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WEDNESDAY 21 |
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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) |
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TUESDAY 20 |
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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) |
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MONDAY 19 |
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'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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Thor Zakariassen
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