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SUNDAY 31 |
Rafa rubbishes Alonso to Real link
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has rubbished reports in Spain
suggesting Real Madrid have reached an agreement with
midfield star Xabi Alonso.
The Spain international has been strongly linked with a
summer move away from Anfield, with a return to his homeland
widely touted.
Benitez has always insisted that the classy playmaker
remains an integral part of his long-term plans, but that
has done little to stem the tide of speculation.
The latest rumours suggest Alonso has already opted for a
move to Real, with a deal now in place, but that has been
strongly denied by Reds boss Benitez.
"The situation is clear, we do not want to sell our best
players and that includes Xabi," he told Liverpool's
official website.
"He had a very good season for us and can be an important
player in the future. There is no agreement with Real and we
want him to be part of our plans going forward.
"Xabi himself told our club magazine only two weeks ago that
he was looking forward to his sixth season as a Liverpool
player. Why should he want to leave now?"
Benitez added: "Xabi's agent came to see me recently to talk
about the future. It was a surprise for me and I pointed out
to him there were three years left on Xabi's contract.
"I asked him if the player was happy in Liverpool and he
said yes. It was a short meeting."
(TEAMtalk)
Reds stars make 08-09 top 50
No fewer than six Liverpool players feature in Match
Magazine’s countdown of the top 50 stars of 2008-09.
Football Writer's Player of the Year, Steven Gerrard was the
highest red on the list in second place with Xabi Alonso
eighth and
Fernando Torres 17th.
Dirk Kuyt's most prolific season in a red shirt earned him a
spot at 20 with unsung hero Yossi Benayoun 29th and stalwart
Jamie Carragher at 41.
(LFC Official Website)
City 'to pay £42m'
for wanted duo
Manchester City are reportedly ready to flex their financial
muscle in order to win the transfer chase for Carlos Tevez
and Gareth Barry.
City's Abu Dhabi owners are prepared to meet the £32million
asking price for Manchester United striker Tevez, set by
Media Sports Investment president Kia Joorabchian.
Meanwhile, Aston Villa's England midfielder Barry could also
make the move to Eastlands this summer.
City are said to be confident that their £10million bid and
£90,000-a-week contract offer will ultimately win out.
(TEAMtalk)
Report: Real Madrid & Liverpool
reach Xabi Alonso agreement
Liverpool and Real Madrid have reached an agreement over
Xabi Alonso, and the player will be presented next week,
according to reports.
According to Sport, the two clubs have settled on terms and
all the remains is the player's signature. The initial
transfer fee is €25 million, but the fee could increase
depending on whether or not Liverpool can come to an
agreement with Gabriel Heinze, who could be part of the
deal.
(Goal.com) |
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SATURDAY 30 |
Torres sees Villa and
Silva as missing links
Fernando Torres feels that David Villa and David Silva would
be the perfect accompaniment to what Rafa Benitez already
has at his disposal at Liverpool.
Benitez has never been shy in turning to his native Spain to
add to a squad that this season came closer still to ending
their wait for
The Premier League.
The Reds manager has had varying success with reinforcements
from his homeland, doing shrewd business with the likes of
Torres and Xabi Alonso but was not so astute with the
acquisition of the likes of
Fernando Morientes.
Villa and Silva, both of whom currently ply their trade with
cash-strapped Valencia, have been linked with moves to
Anfield, although it is the latter who looks more likely to
be en route from La Liga to The Premier League.
“Villa and Silva would complement Liverpool greatly,” Torres
told Marca.
"It is difficult to say which league is better, but The
Premiership is more competitive because the British are
becoming stronger and players are coming to England.”
Torres himself signed improved terms with Liverpool this
week and is adamant that his future lies at Anfield – before
finishing off at former club Atletico Madrid – even if
Benitez were to ever complete a much-mooted move to Real
Madrid.
“I would not follow in his footsteps,” he added. “It would
be important to end my career where it started [at
Atletico].
"I have improved a lot. I managed to score more goals than
any other foreigner in his first year in The Premiership and
was third in
the Golden Ball.”
(Setanta Sports)
Liverpool’s debt
rises to £86m
Liverpool Football Club’s debt has doubled in the last year
and now stands at £86million, although the club have made
profit this year after losses the previous year.
The news may come as worry to Liverpool fans, although
increased revenue from commercial and matchday income shows
the club’s fortunes may be looking up.
The report shows that the club made a pre-tax profit of
£10.2million for the year leading up to the end of July
2008.
The figures also show that co-owners Tom Hicks and George
Gillett invested a further £58million into the club.
It’s understood that some of this money was used in the
transfer market for players, whilst the rest was part of the
refinancing deal for the loan the Americans took out from
the Royal Bank of Scotland to purchase
the club.
Hicks and Gillett looks set to be given a six-month
extension to their current loan deal in the coming weeks.
(This is Anfield)
Gerrard praises Capello
Steven Gerrard has praised Fabio Capello.
Gerrard has been impressed with the way Capello has quickly
turned England around since taking charge after Steve
McClaren's
disasterous reign.
"The new manager has come in and changed things. I can
honestly say it is a good time to be an England player,"
said the Liverpool captain.
"I have got a lot of belief in the England manager and his
coaching staff.
"I think it is going to be an exciting year and hopefully we
can get [World Cup] qualification sorted as quickly as
possible.
"Then hopefully we can do better than we have done in
previous years for England."
(LFC Online)
Gerrard hungrier than ever after
scooping FWAPlayer of the Year award
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is as 'hungry and
ambitious' as ever - vowing to make sure he will once again
be in contention for Footballer of the Year at the end of
next season.
The England midfielder, who turns 29 today, was honoured at
a gala dinner in London last night by the Football Writers
Association after he topped the poll of journalists ahead of
Manchester United duo Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney to win the
prestigious accolade.
'I am still learning every single day in training, working
on parts of my game, am still very hungry and ambitious.
'There is still a lot to achieve for me personally, for
Liverpool and England, so hopefully next year is going to be
a lot bigger for me trophy wise.'
(The Daily Mail) |
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FRIDAY 29 |
Alonso is hurting
but wants to stay
Former Red Steve McManaman has exclusively revealed to
setanta.com that Xabi Alonso is still hurting from being
told he can leave Liverpool, but the Spanish playmaker does
not want to leave Anfield.
McManaman has grown to know Alonso well, both as players
from their time in La Liga and since the Spain international
moved to Merseyside, and he insists Alonso does not want out
of Liverpool.
However, McManaman is all too aware of the imminent return
of Florentino Perez as president at Real Madrid, a man who
reportedly wants Alonso, and a man who usually gets what he
wants.
Liverpool are loathe to lose their midfield tempo-setter,
with Rafa Benitez insisting he will not sell him, but
McManaman admits scars remain from when Benitez tried to use
Alonso as a fundraiser for Gareth Barry 12 months ago.
“It really hurts when a player is told he can leave a club.
It’s a real kick up the backside to be told that the manager
is not bothered about you leaving,” McManaman told
setanta.com.
“I know Xabi well and I know he was hurt by the fact that
the club were willing to sell him last year.
“If another club comes and offers him a lot of love, maybe
it will turn
his head.
“But Liverpool have come out and said they want Alonso to
stay, and hopefully for Liverpool that will be enough."
(Setanta Sports)
Torres eyes trophy haul
Fernando Torres has revealed his motivation for signing a
new deal at Anfield and that lifting trophies with Liverpool
remains his top priority.
El Nino capped off an historic two years on Merseyside with
his 50th club goal against Tottenham Hotspur last Sunday and
is hoping that his new deal, which will tie him to the club
until 2014, will see him win many major honours for the
club.
"I want to remain here," he said.
"Since arriving at Liverpool I feel that there's a bond and
commitment.
"We listened to the club's offer, which came on the back of
two seasons of positive work.
"My objective now is to win a trophy with Liverpool next
year."
(Shanklygates)
Hicks to sell Rangers
Liverpool co-owner Tom Hicks is looking to sell his majority
stake in the Dallas Rangers baseball team.
It is no secret that Hicks is struggling with interest
payments following the credit crunch and this latest news
may prompt further rumours about the future of his
investment in Liverpool Football Club.
"My family and I want very much to stay involved with the
club but we understand that we have to be open to solutions
that may include partners who own a controlling interest in
the Rangers," he said.
"That's not our preference, but there are some potential
buyers who won't consider having only a minority interest."
(LFC Online)
Fowler backs Reds
to win league
Former Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler has backed the Reds
to improve on this season’s Premier League performance and
go on to win the title next season.
Liverpool narrowly lost out on the title to Manchester Utd,
but enjoyed their best ever Premier League season –
accumulating 86 points.
Fowler, who now plays for Australian side North Queensland
Fury, says Rafa Benitez’s men just need to cement the small
gaps that lost them vital points during the last 10 months.
“I think they surprised a few people. They were better this
year than they’ve ever been in the Premier League,” he said.
“I’ve mentioned it before that some of the silly points that
they dropped at home against the so-called weaker teams - if
they could turn those draws into wins, we could be talking
here now of Liverpool as champions.
“The reason that Manchester United are champions is that
they don’t draw those games, they win them. If Liverpool can
put that right, and I can definitely see them doing that,
then I think that next year will be Liverpool’s year.”
(Shanklygates) |
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THURSDAY 28 |
Mascherano scoffs at Barca rumours
Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano has denied reports
claiming he is set to join Barcelona - and insists he is
'only thinking of the Reds'.
The Argentina international has become a vital part of
manager Rafa Benitez's plans since joining the Anfield
outfit on a five-year contract
in 2007.
That form is reported to have caught the eye of Barca, but
Mascherano is unaware of any interest from the Champions
League winners.
The 24-year-old angered Benitez at the start of May after
confessing he was unsure over his long-term future, but he
now has no doubts.
"I still have three years on my contract with Liverpool and
I am happy there," he told TyC Sports.
"I am comfortable and thinking only of Liverpool. I don't
know anything about an approach from Barcelona or any other
club."
(TEAMtalk)
Reds tie down Torres to new deal
Liverpool have rewarded striker Fernando Torres with a new
four-year contract that will keep the Spain star at Anfield
until at least 2013.
The 25-year-old has been a huge success since joining from
Atletico Madrid two years ago and scored his 50th goal for
the Reds on Sunday against Tottenham.
Although the Spain striker still had four years remaining on
his original six-year contract, Liverpool have offered him
improved terms and added an option to take the deal through
to 2014.
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez said: "Fernando is one of
the best strikers in the game today and, at his age, can
only get better.
"Every major side would want him in their team, but he has
shown how much he wants to achieve success at Liverpool by
committing his future to the club.
"He's a special talent but still has the hunger to improve
his game."
Benitez is looking to secure the futures of his key players
after watching them push Manchester United all the way in
the title race this season before settling for second place.
Dirk Kuyt, Daniel Agger, Steven Gerrard and Benitez himself
have already signed new contracts in the last two months.
"We've made huge progress this season and now we need to
take the next step," Benitez added on the club's website.
"We are building something special here and securing such
important players on long-term deals means we can move
forward with confidence.
"This sends out a very positive message to everyone
connected with the club."
(TEAMtalk)
No move for Martinez
Athletic Bilbao insist they have received no approach from
Liverpool for Javi Martinez.
The midfielder has been strongly linked with a move to
Anfield of late, with Rafa Benitez reported to be ready to
return to Spain in search of new recruits.
The Reds are believed to have had scouts run the rule over
20-year-old Martinez on a number of recent outings, and have
been suitably impressed by what they have seen.
A big-money move has been widely touted, but Bilbao claim no
such offer has been forthcoming.
"We know there is interest from some clubs in Javi Martinez,
and that Liverpool have sent scouts to matches, but the club
has received no bids," a spokesman for the Basque club told
skysports.com.
"We have no intention of selling him, but it is normal that
we will study any offers that are made."
Martinez, meanwhile, has admitted that he would welcome the
prospect of a switch to Anfield.
"The rumours are not affecting me. I am very calm," he said.
"If an offer is received, then I will speak with the club.
"Liverpool are a great club with a great history and any
player would like to be in their squad."
(Sky Sports)
Agger: No contract signed
Daniel Agger has revealed that he has yet to put pen to
paper on his contract extension at Liverpool.
Despite press reports claiming that the 24-year-old had
signed a deal to keep him at Anfield until 2014 and Reds
manager Rafael Benitez saying that the Danish international
had committed his future to the club, the defender says that
nothing has been finalised.
However he is confident that it will be dealt with after his
country's World Cup qualifying game with Sweden on June 6.
"Nothing has been signed yet, but I expect to do so when the
game against Sweden is over," Agger told DR Sporten.
(Shanklygates)
Agent: Babel wants to stay
Liverpool attacker Ryan Babel wants to remain at Anfield,
according
to his agent.
The 22-year-old Holland international has struggled to
establish himself in England following his 2007 move from
Ajax, and reports claim Rafa Benitez is ready to cash in on
the player at the end of the season.
However, agent Winnie Haatrecht says Babel has no intention
of leaving Liverpool until he has proved himself.
“We’ll get around the table with Mr Benitez soon to evaluate
the season,” he said in Sportwereld.
“We have not had the time yet.
“Ryan left Ajax for Liverpool because he wanted to win
trophies and, so far, he hasn’t succeeded.
“Ryan wants to leave Liverpool as a first-team player with a
prize in his pocket. He is not ready to go.”
Aston Villa, Tottenham and Arsenal have all been linked with
a move
for Babel.
(Setanta Sports)
Benitez reassesses set-up
with Gary Ablett leading out four staff
Four of Liverpool’s backroom staff will be released as part
of the ongoing review of the club’s Academy.
Reserve team manager Gary Ablett is the most prominent name
of the quartet with Rafael Benitez reassessing the set-up
beneath the first team.
Under-18s manager Hugh McAuley, under-16 coach Dave Shannon
and under-14s coach Paul Lever are also set leave, with
their departures expected next week.
Although Liverpool reached the FA Youth Cup final, where
they were this week beaten by Arsenal 6-2 on aggregate, the
reserve and youth levels have underwhelmed in their
respective leagues.
(Liverpool Daily Post)
Thor Zakariassen
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