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THURSDAY 9 |
Benitez hails Gerrard extension
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez hailed Steven Gerrard's
contract extension as "really good" for the future of the
club after the Reds skipper signed his new deal this week.
Gerrard agreed the extension to keep him at Anfield until
2013 in April and has now completed the formalities after
returning from his summer holiday to begin pre-season
training.
Benitez has already secured the futures of Dirk Kuyt,
Fernando Torres, Daniel Agger and Yossi Benayoun this summer
and is delighted to have Gerrard signed up for the next four
years.
He said: "We have spent this summer trying to secure the
players
we have.
"It's really good to keep Kuyt, Torres, Agger, Benayoun and
Steven. They are the here and now of the club and for the
future it is really good.
"We are really pleased. We have a lot of good players who
want to stay, to win and compete.
"The message has to be the same again this year - to be
there, to be contenders and to fight. If we can win trophies
it would be fantastic."
(Sporting Life)
Rafa shrugs off Alonso
and Masch speculation
Liverpool laugh off Real’s low offers Liverpool manager Rafa
Benitez has once again cooled persistant transfer rumours
linking Real Madrid and Barcelona with big money moves for
Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano respectively.
Both players have been the subject of transfer speculation
from La Liga for several weeks now, but Benitez has made it
clear – both are long-term Liverpool players.
He told press, “Both players are our players and we are
really pleased with them. Both have two to three years on
their contract so we don’t need to do anything.”
(This is Anfield)
Benitez calms Aurelio fears
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has dismissed fears that Fabio
Aurelio could be out of action for six months through
injury.
Reports suggested Aurelio could miss the rest of 2009 after
picking up a knee injury during a freak accident playing
football with his kids in his native Brazil.
Benitez has confirmed Aurelio has undergone surgery on the
knee injury, but insists the full-back will only be on the
sidelines for up to two months.
"He was injured playing with his son and really disappointed
because he was enjoying the summer," Benitez said.
"He had the operation - he has had a problem with his
cartilage - so he will be one month, maximum two months, not
six months like I see
in the press."
(Sky Sports)
Glen Johnson:
Liverpool FC was
the only club for me
Liverpool FC new boy Glen Johnson today revealed how he was
given the inside track on his new club by a pair of former
Reds.
The England right back said he spoke to Peter Crouch and
Jermaine Pennant - who he played with for Portsmouth - about
the move and received nothing but positive reports.
"Peter and Jermaine said it's a fantastic club but they
didn't need to say that - I knew. They told me I'd enjoy
every minute of it," he said, speaking to the Liverpool club
website.
Johnson added that Liverpool's reputation in world football
meant no other club could compete for his signature.
(Liverpool Daily Post)
Flynn seals Falkirk move
Falkirk have completed the loan signing of Ryan Flynn from
Liverpool.
As revealed by skysports.com earlier this week Falkirk have
agreed a season-long loan deal for the highly-rated winger.
Liverpool, who signed Flynn from Falkirk in 2005, are
willing to loan out the 20-year-old so that he can continue
his development and get regular first-team action under his
belt.
Bairns boss Eddie May was delighted to land Flynn for the
new season.
"We have followed Ryan's career with great interest and Ross
Wilson and I have been down to Liverpool on a number of
occasions to watch him play," May told the club's official
website.
"He has always been very highly regarded by the Liverpool
people and I am delighted to bring him back to the club.
Flynn was happy to make the move back to Falkirk, turning
down other options to return to Scotland in the process.
"I am over the moon to be coming back to Falkirk, I loved my
time here in the academy and most of the lads are still here
which is great,"
noted Flynn.
"There were a number of options for me but as soon as I
spoke to Eddie and knew Falkirk were interested I couldn't
wait to get here and get it all signed."
(Sky Sports)
Eight games changed for live tv
Liverpool will kick off their new Barclays Premier League
season at Tottenham Hotspur in front of the SKY TV cameras.
The Reds' opening day clash at Spurs has been selected for
live coverage on Sunday August 16, with a 4pm kick-off at
White Hart Lane.
SKY and ESPN have also confirmed the Reds will figure in
seven more of their live games through to the end of
November.
Tottenham v Liverpool
Sunday August 16, 2009 (4pm)
Live on SKY
Liverpool v Aston Villa
Monday August 24, 2009 (8pm)
Live on ESPN
West Ham v Liverpool
Saturday September 19, 2009 (5.15pm)
Live on ESPN
Chelsea v Liverpool
Sunday October 4, 2009 (4pm)
Live on SKY
Liverpool v Manchester United
Sunday October 25, 2009 (2pm)
Live on SKY
Liverpool v Birmingham City
Monday November 9, 2009 (8pm)
Live on ESPN
Liverpool v Manchester City
Saturday November 21, 2009 (12.45pm)
Live on SKY
Everton v Liverpool
Sunday November 29, 2009 (1.30pm)
Live on SKY
Our home game against Fulham, scheduled to be played on
Saturday, 10th April 2010, has been moved to the following
day (Sunday, 11th April 2010) due to The Grand National
being staged at Aintree on the Saturday. Kick-off for the
Fulham game is 3pm.
(LFC Official Website)
Aurelio needs surgery
after holiday kickabout
Liverpool defender Fabio Aurelio could be out for the rest
of the year after picking up an injury playing football with
his children.
Reports on Thursday morning claim the 29-year-old suffered a
bad twist of the knee whilst kicking a ball around on
holiday and is likely
to need surgery.
Aurelio's absence could mean Argentine Emiliano Insua is
handed a first team berth, with Andrea Dossena surplus to
requirements at Anfield.
Brazilian left-back Aurelio is in the last year of his
Liverpool contract after signing from Valencia and has had a
string of knee injuries throughout
his career.
Boss Rafa Benitez has brought in French rookie Chris Mavinga
from PSG as back-up to Insua while Aurelio is on the
sidelines.
(ESPN Soccernet)
Gerrard signs for life
Steven Gerrard has put pen to paper on a new four-year
contract that will ensure he remains at Liverpool for the
rest of his career.
The Liverpool skipper had agreed two years on top of his
current deal - which ran for another two seasons - back in
April, and has now made
it official.
This new contract runs until 2013 and is worth an estimated
£26million.
(LFC Online) |
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WEDNESDAY 8 |
Madrid still hopeful of Alonso swoop
Real Madrid claim they can still land Xabi Alonso despite
accusing Liverpool of being greedy and pricing the Spain
international out
of a move.
The Bernabeu club's director general Jorge Valdano now says
"everything can be turned around" just 24 hours after
launching his attack on Liverpool's transfer tactics.
Alonso wants his future sorted out before he is due to
return to training at Liverpool on July 19, and Madrid have
made it clear they also want a speedy solution and will
start to look elsewhere for a holding midfield player if
there is no breakthrough in the next fortnight.
Valdano's original comments were made in a Madrid newspaper
article, and his claims that a deal could still be brokered
were made in a Radio Marca interview on Wednesday.
In that same interview he claimed that Real were no longer
interested in Valencia's David Villa, Arsenal's Cesc
Fabregas or Inter Milan's Maicon.
(TEAMtalk)
Ablett takes over at Edgeley Park
Former Liverpool defender Gary Ablett has been named as the
new manager to take over at League One club Stockport.
The 43-year-old, who left his post as Liverpool's reserve
team manager in May, beat off competition from former Celtic
and Northern Ireland midfielder Neil Lennon to land the
post.
Jim Melrose, who is heading a consortium which is on the
brink of completing a takeover of the Edgeley Park club,
said: "After a lengthy process I am delighted to announce
the appointment of Gary Ablett as the new manager of
Stockport County.
"Gary has a fantastic pedigree, having enjoyed a career at
the very highest level and he has a big reputation for the
quality of his coaching at Liverpool and Everton over the
last few years."
(TEAMtalk)
Reds land French starlet
Liverpool are set to make their second summer signing after
agreeing a deal to bring promising French left-back Chris
Mavinga to Anfield.
The France under-18 international has been snapped up from
Paris Saint Germain under the nose of Arsenal boss Arsene
Wenger who was keen to take Mavinga to the Emirates.
Liverpool will have to pay PSG a compensation fee for the
18-year-old who was yet to sign a full contract with the
French club.
Mavinga’s recruitment is timely with Fabio Aurelio set to
miss the start of the season with a knee injury and Andrea
Dossena likely to leave Anfield should Liverpool receive a
suitable offer for his services.
Emiliano Insua underlined his promise last season but
Benitez will be happy that the young Argentinian will face
increased competition for his place when the new season gets
under way.
With Glen Johnson already signed from Portsmouth in a club
record deal for a defender, the Reds boss has clearly
earmarked Liverpool’s full-back positions as areas which can
be improved.
(Liverpool Echo)
Fowler denies Mersey return
Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler has denied speculation he may
be tempted to team up with former teammates John Barnes and
Jason McAteer at Tranmere Rovers.
Fowler is currently playing his football at Australian side
North Queensland Fury but his stay down under has been
dogged by injuries
so far.
The striker, who scored 191 goals in 399 appearances for the
Reds in two spells at the club, says he’s not preparing to
leave Oz and his happy with his new life.
“I don’t know where it’s come from,” said Fowler. “It looks
like somebody’s put two and two together and come up with
six.
“I’ve got a two-year contract with North Queensland Fury FC
and I’m a man of my word - I’ll play it out.
“I wouldn’t want anyone to do that sort of thing to me and I
certainly wouldn’t do it anyone.
“There’s nothing to this - my family has just arrived and
they wouldn’t have travelled all this way if I had any
intention to leave.”
(This is Anfield)
Rafa's challenge to kids
Rafael Benitez has issued a challenge to some of his youth
players.
The likes of Daniel Pacheco, Martin Kelly, Krisztian Nemeth
and Peter Gulacsi have joined the first team squad for
pre-season training. They are likely to see action in the
Reds' upcoming friendlies and Benitez wants them to use this
chance to prove to him they are capable of challenging for a
place in the first team squad this season.
"We have already had conversations with the likes of
Pacheco, Ayala and San Jose and we have told them that it
depends on them," said the boss.
"They are now training with the first team squad and this is
their chance to show what they can do ahead of the new
season."
(LFC Online)
Benitez ready to sell
Mascherano for right price
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez won't rule out selling Javier
Mascherano for the right price.
The Telegraph says sources close to Liverpool believe a £25
million bid from the European champions will be rejected,
but Benitez may be tempted to sell should Pep Guardiola
return with a £30 million offer.
(tribalfootball.com) |
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TUESDAY 7 |
Liverpool send Flynn to Falkirk
Ryan Flynn is expected to complete a season-long loan return
to Falkirk from Liverpool later this week.
The 20-year-old winger moved to Anfield from the Bairns in
2005 and has been a regular in the Reds' reserve side.
Flynn joined Wrexham on loan in November and scored four
goals for the Welsh side in 21 appearances.
An FA Youth Cup winner in 2006 and 2007, Flynn was wanted on
loan by Wrexham again but appears to prefer a return to
Scotland.
(BBC Sport Online)
Prem rivals interested in Valbuena
Liverpool and Wigan are reportedly locked in a battle with
'several' rivals to sign highly-rated Marseille midfielder
Mathieu Valbuena.
Valbuena is a target for a host of clubs across Europe as
doubts grow over his long-term future at Stade velodrome.
Reports emanating from France have suggested Wigan have
tabled a bid for the diminutive midfielder, while the likes
of Liverpool, Everton and Chelsea have credited with an
interest in the player.
(TEAMtalk)
Kenny Dalglish return to Liverpool FC
is great but comes a decade too late
Kenny Dalglish’s return to Anfield will be terrific for
everyone associated with Liverpool FC, the only thing is it
should have been done
10 years ago.
Dalglish can offer so much in so many different ways for
Liverpool and if you’re looking for a blueprint of the kind
of job description he can fill at Anfield then look no
further than the ambassadorial role Sir Bobby Charlton
fulfils for Manchester United.
Basically, Dalglish is ‘Mr Liverpool’ and I can’t see where
the club can go wrong with this appointment.
While he won’t be working with the first team squad on a
regular basis, his talents can be put to use in many various
capacities.
(Mark Lawrenson - Liverpool Daily Post)
Real want quick Alonso solution
Real Madrid are believed to want any move for
Liverpool's Xabi Alonso sorted within two weeks as they seek
to conclude their summer spending.
The Spanish giants, who have yet to make an official bid for
the midfielder, have set a time limit on their interest,
according to sources close to the Bernabeu club.
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez, having tied one midfielder,
Yossi Benayoun, to a new two-year contract extension, will
now be expected to decide Alonso's future before the player
returns for pre-season training
on July 19.
That is the day before Liverpool fly to the Far East for
games against Thailand and Singapore.
Alonso has been given an extra fortnight's holiday along
with his fellow Spain team-mates who have been playing in
the Confederations Cup - Fernando Torres, Jose Reina, Alvaro
Arbeloa and Albert Riera.
Real Madrid insiders believe that the club's new coach
Manuel Pellegrini will want to move on to other holding
midfield targets if a deal for Alonso cannot be tied up
within two weeks.
But as far as Benitez is concerned, any doubts about
Benayoun's future have been dispelled following speculation
that he would also be interested in a move away from
Anfield.
The Merseysiders have rewarded the Israel skipper, following
his best season in English football, with a new two-year
extension to his current deal, which had two seasons to run.
(TEAMtalk)
Agger: My respect for Martin
Daniel Agger admits he has a fight on his hands to play
regular first-team football at Liverpool next season.
The Dane agreed a new deal earlier in the summer despite
having to settle for 26 senior appearances last term.
Agger knows he will have to be on top form to increase this
number in 2009-10, with Jamie Carragher and Martin Skrtel
proving to be one of the Barclays Premier League's meanest
partnerships over the last 12 months.
Despite the rivalry, Agger is a keen admirer of Skrtel - and
admits he was shocked at how good the Slovakian was after
arriving from the Russian Premier League 18 months ago.
"Martin is a top, top player. I was surprised when he came
just how good he was," Agger told LFC Magazine.
"I have to be honest and say I don't know much about the
Russian Premier League, so I did not really know what to
expect when Martin came to the club.
"But he's a really good player and, just as importantly,
he's a really good guy to have in the dressing room too.
He's a guy who's good to talk to away from the pitch and who
I admire a lot because of the way he plays on it."
(LFC Official Website)
Thor Zakariassen
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