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TUESDAY 27 |
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World Cup dreams over for Spanish reds
Xabi Alonso, Luis Garcia and Pepe Reina have suffered World
Cup heartbreak after Spain were knocked out of the
competition 3-1 by France in Hanover.
Spain took a first half lead when David Villa scored from
the penalty spot but winger Franck Ribery levelled the
scores before half time.
Former Arsenal midfielder Patrick Vieira put France ahead
seven minutes from time before Zinedine Zidane secured
victory for Raymond Domenech's side in stoppage time.
Alonso played the full 90 minutes for his country while
Garcia was a second half substitute. Reina watched the
entire game from the bench.
France will now meet Brazil in the quarter finals.
(LFC Official Website)
Owls drop out of Carson race
Sheffield Wednesday boss Paul Sturrock has called time on
his pursuit of Liverpool goalkeeper Scott Carson.
Carson spent the end of last season on loan at Hillsborough,
but Reds boss Rafael Benitez cannot make a firm decision on
the 20-year-old goalkeeper's future until after the World
Cup.
Sturrock admits he cannot wait any longer, and told the
club's website: "We just can't take a chance on waiting and
waiting and then finding out a Premiership team comes in for
Scott.
"Then we'll be scrambling for a goalkeeper a week from the
start of the season.
"I'm disappointed because he was a real benefit to us in the
last nine games. We'd like to thank him.
"He'll be an exceptional goalie for England and whichever
club he plays for."
(Sporting Life)
Rennes close on Cheyrou
Liverpool midfielder Bruno Cheyrou is poised to join Ligue 1
side Rennes, according to reports from France.
Cheyrou is believed to have caught the eye of Rennes manager
Pierre Dreossi and Ouest France claim the player could sign
later this week.
Cheyrou returned to The Reds last summer, but promptly
pitched up in Ligue 1 once more, this time agreeing a
season-long deal with Bordeaux.
(Sky Sports)
Reds' relief over Kewell
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez breathed a sigh of relief today
(Tuesday) - when it was revealed that Harry Kewell missed
Australia's agonising World Cup exit with gout!
It was feared that the Reds winger had suffered a recurrence
of the groin injury which forced him out of the Champions
League Final in 2005.
But team-mates revealed after yesterday's World Cup
heartache that he had been suffering from gout.
"He's got gout on his foot," team-mate Scott Chipperfield
said.
"He's in a lot of pain, he can't walk, he's on crutches. It
was disappointing for us, because we could have done with
him."
Gout is a painful form of arthritis which is caused when
crystals of uric acid build up in joints, most commonly the
big toe.
Liverpool's medical staff want to assess Kewell's condition
themselves before commenting on his fitness.
They hope he will return directly to England as soon as he
leaves the Australian party.
(Liverpool Echo)
Hamann on brink of Bolton move
Dietmar Hamann's move to Bolton from Liverpool is expected
to go through later this week, according to reports in
Germany.
The 32-year-old German midfielder has been in talks with
Bolton manager Sam Allardyce and a deal is now in the
offing.
Hamann said: "I want to have another chance for a two or
three-year contract and I also want to play every week."
(TEAMtalk)
Kuyt looks for Premiership switch
Liverpool target Dirk Kuyt has revealed his desire to move
to a Premiership club this summer, with a number of English
clubs said to be interested in the Dutch international.
After Holland’s controversial exit out of the World Cup to
Portugal on Sunday night, Kuyt is now looking to his career
and it is thought that his current club Feyenoord are
prepared to let the 25-year-old go for around £10million.
Kuyt revealed on Monday, “If I am going to leave Feyenoord,
I would prefer to make the decision quickly. That would be
the best thing for everyone.
“I spoke with my manager, Erwin Koeman, before the World Cup
and decided not to do anything until it was over.”
It is thought Liverpool face competition from Arsenal,
Newcastle and Tottenham for the Dutchman’s signature.
(This is Anfield) |
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MONDAY 26 |
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Blackburn star unhappy with Bellamy sale
Robbie Savage believes Blackburn Rovers Football Club will
find it almost impossible to replace Craig Bellamy.
The Welsh international joined Liverpool in a £6million
transfer last week, and Savage believes manager Mark Hughes
has a hell of a job on his hands to find a replacement.
"Losing Craig is a massive blow," said the midfielder. "The
bottom line is you can't really replace a player like Craig
Bellamy, even for £6 million.
"We need to try to find someone with similar pace but that's
going to be difficult. There aren't many players like Craig
out there. We need to bring in three new strikers as soon as
possible."
(Fans FC)
Reds D-day for winger
Mark Gonzalez will discover next week if he can begin his
Liverpool career.
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez and chief executive Rick Parry
will attend a hearing which determines if the Chile winger
has been given a work permit.
A specially convened panel assembled by the department for
education and employment will decide the case.
If Gonzalez gets the go-ahead, he can begin pre-season
training with the rest of the squad.
The hearing takes place on Wednesday, July 5.
(Liverpool Echo)
Garcia facing axe
Luis Garcia could lose his place in the Spanish starting
eleven for tomorrow's game against France.
Luis Garcia was rested for the final group game against
Saudi Arabia, along with the rest of the regular starting
eleven.
However, Garcia's replacement, Real Betis' Joaquin impressed
Spain coach Luis Aragones against the Saudis and Aragones
could be set to switch to a 4-4-2 formation to accomodate
Joaquin at Garcia's expense.
(LFC Online)
Barragan set for loan move
Antonio Barragan could be on his way back to Spain on loan
next season.
The 19 year old Spanish defender joined from Sevilla last
season but has only made one first team appearance, in
Liverpool's Champions League qualifier with CSKA Sofia.
Deportivo La Coruna are hoping to secure his services for
the new season.
(LFC Online)
Rafa frustrated by Alves move
Liverpool could be ready to pull the plug on their move for
Sevilla star Daniel Alves.
The Reds have been chasing the Brazilian for some time and
Rafa Benitez is thought to have made him one of his top
summer transfer targets.
The FA Cup holders have so far been frustrated in their
attempts to bring Alves to Anfield with Sevilla trying to
price him out of a move.
Sevilla are keen to keep the attacking full back and are
holding out for around £10 million for the player.
Liverpool are unwilling to meet their valuation and the
player's agent Jose Rodriguez Baster revealed Benitez is
ready to look elsewhere if a deal can not be done.
"We're trying to reach a deal but it is not easy," said
Baster.
"If it's not sorted Benitez will search for other
alternatives."
(Sky Sports) |
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SUNDAY 25 |
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Gerrard backs Roon to shine
Following England's route into the last eight via a 1-0
victory over Ecuador, Steven Gerrard has hailed Wayne Rooney
as a potential World Cup winner.
In the end it was down to the boot of captain David Beckham
to secure England a quarter-final tie against Portugal, but
Rooney gave the team a boost by completing 90 minutes for
the first time since his infamous metatarsal injury
sustained against Chelsea in April.
Gerrard believes that Rooney can drive England all the way
to the final.
"It will be crucial for the team if he keeps getting fitter
and fitter," said the Liverpool midfielder.
"If he gets a goal for his confidence as well I'm sure he
can lead us all the way."
(Sky Sports)
England win
England are through to the quarter finals of the
World Cup.
A David Beckham free kick was enough to give England a 1-0
win over Ecuador in what was a poor game, to send them
through to the last eight of the World Cup.
Steven Gerrard was the only Liverpool player to start the
game for England but Jamie Carragher was brought on as a
second half subsitute for Joe Cole.
(LFC Online)
Court date for duo
The man and woman arrested by police following a swoop on a
property in Liverpool have been charged with burglary and
handling stolen goods.
Martin Roche (26) and Melanie Mackerth (23) of Brainerd
Street, Old Swan, Merseyside are accused of turning Jerzy
Dudek's property over.
The priceless memorabilia that was stolen is believed to
have been recovered by police officers.
Roche and Mackerth will appear at Birkenhead Magistrates'
Court on 30 June.
(Kop Talk)
Thomas: New signing will help Reds win the
title
Mickey Thomas believes Liverpool have landed a bargain in
signing fellow countryman Craig Bellamy for £6million.
Thomas believes the former Blackburn Rovers hitman will help
the Reds win the Premier League title.
He said: "Rafael Benitez has already assembled a side full
of big, big players. Now Craig will make them more of a
threat when it comes to winning the title.
"They have got a real transfer snip. Craig is a great
signing and will be the deciding factor in them winning the
title.
"If they do, then they will have won the Championship on the
cheap."
(Kop Talk)
Kewell facing fitness fight
Harry Kewell is an injury doubt for Australia's last sixteen
World Cup clash against Italy in Kaiserslautern tomorrow.
Kewell, whose late goal against Croatia kept the Aussies in
the competition, has been suffering with sorness since that
match and hasn't taken part in any of the training sessions
leading up to the game against the Italians.
"We'll see the recovery we get from Harry," said Socceroos
coach Guus Hiddink.
"He will not participate fully in the training with the team
this morning and we'll see how his situation is tomorrow."
(LFC Official Website)
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Thor Zakariassen
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