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SATURDAY 21 |
Reds XI draws at Peterborough
A Gary Ablett managed Liverpool XI have drawn 0-0 with
League Two side Peterborough in a testimonial friendly for
their long serving goalkeeper Mark Tyler at London Road on
Saturday.
Both sides had chances to win the game, but it was
Liverpool's goalkeeper, Hansen, who was the busier and he
made two fines save, one from the penalty spot, to earn his
side a share of the spoils.
Fans at London Road were given a glimpse into what may be
Liverpool's future with many of the young players who this
year retained the FA Youth Cup and some of Rafa's summer
captures representing the Reds while the first team continue
their pre-season preparations in Hong Kong.
A crowd of more than 9,000 turned up in support of
Peterborough's goalkeeper Mark Tyler's testimonial, who has
been at the club for 13 years. And the game was given a
touch of extra significance because Peterborough's Chairman
is a massive Liverpool fan and was at the Champions League
Final; and Posh are managed by Darren Ferguson, the son of
Manchester United manager Alex.
Liverpool: Hansen, Peltier, Smith, Roque, Huth, Spearing,
Flynn (Crowther 66), Le Tallec, Lindfield (Nemeth 46),
Idrizaj (Brouwer 73),
Putterill (Simon 59). Subs not used : Oldfield, Kelly.
(LFC Official Website)
Penalty woe for Kewell as Aussies crash out
Harry Kewell's dreams of landing the Asian Cup with
Australia are over they crashed out of the competition to
Japan on penalties in Vietnam.
Kewell and Lucas Neill both missed from the spot as Japan
triumphed 4-3 in the shoot-out to take their place in the
semi-finals.
Australia were reduced to ten men before the hour mark when
Vince Grella was red carded for a late challenge.
But they recovered well and, in stifling heat, took the lead
with just 20 minutes left to play as Kewell crossed for John
Aloisi to net, but the Japanese hit back immediately and
levelled the scores just two minutes later.
Kewell opted to take Australia's first kick in the penalty
competition but saw his effort saved by Japanese keeper
Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi.
(LFC Official Website)
Fowler agrees Cardiff switch
Former Liverpool and England striker Robbie Fowler has
agreed a two-year contract with Coca-Cola Championship side
Cardiff.
The 32-year-old, released by the Reds at the end of last
season, turned down an approach from Sydney FC to join the
Bluebirds.
A statement on Cardiff's official website,
www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk, said: "Cardiff City are delighted
to announce that Robbie Fowler has agreed to join them on a
two-year contract.
"Robbie is expected to be unveiled at a press conference in
Cardiff on Monday or Tuesday this week."
(Sporting Life)
Reds head for Hong Kong
Liverpool will begin the next stage of their pre-season
preparations today when they fly to Hong Kong to compete in
the Barclays Asia Trophy.
The Reds will play two games in the Far East, against a team
from South China on Tuesday and then either Fulham or
Portsmouth on Friday afternoon.
"We know that we have a lot of fans in Hong Kong and are
looking forward to playing in front of them again," said
boss Rafael Benitez.
"I'm sure they will give us wonderful support and we will do
our best to win the Barclays Asia Trophy for them."
(LFC Official Website)
Reserves face Peterborough
A Liverpool XI will play Peterborough in Mark Tyler's
testimonial
this afternoon.
The Peterborough goalkeeper celebrates thirteen years at the
club with a testimonial against the Reds this afternoon.
Gary Ablett's reserve side will line up against the League
Two side and includes new signings Kristian Nemeth, Andras
Simon, Daniel Ayala and Daniel Pachecho.
(LFC Online) |
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FRIDAY 20 |
Benitez praises Moroccan starlet
Rafael Benitez was full of praise for Moroccan starlet Nabil
El Zhar after his impressive second half outing during the
2-0 win over Auxerre in Fribourg on Friday afternoon.
El Zhar created the second goal for Daniel Agger and was
unlucky not to score himself after coming close on several
occasions.
"I thought El Zhar did a good job when he came on in the
second half. Nabil is a player with pace and ability who
wants to do well. He gave us fresh legs and I told him to
try and change the game for us because everyone was feeling
tired. I told him to try different things and
try to score."
(LFC Official Website)
Reds maintain winning run
Liverpool maintained their 100 per cent pre-season record as
they secured a 2-0 win over Auxerre.
The Reds' victory is unlikely to live long in the memory,
but it made it four wins out of four as they build up to the
start of their Premier League campaign away at Aston Villa
on August 11th.
Goals either side of the break from Steven Gerrard and
Daniel Agger earned Liverpool the victory in the final match
of their pre-season tour of Switzerland.
(Sky Sports)
Carson ponders future
Scott Carson admits he is unsure what is best as he looks to
cement a place in the England squad ahead of next summer's
European Championship.
The Liverpool goalkeeper is clearly the No.2 at Anfield
behind Jose Reina and spent last season on loan at Charlton
to gain valuable first-team experience.
Carson wants to continue playing regularly at Premier League
level, but understands that will not happen at Liverpool,
although he is content to remain with Rafa Benitez's side.
Aston Villa and Manchester City are among the clubs
interested in signing the 21-year-old shot-stopper and
Carson is mulling over his options ahead of the start of the
new season.
"I'm delighted to be back at Liverpool, but we'll have to
see what happens," Carson told the Liverpool Echo.
"It's going to be difficult for me if I'm always on the
bench, but I'll have to see what the manager's ideas are and
take it from there. He's told me how much he wants me at the
club and he wants me to fight for my place. I'll play games
in the cup.
"Ideally, I want to play for Liverpool. That's why I signed.
But it's not going to be easy to get the No.1 jersey from
Pepe. He's done
exceptionally well."
(Sky Sports)
Yossi and Ryan start against auxerre
Yossi Benayoun and Ryan Babel will be handed their first
Liverpool starts against Auxerre this afternoon.
The pair will feature in the first half along with
19-year-old Bulgarian keeper Nikolay Mihaylov.
Record signing Fernando Torres is among the substitutes.
The team in full is: Mihaylov, Finnan, Paletta, Carragher,
Arbeloa, Benayoun, Gerrard, Hobbs, Babel, Voronin, Kuyt.
(LFC Official Website)
Gabriel Heinze: See you in court, Fergie
By Chris Bascombe - Liverpool Echo
Gabriel Heinze will take his battle to
join Liverpool from Manchester United to court.
Sir Alex Ferguson stated yesterday there was no way he would
sell the 29-year-old to Liverpool.
However, United will have no choice if Heinze has a get-out
clause, and now the defender is preparing to begin legal
proceedings demanding his sale.
It’s been widely publicised in recent days Heinze has a
letter signed by United chief executive David Gill allowing
him to join any club which bids £6m – a valuation Liverpool
are prepared to meet.
Despite their protests, it’s understood United did not have
the foresight to add the phrase ‘except for Liverpool’ in
this document.
Heinze’s representatives are confident of a swift court
hearing forcing United to accept a £6m offer made by all
interested clubs, including Liverpool.
The Anfield club made a formal bid for the defender which
was rejected, but will now take a back seat and watch
developments closely over the next few weeks.
Manager Rafa Benitez will want a new left back in his squad
before the start of the season.
The capture of Heinze would represent a major coup for
Benitez and, given Ferguson’s opposition to the move, would
also inflict psychological torment on the United boss.
What’s clear is no matter how much Ferguson claims it won’t
happen, the final decision is out of his hands.
Fowler rejects Australian offer
Former Liverpool and England striker Robbie Fowler has
turned down an offer from Australian side Sydney FC.
The 32-year-old had been in negotiations with the New South
Wales club over a possible move to play in the A-League in
2007-08 but he has chosen not to move Down Under.
Sydney FC chief executive officer George Perry said:
"Naturally, we're bitterly disappointed but we're satisfied
we did everything we could to persuade Robbie to come.
"Robbie was tremendously impressed by what he saw in Sydney
but he has chosen to go elsewhere. We respect his decision
and wish him and his family well."
Fowler is a free agent following his release by Liverpool at
the end of last season and Sydney had been optimistic of
securing his signing as discussions had gone well.
But Fowler also attracted interest from Championship clubs
Leicester and Cardiff, as well as at least one club in
America.
Leicester are planning to unveil their 12th close-season
signing today, with the Foxes one of the clubs who have held
talks with Fowler.
(Ireland.com) |
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THURSDAY 19 |
Gonzalez leaves Liverpool for Betis
Liverpool have sold Mark Gonzalez to Real Betis for a fee of
approximately £4.2 million.
Mark was unveiled along with three other signings at Betis
today by new boss Hector Cuper. Rafa Benitez had tracked
Mark Gonzalez for a while before his arrival at Anfield last
summer. He was originally signed from Albacete in October
2005 for around £3 million, but after problems gaining a
work permit he spent the 2005/06 season on loan in La Liga -
initially with Albacete and then with Real Sociedad.
The player began his career at Liverpool in the summer of
2006 but failed to make the necessary impact at Anfield.
He found it difficult to settle both on and off the pitch
and suffered to some extent with injuries. He made a total
of 37 appearances for Liverpool (most of them from off the
bench) - scoring three goals.
The sale reduces Liverpool’s net summer spending to £16
million.
(Anfield Online)
Benitez: New signings have raised standard
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez believes that his summer
signings have raised the standard of the Reds' squad.
Nearly £40m has been spent on bringing Fernando Torres, Ryan
Babel, Yossi Benayoun and Andriy Voronin to Anfield and
Benitez says that the fierce competition for places is
having a positive effect on the player's pre-season
preparations.
He said: "I've said many times my idea at Liverpool was to
build a squad with at least two good players for each
position.
"What's important is that the standard of all these players
is now very high. That's the key for me. Over the course of
eight or nine months of the season we will have injuries and
suspensions, but when everyone is fit you will see all the
players working very hard to be at their best for every
game. That means the quality across the whole squad
improves. Maybe you can see already how hard the players are
working."
(Shankly Gates)
Gerrard: We're ready to rumble
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard insists that Rafael
Benitez's troops are now equipped to challenge for the
Premier League title.
Ryan Babel, Fernando Torres, Andrei Voronin and Yossi
Benayoun have all arrived at Anfield this summer and the
England star is convinced that the Reds are now ready to
match Manchester United and Chelsea.
"I've watched what the other teams are doing in the market
and they're all strengthening, but all those teams will be
looking at us and thinking we are going to be all over them
this season," Gerrard told the LFC Magazine.
"I'm not going to start making any unnecessary predictions
about what's going to happen this season and the last thing
any of us need to do is build hopes up too much.
"But without doubt, if we all perform to our level each
week, we have the players to push United and Chelsea all the
way.
"We are looking in great shape, not only going into this
season but for the next few years."
(TEAMtalk)
Riise wants new Reds deal
John Arne Riise is looking to stay at Liverpool for the rest
of his career and has been working hard since the end of
last season to press for a new contract.
Rafa Benitez has been very active in the transfer market and
has been linked with a move for Manchester United left-back
Gabriel Heinze.
Riise admits the threat of new players has prompted him to
stay sharp during the summer.
He knows the Liverpool side could have a different look to
it this season but is determined not to be one of the
players to make way for a new face.
"There have been a lot of rumours lately about new people
coming to the club, so you know you need to step up a
level," the Norwegian told the Liverpool Echo.
"I've been working out during the summer because I wanted to
show the manager I was fit and raring to go.
"Of course I've read the stories about possible signings,
but you expect to hear a club like Liverpool is looking to
bring in new players.
"So far I've enjoyed a good six years so I hope I've done
more right than wrong during that time.
"I've been involved in more or less every game and I want
that to continue. I want to finish my career here. Everyone
knows that and there's nothing I'd like more than to sign a
long-term contract.
(Sky Sports)
Fergie: I won't sell Heinze to Reds
Sir Alex Ferguson has ruled out any possibility of
Argentina defender Gabriel Heinze leaving Manchester United
for arch rivals Liverpool.
Anfield boss Rafael Benitez is a long-time admirer of the
tough-tackling hardman and after weeks of speculation lodged
a formal bid for Heinze
on Monday.
The £6million offer was immediately rejected by United, even
though it met their private valuation.
And Ferguson has made it clear he will not countenance the
prospect of Heinze heading down the East Lancs Road to
Merseyside, a route travelled only once since the War, when
Phil Chisnall joined United's hated rivals in 1962.
"I can assure you, Liverpool will not be getting Gabriel
Heinze," said Ferguson. "We can put that to bed right now
and we have done so. We have had a couple offers for him and
we have turned them down."
(TEAMtalk)
Thor Zakariassen
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