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WEDNESDAY 12 |
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Liverpool may have been defrauded in Cisse
transfer
European champion Liverpool said Wednesday it may have been
defrauded during the signing of France striker Djibril
Cisse.
The Premier League club has become a civil party to a French
investigation into more than a half dozen transfers,
involving players including Laurent Charvet, Jean-Alain
Boumsong, Martin Djetou, Steve Marlet and Cisse.
French judicial investigators last week raided eight French
clubs, including Auxerre, as part of the fraud
investigation.
"Liverpool could have been a victim of fraud,'' said
Liverpool's lawyer in the case, Jean-Louis Dupont.
"Liverpool wants to take a proactive approach on the
issue.''
(AP/CNN - Sports Illustrated)
Dalglish plans '86 final reunion
The first ever all Merseyside FA Cup final is to be replayed
in a historic charity match in Liverpool.
The game is the brainchild of Kop legend Kenny Dalglish and
will take place on May 1 next year - a Bank Holiday Monday.
Liverpool Football Club have agreed to host the game at
Anfield, with Dalglish taking charge of the Liverpool old
boys and Howard Kendall managing the Everton side - just as
the two did in 1986 when their sides met at Wembley.
Proceeds from the reunion game will go towards the Marina
Dalglish Charity which is planning to build a specialist
cancer care unit at Fazakerley Hospital.
It is hoped as many of the players who played in the
original match - if not all of them - will take part.
(Liverpool Echo)
Crouch handed Rafa backing
Rafael Benitez has praised the impact made by Peter Crouch
but admits "it will be good" for the Liverpool striker when
he gets his first goal.
The rangy Reds ace has been in impressive form since his
summer move from Southampton but has often had to plough a
lone furrow up front and has yet to find the target for his
new team.
His lack of goals has seen the 6ft 7ins forward come under
sustained criticism in some quarters but Benitez told the
club's website: "I'm like the supporters in that I'm happy
with the way Crouch has played so far.
"Like any striker, though, he wants to score goals and it'll
be good for him when he does score.
"People have suggested we need to get more crosses into the
area for him and I agree with that. We're working hard in
training at finding ways to cross for Crouch and
also Morientes."
(TEAMtalk)
Gerrard absence benefits Alonso
The loss of Steven Gerrard need not hinder Liverpool.
Xabi Alonso can spread his wings as the attacking fulcrum
and with Momo Sissoko eager to join the fray, Rafael Benitez
should cope with the short absence of his inspirational
skipper.
For Alonso in particular it is a glorious opportunity to
remind fans that Liverpool possess two world-class
midfielders.
Certainly a bruising Blackburn will demand a supreme effort
from every Liverpool player if further ground is not to be
lost.
Last time out, Mark Hughes' men silenced Old Trafford.
Anfield cannot afford to witness anything other than a
victory on that rare occurrence, a 3pm soccer Saturday.
(Daily Post) |
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TUESDAY 11 |
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Liverpool star eyes return to France
Anthony Le Tallec would welcome a return to France on a
permanent basis when his loan deal with Sunderland Football
Club expires.
The France Under-21 international seems to accept his time
at Liverpool is coming to a close, and instead of being
farmed out on loan again, he is determined to find himself a
permanent club.
"When the Liverpool officials bought Peter Crouch last
summer, they told me I had to leave for Sunderland to get
more experience,” explained Le Tallec.
"They also told me they rely on me for the future but I
don't know if I want to stay. I need a club where I feel at
ease. It is not easy every day at Sunderland but I tell
myself that I am just here for one year.
"I am fed up of being trialled at every club, I don't want
to be loaned again. People think I don't care but I want to
invest myself in a club. In France - why not?"
(Fans FC)
Rafa warning to Cisse
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has launched a
thinly veiled attack on disgruntled striker Djibril Cisse.
Cisse revealed last week that he would look to leave Anfield
in January if he were not given more first team
opportunities.
However, Benitez has insisted his French international must
remain patient and be prepared to perform to his best when
called upon.
"This is a big club, so every player here must be ready.
Maybe you will be used in a week, maybe it will be in three
weeks.
"If a player isn't ready when he's needed it means he hasn't
the mentality and attitude for a big club."
(Sky Sports)
Liverpool and Juventus youngsters help
heal the rift
Liverpool and Juventus youth teams will play a friendly on
12th October, in aid of victims of the Heysel tragedy.
The game, organised by the Permanent Committee Against
Violence in Sport, will be played at Arezzo's Comunale
Stadium near Florence and coincides with the 20th
anniversary of the disaster.
"It is an exhibition game," said Academy coach John Owens.
"We are just trying to make sure that people can make sure
something like the Heysel tragedy does not
happen again."
(LFC Online)
Young Spaniard suffers injury setback
Liverpool have received a further injury setback with the
news that youngster Antonion Barragan has been ruled out of
action for five to six weeks.
The 18-year old Spaniard underwent keyhole surgery last
Thursday on a torn cartilage in his right knee.
Right-sided Barragan, a summer signing from Sevilla, has
been a regular in the reserve side this season and made his
first team debut in the Champions League tie against CSKA
Sofia in Bulgaria.
(LFC Official Website)
Transfer could cost Reds up to £750,000
Stockport County youngster James Tunnicliffe - who is to
undergo a trial at Melwood - will cost Liverpool up to
around £750,000 if they decide to recruit him.
Paco Herrera's scouting network have unearthed the
centre-back who will become a Red on his 17th birthday if he
secures a dream move to the club.
Tunnicliffe has played just three minutes of reserve-team
football for Stockport this season but has already been
included in several of their first-team squads.
(Kop Talk)
Joaquin responds to fresh Liverpool
rumours
Real Betis winger Joaquin has again commented on the
speculation linking him with a possible move to Anfield.
Various reports both in Spain and England continue to link
the player with the Reds but he has again repeated his
desire to stay in Spain - for now.
Joaquin said: "At this time, leaving Real Betis to go to
Liverpool or any other team isn't going through my mind. I
will end the season in Spain and afterwards decide what to
do.
"Rumours about my transfer to England have been spoken about
too much. Every season I'm changing my club - Man Utd,
Chelsea and now Liverpool — but I'm still here in Seville.
"English football is spectacular and Liverpool are the
European champions, but I'm yet to come to the point where I
want to play outside of Spain for sporting or personal
reasons."
(Kop Talk) |
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MONDAY 10 |
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Gerrard injury update
Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard says he hopes to return to
action against Fulham in 12 days time after denying
suggestions from Anfield that he will be out of action for
up to three weeks.
Gerrard returned to Melwood for treatment yesterday and
further tests show that his muscle strain isn't as bad as
first feared.
"The injury is not as bad as people are saying," said the
skipper. "I've heard they're saying on television I'll be
out for three weeks, but I think I'll be okay for the Fulham
game.
"I had a scan straight after the match and went to Melwood
for treatment yesterday. The medical staff are confident
I'll be back after the next two games, so that's what I'm
aiming for.
"I picked up the knock during the game and it was a bit of a
worry at first, but it's not
that serious."
(Kop Talk)
Tunnicliffe gets Reds trial
Liverpool have offered a one-week trial to Stockport
youngster James Tunnicliffe with a view to a permanent deal.
The 16-year-old central defender has been monitored by the
Reds for some time and the trial period next week gives the
Liverpool hierarchy the chance to look at him in closer
detail.
If they are impressed and Tunnicliffe is comfortable in his
new surroundings then a deal has been struck comparable to
that which saw Lincoln's Jack Hobbs move to Anfield on his
17th birthday last August, which could eventually net the
Imps as much as £750,000.
"If the boy does well over at Liverpool then it is an
opportunity with the European champions that doesn't come
along too often in life and it's a chance for him," said
Hatters boss Chris Turner.
"He is an exceptional talent and a boy that would be in our
first team by the end of the season I am sure.
(TEAMtalk)
Striker rejects transfer opportunity
Liverpool striker Neil Mellor has reportedly rejected the
opportunity to sign for Sheffield Wednesday on loan for the
rest of the season preferring instead to try and fight for
his place at Anfield.
(Kop Talk)
Rafa eyes new signings
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has admitted he needs to bring
in new players in January.
The Spaniard was frustrated in his attempts to strengthen
his squad on transfer window deadline day seeing a move for
Benfica's Simao Sabrosa fall through at the last minute.
Liverpool are expected to make a renewed bid for Simao in
January when the transfer window reopens and Benitez is
hoping to add some new faces in the New Year.
"January is always more difficult to bring in the players
you want, but we have some ideas we are working on," said
Benitez.
"Of course, it's better to say nothing about it now because
when you talk about players, their price goes up.
"I know we have a good team and a good squad, but I also
know that we must improve and that's what we're continuing
to work towards. I believe we should look to the future with
confidence.
"I know we need to reduce the gap, but we played well
against Middlesbrough, Spurs and Manchester United and could
have won those games.
"I feel we are at the same level as Manchester United now."
(Sky Sports)
No charges for Reds star over road death
Liverpool FC star Steve Finnan will not be charged over the
death of a pedestrian, hit by his car.
Lawyers have decided the 29-year-old should not face any
action over the collision which killed Henry Nelson.
Mr Nelson, 81, died in March, five weeks after suffering
head and leg injuries when he was struck by the full-back's
black Range Rover in Tuebrook.
Earlier this week Liverpool coroner Andre Rebello announced
that the footballer would have to appear at an inquest into
Mr Nelson's death - even being summoned if he refused to
appear voluntarily.
Police were still waiting to hear from the Crown Prosecution
Service (CPS) whether the footballer should face any charges
and be put before the courts.
But the CPS has now decided there is not enough evidence to
prosecute Finnan over any offence.
(Liverpool Echo)
Hiddink waits on Kewell
Australia coach Guus Hiddink hopes Liverpool winger Harry
Kewell can recover his fitness in time to play a part in the
Socceroos' World Cup play-off next month.
Kewell, who recently underwent surgery on a groin injury,
continued on the road to recovery by spending last week with
the Australia squad at a training camp in Holland.
"We will help him, and so too will his club, to make him a
good programme so that he can improve his physical fitness
and then will be ready for Australia and also for Liverpool
in a few weeks - that's what I hope.
"It's not very long but if he retains the rhythm of this
week in his preparation and his treatment, and also
training, then five weeks should be sufficient for him.
"Maybe not for him to play a full game but at least part of
the game."
(TEAMtalk)
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Thor Zakariassen
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