|
|
|
|
SUNDAY 24 |
Reds set for record Torres deal
Liverpool are set to see off interest from Manchester United
to seal the signing of Fernando Torres for a club-record
£25m this week.
Reds boss Rafa Benitez has made the Atletico Madrid striker
his number one transfer target this summer and looks set to
get his man despite late interest in the 23-year-old from
United.
It is thought the Spanish international would prefer a move
to Anfield, where he would team up with fellow countrymen
Benitez, Xabi Alonso and Pepe Reina, to spearhead the Reds'
strike force next season.
(Clubcall Sports)
Rafa rules out Cisse loan deal
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has ruled out another temporary
switch for France hitman Djibril Cisse.
The 25-year-old spent last on loan at Marseille and netted
14 times in 26 games but Benitez says another loan switch is
out of the question.
"The situation with Cisse is clear. If another club wants
him, they must buy the player. We do not want another loan,"
Benitez told the club's website.
Cisse arrived during the summer of 2004 from Auxerre and has
two years remaining on his contract at Anfield.
(TEAMtalk)
Rafa blocks Owen move
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has rejected the chance to give
England striker Michael Owen an Anfield return.
However, Owen could still be on the move – with Manchester
City and Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger also interested in the
27-year-old striker.
(Daily and Sunday Express) |
|
SATURDAY 23 |
Rafa on transfers: There is no urgency yet
Rafael Benitez has told supporters not to panic about the
club's lack of transfer activity so far this summer.
With the the first batch of players due back at Melwood for
the start of pre-season training on Thursday press
speculation is rife as to what 'big names' are on the
Liverpool manager's shortlist.
But although he's keen to strengthen the squad as soon as
possible, Benitez remains calm and insists progress is being
made behind the scenes to bring new faces in.
"We have a number of targets, and I am receiving interesting
phone calls all the time,"
he said.
"We are monitoring situations all the time and there is no
urgency yet. If we bring in players from Spain, they only
finished playing a week ago so they will need a longer
break, but I would like somebody in before we start
pre-season training."
(LFC Official Website)
Reds may hijack Spurs' Bent deal
Charlton hitman Darren Bent is expected to complete a
£16million move to Spurs next week - unless Liverpool make a
last-ditch offer for him.
The Addicks had been holding out for the £17million price
agreed with West Ham for Bent earlier this month, before he
pulled out of the deal.
However, the Guardian claims they have agreed a fee of
£15million, with another £1million in 'success-related
payments' for the England man.
However, the deal could be scuppered if Liverpool's chase
for Atletico Madrid forward Fernando Torres fails, as Rafael
Benitez has lined up Bent as an alternative target.
(TEAMtalk)
Mascherano named in Copa squad
Javier Mascherano has been named in Argentina's 23-man squad
for the forthcoming Copa America tournament in Venezuela.
The South American showpiece kicks-off on Tuesday, with
Argentina playing their opening game two days later against
the United States. Also in their group are Columbia and
Paraguay.
The Copa America is the oldest international tournament in
the world. It was first contested in 1916 and, along with
Uruguay, Argentina are the most successful nation having
triumphed 14 times. In the last final, however, they were
beaten by Brazil
on penalties.
Reds midfield man Mascherano has represented his country at
full level on 23 previous occasions and this will be his
second experience of the Copa America.
(LFC Official Website)
Anfield iron showing signs of recovery
Kop legend Tommy Smith is making satisfactory progress
following the heart bypass operation he underwent at
Broadgreen Cardiothoracic Centre on Wednesday.
The former Liverpool captain, 62, collapsed while gardening
at his Crosby home earlier in the month.
He's currently recovering in hospital but his wife Sue says
he may soon be able
to go home.
"Considering what Tom has been through he is not too bad.
When I went in to see him yesterday they had him out of bed
and sitting on the side," said Mrs Smith.
"He had his hand to his chest and was obviously sore, but we
told him that is to be expected because they cut his chest
open the day before.
"He is taking things easy and watching TV in bed quite a
bit, but the horse racing has been on all week so he’ll have
enjoyed that.
"On our last visit he didn't laugh once which is very
unusual for Tom, because he is always laughing. But it will
take time for him to get his strength back.
"At first we thought he was only having a five-way bypass
but the surgeon told us it ended up being six. He doesn’t do
things by half, Tom."
(LFC Official Website)
Liverpool prepare to sell
Cissé to raise transfer budget
Liverpool will accept an £8m loss on Djibril Cissé rather
than allow their record signing to spend another season on
loan at Marseille, with former coach Sammy Lee interested in
bringing the French international to Bolton.
Cissé, a £14m signing from Auxerre in 2004, is keen to
remain at Stade Velodrome where he enjoyed a productive end
to last season following his recovery from a second broken
leg but those prospects will diminish unless the French club
revise their offer of another 12-month loan deal.
(The Independent) |
|
FRIDAY 22 |
Benitez tells Carson: Fight for number one
spot
Record-breaking Reds goalkeeper Scott Carson will
be back at Anfield next season to fight for a first team
place.
The young keeper spent last season on loan at Charlton where
he enjoyed an outstanding campaign, capped by his recent
performances at the European Under-21 Championships in
Holland where he beat club-mate Jamie Carragher’s record of
England under-21 caps.
But with on-loan Daniele Padelli having returned to
Sampdoria and Jerzy Dudek’s departure from Anfield imminent,
boss Rafa Benitez revealed that Carson would start next
season as understudy to Pepe Reina.
“I was speaking to Scott recently and I told him he will be
part of our first team squad next season,” he declared. “He
must fight with Pepe Reina now for a starting place."
(Liverpool Echo)
Reds confirm two more friendlies
Liverpool have confirmed two further pre-season friendlies
against Wrexham and Crewe Alexandra.
The Reds will travel to Wrexham's Racecourse Ground on July
7 before facing Crewe at Gresty Road on July 14. Both games
kick off at 3pm.
Tickets for Wrexham will cost £15 for adults, £10 for senior
citizens and £5 for under 16s. Tickets for Crewe will be £12
for adults, £9 for senior citizens and £5 for under 16s.
(LFC Official Website)
Yossi flattered by Reds interest
West Ham ace Yossi Benayoun has revealed he is flattered by
Liverpool's interest in him.
Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry confirmed last week
that the Anfield outfit tabled an offer for the Israeli
international as they look to start their summer rebuilding
plans.
Benayoun was expected to sign a new deal at Upton Park, but
news of Liverpool's interest has seen the player stall over
signing the new contract on offer.
West Ham are believed to have rejected Liverpool's first
gambit for Benayoun, but Rafa Benitez is expected to
sanction an improved offer for the midfield schemer.
27-year-old Benayoun has now admitted he would be interested
in a possible switch
to Anfield.
"I'm honoured a club like Liverpool is interested in me,"
Benayoun told The Sun.
"I'm contracted to West Ham so we will have to see what
happens."
(Sky Sports)
Rafa ready to up ante for Benayoun
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is ready to stump up
£4.5million in a bid to prise midfield playmaker Yossi
Benayoun from West Ham's grasp.
Reds boss Benitez had a £3million bid for the Israeli winger
knocked back earlier in June - and is reportedly prepared to
return with an improved offer of £4.5million.
The Hammers have pulled the plug on a new contract offer for
Benayoun after he expressed his desire to move to the
Champions League finalists.
However, Liverpool's initial bid was deemed unacceptable by
the Hammers, so they will come back with a fresh approach.
(TEAMtalk)
Thor Zakariassen
© |
|
