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WEDNESDAY 24 |
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Bolton accuse Reds over Stelios
Bolton chairman Phil Gartside has branded Liverpool's
behaviour "morally wrong" after they confirmed they want to
sign Stelios Giannakopoulos.
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez confirmed he hopes to land the
31-year-old Greek star before the transfer deadline.
He admitted he has held talks with Bolton counterpart Sam
Allardyce.
But Gartside said: "I am disappointed that on the eve of a
match a fellow Premiership club has gone public with their
interest - it is morally wrong."
Gartside is unhappy that Liverpool, like Manchester City,
have announced their interest just hours before Bolton play
Newcastle and fears Giannakopoulos will be unsettled by the
link.
But he warned: "Liverpool have not made an offer for
Stelios. I am aware that they are likely to make an offer
soon but if they don't meet our valuation of over £2m then
we won't be talking to them."
(BBC Sport Online)
Linz agree Anfield clause
LASK Linz have an agreement to welcome Besian Idrizaj back
to the club if his move to Liverpool does not work out.
The 17-year-old has signed a two-year contract at Anfield
after impressing Rafa Benitez during a recent trial period.
The midfielder was spotted by Liverpool scouts whilst
representing Austria at the Under-17 European Championship.
"How often does a young Austrian get the opportunity to join
the current Champions League title holders?" asked LASK
president Peter-Michael Reichel.
Although it was a tough decision for Reichel to make, he
felt he could not block Idrizaj's dream move, although
insisting on the clause that he will return to Linz on a
free transfer in 2007 if things do not work out.
(Planet Football/Sky Sports)
Benitez confirms Stelios interest
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has confirmed they are in
talks with Bolton about signing Stelios Giannakopoulos.
Benitez is hopeful of bringing the 31-year-old Greek
international midfielder to Anfield before next week's
summer transfer deadline.
He said: "Our chief executive Rick Parry is talking with
their Chairman about the possibility of a deal.
"I also spoke to Sam Allardyce about the player last night
because we need to know if he'd be available."
Benitez added: "At this moment Stelios is one possibility
for us. We are working hard to strengthen the squad before
the deadline."
Manchester City had a £1m bid for Giannakopoulos turned down
last week.
Bolton boss Sam Allardyce is hopeful of keeping hold of the
right-sided midfielder.
But the player is out of contract at the end of the season
and would be then available to leave on a free transfer.
He has had talks with the Trotters about a new deal, but has
also expressed an interest in moving to Anfield if the Reds
were interested.
(BBC Sport Online)
Cisse keen to stay at Anfield
Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse wants to stay at the club
until the end of his contract even though Michael Owen has
expressed a wish to return to Anfield.
Owen has asked Real Madrid president Florentino Perez to
help him try to return to Liverpool but has said if that is
not possible he would go to Newcastle on a year's loan.
Under-pressure Cisse was hauled off during the Champions
League third qualifying round second leg clash against CSKA
Sofia, which Liverpool lost on the night but went through
3-2 on aggregate.
The pressure has clearly got to Cisse, who said: "Sometimes
you are high, sometimes you are low. I have to live with it,
it's part of a football career. But I do not have contact
with other clubs. However I would not be surprised if the
manager says I have to go. It is his choice, maybe they do
not need me."
Cisse, who has just married a Liverpool girl and has bought
a Cheshire mansion, made it clear he does not want to leave.
He added: "Liverpool is my club. I am here for four more
seasons and I want to be here until the end of my contract.
I feel good here and I do not want to go. It is my second
season, I have had some difficult times, and not every time
is good, but now I feel strong. If I have to go, I go, but I
would like to stay. I want to show to the people I can do
well for Liverpool."
(TEAMtalk)
Phil Thompson: My Liverpool heart wants
Owen back
Liverpool legend Phil Thompson says he would love to see
Michael Owen brought back to Anfield.
"Owen's revelation that he has spoken to Perez at Real
Madrid about a return to Anfield is in my opinion a come and
get me plea," said Thommo.
"But unless Rafa wants him, and let's remember it's him who
identifies targets and not Rick Parry or the chairman, then
it won't happen.
"Michael Owen must feel wanted by Rafa as he picks the team,
he would be the one selecting him, nobody else.
"In my Liverpool heart I hope Michael comes back."
(Kop Talk)
Warnock pens new deal
Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock has signed a new two-year
deal with the European champions.
The 23-year-old has played a major part so far this season
for The Reds and Rafa Benitez has rewarded his good form
with a new deal.
Warnock's current contract was due to expire next summer but
he is now tied to Anfield until 2008.
Djimi Traore's injury gave Warnock the chance to impress at
left back and he has even been chosen ahead of John Arne
Riise in the starting XI.
Warnock has had to battle hard for a chance at Anfield,
having had to contend with breaking his leg twice during his
early days.
Gerard Houllier shipped Warnock out to Coventry on loan but
he soon showed he was worth a chance by picking up their
Supporters Player of the Year award during his time with The
Sky Blues.
(Planet Football/Sky Sports)
Pongolle wants to stay at Anfield
With Warnock staying at Anfield, another youngster Florent
Sinama-Pongolle has also insisted he will not be leaving the
club.
The young French striker came on as a substitute in the
second half of Tuesday's UEFA Champions League tie with CSKA
Moscow.
Pongolle was linked with a loan move to Aberdeen but he says
he will not be following Milan Baros out of the Anfield exit
door.
"There is no truth whatsoever in this story," Pongolle told
the club's website about reports on Aberdeen.
"There has been no contact and it's not going to happen. I
have no desire to leave this club. I am very happy here.
"My aim now is to carry on working hard in training and push
hard for a regular
first team place."
(Planet Football/Sky Sports)
Baffled Benitez puts Super Cup before
signings
Rafael Benitez does not expect to conclude any transfer
business until after Friday's European Super Cup in Monaco.
But although Bolton have denied that Liverpool have put in a
formal bid for their Greek midfielder Stelios
Giannakopoulos, it is believed the Anfield club have made an
initial approach for the player that could cost them only
£1million.
The Euro 2004 winner has a buy-out clause in his contract
that will allow him to consider any bid of £1million or
more, and he could become the first of maybe four signings
Benitez plans before the transfer window closes next
Wednesday.
After witnessing his misfiring strikers struggle against
CSKA Sofia, losing 1-0 in the third qualifying round second
leg but reaching the group stages 3-2 on aggregate, Benitez
said: "We have identified the players that we want, but I do
not expect to complete any transfer until after we have
returned from Monaco and Friday's final with
CSKA Moscow.
(The Daily Mail)
Magpies agree record fee for Owen
Newcastle have revealed they have agreed a club record fee
with Real Madrid for England's Michael Owen.
Owen, 25, had indicated his desire to rejoin Liverpool but
is prepared to join Newcastle on a season-long loan if a
move to Anfield cannot be agreed.
But a Newcastle statement said: "Newcastle United have met
Real Madrid's asking price and conditions."
Newcastle, whose current record fee is £15m for Alan
Shearer, are now waiting to hear from Owen's advisers.
Owen said: "I said that my ideal situation was to start the
season in the Real Madrid team and if not I would prefer to
return to Liverpool.
"If the transfer cannot be finalised in time I have agreed
to go to Newcastle."
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has said he has no plans to
bring Owen back to Anfield.
(BBC Sport Online)
Reds' Luisao bid rejected
Benfica have revealed that they turned down an offer in
excess of €10 million (£6.5 million) from Liverpool for
defender Luisao.
The Reds are in the market for a new centre back and have
been linked with a string of names including Fernando Meira,
Daniel Agger and Abdoulaye Meite.
Rafa Benitez has remained coy about his dealings, but
Benfica have now confirmed they knocked back a multi-million
bid for the Brazil international stopper.
"It was a good proposal," Benfica president Luis Filipe
Vieira told A Bola. "It was over
€10 million.
"But Luisao is an asset of Benfica and is going to stay at
the club.
"Benfica intends to strengthen not weaken itself."
(Sky Sports) |
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TUESDAY 23 |
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Benitez refuses to rule out move for Owen
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez put the cat amongst the
pigeons once again this evening when he refused to clarify
his position with regards his possible interest in Michael
Owen.
The manager has ducked and dived for weeks playing not only
with the media but also the fans. One minute he gives us
hope, the next he leaves us shaking our heads. But once
again the man who wants a right-sided winger and a central
defender refused to rule out a bid for the Real Madrid
hitman.
Speaking after tonight's match, Rafa said: "We need to score
goals with the strikers we have at the moment. We need a
right winger and a centre-back."
Asked if the media and supporters could definitely, without
question, rule Michael Owen out as an option because
Liverpool wouldn't be signing him, Benitez simply smiled and
simply said: "We have good strikers."
(Kop Talk)
Rafa rues missed chances
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez felt his side created enough
chances to at least get a draw at home to CSKA Sofia.
Benitez felt the defeat was down to some wasteful finishing
as the hosts were unable to make the most of the
opportunities they created.
"You know if they score it is not easy, but, at the end, if
you analyse the game, we created a lot of opportunities and
we don't score," stated Benitez to ITV1.
(Sky Sports)
Riise: Progress all-important
John Arne Riise was relieved after Liverpool reached the
group stages of the Champions League, despite losing their
second leg to CSKA Sofia at Anfield on Tuesday night.
The visitors won 1-0 with a Valentin Iliev goal following a
set-piece, but Riise insists getting the right aggregate
result was all-important.
He told ITV1: "The important thing was to get through. In
the end I thought we should have won.
"We've been working hard on set-pieces but we lost our
concentration - and they scored."
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez changed tactics at half-time,
Riise revealed.
"(He said) you just have to step up the game," said the
Norwegian.
"As long as you keep the ball they can't score. It was
better in the second than he first."
(TEAMtalk)
Gerrard: Disappointing
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard missed the game through
injury but - after watching from the sidelines - said: "Any
game when you get beaten at home is disappointing.
"We didn't play well - but the important thing is
qualification."
Gerrard has a 50% chance of playing against CSKA Moscow in
the Uefa Super Cup on Friday and expects to be fit for
England's World Cup qualifiers next month.
(TEAMtalk)
Liverpool progress despite defeat
Liverpool lost in Europe for the first time in 15 matches
but still beat CSKA Sofia 3-2 on aggregate to reach the
group stage of the Champions League.
With Liverpool 3-1 up from the first leg, they were expected
to easily sweep aside the Bulgarians at Anfield.
But Valentin Iliev's sweetly-struck shot put Sofia ahead
early on and Yordon Todoro almost reduced the deficit
further shortly after.
(BBC Sport Online)
Rafa: No money for a striker
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez says he does not have any
money available to buy a striker.
Speaking shortly before kick-off this evening, Rafa said:
"We have 5 strikers now, not six, but we need a centre-back
and a winger. Not another striker.
"We have some options but when Liverpool are involved the
price increases.
"We have some money but only for a centre-back and a
winger."
(Kop Talk)
Liverpool v CSKA Sofia - confirmed team
LIVERPOOL: Carson, Finnan, Warnock, Hyypia, Josemi, Hamann,
Sissoko, Potter, Riise, Cisse, Morientes.
SUBS: Reina, Garcia, Alonso, Carragher, Pongolle, Zenden,
Barragan.
(Kop Talk)
Villa complete signing of Baros
Aston Villa have completed the signing of Czech Republic
striker Milan Baros from Liverpool for £6.5m.
The 23-year-old, who fell out of favour with Reds boss Rafa
Benitez, has signed a four-year deal with Villa after
passing a medical on Tuesday.
Baros, who was top scorer at Euro 2004 with five goals, is
expected to make his Villa debut against Blackburn.
The striker was behind Djibril Cisse, Fernando Morientes and
Peter Crouch in the pecking order at Anfield.
He has made just three appearances off the bench this
season.
"I'm delighted we have finally got our man. He'll give us a
spark we need up front," Villa boss David O'Leary told the
club website.
(BBC Sport Online)
Benitez moves in for Stelios
Greek winger Stelios Giannakopoulos is in Liverpool's sights
after the Reds made an official approach to Bolton.
Reds boss Rafa Benitez has declined the chance to bring
Nolberto Solano to Anfield as part of the £6.5m Milan Baros
transfer, and has turned to Greek midfielder Stelios for a
bargain £1m.
Baros completed his transfer to Villa today, providing more
funds for Benitez to strengthen other areas.
Benitez's intentions in the transfer market are now taking
shape.
He's confirmed his interest in Bundesliga pair Fernando
Meira of Stuttgart and Lukas Sinkiewicz of Colgone. And he
is also considering 20-year-old Dane Daniel Agger. Who
arrives depends on their fee, with Agger currently priced
beyond Benitez ' s valuation.
Liverpool want to sign a minimum of three players. With the
right midfielder identified, and the defender likely to be
one of the three listed, the attention will switch to the
forward line.
Michael Owen dominates the agenda, but he now knows he faces
a rival in Dirk Kuyt if the current stalemate continues.
(Liverpool Echo)
Hamann axed by Germany
Juergen Klinsmann has dropped Didi Hamann from next month's
World Cup warm-up games against Slovakia and South Africa.
The 31-year-old Reds midfielder was criticised by the German
media for his performance in last week's 2-2 draw against
Holland.
"We know which qualities he has and we won't be influenced
by the negative comments about him," said Klinsmann.
(Kop Talk)
Everton fail with Owen bid
Real Madrid ace Michael Owen has turned down a move to
Everton, who have also failed with a £10m bid for Feyenoord
striker Dirk Kuyt.
Owen has had talks with several Premiership clubs in the
wake of Real's double swoop for strikers Robinho and Julio
Baptista.
But the 25-year-old will not be joining the Goodison Park
side, whose Champions League fate will be finalised on
Wednesday when they take on Villarreal in their third
qualifying round second leg match in Spain trailing by two
goals to one.
Everton boss David Moyes said: "We have been in contact with
Michael and his advisors - and unfortunately he doesn't see
Everton as a team he would choose at this present time."
It is another snub for the Scot, who has also been turned
down by Dutch striker Kuyt earlier this month.
Moyes continued: "We offered £10m for Dirk Kuyt and that was
rejected on
August 1 by Feyenoord."
(TEAMtalk)
Liverpool hand trial to Calliste
Welsh teenage striker Ramon Calliste has started a trial at
Liverpool after being released by Manchester United.
The 19-year-old, who was freed by United at the start of the
summer, scored on his debut for Liverpool's reserves on
Monday.
The Wales Under-21 international was released when United
scrapped one of their two reserve teams.
He turned down a move to Colchester last month after scoring
four goals while on trial at the Essex club.
Calliste scored Liverpool's second goal in a 2-2 draw with
Newcastle at Wrexham - in a side that also included Djimi
Traore, Florent Sinama-Pongolle and Salif Diao.
(BBC Sport Online)
Rafa ready to rotate squad
Rafael Benitez is ready to rest some of his players as the
Reds face CSKA Sofia tonight.
With the Reds holding a 3-1 lead from the first leg Benitez
may be tempted to bring in the likes of Didi Hamann and
Antonio Barragan for the second leg at Anfield this evening.
"I will rotate my squad, change some players but always with
the idea of fielding a strong side," said the boss.
"But always you must be careful of what the other team could
produce - you never know.
(LFC Online)
Liverpool Res 2, Newcastle Res 2
Djimi Traore and Florent Sinama-Pongolle continued their
comebacks from injury as Liverpool Reserves drew 2-2 with
Newcastle in the Barclays Premier Reserve League North at
the Racecourse Ground last night.
Traore completed half an hour before being withdrawn as a
precaution, while Sinama-Pongolle was taken off at half-time
after a lively display and a well-taken goal. It was
Sinama-Pongolle's second goal of the season, having netted
in last week's mini derby defeat.
Sinama-Pongolle opened the scoring after 13 minutes, when
great play by Jack Hobbs sent him in on goal, and the French
under-21s starlet coolly rounded United keeper Tony Caig and
rolled the ball into an empty net.
Newcastle had offered little attacking threat, but equalised
on the stroke of half-time when Atkin prodded in a rebound
after keeper Paul Willis had made a great save to deny
Finnigan.
The goal seemed to lift the visitors, and they started the
second half well, with Ramage hitting the bar with a
free-kick five minutes after the break.
That scare seemed to act as a wake-up call, as Liverpool
stepped up the pace and regained the lead through triallist
Ramon Calliste. Guthrie provided the pass and the former
Manchester United trainee finished.
Newcastle levelled with a stunning long range drive by Gate
which found the top corner giving Willis no chance.
LIVERPOOL RESERVES: Willis; Raven, Traore (Smith 31), Roque,
O'Donnell; Diao, Guthrie, Hobbs, Sinama-Pongolle
(Godwin-Antwi 45); Calliste (Mannix 80), Hammill.
(Daily Post)
Benitez warning over CSKA threat
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez will be taking no chances in
his side's Champions League third round, second leg tie
against CSKA Sofia.
The Reds hold a 3-1 lead over the Bulgarian side but will be
without captain Steven Gerrard on Tuesday.
Benitez said: "I will rotate my squad, change some players
but always with the idea of fielding a strong side.
"But always you must be careful of what the other team could
produce - you never know."
He added: "If they score one goal then we will know it is a
harder game.
"We do not want that and we must go into the game intent on
winning and using other players when we are in a good
position to do so."
(BBC Sport Online)
Dons close in on Sinama-Pongolle
Aberdeen are confident that they can solve their striking
problems later this week by clinching a loan deal for
Liverpool's French forward Florent Sinama-Pongolle.
The Pittodrie club's manager Jimmy Calderwood revealed last
week that he was phoning round all the top English
Premiership sides in an effort to borrow someone of quality
to boost his injury-ravaged squad.
That initiative looks like it could pay off as former
Aberdeen manager Alex Miller is now Rafael Benitez's No2 at
Anfield, and that link may help smooth a deal for someone
who is currently fighting his way back to fitness.
Competition for a starting place in Benitez's top team is
fierce as Fernando Morientes, Peter Crouch, Djibril Cisse,
Aston Villa-bound Milan Baros, Mohamed Sissoko and Neil
Mellor are all ahead of Sinama-Pongolle after his lengthy
absence.
(The Scotsman) |
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MONDAY 22 |
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Benitez reveals interest in Kuyt
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has hinted that he may move
for 25-year-old Feyenoord striker Dirk Kuyt.
He said: "Kuyt is a good striker. Maybe he is cheaper than
other players but we will have to see what happens."
(BBC Sport Online)
Villa set to sign £6m Baros
Aston Villa are on the verge of signing Liverpool striker
Milan Baros after the Merseysiders finally decided to accept
an offer of around £6million.
Villa manager David O'Leary has been tracking the Czech
international for several weeks as he looks to bolster a
strike force of only two senior players, Kevin Phillips and
Juan Pablo Angel.
Villa are believed to have agreed an initial £6million deal
which could rise by another £500,000 based on add-ons.
Baros is understood to be happy with the terms offered by
Villa of around £30,000 a week which is a slight increase on
his current salary with the Reds.
Liverpool have also been keen to offload Baros to give them
extra income for a new centre-back and midfielder while they
are also being strongly linked with Michael Owen.
(Sporting Life)
Gerrard could miss England double-header
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has cast doubts over
whether Steven Gerrard could play for England in their World
Cup double-header with Wales and Northern Ireland next
month.
The Reds captain is definitely out of the Champions League
third qualifying round second leg against CSKA Sofia on
Tuesday with a calf injury, but it has also now emerged he
is struggling to face CSKA Moscow in the European Super Cup
in Monaco on Friday.
If that turns out to be the case Benitez believes playing
for England the week after will also be a major problem.
Benitez says: "If he is not fit for Friday's match it will
be dangerous to play for England.
"If he has not played games before the internationals it
will be dangerous for him to play for England."
(Daily Mail)
Wrexham sign Liverpool youngster
Wrexham have moved to address their problems with injuries
and scoring goals by signing young Liverpool striker Robbie
Foy on loan.
The 19-year-old Scot will stay at the Racecourse until the
end of January.
Foy spent three months on loan at Chester last season, but
failed to score
in 13 appearances.
(BBC Sport Online)
Rafa weighs up Meira swoop
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has hinted at an interest in
Stuttgart defender Fernando Meira.
Benitez is looking to sign a centre half before the close of
the transfer window and has been linked with a string of
names.
Meira has been added to the possible list of targets, with
Brondby's Daniel Agger and Marseille's Abdoulaye Meite other
potential recruits.
"I have read in the press good information today about two
centre backs," said Benitez.
"It's true we are checking these players. We are talking
about the players, and after that the money, but if we talk
in the press about the players, the price increases."
(Planet Football/Sky Sports)
Brondby deny Agger-Liverpool talk
Brondby have rejected speculation that Liverpool have bid
for highly-rated young defender Daniel Agger.
The 20-year-old impressed in Wednesday's 4-1 win for Denmark
against England and there has since been talk of a £4.5
million bid from Liverpool, who are known to be chasing a
centre-back.
However, the Dane's director Per Bjerregaard has responded
by saying: "It’s wrong. They haven’t even enquired about
him. The story has been taken out of thin air.
"It’s a typical example of a paper not having something
serious but wanting to be able to ask questions."
(Goal.com)
CSKA Sofia punished for racist abuse
CSKA Sofia have been fined by UEFA for racist chanting by
supporters during last weeks 3rd round Champions League
qualifer against Liverpool.
The UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body has fined Bulgarian
side CSKA €19,500 for the behaviour of their fans during the
home leg of their second qualifying round tie against the
European Champions, in which the match observer reported
five incidences of firecrackers being let off at the
stadium.
The observer also reported that Liverpool striker Djibril
Cissé recieved racist abuse during the latter stages of the
game. Cisse was jeered every time he received the ball, and
in final 12 minutes of the match, was subjected to "monkey
noises".
CSKA have until midnight on 22 August to mount an appeal
against UEFA's decisions.
(18-5.com)
Leaden strikers further fuel Owen debate
Michael Owen may have been hundreds of miles away from a
sunlit Anfield, yet he still dominated conversation before
and after this untidy encounter.
Hardly surprising given the collective inadequacy of the
strikers on view, none of whom looked capable of scoring 10
goals a season, never mind 20.
Steven Gerrard worked tirelessly to provide Fernando
Morientes, Djibril Cisse and auxiliary attacker Boudewijn
Zenden with a reasonable supply of the ball, but they
continued to embrace impotency rather than incisiveness.
You could imagine Gerrard's growing consternation as chance
after chance went begging, for the captain has led a chorus
of approval for the return of Owen to his goalscoring roots.
(Daily Post)
No Meite bid for Reds
Marseille supremo Pape Diouf has insisted that they are yet
to receive an offer from Liverpool for defender Abdoulaye
Meite.
Meite has been strongly linked with a move to Liverpool,
with Rafa Benitez keen to continue building his squad.
The 24-year-old is under contract until 2008, but the
prospect of playing in The Premiership is likely to appeal.
"For Meite, we have not had any formal contact from
Liverpool," confirmed Diouf.
(Planet Football/Sky Sports)
Liverpool table £4.5million bid for
defender
Reports today claim that Liverpool have tabled a
£4.5million bid for Danish centre-back Daniel Agger.
(Kop Talk)
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Thor Zakariassen
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