|
|
|
|
FRIDAY 18 |
|
|
McClaren warns Reds off duo
Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren has warned Liverpool to
forget trying to sign defenders Franck Queudrue and Chris
Riggott.
Rafael Benitez is reportedly preparing to move for the
27-year-old Frenchman and his 25-year-old team-mate during
the January transfer window.
However, McClaren has told the Merseysiders, who infuriated
Boro by their ultimately successful pursuits of both
Christian Ziege and Bolo Zenden, the two men are simply not
for sale.
"We are flattered, obviously, that such a big club is
interested in two of our younger players," he said.
"They are players who are doing very, very well for us and
two players who we have got no intention of letting go. They
are the future of Middlesbrough Football Club."
(TEAMtalk)
Reds boss' green light to buy
Rafa Benitez has been reassured significant funds will be
available to strengthen his squad this January, despite
Liverpool's ongoing search for investment.
Liverpool's need for additional finances has been widely
publicised, but that won't deter the club from making
necessary additions when the transfer window opens.
And Benitez insists Champions League eligibility won't be a
factor when determining the players he wants to sign.
Benitez said today: "The board has told me they know we must
try to improve the squad and sign more players and it's good
we are all thinking the same way."
(Liverpool Echo)
Benitez wants Crouch to get nasty
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has urged striker Peter Crouch
to develop a nasty side to improve his scoring record.
The 24-year-old England international is yet to score in 17
matches since completing a £7m move to Anfield from
Southampton in July.
"He's a nice boy and sometimes he's too nice. As a
centre-forward in England you must not be nice," Benitez
said.
"You must be aggressive against defenders because they will
be aggressive to you."
Crouch won his fourth cap as a substitute in England's 3-2
friendly win over Argentina on 12 November.
"He is a player with ability and players with ability
sometimes find it hard to be aggressive. It is a problem,
but a nice problem to have," added Benitez.
(BBC Sport Online) |
|
|
THURSDAY 17 |
|
|
Crouch hoping to break Reds duck
Liverpool striker Peter Crouch is hoping to open his goal
scoring account with the European Champions this weekend
when the Reds come up against one of his former clubs in
Portsmouth.
Pompey are the visitors to Anfield on Saturday when the
Premiership campaign is resumed and, after his impressive
cameo roles in the game against Aston Villa last time out
plus for England against Argentina last weekend, Crouch is
hoping that he can finally break his Liverpool duck.
The striker told Liverpoolfc.tv: "I'm really looking forward
to that moment and the sooner it comes the better. How will
I celebrate? I'll want to jump into the Kop I think."
(Shankly Gates)
Gerrard dismisses fatigue talk
Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard has played
down suggestions he could be tired ahead of next summer's
World Cup in Germany.
The Reds have a hectic fixture list this season and with the
England international playing last July in helping the
Merseysiders qualify for the UEFA Champions League, he has
already featured in 22 games for club and country.
With Gerrard likely to be handed a key role by Sven Goran
Eriksson next summer in Germany, many want to avoid a repeat
of the '02 World Cup where some players carried knocks into
the tournament.
However, Gerrard has dampened the talk that he will be
played out and has stated continuous football is not energy
sapping when you are winning.
"A lot of people seem to be looking at the number of games
coming up and talking about fatigue," explained Gerrard.
"If you are winning those games though, it's not a problem.
In fact, it can be a benefit, because you get used to
winning, and that is a great habit to have.
"I have played a lot of games already this season, but I
know I'm going to get a breather at some stage and I'm
certain I will heard for the World Cup feeling fresh and
ready to give it my best shot."
(Sky Sports) |
|
|
WEDNESDAY 16 |
|
|
Riise injured on international duty
Liverpool's John Arne Riise sustained a head injury while
playing for Norway against the Czech Republic this evening.
He was substituted in injury time.
(Kop Talk)
Parry: Japan trip could aid investment bid
Rick Parry today admitted Liverpool's participation in the
World Club Championship next month could help the Reds
secure investment into the club.
Parry wouldn't be drawn on the current speculation linking
American business tycoon Robert Kraft with an investment in
the Reds, but he did admit playing to a global audience in
Japan will do Liverpool's hopes of bringing more cash to
Anfield no harm at all.
He said: "Everyone knows we have been looking for investment
for some time. We're not talking about a quick fix but about
securing the future of the club and helping to take us to
the next level.
"The more success we achieve on the field then the more
success we'll enjoy off it. It's self-fulfilling.
"Going to Japan will be a great platform for us. We'll be
there as European Champions, playing in front of full houses
and to a wide TV audience.
"Our stated goal has always been the same and will remain
the same - to win trophies regularly and to be successful."
(LFC Official Website)
Rafa linked with Riggott raid
Liverpool have reportedly pinpointed Chris Riggott as the
long-term successor to Sami Hyypia - but face a fight to
prise him from Middlesbrough.
Steve McClaren says the 25-year-old can go on to become
Boro's defensive "rock" for years to come, with veteran
Gareth Southgate coming to the end of his career at 35.
But Reds boss Rafael Benitez is also a big fan of Riggott
and could test Boro's resolve with a bid for his services in
January's transfer window.
(Sporting Life)
Nicol backs Kraft for Liverpool
Former Liverpool star Steve Nicol says US billionaire Robert
Kraft would be a perfect investor for his old club.
Kraft has refused to rule out a link with Liverpool after
talks with chief executive Rick Parry in the US.
Nicol is coach of MLS side New England Revolution, who are
owned by Kraft, and delivers a glowing recommendation.
The Scot said: "Having the Kraft family involved in your
club can only be good news. The people at Liverpool should
certainly be happy at the prospect."
Nicol added: "They want to be the best at everything they do
and they do it by creating the right environment. They
understand it is the whole package.
"They are interested in the team and everybody in the team,
the whole staff and their families. It is not a question of
some guy who sits and watches from his throne, they are
involved in all the right ways."
(BBC Sport Online)
Mourinho mocks Liverpool's transfer policy
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has mocked Liverpool's
transfer policy by calling us "desperate".
In another veiled swipe at the Reds, Mourinho also praises
Newcastle United for having the guts to splash the cash on
former Anfield hitman Michael Owen.
Mourinho said: "Liverpool used the last available minute to
conclude their deals. I find it difficult to understand that
type of desperate dealing although I recognise that that the
economic power of my club puts us in a privileged situation.
"Michael Owen and Newcastle were major protagonists in the
transfer window. The scenario was perfect. A Real Madrid
player, an automatic choice and important for the national
team, his previous club Liverpool in the picture, another
club, Newcastle, in search of success.
"He cost £16m and there were 20,000 fans going mad at his
unveiling. Everything was perfect.
"Also before Owen had arrived, they had signed Alberto Luque
from Deportivo La Coruna, another great player, which shows
the potential of the club and the ambition of their
dealings."
(Kop Talk)
Gonzales ready for Anfield challenge
Chilean winger Mark Gonzales has admitted he doesn't expect
to walk straight into Liverpool's first team when he
completes his transfer to Anfield.
Liverpool have agreed a deal to bring the winger to the club
and are now waiting to obtain a work permit before his
career with the Reds can get underway.
Gonzales can't wait to challenge for a first team place but
is realistic enough to accept it won't be easy.
"It won't be easy to win a place in the line-up and, if I
achieve that, it won't be easy to maintain myself there,
because Liverpool is such a competitive club that, if I
relax, there are two or three players who want my place.
Gonzales, who is currently training in his home country,
also reveals he has kept in regular touch with Liverpool
boss Rafa Benitez over recent weeks.
"He is always calling me," he added. "The last time we
talked was 10 days ago. He asked me how I was feeling, if I
was better from my injury. He is worried about my health.
"I don't have any problems to kick the ball as strong as
always, although I know I have lack of movement yet. I'm 80
or 90% fit."
(LFC Official Website)
Dudek may go in swap for Sabrosa
Jerzy Dudek may be sold to Benfica in January as part of the
deal that sees Simao Sabrosa seal his long-awaited move to
Anfield.
The Polish goalkeeper confirmed this week that he would be
looking elsewhere by the new year should he fail to loosen
Jose Reina's grip on the Liverpool gloves.
And now his agent, Jan de Zeeuw, has conceded that such a
decision may have to be made as early as next week when a
meeting between himself, manager Rafael Benitez and Dudek is
scheduled.
"It's true that Liverpool have never said that they no
longer needed him," de Zeeuw said. "Next week we will have a
meeting with the the coach and with the club executives to
consider Dudek's future."
The 32-year-old is under contract with Liverpool until June
2007 but he is concerned his hopes of playing in the World
Cup next summer will suffer unless he plays regularly for
the first team.
De Zeeuw added: "There are two situations. There is the
Spanish tendency, seeing as the coach is Spanish and Reina
is also Spanish and then there is the English one, that
prefers Dudek.
"If Liverpool doesn't want him then all the doors will open.
But at this time everything is in Liverpool's hands."
De Zeeuw also confirmed that Benfica - managed by Dudek's
former team-mate Ronald Koeman - would be an attractive
destination for the Istanbul hero should he decide to leave
Anfield.
(Daily Post)
|
|
Thor Zakariassen
© |
|
