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FRIDAY 9 |
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Good news about Gerrard
Steven Gerrard is winning his battle to be fit for England's
World Cup opener with Paraguay in Frankfurt on Saturday.
The Liverpool midfielder rated his chances of being ready to
play as only 50-50 on Thursday because of a stiff back.
But Gerrard, who missed the 2002 World Cup after undergoing
groin surgery, completed a full training session today with
the rest of his team-mates at the Wald Stadium.
He will take his place in the starting line-up in a 4-4-2
formation alongside Frank Lampard unless he suffers any
adverse overnight reaction.
It means only Wayne Rooney, who is continuing to build up
his fitness after recovering from his broken metatarsal, is
unavailable.
England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson said: "Everyone is fit.
Steven Gerrard trained very well and should be on the pitch
tomorrow unless he suffers a reaction in the night but I
think he will play.
"He did everything in training except some crosses. Steven
Gerrard is an important player to us and it is good to have
him fit."
(Sporting Life)
Angry Rafa demands FIFA compensation
Rafa Benitez today vigorously supported the G14's demand for
FIFAtocompensate clubs who lose millions when their players
are injured playing for their country.
Liverpool have lost a potential £8m due to the injury to
Djibril Cisse, with the knock-on effect seriously impacting
on Benitez's transfer plans this summer.
Benitez maintains the current system is flawed, and the vast
wealth accumulated by FIFA should be used to repay clubs who
lose their most valuable assets on international duty.
"When I spoke at the UEFA coaches meeting last season, this
was one of the important issues I raised," said Benitez
today.
"In this situation, we have a player who has cost Liverpool
a lot of money injured preparing for a World Cup. Now we
haveto face the cost. There are wages to pay and also we
can't sell the player.
"It's clear there is a problem with the rules. As a club,
not only have we lost a player we have lost big money.
"I believe FIFA or the national associations should pay the
clubs in these situations."
(Liverpool Echo)
L'OM still want Cisse
Marseille chairman Pape Diouf claims the club are still
interested in signing Djibril Cisse, but believes the
Liverpool forward needs to be left alone to rehabilitate
free from the glare of media attention.
L'OM had been poised to sign the forward after the World Cup
finals, but the plans were thrown up in the air when Cisse
suffered a horrific double leg break in a friendly with
China.
Liverpool believe the striker, who underwent surgery on
Thursday, will make a swift recovery and Marseille are ready
to return to the negotiating table.
"Nothing has been decided," Diouf told Marseille's official
website. "We will talk again, but the most important thing
is for the boy to recover.
"The boy and ourselves still want to spend some time on the
same path."
(Sky Sports)
Sevilla reject Reds' Alves bid
Sevilla claim they have rejected a bid from Liverpool for
Daniel Alves.
Alves is thought to be among Liverpool's top summer transfer
targets after tracking him for over a year.
Reds boss Rafa Benitez is keen to bring in a new right-sided
midfielder and has earmarked Alves for that role at Anfield.
Barcelona and Milan are both thought to be chasing Alves as
well and there could be a massive scramble for his signature
this summer.
Sevilla are reluctant to lose Alves and have placed a
massive £12 million price tag on his head to try and ward
off suitors.
Sevilla president Jose Maria Del Nido revealed the club
turned down a substantial bid from Liverpool on Wednesday
for Alves.
"It is not necessary to hide that a tempting offer for Alves
arrived on Wednesday, but that was rejected because it does
not meet the amount the club demands," said Del Nido.
"Everybody knows that Liverpool have been chasing Alves for
a year and that every week offers a million Euros more."
Liverpool are hopeful of thrashing out a deal for Alves, but
if they fail to land the South American they could turn
their attentions to Jermaine Pennant.
(Sky Sports)
Herrera joins Espanyol
Paco Herrera has left Liverpool to become Technical Director
at Espanyol.
Herrera arrived at Anfield with Rafael Benitez in June 2004
but only intended staying two years before returning to
Spain to be with his family. Herrera could not be persuaded
to remain at Melwood and so returns to Spain with Espanyol
with the thanks of Rafa Benitez.
"Paco has done a very good job in his two years at
Liverpool. Now I would like to wish him and his family all
the best with his new role at Espanyol," Benitez told the
club's
official website.
(LFC Online)
Reds eye Real midfielder
Liverpool are looking at Real Zaragoza midfielder Antonio
Zapater, according to reports in Spain.
The young midfield man, who is approaching his 21st
birthday, is contracted with Real until next summer but they
could be ready to let him leave.
Some reports say that new Zaragoza boss Victor Fernandez
does not see Zapater fitting in with the system he wants to
employ, with the coach happy to let him leave.
Valencia are also interested and ready to battle it out with
their former manager Rafa Benitez for his signature.
Benitez has not been afraid to raid the Spanish market for
players in the past, and he is always looking for new talent
to add to his Anfield squad.
(Sky Sports)
Paraguay: Crouch is the one we fear
While Wayne Rooney's fitness (or lack of it)
might still be dominating the headlines in England, within
the Paraguay training camp all the talk is of another
Premiership striker – Peter Crouch.
It appears the 6ft 7in Liverpool star is causing the South
Americans a few sleepless nights in the build-up to
Saturday's Group B opener in Frankfurt.
Speaking ahead of the game, Anibal Ruiz, the Paraguay coach,
admitted: "Peter Crouch is a concern for me. We hardly come
across players like him, very seldom. In football it is not
easy to find such a tall player with such good control. He
has this harmony in his movements, a coordination that is
very good and he can go back and help with the game
building."
Paraguay goalkeeper Justo Villar, like his manager, also see
Crouch as the biggest threat England pose. "For the England
game we still have to work on our defence against corners
and free-kicks," he says, "because in Crouch they have a
tall striker who will be good in the air."
(LFC Official Website)
Cisse injury to open door for Bellamy bid
Djibril Cisse's injury nightmare could pave the way for
Liverpool to move for Craig Bellamy.
Feyenoord's £10m-rated Holland international Dirk Kuyt is
the Liverpool manager's first choice, followed by one of
Darren Bent, Jermain Defoe or Bellamy.
But with both Bent and Defoe having been handed similar
price tags to Kuyt, Bellamy, available for £6m due to a
clause in his contract, represents the best value.
(Daily Post)
Rafa agrees to Hamann exit
Liverpool have received an official approach from Bolton
Wanderers for former German international Dietmar Hamann.
The 32-year-old midfielder who cost £8million when signed
from Newcastle United by Gerard Houllier back in 1999, has
been given permission to discuss a move.
An Anfield Insider told us: "Rick (Parry) has received a
call from Bolton again (for Hamann) and having discussed
this with Rafa, the player has been given permission to
discuss a possible move."
Didi will be allowed to leave on a free transfer.
(Kop Talk) |
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THURSDAY 8 |
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Govou replaces Cisse in French squad
Lyon striker Sidney Govou has been called up as a
replacement for the injured Djibril Cisse in France’s World
Cup squad.
Liverpool striker Cisse was ruled out of the tournament
after breaking his leg in Les Bleus’ warm-up game against
China on Wednesday night.
Govou (aged 26) will fly to Germany with the rest of the
squad on Thursday.
(Ireland On-Line)
Stevie wishes Cisse well
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has sent a message of
support to stricken striker Djibril Cisse.
Cisse's World Cup dreams were left in tatters on Wednesday
evening when he suffered a serious leg break in a friendly
with China.
It is the second leg break Cisse has suffered during his
Liverpool career and Gerrard admits it is a major blow for
the French star.
"Obviously me, Jamie (Carragher), Peter (Crouch) and Scott
(Carson) send our regards," Gerrard said on Sky Sports News.
"We know how hard he worked to get back from his first leg
break.
"It is a really frustrating injury for him to break his leg
again and we send our regards as it is a really sad time for
him."
(Sky Sports)
Benitez accepts Cisse transfer is off
Rafa Benitez today admitted Djibril Cisse's latest horrific
injury will impact on his summer spending plans.
Cisse suffered a break of the tibia and fibula, ruling him
out until at least Christmas, and ending the possibility of
an imminent sale.
While Benitez has sympathy for the 25-year-old, from a
business perspective the injury has serious repercussions.
Hopes of raising capital to launch bids for certain targets
depended on the early sale of players such as Cisse.
Now Benitez must re-assess his options, and may even have to
re-consider the futures of other saleable assets to ensure
he's not frustrated with his summer re-building plans.
"There are two issues here," said Benitez.
"Firstly, from the players point of view I'm really sorry
for Djibril. That's important. It's really unfortunate for
him. But it's true it's now impossible for him to be sold."
(Liverpool Echo)
Under 18's win in US
Liverpool's under 18's side won both their games on their US
tour.
Liverpool beat a Tennessee State XI 3-0 in their first game
before hammering a Georgian State XI 5-0 in the second game.
FA Youth Cup winning stars Craig Lindfield, Jimmy Ryan and
Robbie Threlfall were all on the scoresheet in Memphis.
Academy coach John Owens said: "It was a nice way to end the
season for the boys. It was a fantastic trip and we played
some really good football."
(LFC Online)
Gerrard injury scare for England
Steven Gerrard gave England an injury scare ahead of their
World Cup opener against Paraguay by declaring himself only
"50-50" to feature in Frankfurt.
The midfielder missed Wednesday's session with a back
problem and only took part in Thursday's warm-up ahead of
England training in Baden-Baden.
He said afterwards: "I've got a good chance but, right now,
it's 50-50."
(BBC Sport Online)
France in shock after Cisse leg-break
Just when David Trezeguet opened the scoring in France's
final World Cup warm-up game, Djibril Cisse was passing
behind the goal on a stretcher.
The image, 31 minutes into Wednesday's match against China
that France eventually won 3-1, showed that the French World
Cup challenge is still very much alive and kicking.
The mood in the France team, however, was clearly depressed
after the news that Cisse had fractured his right leg and
would miss the finals in Germany.
"Everybody was in a state of shock in the locker room," said
France coach Raymond Domenech. "I even saw a few who were
close to tears."
Like in 2002, when Zinedine Zidane sustained a thigh injury
in a friendly five days from the finals, France suffered a
vicious blow just before leaving for a World Cup.
Cisse, of course, does not have as much influence on the
team as Zidane but his misfortune was nevertheless painful
for everybody.
"We were all thinking about him during the match," said
defender William Gallas. "This is extremely difficult to
accept for him but also for the rest of us. We're losing a
team mate and excellent player."
(Reuters) |
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WEDNESDAY 7 |
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Confirmed - Cisse breaks right leg
Djibril Cisse has broken his right leg after been
stretchered off for France in their friendly with China.
Cisse landed awkwardly after just eight minutes of the game
with China, and replays showed a twist in his right leg.
Reports have now confirmed that Cisse has broken the bone,
and will definitely be out of the World Cup.
French players Thierry Henry and William Gallas, both shuck
their heads at the sidelines as Trezeguet was called to
replace Cisse.
The Liverpool player, who only recently came back from a
huge break to his left leg, has been linked with a move back
to france over the past few days with both Marseille and
Lyon showing interest in the forward.
(Soccer Opinion.com)
Alonso ready for World Cup
Xabi Alonso says he can't wait for the World Cup
to begin.
Alonso is keen for the World Cup to begin and is confident
that this time Spain can have a real crack at the
tournament.
"I'm getting very excited about the World Cup. It's a chance
to play in something I have only been able to see on
television before," said the Basque.
"I'm looking forward to it immensely. I wouldn't like to
make a prediction about how far Spain will go, but I think
football fans should have faith in us.
"I think we're all hoping this is our chance and we can
achieve what everyone expects us to. In recent World Cups,
more was expected of us. I think it would be fantastic to go
a long way, but it is up to us - the players - who are going
to be in the form we have been showing for our clubs.
"If we take things one step at a time, start playing well
from the off and believe in ourselves, I think we can beat
anyone.
(LFC Online)
Gerrard sits out England training
England midfielder Steven Gerrard did not train with the
squad on Wednesday because of the back problem that forced
him out of Tuesday's session.
The 26-year-old has a stiff back, but officials are
confident he will be fit for Saturday's opener against
Paraguay.
An FA spokesman said: "Steven not training is purely
precautionary and we expect him to be ready for Saturday."
Gerrard and Wayne Rooney, who has flown back to England for
a scan, were the only absentees from the session.
(BBC Sport Online)
L'OM to meet Reds over Cisse
Marseille president Pape Diouf will meet
Liverpool officials on Wednesday to discuss the transfer of
Djibril Cisse.
Diouf is hoping to finalise an agreement with the FA Cup
winners to take Cisse to Marseille on loan, with the option
of a permanent transfer.
Cisse has already expressed a wish to link up with the
French giants and Diouf confirmed talks are scheduled with
Liverpool.
"For Cisse, it is going in a very good way," Diouf told AFP.
"I will be in Liverpool on Wednesday to meet the English
officials."
France international striker Cisse has also been linked with
Lyon, although the Ligue 1 champions played down an interest
earlier in the week.
Diouf is aware Lyon have the capacity to outmuscle other
clubs in the transfer market and insists Marseille will not
become embroiled in an auction for Cisse.
"Djibril would love to wear the colours of Marseille. He has
said it publicly and revealed his sentiments for this club."
(Sky Sports)
Pele: Gerrard would grace Brazil team
Football icon Pele has hailed the world-class talents of
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard and believes he would grace
the Brazil national team.
Pele is a big admirer of the Reds midfield dynamo and feels
he would fit into any team.
"Brazil is not a defensively-minded team and Gerrard is
always going forward and he would play in my team, no
doubt," enthused Pele.
"Gerrard is an excellent player, absolutely world-class. If
I was a manager, everywhere I went I would buy Steven
Gerrard.
"He is what Brazil needs, because he is always looking
forward and has a big heart.
"Two years ago I saw Gerrard play and then I saw him in
Tokyo in a game against Sao Paulo. I said then that Gerrard
is a great player. To me he is one of the best midfielders
in the world. He is an excellent player."
(LFC Official Website)
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Thor Zakariassen
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