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SATURDAY 21 |
Kuyt's Holland fall to Russia
Dirk Kuyt saw his Euro 2008 dream end in tatters after
Russia secured
a 3-1 win extra-time victory over Holland in Berne.
The Reds striker endured a frustrating night against Guus
Hiddink's side and was replaced by Robin Van Persie on 46
minutes with the score level at 0-0.
However, the change did not do the Dutch any favours and
although Ruud Van Nistelrooy took the game into extra-time
by cancelling out Roman Pavlyuchenko's strike, further
efforts from Dmitri Torbinski and Andrei Arshavin esnured
the Russians of a place in the last four.
(LFC Official Website)
Xabi excited by Juve link
Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso has admitted that he is
‘fascinated’ by Serie A football, and the Juventus target
appears ready to move to Italy despite a deal not yet being
in place.
The Spain international, currently on international duty at
Euro 2008, is focused on the quarter-final clash with Italy,
but he has stated playing for the Old Lady next season would
be an exciting option for him.
The 26-year-old has hailed Juve as ‘a great club’ declared
their fans are impressive and named key figures Gianluigi
Buffon, Pavel Nedved, and Alessandro del Piero as
‘champions’.
"I am very calm," Alonso told Sky Italia. "I have little to
say about Juve because at the moment I am very focused on
Euro 2008 and on Spain.
"I don't have any news on my future, at this time my future
is only
the Euros.
"We'll see what will happen with Juve. It's difficult to say
today. I spent four fantastic years at Liverpool, but I have
to admit that I have always been fascinated by Italian
football."
(Setanta Sports)
Transfer boost for Rafa
Rafa Benitez is set to be handed more transfer cash by Tom
Hicks and George Gillett as the pair's working relationship
improves.
The American co-owners have been hardly speaking over the
last eight months but things have thawed of late and the new
understanding between the pair could free up more money for
the manager.
Benitez will still have to generate some money himself,
which is why he is anxious for the Xabi Alonso move to
Juventus to go through as that will generate something in
the region of £15million.
That coupled with moves for Peter Crouch and Scott Carson
should provide enough funds so he can add top targets Gareth
Barry and David Silva to his ranks.
(Clubcall Sports)
Thommo lauds Sammy return
Sammy Lee's return to Anfield could yet be the signing of
the summer. That's the verdict of Reds legend Phil Thompson
who offered his view in an exclusive interview with LFC
Magazine's John Hynes and
Dave Randles.
No matter who arrives over the next few months however, we
have already made our most vital capture for the new season.
That is the opinion of Phil Thompson who was delighted to
see his former teammate and colleague, Sammy Lee, unveiled
as Rafa's
assistant manager.
"I don't care who comes in on the playing side, I'm not so
sure anyone will better Sammy coming back to Liverpool,"
enthused Thompson.
"There's so much to be gained by him coming back. For me, he
could be the best signing of the summer."
"When Sammy left Bolton last season, I championed for him to
come back to Liverpool straight away," he said.
"For me, it was the most logical answer for everyone."
(LFC Official Website)
Rush: Liverpool FC
should sign Villa
Liverpool must put David Villa top of their shopping list
despite his rocketing price tag, says Wales and Kop legend
Ian Rush.
The Spain striker has formed a superb partnership with
Fernando Torres at Euro 2008, with Reds fans hoping the pair
can be brought together at
club level.
Manager Rafael Benitez is thought to have been put off a
swoop for
the Valencia star in what would be a second club-record
transfer in two seasons following the arrival of Torres at
Anfield last year.
And Villa himself expects to be back at the Mestalla next
season.
But Liverpool’s all-time record goalscorer Ian Rush says a
swoop for Villa must be the priority if the funds can be
found.
“There’s obviously the financial side of things, but I’d
love to see David Villa at Liverpool along with Fernando
Torres,” said former Wales ace Rush, who netted 346 times
for the Reds.
“They combine very well for Spain, they’ve got a good
understanding of each other and in an ideal world you’d love
to see Villa partner Torres at Anfield as he does for
Spain.”
(Liverpool Daily Post) |
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FRIDAY 20 |
Reds to start pre-season at Tranmere
Liverpool will kick-off their pre-season programme with a
friendly against Merseyside neighbours Tranmere Rovers on
July 12, 2008.
It will be the first time Liverpool have faced Rovers since
the sides met at Prenton Park in an FA Cup Quarter Final tie
in 2001. The last friendly between Liverpool and Tranmere
took place in July 1993.
(LFC Official Website)
Alonso: I'm ready
to stay at Anfield
Xabi Alonso is still planning for life at Anfield next
season, as Juventus struggle to meet Liverpool's asking
price for the Spanish midfielder.
Alonso has become a reluctant pawn in Rafa Benitez’s need to
generate funds for other purchases, but with Juventus
finding it difficult to come up with the £16m quoted,
Alsonso said: “Where will I be playing next season? At the
moment, Liverpool.
“It’s something that I am apart from now, I am totally
focusing on the European Championships and whatever happens
at Liverpool you will have to ask the club.
“I haven’t been told anything so far, so my plans are to
start next season with Liverpool if there is not a change.”
(Liverpool Echo)
Hicks and Gillett in peace pact
George Gillett has revealed that Liverpool's feuding
co-owners are trying to patch up their differences.
And he has suggested that he and Tom Hicks were now trying
to revive
a partnership he had previously described as “unworkable” –
with a desire to help Rafa Benitez “be more competitive in
the chase for
the Premiership.”
But the Reds co-owner pointedly refused to discuss whether
he still intended to sell his half of the club.
Gillett gave a rare interview to Canadian radio station
Fan590 late last night, when he revealed: “It’s fair to say
that communication between the Hicks and the Gilletts has
been substantially improved and I believe that it will be
for the benefit of the club.”
(Liverpool Echo) |
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THURSDAY 19 |
Parry hails departing Riise
Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry has paid tribute to
John Arne Riise following the completion of the Norwegian's
move to Roma.
The 27-year-old left-back secured a £4million switch to the
Italian giants on Wednesday night after seven years at
Anfield.
Riise made 347 appearances for the Reds, scoring 31 goals,
and was a key member of the side that won the Champions
League in 2005 and FA Cup the following year.
Parry told the club's website: "John has been a tremendous
servant to Liverpool over many years and has played a key
role in all of our
recent triumphs.
"Everybody at Anfield would now like to wish him all the
best in his new career in Italy."
Riise, who has signed a four-year deal with Roma, is likely
to be replaced by Udinese left-back Andrea Dossena.
A £7million deal for the 26-year-old Italian is thought to
be close
to completion.
(PA Sport)
Riise exit may hit
Liverpool bid for Barry
John Arne Riise completed a £4m switch to Roma today. But
the move could complicate Liverpool's attempted capture of
Gareth Barry from Aston Villa.
Ever since the Reds’ interest in the Villa captain was made
public, boss Martin O’Neill has insisted he will not deal at
anything less than £18m.
But with Liverpool constantly stressing that figure is
over-priced, and now angrily threatening to pull out of
negotiations and switch their attentions elsewhere, O’Neill
is prepared to listen to cash plus player deals.
The problem, however, is that Riise was O’Neill’s preferred
choice of Liverpool’s available talent, but he has now
completed his move to
Serie A in a deal initially worth £4m, rising to £4.5m.
Scott Carson may now become a makeweight in a transfer saga
which has become frustrating for all parties.
(Liverpool Echo)
Anderson hurt by Mascherano tackle
There are fears that Manchester United midfielder Anderson
may have suffered a serious knee injury after being felled
by Liverpool's Javier Mascherano during Brazil's World Cup
qualifying stalemate with Argentina.
After a robust first-half challenge by Mascherano, Anderson
collapsed in pain clutching his knee and, despite lengthy
medical treatment, was unable to continue. He left the pitch
on a stretcher in obvious pain and looked close to tears.
There is already speculation that Anderson may have damaged
his knee ligaments. Brazil are expected to provide an update
on his status later in the day.
The draw allows Argentina, beaten by three-goal margins in
their last three meetings with Brazil, to move to within two
points of South American group leaders Paraguay.
Brazil, who were beaten 2-0 by Paraguay on Sunday, are
fourth after stretching their goalless run to three games.
(Football 365)
Thor Zakariassen
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