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THURSDAY 18 |
Xabi keeping tight-lipped on future
Xabi Alonso has refused to be drawn on his future, prompting
further questions about where he will be playing next
season.
The Spain midfielder was asked a direct question following
Wednesday’s Confederations Cup clash with Iraq as to whether
he would be disappointed if he remained at Anfield after the
summer.
But in what could be interpreted as an ominous sign for Reds
fans he replied: “I cannot answer that. I have already said
everything.”
Alonso has been linked with a return to his homeland with
big-spending Real Madrid openly admitting they were keen to
recruit the playmaker.
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez, however, has insisted that the
Spaniard is not for sale at any price, prompting Madrid’s
sporting director Jorge Valdano to admit they had given up
the chase.
But the midfielder claimed lingering doubts about the future
of many of Spain’s stars was not affecting their football.
"All we can do is train as normal,” he added in AS. "It is
not something that we talk too much about. Everyone has
their future to think about, but it does not create tension
or nervousness in the group. We are very focused on our
goal. "
Spanish super agent Ernesto Bronzetti added fuel to the fire
regarding Xabi Alonso's future by claiming the Madrid side
were on the verge of completing a deal for the midfielder.
Bronzetti claimed Madrid would not be moving for Roma's
Daniele de Rossi, having already wrapped up a move for
Alonso.
"Real are about to formalise a deal for Alonso from
Liverpool and have no intention of taking De Rossi," he told
ilromanista.it.
(Setanta Sports)
Moores resigns from Liverpool Board
Former Liverpool chairman David Moores has resigned from the
club’s Board of Directors, it was announced today.
Moores sold the club to American tycoons Tom Hicks and
George Gillett in February 2007 with the help of chief
executive Rick Parry, who also leaves the club this summer.
Moores’ reasons for leaving is unknown but he has in the
past admitted he felt “heartbroken and let down” by the
owners. He became Liverpool chairman in 1991.
Moores will retain his position at Liverpool FC as Honorary
Life President.
(This is Anfield)
Reds announce new coach
Liverpool have announced the appointment of Antonio Gomez
Perez to their backroom staff as reserve team coach.
Gomez will work alongside the newly appointed reserve team
manager John McMahon.
Not to be confused with the Antonio Gomez who was previously
part of the coaching staff before moving to Sunderland,
Gomez is a former Real Madrid player.
Born on August 1, 1973, in Madrid, Gomez spent 10 years with
Real where he played for their youth team under the command
of Rafa Benitez.
After making his senior debut in 1994, he subsequently
played for Sevilla and later Albacete Balompie and Toledo
before injury finished his career
in 2004.
(LFC Official Website)
Arbeloa flattered by Real link
Liverpool defender Alvaro Arbeloa has admitted he would
consider a return to Spain as speculation mounts that Glen
Johnson is on is way to Anfield.
The 26-year-old Spain international has been linked with a
return to former club Real Madrid, with Portsmouth
right-back Johnson tipped for a £17million switch to
Merseyside.
Arbeloa, currently on international duty at the
Confederations Cup, told El Mundo: "I am happy at Liverpool,
but I have something to prove in Spain as I did not show my
best form in La Liga. One day, I'm sure I will return.
"It is always nice to be linked to big teams - even to this
Madrid side in a time of transition. They are working hard
to build a great team.
"I have one more year remaining on my Liverpool deal, but
anything
can happen.
"A contract renewal is in the air. I am contracted for one
more year, but if Liverpool get an offer, they will consider
it. It is all in the hands of
my agent."
(Sporting Life)
Report: Barca chase Mascherano
European champions Barcelona are hot on the trail of
Liverpool's Argentine international midfielder Javier
Mascherano, Catalan sports daily Sport reported Thursday.
Mascherano has been dubbed unsellable by the Reds' Spanish
coach Rafael Benitez, who says he would not even sell the
player for
60 million euros.
(AFP)
Reina: I'd swap clean sheets for title
Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina has told Chelsea counterpart
Petr Cech he would swap all his clean sheets for one of his
league titles.
The 26-year-old Spaniard revealed he and Cech were locked in
a personal duel to see who could achieve the most shut-outs
last season, with Reina's 20 beating the Czech Republic
international by one.
However, Reina, who is being linked with a £17million move
to Barcelona, admits he would happily exchange that feat for
a Premier League winners' medal, and told LFC Magazine: "Of
course I'd swap the lot."
He added: "I had a little challenge going with Petr Cech
last season where we would see who could concede the least
goals."
He added: "Despite our club rivalries, we are both in the
goalkeepers' union.
"We would send text messages to each other about the clean
sheets as well. I told him I would swap all my clean sheets
for his league titles.
"All we want here at Liverpool is to win the Premier League.
I would prefer to win every game 3-2 if it meant we won the
title at the end of the season."
The Reds won the last of their 18 titles in 1989-90, and
have been caught by arch-rivals Manchester United, who
equalled their tally at the end of the last campaign.
(Yahoo Eurosport)
Rafa linked with move for Lodeiro
Highly-rated Uruguayan midfielder Nicolas Lodeiro is said to
have caught the eye of Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez.
The 20-year-old Lodeiro is currently contracted to Primera
Division Uruguaya side Nacional.
(TEAMtalk) |
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WEDNESDAY 17 |
Villa decision made
In-demand Valencia striker David Villa has stated that
he has already made a decision on where his future lies.
Barcelona and Real Madrid are leading the chase for the
Spanish striker, who is also reportedly wanted by Premier
League giants Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea.
Villa has previously stated his desire to remain in Spain
and after scoring the winner in his country's 1-0
Confederations Cup win over Iraq, he revealed that he had
already decided where his future lies.
Valencia do not want to sell, but their precarious financial
position means a transfer seems inevitable.
"I have made my decision," Villa told the press following
the game in Bloemfontein after again being quizzed about his
future.
"My agent knows my wishes, and he is now working on that -
so I am relaxed.
"There is no deadline on the subject, and I really do not
have any more details as this whole thing is not totally
dependent on me."
(Setanta Sports)
Dossena agent cools Old Lady link
Juventus have yet to make a decision on whether to sign
Liverpool left-back Andrea Dossena, according to the
player's agent.
The Italy international has been linked with a return to
Serie A this summer after just one season in the Premier
League.
Juve have reportedly expressed an interest in acquiring the
27-year-old but no offer has been made so far by the Turin
giants.
Dossena's agent Roberto La Florio said: "At the moment,
there are
no updates.
"The Bianconeri club (Juventus) have yet to decide whether
to consider my client or (Lyon's) Fabio Grosso.
"If they decide to target my client then we would evaluate
the offer.
"He (Dossena) is happy at Liverpool but Juventus is
Juventus, and he's a little nostalgic for Italy."
Dossena, who is under contract with the Reds outfit until
June 2012, joined Liverpool last summer from Udinese.
(TEAMtalk)
Arbeloa expects to return to Spain
Liverpool full-back Alvaro Arbeloa says that although he has
one year remaining on his contract with Liverpool, “anything
can happen”, amid speculation linking him with an £8m move
to Real Madrid.
With the Reds on the verge of signing England international
right-back Glen Johnson for £17million from Porstmouth,
speculation is mounting casting doubt on Arbeloa’s future at
Anfield.
And today the Spanish international, who is expected to
start on the bench for his country against Iraq in the
Confederations Cup in South Africa this afternoon, says he
is flattered to be linked to Real.
“I am happy at Liverpool, but I have something to prove in
Spain as I did not show my best form in La Liga,” he told
Spanish football journal, Elmundo. “One day, I’m sure I will
return.
“It is always nice to be linked to big teams – even to this
Madrid side in a time of transition. They are working hard
to build a great team. I have one more year remaining on my
Liverpool deal, but anything can happen.
“A contract renewal is in the air. I am contracted for one
more year, but if Liverpool get an offer they will consider
it. It is all in the hands of
my agent.”
The 26-year-old was signed two years ago from Deportivo La
Coruna for around £3million.
(This is Anfield)
Reds confident of signing
Glen Johnson despite holidays
Liverpool remain confident of landing Glen Johnson but the
deal is likely to be held up because the player is on
holiday.
The Reds have had a £17million bid accepted for the
right-back and are expected to beat off competition from
Chelsea and Manchester City to secure his signature.
However, Johnson only recently started his summer break
following his exertions for England in the World Cup
qualifiers and Pompey chief executive Peter Storrie is
currently in Israel for talks with club owner Sacha
Gaydamak.
The 24-year-old has told Reds officials he favours a move to
Anfield and Liverpool will partly fund the transfer by using
the £7million they are still owed by Portsmouth from the
deal that took Peter Crouch to Fratton Park last year.
(Liverpool Echo)
Liverpool start with Tottenham trip
Liverpool will begin the 2009/2010 Premier League campaign
with a clash against Tottenham at White Hart Lane on
Saturday, August 15.
That is followed by home games against Stoke and Aston Villa
before a trip to Bolton is scheduled at the end of the
month.
Rafael Benitez takes his side to Chelsea on October 3 before
the Reds face champions and arch rivals Manchester United at
Anfield
on October 24.
The first Merseyside derby of the season takes place at
Goodison Park on November 28 while December 12 sees a home
clash with Arsenal.
Everton visit Anfield on February 6 which is followed by a
tough encounter against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium
three days later.
The Reds travel to Old Trafford on March 20, Chelsea are the
visitors on May 1 before a trip to Hull signals the end of
the season on May 9.
(TEAMtalk)
New loan deal for midfielder
Zsolt Poloskei has had his loan deal extended for another
season.
The Hungarian joined Liverpool last season on a season long
loan from MTK Hungaria but spent the entire campaign on the
sidelines with injury.
Poloskei has been given another chance and will spend
2009/10 with John McMahon's reserve side.
(LFC Online) |
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TUESDAY 16 |
Kuyt keen to end career at Feyenoord
Dirk Kuyt has revealed he would like to return to Feyenoord
at the end of his career – but says he has unfinished
business with Liverpool.
The 28-year-old Holland international left Feyenoord for
Anfield in 2006 but remains fond of the Eredivisie club.
And, although he has no intention of leaving Liverpool yet,
Kuyt says he regularly speaks to their boss, Mario Been, and
would be open to returning in the future.
"I know Mario well,” he told Sportweek.
“We have plenty of contact on the telephone. We talk about
players, but also about how everything works at Liverpool.
“He is eager to learn, just like me.
“I think he can turn Feyenoord into champions. Winning the
championship with Feyenoord is a dream for us both.
“When I played there, our opponents used to shake with fear
at de Kuip.
“We must see a return to those days.
“In the future, I would like to do my bit.”
He added: “He has not asked me about returning. He knows
that I’m not ready to leave Liverpool.”
(Setanta Sports)
Liverpool poised to sign Johnson
Liverpool look to have won the race to sign England defender
Glen Johnson after agreeing a fee in the region of £17m with
Portsmouth.
Reds' boss Rafael Benitez is confident he has beaten off
interest from Chelsea in the 24-year-old and expects to make
him his first
summer signing.
Manchester City had also registered an interest in Johnson,
but it is believed Anfield is his preferred destination.
Benitez is now likely to sell Andrea Dossena to help fund
the deal.
(BBC Sport Online)
Gerrard claims
he may retire at 33
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is one of the few remaining
one-club-men, and is intent on retiring as one, as he has
today claimed that he could seek retirement when his current
deal expires in 2013.
"I will be 33 at the end of my contract in 2013 and I don't
know if I will go any further," Gerrard confirmed to
France-Football.
"If I do retire, then I will know that from the start to the
end of my career I only had one club. And I don't want to
think about wearing any other shirt in the future."
(Goal.com)
Stevie G names his favourite player
Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has revealed he is a massive
fan of Zinedine Zidane.
The England midfielder has hailed Zidane as his ‘hero’ and
said he acted like a normal fan when he met the 1998 world
champion.
Zidane is an inspirational figure to Gerrard, who is
delighted to have been hailed as one of the best players in
the world by his idol.
“Zidane is special to me,” Gerrard told France-Football.
“I was very flattered to hear his compliments about me.
“He is one of my heroes.
“When I met him I was like a fan. I did everything I could
to shake
his hand.”
(Setanta Sports)
Torres wants Villa at Liverpool
Fernando Torres has urged Liverpool to sign David Villa and
recreate the Spanish strike partnership at Anfield.
Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester United and Chelsea are
all in the market for Villa, but Torres wants to see his
fello European champion on Merseyside.
"Rafa Benitez makes the signings and I'm sure those who come
will improve us," said Torres. "If it was me I would bring
David Villa. But that may not be possible.
"We play well together and link up so well. It's a pleasure
to play with him.
"I don't know if we are the best partnership in the world
but we are the European champions and that is almost the
same."
Torres also took the opportunity to dismiss the weekend's
preposterous links with a move to Manchester United.
"I don't know anything about United, just that it has been
in the newspapers," said Torres.
"Listen, my team is Liverpool and this is very clear to me.
"This club has it all - the history, the prestige, the fans,
the organisation.
"It's a big responsibility to give the fans here the success
they desire, but the challenge is always exhilarating and
this is why I was delighted to sign a new contract."
(Football 365)
Thor Zakariassen
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