Liverpool rindukan Crouch

Liverpool rindukan Crouch

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LONDON - Liverpool bersedia untuk mengemukakan tawaran kepada Peter Crouch (gambar) dalam misi membawa kembali penyerang tinggi lampai itu ke Anfield.

Sebelum ini, Crouch hangat dikaitkan dengan Sunderland, namun kelab itu gagal mencapai kata sepakat berhubung syarat-syarat yang diberikan penyerang berusia 28 tahun itu.

Selain Sunderland, Tottenham Hotspur juga dikhabarkan berminat mendapatkan bintang Portsmouth itu.

Begitupun, agensi Daily Star semalam mendedahkan bahawa kini giliran Liver- pool pula tampil membuat bidaan ke atas Crouch.

Pengurus Liverpool, Rafael Benitez dikhabarkan telah menghubungi kelab Pompey dan sedia mengeluarkan dana sebanyak £12 juta (RM69 juta) untuk mendapatkan penyerang tersebut.

Untuk rekod, Crouch pernah menghabiskan masa tiga musim bersama The Reds (2005-2008). Selama dua musim pertama, Crouch berada dalam kesebe- lasan utama, namun penampilannya semakin terbatas pada musim ketiga sebelum dia berhijrah ke Portsmouth.

Dalam perkembangan berasingan, The Reds yang kini berada di Singapura untuk siri Jelajah Asia turut berusaha untuk mendapatkan bintang Valencia, David Silva.

Liverpool telah lama meminati Silva, namun Valencia tetap keberatan melepaskan bintang tengah Sepanyol itu ke Anfield.

"Apa yang akan digunakan Benitez ialah membuat tawaran besar kepada Valencia selepas menyedari kelab itu terdesak untuk mendapatkan sumber kewangan," jelas The Telegraph yang menjangka- kan pengurus Liverpool itu akan membuat tawaran sebesar 29 juta euro (RM168 juta). - Agensi

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Liverpool FC News_10

Premier League

• 

Tuesday 7th July 2009

Liverpool consider bid for Distin

Portsmouth could be set to lose another defender to Liverpool as Rafa Benitez ponders a move for Sylvain Distin.

Having already signed Glen Johnson from the south coast club during the summer break Benitez is now ready to tempt another one of their defenders as he plots an assault on the Premier League title.

According to French daily Le Figaro, Liverpool are preparing a €2million euro bid for Distin. The elegant defender has been at Pompey since 2007, making 74 league appearances

Portsmouth's transfer activity is currently shrouded in uncertainty due to their takeover situation, and Benitez is hoping to take advantage by snaring an unsettled Distin.

 

 

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Liverpool FC News_9

Premier League

• 

Monday 6th July 2009

Benayoun set for new Anfield deal

Yossi Benayoun today signed a new Liverpool contract and insisted "playing for this club is a dream come true".

The Anfield club have rewarded the Israel skipper following his best season in English football with a new two-year extension to his current deal which has two seasons to run.

The 29-year-old told www.liverpoolfc.tv: "I am very happy that we have reached an agreement. Of course, to be at a club like this is a dream come true and I want to keep playing here.

"Hopefully now I can concentrate on the hard work that needs to be done and try to play better and better and win some silverware."

Benayoun, who moved to Anfield from West Ham in July 2007, scored nine goals in 42 appearances during the 2008-09 campaign.

The high spot for Benayoun came in February at the Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, when he scored the late winner against Real in the Champions League last 16.

A dramatic stoppage-time winner at Fulham followed in April before he struck twice in the pulsating 4-4 draw with Arsenal at Anfield.

He follows Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres, Daniel Agger and Dirk Kuyt in committing his long-term future to the club.

Boss Rafael Benitez said: "You know that our idea was to extend the contracts of some players and Yossi was one of these players.

"He has been really good for us over the last year, scoring crucial goals and getting assists, so we wanted to keep him and I'm really pleased with the extension."

The majority of Liverpool's stars returned for pre-season training today, as the club also announced new contracts for two of their most promising home-grown youngsters.

Midfielder Jay Spearing and full-back Stephen Darby - both 20 - are expected to put pen to paper on the new deals later this week.

Spearing, who captained the FA Youth Cup winning side of 2007, has made a big impression as a competitive midfielder and made his senior debut last season as a substitute in the Champions League home mauling of Real Madrid.

The memory of the Kop rising to sing the youngster's name as he trotted onto the pitch alongside some of the greats of European football is one of the more endearing moments of last season, and underlined their desire to see local youngsters given a chance by boss Rafael Benitez.

Darby, a former reserve team skipper, made three first-team appearances last season.

So far, the Liverpool boss has only lost Sami Hyypia and Jermaine Pennant on free transfers from last season's squad.

He has also raised £4.2million from the sales of Paul Anderson, Jack Hobbs and Sebastian Leto so far this summer.

But the crunch will come when Liverpool receive bids for Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano from Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively.

That has yet to happen despite constant speculation about the pair's future. And in such a climate it clearly makes sense for Benitez to keep Benayoun.

Benitez has publicly stated he does not want to sell Alonso or Mascherano, but he has been linked with possible replacements in Udinese's Gokhan Inler and Inter Milan's Esteban Cambiasso.

The saga over Alonso's future could drag on for a few weeks yet, with the Spanish international not due back for training until the day before Liverpool fly to the Far East - on July 20 - for matches against Thailand (July 22) and Singapore (July 26).

The Spanish contingent have been given an extra fortnight's rest following the Confederations Cup.

England pair Gerrard, and new signing Glen Johnson, both return to training on Wednesday following their summer internationals.

Liverpool's first pre-season friendlies are while they are away at their Swiss training camp. The play St Gallen on July 15 and Rapid Vienna on July 19 before travelling to Bangkok.

On their return they will open Espanyol's new stadium in Barcelona on August 2, before a trip to play Lyn Oslo three days later. Their final warm-up game is at home to Torres' former club, Atletico Madrid, on August 8.

Another of Liverpool's 'new' signings - former boss and playing legend Kenny Dalglish - also had his first day in his new job with the club's academy today.

 

Torres: We can win without money

Days after asking Liverpool to open the cheque book Fernando Torres has insisted that Liverpool can succeed without spending big.

Liverpool's star-striker had encouraged the Reds to pursue their interest in Valencia's David Villa and David Silva, but with the realisation that such a big-money raid is unlikely to happen 'El Nino' backed the clubs current players to make a big statement in the league next season.

Speaking to English daily The Guardian, Torres said, "I don't know about Liverpool's financial situation but I know we don't have the same money as Manchester United or Chelsea.

"We're fighting them with less money every season. That's not a problem for us - we're a strong team and we'll win trophies with money or without it.

"The important thing is we're getting closer to the title."

Torres then spoke of his frustration at Liverpool's lack of success during his time at Anfield, continuing, "It's been frustrating for me because three years without a trophy for Liverpool is too long. The next one is coming, though - I'm sure of it."

He then admitted that Spanish international team-mate David Villa might be an unattainable target, stating, "I know Rafa is working hard to bring in good players but I'm pretty sure David Villa will be too expensive for us.

"He is an outstanding striker and if Liverpool could sign anyone, I'd ask for him. He's been in sensational form this season.

"But, to be honest, we have Steven Gerrard playing behind the striker and he scores 20 goals a season, so we don't really need another forward."

According to Torres, keeping the players they currently have is more important for Liverpool than signing new ones. "We just need to keep our best players," he said.

"I worry about losing my team-mates but if we can keep our best players and bring in some more, we'll be even stronger for next season. "

Alonso: Real door still open

Liverpool's Xabi Alonso says he would have 'no regrets' staying at Anfield but has refused to rule out a big-money move to Real Madrid.

The Spain international, who scored the winning goal for his country in Sunday's Confederations Cup third-placed play-off win over hosts South Africa, has been strongly linked with a 25 million euro switch to the Bernabeu over the past 12 months.

Alonso looked set to be sold last summer in order to make room for Gareth Barry, then of Aston Villa, before the deal collapsed and the 27-year-old was reported to have been offended by manager Rafa Benitez's apparent desire to cash in.

Benitez maintains he does not want to part company with the influential midfielder, but Real are understood to remain keen to team Alonso with the likes of Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo as they form a new era of 'galacticos'.

And Alonso is refusing to dismiss any outcome on his future, telling Don Balon: "In respect to all this I have not closed any door and we will just have to wait and see what happens.

"It is always positive when various teams are said to want you because that is better than nobody being interested, but I cannot say much more.

"I know that I have to keep playing well and will be able to decide what happens next whenever it arises.

"I do not think a move to Real Madrid is impossible, but I would also have no regrets at all staying at Liverpool."

Reports on Merseyside claim that Benitez is to hold clear-the-air talks with Alonso this week as the pair attempt to settle their rumoured bust-up.

The 61-time Spain cap insists he has no problem working with his current boss, who brought him to England in 2004, but has not expanded upon their association.

"My relationship with Benitez is professional, just like he has with any other player. I believe that is how things will stay too," Alonso continued.

"I am happy in England and have adapted, but I do miss certain things from Spain. I cannot rule out a move or even staying in the Premier League.

"I am happy there (England) and although I was a bit home sick at the start, I am still there.

"This situation is normal for me because I know what is actually happening, away from what is being reported. For that reason I am perfectly calm."

Why People HATE Manchester United, and Why We Should Love Liverpool

Bottom of Form

Posted by John Roache, on May 17th, 2009, in Sports - LFC

Firstly, let me congratulate Manchester United’s manager, players and fans on finally matching our record of 18 top flight league titles. If I didn’t do that then I might sound a little bitter throughout the rest of this article, because what I’d like to do secondly is establish why it is that people hate Man United as a club so much – and no, it isn’t ‘just because they win’, contrary to what you might think.

Obviously, Liverpool fans hate United because they’re our biggest rivals and have been for many years; but the hatred levels shown towards Chelsea, Everton and Arsenal are nothing compared to the animosity we have for the Mancs. Absolutely nothing. There are so many reasons for this that to attempt an exhaustive list would be futile, but taking a few of the most recent and nauseating instances of United’s extreme arrogance and hypocrisy might allow us to explore the hatred just a little bit.

A few weeks ago was the 20^th anniversary of the Hillsborough tragedy, and say what you will about Liverpool fans, Heysel, and all of the other historically controversial moments which have shaped this club, there can be no denying that, for those few April days, respect and solidarity were owed to those who lost loved ones on that day. It was a beautiful week in many ways, with a moving ceremony and a lot of very kind, thoughtful words being said by people up and down the country, even those not normally involved in the footballing world.

At the same time, Alex Ferguson was preparing to launch a pre-meditated and public attack on Rafael Benitez’s moral standards. It concerned the infamous ‘gesture’ Rafa made to Xabi Alonso after the midfield playmaker apparently ignored his manager’s instructions to play a free kick short. Was Ferguson there in the dugout, was he even at Anfield? No. Did the incident concern him or his team at all? No. Did he have any evidence that Benitez meant the gesture as an arrogant ‘game over’ signal aimed at Allardyce and Blackburn? No. Did Allardyce say anything about the incident until Ferguson raised the matter? Did he mention it in his post-game drink with Sammy Lee? Did the TV cameras show Benitez to be targeting his opponents in any way?

Did Sam Allardyce once bring a reserve keeper on to play up front in an FA Cup game that he judged his Bolton side to have already comfortably won? Yes, he did.

Allardyce is a disgusting person but by far the worse of the two evils here is Ferguson. He said that Benitez had shown ‘contempt’ for his opponents with the gesture. Well, let’s talk about contempt Mr Ferguson.

Do you think that nobody is watching when you run around like a drunken hooligan, waving your arms and swearing at the 4^th official just because a decision didn’t go your way? What about your team’s nasty and well-known habit of surrounding the referee? What about your assistant’s accusation last year that the referee of your FA Cup game against Portsmouth was bent, just because he didn’t give you the decisions that you wanted? What about your deliberate lies to the media about your club’s level of spending compared to Liverpool’s? What about your childish refusal to speak to the BBC on account of the fact that they included your son in a documentary about dodgy agents? Not to be forgotten was your refusal to fulfil your media obligations to Sky Sports – the company responsible for the wealth of your club – because they dared to insist that one of your games be played at 12.45 instead of 3 o clock (this was in accordance with official police recommendations).

And last week, after your side scored a late goal against Wigan, your player Patrice Evra made a gesture which – and this time it was certainly clear – was meant to mock Benitez and imply that the league was ‘all over’. By the way, the league wasn’t over at that point – the Mancs needed Saturday’s bland 0-0 home draw to Arsenal to confirm that. Contempt? Anyone?

Ferguson has been anxious about Liverpool this year. He made remarks earlier this season which ruled us out as serious contenders, despite our strong start. Benitez stepped in soon after and gave his legendary Ferguson lecture, a moment which has wrongly been labelled a rant and which, actually, revealed an awful lot of truths concerning the ‘untouchable’ status that the United manager has deliberately built for himself over his many years in charge. We proceeded to push United to the 37^th game of the season, beating them twice, scoring more goals and losing fewer games, leaving them to rely on some excellent defending and some dubious refereeing decisions to win the league.

They won the league because they managed to nick goals in the home games which saw us drawing. They got more points over 9 months and they are therefore rightly champions. But when Benitez beats them to the title next year, it will be every bit as impressive an achievement as Ferguson’s first title win with United – if not more so. Ferguson has a centre back who cost more than our entire defensive squad put together; he has a £30 million striker in Berbatov, a £27 million striker in Rooney and the ability to spend £30 million combined on young lads like Anderson and Nani. Benitez meanwhile has built a team out of dependable players like Alonso, Agger, Skrtel, Reina, Kuyt and Riera without spending small fortunes on each one. His record signing, Torres, was only £20 million and has been much better value than Berbatov. Mascherano, at £18 million, is better than both Carrick (£15 million plus) and Hargreaves (£18 million plus).

Nobody seems to give Rafa the credit he deserves for simply managing to build a title-challenging side at a time when Ferguson is cash-rich and well-established and Chelsea have Russian billions in the bank. Liverpool also manage to play quite nice football – something else that the commentators tend to ignore. We’re no Barcelona but we’re certainly better than Chelsea to look at.

Football in general is not enough to make me angry; it’s the characters and forces involved in the game which get me livid. If Ferguson and United’s behaviour had been different, even for this one season, I’d have accepted them winning the title in a much more gracious fashion. But as it is, their lack of humility and respect for others just drives me on; along with a love of Liverpool FC, it’s what keeps me going, keeps me paying for my season ticket every year. We’ll get that title back from Man United next season, that’s what I believe; and when we do it, it will be as respectable, popular champions, and our manager will show anything but contempt in victory. But – and this is the key - even if we don’t win, all of the respect and honour will still be on our side.

And that’s why I’m proud to be a long-suffering Liverpool fan.

Torres seeks Spanish reinforcements

Fernando Torres has revealed he has recommended three of his Spanish compatriots to Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez.

The Spain striker believes the Reds need "small players with quality" to finally wrest the Premier League title from Manchester United and would like Benitez to sign David Silva, Juan Mata or David Villa from Valencia.

"English football is very difficult because it's very physical and played at a high tempo," Torres said. "We have a fantastic team to play against the big teams and we are competitive.

"But maybe against those teams lower down we are not good enough. We have to improve that and I think we can.

"I think we can definitely be stronger at home. We have some very good players but maybe we need other players. I hope Liverpool will bring people like Silva, Mata or Villa. These are small players with quality like United had with Carlos Tevez and also with Paul Scholes.

"They are clever players and maybe they can make the difference. Yossi Benayoun plays like these kind of players and I hope we can bring more like that so then we have different options to play against all the sides."

The former Atletico Madrid frontman added: "It was frustrating but football is difficult against the smaller teams. We need players with quality to try to win these matches and I want Liverpool to sign players like this.

"We finished four points behind United but we are improving. We are getting more points every season. I know that every year we can finish with more points. I have recommended the names to Benitez and I hope we have the money."

Benitez: We had to snap up Johnson

Rafael Benitez has admitted he had to act quickly in a "crazy" market to secure the signing of defender Glen Johnson.

The 24-year-old right-back completed his move from Portsmouth for a fee believed to be £17million, although much of that will be offset by money still owed from Peter Crouch's transfer to Fratton Park last summer.

Benitez has already accepted he paid over the odds for the England international but stressed there were many factors which made the deal the right one for the club.

After after a summer which has already seen the £59million transfer of Kaka - and the expected £80million move of Cristiano Ronaldo - to Real Madrid the Liverpool boss is happy with the outlay on his first signing of the summer.

"We knew the market was going to be difficult this summer and some of it has been crazy," said Benitez.

"Manchester City and Chelsea were there - they were making offers. We had to be quick and the club acted quickly.

"It was down to the player whether he chose us or City or Chelsea and he chose us.

"It was very clear from talking to him that he wanted to play for Liverpool."

Part of the reason the Johnson deal cost so much was the premium now attached to English players.

With regulations set to become tighter on the number of foreigners each side can field Benitez knew he would have to pay a large sum for Johnson.

"We were thinking about bringing in players with quality and Johnson is a very good player," added the Liverpool boss.

"He is also English and that is important for the Champions League list."

Benitez was also impressed with the attitude of the former Chelsea and West Ham full-back.

"One of the main things is his mentality - it's really good. He is a winner," said the Liverpool manager.

"I was impressed with the conversations I had with him. He wants to improve."

Liverpool face a battle to keep midfielder Xabi Alonso after reports in the Spanish press claimed Real Madrid coach Manuel Pellegrini has travelled home to Chile for a short holiday with assurances from the club that they will sign the 27-year-old.

But Benitez will not be forced to sell the player to balance the books after the club's bankers dismissed concerns about an impending financial crisis.

Auditors KPMG had raised issues about debt levels after Kop Holdings, the company set up by American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett to buy the club two years ago, posted losses of £42.6million in the year ending July 2008.

However, the football club business itself made a profit of £10.2million and the Royal Bank of Scotland, one of two banks who loaned money to the Americans for the buy-out, have said there is a clear division between what the club owes them and Hicks and Gillett's debt.

"We also lent money to the club's parent, Kop Football Limited, so that it could repay debt which was on the balance sheet of the club at the time of its acquisition by George Gillett and Tom Hicks," said the bank in an email to supporters, according to the Liverpool Daily Post.

"This is the only portion of Kop Football's bank debt for which the club is legally responsible.

"We took great care when making our original loan in early 2007 and when refinancing it last January to distinguish between obligations of the club and obligations of its parent company, the latter being secured by personal guarantees and collateral from the owners and a pledge of the shares they own in the club.

"In our view and that of the executive management of the club, it is financially healthy and able to service comfortably its debt obligations from cash flow generated by its playing and commercial activities."