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SUNDAY 31 |
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Baros set for Schalke loan
Schalke are set to tell Liverpool they want to
take Milan Baros on loan for a year with a view to a
permanent deal for the Czech Republic international.
The German club will put their proposal to the European
champions and, if given the go-ahead, Baros could be
presented by Schalke within the next 48 hours.
Rudi Assauer, general manager at Schalke, told the Bild am
Sonntag newspaper: "We have not yet spoken about all the
figures yet. But we want Baros for a year on loan and at the
same time an option to buy for 2006.
"If we carry this off, it would be Schalke's biggest
transfer of all time."
According to Schalke coach Ralf Rangnick, personal terms
have already been agreed with the 23-year-old.
"We have agreed everything with Baros and his agent,"
Rangnick said.
"Early next week, we will make moves towards Liverpool. He's
top of my wish-list. He's fast and a goal threat."
(ITV Football)
Big Sam reveals Stelios fear
Bolton manager Sam Allardyce has admitted he would be
disappointed if Stelios Giannakopolous left the club.
The Greece winger, who has a year to run on his current
contract, has been linked with a move to Liverpool.
"There is no way we want to lose him as he is a very
valuable player for us," Allardyce told Radio 5 Live's
Sportsweek programme.
"I would feel let down if he left. When we brought him over
everyone thought it was difficult for players from Greece to
be good in the Premiership but we proved them wrong.
"But somebody can bid so much money you cannot resist it and
if that is the case then life moves on for a club like
ours."
(TEAMtalk)
Liverpool to bid for French midfielder -
reports
Newspaper reports today claim that Liverpool have re-ignited
their interest in Fulham midfielder Steed Malbranque.
(Kop Talk)
Figo linked with Valencia
Potential Red target, Luis Figo, has been once again linked
with Valencia, with a wage packet reported to be in the
region of 1.8m EURO.
(LFC Online)
Liverpool to sign Euro 2004 ace this week
- reports
Liverpool will complete the signing of Bolton midfielder
Stelios Giannakopoulos this week, claim newspaper reports
today.
(Kop Talk)
Real 'will allow Owen to leave'
Real Madrid are ready to open the door for England striker
Michael Owen to return to the Premiership.
Manchester United are set to head the race with an £11m bid
for Owen, according to reports.
Owen has been pushed down the pecking order at the Spanish
giants following the arrival of Brazilians Robinho and Julio
Baptista.
Owen's former club Liverpool, Arsenal and Newcastle have
also been linked with the 25-year-old forward.
A senior source at Real told the Sunday Times they would not
stand in Owen's way if they received a bid for him.
The source said: "Michael is popular with the fans and he is
popular within the club.
"But if he comes to us and says he believes the best thing
for him is to leave, we will have to respect that."
(BBC Sport Online)
City chairman confident Reds option is a
non starter
Birmingham City chairman David Gold is confident that
Matthew Upson will remain at the club even though he still
hasn't signed a new deal.
Upson was short-listed by Rafa as a 'possible' behind
Gabriel Milito, Pablo Ibanez and Jorge Andrade. Milito has
turned his back on a possible move to Anfield leaving Rafa
to now concentrate his efforts on Ibanez or Andrade. Upson
has indirectly made Rafa aware that he would sign for the
Reds and personal terms would not be a problem claim sources
close to manager.
"We have been in talks with Matthew over a new deal," said
City chairman Gold. "Although he hasn't signed it yet, we
are confident that he's settled here.
"Matthew still has three years left on his contract and our
position is straight forward. He is staying here and has
indicated in our talks he's happy about that."
(Kop Talk)
Anelka: I'd prefer Anfield switch
Fenerbahce striker Nicolas Anelka has revealed that he would
prefer to play for Liverpool rather than Newcastle.
Newcastle boss Graeme Souness has offered £4.75million for
the French hitman who wants a move to the north east. The
controversial player is keen to play for the Toon Army but
admits if Liverpool came in for him, he'd definitely sign
for them.
Anelka said: "Fenerbahce is a nice club but I would like to
play in the Premier League again. I never wanted to leave.
I'd hoped that the new manager at Liverpool would have taken
me in but the planned return fell through.
"Newcastle is a big club with passionate fans but I love
Merseyside. I would obviously agree to Liverpool if they
wanted me but at Newcastle I am sure they will welcome me to
the area and make me happy like Liverpool fans did."
(Kop Talk)
No regrets for Nunez
Spanish right winger Antonio Nunez is set to seal a move to
Celta Vigo this week but he insists he has no regrets from
his one season stay in the Premiership with Liverpool.
Nunez said he enjoyed his time with Liverpool and leaves
with a European Cup winners medal as he was an unused
substitute in Istanbul.
Nunez is hoping to complete his move back to Spain this
week.
Nunez said: "It's good news because my only objective is to
play. At Liverpool I had few opportunities and that isn't
good for a footballer.
"Rafa was clear with me and explained I wasn't going to be
in his plans for this coming season.
"In spite of my injuries I learned a lot at Liverpool and
it's an experience that will stay with me for ever. I don't
consider that I failed in the Premier League."
(LFC Official Website) |
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SATURDAY 30 |
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Baros agrees terms with Schalke
Milan Baros has agreed terms with Schalke 04, according to
the German club this afternoon. A fee for the Czech
international forward has yet to be agreed however.
It's clear that Baros has no future on Merseyside after
manager Rafael Benitez left him out of Liverpool's three
Champions League qualifying matches so far, in order to
prevent him becoming cup-tied for any potential new club.
Schalke coach Ralf Rangnick said this afternoon: "We've
agreed things with Baros and his agent."
"He wants to come to us. We'll make a move towards (agreeing
the transfer with) Liverpool at the start of next week."
"We have time and don't need to accept to Liverpool's
demands straight away."
A move to Valencia collapsed due to change of coach while
Baros ruled out a move to French Champions Lyon. Aston Villa
remain interested.
But a potential stumbling block could be Liverpool's £7m
valuation of Euro 2004's top goalscorer.
(Shankly Gates)
Rafa eyes two more signings
Rafael Benitez wants to make two more new signings by the
end of next week with a right winger and a centre half his
prime targets.
The Liverpool manager says he is happy with the way his
squad is shaping up but he wants to make it even stronger
with more reinforcements.
Benitez said: "I am very happy with the squad, with the way
they are working in training and in matche and I am happy
with the new players. But I am still looking for a centre
back and a right winger and we need to bring these players
in during the next
seven days."
(LFC Official Website)
Liverpool get Sydney or Deportivo in club
draw
Liverpool will take on either Sydney FC or Costa Rica's
Deportivo Saprissa in the FIFA Club World Championship in
December after Saturday's draw in Tokyo.
European champions Liverpool have been seeded and will join
the revamped six-team competition at the semi-final stage
along with Brazil's Sao Paulo, holders of the Libertadores
Cup.
Sydney and Deportivo will meet in Toyota on December 12 to
decide which side will face Liverpool in the last four.
Oceania representatives Sydney FC, established only last
year, were relishing a potential semi-final against the
English premier league club.
"Liverpool would be a dream date for us," Sydney's director
of football Andy Harper told Reuters.
"We are under no illusions. It will be difficult to get to
the semi-finals. But Liverpool are a massive club and we
would love a crack at them.
(Reuters) |
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FRIDAY 29 |
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Blues want Red's advice
Everton are to ask Liverpool goalkeeper Jose 'Pepe' Reina
about their Champions League qualifier opponents Villarreal.
The Blues were paired with the Spanish side in this
morning's Champions League third qualifying round draw and
have turned to Rafael Benitez' new recruit for advice.
Villarreal have made the Champions League due in large part
to the efforts of Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina who was
with the Spanish side last season. Now Everton's Spanish
midfielder Mikael Arteta is hoping for help from his
countryman.
"I have played in Spain against Reina, and know him," says
Arteta. "Now he is in Liverpool and I am going to speak to
him about the game to see if he can offer
any advice."
(LFC Online)
Sturrock signs winger Partridge
Partridge, 24, who had also been courted by Coventry,
Norwich and Leeds, has signed a contract with the Owls that
runs until the end of 2005.
Partridge told the Wednesday website: "I'm very pleased.
This is a massive club and the manager and the players have
great ambition.
Owls boss Paul Sturrock added: "Richie has come in and
looked very exciting."
Partridge had a successful loan spell with the Sky Blues in
2002/03, scoring four goals in 31 appearances.
He played only two games for Liverpool last season, both as
a substitute in
the Carling Cup.
(BBC Sport Online)
Schalke to pull out of Baros deal
FC Schalke admit that the Milan Baros deal is "95% off"
although the Liverpool striker himself seems keen on the
move.
The Bundelsiga-based outfit believe they do not have the
resources to buy the Czech international or meet his
exorbitant wages.
"There's a 95 percent chance that the deal is off," said
Schalke general manager Rudi Assauer.
Baros would probably cost around £7 million and would
shatter the club's wage structure with his demands.
Schalke's financial director Jupp Schnusenberg also admitted
that the player's demands may be too hefty for the club's
budget.
Schnusenberg said: "Baros would be a giant (signing) but we
have to take a look if it's possible to thrash out a deal."
(ITV Football)
Moores: We got right man in Rafa
Like every other Liverpool fan, David Moores has been
pinching himself ever since the Reds performed one of the
greatest comebacks of all time to win the Champions League
in Istanbul.
The Liverpool chairman has had an almost permanent smile on
his face since Rafa Benitez's men overcame incredible odds
to beat AC Milan on penalties and bring the European Cup
back to Anfield for good.
But while most other Reds fans have been basking in the warm
afterglow of Istanbul, Moores has been working to take his
club on to an even higher level with the aim of mounting a
serious challenge for the title.
And in manager Benitez, Moores believes Liverpool have the
right man for the job, a job he hopes the Spaniard will keep
for years to come.
"He told us that when he was growing up Liverpool were the
team that were winning everything and so he'd consider it a
great honour if we took him on as our manager.
"His honesty and his positive attitude were the qualities
that stood out for me straight from the start.
"He is a very impressive man. It was just like listening to
Shankly with a different accent."
(Liverpool Echo)
Parry happy to avoid Everton
Rick Parry has admitted he felt a sense of relief after
Liverpool avoided Everton in the third qualifying round of
the Champions League.
Assuming the Reds overcome FKB Kaunas on Tuesday night, they
will face either KF Tirana or CSKA Sofia in the next round -
with a trip to Bulgaria looking the most likely as Sofia
have a 2-0 lead to defend from their first leg.
Merseyside rivals Everton will take on Villareal when they
make their Champions League debut next month.
Parry said: "As soon as we were told we didn't have country
protection in the competition the conspiracy theorists
assumed we would draw Everton. Clearly it could have
happened, but I don't think it was something either club
wanted.
"We're happy with the draw. By definition, it's always
better to face a team which has gone through the qualifying
campaign rather than one which starts off in the third
round."
(LFC Official Website)
Liverpool set for Tirana or CSKA Sofia
Holders Liverpool will play more east European opposition in
the third qualifying round of the Champions League if they
finish off FK Kaunas if next week's second leg at Anfield.
The Reds lead their Lithuanian opponents 3-1 after the first
leg and will play KF Tirana of Albania or CSKA Sofia of
Bulgaria if they progress.
It is another long trip abroad for their much-travelled fans
but at least they avoided a Merseyside derby against
Everton, who face a fierce test on their Champions League
debut against Villarreal, who finished third in Spain's
Primera Liga.
(Sporting Life)
Baros keen on Schalke
Liverpool striker Milan Baros admits he would be tempted to
join Schalke but the German club fear they cannot afford the
Czech ace.
Baros faces an uncertain future at Anfield as he will not be
Rafa Benitez's first choice and has also been left out of
the club's UEFA Champions League qualifiers.
The interest from Schalke has been met with a positive
response by Baros, who is waiting to learn if he will be
sold by Liverpool.
"No matter if I leave Liverpool or not, I am delighted at
the interest of such a famous club," Baros told Pravo.
"Schalke will play in the UEFA Champions League and it is a
high-quality club with a great tradition.
"It is an early question. I have no information. I only know
that there were some contacts with the German club but it is
all in my agent Pavel Paska's hands.
"I can't say anything specific at the moment."
(Planet Football/Sky Sports)
Target to undergo medical today as Arsenal
miss out
Liverpool target Jack Hobbs will undergo a medical at
Melwood today ahead of his proposed move from Lincoln City.
Manager Rafael Benitez has beaten off Arsenal's attempts to
sign the 16-year-old starlet who will become a professional
player on his 17th birthday.
Confirming the deal, agent Charles Collymore said: "Yep it's
pretty much done, we are hoping that his medical will be
done today then are expecting everything to be completed on
Monday. I'm in Liverpool on Monday to hopefully complete
everything.
(Kop Talk)
Josemi: I'm not leaving Liverpool
Spanish defender Josemi has pledged his future to Liverpool
and insisted he will be a success in the Premiership this
season.
Josemi's debut season at Anfield was ravaged by injury
problems, leading to speculation that he would be returning
to La Liga during the summer.
Sevilla and Villareal have both been linked with the Reds'
right back but he has revealed a chat with Rafa Benitez has
convinced him to remain on Merseyside.
"I had a bad summer with so many rumours about my departure,
but after returning to work I have spoken in depth with Rafa
Benitez and I am clear," he said.
"I am not leaving Liverpool. Last year injuries prevented me
from being a success - it is not going to be like that this
time.
"This new season is a personal challenge and I'm going to
give everything on the field. They will see the best
possible Josemi.
"It's nice that big teams in the Spanish leagues are
interested in me, but I came to England to be successful in
the Premier League and this will be my objective this
season."
(LFC Official Website)
Shields hopes to go free as Sankey signs
confession
Michael Shields looked set to be released from his Bulgarian
jail last night after a confession was finally signed by
another man.
The Liverpool teenager was given a 15-year jail sentence for
attempted murder on Tuesday despite Graham Sankey admitting
to the crime at the last minute.
However, Sankey's original confession, released through his
solicitor, was rejected as evidence by the trial judge
because it had not been signed.
Following Shields's conviction, Sankey and his family were
hounded out of Merseyside by angry mobs, and he was forced
to give in to the pressure by signing an admission of guilt.
Yesterday's news came as Bulgarian government officials
agreed to begin the process of extraditing Sankey.
As lawyers for Shields prepare to lodge an appeal in the
Bulgarian courts, the latest development could mean they
have enough evidence to quash his conviction and free him
from Varna prison.
(Daily Post)
Failure to reach group stages 'could cost
£10m'
Failing to reach this season's Champions League group stage
would cost clubs a minimum of £10million, according to a
report released yesterday.
Celtic were humiliated 5-0 against Artmedia Bratislava on
Wednesday and they appear unlikely to progress further in
Europe's premier club competition, with manager Gordon
Strachan becoming increasingly under pressure early in his
reign.
After competing last season in the group stages - where they
were guaranteed television money from their matches against
Shakhtar Donetsk, AC Milan and Barcelona - the drop in
income would have a significant affect on their season.
(Daily Post) |
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THURSDAY 28 |
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Sankey signs confession
The real culprit in the Bulgarian attack which put Michael
Shields in jail for 15 years today signed his confession.
Graham Sankey, 20, of Anfield, sensationally agreed to put
his name to the confession which will help Michael win his
freedom.
It came as the Bulgarian government said it would put wheels
in motion for Sankey's extradition to the country.
(Liverpool Echo)
Sander backs new keeper Reina
Former Liverpool goalkeeper Sander Westerveld has backed new
Anfield number one Pepe Reina to be a success at Anfield and
says opposition players will not relish taking penalties
against him.
At Villarreal last season Reina was a penalty saving expert
saving seven out of nine kicks faced.
Westerveld said: "In Spain, if you were to ask 100 people in
the street about Reina nearly all of them would just say one
word, penalties.
"I think he faced 10 penalties last season and he saved
eight of them, or he faced eight and saved six. It was
something like that. Either way, his record was excellent.
He is a real penalty killer.
"Reina is really quick around the box. He is the type of
goalkeeper who will collect a high ball, go to the edge of
the 18-yard box and throw the ball to start a quick attack.
"Quick distribution is an important part of his game. He is
also secure. Sure, he can make great saves, but he is not a
keeper who is unnecessarily spectacular."
"He needs to understand that in England, if someone like
Duncan Ferguson is challenging you, you've got to keep one
eye on the player and one eye on the ball. But these are
things I think he will learn really quickly. I think he will
adapt as quickly as
Xabi Alonso did."
(LFC Offiial Website)
Sevilla poised to make move to sign Josemi
Sevilla are hoping to take Liverpool defender Josemi back to
Spain.
The La Liga outfit are weighing up a bid for the
25-year-old, who was signed by Rafael Benitez last summer
for £2million from Malaga.
Liverpool would be tempted by an offer allowing them to
recoup their investment in a player who has struggled during
his time in England, with reports in Spain suggesting
Sevilla have already had contact with Josemi's
representatives.
(Daily Post)
Schalke move for Baros
German giants Schalke have joined the race to land Milan
Baros and have opened talks about a move.
The Gelsenkirchen outfit have recently allowed Ailton to
move to Besiktas and they are now targeting Baros as his
replacement.
It is no secret that Baros is way down the pecking order
under Rafa Benitez and a parting of the ways will suit both
parties.
Aston Villa are leading he chase ahead of West Ham to keep
him in England and David O'Leary had hoped Patrik Berger
would persuade his former team-mate and fellow countryman to
follow him to Birmingham.
However, Schalke - who can offer UEFA Champions League
football - have now made their move and are looking to do a
quick deal.
"I can admit that I have had a meeting with Schalke manager
Rudi Assauer," confirmed Baros's agent Pavel Paska.
"The name Baros has been noted. Schalke are one of the
interested clubs.
"Nothing more."
(Sky Sports)
Moyes concerned about drawing Liverpool
Everton's manager David Moyes has expressed concern at the
prospect of being drawn against Liverpool in the third
qualifying stage of the Champions League.
"I'm concerned about the draw, definitely," the manager
said. "I've got clear concerns about what might happen. Of
course the decision as to who is seeded or not is nothing to
do with us. We can't influence who is seeded and who is not,
but I do think that it's wrong that two clubs from the same
country - the same city even - could be drawn against each
other in European competition at this stage.
"You qualify for the Champions League in order to play teams
from another country, not your local rivals. You don't
usually expect to get one from your own country, let alone
your own city, but there is only one club which is exposed
to the fact that Liverpool have not been granted country
protection, and that's Everton. That's a fact."
(This is Anfield)
Goal-hungry Gerrard says title is his
primary aim
Steven Gerrard wants to repay Liverpool for standing by him
during the best and worst summer of his career by scoring
the goals that can lead them back into contention for the
Barclays
Gerrard has responded to the turmoil that preceded his
decision to remain at Anfield by launching into a scoring
spree, six goals in the first three matches of their defence
of the Champions League taking him to within seven of
Michael Owen’s European record for the club.
But while Gerrard said that he is not concerned with
overtaking his former team-mate after scoring his fifteenth
goal in continental competition with a penalty in Tuesday’s
3-1 win away to FBK Kaunas, he is intent on beating his
personal best of last season.
“That’s an area of my game I’ve tried to improve on over the
last couple of years and I’ve started the season really
well,” the England midfield player, 25, said. “I was happy
with 13 last year and the idea this year is to try and
improve on that."
(The Times)
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Thor Zakariassen
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