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WEDNESDAY 18 |
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Ambrosini misses final
Milan midfielder Massimo Ambrosini has been ruled out of the
UEFA Champions League Final against Liverpool.
The Italian international is struggling to recover from a
thigh problem he picked up against Lecce last weekend.
Milan were hoping that Ambrosini would recover in time to
face Liverpool next week in Istanbul, but they are resigned
to being without him.
"The extent of the injury means that his full recovery in
time for the Istanbul final is very difficult," read a
statement on the club's official website.
The news is a blow for Milan as Ambrosini netted the crucial
away goal in the semi-final against PSV to book Milan's
place in the final.
(Sky Sports)
Reds Milito talk played down
Real Zaragoza have rejected reports linking Liverpool with
star defender Gabriel Milito.
Reports on Wednesday claimed Liverpool were weighing up a
move for the highly-rated Argentinian.
Manchester United, Barcelona and Valencia are all believed
to be keen on Milito and Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is
thought to have been alerted to the classy defender.
However, Real Zaragoza director of sport Miguel Pardeza
insists they have had no contact with Liverpool regarding
Milito and that they were working on a new deal for the
South American.
"We have not received any formal proposition for Milito from
Liverpool," Pardeza told skysports.com.
The player himself is unaware of any interest from Liverpool
or any other clubs and insists he is happy to stay at
Zaragoza.
"Personally I have not spoken with any director of
Liverpool," said Milito.
"Each month for 15 or 20 days the papers have spoken of a
club interested in me.
"Manchester United, Valencia, Liverpool, but I have no
direct news.
"I am happy in Zaragoza."
(Sky Sports)
Hamann back for Germany
Dietmar Hamann looks set to play for Germany for the first
time since Jurgen Klinsmann took the reins after getting a
call-up for this summer's Confederations Cup.
The Liverpool midfielder and Schalke's Mike Hanke are the
two new faces announced by Klinsmann for the event which
takes place in Germany next month.
The tournament is regarded as a warm-up for the World Cup in
2006, both logistically for the organisers, and
competitively for the eight nations involved.
Hamann has been chosen for his experience and could go
straight into the side for their opening fixture against
Australia on June 15.
"His technical and strategic capabilities fit well into our
system," said Klinsmann, who called the 31-year-old into an
expanded get-together squad recently, but was unable to get
a closer look at the Reds midfielder because he had to
withdraw through injury.
(Sporting Life)
Dudek leaving in swap deal?
Jerzy Dudek may be set to return to his old club Feyenoord
in a player plus cash deal.
(Kop Talk)
Benitez ready to open talks over £6m
Milito
Real Zaragoza's Argentine centre-half Gabriel Milito has
emerged as a £6million transfer target for Rafael Benitez
this summer.
The Liverpool manager will strengthen in several areas
during the close season, with added competition alongside
Jamie Carragher in the heart of defence a priority.
Manchester United and Barcelona have both been linked with
24-year-old Milito this season, but Liverpool are ready to
steal a march on the pair by opening talks
with Zaragoza.
(Daily Post)
£47.4million for Liverpool
Supporters will be pleased to hear that Liverpool raked in
more money from television and prize money this season than
arch rivals Manchester United.
The Old Trafford outfit earned £44.4million this season
(down £13million / 25% on 2003-04) while Liverpool have
netted at least £47.4million with more potential earnings
waiting depending on the outcome of the Champions League
final a week today.
Chelsea raked in £50.8million while Arsenal managed
£48.7million.
(Kop Talk)
Six new players for Rafa
Academy graduates James Smith, Danny Guthrie, Lee Peltier,
Ryan Wilkie, Paul Willis,and Danny O'Donnell have all been
promoted from the Academy to Melwood for next season.
The promotions come after the club recently released Patrice
Luzi, Jon Otsemobor, Paul Harrison, Richie Partridge and
Mark Smyth.
(Kop Talk) |
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TUESDAY 17 |
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Ancelotti backing for Reds
AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti believes Liverpool should
have the right to defend the Champions League title if they
beat them in the final in Istanbul on 25 May.
Ancelotti is surprised by Uefa's decision to deny Rafael
Benitez's outfit a place in next season's top European
competition even if the Premiership outfit lift the trophy
next week.
Liverpool just missed the cut to qualify for next season's
top continental tournament after finishing fifth in the
Premier League.
"I think that a team that wins the Champions League final
should have the right to defend it," said Ancelotti.
(TEAMtalk)
Reds fans in fez warning
Liverpool supporters planning to wear a fez in Istanbul were
today urged to be sensitive to Turkish customs.
Wearing a fez is seen as insulting by many Turks, and
concerns were raised that Liverpool fans could cause
offence.
One Turkish police officer visiting Liverpool in advance of
the Champions League final said: "It would offend me if I
saw hundreds of Englishmen wearing a fez, and it would also
upset a lot of other people.
The fez has been a controversial issue ever since wearing
them was banned by the founder of modern Turkey, Kamal
Ataturk, in 1925.
With many fezzes spotted during recent Liverpool games, it
is thought the hats have been adopted by many Reds fans
prior to their visit to Istanbul next week.
A spokesman for Merseyside police said: "We would advise all
Liverpool fans travelling to Istanbul to take notice of any
advice given to them by the local police and authorities in
Turkey.
"I'm sure the Liverpool fans are looking forward to the
match and their trip to Istanbul and are hoping to enjoy a
good spectacle of football as well as the local sights in
Turkey."
(Liverpool Echo)
Carson: I'll sacrifice Reds party for
England
Liverpool keeper Scott Carson admits he's sacrificing his
chance to join the biggest Anfield party in 21 years in
order to kick-off his international career.
Carson will join Sven Goran Eriksson's side in the USA
immediately after Liverpool's Champions League final in
Turkey.
While the rest of the players return to Merseyside for a
potentially triumphant homecoming, Carson could be a
lonesome figure heading across the Atlantic.
But the 19-year-old says the unlikely possibility of a first
England cap was too good an opportunity to ignore.
"Obviously, it means me joining the squad straight from
Istanbul, but you don't turn opportunities like that down,"
said the teenager.
"Just to have my name mentioned was unbelievable, never mind
get a chance to be in the squad.
"It will be a great experience for me and I'm hoping to
enjoy myself out there."
(Liverpool Echo)
Cheyrou's uncertain future
Bruno Cheyrou fears he does not have a future at Liverpool
and would be interested in a move to Monaco.
The French midfielder has spent the past season on loan at
Marseille but has endured a frustrating period at Stade
Velodrome.
He is currently due to return to Liverpool in the summer but
does not believe he has a role to play in Rafa Benitez's
plans next season.
"Last year I decided to leave Liverpool before knowing the
decision about Rafa Benitez. One year later he has built his
group and I don't think I am a priority."
(Sky Sports)
Diarra deadline extended
Lens' deadline to sign Reds midfielder Alou Diarra has been
extended until the end of the month.
Diarra is spending the campaign on loan at Lens and the
Ligue 1 side originally had until April 30 to activate their
right to buy the player.
Though that has passed, an extension has been granted until
May 31, with Diarra previously stating he is keen to stay
with Sang et Or.
(Sky Sports)
Laursen: Livepool can exploit tired Milan
Martin Laursen believes Liverpool can exploit a tired AC
Milan next week after revealing his former team-mates are
toiling under the strain of pursuing the double.
The Danish international, who spent three years at the San
Siro before joining Aston Villa for £3million last summer,
saw Liverpool end their league campaign at first hand at
Anfield on Sunday.
And he admits the extra preparation time Liverpool have over
his old club will give them an advantage when they meet in
Istanbul.
(Daily Post)
Berger poised for Villa switch
Czech Republic midfielder Patrik Berger is poised to join
Aston Villa from Premier League rivals Portsmouth, the BBC
reported on Tuesday. The 31-year-old former Liverpool,
Borussia Dortmund and Slavia Prague player has agreed a
two-year contract at Villa Park.
Berger joined Liverpool for 3.25 million pounds ($5.97
million) from Dortmund in 1996 and spent seven seasons at
Anfield before joining Portsmouth two years ago.
He has scored 18 goals in 40 internationals.
(Eurosport) |
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MONDAY 16 |
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Inter Milan linked with Liverpool's Riise
Italian reports claim that Serie A outfit Inter Milan are
keen on signing Liverpool's
John Arne Riise.
(Kop Talk)
Hyypia: Cisse can be our secret weapon
Sami Hyypia believes Djibril Cisse's two-goal show against
Aston Villa on Sunday has given Rafael Benitez a major
selection headache for the Champions League Final.
"The gaffer has a good problem for the final now. Djibril
has been very lively since he came back and his two goals
were very good," says the Reds vice-captain who was rested
for the visit of David O'Leary's side.
(LFC Official Website)
Chelsea breaks Liverpool record
English Premiership champions Chelsea yesterday broke
Liverpool's 25-year-old record. Before the Londoners' match
against Newcastle, the Reds held the all-time record of
conceding only 16 goals in the top flight. That happened in
1978/79.
However, Liverpool played 42 games in the old Division One
that year as compared to the current 38 nowadays.
The best record in the Premiership before yesterday belonged
to Arsenal who conceded just 17 in 1998/99.
This season, Chelsea have conceded 33 in 59 games, fifteen
of those goals in
the league.
(talklfc.com)
More praise for Carra
Michael Owen is the latest to sing the praises of Jamie
Carragher.
Carragher, who captained the Reds yesterday, has been
Liverpool's player of the season without doubt and former
team-mate Michael Owen was the latest to hail the
performances of Carra.
"No-one can ever say he doesn't produce the goods week in,
week out. He is such a whole-hearted player. In the
Champions League performances - Juventus and Chelsea
especially - he has been fantastic," said Owen.
"He has played at right-back, centre-midfield, left-back
and, since Mr Benitez has come in, he has settled in at
centre-half and broken what was an unbelievable partnership
in Sami Hyypia and Stephane Henchoz.
"I suppose there were a few eyebrows raised when he did that
but it has worked. And Jamie is Liverpool through and
through.
"When you think he is perceived to be fifth England
centre-half behind Ledley King, John Terry, Rio and Sol then
we must be the most blessed country in the world for
defenders."
(LFC Online)
Ambrosini doubtful for Final
AC Milan are sweating over the fitness of Massimo Ambrosini
ahead of their Champions League final clash against
Liverpool.
The Rossoneri midfielder picked up a muscle injury in
Sunday's 2-2 draw with Lecce and is now an uncertainty for
the title game on May 23.
Ambrosini was the hero for Milan in the semi-final against
PSV Eindhoven after scoring the crucial away goal in his
team's 3-1 defeat in Holland in the second leg.
(Sporting Life)
Trotters close to Diouf deal
Bolton are poised to sign striker El-Hadji Diouf from
Liverpool on a long-term deal.
The 24-year-old Senegal international has been a revelation
at The Reebok Stadium after arriving from Anfield on loan.
The player cost Liverpool £10m from Lens and there were
fears Bolton would be unable to put together a financial
package to suit all parties.
However chairman Phil Gartside revealed they are now making
good progress.
"We are very close to doing a deal with Liverpool. That's
all I can say at the moment," he told the Manchester Evening
News.
"He's the first target and, when we've done that, we'll have
a look at other things."
(TEAMtalk)
Praise for Rafa from former England ace
Former England ace Chris Waddle says Rafael Benitez deserves
a pat on the back for steering Liverpool to the final of the
UEFA Champions League.
"Liverpool have a terrible away record in the Premiership
this season and you would not have given them a cat in
hell's chance of reaching the Champions League final," said
Waddle.
"They looked certain to go out at the group stage until a
last-minute Steven Gerrard goal against Olympiakos and they
have produced outstanding back-to-the-wall performances to
beat Bayer Leverkusen, Juventus and Chelsea.
"An unbelievable achievement from Rafa Benitez, who must be
baffled by the shocking Premiership performances which seem
to have come after every European triumph."
(Kop Talk)
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Thor Zakariassen
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