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SUNDAY 12 |
Rafa: Owen at Anfield
wouldn’t have worked
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has admitted that he did
consider the possibility of bringing former striker Michael
Owen back to the club this summer.
Owen was available on a free transfer after his contract
with Newcastle Utd expired, and ended up signing a deal to
play for arch-rivals Manchester Utd in a bid to win back his
place in the England team.
But Benitez says he wouldn’t have been able to guarantee
Owen, who left Liverpool for Real Madrid when Benitez took
charge on Merseyside in 2004, regular football at the club.
“We had contact with different people and were analysing the
situation,” Benitez told The People.
“But if you want to play Torres and Gerrard there is not
always a lot of space for other players.
“When I brought back Robbie Fowler it was a different
situation. We were looking for someone who could understand
his role clearly and he was a good finisher.
“But we have a World Cup coming up and all the top players
want to play. In his position it would be hard for Owen to
play every week at Liverpool.”
(This is Anfield)
Alonso not 'indispensable' for Real
Real Madrid coach Manuel Pellegrini is adamant the Spanish
giants will cope if they cannot bring in Liverpool
midfielder Xabi Alonso.
Although they have already spent close to £200million on
Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Karim Benzema and Raul Albiol this
summer, Madrid are still looking to bring in more new faces
and Alonso is near the top of their wanted list.
However, Madrid are not finding it straightforward to cut a
deal for the Spain international, with the big-spending La
Liga outfit admitting this week that they are some way short
of Liverpool's valuation of the Euro 2008 winner.
Madrid have not given up on Alonso yet, but Pellegrini has
dismissed any suggestion that the 27-year-old is
"indispensable" to the team.
"Indispensable players do not exist. He's an important
player as he has shown with the Spanish team. It's no
mystery that Real Madrid are interested in his services, but
it will not be easy," said Pellegrini.
The Chilean coach believes Madrid are not far away from
finishing their summer rebuilding, with just a few more
additions needed, and hopes everything can be settled sooner
rather than later.
"We are looking at some alternatives in a few positions. The
attacking part is complete, and maybe we lack a player in
the middle of the pitch and a full-back, but the rest of the
positions are covered," he said.
(TEAMtalk)
Rafa reveals Torres bids
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez claims three Premier League
clubs have made bids for striker Fernando Torres.
Benitez said the Reds had received offers of £60m for the
star this summer, but the Spaniard has no interest in
selling Torres.
He told the Daily Star Sunday: "People have asked about
Torres. We said 'no'. People know the player wants to stay
here but sometimes they
will try."
(Teletext)
The day Shanks resigned
Bill Shankly rocked the football world when he sensationally
announced his decision to step down as Liverpool manager 35
years ago today.
The charismatic Scot was synonymous with Liverpool, a man
whose love for the team and its supporters had been
reciprocated in the stands.
But in 1974, after 15 years at the helm, he decided to lower
the curtain on what had been an incredible footballing
journey.
As reporters huddled inside Anfield in expectation of the
unveiling of the club's new record signing from Arsenal, Ray
Kennedy, they were left well and truly taken aback when
chairman John Smith sat down and announced the news no Reds
fan had expected to hear.
"It is with great regret that I have to inform you that Mr
Shankly has intimated to me that he wishes to retire from
active participation in league football, and that the board
has - with extreme reluctance - accepted his decision," said
Smith.
(LFC Official Website) |
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SATURDAY 11 |
Wrexham target Liverpool keeper
Wrexham hope to secure the loan signing of 18-year-old
Liverpool goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis.
Liverpool have agreed to the move that would see the
Australian continue to train at Anfield several days a week
but playing in
the Blue Square Premier.
Wrexham manager Dean Saunders hopes to conclude the deal
next week.
Bouzanis arrived at Liverpool from the New South Wales
Institute of Sport, although he was loaned to Sydney FC
until his 17th birthday.
Bouzanis, regarded by Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez as
one of the best young goalkeepers in the world, is eligible
to play internationally for Australia and Greece.
(BBC Sport Online)
El Zhar signs contract extension
Nabil El Zhar has signed an extension to his current
Liverpool contract that will keep him at Anfield until 2012.
The 22-year-old, who made 19 appearances for the Reds'
first-team last season, follows Steven Gerrard, Fernando
Torres, Dirk Kuyt, Yossi Benayoun and Daniel Agger in
committing his long-term future to the club.
The Moroccan international joined Liverpool from Saint
Etienne
in October 2006.
(LFC Official Website)
Mavinga signs for Liverpool
Liverpool have completed the signing of French left-back
Chris Mavinga from Paris St Germain.
The 18-year-old, who can also play at centre-back, has
represented his country at U18 level.
He follows in the footsteps of striker David Ngog, who
joined Liverpool from PSG last summer.
(LFC Official Website)
Report: Liverpool eye Cattermole
to replace Alonso or Mascherano
Liverpool are reportedly considering a surprise offer
for Wigan Athletic midfielder Lee Cattermole if they end up
selling either Xabi Alonso or Javier Mascherano this summer.
The Independent reports that the Reds are covering all bases
in case one of their midfield linchpins decides to leave and
are setting their sights on Cattermole, who impressed for
England’s Under-21 side in the recent European finals in
Sweden.
(Goal.com)
Rafa rubbishes
Ribery link
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has rubbished speculation
linking the Reds with a shock move for Franck Ribery.
Bookmakers slashed odds on the Bayern Munich winger moving
to Anfield on Friday, sparking the suggestions.
But Benitez told the Daily Mirror: "I don't think we will be
signing anyone else for big money. We are thinking of
improving the fitness of the players, not thinking of the
transfer market."
(Teletext) |
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FRIDAY 10 |
Rummenigge expects Ribery stay
Bayern Munich president Karl-Heinz Rummenigge is optimistic
Franck Ribery will be at the club for the first game of the
season.
The French playmaker has been the subject of persistent
transfer speculation this summer, with Real Madrid,
Barcelona, Manchester United, Chelsea and most recently
Liverpool all linked with the star.
But Rummenigge believes the 26-year-old will stay with the
Bundesliga outfit beyond the summer.
He told Sport1: "The media should be very grateful as there
has been no better subject than Franck Ribery and Bayern
this summer.
"Our opinion has not changed in respect to Ribery. I am
completely relaxed and I can say that from the start we have
always felt that he would stay.
"I am optimistic that Franck will be with us for our first
game of the season against Hoffenheim.
"Bayern has the last word and our view is very firm and we
are not going to speak about this every day."
(TEAMtalk)
Alonso remains a target for Real
Real Madrid have reiterated their desire to add Liverpool
midfielder Xabi Alonso to their list of high-profile summer
recruits.
Reports suggest that the Premier League club are asking for
up to £50m for the 27-year-old Spanish international.
"Madrid don't discard an option until it is truly
impossible," said Real sporting director Miguel Pardeza.
"Right now there is an insurmountable economic barrier but
that is something that can change."
Madrid have spent £209m so far this summer to bring
Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Karim Benzema and Raul Albiol to
the Bernabeu as part of president Florentino Perez's new
'galactico' project, designed to bring the world's best
players to the club.
However, director general Jorge Valdano has said the club
also want to sign more homegrown players, including Alonso,
who played for Real Sociedad before moving to Liverpool in
the summer of 2004.
(BBC Sport Online)
Rafa questions Barry motive
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has hit out at Gareth Barry
after what he believes to be a money-orientated move to
Manchester City.
Benitez was strongly linked with a bid for the midfielder
during last summer but could not agree a fee with his former
club Aston Villa.
The Reds were expected to rekindle their interest in Barry's
services during the current transfer window as Benitez
looked to build on last season's title push.
However, Barry secured a shock transfer to affluent club
City, who will not compete in European competition in the
forthcoming campaign.
Benitez said: "In this market now, money is not the main
thing. Everyone at this level earns big money.
"If it's just for money sometimes you will make mistakes. I
was surprised by some decisions this year, like Gareth
Barry.
"I won't say too much but clearly it was 100 per cent for
money. The most important thing for me is the passion of the
players."
Benitez, who unveiled the capture of right-back Glen Johnson
from Portsmouth on Thursday, also warned that acquiring star
players will not necessarily assure glory.
He added: "Signing a lot of good players is good but no
guarantee, so it will be interesting to see.
"It may be more difficult next season now but experience is
so important and we have more than in the past.
"Money to sign good players does make it easier but only if
you have understanding between the players. That's crucial.
"The understanding between our players is much better. We'll
have our chances this season."
(Sky Sports)
Pennant pens Zaragoza deal
Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant has signed with Spanish
outfit Zaragoza.
The 26-year old spent most of last season on loan with
Portsmouth and has now put pen to a three-year deal with
Zaragoza.
"I wanted to come to Spain and I had offers from important
teams in Europe but joined Real Zaragoza,” he told the
club’s official website.
"I really want to get started and do well in the league."
(TribalFootball)
Thor Zakariassen
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