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FRIDAY 6 |
Stockport starlet set for Reds
Stockport youngster Ryan Crowther will join
Liverpool after the two clubs agreed an undisclosed fee for
the winger.
Liverpool took Crowther and Greg Tansey to an international
tournament in Milan and the 18-year-old impressed
sufficiently to earn a move to
The Reds.
Crowther has already agreed personal terms and will move to
Anfield once he passes a medical on Merseyside.
He will join former Stockport starlet Ben Robinson at
Liverpool after the 14-year-old goalkeeper signed for the
Premier League club recently.
(Sky Sports)
Marseille close in on Cisse switch
France striker Djibril Cisse looks set to complete a
permanent move to Marseille after the Mediterranean club
reached “an agreement in principle” with Liverpool.
Cisse spent last season on loan with Marseille but remained
a Liverpool player.
However, the 25-year-old hitman now looks likely to sign a
four-year deal with the French club.
A statement on Marseille website, www.om.net, read: “As well
as signing Boudewijn Zenden, Marseille have also reached an
agreement in principle with Liverpool for the transfer of
Djibril Cisse.”
(Ireland On-Line)
Zenden poised to join Marseille
Marseille have announced they are set to sign former
Liverpool midfield man Boudewijn Zenden on a free transfer.
Zenden, 30, was released by Liverpool after playing in the
Champions League final defeat against AC Milan in May.
He will sign a two-year deal with Marseille once he has
successfully completed a medical.
Zenden has played for PSV Eindhoven, Barcelona, Chelsea,
Middlesbrough and Liverpool, but was troubled by injuries at
Anfield.
He has played 54 times for Holland but not since September
2004.
Marseille qualified for this season's Champions League after
finishing second in Ligue 1 last term.
(BBC Sport Online)
Liverpool announce Voronin move
Liverpool have confirmed the signing of Ukraine striker
Andriy Voronin.
The Reds announced in February that the 27-year-old former
Bayer Leverkusen player would be moving to Anfield in the
summer on
a free transfer.
"He is a player with pace and good movement," Liverpool boss
Rafa Benitez told the club website.
"Andriy plays between defenders. He is a good worker and
scores goals. He's the kind of player that can give so much
to us."
Voronin began his career at the age of 15 with Borussia
Moenchengladbach before moving on to Mainz and Cologne.
He was transfered to Leverkusen in 2004, where he scored 21
goals in
71 league games.
Voronin made his international debut in a friendly against
Romania in March 2002.
He has won 44 caps and has scored five goals for Ukraine.
(BBC Sport Online)
Carra backs new boy Torres
Liverpool vice-captain Jamie Carragher has welcomed the
arrival of Fernando Torres and tipped him to be a big hit in
the Barclays Premier League.
Torres joined the Reds for a club record-breaking fee from
Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.
Carragher is delighted to see a player of his calibre being
signed up and believes it's imperative to spend big money if
you want to compete at the top level.
"You have a great pedigree there. He is a young lad, very
quick, which is good for the Premier League and I'm sure he
will do very well," said Carragher.
(LFC Official Website)
Irons set to seal £9m Bellamy deal
West Ham have reportedly agreed a £9million deal for
Liverpool striker Craig Bellamy, who is set to sign a
four-year contract at Upton Park.
(TEAMtalk)
Mascherano's first goal gives Argentina
top spot
Midfielder Javier Mascherano scored his first goal for
Argentina to give them a 1-0 win over Paraguay and top spot
in their Copa America group on Thursday.
Mascherano picked up a loose ball on the edge of the area
and scored with a cleverly-placed shot into the bottom
left-hand corner of Aldo Bobadilla's goal shortly after
coming on as substitute for his 27th appearance.
The win meant Argentina avoided a difficult quarter-final
against Mexico and will instead face Peru, a theoretically
easier game, on Sunday.
(Reuters) |
THURSDAY 5 |
West Ham linked to Bellamy swoop
West Ham are the favourites to sign
Liverpool's Welsh international striker Craig Bellamy, BBC
Sport understands.
The 27-year-old had fallen down the pecking order at Anfield
following boss Rafael Benitez's summer signings of Fernando
Torres and Andriy Voronin.
(BBC Sport Online)
Reds Quaremsa link played down
The Liverpool Echo has played down reports linking Liverpool
with a move for FC Porto's flamboyant winger Ricardo
Quaresma.
Reports this morning claimed that Liverpool had saw a £13.5m
bid for the Portugal forward rejected but a deal could be
struck if they raised their bid slightly.
However, Reds' chief executive is quoted as describing the
rumours as 'nonsense', although it is unclear whether that
is in relation to Liverpool's interest or alleged bid.
The Echo also adds that Liverpool's interest in AS Roma's
Brazilian winger Alessandro Mancini has 'cooled'.
Both Quaresma and Mancini are right-sided players who can
operate on the left-wing. Both possess outrageous skill and
would appear to fit the bill.
Manager Rafael Benitez confirmed yesterday that he wanted to
bring in one, maybe two, wingers following the capture of
Fernando Torres.
"I am looking for wingers now and though we have to sell I
hope that doesn't have to happen first," said the Reds'
boss.
"We are getting close with some of the players we are
looking at and I believe we can bring a winger in straight
away, regardless of outgoing deals."
(Shankly Gates)
Audacious bid made for Fowler
Rafael Benitez says that he is surprised no
clubs have made an attempt to sign released striker Robbie
Fowler, but ShanklyGates.co.uk can reveal that the Anfield
legend has had at least one contract offer on the table...
Fowler was released from the club when his contract expired
at the start of the month and, so far, has had no offers.
Except one.
Northern Counties East Football League side Glasshoughton
Welfare, who signed Fowler's former team-mate Bruce
Grobbelaar last season, made the audacious attempt to sign
the player known as 'God' on the Kop yesterday.
After speaking with Fowler's agent, club secretary, Lee
Beardshaw admitted: "Unfortunately an agreement between the
two parties could not be reached.
"After speaking with Mr Scott, Robbie's advisor, it became
apparent that it would cost the club significantly more for
Robbie to play than we would make back in gate receipts,
sponsorship and merchandise sales."
(Shankly Gates)
Internationals back at Melwood today
Rafa Benitez welcomes back the bulk of his
Liverpool squad to Melwood today as most of the
international stars return for pre-season.
The likes of Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher and Xabi Alonso
were given an extra week's rest due to international
commitments after the season finished in May.
They will now join up with the five senior players, as well
as the reserves, who returned to Melwood last week.
Harry Kewell, Mark Gonzalez, Javier Mascherano and Emiliano
Insua remain on duty for their respective countries, while
Fernando Torres will not report for training until July 11.
Rafa Benitez told Liverpoolfc.tv: "All of the internationals
will start training today. We will see how they are, but
normally you could expect them to play next week against
Crewe.
"We have only had five senior players back so far. We've had
the young players, and you can see the commitment in them.
Sometimes you have to tell them to calm down because they
tackle hard and fight for each ball."
(LFC Official Website) |
WEDNESDAY 4 |
Torres and Rafa - together at Anfield.
Benitez hints at exit for Bellamy
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has placed a major
doubt over striker Craig Bellamy's future at the club.
Benitez has added Fernando Torres to his squad and now has
five strikers with Bellamy, Peter Crouch, Dirk Kuyt and
fellow new signing Andriy Voronin.
Asked, at the unveiling of Torres, if he was happy the
player was at the club and part of his plans, Benitez said:
"Are you talking about Torres?"
Told Bellamy was the subject, he said: "I'm really happy
with Torres here."
He added: "We have some clubs asking about Bellamy and it's
a possibility.
"He knows my idea. He is our player at the moment and we
will see what happens in
the future.
"It is clear we have new players here and then it could be
more difficult for some of
the players.
"The only thing I can say is that Crouch will be staying
with us. I have said to Crouch that he must fight for his
position and he will stay with us."
(BBC Sport Online)
Fernando set for Swiss debut
Fernando Torres is likely to make his Liverpool debut
against either Werder Bremen or Auxerre when the Reds travel
to Switzerland later this month.
The Spaniard will now head back to his homeland after
completing his move to Anfield and will not return until
July 11.
He is unlikely to feature against either Wrexham on July 7
or Crewe on July 14, but will travel to central Europe with
his new teammates on
July 17.
"For sure he will play in Switzerland," Benitez told
Liverpoolfc.tv.
(LFC Official Website)
Reds seal Torres signing
Liverpool have completed the signing of Fernando Torres from
Atletico Madrid in a club record deal.
The Spanish international has signed a six-year deal at
Anfield after agreeing personal terms and passing a medical.
Liverpool have paid a club record £20million to land the
highly-rated forward.
Torres flew back to Madrid for a press conference earlier on
Wednesday to say goodbye to the Atletico fans and he has
flown back to Liverpool to be unveiled as a Reds player.
He will be wearing the famous No.9 shirt next season, which
was Robbie Fowler's
last term.
(Sky Sports)
Rafa: Fernando Torres passion was key
Fernando Torres’ “passion for Liverpool” was the key to Rafa
Benitez smashing Liverpool’s transfer record to land the
Spanish striker.
The 23-year-old passed a medical last night and was due to
be unveiled at Anfield today.
And delighted boss Benitez said: “Atletico Madrid had better
offers and the player had better offers.
“But he always wanted to join Liverpool. That was the key
for me.
“We needed to work hard because there were other clubs who
wanted him that we knew about - other clubs offering more
money.
“But the player said straight away ‘I want to join
Liverpool’. He said we were his first choice and that was
the key for me."
(Liverpool Echo)
"Reds onto a winner with star Torres"
Earlier this year, friends of Fernando Torres
gave the young Spanish star an unusual birthday present.
It was a captain’s armband bearing the logo: “We’ll never
walk alone”.
It was meant simply as a symbol of their friendship, but led
to inevitable speculation.
“My group of mates have got that logo tattooed on their
arms,” Torres later had to explain. “I have been told about
Anfield and how special it is, but I haven’t managed to go
yet. I would like to, though.”
Four months later and that innocently intended gift now has
real sporting symbolism, with Torres set to make Anfield his
new home.
But strangely the signing of a player coveted in the past by
Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal, has not met with
universal approval from Liverpudlians.
Perhaps it’s the curse of the long awaited “final piece of
the jigsaw”.
(Liverpool Echo)
Liverpool to unveil Torres
Liverpool have called a press conference for 3pm on
Wednesday, where club record signing Fernando Torres will be
paraded before the media.
Torres has already delivered his farewells to the Atletico
Madrid faithful and will now travel back to Merseyside for
his first appearance in front of the English press.
(Sky Sports)
Torres: I'm joining Europe's number one
Liverpool's new signing Fernando Torres is delighted to have
joined "the best club in Europe".
The Spain striker will be unveiled at Liverpool on Wednesday
afternoon with the Reds having completed his transfer from
his beloved Atletico Madrid for a fee believed to be
£26.5million.
"The time comes in the life of a player that he needs more
challenges.
"I have always done what was best for the club, too. The
Liverpool offer arrived and I only told the club to listen
to that offer because that is the team I wanted to play for.
"It's one of the best, if not the best, clubs in Europe."
(TEAMtalk)
McParland takes Bolton role
Former Liverpool chief scout Frank McParland has been
appointed as Bolton's first general manager.
Trotters manager Sammy Lee worked with McParland during
their time together at The Reds and has now lured the
48-year-old to The Reebok Stadium.
McParland began with Liverpool in 1994 and has risen up the
Anfield ranks from a part-time coach to joint chief scout.
Lee believes McParland will be an excellent addition to the
Bolton backroom staff as he brings with him a hatful of
experience.
"He's a great lad and I know him from my time at Liverpool,"
Lee told the club's official website.
"We became close friends because of his fantastic work
ethic. He's a terrific lad to have around the place and
knows the game inside and out.
"Frankie will be an excellent addition to the football
club."
(TEAMtalk)
McManaman returns to football
Former England and Liverpool winger Steve McManaman has been
appointed to the board of the company buying into
Birmingham.
The 35-year-old will take on a role of executive director
with Grandtop International to offer advice after they take
up their 29.9% stake in the club.
McManaman told the South China Morning Post: "They know my
expertise in sport in England and in particular football. I
know a lot of people in the sport and I have a lot of
contacts.
"I will help out and give ideas as a friend as the people
involved in the company are very good friends of mine and
hopefully we can have exciting times in the future."
McManaman, who also won the Champions League with Real
Madrid and earned 29 England caps, is reported to have
helped Yeung set up the deal with Birmingham.
Yeung will become the club's largest shareholder but will
not have total control at St Andrews.
McManaman has been out of football since retiring at the end
of a stint with Manchester City in 2005. He is planning to
work as a media pundit during the coming season.
(TEAMtalk)
Garcia hails Reds
Departing star Luis Garcia has praised the club and the
fans.
Garcia yesterday joined Athletico Madrid on a three year
contract. He admitted leaving Liverpool was a difficult
decision as he had a great time as a Red.
"It was a difficult decision because it hurts to be leaving
one of the most important clubs in the world, and a club
with one of the best sets of fans," said the European Cup
winner.
"I have enjoyed three great years there. There are several
different reasons and the decision took a lot of thought,
but Liverpool will always be with me because they always
treated me very well.
"I have been lucky to win things there, but I did not want
to let the opportunity pass to win trophies in Spain."
(LFC Online)
Thor Zakariassen
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