KOP News # 1461

Reds sign Chevrolet deal

24th Jul 2012 - Latest News

Liverpool FC today announced they are entering into a four-year partnership agreement with Chevrolet to become its Official Automotive Partner.

The partnership runs to the end of the 2015-16 Barclays Premier League and European campaigns, and includes visibility for the brand at Anfield, Liverpool's home ground; editorial opportunities within the club's print and digital publications and fan sites; and player appearances for commercial opportunities.

Chevrolet is also an official sponsor for the club's pre-season tour, one of the most popular in the world, which has already seen Liverpool play Toronto FC last Saturday. Liverpool will play Italian giants, AS Roma tomorrow at Fenway Park in Boston and on 28 July they will play English Premier League rivals, Tottenham Hotspur in Baltimore.

Chris Perry, global Chevrolet marketing vice president, said: "Liverpool supporters from around the world are known for their undying love of their side. Our relationship with Liverpool FC extends beyond the traditional boundaries of sponsorship and is about engaging with supporters. Everything we do will be aimed at keeping them at the centre of the game."

Ian Ayre, managing director of Liverpool Football Club, said: "Much like our club, Chevrolet has a long, rich history with a growing, global brand and this landmark partnership once again demonstrates the value of Liverpool's international appeal.

"Partnerships with blue chip brands like Chevy will help ensure the long-term growth and success of our club, both on-and-off the pitch. We look forward to working closely with Chevy to help reach and engage our supporters, who are among the most passionate and educated fans in the world."

 

KOP News # 1455

LFC on Tour blog

23rd Jul 2012

Whilst Joe Cole and Jonjo Shelvey are bringing you daily diaries from the players' camp, the LFC on Tour blog will provide an alternative insight into this summer's pre-season campaign from the perspective of the club's own media team.

Make sure you log on every day to find out lots of stuff you don't really need to know...

14.43, July 23

Jonjo Shelvey, Jay Spearing, Joe Cole and Jamie Carragher are at a Warrior event signing shirts, posters, caps and this woman's arm. "I got it done three weeks ago," she tells lfctour.com. "I plan to get a whole sleeve done with Liverpool tattoos." Apparently Jenifer (from Connecticut) gets in trouble at work for showing it. "I don't care," she says, "it goes so well with any outfit." Jonjo Shelvey seems to like it, describing the tattoo as 'crafty'. Which we think is a compliment...

13.30, July 23

The LFC mural on the wall of Central Kitchen in Cambridge is coming on well. Top marks to Tim, Mike, Jeff and all the LFC Boston crew for making it happen.

12.10, July 23

The entire squad apart from one player have headed back to the dressing room to get changed after the morning session. The only player who hasn't is Joe Cole, who has stayed behind - as has become normal - to chat to the fans who have turned up to watch the session. All of the players, without exception, have been great with the supporters they've met on this tour - happily posing for photos and signing autographs - but Cole deserves extra credit for just how good he's been so far.

9.50, July 23

"It's a beautiful moment," explains Philip Mirisola. Philip, along with three friends, has just posed for a photograph with the entire Liverpool squad to mark a meeting of the past and the present. In 1964, Philip, along with Sal LoGrasso, Frank Mirisola and coach Unberto Atriao, were part of a semi-pro team called Boston Metros who played Bill Shankly's Liverpool side on an early pre-season tour to America. "Back then, Liverpool were one of the greatest teams in Europe, so it was a dream for us to play against them," explained Philip. "We used to try and watch Liverpool on TV when we could but to play against them was unreal. We were the best team in the amateur league at the time but we were no match for Liverpool. We lost the game 8-1 but ever since then Liverpool have been my team. For them to invite us down to watch them train today and pose for a picture with us was such a great gesture. I spoke to Jamie Carragher after the picture was taken and he was asking about our game. He was really interested which was nice."

12.25, July 22

There's as yet unconfirmed reports of a spot of cheating going on at the golf day attended by eight of the first-team squad. The players have been given the day off and some of the players have decided to visit one of the best golf courses in New England for the afternoon. Reports have reached LFC TV from the Fox crew, who were filming the round, that Jay Spearing may have been spotted interfering with the lay of Jon Flanagan's golf ball when the defender wasn't looking. In their four-ball, it turns out Jonjo Shelvey won the round, while Daniel Agger proved victorious over Charlie Adam in the other game.

12.10, July 22

Who says footballers don't do public transport? Stepping onto a 14-carriage metro train at Charles Street Station, who should we bump into but Lucas and Dani Pacheco heading back to the team hotel after a few hours sightseeing at the harbour.

22.10, July 21

The look of desolation on the young lads' faces is priceless. We've just landed back in Boston and every young player under the age of 21 has just been asked to hand in their passports to Ray, the player liaison officer, immediately after clearing immigration. Following the 1-1 draw in Toronto, the players have all been told they are allowed to go out for the first night since arriving in the States. Except it seems for the young players, who have just this second found out that anyone under 21 is not allowed to enter drinking establishments in America. From excitement about the prospect of a night out in town with the senior players to crushing disappointment in the space of 30 seconds - you've got to laugh!

18.08, July 21

Adam Morgan, Liverpool's first goalscorer of this pre-season tour, has just spotted his dad (in the grey t-shirt below, centre) waiting by the advertising hoardings. He rushes over and embraces him. It's a magical moment for both the youngster and his father, Shaun, who only made the decision to fly out to Toronto on Friday. "My friend rang me yesterday and asked if I fancied coming out for the game," Shaun tells lfctour.com. "I said I couldn't really afford it but he's got his own company and he said he'd pay for the flights and all I'd need was my spending money. I didn't tell Adam I was coming out so when I arrived at the team hotel, I asked Robbie Fowler to go up to his room and bring him down. He started crying when he saw me. It was fantastic. I've waited 13 years for this moment tonight. We're red through and through - me and Adam used to go home and away with Liverpool - so when he scored, I started crying myself. I was just speechless. I still can't believe it."

15.30, July 21

It might only be a friendly with at least 22 players set to be involved but one player delighted to actually be in the starting line-up is Dani Pacheco. The little Spaniard, always one of the happiest members of the squad, is loving it back at Liverpool and is hoping to do enough this summer to impress the new boss. "The manager likes to play good, passing football and that's the football I like to play, so hopefully I can be part of his plans," he says, before heading back to the dressing room.

15.10, July 21

It's 50 minutes to kick-off and there's a very special but quite frail visitor stood outside the LFC dressing room. His name is Angus Johnstone and he's been brought here by his son, Paul. Angus grew up with Willie Stevenson, one of the stars of the Liverpool sides of the 1960s, and became friendly with all the team back then - so much so that they all came to his wedding. He's here today because he's starting to suffer from Alzheimer's and his son wanted him to meet one of the current players before his memory starts to fade. Thankfully, Lucas Leiva and Joe Cole are more than happy to meet him and after saying hello, they present Angus with a shirt signed by the entire squad. It's a nice moment. 

15.02, July 21

The aim of every tour is to win over new fans. Here's two at the Rogers Centre that Liverpool seem to have captured...

KOP News # 1457

'We'll be louder than Toronto'

24th Jul 2012

Fans in a small Massachusetts town have proved that Toronto isn't the only place in North America that is mad for Liverpool.

Brendan Rodgers and the squad were overwhelmed by the passion of the support they witnessed during the game against Toronto FC at the weekend, and if the scenes at a sports shop in Foxborough on Monday are anything to go by, there will be more of the same when Liverpool play on US soil this week.

Jamie Carragher, Joe Cole, Jonjo Shelvey and Jay Spearing were at the Warrior event to sign shirts and pose for photos - and hundreds of fans showed up dressed in red.

Jonathan Fauxbel brought his sons and nephews (pictured), who all play for the Liverpool FSC Five Star Academy in Massachusetts.

"They've all been pretty psyched about today," he told lfctour.com from the front of the queue at the WeGotSoccer store. "My sons are half Belgian so they like Eden Hazard but they won't be supporting Chelsea. They'd get kicked out of the door at the Academy if they turned up in a Chelsea shirt."

While most of those in attendance were local, Ryan Minogue had made the trip from Toronto in time for Wednesday's clash with Roma at Fenway Park just down the road in Boston.

"Are you guys going to be louder than Toronto?" he asked Sameer Chopra and Devin Thomas (pictured directly above), who'd joined the queue behind him.

"Of course," replied Devin. "We're Boston, we're a sports city. It's a working class city and sport is life there."

The lads went on to get their posters and shirts signed by the players while we spoke to Ben Haworth, the global head of sports marketing for Warrior, who was enjoying the now familiar sight of our new home kit flying off the shelves.

"The numbers have been phenomenal," he said. "It's been incredible for us. It's a great fit with the heritage and history behind the club and we've broken the club's kit sales record.

"We went out and talked to the fans and spent time looking at the heritage of the club. We took a step back and came up with a bespoke kit for Liverpool."

 

 

KOP News # 1458

Liverpool FC Transfer Rumours: Reds Offer £10m Plus Jonjo Shelvey for Joe Allen

By

Dusan Lucic

(Correspondent) on July 23, 2012

Julian Finney/Getty Images

Brendan Rodgers is ready to test Swansea's determination to keep the highly-rated Joe Allen with a £10 million offer that would also see Jonjo Shelvey, who has just recently signed a long-term deal with the Reds, move to Swansea on a season-long loan, Caughtoffside.com reported.

Newly-appointed Swansea boss Michael Laudrup admitted that Joe Allen would be allowed to leave the Swans if the right offer arrived. Via Goal.com:

You can't say yes or no without having spoken to the player. You have to know always what does the player want. If he says 'No, I want to stay, I'm so happy here,' then he stays. But, of course, if we get a very big offer and the player wants to leave, what means is there to keep him here?

The 22-year-old was one of the most successful passers last season, averaging 60 passes per game and successfully completing 91.2 percent of those passes. However, the Welshman recorded only two assists and four goals last year.

Even though there have been reports (the Guardian) claiming that Liverpool won't be able to sign any Swansea player in the next 12 months, the Reds are looking increasingly more likely to sign the Wales international.

Caughtoffside.com also understand that Allen would welcome the opportunity to play under Brendan Rodgers in Liverpool. Nevertheless, the midfielder won't try to push through a deal.

Allen is currently with Team GB preparing for 2012 Summer Olympics.

Thanks for reading!

 

KOP News # 1456

Photos: Reds fans in Toronto

22nd Jul 2012

Liverpool played the first fixture of their North American tour on Saturday night when the Reds were held to a 1-1 draw by Toronto at the Rogers Centre in Canada.

Brendan Rodgers and his side were well represented in the stands as fans turned out in their thousands to show their full support for the team.

Scroll down to see our selection of fantastic crowd photos from Saturday's match:

 

 

KOP News # 1454

Clint Dempsey: What Would USA Star Bring to Liverpool?

By

Tony Mabert

(Featured Columnist) on July 23, 2012

 

Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Liverpool's long-held interest in Fulham attacker Clint Dempsey has hardly been a secret.

Notwithstanding the embarrassing but meaningless gaffe made by Fenway Sports Group-owned network NESN last week, when their website declared the signing of the USA international (as reported by Eurosport), Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has recently confirmed his interest in the player.

The Mirror quote Rodgers as telling Liverpool's official website: "Ian Ayre, our managing director, has spoken with the club to see what the position is. That is where we're at.

"He's a very talented player, but we don't like to talk about other clubs' players."

But what exactly would the Texan forward bring to the party at Liverpool, save for a penchant of hip-hop that threatens to see the release of yet another version of the Anfield Rap?

While the cynic would immediately point to the marketing benefits that club owners Fenway Sports Group would have in getting one of USA's top players into their squad, it goes beyond sheer business sense.

At 29 years of age, they would be getting a player in his peak years, whose physical fitness and relatively injury-free track record suggest that he could at least maintain his current level into his early 30s.

The former New England Revolution player brought with him more than just the athletic excellence and competitive nature that seems to be a hallmark of American imports into the English game, as he is also highly accomplished in the technical side of his game.

He may not be the type of signing to single-handedly turn Liverpool into a force again—they would need several of those—but he would be a decent acquisition for where Liverpool are at right now and what they are trying to do over the next couple of years.

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Would Clint Dempsey be a good signing for Liverpool?

·  Yes

91.4%

·  No

8.6%

Total votes: 509

Every season since he arrived in England in 2006 has seen Dempsey's contribution for Fulham improve. 

In his first full season in England, he chalked up six goals and two assists in the Premier League. Last term, after small but steady increases every year, those figures increased to 17 and six. Since the turn of the year, Dempsey has netted 14 goals in all competitions, including two hat-tricks.

But he hasn't just been potent in front of goal—he has also been timely. The man from Nacogdoches has a habit of scoring important goals. Last season, seven of his league goals were the openers in matches, while he also scored a late winner over Liverpool and equalisers in 1-1 draws against local rivals Chelsea, both home and away. In games in which Dempsey started, Fulham had a win percentage of 42 last season. Without him, that dropped to 33 percent.

Another asset which Dempsey possesses that Liverpool would be grateful to have is his versatility. During his time at Craven Cottage, Dempsey has shown himself able to play in the centre of midfield or on the flank—though not as a true winger—or as part of a front two. With winger Stewart Downing struggling after his first season at Anfield and the Reds only having two genuine strikers with plenty of games under their belts, Dempsey's versatility would be very useful for Rodger to have at his disposal.

While Fulham have come out publicly and said they have no intention of selling Dempsey and "would not welcome" any bids (as reported by ESPN), the fact that he only has one year left on his current contract at Craven Cottage may force their hand this summer. Should that happen, Dempsey would be a useful addition to Rodgers' Anfield revival.

 

KOP News # 1453

Hoops in for Bellamy

QPR vice-chairman confirms interest in Welsh striker

By Rebecca Stephenson (follow me @1rebs).   Last Updated: July 23, 2012 11:55pm

Craig Bellamy: Liverpool striker is on QPR hitlist

 

QPR vice-chairman Amit Bhatia has confirmed that Craig Bellamy is on the club's shopping list as they plot their next transfer move.

Bellamy is currently preparing to represent Team GB at the Olympic Games, but speculation has continued to mount over where he will be plying his trade for the upcoming season.

Brendan Rodgers has expressed a desire to keep the Welshman at Anfield, while Cardiff are thought to be interested in their former player.

Bhatia has confirmed the Hoops are also keen, telling Sky Sports News: "Mark (Hughes) likes to have a long list of players so we'll see what happens.

"We've been a fan of Craig Bellamy for the last few years.

"His is definitely a name that has been mentioned but he's not the only name that we have discussed for that position so we have a few options.

"Mark has loads of names on his list and many of the players we want are wanted by other clubs.

He added: "Whoever Mark settles on, we will do our best to support him."

 

KOP News # 1452

Cole: I'm ready to write a new chapter of my career at Anfield

By Dominic King

PUBLISHED: 20:00 GMT, 23 July 2012 | UPDATED: 20:00 GMT, 23 July 2012

Joe Cole is ready for the battle to win over hearts and minds as he stated his determination to play a key role for the 'new' Liverpool.

After enjoying a successful season-long loan with Lille, Cole's enthusiasm and eagerness to succeed on Merseyside cannot be called into question and he feels the club to which he has returned is dramatically different to the one he left last August.

Brendan Rodgers, who worked with Cole at Chelsea, has been impressed with England international's desire during training here in Boston and there is little doubt he has the skill and knowledge to fit into the style which the new Liverpool manager wants to implement.

Fresh start: Cole is hoping to kickstart his Anfield career under Rodgers

  Cole, though, has never shown his true form at Anfield and, for that reason, there is scepticism on the Kop about what he will be able to contribute under Rodgers.

The 30-year-old, however, is confident he can turn public opinion in his favour.

When asked if he felt he had to win people over, Cole replied: 'Yeah but I am only looking forward. Everything I have done in my career is in the bank and has been and gone. But I want to write new chapters.

On tour: Cole featured for Liverpool in their 1-1 draw with FC Toronto on Saturday

'I want to be part of the revival of this great club and help make it successful. I want to help my team. I have spoken with Brendan and, as far as I am concerned, I am here (for the season). I'm looking forward to the season and we will go from there. It was great to pull on the shirt again.'

When Cole signed on a Bosman in July 2010 after leaving Chelsea, it was envisaged he would dovetail sweetly with Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres but a red card on his Barclays Premier League debut against Arsenal, coupled with a subsequent loss of form and injury problems, proved ruinous.

It has hardly helped, however, that he has been at Anfield during the most turbulent managerial spell in the club's history, with Rodgers becoming the third man in three years to take the reins after Roy Hodgson and Kenny Dalglish.

'It's not traditional for the club to change managers but we need stability now,' said Cole, who played the second half of Liverpool's 1-1 draw with FC Toronto on Saturday. 'Everyone needs to be settled and I am 100 per cent sure that the right man is in the job. He is the best out there.

'The fans are intelligent. They know (finishing) sixth, seventh and eighth in the last three seasons isn't good enough. But we are a work in progress now and we have got the right man in charge. The lads have all been impressed with everything that he has done. He is so on the ball.

'There is no point looking back to how everything started here for me. That has been and gone. I am just looking forward to the season. When I came here, I wanted to be part of the revival of this great club. Nothing has changed. I want to be part of this team and so we can all do it together.'

Harmony, then, will be crucial if Liverpool are going to reclaim a place back in the top six and Rodgers has been working on building team spirit in Boston; there have been a couple of trips to see the Red Sox baseball team, while the squad have also been given time to explore the city.

'It just feels so much more settled,' said Cole. 'The fans are well educated with their football; they have seen so many great players. They also know the not good players.

'They also know a good manager and you speak to anyone out here or back home and they know we have got a good manager. Brendan's style looks off the cuff but it isn't. It is very, very tactical. You are concentrating hard and thinking constantly. Every training session is brilliant.

'I can only see us going in one direction but we have got to work hard to make sure that happens.'

 

KOP News # 1451

Reds youngster heads for the exit door

Liverpool, 00:38, July 24, 2012

Barnsley have beaten off competition from Premier League clubs to sign young winger Toni Silva on a free transfer from Liverpool.

Tykes boss Keith Hill has been tracking the 18-year-old for some time after being impressed with his performances at Northampton last season during a 15-game loan spell with the League Two outfit.
He joined Liverpool in 2009 from Benfica, and immediately looked a player of some promise with his displays at youth level, but his efforts for the Reds reserves failed to hit the same heights.
Liverpool have decided to let him move on with younger prospects like Raheem Sterling and Jordan Ibe now in front of him in the pecking order at Anfield.
Barnsley have handed Silva a two-year deal and while there is no fee involved as such, the South Yorkshire club will have to compensate the Reds for each of his three seasons on Merseyside due to his age.
Hill told BBC Radio Sheffield: "He's young, enthusiastic and quick with and without the ball.
"There's a lot of development that we're going to have to put into him to make him realise his potential but I believe we can do that.
"He went on loan to Northampton last season, which was a good experience for him. I spoke to Aidy Boothroyd about him and he agrees that he's an exciting prospect.
"Toni is left-footed and we've been looking for a left-footed winger for a while. But he can also play wide on the right and as a No.10, so he's the type of player we're looking for.
"There's no magic formula about buying players unless you have money, but we're working within a tight budget and doing the best business we can.
"This is a really good signing for the club but there needs to be some patience because he's still a young lad."

 

KOP News # 1434 ---> Training Pics at Harvard...

Photo special: Reds train at Harvard

17th Jul 2012

Brendan Rodgers this morning put his players through their first training session of the club's North American tour as temperatures soared past 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

The session, which focused on short passing and shooting practice before evolving into a fully fledged match, was held at the prestigious Harvard University sports complex - Liverpool's training base for the next 13 days.

Chairman Tom Werner watched a lot of the action while Reds legends Robbie Fowler and Ian Rush were also in attendance, with Rodgers spending 10 minutes chatting to the pair after training to talk through what he'd been trying to achieve during the session.

Conversation over, Brendan and a number of the players stopped to sign a few autographs for the watching fans.

Here are a selection of pictures from the morning...