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THURSDAY 30 |
Reds in for Croatia star
Danijel Pranjic’s agent has claimed that Liverpool are
showing a strong interest in the high-scoring Heereveen
midfielder.
Pranjic, who plays at international level for Croatia, has
enjoyed a remarkable season in Holland, scoring 16 goals in
28 Eredivisie games.
His prolific exploits have naturally led to some admiring
glances from rival clubs and his agent, Soren Lerby, claims
that Spanish pair Real Betis and Sevilla are two such
interested parties.
But Premier League title contenders Liverpool also appear to
be
in the picture.
“I can confirm that several English and Spanish clubs are
looking at Pranjic,” Lerby told Sportske Novosti.
“Liverpool has already demonstrated an interest and Betis
and Sevilla monitor him.”
Pranjic, 27, has spent four seasons at Heerenveen following
a move from Dinamo Zagreb and reports in his native Croatia
claim that West Ham and Newcastle are also interested in
bringing him to England.
(Setanta Sports)
Dalglish not giving up on title
Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish has said he has not given up
hope of the Reds winning the Premier League title, but
admits it will not be easy.
The Anfield club, who last won the title in 1990 when
managed by Dalglish, are three points behind Manchester
United, who have a game
in hand.
"Unfortunately we're dependent on someone doing us a
favour," he told BBC Radio Merseyside.
"All of a sudden you become a fan of whoever Manchester
United
are playing."
(BBC Sport Online)
Benitez expects
stiffer Toon test
Rafael Benitez knows Liverpool could face a stiffer
challenge from Newcastle this time around as they aim to
keep alive their title dreams.
The Anfield chief recalls a "near perfect" display when his
side overran the Magpies at St James' Park in December with
a Steven Gerrard-inspired 5-1 victory, which at the time
kept Liverpool at the top of
the table.
Gerrard scored twice in the mauling, which was part of a
14-match unbeaten run.
Now the teams clash again on Sunday in a match vital to both
clubs.
But whatever United's result, Benitez knows his side simply
have to win if they want to hold onto any hope of landing
the title - and he insists a display similar to the one
which blew Newcastle away last time the sides met is the
requirement again.
Benitez said: "We were really good that day. We were in
control, we had a lot of chances and their goalkeeper (Shay
Given) was man of the match. It was nearly a perfect game
for us.
"It will be different this time because they have a
different manager and are in a different situation."
(TEAMtalk)
Carra to take first managerial steps
Kenny Dalglish today revealed how Jamie Carragher will take
his first steps into management at the Hillsborough memorial
match next month.
Legends from the illustrious history of the club will take
on an All Stars team at Anfield on May 14 to help raise
funds for the Marina Dalglish Appeal's bid to build a new
Radiotherapy Unit at University Hospital
in Aintree.
Carragher will take up a coaching role with the All Stars
side, alongside Phil Thompson and Ricky Tomlinson, while
Dalglish will be accompanied by two fellow Anfield greats in
taking charge of the Legends.
"I'll be in charge of one team and there will be a former
'international manager' in charge of the other," Dalglish
told a press conference
at Anfield.
"Alongside myself will be Roy Evans and hopefully Ronnie
Moran. On the other bench will be Phil Thompson and Jamie
Carragher, who will be given an introduction to a managerial
career.
"A former England international manager will be in charge of
their team in the shape of Mike Bassett (Ricky Tomlinson),
who has assured me he will play 4-4-2."
(LFC Official Website) |
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WEDNESDAY 29 |
Ngog shines for
five-star Reds
Liverpool Reserves are guaranteed not to finish bottom of
the Barclays Premier Reserve League North after a convincing
5-1 win over Newcastle on Wednesday night.
Goals from Mikel San Jose, David Ngog, Damien Plessis and
substitute Daniel Pacheco (2) ensured Gary Ablett's men
ended a difficult season in style and capped a fine week in
which the second-string also claimed the Liverpool Senior
Cup.
The victory means Bolton Wanderers will now finish below the
Reds who could yet end up as high as seventh, should results
go their way.
Liverpool Reserves: Dean Bouzanis, Philipp Degen (Emmanuel
Gomis Mendy 70), Stephen Darby, Mikel San Jose Dominguez,
Daniel Ayala, Victor Palsson, Damien Plessis, Andras Simon,
Gerardo Bruna, Nabil El Zhar (Daniel Pacheco 65), David Ngog
(Nikola Saric 80).
Unused subs: Martin Hansen, Vincent Weijl.
(LFC Official Website)
Liverpool boss no intention
of selling players
Liverpool chief Rafa Benitez will not be selling any of his
players, following on from reports that Juventus are ready
to rekindle their interest in Xabi Alonso.
"I was reading the press and they are talking about
different players," he told the club's official website.
"I can guarantee today that we are not thinking about
selling anyone. All we are thinking about is to do our job
and to try and win the Premier League title, if possible.
"After that you never know what can happen in the market.
Clearly, at this moment, we are just preparing for winning
games."
(TribalFootball)
Committed Kuyt
excited by future
Dirk Kuyt believes the future is bright at Liverpool as
skipper Steven Gerrard prepares to return to the side on
Sunday against Newcastle.
Kuyt recently followed Gerrard and manager Rafael Benitez by
committing his long-term future to the club.
He said: "I think it's important for Stevie and the manager
to have extended their contracts because they are vital to
the club.
"I'm really happy with my own deal and I think there will be
a few more players to follow us. That is good because we
have a great team and I hope we can win a lot of trophies
together."
(TEAMtalk)
Gerrard poised for Reds return
Liverpool’s title challenge is due to receive a much-needed
injection of momentum with the news that captain Steven
Gerrard is expected to return to the side for Sunday’s game
against Newcastle.
Gerrard has missed the club’s past four games due to a groin
injury sustained in the first leg of the Champions League
quarter final against Chelsea, with The Reds since slipping
up in the league when drawing 4-4 with Arsenal at Anfield.
But the influential midfielder, who has scored 13 Premier
League goals this season, is now back in training with his
team-mates and is expected to be named in Rafa Benitez’s
side to face Newcastle.
"Steven is doing well and is training with the rest of the
team,” Benitez told the club’s official website.
"I think he will be fit and available for Sunday.
"It is good news for the team and for him because he can be
a key player for us over the remaining games.
"Without Steven the squad has been playing well and scoring
goals, so that is positive."
Liverpool currently find themselves sitting three points
behind Manchester United but Sir Alex Ferguson’s side have
played 33 games
to Liverpool’s 34.
(Setanta Sports)
Agent hints at new
Juve Alonso bid
Italian football agent Ernesto Bronzetti claims Juventus
could reignite their interest in Liverpool midfielder Xabi
Alonso.
Spain international Alonso was strongly linked with a move
away from Anfield last summer as Rafa Benitez pursued Aston
Villa's Gareth Barry as a replacement.
Juve were mooted as potential suitors for Alonso but a
transfer failed to materialise, and the 27-year-old has
shone for the title contenders
this campaign.
Benitez recently insisted he plans to keep Alonso in the
summer but his revelation that the club will need to sell
players to help fund targets has seen speculation resurface.
And agent Bronzetti, who is said to advise many of Serie A's
top clubs on transfers, has hinted that Juve could again
attempt to lure Alonso
to Turin.
Bronzetti said: "I would try to bring in Alonso. There was a
long chase last summer for his signature, of course, so it
is a road we know.
"Pairing him with (former Liverpool midfielder Mohamed)
Sissoko would be a title-winning midfield.
"The problem is that it would be very hard and expensive to
take such an important player away from Liverpool."
(Football 365)
Barnes: Stevie should
have won PFA prize
Anfield legend John Barnes believes Steven Gerrard should
have won the PFA Player of the Year award.
The Liverpool skipper was pipped to the accolade by Ryan
Giggs earlier this week, despite the Manchester United
veteran scoring just one goal in 12 Premier League starts so
far this season.
"The PFA Awards were handed out this week and I was
surprised to see that Ryan Giggs had won the Player of the
Year award,"
said Kop icon Barnes.
"Now don’t get me wrong, Ryan is a great ambassador for the
game, a great player and a nice guy too and I think what
he’s achieved deserves to be recognised.
"However, this is an award judged on the performance of this
season and for me, Steven Gerrard should have won it.
"In reality Steven has been the best player in the Premier
League this season and deserved the award."
(LFC Official Website) |
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TUESDAY 28 |
Rush backs Reds
to pip United
Ian Rush still believes Liverpool can win their 19th English
league title, 19 years to the day since they clinched
championship number 18.
Bitter rivals Manchester United will join the Reds on 18
titles if they finish top of the Premier League this season,
but Rush is adamant the race is far from over yet, with Sir
Alex Ferguson's side still having to play Arsenal and
Manchester City in their remaining five games.
Rush, whose goal against QPR on April 28, 1990 secured that
year's First Division championship, wrote in his Liverpool
Echo column: "I genuinely do not believe this title race is
over. United have to face a derby
match still.
"If Liverpool were ahead in the title race, the last thing
they would want is a derby against Everton. But United have
to face Manchester City plus an Arsenal side on a 20-match
unbeaten run.
"All Liverpool can do is keep taking points and not worry
about United."
(TEAMtalk)
Wolves keen to talk Hyypia
Mick McCarthy has taken little time to signal his intentions
with newly-promoted Wolves by confirming his interest in
Liverpool defender
Sami Hyypia.
Wolves last week secured their place in The Premier League
with a win over QPR and have since made it apparent that it
is an abundance of top-flight experience that they wish to
add to a squad already brimming
with youth.
Mick McCarthy has just one season of Premier League
management behind him and, having failed so abominably with
the meagre £6 million he had to spend at Sunderland, admits
that he has learned lessons on how better to go about the
task of survival this time around.
Wolves fans will no doubt view the eyeing up of Hyypia, who
is available on a free transfer at the end of the season, as
the perfect fit for what the club needs if it is to improve
upon its only previous year in The Premier League.
“If Sami Hyypia was available and would consider coming to
Wolves as a club who have just come up, then great,” he said
in the Express and Star.
“If Sami is on a Bosman and we could talk about it then of
course I’d be interested. But he’s been linked with a quite
a few clubs.”
Hyypia’s time at Anfield looked destined to come to an end
last summer but now, having reportedly turned down a
coaching role at the club, he looks destined to continue his
playing career elsewhere.
(Setanta Sports)
Barry admits Villa future conundrum
Gareth Barry admits he faces a tough decision over his Aston
Villa future this summer - but insists past experiences have
made him wiser.
The England international was the subject of constant
speculation last summer after a protracted transfer saga
involving Liverpool.
Barry ended up staying at Villa Park after the Reds failed
to meet Villa's asking price for the midfielder.
Reds boss Rafa Benitez is reported to be ready to rekindle
his interest in Barry this summer and the player insists
there will no repeat of last year's saga, though he will
take his time before deciding on his long-term future.
"From the experience of last year I'm hoping to deal with it
better," Barry told the Birmingham Mail.
"It would be disrespectful to the fans and the club if I'm
thinking about anything else rather than trying to get
maximum points from the last four games - that's where my
head is at this moment.
"It will definitely be a difficult decision, but we'll see
where we are at the end of the season before making any
decision. It's always going to be a tough one, no matter
what happens.
(TEAMtalk)
Hammill attracting interest
A plethora of clubs are tracking Barnsley's on-loan winger
Adam Hammill, skysports.com understands.
Hammill, who is on loan at Barnsley from Liverpool, has
impressed at Oakwell since his arrival in January.
The skilful attacker has been a shining light for Barnsley
as they fight to avoid relegation and he has been earning
rave reviews in South Yorkshire.
Hammill's form has alerted the England Under 21 coaching
staff, with the player a possible contender for a call-up
for this summer's European Championship in Sweden.
Hammill's long-term future at Liverpool is uncertain with
Reds boss Rafa Benitez expected to bring in new faces in the
summer to further increase competition for places at
Anfield.
The 21-year-old is highly-regarded at Liverpool, but he
could be tempted to move on in search of regular first-team
football if the right club comes along.
A number of sides are thought to be monitoring Hammill's
situation with representatives from Bolton, West Brom and
Wolves all believed to have cast an eye over the player in
recent weeks.
(Sky Sports)
Toon's injury worries
ahead of Liverpool trip
Alan Shearer has fresh injury worries after Newcastle United
lurched further towards the Championship.
Jose Enrique – Shearer's only left-back – is a huge doubt
for Sunday's visit to Liverpool after limping off with a
hamstring problem in last night's goalless draw against
Portsmouth.
And Shearer revealed after the game that winger Jonas
Gutierrez – a second-half substitute – is carrying an ankle
problem which could limit his involvement in United's
remaining four games.
Enrique had missed the previous two games with a knee
problem, and his likely absence at Anfield is a worry
Shearer could do without.
(The Shields Gazette)
Reds win Senior Cup
Liverpool reserves have won the Liverpool Senior Cup.
Gary Ablett's side beat Waterloo Dock 1-0 last night to win
the Senior Cup. A Krisztian Nemeth strike on 73 minutes was
enough to give the Reds the trophy outright for a 33rd time.
(LFC Online)
Yossi in line for new deal -
Benitez also confident of keeping Agger
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has revealed he plans to offer
Yossi Benayoun a new contract at Anfield.
Benayoun has impressed in recent weeks in the absence of
Steven Gerrard, with the diminutive Israeli popping up with
a number of key goals.
The skilful attacker has voiced his frustration at not being
able to hold down a regular place in Benitez's plans since
his arrival in 2007, but this season has arguably been his
most consistent in a red shirt.
Benayoun's former club West Ham have been credited with an
interest in luring him back to Upton Park, but Benitez
insists there has been no approaches for the player and that
he wants to tie down the 28-year-old to a long-term deal.
"I think if he is happy, then he will be okay here," Benitez
is quoted as saying in The Independent.
"Yossi now is playing, so I'm sure he is happy.
"We've had no real approaches for him.
"Now he is playing more games, has more confidence and you
can see the quality that he has.
"I have to talk to him [about a new contract] but he is
contracted for another two years."
Benitez is also confident Daniel Agger will agree a new deal
to stay
on Merseyside.
Agger's future has been the subject of intense speculation
for some time as contract talks have been dragging on.
Reports over the weekend suggested the Danish international
had rejected Liverpool's latest offer, but Benitez claims
talks are progressing well and he remains hopeful the centre
back will sign a new contract.
"I think that we are closer," said Benitez of Agger's
contract talks.
(Sky Sports)
Benítez still wants Barry
at Liverpool but he must sell first
Rafael Benítez has revealed he must sell players to satisfy
his transfer needs at Liverpool this summer but believes
there will be no repeat of the protracted moves that
thwarted his pursuit of Gareth Barry last year.
The Aston Villa midfielder remains on the wanted list of a
Liverpool manager who will have about £20m-£30m to spend at
the end of this season plus whatever he can generate through
player sales. The Valencia pair of David Silva and Raúl
Albiol interest Benítez, although he said the former was out
of Liverpool's price range, while the Portsmouth defender
Glen Johnson has been linked with a move to Anfield.
(The Guardian)
Thor Zakariassen
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