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THURSDAY 9 |
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Kuyt admits Reds desire
Dutch striker Dirk Kuyt has admitted to skysports.com that
he would welcome a move to Liverpool.
The European champions are thought to be very keen on the
Feyenoord man, although they are yet to make an offer.
Kuyt, though, admits that he would love the chance to make
the switch to Anfield.
"Liverpool have contacted Feyenoord but no bid has been made
yet by Liverpool," Kuyt told skysports.com following
Holland's 4-0 win over Finland on Wednesday.
"I would really want to go to Liverpool. It's a great club
and I hope I can play for them."
Kuyt scored the third goal in Oranje's comfortable victory
in Helsinki and that was a continuation of his excellent
form from the past season which has seen him net 32 times in
De Eredivisie for The Rotterdammers.
(Planet Football/Sky Sports)
Hamann agrees deal
Didi Hamann today extended his Liverpool career for a
possible two years and vowed: "Now I want to complete my
Anfield medal collection."
Hamann has agreed a one-year deal which gives the club an
option of keeping him for an additional season in 2006-07.
The German, nicknamed 'The Kaiser', turned down overtures
from Bolton and Everton to re-commit himself to the
Rafalution.
"Once Liverpool made me an offer, there was only one place I
wanted to play my football," Hamann told the ECHO today. "I
always said the first club I would speak to about my future
was Liverpool because I wanted to stay.
"The gaffer said we would wait until after the final before
we had a meeting and that's what we did. We came to an
agreement instantly. I'll be here next season and hopefully
for the next two years."
(Liverpool Echo)
Baggies out to grab Kirkland
West Brom boss Bryan Robson looks set to bring in
Liverpool's out-of favour goalkeeper Chris Kirkland on a
season-long loan.
Kirkland faces competition at Anfield from Jerzy Dudek and
Scott Carson and with Jose Reina is set to make a switch
from Villarreal his prospects look bleak.
According to the Daily Express the Baggies manager plans to
give the former England Under-21 stopper the chance to
resurrect his career at The Hawthorns and Kirkland may be
tempted by the lure of first team football, particuarly with
next year's World Cup looming.
Paul Robinson, David James, Robert Green, Scott Carson and
Kirkland will all have their eyes on the England number one
jersey and the 24-year-old knows that a regular Premiership
place is the only way to prove himself to manager Sven-Goran
Eriksson.
Kirkland arrived Anfield from Coventry four years ago for a
fee of £6million but has struggled with injury since.
(Sporting Life)
Vicente snubs Reds' moves
Valencia midfielder Vicente has ruled out a move to the
Premiership with either Liverpool or Manchester United after
stating he is happy at the Mestalla.
Both clubs are believed to be interested in bringing the
talented midfieler to England in the summer, however
according to Valencia's club president Juan Soler the player
is not for sale.
The 23-year-old has already rejected Sir Alex Ferguson's
advances which leaves Rafael Benitez to try and persuade
both the club and £14m-rated winger that a deal would be a
good idea.
Speaking about United's interest, Vicente said: "It's
pleasing United are interested but I am happy at Valencia. I
know that United are interested in me but I didn't speak to
anyone. The president informed me about the situation but
I'm happy to remain at Valencia because I was born here and
it's my home."
Soler added: "A director at the English club called me but
Vicente is totally untransferable."
Liverpool are thought to be willing to make a cash plus
Milan Baros offer to bring the Valencia star to the Spanish
revolution at anfield.
(TEAMtalk)
Henchoz heading for Celtic exit
Stephane Henchoz's agent has confirmed the Swiss defender
has joined the list of players leaving Celtic.
The 30-year-old international left Liverpool and agreed a
short-term move to Celtic Park in January but failed to make
an impact in Glasgow.
"Celtic have not been in touch so he will be leaving for
sure," said agent Jorg Vonmatt.
"Things haven't worked out for him for one reason or another
and so he will definitely be leaving Scotland."
Henchoz, who was with Blackburn before a £3.5m move to
Anfield in 1999, made just two starts for Celtic.
"Stephane has some offers from other clubs but where they
are I cannot reveal too much at this moment," added Vonmatt.
(BBC Sport Online)
Medjani leads France to the final
Liverpool youngster John Welsh was an unused
substitute for England under-20s as fellow Red Carl Medjani
helped France to a place in the final of the Toulon
Tournament.
Despite figuring in all three of England's previous games
Welsh played no part as Peter Taylor's side crashed out of
the competition on penalties.
Medjani, who spent the whole of 2004/05 on loan at Lorient,
has captained his country throughout the tournament and
he'll now be hoping they can defeat Portugal in the final.
(LFC Official Website)
International Reds round-up
Milan Baros and John Arne Riise were both on the
scoresheet last night as their countries secured impressive
victories in their final games of the season.
Baros, who was reportedly being watched by Lyon, netted the
Czech Republic's sixth goal after 88 minutes in their
comprehensive 6-1 World Cup qualifying defeat of Macedonia.
The Czechs, for whom Vladimir Smicer appeared as a 61st
minute substitute, are now well placed in second in their
group, just one point behind leaders Holland with four games
left to play.
Riise fulfilled a lifetime ambition when he captained Norway
in their 3-2 friendly international in Sweden and he marked
the occasion by opening the scoring.
Meanwhile, Sami Hyypia played the full 90 minutes of
Finland's 4-0 defeat to Holland in Helsinki and Xabi Alonso
was given a 63rd minute run-out as Spain were held to a
frustrating 1-1 draw against Bosnia-Herzegovina in Valencia.
(LFC Official Website) |
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WEDNESDAY 8 |
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Biscan leaves Anfield
Croatian midfielder Igor Biscan has not been offered a new
contract by the club and is subsequently available on a free
transfer.
There was talk that the 27-year-old would be rewarded with a
new deal because of his part in the club's European success
this season but that isn't to be the case.
Italian outfit Lazio are leading the race to sign the
hard-working player who has since cleared out his Melwood
locker.
He was signed by Gerard Houllier from Croatia Zagreb for
£5.5million back in 2000. He was a bit of a flop to start
with and his lowest spell was probably when Houllier played
him in defence. However he eventually did find his feet and
lived up to his price-tag in the end.
World class he'll never be but an Anfield cult hero he'll
always be.
(Kop Talk)
Harry sues Gary for hurtful jibe
Former England captain and Everton star Gary Lineker
launched a "hurtful and humiliating attack" on Liverpool's
Harry Kewell over his Leeds transfer, the High Court in
London heard today.
The striker is suing top football pundit Lineker for libel
after an article in a Sunday newspaper headlined: "Kewell
move made me feel ashamed of the game".
Kewell, 26, and Lineker were today both in court for the
start of a seven-day action over the Sunday Telegraph
article.
(Liverpool Echo)
Opinion still divided on Reds
Holders Liverpool are expected to win the battle to defend
their Champions League title next season within the next 48
hours.
That was the prediction from David Davies, the executive
director of the Football Association, after he met a
delegation of five Liverpool MPs.
"We are encouraged by the fact there has been a change of
feeling within UEFA," Davies said.
"As opposed to a few weeks ago when there seemed to be a
majority against changing the rules, there is a majority
seeking to find a way to get Liverpool in. I think that will
become clearer in the next 48 hours."
(Sporting Life)
Potential fixture congestion
Champions League
12-13 July: 1st round, 1st leg
19-20 July: 1st round, 2nd leg
26-27 July: 2nd round, 1st leg
2-3 Aug: 2nd round, 2nd leg
9-10 Aug: 3rd round, 1st leg
23-24 Aug: 3rd round, 2nd leg
Pre-season
16 July: v Bayer Leverkusen
22 July: FC Cologne
27 July: Shimizu S-Pulse
30 July: Kashima Antlers
Super Cup
26 Aug: v CSKA Moscow
Saints reject £5m bid for Crouch
Southampton have confirmed they have turned down
a bid - believed to be from Liverpool - for striker Peter
Crouch.
Saints chairman Lowe refused to say whether it was the Reds
who tabled the offer but he did reiterate the club's desire
to keep hold of 6ft 7in Crouch.
"There has been a lot of interest in Peter Crouch and we
have had an offer which we have turned down," said Lowe.
Southampton could struggle to hold onto their prize asset
after they were relegated from the Premiership.
But manager Harry Redknapp insists he wants Crouch to
spearhead the club's immediate return to the top-flight and
that a season in the Championship will not harm his England
prospects ahead of the 2006 World Cup.
"It would be better for Peter to stay at Southampton and
play rather than go somewhere like Liverpool and be on the
bench."
(BBC Sport Online)
Luque eyes Liverpool move
Spanish striker Albert Luque believes a move to European
champions Liverpool would suit him.
Rafael Benitez is reportedly chasing the 27-year-old
forward's signature, with Luque's club Deportivo La Coruna
claiming one offer has already been rejected.
Luque, who scored for Spain in a World Cup qualifier against
Lithuania on Saturday, said: "At Liverpool I have friends
like Luis Garcia and goalkeeper Jose Reina, who will arrive
soon.
"I want a quick decision so I can go on my holiday and know
where I am playing next season.
"English football is excellent and I have no doubt that I
could play in the Premiership.
"My characteristics will suit English football and the
supporters will be happy with my style and the goals I would
score."
Depor president Augusto Cesar Lendoiro added: "We refused
the first offer [for Luque] from Liverpool because it was
insufficient, but we are still open for the negotiations."
(Football 365)
European fate to be decided on Friday
Liverpool are set to find out their Champions League fate on
Friday.
UEFA spokesman William Gaillard has confirmed that executive
committee members are set to hold a telephone conference
with a vote ratifying their decision expected soon after.
The announcement will finally end weeks of uncertainty
surrounding whether the Merseysiders will be allowed to
defend the trophy they won in Istanbul on May 25.
Should the decision fall in their favour, however, Liverpool
face the prospect of a fixture pile-up before the season has
even started - which could see them playing the prestigious
European Super Cup final and the second leg of a Champions
League third qualifying round tie inside four days.
(Daily Post)
Reina move one step closer
Goalkeeper Mariano Barbosa has agreed to move to Primera
Liga side Villarreal ahead of next season, leaving he way
clear for Jose Reina to possibly sign for Champions League
winners Liverpool.
Barbosa, who will arrive from Argentina-based Banfield, has
penned a three-year agreement with the Spanish outfit after
the two clubs agreed a fee of 2million euros (£1.34million).
The 20-year-old is expected to take the place of current
first-choice custodian Reina, who is reported to be on the
verge of signing for the Anfield club.
(Sporting Life) |
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TUESDAY 7 |
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Gerrard contract update
Newspaper reports today claim that Steven Gerrard has told
his Liverpool team-mates that he is set to sign a new
contract with the club.
Contract negotiations have been delayed due to a number of
circumstances but will take place again on June 26th, the
day before the squad reports back for pre-season training.
Chelsea are still keen on signing the skipper which remains
a worry but they are keeping a low profile after Gerrard's
agent Struan Marshall indicated to them that his client was
not ready to talk about leaving Anfield.
If Gerrard hasn't signed a new deal by the start of the
season, serious questions would need to be asked as to why
not. But for now let's remain positive as everything looks
to be on course.
(Kop Talk)
Reds eye Slovak starlet
Liverpool are keeping close tabs on highly-rated Slovak
defender Martin Skrtel.
Hamburg and Anderlecht are also monitoring the 20-year-old
who is currently plying his trade in Russia with Zenit St
Petersburg.
Skrtel only moved to Zenit last summer from AS Trencin when
they beat Hertha Berlin to his signature, mainly due to the
fact that the Russian side are managed by Slovak Vlastimil
Petrzhela.
Now the youngster has emerged as one of the best defenders
in the Russian league and he is attracting interest from
some of Europe's big hitters.
Petrzhela has confirmed Liverpool's interest in his young
starlet.
(Sky Sports)
Harrison has Chester trial
Former Liverpool goalkeeper Paul Harrison has gone on a
month's loan at Chester.
Ian Rush tried to sign Harrison on more than one occasion
while he was Chester manager but when Rush left Chester a
chance of a move seemed over.
However, Chester owner Steven Vaughan has been a fan of
Harro since he was in the same Academy side as his son David
and it was Vaughan who arranged the trial
for Harrison.
(LFC Online)
Sochaux enter Cheyrou race
Sochaux have reportedly joined the race for Liverpool misfit
Bruno Cheyrou.
The midfielder had been on loan at Ligue 1 side Marseille
over the course of the past season, although failed to
secure a starting berth at Stade Velodrome during his stay.
(Sky Sports)
Reds face fixture headache
As Liverpool await their Champions League fate, the prospect
of a nightmare fixture pile-up before the season has even
started faces the European Cup winners.
And it could see them playing the prestigious European Super
Cup final and the second leg of a Champions League third
qualifying round tie inside four days.
Now UEFA chief Lennart Johansson has made it clear he
favours Liverpool starting the competition from scratch
rather than being given the other option available of a wild
card into the group stages as number one seed.
Johansson says: "In my opinion Liverpool should be in from
the very beginning - they will have to go through all the
competition."
If that is the final decision then Liverpool could find
themselves in a first qualifying round tie which would fall
in early July when they are supposedly in their Swiss
pre-season training camp.
If UEFA accept this advice from their president, Liverpool's
pre-season will be thrown
into chaos.
(Sporting Life)
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Thor Zakariassen
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