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SATURDAY 12 |
Liverpool to announce new deal
Liverpool are expected to announce a new shirt sponsorship
deal next week that will be almost three times the size of
their current one
with Carlsberg.
Liverpool end their contract with Carlsberg after a 17-year
relationship next July, with the current figure at
£7.2million a year.
It is believed that a new four-year deal worth £80m will be
announced with Standard Chartered, a London-based investment
bank.
Carlsberg declined to match the new deal, and one of the
longest sponsorships in world sport will end next summer.
Liverpool co-owner George Gillett said, in an interview with
The Fan 950 radio station in the US: "I think people will be
pleased and surprised.
"It will be one of the great, worldwide corporations. And I
think it will be a sponsor people will be pleased and
surprised to be associated with."
(ITV Football)
Rafa: Yossi is an example to others
Rafa Benitez labelled Yossi Benayoun an example to the rest
of his squad after the Israeli struck a hat-trick to sink
Burnley on Saturday.
Dirk Kuyt was the other scorer in a deserved 4-0 win - but
it was Benayoun who Benitez singled out as an example of how
those on the fringes can go on to play a crucial role.
The No.15 spent the first half of last season on the
peripheries but is now a central figure at Anfield.
Benitez said: "We know he's a player with quality. We have
seen how good he is coming from the bench and we were
talking about whether he could start or not.
"Today he was very, very good and his movement was fantastic
for
the team."
(LFC Official Website)
Yossi hits hat-trick in Reds romp
Liverpool's season is firmly back on track after Yossi
Benayoun netted a hat-trick in Saturday's 4-0 Premier League
home win over Burnley.
The top-flight new boys had started the season so well with
wins over Manchester United and Everton but have now
suffered successive defeats at Chelsea and now Liverpool -
conceding seven in the process.
They could not live with a vibrant Liverpool, who kept up an
impressive high tempo throughout and are slowly wiping away
the memory of those two early league defeats to Tottenham
and Aston Villa.
Benayoun scored his first from the edge of the box, and saw
his shot parried by the overworked Brian Jensen for Dirk
Kuyt to add the second before the break.
Steven Gerrard's pass set up Benayoun for his second, a
close-range tap-in, before the Israeli was sent clear by
substitute Andriy Voronin for his third and Liverpool's
fourth.
(TEAMtalk)
No Mascherano v Burnley
Steven Gerrard and Lucas Leiva start in the centre of
midfield against Burnley at Anfield this afternoon.
Javier Mascherano, who played 90 minutes for Argentina in
South America this week, is not in the squad.
The Reds XI in full is: Reina, Johnson, Insua, Carragher,
Skrtel, Lucas, Gerrard, Riera, Benayoun, Kuyt, Torres.
Subs: Cavalieri, Degen, Dossena, Spearing, Ngog, Voronin,
Kyrgiakos.
(LFC Official Website)
Amoo on target as Reds sink Tykes
Liverpool under-18s got their FA Premier Academy league
campaign back on track with a 2-0 win over Barnsley on
Saturday afternoon.
Goals from David Amoo and substitute Tony Silva secured the
points for Rodolfo Borrell's men as they brought a run of
two straight defeats to an end with a hard-working display
against the Yorkshire outfit.
Having conceded five goals without reply against both
Nottingham Forest and Leicester City, confidence was low
going into the clash with the Tykes and it was no surprise
to see the Reds youngsters make a tentative start to the
proceedings.
Liverpool under-18s: Chris Oldfield, John Flanagan, Jack
Robinson, Andre Wisdom, Matty McGiveron, Conor Coady, David
Amoo, Alex Cooper (Michael Roberts 25), Michael Ngoo (Tony
Silva 67), Krisztian Adorjan (Michael Ihiekwe 73), Chris
Buchtmann. Unused subs: Stephen Sama, Deale Chamberlain.
(LFC Official Website)
Reina plays down title chances
Liverpool keeper Jose Reina is playing down their chances of
winning the Premier League with the current squad.
Reina has raised doubts about the depth of the playing staff
at Anfield and thinks the Reds will be hard pushed to go one
better than their second-placed finish last season.
He told the Guardian: "We all want to win the league but
right now it's not a realistic objective.
"There isn't frustration, there's resignation. We know
what's in the squad; we can't do anything about it. All we
can do is roll our sleeves up, work hard and try to win
matches.
"Teams like Manchester United have lots of players who can
tip the balance; we haven't got the individuals.
"There are games that get congested and we haven't got the
vision other sides boast. There is a problem."
Liverpool have had a mixed start to the campaign and Reina
places the blame at the door of the club's American co-owner
George Gillett
and Tom Hicks.
He added: "It would be good if the owners made an effort
economically. It would be lovely if we found ourselves in an
economic position where we can bring in players and build a
squad that can compete with other sides.
"But it's up to the owners to try to bring players in, not
us."
(Clubcall.com)
Liverpool FC’s conduct praised
as Michael Ngoo signs in at Anfield
Rafa Benitez have beaten off competition from Manchester
United to sign one of the hottest properties in British
youth football.
Liverpool will pay Southend United £250,000 after agreeing a
deal for talented 16-year-old Michael Ngoo.
The giant 6ft 4ins striker has already been likened to Peter
Crouch and he will go straight into the Academy set-up at
Kirkby.
Ngoo has recently had trials with Manchester United and
helped them win the prestigious Milk Cup in Northern Ireland
this summer.
However, Liverpool made their interest known and following a
successful trial he has opted to make the switch to the
Reds.
The transfer of youth players to Premier League clubs is
currently a hot topic but Southend insist they have nothing
but praise for the way Liverpool have conducted their
business.
Head of youth at the League One club, Ricky Duncan, said:
“Liverpool were excellent from the word go. Obviously we
would have liked to have kept the player but when an
opportunity like this came along for him we couldn’t stand
in his way.
(Liverpool Echo) |
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FRIDAY 11 |
Gillett claims Liverpool’s
finances in good health
Liverpool co-owner George Gillett has tried to calm the
storm of abuse being aimed at himself and business partner
Tom Hicks by claiming the club are in a good position
financially.
Gillett has made the claims in the week that he has
completed the sale of his stake in ice hockey club, the
Montreal Canadiens.
“The club is in outstanding shape,” Gillett said.
“Economically, it’s never been stronger. We just paid down
our debt very substantially. We have less debt per dollar
than any club in the league.”
Gillett and Hicks have come under fire from Liverpool
supporters after fears earlier in the summer regarding the
state of the debt they owe the Royal Bank of Scotland and
Wachovia.
Fans were also outraged at the apparent lack of transfer
funds Rafa Benitez was given to sign new players over the
summer, although reports this week suggested that he failed
with a £19million bid for Simao Sabrosa could dispel this
rumour.
On the new stadium, he added, “We were going to build an
iconic stadium previously. The world economy has certainly
suggested that that would be a good suggestion. But in the
normal world, building a stadium in the 65,000 to 75,000
seat range – we would look forward to that.”
(This is Anfield)
Masch blow rocks reds
Javier Mascherano is a major doubt for Liverpool's Premier
League clash with Burnley at Anfield tomorrow.
The 25-year-old midfielder picked up a knock in Argentina's
1-0 defeat to Paraguay on Wednesday night.
Mascherano is having treatment but after playing two full 90
minutes for his country over the past week he is unlikely to
be risked against
the Clarets.
(Liverpool Echo)
Benitez faces left back
selection dilemma
Rafa Benitez admits he faces a selection dilemma at
left-back for tomorrow’s Premier League clash with Burnley
at Anfield.
Youngster Emiliano Insua has got the nod ahead of Italian
Andrea Dossena in the Reds’ opening four games but Fabio
Aurelio is now pressing for a recall.
The Brazilian has proved his fitness following knee surgery
and Benitez believes the Reds have missed the 29-year-old.
All three have been trying to impress at Melwood during
the international break.
Benitez said: “Fabio is a player with quality. His delivery
into the box, especially when we play at home, is excellent.
He provides good passes and crosses which is really
important.
“He has no match fitness but he is much better and he hasn’t
been away with his country so he has been training hard.
Fabio knows exactly what we expect from him.
“Insua has been doing really well. He impressed last season
when we needed him and it’s the same this season.
“We have really good competition now on the left with Insua,
Aurelio and Dossena.
“That means a headache for me but that’s good. It’s up to me
to pick the right player.”
(Liverpool Echo)
Carragher predicts new top four
Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher prepares for Burnley's
first league visit to Anfield on Saturday for 33 years
insisting that the top four this term could be very
different from usual.
Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea have
hogged the Champions League spots for the last four seasons
but Carragher is expecting change.
He said: "The top four places will certainly be up for
grabs, but we want to make sure we are up there. With the
other teams becoming involved hopefully they will take
points off the other big sides as well."
And Carragher believes Manchester City will maintain their
challenge throughout the season, saying: "They have got some
great players, world-class players and I am sure they will
be buying more in January, so they are going to be a massive
threat."
(Ananova) |
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THURSDAY 10 |
Rafa: England among favourites
Rafael Benitez believes England will be among the favourites
to win World Cup 2010, wherever Fabio Capello decides to
play Steven Gerrard.
Benitez, who saw his adopted country and his homeland Spain
qualify for the South Africa finals on the same night, knows
he is walking a difficult diplomatic line when questioned
about potential winners of the tournament.
But the Spaniard is sure that Gerrard will be key to
England's success in whichever position he plays.
Benitez said: "England have qualified, so have Spain. In
Spain I'm being asked the same question as here - who will
win the final?
"There are three or four countries who have the quality and
the power to win in South Africa. England is one, so is
Spain!"
Gerrard is now playing on England's left side and gaining
considerable praise, which was not the case when the Anfield
boss used the player in an identical position a couple of
seasons back.
The Reds captain scored twice in the 5-1 defeat of Croatia
at Wembley on Wednesday that confirmed England's
participation in next
summer's finals.
Benitez said: "I have been here for years talking about
Gerrard's best position. He is playing on the left for
England and that is not a problem.
"It was not a problem when he played on the left for
Liverpool, despite what people said.
"But he can play in the centre of midfield or as a second
striker, it does not matter where he plays because he is a
key man for England anywhere.
(TEAMtalk)
Shields set for
Anfield invitation
Liverpool plan to invite pardoned Michael Shields to be
their guest at Anfield in the near future - maybe even for
Saturday's home game
with Burnley.
Reds fan Shields was given a royal pardon this week after
spending four years in prison having been convicted in
Bulgaria for the attempted murder of a barman.
Shields was arrested in the Bulgarian resort of Golden Sands
in May 2005, having travelled there on holiday after watched
Liverpool beat AC Milan in the Champions League final in
Istanbul.
Shields always professed his innocence and was eventually
returned to the UK to serve out his 15-year sentence in a
British jail.
But the campaign to overturn the judgement continued, and
gathered support from the Anfield club - in particular
local-born stars Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher.
Now the Shields family and their support group have won
their fight to have the 22 year-old released.
And Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has revealed the club's
plan to invite Shields to Anfield.
He said: "Everyone in Liverpool is really pleased (with the
pardon), it is a situation we have all been trying to change
for a long time.
"The players, the club and the people in Merseyside have
been pushing. Hopefully things will be really good now and
the family will be relaxed and he will enjoy life.
"We have had contact with them before, and we will do so
again. We have supported them from the first day.
"We are trying to set up something for him to come to a
game, but you cannot push him too much. The main thing is
how he feels, but if he does want to come, we would be
pleased and we will invite him."
(PA Sport)
Ayala: Dad keeps my feet
on the ground at Liverpool
Daniel Ayala has revealed that his father prevents him from
becoming carried away with how well he is doing at Liverpool
and makes him strive to always want to improve.
The youngster made his first team debut on the opening day
of the current campaign against Tottenham Hotpur, two years
after joining the club from Sevilla's youth side.
"It doesn't matter how well I think I have played or how
well other people have told me I have done, my father always
has his own opinion. I could help keep a clean sheet or I
could score a goal and still he will find things that I must
do better," he told the Liverpool club magazine.
"I thank him for this because it pushes me on. It makes me
look to want to be better in everything I do on the pitch
and in training. I love that my father has these
expectations for me because I appreciate his advice and try
to do what he tells me to do."
(Goal.com)
Benitez defends Johnson
Rafa Benitez has given his backing to Liverpool defender
Glen Johnson after his performances for England came under
scrutiny in the last week.
Despite England recording back-to-back victories against
Slovenia and Croatia, with the latter securing their place
at the World Cup next summer, Johnson was criticised by some
for a few momentary defensive lapses.
Both goals England conceded in the 2-1 win over Slovenia and
in the 5-1 hammering of Croatia came down their right-hand
side with the 25-year-old failing to stop the crosses from
wide positions.
Despite Benitez acknowledging that his £18million man has
room for improvement, the Spaniard believes his attacking
strengths cancel out his defensive weaknesses.
"I think Glen has been really good from the first day with
us and with England," he told Sky Sports News.
"You can see that offensive mentality, his deliveries, his
crosses were really good so I was surprised with the
criticism about his performance
the other day.
"But he is a good player. He can get better but he knows, he
is keen to learn and (Fabio) Capello was supporting him the
other day so we will support him.
"He is so good attacking that sometimes it is more difficult
for the defenders of the other team to stop him than for him
to worry
about defence.
"He is a decent defender, clearly he can improve, he is very
good attacking so if you talk about balance he has a very
good balance."
(Sky Sports)
Gerrard dedicates goals
to Michael Shields
Steven Gerrard says the news of Michael Shields’ release
from prison after four years yesterday was what inspired him
to score twice in England’s 5-1 victory over Croatia at
Wembley last night.
Liverpool fan Shields was given a royal pardon after
originally being sentenced for ten years in a Bulgarian
prison for an attack in the build-up to the European Cup
Final 2005.
Shields always protested his innocence and Gerrard says the
news of
the 22-year-old’s release gave him further inspiration to
achieve with England last night.
“It’s fantastic news both for Michael and his family,” said
the Liverpool skipper.
“I’m really pleased for all of them. It was a good day for
me, scoring two goals and qualifying for the World Cup
having switched on the television earlier in the day and
seeing the news about Michael. It gave me
a real boost.
“It’s certainly one of the most satisfying nights I’ve had
playing for England. We’ve had some good nights under Sven –
particularly in Germany – and I’ve scored goals in the
European Championships and the World Cup finals but this was
very good.”
(This is Anfield)
Thor Zakariassen
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