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WEDNESDAY 27 |
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Figo: Liverpool not an option
Liverpool target Luis Figo says it looks highly unlikely
that he will make the switch to the Premiership this summer.
Both ourselves and Inter Milan have been trying to recruit
the Real Madrid player but the Anfield management has grown
tired of waiting around and although still interested,
they're now looking at alternative options.
Providing an update regarding his situation, Figo said:
"With the English side (Liverpool), everything has ended but
I'm happy many other big clubs have put their eyes on me -
about Inter I have no news.
"My situation is strange. I only want to play football,
possibly with Real, but if I have no possibilities here it's
better that I leave."
(Planet Football/Sky Sports)
Carra dedicates goal to Michael Shields
Jamie Carragher today dedicated his first goal in over six
years to Michael Shields, the Liverpool supporter jailed for
15 years in Bulgaria for a crime somebody else has claimed
responsibility for.
Shields, from Wavertree, has protested his innocence ever
since being charged by Bulgarian police with the attempted
murder of waiter Martin Georgiev in the aftermath of
Liverpool's Champions League final victory and despite
another man delivering a sworn statement admitting he
committed the attack, the 18-year-old was found guilty and
sentenced to 15 years in prison on Tuesday.
For Carragher, Liverpool's undisputed Player of the Year
last season, news of the verdict came as a massive shock to
both himself and Steven Gerrard, who had followed the trial
even while away on Champions League duty in Lithuania.
"We got a phone call with the news on Tuesday but we've been
aware of what's being going on throughout the whole trial,"
Carragher told liverpoolfc.tv. "There was a banner about
Michael at the TNS game in the last round and what's
happened with the verdict was in our minds on Tuesday night.
"If I'd have known I was going to score against Kaunas I
would have worn a t-shirt under my Liverpool shirt with
Michael's name on it. I want to dedicate that goal to
Michael Shields and all his family who are suffering so
badly right now."
(LFC Official Website)
Slavia renew Reds Euro appeal
Slavia Prague have renewed their appeal to UEFA over losing
their Champions League seeding position to Liverpool.
Last season's Champions League winners will be in Friday's
draw for the third and final qualifying round, and although
they still have to complete their second round clash with
Kaunas, they are likely to go through after winning the
first leg 3-1 in Lithuania.
Slavia have already had an appeal rejected by UEFA at the
start of the month but the club have not given up their
efforts to question the decision.
The Gambrinus Liga runners-up, together with the Czech
football association (CMFS), have appealed directly to UEFA
president Lennart Johansson.
The official initially favouring the inclusion of Liverpool
after their fifth-placed finish in the Premiership meant
they missed out on automatic Champions League qualification.
(The Daily Mail) |
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TUESDAY 26 |
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Benitez content with display
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez was left satisfied with his
side's performance after watching them come from behind to
beat FBK Kaunas 3-1.
Although Liverpool were never at their first, Spanish
taskmaster Benitez is confident they have now done enough to
enjoy a comfortable second leg at Anfield.
"We conceded a goal but we had clear chances after scoring
three - we had many chances,'' said Benitez.
"It's a good result - we only made one mistake during the
game."
(Planet Football/Sky Sports)
Liverpool ease past Kaunas
Liverpool came from behind to beat Kaunas in the Champions
League second round qualifier first leg.
Giedrius Barevicius' close range finish put the Lithuanians
ahead on 21 minutes, but soon Liverpool led.
Debutant Peter Crouch's header set up Djibril Cisse for the
equaliser, with Jamie Carragher's header putting Liverpool
2-1 ahead.
Early in the second half Steven Gerrard won and converted a
penalty to claim his sixth goal in Europe this season.
Soon after his goal Gerrard was withdrawn to be replaced by
Mohamed Sissoko, as the former Valencia midfielder made his
Liverpool debut.
Crouch had a promising debut, with his height causing Kaunas
problems, while the big striker also held up the ball well,
in the process helping to bring other players into the game.
Liverpool's defence looked altogether more rusty.
(BBC Sport Online)
Milito snubs Reds for Real
Liverpool's hopes of signing Gabriel Milito look to have
gone after he penned a new contract at Real Zaragoza.
The Argentine international was high on Rafa Benitez's list
of summer targets and the European champions had approached
Zaragoza.
Liverpool were confident of landing the 24-year-old central
defender, but now Real have persuaded him to sign a fresh
five-year deal at La Romareda.
The deal, worth over €2 million per season, makes him the
best paid player at Zaragoza and shows how highly they
regard him.
The new deal also sees Milito's release clause increase to a
sizeable €30 million.
"The negotiations were not easy, but Milito has demonstrated
his connection with the city and this is great news for the
summer," said a Zaragoza statement.
(Planet Football/Sky Sports)
FBK Kaunas v Liverpool - confirmed team
LIVERPOOL: Reina, Josemi, Hyypia, Carragher, Riise, Potter,
Alonso, Gerrard, Zenden, Crouch, Cisse.
SUBS: Dudek, Garcia, Hamann, Morientes, Warnock, Sissoko,
Medjani.
(Kop Talk)
Carra hits back!
Liverpool hero, Jamie Carragher, has hit back at the press
for what he says was a twisting of his words about
Liverpool's chances of winning the Premiership.
Headline writers had a field day claiming that Carragher had
already written off Liverpool's chances of winning or even
breaking into the top 3, but Bootle's famous son denies
writing off the team's chances.
"I was a bit disappointed with the headlines in the Sunday
papers the other week saying I didn't think we'd win it,"
said Carragher. "There's a difference between being asked
'can we win it?' or 'will we win it?'
"Of course I think we can win it, but it's not the Liverpool
way to start saying we're going to do this or that, so I'm
not going to say we're definitely going to win the title
this season.
"At the same time, I'm the last person you'll hear being
defeatist and writing off our chances before a ball is
kicked. We'll all start on equal points and we have proved
in the Champions League the levels we can reach.
"I'm sick and tired of hearing and talking about fourth
place, so when we start the season at Middlesbrough, we will
be going out there thinking only of playing for that title.
We'll see how the season goes after that."
(talklfc.com)
Depor deny Reds Andrade approach
Deportivo La Coruna have revealed that Liverpool have not
made an approach for their Portugal defender Jorge Andrade.
The Spanish club's response comes after reports linked the
Anfield outfit with a move for the 27-year-old.
Speculation suggested the Reds were preparing a package of
£1m and striker Milan Baros for Andrade.
"At the moment there has not been any offer from Liverpool,"
said Deportivo spokesman Rafael Carpacho. "All we know is
what has appeared in the papers."
(BBC Sport Online)
Parry hints at end of Figo interest
Rick Parry has given the broadest hint yet, that Liverpool
are about to end their pursuit of Real Madrid player Luis
Figo.
A deal for the 32yr old Portuguese player appeared to be
done when earlier this month he agreed personal terms but
then Real stalled things by demanding a £2million fee.
Since then, Inter Milan have emerged as strong favourites
for his signature and Parry has now hinted the Reds have
done all they possibly can to sign the player.
"That one's been a little quiet" said Parry. "He's obviously
away with Real Madrid at the moment. I guess we'll see over
the next few days but there's been nothing over the last day
or two.
"He's an option but there will be other options. We're
delighted with the acquisitions we've made so far, picking
off our targets one by one. You never get 100 percent of the
targets you're looking for but, if we don't, we'll move on
and do something else."
(This is Anfield)
15 years in prison for innocent man
Reds fan Michael Shields was today jailed for 15 years after
a Bulgarian court found him guilty of a crime he did not
commit.
The 18-year-old was convicted of a charge of attempted
murder even though another man confessed to the crime.
The court in Varna refused to accept Graham Sankey's
state-ment that he slammed a paving stone on to waiter
Martin Georgiev's head at the resort of Golden Sands in May.
Today Foreign Secretary Jack Straw was ordering officials
and diplomats to "make representations" both to the Sofia
legal establishment and to Bulgaria's ambassador to London,
Lachezar Matev.
And Michael's home in Wavertree his devastated family said
the "whole concept of justice had been ignored".
(Liverpool Echo)
Medjani wants Rafa chat
Carl Medjani is willing to return to France if he does not
figure in Liverpool's plans this season.
The 20-year-old spent last term on loan at Lorient and could
head back across The Channel for another season to build up
his experience.
Medjani has featured during Liverpool's pre-season campaign
and could play in Tuesday's UEFA Champions League qualifier
against FBK Kaunas.
He is now waiting for a chat with Reds boss Rafa Benitez to
learn whether he will be a prominent player in Liverpool's
coming campaign.
"I have been in Switzerland with the rest of the Liverpool
group," Medjani told But! "It went off smoothly and I am
quite satisfied, as I played some friendlies.
"I will know my future in the coming days. Rafael Benitez
told me we will soon have a talk. I will know if he relies
on me for next season.
"If not, I will see with my agent if a loan is possible.
Lorient wanted to keep me. Why not go back?
(Planet Football/Sky Sports)
Baros in tonight's squad
Milan Baros has been named in Liverpool's 18 man squad for
tonight's game with FBK Kaunas.
Despite the speculation over Baros' future he has been named
in tonight's squad although whether he makes it onto the
field is another matter. In yesterday's press conference
Rafael Benitez refused to talk about Baros' Anfield future.
Benitez said: "Milan is a good player, he is working well
and scoring goals in pre-season. I am happy with him.
"At the moment I'm thinking about tomorrow's game and not
about offers for our players. Whether he plays tomorrow or
not it doesn't matter, he is still our player. He is here
with us, he is in the squad and gives us another
possibility."
(LFC Online)
Nunez signs for Celta
Liverpool winger Antonio Nunez has signed a three-year deal
with Celta Vigo.
The former Real Madrid wide man was deemed surplus to
requirements by Rafa Benitez after a disappointing season at
Anfield.
Nunez is now heading back to La Liga and Celta president
Horacio Gomez was delighted with the acquisition.
"The operation with Liverpool for Antonio Nunez is closed,"
said Gomez.
"We just need to wait two days to receive all the documents
from Liverpool. It is an excellent deal for us."
(Sky Sports)
LFC star in £4m cafe bar venture
Jamie Carragher is investing in a new sports cafe venture
for Liverpool which is being masterminded by one of the
city's most successful business groups.
After conquering Europe on the football field, the
27-year-old defender, named Liverpool FC's player of the
year, is hoping to do the same in the business arena.
And it is hoped the concept - known as Sport Cafe England -
will be extended around the UK.
However, Carragher and his business partners are determined
to start their enterprise in Liverpool first with an initial
investment of around £4m.
The first venue being lined up by the Bootle-born
international and his fellow investors is the city's famous
ABC cinema site, on Lime Street.
They also hope to establish their new brand on key arterial
routes into Liverpool, including Edge Lane, the East Lancs
Road, Speke Boulevard and the Aintree corridor.
(Daily Post)
Benitez: We can't take FBK for granted
Rafael Benitez admits Liverpool will be taking a step into
the unknown when they resume their Champions League defence
this evening.
The Anfield side face Lithuanian champions FBK Kaunas in the
first leg of their second qualifying round tie with Peter
Crouch poised to make his competitive debut after his
£7million move from Southampton last week.
And Benitez has urged his players not to be complacent given
the short gap between winning through against TNS
Llansantffraid in the previous round last Wednesday and
tonight's encounter, which has left Liverpool little time
for their usual preparation.
"We do not know what to expect," admitted the Spaniard. "We
have seen some videos and some reports but we need to play
against them to know what they are like.
"We are favourites but we need to demonstrate that on the
pitch. In football you must have a lot of respect for the
opposition. We will play to win and we want to do our best."
(Daily Post)
Latics to sign Henchoz
Wigan Athletic have agreed a deal to sign
Switzerland international Stephane Henchoz.
The former Liverpool defender has spent the past week
training with the Premiership new boys with a view to moving
to The JJB Stadium.
Henchoz linked up with The Latics on their pre-season trip
to Denmark and was aiming to prove his fitness to manager
Paul Jewell.
The 30-year-old appears to have achieved this objective and
has concurred on a two-year contract with Wigan, while also
passing a medical.
"We've agreed a deal in principle with Stephane," commented
Jewell.
"Hopefully we'll have it wrapped up in the next 24 hours."
(Planet Football/Sky Sports)
Chelsea boss comments on Steven Gerrard
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho says he is surprised that Rafa
Benetiz will rest Steven Gerrard this season so he is ready
for the world cup.
"If a player asked me for a rest I would say: 'You can rest
for the World Cup for the next three months and you can go
to Soho Square and the FA can pay your wages!'," said
Mourinho.
"It is a strange way to look at things and I certainly look
forward to seeing which are they key games. Will it be
Chelsea-Liverpool or Liverpool-Wigan? I hope it's the
matches against Chelsea.
"If they do then good but I would not rest Frank Lampard
against Liverpool,
that's for sure."
(Talk Soccer) |
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MONDAY 25 |
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Gerrard limps out of training but will be OK
Steven Gerrard this evening limped out of training at the S
Darius & S Girenas Stadium in Lithuania but Liverpoolfc.tv
can allay fears that the injury is serious.
The Reds skipper was being put through his paces alongside
the rest of the squad ahead of the Champions League second
round qualifier against FBK Kaunas when he suffered a knock
on the ankle that forced him to leave the session
prematurely.
He was immediately treated with packs of ice and the club
officials are confident that he'll be available for
selection as Liverpool continue their defence of the trophy
against the Lithuanian champions.
(LFC Official Website)
Rafa: I'm not the new Shankly
In bringing the European Cup back home to Liverpool in May,
Rafael Benitez might have achieved what the late great Bill
Shankly never could but the Spaniard insists fans are wrong
to ever compare him to the man from Glenbuck.
"Shankly is beyond anything," stressed Benitez ahead of the
Champions League qualifier against FBK Kaunas. "He was above
all the creator of an ideology. He changed the mentality of
the team and produced an ambitious club with a new
mentality.
"Bob Paisley won more titles, but Shankly laid the
foundations as everybody knows. Those are big words -
foundations, ideology - and I am miles away from that."
(LFC Official Website)
Benitez behind Baros
Liverpool managed Rafa Benitez has insisted that Milan Baros
is still in his plans, amid continuing speculation over his
future at Anfield.
The Czech Republic striker has been the subject of growing
media speculation as talk persists of a move away from
Anfield.
Benitez is with his team in Lithuania ahead of their UEFA
Champions League qualifier against FBK Kaunas on Tuesday,
and has insisted that Baros is still in his plans.
"I'm thinking about tomorrow, not offers," said Benitez
about talk of Villa's interest.
"I will see tomorrow if he plays or not," added Benitez. "If
he plays or doesn't play it will be the same.
"We're thinking about the future. He's a good player and
he's our player. He's here and he's in the squad and has
possibilities for tomorrow."
Asked if Baros would be seen in a Liverpool shirt at the
start of the Premiership season, a cagey Benitez replied: "I
want to see him tomorrow."
(Planet Football/Sky Sports)
Pardew waiting on Baros
Alan Pardew hopes West Ham can still pull off an audacious
swoop for Liverpool's Milan Baros.
After reaffirming his interest in the Czech Republic
striker, Pardew revealed he is still keen to make further
additions to his squad.
"I think any quality player who becomes available in a
striker's role, we want to be
aware of.
"If he [Baros] is made available by Liverpool, we will
certainly be interested.
"Our aspirations have to be this high because we are a great
club."
(Planet Football/Sky Sports)
Crouch eyes legend status
New recruit Peter Crouch is "confident" he can match up to
Liverpool's great strikers from the past, despite admitting
he will have to prove the doubters wrong.
Crouch knows that at 6ft 7ins, in comparison to some of
Liverpool's great strikers from history many feel he hardly
matches up in the skill stakes.
"There have been some great strikers who have pulled on the
Liverpool shirt, more recently Michael Owen and Robbie
Fowler.
"And going back over the years there has been Kevin Keegan
and Kenny Dalglish, and I have a lot to live up to but I am
hopeful and confident that I can do that, be here as long as
possible and do as well as I can."
(TEAMtalk)
Rafa wants more goals from Stevie
Steven Gerrard will lead Liverpool into Champions League
action again this week after being told by boss Rafael
Benitez that he is expected to score more goals this season.
Benitez has a more adventurous role planned for Gerrard this
season, now the weeks of worry and concern about his
ambitions away from Anfield have been ended with a new
£100,000-a-week contract.
Benitez said: "Five goals in two games is good for me. But I
also want him to score more goals than last season, I want
him to go forward with players around him like Xabi Alonso,
Dietmar Hamann or Mohamed Sissoko to protect him and allow
him to attack more.
"Gerrard can score a lot of goals this season and go forward
and score more than he did last season.''
(Football 365)
Trial shock in Bulgaria
The judge in the Michael Shields trial today rejected a
confession from the real culprit - and insisted the case in
Bulgaria must continue.
Despite receiving a confession by Anfield electrician Graham
Sankey, faxed by his solicitor over the weekend, judge
Angelina Lazarova has refused to allow it to be submitted as
evidence.
The judge said none of the requests made by the defence,
including Sankey's statement, could provide any objective
evidence, and then deleted his name from the list of
witnesses.
Shields's lawyer Oleg Atanasov was also denied permission to
call the arresting police officer as well as other members
of an ID parade to the witness stand.
Sankey admitted in the ECHO on Saturday that he slammed a
paving slab onto Martin Georgiev's head in the Bulgarian
resort of Golden Sands.
Yet this morning the judge at the court in Varna said
Michael, 18, would continue to be tried for attempted
murder.
(Liverpool Echo)
Crouch in goal pledge
Peter Crouch today spoke of his pride at pulling on a
Liverpool shirt for the first time - and pledged to score
the goals to take his new club to yet more glory.
The Reds' new £7m signing enjoyed a promising debut in
Liverpool's 4- 3 win over Olympiakos on Saturday, setting up
the first goal for Luis Garcia and proving a constant menace
to the Greek defence.
Crouch, who is eligible to play in tomorrow night's
Champions League qualifier against FC Kaunas, said: "To be
honest, I was just glad to be able to wear that famous red
jersey for the first time.
"That was a dream come true for me and now I'm just looking
forward to doing it again.
"I would have loved to have scored but that wasn't to be,
although I've been told the goal I had ruled out for offside
was actually okay.
"I might have missed out against Olympiakos but hopefully
it'll come against Kaunas if
I'm selected."
(Liverpool Echo)
Former Red aiming to move into management
Former Liverpool player and coach Sammy Lee is planning to
move into management.
After a year spent coaching full-time for the Football
Association, Lee has now been appointed assistant manager to
Sam Allardyce at Bolton and is now highly-regarded in the
game as one of England's top coaches.
Talking about his plans, Lee said: "My ambition is to
manage. I have had a lot of experience as a coach, I am
gaining more experience with each job but ultimately I would
like to manage.
"I am an ambitious person - all the time my knowledge is
broadening."
(Kop Talk)
Transfer tipped to happen mid-August
The signing of Lincoln City defender Jack Hobbs will go
through on the player's 17th birthday (18th August), if you
believe reports in the national media.
It is claimed that Hobbs will remain at City on 'work
experience' until signing his Liverpool contract next month
when he turns 17.
We can't confirm whether or not those claims are true but we
do know that a deal has been struck and it's now a case of
'when' it will happen rather than 'if' it will happen
(Kop Talk)
£7m price tag on Baros
Aston Villa have been told they must pay £7million if they
are to prise Milan Baros away from Liverpool.
The Midlands club made a £5m offer for the Czech striker
last week as they finally made an official move for their
long-time transfer target.
But Anfield officials rejected the approach, with Liverpool
seeking to recoup the money spent in signing Peter Crouch
from Southampton.
Baros, who scored twice for Liverpool in Saturday's 4-3
friendly win against Olympiakos in Liechtenstein, has been
told by manager Rafael Benitez that he can leave the club.
(Daily Post)
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Thor Zakariassen
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