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WEDNESDAY 12 |
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Cisse thanks Marseille for keeping faith
France striker Dijbril Cisse has thanked Marseille for
trusting him after joining the Mediterranean giants on a
one-year-loan from Liverpool.
The 24-year-old hit-man was called up by coach Raymond
Domenech to take part to the World Cup in Germany but was
forced to stay at home after breaking his right leg during
France's 3-1 win in a friendly against China on June 7.
He will not be fully fit again before October but this did
not prevent Marseille president Pape Diouf doing all he
could in recent weeks to secure the services of the
Liverpool forward.
"I feel extremely proud to play with Marseille and I would
also like to thank Pape and the club's staff for trusting me
despite my injury," said Cisse on www.om.net
"It shows their enthusiasm and their respect towards me. I
feel reassured because I feel they really wanted me."
"OM feels like home," he added, "I was born in Arles, and
since I was a kid I have always been a Marseille supporter.
"A few clubs have tried to sign me too but my choice has
always been Marseille. For now I have signed for one season
but we will see. Maybe I will stay here for 10 years."
(Sporting Life)
Hamann explains Manchester City decision
Dietmar Hamann has revealed the reasons for his sensational
snub to Bolton Wanderers Football Club.
The former German international actually signed for the
Trotters from Liverpool on Tuesday, yet within minutes
changed his mind and on Wednesday joined Manchester City on
a two-year deal.
"I had agreed to join Bolton, but I realised that going to
them would not be the right move for me. I told Bolton my
feelings immediately and they understood my decision,”
Hamann told the official City website.
"When I became aware of press reports suggesting that City
were interested in me, I was excited at the prospect of
joining this club and knew this is where I want to be.
“I am happy that the situation has been sorted quickly."
It is believed that City paid £300,000 for the 32-year-old
midfielder, and he has revealed how excited he is at the
season in prospect at the City of Manchester Stadium.
"When I spoke with Stuart Pearce I immediately knew that
City was the club for me,” he added. “Mr Pearce is an
ambitious manager, and this is an excellent club with a good
squad of players.
"Everything here at City is geared for the club to make
progress and I want to play my part in bringing success to
this football club. I am looking forward to the new
challenge here at City."
(Fans FC)
Ramos hopeful on Alves
Sevilla coach Juande Ramos is confident that Daniel Alves
will not be tempted into a move to Liverpool.
The Brazilian has been widely linked with a switch to
Anfield, with The Reds currently considering whether or not
to table an improved third bid.
Alves was reportedly eager to leave Sevilla, but Ramos has
insisted that it was a temporary feeling and that he is more
than happy in Spain.
"It is normal to dream of a great club but he has the head
of a professional and will give 100 percent to this club,"
said Ramos.
Sevilla are looking to sign a new striker for the upcoming
season but Ramos is refusing to name his targets.
"We are working with two or three names but it is impossible
to finalise the negotiations," he said.
(Sky Sports)
Rafa on further signings
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has confirmed that he's still
working on bringing further faces to the club.
At today's press conference Rafa spoke about the various ins
and outs that have already taken place and admitted that
more signings could follow.
Rafa said: "We continue working with some names but you can
read the press and maybe there is a list of twenty players.
"We are really happy with out squad but if we can improve it
we will try to do it."
(Kop Talk)
Rafa: Loan move good for Cisse
Rafael Benitez today insisted Djibril Cisse will benefit
from his season long loan at Marseille.
Cisse will spend this season with the French club and could
sign a permanent deal at the end of the campaign if he
proves his fitness after recovering from a broken leg.
The Liverpool manager insists the move is in Cisse's best
interests and believes he will benefit from regular football
once he returns to action.
He said: "We have an agreement with Marseille for Djibril to
go on loan. It is a good move for him because he needs to
play.
"He has had two bad injuries and it will suit him better to
play in France. He's a nice boy and a good player but my
idea was to look for a different kind of striker. We wish
him well in France when he's back to full fitness."
(LFC Official Website)
Hamann finally signs at City
Veteran midfielder Dietmar Hamann has completed his
complicated transfer to Manchester City.
The 32-year-old former Liverpool star signed a pre-contract
agreement with Bolton last month but then changed his mind
and told Wanderers boss Sam Allardyce he wanted to join City
instead.
It led to the Anfield club officially announcing on Tuesday
that Hamann had joined Bolton, before the Trotters
subsequently revealed the player would join another club
imminently without ever having played for them.
After transferring from Bayern Munich to Newcastle in 1998,
Hamann - who moves to Eastlands on a free transfer - spent
one season in the north-east, where he was a team-mate of
now City boss Stuart Pearce, before moving to Liverpool,
where he spent seven years.
He played 57 times for his country and his transfer to City
was not helped by him being a pundit on German television
during the recent World Cup finals.
(Football 365)
Alves leaving door open for possible
Anfield switch
Reds target Daniel Alves has completed his pre-season
medical and has commenced pre-season training with Sevilla.
He's still hoping a deal can be brokered between Sevilla and
Liverpool but if not, he insists he'll remain completely
focused on playing for Sevilla.
Alves said: "I don't close any doors. I said that if there
are possibilities and there are, we will study them and see
what happens.
"The truth is that anyone given the opportunity to improve
wouldn't think twice about it and if improving means taking
this decision [to leave] then we'll study it and take the
best decision.
Asked if he was 100% dedicated to Sevilla following the
interest from Anfield and he replied: "Of course. As long as
things are up in the air, rumours can only play on your mind
but I live in the real world. I am at Sevilla."
(Kop Talk)
Cisse signs for Marseille - OFFICIAL
Striker Djibril Cisse has completed his transfer to
Marseille.
The French hitman has agreed a season-long loan with a view
to a permanent deal at the end of the season.
He never wanted to leave Anfield but Liverpool boss Rafael
Benitez made it clear that he didn't have a future at the
club.
(Kop Talk)
Ex-Red joins Palace
Former Liverpool player Mark Kennedy has joined Crystal
Palace.
The winger, who was signed for Liverpool by Roy Evans in
1995, has joined Crystal Palace on a free transfer.
(LFC Online)
Kirkland nearly quit the game
New Wigan goalkeeper Chris Kirkland has revealed he almost
quit football due to the injuries which have blighted his
career so far.
Kirkland has been plagued with problems over the years,
resulting in him making just 45 appearances for Liverpool in
four seasons after a £6million move from Coventry in 2001.
Kirkland said: 'I've been through tough times, times when I
thought about quitting.
'I've thought to myself 'I've had enough'. At its toughest
I've come back from one long-term injury and then been out
with another long-term injury.
'But my family and my wife got me through it. I've had to
realise things have happened which I've not been able to do
anything about.
Kirkland is certainly hoping he does enough to impress
Jewell as it has been spelled out to him by Liverpool
manager Rafael Benitez that his Anfield career is over.
'There's no going back to Liverpool, the gaffer has made
that clear,' revealed Kirkland.
(Soccernet) |
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TUESDAY 11 |
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Rafa's revolving Anfield door busy
Liverpool are in the process of seeing four players leave
the club as they step up their chase for major new arrivals
at Anfield.
Dietmar Hamann's protracted and complex move to Manchester
City via Bolton inside the next 24 hours stole the show as
far as departures from Merseyside go, but Liverpool also
loaned out fourth-choice goalkeeper Chris Kirkland to Wigan
for six months with a permanent deal of around £1million
expected.
Djibril Cisse's exit to Marseille will be concluded on
Wednesday, a season-long loan which will eventually pull in
around £8million when he has finally recovered from his
broken leg.
Cisse, after attending France president Jacques Chirac's
reception for the defeated World Cup finalists in Paris, is
expected to be unveiled by Marseille at a media conference.
And Liverpool are still expecting the £1.7million move of
Antonio Barragan to Deportivo La Coruna to be completed by
the end of the week.
All this means that boss Rafael Benitez can be expected to
try to finally tie up the move Daniel Alves from Seville,
despite talks having stalled last week over Liverpool's
failure to meet the £12million asking price.
(TEAMtalk)
Balague: Rafa considering Ayala bid
Spanish football expert Guillem Balague believes Rafael
Benitez is considering making a move for Valencia
centre-back Roberto Ayala.
The 33-year-old has less than a year remaining on his
current contract and has indicated that he is ready to test
himself in the Premier League.
Balague told BBC Radio 5: "Liverpool have been linked to two
players from the Spanish league - one is Ayala.
"I think Rafa has got the impression that he's got to pay
for another centre-back."
Villarreal and Tottenham have both been linked with the
player recently.
(Kop Talk)
Hamann pulls out of Bolton deal
Dietmar Hamann will sign for Manchester City “in
the next 24 hours” after telling Bolton he no longer wished
to honour a deal he agreed with them earlier this month.
Hamann’s arrival at Eastlands has been anticipated for the
best part of a week but fresh confusion surrounded the
veteran midfielder’s exit from Anfield when Liverpool
confirmed he was leaving Merseyside for Bolton earlier
today.
However, it has now transpired the 34-year-old will spend
the shortest amount of time possible as a Bolton player,
with a move to City being sealed tomorrow.
(BreakingNews.ie)
Hamann signs for Bolton - OFFICIAL
Liverpool midfielder Didi Hamann has made a surprise u-turn
and has opted to sign for Bolton Wanderers.
The former German international looked set to snub Big Sam
and sign for Manchester City but he's opted for Bolton after
all.
Liverpool Football Club have confirmed the news.
(Kop Talk)
Zenden set for centre stage
Rafael Benitez is ready to put Liverpool's forgotten man
back at the centre of attention next season.
Dutch winger Boudewijn Zenden has not featured in a Reds
team since injuring knee ligaments in a Champions League
clash with Real Betis last November.
But he is now fit again and raring to go - and boss Benitez
believes he could prove a ready-made replacement for the
departing Dietmar Hamann.
"He is training again now and I was really happy with him at
the end of last season," explained the Reds coach.
"He was injured, but he was always in the dressing room and
he was always encouraging his team-mates and supporting
them.
"This year he has started pre-season training really well. I
am thinking about using him sometimes as a central
midfielder because he has experience at Middlesbrough in
this position.
"He also has quality, and with his experience and his game
intelligence he can give us more things.
(Liverpool Echo)
Kirkland ties up Wigan switch
Wigan Athletic have signed Liverpool keeper Chris Kirkland
on a six-month loan deal.
The England hopeful trained with The Latics on Tuesday as
the finishing touches were put to his switch to The JJB
Stadium.
Kirkland has joined up with Paul Jewell's men on an initial
six-month loan deal, with a view to a permanent transfer.
The imposing keeper has been a long-standing target for
Jewell, who was keen to bring in competition for Mike
Pollitt and John Filan.
He spent last season on loan at West Bromwich Albion, but
injury restricted Kirkland to just 10 Premiership
appearances.
Kirkland was signed by Liverpool from Coventry City for £6
million five years ago, but has made just 45 appearances for
the FA Cup winners.
(Sky Sports)
Reds mourn wife of former boss
Liverpool Football Club have sent their deepest condolences
to former Reds manager Phil Taylor, whose wife Maisey sadly
passed away last Friday.
Taylor is an Anfield legend who served the club with
distinction as player, captain and manager between 1936 and
1959.
He was succeeded in the Liverpool hot-seat by Bill Shankly
but remained an avid follower of the club and was regularly
seen at games with his wife.
Maisey's funeral takes place at Thornton Crematorium
tomorrow (1pm).
Phil and his family are in the thoughts of everyone at
Liverpool FC during this sad time.
(LFC Official Website) |
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MONDAY 10 |
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Cisse poised to complete Marseille move
Liverpool's France international Djibril Cisse is
expected to officially join Marseille on loan on Wednesday.
The striker, who was originally called up by coach Raymond
Domenech for the World Cup in Germany, was forced to stay at
home after breaking his right leg during France's 3-1 win in
a friendly against China on June 7.
Tipped to join Marseille during the summer transfer window,
Cisse was reported to be close to a move last week after
club sporting director Pape Diouf revealed the deal was
"almost sealed".
Cisse, 24, is expected to complete a season-long loan deal
on Wednesday before being presented to the media.
(Sporting Life)
Houllier comments on ZZ butt
Former Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier says Zinedine Zidane's
headbutt on Marco Materazzi last night was unacceptable
although he believes he was provoked into
doing it.
Ged - who coached France briefly in the early 1990's - added
that he thought France should have won.
He said: "It is unacceptable to head-butt an opponent like
that.
"I don't want to excuse his gesture but at the same time I
would like to understand what happened.
"It is shame that what's sanctioned is the reaction and not
the provocation. But high-level football also implies the
control of one's nerves.
"For me, the loss of Patrick Vieira was the turning point of
the match and then the loss of Zinedine Zidane.
"The French team largely deserved to win the match in terms
of the standard of play, ideas and athletic level. We were
far fresher than the Italians."
(Kop Talk)
Rafa tips Gerrard for England honour
Rafael Benitez believes Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard is
the right man to take over the England captaincy in
succession to David Beckham.
But the Reds boss insists he won't shed any tears if John
Terry gets the nod instead.
Terry has been strongly tipped to succeed Beckham, with some
reports saying new England coach Steve McClaren intends to
contact the Chelsea skipper this week.
Benitez told the Liverpool Echo: "I always want the best for
my players, but sometimes the national team and the clubs
have different interests.
"I want the best for Steve. If he is the England captain, if
he is happy and if he is also focused on Liverpool, I will
be happy.
"If he's not the captain, then maybe it will be easier for
him to be focused on Liverpool.
"But I think he can do it, and if he wants to do it, it's
okay.
"But it depends more on what he thinks rather than what I
think."
McClaren will make his decision before the next England
international - an Old Trafford friendly against Greece on
August 16.
(TEAMtalk)
Keeper chase hots up
West Bromwich Albion have joined Sheffield Wednesday in the
race to secure keeper Scott Carson on a season-long loan.
Reds boss Rafa Benitez is still to make a decision on
whether to allow the former Leeds United ace to depart, with
Chris Kirkland set to join Wigan.
The Baggies have turned their attention to Carson having
seen their hopes of recruiting Kirkland dashed. However,
they face stiff competition from Wednesday boss Paul
Sturrock, who confirmed late last week that the player is
keen to return to Hillsborough following a successful loan
stay last season.
Benitez is unlikely to sanction a permanent departure for
Carson, and prospect of a temporary exit remains uncertain
as doubts remain over the future of Jerzy Dudek.
Should Kirkland and the Pole depart Anfield ahead of the new
campaign, the Reds will be left with only Pepe Reina and
Carson as senior keepers.
(EatSleepSport)
Reds legends set for Norway
Legends from Liverpool's illustrious past are preparing to
give Norwegian LFC fans a real treat by donning their boots
again for a mini tour starting on Thursday.
The list of Reds legends making the trip are Ian Rush, John
Barnes, Roy Evans, Alan Kennedy, Bruce Grobbelaar, Phil
Neal, David Johnson, David Fairclough, Jan Molby, Jimmy
Case, John Wark, Ronnie Whelan, Gary Gillespie, John Durnin,
Nicky Tanner, Neil Ruddock, Bob Bolder, Michael Thomas, Mark
Walters, Howard Gayle, Mike Marsh.
The players depart Liverpool John Lennon Airport on Thursday
morning for the first leg of the tour in Arlesund,
birthplace of Reds ace John Arne Riise. In Arlesund
Liverpool will play a Norway legends team and there will be
a concert with Gerry and the Pacemakers.
On the Friday it's a short flight to the town of Floro
before Liverpool play their second match on Saturday against
Brann Bergen Old Boys.
The legends finish the tour with a short trip to Denmark
before returning to Liverpool.
(LFC Official Website)
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Thor Zakariassen
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