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SUNDAY 15 |
Report: Liverpool set sights
on Arsenal star Eduardo
Under-fire Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is preparing to
pursue a £10 million deal for Arsenal striker Eduardo da
Silva, according
to News of the World.
The Reds are in dire need of attacking reinforcement, as the
ongoing injury problems of Steven Gerrard and Fernando
Torres have exposed the squad's lack of depth on several
occasions this season.
(Goal.com)
Report: Barcelona agree personal
terms with Mascherano
The Sunday Express claims this morning that Liverpool’s
defensive midfielder Javier Mascherano has "virtually sealed
a £30million
move to Barcelona."
John Richardson writes: "Mascherano’s advisers have agreed
the player’s personal terms with Barcelona – which will mean
a hefty rise to around £100,000 a week – in advance of a fee
being agreed between
the two clubs."
(IMscouting.com)
Hamburg’s Elia
in Liverpool sights
Hamburg winger Eljero Elia is in the sights of Liverpool
boss
Rafa Benitez.
(tribalfootball.com) |
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SATURDAY 14 |
Babel happy at Liverpool
Liverpool winger Ryan Babel has dismissed reports that he is
looking to leave the club in January.
Babel has struggled to hold down a regular place in Rafa
Benitez's plans, making just two starts in the Premier
League this term.
While the 22-year-old is keen to be playing more regularly
as he looks to seal a place in Bert van Marwijk's Holland
squad for next summer's World Cup finals, he insists he does
not want to make a move away from Anfield in search of more
first-team action.
"He [van Marwijk] wants players to be playing at their club
to get a chance to go to the World Cup so that's also for me
what I try to reach and work every day very hard," Babel
told Sky Sports News.
"Liverpool are a very good team everybody knows that and I
am proud to be part of Liverpool."
(Sky Sports)
Hammers warn suitors off hot Cole
West Ham have warned that Carlton Cole is not for sale at
any price amid reports Manchester United will rival
Liverpool for his signature.
Manchester United are the latest club linked with a
£20million bid for Hammers hot-shot Cole when the transfer
window reopens in January, with Liverpool also reported to
be interested in the player who has flourished under the
tutelage of Gianfranco Zola.
Sir Alex Ferguson wants to add strength to a squad weakened
by the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez and
has identified the England man as a replacement.
Nevertheless, a spokesman at Upton Park insisted that Cole
is 'not for sale', and added: "We want to keep all our best
players and the suggestion that we need to sell because of a
financial crisis is not true."
(TEAMtalk)
Nemeth stuns Italy
Krisztian Nemeth was on target as Hungary U21s beat Italy
2-0 to move a step closer to European Championship 2011
qualification.
The striker, who is currently on loan at AEK Athens, blasted
home on 15 minutes after a fine reverse pass from clubmate
Andras Simon.
Goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi made up Liverpool's trio involved
in the game, though Nemeth came off injured after just 20
minutes.
The Group Three standings now have Wales at the top on 13
points, Hungary on nine, Italy and Luxembourg on just four
points, and Bosnia-Herzegovina with one.
(LFC Official Website) |
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FRIDAY 13 |
Hansen: Babel should be
a regular in the Liverpool side
Liverpool legend Alan Hansen believes Rafa Benitez should
give Ryan Babel an extended spell in the first team.
The former Anfield stalwart claims the Dutchman has all the
tools to make himself a success in the Premier League
despite his frustratingly inconsistent performances.
Hansen told the club’s official website: “I have to cite the
fact that he's only 22 - it's not as if he's 26.”
“As far as talent and ability are concerned, Babel should be
a regular in the Liverpool side because we need a player
with qualities on the flanks.”
“That will not happen, though, unless Ryan performs to the
best of his ability, and contributes more goals like his
wonder-strike against Lyon on a more consistent basis.”
(Sport.co.uk)
Ngog: I can cover
for injured Torres
Liverpool striker David Ngog believes he can fill the void
left by his injured team-mate Fernando Torres without being
a like-for-like replacement.
The 20-year-old Frenchman has scored four goals in nine
appearances this season.
With Torres likely to be sidelined for three weeks with a
hernia problem boss Rafael Benitez's options up front are
limited.
"Fernando is the best striker in the world, so any player
would find it hard replacing him," said Ngog.
"All I can do is play my own game and try to be myself
because few players can do the things Fernando does.
"I feel tactically I can play as a lone striker, behind the
striker or with another partner, so I am desperate to prove
to the manager that I am ready to play in any situation.
"I believe that I have enough quality to be a good striker
for the club and score many goals but I understand that will
come with time and experience.
"I am not 21 until next April so I have plenty of time to
learn and I couldn't be learning from a better manager than
Rafa Benitez or a better striker than Fernando."
(tribalfootball.com)
Rafa: Reds must
kick-start season
Rafael Benitez believes there are only minor issues to
address with his faltering Liverpool side and has urged his
players to start over again.
The Reds have already lost five Premier League matches -
three more than during the whole of the previous campaign -
and critics have already written off their title hopes.
Manchester City, one of the teams looking to take advantage
of the Merseysiders' inconsistent form to snatch a Champions
League place, are the visitors to Anfield a week on Sunday
when Benitez believes a victory would re-ignite his squad.
"We have to change some small things that we need to improve
on. We talk about the positives and analyse the negatives,"
said the Spaniard.
"We have to look at the big picture. We know we've had some
problems and we've made some mistakes but still we are so
close.
"Everything will be different if we win two or three in a
row. The confidence will be high and everything will be
easier."
(TEAMtalk)
Mata signs new Valencia deal
Juan Mata has finally agreed a new deal with Valencia
following widespread interest in his services from the likes
of Liverpool
and Barcelona.
The 21-year-old has received a significant increase in
salary but the length of the contract has not been extended
while the minimum release fee clause remains the same of
90million euros.
The deal means that the winger is still contracted to the
club until 2012 so clubs reportedly interested, including
Liverpool and Barca, are likely to continue to monitor the
situation.
(TEAMtalk)
Eintracht Frankfurt are lining up
January move for Voronin
Eintracht Frankfurt are plotting a swoop for Liverpool
striker Andriy Voronin during the January transfer window.
The mid-table Bundesliga outfit have yet to make an official
approach but are keen on securing the services of the
Ukrainian international.
(Liverpool Echo)
Kaka hails Gerrard
Kaka has praised Steven Gerrard.
The Real Madrid midfielder won't face Gerrard for Brazil
tomorrow because of the Liverpool captain's injury but has
named him as one of England's best players anyway.
"England have always had individually strong players and I
am a huge fan of Stevie Gerrard," said Kaka.
"He has the heart of a lion and is the icon of the modern
footballer with his ability to attack and defend so well."
(LFC Online)
Lucas tells of pressure
Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva feels the pressure is
greater playing for the Reds than Brazil because of the
predicament of the Anfield club.
He is preparing for his country's Doha friendly against
England
on Saturday.
Lucas said: "With Brazil, we are qualified for the World
Cup. We always have pressure when playing, but in Liverpool
now it is greater because we are in a difficult situation."
(Teletext)
Thor Zakariassen
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