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THURSDAY 15 |
Agent: Malouda not going to Reds
Speaking exclusively to setantasports.com, Florent Malouda’s
agent has said that he would be ‘very surprised’ to see
Liverpool make an offer for the Chelsea winger.
Malouda, voted Player of the Season in France in 2006/2007,
moved
to Stamford Bridge with a superstar status.
But the France international failed to make an impression
under Jose Mourinho and more recently Avram Grant, as he
only appeared 21 times, scoring twice in The Premier League.
Reports have linked him with a move to Rafa Benitez’s side,
but his representative Philippe Flavier has distanced his
client from
a switch to Anfield.
The Frenchman also revealed that he attended a meeting with
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, but refused to elaborate on the
reason.
“I would be very surprised to receive an offer from
Liverpool for Florent, after what happened last year,”
Flavier told setantasports.com,
in reference to Malouda’s decision to snub The Red for The
Blues in
the summer of 2007.
“I met with Arsene Wenger yesterday (on Wednesday), but
saying that
it is about Florent and Arsenal is a wrong rumour.”
(Setanta Sports)
Liverpool to swap Leto for Riera
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is said to be eyeing up
the possibility of bringing Espanyol's Albert Riera to
Anfield this summer.
DiarioSport reports that the Reds are after sealing a swap
deal for Espanyol's tall winger.
Benitez is considering the possibility of a cash-plus-loan
deal, where they would pay up front for the 26-year-old and
also loan promising youngster Sebastian Leto out to los
Periquitos so he may gain some vital experience, as well as
buying time to clear up alleged passport problems.
(Goal.com)
Keeper Carson angry with £10m tag
Aston Villa target Scott Carson has admitted he may have to
quit Liverpool after calling their £10m valuation of him
"stupid money".
The 22-year-old's season-long loan at Villa is over but the
two clubs have yet to finalise any permanent deal for the
England international goalkeeper.
He told the Wolverhampton Express & Star newspaper: "It's
too much. It's stupid money really.
"It may be time to move but I don't know if anyone will
agree a fee."
Carson arrived at Anfield from Leeds for £1m in January 2005
and had
a spell at Charlton in 2006/07 before Villa paid £2m to take
him on loan for this season.
He wants his parent club to be more reasonable when it comes
to deciding his future.
"I don't think Liverpool are stupid. They know what I'm
worth. They would've recouped what they paid for me in loan
fees over the last couple of years, so hopefully they can
help me out," he commented.
(BBC Sport Online)
Hobbs targets new deal
Jack Hobbs has set his sights on a new deal with Liverpool
after impressing during a three-month loan spell at
Scunthorpe United.
The 19-year-old centre back spent the second-half of the
campaign on loan at Glanford Park and although he
acknowledges it will be difficult to force his way into
Rafael Benitez's plans, he admits he would love to remain at
Anfield.
"I'm sure something will happen this summer. They will
either extend my contract or sell me," said Hobbs.
"I want to stay, but ultimately it comes down to playing
first-team football.
"I'm at the age where I want to get out there and make a
name for myself.
"It would be ideal if that was at Liverpool, but we'll have
to wait and see."
(LFC Official Website)
Alonso committed to Reds
Xabi Alonso has reaffirmed his commitment to Liverpool
Football Club and insists he has had no fall out with boss
Rafael Benitez.
The Spanish midfielder had been repeatedly linked with a
move away
from Anfield this summer but says he has no intention of
seeking
a transfer and insists he wants to stay regardless of
whether the club make midfield reinforcements or not.
"I think I will be here next season even if Barry comes,"
said Alonso.
"He would bring good competition and he would be more than
welcome.
He can play different positions and if he plays in midfield
then I could play with him. I have no problem with that.
"At the moment I feel I could stay here for many years. I
have been here for four seasons already; why not seven or
eight?
"As long as I am performing well and the club wants me to
stay
then I will."
The Spain international also denied any rift between him and
boss Rafael Benitez and believes the Reds manager also sees
his future at Anfield.
"There is no problem between me and the manager and I would
like to clarify that," he added.
(LFC Official Website)
New doubt over Liverpool stadium
Fresh doubts have been raised over Liverpool co-owner Tom
Hicks' ability to fund the club's proposed new home in
Stanley Park following a shock decision to delay the
building of a stadium in Texas.
Hicks has admitted he has been unable to secure financing
for the Glorypark mixed-use development in Arlington, Texas
that was scheduled to open in March 2010.
The $500million venture has been put on hold because of the
credit squeeze and troubled retail market.
Hicks said in an interview with the Dallas Morning News: "We
are in
the most difficult credit crunch I have seen the last 20
years."
That revelation will give more hope to prospective buyers of
Liverpool, Dubai International Capital, who have long
believed Hicks - and his estranged co-owner George Gillett -
have found it virtually impossible to raise further loans to
facilitate the move from Anfield.
(Liverpool Echo)
Liverpool set to snap up
Malouda from Chelsea for £10m
Liverpool have made a shock move to sign Chelsea winger
Florent Malouda for around £10million.
Preliminary talks with Malouda's people have been positive
enough to convince Kop boss Rafa Benitez the player will
leave.
(Daily Mail)
Ex-red Barmby set for play-off final
Nick Barmby has moved one step closer to facing the Reds
next season after Hull City made it into the Championship
play-off final at
the expense of Watford.
The former Liverpool midfielder, who has been in magnificent
form for the Tigers this year, played a starring role as he
scored in a 4-1 win at home to the Hornets to book a Wembley
showdown with Bristol City on May 24.
It means he is just one game away from securing a possible
return to Anfield next season with his hometown club and
admits he can't wait for Hull to play at Wembley for the
first-time in their 104-year history.
"We're all delighted," said Barmby. "We knew it would be
difficult against Watford and when they scored we were a bit
jittery. But my goal settled
a few nerves.
"It will be great to go to Wembley with Hull. It will be
really special."
(LFC Official Website) |
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WEDNESDAY 14 |
Lee set for Reds return
Liverpool are in talks with Sammy Lee with a view to him
becoming Rafa Benitez's assistant manager at Anfield.
Lee, an ex-England international, enjoyed an illustrious
playing career at Liverpool and he then moved into coaching
after retiring.
The former Reds midfielder operated as reserve team manager
and first team coach under former bosses Graeme Souness and
Gerard Houllier.
But he left in 2004, when Benitez arrived on Merseyside, to
become a full-time coach with the England side before
joining Bolton as assistant manager to Sam Allardyce the
following year.
Lee was then appointed as manager of Bolton following the
departure of Allardyce in April 2007, but he was sacked last
October after a dismal start to the season.
Liverpool boss Benitez is on the look-out for an assistant
following last week's departure of first team coach Alex
Miller, who has agreed to manage Japanese side JEF United
Chiba
Lee has held talks with Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry
and he is expected to complete negotiations and return to
the club as
Benitez's No.2.
The imminent appointment has been approved by Liverpool's
American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett, who recognise
Benitez has been without an official assistant since the
departure of Pako Ayesteran in August 2007.
(Sky Sports)
Stuttgart consider Voronin swoop
Stuttgart are believed to be exploring the possibility of
bringing Andriy Voronin back to the Bundesliga if they lose
top scorer Mario Gomez during the close season.
Gomez has reportedly emerged as a target for the likes of
Bayern Munich, Arsenal and Chelsea after a tremendous season
for the Schwabians.
Sources in Germany claim Stuttgart sports director Jochen
Schneider has already made an enquiry to Voronin's agent and
much will depend on whether Rafa Benitez wants to release
last summer's Bosman free signing from Bayer Leverkusen.
(Sky Sports)
Villa launch Barry mission
Martin O’Neill has revealed that Aston Villa owner Randy
Lerner and he have launched a renewed effort to try and
persuade Gareth Barry
to remain at the club.
The England international has been the subject of
well-publicised interest from Liverpool of late, with the
Merseysiders having made an approach recently for the
27-year-old – one which was swiftly rebutted by O’Neill.
Now the Ulsterman and Lerner have launched a charm offensive
on Barry to try and keep their club captain as they attempt
to build the platform for success at Villa Park.
“We've spoken to Gareth and our situation remains the same –
that everyone at Aston Villa Football Club wishes very
strongly that Gareth will stay,” said O’Neill on Villa’s
official website.
“Obviously he's at a big stage of his career. He's 27 years
old and he's been here almost 10 years. He's due a
testimonial and if he sees the club continuing to progress
we definitely want to keep him.
“He still has two years of his contract to run and Liverpool
have put in an offer that, well it's almost debatable
whether it is an offer!
“Things are very much up in the air and the main aim for the
chairman and myself is to try and keep him at the football
club. That's what we're trying to do.
(Setanta Sports)
Liverpool need to be
more adventurous
My big wish for Liverpool when the hunt for honours begins
next August is simple: Be more positive.
In trying to assess this season for the club, I have come up
with as many negatives as positives.
I’m not trying to be churlish. But there is no getting away
from the fact that the season was trophy-less, and therefore
a big disappointment.
(Tommy Smith - Liverpool Echo) |
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TUESDAY 13 |
Gerrard: It's time to go for title
Steven Gerrard is unhappy to have ended the season without a
trophy - and wants Liverpool to spend big this summer to
challenge for the title.
Gerrard says he has the belief that Rafael Benitez can
deliver the championship to Liverpool for the first time
since 1990.
But the Reds skipper maintains that Benitez must have help
from the board in the transfer market to make Liverpool
stronger.
Gerrard told the club's website: "Other teams are going to
strengthen and become better sides, so it is important we do
the same.
"There is a lot of money in the league - teams and squads
will become stronger in the summer. It's important we do not
fall away, we want to stay up there with the best.
"To keep doing well in the league and Europe we need to
strengthen the squad, there is no doubt about that."
(TEAMtalk)
Silva and Villa ready to move
Valencia stars David Villa and David Silva have revealed
they are prepared to leave El Mestalla this summer if the
club accepts bids from chasing clubs.
Valencia have endured a nightmare season that has seen two
coaches sacked, an early exit from the Champions League, and
a near-fatal flirtation with relegation.
The likes of Villa and Silva know they cannot play Champions
League football at El Mestalla next season, and with the
likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid hovering – the temptation
to move is huge.
Villa would be a huge target of all Premier League teams
and, having previously stated a desire to play Arsenal’s
football – or alongside Liverpool’s Fernando Torres, news of
his willingness to move will put Messrs Wenger and Benitez
on red alert.
"The players, we are at the disposal of the club,” Villa was
quoted as saying in Marca.
"If the best thing for the club is to collect money and to
transfer, I accept it, and I will do it.
“But I am also contented and I will accept whatever the club
must do for next season."
(Setanta Sports)
Liverpool to play Villarreal
in pre-season friendly
Liverpool will travel to Spain to take on Villarreal as part
of their preparations for next season.
The fixture has been arranged under the terms of the deal
that saw Pepe Reina move from El Madrigal to Anfield for
£6million in the summer
of 2005.
Although final details have not yet been confirmed, the game
is expected to take place in the final week of July with
Wednesday, July 30 indicated as a possible date.
Rafael Benitez has already revealed Liverpool will once
again visit Switzerland for a pre-season camp with
friendlies expected to be arranged during their spell
abroad. However, it is not thought the Anfield outfit will
embark on any major pre-season tours, such as their
week-long trip to Hong Kong last year to take part in the
Barclays Asia Trophy.
(Liverpool Daily Post)
Rush: Title assault
must be next priority
Liverpool's season is a difficult one to assess because
although there has been progress on the pitch we still ended
up without any silverware and that is a disappointment.
At the start of every season trophies are the priority at
Anfield. They always have been and always will be.
That means the standard that the club sets for itself is
incredibly high because there are only four trophies
available each season, and it’s hard to keep on winning cups
all the time.
But when your history is built on success you have no choice
but to live up to those standards. When you fall short it
has to be a disappointment.
Not being in the title race in the last few weeks of the
campaign is a let down, especially when you see Manchester
United and Chelsea battling away on the last day.
Liverpool have fallen short in the league and that is
something which will need to be put right next season.
(Ian Rush - Liverpool Echo)
Villarreal plan Crouch swoop
Villarreal will attempt to pris Peter Crouch away from
Liverpool if their bid to sign Valladolid's Joseba LLorente
breaks down, but will be looking to lower the Reds' asking
price.
The Yellow Submarine are planning to add three or four new
faces to their squad and a striker is one of the key areas
where the club want to bolster their options.
(Goal.com)
Liverpool the target for 'angry' Ramos
Jonathan Woodgate has revealed Tottenham have an angry
Juande Ramos entering the summer buying period, and the
centre back pinpointed Liverpool as the model Spurs should
follow.
If Jekyll and Hyde could have supported a football club, it
surely would have been Tottenham after one of the most
bizarre seasons in
Premier League history.
"We have got a lot of improving to do. Liverpool are a
benchmark, they're a top side and showed they were a better
side than us,” said the former Real Madrid man.
“It shows how much we have to compete and how much we have
to work to get the standard they're at."
(Setanta Sports)
Benitez waiting on Blatter plans
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has hinted he could be prepared
to sell Jermaine Pennant and Peter Crouch if Fifa president
Sepp Blatter loses his battle to introduce the "6+5 rule”.
Blatter is keen to curb the number of foreign players in the
game by bringing in a rule to force clubs to field at least
six home-grown players in a match.
The Fifa supremo is facing stiff opposition from European
Union officials and as such clubs are adopting a watching
brief.
Benitez is keen to reinforce his squad in the summer, which
could spell the end for Crouch and Pennant, but the Spaniard
is concerned his plans could be scuppered by Blatter.
"I feel the key is for the fans to see the best players on
the pitch,” said Benitez. “It is clear - in the past you
would talk about a lot of local players but all the teams
want to sign players and the best players come from all over
the world.
"We know what the rules are and we will try to do things
whatever happens with Fifa."
(Setanta Sports)
Thor Zakariassen
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