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MONDAY 24 |
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Gerrard focused on Anfield glory
Steven Gerrard has vowed to put his World Cup heartache
behind him and turn Liverpool into champions.
The Reds skipper was finally back in training today after a
month's break following England's depressing exit from
Germany 2006, where along with club-mate Jamie Carragher he
missed a penalty in the quarter-final shoot-out against
Portugal.
Gerrard helped adidas launch their new kit - the first time
in 10 years that Liverpool have worn the
Gerrard
and Alonso in the new Liverpool kit.
brand that became
synonymous with their glory era.
Now Gerrard is intent on bringing back those days of
constant success and taking on champions Chelsea for their
crown.
Gerrard said: "I am desperate to hold the league trophy
above my head. I have still got painful memories from
Germany, but the idea now is to look forward and have a good
season for Liverpool."
(PA Sport)
Addicks take a look at Diao
Charlton boss Iain Dowie is running the rule over Liverpool
midfielder Salif Diao as he bids to strengthen his squad.
Diao is open to offers as he looks set to leave Liverpool
this summer and he will spend a week training with the
Addicks.
The Senegal man is well down the pecking order at Anfield
and Liverpool will allow the 29-year-old to leave.
Diao spent the second half of last season on loan at
Portsmouth, but injury blighted his stay at Fratton Park.
"Salif is spending the week with Charlton and he will train
with them," the player's agent Charles Collymore told Sky
Sports.
"He is going down there so that he can have a look at the
club and so that Iain Dowie can cast an eye over Salif.
"He is set to travel with the squad for their pre-season
games with Hibernian and Valencia this week and we will take
things from there."
(TEAMtalk)
Sturrock not confident on Carson
Sheffield Wednesday manager Paul Sturrock has said that
Liverpool goalkeeper Scott Carson is unlikely to be
returning to Hillsborough.
Former Owls loanee Carson has insisted that he is keen to
return to the club.
And Sturrock revealed he is expecting a final decision from
Liverpool on the 20-year-old's future on Tuesday.
"It is not looking as if we will get him, but until I get a
definite 'no' from Liverpool, I will keep chipping away," he
told BBC Radio Sheffield.
(BBC Sport Online)
Xabi confirms he's staying
Xabi Alonso was one of the Liverpool players at
today's press launch of the new Liverpool kit, which was
also an official launch of the tie-up between Liverpool and
Adidas. Xabi also wanted to make it clear he'd continue to
wear Liverpool shirts as long as he could, despite rumours
at the weekend.
Rumours in Spain said that Real Madrid wanted to try and
sign the star, but as always, Liverpool won't sell their top
players unless the players themselves want to move. Rafa
Benitez confirmed this, and today Xabi made it clear he's no
wish to move on.
Xabi said: "I want to stay at Liverpool, that is for sure. I
know there have been stories in the Spanish press but I take
no notice of them. I am only interested in playing for
Liverpool and I'm concentrating only on preparing for the
new season."
(Anfield Road.com)
No interest in Duff
Liverpool are bemused at reports suggesting they were beaten
to Damien Duff by Newcastle United.
Chelsea offered Duff to the Reds and publicly declared they
had given them permission to speak to the Irish
international but Liverpool never registered any interest in
the player.
(Liverpool Echo)
Duff followed heart to Newcastle
Damien Duff has revealed his heart told him to join
Newcastle from Chelsea despite interest from Liverpool and
Tottenham.
The Republic of Ireland winger has signed for the Magpies
for a bargain £5million after a successful spell at Chelsea
in which he collected two Barclays Premiership winners'
medals. Duff received a hero's welcome at St James' Park on
Monday and admitted the passion for football on Tyneside
played a part in his decision.
"It took a couple of days (to make the decision). I spoke to
the gaffer and the lads here like Scott Parker, Steve Carr
and Shay Given but at the end I listened to my heart," he
told a press conference televised by Sky Sports News.
"It feels special. Playing here with Chelsea and Blackburn
it was an unbelievable place to come as an away player, it's
probably the most passionate place in England to play. That
is one of the many factors why I wanted to come here.
"Maybe there are a lot of Liverpool supporters in Ireland
saying 'why didn't you sign for us' but my heart told me to
come to Newcastle United."
(Football 365)
Preston to enter Mellor battle
Prestin are the latest club to be linked with a move for
Liverpool striker Neil Mellor, who looks set to be moved on
from Anfield this summer.
(Clubcall Sports)
Blues put £8m price tag on Pennant
Blues are prepared to play it tough with Liverpool over
Jermaine Pennant.
They have told the Reds that it will cost them around
£8million for the winger.
As speculation mounted today that an improved offer of
around £5million would be forthcoming, manager Steve Bruce
made it clear Blues would hold out for the deal that suited
them.
Blues stuck to their guns over striker Emile Heskey, for
whom they asked £6million and received £3.5million - up
front - from Wigan Athletic.
Bruce confirmed - what the Birmingham Mail first revealed -
that an offer of around £3.5million has already been
rejected for Pennant.
"There has been one bid, not several," said Bruce. "We
turned it down two, three
weeks ago.
"We paid near enough £3million for him, we owe Arsenal 25
per cent of any sell-on, so we are not going to be selling
him for £3.5million that's for sure.
"It's how far they are prepared to go. If they don't meet
our valuation, then I suppose Liverpool will move on.
(Birmingham Mail)
Liverpool pip Manchester Utd in all-time
table
Liverpool pipped Manchester United to top spot in an
all-time league table dating back to the start of English
League football and published by The Times on Monday.
According to the standings which awards three points for a
win and one for a draw since the start of league football in
1888, Liverpool, who have won a record 18 titles, emerged
with 5,927 points from their 3,643 matches - an average of
1.63 points a game.
Manchester United, who have won 15 titles, were second with
5,337 points from their 3,287 matches - an average of 1.62
points per game followed by Arsenal, champions 13 times, who
totalled 5,780 points from 3,643 matches at 1.59 points a
match.
Despite playing only 2,063 matches in the top division,
Leeds United were fourth with 1.48 average points with Aston
Villa fifth (1.47), Everton sixth (1.47), Tottenham Hotspur
seventh (1.44), Newcastle United eighth (1.43),
Wolverhampton Wanderers ninth (1.42) and Burnley tenth
(1.41).
Chelsea, champions for the last two seasons, are 14th
(average 1.39 points) and would have to total more than 90
points a season for the next 23 years to overhaul
Liverpool's present average points per game.
(Reuters)
Hardman Paletta lets his game do all the
talking
Gabriel Paletta may still be struggling with his English,
but the statement of intent he sent out on his second
appearance for Liverpool could not have been clearer.
With the clock running down on a 1-0 win over Crewe in
Saturday's preseason friendly and the ball rolling towards
the touchline, Paletta sprinted 30 yards to intercept
teenager Billy Jones.
Would the Argentine defender usher Jones into the corner or
perhaps stretch out a leg to poke the ball out of play?
Neither.
Paletta did not flinch as he ploughed full speed into a
shuddering tackle that was as fair as it was fearless.
There were no complaints from Crewe, even though Jones had
to be carried off with bruising. And manager Rafael Benitez
seemed satisfied with Paletta's uncompromising approach as
he settles in alongside Liverpool's other South American
signings Fabio Aurelio and Mark Gonzalez.
(Daily Mail)
Striker rumoured to be discussing
Liverpool move
19-year-old Greek striker Lazarus Hrjstodoylopoyloy is
rumoured to be on Merseyside discussing a move to Anfield.
The PAOK forward was first scouted last season and
favourable reports were handed over to Reds boss Rafael
Benitez.
(Kop Talk)
Newcastle sign Duff for £5million -
OFFICIAL
Newcastle United have announced to the Stock Exchange that
Damien Duff has completed his transfer to St James' Park
from Chelsea for £5million.
Liverpool were linked with a late approach for the player
although this hasn't been confirmed or denied as yet.
Newspaper reports over the weekend claimed that Rafael
Benitez wanted to deploy Duff on the right-wing opposed to
his favoured left side, hence his decision to move to the
north east instead of the north west.
(Kop Talk) |
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SUNDAY 23 |
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Boss brings Craig down to earth
Craig Lindfield, the reds scorer in yesterday's pre-season
fixture at Gresty Road, may have a promising reds future
ahead but Rafa will ensure the youngster keeps his feet
firmly on the ground.
Rafa said: "He's a very good player, he has potential and
his understanding with Robbie Fowler impressed me. He got
himself into good positions and showed good movement
"I am really pleased with what he did on Saturday but he has
to be stronger and you cannot build a star after just 45
minutes in the first team. He now needs to carry on working
hard and get more experience."
Benitez added: "It's really important for him to be fit in
pre-season because that could be the key to him enjoying a
successful season.
"He has been training really hard. His movement, quality
with the ball and vision is there for all to see. He can
also score goals so it's really important that he stays
fit."
(This is Anfield)
Zenden backs Liverpool for title
Comeback star Bolo Zenden has insisted that Liverpool can
win the title in the coming season as he continues his
recovery from injury.
The Dutch international was sidelined following ankle
surgery in November and has only just started playing again.
Zenden, 30 next month, has figured in a central midfield
role in Liverpool's first two pre-season friendlies, a 2-0
victory at Wrexham and Saturday's 1-0 win at Crewe, where he
had a major role in the winning goal for 17-year-old Craig
Lindfield.
Now he is relishing the battle for first-team places in the
toughest area of the side possible at Anfield, with Steven
Gerrard, Xabi Alonso and Mohamed Sissoko his rivals.
"For me the title is a realistic target. Last season we
improved a lot. We ended up with 82 points and in any other
league that would be enough to win the trophy.
"But England is different to elsewhere. Manchester United
were one point ahead and Chelsea some distance away.
"But each season you want to do better than the one before,
so why not this season for us? We will be giving it a real
go but the most important thing being the start we have in
the league.
"We must start well and keep into a rhythm and out pressure
on the clubs who finished above us last season."
(TEAMtalk)
Crouch bins his girlfriend
Never fear - we're not turning in to Hello magazine - just
an excuse for putting a pretty picture on the site!
Ending a relationship can be a tricky thing.
But it seems that England footballer Peter Crouch is making
sure there's no muddle about his connection with wannabe
model Abi Clancy...
There is none.
Pete has issued a legal statement saying he and Abi are no
longer a couple.
His statement reads: "I have read with dismay various
reports about my 'relationship' with Abi Clancy.
"In light of this, I wish to make the situation absolutely
clear: Abi and I were in the early stages of a relationship
which, for a number of reasons I decided to end, and
accordingly informed Abi of my decision."
Peter's statement was issued just minutes before Abi
appeared on Channel 4's Richard and Judy yesterday.
(This is Anfield)
Reds must up Pennant offer
Birmingham boss Steve Bruce is hoping Liverpool will run out
of patience and give up on Jermaine Pennant.
Reds chief Rafael Benitez has already had a bid for Pennant
rejected but could yet make an improved offer.
Bruce said: "There was a bid of £3.5million which was turned
down two or three
weeks ago.
"We paid near enough £3million for him and we owe Arsenal 25
per cent of any sell-on so we're certainly not going to be
selling him for £3.5million, that's for sure.
"We all know every footballer has got his price, but, at the
moment, Liverpool's bid has not been accepted.
"Until they meet our valuation, he's not going anywhere and
I'm sure they'll move on."
(Sporting Life)
Benitez: Xabi not for sale
Rafael Benitez has poured scorn on speculation that Xabi
Alonso could be offloaded to Real Madrid.
Reports emanating from Spain say that Liverpool's midfield
maestro is now the number one transfer target of Real after
they failed to prise Cesc Fabregas from Arsenal.
But Benitez defiantly insists he has not intention of
selling Alonso.
"I read what is written in the Spanish press but I can
categorically state that nothing is happening with Xabi. We
do not want to sell him," he says.
(LFC Official Website) |
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SATURDAY 22 |
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Rafa happy despite not playing well
Rafael Benitez admits Liverpool didn't play well in their
latest pre-season run-out at Crewe but insists there was
plenty of positives to take from the 1-0 win at Gresty Road.
"We worked hard and it was good to see the players who were
out on the pitch," said Benitez afterwards. "If you analyse
the game, we didn't play well but the positives for me are
Aurelio, his passing and shooting was impressive, the
movement of Lindfield and Fowler was very good and also Mark
Gonzalez."
(LFC Official Website)
Lindfield strike seals pre-season win
A debut goal from young striker Craig Lindfield was enough
to seal another pre-season victory for Liverpool as Crewe
Alexandra were beaten by the only goal at a packed Gresty
Road on Saturday afternoon.
(LFC Official Website)
Crewe v Liverpool - CONFIRMED TEAM
Liverpool take on Crewe at 3 o'clock this afternoon and the
confirmed team details are as follows:
LIVERPOOL: Dudek, O'Donnell, Finnan, Hyypia, Traore, Diao,
Zenden, Anderson, Aurelio, Fowler, Lindfield.
SUBS: Martin, Paletta, Riise, Potter, Peltier, Gonzalez,
Pongolle, Bellamy, Hobbs, Sissoko, Antwi.
(Kop Talk)
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Thor Zakariassen
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