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FRIDAY 18 |
Rafa calls for Anfield unity
As the dust settles on another turbulent week at Liverpool,
manager Rafael Benitez has expressed his gratitude to his
team and the club's fans for their support.
Martin O'Neill brings his emerging Aston Villa side to
Anfield on Monday for a match that could blow the race for
fourth spot in the Barclays Premier League wide open.
It would be easy for Liverpool's players to become
distracted by the turmoil all around them, but it has
probably not gone unnoticed on the other side of the
Atlantic that four of the club's most senior players have
spoken out against the way their manager has been treated.
Now Benitez, choosing his words very carefully for fear of
upsetting Hicks and Gillett again, said: "The team needs to
talk on the pitch. And it is important for me to do the best
for my club also.
"It is simple. We try to win and we prepare the best way we
can, all
the time.
"There was unity (on Tuesday), the team showed they were
working together in the cup win. That is the key if you want
to change things and keep people talking about football, we
must score goals and win games."
(PA Sport)
Skrtel to feature next week
Martin Skrtel is set to get his first taste of English
football next week.
Rafa Benitez is considering using the Slovak against Aston
Villa on Monday. However, if the defender does not feature
he may be thrown into the reserve clash against Wigan on
Tuesday.
Benitez said: "I am really pleased with him and am thinking
about using him now. He can be available against Villa, in
the cup or maybe in the reserve game.
"He is one of the options for Monday."
Meanwhile, Daniel Agger is Liverpool's only injury concern
ahead of
the Villa fixture.
(LFC Official Website)
Diomede hangs up his boots
Former France midfielder Bernard Diomede has announced his
retirement after being without a club for the past 18
months.
Diomede, who made three appearances for Les Bleus as France
claimed the World Cup in 1998, has been searching for a new
club since leaving Clermont Foot in June 2006 but has now
decided to call it a day.
The 33-year-old started his career at Auxerre - where he won
the domestic league and cup double in 1996 - before an
unproductive spell at English giants Liverpool and stints at
Ajaccio and US Creteil.
(TEAMtalk)
Craig Lindfield's Chester City switch
Liverpool striker Craig Lindfield is expected to join
Chester City on loan and could be in the squad for
tomorrow's trip to Notts County.
Lindfield, who trained with City yesterday, was an integral
member of the successful Reds squad that won the FA Youth
Cup last season.
He spent a month on loan with Notts County last year,
scoring one goal in four appearances.
City owner Stephen Vaughan said: “We are still very close to
our salary cap threshold but if we can iron out one or two
issues surrounding that situation we will complete the
formalities of Craig’s temporary transfer prior to the game
against Notts County.
“Liverpool have been extremely helpful over the matter and I
would like to thank them for their assistance.”
The 19-year-old Ellesmere Port- based forward will link up
with former Liverpool players John Welsh and Ritchie
Partridge.
(Liverpool Echo)
Gerrard makes UEFA dream team
Steven Gerrard has received yet another glowing accolade
with the news that he has been voted into UEFA.com users'
team of 2007.
The Reds skipper was named alongside AC Milan's Kaka at the
heart of the midfield and finished well clear of
second-placed Andrea Pirlo in his respective category.
It seems Gerrard's ability to produce the goods when it most
matters has not gone unnoticed by Europe's legions of
football fans, with the all-action midielder receiving more
votes as captain than any other player, with 40,000.
The team in full: Casillas, Alves, Abidal, Nesta, Terry,
Gerrard, Kaka, Seedorf, Ronaldo, Drogba, Ibrahimovic. Coach:
Alex Ferguson
(LFC Official Website)
Barry: Villa mustn't underestimate Crouch
Aston Villa skipper Gareth Barry has warned his teammates to
pay special attention to Peter Crouch on Monday night.
Aston Villa travel to Liverpool for this weekend's Monday
night game, but while all eyes will be on Steven Gerrard and
Fernando Torres, skipper Gareth Barry believes Villa should
also keep watch out for former teammate Peter Crouch.
"He is definitely capable of causing any defence a problem
because of his size but there's more to his game than that,"
Barry told Villa’s
official website.
(Goal.com)
Riise calls for Rafa respect
Liverpool's John Arne Riise believes manager Rafa Benitez
should be treated with more respect by the club's American
owners.
The Spaniard's position has been the source of much
speculation recently after clashing last month over the
club's transfer policy in January.
The storm then calmed somewhat before it was confirmed Tom
Hicks and George Gillett met with Jurgen Klinsmann about the
Reds' manager's role.
Riise is surprised by all the talk and thinks Benitez's
impressive trophy haul during his time with the club should
speak for itself.
"We don't know what the owners are thinking," admitted
Riise. "But remember Benitez has given this club many
trophies.
"He has won the Champions League, the FA Cup, the Community
Shield and the Super Cup and has reached another Champions
League final, so he deserves to be treated with more
respect.
"It's a shame that he has to go through this."
(Sky Sports)
Molby: Home form is the key
Kop hero Jan Molby wants Liverpool to make Anfield a
fortress again.
With some big away trips to Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester
United scheduled, Molby believes the key to where Liverpool
will finish in the league will be their home form.
The likes of Birmingham City and Wigan Athletic have all
left Anfield with a draw this season and the Reds have also
dropped points against the big three in Chelsea, Arsenal and
Manchester United.
Aston Villa come to Anfield on Monday level on points with
the Reds and Molby says it's time for Liverpool to start
showing their true colours on home turf.
"You almost feel every home game needs to be won now right
through until the end of the season," said Molby.
(LFC Official Website)
Fairclough wants DIC bid
Former Liverpool striker David Fairclough has hinted that he
would support the sale of the club by co-owners George
Gillett and Tom Hicks.
With the American co-owners coming under pressure from
supporters for the equivocal backing of manager Rafael
Benitez, Fairclough suggests that a DIC bid would be
welcomed.
“I think that the DIC bid may be a better option, but it is
all speculation,” Fairclough told Setanta Sports News.
“They have a lot of wealth, and anybody who has control of
Liverpool needs a huge reserve. The stadium needs to be
built, as Liverpool need to get to a bigger facility."
(Setanta Sports) |
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THURSDAY 17 |
Hicks denies Anfield exit plan
Tom Hicks' spokesman insists the Liverpool co-owner has no
intention of selling his Reds stake to Dubai International
Capital or anyone else.
A year ago this month, DIC were stunned by the last-minute
failure of their bid to take control of the club but it is
believed they are now set to try to buy Hicks' 50% stake in
Anfield.
And on Thursday, DIC made no attempt to play down
speculation when their spokesman said: "We do not comment on
such things, we have nothing to say on this."
However, a spokesman for Hicks dismissed the reports,
saying: "Mr Tom Hicks and Mr George Gillett remain fully
committed to the club.
"Any suggestion that Messrs Hicks and Gillett are
contemplating a sale of the club or any portion thereof to
DIC or anyone else is categorically untrue."
(TEAMtalk)
Liverpool FC deal soon, amount may change
The keenly awaited refinancing of British soccer club
Liverpool FC is set to be closed before the end of February,
a source familiar with the deal said on Thursday.
The 300 million pound ($589 million) debt refinancing,
expected to be completed by the end of November, has been
delayed amid turmoil in
the credit markets.
Banks, facing multi-billion pound losses linked to the U.S.
sub-prime crisis, have tightened up lending, or are charging
more to assume risk.
The deal will go ahead, although it may not include an
additional amount, of about 40 million pounds, earmarked for
the start of building a new stadium, the source said.
Liverpool's debt facility with Royal Bank of Scotland, taken
out by U.S. billionaires Tom Hicks and George Gillett to
acquire the club, expires
in February.
Wachovia Corp, the fourth-largest U.S. bank, is arranging
the refinancing
(Reuters)
Fans in fear as future of Liverpool on knife edge
During an exhaustive search for investment in Liverpool
Football Club Reds chief executive Rick Parry spoke of the
need for any deal to be absolutely right.
“You can only sell the family silver once,” he famously
remarked.
Today Liverpool are facing up to the previously unimaginable
possibility of half of the family silver being sold for the
second time in less than a year – if Tom Hicks is willing to
sell.
The fact Liverpool fans displayed their displeasure with the
way the club is being run by the American pair at Anfield on
Tuesday night did not go unnoticed in Dubai.
Banners unfurled on the Kop during the FA Cup tie against
Luton Town sent an SOS to DIC and there were several
negative chants directed at Hicks and Gillett.
It could be that, like his fellow countryman, Man United
owner Malcolm Glazer, Hicks is prepared to ride out any
storm of controversy whipped up by unsettled fans.
But as a businessman of international repute, he will also
be aware such naked negativity from his customers is not
sustainable in the long term.
Liverpool’s very future is today on a knife edge.
(Liverpool Echo)
Carragher: We're responsible
Jamie Carragher believes the uncertainty surrounding Rafael
Benitez's future is no excuse for their unconvincing form.
Liverpool have picked up just two wins in their previous
seven Premier League fixtures, despite being strongly tipped
to challenge for the title this season.
There have been suggestions that the lack of stability
behind the scenes at the club might be having an affect on
the side's results.
But Carragher has strongly denied that this is the case,
explaining that the players' must take responsibility for
the team's drop in form.
"I think this is just an excuse - as it was at the start of
the season to point to assistant boss Pako Ayesteran leaving
when we were poor," he said.
"The last nine or 10 games haven't been good enough.
"We are all aware of what is going on but all we can do as
players is concentrate on doing it on the pitch.
"Anything that goes on off it is nothing to do with us. I
know some people say what happens off the pitch affects
players - but it doesn't affect me. Why should it?
"I am paid to play. Your wages are still coming in, you are
still playing for Liverpool, so I don't know why it should
affect players."
(Sky Sports)
Dubai to make Liverpool FC bid
Dubai International Capital is ready to make an offer for
Tom Hicks’s stake in Liverpool FC.
The ECHO understands senior executives at the Dubai-based
international investment company were given the go-ahead by
Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum to launch a second bid to buy
into Liverpool in a year.
An offer has been agreed in principle.
Co-owners Hicks and Gillett are edging closer to clinching
a refinancing deal.
But DIC are hoping to make a move before any deal is
completed.
(Liverpool Echo)
Kop trip is 'priceless' for Hawks
Havant and Waterlooville skipper Jamie Collins says he
cannot wait to lead his side out against Liverpool in their
fourth round FA Cup tie.
The Conference South side beat League One leaders Swansea
City 4-2 on Wednesday to set up a trip to Anfield.
"All the lads have been talking about is walking out in
front of the Kop, with 40,000 singing 'You'll Never Walk
Alone'," Collins told
BBC Radio Solent.
"All the money in the world couldn't buy that feeling," he
added.
Collins added: "Our motivation was that Swansea kept calling
us a pub side. We wanted to come out and prove that we don't
just come and kick teams.
"We come out and try and play football, we try and play the
right way, and I think in large spells of the game we
outplayed them."
(BBC Sport Online)
Date set for West Ham Anfield clash
Liverpool have announced the date for their outstanding home
fixture against West Ham United at Anfield.
The game - postponed from earlier in the season because of
the Reds' participation in the qualifying round of the
Champions League - will take place on Wednesday March 5,
2008.
(LFC Official Website)
Fowler out for season
Former Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler has played his last
game for Cardiff City this season after his hip injury
proved to be more serious than was initially thought.
The 32-year-old moved to Ninian Park last summer and has
scored six times in 16 appearances for the Bluebirds but was
forced to fly to Colorado to undergo minor surgery.
Former Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler has played his last
game for Cardiff City this season after his hip injury
proved to be more serious than was initially thought.
However, new damage was discovered when the operation began
and a 'micro-fracture' of the hip bone was needed to cure
the damage.
A source close to the player told the South Wales Echo:
"When Robbie suffered an ankle injury in training it was
felt it was the right time to have his hip sorted out with
surgery.
"He would have been back playing in a few weeks, but the
surgeon discovered new damage.
"It means Robbie is out for the rest of this season, but he
wants to come back."
(Football UK)
Owners' dispute eclipses Liverpool's new deal
Liverpool's American owners are edging closer to clinching a
breakthrough refinancing deal with banks despite growing
tensions between the club's joint chairmen Tom Hicks and
George Gillett.
According to City sources, a £350 million deal with the
Royal Bank of Scotland and American investment bank Wachovia
could be announced early next week. It is understood lawyers
for both sides are now working through the fine print of the
funding package which, if confirmed, will come six weeks
before an existing one-year loan used to finance the
American takeover expires. Once concluded the Americans hope
the deal will restore a sense of calm to Anfield after a
period of extraordinary instability.
But the Daily Telegraph has learned that there remains deep
uncertainty about the relationship between Hicks and
Gillett, the two US sports entrepreneurs who bought
Liverpool in a £220 million deal last February. And even if
the refinancing deal is confirmed, insiders are worried
about how much longer the partnership will last.
(Telegraph.co.uk) |
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WEDNESDAY 16 |
Reds to face non-league opposition
Liverpool will play Havant and Waterlooville in the next
round of
the FA Cup.
The Conference South side have beaten League One leaders
Swansea
4-2 in their 3rd round replay and will be looking forward to
facing Rafa Benitez's men.
(LFC Online)
Keegan returns to Newcastle
Kop legend Kevin Keegan has been appointed manager of
Newcastle United for the second time.
He succeeds Sam Allardyce at St James' Park.
During his first spell in charge of Newcastle from 1992
until 1997, Keegan was involved in one of the Premier
League's best ever matches when Liverpool beat the Toon 4-3
at Anfield in April 1996.
Keegan is set for a return to Anfield with Newcastle on
Saturday, March. (LFC Official Website)
Gerrard reveals Rafa plea
Steven Gerrard has revealed how he owed the third goal that
completed his hat-trick against Luton Town last night to
Rafael Benitez.
Benitez was ready to substitute the midfielder with
Liverpool 4-0 up and the game over, but Gerrard begged the
manager to allow him five more minutes on the field to try
and claim his second treble of his Reds' career.
It duly arrived and Benitez immediately replaced Gerrard
with Brazilian youngster Lucas Levia.
"The manager called me over and said he was about to take me
off," Gerrard said today. "I pleaded with him to give me
five minutes more because I wanted to get my hat-trick.
"I'm made up he let me because it's always nice to get three
goals."
(Shankly Gates)
Reds trial Rochdale starlet
Liverpool have offered Rochdale starlet Matt Hughes a trial
ahead of a potentially permanent transfer.
The 15-year-old defender has been pushed through Rochdale's
Centre of Excellence after impressing at youth team level
and he will now be offered the chance to impress Liverpool
manager Rafa Benitez.
And Rochdale assistant boss Dave Flitcroft has admitted his
delight at seeing Hughes have the opportunity to display his
ability with Liverpool.
"Everyone at the club knows the importance of youth
development," Flitcroft told Rochdale's official website.
"And we are constantly striving for improvement.
"As for Matty himself, I could not be more pleased. Out of
adversity in a reserve match when he came on from the bench
we have seen him grow.
"The big thing was the way that the other players really
took to him and embraced him.
"He has great leadership qualities and a fantastic attitude
and I can honestly say that I have never seen a young player
so focused.
"To see a story like this unfold in front of your eyes is
fantastic. I feel sure Matty is going to be a real player
who goes on to play at a very high level."
(Sky Sports)
Babel buoyed by super Stevie
Ryan Babel praised the performance of Steven Gerrard after
the talismanic midfielder hit a hat-trick to inspire
Liverpool to an emphatic FA Cup victory over Luton Town.
The Dutch starlet admits nothing the skipper does can
surprise him anymore after he hit the second treble of his
Reds career to take his tally to 15 goals for the season.
"It's almost normal that Stevie gives a performance like
that," he told Liverpoolfc.tv.
"He took his goals very well and it is obvious that he is a
really important player for us."
(LFC Official Website)
Benitez focuses on victory
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez refused to be drawn over his
future with the club, after watching the Reds beat Luton
Town 5-0 in an FA Cup third round replay at Anfield.
Benitez told Sky Sports: "We weren't really thinking about
it because we know it's important to progress in the FA Cup.
"I was not thinking too much about this, I was thinking
about the game. I'm really happy because we won 5-0 and
progressed in the competition."
(Football UK)
Gerrard happy to hit right headlines
Steven Gerrard admits Liverpool must ensure they command the
headlines for the right reasons after helping the Anfield
outfit into the fourth round of the FA Cup last night.
“A lot was said in the media about the club so it was
important that the headlines were about the football and a
good win,” said Gerrard, who now has 15 goals for the
season.
(Liverpool Daily Post)
Thor Zakariassen
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