Red News

 


APRIL                   2010
7 8 9

 

 
        

 

FRIDAY 9
Reds fixture changes
Supporters should note the following date changes for our Barclays Premier League clashes with Burnley and Chelsea due to our Europa League semi-final involvement.
Our trip to Turf Moor will now take place on Sunday, April 25 instead of Saturday, April 24 and kick-off will be at 3pm.
Our Anfield clash with Chelsea will now be on Sunday, May 2, instead of Saturday, May 1, but please note no kick-off time has been set for this fixture
as of yet.
This is due to the television companies yet to decide their selections ahead of the penultimate weekend of the Barclays Premier League season.
(LFC Official Website)

Torres likely to face Cottagers
Liverpool expect Fernando Torres to be fit for Sunday's Premier League clash against fellow Europa League semi-finalists Fulham.
Torres played through on through slight discomfort in his knee to score twice in last night's pulsating victory over Benfica.
The Spaniard was substituted after 86 minutes and required ice treatment but the problem is not thought to be serious.
Daniel Agger could continue at left-back after filling in confidently against the Portuguese league leaders. Emiliano Insua was suspended but has also suffered a knock while Fabio Aurelio (thigh) remains sidelined.
Ryan Babel and Maxi Rodriguez are back in contention after being suspended and ineligible respectively in Europe.
Reds (from): Reina, Johnson, Kyrgiakos, Carragher, Agger, Gerrard, Lucas, Mascherano, Benayoun, Torres, Kuyt, Aquilani, Ngog, Degen, El Zhar, Pacheco, Babel, Rodriguez, Plessis, Ayala, Cavalieri.
(TEAMtalk)

Happy birthday, Robbie !!!
Happy birthday to you, Robbie.
Today Robbie Fowler, a true Red legend, becomes 35.
(Webmaster)

Liverpool legend Fowler
to join Sydney FC

Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler has decided to extend his stay in Australia, reportedly set to join reigning A-League champions Sydney FC.
According to a report in the Sydney Morning Herald, Fowler will become Sydney's new marquee signing - which means his wages will not count toward the club's salary cap - replacing Melbourne Heart-bound John Aloisi.
At the age of 34, Fowler leaves the North Queensland Fury after just one season with the club, who are reshaping themselves after the departure of their owner Don Matheson.
It appears the financial burden of keeping Fowler proved too great for the new franchise, with the cost of his services reported to be around $750,000 AUD
a season.
(Goal.com)

Benitez has made mistakes
but Liverpool FC progress

By his own admission, Rafael Benitez has made mistakes this season. And he was guilty of another last night.
After all, the Spaniard's claim he has taken his Liverpool side as far as he can was proven to be not quite accurate as they progressed to the semi-finals of the Europa League on a night of high tension at Anfield.
With co-owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks watching on from the directors' box, Benitez's men overturned a first-leg deficit in thrilling fashion with a resounding triumph over Benfica to keep alive hopes of a silver lining to a tortuous campaign.
While accepting his share of the blame for this season's failings, Benitez had chosen before the game to launch his latest broadside at the American duo over the lack of fresh investment the Anfield manager believes will see the club stagnate if not addressed this summer.
(Ian Doyle - Liverpool Daily Post)
    

Hicks and Gillett
consider stepping aside

Liverpool co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett are considering appointing an independent chairman at Anfield and have sounded out leading business figures, including British Airways chairman Martin Broughton, about taking on the role, Telegraph Sport can disclose.
The appointment of an independent chairman is understood to be one of a number of options discussed by the Americans during three days of substantive talks with their advisers in London.
Hicks and Gillett co-chair the Liverpool board but are considering stepping aside in favour of a well-respected independent figure. Such a move would make sense if they were successful in finding a minority investor to help reduce the £237 million debt, but it is understood they will consider standing down even if they do not sell a stake in the club.
(The Daily Telegraph)
  

Dirk praises Torres
Dirk Kuyt praised record breaker Fernando Torres after his latest double strike.
Torres became the first Liverpool player in the club's history to score a brace in four successive home games and the latest, against Benfica last night saw the Reds through to the semi-finals of the Europa League. After the game Kuyt was quick to praise his fellow goalscorer.
(LFC Online)
 

Labour MP demands truth
about ‘toxic’ Liverpool FC loan

A Labour MP last night demanded to know if the crippling debt saddled on Liverpool FC by its American owners was now seen as “toxic” – and being underwritten by the taxpayer.
The huge £237m debt is owed to goverment-owned RBS but ministers are refusing to confirm claims that Tom Hicks and George Gillett’s loans has been included in the asset protection scheme (APS).
Jim Cousins, a Labour backbencher, described the government’s claim that disclosure would be unlawful as nonsense – insisting details had been revealed in relation to other loans.
And he said the body set up to administer the APS should – if the loan was insured and it judged taxpayer funds to be at risk – demand new owners be installed at Liverpool.
Taking up concerns of Liverpool FC fans, Mr Cousins, a member of the Treasury select committee, said: “Ministers must come clean on whether this loan to Liverpool Football Club has been protected by the taxpayer.
“If it has, then the asset protection agency has a duty to ensure the taxpayer gets its money back – which means deciding whether it has been put at risk by bad management.”
Mr Cousins urged Anfield supporters – many of whom had urged him to find out the truth – to keep campaigning for the lid to be lifted on the controversial loan.
(Liverpool Daily Post)

Benitez wants success on all fronts
Rafael Benitez will not lose sight of his top-four aim as he targets Europa League glory following Liverpool's aggreagate win over Benfica.
Benitez, whose side return to league action against fellow semi-finalists Fulham on Sunday, said: "Any win is important, especially at this stage of a competition.
"Hopefully we can play well, score goals, get closer to the top four and get
to the final.
"We will try to win every game. We will try to do it against Fulham and try to get close to the top four."
(TEAMtalk)  

THURSDAY 8
Stalemate suits fortunate Atletico
Atletico Madrid progressed to a Europa League semi-final against Liverpool after edging past Spanish rivals Valencia on away goals on Thursday.
A tense second leg at the Vicente Calderon ended goalless, putting Atletico into a last-four tie against Rafael Benitez's Reds, conquerors of Benfica.
(TEAMtalk)

Reds surge into semis
Liverpool were able to make light of their first leg deficit as they saw off Benfica 4-1 to reach the semi-finals of the Europa League.
Dirk Kuyt, Lucas Leiva and Fernando Torres did the damage for Rafa Benitez's side, who will now face Atletico Madrid in the last four, while Oscar Cardozo replied for the visitors.
(Sky Sports)
 

Agger starts
Daniel Agger returns to Liverpool's defence for this evening's Europa League quarter-final, second leg clash with Benfica at Anfield.
The Dane joins Sotirios Kyrgiakos, Jamie Carragher and Glen Johnson in the Reds' defence, while there is also a recall for Javier Mascherano.
Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Kyrgiakos, Agger, Lucas, Mascherano, Kuyt, Benayoun, Gerrard, Torres.
Subs: Cavalieri, Aquilani, Ngog, Degen, El Zhar, Ayala, Pacheco.
(LFC Official Website)

Gerrard enters restaurant business

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is going into the restaurant business.
The Daily Mail says Gerrard has bought a share in his favourite restaurant.
The Liverpool captain now plans to reopen it with a New York theme, his spokesman said.
Gerrard teamed up with hotelier Paul Adams to relaunch the Warehouse Brasserie in Southport, Merseyside.
The venue, which has a Michelin Bib Gourmand rating, is due to reopen in time for the World Cup as the Warehouse Kitchen & Bar.
Gerrard said: "This is my first venture in the restaurant trade but I think it's important to also say that my priorities are, and always will be,
on the football pitch."
(tribalfootball)

Jesus praying for
'great Anfield match'

Benfica manager Jorge Jesus has played down suggestions Thursday night's clash with Liverpool at Anfield is the biggest of his coaching career.
The Portuguese giants are at Anfield hoping to secure a place in the semi-finals of the Europa League after defeating the Merseysiders 2-1 in the first leg of their last-eight tie last week.
Victory would keep Jesus on course for double success in his first season in charge at the Stadium of Light as his side are also six points clear at the top of Portugal's Liga.
The 55-year-old has made a big impression since leaving Braga last summer but he hopes he has much grander occasions to look forward to.
Jesus said: "My priority I normally give to winning matches in
the Portuguese league.
"This is a big match in the Europa League quarter-finals but I am sure this is only one of a number of important matches for me.
(TEAMtalk)

Reina signs new six-year
deal at Liverpool FC

Pepe Reina has given Liverpool a major boost ahead of tonight’s Europa League showdown with Benfica by signing a new contract.
Reina has finally put pen to paper on a six-year deal that replaces his current agreement and extends his Anfield commitment to 2016.
He said: “Why commit? Because I am happy here and I think the club is happy too. I see no reason to leave.
“I don’t know how to explain it really, but it is a feeling. I felt wanted from the beginning here. It is not always about being competitive or to be in the biggest club, but being at the right club.
“Listen, Liverpool is one of the best clubs in the world. Whatever happens, whether we are in the Champions League or the Europa League, it is still Liverpool no matter what.”
(Liverpool Daily Post)

New kit unveiled
The new Liverpool kit for next season, to be used between 2010 and 2012, was unveiled yesterday. Liverpoolfc.tv describes the kit as:
'The adidas strip represents a modern interpretation of the one worn during the triumphant 1989-90 campaign, in which the Reds won title number 18.'
We had a modern interpretation of the grey kit that we wore that season last time round and this wasn't able to help us end the title draught, as we fell just short. Will the modern day version of the red strip make a difference next season? Investment in some new players certainly would do!
(Vital Football - Liverpool)

Benfica’s Cardozo not
worried about Liverpool

Benfica striker Oscar Cardozo says the club has no fears ahead of their Europa League clash with Liverpool at Anfield.
The Paraguay international scored twice in the first leg and now insists that the Portuguese club will not back down from the Reds and will push forward in a bid to progress through to the next phase of the competition.
"We showed in the first leg that we can give them problems and we will go to Liverpool in good form and without any fear,” he said.
"I would love to score the winner at Liverpool and I don't think we will go there trying to be defensive. That's not our style.
"Much has been said about a crisis at Liverpool but they have good players and in Fernando Torres they have a world class striker. But that is the challenge
for our defenders.
"I think when the draw was made people made Liverpool favourites and maybe now they think it's 50-50 but I think the advantage is with us."
(tribalfootball)
WEDNESDAY 7
Hicks and Gillett in London
to discuss refinancing

As Liverpool prepare to try and stay in the Europa League this week the club’s owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett have been in London discussing their next financial move, and considering the implications should Rafael Benitez fail to deliver on his promise to steer the club into next season’s Champions League.
(Telegraph.co.uk)
  

Rafa: We need money to challenge
Rafa Benitez has seconded Fernando Torres' comments that Liverpool need to buy - and he hopes the Europa League will bring the neccesary cash.
Having begun the campaign among the favourites for the Premier League title, Liverpool are looking increasingly unlikely to even finish fourth.
A draw at Birmingham on Sunday has left them sixth, four points adrift of that all-important Champions League-qualifying position, having played a game more than both Manchester City in fourth and Tottenham in fifth.
Benitez concedes his squad need major investment this summer to force its way back among the title contenders.
The Spaniard said: "I agree with Fernando about a lot of things.
"He talks about it being a pity we finished with 86 points last year and we
couldn't progress.
"We need to sign some players, we need to bring in some money. We need an investor and then we can challenge in a better way."
(TEAMtalk)


Reina targets Europa success
Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina admits they need to win the Europa League to make up for a disappointing season.
The Reds have endured a miserable Premier League campaign this term, failing to mount a title bid and are facing a real uphill battle to finish in the top four.
Reina, who has been one of Liverpool's top performers this season, is keen to end a four-year drought without silverware by lifting the Europa League in May.
"This is the only trophy we can lift this season," said Reina
"It is massively important. All the players here want to lift silverware and this is our last chance to do that."
(Sky Sports)

Torres passed fit for Benfica clash
Liverpool striker Fernando Torres is fit for Thursday's Europa League quarter-final second leg against Benfica at Anfield (kick-off 8.05pm).
The Spaniard was seen with an ice pack on his knee after being controversially substituted against Birmingham on Sunday.
Manager Rafael Benitez is forced to make a change in defence with left-back Emiliano Insua, who is carrying a knock anyway, suspended and Fabio Aurelio (thigh) still out.
Ryan Babel is also banned after his sending off in the 2-1 first-leg defeat in Lisbon last week, Martin Skrtel (foot) remains sidelined and Maxi Rodriguez is ineligible. Youngster Martin Kelly (knee) has a knock and Albert Riera is frozen out after his outspoken criticism of Benitez.
Liverpool (from): Reina, Johnson, Kyrgiakos, Carragher, Gerrard, Lucas, Benayoun, Torres, Kuyt, Aquilani, Agger, Mascherano, Ngog, Degen, El Zhar, Pacheco, Plessis, Ayala, Cavalieri.
(TEAMtalk)


Reserve striker sold
Liverpool have sold Vitor Flora.
Flora was a suprise signing from a fourth division Brazilian club side and was so bad it was rumoured Gary Ablett was told not to pick him for the reserves last season as it made chief scout Eduardo Macia look bad.
It's no suprise Flora has failed to make the grade with the Reds and he has now been sold for an undisclosed, but pitiful, fee to Brazilian side
Goias Esporte Clube.
(LFC Online)

Spartak Moscow chief
slams Liverpool winger Riera

Spartak Moscow chief Valery Karpin has slammed Liverpool winger Albert Riera over the deal's collapse.
Reds boss Rafa Benitez is desperate to find a buyer for Riera.
"I can tell you why the transfer didn't happen," former Russia midfielder Karpin told Russian website Championat. "I understand that the player wanted to have some match practice before the World Cup.
"In this situation, I would have even agreed to play free of charge.
"But Riera wanted to go to Spartak in order to hit the jackpot. We made him understood that this wouldn't happen with us. I can say that there will be no acquisitions before the transfer window closes."
(tribalfootball.com)

Torres: Summer sales 'killed us'
Fernando Torres has offered a frank assessment of Liverpool's failings this season, admitting a spate of summer departures "messed everything up".
The sale of Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid for a reported £30million has been widely criticised as the Reds' difficult campaign has unfolded, with his £20million replacement Alberto Aquilani struggling for fitness all season. Alvaro Arbeloa joined Alonso in moving to the Bernabeu, while Sami Hyypia was allowed to join German side Bayer Leverkusen.
Torres, quoted in various newspapers on Wednesday, said: "There have been various important factors, like being so far behind the top teams so quickly. That killed us psychologically. The sales of Arbeloa, Hyypia and Alonso were
important losses."
(Ananova)
 

Reds eye French starlet
Liverpool have emerged as favourites to sign French starlet Moussa Kouyate.
The Reds are one of a host of clubs chasing the highly-rated 15-year-old, who is currently with Paris FC.
But now Liverpool have offered Kouyate a trial and skysports.com understands the young defender will link-up with the club later this week.
Both Manchester City and Fulham have also shown an interest in Kouyate, but Liverpool look to be heading the chase for his signature.
French champions Bordeaux, Paris Saint Germain and Lens are also believed to be keen.
(Sky Sports)

Salgado: Rafa ready for Real
Blackburn's ex-Real Madrid full-back Michel Salgado believes his former employers may move for Rafa Benitez this summer.
Salgado, who enjoyed 10 productive years at the Bernabeu before joining Blackburn last summer, feels the Anfield chief would be a success in Spain, but believes Inter Milan's Jose Mourinho would also be in the frame.
"Could he (Benitez) take charge of Madrid? Why not?" Salgado told The Sun.
"The opinion on Rafa in Spain is great.
"He won the league twice with Valencia and got them to two Champions
League finals.
"First let's see if Real can win La Liga. I think, though, it will be a big battle between Benitez and Mourinho."
(Sky Sports)

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