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THURSDAY 12 |
Anfield friendly date for Atletico Madrid
Liverpool are hoping to host Atletico Madrid in a pre-season
curtain raiser at Anfield.
The Reds have pencilled in Friday, August 8 – the weekend
before the Premier League kick-off – for the clash with
Fernando Torres’ old club.
And with Atletico having qualified for the Champions League
for the first time the clash will give Liverpool an ideal
preparation for their own Champions League qualifier just a
few days later.
The friendly has still not been confirmed, but Reds chief
executive Rick Parry revealed today that the clubs have been
in discussions and were hoping to reach an agreement soon.
It is five years since Liverpool have played an Anfield
friendly, when ironically Rafa Benitez was in the opposing
dug-out as Valencia manager, plotting a 2-0 win.
More than 43,000 watched that clash, and another Anfield
sell-out would be virtually guaranteed with several new
faces likely to be included in
the Reds line-up.
(Liverpool Echo)
Benayoun rumours rubbished
Everton today described reports that they are preparing a
£3.5m bid for Yossi Benayoun as “fantasy”.
Speculation in some quarters suggested that David Moyes had
identified the Liverpool midfielder to fill a slot in his
engine room.
However, Everton officials were incredulous when Benayoun’s
name was mentioned this morning and stressed that nothing
could be further from
the truth.
(Liverpool Echo)
Liverpool bid for Barry rejected
Aston Villa have confirmed that they have rejected an
improved offer from Liverpool for midfielder Gareth Barry.
Liverpool have been chasing the Villa captain for some time
and were thought to be close to agreeing a deal for the
27-year-old England international.
"The offer we received was a slight improvement on a
previous bid,"
said an Aston Villa spokesman.
"But our position on the issue remains unchanged and
Liverpool have been informed."
Barry's agent Alex Black told BBC Radio 5 Live that the
player has told Villa manager Martin O'Neill of his desire
to play Champions League football next season.
However, O'Neill has been critical of Liverpool's courting
of Barry, who captained England for the first time and
scored his first international goal during the recent
friendly against Trinidad and Tobago.
Liverpool are keen to partner Barry in midfield with his
England colleague Steven Gerrard and have declared their
interest publicly, much to
O'Neill's fury.
(BBC Sport Online) |
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WEDNESDAY 11 |
Degen's Switzerland out of Euro 2008
Philipp Degen was an unused substitute as host nation
Switzerland crashed out of Euro 2008 after an injury time
goal gave Turkey
a 2-1 victory.
Degen - who will sign for Liverpool on July 1 - was on the
bench for the second game running as Turkey came from a goal
down to win.
The result means Switzerland cannot now qualify for the
knock-out phase.
A heavy downpour in the first half contributed to
Switzerland's opening goal which was scored by Hakan Yakin.
However, Turkey equalised in the second half when substitute
Semih Senturk headed home.
The Swiss came close to winning the game near the end but
Turkey keeper Volkan Demirel made a fantastic double save.
Then deep into stoppage time Arda Turan won it for Fatih
Terim's side after a swift counter attack.
Degen will be hoping to make his tournament debut on Sunday
night when the Swiss face Portugal in their final group game
at 7.45pm GMT.
(LFC Official Website)
Roma confirm Riise interest
AS Roma coach Luciano Spalletti has confirmed his interest
in signing Liverpool defender John Arne Riise.
The Norwegian full-back has been informed by Reds' boss Rafa
Benitez that he is surplus-to-requirements at Anfield as
Liverpool close in
on Andrea Dossena.
Spalletti said today: "A player like Riise can give a
different kind of readiness.
"Considering the challenges that await us in the coming
season, Riise has the qualities that we are looking for.
"However, we have to look for other players as well and not
make any mistakes in forming the new squad, such as losing
the balance
of the side.
"It is fundamental that we have a group based on the right
attitude of friendship and professionalism.
"Daniele Prade will do the majority of the work in the
market and I am confident that he will do well, following
our strategy.
"All we need is to add a little extra quality to our ranks
so that we can compete in all competitions again."
(Shanklygates)
Aragones denies rift with Torres
Spain coach Luis Aragones has denied Fernando Torres has
fallen out with him after being substituted during Tuesday's
4-1 win over Russia.
Aragones chose to withdraw the Liverpool frontman after just
54 minutes, replacing him with midfielder Cesc Fabregas,
with his team already holding a 2-0 advantage.
The 69-year-old coach later explained his reason for
substituting Torres was a tactical one as he sought to add
"one more player in the midfield
to try to keep a clean sheet".
Torres, however, was clearly bemused by the decision as he
left the pitch opting not to acknowledge Aragones'
outstretched arm as he passed
the coach.
Despite that show of petulance Aragones said there was no
ill-felling between himself and the player with the pair
resolving the matter in
the dressing-room after the game.
"I understand why the player is angry and I am behind him,
but it is important to correct these things afterwards,"
Aragones told Spanish newspaper Marca.
"They are things which stay in the dressing-room...(but)
things won't stay like that, we won't let things like that
fester."
(TEAMtalk)
Liverpool FC ready
to raise Barry stakes
Liverpool are weighing up an improved bid for Aston Villa's
Gareth Barry.
Reports today claim the Reds are ready to make a straight
£15m cash offer, after Villa confirmed yesterday their
skipper wants to join the Reds.
Anfield officials said today such reports were
“categorically untrue” and they have still not decided how
much or when their latest offer will
be tabled.
But with boss Rafa Benitez keen to wrap up a deal, an
improved offer is likely to be made later today.
(Liverpool Echo) |
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TUESDAY 10 |
Torres helps Spain to emphatic win
Fernando Torres set up Spain’s first goal this evening as
they thrashed Russia 4-1 in their first game of Euro 2008.
Torres’ striker partner David Villa grabbed a hat-trick to
become
the tournament’s top scorer before Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas
headed in Spain’s fourth.
Torres worked well to outmuscle Denis Kolodin and play Villa
in for Spain’s first. Later the Reds striker could have
scored himself, but headed wide whilst under pressure from
Russia keeper Alexander Anyukov.
The Torres-Villa partnership together was hugely impressive
before Torres was withdrawn early in the second half to save
him for later in the tournament. Xabi Alonso played the last
15 minutes, replacing
David Silva.
Tomorrow sees the Czech Republic take on Portugal, whilest
new Liverpool full-back Philipp Degan will be hoping to
break into the Swiss team, who take on Turkey in Basel.
(This is Anfield)
Benitez: I am at Liverpool FC for good
Rafa Benitez has confirmed his "100% commitment" to
Liverpool Football Club - despite yesterday's bleak
financial figures.
The first accounts produced by Kop Holdings Ltd showed a
£33m loss.
While this summer’s transfer budget had already been catered
for in
the January refinancing package, the Reds boss must still
sell to generate further funds – but he insisted today that
he remained totally focused on the task of restoring the
Reds to the pinnacle of the Premier League.
“I said at the end of the season that I was very happy here
and I will say it again,” said Benitez.
“The supporters have been absolutely magnificent with me,
the staff are working very hard and I would not have brought
players like Fernando Torres and the young players we have
here if I did not have a long term vision for the club.
“Now is not the time to be saying goodbye!
“Fernando’s agent has asked about my Liverpool future and my
answer is that I am 100% committed.
“If we had a lot of money to spend it would obviously be
better. But if we don’t it doesn’t matter.
“It is not about buying the most expensive players, it is
about buying
the right players and we can sell some players to get the
others we need.
“We have the spine of the team and we just need others in
other positions.
“Some teams around us are spending £20m and £30m on one or
two players. But the important thing is to get the right
players and my staff are working hard to do that.”
(Liverpool Echo)
Barry demands Reds move
Gareth Barry has pleaded with Martin O’Neill to let him quit
Aston Villa
and join Liverpool.
The England midfielder has been heavily linked with a
big-money move to Anfield while Kop boss Rafa Benitez has
reportedly had two cash-plus-player bids turned down by
Villa.
But the transfer moved a step closer as Barry took matters
into his own hands and phoned boss O’Neill to demand he be
allowed to join The Reds.
Barry’s agent Alex Black told The Sun: “Gareth has spoken to
Martin since he returned from England’s game in Trinidad and
told him how
he feels.
“At this stage of his career Gareth wants to be playing
Champions League football and believes this is his chance to
do it.”
Barry had previously kept his counsel, but this latest move
suggests the player is growing impatient with Villa’s
efforts to keep him at the club.
The Midlands side have turned down bids believed to be worth
£10 and £12 million and are reportedly holding out for
nearer £15 million for their star performer.
(Setanta Sports)
Kuyt pleased with win
Dirk Kuyt was pleased with Holland's performance
yesterday.
Kuyt played a vital part with two assists as Holland beat
Italy 3-0 in their opening Euro 2008 game yesterday. After
the game Kuyt hailed the performances of his team mates.
"From the start it was a top match for us because they're
world champions and a very tough side," said the Liverpool
forward.
"We've given it everything we've got and it's a great
result, but it's the first match and there are another two
tough ones to come.
"I saw it from the beginning but we kept looking for the
flag but it didn't come and we were very lucky with the 1-0.
"But we showed with the second and third goal that we
deserved
to win today.
"I think it [the second goal] was the best goal so far - it
was a great clearance from Gio, he kept running, I was with
him, it was a great cross and Wesley had a great finish. It
was a great goal.
"For the third, I was trying to score but it was a bit
difficult. I was tired as well. The second time I saw Gio
and he put in a brilliant cross for the first goal so he
deserved the goal."
(LFC Online)
Thor Zakariassen
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