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SUNDAY 21 |
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Finnan tips Gerrard to shine
Steven Gerrard has been hailed as the man who can drive
England on to World Cup glory next month.
Steve Finnan insists Liverpool team-mate Gerrard is "easily
the best player I have played with and worked with" after a
monumental season for the midfielder. Gerrard crowned the
domestic campaign with his two-goal man-of-the-match
performance in last weekend's FA Cup final victory over West
Ham. Speaking to PA Sport at the Ireland training camp in
the Algarve, Finnan believes the inspirational Gerrard is a
born winner.
"His goals last week were fantastic, with his first probably
overlooked even though it was a great goal, while his second
was just magnificent," enthused Finnan on the searing late
strike that forced extra-time and eventually penalties. "He
is obviously one of the best players in the world and a key
one for us and England."
He added: "He is also a good captain, always trying to do a
lot for the rest of the players, and what he does rubs off
on those around him.
"It's all to do with his will to win, and his ambition for
the club because he could easily have left last summer, but
decided to stay.
"As for the way he plays, he just gives 100% in every game,
you can see that and it helps the others."
(Ananova)
Finnan looking forward to new season
Steve Finnan says he is already looking forward to the
2006/7 season.
Finnan admits he is 'knackered' after what has been a tiring
campaign for the Reds that saw them play 62 games between
July and May but says he is already eagerly awaiting the new
season.
"Our supporters have seen all the cups come here over the
last few seasons so I'm sure the one they all want now is
the Premiership. I think that's how the players feel as
well," said the full-back.
"It's been a tiring season and we're all looking forward to
our break, but at the same time I'm excited about next
season and starting all over again because I feel confident
we can do well in the Premiership. I was really tired at the
end of the cup final and if the manager had asked me to take
a penalty I'm not sure I'd have made it to the penalty spot!
"As a footballer you always enjoy the summer when you can
switch off for a while but when we come back in July I'm
sure the lads will have winning the title at the front of
their minds.
"We had a decent league season this year in terms of the
points we gained and we have set the standards for ourselves
for next year now."
(LFC Online)
Aussies concerned over Kewell
Australian coach Guus Hiddink today admitted he is concerned
over the fitness of Liverpool midfielder Harry Kewell.
Kewell is receiving intensive treatment at Melwood after
suffering a groin injury during last weekend's FA Cup final.
The Aussies kick off their World Cup campaign against Japan
next month and Hiddink admits his preparations are being
affected by Kewell's injury.
"I'm a little bit concerned about how his development will
be," Hiddink said.
"He can be fit just before the starting game (against
Japan).
"But also what we are doing here is not only building up the
physical condition, but working on the tactics, the
strategies towards the opening game.
"When a player is not available it has a limitation, but
overall I hope he will recover."
(LFC Official Website)
Toshack tips chase for Rover Bellamy
John Toshask predicts Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham will
be "sniffing about" Blackburn and Wales striker Craig
Bellamy this summer.
Bellamy is believed to be a player Anfield boss Rafael
Benitez has been impressed with, while Spurs and Chelsea
have also been linked.
But Toshack does not believe the 26-year-old will be
affected by the speculation and said: "Craig is always
bubbly when he is with us, his attitude is always very good.
"He was unfortunate he has picked up injuries and that has
been frustrating for Blackburn as well as us.
"He has always wanted to get involved from day one, I have
not noticed any real difference with him here.
"I think he has a clause in his contract that for a certain
amount of money he can move on. Blackburn will obviously be
very keen to keep him as he has been instrumental in their
run in the Premiership this season.
"I don't know about his situation but I would not be
surprised if there were a few clubs sniffing about there."
(TEAMtalk) |
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SATURDAY 20 |
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Gerrard happy to fill in as striker
Steven Gerrard believes he can adapt to play as a second
striker at the World Cup should England coach Sven-Goran
Eriksson need him to do so.
While Wayne Rooney is absent with a broken metatarsal,
Liverpool midfielder Gerrard - who has been deployed in an
advanced role for his club with mixed results - will happily
step into the breach.
"We did it a lot against Chelsea because we always wanted a
man against Claude Makelele, who starts a lot of their
attacks," Gerrard told the Daily Telegraph.
"When I first played there I must admit it was a bit strange
to receiving the ball so high up the pitch with my back to
goal, having top defenders like John Terry and (Ricardo)
Carvalho right behind.
"But I like to think that I'm at a stage in my career where
I can learn quite quickly and adapt to certain situations."
(TEAMtalk)
Kraft close to takeover
Liverpool are finally on the verge of a takeover, after
Robert Kraft indicated a deal was imminent.
Rick Parry visited the United States in January to meet the
Krafts and commence early negotiations.
Kraft has since admitted that his company were on the verge
of agreeing a £200m deal, with the Anfield board in
agreement over the terms.
(LFC Online)
Rafa targets Barca's Giuly
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is chasing Champions League
winner Ludovic Giuly, who has hit contract deadlock at
Barcelona.
Giuly, 29, played in the Champions League Final but has not
been a regular in the side and his lack of games cost him a
place in the France World Cup squad.
The winger wants a two-year extension at the Nou Camp but
has only been offered 12 months, which alerted Benitez.
(Daily Mirror)
Didi calls time on international career
Dietmar Hamann has called time on his
international career after failing to make the German squad
for this summer's World Cup finals.
Hamann had hoped to force his way into Jurgen Klinsmann's
plans at the end of another impressive season at Anfield,
but he wasn't included in his country's 23 man squad.
"It's not really a big surprise to me I wasn't in the
squad," he says.
"I haven't spoken to the manager for the last three months
so I didn't think there was much chance of me being
included.
"That's it for me now at international level. I'm 32 now and
this would have been my last tournament.
"I'm not any more disappointed because the tournament is in
Germany than had it been anywhere else. I enjoyed it in
Japan and France as much as I could have done anywhere.
"Now I'll just be watching the World Cup on television
although I'll go to Munich for
the first match."
(LFC Official Website) |
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FRIDAY 19 |
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Cisse open to Marseille offer
Liverpool's Djibril Cisse has again opened the door on a
move to Marseille by revealing he would be willing to listen
to an offer from them.
The French international, who will showcase his talents in
this summer's World Cup in Germany, is continually being
linked with a move back to his homeland after struggling to
cement a regular first-team place at Anfield.
Marseille have made no secret of their interest in the pacy
24-year-old and almost got their man in the January transfer
window before Liverpool pulled the plug on the deal.
But Cisse admits he has always harboured an ambition to play
for Marseille, although Auxerre are also on his wish list.
He told La Provence newspaper: "I am ready to study any
offer.
"I have two favourite clubs in France, AJ Auxerre and OM,
who have always made me dream. And I know that one day I
will play at Marseille.
"We almost reached an agreement (in January) but Liverpool
eventually decided to oppose the transfer.
"In Marseille people thought that I did not want to come but
that was absolutely not
the case."
(TEAMtalk)
Traore may be first out of Anfield
Djimi Traore is set to be the first out of the Anfield exit
door this summer as Liverpool seek suitable offers for the
defender.
The Frenchman has failed to build on his triumphant
Champions League campaign which saw him rewarded with anew
contract last year.
Now the left-back has been told he can leave Liverpool for
the right price.
Manager Rafa Benitez had high hopes Traore would acquire
some consistency and erase some of the mistakes which
blighted his career.
(Liverpool Echo)
Ruthless Rafa to axe first-team duo
Fresh reports today claim that Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez
will allow Harry Kewell to leave the club for around
£5million over the summer.
With the boss bringing in other options for the flanks he's
ready to get shot of the Australian if a buyer can be found.
(Kop Talk)
Ex-Red linked with Charlton
Former Liverpool player and coach Sammy Lee has been linked
with the manager's job at Charlton Athletic.
Sammy Lee is currently at England's World Cup training camp
where he is an assistant to manager Sven Goran Eriksson.
However, the former Liverpool reserve team coach is believed
to have been given permission to leave the camp and meet
with the Charlton board.
Lee has impressed with his work behind the scenes at
Liverpool, England and Bolton and has made no secret of his
desire to be a manager himself one day. After England under
21's coach Peter Taylor withdrew from the running, Sammy Lee
has become the favourite to replace Alan Curbishley at the
Valley.
(LFC Online)
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Thor Zakariassen
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