|
|
|
WEDNESDAY 9 |
Benitez hints at striker move
Rafael Benitez praised match-winner Mark Gonzalez after
tonight’s Champions League qualifying victory over Maccabi
Haifa – then revealed he is close to signing a new striker.
He said: “We have two or three names, Kuyt is one. We are
still working hard but maybe a little closer.”
(LFC Official Website)
Gerrard: We'll be better in the return
Despite winning on the night thanks to a late goal from Mark
Gonzalez, Steven Gerrard believes that Maccabi Haifa won't
see the real Liverpool until the two sides meet again in a
fortnight's time at a venue still to be decided by UEFA.
"We've got another two weeks' training and we'll be a better
side come the second leg. [The goals were] what we bought
Craig for and Mark came on towards the end and got the vital
goal. That's what we bought them for."
(LFC Official Website)
Newcomer scores winner for Reds
Mark Gonzalez took a long time getting to Liverpool – over a
year of red tape and work permit trouble – but he was only
on the field for three minutes of his debut before scoring
what could be a priceless winner.
Liverpool, though, still know that the £10million-plus of
Champions League money that comes from group stage
qualification is hanging by a thread wherever they have to
play the second leg of this third qualifying round tie.
One more performance as shot-shy as this third qualifying
round first leg clash at Anfield and they could miss out on
a lucrative Champions League run.
(BreakingNews. ie)
Liverpool v Maccabi Haifa - CONFIRMED TEAM
LIVERPOOL: Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Riise, Gerrard,
Sissoko, Alonso, Zenden, Pennant, Bellamy.
SUBS: Dudek, Kromkamp, Garcia, Gonzalez, Crouch, Paletta,
Peltier.
(Kop Talk)
No Liverpool bid says Quinn
Sunderland boss Niall Quinn claims he isn't interested in
signing Liverpool goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek.
The Champions League final hero of 2005 was recently linked
with the Black Cats, but according to Quinn there's no truth
in the reports.
He said: "Jerzy Dudek? That's a new one on me.
"I've no idea where that one's come from.
"But, no, there's nothing happening in that direction."
(Kop Talk)
Rafa not underestimating Maccabi
Rafael Benitez says his side won't underestimate Maccabi
Haifa tonight.
Liverpool host the Israeli champions at Anfield in the first
leg of their Champions League qualifier this evening. Rafa
Benitez admits this was one of the toughest draws the Reds
could have had and promised supporters his team won't
underestimate their opponents.
"Haifa are a dangerous team, we will be confident, but we
must be aware of their strengths. This is one of the hardest
matches we could get at this stage," said the Spaniard.
"The players are concentrating. They want to get through
this and play another Champions League campaign, and I know
as manager how important this is for the club.
"We are better equipped than last season, despite the
pre-season results.
"We have had injuries, and players not back with us. We were
trying different systems and that is why the results have
not looked good. But we have more quality and I believe the
squad is good."
(LFC Online) |
|
TUESDAY 8 |
Maccabi Haifa chief laments UEFA ruling
Maccabi Haifa trained behind locked gates at
Anfield in the midst of intense security ahead of their
Champions League clash with Liverpool.
And Haifa coach Roni Levy claimed that by denying them home
advantage of the second leg in a fortnight - forcing the
Israeli champions to find a neutral venue - UEFA had robbed
them of any real chance of beating the five times European
champions.
Levy said: 'UEFA told us it was best to play the second leg
out of Tel Aviv, I am just the coach and do not really want
to comment on that.
'We would obviously like to play in Tel Aviv, even better in
Haifa. I am disappointed, all the years I have heard about
English football and I hoped we could play Liverpool in our
homeland.
'We are a small team, for our people, our country, it would
be nice for Liverpool to come to Israel, there are a lot of
Liverpool fans back home.
'In Israel we would have some chance to beat Liverpool, to
give them a good fight."
(SoccerNet)
Charlton complete Traore signing - OFFICIAL
Charlton Athletic have completed the signing of Djimi Traore
from Liverpool on a 3-year contract.
The Addicks report that the deal is worth £2million in
total. They claim that they beat off interest from Newcastle
and Everton.
Meanwhile, Arsenal defender Sol Campbell has signed for
Portsmouth on a 2-year contract. He moves to Pompey on a
free.
(Kop Talk)
Rafa on Kuyt interest
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez was today asked how he was
doing in the transfer market and if fans could expect any
more signings before the window closes at the end of the
month.
The boss was speaking at today's pre-match press conference
when he made it clear that there were still some
possibilities.
Rafa said: "We continue working but it's too soon.
"Sometimes you finish signing players on the last day and
the last minute, in this case we have time so we will
continue working tyring to improve the squad."
Asked specifically if Dirky Kuyt was an interest and the
boss replied: "Yeh. We've had some names.
"He's one the names that has been in the newspapers but
there is a lot of them.
"Before I came here I was talking with two or three people
and they were offering me five or six players. It's pretty
common now."
There are suggestions that the Reds are waiting until
Wednesday's game is out of the way before pushing ahead with
up to two more signings. Let's hope the result goes
our way.
(Kop Talk)
Gerrard wins backing to lead England
Rafael Benitez will ask Steven Gerrard to lead Liverpool
into the Champions League group stages certain that he could
also captain England under the Steve McClaren regime.
The new England boss spent Monday at Liverpool's Melwood
training ground meeting Benitez, watching training and
re-acquainting himself with Anfield's England contingent.
And boss Benitez, preparing for the Champions League third
qualifying round first leg showdown with Maccabi Haifa,
admits he quizzed McClaren on who would take over from David
Beckham as England skipper.
Gerrard is competing with Chelsea's John Terry for the job,
but McClaren's answer was just a smile, Benitez saying:
"Steve (McClaren) and me talked about the future for
England, the team, it was a good conversation between two
friends about football.
"What was interesting was that he had a clear idea, a plan,
and he knows what he wants to do. He is clever and knows how
to handle this.
"I asked him who would be the next England captain, but was
told nothing, he just smiled at me."
(Sporting Life)
Fowler and Aurelio miss Reds clash
Liverpool will be without Robbie Fowler and Fabio Aurelio
for their Champions League third qualifying round first leg
against Maccabi Haifa.
New and improved. £10,000 up for grabs for the overall
winner! Register now.
Fowler has a knee problem and will miss Wednesday's Anfield
clash, while Brazilian full-back Aurelio is struggling with
a calf problem.
Boss Rafael Benitez also has winger Mark Gonzalez (calf) and
defender Danny Agger (ankle) doubtful for the contest.
Liverpool (from): Reyna, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Riise,
Luis Garcia, Gerrard, Alonso, Pennant, Bellamy, Crouch,
Paletta, Kromkamp, Carson, Dudek, Zenden,
Sissoko, Gonzalez.
(TEAMtalk)
Benitez places Anfield on alert
Rafa Benitez says his last meeting with Maccabi Haifa serves
as a warning of the perils of tomorrow's £12m tie.
When Benitez was Valencia manager in 2003, Haifa secured a
0-0 draw in Spain with the all-conquering side which went on
to win La Liga and the UEFA Cup.
Although Benitez's side went on to win the replay, he says
much of the Haifa side he faced three years ago is the same.
(Liverpool Echo)
Reds confirm O'donnell loan move
Liverpool Football Club today confirmed that centre-half
Danny O'Donnell has agreed to join Crewe Alexandra on a
six-month loan contract from immediate effect.
The Academy graduate, spotted playing local league football,
played against both Wrexham and Crewe during this summer's
pre-season campaign and will now stay at the Alexandra
Stadium until December 31.
(LFC Official Website)
Lee leaves England coaching team
Sammy Lee has left the England coaching team and will now
work full-time as Bolton boss Sam Allardyce's assistant.
New England boss Steve McClaren wants a full-time under-21s
coach and offered the ex-Liverpool midfielder the job.
He would have worked alongside current part-time under-21
boss Peter Taylor, who is also manager of Crystal Palace.
"I'm flattered to be considered for the full-time post but
want to show my commitment to Bolton by declining," Lee told
the Football Association website.
(BBC Sport Online)
Traore transfer may fund Kuyt move
Rafael Benitez is hoping the sale of Djimi Traore will allow
him to sign Dirk Kuyt from Feyenoord.
Liverpool have had one offer for Kuyt rejected but if the
Reds can sell Djimi Traore, Rafa Benitez is hopeful of going
back to Feyenoord with an improved offer for Kuyt that will
be accepted.
Liverpool have agreed a £2m fee with Charlton for Traore and
the Mali international was at the Valley for a medical last
night.
The Reds are also hopeful of selling Anthony Le Tallec back
to France but they don't expect to raise any sort of
significant funds when they do so.
(LFC Online)
Liverpool will be making of Bellamy says
Toshack
Wales manager John Toshack believes striker Craig Bellamy
will flourish in the hot-house of expectation that will
surround his new club Liverpool this season.
Himself an integral part of the Anfield set-up when Bob
Paisley's all-conquering side won two European Cups in the
1970s, the Wales manager will be watching from the stands as
Bellamy makes his Champions League debut for Liverpool
against Israeli opponents Maccabi Haifa tomorrow evening in
the Champions League third qualifying round first leg tie.
Toshack said yesterday: "Craig is now at a good age - 27 -
which is not old but he has a lot of experience under his
belt.
"He is a very ambitious person and I think he is really
looking forward to the challenge of playing for Liverpool.
"He has always supported the club and although he has had
Premiership experience with Newcastle and Blackburn, the
expectation levels at Liverpool are greater than anywhere
else.
"Craig probably won't play in every game but he'll probably
be used in one or two different positions. The thing is that
he has gone to Liverpool to win trophies, which is what
every player wants.
"I think he won a cup medal at Celtic, but otherwise the
sideboard is bare, so he has a very interesting challenge in
front of him. But the main thing is that he is happy and
this is a move he so obviously wanted."
(Daily Post) |
|
MONDAY 7 |
Crewe to sign Reds youngster
Crewe Alexandra have set up a deal to sign Liverpool
youngster Danny O'Donnell on loan.
The 20-year-old is due to link up with Dario Gradi's side on
Tuesday ahead of The Railwaymen's League One clash with
Doncaster Rovers.
O'Donnell played against Crewe in pre-season, but is now
ready to pen a six-month loan contract at Gresty Road.
The centre half has yet to make a senior appearance for
Liverpool, but featured regularly in the reserves last
season.
He had previously been spotted playing in the local amateur
leagues before starting training full-time with the
Premiership giants 12 months ago.
His impending arrival at Crewe will help to shore up a
back-line which looked ill-at-ease in Saturday's 2-2 draw at
home to Northampton Town.
(Sky Sports)
Liverpool avoid match in Israel
Uefa has confirmed that Liverpool will play their Champions
League third round qualifier away leg against Israeli side
Maccabi Haifa at a neutral venue.
Uefa has switched the match because of Israel's conflict
with Lebanon.
European football's governing body has already said Israel
cannot host Uefa Cup second qualifying round games.
The game, which will take place on 22 or 23 August, could be
played at Dynamo Kiev's stadium in Ukraine after the club's
president gave permission.
(BBC Sport Online)
Kuyt rejects Middlesbrough offer
Liverpool target Dirk Kuyt has reportedly rejected the
chance to leave Feyenoord for Middlesbrough.
The Dutch international striker scored against Boro
yesterday as Feyenoord secured a 2-0 pre-season friendly
victory.
It is claimed that Boro sounded the player out about a move
and according to British newspaper reports, Kuyt turned them
down as he's hoping to secure a move to Anfield.
Newcastle, Chelsea and Manchester United continue to be
linked.
(Kop Talk)
Houllier’s ‘gems’ set to go
Out of favour French youngsters Anthony Le Tallec and
Florent Sinama-Pongolle are set to leave Liverpool this
week, three years after signing for the club.
Neither player has been able to break into the first team
regularly since being signed by former Reds boss Gerard
Houllier in 2003.
Le Tallec looks set to sign for French side Sochux. He
impressed in the French league at St Etienne during a loan
spell there last year.
And striker Sinama-Pongolle has attracted the interest of
Spanish outfit Osasuna after a good loan spell at Blackburn
Rovers towards the end of last season.
(This is Anfield)
Anti-Israel protest plan at Anfield clash
with Haifa
Merseyside campaigners will protest against Israeli action
in the Middle East at Liverpool's clash with Maccabi Haifa
at Anfield next week.
A mass protest will take place outside the ground for the
Champions League qualifier on Wednesday and organisers hope
it will also continue inside.
Placards and banners will call for peace in Lebanon while
leaflets will be handed around the stadium calling for a
boycott of Israeli goods.
The protest was called for by Liverpool Friends of Palestine
and is supported by Merseyside's Stop The War Coalition
(STWC) and Trade Union Council (TUC).
(Daily Post)
Gerrard insists: We can win title this
time
Steven Gerrard is searching for the one club honour he has
not achieved so far in a remarkable career.
Gerrard has virtually the full set - FA Cup, League Cup,
UEFA Cup, Champions League and European Super Cup. Only the
Premiership winners medal eludes him now.
And the Liverpool skipper, such an inspirational leader
under manager Rafael Benitez, plans to apply his 'superman'
ability to win games on his own - not just in major cup ties
but over 38 gruelling league games.
Gerrard believes Liverpool will make a genuine title
challenge this season.
He said: "We ended last season with 11 wins on the trot,
eight in the league and that is title-winning form.
"That's the idea now, we need to continue to be as
consistent as possible and next season we aim to maintain
this same level of home form.
"If we stop the occasional slip-ups away from home then
hopefully we will be right in the title race from the start.
We aim to carry last term's great finish straight into next
season."
(Daily Post)
Dudek linked with move to Sunderland
Jerzy Dudek is being linked with a move to
Sunderland, according to the latest media reports.
Black Cats boss and chairman Niall Quinn is hoping Dudek is
prepared to step down to England's second tier to take part
in Sunderland's bid for promotion from
the Championship.
(Walk on LFC)
Opponents' injury blow
Liverpool's Community Shield opponents Chelsea have suffered
a couple of injury blows.
Liverpool face Chelsea in the Community Shield on Sunday.
Chelsea will be without regular goalkeeper Petr Cech who
hasn't recovered from an injury picked up at the World Cup,
and Joe Cole who damaged his ligaments in a pre-season
friendly at the weekend.
Liverpool are reporting no injury worries ahead of
Wednesday's Champions League qualifier with Maccabi Haifa.
(LFC Online)
Transfer target frustrates Middlesbrough
Liverpool transfer target, Dutch striker Dirk Kuyt, was on
target to score Feyenoord’s second goal in a 2-0 pre-season
victory over Middesbrough.
Kuyt scored after 55 minutes after Stein Huysegems had given
Feyenoord the lead after 17 minutes.
It is understood that Liverpool and Newcastle are the only
two teams left in the race to sign Kuyt after Manchester
United turned their attentions elsewhere.
A decision on Kuyt’s future is expected to be made in the
next week with the Premiership season kicking off on August
19th.
(This is Anfield)
|
|
Thor Zakariassen
© |
|
