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WEDNESDAY 6 |
Pre-season games announced
Liverpool FC have named their pre-season fixtures.
The Reds will play FC St Gallen in Switzerland on Wednesday,
July 15th and then Rapid Vienna in Austria on Sunday, July
19th. These games will co-incide with Liverpool's annual
Swiss training camp.
The Reds will then travel to the Far East. They play
Thailand in Bangkok on Wednesday, July 22nd before facing
Singapore in Singapore on Saturday, July 26th.
On Sunday, August 2nd Liverpool have an away game against
Espanyol, as part of the deal that brought Albert Riera to
Anfield, before playing FC Lyn in Norway on Wednesday,
August 5th.
There may also be an Anfield friendly to wrap things up but
nothing has been confirmed as yet.
(LFC Online)
Cottagers keen on Reds youngster
Fulham manager Roy Hodgson is believed to be lining up a
move for Liverpool starlet Gary MacKay-Steven, who is out of
contract in
the summer.
MacKay-Steven's status as a free agent has alerted a host of
clubs to the availability of the highly-rated winger.
Liverpool beat a number of top clubs to MacKay-Steven's
signature in 2007 from Ross County after he impressed on
trial at Anfield.
The 18-year-old has seen his time on Merseyside disrupted by
injuries which have hampered his chances of breaking into
the first-team pciture.
The player's agent David Threlfall confirmed Fulham are keen
to have a look at the young Scot and that a number of clubs
are monitoring MacKay-Steven's situation.
"Fulham have shown an interest in Gary and they have invited
him down to London next week to have a look at him,"
Threlfall told
Sky Sports' website.
"I believe a number of other clubs are keeping tabs on Gary
and we will see how things go at Fulham."
(TEAMtalk)
Dossena happy with Reds
Liverpool defender Andrea Dossena believes he is adapting to
life in English football amidst speculation he is set to
leave Anfield
in the summer.
The full-back has failed to impress on Merseyside since
leaving Udinese last summer in a £6million deal and rumour
is rife that the Reds are ready to sell.
Dossena admits that it has taken him time to settle in the
Premier League but the seven-time Italy international claims
he now feels at home.
"When I arrived I didn't understand the language or the
football here. I found a lot of differences between English
and Italian football," he said.
"Here there is a higher intensity on the pitch and you have
less time
to think.
"In Italy you have more space, you have more time and the
football is not as physical as it is here.
"But I have worked each day to adapt to the differences and
now it is better for me. I've made progress with my English
as well and it's much better than it was at the start of the
season.
"I can understand what the boss wants from me and I know my
team-mates much better."
(Sky Sports)
Alonso struggling as Torres returns
Rafa Benitez expects Fernando Torres to be fit to face West
Ham, but doubts remain over Xabi Alonso.
Torres missed the weekend 3-0 victory over Newcastle with a
hamstring strain, but the Liverpool manager expects his star
forward to return to full training on Thursday.
More worrying is the injury suffered by Alonso under the
shocking challenge of Joey Barton, who left the midfielder
with severe bruising as he left the field on a stretcher.
Alonso was able to walk out of Anfield, but Benitez could
not confirm his availability for Upton Park, although Javier
Mascherano is definitely fit.
"Xabi is the main doubt for the weekend," Benitez told
Liverpool’s
official website.
"He has been working and hopefully he will be better in a
few days. He is improving but we have to wait.
"We'll have to check him for the weekend because it is more
serious than Mascherano's injury.
"Torres is training with the physios and maybe tomorrow he
will start training with the rest of the team. I think he
will make the weekend."
(Setanta Sports)
Dalglish thanks to stars over
Hillsborough Memorial Game
Kenny Dalglish today paid glowing tribute to the long list
of legends and celebrities who have pledged to turn out at
Anfield next week for the Hillsborough 20th Anniversary
Memorial game.
World boxing great Joe Calzaghe will be among a host of
famous names to appear at Anfield next Thursday night,
including Robbie Fowler and Paul Gascoigne plus a long list
of former Everton and Liverpool greats.
Kop legend Fowler has promised to fly in from Australia,
where he is now playing with A-League side North Queensland,
to take part in a Liverpool Legends v All Stars encounter.
Other top names on show in the match will include Dalglish
himself, Alan Hansen, Dave Watson, Alan Stubbs, Gary
Gillespie, Trevor Steven and Graham Stuart.
Dalglish said: “The support from everyone for this game has
been truly amazing and I must thank every one of the lads
for agreeing to come along and play."
(Liverpool Echo)
Benitez plays down Keane factor
Rafa Benitez is confident his top summer transfer targets
will not be deterred from joining Liverpool in the wake of
Robbie Keane's ill-fated stay at Anfield.
Republic of Ireland captain Keane joined the Reds last
summer but then returned to Tottenham in the winter window
after failing to impress in his short career with the
Premier League title chasers.
Benitez was criticised by some for allowing the striker only
28 appearances in which to demonstrate his ability, but the
Liverpool boss does not believe that will discourage other
players from moving
to Merseyside.
The Spaniard, who is expected to reinforce his attacking
options in the close season, has been researching potential
targets and he feels that the competition for places against
Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres will not put players off.
"Everyone knows how good Torres and Gerrard are and they do
play very well together," said Benitez.
"But we have 60 games or so a season. That means there are
going to be plenty of chances for everyone, so I don't think
it would be a problem.
"Obviously it depends on the quality of the players, but I
don't think it is going to be a problem. I think we will
manage.
"We have been working hard identifying players, it is just a
question of signing the right ones, and I am confident we
will."
(Sporting Life) |
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TUESDAY 5 |
Finnish duo pay tribute to Hyypia
Jari Litmanen and Lauri Dalla Valle have paid testament
to Sami Hyypia as their compatriot prepares to sign off from
ten years of loyal service
at Anfield.
Litmanen played with Hyypia between 2001 and 2002 as part of
Gérard Houllier's treble-winning side as well as one season
together for Finnish side MyPa 47 in 1992 and the creative
attacker had nothing but a glowing reference for his former
team mate.
"I have played with him at MyPa, Liverpool and the Finnish
national team. It's so difficult to say anything which
stands out about him because he has always played at a high
level," he said.
"I suppose that's his greatest strength, the fact that he
has never failed or done anything below the standards he has
set. As a teammate you know what you'll get from him and he
never disappoints. Of course everybody has great moments and
games but he is constantly at a good level.
Academy starlet Lauri Dalla Valle, another Finn currently at
the club, also paid tribute to his compatriot who he
considers to be one of his
role models.
"It's a massive achievement for Sami to have been at Anfield
for a decade. Not many players can say that they have played
at such a high level for such a big club over so many years.
He deserves all the credit he gets," he told Liverpoolfc.tv.
(Shanklygates)
Lucas: Competition improves me
Liverpool's Lucas Leiva believes competition for places
in the Reds midfield has made him a better player.
The 22-year-old Brazil international midfielder has played a
supporting role to Javier Mascherano and Xabi Alonso at
Anfield this season.
He told BBC Radio Merseyside: "It's good because when you
are fighting with players like Alonso and Javier. You try to
improve every day.
"You know if you don't improve it will be impossible to
play."
Lucas, who has scored three goals in 36 appearances for
Liverpool this season, has not always been met with
universal approval from Liverpool fans.
The former Brazil Under-20 captain believes it is too early
to compare him to his more experienced midfield team-mates
at Anfield.
"I am learning, but Steven Gerrard is 29, Alonso is almost
28, Javier is almost 25 and I'm 22 so I'm young and I have
to enjoy this time and to learn with them.
"Hopefully in one or two years I will be a key player also,"
said Lucas.
(BBC Sport Online)
Pranjic quiet on
Reds rumours
Croatian star Danijel Pranjic is coy on rumours linking him
with a move
to Liverpool.
The Heerenveen left-sider has had an excellent season for
the Frisians claiming 16 goals this term.
Pranjic, 27, can play anywhere down the left flank, and
mainly plays on the wing for his club - although for Croatia
he is more often found
at full-back.
His agent Soren Lerby has claimed that there is a great deal
of interest in his client, including from Liverpool, Real
Betis and Sevilla.
"I can confirm that several English and Spanish clubs are
looking at Pranjic," Lerby told Sportske Novosti.
"Liverpool has already demonstrated an interest and Betis
and Sevilla monitor him."
Pranjic himself has admitted that he is flattered by
prospective interest from Anfield, and admits he does not
know where his future lies.
"I still don't know, that is a difficult question to
answer," Pranjic told Omroep Friesland.
"I have to wait until the transfer period and then I will
see.
"In every newspaper they called me and I was live on
television and they heard something about Liverpool but I
cannot say anything about it.
"It was in the newspaper that is all I know. Yes of course
[it would be a dream club]."
(Sky Sports)
Hyypia reveals
exit reasoning
Sami Hyypia admits he will find it tough to leave Liverpool,
but claims he needs a new challenge.
"The main reason (for leaving) is I still think I'm young
enough to play football and I know chances to play here
would be limited," the 35-year-old told Liverpool's official
website.
"I spoke to the manager (Rafa Benitez) and I didn't want him
to make promises about how many games I would play, but this
season has been mentally very difficult. I haven't played a
lot and playing is what
I enjoy most.
"I understand it isn't possible to play enough games here
for me to be happy, so I had to look elsewhere.
"I got the option to go abroad to Bayer Leverkusen. The
whole package was good, they have big plans for me and
hopefully I can go there and help them to be successful."
While admitting that leaving Liverpool will be a wrench,
Hyypia has not ruled out the possibility of returning to the
club in the future as a coach.
"Yes, hopefully," he said.
"Coaching is something which has always been in my mind, but
I have to take my badges first.
"At the end of my playing career I will look to take the
badges and then see. I would like to come back here one day
as a coach."
(Sky Sports)
Carra hopes for City favour
Jamie Carragher hopes Man City can do Liverpool a favour.
City play Man Utd in the Manchester derby on Sunday and
Carragher is looking for a favour from Mark Hughes' side.
"We can only look after ourselves and we've been saying that
for a while now," said the vice-captain.
"We're in great form and have to keep that going until the
end of the season and see what happens.
"It's in United's hands, it's up to them to throw away. But
Man City or Arsenal could do us a favour.
"Manchester City are in great form at the moment and Arsenal
might have something to prove if they are knocked out of the
Champions League, so they can definitely get something
against United."
(LFC Online)
Rafa pays tribute
to “perfect” Sami
Rafa Benitez has paid tribute to defender Sami Hyypia, who
will leave Liverpool at the end of the season and join
German side Bayer Leverkusen on a two-year deal.
Hyypia will part company with Anfield after ten years at the
club. He was originally brought in by manager Gerard
Houllier in 1999 for £2.6million and has been an integral
part of success under both Houllier and Benitez.
“With three other centre backs at Liverpool it was going to
be difficult for Sami to play as often as he would like so
he has decided to go to Leverkusen and, like I said, we are
happy for him.
“The fact that we were talking to him about becoming a coach
shows how much we think of him – he is a perfect
professional.
“In every single training session and in every single game
he gives 100 per cent for the team and he has been a
fantastic servant to this club.
“He is always keen to help the youngsters and he sets them a
really good example but he has also been very supportive of
me and my staff since I first came to Liverpool.
“From my point of view, I have been really pleased to work
with him and now I must wish him luck for the future.”
(This is Anfield)
Agger delighted
with new anfield deal
Daniel Agger today spoke of his delight after agreeing a new
four year deal to remain at Anfield.
The classy Danish defender agreed the contract over the
weekend and then helped the Reds keep a clean sheet in an
impressive 3-0 victory over Newcastle United.
With his future having been the subject of speculation for
many months, Agger admits he's thrilled to be committing his
future to the club.
"We are close now and of course I would be happy to stay at
Liverpool because it is what I've been working for for the
last few years," he said.
"It's important as a player to have the faith of your
manager because if you don't have that then you're probably
not at the right club."
(LFC Official Website) |
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MONDAY 4 |
Hyypia agrees
Leverkusen switch
Sami Hyypia has agreed a deal to join German side Bayer
Leverkusen on a two-year deal, ending a ten-year stay at
Liverpool.
Liverpool announced on Monday that the Finnish defender will
join the Bundesliga outfit at the end of the season, having
already completed
a medical.
The 35-year-old veteran, who joined Liverpool from Dutch
side Willem II in 1999, has seen his participation in Rafa
Benitez’s starting line-up decrease in recent seasons, and
he has made just 18 appearances for The Reds this season.
Hyypia’s last outing for Liverpool was in the 4-1 demolition
of Manchester United at Old Trafford in mid-March, and he
has been struggling with a knee injury since.
Hyypia departs Anfield having amassed 463 first-team
appearances for the club, during which time he won two FA
Cups, two League Cups, a Uefa Cup and a Champions League
title.
(Setanta Sports)
Alvaro Negredo:
I want to join Liverpool
Alvaro Negredo has revealed that Liverpool have made their
interest in him known and has stated that he would like to
join them and play alongside Fernando Torres.
The 24-year-old striker is currently playing for Almeria,
but Real Madrid have a buy-back clause in his contract that
they could activate this summer in order to sell him on.
Liverpool's confirmed interest will heighten expectations of
boosting Los Merengues' transfer fund and Negredo is hopeful
that a deal can be worked out.
"To play next to Fernando Torres at Anfield is a dream and
any player would accept that," he told Sky Sports.
"But I prefer to talk about reality and I have not spoken
with Rafa Benitez, but I do know that some contact exists
between the clubs."
"My future depends on Real Madrid, but I believe that this
summer I will be out of Almeria," he continued.
"I am grateful to Almeria because they have given me my
chance to play in the Primera Liga.
"But it is logical that I am interested in playing in the
Premier League and especially Liverpool.
"I believe that playing in England would be a great chance
for me as this league is a sensational place for forwards."
(Goal.com)
Newcastle bad joke
lapped up by Liverpool
What's the difference between Alan Shearer and Newcastle?
Shearer will be back on Match of the Day next season.
Alright, it's a bad joke – but so too was the performance at
Anfield yesterday of the football club currently
masquerading as
Newcastle United.
There was a time when Liverpool versus The Barcodes would
guarantee goals and drama.
Now it's just goals – all of them into a Newcastle net.
Liverpool duly delivered the most predictable home win of
the weekend with an ease which bordered on the contemptuous.
Newcastle weren't at the races, Blaydon or otherwise.
This wasn't a craven surrender from the Geordies.
(David Prentice - Liverpool Echo)
Hair-raising display proves
Benayoun is beyond the fringe
There's a myth that fringe players don’t improve at Rafael
Benitez’s Liverpool. That if a squad man went to Manchester
United or Arsenal they will get better before being sold for
at least as much as they were
bought for.
But at Liverpool they’ll either be ignored or the confidence
will be rotated out of them and they’re shipped off in a
cut-price deal to Portsmouth.
Well, one fringe man is going a long way to battle against
that notion… Yossi Benayoun.
Brilliant against Arsenal, he carried on where he left off
against an admittedly shocking Newcastle.
Of course it doesn’t hurt that he’s started four of the last
five games, but the little Israeli certainly seems to have
grasped form from almost nowhere.
He’s gone from a player that no one would really care about
if he left, to one of the main men in recent weeks.
(Andrew Gilpin - Liverpool Daily Post)
Report: Lucas Leiva heading
towards Liverpool exit doors
According to a report in the British tabloid The Daily
Mirror, Premier League outfit Liverpool are preparing to
sell Lucas Leiva at the end of the season.
It is thought that the three-time capped Brazil
international will fetch a fee in the region of €6.7 million
(£6m), with teams in Italy and Spain apparently interested
in acquiring his services.
(Goal.com)
Thor Zakariassen
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