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Post by Bismarck on Jun 29, 2008 4:52:10 GMT
Some news on the grapevine should come with a government health warning this latest titbit from the web must surely be consigned to the ‘never gonna happen’ bin!
Barcelona’s Eto’o and Ronaldinho are rumoured to have been invited to attend the Reds’ first pre-season friendly game against Tranmere Rovers on the 12th July as they prepare a staggering £33million bid for the duo.
According to Football-Rumours.com: “Spanish sources close to the Anfield club have suggested that a bid of £33 million has been laid down for the services of Eto’o and Ronaldinho.”
“No one could have fortold, but it seems Benitez has been a big admirer and is willing to break the bank for FC Barcelona pair.
“If FC Barcelona agree, (and it’s not out of the question as they have both been told their services are not required anymore) this would be a serious coup and loud battle cry from the Merseysiders in the Hunt for that first Premier League title.
“Reports also conform that the two have been invited to Liverpool’s first pre–season friendly against Tranmere on July 12th.” claimed the site. (kop-tv.com)
First off always be weary of statements like ‘Spanish sources’ or indeed even more weary of ‘a friend of mine is so and so’. Whilst the pair would be a welcome addition to any squad I do not see Rafa making this bid, apart from anything the 33m total doesn’t even seem like enough to capture both in the first place. I think Benitez has three or four players still on his wish-list before the season starts, but I don’t think either of these two are on that list. Do Liverpool fans think that this report has any basis in fact?
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Post by stealth1039 on Jun 29, 2008 10:28:28 GMT
Seems a good day for Liverpool "Ain't never gonna happen" stories. Check this out: Liverpool want to swap Peter Crouch for Spurs striker Robbie Keane in a player-plus-cash deal. (News of the World)
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Post by Bismarck on Jul 26, 2008 17:48:13 GMT
Spanish International Xabi Alonso has been linked with a move to Turkish Fenerbahce as Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez tries to raise the funds to land main transfer target Gareth Barry from Aston Villa, according to The Mirror.
26-year-old Alonso had been linked with a move to Serie A giants Juventus all summer, but this fell through when La Vecchia Signora decided to sign Christian Poulsen from La Liga club Sevilla instead.
It is now believed that Liverpool have agreed a fee in the region of £12million (€15.2m) with Fenerbahce to allow Alonso to leave Anfield and give Benitez the necessary finances to finally prise England International Gareth Barry away from Villa Park.
Fenerbahce see EURO 2008 Winner Alonso as the ideal man to front their Champions League campaign this year, with Benitez already believed to have held talks with the Spaniard about his future.
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Post by stealth1039 on Jul 26, 2008 19:00:16 GMT
Arover would probably know - but that sounds like a record transfer fee for Turkey?
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Post by SaintTim on Jul 29, 2008 5:15:56 GMT
Liverpool complete Keane transfer
Liverpool have completed the signing of striker Robbie Keane from Tottenham for a fee that could rise to £20.3m.
Keane, 28, underwent a medical on Monday after agreeing personal terms on a four-year contract worth around £80,000 a week over the weekend.
Spurs said they agreed an initial fee of £19m plus a potential further £1.3m.
Tottenham have also agreed to drop their official complaint to the Premier League after Liverpool apologised for their conduct in pursuing the Irishman.
Relations between the clubs became strained after Spurs chairman Daniel Levy accused the Reds of breaking Premier League rules in making their interest in Keane known despite being told by the Londoners he was not for sale.
However, a statement on the Spurs website read: "Liverpool FC have acknowledged that the way its website reported comments of its manager, which were widely covered by the media, was inappropriate.
"In light of that acknowledgement (they) have apologised and agreed to make a donation to our Club's main charity, the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation.
"Tottenham Hotspur has therefore agreed not to pursue its official complaint to the Premier League."
But Levy added: "I was incredibly disappointed when I first heard, not only that Liverpool had been working behind the scenes to bring Robbie to Anfield, but that Robbie himself wanted to go and submitted a transfer request to this effect.
"I have already made my opinion clear on the nature of this transaction.
"I don't regard it as a transfer deal - that is something which happens between two clubs when they both agree to trade - this is very much an enforced sale, for which we have agreed a sum of £19m as compensation plus a potential further £1.3m in additional compensation."
Liverpool will now become Keane's sixth club after spells at Wolves, Coventry, Inter Milan and Leeds, before his switch to Tottenham in 2002 for £7m.
The Ireland captain had become Benitez's number one summer target over recent weeks, with the need to replace Peter Crouch, who joined Portsmouth earlier this month, seemingly more important than pursuing the complicated and protracted move for Aston Villa's 27-year-old midfielder Gareth Barry.
Keane paid tribute to Levy and Spurs and revealed that the move to Anfield was too good to turn down.
He said: "I would like to place on record my thanks to the board, players and fans of Tottenham for the past six years, which were the best and most enjoyable of my career to date.
"I will never forget them. I would specifically like to thank chairman Daniel Levy for understanding, that, as a fan, joining Liverpool is a lifelong dream of mine and one I couldn't let pass me by.
"I hope one day the Spurs fans, who have been brilliant to me, can understand this too.
"I have only good things to say about my time at Tottenham and expect them to go from strength to strength under Juande Ramos and Daniel Levy."
The arrival of Keane takes Liverpool's spending to about £32m since the end of last season. They have already drafted in Degen, fellow full-back Andrea Dossena, goalkeeper Diego Cavalieri and teenagers David Ngog and Emmanuel Mendy.
About £20m has been raised by selling Crouch, John Arne Riise, Scott Carson and Danny Guthrie.
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Post by arover on Jul 29, 2008 8:09:40 GMT
Not sure about this one. Is Keane going to work with Torres? Is he worth £20m or whatever it was?
Have Spurs got the best of this deal?
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Post by stealth1039 on Jul 29, 2008 10:35:08 GMT
I think we've done pretty well out of it as 6 years sterling service plus a £12m profit can't be sniffed at. Unfortunately, I think Keane may just be the perfect match to play with Torres although I expect his own ratio of goals compared to Torres will suffer.
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Post by arover on Jul 29, 2008 16:24:50 GMT
I predict Keane to flop at Liverpool.
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Post by arover on Jul 29, 2008 16:25:57 GMT
There's nothing worse that the word "Robbie" said in that hideous scouse accent.
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Post by Bismarck on Aug 13, 2008 16:06:21 GMT
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has underlined his conviction that Liverpool's exhilarating new front duo Robbie Keane and Fernando Torres will live up to expectations.
Speaking ahead of the first-leg of the crucial Champions League group stage qualifier against Standard Liege tonight, Benitez said it will be only a matter of time before they start raining goals, so convinced is he of their ability both as individuals and as a unit.
"Keane and Torres are clever players, they scored plenty of goals last season and when they have played a lot more games together for us, they will score here too," said the Spanish boss.
"These two strikers are top class, and they can be at the level of anyone in this competition. They will get better and better.
"They will need time. It has been a difficult summer with players arriving for training at different stages, but I have no worries about them in the future."
Benitez then turned his attention to the challenge at hand, warning that they will have their work cut out for them even though the Merseyside club are undoubtedly the hot favourites to triumph over two legs.
"Liege are in good form, they beat Anderlecht last weekend in the Belgian super cup, and last season in their league they barely lost a game and went over 30 without defeat at one stage," he pointed out.
"They did not concede many goals, they have a strong defence and a quick attack. We must concentrate."
Comment:Do Liverpool say this every year, are Liverpool a threat? Do they really think they are better than Man Utd.....I love the hype though....
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Post by andynufcfan on Aug 13, 2008 21:17:20 GMT
liverpool were really really poor tonight if they play like that the mackems will beat them
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Post by stealth1039 on Aug 14, 2008 10:40:41 GMT
Liverpool were abysmal but I think Liege were a much better team than most people expected. 3 or 4 of their players looked good enough for the Prem & some of their movement & passing was good to watch..
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Post by arover on Aug 14, 2008 15:55:59 GMT
Liverpool were abysmal but I think Liege were a much better team than most people expected. 3 or 4 of their players looked good enough for the Prem & some of their movement & passing was good to watch.. Didn't see it, it wasn't on here as 2 Turkish teams were playing.
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Post by stealth1039 on Aug 14, 2008 16:08:54 GMT
Shame Arover as it was a good, if not brilliant, match. Liege pushed them from beginning to end & were unlucky not to take a lead to Anfield.
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Post by Bismarck on Aug 15, 2008 12:51:03 GMT
Reina kept them in it..........
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Post by Bismarck on Aug 30, 2008 6:53:49 GMT
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is excited at the prospect of bringing in winger Albert Riera from Espanyol especially due to his experience of Premiership. The deal is, however, yet to be completed, but the Reds boss has said they are ‘very, very close.’
The Spanish international previously played for Manchester City on loan, and has been keen to return to England ever since the Reds showed interest in him. He has flown in to Merseyside for a medical as confirmed by his current club earlier on Friday.
Benitez said: "We are very, very close. The player is coming here. Everybody knows because Espanyol have put on their website that he is coming for a medical. We are very, very close but he has not signed yet.
"He has experience in the Premier League and that is really important.
"If everything is okay we can talk about his qualities, but for now we will just say he is the option we are looking for."
Benitez had earlier set out to bring in Gareth Barry from Aston Villa, but with the reported valuation of £18m proving to be the stumbling block, reluctantly had to shift attention and Riera emerged as the solution to Reds’ left-sided wing problems.
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Post by Bismarck on Sept 11, 2008 13:10:26 GMT
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has laid the blame firmly at UEFA's door for forcing him to leave Sami Hyypia out of his Champions League squad.
The Finland international is left to concentrate on the league New rules brought into force this season state that each club must name at least eight home-grown players in their 25-man squad for the competition and the Finland international was left out to accommodate one such place.
At least four players much be produced from a club's own Academy with the other places made up of players who have come through the youth system of other English clubs.
Liverpool only have Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher as first team members from their own Academy which meant they were forced to add Jay Spearing and Stephen Darby to their 'A' squad. Robbie Keane and Jermaine Pennant filled the second criteria but again they were forced to delve deeper within the club to make up the eight, Steven Irwin and Martin Kelly the players being named.
Now Benitez has hit back at UEFA for forcing him to name a weaker squad than is actually available to him. However, the rule was intended to encourage clubs to look to the home transfer market rather than flood a club with foreign imports and if this is the effect it may just have the desired results.
Benitez told the club's official website: "Clearly I think it is a mistake. When you play in the Champions League, you need the best players you have on the pitch. It is not about where you are from, it is about the best players.
"I would understand if this rule came in for the Premier League, but not for the Champions League.
"It was really difficult decision, but we had to do it. With the rule saying that you need more or less eight British - or local - players in the squads, we needed to decide which three centre-backs to have for the Champions League. We now have four centre-backs who are good enough so they have to compete.
"And obviously it depends on the number of games we play and how we progress in the cup competitions too, so there could be a lot of games for many of our players."
Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel joined Carragher as Benitez's three central defenders in the squad in preference to the 34-year-old Finn.
This is the funny part.....Only Rafa is complaining and has the problem with the rule whereas other clubs have NOT said a single thing about it. It seems more like he is trying to shift the blame on leaving out Hyypia to UEFA rather than just admitting that he is too old for Rafa's liking.
Whats more amusing is you people complaining how stupid it is when non of the clubs has objections to it except Rafa. Even Arsenal has not said anything.
Whatever it is this rule is here to stay... say its stupid
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Post by stealth1039 on Sept 11, 2008 13:29:57 GMT
It's a very much watered down version of Blatter's original intention anyway.
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Post by Bismarck on Oct 1, 2008 15:25:47 GMT
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has done away with the rotation policy, apparently he has no choice as the Reds have begun the season in great form and he does not want to change many things going into Champions League group clash with PSV Eindhoven tonight at Anfield.
The Spanish tactician had come under criticism for his tinkering with the Reds last season, but buoyed with a good start this term where the Merseysiders are still unbeaten, he is set to give a run to his 'on fire' key players.
"We have the experience of last season," Benitez is quoted as saying on the club’s official website. "I won't make many changes. If some players are on fire, maybe it is a good moment to keep them playing.
"Normally we try to check how the players are physically, mentally and also how the team is tactically – and then we decide whether we will change more or less players.
"But now we are in a good position so I do not think that I will change too many.
"When some players are playing well, but are tired, you say 'okay maybe we will have to keep them in.' But then you play them, they are tired and you have to change them in a game!
"You never know. If you win, you can say 'okay fantastic decision,' but I don't think I will change too many players.
"When we were analysing things this week we knew we had four days between the Everton match and this one and four days between this match and the Manchester City game. Three days is not enough, four days is better."
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Post by Bismarck on Oct 17, 2008 7:05:01 GMT
Liverpool will face Atletico Madrid in the Vincente Calderon stadium next week after UEFA temporarily reversed their decision to force the Spanish side to play away from their home ground.
UEFA had placed a two-match ban on Atletico earlier this week, a decision which incensed Liverpool fans after they had made plans to travel to Madrid. Under the suspension, Atletico would have had to play at least 200 miles outside Madrid, causing chaos for supporters.
Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry immediately expressed his satisfaction, saying: "We're delighted at the decision because it means our fans can travel to the game as previously planned without additional expense or inconvenience.
"Liverpool are grateful for the help the FA have provided and pleased UEFA have listened to and acted on the arguments we put forward this week.''
The punishment was meted out after crowd trouble and racist abuse marred their Champions League clash with Olympique Marseille at the beginning of the month.
Atletico appealed the decision but it has only been temporarily lifted by European football's governing body pending a hearing.
A UEFA statement read: "Following the decision of UEFA's Control and Disciplinary Body to sanction Club Atletico de Madrid for a series of incidents at the UEFA Champions League Group D match against Olympique de Marseille on 1 October, the club has lodged an appeal against the decision and requested suspension of the sanctions to allow their match against Liverpool FC to be played in Madrid as originally scheduled.
"After immediate consideration of the request for suspension, and having considered in particular the organisational and logistical difficulties related to relocating the Club Atletico de Madrid v Liverpool FC match to another venue at short notice, the chairman of the appeals body has decided to grant the request for suspension of the sanctions.
"Consequently, UEFA can confirm that the UEFA Champions League match between Club Atletico de Madrid and Liverpool FC will take place as scheduled on October 22 at the Vicente Calderon Stadium in Madrid.
"It should be emphasised that suspension of the sanctions does not mean that the decision of the control and disciplinary body has been set aside. The decision remains in force pending a full hearing of the appeal which will take place on Friday, October 31 at the UEFA Headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland.
"UEFA is however keen to stress that safety and security matters, including efficient cooperation with the police, are of the utmost priority and that there is a zero-tolerance policy for incidents concerning racism in football.
"The match between Club Atletico de Madrid and Liverpool FC will be under particular scrutiny and UEFA is ready to take immediate and further action if there are any reported incidents at this match.''
Atletico responded on Thursday night by welcoming UEFA's decision and asking fans to respect their opponents next week.
"Club Atletico de Madrid, after receiving the official notification of the provisional suspension granted by the UEFA Board of Appeals requested by the Club, would like to state their approval with the decision adopted by this body, by virtue of which the Champions League match between Atletico de Madrid and Liverpool will be played at Estadio Vicente Calderon and their manager, Javier Aguirre, will be able to sit on the bench.
"Regardless of the provisional suspension conceded, the Club will continue to fight the charges with the goal of completely clearing up everything that occurred and proving their innocence, along with proving the absence of the organisation's responsibility with respect to what they have been accused of.
"Furthermore, the club would like to ask its fans to show the maximum respect towards the decision adopted by UEFA and to continue to display the good sportsmanship and fair play that they have been demonstrating at all matches to date, considering the importance lent to supporters' behavior for the positive development of a football match."
The punishment could be extended to a third home match should there be further trouble. They were also fined 150,000 euros and Aguirre was banned from carrying out his functions for their next two Champions League fixtures in Group D.Excellent! Now for every racist football fan out there, all you gotta do is to make sure that your next opponents have fans that whine as much as their club's manager! Then you can go into the stadium and voice your racist chants as much as you want, and expect that any punishment FIFA or UEFA wants to impose will be canceled because your next opponents' fans will start whining that they already made travel plans and "it's not fair to them".
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Post by aaronlfc on Oct 17, 2008 23:28:20 GMT
Torres is injured yet again playin 4 spain and will be out 4 upto 15 days meaning he will miss the games against:
Wigan Atletico Madrid Chelsea Pourtsmouth (maybe)
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Post by Bismarck on Oct 18, 2008 12:11:35 GMT
No need to worry mate...Liverpool are lining up a sensational January swoop for their former striker Emile Heskey after his international renaissance...!
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