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MONDAY 24 |
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Irish consortium launch Liverpool bid -
claims
An Irish consortium has launched a bid to take over
Liverpool Football Club - that is the claim that one news
source in America is preparing to break.
Supporters in the States have been teased with snippets of
info and have subsequently been urged to look out for their
follow-up report this week. As yet that hasn't materialised
but it's said to be imminent.
It was also claimed that at least one British Sunday
newspaper would publish the details in full. Again, nothing
materialised.
(Kop Talk)
Reserves fall to heavy defeat
Liverpool Reserves suffered a disappointing evening as they
crashed to a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Aston Villa at
Walsall's Bescot Stadium on Monday night.
Villa scored three goals in the first half and it was a
frustrating night for Liverpool who struggled defensively.
Liverpool Reserves: Martin, Barragan (Foy 45), Smith, Antwi,
O'Donnell, Hobbs (Idrizaj 62), Anderson, Peltier, Calliste,
Guthrie, Roque (Threlfall 59).
Subs not used: Lancaster (GK), Lindfield.
(LFC Official Website)
Wiley to referee Cup Final
The FA can confirm that Alan Wiley will replace
Mike Dean as the referee for this season's FA Cup Final
between Liverpool and West Ham United.
Alan, 45, has been a Select Group referee since 2000. He
refereed the FA Community Shield between Arsenal and
Liverpool in 2002 and the Carling Cup Final between
Manchester United and Wigan Athletic in February this year.
The decision was taken following Liverpool's semi-final
victory on Saturday.
The FA has complete faith in Mike Dean's refereeing ability,
integrity and impartiality.
However, given the huge interest in all aspects of The FA
Cup Final, the fact that he is from the Wirral might lead to
comment and debate which would place him under undue
additional pressure. The decision has been taken with the
best interests of Mike Dean and the competition in mind.
At the age of 37, Mike Dean is still young enough to referee
a future FA Cup Final.
(TheFA.com)
Rafa picks up top Spanish award
Rafa Benitez was today named as Coach of the Year for 2005
by la Comunidad de Madrid.
The Liverpool manager was honoured at the annual Seven Stars
of Sport Awards ceremony held in the Spanish capital this
morning.
Speaking afterwards, Benitez told liverpoolfc.tv: "I am very
proud to accept this award, but it's recognition for
everyone at Liverpool including the players, backroom staff
and the supporters, who have been magnificent since I came
to the club. I'm very happy at Liverpool and enjoying life
in England."
(LFC Official Website)
Moores family worth £1,160million
The latest rich list has been published and as usual, it
makes interesting reading.
Liverpool chairman David Moores is listed at position 42
with the family said to be worth an estimated £1,160million.
The family is led by Lady Grantchester (80), daughter of the
late Sir John Moores who founded Littlewoods as a pools
company. That was sold off in 2000.
Former Spurs chairman Sir Alan Sugar is estimated to be
worth £790million, he's placed at position 71. Easyjet chief
Stelios Haji-loannou is ranked 80th with £727million.
Rangers chairman David Murray comes in at 90th with
£650million. Birmingham City chairman David Gold is placed
at 119th with £525million.
Fulham chairman Mohamed-al-Fayed is 152nd with £426million
and one place behind him is our very own Steve Morgan with
an estimated wealth of £425million.
Morgan retains a £62million stake in Redrow after selling
off £240million worth of shares. He also has a £92million
stake in the De Vere leisure group along with other
interests.
Morgan remains keen to buy into Liverpool Football Club and
shouldn't be ruled out as a possible investor.
Steel giant Lakshmi Mittal - who has been weakly linked with
the Reds - comes first in Britains 1000th Richest with an
estimated wealth of £14,881million.
(Kop Talk)
Ludovic: No call from Benitez
Ludovic Giuly has issued Barcelona an ultimatum after
responding to reports suggesting Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez
will bid to bring him to Anfield in the summer.
The French schemer wants a two-year extension to his present
deal at Camp Nou, that runs until 2007, and his preference
is to remain with the UEFA Champions League semi-finalists.
Although not denying the alleged interest from Liverpool,
the 29-year-old says he has yet to hear from Benitez but
admitted he wants his demands met by his present employers.
"Did Benitez call me?" he said in L'Equipe. "Not yet.
"Maybe he will do it soon - if you say so.
"I have offers from France and elsewhere.
"But the question will not be topical before the end of the
season for me.
"I am fine at Barca, where I would like to finish my career.
"For that, I need a contract extension, as mine will end in
June, 2007. But I will sign with my conditions, which are
two additional years.
"If the club trusts me, they will accept or we will
negotiate.
"We will have to talk in 10 or 15 days."
(Sky Sports)
Gerrard: Show us respect Jose
Steven Gerrard has hailed Rafa Benitez for outsmarting Jose
Mourinho and believes the Chelsea manager should start
showing Liverpool respect.
The Reds were the better side for much of the Old Trafford
showdown, as Chelsea struggled to break through an organised
opposition.
Winning captain Gerrard believes Benitez deserves plenty of
the credit for the victory due to the tactics he instructed
his players to adopt.
The PFA Player of the Year added: "This result proves we are
not miles behind Chelsea.
"Obviously they have a better record against us over the
last 10 games, but we've won the two big matches."
(Sky Sports)
Kewell injury latest
Harry Kewell has a minor thigh strain.
Kewell was forced off against Chelsea on Saturday through
injury but it appears the injury is not as serious as first
feared.
Kewell has a minor thigh strain that will rule him out of
Wednesday's game against fellow FA Cup finalists West Ham,
but he should be fit for the final home game of the season
against Aston Villa on Saturday.
(LFC Online)
Gonzales scores yet again
Liverpool winger Mark Gonzales scored for Real Sociedad
again on Saturday.
Gonzales is loan at Sociedad for the rest of the season
until he is able to get a work permit and join the Reds. His
performances in recent weeks have helped his case and
Saturday was another example.
Real Scociedad won 2-0 away at Champions League
semi-finalists Villarreal to all but guarantee that they
will avoid relegation from the Spanish top flight. Gonzales
scored the second goal to wrap up all three points for the
Basques.
(LFC Online)
Carson to make England squad?
Liverpool goalkeeper Scott Carson could make the England
World Cup squad.
Carson has impressed during his recent loan spell at
Sheffield Wednesday and played a vital part in keeping the
Owls in the Championship. Carson's performances over the
past couple of months could be rewarded with a trip to
Germany in the Summer.
Norwich's Robert Green is currently the third choice England
goalkeeper behind Paul Robinson and former Liverpool stopper
David James. However, Norwich have had an unimpressive
season and Green has not shown the form that originally got
him into the England squad.
With Carson now playing every week at Sheff Wed he could be
set to leapfrog Green in the pecking order and take that
final goalkeeping place in Sven Goran Erikkson's
World Cup squad.
(LFC Online)
24 fans arrested at FA Cup semi-final
Twenty-four football fans were arrested before, during and
after Liverpool's FA semi-final against Chelsea at Old
Trafford.
Tensions were high as the fans travelled to the neighbouring
city. Supporters from Manchester had draped offensive
banners about the Hillsborough disaster over bridges on the
motorway approaches to the city.
The Liverpool Urchins fans group meanwhile used spray paint
to daub similar messages about the Munich air disaster of
1958 around the walls of the ground.
Hundreds of "five times" stickers were also used to
"decorate" Old Trafford, referring to Liverpool's convincing
lead in European Cup victories.
Police mounted a massive operation in an attempt to prevent
any major trouble.
They rounded up 13 people at the stadium and a further 11 in
the city centre after the match .
Most were held on public order offences, with one on
suspicion of possession of a weapon. Five of them were
Liverpool fans and six were Chelsea fans.
Greater Manchester Police also confirmed they were
investigating an incident where a fan threw a bottle of beer
on to the pitch which landed near to Liverpool player
Peter Crouch.
(Daily Post) |
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SUNDAY 23 |
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Gerrard named PFA Player of the Year
Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard has capped a brilliant
week by being named the PFA Player of the Year by his fellow
professionals.
At a gala ceremony in London's Grosvenor House Hotel on
Sunday evening, the Reds captain beat off competition from
Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard, Thierry Henry, John Terry and
Joe Cole to land the top honour.
The award finishes off a sensational weekend for Gerrard
after he helped Liverpool into the FA Cup final with a 2-1
victory against Chelsea at Old Trafford on Saturday.
(Sporting Life)
Liverpool to face West Ham in Final
Liverpool will meet West Ham United in the FA Cup Final at
the Cardiff Millennium Stadium next month, after the Hammers
beat Middlesbrough 1-0 at Villa Park today.
Marlon Harewood's late goal was the difference and sets up
the final in Cardiff on May 13th after the European
Champions saw off Chelsea at Old Trafford yesterday.
Liverpool travel to Upton Park on Wednesday evening for a
Premiership fixture
against West Ham.
(Shankly Gates)
Carra: Reds closing on Chelsea
Jamie Carragher heads for the FA Cup Final agreeing that
Chelsea are a better side than Liverpool but believing that
the Anfield club are beginning to bridge the gap between
themselves and the champions.
The Liverpool defender played a major role in the defiant
rearguard action in the final half hour of the semi-final
showdown at Old Trafford, when desperate Chelsea battled
unsuccessfully to save their double dream.
Carragher said: "We can beat them in cup competitions. But
they are the best team in the league and they are a better
team than us, we are not going to argue about that because
the table doesn't lie.
"But we have cut the gap on them this season and we aim to
cut it again next season, and we are closer. But it is only
in one-off games.
"We haven't got a great record against them, we have only
won two out of 10 but those two wins are the most important
ones. We have won the very big ones, the Champions League
semi and now this FA Cup semi."
(PA Sport)
No arguments over Garcia goal
Luis Garcia laughed loud and long because he had scored a
goal against Chelsea that Jose Mourinho could not claim had
not crossed the line.
The little Spaniard, who has a habit of scoring in
high-profile games for Liverpool, memorably netted a winner
against Chelsea last season in the Champions League
semi-final that the Stamford Bridge boss to this day insists
did not go over the line.
Now the former Barcelona man has hit Mourinho where it hurts
again with a stunning goal that proved to be the eventual
winner in the FA Cup semi-final at Old Trafford.
A grinning Luis Garcia said: "All I can say is there was no
doubt that one was over the line, for sure.
"It has been a little disappointing that the issue of that
goal keeps coming up, but I have not let it bother me. Now
I've got another against Chelsea."
(TEAMtalk)
Rafa ducks Jose's verbal volley
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has refused to rise to the
bait of Jose Mourinho's comments rubbishing his team's title
chances next season.
The self-proclaimed "special one" was dismissive of the
Reds' hopes next term following their 2-1 FA Cup semi-final
victory over his side.
He said: "In the Premiership they have no chance. Over 40
matches no chance. Maybe they will surprise me and they can
do it.
"But in 10 matches against us they have won twice. In the
Premiership the distance between the teams is 45 points over
two seasons. We beat them in a final, they beat us in two
semi-finals. A psychological advantage? I don't think so.
"In four matches in the Premiership we beat them four
times."
On Mourinho's comments, Benitez merely added: "I have heard
the same things before the Champions League games. We are in
the final of the FA Cup and I must give credit to players
and not talk about the other team."
(TEAMtalk)
Bonera invites Reds move
Parma defender Daniele Bonera has issued a come-and-get-me
plea to Liverpool.
The Italian international is considering leaving Parma at
the end of the season after a disappointing campaign for the
Ennio Tardini outfit.
Liverpool are long-term admirers of Bonera and have watched
him on several occasions in the last year.
Bonera, who just has over a year to run on his current deal,
confirmed he would be interested in a move to Anfield.
"Joining Liverpool is an experience I would like to try
out," said Bonera.
"I'm convinced that it would be very useful for me as a
player.
"I've always really liked the English style of football."
(Sky Sports)
Riise looking forward to Cardiff
John Arne Riise is looking forward to playing in his first
FA Cup final in three weeks time.
Liverpool will play the winners of today's semi-final
between West Ham and Middlesbrough at the Millenium Stadium
on May 13th after booking their place in the final with a
2-1 win over Chelsea yesterday.
Liverpool's last FA Cup win was the Michael Owen inspired
2-1 win over Arsenal in 2001. John Arne Riise joined the
Reds a couple of months after that game so this will be his
first FA Cup final and the Norwegian international is
looking forward to it.
"It's going to be a great occasion and I can't wait for it
because I've never played in this Cup final," he said.
"We had to come through a hard game to get there though
because Chelsea were awesome in the last 25 minutes and we
really had to defend well to keep the result.
"The first half was played at such a high tempo that I was
breathing heavily towards the end of it. I'm just so pleased
we've come away with the right result. It was an awesome
game between two class teams and we're now looking forward
to the final."
(LFC Online) |
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SATURDAY 22 |
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Benitez praise for stubborn Reds
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez believes his side's
lack of mistakes was crucial in their 2-1 FA Cup semi-final
victory over rivals Chelsea.
"They like to play with the mistakes of the other team and
normally punish them," said
the Spaniard.
"In this case, we made one, then they scored and we were
under pressure.
"At the end we worked really hard, created our chances and,
with a little bit more luck, maybe we could have got another
goal."
Benitez and Chelsea counterpart Mourinho did not shake hands
after the game but the Anfield manager played down the
incident.
He explained: "I haven't seen him because I was saying thank
you to our supporters. I have no problems."
(BBC Sport Online)
Mourinho 'can't wish' jubilant Reds well
Jose Mourinho fuelled his feud with Rafael Benitez after
Liverpool beat Chelsea 2-1 at Old Trafford to reach the
final of the FA Cup.
The rival managers did not shake hands after the match and
Mourinho once more refused to acknowledge that Liverpool
were worthy winners, just as he had done after the
Merseysiders knocked Chelsea out of the Champions League
last season.
Mourinho said: "Did the best team win? I don't think so. In
the last 30 minutes we deserved extra time.
"In the first half nobody was better. They had a good start
to the second half but then we dominated the game. I cannot
wish them luck in the final. Middlesbrough and West Ham will
be there and I must respect them."
(TEAMtalk)
Classless Mourinho refuses to shake Rafa's
hands
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho showed a distinct lack of
class after failing to shake Rafa's hands after Liverpool
dumped Chelsea out of the cup.
Jose Mourinho who bought his Chelsea team with Abramovich's
millions refused to shake Rafa's hand after it was offered
by Liverpool's boss at the final whistle.
During the post match interview Jose refused to congratulate
Rafa Benitez citing bad refereeing decisions and 'wishing'
Liverpool luck in qualifying for the Champions League.
Chelsea, a club with no history, will therefore feel no
embarrasment at their manager's actions. But we all know no
Liverpool manager would ever act in such an arrogant
petulant manner.
2-1 to the European Champions. Enough said.
(anfield-online)
Gerrard: Now let's go and win the cup
Steven Gerrard reflected on Liverpool's brilliant semi-final
victory over Chelsea and declared: "Now let's go and win the
Cup."
Gerrard was thrilled with the spirit his team-mates showed
to secure a famous victory, but he has warned it will count
for nothing if they don't now go on to win the final.
He said: "This job isn't done yet. We've another massive
game to play on May 13 and we've got to go and win this Cup
now. It's going to be another tough game but if we perform
as we can then we can win it."
(LFC Official Website)
Liverpool through to FA Cup final
Liverpool ended Chelsea's hopes of a domestic Double with
victory at Old Trafford in their FA Cup semi-final.
Didier Drogba missed two gilt-edged chances for Chelsea
before John Arne Riise's free-kick put the Reds ahead.
Luis Garcia brilliantly half-volleyed in from 20-yards to
extend Liverpool's lead but Drogba headed in to set up an
enthralling end to the game.
Chelsea then put their rivals under siege and Joe Cole
blazed a late chance over as Liverpool clung on for the win.
(BBC Sport Online)
Crouch and Garcia to start in attack
Peter Crouch and Luis Garcia will lead the Liverpool attack
as the Reds attempt to beat Chelsea and reach the FA Cup
Final in today's Semi Final clash at Old Trafford.
This is the 5th time Liverpool have faced the Champions
elect this season and Rafa has opted for a midfield of Momo
Sissoko, Xabi Alonso, Harry Kewell and Steven Gerrard, who
is expected to start on the right.
Liverpool - Reina, Finnan, Riise, Carragher, Hyypia, Kewell,
Gerrard, Sissoko, Alonso, Crouch, Garcia. Subs - Dudek,
Cisse, Hamann, Morientes, Traore.
(LFC Official Website)
Benitez in Mourinho dig
Rafa Benitez claims Jose Mourinho would not have been a
success at Chelsea without Roman Abramovich's financial
backing.
While Mourinho's managerial style has drawn plaudits from
several quarters, Benitez insists the key factor in The
Blues' rise to the top is money.
"It's very simple, they have spent more money than anyone
else on players," said Benitez. "Abramovich has done a
fantastic job with his team.
"After 50 years, they are winning two leagues and that's
really good.
"Jose Mourinho has done a good job, but for me the owner is
the key. All of them are important, but you can't do
anything without Abramovich and he started the revolution."
Liverpool meet Chelsea in an FA Cup semi-final showdown on
Saturday and Benitez feels the expectation is on his
opponents to reach the final.
He added: "They have a lot of good players, so they must be
at the top of the table and they must be in cup finals.
"When you spend big money, it's normal to be at the top of
the table and in finals."
(Sky Sports)
Norwegian consortium prepares bid for
Liverpool
A consortium of Norwegian businessmen, who include in their
number an environmental activist who once chained himself to
the gates of Sellafield, are preparing a financial package
which they hope will allow them to buy into Liverpool and
end the European champions' lengthy search for major new
investment.
The group have been put together by Oystein Stray Spetalen,
a financial investor worth an estimated £150m, with their
principal backer the hotel magnate Petter Stordalen.
Stordalen owns 90% of the Choice Hotels Scandinavia group,
Norway's largest hotel chain, and is believed to be
attracted by the potential of building a hotel alongside
Liverpool's proposed new stadium on Stanley Park, together
with a possible casino.
The Norwegian pair have already sought advice on English
football and Liverpool's future potential from the former
Swindon, Sheffield United, Middlesbrough and Barnsley
striker Jan Aage Fjortoft on the scheme. Fjortoft is
currently manager at Lillestrom and Spetalen hopes he would
play some role at Liverpool should they succeed in buying
significantly into the club.
(The Guardian)
Hyypia hoping for cup success
Sami Hyypia says winning the FA Cup will cap a great season
for Liverpool.
Liverpool have vastly improved their Premiership form this
season, wrapping up third place and Champions League
qualification with three games to go and getting more than
70 points for only the second time in the Premiership.
However, to make a very good season a great one Hyypia
believes the Reds will have to lift the FA Cup.
"If this season is to be seen as a real success then we have
to win the FA Cup, but I do not think that gives us any more
pressure," said the defender, who will surely be in the
running for Liverpool's Player of the Year.
"Chelsea must be favourites, we know that. It just makes us
more determined to beat them.
"The fans demand trophies and that is what keeps the club
going and the players too."
(LFC Online)
Alonso wants Blues revenge
Xabi Alonso admits to being spurred on by a desire for
revenge as he prepares for tonight's FA Cup semi-final
against Chelsea at Old Trafford.
The Spanish midfielder has more than one reason for not
enjoying matches with the west Londoners.
Last season a poor tackle by Frank Lampard left him with a
broken ankle that effectively ruled him out of the Carling
Cup final.
Then when Alonso lined up against Chelsea in the Champions
League semi-final first leg at Stamford Bridge, a late
yellow card for a challenge on Eidur Gudjohnsen meant the
24-year-old was banned from the astonishing second leg that
saw Liverpool reach the Istanbul final.
Alonso is motivated by those experiences. He said: "For me
it is a great motivation to play a cup semi-final against
Chelsea because of all that.
"We really want to beat them and play in the final, so if we
can win it will be a great boost for me in particular."
Alonso still relives the anguish of having to sit and watch
that remarkable Liverpool victory in the Champions League,
thanks to countryman Luis Garcia's first-half goal.
"The atmosphere that night was unbelievable. You had to be
there to really understand what it was like," he said.
"I was sat in the stands like all the other fans and you
could feel tension in the stadium.
"But we reached the final and we all feel we can beat
Chelsea in another semi-final and get to Cardiff."
(Sporting Life)
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Thor Zakariassen
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