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SATURDAY 24 |
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Diouf in Cisse warning
Marseille president Pape Diouf has admitted that Djibril
Cisse's loan switch will be in doubt if the striker is not
recovered from his broken leg by October.
The Liverpool striker, surplus to requirements at Anfield
after the £6million summer capture of Craig Bellamy from
Blackburn, is currently recovering from a broken leg he
suffered in France's World Cup warm-up match against China
earlier in June.
Marseille are still keen to take Cisse on a season-long
deal, with the option of a permanent switch next summer, but
admit the frontman needs to make a swift recovery.
Diouf said: "We do our best considering our possibilities to
make Cisse come, but it will all depend on the period of his
unavailability, considering the talk over a one year loan.
"October will be the lesser evil. We have reassured Cisse.
We have a reasonable hope because we are in talks with
reasonable people."
(Clubcall Sports)
Houllier in talks with Australia
Former Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier has been approached by
Australia with regards to succeeding Guus Hiddink as coach
of their national team.
The Dutchman will step down after the World Cup having
agreed to take over the reins of the Russia side.
"Talks are continuing with Gerard Houllier, as they are with
a number of interested parties," said Australia football
federation chief John O'Neill.
"We don't want anything to distract from what is happening
on the pitch."
O'Neill added that a new appointment was unlikely to be made
until after the 16 August Asian Cup qualifier with Kuwait.
Houllier is currently the manager of Lyon and led them to
the French first division title
last season.
(BBC Sport Online)
Bellamy will be a success says Rush
Ian Rush says Craig Bellamy will do the business at Anfield.
Former Liverpool legend Ian Rush says Bellamy's pace will be
a vital asset to the Reds and he will prove to be an
important member of the squad.
"Liverpool were lacking a bit of pace and Craig Bellamy has
got that so hopefully he can be a good addition to the
squad," he said.
"He's had a fantastic season at Blackburn and anyone with
that kind of pace will cause defenders problems.
"On different days you have got to have different options
and the only option they didn't have was pace.
"They've got the height of Peter Crouch and Fowler there,
who is skilful, and with Bellamy, they've got all the
options. Let's see what they can do between them.
"He's a Liverpool supporter and it's one of his dreams to
play for Liverpool.
"It didn't happen for him at Newcastle but I think this
would be his last chance to be successful at a really top
club and I don't think he'll waste it."
(LFC Online)
Team mates hail Kewell
Harry Kewell's Australian team mates hailed his vital goal
against Croatia.
Kewell scored Australia's equaliser against Croatia that
earned the Socceroos a place in the knockout stages of the
World Cup for the first time in their history. His goal and
performance earned Kewell the praise of his team mates.
"Harry was very tired but he did it. This is very special.
We fought to the end. We are a family out there and we are
very disciplined. Whatever anyone throws at us, together we
are stronger. We are confident. With each game we have shown
what we are capable of," said Everton midfielder Tim Cahill.
"I thought Harry was outstanding. It was one of his best
performances for Australia. When that goal went in, it was
beautiful. People expect a lot of things of Harry. He's an
unbelievable talent," said Middlesbrough striker and Aussie
captain Mark Viduka.
(LFC Online)
Dudek's Istanbul shirt and medal found
Merseyside Police say they've recovered Jerzy
Dudek's stolen Champions League winners medal and the shirt
he wore for that game. The items were part of a huge haul of
memorabilia that had been stolen from Jerzy's home last week
during his holiday in Poland.
Reports say Merseyside Police raided a house in Old Swan in
Liverpool yesterday where they arrested two people - a
26-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman. They were arrested
on suspicion of burglary and handling stolen goods.
No details of where the items were found have been released.
The player's black Porsche Carrera car had also been stolen
during the robbery but had been found earlier in the week.
Still missing are over 100 shirts, from international and
English Premiership matches, along with Jerzy's 2002 World
Cup and his 2005 League Cup final shirt.
(Anfield Road) |
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FRIDAY 23 |
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Benitez: Striker's attitude convinced me
Craig Bellamy admitted his dream move to Anfield represents
his 'last chance' to play for one of Europe's top clubs,
after completing his £6m transfer.
Bellamy's switch from Blackburn was concluded yesterday, and
manager Rafa Benitez today revealed how the striker's mature
approach during negotiations helped convince him to seal the
deal.
Benitez is sure the reputation Bellamy developed at some of
his former clubs will be consigned to history.
"When I met Craig and spoke with him it was clear he is a
very passionate person who was very excited by the prospect
of playing for Liverpool," said Benitez.
"I'm sure there will be no problems. He is a clever boy and
he said to me he knows this is his last opportunity to play
for one of the biggest clubs. This is an opportunity I know
he is determined to take and that is important.
"This is the best club for him to join because he is a
Liverpool supporter and I can see how much he wants to play
for us. After we spoke, we made an agreement very quickly."
(Liverpool Echo)
Sturrock to discover Carson fate
Sheffield Wednesday manager Paul Sturrock says a final
decision on the future of Liverpool goalkeeper Scott Carson
is imminent.
Carson played nine times on loan for the Owls last term and
is seen by Sturrock as the ideal replacement for want-away
goalkeeper David Lucas.
"We'll know over the weekend if the Carson situation will
work out," Sturrock told BBC Radio Sheffield.
"But I have been spinning other plates so we have options."
(BBC Sport Onine)
Sevilla sign Alves replacement
Sevilla have completed the signing of VfB Stuttgart's right
back Andreas Hinkel on a four-year contract.
Hinkel's arrival should now help Liverpool finally capture
Daniel Alves following weeks of negotiations between both
clubs.
Sevilla hope to parade their latest signing on Monday.
(Kop Talk)
Gerrard's Bellamy delight
Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard today hailed the £6m
signing of Craig Bellamy and insisted: "We've signed a
player with the right mentality for our club."
Gerrard brushed off suggestions Bellamy's 'bad-boy'
reputation will be ahindrance, claiming the edge in the
Welshman's game can be a positive factor.
"It doesn't do anyone any harm to have a player with what
you might call a bit of anasty streak, in agood way," said
Gerrard.
"We all know he's got a bit of character about him, and the
one thing everyone can see is he's got a real winning
mentality.
"That's something you've got to have to play for Liverpool.
"The most important thing about him is he is a top class
player."
(Liverpool Echo)
Simao set for summer move
Simao Sabrosa is facing another summer of speculation about
his future after Benfica president Luis Vieira confirmed he
is willing to sell the Portugal winger.
The 26-year-old has been linked with both Chelsea and
Liverpool in the past 12 months, with the Reds having twice
seen £8million bids rejected.
However, Benfica are now prepared to cash in on their
captain as they seek to fund a squad rebuilding programme.
Vieira told Record: "We have already received several offers
for other Benfica players, but only one of our players will
be able to leave the club and that is Simao."
It is not yet known whether Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez
will rekindle his interest in Simao, as the Reds are
rumoured to be close to filling their problem right midfield
position with the £9million signing of Daniel Alves from
Sevilla.
(Football UK)
Kuyt hints at transfer
Dirk Kuyt has hinted that he will leave Feyernood after the
World Cup.
Kuyt has been linked with a move to Liverpool once Holland
are out of the World Cup and the striker himself has
admitted a move to the Premiership is likely.
"Maybe I will go to England," said the Dutch striker.
"There are certainly a few clubs I like, who all play at the
top of the league, so we shall see."
Liverpool could now face competition from Newcastle in the
race to sign Kuyt after Michael Owen was ruled out for at
least six months.
(LFC Online)
King Kewell
Harry Kewell's goal for Australia has won the praise of his
country's Prime Minister.
"He's King Harry from now on," said John Howard, after
seeing the Socceroos qualify for the second round of the
World Cup.
The 2-2 draw with Croatia earns them a tie with Italy in the
last 16.
"It was a terrific fight-back," added Howard. "We got off to
such a terrible start because the Croatians were really in
our face right at the beginning.
"Harry, well he is King Harry for all of us now and it was a
fantastic performance."
(LFC Online)
Kewell: That goal was for Djibril
Harry Kewell last night scored the most important goal of
his life to keep Australia in the World Cup - and then
dedicated it to injured Liverpool team-mate Djibril Cisse.
Cisse's World Cup dreams were shattered before the
competition started when he broke his leg during France's
final friendly match against China.
Kewell and Cisse are close friends at Anfield and the Aussie
star was quick to dedicate his late goal against Croatia to
the Liverpool number nine.
"It was fantastic for me to score that goal," Kewell said.
"But I would like to dedicate it to my friend Djibril, who
broke his leg and should have been at the World Cup.
"I wish him all the best and a speedy recovery. You don't
like to see that happen to
any footballer.
"It was heartache for me because he is a close friend. That
goal was for him."
(LFC Officia Website) |
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THURSDAY 22 |
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Kewell sends Aussies through
Harry Kewell scored the goal that sent Australia through to
the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time in
their history.
Kewell levelled for Australia against Croatia with eleven
minutes remaining to earn the Socceroos second place in
Group F and a last sixteen clash with Italy.
Croatia led 1-0 and 2-1 before Kewell scored his first goal
of the tournament and earned the Aussies a deserved draw.
Kewell's goal made him the fourth Liverpool player to score
at the World Cup, along with Xabi Alonso, Peter Crouch and
Steven Gerrard.
(LFC Online)
Bellamy signs for Liverpool - OFFICIAL
Liverpool have completed the signing of Blackburn Rovers
striker Craig Bellamy for £6million.
The player has passed a medical and put pen to paper on a
4-year contract and this has been confirmed by the club.
Speaking about his delight at becoming a Red, Bellamy said:
"It's a dream come true to sign for the club I supported as
a boy and to actually play for Liverpool will be an enormous
honour.
"I'm a very proud person at the moment."
(Kop Talk)
Becks-Gerrard row reports rubbished
England have hit back angrily at reports of a row between
Steven Gerrard and David Beckham before the World Cup draw
with Sweden.
The midfield duo were said to have clashed in training on
Tuesday.
But an England spokesman said: "It is absolute rubbish. The
players involved don't understand where it has come from."
Boss Sven-Goran Eriksson is proud of the camaraderie he has
fostered within the World Cup camp.
He claims to have never known a better team-spirit and
expects the bond of togetherness to become one of England's
big strengths as the competition develops.
(TEAMtalk)
Liverpool close on Alves
Liverpool target Daniel Alves could seal a move to Anfield
early next week, according to his agent.
Reds chief Rafa Benitez is a long-term admirer of the
Sevilla wide man from his own time in Spain and it would now
appear after a prolonged period of negotiation, an accord is
close to being struck.
Alves has made no secret of his desire to make the switch to
Merseyside but thus far the two clubs have been unable to
concur on a fee, with Sevilla clearly reluctant to lose one
of their main assets for anything less than a top fee.
It does, though, now look likely that Sevilla will agree to
Alves' desire for a move to The Premiership, with a figure
of £10 million mooted as the price set.
''The negotiations are very advanced but it is impossible to
close the subject this week,'' confirmed Alaves' agent, Jose
Rodriguez Baster.
''I expect the solution in a couple of days because the
difference in money is very little.''
It is expected that if, and when, Alves puts pen-to-paper on
a deal then it will run
until 2011.
(Sky Sports)
Bellamy set to complete Reds switch
Liverpool will complete the signing of Craig Bellamy today.
The Welsh forward held talks and underwent a medical at
Melwood last night.
Pending the results, he'll join the Reds in a deal worth
around £6m.
(Liverpool Echo)
Warnock warns Reds
Neil Warnock has warned Liverpool they face a difficult
opening fixture to the 2006/7 season.
Liverpool travel to Bramall Lane for their first Premiership
game of the new season and Sheff Utd manager Neil Warnock
has warned the Reds they face a difficult task.
"It's a tough start for Liverpool," said the often
contraversial Blades boss.
"It's an exciting game for everyone at the club and it'll be
tough for Liverpool! It's a fantastic way for us to start
the season.
"We wanted a big club at home on the first day and everyone
will be looking forward to this one now. It's as difficult a
start for us as we could have wished for but we're looking
forward to it."
(LFC Online)
Reds start at Bramall Lane
Liverpool's first Premiership fixture of the 2006/7 season
is against Sheffield United.
The Reds are away at Bramall Lane for the first game of the
new season while the first home game will be against FA Cup
finalists West Ham.
The Reds' first home game should have been against Newcastle
but that game has been postponed because of Liverpool's
involvement in a Champions League qualifier.
The first derby is at Goodison on September 9th while the
return is February 3rd. We visit Old Trafford on October
21st while Man Utd visit Anfield on March 3rd.
The Chelsea games are September 16th at Stamford Bridge and
January 20th at Anfield.
(LFC Online)
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Thor Zakariassen
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