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SUNDAY 21 |
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Rafa raves about Reina
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez believes Jose Reina will become
a real influence at Anfield and be as big in The Premiership
as Pete Schmeichel.
The summer signing from Villarreal has been largely untested
in The Reds' opening two Premiership fixtures and UEFA
Champions League qualifiers.
Benitez believes that the Spanish international shot-stopper
will become a real asset between the sticks for the European
champions.
"Reina has a lot of confidence," Benitez told the club
website.
"He is always talking, controlling the defenders. They feel
already that they have a very good keeper behind them.
"It will be the same with Reina as it was with Schmeichel.
"Now he talks a lot but he doesn't know a lot of English
words but he's improving.
"The new situation for him is going to be the physical side
of the game here. But Reina likes the physical side. He has
no problems. He's strong."
(Sky Sports)
Fowler hits out at Houllier
Robbie Fowler has blamed a 'underhand campaign' waged by
Gerard Houllier for tearing him away from the club he loves.
The experienced striker left Liverpool in 2001 after nine
illustrious years at Anfield, and after failing to settle at
Leeds now plies his trade for Stuart Pearce's Manchester
City side.
"For all the decent people I've met at Leeds and Manchester
City, for all the wonderful fans at those two clubs, I know
I should still be at Liverpool now," Fowler said in his
autobiography, serialised in The Mail on Sunday.
"It's easy for me to blame Gerard Houllier for what
happened, easy for me to say that I made a huge mistake in
allowing his underhand campaign to force me out.
"Houllier did what he had to do, I guess he did what he
thought was in the best interests of the club.
"I could be bitter towards Houllier and Phil Thompson, his
assistant, but on a personal level I'm not.
"Away from his job Thompson is fine and I'm sure Houllier is
the same.
"However, I still wish he hadn't walked in that door at the
start of the 1998 season."
(Sky Sports)
Reds rival United for Cicinho
Liverpool are reported to be ready to hijack Manchester
United's bid for Brazilian defender Cicinho.
Manchester United are thought to have held talks with the
Sao Paulo star over a possible move to Old Trafford.
The 25-year-old has attracted the interest of a host of
clubs after impressing for Brazil in their Confederations
Cup campaign earlier this summer.
The South American claims Liverpool are now challenging
United for his signature and that he would like to move to
England.
(Sky Sports)
Skipper on new defender
Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard believes it is vital they
bring in a new central defender before the close of the
transfer window.
Gerrard feels they are short of options in defence and fears
the failure to bolster their squad could damage their
chances of success this season.
"We need to sign a central defender before the deadline,"
said Gerrard.
"If we don't then that may seriously harm our season.
"If we do not a sign a striker then it is not really a
problem as we have five strikers
at the club."
(Sky Sports)
Owen should stay, says Gravesen
Thomas Gravesen believes that Real Madrid should not sell
team-mate Michael Owen, who has been strongly linked with a
return to Liverpool.
Real have not confirmed that they would be prepared to sell
the 25-year-old England striker.
But ex-Everton midfielder Gravesen told the Sunday Mirror:
"I cannot think for the life of me why the club have decided
to sell Michael Owen.
"He is a fantastic player and makes us a better team when he
is in it."
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has so far denied making a bid
for Owen.
But the Premiership club have been repeatedly linked with
Owen, who appears to be surplus to requirements at Real.
(BBC Sport Online)
Benitez welcomes gritty win
Rafael Benitez acknowledged that when you play this poorly
then winning is the only thing that really matters.
The Anfield boss had to handle the saga surrounding the
futures of Michael Owen, Milan Baros, and now Djibril Cisse,
in the build-up to the Reds' first home Premier League game
of the season.
Then he had an out of sorts and eventually injured Steven
Gerrard walking a disciplinary tightrope to deal with.
And just who will be walking through the Anfield door before
the transfer window shuts in 10 days' time still remains a
mystery.
Amidst all this, three points were gratefully received.
Benitez said: "The most important thing after not playing
well was that we still took all three points. I was a little
disappointed that we didn't score more goals but at the end
we had three points and are still unbeaten without conceding
in the league so far."
(Sporting Life)
Under-18's kick-off season with win
Goals from Michael Nardiello and Jimmy Ryan gave Liverpool
Under-18s the perfect start to the new season with a 2-1 win
at Cardiff.
After a goalless first half Liverpool stepped up the pace of
the game in the second half. Michael Nardiello scored a
debut goal and although Cardiff equalised Jimmy Ryan netted
the Reds winner 10 minutes from time with a low drive into
the corner of the net.
Liverpool Under-18s manager John Owens said: "I am obviously
very pleased with the win and to get off to a good start but
we didn't play that well. We didn't show what we are really
capable of but that will come."
Liverpool Under-18s v Cardiff: Dave Roberts, Jordan Holmes,
Jay Spearing, Calum Woods, Robbie Threlfall, Jimmy Ryan,
Ryan Flynn (Craig Lindfield 70), Francis Smith, Michael
Nardiello, James Frayne (Paul Barratt 70), Charlie Barnett
(Lee Woodward 70). Subs unused: Josh Mimms (GK), Stephen
Darby.
(LFC Official Website)
Injury blow for CSKA Moscow
Liverpool's Super Cup Final opponents CSKA Moscow have been
dealt a blow with the news that star striker Ivica Olic will
be out for six months after injuring his knee on
international duty.
The Croatian international tore ligaments in his left knee
in his country's midweek 1-1 draw with Brazil.
Olic told UEFA.com: "I was hoping it would be nothing but
the medical staff said I will be out for about six months.
It will be the longest six months of my career."
(LFC Official Website)
McCarthy pleased with performance
Sunderland manager Mick McCarthy said he was proud of his
players performance at Anfield and says the Black Cats could
easily have got something out of Liverpool.
McCarthy felt a silly challenge which led to Xabi Alonso's
brilliant free-kick proved their downfall in the end.
McCarthy said: "I think for us to come to the home of the
Champions League winners, a team fancied to finish very
high, and play as well as we did is a vast improvement in
performance.
"When people see that, they know that, but we haven't got
any points which is disappointing."
(LFC Official Website) |
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SATURDAY 20 |
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Marseille keen on Cisse raid
Marseille are ready to join the race to sign Liverpool
striker Djibril Cisse.
French champions Lyon have played down reports that they are
planning a move, but their Ligue 1 rivals have been more
forthcoming.
Marseille president Pape Diouf denies the club has yet made
a bid but admitted he would not rule out a swoop for the
25-year-old.
Diouf said: "If such an opportunity came our way then we
would seize it. But the cup is still a long way from our
lips."
(TEAMtalk)
Cheyrou strike sinks Monaco
A single strike from Bruno Cheyrou was enough to give
Bordeaux their third win from four with victory over Monaco.
Cheyrou's 57th-minute strike from the edge of the area
stunned visiting goalkeeper Guillaume Warmuz to give
Bordeaux a deserved three points.
(Sporting Life)
Gerrard out of Euro clash
Steven Gerrard is almost certainly ruled out of Liverpool's
Champions League clash on Tuesday night after picking up a
calf injury against Sunderland.
Gerrard was replaced midway through the second half as a
precaution, and manager Rafa Benitez is already resigned to
being without his skipper for the clash with CSKA Sofia.
The Liverpool midfielder will undergo a scan tomorrow
morning when the Reds will be able to diagnose the problem.
Benitez said: "Gerrard had a slight calf problem and so we
decided to bring him off as a precaution. He will have a
scan tomorrow and we will see what the problem is. He has
felt something.
"I don't think he can play against CSKA Sofia on Tuesday
night but hopefully he can come back into the side against
CSKA Moscow on Friday night for the Super Cup final."
(LFC Official Website)
Alonso sees off Black Cats
A free kick from Xabi Alonso proved enough for Liverpool to
see off Sunderland at Anfield, although it was far from
plain sailing for the reigning European champions.
The Spaniard's curling effort from just outside the box was
a rare highlight for the home fans as The Reds made hard
work of it against the Premiership new boys.
The Black Cats battled hard at a sun-drenched Anfield,
despite little help from referee Barry Knight who
controversially sent off Andrew Welsh in the second half for
little more than running into Luis Garcia.
(Planet Football/Sky Sports)
Cisse returns for Black Cats visit
Djibril Cisse will replace Luis Garcia for today's clash
with Sunderland as Liverpool go in search of a winning
Anfield start in the Premiership.
It may be that Rafa is setting a more offensive line-up, but
only after kick off will we know if Cisse is to partner
Fernando Morientes in attack or look to terrorise Sunderland
from the right.
Liverpool are otherwise unchanged and Mohaned Sissoko will
continue in midfield after an impressive debut at
Middlesbrough.
Liverpool - Reina, Warnock, Finnan, Hyypia, Carragher,
Gerrard, Sissoko, Alonso, Cisse, Morientes, Zenden. Subs -
Carson, Josemi, Garcia, Baros, Risse.
(LFC Official Website)
Villa's Solano axed for United game
Nolberto Solano was axed from Aston Villa’s starting line-up
by manager David O’Leary this lunchtime in the wake of the
winger’s admission he would be interested in a move to
Liverpool.
Confirmation from the Peruvian that he is willing to join
the European Cup winners as makeweight in any deal that
would see Reds’ front-man Milan Baros move to Villa Park has
not gone down well with O’Leary, who promptly dumped Solano
to the substitutes’ bench for their Barclays Premiership
clash with Manchester United.
Peter Whittingham took Solano’s place, one of three changes
to the Villa line-up which drew against Bolton last weekend.
(Ireland On-Line)
Toffees join Baros hunt
Everton have admitted they are interested in signing Milan
Baros from local rivals Liverpool.
Baros' future at Anfield looks uncertain with Rafa Benitez
disclosing he would consider offers for the Czech ace.
Aston Villa, West Ham and Monaco have been linked with the
Euro 2004 top scorer, while Schalke have dropped out of the
race for his signature after failing to land him on an
initial loan basis.
Everton have now entered the race for Baros and could be
ready to offer the striker the chance to move across Stanley
Park.
Goodison Park chief executive Keith Wyness confirmed Baros
was one of a number of strikers they had targeted.
"We are looking at a number of different striking options
and we are currently reviewing them all," Wyness told the
Liverpool Echo.
"Baros is one of the names on the list."
(Sky Sports)
Gonzalez still a Rafa target
Liverpool chief Rafa Benitez will not abandon hopes of
signing Chilean prodigy Mark Gonzalez, despite the winger
having an application for a work permit turned down in a
recent bid.
The youngster was set to complete a dream move to Anfield,
before international red tape intervened - leaving the
Albacete youth in limbo and the Reds without their desired
wideman.
However, loopholes in the law mean that Gonzalez can gain a
European passport come January.
Benitez said: "We have to wait until at least January before
we can do anything else, but next year he'll have a European
passport anyway. His grandmother is from Spain and he has a
German grandfather. So he must go through all this for the
sake of one year.
"It's an unbelievable decision we must wait so long. I
believe the Chilean government has taken a big interest in
the case. They sold 1,000 Liverpool shirts when we signed
Gonzalez. No-one understands what's going on."
(Footie-Fans)
Stead in doubt for clash at Anfield
Jon Stead is a major doubt ahead of the trip to Liverpool
after missing training yesterday with a virus.
The loss would be an annoying setback for manager Mick
McCarthy who had earmarked his most expensive summer signing
for a lone striker role at Anfield in front of a five-man
midfield.
Indeed, while Stead may have recovered by kick-off time, the
draining effects of the virus are likely to mean he is only
able to occupy a position on the bench, with Andy Gray
playing alone in attack.
(The Journal)
Kop to unveil mosaic for Michael
Supporters on the Kop will show their support for jailed
Liverpool fan Michael Shields shortly before kick-off on
Saturday when a mosaic titled Free Michael will be on show.
Shields was jailed in Bulgaria for a crime he insists he did
not commit.
18-year-old Michael Shields from Wavertree, Liverpool, was
arrested in Bulgaria days after Liverpool's Champions League
triumph in Istanbul on suspicion of a brutal attack on
Martin Georgiev, the owner of a fish and chips shop in the
Black Sea resort of Golden Sands.
The 18-year-old strenuously pleaded his innocence throughout
the trial and despite another Liverpool man coming forward
to admit it was him who carried out the assault, Shields was
sentenced to 15 years behind bars in Bulgaria.
The Liverpool fans will show their support for a fellow Red
with the Free Michael mosaic before the Sunderland game.
(LFC Official Website)
Solano no go sees Rafa back for Stelios
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is back on the trail of Bolton's
Greek star Stelios Giannakopoulos.
Benitez renewed his interest in Stelios yesterday after he
was told Aston Villa's Peruvian star Nolberto Solano was not
available.
Stelios has a £1million escape clause in his contract and
Liverpool are expected to match that figure over the weekend
and ask for permission to speak to him.
(Daily Mirror)
Rafa: Cisse still part of my plans
Rafael Benitez has told striker Djibril Cisse not to take
any notice of newspaper speculation and said the club record
signing is still very much part of his plans.
Newspaper speculation has linked Cisse with Gerard
Houllier's Lyon but Benitez said there has been no bids for
the French international who is happy at Anfield.
Benitez said: "Cisse is happy here. We are not thinking
about him not being here.
"We need to use all our players and Cisse is working well
and scoring goals. I've told him that we don't have any
offers for him, so he must work as normal.
"It's not easy for him or any player to read newspapers and
hear stories about new players or players in their
positions. I said to him, don't read the newspapers, that
will be the best thing for him.
(LFC Official Website) |
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FRIDAY 19 |
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Liverpool to wrap up Idrizaj signing
Liverpool are next week hoping to conclude the signing of
Linzer ASK midfielder Besian Idrizaj.
Idrizaj told Liverpool's official website: "I have always
been a Liverpool fan and it would be a dream come true to
play for them.
"If you get a chance to go to Liverpool on trial then you
have to take it. You cannot ingore a trial with the reigning
Champions League winners. I would even have swam across the
channel just to take part."
Liverpool had scouts watching the 17-year-old in his
country's U19 win over Northern Ireland.
He added: "It was the best thing that could happen to me. I
knew some Liverpool officials were in the stands, so scoring
the winner was the perfect promotion campaign."
(Football Rumours)
Solano: I'd love to move to Reds
Nolberto Solano has told Aston Villa he'd love to join
Liverpool, as the Milan Baros transfer saga took another
twist.
Villa manager David O'Leary insists he won't let the
30-year-old leave as part of a swop deal.
But Solano says he would 'love to go' to Anfield having been
alerted to Rafa Benitez's interest.
"It is fantastic when a big club comes in for a player,"
said Solano today.
"Ask any player in the world if they would love to play for
a big club - and everyone would love to.
"I won't say: 'No, I don't want to go to Liverpool' because
they are a big club who want to challenge to win titles -
any player would love to go to Liverpool.
"If you ask any player what they would do if a big club came
in for them, Manchester United, Chelsea or Liverpool -
everybody would love to go there."
(Liverpool Echo)
Benitez quells Owen talk
Rafa Benitez has once again rejected rumours he is planning
to bring Michael Owen back to Liverpool as the Reds boss
considers offers for Milan Baros.
Former Liverpool favourite Owen is being strongly linked
with a return to Anfield after being granted permission to
speak to other clubs.
Newcastle United want to sign the England ace, while reports
in Spain persist that Liverpool are in the hunt.
Benitez has frequently denied speculation he is chasing Owen
and has reiterated his stance that he does not require a new
striker.
"When I read the Spanish press I smile as we have not made
an offer [for Owen] and are only thinking about the centre
back position."
(Planet Football/Sky Sports)
Benitez: We want to be world champs
Rafael Benitez today confirmed he wants Liverpool to rule
the world in Japan in December.
Benitez has revealed the Reds will take part in FIFA's
showpiece World Club Championships as Europe's
representatives following their stunning Champions League
victory last season.
There were initial fears that fixture congestion could force
the Reds to withdraw from the competition, but Benitez has
insisted the chance to become World Champions is too
irresistable to turn down.
The Reds first game will be in Yokohama on December 15
against either Sydney FC or Deportivo Saprissa from Costa
Rica.
"We feel we must go to Japan," said Benitez today. "Looking
at the Premiership fixtures, we will have to rearrange only
one league game. Because we are European champions, I think
it's good for us to be there.
(LFC Official Website)
Rafa checking out Meite
Liverpool's search for a new central defender has taken them
to France.
Rafa Benitez has tended to favour players from La Liga but
has sent spies to Marseille to watch Abdoulaye Meite in
action.
The Ivory Coast international has the sort of qualities
Benitez is looking for as he seeks a rugged stopper to help
increase his options at the back.
It is understood that the 24-year-old would be attracted by
any switch to Merseyside even though he is under contract
until 2008.
(Sky Sports)
Essien nearly joined Liverpool
Michael Essien has revealed that he nearly joined Liverpool
a couple of seasons ago.
"Two years ago, I was very close to signing for Liverpool
before joining Lyon," the French midfielder, who is
finalising a move from Lyon to Chelsea, told Sky Sport.
"But, at that time, I didn't have enough international
matches to go [to earn a work permit]. At first, I was very
disappointed.
"Gerard Houllier was a real gentleman. He wanted to keep me
as he already did everything to get me two years ago at
Liverpool.
"But he understood that I dream to play in England. He knows
what that country represents to me."
(LFC Online)
Dudek hoping for quick return
Jerzy Dudek has revealed his elbow injury isn't as serious
as first feared as he looks forward to a quicker than
expected return to action.
Dudek dislocated his elbow last week and was initially ruled
out of competitive action for three months.
But the Polish goalkeeper has now revealed he is making good
progress in his rehabilitation and could be ready to
challenge Pepe Reina for a first team place before the end
of next month.
"It's always bad news when you get injured," said Dudek.
"But fortunately the good news for me is that it isn't as
bad as we first thought and hopefully after five or six
weeks out I could be ready to play again."
(LFC Official Website)
Momo showing early promise
When Momo Sissoko was unveiled as the 'new Patrick Vieira',
there was a thunderous sound of uncomfortable shuffling in
seats at Melwood.
Torturous memories were still too fresh in the mind. It was
just three years ago Salif Diao was signed with the same
endorsement, while the number of new Platinis, Zidanes and
Lizarazus Liverpool have purchased since 1998 ensured the
Reds were once capable of fielding a French tribute team.
It says something for the comparison fatigue Anfield
regulars have suffered that a compliment which ought to have
provoked excitement about the purchase from Valencia was
viewed with immediate suspicion.
Manager Rafa Benitez isn't usually one for making such
extravagant claims about a signing, but through no fault of
his own, his remarks about Sissoko were greeted with a
chorus of 'we've heard it all before'.
"In the two competitive games he's played he's already done
very well for me. He was man-of-the-match in the European
game and the only reason he wasn't last week was because
Steven Gerrard was so fantastic," said Benitez today, as he
reflected on the £5m midfielder's impact.
(Liverpool Echo)
Morientes: Owen would be perfect
Liverpool striker Fernando Morientes is hoping Michael Owen
returns to Anfield after suffering a familiar frustrating
spell at Real Madrid.
Owen has been linked with a return to Liverpool after
leaving Anfield last season but finding himself fifth-choice
striker at Real - and Morientes would welcome the
25-year-old's return.
"It's very difficult for any player when you find yourself
on the bench," Morientes told The Sun. "Owen knows his
situation at Real and what he has to do.
"I imagine he feels the same as I do. That he really wants
to play. And when you are not in the team then you have to
pack your bags and go to another club.
"I hope Liverpool get him and if he does sign again for us I
will be the first one to be happy because he is a great
player that would definitely benefit the club.
"Owen knows everything about Liverpool because he was a
great player for the club before he left."
Morientes added: "I know from personal experience what a
good player he is because we played a few games alongside
each other for Real Madrid. It worked well and we both
scored in the games we played together."
(Sporting Life)
Houllier quashes Cisse talk
Gerard Houllier has refuted rumours he wants to sign Djibril
Cisse amid reports Lyon have bid for the striker's Liverpool
team-mate Milan Baros.
Lyon have money to spend due to the impending sale of
Michael Essien to Chelsea and are looking to bring in a new
striker.
Liverpool duo Cisse and Baros have been linked with a move
to Stade Gerland as Houllier weighs up his options.
Speculation has recently suggested that Houllier wants to
work with Cisse, having been the man who set up the deal to
take the France international to Anfield last year.
But Houllier left his post as Reds manager before Cisse
arrived from Auxerre, while the hot-shot endured a torrid
first season on Merseyside due to a broken leg.
"Do the English press speak about Cisse?" questioned
Houllier. "They are wrong."
(Planet Football/Sky Sports)
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Thor Zakariassen
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