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SUNDAY 3 |
Betis 'seeking Dudek deal'
Reports in Spain claim that Real Betis are
engaged in talks with Liverpool over the possible signing of
Jerzy Dudek.
The Polish keeper will leave Anfield in the summer after
seeing his international hopes fade as a result of his
failure to dislodge Jose Reina in Rafa Benitez's plans.
Spain has now emerged as a realistic destination for the
keeper as Marca reports that the Andalucian club have begun
to talk with their English counterparts about a possible
deal for the former Feyenoord man.
(Sky Sports)
Hammers chase Bellamy
West Ham are the latest side todeclare an interest in
signing Craig Bellamy.
(LFC Online)
Bolton want Carson
Bolton Wanderers want to sign Liverpool goalkeeper Scott
Carson.
(LFC Online)
International round-up: Agger and Riise
both score
The season may be over for Liverpool but a number of our
players were on international duty at the weekend. Here's a
quick round-up of who played and how they got on
Daniel Agger was involved in the most controversial
match of the weekend after Denmark's game against Sweden was
abandoned after 89 minutes. With Sweden racing into a 3-nil
lead within 30-minutes, Agger kick-started an amazing
comeback for the Danes by scoring in the 34th minute. Two
further goals for Denmark in the second-half levelled the
scores before the referee, Herbert Fandel who took charge
of the Champions League final last month - walked off the
pitch after a fan tried to attack him in the 89th minute
following his decision to send off a Danish defender. The
game was abandoned and now UEFA will launch an investigation
to decide whether the result should stand.
John Arne Riise scored in injury time for Norway to
seal a comprehensive 4-0 thrashing of Malta in the Euro2008
qualifier in Oslo.
Craig Bellamy played all 90 minutes at the Millennium
Stadium as Wals drew 0-0 with the Czech Republic in their
Euro2008 qualifier.
Xabi Alonso was a second-half substitute for Spain in
their 2-0 away win over Latvia. Pepe Reina had to be content
with a place on the bench as Spain moved back into
contention for qualification to next summer's European
Championships.
Sami Hyypia played all 90 minutes as Finland were
beaten 2-0 at home by Serbia. Hyypia was booked in the 70th
minute while former Anfield favourite Jari Litmanen came on
with 20 minutes remaining.
Djibril Cisse replaced former Liverpool striker
Nicolas Anelka after the current Bolton forward had given
France a 2-0 lead over the Ukraine. The Reds striker
currently on loan at Marseille - came on in the 77th minute.
The game finished 2-0.
Dirk Kuyt was a second-half substitute for Holland as
they beat South Korea 2-0 in Seoul. Rafael van der Vaart
scored both goals for Holland.
Javier Mascherano featured for Argentina as they drew
1-1 with Switzerland at St Jakob Park. The Reds midfielder
came on in the 67th minute while former West Ham team-mate
Carlos Tevez scored Argentina's goal.
Harry Kewell was one of seven European-based players
missing for Australia as they were beaten 2-1 by Uruguay.
(LFC Official Website)
Rafa to raise cash for Eto'o raid
Rafael Benitez will sell Momo Sissoko and Craig Bellamy and
then ask Liverpool's owners for the rest of the cash needed
to sign Samuel Eto'o.
New Anfield honchos George Gillett and Tom Hicks have
promised to back Benitez in
the transfer market this summer - but the Spaniard knows he
will have to help fund a £35million for Barcelona hitman
Eto'o.
Benitez is ready to offload fiery striker Bellamy, who is
being chased by West Ham and Aston Villa, for around
£6million - and Sissoko is also surplus to requirements
following the successful impact of Javier Mascherano at
Anfield.
(TEAMtalk)
Marseille confirm Liverpool talks
Marseille have confirmed they are set to hold talks with
Liverpool next week regarding Djibril Cisse's future.
Cisse spent last season on loan at Stade Velodrome and
reports suggest Marseille will seek to agree another loan
deal, but it is believed Liverpool are keen on a permanent
transfer.
"The meeting with the Liverpool officials should happen
later next week," Marseille chairman Pape Diouf told the
club's official website.
"I have good hope because Djibril has showed very clearly
his desire to go on with us.
"So there are already two parties willing, ours and Cisse's.
"Now we have to convince Liverpool. We are keen to go far in
the talks to settle
that case."
(Vital Football) |
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SATURDAY 2 |
Gerrard: All eyes now on Estonia
Steven Gerrard says the hard work starts now ahead of
England's crucial Euro 2008 qualifier against Estonia next
Wednesday.
Inspired by a vintage display from former captain David
Beckham, Steve McClaren's side came within seconds of
recording a memorable win over five-time world champions
Brazil on Friday.
With the new £800million national stadium packed close to
90,000 capacity, captain John Terry headed England into the
lead during the second half.
Gerrard - who was named man of the match for his industrious
midfield efforts - accepts it was somewhat "cruel" to see
victory snatched away at the death.
Gerrard insisted: "This whole get-together has been a
preparation for Wednesday.
"Before the Brazil game we wanted a positive performance and
a confidence booster to take into Wednesday.
"We got that - but now we have to go and perform and build
on this to get the three points on Wednesday."
(TEAMtalk)
Pennant aims for England's right
Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant believes a place on the
right side of England's midfield is up for grabs.
Despite the recall of former captain David Beckham,
24-year-old Pennant thinks he should be given the chance to
step up to international level.
"A lot of players have been tried on the right, but no-one's
filled that gap yet," he told
BBC Sport.
"I'm still young and if I can keep playing well for
Liverpool I don't see why I can't get the nod one day."
(BBC Sport Online)
Gerrard stars for England
Steven Gerrard was man of the match for England last night.
Gerrard was England's best performer as Steve McClaren's
side drew 1-1 with Brazil at the first international at the
new Wembley. John Terry scored England's goal.
Gerrard and Jamie Carragher played the full 90 minutes while
Peter Crouch was a late subsitute. Scott Carson was an
unused sub.
(LFC Online)
Reds look to £30m Eto'o
Rafa Benitez is reportedly ready to splash up to £30m on
Samuel Eto'o while Momo Sissoko's agent insists the
midfielder will stay.
(Clubcall Sports) |
|
FRIDAY 1 |
Barca to fight for Eto'o
Reports in Spain claim Barcelona will fight tooth and nail
to keep Samuel Eto'o in the face of renewed interest from a
host of Europe's most powerful clubs.
The Cameroon striker - who is currently on international
duty preparing for a match with Liberia on Saturday - has
enjoyed another productive season for Barca despite a
serious knee injury earlier in the campaign that sidelined
him for four months.
Eto'o's list of admirers reads like a who's who of Europe's
premier outfits with Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool,
Arsenal, Milan and Internazionale all ready to make their
move given encouragement.
Rafa Benitez, armed with a substantial summer transfer
kitty, is thought to have pinpointed Eto'o as the prolific
goalscorer to spearhead what is likely to be a revamped side
next term with Spanish sports newspaper AS claiming an
incredible 60 million (£40 million) is being readied.
(Sky Sports)
Reds trio set for Wembley bow
Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher and Peter Crouch will be
hoping to put the disappointment of defeat in the Champions
League Final behind them by playing at the new Wembley for
the first time tonight.
All three are in Steve McClaren's squad for the high-profile
friendly international against Brazil.
If selected, they will become the first Liverpool players to
play at the recently reconstructed stadium.
Early indications are that Gerrard and Carragher will start
but Crouch may have to settle for a place on the bench.
Also in the squad is Reds reserve goalkeeper Scott Carson
who spent last season on loan at Charlton Athletic.
(LFC Official Website)
Malouda talking to Reds
Florent Malouda has confirmed he has been in talks with
Liverpool.
The Lyon winger has confirmed the Reds have sounded him out
about a move to Anfield but says there has been no official
bids made for him yet.
"There are contacts with Liverpool but they haven't made an
offer to Lyon yet. They are a good club and play in the
English league, which is very interesting," said Malouda.
"I agree with my chairman when he says that all Lyon
transfers have to be signed before June 30. I am leaving, it
is just a question of time."
(LFC Online)
European giants eye Momo swoop
European heavyweights Juventus and Barcelona are reportedly
ready to battle it out for the signature of Liverpool
midfielder Momo Sissoko.
The Mali international is keen to have talks with Reds chief
Rafa Benitez over his lack of first-team action at Anfield
after the January arrival of Javier Mascherano.
"If I am not to leave," Sissoko told Tuttosport, "Then I
must play more."
(TEAMtalk)
Robbie to Rangers?
Robbie Fowler has been linked with a move to Rangers.
Fowler has been told he can leave Liverpool this Summer and
Glasgow Rangers are the latest side to express an interest
in the Scouser.
(LFC Online)
Bellamy honoured by Wales gig
Craig Bellamy has described his appointment as Wales captain
as a "massive honour" with the striker set to take over from
Ryan Giggs.
Manchester United winger Giggs will represent Wales for a
final time when they take on the Czech Republic in a Euro
2008 qualifier on Saturday in Cardiff.
Bellamy will then take over as skipper and he acknowledged
it was a huge privilege, although he expressed his regret at
Giggs' departure.
The 27-year-old stood in as captain when Giggs was absent
through injury when Wales took on Slovakia and Cyprus last
October and manager John Toshack immediately turned to the
Liverpool forward.
He told the 'Kick-off Show' on talkSPORT: "It's a massive
honour. I've sort of known for about a week. You are very
grateful on a personal note but I'd much prefer Ryan to be
staying on as captain and playing.
"But on a personal note, it's an achievement - you can only
accept and hopefully flourish with it."
(TEAMtalk)
Thor Zakariassen
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