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SUNDAY 27 |
Gerrard backs Rafa revolution
Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard has backed Rafa Benitez's
plans to overhaul the current Reds squad.
Even before their UEFA Champions League final defeat to
Milan - Benitez had decided major surgery on his team was
needed.
Only a handful of players that started in Athens on
Wednesday could remain next season and Gerrard, who is set
to sign a new long-term contract at the club, insists a
major overhaul is required.
"You have to look at how we have performed in the league
over the last couple of years and it's just not been good
enough," said Gerrard in the People.
"Winning the league next season has to be a priority for me,
the manager, the players and the newpeople in charge. It has
been a long time since this club won it and we have to give
it a better go.
"The way to do that is to sign world-class players and now
the takeover has been sorted we hope to see that happen."
(Sky Sports)
Parry plays down Benitez reports
Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry has played down reports
that manager Rafael Benitez is unhappy with the progress
made over new signings.
Parry insists American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett
will provide Benitez with money for transfers.
"They think Rafa is the right man for the job, they think
he's a fantastic coach and they want to provide him with the
backing," he told BBC Five Live.
"The position is to focus on getting things done and stop
the speculation."
"The commitment of the owners is absolutely clear," added
Parry.
"They are going to provide backing and have made that clear
to Rafa and we will be moving forward very positively."
(BBC Sport Online)
Sissoko future unclear
Mohamed Sissoko has revealed his will have talks about his
Liverpool future with manager Rafa Benitez.
The Malian international, who is said to be a summer target
for Barcelona, was left out of the Reds' starting XI for the
UEFA Champions League final clash with Milan and was far
from happy.
"The manager chooses the team, he thinks the team he picks
is the best to in that game. I have to accept that." Sissoko
told the Daily Star.
Sissoko, who is under contract at Anfield until 2009, admits
he will talk about a new deal - but also insisted that he
first wants to talk to Benitez about his future at the club.
"I've two years left on my contract and I'm happy with
Liverpool, when you play for this club it's something very
special," he said.
"So I need to know my situation, I've know Rafa Benitez
since I was 17-years-old and I know he is the perfect
manager.
"I know he has confidence in me. I'd like talks to stay
longer and we've a meeting arranged with my agent.
"But I need to play football and now after the final I need
to know my position."
(Sky Sports)
Four Reds in England squad
Steven Gerrard is amongst four Liverpool stars included in
England's squad for the forthcoming matches against Brazil
and Estonia.
The Liverpool captain is joined in the squad by Jamie
Carragher, Peter Crouch and goalkeeper Scott Carson.
Steve McClaren's side host Brazil in a friendly at Wembley
on Friday night before facing Estonia in a vital Euro 2008
qualifier.
(LFC Official Website)
Bellamy at the double for Wales
Craig Bellamy rescued Wales as he scored twice to earn John
Toshack's side a 2-2 draw with New Zealand at Wrexham's
Racecourse Ground.
The Liverpool striker had an excellent match and produced
two clinical finishes as Wales twice came from behind to
force a 2-2 draw.
Wales are next in action next weekend when they face the
Czech Republic in a Euro 2008 qualifier.
Reflecting on the 2-2 draw with international minnows New
Zealand, Bellamy said: "We have no right to beat anyone. You
have to go out and earn the right to win and we did not do
that today.
"You can see the difference with myself, I have been kept in
training and I was a little sharper than everyone else. I
started well and faded a little.
"Czech Republic are an exceptional team and we need to
improve, but we will work on
(LFC Official Website)
Gillett doubtful about title
Liverpool's American co-owner George Gillett has cast doubt
over his club's ability to claim the Barclays Premiership
title next season.
Immediately after that heart-breaking loss in Athens,
manager Rafael Benitez called on Gillett and fellow owner
Tom Hicks to back his summer restructuring at Anfield to
give his side a genuine chance of competing for Manchester
United Premiership crown
next time out.
But although the arrival of the Americans has guaranteed a
substantial summer war chest for the Spaniard, Gillett is
not convinced the likes of United and Chelsea can be caught
straight away.
He said: "I don't know if we are capable of challenging for
the title next year.
"We want to make progress but it is a multiple-year
programme. We want to challenge but we won't do it
overnight."
(Sporting Life)
Eto'o: I'd love to play at Anfield
Samuel Eto'o has reopened speculation that he
will move to the Premiership by talking to the Sunday Mirror
about his great admiration for Liverpool.
As Anfield boss Rafa Benitez pledged a drastic overhaul of
his beaten Champions League finalists, Eto'o made a point of
praising the Reds' team spirit, style of play and passionate
support.
Eto'o, 26, said: "The great thing about Liverpool is their
team spirit. It is very strong.
"But, for me, it is their fans who win matches for Liverpool
because they have so much power. They are fantastic. Any
player would love to have those types of fans behind him. I
have played at Anfield in the Champions League quarter-final
so I know all about their fantastic supporters.
"It would be wonderful to have that kind of support as a
Liverpool player but I really don't know what will happen in
the next two years.
"If I play in the Premiership I will be the first to say. It
won't be in the newspapers - I will be the one to break the
news!"
(Sunday Mirror)
Disappointment for Hammill
There was disappointment for Adam Hammill as
Dunfirmline were beaten 1-0 by Celtic in the Scottish Cup
final.
The on loan Liverpool winger had an impressive game against
the Scottish champions but was unable to prevent his side
falling to a late Jean-Joel Perrier Doumbe goal as Celtic
wrapped up the double.
(LFC Online) |
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SATURDAY 26 |
Cisse open to Marseille stay
Djibril Cisse has admitted he would be open to
staying at Marseille, but has ruled out a move to any small
English clubs.
The Frenchman is currently on a season-long loan at Stade
Velodrome after dropping down the pecking order at
Liverpool.
Cisse is unlikely to return to Anfield and they are expected
to offload the former Auxerre man this summer.
"It won't be a problem for me to go on at l'OM, but the
decision not only relies on me.
"Liverpool has a word to say, even if I have no news.
"Joining a weaker English side? That would not be a very
wise choice one year before Euro 2008. I already missed a
European Championship and World Cup."
(Sky Sports)
Barry urges Villa to buy Bellamy
Gareth Barry is backing Craig Bellamy to help
take Aston Villa "onto the next level" if he completes a
summer move from Liverpool.
Bellamy is one of Villa boss Martin O'Neill's leading
targets as part of an expected spending spree bankrolled by
owner and chairman Randy Lerner.
Barry said: "I'd definitely welcome Craig Bellamy. He has
proved himself in the Premier League - and across Europe as
well.
"People like Craig Bellamy are the kind of quality players
we want to be linked with and, if we sign them, it's even
better. We're now being linked with all the top players and
hopefully this summer we can sign a couple.
"The next step for the club is to move on to the next level,
which is European football, and Craig Bellamy can help us do
that if he comes or if players of that quality come as well.
"He's feisty but maybe that's something the club needs. You
need winners in your team and he is definitely one of
those."
(TEAMtalk)
Carson shines for England
Scott Carson had an impressive game as England B
beat Albania 3-1 in a friendly international at Burnley's
Turf Moor on Friday night.
The Liverpool goalkeeper who has had a season long loan at
Charlton Athletic played the full 90 minutes for England B.
Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing scored twice and Alan
Smith got the other goal for Steve McClaren's side.
(LFC Official Website)
Kop dollar for Eto'o
Liverpool's American owners are ready to show their
commitment to manager Rafa Benitez by funding a move for
Samuel Eto'o.
Stung by criticism from the Anfield boss, they will also put
their hands in their pockets to agree deals for top
internationals Gabriel Milito and Daniel Alves within the
next few days.
The Eto'o deal will cost in excess of £30million, but
Liverpool would fund it by offering Spanish international
Xabi Alonso in part exchange, with the midfielder stalling
over
a new contract.
(Daily Mirror)
Liverpool put £12m price tag
on Bellamy to lead Anfield exodus
Liverpool's efforts to meet the transfer demands of their
manager Rafael Benitez have produced an ambitious £12m price
tag on the head of Craig Bellamy, the Wales international
striker expected to lead an exodus of players from Anfield
this summer.
Aston Villa, West Ham and Blackburn are all in the market
for the 27-year-old forward, who is surplus to requirements
at Liverpool after struggling to adapt to Benitez's rotation
policy, but have been stunned to discover his value has
doubled after one disappointing season on Merseyside.
(The Independent) |
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FRIDAY 25 |
Rafa targets double swoop
Rafa Benitez has targeted West Ham's Carlos Tevez and
Palermo's Brazilian striker Amauri as he bids to strengthen
his Liverpool squad.
It is understood the pair are the first players the Reds
boss has earmarked in what is expected to be a summer of big
spending at Anfield.
(Clubcall Sports)
Gillett: We'll back Benitez
George Gillett has vowed to back Liverpool
manager Rafael Benitez to the hilt in the transfer market
this summer.
Benitez has urged Gillett and co-owner Tom Hicks to fund a
major spending spree if the beaten Champions League
finalists are to mount a challenge on all fronts next
season.
Gillett seems ready to do just that, saying in the Daily
Telegraph: "If Rafa said he wanted to buy 'Snoogy Doogy', we
would back him."
(Sporting Life)
Bellamy on Villa radar
Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill is set to step
up his interest in signing striker Craig Bellamy if he
becomes surplus to requirements at Liverpool.
The Welsh international forged a good relationship with
O'Neill during a successful loan spell at Celtic
two-and-a-half years ago.
And O'Neill would welcome the opportunity to work with the
player on a long-term basis should speculation that Reds
boss Rafael Benitez is ready to off-load the player after
just one season prove correct.
(PA Sport)
Benítez: Spend big now or risk losing me
Rafael Benítez has issued a stark warning to
Liverpool's American owners, Tom Hicks and George Gillett,
that the club must spend lavishly in the transfer market
this summer if they are to mount any kind of concerted
Premiership challenge next season, suggesting that failure
to do so would have serious implications on his own
long-term future at Anfield.
The Spaniard, his temper still simmering following
Wednesday's European Cup final defeat by Milan, launched a
thinly veiled attack on senior management at the club,
principally the chief executive Rick Parry who undertakes
transfer negotiations, by voicing long-held concerns that
Liverpool "talk and talk but never finish" when it comes to
the prospective signings of players.
Benítez claimed to know of two "top-class targets" he could
sign now for around £13m each, while a failure to act
swiftly would see Liverpool finishing well adrift in the
title race again next term.
(The Guardian)
Thor Zakariassen
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