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WEDNESDAY 18 |
Riise completes Roma move
John Arne Riise has completed his move from Liverpool to
Roma, with the Serie A giants declaring that he has signed
on a four-year deal.
The versatile left-sided Norwegian will join Luciano
Spalletti’s side after falling out of favour at Anfield
after seven years on Merseyside.
Riise, who has joined The Giallorossi for just under
£4million, made over 300 appearances under Rafael Benitez
and previously Gerard Houllier at Liverpool after signing
from Monaco. However, the emergence of Brazilian Fabio
Aurelio saw his chances become more limited on the left in
his final season on Merseyside.
A statement from the Italian side read: "AS Roma announce
they have reached an agreement with Liverpool Football Club
for the acquisition of the sporting rights of the player
John Arne Riise with effect from
July 1 2008."
Liverpool's Premier League rivals Aston Villa and Newcastle
United had also been linked with the player.
(Setanta Sports)
Taylor explains Reds snub
Birmingham goalkeeper Maik Taylor admits he gave
'serious consideration' to accepting interest from Liverpool
before agreeing a new two-year deal at St Andrews.
The Northern Ireland international has confirmed reports
that Rafa Benitez showed strong interest in his services as
the Liverpool manager searches for reliable back-up to Jose
Reina.
However, with Scott Carson returning to Anfield following
his loan spell with Aston Villa, Taylor insists he always
wanted to stay with Championship outfit Birmingham in order
to secure regular
first-team football.
"With an offer on the table from the club (Birmingham), it
was always going to be the case that I would stay really,"
Taylor told
the Blues' official website.
"It was flattering that Liverpool showed a lot of interest
and of course I gave it serious consideration.
"Liverpool could offer the UEFA Champions League and
everything else, but it would have been a situation as a
No.2 and a year's contract as well.
"Scott Carson has gone back there now as well. There was
talk of him going to Villa after his loan, but that has not
materialised.
"I still have a big desire to play and, as long as I keep my
form and fitness, that's more likely here (Birmingham)."
(Sky Sports)
Villa not a Liverpool FC target
Euro 2008 top scorer David Villa is not on Liverpool’s
transfer hit list
this summer.
And the Valencia striker has even moved to dampen
speculation himself.
The four-goal leading marksman at the European Championships
was recently quoted as saying he held an ‘attraction’ for
both Liverpool and Chelsea.
But the Spanish striker clarified his comments last night.
“I have heard that I am supposed to have said that I would
prefer to go to Liverpool to play next season or that I want
Chelsea to be my next team,” he said.
“I have not said anything like that. My club insists I am
not for sale and, believe me, I am totally focused on the
European Championships.
“As far as I know, nobody from Liverpool has been in touch,
but in any case my future is not something I have in my mind
at the moment. I do not understand why people put words in
my mouth.
“I always say the same thing. Nobody from Valencia has told
me that I am for sale. In any case, I am not at all worried
about that at the moment."
(Liverpool Daily Post)
Reds confirm friendly in Berlin
Liverpool have today confirmed they will round-off their
pre-season training camp with a friendly against Hertha
Berlin.
The game, which will be staged in the German capital's
Olympic Stadium, will take place on Tuesday July 22, 2008,
with a 7.45pm kick-off
(local time).
"We are delighted to be playing a game against Hertha Berlin
as part of our pre-season training camp," said manager
Rafael Benitez.
"We always like to play against good quality opposition as
these games form a vital part of our preparations for the
new season."
The Reds have already confirmed games against FC Lucerne in
Grenchen on July 16, Wisla Krakow in Friborg (July 19) and
Villarreal in Spain (July 30) as part of their pre-season
programme.
(LFC Official Website)
Kuyt delight as Dutch cruise
Liverpool’s Dirk Kuyt came on as a 61st minute substitute
during
Holland’s 2-0 victory over Romania last night at Euro 2008.
Kuyt came on for Real Madrid winger Arjen Robben to help the
Dutch to their third consecutive victory of the tournament,
ensuring they finished Group C with maximum points.
Ajax’s Klaas Jan Huntelaar and Arsenal’s Robin van Persie
got the goals for the Netherlands, both in the second half.
Italy’s 2-0 victory over lacklustre France means they follow
Holland through to the quarter-final stages of the
competition, where they will face Fernando Torres‘ Spain.
Today’s final round of group fixtures sees Spain take on
Greece in
a meaningless group finale, but the winner of Sweden vs
Russia will play Holland at the quarter-final stage.
(This is Anfield) |
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TUESDAY 17 |
Reds announce two friendly fixtures
Liverpool have announced two friendly matches they will
play as part of their training camp in Switzerland ahead of
the build-up to
the 2008/2009 season.
Rafael Benitez's side will kick-off their annual pre-season
visit to
the country with a match against FC Lucerne on July 16
before taking
on Polish side Wisla Krakow three days later.
Liverpool's pre-season fixture schedule for Switzerland:
Wednesday July 16. v. FC Lucerne at Grenchen (Switzerland,
Bruehl-Stadium) kick-off 7.35pm CET
Saturday July 19. v. Wisla Krakow at Fribourg (Switzerland,
St-Leonard-Stadium) kick-off 6pm CET
(LFC Official Website)
Reds: Torres going nowhere
Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks has insisted that the club
would not accept an offer for star striker Fernando Torres,
no matter what the fee.
Recent press reports have claimed that new Chelsea boss Luiz
Felipe Scolari is lining up a colossal bid of £50million for
the Spain
international's services.
Liverpool have been quick to quell the rumours, with chief
executive Rick Parry dismissing the speculation outright.
Torres then expressed his commitment to the club he joined
from Atletico Madrid last summer for a fee in the region of
£20million.
However, rumours of an offer from Chelsea have continued to
rumble on, with reports suggesting that the Stamford Bridge
club could be set to test The Reds' resolve with a formal
approach.
But Hicks has spoken publicly in a bid to finally dispel the
lingering speculation, insisting that Torres, 24, is
invaluable.
"There is no price at which we would consider selling
Fernando Torres," said Hicks in the Liverpool Echo.
"The Chelsea rumours in the media are total rubbish."
(Sporting Life)
Riise to join Roma by end of week
According to reports in England and Italy, Liverpool's John
Arne Riise could be a Roma player by the end of this week.
(Goal.com) |
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MONDAY 16 |
Riise hopes Reds don't ruin Roma move
John Arne Riise is hopeful Liverpool will drop their asking
price so that he can join Italian giants Roma.
The Norway international has spoken for the first time of
his intention to leave Anfield in order to find ‘new
challenges’.
Roma boss Luciano Spalletti recently confirmed his interest
in the left back, saying Riise 'can give a different
dimension’, and ‘Riise has the qualities we are looking
for’.
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez confessed at the end of last
season that he would allow Riise to end his seven-year stay
if ‘the right price’ was offered.
That price appears to be £5 million, but Riise hopes The
Reds will compromise in order to facilitate his switch to
Serie A.
“That was nice what was said by the coach (Spalletti), but
this is only something I have heard from media reports,” the
powerful full back
told VG.
“I have only one year of my contract left, so the price is
lower than a year ago - 50 million Norwegain kroner seems a
little high for me.
“I need to play and need to be in a team where I can become
better, because I know I can become better.
“When you change club, you get a kick-start and a set of
new challenges.”
(Setanta Sports)
Reds start against Black Cats
Liverpool face a trip to Sunderland on the opening day
of the 2008-09 Premier League season.
Rafa Benitez's side could not sustain a title challenge last
season and will be hoping to make a fast start against the
Black Cats.
They face more North East opposition in their first home
game as they welcome Middlesbrough to Anfield on 23rd
August.
Liverpool will have an early chance to test their
credentials as they play defending champions Manchester
United on 13th September, while they meet local rivals
Everton at Goodison Park two weeks later.
The home game against Everton is on 17th January, shortly
after a festive period that includes clashes with Arsenal,
Bolton and Newcastle.
Liverpool meet West Brom on the penultimate weekend of the
season before ending their campaign at home to Tottenham.
(Sky Sports)
Crouch to join Pompey
Peter Crouch is set to sign for Portsmouth.
(LFC Online)
Barry move closer
Liverpool have moved a step closer to signing Gareth Barry.
(LFC Online)
Masch subbed in Argentina draw
Javier Mascherano was in action for Argentina last night as
his country were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Ecuador in
the South American World Cup qualifiers.
The Reds star was in typically robust form at the heart of
the midfield until he was replaced by Julio Cruz on 64
minutes after picking up a knock in
a clash with an Ecuadorian defender.
However, Coach Alfio Basile insisted it was not a serious
problem for
the diminutive midfielder.
"Mascherano was hit in his knee," he said. "It hurts a lot,
but according
to the doctor is not serious," he said
Ecuador had looked set to record a shock 1-0 win in the
Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires until Rodrigo Palacio
struck an equaliser four minutes into added time to rescue a
point.
It leaves Argentina three points adrift of leaders Paraguay
ahead of Wednesday's massive match away to Brazil.
(LFC Official Website)
Thor Zakariassen
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