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SUNDAY 15 |
Roy on Arsenal, Masch and Joe
Roy Hodgson was full of praise for the battling performance
of his Liverpool players - but admitted to being left
frustrated by the manner of the 1-1 draw
with Arsenal at Anfield.
Hodgson told a post-match press conference: "It was a
fantastic effort but points are hard to come by in the
Premier League and when you get so close, you can't avoid
the feeling of disappointment.
"Maybe that second-half performance deserved all three
points and not just one, albeit if at half-time someone had
said we'd get a 0-0 or 1-1 draw I probably would have
accepted that.
"But to concede so close to the end to a rather scrappy goal
was tough on us. The boys did everything they could do and
it was an excellent game of football. I hope the fans
enjoyed the spectacle."
(LFC Official Website)
Carragher won't blame Reina
Jamie Carragher offered his backing to Jose Reina after the
goalkeeper's mistake cost Liverpool three points against
Arsenal.
Reina failed to collect a cross from the left and, after the
ball hit Marouane Chamakh and bounced back off the post, the
Spaniard spilled it over the line.
However, Carragher refused to point the finger of blame at
Reina and insists his team-mate is still the best keeper in
the game.
"I'd have to have a look at it again, but a lot of time you
get a foul for that," Carragher told Sky Sports 1. "I know
they say they're protected.
"I'd have to see it again, but he's the best goalkeeper in
the world and you saw that last year."
(Sky Sports)
Reina gaffe ruins Roy's day
Jose Reina's comical gaffe gifted Arsenal a 1-1 draw at
Liverpool after the hosts had battled manfully to recover
from Joe Cole's first-half sending-off.
Liverpool's new signing Cole was shown the red card just
before half-time for a lunge on Laurent Koscielny, but David
Ngog's thumping drive appeared set to give Roy Hodgson three
points in his first Premier League game in charge.
However, in the final minute, Reds keeper Reina first made a
mess of a cross into the box and then fumbled the ball over
his own line after it had bounced back off the post.
(Sky Sports)
Masch starts
Javier Mascherano starts for Liverpool in their season
opener against Arsenal
this afternoon.
The Argentina skipper partners Steven Gerrard in the middle
of the park, while the other major team news is that
Fernando Torres starts on the bench following his adductor
injury.
The team in full is: Reina, Johnson, Agger, Skrtel,
Carragher, Mascherano, Gerrard, Cole, Jovanovic, Kuyt, Ngog.
Subs: Cavalieri, Lucas, Babel, Torres, Kelly, Maxi, Aurelio.
(LFC Official Website)
RBS may step in at Liverpool
The state-owned bank Royal Bank of Scotland may step in to
take control of Liverpool FC after none of the prospective
bidders could show that they had the funds needed to ensure
the development of the club.
The bank has set an unofficial deadline of the end of the
month for a credible bidder to be found.
RBS has no interest in running a football club and would
initiate a new bidding round. They would only need to recoup
their loan of £237m whereas Tom Hicks and George Gillett
have been looking for £600m. Hicks and Gillett would then
receive nothing. If the loan is not repaid by October 6th, a
penalty fee
of £60m will be due.
(The Political Economy of Football)
Purslow frustrated
with public bids
Managing director Christian Purslow has commented on the
potential sale of Liverpool Football Club.
"It is a source of great frustration and mystification that
so many people who may or may not be interested in buying
Liverpool prefer to tell newspapers rather than the board of
the club," said Purslow in a radio interview on Sunday
morning.
(LFC Online)
Cole raring to go
Joe Cole is eager for his Liverpool league debut.
Cole made his competitive debut for the Reds in the Europa
League qualifier against Rabotnicki and said it was a
special night. Now he's hoping for another special day as
Liverpool kick-off their league season against Arsenal.
"Arsenal is a tough game for anybody, especially early on in
the season because they've got a young team," said the
midfielder.
"Younger players get fitter and sharper quicker so it's a
very tough game for us."
(LFC Online) |
SATURDAY 14 |
Silva strikes as Reds lose thriller
Toni Silva was on target as Liverpool U18s went down to a
4-2 defeat against a highly experienced MK Dons side on
Saturday afternoon.
The Portuguese ace looked to have fired the Reds towards
what would have been an impressive friendly success after
Matty Regan's opener had been cancelled out just before the
interval.
However, the home side's greater know-how eventually told
and they went on to strike three goals without reply.
Liverpool U18s: Stephens (Belford), Poor (Rafferty), Smith
(King),
Regan (Aylmer), Sama (McGiveron), Coady (Ihiekwe), Roddan,
Sterling (Walsh), Silva, Adorjan (Sumner), Ngoo (Morgan).
(LFC Official Website)
Wenger eyes early Reds scalp
Arsene Wenger hopes Arsenal can use their opening Premier
League fixture at Anfield to signal their title credentials.
The Gunners were in the mix in the title race last term
before falling away in the closing stages, but registered a
double over Sunday's opponents Liverpool.
Wenger has once again managed to retain the services of
captain Cesc Fabregas, the subject of intense transfer
speculation this summer, and has made additions to his
squad.
The Frenchman believes his latest side is better equipped to
win the title than in recent years and a win over Roy
Hodgson on his league debut as Reds manager would be the
perfect start to their bid.
"I am hopeful we can continue our progress, we have kept our
captain and overall the team has improved since two years
ago," Wenger told Arsenal TV Online.
"Liverpool is a good opportunity to show we are ready to
fight for the Premier League. You know you will go into a
game where maximum concentration will be demanded."
(Sky Sports)
Poulsen sounded out Agger
before inking Liverpool deal
Christian Poulsen admits he sounded out Dan Agger before
joining Liverpool.
Former Juventus midfielder Poulsen asked his Denmark
teammate about life on Merseyside before agreeing to join
the Reds.
"I've spoken to Daniel Agger over the years and he has only
good things to say about Liverpool, so I was sure I wanted
to make this change and I'm also looking forward to playing
with Danny," he said.
(tribalfootball.com)
Hodgson rules out Liverpool
return for Villa fullback Warnock
Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson has poured cold water on the
prospect of
re-signing a former Red.
Aston Villa fullback Stephen Warnock has been linked with an
Anfield return as Hodgson seeks a new left-back signing.
Asked if he was trying to bring Warnock back to provide
reinforcements at left-back, Hodgson said: "No."
(tribalfootball.com)
Hodgson dampens Reds hopes
Roy Hodgson has warned Liverpool fans the club are not at
the same level as their rivals.
The Reds kick off their Premier League campaign against
Arsenal on Sunday and hopes are high on Merseyside of a
promising season under
new manager Hodgson.
The former Fulham boss has already brought the likes of Joe
Cole and Christian Poulsen to the club and more could follow
before the transfer window shuts.
But Hodgson has attempted to dampen expectations at Anfield
by claiming his side need to improve to be able to challenge
for major trophies.
He said: "After seven training sessions with what I regard
as the key players, it is pretty obvious to all that we are
a long, long way from being a team like Manchester United,
Arsenal or Chelsea.
"I don't even pretend that the team, after six or seven
training sessions, are going to be anything like the team we
want to be.
"It would be ridiculous to suggest that we can be at the top
of our game now in terms of how I want the team to play."
(Sky Sports) |
FRIDAY 13 |
Liverpool FC Statement
Liverpool FC statement regarding the proposed sale of the
club.
The Liverpool FC Board has reviewed a number of proposed
bids for the club at a meeting held today.
The Board will continue to act in the best interests of
Liverpool Football Club and its supporters, doing all that
it can to ensure that the Club is ultimately sold to a buyer
who has the resources and real commitment to give it a
long-term, stable and secure funding position for its plans.
The sale process is continuing. However, its timing and
outcome remain uncertain. In the meantime, we will not
comment on rumour and speculation.
(LFC Official Website)
Hodgson confident of Jones deal
Liverpool are confident of completing the signing of
Middlesbrough's Australian international goalkeeper Brad
Jones in the next twenty-four hours.
Anfield boss Roy Hodgson has lodged an increased £2.5m offer
for the 28-year-old and a deal is now believed to be
imminent.
And Jones is ready to travel to Merseyside to undergo a
medical once Boro have allowed him permission to talk with
the Reds.
Meanwhile, Hodgson hopes to have him in his squad for Sunday
afternoon's Premier League opener with Arsenal, as well as
available for their midweek Europa League qualifier against
Trabzonspor.
Meanwhile, Boro boss Gordon Strachan is close to agreeing a
loan deal with Sunderland for defender Matthew Kilgallon.
(Vital Football)
Hodgson keen to avoid Masch dash
Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson insists new signing Christian
Poulsen has not been brought in as a replacement for
wantaway Javier Mascherano.
Poulsen was presented to the media on Friday after signing a
three-year contract following his £4.5million move from
Juventus.
"I don't want to let Javier Mascherano go. At the moment,
Javier has shown no signs of going," he said.
"I work with him whenever I can. He came back fairly late
from the World Cup and has been away on international duty
but I suppose I've had seven or eight training sessions with
him now."
(TEAMtalk)
Babel back on Blues radar
Skysports.com understands Birmingham are stepping up their
interest in Liverpool's Ryan Babel.
The Reds are ready to offload the former Ajax ace so that
they can fund some of their own signings before the close of
the transfer window.
(Sky Sports)
Arsenal face injury crisis
ahead of Liverpool test
Arsenal will start the new Premier League season with the
same old injury problems as Arsene Wenger faces up to a
selection headache ahead of Sunday's trip to Liverpool.
Wenger will leave it as late as possible to decide whether
World Cup final duo Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie are
fit enough to feature at Anfield.
However, the Gunners are already without centre-half Johan
Djourou (hamstring) and striker Nicklas Bendtner (groin).
Midfielder Alex Song (calf) is doubtful while Denilson
(abdominal) and Abou Diaby (calf) face fitness tests.
(ESPN Soccernet)
Defender announces retirement
Sotirios Kyrgiakos has announced his retirement from
international football
with Greece.
Speaking on his official website, Liverpool's No.16 said:
"The Greek National Team was one of the most important
chapters in my career.
"At this time I would like to close this chapter. I want to
wish all the best to the Greek National Team."
Kyrgiakos represented Greece during this summer's World Cup
in South Africa.
(LFC Official Website)
Torres in line to face Gunners
Striker Fernando Torres is in contention for a place in the
Liverpool squad to face Arsenal at Anfield on Sunday
(kick-off 4pm).
The Spain international sustained an adductor injury in
their World Cup final victory but has made good progress in
his rehabilitation and could feature in the Premier League
opener.
Wantaway midfielder Javier Mascherano could also play as the
club have not received any bids for the Argentina captain,
who has impressed Hodgson with his attitude in training.
The match may be too early for Christian Poulsen, who only
signed on Thursday.
Liverpool (from): Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Agger,
Aurelio, Lucas, Mascherano, Gerrard, Kuyt, Cole, Jovanovic,
Torres, Babel, Cavalieri, Kyrgiakos, Rodriguez, Kelly,
Pacheco, Aquilani, Poulsen.
(TEAMtalk)
Aurelio welcomes
new Liverpool trio
Fabio Aurelio has welcomed new Liverpool signings Milan
Jovanovic, Danny Wilson and Joe Cole.
Aurelio admits he has already been impressed by what he has
seen of the trio in training and is convinced they can each
play an important role for the club
this season.
"Joe Cole has arrived from Chelsea and he is quality - no
one doubts that," Aurelio told liverpoolfc.tv.
"You can see it in training already and I think he can be
very positive for us. He is very good between the lines and
that could mean we could move Stevie back a little bit. I
think he will make us much stronger in the attacking third.
"I also think Wilson will be a great defender. He will learn
a lot from the defenders we already have.
"As for Jovanovic, all the signs suggest he will do really
well for us. He played well in the Europa League and can
play on the left and right as well as up front.
"All the players that have been signed will improve the
squad and I think the rest of the lads feel that too."
(tribalfootball.com)
Thor Zakariassen
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