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FRIDAY 29 |
Mascherano pens four-year deal
Liverpool have finally completed the permanent signing of
Javier Mascherano.
The Reds have tied Mascherano to a four-year deal, bringing
an end to one of football’s biggest will he-won’t he
transfer sagas.
Liverpool’s Argentina international has been on loan for the
past year, but prolonged talks over a permanent move stalled
during off-the-field disruptions.
Mascherano’s form never wobbled though, despite rumours of a
move to Juventus, and now he has delighted his manager by
penning a long-term contract.
"I am very, very happy and now I can concentrate just on
playing football," Mascherano told Liverpool’s official
website.
Chief executive Rick Parry was quick to point out that the
transfer of Mascherano, which is worth a reported £18
million, confirms the commitment of Liverpool’s under-fire
co-owners.
"I think this signing demonstrates in very large measure the
ongoing commitment of the owners who once again have come
good when funds have been needed," he said.
(Setanta Sports)
No injury worries for Megson
Bolton manager Gary Megson is able to select from a
virtually full strength squad for the visit of Liverpool on
Sunday.
The one player definitely unavailable is on-loan midfielder
Danny Guthrie, who is ineligible to play against his parent
club.
Megson is looking for a reaction from his players after the
4-1 defeat to Blackburn last weekend but may decide to
change his line-up by bringing a couple of fresh faces.
Provisional squad: Jaaskelainen, Hunt, A O’Brien, Cahill,
Meite, J O’Brien, Steinsson, Gardner, Stelios, Nolan, Campo,
Cohen, Taylor, Diouf, Davies, Helguson, Samuel, McCann, Al
Habsi, Alonso, Teymourian.
(Evening Echo)
Reds rejected Lucas offers
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has revealed a host of clubs
have expressed an interest in midfielder Lucas Leiva.
As revealed by skysports.com, Serie A side Palermo were one
of several sides who made an enquiry for Lucas during the
January transfer window.
Liverpool rejected all overtures for the 21-year-old, with
Benitez tipping him for a big future at Anfield.
"We have received offers for Lucas," Benitez told the club's
official website.
"Maybe 10 clubs in Spain and Italy want to take him.
"That is how good he is. I have faith in Lucas.
"He has a very good mentality and is a player of top
quality.
"He will be a top player, that is certain.
"But he already is a top player, he was captain of Brazil
Under 21s and has won two caps with the national team."
(Sky Sports)
Nolan out to upset Benitez
Bolton midfielder Kevin Nolan hopes to hear Liverpool
manager Rafael Benitez complaining again after the two sides
meet on Sunday.
Wanderers inflicted the Spaniard's first defeat in English
football at the Reebok Stadium back in August 2004.
Benitez complained about the host's over-physical style,
famously stating: "This is not football".
Nolan hopes the Liverpool boss is similarly unhappy when he
returns to the stadium which has been a graveyard for the
Reds in recent years.
The Merseysiders have won just once at the Reebok in the
last 11 years - a 3-2 victory in September 2002 - and Nolan
is keen for that run to continue.
"When managers go away moaning that is the way we want it,"
said the Scouser and boyhood Liverpool fan.
"When they are going away moaning that means most of the
time they have gone away with no points at all.
"Hopefully that will be the case on Sunday."
(PA Sport)
Carragher back for Bolton test
Jamie Carragher returns after suspension and will play his
350th league game for Liverpool in the Premier League match
at Bolton on Sunday.
Boss Rafael Benitez is unlikely to include defender Daniel
Agger in the squad - the Dane made his comeback in the
reserves this week after five months out with a metatarsal
problem but needs more match fitness before he returns to
the senior side.
Andriy Voronin is back in training after his lengthy spell
out with an ankle problem - but is also short of full
fitness.
Liverpool (from): Reina, Finnan, Arbeloa, Carragher, Hyypia,
Aurelio, Riise, Babel, Kewell, Gerrard, Mascherano, Alonso,
Benayoun, Torres, Kuyt, Crouch, Lucas, Itandje.
(TEAMtalk)
Torres fired up to end Liverpool misery at Bolton
Dirk Kuyt believes Liverpool are ready to lay their Reebok
hoodoo to rest and for one simple reason – Fernando Torres.
Since Rafa Benitez became Liverpool manager in the summer of
2004, the Reds have been unable to win away at Bolton, with
last season’s 2-0 reverse one of the low points of the
season.
But having beaten both Inter Milan and Middlesbrough over
the last ten days and with Torres in such magnificent form,
Kuyt believes Liverpool are ready to go to the Reebok and
get the win which they need to keep the pressure on their
fellow contenders for that all-important fourth spot.
“Fernando got us back into it and from then on we went on to
control things, even though we had a bit of a scare late on.
“I was happy with the two wins we had against Inter Milan
and Middlesbrough and now we have to look to get another one
on Sunday against Bolton."
(Liverpool Daily Post)
Kewell working hard
Harry Kewell is putting extra work in at Melwood.
The Australian winger hasn't played for the first team since
the FA Cup defeat to Barnsley. However, Kewell has began
extra training to try and win his place back.
"It is true that Harry came to see me and that it was his
idea to do extra training with the reserves to build up his
fitness," revealed Rafael Benitez.
"He has a professional mentality and his approach is very
positive. He must carry on working hard and making sure he
is ready for any opportunity, but I have no problem with him
at all."
(LFC Online)
Bob Paisley memorial campaign launched
A campaign has been launched to build a memorial to the
late, great Bob Paisley in the town of his birth.
While predecessor Bill Shankly has been honoured in his
hometown of Glenbuck, the only tribute to Paisley in
Hetton-le-Hole is a small plaque.
Now, a group of Liverpool fans is aiming to change all that.
Organiser Ian Graves said: "In 52 years of loyal service to
Liverpool Football Club, Bob was a player, physiotherapist,
coach, manager and director. His achievements will surely be
unsurpassed in the game. In short, Bob Paisley is a world
football great.
"We approached the Paisley family with our idea to construct
a memorial to Bob in Hetton-le-Hole. They were delighted
with the idea and would love to see this become a reality.
(LFC Official Website)
Rafa returns to Reebok
Bolton has never been a happy hunting ground for Rafael
Benitez, who suffered his first defeat on English soil there
and was a loser last term at the Reebok stadium.
So when the Liverpool boss takes his faltering outfit to
Bolton on Sunday for a crucial Barclays Premier League
clash, he will know the Anfield men are in for a hard time.
Benitez never liked the style of former Trotters’ boss Sam
Allardyce, and suffered a 0-1 defeat in his first visit to
the Reebok.
In 2005-06 Liverpool managed a 2-2 draw, but last term it
was another defeat, this time 2-0.
And the fact that the manager at Bolton has changed, Gary
Megson now being in control, will not see much of a
difference in style from
the home team.
But this time, more than ever, it is a game Liverpool just
have to win. Their Sunday match is a lunch-time start, and
any slip-up will give Everton all the incentive they need
against Portsmouth later in the day in the battle for fourth
spot.
If Liverpool lose this one, and Everton win, the gap between
fourth and fifth spot will be six points.
(Ireland On-Line) |
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THURSDAY 28 |
Hicks may block Gillett sale
Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks has hinted that he may not
allow George Gillett to sell his 50 per cent stake in the
club.
Hicks insisted only this week that he is not interested in
selling his stake in Liverpool.
Neither man can sell without the other's consent and Hicks
has revealed that he could block his fellow American if he
tries to cut his ties with
the club.
"Not only am I not going to sell, my partner cannot sell
without my approval," Hicks said in the Fort Worth
Star-Telegram.
(Sky Sports)
Rafa: The skipper speaks for us all
Rafa Benitez has responded to Steven Gerrard’s assessment of
Liverpool’s ‘unacceptable’ season by revealing he completely
agrees.
Gerrard delivered a refreshingly honest appraisal of The
Reds’ season, which once again sees them fighting for fourth
spot – not the title, claiming he is 'sick and tired' of
talking about next season.
The Liverpool captain’s comment have drawn ridiculous press
attention from the morning papers – suggesting Gerrard is at
odds with Benitez and could even leave in the summer.
Benitez rubbishes such a suggestion though, insisting he
understands Gerrard entirely.
“Everyone at Liverpool shares Steven’s sentiments, there is
no question about that,” Benitez said in The Liverpool Echo.
(Setanta Sports)
Carra cautioned over assault
Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has been arrested and
cautioned for common assault after an incident occurred on
Tuesday morning.
The former England international was questioned on Wednesday
about
a roadside bust up with a man near his Crosby home on
Tuesday morning.
The 30-year-old had been on his way to training at the
club's Melwood ground at the time.
The assault was reported to Merseyside Police by a witness
who saw
the Bootle-born player arguing with the man.
Later that day the apparent victim reported Liverpool's vice
captain to officers who arranged an appointment to interview
Carragher.
He was formally interviewed and accepted his caution.
Accepting a caution is an admission of guilt in the eyes of
the law.
Common assault is the lowest form of assault and can include
anything from spitting to shoving.
A Merseyside Police spokesman said: "We can confirm that a
30-year-old man from the Blundellsands area received a
police caution for common assault in relation to an incident
on Liverpool Road, Crosby, on Tuesday February 26."
(Sky Sports)
John Aldridge: Why I'm backing fans bid
John Aldridge today called on Liverpool fans worldwide to
join him in an audacious attempt to buy the club.
The Reds legend has pledged £5,000 to buy a share in the
ambitious Share Liverpool scheme set up by University of
Liverpool academic and lifelong Liverpudlian Rogan Taylor.
Aldridge believes the dream of supporters owning the club
can be come reality, as long as fans believe it themselves.
He said: "As someone who was fortunate enough to play for
the club and who loves the club dearly, it hurts me to see
it in the kind of turmoil it has been in recently.
"That's why when Rogan told me about his plan I thought it
was a fantastic idea. It's all about putting power in the
hands of the fans and that could only be a good thing.
"I've pledged and I would call on all Liverpool supporters
around the world to do the same."
(Liverpool Echo)
Mascherano: We're very close to deal
Javier Mascherano is hoping he will finally be able to put
pen to paper on a permanent Anfield deal within the next few
days.
The Argentine international insists it's now just a matter
of time before the formalities of the contract are finalised
and he can sign a lengthy contract with the Reds.
"We are really close," he said. "Maybe this week or next
week we will be able to say everything's finished. We can't
say it just yet but hopefully in a few days everything will
be okay.
"There are no problems with the fee or with the contract,
it's just getting the papers finished."
(LFC Official Website)
Lucas still learning
Lucas Levia says he is still learning his trade.
The Brazilian midfielder has forced his way into the first
team in his first season with the club. However, he says he
still has a lot to learn and watching his team mates can
help.
"Whenever I play, in each game, I know I have to play well
in order to stay in the team. Gerrard, Xabi and Mascherano
are very good players," Lucas told liverpoolfc.tv.
"I am learning a lot from them because they have played a
lot of time in Europe, especially Gerrard and Xabi. They
have won the European Cup.
"I am still young but I know I have potential to fight for a
place in the team. Liverpool brought me here and Liverpool
have confidence in me. I respect all the players but I need
to fight for my position."
(LFC Online)
Thor Zakariassen
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