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FRIDAY 21 |
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Vignal knocks back Rangers
Rangers' on-loan stopper Gregory Vignal has rejected their
offer of a contract, and has stated that Marseille have a very
strong chance of signing him.
The Liverpool player turned down Rangers officials after
previously declaring himself happy at Ibrox, and now appears
to be holding out for the money he feels he deserves.
Vignal has not ruled out further negotiations with the
Scottish giants, although warned that if Marseille came in
with a good offer he would be severely tempted.
"I have rejected the Rangers offer," said Vignal.
"I hope to receive a second proposition later this week, the
door remains opened, I have a very good relationship with Alex
McLeish.
"Anyway something will happen, Liverpool won't cause any
trouble if I want to leave.
"About Rangers, it is difficult to keep a player who wants to
leave, above all if I have a very interesting proposition from
l'OM."
(Planet Football/Sky Sports)
Gerrard worry for Reds
Steven Gerrard is a major Liverpool doubt for the Premiership
trip to Southampton with a thigh injury that has been
troubling him all week, and it has now emerged would have
ruled him out of the FA Cup defeat at Burnley.
Liverpool (from): Dudek, Carragher, Pellegrino, Hyypia,
Traore, Garcia, Hamann, Gerrard, Biscan, Warnock, Josemi,
Welsh, Baros, Sinama-Pongolle, Morientes, Mellor, Carson,
Riise, Potter.
(TEAMtalk)
Benitez pleased with Carson signing
Rafael Benitez has expressed his delight in the capture of
England under 21's international Scott Carson.
Benitez, who fought off the millionares of Chelsea to capture
the goalkeeper, told of his delight in bringing Carson to
Anfield.
"Perhaps it is a good message for the future," he said.
"If you want to play for a big club it's not all about money.
It's important that you have a clear idea about the future and
about what you want to achieve."
(LFC Online)
Welsh pens new Liverpool contract
Liverpool midfielder John Welsh has signed a new
two-and-a-half year contract with the club.
Welsh has impressed boss Rafael Benitez enough to earn a new
contract and continue his rise up the Anfield ranks.
"The new manager has shown he is willing to give the younger
players a chance," Welsh, 21, told the website of his
representatives, Stellar Group.
"Now I need to work hard and try to force my way into the
first team on a more
regular basis."
(BBC Sport Online)
Redknapp relishing Reds reunion
Jamie Redknapp says that facing his old club Liverpool on
Saturday will be a special game for him.
Redknapp joined his father Harry at Southampton from
Tottenham, as he was not getting regular action at White Hart
Lane under Martin Jol.
The two sides meet at St Mary's on Saturday, live on Prem
Plus, and Redknapp is looking forward to facing his old club.
"It's a special game for me," Redknapp told Sky Sports News.
"I had 11-and-a-half great years there at Liverpool. I loved
the placed and the fans. The football club is a special place
and anyone lucky enough to play for Liverpool is very
privileged.
"I'm looking forward to the game on Saturday, it's a big game,
live on TV, but first and foremost we need three points."
(Planet Football/Sky Sports)
Quashie straight in for Saints
Southampton manager Harry Redknapp will give an immediate
debut to new signing Nigel Quashie as he bids for his first
Barclays Premiership win since taking charge of Southampton
against Liverpool tomorrow.
Quashie will partner former Liverpool star Jamie Redknapp in
midfield after completing a £2.1m (€3m) move from Portsmouth
at the start of the week.
Team (from): Niemi, Telfer, Lundekvam, Davenport,
Higginbotham, Delap, Quashie, Redknapp, McCann, Crouch,
Ormerod, Blackstock, Prutton, Jones, A Svensson, Jakobsson,
Kenton, van Damme, Dodd, Smith.
(BreakingNews.ie)
Harrison joins Leeds on loan
Young goalkeeper Paul Harrison has joined Leeds United on loan
with a view to a permanent move.
Academy graduate Harrison has been a regular member of the
first team squad this season but is yet to make a first team
start.
He's moved to Elland Road on an initial one-month deal but
could make the switch permanent if it suits both parties.
(LFC Official Website)
Carson seals switch to Liverpool
Leeds goalkeeper Scott Carson has completed his £1m transfer
to Liverpool, signing a four-and-a-half year deal at Anfield.
The 19-year-old chose Liverpool ahead of a move to Chelsea,
and will provide competition for Jerzy Dudek.
Carson said: "It's a relief that everything has been
completed. I'm delighted to be here and can't wait to get
started."
(BBC Sport Online)
Nunez to miss Saints clash
Antonio Nunez will miss Saturday's trip to Southampton as the
former Real Madrid winger starts a three match ban following
his sending-off at Burnley.
Nunez will miss Liverpool's games with Southampton, Watford in
the Carling Cup and the trip to Charlton Athletic.
(LFC Official Website)
Everton chase former Red
Everton boss David Moyes is keen to sign David Thompson before
the transfer window closes next week.
The former Liverpool midfielder is back from a year-long knee
injury and will struggle to regian his place in the side after
the arrival of Robbie Savage at Blackburn.
But Rovers boss Mark Hughes insists he won't let him go that
easily.
"Thommo is still coming back," he insisted. "He is an
important player and gives us something different when he is
on the ball."
(LFC Online)
Benitez aware of need for victory
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is optimistic of beating
Southampton and has backed Fernando Morientes to make his mark
for Liverpool.
"The Southampton game is a very important one for us now,"
said the Liverpool manager.
"We know we need to win games to reduce the gap on Everton and
Manchester United above us in the table."
"Fernando Morientes will score a lot of goals and everyone
will see what a good player he is."
Morientes made his debut for Liverpool last weekend in the 1-0
defeat against Manchester United at Anfield.
And Benitez is unconcerned that the Spain international failed
to mark his debut with a goal.
"He may have lost his record of scoring in all his debuts, but
he will score many goals for us," said the Liverpool boss.
(BBC Sport Online)
Clemence: Carson has bright future
Liverpool goalkeeping legend Ray Clemence believes Scott
Carson has a bright future ahead of him but also said it would
be unfair to expect him to just walk into the Liverpool team
and be the real deal straight away.
Clemence has seen Carson at close hand with the England set-up
and believes given time he will be a fantastic goalkeeper.
Clemence said: "It will be a big move for Scott, a big step
up. He's still a young boy and it would be wrong for anybody
to put excessive pressure on him.
"He has fantastic potential but, as with all goalkeepers, he
needs to play games.
"It's never easy as a goalkeeper at 19, but there's an old
adage that it doesn't matter about your age if you're good
enough.
"I was younger than Scott is now when I came to Liverpool from
Scunthorpe. I think I was 18 when I had my first game in the
first team. Then I had to wait a year or two before I became a
regular."
(LFC Official Website)
Niemi fit for Reds clash
Southampton's Antti Niemi will be fit to face Liverpool on
Saturday, after shaking off a knock to his knee.
The Finland international picked up the injury last weekend
and was a doubt for the game against a Reds side looking to
bounce back after a humiliating FA Cup exit at the hands of
Championship side Burnley.
However, Niemi returned to training on Thursday and is keen to
help his side pick up a result.
"I was able to train normally on Thursday so I'm fit to play
on Saturday," said the Finn.
"Saturday's game against Liverpool is important for us, but so
are all the rest of the games.
"It's time to stop our run of games without a win."
(Planet Football/Sky Sports) |
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THURSDAY 20 |
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O'Leary fury at Diaos' choice
David O'Leary today hit back at Salif Diao by saying he chose
Blues ahead of Villa because he couldn't be guaranteed
first-team football.
The Villa boss was fuming that Blues gazumped them for the
Senegal international when he believed he had a deal in place.
“I’d have liked to have got Diao but somebody else jumped in
on something and I couldn’t guarantee the lad first-team
football.
“It’s about competition really. I can’t bring anybody in here
and guarantee them anything.
“I had to tell him there were no guarantees. It is who is
doing well and it will always be the same at any club I’m
with."
(Evening Mail)
Gerrard optimistic about 2006
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard believes England can win the
2006 World Cup in Germany.
Since shaking off the injury problems which blighted his early
career, Gerrard has fulfilled his potential to become arguably
the most important cog in Sven-Goran Eriksson's England wheel.
Gerrard told Five's 'John Barnes' Football Night' - being
broadcast on Thursday night: "I'm confident we can. We've
definitely got the players to do so but it's a very difficult
tournament to win."
(Sporting Life)
PSV to beat Reds to stopper
PSV Eindhoven are looking to beat Liverpool and Celtic to the
signature of Andreas Granqvist.
The Swedish Under-21 star is Helsingborgs' prized asset and
has really come to the fore over the past few months.
Now PSV, Liverpool and Celtic are trailing him closely and a
move is being predicted - possibly even this month before the
transfer window closes.
Reports in Scandinavia are placing PSV at the head of the
queue.
The player himself is happy at Helsingborgs, but he confirmed
he knows of the clubs looking at him and that a move to De
Eredivisie could be his best option.
"PSV, Celtic and Liverpool have studied me the most," he
revealed to Expressen.
"But I take it easy, I don't expect anything to happen before
the summer."
(Planet Football/Sky Sports)
Leeds eye Harrison loan deal
Leeds United are hoping to take Liverpool's third choice
goalkeeper Paul Harrison to Elland Road on-loan, should Scott
Carson complete his proposed move to Anfield.
Carson is expected to tie-up the transfer today after he
arrived on Merseyside to undergo a medical and discuss
personal terms this morning.
Leeds have confirmed that should the Carson deal go through
without any hitches, then they will look to bring in a
replacement and it's thought that Harrison is top of their
wanted list.
Harrison caught the eye of Leeds boss Kevin Blackwell during a
recent reserve game and he is hoping to secure a deal to sign
the youngster until the end of the season.
(Shankly Gates)
Rafa's boardroom warning
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has reiterated his belief that
he does not have a big enough squad to chase the honours that
supporters crave.
"I'm working to build a new team for the future. If you want
the team rebuilt, you need money," said the manager. "You need
to get into the Champions League and get as far as possible
because that means more finances.
"I never want to be a manager who says we can't win this or
that competition, but the reality is I know we don't have a
squad which can compete for four trophies."
(Kop Talk)
Goalkeeper says transfer put on hold
Real Madrid goalkeeper Cesar says claims a proposed transfer
to Anfield has been put on hold until the summer.
Cesar looked to be coming along with Fernando Morientes but as
we know, Morientes came alone.
"We have put the subject on hold until June unless something
unexpected happens in the meantime," said Cesar. "I have
spoken with Benitez on a number of occasions and he wants me
to join him."
(Kop Talk)
Reds win race to capture Carson
Liverpool have won the chase to sign highly-rated Leeds
goalkeeper Scott Carson.
Leeds United today confirmed the 19-year-old was heading to
Merseyside for a medical this afternoon, with a view to moving
to Anfield in a deal believed to be worth £600,000.
Manager Rafael Benitez is hopeful of registering Carson before
Saturday's trip to Southampton, where the teenager can expect
to immediately be included in the squad, initially as cover to
Jerzy Dudek.
(Liverpool Echo)
Gerrard to play on Saturday
Steven Gerrard is winning a fitness battle to face Southampton
this weekend.
The furore regarding his noninclusion in Tuesday's FA Cup tie
at Burnley has now proved irrelevant since the skipper
wouldn't have been fit to play in the game.
Gerrard needed painkillers prior to last weekend's visit of
Manchester United having hurt his groin during last Friday's
training session.
He's been undergoing intensive treatment, and while officially
rated 'doubtful' for the weekend, is optimistic of travelling
with the squad.
(Liverpool Echo)
Parry pleased with new signings
Chief Executive Rick Parry says he is thrilled with Rafael
Benitez' January signings.
Fernando Morientes and Mauricio Pellegrino have already signed
and Leeds goalkeeper Scott Carson is set to put pen to paper
today. Both Morientes and Pellegrino are expected to play
against Southampton this weekend.
(LFC Online)
Le Tallec to return
Anthony Le Tallec is set to return to Liverpool after St
Ettiene signed Lamine Sakho.
Les Verts took Le Tallec on loan at the start of the season
when the Frenchman demanded first team football from Rafael
Benitez and was told he would get no such guarentee.
Le Tallec has made only seven appearances for St Ettiene
however, and he is unlikely to get many more after the signing
of Sakho.
Le Tallec is expected to return to Liverpool before the end of
the month and will immediately be loaned out again to an
English club. Both Norwich and Crystal Palace have expressed
an interest in the player.
(LFC Online)
Vignal happy to join Rangers permanently
Liverpool left-back Gregory Vignal has said that he would be
happy to make his loan stay at Scottish giants Rangers
permanent.
Vignal told Rangers' official website: "I am very happy in
Glasgow. I live in a nice village and my wife and baby also
enjoy living here.
"If Rangers come to me with a good contract then I would be
happy to sign. I've told the manager I love it here but I have
to wait and see what the club want to do.
"I still have one year left on my contract with Liverpool and
when my agent speaks to them this week I hope they can make a
decision about what they want me to do.
(Football Rumours) |
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WEDNESDAY 19 |
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Chelsea confim interest in Liverpool target
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has confirmed that he is interested
in signing Liverpool target Scott Carson but only for the sake
of it.
The Leeds United goalkeeper is wanted by Liverpool boss Rafael
Benitez but Chelsea have also made a formal bid.
Mourinho said: "We don't need another goalkeeper. We have a
great group of keepers, but the reality is that we need the
best players in the country, especially English ones.
"If a very young goalkeeper is available, we can think about
it for the future of the club, instead of having Lenny
Pidgeley as the only young goalkeeper. We could have both of
them and maybe send one on loan."
(Kop Talk)
Phillips blasts "arrogant" Reds
Bournemouth chairman Peter Phillips has branded Liverpool
"arrogant and disrespectful" after the Cherries missed out on
a lucrative FA Cup trip to Anfield.
The south-coast club will instead travel to Burnley in the
fourth round after the Clarets beat a weakened Liverpool side
1-0 at Turf Moor.
"Obviously we are very disappointed for the fans, players and
also the club as a whole because it is a significant financial
loss," Phillips told the Daily Echo.
"But I am particularly disappointed in the way that Liverpool
approached the game - they were arrogant and disrespectful to
a very important competition. Frankly, they got what they
deserved."
(Sporting Life)
Whelan questions attitude
Former Liverpool star Ronnie Whelan has questioned the
attitude of some of the Anfield players after the FA Cup
defeat by Championship side Burnley.
"Some of the players didn't look bothered whether they won the
game or not. It seemed some did not want to be there," he told
the Liverpool Echo.
"You can talk about the pride of wearing a red shirt, but some
just did not want to be playing last night.
"You can't apportion much blame on the youngsters. They tried
as hard as they could.
"You couldn't question their attitude, but one or two of the
older pros need to take a look at themselves."
(TEAMtalk)
Manager denies Mellor bid
Wigan manager Paul Jewell has denied making an approach for
Liverpool striker Neil Mellor. The Latics boss recently
revealed he had enquired about a mystery player, but this week
confirmed he was still waiting to hear from the player's
manager.
Wigan were also linked with Glasgow Celtic's Sylla, Bolton
Wandarers's Neil Pedersen but Jewell has ruled out a move for
anyone of them.
"I know we're being linked with quite a few players, but I
have to say I don't know where half the stories have come
from," he said.
"Of the names I've seen I'm willing to say there isn't really
any chance we'll be bringing in Neil Mellor or Henrik
Pedersen.
(talkfc.com)
Reds showed a lack of respect
The FA Cup is a competition you have to respect. Liverpool did
not give it that respect last night.
There is still an aura about the FA Cup: that magic of a good
run for the fans, thrilling games, the possibilities of making
it to the latest stages, even the final.
Ask Exeter City; ask Sheffield United; and yes, ask Burnley.
The FA Cup offers an opportunity, too, of clinching a European
spot for next season.
Rafa Benitez was right to give some of his younger squad
players the chance to gain experience in the Carling Cup. They
have risen to the occasion and got excellent results at
Millwall and Tottenham. But the FA Cup is a different matter.
(Tommy Smith - Liverpool Echo)
Baggies trial Diomede
West Bromwich Albion have taken former Liverpool flop Bernard
Diomede on trial for a week.
The 30-year-old went to Anfield for £3 million from Auxerre in
July 2000, although was restricted to just one league start
during his time under Gerard Houllier.
Diomede has already been on trial with Toulouse, Espanyol,
Bolton and Manchester City this season after leaving French
outfit Ajaccio in the summer.
(Planet Football/Sky Sports)
Liverpool fans back Benitez
Liverpool fans have inundated the BBC's 606 message boards
with support for boss Rafael Benitez, who fielded a weakened
side against Burnley in the 1-0 FA Cup third round defeat.
Despite pundits ranking the shock Cup exit alongside the Reds'
defeat to Wimbledon in the 1988 final, and the 2-1 loss to
non-league Worcester in 1959, fans were quick to defend him.
Many fans blamed previous boss Gerard Houllier for the team's
ongoing malaise, while others asked questions of the playing
staff.
Only a handful said that they lacked faith in Benitez, who
joined the club in the summer after winning the Spanish title
and Uefa Cup with Valencia last season.
(BBC Sport Online)
Weak Reds to escape action
Liverpool are unlikely to face any disciplinary action from
the Football Association despite having fielded a weakened
line-up in their FA Cup third round defeat at Burnley.
And this means Arsenal and Manchester United would, at least
theoretically, be able to rest leading players in FA Cup
fourth round ties - if United make it through at Exeter - just
three days ahead of their Premiership clash at Highbury on 1
February.
For although FA Cup rules include a clause requiring teams not
to field weakened line-ups, the FA realise this would be hard
to enforce due to the enlarged nature of
first-team squads.
(TEAMtalk)
Gerrard to aid charity
Liverpool's Steven Gerrard, plus David Beckham and Thierry
Henry are among the 50 players confirmed for FIFA's 'Football
for Hope' benefit match in aid of the Asian tsunami victims.
Barcelona's Nou Camp stadium will host the match between a
team captained by FIFA World Player of the Year Ronaldinho and
one led by the winner of the European award, Andrei
Shevchenko, on February 15.
(Daily Post)
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Thor Zakariassen
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