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FRIDAY 27 |
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Reds close in on Victor swoop
Liverpool are poised to follow up the capture of Robbie
Fowler with the signing of Deportivo La Coruna winger
Victor.
The Reds are close to striking an accord with Depor and
Victor has not made the trip to Madrid for the weekend clash
with Atletico.
Victor, who has recently returned to fitness following a
thigh injury, is expected to head to Merseyside on Sunday to
discuss terms and undergo a medical.
(Sky Sports)
Fowler: I'm in Dreamland
Robbie Fowler admits his dreams have come true after
securing a surprise return to Liverpool.
The former England international left Anfield for Leeds in
November 2001, but his career went full circle on Friday as
he completed a shock move to Liverpool from Manchester City.
Fowler is looking to hit the ground running, but admits he
is still in a state of shock.
"It hasn't sunk in yet," he told Liverpool's website after
signing his contract. "Just to travel back to Anfield was
great and to actually get into the office and obviously put
pen-to-paper was something that I have wanted to happen for
a long time.
"Honest to God, I'm so happy it's frightening! I'm just so
chuffed - that's all I can say."
(Sky Sports)
Rafa delight at Fowler deal
Robbie Fowler has sensationally returned to his spiritual
home at Anfield on a six-month contract - a move that will
stun and delight the Kop in equal measure.
The 30-year-old, nicknamed God by his adoring Anfield fans,
is back with Liverpool after a three-year stint at
Manchester City, who signed him for £6million from Leeds.
If the move pays off then manager Rafael Benitez will have
negotiated one of the greatest transfers coups the club has
ever seen.
The Spaniard spoke of his - and Fowler's - delight at the
signing, saying: "My idea is for Liverpool to take one step
forward and I think Robbie can help us make that step.
"We have signed a player with so much passion for this
football club and I think he will act as an example to every
player here in how much he loves Liverpool.
"People can talk about having a lot of money to buy players
but we've just signed a player with a passion and a heart
for this club that no amount of money can buy."
(TEAMtalk)
Fowler rejected Wigan to complete Anfield
return
Wigan boss Paul Jewell has revealed that he tried to
negotiate a deal with Manchester City for Robbie Fowler.
Speaking on Sky Sports News this evening Jewell said he made
an offer which was rejected as the player had his sights set
on a return to Anfield.
Jewell said Fowler's return to Anfield was a great signing
for the Reds and he sincerely wished both the player and
Liverpool well.
(Kop Talk)
Pearce: I couldn't deny Fowler his dream
move
Manchester City boss Stuart Pearce - another legend in his
own right - says there was no way he was going to deny
Robbie Fowler his dream move back to Anfield.
City supporters have already come out to criticise the
decision to allow Fowler to leave but Pearce said the deal
had to happen.
Speaking this afternoon, the former England hardman said:
"Liverpool are his dream club and he wanted to leave and
rejoin them.
"If I refused him this opportunity of fulfilling his
ambition it would not be good for him or Manchester City
Football Club.
"We wish him well for the future and thank him for his
efforts."
(Kop Talk)
Liverpool - Green light for major deal?
Juventus defender Jonathan Zebina has confirmed he will
leave Turin in the summer - possibly giving Liverpool the
green light to make a move to capture the French star.
Tottenham Hotspur are rivals to the Reds in the chase to
sign the full-back, who has revealed his plans.
"At the end of the season, I'll leave," stated Zebina.
"Due to the fact that the club own me, the possible
destination will be abroad."
Zebina has not featured heavily this term for the Italian
giants but would still command a transfer fee in the region
off £5million.
(clubcall.com)
Fowler heads back to Liverpool
Manchester City's Robbie Fowler has sensationally re-signed
for Liverpool.
Skysports.com reported earlier on Friday that Fowler was
being strongly linked with a return to Anfield - and now the
move has been completed.
Fowler has joined The Reds until the end of the season, with
his City contract due to expire in the summer.
(Sky Sports)
Liverpool confirm Cisse was arrested
Liverpool have confirmed that Cisse was arrested
earlier this week for an alleged assault on his wife Jude.
The Frenchman has picked up a subsequent caution for common
assault and Benitez may now consider whether to use him for
this weekend's FA Cup clash with Portsmouth.
(Sky Sports)
Cisse assaults his pregnant wife
Liverpool FC striker Djibril Cisse was cautioned by police
for assaulting his pregnant wife, police said today.
The 24-year-old French international, who married wife Jude
last June, was arrested at his home in Frodsham, Cheshire,
last night.
He was taken to a police station nearby and questioned
before accepting a caution for common assault.
A Cheshire Constabulary spokesman said: “At around 9.40pm on
the evening of Thursday 26th January, police attended an
address on Manley Road in Frodsham after receiving an
allegation of assault on a 30-year-old woman.
“As a result of police inquiries, a 24-year-old man was
arrested on suspicion of section 39 assault.
“The man was interviewed at a police station and cautioned
in respect of the assault.”
Last October, the flamboyant forward announced that he and
his wife were expecting their first child together in spring
of this year. The couple both have children from previous
relationships.
In the same month, he admitted assaulting a 15-year-old boy
in a London park after the teenager mocked him while he
filmed an advert.
(Evening Echo)
Benitez: Agger in the frame for Pompey
Rafael Benitez hasn't ruled out the possibility of Danish
international Daniel Agger making his Liverpool debut at
Portsmouth and said he has impressed in training.
Agger played his first 45 minutes in a red shirt for the
reserves in their 1-0 win at Wolves on Tuesday night and
looked very comfortable and assured.
Benitez said: "It's a possibility Daniel could play at
Portsmouth but I haven't decided yet. He is training really
well and I'm very happy with him.
"We have a lot of games coming up when we play twice in a
week so Daniel will
have possibilities."
(LFC Official Website)
Hyypia misses training
Liverpool rock Sami Hyypia has been absent from training
this week due to an illness which could open up a space in
the side for Daniel Agger to make his first team debut at
Portsmouth.
(Kop Talk)
Rafa: We don't have a lot of money for
transfers
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has admitted that he doesn't
have a lot of money to bring quality players to Anfield.
Because of the constraints placed on him by the board, Rafa
is having to examine the possibility of loan deals and
Chilean winger Mark Gonzalez could be used as bait.
Speaking today, Rafa said: "We don't have a lot of money, so
we need to use our imagination. And we will try to use our
imagination to bring in players.
"We are trying to do something with Mark Gonzalez, because
we cannot wait forever for a work permit.
"Right now I am thinking about another player in Spain,
maybe in a swop, if it's possible. A right-winger. But we
cannot say names because then we have problems.
"It's difficult because the big clubs and the big players
are fighting to be in the top four and in European
competition, and clubs won't sell those players. In this
situation, I say again, we must use our imagination."
The board have backed the manager as best as their means
allow but for Rafa to build a squad packed with real
quality, the manager could do with a little more assistance.
Rafa certainly isn't criticising the board, he's just
speaking the truth.
(Kop Talk)
Reina set for Pompey clash
Jose Reina is expected to take over in goal from Scott
Carson for Liverpool in Sunday's FA Cup fourth-round trip to
Portsmouth.
Carson, who played in the win over Luton in the last round
and also featured in the Reds' Carling Cup defeat at Crystal
Palace, is expected to be on the bench.
Liverpool have only Boudewijn Zenden (knee) as a long-term
injury victim, but Luis Garcia is not expected to be
involved as he recovers from a knee problem.
Liverpool (from): Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Warnock,
Traore, Riise, Agger, Kromkamp, Kewell, Sissoko, Hamann,
Alonso, Gerrard, Morientes, Cisse, Crouch, Sinama-Pongolle,
Carson, Dudek.
(TEAMtalk)
Rotation is back on the Reds
Rafael Benitez is ready to start rotating his squad again.
But this time the Reds boss is confident he won't end up
dizzy.
Squad rotation was a regular feature of Benitez's first
season at Anfield - with just three unchanged line-ups in 60
fixtures.
But after an inconsistent start to this current campaign,
Benitez started to select a more settled line-up, and was
rewarded with the most consistently impressive results of
his managerial reign.
Now he's ready to ring the changes again -conservatively,
this time. And he's confident his squad can handle the
switches.
The Reds have midweek fixtures in five of the next six weeks
and Benitez explained: "The fixture list is very busy again
- but we have two more players now and I need to ensure that
all the players are fit.
"This year I can rotate a different way to last season. Last
year if I decided to rotate players the difference was big.
This year you can use Morientes, Cisse, Crouch or Sinama up
front. It's the same on the left with Harry Kewell or Riise,
or in the middle we have Gerrard, Sissoko, Alonso or Hamann.
(Liverpool Echo)
Reds' Galletti bid blocked
Liverpool's bid for Atletico Madrid's Luciano Galletti
appears to have hit the buffers after the Spaniards revealed
they were unwilling to sell the £5 million-rated Argentine.
While a loan deal was out of the question, it was initially
thought that Atletico would consider a permanent offer for
the 25-year-old, but sporting director Toni Munoz has
confirmed that the Liga outfit have put the kibosh on a
January transfer.
"We have decided that at this time we don't want any changes
to our squad," said Munoz.
"He is a player who can be very valuable to us."
Reds manager Rafa Benitez will now have to turn his
attentions elsewhere in the search for a solution to the
problematic right midfield position.
Steven Gerrard has been a more than adequate stop-gap in
recent weeks but player and club are mindful of utilising
his precocious talents in a more central role.
(Sky Sports)
Liverpool reject transfer approach
Liverpool have rejected a transfer approach from
Cologne for goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek.
Chief executive Rick Parry was expecting the approach after
Dudek's agent held talks with the German outfit but
Liverpool are refusing to the let the 'keeper leave on loan.
The decision has frustrated Cologne who have been told to
return with a £3million plus cash bid.
Cologne's sporting director Michael Meier, said: "It is no
secret that we have asked the club for Dudek. Even though he
is number two at Liverpool, Liverpool won't give him away
because of the Champions League and a loan deal does not
interest them."
(Kop Talk)
New boy Karadas could face Liverpool
Harry Redknapp is ready to use striker Azar Karadas as an
emergency centre-back in Portsmouth's FA Cup fourth-round
tie against Liverpool on Sunday.
Despite spending £12million this month on new players,
Norwegian striker Karadas could be set for a key role
against the likes of Peter Crouch and Fernando Morientes,
after failing to impress as a forward earlier this season.
Despite buying striker Benjani Mwaruwari, Pamarot, Sean
Davis, Pedro Mendes and Dean Kiely, and taking Emmanuel
Olisadebe on a short-term deal, Redknapp's options are
limited for Sunday's match with Pamarot out with a thigh
injury, left-back Andy Griffin missing through suspension
and Stefanovic is rated doubtful.
(Daily Post) |
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THURSDAY 26 |
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Potter leaves Liverpool on loan
Liverpool midfielder Darren Potter (21) has signed for
Championship side Southampton on loan until the end of the
season.
The Republic of Ireland Under 21 international made his
Liverpool debut against Graz in the Champions League back in
August 2004. He came off the bench in the first leg and made
his full debut in the second leg.
He's a regular reserve team player who has figured in the
League Cup competition. He used to be on Everton's books but
Liverpool eventually snapped him up.
His loan will expire on 31st May 2006.
(Kop Talk)
Neville charged over goal salute
Manchester United defender Gary Neville has been charged by
the Football Association with improper conduct.
The charge relates to his celebrations following Rio
Ferdinand's last-gasp winner in the 1-0 win against
Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday.
The FA's action, based on referee Mike Riley's report, comes
after Greater Manchester Police expressed concerns over
Neville's behaviour.
England international Neville, 30, has until 10 February to
respond.
As the case is not on the FA's new fast-track disciplinary
process, Neville may escape with just a heavy fine.
(BBC Sport Online)
Rafa misses out on star Simao
Liverpool's hopes of signing Simao Sabrosa have been dashed
after it was confirmed he will stay at Benfica until the end
of the season.
The 26-year-old has been repeatedly linked with a move to
Anfield but Benfica president Luis Filipe Vieira has
confirmed their club captain will remain in Lisbon until the
summer.
"Simao is a Benfica player until 2010," said Vieira in an
interview with Portuguese television station Antena 1.
"What was done until now, by both Benfica and the player,
will not be revealed.
"The only thing we can say with certainty is that Simao will
remain at Benfica until the end of the season."
(TEAMtalk)
Parry dismisses move for Fowler
Liverpool have dismissed radio reports this morning claiming
that Robbie Fowler is returning to Anfield on-loan.
Chief executive Rick Parry said today: "There has been no
dialogue whatsoever between Manchester City and ourselves.
"The story is not true."
Liverpool's goal-shy performance at Old Trafford last Sunday
has increased speculation that the Reds would benefit from
the presence of a poacher like Fowler in their squad,
despite the fact he left the club five years ago.
(Daily Post)
Finnan aims to bounce back
Liverpool defender Steve Finnan insists the team are
determined to put things right when they travel to
Portsmouth in the FA Cup on Sunday.
The Reds' 12-match unbeaten run in the Premiership came to
an end when Rio Ferdinand grabbed a last-minute winner for
Manchester United last Sunday.
But ahead of the fourth-round cup tie at Fratton Park,
Finnan told the club's official website: "What happened at
the weekend was a huge disappointment, but it's gone now.
It's over and there's no point looking back at it.
"It probably took a couple of days to get over the
disappointment because we didn't deserve to lose and, to be
honest, it was weird to once again experience what a defeat
felt like because it had been so long.
"The manager has been stressing the positives to come from
Sunday's game and we can certainly take a lot from it. This
is a key stage of the season for us and there are lots of
big games coming up. It's important now that we bounce back
straightaway and look to go on another good run - starting
this weekend at Portsmouth."
(TEAMtalk)
Rovers consider loan move for Raven
Tranmere Rovers are being linked with a loan move for young
Liverpool defender David Raven.
The 20-year-old, from Birkenhead, was once in Tranmere's
School of Excellence set-up before joining Liverpool at the
age of 14.
Raven is rated as a highly promising prospect, but his
first-team experience at Anfield has been limited since he
turned professional two years ago. He has three appearances
in cup ties and one, as a substitute, in the Premiership.
Raven's only senior action with Liverpool this season was in
a Carling Cup tie against Crystal Palace.
(Daily Post) |
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WEDNESDAY 25 |
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Gonzalez faces return to Spain
Liverpool today faced defeat in their efforts to
secure a work permit for winger Mark Gonzalez and have
agreed to loan him to Real Sociedad.
Gonzalez is set to return to La Liga until the end of the
season, which would end hopes of an imminent start to his
Anfield career.
The Reds are waiting for a decision from the Department of
Employment and Education, having made a fresh attempt for
Gonzalez to play for Liverpool this month.
Gonzalez's application was rejected last summer on the
grounds Chile aren't ranked in the world's top 70.
Since then, the South Americans have moved up the rankings,
but the new bid was made on the basis of the 21-year-old
Chilean international being a professional of 'outstanding
young talent'.
In the absence of any response before the end of this month,
Rafa Benitez will act now to ensure the midfielder isn't
left in limbo.
A six-month loan has been agreed with Sociedad which is now
awaiting the green light.
Liverpool hope Gonzalez will have secured European
citizen-ship by May which will remove the necessity of a
work permit when he officially joins his new club.
(Liverpool Echo)
Zenden set sights on early return
Bolo Zenden is taking inspiration from Anfield
team-mate Djibril Cisse as he looks to bounce back early
from a potentially season ending injury.
The Dutch star has been told he is unlikely to play again
this term after snapping his cruciate ligament two months
ago.
Having undergone surgery in America he's now on the long
road to recovery but is refusing to rule out the prospect of
an incredible comeback before the final ball of the season
has been kicked.
In fact, he's even allowed his mind to wander towards the
possibility of playing a starring role in the Reds' defence
of their European Cup in Paris in May.
"I look at someone like Djibril Cisse who made a remarkable
recovery last season," Zenden told LFC Magazine. "I've told
him that I will be back to score the winner in Paris in May!
He added: "I'm not sure if it's possible for me to play this
season, but I'm working towards it. I am more than one
hundred per cent confident that I will come back but it is
something I can't really speed up. You have to take your
time. It is frustrating and disappointing."
(LFC Official Website)
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Thor Zakariassen
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