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MONDAY 15 |
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Dudek omitted from Poland squad
Jerzy Dudek was the surprise omission from Poland's World
Cup squad when national team coach Pawel Janas unveiled his
23-man list.
Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Tomasz Frankowski was
similarly unlucky but it's Dudek, who just a year ago helped
Liverpool win the Champions League final, who will be the
most notable absentee.
He has lost his place in his club side since the arrival of
Jose Reina at Anfield. Poland have been drawn with Ecuador,
hosts Germany and Costa Rica in the World Cup.
(Football 365)
Anfield board meeting to discuss key issues
Liverpool Football Club will hold a board meeting later this
week (18th).
Up for discussion on Thursday will be numerous matters
including of course Liverpool's progress in the Premier
League and of course our FA Cup success.
The board will then be provided with an update on progress
in the transfer market. The Reds have already tabled a bid
for Charlton's Darrent Bent so the directors will be hoping
for an update on that front.
Also on the agenda at the meeting will be the fresh
investment approach by Robin Herd's consortium. The former
Oxford United chairman was set to sit down with Liverpool
chief executive Rick Parry earlier today. Any other
investment matters will obviously also
be discussed.
(Kop Talk)
Reds gunning for Chelsea's crown
Steven Gerrard and the chairman who describes him as
"irreplaceable" have both made winning the Premiership crown
their number one objective for next season.
Liverpool chairman David Moores, who will spend the next few
weeks sifting through the various consortiums wishing to
invest in the club, knows the jewel in the crown is Gerrard
after the Anfield skipper's goal double won the FA Cup.
Moores said: "The progress we have made this season has been
outstanding. I always felt we'd get much closer to Chelsea,
but I don't think I expected us to finish with 24 more
points than last year.
And as Gerrard settles down for a couple of weeks rest with
his family before joining up with England's World Cup squad,
he is also thinking already of next season's quest to knock
Chelsea off their perch at the top of the domestic game.
Gerrard says: "We know we're capable of going very close to
the title next season and that's going to be the target."
(PA Sport)
Winger hails 'awesome' Gerrard
West Ham winger Matthew Etherington believes England have
every chance of winning the World Cup with Steven Gerrard in
the side.
"He was awesome," said Etherington.
"Those goals were unbelievable. He was probably the
difference between the two sides.
"It's good for England in the World Cup. If he can produce
that kind of form in Germany then England should go close.
"He single-handedly dragged Liverpool back into the game. He
scored the second goal and the third goal was unbelievable.
"To do it at that time in the game - that is why he is a
world class player, one of the best midfielders in the world
if not the best.
"We played well on the day and I think we deserved to win.
Steven Gerrard hit a 30-yarder which was out of this world.
Not another player in the world could have done what he
did."
(TEAMtalk)
Hughes hopeful of keeping Bellamy
Blackburn manager Mark Hughes is confident that striker
Craig Bellamy stay at Ewood Park, despite reported interest
from Spurs and Liverpool.
The Welsh forward has been linked with a summer exit after
some impressive recent displays for Rovers but Hughes
believes the 26-year-old is not keen to move.
Hughes told the Lancashire Evening Telegraph: "I'm as
confident as I can be about any player.
"We want to keep our best players, we're not in the business
of selling them. We're a top-six side and we're looking to
kick on, and you don't do that by selling your best players.
"I'm more than confident that Craig will be here next
season."
(TEAMtalk)
Stevie can hit even greater heights,
Dalglish warns Reds' rivals
Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish today hailed the heroics of
Reds captain Steven Gerrard - and uttered a chilling
prediction for teams who come up against him in future.
"He's unbelievable - and he will get even better," declared
Dalglish, after seeing Gerrard drag Liverpool off the canvas
with his two Cardiff wonder goals.
Dalglish, who was in the Cardiff stadium with wife Marina to
watch the virtual re-run of last season's European Cup
final, is as big an admirer of Gerrard's as anyone.
He said: "Irrespective of his position, Steven has done more
for Liverpool in the past few seasons than any other player
has done anywhere.
"Never mind Ronaldhino for Barcelona or Thierry Henry for
Arsenal, Steven has done more for his team and contributed
more than anyone else.
"You talk about leading by example but that on Saturday was
over and above the call of duty. And really he's such a
young guy. It's unbelievable."
(Liverpool Echo)
World Cup joy and despair for Red heroes
As the dust settles on the most dramatic FA Cup Final of
all-time there has been contrasting news for several of
Liverpool's World Cup hopefuls.
Five are today continuing their celebrations after
discovering they are definitely off to the World Cup this
summer but there was disappointment for one.
Amid the frantic celebrations that have followed Saturday's
thrilling penalty shoot-out victory over West Ham in Cardiff
on Sunday Jan Kromkamp, Djibril Cisse, Luis Garcia, Xabi
Alonso and Pepe Reina have all been assured of their plane
ticket to Germany.
Kromkamp was named in Marco Van Basten's Holland squad,
Cisse takes his place in France's 23-man party, while
Spanish trio Garcia, Alonso and Reina have been given the
nod by Luis Aragones.
But there was bad news for Fernando Morientes who failed to
make Spain's final cut, despite having figured in several
recent squads.
Last week, Harry Kewell was named in Australia's squad,
while Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher and Peter Crouch were
included in England's provisional 23.
Today is the deadline for all 32 coaches to confirm their
final squads.
(LFC Official Website)
Liverpool in talks over £180million
investment
Liverpool are reportedly negotiating a possible £180million
investment with a consortium headed by Robin Herd, the
former Oxford United chairman who is probably best known for
designing Concorde.
Reds chief executive Rick Parry is said to be meeting Herd
tomorrow to discuss if the consortium's interest is serious
and if so, Parry will be seeking confirmation of the funds
they have to play with.
(Kop Talk)
Superhuman Gerrard can claim Final as his
own
Some years ago the loquacious Lawrie McMenemy launched into
a flight of fancy about a legendary centre-forward of the
50s.
The last player to score a hat-trick in an FA Cup final was
Blackpool's Stan Mortensen, raved Lawrie. He was so good he
even had a final named after him - the Matthews Final.
No chance of that kind of cup confusion here, Lawrie, even
in the aftermath of the most extraordinary turnaround in
fortune since Everton came from two down against Sheffield
Wednesday, 40 years ago.
Cardiff 2006 won't lead to any mix-up between the critical
contributions of Pepe Reina and Steven Gerrard.
Because without the superhuman efforts of the skipper a
Liverpool side as flat as spilled champagne would have sunk
long before Reina at last got himself together.
Without Steven Gerrard, Liverpool would almost certainly
have lost a battle in which the majority of the football was
played by a fearless West Ham side who clearly felt their
day had come.
How Bill Shankly would have loved him, this supreme leader,
this supreme player, this superman for all seasons.
(Daily Post)
Moores relief at skipper's U-turn
David Moores has hailed FA Cup hero Steven Gerrard as
irreplaceable - then admitted his relief the midfielder
didn't join Chelsea last summer.
The 25-year-old came close to moving to Stamford Bridge only
to undergo a late change of heart and stay at Liverpool.
And Liverpool chairman Moores said: "He is our talisman - I
mean you just can't replace him. Thank goodness everything
was sorted out last year!
"Everything's settled down now and I know he will be with us
for life. He's an unbelievable player and I wouldn't swap
him for anyone.
(Daily Post)
Rafa's £20million plus transfer kitty
A snippet in one of today's British newspapers states that
Rafael Benitez will have £20million to spend in the summer
plus money from the sale of any players.
(Kop Talk)
Liverpool linked with Premier League swoop
Newspaper reports in the UK today claim that Liverpool are
to swoop for West Ham ace Yossi Benayoun.
Former boss Gerard Houllier tried to sign the player but
failed and he eventually ended up a Hammer.
He played a blinder in the Cup Final at the weekend and if
you believe the reports, this has persuaded Rafa to make a
firm offer.
£6million is what West Ham will want for the Israel
international if you believe the various reports that are
circulating today.
(Kop Talk)
Cisse: Please don't sell me Rafa
Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse is pleading with
the boss not to sell him in the summer.
The flamboyant Frenchman was on target during the FA Cup
final but most supporters expect that he'll be axed before
next season because of his hit-and-miss performances.
Even though he bagged tons of goals without that many starts
and even though he's usually played out of position,
everyone including the player, knows his position isn't
safe.
Cisse said: "I have done my best with the bit of time I have
had to play.
"But he (Benitez) is the boss and it is his decision. We
haven't spoken about it yet and maybe won't do until after
the World Cup, because there isn't much time before it now.
"I don't want to leave. I know it is not going to be my
decision whether I do or not, but I want to stay at
Liverpool."
(Kop Talk)
Kewell to miss Australia friendly
Harry Kewell will miss Australia's friendly with Greece in
Melbourne after limping out of Liverpool's FA Cup win with a
groin injury on Saturday.
But Football Federation Australia hope the 27-year-old
midfielder will be fit for this summer's World Cup in
Germany.
He will have treatment before joining Australia's squad in
Holland on 27 May.
(BBC Sport Online) |
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SUNDAY 14 |
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Fans enjoy Liverpool parade
Liverpool's second victory parade in 12 months around the
streets of the city was warmly welcomed by tens of thousands
of fans as they celebrated Saturrday's stunning FA Cup win
over West Ham.
The entire squad, all wearing their club tracksuits, set off
aboard an open-topped bus flanked by police on horseback and
were quickly mobbed by supporters as they left the Mather
Avenue police training offices in Allerton at the start of
their 10-mile tour.
Although there were fewer supporters there to see the team
than had been the case when an estimated 750,000 turned out
when the Reds brought home the Champions League trophy last
May that did not affect the atmosphere.
Manager Rafael Benitez, with his family beside him, looked
relaxed and happy as he waved to the crowd, which was
estimated to number 100,000 along the route.
(ITV Football)
Konchesky leads Gerrard plaudits
West Ham defender Paul Konchesky believes Steven
Gerrard is the man to inspire England at this summer's World
Cup.
The left-back, who has two England caps himself but could
not force his way into Sven-Goran Eriksson's final squad
despite a dearth of left-sided players, believes the
Liverpool captain is key to their chances.
Gerrard produced the kind of performance only he can in
scoring twice - one a stunning 35-yard 90th-minute equaliser
- as Liverpool won the FA Cup final on penalties yesterday
after a 3-3 draw at the Millennium Stadium.
Konchesky, who had scored a fortunate goal with a cross-shot
to put the Hammers 3-2 up with 26 minutes remaining, admits
Gerrard was the difference between the two sides.
He cursed the luck which saw the ball fall to the England
midfielder - one of only a few players in the world capable
of scoring such a goal - in injury-time.
"It fell to the wrong man really. It was a great strike by
Stevie," said the former Charlton defender.
"He is one of the best players in the world, scored two
great goals to get them back in it. He is a leader, and
without him [we would have won].
"I think he can do the same with England; he gets a lot of
people together and he is strong, powerful, has great
passing and he can strike the ball like he did."
(TEAMtalk)
Reina admits he was guessing
Liverpool's penalty king Jose Reina admitted he was reduced
to just guessing as he saved three spot-kicks in the
shoot-out that won the FA Cup for the Merseysiders for the
seventh time.
Reina accepts that his performance in Cardiff was "bad".
The Spaniard could be blamed for two of West Ham's goals but
redeemed himself by keeping out efforts from Bobby Zamora,
Paul Konchesky and then finally, Anton Ferdinand to secure a
3-1 spot kick triumph.
Reina admitted: "I had a bad game, I know that. It wasn't my
best during the 90 minutes, there is a fine line between the
mistakes and saves, but that is a keeper's life.
"I had done some research into West Ham's penalty takers,
(Marlon) Harewood and (Teddy) Sheringham, but the others
they put up I didn't know.
"Penalties are a real lottery, and in this case we won. I
know I do well with penalties, maybe I am lucky with a
lottery!"
(PA Sport)
Riise: Gerrard is best player in the world
Norwegian ace John Arne Riise has heaped huge praise on FA
Cup hero Steven Gerrard and called him the best player in
the world.
Speaking to Liverpoolfc.tv from the tour bus of the city,
Riise said he never gave up hope in the final because he
always felt Gerrard was capable of doing something out of
the ordinary.
"When you have the best player in the world in your side
then you know that anything is possible. I was just praying
for somebody to do something special and Stevie came up
trumps again. When the ball hit the net I felt like running
over to him to give him a big kiss but then I decided
against it!
"Gerrard is the best for me. He is still young, he's got
everything in his game and he can do whatever he wants in
football. It was just brilliant to win the final. The odds
were against us at one stage but there's a great belief in
this team now and we never believe we are beaten."
(LFC Official Website)
Kewell should be fit for Germany
Liverpool winger Harry Kewell suffered a torn groin muscle
in the FA Cup final but is expected to be fit for the World
Cup finals.
The 27-year-old Australia international limped off at the
Millennium Stadium just after half-time, his third
disappointment in cup finals after getting injured against
AC Milan in the Champions League final and in the Carling
Cup final against Chelsea.
Kewell had a scan on the injury at Liverpool's Melwood
training ground, revealing he needs treatment in England
before an expected return to action in two to three weeks.
Liverpool head of press Ian Cotton told the club's website:
"We liaised closely with the Australian national team
medical staff and their physio actually accompanied our club
doctor to the scan this morning.
"That scan has shown Harry has torn one of his groin
muscles. It has been agreed that Harry will receive
treatment at Melwood for the next 10 days before joining up
with his international team-mates in Holland.
"We expect him to be playing again within the next two to
three weeks."
(TEAMtalk)
City welcomes conquering heroes
Thousands of Liverpool FC fans are lining the city's streets
to welcome home their team, winners of one of the FA Cup's
most exciting finals.
The Reds team, who won on penalties when the game finished
3-3 after extra time, will start their procession at 1400
BST at Allerton Maze.
An open top bus is covering the 10-mile route, ending at New
Islington.
More than 200 Liverpool Capital of Culture stewards are on
standby and there will be a large police presence.
(BBC Sport Online)
11m watch FA Cup shoot-out on BBC
The BBC's coverage of the FA Cup Final was the most-watched
sporting event of the year so far, according to unofficial
overnight figures.
The match started with 6.8 million viewers, but rose to
11.3m as Liverpool won the penalty shoot-out which decided
the tie against West Ham United.
A further 700,000 saw coverage of the game on Sky Sports 1.
As the match went into extra-time and penalties, some 65% of
all viewers were watching the BBC's coverage.
(BBC Sport Online)
Gerrard hails Reina heroics
Two-goal hero Steven Gerrard paid tribute to goalkeeper Jose
Reina after Liverpool won the FA Cup on penalties against
West Ham.
"He made a great save in the last minute and he deserves to
be the hero."
(ITV Football)
Hot-shot Gerrard
When England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson sat down to watch the
FA Cup final, much of his focus would have been on the
performance of Peter Crouch.
As things stand, Crouch is the only striker in his 23-man
squad who fulfils two key requirements ahead of a World Cup
finals.
One, he is not injured, and two, he has some experience of
Premiership football. Which makes him more likely to
spearhead England's bid than the walking-wounded pair of
Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney and rookie Theo Walcott.
Worryingly for the England boss, Crouch had a quiet game -
he was taken off in the second half, with the 6ft 7in
hit-man struggling to acclimatise to the ferocious pace of a
thrill-a-minute encounter.
However, the inspiring performance of Liverpool captain
Steven Gerrard may have given Eriksson food for thought.
The 25-year-old put in a performance of such breath-taking
gusto it will be talked about for years, scoring two more
truly magical goals to bring his tally to 23 for the season.
When Rooney suffered his metatarsal injury, the country's
collective thoughts turned to just how Eriksson will cope
without the 20-year-old Manchester United star.
Would Crouch get the nod to partner Owen up front? Could
Walcott partner Crouch?
Or perhaps Eriksson could consider playing Gerrard in a more
advanced role?
(BBC Sport Online)
Parry calls for use of fourth sub
Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry could suggest to
football's governing bodies that teams be allowed to use a
fourth substitute in extra time.
At present only three replacements are allowed during a
match - with no concession for the added-on 30 minutes.
Parry came up with the idea after Liverpool beat West Ham in
the FA Cup final after 120 minutes plus penalties.
"Here's a thought for the future, maybe a fourth substitute
to be allowed in extra time," he told Radio Five Live.
"It would make it less of a lottery."
(BBC Sport Online)
Cisse named in France World Cup squad
Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse has been named in the France
squad for the World Cup Finals.
Coach Raymond Domenech named a 23-man squad earlier today.
(Kop Talk)
Parry looks to future
Liverpool chief executive Parry is confident inspirational
captain Gerrard will be content to remain at Anfield after
the FA Cup was secured with a dramatic penalty shoot-out win
over West Ham in Cardiff on Saturday.
Gerrard was outstanding and gave England a boost ahead of
the World Cup by smashing home two staggering volleys.
Parry said: "We have never had any intention of selling him
at any stage.
"He is fully committed to the club and has got a lot left in
him. His ambition - which is ours - is to win considerably
more trophies.
Parry revealed that plans to strengthen the squad in the
close season had been on-going since January.
He said: "We have one or two players lined up and perhaps
there will be one or two more.
"We are always thinking about trying to improve and doing
things the right way.
"Clearly we have made a huge improvement in our league form
and that has been hugely satisfying.
"Next season we will try and do better. If we continue to do
that, one day the league title will follow."
(Sporting Life) |
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SATURDAY 13 |
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Reds drew on spirit of Istanbul
Jamie Carragher shrugged aside the shock of scoring am FA
Cup final own goal to insist it was the experience of
Istanbul which got Liverpool through the nail-biting Cardiff
climax.
Liverpool's tough defender recalled his team's Champions
League final comeback at the expense of AC Milan as he
reflected on a comparable success against West Ham in the
showpiece event at the Millennium Stadium.
"When it got to penalties it probably did count that we had
been through this before in the Champions League final.
Experience did come into it," he said.
(PA Sport)
Benitez hails players and supporters
Rafael Benitez praised Liverpool heroes Steven Gerrard and
Jose Reina but insisted his FA Cup triumph was a team
effort.
Benitez was proud of his weary cup winners as they ended a
marathon season by beating West Ham on penalties after a 3-3
draw, in Cardiff.
Benitez said: "Today was about the success of my team.
"You must give the credit to all my players. A lot of them
had cramps after 62 games this season but they kept going to
the end."
(TEAMtalk)
Cup loss hard to take for Pardew
West Ham boss Alan Pardew said Steven Gerrard's last-gasp
equaliser for Liverpool in stoppage time had robbed his side
of FA Cup success.
Pardew said: "It felt like a defeat when the third goal went
in. We rallied and had a great chance in extra time.
"We had to dig in. This was a top team we were playing, but
I felt we were going to win. Only a 35-yard Gerrard smasher
was going to change that.
"The players have been magnificent - we are proud of the way
we played."
Pardew added: "We can take a lot from this game. The first
trophy is always the hardest to win.
"But this team will come back - we produced a performance to
show we can live
with the big boys."
(Sky Sports)
Alan Hansen's Cup final verdict
Liverpool won a truly great FA Cup final played in a great
spirit - but without one man West Ham would have had the
trophy in their dressing room and would have been
celebrating.
This was one of the classic Cup finals and it is desperately
unfortunate that they should lose on penalties.
West Ham were the better side and should have won, but
Liverpool had Steven Gerrard and that is why a very good
season is now a great one for Rafael Benitez's side.
What a man, what a player and what a captain.
(Alan Hansen - BBC Sport Online)
Reina saves seal Reds' Cup win
Liverpool defeated West Ham 3-1 on penalties to lift the FA
Cup for a seventh time after a truly epic final at The
Millennium Stadium finished in a 3-3 draw.
Jose Reina's save from Anton Ferdinand settled an incredible
match as the 2006 final came down to a single kick after 120
minutes of compelling action which West Ham had seemed
destined to win as the 90 minutes drew to a close.
After Reina denied Bobby Zamora and Paul Konchesky,
John-Arne Riise earned The Reds a 3-1 lead from the spot and
Anton Ferdinand's failure to score from 12 yards sent
Liverpool into throes of ecstasy.
FA Cup finals are all too often uninspiring affairs but this
match had everything.
(Sky Sports)
Liverpool v West Ham - CONFIRMED TEAMS
LIVERPOOL: Reina, Finnan, Hyypia, Carragher, Riise, Gerrard
(c), Alonso, Sissoko, Kewell, Crouch, Cisse.
SUBS: Dudek, Kromkamp, Traore, Hamann, Morientes.
WEST HAM: Hislop, Scalonsi, Ferdinand, Gabbidon, Konchesky,
Banayoun, Reo-Coker (c), Fletcher, Etherington, Harewood,
Ashton.
SUBS: Dailly, Collins, Walker, Zamora, Sheringham.
(Kop Talk)
Reds back in for Benfica ace
Liverpool are reported to have rekindled their interest in
giant Benfica defender Luisao.
The Reds have been monitoring the Brazilian international
for some time and even submitted an offer for him -
understood to have been around €10 million (£6 million) -
last summer.
They were unsuccessful at that time and subsequently went on
to purchase Daniel Agger in January.
However, with the young Dane still to fully adapt to the
rigours of life at Anfield, boss Rafa Benitez is looking to
further strengthen his defence and is ready to move for
Luisao again.
(Sky Sports)
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Thor Zakariassen
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