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TUESDAY 6 |
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Kewell poised to return
Harry Kewell is set to put his groin to the test in
Australia's friendly with Liechtenstein on Wednesday.
Kewell damaged his groin in Liverpool's FA Cup final win
over West Ham and the problem has taken some time to clear
up.
He scored against a Dutch amateur side on Friday and is set
to make his first full international appearance since last
year's play-off win over Uruguay on Wednesday.
Australia coach Guus Hiddink was pleased to see Kewell come
through Friday's outing and is looking for the forward to
sharpen up his fitness levels ahead of the World Cup opener
with Japan on June 12.
"He was playing for almost 90 minutes in the amateur game,
there was no reaction and we will play him for sure in the
Liechtenstein match," said Hiddink.
(Sky Sports)
Gerrard: Why I stayed at Liverpool
Steven Gerrard has revealed why he wanted to stay at
Liverpool, and insists he wants to lead his club to
Premiership success.
"Coming back 30, 32 years of age with medals from another
club, who have I got to show them to?" he told Sky. "Who'd
be interested in seeing them?
"Whereas I wanted to stay even if it's to just win one
Premiership with Liverpool, everyone will want to see it, it
will mean more to myself and the people around me."
(LFC Online)
Lyon chief dismisses Cisse deal
Lyon chairman Jean-Michel Aulas has dismissed suggestions
linking Djibril Cisse with a move to the French champions.
The Liverpool striker appears to be keen on a move back to
his home country, although Marseille are also in the frame.
"I didn't meet Djibril Cisse and I am not forecasting any
meeting,'" said Aulas. "He talked about Lyon? I know, but he
also stated his heart is at Marseille.
'"We would like his heart to be at Lyon but if that is not
the case, then it is useless.
"After all, we still have to pay him! Except perhaps if
Liverpool were to loan him."
Rafael Benitez is prepared to sell for £8million and
Marseille now look favourites for
his signature.
(LFC Online)
England boss: Gerrard injury not serious
Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard is still on course to play
in Saturday’s World Cup opener against Paraguay
Gerrard ended England’s training session at their German
base on Tuesday earlier than the rest of the squad due to a
stiff back.
Coach Sven-Goran Eriksson said however: “It shouldn’t be a
problem.
“Everything is so far absolutely perfect, there are no big
problems and I can’t see any problems for Saturday – fingers
crossed.”
(Fans FC)
Marseille fear Cisse bidding battle
Marseille fear they'll be forced into a bidding war with
Lyon for Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse.
Club President Pape Diouf today confirmed his intention to
sign the forward, with the Reds hoping for a minimum £8m
fee.
But he admits the prospect of Gerard Houllier's French
champions stealing the striker with a bigger bid is
realistic.
Diouf said today: "We haven't been able to talk directly
with the player, but it's true we have spoken to members of
his entourage. Djibril would love to wear the colours of
Marseille, he's said it publicly and revealed his sentiments
for this club.
"We can imagine that Djibril is one player that would
interest us. However, it's not as easy as that. We know that
when a player is playing overseas, especially in England,
we're often talking about a lot of money.
"He's currently a Liverpool player and we'd have to reach an
agreement with them to buy out his contract. So yes, the
interest is real , but there is also some competition for
his signature and once again, it's called Jean-Michel Aulas,
the President of Lyon."
(Liverpool Echo)
Liverpool issued hands off warning -
official statement
Birmingham City Football Club say they have not received a
bid from Liverpool for their winger Jermaine Pennant,
although Karren Brady felt she needed to have a word with
Rick Parry - why do that if there's no interest?
We've clearly been in touch but City are playing hard to get
to try and get more wonga out of us.
A statement issued by City today said:
Following reports that have appeared in two of today's
national newspapers linking Jermaine Pennant with a move to
Liverpool, Birmingham City wishes to clarify the situation
for its own fans.
Birmingham have not received an offer of any kind from
Liverpool for the player and neither does it expect one.
Managing director Karren Brady has spoken to her counterpart
Ricky Parry at Liverpool and informed him that Jermaine
Pennant is not for sale.
(Kop Talk)
Wigan in driving seat for Kirkland
Wigan Athletic are confident they will complete a deal for
Chris Kirkland by the end of the week.
The Latics want to sign the Liverpool goalkeeper on a
year-long loan, with an option to buy at the end of the
season.
And they believe a deal for the 25-year-old will be
finalised after Anfield chief executive Rick Parry returns
from holiday tomorrow.
Kirkland, who is under contract at Liverpool until 2009, is
considered surplus to requirements by manager Rafael
Benitez, and has not made an appearance for the Spaniard in
almost 18 months.
(Daily Post) |
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MONDAY 5 |
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Reds the key for England says Jol
Tottenham Hotspur boss Martin Jol believes Steven Gerrard
and Peter Crouch will be key men for England at the World
Cup.
Jol has sang the praises of both Steven Gerrard and Peter
Crouch and says Crouch must be a starter for England at the
World Cup if they want any sort of success in the
tournament.
"Steven Gerrard alongside Wayne Rooney is the most gifted
footballer in the Premiership but the Liverpool captain is
my favourite," said the Spurs manager.
"Gerrard has got vision, speed, a one-two, a shot. He is
intelligent. He has got stamina, a package of attributes few
in the world can match.
"I would also play Peter Crouch. He's a better player than
people think. How often do continental sides come up against
somebody like him? Uruguay and Argentina couldn't handle him
in recent friendlies and that's the advantage of the English
game.
"Crouch will be dangerous in Germany, winning the ball from
set pieces, throw-ins, even kicks from Paul Robinson.
Running off him will be Michael Owen, who is unbelievable
when you can play him into space.
"Even if Rooney were fit I would play him, Owen and Crouch."
(LFC Online)
Lampard: Crouch is a cult figure
England midfielder Frank Lampard has praised the impact made
at international level by Peter Crouch and feels he is a
real cult figure and good to have around the squad.
The Chelsea man believes Crouch can make a big impact at the
World Cup and be a key player for England.
"Peter is becoming a cult figure - and deservedly so,"
enthused Lampard.
"A lot of us have known about him for quite a while, going
right back to the England
under-21s.
"Crouchie is a very intelligent player and you have to
forget about his size and stature and just remember he has a
great touch, great feet and a clever brain.
(LFC Official Website)
Cole hails brilliant Crouch
England midfielder Joe Cole believes Peter Crouch has made
the critics eat their words following his displays for
Liverpool and his country.
The Chelsea midfielder is an admirer of Crouch and says he
is a real handful for defenders to play against, and
believes the people who gave him stick have to hold up their
hands up now and admit they were wrong with their judgement.
"I think he has had a magical year," said Cole. "He signed
for Liverpool, had a great season with them and won the FA
Cup and with England he has been brilliant.
"If you look back, he has still won only seven caps. Yet in
that time he set up goals for Michael Owen in the United
States last summer, he made a difference when he came on
against Argentina in November, scored against Uruguay in
March, and against Hungary last week and now he has a
hat-trick to his name. I just don't know where people get
the impression he has not done well from."
"Peter gives us a different option. Even if you just chip
the ball up to him, you know there is a good chance he will
knock it down to someone else.
"As a squad, we have always believed in him. We know what a
talent he is and it is great his character is starting to
come through."
(LFC Official Website)
Crouch wins Sol support
Sol Campbell is backing Liverpool striker Peter Crouch to
make a big impact for England at the World Cup after his
first international hat-trick.
Crouch's treble against Jamaica at Old Trafford looks to
have earned him a place in England's team for the opening
match against Paraguay this coming Saturday. Crouch again
linked up effectively with Michael Owen to ease fears of
whether England can make an impression if Wayne Rooney is
ruled out - and, as a defender, Campbell knows how hard it
is to contain the big man.
The Arsenal centre-back said: "Crouchy has got great
character, he has great movement and is very deceptive for a
lot of defenders."
He added: "Peter's confidence has risen in the last two or
three weeks with the way he has performed and with everyone
getting behind him. Centre-forwards need confidence, like
everyone else. If he gets his chance in the World Cup
finals, I am sure he will take it.
"He is big and, if as a defender you don't get it right, he
is going to win the headers all the time. Jamaica probably
should have had someone just in front of him to stop him
winning so many headers."
(Football 365)
Liverpool struggling to pay for new
stadium
Liverpool Football Club has yet to raise all the money
needed to build its proposed new home at Stanley Park, the
chief executive of the Northwest Development Agency has told
the Daily Post.
Steven Broomhead said that the club's ability to finance its
new stadium remained unclear. He met LFC chief executive
Rick Parry last month and was told that club officials would
know the full picture regarding the finance they still have
to raise later this month.
Mr Broomhead also revealed that the cost of the planned
60,000-seat stadium had risen again to £190m. The last
figure put in the public domain was £160m.
Liverpool has applied to the agency to provide £11m of
funding for public realm and infrastructure work around the
ground.
The club has also asked Merseyside's Brussels-funded
Objective 1 programme for another £9m to assist with the
infrastructure work.
In addition, it must raise the rest of the money needed to
finance the construction of the stadium from the private
sector.
(Daily Post) |
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SUNDAY 4 |
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Benitez feels the need for Steed
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is set to test Fulham's
resolve by offering £4million for wantaway midfielder Steed
Malbranque.
The French playmaker only has one year left on his current
deal at Craven Cottage - and has turned down the offer of a
new contract.
That leaves boss Chris Coleman in a dilemma over whether to
take what he can for Malbranque or keep him for next season
and see him leave on a free transfer
next summer.
(TEAMtalk)
Gerrard praises Crouch
Steven Gerrard praised Peter Crouch after his Liverpool team
mate hit three against Jamaica yesterday.
Gerrard praised Crouch's performance yesterday and says the
Liverpool striker has struck up a formidable partnership
with former Red Michael Owen.
"Our finishing was so clinical and with Peter and Michael
playing so well, it's got to be the perfect partnership,"
said the Liverpool skipper.
"What Michael does never surprises me - he's a world class
striker. But Peter has improved every time I've seen him.
His touch has got better and he has the ability to bring so
many people into the game. They seem on fire those boys.
"If Wayne doesn't make it, then at least we can say we have
Peter in a position to take over if he continues playing
like that."
(LFC Online)
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Thor Zakariassen
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