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FRIDAY 24 |
Hobbs seals Foxes move
Jack Hobbs has made his loan spell at Leicester City
permanent and penned a four-year deal with the Foxes.
The 20-year-old defender has spent this season on loan at
Nigel Pearson's side and helped them win promotion to the
Championship.
Hobbs has joined the club for an undisclosed fee.
Speaking ahead of the club's final home league game of the
campaign against Scunthorpe tonight, Hobbs said: "I have
thoroughly enjoyed my season with the club and I am
absolutely delighted to make the move permanent.
"This is a massive club and I believe we can go all the way
to the Premier League. That's one of the reasons why I have
committed to signing a four-year deal.
"I couldn't be happier here. Leicester have shown great
faith in me and instilled me with great confidence. I really
am over the moon."
Hobbs signed for Liverpool in August 2005 on his 17th
birthday despite playing just three minutes of professional
football for Lincoln City.
(LFC Official Website)
Benitez avoids Tevez talk
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has played down speculation
linking the club with a move for Carlos Tevez.
Tevez is coming to the end of a two-year loan at fierce
rivals Manchester United, and with the league leaders still
to secure a deal for the Argentinean, Liverpool have emerged
as potential suitors for the former Boca Juniors star.
The Reds are widely believed to be in the market for a new
striker following the departure of Robbie Keane in January -
although Benitez insists that no firm targets have yet been
drawn up.
"It is too early [to talk about individual players]. Summer
is too far," said the Spaniard.
"We are not talking about players because now we are focused
on the league."
(Sporting Life)
Rafa approves Dalglish role
Rafa Benitez has revealed he has held talks with Kenny
Dalglish about returning to Anfield but a role for the club
legend has yet to be finalised.
Dalglish, considered to be Liverpool's greatest player, had
already expressed his desire to help his former club and it
has been reported the Scot would be drafted into the Reds'
set-up and become involved in the youth development.
Benitez has given his approval to work with the 58-year-old,
who had a 14-year spell on Merseyside before quitting as
manager in 1991.
"It is true I was talking to Kenny and the conversation was
really positive," said the Spaniard.
"He wants to help any way he can and we will talk in the
future.
"The conversations are there. I am really pleased and I
think he is really pleased too."
(Sky Sports)
Agger: Defending must improve
Liverpool defender Daniel Agger believes that the club must
recover their defensive strength if they are to remain in
the title race.
The Reds shipped four goals to Arsenal at Anfield in midweek
- a result that comes hot on the heels of another 4-4 at
Stamford Bridge in the Champions League.
Both draws have seriously damaged the club's chances of
obtaining any silverware this season, and Agger is
disappointed that he and his teammates have been so
uncharacteristically lacklustre at the back in recent weeks.
"If you score four goals in a game then you should win - we
know that," said the 24-year-old Dane.
"We went for all three points against Arsenal because we
knew that we needed them and we didn't get them.
"As a defender the challenge is always to keep a clean
sheet. That is what we tried to do on Tuesday night but
unfortunately we could not do it. Now we must try even
harder to do it again in our next match.
"You have to believe that it is still possible to win the
league and we will continue to fight."
(TEAMtalk)
Time running out for Babel
Liverpool's forgotten man Ryan Babel insists youth will no
longer be an excuse if he once again flops at Anfield next
season.
The winger, who can also play as a central striker, has made
just six league starts in his second campaign on Merseyside,
following an £11.5m move from Ajax in summer 2007.
Babel was hailed as potentially the next Thierry Henry upon
his arrival in the Barclays Premier League, but the promise
shown in glimpses during his debut season has not developed
into anything more substantial.
Reds manager Rafael Benitez signed Albert Riera last summer
to fill the left-wing berth that Babel had failed to make
his own, and the Dutchman admits he is fast running out of
time to prove his worth.
"In December I'll be 23. When you reach that age, then in my
eyes you aren't a potential talent any more," Babel said.
"Next season age isn't an excuse any more, and that's an
excuse trainers use too often, saying 'You're young and you
have the time'.
"My goal this season was to progress to a higher level and
be in the starting line-up. But they brought in another left
forward in the summer and he's been playing regularly.
"But I have patience and I know that I have to work hard and
I have to show the manager that I am ready and have earned
the right to be picked."
(BreakingNews.ie)
Rafa: No war of words
Rafael Benitez has told a Spanish newspaper that he is not
engaging in mind games with Alex Ferguson but believes his
Old Trafford counterpart realises Liverpool are a side who
may well rival his own for trophies.
Speaking to ABC the Liverpool boss said: "I'm not having a
battle of words with Alex Ferguson, but I believe that he
can see that we are a better side, and that we are very
close to United."
"He [Ferguson] has been accustomed to playing these types of
mind games for many years. Nobody has ever said anything
against him, or stood up to him, as he has a very good team
that can win trophies. It seems like he has a license to do
these sorts of things."
"I try not to talk too much, but all I do when I speak is to
defend my own team. I did not say that he seems frightened.
But I said that he looks nervous, as he can see that we are
very close to his team."
With regard to the remaining five games of Liverpool's
season Benitez emphasised his side need to maintain their
current pace just in case points are dropped adding: "It is
essential for us to try to keep the pressure on United. We
must not slacken off, and if we keep going that will make
them feel under pressure.
"They have an advantage, and if they don't slip up there is
nothing we can do. But we must stay as close to them as
possible in case they slip up. In any case, we will go after
the title as long as it is still a possibility for us."
(Shanklygates)
Benitez lines up Tevez bid
Rafael benitez is preparing to antagonise Alex Ferguson once
more with an audacious bid to sign Carlos Tevez, WRITES
OLIVER KAY.
The Argentina forward is increasingly resigned to leaving
Manchester United at the end of the season, with Real Madrid
his most likely destination. Benitez has signalled
Liverpool's willingness to join Chelsea, Manchester City and
Inter Milan in the melee for his signature.
Tevez would be likely to cost any other club more than the
£22m that United have to pay at the end of the season to
turn the player's loan into a permanent deal. Benitez,
though, is determined to test the water.
(Independent.ie)
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THURSDAY 23 |
Reds off bottom
as Bruna sinks Hull
Liverpool reserves moved off the bottom of the Barclays
Premier Reserve League North courtesy of a 2-1 victory over
Hull City at North Ferriby United FC.
The Reds move ahead of the Tigers in the table thanks to a
superior goal difference.
Goals from Damien Plessis and Gerardo Bruna sealed the win
after Jamie Devitt had given the home side a first-half lead
from the penalty spot.
It was a deserved victory for the Reds, who will now look to
end their campaign on a high against Newcastle United next
week.
Liverpool reserves: Martin Hansen, Stephen Darby, Robbie
Threlfall, Mikel San Jose, Godwin Antwi, Damien Plessis,
Ryan Crowther, Jay Spearing, Andras Simon (Vitor Flora),
Gerardo Bruna (Victor Palsson), Gary Mackay-Steven (Philipp
Degen).
Subs not used: Krisztian Nemeth, Deale Chamberlain.
(LFC Official Website)
Barnes hails progress under Rafa
Liverpool legend John Barnes has hailed the progress of
Rafael Benitez's side this season even if they fail to win
the Premier League title.
The Reds' recent quarter-final elimination from the
Champions League by Chelsea left them focusing solely on
overhauling leaders
Manchester United.
The 4-4 draw with Arsenal allowed Sir Alex Ferguson's side
to stretch their lead to three points with a game in hand
after their 2-0 win over Portsmouth last night.
But former England winger Barnes insists even pushing the
Red Devils close represents real progress after previous
disappointment
in the league.
"They can now throw all their eggs into one basket, the
league,"
said Barnes.
"They have had a fantastic season even if they don't win the
Premier League, because to be pushing Manchester United this
close after being 20 points behind them in recent years
shows they really have come
a long way.
"For me, if they won the Champions League but were 20-25
points off Manchester United as they have been in the past,
I'm not interested
in that.
"I'm interested in them winning the league or pushing them
(United) close to show they are the best or, if not the
best, very close to being the best team in the country."
(TEAMtalk)
Dalglish to stage Anfield game
in memory of Hillsborough victims
Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish is to take the lead in
staging a charity match at Anfield next month to mark the
20th anniversary of
the Hillsborough Disaster.
The game – involving legends from the Reds' illustrious past
and an all-star celebrity team – will be played on the night
of Thursday, May 14.
It is being staged by Dalglish and Liverpool FC in aid of
the Marina Dalglish appeal, raising funds for a new
radiotherapy unit at University Hospital, Aintree, while
also remembering the Hillsborough 96.
The plan announced today includes a permanent memorial to
the Leppings Lane victims at the Fazakerley hospital.
The Hillsborough Family Support Group has supported Marina
Dalglish’s charity for the past few years, raising money
through golf days with the support of her husband.
Details of the line ups will be announced at a press
conference at Anfield next week. Tickets go on sale from
Tuesday, April 28.
(Liverpool Echo)
Voronin 'unfortunately'
back at Anfield
Andriy Voronin is apparently not happy to leave Hertha
Berlin and return to Liverpool next season.
The Bundesliga star expects to leave his favourite league in
order to return to parent club Liverpool once the season is
over.
The Ukraine international, who has scored 11 goals in
Germany this term, has confirmed that Hertha have turned
down the chance to sign him permanently as The Reds’ asking
price is too high for them.
As a result, Voronin is packing his bags and preparing
himself to return to Anfield, where he failed to impose
himself last term.
“Unfortunately, I have no news about my contract,” Voronin
told Bild.
“Liverpool made a good offer to sell me, but Hertha did not
accept.
“Right now, I know what I have to do: organise my move,
because only a few weeks are remaining.”
(Setanta Sports)
Liverpool Football Club
freeze ticket prices
Liverpool FC will freeze the price of all tickets for the
2009/10 season.
"These are clearly difficult economic times and the club
believed a price freeze was the right thing to do," said
Liverpool Commercial Director
Ian Ayre.
"All our fans are facing increasing monetary pressures and
this is a small thank you to all of them for their
continuing loyalty and support."
(LFC Online) |
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WEDNESDAY 22 |
Lindfield eyes return for Stanley
On-loan Liverpool striker Craig Lindfield believes he
will be back at Accrington for the start of the club's next
campaign.
The 20-year-old joined on a temporary deal until the end of
the season
in January.
He has a year remaining on his contract at Anfield but he is
keen to return to Accrington next season.
"I've definitely enjoyed my time here," he told the
Lancashire Telegraph.
"I've got another season left on my contract at Liverpool
but I don't see any reason why I couldn't come for the first
half of next season.
"At the moment I haven't looked at my long-term plans but
I'll definitely stay until January and see what happens
then."
(TEAMtalk)
Ancelotti expects Gerrard stay
Carlo Ancelotti doubts that AC Milan can lure Steven Gerrard
to the San Siro next season.
Milan play a Hungarian league team in a friendly in Budapest
on Wednesday and Ancelotti was quizzed on the possibility of
signing Gerrard in the summer.
However, the Italian is not confident of landing Liverpool's
captain, believing the midfielder could not be tempted into
leaving Anfield.
"I think Steven Gerrard is an outstanding player but I doubt
that he'd leave Liverpool," Ancelotti told Hungarian sports
daily Nemzeti Sport.
(Sky Sports)
Reds on right
track claims Benitez
Rafael Benitez believes he finally has his Liverpool team
playing the way he wants but it may have come too late for
them in the title race.
The Spaniard has built a reputation of being cautious and
unadventurous but in their last eight matches in all
competitions they have scored
27 goals.
Uncharacteristically they have conceded 12, with successive
4-4 draws against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the
Champions League and Tuesday night's epic against Arsenal at
Anfield which handed the initiative back to arch-rivals
Manchester United in the championship run-in.
"There is not really [a change of emphasis]. The
understanding between the players is better," said the
Liverpool boss.
"This week we were talking in training sessions and we could
see the team were playing with a lot of confidence.
"We didn't need to say anything because they knew what to
do."
(TEAMtalk)
Wenger: Liverpool can
still win the title
Arsène Wenger insists that Liverpool still have a realistic
chance of winning the Premier League title.
Rafa Benitez's side snatched a stoppage-time equaliser at
Anfield on Tuesday night to force a 4-4 draw after Andrey
Arshavin's quartet looked like sealing an incredible win for
Arsenal. The result sent Liverpool to the top of the table
on goal difference but Manchester United now have two games
in hand. The first of those takes place tonight when
Portsmouth visit Old Trafford.
The champions are now heavy odds-on to retain their crown
but Wenger believes that Liverpool are still in with a
shout.
"They are still in it," said the Frenchman.
"It depends how Man United will respond on Wednesday night
as well. They have got two home games and it depends how
they do in them."
(Arsenal FC - The Official Site)
Kenny: I'd be happy
to help the club I love
Kenny Dalglish today admitted he would relish a return to
working for Liverpool Football Club.
The Kop legend has been linked with an emotional return to
Anfield to take up a role within the club's hierarchy, and
says he'd be delighted to lend a hand if required.
Dalglish told LFC Magazine: "I was as far removed from the
weekend's speculation about me returning to a role at
Liverpool Football Club as it was possible to be, relaxing
with the family at Loch Lomond in Scotland. That's not to
say that the Sunday paper stories and TV debate
escaped me.
"All I can say at the moment is what I've said many times in
this column; if I can help Liverpool Football Club in any
way, shape or form then I'm in. That's not a new revelation.
"If I can be of help to the club I love in any capacity then
I'm more than happy to play any part that I can. If the
manager or the people running the club think there's a role
for me then I'll fill it happily.
"Similarly, if the club think the best thing for the club is
for me to stay out of the way then I'm not going to take
offence at that either.
"At the moment, there's not much more that I can say other
than that if and when there's anything to say to the
supporters - the people who keep this club alive - then they
will be the first to know."
(LFC Official Website)
Classic case of
self destruction
For the second time in a week Liverpool have been involved
in an absolute classic which has caught the eye of football
fans all over
the world.
But today - for all the heroic efforts of the men in red -
there’s a sense of dismay at seeing our hopes of silverware
this season take another dent.
Neutrals might love games like these but believe me,
Liverpool’s players, their manager and his staff, and the
supporters, can happily do without them if it means success
in a less dramatic fashion.
Rafa was nonetheless right to praise the character of his
players last night. They came from behind three times to
secure a point which might yet prove vital. And apart from
the scoreline, every other statistic was massively in
Liverpool’s favour.
But it should have been all three points and we all know it.
(Tommy Smith - Liverpool Echo)
PM promises Hillsborough help
Prime Minister Gordon Brown today confirmed the government
are ready to explore means of disclosing official documents
relating to
the Hillsborough disaster.
South Yorkshire Police said earlier this week they would be
prepared to release around 300 boxes of material regarding
the tragedy if able
to do so.
Now the Prime Minister has pledged to do his best to help
the families affected by the disaster.
Asked during Prime Minister's Question Time whether official
documents - not just police files, but also health and
government records - would be released, Mr Brown replied:
"96 people lost their lives on that day and the inquiry
found that action had to be taken so that something like
this would never happen again.
"I can well understand that, even after all these years, the
feelings of the families are such that they want to be sure
that everything possible was done, and so yes, we will look
at how we can release whatever information is available to
the families.
"I have to say that the Taylor Report was a very full
inquiry, and there was then a further report after 1997 to
at what may be necessary to do
in addition.
"But if this is a means by which we can help the families in
difficult times, even after these years, we will look very
carefully at what we can do."
(LFC Official Website)
Torres tips Barca
for Euro glory
Liverpool striker Fernando Torres has tipped Barcelona to
win the UEFA Champions League after labelling Pep
Guardiola's side the best team
in Europe.
Barcelona are due to face Chelsea, who eliminated Liverpool,
in the semi-finals of the continent's pedigree club
competition after brushing aside Bayern Munich.
And Torres expects Guardiola's Primera Liga table toppers
and Copa del Rey finalists to knockout the Blues en route to
a final with either Arsenal or Manchester United.
If United - who could win a quadruple this season - were to
reach the final, Torres also believes Barca would defeat the
Premier League leaders.
"Barcelona are clearly the best side in Europe," the former
Atletico Madrid forward said in the Daily Mirror.
"United's squad of players is very impressive. You barely
notice when they have players out.
"They have footballers like Tevez, Berbatov or Giggs on the
bench. But even so I think Barcelona would get the better of
them."
(Sporting Life)
Drawing power has cost
Liverpool FC the title
It's the draws which have damaged Liverpool’s Premier League
title hopes – probably fatally.
But these last two stalemates – if you can ever call
eight-goal classics stale – have pointed the way forward.
In two losing causes, Liverpool have learned how to mount a
more successful Premier League push next season.
Because let’s be realistic, only a miracle can salvage
Liverpool’s title challenge in this current camapign. And
we’ve already seen two miracle matches in the last seven
days.
But the title wasn’t lost last night at Anfield in one of
the most outrageously entertaining matches even this famous
old stadium has
ever witnessed.
The title headed East up the M62 during home draws against
West Ham, Fulham, Stoke, Manchester City and Hull – games
when Liverpool didn’t show the same desperate zeal to turn
one point into three as they did
last night.
(David Prentice - Liverpool Echo)
Yossi: We're not
giving up on title
Yossi Benayoun insists Liverpool won't give up on their
dream of becoming champions - despite seeing two points slip
away at Anfield
last night.
"It's very difficult. United are a strong side but we won't
give up and we will continue to try and do our best," he
said.
"We will keep trying, look to win our remaining matches, and
hopefully we can still do it.
"It was great game for the supporters to watch but not for
us because we made too many mistakes. We should have won the
game."
(LFC Official Website)
Hicks and Gillett in Liverpool
unison for Arsenal thriller
Liverpool's American co-owners sat together at Anfield last
night for the first time this season - and the first for
more than a year - watching Rafael Benitez's side produce a
4-4 thriller against Arsenal. Tom Hicks and George Gillett
have been at odds over the direction of the club for much of
the last two seasons, but the bickering has taken a backseat
ever since Benitez signed a new contract last month.
The duo's visit came as a July deadline approaches to
refinance the loan that funded their takeover of Liverpool
two years ago. And the calculators came out early at Anfield
after witnessing eight goals on another
pulsating night.
Also in the directors' box was Amanda Staveley, who was the
chief negotiator for last year's failed takeover bid by
Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Staveley negotiated the Abu Dhabi United Group's buyout of
Manchester City in September.
Hicks, who has said he is looking for new partners to invest
in Liverpool from the Middle East, and Gillett have been
assessing their personal financial situations amid the
global economic crisis.
Gillett has appointed financial advisers to explore a
recapitalization of his assets, which could include the sale
of the Montreal Canadiens.
And Hicks' company, which wns the Texas Rangers and Dallas
Stars, has defaulted on about $525 million in loans
(Telegraph.co.uk)
Reds to play in Thailand and Singapore
Liverpool Football Club have confirmed they will play two
games in South-East Asia this summer as part of their
preparations for the 2009-10 season.
In a tour promoted by Strategic Sports Investment, part of
the Profitable Group, Rafael Benitez's men will face the
Thailand national team in Bangkok on July 22 before flying
to Singapore to take on the national team on July 26.
It will be the first time the Reds have visited Thailand
since 2003, while their last trip to Singapore was in 2001.
Manager Rafael Benitez said: "We have a fantastic group of
fans in both Thailand and Singapore and it will be great to
take the lads out
there again."
(LFC Official Website)
Thor Zakariassen
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