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SATURDAY 3 |
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Gerrard makes successful return
Despite only started regular training again yesterday,
Steven Gerrard recovered from a calf injury suffered against
Sunderland to play a part in England's World Cup Qualifier
win against Wales Saturday afternoon. He played almost the
whole game (substitured on 83 minutes) before being replaced
by Kieran Richardson. Jamie Carragher partenered Rio
Ferdinand in the heart of the England defence.
Joe Cole's shot deflected into the net 10 minutes after the
break was good enough to give Eng-er-lund a 1-0 victory and
put them at the top of their group for the time being.
(Thi is Anfield)
Reds-Boca meeting likely
The Reds could face Boca Juniors in a revised version of the
Intercontinental Cup in December.
The match will be played in Tokyo, although it is likely to
be dependent on how congested the Reds fixture list could
be.
The match is now waiting for official approval from FIFA,
after UEFA and the Reds agreed to Boca's proposals. The
match could also lead to a windfall of $1million for the
winner of the match.
(LFC Online)
Benitez hails scouting network
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is confident he has put in
place the right structure at Anfield to ensure he is well
prepared to make significant signings in the future.
"We have changed the entire scouting system and replaced
some of the old scouts," said Benitez.
"We now have scouts working tirelessly on our behalf right
around the world and we have situated these in what we
believe to be the most important countries.
"This new system we've put in place means they can now
submit their reports to us easier and quicker, whether they
are in Argentina or in this country.
"The information they provide us with is very important and
could be the first step towards us signing a new player."
(Sporting Life)
Carson helps young Lions to Welsh success
Liverpool reserve goalkeeper Scott Carson kept a clean sheet
last night as England under-21s booked their place in the
play-off's for the UEFA European U21 Championship.
Carson, who is 20 today, was in fine form throughout the 4-0
rout of Wales at Wrexham's Racecourse Ground and managed to
pull off a number of notable saves.
Reds' midfielder John Welsh, currently on loan at
Championship side Hull City, also featured, coming on as a
60th minute substitute for Carlton Cole.
Meanwhile, Academy striker Michael Nardiello made his first
start for England under-17s in their Pepsi International
Tournament clash against USA but he was unable to prevent
them going down to a 1-0 defeat at Swindon Town's County
Ground.
(LFC Official Website) |
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FRIDAY 2 |
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Bonera reveals Liverpool interest
Parma stopper Daniele Bonera has revealed that Liverpool
were the only club seriously interested in his capture this
summer.
The highly-rated defender was associated with a host of
clubs but the European champions showed the most interest.
"The only real important bid came from Liverpool," said the
versatile player. "But the club decided that is wasn’t big
enough to release me."
(Channel 4 Sport)
Reds may go back for Portuguese winger
Liverpool will consider re-igniting their interest in
Portugal winger Simao Sabrosa in January.
A £10m deal broke down at the eleventh hour this week, but
the Reds are sure to maintain an interest in the player
during the course of the season.
Only a hostile reaction from Benfica fans prevented a deal
going through on Wednesday, as board members in Lisbon
feared a serious backlash after they had agreed the
transfer.
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez will be hoping the situation
will have calmed down enough when the transfer window
re-opens to allow a fresh bid for the 25-year-old.
(Liverpool Echo)
Gonzales will still be a Red
Mark Gonzales will join Liverpool despite not gaining a work
permit.
Gonzales was set to join Liverpool on a season long loan
deal with the option of a permanent move before he was
denied a work permit by the Department of Education and
Employment. However, the Chilean international will become a
Red.
Gonzales has returned to his old club Albacete until
Liverpool can sign him. A statement on Albacete's official
site says: "The Chilean player will wear the number 12 shirt
after reaching an agreement with Liverpool. Mark will play
for Albacete until he receives his work permit.
"That could happen on one of two dates - in January or on 30
June."
Liverpool will try to bring Gonzales to Anfield in the
January transfer window when it is hoped Chile will have
climed a few places in FIFA's world rankings. If the Reds
fail again, Gonzales will definitely join Liverpool in June
by which time he will have earned dual nationality in Spain
and will not need a work permit.
(LFC Online)
Josemi wovs to win over the fans
Spanish defender Josemi is confident that Liverpool fans
will see the best of him this season after vowing to show
his best form for the team.
Josemi endured a troubled first season at Anfield and as a
result found himself on the receiving end of some stinging
criticism.
Speaking exclusively to Liverpoolfc.tv Josemi said: "I am
very happy at Liverpool. I have been here one year now and I
hope to show my best form this season and not get any more
injuries. I want to show the supporters that the manager was
right to sign me for Liverpool.
"The Premiership is a very difficult league and it took me a
while to adapt to the pace and the physical side of the
game. I had two injuries which didn't help me and kept me
out for a long time but the manager has shown faith in me
and I will be a lot better this season. The fans will see
the best of Josemi this season.
"I will play anywhere for the manager and for the team. I
don't mind playing at right back or centre half. I love
tackling and I really like playing at centre half, this is
where I'm strongest.
"We will have a lot of games this season with the
Premiership, Champions League, FA Cup and Carling Cup so we
need to have a big squad and competition for places."
(LFC Official Website)
Solano shunned Reds
Nolberto Solano has confirmed he shunned a last-ditch bid
from Liverpool in order to return to Newcastle United.
The Peruvian winger completed his move back to St James'
Park from Aston Villa around an hour before the close of the
transfer window on Wednesday.
"I'd already given the Newcastle people my word but I was
never going to turn down the chance to go back there, even
for a great club like Liverpool," said Solano.
"Newcastle is the club I have always loved. It has a place
in my heart and it's a great feeling to be back. It's as if
I was never away.
"I was watching the Michael Owen signing and heard what the
fans were singing about me.
"That was a very special moment for me but they must
understand I love them, too."
(Planet Football/Sky Sports)
Premiership midfielder would love to
become a Red
West brom midfielder Zoltan Gera has admitted that he would
love to become a Red following rumours that Rafael Benitez
is a keen admirer.
The Hungarian international revealed that he was told of
interest from Anfield on Wednesday but no bid was
forthcoming, unless West Brom failed to agree a fee and
never told him of any approaches.
Gera said: "Wednesday started well, one of my friends wanted
to congratulate me, so I asked the reason why. He said:
'Gerzson, I heard that you'll be joining Liverpool'. I just
listened, I couldn't believe what he was talking about.
"I have now found out that the news came from England, but
one must reflect gingerly on a situation like this. Of
course I would be happy to play for Liverpool - it would be
amazing. To wear the shirt of the Champions League winners
would be more than I've ever dreamt of."
(Kop Talk) |
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THURSDAY 1 |
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Ex-Red joins Boro
Former Liverpool defender Abel Xavier has signed for
Middlesbrough.
Xavier was available on a free as he was without a club
until Steve McClaren brought him to the Riverside.
(LFC Online)
PSV considered Warnock
Reports in the Netherlands are suggesting PSV Eindhoven
considered a move for Liverpool's Stephen Warnock prior to
signing Michael Ball.
Ball came in from Rangers on deadline day to solve Guus
Hiddink's left back problem, but it is being claimed Warnock
was also considered as the replacement for Tottenham's Lee
Young-pyo.
Warnock has fought back from breaking his leg three times to
secure a regular berth in the Liverpool squad and it is
believed PSV were alerted to his talents.
The defender is rated highly at Anfield and Rafa Benitez
would have been most unlikely to sanction a sale, but a loan
deal could have been considered.
However, Warnock was not given anything to consider as
Hiddink switched targets and brought in Ball at the
11th-hour.
Warnock has fought back from his injury troubles, but admits
he came close to calling time on his career.
(Planet Football/Sky Sports)
Gonzalez returns to Albacete with
Liverpool move on hold
Chile forward Mark Gonzalez will play for second-division
Albacete this season after his transfer to Liverpool was
halted because he couldn't get a work permit to play in
England.
Gonzalez will remain with Albacete, which was relegated at
the end of last season, until the situation is resolved, the
Spanish club said Thursday. It said this could occur either
in January or June.
European champion Liverpool signed the 21-year-old on loan
in July only for British authorities to intervene because
Chile is not ranked in the top 70 by FIFA.
Gonzalez has a knee injury and is not expected to play until
October.
(CNN/Sports Illustrated)
Liverpool fail to land Valencia defender
on loan
Liverpool failed with a bid to bring Valencia defender David
Navarro to Anfield on loan.
Valencia director of football Javier Subirats confirmed
Liverpool's interest but explained that the club wanted to
retain the player.
He said: "The English club also wanted an option to buy him
but our decision was clear - David is needed at Valencia."
Liverpool failed miserably in the transfer market yesterday.
It would seem that the club simply dithered around far too
long and left their attempts too late - now there's a
surprise.
(Kop Talk)
Parry: It's not all doom and gloom
Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry today insisted there
are plenty of reasons to be positive about the season
despite no new faces arriving on deadline day.
Parry admits he was disappointed not to be able to
strengthen the squad yesterday but ultimately the club
weren't prepared to pay inflated prices for the sake of it.
"We don't believe it should be all doom and gloom. There
isn't a club which hasn't suffered disappointments in the
transfer market, so we're no different," said Parry.
(LFC Official Website)
CSKA Sofia seek video evidence against
Liverpool's Cisse
CSKA Sofia are collecting video tapes they say show
Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse making obscene gestures at
fans of the Bulgarian club during a Champions League tie in
Sofia last month.
CSKA were fined 30,000 Swiss francs ($23,640) after their
supporters directed monkey noises at Cisse in the last 12
minutes of the first leg of the third qualifying round
against the European Champions, which Liverpool won 3-1.
UEFA have appealed the decision by their own control and
disciplinary body as they believe the punishment was too
lenient. The appeal will be heard in September.
CSKA said they had received many calls from fans who said
they had caught Cisse making insulting gestures at
supporters on camera and the club has asked them to hand
over the tapes.
(Reuters)
Carragher backs Benitez
Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher insisted fans should
trust the judgement of boss Rafael Benitez after Michael
Owen moved to Newcastle rather than returning to Anfield.
Carragher is still baffled that Madrid have sold Owen,
arguing that only his lack of tricks could explain why
Robinho or Julio Baptista have been preferred in the Spanish
capital. However, while many Liverpool fans were in favour
of Owen returning to Anfield, the club were not willing to
meet Madrid's £16million asking price - unlike Newcastle.
Carragher observed: "You've got to have respect for the
players we've still got around."
He added: "I'm not sure if there will be a bit of criticism
because we haven't signed him but we've spent a lot of money
on strikers - £14million on Djibril Cisse, £7million on
Peter Crouch and £6million on Fernando Morientes.
"We've got to have respect for the players at our club and
hopefully they can do the damage for us. We've got a lot of
good strikers."
(Football 365)
Diao joins Pompey on season loan
While there was no signings for Liverpool on the transfer
deadline day, there was one further departure, with Salif
Diao joining Portsmouth on a season loan deal.
Pompey will have first option to buy the Senegal
international at the end of the season.
The 28 year old signed for 5m pounds in 2000 but has failed
to make an impression
at Anfield.
(This is Anfield)
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Thor Zakariassen
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