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TUESDAY 12 |
Toon confirm Crouch interest
Newcastle manager Glenn Roeder has confirmed his interest in
Liverpool's Peter Crouch.
The England striker looks to be losing his battle with Dirk
Kuyt and Craig Bellamy for a starting role as Rafa Benitez
edges away from his rotation policy.
Roeder looks set to invest heavily in the January transfer
window and a new striker is believed to be on his list of
targets.
Crouch has been linked with a possible switch to St James'
Park and now Roeder has admitted he is an admirer of the
25-year-old.
"I am an admirer of the way Peter Crouch plays and the fact
is that he also scores goals," said Roeder, who is also
believed to be keeping tabs on Mark Viduka.
The Middlesbrough striker was the subject of a bid from
Newcastle in August and Roeder could look to try and prise
him away from Teesside once again.
(Sky Sports)
Rovers deny Reds feeder rumours
Tranmere Rovers have dismissed the idea they could become a
feeder club for Premiership giants Liverpool in the near
future.
Reports have suggested the Wirral club would link up with
their illustrious neighbours as part of the proposed
takeover of the Reds by the Dubai International Capital
group.
But a statement said: "With regard to feeder clubs, Tranmere
Rovers feel it is essential that the club has its own
identity. The club is very proud of its history and identity
and has a special relationship with the people of Wirral.
Furthermore, feeder clubs or nursery clubs are not permitted
under Football League rules."
The club have not ruled out some form of new investment,
however.
"Like most clubs in the Premiership and the Football League,
we would welcome new investment from a credible interested
party and therefore would always be prepared to enter into
discussions," the statement continued.
"The club has received inquiries from time to time and will
continue to welcome talks with interested parties."
(TEAMtalk)
Benitez meets with Dubai group
Rafa Benitez has held his first meeting with Liverpool's
prospective new owners, but details of their plans to
restore the club to the top of the English game are still on
hold until DIC complete their takeover.
Benitez met Dubai International Capital chief executive
Sameer Al Ansari following the Reds' 4-0 thumping of Fulham
at the weekend.
Even though it's been emphasised an Abramovich-style assault
on the transfer market is not the intention of the new
owners, speculation has mounted since the announcement of
the £400m Dubai bid about how much Benitez will have to
spend on players in the future.
With the process of due diligence ongoing it's still too
early for any such revelations, even to the Liverpool
manager.
But Benitez has been assured the investment group have a
far-sighted view of the future.
"I have spoken to the people. It was a very nice meeting,
but we didn't talk about the details of the takeover,"
explained Benitez.
"They've made it clear they want to do the right things for
Liverpool in the future and this will not be a short term
deal. Their idea is to make Liverpool a success in the
long-term."
It's highly unlikely there will be any significant impact on
Benitez's transfer kitty in January, when it's inevitably
tougher to sign top players anyway.
(Liverpool Echo)
McManaman set for Hong Kong
Former Liverpool and Real Madrid midfielder Steve McManaman
is set to join Hong Kong Rangers, according to reports in
Asia.
McManaman has been out of football since leaving Manchester
City at the end of the 2004/05 season.
He has been working as a TV commentator in Asia since
departing Eastlands but is ready to return to playing in
Hong Kong's first division.
(Sky Sports)
Blackburn Res 1, Liverpool Res 1
Liverpool reserves were held to a 1-1 away at Blackburn
Rovers last night in the Barclays FA Premier Reserve League
North.
Gary Ablett's side dominated for long periods but failed to
make the most of their possession on a blustery night in
Morecambe.
Blackburn took the lead in bizarre circumstances just three
minutes into the game, when Liverpool defender Godwin Antwi
appeared to have volleyed the ball into his ownnet from 18
yards while trying to clear a free-kick.
Blackburn midfielder Stephen Thomson claimed the goal, but
it looked like Antwi got the decisive touch.
Liverpool responded well and enjoyed a lot of possession,
but the windy conditions were proving difficult for both
sides and neither keeper had much to do.
Danny Guthrie and Nabil El Zhar were looking lively,and it
was no surprise that it was the pair who combined to create
the equalising goal.
Guthrie fed El Zhar and then arrived on the back post to
volley in the Moroccan's fine cross.
Liverpool dominated the second half, but were unable to find
the winning goal.
Liverpool reserves: Martin, Smith, Threlfall, Roque, Antwi,
Guthrie, Anderson, Idrizaj, Lindfield, El Zhar, Hammill.
(Daily Post) |
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MONDAY 11 |
Gonzalez handed Chile boost
The Chilean FA has confirmed midfielder Mark Gonzalez will
again be available for selection for the national team from
the start of next year.
The Liverpool winger has not represented the South American
side since he was sent home by coach Nelson Acosta for
disciplinary reasons during the team's preparations for the
World Cup in Germany.
Gonzalez later vowed he would not play again under Acosta,
but Chilean FA president Harold Mayne-Nicholls now says the
player has been persuaded to end his feud with the national
coach.
"I've talked to Mark on many occasions," the president said.
"In the last discussion we had, he told me that he would
return to the national team and that he no longer has any
problems.
"Mark Gonzalez will now be eligible for next February's
friendly, although it is up to Acosta to name him in his
squad."
(TEAMtalk)
Putterill inspires Under-18s to victory
Youth Cup hero Ray Putterill scored twice as Liverpool
Under-18s continued their impressive recent form with a 3-1
win at Crewe Alexandra ending the year 2006 in fine style.
This was the Youth team's final game of the year and is one
that will be fondly remembered after the team won the FA
Youth Cup last season.
Putterill, who scored the winner in Thursday's 2-1 FA Youth
Cup win at West Bromwich Albion, scored two opportunist
efforts to derail Crewe. It was sweet revenge for John Owens
team as Crewe won 2-1 at the Kirkby Academy back in October.
Michael Collins scored Liverpool's other goal and Owens team
are now unbeaten in six games winning five of those.
(LFC Official Website)
No change in youth policy
Liverpool will continue to search the globe for the best
youth talent if Dubai International Capital take the club
over.
Since Rafael Benitez took charge of Liverpool he has
improved the scouting policy and has had scouts looking all
over South America and Africa as well as Europe for the best
youth talent. This is something that won't change even if
Benitez gets a vastly improved transfer budget under the new
owners.
"It's important for all clubs to invest in youngsters
because they can end up being the spine of the team," said
the Spaniard.
"If you want to win - and that's the tradition of the club -
then you have to keep bringing the young players through and
players who can help take you to another level."
(LFC Online)
Garcia out to climb higher
Luis Garcia believes Liverpool have taken a major
psychological step by finally breaking into the top four for
the first time this season.
Victory over Fulham moved Rafa Benitez's side into a
Champions League place.
It's been a slow, often painful process getting there, but
Garcia is now anticipating the Reds will continue their
winning momentum having put a demanding early fixture list
behind them.
"The table looks better for us now. It looks better than a
few months ago, and now we need to keep this going," said
Garcia.
"From a psychological point of view it's really important
for us to be back in that top four, although sometimes maybe
it's better not to look too much at the table.
"The top two are really faraway from us, but all we can do
is keep playing as well as we can to stay in the top four."
(Liverpool Echo)
Carson calls for character
Charlton Athletic's on-loan goalkeeper Scott Carson believes
there is enough character in the Addicks squad to move out
of relegation danger.
The 5-1 drubbing at Tottenham on Saturday left the club
entrenched in the bottom three, four points away from
safety, and a game against in-form Liverpool to come next.
But an upbeat Carson said: "The performances don't matter.
As long as we get the points, that's all that matters.
"Everyone has to chip in and pull together. You can't have
just a few characters in your squad at a time like this. You
need everyone to step up.
"To be fair, no one has tried to hide out there. We've
definitely got enough character
to do it."
(Football UK)
Reina improves record
Pepe Reina has improved his own record for the number of
clean sheets kept in his first 50 games.
Reina overtook Ray Clemence when he kept his 26th clean
sheet in 48 games against Portsmouth. Clemence kept 25 clean
sheets in his first 50 Liverpool games, as did Jerzy Dudek
and Bruce Grobbelaar.
Clean sheets against Wigan and Fulham means Reina has
improved his record again and has kept 28 clean sheets in
his first 50 games for the Reds.
(LFC Online)
Prospective owners at Anfield to view
their investment
Jamie Carragher's rare goal apart, all eyes at Anfield on
Saturday were on the three Middle Eastern gentlemen in the
directors box.
Sameer al-Anwari, chief executive of Dubai International
Capital, was joined by two colleagues including Rabih
Khoury, who briefly held up his mobile phone so a friend
could hear a rendition of You'll Never Walk Alone.
DIC, the private equity arm of the Dubai state and its ruler
Sheikh Mohammed, are in talks with LFC about a possible
£450m buy-out and Saturday is thought to be the first time
representatives had made official appearances at Anfield.
LFC, meanwhile, laughed off reports that a takeover by DIC
would rekindle a possible shared stadium with city rivals
Everton.
The deal has the financing of the new Stanley Park stadium
for Liverpool alone at its heart, the Daily Post
understands.
(Daily Post)
"New arrivals can increase performance"
Rafael Benitez will welcome the pressure of competing with
Chelsea and Manchester United in the transfer market - and
believes the threat of new arrivals can increase the level
of performance from his Liverpool players.
With Dubai International Capital closing in on a £450million
takeover at Anfield, Benitez could soon be armed with a
substantially increased purse to spend on squad
reinforcements.
The Liverpool manager admits to having already drawn up a
wishlist of potential targets should the deal be finalised.
And Benitez insists he would have no problem in handling the
increased expectation to deliver trophies – and in
particular a first championship since 1990 – that will
undoubtedly follow any significantly improved financial
backing.
“I prefer this kind of pressure,” said the Spaniard. “I had
20 years at Real Madrid, and to finish second was the end of
the world. To finish first and win every competition is my
philosophy."
(Daily Post) |
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SUNDAY 10 |
Cisse happy to be back
Djibril Cisse came off the bench to inspire Marseille to a
much-needed win over Monaco – and then declared it was a
“dream” to play for the Mediterranean club.
The France forward, on loan from Liverpool for the rest of
the season, has been out of action since the summer after
breaking his leg in a World Cup warm-up match.
But he made his competitive return to action yesterday
night, playing 30 minutes and setting up the winning goal
for Mamadou Niang with 13 minutes remaining.
A beaming Cisse admitted after the game he was delighted to
be back after such a long time on the sidelines.
“I am very happy, I thought I was only going to get 15 to 20
minutes,” the former Auxerre frontman said.
“It is a dream come true to play for Marseille. I played in
front of my mother, my wife, my friends. It still isn’t the
Djibril Cisse that we all know, but it is satisfying.
“I received a great welcome from the exceptional fans. I was
like a little boy starting
at a new club.”
(Ireland On-Line)
Carra reflects on rare strike
Jamie Carragher reflected on his first Premiership goal in
almost eight years and declared: "I hope I don't have to
wait as long for another one!"
Carragher netted the Reds' second goal in their 4-0
thrashing of Fulham as Liverpool moved into fourth place in
the Premiership table.
It was his first league strike since scoring against
Southampton in January 1999 and Carra is hoping he doesn't
endure a similar barren spell in the future.
He said: "It's my first Premiership goal this century which
is a bit embarrassing
to be honest!"
(LFC Official Website)
Rafa planning Reina talks
Rafa Benitez is planning to head off the prospect of losing
Jose Reina by opening talks with the keeper.
Valencia have trained their sights on the Spaniard and are
keen to bring him to the Mestalla in the January transfer
window.
Liverpool do not have a pressing need to enter into talks as
Reina has over two years to run on his present deal, but
Benitez is keen to reward the keeper for his efforts since
joining the club from Villarreal in the summer of 2005.
"He's got two more years after this year, but we are looking
to extend it because we knew there were some clubs asking
about him," stated Benitez.
"We don't want to sell him and want to show we have
confidence in him."
(Sky Sports)
Toon linked with £7m Liverpool striker
swoop
Newcastle United will try and prise Peter Crouch away from
Anfield in January according to reports on Sunday
Liverpool though are unlikely to do business in the New Year
as they are still in the Champions League and any deal may
have to wait until next summer.
(Fans FC)
Benitez: Sissoko two months away
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez believes midfielder Momo Sissoko
is two months away from a first team return.
He told Liverpoolfc.tv: "We need to wait until he can start
fitness work. Now he is waiting and maybe in a week he can
start doing something, little by little. I think we will
have to wait two months for Momo.
"He is resting and watching TV because he is at home and
cannot do anything until the doctor says he can start
training.
"The first days he was disappointed and nervous but now he
understands he cannot change things and he needs to wait."
(TribalFootball)
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Thor Zakariassen
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