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THURSDAY 9 |
Liverpool legends to pay tribute to the fans
A host of ex-Liverpool players are set to turn the tables on
the supporters who’ve been backing the club over the past 50
years – and spend a night applauding them.
“We’ll Never Walk Alone” will see a line-up of Anfield
legends saying a special thank you to Kopites for decades of
loyal support.
The Reds stars will take centre stage at a gala dinner at
the city’s Crowne Plaza Hotel on Monday, September 24, to
recall their own magic moments and memories.
They’ll each show their appreciation for supporters renowned
worldwide for their passion and belief in teams built by
managers including Bill Shankly, Bob Paisley, Joe Fagan,
Kenny Dalglish, Gerard Houllier and now Rafael Benitez.
The event is to be staged by the Liverpool Former Players
Association, which raises thousands of pounds each year for
charity.
Famous names such as John Aldridge, Ian Callaghan and Tommy
Smith will be present along with several members of the
current Anfield set up.
(Liverpool Echo)
Itandje joins as Carson nears exit
Liverpool have completed the signing of Lens goalkeeper
Charles Itandje, according to the French club.
The capture of 24-year-old former France Under-21
international comes ahead of the Champions League
registration deadline and allows England hopeful Scott
Carson to join Aston Villa on loan.
Carson, who spent last season at Charlton, had requested
another move in order to maintain his presence in the
England squad.
Spain number one Jose Reina is the established first choice
at Anfield.
A Lens statement read: "The directors of Lens have concluded
the definitive sale of Charles Itandje to Liverpool Football
Club.
"The Lens goalkeeper leaves after six years of good and
loyal service. We wish him good luck and best wishes for his
future career."
Itandje will be eligible to take his place in the squad for
next week's Champions League qualifier in Toulouse.
Liverpool landed the player after seeing him linked with
Manchester United, Aston Villa, Lyon and Real Betis.
(Sporting Life) |
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WEDNESDAY 8 |
Villa turn to Carson
Aston Villa have turned their attentions to signing England
goalkeeper Scott Carson on loan from Liverpool having missed
out on Scottish keeper Craig Gordon.
Gordon elected to join Sunderland for a transfer record of
£9m yesterday leaving Villa boss Martin O'Neill short on
time to sign a keeper before the season starts.
O'Neill lost first choice Thomas Sorensen to injury during
pre-season and seems not to have sufficient faith in his
understudy Scott Taylor, although he may find competition
for Carson from Manchester City.
Carson, who spent last season on loan with Charlton, was due
to be Liverpool's number two behind Jose Reina this season,
but the players England ambitions have forced Reina to allow
him to make another move on loan.
Liverpool are now set to sign Charles Itandje from Lens as
his replacement and if the transfer goes through Carson will
be allowed to make the move to Villa, although will not be
available for the club's first match of the Premiership
season.
(Goal.com)
Reina nets goalkeeping award
Pepe Reina has won the Barclays Golden Glove award for the
second season running after keeping 19 clean sheets in the
Barclays Premier League campaign.
Reina's closest competition came from Everton's Tim Howard
(14 shut outs) and Reading's Marcus Hahnemann (13).
The award is further evidence of the form of Reina over the
past couple of years, but the Reds' stopper is keen to share
the honour with his teammates.
"This is not my trophy," he says. "It's recognition of the
work of our defenders as well as the other players in the
team.
"We are a special group at Liverpool and that is why we have
had some success over recent seasons.
"I would say our defence is a ten out of ten unit. There is
such a determination not to concede goals and hopefully
we'll be able to reproduce our best form throughout the
coming season.
"For me, clean sheets aren't the most important thing. If I
keep one at Aston Villa this weekend then great, but if I
don't and we still win the game then that's great as well."
(LFC Official Website)
Kuyt: I will be better
Liverpool striker Dirk Kuyt has insisted he will be a better
player
this season.
The Dutchman arrived at Liverpool at the end of last August
and quickly endeared himself to the Anfield faithful with
his all-action displays.
Kuyt believes the Liverpool fans will see the best of him
this term after finding his bearings at Anfield and getting
a full pre-season under his belt.
"I'm sure I will get better this season," Kuyt told the
Liverpool Echo. "Last year I didn't have a full pre-season
or know the rest of the lads or the club so well.
"Now I'm more settled and any difficulties when starting at
a new club are behind me. I can focus 100 per cent on my
football and I have a good feeling about this season.
(Sky Sports)
Rafa eyes Brazilian ace
Liverpool have joined Roma in the hunt for Brazilian ace
Cicinho, according to reports in Spain.
The Brazilian full-back appears to have been pushed down the
pecking order at Real Madrid under new coach Bernd Schuster.
Roma first showed an interest last month but have yet to
strike a deal for the 27-year-old.
However, Liverpool have now been alerted and it has been
claimed that Rafa Benitez has made contact.
(Sky Sports) |
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TUESDAY 7 |
Gerrard escapes Feyenoord punishment
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard came close to a pre-season
red card in a friendly against Feyenoord.
The England midfielder reacted angrily to a tackle by
Royston Drenthe and clashed with Theo Lucius as players from
both sides argued during a 1-1 draw in the Port of Rotterdam
tournament.
Fists were raised and television pictures appeared to show
Gerrard slapping Lucius.
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez substituted Gerrard
immediately but does not expect any punishment for his star
player.
Benitez said: "I do not think Steven will be in trouble,
there was a lot going on out on the pitch."
If Gerrard had been sent off, he could have faced a Premier
League ban.
(Channel 4)
Taylor targets Liverpool start
Stuart Taylor admits his future prospects at Aston Villa are
out of his hands as Martin O'Neill steps up his bid to sign
Hearts' Craig Gordon.
Taylor is in line to face Liverpool in the Premier League
opener at Villa Park on Saturday in the absence of hamstring
victim Thomas Sorensen. But that scenario could change if
O'Neill wins the race with Sunderland and Manchester City
for Gordon's signature.
Villa are remaining tight-lipped over any possible transfer
and Taylor is trying to stay focused on being ready to face
the Reds if required.
He said: "I'll take the games as they come now. The manager
makes the decisions. If Thomas gets fit and goes straight
back into the team, or whatever happens, there's nothing I
can do about that.
"What I can do is carry on working hard and playing as well
as I can. Then that gives the manager a decision to make.
It's been good to have a run of games because I've spent
most of my time here sitting on the bench doing nothing.
"It's nice to actually play a few games, regardless of
whether they're friendlies or not. It would be nice to be
involved against Liverpool. You look forward to any game and
if I'm playing that's great. But it's not in
my hands."
(TEAMtlk)
Liverpool sell Sinama-Pongolle
Liverpool have officially confirmed the permanent transfer
of striker Florent Sinama-Pongolle to Spanish club
Recreativo.
The 22-year-old spent the entirety of last season on loan at
Recre and made a big impression, making 32 league
appearances, scoring 11 times.
He had been drafted in to the Liverpool squad by former Reds
boss Gerard Houllier in 2003. Despite showing enough promise
to earn a place in the France Under 21 squad, his Anfield
career never took off.
Having made 66 appearances for Liverpool Sinama-Pongolle
scored just 9 times and founds himself towards the back of a
long list of strike talent at the club.
(Goal.com)
Drogba back in time for Reds test
Didier Drogba should be back for Chelsea before their first
big test of the season against Liverpool.
The striker has a knee injury after taking a knock in
pre-season and is set to miss the first game of the season,
against Birmingham on Sunday.
Jose Mourinho will give him every chance to recover but will
not risk such a key player.
With John Terry, Wayne Bridge and Michael Ballack all
suffering long-term problems, Drogba's scheduled return will
be considered reassuring for the head coach.
Of particular importance will be the striker's return in
time to play at title rivals Liverpool on 19 August.
(Daily Mail)
Panel to decide Heinze future
Want-away defender Gabriel Heinze will take his dispute with
Manchester United to a Premier League arbitration panel next
week.
A league spokesman confirmed the Argentina international has
asked for a three-man panel to decide whether United gave
the player permission to leave the club for an agreed fee.
Heinze wants to join Liverpool and claims he has a letter
from United allowing him to leave if a club offered a fee of
£6.8million.
Meanwhile, Heinze, 29, has promised to "carry on like a
professional".
He told the Daily Mail: "I've fulfilled my duties by
returning for training and I will now carry on like a
professional. I will keep on coming to training and see what
happens. I have a muscle injury in my leg but it is only
minor and will not keep me out for long.
"I've spoken with the coach (Ferguson) and I have insisted
that my wish is to leave the club if a big offer appears on
the table.
"Today the only such offer is from Liverpool and it is this
that is causing the problem. Earlier in the summer I
received a promise from United that I could leave if the
deal was good for both parties and at the moment there is an
offer from Liverpool."
(TEAMtalk)
Villa defender ready for Torres
Olaf Mellberg says he will make Fernando Torres' debut a
difficult one.
Torres should make his first competitive start for the Reds
in Saturday's Premiership opener against Aston Villa. Villa
defender Olaf Mellberg claims he got the better of Torres
when Sweden played Spain in a European Championships
qualifier last October and can do again.
"I have seen Torres a little bit, mainly when he has played
for Spain. I marked him not long ago when we played Spain
and won," said the Swedish international.
"I don't remember too much of him in particular from that
game, so it will be interesting to see how he does in the
Premiership.
"Liverpool have a really strong squad, so we won't focus on
any one player when we play them. But we believe we can get
a good result."
(LFC Online)
Sports-mad Liverpool FC tycoon seals race car deal
The billionaire owner of Liverpool FC George Gillett last
night added a stock car racing team to his portfolio.
After six months of negotiations, Mr Gillett, who also owns
legendary ice-hockey team Montreal Canadiens sealed the deal
to take-over of a NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car
Auto Racing).
He bought the majority of the team off American stock car
racing hero Ray Evernham, who will still have an ownership
stake.
As he has done with Liverpool football club, Mr Gillett is
allowing the day to day running of the team to continue
largely as before, but he is using his great wealth to
further its interests.
(Liverpool Daily Post)
Anderson loan switch confirmed
Swansea City have formally completed the loan deal for Paul
Anderson.
The reserve winger and member of the 2006 FA Youth Cup
winning side has joined the League One side on a season long
loan. He has already impressed officials at the Welsh club
during a couple of pre-season friendlies and yesterday
Swansea officially completed his signing.
(LFC Online)
Thor Zakariassen
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