Red News                                            

 


JUNE                2009
16 17 18

 

        
 

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) 
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)
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)

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