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MONDAY 31 |
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Hyypia: I'll be a pal to Paletta
Sami Hyypia has promised to play his part in grooming
Gabriel Paletta into one of the Premiership's most imposing
centre-halves.
Hyypia has been entrusted with guiding Paletta through his
early Liverpool career and he is the Argentinian's room-mate
at the Reds' Swiss pre-season training camp.
No-one knows better than Hyypia how to instantly adjust to
English football, and he's already seen enough of the tough
South American to believe he has what it takes to succeed.
"He's a great defender, you can see that straight away,"
said Hyypia.
"The manager said he reminds him of Carra and he's right.
He's a great tackler and he'll be very good for Liverpool.
The best advice I can give him is to have the will to learn
every day, and it's particularly important for him to learn
English quickly. I had that advantage because I could speak
English before I joined Liverpool, which was a big help.
"It will take him more time to learn the language, but the
key to playing well in the Premiership is to always work
hard. He knows everyone in the squad will do everything they
can to help him adapt, including me."
(Liverpool Echo)
No regeneration? Then no stadium
Liverpool Football Club should not be allowed to build its
new £180m stadium on Stanley Park unless the rest of the
Anfield Regeneration programme goes ahead, councillors were
told yesterday.
The city council's executive board was told by Executive
member Cllr Flo Clucas that, if a public funding package was
lost, the entire programme to breathe new life into the
Anfield area would also collapse.
Cllr Paul Clein told the meeting that he would oppose any
bid by the club to build a go-it-alone stadium, irrespective
of the public sector works.
The club has until the first two weeks of September to come
up with a solution to draw down £18m-worth of funding,
including £9m from European Objective 1 funding, which would
trigger a further £9.1m from the Northwest Development
Agency.
Last night, club chief executive Rick Parry insisted it was
still on target to fund the proposed stadium, despite this
week losing its "front runner" status for the £9m
Objective 1 cash.
(Daily Post)
Sochaux linked with Liverpool approach
French outfit Sochaux are reported to have made an enquiry
regarding the availability of Anthony Le Tallec.
(Kop Talk)
Anxious wait for Israel decision
Liverpool are ready to push their claim that the venue for
their Champions League tie with Maccabi Haifa should be in a
neutral country.
UEFA are set to announce their decision on Wednesday, with
Liverpool likely to lodge an appeal if their third
qualifying round second leg, on August 22 or 23, is
scheduled to be played in the war-torn country.
Sources in Israel claim that UEFA could back Haifa's
president Jacob Schachar, who said that it is "very quiet"
in Tel Aviv and this would be a suitable place for the game.
But such confidence in Israel that their country is fit to
host football games is based on the desperation to have a
plum tie against the five-time European champions staged on
their soil.
This will cut no ice with Liverpool, whose manager Rafael
Benitez has already described the prospect of going anywhere
in Israel as "crazy".
(Daily Post)
Benitez taking no risks on stars
Rafael Benitez is ready to save Steven Gerrard and Xabi
Alonso for the start of Liverpool's Champions League
campaign rather than risk the duo in this week's friendlies.
Benitez had wanted to give the midfield pair a runout in one
of the two games against Grasshoppers of Zurich tomorrow and
FSV Mainz on Friday.
But the Liverpool manager looks set to change his mind in
the wake of Luis Garcia's neck injury during Saturday's
friendly with Kaiserlautern.
Garcia failed to finish against the Germans after sustaining
the injury after scoring in his first appearance for the
club since returning from the World Cup with Spain.
Benitez does not want to risk any more injuries to senior
players on the eve of the season.
"We must be careful with the rest of the players after what
happened to Luis," said Benitez, following the 3-2 defeat in
Liechtenstein.
(Daily Post) |
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SUNDAY 30 |
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Bruce backing Pennant to fly
Birmingham manager Steve Bruce expects Jermaine Pennant to
put his controversial past behind him and thrive at
Liverpool.
Pennant moved to Anfield for a initial £6.7million in the
summer after being an ever-present in the league last
season.
The former Arsenal and Notts County winger's progress has
been hampered by off-the-field problems but Bruce is
convinced those days are behind him.
He told Radio Five Live's Sportsweek programme: "Jermaine's
ability has never been in question.
"He just needs to sort out the other side of his life - and
is making big inroads on doing that. He is in a good
environment at Liverpool. He knows he has got to behave and
grow up very quickly.
"It's a big club and there will be people in the dressing
room who will pull him into line if need be.
"Jermaine is a good kid, who is easily influenced. He seems
to be everyone's kicking block.
"I had many rows with him but never wanted to get rid of
him. I always knew
he had talent."
(Sporting Life)
Pepe wants to extend his stay
Pepe Reina is loving life at Liverpool and wants to extend
his current contract next season.
The Spanish keeper has three years left on his current deal
but is settled on Merseyside.
"Next year we'll start talking about another deal," he said.
"I am so settled.
"I recharged my batteries on holiday in Majorca and Ibiza
with my wife after we got married on May 19th.
"We're both happy in Liverpool and would love to stay
longer."
(LFC Online) |
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SATURDAY 29 |
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Rafa facing anxious wait over injuries
Rafael Benitez faces an anxious wait to see how serious the
injuries sustained by Luis Garcia and Fabio Aurelio are
after the 3-2 defeat by Kaiserslautern.
The Reds manager says both players will be assessed further
on Sunday at the club's training camp in Switzerland.
"It was a difficult game for us with the two injuries to
Luis and Fabio and we made three mistakes which cost us the
game," reflected Benitez.
"Luis had a problem with his neck and we decided the best
thing would be to take him off. Fabio felt something in his
calf and I think it's a more serious problem than Luis."
(LFC Official Website)
Liverpool slip up
Liverpool slipped up against second division German
opposition and finished their match against Kaiserslautern
with goalkeeper Jose Reina in midfield.
An injury to Luis Garcia left boss Rafael Benitez with
little option other than to press Reina into action in an
unfamiliar position with 11 minutes left of a match being
played in Liechtenstein.
And while Reina twice came close to scoring, shooting
narrowly wide and then over the bar, it was Kaiserslautern
who clinched victory thanks to Marcel Ziemer’s strike in the
87th minute.
(Evening Echo)
Aimar leaves Che for Real Zaragoza
Argentina midfielder Pablo Aimar, previously linked with
Liverpool this summer, has made a shock move to Real
Zaragoza from Valencia.
The 26-year-old playmaker had been linked with a move away
from the Mestalla for some time but was expected to sign for
another high-profile club, such as Rafael Benitez's Reds.
However, Zaragoza have confirmed his signing on their
website.
Aimar has moved to Victor Fernandez's team for a fee
believed to be in the region
of 11 million euros.
(TEAMtalk)
Kaiserslautern v Liverpool - CONFIRMED TEAM
Liverpool take on Kaiserslautern today and this is the
confirmed starting line-up:
LIVERPOOL: Dudek, Peltier, Hyypia, Paletta, Traore,
Anderson, Hobbs, Zenden, Gonzalez, Fowler, Bellamy.
SUBS: Reina, Finnan, Riise, Garcia, Aurelio, Pennant,
Sissoko.
(Kop Talk)
Preston want Mellor
Preston North End want to sign Liverpool striker Neil
Mellor.
Preston are set to sell David Nugent to Portsmouth and want
to sign Neil Mellor as his replacement. Mellor is currently
recovering from an injury picked up while he was on loan at
Wigan.
(LFC Online)
Albion snap up Nardiello
West Brom have signed teenage striker Michael Nardiello
after the former Liverpool trainee impressed on trial.
Nardiello, 17, spent two weeks with the relegated club ahead
of their Coca-Cola Championship promotion tilt.
Albion manager Bryan Robson, speaking on the club's website,
wba.co.uk, said of the England Under-17 international:
"Michael will compete with our two other young strikers, Rob
Elvins and Stuart Nicholson, who progressed quite nicely
last season."
Robson confirmed Nardiello will continue his development
with the academy and
reserve sides.
(Soccer 365) |
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FRIDAY 28 |
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Rafa: We can't play Maccabi Haifa in Israel
Rafael Benitez today insisted Liverpool must not be made to
travel to Israel to play their Champions League qualifier
against Maccabi Haifa.
The Reds' manager is appalled at the prospect of the club's
staff, players and fans travelling for a game in Israel at a
time when the country is involved in military action.
"It's a crazy situation and totally unacceptable to even
think about us going over there at this time," Benitez told
Liverpoolfc.tv.
"A few years back when I was with Valencia we were drawn to
play Maccabi Haifa in a UEFA Cup tie and the match was
switched to Cyprus. The situation then was nowhere near as
bad as it is now.
"Valencia also had a European game in the Ukraine on the day
the twin towers were attacked in America and I can remember
the confusion that caused with the players on their mobile
phones constantly to their families who were wondering when
we'd be getting back. It's impossible to prepare for a game
in these circumstances.
"There is no way we should be going to Israel to play a game
of football at this time. It's crazy to even consider it.
UEFA cannot put anyone at risk. The situation is very clear
in my mind. I feel sad for the people over there at the
moment because it's a terrible time for them, but we have to
put the security and safety of everyone involved before
anything else and that means we cannot travel there. It
would be impossible to concentrate on the game.
"UEFA need to make a decision quickly because there will be
lots of our supporters wanting to know what is happening."
(LFC Official Website)
Reds fans reveal Israel concerns
Liverpool should not be forced to play their Uefa Champions
League third qualifying round tie in Israel, says the head
of a Reds' supporters' club.
"They should not be considering going," said Les Lawson of
the Liverpool International Supporters' Club.
"Everybody's at risk. They would be a target from the moment
they arrived."
Haifa president Jacob Schachar moved to reassure worried
fans.
"There are many Liverpool fans in Israel and I hope the
match can go ahead," he said.
"We would love the match to be in Haifa but it could go
ahead in Tel Aviv which is quiet."
But Lawson added: "Surely common sense should prevail. I
have heard a Haifa official saying the game can be played in
Tel Aviv where everything is quiet.
"But that's nonsense. Security cannot be ensured anywhere in
Israel.
"This is a dangerous, volatile situation in Israel and
safety for everyone, the team, the officials, fans, referee
everybody, should be the main consideration.
"Uefa have known this situation was coming. They have known
about the war there for a few weeks now and they knew Haifa
were in the draw. They should already have said Haifa's home
leg has to be played in a neutral country."
(BBC Sport Online)
Three in court following Dudek burglary
Three people have appeared before Wirral Magistrates' Court
today to answer charges relating to the burglary at Jerzy
Dudek's home.
Melanie Mackereth (23), her sister Rachel (26), and Colin
Roberts (32) appeared in court but didn't enter a plea.
They will return before magistrates on September 22nd when
they will be committed for trial at Liverpool Crown Court.
Another man, Martin Roche (26), has already admitted
handling stolen goods at a previous hearing. He will be
sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court on September 4th.
(Kop Talk)
Hero Fowler lands role as Kop mentor
Robbie Fowler was today handed the role as 'mentor' for
Liverpool's new boys.
Rafa Benitez sees his experienced striker proving an
inspirational figure on and off the pitch in the season
ahead.
The Anfield boss says Fowler has a presence at the club
which will be channelled to positive effect on recruits such
as Craig Bellamy and Jermaine Pennant.
And with the Reds' 'new' number nine already showing
glimpses of his class in the opening pre-season games, the
wisdom of keeping the 31-year-old for another season is
already evident.
"When we signed Craig Bellamy and Jermaine Pennant, both
mentioned how Robbie was a player they loved watching for
Liverpool when they were younger," said Benitez. "He is
someone they look up to.
"With Robbie, we have a player at the club who is already a
legend for the supporters and some of the players, and that
can be a positive influence, particularly on the youngsters
we have here."
(Liverpool Echo)
New Anfield still on target, says Parry
Liverpoolare still on target to fund anew Anfield stadium,
despite losing preferred bidder status for a crucial £9m
grant.
Chief executive Rick Parry has moved to reassure fans, after
the Reds were knocked off pole position for the European
grant.
"We don't feel this is a setback in any way," he said. "We
are aware that by September there will have to be further
assurances of funding, which we are confident we will
provide.
"The money has not been taken away and we are still
confident of our position."
The programme monitoring committee, which allocates European
funding worth £9m, wanted evidence Liverpool could come up
with the £190m needed to build a new stadium.
Liverpool submitted written assurances, but no cast-iron
proof.
"We understood we had to provide written assurances, which
we have done. Further assurances are needed by September and
we are satisfied that will be done."
(Liverpool Echo)
I feared I was on my way out of Anfield
Stephen Warnock today spoke of his relief after being
reassured of his Liverpool future by manager Rafa Benitez.
The defender admits he feared he was facing a summer exit
when he returned to pre-season training last month.
But Benitez told the youngster he remains a key part of his
plans, despite the recent arrival of Brazilian Fabio
Aurelio.
Warnock has since suffered an injury setback, undergoing a
hernia operation last week.
As the rest of the squad headed to Switzerland fortheir
final pre-season fixtures and a training camp, Warnock
remained on Merseyside to continue his rehabilitation.
"I had an operation last Thursday, but it's not as serious
as it sounds. I think I'll only be out a couple of weeks.
"Obviously it's a bit frustrating missing the trip to
Switzerland where we have a few games, but I don't think it
will set me back too much. I've already started running
again and I'm sure I'll be fit for the start of the season."
(Liverpool Echo)
Liverpool's uphill struggle to find cash
is not getting any easier
Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry has played his hand
close to his chest about funding for the new stadium.
What we do know is that the club initially said the cost of
the project at Stanley Park was £80m when it was first
proposed six years ago. Most of that money was to be raised
in the form of loans from banks.
Unfortunately, Liverpool’s efforts in securing planning
permission and the public sector support it needs have taken
time. While the club has been talking to officialdom, the
price of steel and construction labour costs have risen
sharply. The price tag for the new ground is now put at
£190m.
(Daily Post)
Benitez turning to Spanish for friendly
fire
Rafael Benitez is set to bring his Spanish World Cup stars
back into the first team fold for Liverpool's opening game
of their pre-season tour.
Xabi Alonso, Luis Garcia and Pepe Reina are set for their
first friendly outings of the summer programme tomorrow when
Liverpool take on FC Kaiserslautern in Liechtenstein.
Benitez is hoping to use the tour games, as well as the
training base in Switzerland, to accelerate his team's
preparation for the serious business of Premiership football
in three weeks' time.
But the England World Cup quartet of Steven Gerrard, Jamie
Carragher, Peter Crouch and Scott Carson are unlikely to
feature until the tour winds down next week.
(Daily Post)
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Thor Zakariassen
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