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WEDNESDAY 3 |
Gerrard eyes signings like Torres
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is eager for the club to
sign players of "Fernando Torres' level" in order to win the
Premier League title.
The 29-year-old believes that although Liverpool made
progress last season in finishing runners up to Manchester
United summer recruits
are needed.
"We've finished the season without a trophy, which hurts,"
said Gerrard.
"How do we go to the next step? Get more players of Torres'
level. He is a massive player for us."
The 25-year-old Spanish striker scored his 50th goal for the
Reds on the final day of the league season and signed an
improved contract with the Anfield outfit in May.
Torres also has 58 caps for his country and played a
starring role when Spain won Euro 2008.
Gerrard, who believes Chelsea will be stronger next season
after appointing Carlo Ancelotti as boss, insisted the title
could head to Anfield for the first time since 1990 if
manager Rafael Benitez is able to bring in the targets he
wants.
"We are getting really close to becoming champions. Our next
two or three signings as far as we are concerned are crucial
to push on and try and go one better than this year," he
stated.
"If we can keep Torres fit and add a little bit more quality
to our squad we can become champions.
"Manchester United won the league because they had that
spark coming off the bench, that little bit more strength in
depth."
(BBC Sport Online)
Gerrard backs Owen
Steven Gerrard has backed Michael Owen to get back into
the England squad.
The former Red doesn't even have a club at the moment but
Gerrard believes someone will soon snap Owen up and that the
striker is capable of forcing his way back into the England
set-up.
"I'm a player, I'm not a scout or a manager but if I was I
would be giving Michael a ring," he said.
"I'm a big fan of Michael, a good friend of his and I would
love to see him get a move to a big club and get his England
career back on track.
"He's suffered a lot in the last couple of years with
injuries but a fit Michael Owen has got the ability to be
involved in this squad for sure.
"I've not spoken to him that much of late but I'm sure,
knowing Michael as long as I have, he will be desperate to
get back playing football again, staying fit and scoring
goals."
(LFC Online) |
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TUESDAY 2 |
Barry to end career
at City after £12 million move
Manchester City have confirmed the £12 million capture of
Gareth Barry from Aston Villa on a five-year contract.
In one of the swiftest deals of recent times, City opened
talks early on Tuesday morning, before ushering Barry though
a medical in the early evening.
City and Villa then settled on a £12 million fee, allowing
Mark Hughes to nail down the England international to a
five-year deal.
“Gareth Barry will be wearing a sky blue shirt next season
after Mark Hughes today clinched a £12million move from
Aston Villa to the City of Manchester Stadium for the
highly-rated England midfielder,” read a statement on the
official City website.
“With Player of the Year Stevie Ireland having committed
himself to a further five years at City, Barry's arrival at
the club after signing a five-year contract means Hughes
will have one of the Premier League's most formidable
midfield rosters.”
(Setanta Sports)
Gerrard: 2010 will be my last chance
Steven Gerrard believes the 2010 World Cup could be his last
chance to win football's most coveted prize.
The Liverpool captain will be 30 by the time Fabio Capello's
side compete in South Africa next summer - assuming there
are no last-gasp hiccups in their qualifying group.
Gerrard conceded that he may be past his prime by the time
of the 2014 finals and said ahead of the upcoming clashes
with Kazakhstan and Andorra: "Will this be the last chance
to qualify for a World Cup? I would say so. If we qualify,
I'll be 30 when the finals come around."
He added: "For me, it will be the last chance of doing well
at a World Cup. Maybe by the time of the next one I might
not be in my prime. That is a big motivation for me.
"We've now got these two important qualifiers coming up and
if we want to play in the finals, we've got to get two good
results.
"When we met up with the manager he said basically he wants
the two wins to put us in the driving seat in the group. If
we win these two games, we may possibly only need three more
points.
"Of course, we know it will be warm in Kazakhstan and any
international away from home is very difficult but there
will be no excuses on our part.
"We should win these two games comfortably and put ourselves
on the brink of going through."
(Ananova)
Reds target likely to leave Napoli
Reported Liverpool target Ezequiel Lavezzi seems ever more
likely to leave Napoli after writing a letter to fans
stating his unhappiness.
Lavezzi claims to have been treated with "a lack of respect"
by the club.
The striker, who is under contract at the Serie A side until
2012, insisted on Monday he wants to remain at Napoli
despite reported interest from
the Reds.
However, the 24-year-old looks to have changed his mind amid
reports of a falling out with sporting director Pierpaolo
Marino.
"I'm writing this letter to the fans who have always been
close to me," read Lavezzi's letter. "It's a difficult time
and I hope that soon the situation will become clearer as
much for you as for me.
"The only sure thing is that one day there won't be either
Lavezzi or Marino but there will always be this great club
and this immense city simply because Napoli does not belong
to anyone, it represents the synthesis of the sentiment of
their fans' dignity.
"Today I have to choose between dignity and a lack of
respect, because of my loyalty to my upbringing without
doubt I choose dignity."
Reports in Italy suggest Lavezzi's representatives met with
Manchester United chiefs in Madrid with a view to a move to
Old Trafford.
The Argentina forward's agent claims he has an offer on the
table from a big club but insists nothing has been decided
yet.
"This is not a goodbye letter," Alejandro Mazzoni told Sky
Italia. "He was thinking about leaving an explanation for
the fans, who are important
for him.
"He never said he wanted to leave Napoli."
(TEAMtalk)
Benayoun: I have had offers
Liverpool ace Yossi Benayoun has revealed he has received
offers from clubs in England and Spain, but insists he is
happy at Anfield.
The Israel international has enjoyed a memorable season,
scoring nine goals in 42 appearances in all competitions to
mark his most successful campaign.
That form has caught the eye of a number of clubs, who are
hoping to take advantage of the fact that Benayoun is not
guaranteed a place in Rafa Benitez's first team.
But the former West Ham player is adamant he does not want
to leave Merseyside after two years and has indicated that
he would welcome contract talks.
"This has been the best season of my career. I have played a
lot of games and scored some important goals, and I am very
happy with that," the attacking midfielder told Israeli
radio.
"At the moment, I am a Liverpool player, and unless
something surprising happens, I will remain one. But after
such a good season, I have had some offers from England and
Spain.
"You have to give that some consideration, so there will
probably be some discussions with Liverpool.
"I have had a great two years at Anfield and enjoyed every
minute. I have long since accepted that, with one or two
notable exceptions, there is no such thing as an automatic
choice at Liverpool.
"Unless you are Steven Gerrard, you are going to sit out one
or two games, but that is no problem. Stevie is exceptional,
and the rest of us accept that.
"The good thing is, I have been playing more, and I hope it
continues that way. To be honest, it could be Real Madrid
knocking on my door, and I would still rather stay at
Liverpool four more years."
(Sky Sports)
Pacheco shines in Holland
Daniel Pacheco was in impressive form as Liverpool
Reserves reached the quarter-final of the International Cor
Groenewegen Tournament in Holland.
The Spanish striker scored five goals including one
sensational Xabi Alonso-esque effort from the halfway line
against Danish side FC Copenhagen.
Included in Gary Ablett's squad for the tournament were
Youth Cup starlets Lauri Dalle Valle, David Amoo, Thomas
Ince and Alex Kacaniklic.
In their first game a young Reds team beat AZ Alkmaar 4-0
with Pacheco (2), Dalle Valle and Icelandic midfielder
Victor Palsson on target.
Dalle Valle was again on target in the second game but
Portugese outfit Belenenses edged it 2-1.
Pacheco then scored from inside his own half in a 2-0 win
over FC Copenhagen, which also featured a goal from Swedish
winger
Alex Kacaniklic.
A 2-0 defeat to FC Utrecht then followed before Pacheco
scored a brilliant free-kick in a 1-1 draw with FC Twente.
The former Barcelona ace was again on target as the Reds
beat Vitesse Arnhem 1-0 in their final game but it wasn't
enough to make the semi-final.
(LFC Official Website)
Liverpool FC want me
says Brazilian striker Kleber
Brazilian striker Kleber claims he is considering the chance
to make a £6million summer move to Anfield.
The 25-year-old frontman plays for Cruzeiro and has been in
stunning form since he returned to his homeland in February
after four years with Dynamo Kiev.
He has scored 19 goals in as many appearances and has
attracted interest from a number of top European clubs.
"I have a proposal from Liverpool for seven million euros
and we are analysing it," he said.
"If Cruzeiro offer the same amount or we talk I'd prefer to
stay. But we haven't talked yet."
Kleber signed for Kiev in January 2004 after starting his
career
at Sao Paulo.
Last year he was loaned out to Palmeiras and he signed a
five-year contract with Cruzeiro just four months ago.
(Liverpool Echo)
Perez pours praise
on Reds ace Xabi
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has described
Liverpool playmaker Xabi Alonso as "the best passer of the
ball in Europe".
Madrid have been repeatedly linked with the classy Reds
midfielder despite Rafa Benitez insisting that he is not for
sale.
But the rumours refuse to go away, with the latest reports
suggesting that striker Negredo could be offered in exchange
for the Spanish international.
Perez has certainly made it clear that he is a massive fan
of Alonso.
"As a fan, I would say that Xabi is a great player. I think
he is the best passer of the ball in Europe," he told the
Radio Television Espanola programme, '59 Seconds'.
"I would be happy [to have him], but I cannot talk about the
player without having spoken first to Rafa Benitez, as he is
the one who needs to know that we are interested in his
player."
(TEAMtalk) |
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MONDAY 1 |
Five reds in Spain squad
Five Liverpool players have been included in the Spain squad
for the FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa later this
month.
Pepe Reina, Alvaro Arbeloa, Xabi Alonso, Albert Riera and
Fernando Torres have been named in Vicente del Bosque's
23-man selection.
The Confederations Cup begins on June 14, with Spain taking
on New Zealand in Rustenburg. The European Champions will
also face Iraq and hosts South Africa in Group A of the
tournament.
The final is scheduled to take place on June 28 in
Johannesburg.
(LFC Official Website)
Lavezzi prepared to snub Reds
Argentina striker Ezequiel Lavezzi wants to remain at
Napoli despite reported interest from Premier League giants
Liverpool.
Lavezzi, who joined the Naples-based side in the summer of
2007, has scored seven goals for the Serie A club this
season.
"Liverpool's offer?, I want to stay at Napoli," said
Lavezzi. "I hope everything will be made clear but it
depends on the club not on me.
"I reiterate that my wish is to remain at Napoli."
The 24-year-old is under contract with Napoli until June
2012.
Napoli failed to qualify for European football next season
having finished a disappointing 12th in Italy's top flight.
(TEAMtalk)
Arsenal captain
urges Liverpool raid
Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas has urged his manager Arsene
Wenger to sign Liverpool’s Xabi Alonso, despite Rafa Benitez
insisting the player will not be sold.
Fabregas told Setanta: “We have lost big players, but the
boss knows what he is doing,”
“The days of signing a new player aren’t finished. We need
someone in the middle to make competition and make a
difference, plus give us a new dimension.”
“I think that is all we need. The rest is perfect.”
When pressed as to who the Catalan would like to see at the
Emirates, the former Barcelona youth product sighted his
Spanish teammate
Xabi Alonso.
He added: “Xabi would be great. He’s experienced and can
score goals. I’m sure the boss is aware of that fact,”
As much as Fabregas may want the silky midfielder to join
him in London, a move would seem unlikely in light of Rafa
Benitez’s recent comments.
(Sport.co.uk)
Mascherano:
Messi best in world
Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano says Argentina
teammate Lionel Messi is the best player in the world.
He said of the Barcelona star: "Not many teams can play a
final like Barcelona did.
"They were very faithful to their style and I think that's
very important. They are the best team in the world because
they have shown that in a final of the Champions League.
"Fifa doesn't have any excuse now for (not) naming Messi as
the best player in the world.
"He is going to win the golden ball. He showed his capacity
to keep on fighting and after what he did against Manchester
United he showed that he is the best."
(tribalfootball.com)
Thor Zakariassen
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