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WEDNESDAY 21 |
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Carragher: Crouch can fill in for Owen
Jamie Carragher claims Peter Crouch can fill Michael Owen's
void, insisting: "His current goal record matches any
striker in the world."
Crouch found himself thrust into action after barely 60
seconds of last night's 2-2 draw with Sweden in Cologne
after Owen collapsed in agony by the touch-line before being
carried off.
Carragher said: "I am devastated for Michael. He is a good
friend of mine and he thinks it might be a long-term injury
but Crouchy is up to the task of stepping in.
"His record for England proves that over the last six or
seven games. He has got a goal a game in that time. His
record stands up with any striker in the world over the last
few games.
"To get the goals he has done, even the best strikers in the
world would struggle to achieve that ratio. I've got
confidence in him.
"He has done superbly recently and that's all you can do
with England.
"I'll be pleased if he carries on doing well because he has
taken a lot of criticism this season after not scoring early
doors for Liverpool and then some people gave him stick with
England.
"But he has proved everyone wrong and I've faith in him."
(TEAMtalk)
Bellamy at Melwood
Craig Bellamy is at Liverpool's training ground to undergo a
medical.
Bellamy is also there to meet Rafa for an interview , for
Rafa to see if Craig has the right attitude for the club.
Speaking earlier this week, Benitez said "
"I will be talking to him to express my ideas. He has the
ability, the pace and the talent we've been looking for and
now we need to talk about other things."
Bellamy is on the verge of a £6million move from Blackburn
(Anfield Red)
Marseille look to tie up Cisse switch
Marseille hope to tie up a loan deal for injured Liverpool
striker Djibril Cisse this week.
The French giants had been expected to push for a permanent
transfer before the hitman fractured his leg in France's
World Cup warm-up against China recently.
But now club president Pape Diouf told the Liverpool Echo he
is travelling to Liverpool imminently to move a loan deal
forward, despite the fact Cisse will be out for around five
months with a broken leg.
Marseille are pushing ahead wih the deal to fend off
interest from fellow French side Lyon.
Liverpool will be happy to allow Cisse to continue his
rehabilitation in France on the condition Marseille agree to
a permanent transfer when the striker is fit.
"A player like Djibril Cisse continues to interest us, which
is why I am going to Liverpool to meet the player and his
management," said Diouf.
"Djibril is optimistic; he is confident and hopes to be back
playing in October. We will continue with our quest to sign
him."
(TEAMtalk)
Fowler: Bellamy an excellent signing
Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler says Craig Bellamy would be
an ideal addition to the squad.
The Blackburn Rovers hitman will become a Red providing he
can convince Rafa that he's worth taking a gamble on and
Fowler hopes everything goes to plan.
Fowler said: "It appears that Craig Bellamy will be joining
us and that is excellent news.
"He's an excellent player who will give an extra dimension
to the squad and will be welcomed by us all should
everything go to plan.
"He's quick, a nightmare for defenders to mark, never gives
anything up and knows how to score goal.
"If we are going to overhaul Chelsea, we need plenty of
competition for places and Craig's arrival will keep us all
on our toes."
(Kop Talk)
Footballer's medal haul is stolen
Thieves stole Jerzy Dudek's Champions League
medal and football memorabilia during a burglary at the
Liverpool FC goalkeeper's home, it has emerged.
They struck at the footballer's home in Caldy, Wirral, last
week while he was visiting his native Poland.
Dudek returned to the UK on Tuesday and is said to be
devastated by the theft, which includes medals, watches and
more than 100 goalkeeper shirts.
Merseyside Police is appealing for witnesses to the theft.
Dudek's black Porsche Carrera was also taken during the
burglary, which was discovered on Monday by one of his
friends.
Among the football memorabilia reportedly taken were both
Premiership and international shirts, a World Cup Final
shirt from 2002, a Worthington Cup Final Shirt and a pair of
World Cup Final goalkeeper gloves.
Medals stolen included a Uefa Super Cup medal and a
Worthington Cup medal.
The watches taken include a Cartier, a gold Omega watch, a
Gucci, a Frank Muller
and a Rolex.
(BBC Sport Online)
Rush: Bellamy would be a great signing
Ian Rush today insisted Craig Bellamy will be a hit at
Anfield if the Reds sign the Welsh striker from Blackburn
Rovers.
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez will meet with Bellamy this
week to talk over a possible transfer after the two clubs
agreed a fee for the striker.
Rush is well aware of Bellamy's off-field reputation, but he
believes the former Newcastle man will be a perfect addition
to the Liverpool squad.
"I'm delighted to hear Liverpool are interested in signing
Craig," said Rush.
"He'll be a great signing because he's exactly the type of
striker we need. He's got that extra quality the team has
been lacking, which is lightning pace. For me, there's no
risk
at all."
(LFC Official Website) |
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TUESDAY 20 |
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Gerrard admits England problems
England midfielder Steven Gerrard admitted his side have
plenty of work to do after their 2-2 draw with Sweden, but
he is delighted to have won Group B.
Gerrard seemed to have scored a late winner in Cologne, only
for Henrik Larsson to score a 90th-minute equaliser.
England defended poorly at set-pieces throughout the second
half, but Gerrard was happy with a point:
"The most important thing was to top the group, but we would
still have been prepared to play Germany.
"In the second half we stopped passing and moving, and we
found it difficult.
"We did look vulnerable at set-pieces, and that's something
we'll have to work on
in training."
(Clubcall Sports)
Bellamy decision won't take long
Craig Bellamy's agent has hinted the in-demand Blackburn
striker will not keep anybody waiting as he considers a move
to Liverpool.
Anfield boss Rafael Benitez is confident the Welsh
international will join his boyhood heroes after Rovers
reluctantly gave them permission to speak to him, despite
recently making his a much-improved contract offer.
"I have nothing to say at the minute but I may have more to
say on Wednesday morning," said Steve Horner.
(TEAMtalk)
Reds confirm German friendly
Liverpool have confirmed they will be playing a pre-season
friendly against Bundesliga side FSV Mainz 05.
The game will be played at the German club's home ground on
Friday August 4 as Rafa Benitez's side continue their
preparations for the new Premiership season.
No kick-off time has yet been announced for the game, though
it is expected to start between 19.00 and 20.00 local time.
No tickets will be available from the Anfield box office for
this fixture and all enquiries should be directed to FSV
Mainz 05.
FSV Mainz 05 finished 11th in the Bundesliga last season on
38 points.
(LFC Official Website)
Liverpool negotiating with Feyenoord
According to reports this morning, Liverpool are continuing
to negotiate with Feyenoord in the hope of reaching an an
agreement that will see striker Dirk Kuyt make the switch to
Anfield after the World Cup.
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is keen on the Dutch hitman
but if Feyenoord hold out for more than £10million, Rafa
could miss out.
(Kop Talk)
Benitez confident of Bellamy deal
Rafael Benitez believes it will be an "easy" decision to
make for Craig Bellamy to join Liverpool.
Blackburn confirmed today that they had allowed the Reds
permission to speak to the Wales striker.
The 26-year-old is reported to have a clause in his contract
which allows any Champions League club to speak to him if
they offer £6.5million.
Ewood Park officials confirmed Liverpool had made an
official bid and the 26-year-old is now set to enter into
negotiations, and Benitez does not doubt that Reds fan
Bellamy possesses "the passion" to sign.
"We have an agreement which allows us to talk to the
player," Benitez said.
"He is on holiday, but we will talk over the next few days.
I know the player's qualities very well. He is a very good
footballer and now we need to see if he has the passion to
play for our club.
"I don't think this will be a problem because he is a
Liverpool fan, so I think it will be easy for him."
(Sporting Life)
Alonso commands Spain to comeback
Despite leaving it late, Spain impressively came back from a
goal down against Tunisia to win their second World Cup game
and qualify for the final 16 of the competition, hosted in
Germany.
Liverpool’s Luis Garcia and Xabi Alonso both started for
Spain, who went a goal down after just 8 minutes and despite
numerous chances and plenty of attacking play couldn’t break
down the Tunisian defence in the first half.
At half time Luis Garcia was replaced by striker Raul, but
it wasn’t until the 72nd minute that the substitute
equalised for Spain, much to the relief of coach Luis
Aragones.
From there, Fernando Torres went on to score two more for
the Spaniards, on 76 minutes, and an injury-time penalty.
The FIFA man of the match award was given to Xabi Alonso who
had another commanding and impressive game for his country.
Congratulations, Xabi.
(This is Anfield)
Kewell cleared to play Croatia
Harry Kewell has been cleared by FIFA of improper conduct
during Australia's game with Brazil.
The Liverpool winger was accused of verbally abusing the
referee during the Socceroos' defeat.
But a disciplinary hearing has ruled in his favour and
overturned a one-match ban.
(LFC Online)
Rovers offer Bellamy £65,000-a-week deal
Blackburn Rovers have offered to make Craig Bellamy the
highest paid player in their history in an effort to fend
off a £6.5 million bid from Liverpool. The striker's
earnings would rise to £65,000 a week.
Manager Mark Hughes, encouraged by midfielder Steven Reid's
decision yesterday to agree a new four-year deal at Ewood
Park, wants a meeting with Bellamy to clarify his future
after an inquiry from Liverpool last weekend. The Wales
international tops Liverpool's list of transfer targets
after netting 17 goals in 32 appearances for Blackburn last
season.
(The Daily Telegraph) |
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MONDAY 19 |
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Kromkamp not fazed by bench warming
Jan Kromkamp is prepared to spend his World Cup sitting on
the bench if it means getting a winners' medal at the end of
it.
The Liverpool defender has fallen out of favour with Dutch
coach Marco van Basten.
Substituted at half-time in Holland's final friendly against
Australia in Rotterdam, Kromkamp has not featured in either
of his country's two games so far.
Even when Johnny Heitinga limped off against the Ivory Coast
on Friday, Kromkamp was overlooked as van Basten turned to
Khalid Boulahrouz instead.
"Of course I want to play but above everything else, I am a
Dutchman and I want the team to do well," he said.
"I don't want my team-mates to get suspended or suffer nasty
injuries which keep them out for a long time. I want Holland
to win the World Cup.
"We are all desperate to achieve that and that means having
all our best players available for every game.
"Realistically, there will be changes because you cannot
expect the same team to play in what I hope will be seven
games.
"But all I can do is keep working hard in training and hope
to get noticed."
(TEAMtalk)
Reds lodge £10m bid?
Liverpool have reportedly increased their bid for Sevilla
full-back Daniel Alves to £10million.
Spanish newspaper AS claim that the La Liga club's chairman
Jose Maria del Nido has rejected the offer, tabled in the
last 24 hours.
(Clubcall Sports)
Liverpool make official bid for striker
Liverpool have made an official approach to Blackburn Rovers
for their striker Craig Bellamy.
A formal £6million bid has been faxed to the Premier League
outfit following indications from the Bellamy camp that the
player would love to join the club he has supported since a
boy.
The Welsh hitman is even prepared to take a pay cut to
secure a move and that has gone down well at Anfield.
Arsenal are also keen but the player is only interested in
leaving Blackburn for Liverpool.
(Kop Talk)
Sturrock confirms Liverpool talks
Sheffield Wednesday boss Paul Sturrock says he plans to hold
talks with Liverpool this week regarding the possibility
loan signing of goalkeeper Scott Carson.
Carson impressed following his loan spell at Wednesday last
season and Sturrock sees him as the ideal replacement for
David Lucas.
The Wednesday boss said: "I will talk to Liverpool over the
next couple of days to find out the situation.
"I will be working to bring in a keeper by 26 June."
(Kop Talk)
Benitez closing in on £6m Bellamy
Rafael Benitez will hand Craig Bellamy the chance of a dream
move to Liverpool - as Djibril Cisse edges nearer the
Anfield exit.
The Liverpool manager has made no secret of his intention to
shake-up his forward line as he prepares his team for a tilt
at the Premiership title next season.
And he has identified Blackburn Rovers striker Bellamy as a
major part of his plans, and is prepared to trigger a clause
in the Wales international's contract that allows him to
depart Ewood Park for £6million.
The clause expires at the end of July but Benitez has chosen
to act now, with Liverpool hopeful of finalising the deal
for the 26-year-old early next week.
(Daily Post)
Foul-mouthed Kewell in hot water
Harry Kewell could miss Australia's final group match after
being charged by FIFA with insulting referee Markus Merk on
Sunday.
The Liverpool winger has been reported by Merk for swearing
at the German official several times after the final whistle
of the 2-0 defeat by Brazil - and disciplinary proceedings
have been opened against him.
A decision will be announced before Australia's last game of
Group F against Croatia in Stuttgart on Thursday.
FIFA communications director Markus Siegler said: "FIFA have
opened disciplinary procedures against Harry Kewell. It was
reported in the referee's report that he insulted the
referee several times. He has until tomorrow [June 20] to
respond and a decision will be taken before Australia's
final group match."
(TEAMtalk)
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Thor Zakariassen
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