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SATURDAY 12 |
Gerrard dubs Ronaldo a 'disgrace'
Steven Gerrard has branded Manchester United winger
Cristiano Ronaldo "a disgrace" for his part in Wayne
Rooney's sending-off at the World Cup.
Gerrard was furious when Ronaldo got involved after Rooney
appeared to stamp on Portugal defender Ricardo Carvalho.
"Sadly a dark side stains Cristiano Ronaldo's game," writes
Gerrard in his autobiography, which is being serialised in
the News of the World.
"His part in Wayne Rooney's dismissal was a disgrace."
The Liverpool midfielder, who was appointed vice-captain of
England this week, expressed particular dissatisfaction with
the wink that Ronaldo appeared to give to his team-mates on
the bench after Rooney had been dismissed.
"What really [got to] all the England players was Ronaldo's
wink to his bench. It was a wink which said 'job done'. How
could he do that to his Manchester United team-mate?
"On the bus after the game Wayne asked me: 'What do you
think about the wink?'
"I said: 'Honestly, Wazza, if we were playing Spain and
[Liverpool team-mates] Xabi Alonso or Luis Garcia winked at
the referee or gave a signal for me to be sent off, I'd
never speak to them again.'"
(BBC Sport Online)
Argentine giants deny Liverpool approach
The president of Argentine club River Plate says there has
been no approach from Liverpool for teenage striker Gonzalo
Higuian.
There have been reports that Reds boss Rafa Benitez has been
tracking the player's progress, and was mulling over a bid.
However, Jose Maria Aguilar says he does not expect a bid
from the Premiership side any time soon:
"Up until now there has been nothing. If there is team
interested in Higuain they have to send a fax with their
proposal and the club will analyse it.
"Of course if it is true that Liverpool want to offer
£8million for the player then we will seriously consider it
because it would be a very important financial offer for
River, but at the moment we don't have anything official."
(Clubcall Sports) |
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FRIDAY 11 |
Carragher, Gerrard and Crouch named in
England squad
Liverpool trio Jamie Carragher, Steven Gerrard and Peter
Crouch have all been named in Steve McClaren's first England
squad that will take on Greece at Old Trafford
on August 16th.
(Kop Talk)
Bellamy's court date plea denied
Wales and Liverpool striker Craig Bellamy has
failed in his appeal to get a court date changed so he can
play for Wales in a Euro 2008 qualifier match.
Mr Bellamy, 27, faces a three-day trial for assaulting two
women at a Cardiff nightclub in February.
The case is due to begin on 10 October and will clash with
Wales' match with Cyprus in Cardiff the next day.
His solicitor appealed at Cardiff magistrates court for the
trial date to be changed, but
the judge refused.
(BBC Sport Online)
Kuyt selected for Ireland trip but no
place for Kromkamp
Liverpool target Dirk Kuyt has been named in the Dutch squad
for their international friendly against Ireland at
Lansdowne Road next Wednesday.
There's no place in the squad for Liverpool defender Jan
Kromkamp.
(Kop Talk)
Haifa decision postponed until Monday
UEFA today informed Liverpool Football Club that the
decision on the away venue of the 3rd Qualifying Round of
the Champions League has been postponed and will not be
released until Monday 14th August.
(LFC Official Website)
Rafa challenges Crouch
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has challenged Peter Crouch to
prove he has improved as a player.
Benitez has called on Crouch to continue his improvement and
build on his success of last season.
"This year, Peter is more mature and he needs to understand
what it means to be a Liverpool player," said Benitez.
"People were talking before he signed that he wasn't good
for us. But after a while he was in the squad with the
national team and now people know how good he is.
"But he cannot think that is enough. He now needs to
continue improving as he has a lot of potential and
possibilities.
"You cannot stop improving. He needs to know how important
it is to score goals, to make assists and to work hard for a
club like this, and I think he is going about things the
right way.
"He needs to improve in some areas and keep doing the things
he has done well."
(Sky Sports)
Benitez refusing to be drawn into war of
words
Rafael Benitez has vowed not to be dragged into a war of
words with Jose Mourinho ahead of the Community Shield at
the Millennium Stadium on Sunday.
Mourinho, while on Chelsea's tour of the US recently, fired
the first shots of what is expected to be another season of
baiting aimed at Anfield.
He claimed Arsenal and Manchester United had bought better
in the summer and worried him more than Liverpool. And he
again branded Liverpool defensive and boring.
But Benitez has met the claims with a dead bat, a term he
now admits to understanding comes from cricket even if the
Spaniard still fails to grasp the finer points of the summer
sport.
Benitez said in response to questions about Mourinho's
latest attack: "You should all know me by now, I do not
comment on other managers but concentrate on my own team. I
prefer not to waste my time with such things."
(Daily Post)
Bellamy doesn't want repeat
Craig Bellamy was at Newcastle when the Geordies were
knocked out of the third-round Champions League qualifier
against Partizan Belgrade.
He warns that such an experience can have a detrimental
knock-on effect on the league with the players downhearted
from missing out on Europe's premier cup competition.
Liverpool are still in the driving seat after a 2:1 win
against Haifa at Anfield, but Bellamy is focused on
completing the job:
"I've been through this third qualifier before and been out
at this stage. It's amazing how much a season can go off if
you don't get through this.
"When Newcastle lost to Partizan it had a knock-on effect
for the first few months of that season. It was a real
struggle because everything you've been looking forward to
is taken away from you.
"No disrespect to the UEFA Cup but it's nowhere near the
same tournament. That's why we have to get these two games
over and done with and get through. It's vital."
(Shankly Gates) |
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THURSDAY 10 |
Traore: Why I had to leave Liverpool
Former Liverpool defender Djimi Traore has been speaking
about why he decided to leave Anfield.
The 26-year-old has joined Charlton on a 3-year deal and
could make his debut against FC Utrecht on Friday.
Speaking about his move, Traore said: "I think it was the
right time for me to move.
"I enjoyed my seven years at Liverpool but I want to play
more regular football.
"It's a good move for me because when you've been at a club
for a long while you get into a routine. Especially in the
situation that I was in where sometimes I played and
sometimes I didn't, which caused some frustration.
"And that's one of the reasons why I decided to move.
"I'm very proud of what I achieved at Liverpool, especially
winning the Champions League, but it wasn't difficult for me
to leave that behind.
"I'd prefer to go somewhere where I can play football rather
than be in the Champions League with Liverpool and sit on
the bench. "
(Kop Talk)
Gerrard congratulates Terry
Steve Gerrard today congratulated John Terry after the
Chelsea defender was named the new captain of England.
Steve McClaren has opted for Terry to lead his new look
England side with Gerrard his vice-captain for the
forthcoming European Championship qualifiers.
"I would like to congratulate John on being appointed
England captain," said Gerrard. "I’m sure he’ll do a great
job. He’s a tremendous leader for Chelsea and has all the
qualities required for the role.
“I’m also pleased to have been appointed vice-captain by
Steve McClaren today. I am grateful that Steve took the time
to call me and inform me of his decision.
“There are a number of captains in the England squad and I
know we will all be giving 100% support to Steve and John.”
(LFC Official Website)
Gonzalez hails dream debut
New Liverpool hero Mark Gonzalez has admitted his debut
against Maccabi Haifa was a dream come true.
Gonzalez came off the bench to score Liverpool's winner in
the 2-1 victory over Maccabi in their UEFA Champions League
qualifier.
The Chilean winger, who has had to wait for over a year to
make the move to Liverpool because of work permit problems,
was delighted with his debut.
"It was my dream come true today in Anfield," Gonzalez told
Sky Sports News.
(Sky Sports)
Anfield deal for Kuyt moves closer
Rafael Benitez was last night closing in on his main summer
transfer target Dirk Kuyt.
Liverpool are near to agreeing terms with Feyenoord on a
deal for the 26-year-old Holland international thought to be
worth in the region of £10million.
(Daily Post)
Last push for Le Tallec
Sochaux could yet land Liverpool forward Anthony Le Tallec,
despite coach Alain Perrin's pessimism over the prospects of
pulling off a deal.
The young striker, who spent last season on-loan at
Sunderland, is desperate to clinch a move to Ligue 1 in
order to obtain regular first team football.
Perrin had indicated he felt the move had stalled but the
ex-Portsmouth boss is due to contact his Liverpool
counterpart Rafa Benitez again on Thursday in an attempt to
thrash out a loan deal with a view to a permanent switch to
Les Lionceaux.
Chairman Jean-Claude Plessis is hoping for one last push in
the bid to sign Le Tallec.
"It has taken a little longer but we are confident,"
explained Plessis.
"The player is rather keen to join us."
(Sky Sports)
Carra is LFC’s new Euro number four
Jamie Carragher last night rose to joint fourth in the
ranking of European games played for the reds, with his
appearance in our narrow home defeat of Maccabi Haifa. This
was his 79th game in continental competition for Liverpool
and he has already helped us to claim four European
trophies.
His next appearance in Europe will see another milestone as
he becomes only the third ever red to play half a century of
games in Europe’s top club competition – with the second to
reach this honour being Sami Hyypiä yesterday evening.
Jamie’s 79 European games to date include 49 in the
Champions League, 28 in the UEFA Cup, and two UEFA Super Cup
fixtures, the most recent of which led to him lifting his
first trophy as stand-in Liverpool captain. His first
European appearance came back in September 1997 when he
played in our goalless draw with Celtic at Anfield that took
us through to the UEFA Cup Second Round, having remained on
the bench during the first leg at Parkhead.
Carra drew level with reds legend Emlyn Hughes on Wednesday.
Crazy Horse lifted the European Cup twice for Liverpool,
with two UEFA Cups and the UEFA Super Cup also amongst his
roll of honours. His 79 continental games consisted of 22 in
the European Cup, 23 in the UEFA Cup, 22 in the old Fairs
Cup, eight in the European Cup Winners’ Cup and four UEFA
Super Cup matches.
(YNWA)
Carson in under 21's squad
Scott Carson has been named in the England under 21's squad
to play Moldova on Tuesday.
Carson was part of the full England squad that went to the
World Cup this Summer but the Liverpool goalkeeper has
dropped back down to the under 21's.
New England manager Steve McClaren says Carson is still part
of his plans, he just wants him to get some competitive
action with the under 21's side.
"I wanted Darren [Bent], Scott [Carson] and Theo [Walcott]
to have the chance to play some competitive under 21's
football," said McClaren.
"They are still in my plans. I see the under 21's as a very
important stepping stone to the senior team and I will keep
a close eye on them this season."
(LFC Online)
Cyprus likely venue for second leg
Liverpool are likely to play the second leg of their
Champions League qualifier against Israeli side Maccabi
Haifa in Cyprus.
UEFA have already confirmed that the second leg will not
take place in Israel. Dynamo Kiev had offered Maccabi Haifa
the use of their game for the second leg but it now seems
likely that the second leg on August 22nd will take place in
Cyprus.
The venue for the second leg will be announced tomorrow but
Maccabi Haifa officials are said to favour Cyprus over the
Ukraine.
(LFC Online)
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Thor Zakariassen
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