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SUNDAY 31 |
Joe Cole injury update
Roy Hodgson is waiting to discover the extent of Joe Cole's
injury with the England international set to have a scan on
his hamstring on Monday.
Liverpool's No.10 was forced off the field during the 1-0
win over Bolton Wanderers and the Reds boss is hoping the
scan will be a positive outcome.
"Joe has a slight hamstring injury so he will have a scan
tomorrow,"
said Hodgson.
"Hopefully he will be ok but I can't say how long he will be
out until we get the results of the scan.
"Often these muscle injuries always seem to take ten days to
two weeks, but I know Joe will be keen to be fit for Chelsea
next weekend. We'll have to wait
and see."
(LFC Official Website)
Hodgson: Still work to do
Roy Hodgson refused to get carried away in the aftermath of
Liverpool's win at Bolton after insisting there is still
plenty of work for his side to do.
Maxi Rodriguez's 86th minute strike was enough to earn
Liverpool a three-point haul at the Reebok that pulls them
out of the drop zone.
"I have been as devastated as everyone has by the lack of
results but I have never stopped believing that work would
pay dividends. It is just a question
of timescales.
"I am still not convinced it is going to pay dividends in a
short timescale, it is going to be a longer job.
"It is still too early to be too optimistic but at least it
is a step
in the right direction."
(Sky Sports)
Honest Carragher
admits to Reds fortune
Jamie Carragher felt Liverpool were fortunate to edge a 1-0
win over Bolton in an evenly-contested Premier League clash
at the Reebok Stadium.
Maxi Rodriguez struck a late winner to help the Reds climb
out of the relegation zone, the Argentinian latching onto
Fernando Torres' backheel to settle a competitive encounter.
Both sides created numerous chances and Carragher felt
neither deserved to leave with all three points.
"I don't think anyone deserved to win to be honest,"
Carragher told Sky Sports 1. "I don't think there was too
many chances. It's always a difficult game
here at Bolton."
(TEAMtalk)
Maxi leaves it
late for Reds
A day of derbies in the Premier League concluded with a
timely three points for Liverpool as Maxi Rodriguez's late
goal secured a 1-0 win at Bolton.
The game looked to be heading for a goalless stalemate when
Fernando Torres' clever flick found Rodriguez's run from
deep and the Argentine kept his nerve to stab past Jussi
Jaaskelainen for a maximum haul.
There was plenty of bluster from both sides in what was a
whole-hearted affair but genuine chances were at a premium
as neither goalkeeper was overworked before Rodriguez's
intervention four minutes from time.
Prior to his assist Torres looked shy of both form and
confidence and never did it become more apparent than in the
first half when he made inroads on Bolton's goal only to
prod meekly wide with just Jaaskelainen to beat.
His profligacy was matched by Steven Gerrard towards
half-time as he pulled his shot wide when well placed on the
edge of the box, while earlier Pepe Reina was forced into a
save to deny Stuart Holden from range.
(Sky Sports)
Reds unchanged
Roy Hodgson has named an unchanged starting XI for
Liverpool's Barclays Premier League clash with Bolton
Wanderers.
The Reds boss has kept faith with the same line-up that
defeated Blackburn Rovers at Anfield last weekend, meaning
Fernando Torres is once again partnered by Steven Gerrard in
attack.
Rookie goalkeeper Martin Hansen has been named amongst the
substitutes at the Reebok.
Liverpool: Reina, Konchesky, Carragher, Kyrgiakos, Skrtel,
Lucas, Meireles, Maxi, Cole, Gerrard, Torres.
Subs: Hansen, Poulsen, Jovanovic, Spearing, Kelly, Shelvey,
Ngog.
(LFC Official Website)
Hodgson targets
'five or six' signings
Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson has "five or six" targets for the
January transfer window and desperately wants to add a
striker to his ranks.
The Reds have endured their worst ever start to a Premier
League season and go into Sunday's game at Bolton third
bottom with just nine points.
Hodgson has generally remained optimistic about his side's
performances but he does realise the need to strengthen and
intends to do so in the new year.
"We are going to be very interested in improving our squad
in January," Hodgson said in the Daily Star.
"I'm prepared to accept that a number of players we're
looking to sign do make five or six - but I don't wish to
specify positions other than one is obviously
a front player.
"In January we should be really looking to solve one or two
situations. We are desperately short of players. Front
players.
"Having three front players at the club, and that's if you
include Ryan Babel, is nowhere near good enough.
"If Fernando (Torres) isn't playing one week, you have got
to get someone in who has got the same level of quality."
(TEAMtalk) |
SATURDAY 30 |
Hodgson: King Kenny and
I can take club forward
So far it has been a story that might even test the brain of
Milan Kundera, the Czech writer who Roy Hodgson espouses,
but the Liverpool manager maintains that the club's fortunes
are about to turn and the days of political struggling at
Anfield are over.
Hodgson feels Dalglish, whose current role involves working
with the academy and some scouting after returning to the
club as an ambassador under Rafael Benitez last year, should
be working at a level that is unaffected by the identity of
the manager for as long as he wants.
"I'm not prepared to pass up on quality people who can help
because of a fear the day may come when the club decides
they want Kenny as manager,"
said Hodgson.
"That wasn't the case in the summer, but that's not to say
it won't be the case forever. I don't know. I have no fears
in that respect because I know my qualities and I'm not a
political person. He is doing a great job alongside us and
we involve him in our scouting while he still works at the
academy and plays an ambassadorial role. That's what he's
good at."
(The Independent)
Stadium decision
may take some time
Since NESV’s takeover of Liverpool earlier this month there
has been much discussion on whether they will continue with
the club’s current plans to build a new stadium at Stanley
Park, or instead redevelop Anfield.
It is a situation they inherited when they took over at the
Boston Red Sox, where they – eventually – chose
redevelopment of the famous ballpark. Therefore some have
assumed John Henry and his partners will choose a similar
route
for Liverpool.
However, Red Sox chief operating officer Sam Kennedy insists
no decision has been made and that NESV will take their time
to make a calculated decision for the long term future of
the football club.
(This is Anfield)
Aquilani: I have found
a home at Juventus
Alberto Aquilani struggled to make an impression at
Liverpool
Aquilani was a £20 million purchase from Roma last summer,
but failed to settle at Anfield amid injury and form
concerns. The 26-year-old was farmed out on loan to Juventus
by new boss Roy Hodgson and he now says that he is very
happy to playing for the club.
"I like the team. I like Turin. I have found a home. I am
happy,"
he told La Stampa.
Asked about his new role at Juventus, he added: "I am more
of a central midfielder. Before, I was further forward in
the offensive phase. Now I have to have more balance and be
careful also in defence."
Juventus have an option to make the move permanent next
summer and, with new ownership in place at Anfield, Aquilani
is expected to leave to rebuild his career in Turin.
(ESPN Soccernet) |
FRIDAY 29 |
Henry: Reds stars staying
Liverpool co-owner John Henry insists he plans to strengthen
the squad and not weaken it in January by selling their top
stars.
Henry has described speculation linking Fernando Torres and
Pepe Reina with moves away from Anfield as "destructive and
unwarranted".
"We have recently read stories about our intentions for the
forthcoming January transfer window and have a sense of
humour about this type of inevitable speculation," Henry
told the club's official website.
"Our clear focus from day one of our ownership has been -
and will be - to improve the club and focus on what it will
take to put Liverpool FC consistently in a position to
challenge for trophies."
(Sky Sports)
Roy outlines transfer plans
Roy Hodgson today revealed plans to improve his squad in the
January transfer window - and insisted Liverpool can attract
top stars.
The boss is hopeful of having money to spend following
discussions with new owners NESV, but he is determined the
Reds won't be held to ransom in the transfer market.
He explained: "If we want the right quality, we have got to
be prepared to pay the right price.
"The owners know that perfectly well. We have got to make
certain that if we go out and spend £20m, we are getting a
£20m player.
"We want to be attracting the players that Barcelona, Real
Madrid and Inter are chasing. It would be nice to think that
we can shop at a high level."
(LFC Official Website)
Coyle offers Hodgson support
Bolton boss Owen Coyle has backed his under-pressure
Liverpool counterpart Roy Hodgson ahead of their Premier
League meeting this weekend.
A 2-1 win over Blackburn eased the pressure and Hodgson
takes his men to the Reebok Stadium on Sunday aiming for a
first away win of their
Premier League campaign.
And Coyle believes the criticism Hodgson has copped is
uncalled for, saying on Sky Sports News: "Liverpool have a
fantastic manager. I find it bewildering the criticism he
has come under."
(Sky Sports)
Hodgson enthused
by Torres upturn
Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has seen signs that Fernando
Torres is getting back to his best.
The Reds' star striker has endured a difficult start to the
season but hit the winner in last Sunday's crucial Premier
League win over Blackburn.
That was only the second goal of the campaign for the
Spanish World Cup winner, who has struggled for form since
undergoing a knee operation in April.
Hodgson told LFC TV: "I think his desire and his wanting to
do a good job have been there from the very first day.
"It is just a combination of things - maybe the team is
playing a bit better and their extra confidence is giving
him extra confidence."
(TEAMtalk)
Reds close on Miller move
Skysports.com understands Liverpool are poised to sign
Gillingham starlet
Ashley Miller.
Miller has been playing in Gillingham's junior ranks since
2003 and he is regarded as one of the most exciting young
talents in England.
The likes of Manchester United, Arsenal, Tottenham, Aston
Villa and Everton have all been linked with the 16-year-old,
but it appears Liverpool are set to win the race for his
signature.
(Sky Sports) |
THURSDAY 28 |
Two more games moved
Two more of Liverpool's games have been moved for
television.
The home game against Everton has been moved from Saturday,
January 15th to Sunday, January 16th, kick off 2.05pm and is
live on Sky Sports.
The away game against Wolves at Molineux is still on
Saturday, January 22nd but is now a 12.45pm kick off and is
also live on Sky Sports.
(LFC Online)
Hodgson: United can
forget about Reina
Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has warned Manchester United
that goalkeeper Pepe Reina is not for sale as he is
"crucial" to the Reds.
The Spain international was linked with the Reds'
arch-rivals earlier this week and Arsenal have been
mentioned as potential suitors in the past.
Speculation over the future of Reina - and other star
players - has arisen because of the recent instability at
Anfield and the poor start made by the club to the Premier
League season.
But the 28-year-old only signed a six-year contract in April
and Hodgson has no intention of letting one of his most
prized assets leave.
Hodgson told the Liverpool Echo: "It was just one of those
stories that seems to occur - it's just disappointing and
annoying.
"Pepe is fantastic here, he is a lifeblood of this team.
"Everything he does around the club is excellent - he is
always lively in the dressing room, he is always first class
in training and he always wants to do more to improve.
"He demands better from those around him, he is always
pushing people on. He is a player who we hold in the highest
esteem.
"We have heard nothing from Manchester United and, more to
the point, we don't want to hear anything from Manchester
United.
"If (Sir Alex) Ferguson is looking around at the end of the
season and he has got lots of money to replace (Edwin) van
der Sar, he might very well want Pepe Reina because he is
the best around.
"But we do not want to sell him. I would like to think that
we are going to become a successful club once again and Pepe
is crucial to that."
(TEAMtalk)
Ex-Red appointed County boss
Former Liverpool captain Paul Ince has been appointed
manager of Notts County.
The former England international has had spells in charge of
Blackburn Rovers, MK Dons and Macclesfield Town.
The new Meadow Lane boss will take charge of County for the
first time on Saturday when they entertain Southampton in
League One.
(LFC Official Website)
Bayern Munich eager for
Liverpool to try again for Gomez
Bayern Munich have put Liverpool on red alert over the
availability of
Mario Gomez.
The Daily Mail says Bayern intend to cash in on Gomez in
January to fund a bid for Wolfsburg striker Edin Dzeko.
(tribalfootball.com)
Thor Zakariassen
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