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SATURDAY 18 |
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Liverpool lowest in TV money stakes
Liverpool will be the poor relations of the English clubs in
the Champions League next season.
UEFA have decided that if all five English clubs qualify for
the group stage then the European champions will only get
10% of the £20million television money pot.
Barclays Premiership champions Chelsea will get 37.5%
(£7.5million), runners-up Arsenal 27.5% (£5.5million),
Manchester United and Everton 12.5% (£3.25million) each and
Liverpool £2million.
The formula was decided upon after UEFA decided to allow
Liverpool into the Champions League qualifying rounds
despite finishing in fifth place in the Premiership.
UEFA chief executive Lars-Christer Olsson said: "It has been
decided that Liverpool will be treated as the lowest-ranked
English team, but it will have an effect on the other
English teams."
Another £20million pot of TV money will be split between the
English clubs based on how many matches they each play in
the competition next season.
(Sporting Life)
Gerrard speculation rises in Madrid
The Spanish sports press has cranked up speculation that
Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard could be set for a
big-money move to Real Madrid.
Gerrard, whose profile in Europe has risen spectacularly
after leading Liverpool to victory in the Champions League
final, could be the latest 'galactico' for Real and their
big-spending president Florentino Perez.
The press believes negotiations are already under way
between the clubs.
(Sporting Life) |
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FRIDAY 17 |
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In-demand Partridge eyes Sky Blues
Coventry are leading a three-way race for the signature of
former Liverpool and Republic of Ireland Under-21 midfielder
Richie Partridge.
Partridge scored four goals in 31 appearances while on loan
at Highfield Road between September 2002 and April 2003.
But following his return to Anfield, the 24-year-old fell
out of favour and after just two substitute appearances in
Carling Cup encounters during 2004-05, he was released by
the Reds at the end of the season.
Now Partridge has revealed that Coventry, Norwich and Leeds
are all chasing his signature.
He told Liverpool's official website: "Coventry, Norwich and
Leeds are interested in me and if I had the choice, it would
be Coventry.
"I really enjoyed it there when I had a season-long loan."
(TEAMtalk)
Cologne chasing Henchoz
Stephane Henchoz could be ready to return to the Bundesliga
with newly-promoted Cologne keen to bring him back to
Germany.
Henchoz is looking for a new club after failing to earn a
new deal at Celtic.
The defender surprisingly failed to establish himself in
Glasgow following his move from Liverpool and has made no
secret of his desire to leave Parkhead over the summer
transfer period.
The 31-year-old admitted that he could be set to move back
to England, but also failed to rule out a switch to the
Rhein-Energie-Stadion.
“There is interest in me from England while Cologne remains
another opportunity," said Henchoz
"I am still thinking about my decision."
Cologne’s new boss Uwe Rapolder is reportedly keen on the
experienced defender as he aims to find a player able to
lead his young squad next season.
(Sky Sports)
Liverpool release Argentine Pellegrino
Argentine defender Mauricio Pellegrino has been released by
European champions Liverpool, the club said on Friday.
The 33-year-old centre half was signed on short-term deal
from manager Rafa Benitez's old club Valencia in January and
played 12 Premier League games for the club.
A substitute appearance for Valencia in the early rounds of
the Champions League made Pellegrino ineligible to take part
in Liverpool's triumphant European Cup campaign.
Pellegrino was twice on the losing side in a Champions
League final with Valencia but came on as late substitute
when the club won the UEFA Cup in 2004.
(Reuters)
Milito fancies Reds move
Real Zaragoza defender Gabriel Milito has demanded that his
move to Liverpool be sorted as soon as possible.
The 24-year-old has been a target of Rafa Benitez for some
time and is now keen for Liverpool come and get him.
However if Benitez does hesitate Barcelona and Manchester
United are also interested in the Argentine international.
Milto said: "If Liverpool make a concrete offer then it
would be very difficult to say no.
"I am happy at Zaragoza but it is not every day the
champions of Europe are interested in you.
"I have asked my club for a fast solution. They already know
my position and i do not want to spend my holidays with
doubts on where I will play next season."
(Football 365)
Stelios quiet on Reds link
Bolton midfielder Stelios Giannakopoulos has refused to
comment on reports in the Greek media linking him with a
move to Liverpool.
Speaking after Greece's disappointing 3-0 defeat to Brazil
in the Confederations Cup in Germany, Giannokopoulos sought
to play down speculation linking him with the Champions
League winners.
"I don't want to speak about that," said the 30-year-old.
Asked whether he expects to be back with the Trotters next
summer, he said: "I have one year of my contract left."
(TEAMtalk) |
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THURSDAY 16 |
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Fener deny Biscan interest
Turkish outfit Fenerbahce have denied an interest in
Liverpool midfielder Igor Biscan.
The Croatian seems certain to head out of Anfield in the
summer after failing to nail down a regular spot in Rafa
Benitez's first XI.
A host of clubs have been linked with the defensive-minded
midfielder and reports earlier in the week claimed Fener had
set their sights on the Croat.
The Turkish outfit have issued a swift riposte, saying they
are not interested in signing the midfielder.
"We repeat that we are not interested in Biscan and that we
will reveal real transfer news from our own official media
outlets," read a statement on the club's website.
With Fener seemingly out of the running for Biscan, the path
could be clear for their rivals Besiktas to push through a
deal with Liverpool.
(Sky Sports)
Baros to stay with Reds
Milan Baros is expected to stay at Liverpool despite being
strongly linked with a move away from Anfield.
The Czech striker's future has been the subject of intense
speculation in recent weeks with Lyon and Valencia both
lining up moves for the player.
Lyon boss Gerard Houllier has admitted he would be
interested in linking up with Baros again having signed him
while he was in charge at Liverpool.
Baros has also previously suggested that he might leave
Liverpool because he was frustrated at being constantly
substituted.
However, one of Baros' agents Dalibor Lacina revealed the
striker is now set to remain at Liverpool.
"Milan is now on holidays in Czech Republic and he doesn't
think it would be good to leave Liverpool now," Lacina told
Idnes.
"At Liverpool there is still a lot of euphoria after that
unexpected Champions League triumph, and also the club has
been awarded a place in next season's Champions League.
"So Baros prefers to stay at Liverpool these days.
(Sky Sports)
Reina: My first match at Anfield will be
very emotional
Jose Reina's agent may think his client hasn't found another
club yet but the way the Villarreal 'keeper is talking, he
can't wait to get on the first flight to Liverpool.
The 22-year-old has been on Rafa's wanted list for some time
and a transfer has looked nailed on for months. However,
Arsenal appeared as possible late contenders recently
sparking fears that they could hijack his proposed transfer
to Anfield. Reina though is making it no secret where he
wants his future to be despite the distractions.
"It will be a great boost to my career," said Reina. "A new
challenge is a boost for any player. My three seasons in
Villarreal have been magnificent in every sense. I have
grown very fond of Villarreal and I'm also sad to leave.
"This is an enormous opportunity. To come to the Champions
of Europe with the history of Liverpool is not easy. But I
will answer these questions with a positive response.
"I know British stadiums from my time with Barcelona and
Villarreal. The atmospheres are phenomenal and incredible.
My first match at Anfield will be very emotional.
"Benitez is an excellent coach and I'm convinced that the
club's Spanish players do not get special privileges. It
will be terrific to play alongside Xabi Alonso and Luis
Garcia."
(Kop Talk)
No verdict in Kewell case
The jury in Harry Kewell's libel action against TV pundit
Gary Lineker has been discharged after failing to reach a
verdict on Thursday.
Kewell, who is in Portugal receiving medical treatment for a
groin injury, was not at London's High Court for the
outcome.
The panel of six men and six women had been deliberating for
just over six hours on whether the Match Of The Day
anchorman had defamed the 26-year-old Liverpool star in a
July 2003 Sunday Telegraph column about his controversial
transfer from Leeds.
After hearing that they could not reach a decision on which
at least 10 of them were agreed, Mr Justice Eady said: "The
only step I can take is to discharge you from giving a
verdict in this case."
It is now up to Kewell to decide whether to go for a
retrial.
There was no immediate comment from Kewell's lawyers.
(TEAMtalk)
Stevie: Reds are all set to talk
Liverpool are ready to open discussions with Steven Gerrard
over a new contract.
Reds' chief executive Rick Parry said today the club shared
their skipper's desire to have his future resolved before
the start of the season.
And he hopes all parties will sit down imminently.
"We're not going to put a timescale on talks," said Parry
"but, like Steve, we would like the situation resolved
sooner rather than later.
"We hope to be talking in the very near future."
Earlier this week, Gerrard paved the way for an extension to
his existing deal by saying: "The ball is in Liverpool's
court.
"I'm ready to talk and waiting for them to give me the nod
where and when myself and my advisers need to be.
"I don't know how long those talks will go on. But the
sooner they start the better because I want my future sorted
out before the start of the season."
(Liverpool Echo)
Frustrated Benitez to step up chase for
Kuyt
Rafael Benitez will step up his attempts to bring Feyenoord
striker Dirk Kuyt to Anfield as he looks to relieve a
frustrating summer in the transfer market so far.
The Liverpool manager is finding it difficult to make any
headway as he plans an overhaul of his side in time for the
new season, with his transfer kitty of around £20million
allowing little room for manouervre.
He has, however, made the 24-year-old Kuyt his number one
target - but only if he can force Feyenoord down from their
current £10m valuation to around £7-8m.
(Daily Post)
Reds forced to cancel Japan tour
Liverpool have cancelled their pre-season tour to
Japan, so they can defend their Champions League crown.
The Reds did not qualify for the competition after finishing
fifth in the Premiership but Uefa has allowed them in as the
European Cup holders.
But Liverpool will have to start out at the first round
qualifying stage which starts on 12/13 July.
Reds chief executive Rick Parry said: "We've explored ways
to fulfil our commitment but had to cancel."
The Anfield club were due to play against the J-League's
Shimizu S-Pulse on 27 July and Kashima on 30 July.
Parry added: "We would like to express our sincere regret to
all Japanese fans who would have enjoyed seeing the matches.
We look forward to being able to visit Japan as soon as
possible."
(BBC Sport Online)
Benitez keeps cool over Valencia court
case
Liverpool coach Rafael Benitez remains calm in spite of the
ongoing legal battle with his former club Valencia.
Benitez, who led Liverpool to the Champions League title
last month, was sued by the Spanish club for breach of
contract after moving to Anfield in the summer of 2004 with
one year left on his contract with La Liga side.
Earlier this week, Valencia postponed the trial set to begin
on June 13 until February 2006.
"The lawsuit was filed by Valencia and not by us," said
Benitez. "They are the ones who have wanted to change the
date and we are in no hurry."
"I get tributes in Almendralejo, Tenerife and Parla (where
he coached previously) and yet in Valencia, where I have won
more titles and I have left a lasting impression, I have to
go back there to deal with a lawsuit," he said..
The Madrid-born coach has reiterated that he always intended
to compensate Valencia.
Benitez says not even the appointment of new Valencia
president Juan Soler, who took over the hot-seat following
the resignation of president Jaime Orti last October, has
helped to bring about an end to the dispute.
"He (Soler) doesn't know how to stop it," admitted Benitez.
"He has been over-come by this situation. Both lawyers have
spoken to each other and it appeared things were speeding up
but they don't know how to find a way out."
(Daily Post)
Rafa: Cisse and Nando will fire next
season
Rafael Benitez is expecting an avalanche of goals from
striking duo Djibril Cisse and Fernando Morientes next
season.
With speculation rife that the Liverpool manager is
preparing to bring another forward to the club, the pressure
will be on the club's current crop of strikers to hit the
ground running from the first game of the new campaign.
Cisse missed most of last season with a broken leg while
Morientes took time to reach full fitness after moving to
Anfield in the January transfer window.
With a full pre-season behind them, Benitez is expecting a
substantial goals return from both players this time around.
He said: "Cisse is a quick player. We need to see that when
he is fit, and that hopefully will be next season.
"Morientes has not really been fit either because he went
six months without playing at Real Madrid. But we have
confidence in him because he is a skilful player, who is
good in the air.
"Here in England it is more physical, and he needs to
improve his physical level, but we will see the best of
Fernando next season."
(LFC Official Website)
Reds join Miguel chase
Liverpool are reported to have joined the long
list of clubs chasing Benfica's highly-rated full back
Miguel.
The Portugal international right back is rated in the £4-5
million bracket and has been linked with the likes of Real
Madrid, Internazionale, Juventus, CSKA Moscow and Newcastle
in the past.
Benitez is believed to view the pacey defender as an
excellent addition to his UEFA Champions League winning
squad, but is sure to face fierce competition if he does
firm up his interest.
(Planet Football/Sky Sports)
Diouf deal done
Bolton Wanderers have wrapped up the signing of El Hadji
Diouf on a permanent basis from Liverpool.
The Senegal international enjoyed a productive past campaign
on loan at The Reebok Stadium after failing to make an
impact at Anfield.
Diouf scored nine goals for The Trotters and Bolton boss Sam
Allardyce has been anxious to retain the 24-year-old.
The Uefa Cup entrants have now finally closed the deal after
paying an undisclosed fee to Liverpool, who stumped up £10
million to lure Diouf from Lens in 2002.
The oft-controversial Diouf has penned a four-year contract
with Bolton and is delighted the deal has been completed to
end his Liverpool misery.
(Planet Football/Sky Sports)
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Thor Zakariassen
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