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TUESDAY 27 |
Trialist to return to Reds
Jamaican youngster Ricky Sappleton is returning to Liverpool
for an extended trial.
The former Queens Park Rangers striker initially trained
with The Reds before moving to Premiership rivals
Middlesbrough for a trial stint.
Liverpool maintained a strong interest in Sappleton and he
will return to Merseyside
next week.
"Liverpool like Ricky," his representative Barry Silkman
told skysports.com.
"He enjoyed his time with them previously and we will see
how it goes."
(Sky Sports)
We can't drop points admits Alonso
Xabi Alonso admits Spain can't afford to drop any more
points if they are to qualify for Euro 2008.
Spain have had a difficult start to their qualifying
campaign for Euro 2008, losing to Northern Ireland and
Sweden. Spain are currently fourth in the group, four points
off second place and six off the top spot.
Although Spain are far from out of the running for a place
at Euro 2008, Xabi Alonso says they can't afford to drop
points if they are to qualify.
"The squad is confident, but we know we are not in the best
position," said the Liverpool midfielder.
"We would like to be much better, but we have to focus in
the next few games. We know if we get those six points the
situation will be in a better position.
"They are must-win games and we can't afford to lose any
more points because of that."
(LFC Online)
Kewell latest
Harry Kewell is ready to revive his Liverpool career at the
business end of the season.
The Australian limped out of the FA Cup Final last season,
recovered in time to represent his country at the World Cup
finals, then returned from Germany with a foot problem.
He hasn’t played since, but Rafa Benitez believes he is now
just a fortnight away from a competitive return.
“Harry is getting closer all the time,” he said. “He’s had a
long injury, so we have to manage the situation properly,
but he is almost ready.
“At the moment he can take part in parts of the training
sessions, such as the warm-ups or when we work on passages
of play, and he’s probably ten days or so away from being
able to take a full part.
“I would think he will be ready to play football for us
within the next two to three weeks.
“If he is fit then of course we can use him. It will be good
for us and for him.”
(Liverpool Echo)
Done deal
The US takeover of Liverpool Football Club received an
overwhelming mandate from Anfield shareholders today.
A Stock Exchange announcement this morning revealed that
George Gillett and Tom Hicks’ takeover of the club has been
formally rubber-stamped – with an astonishing 98.6 per cent
agreeing to sell their shares.
Under Stock Exchange rules that means the remaining handful
of shares can now be compulsorily purchased and Gillett and
Hicks’ offer is “closed”.
Reds chief executive Rick Parry said: “To achieve such an
extraordinarily high take-up figure, with minimal fuss or
controversy, is testament to the confidence that people have
in Tom and George. This is a significant milestone.”
(Liverpool Echo)
Barca linked with Sissoko raid
Reports in the Catalan press claim that Barcelona have
included Liverpool's Mohamed Sissoko on a four-man shortlist
as they look to strengthen their midfield.
According to Catalan daily Sport, Los Cules are keen to
recruit a ball-winning midfielder in the Edgar Davids mould
in time for next season.
Sporting director Txiki Begiristain has been charged with
the task of bolstering Barca's options, and Sissoko, along
with Valencia's David Albelda, Atletico Madrid's Peter
Luccin and Yaya Toure of Monaco have all reportedly fallen
under his gaze.
(Sky Sports) |
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MONDAY 26 |
Alonso confident for Reds
Xabi Alonso is confident Liverpool can reach the UEFA
Champions League final, but is wary of quarter-final
opponents PSV Eindhoven.
Spanish midfielder Alonso is not keen to look too far ahead,
but feels Liverpool have
the potential to reach the final in Athens in May.
"In the Champions League we're in a good position and we are
really confident," Alonso told Sky Sports News.
"We have a lot of respect for PSV, they are going to be a
really tough opponent like they showed against Arsenal.
"Of course there is still a long way to go, but we are
confident we can reach the final. We must go step by step
now and think about the quarter-final against PSV."
(Sky Sports)
Morgan’s faith in US pair
Former Anfield shareholder Steve Morgan today explained why
he agreed to sell his six per cent ownership of the club
prior to today’s final deadline.
Liverpool’s American takeover was drawing to a conclusion
this afternoon, when all remaining shareholders had to
decide whether to sell or not.
George Gillett and Tom Hicks are already guaranteed full
ownership of Liverpool having passed the 90% threshold.
Speaking for the first time about his decision to sell,
which came earlier in the process, Morgan said a meeting
with Gillett convinced him it was the right thing for the
future of
the club.
He said: “I spoke to George Gillett and I recognised he
needed the 100% ownership, so I decided to sell my six per
cent shareholding to the new owners.
“As a Liverpool fan, obviously it’s a sad day for me to have
to sell my shares after 12 years’ ownership but it seemed to
be in the best interests for the future.
“Now, like every supporter and shareholder, I wish George
every success in his ownership of Liverpool.”
(Liverpool Echo)
Carra backs Arbeloa
Jamie Carragher has backed Alvaro Arbeloa to force his way
into the Liverpool team.
The £2.6m January signing from Deportivo La Coruna played in
both Champions League games against Barcelona but has yet to
start for the Reds in the Premiership.
Jamie Carragher believes it's only a matter of time before
the Spanish full-back forces his way into the Liverpool
starting line up on a regular basis.
"If he continues in the vein he has started I don't think
Alvaro will be just a squad player for too long," the Reds'
vice-captain told LFC Magazine.
"I've played at left-back for the club too, and know that,
once you get your head around it, it can be okay.
"But to start out there, and against Messi as well, I think
there probably aren't many Liverpool players, if any, who
have had a harder debut on paper.
"To come through that and play as well as he did, it was an
outstanding debut. Alvaro made it look easy and that is full
credit to him.
"He is very quick too, and is a player who can come in and
play anywhere across the defence. If you have players who
can play in a couple of positions it saves the club a bit of
money, too!"
(LFC Online)
Reds cool Simao talk
Rick Parry has played down reports that Liverpool could
revive their interest in Benfica captain Simao Sabrosa.
The winger has been a long-term option for The Reds, who
missed out on the Portugal international's signing in August
2005.
Recent speculation has suggested that Rafa Benitez could
instigate another bid for Simao at the end of the season.
Following the recent Anfield takeover of George Gillett Jnr
and Tom Hicks, Benitez is likely to be armed with a sizeable
transfer kitty and would be able to meet Benfica's
€20million (£13.4million) asking price.
But Liverpool chief executive Parry insists no talks have
taken place of late and suggested the club will wait until
the season's end before deciding their transfer targets.
"At the moment we do not have any negotiations," Parry told
O Jogo.
"The end of the season is soon and that will be the time to
see."
Reports have also claimed that Manchester United are on the
trail of Simao after he impressed against them in the UEFA
Champions League earlier in the campaign.
(Sky Sports)
Crouch's comeback close
Peter Crouch could return to Anfield action with the
upcoming match against Arsenal, to be played next Saturday.
Crouch is training but being held back from physical contact
at present, but Rafa is confident that he can make a full
return soon.
Rafa said, "He is able to train with the ball, but we're
keeping him away from any physical contact. I think he
should be okay by next week, but we'll see how quickly the
nose heals. We don't think it will be a big problem."
(LFC Online) |
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SUNDAY 25 |
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Mixed fortunes for international Reds
Liverpool's international stars enjoyed mixed fortuned
during a busy day of Euro 2008 qualifiers on Saturday.
Steve Finnan had more reason than most to smile as he played
all 90 minutes in Republic of Ireland's 1-0 victory over
Wales in Dublin which kept alive their slim hopes of
qualifying for next summer's finals.
Anfield team-mate Craig Bellamy had a great first half
chance for Wales but Shay Given saved the day for the Irish
at Croke Park.
England stars Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher both
completed the game for their country in Israel and were
among the better performers in a dismal stalemate.
There was good news for the Reds' Spanish contingent as
Spain secured a vital 2-1 victory over Denmark in the
Bernabeu. Xabi Alonso joined the action as a 60th minute
substitute while Pepe Reina spent the match on the bench.
Daniel Agger played all 90 minutes for Denmark.
John Arne Riise's chances of appearing at Euro 2008 took a
knock as Norway suffered a home defeat to Bosnia while
Holland - with Dirk Kuyt an unused substitute - were held to
a goalless draw at home by Romania.
(LFC Official Website)
Rafa tips Masch to shine
Rafa Benitez has backed Javier Mascherano to make a huge
impact for Liverpool.
The Argentine has endured a turbulent time since moving to
England last summer, as his transfer to West Ham turned sour
and led to an offer from Liverpool.
It was only after Fifa intervened that Liverpool were
allowed to sign Mascherano and the midfielder has since made
a solid start to his Anfield career.
Benitez feels Mascherano can only improve and is tipping him
to push Xabi Alonso hard for the holding-midfield role.
"If you analyse his two performances so far he has played
very well," Benitez said on Liverpool's official website.
"He is good at both keeping possession, tackling and
fighting to get the ball back. We're sure he's going to be a
really good player for us.
"He is someone who not only passes well, but he always
arrives to support team-mates and give a good option to
their passing.
"We don't have a lot of these type of player. Only Xabi can
play in this holding role. Momo and Gerrard like to go
forward a lot more, so it's important for the balance to
have someone like Mascherano."
(Sky Sports)
Thor Zakariassen
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