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WEDNESDAY 6 |
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Rafa will keep Gerrard as skipper
Steven Gerrard offered to give up the captain's armband at
Liverpool in recognition of the upset his transfer U-turn
has caused at Anfield.
The move, which was rejected by manager Rafael Benitez,
emphasised the depth of irritation Gerrard felt his
controversial stance has caused.
Gerrard addressed his team-mates face to face at the club's
Melwood training ground on Wednesday, but those same players
had already spoken to Benitez - and told them they wanted
their European Cup-winning skipper to keep the job.
"Steven is our captain and I want him to stay as captain,"
Benitez told the club's website.
The news came as a welcome relief to Gerrard, who is
expected to sign a £20million four-year contract on Friday.
"It would have broken my heart to have lost the captaincy,
but I thought it was right to make the offer because I know
some of the players have been frustrated with what has gone
on," he said.
(ITV Football)
It's great news, says King Kenny
Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish reacted by saying: "It's
fantastic news."
Dalglish said after hearing of Gerrard's decision to remain
at Anfield: "I think after the European Cup Final win, both
Steven and the club wanted to continue the relationship.
"But for some reason we are maybe not entitled to know,
yesterday it seemed as if that was not going to happen.
"But there is a totally different atmosphere now today and
everyone will be delighted.
"In any conversation I have had with Steven he's been very
positive and appreciative of the fans and the support they
have given him.
"He's been at the club since he was 12 years of age.
"It's not corny - he really does love Liverpool FC. He could
play anywhere in the world but is where he is because he
wants to be there."
(Liverpool Echo)
Dudek dismayed by Reina
The agent of Liverpool goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek admits that
his client is considering his future following the arrival
of Jose Reina.
Despite the heroics performed by Dudek in the UEFA Champions
League final, Reds boss Rafa Benitez has elected to bring in
Reina - who will start the new season as his number one
choice.
Chris Kirkland has already been shipped out to West Brom and
now Dudek's agent, Jan de Zeeuw, has urged the Pole to quit
Anfield.
''With a new Spanish keeper and three Spanish coaches, you
can guess,'' de Zeeuw told Algemeen Dagblad.
''Jerzy doesn't know what to do. I have told him it's maybe
better for him to leave the club after winning the Champions
League, something that will be difficult for him to do again
with this club.
''It's up to him what to do. We won't react to the words of
Benitez.
''It's for Liverpool to decide right now.''
(Sky Sports)
Gerrard: Why I just couldn't say goodbye to
beloved Reds
Steven Gerrard today reflected on today's dramatic
developments at Anfield and explained: "I just couldn't
leave the club I love".
Gerrard decided to reject Chelsea for the second consecutive
summer and told club officials of his momentous u-turn last
night.
"I made the decision last night that I couldn't leave this
club. I love Liverpool so much. This is my club. My heart is
with Liverpool. I don't need to tell anyone that. Everyone
who knows me can see how I feel. The last thing I wanted to
do was leave, I just couldn't
do it."
(Liverpool Echo)
Thompson stunned at Gerrard U-turn
Former Liverpool captain Phil Thompson admitted his
astonishment after Steven Gerrard committed his future to
the club after an astonishing turnaround.
"I can't believe it, I'm still trying to get my head around
what has happened," he said.
(TEAMtalk)
Gerrard makes Reds U-turn
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has made an
amazing U-turn by deciding to stay at the club.
Gerrard had looked to be on his way out of Anfield after
telling the club he wanted to leave on Tuesday.
However, Gerrard after mulling over his future, has decided
to stay at Liverpool and the news is a massive boost for
Rafa Benitez and everyone at the club with The Reds
beginning the defence of their European Cup next week.
Reds chief executive Rick Parry revealed the amazing twist
on Wednesday morning, claiming Gerrard was now set to sign a
new deal.
"Steven's decided to stay," Parry told Sky Sports News. "He
realises how much the club means to him; genuinely, it's a
little bit like last year, perhaps even more dramatic."
(Sky Sports) |
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TUESDAY 5 |
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Parry: We did everything we could
Rick Parry has this evening spoken of his disappointment
following Steven Gerrard's decision to leave Anfield and
insisted the club did everything they could to persuade him
to sign a new contract.
He said: "It's disappointing because we made it clear we
wanted him to stay. There's no question about that. He's
made it pretty clear now that he wants to go and so we have
to move on."
(LFC Official Website)
"Where is the loyalty?" ask furious Reds fans
Liverpool’s Champions League triumph last season has been
“tainted” by captain Steven Gerrard’s decision to leave
Anfield, according to supporters.
“He’s lifted the European Cup, but it is definitely tainted.
It would be saved a bit if he went abroad to Real Madrid but
if he goes to another Premiership club, he’ll definitely be
tainted,” Lawson told the Press Association.
“No one player is bigger than Liverpool Football Club. If
winning the European Cup is not competing at the highest
level, and winning winning major trophies, I don’t know what
is.
“He has turned down £100,000 a week; I’m still paying off my
credit card bill and thousands of Liverpool supporters are
the same from going to Istanbul to cheer him on and he is
turning down £100,000 per week to play for the team that he
is supposed to have supported since he was a kid."
(Ireland On-Line)
Gerrard: I want to go
Steven Gerrard has told Liverpool he intends to quit Anfield
after rejecting the club's new contract offer.
Chief executive Rick Parry was informed the news the club
was dreading today after Gerrard turned down a
four-year-deal.
Chelsea are now expected to follow up their first British
transfer bid of £32m to capture the Liverpool skipper.
Parry told the ECHO today: "We desperately want to keep
Stevie and we've told him we don't want him to leave.
However, in rejecting our offer of a new contract he has
indicated he wants to go."
(Liverpool Echo)
Gerrard decision imminent following talks
Liverpool Football Club are expecting to receive a decision
from Steven Gerrard later today as to whether or not he will
accept the club's latest contract offer.
The offer was formally handed to SFX late last night and the
player told Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry that he
would make a decision within 24 hours.
Liverpool have rejected Chelsea's £32million bid but are
waiting for a formal offer from Real Madrid. The problem
there though is that the Spanish outfit claim they won't fax
a bid unless Gerrard indicates a willingness to play.
If Gerrard says 'yes' to Liverpool, Real Madrid and Chelsea
will have less than 24 hours to come in with offers higher
than £32million. If they don't act, Liverpool will press
ahead with the re-signing.
(Kop Talk)
Redknapp: Crouch wants Reds move
Southampton boss Harry Redknapp says he has turned down a
£6m bid from West Ham for Peter Crouch - and added that the
striker wants to join Liverpool.
European champions Liverpool have already had a £5m offer
turned down for 24-year-old Crouch.
Redknapp told BBC Sport: "West Ham did make a cash bid but
we turned it down.
"But let's not kid ourselves, Peter wants to go and play for
Liverpool where he can play in the Champions League and get
eight times the pay."
(BBC Sport Online)
Gonzales delighted with dream move
Chilean winger Mark Gonzales has described his move to
Liverpool as "a dream come true".
Gonzales will officially complete his season long loan deal
from Albacete later this week and hopes to be in action by
October after suffering a cruciate knee ligament injury in
May.
"Arriving at Liverpool is a dream," Gonzalez said. "I know
that I have been loaned for a year and maybe that's not too
much time, but I am really happy for what Liverpool means in
England and Europe.
"I am very happy and on Tuesday or Wednesday, I will have to
travel to England for the signing of my contract.
"This transfer is the type of thing that a player maybe
waits for all of his career.
"Arriving to such a big team is something brilliant and more
in my case, to England and Liverpool. This is really a
dream."
(LFC Official Website)
Chelsea fail in £32m Gerrard bid
Liverpool will turn down Chelsea's £32m offer for unsettled
Steven Gerrard.
Anfield chief executive Rick Parry told BBC Sport Chelsea
had made a bid for Liverpool's 25-year-old captain, who has
broken off talks on a new contract.
He said: "I can confirm we have had a bid from Chelsea and
that it will be rejected by us."
Liverpool have now offered Gerrard a deal worth
£100,000-a-week to stay, but are not optimistic he will
stay, with Real Madrid also waiting in the wings.
Madrid confirmed their interest on Tuesday in the England
star, who has two years left on his current deal at Anfield.
(BBC Sport Online)
Chelsea offer Gerrard way out
In the manner of a jilted husband, Liverpool pledged to do
whatever it took to win back a disaffected Steven Gerrard,
but with Chelsea ready to pay £32 million it appeared to be
too little too late. Even if he is offered a renewal of
vows, a contract worth £90,000 a week and a promise that he
will never again be taken for granted, it seems that West
London is the 25-year-old’s most likely destination.
Chelsea refused to deny that they had made a massive bid
last night and 48 hours after telling Rafael Benítez, the
Liverpool manager, that he was calling off contract talks in
dismay at the club’s casual approach to negotiations,
Gerrard seemed unwilling to rebuild the bridges that have
been burnt over the past few weeks.
(The Times) |
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MONDAY 4 |
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Boro woe at Zenden exit
Middlesbrough have admitted their disappointment at losing
midfielder Boudewijn Zenden to European champions Liverpool
after battling long and hard to keep him at the club.
The 28-year-old Dutch international was today unveiled at
Anfield after the Teessiders finally gave up trying to
persuade him to stay at The Riverside Stadium.
Zenden was offered a lucrative two-year contract to extend
his spell to four years but decided instead to opt for the
chance to play in the Champions League on Merseyside.
"Naturally, we are very disappointed that Bolo has chosen to
move on after two very successful and eventful seasons with
us," said chief executive Keith Lamb.
"However, we lost him in the same way as we acquired him, as
a free agent. That is the nature of the modern game.
"Boro fans can be assured that we did try to keep Bolo here
and made him a very substantial offer. Unfortunately, that
offer did not match his requirements."
(TEAMtalk)
Real quiet on Gerrard
Real Madrid have refused to comment on any interest in
Steven Gerrard's contractual situation at Liverpool.
The Spanish giants are known admirers of the England
international although the Reds captain may no longer be a
priority capture this summer.
As talks over a new deal at Anfield have stalled, Real and
Chelsea are being strongly forwarded as possible
destinations for the 25-year-old.
However, a Real spokesman told skysports.com that there
would be no comment regarding any interest in Gerrard.
"Gerrard is a player of Liverpool and Real always give
respect to all the other clubs,"
said a spokesman.
(Sky Sports)
Former Red on the move
Former Liverpool right back Jon Otsemobor has signed a
two-year contract for League One side Rotherham United.
Otsemobor was released by Liverpool at the end of the
2004/05 season and is now looking forward to his new career
with Rotherham as they aim to bounce straight back to the
Championship following their relegation last season.
Coming through the Liverpool Academy, Otsemobor made six
appearances for the Reds first team and impressed before
former manager Gerard Houllier sent him out on loan to
Bolton followed by Crewe Alexandra.
(LFC Official Website)
Six LFC dates chosen for live TV
Six of Liverpool's Premiership matches have been selected
for live television coverage so far on Sky Sports and Prem
Plus pay-per-view starting with the first game at
Middlesbrough on August 13.
Liverpool's first game of the season against Middlesbrough
on Saturday, August 13, at the Riverside Stadium will now
kick-off at 5.15pm and be shown live on Prem Plus.
The home game against Manchester United at Anfield will now
take place on Sunday, September 18, kicking-off at 12 noon
and be shown live on Sky.
Liverpool's confirmed live Premiership TV dates so far
Sat, August 13. Middlesbrough (a) 5.15pm, Prem Plus.
Sun, September 18. Man United (h) 12 noon, Sky Sports.
Saturday, September 24. Birminghbam City (a) 12.45pm, Prem
Plus.
Sun, October 2. Chelsea (h) 4pm, Sky Sports.
Saturday, November 5. Aston Villa (a) 12.45pm. Prem Plus.
Monday, December 26. Newcastle (h) 3pm. Prem Plus.
(LFC Official Website)
Rafa: 4 signed, 2 or 3 more to come
Dutch star Bolo Zenden was officially unveiled as a
Liverpool player this afternoon after completing his free
transfer from Middlesbrough and he could make his debut in
Saturday's friendly at Wrexham.
The Liverpool boss said: "We have today introduced Bolo
Zenden as a Liverpool player but we have also signed Jose
Reina, the best goalkeeper in Spain, Mark Gonzales, the best
player in Chile and Antonio Barragan.
"We will be signing two or three more players this week."
(LFC Official Website)
Rafa: I want Gerrard to stay
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez today insisted that he wants
to keep hold of Steven Gerrard.
Speaking this afternoon, Rafa said: "I can assure our fans
that we want Steven Gerrard to stay with us.
"I want him to stay with the club. We are trying to build a
better team and a better squad and I want Stevie to be a
major part of that."
(Kop Talk)
Zenden delighted by Liverpool move
Bolo Zenden has spoken of his delight at sealing a move to
Champions League winners Liverpool.
The Dutch international today finalised his free transfer
move from Middlesbrough.
He told the clubs website: "I am absolutely delighted to be
signing for Liverpool. When a club like this comes in for
you then you don’t need asking twice.
"Rafa Benitez was a big influence in me coming here but the
biggest influence was Liverpool FC as a name and its
magnificent fans.
"I watched the Champions League final in a hotel and the
thing that stuck in my mind was at half time when we were
3-0 down and all you could hear were our fans singing You’ll
Never Walk Alone.
"I saw the scenes from the parade of the city and they were
absolutely fantastic. I can’t wait to play my first game in
a Liverpool shirt."
(Goal.com)
Target undergoing medical in Liverpool
Villarreal goalkeeper Jose Reina is in Liverpool undergoing
his medical ahead of his proposed move to Anfield. The fee
and personal terms have been agreed.
(Kop Talk)
We can fix it - Reds' plea to Gerrard
Liverpool insist they will fight to keep Steven Gerrard as
crisis talks began today to revive contract negotiations
with the skipper.
Gerrard's representatives pulled out of discussions over a
lucrative new four-year deal claiming the Reds have delayed
too long because they're trying to engineer his departure.
Those accusations were today strongly denied by Liverpool
officials who still hope the damage of a weekend of chaos is
repairable.
Gerrard arrived at Melwood to face manager Rafa Benitez and
chief executive Rick Parry this morning amid growing
concerns he's ready to quit Anfield.
"Rafa wants Stevie to stay and couldn't have made it any
clearer. We still hope this situation is repairable," said
Parry as he headed to Melwood today.
(Liverpool Echo)
Skipper had wanted talks straight after
final triumph
Steven Gerrard's last match for Liverpool may prove to be
the Champions League final, but a political game is now
being played to rival the epic battle in Istanbul.
Amid a series of claims and counter-claims, contract
negotiations have been called to a halt by the Liverpool
skipper.
The captain suspects moves have been put in motion to
engineer his sale and make him look responsible, despite his
public declaration to stay.
His patience snapped last night and he called the whole
thing off - a move sure to trigger bids from Chelsea and
Real Madrid. The Gerrard camp believe the £35m cash
injection for his signature is what Liverpool wanted all
along.
(Liverpool Echo)
Agent: Gerrard talks stalled
Steven Gerrard's agent has admitted that contract
discussions with Liverpool have "stalled and are unlikely to
be reopened", according to Sky Sports News.
The 25-year-old is reportedly resigned to leaving the Reds
this summer after becoming increasingly irritated at the
club's failure to engage in contract talks.
(Ananova)
Lawrenson tips Reds deadline
Liverpool legend Mark Lawrenson expects Steven Gerrard's
Anfield future to be resolved prior to next Wednesday's
Champions League qualifier with Total Network Solutions.
Gerrard is reportedly resigned to leaving the Reds this
summer after becoming increasingly irritated at the club's
failure to hold contract talks.
"If Real Madrid and Chelsea are seriously courting Steven
Gerrard they will not want him cup-tied for Europe,"
Lawrenson told BBC Radio Five Live. "Liverpool play TNS next
Wednesday and it will have to be resolved one way or another
by then."
(TEAMtalk)
Kewell and Lineker settle
Former England star Gary Lineker and Liverpool player Harry
Kewell have settled their High Court libel case, it has been
confirmed.
Solicitors confirmed the action was settled as a draw last
Friday after a jury failed to reach a verdict in the case.
A panel of six men and six women had been unable to decide
whether Kewell, 26, was defamed by the Match Of The Day
presenter's comments about his transfer from Leeds.
Kewell, an Australian international, had sought substantial
damages for Lineker's "hurtful and humiliating attack" in a
July 2003 Sunday Telegraph column.
The player's solicitor, Chris Farnell, of Hill Dickinson,
said: "Parties have come to an agreement and they won't be
seeking a new trial. We don't intend to comment on the terms
of the settlement." Mr Farnell declined to confirm if any
liability had been admitted
by Lineker.
(Football 365)
Finnan may still face death-drive charges
Premiership footballer Steve Finnan has been told he could
still face charges of death by dangerous driving after his
bail was extended due to an ongoing police investigation.
The Liverpool FC player was involved in an accident on
January 27 when his black Range Rover struck an 81-year-old
pedestrian crossing West Derby Road, in Liverpool.
Retired merchant seaman Henry Stuart Nelson, of Elm Park,
was rushed to the Royal Liverpool Hospital where he died six
days later.
Merseyside Police arrested Finnan three months later on
April 11 under suspicion of causing death by dangerous
driving.
He was released on the same day without charge to answer
bail this week.
But Finnan was told on Wednesday that police have pushed the
date back to July 11 as they continue to look into the
possibility of charges.
Now the 29-year-old defender will have to play the Champions
League Qualifying Round ties not knowing whether he might
face a future court hearing.
(Daily Post)
TNS found wanting ahead of
Anfield trip
Nine days before Liverpool begin the defence of their
European crown John Bridgewater ventured to Wales to eye up
first round qualifier opponents TNS.
The sun may have shone, but some clouds hovered over TNS's
warm-up ahead of next week's daunting Champions League first
round qualifier at Liverpool.
Billed as the battle of the champions between the winners of
the Welsh and Irish Leagues, the Saints impressed in parts
against Glentoran. But in the end they were beaten.
And manager Ken McKenna admitted the Welsh Premier winners
will need to step up a gear ahead of the biggest game in the
club's history at Anfield in nine days' time..
A 76th-minute strike from substitute Stephen Parkhouse
secured the spoils for the Irish visitors much to the
delight of their vociferous band of 200 supporters.
(Daily Post)
Doubts raised over Gerrard future
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard may have played his last
game for the Champions League winners following allegations
of a training-ground row.
Newspaper reports have claimed that the England midfielder,
25, had an angry exchange with boss Rafael Benitez.
He has two years of his current deal to run but it has been
rumoured that he is unhappy because the Reds did not open
talks as quickly as he had hoped.
(BBC Sport Online)
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Thor Zakariassen
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