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TUESDAY 31 |
Voronin voices Reds warning
Andriy Voronin has told Setanta Sports News that he will
need more playing time for Liverpool if he is to return to
Merseyside in the summer.
The Ukraine international, who will start for his country in
Wednesday’s World Cup qualifier against England, is
currently on loan at Hertha Berlin where he has scored 11
goals, helping the side to claim top spot
in Die Bundesliga.
“Liverpool is one of the best teams, clubs, in Europe and I
want to play for Liverpool,” Voronin told Setanta Sports
News.
“A lot of players want to play there. I have two years more
contract with Liverpool and it will be okay when I come back
but I want to play
to stay there.
“I want to play more. I was injured for three months and
that was my problem I think.”
Voronin has also joined the growing chorus of appreciation
for Reds skipper Steven Gerrard after luminaries such as
Zinedine Zidane and Kaka praised the player who is being
identified as the world’s best in some quarters following
some stunning form for his club.
The Ukraine striker believes his Liverpool team-mate has
been excelling for a number of seasons, adding: “Not only
now, but the last two or three years he has played very well
in the Champions League for Liverpool, and also the national
team.
“This season or maybe next season he will be the best player
in the world.”
(Setanta Sports)
Reds hopeful over duo
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is hopeful Yossi Benayoun and
Sami Hyypia will be fit for this weekend's trip to Fulham.
Benayoun picked up a calf injury playing for Israel against
Greece last weekend, but the midfielder is optimistic he
will recover in time to play for his country on Wednesday.
Hyypia has returned to Liverpool after sustaining a knee
problem in Finland's weekend win over Wales.
Benitez will continue to monitor the fitness of the duo as
he finalises his plans for the game with Fulham after the
international break.
"Yossi has a problem with cramps in his calf and he is in
contact with our doctor and physios," Benitez told the
club's official website on Tuesday.
"We will see how he is for the next game but he has to be
careful. He will stay with Israel for their next match.
"Sami has a problem with his knee. The feedback we have is
that it isn't serious but he won't train for a couple of
days.
"I was talking with Sami yesterday and he was telling me he
will be ready for the next game. He has already started
working very hard to be fit again.
"It was a good decision by the Finland national team to let
Sami come back to us. They were very sensible and he is now
working with our physios."
(Sky Sports)
Kaka: Gerrard has everything
Brazil star Kaka has hailed Steven Gerrard as ‘the complete
modern player’ as well as praising Cristiano Ronaldo and
Lionel Messi.
Gerrard has been in fine form in recent weeks, leading Real
Madrid legend Zinedine Zidane to suggest he may now be the
best player in world football.
And Kaka believes Gerrard, Ronaldo and Messi are currently
the greatest players in the modern game.
Asked who he rated as the top three in the world, he told
FourFourTwo: “That’s a difficult question.
“If I had to choose three, I would pick Cristiano Ronaldo,
because of his skill and speed; Messi, because of his flair
and skills; and Steven Gerrard, who for me is the complete
modern player.”
(Setanta Sports)
Rafa keen to keep Scouse duo
Rafael Benitez today confirmed his desire to secure local
youngsters Jay Spearing and Stephen Darby on new Anfield
contracts.
Both players have impressed at reserve team level this
season and Benitez has insisted they each have a part to
play in his future vision of the club.
"We have been in contact with their agents and hopefully
they will be the next to sign new contracts," Benitez told
Liverpoolfc.tv.
"Both players are doing really well. Always when you talk
about them you say their commitment and everything else is
fantastic.
"They try to improve in every session and they are an
example for the rest of the young players.
"Clearly we want to keep young, local players here because
they are the future of the club."
(LFC Official Website)
Mosaic for Ray Kennedy
The Ray of Hope Appeal hope the campaign that you've all
supported, and helped raise vital money for Ray, will
culminate in a public display of our respect for Ray's great
career at both Arsenal and Liverpool.
To that end, a mosiac prior to the evening game with Arsenal
is planned (Tuesday 21st April). It will have a red Kop with
a simple, white '5' on it. The away enclosure will be yellow
with a blue '10'.
Both clubs and both sets of fans are supporting this, as
they did during the entire duration of the campaign.
We'll need volunteers the morning/lunchtime of the 21st
April to help set this up, so stay tuned for details.
In all Ray played 212 times for Arsenal scoring over 70
goals, and 393 times for Liverpool again scoring over 70
goals.
During his playing career Ray helped Liverpool and Arsenal
between them win 6 League titles,5 European trophies, 1 FA
cup and 1 League cup. He also played 17 times for England
scoring 3 goals.
Ray after retiring has spent most of his time, highlighting
and raising funds for research and treatments for
Parkinson's Disease. And to this day Ray leads a quiet life,
increasing housebound as he relies heavily on drugs to
control his condition.
A tragic legacy of his condition is the fact he's had to
sell all his football memorabilia including medals to help
fund treatment of his disease. I hope you agree that Ray
Kennedy was a true football legend.
(LFC Online)
Hammill hints at Tykes stay
Liverpool winger Adam Hammill has admitted he would be
prepared to spend next season on loan at Barnsley if Rafa
Benitez gives the move the green light.
Hammill is enjoying a productive loan spell at Oakwell and
has made a positive impression on the South Yorkshire club.
The winger views his time at Barnsley as a ‘great
opportunity’ and feels regular football can only be of
benefit to his career.
Hammill is aware he has little chance of breaking into
Benitez’s Liverpool side in the near future and would be
happy to stay at Oakwell.
"I'm really enjoying my football at Barnsley, it's a great
opportunity for me. I couldn't have asked for a better loan
spell," Hammill told
The Sheffield Star.
"I've got two years left on my contract at Liverpool, but if
the chance came along to stay at Barnsley for longer then
I'd certainly consider it.
"Liverpool are flying at the minute and I know it's going to
be hard to get in the side, but that's what I want to do one
day. Whether that will be next season, who knows. But I'll
go back at the end of the season and have to have a chat
with Rafa and see what he says."
(Setanta Sports)
Kelly pleased with loan switch
Martin Kelly is happy with his loan move.
The reserve team defender has joined League One side
Huddersfield on loan for the rest of the season. It's a
welcome move for the centre-back as he looks to get some
first team experience.
"I'm glad to have picked Huddersfield as the club to come
to," said Kelly.
"I'm made up that I have the opportunity to get a bit of
experience in League One and I am sure this is the right
move for me. I think it will be a really good experience for
me.
"I had an expectation that I might go out on loan, but it
was only after the England match on Wednesday that I knew
what options were available
to me.
"It was Gary Ablett who called to tell me about the
possibility. We talked about it for a good hour or two and
came to the conclusion that it was the right decision for me
to come here.
"I know I am still young and this is part of my learning
curve. The experience can only be good for me."
(LFC Online) |
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MONDAY 30 |
Hertha line up Voronin capture
Hertha Berlin have confirmed a deal is in place to sign
Andriy Voronin, but only if they secure a UEFA Champions
League place for next season.
The Liverpool front-man has greatly impressed in the German
capital since leaving Anfield for the Bundesliga in the
summer.
Hertha are delighted with the Ukrainian's contribution as
they currently top the table from Bavarian giants Bayern
Munich.
They will not, though, be able to keep Voronin in Germany
unless they can accrue extra revenue by qualifying for next
term's Champions League.
"We cannot go through with a transfer unless we have extra
funds from the Champions League so it depends on whether or
not we qualify," Hertha president Werner Gegenbauer told
German Sports agency SID.
"We can give and receive no promise, but we have to wait and
see what happens at the end of the season."
Voronin was remaining tight-lipped when quizzed on where he
would be plying his trade next season.
"At this point my goal is to play for Ukraine against
England and then continue to shine for Hertha.
"We will have to wait and see."
It has been reported Liverpool are looking for a fee in the
region of £3.7million for the 29-year-old, who has scored
eight times in his last seven matches.
(Sky Sports)
Gerrard rates Reina
as the world's greatest
Steven Gerrard has paid tribute to Pepe Reina, insisting
that his team-mate is probably the best goalkeeper in the
world at this moment in time.
"We're really happy with the keeper that we've got at
Liverpool and as far as I'm concerned Pepe is probably the
best in the world in his position right now," said Gerrard.
The Reds' skipper also believes that the Spanish stopper has
been integral to the club's impressive run of form this
season.
"If you look at the games we've won of late, Pepe has played
a really important part in those victories by making
important saves at vital moments and he's even created a
couple of goals as well. So we know just how good he is and
he is definitely one of the world's best."
(Shanklygates)
Foreign Office establish Reds link
The Foreign Office has established a link with Liverpool
which they hope will improve the experience of all English
fans in Europe.
A workshop involving representatives from Anfield, the
Foreign and Commonwealth Office and British Embassies
throughout the continent was convened to share information
and discuss travel advice for fans who follow the club in
the Champions League.
The intention of the initiative is to produce a framework of
tips and protocols which can help fans, officials and
foreign-based representatives work together to ensure
supporters endure minimal problems when following their club
abroad.
If successful it is likely that all British clubs in Europe
will be offered a similar service.
A spokesman for the FCO said: "We had a really productive,
amicable meeting.
"These relationships are not a thing that is broken as we've
been co-operating very well for a long time but in terms of
the support we can offer there are always ways to improve.
"Liverpool FC do a good job already in providing information
for their own fans but it is a good thing - and an important
one - to take best examples of best practice and make them
systematic.
"Liverpool have been so successful overseas in recent years
that they now have a core of knowledgeable, well-travelled
fans but those fans are our audience every bit as much as
first-time travellers."
(TEAMtalk)
Darby opens talks over new deal
Liverpool starlet Stephen Darby has reportedly opened
negotiations about extending his current contract at
Anfield. The young right back has breifly made the step up
to the first team this campaign and holds Carling Cup and
Uefa Champions League apperances to his name.
Rafael Benitez is a keen admirer of the young local lad and
has watched on with intrigue as he has made progress through
the clubs youth system. With Darby now currently sitting on
the fringes of the first team it appears as though the
youngster is set to land an improved contract with his
boyhood club.
Darby will no doubt rise to the challenge when called upon,
however with Alvaro Arbeloa facing little competition from
Phillip Degen since his move from Borrusia Dortmund, Darby
will hopefully be looking to get a look in sooner rather
than later.
(Vital Football)
Injured Yossi knew
he was taking risk
Liverpool midfielder Yossi Benayoun says the fact that he
would risk his own health to help his country out
contributed to his decision to play in Israel’s 1-1 draw
with Greece on Saturday.
Benayoun has missed the last few games for Liverpool, but
returned to play for his country at the weekend against the
Reds’ wishes.
After 72 minutes, he was stretchered off and could face more
time on the sidelines, missing Israel’s mid-week return
clash against the Greeks. He explained, “I made the right
decision, and that’s it. We hope we’ll win in Greece, but a
draw isn’t that bad either. Still, our aim is to win in
Crete.
“I had a little problem with Liverpool. They didn’t really
want me to come to Israel. But as long as I know I will be
able to give 100 per cent I will play, even if it means
risking my health.”
(This is Anfield)
Samuel Eto'o linked
with Liverpool move
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is weighing up a move for
Barcelona striker Samuel Eto’o in a bid to ensure his side
do not rely so heavily on Fernando Torres next season,
according to reports in Spain.
The sale of Robbie Keane to his former club Tottenham in
January has left Benitez with just youngster David N’Gog as
cover for Torres, a situation the Spaniard knows he must
remedy if Liverpool are to keep pace with Manchester United
and Chelsea.
Eto’o has insisted he would like to stay a Camp Nou until
his contract runs out in the summer of 2010 and while
Benitez would be prepared to wait to land one of Europe’s
best strikers on a free transfer, it is thought he may try
to exploit the uncertainty surrounding his future to land
his man sooner.
(Daily Telegraph)
MP calls for Hillsborough
memorial at Sheffield Wednesday
Victims of the Hillsborough stadium tragedy should have
their own memorial in Sheffield, one of the city’s MPs said.
Clive Betts said he is disappointed there is no tribute
inside Sheffield Wednesday’s stadium, where 96 Liverpool
fans lost their lives almost 20 years ago.
Mr Betts, a Wednesday supporter, was leader of Sheffield
City Council in 1989 and attended the FA Cup semi-final,
witnessing the deadly human crush.
Speaking ahead of the 20th anniversary commemorations, the
Sheffield Attercliffe representative said: "I hope the club
will now produce some sort of memorial inside the ground.
"We’ve never had one. I think the club are now willing to
listen to that, and I hope they respond.
"I believe it would be something else that could be done by
the club and by the people of Sheffield to remember those
Liverpool fans who died. I am disappointed there isn’t one
and I think there ought to be."
(Daily Post)
Hyypia injured
Sami Hyypia injured his knee during Finland's World Cup
qualifier with Wales on Saturday (Finland won 2-0). That
means that the Finnish defender will miss the international
friendly with Norway on Wednesday this week.
(Webmaster) |
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SUNDAY 29 |
Crouch: Skrtel was out of order
Peter Crouch has accused former Liverpool team-mate Martin
Skrtel of deliberately kicking him and adding to England's
striker crisis.
Crouch was forced off with a dead leg towards the end of the
friendly win over Slovakia, having already seen Emile Heskey
and Carlton Cole limp off in the first half at Wembley.
"I went up with Skrtel. I thought he was my mate to be
honest, but obviously not," Crouch said. "I went up with him
and he kicked out and gave me a dead leg."
Skrtel was being given a torrid time by Wayne Rooney, which
may have contributed to the centre-back's frustration during
the 4-0 defeat to Fabio Capello's men.
"It was a little bit (out of order)," Crouch added. "It's
for other people to discuss if he didn't have the best of
days."
(TEAMtalk)
Benitez drops Agger hint
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has hinted that Daniel Agger
is a part of his future first-team plans.
The centre-back has been persistently linked with a move
away Anfield, with AC Milan understood to be monitoring
prolonged contract negotiations.
Agger - who season has been hit by injury - has yet to put
pen-to-paper on a long-term deal as he is not guaranteed a
place in the starting XI after apparently falling behind
Jamie Carragher, Martin Skrtel and Sami Hyypia in the
pecking order.
However, Benitez has implied that the Denmark international
could regain a regular place in his plans if he remains on
Merseyside.
The Liverpool boss said in the Mail on Sunday: "Agger knows
what I think of him.
"If he stays fit, he will have as good a chance of playing
as anyone else, maybe more."
(Sky Sports)
Gerrard unhappy about Lucas criticism
Steven Gerrard has told the Liverpool supporters to stop
criticising under-fire midfielder Lucas Leiva.
The Brazil international, 22, has been booed by his own fans
this season as he has struggled to find his best form and
recently admitted that ‘some people don't trust me yet’.
However, he has already received the full backing of boss
Rafa Benitez, and Gerrard has now called on the Liverpool
fans to get behind the player as he develops.
“The criticism he receives does get to me,” he said in
the Daily Star Sunday.
“I think people forget he’s 22 years old. He’s not 27 or 28.
“I remember what I was like at that age and I look at where
I am now.
“I know that I’m a one-million-percent better player now. I
got better with experience.
“I made mistakes and learned and it has helped me become the
player
I am.
“Lucas is a good player and I know he’ll continue to get
better.”
(Setanta Sports)
Liverpool in talks over Premiership
record £60m sponsorship deal
Liverpool are in talks with Carlsberg over a record £60
million shirt sponsorship deal.
The News of the World says the Merseysiders hope to conclude
negotiations as early as this summer on an agreement which
would eclipse those of Manchester United and Chelsea.
(tribalfootball.com)
Report: Agger set to reject
new Liverpool deal
Liverpool defender Daniel Agger is reportedly set to reject
the club’s offer of a new contract this week, according to
the News of the World.
The Dane is currently away on international duty with
Denmark, who beat Malta 3-0 yesterday, but when he returns
to Anfield he is expected to decline a new deal.
Agger’s contract expires next summer, which has led to a
number of clubs, including AC Milan, expressing an interest
in the Dane.
(Goal.com)
International Reds enjoy successful night
Liverpool's international stars have enjoyed a successful
weekend representing their countries in World Cup qualifying
action.
With the road to South Africa 2010 gathering pace, most of
the Reds' international contingent look well placed to be on
their way to football's most glittering tournament next
summer.
Javier Mascherano enjoyed the most emphatic result on the
night as he played all 90 minutes of Argentina's 4-0
trouncing of Venezuela
in Buenos Aires.
Dirk Kuyt was on target from the penalty spot as Holland
comfortably defeated George Burley's Scotland 3-0 in
Amsterdam to leave them eight points clear at the top of
Group 9.
Daniel Agger proved he is back to full fitness by playing
all 90 minutes of Denmark's 3-0 victory in Malta while
fellow defender Sami Hyypia helped Finland keep a clean
sheet against Wales in Cardiff as they enjoyed a 2-0
success.
Xabi Alonso and Fernando Torres were involved in Spain's 1-0
victory over Turkey, while Pepe Reina, Albert Riera and
Alvaro Arbeloa were all unused substitutes.
Yossi Benayoun's Israel were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw
against Greece, with the Liverpool midfielder leaving the
field after 77 minutes.
Away from World Cup qualifiers and Steven Gerrard will
doubtless enjoy reminding Martin Skrtel of England's 4-0
victory over Slovakia when the two players return to Melwood
later in the week. Gerrard created the first goal of the
game for Emile Heskey before being substituted at the break.
The next round of international action takes place in
midweek before the Reds' players arrive back on Merseyside
to prepare for Saturday's trip to Fulham.
(LFC Official Website)
Antwi finished at Liverpool
Godwin Antwi's loan spell with Hereford United has finished
and the 20-year-old Ghanaian defender is concerned that his
career is at a crossroads.
He is finished at Liverpool according to his Spanish agent
who is looking for a new club for the player who says he is
desperate to play as much as possible.
"There's no chance of me accepting a new deal as I won't
play in the first team at Liverpool," said Godwin.
"I don't know why. When I signed, Rafa and [former chief
scout] Paco Herrera told me, 'Do your best.' But I can't
remember the last time I spoke with Rafa, not properly
anyway."
(Bulls News - Hereford) |
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SATURDAY 28 |
Why Benitez pulled
out of Silva race
Liverpool have pulled out of the race to sign David Silva
after Rafa Benitez balked at Valencia’s £30m asking
price.
The Reds boss confirmed to the ECHO that Liverpool made an
inquiry for the Valencia midfielder but is not planning to
follow it up with a firm offer.
Benitez said: “It is true that we were asking about the
situation with him but we are not happy with the situation
now and he will not be a target
for us.
“We have to work hard and we are trying to have
conversations and trying to progress but it’s not easy to
sign any player now.
“The most important thing now is to make progress with the
contracts of our own players.
“We are working hard on that because this is our priority.”
While the Anfield club did make tentative moves for Silva,
his Valencia team-mate Raul Albiol was not featured on
Benitez’s shopping list despite speculation suggesting
otherwise.
“He is another good player but he is not our target,” said
the Reds boss.
(Liverpool Echo)
Reds to play Espanyol
Liverpool will face RCD Espanyol this summer to commemorate
the opening of the Spanish club's new stadium.
The Reds will travel to Barcelona for the game on August 2
to play in the first game at the Cornella-El Prat stadium.
The announcement was made on the La Liga club's website last
night and will be part of a busy pre-season for Rafael
Benitez's side which includes a tour of Asia.
(Shanklygates)
Steven Gerrard:
It’s an absolute rivilege
to captain Liverpool FC
At times during his Liverpool career, Steven Gerrard has
appeared over-burdened by the dual demands of captaincy and
expectation.
As if it was not enough just to go out and deliver
superlative performances week in and week out, there have
been several occasions when he has also been asked to carry
the hopes of England’s most successful club almost
single-handedly.
While on international duty with England this week though,
Gerrard revealed that he has never been more content with
life at Anfield in the knowledge that he is finally part of
a team which is battling it out for the league title, the
prize he has longed for ever since he first broke into the
Liverpool team as a teenager.
Though still very much first among equals, Gerrard is
revelling in the fact that both the workload and
responsibility are now being shared more evenly than ever
before as Liverpool bid to peg back Manchester United’s lead
at the top of the table.
“It’s an absolute privilege to captain this football club at
any time but especially when the team is playing the way it
is,” Gerrard told the ECHO.
“It makes my job an awful lot easier when you don’t have to
talk too much to players because they are just doing their
jobs without that being needed.
“Confidence is really high right now and we’re certainly
enjoying playing together. We are playing without fear and
without anxiety and I think you’re seeing some superb
football from us in the last couple of weeks.
“From front to back everyone is pulling in the right
direction for the team.”
(Daily Post)
Reds on international duty today
Steven Gerrard comes up against Martin Skrtel in a
fascinating encounter as England host Slovakia in an
international friendly at Wembley today.
Fernando Torres, Pepe Reina, Xabi Alonso, Alvaro Arbeloa and
Albert Riera are in the Spain squad for their World Cup
qualifying double header with Turkey. The two clash at Real
Madrid's Bernabeu tonight, before facing each other again in
Istanbul next Wednesday.
Sami Hyypia makes a welcome return to the Millennium Stadium
in Cardiff today as he captains Finland in their World Cup
qualifier with John Toshack's Wales.
Dutch duo Ryan Babel and Dirk Kuyt are expected to feature
for Holland in their qualifier with Scotland in Amsterdam
tonight.
Yossi Benayoun is also in action as Israel take on Greece in
a Group Two qualifier.
Andrea Dossena could feature for Italy as they are in
Montenegro tonight.
Meanwhile, Javier Mascherano is set to captain Diego
Maradona's Argentina as they take on Venezuela in Buenos
Aires.
Moroccan international Nabil El Zhar is also expected to
feature as his country take on Gabon.
(LFC Official Website)
Thor Zakariassen
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