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TUESDAY 9 |
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Rafa calls for justice over jailed Michael
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is supporting the campaign
to help release Reds fan Michael Shields from a Bulgarian
prison.
He said: "We must have justice. Everyone has the right to a
fair trial.
"We must support someone because of this. It is not a
political matter and it doesn't matter which football team
someone supports.
"This is about a human being. There must be a possibility of
a fair trial."
Mr Benitez's plea came as the Bulgarian authorities were
criticised for refusing to introduce new measures which
could eventually prove the innocence of 18-year-old Michael
Shields.
(Daily Post)
Rafa: Nando needs help from the flanks
Rafa Benitez today urged his Liverpool side to do more to
play to Fernando Morientes' strengths as he defended his
striker from pre-season jibes.
Morientes has been the focus of attention following some
under-par performances during the first two Champions League
qualifiers.
Benitez acknowledges there is far more to come from the
former Real Madrid striker, but believes part of the problem
is the lack of ammunition to his forwards from the flanks.
The summer pursuit of wide men, which is still ongoing,
underlines the manager's intentions to recruit players
who'll provide the right service to both Morientes and, when
fit, Peter Crouch.
"I don't think we need to change a lot of things to get more
from him. If you see our style, particularly at Anfield, we
try to get players wide and the idea is to get more crosses
in.
"We need to do that far more at home and away. We also need
to keep the ball better. That's one of biggest problems away
from home. The more we have the ball, the more opportunities
we will have to provide the right pass to our strikers."
(Liverpool Echo)
Sofia staying confident
CSKA Sofia coach Miodrag Jesic says that the Bulgarians have
nothing to lose from their tie with Liverpool.
The Bulgarian champions stand between the European champions
and a place in the group stages of this year's competition.
CSKA coach Jesic insists that his team will try and attack
the holders and hopefully prove to be a sterner test that
either TNS or Kaunas.
Jesic says they will go out more in hope than expectation
for the game, but insists that they have nothing to lose as
underdogs.
"It would be foolish to think that we have something with
which we could pose a threat to the current European
champions," said Jesic.
"But on the other hand, it doesn't mean that we will
defender with 11 players. Quite the opposite, we will try to
attack, and try to play football as we do on every match.
"We feel no pressure, we can only gain from a match like
this."
(Planet Football/Sky Sports)
Monaco back in for Baros
Monaco are considering an increased offer for Liverpool
striker Milan Baros as they also chase Bordeaux defender
Marc Planus.
Baros is Monaco's top target as coach Didier Deschamps aims
to bring in a new centre forward before the close of the
transfer window.
A bid for the Czech Republic international has already been
knocked back by Liverpool, while Aston Villa are also
interested in Baros.
(Sky Sports)
Skipper Gerrard ready for Euro forward
role
Steven Gerrard may be thrust into a forward role in Sofia
tomorrow as Rafa Benitez looks to compensate for the loss of
Peter Crouch.
Crouch's hamstring problem kept him on Merseyside as the
rest of the squad headed to Bulgaria today.
Benitez is expected to favour a more cautious approach in
the tricky first leg, with Xabi Alonso paired with Didi
Hamann or Momo Sissoko, allowing Gerrard to play the roaming
role which proved so significant in the second half of the
Champions League final.
Having handed Fernando Morientes a vote of confidence in the
face of pre-season criticism, Benitez must decide whether to
back the Spanish striker to lead the line or persist with
Djibril Cisse.
(Liverpool Echo)
Liverpool board give green light for
transfer bid
Newspaper reports today claim that Rafael Benitez has been
given the green light to sign former Liverpool striker
Michael Owen, as exclusively revealed by Insider sources on
2nd August.
Today's reports suggest that the club's big cheese have
assured the manager that money spent on Owen wouldn't
prevent additional signings.
(Kop Talk)
Reds' fans snub Bulgaria match
Liverpool fans are snubbing tomorrow's Champions League
clash against CSKA Sofia in protest at Michael Shields'
15-year jail sentence.
Only a few hundred supporters are making the trip to the
Bulgarian capital tomorrow for the crucial third round
qualifying match.
A Liverpool Football Club spokesman said that only 200-300
fans were travelling compared with the 40,000-plus who went
to Istanbul.
Concerns about the trip to Bulgaria have been voiced by some
Reds fans who have decided to boycott the fixture after
18-year-old Michael was found guilty of
attempted murder.
(Liverpool Echo)
Reina hoping for early Blue exit
Liverpool's new keeper Jose Reina is confident that his
former club Villareal will ensure that Everton's Champions
League campaign is a short-lived one.
Everton's Mikel Arteta sought advice from the Spanish keeper
ahead of the fixture, but he politely declined his offer.
"Mikel Arteta is a friend but I'd never help Everton," he
admitted. "Villareal are the worst team Everton could have
faced. They are very solid defensively and dangerous
offensively, too.
"They have a more creative team than the English. They move
the ball around better.
"Personally, I hope Villareal get through. It was my home
for three years and my heart will always be there, and if
they knock out our local rivals, that will just make me
doubly happy."
(LFC Online)
Gonzales: I'll play for Liverpool
Mark Gonzales is remaining hopeful that his dream move to
Liverpool can still be realised.
The Chilean winger's hopes of joining the Reds have been
temporarily put on hold after the Department of Employment
last week rejected his application for a work permit to play
in the Premiership.
Liverpool had agreed a season long loan deal with Albacete
for the 20 year old's services before last week's setback,
but Gonzales isn't allowing himself to get too down over the
situation and is confident he will one day wear the red
shirt at Anfield.
"I know that sooner or later I will be playing at
Liverpool," he said. "I am sure this will be resolved. I am
staying calm about this. It was something we feared."
(LFC Official Website)
Rafa still angry over Gonzalez
Rafael Benitez is still angry at the Home Office’s decision
to refuse Mark Gonzales a work permit to play in the
Premiership. One of the reasons Gonzalez was refused was
that his country, Chile, are outside of the top 70 in FIFA’s
rankings.
Benitez though insists that Mark Gonzales has enough quality
to play in the Premiership .
"I was really surprised," he said. "How you can play for
your national team, are the best player in your country and
play in a league like the Spanish League and then not be
good enough for the Premiership is something I don't
understand.
"Maybe it is just an administration problem, because if they
saw the player play, they could not say these things.
"I would say 50 per cent of the players in the Premiership
are worse than him. Only if you know nothing about football
can you say that he is not good enough."
He added: "We will keep an interest in the player. We know
that some things will change when he plays more games for
Chile.
"He is a month away from being fit. If you sign a player
when he is not fit then that shows you have confidence."
(Mighty Reds) |
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MONDAY 8 |
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Dudek out for three months
Liverpool's Champions League final hero Jerzy Dudek has been
ruled out for three months after dislocating his right elbow
in training.
The accident happened at the club's Melwood training complex
on Monday, and the player was initially treated at the
ground and then taken to hospital.
The Poland goalkeeper will now be out of action until
November, ruling out any prospect he might be sold before
the transfer deadline.
Dudek has been replaced in the side by Spaniard Jose Reina -
and Scott Carson also now seems to be ahead of him in the
pecking order - but he has said he wants to stay at the
club.
And despite interest from Sporting Lisbon, boss Rafael
Benitez has so far been happy to keep the man whose penalty
saves against AC Milan secured the European Cup in Istanbul
in May.
He has not yet played in Liverpool's Champions League
qualifiers however, with Benitez still reluctant to cup-tie
him in case a good offer comes in.
Yet any prospect of the player leaving Anfield will now have
to wait until the January transfer window.
(Sporting Life)
Medjani moves
French centre half, Carl Medjani, has accepted an on loan
move to French club FC Metz for the coming season.
The player has had few opportunities since his signing by
Gerard Houllier in 2003, although he has played in several
friendlies this season.
(LFC Online)
Dudek injury blow
Liverpool goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek has been rushed to hospital
after a nasty training ground injury.
Reds officials fear that the Polish shot-stopper could well
have dislocated his elbow after landing awkwardly during a
training session.
Dudek was training as normal at Liverpool's Melwood facility
when he sustained the nasty looking injury.
Club medics looked over the Istanbul hero before he was
taken away to a local hospital for X-rays on his right arm.
The incident is the latest blow for the man who was The
Reds' hero in Istanbul as an amazing double save and penalty
antics ensured Liverpool won the UEFA Champions League.
More will be known after further tests but it seems as
though the injury is serious and will keep Dudek out for
some time.
(Sky Sports)
Baros travels with Liverpool squad
Milan Baros is to be the pawn in a calculated game of bluff
by Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez ahead of the Champions
League clash in Bulgaria on Wednesday.
Initially it was not expected that Baros would be travelling
with the squad to play CSKA Sofia in the third qualifying
round first leg, but French champions Lyon have surfaced
again as a potential buyer of the Czech Republic striker.
Lyon, now managed by former Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier,
were linked with Baros in the summer and have again
contacted the European Cup holders to re-affirm their
interest in the player Houllier signed from Banik Ostrava.
Benitez has been reluctant to play Baros in European ties
because the player would become ineligible for any UEFA
competition this season and reduce his transfer value.
But Benitez said today: "Milan is our player, he will be
travelling with the squad
to Bulgaria."
(Football 365)
Traore ruled out for a month
Liverpool have today confirmed that Djimi Traore is likely
to miss the first month of the Premiership season after
medical results confirmed a thigh strain.
The Mali international - who signed a new contract at
Anfield in the summer - picked up the injury aginst Bayer
Leverkusen in a pre-season friendly last month and is not
expected to return until early September.
(LFC Official Website)
Steed still talked about
Liverpool are the latest team to be linked with a move for
Fulham midfielder Steed Malbranque.
Liverpool were linked with the midfielder a couple of
seasons ago, but their absorption cooled following the
departure of manager Gerard Houllier.
It would appear that Houllier's successor Rafa Benitez is a
fan of the midfielder and talk in France suggests the
Spanish coach could be ready to make an offer for
Malbranque.
(Planet Football/Sky Sports)
Lyon back in for Baros
Milan Baros is edging closer to the Anfield exit as French
duo Monaco and Lyon battle for his signature.
The Czech striker could leave within the next 48 hours, with
former boss Gerard Houllier re-igniting his interest in the
£7m rated striker.
Houllier is keen to pair Baros with John Carew and the lure
of Champions League football is thought to be tempting the
23-year-old.
Monaco, who play in a Euro qualifier this week, have also
registered their interest although no firm bid has been
made.
(Liverpool Echo)
Man Utd deny Madrid's Owen claims
Manchester United insist they have not moved for Michael
Owen despite claims to the contrary from Real Madrid.
The Spanish club revealed Newcastle and the Red Devils had
approached them about 25-year-old Owen.
But, while the Old Trafford club have rejected the claim,
Newcastle have confirmed they have had initial talks.
Manchester United communications director Phil Townsend
said: "We have had no contact with Real Madrid over Michael
Owen."
(BBC Sport Online)
Man Utd & Newcastle in Owen fight
Manchester United and Newcastle have contacted Real Madrid
with a view to signing striker Michael Owen.
Real have revealed Newcastle have shown the stronger
interest but that the Old Trafford club are also in the
frame.
"Newcastle are very interested in Owen," said a Real
spokesman. "They are following him closely and are showing
the most concrete interest.
"However, there are other sides showing an interest in Owen,
including
Manchester United."
(BBC Sport Online)
Owen waits for decision
Michael Owen is assuming he will start the new season at
Real Madrid but is ready for the challenge of a return to
The Premiership.
The England international has been given permission to speak
to other clubs after Real signed Julio Baptista and Robinho.
Owen has already spoken to a handful of clubs but Newcastle
United are the only team to declare an interest in the
striker.
Arsenal and Chelsea have denied mounting a bid for the
25-year-old, while former club Liverpool and Manchester
United have been mooted as suitors.
"For now, I am assuming that I will be starting next season
with Real," Owen told his column in The Times. "But if not,
I want to be ready for any challenge that lies ahead.
"Real Madrid phoned my advisers last Sunday afternoon and
made the point that the arrival of Robinho and Baptista made
no difference to me - they wanted me to stay.
"However, knowing the importance of World Cup finals year,
they said that if there was a possible transfer that suited
everyone, I had their permission to explore it but there was
no pressure to make any decision that did not suit me.
"This information was conveyed to a small group of clubs and
we have until August 31 to see if anything happens."
(Sky Sports)
Shearer wants Owen pairing Aug 8 2005
Alan Shearer would love to be paired again with former
England colleague Michael Owen in Newcastle's attack, but
fears that will be tough for the Geordies to achieve.
Newcastle have admitted their interest in Owen but Shearer
believes there will still be plenty of offers made for the
Real Madrid striker despite a string of denials from
England's top clubs.
Shearer said: "Michael Owen would be an improvement to any
club in this league, and that includes Newcastle. I would
enjoy playing alongside him again."
(Daily Post) |
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SUNDAY 7 |
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Benitez spell is out for Liverpool
Rafael Benitez believes Liverpool will be challenging the
top three for the Premiership this season.
As the Liverpool boss prepares his side for a week in which
they will be defending their European crown and returning to
Premiership action after last term's disappointing
fifth-place finish, he has mapped out the club's and his own
targets for the coming campaign.
"I think the title race could be more open this year with
the top three plus ourselves and maybe another club all
challenging."
Speaking to Liverpoolfc.tv, he added: "It's not going to be
easy to close a 37-point gap in one season but we will be
closer this time.
"Chelsea enjoyed one of the best-ever Premiership seasons
last year but if we improve, and if Arsenal and Manchester
United improve, then I'm sure we'll all be closer to them."
(Sporting Life)
Crouch: I'm not a freak
Liverpool striker Peter Crouch says just because he's 6 foot
8 inches tall doesn't mean he's a freak or unable of playing
football.
The player has been taunted throughout his career because of
his size but he hopes that the Anfield faithful will judge
him because of his actual performances and not pre-judge him
simply because of his size.
David O'Leary said he was nothing but a bag of bones and
Arsene Wenger says he's nothing more than a basketball
player who can't play with his head; comments which have
upset Crouch.
Crouch said: "A lot of people make instant judgments because
I don't look like your average footballer. I am one of those
players who divides opinions but I am sure a lot of it is
due to my size.
"I have had a few knock-backs in my career but that makes my
move to Liverpool and England call-up all the sweeter."
(Kop Talk)
Uefa decision angers Kendall
Former Everton boss Howard Kendall has launched an
astonishing attack on the decision to allow Liverpool to
defend their Champions League crown.
As Everton prepare to make their first appearance in the
European Cup for 34 years, Kendall has revealed deep
bitterness which remains over the way the Toffees were
treated by Uefa in the days when Kendall's team were English
champions and denied a place in the tournament.
"Liverpool have finished fifth but have been given a wild
card even though the ruling was that the top four qualified.
"But there was no wild card for Everton when English clubs
were re-admitted to Europe. Instead Liverpool were the first
club back in.
Kendall has chosen to reopen old wounds in the week that
Everton and Liverpool are both playing third qualifying
round ties.
Kendall, speaking to the club's website, said: "I do not
agree with Liverpool being in the Champions League now even
though they won it. The rules should not have been changed
just like that."
Kendall believes Uefa officials were banking on a Liverpool
defeat by AC Milan in last season's Istanbul final so they
would effectively have had no decision to make as Rafael
Benitez's side finished fifth in the Premiership - outside
the qualification places.
(TEAMtalk)
Figo explains Liverpool snub
Luis Figo has explained the reasons behind his decision to
snub Liverpool in favour of a move to Internazionale.
Having been deemed surplus to requirements at Real Madrid,
the Portuguese schemer was not short of suitors as
Galatasaray were also keen on his services.
Figo admits he was flattered by the firm interest and offer
put forward by Rafa Benitez but ultimately, a move to Italy
was always likely to materialise.
The player has explained that having met with officials at
Inter, the decision was a relatively straightforward choice
- although he also spoke fondly of Liverpool.
''I had a great offer from Liverpool and they were really
interested in me,'' said Figo.
''But as soon as I arrived in Milan my mind was made up.
''They treated me like a friend and I felt at home from the
start. I now want to win everything at Inter.''
(Planet Football/Sky Sports)
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Thor Zakariassen
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