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SUNDAY 18 |
Rafa's Reds eye double capture
Liverpool are eyeing a major double signing as Rafa Benitez
looks to make Javier Mascherano and Ezequiel Garay permanent
members of
his squad.
Benitez is reported to have made a major breakthrough in his
negotiations with MSI, the company that own Mascherano’s
playing rights.
MSI, who also control Carlos Tevez's involvement with
Manchester United, initially wanted a reported £17 million
fee for the Argentinean ball-winner, who has enjoyed an
impressive 11 months on Merseyside.
However, it is believed Liverpool have agreed for that £17
million fee to include the player’s wages over a five-year
spell – beating off interest
from Barcelona.
Meanwhile, Liverpool have been boosted in their pursuit of
21-year-old centre back Garay after he revealed he would
love to play in England.
Garay was named in La Liga’s team of the season last year,
and he currently has a £14.2 million buy-out clause at
Racing Santander.
(Setanta Sports)
All parties deny Rafa Bayern reports
Both Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez and Bayern Munich have
moved to scotch rumours he could take over at the German
side next summer.
Reports over the weekend suggested that current Bayern boss
Ottmar Hitzfeld's relationship with chairman Karl-Heinz
Rummenigge has become strained of late and he could be on
his way out of the Allianz Arena come the end of the season.
However, while Rummenigge has admitted directing some
criticism towards the club's 58-year-old coach, he is
confident of keeping him in Bavaria and even suggested a
contract extension will be offered.
On Hitzfeld, who rejoined Bayern after Felix Magath's
sacking in February for his second spell in charge of the
club, Rummenigge said: "Our relationship of confidence
remains intact. You can criticise someone you consider a
friend when you believe that things don't go in
the right direction."
He added: "We agreed we will discuss an extension of his
contract
in January."
Benitez also reacted to the rumours by insisting he is not
interested in quitting Liverpool as he wants to continue his
plan to turn the Merseysiders into consistent Premiership
title and
Champions League contenders.
(Clubcall Sports)
Reds duo thrilled with Euro lifeline
Steven Gerrard and Peter Crouch have urged England not to
waste their Euro 2008 lifeline and ensure qualification for
next summer's finals
on Wednesday night.
Results over the weekend mean Steve McClaren's men need just
a draw against Croatia to bring their rollercoaster
qualifying campaign to a successful end with their place
booked in the finals.
"If we don't get there it will be so frustrating and we have
to make sure we have the right mentality on Wednesday," said
Gerrard.
"England want to be in the big tournaments and that's where
we need
to earn the right to be by getting the right result on
Wednesday.
"Now we are going to be looking forward to one of the
biggest games of our lives."
Crouch - who headed the winner against Austria on Friday
night - is likely to lead the attack against Croatia and
he's looking forward to playing in one of the biggest games
of his career.
"We all know it would be a huge blow if we don't qualify but
we have tried to stay positive," said the Reds' striker.
"We've had to believe Israel could get a result, they've
done that and now I think the atmosphere at Wembley on
Wednesday will be fantastic and we will all want to be
involved in the game."
(LFC Official Website)
Reds international round-up
Many of Liverpool’s players were on international duty this
weekend as the last international break devoted to Euro 2008
qualifiers took place.
In England the focus was on a game not actually involving
Steve McClaren’s men. Israel managed to endear themselves to
England fans by beating Russia 2-1, without their injured
captain, Reds star Yossi Benayoun. With fellow group
members Croatia losing their game against Macedonia 2-0,
England can now qualify for Euro 2008 if they get a draw on
Wednesday at home to Croatia.
Steven Gerrard will be captain for that game, and
with Michael Owen once again succumbing to injury to join
Wayne Rooney on the sidelines, Peter Crouch should be
given a chance to start upfront in that game. He scored on
Friday as he and Gerrard took part in England’s 1-0 friendly
win against Austria.
Daniel Agger was missing for Denmark last night due
to his metatarsal injury, and after they lost in Northern
Ireland last night he now knows he won’t be going to Euro
2008. Fellow Scandinavian John Arne Riise played 90
minutes of Norway’s 2-1 defeat at home to Turkey. A win for
Norway would have seen them qualify, but now it goes down to
the last game.
Pepe Reina was an unused sub as Spain beat Sweden
3-0. This means Spain have now qualified for the finals,
news which will of course have delighted Pepe’s Red
teammates Xabi Alonso and Fernando Torres who stayed
at home after suffering injuries.
Steve Finnan played the full game for Ireland in
their 2-2 draw with Wales at the Millennium Stadium. Both
sides went into the game unable to qualify for the finals.
Ukrainian striker Andriy Voronin played 69 minutes of
his country’s 2-0 loss in Lithuania.
Finland still have a chance of qualification, Sami Hyypia
playing the whole of their 2-1 win over Azerbaijan.
Meanwhile Ryan Babel came on after 84 minutes of
Holland’s 1-0 win over Luxembourg, a win that ensured they
would be taking part in the finals next summer.
(Anfield Road.com)
Hyypia is turning back the clock
Another player who has really impressed me over the last few
weeks is Sami Hyypia.
There have been people suggesting that he is finished but
anyone who was at Anfield for the Fulham game and saw Sami
go through three tackles in about five seconds will know
that’s not the case.
I thought he did really well against Fulham and in the games
leading up to it and I’m sure Rafa Benitez is delighted with
him.
People talk about his lack of pace but the speed of some of
the forwards in the modern game means every centre-half runs
the risk of being left
for dead.
And what Sami lacks in pace he more than makes up for with
experience and his reading of the game.
(John Aldridge - Liverpool Echo) |
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SATURDAY 17 |
Keeper rules out Spurs switch
Liverpool goalkeeper Scott Carson is ready to snub a move to
Tottenham in favour of signing for Aston Villa.
Carson is currently impressing while on loan at Villa Park
and, although a permanent move to the Midlands looks to be
on the cards, there have been suggestions Tottenham could
try and hijack the move.
However, Carson has set his sights on a permanent switch to
Villa and it looks as though a £10million deal will be
pushed through in the summer.
"Martin O'Neill has been different class since I have been
at Aston Villa," Carson revealed. "He has helped bring a new
level of confidence to
my game.
"When I got sent off against Manchester United in September
he stuck with me when he didn't have to. That really lifted
my spirits and helped my confidence grow.
(Clubcall Sports)
English appeal for Reds target
Liverpool target Javi Martinez admitted to skysports.com
that he is attracted to the prospect of playing in England.
The 19-year-old Athletic Bilbao ace is one of the most
highly-rated midfielders in Spain and he is being closely
monitored by Rafa Benitez.
Martinez has risen to prominence over the last 18 months
following his move from Osasuna's second string last year.
Now he is attracting interest from some of Europe's big
hitters and, as skysports.com revealed earlier this week,
Liverpool are one of those hot on Martinez's trail.
"I see Premier League matches on the television and the
atmosphere is wonderful," he told skysports.com.
"But I don't really know anything [about the interest] as I
haven't spoken with anyone.
"My sole mission at the moment is to work hard for Athletic
and help
the team.
"If an offer does arrive I would look at what is best for
two parts, myself and Athletic."
Bilbao have admitted that they are aware of the interest in
their prized asset - although they would appear to have few
intentions of selling.
"We have not received any formal offers yet," a spokesman
told skysports.com.
"We are calm about the situation."
(Sky Sports)
Owen to miss Reds game
Michael Owen won't face Liverpool next week.
The former Red won't face Rafael Benitez's side at St James
Park next Saturday as he picked up a thigh injury on
international duty last night.
Owen picked up the injury during the first half of England's
1-0 win over Austria last night and will be out for at least
a month.
(LFC Online)
Gerrard laments Owen blow
Steven Gerrard has lamented the injury which has robbed
England of the services of Michael Owen ahead of next week’s
Euro 2008 qualifier with Croatia, but feels there are
players capable of filling the void.
Owen’s injury curse struck again on Friday as he limped out
of the win over Austria with a thigh strain.
The forward has been ruled out for a month and with Wayne
Rooney also injured, coach Steve McClaren has been left
scrambling for a partner for Peter Crouch.
Gerrard is aware of the impact the loss of Owen means, but
is hopeful his replacement can come to the fore.
”It is always a minus when you lose Michael Owen as he is
our top scorer,” Gerrard told reporters on Friday.
”But it is an opportunity for someone else on Wednesday
night.”
(Setanta Sports)
Bayern 'sound out' Rafa
Bayern Munich have reportedly 'sounded Rafa Benitez out'
about becoming their manager at the end of the season.
Coach Ottmar Hitzfeld is unlikely to remain in the job
beyond the summer, despite some heavy spending on the likes
of Luca Toni, Miroslav Klose and Franck Ribery, players that
have taken Munich to the top of
the Bundesliga.
The Mail reports that Bayern have already approached Benitez
about taking over in Germany, but that the Liverpool manager
is likely to rebuff the approach.
(Football 365)
Villa ready to offer £20m for Carson and Crouch
Rafael Benitez has been told he has to sell before he can
buy more players for Liverpool – with Aston Villa hoping to
sign both Peter Crouch and Scott Carson in the January
transfer window.
A £10m deal is thought to be already in place for Carson to
turn his season-long loan spell at Villa Park into a
permanent move while the club's manager Martin O'Neill has
told Liverpool he intends to bid
for Crouch.
He would also cost upwards of £10m. Both players featured
for England in last night's friendly against Austria, with
Carson making his debut.
If Benitez, who is under pressure to deliver trophies,
having spent more than £40m last summer with the arrival of
players such as Fernando Torres and Ryan Babel, can secure
the deals he will make a move for the Racing Santander
central defender Ezequiel Garay.
With Daniel Agger injured, although soon to return to
fitness, and Sami Hyypia an unconvincing replacement,
Benitez desperately needs to shore up his defence for the
rest of the campaign having been prevented, by an
arbitration panel, from signing Gabriel Heinze.
(The Independent) |
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FRIDAY 16 |
Michael Owen out as Peter Crouch seals England win
Peter Crouch headed the only goal as England won in
Austria for the first time in 40 years, but victory came at
a huge cost: Michael Owen, the Newcastle United forward,
limped off after just 34 minutes with a thigh injury and
could be sidelined for as long as a month.
Owen will certainly miss Wednesday’s potentially decisive
Group E decider with Croatia at Wembley and leaves Steve
McClaren, the head coach, with a selection headache as Wayne
Rooney, his other first-choice forward, is also out with an
ankle injury.
Crouch’s goal, therefore, could hardly have been more
timely. He rose above a static Austria defence on 44 minutes
to meet David Beckham’s left-wing corner with a downward
header into the corner.
The lanky Liverpool striker had a chance to double his tally
and England’s lead just before the hour, but his effort from
Ashley Young’s cross was too close to Austria substitute
goalkeeper Alex Manninger, who beat
the ball away.
(The Times)
Rafa challenges young stars
Rafa Benitez has thrown down the gauntlet to three of his
most promising youngsters by telling them: "Show me what you
can do."
The Spanish coach is pleased at the start Ryan Babel, Lucas
Leiva and Sebastian Leto have made on Merseyside but is
convinced there's much more to come.
He said: "Our squad is really good and hopefully the
strength of the squad will become more clear as the season
goes on.
"Some young players, especially the likes of Sebastian Leto,
Lucas Leiva and Ryan Babel, will grow and progress during
the season and I am sure they will play better.
"I am not disappointed with them but I think they do have
the potential
to play better."
The Reds are currently fifth in the Premier League, unbeaten
but six points behind leaders Arsenal. Benitez's assessment
after a dozen fixtures is: good, but could do better.
"I feel that we are in a much better position than we were
at this time last season," said the Reds boss.
"We have more points but if you think about the games and
analyse the matches against Birmingham City, Chelsea and
Tottenham Hotspur, they were three games that we could have
won, so maybe we could be top of the table.
"You cannot be 100 per cent happy because I know that we
could have won these games, so there is plenty of room for
improvement."
(LFC Official Website)
Carson handed first England start
Scott Carson, Peter Crouch and Steven Gerrard will start for
England in their friendly against Austria on Friday night.
The out-on-loan Carson, who could soon make his move to
Villa permanent, has been handed his first start by Steve
McClaren following a tricky spell for regular number one
Paul Robinson.
McClaren explained: "We are looking for different things
from this game and different personnel.
"Scott Carson has been around the squad for a long time. His
performances for Aston Villa have been very good and I have
said all along that this is an ideal opportunity for him to
experience international football."
Starting eleven: Scott Carson, Micah Richards, Sol Campbell,
Joleon Lescott, Wayne Bridge, David Beckham, Steven Gerrard
(c), Frank Lampard, Joe Cole, Michael Owen, Peter Crouch.
(LFC Official Website)
Liverpool to sell Peter Crouch for £10m
Liverpool coach Rafael Benitez is ready to offload striker
Peter Crouch for the best available price in the January
transfer window.
It is thought that Crouch's change of attitute this season
has angered Benitez, who in turn is now prepared to sell the
England international for a fee in excess of £10 million.
According to the Daily Mail's report, Crouch will insist on
seeing out the 18 months left on his contract if Liverpool
demand £15m for his services.
Manchester City, Newcastle and his former Aston Villa club
have all expressed their interest in signing the 6ft 7in
striker - at the right price - and could come in with
concrete bids for the player in January.
(The Daily Telegraph)
Reds track Spanish gem
Liverpool are on the trail of Athletic Bilbao's brilliant
young midfielder
Javi Martinez.
The Basque playmaker has been outstanding this term at San
Mames, carrying on from his successful campaign last season
- which was his first in La Liga.
Athletic raised a number of eyebrows in Spain when they
splashed out 6 million euros (£4.2million) for him as an
untested 18-year-old playing with Osasuna's second string.
But 18 months on, some of Europe's biggest hitters are now
tracking the 19-year-old who is also a regular in Spain
Under 21 side.
Liverpool and Fiorentina are both tracking Martinez very
carefully and scouts from both clubs have been present at
recent Athletic games.
(Sky Sports)
Kuyt defiant
Dirk Kuyt believes he's been one of the Reds' best players
this season.
Kuyt has been dropped for Liverpool's last two games after a
poor run of form culminated in an abject display against
Blackburn where he failed to hit the target from three yards
out. However, the striker remains confident and says he's
been one of our best performers this season.
"I can understand the criticism. It makes sense since I
missed three great chances against Blackburn Rovers," said
the Dutch international.
"But people say that I'm in crisis, and to them I must
respond that I don't feel that way.
"If you list the players at Liverpool who've shown their
best form so far this season, I'd be among the top ones."
(LFC Online)
Hamann urges Liverpool to hang onto Sissoko
Manchester City midfielder Didi Hamann has urged Liverpool
to hang onto Momo Sissoko.
Former Reds star Hamann told liverpoolfc.tv: "Momo is only
young but I think he offers them something different from
Mascherano and Stevie, in that he is a real ball winner.
"He covers as much ground as anyone and wins a lot of balls.
But he's obviously not as high in confidence as he should
be.
"If he gets a few games under his belt and keeps it simple,
he'll be alright. When I was there I think his passing
improved and I expected him to continue to play well.
"I haven't seen all the games this season but I think he'll
be okay and recapture the form that saw him do so well when
he first arrived."
(tribalfooball.com)
Thor Zakariassen
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