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FRIDAY 27 |
Benitez: We've gained lots from Hong Kong
Rafa Benitez insists the Reds have gained much from their
trip to Hong Kong despite losing to Portsmouth on penalties
in the Barclays Asia Trophy final.
Speaking after Friday's defeat, the Spaniard revealed the
trip had helped not only fitness, but also team spirit.
"It's disappointing to lose but it has been a useful
tournament for us," Benitez said. "The players have shown
their levels, we've had some competitive matches, training
has been good and the players have
bonded well.
"We have to improve but the team is playing well and
creating chances. We had plenty of possession and chances
against Portsmouth, I just think we need to be fitter."
(LFC Official Website)
Reds pay penalty in Asia Trophy
Portsmouth held their nerve to lift the Barclays Asia Trophy
after a 4-2 penalty shoot-out victory over Liverpool at Hong
Kong Stadium.
A goalless yet entertaining game could not be settled in 90
minutes and Niko Kranjcar scored the decisive spot-kick to
ensure Pompey's triumph.
(TEAMtalk)
Lucas set for Reds debut
Lucas Leiva is set to make his Reds debut after being named
on the bench for this afternoon's Barclays Asia Trophy final
against Portsmouth.
Fernando Torres received international clearance just before
kick off and has been named on the substitute's bench.
Meanwhile, Ryan Babel will partner countryman Dirk Kuyt up
front.
The team in full is: Reina, Riise, Finnan, Hyypia, Agger,
Kewell, Pennant, Sissoko, Alonso, Kuyt, Babel.
Subs: Carson, Martin, Gerrard, Lucas Leiva, Carragher,
Benayoun, Threlfall, Arbeloa, Voronin, Crouch.
(LFC Official Website)
Harry Redknapp’s backing for Rafa Benitez
Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp has backed Liverpool to be
a genuine force in the Barclays Premier League title race
this season.
Rafael Benitez’s side were set to take on Pompey in the
final of the Barclays Asia Trophy today in Hong Kong.
And Redknapp is confident that after a summer of heavy
investment, the coming campaign will not prove to be another
false dawn for Reds supporters.
“I do think they will be contenders this year,” he said.
“They’re looking very strong. The backbone of the team is
still Carragher and Gerrard, two home-grown players, but
they’ve added a lot of quality again and will be a lot
closer to Manchester United and Chelsea."
(Liverpool Echo)
Kuyt’s banking on Babel as Reds go double Dutch
Dirk Kuyt hopes the Dutch connection proves a winner at
Anfield this season as he tipped Ryan Babel to make a big
impact at Liverpool.
Kuyt is an international team mate of Babel, but also played
against the youngster in the Dutch league.
He believes the maturity of the player will be a major asset
as he tries to settle in England.
“He’s one of the most talented players in Holland, and the
good thing he is still very young,” said Kuyt. “He played a
lot of games for Ajax at a young age, and also the national
team.
“I’ve played a lot of games against him for Feyenoord, and
also plenty of times in the same team for Holland. I know
him very well, and all I can say is I’m really looking
forward to playing with him at Liverpool. He’s very mature,
athletic and fast.
“I believe his whole family is the same and he has a sister
who is
a top athlete at 100m.”
(Liverpool Echo)
Leiva gets Djimi's shirt
Brazilian midfielder Lucas Leiva has been handed the number
21 shirt following his arrival from Gremio this summer.
The shirt has previously been worn my Mike Marsh, Dominic
Matteo, Gary McAllister, Salif Diao and Djimi Traore.
Leiva, who is captain of his country's under-20 side, could
feature against Portsmouth in the Asia Trophy final on
Friday afternoon.
(LFC Official Website)
Kewell axed hols for Reds
Harry Kewell has confirmed he has axed his summer holidays
in order to link up with Liverpool and fight for his
first-team place.
The former Leeds United winger had been expected to take a
short break after playing for Australia in this summer's
Asian Cup.
However, following the Socceroos' elimination from the
tournament, Kewell has opted to rejoin manager Rafa
Benitez's squad rather than rest.
"I knew I had to get back because we've got some great new
signings," stated Kewell. "You've got to fight for your
position early on.
"It would have been a bit of a shifty move to go back to
England and not meet up with the team.
"I suppose I could have had a holiday but I play for
Liverpool and it's a big thing being here this season."
Kewell has missed much of the last two seasons with injury
and the 28-year-old is just thrilled to be back on the
playing field.
"It's just great to be playing football again," he
continued. "I did have moments of despair last season.
"I've got one year left on my contract and I just want to
play for Liverpool and hopefully help the team push for the
title."
(Sky Sports)
Chester City eye Lee Peltier loan deal
Chester City have had discussions with Liverpool with a view
to taking promising young midfielder Lee Peltier to the Deva
Stadium on loan.
The 20-year-old Toxteth-born player has made three Carling
Cup appearances for Liverpool, as well as Champions League
match against Turkish side Galatasaray.
City chairman Step-hen Vaughan said last night: “We are
hopeful of attracting Lee to Chester for a tempor-ary spell,
we know we face competition from Yeovil Town for his
signature, but hope-fully our location and the ambition we
all have at the club, will tip his decision in our favour.”
(Liverpool Daily Post)
Leiva impresses Gerrard
Steven Gerrard has been impressed by new signing Lucas
Levia.
Leiva joined up with the Reds in Hong Kong and his
performances in training so far have impressed the Liverpool
captain.
"From what I've seen of him so far on the training pitch
he's got everything you need in a Liverpool player; good
touch, good passing and he's also a good lad off the field,"
said Gerrard.
"He's only young but I've no doubt that he's got a bright
future at the club and it's good to have him onboard. He's
captain of the Brazil under-20s team and so obviously has
ability.
"I expect him to be knocking on the door of the first team
before too long and hopefully, in time, he can help us win
many trophies."
(LFC Online) |
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THURSDAY 26 |
Rafa relishes Reds options
Rafael Benitez is relishing a potential selection headache
as he looks to turn Liverpool into serious title contenders
next season.
The arrival of new owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett saw
the Spaniard handed a substantial transfer kitty and Benitez
responded by bringing in Fernando Torres, Ryan Babel and
Andriy Voronin alongside Yossi Benayoun over the summer in a
bid to match the firepower of rivals Manchester United and
Chelsea.
And with last season's top scorer Peter Crouch and Holland
international Dirk Kuyt also vying for a starting berth,
Benitez's biggest worry will be keeping his multitude of
stars happy.
However, the Reds boss welcomes the dilemma and hopes the
situation will see his side hit the back of the net more
frequently than last term.
"For me it's a good problem, " said Benitez. "I like to have
these options up front. We have different options now and it
depends on the game but I think all of them can play
together and that is the important thing."
(TEAMtalk)
Fergie got 'fed up' with Torres saga
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed he got
'fed up' with waiting for Spain striker Fernando Torres.
Ferguson has conceded he had been interested in signing
Liverpool striker Torres, who swapped Atletico Madrid for
Merseyside in £20million move this summer.
"Torres is athletic, he's brave enough and he'll run the
channels for them, which he did well in Madrid.
"He's good in the air and has got a physique. He's quicker
than you think.
"Over the past few years there has been some interest for us
in Torres, but every time he signed a new contract.
"Sometimes you get fed up with that kind of thing," said the
United chief.
(TEAMtalk)
Sponsorship deal for new Anfield is worth millions
Liverpool FC wants to raise £100m in a deal that will see a
corporate sponsor awarded naming rights to its new stadium,
it emerged last night.
Chief executive Rick Parry confirmed the club’s American
owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillett, were keen to secure a
sponsorship package similar to the one Arsenal signed for
its new Emirates stadium.
It comes after Liverpool yesterday submitted a planning
application for a spectacular 60,000-seater stadium which it
wants to build on Stanley Park over the next three years.
It is expected to cost around £300m and is planned to be
open for the start of the 2010-11 season. The design also
allows the club to increase the capacity to a potential
76,000.
In an exclusive interview from America with the Daily Post,
billionaire Mr Hicks said he expected the finance to be
fully in place by the end of the planning process this
autumn.
He said the funding would involve a combination of equity
and project finance, which was typical of this type of
development.
(Liverpool Daily Post)
New £5m train station could be ready
in time for ground opening
A new train station needed to allow Liverpool FC to have an
expanded 76,000-seater stadium can be ready by the time the
ground opens in 2010.
Neil Scales, chief executive of Mersey-travel, last night
revealed it would cost between £4m and £5m for a new
passenger station to be built on the Bootle Line, which is
used for freight.
Three sites are being considered for the station, which will
be a replica of Aintree station, designed to deal with large
crowds to the Grand National racecourse.
Economist Peter Stoney predicted an additional 15,000 fans
travelling to the 60,000-seater stadium would bring in £8m
extra into the economy each year and double if the stadium
expanded to 76,000 seats.
(Liverpool Daily Post)
Triple boost for Reds
Liverpool have been handed a triple boost ahead of the
Barclay Asia Trophy final against Portsmouth after Steven
Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Ryan Babel were all declared
available for selection.
Skipper Gerrard has recovered from the abdominal strain that
kept him out of Tuesday's victory over South China, while
Torres and Babel have both now received international
clearance.
(LFC Official Website)
Legends say move with confidence
Liverpool FC legends said the new ground will never replace
Anfield but there’s no reason it can’t be as intimidating
for visiting teams.
Former defender Mark Lawrenson said: “The supporters have
known for a long time about the move, so they have got over
the apprehension.”
“Everyone has got used to the fact they are going to move
and that’s the way it’s going to be."
(Liverpool Daily Post)
Robbie Threlfall aims to take chance
Robbie Threlfall is keen to make the most of his surprise
opportunity with Liverpool’s first team.
The 18-year-old full-back travelled to Hong Kong as part of
Rafael Benitez’s squad for the Barclays Asia Trophy.
Threlfall was a member of the team that has won the FA Youth
Cup in the past two years, scoring in last season’s final
against Manchester United.
“The manager has just told me to go out and enjoy myself and
said a few words tactically. The rest of the lads have been
great and have helped me settle in.
“It’s not often a young player like myself gets this kind of
opportunity, so I’m hoping to just get my head down, work
hard to impress and hope the manager gives me another
chance.”
(Liverpool Daily Post)
Lucas glad to be a Red
Lucas Levia says he is glad to be a Liverpool player.
The Brazilian under 20's captain has joined up with the
first team squad in Hong Kong after recovering from an
injury picked up while preparing for the under 20's World
Cup, which he was forced to sit out.
Levia was unable to play against South China FC as his
international clearance had not arrived, but he may feature
against Portsmouth tomorrow. It's an opportunity he's
looking forward to.
"I am very happy to finally be at Liverpool. It is a club
that is respected throughout the world and this is a great
opportunity for me. I just can't wait to play now," said the
midfielder."
(LFC Online) |
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WEDNESDAY 25 |
Hicks still keen on Heinze
Tom Hicks has confirmed that Liverpool have not given up on
Gabriel Heinze.
Manchester United have stressed repeatedly that they will
not sell the left-back to one of their biggest Premier
League rivals, but reports have suggested Heinze and his
agent could be considering legal action.
It is alleged that United agreed to sell Heinze for a
certain fee, and that they have no option but to accept
Liverpool's offer.
Hicks accepts that he does not have all the facts at his
disposal yet but is still hoping Liverpool can bring in the
player.
"I've read what's been in the paper and I've heard from our
side of the view of the player and his agent about their
legal position," the Reds co-owner told Sky Sports News.
"But it'll be up to other people to make those decisions.
"We hear he is a good player and we would like to have him
if
he is available."
(Sky Sports)
Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher hail new stadium plan
Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard today admitted he was
‘blown away’ when he first saw the designs for Liverpool’s
new £300m stadium.
(Liverpool Echo)
Rick Parry: The new Kop is our heartbeat
Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry today spoke of the
desire to build the Reds’ new stadium around the club’s
“heartbeat” – the famous
Anfield Kop.
He praised new owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett for their
role in producing world class designs for the new ground.
Parry, currently in Hong Kong on the Reds tour of Asia,
said: “It is very exciting. We have three key features to
the new stadium.
“Firstly there is the Kop, which will be as close as we can
get to recreating the heady days of the 60, 70s and 80s.
“There will be eighteen thousand seats, steeply raked and
tightly packed with a roof, very much designed to provide
every possible acoustic benefit to preserve the atmosphere.
“That is the heartbeat of the stadium."
(Liverpool Echo)
Garcia weighs up Anfield move
Liverpool target Javi Garcia has confirmed he is mulling
over a possible move to Anfield.
The 20-year-old defensive midfielder has spent the last five
seasons at Real Madrid but has been unable to establish
himself as a first-team regular.
Real are keen to extend his contract at the Santiago
Bernabeu which expires next summer, but Liverpool are
understood to be leading the chase for his signature.
Atletico Madrid, Mallorca, Getafe and Deportivo are also
keen on the £2million-rated youngster but the Reds appear to
be in the driving seat should the player choose to end his
stay in Madrid.
"My colours are Real Madrid but if it's impossible to play
there then England is a sensational country and Liverpool is
a historic club," Garcia is quoted in the Daily Mirror.
(Sky Sports)
New boys to get clearance
Fernando Torres, Ryan Babel and Lucas Levia will be allowed
to play against Portsmouth on Friday.
The trio had to sit out yesterday's win over South China FC
as they had not received international clearance. That was
not a problem in the Swiss friendlies but since the Barclays
Asia Trophy is classed as a proper tournament international
clearance is required.
Torres, Babel and Lucas are expected to be granted
international clearance in time for Friday's final against
Portsmouth.
(LFC Online)
Thor Zakariassen
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