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SUNDAY 24 |
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Nunez close to exit
Antonio Nunez's Anfield career is almost over. He was signed
as part of the deal that took Owen to Real Madrid but failed
to make an impact.
Rafa has told him he has no future at Liverpool and it would
be better for him to go to a club that can give him regular
football.
That club appears to be Spanish Primera Liga side Celta Vigo
who have confirmed that they are close to sealing a deal for
the midfielder.
"The move of Nunez is practically closed," said Celta's
director of sport Felix Carnero.
"We are waiting for the player to arrive in Genk on Monday."
"He was a major target and Nunez is happy to return to
Spain, as he did not play much
in England."
(This is Anfield)
Crouch 4/6 for World Cup
Rafael Benitez has finally got his man and bet365 are
offering 4/6 on Peter Crouch making the trip to Germany for
the 2006 World Cup finals.
bet365 spokesman Steve Freeth said: "A couple of seasons ago
Peter Crouch was languishing in Villa's reserves and if
someone had said that in two years time he would be signing
for Liverpool for £7 million, you'd have either checked it
wasn't April 1st or thought they were going insane.
"The jury's out on whether the transfer fee is a rick or
not, but Crouch impressed last season and he's earned his
shot at the big time with Liverpool.
(Bettingzone)
Alonso impressed with Crouch debut
Midfield playmaker Xabi Alonso today praised new signing
Peter Crouch's debut against Olympiacos and insisted that
the arrival of the England international has lifted the
squad.
As a first-half substitute with Rafael Benitez opting to
pair Steven Gerrard and Dietmar Hamann together in during
the opening period, Alonso was perfectly placed to judge
Crouch's first 45 minutes in a Liverpool shirt and the
Spanish international was clearly impressed.
"I thought Peter did very well," he told liverpoolfc.tv.
"He's only been here with the rest of the squad for a couple
of days but I thought he linked up really well with the
players chosen to start the game. He might have scored a
couple in the box when Djibril Cisse crossed the ball in
from the right and he also had a good shot from outside the
box. It was also his run into the box that helped set up the
goal for Luis [Garcia].
(LFC Official Website) |
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SATURDAY 23 |
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Rafa pleased with Crouch debut
Rafael Benitez said he was pleased with his side's fitness
and style of play during the entertaining 4-3 win over
Olympiacos in Liechtenstein and declared himself highly
satisfied with debutant Peter Crouch.
Crouch helped set up the opening goal with a strong and
determined run and when he was closed out Luis Garcia
finished well.
Benitez said: "Peter played well. He did very well for the
first goal and he is a clever player. He has a good touch
and can bring other players into the game. He knows what we
want from him and he gives us lots of options."
(LFC Official Website)
Reds smash four past Greek champions
If Peter Crouch's arrival on Merseyside was supposed to
spell the end of the Anfield dream for Milan Baros, someone
must have forgotten to tell the Czech international.
While Crouch was the undisputed star of the first-half -
going close on two occasions and setting up Luis Garcia's
opener with a great run into the box after 31 minutes -
there was no doubting Baros was the liveliest player on the
pitch after the interval.
The Liverpool No.5, linked by the media with a move away
from Anfield all summer, entered the pitch after half-time
with the scores level after Rivaldo had cancelled out
Garcia's opening goal on 40 minutes, and then set about
single-handedly taking the game to the Greeks.
Within minutes of being on the pitch, Baros had set Fernando
Morientes up to slot home Liverpool's second and then he got
in on the act, heading in a Stephen Warnock cross and
rounding the 'keeper to double our lead during the space of
six electrifying second-half minutes.
A penalty from Predrag Djordjevic on 76 minutes after Zak
Whitbread was adjudged to have brought down Yiannis Okkas
and another well-taken goal from the No.11 seven minutes
later when he rounded Scott Carson might have taken the
shine off the night for Rafael Benitez but it's still five
wins out of five for the Reds this summer.
(LFC Official Website)
Figo set to stay with Real Madrid
Liverpool and Inter Milan target Luis Figo has admitted he
is certain to stay at Real Madrid.
Figo seemed set to leave the Spanish club before Real
reportedly started demanding a fee for the 32-year-old
winger who has a year left on his deal.
"It's difficult for a player," said Figo after his penalty
gave Real a 3-2 win over China's Beijing Guo'an.
"I know I'm not first or second choice. But I want to see
out my contract. I will do all I can for my club."
Former world footballer of the year and Portugal
international Figo came on for Michael Owen against Beijing
Guo'an.
Owen had started the game on the right wing and his future
at the Bernabeu is also
in question.
(BBC Sport Online)
Upson happy at Brum
Despite ongoing speculation linking him with a move to
Liverpool, Birmingham City defender Matthew Upson had
revealed he's happy to stay at the club.
"I'm enjoying my football and there's a really good vibe
about the club," Upson said.
"Its very well supported and we're piecing together an
interesting squad. I firmly believe we can go places.
"Jermaine Pennant, Mikael Forssell amd Mehdi Nafti have been
quality signings and I think we'll prove a better
footballing side next season, especially if we've also got
Muzzy Izzet and David Dunn fully fit."
(This is Anfield)
Alves would join Liverpool
Liverpool target Daniel Alves says he would be happy to make
the move to Merseyside if it made financial sense.
The Sevilla ace is the latest La Liga player to be linked
with a move to the European champions, with reports
suggesting manager Rafael Benitez made a £7million bid for
the Brazilian.
Alves says he would be willing to go if the move benefited
both him and his club.
"The chances of me staying at this club are the same as me
leaving," he said. "My aim is to earn as much money as
possible to secure my family's future.
"I'm happy here but if there's something better elsewhere
then there is no doubt I'd want to go. The idea of every
player is to grow as a sportsman and financially.
"I'll only leave if the offer is right for Sevilla as well
as for me and my family. Then there's no problem. I plan to
work hard - and I have people to deal with these matters so
I'm not worried."
(ITV Football)
Celta close on Nunez
Celta Vigo are close to adding Liverpool winger
Antonio Nunez to their squad, while negotiations for
Kleberson are ongoing.
The Spanish winger has been told he can leave Anfield by
Rafa Benitez and he has targeted a return to La Liga.
Vigo have shown interest, but Benitez had said that they had
not come up with a suitable offer for the former Real Madrid
man.
Celta president Horacio Gomez says that Nunez has been their
number one target for a new right winger, and believes a
deal is close to being agreed.
"We are close to sealing the signing," said Gomez.
"We want to make our team competitive and for that reason we
are carrying out important changes for the present and the
future."
(Planet Football/Sky Sports)
Souey confirms Hyypia interest
Newcastle boss Graeme Souness admits he's keen on
Liverpool defender Sami Hyypia, but believes a deal is
unlikely.
The Finnish international played a crucial part in the Reds'
Champions League success last season, but has still not
signed an extension to his contract.
Rafael Benitez has made no secret of his search for a new
centre-back, and it's unlikely Hyypia will fancy spending
his remaining playing days on the bench.
Souness is desperate for some experience in his backline and
has also been linked with an audacious move for Sol
Campbell, but neither transfer looks likely to happen.
He said: "I do admire Sami. But I think he wants a
three-year contract and that's not something we'd be willing
to do. But I do like him."
(Soccer Weekend)
Late legend Emlyn to be honoured
The late great Emlyn Hughes will today be remembered when a
special memorial ceremony takes place in his home town of
Barrow.
His wife Barbara will accept the Freedom of the borough on
behalf of the former Reds skipper, who sadly passed away
last November after losing his brave fight against cancer.
Emlyn's mum Ann, who still lives in Cumbria, says: "He was a
Barrow lad. He played football morning noon and night. But
that's all he ever wanted to be and he had a vision - he
just wanted to be a footballer."
His brother David adds: "Emlyn never forgot his roots. He
loved coming home and having his few pints in the Green Gate
club and a game of cards with the lads."
(LFC Official Website) |
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FRIDAY 22 |
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Luque speculation hots up
Albert Luque has been left out of Deportivo La Coruna match
in the Intertoto cup tie, sparking rumours he could be on
the move, possibly to Anfield.
However, it is thought Real Madrid are the likeliest club to
sign the player, who has a price of around £15m.
(LFC Online)
Liverpool linked with Portuguese ace
Liverpool have been linked with a possible move for
Deportivo La Coruna defender Jorge Andrade (27).
Newspaper reports today claim that manager Rafael Benitez is
keen to offload striker Milan Baros to the Spanish outfit
and bring Andrade in the other direction.
(LFC Online)
Mark making speedy recovery
Mark Gonzalez is recovering ahead of schedule and hopes to
make his mark at Liverpool as soon as possible.
Rafa Benitez signed Gonzalez on loan from Spanish side
Albacete for the season, with the view of making the switch
permanent next summer.
The Chilean winger is recovering from a cruciate knee
ligament injury, but is making swift progress in his
rehabilitation.
"The Liverpool manager has been watching me since last year,
and I guess they know I am still young and will recover
quickly," Gonzalez told Uefa's website.
"My recovery is ahead of schedule, so I hope to be able to
make my debut soon.
"Benitez has told me just to focus on getting fit. He said
he knows all about my quality and that I don't have to pass
any exams."
(Sky Sports)
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Thor Zakariassen
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