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SATURDAY 12 |
Rafa closes in on two more signings
Rafa Benitez will have got Liverpool fans’ pulses racing
with his declaration that he hopes to keep adding to his
summer spending spree this week.
Benitez has enjoyed a more fruitful close-season than most
of his Premier League peers having already made six
acquisitions.
However, he is still known to be tracking his top targets
and looks unlikely to rest until he can cross Gareth Barry
and perhaps Robbie Keane off
his shopping list.
Whilst the Spaniard would not be drawn on whether these very
public targets were the ones he expected to see at Anfield
in the near future, he gave a very clear indication that he
has his fingers in a number of pies.
"We are still working hard to bring in two more players,” he
said. "I would hope that there would be some progress next
week or very soon."
Benitez was full of praise for Philipp Degen having seen him
don the red shirt for the first time in Saturday’s friendly
against Tranmere, whilst also suggesting that he expects
another debutant at Prenton Park, Diego Cavalieri, to
challenge Jose Reina for the number one shirt.
"He did not have too much to do, but he is a keeper who will
fight for his place and put pressure on others around him,"
he added.
(Setanta Sports)
Rafa delighted with Agger return
Rafa Benitez hailed the return to fitness of Daniel Agger
after the defender played 75 minutes in Liverpool’s first
pre-season fixture against Tranmere.
Agger missed most of the last campaign after breaking a bone
in his foot and suffered several abandoned comebacks.
But the Denmark international looked sharp as a youthful
Liverpool line-up beat Tranmere 1-0 at Prenton Park.
Benitez told LFC TV: “Agger’s return is an important thing
for us. If he is available for the season, you can see he is
good on the ball and in defence and we can play more from
the back, so it was a very good addition for us.”
(Setanta Sports)
Benayoun on target in Reds victory
Liverpool winger Yossi Benayoun was on target as the Reds
beat League One outfit Tranmere Rovers 1-0 in their first
pre-season friendly.
Rafael Benitez ran the rule over Liverpool's supporting cast
while his mind was no doubt buzzing with ways of raising the
money to complete deals for Gareth Barry and Robbie Keane.
The Liverpool manager admits he has to wheel and deal to do
that - but he has raised almost £14million by moving on
Peter Crouch and Danny Guthrie this week.
Steve Finnan and Scott Carson were, significantly, absent
from Liverpool's 21-man squad for their friendly against
Tranmere at Prenton Park on Saturday with further moves
likely soon.
And Benitez is not understood to be over-concerned about
suggestions Arsenal are trying to snatch Barry at the last
moment.
All business is now likely to be conducted while Benitez's
squad are at
a training camp in Switzerland for the next fortnight,
during which time they will also play four matches.
(TEAMtalk)
Agger and Pacheco start at Tranmere
Fit-again Daniel Agger is joined by debutante Daniel Pacheco
in
the starting line-up for this afternoon's first friendly of
the season
at Tranmere.
Agger, who has recovered from the metatarsal problems which
ruined his season last year, will be partnered by Jack Hobbs
in the heart of
the defence with Jamie Carragher likely to begin at left
back.
Spanish youngster Pacheco will make his first appearance for
the Reds in a forward position where he is likely to be
joined by Yossi Benayoun, with Jermaine Pennant, Damien
Plessis, Lucas and Emiliano Insua
operating in midfield.
New signings Diego Cavalieri and Philipp Degen are joined by
skipper Steven Gerrard among the substitutes.
Rafa's first team selection for the new season is as
follows:
Martin, Darby, Hobbs, Agger, Carragher, Pennant, Plessis,
Lucas, Insua, Benayoun, Pacheco.
Subs:
Cavalieri, Hyypia, Skrtel, Degen, Kelly, Aurelio, Gerrard,
Spearing, Voronin, Flynn.
(LFC Official Website)
Poulsen move scuppers Xabi deal
Xabi Alonso’s proposed move from Liverpool to Juventus could
be off with an announcement expected later on Saturday that
the Bianconeri have signed Christian Poulsen from Sevilla.
Juve have been in the market for a midfielder and have held
talks with both players, but it is either one or the other
and The Old Lady have plumped for Poulsen.
Reports in Spain claim Poulsen has signed a
double-your-money four-year contract with Juve after the
Serie A side agreed to pay Sevilla €10 million (£8 million).
The transfer will end a hugely successful association
between Poulsen and Sevilla.
Since signing on a Bosman free transfer from Schalke two
years ago,
the Denmark international has gone on to win four trophies
and establish himself as one of Europe's best holding
midfielders.
(Setanta Sports) |
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FRIDAY 11 |
Liverpool ace Guthrie
having medical with NUFC
Liverpool midfielder Danny Guthrie is undergoing a medical
with Newcastle United after the Toon had a bid accepted for
the 21-year-old.
The Shrewsbury-born ace could become Kevin Keegan’s second
signing of the summer after the Anfield club accepted an
offer for the young gun.
Liverpool spokesman Ian Cotton said: "We have agreed a
transfer fee with Newcastle United for the transfer of Danny
Guthrie.
"We have now given Newcastle permission to speak directly
with
the player."
Guthrie will now hold talks with Keegan, and if personal
terms can be agreed, the deal will give him the first-team
football he craves but was unable to secure at Anfield.
The player was on loan at Bolton Wanderers last term and
made 25 appearances in the Premier League without finding
the net, but he did score on his Trotters debut against
Fulham in the Carling Cup in a 2-1 win at Craven Cottage,
and he was a fans’ favourite at the Reebok Stadium.
(Evening Chronicle)
Atletico give up on Reds target Silva
Atletico Madrid's sporting director says it is unlikely
Valencia's David Silva will join another Spanish club -
clearing the way for Liverpool.
Silva, along with team-mate David Villa, is on several
clubs' wish-lists - both Liverpool and Arsenal have been
linked from the Premier League - and speculation was rife
that the pair would be offloaded to balance
the books at the cash-stricken club.
However, the duo have reiterated their desire to remain at
the Mestalla
and Atletico sporting director Garcia Pitarch has conceded
defeat in his efforts to sign Silva after the midfielder
helped Spain win Euro 2008.
"After the European Championship he has had, it is
impossible," he said. "Frankly, I think Silva has always
been unlikely to join another
Spanish club.
"You're talking about a very important player and in the
case of players like him it is very complicated to go to
another team in the same country".(TEAMtalk)
Crouch sale signals Reds' intent
Every manager has a signature signing. An unheralded player
that comes out of left-field, a capture that attracts one
suspicious glance for every seal of approval.
Some managers have more than one. Arsene Wenger had Patrick
Vieira and Thierry Henry, Sir Alex Ferguson had Peter
Schmeichel and Roy Keane. “The Big Breakfast” had Denise van
Outen.
Rafa Benitez’s, in his short four-year reign, has arguably
been
Peter Crouch.
Granted, not for one moment can Crouch be compared to the
legends mentioned above (you’d much rather wake up to Van
Outen than big Pete) but he nevertheless represents
Benitez’s biggest gamble – and it paid off.
Benitez, unlike his predecessor Gerard Houllier, leaves
sentiment at
the door. He knows a ‘very good’ player is no longer enough.
Liverpool need ‘excellent’ or better to reclaim the title.
Crouch’s departure sends
out a huge statement.
(Ben Blackmore - Setanta Sports)
Carson heads for Reds exit
Scott Carson is set to depart Anfield as Rafa Benitez
attempts to raise
the funds he needs to make an offer for top target Robbie
Keane.
The England international keeper is likely to follow Danny
Guthrie through the exit door after Liverpool accepted an
offer from Kevin Keegan’s Newcastle for the midfielder, who
spent last season on loan at Bolton.
Liverpool have two offers on the table from rival
Premiership clubs for Carson, who is keen to quit the Reds
after spending last season on loan
at Aston Villa, and Benitez is happy to do business.
(Liverpool Echo)
Crouch: Pompey not a step down
Former Liverpool player Peter Crouch has spoken to the media
following his transfer to Portsmouth from Anfield, and
insisted that it is not
a step down.
“It is fantastic to be back, the club is going places and I
have worked here before and the manager always gets the best
out of me.”
“I feel I have got the best years of my career to come and
it will be
at Portsmouth.
“I have left a great club but this club is going where it
can be.
“I had a fantastic three years at Liverpool and I would not
change it for
the world. I am privileged to have played for such a top
club.
“Towards the end I did not get as many games as I would have
liked but
I will only take good memories away.
“In no way am I stepping down, I feel I am joining a club
that is going places with a new stadium, a new training
ground and some
very good players.”
(Anfield Online)
Fowler ready to join Blackburn
Robbie Fowler is on the cusp of a move to Blackburn Rovers
after Cardiff revealed he has received an offer from Paul
Ince.
The Bluebirds have confirmed they have agreed to release the
former Liverpool idol, who scored six goals in an
injury-disrupted season
last year.
Fowler will hook up with former team-mate and close friend
Paul Ince, who has offered the striker a trial ahead of
granting him one last crack at
The Premier League.
"Former England striker Robbie Fowler has teamed up with
Rovers and
will be a member of the travelling party on the pre-season
training camp in Germany," read a statement on Blackburn's
official website.
"Rovers boss Paul Ince is well aware of Fowler's
capabilities having played with him for both Liverpool and
England."
Fowler has turned down a one-year deal at Cardiff to accept
Blackburn's invitation, and the Championship club confirmed
his departure.
(Setanta Sports)
Reds capture keeper Cavalieri
Liverpool have clinched the signing of goalkeeper Diego
Cavalieri from Palmeiras, with the Brazilian signing a
four-year contract at Anfield.
The 25-year-old will begin life at Anfield as understudy to
Jose Reina.
Cavalieri becomes the third Brazilian at the club alongside
Lucas and Fabio Aurelio and is manager Rafael Benitez's
third major signing of
the summer following the arrivals of full-backs Philipp
Degen and
Andrea Dossena.
Cavalieri, who also holds an Italian passport, fully
accepted he would play second fiddle to Spain international
Reina after joining the Reds.
"I know it won't be easy to get into the team," he told the
club's website.
"I watched some Liverpool games in both the Premier League
and Champions League last year and I know Pepe (Reina) is a
very good goalkeeper. But everyone has to fight for their
place and I'm sure we will have a healthy rivalry.
(TEAMtalk)
Benitez adds a new
defensive dimension
Long before last season had come to a trophy-less end, Rafa
Benitez had identified the two positions he wanted improving
most urgently.
Despite having a defence which again kept the most
Premiership clean sheets for the third successive season,
the Reds boss was keen to bring in a new right back and a
new left back.
The duo he wanted were Philipp Degen, a free transfer from
Borussia Dortmund, and Andrea Dossena, a £6m acquisition
from Udinese, and yesterday the fruits of Benitez’s labour
in the transfer market were displayed at a Melwood press
conference where both players were formally unveiled.
As far as the Spaniard is concerned, Degen and Dossena
personify
the next phase of his Anfield revolution as he looks to
bring more attacking flair to a team which has built much of
its success
on defensive solidity.
If Euro 2008 showed anything, it was that attacking full
backs are no longer just desirable, they are an absolute
necessity and Benitez has moved swiftly to add a new
dimension to his squad in keeping with that philosophy.
Degen and Dossena will both be given licence to get forward
and the early indications from pre-season training are that
the Swiss in particular does not need any second invitation
to bomb on.
His Italian counterpart, meanwhile, arrives with a
reputation of being a left back who loves to attack, but
Benitez has already informed him that this must not be to
the detriment of the balance of the team.
(Tony Barrett - Liverpool Echo) |
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THURSDAY 10 |
Rafa confirms: We’re skint
Speaking at the unveiling of new full backs Andrea Dossena
and Philipp Degen, Rafa Benitez has told the media what many
Liverpool fans have long feared - that there is no money
available to him this summer.
Instead, all purchases will have to be funded by player
sales, something Benitez described as having to use a
“little bit of imagination to progress in the market.”
It is a ridiculous situation that Benitez - and Liverpool as
a club - finds themselves in, with owners Tom Hicks and
George Gillett firmly being
he reason for the lack of funds to take Liverpool where they
promised.
If Liverpool are to progress and make a serious challenge
for the title, they need to be adding to the quality in the
squad, rather than swapping the quality. For instance,
keeping Alonso and adding Gareth Barry. Not funding one with
another. That is not how we should be working.
(This is Anfield)
read
more
Benitez promises striker signing
On a busy day at Melwood training ground Rafa Benitez
revealed Liverpool have signed a goalkeeper, and he promised
‘at least one striker’
would follow.
Benitez has been extremely busy in the transfer market,
wheeling and dealing to bring in Philipp Degen and Andrea
Dossena, while contact has been confirmed for Gareth Barry
and Robbie Keane.
Brazilian goalkeeper Diego Cavalieri will arrive for £3
million, Benitez confirmed on Thursday, before all
attentions are turned to the top end of the pitch.
Having admitted that Keane is a target but David Villa is
not, the Liverpool boss guaranteed Reds fans that a new
striker will arrive at Anfield before the start of the new
season.
"Everyone knows what our ideas are and what players we want.
We are working hard with different names now, and at the
moment that is not (David) Villa,” Benitez confirmed.
"We will have another main striker before the season starts,
maybe two.
"The fans must trust us, we are working hard during the
summer with a lot of people in different countries working
for us.
"We have a new keeper. And we are looking for a lot of
players for
the right price.”
(Setanta Sports)
Liverpool sign Lucas Weijl
Liverpool have officially announced on their website the
capture of 17-year old Netherlands forward Vincent Lucas
Weijl.
Rafa Benitez has added to the full back acquisitions of
Degen and Dossena, the imminent arrival of young Dutchman
Lucas Weijl.
Lucas Weijl was trained and promoted through the ranks at
Alkmaar-based Dutch side AZ. He is expected to carry on with
his footballing education with the reserve team under the
tutelage of Gery Ablett after he penned
a three-year deal to stay in Merseyside.
Rafa Benitez has often expressed his admiration for the way
Arsene Wenger buys young and develops talent for the future.
This purchase reaffirms Benitez’s ideology.
(Goal.com)
Benitez: Alonso could stay at Reds
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is unsure whether Xabi Alonso
will leave the club to join Juventus.
Alonso is a confirmed target for Juventus, but the Italian
club have been unable to agree a fee for the Spanish
midfielder.
Benitez has admitted that he is waiting to learn whether
Juventus are willing to increase their bid for the
26-year-old.
The former Real Sociedad schemer has said he is happy to
stay at Anfield, and Benitez also appears keen to keep his
compatriot at the club.
"The situation with Alonso has not changed," said Benitez.
"Juventus made an offer that was not good enough and now we
are just waiting. I do not know, really, whether that will
go through.
"Xabi wants to stay because he is happy here, but he also
knows that Juventus is a top side.
"I have talked to him, he knows my ideas and he knows why.
So we will try to find a solution for him, for us, and the
best for the club."
(Sporting Life)
Dossena takes number two shirt
Andrea Dossena will wear the number two shirt at Liverpool
next season, with fellow new boy Philipp Degen taking 27.
Dossena's jersey was vacant last season, with Alvaro Arbeloa
the last to wear number two on his back. Previous incumbents
include Rob Jones, Chris Lawler, Phil Neal and Stephane
Henchoz.
Degen, meanwhile, requested the 27 shirt last worn by
Gregory Vigna
(LFC Official Website)
Benitez confirms Keane contact
Rafa Benitez has added some rather significant fuel to the
flames surrounding the mooted transfer of Robbie Keane,
revealing Liverpool ‘were in contact’ with Tottenham and
'will now see'.
Benitez ruled out the signing of Valencia’s David Villa on
Thursday, insisting the Spaniard is on Liverpool’s list but
‘at this moment,
not our target’.
However, Benitez then turned his attention to Keane,
revealing The Reds are ‘still working’ on the transfer.
Beginning with Villa, The Liverpool boss told the club’s
official website:
"I said the other day that he is one of the names we had on
our list, but I can say at this moment that it is not an
option for us.
"We know Villa is a very good player, we know the price and
we know
the players we have, so when you consider everything we
decided he was one of the names, but at this moment, not our
target."
Turning to Keane, Benitez added: "Keane is one of the other
names and okay we are still working with other names. We
were in contact and we will see now."
(Setanta Sports)
Babel back in training
Ryan Babel is back in training after recovering from injury.
The Liverpool forward picked up an ankle injury which ruled
him out of Euro 2008. He has now recovered and is taking
part in pre-season training with the Reds.
However, news of his recovery has a negative side for
Liverpool as well as it means Babel will be selected for
Holland's Olympic team and will miss the first month of the
new season.
"Obviously, we are really pleased that Ryan is coming back
to training because he is an important player for us and he
has worked hard to recover from the injury he suffered with
Holland," said Rafael Benitez.
"But we are really worried because after getting him fit it
is likely that we could lose him again if he is selected for
the Olympics. This is a big problem - we prepare him and
then he goes away with the national team.
"This season is very important for him. In his first season
he was settling in but this time he has more experience and
we are looking for him to give something from the beginning,
so it is really important for him to start working with his
team."
(LFC Online)
Lazio friendly confirmed
Liverpool have confirmed their final pre-season friendly
will be
against Lazio.
The Reds will host the Italian side at Anfield on Friday,
August 8th. Kick off time and ticket news is yet to be
announced.
The game will be Liverpool's first home pre-season friendly
since Rafael Benitez brought his Valencia side to Anfield in
2003.
(LFC Online)
Thor Zakariassen
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