|
|
|
|
MONDAY 27 |
|
|
Venue for qualifier 2nd leg announced
According to the official Total Network Solutions FC
website, the second leg of the Champions League 1st round
qualifier will be played at Wrexham's Racecourse Ground.
Various options had been mentioned by the club but in the
end they have decided to stick with ground they'd already
nominated before the draw was made. The ground holds 10,000
fans in seats (the standing area cannot be used in UEFA
fixtures) and is also the home venue for Liverpool's own
reserve matches.
The ground was used by TNS when they played Osters IF of
Sweden in a UEFA Cup game.
The general manager of TNS, Ian Williams, told the official
TNS site: "We have always been very well looked after by the
Wrexham officials and we are looking forward to entertaining
Liverpool there next month. It is the most convenient choice
for both sets of supporters and we are hoping for a
full-house."
The date and time of the game hasn't yet been announced as
TNS continue discussion with TV companies, but it must be
played on either the 19th or 20th of July. TNS fans are
being asked to attend their club's pre-season friendly at
home to Glentoran in order to be able to get a voucher for
priority tickets for the qualifying match.
(Anfield Road.com)
Liverpool bid for Evra confirmed
The agent of France defender Patrice Evra says Liverpool
made a bid for his client recently but his club Monaco were
not prepared to do a deal as they were only interested in
hard cash.
AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus and Barcelona all registered
an interest in the 24-year-old but only Liverpool made a
firm offer which consisted of cash plus at least one fringe
player and it didn't interest the French outfit.
Evra's agent Federico Pastorello revealed: "Two months ago
Liverpool made an offer but the English club wanted to give
some of their players to Monaco as an exchange which did not
suit Monaco.
"Nothing has changed since. The other clubs are still
interested but none have made a concrete offer.
(Kop Talk)
Reds confirm CL fixture date
Liverpool have today confirmed our UEFA Champions League
qualifier against TNS will be played at Anfield on Wednesday
13th July 2005 with kick-off at 7:45pm.
(LFC Official Website)
TNS handed deadline
Total Network Solutions have until Tuesday
lunchtime to tell Uefa where they intend to play their
Champions League tie against Liverpool - but it will not be
at Goodison Park.
TNS chairman Mike Harris raised the possibility of playing
the second leg at Everton's home ground on either 19 or 20
July in an effort to maximise revenue from the dream
pairing.
But Uefa have moved quickly to quash any suggestion the
Welsh champions could effectively switch countries and play
the game in England.
"The match has to be played in the territory where the club
comes from," said a spokesman for European football's
governing body. Moving this match to Everton is simply not
possible."
Instead, it now looks certain the game will be played at
Wrexham's Racecourse Ground, TNS' original choice to host
home matches in the Champions League.
(TEAMtalk)
Rafa demands Reds' improvement
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has warned his players they
face a rigorous pre-season as he focuses on producing "a
fitter, stronger" side for the new season.
The European champions were forced back into training on
Monday as a consequence of their Champions League final
victory over AC Milan just over a month ago.
"We need to train harder at the start and change the culture
of pre-season here," he insisted in the Liverpool Echo. "If
we sign new players after today, they will have
to start afresh."
(ITV Football)
Kirkland completes West Brom loan move
Liverpool's imminent £8m capture of goal-keeper Jose Reina,
has spelled the end of the road at Anfield for another big
money shot-stopper.
Chris Kirkland has left the Reds to join West Bromwich
Albion on a season-long loan.
Agent Chris Gordon said last night: "Chris feels Albion and
the Premiership is
the place to be."
(Liverpool Echo)
Liverpool return to make Reina first
signing
Liverpool report back for pre-season training today - with
Jose Reina poised to become Rafael Benitez's first signing
of the summer.
The Spanish goal-keeper was believed to be on Merseyside
last night ahead of visiting Anfield today to begin talks
over an £8million move from Villarreal.
No player can be officially unveiled until the transfer
window reopens on July 1, but Reina would be allowed to
train with his new team-mates this week in preparation for
the Champions League first qualifying round match against
TNS Llansantffraid in a fortnight.
(Daily Post)
Owner's delight at plum fixture
TNS owner Mike Harris predicted the Champions League tie
against Liverpool will meet a quarter of his team's
expenditure for the season.
He said: "If it's the quantity of the Man City game, it will
fund the club for 25% of the season."
The difference between the clubs was illustrated when Harris
revealed the club's annual turnover is £500,000, which would
pay the wages of a Liverpool player for a couple
of months.
(Daily Post)
How red is their valley?
It was the draw that pleased everybody - with the possible
exception of Merseyside's Everton fans that is.
Champions League holders Liverpool FC will come head to head
with a team from the sleepy Welsh village of Llansantffraid
in the qualifying round for next year's competition.
It means a relaxing early-season commute down the road for
Anfield's multi-million pound squad instead of a potentially
tricky haul to the furthest reaches of the continent.
Meanwhile, opponents Total Network Solutions (TNS) can await
a huge financial windfall from the tie.
For many of the TNS squad, the first leg at Anfield will be
something of a homecoming as the team, known in Wales as
"the nasty Scousers", is heavily populated with
Merseysiders.
(Daily Post)
Rush unlikely to face Reds
Ian Rush is unlikely to face Liverpool in the Champions
League 1st round qualifier.
A former Liverpool legend, Ian Rush is now 43 but has been
asked to come out of retirement and play for TNS against the
Reds by his good friend and managing director of TNS Mike
Harris.
Although it was a very tempting offer Rush says it is
unlikely he will be playing at Anfield in two weeks' time.
He said: "Mike is a good friend of mine and I will be
meeting him next week for a chat.
"But I do not think I will be coming out of retirement."
(LFC Online)
Spackman tips Gerrard deal delay
Former Liverpool midfielder Nigel Spackman believes Steven
Gerrard will wait until the end of next season before
deciding whether to commit his long-term future to the club.
Gerrard's current deal expires in June 2007 but Liverpool
are keen to sign him to an improved contract as he has been
linked with a move to Real Madrid and another of Spackman's
former clubs, Chelsea.
He feels Gerrard, 25, will not sign any deal until he sees
conclusive proof this season that Rafael Benitez's men are
closing the gap on Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea in
the Premiership.
"I don't think he will end up signing a new deal," Spackman
said.
"He's got two years left on his contract and I think he will
end up staying this season and waiting to see how the year
progresses.
"You have to respect his decision because he's still under
contract, he still wants to play for Liverpool and he is an
inspiration to the side."
(TEAMtalk)
TNS line up Liverpool at Goodison
Total Network Solutions are trying to switch their Champions
League qualifier with Liverpool to Goodison Park, home of
the holders' arch-rivals Everton.
Managing director Mike Harris is ready to sound out Everton,
with Cardiff's Millennium Stadium and The Racecourse Ground
at Wrexham also in the frame.
TNS boss Ken McKenna is a diehard Evertonian and Harris is
hoping that Uefa will agree to the switch.
He said: "It would make sense to play both legs in
Liverpool."
Uefa may make a decision on the venue on Monday and it would
need a change of rules, with the second led scheduled to be
played in Wales.
(BBC Sport Online)
Houllier finally lands striker
Former Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier, now manager of
Olympique Lyon, has signed Norway striker John Carew on a
4-year-deal.
While in the Liverpool hotseat, Ged made attempts to bring
Carew to Anfield but failed several times. Now though he has
finally landed the player who he rates very highly. This
surely means the possibility of Milan Baros going to Lyon is
now even more unlikely. With Baros rejecting Lyon, Liverpool
lost out on a £10million transfer fee.
Confirming the signing, Ged said: "We were looking for a
powerful and pacy striker to have more options up front,
especially in the European competitions where it gets
usually more physical."
(Kop Talk) |
|
|
SUNDAY 26 |
|
|
Reds make Stelios bid
Liverpool are rumoured to have made a €1.7 million bid for
Bolton's Stelios Giannakopoulos.
Reports in Greece are suggesting that a deal is close to
completion with a two-year deal on offer for the Greek
international.
Rafa Benitez has previously been linked with an interest in
the 30-year-old, but he is now thought to have stepped-up
his pursuit with a firm offer.
(Planet Football/Sky Sports)
Reina to join Reds this week
Villareal goalkeeper Jose Reina will sign for Liverpool this
week in time to be registered for their Champions League
qualifying games with TNS.
(LFC Online)
Boyhood Red can't wait for Euro tie
Boyhood Liverpool fan Steven Beck says he can't wait to play
for Total Network Solutions against the Reds in the
Champions League qualifier first round.
Beck, 21, is from Toxteth like a certain Reds legend Robbie
Fowler, and used to play for Everton. Beck has always been a
Liverpool fan and it goes without saying is really looking
forward to the match.
Beck said: "It is brilliant for us to get the champions of
Europe. Everyone was hoping we would get Liverpool in the
draw. All the lads are made up. Most of the squad are
Liverpool fans. It will be a big occasion.
"I have played at Anfield before for Liverpool Schoolboys
and there was only a few hundred people there. To play in
front of a full house will be unbelievable.
"We just want to go out there and do ourselves proud. You
never know in football. Look at Greece winning Euro 2004."
(LFC Official Website)
Reds back in training on Monday
Rafael Benitez will welcome his European heroes
Liverpool back for pre-season training at Melwood on Monday
as the Reds set about their preparations for what is sure to
be a hectic 2005/2006 campaign.
Liverpool will be preparing for the defence of their
Champions League crown when they face Welsh league and cup
double winners Total Network Solutions in the first
qualifying round.
Benitez said: "We've told the players our idea is to start
pre-season on June 27 at Melwood.
"We need to train harder at the start and change the culture
of pre-season here. If we sign new players after June 27,
they will have to start afresh.
"But I want all the players to show the right mentality from
the very beginning of pre-season and this will make it
easier for them throughout the rest of the year.
"I'm sure you will see a fitter, stronger Liverpool this
season."
(LFC Official Website) |
|
|
SATURDAY 25 |
|
|
Rush mulls over TNS offer
Liverpool legend Ian Rush is considering coming out of
retirement to play for Welsh minnows TNS against his former
club in the Champions League first qualifying round.
TNS managing director Mike Harris is a close friend of the
43-year-old, and is hopeful the man who scored 346 goals for
Liverpool can play a part for the Llansantffraid-based
outfit.
Rush has confirmed he is still in excellent physical
condition and revealed he will speak to Harris about the TNS
chief's proposal.
"For me personally, it would be incredible to play against
Liverpool," he told the Press Association.
"You have to be realistic about things and playing against
the European champions would be a massive ask. But I
certainly wouldn't rule it out and will speak to Mike and
see what he says.
"I train every day and keep myself very fit by playing
regularly. Playing at Anfield again in such a big game would
be unbelievable and it would no doubt raise the profile of
the game even more.
"I think I'd rather be sitting in the stand next to Mike
watching the game and enjoying myself, but the lure of
playing against Liverpool would be something special."
(ITV Football)
Owen marriage due to be blessed
England footballer Michael Owen and his new wife Louise
Bonsall are due to hold a blessing at their north Wales
mansion the day after their surprise wedding.
It is thought the couple married in a private ceremony at a
Chester hotel on Friday - one day earlier than planned - to
deflect media attention.
The couple also booked more than one venue for the event.
A media pack had gathered outside the ex-Liverpool player's
house in the hope of seeing celebrity guest arrivals.
On Friday afternoon journalists were caught out as the Owen
family slipped away to get married.
It is believed the wedding happened at the Carden Park
Hotel, in Chester, just before 1630 BST.
A huge marquee has been put up in the grounds of Lower
Soughton Hall
Plans for the wedding had been shrouded in secrecy for
weeks.
(BBC Sport Online)
TNS target shock Rush swoop
Welsh minnows Total Network Solutions are trying to lure
Liverpool great Ian Rush out of retirement for their meeting
with the Reds in the Champions League first qualifying
round.
The sides will meet over two legs, with a final decision
still to be made by TNS on where to play the second leg.
TNS managing director Mike Harris is a close friend of
43-year-old Rush and is hopeful the man who scored 346 goals
for the Reds can play a part for the team from
Llansantffraid.
Harris told Liverpool's official website: "Ian is a big
friend of mine. He opened our 500-seater stand four years
ago and helped coach our strikers before we played
Manchester City in the Uefa Cup two years ago.
"I'm sure we'll be talking soon and when we do I'll ask him
to put his boots back on. The sight of Ian Rush on the bench
against his former club would give the side a massive lift."
TNS had offered to play Liverpool in a one-off match for the
right to go into the Champions League qualifiers when it
seemed the Reds would not be granted the right to defend
their title by Uefa.
(TEAMtalk)
Celtic try to sabotage transfer - Another
Red to wed
Chris Kirkland's agent Colin Gordon has confirmed that
Celtic have been trying to sabotage the player's proposed
loan move to West Brom.
As exclusively revealed on KopTalk recently, Celtic were
hoping to take Kirkland north of the border and that has now
been backed up by Gordon himself.
He said: "Celtic are pushing really, really hard and Chris
still has a very high regard for Gordon Strachan. They
worked together at Coventry and he still calls him 'gaffer'.
"But Chris feels Albion and the Premiership is the place to
be. He is a little concerned Scotland means 'out of sight,
out of mind'.
"The opportunity at Albion is exciting for him and suits all
parties. Albion get a top quality 'keeper for a season,
Liverpool can see Chris prove his fitness and Chris gets the
chance to show everyone what he can do.
Meanwhile the Liverpool 'keeper will be up in Scotland this
weekend as he's getting married at Turnberry.
Gordon added: "There will not be a honeymoon. Albion report
back next week and Chris is aiming to be there. I've spoken
to the relevant parties in the last 24 hours and everything
is in place for the deal to go through."
(Kop Talk)
Liverpool prepared to hijack Arsenal
transfer
Rafael Benitez hoping to persuade Lincoln City starlet Jack
Hobbs to opt for a move to Liverpool after contractual talks
between the youngster's club and Arsenal broke down.
Arsenal are refusing to agree to a sell-on clause requested
by City as part of a six-figure compensation package for the
highly-rated 16-year-old defender.
Agent Chris Collymore has warned the Gunners that Liverpool
are amongst several clubs trying to poach the player from
under their noses.
He said: "If Arsenal don't agree to the compensation the
move is off. It's not as if Jack doesn't have other offers."
Collymore had been informed by Liverpool that there wouldn't
be a problem with the contractual clause that Arsenal are
refusing to agree to.
(Kop Talk)
Kewell to end injury nightmare
Harry Kewell has spoken of his injury nightmare since
joining Liverpool but believes he is now finally ready to
produce his best form.
Kewell admits the condemnation has hurt but insists he has
not yet had the chance to prove his true worth to Reds fans.
"It hasn't been a nice time in football for me," he told The
Times.
"I've been criticised, but I know the truth.
"Everyone in sport knows that if you can't play on, the best
thing for the team is to get off the pitch."
However, following groin surgery, the former Leeds star is
confident of being fully fit to start next term and will be
reporting back for pre-season on time.
"I can't wait," he continued.
"I know Liverpool's fans haven't seen the best of me, but
now I can start looking to the future and put everything
else behind me."
(Sky Sports)
Fowler: TNS could be tricky for reds
Anfield legend Robbie Fowler says the Champions League
qualifier with TNS could prove a tricky match for Liverpool
simply because the Reds are expected to win by a fair
distance.
Fowler was part of a Manchester City that played TNS in the
2003 UEFA Cup. City won the first leg 5-0 and the second leg
2-0, and while Fowler expects the Reds to win he says it is
a no-win situation in many ways.
Fowler said: "Playing Liverpool is going to be TNS's FA Cup
Final but it's going to be very difficult for Liverpool
whatever the outcome. Liverpool are in a no-win situation.
"When you play non-league teams everyone expects you to win.
If you win 8-0 everyone says 'I told you so.' But if it's
only 2-0 it's considered a poor result.
"We didn't know much about TNS before we played them and
Liverpool will be much the same, even if they get a scouting
report.
"The main thing is Liverpool don't have to travel. When you
see their hectic schedule for August and September, playing
a team from Wales is the best possible result.
"Playing the home leg first you would want them to have four
or five in the bag and then rest the big boys for the
return."
(LFC Official Website)
Gerrard happy with CL draw
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard insists the Reds will not
be guilty of overconfidence when they take on Welsh minnows
TNS in the first qualifying round of the Champions League.
It was the best possible outcome for the defending
champions, whose worst-case scenario could have seen them
facing an eight-hour flight to the far reaches of the
Euro-Asian border.
But Gerrard is adamant his side will be taking nothing for
granted ahead of next month's two-legged encounter, with the
Anfield tie on 12 or 13 July and the return to Wales on 19
or 20 July.
The England midfielder said: "We're obviously very pleased
because there is so little travelling involved, when you
consider some of the places we could have gone to.
"We wanted a team as local as possible and know we are going
to be massive favourites. But we'll treat them with total
respect and won't underestimate them."
(TEAMtalk)
|
|
Thor Zakariassen
© |
|
