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WEDNESDAY 31 |
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Liverpool lose out to Newcastle (again)
Liverpool have lost out to Newcastle in the transfer market
again after Toon boss Graeme Souness completed the signing
of Kop target Nolberto Solano this evening.
The 30-year-old left Villa Park to re-sign for the Toon Army
in a deal believed to be worth around £1.5million. Youngster
James Milner moves to Villa on a season-long loan as part of
the deal to be re-united with David O'Leary who managed him
at Leeds.
Liverpool were keen on signing Solano but refused to meet
the asking price.
(Kop Talk)
Simao deal collapses
Benfica have pulled the plug on Simao Sabrosa's proposed
move to Liverpool.
The reason for the failure to conclude a deal was a change
in Benfica's demands as they wanted €20 million (£13.6
million), while The Reds only went as far as
€18 million (£12.3 million).
(Sky Sports)
Simao passes medical
Portugal international Simao Sabrosa has passed a medical as
he closes on a move to Liverpool.
The Benfica winger is expected to join the European
champions prior to Wednesday's transfer deadline in a deal
worth €15 million (£10 million).
Simao is understood to have agreed personal terms with
Liverpool, having been granted permission to leave
Portugal's training camp to discuss his switch to Anfield.
However, Benfica are thought to be trying to block Simao's
move to The Premiership as they are loath to lose the right
winger.
Benfica are reportedly trying to change the details of the
deal in an attempt to thwart Liverpool's bid to sign the
former Barcelona player.
There have been suggestions that Benfica want Djibril Cisse
in part exchange but that appears to be an unlikely
scenario.
(Planet Football/Sky Sports)
Liverpool transfer blocked
Benfica have blocked Liverpool's attempts to sign
winger Simao Sabrosa.
The 25-year-old Portuguese international was given
permission to speak to Liverpool and to undergo a medical
but his club have blocked the deal at the 11th hour. Benfica
are currently preventing a deal from going through which
suggests there's a problem with the transfer fee.
Liverpool have until midnight to have any transfers
rubber-stamped and are likely to continue negotiating with
Benfica.
(Kop Talk)
Stoke end Mellor interest
Stoke have shelved plans to sign Liverpool striker Neil
Mellor due to injury.
The Potters confirmed they were interest in signing the
23-year-old on loan before the close of the transfer window.
Mellor has yet to return to action since undergoing knee
surgery last March.
Stoke director of football John Rudge has admitted the club
have dropped out of the running for Mellor because of his
injury problems.
"Neil's injured at the moment so unfortunately any possible
deal has been called-off," Rudge told the club's official
website.
"He would have been another good addition to our squad and
bolstered our attacking line-up so we're disappointed that
hasn't happened."
(Planet Football/Sky Sports)
The truth behind Owen switch
Michal Owen sat in his north Wales mansion desperately
waiting for the Anfield cavalry to arrive yesterday.
Sadly for him, and thousands of Liverpool supporters
desperate to see his return, the Reds were already in the
process of retreating from the pursuit of his signature.
Instead, their former striker was dragged, kicking and
screaming towards a clause-ridden Newcastle contract.
This was not supposed to be the final scene of the summer's
most captivating transfer saga.
Even as Newcastle chairman Freddie Shepherd announced Owen's
imminent arrival, the Geordies risked serious embarrassment.
With the St James' Park medical team due to arrive at his
north Wales home to complete the formalities, Owen was still
waiting for the call from the Anfield hierarchy.
(Liverpool Echo)
Potter signs new Liverpool deal
20-year-old Liverpool midfielder Darren Potter has today
signed a new 3-year deal with the club.
Speaking to the official LFC website, a delighted Potter
said: "I've been involved regularly in the squad and played
a good amount of games. The boss even took me to Monaco as
part of the squad last week and gave me a winners medal even
though I wasn't involved because of injury."
(Kop Talk)
Crouch targetting Spurs comeback
£7m summer signing Peter Crouch is targeting Liverpool's
next match against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane as
the game he will make his league debut for the European
Champions.
Crouch made his return from injury as he was given a 25
minute run-out in the reserves victory over West Bromwich
Albion last night and the England international is now
hoping to make his first Premiership appearance for his new
club on September 10th.
He told Liverpoolfc.tv: "I felt good and I came through
without any problems and I now want to get myself fit and
ready for the Tottenham game."
"It was frustrating being injured so soon after arriving at
Liverpool but I always knew I was suspended for the first
two Premiership games anyway."
"I can't wait to make my Premiership debut for Liverpool and
I will be working hard to make sure I will be ready for the
Tottenham game."
(Shankly Gates)
Carra to start in place of Terry
England boss Sven Goran Eriksson has hinted that Liverpool
vice-skipper Jamie Carragher will replace Chelsea's John
Terry in the national team's starting line-up after the
Blues boy was ruled out for the next few weeks with an
injury.
"Jamie Carragher has improved a lot in the last year,"
Eriksson said.
"I don't know if it is a Liverpool attitude but he never
gives up and the game he played in the Champions League
final was incredible."
"I think he had cramp but he didn't leave the pitch.
Fantastic."
(talklfc.com)
Simao possibility for Liverpool
Simao Sabrosa appears set to join Liverpool from Benfica
after the Portuguese Football Federation gave permission for
the forward to undergo a medical for the Anfield side.
The 25-year-old will return to Portugal later today to
rejoin the national side as they prepare for Saturday's
World Cup qualifying game against Luxembourg.
Simao joined Benfica in the summer of 2001 after a two-year
spell at Barcelona, with reports suggesting a move would
cost Liverpool £10million.
The Portuguese Football Federation announced on their
website that they have authorised the player to travel to
Liverpool for the medical.
(ITV Football)
Gerrard likely to be fit
Steven Gerrard looks likely to be able to play for England
against Wales on Saturday.
Gerrard sat out the Super Cup final after picking up a calf
injury in Liverpool's Premier League game with Sunderland.
However, the Reds' captain is set to play for England
against Wales at the Millenium stadium this weekend after
shaking off the injury.
England manager Sven Goran Eriksson said: "Steve Gerrard did
some good work on Tuesday, not with the other players but
with the physio.
"Hopefully on Thursday he will train with us. The physio and
doctor think he will be ready for Saturday."
(LFC Online)
Owen: Liverpool will always be in my heart
Newcastle United striker Michael Owen says that although
he's signed for the Magpies, Liverpool will always remain
close to his heart.
"I don't think they (Liverpool) need too much comfort
(because I've signed for Newcastle)," said Owen. "They're
the European champions and they've had great success with a
new manager.
"I was at Liverpool a long time and I still have many
friends there. Liverpool will always be a part of my life
because I played there so long."
(Kop Talk)
Owen too expensive, says Benitez
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez says they kept up their
efforts to sign Michael Owen from Real Madrid until the last
minute but his price was too high.
"Madrid only ever talked about £16m. We couldn't spend that
much money on a player we sold for £8m," he said.
(BBC Sport Online)
Warnock nearly quit over injuries
Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock says he almost gave up
after breaking his leg three times by the time he was 20.
The 23-year-old left-back's club performances have earned
him his first England call-up for the upcoming games with
Wales and Northern Ireland.
"The second time I did it, I wanted to quit. I thought 'I
can't go through another eight or nine months of this, it's
agony'," he told the FA website.
"I'm 100% fit now. It's been a long recovery but it's been
worth it."
But Warnock said the support he had received through the
Liverpool set up had inspired him to keep going and earn a
place in the first team, and now a chance of an England cap.
"I was fortunate and once people came in from the Liverpool
academy to talk to me, I just knew I had to come back and
give it a go," he said.
"I've been lucky enough to be surrounded by the right people
who are willing to work with you out of hours and come back
at night in their own time, when they shouldn't even be
working, and try to get you back fit.
"That encourages you."
(BBC Sport Online)
Hughie pleased with Baggies win
Liverpool Reserve coach Hughie McAuley said he was very
pleased with the performance of the team in the 1-0 win at
West Bromwich Albion and said there were plenty of plus
points to take from the game.
Spanish full back Antonio Barragan scored the only goal of
the game and another recent signing 17-year-old Miki Roque
had an outstanding game at the heart of the Liverpool
defence.
Peter Crouch made a successful return from injury in the
second half and played the final 25 minutes and 17-year-old
Austrian midfielder Besian Idrizaj also made his debut in
the second half.
McAuley told Liverpoolfc.tv: "It was our first win of the
season and I thought the lads thoroughly deserved their
victory. They played very well collectively as a team and
there was a lot of plus points to take out of the game.
(LFC Official Website) |
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TUESDAY 30 |
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Toon to unveil £16m Owen
Newcastle will unveil Real Madrid striker Michael Owen as
their new £16m signing at noon on Wednesday after he
successfully passed a medical.
The 25-year-old underwent a stringent medical at St James'
Park on Tuesday afternoon after agreeing a four-year deal -
and Magpies chiefs have now confirmed they will present him
to the media at a Wednesday press conference and to the
jubilant fans afterwards.
(TEAMtalk)
Liverpool bring in teenage pair
Liverpool have signed Austrian winger Besian Idrizaj and
Wales Under-21 striker Ramon Calliste.
Idrizaj, 17, has agreed to a two-year deal after a trial
with the Reds, having arrived from Linzer ASK.
"I have always been a Liverpool fan and it is a dream come
true to play for them," he told the club website.
The Anfield side have also bolstered their striker
department by handing a one-year deal to 19-year-old
Calliste, who has also been on trial.
Calliste was released by Manchester United at the end of
last season.
Both players have been included in the Liverpool reserve
team squad for the match against West Bromwich Albion on
Tuesday.
(BBC Sport Online)
Liverpool want Bonera, reveal Parma
Parma have confirmed that they have received offers from
Liverpool and two Italian clubs for Daniele Bonera.
The side had indicated on Sunday their desire to keep the
international, but the defender may now be on his way out of
the Tardini.
"The club’s shareholders have told me to not sell him but
Liverpool are very interested right now," sporting director
Oreste Cinquini told GRT radio on Tuesday.
"If an offer reaches a certain economical level then I will
be obliged to inform the club officials of it."
However, the European champions – who have reportedly failed
in a bid for Philippe Mexes of Roma – are not the only side
interested in the Azzurri regular.
"Apart from Inter, there is also another important club who
have made a move for our defender," added Cinquini.
The unnamed outfit is believed to be either Juventus, given
their lack of options at right-back, or Fiorentina.
(Channel 4)
Geordies' victory in race for Owen
Newcastle today won the race to sign Michael Owen.
The Magpies announced the England striker had agreed a
four-year deal after Real Madrid accepted the Geordies' £16m
offer.
Owen was undergoing a medical today after Liverpool failed
with a last ditch attempt to force a u-turn.
Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd said: "Bringing Michael
to St. James' Park will rank alongside the signing of Alan
Shearer as my proudest moment at Newcastle United.
"Michael is a fantastic goalscorer. He's someone we would
love to build the team around and we hope he can help us
bring success to the club."
(Liverpool Echo)
Cisse: I was never leaving Liverpool
France striker Djibril Cisse has ended recent speculation
linking him with a move back to Ligue 1 by pledging his
long-term future to Liverpool.
The 24-year-old has struggled to establish himself at
Anfield since joining from Auxerre last summer and has been
linked with a potential move to either Monaco or Marseille.
However, with Liverpool missing out on the signing of
England striker Michael Owen to Premiership rivals
Newcastle, Cisse insists he is determined to stay and fight
for his place in the team.
Speaking from Les Bleus' Clairefontaine base ahead of
Saturday's World Cup qualifier against the Faroe Islands,
Cisse said: "My future is with Liverpool. I was first linked
to Newcastle, then it was Marseille and now Monaco.
"I was rumoured to go everywhere. But during my discussions
with Benitez, there was never any question of leaving.
"I have another three years on my contract and I am staying
at Liverpool. There is no need to panic, why should I leave?
"I am trying to ignore everything I read, but I am annoyed
by it all. I never asked to leave."
(Sporting Life)
Stelios: I couldn't resist staying at the
Reebok
Bolton midfielder Stelios Giannakopoulos feels his new
contract at the Reebok Stadium is a reflection of his two
years of work for the club.
The 31-year-old was instrumental in the Trotters qualifying
for this season's UEFA Cup but was heavily linked with a
move to Liverpool this summer.
"After two years of hard work, patience and commitment, I
think I got the rewards of my work on the pitch," he said.
"I couldn't resist saying 'yes' on Friday morning. I had to
think about a lot of things - my family and my future.
"But at the end of the day, we found a great solution and
I'm delighted to have a good contract and can focus on my
football."
(Daily Post) |
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MONDAY 29 |
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Marseille seek to bring in Cisse
Marseille president Pape Diouf said a potential deal to
bring Liverpool's Djbril Cisse to the French club hangs in
the balance.
"It's complicated with Cisse. But this is not over," said
Diouf ahead of Wednesday's transfer deadline.
"I am waiting to see how things go but as I have always
said, it's a complicated situation."
Marseille are currently bottom of the league after after
failing to win any of their opening five matches.
However, Marseille coach Jean Fernandez insists the club
needs to bring in a player to help the backline rather than
a striker.
"We need a central defender, that's what I want and I have
already told the managers Pape Diouf and Jose Anigo,"
Fernandez said.
(BBC Sport Online)
Bouma close to Premiership switch
PSV Eindhoven defender Wilfred Bouma is set to meet
officials from Liverpool and Aston Villa to discuss a move,
according to his agent.
"It's 90% certain Bouma will leave PSV," said the player's
agent Ger Lagendijk. "We hope to reach an agreement with a
club on Monday."
Bouma is a current Netherlands international who made his
debut for PSV in October 1994.
The transfer window closes on 31 August and any deals must
be done by then.
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has made the purchase of a
central defender one of his priorities.
PSV have already sold South Korean Park Ji-Sung to
Manchester United and are poised to sell Lee Young-pyo to
Tottenham.
(BBC Sport Online)
Liverpool reject Cisse bid
Liverpool have reportedly rejected an £8million bid from
Tottenham for
striker Djibril Cisse.
(Kop Talk)
Shearer hopeful over Owen swoop
Newcastle captain Alan Shearer says Michael Owen could still
join the club before Wednesday's transfer deadline.
England striker Owen, 25, is due to have talks with the
Magpies - who have agreed a £17m fee with Real Madrid - and
Liverpool, his preferred choice.
Shearer told BBC Five Live he had spent "a fortune in phone
calls to Madrid" to persuade Owen to make the move.
"We have three days left to try to convince him to come
here. We're still in there fighting for him," he said.
(BBC Sport Online)
Roma snub Reds' Mexes bid
Liverpool have reportedly missed out on the signing of Roma
defender Philippe Mexes.
The European champions are desperate to bring in a new
centre half before Wednesday's transfer deadline and Mexes
has emerged as the latest target.
Reds boss Rafa Benitez wanted to take the stylish stopper on
a season-long loan with a view to a permanent move.
Benitez's opposite number Luciano Spalletti blocked the
transfer, as he perceives Mexes to be a key figure in his
plans for this season.
With the pursuit of Mexes at a close, and a move for
Marseille's Abdoulaye Meite reaching a dead end, Benitez
will have to look elsewhere for a new centre half in the
next 48 hours.
(Sky Sports)
Rafa backing for Josemi
Rafael Benitez has revealed Spanish defender Josemi will
feature much more in his first team plans this season.
Josemi impressed in a central defensive role against CSKA
Sofia last week and then turned in a good display at right
back in the Super Cup final win over CSKA Moscow.
The former Malaga man endured an injury hit first season on
Merseyside last year, but Benitez insists he has enough
quality to play his part in the Reds' quest for honours over
the coming months.
He said: "Josemi can be an important player for us. He is a
good player, an aggressive player, and he is getting more
used to English football now.
"He played very well at centre back last week. I knew he
could play there because he spent a year in that position
with Malaga. Of course he can also play on the right of the
defence as well so he gives us different possibilities.
(LFC Official Website) |
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SUNDAY 28 |
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Warnock 'speechless' after summons
Stephen Warnock has hailed his England call-up as the
perfect antidote to the painful memories of last season's
Champions League heartbreak.
The joy of seeing Liverpool lift their fifth European Cup
was tempered by the boyhood Reds fan missing out on a place
in the squad and being denied a subsequent winners' medal.
The defender's agony was exacerbated when he was left
stranded at the club's Melwood training ground while the
rest of Rafael Benitez's triumphant squad toured the city in
an open-top bus parade upon their return from Istanbul.
He said: "I can't quite believe it and am speechless, to be
honest. I've been reading the papers during the past week
and they have been saying I could get a call-up, but I
wasn't so sure.
"And then I got a text message at around 7.15pm from the FA
telling me I'm in the squad. Roy Evans rang me straight away
to wish me all the best, which was nice, and Chris Kirkland
has also been on the phone.
"I've just got to establish myself as the first-choice
Liverpool left-back before anything else, but this England
call-up is certainly a massive boost to my confidence."
(TEAMtalk)
4 Reds named in England squad
Four Liverpool players - including the loaned out Chris
Kirkland - have been named in Sven-Goran Eriksson's England
squad that will take on Wales and Northern Ireland in next
month's World Cup qualifiers.
Steven Gerrard is named despite the fact he's currently
injured but he is expected to recover in time. Rookie
defender Stephen Warnock received the call-up as expected
following his impressive start to the season. Jamie
Carragher has also been selected.
"Chris Kirkland is a brilliant prospect who has suffered
badly with injuries, but he is now started playing regularly
again, so I feel the time is right to have a good look at
him," said Eriksson.
"Right-back is an issue. I know Jamie Carragher and Phil
Neville don't play they for their clubs but they can do the
job. Luke Young is also doing very well at the moment.
"I am going to take Stephen Warnock. We don't have that many
left-backs and Wayne Bridge has still to come back."
Reds target Michael Owen is in the squad although he's
suspended for the game against Wales at the Millennium
Stadium in Cardiff on 3rd September. He will be eligible to
play against Northern Ireland on 7th September.
ENGLAND SQUAD IN FULL:
Robinson (Tottenham), Green (Norwich), Kirkland (Liverpool);
Young (Charlton), Warnock (Liverpool), P Neville (Everton),
A Cole (Arsenal), Carragher(Liverpool), Ferdinand (Man Utd),
Terry (Chelsea), Upson (Birmingham), Beckham (Real Madrid),
Gerrard (Liverpool), Lampard (Chelsea), J Cole (Chelsea),
Hargreaves (Bayern M), Wright-Phillips (Chelsea), Jenas
(Newcastle), Carrick (Tottenham), Richardson (Man Utd); Owen
(Real Madrid), Rooney (Man Utd), Defoe (Tottenham), A
Johnson (Crystal Palace), Bent (Charlton)
(Kop Talk)
Liverpool block transfer approach
Bolton boss Sam Allardyce has revealed that he recently
failed with an attempt to sign Liverpool midfielder Didi
Hamann.
Allardyce tried to sign the German midfielder in the summer
but the player was told that he still figured in the
manager's plans at Anfield so nothing ever came of his
interest. But with Liverpool making attempts to sign
Bolton's Stelios this month, Allardyce admitted that during
those negotiations he inquired about Hamann in the hope of
signing him before August 31st.
Big Sam said: "I gave Rafa a ring and asked about Hamann.
They were after Stelios so I asked about Hamann but he said
no, you can't have him."
(Kop Talk)
Owen flying in for Liverpool talks
Real Madrid striker Michael Owen will fly into England
tomorrow (Monday) to hold talks with Liverpool chief
executive Rick Parry, which suggests a deal has been agreed
with his club or is at least very close.
It is reported that Owen and his agent will hold talks with
the Reds in the morning before heading to Tyneside for talks
with Newcastle United.
Owen wants to move back to Anfield but if a deal cannot be
reached he'd either have to sit on the bench at Real Madrid
or consider joining Newcastle.
KopTalk sources remain confident that he will be a Liverpool
player within a few days.
(Kop Talk)
Owen 'worried' about England role
England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson has revealed that Michael
Owen called him for advice about his club future amid
worries about his World Cup place.
Owen is unlikely to start many games for Real Madrid and may
have to move to either Liverpool or Newcastle.
"His worry was that if he played like he did last season,
would I pick him or not?," said Eriksson.
"I told him that if he plays as many games as last season, I
will pick him. If he never plays, then it's tricky."
"If he stays at Real Madrid then he doesn't know how much he
will play.
"I think something has to happen very soon, although exactly
what, I don't know.
"I will be very happy the day that they tell me what's going
to happen to him as I think he's worried. He's a calm person
but he wants to know his future."
(BBC Sport Online)
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Thor Zakariassen
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