will continue. The defender spent nine years at Liverpool from 1983 - where he won two league titles - before joining Everton. Ablett went on to finish his playing career at Birmingham, Blackpool and Wycombe. (LFC Online) Cole in confident mood Liverpool star Joe Cole is confident his new side will be ready to fire on all cylinders for the start of the season. Cole made his Reds debut in Sunday's friendly defeat to Borussia Monchengladbach alongside returning England team-mates Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher and Glen Johnson. "It was a good workout," said Cole. "It was a very hot day and pre-season is always difficult. There were no injuries, so everything went well." (Sky Sports) Jack Wolfskin becomes new sponsor of Liverpool FC German outdoor clothing outfitter Jack Wolfskin continues its successful campaign to increase brand recognition in the UK with its commitment to sponsor Liverpool FC in the coming season. A contract period of three years has been agreed and the deal includes a range of rights that will enhance Jack Wolfskin's exposure. (LFC Official Website) Hodgson delighted with Aurelio contract U-turn Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson is delighted with Fabio Aurelio's return to the club. The Brazilian fullback has signed a new two-year deal with the Reds after being released at the end of last season. "We've known about him at Liverpool for a long time," Hodgson told Liverpoolfc.tv. "The coaching staff know him even better than I do. I've only known him as an opponent but he's a quality left-back who has been an important part of Liverpool's past. "I was quite surprised when I found out he was fully fit and hadn't been offered a new contract, so I think it was a bit of an obvious thing to do. I said, 'rather than move to another Barclays Premier League club why don't you stay with us?' "Happily enough Christian Purslow was able to negotiate a new contract with him." (tribalfootball.com) Liverpool co-owners set to be ousted by Chinese billionaire Kenneth Huang Kenneth Huang, a Chinese billionaire, has made a direct offer to the Royal Bank of Scotland to buy Liverpool’s £237 million debt and oust the club’s current owners, George Gillett and Tom Hicks. In an effort to delay RBS accepting the offer, Gillett has presented Syrian businessman Yahya Kirdi as a viable bidder for Liverpool. Gillett informed RBS last week that he was in advanced negotiations with Kirdi, a former Syria international footballer, after Huang entered into talks with the bank over a deal that would see the American and his partner, Tom Hicks, exit Anfield without any profit. Huang, a Wall Street stockbroker and chairman of the Hong Kong-based QSL Sports group, is backed by one of the wealthiest investment funds in the Far East. It is believed he has already approached a number of senior figures at the club to prove his determination to force Hicks and Gillett out, while he will also ask Fernando Torres, due to return to training today, to delay a decision on his future. (Telegraph.co.uk)
	SUNDAY 1
	Roy's Borussia verdict Roy Hodgson admitted there were plenty of positives to take from the performance of his Liverpool players, despite a 1-0 defeat to Borussia Moenchengladbach in Germany. The boss told Liverpoolfc.tv: "We gave it to them again. It's disappointing. If it had stayed 0-0 I would have been delighted with the performance. I am still quite pleased and I think we got everything we asked from the players." (LFC Official Website) Cole starts in friendly loss Joe Cole made his Liverpool debut as the Reds slipped to a 1-0 defeat in a pre-season friendly with Borussia Moenchengladbach in Germany on Sunday afternoon. The summer signing delivered an encouraging 65-minute performance at Borussia Park and displayed some slick link-up play with his new teammates - particularly with Steven Gerrard, who along with Jamie Carragher and Glen Johnson, made his first appearance for the Reds under new manager Roy Hodgson. There were also late cameos for Academy starlets Raheem Sterling and Jesus 'Suso' Fernandez as the Reds continued their preparations for the start of the Barclays Premier League season in two weeks time. However, Moenchengladbach were eager to put on a show for their home crowd and duly opened the scoring on eight minutes as Karim Matmour capitalised on a defensive error to score. (LFC Official Website) Insua returns to Liverpool as Fiorentina move falls through It looks like Liverpool will have the services of left back Emiliano Insua, at least for the time being, s the Argentine’s prospective move to Fiorentina has fallen through. The two sides had agreed on a fee for the 21-year-old, but the deal has broken down due to the player being unable to agree personal terms with the Serie A side. Insua, who started 30 Premier League games for Liverpool last season, rejoined the club for today’s friendly in Germany against Borussia Monchengladbach, and he started and played nearly an hour in Liverpool‘s 1-0 loss. Fiorentina could still make a move for Insua over the next month, but if he remains at Liverpool, one could expect him to have an edge to be first-choice at left back ahead of the re-signed Fabio Aurelio, who replaced him in today’s defeat in Monchengladbach. (Soccerlens) Cole starts in Germany Joe Cole makes his Liverpool debut in this afternoon's pre-season friendly against Borussia Moenchengladbach - watch exclusively live online from 12.30pm BST. The midfielder joins England teammates Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher and Glen Johnson in the starting XI as Roy Hodgson names his strongest line-up of the summer so far. Lauri Dalla Valle will lead the line in attack while Fabio Aurelio is named on the bench after re-signing for the club on Saturday. Liverpool: Cavalieri, Johnson, Insua, Ayala, Carragher, Gerrard, Shelvey, Ince, Eccleston, Cole, Dalla Valle. Subs: Gulacsi, Aurelio, Wilson, Darby, Irwin, Spearing, Aquilani, Jovanovic, Amoo, Suso, Sterling. (LFC Official Website) Liverpool to offer £8m for West Ham midfield ace Parker Liverpool are ready to make an £8 million offer for West Ham United midfielder Scott Parker. The Sunday Mirror says Anfield boss Roy Hodgson has pinpointed the West Ham midfielder as the man to replace Javier ­Mascherano, who is set to join Inter Milan in a £20m deal. (tribalfootball.com) Carra wants Torres commitment Jamie Carragher hopes that Fernando Torres will follow Steven Gerrard's lead and maintain the feel-good factor at Liverpool by pledging his commitment to the club. Reds skipper Gerrard said earlier in the summer that he would be staying at Anfield, despite interest from Real Madrid, in order to help the club recover from the disappointment of last season. The future of Torres is less certain as Chelsea and Manchester City circle the Spanish World Cup winner, who is unhappy that Liverpool will not be playing in the UEFA Champions League in the new campaign. Carragher is keen for the striker to take a note from Gerrard's book to allow his club to go into the new season on a high, while the defender also thinks that another couple of signings will boost morale. "Well, he's our best player," Carragher told Liverpool's official website after a 1-0 pre-season defeat to Borussia Monchengladbach on Sunday afternoon. "For me he's probably the best player in the history of the club, alongside Kenny (Dalglish), so it's obviously going to give everyone a massive lift." (Sky Sports) Thor Zakariassen ©