|
|
|
FRIDAY 27 |
Boro hope star ignores lure of Liverpool
With reports claiming that Stewart Downing will be the
subject of a bid from Liverpool, Middlesbrough chief
executive Keith Lamb admits the North East club must
convince the winger that he can fulfil his potential
at The Riverside.
Downing has often been linked with a possible exit from
Boro, indeed he reportedly came close to joining Tottenham
in January, but has never made the leap from his boyhood
club and signed a new five-year contract with the club in
February.
"We were all delighted that Stewart signed a new contract
here last season," Lamb told the club's official website.
"We believe he is happy and settled here.
"Having said that, we know that Stewart has to achieve all
that his talent allows, so the onus is on Middlesbrough to
ensure his ambitions are fulfilled here.
"Stewart's probably got everything as a player and is
playing possibily
the best football of his career, both for Middlesbrough and
for England.
"But I don't feel he has fulfilled his potential yet. His
best years are ahead of him.
"In fact, we believe Stewart will become one of the best
footballers not
just in Britain, but in Europe."
(Setanta Sports)
Czechs consider Houllier
Gerard Houllier is under consideration to become Karel
Bruckner’s replacement as the new coach of Czech Republic.
Bruckner brought an end to his seven-year reign at the end
of Euro 2008, following the Czech’s dramatic late defeat to
Turkey.
The list of possible candidates to take over is already
swelling, with Houllier and Klaus Toppmoller reportedly
heading the queue.
Czech team manager Vlastimil Kostala acknowledges the need
to blood
a new batch of Czech players, and he admits Houllier’s
experience could be perfect.
“He's a great name and his success speaks for himself,”
Kostala told Sport. "He has an eye for players.
"It's the wider debate. If we want to invest the funds in
this direction
or not?
“Entire generations of players like Henry and Trezeguet grew
up
under him.”
(Setanta Sports)
Competition for Crouch raises his transfer fee
Liverpool's hopes of receiving £12m for Peter Crouch have
been encouraged by the growing interest in their England
striker.
Portsmouth, Manchester City, Tottenham and Newcastle have
registered their interest in the 27-year-old, although only
Pompey have made
an offer.
Liverpool expect to complete the signing of Andrea Dossena
late next week. The left-back has agreed personal terms on a
move from Udinese, for a fee that could rise to £8m, and
will sign when he returns from honeymoon.
(Guardian) |
|
THURSDAY 26 |
Joy for Reds quartet as Spain triumph
Liverpool will have four representatives in the final of
Euro 2008 after Spain produced a magnificent second-half
display to overcome Russia
in Vienna.
The Reds quartet of Fernando Torres, Xabi Alonso, Pepe Reina
and Alvaro Arbeloa all saw their dreams of European
Championship glory kept alive after goals from Xavi,
substitute Daniel Guiza and David Silva clinched a 3-0 win
over Guus Hiddink's side to set up a mouthwatering showdown
between Spain and Germany on Sunday.
Despite seeing his side power to their first competitive
final since 1984, it proved to be another frustrating night
for El Nino in front of goal as he spurned a series of good
opportunities before being substituted on 68 minutes, with
his replacement, Guiza, going on to double Spain's lead just
five minutes later.
As Torres left the field he was passed by Reds teammate Xabi
Alonso who made his second appearance of the tournament when
he replaced
the scorer of Spain's first goal, Xavi.
The other Reds duo of Pepe Reina and Alvaro Arbeloa were
unused substitutes as Luis Aragones' men once again showed
their class as they moved to within one match of being
crowned Europe's best.
(LFC Official Website)
Liverpool confirm Dossena capture
Liverpool have confirmed the signing of Udinese left back
Andrea Dossena.
The Reds’ chief executive Rick Parry announced the Italian’s
signing on Liverpool’s official website, revealing the deal
will be formally completed within seven days.
Dossena is an attacking full back who will fill the void
left by John Arne Riise, as Rafa Benitez continues to
improve Liverpool’s weaker areas.
The Spaniard highlighted his full backs as a major area of
concern, and now he has got his men with Dossena joining
Philipp Degen at Anfield.
"We are now ready to confirm the signing of Dossena,” Parry
stated about a deal that is reported to be worth £7 million.
“The deal should go through next week after finalising the
paperwork."
(Setanta Sports)
Forest snap up Liverpool winger
Nottingham Forest are continuing with their attempt to build
a side worthy of competing in The Championship by signing
Paul Anderson on loan
from Liverpool.
The 19-year-old wide man was also wanted by Swansea City,
where he spent some time last season, but he will see out
the 2008/2009 campaign with Forest following their promotion
from League One.
Colin Calderwood has been impressed with the former Hull
City midfielder and managed to beat off The Swans to seal
his signature.
"I enjoyed last season at Swansea but, after speaking to
Forest, I just felt it was the right move for me," Anderson
told Forest's official website.
"I'm joining a big club in Forest and I am very excited
about the challenge of trying to help them make an impact in
The Championship."
(Setanta Sports)
Rafa swoops to sign Saric
Liverpool have agreed a deal with Herfolge to sign Nikola
Saric on
a three-year contract despite reported rival interest from
Tottenham and Barcelona.
The 17-year-old starlet is heading to Anfield after Rafa
Benitez tied up
the deal personally, which surprised the Danish club.
All that remains is for Saric to put pen-to-paper on his
contract at Anfield but he has already expressed his delight
at clinching the move.
"'This is Rafa' he said," recalled sports director Per Rud
to the club's official website when asked about how the
transfer came about. "I almost thought it was a lie!
"Liverpool acted extremely well in all cases and knew all
the details. They have been fair in the process and could've
waited until the New Year but they will have him over now."
Herfolge claimed on their official website that Spurs, Barca
and Charlton wanted the talented striker, who is reckoned to
be one of their best-ever players, after offering him
trials.
(Setanta Sports)
Boro eyes Carson
as Schwarzer replacement
According to the Daily Mail, Gareth Southgate has lined up
Liverpool’s Scott Carson as a replacement for Fulham-bound
Mark Schwarzer.
(Kop-TV)
Agent: Gunners eye Crouch
Arsenal are considering a shock move for Liverpool striker
Peter Crouch.
Arsene Wenger has his eye on Crouch according to agent
Vincenzo Morabito, who is involved in the deal which could
take Emmanuel Adebayor to AC Milan.
Morabito told Italian TV show Studio Sport: "They are
exploring the market for a substitute for Adebayor. The
names being talked about are Crouch, Roque Santa Cruz and
Mario Gomez."
(Teletext)
Finnan to fight for place
Liverpool defender Steve Finnan has vowed to fight for his
place in Rafa Benitez's starting XI next season.
Finnan's position has been placed in doubt by the summer
signing of Swiss international Philipp Degen.
The right-back has been linked with a move away from Anfield
as he battles it out with Degen and Alvaro Arbeloa in the
Reds' side next term.
However, Finnan insists he welcomes the competition for
places and is determined to prove he deserves a spot in the
side.
"Even if you've won the league, you still have to add new
faces to improve your squad," Finnan told the LFC Magazine.
"I'm sure United will do exactly that this summer and we
have to do
the same. At a club like this there will always be
competition for places. Nobody can afford to take anything
for granted.
"You look at our squad now and you can see we've got two top
players in nearly every position.
"If the manager wants to add more, I've got no problem with
that. I think every player welcomes competition; I'm no
different."
(Sky Sports) |
|
WEDNESDAY 25 |
Liverpool turn to Fulham's
Antti Niemi after Taylor snub
Liverpool have decided to turn their attention to Premier
League rivals Fulham goalkeeper Antti Niemi, after first
choice target Maik Taylor chose to stay with relegated
Birmingham City in The Championship.
Reports in newspaper The Mirror say that Taylor’s rejection
of the Anfield club, have prompted Reds boss Rafael Benitez
to step up his search for
a back-up keeper to Pepe Reina, who is currently on duty
with Spain at EURO 2008.
(Premiership Latest)
Che confident on Silva and Villa
Valencia have insisted they are yet to receive a firm offer
for much-vaunted winger David Silva, but say bids have been
made for striker
David Villa.
Silva has seen his stock rise during Euro 2008 and is
reported to be
a target for the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Barcelona.
Valencia are aware of the talk and can understand why Silva
is attracting so much attention, but they say no offer has
been put to them.
"We've heard about interest in him (Silva), but there has
never been
a definite offer laid on the table, not from Barca nor any
other club," said Valencia technical secretary Juan Sanchez.
Silva’s team-mate Villa is held in equally high regard at
Valencia and offers have been made for the forward, but the
Che are confident he will remain at the club and continue
his partnership with Silva.
"I've got a feeling that in the end he'll stay - honestly,"
Sanchez added in an interview with AS.
(Setanta Sports)
Juventus chiefs to consider
improved Alonso bid
Juventus officials were meeting in Turin today to discuss an
increased offer for Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso.
The Italians and Liverpool have been at stalemate over a
proposed deal, with Juve’s initial offers well short of
Liverpool’s asking price of £16m.
But after today’s meeting of the Serie A side’s top brass,
Claudio Ranieri hopes to be given the green light to meet
the Reds’ demands.
With a European Championship semi-final looming tomorrow
night, Alonso is sitting tight.
But he hinted that a move to the Bianconeri appealed to him.
“I have little to say about Juve because at the moment I am
very focused on Euro 2008 and on Spain.
“I spent four fantastic years at Liverpool, but I have to
admit that I have always been fascinated by Italian
football.
“However, it’s too soon to talk about the future. Juve are
one of
the biggest teams in Europe, perhaps the biggest in Italy.
They have very many fans not only in Italy but all over the
world.
“In short: a great club.”
(Liverpool Echo)
Shanks' desk sold at auction
The desk on which Bill Shankly penned a resignation letter
that could have threatened the club's future glory will
remain on Merseyside after it was sold at auction yesterday.
The wooden roll top reached up to three times its reserve,
eventually being sold for £4,200 as it went under the hammer
along with a bundle of papers that included a letter from
chairman George Richards to Don Welsh offering him the job
as manager of Liverpool Football Club.
Ahead of the auction, John Crane, of Cato Crane, and Alan
Bush, the son of the Liverpool stalwart, were hoping for
either Liverpool FC or one of
the city's museums to step in and buy the collection, but
despite interest, an anonymous telephone bidder won the day.
"The collection has been kept together and in Merseyside,"
said Mr Crane.
"We're going to ask the purchasers to lodge their details
with the football club so that any research in the future
will know when to find
this information."
Mr Bush added: "I'm happy that it's all back in Liverpool
now, and hopefully the new owner will enjoy the history
behind the desk.
"I've still got lots of bits and pieces from the club that
are attached to my memories of Liverpool FC."
(LFC Official Website)
Voronin vows to repay faith
Andrei Voronin is determined to show Liverpool supporters
his true ability next season after a mixed first campaign at
Anfield.
The Ukraine international arrived on Merseyside last summer
on a free transfer from Bayer Leverkusen and initially
impressed for
Rafa Benitez's side.
However, the second half of the season saw injuries and a
difficultly in adapting to new surroundings restrict
Voronin's role in Benitez's first XI.
He is confident, though, that with another pre-season behind
him he will be more acclimatised to English football and is
gearing up for a successful showing next term.
"I think I started not bad," he told LFC magazine.
"I played a lot at the beginning and scored a few goals.
"Obviously the injury was a setback. There are a lot of good
players here. It's competitive, so it's difficult to get
straight back into the team after
an injury.
"I'll do my best next season and hopefully I can help the
team. I think I still have a lot to show the fans."
(Sky Sports)
Thor Zakariassen
© |
|
|
|
