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SATURDAY 12 |
David Moores:
I'm shell-shocked at the damage
being done to Liverpool Football Club
A heartbroken David Moores today called on Liverpool's
warring co-owners to sort out their differences for the good
of the club – or else stand aside and let someone else take
over.
In his first interview since selling the club to Tom Hicks
and George Gillett in February 2007, Moores told the ECHO
how:
* He was left disgusted by the treatment of chief executive
Rick Parry by Tom Hicks
* He believes Hicks and Gillett must either find common
ground
or walk away
* He feels let down by the “unacceptable” way the club has
been run since he relinquished ownership
* He will do everything he can to get the club back on an
even keel after so much turmoil.
Moores, who continues to act as honorary life president at
Anfield and who maintains a place on the Liverpool board,
said: “It's heartbreaking. I'm almost lost for words about
the damage that's being done to the club at the present
time.
“As a fan, and as someone who loves the club, it is totally
unacceptable to see this being played out in the public
arena.
(Liverpool Echo)
Plessis explains Reds move
French midfielder Damien Plessis has revealed the reasons
behind his decision to leave Lyon and head across The
Channel to play for Liverpool.
The midfielder made his debut in The Premier League at
Emirates Stadium during the 1-1 draw with Arsenal and his 90
minute performance has been described as highly promising.
Liverpool decided to move for the midfielder after he
impressed with the France Under-19 side during Euro 2007 in
Austria.
Plessis felt his career had stalled at Lyon and opted to
head to Anfield for a new challenge.
“I received an interesting offer from Liverpool,” he said.
“And as I was only playing for Lyon’s reserves in the last
two years so I decided to leave.
“I lost time in the last seasons at OL, my rate of
improvement stopped.”
(Setanta Sports)
Sami set for milestone
Sami Hyypia will play his 300th league game for Liverpool if
selected tomorrow.
Hyypia will join a select band of players should he feature
against Blackburn Rovers tomorrow afternoon.
"I knew about it [the 300th league appearance]. I hoped to
come on at Arsenal last weekend but I didn't, so I'm still
waiting," the Finn told the club's official website.
"It makes me feel good that I'm still here after nine years.
It shows I've done something right.
"Of course it's unfortunate that Daniel Agger has been out
for the season, but because of that I've played a lot more
than I thought I would, and of course I've enjoyed every
minute of it."
(LFC Online)
U18s beaten at Leeds
Liverpool Under-18s were left ruing missed opportunities
as they brought their season to an end with a 1-0 defeat at
Leeds United.
Hughie McAuley's side dominated the first period but despite
good chances for David Amoo, Nathan Eccleston and Steven
Irwin they could not make the breakthrough and went in at
the interval all square.
The hosts improved after the break and a defensive lapse
allowed them in to score the only goal of the game on 50
minutes.
It was a frustrating afternoon for McAuley, who felt the
Reds deserved more for their efforts.
(LFC Official Website)
Parry reveals Reds 'nightmare'
Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry has described working
under Tom Hicks as a "nightmare" and has admitted he has
feared the sack for months.
Parry believes his role in ensuring that most of the
refinanced loans taken out for the purchase of the club by
Hicks and George Gillett were secured against the Americans'
holding company and not the club caused the breakdown in
their relationship.
"David (former chairman David Moores) and I thought we would
be out on our ears in December," Parry told the Independent.
"We thought they might fire us. They didn't, to be fair,
though what we did has not been forgotten.
"It's been a nightmare throughout, a dreadful year."
(TEAMtalk)
Benitez: Reds must stay focused
Rafael Benitez has told his Liverpool stars that they must
concentrate on football and not the very public battle for
control of the club.
The Liverpool boss was reacting after the uproar following
co-owner Tom Hicks' demand this week that chief executive
Rick Parry resign.
That one act has plunged the club into an even deeper crisis
as a battle for power breaks out in the boardroom.
But Benitez is aware that Liverpool have a crunch home
Premier League match at home to Blackburn on Sunday, which
they could go into ahead of Everton in the race for fourth
spot on goal difference only.
That will be the case if Everton win at Birmingham on
Saturday.
Benitez said in an interview with liverpoolfc.tv: "I
understand why people have to ask the question (about the
boardroom crisis) but, as I have told the players, we must
be focused on football.
"We have an important game on Sunday and we have to
concentrate
on that."
(TEAMtalk) |
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FRIDAY 11 |
Warnock has no Anfield regrets
Stephen Warnock has revealed he has no regrets about leaving
Liverpool for Blackburn.
Warnock might well have been playing in Tuesday’s Champions
League thriller against Arsenal had he not left Anfield for
Ewood Park.
The hard-tackling left back was always a fringe figure
during his time on Merseyside, and he insists he is happy to
be a fixture in the Blackburn starting XI.
"It's my first time back there so it'll probably feel quite
strange, but I've been here for over a year now and I've
moved on. I've enjoyed my time here," Warnock told
Blackburn's official website.
"I don't wish I was still there. I'm playing regularly at
Blackburn now and that's something I didn't really do at
Anfield.
"The Kop always welcome old boys back but it's not about
that for me, but I just want to go there and play well for
my manager at Blackburn."
(Setanta Sports)
Gillett: Hicks can't sack Parry
Geogre Gillett today publicly backed Rick Parry after
co-owner Tom Hicks called on Liverpool’s chief executive to
resign.
Hicks sent Parry a letter demanding he ends his nine-year
tenure at Anfield, but Gillett told the ECHO he did not
support the ultimatum.
Gillett also revealed that he had no idea his co- owner was
planning an audacious attempt to force Parry out.
"Rick Parry retains our full support," he said.
"Any decision to remove him would need the approval of the
full Liverpool board which, it should be remembered,
consists of six people – myself, Foster, David Moores, Rick
himself, Tom Hicks and Tom junior.
"We have not seen the document in question and we were not
party to it.
"We are not able to comment on the detail because we have
not seen it. But I would reiterate that Rick retains our
full support."
(Liverpool Echo)
Voronin: I’m happy at Anfield
Andriy Voronin has described his reported attack on life in
England as
“a misunderstanding.”
The Reds striker attracted unfavourable headlines yesterday
when he apparently criticised health care in this country
and the high crime rate on Merseyside.
But the Ukrainian striker hit back.
“To begin with, I never said I don’t like it here,” he
explained.
“When I first moved here I didn’t find it easy because I’d
lived in Germany for 12 years. I didn’t know the language
but I’m gradually getting there.
“My wife had a baby here and, thank God, everything was
okay. So, I am getting more and more used to life here every
day.
“It was either a misunderstanding or I was deliberately
misquoted.
“We are feeling much better than six or seven months ago.
When we have time we go into town.
“My wife likes to spend time shopping in the city. We like
it here and don’t have any problems with life in England or
the town, except for
the weather!”
Voronin admits that he still has problems with the Scouse
accent, but that he has been taken aback by the passion of
the Liverpool supporters.
(Liverpool Echo)
Mascherano misses Rovers clash
Javier Mascherano will complete a three-match suspension for
his red card against Manchester United as Liverpool tackle
Blackburn at Anfield on Sunday.
Mascherano tried to have an extra two-match ban cut on
appeal but the Football Association rejected the plea in
London yesterday.
Liverpool still have Daniel Agger (knee), Harry Kewell
(hamstring) and Jermaine Pennant (hamstring) sidelined but
boss Rafael Benitez will have the rest of his squad
available for a match the Anfield men must win to keep a
grip on fourth spot.
Provisional squad: Reina, Arbeloa, Finnan, Carragher,
Skrtel, Hyypia, Riise, Aurelio, Babel, Benayoun, Alonso,
Gerrard, Lucas, Crouch, Torres, Voronin, Kuyt, Itandje.
(Evening Echo) |
|
THURSDAY 10 |
Rick Parry rejects demand
from co-owner Tom Hicks to quit
Dubai International Capital was today reported to have
'abandoned' its bid to buy Liverpool Football Club - for the
time being at least.
And in another twist to the Anfield saga co-owner Tom Hicks
has reportedly demanded the resignation of chief executive
Rick Parry.
It is understood the demand for Parry to quit came in a
letter which arrived at Anfield today.
However, Parry is in London at a Premier League meeting and
though aware of the letter and its contents has not yet seen
it.
Parry said in a statement released this afternoon, "I remain
focused on
the job of serving Liverpool Football Club".
(Liverpool Echo)
Reds lose Mascherano appeal
The Football Association has dismissed Javier Mascherano's
appeal against his extra two-game ban.
The Liverpool midfielder was shown a second yellow card for
dissent in the recent defeat to Manchester United.
The FA hit the Argentine with a £15,000 fine and suspended
him for two further games as a result of his failure to
leave the pitch after
being sent off.
Mascherano contested the decision on the grounds that it was
an excessive punishment, but he has not been successful
following
an Appeals Panel hearing on Thursday.
He will now complete his ban by sitting out the home game
with Blackburn this weekend.
Mascherano, who has apologised for his actions, will be
available again
for the Premier League clash with Fulham on 19th April.
(Sky Sports)
Date change for final home game
Liverpool's final home game of the season against Manchester
City has been selected for live coverage by SKY TV.
The match at Anfield will now take place on Sunday May 4 and
will
kick-off at 4pm.
(LFC Official Website)
Crouch hints at Anfield stay
Liverpool striker Peter Crouch has hinted more regular
action could persuade him to stay at Anfield.
The England international had admitted earlier in the week
that he was considering his future on Merseyside after
struggling to force his way in to Rafa Benitez's starting
XI.
Crouch told the Daily Star: "To be honest it was a surprise
to be playing. But this was a big, big game and I've
obviously proved to Rafa that I can play in them.
"The manager has played me in a massive game and I've got to
take confidence from that.
"At the minute, it's not about me being unhappy or whatever.
I have to pull together and be part of a team that has a
chance of getting to the Champions League Final.
"The week ended fantastically for me. Everyone knows I
haven't started nearly enough as I would have liked.
"But I've played in the last two now and hopefully I've done
enough
to continue in that role."
(Sky Sports)
Frojdfeldt stands by pen call
Referee Peter Frojdfeldt is in 'no doubt' that he was
right to award Liverpool a penalty against Arsenal on
Tuesday.
Frojdfeldt controversially pointed to the spot in the 85th
minute of the UEFA Champions League second-leg clash when
Kolo Toure appeared
to make contact with Ryan Babel.
Steven Gerrard then dispatched past goalkeeper Manuel
Almunia to set The Reds on their way to the last four of the
competition.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has since expressed his
disappointment at the decision, labelling it as 'dodgy'.
But Frojdfeldt has backed his call, insisting that Toure
tugged Babel's shirt as the Dutchman advanced towards goal.
"I have no doubt it was a penalty. He pulled his shirt and
the only ones complaining were the Arsenal players, who were
complaining at Toure,"
he said in The Mirror.
"It was a very fair game in a high tempo. The atmosphere was
fantastic. I'm satisfied with both mine and my assistants'
work."
(Sky Sports)
Gangster in ‘threat to shoot’ Steven Gerrard
The father of Steven Gerrard last night revealed how a
notorious figure from the Merseyside underworld had
threatened to shoot the Liverpool FC captain in the legs and
maim him.
Gerrard’s father Paul said they recruited John Kinsella as a
fixer to “sort out” George Bromley Jnr, who had terrorised
the Huyton-born midfielder for two years.
The revelations came in a letter written by Paul Gerrard on
Tuesday,
the day his son was leading Liverpool FC to a famous
Champions League victory against Arsenal at Anfield.
It was submitted as evidence yesterday in a robbery trial at
Lincoln Crown Court, where Kinsella is one of four
co-accused from Liverpool.
The jury was told that Gerrard, 27, was placed under police
protection because the thug was “making his life a misery”,
including, on one occasion, ambushing the footballer outside
his apartment in Southport.
(Liverpool Daily Post)
Thor Zakariassen
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