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SUNDAY 3 |
Jan ready to spill Liverpool's secrets
Will the decision to sell one of our players to a Champions
League rival haunt us?
Jan Kronkamp who moved to PSV Eindhoven at the end of last
week will certainly not be doing us any favours.
Speaking shortly after the move Jan insisted his excitement
at moving to PSV.
"I am delighted to be here."
"So much has happened abroad, but I have also learnt a lot.
Some things were great, although not everything has gone
according to plan. I’ll never forget the FA Cup final and I
am proud I have made appearances for Liverpool. But it’s
good to be here. PSV have a great reputation and I think I
will fit in well. PSV will be playing Champions League
football and have a strong squad. I am match-fit and I
cannot wait to start"
When specifically asked about meeting the reds so soon after
leaving he wryly smiled and added. "I may inform our coach
on one or two things."
(anfield-online)
Bellamy takes rap for Wales defeat
Craig Bellamy took the rap for Wales' Euro 2008
defeat in the Czech Republic and revealed the pressure he is
under to produce results.
Bellamy missed two golden opportunities in Teplice as Wales
slipped to an agonising 2-1 defeat to get John Toshack's
new-look side off to a disappointing start to their
campaign.
With Germany and Slovakia also winning their opening
matches, and the Czechs now putting their World Cup disaster
behind them, if any two of those three win again on
Wednesday - when Wales will not be playing - Toshack's team
will be six points adrift.
Bellamy said: "I suppose there is more pressure on me at
this level, playing like I do for Wales. There are not going
to be as many chances as I get in club games so the pressure
is on me more to put them away."
Bellamy accepted responsibility for the missed chances,
saying: "It was another case of creating chances and not
putting them away, and yes, that means me because of the two
great opportunities we had.
"But that's football, if you have ever played against (Czech
goalkeeper) Petr Cech you will know he is the best in the
world."
(TEAMtalk)
Cahill: Reds are running scared
Tim Cahill believes Liverpool may be intimidated by
Everton's start as they launch into the build-up for next
weekend's Merseyside derby.
With seven points from three matches, Everton are among the
pace-setters in the Premiership.
It contrasts markedly with how they started 2005-06, when
they began with five straight defeats, and the summer
signings of Andrew Johnson and Tim Howard are paying off
already.
Cahill told the club's official website: "The way we have
started the season has been tremendous and I think they will
be a bit wary of meeting us. We are really looking forward
to it."
(TEAMtalk)
Arsenal reveal Bellamy interest
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has revealed that he considered
trying to sign Craig Bellamy.
When it became clear that Liverpool were in for the then
Blackburn Rovers striker, Wenger admits he thought about
making a bid.
The Gunners boss said: "I rate Bellamy and he is a player we
looked at but I just didn't feel we needed another striker
this year."
(Kop Talk)
Praise for Crouch
England manager Steve McClaren praised Peter Crouch after
the Liverpool striker's two goals yesterday.
Crouch scored England's first and last goals in their 5-0
hammering of Andorra yesterday and after the game he earned
the praise of Steve McClaren.
"What a record he has. He received great service from Stuart
Downing and Steven Gerrard, but he still had to score," said
the England boss.
"He is a great team man. I wouldn't say he is undroppable,
but when he's scoring goals at the current rate you need him
in the team. He was phenomenal and he's doing very well at
the moment.
"And we have computer statistics that show he constantly
runs further than anybody during a match."
(LFC Online)
Disappointment in Group D
There was disappointment for the Reds in Group D of the
European Championship qualifiers.
Craig Bellamy was left ruing a couple of missed chances
after Wales fell to a sucker punch last minute winner
against the Czech Republic. Wales were worthy of a point and
the late winner was a sickener for the Welsh manager, ex-Red
John Toshack.
Also in Group D, Steve Finnan was part of the Republic of
Ireland side that were beaten 1-0 by World Cup hosts
Germany. Ireland had their moments in the game but Germany
were comfortably on top in the second half and their goal
was inevitable.
(LFC Online)
Gerrard: Peter's record is frightening
Steven Gerrard has urged Peter Crouch to focus his sights on
England's all-time scoring record after his latest double
blast against Andorra.
Crouch took his tally for his country to 10 in the last 10
games - and seven in three games at Old Trafford - as
England romped to a 5-0 win in their opening European
Championship qualifier.
Gerrard said: "Peter's goal record is frightening and it's
great to see as well. "I am sure he will be disappointed not
to have got another hat-trick because he had a good chance
at the end as well.
"If Crouchy gets the right service, he is going to put the
ball in the back of the net because he is a great finisher.
I hope he beats Bobby Charlton's record."
Crouch said: "I am pleased with the record I've got. We are
a creative team and it's great to play in a team like this
when you are going to get chances and I got a couple today.
"I am enjoying it. There have been times when I haven't
scored but at the minute it's happening and if you can't
enjoy it when you are scoring goals, you never will.
"I do love playing here. I love playing for England. It's an
attacking team and I know I am going to get chances. I was
disappointed not to get the hat-trick.
"Steven Gerrard said to me about Bobby Charlton's record in
the dressing room. I've just got to keep on going. I am
enjoying myself at the moment and have just got
to keep going."
(Walk On LFC) |
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SATURDAY 2 |
Garcia on target for Spain
Liverpool duo Luis Garcia and Xabi Alonso both played in
Spain's 4-0 win over Liechtenstein this evening.
Alonso played a full 90 minutes for Spain while Garcia came
off the bench with just under half an hour to player.
Lil Luis didn't take long to make an impact as moments later
he found the back of the net, scoring a tidy goal from close
range.
Pepe Reina was on the bench.
(Kop Talk)
Reds score in England rout
Steven Gerrard and Peter Crouch were both on target as
England hammered Andorra
5-0.
Gerrard scored England's second goal while Peter Crouch
started and ended the rout with his ninth and tenth England
goals in thirteen appearances. Crouch has now scored seven
goals for club and country this season.
(LFC Online)
Norway hoping for Riise recovery
Norway are hopeful that Liverpool star John Arne Riise may
recover his fitness in time for the clash with Moldova next
Wednesday.
Riise picked up an ankle injury in Liverpool's opening
Premiership clash against Sheffield United that forced him
to miss the following game against West Ham.
Norway coach Age Hareide still called him up to the squad
for the double-header of Euro 2008 qualifiers, although he
has been ruled out of Saturday's clash against Luxembourg.
Hareide though is still hoping he will recover in time to
face the Moldovans.
"I have talked to him every day and will continue to talk to
him every day and I hope he can join the squad this
weekend," Hareide told VG.
Norway's team doctor Thor Einar Andersen also feels that
Riise has a good chance of making it for Wednesday's game,
saying: "We are hoping that he will be fit for
the Moldova match."
(Clubcall Sports)
Carragher eyeing derby return
Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher is confident he could be
back in time to play in next weekend's Merseyside derby with
Everton.
Carragher suffered an ankle injury on the first day of the
season at Sheffield United and has been sidelined since,
missing out on a Champions League match as well as England's
current Euro 2008 qualifying squad.
In his place at Liverpool, Daniel Agger has done extremely
well, but boss Rafael Benitez would want his tough defender
back for a Mersey showdown.
Carragher said: "It's touch and go, I hope I will be
available and my recovery has been going well. We will just
have to wait and see how I am in the coming week."
(TEAMtalk)
Kuyt can't wait for derby debut
The game may still be another week away, but Dirk Kuyt is
already relishing the prospect of making his derby debut
against Everton next Saturday.
Liverpool's new Dutch striker has international business to
attend to with Holland first, but he admits he has already
allowed his mind to wander towards next weekend's date at
Goodison Park.
"These are the games I love to play in," said Kuyt. "They
just seem to bring the best out of me. I feed off the energy
in the stands. At home when the fans are behind us I use
their positive energy and I seem to find another few per
cent. And I love going into the lion's den away from home
when your every touch is booed by the rival supporters. It
doesn't put me off, it actually inspires me."
(LFC Official Website) |
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FRIDAY 1 |
PAOK reject Reds offer
PAOK Salonika have confirmed that they rejected a late bid
from Liverpool for Lazaros Christodoulopoulos.
The Greek starlet trained with The Reds during pre-season
and boss Rafa Benitez was sufficiently impressed to try and
snap him up on a permanent deal.
However, the two clubs had contrasting valuations for the
player, with PAOK slapping a €1 million (£700,000) price tag
on his head.
Liverpool were not prepared to pay that much up front, but
PAOK turned down their interesting deadline day offer.
"PAOK have announced that they are rejecting the new and
final offer from Liverpool regarding the transfer of Lazaros
Christodoulopoulos," read a statement on the Greek club's
official website.
"They stand by the claims known since August 23, which is €1
million.
"Liverpool's final offer, made yesterday, was €300,000 plus
an extra €100,000 for every ten games he played for
Liverpool."
Christodoulopoulos, however, has reportedly refused to
return to PAOK and will make an appeal to Uefa.
He is believed to be demanding a release from his PAOK
contract so that he is free to move to Anfield.
(Sky Sports)
Benitez: Warnock too good to lose
Rafa Benitez today explained why he refused to sacrifice
Steve Warnock in a bid to bring Lucas Neill to Anfield.
The Liverpool boss admits it was a disappointing conclusion
to deadline day, as no agreement was reached to sign the
28-year-old Aussie.
"Blackburn wanted to sign Warnock, but we made it clear we
wanted to keep the player.
"They asked to sign Warnock and receive a fee, so we had to
say forget it.
"Warnock is a good 24-year-old player who was in the England
squad last year.
"The conversations I had with Blackburn were friendly and
they are good people, but in the end we had to say 'okay, we
can not do it'."
(Liverpool Echo)
No Neill as transfer window closes
Liverpool have failed in their bid to sign Blackburn's Lucas
Neill.
Rovers' £4million asking price was too much for Rafael
Benitez, who was prepared to offer Stephen Warnock as part
of the deal.
(LFC Online)
Diao stays
Salif Diao continues to hang around Anfield like a bad
smell.
Diao is not part of Rafael Benitez's plans and has not even
been given a squad number this season. He was offered the
chance of first team football with La Liga side Recreativo
de Huelva but turned it down to remain a non playing member
of the Liverpool squad.
(LFC Online)
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Thor Zakariassen
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