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TUESDAY 31 |
Fergie stands firm over Heinze row
Sir Alex Ferguson is unconcerned about any Premier League
involvement in Gabriel Heinze's proposed move from
Manchester United to Liverpool.
Even though Liverpool have matched United's £6.8million
asking price for the 29-year-old defender, the Red Devils
are refusing to sell.
A suggestion has been put forward for the Premier League to
mediate in the matter, which could end up with Heinze
becoming the first player since Phil Chisnall in 1964 to
switch from United to Liverpool.
However, Ferguson does not believe any third-party
involvement will affect the Old Trafford club's position.
"That will take years," laughed the Scot, when informed the
Premier League may trigger negotiations.
"There is no update on Gaby's position. He is due back to
training next Monday and once we have a meeting with him,
his position may become a little clearer.
"As far as the Premier League is concerned, they can do what
they like. We are quite confident in our position."
(TEAMtalk)
Juve confirm Heinze interest
Juventus have made it clear they are hoping to sign Gabriel
Heinze from Manchester United.
The Argentine has been at the centre of a tug-of-war between
Premier League rivals Manchester United and Liverpool this
summer.
Liverpool are determined to bring in Heinze but Sir Alex
Ferguson has stressed that he will not sell to another top
English club.
The matter is threatening to turn ugly but United would be
prepared to let Heinze go overseas.
Juventus have been linked with Heinze for some time and
general manager Jean-Claude Blanc has now confirmed his
side's interest.
"We'll have to see if something can happen with Heinze,"
Blanc said in The Daily Mail.
(Sky Sports)
Benitez targets Baines
Liverpool are being linked with a move for Leighton Baines
if they fail to land Gabriel Heinze.
The Wigan left-back is their back-up option, according to
the Daily Mirror, who also claim that the Reds have finally
worked out that they need cover for Jamie Carragher and
Daniel Agger at centre-half.
(Football 365) |
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MONDAY 30 |
McManaman cool on Reds title bid
Former Liverpool star Steve McManaman admitted the club will
struggle to win the Premiership this season despite spending
more than £40m on new players.
Liverpool finished 21 points behind Manchester United last
season - closer to 12th place than first.
"I certainly think they'll be in the top four," McManaman
told Five Live.
"Whether they can win it this year, who knows? They've
strengthened, but so have the teams that finished ahead, so
it's going to be very difficult."
The Anfield club have been one of the big spenders in this
summer's transfer market with forwards Fernando Torres and
Ryan Babel, winger Yossi Benayoun and midfielder Lucas Leiva
among the more high-profile signings.
And chief executive Rick Parry has hinted at more new
arrivals before the transfer window shuts on 31 August.
But McManaman added: "The holy grail for Liverpool is the
Premiership but for Man Utd and Chelsea it's the Champions
League isn't it?
"Because Liverpool haven't won it in a significant amount of
time it's important for them to win the Premiership. But
it's going to be difficult."
(BBC Sport Online)
Reds set to break new Euro ground
It's 43 years since the Reds began their European odyssey
against Reykjavik.
In that time, they've faced opposition from 37 countries,
and 11 pieces of silverware have found their way back to the
Anfield trophy cabinet.
No new ground left to break then, you'd think. Well, this
season could see the club venture into unchartered territory
if they are drawn against one of four teams in the third
qualifying round.
If the Reds are pitted against either Toulouse, Fenerbache,
Lazio and Werder Bremen on August 3, they'll be facing their
100th different opponent in European competition.
The group stages, if Liverpool make it, could also throw up
some new adventures.
Five unknown quantities have already booked their place in
the competition proper: German sides VFB Stuttgart and
Schalke 04, French champions Lyon, Portuguese runners-up
Sporting Lisbon and, of course, Manchester United.
(LFC Official Website)
Villa injury blow for Reds opener
Aston Villa have suffered a major blow ahead of their
Premiership opener against Liverpool with the news that
goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen will miss the game through
injury.
The Danish number one suffered a torn hamstring on the
club's pre-season tour of Canada and the United States, so
former Arsenal goalkeeper Stuart Taylor is now likely to
step between the posts for the visit of Rafael Benitez's
side on August 11.
Sorensen said: "It is very disappointing to be injured.
Obviously, Liverpool is a great game to start the season
with and that is the sort of game that you want to play in.
"I am enjoying my football at the moment and wanted to
underline my position so this is the last thing I need."
(LFC Official Website)
Prem trio target Le Tallec
Anthony Le Tallec is a reported target for Premier League
clubs West Ham, Fulham and Birmingham.
The young French striker is back at Liverpool after a season
on loan at Sochaux, but his future with The Reds is
uncertain.
Despite having two years remaining on his contract at
Anfield, Le Tallec is likely to leave Liverpool before the
transfer window closes.
Le Tallec impressed at Sochaux and Spanish side Recreativo
Huelva were thought to be keen on the 22-year-old.
However, their interest has now cooled, although according
to L'Equipe three top-flight clubs in England are admirers.
West Ham, Fulham and Birmingham are all being linked with a
bid for the talented Le Tallec, who spent the 2005/06 season
with Sunderland.
(Sky Sports)
Parry: We won't stand still in market
Rick Parry admited excitement is high at Anfield ahead of
the new season and revealed the club's spending may not yet
be over.
As he returned with the squad from Hong Kong on Sunday
morning, the Reds chief executive spoke of his satisfaction
at the way the summer has evolved in terms of new signings
and insisted Liverpool will always be in the market for
quality players.
"If a player becomes available and he's the right player for
this club then yes we will be interested."
(LFC Official Website) |
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SUNDAY 29 |
Forget the Mancs, watch out for Chelsea
Jamie Carragher believes that Chelsea will be the team to
beat this year and not current Premier League champions Man
United. Everyone at Anfield has stressed their desire to
push for the title this season, but the Liverpool defender
believes it's just a case of finishing above Chelsea.
Carragher cites Chelsea's injuries last season as an excuse
for their league failure and believes with a clean bill of
health they'll be the main worry, as long as the Mancs don't
get Tevez of course
"United may be the champions but Chelsea are really the ones
you have to use as your yardstick," says Carragher.
"With Petr Cech being back at his peak, there is no better
keeper and John Terry in front of him is going to give
Chelsea a real chance again.
"The team which finishes above Chelsea will win it this
season.
"United are a great side and have strengthened again. Carlos
Tevez would make a big difference to their chances.
Hopefully, they won't get him."
(Shankly Gates)
Kuyt: The goals will come
Dutch ace Dirk Kuyt believes Liverpool have to be more
ruthless and finish off chances that are being created but
he insists the goals will come once the season starts.
The Reds number 18 knows he and Liverpool missed some good
chances during the Barclays Asia Trophy final defeat to
Portsmouth, but he still feels things are looking good for
the team ahead of the new season.
"I feel we showed some quality and created lots of chances
against Portsmouth," said Kuyt.
"The only disappointing thing is we did not score any of
them. That's what we must work on. But we will and hopefully
it will come."
(LFC Official Website)
Yeovil sign Liverpool man on loan
Yeovil Town have signed Liverpool midfielder Lee Peltier on
loan.
He made his Glovers debut in central midfield in Saturday's
friendly against Bristol City at Ashton Gate, which finished
in a 2-2 draw.
The 20-year-old, who can also play in defence, has not yet
appeared in the Premier League for Liverpool.
However, he has made three League Cup and one Champions
League starts, and had a seven-game loan spell at
Championship side Hull
last season.
(BBC Sport Online)
Under-18s in fine form
Liverpool Under-18s were in fine form as they produced an
impressive performance in their first outing of pre-season
as they beat Plymouth Argyle 4-1 at the Academy on Saturday.
Marvin Pouri, Daniel Pachecho, David Amoo and Nathan
Ecclestone were all on target for the Reds.
Coach Hughie McAuley told Liverpoolfc.tv: "We fielded two
teams and the players had 45 minutes each. It was a mixture
of the Academy and the young Melwood based players.
"We played some decent football and the lads worked very
hard. At this stage it's all about getting the players ready
and fit for the new season.
"We now entertain Carlisle United on Wednesday and then play
Birmingham City next Saturday."
(LFC Official Website) |
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SATURDAY 28 |
Liverpool XI draw at Colchester
A Liverpool XI, managed by Gary Ablett, have drawn 1-1 with
Colchester United in a pre season friendly at Layer Road on
Saturday after Miki Roque's second half volley cancelled out
Clive Platt's first half strike for the home side.
The Reds fell behind when Platt, Colchester's £300,000
record signing from the MK Dons, scored in the 31st minute.
But they produced a superb second half display and scored a
richly deserved equalizer when Roque struck from 12 yards in
the 72nd minute.
The Liverpool squad that made the long journey south was
largely the same as that which earned a 0-0 draw at
Peterborough last week, but they were strengthened by the
inclusion of Stephen Darby, Jack Hobbs and Nabil El Zhar,
who all appeared in the first team for their recent games
against Werder Bremen and Auxerre in Switzerland.
Liverpool: Hansen, Roque, Darby, Hobbs, Huth, Spearing, El
Zhar (Nemeth 77), Flynn, Brouwer (Lindfield 66), Idrizaj,
Putterill (Crowther 73). Subs not used: Oldfield.
(LFC Official Website)
Peltier rejects Millwall move
Liverpool midfielder Lee Peltier has rejected a six-month
loan deal
with Millwall.
The 21 year-old has snubbed Willie Donachie to join Yeovil
Town instead, according to today's Daily Mail.
The Anfield trainee spent a month on loan at Hull City last
year, making 5 appearances for the Championship side.
(Vital Football)
Thor Zakariassen
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