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MONDAY 21 |
Pennant purrs over Keane potential
Jermaine Pennant believes Liverpool could have the most
dangerous strike force in The Premier League if Rafa Benitez
has his way and unites Fernando Torres with Robbie Keane.
The Spurs striker would be the perfect link man for Torres
according to Pennant who is keeping his fingers crossed that
The Reds can strike
a deal with Spurs.
Reports in Monday’s newspapers suggest negotiations are to
be stepped up for Keane this week, although it could take up
to £20 million to land
the Republic of Ireland international.
“Robbie Keane is a great player, he’s sharp around the box
and is a great finisher,” Pennant said.
“And with Torres up front as well, it could be as good as
anything in
the Premiership.”
(Setanta Sports)
Gerrard fitness not big worry, says Benitez
Rafael Benitez has played down any fears over Steven
Gerrard’s fitness for the start of the season.
The Liverpool skipper returned home early from the club’s
training camp in Switzerland after suffering a groin
problem.
Gerrard sat out the 2-1 win over FC Lucerne in Grenchen on
Wednesday and was back on Merseyside for the 1-1 draw
against Polish champions Wisla Krakow in Fribourg on
Saturday.
The midfielder has already been ruled out of tomorrow’s
friendly in Germany against Hertha Berlin but is likely to
return for the trip to Villarreal the following week.
“Steven has a groin problem, it’s not serious but he cannot
train and he wouldn’t be available for this game so we
decided to send him back
to Melwood for training,” said Benitez.
“He should be okay in about a week. It’s not serious but
there’s no sense to keep him here being unable to train or
play.”
Philipp Degen also missed Saturday’s game due to a groin
problem, but is expected to be available tomorrow night.
(Liverpool Daily Post)
Riera desperate for Reds move
Albert Riera would not dream of turning down a move to
Liverpool if
the Reds firm up their interest in the wantaway Espanyol
midfielder.
Reports in the Barcelona press claim Rafa Benitez is
weighing up a €10 million (about £8 million) bid for the
Spain international.
Espanyol are reported to be holding out for €15 million
(about £12 million) but Riera is hoping that he is given the
opportunity to return to The Premier League, a division the
26-year-old knows well from a loan spell at Manchester City
two years ago.
"I know English football and it is an attractive option for
players,”
said Riera.
"If Espanyol do finally receive an offer I do not want to
miss the opportunity to go to Liverpool. The option to join
a superclub doesn’t come every day.
“I am a realistic person but this has given me something to
look
forward to.
“To reject the possibility of a move would be madness.”
Espanyol’s sporting director Paco Herrera was remaining
non-committal when quizzed on the player’s future.
"It is necessary to study the options and after that we’ll
make a decision,” said Herrera.
(Setanta Sports) |
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SUNDAY 20 |
Amoo shines as U18s hammer Shakers
David Amoo scored twice as Liverpool Under-18s thrashed Bury
5-1 in their second outing of pre-season.
Thomas Ince, son of former Reds skipper Paul, made his
Under-18s debut and Finnish teenager Lauri Dalla Valle
rounded off a superb second half display with a goal. German
striker Marvin Pourie was also on target and Adam Pepper
scored a superb free-kick.
"It was a very pleasing performance by the boys," boss
Hughie McAuley told Liverpoolfc.tv.
"The attitude from them since we returned for pre-season
training has been superb. They are working really hard in
training, enjoying their football and it's showing on the
pitch.
Liverpool team: Ben Robinson (U16), Jack Metcalf, Shane
O'Connor (Jack Flanagan 75), Trialist, Joe Kennedy, Michael
Roberts, David Amoo, Patjim Kasami, Marvin Pourie (Lauri
Dalle Valle 45), Adam Pepper, Alex Cooper (Thomas Ince 45,
Karl Clare 75).
(LFC Official Website)
Murphy: Reds are letting Rafa down
Former Liverpool star Danny Murphy has cast a gloomy eye
over
the Anfield club’s title hopes, insisting Rafa Benitez is
not getting the backing he deserves.
Murphy, now of Fulham, holds Liverpool extremely dear to his
heart having represented his boyhood club for seven
successful years.
Even if Keane does arrive, as it appears he will do, Murphy
fears Liverpool will still lack the necessary flair out wide
to sustain a title challenge unless Benitez is given better
financial backing.
“You can ask if the players in the wide areas are good
enough compared to the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea
and Arsenal, who have Cristiano Ronaldo, Joe Cole and Tomas
Rosicky.
“If you’re going to win The Premier League, you have to
compare the players you have in your positions to those in
other teams.
“Is the quality at Liverpool as abundant as it is at other
clubs? Maybe not.
“Liverpool don’t seem to have the funds that United and
Chelsea have got. That seems strange.
“It seems they are allowed one big signing in the summer
instead of two or three, and that might be the difference.
“Rafa is not getting the backing he deserves.”
(Setanta Sports)
Reds keen on PSG ace
Reports in France claim Liverpool have made a bid to lure
Paris Saint Germain young striker David Ngog, cousin of
Jean-Alain Boumsong.
Ngog, 19, was told last week by head coach Paul Le Guen he
can move on subject to a suitable offer be made and it has
been claimed that Rafa Benitez has made an offer to sign the
Frenchman.
(Setanta Sports) |
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SATURDAY 19 |
Reserves suffer Posh defeat
A young Liverpool Reserves side found it tough going as they
lost 4-1 to Peterborough United in a one-sided friendly
encounter at London Road on Saturday afternoon.
Gerardo Bruna grabbed the consolation goal for Gary Ablett's
side and despite being disappointed by the defeat, the Reds
boss felt there were
a number of positives to be taken from the encounter.
"We struggled physically at times against an experienced
team but it's all part of the learning curve for the young
players," Ablett told Liverpoolfc.tv.
"We could learn different things about our players and you
can see how they cope in a different environment.
"To be fair we did pass the ball nicely at times but we gave
away four bad goals from our point of view down to sloppy
defending.
Liverpool Reserves: Chris Oldfield (Hakan Duyan 45), Martin
Kelly, Gary Mackay-Steven, David Kellerman (Ronald Huth 45),
Godwin Antwi, Steven Irwin, Ryan Crowther (Jordy Brouwer
45), Ryan Flynn, Craig Lindfield, Nathan Eccleston (Zsolt
Poloskei 45),
Gerardo Bruna (Alex Kacaniklic 68).
(LFC Official Website)
Rafa pleased with Dossena debut
Rafael Benitez declared himself satisfied with the debut of
Andrea Dossena after the Italian defender impressed in the
1-1 draw with Wisla Krakow in Fribourg.
The former Udinese full-back featured for 62 minutes of the
1-1 draw with Krakow and the Reds boss admitted it was good
to see him play his first game for the club.
"Dossena did okay," said Rafa. "It was important for him to
play his first game. He is a good player and a good
professional.
"He needs to understand our system and the way we play and
he will get better with the more games he plays."
(LFC Official Wesite)
Voronin on target again in draw
Andriy Voronin was on target again as Liverpool drew 1-1
with Polish side Wisla Krakow in Switzerland on Saturday
evening.
New signing Andrea Dossena made his debut at left back and
played 60 minutes. Youngster Stephen Darby also started at
right back as he got
a chance to impress.
(This Is Anfield)
Dossena makes bow against Krakow
Andrea Dossena will make his Liverpool debut tonight as the
Reds look to maintain their 100 per cent pre-season record
against Wisla Krakow.
The Italian international will link up with Sebastian Leto
down the left while Jamie Carragher will again skipper the
side in the absence of the injured Steven Gerrard.
Dutch starlet Ryan Babel is also included in the starting XI
and will link up with Andriy Voronin in attack.
The Liverpool team in full: Cavalieri, Darby, Dossena,
Agger, Carragher, Plessis, Lucas, Leto, Benayoun, Babel,
Voronin.
Subs: Martin, Hyypia, Skrtel, Pacheco, Aurelio, Pennant,
Kuyt, Mascherano, Insua, Spearing, Hobbs.
(LFC Official Website)
Gerrard sent home with groin injury
Steven Gerrard has been ruled out of Liverpool's next two
friendlies in Switzerland after returning to England for
treatment on a groin injury.
Gerrard will miss Saturday evening's clash with Wisla Krakow
as well as next week's fixture with Hertha Berlin in
Germany.
"Steven has a slight groin strain which will keep him out
for between seven and 10 days," said club spokesman Ian
Cotton.
"He has left the training camp to return to Melwood where he
will receive treatment on the injury."
(LFC Official Website)
Thor Zakariassen
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