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TUESDAY 24 |
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Hamann wonder goal tames Wolves
A wonder strike from the halfway line by Dietmar Hamann was
the highlight of Liverpool Reserves 1-0 victory over Wolves
in a match that saw Danish international Daniel Agger make
his Reds debut.
Just past the hour mark Hamann spotted Wolves goalkeeper
Matt Murray off his line and hit a Xabi Alonso style shot
that sailed into the back of the net.
Liverpool Reserve manager Paco Herrera and coach Hughie
McAuley fielded their strongest team of the season with Jan
Kromkamp making an impressive first start at right back.
Djimi Traore partnered David Raven at the heart of the Reds
defence with Stephen Warnock at left back. Dietmar Hamann
and fit again Darren Potter were paired in the centre of
midfield while Ramon Calliste partnered Florent
Sinama-Pongolle in the attack. Liverpool manager Rafael
Benitez was also present at Bucks Head to watch the game.
The Reds played very well on the night and the second half
was very entertaining and was sealed by a fantastic goal
from Hamann.
Liverpool Reserves: Martin, Kromkamp, Warnock, Raven, Traore
(Agger 45), Hamann, Anderson, Potter (Hobbs 66), Calliste,
Sinama-Pongolle, Guthrie (Idrizaj 76). Subs not used:
Willis, Idrizaj, Antwi.
(LFC Official Website)
Cologne chase Dudek
Cologne are the latest club to express an interest in
Liverpool's out-of-favour goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek.
Dudek is seeking to leave Liverpool after growing
increasingly frustrated with his lack of first-team chances.
The keeper's agent Jan de Zeeuw has revealed Cologne are
keen on signing the UEFA Champions League hero and Dudek
would be interested in a switch to Germany.
(Sky Sports)
Morientes in Reds pledge
Liverpool striker Fernando Morientes appears to have has
distanced himself from a possible move to Espanyol by
insisting he is settled in England and prefers the Barclays
Premiership to La Liga.
Sources in Spain suggested 29-year-old could become a
surprise target for the Barcelona club if his friend and
former Real Madrid and Spain boss Jose Antonio Camacho is
appointed sports director there next month.
Morientes told official website www.liverpoolfc.tv: "I want
to stay at Liverpool for a long time because the fans are
yet to see the best of me.
"They really are unbelievable and very different to those in
Spain. They sing all the time and really get behind you from
the first whistle.
"Their support means so much to me and I want to repay them
for the faith they have shown in me."
(Sporting Life)
Foy's loan move cancelled
Wrexham have cancelled Robbie Foy's loan move and sent him
back to Anfield.
The 20-year-old midfielder's spell was due to conclude at
the end of this month anyway.
(Kop Talk)
Reds eye fresh Galletti talks
Atletico Madrid are bracing themselves for a Liverpool bid
this week, with Argentine Luciano Galletti the target.
The Reds have been tracking Galletti for a number of weeks
and have been considering a number of options for their
problematic right midfield role.
Steven Gerrard has been filling the void to great effect in
recent weeks - but the England star is unlikely to accept
that as a long-term solution.
With that in mind, numerous targets have been checked, but
so far none have resulted in anything positive - so now Rafa
Benitez is reported to be back on the trail of Galletti.
Atletico are not willing to let Galletti leave on loan, but
could be prepared to let him leave for a bid near £5
million.
(Sky Sports)
Neville: 'I didn't mean to upset Reds'
Gary Neville admitted today that his actions in the
Manchester United goal celebrations at Old Trafford on
Sunday were not intended to be disrespectful to Liverpool.
And he has asked Reds fans to put his post-match antics into
context.
The Manchester United skipper used his column in a daily
newspaper to defend his actions, saying: "It was a new one
for me to hear people saying that I had celebrated too
vigorously on Sunday.
"No disrespect to Liverpool was intended. I would have been
apologetic if I had run up to one of their players and tried
to belittle them, but this was a celebration."
(Daily Post)
PFA support Neville over goal celebration
Gary Neville has been backed by the Professional
Footballers' Association following his ill-advised
celebration of Manchester United's late winner in front of
the Liverpool fans at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Having failed to witness the original incident, referee Mike
Riley was due to offer his verdict on Neville's actions to
the FA today.
Soho Square chiefs will also assess the written observations
of Greater Manchester Police, who have already expressed
their concern at Neville's shirt-clutching antics.
But PFA deputy chief executive Mick McGuire insists the
United skipper should not be condemned for his outpouring of
emotion.
"It was a sign of passion and commitment to his club,"
McGuire said.
(Liverpool Echo) |
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MONDAY 23 |
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Benfica fancy Reds tie
Benfica are confident they can knock Liverpool out of the
UEFA Champions League after watching The Reds' 1-0 defeat at
Manchester United.
Benfica boss Ronald Koeman and his assistant Tony Bruins
Slot travelled to Manchester to see Liverpool suffer a
last-minute defeat at Old Trafford, as they prepare to face
Rafa Benitez's side in the knockout phase of the
competition.
Slot says that he and Koeman were impressed with what they
saw from the European champions, saying that they are a
better side than United - who Benfica knocked out in the
group stages.
"We have seen Manchester United defeat them, and we can also
do it. We have
our weapons."
(Sky Sports)
It's a red letter day for Freeman Jamie
He is the pride of Anfield, the proud owner of a Champions
League winners medal - and today Jamie Carragher caps a
remarkable year by becoming a Freeman of Sefton.
The award is granted in recognition of his magnificent
performances on the pitch and his community work off it.
It means Jamie can now drive a flock of sheep through the
streets of Bootle if he so desires.
The freedom of the borough is the highest accolade which can
be bestowed by Sefton council on one of its citizens and
Jamie is delighted to have been honoured in this way.
He told the ECHO: "Obviously it's a great honour and as soon
as I heard about it I was made up.
"I grew up in Bootle and still live in Sefton, so something
like this means a great deal to me. I haven't got any sheep
though, so I don't think I'll be driving them through
the streets."
(Liverpool Echo)
Carra: Neville went too far
Jamie Carragher reckons Gary Neville "crossed the line" with
his celebrations after Manchester United's winning goal
against Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Neville was seen to rush towards the Liverpool fans in the
stadium after Rio Ferdinand's last-gasp headed winner,
screaming and with arms pumping before clutching the United
badge on his shirt.
Liverpool defender Carragher thinks England squad mate
Neville went too far, telling the Liverpool Echo: "I think
there's a line and Neville crossed it."
(TEAMtalk)
Police concern at Neville gesture
Greater Manchester Police has written to the Football
Association and Manchester United to complain over Gary
Neville's goal celebrations.
United skipper Neville ran the length of the Old Trafford
pitch to celebrate his side's winner against Liverpool in
front of the opposition fans.
A statement from GMP said: "Chief Superintendent Andy Holt
has written a letter expressing his concern.
"No criminal investigation is taking place at this stage."
Neville had been subjected to taunts from Liverpool fans
throughout the game and reacted after Rio Ferdinand headed
United's winner against the club's arch-rivals.
England right-back Neville was seen grabbing his shirt and
gesticulating at Liverpool supporters in celebration.
The FA may now decide to take action against the 30-year-old
following the letter sent
by GMP.
(BBC Sport Online)
Under 18's lose
Under 18's coach John Owens was disappointed with his side's
2-1 defeat by Crewe Alexandra.
"We found ourselves 2-0 down at half-time but we were the
better team and I still felt we would win the game during
the break," he told the official site. "Charlie Barnett
scored a free-kick to get us back into it and we had plenty
of corners, free-kicks and chances but just couldn't score.
"Although I am disappointed with the result I was very
pleased with our overall performance. Francis Smith and
Charlie Barnett did very together in the centre of midfield
and complemented each other nicely. Michael Nardiello had
his best game for us up front and Stephen Darby was
excellent again at left back."
Team: David Roberts, Jordan Holmes, Stephen Darby, Robbie
Threlfall, Calum Woods, Francis Smith, Craig Lindfield (Jon
Pringle 60), Charlie Barnett, Michael Nardiello, Conal Platt
(Ryan Wignall 60), Michael Burns (Paul Barratt 75). Subs
unused: Paul Lancaster (GK), Jimmy Ryan.
(LFC Online)
Phil backing brother Gary
Phil Neville has leapt to the defence of his brother Gary
after the Manchester United defender received criticism for
his overt celebrations following United's winner against
Liverpool.
Neville senior has never enjoyed the best of relationships
with the Merseyside contingent and received his customary
barracking at Old Trafford on Sunday.
A fired up Neville took retribution when he ran fully 60
yards to celebrate Rio Ferdinand's last-gasp headed winner
in full view of Liverpool's masses.
Irate observers have criticised the England international
for attempting to incite supporters but Phil insists the
incident was much ado about nothing.
The Everton defender, too, is no stranger to the
Manchester-Liverpool rivalry and believes his brother's
celebrations are part and parcel of the high octane derby.
"My brother always celebrates like that when we beat
Liverpool," Neville told Sky Sports.
"It means a lot to him and I think people should just let it
go."
Greater Manchester Police confirmed on Monday no criminal
investigation will take place but they have written to
Manchester United and The FA regarding the matter.
(Sky Sports) |
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SUNDAY 22 |
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Neville taunts travelling Liverpool fans
Manchester United's Gary Neville will need a police escort
out of Old Trafford this evening after goading the
travelling Liverpool faithful.
Neville's celebration didn't go down too well with the
Liverpool bench either but in fairness, he's never hidden
his hatred of the Reds and it's not really his fault he
looks like
Dot Cotton.
(Kop Talk)
Rafa surprised at defeat
Rafa Benitez admits he was both surprised and disappointed
after watching his side fall to a 1-0 defeat at Old
Trafford.
Benitez has now called for his side to put the defeat behind
them and concentrate on the battle to make ground on runaway
leaders Chelsea.
''It was a surprise but it was clear," Benitez told Sky
Sports. "We lost a game we were controlling, we have to
think about that."
(Sky Sports)
Rio late show sinks Reds
Rio Ferdinand's injury-time header completed a memorable
Manchester United hat-trick as Liverpool's unbeaten run
became the latest to bite the dust in a 1-0 defeat at Old
Trafford.
Just as Arsenal's 49-game streak without a defeat ended here
last season, and Chelsea's 40-match run was halted in
November, so Liverpool have found the Red Devils are not
quite the spent force many believe them to be.
Ferdinand took 140 games to end his United scoring drought
but the England defender found the net for the third time in
six weeks when he rose to meet Ryan Giggs' free-kick and
bulleted a header into the top corner past Jose Reina.
It hardly breathed new life into the Premiership title race
as Chelsea remain a healthy 14 points clear despite their
rare setback against Charlton, but at least it gave the
supporters something positive to remember from another
largely sterile encounter.
(TEAMtalk)
Cisse starts at Old Trafford
It's second chance Sunday for the Reds and Rafa Benitez has
recalled Djibril Cisse to his side for today's televised
crunch Premiership clash with Manchester United at Old
Trafford.
Liverpool can go second if they can overcome Alex Ferguson's
side and Rafa has made just one change to the side that beat
Spurs at Anfield last week.
That means Steven Gerrard, Xabi Alonso, Momo Sissoko and
Harry Kewell will look to dominate the midfield; and Peter
Crouch will have the assistance of Cisse in looking for the
goals to silence Old Trafford.
Liverpool - Reina, Hyypia, Carragher, Riise, Finnan,
Sissoko, Gerrard, Alonso, Kewell, Cisse, Crouch. Subs -
Dudek, Traore, Morientes, Kromkamp, Pongolle.
(LFC Official Website)
Valdano on Alonso transfer
Former Real Madrid sporting director Jorge Valdano says the
Spanish giants made a huge mistake when they failed to step
in and prevent Xabi Alonso signing for Liverpool.
Rafael Benitez shelled out £10.5million in August 2004 for
the inspirational player who has to be considered one of the
best midfielders in Europe and that's what's why Valdano
believes Real should have made a better offer to Real
Sociedad at the time.
He said: "I believe the middle of midfield dictates how
teams play and Xabi Alonso plays that role very well.
"I like players like Xabi, there are not many of his type in
the world and I believe it was an error by Real Madrid not
to sign him."
(Kop Talk)
Espanyol to target Morientes
Reports in Spain claim that Espanyol will target Liverpool
striker Fernando Morientes if Jose Antonio Camacho is
appointed sport director at the start of next month.
Camacho will take up the post if Claudio Biern wins the
club's presidential elections in February.
Biern, who is fronting a group called 'Nou Espanyol', has
promised to install the former Spain coach and insists he
will then look to target two major signings.
(Sky Sports)
Liverpool want Chelsea ace
Newspaper reports today claim that Liverpool are trying to
sign Chelsea ace Shaun Wright-Phillips, a player we tried to
sign before Abramovich started flashing the cash around.
The £21million winger is frustrated at the lack of first
team opportunities at Stamford Bridge and is concerned that
he could be overlooked for World Cup duty by England boss
Sven Goran Eriksson.
A Liverpool FC insider is quoted as saying: "Liverpool have
made their interest known and a move like this would give
Shaun's dream of playing in the World Cup a major boost."
(Kop Talk)
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Thor Zakariassen
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