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SATURDAY 27 |
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Baros gets debut goal for Villa
Czech Republic striker Milan Baros marked his debut for
Aston Villa by making the breakthrough against Blackburn.
The recent buy from Liverpool needed only 10 minutes to get
on the scoresheet and delight the home supporters.
Baros showed good awareness to latch on to a ball from Kevin
Phillips and steer a shot beyond Brad Friedel and into the
corner.
(Ireland On-Line)
Carra in the dark over Owen
Jamie Carragher has hailed Super Cup hero Djibril Cisse -
but admits he has no idea if he will be replaced by Michael
Owen at Liverpool.
Carragher - stand-in as captain for the injured Steven
Gerrard in Monaco - is nonetheless well aware that Cisse
could be sold to Lyon and Michael Owen bought from Real
Madrid before Liverpool are next in action.
Carragher could hardly help but be impressed by the way
Cisse rose above the speculation to turn the game against
the Uefa Cup holders.
"Djibril is very popular, a great lad, and came on and
changed the game," said the Reds defender.
"What happens about Michael or Djibril is nothing to do with
me.
"The manager brings in whoever he wants - it is up to him.
That is his decision and how he manages."
(TEAMtalk)
Benitez silent over Cisse rumours
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has refused to confirm
whether Super Cup hero Djibril Cisse is about to leave the
club to make way for Michael Owen.
Cisse, who came off the bench to score twice in the 3-1
victory over CSKA Moscow, has been linked with a move to
France in order to fund an Owen deal.
But Benitez said: "We have met and talked about the rumours
but we have not had offers.
"After this game and his goals maybe we will have a lot of
offers."
(BBC Sport Online)
Benitez praises Cisse contribution
Rafael Benitez felt Liverpool deserved to win the Super Cup
and praised Djibril Cisse for the impact he made when coming
off the bench to win the Reds the Super Cup.
"I felt the game was made for Djibril to come on and score.
He is a good player and with his pace and fresh legs against
their defenders we knew he would have chances."
(LFC Official Website) |
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FRIDAY 26 |
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Cisse committed to Reds
Djibril Cisse has brushed off speculation about his future
by reaffirming his commitment to Liverpool.
The French forward's future at Liverpool has been cast into
doubt, with reports suggesting he could be deemed surplus to
requirements if Michael Owen returns to the club.
Cisse was left on the bench for the opening 80 minutes of
the Super Cup on Friday, as Liverpool produced a performance
which only increased calls for the return of Owen.
With ten minutes remaining and his side trailing 1-0, Rafa
Benitez summoned Cisse and he answered the call with two
goals and an assist as The Reds claimed a 3-1 win over CSKA
Moscow.
Cisse rightly picked up the Man of the Match award and he
chose the moment to pledge his future to The Reds.
"I've had a lot of speculation about me the last few weeks
but now I'm very happy for me and my wife and everybody," he
told ITV1.
"My future is at Liverpool, I feel good here so I do not
know why I have to move.
"I think it is difficult, but I have to be strong and we did
play good a game today."
(Planet Football/Sky Sports)
Cisse sparks Reds win
Djibril Cisse enhanced his claims for regular playing time
at Liverpool as he scored two goals and created another in
the 3-1 European Super Cup victory over CSKA Moscow.
The Reds looked dead and buried prior to the arrival of
Cisse, as they squandered a host of chances and were on the
receiving end of a fine strike from Daniel Carvalho, but the
French striker netted once in normal time and again in extra
time and set up Luis Garcia for a third to hand The Reds
their first piece of silverware of the season.
Cisse was left to kick his heels on the bench for 80
minutes, as Liverpool produced a performance which gave
ammunition to those calling for Rafa Benitez to dip into his
pocket and sign Michael Owen, but the Frenchman's two
fortunate goals put him in the spotlight in Monaco.
(Planet Football/Sky Sports)
Liverpool v CSKA Moscow - confirmed team
LIVERPOOL: Reina, Finnan, Hyypia, Carragher, Josemi, Riise,
Alonso, Hamann, Zenden, Garcia, Morientes.
SUBS: Carson, Cisse, Pongolle, Sissoko, Warnock.
(Kop Talk)
Dudek close to return
Jerzy Dudek claims he is around a fortnight away from
fitness and is hopeful he still has a future at Liverpool.
Dudek, Reina and youngster Scott Carson were informed they
would all get the chance to shine this summer, but the
Pole's hopes were dashed when he suffered an elbow injury in
training.
It had been claimed that the injury would keep Dudek out for
three months, but the keeper has revealed he expects to
return to training in a fortnight.
"I am on the way back and it is getting better all the
time," he told ITV 1.
"I hope to be back in one or two weeks."
When questioned on whether he has a future at Anfield, Dudek
added: "Yes, I hope so."
(Sky Sports)
Benitez: CL draw does not worry me
Rafael Benitez reflected on yesterday's Champions League
group phase draw and admitted he won't be losing any sleep
over it.
Liverpool's defence of the European Cup will continue with
games against Chelsea, Anderlecht and Real Betis, and
Benitez is confident the Reds can progress.
"I'm not worried which teams we face because every side in
the competition is strong," he says.
"Maybe some teams will now be more worried about facing
Liverpool. Some clubs will think they have to be careful
when they face us because of what we've achieved last
season.
"We only need to worry about improving ourselves as a team
before the competition starts because we'll be playing
against excellent sides. We will have be at our best in
every match.
"It will be difficult for us to get through, but it was
difficult last season and we responded in the right way.
"I'm as hungry now as I was before we won the European Cup
to win more trophies. I will try to make sure it happens at
Liverpool again."
(LFC Official Website)
Stelios signs new contract with Bolton
Liverpool have been dealt a blow with the news that target
Stelios Giannakopoulos has signed a new 3-year contract with
Bolton Wanderers.
The 31-year-old has turned his back on a possible move to
Anfield instead preferring to remain at the Reebok where he
says he's happy and settled.
(Kop Talk)
Parry admits Liverpool want Owen
Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry has finally admitted
they do want to bring Michael Owen back to Anfield.
Boss Rafael Benitez has been low-key on constant speculation
linking the England striker with a return from Real Madrid
after only 12 months.
Newcastle have agreed a club record deal of about £17m, but
25-year-old Owen prefers a move back to Liverpool.
"It's not a no or a yes - there has been plenty of
speculation and we will see next week," said Parry.
And Parry is pleased that Owen has publicly stated his
preference for a move to Liverpool, despite Newcastle's
determined efforts to do a deal.
He said: "We are always encouraged when players say they
want to join Liverpool."
(BBC Sport Online)
Riise homing in on future
John Arne Riise returns to his old stamping ground tonight
admitting he faces a battle to keep his Liverpool place this
season.
The Norwegian had been an ever present since moving to
Anfield from Monaco in 2001.
Now the signing of Bolo Zenden and emergence of Stephen
Warnock means Riise will have to adapt to a new role within
a rotation system.
It's a prospect the left-sided player insists will inspire
rather than force him to sulk.
"I'm going to try and get as many shots on goal as I can
this season," said Riise.
"I had a lot of shots on Tuesday and it's an area of my game
where I know I can do well.
"I know it's going to be harder this season for me because
the squad is bigger. There are some of us who know we'll be
on the bench for certain games. But that's not something
which worries me."
(Liverpool Echo)
Rafa urges Garcia to start peforming
Manager Rafael Benitez is urging Luis Garcia to stop
show-boating and start performing on a regular basis.
Rafa's unhappy with Garcia's current form but remains
confident that the player will take his words on board.
"He is an important player for us," said the boss. "He
scored 13 goals last season and he can score 15 goals for us
each season. He has the quality.
"But he needs to understand when to try difficult things and
when he must play safe. This is the most important thing.
"The goals he scored last season - like against Juventus -
show he has the talent, but at the moment he tries things in
the wrong places.
"He can improve, he can get better, so it's important to use
other players and give him the chance for rest. The other
day for example, okay he tries, but he can play better.
"If you don't have confidence you need to work harder. But
he's clever and I am sure that he will learn."
(Kop Talk) |
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THURSDAY 25 |
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Parry teases fans with "wait and see" Owen
statement
Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry today refused to rule
out the possibility of the club signing Michael Owen before
the transfer deadline.
Asked if the Real Madrid hitman was Anfield bound, the
club's chief executive said: "Wait and see. There's been far
too much speculation on it already. Let's just rely on the
facts and we'll see when we get to that day."
So would Parry like to see Owen signed?
"I don't think my personal feelings are anything to do with
it," said the wallet. "One myth that can be dispelled is
that there's never been a difference of opinion between Rafa
and me or Rafa and anybody else on it. We're just keeping
our counsel.
"There's some work to do, there's a few days before the
deadline so we'll see."
One thing Parry isn't, is a liar. He's very, very clever
with what he says and how he says it. If Michael Owen wasn't
an option he would have made it very clear this afternoon.
Had he said "Michael Owen is not coming" we would have
definitely believed him. He'll bend the truth but he won't
issue a statement that would later come back to deem him
as a fibber.
(Kop Talk)
Gerrard excited by European draw
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is relishing the chance to
face Chelsea in the Champions League group stage.
The teams met in the semi-finals of last year's competition
with the Reds triumphing before winning the final.
"When we didn't get country protection there was always a
chance," Gerrard said. "When the first couple of teams came
out we knew it would happen.
"They've got a fantastic team and a special manager. They
will be two great games and we'll look forward to them."
The other teams in Group G are Belgian outfit Anderlecht and
Spain's Real Betis and Gerrard says Liverpool and Chelsea
cannot afford to take them lightly.
"It would be nice if all the English teams progress so we
hope we don't cancel each other out," he added.
"It's a tough draw. Everyone will talk about Chelsea and us
but the other two teams are tough and we will have to be on
our toes to qualify."
(BBC Sport Online)
Liverpool to face Chelsea in Champions
League
Holders Liverpool will play Premier League champions Chelsea
in the group stage of the Champions League in an early
repeat of last year's semi-final.
Liverpool were denied the usual "country protection" when
UEFA gave them special dispensation to defend their title
despite not qualifying automatically. Anderlecht and Real
Betis complete the Group G lineup.
(Reuters)
Newcastle chief in Owen ultimatum
Newcastle have given England striker Michael Owen, 25, until
the end of Thursday to decide if he wants to join.
The Magpies agreed a club record fee of around £17m with
Real Madrid for the England star on Wednesday but Owen is
known to prefer a return to Liverpool.
"There is not much more we can do. We are waiting to hear
from Owen and his adviser," Shepherd explained.
"But it has to happen today or it's not going to happen at
all, and we will be speaking to Michael's people."
BBC Sport understands Liverpool are not willing to pay more
than the £8m Real splashed out to land Owen last summer.
They are expected to reveal their hand after Friday's Super
Cup game with CSKA Moscow on Friday but the player would
have to take a pay cut to persuade Liverpool
to do business.
(BBC Sport Online)
Gerrard handed top Euro award
Steven Gerrard was today named Europe's most valuable
footballer.
The Reds skipper was given UEFA's prestigious award at a
glittering ceremony in Monaco, edging out the greats of the
modern game.
The decision was based on last year's Champions League
performances when Gerrard's inspirational displays helped
Liverpool become champions of Europe for the fifth time.
(Liverpool Echo)
Cisse selected for international duty
Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse has been selected for
international duty by France for their friendly against
Ivory Coast next Wednesday.
(Kop Talk)
L'OM still chasing Cisse
Marseille are still hoping to sign Liverpool striker Djibril
Cisse before the close of the transfer window.
Cisse has been strongly linked with an exit from Anfield,
with his future intrinsically linked to that of Michael
Owen.
If Benitez sticks to his stance of not wanting to sign a new
striker, then Cisse will be part of his plans for the rest
of the season.
But Marseille are hoping the European champions re-sign Owen
so they can step up their bid to land Cisse on a season-long
loan.
Cisse is determined to fight for his place on Merseyside but
Marseille are clinging to the hope that they will have the
opportunity to bring the France international to Stade
Velodrome.
"We won't miss such an opportunity," said l'OM chairman Pape
Diouf, who is understood to have spoken to Liverpool chief
executive Rick Parry about a loan arrangement.
"However, we are very realistic about this case. There are a
lot of parameters."
(Planet Football/Sky Sports)
Sweeping changes as Reds prepare for Super
Cup
Liverpool coach Rafael Benitez is likely to field a team
bearing little resemblance to the one that lifted the
European Cup in May when his side face UEFA Cup holders CSKA
Moscow in the European Super Cup on Friday.
Just three days after playing CSKA Sofia in their final
Champions League qualifier on Tuesday, Liverpool now face
CSKA Moscow - their CSKA initials legacies from the Cold War
era when they represented the army sides of their respective
countries.
Liverpool will almost certainly be without inspirational
skipper Steven Gerrard who injured a calf muscle in last
week's Premier League match against Sunderland and missed
the match against CSKA Sofia on Tuesday.
Bookmakers have made Liverpool favourites to win, but the
Russian team have
other ideas.
(The Daily Mail)
Boss pushes Warnock England claims
Rafael Benitez has hailed the early season form of Stephen
Warnock and backed him to force his way into the full
England squad.
Warnock has made Liverpool left-back position his own in
recent weeks and England coach Tord Grip has reportedly been
monitoring his progress.
Benitez says: "He's improving a lot and there are not many
good left-back's for Sven to choose from right now so yes,
why not? It's certainly a possibility. He's getting better
with each game and now has a lot more experience."
Benitez is delighted that Warnock has committed his
immediate future to the Reds and added: "Rick Parry and I
have been talking about Stephen Warnock for a while now. He
has been working hard and playing well so we decided to
reward him with another two years on his contract. He fully
merits this and we are happy.
"It's a possibility that he could become our first choice
left-back. I like to have two players battling for every
position because this means both will continue to work hard
and for the team this can only be a good thing."
(LFC Official Website)
Pearce vows to keep Distin
Manchester City boss Stuart Pearce has insisted skipper
Sylvain Distin is going nowhere after Liverpool were linked
with the French defender.
Distin, who is currently sidelined with a groin injury, has
been linked with a move to Liverpool as Rafael Benitez steps
up his search for a centre-back
Only six months ago, City turned down a £5m bid from
Newcastle for the 27-year-old, and Pearce has assured Blues
fans their captain is staying at Eastlands.
"Sylvain is not going anywhere," said Pearce. "He is staying
at Manchester City."
(TEAMtalk)
Antwi impressed by Anfield roar
Liverpool new boy Godwin Antwi was persuaded to sign for
Liverpool by the special atmosphere Anfield can generate.
The 17 year old defender was a guest of the club at last
season's European Cup semi-final second leg clash with
Chelsea and he has revealed how the amazing atmosphere that
night convinced him his future was with Liverpool.
"I really enjoyed being at Anfield last season for the
semi-final against Chelsea and it made it even more special
knowing I was going to sign for Liverpool. The atmosphere
was fantastic and I'm looking forward to seeing more games
this season." Antwi told the official site.
"I am very proud to be here and this is a dream for me.
Dreams do come true if you believe and keep working hard,
and to play for Liverpool is really something special for
me. My head is spinning at what has happened to me now
playing for Liverpool and it is great to say I play for the
European Champions.
"My favourite position is centre half. It was Paco Herrera
who spotted me playing for Real Zaragoza. This is a
fantastic chance for me, I really like it here and I want to
give everything for this club with all my heart and I
promise I will give my best. The city is very nice and I've
been made to feel very welcome here."
(LFC Online)
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Thor Zakariassen
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