|
|
|
TUESDAY 15 |
Villa end Barry exile
Unsettled midfielder Gareth Barry will return to training
with his Aston Villa team-mates on Wednesday.
The England international has been excluded from the club's
pre-season plans after he criticised manager Martin
O'Neill's handling of his proposed move to Liverpool.
Villa and the Merseyside outfit have been wrangling over the
future of Barry since the end of last season, but have so
far been unable to agree on a fee.
The Reds have seen a number of offers rejected by their
Premier League rivals, who are believed to be holding out
for £18million.
O'Neill hinted on Tuesday morning that Arsenal could enter
the race for Barry's services, while the possibility remains
that he may still be
at Villa Park next season.
With Barry due to return to training, he could now be
involved in the club's Intertoto Cup clash away to Danish
side Odense on Saturday.
A statement on the club's official website read: "The club
can confirm that Gareth Barry will be back in training at
Bodymoor Heath tomorrow (Wednesday)."
(Sky Sports)
Babel named in Olympics squad
Ryan Babel has been included in the Holland squad for next
month's Olympics despite Rafa Benitez's reservations.
Liverpool boss Benitez had voiced his concerns over Babel
being included in Foppe de Haan's squad for the Olympics in
Beijing, as it would mean the talented attacker would miss
the start of the Premier League season.
Despite Benitez's protestations, De Haan has included the
former Ajax youngster in his 18-man squad.
(Sky Sports)
Reports: Alonso will still be sold
Xabi Alonso is still expected to leave Liverpool this summer
despite Juventus' decision to sign Danish international
Christian Poulsen instead.
Having failed to agree on a price with Liverpool for the
Spaniard, Juve yesterday unveiled Poulsen and announced that
they would only return to the transfer market for a new
goalkeeper.
The announcement does not signal a reprieve for Alonso,
however, with The Liverpool Echo adamant that 'he is still
heading for the Anfield
exit door.'
(Football 365)
Torres praise for Rafa management
Liverpool hotshot Fernando Torres has put his sensational
debut season
in the Premier League down to the man-management of Rafa
Benitez.
Torres fired 24 league goals for the Reds after joining from
Atletico Madrid last summer, establishing himself as one of
the hottest strike talents
in the world.
And the Spain international has explained how over the
course of the campaign his boss demanded that he and his
team-mates did not rest on their laurels.
"Rafa has taught me to demand a lot of myself daily, not to
relax. When you are in a team where things are going mostly
well, players tend to relax," Torres told the Daily Mirror.
"But you must always push yourself and never become
complacent, try
to do your best every single day. At a club like Liverpool,
you can't sit back after scoring 20-odd goals and say,
'Well, that's it'.
"After you score 20, Benitez is on at you during the next
training session and stays on top of you all day, all week.
He tells you to go off on your own and do new exercises.
"There are days when you think, 'My God, this guy does not
let you breathe'. At times like that you don't realise that
all he wants is for you
to improve.
"I want to progress in life, not relax, not be complacent.
And you need someone close to you telling you to keep at it.
It is impossible
to do it otherwise.
"We don't always fancy having someone like that so close.
But in the long term, I'm sure everybody will thank him for
it."
(TEAMtalk)
Toon in for Insua
Newcastle United are thought to be keen on a loan move for
Liverpool's promising full-back, Emiliano Insua.
The Argentine was kept at Anfield for this coming season
supposedly under express orders from manager Rafael Benitez,
but the Toon are still hopeful of securing his services, if
only for a year on loan.
(Goal.com)
Ince to move for Pennant?
According to reports, Blackburn Rovers are set to make a
move for Jermaine Pennant when David Bentley leaves.
Liverpool, Tottenham and Villa are all interested in Bentley
but Villa are the only club to make an offer so far, it is
still very likely that he will
leave soon.
(Roversnet)
Gunners to rival Reds for Barry
Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill has confirmed that Arsenal
are set to rival Liverpool in the race to sign
£18million-rated star Gareth Barry.
The Reds have made no secret of their desire to land the
England midfielder and have been locked in negotiations with
Villa over the player's sale for several weeks.
O'Neill admits that a deal still had not been struck between
the two clubs, although he was hopeful of a resolution soon.
Over the weekend, the Gunners were reportedly set to enter
the race for Barry by making an offer, with right-back
Justin Hoyte potentially involved in the deal as
part-exchange.
And O'Neill has revealed that Arsene Wenger's assistant
manager Pat Rice spoke with the club, intimating that
Arsenal could be set to step their interest in Barry as they
look for a replacement for Mathieu Flamini.
"Myself and Steve Walford both know Arsene Wenger's
assistant
Pat Rice," O'Neill told The Sun.
"He phoned Steve to ask how the Liverpool thing had gone and
said that they might show an interest.
"At the end of the conversation Arsenal said 'that's fine'
and that they'll let us know. That is exactly what
happened."
(TEAMtalk) |
|
MONDAY 14 |
Hyypia ready for fight
Sami Hyypia has welcomed Daniel Agger back into the
Liverpool fold, before warning he has no intention of
relinquishing his place in Rafa Benitez's first team.
Hyypia was expected to play a bit-part role at Anfield last
season but when Agger was struck down by a metatarsal
injury, the Finn took his chance to make 44 appearances.
The Dane will expect to start the new campaign alongside
Jamie Carragher at the heart of Liverpool's defence but the
club's elder statesman, Hyypia, is as hungry for football as
ever as he approaches his 35th year in October.
"It's nice to have him fit because players always want to
play and it will have been hard for Daniel to deal with not
being fit for so long,"
said Hyypia.
"It must have been devastating for him to be out for almost
a whole season.
"It is not something I would really know about because I
have never suffered that kind of thing but I'm sure it was
very difficult for him.
"But I am really glad that he is back and he can help the
team
to win trophies."
(Sky Sports)
Reds starlet set for loan move
Liverpool starlet Robbie Threlfall is set for a loan move
away from Anfield as Rafa Benitez looks for him to gain
valuable first team experience.
The 19-year-old full-back is highly regarded at Anfield
having come through the youth ranks and recently signed a
three-year deal at the club.
Threlfall had a spell with Hereford last season and Benitez
is keen to send him out on loan again as he continues his
policy of farming out his best young players to aid their
development.
The Reds have made the talented left-back available for loan
and
the news has alerted a number of clubs north and south of
the border.
A couple of League One sides and SPL clubs are believed to
be tracking the defender as they look to secure his
services.
Threlfall is looking forward to the chance of moving out on
loan as he looks to get regular action under his belt.
"I have been informed that Liverpool are willing to let me
go out on loan and I am relishing the prospect of playing on
a regular basis," Threlfall told skysports.com.
"I am aware of some interest in me and I am prepared to go
anywhere to continue my development.
"I believe going out on loan will prove a valuable
experience in my bid to establish myself in the Liverpool
first team in the future."
(Sky Sports)
Stoke agree fee for keeper Carson
Stoke City have agreed a fee of around £4m with Liverpool
for England international goalkeeper Scott Carson, BBC Radio
Stoke understands.
Carson was at the Britannia Stadium on Monday to open
negotiations over personal terms.
The 22-year-old joined Liverpool from Leeds for £750,000 in
2005, but spent last season on loan at Aston Villa, making
35 Premier League appearances.
Carson, who has two caps for England, would become Stoke's
record signing.
The proposed £4m fee marks a major reduction in the player's
asking price, with Liverpool previously holding out for
around £10m.
However, Carson was critical of his original price tag,
claiming it could price him out of a move.
Aston Villa had been favourites to sign Carson on a
permanent basis but manager Martin O'Neill's interest
appeared to cool with Tottenham keeper Paul Robinson
emerging as a more likely target for the Villans.
Liverpool, who have already sold Peter Crouch to Portsmouth
this summer, are keen to free up transfer funds as they look
to finalise a deal for Villa captain Gareth Barry and
continue to chase Spurs striker
Robbie Keane.
(BBC Sport Online)
Guthrie completes Newcastle switch
Danny Guthrie has today completed his move to Newcastle
United,
the Reds have confirmed.
The Academy graduate, who impressed during a loan spell at
Bolton last season, has now joined up with his new teammates
at St James' Park.
He said: "I'm really happy to be joining Newcastle United.
"I'm ready to get involved straight away and I cannot wait
to meet the boys and get started."
Guthrie will now work under Liverpool icon Kevin Keegan, who
couldn't hide his delight at the capture.
"He proved himself in the Premier League last season so we
know he can play at that level," said the Magpies boss.
"He's at the right age and is a good signing for us."
(LFC Official Website) |
|
SUNDAY 13 |
Sissoko plays down Alonso talk
Juventus midfielder Mohamed Sissoko has poured cold water on
speculation linking his former Liverpool team-mate Xabi
Alonso with
a move to the Bianconeri.
Sissoko left Liverpool in January and recent reports
suggested Alonso would join him at the Stadio Olimpico
before the start of the new season.
However, Sissoko claims the Spain midfielder is happy to
remain
at Anfield.
"Yes, I have talked to him," Sissoko told Italian sports
daily Gazzetta dello Sport. "And he told me he is happy at
Liverpool."
One player who appears more likely to team up with Sissoko
at Juve is Sevilla midfielder Christian Poulsen.
The Denmark international has already agreed personal terms
with
the Bianconeri, who look set to pay the player's 10
million-euro contract release clause.
Poulsen's transfer is expected to be officially confirmed
after a medical on Monday, although some of Juve's fans are
unhappy with the proposed move.
(Sporting Life)
Agent claims Aguero interest
Sergio Aguero's agent has intimated that either Arsenal,
Liverpool or Manchester United are preparing a bid for his
client.
The Atletico Madrid striker has proved to be a sensation in
the Primera Liga since swapping homeland Argentina and
Independiente for
the Spanish capital in 2006.
After forming a lethal strike partnership with Diego Forlan
at the Vicente Calderon, the 20-year-old finished the 2007/8
campaign as the third top scorer in Spain with 19 goals and
also walked away with the Antonio Puerta award for Best La
Liga Player.
Aguero, known as 'Kun', is valued at around the £35million
mark by Atletico but despite the hefty price-tag, almost all
of Europe's major clubs are interested in his services.
Now his agent Jose Segui is quoted in the Spanish press as
saying: "I've had interest from a leading English team and
they've asked me
to approach Atletico with a bid.
"I can't say more until I've spoken to the club about the
offer.
"All I can tell you is that it's one of the best teams in
Europe and
it's not Chelsea."
(Sky Sports)
Boro boss rubbishes Downing talk
Gareth Southgate has reiterated his commitment to seeing
Stewart Downing stay at Middlesbrough, insisting Marvin
Emnes has not been brought in to replace him.
Emnes was brought in from Sparta Rotterdam in a £3.2 million
deal, sparking speculation over the immediate future of
home-grown
talent Downing.
Boro’s new Dutchman primarily plays down the left flank, but
Southgate insists that does not signal Downing’s exit.
The England international has been linked with a £10 million
move to Liverpool, but Southgate is adamant he will build
his team around
the Academy product.
"Stewart is very happy here and signed a long-term contract
last season," Southgate stated in the Daily Star.
"We want to build a team that encourages him to stay
longer."
That team will not be built from big-money signings though,
after Southgate revealed there will be no captures to rival
the record fee they spent on Afonso Alves midway through
last season.
"It's not right for me to go out and spend money if we
haven't got it,”
he added.
(Setanta Sports)
Agger eager to start again
Unlucky defender Daniel Agger believes he has got to start
his Liverpool career all over again after almost 10 months
of injury anguish.
The 23-year-old played his first senior game since last
September in Liverpool’s 1-0 friendly win at neighbours
Tranmere yesterday, as he battles to re-establish himself in
the Anfield club’s defence.
He said: “I am delighted to be back, this has been the most
frustrating time of my career, I have just had to look
forward, concentrate, and work hard to get myself back to
fitness.
“This season ahead is now all-important to me. I have missed
so much football over the past year that I feel I am almost
starting my career at Liverpool all over again.
“Now I am really focused on this season, I am ready. I have
been working hard right through the summer to get myself fit
for this level of football."
(Evening Echo)
Hammill double sinks Southport
A spectacular brace from Adam Hammill helped the reserves to
a 3-1 victory in their first pre-season friendly against
non-league Southport on Sunday afternoon.
The 20-year-old pulled goals right out of the top drawer
either side of
the break, with Dutch striker Jordy Brouwer also finding the
net
at Haig Avenue.
A late penalty from Ciaran Kilheeney gave the locals
something to cheer about in what was a useful run out for
Gary Ablett's second string.
Liverpool Reserves: Oldfield (Chamberlain 75), Kelly
(Kacaniklic), Roque (Lindfield 78), Antwi, Threlfall (Ode
45), Irwin, Flynn (Brouwer 45),
Crowther (Keleman 45), Mackay-Steven (Eccleston 45) ,
Lindfield (Bruna 45), Hammill.
(LFC Official Website)
O'Neill: Barry deal uncertain
Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill has revealed the transfer
of Gareth Barry to Liverpool remains uncertain.
Liverpool have seen a number of offers turned down for the
Villa captain, who O'Neill values at £18million.
O'Neill insists that no deal has been reached between the
clubs but is confident that the saga will be resolved soon.
"We're entering a new season at the moment and the future is
still uncertain," O'Neill told Sky Sports News.
"Nothing much has changed, but I'm sure like most situations
in football it will resolve itself at some stage.
"We don't want to lose players, we're not really in a
position to do so but we have the ambition and the
determination to drive forward this season and get the squad
that we feel the club deserves."
(Sky Sports)
Thor Zakariassen
© |
|
|
|
