Red News                    

      
DECEMBER 2005
19  20  21

WEDNESDAY 21
Nice want to sign Sinama Pongolle
French club Nice have made an enquiry about signing Liverpool striker Florent Sinama Pongolle on loan.
The 21-year-old has struggled for first-team football this season, making just a handful of appearances.
"We are in contact with Liverpool but the talks are not very much advanced," Nice sporting director Roger Ricort told French newspaper L'equipe.
"We are looking to get a striker whose move will be compatible with our budget and is ready straightaway."
Nice are keen to sign a striker in January to compensate for the loss of Bakary Kone and Souleymane Camara.
Sinama Pongolle has also been linked with Manchester City and Spanish side Real Betis.
(BBC Sport Online)  
 
Alonso: Japan defeat will inspire us

Xabi Alonso believes the pain of defeat in the World Championship final will strengthen the Liverpool players resolve to bring more glory to the club.
Alonso insists the Reds squad will return to Premiership action this weekend in a positive frame of mind.
"Losing the final gives us more determination to win in future. We feel we've wasted one chance to win a trophy, but we have motivation to win more trophies," said Alonso today.
"Now we have to put the disappointment of losing the world club championship final behind us and concentrate on the Premiership now.
"The final is in the past and now we must look forward."
(Liverpool Echo) 

Mellor completes 90 minutes
Striker Neil Mellor continued his comeback from injury by completing his first 90 minutes for a year and scoring in Liverpool's 3-0 victory over Runcorn in the Liverpool Senior Cup.
Mellor has had operations on both knees to cure tendonitis and he played his first game of the season a fortnight ago as a goalscoring substitute for the reserves against Manchester United.
Sheffield United have maintained an interest in Mellor since last season and a possible loan move could come in the transfer window with the player now back to fitness.
Ramon Calliste and 17-year-old Paul Anderson scored the other goals to take Liverpool into the quarter finals.
Liverpool usually play an U18 side in this competition, but fielded the reserves because the second string do not have a game until 9 January.
(TEAMtalk)

Liverpool - Shock £12m Spurs defender link
Liverpool have been linked with a shock move for Tottenham Hotspur defender Ledley King.
A new centre-back is high on the agenda for Rafa Benitez in January, and the England international has emerged as a potential target.
However, King has already started talks on a long term contract extension and it appears unlikely that the Reds would have the transfer funds to move for the player.
(clubcall.com)  

Nando: This is now Rafa's Liverpool
Fernando Morientes believes Liverpool fans are starting to see evidence of Rafael Benitez's footballing philosophy coming to fruition at Anfield.
Morientes is a huge admirer of the Reds' Spanish coach and he is confident that, after eighteen months in the managerial hot-seat, Benitez's ideas are now being completely taken on board by the players.
He said: "As a squad we are beginning to realise and notice that his ideas are coming together and coming to fruition.
"He's playing a style which he wants and playing that style with players he wants in that group. It's important those two things come together.
"We are now seeing a Liverpool through the eyes of Rafa Benitez."
(LFC Official Website)

I've paid for Didi tackle, says contrite Essien
Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien has spoken out to defend his reputation after a string of controversial challenges, insisting: "I'm not a dirty player."
Despite widespread criticism of challenges on Bolton's Tal Ben Haim, Liverpool's Dietmar Hamann and Arsenal's Lauren, he insisted he had never deliberately set out to hurt an opponent.
He was then punished with a two-match suspension by UEFA after they reviewed video replays of his knee-high challenge on Hamann during the Champions League group tie at Stamford Bridge.
And the 23-year-old Ghana international said: "I am not a dirty player. I have paid for a mistake on Dietmar Hamann with a suspension. That is sufficient punishment for someone like me who only ever wants to play football.
"I phoned Dietmar personally to apologise to him. I assured him it was an accident and there was no malicious intent on my part. I believe he accepted this graciously and, as far as I am concerned, the incident is behind me."
(Daily Post)
TUESDAY 20
Owen relishing Anfield return
Michael Owen insists he is relishing the prospect of playing against former club Liverpool.
The Newcastle striker will make his first return to Anfield since leaving The Reds for Real Madrid in 2004 when the sides meet on Boxing Day, and is looking forward to the experience.
"Obviously when I knew I was coming back to The Premiership, you always think it will be strange to go back to your own club, and no doubt it will be when it comes," he said.
"I have a picture in my mind of what it will be like, but it will be very exciting to see a lot of old friends.
"It will be a strange one because I never really thought I'd leave Liverpool."
(Sky Sports)   

Whitehead flattered by Reds link
Sunderland midfielder Dean Whitehead is flattered to have been linked with Liverpool in some quarters, but admits it is merely speculation.
The 23-year-old midfield man has been one of the few bright sparks for Mick McCarthy's side so far this season, and there have been some rumours that Liverpool are interested.
Whitehead was playing in League Two with Oxford just over 18 months ago, and he is flattered to have been mentioned in the same breath as the European champions.
"Of course it's nice, but it is probably just speculation," said Whitehead.
"I'll just get on with my job as usual and hopefully play well on Boxing Day, if I'm picked.
"I've just signed a new contract and I'm very happy here."
(Sky Sports)

Exeter boss sees funny side of Liverpool Christmas card
Non-League side Exeter City are lost for ideas as to what kind of Christmas card they should return to Anfield after taking receipt of a very special one from the Reds.
Exeter City boss Alex Inglethorpe explains....
Writing in a column for the BBC, Inglethorpe said: "I was very amused by the card they sent, which featured a large photograph of the European Cup being kissed by Steven Gerrard, with tinsel running along the top. Inside best wishes are extended from European Champions Liverpool!
"I don't feel that I can really return the gesture in kind, unless we have a card produced with a picture of the Devon Bowl on the cover!"
(Kop Talk)  
  
Agent hints at Dudek exit

The agent of Jerzy Dudek has intimated that his client could be set for an Anfield exit.
Dudek has been usurped between the posts following Rafa Benitez's summer recruitment of Jose Reina and is growing increasingly disillusioned with life on the bench.
The Poland international is keen to secure regular first team football with the World Cup on the horizon and his agent, Jan De Zeeuw, has confirmed that talks with Liverpool officials are in the pipeline.
''In the first meeting we had with those in charge, Liverpool made it clear they had not given up on Dudek,'' he told A Bola.
''But I will have a discourse in England before the end of the year.
''We will converse and try to arrive at a solution. There is, however, no comment on the possible interest of Benfica or of any other club.''
Benfica are known to be interested in signing Dudek from their UEFA Champions League opponents.
(Sky Sports)

Owen return won't be a distraction
Jamie Carragher insists the Michael Owen factor should not distract Liverpool from the task of beating Newcastle on Boxing Day.
The centre-back was speaking ahead of Owen's first return to Anfield since his £8million move to Real Madrid in the summer of 2004.
Carragher said: "It's not about just Michael. Hopefully he'll get a good reception because he deserves that, he was a great player for the club.
"But we've moved on and Michael's moved on. I know people will make a lot about his return but he doesn't play for Liverpool.
"He's just the same as any other player. We won't be changing our game to play against Michael.
"He's my mate and it's nice to see him doing well. But the main thing is Liverpool, we want to win and hopefully we will."
(Daily Post)   

We won't repeat mistakes of 2002
Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry today admitted the club must learn from the mistakes of 2002 when the Reds go New Year shopping this January.
Parry compares the current situation at Anfield to that three years ago, when the Reds built a foundation for sustained success, only to see it rapidly disintegrate.
The failure of £20m worth of signings in the notorious summer of 2002 ultimately led to the downfall of the last regime.
Although Rafa Benitez has taken Liverpool into a menacing position much swifter than anticipated, the similarities will be evident when he goes recruiting in January.
Top class purchases may sustain a Premiership challenge, but failure to sign the right players could bring the steady improvement to a halt.
"I've been optimistic about our future before, but not more optimistic than now," admitted Parry today.
(Liverpool Echo)  

Gerrard 7th in FIFA's world player of the year award
Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard has come 7th in FIFA's world player of the year award.
Ronaldinho was deservedly named the winner by national team coaches and captains who can't vote for players from their own association. Surprisingly though was the fact that Fat Frank was named as the runner-up ahead of Eto'o (Barcelona), Henry (Arsenal), Adriano (Inter) and Shevchenko (AC Milan).
Ronaldinho polled 159 first-place votes compared to 25 for Lampard and 15 for Eto'o. England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson chose Ronaldinho, Adriano and Ibrahimovic as his selections.
Gerrard's placing means he comes ahead of Kaka (AC Milan), Maldini (AC Milan), Drogba (Chelsea), Ballack (Bayern Munich), Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Zidane (Real Madrid), Ibrahimovic (Juventus), Deco (Barcelona), Riquelme (Villarreal), Robinho (Real Madrid), Beckham (Real Madrid), Rooney (Man Utd) and C Ronaldo (Man Utd).
Last month Gerrard came 3rd in the 2005 European Footballer of the Year award. He was also 3rd in the Sports Personality of the Year award for 2005.
(Kop Talk)

Liverpool in for Zebina
Liverpool have taken on Milan in the race to sign Juventus’ Jonathan Zebina, by formally making an approach, according to reports in Italy.
The Reds have the second most frugal defence in the Premiership and recently set a club record of 11 consecutive matches without conceding a goal but, not content to rest on their laurels, the European champions have now swooped to acquire the right-back in January.
Zebina, who can play at both full-back and centre-back, is out of favour with the Bianconeri after a succession of injuries and a recent pay rise request that was considered to be excessive by Juve’s directors.
(Channel 4 Sport)   

Benitez delivers transfer pledge
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez insists he will be cautious about making big-money signings in January.
Benitez said after Liverpool's 1-0 defeat against Sao Paolo in the Club World Championship final in Yokohama: "It isn't only about money.
"I always say it is like having a table with three legs - and you need to get the other one to fit properly.
"It is the same in football. If you want to build a team, you have to get the one that fits in."
He added: "In this case we have done it with four new players so far but we want to get more.
"Every signing is important but now we are in a good position it is even more so. We want to grow and we want to be positive."
(BBC Sport Online)

Moores: Benitez best in the world
Liverpool chairman David Moores claims Benitez is proving himself to be the best manager in the world.
Moores said: "I wouldn't swap Rafa for any manager in the world. If I had to go back and make the appointment again, I know there couldn't be anyone better.
"I really believe he is going to lead this club back to greatness. The team is progressing and that's down to Rafa."
(BBC Sport Online)

Benítez has £10m to complete
Liverpool jigsaw in January sales

Rafael Benítez intends to use the January transfer window to strengthen his Liverpool side and will have £10m to spend as he looks for those elusive pieces he believes will complete his jigsaw. Though Chelsea appear to have disappeared over the horizon at the top of the Premiership, he is keen to keep up the chase and at least secure a Champions League place for next season.
"We want to be busy next month and, always, signings are important. But now we are in a good position it will be even more so," he said.
"It won't just be about the money, either. I always say it's like having a table with three legs and you need to get one more which will fit properly. You want a certain size, the right size, but people may be saying: 'Have this one, it's cheaper and it's better at this or that.' But what use is that if it doesn't fit? You have to make sure you get the right one. It is the same in football - if you want to build a team, you have got to bring players who
fit in."
(The Guardian)   

MONDAY 19

'I cannot believe we didn't score'
Jamie Carragher admits he was left scratching his head after leaving the pitch in Yokohama without a Club World Championship winners' medal.
The Liverpool vice-captain saw his team-mates squander countless chances to beat Sao Paulo but ultimately Mineiro's 27th-minute strike separated the teams.
Sao Paulo played a game unrecognisable from the Brazilian stereotype, defending deep and seldom venturing into their opponents' half.
And Carragher feels Liverpool should have ended their 28-year wait for one of the few trophies the club has never won.
"We played quite well and we deserved to get something out of the game," he said. "I just cannot believe we didn't score.
"We were the better team, there's no doubt about that and I'm disappointed. Good luck to Sao Paulo, you can see by their celebrations at the end how much it meant to them to win it. But I don't think anyone can say they were the better team. On another day we probably would have won. It was just one of those games."
(Liverpool Echo)

Real Madrid midfielder linked with Liverpool
Real Madrid midfielder Thomas Gravesen has been linked with a possible move to Anfield.
A source at Anfield told us last night: "Rafa has looked at Gravesen as a possible replacement for Didi (Hamann) but there has been no contact at this stage."
(Kop Talk)   

Garcia: We were cheated out of final glory
Luis Garcia last night claimed Liverpool were "cheated" out of Club World Championship glory after their bid for success in Japan ended in despair against Sao Paulo.
Liverpool were denied three goals by the same Canadian linesman, as Mineiro's 28th-minute winner condemned Rafa Benitez to his first defeat in 12 games.
"We feel cheated," said Garcia.. "They tell me it wasn't a goal, but what can you do now? We can't do anything.
"We scored three and one was definitely a goal. I think the referee was clearly wrong with some of his decisions and we are really unhappy about it. We have lost out on the trophy but we know we've played well. They had one chance, and nothing else after that."
(Daily Post)   

No sympathy from Sao Paulo boss
Sao Paulo manager Paulo Autuori had no sympathy for Liverpool's plight following his side's narrow World Club Championship final success.
"The most important thing in football is the scoreboard at the final whistle," he stated. "Football is about having a winner and a loser. The winner is always congratulated and is happy and the loser always tries to justify what happened."
(TEAMtalk) 

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