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Post by Bismarck on Jan 8, 2008 18:49:45 GMT
The young defender was a regular in the Reds Carling Cup teams until they were knocked out of the competition by Chelsea, and now Hobbs hopes manager Rafael Benitez will not discard him from his future plans for the first-team.
"I think it's been a year of progress for me so far," he said.
"In the summer I wanted to try and force myself into the squad and get some time on the pitch and that's happened.
"The important thing for me is to keep playing well for the reserves and show the manager what I can do. Things are going well with the reserves, we're winning games and are top of the league so that can only help.
"The Carling Cup games were a great experience. To play against Fowler at Anfield was incredible and then to get selected for the away game at Chelsea was a great confidence booster.
"There are world class players all over the place here so I know it's going to be difficult to break into the team but all I can do is keep trying. I work as hard as I can every day in training and look to make progress."
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Post by Bismarck on Jan 9, 2008 10:38:58 GMT
Juventus boss Claudio Ranieri has revealed he is a fan of Liverpool midfielder Mohamed Sissoko.
Sissoko is a reported target for Juve in the January transfer window and former Chelsea manager Ranieri has done little to quell the speculation.
'Sissoko is a player that I like a lot and I know him well,' said Ranieri.
'I have had the pleasure of coaching him at Valencia.'
Sissoko, 22, joined Liverpool in the summer of 2005 from Valencia and is under contract with the Merseyside club until June 2011.
The Mali international has made nine Barclays Premier League appearances for Liverpool this season but has struggled to hold down a place in Rafael Benitez's first-choice XI.
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Post by arover on Jan 9, 2008 16:41:02 GMT
About time they sold someone, they've spent fortunes and they're still very inconsistent.
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Post by Bismarck on Jan 9, 2008 18:48:45 GMT
A meeting between chief executive Rick Parry and owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett took place in New York at which two rival firms of architects presented designs for the Stanley Park project.
Parry says a decision on the design will follow "soon" - one had been expected on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Hicks and Gillett are embroiled with trying to sort out their refinancing problems before a February 1 deadline.
The American business tycoons borrowed £270million to buy Liverpool last February ro £220million, the main lenders being the Royal Bank of Scotland, and are looking for a new loan package worth around £350million - of which £60million will go towards a new stadium - but their plans have been hit by the 'credit crunch' in the USA.
Hicks, Gillett and Parry listened to presentations by architects HKS and AFL yesterday.
Dallas-based HKS had produced the original stadium plans but they were scrapped last month on cost grounds and they and Manchester firm AFL have both come up with new, cheaper designs.
Parry told the club's official website: "It was a very full day. We had two very detailed and very informative presentations which were very thorough and extremely professional.
"It has been another big step forward to finding the best possible solution and the whole meeting was very constructive.
"Everyone is reflecting on what they have heard and a clear decision will be taken soon.
"They were both very good in terms of coming closer to the right solution. As ever, when you have a competition, you hope it produces outstanding results and I think that is what we have seen.
"Whichever we do go with, it will be an excellent result."
Hicks and Gillett are no longer looking to load the debt onto the club in the way that the Glazers have done with Manchester United, and are hopeful of clinching a refinancing deal before February 1.
In the event they are unable to do so, they may have to come to a new arrangement with the RBS.
If the worst comes to the worst and they are forced to sell the club - and sources close to the pair say that is very unlikely - then Dubai International Capital, the investment arm of the ruler of Dubai, may again become interested in buying Liverpool, but only on an outright basis rather than just obtaining some shares.
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Post by Bismarck on Jan 10, 2008 12:12:05 GMT
Daniel Agger is like a new signing for us, said Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez as the Denmark defender is set for a reserves run-out. The Reds boss also revealed progress on skipper Steven Gerrard and injured defensive duo - Alvaro Arbeloa and Fabio Aurelio.
Agger, who has been out of action with a broken metatarsal since the goalless draw against Portsmouth on September 15, will make his comeback in the reserve match at Blackburn Rovers on Thursday night.
"Agger will play for the reserve team at Blackburn and for us it's like signing a new player," Benitez said on the club’s official website.
"He is very close to starting a game for the first team.
"The injury he had wasn't a bad one but we had problems also with Xabi Alonso so we needed to be careful and we have missed him. We will be much better in the second part of this season."
The Reds are away to Middlesbrough on Saturday in the Premiership and Benitez is hopeful that England midfielder Gerrard will be available after a calf problem had ruled him out of the FA Cup third round draw at Luton.
"He could be available for Saturday," added Benitez. "He is improving a lot with the physios so he could be an option for the next game."
On full-backs Arbeloa (calf) and Aurelio (hamstring), the Spanish tactician said: "Both players are improving and working with the physios.
"I think Arbeloa is closer and Fabio will maybe need a bit more time. I think they will both be ready for next week and maybe one of them will be available for our next game."
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Post by Bismarck on Jan 10, 2008 19:49:19 GMT
The 22-year-old moved to Liverpool in the summer of 2005 from Valencia and is under contract with the Merseyside club until June 2011.
But he has struggled to hold down a starting place in Rafael Benitez's team, making just nine Premier League appearances this season.
"I'm still a Liverpool player," Sissoko told Radio Montecarlo. "But I expect a big announcement in the next few days.
"My agent, Juve and Liverpool are working on my departure.
"Everyone is asking me whether I have already signed: I haven't yet but my move to Juventus is very close.
"I'm expecting the good news any moment now, but I'm enthusiastic about beginning a new adventure in Italy with the Bianconeri."
Sissoko is expected to arrive on a loan deal, with Juve being given the option to buy him at the end of the season.
The switch would see the Mali international link up with Claudio Ranieri, who he played under during his time in Spain. The Juve boss has already admitted he is keen on the midfielder.
Ronald Koeman has admitted he would like to take Sissoko back to the Mestalla, saying "he has all the characteristics of the player we need."
But the Los Che boss appears to have lost out to Ranieri.
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Post by Bismarck on Jan 10, 2008 22:16:14 GMT
And the 29 year-old local hero maintains that new owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett should not have to keep saying 'everything is fine, every few minutes' just to answer speculation.
Carragher said: "The situation over the manager doesn't affect me, it doesn't affect the other players, we get paid to play football and that is what we have to do.
"Our objective is to improve on the way we have played in the last few weeks, we should not be getting involved in things like that off the field, we have got to look after ourselves.
"We have to stick together. At the moment we are getting a lot of criticism from a lot of people, but we must rally round, get together, and prove a few things out on the pitch.
"The last few weeks have not gone as well as well all would have liked but the main thing is what goes on out on the pitch, not off it.
"We should do what we are paid to do. We should concentrate on that."
Benitez has been the centre of another week of extraordinary rumour and speculation after media headlines ahead of last Sunday's FA Cup draw at cash-strapped Luton suggested he knew he would be sacked in the summer.
The Spaniard has since denied in the local Liverpool media that he has ever briefed journalists 'off the record' that he anticipated the axe, as was implied.
That reaction from Benitez only came after it became clear that Hicks and Gillett expressed astonishment from New York - ahead of a key Liverpool board meeting - that their manager had seemingly rocked the boat yet again.
It was also suggested that the Reds players at Kenilworth Road had become unsettled by the continued controversy surrounding their manager.
And the fact that Hicks and Gillett have steadfastly not given Benitez a vote of confidence has also become a growing concern.
But Carragher, who was captain in the 1-1 draw at Luton, said in an interview on Sky Sports: "It's up to the owners what they say about the manager, it is nothing to do with me what goes on between the manager and the owners.
"A few months ago they said everything was fine, I don't think they should be coming out every few minutes answering speculation.
"As for us we are here to play football, that's our job and the rest is nothing to do with us."
Benitez upset the American owners last year by being critical of the club's transfer funds and policy, and when Hicks and Gillett believed that the Spaniard was suggesting he was a 'lame duck' manager, questions were asked again.
But Carragher refused to be drawn into the debate, and preferred to concentrate on Liverpool's task for the rest of a disjointed campaign, with Saturday's trip to Middlesbrough another 'must-win' game for the Merseysiders if they want to stay in contact with the Premier League leaders.
Carragher was predictably upbeat, claiming: "We are still in the FA Cup and we still have a really big tie with Inter Milan soon in the Champions League, and everyone knows how good we can be in that competition.
"We are disappointed we have fallen away a little in the Premier League but we are still only halfway through so there's a long way to go even it is fair to say we are outsiders now.
"We still want to make a challenge, but we are not kidding anyone because we know it will be difficult. It's not just the points difference but there are three other big teams ahead of us at the moment.
"There is no point throwing the towel in, we will just keep going."
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Post by Wolvensam on Jan 11, 2008 15:25:54 GMT
Liverpool have completed the signing of Martin Skrtel from Zenit St Petersburg.
The Slovakian international has penned a four-and-a-half-year deal at Anfield after passing a medical and agreeing personal terms.
The 23-year-old will provide much-needed competition for places in Liverpool's defence and Reds boss Rafa Benitez has likened him to Jamie Carragher.
"I think he is a player maybe not many people know about but he played against Everton for Zenit St Petersberg, and he is a centre-half that knows the English style," said Benitez.
"He is aggressive, quick, is good in the air and I think he's a very good player for the future and also for the present.
Similar
"He is very competitive, but his mentality for me is very good. Watching him in some games his mentality is similar to Carra so I think it's very positive for the team."
Benitez admitted Skrtel is unlikely to be involved against Middlesbrough this weekend.
He said: "I don't think he will be ready for Middlesbrough because the Russian league season ended more than a month ago and the last competitive game Martin played was in the Uefa Cup in December.
"He has been training but I don't think that will be enough. He needs to get to know his team-mates and the league but I will look at him in training because he has a very good physical condition."
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Post by Bismarck on Jan 11, 2008 19:45:16 GMT
The Danish defender saw a reserve run-out against Blackburn on Thursday washed out, but boss Rafael Benitez is convinced the centre-back is ready for a comeback.
Alvaro Arbeloa, Jose Reina, Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres - who all missed the FA Cup draw at Luton - will also return.
Benitez will take new £6.5million defender Martin Skrtel to the Riverside, but the Slovakia international - whose transfer from Zenit St Petersburg was confirmed on Friday - is unlikely to be involved.
Reds (from): Reina, Arbeloa, Finnan, Carragher, Agger, Hyypia, Riise, Pennant, Gerrard, Alonso, Mascherano, Babel, Lucas, Voronin, Kuyt, Torres, Crouch, Benayoun, Kewell, Skrtel, Itandje.
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Post by Bismarck on Jan 12, 2008 13:23:40 GMT
All the speculation that Jurgen Klinsmann was being lined up to replace Benitez was swept away by the news the former Germany coach will take over at Bayern Munich in the summer.
And the Reds boss chief was in relaxed mood as he spoke about his new signing - £6.5million defender Martin Skrtel - and the departure of Sam Allardyce from Newcastle.
The Spaniard consistently underlined his good working relationship with American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett by emphasising his and the club's long-term planning.
"The owners have allowed me to spend and people should realise that," said Benitez.
"Maybe because everyone seemed to be focusing on me they did not see that we have all been working together, the owners and me, to improve the squad for the future.
"It is important to realise that we were all trying to do the right things for our club and in this case it was to sign a young player for the future.
"There have been headlines (about Klinsmann) but my aim is to focus on my team and work with my squad to win games. I have been busy but now I think some people have been pointing in the wrong direction."
The 23-year-old Skrtel, signed from Zenit St Petersburg, is unlikely to be involved in Saturday's match at Middlesbrough but could be given a debut on Tuesday at Anfield for the FA Cup third round replay against Luton.
Fellow centre-back Daniel Agger may have finally returned to the squad after four months out with a broken metatarsal but Benitez explained there was still a desperate need for defensive re-enforcement.
"We needed a new centre-back - a necessity - with the injuries we have had. The aim, though, was to bring in a young player to build for the future," said the manager.
"He is just 23 and we have a lot of young players here now who will be very good for our future as well as important to boost the squad.
"He has a good mentality and he is very strong but I will not put him under pressure, everyone needs time to settle.
"Agger needed six months and he is now a fantastic player, Martin will be used carefully and not rushed."
But after a week which began with claims - since forcibly denied by the Spaniard - Benitez privately expected to be sacked in the summer he was determined to emphasise the healthy relationship he maintains with the owners.
"After the meeting (in December) I had with the owners everything was much better," said the former Valencia coach, who had a public disagreement with the Americans in November over transfer plans.
"We have been talking almost every day and we have continued with the plan and that is to bring in young players who will be good for the future.
"The squad has young players who will improve each year and gain experience. It shows we have a good relationship with the owners.
"And after the meeting this week (in New York) between the owners and (chief executive) Rick Parry we have signed a new player almost straight away - that is very, very positive."
Benitez even found time to offer sympathy to Allardyce, an opposite number with whom he has had a number of run-ins when he was Bolton boss.
"I do not expect things to be done like that in England," said Benitez.
"People who take decisions must understand that if you want to improve something then it takes time.
"It is happening like this more often and people start saying it is normal with the pressure and the money involved but I believe it a big mistake.
"How long did it take Alex Ferguson to win the title, seven years. If the board had changed their manager then Manchester United would not be where they are now.
"That is a good example to explain why it is wrong to act so quickly."
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Post by Bismarck on Jan 12, 2008 14:22:45 GMT
The Kop....
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Post by Bismarck on Jan 14, 2008 12:14:26 GMT
Reds' owner Hicks admits meeting with Klinsmann
Liverpool co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett sounded out Jurgen Klinsmann about becoming the club's next manager, according to a report.
Hicks claims the talks would not have resulted in the immediate dismissal of the man who led the team to Champions League glory but that Klinsmann was 'an insurance policy'.
Klinsmann is no longer an option, however, as he has agreed to take charge of Bayern Munich.
Hicks told the Liverpool Echo: 'We attempted to negotiate an option as an insurance policy to have him (Klinsmann) become manager if Rafael left for Real Madrid or other clubs that were rumoured in the press.
'Or in case our communication spiralled out of control for some reason.'
The article also claims that had Liverpool tumbled out of the Champions League, the owners would have tried to replace Benitez.
However, Benitez steered the team through with a crucial victory against Marseille in France.
Klinsmann's name has been linked with Liverpool since November.
It is believed to be the root cause of Benitez's testy media conference when he had been told to concentrate on running his team by the owners.
Under such circumstances, winning the FA Cup may be the minimal requirement to stay in his job come the summer.
Liverpool face Coca-Cola League One side Luton in a replay at Anfield tomorrow - and Benitez knows defeat is not an option.
Benitez made it clear before Hicks' dramatic public admission about Klinsmann that he intends to field a strong side.
He said: 'We will approach the game with the idea of using our best players, we want to reach the next round.
'I know it will be a different Luton side. They have lost players now so we know it will be more difficult for them, but they will still try their hardest to win.'
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Post by thefullback on Jan 14, 2008 12:58:39 GMT
From the mouth of an exiled scouser ... rafa will be out at the end of the season .. he is not prepared to be told how to run the team .. H & G do not like the rotation system .. they will look for a "yes man" to do it their way.
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Post by Bismarck on Jan 14, 2008 13:46:26 GMT
Defender Jamie Carragher will lead Liverpool against Luton Town in the FA Cup third round replay tomorrow night at Anfield, on his 500th appearance for the Merseysiders.
The Reds boss Rafa Benitez, who has asserted that he will send a strong team like he did on their travel when they were held to a 1-1 draw with regular skipper Steven Gerrard and red hot striker Fernando Torres missing it, declared today that the 29-year-old former England international will be the skipper on Tuesday.
"Jamie will play tomorrow night," said Benitez on the club’s official website.
"I was talking with Steven Gerrard and he said to me that whether he is in the team or not, Jamie should be the captain. So Carra will captain the side."
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Post by Bismarck on Jan 15, 2008 15:35:31 GMT
Liverpool defender Daniel Agger has suffered a recurrence of the metatarsal injury but Fabio Aurelio is fit again.
The Denmark international had only just been back and was set for a reserve game against Blackburn but it was washed out, after being out from the metatarsal problem since September.
Reds boss Rafa Benitez, who had been cautious of not rushing the 23-year-old back but still saw the centre-back have a similar fate to that of team-mate Xabi Alonso, told Liverpoolfc.tv: "We've had some bad news in that Agger has the same problem again.
“He was training and ready to play but yesterday in training he felt something, so we need to go back and start from the beginning.
"It's not easy to say when he will be back. He is going to see different surgeons and then we will be able to analyse the situation."
Benitez feels Agger might not feature for the Reds this month, but revealed that full-back Aurelio is fit again, ahead of tomorrow’s FA Cup third round replay with Luton.
"Fabio Aurelio is fit again and the other players are available," he added.
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Post by Bismarck on Jan 15, 2008 15:36:21 GMT
Manager Rafa Benitez believes Liverpool players are probably short of confidence after a string of draws, but knows the only way to get back to their best is ‘winning, scoring goals and playing well.’
The Reds have struggled to win games lately despite dominating most of the contests and having plenty of scoring chances, to fall 12 points behind the leaders Manchester United and Arsenal in the Premiership, although the Merseysiders have a game in hand.
Such has been their woeful form of late, that in an FA Cup third-round game at Luton Town, they were considered lucky to come out with a draw.
As such, Benitez is keen to see his side peak again starting with tonight’s replay against the League One outfit at Anfield.
"We know we must improve," the Spaniard told the club's official website.
"Clearly we talked about this after the game, but the players know when we have played badly.
"The mentality and the attitude must always be 100 per cent commitment, must always be 100 per cent for winning from the first minute. We must think about this.
"All of us need to improve. The players know that some players are playing well and scoring goals, so we need to see the other players doing what they were doing at the beginning of the season when we were scoring goals from everywhere.
"The players and the staff know we must play better and give the fans more. We will try and do that against Luton at Anfield.
"It's clear that we need to take our chances and kill games.
"The quality is there. We were playing some fantastic football at the beginning of the season and also in some of the Champions League games. The football is there, but maybe it's a little bit of confidence that we need at the moment.
"When you have chances and you don't score, everybody starts talking about how we got another draw, so the players can maybe lose confidence.
"But it's simple how you can change this: winning, scoring goals and playing well."
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Post by Bismarck on Jan 15, 2008 15:36:52 GMT
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has expressed his satisfaction over the performance of back-up goalkeeper Charles Itandje.
The 25-year-old Frenchman, who joined the Merseysiders in the summer from Lens, has been used by Benitez in the domestic Cup competitions and the Reds boss is delighted with his display.
"Charles is playing well and showing he is a good professional," Benitez said on the club’s official website.
"He is not playing regularly so it's not easy, particularly for a 'keeper. The other day he was good and you can see his motivation whenever we are near to a cup competition.
"It's important for us to have a 'keeper who can come in and do really well. Hopefully we won't see him saving too many shots but if he is required I am confident he will do well for us."
On competition for first-choice Pepe Reina, Benitez added: "Pepe knows Charles is a good 'keeper but he knows that he also has my confidence. He knows he needs to keep on his toes.”
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Post by Bismarck on Jan 15, 2008 15:37:29 GMT
Former Liverpool player Don Hutchison, who now plays for Luton Town, is looking forward to tonight's FA Cup third round replay at Anfield.
Luton had held the Reds to a 1-1 draw in their initial game and the 36-year-old former Scotland international attacker feels the return clash will be 'interesting.'
The League One side will however be without their key players Chris Coyne and David Edwards who have been sold.
“It should be an interesting game and the lads are looking forward to it," said Hutchison.
"The boys played very well in the first game and worked really hard. It was difficult for Liverpool at Kenilworth Road because it's not an easy ground to play at but they have the home advantage now.
"We know it will be a difficult game but we will go to Anfield with nothing to lose. It's an FA Cup tie and anything can happen. We nearly won the first game so we've given Liverpool something to think about.
"We might have lost one or two players since the first game but the spirit is still good and everyone is looking forward to playing at Anfield."
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Post by Bismarck on Jan 15, 2008 15:38:23 GMT
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez believes FA Cup is the best knock-out domestic competition in the world.
The Reds experienced the unique aspect of the oldest cup competition in the world where League One side Luton Town made their Premiership opponents feel lucky to have earned a draw and forced a replay in the third round.
And it’s not a surprise that Reds boss Rafa Benitez accepts the FA Cup has the risk element for big clubs, with matches often churning out giant-killing shows.
Benitez, whose side take on Luton in the replay tonight at Anfield, told Liverpoolfc.tv: "It's an amazing competition. Every game is hard to win and from the point of view of the small club, it's a great motivation. For the big clubs there is always a risk.
"I don't know too much about cup competitions in other continents but here the level of the teams is really good, so I think it could well be the best in the world."
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Post by Bismarck on Jan 16, 2008 12:57:14 GMT
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez and skipper Steven Gerrard are thrilled to have put the of-field activities that dominated the headlines of late, on the backburner as the Reds scored a 5-0 win against Luton Town to enter the fourth round of the FA Cup on Tuesday night.
The Reds co-owners holding a meeting with Jurgen Klinsmann lining up the German for Reds job, sparked fierce speculation on Benitez’s future and whether the Spaniard wants to take legal action even as the Merseysiders were facing the third round replay after their disappointing performance away two weeks ago.
However, Gerrard responded in a marvellous style as he scored a hat-trick to lead the Reds to a big win against the League One side at Anfield, thus lifting the Merseysiders after their recent string of below-par shows with the supporters making it loud and clear that they firmly back Benitez.
Benitez, whose side now host Swansea or Havant and Waterlooville, said: "The supporters here are amazing, always. I was really pleased, you don't need to say anything because they are fantastic.
"I'm really happy. You could see the players were concentrating on doing their job. I hope we keep on winning games, I was really pleased with the situation."
Gerrard, who is now on 15 goals for the season, said on the club’s official website: "A lot was said in the media about the club so it was important that the headlines were about the football and a good win.
"We're aware of it, every time we pick up a paper or switch on the TV, so it's important we stay focused on winning football matches.
"It's not particularly about the manager, it's about the team, about progressing into the fourth round, so we're happy we've done that.
"It's important we keep winning football matches and making sure the only headlines are about football and not what's happening off the pitch."
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Post by Bismarck on Jan 17, 2008 16:52:38 GMT
Havant and Waterlooville boss Shaun Gale has claimed that the idea of seeing his squad playing at Anfield is like a dream come true for him.
Gale’s boys set up an interesting FA Cup fourth round tie against Liverpool next week after beating League One leaders Swansea City 4-2 in last night's third round replay.
"It's an unbelievable feeling, I'm lost for words," he said. "My players were fantastic and I'm proud of them. This is the best moment in my footballing life as a player or in the short time I've been a manager.
"The players gave it their all, their desire and will to win was amazing.
"To go 3-0 up was unbelievable - you don't plan for that. We tried to keep focused but then they scored straight away and then they get a penalty.
"Kevin Scriven saved it and I think that was the turning point of the game. It was probably my hardest team-talk at half-time after that.
"It was a massive test for us to hold on for another 45 minutes and the big thing was not to concede an early goal. We did concede but then we went on to score again.
"Everyone defended for their lives and we kept our shape, eventually they ran out of ideas."
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Post by Bismarck on Jan 25, 2008 17:40:11 GMT
Liverpool's owners have announced they have completed a £350million refinancing package - and stated that they are fully behind manager Rafa Benitez.
The announcement of the package had been widely expected and American Tom Hicks and George Gillett are now looking to build bridges with Benitez.
The Spaniard's position had been undermined after Hicks confirmed he had sounded out Jurgen Klinsmann as a possible replacement if Benitez were to leave.
Hicks said in a statement today: 'Since the meeting with Rafa on December 16th, at which some widely reported communications issues were discussed, Rafa has been assured that he has continuing and enthusiastic support as the club's manager.
'Reflecting that support, Kop {Holdings] recently approved his transfer payment request to sign Martin Skrtel for £6.5million and is in discussions with Rafa and club management regarding additional player signings this summer.
'Rafa is under contract for two more seasons following this season. I am solidly behind Rafa and am confident of the team's competitive prospects under his continuing leadership.'
Kop Football (Holdings), the American duo's holding company, also confirmed that Dallas-based architects HKS have won the battle to build Liverpool's new £300million Stanley Park stadium.
The statement confirmed that of the £350million financing package £105million will be debt tied to the club. It is understood £60million will be used to kick-start the stadium and £45million for future player transfers, and to meet the club's working capital needs.
The other £245million will be tied to the holding company level and includes the £60million debts on Liverpool's books at the time of last year's takeover as well as the £185million loan the Americans took out to buy the club.
A statement from Kop said: 'The overall financing is being supported by a combination of owner cash, letters of credit and personal guarantees totalling £225million, ensuring that the club remains on a sound financial footing.'
Hicks added: 'This new financing package is a strong vote of confidence in the club's financial strength and a recognition of the exceptional opportunity represented by the construction of the club's new state-of-the-art stadium at Stanley Park.
'The successful completion of this financing package is particularly significant in light of the currently challenging credit-market environment.
'With the refinancing process now done, club supporters can look forward to the timely commencement of construction work on the new stadium and renew their focus on actions on the pitch.'
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Post by Bismarck on Jan 26, 2008 13:44:44 GMT
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is reportedly eyeing up a move for Real Zaragoza playmaker Pablo Aimar.
The 28-year-old Argentina international had played under Benitez at Valencia, but moved to Zaragoza in July 2006.
According to the Liverpool Echo, Benitez is alerted of the availability of Aimar and as such the Spaniard is weighing a swoop and with £9m reportedly being close to be available from Momo Sissoko’s immiment move out of Anfield, the Merseysiders could make the move before the transfer window shuts next Thursday.
Newcastle United are also reportedly interested in Aimar, who was once dubbed by Argentina legend Diego Maradona as his “legitimate successor as the world's best player."
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Post by Bismarck on Jan 28, 2008 11:36:32 GMT
LONDON, Jan 27 (Reuters) - Liverpool joint-owner Tom Hicks put his full support behind manager Rafael Benitez on Sunday, saying he expected the Spaniard to remain in charge for the remaining two years of his contract and maybe beyond.
Hicks and fellow American George Gillett had a falling out with Benitez last year after the manager criticised them over their financing of transfers but both sides have since said they are now on good terms.
'We have a great manager who has our support,' Hicks told BBC Radio 5-Live on Sunday.
'We had a lot of consternation about Rafa. After our meeting of Dec. 16, where he really showed his real strong intent to do the right thing with us and by the club, he's been a gentleman ever since.
'We've had much better communication and he's got my total backing. We funded transfer requests in January, we are talking about more in the summer. We've never turned down Rafa's request for money for any player he's asked for.
'He's got a contract for two more years and hopefully longer than that.'
Hicks and Gillett completed a re-financing deal on Friday that should allow them to go ahead with the building of a new stadium and said they did not expect any investment from Dubai International Capital (DIC), after the group declined the chance to become a minority owner.
Asked if he planned to sell the club to the DIC, Hicks said: 'Absolutely not. That was never a serious possibility and certainly isn't today. I can't think of a price that I would think of having any interest in selling at all.
'I did talk to them once about a 10-15 percent participation. We gave them a valuation we would accept a minority investor at but they thought the valuation was too high.
'There is no question in my mind that I will still be an owner of Liverpool Football Club in five years.'
Liverpool are planning to build a new stadium on parkland adjacent to their current Anfield home, though the plans have changed and been delayed several times.
'I'm really excited about the future of the club, it will be the finest stadium in the world and everyone in Liverpool should be very proud of it,' Hicks said.
Hicks also owns NHL team Dallas Stars and the Texas Rangers baseball club and said he had a 'real passion' for all three clubs.
'I want to win the support of our fans with my actions and get out of the tabloids,' he said.
'I think it's a great long-term way to invest my money with what I believe is going to happen with global TV and internet growth of teams.
'I love baseball, I love hockey and I love English football.' I'm a big fan. I watch every game on TV and wish I could come over to every game but it's a long way, though I hope to come to more.'
Of Liverpool's current situation, where they trail leaders Manchester United by 14 points and struggled to get past minor league Havant and Waterlooville in the FA Cup on Saturday,' Hicks said:
'We could do better, the players know that, Rafa knows that. It's all about how we play and it's time for this club to win.
'But we are on our way, we are going to build the greatest stadium, we have a great manager, we have great fans. It's time to put the press frenzy behind us and move down the road.'
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Post by trfctomtrfc on Jan 28, 2008 20:46:00 GMT
lucky liverpool on saturday hey ! conceding two at the kop against PROBERLY THE BEST PUB TEAM IN THE WORLD !!
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Post by trfctomtrfc on Jan 28, 2008 20:46:19 GMT
lucky liverpool on saturday hey ! conceding two at the kop against PROBERLY THE BEST PUB TEAM IN THE WORLD !!
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Post by FezNTFC on Jan 28, 2008 21:05:03 GMT
lucky liverpool on saturday hey ! conceding two at the kop against PROBERLY THE BEST PUB TEAM IN THE WORLD !! What were Tranmere doing at Liverpool?
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Post by arover on Jan 29, 2008 11:51:08 GMT
Those Scousers deserve those petrol tanks. It's a marriage made in heaven.
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Post by Bismarck on Jan 29, 2008 15:00:02 GMT
Liverpool seem to have lost out on highly-rated Ghanaian teenager Daniel Opare to Real Madrid as his club, Ashanti Gold has reportedly accepted £1.1million bid from the Spanish giants.
According to reports, the 17-year-old defender has been offered a six-year contract at the Bernabeu.
He said: "For me to play in Europe is a dream. The offer of Real Madrid was more interesting to my club."
Earlier this month, Opare had suggested he would favour a move to the Premiership amidst reports that the Reds are battling La Liga champions Real Madrid and Italian giants AC Milan.
Opare was adjudged the best defender at last summer's Under-17 World Cup.
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Post by Bismarck on Jan 30, 2008 14:14:41 GMT
Liverpool striker Dirk Kuyt is looking to turn his season around with a good performance at West Ham United in the Premiership tonight.
The Dutch international has struggled to score this season, missing plenty of easy chances all along. However, he feels confident of doing well at Upton Park as he has good memories of playing against the Londoners as he made his impressive debut against them and has also scored one of his finest Reds goals to date.
“I have a lot of good memories of West Ham,” he said in the Liverpool Echo. “And I am hoping that tonight’s game will produce some more.
“When I made my debut last season it was against West Ham and that was a really special occasion for me.
“It was great because it was at Anfield and we won 2-1 so it was almost perfect.
“I can remember coming on for Crouchy who had already scored and just wanting to make a good impression and show the fans what I could do.”
In the reverse fixture last January, the former Feyenoord man hammered a memorable goal.
“I really enjoyed that goal,” said the 27-year-old. “It was definitely one of my best for Liverpool.
“It was funny because the first half was probably my worst first half for the club and nothing would go right for me.
“I went into the dressing room at half-time and I was determined to come out and work harder and do better for the team because I was really unhappy with the way I had played.
“We kicked off the second half and just ten seconds later I’d scored with a shot from outside the box which went in off the crossbar
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