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TUESDAY 21 |
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Traore's PSG dream
Liverpool defender Djimi Traore has revealed he would like
to represent Paris Saint Germain at some point in his
career.
The Champions League winner is happy at Anfield after
enjoying a fine end to the season with the Merseysiders.
Although the full back almost joined neighbours Everton last
year, he will be hoping to further establish himself in Rafa
Benitez's plans next term.
A move to the French capital does appeal to Traore, however,
although that would have to be once he has fulfilled all his
ambitions at Liverpool.
"That club [PSG] makes me dream," he told Le Foot.
"They have had some trouble but I would really love to wear
their shirt one day."
PSG finished ninth in the Ligue 1 table last season, a
disappointing 28 points behind champions Lyon.
(Sky Sports)
Prem duo eye Tomasson
Reports in Italy have suggested that Liverpool and Arsenal
are looking to sign Milan striker Jon Dahl Tomasson.
Carlo Ancelotti could be ready to let the Danish marksman
leave San Siro, especially if he concludes his move for
Hernan Crespo.
Italian media sources have quoted a sum of around €10
million as the price Milan would look to receive for
Tomasson.
(Sky Sports)
Besiktas to nab Biscan
Turkish side Besiktas are confident they will seal a deal
for Liverpool midfielder Igor Biscan, saying the move is
all-but complete.
The Reds midfielder is out-of-contract at Anfield and was
not offered a new deal by Rafa Benitez despite his up-turn
in form.
It now seems as though he will return to the scene of
Liverpool's UEFA Champions League triumph, with Turkey his
destination.
Besiktas boss Riza Calimbay is supremely confident of
signing Biscan, saying a deal is on the verge of being
completed.
"We'll strike a deal within the week at the latest. I see
the transfer as 99 percent complete," said Calimbay.
"Biscan will add strength to Besiktas."
Turkish rivals Fenerbahce were thought to be interested in
Biscan, but as soon as they dropped out of the race the way
was clear for Besiktas to push through their own deal.
(Planet Football/Sky Sports)
Lyon still chasing Baros
Lyon are refusing to close the door on the
possibility of signing Liverpool striker Milan Baros.
Lyon will monitor Baros' situation with The Reds and have
not discounted the prospect of reviving their bid.
Club chairman Jean-Michel Aulas insists Baros did not reject
a move to Stade Gerland outright and confirmed he remains on
Houllier's wish list.
"It did not happen in this manner," Aulas told L'Est
Republicain in response to a question that Baros said 'no'
to Lyon.
"Milan is clearly tied to Liverpool.
"We have not lost all hope of recruiting him. Baros remains
on our list."
(Sky Sports)
Liverpool stall on Gerrard contract talks
Newspaper reports today claim that Liverpool FC
representatives are stalling on sitting down with Steven
Gerrard's agents regarding a new contract, despite public
claims to the contrary by both the manager and chief
executive.
It continues to be suggested that the club are considering
selling the player and that they're waiting for Spanish
giants Real Madrid to return with an improved offer for the
Liverpool skipper.
(Kop Talk)
Anfield stadium should go ahead
A Liverpool MP today led calls for the new Anfield stadium
to go ahead, despite £23m public funding being withdrawn.
The stadium remains the key to a huge regeneration
programme, community leaders say.
Walton Labour MP Peter Kilfoyle said: "There is a simple
solution here, which would see items objected to by the NWDA
funded with private investment.
"As long as we get the same overall result, I will be happy.
I am confident there is a way through this.
"The regeneration of Anfield and Breckfield is still the
most important aspect of this scheme. The ground is vital to
football supporters, but residents want the regeneration
proposals that go with it."
(Liverpool Echo)
Liverpool flop ready to leave
Liverpool's out of favour midfielder Bruno Cheyrou is set to
leave the club for French side Sochaux.
Cheyrou was signed by Gerard Houllier for £3.7m from Lille
at the start of the 2002/3 season but only made 17
appearances for the Reds. He spent last season on loan at
Marseille after Rafael Benitez made it clear he was not in
his plans.
Cheyrou is now in talks with Sochaux about a permanent deal
but Liverpool will be lucky to get half the money they paid
for the player three years ago.
(LFC Online)
UEFA confirm Liverpool seeding
Liverpool face the possibility of a nightmare trip to
Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan or Armenia when they start the
defence of their Champions League crown next month.
After savouring the delights of such places as Monaco, Turin
and Athens en route to the dramatic penalty shoot-out
victory over AC Milan in the final in Istanbul last month,
boss Rafael Benitez's side now take on an altogether
different proposition.
The 12 potential opponents for Liverpool are: FK Rabotnicki
(Macedonia), FC Dinamo Minsk (Belarus), FC Pyunik (Armenia),
Sliema Wanderers (Malta), KF Tirana (Albania), FC Levadia
Tallinn (Estonia), Glentoran (Northern Ireland), Total
Network Solutions (Wales), F91 Dudelange (Luxembourg), PFC
Neftchi (Azerbaijan), HB Torshavn (Faroe Islands), FC Kairat
Almaty (Kazhakstan).
(Sporting Life)
Redknapp backs Owen move
Jamie Redknapp believes Michael Owen would opt for a move to
Liverpool or Chelsea should he return to the Barclays
Premiership.
The 32-year-old, who announced his retirement from the game
at the weekend following a long-term knee injury, believes
the England striker could come back to the Premiership after
just one year at Real Madrid.
"If he was to come to Chelsea - that is the club at the
moment, there is no doubt about it.
"Manchester United have had a mention - that would be a bold
move. I would be very, very surprised but they have got Ruud
van Nistelrooy there, they have got the best young forward
probably in the world now, Wayne Rooney.
"I think if he is going to come back the chances are it is
going to be Chelsea or Liverpool."
"Wherever the guy plays he will score goals - he is just a
natural-born goalscorer.
"In time Michael will probably say it has helped his game
playing over in Spain, playing for one of the best clubs in
the world, it's really good to see, but I wouldn't be
surprised if he did come back because I think he is one of
those players who needs to feel loved."
(Sporting Life) |
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MONDAY 20 |
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Dudek undaunted
Goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek has pledged his future to Liverpool -
and vowed to fight for his place ahead of the impending
arrival of Jose Reina.
Although Dudek was a hero of the Reds' Champions League
final with AC Milan last month, saving two penalties in the
spot-kick shoot-out victory, there were rumours he would
leave Anfield this summer.
Manager Rafael Benitez has made it a priority to strengthen
the goalkeeping department again, despite the capture of
Scott Carson from Leeds during the transfer window.
But he is determined to meet the challenge as he told Czech
newspaper MF Dnes: "I still have two years left on my
contract, so yes, I will stay at Liverpool.
"I admit that there was a lot of speculation on this issue,
but the coach must buy another goalkeeper.
"I am not afraid that the new goalkeeper will make problems
for me. Every year it is difficult to be in the line-up, and
it will be the same next season."
(Sporting Life)
Lyon give up on Baros hunt
Lyon have given up in their attempt to lure Milan Baros from
Liverpool.
The Czech striker had been linked with a summer move to the
French club, but has since spoken out about his desire to
remain at Anfield.
"He wants to remain in Liverpool," confirmed Lyon chairman
Jean-Michel Aulas. "It is what he told us yesterday evening
via his agent.
"It is necessary to want to play for Olympique Lyonnais
before coming to sign. He will perhaps be one for next
season or another one."
(LFC Online)
Mourinho joins Owen race
Chelsea are ready to scupper Manchester United's attempts to
sign striker Michael Owen after failing to lure Samuel Eto'o
to Stamford Bridge.
It had been reported that the England striker was set to
join Sir Alex Ferguson's side after resigning himself to
being shown the door at Real Madrid, just one year after he
arrived at the Bernabeu from Liverpool.
(TEAMtalk)
£23m blow to new Anfield
Liverpool FC's bid for £23m of taxpayers' money for their
new stadium project has failed, the ECHO can reveal.
The Anfield club has waited months for a decision on whether
the Northwest Development Agency would grant public money
for the scheme.
But the ECHO has learned the funds will not be provided by
the regeneration agency because some of it has been
earmarked only for club facilities.
Around £9m of the money would be spent on the stadium roof,
soundproof wall cladding and an underground car park.
Government officials say they cannot use public money to pay
for the construction costs of the planned £120m,
60,000-seater ground at Stanley Park.
No one from the club was available to comment.
(Liverpool Echo)
Fixture rumour sweeps the city
Derby fever gripped the city last night after reports
claimed Liverpool and Everton are due to meet in the opening
fixture of the new Premiership season.
Both the Football Association and the Premier League were
unavailable to comment on the rumours, which would ensure an
explosive start to the campaign at Goodison.
The new season begins on Saturday, August 14, but if the
early Merseyside derby is confirmed that would most likely
delay the game until the Sunday as it would doubtless be
selected for live television coverage.
The official release of next season's fixture list is not
until next Thursday, and fans are now anxiously waiting for
confirmation as to whether this leak is merely an internet
hoax.
(Daily Post)
Mark makes case for Kewell
Middlesbrough goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer says international
colleague Harry Kewell will be back to his best once he
overcomes his injury troubles.
The Liverpool man has endured a testing time over the past
nine months after suffering from a series of blows, and has
even been accused of exaggerating the extent of his injuries
in some quarters.
The Australian international has also been the subject of
ire from Reds fans after failing to light up Anfield with
the kind of displays that made him a household name at Leeds
United.
However, with his rehabilitation set to continue over
pre-season, Kewell will now be looking to get back to peak
performance and Schwarzer has come out in support of his
colleague - insisting that he can recapture his former
glories.
"I think a lot of people are fed up with the treatment Harry
has been getting," said Schwarzer.
"Once he's fully fit I think he'll prove all his critics
wrong."
(Sky Sports) |
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SUNDAY 19 |
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Rafa confident Gerrard will stay
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is confident the
club can defy Real Madrid and hang on to star midfielder
Steven Gerrard.
Gerrard, 25, has been linked with Real in recent weeks after
seeing his standing rise following his role in Liverpool’s
victory in the Champions League final.
However, Benitez told Spanish paper Diario AS that he was
planning to keep Gerrard at Anfield.
He said: “We are preparing a special weightlifting plan for
Gerrard’s shoulders because we want him to lift a lot of
trophies for Liverpool in the next few years.
“I am not in favour of selling him and we are building a
great team around him because we want him to be the skipper
who wins the most titles in Liverpool’s history."
(BreakingNews.ie)
Cisse weds in red
Djibril Cisse celebrated his wedding to fiancee Jude Littler
in style on Saturday when he wore a bright red suit and red
top hat in the colours of his team Liverpool.
The Reds number nine wore a red three-piece suit at the
ceremony in Bodelwyddan Castle in Wales on Saturday.
Cisse said: "The wedding went extremely well. Jude is a
beautiful woman and I am proud to call her my wife. We are
both very happy."
(LFC Official Website)
Owen ready for United move
Former Liverpool marksman Michael Owen has reportedly
revealed he wants to join Manchester United.
The England striker is starting to accept that Real Madrid
are ready to sell him after just one season at the Bernabeu,
according to The News of the World.
And a source close to the former Liverpool man says Owen,
25, would choose Old Trafford as his preferred destination.
(TEAMtalk)
Former Red retires
Jamie Redknapp retired today from football at the age of 31
due to long-term injury problems.
Redknapp joined Liverpool at the age of 17 and went on to
make 310 first team appearances and 17 international caps
with England during his 11 years at Anfield.
After he left the Reds, he joined Tottenham in 2002, and
then Southampton in
January of 2004.
(This is Anfield)
Anfield alerted as striker demands
transfer
Rafael Benitez has been informed that Crystal Palace striker
Andrew Johnson has declared his intentions to quit the club.
The 24-year-old has been tracked by Rafa all season and a
formal interest was registered with Palace back in January.
Palace slapped a price tag of £10million on the England
international which saw our interest wane. But with the
player now admitting for the first time that he wants a
move, Palace will be unable to demand an inflated fee.
Talking about his wish, Johnson said: "I must leave Crystal
Palace. I want to play for England in the World Cup finals
in Germany next summer. That's it in a nutshell.
"I can say, hand on heart, that if we had stayed up at
Palace then this would not have been an issue. I would be
staying.
"I believe my chances of going to Germany would suffer
significantly if I'm down playing in the championship. Mr
Eriksson hasn't told me to leave Palace. But it's clearly a
matter of common sense.
"I certainly could never forgive myself if I let the chance
slip. If I stayed at Palace and missed out on my dream I
would be tortured by it forever."
(Kop Talk)
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Thor Zakariassen
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