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THURSDAY 18 |
Liverpool linked with
SHOCK Tigers move
Liverpool Football Club are believed to be interested in
Michael Turner.
The defender has been one of the huge plus-points for
Premier League surprise package Hull City, who are expecting
bids for the 25-year-old in January.
(Fans FC)
Reina targets Gunners scalp
Jose Reina is confident that Liverpool can claim their first
win at Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
The Reds have yet to beat Arsenal at their new ground but
have the opportunity to change that statistic as they travel
to London this weekend.
The Spanish goalkeeper believes Liverpool have the
psychological edge as they are currently top of the Premier
League table and eight points clear of Arsenal.
"We don't have that many great memories from our other
visits to the Emirates," Reina told his club's official
website.
"They played very well and we weren't in our best moment.
"This time I think it is different because we are top of the
table and I think it is easier to play when you are up
there. We've never won there before, so maybe it's the right
time to do it."
(Sky Sports)
Keane: Liverpool FC
fear no-one in Europe
Robbie Keane believes Liverpool should fear no- one when the
draw for the last 16 of the Champions League takes place in
Nyon tomorrow.
Liverpool will be paired with one of Real Madrid, Sporting
Lisbon, Lyon, Villarreal and Inter Milan in the draw, having
come through Group D as winners.
Their status as group winners means that whoever the Reds
meet they will have the advantage of playing the second leg
at Anfield.
Though four of the teams Liverpool can be drawn against are
national champions – only Villarreal are not the current
title holders in their league – Keane insists the Anfield
outfit’s recent record in the Champions League should make
potential opponents worry about them.
“There’s certainly no fear as far as we are concerned,” said
Keane.
“You know when you get to the knockout stages of a
competition, like the Champions League, that you are going
to come up against a quality side. That’s just the way it
is.
(Liverpool Daily Post)
Torres happy at Liverpool
Fernando Torres' agent has admitted a number of top clubs
have enquired about the Liverpool striker, but insists he is
happy at Anfield.
Manchester City have been linked with a mega-bid for the
Spain international as they look to establish themselves as
one of the biggest clubs in the world.
Torres enjoyed a sensational debut season with Liverpool
last term following his switch from Atletico Madrid and he
is in the running for the Fifa World Player of the Year
award.
Reports suggest Liverpool are preparing to offer the
forward, who is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury,
a lucrative new deal in a bid to ward off potential suitors.
Torres' agent, Jose Antonio Martini, admits the striker has
no shortage of admirers, but that he has no intention of
quitting Liverpool.
"Big European clubs are always asking about Torres, but he
loves it at Liverpool and is keen to get fit to fight for
the title and Champions League," Martini is quoted as saying
in the Daily Star.
(Sporting Life)
Pennant linked with Spurs
Jermaine Pennant has been linked with a move to Tottenham.
(LFC Online) |
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WEDNESDAY 17 |
Masch wary of Gunners threat
Javier Mascherano has warned his Liverpool team-mates that
Arsenal will raise their game in Sunday's clash at Emirates
Stadium.
Premier League leaders Liverpool travel to North London one
point clear at the summit and, with closest rivals Chelsea
playing on Monday, Rafa Benitez's side could end the weekend
with significant breathing space.
But Argentine midfielder Mascherano insists Arsenal - who
have struggled this season and sit fifth in the table -
cannot be dismissed following their victories over Chelsea
and United this season.
"We have beaten Chelsea and Manchester United this season,
but we have to remember Arsenal have done the same,"
Mascherano told Liverpool's official website.
"I think they play much better against the top teams and so
we know it will be a hard match. But if we play our football
and use our heads then we can win the game."
(Sky Sports)
Shields wins High Court battle
Michael Shields today won a vital High Court battle in his
bid for a free pardon.
Judges ruled that Justice Secretary Jack Straw did have the
"power and jurisdiction" to exercise a pardon to Shields,
even though the conviction took place abroad.
Mr Straw had previously insisted that he did not have to
power to free Michael.
Shields' Father, Michael, said: "Jack Straw is now the man
with the key to the door and I'm asking him to get my son
out.
"Everyone in this country knows Michael is innocent. He went
to Istanbul for the final and something terrible happened,
but someone else has admitted to this crime.
"We're just a normal family and we shouldn't be going
through this heartache."
Mr Straw will appoint senior counsel to advise him on his
decision, adding that the case needed to be looked at in
detail due to the implications it could have on cases of
other British prisoners abroad.
He said: "I will ensure this process is undertaken as
quickly as possible, and can assure Michael Shields and his
family that I will reach a decision on whether to recommend
granting a pardon as swiftly as is possible.
"While recognising the frustration of Michael Shields'
family and his campaign team, I am also duty bound to work
within the law."
(Shanklygates)
Lawro: Gerrard never said Keane was leaving
Mark Lawrenson has produced a laughable apology for his
claim that Robbie Keane will leave Liverpool in January,
insisting his comments were based on speculation - not
Steven Gerrard's insight.
Lawrenson claimed on radio that he did not like to
‘name-drop’, but Gerrard had ‘told him’ something might
happen with Keane in the January window.
Inevitably the BBC pundit’s comments have caused a reaction
and subsequent denial from Liverpool, and now Lawrenson
himself has attempted to retract his original comments.
He told the Liverpool Daily Post: “Steven Gerrard's name
should never have come up in terms of Robbie Keane going in
January. It wasn't Steven saying that, it was me saying it.
"The only connection I was making between the two was that
they have the same agent and I have had a hunch for a while
that Keane could go.
"But that is my opinion and nothing whatsoever to do with
any conversations I had with Steven Gerrard.
"I happened to mention I spoke to him on Saturday night but
I didn't mean for that to come across in the way that it has
been interpreted."
Lawrenson might also want to take a second look at his
prediction that Keane could head back to Spurs.
Premier League rules state a player cannot return to a club
within a one-year period, ruling Keane out of a winter
reunion at White Hart Lane.
(Setanta Sports)
Skrtel returns to full training
Liverpool have been boosted by the return of Martin Skrtel
to full training.
The Slovakian international has spent the last two months on
the sidelines after suffering a knee ligament injury in the
Reds’ 3-2 win at Man City.
Skrtel had been in outstanding form alongside Jamie
Carragher at the heart of Liverpool’s defence before injury
struck. In his absence, Daniel Agger and Sami Hyypia have
taken it in turns to fill in alongside Carragher with
neither able to hold down a regular starting place.
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is adamant that he needs four
top class centre backs to give him the competition for
places within his squad that he is looking for.
Though Skrtel is able to join in with training with the rest
of the squad he is unlikely to be considered for the trip to
Arsenal at the weekend, particularly as he is still to get
any competitive football under his belt.
A more likely date for his possible return is Boxing Day
when Liverpool face Bolton at Anfield.
(Liverpool Echo)
Arsenal are there
to be shot at
A year ago I would have been a bit wary of Liverpool getting
a result at Arsenal.
But this weekend I believe we can travel to London confident
of coming back with all three points.
On their day the Gunners can be a match for anyone. Like the
Reds they’ve already beaten Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and
Manchester United on their home ground this season and can’t
be underestimated.
But they have also suffered seven defeats in all
competitions this season. There are signs that they are
unsettled and there to be taken if we can get it right at
the Emirates.
(Tommy Smith - Liverpool Echo)
Juve want Babel and Agger
Juventus are being linked with a double swoop, according to
the Daily Mirror.
The paper is claiming that the Italian club want Ryan Babel
and
Daniel Agger.
(LFC Online) |
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TUESDAY 16 |
Liverpool deny Lawrenson's claims
that they plan to offload Keane
Liverpool have denied claims that Robbie Keane will be sold
in January after their former player turned television
pundit Mark Lawrenson cast doubt on the £20.3m striker's
Anfield future during an interview with an Irish radio
station.
Speaking on The Last Word on Today FM, Lawrenson said he
discussed Keane's predicament with Steven Gerrard after the
game and claimed the Liverpool captain suspects his
team-mate could be sold in the forthcoming transfer window.
"I hate to name drop," said Lawrenson, "but I was having a
drink with Gerrard on Saturday and we talked about Keane.
They share the same agent [Struan Marshall] and quite
honestly he thinks something is going to happen with Keane
in January. Sounds like he could be
moved on."
While Marshall declined to comment Liverpool last night
denied the pundit's version of events. A club spokesman
said: "Mark Lawrenson's remarks are his interpretation of a
private chat between the two of them. They do not accurately
reflect Steven's opinion of Robbie Keane and they certainly
do not tally with Steven's recollection of the conversation
itself."
(guardian.co.uk)
Benitez recovering after op
Rafael Benitez has returned home after a minor operation to
remove kidney stones and is expected to return to work
within a couple of days.
The Spaniard was admitted to hospital late on Sunday with
the problem but is expected to make a speedy recovery.
"The operation went well and Rafa is now back at home
continuing his recovery," a club spokesman said. "He is
expected to return to Melwood (training ground) within the
next 48 hours."
(TEAMtalk)
Reserves held by bottom club Hull
Liverpool Reserves are without a win in four games after a
goalless draw with bottom club Hull on Tuesday night.
Gary Ablett's national champions now hover marginally above
the relegation zone following a night of few chances at the
Halliwell Jones Stadium in Warrington.
Without a win in three games, Liverpool looked low on
confidence and short of ideas.
Liverpoolfc.tv man of the match: Dean Bouzanis.
Bouzanis, Darby, Insua, San Jose, Kelly, Plessis, Pacheco,
Spearing, Nemeth (Simon 66), Bruna, Weijl (Brouwer 73).
Subs not used: Hansen, Ayala, Huth.
(LFC Official Website)
Madrid launch Alonso raid?
According to FootyLatest.com, Real Madrid have launched a
raid on Anfield for midfield maestro Xabi Alonso.
(Kop TV)
Liverpool owe a debt
of gratitude to Carragher
Any player who scores an own goal is going to be
disappointed, particularly when that player is someone who
cares as much about the club as Jamie Carragher does.
There were a few people in the media who couldn’t wait to
have a pop at Carragher after he put through his own net
against Hull.
Some were all too happy to point out this isn’t the first
time he has scored an own goal but I look at it from another
perspective – how many goals does Carragher save Liverpool
every season by making last ditch interventions and getting
himself into the kind of positions where other defenders
would be too scared to go?
(Ian Rush - Liverpool Echo)
Babbel must quit
Stuttgart at end of season
Markus Babbel's future as VfB Stuttgart head coach has been
placed in doubt after the German FA said on Tuesday it would
only allow him to manage the Bundesliga side until the end
of the season.
The former Stuttgart assistant coach took over as team
manager last month after the sacking of Armin Veh but does
not have the qualifications to coach in Germany's top
division.
"Markus Babbel may only carry out the role of head coach at
VfB Stuttgart until the end of the 2008-9 season," the
German FA said in a statement.
"The decision to allow him to coach until then was taken on
account of the fact that he possesses a (lower level)
A-licence and was already part of the coaching staff at
Stuttgart.
"But any further extension has been ruled out."
(Reuters)
Ince sacked
Paul Ince has been sacked as Blackburn boss.
The former Liverpool captain has been sacked as manager of
Blackburn Rovers following a poor run of form. Rovers have
won only three Premiership games out of seventeen under
Ince.
(LFC Online)
Gerrard 'suggests
Keane could leave'
Steven Gerrard fears that Ireland international Robbie Keane
could very well leave Liverpool during the January transfer
window, according to former Reds legend Mark Lawrenson.
Keane has had a tough time at Anfield since he joined the
club from Tottenham over the summer - only scoring four
goals - and was left on the bench for the 2-2 draw with Hull
City over the weekend.
And Lawrenson, speaking on Today FM’s ‘The Last Word’, has
revealed that Gerrard told him that he expects a move to
materialise for the striker next month.
“I had a drink with Steve at a function on Saturday night,”
Lawrenson explained. “He said they share the same agent and
he thinks something’s going to happen with Robbie Keane in
January.
“It sounds like he might be moved on.”
The Reds have reportedly only paid a quarter of the transfer
fee due to Spurs for the player, which could facilitate a
return to White Hart Lane in the near future, Lawrenson
added.
However, Premier League rules forbid a player going back to
a club within 12 months of being transferred or having their
registration cancelled.
(Setanta Sports)
Thor Zakariassen
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